Today's my last day of work before taking 12 weeks maternity leave (well, a combo of family leave and vacation time).... Woo-hoo!
I'm working to get four stories done today. And one of them involved tagging along on a photo assignment to the county courthouse. Well, actually, the dome of the courthouse. The county is having to invest some money to fix water leaks in the dome, so I'm writing about it and decided to go and see for myself.
It seemed like a great idea until the photographer, maintenance director and I approached the super-steep stairs leading up to the dome. I climbed up and found myself facing another flight of stairs. Climbed those, too, and guess what? More stairs. Even steeper. I had to let the rest of the group walk ahead while I rested, but I made it up eventually! Coming back down was almost as scary since my balance is off and I was wearing flip-flops (hey, it's all that fits!).
But I survived the dome trip and it didn't even get labor started.
Now I'm one hour from the start of the weekend and my leave time. Brian and I have brainstormed some good ideas this week on what to do in our final pre-baby time.
After our afternoon trip to the sweet corn festival tomorrow, I think we may go to a nearby drive-in theater to see the new movie "Funny People." I could use a few laughs to relieve the building stress and nerves! And we want to get one last date night in before it will require a babysitter. As I told Brian, my only concern is being able to stay awake through a movie that doesn't start until 9:15 p.m.! (I feel so old...)
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
It's on!
We went this afternoon to what was hopefully our last appointment with Dr. George before the baby comes. The baby's heartbeat is strong and my belly is still... big! It's measuring 38 cm, which is pretty big at this stage because the baby has already dropped down a bunch. Oh well. We've got ourselves one healthy watermelon in there!
Dr. George also checked my progress and said I'm 1 cm dilated — a little something, but not much. I'll take it, though! She said my cervix is softening already, too, which shows that my body is getting ready to deliver this little guy/gal.
If nothing happens by Sunday night, we're going in to the hospital to start the induction process. Dr. George warned us that it could take a while to deliver on Monday. So even though I'm sure I'll be going out of my mind with excitement, we're both going to try to get some good sleep (in hospital beds — or possibly a recliner for Brian) on Sunday night. I was happy to hear from Dr. George that she'll stay until I deliver, even if it happens past midnight and into Tuesday morning. We really like Dr. George and want her to be the one to deliver!
I can't believe how close we're getting. 4 days!!!!!
p.s. Rivaling in excitement to the "baby is coming" news at today's appointment — I lost 2 lbs. since last week's appointment. I haven't documented a weight loss in a very long time now!
Dr. George also checked my progress and said I'm 1 cm dilated — a little something, but not much. I'll take it, though! She said my cervix is softening already, too, which shows that my body is getting ready to deliver this little guy/gal.
If nothing happens by Sunday night, we're going in to the hospital to start the induction process. Dr. George warned us that it could take a while to deliver on Monday. So even though I'm sure I'll be going out of my mind with excitement, we're both going to try to get some good sleep (in hospital beds — or possibly a recliner for Brian) on Sunday night. I was happy to hear from Dr. George that she'll stay until I deliver, even if it happens past midnight and into Tuesday morning. We really like Dr. George and want her to be the one to deliver!
I can't believe how close we're getting. 4 days!!!!!
p.s. Rivaling in excitement to the "baby is coming" news at today's appointment — I lost 2 lbs. since last week's appointment. I haven't documented a weight loss in a very long time now!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Famous August 3rd-ers
During one of my hyper-excited periods about the birth, I started doing some research on famous people that our baby could share its birthday with.
While I'd like to deliver on Monday, Aug. 3 because my doctor will definitely be working, I was briefly excited when I saw the possibility of baby Wallheimer sharing an Aug. 4 birthday with President Obama! But after a little searching, I found that Aug. 3 would give our baby the same birthday as another one of my favorite presidents — Josiah Bartlet (better known as Martin Sheen) of the West Wing :)
Also born Aug. 3 — Tony Bennett, Martha Stewart and Tom Brady. A bit of a mixed bag... but clearly it means our baby could be a major crooner, an excellent homemaker/white-collar criminal or an all-star athlete.
I would insist that our little football star play in Green Bay, though.
While I'd like to deliver on Monday, Aug. 3 because my doctor will definitely be working, I was briefly excited when I saw the possibility of baby Wallheimer sharing an Aug. 4 birthday with President Obama! But after a little searching, I found that Aug. 3 would give our baby the same birthday as another one of my favorite presidents — Josiah Bartlet (better known as Martin Sheen) of the West Wing :)
Also born Aug. 3 — Tony Bennett, Martha Stewart and Tom Brady. A bit of a mixed bag... but clearly it means our baby could be a major crooner, an excellent homemaker/white-collar criminal or an all-star athlete.
I would insist that our little football star play in Green Bay, though.
38 weeks
It's crazy that this is probably my last full week of pregnancy... but, boy am I ready!
Here's the brief update from Storknet.com on the baby at week 38:
The baby may be gaining an ounce a day now. His/her intestines are accumulating lots of meconium (baby's first bowel movement). The circumference of the head and the baby's abdomen are about the same size.
I've been swinging back and forth between insane excitement about what's coming and total exhaustion — which translates into cranky. I wouldn't call myself "level-headed" these days. But I'm trying to follow the advice given to me about resting as much as possible. It is cruel that at this time when I probably need my sleep the most, it's so hard to get it. Even bedding on the recliner downstairs is only helping so much. It's definitely more comfortable for laying down, but getting up to make my nighttime treks to the bathroom takes some serious work (especially since Muzzy likes to sleep somewhere on top of me)...
The other issue I've been facing the past few days is some serious wrist/carpal tunnel pain. From what I've read, this is not an uncommon problem late in pregnancy. But it really hurts! And it's not great in my line of work. I've been wrapping my right wrist at night to help stabilize it — and ensure I can hold a pen the next day for work.
OK, now that I've complained enough for one day I'll remind myself that the countdown is at 5 DAYS!!!! And only 3 days of work left!
I think I'm on the upswing to excitement again...
Here's the brief update from Storknet.com on the baby at week 38:
The baby may be gaining an ounce a day now. His/her intestines are accumulating lots of meconium (baby's first bowel movement). The circumference of the head and the baby's abdomen are about the same size.
I've been swinging back and forth between insane excitement about what's coming and total exhaustion — which translates into cranky. I wouldn't call myself "level-headed" these days. But I'm trying to follow the advice given to me about resting as much as possible. It is cruel that at this time when I probably need my sleep the most, it's so hard to get it. Even bedding on the recliner downstairs is only helping so much. It's definitely more comfortable for laying down, but getting up to make my nighttime treks to the bathroom takes some serious work (especially since Muzzy likes to sleep somewhere on top of me)...
The other issue I've been facing the past few days is some serious wrist/carpal tunnel pain. From what I've read, this is not an uncommon problem late in pregnancy. But it really hurts! And it's not great in my line of work. I've been wrapping my right wrist at night to help stabilize it — and ensure I can hold a pen the next day for work.
OK, now that I've complained enough for one day I'll remind myself that the countdown is at 5 DAYS!!!! And only 3 days of work left!
I think I'm on the upswing to excitement again...
Monday, July 27, 2009
My first night on the couch
In almost four years of marriage, last night was the first in which I had to sleep on the couch. (This is Brian, just so you know)
Yes, there I found myself trying to find a way to position a comforter so that it doesn't bunch up and take any last shred of space I had after one of the dogs positioned himself in my foot space. I was cast off to the couch to sleep alone and slightly cold.
Of course, Dorothy was over on the recliner next to me, probably doing much of the same.
For the last several weeks, maybe months, Dorothy has had difficulty sleeping. She tosses and turns and jams pillows under her belly, between her legs, behind her back and God knows where else, all to no avail. Last night, she finally decided to try the cuddler (our oversized recliner), which left me the couch.
In actuality, I had more space than I've had in months. With all her pillows, I usually get about 18 to 20 inches of bed. The couch was like stretching out on a king-size.
Dorothy said she slept well, or as well as can be expected for a woman who could explode at any moment. I was glad to hear it. She needs the rest, especially since in one week, we won't be getting any.
So, here's to the couch, some real sleep and to convincing the dog to sleep on the floor around 3:30 a.m. These are the stories we'll tell our grandchildren.
Yes, there I found myself trying to find a way to position a comforter so that it doesn't bunch up and take any last shred of space I had after one of the dogs positioned himself in my foot space. I was cast off to the couch to sleep alone and slightly cold.
Of course, Dorothy was over on the recliner next to me, probably doing much of the same.
For the last several weeks, maybe months, Dorothy has had difficulty sleeping. She tosses and turns and jams pillows under her belly, between her legs, behind her back and God knows where else, all to no avail. Last night, she finally decided to try the cuddler (our oversized recliner), which left me the couch.
In actuality, I had more space than I've had in months. With all her pillows, I usually get about 18 to 20 inches of bed. The couch was like stretching out on a king-size.
Dorothy said she slept well, or as well as can be expected for a woman who could explode at any moment. I was glad to hear it. She needs the rest, especially since in one week, we won't be getting any.
So, here's to the couch, some real sleep and to convincing the dog to sleep on the floor around 3:30 a.m. These are the stories we'll tell our grandchildren.
In today's paper
I'm part of a rotating column at the Journal & Courier and write once every couple months. My latest column is in today's paper.
You can check it out at: www.jconline.com/article/20090727/LIFE09/907270303/-1/LIVING
Oh, and ... 7 days till baby!!!
You can check it out at: www.jconline.com/article/20090727/LIFE09/907270303/-1/LIVING
Oh, and ... 7 days till baby!!!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Baby safety
I know I'm a little behind on this — since it's 10 days till baby!!! — but I just recently did the research on safety concerns over the use of crib bumper pads.
From what I've found on Consumer Reports and other recommendations from places such as the American Association of Pediatrics, it sounds like the extra cute bumper pads we have in place have to come out. The reason pads have been used traditionally is to keep babies from putting their heads through the slats of the crib. But since cribs are now made with narrow enough slats to prevent that, it's no longer a safety concern.
What is a concern is that the baby will suffocate from coming to close to the bumper pads or getting wedged between the pad and another object. Very scary stuff.
So I guess we will just enjoy the way the whole bedding set looks for the next week or so and then take the bumper pads out. Anyone have suggestions on other decorative uses of the bumper pads?
From what I've found on Consumer Reports and other recommendations from places such as the American Association of Pediatrics, it sounds like the extra cute bumper pads we have in place have to come out. The reason pads have been used traditionally is to keep babies from putting their heads through the slats of the crib. But since cribs are now made with narrow enough slats to prevent that, it's no longer a safety concern.
What is a concern is that the baby will suffocate from coming to close to the bumper pads or getting wedged between the pad and another object. Very scary stuff.
So I guess we will just enjoy the way the whole bedding set looks for the next week or so and then take the bumper pads out. Anyone have suggestions on other decorative uses of the bumper pads?
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