I apologize for not updating the blog in so long. We've been having some computer problems that have limited my ability to post recently, but the honest truth is that I've just been too tired. I can't believe how these past few months have flown by. For the most part, the pregnancy has been pretty normal and uneventful, just the way I like it. Although, I do want to say that pregnancy isn't pretty people. Lots of bad things happen to your body, and I know that I haven't even seen the worst of it yet. I'm to the point now where I feel huge and uncomfortable. Thankfully, I only have a few stretchmarks forming. I've got the pregnancy waddle and swollen feet... aka cankles. And, although I'm bordering on TMI here, I'll go ahead and mention that I've been battling constipation and hemhorroids.
There are, however, some fun parts of pregnancy. Feeling the baby move and being able to share that with Joe is amazing. And, of course, baby showers are always fun. We have some very generous friends, family, and coworkers and have had 3 baby showers. My group at work gave us the first one in early April, and we made out like bandits. They got us a walker, tons of the little hygeine items that baby needs, a bumbo, bath gear and tons more. It was really heartwarming to see how many of my fellow HR peers showed up and helped us get started with all the things that babies need. I'm sure the cupcakes and punch didn't hurt in drawing in the crowd!
Our 2nd baby shower was hosted Easter weekend by Tonja and Jessica at Tonja's house in Ponca City, OK. Joe didn't make it to this one as he was tasked with staying home to save us the expense of boarding the dogs. Tonja went above and beyond on this shower, and it was absolutely beautiful. She held to our woodland creature nursery theme and had great decorations and food. The cake was adorable. Again, we made out like bandits and got all kinds of goodies from books (that Tonja asked be given instead of cards), to an awesome diaper bag that Joe won't be embarrassed to carry, to the baby quilt that Mom and Penny made for Baby Hackler. It was great to share a special time in my life with my family and friends, and it will be an occasion that I cherish for the rest of my life.
The 3rd baby shower was given in early May by Joe's group at work. They did a great job as well and made a cute diaper cake, cupcakes, chocolate covered strawberries and pretzels, and a few other goodies. Joe's group has about 40 people, and almost all of them showed for the shower. It was great, although a bit overwhelming. I know many of them, as I was the recruiter for their group before Joe became a manager. They chipped in on lots of goodies including a high chair, diapers, changing pad, and many more goodies. I got a bit emotional at this shower and teared up as Joe thanked his group for all their support.
Childbirth classes have been another exciting thing that we've had going on lately. We just finished our last class which was offered on Thursday evenings from 630-9pm for 6 weeks. I'll admit that we're glad it's over, but we really did learn a ton. I was reluctant to take the class in the beginning because I thought it would be a waste of time where we all sat around and shared our feelings and learned how to breathe, but it's been much more educational than I ever imagined. I was getting to the point where I was really starting to stress about all the unknowns for a first time mother about to go through labor and delivery, and Joe's boss and my coworker convinced us that we needed to take the classes. Boy were they right! We've learned a lot, which has really helped to calm my nerves over the whole process. I know that things likely won't go as planned, but now I feel we have all the tools we'll need for our toolbox to deal with labor and delivery.
And, last but not least... doctor's appointments. I had my first exam on May 12th. The doctor seemed a bit surprised to find that I was already 2.5 cm dialated. She said my cervix felt perfect and that I should go home and do a happy dance as these were good signs that my labor would progress smoothly. She said she thought she felt the baby's head and did a quick ultrasound to confirm. At that time she predicted that the baby would come 2 weeks early and weigh about 8 lbs.
I had some kidney pain the following Tuesday and called the doctor because I was worried I was about to pass a kidney stone. They monitored the baby and my contractions (or mostly lack thereof) and took a urine sample, and determined I had a UTI and prescribed an antibiotic. The best part of the appointment was getting to listen to the baby move around through this machine. He would move a ton when the doctor wasn't in the room, and then quiet down when she came in, so she buzzed my belly to get him moving... and it gave him the hiccups! I've heard other pregnant women talk about feeling their babies have hiccups, but this was the first time I ever felt it with Baby Hackler.
Our 37 week appointment was on Thursday, and I've progressed now to 3cm, so it won't be long now! The doctor said that I'm 80% effaced and that the baby will likely come in the next week or so. She gave us the option to have another ultrasound to determine the size of the baby so that we could talk about induction if the baby is getting too big. Joe and I decided to pass for now as insurance doesn't cover this ultrasound, the ultrasounds aren't really that reliable when estimating size, and I really don't want an induction if I can avoid it.
I've rambled enough for now, but I'll have another update shortly on the progress of the nursery. For now, here are a few pictures from Tonja's baby shower.
There are, however, some fun parts of pregnancy. Feeling the baby move and being able to share that with Joe is amazing. And, of course, baby showers are always fun. We have some very generous friends, family, and coworkers and have had 3 baby showers. My group at work gave us the first one in early April, and we made out like bandits. They got us a walker, tons of the little hygeine items that baby needs, a bumbo, bath gear and tons more. It was really heartwarming to see how many of my fellow HR peers showed up and helped us get started with all the things that babies need. I'm sure the cupcakes and punch didn't hurt in drawing in the crowd!
Our 2nd baby shower was hosted Easter weekend by Tonja and Jessica at Tonja's house in Ponca City, OK. Joe didn't make it to this one as he was tasked with staying home to save us the expense of boarding the dogs. Tonja went above and beyond on this shower, and it was absolutely beautiful. She held to our woodland creature nursery theme and had great decorations and food. The cake was adorable. Again, we made out like bandits and got all kinds of goodies from books (that Tonja asked be given instead of cards), to an awesome diaper bag that Joe won't be embarrassed to carry, to the baby quilt that Mom and Penny made for Baby Hackler. It was great to share a special time in my life with my family and friends, and it will be an occasion that I cherish for the rest of my life.
The 3rd baby shower was given in early May by Joe's group at work. They did a great job as well and made a cute diaper cake, cupcakes, chocolate covered strawberries and pretzels, and a few other goodies. Joe's group has about 40 people, and almost all of them showed for the shower. It was great, although a bit overwhelming. I know many of them, as I was the recruiter for their group before Joe became a manager. They chipped in on lots of goodies including a high chair, diapers, changing pad, and many more goodies. I got a bit emotional at this shower and teared up as Joe thanked his group for all their support.
Childbirth classes have been another exciting thing that we've had going on lately. We just finished our last class which was offered on Thursday evenings from 630-9pm for 6 weeks. I'll admit that we're glad it's over, but we really did learn a ton. I was reluctant to take the class in the beginning because I thought it would be a waste of time where we all sat around and shared our feelings and learned how to breathe, but it's been much more educational than I ever imagined. I was getting to the point where I was really starting to stress about all the unknowns for a first time mother about to go through labor and delivery, and Joe's boss and my coworker convinced us that we needed to take the classes. Boy were they right! We've learned a lot, which has really helped to calm my nerves over the whole process. I know that things likely won't go as planned, but now I feel we have all the tools we'll need for our toolbox to deal with labor and delivery.
And, last but not least... doctor's appointments. I had my first exam on May 12th. The doctor seemed a bit surprised to find that I was already 2.5 cm dialated. She said my cervix felt perfect and that I should go home and do a happy dance as these were good signs that my labor would progress smoothly. She said she thought she felt the baby's head and did a quick ultrasound to confirm. At that time she predicted that the baby would come 2 weeks early and weigh about 8 lbs.
I had some kidney pain the following Tuesday and called the doctor because I was worried I was about to pass a kidney stone. They monitored the baby and my contractions (or mostly lack thereof) and took a urine sample, and determined I had a UTI and prescribed an antibiotic. The best part of the appointment was getting to listen to the baby move around through this machine. He would move a ton when the doctor wasn't in the room, and then quiet down when she came in, so she buzzed my belly to get him moving... and it gave him the hiccups! I've heard other pregnant women talk about feeling their babies have hiccups, but this was the first time I ever felt it with Baby Hackler.
Our 37 week appointment was on Thursday, and I've progressed now to 3cm, so it won't be long now! The doctor said that I'm 80% effaced and that the baby will likely come in the next week or so. She gave us the option to have another ultrasound to determine the size of the baby so that we could talk about induction if the baby is getting too big. Joe and I decided to pass for now as insurance doesn't cover this ultrasound, the ultrasounds aren't really that reliable when estimating size, and I really don't want an induction if I can avoid it.
I've rambled enough for now, but I'll have another update shortly on the progress of the nursery. For now, here are a few pictures from Tonja's baby shower.
The group focused on one of the games Tonja had for us.
Cool Diape Dude diaper bag from Kelly and Jessica
Cute quilt made by Mom and Penny
OSU gear from Tonja and her family
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