Happy Leap Day!

I have been waiting for this day to come and hoping that I would not go into labor today. The day has just begun and there are many more hours, so you never know. Last night for some reason, I was really not feeling well. Dave and I were not hungry at all, so we barely ate anything for dinner. We split a very small salad and had a few other snacks, but that was it. My contractions started to get much stronger and at one point they were 6 minutes apart (but only for about a 30 minute period of time). They were pretty strong though all night until about 3 am. At around 2 am I went downstairs to sleep on the couch because I couldn't get comfortable. My back was killing me and it didn't matter what position I laid in, I was hurting.

Once I got on the couch, I finally feel asleep, but was still waking up every hour to go to the bathroom. It was just one of those miserable nights.

So if a change in a dogs behavior is any indication that the baby might be coming then I would have to make a guess that the baby is coming soon. George has been terrible this week. She follows me everywhere. If I am reading on the couch, she stares at me and starts barking. Today she had two barking fits and wouldn't stop until I pet her for an extended period of time. I went upstairs to take the sheets off the bed and she followed me all around the bed, ran up to me and licked me in the face (she is not a licker, so that was new), and now I am down in the basement and she has to sit right next to me.

I have decided that if for some reason I go into labor today it is not the end of the world. I don't think it is going to happen, but everything is so unpredictable. I will let you all know when something happens.

Not feeling so great today. I slept okay last night and then Dave left for work this morning and I was planning on getting out of bed and the next thing I knew it was 9:00 a.m. I don't remember the last time I slept until 9. I am feeling really tired today and my stomach and back are hurting.

I already made a big salad for dinner and I am planning on getting on the treadmill at some point today. I just feel like relaxing.

Yesterday I went to get a smoothie for lunch and I went into the place and the lady making the smoothies asked me if I was close to my due date. I told her yes and she said that some other pregnant lady came in to get a smoothie the other day and she said that her doctor told her to eat lots of pineapples and that will help get labor started. The smoothie lady said she never heard that before, but asked if I wanted something with pineapple. I told her to just give me a smoothie with pineapple and pineapple juice (she actually added some strawberries and banana to it too). Dave went and bought me canned pineapples yesterday, so I am planning on eating lots of those today. I think I am going to look it up on the internet. I have never heard of anything like that before, but I am willing to try anything at this point. Anyone heard about the pineapple thing? Or does anyone have any suggestions about how to hurry this labor on?

I am really in the mood to cook or bake, but I can't really think of anything to make. I may need to look through some cook books. We will see. I am going to take it easy today and just see what happens today.

We had another doctor's appointment today. I am still not anymore dilated, so nothing really new to report. The head has dropped lower. I am actually having a lot more pain and pressure and my contractions are getting stronger everyday, but we have to still wait.

I am really hoping we have this baby soon. I am getting more and more uncomfortable. I think my hands are really starting to swell up. I don't think my legs, feet, ankles or face have become swollen, but for sure my fingers are expanding.

I have started to have nose bleeds again. They aren't very much fun.

I am going to go read a little more of my book before American Idol comes on tonight. I don't have a favorite yet. I will have to wait until the top 12 are picked and then I will pick my favorite.

Anyone get their girl scout cookies yet? We have like 6 boxes of something at our house. Anyway, I am really liking the lemon cookies this year. They are so refreshing and yummy. If you have a chance to try one you should.

It has been a while since I last posted. I am really tired lately and not much is going on here, so I haven't had any exciting news to report. I have been continuing to have contractions, but they aren't any closer then 10 minutes apart. I hope that this baby comes soon. We are getting anxious. We really only have 2 more weeks until my actual due date. I was certain that the baby was going to come early, but now I have no idea. Maybe it just wants to stay in longer. I am starting to get to the point where I am ready to have to baby and not be pregnant anymore.

I have been walking on the treadmill everyday for the last week. I am hoping that will stir something up. I cleaned the kitchen this morning at 4:30 a.m. I couldn't sleep and my back was killing me while I was in bed, so I decided to just get up and do some stuff. So I did all the dishes and cleaned up the kitchen. I laid back down on the couch around 5 and then slept until about 6. I vacuumed the entire house and did all the laundry this morning. I even ironed shirts. The busier I keep myself, the less I pay attention to the contractions I am having. I figure that is a good thing, that way when they become really strong I will know it is hopefully close to the time we need to go to the hospital.

I am reading The Other Boleyn Girl. I am only about 200 pages in and I have 400 to go. It is a really good book. I don't want to put it down. Dave and I love the mini-series The Tudors, so I really wanted to read this book. I really like it. I am not sure if I will be finishing it before the baby gets here, but we will see.

I have another doctor's appointment tomorrow. I will try to post after the appointment.

Doctor's Appointment

We had another doctor's appointment today. Nothing has changed. My contractions are becoming more frequent, but I am not more dilated. I am more tired and I am waking up in the middle of the night with contractions, but so far no real progress. I am almost 38 weeks, so really only two more weeks to go. It is kind of frightening to think about. We are getting excited.

I am going to go bake cookies now. I have been craving cookies and I don't have much longer to eat whatever I want.

It is getting closer

I have been pooped all weekend. Dave didn't have to work today, so we ran some more errands and took a walk around the mall. It is cold outside and I really didn't feel like going to the gym. It worries me how many sick people are out and about and spreading germs everywhere. The last thing I need right now is to get sick. So we decided to go for a walk around the mall and get a little bit of exercise.

I have been having contractions for the last couple of days. Yesterday they were about 40 to 45 minutes apart. Today they were more consistent at 20 to 30 minutes apart, pretty much all day. I think in the last hour though they have slowed down a bit. We were getting pretty nervous last night because I had a few that were closer to about 15 minutes apart and I freaked out. I decided to clean the mirror in the downstairs bathroom, vacuum the downstairs and I folded all the laundry. This morning I got the bedding down for the pull out couch in the basement for Oma and Opa when they get in town. The upstairs bed is already made and ready to go and I cleaned out all the trash cans. I had a few hours of freak out nesting. I am fine now.

My stomach has been hurting a lot and I have been feeling a little sick to my stomach. Oh well, I guess at this point my body is just getting ready for the big day, whenever that might be.

I will keep you all posted. I have no idea when this baby will make its appearance. Should be interesting.

Dinner

Dinner was a success. Everything turned out great. I almost wish I had taken pictures because it was a very impressive meal, I must say. I ate 2 cupcakes yesterday. I couldn't control myself and they are staring at me again today. I am going to do my best not to eat one.

Dave and I worked out this morning because we were feeling so huge from dinner last night. I think I will be taking a nap later today.

I got our car seat inspected today at the local fire department, to make sure we put it in correctly. We can't put the car seat in the middle because of the arm rest. That sucks because it doesn't leave the passenger with much room at all in the front. We couldn't put it behind the driver's seat because then Dave would never be able to drive. What a pain. The fireman installed the seat for us and it now will not move at all. At least that has been taken care of.

I am pooped. I am going to watch TV and read. Have a great day.

Happy Valentine's Day

This is my least favorite holiday. I don't know why, but I just never really enjoyed Valentine's Day. But, this is our last Valentine's Day as a couple with no kids around, so I am making a really nice dinner.

The menu:

Wheat Bread with a Spinach Feta Cheese topping (baked)
Butter Lettuce Salad with parmesan cheese, mandarin oranges and sunflower seeds with a poppy-seed dressing
For Dave: Stuffed Veal Chop with pancetta, spinach and gorgonzola cheese, topped with a red wine sauce
For Sarah: Stuffed Bison Rib Eye with spinach and feta cheese and topped with a red wine sauce
Dirty Risotto with spicy italian sausage
Red Velvet Cupcakes (for me) and Turtle Cheesecake (for Dave)

I hope it all turns out okay. The cupcakes are done, they just need to be frosted. I think I will run a few errands and then start preparing some of the food, so I don't have to rush at the end.

I have been getting 4 hours of consecutive sleep at night, then 3 hours of terrible kicks from the baby and pains in my pelvis. The 4 hours of sleep are amazing and that gets me through the day. I never thought I would be happy to have 4 hours of sleep. I guess this is natures way of getting us ready for the baby.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine's Day.

Baby Room

So, I turned the picture after I downloaded it, but for some reason it keeps coming up on its side, so you will have to just turn your head.

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. Anyone have special plans? I am going to make a nice dinner for Dave and me. I will let you know how it goes. I am trying out all new stuff. Some of it has recipes and other stuff I am just going to make up. We will see how it goes.

Car and Baby Room

Okay, I said I would post some pictures, so the first ones are of the new car. When I get some better ones (like when the car is outside) I will post those, but it is really cold here and I didn't feel like pulling the car out and taking pictures. So here you go.






I also took some pictures of the baby room, but for reason the pictures are not loading up. I will have to try later.

So today was pretty exciting. I went to my therapist and she hypnotized me. Yep, I did it. I didn't really feel like I was hypnotized. I heard her voice the whole time, I could feel my body and I could hear noises outside, but I was so relaxed I couldn't do anything. The purpose of being hypnotized for me was to practice full relaxation in order to prepare for natural child birth. I don't think I have ever been so relaxed. When I got acupuncture I also felt a similar relaxation, but this was much more intense. (By the way, I love love love acupuncture and would suggest that anyone get it done. If you live in St. Louis you should go to my acupuncturist, Christine Kleinschmidt at Well Body: Acupuncture and Chiropractic Clinic, the website is www.wellbodyclinic.org). Anyway, my therapist wanted me to try to focus on a nice, warm, comfortable place and focus on the details. I could never picture a place, I just kept picturing a really beautiful deep purple color. The more relaxed I got the more intense the color became. It was really the most beautiful color. I wonder what the color purple means. Anyway, I was sitting in a chair in her office and I literally felt like I had melted into the chair. The chair is not that comfortable, but it became super soft and molded to my body. It was an amazing feeling. When I came out of the hypnosis, I talked to my doctor about not being about to see a specific place and only seeing a color. She said that it isn't uncommon for people to see colors instead of a destination. She said when your brain relaxes it naturally finds something relaxing to focus on.

I am going to do it again next week. I love trying out those kinds of things. I really didn't think I could be hypnotized and I had no idea what it would feel like, but it was a new experience.

Doctor's Appointment and New Car

Yesterday Dave and I got a new car. Actually it will be MY new car. We got rid of the Pilot and we bought an Acura MDX. It is a really nice sterling grey. I have to read the manual and get comfortable with all the amazing features. We have navigation and an entertainment package. I will post a picture of it later. The camera is upstairs and I am too lazy to go up and get it to download the picture.

I have a terrible headache right now because I am super hungry. I have to make this post quick because I think dinner is almost ready.

We had a doctor's appointment today. I am almost 37 weeks. They said if I go into labor now, it is perfectly fine and they won't try to stop it. I am 1 cm dilated. That isn't much and I am not getting excited that I will go into labor soon. I am just happy that I only have 9 more cm to go. The head is down and in perfect position. I hope it isn't much longer, but I guess we will see.

The bags are pretty much packed. We have to put the car seat in the car and get it inspected. I have a little bit more cleaning to do. We have out video camera and regular camera ready to go. We are just waiting for the baby now.

I am off to check on dinner.

I'm Bored

I know I should be enjoying the time that I have at home and relaxing before the baby comes, but I have to admit, I am kind of bored. I think it mostly has to do with the fact that I am so tired, so I don't have much energy to do anything. I was busy today, but I still managed to find time to be bored.

I got up this morning and went to the gym. I only exercised for about 40 minutes because I have no stamina. At least I got out in the morning! Then, I showered of course.

I went to kinko's because they screwed up on my business cards (by the way, I started my own LLC, so when I decide to pick up some more law work after the baby comes, I have my own business). Anyway, I just noticed that there was a typo on my cards so I took it back to the store and they are going to fix it, free of charge. Thank goodness. I almost feel like when someone sees that I am pregnant, they really don't want to mess with me. (Could be the hormonal thing, they don't want to take any chances). The manager didn't even try to argue with me, he just said he would print me knew ones and have them done no later than Monday.

On a side note, I think that the one thing I am going to miss about being pregnant is that people are really much nicer to me and always offer me a seat or help with the groceries, whatever. When the baby comes it will be all about the baby and not so much about me anymore. Too bad.

Okay, so then after kinko's I went to Borders. They have the greatest cards and I needed to get a few. So I spent about 30 minutes there looking at cards. Then I met a couple of girlfriends for lunch around noon. We hung out until about 1:15 or so.

Then I finally went and bought a couple of nursing bras.

Since I have been pregnant I have gone to actual bra shops, where they are supposed to provide you with the best fitting bras. I have found these experiences to be very strange. I am not super comfortable taking my shirt, including my bra off in front of a stranger. I don't mind friends or family, that isn't a big deal, but strangers, I kind of mind. Anyway, the lady asked if she could help me get into the nursing bra. My thoughts were (1) I have been wearing a bra for about 18 years now, I think I know how to put a bra on, and (2) are you kidding me? I am huge and pregnant and the last thing I want is for a stranger to see my gigantic size E cup boobs (oh yes, I said E) and my HUGE stomach. But, what the heck are you supposed to say? So I was like, "okay, you can help me". So she helped me in and out of the bras. Again, I could have done it myself, but I guess that is her job. The best part about the help was that the lady asked me if my boobs have grown much since I have been pregnant. I told her I used to be a small C cup and now I am an E. Yum, yeah my boobs have grown a ton. Her response was "holy cow, really?! They grew a lot." No shit. I don't have anywhere near the same body as I did before I got pregnant, you want to rub it in more!

The other bra shop I have gone to has also been interesting. I have had to deal with the same sales lady every time I go. She has to tell me how she really wanted kids, but never could have any (okay what am I supposed to say when I am half naked with a huge tummy). I feel bad for her, I really do, but what?! Anyway, after she tells me that, then she proceeds to bring me in bras, she thinks are nice and then shows me her bra EVERY SINGLE TIME. like she lifts up her shirt and shows me her boobs (in the bra). Look lady, I know what bra you wear, I have now seen it about 4 or 5 times and I really don't care. If you can't tell, I don't really like these bra shops and I am sick of bra shopping. I think I am done for now.

Okay, so back to my day. After the bra buying, then I went to Dierbergs and bought a ton more fruit to make a fruit salad. I have been eating fruit non-stop. We already ate a whole this week and now we are on our second. Fruit is sooo good.

After the grocery store, I went home, unloaded and loaded the dishwasher, and finally sat down. By this time it was about 2:30 or 3:00. Then I got bored. I was so tired, but I hate just sitting around. I am almost done with my fourth book since I have been off work. I am actually getting bored of reading too. Help me!!!!

Next week goal: Enjoy not having anything to do. I will really try to do that.

Maternity Leave

On the Today Show this morning they had a story about how few companies have paid maternity leave in the US. I am sure many people know that FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) only applies to people who work in companies with 50 or more employees. For those of us that worked or still work for smaller companies they are not required to give women any type of maternity leave, paid or not paid. It really pisses me off. That was obviously one of the reasons why I quit working when I did. My ex-boss was only going to give me 6 weeks and no pay. Actually at one point she wanted me to purchase my own disability insurance, so I could pay for my own maternity leave when I didn't have a child. I told her know and that I thought she should pay for the disability insurance and then the subject was never brought up again.

What is wrong with our country? How is the world can women function at their highest level, when they just have a baby. There is recovery time and not to mention the lack of sleep. I also think something is seriously wrong when you don't value your employees enough to give them some time off to recover. I completely understand when you own a smaller business you can't necessarily afford to be paying your employees their full salary, let them have time off and receive no benefit, but if you aren't going to pay them, then at least let people have 12 weeks or more then 6 weeks. I have talked to a lot of women and they have indicated that 6 weeks is the norm for maternity leave if the company doesn't fall under FMLA. It is just crazy.

Hopefully one day things will change.

Super Tuesday is tomorrow, hopefully everyone will be voting!

I have decided today I am going to relax and try to finish a couple of books. It is supposed to be 65 degrees today. I guess I should take George for a walk this afternoon.

Snow Day

We got 8 inches of snow last night. 8 inches sounds like a lot, but it doesn't really look like a lot. Because of the snow fall pretty much everything was cancelled. Most of the schools were cancelled. I went to lunch with a friend and the roads were great. They were all cleared off and there was very little traffic. It was a great day to get out. It isn't even that cold. I ran three errands in less then an hour because there was so little traffic. My only problem was backing into our garage. I got stuck and had to pull in forward. I like to back into our garage because it is much easier to pull out, but I couldn't really manuver the car with all the snow in the driveway. Oh well.

I think I posted this earlier this week, but this past Tuesday was our last birthing class. Now we are all on our own. It is exciting and scary all at the same time. Anyway, I got an email this morning from Andrea (and Mark her husband). They were the other couple in our birthing class. Her water broke this morning at 2:45 a.m. and she could be having her baby anytime now. Talk about cutting it close with the birthing classes. I am really anxious to see how her labor went. Obviously we both want to do it naturally (no medication) and she was planning on using the aqua doula (which is a big tub, that you can labor in). We are planning to use one as well, so I can't wait to here how things go.

I want junk food so badly. I really only want cake, brownies and cookies. I bought a big brownie at the store because I was going to give it to my brother's office, but he is sick, so I was planning on keeping it for the Super Bowl. I couldn't stand it, I ate some of it and now I don't want to stop. I put it away in the pantry on a high shelf, so I wouldn't stare at it anymore. I just want lots of sweets. I have to control myself.

I think I am going to read now. Have a nice weekend everyone.