Seriously?

Yesterday was our 38 week appointment. Some of it went about how I imagined and then there were some surprises! I guess that's the world of babies for ya though! It started off with our ultrasound. The tech optimistically encouraged us that perhaps baby boy had flipped. I knew otherwise without even looking. It doesn't take a genius to tell me that the huge bulge I feel right under my ribs is a big 'ole noggin! Sure enough it was. He's not even sideways anymore...he's full frank breech. Head up in my ribs, bottom down, and feet tucked back up. Mmm..comfy! So, c-section it is. Disappointing?....yes. But I'd had a couple weeks to come to terms with the fact that it's most likely how it was going to be. I'm really okay with it, and Mat is too. It's not how I envisioned things, but most importantly all along I wanted to be open to all ideas of birth....natural, drugs, waterbirth, whatever! So if C-section is how he's meant to come out, then so be it. No sense in making a bigger deal out of it just because it didn't fit my idea of how things were supposed to go. I took my couple days to be sad about it and then moved on. However, one pro in all this c-section business seemed to be that we practically get to pick the date. Makes planning around work, family arrival, etc. kinda nice I will admit. We'd been told anytime during week 39 preferably on a Mon., Wed., or Friday. So that left March 2nd, 4th, or 6th. We'd decided on March 6th. It was the latest possible date that week, made for a weekend birth, we kind of liked the ring of 3-6-9 for a birth date, and it was only a few days before my original due date. So, yesterday when it was confirmed that we'd need a c-section, again doc point blank asked us, "what day do you want to have a baby?" March 6th it was! Or so we thought.....

To make a LONG story a little bit shorter, we realized that the doctor really has no clue what his own schedule is, much less took into consideration the other zillion c-sections that must be scheduled within the same hospital. The date must have changed 5 times over the next 15 minutes. We were sent to L&D to schedule it and after listening to that nurse and our doctor's nurse go back and forth, back and forth, we somehow went from March 5th at noon to March 10th at 7:30AM. What?! How'd that happen? That's AFTER my due date. Who has a scheduled c-section AFTER their due date? Wasn't that supposed to be one of the other pros here?! Fine, March 10th it was. Supposedly that was the first possible available date that matched the hospital and the doctor's schedule! We were literally getting off the elevator and walking out when my doctor's nurse calls my cell phone and pushes it back another day. Seriously???? By this time I really did want to burst into tears. But of course I'm walking through the hospital with Mat and his grandparents (who accompanied us to this appointment) and I really didn't think anyone wanted to see me meltdown right then and there. I don't know why it got me so upset honestly. I haven't been overly anxious to get this kiddo out of me. I've enjoyed pregnancy so much I've almost been sad to see it come to an end. But I think I just had it mentally in my head that I'd be meeting my son next week! I was getting excited, making plans, and envisioning the whole thing. Then, I had to start adding more and more days onto it. Plus, he's already measuring 7lbs, 11oz. and I'm feeling SICK with all this sore throat, sinus, snot filled head of mine that birthing this baby soon is starting to sound more and more desirable.


So, yes after all my venting and whining the bottom line is baby boy won't be here as soon as we thought. His scheduled birthday is March 11th. That is until my phone rings and they reschedule me again...which I wouldn't doubt for a minute. There's always the chance I could go into labor earlier on my own and then we'd obviously have a c-section at that point, but given I'm a first timer and my cervix still seems to be vacuum sealed shut it doesn't look too promising. Don't think though that I haven't been reading up on all the natural ways to induce labor. :)

Baby's New Trick

Daddy and MJ have a cute new trick. Mat reads to my baby belly each night and a couple nights ago he started making this little noise on my stomach. Each time he made it, the baby jumped. It's the cutest thing and it works every single time now! I'm not sure if it scares the crap out of the baby or he thinks it's funny, but it's pretty darn cute nonetheless. Too bad it took us 9 months to figure that one out. It's their special little thing though and I love it! It will be interesting to see how he reacts to the noise once he's out of my belly.

I think my days of sleeping are officially over. I'm counting my blessings that I made it this far as I know many people get uncomfortable way sooner. Last night was miserable though. I am fighting this silly sinus stuff, sore throat, etc. so I'm sure that doesn't help. I can't lay on my sides at all so I try to prop myself up and kind of sleep sitting up. After only getting about 2-3 hours of sleep last night and feeling pretty cruddy I called in sick today. I felt like I wasn't going to be much good to anyone if I went to work. I'm determined to get to feeling better before this baby boy comes along! I'm starting to wonder if it's going to be sooner rather than later. We should get some more info tomorrow at our ultrasound and doctor appointment!

All Good Things Must Come to an End

The wonderful baby showers couldn't last forever. Sure, it's great getting spoiled every few weeks. Who doesn't love opening up cute baby loot? We've been SO blessed that words don't even begin to describe the countless friends, family members, and co workers who have surrounded us with love and support throughout this pregnancy. It's been incredible! Last night was my fifth and final shower and it ended with a bang! The cake itself made the night. Check out the pics below for the awesome Cardinals creation! My girlfriends from work hosted the event and there were probably about 20 or so teachers (as well as 2 three week old babies) in attendance. We had such a great time and I really enjoyed the night. Mathew's room is full of gift bags once again and I'm excited to spend the weekend doing a final load of his laundry and organizing the last of the baby essentials. I've had so much fun preparing for him!


As I was holding the little babies last night and admiring them, it still just blows my mind to think I'll have one of my own! I know he's growing inside me still and is so near his debut, but yet I just don't think I can really wrap my mind around it completely. When does this all feel real? I so look forward to the moment that he is placed in my arms for the first time! Maybe then it will finally sink in.

Shower Pics http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AcNW7hyzZOXtg

37 Weeks

Our due date is exactly 3 weeks from today. Unless he miraculously budges though it looks like he'll make his grand entrance a little earlier. We had our check up today. Despite lots of cramping today, there's no progress down south. :) Both mine and baby's vitals are still great though. The nurses constantly comment on how happy and pleasant I seem to be for being so far along. She even called me tiny....I think she's trying to butter me up because I am FAR from tiny!!! But little baby boy seems to be perfectly content in his position and still hasn't turned. Doc decided to go ahead and schedule an ultrasound for next week to check on his position and get a good look at exactly how he's sitting. If nothing has changed then he wants to go ahead and schedule a c-section for the following week. It looks like his birthday could be March 2nd, 4th, or 6th. We shall see! I had my 2nd chiropractic appointment today. I haven't given up hope, but I'm really feeling that things are probably going to stay the way they are and we'll meet our little miracle during week 39.

By 37 weeks, the baby is supposedly about 6 1/3 lbs and around 19 in. long. He's now technically considered full term. That means that if he were born anytime now his lungs should be fully developed and able to function on their own. What a blessing that is within itself. We've made it full term!!!

Sleeping is getting more uncomfortable. Since he's lying sideways I feel like no matter what side I lie on I'm squishing his body parts. I get lots of Braxton Hicks that wake me up. The swelling seems to come and go. All in all though I still feel relatively comfortable all things considered. I look forward to enjoying all his little kicks and jabs over the next couple weeks. I know before long I'll be missing those moments that just he and I share.

Lovey Dovey

I absolutely love Valentine's Day! I know most people probably think it's overrated, but from a young age I've looked forward to the holiday each and every year. It's a day dedicated to showing others that you love them. Hard to go wrong with that! As a kid, I was always so excited to make my Valentine cards to pass out to my classmates. My parents always made Valentine's Day special for us each year. My dad usually got me a box of candy as a kid and we'd often have a special meal or treat together in the evenings. As a teacher, I love the holiday because it's so cute to see the kids pass out cards to one another and take joy in feeling loved by one another. Of course I love to do something special for Mat and share a special evening together. The last 2 years, we'd both been in school and he had class on Valentine's Day both years, so we hadn't done anything much to celebrate. This year I was really looking forward to the holiday because I knew not only would it fall on the weekend, but it would be our last Valentine's Day just the two of us. Mat's "gift" came on Friday. He always tells me not to get him anything, but I had to do something so I had an all girl ensemble arrive at his work and serenade him with "My Guy." I think he was thoroughly embarrassed!!! Mat surprised me with a wonderfully planned day yesterday! I'd wanted to have maternity photos taken, but once we began checking into the pricing, we just couldn't justify spending money on something like that right now. So Mat took it into his own hands and solved the problem. He made an appointment for me to have my hair blown out, a manicure, pedicure, took me shopping, and then to Hollis Gardens to take pictures. He'd even arranged for our friend, Kelley, to arrive and take photos of us together. It was such a special day! The weather was just beautiful and I enjoyed the pampering along the way. Afterwards we came home and he prepared a special dinner for us. It was a very memorable day and we were able to capture some great pictures that we'll look back on for years to come. Just click on the link below if you'd like to check them out.


38 pictures
View Album at Shutterfly

Banquet Pics

Here's some of the pictures that were taken at the T.O.Y. Banquet!
Just click on "View Album at Shutterfly."



10 pictures
View Album at Shutterfly

Oh, What a Night!

February 12th has been a special date for many, many years. It's my grandparent's anniversary. They're probably one of the most loving couples I know and they just celebrated 62 years of marriage this week. It's also the date that Mat and I started dating. He and I began dating on my grandparent's 50th anniversary....nearly 12 years ago. We also do a little something special on the day, even if it's just having a nice home cooked meal together. Little did I know just how special this February 12th would be. It was the night of the Teacher of the Year Banquet for Polk County.

As honored as I was to be attending the event, representing my school, I must admit I wasn't totally looking forward to it. I'm not big on public attention and just the idea of it makes me nervous. Plus, I was really struggling to come up with anything appropriate to wear and the idea of squeezing my pudgy, swollen feet into some cute shoes was just making my pj's and couch sound pretty tempting! I tried to make the best of it though. I decided on wearing pants and a blouse, to try to be more comfortable, figuring "Who really cares what I'm wearing anyways?" I bought some flats so that I wouldn't trip and fall in walking down the red carpet. I scheduled an appointment to get my hair trimmed and a blow-out so that it was one less thing I had to mess with. My mom flew in to attend the banquet, so after work on Thursday evening the 3 of us set off for the Lakeland Center. Mat and my mom went ahead into the event while I went to a reception with the other Teachers of the Year. We each received a plaque and had our picture taken with the Superintendent. During my picture, her and I even joked that I was just hoping to make it through the night without going into labor. Then, they lined us up to make our grand entrance into the hall. Just by luck I happened to be standing close to the front of the group. We walked in and down a red carpet, and then to our table to find our guests. There was a bright spotlight shining in our faces so I couldn't see a thing as I was walking and I was just praying not to fall!! Then, after a brief presentation the night got started and we enjoyed a nice meal.

After the meal they got started with awards for School-Related-Employee of the Year. Besides nominating a Teacher of the Year, each school also nominated an employee of the year. It can be anyone from a custodian to a secretary or food service worker. Each school nominates 1 of each. So there were 12o Employees of the Year and 120 Teachers of the Year. They started announcing 8 finalists for the School Related Employee of the Year, and then began with Teacher of the Year. I figured I had NOTHING to worry about. I'd even just put a stick of gum in my mouth!! Sure, it would be a huge honor to be a finalist but didn't seem realistic at all that those odds would be in my favor. They'd gotten through 2 or 3 finalists when they started describing the next one. It went something like this..... "This next finalist is a 2nd grade teacher." Hmmm, yes I am but there are probably tons of others! "She has been teaching for 8 years." Trying to do the math in my head to figure out if that's how long I'd been teaching. LOL "She teaches at Highland City Elementary." Holy crap, that's ME!!!!! That's when my picture popped up on the jumbo tron (posted above). Oh my goodness! I quickly took my glasses off as I realized that now that dumb spotlight was on me again. I had to walk over the red carpet and they escorted me up on stage. It's all kind of a blur then. They were reading stuff about me, but I really couldn't tell you a word that was said. I was so darn nervous about falling! I went up on the stage and received flowers, a check, another plaque and had more pictures taken with the Superintendent. It seemed like forever that I had to just stand there in front of those hundreds of people while they were reading stuff. By the time I got back to my table, I was shaking like a leaf!

Besides the nervousness and stage fright, it was such a special moment and evening. Who would've ever known how it would turn out? God has been so good to me. I just don't feel deserving of all the good fortune that has come my way. What a blessing! As the night went on, out of the 8 finalists they picked 1 winner to be the county Teacher of the Year. Obviously, not I, probably a good thing as I might have gone into shock if I actually had to speak on that stage! But nevertheless, I was just in complete awe and shock being called as a finalist.

This weekend, my picture, along with the 7 others will be featured in a full page spread in the newspaper. Beginning in a couple weeks our 8 pictures will be featured on the McDonald's tray liners in the county. My students love the idea that they can squirt ketchup all over my face! ;) haha Also, they're coming next week to film me in the classroom and do a brief interview on what it means to be Teacher of the Year. It will be running on the local cable channels. It was such an amazing night and felt like a dream! In the end, I didn't really care what I was wearing or how swollen my feet were. I was thinking what a blessing to have a job I love and a baby on the way. What a night!

No Version

After much contemplating we decided against doing the version. I slept terrible Monday night because I kept waking up just thinking about what the right decision was, but by the end of the day Tuesday I felt like my prayers were answered and it all sort of fell into place. I'm sure that the version has been beneficial for some, but through reading and talking to a couple different professionals, it just didn't feel like the right decision for me. I've had such a smooth pregnancy and the baby appears to be perfectly healthy and I felt like scheduling the version was almost pushing my luck. Perhaps there is a reason he's positioned the way he is, and maybe he's meant to be delivered by c-section. I spoke to a former OB nurse who had assisted in over 20 versions and never seen one work. The reading made it sound like it was quite painful for the mama's and then many times they just end up with sore, bruised bellies having a c-section anyways. I feel like if I'm going to have a c-section I'd at least rather go into a little more calm and rested rather than bruised and sore. The positive side was that I'd read and heard a little about how beneficial chiropractic work can be for expectant mothers. They use a technique known as the Webster Technique that basically involves normal adjustments to the pelvic area as well as massage of the round ligaments. It's supposed to relax and open up the pelvis allowing the baby to drop down. I felt like this was less invasive and less risky. I found a chiropractic office right across the street from my school that was very familiar with the technique. They were willing to talk to me about it and explain it step by step. So, I decided to go that route. I feel like I'm at least trying something! It seems harmless. If it works, WONDERFUL and if it doesn't, then no huge loss, no pain endured, etc. I can at least feel like I made an attempt, and go into the c-section with confidence rather than doubting my decision. Yesterday was my first appointment. It went well...lots of massage, some adjustments, and rubbing on the baby to relax him and encourage him to move. I can't say I really feel any different but we'll see. I go back 3 times next week and then we'll take it from there. I'm feeling confident that we made the right decision. I'm looking forward to enjoying these last few weeks of pregnancy and feeling much less worried about if he decides to flip or not!

Stubborn Little Baby

At our 36 week check up today, our little guy is still breech. The good news is that his heart rate is still good, he's measuring just fine, and all my vitals are still right on track. The frustrating news is that his chance of turning on his own now are less than 5%. We have two options. We can wait it out until week 39. Assuming I don't go into labor before then, we'd go in for our week 39 appointment and have a final ultrasound. If he's still breech, we'd go ahead and have a c-section that week. Our other option is to schedule a version this week. We'd go into the hospital for the procedure and they'd try to manually turn him. It doesn't sound like the most pleasant procedure....uncomfortable, no anesthesia, etc. It has about a 50% success rate. Complications include fetal distress, placenta abruption, and labor beginning. I'm sure they're rare but of course they have to tell you all about them! They'd do the procedure and then monitor me for an hour and then we could go home, assuming there were no complications.

I'm feeling torn as to what the right decision is. Part of me feels like, "Why mess with nature?" If he's breech, maybe it's for a reason and that's the way he's safest and meant to be delivered. However, I would really like to be able to experience labor and know what it's like to birth a baby and I'm afraid I'll feel somewhat regretful if we don't give the version a try. After all, we already didn't experience getting pregnant in the conventional way... it would be kind of nice to at least experience a conventional birth. We have some thinking, reading, and praying to do tonight in order to make the best and safest decision for baby and I.

If anyone has experienced the version or knows someone who has, I would LOVE to hear about it...positive or negative. Send the comments! I have several friends who have had C sections that assure me they're not so bad, but I don't know anyone who's experienced a version. I'm all ears, at least for the next 12 hours or so. :)

Our Pride and Joy

Is he cute or what? My students today told me he looked like a little monster when I showed them the picture. Gotta love their honesty! Yesterday was our 35 week appointment as well as our last Childbirth class. Needless to say we were looking quite forward to the day! This was by far our longest ultrasound yet and besides the moment of finding out it was a boy, I'd say it rated right up there with incredibly special moments during the pregnancy. I couldn't help but think this was probably the last time we'd ever experience such a special ultrasound, so I think I was just feeling especially thankful to truly be in the moment. When I saw this photo, my eyes immediately filled with tears. I couldn't believe the emotions I felt when I saw his little eyes open and close and his mouth move. I can't even imagine how amazing it will be when I see him in person and not on a screen. They had quite a hard time getting any good shots of him, so we were thankful for this one. It's still a little fuzzy, but hopefully you can see his right eye, nose, and mouth. His head is smushed right up next to the placenta (poor guy!) so that's why you're just seeing half a head shot. We also got to see his two little feet kicking around. They were so tiny and cute! He's measuring at 5lbs. 8oz. and is still right on track for March 9th.

The bummer part was that he is definitely breech. He must be taking after his stubborn daddy already! :) It explains that this big round lump that sticks out up by my rib is a head and not his bottom like I was hoping it might be. They seem to think that if he was going to turn he would've done it by now, but didn't seem to completely rule out the chance that he still might make a move for the head-down position. They commented several times on how much amniotic fluid I had still, so he still has some wiggle room. The ultrasound mentioned possible C-section around week 38 but I definitely think the doctor will have much more insight for us. Unfortunately though, he got called away on a delivery during our ultrasound so we didn't get to meet with him to get his opinion and feedback on how to proceed. We go back Monday though, so not too long to wait for more info. Several friends have told us that their babies didn't turn until the very end of pregnancy, so we're not giving up hope yet!

Speaking of fluid, I seem to be gaining it like crazy! I don't feel like my belly is getting that much bigger but my legs are out of control! So not attractive and I'm very thankful that it's not short season. :) My calves and ankles are so swollen. It physically hurts by the end of the day and I'm having a very hard time finding shoes or socks for that matter. I've been gaining weight rapidly, but I'm hoping it's attributed to the fluid. I'm planning on asking the doc about that on Monday as well. Surely it COULDN'T be my ravenous appetite. Ha Ha! Actually, I seem to be getting full a little quicker lately so I'm hoping that will continue to help me eat a tad less for the next few weeks.

As excited as I was to begin our childbirth classes, I was a little excited for them to end as well. It made for long evenings! Last night was exciting though because we went up to the Labor and Delivery floor and got a tour. The wing itself was pretty nice.....clean, quiet, private. The rooms you are in for labor and delivery are a nice size, but the room you stay in afterwards seemed pretty small! All the rooms are private, a few suites (which are just first come first serve based on availability), have a little sleeper sofa for the daddy, etc. Pretty basic....nothing elaborate, but enough to be comfortable in. They encourage you to keep the baby in your room as much as possible, but they do have a small nursery if needed. As nice as the hospital is as a whole, we were a little surprised there weren't more bells and whistles, but I think it will all be just fine in the end!

Steady Showers in Florida

Okay, well not really. We did have a couple days of rain, but nothing but sunny skies this weekend! The baby showers continue though and yesterday Mat's work hosted a beautiful one! When Mat originally told me that the girls at his work wanted to have a shower for us I was thinking a week day after work, a few people, cake and punch. That would have been nice enough within itself, but they totally went above and beyond! Yesterday we went up to the branch after it closed. The girls had arranged everything. There was a HUGE spread of delicious food along with a chocolate fountain and cake. About 15 people came including everyone at his branch along with a few other employee friends from other branches. They'd planned games and brought us so many wonderful, generous gifts. Here's the link for the pictures that we took.
http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=263607884/a=14224383_14224383/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink

After the shower, we enjoyed a date night by going to a movie. Dinner and a movie is by far our most common and favorite date. We hadn't been to a movie in about a month, and we know our weeks of escaping like that are numbered. I hope that we can keep our date nights up even after the baby comes along. I know they'll be much less frequent, but hopefully still special on occasion.

We're looking forward to Tuesday! We'll have our ultrasound to check out the baby's position as well as get an up close glimpse of him and then have our last night of childbirth class where we'll take a tour of the Labor and Delivery floor.