Ready for a Fun Summer!

God's timing is so perfect.  I have only one week left of pregnancy, if he waits; and one week left of Spring classes.  Kris and I have been talking about some of the things we are going to do this summer.  I have a Bjorn baby carrier, so spending time walking at Oak Mountain State Park and being outdoors will be easier for me.  I have goals to lose all the baby weight and then some before our wedding anniversary on September 17th.  Kris knows that I'll want to go for runs during the week when he comes home from work.  I love being outside in the Summer, and I'm looking forward to keeping busy with the baby.   
The baby doesn't seem very comfortable today.  I think he just got too hungry.  I ate lunch, but in two hours I had to eat again.  I felt him kicking and felt a little nauseous.  I feel really sick right now because of something that happened recently causing us to lose $680.  I'm in the worst mood because of it.  I'm not really happy with people playing games with my money.  I hope they get worse in return.
Well, I have avoided reading about Postpartum Depression because I think I have ways to prevent it from happening to me.  I have heard several stories of women who have gone through a minor to severe case of this.  I'm feeling so depressed and ill today that I thought I might read a little bit about it.  This of course is depression women experience after giving birth.  It usually occurs soon after delivery, and may last several years.  It is brought on by several factors: mood changes during pregnancy, lack of sleep, less freedom and time for yourself, changing in your body, and changes in your relationships.  I have experienced all of the above.  The following website gives more information about postpartum depression.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0004481/
Certain circumstances are making me feel down lately.  All of these are things I am unable to control, which makes it harder.  I have a friend who blogs about her postpartum depression.  I have family and friends who will be there for me should I go through even a slight case of this.  Let's just hope life is happy this Summer.  I will probably blog about it all!

39 1/2 Weeks Pregnant

We went to the OB appointment today.  Kris went with me.  We were really excited to find out if there were any changes.  Dr. Campbell measured me.  He is going to be a big baby; over 8 lbs.  I have gained a whopping 55 pounds.  Yikes!  Everyone says I look great though.  I feel great too, but sometimes I'm just really ready to not be pregnant anymore.  There is no dilation, only thinning to my cervix.  If Ethan is not born between now and next Thursday, we will go in Thursday at 4:30.  They will place something behind my cervix to make it dilate, and the next morning they will start the process to induce me into labor.  If that happens, he will be born on Friday, April 29, 2011.  They do not let you go over a week past your due date to prevent any complications.  When Kris and I were born, it was a little bit different.  They didn't schedule inductions like they do now.  It'll also help prevent a C-section.  Now that I feel so incredibly big, I'm more afraid that I will have to have a C-section.  It wouldn't be that bad, but the recovery process is more slow, and I will have a scar.
This is probably really weird, but I'm excited about being in the hospital for two nights.  I'll get lots of attention, and I get to just lay around in my PJ's with my husband and new baby.  I can be lazy, watch TV, read magazines, visit with family and friends, and have a new baby.  What's better than that?  Kris has a lot of family who will visit us.  We really are blessed.  My husband is a family man, and I like that.  We have a lot of friends who said they are coming to visit too. 
If I do get induced, then I will only have one final left on May 4th.  I really don't want to leave the baby, so my plan is to have my mom or someone come with me downtown.  While I'm taking the final they can stay with Ethan in the car and maybe take him outside for an hour, then I'll be back in the car again before he gets too hungry and starts crying.  Newborns have to eat every 2-3 hours.  Wow!  I am so ready. 
If I go into labor between now and next Thursday, I will probably miss two tests.  I don't want to miss two tests, so I really hope he just stays in until the 29th. 

Hospital Checklist for Labor

Well, we have already packed our bags for the hospital, but sadly I haven't really looked at the checklist and really taken the time to put everything together that we will need.  I really have had my mind on other things.  I have the diaper bag packed.  We have packed comfortable clothes and a few other things.  I googled  hospital checklists for labor, but really haven't relied on them except for a few things I may not have thought of. 
This is my personal checklist:

1.  Nightgowns that can be ruined.
2.  Panties that can be ruined.
3.  Heavy flow pads
4.  Nursing bras
5.  Robe
6.  Slippers
7.  Thick socks
8.  Camera
9.  Coming home clothes- maternity size
10. Nursing pads
11. Extra batteries
12. Extra memory card for camera
13. Coming home clothes for baby
14. No scratch mittens
15. Booties
16. Essentials for the diaper bag
17. Baby book
18. Magazine to read
19. 3 pairs of comfy clothes for Kris
20. Snacks
21. Change for the vending machines
22. Shampoo and Conditioner
23. Face wash
24. Body lotion & oil
25. Toothbrush & Toothpaste
26. Mouthwash
27. Towel for shower
28. 2 Baby blankets
29. Carseat
30. Hospital paperwork
31. Laptop

These are not all packed!  I don't want to feel rushed, but if I pack everything, I wont have it out to use for the days until then.  I'll probably get more of these things together tonight and make sure we are not searching for something at the last minute.

6 More Days

With 6 days until Ethan's due date, we are a little more than ready for his arrival.  I have been doing all the tricks and do feel some contractions, but it is nothing constant and not like real labor.  Aww, I hear a baby crying.  :)  I cannot wait to hear our baby let out that first cry.  It will be such a relief.  That is how everyone explains giving birth and hearing their baby cry.  I have been really emotional for the past few days.  I haven't felt him move a lot lately either.  It worries me, but I have read that is normal towards the end because he hardly has much room in there.  A few stretch marks popped up this week.  Ick!  They are not bad.  You can barely see them, and I know they'll fade even more.  I had none until week 38.  The marks of motherhood are worth it.
We drove to the hospital last night and got pre-admitted.  This is something we do to make it easier when we go in during the real labor.  I'm a little concerned about having to leave a newborn to take finals.  I will have to have some pumped breast milk for my mom or whoever is keeping him to feed him while I'm gone for 3 or 4 hours.  I'm a little worried about having a C-section too.  Ethan is going to be over 8 lbs.  I wouldn't mind having him born on Easter, but this week will be much better.  They will schedule an induction if we make it to the appointment on the 19th and there is still no dilation.
Well, I'm a little jealous now.  A Facebook friend of mine is in labor and she is due 3 days after me.  I told Kris we needed to stop by the store and get pineapple juice, ride on a bumpy road, and go on a walk.  This week has to be the week!  I really wanna hurry this along, so I think I'll do some walking and housecleaning tonight.  I will need to study Accounting, but that takes sitting, and I should just be on the move.  :)
Our baby is not finished growing, of course, but his growth has slowed down tremendously in the last couple weeks.  His head will be soft when he is born to fit more easily through the birth canal.  Most newborns have a cone shaped head after being delivered vaginally.  It looks weird, but will eventually go back to normal shape.  They also aren't the cutest when they are first born.  It takes a little while for some newborns to look cute. 
Another thing I didn't know before pregnancy is that prenatal vitamins should be taken while nursing after the baby is born.  We have gotten free samples from the OB at every visit, but I will have to buy some for nursing during the next year.  Well, hopefully my next blog will be about labor and delivery!

Working Mom

With a handful of classes left at UAB, and a baby due just next Friday, I have been seriously asking myself how I'm going to handle finishing my classes, a new baby, and then a career.  Of course, by the time I begin my career, Ethan will be nearly two years old, but we plan to have three children, so I may be pregnant again.  Life can be hard.  There are always unexpected things that come up.  Dealing with the emotions of being a wife, a mom, and a career woman are not going to be easy, and by age 27, I have learned that life does not go as I plan it.  There is no sense in me planning the next five years of my life on paper.  The best I can hope for is to achieve most of my goals and keep most of my sanity.
I found an interview of Fox News Correspondant, Jennifer Griffin, who just so happens to have my last name, and my career path.  She also recently gave birth to her third child.       http://www.parents.com/parenting/work/stay-home/juggling-work-and-family/
 The interview is about juggling her career and her family.  One of the questions was "How are you adjusting?"  She says,"... the key to getting through the initial three weeks is to have low expectations."  What she means by this is that we shouldn't expect it to be picture perfect:  "You're lucky if you have time to shower," she says.  Of course she has three children and a highly demanding career, so with one newborn and no work to demand my time, I should be able to shower daily.  I have the concerns of a first time mom. 
It's overwhelming for me to think about how I am going to do everything.  I am overwhelmed!  I know I don't have three children and work for Fox News, but I also don't have a full-time caregiver or 1/4 the salary of a Fox News Correspondant.  I could tell you that reading her story helped and made me feel like I can do it, but it didn't.  I'm nervous.  My dreams are coming true, but it's scaring me to death.  I wish I knew everything was going to be okay.  Actually, I wish life would stop throwing us lemons and sour tomatoes.  We want the best for Ethan, and I want to protect him in this messed up world we live in.  I wonder "How am I going to do that while I'm at work."  We need to have a stable home life with bills paid, food on the table, and things we are proud of.

Tricks to Induce Labor

There are several tricks out there for pregnant women who want to hurry their baby's birth along. The most popular things I have heard are walking and sex. Several websites and people will tell you "What got you into this situation will get you out." Other exercises like doing squats, bouncing on a pilates ball, taking stairs two at a time, and swimming are considered great ways to bring along contractions and labor. Some things I have learned recently are nipple stimulation, lemon drop cupcakes, pineapples or pineapple juice, and castor oil.
These may sound crazy, but I'm pretty sure some of it works. If you have ever been pregnant, you would understand why I would want to try them all! I'll give you some things I have read about what is listed above.
Exercises like walking, taking stairs two at a time, squats, bouncing on the ball, etc. are all good ways to work out your lower half and open the cervix. None of these will cause you to go into labor unless you are ready, and the baby is considered premature until 37 weeks. The best advice to take is to be patient and be healthy.
I found the following video today. http://www.kcra.com/r-video/27396172/detail.html It's about the lemon drop cupcake that will induce labor. I also read about pineapples and pineapple juice. I went straight to Wal-Mart and bought a dozen mini lemon drop cupcakes, pineapples, and pineapple juice. I have not tried the castor oil. This one makes me a little nervous. When I first heard about it, I thought castor oil was something for cars. It is actually vegetable oil, coming from the castor bean. I'll have to say, I ate two mini cupcakes and a glass of pineapple juice on the way home from Wal-Mart, and I did feel my stomach tighten and had to walk up the stairs more slowly than I usually do. It made me feel a little different. Kris said, eat more.. go drink all the pineapple juice and see what happens. I didn't! I did eat some pineapple and drink another glass of juice.

38 Weeks Pregnant with Ethan

I had an OB visit today.  I am going to be 38 weeks pregnant on Friday.  There are still no changes.  I am not dilated.  There is some thinning of the lining of my uterus, which means that it is getting closer.  I will probably go full term, if not longer.  They won't let me go a week past the due date.. so in that case they will induce me.  I hope he just comes before the due date, or they schedule to induce me on April 29th, which is exactly a week later.  I have two finals on the 28th, so that means I'll get them over with, and then take the last final on May 4th.  I can do that!  The only problem is that Ethan is going to weight 8 pounds or more.  If he waits too long, it'll be hard to deliver without a C-section.  They do everything they can now to prevent a C-section.  Things have changed a lot since the 80's.  My husband was born 3 weeks late. 
I'm trying not to count down the days.  I think that will make it seem longer.  I'm so glad Ethan is going to be a healthy baby!  I have had a great pregnancy, and we really have been blessed.  We have a great place to live, filled with too much stuff.  I have a loving husband who I love spending time with.  Our families are close so we don't have to travel too far to visit with them.  Our baby will be so happy and cute. 
I haven't recieved any emails for 38 weeks yet.  I did get one about Labor and Delivery.  It was informative, but I don't really remember what I read.  I have read so much during the pregnancy, so I think I'm ready.  I told the OB today that I was nervous and scared about the labor pains.  My biggest fear is not being able to get him out.
I have gained 45 pounds.  That isn't too bad, considering people have told me they gained 77, 90 pounds.  One girl said she was 250 pounds when she had her son.  She is thin now.  I don't know how it's possible to gain over 100 pounds in 9 months.
I have posted so many pictures on facebook of the things we have for baby Ethan.  I posted all of his ultrasound pictures at 28 weeks pregnant.  My friends are so sweet with the comments saying I look cute pregnant, and they can't wait until Ethan is born.

Garage Sales for Moms

Garage sales, Craig's list, and consignment shops are the way to go!  This weekend I really racked up.  I found a Baby Bjorn for only $20.  This is one of those baby carriers that moms and dads wear in front of them to carry their infant and they cost $100+ new.  I also found one of those learning tables that light up and talk to your baby in English and Spanish, numbers, ABC's, reading and music.  They are $50 new, and I bought it for $10 at a garage sale.  I spent only $22 at one house in Hoover on Saturday morning and took home a bag full of clothing for Ethan... socks, onsies, cute outfits, baby swimming shorts, a cover for the changing table, burping cloths, a very soft, baby blue, blanket, new with the tags, an adorable shower curtain for his bathroom with monkeys, bottle rack for drying baby bottles, etc.  This was the house where I found the learning table.  I was so excited to come home and go through everything. 
Twice a year there is a huge consignment sale called Kids Market and Mom.  It is located on Lakeshore Parkway off hwy 65 in Birmingham, AL, and they have everything!  I found a Noah's Ark picture frame with individual slots to put pictures of Ethan, 1 month- his 1st Birthday so we can see how much he grows each month.  It was only $6, was in the box, never used, and I imagine it costs more than $20 new.  I found a pair of Tickle Me Elmo soft hand gloves that vibrate and laugh and talk to you and a CD to go with it for only $7.  I found one of those infant pianos for $8, some really good baby books and two rain jackets.  They really do have everything, even nursing bras, breast pumps, maternity clothes, pack n' plays, bassinets, etc.
http://www.kidsmarketandmom.com/kmm_contrib_reg.asp
Saturday I also went to Me and Mom Consignments in Alabaster.  I bought two Veggie Tales DVDs, baby socks, and a few outfits.  They have Baby Einstein DVDs for $8 a DVD.  She gets new things in all the time, and the store is packed.  You can sell your items to her when you no longer need them.
http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/Me.And.Mom.Consignments.205-664-8111
It really doesn't make sense to buy a ton of new things for babies.  They grow out of everything so quickly, clothes and toys.  Mothers, even if you are able to buy all new stuff for your little ones, please don't.  Do your family a favor and buy from consignment stores and garage sales.  It is not gross, and everything looks and works like new.  The extra money can go towards a trip to Disney World, Summer beach vacations, savings for college education, or a fund for your child's 20's when they scared to death because life is harder than what was predicted.  Your wallet and your husband will thank you.  Always check to be sure car seats, cribs, etc. are up to current safety codes and regulations.