Almost 8 Months!

How did this happen? How is it that my baby will be 8 months old in a couple weeks? Time is flying by. I am quite happy to be getting out for walks again. A couple of moms I met at the local library program are getting together for walks in our area. Jude loves being outside! He's growing every day and I love watching him learn. He could be crawling any day. Right now he keeps going backwards and looks at me like 'why am I not going where I want'. He loves jumping in his jolly jumper. He has soo much energy.

He's a fantastic eater (way better than mom). He's picking up his Cheerios and getting them into his mouth (he does get annoyed when they get stuck to his hands and he can't eat them). He's loving almost everything he's tried (avocado and mango still aren't favs).

He already has 8 teeth and is biting me quite often (they are sharp!). Still trying to figure out how to get him to stop the biting. I just feel so bad for him that every time he starts to get over the last tooth another one seems to be coming in.

(Jude is sporting his green for St. Paddy's Day in the above pic)

Library time

Yesterday was jude's first day of his library storytime program. I'm really glad we went but Jude slept through the whole thing. I think it will be really good for me (meeting other moms in the area and learning games to play with Jude).


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Hospital Stay

After Jude was born we were in the hospital for a few days. I wasn't expecting (or prepared for) a c-section. Finding out that I wasn't going to be able to carry anything for about four weeks was a shock. It was so difficult to get in and out of bed. Being told that you shouldn't use your ab muscles is alot easier said than done. Jude ended up jaundiced and throwing up his food so the nurses sent him down to the ICU nursery. That was pretty upsetting. My poor little baby was there for about 36 hours. I tried to get down there for every feeding, but sleep did take precedence once in awhile. I ended up having an iron deficiency and had some issues walking down to the nursery.
He seemed to be perfectly content having his first sunbathe!

He had lots of visitors in the hospital: Rach (who I called when I woke up on that first morning and couldn't get a hold of my dad - she stayed with me all day), Christi, Dad, Lindsay (who also stayed one day with me and kept me entertained while Jude was in ICU), Jaime, Mike and Sami, Cara (who drove all the way from Clinton to come and see us), Lisa, Sharon (who stayed with us after we left the hospital) and Grandma Sue.

On the Wednesday I was finally getting released it took us forever to get out of there. Dad, Sharon and I played some cards while waiting for the okay.

The plan was for my dad to bring me a bottle of Harp beer while I was in the hospital. I hadn't had beer for over ten months and really wanted one, but after the very long labour and delivery I just didn't feel like it. But, then my Aunt Lynda suggested my milk would come in if I had a Guinness and that was a great idea. It tasted great and the next day my milk came in.
I had knit a hat, sweater and booties for Jude's going home. Unfortunately, the sizes didn't quite work out. It was like Goldie Locks: the sweater was too big, the hat was too small and the booties were just right.

Labour

I finally have some time to update my blog! Who knows how much time I have as my little munchkin could wake up at anytime.

After the two rounds of induction my labour finally started while I was having dinner at my sister's place with my dad. Christi (my coach and amazing friend) came over to my place around 11pm. We headed over to the hospital around 1am as Christi was worried that I was progressing. Unfortunately, that was not the case. They sent me back home. I did watch a bit of Buffy and slept for 2 min increments and had at least 4 showers (they felt so great). At 8 am we headed back to the hospital and they were able to admit me!

This meant I wouldn't have to move around anymore and could get some drugs. Before I went into labour I was not keen on an epidural. I did not want someone sticking a needle into my spine. But, I did want the morphine. Once I had the morphine I was able to sleep for a bit and that was great.

My Dad and Christi were with me at the hospital, which was great. It turned out to be a very long day and it was great to have them both there.

During my labour a number of things 'went wrong' or at least they did not go as hoped or expected. They brought in an intern to break my water (I didn't have an issue with it being an intern). She attempted it four times and Christi finally told her to stop and get the doctor. The doctor only had to do it once. Unfortunately, there was meconium which meant the baby could be in distress so the baby and I both had to be monitored. This meant no walking, no showers and no jacuzzi. I was bed ridden for the rest of my labour. They also determined that I was dehydrated (which seems so crazy considering how much water I drink) so I needed an IV. I hate IV's and giving blood (for as long as I can remember it has been difficult to find a vein and then there was that time that they nicked a nerve and my arm was messed up for a week). Well, this was just as bad. They tried a couple of times in one hand and it hurt so bad that I was crying and had to get them to take it out (my hand was bruised for a couple of days), then they tried the other hand and it hurt like hell as well. So, they had to call in an IV specialist - that finally worked.

I was hooked up to so many things on different sides of my body that I kept getting tangled whenever I moved!

I asked for more morphine but they said I couldn't have it because the baby could come within 5 hours (my baby didn't show up for another 13 hours). So, I broke down and decided to go for the epidural. Of course, I did jump during the epidural and thought I had paralyzed myself. I then went into shock or something similar and was shaking uncontrollably for about 20 mins. Five blankets later and I was asleep. Before the epidural I did try to eat some lunch, which I then proceeded to throw up. I then found out I couldn't eat with the epidural!

The rest of the day was kind of a blur, nothing much happening. I started to disbelieve anyone who gave me a timeline. We kept thinking the baby was only a few hours from being born, but no. My baby seemed to be very happy where it was.

I know there was talk of the baby being born at 7, then at 9, then at 11 and then we realized he would probably be a Sunday baby.

Around 11 or so it was finally time to push. Christi tells me I was pushing for about 3 hours, it's all a blur to me. I know I asked for a different playlist (more AC/DC less Alison Crowe). Around 1am the doctor was free again and came to check on me. They decided he was descended enough to try and pull him out. I don't know how many times she tried but my baby just wouldn't come out. So, I was quickly unhooked and wheeled into an operating room for a C-section. I'd been crying for about three hours and was just really emotional about this being my first surgery.

I had to have a top up of the epidural (the second top up) and like the times before I started shaking uncontrollably. They strapped my arms down but I broke through on one side. It was so uncomfortable. I was able to feel them move stuff around, but it didn't hurt. Finally the doctor announced that it was a boy! Unfortunately, I didn't feel like celebrating. It actually took me a few hours to be really excited about the birth of my beautiful boy, Jude.


There was some concern when they were checking Jude over, they wouldn't let Christi take pictures. We heard a cry and then nothing, Christi kept me distracted but we were both worried that something was wrong. But, then everything turned out okay.

I was still shaking uncontrollably so I couldn't hold Jude when we left the OR. The nurse carried him down to my room, Christi did get to hold him and then handed him off to my dad. Unfortunately, there are no pics of Christi holding Jude in the hospital (after all her help there really should be one). Dad and Christi stuck around for awhile while I slept. They headed home around 3am. When I woke up I was finally excited to see my new baby. They moved me into my recovery room and Jude and I went to sleep. He's so beautiful and so amazing!

My life has changed for forever.

Last Day of Work

Today is my last day in the office before I go on maternity leave (I have three days of vacation before my official last day of work). And what happens? I find a problem with a spreadsheet I had designed, so I had a bit of a stressful morning while I fought with Microsoft Excel to figure out how to fix my issue (damn sorting screwed up my formulas). But, I figured it out. Of course, I did :) It's pretty rare that I don't figure out a solution (now I have just jinxed myself).

We have a corporate meeting in about 15mins and then I'm done... for a year! I can't wrap my head around that. I really can't.

I'm hoping the baby doesn't make an appearance at least until next Friday. It would be really nice to have a week off to myself to get some things done around the house and to relax. Plus, my coach is off to a cottage for a week and I rather not go into labour during her vacation.

8 Days and Counting

There are only 8 more working days for me. Of course, I'm a little worried that this baby will then be late (and even bigger), but I'm definitely feeling the need to rest. It feels like I've been go, go, go for last couple of months. This coming weekend is somewhat quieter than the past 6. I have my baby shower and a poker night, but that's it. I've taken Friday off from work and looking forward to a relaxing day.

I woke up this morning and was thinking that it didn't really seem that cool in my condo (considering how much lower my AC is set than years past). Hmmm, that doesn't appear correct. The temp is 10 degrees warmer than what the AC is set to. I am definitely feeling the heat more this summer than I have in the past, but I am really glad that I'm normally so cold or else I'd probably be dying with no-AC. I think my cats are not at all happy.

My dad is coming down to help me with a couple of things around the house this week so I suspect all of those other things will be put on hold so that he can check out the AC. Fingers crossed. I will probably want it working for after the baby is born.

This past weekend I headed up to Goderich do some 'camping' with friends. I say 'camping' because I actually slept at my Grandmother's each night. Everyone else was actually camping. It was really great to get back to a campsite. I have missed it. This was the first time we camped at Point Farms and I think we are planning to do it again next year because it was a fabulous site. The beach was excellent as well. We had 3 sites and there were about 17 of us (plus 3 dogs). The kids had a great time. The only issue: we didn't get our picture! Heidi, Cara, Teresa and I almost always try to get a picture of the four of us (and often times including others) when we get together. Of course, I didn't think of this until the next day and it was too late.

Ultrasound

I had an ultrasound yesterday and I seem to be having a big baby! The tech asked if the father was tall. Why? Because she measured the baby appears to be at 37.5 weeks instead of 36! She thinks the baby is already 6 lbs 12 oz. Normally at this stage the baby would gain a pound a week. That could mean a 10 lb (plus) baby!

Besides that the baby had a perfect ultrasound (I always did like tests - so maybe my genes are in there). Lots of movement, as always, and it was difficult to get all the pics.

Now I'm kind of hoping for an early labour.


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Make The Itching Stop

Two weeks ago I developed a rash on my stomach, arms and hands. It then spread to my feet. It was really itchy and I decided to have an oatmeal bath - big mistake! That caused the rash to explode on my legs and back. My OB said it was hard to diagnose rashes (but it was definitely not this one specific pregnancy rash) and she thought it was a heat rash (as it did start when we had our heat wave in TO), she gave me a script for some cortisone cream and told me to take some benadryl. Unfortunately, those didn't work (well, they gave me some relief). This past Monday I made it in to see a dermatologist. She thinks it is one of the other pregnancy rashes (I don't know the names of them). She did a biopsy on my leg, but it takes two weeks for the results. Not only do I have an insanely itchy rash, I also have itchy stitches.

Regardless of what it is, the consensus seems to be that it will stay until the baby is born. That's about 7 weeks from now. I'm not sure I can handle it. I look diseased, which is really great since I go for maternity photos on Saturday (I really hope they are good at the air-brushing).

On a donor related note: I found out today that my donor is all sold out. I know there has been at least one other pregnancy reported for my donor so my baby will have at least one half-sibling out there. I definitely plan to pay to keep my other sample in storage (just in case).

Too Busy

I've been so busy with baby stuff I have been remiss in keeping my blog up to date! Quick rundown:

Work is insane! Been working alot of weekends and travelling to a client site in Kitchener (good news - I get $100 in expense money for each day I do that trek - I've ordered a new laptop with the money from April trips).

I started my third trimester last week! The baby is moving around a lot and kicking up a storm. There have only been two times when I could feel / see the baby move on the outside. This week I go for my gestational diabetes test (hopefully everything goes well).

The baby room was painted this weekend and it looks amazing. I huge THANKS to Teresa, Heidi, Karen, Kevin, Mike, Dorie and Lisa for all their help over the past couple of weekends. I hated not being able to help with the painting and everyone was awesome in giving up their weekends to help me out. The room is yellow and burgundy and I can't wait to finish decorating.

Mike and Kevin carried the new dresser up the three flights of stairs (yes, the stairs are horrible). I can now start moving clothes from the closet into the dresser and start setting up the room. I still need to get new window treatments, though. The blinds have been there since before I moved in and they are pretty disgusting.

I'm about to start on the next baby knitting project: a lace type covering for the bassinet. When I was born my mom's friend gave her a wicker bassinet (so it's over 37 years old). Unfortunately, she was killed in a plane crash shortly after that. My dad is building a rocker and a new custom mattress has been purchased. Now, I just need to figure out how to knit the 'shawl'. I really hope it works out.

That's about all I have time for today!

Too Much Planning

So, I think I planned the baby thing a little too much. Last year I went for all my tests and everything was fine. I then waited to actually start the DI process until I figured out when would be good for me. I was worried about money and making sure the timing worked. Well, I may have waited too long. I went in this week after picking the donor and my blood work came back indicating a problem. I'm hoping it is an anomaly and that next month everything will be fine. The clinic wants me to go back to see my doctor since it's been a year since my last tests. Of course, this meant that I went to worse case scenario. I'm rather worried that this now means I won't be able to have kids. I'm hoping I get much better news later this week.

Now, part of the problem is that the clinic is not very good at providing information (this seems to be the consensus in my support group). But, it is probably mostly because I waited too long. Fingers crossed that everything will be okay.

The Bump

Here's the pic of the baby bump! Jason and Megan went for the first ultrasound this week. Pics of little baby feet! I'm so excited.