Pomp and Circumstance

Adam and I have graduated from Childbirth Education classes! Our class was Friday evening and all day Saturday. It was a small group, only two other couples and our instructor, which was nice. We covered a wide range of topics: the stages of labor, terminology we might hear, anatomy, breathing, positions, medications for pain relief, natural techniques for pain relief, circumstances that may lead to inductions, procedures/medication/natural methods for inductions, ways to avoid inductions, circumstances that may lead to c-sections, what will happen immediately after baby is born, what baby will look like after he is born, items to bring to the hospital, items to bring in our "labor tool kit", postpartum recovery, opportunities to practice positions and breathing, car seat safety, a tour of the labor and delivery floor, and much, much, more. We already knew most of the information, but it was nice to have a review and learn a bit more. It was exciting, eye-opening, and helped to make things even more "real." We'll be back at the hospital again next weekend to fill out our paperwork, etc. so we won't have to worry about it when "the time" comes!

6 Weeks To Go!

I think I've determined that Baby is a fan of Christmas music, thanks to local radio stations playing holiday music 24/7. I've been listening to it on my way home from work, and he seems to move around quite a bit when it's playing. Maybe it's because he can hear it better, because who can resist turning the radio up just a little louder during your favorite Christmas jingle? Or maybe it's because he's trying to tell me to stop attempting to sing along (Admit it, you join in, too!)?

Only 6 more weeks until our due date!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving, friends and family! This is always a very exciting and happy time of year--but even more so this year! We have so much to be thankful for! Thank you all for being such a wonderful part of our lives!

I had another doctor's appointment this afternoon. Adam was able to come along and meet the doctor. Everything continues to look great!

Blood pressure: 120/70
Baby's heartbeat: 148-152
Weight: "Pretty darn awesome"
Measurement: "Right on target"

We decided last weekend that we would get our H1N1 vaccines. Adam was my final persuasion, reminding me that I work in several schools with sick kids and that we want to do everything we can to protect ourselves and our son. Our experience was pretty uneventful. We were at the location (nearby fairgrounds) a little after 7:00am, with vaccines starting at 7:30am, and we were on our way by 7:45am. It took a bit of pleading to convince them to give Adam the vaccine, too. The nurses gave us the shots through the car windows and we were on our way.

Our house is wonderful! We have a few pictures to hang and organization to finish, but we're all moved in!

31 weeks down, 9 to go!

I had another positive doctor's appointment this afternoon.
Blood pressure: "Nice and low."
Heartbeat: "Good and strong."
Measurement: "Perfect."
Water retention: "None, looking good."

My next appointment is in two weeks. Let's hope the good news keeps coming!

We're loving our new house! We're continuing to work on cleaning and have a few boxes left to unpack. We've also worked on insulating our windows in preparation for the winter. Our large picture bay window is wonderful, but probably not the most efficient in the winter! Most of the work is done on the weekends...I'm typically worn out by the end of a work day and complete a small amount before I'm ready to call it a day.

Home Sweet Home!

We're officially moved into our house! It's been an exhausting process, but we're very excited and thankful!

We received our keys on Sunday afternoon. Throughout the week, we brought over boxes and began cleaning. Adam also worked hard on painting the nursery, which turned out great! Most of the moving and cleaning occurred over the weekend. We're very thankful for everyone that traveled to help us out. The to-do lists continued to grow as the weekend progressed as cleaning projects and simple fix-it jobs became more labor intensive than originally anticipated. We were able to meet many of our new neighbors through treat-or-treating. It was a very exciting and tiring process. Thanks again to all of our helpers! We couldn't have completed the packing, loading, unloading, unpacking, deep cleaning, repair jobs, and organizing without you! A special thanks to my parents, who completed all of the above jobs three days in a row!

It's a great feeling to be in OUR house! Visitors are always welcome!

Third Trimester!

Today marks 28 weeks-- We're officially in the third trimester!

I had my glucose test over the weekend. The drink wasn't as bad as I anticipated. I had heard horror stories about it being carbonated and the drink's texture. My beverage wasn't carbonated, nor did it have an atypical texture. It reminded me of orange snow cone flavoring, without the typical dilution from the ice. I haven't heard back from the hospital, so I'm assuming I passed. No news is good news! Since my blood type is rh negative, I also received my rhogam shot. Two needle pokes before noon on a Saturday isn't my idea of fun, but I'll do whatever it takes!

We're signed up for Childbirth Education classes. Our class is a Friday night and all-day Saturday in early December.

I had another monthly appointment with my OB this afternoon. Everything continues to look good! Blood pressure is good. No water retention/swelling. Heartbeat at 155 bpm. I'm measuring at 28 weeks. I asked him again about the H1N1 vaccine. I've received my regular flu shot, but haven't decided on this vaccine. He explained that the CDC is recommending that everyone receive both vaccines, yet he does not feel comfortable getting the H1N1 vaccine. He continues to worry about the lack of research on pregnant women. Instead of getting the vaccine, another option would be getting TamiFlu immediately (within 48 hours) if I start experiencing symptoms. He explained that, with the swine flu, symptoms hit hard and strong and would be obvious. TamiFlu has been researched on pregnant women. Obviously, the decision is up to us, but I'm leaning towards this option. My next appointment with the OB is in three weeks. Afterwards, I'll start going every other week.

In other news, we close on our house this Friday! We'll get the keys on Sunday and have until the following Saturday to vacate our apartment. Next week, we'll take car loads of boxes over, clean, paint, etc. each night. Adam will be doing most of the work and I'll help out as much as I can. We have help lined up for the weekend to move big items, etc.--Thanks in advance!

Countdowns

Today marks exactly three months until baby's due date! Time flies! Everything is going very well and he's growing more and more everyday. His favorite place is in between my hip bones, which isn't the most comfortable place for me. Fortunately, with a bit of encouragement, he will normally move up.

Only 10 more days until we close on our first house! We're scheduled to gain possession on the 25th and have until the 31st to be out of our apartment. We've been keeping busy organizing and packing.

I'm planning to do my glucose test this weekend. The OB nurse described the liquid I have to drink as "flat orange pop". It should be interesting! I'll also get my rhogam shot while I'm at the hospital.