Back to our regularly scheduled programming . . .

I started this blog back in December when Mike and I found out I was pregnant.  I had thought about incorporating my pregnancy into my “regular” blog, but had many fears about doing that and decided to keep a separate record of my pregnancy journey. 

So now that I’m no longer pregnant and Maggie is here, I’m going back to my regular blog.  See you there!

She’s here!

Margaret McCarran Locke (Maggie)

September 8, 2009

7:23 PM

10 lbs 2 oz

21 1/2 inches long

She’s such an incredible joy and blessing!  We’re still amazed that she’s OURS and are enjoying every second with her!

40 weeks

Really, nothing new to report.  The baby still hasn’t dropped enough for induction to even be an option, so assuming things don’t take their natural course in the meantime, I have another appointment next Wednesday.

I’m in a state of limbo . . . he knows the baby is big, but isn’t completely sure that it’s too big to navigate it’s way through my pelvis, so he doesn’t want to automatically do a C-section.  But at the same time, waiting another week may just ensure that the baby does get big enough that a C-section is medically necessary.

I really liked that he didn’t automatically push for a C-section, because I was ready to fight him for more time before making that decision.  I’d rather wait it out and see what happens and only go that route if I absolutely have to.  I heal so incredibly slowly and scar badly (to the point of having surgery inn the past to have keloid scars removed), so if this baby is able to come out on his or her own, I’d prefer it to happen that way.

So I’m enjoying my quiet time before the baby does make an appearance . . .I’m basically reading a book (or more) a day, taking naps, going for long walks, and getting irritated at the crazy shows on daytime TV.

39 weeks

I had an appointment yesterday and there’s really nothing new to report.  The baby still hasn’t dropped, so Dr. L sent me for an ultrasound this morning to confirm that the baby is still head down (yup!) and to get an idea of the size.  Based on the measurements, the baby is at 8lbs 13 oz (plus or minus 20%).  It doesn’t appear that the baby’s head is too large to deliver vaginally, so it’s now just a matter of waiting.  I have another appointment next Tuesday, my due date, assuming I don’t go into labor before then.

Yesterday was my last day of work.  I’ll have off until approximately 8 weeks after the baby’s born–6 weeks until the doctor releases me and then 2 weeks of vacation time that I saved up.  It was an odd feeling leaving there yesterday.  As much as I need a little break before the baby comes, it’s hard not to feel guilty staying at home (and it’s only 10:30 AM on the first day!).  But then again, I know that once the baby comes, that 8 weeks will fly by and I’ll be back at work before I know it, so I plan to enjoy every single minute!

Hopefully the baby comes soon . . .

 . . .we’re tired of “practicing” on the cat.

Tick . . .tick . . .tick . . .

 . . .any day now!

I had a doctor’s appointment yesterday, and no real signs of baby L’s impending arrival.  He/she still hasn’t dropped.  Dr. L did a quick sonogram on the antique equipment in his office just to make sure that the baby was still head down (which he/she is).  I didn’t even want to look at the monitor–the next time I see the baby, I want it to be for REAL and not on a screen!

Dr. L said that it just looked like the baby’s head was just having trouble finding the hole but he didn’t suspect that it was an issue with the size of the head being too big and that it would just be a matter of time.  Yes, you read that right.  Our doctor, with his fancy medical degree, used the word “hole”.  Not even “birth canal”.  Hole.  And this was right after he made fun of Mike and I for going to Pitt.

He moved my next appointment, which was supposed to be next Thursday, up to Tuesday–one week away from my due date.  He seemed surprised that I was still working at this point and mentioned that he’s probably going to have me stop working after that appointment.  No work = no pay, but at this point I wouldn’t mind a few days to just relax and enjoy some quiet time before the baby comes.  My back has really been bothering me since yesterday morning–to the point that I can’t get comfortable, it’s harder to walk, and sleep is only an hour or so at a time.  This is the first time that my back has bothered me at all, so I’m hopeful that this means things are starting up!

38 weeks

Jess & Andrew’s wedding

What a wonderful day!  The weather was beautiful (although hot and humid), Jess was a stunning bride, the ceremony was so touching, and everyone had a great time at the reception.

Oh, and I made it through the whole day without going into labor!

I completely expected to have a meltdown at some point throughout the day.  I got two and a half hours of sleep on Friday night. I left the house at 8:45 Saturday morning for my hair appointment and felt like crap.  When I got to the salon, the air conditioning hadn’t kicked on yet and there were a ton of people there.  My makeup appointment was next, so I stopped on the way and got a Coke.  I felt like a new person within minutes.  That little jolt of caffeine and sugar completely rejuvenated me.  By the time I got to the hotel and checked in, I still had about half an hour to spare, so I had a few minutes to lie down and relax before getting dressed.

The Mass started at 2:00, then we had pictures at the church afterwards.  We boarded a luxury bus and drove around for almost 3 hours, stopping at various locations for pictures.  Then an hour in the hospitality room before we entered the reception at 7:00. 

I made it through the whole night and felt amazing.  I even danced a little (although somewhat awkwardly!)!  It was such a great night!  I didn’t sleep all that well last night, and was a little sore this morning after spending so much time on my feet yesterday, but I’m not completely exhausted.  We stopped at Mike’s Dad’s house this morning to wish him a happy birthday and to see off some of the out-of-town relatives that had gathered there.  We’re finally home and have nothing that we HAVE to do for the remainder of the day, so it will be nice to just lie on the couch for a few hours and relax.

Since Mike and I were both in the wedding, we didn’t have a camera on us during the ceremony, but here are a few shots from the reception.

Mike and Jess

Mike hugging me and the baby

Bob, Mike, me, and Kristie

Jess and Bob dancing

Jess and Andrew dancing (along with the flower girls and ring bearers)

Mike, Jess, and Rob

37 weeks

37 weeks

I had an OB appointment on Wednesday, and my usual doctor, Dr. L, was on vacation this week, so we saw Dr. H instead.  She spent a lot of time with me, and also exclaimed (in the same way that Dr. L did) that I’m housing a big baby.  It’s kind of disturbing to me that both doctors have said it in a tone of amazement.  After all, they see pregnant women and deliver babies–big and small–every day.  Should I have the Guinness Book of World Records on standby when I go into labor?

She elected not to do an internal exam this week, which was fine with me.  Jess and Andrew’s wedding is tomorrow, so I didn’t want to take the chance of her “stirring anything up” (that’s a technical term, by the way).  We’re staying at the hotel where the reception is tomorrow night so that I have a chance to lie down if I need to after dinner.  The hotel is also only 10-15 minutes away from the hospital, MUCH closer than our house is. 

The rehearsal and rehearsal dinner were last night, and we didn’t get home until after 10.  I was tired, especially after working all day, but it wasn’t unbearable, so hopefully I can make it through the ceremony, pictures, and the reception tomorrow without falling apart.  After much deliberation, I took today off work, and I’m so glad now that I did.  I have the whole day to relax, get my stuff together for tomorrow, possibly go to the pool to get the swelling in my feet and ankles to subside a little, and to WILL my little one to stay cozy inside me–at least until after tomorrow night.

It’s going to be a long day tomorrow, but I’m so excited for it!

36 weeks

36 weeks

Less than a month to go!

I really have no complaints.  I’m not incredibly uncomfortable, I’m not extremely tired, I’ve been getting enough sleep to get by on, and the swelling in my feet and ankles (while it’s quite crazy looking) isn’t totally unmanageable.

I had my weekly appointment on Tuesday and my blood pressure and weight are both still fine.  The baby hasn’t dropped at all yet (which I’m totally OK with . . .just get me through Jess and Andrew’s wedding next weekend!).

My bag for the hospital is packed, except for a few last-minute things like my glasses and snacks for Mike.  We messed around with the car seat last weekend for a little while, but I ran out of energy and patience before we got it in correctly, so that’s on the agenda for this weekend (along with cleaning the house for our out-of-town visitors that are arriving on Wednesday for the wedding!).

I had thought by this point that I’d be frustrated with all of the things that AREN’T done.  Our garage and basement are a disaster, we still have shelves to hang in the baby’s room, and I have about a million projects that I had intended to finish before the baby’s arrival that aren’t finished, that aren’t even started.  But I really don’t care.  I’m relaxed, I’m enjoying the next few weeks, and cherishing the remaining time that Mike and I are just a couple . . .before we become a party of three.