Okay, so a couple weeks ago I mentioned that we are expecting a new little one and I thought that for the next several weeks I would post a little update about how things are progressing… 

So Baby Update #1

Did I mention how far along I was?  I think I was a little vague, so let me just clarify that the updates will be over the next several weeks because, well… that’s all the time I have left.  Ummm, before birth that is.

I am 33+ weeks along.  Today I went in for a typical appointment and surprise!  They decided that Bebe’s heart beat was a little funky and sent me to the hospital to be monitored for a couple of hours and scheduled another ultra-sound for Wednesday morning.  The concern being that the baby may be entangled in the umbilical cord, because when she moves her heart rate slows.

At the hospital they decided that things seemed normal but I have an “irritable uterus”, their words, not mine. 

ummm…  WTF is an irritable uterus?  Well apparently it is an indicator of early labor.  Like as in within 2 weeks.  But they didn’t seem to be all that concerned about that either.  With instructions to drink more (water unfortunately) and lay on my side and rest more often, I was sent away after 2 1/2 hours.

Well let’s just say that I went straight into panic mode!  And then to the store to make some decisions about what the heck I need to purchase to be prepared for the little sweetie.

So at the moment I still need to…

1. Put up the crib - the same one that I used for Chandler and Taylor
2. Evaluate whether the bedding or mattress needs to be replaced
3. Move the changing table out of my office and empty it out - it is currently serving as a tv stand and office organizer
4. Purchase a stroller and carseat
5. Pack for the hospital
6. Buy all those fun, but unmentionable, things that we girls have to buy to care for ourselves after giving birth
7. Do about 20 loads of baby laundry
8. Buy diapers, wipers and all the baby things needed for the baby changing station, including one of those pads
9. Buy all the bath things
10. Register at the hospital
11. Finish my Birth Plan
12. Buy a baby swing or bouncy seat
13. Pick up my bassinet from my brother and his wife
14. Buy a baby monitor

I know there is a whole lot more to do but that is all I can think of right now.  I figure this week I will go to Babies R Us and look at all the stuff that I should have already purchased and then I will know how far behind I really am!  But really, I know that if I have a car seat and some diapers and things then I am ready.  All the rest is just conveniences.

Okay so the math is that I am 6 pounds above my pre-pregnancy weight.  Ironic in that I think I am bigger with this baby than with the other girls.  But I am still not in maternity clothes yet.  I think I was just getting into maternity clothes with the other pregnancies about this time.  I think the way that they design clothing now makes it easier for me to continue wearing street clothes.  If it were the year of  ”high waist” pant styles I would be out of luck!

What else?  I am pushing for an induced labor, ideally the first week of February.  That would be 5 weeks from now.   *Yikes!*  Why inducing?  Well I have a history of really rapid labor and really small babies.  Like 5 pound babies that are out with one push.  Seriously.  The doctor came into my room when I was in labor with Taylor and broke my water and I warned him that I have rapid labor and he kinda laughed about it.  4 minutes later I was nursing her.  He wasn’t laughing anymore.  Chandler came so quickly (not quite 4 minutes) that the doctor barely had time to get into position and catch her.  So needless to say, I am not looking forward to the possibility of going into labor when I am not at the hospital.  And I don’t think any of my family is very excited about those prospects either.

I think that’s about all for now… 

~Blondie