Happy Birthday to Meeeeee!

I am 25 today!

I'm 35 weeks pregnant, healthy and in love.

(25 years ago my mom was pregnant with ME!)

I could not ask for more, but the brownies and warm wishes I've gotten today is truly the icing on the cake. I hope the weekend gets here fast so we can celebrate properly!

13-24-32

13 weeks, 24 weeks, 32 weeks

Left to Right

Everything is gonna be alright...

I woke up very early this morning, wide awake, at 5:50 AM.

I felt fine; hips were sore, but nothing out of the ordinary. I didn't puke!!! (OK so that's not ordinary).

I rested for an hour and got up, got ready and then at around 8 AM I started having contractions. I've been experiencing some Braxton-Hicks for a while now so I am used to the feeling, but these were coming on every 5-6 minutes. I ignored them, sipped water and finished getting ready. On the way to work they were about 8 minutes apart with the distraction of driving, but they were still just as strong. Some hurt, some were just mild and some I couldn't tell were happening except for the fact that my uterus would get hard, but they just stayed.

I had a meeting at work in the morning and tried more water but they were just so bothersome and regular now at about 10 minutes apart by 11 AM that I called the doctor.

Now like I said, I'm used to the B-H variety of irregular contractions but these were reallll regular although nothing else that is disconcerting was happening (back pain, leaking of fluid, etc.) along with them. So when I called and the nurse answered, she asked if any of the disconcerting things were happening just like I expected. Then she asked how regular they were and how long I'd been having them, "10 minutes apart now, they were 5 min at 8 AM," I said.             

"You've been having regular contractions for 3 hours? Why didn't you call sooner?! Can you be here in 20 minutes?"

Definitely did not expect that reaction. I expected every other speech I'd gotten about watching the disconcerting things, drinking water and lying down. I told my boss I had to go and got my butt to the Doctor. I could tell she was busy that day but she still took her time, made sure I didn't have any more questions before leaving, and made sure that everything was OK and that I knew it was so.
"It's like a Werther's Original down there," she described my cervix after checking it. I laughed out-loud but I knew exactly was she meant; hard and closed with a small dimple in the middle... "everyone knows what that looks like," she explained. It's true!

 She also complimented me on my super-fuzzy-stirrups socks that I carry with me for just such an occasion. I love my backup doctor; if anything happens I'm glad I found her.
They monitored my contractions for around an hour and confirmed that they were happening and they were regular (every 10 minutes!) and that baby was also doing fine through them.

I knew it would be OK but it's good to be validated by someone "official" when you're freaked out!
Any pregnant mamas that EVER have any concerns, do not hesitate to at least call. If they refuse to see you and you're still worried, just SHOW UP. What could have been preterm labor was nothing, albeit strange, and I'm glad I went!

Peach is 2!

I was asked by a representative to underwrite a blog post for Dog Fence DIY, who are considered to be the most affordable resource for wireless dog fencing. I decided to mix it together with Peach's birthday post since the timing was so right.

We have had Peach for about a year and a half and a lot has changed since then. The difference she makes in our home is not always enthusiastically accepted by me, but she is teaching me  some valuable lessons about unconditional love and even parenting.

With Peach, our house is more rambunctiously fun.
After she takes a bath (which she LOVES) she gets preliminarily towel-dried and then she does her own spin-dry. She will "Pug Run" like crazy all over the house because she feels so good and clean; it is one of the most hilarious things you'll ever see.

Peach will always give you a hug or kiss, whether you are in the mood for one or not.
I think she just knows better than you do when you need love... which is all the time in her opinion. They call pugs "velcro dogs" because of the way they need to constantly be able to touch you. I'm trying to have more patience with her now with this because soon I'll have a human baby in contact with me most of the day, and I'll need patience for that, too.

Peach teaches us a lot about non-sensical verbal communication.
I know not all dogs have the vocabulary that a masophilic nose affords our pug what with all the grunts, snorts and yawn-bark-cries she is capable of making. That is why it is never lost on us when she makes a very audible "mmhmm!" or one of those yawn-bark-cries that are indescribable... it cracks us up and it opens our minds to communication which is used by no human being anywhere. We can almost understand her; this will help when we have a crying and babbling baby!

As the years go by I'm sure she will teach us more and more. Here's to another year with Peach; our rambunctious, snorty, lovey little Pug.

Happy Birthday, Peach!

34 Weeks Pregnant

I saw the midwives earlier this week... yes I said midwives... something wonderful has happened where we will have two and we just get extra hands and expertise for our birth! (yay!!!!) I am measuring a week ahead now instead of 2, so baby will still probably come right on time. Our wild child loves to keep everyone guessing; it was too funny watching the women try to find out what position the baby was in because it was spread out all over like Spiderman on Sunday and Monday. Heart rate was between the 120's and 150's because it was playing and moving around while getting palpated for position and heart tones.
Baby also performed a similar routine for the OB today so much that she had to get the doppler out to find the back. We heard hiccups while she found it; heart beat was 150!

Speaking of 150... I can't break the crest of weight gain past that number quite yet. The last 2 appointments I was sure I'd be 150 or over, but I'm still at 149lbs. Every pound is a victory against the puke!

So we're doing very well still and everything is going fine and is on track. Next appointment is in 2 weeks and they're doing a Group-B Strep test. Hopefully I am negative for GBS and we can continue to plan for baby to be born at home; mama don't want no antibiotics (but if we need them I'm glad we have a backup)!