Seriously Over Due

I apologize in advance for the random scatteredness of this post. My mind is scattered right now so it's a good reflection! ok, so where did we leave off? My days and weeks and insanely long pregnancy are all running together. Right now I'm 41 weeks and 4 days pregnant but hey it's almost midnight so lets be honest I'm gonna make it to 41 & 5, and can I honestly tell you I NEVER thought I'd be THIS pregnant?!? I hate to say it but I still feel ok physically but mentally/emotionally I'm sorta loosing it.

Thursday was my 41 week appointment and Jared came with me for moral support. I was still only 1cm dilated and my OB did another membrane sweep which incase you hadn't deduced did NOTHING! She offered to do a c-section the next day (they can't do a standard induction because I've had 2 previous c-sections) but Jared and I agreed before we ever went in that because there is already a mass which could potentially hinder her breathing we want to give her lungs as much time as possible to develop as possible. Since we weren't on board with a next day surgery they kept me for a Non Stress Test. It was pretty boring, and gave Jared and I a chance to breath and discuss more what we wanted to do with this labor/delivery.

 After everything was given the all clear, we discussed when this little one would need to join us. I trust my OB and love that she takes into account my research, knowledge of my own body, hopes for the birth, and explains things from all sides so that we can make an informed decision together. Like I said Jared and I agreed that we wanted to allow this little bit to stay in as long as possible to which we discussed the risks of going past 40 and 41 weeks gestation, and that she was still ok with me trying to VBAC if I went into labor naturally, but that we can't medically induce because I've had previous c-sections, and it's just not safe to force unnaturally strong contractions with synthetic drugs on a uterus that has been previously opened (twice). We compromised and agreed for an extra ultrasound to check on the baby one more time.

In the mean time the girls' and I have done lots of walking, parks, the neighborhood, malls. I've been drinking weird teas, eating absurd amounts of pineapple and dates (look it up) and just about every other old wives tale there is to try to induce labor (except drink castor oil-I'm a little nervous about that one) The girls have enjoyed all the outings, and we even threw in a drive in movie this weekend to ease the constant activity. There was a double feature of Zootopia and Kung-Fu Panda 3 and with too many snacks was still only $20 for the whole family! STEAL!

A few laps around the gardens at Opry 

my little family and at least a dozen pillows in the back of the van at the drive in

Well This morning was a follow up ultrasound to check on our little girl. We all went as a family, the girls thought it was pretty cool to see their little sister on the inside of me and it was a basic, short ultrasound so I knew they could handle it. The tech we had was not the best, she didn't check as much  of the fun little stuff and was less informative than the others we've had. The mass is still there, but fluid levels look good still and blood flow from the placenta through umbilical cord was healthy. She took a practice breath almost right away which is a good sign and her heart rate was good. So with my doctors blessing I was allowed to leave and stay pregnant till at most Friday.

I'm scheduled for a c-section friday morning if I don't go into labor before then. So my sweet little family spent the day (seriously 6+ hours) walking with me so that maybe this little lady would come out. We hit a few stores, walked laps around a mall and then decided to join costco so we could walk laps there. The girls were TROOPERS and it made it SOOO much easier that Jared was with us. I had a few hours of contractions but after sitting down for dinner and then taking a short bath they've tapered off and here we are.

Right now I'm trying to wrap my head around potentially having to have a c-section simply because my body won't go into labor for one reason or another. It's easier to swallow after trying to labor or because your not medically allowed to labor but being cleared to VBAC and trying to go into labor and not is tough!

Her diaper bag is packed, although we may not get to bring her home from the hospital right away if she needs emergent surgery (which we are prepared to hear) My hospital bag is packed except the last minute toiletries, Hospital snacks are in the van, Stupid high tech baby monitor arrived today, and we put all the final touches on the nursery this weekend.

We're ready in every way possible.

just the two of us

I've started this post probably 10 times: gotten side tracked by laundry, baked cookies, nursed a baby, wasn't feelin' it, tapped the delete button to the rhythm of "we will rock you" and now I concede, the words aren't flowing poetically and I am to the point of just wanting to remember.

Sorry for the lack of eloquence!

I miss my big girl. I've been right here with her, she's been right under my nose (more like my feet) she sticks close these days, making sure she gets as much attention as possible. We try and give her what's due, but as any parent knows when a new baby arrives-it's hard! 

The other day Jared worked from home and while Isabella was taking a milk coma kinda nap I tucked her into a bouncy seat in the den adjacent from Jared's desk and snached up Addiston for a special shopping trip to Target. No agenda, no to-do's, no grocery list. Just shopping-the way it was intended, fun, looking at whatever grabbed your eye. Alone time with my girl-just the two of us.

Sorry for the blurriness of the photos they were taken with my phone at lightening (2 year old) speed.

I told her she could pick any color! She was confused. But we landed on an electric purple.

We're still working on the whole potty training thing-she's opposed right now (something we expected after having a baby) but I told her she could pick out big girl panties, and we purchased some very over priced disney princess undergarments!

We browsed the toys, dollar spot, and then ended up in the new grocery section where we bought bananas and cookie mix for daddy. 

Jared traded me places when we got back home while I fed Isabella and made cookies with Addiston.

 It was good to get away with Addy and just listen to her talk, with no interruptions, not being distracted, and learning more about who she is: shy but spunky, smart, and sweet! She has purple toe nails, and has told that to everyone who will listen! 

ok no sappy wordy ending! I just wanted to remember my day with my girl!

Walking

As many of you know Thursday was my due date, and well...She's still in there.

I had a doctor's appointment first thing in the morning where I learned that there was very little change going on. I'm barely over a centimeter dilated now however the doctor was able to touch the baby's head, that's good but not the most important thing that needs to be happening so slightly irrelevant as far as I'm concerned.

As soon as I was done with my appointment I drove across town to meet my friend Tiffany at the mall to walk. (She's a teacher and is out for summer and volunteered to assist me in getting this kid out!) We walked for six hours total. One of those hours was at a slightly slower pace because we shopped, but for the most part we kept good time.

I read somewhere that walking up stairs helps push the baby down so they are in better position to come out and going up stairs two at a time does an even better job of this. I don't know if any of this is scientific but frankly I didn't think it could hurt so every chance I got I chose the stairs over ramps. At one point is pretended I was five years old again and spent several minutes attempting to walk up the down escalator in an isolated corner of the mall.

So there we are it's Thursday night and I'm sure after all this walking I'm going to have a baby. I had some contractions, some close together, some serious ones. but in the long run, nothing substantial, and NO Addiston.

Friday morning rolls around and somehow I find myself at a different mall in another part of the city, despite my sweet husbands heed, (he is after all the one who had to rub my feet Thursday night). But like I said earlier, Tiffany is a teacher, what else is she gonna do?

From a source unrelated to the stair walking suggestion, I read that red raspberry leaf tea can induce labor. There happens to be a wonderful specialty tea store in Friday's mall, Teavanna-if you haven't tried it you should, it'll rock your world) so we stopped in and those girls already knew what I wanted. They had seen us pass by the store (a few times) and saw my hugeness and were more than eager to up-sell me on everything I even tried, and boy did they!!

We walked for four hours at a good pace before we stopped for lunch, at which I realized I was having some pretty regular contractions, (About ten minutes apart) both of us were pretty tired from the day, and previous day's activities, so we decided to just browse some stores in a strip outside the mall. I don't know if it was every type of hot pepper I got on my sandwich at lunch or the even keel of our pace after lunch, or possible the two cups of tea I had consumed throughout the day, but my contractions picked up big time. They were about five minutes apart and getting less than pleasant.

The best way I know to describe a contraction is the tightening of a muscle. slowly. At first it doesn't hurt, you can tell it's happening, but muscles are made to be flexed. It gets tighter and tighter until it really hurts and it's hard to breathe. Then after a while, it's slowly releases.

After I got home last night I continued having contractions, spread out a little bit more but increasing in intensity. The doctor's told me not to come into the hospital until they were five minutes apart and increasing in intensity for a few hours. So I waited. I was averaging about ten minutes apart through out the evening so no hospital for me.

So we wait, and we wait some more. and hopefully this baby girl will make her grand entrance sometime this weekend.

Oh and for those of you wondering, the average human walks at a pace of 2.7mph so in the past two days, Tiffany and I have walked over 24 miles. Just in case you wanted to know!

stranger in the produce isle

Sunday after church Jared and I had to stop by the grocery store.
normally I do the shopping during the week but this baby has captured my higher brain function and well I forgot a few things that we needed and the store is on the way home!

So there we were, picking out the best head of red cabbage for me to make chipotle cole slaw and an older lady walked up to me and grabbed my hand. i felt something in her palm but couldn't see it because this complete stranger was holding my hand. She said "here I want you to buy something for that sweet little girl you're about to have" I looked down as she loosened her grasp and there was a $20 bill in my hand. I don't even remember what I said. I remember being shocked.

She said something else (which I also don't remember) and I told her that I was having a girl and she wasn't even surprised, she already knew that. She just said to love her and have a blessed day then she disappeared into the bread isle.

So whoever you are, a sweet old lady or an angel, Thank you. We plan on loving our little girl with our whole hearts and will tell her about the stranger in the produce isle who started her college fund!

Pregnancy Brain

Studies show that it is a proven fact that pregnant women especially those in the third trimester have minor short term memory loss.

I have noticed a few times throughout this journey that I have become a bit more flaky than normal. I've always been a list maker so that skill has definitely come in handy however it does help to remember where you put your list.

Well today was the culmination of my Pregnancy brain experience!

I was running errands around town, exchanging some baby toys (that we got doubles of) returning unnecessary hardware, and searching for suitable hospital pajamas. Well I was in Kohl's and my friend Tiffany text me. We had a short conversation via text as I tried on a few things, admired the kitchen gadgets and dug through clearance throw pillows.

When I went to check out I wanted to see about what time it was. I reached for my phone... it wasn't secure in the pocket inside my purse where it should be. From time to time I do get careless and just toss it in so I proceeded to empty almost the entire content of my purse out on a display table, while juggling my purchases, only to find the bottom of my purse yet no phone!

I scanned the floor around me hoping it had fallen out. I grabbed for non-existent pockets. My phone was missing. My lifeline to family members when I go into labor. My way to reach Jared if anything were to happen. EEK!

I began to retrace my steps, going to every item I had merely glanced at and examining it for the slightest trace of my phone or a clue to where my phone might be. After circling the entire store, twice, I had no luck. I found an older lady and about scared the nail polish right off of her when I asked if I could borrow her phone to call mine. She wouldn't let me touch her phone but did call mine three times as I scanned the area where I last remember using it. Again, no luck.

I had just about given up hope and was going to leave when I figured I'd ask a sales associate to take down Jared's number in case a phone turned up. She told me to go to the customer service desk and lo and behold when I walked up I spotted my phone sitting with a few others behind the counter.

So for a ten minute text conversation, I got to experience an hour of searching the entire store of Kohl's because apparently I set my phone down in the middle of some random display of home goods.

I love being pregnant and experience all of the joys that go along with it, but I will be happy to have my body and mind back!

Bargain of the Day!

So today my friend Tiffany came to visit and see all the loot I got at my Baby shower back home. We looked through several dozen outfits, discussed the fact that although Addiston will be well dressed, at this point we actually have very little to actually take care of her.

So on that whim I thought I'd share these. The cutest little things I have purchased for our girl!

Boots!

They're soft and warm, and will fit her perfect when winter comes!

At Target on Clearance!
Like I said, we don't have much as far as necessities for taking care of her, but she'll be well dressed!