Maxsmom » Pregnancy

Still Pregnant and 39 week pregnant belly picture

Rachel — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:56:23 +0000

Yep. I am still pregnant. My doula said that this could be promodal labor, which means that I could be laboring like this for a while. I barely slept last night due to contractions and then got up and told Scott I was not feeling well and then they stopped. Annoying. So yes I am having contractions but not consistent enough for my body to know that I should give birth. Hopefully I will just keep dilating and making the actual birth even shorter but I just want her here.

I am losing part of my mucous plug either daily or with each contraction. YUK!

I promise I will keep you guys up to date. As for now, I am TRYING to just stay patient but it is tough.

Labor has begun but..

Rachel — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:13:39 +0000

Early labor has begun but not anything significant for me to think she is coming. Last night we took a false alarm trip to the hospital because both my doctor and doula knew how fast I went with Max (6 hours start to finish) but I knew they were not strong enough-just early labor. I have been having the runs, nausea and contractions that start and stop. Last night they were 4 mins apart and lasting for a minute or longer but then they slowed down. I knew they were not strong enough. We stayed at the hospital and walked around for about 90 minutes and then I decided we should go home and sleep. So we left.

This morning my doctor called and she wanted us to come in so she could sweep my membranes. We then left her office, I was 3 1/2 cm, 75 percent effaced and head is at 0 station, and went to see the acupuncturist. We then headed to the chiropractor to get my pelvis and body in alignment because she was half posterior, aka back labor (which Max was) and half anterior. Hopefully she is ALL anterior now. So now we are home. I guess it is hard for me because I keep comparing it to Max. So fast ands so efficient. I need to let go and know that this baby will come when she wants to come. Maybe I am getting lost in the amount that I am dilated instead of just being one with my body. Regardless, I wanted to post the update.

Wish us luck for s speedy delivery and hopefully one today.

The doctor update-37 weeks 4 days

Rachel — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 02:15:38 +0000

Scott came with me to the doctor the other day. We were both surprised to find out that I was almost 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced. I know some women who walk around dilated for a while and so I know that it really means nothing but I also know that when the time comes, well we have to get moving. The doctor thinks that I may not make it to 40 weeks. I just want to make it to Max’s birthday party and then I will be happy. She can arrive anytime after 6 pm on December 6th.

She also tested me for Group B Strep and so I am hoping that comes back fine. I would be really upset if I had to take antibiotics again. I think taking them for 20 days for the Lymes Disease was enough for one pregnancy.

The baby’s room is almost done and I will post pictures as soon as it is complete. I laugh because we will have a fantastic and gorgeous room and if this baby is anything like Max, then she will barely sleep in that room. Crazy huh but it is still fun to do a room and especially a girls room. I never thought my life would ever be so full of pink.

I know I post constantly about being tired but I am. I am tired and emotional, well I actually feel needy. I hate feeling needy but this is a time where I need to not be such a tough girl.

Well Happy

Packing the hospital Bag

Rachel — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:43:27 +0000

Last time I packed this bag, I had it ready about a month before Max arrived. There was so much in the bag-music, juice. lollipops, clothes, pictures etc. I am sure you get the point. This time I am not sure what to bring other than myself. Last time we arrived at the hospital and I was 8 cm and so I ripped off my clothes and did not listen to anything except my own inner voice. The room was quiet and dim and I dont even remember hearing anything other than my own head. But this time, it will be different. We are not planning to birth so long at home. Last time my contractions started at 6 pm and we arrived at the hospital by 10pm ish and I was ready to push by 11 15 pm.

Our doula came over the other day. A doula is a woman that we hire to help us during the birth. She helped us the first birth and she will be with us again. She is so grandnmotherly if that is even a word and I love that because she is so sweet. We went over the plan for this time and how the second births are less predictable than the first. Well my first was not predictable either. My contractions started at 2 45 apart and kept getting less and less. All of those books I read about early labor and birthing with your partner went out the window. So anyway, she said that with the second cut the early labor and the pushing by a third and so then, we dont really have too much time. So she suggested that we go to the hospital early and relax and birth there. I am praying for a room with a hot tub. So here is the plan for the bag:

Music, Gatorade, Aromatherapy (also nice for the hospital room since they all smell like crap), a tank top or loose shirt for early labor, favorite socks, a picture of Max, our birthing ball and I think that is all. Maybe some tums and candy just in case and a few snacks.

I am still amazed that the birth is so close. I just washed all of her little clothes last night and crib sheets etc. It will be 2 1/2 weeks if she decides to come on time. I would love that since Max’s birthday is December 20th. So please little girl come on the 13th for your due date.

36 Week Pregnant Belly Picture

Rachel — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:34:39 +0000

Here it is a a few days late. We took this picture on Sunday. I have not been the best at blogging lately and I do miss blogging but I just dont have the energy. I know that sounds crazy but my mind is in so many other places. I also have no slept that great this week and whenever that happens-I use my energy to take care of Max and myself and well the hubby gets the remaining.

So it is getting close. I will actually be 37 weeks this Friday and I am amazed that we are going to meet this little girl soon. I have been worrying about our sleep situation with Max and the new baby but after talking to a friend, a stranger, my hubby and our pediatrician-I have let go. I know that it will work out. I just have that feeling that everything is going to be ok. I think it was important for me to honor my fears and because of it-well I worked on it and now they seem to have vanished for now. I am just now getting everything ready. The furniture arrives Thursday and the drapes get installed Friday. I need to wash clothes and buy a few onsies and stuff like that but as for everything else, we still have all the STUFF from Max so it just seems easier.

As for me, I have gained about 24 1/2 pounds and I am amazed that I have gained so little. I feel like I am eating so much more than when I was pregnant with Max but who knows.

It is going to be a few busy weeks weeks. I have doctors apt for max and myself and Max’s birthday party is in 2 weeks. Any ideas for party favors?

Well hopefully I can blog a little more and catch up on y reading of the blogs I follow.

A good cry always helps during pregnancy

Rachel — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 18:01:38 +0000

Whenever I find myself yelling at Max or have absolutely no patience with anybody, I know something is going on with me. I had that day the other day. Max was just pushing all my buttons and he did not feel good either so it was even worse. Scott was tired because he was out the night before, which meant that I was alone all night after being with Max all day, which meant no relief after dinner, which is their usual play time. So Scott was tired and I was annoyed and Max was not feeling himself. It started when I took Max upstairs to get ready for bed. Let me preface this by saying, that since Max was sick with the flu, his immune system has been lowered and so he has been having food allergies again. he even ate brown rice the other day and had a rash on his face. He has been pooping that green horrible smelling poop for almost 4 days, ugh, poor baby. So there is the back story.

So I tried to put Max to sleep for 2 hours and he was still not going down. He did not fall asleep until 10 pm and by then I had cried twice, left the room once, yelled at him a few times and just felt like the worst mom in the world. I kept telling Max to sleep. He kept jumping up and down. I kept getting more frustrated. It always amazes me that I get frustrated even though I have nowhere to be. It is just hard.

So that night I sat down with myself and took a long look at what was going on with me. I know whenever I am that way, which dow not happen often, that I am holding on for dear life. It is usually when I am not talking about something. It occurred to me that I am scared. Scared for change, scared for the birth, scared. I know I can do natural birth. I did it with Max with back labor and a compound presentation but this time I know what pain lies ahead. I am scared of the unknown. I know that it will all work out but it is still scary. All these things have been in my head and I have not been blogging about it or talking to my girls or my hubby. So I talked to the hubby and had a good cry and he held me. I am not great at feeling vulnerable and letting people in but I know I have to be. I know I will have an amazing birth and part of bringing this baby into a birth free of drugs is about facing the fears and confronting them.

I am just grateful that I can be conscious of this stuff in my life so I can be free in my own head.

35 Week Pregnant Baby Belly Photos

Rachel — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 01:52:29 +0000

We did take pictures but I asked my mom and not my hubby. Well I must have not been using my brain because my mom was a photographer at one time in her life. She went to school for it and did it mostly because she enjoyed it. She stopped taking pictures about 10 years ago and became a social worker but she is still good. Here are two of my favorites. I asked her is she could do a few more over the next weeks and maybe do some with Max, even though he rarely wants to sit and have pictures taken of him. I decided not to reschedule with the photographer because I also realized that I just want to have some photos that are good-i don’t need any sexy pregnancy shots-just some that document how beautiful pregnancy can be.

I think we may do some next week with jeans and a bra or tank top or maybe just my arms covering my boobs. Who knows but it sure does make sense to have my mom do it and not somebody who I don’t even know-plus the amount of money I saved.

Anyway, the birth is getting near and I am getting impatient. I have been so chill but now I just want to meet this little girl. A friend gave me a ton of 0-3 clothes and my mother in law bought me some as well so now I am set. And now it is all moving along. As soon as the furniture comes in for Samantha’s room I will post pictures.

So here is me pregnant with our little girl at 35 weeks.

Disappointed, Annoyed, Excited and Tired

Rachel — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 20:38:29 +0000

I am all of these. I set up maternity shots for today and it got canceled. We had scheduled these shots a while back and the photographer emailed me mid day to say that it was raining and she feared she would have no light. I wanted to kill her because she could have called me this morning before I got my hair done and the family ready to go. But hey, I got my hair done and my hubby told me already three times that I am so pretty. Gee I wish I had the time ever to do my hair because it sure feels nice when your hubby says those things. So I am disappointed that we could not do the shots and annoyed that she waited so long to get in touch with me and by email and not even a phone call. Whatever!! I am not sure that I am going to reschedule. My hubby made a promise that he would take some shot tonight of Max and my belly and maybe that will be enough for me. I just want to have some shots since I doubt that I will be pregnant again.

Excited because I woke up this am and the lists were already being made in my head. Get all the baby stuff out of storage, make sure the contractor finishes her closet, buy some newborn baby clothes, and start to organize the basement storage closet. I also need to buy a double stroller and a basinet that rocks back and forth. Other than that-we have everything else.

I am tired. Every time Max and I are out and about somebody says to me, “Wow, when I was pregnant like you I was on the couch and I laugh and say I have so much energy.” BUT I DON’T. I have a ton one day and then the next I am tired. Luckily that means Max and I do something very fun one day and then I crash the next. It has also been tough because it has been raining so we are at home or at places where we can be inside. I am just feeling sluggish. I am looking forward to feeling that burst of energy in a few weeks, or I hope I feel that burst of energy.

5 Weeks and 1 day till Baby’s due date

Rachel — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:26:50 +0000

I had a long talk with the hubby last night about my raging hormones. The gift of the second pregnancy is that I know that I am being run by some hormones and anxieties about the new addition in our house. I explained that I was sorry and that he should start taking valium now. He laughed and said, “he knew this was coming.” I am happy that I know what to expect with this new baby. I am not scared when I have shooting pains down my groin to my legs because I know they are normal. I know what Braxton Hicks feel like and I know that the baby is fine even when she is sleeping more than usual. I know all of these things BUT I do not know what is is going to be like with 2 babies.

I realize that Max is still a baby in so many ways. But he is also such a big boy in others and I am sure he will step up to be an amazing brother. I was talking to a mom yesterday and she reminded me of how sweet Max is and how he will be so proud of being a big brother. BUT I always talk about sleep. I know that I have made the bed I lie in with Max’s sleep and it is what it is but it always makes me nervous. Luckily Scott has offered to sleep with Max and I am going to do my best to get this little girl into a bassinet and then crib. Max always slept with me and I think once he got a taste of being held in his moms arms all night-well he never wanted anything different. And we did try CIO Method once and Max puked on himself numerous times and it did not work for us as a family. So it is what it is.

Luckily I have a sitter that has offered to work whatever hours I need her to work. I will probably have her stay until Max falls asleep for his nap and then she can go. So instead of her coming for 2 1/2 days, she would come for 5 1/2 days. Hopefully she will be ok with that but I am sure she will be.

I am also in LETS GET IT GOING MODE with my house. I feel like emptying every drawer and putting things in their place. Samantha’s room was wallpapered the other day and the chandelier is hung. Now the closet needs to get done and then the furniture will arrive and then the drapes. WOW-it is all coming together.

Any suggestions for how you adjusted to two kids?

33 Week , 5 days Pregnant Belly Picture

Rachel — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:34:48 +0000

Here is the 33 week pregnant belly. I have been talking so much about fun hormones and marriage and being a mom that I felt it was time to show the beauty of the belly. I am feeling good just tired. Max is teething and he had a really rough night and I am just dragging my feet today. Do I need to say that I HATE teething? I feel like teething runs our life.

BUT, Friday we leave for New York City for 4 days because Scott is running in the marathon. I am so excited because we are meeting up with a blog buddy. I used to read her blog called Little Liberals and about a year ago she decided to stop blogging. I am looking forward to getting away, seeing my sister who lives in NYC, and supporting the hubby plus chillin at the W hotel, which is LOVE. Yeah vacation!! Yeah pretty prego belly!