Biding Our Time

So, I think I'm done working, at least until my maternity leave is done. I told the other doctors that I would work up until the day I delivered, but recently it has become harder and harder. Luckily for me, this month has not been too busy. I am happy to say that I never skipped rounds, circumcisions or calls. I was able to fulfill all of my obligations and saw every patient scheduled. This, for some reason is important to me. I guess it's all about not being a burden to people. I already know they have to make a sacrifice once the baby comes. So, my baby is due on Tuesday, and Monday starts a new calender month. The other doctors just didn't schedule me for patients starting Monday. I guess they figured either I would have a baby by then or be too exhausted by then. Initially I wanted to work those days, but I think it is good to leave it how it is and just relax as much as possible. I feel my pregnancy aches and pains are reaching new heights. I hope this is the crest before labor, but I can't be sure (please let it be).

I had today off, not due to maternity leave, but due to the holidays. To help speed things along, I thought I should walk. It being such a nice winter, we all went to the zoo. Here are some pictures from our outing. Henry has graciously captioned all the photos. Enjoy!

 " I was behind the sun."

 "And a pow pow pow!"

 "Wee wee wee. Wahoo"

"Ahh"

"I really did have fun." Henry writes: edh     bhjjuyttred vvvvvvvvvnkmmmngyyyuiollpmmmbfvcdxszawerthgvvvbj,

It was a nice day, and hopefully it can kick start some labor.

Christmas

So as we are waiting for this little girl to arrive, life just keeps happening.  This last weekend was Christmas, and it was really great.  I'm especially proud of my little boy who was very excited about everything and was happy with the food, people and his presents. He never got greedy or selfish, and would often say things like " I really like my....." and talk about one of the gifts he got.  You could tell he was really appreciative.  

On Christmas morning, Henry woke up at 6:15 like he normally does and bounded into our room, full of happiness and excitement. He asked if he could open presents, and we said okay. As we were getting up, he ran to the the Christmas tree and picked out a present. Which present did he grab? It was a gift for me. The one that made him most excited was not a gift for him, but one for me. So, so sweet. I should say the gift was a Wii Zelda game and he is infatuated with Zelda right now. More about that later.  This picture below shows Aaron opening his gift from Henry. You can see how happy Henry is. I'm glad he likes to give presents as much as receive them.

 As for his presents from us, the biggest one is a real Zelda shield. His reaction was so cute and after he saw the design on the shield, he knew exactly what it was. For the last couple of weeks he has been running around with a Target foam sword and a make-shift shield from a velcro toss game. Not anymore! Now he can be the real Zelda. Here is my little warrier.

The shield is made out of wood and is much heavier and bigger that his previous one, but he seems to be adapting well. The whole day yesterday he went on and on about how much he likes his shield. In fact, last night he slept with it. At around 2:00am I could hear noise from his room. Henry was singing. He was saying "Da da daaaaaa," which I can recognize as the theme song to Zelda. He got up at this time and wanted to start the day. I brought him back to bed and he wasn't too happy with that. I threatened that if he didn't go back to sleep, I wouldn't let him sleep with his shield the rest of the night.  Well, that did it. He fell quickly asleep and woke up at his normal time.

There is so much more I could say about Christmas, but the main thing I feel is greatfullness. I have a great family (in-laws included), wonderful husband, healthy happy son, stable job, and good home. I have everything I need and more. I am very very fortunate and sometimes it's hard to remember. So, this holiday gives me some reflection time and some of my thoughts were able to drift away from the coming baby.  This baby is also another reason for me to appreciate my life. I'm just so excited to meet her.

Hopefully everyone else had a great holiday too.

Post Nesting

As of last Saturday, I am no longer nesting. I am in the next phase, which I like to call the exhausting phase. Maybe it was because I used all my energy on working Thursday and Friday, maybe it was because I didn't get a good night sleep, or maybe it was simply because I'm 38 weeks pregnant!

Since Saturday, I can't get myself to do anything besides the absolute minimum (get dressed, get to work, eat). The thought of cleaning, or really, getting up to do anything is so daunting that my brain immediately calls it not an option and I give up before I even started.

Today I'm exactly 38 weeks. It's funny, because before today I didn't think I overall looked pregnant. Now, I know I have a pretty big belly, but for the most part, that is where my weight has stayed. I haven't had leg swelling and I didn't think my face had the added weight look that I can see when I look at pictures from my first pregnancy. But, well, this is sad to admit, but I think my neck or cheeks or whatever expands on the lower half of your face has started to make me look "pregnant." Silly to think about, but for some reason I don't like it. With regard to my belly, still the only new stretch marks are the two red lines that hold her little butt in.

With this exhausting phase, I'm ready for it to be over, but not bad enough to augment it. I still want this little girl to be absolutely ready to come out, and choose the time herself. With Henry, I was induced so I never felt what it was like to go into labor. I would like to experience it this time. Maybe I'll change my mind when it's mid January, but for now I'll wait...and complain.

Nesting?

So, I've done almost everything I've wanted to. This last weekend I did a ton of cleaning, including vacuuming my stairs (I mean, who does that?).  I just really feel the need to have the house relatively clean now, because I know once the baby is born, it ain't gonna happen.  Every night since the big cleaning, I've been doing dishes so they don't pile up. This is a huge deal for me. Anyone who knows me, knows that I can think of no chore more horrible than the dishes. Yet, I'm doing it.  This makes me feel like I'm nesting.  So, it I am, I welcome it, because that means I'm getting closer to meeting the baby.

With regard to my belly, things just keep getting more achy and exhausting, but I'm hanging in there. It's more difficult to sleep and to get up from a chair. Nothing exactly new and all expected. Over all I'm hanging in there. Wish I had more productive things to say, but it is a waiting game.

A Little Better

After all my complaining, things have gotten a little bit better. I'm still achy all the time, but not as much and my energy has returned a little (although I would still love a nap every day). Still, things are going pretty good. My last OB visit was quick and easy. According to this blog, I only have 25 days left. Not too shabby. When ever she comes, I keep telling myself that each day I am one day closer. I have started crossing out days on the calendar simply because it feels like an accomplishment.

This week was the last week I have to do nursery rounds. Soooooo excited about that. Actually I will peek in there one time next week, but no more consecutive days. Starting tomorrow I have three days off, which is good because I do want to accomplish some home things. This week I read a blog where the pregnant women who cleaned her house every night to make sure she had a welcoming house after the baby came. That sounds like a great idea, although I might settle for a mostly clean house, or a house that at least the dishes are done in. I'm hoping to get the house in okay shape this weekend and keep it until the little one comes (wish me luck). I also need to finish packing my hospital bag.

Also, this little girl has make a mark on me, specifically two. When I was pregnant with Henry I mostly got stretch marks in the last month or so. I haven't gotten any new ones until now. This little girl has her bottom wedged up in my upper right abdomen. I guess her butt is getting bigger because there are two little red lines where her bottom is.  Kinda sweet, right?

A Tough Week

This week, I have really felt pregnant, and not in the happy-glow type way. Let me explain.  Before this week, I would wake up with some hip pain that easily went away, then I would be pain free all day (although a little tired). At night before I went to bed I would feel a little sore and achy, but then I just went to bed.

This week started off with a bladder infection, which is pretty common during pregnancy. I was placed on antibiotics, yet my body still felt bad. That night I had three strong painful contractions that were 10 minutes apart. It was enough to wake me up from sleep and to get me a little worried. UTI's can cause early labor, and I didn't want that. As much as I am looking forward to meeting my girl, she still needs to wait a while. If she was born now, she would have to spend some time in the NICU and even after that we would have to make sure she was keeping warm throughout the winter and growing enough. After 3 contractions, everything stopped, but I had difficulty falling back asleep. The next day was horrible for me. I was so exhausted and work was extremely busy. My whole body ached, especially my neck and upper back. During my lunch break I snuck in a nap and then took another nap right after work. All my energy was zapped.

The next day went a little better, but I have not gotten back to the "happy to be pregnant stage," and quite frankly, I don't think it will come back. When ever I move around, my belly and pelvis hurt and when I stand longer than 5 minutes, I long to be on the couch. I wish I had a normal desk job where I don't have to go room to room, but I suppose it could be worse. The hardest thing for me so far is rounding in the nursery and performing circumcisions. I have to be on my feet for over 2 hours and it is really hard on my back for the circumcisions. My big old belly gets in my way and makes me bend even further to get to the baby. 

Ugh. I'm complaining too much.  I know I should be grateful that my little girl is doing so well inside me; it was just hard this week. Maybe I'll get used to it, but even if I don't, I only have 30 days or so left. I can do it.  Totally worth it.

 Anyway, here is my weekly picture. I think my belly is starting to drop (which might be why I am so achy).

For another story that is not about me, my family got together for a little crafting session. Our friends gave birth to a little boy and we needed a gift. Henry drew a picture, Aaron picked and cut the fabric and I did the sewing.  This is the result.

It was a simple project and a lot of fun.

Sorry about alll the complaining. No one should feel sorry for me (I don't). Maybe next week will be better. I'll let you know.

The Little Things

Last night before bed, Henry found an old toy that he used to have out, but we packed away. It is a turtle that has holes on its shell that causes a starry sky pattern when the room is dark. He wanted it on immediately, but it was out of batteries I told him wait until tomorrow. This morning I got to sleep in and Aaron was in charge of the Hanky. Apparently when he woke up, he immediately grabbed the turtle and reminded Aaron that it needed batteries. Henry had to go to the bathroom and while he did, Aaron quickly put the batteries in, turned off the hallway light and let the toy illuminate the space. When Henry came out he was in awe.

This reminds me of two important things. One is how incredibly lucky I am to have my husband who would even think of doing something like this.

The second is how simple happiness can be.