TMI post #1

As my pregnancy draws to an end, there will be strange things happening to me. Actually, I shouldn't stay strange. The symptoms I will be having are actually totally natural and part of the brilliant engineering of human gestation and labor. If you don't want to hear about less than lovely things happening, then refrain from reading my upcoming TMI posts. :)
Last night, I was sure I was going to have a good night because I did not take a nap yesterday and my body was exhausted. I awoke around 3:00am feeling crampy and with a very sudden need to vomit. I went to the bathroom and dry heaved. Nothing came out. Then I felt like I needed to go #2 very badly. The #2 can be a sign of early labor, that and the cramping I had. There is a chemical released during early labor that makes the uterus contract, but it can also stimulate bowel movements. I went back to bed because the cramps were not regular. I was so uncomfortable. Horrible heartburn, restless legs, and the need to vomit. I had a burst of energy and almost packed my bag and Olivia's bag. I decided against it. I'm going to save that for when I know I am actually in labor. Then I went to the bathroom again convinced I was going to hurl but nothing happened. I finally fell asleep after a while. I woke up feeling okay, sort of tired. I feel the baby hanging so low. I'm curious to know what the doctor will tell me tomorrow.

When I thought you were a boy, I was really considering naming you Rufus or Barnaby.

A moment of honesty

Sometimes when I get a cramp, a strong one usually with a contraction, I sort of freak out for a second. I think- Wow, that was just a fraction of the intensity of a real labor contraction. I only dwell on this fear for a moment, but I won't lie and say the thought of a natural birth is not daunting. I've always had a high tolerance for pain, and I do not have any desire to not go forward with my plan but I am aware that it is going to be nothing like anything I have ever experienced. It is what is right for me, but I know it will not be a walk in the park. That is why pain management techniques are crucial. So much of pain is mental, pain is very emotional. I've also been working on my breathing. I breathe through those random cramps and it really makes all the difference. The pain of labor is what will bring my little girl into this world.

Infant CPR

Todd and I decided to take the infant CPR class a couple of months ago and I was looking forward to it. I woke up from my nap yesterday just an hour before the class and I was not too into going. We decided to go anyway and were both glad we did. We learned a lot, and were there for two hours though it did not feel like it. I would recommend it to anyone that is going to be around a small child. Or any child for that matter. I wish everyone that will babysit Olivia would take the class, too. :)

cloth diaper stash: phase 1

Look how cute! Please note the custom-made Chargers diaper Todd requested :p There are 5 diapers from Bagshot Row Bamboo, 3 customs from Bunny Bumz on Etsy, two fleece covers from Bellies, Babies, and More, and 3 Thirsties x-small covers. I am waiting on 24 newborn Kissaluvs diapers to be shipped. I also want to buy a wool cover, those are supposed to be the best.

Diaper bags: Solved

I finally got the diaper bag I ordered online. It is from Land's End (super random) and I really like it. It doesn't look cheesy or huge from the outside, but the inside is SUPER roomy and opens up like a doctor's bag! It was recommended to me by another mom that uses cloth diapers. They take up more room than disposables so I needed a bigger bag. And I got Olivia's name on it :) It was only $50 with monogramming and shipping. It's so well-made and nicer than other ones I have seen online and even at baby boutiques. I like it way more than the smaller pricier one that I got a while ago. I will probably use both, the Land's End one is more convenient but the smaller one will come in handy when I want a messenger style bag that is lighter and easier. I searched high and low and now I know that buying the trendy versions of things isn't always the way to go. I would recommend this bag. It comes in other colors, too.

pictures are crappy

Too hot to be so pregnant. I'm melting. My energy has been stolen by the sun.

9 months pregnant

I'm so anxious to meet you, but I will wait patiently until you are ready to make your grand appearance to the world. <3

Some photos

Todd and me at a wedding on Saturday


My mom, me, and sister at the baby party (shower)

*vent*

Today it has been so hard to move. To get out of bed, put lotion on my legs, get out of the car, up from the couch, and bending over is impossible. Also, my belly is so itchy and my skin is so irritated. I don't know if it's just a not-so-good day or if this is the beginning of how the end of my pregnancy will be. I'm 36 weeks on Tuesday... that is the start of my 9th month. Whoa.

Been productive...

All clothes washed and put away. Custom mattress for crib ordered! Crib is almost done! And I love it. Next week Barb and I are making the sheets for the bed. Making a custom crib is hard because we didn't make it the standard size, it's a bit smaller. This means we have to make everything for it since the other sheets will be too big. It's okay though. Grandma Barb is really good at sewing and I can use my creativity to make whatever I want. We can make Halloween and Christmas sheets! :D

Cravings these past few days: Cinnamon brown sugar pop-tarts (I bought the healthy brand, not the pop-tart brand) and Captain Crunch berries cereal (since the beginning of pregnancy). Also, chicken rolled tacos with guacamole.

Finally washing and folding baby clothes and putting them in her little dressers! Wayyyyy better wardrobe than me, that's for sure! Next step, bag packing for hospital. I want to go and buy myself some comfy sweats, pj's, and robe. I will do that tomorrow :)

Great news to wake up to.

I'm feeling very positive today. Ever since I became pregnant and started reading about childbirth, I knew that a natural, vaginal birth with no drugs was for me. I wasn't sure about home birth, but it was a very probable option. Mainly I wasn't sure because we would be moving and that made planning so hard. I had this idealized notion that when you are pregnant you see the same doctor at every visit and then that doctor delivers your baby. Not at Kaiser, which means it has not been the case for me. My first doctor at Kaiser in San Francisco, which I have mentioned, always seemed cold and standoffish. Then I had the nice Russian nurse practitioner and I had to leave her and come here to San Diego. Now I have Dr. Perez and though I like him, he is on a rotation with other doctors and if he is not there when I am in labor then I will have another doctor that I have never met deliver my baby. Plus, he is going on vacation and my next appointments will be with another doctor I haven't even met. I know what I want out of my birth, and unless there is a problem, I will not allow unnecessary medical interventions.
So, all of this brings me to this morning. A new friend recommended birthing classes that are taught by her midwife. She will be having a home birth (lucky!) and has been so helpful to me. I overthought taking the birthing classes and hadn't scheduled them and freaked out a couple of days ago when I noticed I need more preparation and I am getting to close to my due date. I called her midwife, Sunshine, and she called me back today. To make a long story short, I am not too late because she is willing to meet us (Todd and I) on Friday to make up for the class we missed last week then we start regular classes on Sunday for the next three weeks. We also talked about me hiring a doula to help me through labor and to stay with my birthplan since at the hospital I will be dealing with several nurses that do not know me or what I expect. It was such a relief to speak to her, we had a nice chat, and I cannot wait to meet her on Friday!

Diaper Bag

I cannot find one I love. Any recommendations are welcome. Please. (:

Babe fest!

Yesterday was your baby party. It was wonderful. Your Auntie Leann and Auntie Gabbie along with Auntie Pal and Auntie Caela threw a beautiful party. There were adorable decorations, cupcakes, champagne, wine, yummy food, fun games, prizes, and a mountain of gifts. I was so happy to be with all of my friends. Aunt Lu made me cry because she made you a gorgeous surprise scrapbook. The entire book illustrates my entire pregnancy, from the very beginning! She included ultrasounds, belly pics, notes, and so many other thoughtful things. It is absolutely amazing. Very creative, and so incredibly thoughtful. Everyone was so generous and a lot of fun. Your dad was pouring drinks and helping Oma prepare all the food. He had a lot of fun, too! I cannot wait to add some pictures to the blog!

Sun Sun Sun

34 weeks, 3 days

The night hunger increases in intensity every day. It begins around 11pm and if ignored, I wake up at 3am completely starved. Milk and cereal, my favorite meal.

Todd at work on the crib. It is coming along beautifully. I cannot wait until it is done and painted and in our room!

One week closer to full term.

This is the blurb from my weekly Baby Center e-mail:

Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

Caffeine kicks

I feel guilty sometimes when I drink my daily small coffee because it makes you hyper! Haha, you're too young to get on the caffeine buzz. I usually don't finish them.

My promise.

I promise I will always give you the best advice I can possibly give you. I promise to continue my education so that I can teach you many things just like your grandpa was able to teach me. I promise to always work hard to enrich my spirit and body so I can be a strong and positive example for you. I promise to help you experience the world and all of its beauty to the best of my ability. I promise to let you make your own informed choices one day and not try to shield you from truth and reality only because it doesn't include my own personal opinions (or your dad's). But, I can't help but hope you'll agree with us on some things... :)

Getting ready.

Still head down in my stomach. No breech baby :)

Stomach is definitely starting to drop. Sort of thought about it a couple of days ago, noticed it indubitably after my shower today.

Oh and, why is it still so hot?

Let me tell you something.

Your dad is truly a great person. I mean it. I already know you are going to have so much fun with him, learn so much from him, and get spoiled from his love and affection. We all know that no one is perfect, but let me tell you- this man is perfect for me. There are many things I'd love to share, one in particular, that make me know that he is different from other people. But, that one thing is pretty private so I will share a bittersweet and very recent story instead:

This morning we suffered a loss. Our sweet cat, Ramona Bernice Parnassus Currier, was hit by a car in the front of Grandma Barbs' house. She found her and wrapped her in a blanket and brought her inside. She woke Todd up at 6:30am to tell him. As soon as he was up, he started digging her a grave. Then he laid with me after giving me the terrible news. As I watched him digging (not a fun thing to do early in the morning in the already hot sun) I couldn't help but love him a little more. He never lets me down. In the most simple ways I know how big his heart is. We had a lovely burial in the backyard with flowers and a few laughs. Laughs at a funeral? Yes. Ramona had her stiff little leg sticking straight out and it did not fit the in the grave, so Todd had to dig an extra two inch space for the leg to fit. There was humor in that. Ramona could always make us smile.
Now, I can hear Todd in the garage and his loud woodcutting machine is on. I'll bet you five bucks he is making something to put on her grave.

September

then October.
September, October.

Next. Month.

*Yesterday the doctor told us that in 3 weeks, Olivia is considered full term and at that point they let women go into labor without trying to stop the contractions. In just THREE WEEKS, Olivia Simone can be born fully grown and healthy. Todd's eyes got really round and wide.