We have almost everything we need for Southern now. I got his crib all set up and ready to go thanks to my mom (who bought us the crib), my dad (who bought the bedding), and my grandparents (who bought the mattress). Yay! :)
Life with my boys
Thursday, February 26, 2009
35 Weeks
We had another fun baby shower this past weekend. My aunts threw it for me in Yoakum at a pretty little bed and breakfast. I'm happy that so many people were able to come. Here are some pictures from Sunday:
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
34 Weeks
This weekend was both good and bad. I'll start with the bad news...
Starting on Thursday, I noticed that my tummy below my belly button was starting to itch a little. The same thing was happening on Friday. By Saturday, I asked Dustin to look at it (since I haven't been able to see it for some time now) to see if it was getting red from all the scratching. He said yes and to try not to scratch. Easier said than done. I began putting lotion on it a few times a day. By Sunday it was worse, and then on Monday Dustin said he could see red bumps there. So I looked online to see what was going on.
It looks like I have PUPPP - "Approximately one percent of women will develop an itchy, raised rash in the last part of their pregnancy called PUPPP (pruritic uticarial pupules and placques of pregnancy). The cause of PUPPP is unknown. It appears to run in families and, oddly, 70 percent of women with PUPPP give birth to boys. This correlation has given rise to the hypothesis that male fetal DNA acts as a skin irritant. PUPPP usually develops during a first pregnancy and appears first on the abdomen near the belly button and then spreads to the thighs and extremities as the small, red wheals of the rash gradually merge to create larger wheals. There is no cure for PUPPP, but the irritation usually can be relieved with cortisone creams, high strength steroid creams, or oral steroids if the itching is severe. The rash and the itching usually resolve a couple of days to a week after delivery."
So I called my doctor and told her about it. She confirmed the PUPPP diagnosis, and faxed a percription for me to pick up at the pharmacy. I took one of the pills last night, and as soon as it started working, I was not itching at all! Unfortunately, it also put me right to sleep. So I'll probably only be able to take them before bedtime. Until then, I'm itching like crazy and trying not to scratch and thinking just how lucky I am to be a part of the 1% of pregnant women affected by this. ;)
Now on to the good news - Dustin had off the entire three-day weekend, and we had absolutely no plans! It was wonderful!! We went driving around, walked around at Landa Park, hung around the house, ate out a couple times, and got some work done on the house. We now have a ceiling fan up in our bedroom, the white storage cabinet for our sheets and towels is built and in our bathroom, and Southern's curtain is hanging up in his room. We also moved the small white storage cabinet that was in our bathroom to Southern's bathroom and added another towel rack. And Dustin put up a new shower head in our bathroom. It's one of those fancy ones that has two heads and feels like you're standing in the rain... he just loves it.
Starting on Thursday, I noticed that my tummy below my belly button was starting to itch a little. The same thing was happening on Friday. By Saturday, I asked Dustin to look at it (since I haven't been able to see it for some time now) to see if it was getting red from all the scratching. He said yes and to try not to scratch. Easier said than done. I began putting lotion on it a few times a day. By Sunday it was worse, and then on Monday Dustin said he could see red bumps there. So I looked online to see what was going on.
It looks like I have PUPPP - "Approximately one percent of women will develop an itchy, raised rash in the last part of their pregnancy called PUPPP (pruritic uticarial pupules and placques of pregnancy). The cause of PUPPP is unknown. It appears to run in families and, oddly, 70 percent of women with PUPPP give birth to boys. This correlation has given rise to the hypothesis that male fetal DNA acts as a skin irritant. PUPPP usually develops during a first pregnancy and appears first on the abdomen near the belly button and then spreads to the thighs and extremities as the small, red wheals of the rash gradually merge to create larger wheals. There is no cure for PUPPP, but the irritation usually can be relieved with cortisone creams, high strength steroid creams, or oral steroids if the itching is severe. The rash and the itching usually resolve a couple of days to a week after delivery."
So I called my doctor and told her about it. She confirmed the PUPPP diagnosis, and faxed a percription for me to pick up at the pharmacy. I took one of the pills last night, and as soon as it started working, I was not itching at all! Unfortunately, it also put me right to sleep. So I'll probably only be able to take them before bedtime. Until then, I'm itching like crazy and trying not to scratch and thinking just how lucky I am to be a part of the 1% of pregnant women affected by this. ;)
Now on to the good news - Dustin had off the entire three-day weekend, and we had absolutely no plans! It was wonderful!! We went driving around, walked around at Landa Park, hung around the house, ate out a couple times, and got some work done on the house. We now have a ceiling fan up in our bedroom, the white storage cabinet for our sheets and towels is built and in our bathroom, and Southern's curtain is hanging up in his room. We also moved the small white storage cabinet that was in our bathroom to Southern's bathroom and added another towel rack. And Dustin put up a new shower head in our bathroom. It's one of those fancy ones that has two heads and feels like you're standing in the rain... he just loves it.
Friday, February 13, 2009
33 Weeks
We went to the doctor's yesterday. I was orginally scheduled to have a sonogram that day as well, but something happened with the sonogram tech, and she couldn't make it. She usually is only in the office on Thursdays. But this week, she needed to come in today instead of yesterday. Well the doctor doesn't work on Fridays. Sooo I had to go in yesterday to see the doctor and again this morning to get my sonogram. Luckily, the only free time they had for me today was during Dustin's conference period. So he was able to make it. He only missed one class since he has his conference period, 4th period, and then lunch. He just left to go back to school.
Anyway, so we had our appointment yesterday at 4:30pm. The nurse weighed me and took my blood pressure. I've gained one pound since last month, making that about 16 lbs total so far. Then the doctor came in, and we went over my birth plan. We then listened to the baby's heartbeat - it was 156. And she measured my tummy. At first she got 37 cm and said no that can't be right (since I'm only 33 weeks along). So she measured again and got 35.5 cm. She said Southern must have been stretching out.
This morning we went back for the sonogram. I was so excited. But just like last time, Southern was sleeping and cuddling up to the placenta so we couldn't get a good look at his face. She took all the measurements and made sure his organs were all still functioning normally. My tummy measured out at 35 cm today, and Southern weighs 5 lbs 13 oz. Yikes! Big baby!! All the books say the average weight for a baby at 33 weeks is about 4.5 lbs.
Here's a side view of his face.
This is a shot of his little nose and lips. The tech said he had my nose.
This is a 4-D picture of his face. You can see the top of his head, eyes, and nose. That's the placenta covering his mouth.
Anyway, so we had our appointment yesterday at 4:30pm. The nurse weighed me and took my blood pressure. I've gained one pound since last month, making that about 16 lbs total so far. Then the doctor came in, and we went over my birth plan. We then listened to the baby's heartbeat - it was 156. And she measured my tummy. At first she got 37 cm and said no that can't be right (since I'm only 33 weeks along). So she measured again and got 35.5 cm. She said Southern must have been stretching out.
This morning we went back for the sonogram. I was so excited. But just like last time, Southern was sleeping and cuddling up to the placenta so we couldn't get a good look at his face. She took all the measurements and made sure his organs were all still functioning normally. My tummy measured out at 35 cm today, and Southern weighs 5 lbs 13 oz. Yikes! Big baby!! All the books say the average weight for a baby at 33 weeks is about 4.5 lbs.
Here's a picture of his little arm.
Here's a side view of his face.This is a shot of his little nose and lips. The tech said he had my nose.This is a 4-D picture of his face. You can see the top of his head, eyes, and nose. That's the placenta covering his mouth.Thursday, February 5, 2009
32 Weeks
I can't believe I'm 8 months pregnant already! The time sure does fly. We had a wonderful weekend with our first baby shower on Sunday. We had a terrific turnout, more people than we expected. I was a little worried about the superbowl, but most people complimented us on our timing - they were able to swing by our house on the way to their other parties.
Me with Simon, Dustin's godfather, who won the ribbon game
Me with the co-hostesses (and the best friends ever) Tasia and Jessie
We had a lot of fun, and the baby got some much needed items. Dustin and I also got some Target giftcards so we were able to buy his dresser with those. Assembling it is my project for today. I'm excited to be able to start putting some of Southern's clothes away. I've already started washing the smaller sizes.
And my mom got us his crib! Yay!!! It was shipped to the store yesterday so we just need to go pick it up. Putting it together will be my project this weekend while Dustin works on grad school.
Here are some pictures from the shower:
Me with Simon, Dustin's godfather, who won the ribbon gameMe with the co-hostesses (and the best friends ever) Tasia and Jessie
Friday, January 30, 2009
31 Weeks
Well Dustin and I finally did it. We graduated! :)
I'm meeting with two of my girlfriends this evening, Tasia and Jessie, who are throwing us our first baby shower this weekend. They're going to get some decorations and food, and they invited me along for the ride. It should be fun! We're having this shower for all the family and friends around this neck of the woods. My aunts are throwing me another one in Yoakum later on this month. Yay!
When Tasia and Jessie asked me for possible dates, I gave them this Sunday's not realizing that it was Superbowl Sunday. Oops. I don't keep up with many sports on TV. I like to watch certain tennis players, and I love me a good Spurs game... but that's about it. Needless to say, I don't think they were aware of it either. Oh well. The shower's from 2-5 and it's come-and-go. So if anyone has a Superbowl party to go to, they should have enough time to swing by our house and still make it.
I'm looking forward to seeing everyone! :)
I'm meeting with two of my girlfriends this evening, Tasia and Jessie, who are throwing us our first baby shower this weekend. They're going to get some decorations and food, and they invited me along for the ride. It should be fun! We're having this shower for all the family and friends around this neck of the woods. My aunts are throwing me another one in Yoakum later on this month. Yay!
When Tasia and Jessie asked me for possible dates, I gave them this Sunday's not realizing that it was Superbowl Sunday. Oops. I don't keep up with many sports on TV. I like to watch certain tennis players, and I love me a good Spurs game... but that's about it. Needless to say, I don't think they were aware of it either. Oh well. The shower's from 2-5 and it's come-and-go. So if anyone has a Superbowl party to go to, they should have enough time to swing by our house and still make it.
I'm looking forward to seeing everyone! :)
Friday, January 23, 2009
Hospital Info Update
So we got to tour the birthing center last night during our Lamaze class. I'm a bit dissapointed. I had heard all super good news about it, and it was very nice up until the point of actually having the baby. Let me start at the beginning...
We met in the front lobby. You walk through the front door, past the gift shop, and you see an elevator right in front of you. It's called Elevator 1. Don't take this one! It doesn't go to the 2nd floor where the birthing center is. Keep walking to your right. You'll then see Elevators 2 and 3. Take one of these to the 2nd floor. As soon as the elevator doors open up, the waiting room is to your left through a door. It's a small L-shaped room with chairs, two water fountains, and a bathroom. No TV. So if you're one of the people going to try to tough it out waiting for the baby to be born, bring a book or magazine or something. The only other doors in that main hall lead to the birthing center and to the operating room for c-sections.
When the time does come and you're able to see Southern, you follow the hall straight ahead of you when you get out of the elevators. It has double doors that are locked. You'll have to ring the doorbell (on the right wall), and tell whoever lets you in who you are and who you're there to see. If you are under 14 years of age (the teacher last time told us 12, but the official sign on the door says 14), you will not be allowed in at all. The nursery will be to your right once you're in. The labor and delivery suites and post-pardum rooms are down this hall as well.
The labor and delivery suites are nice. They're big rooms with a table and chairs, an easy chair that folds into a bed for dad, a TV, large windows, etc. Very comfy and big enough for visitors, which is ironic because I don't think I'll be up to hosting any visitors at that point! When it's time, the doctor comes to the room and delivers the baby. Then it's the golden hour. Then baby is taken for his bath and shots. I clean up and am moved to a post-pardum room. This is where I was disappointed. Yuck. They're your typical small hospital-feeling room. The labor and delivery suites feel like hotel rooms, and there are seven of them. The post-pardum rooms are not that way at all. There are three private rooms and three semi-private rooms (meaning two patients to a room!). It is first come, first served. So there's no way to know which one I'll be stuck in. The nurses on duty said that on most every day, all the privates are filled up and they start putting new moms in the semi-privates. Bummer. Also, there is no place for dad to sleep in the semi-private. He gets one hard, wooden chair. Which also mean visitors will have an uncomfortable time visiting, especially when there's a roommate with visitors. :(
Sooo Dustin and I decided that whoever wants to come visit, come on. Just stopping by for a short time to say hi and to see the baby will be fine. (Just not everyone at the same time!) And for the key people who want to see the baby right away (parents and siblings), we'll just have to call when we're getting close so you don't have to wait in that cramped waiting room too long. You can see Southern after the golden hour and swing by the room for a bit. Then Dustin can call with the good news to everyone else later. And we'll plan a trip to Yoakum sometime within that week to show him off to family there. That way, we won't have to worry about people dropping by the house when it's a mess and we're trying to sleep. I'm sure we'll be doing nothing but napping and feeding those first few days back at home. I can never sleep in hospitals, especially if I'll have a roommate and my husband sitting upright in a chair all night!
As for my mom and Carly, we don't mind you guys stopping by the house. I'm sure there will be times when Dustin wouldn't mind sharing diaper duty! ;)
We met in the front lobby. You walk through the front door, past the gift shop, and you see an elevator right in front of you. It's called Elevator 1. Don't take this one! It doesn't go to the 2nd floor where the birthing center is. Keep walking to your right. You'll then see Elevators 2 and 3. Take one of these to the 2nd floor. As soon as the elevator doors open up, the waiting room is to your left through a door. It's a small L-shaped room with chairs, two water fountains, and a bathroom. No TV. So if you're one of the people going to try to tough it out waiting for the baby to be born, bring a book or magazine or something. The only other doors in that main hall lead to the birthing center and to the operating room for c-sections.
When the time does come and you're able to see Southern, you follow the hall straight ahead of you when you get out of the elevators. It has double doors that are locked. You'll have to ring the doorbell (on the right wall), and tell whoever lets you in who you are and who you're there to see. If you are under 14 years of age (the teacher last time told us 12, but the official sign on the door says 14), you will not be allowed in at all. The nursery will be to your right once you're in. The labor and delivery suites and post-pardum rooms are down this hall as well.
The labor and delivery suites are nice. They're big rooms with a table and chairs, an easy chair that folds into a bed for dad, a TV, large windows, etc. Very comfy and big enough for visitors, which is ironic because I don't think I'll be up to hosting any visitors at that point! When it's time, the doctor comes to the room and delivers the baby. Then it's the golden hour. Then baby is taken for his bath and shots. I clean up and am moved to a post-pardum room. This is where I was disappointed. Yuck. They're your typical small hospital-feeling room. The labor and delivery suites feel like hotel rooms, and there are seven of them. The post-pardum rooms are not that way at all. There are three private rooms and three semi-private rooms (meaning two patients to a room!). It is first come, first served. So there's no way to know which one I'll be stuck in. The nurses on duty said that on most every day, all the privates are filled up and they start putting new moms in the semi-privates. Bummer. Also, there is no place for dad to sleep in the semi-private. He gets one hard, wooden chair. Which also mean visitors will have an uncomfortable time visiting, especially when there's a roommate with visitors. :(
Sooo Dustin and I decided that whoever wants to come visit, come on. Just stopping by for a short time to say hi and to see the baby will be fine. (Just not everyone at the same time!) And for the key people who want to see the baby right away (parents and siblings), we'll just have to call when we're getting close so you don't have to wait in that cramped waiting room too long. You can see Southern after the golden hour and swing by the room for a bit. Then Dustin can call with the good news to everyone else later. And we'll plan a trip to Yoakum sometime within that week to show him off to family there. That way, we won't have to worry about people dropping by the house when it's a mess and we're trying to sleep. I'm sure we'll be doing nothing but napping and feeding those first few days back at home. I can never sleep in hospitals, especially if I'll have a roommate and my husband sitting upright in a chair all night!
As for my mom and Carly, we don't mind you guys stopping by the house. I'm sure there will be times when Dustin wouldn't mind sharing diaper duty! ;)
Thursday, January 22, 2009
30 Weeks
Last night we went to our Caring for Mom/Caring for Baby class. Dustin was super sleepy and didn't feel like going, but this class ended up being the most interesting one so far. The same lady that taught our breastfeeding class last week, the lactation consultant for the hospital, was the one who taught this one. She's very smart and fun to listen to. I'm hoping Southern will come during normal business hours so we'll get to work with her at the hospital! The class went over things we need to watch out for health-wise with me post-pardum and all the things we need to know about the hospital. She suggested pre-registering. I did that when I went in for my dietitian appointment, so I'm already set. And she talked about caring for our babies once we had them home.
She also went over the visitor's policy and security. Apparently that floor is tight with security. So anyone coming to visit will be asked who they're going to see before they'll unlock the doors for you. Also, no children under 14 will be allowed in at all. (Sorry to those of you with kids under 14 wanting to visit. You'll just have to come without them.) They put matching numbered arm bands on mom and baby so no babies get in the wrong families. They also put alarm sensors on the baby's ankle. It will trigger the alarm if the baby gets too close to the stairwells or exits. When the alarm goes off, all the doors are automatically locked and the police are notified. Also, everyone that's allowed to work with your baby has a different colored name tag than the rest of the hospital staff. So all the moms can feel secure giving their baby to the nurse knowing it's the correct person for the job. They encourage in-rooming, which is what I wanted, and the only time the baby is taken to the nursery is for his first bath and shots, and during shift changes at 7am and 7pm. The nurses going off-duty let the nurses coming on know the particulars about the babies they are in charge of, and then they bring them back to the rooms.
I'll be in a birthing suite during labor and delivery. Then once the baby is born, the hospital has what's called the golden hour. So for all the people wanting to see the baby right away, you'll have to wait. Sorry! During the first 60 mins or so of the baby's life, it will just be mom and dad with him. That's the time for bonding and the first breastfeeding session. After that hour, the baby is taken to the nursery. This is when all the people waiting can see him. Dustin will also be able to go out and watch. I'll be using that time to shower and get cleaned up. They'll also take me to another room at this time. The nursery has a whole wall of windows, so everyone can watch the nurses bathing Southern and giving him his vitamin K shot. Then they'll bring him back to me in our new room.
Visiting hours are from 10am-2pm and 4pm-8pm. From 2-4pm is what they call 'rest and breast time'. It's siesta time for mom and baby as well as a guaranteed time for the baby to feed in private. Also, they recommend that not all of the family and friends come visit right away. Obviously, I'll be super tired. And the baby will be just getting used to his new world. I'll be in the hospital for 24-48 hours, so this should allow enough time for people to spread out their visits a little. We'll want our parents and siblings to be there right away though... Or should I say Southern's grandparents and aunt/uncle?!? ;)
She also taught us how to swaddle, diaper, burp, and bathe the baby. We got to practice on little plastic babies. So cute! And we just happened to get a boy baby so that was good. We were taught the 'peak and cover' technique when changing a baby boy's diaper. She said that most people aren't taught that and have to live and learn with the sprinkler system effect! haha :) So I'm glad we got that lesson a little early.
It was so much fun. That class made me so excited knowing that our baby is almost here. I want him now! The Lamaze classes, however, leave me with a 'now why didn't we just adopt' feeling... watching those crazy videos, talking about how much pain labor will be, possible emergency c-sections, IVs, pelvic bones stretching, possible tears, etc. But this class reminded me why women go through all of this work. I'm so excited to meet our little guy :)
We have another Lamaze class tonight, by the way, but this one should be pretty interesting because we get to tour the birthing center of the hospital. Hopefully there won't be any women screaming in pain while we're there!!
She also went over the visitor's policy and security. Apparently that floor is tight with security. So anyone coming to visit will be asked who they're going to see before they'll unlock the doors for you. Also, no children under 14 will be allowed in at all. (Sorry to those of you with kids under 14 wanting to visit. You'll just have to come without them.) They put matching numbered arm bands on mom and baby so no babies get in the wrong families. They also put alarm sensors on the baby's ankle. It will trigger the alarm if the baby gets too close to the stairwells or exits. When the alarm goes off, all the doors are automatically locked and the police are notified. Also, everyone that's allowed to work with your baby has a different colored name tag than the rest of the hospital staff. So all the moms can feel secure giving their baby to the nurse knowing it's the correct person for the job. They encourage in-rooming, which is what I wanted, and the only time the baby is taken to the nursery is for his first bath and shots, and during shift changes at 7am and 7pm. The nurses going off-duty let the nurses coming on know the particulars about the babies they are in charge of, and then they bring them back to the rooms.
I'll be in a birthing suite during labor and delivery. Then once the baby is born, the hospital has what's called the golden hour. So for all the people wanting to see the baby right away, you'll have to wait. Sorry! During the first 60 mins or so of the baby's life, it will just be mom and dad with him. That's the time for bonding and the first breastfeeding session. After that hour, the baby is taken to the nursery. This is when all the people waiting can see him. Dustin will also be able to go out and watch. I'll be using that time to shower and get cleaned up. They'll also take me to another room at this time. The nursery has a whole wall of windows, so everyone can watch the nurses bathing Southern and giving him his vitamin K shot. Then they'll bring him back to me in our new room.
Visiting hours are from 10am-2pm and 4pm-8pm. From 2-4pm is what they call 'rest and breast time'. It's siesta time for mom and baby as well as a guaranteed time for the baby to feed in private. Also, they recommend that not all of the family and friends come visit right away. Obviously, I'll be super tired. And the baby will be just getting used to his new world. I'll be in the hospital for 24-48 hours, so this should allow enough time for people to spread out their visits a little. We'll want our parents and siblings to be there right away though... Or should I say Southern's grandparents and aunt/uncle?!? ;)
She also taught us how to swaddle, diaper, burp, and bathe the baby. We got to practice on little plastic babies. So cute! And we just happened to get a boy baby so that was good. We were taught the 'peak and cover' technique when changing a baby boy's diaper. She said that most people aren't taught that and have to live and learn with the sprinkler system effect! haha :) So I'm glad we got that lesson a little early.
It was so much fun. That class made me so excited knowing that our baby is almost here. I want him now! The Lamaze classes, however, leave me with a 'now why didn't we just adopt' feeling... watching those crazy videos, talking about how much pain labor will be, possible emergency c-sections, IVs, pelvic bones stretching, possible tears, etc. But this class reminded me why women go through all of this work. I'm so excited to meet our little guy :)
We have another Lamaze class tonight, by the way, but this one should be pretty interesting because we get to tour the birthing center of the hospital. Hopefully there won't be any women screaming in pain while we're there!!
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