Happy Halloween!

No, we didn't buy the scrunchkin a Halloween outfit. She'll have plenty of time to appreciate the best holiday of the year when she gets older. Plus, we weren't going anywhere. We had a ton of trick-or-treaters at this house. It's on a good street with nice looking homes so we were prepared for inundation. Aaron pointed out that we've lived together for almost 10 years at this point and this is the first time we've had trick-or-treaters at our abode. Probably because all the other locations were apartments and I wouldn't send my child to a random apartment building.

Sophie was a bit more restless today. Not screaming or crying just UP more frequently then yesterday. Which made it hard to get some things done that are on my list. That's okay.

The doula is coming tomorrow to meet us. The first of her 4 hour visits. And tomorrow morning I have an appointment with my regular doctor to check on my blood pressure and thyroid. So the family gets to go on another road trip. Or not. We haven't worked out the details yet.

That is all.

Yet more photos

Photos from the visit to little cousin Galen's house as well as today's excursion into town to get coffee. Plus more cuteness personified.

Click on the photo for more:

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!

A quick post while Aaron changes Sophie's outfit and diaper. And, for the record, Aaron is the one who keeps picking out the pink, girlie outfits. "But no one will know she's a girl if she doesn't wear pink!"

Yesterday we had a road trip into Northampton to sign Soph's birth certificate. And while in town, we visited her new cousin, Galen. Who is about 6 weeks older than Soph and enormous! Very cute baby. I'll try and upload some photos later. It was a good trial run for a longer trip. She nursed three times, only about 5 - 10 minutes each. I think it was more for comfort than for hunger so much. There were a lot more people than she's used to and Galen was a bit fussy. So if one baby is crying, shouldn't all babies join in?

Tonight my mom and dad are coming for dinner. This is my dad's first opportunity to meet Sophie. He's also bringing some leukemia shots for the kitties as we have not been able to coordinate a clinic visit for their booster shots. Speaking of the kitties, they are a bit disgruntled. TWICE we've let them outside and then forgot that they were out until we heard meowing on the porch. Bad, bad kitty parents. We tried to make it up to them with extra snuggles and cookies but it is going to take more of that.

We might also venture into town today with the scrunchkin. She slept for a couple of 2.5 - 3 hour sessions last night. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come.

Okay, gotta go. Booby duty.

More photos!

Click on photo for more. ;)

Also, when did it get so cold outside? And I've missed most of the autumn leaves changing what with the bed rest and then the baby coming, etc. We went out for a brief trip last night and yikes! It's frickin' cold out! I'm stuck in the middle of a whirlwind.

I tried out the swing. She loved it and fell asleep immediately. Now she's strapped into the Baby Bjorn, radiating a TON of heat while I type this. Still fast asleep. I must have tired her out with the easy nursing access last night. She had three consecutive explosive farting/poop sessions this morning so she must have filled up last night while I snoozed. Also? If she's crying on the changing table and then suddenly becomes silent? It means she's going to start peeing everywhere.

Quick Update

While daddy is changing a diaper and before she really starts squirming. We had a great night last night. Instead of getting up and having to stay awake while she nurses, I gave side nursing a try. Faboo. We snuggled and she nursed and I was able to get some shut-eye. There was one explosive farting episode that turned into a very upset baby when I went to change her. But she calmed down instantly afterwards and we went back to snuggling. She is a lovely little girl. Quite the charmer already.

The visiting nurse came by again yesterday to check my blood pressure and, while it was still high, they are going to chalk it up to pre-exisiting hypertension and have me see my regular doctor. All my blood tests are very normal so they know the blood pressure isn't an indication of anything obstetric.

Today may just be "try out the swing" day. Yesterday's "try out the vibrating papasan chair" was met with grumpy faces and displeasure. Today may also be "work on the birth announcements" day.

Okay, squirming baby is trying to tell mommy to get off the damn computer and FEED ME already. Which consists of lots of grunting and shoving her fists in her mouth and looking at me like I should KNOW what she is trying to tell me.

Oh, one more thing. We gave her her first sponge bath yesterday. She liked it - uh, not so much. Aaron was able to calm her down by leaning over so she could suck on the end of his nose. That is a funny sight and I regret not having a camera downstairs at the time.

You say it's your birthday

Well, I forgot it's my birthday, too. Yeah.

Seriously, I actually forgot that today was my birthday until my lovely husband reminded me this morning. The big 34. I guess I've been a bit overwhelmed with the little scrunchkin. Who is more adorable today than yesterday and yesterday I thought I would collapse from the cuteness. She is such a sweet, good baby. Her pediatrician appointment went well today. I guess we'll stick with this doctor for a while. He has a great bedside manner with babies and he kept calling her "Scooter". It was pretty cute. She's totally normal and healthy and doing great. She's gained back almost all of the weight she lost after birth. Little chunk. She loves the boob, I tell you.

But back to me. ;) Phone calls from sisters, visit from mom, presents from brother and sister. AND the adorable hubby cooked me a yummy dinner of salmon with lemon tomato sauce and jasmine rice and steamed carrots and baguettes. And now we have Ben & Jerry's Peanut Butter Cup ice cream to scarf down. In addition to the humongous cookie cake from my mom.

I'm still very, very tired but Aaron is home all day tomorrow and hopefully I'll be able to catch up on some sleep. Which I need to do because the visiting nurse will be back to check my blood pressure which is still high. Actually higher than it was through even the end of my pregnancy. Did I mention she came earlier this week, too? It's part of the hospital program - they send someone to check in on you to make sure everything is going well.

We also get to take advantage of their post-partum doula program which I'm still trying to coordinate. I can't decide if it is better for her to come when Aaron is here or when it is just me home all day.

Ooh, scrunchkin is warbling. Gotta go.

Sophia Katharine

Click on the photo for more.

She's doing great. Eating a lot, very laid back and gorgeous. Isn't sleeping at night all that well, but hopefully she'll figure out the day/night thing pretty soon. No crying during diaper changes, just a lot of staring at us to make sure we know what we are doing. She has actually started to regain some of the weight lost the day or two after birth which is great news. Tomorrow is her first pediatrician appointment with the new doctor so we'll see how that goes. We were very impressed with the pediatricians on call at the hospital (my pediatrician is out of range of the hospital where she was born) so if we don't have a good first impression of the one in town, we might switch doctors. We're both pretty tired but coping well. It's all very, very surreal. I'll post more details on the story of the birth later. They estimated the active labor was about 7.5 hours but I was having contractions for quite a while before that. It was long and hard but amazing.

Babycakes is here!

After a long wait, Babycakes' big day has arrived. On Saturday 22 Oct. 2005 at 9:09pm, Erika gave birth to Sophia Katharine. Sophia weighed 8 lbs 9.5 ounces and was 22.75 inches long at birth.

Erika's first stages of labor began sometime around 10pm on Friday and we were admitted to the hospital at about midnight. She labored all that night and all day Saturday without any significant medical intervention. Even though she was in terrible pain, she never once asked for anesthesia or an epidural. Consequently, Sophia was lucid at birth and immediately recognized the sound of her mother's voice - she even stopped crying when Erika said her name.

Yesterday, she gave me the most beautiful gift I have ever seen and to do it, she endured agony that would make the toughest man weep. Never in my life have I been more proud or more in love.

- Aaron

Appt Update

Well, I'm dilated a bit more. I think. The doctor today was terrible. She was very distracted and had a terrible bedside manner. And she had the world's shortest fingers. Which - um, OUCH! I now have an appointment on Monday night to be induced at the hospital. By her. Ugh. Unless something happens before that. The doctor who is on call today and tomorrow and Sunday morning is our favorite (there are 4 doctors in the practice). So let's hope babycakes decides to cooperate before Monday. We had a nice lunch date after the appointment and will be going for a walk into town to see if we can get anything started.

In other news, if you eat two huge pieces of apple pie before going to bed? The next morning you will have horrific, nuclear farts that will make your wife's eyes tear up in the examination room. With no ventilation. And who do you think they'll blame? The one not wearing any pants...

And with that, have a great weekend. ;)

+9

We are headed into the OB office again this morning for another non-stress test and decision-making discussions about whether to induce this weekend. Or possibly today if anything happened in my nethers over the last two days.

I did make an apple pie yesterday that turned out fabulous. The recipe is from the September/October Cook's Illustrated. I highly recommend this magazine if you don't already get it. Aaron ate two huge slices because my man? Loves apple pie.

It is pretty foggy outside. It was supposed to hit frost temperatures last night. I don't see frost, but it does look chilly and ghostly.

+8

And nothing. Again. My mom is coming over today to visit and possibly take me out for sundaes at Friendly's. Excellent! Which also gives me an excuse to Swiffer up more of the endless supply of cat hair. And deal with the cat hair on the couches. I LOVE our red couches but, man, do they collect cat hair. I've tried to stem the furriness by putting sarong material (hey, it's what I've got) on the couches and then taking them off when company arrives. Works pretty well. But it also means that I don't really get to look at the redness until guests arrive. So there's that.

Appt Update

Well, no change. Ultrasound looked good: lots of fluid, lots of fat rolls, lots of movement, strong heartbeat. My blood pressure is still holding steady and I lost another 1/2 pound. And I've eaten all the sugar cookies so tomorrow is definitely an apple pie day. I have another appointment on Friday with another non-stress test and then a serious discussion about induction. They may try inducing over the weekend or Monday. Not my first choice, but it will be about 41.5 weeks at that point and I have a feeling she's getting BIG.

In other news, the flying solo went fine because I was able to run some errands and then meet my lovely husband for a date.

Thank you for all of your finger crossings and well wishes. I really appreciate it.

D Day +7

One week overdue. And nothing. I have another OB appt. today with another ultrasound. And another induction discussion. Woo! Aaron has a full day of classes, so I'll be flying solo.

Tuesday

And nothing. This whole thing has become slightly unreal again. We were so ready a couple of weeks ago and now it's almost like I'll be stuck with this squirming belly forever.

I made a batch of sugar cookies this weekend and I won't even tell you how many I've eaten in the last two days. And the surprising thing is that I lost a pound when I was weighed in yesterday. It's the amazing sugar cookie diet! Today might be a deep dish apple pie day except I'm missing sour cream and a lemon. So if I decide to waddle out to get them, then it will really be an apple pie day. Or not. See how easy my life has become?

My sister-in-law, Kym, is the only one left on the ExpectNet guessing game in regards to dates - she's got tomorrow. Maybe Babycakes really wants to be a Scorpio like her mommy.

Appt Update

Again, everything normal except for slightly elevated blood pressure (140/90). They are thinking it is chronic hypertension - i.e.: I have a tendency towards higher blood pressure normally, never mind when I'm pregnant. Still about 1 cm dilated - which means no change for about 2 weeks now. They said it doesn't quite feel like her head is exerting a lot of pressure on my cervix so that is most likely why I'm not dilating more. Ugh. It sure FEELS like something is happening down in my gigi. The baby looks and sounds good so we are in a holding pattern. Again. Another appointment on Wednesday with another ultrasound (to check fluid levels and baby movements, etc.).

Official full moon tonight so cross your fingers.

Monday. D Day + 5

Well, still nothing. We tried lots of good things this weekend to no avail. The moon was even 99.3% full last night according to the Farmer's Almanac. She's a stubborn little monkey.

Another OB appointment today for another non-stress test and dilation check. And then Aaron has a computer science exam tonight.

If you've called and I haven't called back or answered the phone, I'm sorry. My hermit tendencies are in full force.

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!

Well, nothing again. It is a very blustery, windy day outside. The wind sounds a bit like crashing ocean waves. No rain at least - I think it rained for about 8 days prior to this. Yuck. Good for the garden, not much good for anything else. I'm about to go downstairs to make garlicy cheesy scrambled eggs. And then sit and wait. Perhaps we will try walking into town. Aaron has a bunch of homework and studying, so I'll be doing my best not to disturb him. Much. We'll see if babycakes is so kind.

Waiting Game

Another rainy, dreary day outside. Last night, babycakes was kicking and squirming so much. She would stretch her feet and then push her little butt up on my ribs. No one told me how much this would hurt. I feel bruised inside. She moves a lot during the day, but it is really uncomfortable when I try to lay down to sleep. And I burst out crying as this continued from 11pm - 12:30am. Poor Aaron. He didn't know what to do to help. We both tried pushing on my belly so that she would avoid the inside belly button area (double ouch!). Then I kept getting up to walk around because that seemed to make it hurt less. So Aaron gathered a stack of pillows and made me a sort of propped-up back rest in bed. Eventually (around 1am) she calmed down enough for me to lay down and try to sleep.

I'm not sure how much more of that I'll be able to take.

In other news - we received the cutest pirate hat and turtleneck onesie and baby stamp from jenb! We also received a huge care package from Aaron's mom. All kinds of postpartum teas and creams and relaxing boo-bobs. And a postpartum yoga DVD and a cow stuffed animal and a Halloween hat and butt paste and pumpkin ornaments and sanitizing wipes and pistachios! Thank you!

Silver Lining

Nothing's happening.

So I thought I'd try to focus on the good parts of being stuck at home while it's gray and dreary outside and there is nothing on tv except repeats and soap operas.

Otto is being an absolute snuggly lovebug. He loves to curl up on me while I snooze on my side on the couch. He starts off on the pillows behind me and then gradually extends a paw and then two paws and then his head until he is almost completely on my belly. Very cute. Don't worry, babycakes likes it. And she's going to have to get used to it.

Aaron is lovely and snuggly and helpful and he keeps running out to get me things like pears and cookies and movies and books.

I'm losing a bit of weight even though I'm eating a LOT more at home than I do at work. And not good things, but things like Nilla Wafers (I love the crunchy low-fat kind) and tea biscuits and pizza.

I've got the announcements designed and ready to go except I need little things like, I don't know, a frickin' birth date, weight, length, photo...

The nursery is completely done and organized except for one IKEA leaf thingy that needs to be hung over the loveseat. Which itself needs to be moved into the nursery.

Aaron bought a filing cabinet and I've organized all the old bills and paperwork that were starting to pile up on the computer desk.

So, see? Silver lining. Now can I go be grumpy again?

Appt Update

Everything is once again holding steady. Blood pressure: still high-ish but not higher. Bloodwork: 'very normal'. Babycakes: moving and kicking and normal heartbeat. So? We wait. Next appointment is Monday for another non-stress test. But this weekend is the full Hunter's moon, so maybe she's waiting for that? We shall see.

In other news: I'm grumpy.

D Day +1

No change as of yet. Today is another OB appointment with another ultrasound to check heart rate and movements. With the male doctor again. Ugh. I was hoping that would inspire babycakes to get herself out but so far she's just making me more impatient. She is so grounded. Once she deigns to join us.

Another rainy, gray day here in Massachusetts. Cold and dreary like my mood. I apologized to Aaron for being a bad pregnant woman - complaining and bitchy and he didn't know what I was talking about. Apparently he hasn't noticed. OR I'm always bitchy so there hasn't been a change. Anyhoo. Aaron's been very sweet and helpful - even shaving every other day just in case we have to go to the hospital because I just know the scruff would annoy me there.

D Day

And no baby. It's dreary and raining outside. Aaron's off to a longer day of classes and I'm home twiddling my thumbs. And nipples because I hear that helps.

Appt Update; Day 7 of Bed Rest

Baby is not stressed and behaving normally. She passed the non-stress test with flying colors. As Aaron said, she's already an 'A' student. Blood pressure is holding steady and I lost a pound. All normal. So still in a holding pattern.

We had a yummy dinner in Northampton (Tandoori chicken salad for me and steak burrito for Aaron) before heading to a math lecture on polyhedra. In which Aaron took notes and I read my new Zadie Smith book ('On Beauty').

Then grocery shopping.

And now home.

No Baby

She's holding steady. My mom stopped by yesterday to visit and drop off a yummy apple pie as well as some things from my sister-in-law (who just had a baby one month ago). Included was "The Happiest Baby on the Block" DVD that we all sat down to watch while having some tea. I've read the book, but it was great to see actual babies and parents using the 5 S's to calm their babies.

Today is another OB appointment with, I think, another non-stress test. Hopefully things have progressed.

Nothing

Nothing happening yet. It's a waiting game. I was hoping that she would decide to arrive on the weekend while Aaron was home. Luckily tomorrow is Columbus Day so he has the day off. So, one more day to see if she will cooperate. Otherwise, I'll go into labor while he's at school and I find that idea a bit scary. We are going to go for a walk in the morning to see if that jump starts anything. She's moving around a lot more and I've felt more intense cramping but nothing like what I think are contractions. Having never gone through this, I'm not really sure what to expect.

The pancakes yesterday were super yummy. We finished the nursery except for one decoration. And by 'finished' I mean, Aaron put together the cube-like bookshelf/storage unit, hung photos, moved the dresser/changing table, moved the bed and dresser in our room to make room for the bassinet/pack-n-play, vacuumed AND put together the high chair. I supervised. And did another load of baby laundry. Today was much more low-key. Lots of sitting around and napping and eating. And hoping Babycakes would decide to join us while we had the day off.

Weekend

The OB appointment went very fast yesterday. Blood pressure holding steady, I had lost a couple of pounds, ultrasound looked good. The doctor was a bit preoccupied with another patient and so basically ran in, did a very quick cervical check and then ran out to take a phone call. Very 'wham bam, thank you ma'am'. She came back in to basically say everything is fine, see you Tuesday. So that's that.

I met the hubster at Target where we proceeded to get a shelving unit thing and some baby socks and tights (couldn't resist). And then on to Trader Joe's to stock up the freezer a bit more. I love Trader Joe's. Especially their dark chocolate covered pretzels.

And then home again, jiggity jog. I stayed up to watch 'Threshold' because I dig that show. However, you should not watch it with a non-tv-aholic-math-major because he will scoff at the dialog and plot.

Today it is raining. A lot. And it is dark and gray. Aaron is downstairs making pumpkin pancakes from the "Sorry you're on house arrest" pancake mix set my lovely sister sent. Complete with coffee, maple pumpkin butter and maple syrup. Yum! I can hear him whisking right now. And Otto meowing at him because if you are in the kitchen then you MUST be able to give cookies to a poor little kitty.

A bit scattered today. I keep telling babycakes that it is time to get this party started. Not sure if she's listening yet.

Day Three

I kicked off the shackles this morning in order to drive Aaron to school. We share a car and I need it this afternoon for my next OB appointment. This is the first appointment he will miss due to an exam in Greek Mythology. It will be strange without him. After the appointment, the plan is to meet Aaron and go to Target to get some last minute things. Like more baby socks and some kind of shelving solution for all the toys, etc. in the nursery. And then home again. Hopefully no contractions or water breaking while I'm driving around by myself.

Exile, Day Two

I mostly stayed off my feet yesterday. It's very hard being at home and seeing all the things that need to be done before babycakes shows herself. Like washing all the little baby clothes, blankets, burp clothes, sheets, etc. Plus the nursery is not finished yet. Not that she's going to notice. And not that she's going to stay in there at first. So I very slowly did laundry yesterday. And very slowly folded and put away all the baby clothes. And very slowly dusted and vacuumed a little. Yes, I know. But I'm starting to feel like this could happen any day now and I'd like to be prepared. I made myself some very spicy chicken pasta yesterday but nothing happened except heartburn.

I also emptied and re-packed the hospital bag.

Today is a little more laundry (big people clothes) and working on the baby announcements.

Don't be a stranger, say hello.

Belly photos, etc. have been uploaded to flickr.

Officially off from work

Training went really well. It helps that I hired a clone of myself. Seriously, she dresses exactly like me (well, the non-enormous me). And she's cool and funny, so there's that. She asked great questions and took lots of notes and I think it will work out well.

I do have some final end-tying to do tomorrow while I'm at home in my pjs. Sending recap/overview emails to different groups at work. And then nothing. I've definitely started to feel like things are happening. Slowly, but happening nevertheless. So maybe mentally I was stopping anything from happening until I felt I had closure at work.

Final thank you card pile was sent today (kept forgetting to stop for stamps while the post office was open). So, if you've been thinking that my mother raised me wrong by not teaching me to send thank you cards in a timely manner - don't blame the momma, blame the momma-to-be with the forgetful brain.

Friday is the next OB appointment with yet another ultrasound. Aaron has classes and an exam that day so this is the first appointment he's going to miss. It will be strange without him. He's very excited to meet our little babycakes. I'm so very lucky to have such a fabulous person in my life.

In other news, I may start going batty while the waiting game continues. I really like my job and a big part of that is the companionship. So being under house arrest is going to be very strange. If you have Google Talk or AIM - email me your usernames. I'm just going to be sitting here all day. Or just leave a comment for me. I'm already lonely people.

Bed Rest

One more day of training my replacement at work and then I'm officially on doctor-ordered bed rest until babycakes decides to join us. Baby's fine; she passed the non-stress test; my blood pressure went down slightly from last week and after bed rest Friday - Sunday; blood tests are normal; not dilated but "softening a little". They are being cautious because of the blood pressure at this point.

Why do I feel like I failed some test? I really thought I'd make it through working until she came. Oh well, maybe now I can get some sleep.

Monday

So, three days of trying to stay off my feet and on my left side. And my ankles and calves have gone down in size. A lot. I didn't think they were that swollen, but the difference is noticeable. Aaron finished the dresser and it is up in the nursery. Smelling like polyurethane. So the window is open to help with that. And since the doctor told me specifically not to do housework and to just lay down, um, nothing much got done. Other than the dresser and Aaron putting together the swing. I still need to wash more of the baby's clothes and to finalize her room.

Monday (tomorrow) is the next OB appointment in which they are going to do the non-stress test and more blood tests for me. I have to work tomorrow as well to train my replacement. Actually, I have two days of training planned. Monday's appointment will be interesting and will determine if my blood pressure has continued to rise and whether I'll have to go on bed rest or be induced.

Sorry no photos yet.