SHE Finally Arrived!

I have been putting off writing because I have been so crazy busy, but I finally have a calm moment more than a month later!

On January 9th (yes, my due date!), I was cleaning our bathroom when I dropped the cleaning wipes and as I grabbed them in mid-air, I felt a strange "pop". I called Matt then called the labour and delivery department at the hospital. They said to come in and get checked, so I did. They checked and the test swab only came back a bit blue, so that meant there wasn't much amniotic fluid if any and they sent me home. We got home around 1:30pm after picking up Ceili and lunch. We all ate our lunch and went for a nap. At around 3pm I woke up to a HUGE gush, more like a waterfall of amniotic fluid and screamed for Matt to get me some towels! We dropped Ceili back off at my parents house and went back to the hospital (with towels between my legs in the car!)

We got there around 3:30pm and I was already 5cm dilated when they checked me. At 6:15pm I was fully dilated but the doctor wasn't there yet, so the nurses were telling me not to push. That's about the hardest thing in the world to stop doing when your body tells you to! He finally arrived, threw his coat on the floor, put on his gloves and after about 4 pushes, the baby was out.

Abbey Florence Rose was born at 6:28pm weighing 9lbs 1oz and 20 1/4" long. We were very surprised she was a girl, but we are so happy! I couldn;t believe I had such a big baby in my belly!

Things have been good so far. She sleeps pretty well, only wakes once a night to feed and is a very sweet little thing. Her big sister Ceili just loves her and is proud that she was right that it was a girl baby :) I am so happy with my two girls, I finally feel like our family is complete!

I can't thank my doctor enough. He allowed me to follow my birth plan and even ran a red light and got a ticket to be at Abbey's birth. I just saw him today for my check-up and he said he was so proud of how well I did. I also thank him for putting me on bed rest because I believe without that, I wouldn't be sitting here snuggling this beautiful baby girl right now.

Still Waiting

Since I last posted, I lost my mucus plug but nothing else is happening. Some people are probably thinking I'm crazy for stressing about it, but I feel like the baby is so squished in there right now and probably needs out! Plus, I will do anything not to be induced. I don't care if people judge me, it's my body and my baby afterall.

I called an acupuncturist today and she is coming over in about 45 minutes to give me a treatment to try and get something started. She is a lady my best friend recommended and she has a pretty good success rate. She said it should be even more successful on the first treatment since I have lost my mucus plug and my body sounds like it's ready. If not, I will do additional treatments as well as have my membranes stripped again at my next doctor's visit.

We're ready for this baby! We have the crib and bedroom set up, all of the clothes washed, the playpen's even set up in our room. We're just waiting! Matt has said he's getting anxious to meet this little person who has been growing inside me for 9 months :)

On a sad note, one of the ladies in my expecting group online lost her sweet little boy yesterday. When she was pregnant they knew he has trisomy 18 and his intestines had grown into the umbilical cord, but they thought they would have more time with him. He was born and an hour later he took his last breath and passed away. I'm so sad for her, I can't imagine how that must feel. I am really counting my blessings today and am so thankful to have a healthy toddler and that I am growing a healthy little baby as well. We really are lucky.

Didn't Work :(

Well, it doesn't seem like anything's happening after the doctor stripped my membranes. I had such hope, but I haven't had much more than some spotting and more braxton hicks contractions! I guess I'm just going to have to wait some more. I'm feeling a bit impatient because I really, really don't want to be induced. I have heard so many scary things about the medication they give to induce you because it makes labour so crazy painful. I'm sure the doctor will threaten me with induction at my next visit if nothing has happened, so I'm hoping that we have the baby before then!

And...once again I am up in the early morning hours unable to sleep! It seems that I get a few days of really good sleep and then all of a sudden my body says "you don't need anymore sleep". It's getting pretty frustrating, I just want to sleep when I'm tired.

I guess that's enough ranting and complaining for today. I am going to try to go back to bed and sleep now.

39 Week Doctor's Appointment

I just got home from my weekly doctor appointment. I'm 39 weeks today and he said this week my cervix is 2cm dilated and cervix is still soft. He said the baby is engaged now :) He swept my membranes and said he thinks that he will be seeing me very soon to have the baby. Here's hoping! The sweeping hurt really badly, but Iam hoping that it works since I have been so uncomfortable with all of these braxton hicks contractions in the past few days. I have spent about 4 days being uncomfortable because my belly keeps tightening up and it's happening about 4 times an hour!

I have been feeling good otherwise. I have started sleeping a bit better even through the braxton hicks. Last night was an exception, but Matt didn't sleep well either. For the past few days I have been sleeping so hard that I wake up with a puddle of drool on my pillow! lol.

I think Ceili and I are going to take a walk right away and hopefully that will help things along too. Wish me luck!

9th Month!

Feeling: Very good. Having some sleepless nights and pelvic pain, but that's to be expected.
Cravings: McDonald's burgers, ribs, chocolate, sticky toffee pudding, chocolate ice cream and chips. Basically everything that is unhealthy!
Aversions: Not too much at all.
Belly status: Growing like crazy. My hubby says he can see my belly coming around the corner before he can see me! lol
Any movement?: I swear I can feel every movement of a finger at this point! Not so many kicks, feels more like rolls and stretches now because I don't think there's much room left!

Photo is me at 37 weeks :)

Made it to Christmas!

I was so worried that I would have something crazy happen like my water break on Christmas Eve and no be able to spend it with my family, but I made it! I am so happy and we have had such a wonderful Christmas so far.

Yesterday we spent the day sledding and went to the house that goes all-out decorating for Christmas in the evening then came home and had some hot chocolate. We all had a good sleep, I'm amazed that Ceili slept until around 7am! This morning she was so excited to see that Santa had come and eaten his cookies, drank his root beer (she insisted that he wanted root beer!) and left us a ton of gifts! It made me so happy to see the joy on her face. I honestly could have received nothing for gifts and still would have been just as happy watch Ceili open gifts and have fun. Tonight we're going to Matt's sister's house to have dinner and open gifts and tomorrow we're going to my parent's house for the same with my brother and his family.

I figure if the baby can wait until after tomorrow, I will be happy! I just have a funny feeling that this baby will be coming early as I have had a few signs so far. I would like to make it to 40 weeks, but at the same time I really want to meet this little one!! I'm so anxious to find out if it is a boy or girl too!

I'm pretty happy that I have only gained around 15 lbs so far and have felt much better than I did near the end with our daughter. I think that has to do with the fact that I didn't gain as much weight. The only complaint I have had is my pelvis and lower back hurt, but the doctor says that's due to the baby's head resting on my pelvic bone right now because it hasn't engaged. I have my next appointment on Tuesday, so I will be looking forward to seeing how much I am dilated since I was 1cm last week!

So Sleepy!

This is getting crazy. I am so tired and just can`t sleep properly! I go to bed at night and wake up a few hours later. Then I am awake until around 5am. When I wake up in the morning, I am so exhausted that I feel like a zombie!! I am hoping I snap out of this pretty quick as it`s now been 3 days and I feel like I'm running out of fuel.

In other news, I am getting things crossed off of my to-do list for before the baby comes! We have cleaned up our basement quite a bit so that my when my sister comes she has a place to sleep. We donated a bunch of stuff to the thrift store today and it's starting to look pretty good downstairs! I have also finished my birth plan (finally) and am working on packing my bag for the hospital today. Our home renos are complete as well. Things are coming together!

I also finished my Christmas shopping today, I know there's only a week left until Christmas. I think this was my slowest shopping year ever, but that might be because I'm 8 months pregnant. I'm excited for Christmas this year mostly because Ceili is so excited :) She is in awe of Santa and keeps looking at the gifts under the tree excitedly. Kids make Christmas magic! Next Wednesday night my best friend and her family are coming over to have dinner and exchange gifts for Christmas. I'm looking forward to that because her kids and Ceili get along so well and it's always a fun time.

Oh, I hear the little one up from her nap so I'd better run.

Go Time Soon?

I am starting to dream about having the baby almost every night now and my friends and family are starting to feel like maybe it's time soon. I am almost starting to wonder the same thing! The dreams I am having are so vivid.

The last one I had when I had a nap today kind of scared me though. I dreamed that I started having contractions and the pain was so, so bad. I am starting to remember that awful pain again and it's kind of making me afraid, but I have to keep thinking that I will be fine and get through it. I just remember that feeling like it would never end and the exhaustion. But who knows, maybe this time it will be easier!

8 Months Pregnant

I know this is a little late, but better late than never, right?!

Feeling: Actually pretty good besides the bronchitis I had for a few weeks. Thankfully that's over!

Cravings: Roast beef, McDonald's burgers (sooo unhealthy!), milk, Yop and chocolate

Aversions: Just over-ripe bananas at the moment

Belly status: Getting huge! Well, it feels like it!

Any movement?: Baby's kicking up a storm. When I lay on my right side I can feel the baby's little hands moving around :)

4D Ultrasound!

I went for my 33 week ultrasound before we went away on our vacation and I forgot to post the pictures. I was lucky enough to get a couple of 4D pictures. Baby was hiding their face, so they're not great but it does show those cute, chubby little fingers and toes! I can't wait to meet this little one!!

Vacation and Doctor's Appointment Update

Finally, I have a chance to post an update! Our trip to Jasper was wonderful, the hotel was so beautiful and I got a pedicure, prenatal massage and some waxing done while we were there! The first day we were there, Matt ordered chocolate covered strawberries and alcohol-free champagne to our room which was such a surprise! I wish we could've stayed for a week! The swimming pool was so cool, it was a heated outdoor pool with a view of the mountains so we got to swim while giant snowflakes fell on us. It was so relaxing because we just hung around and spent some quality time as a couple which we really haven't done in a long time. I feel a whiole lot closer to Matt after that trip :) I have posted a pic of my by the big Christmas tree at Jasper Park Lodge (33 weeks)

Since our trip I have had the pleasure of getting bacterial bronchitis which is so terribly painful especially when my lungs are squished by a baby! I have been coughing up phlegm and I sound like there's gravel in my chest. Thankfully my OB heard me coughing yesterday and diagnosed me. Now I am on antibiotics and ventolin. I'm just glad I'll be better before Christmas! Our poor daughter is suffering with a really bad cold that includes a cough, but thankfully it's only a virus so she should be over it soon.

I saw my OB for my 34 week appointment yesterday and everything is good. Next appointment he will do the GBS test and give me my papers incase I go into labour...I can't believe it's getting so close already! I think we have finally agreed on some baby names as well, so that's another thing off my mind. We have chosen 3 girl and 3 boy names, so I think we should be able to agree!

I'm still feeling pretty tired, but it doesn't help that I'm sick and we've been so busy. Matt's also been working late and going to functions with vendors from his work lately, so that means I am looking after Ceili on my own some evenings which is tiring when she isn't behaving! At least when Christmas is done, we will be less busy unless baby arrives before then!

Oh So Tired!

Here I am once again, sleepless in the middle of the night. Tonight between my hubby's snoring (which I might note is getting worse) and my daughter being up twice screaming for no apparent reason, I can't sleep. I have earplugs that I can use and lately they aren't even working. I am hoping that once the baby is here I am tired enough to sleep, otherwise I may just go crazy.

Thankfully my husband and I are headed to the mountains in Jasper for a few days this week, so hopefully a change of scenery and the mountain air will help me get some good sleep in. I guess I must just be feeling sorry for myself, but I am an really unhappy person if I miss out on sleep. Overtired and pregnant is even worse because when I am tired and pregnant I feel physically ill and get terrible headaches.

Oh well, what can I do? I'm just going to stay wake a bit longer and try to make myself more tired so that I can sleep.

Hubby Is Off Again :(

Well, once again my hubby Matt is going out of town for work. He is headed to San Antonio, Texas for 3 days and leaves tomorrow morning at 2:30am. I'm always so sad to see him leave, but at least this should be his last trip before the baby is born!

I have a ton of appointments this week. Monday is my chiropractor (yay, she's back from medical leave!!), Tuesday is my OB appointment, Wednesday Matt comes back home and I think it will be our relax day and Friday I have an ultrasound and Matt has a doctor's appointment. I'll be so glad when the week is over, haha.

Things are going pretty well still. My belly is getting so big that it hurts to bend over, so that makes it difficult to help Ceili get her shoes on and stuff like that. She is slowly learning that she needs to do things like that herself though. The baby has been kicking lots and getting the hiccups often which is pretty neat.

I found out this week that my long term disability was approved until the birth of the baby through my health insurance at work, so I am very relieved. The only awful part is that I will only be getting paid once per month, but there's nothing I can do about that. We just have to make sure to budget well.

Today we got our first snowfall of the fall. Ceili was very excited. After her dance class we went outside for a bit and she played in the snow. It was only a little snow, but she's already bugging to go sledding! Matt will have to take her when there's a bit more snow.

Exhaustion!

I haven't updated much lately, I have been so busy taking care of our daughter and trying to make sure everything is ready for the baby.

I have been extra exhausted lately too. I guess my body must be working hard to grow this baby. I feel like I could never get enough sleep, even if I slept for a week straight! I have been trying to go to bed early and take naps when my daughter does to make sure I get the rest I need.

I still can't believe I have made it to almost 31 weeks!! I sometimes feel like I have never had a chance to enjoy this pregnancy. I have been so scared & worried so many times and so busy with Ceili that I haven't had time to just sit, rub my belly and enjoy the miracle of this little bean growing inside of me. I guess now is the time, I need to start taking the time to rest and enjoy.

I saw the doctor earlier this week. He said that the ultrasound looked good and the previa didn't show up. The baby is a healthy weight and is head down like the tech told me. I asked him about a vaginal birth and he said it shouldn't be a problem at all...that made me super happy! I am hoping to do it without drugs again because I'm scared to death of epidurals and I'm not a big fan of the whole idea of them. Now I start seeing the doctor every 2 weeks then every week starting in December, so I will be at that office alot. I am secretly hoping this baby arrives a couple of weeks early, but we'll see! I'm just so anxious to find out if it's a boy or girl and to make sure he/she is healthy :)

7 Months Pregnant

Feeling: Quite a bit better, other than the pelvic pain and sciatic pain.
Cravings: Chocolate, chips, greek yogurt, pineapple, peanut butter, chocolate milk, pizza and milk. I need my glass of milk every morning!
Aversions: It changes daily, one day I can love something and the next I will hate it!
Belly status: Growing for sure and when I lay down on my back I can see that baby has made its home on the left side of my belly. It's all lop-sided!
Any movement?: Lots of movement, can feel kicks up in my ribs and when I sleep the baby curls up in a ball.

29 Week Ultrasound

I had my 29 week ultrasound yesterday. The tech didn't let me see alot, but she did show Matt and I the baby after she was done all of the measurements and gave us a couple of pictures. Ceili didn't seem too interested in the ultrasound, but I know it's hard to see through all of the black and white mess! She said the baby is around 3 1/2 lbs already and is head-down. This kid knows what it's doing I guess!! I was pretty sure he/she was head down because I have been feeling lots of kicks in my ribs and what felt like little hands moving around in my low abdomen.

I am anxious to see what the doctor is able to tell us when I see him next week since he normally reads the ultrasound report to me. I am hoping he doesn't plan to induce me early because of the size of the baby or something and because I just about failed my gestational diabetes test.

I have been feeling alot better lately. I have been able to do more with Ceili like walk to the park and take the bus places. I still have that little fear in the back of my mind that maybe I could bleed again, so I still don't overdo it. I don't think that fear will go away until after the baby is born though. This pregnancy has had such ups and downs, it has been so rough compared to my first pregnancy.

28 Week Appointment

I saw the doctor yesterday and he said that I am improving which makes me happy. Our daughter came to the appointment with us and the medical student that saw me first let Ceili help him find the baby's heartbeat. She was pretty happy about that. It was 146bpm this time, so it's still good. The doctor finally filled out my long term disability forms too so I'm glad that stress is done...hopefully. They weighed me and I have gained 10 lbs since the beginning, so that's not bad at all. I'm just happy I haven't gained as much as my last pregnancy. That weight is hard to lose afterwards and I know winter will be worse!

Ceili is now done daycare, so she is home with me every day. She has been very good so far. She is listening well and we have been finding all kinds of fun things to do like crafts, baking, etc. I just have to remember to take it easy and rest once in a while.

One of Those Mornings!

Wow, what a day I am having! Our daughter woke up every couple of hours last night, so I was up with her 4 times. Then she was up for the day at 5am! She had no reason to wake up so many times, she just wasn't sleeping soundly. I am so exhausted.... and grouchy.

Then there was the usual toothbrushing fight that ended in 2 time-out's in her room and me bursting into tears right along with her! Probably the combination of lack of sleep and frustration just got to me.

We went to my parents house for a visit this morning and Ceili fell asleep on the way home in the car. I got her into her bed and she is still sleeping almost 2 hours after she initially fell asleep. When we got home, I was starving so I decided to make myself lunch. By the time I was done lunch I figured I only had about a half an hour to sleep so I decided to forgo the nap today. Guess I was wrong! Oh well, I will sleep well tonight.

All I can say is thank god my hubby will be home tomorrow night!

Still Movin' Along!

Well, my hubby's away for work once again. This time he's in sunny Orlando and I'm stuck here in the rainy, miserable weather! He left this morning at around 3:30am and of course I had a difficult time falling back asleep after he left, then our daughter fell out of bed and woke up crying. Finally I fell back asleep only to wake up an hour later to get Ceili off to daycare! Then there was the awful tantrum that began over brushing her teeth. Two time-out's later, she finally brushed her teeth and we were out the door....a half an hour late!

I did my 2nd gestational diabetes test this morning and am hoping it went well. I made sure I was hydrated and I didn't feel sick or anything after I drank the disgusting orange drink. I also ran to my doctor's office and dropped of my long term disability forms for him to fill out then did a little shopping for some Christmas gifts since the hubby's not home to see them. It was nice to be able to drive wherever I wanted today since I have the van. I am usually stuck at home with no vehicle! Tomorrow I have to go in to my work and drop off my doctor's note and chat with my boss for a bit.

I can now definitely feel the baby on the left side of my belly. I am wondering if he/she is already head down because I only feel the movement of the left side and am feeling more pressure on my bladder. I have a feeling that when my water breaks, this baby is going to come fast! I am so curious to know if it's a boy or girl now, I'm getting excited!

24 Week Doctor's Appointment

I saw the doctor on Tuesday of this week. He said he is still concerned about my spotting, so he is keeping me off of work until the end of my pregnancy. I have finally come to terms with this and have decided that there is no reason to stress because there is someone at my work doing my job and I need to worry about me and the peanut right now! I am able to do a little more around the house now without an issue, the spotting seems to just happen spontaneously which is very strange.

He is also going to be sending me for ultrasounds every 3 weeks to make sure the baby is growing and developing well. I'm not overly worried because so far this baby has measured right on every time and he/she is kicking around like crazy! Baby's heart rate was 146 bpm this visit, so all is good.

We will be taking our daughter out of daycare starting in the middle of October since the daycare said they will work with us and only charge us part of the monthly fee next month because of the situation. I am very impressed with their cooperation.