Thoughts From JJ

Something’s happening around here. It feels almost like someone is getting ready to move in. I hope it’s not another puppy. I am still recovering from Dusty coming into my world. My mom and dad have been bringing all kinds of stuff into the house (as generous friends and family have been showering them with gifts), putting things together, and doing more laundry than we normally produce. For example, a few weeks ago my dad decided to move the computer. That was quite the undertaking, not much creative language mind you, but an adventure nonetheless. What started as taking apart the computer turned into moving Uncle Dennis’ desk out of the den, putting a new desk in the den, putting new rafters in the garage to store Dennis’ desk, moving the day-bed out of the spare bedroom, reassembling the day-bed in the den and putting a raised, wood kennel in the spare bedroom. I hope that new wood bed is for Dusty because he is a bed hog. Did I tell you he barks and kicks in his sleep? He should go into that new bed, it has safety rails to prevent him from falling out. Did I tell you he fell out of bed once and landed on me? That was traumatic and I don’t want to talk about it. Funny thing about the new bed in the little bedroom, there is no top on it like my kennel and there are some toys that hang and move in a circle. I don’t know what that’s all about because Dusty would eat the toys and be able to escape that pretty easily.

I did not want to tell mom but she has been getting a little bigger lately. She has been taking more space in the bed and seems to have a hard time getting comfortable some nights. I think I know why…she is possessed. I think this because, remember how I told you that Dusty kicks in his sleep, well moms belly kicks back once in a while. When her belly kicks me I just look at her wondering why we are not calling for an exorcist. I am worried and hope this kicking will end in the next few weeks. I don’t really care if Dusty gets kicked because he usually kicks first.

I was really worried two nights ago. Mom was packing a bag like she was going on vacation. A bag was not packed for me but Dad did not pack a bag for himself so I was only a little nervous. I think things will be OK if they go away because sometimes Dusty and I get to go to Doggie Depot for a few days.

A little more about Dusty. When he and I go in the car with my mom and dad, if we stop somewhere, Dusty likes to jump from the back of the car to the back seat and sometimes go all the way to the front. I think my mom and dad have a solution on the way. One day a seat came in the mail with a bunch of seatbelts. It looks like this seat will strap into the car and then Dusty could be put in it. I think this is for Dusty to keep him in place. One thing that is confusing me though is this car seat for Dusty can be removed from the car and put into a stroller for walking. The confusing part is Dusty does like to walk and chase squirrels. I need to think about this part of my theory for a while.

I don’t know about you, but I think something is about to change around here. I would not bet any of my kibble on that because I love my kibble too much. I would be willing to bet Dusty though, any takers. Anyway, here is that strange bed.

36 Weeks Down

This past Saturday we went to our final birthing class. We learned about pain medications during labor (morphine and dilaudid are used at our hospital), epidural, cesarean sections, post-partum depression, and got a tour of the birthing suit and post-partum room. It was a long day but we both agree it was a great series of classes.

When we got home, we kicked up our feet for a while and then headed off to church. We do our best to get to mass on time but we were late once. As we walked in the door, we could here music coming from inside and Chief asked if we were late again. To our surprise, it was a polka mass. We were hearing the band all the way outside. As we sat on the south side of the church, we could see the north side of the church was packed, standing room only. Evidentially members of the Polish community travel around to the polka masses because parts of the mass will be in their native tongue. The first reading was in Polish. We had no idea what was being said. Fortunately the priest used the sermon to talk about the first reading and the gospel because most of the regulars had no clue what the reader had said.

I was very uncomfortable during Church. My back was sore and I had a few Braxton Hicks’ contractions. I asked Chief if we could leave after communion and he agreed. So, we are in line for Communion and of course the person in front of me received the host with her tongue. Now, being a nurse and in my 9th month of pregnancy, I am really getting paranoid with the germs that are around me. I almost bailed out of line because I know that that woman had to have breathed her germs on the distributor’s fingers that would then give me my host. Oh my God, I was so glad to get out of church this week. There just seems that during a possible pandemic of H1N1, there should be no receiving communion by the mouth, no drinking of the wine, no holding of hands during the Our Father and no shaking hands for peace.

On Sunday, Chief put the crib together and it looks so nice! I am really getting excited. We ran out to Buy Buy Baby to get a few things that we needed. I asked Chief if I should start washing stuff but he thought maybe I could wait until next weekend. I think he is right. Although we both think Nemo will be coming early I am pretty sure it wont be next weekend.

My neighbor stopped over today and invited me to my baby shower! I was so surprised. It will be next Sunday. We are really lucky to have nice neighbors and friends.

By the way, on Thursday I saw Dr. Reddy at the OB appointment. She said everything is looking good. I was shocked when she brought up inducing me between the 39th and 40th week. I had no clue that we would talk about this and I was taken back but she explained it is because of the hypothyroidism and the risk of the placenta dying makes me unable to deliver any time past 40 weeks. So, Nemo will be here between now and November 21st. She said if I don’t go naturally before my 39th week we would discuss the options in a few weeks. I also have to start the “kick counts”. I hate kick counting because they want you to do it during the day and with working I don’t have the time to sit and relax. I am supposed to feel 10 kicks in 60 minutes. I didn’t remember feeling any on Friday so I woke up at 1:00am on Saturday and of course the little guy was probably sleeping. I couldn’t fall back asleep because I was getting worried. Finally by 3:00am Nemo woke up and was moving like crazy!

Chief told me last Sunday that I have dropped, my co-workers and I agree. I can eat more, have less heartburn, and I can breathe. But now I have more pelvic pressure and I pee more too! Funny thing is that I have had some weird cravings. For instance I need to eat meat and I really needed banana pudding pie so for dinner we are going to have Sloppy Joes and pudding pie. I forgot the Cool Whip and ran back to the store. When I checked out I left with Flaming Hot Cheetos! The lady who checked me out made a funny comment about my Cheetos and Cool Whip. I told her I would blame this one on the baby!

Here is our 36-week belly shot:

Burning Ring of Fire

No it’s not the song “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash. It is the only thing I am afraid of when it comes to birthing the baby. More on this later.

So, we had our first birthing class today. We gathered our blanket and pillows and off we went. The class was from 10am-2:30pm. There were 9 couples with due dates from November to January. It is kind of neat being in this class because of the different personalities. There is this poor woman who worries about everything…her poor husband. The couple behind us was really cool. They are expecting a boy a few days after us. They are kind of funny and had some under the breath comments that made Chief and I giggle in class. There were also a few younger couples and of course the “preppy couple” but everyone seems to be in the same boat, which is cool.

Class began with us filling our “wheel of emotions” worksheet. It really looked like a pizza to me but whatever. Each “Slice” had something to do with pregnancy and labor. We had to put in some comments in each section. It was fun filling this out because it made me realize what I really am feeling. The slice topics were: pain, labor, cesarean section, parenting, the pregnant body, and medication.

Next, we went right into the first stages of labor. This involved us learning how to time contractions and ways to deal with the pain we are going to have. We did get on the floor to practice breathing and relaxation techniques. While us girls relaxed and breathed, our partners practiced on their supportive touching. Chief did really good until the end of a “contraction” he decide to do the old Karate chop massage down my back. You can image my surprise going from a nice gentle massage to a karate chop. It did make me laugh which we decided could be used as a distraction at some other point in labor.

After this Chief took us on a field trip to the cafeteria. We ate lunch with two other couples. I had bean soup but then thought better not finish it because I had a fear we would have to go back on the floor and I would relax a fart out. Chief was a trooper and took one for the team – he finished my soup.

Back from lunch it was part 2 of the stages of labor. This was the live labor and delivery clip. Nice of them to wait until after lunch! First off, no one got sick or passed out! ( I know this is a concern for some of Chief’s family, as one of his brothers didn’t make it through a class.) Seeing actual people go through labor with out medication is amazing. I tried to think about what I would be like and I can see me having some crying breakdowns when things get long, hard, and frustrating. I know Chief will be great at helping me through those times. The instructor gave good advice for our partners such as don’t take anything she may say or do personally and don’t argue with her. So, I guess I can count on Chief to be there for me and probably humor me somewhat.

Now, about that burning ring of fire: I am a little freaked out about this pain I am going to be experiencing. This supposedly occurs when I am at 10 cm dilated, when my cervix is total stretched out and ready for Nemo’s head to come through. She told us if we were to take our fingers and put them into our mouths, and stretch out our side of our mouths as far as it could go, we might understand this pain. Need I say more? And by the way, when we had a bathroom break you better believe I tried this in the stall. Not very pleasant at all. There probably is no breathing that will help me get though this pain. On the bright side…she said it is brief!

I actually got teary eyed with seeing the birth. I find this so amazing and beautiful. I didn’t like it when they showed the lady her placenta. No need for me to see mine thank you very much.

Just so you know, we are the only couple planning on natural childbirth. I was a bit shocked and thought that maybe I could be insane. The instructor gave Chief and I some extra time after class. She told us to communicate our plan with our nurse and perhaps ask for a nurse that supports this. She said almost all deliveries are with moms getting epidurals and nurses really encourage them. In fact, she said I would be asked multiple times if I am ready for the epidural. I am a little discouraged by this. I guess I thought I would have a ton of support.

With speaking with our instructor I felt like she really understood what I was saying. When people ask me if I am going to get an epidural, I tell them I am not planning on it. I then hear them say things like I am not going to get a medal by doing this naturally. I understand this. I am going to do this because I know it can be done and I want to experience what my body is made to do. I am not opposed to epidurals and pain medication. I just really want to try this without using medication.

Well, that is about it for part one. Next Saturday we learn about epidurals, infant care, and get a tour of the labor and delivery floor.

By the way, my appointment last week went well. We have another ultrasound scheduled for the first week of November. We could say it is Nemo’s make up test! I will have this little one sugared up this time. I hope he figures out this breathing thing by then.

Showers and Appointments

We are so lucky to have good friends and wonderful families. My old co-workers gave me a baby shower the last week of September. These girls have known me for almost as long as I have lived in Illinois. It was a beautiful shower. We had lunch, played games, opened gifts and just had a really nice time visiting. The baby is so lucky to have so many nice new things.

Last weekend we headed up to Wisconsin for our family baby shower. My mom, sisters, and Chief’s mom planned a menu of all of our favorite foods. I was in heaven. There was so much to choose from. I had no idea that I had so many favorites! We had to pace ourselves and I am happy to say I did not explode.

The last time both families got together was for our rehearsal dinner. Of course the group is now bigger! Nemo will have 10 cousins, 1 great uncle, 2 great aunties, 6 uncles, 7 aunties, 2 grandmas, and 1 grandpa. Talk about a lot of love.

We had a wonderful time opening gifts. I was very emotional at times and had some serious crying breakdowns in the middle of the shower. I just became overwhelmed looking at all of the things we were receiving. I guess at some point I realized that Nemo will come out and we will have this little person to take care of and love. Things won’t be in boxes waiting to be washed and put in his drawers. Bottles will go in the cabinet, crib will be set up, and we will have a place for our baby.

Chief and I are so touched by everyone’s thoughtfulness. We know how blessed and we are thankful everyday.

After the whirlwind tour of showering, we got to look forward to the ultrasound. The little guy showed us his face this time!

Nemo got his first report card and he got a C. Part of the test is called a Biophysical Profile. Basically, baby is supposed to do 5 things and gets scored 0-2 on each. Our child got 8/10 because he wasn’t doing the fetal breathing movements. Here is the thing. Nemo was up all night and was a bit sluggish for his big test. He was not interested in being awakened. Believe me, they tried everything! So, because he scored a big, fat zero on the breathing part we were put on a monitor, given 2 grape juices for mom, 1 orange juice for dad, and finally he passed a non-stress test! Listen kids, extra credit pays off!

Thursday, I had my weekly OB appointment. The ultrasound report was not completed in time for my appointment but Nemo and I seem to be fine. The high risk OB and my OB have not talked about the next step so I don’t know if we have another ultrasound or not. My last thyroid test was great!

Next weekend is the first birthing class. I am sure we will have a lot to share with everyone!

Here are the 32 and 34 week belly shots.