Thursday, August 26, 2010

I did it! Baby Earl's room is 99% done!

So other than the window treatments I finally finished her room. I could not have done it without Tracy's help. But tonight I did a craft project all by myself! And I think it looks great! Patience is not my best quality, and crafts are not my thing but I was able to get Peyton's name up and it turned out great, I have to say I am proud of myself since I cant barely cut straight!

Here is her room, yes a few more things to put away, the top of her dresser has been my work station, a few small things needed still - like a table by the rocking chair...but all in all if she came tonight I would be happy with what is done, especially since she will be in my room in her co-sleeper for the first while anyway!

Thank you Tracy and thank you again to everyone who has blessed us with so many clothes, diapers, and all the things that have made this the room I envisioned for my precious Peyton!


















Wednesday, August 25, 2010

39 weeks, 4 Days - The waiting game.

So this waiting is no fun! I mean its like when you are almost home and you have to go to the bathroom, and each mile, each block closer you are the worse you have to go.... Well each day closer to my due date the more I cannot wait to meet Baby Earl!

Sure I could do without the pain of labor and the messy part of birth, but the overwhelming excitement to meet her and hold her in my arms, to see my mom, dad, aunts, friends holding my daughter is just too much! I want to know what she looks like already! :)

The weird part is at the same time, I still had one of those moments sitting at work yesterday, she was moving around and with my hand on my tummy, near her feet, I thought "OMG there is a human being growing inside me". Strange that even this late in the game those thoughts still come and go.

And sure there is still part of me that is not done being pregnant, though the ever increasing pressure on my pelvis, the million trips a day to the bathroom, the swelling of my hands and cankles, the longing for my cure thin feet, the lower backaches, the worrying while waiting in line at the post office that my water will break, the anticipation of the physical pain of labor and the torpedo like shape my stomach has changed into, are certainly all things I will not miss. I will miss this very peculiar, very private and selfish bond I have with BE right now....but not enough to keep her in too much longer.

At this point today, it is still any one's guess. And it is no surprise to me that this waiting is so hard for me, like I have always said; patience is the one virtue I don't have. :) (That statement is proof I am my mother's daughter.) I am anticipating at this point though that the ultrasound on Friday may determine if a c-section is necessary, in that case we would at least be able to plan ahead and I would get 2 weeks extra off from work... or they could say eh, she is ok let's wait another week and see. Ironically, though the waiting seems to be long and drawn out, this week has actually gone by fast, I mean if she doesn't come by tomorrow night then the ultrasound is the next morning - and that seemed like such a long time away from the appointment last week.

Patience for Peyton is the name of the game right now. She is the boss of her arrival at this point, and honestly while I cannot wait to have her in my arms I am ok with waiting too....so long as my baby girl is born healthy, and I don't have any serious complications in birth - that is all I pray for, the rest is just details. :)

Thursday, August 19, 2010

No sign of labor, yet...



Today at the OB Baby Earl was moving, heartbeat strong, my BP was a little elevated but good (134/84) for me at this point, and had the first pelvic check - not dilated one bit! Dr. Cole (Dr. Brown called in to emergency c-section) said at this point that is fine, she could come any time but it will be when she is ready.

So now, the next step is an ultrasound next Friday to see how big she has gotten this last month, and that will determine the next next step. :) No plans to induce or for c-section at this time. I am having some early pre-labor systems but nothing concerning or worth going into detail about :).

As far as how I feel about it? Well I am anxious to finally get to meet her and hold her, see her beautiful face and all that hair she supposedly has....but you know its kind of surreal still to think how close we are to this next phase, and how much things will change again once she is here. Its very exciting, and I am just thankful to be feeling so good and to know she is content exactly where she is. Of course it is pretty uncomfortable for me sleeping at night right now, the heartburn is back with a vengance (though it never went away only lessened for sometime) and there is nothing I can do to hide my waddle or the still growing and hardening belly, but still I cant complain. I feel good.

Plus this gives me a little more time to put the final touches on her room. My baby girl already has a closet that matches her mom and Yaya's closets; just packed full of clothes, blankets, toys... I still have a huge garbage bag full of clothes to wash that I got 2 days ago from a vendor at work of barely worn hand-me down clothes. She will be one well dressed baby girl!

So doesn't seem likely I will get to have Baby Earl on Grammie's birthday, the 23rd is just 4 days away...but you never know, either way as long as she is healthy I am just fine waiting until she is ready!

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Support System - Check!

The continued outpouring of support, care and love seems never ending. From family, close friends, coworkers, acquaintances, even those ex-flames who call just to check in and offer to do yard work or get groceries....Me and Peyton have a solid support system in place.

As a first-time single mother this has been of the biggest concerns of the doctor and our social worker, and I know many women don't have the amazing network that we do. Its a reminder on days like today just how well cared for we are. My boss through a great luncheon/shower with coworkers today at work; he shut down the office supplied lunch and a cupcake cake, presents from each and every coworker, of course Paul & Lance went overboard, but the generous and genuine support and well wishes was all enveloping.




Plus this week, the emails, phone calls and texts from acquaintances and friends just checking in on me and baby, offering to run errands, bring food, do anything has been so amazing. Of course they are calling to make sure they are on the list to get a call or at least a text when she comes, but the genuine concern and care for me and BE is so tangible, its heartwarming. It really makes me feel good about myself and the live I have built, of course there have been some low times and I have made as many mistakes and bad choices as anyone but to know how many people really support me and baby Earl and genuinely care about both of us, I must be doing something right. And it is so reassuring to me, especially as we get closer to her arrival, to know as a single mom that its not just me and her, to know that I am bringing her into an amazing family, and extended family of friends and people who already love her and will be there for her.

Of course one of the best calls was on Saturday when I talked to Papa. Papa was so giddy on the phone, first he asked how I am feeling then he said "When are you bringing that baby up to see me?". He is so precious. He is very excited to meet this baby, and even as his memory has begun to weaken, he knows that my plan is to bring Peyton to Inchelium to see him and get baptized in his church after she is born. It was of course a short conversation, as he is not a phone talker, but you could hear the smile and excitement in his voice. Its one of those conversations I will treasure and remember forever. Mom said he brought me and baby up a couple more times over the weekend, and said he "sure cant wait to meet that new baby." And I cant wait for her to meet Papa too!

While I am not surprised in any way, I have always been very well aware of how blessed I am with an amazing family and it is no secret what great friends I have, but it is important I think to not take such blessings for granted. Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who has been so supportive these last 38 weeks (and beyond) I cant wait to share this amazing little girl with you. It gives me such peace of mind to know what love she is being born into.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

He..he..he..he..hooooo

37 weeks and 4 days...Baby Earl is officially full term and could come any time now.

Last weekend Coach Auntie Sandy and I attended the birth preparation class at Valley Medical Center. Saturday was a long day, 9-5, and we learned all about labor, delivery, toured the labor and delivery rooms, what to expect after birth and how to take care of yourself. It was a great day and I learned quite a bit, of course we also watched multiple birthing stories and talked about life for baby when she first arrives. Sunday was a half a day, and I was pooped, after all it was like working through the weekend - getting up and sitting in uncomfortable chairs for 8+ hours, and it was really more about taking care of baby from how to change a diaper, to how to dress them and bathe them - all the stuff I am most confident in.



I am glad we attended. I have been feeling pretty nervous about the labor process; will I know what is happening, will I know what to do, will I be able to handle the pain.....all quite normal concerns and thoughts, or so I am told :). And yes logically I know the signs of labor - contractions and such will be obvious, but I think the whole not being able to plan for when it will happen and just the fact I have never experienced a gush of water from my area or anything more than severe menstrual cramps just adds to the anxiety or nerves.

Also, while I am so excited to meet Baby Earl and day dream every day and dream every night about her face, her hair, her voice, holding her, and kissing her....I have to admit I think I will be a little sad to not be pregnant anymore. I wanted this for so long, I dreamt about being pregnant and it has been so enjoyable that I think it is also natural that I will mourn this phase of our life together ending. But my faith tells me to yes mourn the ending of this stage, but be thankful that I really did get to experience pregnancy. Still at 37 weeks, I sometimes will be sitting by myself at work or in the car, or laying in bed and think "I can not believe I am actually having a baby. I really am pregnant." Silly, but true.

So right now, I am just taking it day by day. I feel that I am prepared for her, her room is 90% ready, my house is getting a deep cleaning (thank you Tracy) to prepare for her arrival tomorrow, I have our bags packed for the hospital (mostly). I know what to expect as far as how labor progresses, and now what a mess I will be and the long list of stuff I will have to do to take care of me after birth. The plans are in place who to call, and when. So now we wait for her arrival. Of course I am hoping for the 23rd, it would be amazing to have her on Grammie's birthday plus Dr. Brown is on vacation until then. For now just my plan is to try to stay rested, relaxed and just enjoying these last weeks of being pregnant. It makes me laugh out loud every time to see her moving in my tummy, its so amazing. I just love to feel and count her kicks, punches and turns. I am also very excited and looking forward to having my parents on standby to come be with us for a week or so and then to go home with them for sometime, especially knowing how recovery for me looks I am thankful that they will be here.

My mom (who as Alvin Jr is self-proclaimed to be always right lol) says she is coming early - between the 15th and the 19th. Baby Earl definitely has been dropping down, my waddle is unavoidable and the pressure on my lower abdomen area is very noticeable, sometimes uncomfortable and almost painful. No nesting feelings yet, though I have been more tired lately - to the point of needing to take naps. I think she will definitely come before 8/31. My guess is Baby earl will come between the 22rd and 27th of August. What is your guess?