the wee one: March 2007

introducing...

Gideon Xavier
Born: 3.24.07
Time: 7:33 p.m.
Weight: 7 lbs 14 ozs
Length: 21 inches

Absolutely perfect.

whew

Once we get some much needed rest and I get my birth story together I'll post much more. Here's a teaser until then:

25 hours of labor.

due date

This is it. We were supposed to go to the hospital at 8:30 to be induced. But...the hospital just called and said there are no beds available so not to come in on time. She'll call us back—hopefully it won't be too long.

Updates soon.

11:00: Still nothing. I've been napping on the couch since I got very little sleep last night. If they don't call soon, I'm going to explode.

12:00: Just called the hospital. They were hoping to get me in by noon but have had people come in already in labor. She's guessing late this afternoon, early evening. Josh is not a happy camper.

2:50: Still waiting...

4:25: Finally. The hospital just called. We are on our way in. Yay!!!

today would be a great day to be born

Dear Baby,
It's amazing how slow time can go by when you are anticipating something so exciting in your life. Something so huge that you can barely wrap your mind around the reality of it all.

That's how I feel right now waiting for your arrival. I thought for sure we would be at the hospital today. The contractions I had last night were so strong and so uncomfortable, I thought a trip to the hospital in the middle of the night was inevitable. I was wrong. I've been having some contractions today, but nothing like last night. Nothing that currently warrants getting out my little pad of paper and timing them to see if they are long enough and close enough to call your Dad home from work.

I've been sleeping in as much as possible the last two days—getting up at 10—since I know that will be over any time now. That, coupled with the fact that I've acquired this nasty cold and can't sleep much at night, makes for one tired Momma in the morning. I've officially stopped working and am now on maternity leave. It's only been two days and I'm already antsy. The down time is nice, but I can only do so many crossword puzzles and watch so much crappy television (especially since we only get 5 channels). Do you know how annoying the contestants on The Price is Right can be? Pretty annoying.

The house is clean, the hospital bag is packed, and there is nothing to do but wait for you.

Please come soon. I promise you'll love it out here. We will take such good care of you and love you to pieces. We have so much we want to do with you once you come into the world—now and for years to come. It's Spring—a time of new life and new growth—and we're waiting for you.

Love,
Momma

still waiting

No baby yet.

39 weeks

One week to go until my official due date. Let's just call it done and get this baby out. We are so ready to meet the Wee One we can hardly stand it. Calls are now coming in at a regular basis wondering if we've had the baby yet. Nope. Still Waiting. I've never been so disappointed to say "I'm fine" when asked how I'm feeling. I want to be in labor. I want to be at the hospital. I want it to happen this weekend.

Yesterday was a day full of contractions and hopefullness. They started at 8:00 yesterday morning and made their appearance every 30 minutes until around 5:00. At that point they subsided and only graced us with their presence once an hour or so until 8:00 pm. Then they picked up speed again and got us really excited by showing up every 15 minutes until around 10:30 last night. Then they stopped. Or, at least they weren't strong enough to wake me up through the night. I've had a few today, but nothing like they were yesterday.

The Wee One has been really active today and I hope he is migrating into a position ready for descent. He's been head down and presenting for a couple of weeks now, but as of Tuesday I was still just dilated to 1-1.5 cm with no real change from the week before. Keep sending us good vibes that the baby will grace us with his presence this weekend.

Taken this morning fresh out of the shower. Don't I look ready?

still pregnant

11 days until my due date.
Still working everyday which is getting hard for me. Early mornings two days a week and long days into the late evening two days a week. I'm exhausted no matter what.
Having contractions about every hour since 3:00 today and from 3:00–10:00 yesterday. Nothing I can't handle, but I'd really like them to pick up the pace and transition into full blown labor.
We are both really excited but a little nervous. The unknown is creeping up quickly and although we are busting at the seams to meet our little guy we still have a hard road ahead to get through.
Josh thinks it will happen this week. I'm hoping he's right.
Back to the doctor's tomorrow for my 39 week checkup. I hope I've progressed since last week.

38+ weeks

Just 13 days until my "official" due date. To say I'm ready NOW is a gross understatement. I've been ready since I hit full term at 37 weeks. My fundal height is now at 40.5 cm up from 38.5 cm last week. Um, yeah, so I've grown a bit in the last week. I'm dilated now to a good 1 – 1.5 centimeters, not inducable, but progressing.

Josh is on spring break next week and his season for work hasn't officially started up yet so having the baby this weekend would be ideal. Unlikely, but ideal. That way we would at least have that first week together without outside obligations. Work is getting more difficult for me as the days go on since I'm not really getting much sleep and being on my feet (or even sitting in one position) for long periods of time is difficult.

The doctor is only in Monday and Tuesday of next week so instead of my usually Friday appointment, I'll be back in on Tuesday. That's only 4 days from the appointment I just had today, but I hope it's enough to show some significant progression. I could have waited until next Friday and seen another doctor but I like my doctor and don't want somebody else checking my cervix at this point. Most of my modesty is out the window at this point, however, I am still hanging onto that thread of dignity and would just rather go in earlier in the week. Plus, my doctor is awesome. She's always smiling and is very sweet.

wow

I can't even remember looking like I did at 16 weeks.
Click on the pic for a bigger & better version.

38 weeks

Oh.My.God. I'm HUGE!

nursery—final phase

The shower last week blessed up with copious amounts of items for completing the nursery. We got the bedding which was the focal point of the whole room as well as lots of little accessories to make the room feel finished. With me at full term and just 18 days to go until my estimated due date, I tell the Wee One every day that he can come any time. We are ready and waiting.

View looking into the nursery from the door.
The rest of the pictures move counter-clockwise around the room.

Changing table/dresser combo now equipped with changing pad, wall hangings above, diaper holder to the left and cute light switch plate to the right (with dimmer switch Josh installed).

Detail of light switch plate.