The Waiting Game

39 weeks, 3 days today according to the docs here and my little pregnancy ticker.

It's starting to get silly...

I told myself a couple weeks ago that the reason I hadn't gone into labor yet was because I hadn't plucked my eyebrows in over 2 months. 

I plucked them day before yesterday.

She's still in there and seems to be very comfortable. 

What I Am Thinking About Right Now.

Paul was looking at the blog tonight right before we went to bed and I noticed my pregnancy ticker with that floating baby in it says I am 30 weeks along.  I only have 10 weeks left... IF I go the full 40 weeks.  It got me thinking, which I do an awful lot of lately, at night... when I am supposed to be sleeping...

Do we have all the paperwork and everything ready for whatever we have to do to have the baby living here in Saudi Arabia?  I still need to call that lady and get a tour of the hospital/OB area so I know where I will be going and what to expect!  MAN I hope I pass that stupid 3 hour glucose tolerance test on Sunday.  I am so worried about that.  I haven't touched the new baby's room or any of the bins full of Madeline's old clothes.  I have no new baby stuff ready. What kind of baby stuff do I need?  I need to sterilize the breast pump.  What if this baby doesn't nurse as beautifully and easily as Mads did?  Should we have taken some refresher birthing classes?  I mean, I can look stuff up on the internet, but what if I forget how to breath?  Madeline's birth was so exciting and easy, so planned, so induced! I was so totally drugged up I didn't care and pushing was not painful at all... but do I want that this time?  Do I want all those drugs?  Will I even have a choice if I go into labor? Will I actually go into labor with this baby? I have never "gone into" labor before.  Will I know?  I need a watch.  I'm starting to have issues with hemarrhoids and constipation now... will my colon turn inside out when I push like that lady's did in that blog post I read the other day?  Where is Madeline going to go when we go into labor?  I don't have an overnight bag ready for her or anything... I don't have an overnight bag ready for myself either!  I need to take water... women here tell me to take water because they are short staffed and sometimes it takes them a while to get to you. What in the hell are we going to name this baby?? When will this damn cough go away so I can stop peeing my pants? I really need to finish Madeline's halloween costume.  Should I buy a turkey? We need a Christmas tree!! I have heartburn... I need a TUMs...

This is just the tip of the iceberg folks.   I guess I should try to sleep. I have to pee.

First Sighting

Today I had my first appointment at the OB clinic here in Dhahran. It went very well and I got to see the baby and her heartbeat for the first time. We also figured, according to her size, that I am about 10 weeks along and my due date is approximately January 2nd. I am so excited to have another little person in our family!
I remember when I posted Madeline's first ultra sound picture like it was yesterday and now she is this active, adorable little 21 month old... it goes by so fast!

Maybe I Should Just Shave My Head

Since about high school I've had pretty thin hair, but it has always LOOKED like it was thicker than it is. When I was younger, and still sometimes today, I would sometimes braid my hair at night to make it wavy or put curlers in it because then my hair would look amazingly thick and lavishing.

The women in my family either have really thin hair or extremely thick hair - like my little sister Amber who's hair is so thick and beautiful that she often talks about how she has to get it thinned because it's such a burden - oh poor her, boo hoo, "I have beautiful thick hair and I just DON'T know what to do with it!" Pbbbllllttttt!! (I love ya girl).

When I got pregnant with the Madster, things changed. My hair became really thick and shiny. It was so awesome! I was in heaven. It stayed that way the first few months of her life too... but then I started noticing more hair in my hair brush and comb, more hair in the shower drain, and more hair all over my shoulders, shirts, and all over the baby.

The past month or so, it has been coming out at an alarming rate. I shed more than Kitty, Paul, and the baby combined, which if you saw how much hair comes off of them you'd go, "hhhuuuuuhhhh"!!

I've always wanted to have long, thick, shiny, beautiful hair, but I just don't think my head is up for it! At times I wonder if I should just buzz it off and get it over with already! They do have some pretty awesome wigs out there now-a-days.

I did some research online and here it says that,

"Normally, around 85-95% of your hair is in the growth phase at any point in time, but the hormonal changes during pregnancy stimulate an increase in the percentage of hairs in the growth phase. As a result, many women enjoy thicker hair during pregnancy, as more hairs than normal are growing and fewer than normal are resting/shedding."

and then,

"With the birth of your baby (and the hormonal changes that accompany birth), a larger number of hairs than normal enter the resting phase. Since the resting phase is followed by hair shedding (and regrowth), new mothers will experience greater than normal hair loss once the resting phase ends. "

Crap!

So, I think I'm going to get a hair cut for my birthday. Not too short, because I've done short and that's not me either... just something shoulder length, or maybe a little longer... and since it's my birthday when I will be doing this, I think I may also get some subtle highlights. Nothing too skunkish or loud, just some sunshine kisses.

I was thinking a medium length bob cut... sort of like this:

My birthday's not until April so I have some time to think about it and find the haircut style that is right for me. Any suggestions? What do YOU think?

Madeline Olivia Is Here!!

MADELINE OLIVIA Born September 10th, 2008

8:49 pm (14 hours 49 minutes of labor - 49 minutes of actual pushing)

8lbs. 12 oz.

20 3/4 inches
Epidural - Ummm, YEAH, and it was amazing and awesome!!

I highly recommend them.

I am SO sorry for not posting pictures and news about Madeline's arrival sooner than now. I know many of you have been waiting and waiting. I've been a little busy having a baby, not sleeping, learning to be a momma, healing... you understand I am sure.

I ended up NOT going into labor before my due date on September 9th, so - as scheduled - Paul and I entered the hospital on the evening of the 9th for insertion of Cervidil to help soften my cervix and get things going.

I think it was meant to be that we waited until my mom and sister were here because it was very special to have my momma with me when I brought my daughter into the world.

(For those who do not know: You can click on the pictures for a closer look!)

This is the final picture of me and Paul together pregnant. This was on September 9th, right before Paul and I left for the hospital.

This is my sister Amber, her baby Ushotosh, Paul (REALLY really excited), me (ready to pop) and my momma.

In this one, we tried to see how many people I could block out... there are like 8 people behind me. Just kidding...

Paul and got to the hospital at 8:45 pm and the woman at the front desk told me that we were scheduled to come into the hospital for Cervidil on September 10th (the NEXT day, ex-squeeze me? Baking powder??). I was irritated, to say the least, so we spoke with the charge nurse and found out it was a mix up and we COULD be admitted.

PHEW!! So here I am in THEE bed where I would soon deliver my little angel baby. I hate hospital gowns.

My nurse (the first of 4 in labor and delivery) put and IV in my hand, which is fine, but it was hanging over my knuckles and was in the way the whole time I had it (until September 11th). I was totally surprised that it didn't fall out. It held up through the entire experience.

My pulse was a little high - due to being excited - so they put me on oxygen periodically. Paul was very interested in everything that was going on around us and he asked SO MANY questions to all the nurses and anesthesia people. I friggin' love him so much.

Paul went and picked up my mom and sister and nephew the morning of delivery right when they were starting the Pitocin so they could be with us.

This is Madeline's cousin, Ushotosh, he had SO MUCH fun playing with his uncle in the delivery room. Him and his momma left when it was time to start pushing.

This is me and my rainbow POWER socks. They will be worn with all deliveries from here on out! They contain special levels of positive energy and power to assist in the massive effort of delivery... it totally worked.

I had several contractions and was able to get to a 3cm dilation before I requested my epidural. From then on out (and with 2 RE-doses) the delivery was painless and awesome. I was told I am an gold medal Olympic professional pusher.

Paul was the perfect coach. He complimented everything I did, hugged me, kissed me, encouraged me, help my leg, helped me breathe... I really don't know what I would do without him.

Introducing: Madeline!!!!!!

This is one of the best moments of my life. When they put her on my chest for the first time. Of course, I was bawling my head off.

Here she is being handled with care by the nurses. It was cool because the nurse who cleaned up Madeline was one of the people I went to nursing school with. She had a 8 or 9 AP GAR score. She was perfectly pink, no weird marks or bruises. Paul came up to me and kept saying how he couldn't believe how perfect she was.



Me, holding MY baby for the first time. I HAVE A BABY. Me! This is MY daughter.

She is perfect.


Madeline with her Grandma Z. She waited for her to get here to Tennessee before making an appearance.


Here's my OB doctor. She did awesome and made me feel like I was doing great. Notice the power socks in the background.

8 pounds 12 ounces!

Because we had Maddy around 9:00pm, they wanted us to stay in the hospital for 24 hours so we could be observed. I did not sleep but MAYBE 2-3 hours the entire time we were in the hospital. It is so fun getting to know her.

Madeline is already a breastfeeding pro. She, being only 3 days old, has currently had 8 poops! She had 3 in the hospital after the first 24 hours. She is very content and loves to just open her beautiful big eyes and look around.


Here we were talking about the election and rules about dating. She is currently undecided about current presidential candidates, and she thinks she wants to go to college and get her PhD in KungFu before she begins dating.

Here is Madeline's first diaper change at home...
"Hey mom! What are you doing??!! I'm naked!!!"

And introducing... The best DAD (and Uncle) ever!!

We had a rough night last night. We're still learning. But this was a calm moment that made me cry (with Joy) at the adorableness of my family. These are my peeps.

These are my peeps changing poops.

Oh, and we HIGHLY recommend a swing with a vibration setting.

Madeline is so happy to have a cousin with experience around to show her the ropes.
Madeline is already changing. It really is true that they grow so fast. We plan on enjoying every second of time with this little person we have been trusted with. Could life BE any better? I don't think so!!

This Is SO Exciting!!

Hey everybody!

Well, little Madeline is still nestled snuggley in the womb. I think she is getting really excited because she is moving a lot! There were some changes this weekend that are pretty significant that I won't divulge in this post - simply because it's kind of gross and I do actually have limits as to what I will and will not write. Just know, things ARE progressing nicely and I COULD go into labor any minute.

I wouldn't say I am in labor yet - ???who knows, maybe I am??? - at least I haven't had any painful contractions that would inhibit my movement or breathing. I understand that the birthing experience is different for everyone though.

I did get a phone call this morning from my OB office. We are scheduled to enter the hospital tomorrow evening at 8:45 pm to get things going if they haven't already begun.

My momma will be here tomorrow!!!!! I am so excited!! Life is so exciting it is INSANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Update

It's official!! I am still only 1 centimeter dilated with NO effacement. Isn't that fun???!!!!!! Madeline's head is no longer "floating" and "bobbing" like it was last week though. She is positioned with her head down all the way, so that will help with dilation.

But do not fret. We have a plan because of a slight concern with my blood pressure, and because we don't want Madeline to get too big.

Regardless of what happens in the next few days, we will have a little baby girl (outside of the womb mind you) with us by this time next week. If I haven't had Madeline by my due date (Tuesday, September 9th) then I am scheduled to go into the hospital (pending no issues with available rooms) the evening of the 9th to be induced.

I will stay overnight for fetal monitoring while they put in some Cervidil to soften the cervix and then, the next morning, we will start the Pitocin and induce labor - if it hasn't already started.

My ultimate wish would be that I go into labor sometime BEFORE the 9th and we can bypass the Cervidil and the Pitocin. This is what I am hoping, praying, and meditating on.

My mom even gave me an ancient Indian chant to do to help...

She said to recite this as I am doing a slow, smooth, rocking, dancing movement - first to the left and then to the right. Swinging my bent arms backwards and forwards to the rhythm.

Hey ya hey ya hum a ho ah
Hey ya hey ya hum a ho ah
Come on baby! time to go ah!

Hey ya hey ya hum a ho ah
Hey ya hey ya hum a ho ah
Come on out there's room to grow ah!

Hey ya hey ya hum a ho ah
Hey ya hey ya hum a ho ah
Everybody here is waiting to know yah!

Ready set go ah
Ready set go ah
Hey ya hey ya hum a ho ah
Hey ya hey ya hum a ho ah!

Hey - I am willing to try ANYTHING.

My mom and sister will be here the afternoon of the 9th! We are so excited to have them here!!!

Another Baby Shower??

Yes!! The absolutely wonderful people that my husband works with threw Paul a surprise baby shower at his work yesterday!!! Our thankful meter is exhausted! To say we are overwhelmed just cannot do it justice anymore.

We got a couple more blankets! This fuzzy frog blanket is one I like in one of the stores we looked at when we were picking out our registry items.



This very special blanket was handmade and is absolutely beautiful!! I love it. Homemade gifts are so meaningful to me. To think someone would take the time to create something so awesome with thoughts of you in mind.



We also got the cutest little dresses, some onesies, some Desitin, some bottles, a bottle brush, diapers, a grooming kit, cash, AND a gift card!!

They had an icecream cake - Paul's favorite - Ooooh and Paul's boss gave us some of her home grown cantelope! I can't WAIT to cut into that baby, Mmm!!

Thank you!!!

And Now.... We Wait.

Well, all is well in baby world! Our appointment went textbook perfect. The ultra sound was so fun. Madeline smiled (they didn't get a picture), she stuck her tongue out at us (they didn't get a picture)... but most of the time she had her hand in her face.

She currently, at 38 weeks, weighs in at an estimated 7 pounds 6 ounces. Also, apparently I have more than the average amniotic fluid amount in there (no wonder I hear gurgling watery sounds sometimes when I bend over or roll over), but not so much that something is wrong (a.k.a. hydramnios). No wonder I am so gigantic!!

Oh and I am dilated 1 centimeter with NO effacement. So Paul's guess at me delivering tomorrow is highly unlikely. Sorry babe.

The pictures we did get are very nice, not as perfect as I would have liked, but considering she will be here in 2 weeks or less (hopefully, please?) it wasn't a big deal (you can click on them to make them bigger if you didn't already know that).

Here's her foot. It looks to me like she has my lollipop toes - score one for the lay-dees!


Here is a profile picture.

Now, the ultrasound lady tried really hard to get a good picture of the baby's face but it was almost impossible. Apparently the placenta was in the way and since Madeline likes to put her hands in her face her hand was in the way most of the time.

These photos are actually a little spooky lookin' to me and Paul... woooOOOOoooo! WoooOOOOooooooo!! I think she has my nose and Paul's eyelids, and look at those cheeks!!!! Oh and she totally has hair...



So yeah, now I am even more excited, and scared, and nervous, and holy crud buckets I am going to be a mom!!

Paul wanted me to post some pictures of the baby's room. I forgot to earlier, sorry about that. It's still not perfectly organized in there, but here are a few shots of the crib, lamp, and changing table.

The Days Of Our Lives

Da. na. na. NAH. Da. na. na. NAH.

Like sands through the hourglass, these are the days of our lives... da na na na na naaaaaa naaaaa.....

I only have two more days of work (Wednesday and Friday) before I am off for maternity leave. I am so excited, and ferociously anticipate having an evening where I do not feel like my legs are about to become unhinged from my body and my feet are about to fall off.
Paul and I discussed it and planned for it and we decided I would take the entire 12 weeks off that the FMLA allows. Hopefully I won't go over my due date and spend a couple of weeks at home just sitting around waiting for things to happen.

This also means that in exactly 14 days, three of my eternal best friends - my mom and my sister Amber and her little man Ushotosh - will be here! In my house! For the first time! Hanging out with me!! I am so, so, SO excited for that!!

In other news: A couple weeks ago our printer died. Well, the printer head pooped out. It would not work without being replaced. This was devastating for me because I print stuff... a lot. Mainly pictures, but lots of other stuff too like those flyers I was going to post around Salem spreading the vicious rumor that Marlena was actually the long lost sister of Stefano Dimera!!! Just kidding... *turns and looks away from the computer screen desperately*.

You can't get a printer head at your local Best Buy or Office Max, unfortunately. You have to "contact the manufacturer". It would have cost us around $70 when all was said and done, so we decided it was time to get a new and improved printer. The reasoning is this: If we can get a new printer with awesome features and capabilities... one that scans, prints, copies, faxes, AND has a port for a memory card, for just a little bit more than a single printer head - one of which may not even work! - why not just do it the Nike way!? so, we did it. So this is the new printer...

The Canon PIXMA MX700. Nice huh? It's YOOJ (big). The "Office all-in-One" printer. I am so excited to use it!!

This past weekend Paul and I finally got his basketball hoop up. Of course, he did most of the work. I did support the rim at times, offer him sips of Gatorade, and read the instructions of which had poor pictures and some foreign language used in ancient Babylonian times. It was a frustrating endeavor, but once completed, I could see the sheer and utter joy on Paul's face when he began shooting hoops. He likes it, he really likes it!
Oh and I do not recommend shooting hoops when you are 8.5 months pregnant. It was almost as if Madeline was on her way up to the hoop with the ball upon release. So I watched him play and called my mom instead.

Today is another appointment at the docs! They will be checking me - as usual, but we also get another ultra sound and they will be monitoring me for about 20 minutes on the fetal heart/contraction monitor thingy. I hope we find out a lot of information today that I have been wondering about for a while now, like: how big is she? Is she okay or has all the bending over at work made one of her arms shorter then the other? Can I be induced tomorrow? Please??? For the love of Pete please help me bring this to and end!!!. It will also be so wonderful to see Madeline again.

Eee! I am so happy! Almost as happy as Bo and Hope Brady after finding out Bo wasn't actually dead when that boat he was on exploded into a million pieces and then he forgot his memory and lived 5 years as a fishing boat captain pillaging the seas of Salem before coming back (I totally made that up but it probably happened).

I Want To Clean!!

We bought our beautiful home last December and moved in the beginning of January. It's really hard to believe we have been here for almost 9 months now. We don't even remember the tiny one bedroom apartment we use to live in. It is all... but a mem-or-y. I mean, I guess if I really thought about it I could remember, but you get my point. It was a good move.

I am not the perfect homemaker. I don't clean every day. I don't always make dinner. I do sew on buttons when it is needed. I think maybe if I didn't have to work I'd be better. I am not a neat freak, but I do enjoy a clean house. When I DO clean, I do things a certain way.

I like to sweep, starting with the trim, then the corners, then each particle of dust or garbage is swept into a nice pile in one area. I then move onto the next area. I vaccuum in straight lines - the lines the vaccuum makes on the carpet just do something for me that I cannot describe. It's a physically exciting sensation... woo woo! By the way, if you do not own a Dyson, save up now and get one. I love my Dyson "it never loses suction... evah." We recently bought a mop and one of those industrial mop buckets with the squeezer on it.... do you know how BAD I want to mop my floor???? But that is a lot of bending and that sucker is heavy!!

Since I have blown up into a large watermelon factory and cannot bend over, cleaning has been difficult. Also, My abilities are limited, and to be completely blunt: It sucks ass. Not just one ass... but many many thousands of asses. So Paul has taken on many, or most... okay probably ALL of the responsiblities of cleaning, cooking, putting baby stuff together... basically doing everything. On top of that, I am fussy and emotional most of the time. I find myself saying,

"This is getting SO OLD!!"

a lot, and crying at the drop of a hat. It seems as if every week there are new dust/cat hair tumble weeds blowing across our floors. New spider webs in each corner and crevice. It doesn't end!! Also, I can't seem to get my dishwasher to NOT stink (if you have any secrets or tricks to this, PLEASE share them. We have tried the vinegar thing.)

Through it all Paul has been beyond unbelievable. The extent of his complaining is a common extremely heavy and unusual breath or sigh and a teeny/occassional swear word... or two. But never at me. He does find release in his video games. We haven't been able to get the basketball hoop up yet because of everything Paul has to do, but I know when we get that up it will be another area of release for him.

I feel like a jerk most of the time because even with everything he does for me, I still find tiny things to complain about. I actually sit and monitor him when he does clean, and I critique his technique. I am such a monster sometimes. And then, out of frustration, he will say...

"Do YOU want to do this???!~!!!?!~?!~!&^!*&!^!!!"
and I will say,

"YES! YES I do!!!!!!!!!! but I can't!!!!!!"
and I will cry and cry and cry.

I just hope he knows how much I appreciate him and he doesn't lose his mind before Madeline comes and I can get back to my normal state of ability. I feel like I owe so many people for helping me out these past 8-9 months. Especially my husband.

My mom and sister, Amber, will be here September 9th at 2:30 pm. They are coming specifically to help out around here and take care of us for a week. I am so excited and thankful for them!!! It has been hard not to be able to make my home perfect for when they come.
My mom reminded me that one of the reasons they are coming is to help clean and cook so I need to relax and just get over the embarassment of a 'not so perfect' house. And my sister Amber says,
"That's why we are coming Edith to clean your house and cook your food and wipe your butt."

Geez, I hope I can wipe my own butt after this fiasco. So, I'll try to do that... relax... and wipe my own butt.

Updates n' Stuff n' Junk

Yesterday we had another doctor's appointment! We are now 37 weeks along as of Tuesday. I am still not dilated and my cervix is posterior. Madeline has not fully dropped. Basically, not much has changed except I gained 1/2 a pound and I have a new stretch mark on my belly. They did hook me up to an external monitor for about 20 minutes to monitor the baby's heart rate. She stayed at a steady 145-150 for most of the time, and I had a couple tiny, unnoticeable contractions... so that was fun to watch.

The doctor I saw yesterday told me the baby feels like she is a really good size already and that technically I could have her any time now and it would probably be just fine. Next week we get another ultra sound. That made me happy because I wasn't expecting another one. The last time we had one was 20 weeks.

Everyone is getting really excited about the baby. At work about 300 people a day gasp in aw that I have not yet had the baby and make retarded comments. I am used to it though by now. Lots'a belly touchin' still. At this point it's whatever, ya know?

My sister Amber is excited...

"I'm glad all is well in your pregnancy, it's crazy on your blog it say's you have 20 day's left, that's 10 day's away from just being 10 day's left which is pretty much a week, which in work time is 5 day's and in personal time is can't wait till the weekend which is only like 2 day's I can't freakin believe it!!" So that's fun.

36 Weeks... and counting

Tuesday we had another doctor's appointment. We are starting to go weekly now. Twenty six days until the estimated due date. I hope I don't go PAST the due date. I really really really really really want to deliver before my mom and sister arrive on the 9th so they can spend their whole week here with Paul, me AND Madeline.

The appointment went well. Madeline has only slightly dropped, her head is down (yay!) and my cervix is posterior - which basically means it is pointing to the back. I guess once Madeline is fully dropped it will be pointing downward. Anyway - I am not dilated or effaced or anything yet, which surprised me a little with all the pressure and aching I have been feeling.

I have only gained about 18-20 pounds so far during my pregnancy. I lost weight a little in the beginning because I was eating better and taking better care of myself, and since I started out slightly overweight I didn't want to gain too much weight.

My blood pressure has been slightly elevated my entire pregnancy (130's to 150's systolic, only when it is taken at the doctor's office, not at home) but it has stayed pretty steady throughout and I am not blowing up like a balloon. They're still watching me kind of close cause that's what doctors do, but I know everything is going to be fine.

Work Baby Shower

Yesterday the unbelievable friends I have at work threw me a baby shower. Brittney, Ginger, and Becky were the ones who planned it and decorated for it, and everyone pitched in to get us some amazing gifts!!



I was not expecting all of the wonderful things that they got for us. We got tons of cute clothes, a pack n' play (play pen), a boppy, bath stuff, lotion, soaps, nail kits, diapers, wipes, a very special collectable shower fairy statue, several beautiful frames, boots, socks... and so much more. I was overwhelmed with joy. The perma-grin on my face caused severe cheek ache-age.

Patricia in the surgery pharmacy made one of her professional homemade cakes (chocolate on top and white cake on the bottom - Mmm!). There were yummy chips and dips and drinks and a vegetable tray.



I am so thankful for times like this in our lives when God reminds us how much people care about us, and how important it is to let others know how much we love and care for them. I had no idea that so many people would be excited for our little Madeline to arrive. I feel so much closer to everyone I work with. I mean, it has always been like a family environment - that's one thing that attracted me to the hospital I work at - but this was just really special to me.

My entire pregnancy has been like that. There is something about being pregnant that brings joy to everyone. That's why people ask to touch your belly. That's why a perfect stranger, who you would never think of speaking to under any other circumstance, might start talking with you and asking you questions.

Something about babies... their sweet spirits and the powerful love they bring into the world makes the world a better place and opens up so many oppertunities.

We did get more pictures from the shower but I have to get copies. Then I'll post some.

More Cute Stuff!!

We got another package yesterday! It was more cute clothes for Madeline and some cute material from our awesome family in New York (Thanks Ma!).

Take a look at all this cute stuff...





All I can say is....

We are simply overwhelmed with everything everyone is giving us. We feel so blessed to have such kind people in our lives. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!