The Big Arrival!

I'll cut to the chase with this post.... WELCOME BABY ANNA!!

Monday, December 5, 2011 at 9:05am, we welcomed the newest, tiniest and cutest member of our family, Miss Anna Simmons!

After a long week of maternity leave, counting down every second and wondering when we would meet "Kermie", we were getting desperate.  I tried all the old wives tales to try to help move labor into action.  I was eating fresh pineapple, taking long walks (and nature hikes), eating spicy food, etc. etc. etc. and still...nothing.  I decided to just let it go and the baby would come when the baby would come.

Sunday, we had a nice day together - went for a nature hike in a nearby park, had Five Guys for lunch, made spicy steak fajitas for dinner, and just watched some TV later on.  About 1:30am, I woke up with what I thought was a stomach ache.  Tried to go to the bathroom but with no luck.  Went back to bed and continued to feel these pains, which only seemed to be getting worse. I was grinding my teeth and finally said "Maybe I should be timing these pains".  At which point they were regularly 10 minutes apart.  (Up until this point, I thought I had had contractions throughout the week.  If those were contractions....then I don't know WHAT these were.  Hell, I'm guessing).  I decided to wait until 3am to wake Doug up, and then suddenly the pains moved to 7 minutes (or less) apart.  I woke him up and said "This is not a drill, get up"

I struggled through the pain and took a shower.  I was dirty and couldn't go to the hospital without a shower for God knows how long!  The hot shower water felt so good, but I was still really struggling with the intense contractions.  Doug and I scrambled around finishing up our packing, putting last minute stuff together.  All week I said I would eat before we left for the hospital, but hilariously enough - the very idea of food at that point was nauseating.  We left the house around 4am, and in the car I said "Call your mom now - I don't think they'll make it if we wait"  A call to RI, and a weird, creepy, foggy drive to the hospital and many painful contractions later, we were there. 

(totally pretending... I had not had the drugs yet and this must have been in between dying of pain)

After a hiccup at the ER where you have to check-in, I was admitted, put in a room, in a gown and I struggled through the pain.  They tell me "Oh there's no doctor or anesthesiologist here, so just hold on as best as you can." I wanted to die.  Thankfully about an hour or so later, they came with the delightful pain meds.  I was already at 5cm, and within that hour I was at 7cm!  It was going so fast and Doug's parents had only just left RI!  By about 8:00 I was at 10cm, but they wanted me to wait for the baby to drop down a little bit, but then just out of no where the nurse said "Let's give this pushing a shot" and suddenly we were really having a baby.  I just kept saying "This is the weirdest day of my life".  I was prepared, but not really!  It didn't seem like this was happening, but it sure was!

One half hour of pushing, and THERE SHE WAS!  It was amazing and surreal and QUICK.

Doug's parents hadn't arrived yet, so we had about an hour of family time before we let everyone in on the big news.  It was fun to just have that quiet time before all the craziness began.  Anna was quiet, was very happy being held by her Daddy and we just tried to take in the moment as best we could.

Some photos, since I know everyone is really looking forward to that:

We even had our first "bath" - which was essentially just a wet washcloth wipe down.

She didn't seem to mind it, and afterwards got to snuggle with Daddy to warm up.

(they were also checking out Daddy's handy work on the deck)

The first week of life was not without problems though, of course.  We have been breastfeeding from the beginning and I was experiencing a decent amount of pain.  I knew this wasn't normal and after we got home on Wednesday (and Anna hadn't been peeing/pooping as regularly as they told us she should), I called a lactation consultant to come help me out.  I didn't need to continue on a bad path since I knew that nursing shouldn't hurt like it was.  Turns out, this wonderful consultant was a gift from God.  She (rightly) diagnosed Anna as being tongue-tied and therefore she wasn't able to nurse properly and wasn't getting all she needed. We had to get "surgery" in order to correct it.  Doug stepped up the next morning, got us right into a doctor in Edison who was highly recommended, and we rushed out of the house on Friday morning a little bit after we had gotten out of bed for the day.  Not exactly how I thought my first "outing" with the baby would go!  I didn't even have the diaper bag packed, the tags were still on it!!  But thanks to Doug (of course, for everything and then some) - we did it.  We made the drive, the baby was well-behaved and we didn't run into anyone in the waiting room (which we were both dreading, going to an Ear-Nose-Throat doctor).

Since then, things have been exponentially better - Anna is eating like a champ, and the dirty diapers just keep on coming!!  We are all getting used to each other, and every day has its highs and lows.  The night time is the hardest part of the day for me, as I seem to want to cry every night at dinner (Sorry Doug!).  I know it's normal and soon enough I will be feeling more and more like myself.  Everything is a huge adjustment and we are learning more and more every day.

It has been wonderful having Doug home with me all week, and of course I am dreading tomorrow when he leaves for 8+ hours for work.  My mom took off so I won't be alone, but Wednesday is another story.  I can totally see now how I could go all day with my one accomplishment being "I brushed my teeth!" 

We go to the doctor tomorrow for a weight check and it will be nice to get out of the house.  I have been a bit of a hermit this week, which is to be expected.  I am trying to get used to my role as mom, and everything else can wait.  Besides, its COLD out there now too.

Hard to believe just over a week ago, I looked like THIS:

(thank God no one told me just how big I really was)

More to come, whenever I can - as this post took like 6 hours to compose!!

39 Weeks...

Update:
39 Weeks down..
ONE week to go....

About 7 days +/-

Kermie is probably close to 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds.  This week he is the size of a "mini watermelon":

I was waiting for the day when it would become a watermelon.  Seems like today is that day.


Kermie Update:
Coming down to the wire, your baby weighs around seven to eight pounds and measures 19 to 21 inches. Those measurements won't change much from now on, but her brain is still growing at an astonishing rate, a pace that will continue for the first three years of life. Her pink skin has now turned whitish (even babies who'll eventually have darker skin appear whitish now — they haven't yet developed pigment). Her head may have dropped into your pelvis by now, which makes your breathing easier but walking harder.

Basically it seems like a whole lot of nothin is going on, some brain growth and a bunch of rolling and foot kicking out of my right side.  Kermie is just waiting for his grand entrance, and we are all ready and anxiously counting down the days.  Could be any time now, or well into December...


Carin Update:
I'm doing okay.... I am feeling semi-uncomfortable, my hips or knees have been hurting a bit, and of course my back hurts pretty frequently.  I don't really want to complain, being that I somehow survived Carpal-Tunnel-Gate 2011, and the small aches and pains really don't add up to that.  Thank God I am sleeping, my hands feel better every day and I am feeling more human.  There is light at the end of the tunnel, and hopefully after birth it will only get better (right now it is basic pins and needles occasionally, but no pain and I sleep through the night every night -save for bathroom trips).

I am big, I feel funny and I am READY for the end.  I love that nature does this, helps you prepare for 8+ months and then at the end you say OH MY GOD I'M READY LETS DO THIS!   Otherwise I swear I'd be saying "yeah I'm okay, we can continue this for a few more months".  Now, prepared or not, LET'S DO IT.

On another note, today is my first official day of maternity leave. I have a list of stuff I want to do, and I'm trying to space them out so I have things to do all week.   Today though I have to go to the doctor to get my disability/leave paperwork and drop that off at work so we can get that going. Long story, it should have been done and in last week but the stupid lady at the doctors office wouldn't return my phone calls.  Annoying, but I'm taking care of it now.  Then later on I actually have an appointment at 2:30, where we will hopefully get promising news of things progressing, and hopefully not standing still.  (Again, we are ready Kermie).  If there is anything exciting to report, I will come back and update!

Until then, I am a lady of leisure this week.  I do not know what I'm going to do, except finally realize that the reason I am "out of work" is because I am having a baby in the next week or so.  SERIOUSLY?  All this time I have not been thinking too far ahead as to not freak myself out, and now suddenly the only thing I have to look forward to is the big event and that is just plain weird.  So, like I said, I will now take things 1 day at a time.

Also, someone thought he was a funny guy - and had this for me on Wednesday, my last day of work:

Today's picture update is not our typical "bathroom shot at work", but it will have to do!

Doug/House/Us Update:
We had a very nice, quiet Thanksgiving at our house.  I was suffering from a pretty bad back that day and it ended up being a wise choice to just stay home.  My mom and Doug did all the cooking, while I pretty much sat on the couch and snacked and rested.  We had tons of leftovers, which I then got smart and made Turkey Dinners out of and put them in the freezer.  Our stock is nice and high and I am so happy we won't have to worry about meals for a while after the baby is born.  With those 4 big meals I added, we are set for weeks!  Amazing.

The rest of the weekend was also pretty quiet.  Christina came by for a while on Friday to visit.  Doug went hunting Saturday morning and I got my hair done - a nice treat and I now feel ready for my close-up ;)   Saturday night we went out to hibachi for our friend Ray's birthday.  Everyone was shocked I had made it out, but I said it's just a dinner! I have to eat!  It was an early night (everyone else went out to the bar, and we went home to bed!).  Sunday we went out to cut our Christmas tree down!  I wanted to get it done early so it wasn't something we may or may not get to in the next couple weeks.  Unfortunately our tree stand had seen better days and so we couldn't get it up in the house.  Today I'll go to Target and get a new one so we can do that tonight.

Instead we put up the majority of our lights outside!  Only a couple things left to do, but with this nice weather Doug might be able to do it tonight when he gets home (before it starts raining tomorrow/Wednesday).  I am also going to decorate the house this week for Christmas, I love that time of year and having the decorations up longer will be fun!

I better get on my way - things to do, people to see!  Happy first day of "retirement" to me!

38 Weeks!

Update:
38 Weeks...
only 2 WEEKS TO GO.

Holy crap.
We all know 2 weeks is about 14 days.  Give or take ANY AMOUNT OF TIME.  I'm really not freaking out.  It just seems so.... real.

This week, Kermie is the size of a leek!

Apparently, at about 6.8 pounds and over 19 1/2 inches long.  We'll see about that weight!



Kermie Update:
Your baby has really plumped up. She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.

Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)

Fetal development is nearly complete as your baby tends to a few last-minute details like shedding the skin-protecting vernix and lanugo. He's also producing more surfactant, a substance that prevents the air sacs in his lungs from sticking to one another once he starts to breathe. Most of the changes this week are small but important: He’s continuing to add fat (so he can take advantage of all those photo ops by sporting a round, cute baby look!) and fine-tuning his brain and nervous system (so he can deal with all the stimulation that awaits him once he makes his entrance into the world).

My side note on the human passenger:  Kermie has been steadily running out of room in there and is showing his dissatisfaction.  He is sticking foot and/or elbow out of my side pretty much constantly.  He is pushing his whole body against the outside of my stomach and that makes it really hard to breathe.  I have to lean back pretty much constantly, as apparently me sitting up = a squished baby, and a squished baby = angry baby.  He is acting like a little ninja popcorn baby all the time, rolling about and making his bigger presence known.  We are all ready for you, so come on out of your cramped quarters anytime.

Carin Update:
This past week has had a few ups and downs.  I went to the hand surgery specialist on Tuesday afternoon, and just like that - he injected a cortisone shot into each wrist!!  I was not expecting that in the least, and of course afterwards I was panicking whether I made the right choice.  He had no bedside manner and couldn't care less about my feelings, so I called Doug and he assured me I made the right choice.  Even by that night I had to agree - I slept through the night (with bathroom break exceptions) and NO pain.  I was able to take off my braces on my own in the morning (something I never did), and actually had the strength to take a shower and get ready before work (something I haven't done in WEEKS because my hands hurt too much in the morning!)  I am now almost a week past the shots and I feel remarkably better.  The hands are definitely not "healed" but they are 100% different.  I am tingly but it doesn't last long.  I'm actually able to cook and type and drive and not feel like I have clubs for fingers after 2 minutes.  THE SHOTS ARE A MIRACLE.  I said, even if they only give me 2 weeks of relief and then hopefully things will naturally go away on their own after delivery, I will be very satisfied.

Here's a shot of me and Kermie hanging in the waiting room before I got my shots:

I saw my OB on Friday (the same one who told me to go to this hand doctor) and he was thrilled for me.  He remembered my problem and checked in on how it was going and was actually genuinely happy.  I love him and plan to make the switch for him to be my regular doctor after all is said and done.

Doctors appointment went fine, I am still at 2cm, but now 80% effaced.  He said not to look too far into any of that, as it could mean nothing or something. My mantra is to just take each day as it comes.  I am not trying to work myself up every day about what could or could not happen that day.  We are still likely to go well into December, so it will be what it will be!   My next appointment is not until the 28th (they are closed the Friday after Thanksgiving so I had to wait).  We'll see then how things are going.

Otherwise, this week is my last at work for 2011.  I am only working half days this week (Mon, Tues, Wed) and then I'm DONE.  It's so weird.  I am ready.  I need some relaxation time - I want to take naps and relax, and feel like I had a little time for myself before Kermie gets here.  I am trying not to stress about what I'm leaving behind and know that they will have to handle it one way or another.  Ken and Steve will miss me (good for me in the long run), but they will all survive. I am not single-handedly running the show over there, so I need to get over it.  Baby time and taking care of myself is more important right now.

Got a great pedicure this weekend, my little indulgence right now.  Can't really reach my toes in order to get things looking good, and pretty feet make me happy.

Here is the final installment of the work bathroom shot for 2011.  Next week I'll have to get creative with an at-home full-length mirror shot.

(Black is slimming, right??)

Doug/Home/Us Update:
This week was a good one!  We went out to eat Tuesday (just to a small place down the road we've eaten at for breakfast, and we weren't impressed with their dinner selection, but hey - now we know!), and Thursday we went to Christine & Bruce's for dinner.  We haven't had a chance to catch up with them in ages, so it was a really nice night.  Their babies have gotten so big (7 months already!!) so it was fun to see them for a bit before they went to bed.  Although I do get tired at the end of the day and I probably wasn't the most fun I've ever been.  I was ready for bed too!

This weekend we bought "coming home outfits" for Kermie - in both genders!  I was so excited to buy something pink, I'll definitely be bummed if we have to return.  Girls stuff is just so much cuter at that size!  Now we have one of each and when Kermie gets here, my mom will wash the "right" outfit for coming home day. (Thanks for the tip Christin!)   Even more fun to look forward to with the big reveal.  We also finished hanging pictures in the nursery, hung a mirror above the changing table, and cooked up a storm!!  We decided to make a bunch of meals that we could freeze and easily heat up for ourselves after our big arrival, when sleep is limited and neither of us feel like doing ANY cooking.  I know we will get special deliveries from my mom too, but having a bunch of stuff on hand is great.  We made individual beef/veggie burritos, lasagna, chicken & veggie enchiladas, and chili!  Everything is in good, manageable sizes for defrosting and the individual burritos will be really good for me to make for a quick lunch when I am home alone with a baby (EEEK).

We were both wiped after all that work we did, and Sunday night we just relaxed and enjoyed the couch time.  Now that I am sleeping better, my body knows it and WANTS MORE!  I sleep a good 7 or 8 hours and still wake up tired or wanting a nap by 2pm.  I have to say I've taken a couple naps in the last few days and it is fantastic.  I'm glad the shots have worked enough that I am able to sleep soundly and without pain.  That was really one of my only missions and it has been a success.  More sleep makes me less likely to be emotional/unstable and more likely to be my 'normal' self now toward the end. [p.s. thank God for cortisone.]


Here are some nursery shots that I took after finishing up yesterday.  Hope you enjoy!

(The decal Doug lovingly installed.  It is perfect & just what I pictured!)

The restored 100+ yr old rocking chair that made a long journey years ago from Indiana.  Still need to hang the shelves for books (on top of that side table), we'll probably do that this week.

(the other side of the green rug is the sleeper sofa & pretty yellow pillows!)

A wider view (still with stuff to put away!)

Closeup of the Star Wars prints I got for Doug & my other favorite photo in the room

The changing table area, view #1

And view #2, with Kermie's adorable little fleece Santa hat!

37 Weeks...Officially "Full Term"

Update:
37 Weeks
3 Weeks to go...
(about 20 days)

Everywhere you read, this week is a big turning point.  I am officially "full term" and anything that happens from here on out wouldn't be stopped, as Kermie is pretty well developed and okay to join the outside world.

This week, Kermie is the size of a 'stalk of swiss chard'.  (I think they are grasping now..)

He is about 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches. 


Kermie Update:
Even though the baby is considered "full term", that doesn't mean he's finished growing — in fact, he's still packing on about a half pound a week (at this age, the average fetus weighs about 6.5 pounds). That makes it a little crowded in your uterus, so he’s probably not kicking as much, though he’s probably stretching, rolling a bit, and wiggling (all of which you’ll be able to feel!). Right now, your little superstar is busy rehearsing for his big debut, inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid (to get the lungs ready for that first breath), sucking his thumb (to prepare for that first suckle of milk), blinking, and turning from side to side.  (I think all this practicing also includes intense HICCUPS, which I now seem to feel at least 2x a day!)

Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.   (I am fully freaked out by the idea of a baby with a full head of dark hair.  I really hope that doesn't happen...)

Here's an interesting fact: Your baby's head (which, by the way, is still growing) will, at birth, be the same size circumference as his or her hips, abdomen, and shoulders. And guess what's making an impression (literally) these days on those shoulders and hips: fat — causing little dimples in those cute elbows and knees, shoulders and hip, and creases and folds in the neck and wrists.


Carin Update:
I am hanging in there.  That is about as good as I can do.  Generally, I feel okay.  My hands are killing me, are always swollen, numb and painful.  Yesterday my ankles even got swollen after a trip to Ikea and Babies R Us.  I guess it could have been expected after all that walking, but still.  I feel like I'm falling apart.  The worst part about all of this is feeling so completely out of control.  No options for relief.  No real help.  And for the first time in as long as I can remember, I called in and took a sick day on Friday.  I woke up at 4:30 for the day in excruciating pain and couldn't fall back to sleep and then had zero control over my hands.  I cried for an hour and Doug made me call out of work.  It was a great decision, I rested on the couch and gave myself a break for once.  It was good to give Ken an idea of what he was working with with Amy alone - and apparently they did okay.  This week I will continue my teaching and try not to do anything.  After this blog post, I'm stepping away from my computer for a long while.

This is my last "full" week at work.  After Saturday's appointment it might be my last week in general.  Turns out I am already 2cm dilated and 50% effaced, which means things are moving along.  I was shocked to hear this, to say the least, but the doctor didn't seem too phased.  Honestly, I could stay this way for the next 3 weeks. My next appointment is Friday, so we'll see if there is any progress then.  This baby is a little Pedersen after all, wanting to be PUNCTUAL.  I like that.  (Don't be late Kermie, please)

Also, at my appointment I saw another doctor and he gave me such hope, finally.  He listened to my problems, told me there was a solution and referred me to another doctor (a hand surgery specialist) and said "Use my name and get an appointment first thing Monday morning". He actually said that we could find a way to get a solution to this and that we didn't want to let it go, risking long term damage.  Then he HUGGED me and said it would be okay and we would get through it.  I had just begun to let it all go and say "oh well", when he turned it around.  I called the office this morning and have an appointment tomorrow at 1:45.  I'm hopeful, but not overly optimistic.

We went to Ikea and Babies R Us to finish up some little things.  I got the remaining items on my registry with a coupon they had sent, along with an adorable baby book I can't wait to fill out, and some other little things for Kermie's room at Ikea.  Now to put it all together and finish up!  So close!!

Here I am this morning, one of the last work bathroom shots of the series.

Doug/House/Us Update:
We had a quiet week, and fairly quiet weekend.   Our stroller came and I put that together, and I absolutely love it!  I can't wait to be able to use it everywhere!!  We also figured out how to put the carseat in both cars (and attach to the new stroller), and installed the 'bundle me' in the car seat for our first ride home.  It's like a cozy fleece blanket cover thing, so you don't have to put your baby in a big heavy winter coat or snow suit.  I love it and I want one of my own!

Here we are practicing with one of the many frogs in the house:

He looks very happy in there, I think.

We still need to hang photos in Kermie's room, but hit a little detour and will hopefully do that this week instead.  Most of the baby clothes are cleaned, my bag has been packed with whatever I can pack at the moment and a list has been made of what needs to be added.  I feel pretty good about all that. 

I have to wrap this up, my hand is on fire.  This is about the most I can do during the day, I reached my quota by 9:30 on Monday.  Uh oh.  Gotta go be a teacher again.  FUN.

Old Wives Tales

Since everyone has an opinion, pretty much based on just looking at me - I thought I would list some pretty common old wives tales about the baby gender.  If you have any I'm missing, let me know! 

We'll have to take a poll and see who is right near the end!

Popular questions (I've bolded my answers):

1.  How are you carrying the baby?
High:  Girl
Low: Boy

2. Baby's Heartrate
Above 140: Girl
Below 140:  Boy

3. Cravings
Sweets:  Girl
Salty:  Boy

4. Morning Sickness
Yes, lots:  Girl
None:  Boy

5. Acne/Bad Skin
Yes:  Girl
No:  Boy

6. Chinese Gender Chart (Apparently these things are like 90% right)
Mine says Girl   (you take "chinese age" and month of conception)



So right now it looks like we're leaning toward Kermelina....

AHHH I CAN'T WAIT TO FIND OUT!!!

36 Weeks!

Update:
36 weeks in...
4 weeks to go.
(About 27 days give or take how stubborn this baby is!)

Something about knowing it is less than a month till "D-Day" is really CRAZY!  Even if we're left waiting, its still about a month away (I still call Dec 8 as the day). 

This week, Kermie is the size of a crenshaw melon.  I can honestly say I have no idea what that is.

Although they say Kermie is almost 6 pounds, and about 18.5 inches long. I do not doubt that for a second!  (Well, he might be more petite, but I feel him all over, making me feel like I'm losing my breath on a daily basis!)


Kermie Update:
Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely she's in a head-down position. (And YES, as of Wednesday we are in the head-done position! Now, STAY there Kermie!)

Your baby's skull isn't the only soft structure in his or her little body. Most of your baby's bones and cartilage are quite soft as well (they'll harden over the first few years of life) — allowing for an easier journey as your baby squeezes through the birth canal at delivery (and less prodding and poking for Mom along the way). At 36 weeks pregnant, the skull bones are also not fused together yet so that the head can easily (well, relatively easily) maneuver through the birth canal.  Growth will experience a slowdown now, both so your baby will be able to fit the narrow passageway to the outside and also so he or she can store up all the energy needed for delivery.

By now, many of your baby's systems are pretty mature, at least in baby terms —  and just about ready for life on the outside. Blood circulation, for instance, has been perfected and your baby's immune system has matured enough to protect him or her from infections outside the womb. Other systems, however, still need a few finishing touches. Once such notable example: digestion — which actually won't be fully mature until sometime after birth. Why's that? Inside his or her little gestational cocoon, your baby has relied on the umbilical cord for nutrition, meaning that the digestive system — though developed — hasn't been operational. So your baby will take the first year or two to bring that system up to speed.

Carin Update:

So I'm busy growing a big baby.  Well, maybe not "big", per se.  At my doctors appointment on Wednesday he told me he thinks that Kermie is on track to be between 6 and 7 pounds at birth.  I asked if I was "too small" and he said "What, do you want to be huge? You aren't a big girl - you look great.  Everything is fine"  Everyone always comments about my size, so I had to double check.  Not that I need reassurance, I swear to you I grew over the weekend and now feel even rounder.  My belly button is doing funny things too.  (Still mostly an innie though)

No change in my hands.  I've been doing everything - physical therapy, acupuncture, massage, rest, heat, braces, tylenol, tears.  Nothing helps.  I can't find anything that really actually helps, so I just try to go about my day-to-day.  It is nice to have Amy here doing the work, because being on the computer all day does NOT feel good.  Neither does sleeping.  I have to get up a few times in the middle of the night to "walk it off" and bring back circulation, which is fun.  I think I do that more than I get up to go to the bathroom.  Thankfully the carpet in Kermie's room is nice and kooshy & I'm learning all the squeaky spots in the floor for future reference!  Also, anyone who is expecting an email, a text, a Words with Friends game or a thank you note -- I am doing my best!! I hate feeling so out of control but I know most days I really need to take it easy (not my strong suit).  I will be back, in some form or another in a month!!

It has been harder to get up off the couch, but I am trying to maintain some of my ab muscles!  It does hurt though, and I still look forward to nightly heating pad time for my back/butt.  Doug is a good help pushing me from a sitting/laying position!

Kermie is very active, rolling around a lot - pushing into my lungs, hiccuping, and "digging" on my right side.  Kermie, as of this week, things you don't like include: the seatbelt across my right side when I am driving and anything resting on your hut.  You make it known by digging or punching against that object.  It is especially funny in the morning when you greet your Daddy that way when he tries to snuggle me in my pillow fort.  You will have to share better when you get here. Until then, we think it's pretty cute and funny.  It's your morning greeting.

Also fun news for me, I was thrown a surprise baby shower at work on Friday! It was so out of the blue and the girls did such a wonderful job!  There were TONS of gifts, food, decorations, and cake & cookies! I was happy.  I don't like being the center of attention like that and of course, I turned RED, but it was nice.  I think all the ladies haven't bought baby stuff in so long, they all went way overboard and bought a lot for us.  We did get the other base for the car seat for Doug's car, a cool baby carrier I was looking forward to, plus lots of clothes, blankets and other goodies.  We are really almost 99% ready for this baby now!   I have coupons for both of my registries and over the next couple weeks will try to pick up some last minute stuff I'd like to have on hand when we come home with the baby.

One of the cuter things we got for Kermie was this:

I can't BEARLY take it.  Oooh, sorry - Doug joke.

Since none of my jewelry fits anymore, I went to Target on Saturday and treated myself to a funny little gift to both make me laugh and also to make me feel like I am not an unwed mother.  For just $12, I am now the proud owner of this gem:

I said, go big or go home - and I feel like a Real Housewife of New Jersey.  It's huge and funny and on Saturday night I got a ton of compliments on it.  HILARIOUS.  I cannot wait for my real stuff again.  (That ring is only for special occasions or if I need a laugh)

My doctors appointments are now weekly, and I go back Saturday at 9am.  Funny how time flies...

Here I am today, with matching arm brace:

Today is SPA DAY with my mom.  Couldn't be more excited for a girls day- getting a massage & foot soak/scrub thing.  I am outta here before 12.  A great Monday, if you ask me!

Doug/House/Us Update:

Another good week for us, getting stuff done & spending time together :)  Right now I say every minute is precious. We are enjoying good old fashioned QUIET in the house, just because we want it to be quiet. I'm trying not to use the "this is the last time we'll..." thing, but I think we are both thinking it.  I know we are in for a big adjustment but I know we are gonna kick ass and take names (after a bit). 

This weekend we had a date night Friday night (to Barnacle Bill's for burgers), and then Saturday we headed out to Long Island for the Don Monti Memorial Cancer Research Foundation Gala.  Every year we participate in a bar crawl in NYC and all money goes to that charity.  They reserve a table for us (about 10 spots or so) for the guys who knew Tory and for whoever can make it.  This year a bunch of us could go and we had a great time!  Over 1100 people were at this country club in LI, it was immense!!  So much food and drink & beautiful flowers and gifts.  It was amazing.

Here we are in our rented outfits for the night - we kind of felt like Cinderella! Must be back before midnight!

When we got home Sunday, we both did our respective "chores" and things we wanted to accomplish - then we tackled the car seat base installation in Doug's car.  We didn't leave it in there just yet, but figured out how to install.  Next up is my car.  It is not easy, and I know it will become more like second nature when you use it more frequently, but for 2 smart people - I felt really dumb. 

I finally decided on a stroller & after finding an AMAZING deal online, it will be delivered on Wednesday.  I am SO excited to get it and play with it and figure it out.  So many fun features - hopefully it won't be as confusing as the car seat base and installation part was.  And we got a pretty sage green color, apparently continuing the Kermie theme, without even realizing it!

I think that's about it for us... getting down to the wire, super excited, scared, nervous and READY!

35 Weeks

Update:
35 weeks
5 weeks to go..
(about 34 days!!!!!!)

On one hand, 34 days sounds right around the corner, but on the other (numb) hand -- HURRY UP ALREADY!

According to various sources, this week Kermie is the weight of a honeydew melon. (About 5 1/4 pounds) but can already be about 18 inches long!

It seems kind of big, but within the last week I have been feeling more and more cramped and like I am constantly being pushed in the lungs from the inside.  It makes sense!


Kermie Update:
Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds. Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

Most of your baby's growth over the next month or so before you meet will be in weight (with a gain of anywhere from one pound to several), not height (baby's pretty much reached the in utero limit in that department).  Accordingly, fat continues to accumulate at a rapid pace these days (on baby, not just on your hips). Back in the middle of your pregnancy, your baby's weight was made up of only two percent fat; now at 35 weeks pregnant, that percentage has soared to closer to 15 percent (and will increase to 30 percent at term). Which means your baby's once skinny arms and legs are now quite plump…and irresistibly, squeezably soft.

Carin Update:
I made it through another week.  Some days are okay, some days are not, but I am surviving.  Really all in all, without this excruciating hand pain and numbness I would not be complaining about much.  Sure I am bigger, sitting comfortably takes a lot more effort, and I'm constantly reminded of the human passenger in the belly - but otherwise I am okay!  This carpal tunnel is kicking my ass!!!  I even thought on the way to work this morning that having the baby early would be welcome at this point (even though we're not "ready"), just to hopefully give some relief!  I guess 5 weeks isn't the end of the world.  I'll take whatever comes my way.

Honestly though, Monday started out with a bang as I have been up since 4:30, and out of bed at 5:30 (trying so hard not to ruin the last couple hours of Doug's sleep. It was so cozy, I was so jealous).  My hands were in a type of indescribable pain and nothing would help, so I finally gave up and went downstairs to ice and pout.  The ice helped.  The pouting did not.  Gonna be a long one at work today, that's for sure.  But the only positive - today is my last day "solo" on the job until 2012.  Amy will start full-time tomorrow and as much as it's hard to deal with that, it means that I don't have to type or use my hands for 8 hours but I still get paid to be here!  It helps so much to sit back and let her do as much as she possibly can.  I have a lot I want to get accomplished today ....

Have physical therapy again today.  Not sure if it is working, but even for the hour I am there, I get massaged and can relax a bit - and that really does help.  I know that my condition is not something that can be cured (and only medicines I am not allowed to take right now would help), but something about the whole massage aspect really calms me.   I can't wait till next Monday - my mom and I are having a girls spa day (to use her birthday gift cert before her birthday year is up!)  I'm getting a maternity massage and some sort of spa foot rub/soak/something or another.  Either way it will be phenomenal.

Here I am today, continuing the pout at work:

But I've got Halloween spirit.

Doug/House/Us Update:

Another good one for us at home, we had both fun and got stuff done! Friday night we ventured into the city and met our friends Scott & Brittney for our annual Korean BBQ dinner.  I left work early and came home to rest before we left, so the day wasn't as long as it could have been.  The food (and company) were great, and I'm glad we got to do that before "D-Day".

Saturday we had a very early wake-up call (which we wish we could have ignored) in the ice cold pouring rain.  Our new washer & dryer were delivered at 7:45am.  It made for a quick night sleep after our late night Friday.  Thankfully they installed quickly and were on their way and Doug was able to come back to bed for a bit (the rainy weather really helped).

Our new additions. LG 1 & 2.
I'll have to think of better nicknames as I am soon to be very well acquainted with them.

Doug worked to get them installed and operational later on while Lisa and I braved the elements to get our nails done.  She was in town for a wedding and we wanted a little quality time, it was perfect (although cold and wet!). Later on we had a fun visit from Mike, Christin and Sonja.  They made the scary journey to visit us since Christin wasn't able to make the baby shower and we wanted a little quality time before things get even more nuts!  We had a really nice visit, and little Miss Sonja was in a great mood - having fun playing and scooting all over the house for a few hours.

All bundled and ready for a nice nap in the car!

Sunday we had gotten a good night sleep, and woke up early ready to tackle our 'chores' for the day.  Doug got to work on the TV set-up in our room, and I went to Costco and the grocery store.  I came home and did FIVE loads of wash in LG 1 & 2.  I love them. They sing me songs when they are finished and the clothes smell beautiful.  All the while, Doug was crawling around in the attic space upstairs and rearranging cables and being very brave.

That crawl space was no bigger than he was around.  It scared me just to peek in there!

He got it all done and we now have working cable TV in our bedroom and the last of the clutter is out of Kermie's room!!  It's a miracle and we are both so happy!  The only things left to go are hanging photos, shelves and the decal I bought.   Then I will take many photos and post a tour here!  I love Kermie's room, it is by far my favorite room in the house!

This week I have Physical Therapy 2x and a doctors check-up on Wednesday after work. After that, I'll be going every week until the end!  Time is certainly FLYING by.

34 Weeks

Update:
34 Weeks in...
6 weeks to go....
(about 41 days!)

There is something about the 6 week mark that really hits home.  Seems like it'll be here before we know it!

This week, Kermie is the weight of a cantaloupe - but the length is something more like 17.5 - 18 inches!  That is LONG! Some babies are born at 19 inches!

Kermie Update:
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.  Your baby's fingernails now reach the end of the fingertips and may even curl over the tip, making a manicure one of the first things you'll need to do for your little bundle. 

I had a dream last night that I was "coaching" everyone how to hold the baby using a sub sandwich as the prop.  I apparently cannot wait for that sandwich!


Carin Update:
Another week down, and my hand pain is still here to stay it seems. After last week's disappointing check-up with the doctor (only regarding how to deal with this carpal tunnel - everything with the baby seems fine, although he did rush me through the appointment, which annoyed me on top of everything else), I thought all hope was lost.  My dad called his physical therapist and they got me in on Wednesday and for the first time, I felt like maybe there was a glimmer of hope in my future.  Carol (the PT) was optimistic about at least getting me more comfortable, and then realized that there could be a problem in my neck too that is causing the pain!  Asked me if I had suffered migraines pre-pregnancy and OH YES I did.  It was crazy.  I go back today after work, and again on Thursday for the next 2 weeks where we'll see what kind of progress we're making.  She gave me some stretches and things to do that could help.  I just can't handle this numbness/pain/burning every day.  Again, it really could be worse, but in my world right now, it's pretty bad!

Oh, here is my new sleep set-up (this should make you laugh):

(Where does Doug sleep? Unhappily on the other side of the throne)

Otherwise, I am getting bigger every day it seems.  My belly has been itchy over the last few days which means another growth spurt is on the way.  I've felt a little achy in the belly too, so it all goes together.

Woke up this morning with a burning hand and then BOOM got a crazy Charlie Horse in my right leg, that was an intense 1-2 punch!!  Yay, welcome to Monday!  I'm still waiting for feeling to return to my hands..

The funny thing lately is Kermie is definitely rolling about in my belly, less punching but more rolls. He likes to push real hard against my belly and we can feel his whole back or butt on one side or another.  There are plenty of nights watching TV, I look down because something feels weird and the entire right side of my belly is pointy and the left side is sort of flat.  I'll have to get a photo next time, it's so strange!  He must be getting cramped, if I sit forward (like to eat a meal), I get many punches or signals to BACK OFF and I have to recline.  It makes eating dinner at the kitchen table sort of hard, and I sometimes bring the plate back and eat like that.  I really can't wait to return to being a normal human.

As far as work is concerned, last week we let Amy basically just do my job while I sat back and observed/taught.  Talk about difficult!  She is coming around, but when you are so used to doing your job quickly and efficiently, and then someone else steps in that doesn't know anything, it is really hard!  I try to be patient and helpful, but on the inside I'm DYING! This week she'll work Tues-Wed-Thurs, and then next week she'll start full time.   It really does give my hand a break, so I can't complain too loud..

Here I am this morning (bonus: with chubby fingers and wrist brace)

34 weeks: now featuring moments of panic.

Doug/House/Us Update:
We had a great weekend!  Doug took a half-day on Friday and came home to get to work on the deck (and other projects around the house).  He 'oxy-cleaned' the deck to prepare it for staining, and did about 10 other 'to-do' items from his list. He wants to get it done now so maybe he can relax soon, otherwise with stuff hanging over his head he'll never be able to just enjoy our last few weeks as 'just us'.  I think this weekend was a good one, as he got the deck completely stained and it looks amazing!!

He may have spent Sunday night in pain, but I think he'd agree it's worth it! and AMEN it's DONE!

While he was busy with that, I went to work in Kermie's room, cleaning out the closet that was full of our junk, Doug's dress shirts, and other stuff that had just made its home in there.  I unpacked all the gift bags from the shower, and did 3 huge loads of baby clothes. They may be tiny, but damn was there a lot of folding!

Tiny baby sock.  Quack Quack!

a drawer-full of folded cuteness

some of the cute stuff I chose to hang, with more to come!

We also got the top of the changing table sort of set-up, at least more "ready":

There is still a lot that needs to be moved, put away and put together in the room, so for the sake of posterity, here is a glimpse into that mess:

Most of it will get moved to the basement or attic, and some will be put together in the next few weeks so I think it looks worse than it is.  (And that's only half the room)

Saturday night we had an official "date night", and went to Belford Bistro.  It was SO delicious (don't tell Drew).  We had a nice time playing dress-up and eating amazing food, then we came home and watched a movie on the couch.  A little of both worlds.  I was happy we did a little something nice for ourselves.

Sunday I tried to rest my hands (and back) which were killing me, so I didn't do much and felt guilty, of course.  I did go to Babies R Us with some 20% off coupons and picked up a couple things.  I'm waiting to get anything off my registry until they send the 'completion coupon' soon, but I needed things like hangers, and since it expired this week, I got 20% off a couple items I had my eye on.  More laundry to do now!

Another week, chugging toward the finish line!

33 Weeks

Update:
33 Weeks
7 left to go
(about 48 days.  holy crap)

This week, Kermie is about the size of a PINEAPPLE.  Is that possible? With those stalks and all?  They say he's about 17 inches long and around 4 pounds!

I will try not to look at those pineapples when I go to the grocery store later! Seems BIG.


Kermie Update:
Your baby is still gaining weight (about half a pound a week), and she could grow up to another full inch this week. With that much baby inside your uterus, your amniotic-fluid level has maxed out, which explains why some of her pokes and kicks feel pretty sharp these days. (There's less fluid to cushion the blows.) Antibodies are being passed from you to your little one as she continues to develop her own fetal immune system, which will come in handy once she's outside the womb and fending off all sorts of germs. (Good thing I got that flu shot!) With all the growing, he's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.--- I got that, my mom called me Yoda when I was born and my Gram hated it!!) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

Inside, your fetus is acting more and more like a baby, with his or her eyes closing during sleep and opening while awake. And because those uterine walls are becoming thinner, more light penetrates the womb, helping your baby differentiate between day and night (now if only baby can remember that difference on the outside!).


Carin Update:
This past week has been my hardest yet. I would say that 98% of me feels good and able, while the other 2% is STRUGGLING.  It seems silly to complain when I know how much worse I could have it (and knock on wood I have been fortunate and pray these issues are the worst of it..), but for me right now, this is the hardest week yet. 

I have been having terrible, terrible carpal tunnel syndrome.  It started out small- tingling, burning, etc.  Then it would wake me up in the morning about an hour before the alarm with RAGING pain.  Nothing helps it. I wear a brace for 90% of the day, Doug and I have a rigorous ice-pack schedule to try to bring down swelling, I rest when I can but nothing seems to really help.  It only got worse as the week went on. I have to sleep sitting upright with my hands on pillows (which is just as comfortable as you can imagine).  If I even turn over onto one side I lose feeling in that entire arm, and it's just not worth it.  It's primarily in my right hand, and after a while I have no strength in it either.  I'm losing my patience.  It's hurting bad enough some mornings to wake up crying, and I can't make it better.  It's due to the increase in fluids my body is naturally producing and just unfortunately it's really affecting my hand.  I go to to the doctor tomorrow after work and will hopefully get some sort of help - I can't take any anti-inflammatory, and I'm starting to worry about long-term damage.  My hand is in a lot of pain or asleep for 90% of the day.

(And the nights where I get that delightful jumpy leg while trying to fall asleep, and I lay awake for 2+ hours and THEN get woken up by the burning hand.........those days are fun.)

So I could go on and on, but it even annoys me. 

Looking forward to tomorrow's appointment with my regular doctor - I haven't seen him since April, so it will be quite a change for him to see me!  I hope to get word about another ultrasound (the last one, normally done around 36ish weeks) so they can guesstimate how big they think Kermie is and sometimes will determine birth plan from that.  I think he will be 7 lbs and nothing crazy will have to be done.  POSITIVE THINKING.

Here I am today, stripes and all:

I'm pretty sure I've switched to sports bras full-time.  They make my day SO much more enjoyable.


Doug/House/Us Update:
Well as you all know, this past Saturday was my baby shower!  What a surreal day it was.  It was wonderful and I am so lucky to have so many wonderful people supporting us and helping out and just loving us.  We had a wonderful lunch at Drew's (my favorite!), along with mimosas and wine and tons of gifts and a delicious cake.  I was so happy and overwhelmed! I don't much like being the center of attention and it's so hard to talk to everyone, so I hope I did a good job!  It was really fun to bring everything home and kind of look through stuff and show Doug all we had gotten!  Of course, this made him even more anxious on Saturday but I know he'll come around and I know he's excited too.  Of course, his first "attack" was for the baby monitor which he promptly set-up and tested!  I can't wait to start washing little things and putting them away and setting up the fun gear we got!

Here's a shot I stole from someone on facebook -

Here's some "after" shots of the bounty back at our house:

I obviously didn't take any pictures at the shower myself, but once they are sent to me I will share some here!

We had family back to the house after for a visit, and then spent the night relaxing/recuperating from the day.  Sunday was a day for "just us" - we went to the diner in the morning before seeing Sharon & Peter off on their journey home, then we headed out to get pumpkins and to grocery shop (of course), before settling in at home on the couch (even though it was a beautiful day), we watched the Patriots WIN with 1 minute remaining (great game) and just hung out on the couch together - taking a break from the constant go-go-go which has been our lives as of late. I convinced Doug he has plenty of time to do more projects and could take the day off.  Surprisingly, I won.

This week he is going to try to re-route our cable situation upstairs so we can have TV in our bedroom (for the first time in over 2 years!) It's probably going to be a pain, but I hope it is worth it.  I think I would really like snuggling in watching movies in bed very soon!!  I'm so proud of all the work Doug is doing, and always trying to make our lives better & easier.  I'm very lucky!

So anyway I am off to try to conquer my day, hand numbness and pain and all.....

WISH ME LUCK!