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. :)