Is that a light at the end of this long, long tunnel?

Let's be honest. I'm glad the end is in sight rather than just some foggy future. Midwife doesn't think I'll last the weekend, but they had to be prepared just in case. The earliest they could get me on books for an induction was this Wednesday, but they also put me on the 'on call schedule' for Monday. Just in case someone else was lucky enough to have her baby before then. About 5 this evening, I got the call. A spot opened up Monday for me to slide in to.

At the office, they were sure I was in early labor with some contractions I was having. I was 4 cm dilated, still at 70%, and his head still down at -1. So I guess because of all that, "they" are saying I'm not going to last the weekend. But I have my doubts. I will be very surprised if my labor starts on it's own. I just have the feeling it won't.

There you have it. Monday is the day. Monday at 5am is when we'll be showing up at the hospital. I'm sure they won't even get around to starting all their stuff until 8. That's just how hospitals are, always running late. And besides, there's going to be other women who's labor started spontaneously, and they take precedence over us inductees.

This weekend will be filled with lots of raspberry tea, pineapple, walking, and "other stuff" to try to get things going.

Some times no news isn't good news

I'm still cooking this child. I have another appointment tomorrow, and I might be able to be persuaded to be induced, *MIGHT* I haven't hit the nesting phase yet, at least where I clean and clean and clean. I've organized our new TV stand with our DVD's, BlueRays, XBOX games, and such. I think it looks pretty nice :D We're getting rid of this huge wooden entertainment center that was a hand-me-down, and we're giving to one of MCM's friends. We're also giving him our most comfy recliner *sniff* It was also a hand-me-down. But Alan is ecstatic to get anything for free. I mean, his whole family hoards junk like nobody's business! They'd rather keep and try to fix it, no matter what it takes, than buy a new one. They keep *EVERYTHING* But anyways, to each his own.

I just have to find a place to put our pictures and such that sat on top. I was thinking maybe those wall shelves. But then I'd have to make holes in the walls, and I don't think I have enough time before the baby comes.

I did get asked today when my baby's due. I looked at her, smiled and said "Yesterday." The lady checking out in front of me laughed that knowing laugh. *sigh* I'm not looking forward to the questions at church. Don't know I could citizen-arrest them for harassment?!?!

I just realized, while I was shopping at WallyWorld, that since I'm out of work for a while, I can do my nails all fancy and with tips :D I liked them the one time I had them, but they tore up my nails. I did pick up a french manicure kit. That's really all I like on my fingernails. Anything else gets distracting. and when it chips or gets scratched....drives. me. up. a. wall.

I might see if I can convince my wonderful loving husband to get Taco Bell for dinner. I really want one of those new bacon burritos. I'm excited about it because I don't think it has beans in it :D

The days seem so long, the weeks forever

Saturday, the 4th of July brought about a sleepless night. We had attempted to make big party plans, because everyone knows that if you make plans assuming you won't go into labor, you will, right?! Anyways, everyone we tried to invite over couldn't make it or was going out of town-we got shot down quite a few times. We did manage to wrangle one couple in to coming over for lunch. And we had a great time. They got here about 12, and didn't leave till like 6! I really had no clue it was that late.

Anyways, the evening brought...contractions with it....I finally started timing them about a quarter till 8. They started about every 10, then got down to about every 6. MCM and I went walking. We walked and we walked and we walked. I think we walked for about an hour or so. We kept saying, lets wait one more hour. Finally about 1, I called my midwife...but she wasn't very helpful. She said, well if you think it's the real thing, come on in. I could have decided that. Anyways, we waited another hour, and headed to the hospital about 2. The contractions themselves didn't hurt as in pain, they were squeeze-y and made me have to stop and focus. But what was different was all the pressure I kept feeling "down under." So off we went.

You know, I should have taken some contraband pics of the room. Whatever. I got all dolled up in my back-less gown with the monitor stuff on my belly and waited. The nurse came in about 230/245ish am and did her nursey stuff. She checked my dilation, called me a 2, and gave me the impression that I should be writhing in pain with these contractions. Whatever. The midwife came in about 4am (she was delivering a few babies), and checked me, called me a 3, said if I get to 4cm and my contractions stay good like they were, about every 4-5 minutes, I could stay. She strongly encouraged me to get out of bed and I jumped at the chance. MCM and I walked the halls. He begged off to go try to sleep. Poor guy, he hadn't slept at all. So I walked and breathed and contracted. He tried to sleep in this recliner chair of sorts. I don't think it worked so well for him.

Back in bed about 530, they checked me again, said 3-4cm, not quite 4, but it seemed as if the contractions were tapering off. I tried walking again to get them going, I tried the birthing ball, but he kept twisting his head down on my nerves and such that it was just too painful to move my legs. I climbed in to bed about 7am with my contractions that were now about every 10 mins again and tried to sleep some cause I knew I was probably going home. How true that was. I had signed my papers and on my way home with my pregnant belly by 8am.

I was really disappointed, really disappointed. I honestly thought that when I left, we'd have grown to a family of 3. *sigh* Needless to say we didn't make it to church that day. Besides who would like to have to answer the question, "You haven't had the baby, yet?" when clearly *looks at my abdomen* I haven't. I know it's rhetorical of sorts, but can't you just come up with a different comment. One that doesn't seem to imply a condescending message. How about..."you look so good for how far you are" or "I love what you've done with your hair. I bet it's quick to do in the mornings." Something like that would be so much more appreciative than "You haven't had that baby yet?!" or "You've been pregnant for years/ever/a long time!"

I have two days of work left. Tomorrow, an 8 hours shift, then on Friday, a 12 hour shift. Although, I'm not sure how good I'll do on Friday. Will you come rescue me if I need it?! Please? And I'm supposed to be team leader. I hope with all my heart that we will have at least 5 if not 6 nurses, cause I will *NOT* be able to take 6 patients AND team leader AND secretary AND everything else they decide to through in my lap. I turned down team leader when I come back from maternity leave. I wasn't really given the option to do it, just kinda thrust into it because I have the mad skillz needed, and I probably would have taken it anyways. But it's nice to be asked. Right?!

Now, back to baby news. I had another appointment today. Let's see. They estimated he weighs around 7 pounds 2 ounces, although it could be off by a pound or two either way. They can tell he's not 'overly chunky' as the ultrasound tech put it. I've lost 2 pounds, but since he's gained, I've actually lost more than that, but *shrugs* oh well, I'm still healthy. I think my uterus is measuring about 37-38cm, which is good. Then came the depressing news. Remember how waay back up there ^ they called me a 3-4 cm? Well, Doc came in (Midwife was busy at the hospital delivery every one else baby but mine!!) and called me 2cm. TWO CENTIMETERS!! *TWO* and he said that was being generous, that anything else than that would be insulting. I was literally devastated. When he left I turned to MCM and just...cried, practically. So I have another appointment next week Thursday. The receptionist was nice about it. She's like, see you then. I replied back (firmly believing) "I hope not!" But I'll probably be there. McMillen babies like to be about a week and a half late. I was on time, so maybe it'll just end up being a week later, rather than two or so.

Ok, I can rest easy now. That is, if I can find my tums...

Still pregnant, still kicking

37 6/7ths weeks...it sounds so...forlorn when said that way. Just round up, can't you? It's 38 weeks, sheesh...

I was sitting on the exam bench, "waist down" with a paper sheet waiting for Midwife to come in (they're words, not mine). I had shifted a few times to keep from getting stiff, and realized that the paper covering the vinyl bench was stuck to my butt. Not only did it stick to me, it ripped when I tried to unstick it. It ripped because I was sweating buckets in that room. I just knew that if I tried to stand up and re-arrange the paper, Midwife would come in when my bare behind was to the door, I just knew it.

Fortunately, she didn't, and I was able to peel my skin from the sticky vinyl. I searched in desperation for a vent to point my way, but I couldn't find one. Eh, I survived anyways. So Midwife comes in, looks over my chart and read "37 6/7 weeks, looks big." I was hoping she meant baby, and not me. It's one thing be to be insulted by strangers "oh wow, you're so huge. I *never* got that big!" But it's a whole 'nother story when someone who has seen the other end of you says, "Oh my word, you look like you swallowed an elephant!" Makes you feel like it's book report day and you have to admit you haven't even finished the book yet. *hangs head in shame*

She said she wished they had put me in an ultrasound room to make sure the baby is head down (which, I'm 99.99% sure he is. I know his toes *love* to play my ribs). She did some weird thing where she basically pressed on where his head/neck most likely would have been if he was head down, and he kicked my ribs, like she said he would if he was head down. But next week, I was told, they'd do the ultrasound. Midwife measured my uterus height, said "measures good." They always say that, never an exact number, always "good."

Then I got the good news that he's still at -1 station, but I'm dilated 2-3 centimeters. Then I got the bad news that she didn't think I'd go early. I was disappointed. I'm ready to have this kid and move on to another stage of life. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy being pregnant and I love it (most days), but isn't enough enough?! *sigh*

It'll get here soon enough, I know for sure I won't be pregnant for much longer. It's just the waiting that's getting to me. I'm not a patient person by any means. Midwife did say that they (Doc and Midwife) are on call tomorrow night and Thursday night. They're on each day, but share nights with The Center for Women. They have every fourth weekend and normally Mondays and Thursdays. However, today is Doc's anniversary so they swapped to let him go buy flowers for the Mrs. Doc.

MCM's Uncle Doug is in the hospital. He had a huge heart attack, one that made it necessary to be shocked several times, have an emergency heart cath, be transfered to a higher acuity hospital, be intubated and sedated for several days. He's still intubated and sedated, and they thing he came down with pneumonia from aspirating some time during those activities. So if you would, pray for him. MCM's mom (Doug's sister) and Shannon are down visiting, showing support and making his house ready for his return. They haven't been able to get a hold of the doctor, as of this afternoon. Maybe tonight.

Really fast...

Here's an update:

• 36 weeks along
• baby's head is at -1 station
• I'm going to be seeing Doc every week
• house is a wreck
• baby's room is ready for him
• we don't have any baby wipes yet...
• I'll be packing my hospital bag tonight, just incase

Yeah, that's about it

It's not rocket science...is it?!

In effort to help cashiers at the Food Store out, I usually (as in 99.99% of the time) group items together. You know, cold stuffs together, boxed this lined up, and non-edible items all in separate groups, yet still together on the beltway. How hard could it be to put them in bags like that?! I can understand maybe one bag only has two small boxed things in it, so you add a few small jars. But to totally disregard my organization things and do crazy actions like putting shampoo and soap in the same bag as my Reece's peanut butter cups?!

This one cashier was uber-oblivious to this system. My grocery bags had bathroom stuff in with the milk. And the apple juice?! in a bag with crackers!! They don't even fit well in the bag together. Who trains these people? Most of the time, the cashier is super smart and packages them perfectly. It makes me wonder what kind of lives these non-organization live.

Do they keep their Pop-Tarts in the entertainment center with their DVD's? How about the cheese? I know, in the closet with shoes!! *shakes head*

The next time I go grocery shopping, I'm going to hire someone to push the cart and I'll ride in one those wheely thingies. They have personal ads for them right? Companion shoppers or something.

My friend Brie made this blanket (my favorite blanket, now, I think) as a present for Brendon. i don't have a picture of it...hang on, my phone is here. Let's see if I can get a good one.

Yeah, you can see the print. It's the one on top, with stripes and stars and planets. The jumbled mess underneath is the one blanket I started working on for Bobbie Jo, but now is too girly for him. I'm still going to finish it. Although I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it. My mom wants it, my sister Thing One wants it, and I kinda want it...eh, we'll see.

Unbelievable!

So yesterday, MCM and I were headed out to our last class. Scrounging around the room for something to wear, I spotted a pair of pre-preggers jeans I was *sure* would still be wearable. Of course I'd have to use my little tummy band to keep them up and closed, but I could do that. The reality? I couldn't pull them up past my butt. Did you hear that!? My hips are growing?! EEKK!

Thankfully, I found a pair of preggers jeans right in front of my face, so I wore those. And guess what. THEY. STILL. SAG. I give up, I cannot win here. I'll just have to live in my PJ's and MCM's shirts.

And speaking of his shirts, that was the other half of the ensemble I wore out. MCM's long sleeve T-shirt he never wears. And if I kept the sleeves pulled up, it didn't look too big. With the sleeves hanging past my knuckles, it was hard to pretend it was my shirt.

Sad isn't it?

In other news, we got our stroller and carseat (Thanks, Mom and Dad!) put together. We do have to get it installed and checked, but I'm really not in a big rush to be driving around with an empty carseat in the back.

Thing One took this picture at BabiesRUs while we were getting the stroller. I'm not sure what's up with my face....but you can see my ever-expanding belly.

I'm 34 weeks in that picture. Now, I'm 35 weeks, 1 day. I've got a Doc visit coming up on Monday, and I think after that I go every week.

I've got my FMLA paperwork filled out, and today is the day I can submit it. For some reason I can't submit it earlier than 30 days. Whatever.

I finished Bobbie Jo's quilt, the star one. It looks pretty cool. I only made it half the size that the pattern was, and it's bigger than his quilt, but not so small that it won't work on a twin bed when he moves out of the crib.

There you have it, an update. And at the rate I'm going at, it'll be the last one until: "Going to the hospital!"