what is the deal?

Yesterday I had more intense contractions for most of the day. I was able to ignore them and still do things some of the time--with breaks when a big one came. I also took some time to lay down and get in the zone with my HypnoBabies stuff. And we took a walk. But they didn't get any closer together than 5 minutes. The only thing different is that I'm losing more of my mucus plug. Lovely, I know. And now after reading Ariana's comment about painful false labor for 2 weeks(!) I am getting paranoid. On a good note, I have been able to sleep well. (Except for the many bathroom breaks.) I've also been getting some really good HypnoBabies practice in.

So far this morning has been uneventful, but they didn't start yesterday until about 10:30, so we'll see. I honestly have not been anxious for him to come since he's still early, but I don't want to go through days and days or weeks of this. It's not very fun.

nothin

I continued to have contractions last night but I was able to go to sleep. And this morning.... nothing. Well not nothing nothing. I still have been having the normal mild tightening kind of contractions, but not the intense onces like yesterday. So this kid might be staying in awhile longer yet.

and we're back

Sorry for all the drama, but no baby yet. We went to the hospital about 4 pm. They checked me and I was still 3-4 cm, same as yesterday. So they had us walk around for an hour to see if I'd change. Nope. The contractions have definitely been more intense, but I didn't dilate more so we are back home. I'd much rather labor at home anyway. I'm in no rush.

We asked to have one of the midwives see us instead of the obs/residents. She was super nice and gave us her pager number in case things pick up. The midwife that is on call tomorrow is actually one we talked to for awhile months ago and really liked. She is really good friends with our doctor. So we'd be happy if he came tomorrow so she could deliver us.

Now it's just more waiting and dealing with the contractions. I must say I am excited to eat dinner at home.

today might be the day

This morning I started having semi-intense cramping and then contractions started. They were 10 minutes apart for a couple hours and now they are five minutes apart. So I'm getting my bag packed and we are cleaning to prepare to go to the hospital. I feel really calm. It doesn't quite feel real. If things keep up like they are we'll be going to the hospital this afternoon. If we don't, I'll of course let you all know.

bread and hair

Two questions:

1. I want to start making bread on a regular basis. Does anyone have a simple, great whole wheat bread recipe that they love? I want something that would work for our everyday bread needs and slice up good for sandwiches without being too crumby. Is there such a recipe out there? If you have one, please share.

2. Should I cut my hair again? Short hair requires more frequent cuts and I'm really wanting to cut mine again. But on the other hand, it's gotten to the length where it goes back in a pony tail better. What do you think is more important for a soon-to-be mom? Cute hair or the ability to put it in a pony tail?

Thanks.

update

I just got back from my doctor's appointment. As I suspected, the baby's head is lower. I am also a bit more effaced, but she said I'm still between 3 and 4 cm dilated. I can go back to being a normal (pregnant) person. My plan tonight is to take a walk around the neighborhood once it's cooled down. I'm really looking forward to that.

We now have a car seat and stroller. The bassinet is set up. The birth plan is written. We will see how long this boy decides to stay in now.

btw... I still have photos from the beach to go through and post. I'm hoping to do that tomorrow.

36 weeks!

How your baby's growing: Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. He now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. He's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered his body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected his skin during his nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of his first bowel movement.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely he's in a head-down position. But if he isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying he'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating him from the outside of your belly.

Yay! 36 weeks! I am SO happy to have made it this far. I feel really good that if Asher makes his appearance now he'll be healthy and strong. If I go one more week, he'll be full term! How great is that? The past few days I've had more cramps and contractions. Last night I even thought we might have to go to the hospital. I was having strongish contractions under 10 minutes apart. We cleaned and called our neighbors in case we had to leave in the middle of the night. But things calmed down I was sound asleep by 10:15. Today I have not had as many contractions. It does seem that my body is slowly gearing up though. It will be interesting to see how long active labor lasts since I've had so long of a warm up.

I go to the doctor tomorrow and should get orders to resume all normal activity. I'm really excited to take a long walk and do some yoga. Asher's car seat also should arrive tomorrow too, which means he can come since now we'll have a way to get him home. :-)

park day

Yesterday the high was a balmy 83 degrees. It was wonderful! I was able to take the kids out to the park--our first sans Daddy excursion. It could not have been a more beautiful day. Here are a few photos. I had fun messing around with Pioneer Woman's PhotoShop actions on these.

he's a dad

This is a post I started on Father's Day and never finished due to a hospital visit, bed rest, family coming, etc. It is for Jared.

I married a father. A father of three even. I'm wild and crazy like that.
But look how cute he is. How could I resist?
The kids are pretty cute too.

I love them.
Even though they drive me crazy sometimes.

Jared is a really great father.
I knew that before I married him. Not many women can say that.
Because he's been a student (he was a wee undergrad when Olivia and Isaac were born and PhDs take a long time) the entire time he's been a dad, he's always had a flexible schedule. This has allowed him to spend a lot of time with his kids.

He has really special relationships with each of his children.

Olivia and he are probably the most alike. They are both too smart for their own good sometimes but can also be totally clueless in other areas. They both think outside the box. They both know how to get what they want.


Isaac is a little blond version of Jared. He looks so much like his dad. Isaac is Jared's "Buddy". They both love all things super hero. Isaac loves helping his dad do guy things like taking out the trash and hooking up the dryer. And was really excited to pick out these socks for Jared's birthday last year. :-)


And there is Grace. Jared has a special little place in his heart for funny Grace. She is full of spunk and personality. Plus, she's been the baby for nearly 5 years now. The youngest always gets a little spoiled. ;-)

These three kids adore their dad. The past couple years have been hard since they moved to Utah. But Jared has made seeing them as much as he can a priority. At Halloween, he was in Utah and even made their costumes.

Soon, Jared will be a father for the fourth time. (wo!) I can't wait to see him with our son. Jared adores babies, and I know my love for him will grow even more once I see him with the little life we created together. He is already a great dad to our little Asher. He has taken such good care of me during this pregnancy. The past 5 weeks have been hard--I've been in the hospital twice, been on bed rest, we moved, Jared had to finish revisions on his thesis, the kids came, he started teaching, plus his RA work and a hundred other things that are part of life like paying bills and cooking meals, all while dealing with an emotional pregnant invalid for a wife. It's been really stressful for him, but he's done it. I am so very grateful for him. I don't have the words to express my gratitude.

I married a wonderful man and an extraordinary father. I feel so blessed that he is the father of my little baby. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world that I get him as my eternal husband and that my children get him as their dad.


Happy Father's Day, Jared!

Sorry it took so long to get this posted!

diaper contest

One more contest to check out for any cloth diaper fans:
Win a Bum Genius 3.0 Starter Kit from Nature's Child - Wholesome Goods for Mothers and Babies