I'm over it

I had another doctors appointment today and I am now 3 cm dialated. I made them do a non stress test because last week, the doctor mentioned that if a baby is overdue, the chances of stillbirth increase dramatically. Yeah, freak me out for no reason. She forgot to mention it was after they are 42 weeks... All went well with the test. He was an absolute maniac of motion. I had to schedule an induction but since I am more dialated now I set it for as far out as I could in hopes that the baby will be here before I reach that date. It's set for NEXT Friday, the 16th. All along though, I was thinking he'd be here on 10/10. Makes sense to me since Brennen was here on 12/12. Right?! So, I went walking....AGAIN today. I came home and completely cleaned my room and pulled the majority of my maternity clothes out of my drawers. I won't be needing them anymore after this weekend. (power of positive thinking?) I will keep you all posted.....cross your fingers that my water breaks. At least then there's no turning back!

Impatiently waiting....still!

I know I'm only 2 days past my due date but here's the facts: I've been having TONS of contractions for the past 6 weeks. That's unusual for me. I figured that the contractions combined with the extra stress I've had for this entire pregnancy just might make the baby arrive a bit early. Yes, I was wrong but what's wrong with at least being on time? So, here I am impatiently waiting for a baby that I feel may just never come. It really stinks to feel like my life is on hold. Every night I think "tonight might be the night!" only to wake up disappointed in the morning. I have been walking EVERYDAY and eating spicy foods and labor inducing pizza and have no baby to show for it. My ribs are aching from the constant feet up in them and my lower back feels like it may just crack in two. Seriously....stick a fork in me, I'm done! I have an appointment tomorrow morning where the docs will want to schedule an induction. I SO don't want to be induced. Pitocin just sucks. I feel so bad because there are SO many people waiting on pins and needles to make that trip to the hospital. It's going to be a real party in that waiting room and delivery room. And everybody is stuck in this holding pattern with me....impatiently waiting!

Full Moon

It's tonight. In case you're wondering. The next full moon. Maybe that will help encourage this lil guy to GET OUT OF MY BELLY! I know, I am THE MOST impatient person ever! I just feel like I've been waiting SO long. I'n not uncomfortable (not too bad) I just would LOVE to NOT have to be induced. At my next appt, they will make me talk induction. I despise induction. Really, what I'd love, if it were all up to me would be to have this baby in the comfort of my OWN home. I don't really even want to go to the hospital. Unfortunately, when I researched home births, I found it to be VERY expensive. We're talking $5000 minimum! YIKES! At least with my coverage, I go to the hospital and go home without spending a dime! It's almost like I get a free baby....well, free to take home, where I can spend the rest of my life spending money on him! Cross your fingers that the full moon will help! Besides, my entire family will be together at my mom's for a family dinner tonight. We'll already be assembled so we can just carpool to the hospital. Good plan, right?

Something is better than nothing...I guess.

Last night I was awake for several hours having some pretty decent contractions. It took me right back to Tucker's labor where I woke up to contractions, timed them for awhile as they got closer, took a shower, woke everybody up and went and had a baby. I thought for SURE the boys wouldn't be going to school today. BUT, after nearly 3 hours, they stopped. They were not feeling too good either. I mean, I even had to do some slow breathing through one or two. I went and walked for awhile at the mall today but NOTHING happened. Oh, I've had more contractions...just nothing regular or consistent. Poo! I really would love to just have him this weekend. This weekend really would work out well for me. I guess I just have to play this waiting game a bit longer.

Dr. Appt.

I went to the docs this morning and FINALLY they checked to see if anything's happening. I'm dialated to 2 cm already but he's still pretty high. She did some "procedure" to help speed things along. I won't bore you with the gory details....I'm still having some irregular contractions but I'm hoping that now they're doing more. HOPEFULLY I'll have this guy before his due date. That would quickly move him up to first place in my book of favorite children! I do have another appointment scheduled for the 9th (after my due date) The doctor says we'll have to start talking about inductions at that point. Please Baby, come on out! I do NOT want to be induced again! Again....any ideas on how to get this guy moving? No, castor oil is NOT an option!

Let's get this party started!

My mom took me to the mall today to try to walk this baby out. It was tiring and I felt like I had a pulled something or other in/on? my leg. I had a couple of contractions (woohoo) but nothing spectacular to make me think today is the day. I'm hoping he's going to sit tight until October. Well, actually, I'm hoping he'll stay put until Jon gets back home. He left this morning to be a counselor for 5th grade outdoor ed. He'll return Friday....

Oh, and the phone calls have begun. You know the ones, well meaning people who have to call daily to find out what, if anything, is going on? Heck, he's not even due for another 7 days which means realistically, he won't be here for about another 12 days......

How about this....if something happens, I'll make the phone calls...or assign somebody else to do it.

I hate waiting.

here's what's going on....

With only 10 short days to go until my due date, I'd love to report that there's something going on but....well, I just can't. I don't think this baby will be early OR on time. I think he's going to be another late arrival. My boys have ALL been late. I'd love to know any tried and true ideas for going into labor. I'm telling you...the novelty has worn off by now. I'm not particularly uncomfortable, just tired of this big, clumsy body. I'm ready to move on to the next chapter in this story....
I'm guessing he'll be here on the 10th. Anybody else want to venture a guess?
Here's what I've had SO far....
Jon- 3 days late. 10lbs 22.5"
Jake- induced 6 days early because docs thought he'd be BIGGER than Jon! 8lb10oz 21"
Tucker- 7 days late. 9lb14oz 21"
Tanner- induced 8 days late. 9lbs11oz 20.5"
Brennen- induced 7 days late. 9lbs. I have NO idea how long he was because they didn't even give me one of those little cards! BUMMER.
I sometimes think this boy will be really big because he's SO strong but then I figure if he still has so much room to be a little hellion, maybe he's on the smaller side? WHO KNOWS! I'm really looking forward to finding out.


In other news...and there's plenty of that with 5 boys...
Jon left this morning at 6am for Boy Scout advance camp. He's working on more merit badges. When he returns, he'll be home for Monday and then Tuesday morning he leaves to be a camp counselor for 5th grade outdoor ed. He took it upon himself to look into the program, apply and all. He's really excited! He's also been working really hard in school this year and I'm SO proud to announce that he currently has ALL A's and B's. I think it was 4 A's and 2 B's! He rocks. He's always been extremely intelligent and I'm so glad that he's focusing on grades instead of just girls. Don't get me wrong, he's still TOTALLY into girls but he understands that grades ARE important. Thank GOD!

Jake is doing pretty well in 8th grade this year. The school changed his schedule and he had a class he didn't like so he took it upon himself to switch it. I am so proud of him for being so independent and being an advocate for himself. He is now in drama which he LOVES! The girls really love Jake too and I am happy to say that he is NOT so into girls! Whew! I certainly don't need 2 hormone driven boys! Jake seems to have adapted very well to full time public school and he's got lots of friends. He's getting more and more independent. I'm able to have him skateboard from school to karate 2 days a week so my job is much easier. Jake's also been working for an organic farmer harvesting veggies. He really loves the work. He and Jon both work there but Jake is always the first to step up when the farmer calls last minute needing help. He's there as we speak...working his first Farmer's Market. Hopefully they give him a raise soon. (they started him lower than Jon because he was slower but he's been busting his lil butt trying to impress them) I must say, I'm very proud of him and his work ethic.

Tucker is having some independence forced on him and he's rather unwilling. He's in 5th grade now and it's a bit more serious. He's got lots of book reports and a research project to do this year. All very daunting tasks for a boy who doesn't want to take responsibility for anything. He's still somewhat immature and I do worry about him but I have to just push him to do his best and to really step up and be the responsible kid that he needs to be. I'm so grateful that we held him back years ago because if he were actually starting middle school this year, I think he'd just die. He's been doing really well with his karate and is participating in another tournament today! Last time he took first place in sparring so hopefully he'll do really well. If he can remember his form, maybe, just maybe, he'll earn a trophy this time. He really has taken to karate and I think it's been VERY good for him. It's nice for him to have something that Jake isn't involved in so he's not at all in Jake's shadow.

Tanner is having a pretty good 2nd grade year. He had to get back on his ADHD meds. I haven't been able to get him in to get more allergy treatments. I think if he were to be treated for all of his allergies, he may not need his meds. BUT, it's so expensive and all of the boys have allergies so I can't just focus on Tanner. Luckily his ADHD meds really work and his teacher is very impressed with his willingness to learn. He's had a couple run ins with some hyper boy at school but he's been very mature about it and I think the problem is solved. He just started Cub Scouts again for the year and so far, he's loving it. Jared's been taking him which I think makes a huge difference. He really needs time with his dad and I'm glad that Jared's been able to give him that time.

Brennen has been a terd. To put it bluntly. He knows that Mommy is tired and much slower and he's taking FULL ADVANTAGE of that. Won't he be surprised after the baby's born when I can really run again?! As my due date approaches, he's getting increasingly naughty. I don't think it really helps that he's been really suffering from seasonal allergies. He's just not being the good boy that he normally is. I've been working on setting up some play dates for him with his aunties once the baby is here. I think he's going to definitely need some one on one attention and I know I won't be as able to give him that right away. I'm most nervous about him. He is very much a Momma's boy. He falls asleep evey night snuggling with me and if he wakes up, he always wants me. UGH! Hopefully Jared will really step up and help out with Brennen because I just cannot do it all.

So, that's my life story.......Hopefully, very soon, I will have another person to write about at the end......

Bummer!

Since I've been given one last opportunity to experience pregnancy,labor and delivery(in all it's glory! LOL) I wanted to really soak it all in and do it MY way. One thing I've always wanted to do but never have is a home birth. I've been looking into some options. We have Kaiser and it doesn't offer that option which, I think, stinks! I've been researching it online but am finding that it's ridiculously expensive. We're talking $5500 here! YIKES! Yeah, like I've got that in my back pocket. I'm really bummed out about it because when Brennen was born, they put a limit on how many people could be in the delivery room. Basically, I was forced to have some people wait it out in the waiting room. Not that I want a big ole party in there but, I have a big family and I want who I want to be there. I also would LOVE to do water birth. That's something that's always interested me. Alas, Kaiser doesn't offer that wonderful choice either. Pooh on Kaiser! So, I think I am going to be stinkin hospital bound at some point in October. I'm not happy about it at all. I HATE staying in the hospital. To me, the hospital stay is FAR WORSE than labor and delivery. I hate being woken up at all hours of the night by nurses checking to make sure I'm feeding my baby. Well, I haven't lost one yet so chances are, I'm a fairly capable mother. Also, the beds aren't comfy and I don't really want to hear everyone elses babies. I just want to rest. Hopefully, things will go smoothly and they'll let me out of that prison early. It'd be even easier if it was just a girl because I wouldn't have to wait to have any "procedures" done. UGH! Yes, I'm going to pout about not getting my way. I am going to continue to search for an option that's more appealing and financially doable. If you have any ideas....send em my way!

It's time

I had my non stress test and there are variables that the Dr. is concerned about. She's MAKING me have a baby today! Wish me luck. I'll post all about it when I get home.

No, I am not posting from the hospital about the baby. I am sitting here, at home, still pregnant. I called and rescheduled the induction. I really didn't want to do it today. It was stressing me out WAY TOO MUCH. It's just a lousy day for it. Jake has a really cool field trip that he doesn't want to miss (Ice skating in San Francisco! COOL!) Jon has his Winter Concert for band tonight that he really shouldn't miss, my dad has a full day scheduled at work (my sis works there too and they both want to be there for the delivery) and of course Jared has his business to take care of today. SO, instead, I am going in at 10 for a Non Stress Test. They will hook me up to some machines that will measure my contractions and supposedly tell them how stressed out the baby is by it all. What about MY stress? I guess that all could've been solved at 6 am this morning but I HAD to go and cancel on them! LOL Oh well. The induction was rescheduled for Friday morning which works out much better for me. I almost hope that the baby waits until Friday. Yes, I am getting really tired and uncomfortable and yes, that would put me at 1.5 weeks overdue but my dad and sis DON'T work on Fridays, Jared could get all his weeks work done by then and the boys could miss Friday at school. Also, then everyone has the weekend off so I'd have help readily available. Chances are, I'll go into labor on my own today......just because it'd be horrible timing! Oh well, it is what it is.....

The way I see it.....

this is just the new me. I'm not really pregnant, just strangely round. That's not a baby kicking, but massive indigestion. I'm 6 days late! I know I'm scheduled to be induced tomorrow morning but I REALLY don't want to be induced again. I feel fine really, so there's not really a medical reason for it. I am so torn. Tomorrow is really a bad day for an induction. It's Jon's Winter Concert at school and he will supposedly earn an F for the whole quarter if he doesn't go! Jake has an ice skating field trip that he'd rather go to than be at the hospital. Not to mention Jared has a FULL day of work scheduled and so does my dad and sister. UGH! I hate this! PLUS, I think I'd MUCH rather have "surprise!" pain than scheduled pain. You know what I mean? Any thoughts? I am too hormonal to make these decisions on my own! I mean, if they could just break my water and have everything just go on naturally from there, that'd be great. BUT, my fear is that they'll break my water, nothing will happen, so I'll be forced to be hooked to Pitocin the whole time! That really stinks. I've been there twice and I HATED it. HELP!

Mom's dream

My mom had a crazy dream the other night about me going into labor. In her dream, she was driving me and Jared to the hospital. My dad was following in the suburban with all the boys. Apparently, I told her that I thought the baby's head might be coming out. Sure enough, it was! She pulled over on the side of the freeway and flagged down my dad. She was super prepared with blankets, flashlights, and even gloves because "new babies are slippery" The baby was delivered and wrapped in a blanket and I was a grinning fool because "I'm not pregnant anymore!" My mom forgot to check if it was a boy or a girl! BUT, she even knew what city she was in when she had to pull over. Is this a glimpse of what's to come?......

Nothing yet!

Well, the pizza hasn't worked it's magic yet. I'm so bummed! I wanna make SOMETHING happen before I have to be induced. Being induced sucked. I guess maybe I'll try Chinese food for lunch. I like Chinese food anyhow....it can't hurt. (can't be as bad as that pizza!) I'll make my mom go walking with me....again!

Labor inducing pizza

I finally decided to give this pizza another go. It worked with Tucker so I thought maybe I'd try it again. It's not the best tasting pizza around that's why I've been stalling.....Not that it's bad pizza, the restaurant makes great pizza....it's just not something I'd EVER order on my own. http://www.skipolinispizza.com/prego/prego-pizza-frameset.htm With Tucker, I ate pizza for lunch one day and woke up the next morning around 5am to time contractions. He was also the easiest labor and delivery....by far! So, hopefully this'll work again!

Appt. update

Well, not much going on. I'm dialated to 2 and 40% effaced. I'm really hoping this kid gets the bright idea of being born before next Tuesday. They've scheduled me for an induction at 6 am on the 12th. NOT my idea of fun. I've been induced before, twice. UGH! I'd really love to just have my water break. That would be great! No sending me home then..... So, anyone have any great labor inducing ideas for me to try? Anything that's worked for you? The boys are so completely impatient at this point. They ask me daily if the baby will come today. I guess they think I have some insider information that I'm just not sharing...... It's getting annoying though, all the questions about when... I finally had to tell my mom to "please don't ask me about contractions anymore until I'm on my way to the hospital" It's starting to get buggy. Just about everything is irritating me though right now.

38 week appt.

I have my 38 week appt in about an hour! Yeah! Please PRAY that something is going on. Amie reminded me that dialation, earlier in the game, doesn't necessarily mean anything but I would be thrilled to know that things were already in motion.... I will update after my appt to let you all know what's going on. I keep hoping this lil guy will decide to arrive a bit early but he seems to be snug as a bug in a rug. SO, I'm guessing he'll be here mid December. That means there's only about 3-4 weeks to go (instead of 14 days.....) Honestly, I'm not completely ready right now anyhow. I still need to put a bag together, make sure camera batteries are all charged and good to go, and come up with a "getting to the hospital" plan in case I go into labor during the day when all my boys are off at school and Jared's at work (my worst nightmare!) So, I will have to make sure I get these things all done this week (just in case!)