Recovery/ The first week

So, I had Kaiden on the 18th. The next day, I went to surgery at 11 am and had my tubal ligation. They only had to tie off the right side since the left side was tied when I had my ectopic pregnancy back in November of 2000. Kaiden also had surgery that day while I was in pre-op. He had his circumcision done. Bless his heart. The rest of the day, Kaiden was really sleepy thanks to the sedation. He was a little fussy when changing his diaper, but not bad. The day of my surgery I felt fine. Much to my surprise, I wasn't sleepy. In fact, I woke up on the way from the surgery suite to recovery. When I realized I was on my way to recovery, I told the nurses that it was weird b/c I had a dream that Dr. Reidy was telling me that my son's surgery went well. I remember her talking to me and telling me that he had the surgery done and that he did just fine and he was going to be sleepy that day, etc. It seemed so real, but when I realized that I was on my way to recovery, I figured I must have dreamed it! I did great in recovery and was very talkative. All the nurses kept saying how sweet I was and that I was the nicest person they had had all day long. (ME??) Ha. Well, I stayed in recovery for a few min and then wound up going back up to my room. In the room waiting was Steve, Kaiden, my mom-in-law, and Becky. Surprisingly I was wide awake for the rest of the day. Didn't feel sore at all. I was up and down walking around. Moving around just fine. I got a little crampy when Kaiden would breast feed, but that was all. I thought, man this surgery was a piece of cake and recovery is going to be so easy. WRONG! Later that night I started cramping really badly. They brought me my ibuprofren and offered percocet. I refused the percocet, but took the Ibuprofren. It helped with the cramping, but I started feeling more pain. The next morning I was feeling what I thought was "gas trapped." So I went walking around trying to rid myself of the gas. I found out from Dr. Reidy that they didn't use gas, the pain I was experiencing was the site of the tubal ligation. It feels just like sharp gas stabbing pains. She told me I did need to walk to help with moving around. I continued to walk, but got more and more in pain, so I started taking percocet! It helped big time but makes me very sleepy! Before leaving the hospital on Tuesday, Kaiden had to have labwork drawn at 48 hrs post-delivery. They checked his bilirubin levels (which we already knew he was jaundiced a little, but since he was latching on and breast feeding so well, no one was concerned with it and thought the levels would go down the more he fed). The labwork came back and his levels were up to 11! I thought they were going to keep us, but said since he is feeding well that I could just go to the doc in the morning and have it redrawn. So, home we went. The nurse begged me not to formula feed until we saw the doctor. We got home, and I was still only breastfeeding until late that night Kaiden was still wanting to be fed every hour. I told Steve that he wasn't getting enough milk, that I must not be producing enough again. I decided to the bottle and formula feeding we would go. I didn't want him to wind up as sick from jaundice as Madison got just b/c I wanted to so badly breast feed. I started pumping and sure enough, I wasn't producing much milk at all!!! The first night was rough as he was still waking up every hour to feed. Changing his diaper is quite the task. He gets so ill when the clothes come off. He does NOT like to be cold that is for sure. Plus, going from changing a girl diaper to a boy diaper is so much different!!! We lay a wipe over his pee-pee so keep him from peeing on us! Steve and I have both been peed on a couple of times. And of course Kaiden has peed on himself a few times as well! We have to doctor the circumcision. It was easier at first b/c we had tubes of petroleum jelly that we could just "ring" around the penis head. Since running out of that, we are having to use the jar of vaseline. It is much harder getting it to "ring" around when we have to use our fingers to do it! And of course we have to put alcohol on the umbilical cord. It seems to be healing well (both the circumcision and the cord). I don't think it will be too much longer at all before the both of them are completely healed. I will be so glad when I can just take off the diaper, wipe, and throw another diaper on. Changing his diaper now seems like it takes 20 mintues!!! We took Kaiden to the doctor the next day. His bilirubin levels were up to 12!! So glad we started supplementing b/c if not they probably would have been even higher and he might have had to go back in the hospital. Doctor says he looks really healthy. He also made a reference to Madison that he could not believe that she was only two years old. I told him she was 28 months and he was in shock. He thought she was older! He made reference to how "big" she talks. Ha. Thanks to me talking to her all the time- it is paying off!
Now the last day in the hospital I received an email from a friend telling me that our bassinet had been recalled! GREAT! Kaiden is about to come home- and what is he going to sleep in. I tell Steve we could move the crib in the bedroom. He doesn't want to do this. He wants to just use the bassinet we have for a few days until we get a new one and I refuse. I tell him we have to buy a new one or the crib has to come in the room. I am not risking my child's life over this! We have no money, so they only option, get my MIL to buy a new one. So, we go home from the hospital and she cooks us supper. We eat, then all load up and go to Walmart. Only me & the MIL go in since Kaiden is not allowed in such places just yet (til he is 6 wks old per the pediatrician we saw at the hospital). It was hard walking all the way back to the back and around. I was hurting so badly. We found a bassinet and bought it. The next day after going to the doctors' office we had to stop back by walmart b/c I had forgotten to buy formula! Other than those ventures, we have been sitting at home. Doing a bunch of nothing. I take my meds and it makes me sleepy. I sleep when Kaiden sleeps. Both Steve and I are in la-la land with a new baby around. We both hold him constantly and I told Steve I dare him to tell me I am holding him too much or spoiling him. This is my last baby and I will hold him as much as I want too!! I am still really sore and in a lot of pain. Today is the first day that I have spent the entire day awake!!! I actually got online and updated some stuff and put up some pics!!
Madison did really well at adjusting to the new baby. She loves him. Wants to always hold him, kiss him, hug him, help change him, feed him, bathe him! She is super sweet to him always telling him "it'll be alright". Ha. She is super sweet. She actually broke my heart last night b/c Steve has been putting her to bed. She has been allowing him to do things with her that she would only let Mommy do before I had Kaiden. I told her last night that I would come in her room and give her night kisses once I got done tending to Kaiden. She told me no that her daddy would put her to bed that I need to watch bubba. This broke my heart into a million pieces and I just cried. I have cried several times b/c I have been so busy with him and so sore from surgery that I can't do much of anything with her. And it saddens me since she was my world before he came along. And I don't want her to feel like I don't love her anymore. I love them both equally and want to spend as much time with the both of them as possible. I only hope I recover soon so that I can start doing more with her.
Today was the first day of jealosy that I saw in Madison....
She was sitting next to me while I was holding Kaiden. I had him sitting up looking at us. He was alert and kept looking at me and I was talking to him. Madison kept grabbing my chin and turnin my face towards her saying "no, look at me" and then with her other hand she would start stroking my hair. She did this numerous times. It was kinda sad. Cause I would look at her for a few min, but then I would have to turn and look back at Kaiden too since he was alert and looking at us! And she continued to do and say the same thing over and over again. Then I noticed the regression. I put together the Rainforest floor gym and laid Kaiden on it. Steve and I got in the floor to "play" with him. Madison was in her room playing and came in the livingroom and joined in on the fun. I got up and left them all in there to go pump. Madison eventually came in the bedroom with me and Steve and Kaiden followed shortly there after. Madi was singing to her karaoke machine and we were dancing/singing with her. Laughing- it was so cute! Kaiden kept looking at me and Steve of course was making references about "lunch/milk,etc". We went back in the LR when I was done and Madi laid down on the floor gym playing like a baby! I played with her. I did tell her that that was actually a baby toy, and that she played with big girl toys like her dolls, stroller, and laptop computer, etc. But I let her play in it anyways b/c I didn't want to hurt her feelings. The I laid Kaiden down for "tummy time" on his blanket. Madison had to lay on her tummy too and was copying everything Kaiden did- raising her head looking from left to right. When I laid him on his back, she did the same exact thing! On her back she went. Then we gave him his bath. She kept trying to help bless her heart. She wound up putting his drying towel in the bath water. Had to get a new one. Steve kind got ill with her for it and for constantly trying to help. I asked him to please be patient with her b/c she just wanted to help and participate and didn't know any better. I told him I was also noticing signs of jealousy and didn't want her feelings to be hurt, so please be kind & patient with her. So, he said no more to her, and I let her kinda half way help even though with him not being able to actually sit in a bath tub there isn't much help that she could do really. Once we were done and clothed him, she wanted me to give her a bath the same way I did bubba. I didn't entertain this idea. I told her she was a big girl and that big girls took showers and baths in the tub! That bubba was a baby and had to take his baths like this until his boo-boo on his belly button fell off. Then he would take baths in the baby tub like she did when she was a baby. I have noticed her several times put his pacifier and his bottle in her mouth!!! I stopped her both times I caught her doing those and told her no that those were to be put in bubba's mouth only. That she wasn't a baby and only babies used those things.
It upsets me that she is finally starting to show that she is jealous. I do not ever want her to feel that either me or Steve don't love her anymore. I don't want her to resent her brother. I want them to grow up and protect each other and be close to one another and love each other! I want them to have a great relationship just like I want to have a great relationship with each of them.
I just want my recovery to speed up and get over with. I am ready to get back to bouncing around everywhere. Doing housework, playing with Madison, tending to Kaiden. Going places and doing things!!!
I am bored at home doing nothing. I have decided that I am not going to devote a lot of my time to Myspace, Bellyhood, Cafemom, e-mail, or this blog. I will get on probably daily and check things, but it is going to be while the kids are napping or after they go to bed at night. I am not going to spend my time on the computer or watching tv. I am going to devote myself to being a wonderful wife & mother! I want to make my house clean each day, provide clean laundry each day, cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day!! I want to spend time playing games and playing with toys with my children. I want to spend every moment watching Kaiden grow and develop! I want to spend more time with Madison teaching her ABC's, 123's, colors, and shapes. I do not want my children to be parented by anyone else or by TV. My daughter has watched a lot of Tv and movies. She has learned a lot from them I will give her that. She watches, pays attention, and learns. But I don't want her to learn everything from them. Don't get me wrong, I have spent lots of time talking to her, reading to her, and teaching her things myself. But I want to spend more time with her. She has already proven she is a very beautiful, talented, intelligent little girl. I want to help her continue along this path to one day become a beautiful, talented, intelligent grown woman. I want to be every part of that that I can be. I also want to help my son grow in the same way. I want to have a close relationship with them.
So, that being said, I can't say I will update this blog very much at all. If I continue to have a problem with putting too much time on the internet, myspace, bellyhood, blog, etc. I will delete them all.
I am only hoping that my hubby will chose the same path as me. I have watched him play his COD: world at war game daily since we have been home from the hospital. Pretty much from the time we get up to the time we go to bed. A lot of times he stays up hours after I go to bed to play. It is sad. He has made some friends on there and he talks to them more than he talks to us. He seems ill, cold, and distant when not playing his game. Sad, but true. I hope he sees how he does. I haven't said anything to him yet. But I do plan on talking to him soon about it. In fact, the next time he is ill with us- and talking pleasantly and laughing with his buddies on there... it is over with. I am his WIFE! The love of his life! And he has children that need him and want to spend time with him. A son he needs to be developing a relationship with...
So I am not going to sit back and watch him devote his time and laugh and cut up with buddies on an online game of call of duty..... only to snap at me & his children and be ill w/ us because he is having to do something with or for one or all of us. It's not right. He should WANT to spend time with his family, not resent us b/c we take him away from some damn stupid game.
Okay- so I have vented on this enough. I am done and maybe will update one day again soon.

Kaiden's birth story

The birth story of Kaiden Steven Tucker

Okay, so Saturday night, we went to Wal-mart and I actually got to walk around some. Then we had chinese food (which one website says induces labor... maybe it's true). I got home and we ate. Shortly after finishing eating I started timing contractions that were 10 min apart. I was debating on calling L&D and asking them when I needed to come in with me having that LEEP done. I got up off the couch at midnight and went to the bathroom. On my way back from the bathroom I got to the kitchen table and felt a small "gush" of water. I went back to the bathroom and noticed the panty-liner I had in was wet. I walked back to the livingroom to get Steve and felt it "gush" a few more times. I went back to the bathroom and by then had leaked pretty bad. We called Steve's mom to come over so we could go to the hospital. Steve loaded the bags and I called L&D to let them know I was coming. Steve told me to wait in the car, he had it warming up. He went outside to smoke. I was sitting in the car and started feeling really sick. I went to the edge of the driveway and started vomiting. I went in and got something to vomit into and got back in the car while Steve called our next door neighbor to come on over and sit (Madi was in bed of course) with her so we could go on to the hospital since I was getting sick. She came over and we left. We got to the hospital probably about 20 minutes after 12. Steve flew to the hospital. He was driving at 80+ mph!!! Going up/down the mountain and around the curves too! With the hazard lights flashing. We got to the hospital and I made him park so I could walk in with him. We got to L&D and signed in. Had to wait what seemed like an eternity for them to finally call me back. They checked me, and I was still only dilated to 1cm. They checked the fluid and said it wasn't amniotic fluid showing up, so the nurse checked my pad/panties from earlier, collected another sample, and came back saying that yes it was amniotic fluid and they were going to get everything going b/c with me having the LEEP everything could go so fast. So, in they came starting my IV and everything else. The on-call doctor, Dr. Callison (the OB doc I originally WANTED when I first went to Tenn Valley OBGYN) said to wait until 5 am to start pitocin to see what I would do on my own. They checked me at 3am and I was still 1 cm. By 5 am I had dilated to 1 1/2 cm. They started the pitocin and gave me some meds (Nubane- spelling?) to help me sleep and get lots of rest. At 7:30 am they bumped up my pitocin since I was still only 1 1/2 cm dilated. At 8:15 the nurse checked me and there was no change. She stretched out the scar tissue and it was far more painful than anything Dr. Reidy had ever done to me. She asked if I wanted my epidural and I told her no at first and she told me that Dr. Callison was about to come in and would do the same thing to me. I told her "YES I want the epidural before she does that". Then Dr. Callison wanted me to hold off on the epidural until she checked me out. She checked me, still 1 1/2 cm dilated and she stretched it out some more- but it wasn't AS painful as when that nurse did it. Dr. Callison discussed a possible c-section if that scar tissue wasn't going to give way. Said we would have to wait it out and see. At that point, she told me I needed to take some more Nubane and get some rest. She ordered everyone out of the room except Steve (so he could help me if I needed anything). So, out to the waiting room everyone went. The gave me the nuvane and I got some rest. Dosing off and on. They were pumping fluids in me and so it seemed I had to pee every 5 min. Bless his heart, Steve was wonderful and became a nurse that day. He had to put me on and off the bed pan numerous times... boy that's LOVE. Ha. The contractions were becoming very painful by this point. Pretty much unbearable. So I finally asked to get the epidural. The anesthesiologist came in and I got my epidural at 11:30am. It took a while for it to take effect. I felt my legs getting tingly. And they maxed the dose out- still not helping a whole lot with the contractions and still in a lot of pain. I had to wait it out until she could come give me another two doses of the epi and FINALLY I was numb and there was relief! Boy, those things are horrible and I don't know WHY anyone wants to torture themselves by not getting pain meds... what are you trying to prove? Who really cares whether you were able to do it naturally or not! HA. They checked me around this time and the nurse told me I was 3cm, but told Steve that I was almost 4cm. At 2:00 they finally came in to check me and I was right at 10 cm. She wanted me to push to see if she could move the remaining small part of the cervix out of the way. I pushed twice- and the cervix was fully open and I was ready to push! See- I really did go from 4cm to ..0 cm just like that! They got everything ready and got the doctor in there and suited up. At 2:15 pm I started pushing. I asked for the mirror so that I could watch since there wasn't a room full of people blocking the view. I pushed about 6 times and at 2:19pm my son was born!!! It was so easy! It was so neat to get to watch it too. He was born with the cord around his neck, but it wasn't around it long at all when the doctor removed it! Steve would NOT cut the cord even though I begged. Ha.
We are all crazy about him. He is doing well and healthy. Madison is one proud big sister! She loves her 'bubba' and is being quite the baby hog wanting to hold him all the time. She is so cute holding him. It is sweet!
Steve is absolutely in love with the boy. He is telling him he has to be a daddy's boy- not a momma's boy. Ha. He just keeps holding him and smiling and talking to him. It is so cute!!!
Well, that's all for now!!!
Kaiden Steven Tucker
born Sunday, January 18, 2009 at 2:19 p.m
7 pounds and 5 ounces
19 & 1/2 inches long
Brown hair
Blue eyes

1/14/08

Sooo.... update time! WARNING: TMI!!!! If you get grossed out, you might not want to read...

So, Monday night I started having some low back pain. Most of my low back pain only occurs when I am standing up on my feet. Other than that, most of my back pain has been up high between my shoulder blades and half way between my shoulder blades and lower back. It wasn't too bad, but a little uncomfy. That night I went to bed and tossed and turned and couldn't sleep. I kept feeling this (hard to describe) enormous pressure down in my lower abd/pelvis. Kept getting these kinda sharp pains on both sides. It was worse everytime I would move. Like if I started to turn over from side to side, the pain was KILLER! I should also mention that for the past week my stools have been a lot softer than my normal. I haven't been extremely constipated this pregnancy- since I did get compacted with Madison and I was bound and determined that NOT happen this time. I would take stool softeners if I didn't go that day with this pregnancy to ensure it doesn't happen again. Well, I haven't been constipated and haven't had to take a stool softener in several weeks. I started going regularly, but it was like reg. poop. Well for about the past week I would say my stools have been much softer and going a lot more regular. Like usually at least once if not twice a day. Okay- now back to my recent days. On Tuesday I woke up, all day having the back pain. Finally yesterday afternoon/ early evening I got out the heating pad to help with some of the back pain. It has felt kinda nice, but I still feel some of the pain. Again, reg bowel movements- nothing special. I will admit I did have sex- ha. Trying to get him out of there. And I did eat a bowl of chili last night for supper and I poured in the hot sauce- again- spicy... trying to get him out of there. Now, anyone that knows me knows that I love spicy foods. They do not ever bother me-esp my digestive system. NOTHING bothers my digestive system. EVER! I did get some heartburn (which also returned at the end of last week sometime) from eating, but WATER gives me heartburn. So, right before going to bed last night, I felt kinda nauseated, and went and slightly threw up. Not much at all- more like I 'spit-up". Ha. Went on to bed- same thing with being uncomfy, same pressure pain esp when I turned over in bed. Those abd pains were so sharp. It hurt so badly to move. So again for the second night- I didn't get much sleep. I woke up this morning and had to run to the bathroom- I have diarrhea! WATERY diarrhea. I can't remember the last time I had diarrhea. I swear it was when I was still in school- like middle school I think. Weird! So, first thought is "was it the chili?" No, I don't think so. Seeing as chili never bothered me before- and I have ate it on several occassions this pregnancy with no problems- doubt that was it. Maybe bad meat? Well- if that was the case, then everyone else in the house would have the same problems since we all ate the same chili- so that can't be it! So, what's the deal? No one is sick... so that can't be it! I am the only one. Research says that diarrhea is a sign that labor is near. Hormones are released that naturally clear out your intestines in prep for labor and all that pushing. So, this could be it... I don't know. I am still having some back pain and still using the heating pad. I am about to remove it so I can see if I can feel any back pain/contractions and make any timing out of it! Well, hopefully it won't be long. STeve said when we left the doc office that he was going to be born on the 15th- he just might be right!! :)

Best appt ever.... 38 weeks

The BEST appt so far.... 38 weeks 1/12/09

So, today has been by far the best appt. I have EVER had this whole pregnancy! Not only have I shown progress... BYE BYE finally to that dang finger-tip dilation and hello to 1cm. (Not greatly dilated but finally some progress after two weeks) HA. I am now 90% effaced! So almost completely thinned out! He is still at -1 station. Also, the scar tissue feels "softened and stringy". She stretched it out even more- maybe it will help me dilate. Maybe not- I guess we will see. I only gained one pound and she is still very happy with me about my weight! GO ME! YAY! Everything looks great. I told her about my recent L&D visit, and she put me out of work! HELLO maternity leave! Good bye work for a while!! His heart beat was strong and loud as usual at 155 bpm! She felt around on my belly and guesses that he is a 7lb baby. Which is what I thought too! Good news for me seeing that I don't want a huge baby! Ha. She measured me and I am measuring at 40 weeks- which is still two weeks ahead! Steve asked her about inducing me before I had the chance to ask her. She said I had to be 39 wks and 2cm dilated. Then I talked to her asking if they would be able to do my tubal ligation the day after she induced me, and she said, "We will go ahead and put you down on the books. You will be 39 weeks, and you already had one baby, so I think you will do just fine even if you aren't dilated to 2cm." YAY. She went to check the schedule and put me down to be there at 4 am on Thursday Jan 22nd for induction. She thinks the key to me progressing and all is going to be my water breaking. So, she is hoping that by supper time on Jan 22nd he will be here so that I can eat a LARGE supper. HA. Seeing as I will eat a small breakfast before I come to the hospital on the 22nd. And nothing to eat all day. Then I will have to be NPO after midnight! I will go for my tubal ligation at noon on Friday! YAY! Baby and fixed before I come home at the end of next week!
I am so excited!!! Finally the end is near.
On the way home I had the piece of paper with the induction instructions on it... I shook it at my belly and told Kaiden "If you wanna come on your own time... you better hurry and come on- other wise come next Thurs on the 22nd, you are getting evicted!" YAY!
How exciting. In just a little over one week... I will be holding my baby boy! I cannot wait. Steve seemed so excited. He asked me if I was ready... "AM I READY??" What kind of question is that to ask a miserable prego woman. HA. 'of course I am so ready!"
I see her again Monday at 8am for my final check-up.. .unless he comes before then.
Well- gotta call work and my "disability line" and go ahead and get my maternity leave started! YAY!!!

Sat 1-10-08

So, of course I got up and went to work on Sat morning in spite of the fact that I could hardly walk from all the horrible pain and pressure I was experiencing. I stayed there for a few hours and was having some irregular contractions and some back pain. I finally called up to L&D to tell them about the pain I was having to see whether or not they thought it was normal. I told them about the stabbing/burning sensation in my vagina, and explained it wasn't like a burning when I peed or anything. The nurse told me to come up and just let them check me out. That it was better to be safe that sorry. So, I clocked out and upstairs I went. They took a clean-catch urine sample just to make sure there was no infection even though I told them I just had one on Monday and had no symptoms of any infection. Again she said better safe than sorry. They hooked me up to the monitor. I was having steady uterine contractions, but it was more of the crampy contractions instead of the real deal. So, at least it is hard at work trying to get to the labor part. I had irregular contractions, and it wasn't until one particular contraction hit up to 80 on the TOCO monitor that the nurse came in and asked me if I felt that contraction and I said "YES". So, she wanted to check me. Guess what? STILL finger-tip dilated! I swear that scar tissue is holding that sucker together tight! She said I am about 80% effaced. And that my cervix is getting really soft. She said the scar tissue feels softened and not really hard like some of the scar tissue she has felt from the LEEP procedures. She also put my mind at ease a little and told me what usually happens is that during the latent (early) phase of labor, the cervix will not dilate. The scar tissue will hold it together. When the active phase starts up, the scar tissue will rip apart, and I will immediately dilate from 0 cm to 4 cm. And will be in active labor. She told me not to worry that it would be very rare for it to pop and me go from fingertip dilation to 10 cm immediately. So, that made me feel better. I still plan on talking to my doctor about it tomorrow. They offered me Loratab for pain and I refused. They told me to go home and rest and I told them that would help with the pain just to stay off my feet. So, to home I went and put my feet up. I was still hurting that night when I went to lay down, so I went ahead and called-out of work for Sunday too. I am talking to her about all this pain and going out on maternity leave now. And about being induced maybe tomorrow. Well, not being induced tomorrow, but talking to her tomorrow about being induced! Sometime. I am thinking about asking her for the 19th. Go in early and induce so I can have him on the 19th. That will only be like 9 days early! So maybe she will go for it! If I am induced I won't have to worry at all about missing my epidural, getting to the hospital, and will know that I will have him on a weekday so that I can get my tubes tied on the same admission. YAY! So, I will update again after tomorrows appt.

Forgot to update a check-up for 37 wks

So, over the weekend after my appt with the OB on Friday, I was experiencing a lot of cramping and spotting, which is normal after an internal exam. Esp when she went in and stretched out the scar tissue like she did. It continued and the spotting finally had tapered off by Sat morning. I went into work- (to find out that everyone thought I was out on maternity leave and on bedrest- a whole different crazy story). It had some busy spurts but over all the day was pretty laid-back. I had a lot of continued cramping over that day. And a lot of discharge- mostly clear. Some yellow-ish. I had a lot of braxton hicks contractions. I think you have more of those the busier you are! I finally made it through that day, only to go home and of course continue cramping badly. Then Sunday, I got up and went to work. I felt bad, but one more day- I could make it! I continued to cramp and continued to get BH contractions. I started timing them. They were five min apart at first, then started jumping around all over the place, so I knew it wasn't the real deal. I went to the bathroom twice and saw some green discharge. I started getting paranoid about it. Most of my friends on bellyhood kept telling me that it was part of my mucus plug, since i had no signs of infection. I worried the whole day. Continued to have the cramping and contractions. I went home with my feet killing me from swelling. I went to bed and got hardly any sleep I was hurting so badly. I called the doc on Monday morning and told them about the green discharge and cramping. They asked me to come in that morning at 10:45 a.m. So, we loaded up and went to the doc office and they did a fetal non stress test after getting a clean-catch urine sample. The urine came back negative for any type of infections. Stress test looked good. Kaiden was kinda mad b/c the nurse hooked the straps up really tight. So tight it was putting indentions in my belly! But no contractions, which I told the nurse when she hooked me up I wasn't having any contactions, only cramping. I told them I wasn't in labor. So I am not sure why they wanted to do that test- but oh well. I laid there for 30 min on the table, the doc came in and checked the monitor. Said me & the baby looked good. No contractions, but I was definitely showing constant cramping. Said the cramping was me thinning out and getting ready for labor. She checked my cervix- said that scar tissue is still there so she stretched it out even more than she did on Fri. It hurt worse this time. She was pulling hard on it!! No change in dilation- at least not that she told me! Said I had definitely thinned out some more. Which I found odd b/c I thought she had said on Friday that I was completely thinned out. Turns out Steve says I don't listen b/c she said I was "ALMOST completely thinned out". So, I guess over the weekend I made progress in thinning more. But that's about all the progress I made. She said she thought I wouldn't make it to my due date. She guessed anytime between now and the next two weeks. It was hard for her to say. I am just hoping that scar tissue gives sometime soon. I have been having sharp little pains in my vagina- wonder what that's about. Maybe the scar tissue stretching or something! I don't know. Well... now we just wait and see what happens!!

Getting anxious.....

So, last night, I had the WORST pressure in my privates/butt. It felt like he was pushing out of there. It also felt like my pubic bones were going to split into! It was horrible. I couldn't hardly walk b/c of it. It was also swelling so bad too. I had my hand resting on my lower belly- and at about the "hair-line" (sorry if TMI).. I felt him pushing out. He is LOW! Which I already knew he was at -1 station on the 27th of dec. But maybe he is engaged now? Who knows. He still moves, but not a whole lot- and not as drastic as he used to. They are more slowed down motions. I am just really hoping that he will come soon. I want him to be healthy and ready- so he needs to come when he knows he's ready, but I am just so ready for this to be over with!!!

Ultrasound 2/4

So, I got another ultrasound! YAY! He looked so big! Harder to measure when they are that big, but best we could get- he is measuring right on track. So, no big baby for me! Thank goodness! I think he is going to be about a 7 lb baby! He doesn't look anything like in the early ultrasounds. I guess b/c he is so big now! I couldn't really see his arms and face. Saw one leg or part of it! But he looks good and healthy. Saw his kidneys and saw his wee-wee and testicles! YAY! He still is a HE!!! I was so happy since I kept thinking he might have surprised us at birth by really being a she! ha. So glad we won't be dealing with that disappointment!!! Well, I am so happy I got to look at him one more time. He is head down. Great!! Couldn't see my cervix since my bladder was empty. I have still been cramping and contracting. Having some pressure down below. And I think I lost part of my mucus plug today. I wiped and there was yellow/greenish snot on it. I wiped again, same thing. Later on I wiped some clear snot like stuff, but that has been all so far today. Hopefully it isn't going to be much longer. I am so ready to meet him already!!!!

36 1/2 weeks check-up

36 1/2 weeks check-up

Wow! I can't believe I am getting close to being 37 weeks pregnant! This pregnancy has just FLOWN by! Well, went to the doctor today. First of all, I only gained 2 lbs in two weeks (and those two weeks being the Christmas/ New Years holidays) so that is great!!! Esp since at my last visit, I didn't gain any weight! I am doing great. Kaiden's heart rate was going good and strong at 155 bpm! It was really loud this time too!! Madi said "bubba is being mean to momma" Ha! I guess she thought that was him kicking me or something. I had to explain to her that that was his heart beating. I still don't think she understood- whatever! Ha.
Doctor came in and I had to tell her about my L&D experience. She said that since I was almost 37 weeks (which is considered full term) that they would not stop my labor whenever I decide to go into labor. Great news!
So, they did the Group B strep test which was uncomfortable. UGH. But it's done and over with now. Then they measured me. Again, like the other time, she laid me down way flat unlike most of the time when she measures me, so I measured at 38 weeks (only 1 1/2 weeks ahead). This bad boy of mine! So, no ultrasound. He does NOT want his mommy to see him again until he is born apparently. Oh well!
Then they checked me. She wasn't as informative as the L&D nurse of course, and I honestly forgot to ask her some questions b/c frankly, I was in a lot of pain at that moment. I am as she said "pretty much completely thinned out". So, that is what all that discharge was about me thinning even more! I was still only "fingertip" dilated (or 1/2 cm) but again the scar tissue could have stopped me from dilating. She said the scar tissue felt like it was loosening up. So, she said "this might hurt a big b/c I am going to stretch it out some" and she I think broke some of it up. It did hurt! BAD! Now I am bleeding and cramping pretty bad! But, at least now that that is done, maybe I can dilate some more! And maybe this boy will be ready to come some time soon. I am ready for him! But that is all for now.... she said nothing about his position or guessing his weight, and as I said, I was hurting and forgot to freakin ask! I go back next Wed and hopefully I will remember to ask then!!!

What a New Years Eve....

Well, what a New Years Eve. We took Madison to my mom & dad's house b/c she had been wanting to spend the night with them. We then later that night around 5 pm. headed to my mom-in-law's home where her and her hubby were grilling out steaks. We had a great dinner. The steaks were so good, baked potato, and grilled corn. YUMMY. We sat over there for a while longer and headed home around 7 pm. We got home and watched SPEEDERS (interesting show). Finally Steve started playing his Call of Duty World at War game and I got online. My back was really hurting me. Not my lower back, really between my lower back and the bottom of my shoulder blades. I don't know why to tell you the truth, but it was hurting pretty bad. I got my pillows and laid on the couch watching him play for a little bit. I couldn't get comfy and was really hurting. I had started getting a headache, so I told him I was going to go lie down for a while. I laid down and started watching Dogg the Bounty Hunter (love that show). I tossed and turned while watching it trying my best to get comfy. My headache went away after about 30 min thank goodness. Steve was going back and forth between the bedroom to check on me and watch an episode of Dogg with me, then back to the LR to play his game. At around 10:20 pm, I got so sleepy I fell asleep. I am not sure what woke me up, but I woke up at 11:09 pm and got up to use the bathroom. Steve had quit playing his game and was coming to 'bring in the new year' with me. We laid in bed watching different channels partying to bring in the New Year. As soon as midnight was here, we yelled "happy new year" and pretty much cut the TV off and went to bed.. or at least Steve did.
I laid there for about 30 min trying to go to sleep. In between my back hurting me still, and now my right leg was going numb. I hate that feeling. Steve had started snoring which didn't help things. Ha. I laid there as long as I could, and I went to the LR. I played online for a little while until my eyes got extremely heavy and I couldn't hardly hold them open any more. I went to bed b/c by this time Steve had stopped snoring also. Ha. I laid down and it took me about 30 min probably to get comfy and forget about the dang back pain and leg numbness to fall asleep. I woke up a couple of more times after that to go pee of course. Each time, I had difficulty going back to sleep b/c of the pain and numbness. I finally went back to sleep... and I had a strange dream....
I was in labor and Steve was driving me to the hospital. I was in hard labor. I told Steve that I thought we had time to make it to the hospital. He stopped the truck on the side of the road and said "Let me check and make sure". So, he puts his hand down there... and he says "I feel his head, Jennifer! He's coming now." I started freaking out! I put my hand down there and sure enough you could feel the top part of his head. But before I could even move my hand away, I felt more and more of his head. Steve was driving faster to the hospital and my hand is staying down there and I keep feeling his whole head move out- then his body. My son was born in the car. I then started freaking out about what I was suppose to do. How was I suppose to get him to breathe b/c I had no nose sucker.
Well, this dream of course woke me up, and I couldn't go back to sleep for wondering what happened in the dream. I finally got up at 5 a.m and went to the LR and started watching the news. I watched it for an hour before getting heavy-eyed again. I got my pillows and laid down on the couch and started watching the news. Still hurting, still numb... but I finally fell asleep. I woke up once to turn over on the couch, and woke up when I heard Steve making coffee at around 8 am. So, not much sleep at all for me that night...
Well, Happy New Year!