Braxton-Hicks- my new friend

35 Weeks

I had an appointment this afternoon for a two week check. All morning, while at work, I was having contractions. I've been having sporadic contractions for a while now. Usually I'll have three or four in a row, they're painless and then they stop. This morning, however, I had a BUNCH and some of them started to hurt. I kinda freaked out but decided to just let it go until I went to my appointment.

Luckily, Dr. Stamps said this was perfectly normal and will probably just continue to get worse until Emma comes. He said that you can tell the Braxton-Hicks contractions from the real thing because they won't be consistant.

On a positive note, we met with another potential daycare provider this evening and we loved her. We're going to sleep on it before making a decision but I think we'll go with her. Yay!

That's all for now. I'm trying to compile a list of things I need to pack for me, Kev and Emma and our hospital stay. I'll try to get some of that together this weekend and maybe go and get her carseat installed. Talk to you all soon!!

Childbirth 101

We started our childbirth classes tonight at Cox South hospital. I've been really looking forward to them because I really don't know squat about labor and delivery. I must say, though, that I hated every minute of it.

We started the class with a 45 minute tour of labor and delivery. While it may seem as though this would be beneficial, it wasn't. First of all, you feel like you're in a prison. Actually, it's more like a mental ward. There are locked doors everywhere and all the hallways are long and narrow with no color. The actual delivery rooms are located along several long corridors with locked doors and a small window to peep in each room. I can't imagine making the trip down that hallway when I'm in labor and feel any sense of comfort.

Our tour guide then demonstrated some of the "features" of the room. When it's showtime, a huge door of sorts retracts from the ceiling and an electric flood light lowers down right over you that is about the size of a ceiling fan. Also, the bed that the moms lay on is raised 5 feet in the air with a mattress that's 2 inches thick. Right along side that is where the dads hang out - in an oversized leather recliner. Fair? I don't think so.

We then saw where the c-section suites are and the recovery rooms. We also swung by the perinatal ICU and the neonatal ICU. I don't think they should let a big group of expectant moms go in those areas. Not because it will scare the preggies but because all the families in those areas are visiting people who aren't in the best of condition. They probably don't appreciate the tour group strolling through.

We then returned to our classroom where we all learned a hand-massaging technique and practiced some breathing and relaxation. This is what I'm referring to as the peak of dumbness. She made everyone sit on the hard floor and lean back against their spouse. I'm sorry but that's not comfortable when you're not pregnant. I'm at a point now where I can't lower myself all the way to the floor. I get to about 8 inches from the ground and from there I just have to fall the rest of the way because I can't bend anymore. Then, sitting there for the next 45 minutes makes your butt sore.

I don't know why they had us get in these positions because it's not what you would do in actual labor. I don't think Kevin is going to get in the bed with me and lay behind me, at least she didn't go over that part while we were in the delivery room.

She then played some soft music and turned the lights out while she read from a book about the differences between slow breathing, rhythm breathing, cleansing breathing, etc. We got to practice about 10 seconds of each type, which I refused to do. Then she did a total relaxation exercise from our foreheads to our toes, like some therapists would do. Again, she's clumsily reading from a book. Who's going to read the exercise to me while I'm in labor?

Oh well, we have four more classes which will pretty much take me up to my due date. I mainly want to learn more about pain management and epidurals, which I think we'll cover next week. Kevin was a total champ, he was trying to participate in the activities and get me to do them, but I was pretty stubborn.

I go to the doctor tomorrow for a 2 week check. Hopefully all is normal and well. I'll let everyone know how it goes. Ta-ta for now, Mandy

sooner than later?

i started a myspace account some time ago because mandy had began one, and i soon realized that perhaps public relations is not my strong point. i can't remeber the last time i checked it, and i think i officially sent out mae's first b-day card in my adult life, so i thought maybe this new idea of hers might work better. i'm not responsible for any backrounds, music, surveys, games, or lists of famous people i'd love to meet. i just have to write every now again, and see what happens.

As mandy said in an earlier post i've gone back to school just as she is finishing, and it is in fact going to be quite busy. I will be spending a great deal of time at the kitchen Inc., a free medical clinic that provides services to some of the neediest people in springfield (2nd only to pregnant women in springfield haha). i think this will be a very difficult task, but am excited to see where things will go. General George Patton once said that "no good decision was ever made from a swivel chair", of course implying that one must take an active role in the tasks presented to them rather than to just sit back and hope all goes well. i hope to take this approach to get a jump start before emma arrives and turns the whole world upside down.

Speaking of emma, many have asked if we are ready yet, to which i of course reply absolutely not. we are both getting more excited as the day approaches, and have accepted the fact that she may in fact come sooner than Oct. 6 as the doctor has suggested. However, we just recently came to this conclusion and now find ourselves scurrying to tie up loose ends (like getting diapers that will fit). we are very thankful for the blessings we have received through the gifts we have been given and through the support that we know we have from so many different areas of our lives.

As the day quickly approaches i pray that God will keep mandy and emma healthy and me sane, and that He will give us the strength and insight after she is born to survive the times ahead.

The Search for Daycare

A bunch of people met over at our Sunday school teacher's house tonight to have a "meet and greet" with our 2 new pastors. They asked everyone to share what their vision and hope for the church was. Several people mentioned that they would like to see our church start a daycare that was affordable and safe. It seems like there are several people we know who are currently in search of a good daycare for their kids.

We, too, are still on the prowl. We looked at a few centers but not only were they way beyond what we can afford, they seemed crappy. One of the centers showed us their infant room which consisted of one worker and 4 infants. She had one on her hip and the other three were lying face down in a crib screaming. One of them had spit up and their face was covered with it. Gee, we thought, this is what $190 a week will get you?

We've decided to try to find an in-home daycare because it's much more affordable and more attention is available. We met with a lady last night, but I don't think she's going to be a good match. We have another interview tomorrow morning, hopefully it will be more promising.

Other than that, things are going well. Emma is doing gymnastics inside my stomach, which is not fun. Luckily it rained a lot today and the temperature has cooled off - for now.

Starting the countdown. . .

I thought I might start a blog to keep everyone informed about our crazy journey. Anyone who knows me knows that I am absolutely terrible with correspondence, phone calls, mail, email, etc. This way, I can say things once and hopefully reach everyone. :)

We basically have about six weeks left before Miss Emma is due to make her entrance. I feel like this whole process has went by pretty quickly, which I've been happy about, but now it seems to be speeding by. We have the necessities taken care of: bed, carseat, clothes, medicine, etc. We even have a lifetime supply of wipes. We thought we were good on diapers because we've gotten so many packs as gifts. As I was going through them the other night, though, I realized we don't have a single pack of newborn size. So, it's on our shopping list for the next time we go to Target.

Kevin started back to school on Monday. He has a CRAZY two semesters left (we don't expect Joe or Ian to sympathize). Hopefully things won't be too stressful in that regard.

All in all, things are good. My hormones have come back under control for the most part, thanks to some fantastic medicine. Excitement is really starting to set it and for the first time through all of this, I think we're ready.