Bonding Time- Uncle Dude Style

Sneak Peek: Happy Holidays!

I just can't keep a secret! : )

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.

Jesse is Integrated HiFi

Tell your friends and family! (And I couldn't be prouder.)

From Nursery to Big Boy Room!!!

Miles just spent his first night in his new big boy room. Yes, there is still a crib in there, but putting Miles in a toddler bed would mean that the chances of him sneaking out, taking my car keys, and going for a 3 am joy ride increases of 5% to 100% chance of happening. Remember, he's still a little guy (think 18 to 24 sized month clothing). Anyways, Jesse finished this room last night moment before kiddo's bath time. And to celebrate its completion, Miles got to streak post-bath to his new room. Here are some quickly phone pics to share the coolness of Jesse's handiwork. Note the recessed lighting with dimmer options. This is officially a tiny bachelor pad. (Dear Santa, he does not need shag carpeting. Thanks, Mom)

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! : )

Runners take your mark!

Looks like Penelope could arrive any day now. Doc said my cervix is paper thin, and kiddo's head couldn't get any lower. In fact, her head had to be navigated around to check my dilation status, which is none right now. Whew! Funny note- as soon as the Doc began her exam, she started hollering, "Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Not what you want to hear when you've got a billion things left to do. I knew at that point my body had had a productive day.

Needless to say, this news inspired the biggest cleaning frenzy of my life. Once again, we are behind the ball 8 in terms of nursery completion- so I converted our room into one. (Again.) Jesse was a huge help with box boxes and keeping me from getting too worked up.

Yesterday was the marathon session of contractions. I would go for 30 minute blocks with them 2 to 3 minutes apart, and then the whole show would stop for an hour or so. But dang it- I had to breathe through some of those suckers. Like, choo-choo breathe.

Prediction time: I am calling Dec. 23 at 6:30 pm- only because that will ensure I get maximum use of my FMLA leave. Come on, Poppy- let's be a team player! : )

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

Move over Bob the Builder; there's a new kid in town.

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.