Sunday, December 30, 2012

Go Time?

After watching Father of the Bride Part 2, I always laughed at the situation with Annie where she has, if I recall correctly, 2 or more instances thinking she is in labor and isn't. I thought "come on lady - surely you know when its time..." Well, I'll be darned if the same thing didn't happen to me. Obviously I got a great lesson in judging others....

Let's start at the beginning. Broccoli has not been my friend since I've been pregnant. After eating some at school one day I paid for it later that night. Nothing gross, just HORRIBLE pains and cramping- like I was being stabbed. (Not that I would know what being stabbed feels like, but I can imagine it isn't too pleasant - much like this sensation) Now, knowing this about myself, you would think I would avoid the veggie like the plague, but alas, I'm not that smart. Or don't possess that much self control. Its a toss up.

Friday night it was wet, rainy, and cold. Perfect night for soup. Low and behold my sweet mother had stocked our fridge, and, glaring at me from shelf, was a big package of Panera Bread broccoli and cheese soup. Perfect! Then, I remembered that broccoli is the devil. Should I or shouldn't I? The craving won out and I popped that bad boy in the microwave.

Later that night I paid. Big time. By 11pm I was in so much pain I was getting dizzy. The sharp, stabbing pains returned as before, and I was almost in tears. Greyson was also partaking in some sort of Cirque du Soleil routine which didn't help matters at all. When you are dealing with extreme cramping and sharp pains, the last thing you need is someone kicking and punching you in the stomach. When I laid down and began groaning Adam became super concerned. He saw the baby frantically bouncing around and, paired with his wife 2 seconds from tears, reached for the phone to call the doctor. They suggested I go to labor and delivery just to make sure everything was ok.

My mind flashed back to Father of the Bride and I refused. These were not labor pains. This was, well, I'll just put it plainly... gas. I was having one of the worst episodes of gas pains in the history of the world and I was not about to drag myself and husband out in the middle of the night to have a nurse laugh and tell me that. Well, that, and I was in so much pain there was no way I was moving. I told Adam we just needed to wait a while and see what happens.

As I laid on the bed and the pain subsided ever so slightly, I felt it. The first contraction. A few minutes later another. Oh my goodness... I had gassed stressed myself into labor. Adam downloaded a contraction timer app and we began timing them. The contractions felt more intense due to my other pain and after an hour of timing them to be 5 minutes apart, I told Adam it was time to call Robert and Jessica to come over and stay with MC. We were leaving for the hospital.

At 1am we were wheeling out of the driveway hoping this was the real deal. I know Adam had his doubts, but I wasn't about to wait around at home and find out. With a three year old to worry about, the last thing I wanted was to wait around, not be able to reach anyone to come over, and give birth on my kitchen floor. This happened to a friend of a friend. This kid's nickname is linoleum Lucy now. Not cool.

Upon arriving at the hospital we got checked into triage and hooked up to the monitors. The contractions had now increased to 2-3 minutes apart. She checked me at we were 3 cm and 75%. After monitoring me about 45 minutes with no increase in contraction intensity, the doctor suggested I walk for an hour to see if we could make any progress. Walking around an empty hospital at 3am wasn't the most fun I'd ever ha,d but I would do anything at this point to make this baby come out! At 4am we returned to our room and the nurse checked me again. Still at 3cm and only slightly more effaced at 80%. In addition, my contractions had begun to slow down and I was now facing the embarrassment of being sent home empty handed.

At 5:30 am we pulled back into the driveway - sans baby.

I suppose next time I will know when it really is go time. Either that or my child will be nicknamed "homebirth homeboy", cause I am sure as heck not leaving house for another false alarm!!

Bumpdate!

38 weeks 4 days! Anytime now!!

Due Date: January 5, 2013
How Far Along: 38 weeks
Total Weight Gained: 141.5 (25.5 lbs)
Maternity Clothes: Yes
Best Moment of the Week: Making progress! Almost 3cm now and 75% effaced! Christmas was also AMAZING, but that's another post in itself!
Food Cravings: Let's just say Christmas is NOT helping my sweet tooth!! After getting tons of goodies from work, making cookies for Santa, and baking cupcakes for baby Jesus's birthday, mommy has a lot of treats to eat!
Food Aversions: None
Belly button/stretch marks: In/no stretch marks

Symptoms:  Still the same with lots of pressure! Some days I feel like this kid is just going to fall out!! 
Adam's pregnancy symptoms: Cravings - ice cream to be exact. He came home with a gallon of Neopolitan ice cream the other night that he just couldn't pass up because "it was on sale" and it was "for me". Good excuse babe - I don't even eat neopolitan ice cream babe. LOL.
Movement:YES! Greyson is absolutely kicking me to death. I've got feet, elbows, knees, and whatever else poking me all.day.long. Don't get me wrong though - I wouldn't trade it for anything!
Gender: Boy - Greyson Carter.
Milestones: Nothing huge this week other than Grey's first "Christmas". Can't wait to see him and MC together next year ripping open gifts!! What a joy to be blessed with two children! Can't wait!

Bumpdate!

37 weeks 4 days! FULL TERM NOW! Wow!

Due Date: January 5, 2013
How Far Along: 37 weeks
Total Weight Gained: 140 (24 lbs)
Maternity Clothes: Yes
Best Moment of the Week: This week has been pretty mellow! I am super excited for Christmas and Adam and I both are just trying to get through this last week of work before my parents come in town! 
Food Cravings: Still sweets :/ 
Food Aversions: None
Belly button/stretch marks: In/no stretch marks

Symptoms:  Still the same: achy back, pressure, Braxton Hicks, sciatic nerve pain 
Adam's pregnancy symptoms: Stress - he's got a lot going on with work and with his office being closed until after New Years and not knowing when the baby is coming, he's a little frantic about how things are going to get done.
Movement: Still kicking like he's going out for the US soccer team!
Gender: Boy - Greyson Carter.
Milestones: Still almost 2cm this week so no progress - but that's ok! He would probably hate it if his birthday was on Christmas so maybe he'll hold out a little longer!

Monday, December 17, 2012

Terrific Three

Better late than never!!!

As of November 30th, my precious, 7 lb 13oz bundle of joy is 3 years old. I have no idea how this happened. I know every parent says "It seems like just yesterday....", but it does. It seems like just yesterday I was delivering God's most wonderful blessing and today she is running around and carrying on conversations with us. I miss my sweet baby, but oh how I love seeing the amazing little person she is growing into!! So, my sweet Maggie Claire, here a just a few of the things your daddy and I are LOVING about you right now :)

We love how smart you are. You just turned 3 and can already read almost all 3 letter, consonant-vowel-consonant words.

We love how you're a complete daredevil. All your teachers tell us that you have absolutely no fear and are completely tough. However, knowing that you inherited mommy's coordination, I have to say that the idea of having an uncoordinated daredevil makes me nervous. Like, really nervous.

We love how you repeat EVERYTHING we say. Its getting to the point where we really have to watch ourselves because you don't miss a thing!

We love how you know exactly what matches when we dress you. A fashionista already. If daddy picks the wrong hairbow, you have no hesitation in telling him it doesn't match and why. When mommy picks the right hairbow you like to tell me why I chose it (ie - "that hairbow matches the green flowers on my shirt mommy!")

We love how you say "please" and "thank you" and "yes m'am" and "yes sir". You are very polite and we are so proud of you.

We love the sweet things you say to us. The other night when we were putting you to bed you started stroking daddy's face and pulled him close and whispered "daddy, you're the sweetest boy I've ever met..." You melt our heart every.single.day.

We love your imagination. Whether its having a tea party or playing "lions", you always come up with something creative and cute to do or say.

We love how you like to get ready with mommy when we go somewhere. You have to put on your "makeup", your lotion, and perfume - just like mommy.

We love how you call daddy "prince".

We love how helpful you are. You ask to help with almost anything mommy does. Guess this will come in handy when your new baby brother comes!

We love your independent spirit. You like to do things on your own, your own way.

We love your laugh - and how you laugh at anything. You love being silly and can have fun doing anything.

We love how you enjoy having "coffee" with mommy.

We love you so much and you bring us joy every single day. I don't know what we did to deserve such a wonderful blessing!!! Happy Birthday sweet girl!!!

Bumpdate!

36 weeks 4 days!!
Due Date: January 5, 2013
How Far Along: 36 weeks
Total Weight Gained: 138.5 (22.5 lbs)
Maternity Clothes: Yes
Best Moment of the Week: Its been a pretty quiet week around the Martin house. I got a lot done in the way of organizing Baby Grey's room and closets so that was a huge relief!!
Food Cravings: Sweets still!!
Belly button/stretch marks: In/no stretch marks

Symptoms: Ah, I feel so bad repeating the same things OVER and OVER, however, since it asks I'll share (again) - Achy back, lots of pressure and sore hips, sciatic nerve pain.
Adam's pregnancy symptoms: I have nothing bad to say about this man! What a trooper! I am really blessed to have a husband who helps out so much!!
Movement: All the time
Gender: Boy - Greyson Carter.
Milestones: Another great doctor's appointment! We are ALMOST 2 cm which means we have at least made progress since last week! I am curious to see how things will go at our next appointment!

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Bumpdate

I'm not even going to vocalize the fact that this is late.... haha. Here we are, one day shy of 36 weeks, and I'm just posting about 35 weeks. Oh well. You love me. You understand ;)


Due Date: January 5, 2013
How Far Along: 35 weeks
Total Weight Gained: 137.5 (21.5 lbs) 
Maternity Clothes: Yes
Best Moment of the Week: Our doctor's appointment was definitely the highlight of the week. It was so wonderful to find out information about how I'm progressing and info about baby Grey!
Food Cravings: Chocolate and oranges. I've probably gone through 10 "cuties" this week. 
Food Aversions: None
Belly button/stretch marks: In/no stretch marks

Symptoms:  Grey has taken to pushing on my sciatic nerve pretty frequently which is fantastic. I'll be mid stride walking somewhere and suddenly have to stop in my tracks from the shooting pain down my back and leg. Thankfully it only lasts a few seconds. Also still dealing with pressure and back pain. 
Adam's pregnancy symptoms: Nesting again. I kid, I kid. He's just been so helpful around the house I'm not really sure of what else to call it. I'm so blessed :)
Movement: I feel like he is moving like crazy lately. Not happy about running out of room I suppose ;)
Gender: Boy - Greyson Carter.  
Milestones: We began our weekly doctor visits this week! I'm happy to report that we are currently 1cm dialated and 50% effaced. The doctor is estimating Grayson to be about 5 lbs right now and that he will probably be 7.5lbs at delivery. MC was 7lbs 13oz so 7.5 sounds good to me! I don't know if I could handle anything larger than MC - maybe I'm a wuss :/ Anyway, we go back again on Tuesday so I'm anxious to see if we've progressed anymore, although I highly doubt it. I'll probably be the woman who walks around at 1 cm for a month. Oh well, as long as he is healthy, he can come whenever he would like - well, within reason ;)