Carson's Big Day :)

He's here, he's here, he's here!
He's perfect, he's perfect, he's perfect!

More to come.....

Hot & Bothered

Man oh man yesterday was a hot one! Yesterday with highs around 95 degrees I have to admit I was a bit miserable. Yesterday was just NOT my favorite day, that is for sure. Early Monday morning (2:35am ish) I woke up with a sharp cramping pain. I immediately thought I was going into labor. The feeling that came over me what quite intense. It wasn't the pain that got me so much but the anxiety of what it could have meant. I was hot, cold, scared, crying, in pain, and a little confused all at once! Turns out this was a false alarm, my doctor called it a Braxton Hicks contraction, considering it only happened once.

We were supposed to be going to the doctor today (Tuesday) but since I had the weird contraction thing, and because we just couldn't wait we changed our appointment to yesterday (Monday). I would have bet money that I was further dilated and effaced because I have definitely felt different in the last couple of days! We were also anxiously anticipating the news about the induction. Over the weekend we'd kind of convinced ourselves that we'd be induced on Thursday of this week....so as you can imagine we were EXCITED about knowing WHEN Carson would be here!!!!

Well, here comes the "bothered" part of this post.... I was STILL 1 cm, and STILL 60% effaced, and Carson hadn't dropped any lower. Arg. Then, when we asked what was going on with the nurses strike they told us it shouldn't not effect us, or our delivery at all. Which I have to admit, was somewhat of a relief. "So, does this mean we don't need to be induced by the end of the week?" I ask.... And his answer was of course yes, no need for an early induction. Plus....he said if they had to induce at only 1 cm the chance of C-section would skyrocket. So, that was both good news, and bad I guess. We didn't want to have to be induced but I will say that we did like the idea of knowing he'd be here by the end of the week!

So, where are we now? We are playing this horrible waiting game. This is BY FAR the worst part of being pregnant.... waiting. Even though I am just 1 cm Carson could still come any day, at any time and that's of course what we are hoping for! We are supposed to go back to the doctor next Tuesday (June 1st)...lets just hope that never happens! If it does however, I will be three days overdue and will probably look at scheduling an induction for later next week (Thurs/Fri).

A note to Carson: Hey little man, Mommy is hot, anxious, and just dying to meet you. The world is ready to meet you too and see your precious little face. You've got tons of hugs and kisses waiting for you and LOTS of people that are going to love you like crazy!!! Come out already :)

The last supper...

39 Weeks.... Wow! Where has the time gone? For so long it seemed that Carson's big day was FOREVER away, and now it's so hard to wrap our heads around the fact that it's here. With our due date being only 7 days away we figure there is a good chance this weekend was our last weekend as a "party of two"! We keep telling ourselves, and everyone else for that matter, that we are "ready" for Carson's big arrival...but how can you really be ready for that moment when your water breaks, or when you feel a contraction? I wonder how I will act when this all starts to go down....Will I be cool and calm? Panicked? Crying? Screaming? Or so excited that I'm "in labor" that I don't freak out? James says he already knows how I'll be. He thinks I'll start to freak out a bit and think we need to rush to the hospital right away. We really want to try to labor at home until my water breaks or my contractions are 5 min apart (what the doc recommends). James said today I just need to leave him in charge of when it's time to go....We'll see how all of that works out.

Tonight James and I decided we should probably treat ourselves to a nice quiet dinner out before we are officially a "party of three". I like to call it our "last supper". We went to one of our favorite local places, Doolittle's Woodfire Grill and had a delicious dinner! Carson now that Mommy and Daddy have had their last "date" for a while I guess you can come anytime....We're waiting....

Go Baby, Go!

With only 9 days left until our actual due date I think it's safe to say that Carson could be here ANY time! Yay :) Yesterday we had our 38 weeks, and 4 day check-up, and everything went great. We were hoping to hear that I was further dilated and effaced but that wasn't the case. I am standing strong at 1 cm, and 60%. The doctor said my cervix looked great (not quite sure what a "great" cervix looks like, and don't really care to know for that matter...haha) and that Carson was "engaged" and ready to finish his descent! He said he'd move down some but not all of the way yet. Carson's heart-rate was normal along with my blood pressure. I measured exactly 38 weeks which was perfect! The doctor also reassured me that since I have had such a normal pregnancy there is no reason why it shouldn't continue that way! Yay for me :) He told us to keep our bags packed because my water could break, and I could go into labor at any time, and that's what he for sees happening.

But... Wednesday night the local nurses unions decided to go on strike at the begining of June. Luckily the hospital I am delievering at is not a union hospital so there will not be a strike there. Whew! But, the doctor did tell us yesterday that the strike does have the potential to effect us beause of a possible increase in patients coming over from other union hospitals.... So, what does all of this mean for my pregnancy? Well, we aren't 100% sure yet. We go back to the doctor on Tuesday and while we're there we are going to disuss induction. According to my doctors I shouldn't really need to be induced unless for some reason I go over my due date a week or so (which would be June 6th). But, he said if we wait until June 6th and try to schedule an induction at the hospital there is a chance they wont have room for me (women being induced have last priority for rooms in the maternity ward). This would obviously not be good... So, the doctor said he thinks it might be a good idea to induce before the end of the month to bypass the whole possibility of the strike effecting my labor. We are going to wait and see what, if any, progress I have made on Tuesday and what they suggest we do. IF, they recommend going ahead and inducing we will probably try to schedule it for next Thursday, May 27th (Which would be 39 weeks and 4 days). My main concern with inducing is that I don't want it to increase my chances of needing a c-section. For some reason it seems like a lot of the time when you hear that someone was induced you also hear they ended up with a c-section. I am going to ask my doctor if induction raises the risk of c-section, hopefully he will say no because I have to admit I like the idea of know the exact day our little guy could arrive, plus... it's right before the long holiday weekend, couldn't be any better timing!

However, Carson could of couse come before Tuesday, or next Thursday for that matter! Naturally that's what we are hoping for. James has a golf game planned for Sunday morning so he'd apprectiate it if Carson could hold off until then. On top of that the house needs a good cleaning so I would have to agree, Carson lets shoot for Sunday night, or Monday! If only it were that easy...

Breastfeeding 101

Last night James and I spent our evening together learning the basics of breastfeeding a baby. The whole breastfeeding thing is something I have gone back and forth with for quite sometime. For some reason that I just can't explain, the whole thing makes me anxious, and to be quite honest it downright scares me. The weird thing is that it's not the possible pain that I'm scared of...I can deal with that. I think it's partially because there is NO way for me to practice it, or know what it will be like. Maybe it's the unknown that makes me so nervous. I can honestly say I'm more anxious about breastfeeding than I am about the delivery. Why? Good question....wish I knew the answer. I think part of it is that when Carson decides he's ready to make his big debut I'm expected to preform the most important task that a woman is ever asked to preform...birth. And then...after I successfully deliver a child into this world I'm expected to take on another task....feeding.

Do you remember the old Cingular commercial where a family is talking about minutes and paying the phone bill and the dad says, "Dad always gets hosed." Well... This is quite the joke in our family. My dad is always saying he gets "hosed" and yes....a lot of times he does. James has taken over my dad's phrase in our house as well. This week I've been counting down the days of work (only 3 more left after today), and James keeps saying he has like 9874353975834 days left, then he'll say, "Dad gets hosed." Well, Dad and James, I'm stealing the hose. Every once in a while, Mom gets "hosed" too. haha

When we first found out we were pregnant I was going to breastfeed, then I wasn't, then I was going to "try" but secretly hoped I couldn't, then I decided that I was going to, and that I was going to give it ALL I had. I went into the breastfeeding class fairly optimistic about the whole thing. But when, 5 minutes into the class, the instructor said that in the first 2-3 weeks the baby shouldn't use a bottle, or a pacifier, and should feed by nursing alone I think I panicked. I want Carson to have breast milk because it's best for him, but I don't really want him to be latched to my chest all day. I had kind of convinced myself I'd do more pumping....even if it meant that my milk supply didn't last as long. So, I will say this. Last night the doubts came back, and I wanted to throw in the towel before the game even started. But, James....being the amazing supportive husband he is reassured me that it would all be ok because he knew I could do it, and that he'd be there to help every step of the way. I woke up this morning with a new attitude. I can do it, and I'm not doing it alone. I am still nervous, scared, and anxious? Yes, of course, and I probably will be until after I have the first few feedings under my belt.

Well... the countdown continues....Only 12 more days until our due date and the excitment is building! Every time I go somewhere I think to myself, "Is it going to happen now? What will I do if I'm here and my water breaks?" I've never really wished pain upon myself before, but there is a first time for everything....Carson we're ready! Bring on the contractions!

Two weeks & counting...

Let me just start by saying that being a full term pregnant lady is no easy task! Whew... Carson will be much easier to tote around when I'm pushing him in a stroller versus carrying him in my belly! Although... I guess when he does finally decide to arrive it wont just be HIM that I have to tote around. I'll have him, the stroller, the diaper bag, my purse, etc, etc, etc. I'm tired already.

Friday James and I had another doctor's appointment! We were hoping for some more progress in the dilation department but the doctor said I was still just one centimeter. I am however now 60% effaced, so at least SOME progress was made :) Everything else looked great and we go back this Thursday for another check-up! I honestly can't believe that we only have 14 more days until my due date! CRAZY! The doctor told us that they wont let me go over 41 weeks so my guess is that in 21 days Carson will for sure be here....Woo Hoo :)

Next week is my last week of work and words can not express how excited I am! I've been counting down the days since Christmas so the fact that there are only 5 days left makes me smile! If Carson decides to make his big appearance close to his due date I'll have a few days to be home and rest which will be nice! That is, if I can actually sit down long enough to rest. I think I just about wore myself out yesterday running around! I told James last night I need to start taking easy because otherwise I'll end up going into labor at the end of day where I've run myself ragged...And I know I will need ALL of the energy I possibly have to deliver this little guy!

Is it possible?

Is it really possible that we are totally 100% ready for Carson's big arrival? I have made to-do list after to-do list and I honestly can't think of anything else we could do to "get ready" for the big day. But why isn't the feeling of having everything done and ready to go comforting? I've spent the last two mornings racking my brain trying to come up with something that I have forgotten to do. I want everything to be PERFECT when he gets here... is that possible? Probably not. I guess the only thing left to do for the next 18 days is REST.... that is soooo hard for me to do. I like to be busy, I want to be busy, but I'm guessing I will have plenty to keep me busy in the upcoming weeks! haha Several months ago I started working on making a stocking for Carson, it was about 1/2 way finished so I did get that back out the other day. I've got to have SOMETHING to work on, so this is a perfect little project that I can finish that requires sitting on the couch and relaxing at the same time! It's going to be super cute and I'll have to post pictures when it's all done :)

Friday we head back to the doctor for another check-up and it can't get here soon enough! I REALLLLLLLLY hope I've made some progress down there. Before I go into labor Carson should begin to drop down into my pelvic bone a little more to get ready for the whole birth process. James and I think that he's slowly making his way down...It seems that in the last couple days my belly is a little lower than it has been! Sunday James and I are planning on treating ourselves to a little "ME" day.... James' is heading to the links to play a little golf while I get another hair cut (my hair is growing so fast...as if I need any more...). And, after my haircut I am getting a pedicure! Woo Hoo :) I can't wait!

I am closing our baby pool on Friday because my grandmother actually guessed this Saturday (her wedding anniversary) as Carson's birth day! So if you haven't gotten a chance to make a guess you're running out of time! As you make you're guess remember that Mommy likes to be early, she's never late for anything. You hear that Carson?

Fortune Cookies...

We're officially FULL TERM!! Today we hit the 37 week mark :) Woo Hoo! It's absolutley surreal to think that Carson could be here ANY day now... James and I have been busy all weekend checking items off of our to-do list. We've about got it licked! Last night James and I celebrated our two year wedding anniversary! We went to dinner at P.F. Chang's and then walked over to The Cheesecake Factory for dessert! Yum, Yum, Yum! It's hard to believe that this time two years ago we were hanging out on the beach about to tie the knot, now we're cleaning the carpets, putting batteries in baby swings, and anxiously waiting for Carson's big day!

I have to admit I'm a little disappointed in how many of you have guessed that Carson is going to make a LATE arrival in our baby pool! haha He's going to be early, he's going to be early, he's going to be early! James guessed a few days before my due date but in the last two days he keeps saying that he has this feeling he might be a couple days late. If he jinxed it I'm going to kill him! haha Last night after dinner our waiter brought us the much anticipated fortune cookies with our bill. We opened them up and....

Here's mine...

Here's James'...
Crazy right...? Carson will be here soon!!!

Let the measuring begin!

This morning James and I went in for our 36 week check-up, which because of the cancellation was actually our 36 weeks and 5 days check-up! I am pleased to report that the measuring has begun! Today the doctor said I was 1 cm dilated and 40-50% effaced. Meaning that my cervix is starting to get to work! haha We were both really excited that we are making progress! I know that we could be stuck at 1 cm for weeks but I'm thinking positive!

Today they did the test for Group B Strep as well, but I wont be getting those results back for a couple of days. My belly measured 35, which she said was perfect and Carson's heart-rate was around 160, which was perfect too! If you ask me this is just one perfect pregnancy....Let's just hope the perfection continues! I feel so lucky that I haven't had any problems or complications yet! I'm still feeling really good and I'm still able to do everything that I actually want to do! I haven't really noticed much swelling at all and I am still stretch mark free :) I'm already looking forward to next Friday's doctors appointment, hopefully things will continue to progress because I'm just dying to meet this little guy!!!!!

The "Mother" of all To-Do Lists...

This morning while sitting at work I put together a To-Do list of things that we need to get done before little Carson's arrival. I keep saying that we're ready but somehow I was able to come up with a huge list of things to do... What the heck? I am SUCH a planner and it's killing me that I don't know when he is going to arrive. I want the house to be clean, and everything to be perfect when we bring him home. I just have this fear that I'll go into labor on the day that my house is a wreck, the laundry is overflowing, and the bathroom needs cleaning. Please Carson, don't do that to Mommy. I usually wait and do laundry on the weekends but my new plan is to do a load as soon as I have a full one to do... Maybe this will help?? This weekend we plan on cleaning our carpets and repainting our front door so that's two big jobs to check off the list. Call it nesting if you want but I also need to clean out all of the cabinets in our kitchen. I want to take everything out, wipe them down, and reorganize!

The good thing about our To-Do list is that there are both Mommy and Daddy jobs on there! Daddy hasn't gotten a look at the list yet but I feel sure he'll be thrilled to see how many items are for him "to do". haha I'm not feeling too sorry for him considering one rather large item on my To-Do list is to actually HAVE this baby! While there are a few not-so-fun items on the list there are a few that I am excited about... The main one being our anniversary dinner date we have planned for the weekend!! I can't believe this time two years ago we were preparing for our beach wedding, and now we're preparing for a baby!

For those of you that haven't already heard our 36 week check-up yesterday got canceled because the doctor got called in for a delivery. We were quite bummed because we were really excited about the possibility of hearing that maybe, just maybe we were making some progress down there... We ended up having to reschedule, and now our appointment isn't until Friday. James really wanted to be able to go and that was the first time we could get it that worked for him. So, our 36 week check-up has nearly turned into our 37 week check-up (I'll be 36 and 5 days on Friday). We go Friday morning so I'll be sure to update everyone as soon as possible, hopefully I'll have something fun to share!

Another Milestone!

We've finally made it to the 36 week milestone! WooHoo :) It seems like we've been waiting for weeks to make it to this point because there have been so many things we've been planning on doing around this point of the pregnancy. This weekend we were able to check some fun little projects off of our to-do list! James installed the car seat in my car yesterday, it's surreal to think that there will actually be a baby riding around in there before too long! I finished the rest of Carson's laundry and got his hospital bag all packed! That was too fun :) I've never enjoyed doing laundry so much in my life! The little socks were my favorite. They are SO little I don't know how we'll keep up with them all. James seems to think the sock monster will be making lots of visits to Carson's sock collection! haha I also started packing my bag for the hospital, which didn't include cute little socks or onesies, instead I packed a few things like nursing pads and maxi pads. Fun, fun! haha

James and I also did a little more cleaning out this weekend. I honestly think we've supplied half of the inventory at the local Goodwill in the last year! James got on a "lets get rid of this" roll yesterday and cleaned out his side of our walk-in closet. Being the "master packer/organizer", as we call it, I was able to come up with a better way to store some of his stuff. A quick trip to Target and some large tubs later I am pleased to announce that we have EMPTY space in our closet. I feel sure it wont stay that way for long but it is comforting to know there is space somewhere if, and when, we need it!

With our 36 week milestone comes a little more discomfort on my part. I'm finding it much harder to sleep, harder to get comfortable, and just harder to get around. My energy level is still pretty good, and I really hope it stays that way. I'm a "busy body" so I can't imagine not having the energy to stay busy! James is being a HUGE help around the house which is SO nice :) He's been helping lots with my, as he calls them, "wifely duties". Next weekend we are planning on renting a Rug Doctor and getting the carpets nice and clean. Well, I shouldn't say WE, I should say James I guess... I'll just be telling him how to do it I'm sure! haha Tomorrow afternoon we go to the doctor for our 36 week check-up! I have my first full "exam", so I'm anxious to see what all of that entails...