Wordful Wednesday: Labor, Delivery, Recovery, Home

And here are those photos from my labor and delivery that you've been waiting on...

Yes, I twittered some while in labor. It drove my husband batty. He almost refused to bring the computer in the room for me... but finally gave in since the labor lasted all day. I've been hoping to get some of these photos posted this past week, but life has been a little off-kilter to say the least. Still don't have a groove down... or nursing back on track... but I haven't given up. There have been glimmers of hope and blessings even with the tears and trails. Just this morning I got on my scale and it told me I was already down to exactly the weight I was when I got pregnant. Too bad my 'shape' isn't the same. I'm certain there are many sit-ups and laps around the block in my future.



And here's the Viking in all his chubby glory - telling those nurses what he thinks about being pricked, poked, rubbed, and Lord knows what else. Everyone was in tears (some for joy, others because the epidural wore off). And Mom finally got her cheeseburger, fries and a coke - after a day of ice chips. I love me some cheeseburger.



The busy labor room behind us, we checked in to postpartum and expected to get some rest. Note: Don't expect rest in a hospital. Another Note: Why do hospitals paint their postpartum rooms GREY? Seems as if they are just testing you to see if you'll get postpartum depression before you leave with all that gloomy paint on the wall.



Hubby and I were so tired that the first day or so was spent sleeping at every available moment. Thankfully my mom was there to help with the first few feedings and stayed up in the night rocking the little night owl to sleep. His little skin was peeling on his hands and feet - and now he looks like a molting lizard.



Kaden finally got to hold his little brother on the second day at home. My mom thinks that he looks just like Kaden did when he was little... but the jury is still out. I think he has my husband's mouth and chin. I can't wait to find out what color his eyes will be and if his hair will stick around - change colors if it falls out and comes back in - or if he'll be bald for a year or two like my other babies were. It is fun getting to know them once they are here.

Sorry about the blog neglect but it's just like that country western song by Doug Stone says...

I could have written a play so sweet and so funny
Given old Mr. Shakespere a run for his money
Written the words to the prettiest tune
That would never leave a dry eye in the room
My only excuse for not doing enough
I was too busy being in love
Yes I was too busy being in love

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Buzz Words: pregnancy, birth, baby, infant, pictures, photos, Wordless Wednesday, motherhood, mommy, cute, children, sleepy, postpartum

First Week with Baby

What a difference 4 hours of sleep in a row made last night. Gave me time to come in here and start a draft. Don't expect a polished post out of me for quite some time... but if you're in the mood for talk about feeding troubles, postpartum depression, breast pumps, baby gear, jaundice or reflux - I'm your girl.

The purpose of this post is mainly to let you all know I'm alive... and to enlist you to pray if you take pity on me. I'm sure most of you mamas out there remember what it is like when life goes on as normal for most people and you are caught in an endless schedule of baby feedings and self care. The visitors are wonderful, but when they all leave, you tend to get a little melancholy wondering if you'll be able to bounce back to your normal speed again. Things are overwhelming that used to get done with ease. It doesn't help that usually you are still physically healing and hormonally unstable.

A few of you sweet friends who have left me such wonderful prayers, thoughts, and encouragement in my comments section and elsewhere online have asked for a labor story... so I'll just give you a little recap of the past few days (which will explain why there's been no time for blogging):

You all knew that I was HUGE pregnant just days ago. Well, the doctor didn't really want to induce me two weeks early, but she knew how awful I was feeling and allowed me to make the choice of an early induction. She thought little Kohen would be 8 lbs. and 1 oz. - and boy was she wrong! I'm so glad that I listened to my body (that had been contracting for weeks) and chose to get it over with early. Thankfully, everything turned out well (although nothing went as planned).

Monday night the 16th... couldn't hardly sleep, watched a movie with Kevin before bed, worried and contracted through the night

Tuesday the 17th... up at 4am, last minute items loaded in to the car, check in at the hospital before 6am, start Pitosin drip at 7:30am, stay 2.5 cm for half of the day, get epidural at 2:30pm - 3 sticks and hurt like the dickens, progress to 3.5 cm until nearly 9pm, doctor accidentally pops my water during a check at 9ish... baby drops and engages and full labor begins (just in time for the epidural to wear off). I resume the rest of labor with a sleepy medicine head feeling and excruciating pain - including the birth of my 9lb. 4oz. baby who conveniently came out with his arm aside his head (I'm sure he did this just so I could top everyone else's labor stories... at least he wasn't "sideways"). He arrives just in time to be a St. Patrick's baby at 11:13PM.

Wednesday the 18th... baby and I were well cared for by great nurses, daddy, and grandma while we tried to get some rest. Unfortunately, there's no resting in the hospital for women who deliver large babies. Heel pricks for blood sugar come at hourly intervals... along with all the other "visitors" that the hospital sends your way (spaced out so that you can't get more than a 30 minute catnap on either end of them).

Thursday the 19th... by now I have no idea what day it is. I just know they are about to send me home with an infant after not sleeping for more than five hours in three days. I finally get a shower and beg the nurse for more ice packs. Everything is loaded up for home and we head out. Catnaps help some. Grandma Chickie stays up five hours rocking Kohen so I can sleep. Unfortunately I end up waking every hour worried about him.

Friday the 20th... still no milk. Kohen beginning to dehydrate some, slight jaundice, we go buy a pump and start supplementing formula. I'm exhausted. Friends from church bring us dinner. I sleep through dinner since it falls between a feeding. Kids are ruined from video games by now. Mom meets my cousin for herbal supplements for breast-milk production. Hot showers don't work. At least the formula gives me a five hour stretch of sleep during the night.

Today, the 21st, Saturday... the pump provides evidence that milk is slowly coming in. Now that the milk is arriving, baby prefers the bottle. Feedings are a nightmare for both of us. We take the baby to the pediatrician to be checked for jaundice. He sets up a blood test for Sunday. Daddy gets me a cheeseburger and the kids and Chickie clean the whole house while we are out as a nice surprise. Grandma Betty stops in for a visit. Chickie leaves to go home. I spend my first night without an extra helper. Daddy gets woke up at 3AM for diaper duty. Both of us look like those "mall people" you see pushing a newborn in a stroller that we always chuckle at... remembering the days when ours were tiny. We're too old for this extreme lack of sleep.

And then of course, you look at the little critter you are caring for... those sweet cheeks... tiny fingers... shiny eyes... sleepy facial expressions... soft skin and precious little baby noises... and all the physical strain ebbs away - leaving you with just one wish - to kiss that tiny boy and rub his fuzzy head against your cheek. How blessed we are. How BUSY we are.

So no matter how long it takes me to become a 'regular' blogger again... it's all worth it. The routine must be adjusted so that normal life can once again take place. And that takes time and patience - and a few tears here and there. Whatever normal will look like after we find a 'New Groove' is a mystery. We're very thankful to have our little guy as part of the family, though. We are just working some postpartum kinks out.

Well, it's 4:44 AM on Sunday. I better catch a 2 hour nap before the next feeding. Pray that breastfeeding becomes the norm and formula is on the out! I haven't given up yet...


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Buzz Words: pregnancy, birth, baby, infant, pictures, photos, portraits, motherhood, mommy, cute, children, sleepy, postpartum

Wordless Wednesday: Bundle of Joy

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The Last Pregnancy Update and Lots of Prayer Requests

Tedious medical details and TMI aside, I just wanted to stop in and let you all know what is going on with baby bee and me. I had my final pregnancy visit and sonogram today. Here are the updates, my notes, and some prayer requests:

* The baby may or may not be 8 lbs and 1 oz. Last week he measured 8 and a half pounds, so either last week was wrong, this week is wrong, or the kid put himself on a diet for a week. Mom didn't lay off the cokes or the Tex Mex, so I know it was not my fault he 'got skinnier'. I was expecting him to be over 9 lbs today, so I was thrilled to hear he wasn't that big. They told me Morgan would only be 7, though... and she was 8 lbs, 13 oz. Machines and doctors fib. Don't trust'em. Please pray that baby is the perfect size for mom - and that I don't have to have a C-section or any other cutting or stitching of body parts. Ick. I shudder to think.

* My body is already preparing for pregnancy with nearly 3 cm of progress made so far (which has been one cause for my lost sleep lately as most of my contractions seem to happen late at night). Prayers that I can get some rest tonight (and for my family to be able to rest, too) would be appreciated.

* I calculated my own due date out and really think that I'm 5 days ahead of what the doctor has down. That made me feel better about a 38 week induction. However, there's really no telling what goes on in there - in the darkness of a uterus... so I'd appreciate prayers for the baby to be healthy, fully developed, medical-problem free, able to nurse and bond, and able to go home with me when I leave after delivery. Prayers for him to be insanely handsome, noble in character, patient and understanding, genuinely kind and good-natured, and blessed with a double portion of wisdom and tender bigheartedness are also greatly appreciated. A mom has high hopes for her prodigy.

* He'll be born on St. Patrick's Day (and hopefully the labor and delivery will be short and sweet). Contrary to the sloppy drunks, smoky pubs, and other sordid images that seem to have taken over the holiday, St. Patrick's story is one that is truly inspiring. He was enslaved in an Irish prison for six years before studying to become a missionary. For instance, did you know that the Irish offer prayers for missionaries worldwide on each St. Patrick's day? Green isn't so bad a color, either. I did paint his nursery walls key-lime green, after all. My little 'Irishman' may even end up with red hair (we have some in the family). No matter his hair color, though (and it may take some time to figure that out since all my babies are bald for nearly 2 years), I'm praying that he'll be a great man one day - one that will be unafraid to serve the Lord with all his might in the face of oposition (much like St. Patrick).

* I'm going in to the hospital at 6 AM to be induced. The bags are packed (have been for quite some time) and the car seat is installed. I've got plenty of chocolate to take with me, too. Don't you worry about me. I'll be the lady playing cards with Godiva Raspberry filling dribbling down her hospital gown from sneaking a bite of her dark chocolate bar that she snuck in with her purse. Cards, you ask? Yes - that's what women who have good anesthesiologists do while in labor. Prayers for a good anesthesiologist is at nearly the top of the list (after all the baby's health stuff, of course). The less pain the better. I know some of you have said that you felt great after a natural birth and could "plow a field"... but I don't own any property and I loathe sweating in the Texas heat... so I'll just stick to painless birthing and take an extra couple of days to recover fully in the air conditioning.

* FUN STUFF: I drove down to the camera store today after my doctor appointment (in sheer panic that I wouldn't get this done before the baby came if I didn't do it today) and bought a White Balance Lense Cap made by BRNO. I can't wait to take photos of those wrinkled feet. I should have ordered one a month ago when Dawn did her review, but I work much better under pressure (unfortunantly this time for my wallet). Thankfully Kev was there to stop me from drooling all over their 500$ Tameron Macro Lens so I wouldn't have to pay for it after it was soggy and broken. While I may not have perfect macro ability, at least I can flex some new White Balance muscle with my Canon 40D and see what kind of hospital shots it can crank out. Prayers that I don't botch this one-time photo event would also be appreciated.


So now that you know what is up with me, you can get on with the rest of your blog reading and homeschooling. I may be outa-here for a while, but I'm going to see if some of my Homeschool Post buddies can stop in for a post or two while I'm away. If I get a chance to twitter or check email, I'll gladly do so. Not sure if the hospital allows too much of that sort of thing. I heard their postpartum rooms are not wifi equipped.

Unless the 'Viking'... which if under 9 lbs might be more of a cute little "hoot-owl"... comes early tonight in a surprise attack, I'll be up at the "crack-o-don" (Morganism) tomorrow getting fitted for my pitosin IV drip. Hopefully you'll be thinkin' of me now and then tomorrow while wearing your token 'green' and will remember to pray. [Green undies don't count, ya'll.] I'll be sure to take you a few hundred shots of the wee one to share the next time I log in!

A Very Happy Early St. Patrick's Day!

May your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.

~Irish Blessing

Love in Him,

What Do You Blog About?

I used to have a Tag Cloud on my blog when I was hacking blogger to create my own tags long before the newer version came out. Although it is gone and I don't use Del.icio.us any longer (favoring Stumble instead), I sometimes wonder about the main ideas and topics that I'm blogging about... and whether they suit the purpose of my blog. Shoot. I even wonder sometimes if I have a purpose at all. There are many days I don't know what I'm going to post about until I open the blank box and begin to type.

I have spoken in an online conference and gave the advice that you SHOULD, indeed, have a purpose in your blogging. I firmly believe it... and yet sometimes with a personal-style blog, it is easy to drift off and lose track of that goal.

So today I looked back on the cloud list and here's what I came up with that had enough posts to qualify as a category - the ones at the top much more frequent than the ones at the bottom:

What Sprittibee Blogs About

Homeschool
Personal
Photos
Family
Faith
Parenting
Blogging
Photography
Motherhood
Education
Children
Life
Field Trips
Curriculum
Teaching
Organization
Housework
Schedules
Lists
Bugs
Science
Nature
Arts and Crafts
Books
Texas
Lesson Plans
Links
Reviews
SAHM
America
History
Food
Cats
Holidays
Poetry
Geography
Techie-Stuff
Enrichment
Carnivals
Contests
Health
Fun
Politics
Pregnancy

That's a pretty spread-out list. Not so easy to define. And yet totally 'me'. It would be hard to envision my blog without any of those topics because they interest me. It is the interest and passion that fuels better posting. I mean, I wouldn't blog about medical tools, beer flavors, dog breeds, or bikini contests because those things are better left to people who find them interesting.

One reason I started wondering about this is because I was asked to speak at BlogHer in July ~ about homeschooling and the homeschool community online. It's something I know, I do, I blog about. They say you should stick to writing about what you know - or what you are interested in learning about. Sadly, knowing, doing and blogging about something doesn't make me an expert, or a guru. Even so, I gave it some thought and have been really considering it. The only problem is that I'll have a 3.5 month old infant to tote with me (leaving me with a serious need for additional adult help), and I can't imagine where the funds would come from for air fare, hotel, and other related travel expenses. And I hate traveling without my kids (who would probably enjoy a few field trip opportunities in Chicago - somewhere we won't probably be visiting too many times in our lives since we live in TEXAS). Taking the kids along would give me a much larger monetary setback, even though I would have much less 'homeschool mom guilt'. I don't know if I'll be able to go... but if God ordains it - it will happen.

I sometimes marvel at the fact that blogs can take someone's random personality and thoughts... and turn them in to a tool that connects and inspires others. I don't consider myself that different from any other homeschool mom who's out there in the trenches. I read some of my favorite homeschool bloggers' blogs and sometimes feel like I'm just a small speck out here - typing out with a tiny voice to a blogosphere and community that is as vast as our country is large. It's a humbling experience. So I wanted to thank you for reading... and wanted you to know that I'm just like you. Just a small part of the bigger picture...

...and that picture keeps getting more and more interesting with each new homeschool blog - each new online connection - and each new day spent sharing myself in the online world. Whatever good my blogging is doing for others can't beat the good it does for me.


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Buzz Words: blogging, BlogHer, homeschool, conference, Topics, online, homeschooling, community, interests, writing, life, social networking, personal growth, speaking

H is for Headlights and 'Happy Days'

Americana. Rusted old reminders of our not so distant past. They take me back to time spent with my grandparents and the stories they told me of more carefree days when Americans were trusting of each other and mostly trusting of their government. Some of those days I even got to experience starting in the early 70's, but life had already began to adopt a much busier pace by then.

Back when my grandparents were kids, doors were left unlocked. People still traded things at the markets in town from their farms. Barber shops were full of good friends and family. Picnics seemed to happen a lot more often. Newspaper and news stations weren't biased and truly represented the public's best interest. Gangsters and thugs were criminals, not government representatives or heroes on TV. Men had guns and didn't use them on each other. Women knew how to cook and didn't begrudge raising their children... and most of them were at home in the afternoons when the yellow school bus let out, making a snack or mending a pair of blue-jeans. It was a different time. A slower time; some might say a happier time in our history.

There were no computers, cell phones, or Ipods. Grocery store clerks knew you by name and didn't mind if you were short a few dollars - they would get it from you next time. Kids could play outside without supervision until dark. Sticks and rocks were just as cool as any gadget you can get at the toy stores. Dinner was served at home around the table. Prayer and church were normal. Radio was the major media. Movies were clean enough for the whole family to enjoy.



Remember the drive-in movie theaters? This one has been enchanting me since I was a small kid - every time I drive by it. Amazingly, it still stands as a reminder of a part of our American past.

I remember my grandma and grandpa's stories of their youth and childhood... the Depression, their school years, the hardships and trails they endured... and the good old-fashioned fun they had in easier, less busy times. Even the hard work they were expected to do (which kids nowadays would be shocked at). It helped to made them who they ended up to be. There weren't movies on demand, video games, Webkins and calling-plans with text messaging for kids. They didn't even get sweets more than once a week or so.

Just last night my mom asked my kids if they had ever had home-made ice cream. They shook their heads, "no". Shame on me! I have failed to give them what little parts of the past that I still can. This summer we're going to make home made ice cream and eat it on the porch with our watermelon we're growing in the garden.

In a world as crazy as we live in, I think it's important to look back and find the good things that we can still give to our kids that are uniquely American... and share them as a heritage of simple joys from our past. We should talk about the people and times that came before. It's good to remember the 'Happy Days' so our kids will get a little taste of them now.



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Buzz Words: truck, photography, Americana, memories, past, American, shiny, life, Thursday Challenge, motherhood, photos, rustic, heritage, nostalgia, antique

What to Take to the Hospital When You're Having a Baby

It has been ten years since my last trip to labor and delivery. Twelve the time before that. So... I decided to ask around and get a few tips on what to take to the hospital with me that I might have forgotten. I figure in ten years there might even be something new and exciting that I need to add to my list. I took ideas from books I have read since I got pregnant this time (refresher courses) and the hospital tour I went on to check out our delivery room (amazing all the new gadgets and gizmos they use in modern day LD rooms). I even got some great tips from the kind people that read and comment here on my blog (Thanks!). What I've put together is a comprehensive list for packing up and moving in to your local hospital maternity wing for a day or six (depending on if you end up with a C-section or not). So if you have a babe on the way, you'll be a step ahead of the rest with this hospital bag check-list.

I know the list is long, but trust me - there's no kitchen sink hiding in there. If you are like me, you probably enjoy a thorough list and don't mind marking off things that aren't useful to you. So take this one and make it your own. I'm sure you'll come across something you hadn't thought of (I know I did!). I mean, if you have to go squeeze out a watermelon-sized Viking child, you might as well do it in as much comfort as possible. For me, that would include some SERIOUS narcotics (luckily the hospital has those, so I didn't have to put them on the list).

Sprittibee's Hospital Packing List for Labor and Delivery

Snacks and Cameras:

Small igloo with ice
snacks: Belly Bars, Yogurt Covered Raisins, whole grain crackers, plum baby food for mom, dark chocolate, fruit leather, apple sauce, cheese sticks, drinks for kids and spouse/mom
medicated tucks witch-hazel pads (kept in cooler)
tapes/film for cameras
charged batteries for cameras
video and 35mm/DSLR Cameras
list of photos not to miss while there (wrinkly feet being #1 on said list)

Important Stuff:

computer
phone number list for people you want to notify when baby is born
wallet with ID/checkbook/medical cards
cell phone
purse and keys

Baby Stuff:

car seat
blankets
diapers and wipes
pacifiers
onsies and the frilly outfit you want to take your first photos of baby in
burp cloth
baby's first stuffed animal for photos
socks and hat/cap
baby book (make sure you get footprints when they do it for the hospital paperwork)

Mom Stuff:

change of clothes for coming home: underwear, maternity jeans, sweater or shirt, robe, nightgown, slippers, socks, shoes
bathroom bag with overnight items: toothbrush, toothpaste, brush, make-up remover, make-up, lotion, q-tips, clips or headbands, hairspray, rollers and hairdryer, pads
chapstick
nursing bra and nursing pads, pump if you aren't renting from the hospital or buying one later
extra blanket or pillow
labor tools (exercise balls, massager, oils, lotions, etc. - depending on your birthing plan)
watch or stopwatch
book to read
thank you cards to mail for your shower if you have free time
ipod (some newer rooms have docking stations)

Labor Partners (Spouse/Mom/Kids/Friends):

overnight bags similar to moms with bathroom stuff and a change of clothes
pillows and blankets if spending the night
change for vending machines
money for cafeteria or gift shop
things to keep busy: crosswords, books, cards, travel games, paper and pencils to draw, clipboards, gameboy, paperwork, magazines, laptops, ipods, newspaper


I have almost everything on the list packed up and ready to stuff in the back of my truck today. I'm on my way to the doctor at 9:30AM, hoping she'll find that my cervix has some good things to say about delivery being imminent today or tomorrow. You know the story about the dude that went 'postal'? Well, my husband says I need to get 'patiential' on her to help her change her mind about inducing a tad early. Not sure how anyone could consider a 9lb. baby boy a 'preemie' and I hear that 37 weeks is medically term (doc said so herself). That means I'm serving my boy an eviction notice tomorrow!

Hopefully my next post will be of sweet hospital photos of my Viking boy's wrinkled feet. Stay tuned!


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Owly Baby Shower

"Whoooo doesn't love a baby?" That was my baby shower theme. These are the photos from yesterday's festivities - and YES, I got my cupcake... but was not impressed with the fact that it didn't start my labor like I had hoped. See that little finger indentation on the icing? That's my friend Ammie's little girl's mark. Party tip: make sure you watch the little ones if the cake is out on the counter!



Morgan was wearing her 'inspiration' shirt - complete with the little bird and branch that is very similar to what we'll be painting on her wall. I tried in the last two weeks to get the energy up to go paint the murals in the baby room, but it wasn't meant to be. There will be plenty of time for that later, I hope.



Decorating with owls was quite fun. The theme was expanded on with birds nests, ribbons and eggs. I used some older owls I have collected over the years - including this Avon owl that I've had since I was a wee little girl. We gave him a pretty new collar and he stood watch over the perfectly colored jelly bellies.



By far the biggest hit was the cake my friend Ammie ordered. We got the cupcake idea off of Flickr and altered it to be a buttercream icing creation. My downfall is buttercream icing. It wasn't as pretty as fondant, but it was EXTRA yummy.



We also had chili dip, artichoke dip, chips, crackers, cheeses, fruit, candy, and an incredible punch to go with our cupcakes and cake. The punch was my own creation. Here's the recipe:

BEE'S BERRY PUNCH

Adjust the amounts of each ingredient to fit your taste and the size of your punch bowl.

chilled ginger ale
frozen piña colada mix (run hot water over it to soften before putting in the punch)
bag of frozen mixed berries
raspberry sherbet
chilled berry/cranberry juice
crushed ice

Everyone enjoyed the punch. We got a lot of compliments on it. I wanted more myself, but by the time people started leaving and I had a chance to make it back over to the punch bowl, there wasn't any left.



Aside the punch bowl was the "diaper cake". Another baby-shower Flickr idea. I told you that Flickr was the bomb. So many creative people out there! We used wadded up grocery sacks as the center of each layer and rolled diapers to go around the edge before tying them off. It just so happened that I had a package with light green and white - which went perfect for our nursery-color schemed party. The tip top has a nesting stuffed owl. I had planned on tying off some pacifiers with ribbon and letting them dangle from the nest - but time got away from me and I forgot to add them.



Ammie found this cute white cupcake stand at Target. I glued a tiny orange bow at the top. We added ribbon to all the white table-top accessories. I thought her flowers she got half price at Lowe's were a nice touch to the table-top, too. You don't have to break the bank to have a nice looking party spread (well, if you know how to decorate cakes yourself, that is!).



Interestingly, I found out that Ammie had planned to do her two year old daughter's room in an owl theme, too. Not quite the same colors (she was adding in pinks), but her Pottery Barn owls were a cute touch as party decorations. Great minds think alike. I was glad little A let us borrow her owls (even if she did pull them down a few times to tell us which one was her favorite).



This was our artistic contribution to the party. I made an owl out of card-stock, scrapbook paper, and ribbon - colored with crayons and markers - to hang on the wall over a row of chairs. The little ones enjoyed coloring a few of them that I drew on paper, too. It kept the tiny hands busy while the grown-ups scurried to prepare for the guests.

During the party we played a few games - the guys got to identify the chocolate 'poo' in newborn diapers and the girls had a relay race to see who could dress and diaper a doll. More of the younger girls played than the grown-ups during the women's race. The doll owner finally got tired of sharing and took our prop, so we ended that contest early. We gave away two Starbucks gift cards to the winners of each.

All in all, the party was a lot of fun. I had to enlist my husband at the end to help open gifts because I started having some contractions and was unable to bend forward to look in the bags. I feel like I swallowed an exercise ball, I'm soooo big.

It's nearly 11pm on Sunday night and I'm having contractions as I write. All our bags are packed and now that we've had the shower, the carseat is ready and installed in our vehicle. We're as ready as we can be for the little 'hoot' to get here. If he comes tonight, we'll know for sure he's a night-owl.

I'll try to 'tweet' when I can if we head to the hospital. Until then, I may be hard to find online.



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Make Way for the Pregnant Lady

I've always wanted to ride in one of those carts. Even as goofy as I felt (and looked with my poofy shirt looking more like a wrinkly hot-air balloon and my kids acting like dorks), we had fun at Target. I got a thrill backing up and making beeping noises. I'm pretty sure there were a few boy toddlers who were majorly jealous. What a big day we had. I got to clip the edge of an aisle (don't tell, please - HEY it was my FIRST time!), spill water in a neat half-circle on the floor through the basket after a jolting start ("clean up on aisle 12!"), nearly run over my children, and get lots of strange looks from old folks passing me with grocery carts (that they were pushing themselves).

Shoot. My mom even parked in the handicap spot outside. [We do have a handicap in our family. It just happens to be MENTAL.]

You probably guessed by now that the huge, fat, dangerous driver in the photo above is me. You would be right there. I'm still pregnant and trying to prevent contractions until after the baby shower!

The 12 hours of contractions I had yesterday that ended at 4AM sure got me in high gear to get the last minute items we needed for our hospital trip. I mean, who can go have a baby without a box of Choxie? A personal Igloo? A box of Tucks Medicated Pads? Yogurt covered raisins? And of course... tapes for the video camera. I even bought a few things for the baby shower (that I'm trying desperately to attend - hence my embarrassing ride on the automatic grocery cart today).

And when things get embarrassing, mom's always there with her camera. That's what moms are for, I hear.

So in case you were wondering what happened after the ellipse on my contraction countdown yesterday... or in case you have been following my crazy twitter about back pain, heartburn, and labor fears - rest assured that the Viking is still sound (if safe?) in his VERY SNUG little digs for the time being. I'm hoping he stays there until we can manage to procure some baby gear to transport him home from the hospital. Sweet Grandma Betty has told us she's bringing something of the sort to the shower.

I'm still dreaming of those owly cupcakes. It's a win-win situation for little 'V' - if he stays put a few more days: he can have his cake (I hear that flavors translate through amniotic fluid) and a cooly-cool ride home in his brand new car-seat.

What more could a Viking want? Other than more legroom... and less poking from mom?

Don't worry baby. It's all green lights for delivery after Saturday! I'll be going down my list of wives-tales on how to trick your body in to expelling huge-Viking-child as soon as the butter-cream icing sugar-rush has subsided Saturday afternoon. No more bed rest for me! And no more electric shopping carts! Hey Target! Watch out for the post-baby-shower pregnant lady doing laps through the skinny clothes section. Yep - that will be me next week!


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Buzz Words: labor, nursery, owls, life, flickr, decorating, baby, motherhood, house, pregnancy, delivery, mommy, contractions

Whooo Might Come Early?

1. cup-♥-hearts... h♥♥t, 2. Wiggle Eye Owl Valentine, 3. Owl Collage Cards, 4. boreal owl, 5. owl, 6. Owly tea for me, 7. Paul's 34th, 2008, 8. Little Birds 9, 9. early bird and worm [back], 10. Owlie Pillow (v3), 11. Polkie the Owl, 12. Coruja-buraqueira (Speotyto cunicularia) - Burrowing Owl

I'm sensing the wrench. In my plans, that is.

Today while planning with my buddy for the family baby shower this weekend, I seem to have set off the time bomb. From 4pm through 8pm, I had regular 10 minute contractions. They weren't painful, but I could tell they were doing some work. Mr. Viking has been more than hospitable today in the lung and stomach arena - no reflux, no heartburn, no gasping for air. However; I discovered that the nerves to my legs are pinched off and there's quite a bit of pressure 'down South' - indicating that Mr. Man has dropped a tad.

Dropping and contracting is great news... but not when you are three days away from your baby shower... and you have the cutest cupcakes this side of the Mason-Dixon ordered. I'm all about the cupcakes and THEN the epidural, baby. Don't get me wrong, Viking boy is welcome at his baby shower - as long as he can get here in time for mom to be released Friday from the hospital... or as long as he can stay put until I get cake and punch!

In other baby news: a sweet friend of mine sent me THE OWL that is going on the nursery wall. It's NOT on the image above, but those are some of my flickr faves - since I'm an owly-freak (dontcha just LOVE flickr?). I actually was nicknamed 'hoot' when I was a kid because one of my first words was 'hoot'. I've always loved owls. I'm so glad I waited to paint the mural. I just can't wait to finish the baby room. I was going to tackle it today (this morning I was feeling energized), but after realizing that baby was lower than usual, I opted to get back in bed to try and salvage my baby shower.

Wanna see my nursery colors:


Keylime Pie (main color/wall color)
Tropical Teal
Bright Sage
Chocolate Brown (main accent)
Pumpkin Orange
White & Pine furniture

Very fun and springy indeed. Or woodsy if you add in the hooty owl and the bird on the branch.

Feathering this nursery nest may be difficult if I can't make it to the baby shower. Please pray for me to either have the baby ASAP or next week! I'm so excited that he wants out early (but I'd like a moment to gather the last minutes supplies up first).

Oh, and thanks for putting up with all my baby and pregnancy posts. Looks like my blog theme has expanding as much as my belly. God has a sense of humor, does He not? And obviously He's not working on MY schedule.

Oops...
9:14
9:24
9:32
9:39
9:47
9:50...

I wonder if this little owl is coming tonight?


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Buzz Words: labor, nursery, owls, life, flickr, decorating, baby, motherhood, house, pregnancy, delivery, mommy, contractions

Wordless Wednesday: Hair Raising

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Oh, No You Di'nt !!!

So here it is, folks: THE BELLY at 9 months. Yeah, it's big, alright. This was last week, too... and I haven't been getting smaller since then. I can't reach my feet, people - and it's torture waiting for a ten year old to put your socks on for you.

I heard about a chick that had her baby at a gas station the other day and didn't even know she was in labor - completely painless process. What's up with that?! Why do some people get all the breaks and others get all the stretch marks.

Fortunately, I put my time in on the stretchmark thing ten years ago (no more, please). I'm counting on the doctor taking pity on me tomorrow as I waddle in to her office like the "un-jolly green giant-lady". FE FI FO FUM. Tears and begging have been suggested to work on doctors (as a form of mind control like "the Force" in Star Wars) by my cousin. I may actually try them out. They won't even be fake at this point!

The big thing I wanted to share with you today, though (besides the HONKIN' BELLY SHOT) is what my husband actually emailed me today from work.

Here's what I sent him (abbreviated, of course - because I get a little long-winded - as you might already have noticed):

Honey,

I have an appointment tomorrow at the doctor and I'll need to take my truck. My mom has an appointment and can't pick the kids up from choir, so I will just drive them myself and pray I don't go in to labor!

(Then I shared some information about the kids schedule and asked about his sister. Nothing but small talk, really.)

Love you,
Heather

[He's been taking my truck since I'm a sloth right now and am afraid to drive because of contractions and limited space between me and the wheel. Short legs are not ideal for pregnant drivers.]

HERE WAS HIS RESPONSE:

Cool. You can have my truck tomorrow. I'll give you a "crash" course on stick shift driving tonight. See ya tonight.

PS Have dinner cooked and ready to serve when I get home.

Love you too,
Kevin

[In other words, he's telling me I can use his truck, not have MINE back - and his is out of break-pads and the truck is a standard - which obviously, I can't drive - especially not 9 months pregnant and teetering at the brink of delivery.]

Good thing I know he was kidding. He loves to jest. He's lucky I'm letting him eat at the table with me after a comment like that. I need to rent that movie about the husband and wife that switch places when she's pregnant. Either that, or go borrow one of those hundred pound fake pregnant bellies from the Lamaze class at the hospital (or 3 of them - after all, the Viking is no small package). I think that when we get to heaven, we need to ask God to let all the men in the audience stay pregnant for the first 9 months they are there. He does say "revenge is mine", right?? Surely he won't forget our suffering.


Quick Links:
The Belly (8 month mark)
The Belly (almost 6 months)


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Buzz Words: marriage, belly, humor, life, pictures, photos, baby, motherhood, family, pregnancy, bump, mommy, big