Frequent Flier MIles- Early Labor Update

So... at lot has been going on in the Penelope-Arrival department. On Wednesday, I thought labor had started during my Pre-Algebra block. Fearing my water might wash out a riveting unit on sale tax and its many exciting applications, I booked it over to the OB's office. Found out that I had dilated a centimeter. Not such a big deal for most folks, but in my case it instantly reminded me of Miles' delivery. When I was admitted with him, I had only dilated a centimeter as well. Regardless, contractions continued off and on until my regularly scheduled OB appointment Thursday.

I learned at this visit that my cervix is now at three centimeters. Hello Dolly! Now we are cooking with gas, right? So I thought. In fact, after an hour of solid contractions last night, Jesse and I made our (first) run to the maternity ward- but it was just a test run. My contractions were only 5 minutes apart, and my cervix was still at 3 centimeters. I thought for sure that these were the real deal because they hurt, like enough to keep my trap shut for a solid 40 seconds. Anyways, we clearly still have a long haul to go, so we opted to return home. I am glad we did because I was able to get some decent sleep.

Let's recap: In the past two days, I have had three pelvic exams. If I get another one in the next 24 hours, I am going to leave a guest book down there. At least we now know that Early Labor (according to the books) has basically reached its limit- now we just wait, patiently and calmly, for active labor to sneak up and smack me on the back. Could be today, tomorrow, or two weeks from now. Oh, joy. Regardless- Penelope looked great on the monitor last night, very active and happy- and that is what matters most.

Still Truckin'

Whew! No baby Penelope yet, but my body keeps acting like it wants to have this baby, now. Since Thursday, contractions have been happening all day long- just not in long enough spells to call in the OBs. My back is having spasms, and this morning I woke up to some new lower back cramps. On Thursday, I learned that Penelope's head couldn't get any lower, so I am guessing the pressure of her position is taking its toll. So if I make it to work tomorrow, I will need to will willing students to navigate me about in a wheelbarrow. Sounds like an extra credit opportunity to me!

I'm going out on a limb to stay that her arrival is still a ways off because, as of this weekend, we are prepared for her grand entrance. Bags have been packed, crib set up, tiny pink clothes laundered... while her nursery is still only in the planning phases- we have converted our room (again) into baby central. It's actually quite adorable in there. Yesterday, we let Miles check out the new layout. He instantly walked over to the new crib and said, "Shhhhhhh!" Too cute.

Thanks everyone for the well wishes! I can't tell you how amazing it feels to know that we are not in this alone. Frankly, since starting this blog (over 600 posts ago!!!), I have been loving the sense of community and support it brings. And I love, love, love sharing how amazing Miles is to anyone and everyone. In a matter of days, a new tiny Thomas will be joining our cast of cute crazies- which still blows my mind! Stay tuned for updated! : )

23 Days!

A quick update as I procrastinate getting ready for work:

Preparations are picking up speed. IKEA trip was a huge success- why doesn't everyone get baby furniture there??? Seriously, the cost of Penelope's entire room is still way under the total cost of one (just one) of those swanky rocking chairs from Babies 'r' Us. Additionally, the pieces are quite modern and cool. And babies love being modern and cool. : )

My energy levels are highly unpredictable. Yesterday, in a twenty minute span, I went from "nearly nodding off at the wheel" to "wow, you are hyper" during a meeting with a college rep. I assured her I would be crash very soon- there's something about higher education that gets me bubbly. Yes, I am a nerd through and through.

If I am not preoccupied, I am spending my free time fondly remembering how painful labor can be. Why, of why, did I not think of this during the height of my baby fever*? Given all of my back woes, I may not be able to handle the natural route this time. I hate to psych myself out this early in the game, but I needed an epidural by 3rd period yesterday- just to handle the pain of walking to the library.

Weekly OB appointments start today. I am glad because my imagination is running wild- I want to make sure everything is okay, all of the time, and waiting two weeks isn't going to cut it. If I could move one of the docs into our house, just until popping time, that would be swell. Wonder what the co-pay options are for having your doctor bunked with you are?

In Miles news: He can now sign "Santa." Game on! Guess who will be watching when he decides to chuck another block at my head? "Santa!" Next year might be a good time to introduce an Elf on the Shelf. In other news, apparently we know both have babies in our bellies. He'll first point to his baby and then come and pat Penelope. I bet, if he were to sit on Santa's lap, he'd call the Jolly One preggo, too!

*A period during which all things tiny instantly become cuter and when your toddler looks more like a teenager than a wee one

Updates from the Preggo Eggo

Disclaimer: All mentioned physical complaints will be shared with my doctor during my appointment this coming Monday, so please no worries. (Exclude #9 because Jesse was only doing his job... I guess.)

1. I am too tired to form proper paragraphs. Please forgive me and embrace the list.

2. I am in the throes of the worst sleep cycle ever. I typically crash around 10 pm, and then I am up and down for the next seven hours.

3. What's keep me up? The worst pain I've ever encountered. It (multiple body parts at this point) hurts in all positions and at all times. The pain oscillates from annoying to throbbing to stabbing. Changing positions amounts to a hill of beans because even standing has become a literal pain in my ass.

4. Contractions. Contractions. Contractions. These are also ever present, though they typically do not hurt. However...

5. Painful, and real deal, contractions are starting to occur. Luckily, they are only happening one at a time. But sheesh- I've got 5 more weeks to go. Come on!

6. My belly needs its own yoga instructor because it is sucking at stretching. Yep, Harold and the Purple crayon have made an appearance all over my belly. My only chance at looking cool after delivery is turning those marks into a psychedelic lightning motif tattoo. Maybe add in a wizard or a portrait of Jimi Hendrix.

7. Good- Penelope is growing. Bad- Penelope is growing. She's now large enough to head butt my bladder at truly inopportune times, like last night, when I woke up certain that my water had broken- not a fun experience... I was alternating between spazzing out about an impending delivery and the fact that I have not yet packed a bag or three. The lack of accompanying contractions made me feel much better. Ironically, this was the only time last night when I was having what surely felt like early back labor.

8. Lest we forget the typical pregnancy woes- stuffy nose, sore hips, forgetfulness, unmentionable things (yep, got a couple of them, too) and leg cramps- ahhh leg cramps. A few weeks back, I woke up screaming and writhing in pain with a leg cramp to end all leg cramps. Jesse thought I was in labor; I was able slur out only legs were giving birth. (I might have accidentally kicked him at that point. Opps.)

9. And finally, constant bladder pressure almost cost me life. One night, whilst making my fifth or so trip to the bathroom, my slumbering husband decided that I was not his leaky wife, but rather, I was a dangerous intruder headed for Miles' room. In with just the light of the moon as my saving grace, I had to fend off my sleep walking/ home defender/ slightly psychotic husband and yell him back to bed- because he was never fully awake or aware of the actual situation. Jesse, in an apparent kung-fu stance, was ready to throw me down the stairs, so I whipped my hair dryer at him- along with a long strand of expletives for almost scaring me into delivery. Obviously, this startles sleeping Miles, who chimed in with his own response to the yelling. In the morning, I had to remind Jesse of what had transpired. His meager response, "I must have been having a safety dream." What?!?! So this could have happened at any point during the last 8 months! For the record, I do not like "safety dreams."

10. Holy cow... the eagle is slated to land in 5 weeks.

Insert Heavy Sigh- third trimester strikes again!

Not to be a whiner, but this preggo go-around is much more difficult than my last trip down stretchy pants lane.

All pregnancy symptoms, or at least the most common, have shown up in full effect. My belly is bigger, and there's a purple Harry Potter lightning bolt which has newly arrived. I've got heart burn for days- I am starting to make me think that I have discovered a new alternative energy source. Move over geothermal, we've got Anna Air!

I think the most vexing of developments is in the emotional department. The constant battle is keeping an even keel. Tearing up takes no effort on my part. If we're Facebook friends, then you already know that ABBA's "Dancing Queen" reduced me to a sniveling pile just days ago. Seriously, ABBA. I'm also feisty and quick with the temper- it might be related, but my face is now a constant shade of pink. Not entirely unbecoming- but feeling like I standing in front of a whistling kettle day in and day out is getting old.

Sleep is rockier than ever before because the wee one is overactive, especially in those twilight hours. I'm stress, sore, and ready for a magical spa weekend, where glittery unicorns usher me around to wading pools of white chocolate and marshmallow king sized beds- and I would leave my cell phone and laptop at home.

p.s. In writing this post, I've gone from mad to happy back to mad and now sleepy and white flag waving. Wait, I want some ice cream. Does ice cream constitute as an emotions- because that is all I am feeling right now. Maybe some tangerines, too. Sigh.

Quick Status Report

Miles: Ear tubes are looking great. He's getting outfitted for ear plugs this coming week. We will then turn him loose in Elmo's Castle. (I will be grumpy as my newer, more delicate position requires me to avoid roller coasters.) Update on the teething front: he's currently cutting 3! A K9 and two molars. Needless to say, we've all had better days. Luckily, all 3 have erupted- so I think the worst is over... for now. Last week, kiddo sprouted a mysterious and viral rash. Please pray with me that it was not Fifths. His doc didn't think so, but I went ahead and had the screening done. Results are still pending.

Jesse: Ponytail trimmed, beach volleyball season off to a great start- the boys had their first tourney end in a win. Woo-Hoo! Jesse is definitely over all of this teething business, and he's ready to start rearranging to house for the new arrival. Hopefully, our timing will be a little better than last time- though Miles did not follow the schedule we had selected. Didn't get that memo, huh?

Anna: Green to the gills. Call me Pukey McPukerson. Sorry to be gross, but I spend more time watching reruns of my meals than I do on TV. I am also combating a Vitamin D issue with the aide of adult chewables. Regular school has only a mere 10 days left, and I am currently in the throes of two online classes- with even more to come- bon voyage summer freedom. Also, we have a tennis season to wrap up. (And, and, and... the new Steig Larsson book to read; it is waiting for me upstairs as I type this. Coming dear!)

Rajah & Liloo: Soooo over the heat- desperately want me to feed them only Frosty Paws and/or tape them up to the window units.