Welcome Nicholas James!

Nicholas James was born on February 25, 2009 at 4:17 a.m. He weighed 8 lbs 9 ounces at birth and is 21 inches long.

Here is our birth story (warning - it is a long post):

It is Tuesday morning and I'm feeling a lot of pressure and it is obvious that baby has lowered. I became a little concerned that I was leaking amniotic fluid but only a little as it wasn't anything like when my water broke with the twins. Just to be on the safe side, I went to the OB's office - thankfully, since I was in the vanpool that day, my boss said she would take me.

We get to the OB's office - she offers to wait until Jon gets there but I get called back before he does and I tell her she can go. My blood pressure was o.k. I had gained another 1 1/2 pounds since Friday (most likely water weight based on how my feet looked). The OB on call comes in and checks me out - no amniotic fluid and I had only dilated another .5 cm. Based on this, I thought I had would be one that would slowly dilate and it would be another week before baby #3 arrived. I was wrong.

Jon took me back to work. I was feeling mostly alright - just feeling that pressure. I stayed at work until 4:30 and went home with the vanpool. I wasn't feeling any noticeable contractions at this point. I waited until Jon got to the park 'n ride and we went to go pick up the twins from daycare. It is now about 5:20 or so and still nothing. I just needed to pee really badly, so we stopped by home first before getting the kids.

After we got home, we waited until a couple friends of ours got to our place to help me watch the twins before Jon went off to pick up his mom in Tacoma. She was coming to help us with the twins for whenever #3 decided to arrive. Good timing!

I started feeling a little icky (nauseous) when eating dinner that night. I had ordered a pizza for us and our friends and I don't think my body really liked that. But in any case, I was feeling pressure but I hadn't begun to feel any pain. But then it was like a switch went off and all of a sudden, I was having pain. I thought maybe, as is common for pregnant women, I was in a bit of pain because I was constipated (though I took medicine to help with that). But...the pain was coming in waves I had noticed - at first, maybe 10 minutes apart (I say maybe as I hadn't yet started timing them). This was about 7 or so. I started to time them a little after 8 and at that time, I think they were about 8 minutes apart. I knew then they were definitely contractions. They hurt but I could still talk through them mostly.

I decided to go take a shower in hopes that would relieve the pain I was in, and it did for a bit. But then I got out of the shower and the pain was becoming more intense and I noticed closer together. I tried to leave the bathroom numerous times to go lie down but it wasn't happening - the pain would just cripple me and I went to sit down until it passed. When Jon got there, he helped me to the bedroom to lie down, but that wasn't helping. I told Jon to call the OB. When the OB called back, I told her I wasn't sure if I was just having pain b/c of contractions or b/c of constipation (after all, I had a false alarm with the same OB earlier in the day so; for some reason, I was feeling nervous about looking silly again with her), but the pain was coming every 3-4 minutes at this point. She asked me if I wanted to wait until they became more intense or come in and get checked out to see if I was in labor - I said now (I wanted that epidural as quickly as possible if this was truly labor). Thank goodness we did because things were progressing fast.

When we got there, they eventually got me into a bed in triage and hooked me onto the monitor and checked how dilated I was. This was maybe 10:00-10:30? I thought for sure, the nurse was going to say 1.5 cm as it was earlier. Nope. I was at 3-4 cm. That is when I thought - I am truly in labor and I'm going to have this baby tonight.

After a while, we got the word that I was going to be admitted. This after being in the bed feeling the most intense pain I have ever felt in my life. They transferred me to the Labor & Delivery room where I was again hooked up onto monitors. This was maybe around midnight-maybe a little before? Not sure as the contractions made me feel out of it. I was sweating and just not with it. At some point being in there, I was checked again and in that space of time, went from 3-4 cm to 7 cm. OMG! This was going fast, but I had a thought that I'd probably get stuck at 7 and they'd have to do a c-section anyway. They also gave me an IV around this time and after 4 pokes and 3 different nurses, they finally got one in. My stupid small veins!

After suffering through many contractions, the nurse asked if I wanted a drug to help with the intensity before the epidural could be done. I nodded my head yes after she explained what that drug was. Speaking of, they asked some questions about our previous pregnancy and the c-section while I was going through the contractions - did they really think I could answer them? I could barely get through the contractions still breathing, let alone trying to have a conversation. Maybe they were asking Jon.

(oh, it turns out after reading the best ways to get through contractions, that I get through them best by moaning through them and saying "Oh my God, Oh my God"- that's about all I could say or "I can't do this." I told Jon later when I could talk again not that we're planning to have any more, but I don't want to do this ever again.)

Eventually, the anesthesiologist came and after several pokes of that, got it in. That's also fun trying to curl up while sitting up while going through some painful contractions. It's not easy. It was as if I was a brand new person once the epidural started working. I could talk and have a conversation. I could call my parents to let them know what was going on. I could text friends and family to let them know what was going on. Getting through the contractions were a piece of cake once the epidural started working. The epidural was doing its job around 2 a.m.

They told us to try to get some rest. This is when they do labor down or something like that for a couple hours before they check on my progress and pushing may begin. I tried to get some rest, but I was too anxious about the pushing part. Was I going to be able to do it? Was the baby going to be able to come out? Would I have to do a c-section anyway?

Well, around 3:45, I was going to start to find out. It was time to start pushing. I was at 10 cm. When they said it was time to push, I hoped that I was able to do it. After the first couple contractions came and I was pushing, I felt I was making no progress. The nurse had told me that for first time vaginal deliveries, it could be 2-3 hours of pushing so I wasn't getting too discouraged but I was a little. Oh, and there was no pain with pushing at all. Epidurals rock! The only discomfort I felt was some pressure and trying to hold my breath and push at the same time. After a little while, the baby's head was out a little and they asked me if I wanted to feel the head. I was hesitant at first, but I did feel and I just about started balling at that point feeling that head coming out of me. I was going to have another baby! I was going to be successful with VBAC. I would soon find out if it was a boy or a girl!

After a few more pushes, our little baby was out. I asked "what is it?" and although the nurse knew we didn't know, it seemed she laughed at my question. Jon looked down (as we told the nurse and OB that Jon was going to share the news with me) and announced "we have a son" in a voice that sounded as if he was crying.

I only pushed for 1/2 an hour before Nicholas was born. The nurse and OB kept calling me a rock star after the IV poking, the epidural taking more time than usual, then 30 minutes of pushing. The nurse in the postpartum unit said that they were impressed that I had a successful VBAC after having twins. They did have to give me some stitches as I had a 2nd degree tear (and let me tell you, it hurts to go to the bathroom as it stings. I'm hoping that will end soon. Because of that, I don't know which is worse in pain levels -a c-section or the vaginal delivery).

Nicholas is a healthy boy. He latched onto the breast right away. He really doesn't like his baths or getting his diaper changed - he really likes to be kept warm and snuggle (but a lot of babies are like that). The first full night was rough, but the 2nd night was better.

There are pics on my friend's flickr site if you would like to see. I will upload mine soon, I promise!

Benjamin is a little nervous around the new baby, but he has come up to pet his head and he gave him a hug. Ella immediately thought the new baby was a cool doll. She has shown some signs of jealousy though when she wants mommy to hold her and I can't because I'm feeding the baby. To help a little bit with that, I took her to Target with me to get some stuff while Jon hung out with Benjamin. My mother-in-law stayed with Nicholas.

I think that about covers it. Thank you to Kelly for coming to visit and taking some wonderful pictures. Thank you to Paul & Ally for making us dinner tonight and coming to visit yesterday! Thank you to Paul & Ally for being here the other night (the night it turns out I was in labor) and helping me out with the twins! Thank you to my mother-in-law for being her to watch the twins while we were at the hospital! Thank you to everyone who has given me support throughout this pregnancy. I truly appreciate it!

Pregnancy & Twin Update

First, twin update. The twins have a nasty cold right now - poor little guys with that cough. It keeps waking them up in the night, so they're not getting a good night's sleep. Luckily, this last night, they were able to sleep the whole night. The night before, Benjamin felt better if he was propped up, so he slept with us and woke up at 5:30 and was ready to get up. Ella woke up around 6:30, which is actually kinda early for them. I think they are starting to get better now, but today they are at home with my mother-in-law.

While I'm thinking about it - a new word that Benjamin says is "up". I know there are others. Ella the other night said something like "dada, et tu aaaaaaahhhhh" The 'aaaaah' sound they make when they are playing the crawling game. I told Jon that I think she's asking if you want to play the crawling game and guess what? She got down off the couch (after reading the book she had in her hands), walked over to him and got down on her hands and knees to play the crawling game. It was so cute and I was so proud of myself for understanding what she was saying - I'm trying to understand them. They are starting to say more words that make sense to me, but a lot of the time, it is a sentence that I just don't understand yet and yes, they get frustrated.

Now, pregnancy update. FYI - this will be TMI to some people.

Friday afternoon, I went to go the restroom before leaving work and noticed some bright red blood and later, noticed some brownish cervical mucus. I called up the OB's office and they said it could be my mucous plug or the bright red blood could be because I had an exam earlier in the day. I was to call if I had contractions or my water broke. Luckily, the contractions over the weekend were tightening and not painful and didn't come very often.

I did have a lot of movement from the baby that hurt because he or she was doing some breakdancing moves on my cervix. OUCH! Then this morning, I was having some painful contractions, but they seemed to have gone away. I'm thinking the annoyance I was having with my work computer may have triggered them. I had maybe 3 in one hour that hurt, then they stopped. Now, I'm back to tightening contractions that take my breath away.

It was so much easier in the hospital when they were tracking me all the time that I'm nervous I won't know what to do when they start happening at work or at home. I almost feel like I don't know when I should call the OB - even though I know when I should call. What if I end up calling too soon and I go to the hospital and they send me home? I know this is silly but I almost feel like I'd be bothering them.

Anyway, I hope to make it at least one more day so I can have my review at work and get a few more things done, but we'll see if I get any more contractions!

38 Week OB Appointment

Today, I went to the appointment on my own since Jon has a big work thing that started yesterday.

I show up there and they weigh me (all I can say is, yes, I know I'm pregnant, but it is still hard to see the number on that scale - it looks like I've gained about 30 pounds now). Then after that, is the usual checking of the blood pressure. It's a little high. I told the nurse that my feet and hands seemed to have gotten worse with swelling since last week so she says that the OB will probably test me for preeclampsia.

Then the OB comes in after a while and does the exam. I am a little more effaced and now 1 cm dilated. Slowly, but surely, getting there. That exam hurt a lot - I can only imagine how labor will be. She tells me that if I am showing signs of preeclampsia, I'll need to stop working today. Either way, I will need to take it easy this weekend and next week until I see them again. She tells me to lie down for a bit and the nurse will come back in to check my blood pressure again.

After a little while, she does and it is still a little high so they test my blood. I got the results about 3 hours later and they came back normal, thank goodness! I wasn't ready quite yet to stop working - there are a few things I need to finish up as best I can. I tried to get a lot done today just in case.

Anyway, so I'll see the OB again next Friday assuming nothing happens before then. Next Friday is my last day at work. Just 5 more days.

37 week OB appointment

Now that I'm a day away from my 38 week OB appointment, I thought it was time I wrote about my 37 week OB appointment. Last Friday, I went to go see my OB. She said that I'm 75% effaced, and probably about to start dilating. After some movement I felt last night from this baby, I'm guessing there is a little bit of dilation or at least, more effacement.

I asked my OB how long after my due date would she let me go before inducing or performing a c-section. She said that she would be o.k. with doing it on the due date or waiting a week afterwards - it was up to me as to how much more time I want to feel uncomfortable and how important it was to me to let labor happen on its own. I opted for waiting until March 11th (a week after the due date) in hopes labor will happen on its own.

She said that she thinks labor will happen around the 39th week or so. Because of that, next Friday will be my last day at work.

In other news, my feet have been become more swollen than they have been and it hurts to wear my wedding ring. I've had some contractions here and there, though none really hurting too much except for a time last week when I had plenty that were hurting - just not enough to call the doctor about.

Last night, while trying to get to sleep, this baby was doing a little dance on my cervix and that kinda hurts! Sometimes it feels as if the baby is right there at the opening wanting to come on out. As I write this, the baby is moving around.

That's about it for now. Jon is working a lot the next few days, so Jon's mom is staying with us to help watch the twins. That is a huge help.

More tomorrow after my appointment, hopefully, or whenever I get around to writing about the next appointment!

Pregnancy News

First, I just read some wonderful news from a blogger who lost her triplet daughters after being born too early - she's now pregnant with one child and due in August/September. Such a bittersweet moment.

Now, onto my news. I had my 36 week checkup. I'll be seeing the OB every Friday morning from now on (well, except for the week of the due date). First, we went over the VBAC consent form and all the risks associated with that. There is less than a 1% chance of a uterine rupture and of that, something going horribly wrong. However, there are also risks of another c-section too.

She said that since I've had a c-section before that if my cervix is closed when the due date rolls around, she won't induce. She would do another c-section. If my cervix is open, then she will give a low dose of pitocin to see if that helped get things started. Hopefully, things will happen on their own though. I do hope to avoid another c-section because of the recovery time afterwards and the desire to be able to pick up my twins when I want to or they want me to pick them up. And well, because I'd like to give birth the way it feels like it should happen. I will be disappointed if I have to do another c-section, but it won't be the end of the world - as long as I have a healthy baby as the outcome. Because of the prior c-section, she said that if I do go into labor, she wants to me to come in a little earlier than I would have otherwise.

After going through the VBAC consent form, she checked my cervix and it is starting to soften though it is still closed. She said I'm maybe about 50% effaced. She expects that I'll go to my due date, but definitely at least another couple weeks. She also did a test to make sure there is no infection.

That was about it. More next week!

Toddler Beds, Scares & Pregnancy

First up, Benjamin & Ella update.

We put together (or really, Jon put together) the toddler beds on Sunday night. They REALLY enjoyed playing on them that first night especially when Jon was worried that they would fall out of their beds and onto the floor and he put a futon on the floor between the beds. Yep, as one should have expected from toddlers, they were jumping off their beds and onto the futon or diving onto the futon. So the futon went away and they did stay in their beds all night long. The first morning, Benjamin woke up and was just sitting on his bed (this is what Jon tells me as I'm not there when they get up). This morning, they were out of their beds and waiting by the door - I wonder how soon they will figure out how to open that door.

While Jon was putting together the toddler beds, Benjamin and Ella were sitting on the dining room chairs (yep, they know how to climb onto those chairs) and playing with things on the table. Thinking that a childproof cap is exactly that, I didn't have a problem with Benjamin playing with the vitamin containers. Ella was enjoying some cereal out of a plastic bag we brought with us earlier that morning to church. Well, I was in the kitchen doing some dishes (I could still see both of them), but you know anything can happen in a split second with children. I turned to see what they were doing and noticed Benjamin had opened one of the vitamin containers. I FREAKED thinking he was playing with my iron pills. It turns out he was playing with Vitamin C and only one was missing (which Jon might have taken). However, until we knew it was Vitamin C, I was really freaking out and Benjamin was crying really hard because I was yelling at him and Jon was trying to see if he had any in his mouth. All of this happened in just a few seconds. Needless to say, I've put the vitamin containers into the kitchen out of arm's reach. Jon was talking to his brother at the time, and so I called him back to let him know all was o.k. Thank God all was o.k. I tried to tell Benjamin I wasn't mad at him, I was just scared because I loved him so much and didn't want anything bad to happen to him. I don't think at 19 months they quite get that.

And now to the pregnancy update:

This baby is super active. I play the guessing game of "what body part is that poking on the side of my belly?" I'm pretty sure that the baby is not in the same position it was last Friday when I saw my OB last.

During the day yesterday (and a little bit on prior days), my thigh has been spasming (is that a word?) and it would hurt to walk, but thankfully, it wasn't happening all too often. But when I got home yesterday, it seemed to kick into high gear and I felt A LOT of pressure down below to go along with it. I wasn't sure what was going on, but it turns out sitting down really helped. Of course, sitting down when children want dinner or a number of other things isn't easy. Thankfully, Jon came home shortly after we got home.

Then this morning, as I was eating my breakfast, my whole belly and back HURT. It stayed like that for a good 10 minutes. I'm not sure if that was a contraction or what - it certainly seemed like one - but whatever it was, it really hurt. Thankfully, I haven't had another one since except for the usual belly tightening every so often. Since then, what I've felt more is the baby moving all around and body parts being pushed out. I'm starting to think this baby is going to be an active baby much like Ella was. Benjamin was a lot more easy going.

That's about it for now.

Week 34 update - Pregnancy

I got the results of the first glucose test that I was 1 point above the line, so I had to go do the 3 hour testing. I did that last Friday and am happy to report that I don't have gestational diabetes this time. Hooray!

I went to my OB appointment this morning and I am measuring right at 34 weeks and because of that, she doesn't feel the need to do an ultrasound (last time, the baby must have been in a different position to make me measure bigger). This baby will not have a lot of in utero pics unfortunately. The baby is still up high and its head is down. His/her back is on my left hand side so that's why I tend to feel more movement on my right hand side.

She didn't do a FFN this time as she doesn't think it is necessary this point in the pregnancy, but since the baby's head is up high, she doesn't feel like it is going to come soon. After she checked my cervix and was listening to the heartbeat, the baby started moving around a lot. One particular kick or punch rather hurt. My OB mentioned that this baby moves around a lot each time we come.

I mentioned that my heartburn continues to my OB and she gave me a prescription for it. I also was told that my iron levels are low, so I'm taking an iron supplement which makes the need for the "poopy powder" as Jon likes to call it more necessary.

Next appointment in 2 weeks on 02/06.

And now to embarrass myself...

The other night, I had a bit of a scare. It's actually funny now and quite embarrassing, but I'm going to share anyway. So I was taking a shower and as I was getting out, I noticed that the water was pink/reddish. I was bleeding. I FREAKED! I thought maybe I lost my mucous plug or something...but I checked and there was no blood coming from down there. I called Jon in for assistance. I couldn't find the source of the blood - maybe I just bled a little so I maybe I should be checked out. After a while, we found out the source of the blood. I had a scratch or owie on my butt that was bleeding. I must have scratched it while in the shower. Ugh - we were so close to calling the OB - that would have been really embarrassing. I'm glad it was just a scare.

OB appointment - 32 weeks

Last Friday, I had my 32 week OB appointment. She did the FFN test (which came back negative - thank God!), then she checked my cervix and it long as it should be. I'm at a -3 right now. So far, things are not at all like the twin pregnancy (knock on wood). The baby is up high she said, but she did feel the baby's head though. I said, so the baby's head is down there and she said unless the head is really bony. She then measured my belly and said the top of my belly felt like there was a little butt there. :-D (awww, a little tushy!) I was curious what position the baby was in so I know whether a VBAC is even possible - though the baby's position could always change and probably has since Friday with all that movement I feel. She also said that my belly is measuring big, so I might have a good size baby in there.

She gave me a list of what I could take for heartburn and for constipation (both unfortunate side effects of pregnancy).

I then I had to sit around for a while until the nurse could come back in to take my blood for the glucose test. I'm still waiting for those results - they should come today or by Wednesday at the latest. I'm hoping I pass this time! This time, I, umm, threw up a little bit of the drink toward the end. It is just that disgusting. Way too much sugar in a short period of time.

I go back again on the 23rd and my OB said that she might order an ultrasound because I am measuring big. I can't wait - I want to see this little guy or gal!

Pregnancy Stuff

This morning, I had a painful contraction. Thankfully, the painful ones haven't continued. I did have some cramping earlier too. I read somewhere that feeling period-type cramps around this time is something to watch out for too, but they seem to come and go. I see my OB again in one week so I'll ask about it then.

After I told a coworker that I haven't had a leg cramp in quite some time, the other night, I had a really, really bad one. It was painful, then it would go away and I'd think I was done, but then it would keep coming back. Ouch!!!! Since it seems like labor will be more painful than this, I might be in trouble. Jon and I were reading the childbirth stuff last night, and I am getting nervous about a vaginal delivery. Of course, I may not get a chance at a vaginal delivery and having another C-section will be harder this time when I have twin toddlers that want to be picked up! I wish I knew which position the baby was in right now. I can take a guess, but I'm not certain.

A coworker of mine is pregnant (after a short time of trying) and I found out last night that a friend of ours from the dorm kitchen days is also pregnant. She just got married this past year, so that was quick too. Before, this news would just make me sad and I am still a little jealous of those who got pregnant so quickly, but having the twins and this pregnancy certainly makes things a lot easier. Congratulations to both of them!

30th week

Just a little over 30 weeks now. This was the week that I went into the hospital with the twins so I was a little anxious about the results of the fetal fibronectin test they did last week (though not too anxious since there is only one baby this time). I finally got the news it came back negative. Thank goodness! I see my OB again on the 9th.

I can't believe that the baby is less than 10 weeks away (if we go by due date). It still feels like there is so much to do to get ready and I am in no way prepared for this.

Tomorrow night is New Year's Eve and we'll be celebrating at home since we don't have a babysitter. That's alright really since I think I may just have enough energy to stay up to celebrate with the East Coast before heading to bed.

I am having some cramping lately and it seems to be just more Braxton Hicks. I am definitely having more heartburn issues and the Tums are starting to not cut it anymore. Other than that, things are still going well with the pregnancy. That's about it.

As soon as I find where I put the stats for Ben & Ella at their 18 month check-up, I'll post those. I also need to upload our Christmas pics and write about our day!

OB Appointment - Week 29

I went to my OB appointment yesterday (though it was with the Nurse Practitioner b/c my OB is on vacation and last week's visit was cancelled). Everything seems to be going o.k. They did another FFN and I haven't gotten the results yet. This was about the time that I got a positive with the twin pregnancy.

I got to hear the heartbeat and she measured my belly. Next time I go in (in 2 weeks), I need to do the glucose test - which I should have done sooner than this, but they just now gave me the stuff to drink.

Getting to and from the appointment was the worst part of the whole thing. Because of the snow and the OB's office being up on a hill, it was a bit scary. The roads were bumpy and there were a lot of cars trying to get up and down the hill. Hopefully, in two weeks, the snow will be gone and it will be less traumatic to get up there. My husband was not able to make it in time b/c no busses were running from UW to First Hill, so he walked in hopes of getting there. He was just showing up as I was leaving.

When I got home, we checked our mail and saw a bill from the place that does the testing for the FFN. The last test I had done about a month ago - which should be covered by insurance - was not. I called Aetna, and apparently, my doctor coded it wrong and so because of that, I have to pay the whole thing out of pocket unless my doctor will change the code. And they're closed now for me to get that taken care of today. When I had this test done last time with the twin pregnancy, it was billed under a code of threatened premature labor and this time, it was billed under threatened abortion. The reason they are doing the test is for the former reason, so I'm thinking that they'll change it. I hope so b/c I didn't have to pay for it last time and it's $330 each time (and I have a feeling I'll have this test done again before the pregnancy is over).

That's about it. I'll update once I hear the results from the test which it doesn't look like will be today with the OB office closed now.

Just a few things

Today and yesterday, I stayed at home with the kids. Yesterday, mainly b/c Benjamin was sick and today, b/c I'm a chicken when it comes to driving in the ice all the way to my work (~28 miles away each way). I'm too nervous about hurting the baby with the amount of stress white knuckle driving would bring me. I was supposed to have an OB appointment this morning, but it was cancelled and they said they're opening at 10, but they haven't yet.

Anyway, so we just hung out yesterday and saw how bad it got over where almost my entire family lives - over in Spokane. 21 inches officially is what I hear. Here, I maybe got 3-4 inches.

Some good things to happen while I've been home is that I learned Ella knows how to give a little close mouthed kiss. She kept coming up to me to give me a hug, then she gave me a kiss. So. Cute. Benjamin's favorite word of the day yesterday was mommy. :-D

I do have to admit that watching them on my own while 29 weeks pregnant is a bit of a challenge and I get tired easily, but it's been fun spending the day with them.

I just called OB's office and all of their lines are busy. I wonder when I'm going to be able to reschedule my appointment. I was supposed to have the FFN test again, the diabetes test and possibly an ultrasound. I find it funny that I get a recorded message from the OB's office this morning saying that they were closed - I got this phone call at 9:10 - 30 minutes after when my appointment was set to begin. Nice timing. Good thing I called the night before.

And this weekend is set to bring even more bad weather - not sure when I'm supposed to get my Christmas shopping done and even if I'll make into work on Monday (and I really need to).

28 weeks (3rd trimester)

Today is the first day of the 3rd trimester - I am currently at 28 weeks. I got a little nervous yesterday when I was feeling some painful contractions, but thankfully, they went away and they never got to the point of 4 in an hour.

Other than that, things are going well. Just the usual soreness/pressure that makes it feel as if the baby is going to come out at any moment. My hips seems to be doing o.k. lately so I haven't called the PT for another appointment.

We really need to start thinking of some baby names. I think we narrowed down the boy names - we just need a couple girl names!

Pregnancy Talk - Week 26

One of the ladies in my vanpool had her 1st child over the weekend - she named her baby boy Alexander, which is one of the names that we had thought we might name our son but he chose (and it suit him better) Benjamin. It was funny because one of the other ladies asked whether it was a boy or a girl. Umm, we've discussed this numerous times since she found out what she was having about 20 weeks or so ago. I wonder if people in my van just don't pay attention to each other or they have poor memory.

Anyway, it got me to wondering about the birth of our third child. I am wanting to try the "natural" or vaginal delivery, so I will be disappointed if I don't even get to try (I know that sounds a little strange to some). I am looking forward to it and we don't have much longer to go.

(Side note - I was just talking to this individual in our eastern offices and he said to me "is this your first?" and I said "no, I have twins" and he said "I thought this was feeling like deja vu". Thankfully, though, this pregnancy just has one child. I don't think I could handle taking care of twin infants again.)

Anyway, I hope that I am able to deliver vaginally. I hope that this baby will get into the right position for that. Sometimes, I think this baby is laying across my belly right now - at least, it seems that way when the baby moves. I hope my OB does an ultrasound at my next appointment in 2 1/2 weeks.

I do feel the baby move quite a bit - especially, it seems, when I have a full bladder. I guess he/she doesn't like that too much? It's always fun to see my belly move a little bit. The other day, my husband was able to see it. I was trying to get Ben & Ella to put their hand on my belly but they didn't seem to be interested nor understand why I was asking them to do that. They thought it was to tickle my belly button like we do to them.

In other news, I bought a Bella Band the other day in place of buying new maternity pants. So far, they seem to be working o.k. with a couple of my pants, but it doesn't seem to work well with the lower waisted pants - at least, not for me.

I think we narrowed down the names for the boy to two different names (though one is near the top of the list), now we just need to figure out the two girl names. I'm finding it more difficult to find girl names I really like, and that's probably what we're going to have just because I'm having a difficult time with it!

Many things...

I really need to write more...I can't remember all the things I wanted to write about.

Thanksgiving

We had a good Thanksgiving. We stayed at home, watched football (Seahawks suck this year - UW too), and went to the park to play for a bit (it was rather crowded at the park). It was just the four of us and our two kitties. The kitties even had a turkey dinner (though they'd rather it be fish).

Ella didn't seem to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner all that much - Benjamin, at least, ate a little bit of it.

Pregnancy

The other day into work was a rather bumpy one - it felt as if the baby was going to come out due to all the pressure I was feeling. It felt as if the baby was dancing on my cervix - much like Ella did.

We went on a walk to a park about 10 or so blocks away yesterday - that brought on quite the hip pain. It may be time for the PT again.

Yesterday, at church, the pastor asked if everything was going o.k. in the pregnancy. A friend who goes to the same church said that we were mentioned b/c I had told our small group that I was going to have the fetal fibronectin test and that they had prayed that the test went well. It was nice of her to ask. It will be the next time that I go in that I'll be a bit worried about the results as that's when I got a negative on that test. Next time is also the gestational diabetes test.

Children Stories

Each time we leave the daycare, Ella insists on sitting in the time out chair. Then she gets up, pats the chair and tells Benjamin to sit there. She even tries to gently nudge him that direction, but he has no interest. I'm thinking of trying to find them a little table and chair set for Christmas as I think that they would enjoy that - Ella especially. Or maybe one of those little couches for toddlers.

Yesterday morning, we heard some giggling in their room and we just listened to them wondering what they were giggling about. It turns out they were playing hide and seek with the curtains.

Last night, Ella insisted on going to bed with one of my little books - ones that you might find at a Hallmark or something like that. So funny.

Lately, Benjamin has started to turn on his music crib toy when he wakes up - it's a good way to let us know. :-D

Both children - especially Ella - will sit down on their little potty for a little while, but they don't actually do anything. Sometimes they like to sit their with their pants on. It's a step, right? Getting them comfortable with the potty.

Other

Went to go see Twilight this past weekend - it was alright. I enjoyed it well enough - though it was rather cheesy at spots and the special effects were just bad. That being said, I may go see it again especially since the movie I wanted to see next and thought was coming out next weekend (The Time Traveler's Wife) isn't coming out until 2009 sometime.

OB Appointment & Cute Children Stories

First, OB appointment went well. She checked my cervix and it is closed. She did the FFN which came back negative - thank goodness...though it didn't come back positive last time until the 2nd time she did that test around week 29-30. We heard the baby's heartbeat, so yay. She said next time, she might do an ultrasound and is when I'll be doing the glucose test - joy. That was pretty much it. It was a quick visit as she was off to deliver another baby. That remind me - I guess my OB will be on vacation the week I'm due. That makes me sad that it might not be my OB to deliver my baby..again. Oh well. I've seen most of the OB's there so it wouldn't be like I've never seen this person before ever.

Second, onto cute children stories.

The other night, I mistakenly said "as soon as papa comes home, we'll give you guys a bath." well, Ella got all excited as she does when Jon comes home and started clapping and screaming while running toward the door. I had to tell her that papa wasn't home yet, but he will be soon. Then, I said "let's go find our night-night clothes, then we'll get the bath ready." well, she was not happy that I went into their bedroom to get their pjs instead of going into the bathroom. You would think that she would be super excited to take a bath, but she didn't want to stay in the bathtub too long.

Then tonight, I'm at home alone with the twins as Jon went into work. Ella started twirling around and laughing while doing so and Benjamin thought that looked like fun, so he started doing it too. It was rather cute. Earlier in the evening, I was reading a book and I said 'baby' to Benjamin and he repeated it back to me! :-D I tried to get Ella to say it, but she didn't want to. She did say "kitty" as Oliver walked by. :-D

That's about it. Time to go find some chocolate.

24 1/2 weeks - pregnancy update

They say 24 weeks is when a baby is possibly viable outside the womb, so yay for reaching that point! I heard on the radio this morning, an ad for Swedish (I think) about how a woman had one twin baby at 5 months and the other 3 weeks later. How horrible to have them so early! However, baby - you cannot come out until March! Yes, I am anxious to find out if you are a boy or a girl, but I would rather wait until you are full term to find out than have you come any earlier than anticipated.


This Friday, I have my next OB appointment in which she will do the FFN test and check my cervix. yay...

I have been feeling some pressure like I did before - so I'm a little anxious about what the results of the test and cervix checking might be, but I'm hopeful that things will be o.k.

Most of the time, I feel pretty good. There are a few times that I have some hip pain but it happens more when I'm doing a lot of standing up time (the weekend), so I need to find my support belt and start wearing that per PT's orders. For the time being, I have stopped going to the PT as it doesn't seem as necessary as last time, but if my hip starts bugging me again when I am wearing the support belt, I'll probably go back.

At some point in the near future is the yucky gestational diabetes test - will find out on Friday when that will be. I think she said before about 26 weeks or so.

That's about it, I think. More news this Friday (if I remember to blog - it's a good thing I decided to not try to do National Blog Posting Month).

Quick Pregnancy Update

Last night, I was feeling the baby move around a lot. At one point, it seemed we had a bit of a game going on in which I pushed down a bit and the baby responded. Of course, the baby would stop when Jon was around so Jon didn't get to feel the baby move.

Also last night, Ella was being a fussy little girl and would not go to sleep. I knew she was tired as she didn't have a decent nap all day yesterday. After screaming for about 3-4 minutes, she fell asleep, but woke up again about 1/2 hour later. I went to go get her and brought her out to the livingroom with me as I watched SNL. She fell asleep in my arms right away - she just needed a snuggle, I guess. As I held her to my chest, the baby was moving around so much I thought for sure it would wake up the sleepy Ella in my arms, but nope.

Anyway, that's it for now. Looking at a minivan tonight - I don't wanna, especially since I'm going on my own. We're trading in our Civic for a minivan. I looked at one on Saturday, but it had too much mileage on it for my comfort. The one I'm seeing tonight has only has 22,000 miles on it.

OB Visit

Today, I had another OB visit.

I asked my questions on the flu shot and of tying my tubes (mentioned in last post) and I asked about whether the size of the baby would make a difference on whether the scar could rupture. On the last question, she said the chance of a rupture is still 1%. Because of that, if the baby is in the right position, I think I'm going to try a VBAC, so if any of our friends would like to volunteer to watch the kids for us if labor happens at night, that would be great. :-D

They also weighed me, as they do every single time, and I haven't gained a single pound or ounce since last month. The OB doesn't seem worried by that, but she did say she'd like me to gain at least 2 pounds by next month. So I guess I need to fatten myself up some. I don't suppose the salad I had for lunch just now is going to help with that. Nothing else sounded good.

Then next was the time to listen to the baby's heartbeat. At first, it seemed she couldn't find it so there was, what seemed like, a minute before we finally heard the heartbeat. I apparently was holding my breath until the OB said "there it is" as I let out a big sigh of relief. I was getting nervous - Jon said he was too.

That was about it. Not much else. Next time (in 4 weeks), she said she's going to start checking my cervix as that was one of my issues with the last pregnancy. She also said she's going to do the fetal fibronectin test as she did a couple times with the last pregnancy. Then I think a short time after that appointment is when I do the gestational diabetes test - blech.

We have to start thinking of baby names - I have no idea what to name this child! Time to get that baby name book out...

Update - Twins & Pregnancy

I don't have much to write about, but I figured I should write something for whenever I get around to making the scrapbook for this pregnancy (still haven't finished the last one).

Baby is moving around every so often. I really felt the baby move around when Jon and I went to a coffeehouse the other night to listen to some music (Jon's mom watched the twins for us). Did baby like the music and was dancing or didn't like the music because he or she was trying to sleep?

This past weekend, we took Ben & Ella to a farm to go into the pumpkin patch. We didn't really go into the pumpkin patch, but we went on a hayride and went through the corn maze. The corn maze ended up being too long for me. Pictures are on my flickr site!

Hmm, what else? I still haven't picked up the baby name book that I borrowed from an ex-coworker, so I have no idea what this child's name will be. Still have about 19 1/2 weeks to go to think of one(if I go to 40 weeks).

This Friday, I have an OB appointment and next week, I go to my first physical therapy appointment for this pregnancy. I went last time and it seemed to help, so I'm hoping it will help with the hip issues again.

I think that's about it. Feeling mostly alright - just hip issues. Somehow managed to sleep nearly 7 hours without having to get up to go to the bathroom. Not sure how I managed that. I know I was super exhausted and fell asleep on the couch about 8:45. I've been fighting a cough and just when I think it's gone, it makes a comeback. Unfortunately, Ben & Ella have it too.