Crocodile Face

Poor Max is cutting all four of his 1-year molars at the same time. Needless to say, he's not very happy about it. We always know when he has teeth coming in, because he keeps making his "crocodile face" (along with being unusually fussy and crabby). I've been trying to snap a photo of the face for months now and this is the closest I've come (and you still don't really get the full effect). At least this round of teething isn't affecting his sleep too much -- he's more restless and doesn't sleep as well, but he doesn't wake all the way up like he used to do.

Max has now decided that he wants everything "again" (his new favorite word). After months of deciding he wasn't really interested in going into our back laundry room, Max has figured out how to sneak down the step so he can play with the new washer and dryer. He's very fast and very quiet -- you won't hear anything at all until suddenly some little feet are pitter pattering across the floor and you can hear the washer buttons being pressed, followed by lots of loud laughing and clapping. Of course, the little button presser already figured out how to turn on both machines. So, the short term solution is to keep the laundry room door closed until we can get a walk through baby gate for that doorway (the bathroom is back there too and Mom is NOT particularly good at vaulting baby gates at the moment).

Grandma came down to help us out this weekend and was good enough (and brave enough) to do some much-needed cleaning that we haven't been able to do. She also made me my favorite beef and noodles and kept us all happy and fed. Max enjoyed spending some time with his grandma and was a very good boy.

I've made it through eight weeks of bedrest -- only six more to go! I'll be 30 weeks tomorrow, which is another nice little milestone. At this point, every week (even every day) makes a big difference in how big and strong that baby will be and how long she might have to spend in the NICU (and the type of complications and issues she might face). If I can make it another four weeks, we'll be mostly out of the preemie woods. I have my regular checkup with my OB on Friday and I'll go up to the hospital next week for another ultrasound. I'm sure my doctor will give me another early labor test on Friday -- since they're good for two weeks and they don't give them after 34 weeks, I probably only have two more of those to go!

I can't say I'm not thoroughly sick of bedrest, but I'm so glad that the current course of action seems to be working. It'll be so nice to be able to DO things again, even if it is just to go out to the mailbox and get the mail or carry the clean laundry up the stairs or bake a batch of cookies or take Max for a walk. I've been so focused on this pregnancy that I haven't put much thought into the delivery or preparations for the new baby. Thankfully, we pretty much have all of the normal baby stuff we'll need, except for some tiny diapers. I'll just have to clean out the bassinet (which is currently being used to store Max's "too small" clothes) and make sure all the tiny clothes are freshly washed. It's probably almost time to start thinking about packing my hospital bag (I've been refusing to pack it before 32 weeks). I'm getting there -- slowly, but surely!

Another Boring Checkup!

I went up to the hospital today for a cervical length ultrasound. It looks like I'm still hanging in there -- my cervix is measuring in at 2.8 cm, which is just a tad shorter than two weeks ago. The doctor came in to talk to me and said that it was a tiny bit shorter, but still normal and it was an insignificant change. So, they don't need to see me again for another two weeks (which is always a good sign by itself) -- at that time they'll take all the baby's measurements and see how big she's getting. My fluid levels still look great -- I guess the gallon or more of water I drink a day (literally) is doing the trick. Baby has also flipped back around, so she's no longer breech (yay!). Of course, she'll still probably flip flop a lot more, but I was starting to worry that she was getting overly fond of that breech position.

Baby seems to be growing at a good clip -- she's finally getting big enough that she's squishing my stomach. I can't eat much at any one sitting and I'm having some wicked heartburn. My belly button gets closer to popping every day. She's as active as her big brother was and it is funny to watch my tummy jiggle and shake as she bops around in there.

Max, Dad, and I ventured into the pool again yesterday. He modeled his new swim suit and got to try out his froggy floaty. He thought the froggy was a little strange at first (or maybe the water was as little cold), but he started splashing around and kicking when I got him with him. We didn't stay in long because it wasn't overly warm, but it was nice to take a quick dip.

Max has recently figured out how to climb up on things (great ;) and thinks it is too much fun to get up on the couch with Mom or Dad and flop around on the pillows. We've started calling him "Juggernaut," since he's become an unstoppable force of late! He also figured out how to say "again," so he can ask for repeat showings of "Big Blue Dress" or the "Kitty Cat Dance." You can definitely tell where his interests lie lately -- when I go in to see him when he wakes up in the morning, the first thing he says to me is "Hi" followed immediately by "Big Blue Dress." Sheesh! He has also apparently inherited his parents' love of cool new appliances -- he'll watch the washer running and will laugh and clap and squeal (just like Mom! ;).

On an unrelated note, the March of Dimes' "Be a Hero for Babies Day" was a smashing success -- they raised $1.4 million dollars in a single day! It's nice to know that our small contribution helped add up to some great funding for the MOD!

Call Me Ishmael

I think it should be possible for all pregnant women to live in a swimming pool from week 25 onward. It finally got warm enough yesterday for me to venture into the pool -- I'd forgotten what it felt like to be able to move around like a normal person. ;) On solid ground I can't spend more than 5-10 minutes on my feet before I have to sit down and rest (I'm sure the fact that I have to spend the vast majority of my day sitting or lying down is mostly responsible for this, rather than my pregnancy). It's a sad fact that after I take my shower, I have to sit down and rest before I can finish getting ready. :P

Max took his first dip too and it was nice to finally be able to carry around my baby again! He thought it was a little strange at first, but quickly decided that pools are great fun. I do have to say that it is hard to find a decent maternity bathing suit. The pickings were pretty slim and Dad did an admirable job (you know your husband loves you when he's willing to brave the maternity section to find you some desperately needed attire), but I feel like a super-stylish 1950s housewife when I go swimming. I just need the Jackie O sunglasses and a headscarf to complete the look. ;) Of course, once in a bathing suit, I realize that house arrest has not been kind to my already pale skin -- bring on the Moby Dick jokes! But, since only my family will be subjected to my stylish suit and my blindingly white skin, I'll just continue to float around the pool in extreme comfort.

I had my doctor's appointment yesterday -- everything still looks good. Since my contractions were better and my last early labor test was negative, I was spared the full exam. I passed my glucose tolerance test with flying colors and my doctor said my bloodwork looked great and to keep eating whatever it was I've been eating (I didn't have the heart to tell her that, frequently, that included a healthy dose of Ben & Jerry's ;). I'll have an ultrasound next week to check and make sure my cervix is still behaving. If I can make it as far as 34 weeks, the doctor said I should be able to deliver in a regular labor and delivery room (although in the high-risk wing), rather than the operating room. Wouldn't that be nice!

The only other exciting news (well, to me) is that we just got a new washer and dryer. Our wonderful 5-year-old washing machine finally broke (again) and we swore that next time either the washer or dryer broke, we were getting new ones. We've spent more money repairing those machines than it cost to originally buy them (and they were nice, new machines). So, we Freecycled them and went out and bought the new LG washer and dryer. You know you're old and boring when you get totally excited about home appliances ... but I think I'm in love. We've already done five loads of laundry and we're very impressed so far. As the ultimate test, we ran a load of baby lights that had been sitting in the hamper for a respectable amount of time. I usually pre-treat and soak baby laundry for a couple of hours before washing it. This time I just hit the stained items with stain remover, threw everything in the washer, and let it go. The clothes came out sparkly clean! I usually wash Max's burp cloths separately, in hot water and bleach, and they still come out with stains. I threw a couple in with the clothes, just for fun, and was amazed when they came out white and the old stains were gone. I could wax poetic about the washer and dryer for many more paragraphs, but I'll spare you that torture. Maybe I can ask Dad to move the couch into the laundry room ... ;)

28 Weeks!

I made it -- I hit the first of my gestational milestones! I have now carried this baby longer than I carried Max (who was born at 27 weeks, 5 days). It's a big relief to know that no matter what happens now, at least I won't have a "preemier" preemie. When I was stuck in the hospital at 22 weeks, 28 weeks seemed like an almost unachievable goal, so I'm VERY happy to have made it this far. We're still a long way from being out of the woods, but I'm encouraged by the way things are going. Now lets see if I can get to 30 weeks!

My belly has popped out a lot in the last week, so I'm definitely bigger than I ever was with Max. I feel huge and it is a little daunting to think that my stomach has a lot more growing to do. I'm also experiencing another problem that I didn't run into with my last pregnancy -- I'm growing out of some of my maternity clothes! Of course, these are all good problems to have. ;)

I see my OB tomorrow for my weekly checkup -- she'll probably schedule me for another ultrasound next week. They haven't done a fetal weight check ultrasound since 22 weeks -- I hope they do one soon because I'd be interested to see how much they think this little girl weighs. I believe she's still breech and sitting down low -- she seems pretty comfy down there. She somehow manages to bop me in the hip bone on both sides simultaneously, although I'm not quite sure how she manages that! At least she has gotten big enough or rearranged herself so that she isn't constantly kicking me in the crotch -- aside from feeling unpleasant, I don't think my cervix needs any extra abuse. ;)

My doctor said I'm allowed to sit in the pool -- since the weather is supposed to warm up later this week, I'm hoping to spend some time cooling off in the water and getting some fresh air! I'm starting to look a little too "cave dweller" for my taste (gotta love that fish-belly white skin and the dark circles under the eyes :P). Grandma and Grandpa got Max a new froggy floaty that he's dying to try out too!

Be a Hero

Today (June 14) is "Be a Hero for Babies Day" -- the March of Dimes and Farmers Insurance have teamed up to raise $1 million in a single day to help fight premature birth. Farmers Insurance will match up to the first $250,000 in public donations.

By making a donation today, you're helping to support March of Dimes vital research, education, community services, and advocacy programs.

Research that was funded by the March of Dimes developed some of the treatments and therapies that helped save Max's life. They are currently funding research that hopes to answer some of the unknown "whys" of premature birth. In the future, I hope they find some answers so that no one will have to go through what we've been (and are going) through.

Knock on Wood

I saw my OB Thursday for my weekly checkup. Everything still looks fine -- the exam was normal, my blood pressure was good, and I'm gaining weight like a champ! :) I'm half afraid to jinx it, but I had my early labor test and since I haven't heard from the doctor's office yet, I'm tentatively saying that it was negative. I will say once again that I hate the "we'll only call if it is positive" arrangement, since you never know if they haven't called because they received the results and they were negative or if they're still waiting on the results. Argh! I talked to my doctor about the increased contractions/irritability that I've had since I switched meds and she is now having me take the nifedipine four times a day (every six hours) instead of three times a day. Happily, that appears to be making a big difference so far. I'm having fewer contractions and I feel less sore.

Who knew pregnancy would be so difficult? I feel like I'm waging an epic battle with my body just to keep this baby in there. I'd like to hope that little miss will appreciate the great effort it took to convince her to stay put, but I know she won't ... at least not until she's much older. One thing I've realized after having a baby is that you can never fully appreciate your parents until you have children of your own. As one of my friends aptly put it after her daughter was born, "Now I understand how my mom feels about me" (probably incorrectly quoted ;). I now comprehend why my parents did all those normal (and, at the time, seemingly unfair) parental things "for my own good" -- because all they wanted was the very best for me, even when I didn't know enough to want it for myself.

When you love someone so much, you'd do just about anything to spare them pain or suffering. Even after all this time, I can look at all the tiny pinprick scars on Max's heels and the scars from his Broviac catheter and it breaks my heart. Every time I have blood drawn I remember all the needle pokes that he endured and could cry for all the pain and discomfort that that tiny baby must have felt. I don't want this baby to have to go through what Max went through. Even though bedrest and unpleasant medication side effects and enduring LOTS of doctor poking and prodding is not much fun, if it helps me carry this little girl a little longer, I'm happy to do it.

After all, every day I'm still pregnant is a good day. :)

Stay the Course

I had my cervical length check yesterday -- it looks like my cervix is still hanging in there. Everything is still in the normal range -- my cervix is a little shorter than it measured two weeks ago, but it's still slightly over 3 cm and there is no funneling. The baby was also camped out down there and putting some pressure on the cervix (she's still breech). My fluid levels still look great, so no concern there. The ultrasound tech got a great profile shot that she printed out for me -- too cute. :)

I see my OB on Thursday to discuss the ultrasound and have my regular checkup. I'm sure I'll get another FFN and set my next ultrasound appointment. My belly is definitely getting bigger -- I went to put on my coat yesterday morning to head up to the hospital and realized that I could barely button it (it's probably been 3-4 weeks since I wore my coat). We took some belly photos and measurements over the weekend and I'm a good inch bigger around than I was at the same point last pregnancy (sadly, the 26 week photo is the last one we have from my first pregnancy). So, from here on out we're heading into uncharted pregnancy territory!

Max has been a riot lately. As I mentioned in one of the Flickr captions, he has lately become obsessed with a WoW music video called "Big Blue Dress."
He loves to watch it and would always sign for "more" when it ended. Just the other day, he actually started SAYING "Big Blue Dress" when he wants you to play it. It sounds more like "buhboodes," but that's definitely what he's saying. Apparently, Dad and I have done a good job of giving him a nice geeky start in life. ;)

His language skills seem to be ramping up -- aside from the "Big Blue Dress" breakthrough, he started using the sign for "milk" regularly. Last night I was lying on the couch and was showing him my tummy. I'd pat my tummy and say "baby" and was shocked to hear Max repeat "baby" several times!

We got a LARGE, inflatable pool last week and just got everything all set up in the backyard. It's a 18-foot round pool and it's about four feet deep -- perfect for the kids (or Mom and Dad) to splash around in this summer. It's been too chilly for Max to take a dip, but he really enjoys kicking his feet in the water. We'll have to get him some good swimming gear so he can cool off on those hot summer days. I'm not yet sure if I'm allowed to go in the pool, so it's on my list of questions to ask the doctor on Thursday.

Holding Steady

I have no doctor's appointments this week, so no real news to report! The new medication I'm on doesn't seem to be working quite as well as the previous meds and makes me feel worse. The nifedipine gives me headaches and make me a bit nauseous and I'm having more contractions and irritability than I was on the old meds. Hopefully the effects are just annoying and my cervix is still holding steady. I'll have my next ultrasound on Tuesday, so we'll find out then.

I have about a month of bedrest under my belt already -- it doesn't really get any easier, but you get a little more used to it. If all goes well, my doctor said she might lift some of my restrictions at 34 weeks, which would be nice. Grandma Even came to help us this week, which was very much appreciated. Max was a good boy for his grandma -- he seems to be getting used to the fact that Mom is somewhat useless at the moment. ;) If he really wants something, he will try to pull me off of the couch so I can attend to his needs.

Netflix is fantastic (I'm not sure I'll go back to regular video store rentals even when I am allowed to leave the house) and I checked out Anna Karenina from the library, so that should keep me busy for a while. It's one of those books that I always meant to read but never did. I should probably work on Max's baby book while I'm loafing around. I have all the info written down and all his keepsakes saved, I just never got around to putting them in his book. Hmmm, or maybe I should find some good online site and brush up on my chess game. ;)