Birthdays, Babies and Bed

On Monday October 5, I was getting ready to leave work. Greg and I were going to go to Mongolian BBQ with Angela for my birthday, which was October 6.

I had been to the Doctor earlier that morning for a check up. I recieved a phone call around 4:00 p.m. from the mid wife's office telling me to drive myself to the hospital for some further testing. There was something in the routine tests that was not OK.

They told me not to worry, but to get to the hospital as quick as possible. I called Greg who was at home on his day off. He gathered my belongings and met me at the hospital. Luckily I had already packed my hospital bag for the most part.

We got to the hospital and they explained that I had a high bacteria count in my urine. I needed to get an antibiotic treatment from them because being in the third trimester there were no antibiotic pills that could be perscribed to me. I was to get the IV administered and go home later that night. Greg and sat and visited and did our best to relax while I was getting the IV drug.

While getting the IV I was hooked up to a fetal monitor so they could ensure the bebe was doing good. They were also taking my blood pressure. At some point during the evening my blood pressure sky rocketed and the nurse became concerned for mine and the baby's health. I was then instructed that I would be staying overnight.

Greg and I got scared.

While I was in the hospital Greg would work (since he worked there) and then come visit me, and then go home for the night. Nothing happened to me or the baby. My blood pressure was just very high and they were concerned for our health.

Before I left the hospital I was instructed that I would not be returning to work... Probably until after I had the baby. I wasn't on full bed rest yet, but if I don't take it easy and relax and keep my blood pressure down I may end up on full bed rest.

As happy as I was to not go to work, I wasn't mentally prepared for it. I mean, who doesn't want some time off, but then again - I am at work more than I am at home. I have responsibilities, friends and just stuff... to do... That was a hard thing to digest, but once I did - I felt a lot better. My boss was so ery understanding about it that I had no choice, but to embrace the beginning of my 12 weeks off work.

For my 30th birthday, my unborn child gave me no work for 12 weeks! Happy birthday to me!

Overwhelming Gratitude

I cannot believe that the baby shower was yesterday. We are so grateful to everyone that came. We are thankful to everyone that helped out with the shower in any way!

My Aunt Jenny basically threw the shower and my mom and Aunt Karen helped put it together too. I am so not a fan of getting up in front of everyone like that and have people stare at me while I open gifts from people. I am getting to the uncomfortable stage of the pregnancy where I feel like my skin cannot expand any further. I appreciate Greg getting up there with me and being just as embarassed as I was to sit there for a couple hours and do that!

It was wonderful to see everyone in one place. I wanted to just sit and visit with everyone all afternoon, but alas, I had to eat lunch and sit with Greg and open gifts!

We got so many wonderful things that I know we will need. Bathtub, sheets, blankets, a TON of books, clothes, diapers... If they make, we got it.

There is no way that we could have ever afforded to buy all of the necessities ourselves. We hope everyone had fun visiting and playing games and eating WONDERFUL food that my family all prepared. We are blessed to have all of you in our lives to celebrate the arrival of our little one.

Happiest Baby on the Block

Greg and I attended our first baby preparation type class yesterday. We weren't really sure what to expect, but it ended up being a lot of fun.

The class was called Happiest Baby on the Block. It basically covers the methods that Dr. Harvey Karp follows. We have no method or preference to follow, but are open to learning about different methods and then taking small things from each one.

Dr. Karp believes that babies, especially in their first few months of life, can experience "fourth trimester" issues. Babies can have a difficult time getting used to the huge amount of stimuli present in life outside of Mom's body. Their reaction to all of this is to cry and cry.

The Happiest Baby On The Block method formulated by Dr. Harvey Karp, addresses these issues by helping you learn how to effectively recreate the environment of the womb, outside of Mom's body. Once you have learned the steps, you will be able to alleviate some, if not all, of your baby's colic symptoms.

Now, they aren't saying that every baby has colic, but they are saying here are 5 methods and if your child fusses, try them... they should work.

There were only 4 couples total in the class which was nice. We all got to ask questions and no one made the class any longer than it had to be. I think Greg and I left there with a feeling of confidence that we will be able to handle being new parents!

Organic Garden

We finally got the babies room painted. I cannot say "Thank You" enough to my friend Angela, my sister, her friend Robert, and my friend Jenny and her little sister Rachelle.

Without you guys I would not have a beautiful baby's room awaiting wee little one's arrival.

We picked out the bedding a while ago and decided to go with a bright vibrant green color called organic garden that matched the sheets nicely.

I started out the day thinking I could handle it. I quickly found out that 6 months along pregnant women are not designed to paint walls from top to bottom. I could paint only the middle of the wall without hurting myself!

Angela basically did all the green paint that wasn't in the middle of the wall. My sister and Robert did a lot of the white, along with Jenny and Rachelle who did the closet doors. Again, I am so grateful to all of you for helping, and bebe thanks you too!

Farewell Dr. P

As most ladies know (and some guys are probably told) the good ole' "Lady Doctor" can't just be anyone you find. Like a normal family physician... the patient needs to feel comfortable with the Dr. and trust them.

Moving from St. Clair County to Macomb County back 7 years ago, I knew I couldn't realistically drive to St. Clair for those appointments anymore. I began my search and picked a Dr. near me that was in my network. I saw her for a few years and was discussing some things I didn't like about her with coworkers one day. What I thought was normal ended up not really being appropriate for a Dr. like that to be saying.

My co workers referred me to their Dr. When I called to see if she was accepting new patients, she wasn't. The nurse on the phone told me they had just started a new Dr. in the practice and he was very nice... blah blah blah. I can come and just meet him. Him? Him? I've never seen a male for that before...

So I went and met him. I learned very early on that I made a good choice in switching doctors. He informed me that much of the treatments that the other woman had me going through were not necessary. I learned the hard way and now that I was married, Dr. P was guiding me through a pregnancy!

At my last visit in June while only 4.5 months pregnant, Dr. P informed me that he may not be staying in the state of Michigan any longer. He wasn't sure yet, but wanted his patients to know. Shortly after I got a letter confirming he was leaving. I was sad because I trusted him and he was really about letting women have the kind of birth they wanted.

I asked around and everyone had a doctor they liked. For me the easiest thing to do was to stay with the practice and go with another doctor there. I chose Dr. G. Let's just say I don't have much luck with the OB doctor choosing!

I went in for my first appointment with her at the beginning of June. She never introduced herself to me and as soon as she walked in her cellphone rang and she took the call. It was her daughter and she had me wait for 15 minutes while she took the call. It didn't seem like an emergency and she didn't excuse it as being one. She was very short with me and because of the phone call, she didn't have time for questions. The second time I went I asked her opinion of epidurals. Basically I was told I was getting one. All women get them. I don't know if I want one or not, but I do know that I want a choice. If I don't want one, I don't want to be forced to have one!

I left my second appointment with her somewhat frightened of the kind of birth I might have. I called the health insurance and they were completely nice about the situation. They instructed me on all of my options and pretty much told me to not go anywhere that I am not comfortable. So I called around and found a mid-wife who practices with a group of O.B. doctors in Macomb County near us. She was accepting new patients so I went and met her. I am so glad I did!

She is a very up beat person who makes Greg and I feel like she is just as excited about our birth as we are. She is there to advocate for the birth plan that we want and will guide us through every step of the way. I have seen her about 5 or 6 times now and feel so comfortable with her. It is very reassuring. Even Greg has met her and likes her enthusiasm. She answers all of our questions honestly and doesn't treat us like we are asking anything dumb. We are new to this and she understands.

When I tell people we are using a midwife, usually the first question is... Are you having a home birth? Heck no! I am to chicken for that! I chose to use a midwife because I want the least amount of medical intervention as possible. There is no reason to have drugs and be hooked up to machines for the duration of my labor if possible. If medical intervention needs to happen and the midwife agrees, then well, I need to care most about our child's health and my health. I wouldn't deny it - if it is needed.

We are still giving birth in the hospital where all the equipment is. Nurses will be there just like any other birth in a hospital. The mid wife will be there instead of an actual O.B. doctor, unless a procedure is needed. If something is needed one of the doctors from the mid wife's group will step in and do their best to support the least amount of medical intervention as possible.

Measurement Time

Greg and I got another chance to see the baby! At 20 weeks, most women get an ultra sound to have measurements taken of the baby and various parts to make sure development is progressing as it should.

We went to a larger hospital for this ultra sound since there needed to be a stronger machine to perform the job.

It was great to get to see the baby again. It was so active! Of course, the child had to mess with the ultra sound technician and not let her get the appropriate shots of it's heart. I will have to go back at a later date for that.

The above photo is the baby's profile. As of right now we are not finding out the baby's gender! So far everything is going just fine with the pregnancy!

It is also our one year wedding anniversary! I cannot believe that a year has passed since our celebration of marriage to each other! We have definitely been brought closer by our experiences over the next year and I think that our new baby will bring us even closer to one another!

Say Hello

What a great feeling it is to see your baby! Greg and I had the opportunity to meet our bebe for the first time yesterday!

We chose to have the ultra sound done at his work so he could participate and not have to take the whole afternoon off. The ultra sound tech was awesome. She explained what parts we were seeing and let us watch the bebe for what seemed like forever.

So much time passed I forgot I had to use the restroom!

We couldn't have been more excited that day! It was amazing! There was our "wee little one" dancing around! Doing somersaults, shaking it's arms and at one point even looking like it was driving a car! LOL! It really was surreal for us and made everything seem so much more real.

She then gave us a CD with an image. Our first photo of our little angel!

The Second Trimester Begins

I can officially say I have made it this far! I am in my second trimester of pregnancy!

Apparently that means no more morning sickness, daily nausia or sleepless nights. Oh wait. I didn't have any of those symptoms to begin with!

After speaking with a number of friends and women who have had children before, I feel kind of guilty not feeling crappy. I mean, I have my days or my nights where I am just.... blah. But it is nothing that ever interferes with my day and for that I am so grateful!

I will continue to hope that the remaining months of pregnancy are as event free as these first few have been!

First Comes Love, Then Comes Marriage...

Greg and I have been married for a little over 8 months now, but we have been together over 4 years. Through all this time we spoken about how we want a family. We both agree on more than one.

I was an only child for 14 years. There was nothing wrong with that, but when my parents couldn't play with me and the 2 neighbor children were busy that left me to my own imagination. I remember having a good one, but how much fun would a pal be that was there all the time? Greg would like more than two children. I'm more about seeing how the first one goes and deciding from there. Who knows if we will even get to be blessed with children right?

We decided in January that we were both ready to give it a try. I mean, mentally we are ready, financially, we think it will be OK and who knows how long it might take, I've had friends try for years with no luck and finally it happens!

Prior to this positive one I took a few negatives over the last few weeks. I haven't been feeling "the same" and was convinced I was pregnant. Finally this one came back positive so I took another before bed last night and it was also positive. So, as far as my urine is concerned I am building a baby as I type!

I am sure there is plenty more to do to confirm this, but wow. We are going to be parents.

Look out...