12:

I will be posting a more thorough post (pictures, labor&delivery, etc) when I have more time and sleep. This is all you get for now

IT'S A GIRL!!
Name: Lily Anna Ames
Born: December 26, 2005
Time: 11:52 PM
Weight: 7lbs, 11.6 oz
Length: 21 inches
Head: 36.5cm
Chest: 36 cm
Hair: Dark brown (and a lot of it everywhere)
Eyes: Dark grey (for now...which will probably turn to hazel when she's a bit older.

Wanna know a fun part? She was born tan, and right now, she is actually darker than I. :P

The End.

11 (6.0): Labor soon?

25 minutes ago--- loss of entire mucous plug/ bloody show.... one comment...damn, that was gross.

Contractions woke me up at 4:30 this morning, but they've been mild. They are now starting to increase in pressure, but still are mild.

EDIT:
8:05 pm --- still mad amounts of contractions, increased in pressure. bloody show still present. kid who won't sit still...so she makes it that much harder.

happy Christmas....

11 (5.1):

Bad News:
Still not dilating. So I can't be induced this week.

Good News:
I'm at least 75% effaced. I've been walking around a lot more, so hopefully a nice little jog will speed up the process. She's big and healthy. We (mum and I) think she may be around 8 lbs when born.

If she's not born by Christmas (my 41w1d mark), I made an appointment to induce on the 27th. I'm actually thinking she may be born before that. I just need to do some more movin' and shakin'. *sigh* Frustrating that she's taking her sweet ass time.

11 (5.0):

I'm passed my due date. I was due this past Saturday. Yeah, nothing. I have an appointment today with the OB and I'm asking for an induction this week. I do not want to spend Christmas/eve in the hospital. I'm in pain, and frankly, if someone keeps asking me if the baby is here yet when I've repeatedly said "I'll let you know" I'm going to punch someone. It's irritating. Hence why I don't answer the phone anymore. Apparently no one understands English.

Anyway, that's it. She'll be here this week sometime. Hoepfully tomorrow if I'm lucky, since my doctor specifically said he wasn't going to let me go a week overdue and I refuse to spend the holidays in the L&D room.

Now, for the last time...any news, and I will let you know.

11 (4.0): Quick Note #2

I'm due tomorrow.

Nothing has progressed. My cervix is still the same, there has been no change. My doctor is not going to let me go more than a week overdue. So if by Christmas eve, she's not out, I will be induced. And if the induction doesn't work, I'll have to have the cesarean. I'm not very happy about this. I was hoping for a natural birth.

*sigh* I'm mad exhausted.

11 (3.0): [TMI, trust me]

I've been having labor pains for the past four days now, labor symptoms for only two.

Went to L&D last night because I had constant contractions every 6 minutes at a length of 70 seconds each. But while I lay in the bed for urine results, they began to die down. Nurse told me that they were mild, and not strong enough to onset true labor. I was sent home, and rather sad. I'm still only dilated at 1.5 cm. My mucous plug is taking its sweet time, but it is falling out, though it's not tinged with blood yet, so I have to wait. Looks like someone blew their nose into the toilet though.

I also had a fever a few days ago that left a nasty blister behind. Not pleasant, though it is healing just fine. I have back pain, menstrual-like cramps, nausea, and now diarrhea. To top it off, Lily thinks there's a party in my pelvis, so I'm left wincing in pain when one of her limbs hits a nerve. I've barely slept because of it. So Mother gave me Tylenol PM and was pain free and knocked out for several hours.

I'm downright miserable. I hurt everywhere, and I'm emotionally overwhelmed. I hate feeling this way. But then again, find me a pregnant woman who is not emotionally unfit right now, and I will show you a person in mad denial.

I'm stuck waiting. I've dusted, vacuumed, and rearranged the room. I've cleaned the bathroom and all the laundry. I even redid all her clothes and repacked her coming home bag. There's nothing left, and I refuse to leave the house any time soon because I'm afraid I'll go into labor in the middle of Wal-Mart or something. She needs to come out so that I can pamper her, damn it.

...
And thanks Anniey for pampering me on Friday. :D

11 (2.0): Quick note

Went to the appointment on Friday.
Technically, I'm due in 2 weeks.
Obstetrician says I'll probably last for 1.
Looks like she's coming home (out) early.

11:

So, I recieved a package yesterday from Sabrina. It was a gift of a bunch of baby things and as I stared at it with shipping peanuts scattered on the floor, I burst into tears. I took everything out and organized it into its little box and went into my room. I realized that I am blessed. With everything that has happened I have friends and family, and even perfect strangers, that have given me so much. My baby will never need and never want. I am more than grateful and appreciative for everything that the Gods and friends/family have blessed me with. Lily has everything she needs and so much more. I truly have no real words to describe my deep feelings of gratitude.

Also, I realized that I never posted the photos from October 15th's baby shower. You may view them at the following link: http://photobucket.com/albums/v233/cyndi_lauper/babyshower2k5/

My next appointment will not be until tomorrow morning, so nothing new on the baby front, other than this is starting to become more painful and this child is enormous. I've also acquired a rash around my bellybutton. Not pleasant. Whoever said this was a wonderful experience half lied. It's an experience, all right, but not all that wonderful.

EDIT:
During this month, I will be screening my calls. Unless it is an emergency (or you have a verizon phone :D ) I will more than likely not answer. You may leave a message, or call me any moment after 9 pm central time. Also, once Lily is born, I would like to keep visitation at a minumum. For the first week, visitation will be restricted to just family. I know this is an exciting moment that I would like to share with everyone, but it is also an overwhelming one, and I would not like to be bombarded with people. However, during Christmas and holiday gatherings is appropriate. Anything else...e-mail me.

1o:

OK, so I'm a week late on posting. Bite me. I'm pregnant and uncomfortable; I have the right to kill you and no one would care. :D Anyway, I'm too tired to really do much typing so here's just an outlined overview of the last two weeks:



Nov 8-

Birthing Class 1 - 5:00pm-9:00

watched birthing video. (made me cringe twice)

discussed role of birthing partner (Kesia now has a spiffy little book)

discussed labor management, such as birthing positions, techniques in breathing and massaging, and pain medication, et cetera.

discussed different stages of labor, starting with early labor all the way to delivery

discussed dilation and effacement, were shown charts and diagrams of such along with contractions.

never move a pregnant lady too much or she'll have to go to the bathroom.

Nov 10-

OB appt. - 9:45am

took regular stats--BP, normal; protein content, normal; weight gain, normal; et al, normal

realized that I never took all the necessary blood work, so I had to have the entire panel of blood tests done

had vaginal tests for Chlamydia and Strep (ick.)

checked fundal height and HB, normal

checked effacement and dilation (damn uncomfortable, but have both begun to start)

Birthing Class 2 - 5:00pm-9:00

watched cesarean video (this time it only made me uncomfortable)

discussed pros and cons of natural birth and c-section

discussed birth plans, how to write them, what best suits each person, and what the hospital does and does not do.

passed around all the different contraptions that may or may not be used during labor and delivery

discussed breastfeeding and formula feeding

discussed taking care of infant immediately post partum

took tour of Labor and Delivery (and was given free samples)

Nov 17-

OB appt. - 11:15am

regular stats were taken; et al, normal

another vaginal test was done (for what, I can't remember)

checked effacement (still about 1%) and dilation (somewhere between 1-2 cm.)

Here is my latest belly picture. I am hoping this is the last. I don't want to wait until 40 wks. I'm 37 today and that means she's full term, so I want her out ASAP.



My hands are large, my lips and nose are large, my boobs are large, everything's large, and I feel like I'm about to explode and the baby is just going to fall out between my legs. I'm tired and cranky.... *sigh* Anybody want to give birth for me? :D

o9:

The Bean:
HB: normal (in the 150s)
Postion: upside down and partially dropped
Anything Else: the kid has a large butt that's always sticking out the most (sound like Mommy :D) and she's now rolling into a "sneaky spot" where I can't feel any of her movements, though I know she's moving. She did it at my appt. today.

The Vonnie:
BP: normal
Weight: gained 2 lbs since last visit (at 129 now, which [including pounds lost] I've gained circa 20 lbs total)
Ailments: massive heartburn where I had Prevacid perscribed, backache,BH contractions from hell, and a baby who thinks its great to stretch out just one leg and then wiggle/tap her foot along side my belly.

Anyway, here's the current bump. Eight more weeks of this, and that's it. I already let Justin know, no more babies.



Reminder: birthing classes on the 8th and 10th from 5-9pm. (Kesia, be ready.)

o8: Testing

This morning, I was tested for gestational diabetes. NOt the best experience of the world.

I had to take glucola, which looked a lot like concentrated fruit punch...and tasted just like it. It's pretty much liquid sugar. I had had my normal breakfast and thought I would be fine. I had to wait an hour, however, to get my blood drawn. Anyway, so I go with my regular appt while I get all the stats done. Lily wouldn't sit still today. You could hear her punching while we listened to her heart. Near the end of my hour, though, I started to feel VERY ill, and a nurse handed me a bottle of water. She drew my blood, talked to me to keep my occupied b/c I HATE needles (you'd think with tatoos and piercings I'd be over that), and then reminded me to just keep drinking the water with little sips.

I felt less nauseated as my mom (who spent the entire appt. downstairs talking on the phone) took me home. I still felt sick, though, so I took a nap. I just ate and I feel LOADS better. :)




I can't wait for December.

o7: It's Official!

Had my appt. with Dr. Lobaugh today and it's official:

IT'S A GIRL!

I so knew it! I was going to wait for a surprise like back in the day before ultrasounds...but I just couldn't wait that long. So Justin gets his little Daddy's girl. :) My family thought it was a boy. I knew better. :D



To help see better, her butt is facing downward and to the left; her girl parts :) are up and to the right.


We couldn't tell at first, so my OB just rolled around and took measurements. The second time around though, it was obvious. She had her legs spread open and her mess all up in the screen. Yep, she's mommy's little girl. Her's an u/s of her big ol' head. :D




My next appt is in two weeks, but it will just be stats from now on. I'll be seen every 2 weeks until I reach 35, and then I will be seen weekly until L&D.


Yay! :D


Anyway, here's yours truly:

o6:

I can feel her moving around now. It feels like there's a little worm inside.

I went to the doctor today for the first time since June. Both baby and I are as healthy as ever. :) She's been growing at the prefect pace and the pregnancy is healthy and normal. *sighs relief* Hopefully by the end of this month I can find out if Lily really is a girl. I just have to wait to get a new OB assigned.

Anyway, you can really tell I'm pregnant now.

o5:

Due to certain circumstances, I will not be able to supply you with the u/s of last Wednesday's appointment. I will say, however, that you can see her spine :D and that her heart rate is 155. She is a strong and healthy baby. You have no idea what this means to me.

I am back in TX with my family. My sickness was at a daily basis, but I have not thrown up in a little over a week. :) Anyway, here is my most recent belly picture at 16 weeks. She starts a little below my belly-button. I decided to point it out for you. :)

This picture looks a bit odd; that's because it was edited...due to the fact that I was about to take a shower and you could see my nakedness. :)

o4:

First off...HAPPY 19th BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!

Anyway, back to the entry.... yesterday was my first "official" OB appt. I've lost ten pounds, but Dr. Robinson says it's no big deal. It's probably diet related and then we check stats and took an ultrasound. Lily would not sit still long enough, so here's the most-blurry-ever u/s of the baby!

Had my first PAP -tad uncomfortable, but what do you expect? And both the baby and I are as healthy as can be. (Which is a first in my part.)

o3: Baby's First Picture

I had vaginal bleeding on Tuesday, which freaked me the hell out, so I went to the doctor. Turns out I only had a UTI, but since I'm pregant, they needed to check everything and I had my first ultrasound. And the baby will now be refered to as Lily, because I am determined to have a girl, damn it. And if it worked for Justin's friend, Amber, it will sure as hell work for me.

And on another note, I'm already 8 weeks pregnant as of Saturday, so I took a belly picture. Two months already, damn time has passed quickly. There's not much of a change, but if you look closely between the two, I have a slight pudge near the panty line. I can't see it all that well since I can only see it from above, but I sure as hell feel it. And Friday I had pregnancy sickness from hell. (I refuse to call it morning sickness. That is the worst named pregnancy malady.)

o2:

Okay, so I know I'm only at 5 weeks, but methinks I should take a picture of my belly every month to show it's progression, cuz I'm a nerd. That way everyone can see the difference from the end of month one all the way to month nine.

Did I mention I was such a nerd?

o1.5: These are the things...

...that were given to me at the clinic

There's a new Winnie the Pooh baby's cap (which Justin put on his hed, go figure) and a little shirt with an iron-on sheep riding a skateboard. I was also given "Strongstart" prenatal and postnatal vitamins. They're good for me and orangey flavoured, but they kinda taste like butt. Liz also gave me a Help for the Journey Pregnancy Packet. It's a pretty decent paquet with fun tid bits in it. Once I'm in my 12 week, I'll start going to classes and earning 'points'. With those points I earn free stuff like a crib and clothes and such. One of the classes gives you a free carseat for joining. Isn't that grande? The paquet also has timelines and fetal information and the like. I'm going to be one very active mommy-to-be. I've already quit smoking. I'm so excited.

o1:

Today, at around 1:30, I decided to go to A Women's Touch Pregnancy Counseling Center to try out a free pregnancy test. I was having a bit of discomfort in my hips and abdomen as well as my lower back and just for precautions sake, I wanted to check. After a consultation, with shaking hands, I readied the test. I waited on the other side of the room, while I talked to the pregnancy counselor of "if you are" and "if you are not". After the four-minute wait, which went by more quickly than I had expected it to, I viewed my test result to find it positive. I started shaking; I was so happy. I handed it to Liz, the PC, and asked her to tell me that the test had to lines. She nodded and said yes.

Justin was the first one I called. He was so happy. He even left work early with a "My wife's pregnant; I'm leaving" and picked me up at the clinic. I called both sides (his and mine) of the family and all of my friends that I could think of off the top of my head.

I'm so happy. Justin's like a little kid with a new present to look forward to, and the two of us are just ecstatic. We both really want a girl. All I have to do now is make a doctor's appointment.

I guess Amber and I got our wish. We are so having babies together. :)