We have been quite busy the past month!

Ben started the summer program at preschool. Jeff headed back to work. Avery and I are busy keeping up the house and working on his feeding and sleeping schedules.

I finally managed to get some photos uploaded to Picasa. Link is located on the side of the blog.

We are all healthy and settling into our new routine of being a family of 4.

Avery has arrived

He's here! This update is a little late as he is now 12 days old, but Avery John arrived on Tuesday 14 June, 2011 at 12:16 a.m. He weighed 8 lbs. 3 oz. at birth and was 19 inches long.

We are all healthy and happy and enjoying time together at home. Pictures and updates will follow soon.

It's June!!!

We have made it to June! Within the next 3 weeks I will have a baby in my arms instead of my belly!

I'm not sure how many people are reading this lately, but here's the current update:

OB appt. set for this Friday and next Friday.
I've been having minor cramping/contractions since Monday. Nothing that has developed or gotten stronger, so really not anything worth getting too excited over, but hopefully it means things are preparing for labor soon. Usually starts in the late afternoon/evening and peters out when I head to bed.
People who see me regularly (those at B's school) commented yesterday that my belly looks lower. Hopefully this is a good sign that cupcake is either engaged or getting close.

So, still here, still pregnant. Not sure if we'll go early or late again. The OB says previous labor is the best indication of what to expect, which means we will probably go over 40 weeks again (B was born at 40w 5 d). Whatever this little one need, but I am ready any time he decides to make his entrance!

Oops!

I've been delinquent in finding the time and energy to post updates, since my last post was for my 35 week appt. and I've been to the OB twice since then.

We are now at 38 weeks. OB visits have been pretty standard. Nothing huge to report. Cupcake is still hanging out somewhat high, not yet engaged. OB has agreed to let me go into labor on my own and if we find we need to switch plans to a cesarean section at that point, we can. I am finally feeling like I have gotten some of the information as to why they prefer a scheduled section, but the statistics are different enough, once antibiotics are on board (which is now standard in a c-section).

So, here we are, just waiting for this little one to decide he is ready to make his arrival. I am having irregular contractions most days. He continues to be active, pushing against my sides and ribcage. I am much more exhausted than I remember being at this point with B.

As far as everything else, we are pretty much ready for his arrival. Bags are packed, diapers are here and in drawers ready to be used, co-sleeper is set up in the bedroom and today a friend brought me her infant car seat. All that needs to happen now is to install it into the car and truck.

As far as B, we continue to have good and bad days as far as behavior and mood. He is quite tired lately, so even when naps happen they seem to do little to get him rested. He may also be coming down with a cold, which never helps. Poor guy is likely bored. We are trying to find things to keep him busy, but he often says "no" to anything suggested and we just don't have the energy to constantly be out and about with him. We did manage to get a couple of outings in the last few weeks though. May 22 we went with friends to Disneyland and we have been trying to get out and walk around the neighborhood regularly.

I must say, my biggest concern at this point is if Cupcake decides to be stubborn like his brother and hang out past his due date. B is done with his school year on June 8 and the school is closed except for full time kids the whole following week. Hopefully it isn't something we will have to deal with, otherwise B may be spending lots of time being bored at home and going with me at the OB office (beyond 40 weeks, the doc likes to do regular non-stress tests to make sure all is okay). No point in worrying though. We will cross that bridge if necessary.

35 week OB appt.

Another quick easy appointment. Not at all what I expected since OB is going on vacation tomorrow (my usual visit day) and so B was at the appointment with me. He did awesome! I brought his Leapster (thanks Aunt Elysha for an awesome B-day gift!) and he played it and sat nicely in the chair without getting into everything in the office. Much more relaxed then I expected.

The office scale showed an increase of 6 lbs. in the last 2 weeks, but I am pretty sure it has to do with the fact that I had drank about a liter and a half of water before the appt. I had my last personal training appointment before Junebug comes and was VERY thirsty! I weighed myself at the gym before I showered (after working out) and I had gained only 3 lbs.

The doctor is happy with our progress. He looked at me as then at the chart and said he was surprised I am almost at 35 weeks. He would guess 26 or 27 based on my belly size. I find this funny, since last visit based on my fundal measurement he commented that I was having a big baby.

The best part of the appointment is after the doctor listened to the Bug's heartbeat with the doppler, B put down his Leapster, lifted his shirt and said "Me next!" It was adorable! I asked if he had a baby in his belly so we could listen to it's heartbeat and he giggled. It was awesome! It was a really special appointment having him there with me especially since he did such a good job listening and following directions.

33 week appointment

Short and sweet. Apparently there were cancellations today, so by the time I was done in the bathroom I was weighed and vitals taken. Got to the room and drank some water and then the doc came in. Wish things could be that fast every time.

Growth is average for gestation at this point, which, the doc feels is a little big for my size. Gained back the pound I lost last visit, but no more. Doc isn't worried about it.

I go back in 2 weeks for my next visit. B will be with me as the doc is headed on vacation and so I will be going on Thurs.

June bug is still plenty active. My back is hurting more again along with my pelvis. Not unusual, just not the most pleasant. We have changed the crib back into a crib from the toddler bed and gotten a bunch of our baby clothes back from the friend we loaned them to. Now to wash them.

Not much left to do to really be ready. Need to pack our hospital bag, open our account for diapers again, get our co sleeper back from friends (not necessary until next month). Crazy how soon we will be meeting this little guy! 7 weeks left till the due date...Wow!

update

Well, my appt. on the 25th went fine with no problems. The doctor gave me one article to read, but it hasn't really answered any of my questions, so before my next appt. on the 22 I'll be writing up a list of questions to be discussed sometime in the following month.

We got a couple of books that I am relatively happy with to help B understand all the changes happening. I think he gets it to a point, but we have seen a pretty dramatic increase of behaviors...screaming, daily potty accidents, hitting/pinching/headbutting me. He is starting to talk a bit about his baby brother beyond telling me there is a dinosaur in my belly. We went to a sibling preparedness class and I'm not sure he got anything out of it as he preferred to walk around the room and sing for the majority of the class. I got some good ideas from the class, however, so hopefully it was worth it. We also had B's 3 year check up. He is doing just fine. I LOVE his pediatrician! He is now almost 36" (wouldn't stand still to get an accurate measurement) and 32#.

As far as Mr. Bug...he's plenty active and growing fine. I am exhausted and much more uncomfortable than I remember being at this point with B. My back has hurt on and off since 14 weeks and just over a month ago I decided to try a chiropractor. He has done wonders and will hopefully assist me in having closer to my ideal birth (not a Cesarean). Last week, after going camping for the weekend, my back/pelvis was quite sore and I was looking forward to my appt. Unfortunately, between my Chrio going on vacation and B being exhausted and sick and staying home from school I missed my appointment. I am looking forward to my next appt. tomorrow. Not in quite as much discomfort as when I started seeing him, but I can notice a difference constantly.

So, we have less than 9 weeks left until our due date. I can't believe we are that close! I also look forward to having my body back and not feeling constant pressure in my abdomen as Bug seems to like to push and flip and turn whenever he is awake.

Next appt. is on April 22 and then we start our biweekly appointments.

B's 3rd Birthday

Our little man is now 3 years old! We had a really nice (and small) party at home on Sunday. Only 2 of the 3 invited friends were able to make the party, but a great time was had by all! It was relaxing and enjoyable, something I often don't find birthday parties (even ones we attend) to be.

Wednesday we celebrated his actual birthday by singing happy birthday, talking to all the grandparents on the phone or computer, having dinner of B's choice (eggs with salsa), and eating a cupcake after dinner. B also got to open his last present we had saved from the party.

Hard to believe our little guy is already 3 and going to be a big brother before long.

Update

Just a few quick updates on how things are going:

I passed my 3 hour glucose tolerance test (yay). Big relief to not have to make major dietary changes and do the qid blood tests.

An amazing friend, who is also a doula, has offered her services as a gift. I am beyond grateful and looking forward to having her join our birthing team. Her knowledge has already helped calm me in countless ways!

I had my first chiropractor visit on Wednesday. I have several friends that swear by the relief they get from their chiropractors and from what I have read, it can help with a successful (and quicker) vaginal birth. I am happy with the chiropractor and feel a lesser amount of pain and discomfort (some of which I hadn't even realized I had until it was gone). I will see him once a week, unless things are going very well or it is necessary to increase the frequency. I was happily surprised to find out that our insurance covers 20 chiropractor visits annually. Hooray!

Now for a few busy/crazy weeks. B's birthday party is Sunday and his 3rd birthday is Wednesday (how did that happen?) Our next OB appt. is 3/25.

Rough few days

It's been a rough few days emotionally!

I've been trying to process the possibility that I it may not be in my best interest to attempt a VBAC. There is little to no information online regarding vaginal birth after a cesarean which occurred in the second stage of labor (pushing). Being the type who needs information to process and come to a decision, I have let the OB office staff know I would like whatever information the OB can give me. Hopefully he will provide me with information regarding the benefits and possible complications from a VBAC (specifically in cases such as mine), a repeat cesarean (RCS), and a Cesarean after failed VBAC in addition to studies and research regarding VBAC in cases such as mine.

In addition to that information request, I picked up the records the office had from B's birth (discharge summary and operative report). It has had some insight in it. I made more progress then I recalled. I don't have any of the "damning" diagnosis (ones that are contraindicated for VBAC). Both B and I were healthy and tolerated labor and the CS well.

It really appears to me that it was a case of my exhaustion more than anything else. From what I have been able to read and find, I hope that there are things I can do to improve my chance of being successful at a VBAC.

And, I think most comforting, Sandra is going to join us for labor to help me be strong and support me.

In addition to all of this processing/emotional thinking...I failed my 1 hour glucose test. Now I have to go in and do a 3 hour glucose test (actually takes 4 hours). I have scheduled for B to go into preschool early on Friday so I can make it to the lab early enough. Luckily, most women who fail the one hour test will pass the 3 hour. I'm hoping I am in that group! Fingers crossed!