Still here

Somehow, mommyhood has taken over my life. Considering that we don't have a computer at home for me to play on, I still have to sneak into my husband's office and get on his computer when he's not using it. Hence, my blogging has severely decreased...okay, let's be honest, it has dissapeared. I'm sorry for that, you all are in my thoughts. I have read all of your recent posts on your blogs (of course, I have missed all that has happened the past month). I'm sorry for all the sads and happy for all the goods. I've missed you guys! I promise, I'll be back to regular posting soon.

Some updates on the kid: being a mommy is the best thing ever. I'm loving "maternity" leave and getting to know this little guy. He is the best thing ever. We're really lucky to have a great baby. He eats well (he's 8.5 weeks and weighs 12pounds, 9ounces!) and sleeps well (even slept through the night the past three nights from 10pm-6am). In general, he has a great disposition. I'm lucky and completely smitten. I'll post new pics soon.

We got a new house - well, technically we have in a contract on both ends of the deal (buying and selling) that have been accepted. So assuming that all goes through with financing and inspections, we'll be moving July 28 into my dream home. Whoohoo! It's 101 years old and has been completely re-done. I love it.

I got a job teaching fifth grade next year at my school of choice. I"m pretty excited about that, a paycheck will be a nice change. I'll be teaching Language Arts and Science. Right up my alley, yay.

Okay, I need to get going. My computer time is limited. Just wanted to check in.

I feel like Gilligan

I'm sorry for my abscence, but for once it was absolutely completely out of my control.

Devin is here...he is healthy and all is well. Born April 21, 2006 (only like 2% of babies are actually born on their due date - he's just like his father, on time). 8 pounds, 12 ounces and 23 1/4 inches long (big baby).

I had a fever during labor (ended up with a c-section after 2 1/2 hours of pushing), so they did a spinal tap and blood draw on devin as soon as he was out of the womb. Turns out that he had an elevated white blood cell count in both spinal fluid and blood. They diagnosed it as meningitis....although the cultures from both the blood and spinal fluid grew nothing. For precautionary sake, the standard course of treatment was 2 weeks of antibiotics via IV. That's where Gilligan comes in, we went into the hospital expecting a smooth delivery and recovery. It ended up being the three hour tour that never ended! We got home on Saturday and I have been cooped up ever since then. Today is my first day out...yahoo! I could check the blog, but the hospital computer wouldn't let me post. I'm sorry to keep you all hanging!! If I could figure out how, I woudl post pics. We'll see what I can muster here soon.

I hope all is well in blogland. Will check in soon now that we're home. Thanks for your concerns!!

Two violations and still nothing

The membranes have now been stripped twice and still nothing...although today is a full moon and I'm hopeful of a delivery. Just wanted to update you all. I need to go walk for now. I'm miserable.

The 10 pound turkey

So at the US last week, it was confirmed. We are going to have a big baby. I knew this was a possiblity, DH and I both have a family history of big babies. DH was 8pounds, 2ounces...I was 8pounds, 8ounces. I was just hoping to avoid that. It appears that is not the case, last week at 36W, 4D the baby measured 8 pounds, 5ounces on US. Needless to say, we still have three weeks left. Oh my God! I have to get this baby out of me. Tomorrow morning, they are going to strip my membranes in hopes to stir things up. I'm hoping this will start the labor process and I'll be holding our new baby boy by this time next week. Wish us luck. Cervix was favorable, anterior, soft, 25% effaced last week. I've been walking and bouncing on the birthing ball in hopes to progress things along. We'll know more tomorrow. I still feel him in my ribs alot, so I'm thinking he hasn't dropped yet. He is head down, thankfully. Okay, I'm hot and tired. I need to go put my feet up. We went to a wedding in DC this weekend and I still haven't recovered.

I am a sucky blogger

That's the absolute truth...all is fine here. I'm sorry to give anyone a scare. Really, we are so lucky that we have such a great support system. I'm sorry for not being supportive lately. The truth is that my computer time is so limited, by the time that I check email there is no time left for blogger. Also, I'm hesitant to log into my blog page on random computers for fear of weirdo lurkers who I actually know. So, I only log onto the blog on DH's computer. Also, I'm sort of enjoying the bliss of zoning out and not really trying to think about the emotions I'm having. And I'm tired. So there, that's my lamo list of why I'm a sucky blogger. I'm going to try to be better....I think I said that a month ago.


Things here are fine. I'm still ticking along, just got done swimming. Baby is moving plenty and obviously growing by the size of my belly. Our next appt. and US are on March 28. I can't believe I am in the home stretch here...almost 36 weeks. Wow.

Okay, I need to go explore your all's blogs before I head home. Will try to do a better job of checking in. :)

Still ticking...

Both me and the baby, that is. Sorry to be MIA. I think I'm depressed or something. I don't really feel depressed, I just feel very distracted and can't make myself sit down long enough to enter a blog entry. What is the deal with that? I have all sorts of things to write about...just no energy and what feels like no time to write them. Ugh. I need to pull my head out.

Let's see, quick update....
*I failed my one hour glucose test, changed my diet a bit (cut down to one sweet a day and drank my juice at 10:30am instead of first thing) and stepped up the exercise. Passed the three hour glucose test. So all is well, the doc recommends keeping the changes that I made. I can live with that.
*Baby is moving like crazy lately. That's a good sign...I was worried there for a while. He must be getting so big in there. It seems hard to believe that a 3+ pound and 17+ inch baby is living in my belly. I love this time of bonding and must say that I really am enjoying being pregnant.
*I forgot to mention that I do hate feeling like a beached whale. I'm really not that big, but Devin is right in my ribs and riding very high. Makes bending over very difficult. Also feels like I can't breathe all day long.
*Nursery is completed...I love it, love it, love it. If I ever get the time and energy, I will post pics.
*First baby shower this weekend. I'm so excited. The next shower will be next weekend - it's all just so fun to think about. I'm really feeling pretty excited and optimistic about this baby most of the time.
*I hate blogger...the past three times I've tried to post it's had difficulties and just now came on saying that it may lose unsaved posts because it's having trouble staying connected. Grrrr. I'm thinking of making a new blog page for Devin after he is born. That way I can share with you all and also share with my family. They know nothing about this blog page, not that I say anything that racy. I just like the freedom of posting my thoughts without anyone from the real world reading them. I'm going to make the new blog page on typepad, I think. Any thoughts on that?
*I've been watching the winter olympics....I'm trying to like them. I just don't understand most of the sports. I mean, can you really call Curling a sport? It seems mostly like lots of talking, strategizing, and some luck. I don't know....
*Happy Valentine's Day to everyone. DH and I are going to the Duke basketball game tonight. A life long dream of my husband's - I hope we have fun. We got the tickets for free from his boss, love that! I need to go for now, we have a drive in front of us to get to the game. Hoping to get there in time to walk around and see the campus. Maybe Devin will go there someday...

The Child has a name...

Devin Lee S-----

It's weird, but I fear that now that he has a name that increases the chances we will lose him. Is that insane? Not to mention that he is a very mellow baby - seriously, pretty quiet most of the day. He moves a lot at night time. I can't decide if it's that he's not moving or I'm not paying attention or maybe I'm just not good at recognizing the "rolls" and "shifts" that are more present now, as opposed to the blunt kicks. I'm such a paranoid freak, we went to the hospital a week ago because I was sure something was wrong with him. I hadn't felt much movement in the previous four days, I'd felt some. Anyway, they hooked me up to the monitor and all was well in there. His heartbeat was in the 140's and he was movin' and a shakin' in there. I just wish that I knew what was going on in there. It's hard to relinquish the control. I feel like I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop...it all seems too good to be true. I mean...I'm 26 weeks, taking baby class, registered for gifts, planning showers, getting the nursery ready, reading everything about baby care and breastfeeding that I can get my hands on...yet it all feels like I'm playing pretend. The fact that we could actually bring this baby home amazes me, not to mention that if we did lose this baby I would be devastated. Crushed. I don't know if I could go through another late loss. We call this baby by name and I eagerly await it's every move. I have hopes and dreams for this kid, as I did with Isaac. I just want them to come true. My dreams are nothing that grandiose...you know, be born, be healthy, get to go to school one day, play basketball with his dad. He could be a janitor for all I care...so long as he is alive and kicking. I don't know. I suppose that's why I've been avoiding blogging. It should be a time of sharing all that is going on with me, instead I feel like it's just a time of fear. I fear everything, I'm a basketcase. Blogging only makes me face those fears, to name them and write about them. That's a difficult thing to do. Every day, I sigh with relief that we've made it through another day (while in the back of my mind I'm freaking out because he's a mellow baby and he's not squirming inside of me). I just wish I could fast forward, so that I would know how things turn out. Only that's not possible, so I just trudge through each day...hoping for the best. We have another appointment next week, Jan. 24. I'm going to be so daring as asking the doctors about hospital procedures, travelling in labor (hospital is an hour away), pain relief options, breastfeeding after birth, maybe even touring the hospital. I need the info at some point, I might as well go out on a limb now. Sometimes I get so pissed at myself, why can't I just relax and enjoy this pregnancy? Why do I second guess every single thing? I'm just making myself miserable. All part of the game, I guess.