Last Pregnancy Pictures

Before I *try* to go to bed tonight, I am going to post some last minute pictures of our little girl in utero. Here she is at 41 weeks:

Hiding from the front:


Side view- wow, there she is:
Contractions are getting heavier and more regular, so I think tonight is the real deal. The next post will be pictures of our new little girl- stay tuned. :)

Pregnancy Pictures: Week 18

Well, since there is a little bump showing now, I thought I'd add some pictures. Here they are:


In other pregnancy news, I am still struggling with morning sickness int he evening and any time I have anything remotely spicy. Ugh. One nice thing is that I can feel the baby moving around. It makes the discomfort more worth it. This baby is so strong that I have already felt the kicks from the outside. Nathan has felt the baby too. I am afraid that it is a big baby or Hercules (maybe both?) This is a bit amazing to me since I didn't fell Luke until about Week 20, and Nathan didn't feel him until at least 22. Oh boy (or girl!)

Oh, and my sonogram is next Monday, February 7th. I'll keep you all posted on what we find out!

Quick Update

The visit to the Chiropractor yesterday made me feel like a new person. I actually slept 6 and 1/2 hours straight last night, something I haven't done in more than three months. Also, I walked about 40 minutes this morning and an hour this afternoon without the usual pain and fatigue in my hips. I took plenty of fluids with me, and have mixed these walks with lots of rest, but can you tell that I want the baby to come? :)

Chiropractic Bliss

Since the little guy was in the posterior position (i.e. facing front and not the best position for birth) at my last check-up, the midwives recommended that I see a chiropractor to make sure that my body and pelvis were properly aligned. With all of the spreading and shifting that goes on during pregnancy, the bones and ligaments can get out of line. Also, alignment issues have been cited as causes of stalling before and during labor.

So this afternoon, I visited a chiropractor who specializes in prenatal adjustments. I had a great time! I really do love learning new things about how the body works. That is probably one of the main reasons why I love the midwifery so much. They explain all sorts of different things about pregnancy and the body and how to make it work best.

The doctor that I met with was excellent and loved babies and pregnant mommies. She assessed me, noting that one of my pelvic joints was locked and that I also had some stress on my left side. It hadn't occurred to me before, but I should have expected that I might have some problems. I have had bursitis in both of my hips due to one leg being slightly longer than the other. This problem affected my pelvis also. She then did a little bit of work to adjust me (gently- not the snap, crackle, pop type of chiropractic adjustment). I felt much looser after the adjustments. Luke also seemed to like the adjustments too. He had some big movements on the drive home.

Timing

Yesterday was one week from the day that my midwives said that I should deliver within a week. So the week went by and no baby. Today is the due date that we were given first. Unless I start contractions sometime in the next few hours, he will probably miss this due date also. Someone needs to tell this kid that he needs to hurry up!

Really though, it is more appropriate that he tell us, "I will come when I will come, and that will be the right time." I said this very thing to my own mom almost 24 years ago. I was supposed to be born on Sept. 23, but waited until Oct. 5.

In all honesty, I acknowledge that this is an awkward time for me. I feel like I am constantly trying to come up with meaningful, important things to do to pass the time. Perhaps it shows my clear deficiency in the virtue of patience.

I think that today I will read the portion of Acts where the disciples are gathered together, waiting for the descent of the Holy Spirit. They did not know the day or hour either. I think that I will read Matthew and Revelation, where Jesus speaks of the ending of the age, the symbolism of the birth pains of the woman ready to give birth at any time. I will try to sit with this period of waiting. I will be still until my own time comes.

Best Things to do While Waiting

1. Have friends over

Today I had a surprise visit from some good friends from church. We chatted over a light lunch and took a trip to Baby's R Us. It is such a treat to be able to spend time with friends. I am really enjoying this time off. Nathan is enjoying having me at home too. The house is much cleaner, laundry is done before it piles up, there is a nice dinner waiting for him, and he gets to come home to a happier, more relaxed wife.

There is no big news in baby progress today. I continue to feel more pressure as the baby moves down and more Braxton-Hicks at night. My next Dr's appointment is tomorrow at noon, so I am interested to see what, if any, progress has been made. I will give updates after I hear more.

Kelly is coming tomorrow at 1:30pm (providing I don't go into labor tonight), and we plan to practice some relaxation techniques and go over the plan for birth. I am looking forward to this. As someone else put it, Kelly is a birth-warrior. She has given birth to three beautiful children naturally and at home. That sounds like just what I need as I try to have a drug-free birth experience!

Lovely Morning at Starbucks

Since there is no baby in my arms this morning, I decided to go about my normal routine.

I woke up, got Nathan's coffee, lunch and breakfast together. Then I said prayers, ate a little and took a walk. This morning was especially nice in Huntington Beach- only 70 degrees and overcast. I grew up with much hotter summers than that! After the walk, I headed to Starbucks to study for the CPA. I am almost through the 4th of 5 chapters for the Business portion of the exam.

The Starbucks by our house is especially nice. There is a great seating area outside and comfy oversized furniture inside. While I was in line, a very sweet old bent-over man with a cane walked up to me and said, "Good luck, Honey. New babies are the closest this to seeing God. They are fresh from his hand." I smiled and said thank you. I felt a little like crying. Thank you Lord for these little encouragements. I will try to think about that during labor.

Today it was pretty crowded so I had to sit down next to someone on the large couch, but I still had room for my computer and my textbook. The man sitting on the other side of the couch looked over and asked if I was expecting. I told him yes, and probably this week. He beamed and told me how wonderful life is with children- he had three of his own. I saw their pictures- Roman, Sophia, and Dominic (can you guess- yep a Catholic family). So precious. It is a beautiful thing to see a happy, loving family. He counseled me to stay home or only work part time if necessary. His family gave up cable TV and other little luxuries to make it possible.

In the Safe Zone and Healthy

I had a great appointment yesterday at the midwifery, and not little Luke is in the "safe zone" for birth. The midwife felt him and guessed that he will weigh 7-8lbs, and affirmed again that his head is not very large. She also said that the baby was occiput anterior (i.e. he is facing my tailbone). This is very good because if he was facing forward and I couldn't get him to turn, it would make labor more difficult.

I lost some weight since my last visit, which worried me a little. The midwife checked the baby's fluid levels though and noted that his movement was great, so she was not worried. She said that it is normal to not gain anymore weight at this point, and not uncommon to lose some. Carrying around all of the weight and not being able to eat as much with each meal usually causes this.

She concluded with saying that Luke looks very healthy, and also said that he will probably not be born very soon. This is good because next week Nathan will be gone Wed-Fri to Ohio for his important business trip. We were both worried about this, but the midwife said that it would be very unlikely that I will go into labor that early. Nathan's mom will come and stay with me just in case.

The fact that I will be going into labor is starting to become more real to me. Luke's kicks are strong and my whole stomach moves now as he moves. Also, the Braxton-Hicks contractions are getting stronger. I am trying not to think about what is coming, but just work on my birthing exercises.

Maternity Leave- Day #1

An exciting day for sure!

I went to Target today to get some last minute items and to get a changing table (the last "big" item that we needed). I love Target and today I was reminded of why. First, I found a great changing table for 40% off that was cherry wood and a style that I like. It was the ONLY changing table on sale. Tomorrow I get to figure out how to put it together. :)

Also, I picked up a top-end high chair (see picture) that was 75% off! $34 down from $140. Again, in my favorite cherry wood. Being at home is already paying off. More time to bargain shop! Of course that could change when our little guy comes around.

I also took a nap, read some, took two walks, made a roast chicken and potato dinner, made zucchini bread for the guys at Nathan's work, worked on some CPA stuff, and planned a little for a party at church. All in all, a pretty full day!

Being pregnant is getting a bit more difficult now. I am finally feeling the weight of baby and get fatigued a lot sooner than even a week ago. Also, I have to split up my dinner, so that I eat half and then do something else for an hour or so before finishing.

It is over!

Yesterday was my last day at work before baby comes. It has been a long haul, but now it is over! Yay! It has been a good experience, but now I am feeling more fatigued and it will be nice not to work.

NowI have a bunch of things that I have been meaning to get to at home. Hopefully this week I will get to finishing the things I want to do for the baby room and unpacking more boxes from our move. So far, for my days off, my plan is to do the following things each day to give myself some kind of a schedule (I will go nuts without one):

1. Take a walk in the morning or evening. I get too hot in the afternoon

2. Go to Baby's R Us and Target and grab some last minute items

3. CPA study (maybe an hour at least)

4. Take an afternoon nap

5. Watch the Olympics when they start

6. Keep a regular prayer rule that includes more of the daily and weekly cycle

7. Read the Happiest Baby on the Block, The Breastfeeding Book (Dr. Sears)

8. Keep up on all of the Bradley birth excercises

9. Work on birth plan strategies

Maybe that is too much scheduling. I'll add #10. Learn to be more flexible and ok with not getting everything on my list done.

At about 7 and 1/2 months

Well, the due date is approaching and baby is growing! Here are a couple of pictures for those who want to see how "baby in tummy" is progressing. He is still head down and moves all the time.... 3am, 6-7am, etc. I am getting prepared to be a mommy I guess. :) As a side note, we will be moving on July 19th. (note the boxes in the background.)

No gestational diabetes

That is what I learned this time at the midwife. Hooray, that is good news. Also, the baby is head down for the 3rd time in a row. Keep it up little guy! Tomorrow we start birth classes. We will be doing Bradley classes with a woman in Costa Mesa. She is also a chiropractor (that might come in handy :) ). It was a headache to find classes though, and we are going to have to modify a bit with the ones we found. They run 12 weeks! I only have 10 left!

Mommy Brain Strikes!

So, it has finally happened... I have developed the Mommy Brain condition.

Today I was at work and my manager kept asking me questions about the areas that I was working on. I couldn't answer because I couldn't clear my head enough to think on the spot. Also, when I went to get lunch for the team, I made it all they way out to my car and then realized that I couldn't drive without keys. As I slinked back into the audit room, I could feel the others watching me thinking, "poor girl, where has her head gone?"

Also, in the afternoon, I discovered that I had accidentally gotten red pen ink all over my white shirt. Lately I have been spilling food or brushing up against things and getting my shirts dirty. I guess I still have some getting used to with this new body.

Reflecting more on the Mommy Brain phenomenon has led me to believe the following: Mommy Brain does not mean that the Mommy can no longer think straight, it is just a condition where she has to think about many more things than she is used to thinking about at one time. For example, today, in addition to working I was thinking about:

1. How much calcium was in my breakfast?
2. Oh wow, that was a big movement.
3. Did I just feel an elbow?
4. I just had a snack, I had better go brush my teeth when I finish this workpaper.
5. 6 more weeks until maternity leave.
6. Ooh a little bit of heartburn.
7. Bathroom... again?
8. I wonder what he is going to look like- hope he has a cute round head like Clara. Actually that is pretty possible since Nathan is Bethany's twin.
9. Lord, please don't let him come too early.
10. I need to call Kathy later about the baby shower..I have a couple of ideas.
11. etc...

No wonder I can't think straight, there are so many things now going on in my head that were not there before. :)

Glucose Tests and Baby Toys

Yesterday I had a glucose test and a regular appointment with my midwife (appts. are once every two weeks now!- exciting). for the glucose test I had to eat one apple, two teaspoons of honey, and 4oz of apple juice an hour before. Boy was that sweet. I think that I could live the rest of my life without having that combination in my system again. Little LJ like it though. He was dancing all around inside me and when the midwife checked the heartbeat, he was much faster than usual. This was a friendly warning to watch my sugar! (oh and everyone has to be tested for diabetes, it is not that I am suspected of having it.) I get the results next week.

Along the lines of my earlier post about baby gear recommendations, I came across a good article. This made me feel more at peace with things:

From "The Parent Trap"

How have toys changed in the last 20 years ?
Hugely. When you think back to the '60s and '70s, all the right-thinking progressive parents thought toys should be natural and open-ended. Crayola and Kinder Blocks and Lego were considered raise-your-kid-smart toys. Then, all this data that came out which said that kids need to be stimulated. They need sound! They need multi-sensory experiences! Now, the more bells and whistles a toy has, the supposedly better it is.

Our parents' generation actually had it right. The less the toy does, the better. Everyone thinks: "Toys need to be interactive." No, toys don't need to be interactive. Children need to interact with toys. The best toys are 90 percent kid, 10 percent toy, the kind of thing that you can use 20 different ways, not because it has 20 different buttons to press, but because the kid, when they're 6 months old is going to chew on it, and toss it, but when they're a year they're going to start stacking it.
***

I think everyone can remember how fun it was when their parents bought a new TV or other large appliance and gave you the box to play with. My sister and I turned an old TV box into a life-size playhouse- we cut out windows and a door, and even taped up curtains for decoration. Some friends of ours had a nice store-bought playhouse, but ours was of our own creation.

Creativity and a healthy imagination are really what is lost with a bunch of gadgety toys that stimulate all the senses. And these are things that come most naturally when you are a kid. I am going to try not to spoil that in raising our little guy, though the temptations are everywhere. (This is what I say now- pre actually having a little one. We'll see what happens when I get really tired or feel out of options. I have to shoot for my ideal though, don't I? I can't resign before anything has even happened)***

I myself, want to be stimulated instead of creating things for myself. It is easier. This past year, I made a bit of a resolution to read more and watch things like DVD's less. I missed getting caught up into a story, imagining characters instead of seeing them as a film producer saw them. I don't think movies are bad, but I know that they can allow me to be more passive. So far it has been very rewarding too. I think I am an 18th and 19th century English novel fan most of all.


*** A little rant I suppose because from cloth diapering to using a midwife, etc... has been met with several naysayers and pessimists. I obviously don't know as much as an experienced parent because I am not, but I must have a plan A to begin with. And, I will never be this young or this free to try things again.

Womb Language

I must say that our son communicates very well for not even being born yet. :) We found out about his ability to communicate the other day I held my water bottle up next to my side. The bottle was full of cold water and the little guy must not have liked it very much because a moment later, I felt a strong kick against the water bottle. I suppose that it could also have been a kick from curiousity. "What is that cold, wet thing?"

The past few weeks have been very fun. Nathan and I have been experimenting with talking to the baby and seeing what other kind of stimuli will cause him to react. The easist thing to do is for me to move onto my side. Once I turn to one side or the other, it frees up his space and then he wiggles around. can feel movement on two sides, presumably hands and feet. He also responds when Nathan talks and sings to him, or when I place my warm hand on the place where he is kicking. While we were on vacation last weekend, I had a piece of applie pie and ice cream (Julian is famous for apple pie so I had to try it), and he wiggled so much that it almost felt like a vibration. I guess I need to really watch the sugar intake!

A Weekend Away

This weekend, Nathan and I are taking off. We are going to stay at a little bed and breakfast in Julian, CA. It is a wonderful thing about California, that in a couple of hours, you can get to so many great vacation spots. Julian is a small town up in the hills outside of San Diego famous for its apple orchards. We just wanted some place beautiful and quiet to get some needed R&R and tiem together before our little one joins the world. I was reading a pregnancy magazine recently, and it seems that this sort of trip has become very popular. It is now dubbed a "babymoon." Guess what, they even advertise for "babymoons" now. :)

Anyways, I think that this weekend will be great. Time with Nathan over the past few months has been so precious. I knew that we loved each other, but I think that this pregnancy has given us a unique opportunity to show each other love in new ways. I have been more dependent than I ever have before and have seen Nathan really take care to help in whatever way he can. Actually, there are even some bright, sunny flowers on our dining room table that he brought home a couple of days ago.

Half a year

Yesterday was the 6 month visit. I can't believe that I have been pregnant for half of a year now.

The visit went well. It kind of felt like a half pregnancy/ half mental health visit. I have finally recovered from the food poisoning from last Saturday. I thought it was over on Monday afternoon, but then I was sick again Tuesday morning. It took a lot out of me, more than I had expected. My midwife assured me though that the baby was doing just fine even with my flu and showed me how to feel where he was positioned. Yesterday he was head down and ready to go. (Not yet Baby!)

I signed up for classes and took home materials to decide on which birthing class we will take. I think that we will go with Bradley, but they also recommended a class called Birthing from Within. It has some New-Age tendancies, but it also looks like it has some really helpful things. I think that I can customize the program a bit.

In other news, Nathan is great. He got some beautiful summer flowers for me and lots of gatorade while I was sick. He also spent Monday working from home so that he could keep an eye on me. :)

A prayer request

Please pray for me and the little Jonesie. I got food poisoning last night and have been sick all day. I began to feel better for a while, but realized that that was only because I hadn't eaten anything in a while. I am trying to stay hydrated, but I still feel like I am not keeping enough liquids. Nathan is off to the store for some safe for pregnancy OTC medicine. This is tough too because I was supposed to have a very busy work schedule tomorrow.

Thanks!

Humorous... really :)

This goes along with the "Big" post from a few days ago.

This morning I was at my client's site heating up a few pieces of turkey bacon in the cafeteria. A lady came in and said "Wow, you really do breakfast. Do you make eggs too?"

I replied, "No, I was just trying to get some exta protein at breakfast."

She then remarked, "Oh cool, you must be on one of those low-carb diets!"

I smiled and said, "Nope, I am pregnant and I feel better when I get some extra protein in in the mornings."

So funny! really, I took no offense, it just made me laugh. I can be almost 25 weeks pregnant and it still looks like I just need to go on a diet. :) Maybe this is a commentary on how few pregnant women there are in the Southern CA region, or how many fad dieters there are.

Big

Throughout the pregnancy, I have been slowly getting bigger. Duuring this past month, however, I have really noticed a difference. Sometimes I feel like I am going through puberty again, with my body changing all the time. No wonder a pregnant person gets emotional!

Some fun instances of "Big:"

Yesterday, I was clearing some dessert plates, and accidentally got a little bit of chocolate on my shirt. Someone had to point it out to me because it was on my shirt just below my belly and I could not see it. We laughed and I remarked that at least I can still see my feet. :)

One evening, when feeling especially large, I whined to Nathan, "I feel so big right now." He smiled and said, "No, you are big-and-beautiful." He knows how to handle his insecure pregnant lady.