Progressing...

I saw my OB today for the 38 week checkup. I had her check me and the first thing she says is "Gosh! She is really low!" So low that she could feel Cookie's hair! I am 3 cm dilated and 80% and am a little freaked out. I could have been 3 cm last week--who knows--but she has started to make her way down the chute and be born! Mom is going to Moscow this weekend for a trip that has been planned for over a year. I'll do my best to keep her in there until Sunday at 5pm.

Tonight I packed my bag (I had started a few days ago, but nothing organized.) and put it in the car. I am truly ready. I work tomorrow from 10-7 at Target in Nampa and just hope my labor doesn't start there. The other RPh is "on-call" for me.

Starting last Friday, the 22nd I have had some sciatica-like zingers on my back, above my right hip. Nothing radiating down my leg, but a zing that makes me lift up my right leg and grab on to the wall. I wouldn't be able to support my weight on it. Quite a few times a day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, but slowed down a bit. She is pressing on my nerve she is so low.

The last week I have dreaded going to sleep. I have been sleeping on my left side, hugging my body pillow as I need to lift up my belly and rest it on the pillow for comfort. My pubic symphysis is pretty sore just moving my legs around as it gets looser. And of course, I'm up at least once, sometimes twice, to use the bathroom. Not sure which is worse...sleeping like this or the stretches of 2 hour blocks once Cookie arrives...

36 WEEKS

Yesterday, Wednesday, was the Group B Strep test at the doctor. It couldn't come soon enough. Monday evening I had the beginnings of a sinus infection. The pressure in the sinus cavity in my left cheek was increasing. Went to bed, but got up at 1:30 to go recline on the couch and try to sleep. It was tough. I called my OB Tuesday morning (which happens to be her day off) and they suggested I go see my Primary or wait to see her the next afternoon. I opted for the former. But, since I didn't have a PCP, I went to an Urgent Care clinic and sure enough, it was a sinus infection. RX: Amox 875 mg BID x 14 days. However, in bringing up my GBS test the next day, the N.P. suggested I call my OB to see if it's ok to start the Amoxicillin now, or wait until after the test. After a few phone messages back and forth, I was told I needed to wait. Ugghh. This was Tuesday at noon. I had 27 hours to wait. That night on the couch was even more miserable. I had started on Sudafed and Tylenol, but they only took the edge off the pain and pressure. I finally got my first antibiotic dose in at 3:15 Wednesday, about 42 hours after my symptoms started! That night was even worse than the night before. I was up almost every hour. I would get up and walk around, put a cold washcloth on my eyes, drink some water and use the bathroom. After Thursday morning's drug concoction (amox, apap, and pse) I actually felt better and that I could be productive that day. But early afternoon, the pressure came back. Thursday night I tried sleeping in the bed, with head elevated, and slept better than I had the last 3 nights, but come 6am, the pressure had returned. I believe the delay in treatment has made it harder to get back going again. It has been a busted week for getting stuff done before Cookie gets here. Hopefully next week will be better!

This week starts my weekly OB visits! We are getting nearer. We have the crib up. Sheets, bibs, burpie rags, and clothes 0-3 months are all washed and ready. No bags packed yet, but I have a mental list starting. Next week I tour the Family Maternity Center and will be able to start picturing where everything will happen!

7 weeks to go

Thirty-three weeks now...inching closer and closer to the "any time" stage. Just thinking about it makes me a little nervous, but I am definitely more ready for Cookie than I was for Coconino. I know what to expect this time around and being in Boise with lots of family around sure will make a difference.

Cookie is still doing some big acrobatic moves, and now, since she is bigger, they can really make me wince. She'll push out real slow and not retract back--she keeps her foot, heel, hand, butt pressed against the uterus and that can be quite uncomfortable. I will put my hand on my belly and attempt to push back softly, but she keeps pushing out! She is a lot more active than Bailey was.

I am getting tired a lot more easily now--and chasing after Bailey and working on potty training just compounds the issue. Wearing my compression stockings as often as I can. Putting those on can sure get my heartrate up! Slathering on the belly cream daily. Remembering to take my iron pills. It is quite a routine.

See the OB on April 1st next for the 34 week checkup. The last two times Bailey has come with me and has wanted to "hold my hand" and asks if I will get a shot. We have been reading The Berenstein Bears Go the The Doctor lately, and the cubs' get shots.

Cravings

My cravings this pregnancy have been pretty much close to what I had with Bailey. Strawberries and crunchy cereal have been my favorite. This time around, I've been into orange juice. I'm not usually an O.J. drinker, but always have to have some around.

Acrobat!

Cookie is an acrobat. She doesn't just kick these days...she tumbles. She does somersaults. She causes waves. I am about 26 weeks and feeling pretty good. The re-tweaking of my back in Bend about 3 weeks ago (for the second time this pregnancy) has felt a lot better. I am extremely cognizant of my form when bending over to pick up Bailey, which I try to do as little as possible. With my belly sticking out quite a bit, sleeping is getting somewhat difficult. However, I still have 3 months to go!

I did the glucose tolerance test last week and passed with no problems. They drew a CBC and I am a little anemic, so iron supplements were suggested. I had to take iron with Bailey as well.

We are starting to throw some names out there for Cookie, but haven't seriously discussed what we might call our second daughter. Lots of people are asking if we have picked out any names. We just shake our head and say no. Even when we do have a name, it won't be announced until Cookie arrives!