Sunday, September 12, 2010
Four Weeks!
Liam is four weeks old today! I cannot believe how much our lives have changed and how much he has changed in so short a time! To celebrate we took some pictures. I'm no professional, but I think they came out great! Thank God for the little bit of editing I can do in iPhoto. Our little man is growing and I'm grateful we can document every moment so we can remember how little he is.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Best Wedding Gift Ever!
Still, almost four years later, one of the best wedding gifts I received is our crock pot. I never knew I would love this small appliance so much! But with a busy schedule, working full time, sports practice, etc. I quickly came to love my crock pot probably a little too much!
The best thing about it, is that you can get dinner ready before work or practice and come back hours later with a piping hot, yummy meal on hand. With football practice started back up again for the season I am now officially the queen of the crock pot! I try to steer clear of it the majority of the time when Cody doesn't have sports because I get too used to making all of my quick, easy recipes and it gets redundant, but I rejoice each football season in the ease of meal preparation!
Where do I find these delicious recipes you may ask? One of my favorite places is the Fix It and Forget It Lightly cookbook. Last night I made Zucchini-Vegetable Pot. Scrumdiddlyumptious! It's a family favorite. All my boys love it and besides a little chopping, it's quick and easy! Here's my take on this recipe:
1. Brown 1 lb of ground turkey in a nonstick skillet.
2. Chop up the following and place them in the crock pot:
4. Spinkle the following seasonings on top:
6. We add tobasco sauce to ours for a nice little kick! (It tastes delicious without as well if you or your kids are not into spicy foods.)
So, if you have a slow cooker, pull it out and try this recipe today! If you don't, you might want to run out and buy one! And remember, if you're going to a wedding or shower, this just might be the most beloved gift the bride could get. She may not realize it straight away, but she will sooner or later!
The best thing about it, is that you can get dinner ready before work or practice and come back hours later with a piping hot, yummy meal on hand. With football practice started back up again for the season I am now officially the queen of the crock pot! I try to steer clear of it the majority of the time when Cody doesn't have sports because I get too used to making all of my quick, easy recipes and it gets redundant, but I rejoice each football season in the ease of meal preparation!
Where do I find these delicious recipes you may ask? One of my favorite places is the Fix It and Forget It Lightly cookbook. Last night I made Zucchini-Vegetable Pot. Scrumdiddlyumptious! It's a family favorite. All my boys love it and besides a little chopping, it's quick and easy! Here's my take on this recipe:
1. Brown 1 lb of ground turkey in a nonstick skillet.
2. Chop up the following and place them in the crock pot:
- 2 zucchini
- 2 ribs celery
- 1 green bell pepper
- 2 large tomatoes
- 1 onion
4. Spinkle the following seasonings on top:
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp garlic salt
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
6. We add tobasco sauce to ours for a nice little kick! (It tastes delicious without as well if you or your kids are not into spicy foods.)
So, if you have a slow cooker, pull it out and try this recipe today! If you don't, you might want to run out and buy one! And remember, if you're going to a wedding or shower, this just might be the most beloved gift the bride could get. She may not realize it straight away, but she will sooner or later!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Murphy's Law of Motherhood
Good old Murphy and I have always been good friends, but little did I know his law would apply to motherhood. He is always popping up and reminding me he's around. For instance:
1. Whenever mom sits down to eat baby will fuss. Hence I ate ice cold eggos this morning. Yum!
2. As soon as you change the baby, they will soil their diaper straight away. No wonder parents spend so much on diapers!
3. When you sit down to feed the baby and aren't mobile, the dogs will desperately need to go outside! But since they don't wear diapers, they win!
4. You lay down to take a nap and the phone rings, the baby cries, the dog barks or any number of things to keep you from actually sleeping. Sleep is overrated anyways, right?
5. You only type with one hand because you always seem to have a baby in the other. Because the hunt and peck method is so much more productive!
6. Time is relative. You think you are responding in a timely manner, but really they've been waiting on a response, that thank you note, that phone call back for way too long! But you're worth waiting for, right?
7. You spend a whole ten minutes getting ready in the morning/afternoon/whenever you can get a chance only to be spit up on.
8. You double check the baby stuff ten times before leaving the house only to realize you forgot to pack your older child's pajamas, grab the dog's leash, put your wallet back in the diaper back, etc. Preggo brain does not seem to go away and is now renamed mommy brain.
9. You get a text inviting you to meet friends for a last minute coffee only to cringe at the sound of baby practicing for his audition for the purple crying video as you're about to leave. No one thinks baby is cute when he's screaming his head off...no one.
10. You're just drifting off to dreamland when you're rudely awakened by the little one crying. Nothing says fun like a middle of the night snack and diaper change! (The snack is normally for the little one...normally!)
So Murphy, you've had a good run these past three weeks. I'm sure you'll give me more reasons to remember you as Liam grows. For now, could you take a wee break so this momma can get a little sleep in?
1. Whenever mom sits down to eat baby will fuss. Hence I ate ice cold eggos this morning. Yum!
2. As soon as you change the baby, they will soil their diaper straight away. No wonder parents spend so much on diapers!
3. When you sit down to feed the baby and aren't mobile, the dogs will desperately need to go outside! But since they don't wear diapers, they win!
4. You lay down to take a nap and the phone rings, the baby cries, the dog barks or any number of things to keep you from actually sleeping. Sleep is overrated anyways, right?
5. You only type with one hand because you always seem to have a baby in the other. Because the hunt and peck method is so much more productive!
6. Time is relative. You think you are responding in a timely manner, but really they've been waiting on a response, that thank you note, that phone call back for way too long! But you're worth waiting for, right?
7. You spend a whole ten minutes getting ready in the morning/afternoon/whenever you can get a chance only to be spit up on.
8. You double check the baby stuff ten times before leaving the house only to realize you forgot to pack your older child's pajamas, grab the dog's leash, put your wallet back in the diaper back, etc. Preggo brain does not seem to go away and is now renamed mommy brain.
9. You get a text inviting you to meet friends for a last minute coffee only to cringe at the sound of baby practicing for his audition for the purple crying video as you're about to leave. No one thinks baby is cute when he's screaming his head off...no one.
10. You're just drifting off to dreamland when you're rudely awakened by the little one crying. Nothing says fun like a middle of the night snack and diaper change! (The snack is normally for the little one...normally!)
So Murphy, you've had a good run these past three weeks. I'm sure you'll give me more reasons to remember you as Liam grows. For now, could you take a wee break so this momma can get a little sleep in?
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Liam Howard Has Finally Arrived!
I have been trying to post this forever, but my fussbucket has kept me from editing the post. So while he screams his cute, little head off, let me tell you some news...Liam Howard was born on Sunday, August 15th at 0550 after 27.5 hours of labor! He was 7 lbs, 15 oz and 20 inches long. (So no giant baby as they predicted days earlier in an ultrasound! It was over a pound off!) He has brown hair and eyes that are quickly changing to green so a little of both mommy and daddy! He is adorable and we are totally in love!
On Friday I met with the head doctor at my practice. He told me he didn't think I'd make it through the weekend. Sure enough Saturday morning I woke up at 2:30 am with contractions about 10 minutes apart. I slept on and off between contractions until around 6. They were getting closer and closer together and he had told me to come in when they were three minutes apart. I took a shower, took my time getting ready and we finally got everyone ready to leave for the hospital and my contractions were 1.5-2 minutes apart. Of course, on the way to the hospital labor suddenly stalls. Contractions spread back out. So frustrating as I was thinking it was going to be a quick labor the way things had been going. At the hospital they put me on the monitors and I'm hardly having contractions and I'm only 1 cm. So home we all go for me to labor at home. This is around lunchtime.
On the way home, the contractions kick back in again. They were nasty with back labor. So every contraction was doubled essentially. I shut myself in my dark bedroom and rocked and swayed my way through them. Took a long, hot shower to help as well. My hubby went and got racquetballs to massage my back with. It was painful, but manageable. I'm not even sure when we left for the hospital, except that it was before dinnertime because I don't think any of my support team got to eat dinner. They were such troopers. At the hospital contractions are regular and I'm admitted. Well, I am in labor FOREVER it seems! I see the doc and get checked and I'm still only at like a 3 so I have a ways to go. I was 100% effaced though. As per my birth plan I didn't want pitocin or an epidural so they let me have at it on my own. My contractions are getting stronger and harder. I get a shot of something to help with the pain from the back labor. It knocks me out and puts me to sleep which I think really helped me progress. I would sleep in between contractions. Baby's heart rate was a little wonky so they ended up attaching an internal monitor to his head which caused my water to break. At which time things really got moving. The contractions plus back labor were horrible! They were one on top of the other. I started asking for an epidural as the pain from the back labor was so bad. Due to a bunch of circumstances, but I think mostly my non-committal to it, I never did end up getting one. I was crying and asking my husband to make it stop. He was so great and my girlfriends who were there were so supportive and encouraging! I get checked by the doc and I'm at 9. She says I can still get the epi if I want, but she thinks I can do it on my own. I'll be pushing before I know it. My husband is supportive and agrees. (As I'm ripping up his arm bearing down during contractions.) Soon enough I say I feel pressure and want to push! The nurse starts getting things ready for delivery and calls for the doc to check me again. I'm fully dilated and ready to go. Baby is still kind of high up in the birth canal so I start pushing. And an hour later, there he is! My gorgeous baby boy!
He had the cord around his neck, hence the heartbeat dropping off, but other than that was perfectly healthy. We didn't get very much bonding time as they whisked him off to the nursery to help/check him, pink him up etc. I tore a little because he had his hand up by his face, just like in every ultrasound. Otherwise the doc said I would not have torn. It was by far the hardest, but most rewarding thing I have ever done. I still cannot believe that I pushed out a baby without the epi due to the pain, but in the end I'm very glad that I did. Liam is so adorable, although he doesn't seem to want to sleep at night! He is a fussy eater. But did I mention how cute he is?
I think all in all I had a very positive labor experience. I was blessed with a great doctor and nurse who supported my birth plan and two great girlfriends who stayed all night with me, but most importantly, I was blessed with a great husband! He deserves kudos for not only being great during labor and deliver, but for attending Bradley classes that helped us prepare and for being fabulous since we got home! We are tired, but a happy little family!
On Friday I met with the head doctor at my practice. He told me he didn't think I'd make it through the weekend. Sure enough Saturday morning I woke up at 2:30 am with contractions about 10 minutes apart. I slept on and off between contractions until around 6. They were getting closer and closer together and he had told me to come in when they were three minutes apart. I took a shower, took my time getting ready and we finally got everyone ready to leave for the hospital and my contractions were 1.5-2 minutes apart. Of course, on the way to the hospital labor suddenly stalls. Contractions spread back out. So frustrating as I was thinking it was going to be a quick labor the way things had been going. At the hospital they put me on the monitors and I'm hardly having contractions and I'm only 1 cm. So home we all go for me to labor at home. This is around lunchtime.
On the way home, the contractions kick back in again. They were nasty with back labor. So every contraction was doubled essentially. I shut myself in my dark bedroom and rocked and swayed my way through them. Took a long, hot shower to help as well. My hubby went and got racquetballs to massage my back with. It was painful, but manageable. I'm not even sure when we left for the hospital, except that it was before dinnertime because I don't think any of my support team got to eat dinner. They were such troopers. At the hospital contractions are regular and I'm admitted. Well, I am in labor FOREVER it seems! I see the doc and get checked and I'm still only at like a 3 so I have a ways to go. I was 100% effaced though. As per my birth plan I didn't want pitocin or an epidural so they let me have at it on my own. My contractions are getting stronger and harder. I get a shot of something to help with the pain from the back labor. It knocks me out and puts me to sleep which I think really helped me progress. I would sleep in between contractions. Baby's heart rate was a little wonky so they ended up attaching an internal monitor to his head which caused my water to break. At which time things really got moving. The contractions plus back labor were horrible! They were one on top of the other. I started asking for an epidural as the pain from the back labor was so bad. Due to a bunch of circumstances, but I think mostly my non-committal to it, I never did end up getting one. I was crying and asking my husband to make it stop. He was so great and my girlfriends who were there were so supportive and encouraging! I get checked by the doc and I'm at 9. She says I can still get the epi if I want, but she thinks I can do it on my own. I'll be pushing before I know it. My husband is supportive and agrees. (As I'm ripping up his arm bearing down during contractions.) Soon enough I say I feel pressure and want to push! The nurse starts getting things ready for delivery and calls for the doc to check me again. I'm fully dilated and ready to go. Baby is still kind of high up in the birth canal so I start pushing. And an hour later, there he is! My gorgeous baby boy!
He had the cord around his neck, hence the heartbeat dropping off, but other than that was perfectly healthy. We didn't get very much bonding time as they whisked him off to the nursery to help/check him, pink him up etc. I tore a little because he had his hand up by his face, just like in every ultrasound. Otherwise the doc said I would not have torn. It was by far the hardest, but most rewarding thing I have ever done. I still cannot believe that I pushed out a baby without the epi due to the pain, but in the end I'm very glad that I did. Liam is so adorable, although he doesn't seem to want to sleep at night! He is a fussy eater. But did I mention how cute he is?
I think all in all I had a very positive labor experience. I was blessed with a great doctor and nurse who supported my birth plan and two great girlfriends who stayed all night with me, but most importantly, I was blessed with a great husband! He deserves kudos for not only being great during labor and deliver, but for attending Bradley classes that helped us prepare and for being fabulous since we got home! We are tired, but a happy little family!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Operation Evict Liam
So here is the thing about being pregnant, everyone has some advice for you. For example, I was at the movies the other day when a woman said to me, "You look like you're about to pop!" Well, I'm due in less than a week, so really it could happen at any time! Now mind you, I am huge! Liam is definitely a healthy baby and at 39 weeks I am ready to meet the little man. But do you really think I need a reminder of how ginormous I am? And since I know you're all curious, here I am at 39 weeks!
The other thing that makes me laugh is that everyone and their mother has some advice on how I can get Liam out now! Everyone, even those who have never given birth, have advice. (Now mind you, I was one of those people...well, I still am until the little man decides to join us!) As we aim for our natural birth experience I have been given lots of advice on "natural inducers" and tried quite a few of them out! So here are the top ten things I have been advised to do:
1. Walk - Now, I have been walking my whole pregnancy so I sometimes wonder how much good this will really do, but I don't think it will hurt. According to our Bradley class it opens the inlet of the pelvis, which helps the baby drop down into position for birth. Let me tell you, in fear when Liam was breech, I didn't walk for a week and a half because I didn't want him to get lodged butt down. Once I knew he flipped I picked my walking back up so he would get lodged head down! Every day when I show up at the gym at our housing office, the ladies rush out to see how I'm doing. Sadly, I inform them each day that I'm still trying to walk my baby out!
2. Sex - Yes, any of my family members may be blushing, but we all know this is how I got into this "situation" in the first place! ;) Semen and orgasms are said to stimulate labor and soften the cervix. This seems to be everyone's favorite recommendation to me for inducing labor! It's quite funny to see the ways people try to covertly mention it on Facebook or how blatantly they do. Let's just say, I've heard it works, I've recommended it to others, no stone will go unturned!
3. Pineapple - Yes, eating pineapple. It is said to soften the cervix and other places it says it induces labor. I have eaten pineapple daily for about two weeks. Still no baby. But hey, pineapple is yummy so I'm not complaining!
4. Spicy food - Throughout pregnancy people tell you not to eat this due to heartburn etc, but once you get close to your due date, all bets are off. The thing is, Liam seems to like spicy food! When I eat it he dances around in my belly. He enjoys every minute of it. Last week we tried to think of spicy foods to eat to evict him. I ate spicy chicken sandwiches, hot wings, tacos and yet here I am, still pregnant!
5. Bumpy car ride - Why have I not had Den take me for a ride in the Jeep recently? It is said to promote movement and relaxation to help the baby get into position for birth. Just make sure you have something to sit on and protect the car seat in case your water breaks!
6. Licorice - Eating black licorice is supposed to help stimulate the production of prostaglandins. Hence, contractions. Mind you, that could just be the diarrhea it causes! Eat at your own risk!
7. Relax - Let nature take it's course. If you're stressed, you won't dilate or go into labor. So, take a warm bath, have a glass of wine and let your body do it's thing. Midwives and doctors have actually recommended this. (And friends too!) However, I have a hard time coming to terms with having a glass of wine while pregnant. And this says a lot, since if you know me, you know I love a good glass of wine!
8. Accupressure - There are three spots you can push on to help induce labor or strengthen contractions. Between the thumb and forefinger, the roof of your mouth and the inner ankle. Hence, get a pedicure and tell them to rub those feet until your water breaks! (Didn't work for me, but my toes will hopefully look pretty for labor! ;) )
9. Swinging - Yep, like you're back in elementary school! So when you see me out at the park behind my house, you'll know why I'm acting like a kid again. I'm trying to get this kid out!
10. Last, but not least...Nipple Stimulation - Yep, you heard me right! The funniest story is that we were on a ghost tour last week with my in-laws and I received this advice from a random lady on the tour. She asked me if I was having a boy. (Yes!) Asked when I was due. (About a week.) Then she told me, you know the best way to get him out, right? I said, which way is that? Then she proceeded to give me a visual, yes, a visual, of nipple stimulation. Thanks! She even recommended getting my husband to help! Seriously, I don't even know you! Good thing I'm not easily embarrassed! I still find it hilarious that she recommended this to me, in this way. But everyone needs a good laugh! It helps you relax after all. And isn't that on my list somewhere?
So, will any of these things do anything if you body and baby aren't ready? Probably not, but I figure there's no harm in trying! I've had a feeling all along that Liam will be a punctual baby so I'm hoping that holds true. With my due date rapidly approaching I have to hold on to that hope! And in the meantime, I love the swings so that may be next on my list of things to do!
P.S. I am not a doctor so none of these are officially medically sanctioned. You should, of course, consult your doctor before making any medical decisions, especially when pregnant!
The other thing that makes me laugh is that everyone and their mother has some advice on how I can get Liam out now! Everyone, even those who have never given birth, have advice. (Now mind you, I was one of those people...well, I still am until the little man decides to join us!) As we aim for our natural birth experience I have been given lots of advice on "natural inducers" and tried quite a few of them out! So here are the top ten things I have been advised to do:
1. Walk - Now, I have been walking my whole pregnancy so I sometimes wonder how much good this will really do, but I don't think it will hurt. According to our Bradley class it opens the inlet of the pelvis, which helps the baby drop down into position for birth. Let me tell you, in fear when Liam was breech, I didn't walk for a week and a half because I didn't want him to get lodged butt down. Once I knew he flipped I picked my walking back up so he would get lodged head down! Every day when I show up at the gym at our housing office, the ladies rush out to see how I'm doing. Sadly, I inform them each day that I'm still trying to walk my baby out!
2. Sex - Yes, any of my family members may be blushing, but we all know this is how I got into this "situation" in the first place! ;) Semen and orgasms are said to stimulate labor and soften the cervix. This seems to be everyone's favorite recommendation to me for inducing labor! It's quite funny to see the ways people try to covertly mention it on Facebook or how blatantly they do. Let's just say, I've heard it works, I've recommended it to others, no stone will go unturned!
3. Pineapple - Yes, eating pineapple. It is said to soften the cervix and other places it says it induces labor. I have eaten pineapple daily for about two weeks. Still no baby. But hey, pineapple is yummy so I'm not complaining!
4. Spicy food - Throughout pregnancy people tell you not to eat this due to heartburn etc, but once you get close to your due date, all bets are off. The thing is, Liam seems to like spicy food! When I eat it he dances around in my belly. He enjoys every minute of it. Last week we tried to think of spicy foods to eat to evict him. I ate spicy chicken sandwiches, hot wings, tacos and yet here I am, still pregnant!
5. Bumpy car ride - Why have I not had Den take me for a ride in the Jeep recently? It is said to promote movement and relaxation to help the baby get into position for birth. Just make sure you have something to sit on and protect the car seat in case your water breaks!
6. Licorice - Eating black licorice is supposed to help stimulate the production of prostaglandins. Hence, contractions. Mind you, that could just be the diarrhea it causes! Eat at your own risk!
7. Relax - Let nature take it's course. If you're stressed, you won't dilate or go into labor. So, take a warm bath, have a glass of wine and let your body do it's thing. Midwives and doctors have actually recommended this. (And friends too!) However, I have a hard time coming to terms with having a glass of wine while pregnant. And this says a lot, since if you know me, you know I love a good glass of wine!
8. Accupressure - There are three spots you can push on to help induce labor or strengthen contractions. Between the thumb and forefinger, the roof of your mouth and the inner ankle. Hence, get a pedicure and tell them to rub those feet until your water breaks! (Didn't work for me, but my toes will hopefully look pretty for labor! ;) )
9. Swinging - Yep, like you're back in elementary school! So when you see me out at the park behind my house, you'll know why I'm acting like a kid again. I'm trying to get this kid out!
10. Last, but not least...Nipple Stimulation - Yep, you heard me right! The funniest story is that we were on a ghost tour last week with my in-laws and I received this advice from a random lady on the tour. She asked me if I was having a boy. (Yes!) Asked when I was due. (About a week.) Then she told me, you know the best way to get him out, right? I said, which way is that? Then she proceeded to give me a visual, yes, a visual, of nipple stimulation. Thanks! She even recommended getting my husband to help! Seriously, I don't even know you! Good thing I'm not easily embarrassed! I still find it hilarious that she recommended this to me, in this way. But everyone needs a good laugh! It helps you relax after all. And isn't that on my list somewhere?
So, will any of these things do anything if you body and baby aren't ready? Probably not, but I figure there's no harm in trying! I've had a feeling all along that Liam will be a punctual baby so I'm hoping that holds true. With my due date rapidly approaching I have to hold on to that hope! And in the meantime, I love the swings so that may be next on my list of things to do!
P.S. I am not a doctor so none of these are officially medically sanctioned. You should, of course, consult your doctor before making any medical decisions, especially when pregnant!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Flipping Out!
I spent the last week and a half flipping out about Liam flipping! He has been breech most of this pregnancy and when they informed me a week and a half ago, at 36 1/2 weeks, that he still was I was concerned. My doctor said I may need to start looking at my options. These included an external manual version and a c-section. Um, no thanks! Did he miss the note in my file about wanting a natural birth? (I say this with heavy sarcasm as he really did notice and mention the note!) He said they would schedule an ultrasound for a week or two from then to check on where Liam was. If not, it was time to chat.
My reaction was to obsess for the past week and a half about what I could do to get the little man to turn head down and ready to go! I have spent a lot of time and money preparing for birth, and wasn't ready to give up on the baby cooperating and doing what is natural! So I started seeking information from the fabulous ladies on my What to Expect forum. These ladies have been the voice of reason, experience and fabulous listeners throughout my entire pregnancy! They didn't disappoint! They offered advice, hope and prayers. The best recommendation I got was for the website www.spinningbabies.com. What a great resource! I was willing to try anything and this site has a plethora of information and ideas to help baby go head down!
Each day I did inversion exercises in hope that if I was head down, the baby would go head down. So, much to my husband's delight, I "hung" upside down off of the couch at least three times a day. He enjoyed the spectacle so much he would encourage me to do the exercises when he was home. We tried putting the cold ice pack on his head when it was up in my ribs, pelvic tilts (with and without the ice pack) and Den talking to the bottom of my belly so he would follow his voice. I even shamelessly tried lecturing and nagging him while he is in the womb!
On Monday I decided it was time for one last ditch attempt at him flipping and scheduled an appointment with a local chiropractor who specializes in the Webster technique. I was a little nervous about being adjusted in my very pregnant state, but decided I would regret it if I didn't try everything at my disposal to get the little man head down. So off to the chiropractor I went. After a quick "interview" he adjusted me and worked on my round ligament. One slightly hefty "first appointment" fee later I walked out hopeful I'd have good news at the doctors.
And so yesterday I nervously headed off to the doctors office. I hadn't had butterflies in my stomach like this since our first dating ultrasound! When the tech turned on the machine and found his head by my pelvis I cried! I was so happy he had cooperated! Am I 100% sure what worked? Nope. No idea. All I know is that we are ready for take-off here at Hotel Gretchen! We're just waiting on Liam to be ready to make his appearance! And in the meantime, I got to see his adorable face again. I cannot wait to meet him in person!
Now on to Operation Evict Liam!
My reaction was to obsess for the past week and a half about what I could do to get the little man to turn head down and ready to go! I have spent a lot of time and money preparing for birth, and wasn't ready to give up on the baby cooperating and doing what is natural! So I started seeking information from the fabulous ladies on my What to Expect forum. These ladies have been the voice of reason, experience and fabulous listeners throughout my entire pregnancy! They didn't disappoint! They offered advice, hope and prayers. The best recommendation I got was for the website www.spinningbabies.com. What a great resource! I was willing to try anything and this site has a plethora of information and ideas to help baby go head down!
Each day I did inversion exercises in hope that if I was head down, the baby would go head down. So, much to my husband's delight, I "hung" upside down off of the couch at least three times a day. He enjoyed the spectacle so much he would encourage me to do the exercises when he was home. We tried putting the cold ice pack on his head when it was up in my ribs, pelvic tilts (with and without the ice pack) and Den talking to the bottom of my belly so he would follow his voice. I even shamelessly tried lecturing and nagging him while he is in the womb!
On Monday I decided it was time for one last ditch attempt at him flipping and scheduled an appointment with a local chiropractor who specializes in the Webster technique. I was a little nervous about being adjusted in my very pregnant state, but decided I would regret it if I didn't try everything at my disposal to get the little man head down. So off to the chiropractor I went. After a quick "interview" he adjusted me and worked on my round ligament. One slightly hefty "first appointment" fee later I walked out hopeful I'd have good news at the doctors.
And so yesterday I nervously headed off to the doctors office. I hadn't had butterflies in my stomach like this since our first dating ultrasound! When the tech turned on the machine and found his head by my pelvis I cried! I was so happy he had cooperated! Am I 100% sure what worked? Nope. No idea. All I know is that we are ready for take-off here at Hotel Gretchen! We're just waiting on Liam to be ready to make his appearance! And in the meantime, I got to see his adorable face again. I cannot wait to meet him in person!
Now on to Operation Evict Liam!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Fourth of July Madness!
I love my husband, dearly. However, he is a homebody and I am not. I love to socialize and explore! He is happy to relax on the couch watching Law & Order and Bones. Needless to say, I get the itch to get out and do things and sometimes, he begrudgingly humors me!
Since Cody is out west I thought we should take advantage of our rare alone time and do something special. However, when you're 35 weeks pregnant, there is only so much you want to do or so far you want to go. Originally we had thought about a trip to Charleston, SC for the weekend, but I wasn't sure I wanted to drive that far this far along in my pregnancy. (Originally we had planned the trip for almost a month earlier, but we had an extended Codymoon instead!) So we planned an impromptu overnight to Raleigh over the Fourth of July weekend.
Nothing fancy by any means, but lots of fun was had by both of us, even if Den complained that I was making him do all the things I wanted to do! We drove up early afternoon and checked into the La Quinta Crabtree. Since getting our furbabies La Quinta has been our saving grace. It allows us to travel with the furbabies without paying huge fees or having to board them. Then we headed over to a local mall and did a little shopping where I indulged in two new tops. It seemed a little frivalous with only five weeks left, but the belly has gotten so big there is only so much that fits now! We had dinner at P.F. Changs so Den could get his Chinese food fix. Then we went to see "Rent". It was a fabulous little getaway! Plus, I think it helped that wonderful hubby of mine see that getting out and doing things can be fun!
Not only did we get out of dodge on Saturday, but I convinced him to go see the fireworks on the fourth! We had BBQ over at the staff club, played a little rummy and relaxed. Then he took me to the movies on Monday night! How I managed to convince him to do all these fun things, is beyond me! I think I will have to stay home and relax all next weekend to make up for all the activities I conned him into doing! I guess he's earned it!
Since Cody is out west I thought we should take advantage of our rare alone time and do something special. However, when you're 35 weeks pregnant, there is only so much you want to do or so far you want to go. Originally we had thought about a trip to Charleston, SC for the weekend, but I wasn't sure I wanted to drive that far this far along in my pregnancy. (Originally we had planned the trip for almost a month earlier, but we had an extended Codymoon instead!) So we planned an impromptu overnight to Raleigh over the Fourth of July weekend.
Nothing fancy by any means, but lots of fun was had by both of us, even if Den complained that I was making him do all the things I wanted to do! We drove up early afternoon and checked into the La Quinta Crabtree. Since getting our furbabies La Quinta has been our saving grace. It allows us to travel with the furbabies without paying huge fees or having to board them. Then we headed over to a local mall and did a little shopping where I indulged in two new tops. It seemed a little frivalous with only five weeks left, but the belly has gotten so big there is only so much that fits now! We had dinner at P.F. Changs so Den could get his Chinese food fix. Then we went to see "Rent". It was a fabulous little getaway! Plus, I think it helped that wonderful hubby of mine see that getting out and doing things can be fun!
Not only did we get out of dodge on Saturday, but I convinced him to go see the fireworks on the fourth! We had BBQ over at the staff club, played a little rummy and relaxed. Then he took me to the movies on Monday night! How I managed to convince him to do all these fun things, is beyond me! I think I will have to stay home and relax all next weekend to make up for all the activities I conned him into doing! I guess he's earned it!
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