scheduled

Today I am 39 weeks and 5 days into this pregnancy. I saw my doctor today and I've progressed...to one and a half centimeter. Yahoo.

The plan is to walk a lot, drink raspberry leaf tea, work those pressure points and hope to have this baby via VBAC. But if the little one hasn't come by next Thursday at noon we are biting the bullet and doing a cesarean.

On the upside, I think we have a name picked out. Stay tuned.

pregnant brain

Today I woke up a little late and was scrambling to feed myself and Ella and get to church on time. As I was getting ready I realized that there was something off with my vision. I tried washing my contacts out, but it didn't really help. I couldn't focus correctly and my right eye was blurry. As I was in church I tried to ignore it, but it became more and more bothersome. So I went home, took out my contacts and tried to sleep it off. But I started to worry. Could this be a mild stroke? HELLP syndrome? Normal pregnancy changes? I started testing my vision and realized that my right eye (the one I initially thought was blurry) was actually okay, but my left eye that was having difficulty. This was weird, and freaking me out a bit so I called my doctor. As I was working my way through the phone tree I touched my right eye...and found another contact lens. Oh my goodness. My 'stroke' was the result of putting in three contact lenses. One in my left eye and two in my right. I don't know how I did that (I did open a new pair today because the first ones I put in were scratchy). I was so glad I figured this out before calling my doctor and going to the hospital. Oh the pregnant brain.

{Of note, Ryan did ask me if I thought it was a problem with my contacts. No, I said definitively. I took them out and the problem was still there.}

a few random things

• When we were in Paris Taylor and Ryan discovered this remote controlled flying hovercraft (I am sure that is not a good description). Ryan recently got one for work and brought it home to test it out. Ella loves it. In case you can't understand Ella at the end, here's a transcript: "What's the matter helitopter? It says, 'I want to get up in the sky.'"

• Last week when I went to the OB I was measuring small and I had lost weight. She assured me that everything was probably fine, but we should do an ultrasound just to make sure. Between this visit and the ultrasound I had a dozen people (mostly patients) tell me "You're having that baby in February? You are so tiny!" I didn't take offense because I knew they meant well, but it made me cringe, just a bit, every time. The only safe words to say to a pregnant woman are "You look great," and don't take offense if she starts crying :) We had the ultrasound today and everything is indeed fine. Baby is growing well and right on track.
• I got this clock for Christmas. These pictures aren't great, but see if you can figure out what time it is. 10:40 or 11:40? 7:25 or 8:25? 11:20 or 12:20?

• The baby is not breech, so I'm going to try for a VBAC. I realized that while I've seen a lots of babies born I'm pretty clueless as to what labor really means. So I'm doing some reading. Anyone have a favorite book? I'm looking for something along the lines of "The practical girl's guide to labor and delivery." {I am having an epidural, as it is recommended for a VBAC.}
• Good Sunday night (ie, trying to make food from your cupboards without going to the store) meal: A knock off of Bajio's Green chicken chile. Loose directions: Marinate chicken breast in lime juice and southwest seasonings. Grill and shred. Meanwhile, saute onions and green chiles and garlic. Make a reduction out of apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, cumin and some chili pepper. Add the reduction to the onion/green chile mixture and cook until caramelized. Add chicken and black beans to mixture. Serve over nachos, in tacos a salad or a quesadilla.

30 Days of Thanks #29

One of my least favorite pregnancy related changes are the newly acquired varicose veins/spider veins on my left leg. They kind of gross me out (I spared you an actual picture), and I am really hoping they go away after delivery. But while lamenting my unsightly lower limb last night, Jamie pointed out that at least it is winter and I am not wearing shorts.

True, true, true. So here's to cold weather and covered legs.

30 Days of Thanks #23

Lately I have been one tired mama. But not a fatigued type of tired. An 'I-can't-walk-up-the-stairs-without-stopping-to-rest' kind of tired. We are traveling for the holidays, and I was a little worried about how I would keep up. But today I got a letter from my doctor telling me that there is a reason for my drained state: I am slightly anemic. Hallelujah. That I can fix. And fix I will.

Also, today I am thankful for my husband who knows how to work the Delta SkyMiles agent. Yesterday I had received an email that I was upgraded on our flight to NYC. Yippee. First class. Sweeeeet! But when I checked later on no such upgrade existed. When I called the woman was all snippy, telling me that it had been a mistake and I had been put back in my original seat and the upgrade went to "the person who deserved it." Talk about deflated. Well, long story short, Ryan called and was able get me back to 5C. Thank you!!!

{But really, thanks to my mom who is ever so graciously staying back with Ella (who will hopefully be sleeping). I know, I'm kind of a jerk to even take the upgrade...go ahead and judge...but I am pregnant...and anemic...does that make it any less reprehensible??}

Funny Feet

Tonight I was out with my dear friend and favorite OB. As usual we had a little medical chit chat. I asked her why my feet grew during my pregnancy. She said she has not heard of this freakish phenom. This was doubly bothersome because a few months ago when I asked my Ortho friend he too had not heard of the expanding pregnant foot. So my question to you, my blogging friends: Did your feet grow during pregnancy?

Nesting, with help

My mother-in-law, Janet, has been here this week in anticipation of the new baby (tomorrow!!!), and she has helped me get my house in order. "Helped" may not be the right term, though, as I did little more than point out what could stay and what could go.

Here's to neat closets, organized drawers and clean cupboards! (If I had before and after pictures this would be even more impressive.)

She's a stubborn one...

We gave it the old college try. In fact, we gave it three tries. But the girl likes her home as it is. After the three version attempts her head had moved from my right upper quadrant to my left upper quadrant, but wasn't going any farther. Before we had even left the hospital she had slid back into her happy place. So, that leaves us with a C-section on August 29th at 3 pm. The more I've learned about c-sections, the less excited I am. But on the bright side, here are few of the bonuses:

1) Breech babies don't sit on your bladder, so you can hold it almost like a normal person

2) You get to pick her birthday, and think about things like whether or not she will be the oldest or youngest in her grade

3) No middle of the night awakenings and rushing to the hospital

4) You can't lift anything over 10 pounds for six weeks (who knew it took so long to heal???) so you get to ask your husband to help you with all kinds of things

5) You only have to be pregnant for 38 weeks and 6 days

6) No labor, no tearing. Just nice and neat incisions (think positively, think positively)

In other news, on Saturday I got to see my friends Megan and Amber from med school. Megan flew in from LA to throw me a fantastic baby shower. Hats off to Megan, Amber and Keri who went all out to make this a memorable day. And extra props to Keri who hosted it at her house despite an unexpected family emergency. You guys are the best. I got all kinds of great practical
things off my registry that I have been wanting--a diaper gene, car mirror, baby soap, a swaddler and a robe just to name a few. Plus some great books, outfits and music. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Celebrating the "bun in the oven"

Alissa and Alyssa

Megan, Amber and Kami

Keri, looking amazingly calm

Full Term

Yes, that's right. Despite all my worrying we have made it to 37 weeks! So, the baby can come any time now.

We are almost ready for her...things left to do:

1) a name
2) finishing touches on the nursery (this is taking WAY longer than we anticipated, but I think we are very close)
3) pack the hospital bags
4) install the car seat
5) get her to flip!!!

She is still breech, so tomorrow we go in for a procedure called a version, which as far as I can tell means that my OB mashes on my belly and tries to get her head down. If it works, great. If it doesn't, we'll schedule the c-section for the end of August. Either way, she's coming soon.


Last week I had a wonderful shower from my friends in my ward. It was the perfect evening, and everything was beautiful. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera! I feel so badly, because I would have loved to post some pics. But thanks to everyone who put the shower together--I had a really great time.

Hodge Podge

Here's a collection of photos from the past few weeks, plus some pictures from the ultrasound. She is getting bigger, so the ultrasound isn't as good as the last time. The little one has decided she likes to be close to the action, and is still breech. We're hoping she'll flip before it gets too late.

Nursery in Progress

The nursery is nearing completion. I still need to get a crib (long story, but "no hardware" doesn't just mean missing screws), curtains, recover the chair and put things on the wall. Things are coming along!

What a Party

I had a perfect baby shower last week. It was fun to see all the Pinebrook friends and, as always, it was beautiful with wonderful food. Thanks Robyn, Janis, Brittney, Jess, Jill and Wendy for a great night!!!

Robyn's back yard.

Brittney decorated and Jill and Janis made this AMAZING cake. I couldn't believe it. Not only did it look great, but it was also delicious. Brittney is starting a business...check it out:

www.sugarhousecakes.blogspot.com

Delicious food
Cute gifts

Baby Shower

Here are a few pictures from my baby shower (aka pedicure party and dinner) with my friends from residency. We had a great time, and it was a perfect way to do a shower. No fuss, no cooking, no clean up. Thanks Beth, Tara, Erica and Suzy!!

(The nursery painting is 95% done; hopefully I'll be posting pictures soon.)

Tabula Rosa

Here it is--the empty nursery ready for some color. We'll see if I'm brave enough to go BOLD. I have a vision of a fabulous Kate Spade inspired nursery, but I don't have quite enough designer in me to know if it will turn out. Either way, hopefully it will be ready before September comes.

Two Hearts

Just in case anyone shares my slightly neurotic nature, you can rest assured that the baby's heart is a-okay. I had my unnecessary (but kinda cool) fetal echo today and not only are there 4 chambers, but the girl's also got normal valves, vessels and flow . My heart, on the other hand, apparently needs a little more juice. My screening labs came back today and showed anemia (low blood count). Maybe that's why I can't climb a flight of stairs without becoming winded. Hopefully a little extra iron will get me up and running before the baby gets here.

Growing Times

After Jess threatened to take a picture of my belly and post it on her blog (although she can't really talk--www.brettandjess.blogspot.com has not been overflowing with posts recently) I decided to post another pregnancy shot. I think the picture makes my stomach look more pointed than it actually is, but who knows. This is me at 27 3/7 weeks. The other pictures are of my one decorative nursery piece: a bird mobile that I think is great. Other than the mobile, the room is pretty plain. We are going to paint next week, so hopefully it will look more like a nursery and less like a DownEast warehouse.

Introducing...

...Jane...Kate...Abby...Elizabeth...Addison...Pollyanna...insert GIRL name of choice!

We had the official ultrasound yesterday, and Amber was right--she's 100% girl. I am trying my hand at video-blogging. Here's the 1 minute edit of the 45 minute ultrasound.

It's a girl...we think!?!

So, the little tyke wasn't totally cooperative with the ultrasound, leaving us about 80% certain it's a girl. I have another ultrasound next week, so we'll get a better idea. But for now, we're going pink. Looks like the Harman genes won.

Per Request

I saw my OB today and scheduled my ultrasound. Unfortunately, they can't do it before I go to New York. But my OB happens to be one of my dearest friends, and she is going to do a special late night is-it-a-girl-or-is-it-a-boy ultrasound on the 24th. She is the GREATEST! Everything is coming along swimmingly. Given how much the baby was hiding today when we tried to find the heartbeat, Amber (my OB) is betting it is a boy. Ryan also thinks there is a Y chromosome, so we'll see if they are right in a few weeks.

For all you belly watchers out there, here is a pic of my ever changing belly. A few weeks ago it was growing like a weed, but has since slowed down a little, thank heavens!


This is a self-portrait, so it's not the greatest. Where's Jamie when you need her?

It's true

After nearly 7 years, Ryan and I are finally moving forward. We are about 5 years behind most of our friends, but better late than never. The big day is September 6, and I am already looking (and feeling) pregnant. If any of you moms out there have any advice on sleeping, eating or dressing, give it to me. It will be about a month before we find out whether we need blue or pink paint for the nursery...we'll keep you posted.