Contraction Action!

Over the last three days I have not been feeling like myself, mainly complaining of stomach/abdominal pain and discomfort. I have had trouble eating and keeping the food down and just have generally not felt well. Today at work I got a break from the kids and just wanted to lay down for a bit I was so uncomfortable. So, I went to my car and called my doctor. She told me to go into the maternity triage at the hospital. I was thinking of toughing out the last 2 hours of the half day, but the nurse was like, "You are laying down in your car; you need to go now." 

Lou came home from work about an hour into his work day and drove me over. I'm glad he went. I think his presence kept me from being scared or worried. They hooked me up to the monitors and baby was doing just fine, but I was having contractions every three to five minutes. I was surprised to hear that. I thought contractions were going to be way more painful. They were concerned I may have been in pre-term labor but found I was not dialated and had not begun to secrete a hormone that triggers labor. They also did an extensive ultrasound of my abdomen- which I have to mention is now right under my ribcage. Everything is squished which is normal for being 33 weeks pregnant but especially my right kidney. However, they told us not to worry and sent us home.

Brendan has been a little acrobat in my belly today, including while typing this post. The nurse joked that it was like he was jumping rope in my uterus. I don't mind- I like knowing he's okay and cruising around in there. Now that I am paying more attention, I have noticed more Braxton Hicks contractions since I have been home from the hospital. I'm glad my body is practicing for the big event, but Brendan better stay in there 'til he is full term!  

Bye bye convertible, hello SUV

At 33 weeks pregnant I have started to experience Braxton-hicks contractions and I've also started to become uncomfortable. My lower back especially has been sore, I get short of breath easily, and have had some kicking in the ribs. Other than those changes, I am still doing everything I was before. Perhaps running myself a little ragged now. Although, during the last week I tried to sit down more at work. The key word there is tried. Teaching Kindergarten is a hands-on job and really doesn't allow for much sitting. Friday I was especially sore and actually had to excuse myself a few times while out for Grandpa's birthday and out at Rosie's with Mom & Dad to go stretch my lower back.

This week I also decided on a new SUV to purchase. I will be trading in the Solera convertible for the '09 Ford Escape Limited. I wanted a black exterior with a camel interior and it was tough to find locally, so it is being shipped over from Texas and should be in Phoenix by Wed. I'll miss the convertible, but know I need a safer car for baby. The extra room will be nice for everyday tasks and for showing my real estate clients properties too.

I have also been spending a lot of time preparing the nursery. I have washed everything in Dreft: bedding, clothing, blankets, etc. The clothes are the cutest. I got teary eyed folding up the little socks. They are so tiny! I can't believe he is going to be that small! I dream of holding him.

Baby Shower

Today was the baby shower at Grandma and Grandpa Olen's home in Cave Creek. It was wonderful to see all of our friends and family and everyone was so generous with gifts and their time. Cave Creek is not exactly close for many of the people who attended our shower. We want to express our deepest gratitude for all of those who came out to support us. 

Brendan got so many cute little boy clothes and accessories. By far, the most popular gift was the baby bathtub; he got three! He also received all kinds of fun toys, a few different types of portable infant beds- including the family bassinet from IL, hooded bath towels, blankets, sheets, wash cloths, a car seat base, music Cd's, a little man rocking chair, photo books, a pack and play, gift cards, and much, much more!

Grandma Camp purchased a stuffed animal and took the stuffing from the inside and replaced it with Louie's baby blanket. She velcroed it inside so we can show it to him. What a thoughtful and sentimental gift!

Grandma Olen and Michelle spent a lot of time and effort preparing her house for everyone and preparing food, games, and decorations. We really appreciate all of their hard work! 

Lou came after most of the guests had left to help bring Brendan's new things home.

Thank you to everyone for a wonderful baby shower!

Practice Parenting

Over the last weekend Lou and I were able to practice being parents for about 7 hours with Tina and Brett's adorable 6 month-old daughter Addison. We really enjoyed the experience and got to be around a baby for the day. We played with her, got to change some diapers, take her for a walk, feed her, and attempted to get her to sleep. I was able to make lunch one handed and also got to use our new glider in the nursery. We observed that Reese will be jealous, but he smelled and licked her and eventually got used to not being the center of our attention. He was at our heels most of the day. 

I thought it was the cutest thing when Lou, myself, and Reese took her

 for a walk and Lou wanted to show Addison off to our neighbors. He was already a proud papa and she's not even ours! Reese also enjoyed the walk and it was business as usual for him. The whole experience was great for us and helped me to gain confidence. I am around children all day at work as a teacher, but not babies. It probably helped that Addison is a generally well mannered and happy infant too. On the right is Louie holding Addison and me holding her at 32 weeks pregnant. Reese was right there by us for the photo like he was all day. 

Ultrasound

Here are the best 3-d photos we could capture. He has the umbilical cord up against his face. 

Those lips remind me of his daddy's. 

We went in for an ultrasound today toward the end of week 31. Brendan weighs 4.2 lbs and his head is measuring 8.1 cm. (Ouch!) His heart rate was at 140 bpm and everything looked great and within normal ranges. We got to see the 4 chambers of the heart, his kidneys, stomach, bladder, the blood flow through the umbilical cord, the amniotic fluid, the placenta, and cervix. He was head down, which would explain the kicks to the ribs I've been experiencing lately. He has been more active than ever before! We will be returning to see Dr. Hunt every two weeks now.

Yesterday Lou and I completed our last class at the hospital. We learned about C-sections, some breathing techniques and some positions to labor in. I feel informed about the whole birthing process and know what to expect. We are hoping to labor at home as long as possible and then will head over to the hospital. I plan on waiting until I'm a few cm dilated before getting an epidural started. I don't want to be confined to the bed forever, plus we learned labor progresses faster if you are not lying around. I may try using the in-suite jacuzzi tub for relaxation before the epidural. The nurse teaching the class told us distraction is good. That will be part of Lou's job. I also packed my bag for the hospital today so we will be ready to go when he is.

Getting pumped

Dad is getting ready for the birth of the Lions 1st round pick at linebacker in 2029.

31 weeks

I had my brother and Nabeel over for dinner last night and was telling them the story about the bathtub and using the belly as a table. They encouraged a demonstration and Bill got a photo. 

We are at 31 weeks today and measuring at almost 32 weeks. Dr. Hunt predicts that we have a big baby on the way. So far, I've gained 18 lbs and everything looks good. His heart beat was in the 140's. We will have an ultrasound on Thursday. We are both looking forward to seeing how much he has changed since our last one at 18 weeks. I also found out that Dr. Hunt won an award for being one of the best doctors in the valley and was recently honored in a magazine. 

Baby Hiccups!

Over the last couple of days baby and I have experienced some hiccups. It feels like a rhythmic movement in the belly- too rhythmic for baby to be just squirming around. I have enjoyed them and they have made me smile. I don't think Lou has felt them yet. Last night it actually kept me awake for a while at 4 am. He must be practicing swallowing and drinking some fluids before his big debut.

One other cute story I want to share happened yesterday. I was in the mood to relax and decided to take a bath. I made a turkey sandwich and brought a baby magazine along to enjoy while soaking. Well, I was getting bread crumbs in the water, so I decided to put my plate on my belly and use it like a table. The plate stayed out of the water and caught all the crumbs. It worked perfectly and I had to laugh at myself!   

Shower thank you

I just want to thank each and every person who will be attending the shower for us in Lansing this weekend. It means a lot to us and we wish we could be there. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy life to celebrate our little miracle. We look forward to you being able to meet him soon. Also, thank you very much for your help and generosity in getting us prepared to be parents! Finally, a big thank you to Mom for putting it all together! 

Nursery and 30 weeks

Here are some photos of the progress of the nursery. So far we 

have a changer, crib, swing, bouncer/entertainer, blankets- one of which will be on the wall stuffed animals, and clothing. We got the changer free, the crib from my mom, the Noah's arc quilt from Lou's mom, we bought the swing (Lou

 also bought a little Tigers shirt. He had to represent Detroit.)  and 

some other hand-me downs from a teacher I work with. We still have a ways to go with decorating but it's moving along. Also, check out the fabulous new clean, dog and cat hair-free carpet! 

The belly is getting bigger! I can no longer fit through small spaces. Sometimes I forget and think I can fit in between people and suck it in. Needless to say, I've knocked a few people with the bump and acted surprised when it happened. At 30 weeks, I am still feeling blessed and wonderful! It has been an easy pregnancy. I can honestly say I love being pregnant. I would love to do it all again (not until Brendan is a more independent little man!). I want 4, Lou wants 2. We will see when the time comes, but right now I'm really enjoying the little

life in my belly.

On the right is a picture of me putting my feet up after work and the nursing class. Reese came right up to me and was putting his paws on either side of my belly and resting his chin on my belly. We thought it was too cute!

Let's get educated!

Daddy Lou (to-be) and I took the first of three birthing classes this week. We learned about false labor versus real labor, the stages of labor, and the just the whole birthing process in general.We learned a little bit about epidurals but were told more to come next week. They showed a video that showed the delivery of the baby and placenta and I had tears in my eyes just watching. I so don't want to think about my body streching that much down below. I will do it and I know many women before me have, but yikes the thought of it is just awful!

Yesterday, I took a nursing class; and no Bill, I do not want to go back to study to become a nurse. It was about breastfeeding. Study after study, book after book, and the lactation specialist all say that skin to skin contact and being placed on the mother's chest right after being born is the best way to begin nursing. It is the most important part of my birthing plan. I want the weighing, measuring, shots, clothes, and visitors to wait until I am able to nurse or an hour while I try. I really don't want baby to whisked away and fussed with. I want to bring him into the world and just hold him on my chest and try to get him to do the "breast crawl" and nurse. They say babies that breastfeed immediately after birth cry less and are more successful at breastfeeding. I got to learn some of the positions and practice with a doll too. I also now know what kind of poo and pee baby should have and when. Oh yea!