Entering the final countdown

So it's been a crazy couple of weeks. With the holidays and all I'm beat. I spent more time in a car driving around to family functions than I care to admit. And, Merry Christmas to me, my ankles decided to leave the building on Christmas day. Fortunately, they stop by and visit every day... And to top it all off, I've had the worst head cold this past week (also came in time for Christmas). So I have this wonderful Catch 22: If I prop my feet up to get rid of the swelling, my head plugs up and I can't breathe. If I prop my head up so I can breathe, the swelling doesn't go down nearly as fast. Have I said how excited I am for this pregnancy to be over?!

On that note, I went in for a checkup today. I'm already dialated to 2cm (1 1/2 cm more than I was when I went in to be induced with Andrew at 38 1/2 weeks) and the baby's head is down. I'm also measuring on the big side so I go in for an ultrasound next week to see just how big this baby is. If the baby is as big as the doc thinks he is, the doc wants to induce me probably next weekend or early the next week. So it seems as though my misery will soon end. And there is still a chance that I won't go that long anyway.

I have to admit, I wasn't totally prepared for it to be this soon. I wished and hoped to hard that it would be an early delivery and now that the chances of that happening are probably in the 90% range, I'm not sure I'm ready. I still have baby clothes to wash and put away and bags to get packed and arrangements to make (in case Clayton's not home and I need a ride to the hospital).

I'll keep you updated on what's happening. Keep your fingers crossed that all goes well!

And HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of my friends and loved ones who take the time to read my rantings and ravings!

39 Days...

Last night Clayton and I went to do the OB Orientation/Tour of the hospital that I will be delivering at. There were probably 10 or more couples during our tour. I'm starting to think that I'm not en vogue with delivering vaginally. I know more than half of the women there had scheduled C-sections. I didn't realize how popular they have become. I am aware some of them may need to have C-sections, but I'm sure of part of them are just doing it to make things "easy". I overheard one woman say she didn't have to worry about all that labor stuff, just had to come it and be cut open. Now, I've never had a C-section, so I don't know for sure, but I'm having a hard time grasping that having major surgery is easier than labor. I know I had a pretty easy labor with Andrew, and like I said, I've never had a C-section so I can't compare. It's just hard for me to fathom.

The hospital is relatively new and really nice...much better than the last hospital I delivered at. I'm really looking forward to having a big room, plasma TV, the option to use the Japanese soaking tub, maybe taking a walk in the serenity garden, and most of all having the baby in the room with me all the time as long as he's healthy. Andrew was in and out of my room. And Clayton is loving the fact he'll have internet (even if it isn't wireless) and having a relatively comfy looking couch to sleep on if needed, rather than one of those horribly uncomfortable sleeper chairs from our last experience.

I'm excited, but a little nervous. I didn't "go into labor" on my own with Andrew. I went in to be induced because he was getting so big and my water broke at the hospital. So I have no idea if I go into labor how long to wait until I should head in and living a good 45 minutes away from the hospital makes me nervous, too. My mom labored for 36 hours with her first and had her second in less than two hours. Less than two hours could mean having the baby on the side of the road. YIKES! I may just go in and stay with family when it looks like the time is emminent since they live 15 minutes from the hospital, rather than chancing an unexpected arrival in an inopportune location.

39 days.... Seems like so long, at yet, I know it's only just a little more than a month...and I think it would be just fine if this one decided to come a little early, too.

WooHoo!

Clayton is done with school for this semester! He's got three and a half weeks off before he has to start back up. We are all so excited that he's going to be around a little more around the holidays. Especially Andrew. He misses his Daddy a lot. When Clayton's not home, Andrew sometimes sulks around saying how much he misses his Daddy. Clayton's doing really well, but with that comes time away from us for class and for homework. I'm very proud of him though. I can't believe how quickly the first two semesters have gone by. Hopefully the last one goes that fast, too.

On another woohoo note, my wrist is finally starting to feel better. It still hurts a little if I twist it wrong so I've been keeping it wrapped up so that it doesn't get worse, but I'm so happy it's getting better. It's been really annoying not being able to use it.

Woes...

This past week has been a little rough on our little family. I woke up last Monday with a slightly sore wrist, that I had attributed to sleeping in it funny. By Friday, I could barely move it so I went to the doctor, just to find out that I was doing all the right things and that he didn't think it was broken. It's finally starting to feel better, but imagine trying to deal with a 2 1/2 year-old when you are 7 1/2 months pregnant and can't use your dominant hand... *sigh* And to add to the fun, Andrew had a cold all last week and was extra grumpy. Clayton ended up home most of the week sick, too.

Even more fun than all of that... I'm starting to have contractions. My OB wasn't super concerned about it yet. They are pretty random and aren't painful yet, just uncomfortable. He did tell me that I was probably doing too much and I needed to take it easy. He also told Clayton to do the grocery shopping. :o) The bad thing is that "taking it easy" includes not doing dinner and not much of anything else. If I do much other than walk around the house, I have a contraction. So, I guess my body is deciding to put itself on a little bit of bed rest.

I told Clayton I feel like I'm falling apart... This pregnancy hasn't been much fun. Here's hoping that it gets better, at least so I can enjoy the holidays, and that the baby comes early!! :o)