Time On My Hands

Seeing as the LO (Little One) might be here sooner than later, it's time to shop. I was gonna wait a few more weeks before we get the necessities. But since it seems like I have a whole lot of free time in the near future, might as well start doing research and spend some moolah. Actually, all I really need is a car seat.

She Gets It From Her Mommy... Impatient

So here's the update from all the hooplah in the past few days. I've only had my iphone so didn't really had the right tools document it. Ryan left me his laptop tonight.

Baby Alexandra is in a big hurry to pop out and meet everyone. Sunday I went into preterm labor starting with some normal Braxton Hicks contractions around 2PM, except these didn't go away and they became more frequent and intense. So around 9PM I finally called the doctor and she told me to get to the hospital ASAP. At 31 weeks, 4 contractions and hour is ok... one every couple of minutes isn't. So we left for the hospital, and I've been here ever since. They hooked me up to IVs, put fetal and contraction montitors on me, and checked my cervix... I was 2 cm dialated. At that point, she told me that the BEST case scenerio was that I would be going home on Tuesday. That also meant, no going to work on Monday, no going to work AT ALL for the rest of the pregancy... I still have 8 more weeks to go. I got penicillin on drip and a few pills of some med that's supposed to slow down or stop the contractions, except that didn't happen. The contractions were actually getting worse. Plan B was what they called the ultimate which was magnesium sulfate. This basically completely weakens all my muscles. The best I can describe is is it burns you know immediately once the med starts going into your IV. It burns and it feels like you have a high fever. The worse part was now I am completely bedridden, no more getting up... not that I could even if I tried. I had a catheter put in... since a buildup of magnesium apparently isn't good for you. Anyhow, Monday I was completely gone. Thanks to Ryan, Ken, and Cynthia who visited me I had some distractions... but obviously I was not the best hostess. I could barely talk or open my eyes to look at them. It wasn't until mid Monday that the contractions started to distance themselves and they started to ween me off of the drug... it was only supposed to last until 1AM. Then they told me 11AM on Tuesday was the time. But at that point, the contractions were picking up again... so we waited until 4 to reevaluate. They also started me on 2 more drugs to control the contractions. Finally, at 6PM they removed the magnesium and my muscles started to work again. At this point (Tues evening), I hadn't eaten anything since Sunday. Cynthia came and brought me some strawberries and I was able to order some food. It's good to feel somewhat normal again. But my contractions were still picking up so they were still monitoring me in Labor&Delivery. Finally after eating dinner and taking a nap, they removed the catheter at 11PM and transferred me to the recovery floor. This room is much more comfortable, although smaller than the one in labor and delivery. At least I'm not hooked up to anything right now and can freely go to the bathroom if I want to. I feel pretty good, and haven't had a contraction in a while.

Alex is kicking her heart out so she's doing good. They did give me 2 steroid shots (which HURTS LIKE HELL) to speed up her development. She was already 4 lbs 1 oz give or take 11oz on Sunday. Apparently, now with the steroids she's gonna grow even faster and bigger. Yay... big baby....

For a while there, we really didn't know what would happen. If the magnesium didn't work, or if the contractions would come back after I got off the drugs, what would happen? At that point, the doc say the body's going to do what they body thinks it should do... if we couldn't keep the baby in longer then we'll have to deliver. But the big difference now is that the baby got the steriods which makes a world of difference. It was touch and go for a while there when it seemed like nothing was calming the contractions, but thanks goodness it finally started to respond.

Thanks for all the well wishes on Facebook and people coming to visit me. Ryan and I both really appreciated it. He's doing marathon duty running home to take care of the animals, going to work, going to school, and coming to visit me. I know he's running ragged now... and especially now that if I get to go home on Friday I'll be on bedrest. He's the best and I wouldn't want anyone else next to me while I'm going through this.

Sigh... I hope I do get to go home on Friday. I need a shower and hopefully they'll let me take one tomorrow.

Yay Target!!

Target has redeemed itself to me after wasting my time the other day. The crib that I wanted was offered with free shipping... and 10% off the whole purchase. I still had to pay shipping for the mattress... but at least it wasn't $70! Overall, I am pleased. We don't have to go to the store and wrestle with the load, a huge huge plus when you're husband is swamped with work and you're 8 months pregnant. I love online shopping.

Stupid Target and Fine Prints

I just spent the past 2 hours trying to figure out how to apply a 10% off most products, and 15% off $125 + free shipping on furnitures on Target.com. It would have been an awesome awesome deal on a crib, changing table, and mattress. But no... stupid fine prints excludes the 15% and free shipping on baby furnitures.

It Has a Name - Trichotillomania

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/07/13/hair.pulling.trichotillomania/index.html

This is almost amusing, just the fact that there's actually a name associated with my little obsessive compulsive hair pulling/picking act. For years, I've been picking my hair and pulling it out. It wasn't so much compulsion... but if I felt a oddly textured strand, it HAD to go. I could spend a long long time just searching for that strand that I somehow felt in passing while running my fingers through my head. Or when I'm reading, especially studying... I'll notice there'll be a pile of hair on my book. The floor area under my desk at work is covered with strands. Thank goodness it's not as bad as some of the more extreme cases where there are actually bald spots. I've noticed that I do it less frequent now.... but it still occurs. Watching TV, in the car, studying... etc. Ryan will say that there's a slightly less covered area on top of my head. Regardless, it's time to stop while I still can.

http://www.trich.org/

Is It Over Yet?

I think I'm 90% sure that I do not like being pregnant. The other 10% is the part I like... you know... that there's a baby in me, blah blah blah. But the majority of the time, it's a pain in the butt. And I mean that literally. For the past few weeks, every time I get up from sitting down or get out of bed to go to the bathroom, or from whatever resting position it's been painful to walk. Lately, the pain has been getting worse especially after a day where I'm doing more physically.

Frankly, I don't even feel guilty for saying that I don't like being pregnant. I have no idea what that pregnant glow is supposed to be, but I'm definitely not feeling it. Anyhow, whether I like or dislike the physical the end justifies the means right? My baby girl will be healthy and hopefully I can keep her in there for the whole 40 weeks. Thank goodness we're coming to the end... though I wish we were further along.

Furbabies...

I came home for a late lunch and to take care of Daisy so I could work late tonight. Unfortunately, Daisy greeted me with a nice present. She pooped/diarrhea-ed on the area rug and floor in the basement.... 4 different spots. She also left 5 big piles of throw-up on the carpet upstairs. Well... there went the rest of my work day. I had to mop the basement, steam vac the carpet, give her a bath, scrub the area rug, and shower myself. I didn't get lunch until 6:30PM.

SOOOOooo gross! I think their messes may be worse than real babies.

Third Trimester

Yay! 12 more weeks! Alex must be happy too cuz I'm sitting here watching my belly jump and shake.... all day long. Seriously baby girl, don't you ever get tired? I'm tired.