We're Parents!

John Owen Newell. Born 6:13 am. 8 lbs 14oz 20.5 inches. Big hands and feet, head of dark hair, and perfect.

I had a fifteen hour labor which didn't pick up until I had an epidural and they broke my water. Delivery was rough but he made it here and is doing well. They said it was a good thing we didn't wait to induce any longer because he shows signs of being about 2 weeks overdue. We love him so much. Robert is such a proud daddy. We both cried when we first saw him. He is very sleepy but seems to know who his mommy and daddy are.

A big thank you to everyone. To Alexander and Annalee for bringing Robert dinner while I was in labor. To Brian and Mindy for bringing Robert breakfast; John got to meet his aunt and uncle! Thank you to family members and all our friends who mean so much to us and who have been a great source of strength and support.

Due Date is Here but not the Baby

So my due date is here but I guess John didn't get the memo :) I go to the doctor tomorrow but as of now I'm not in labor and he shows no signs of coming soon. My professors and friends at school keep asking why I'm still there; I wish I weren't! Finals and Thanksgiving are going to be more difficult the longer he decides to wait. Every time I call a family member they think I'm in labor (or if I don't answer a call). I have my phone off most of the day if I'm at school so that it doesn't ring during class. So, as of now I'm just trying to stay caught up in school, trying to get more baby things ready for his arrival, and getting even bigger (I didn't think that was possible but people are starting to ask if I'm having twins).

I have one outfit that still fits; fits being defined as my stomach is completely covered, but the pouch on my pants is visible at the bottom because my shirt won't reach as far anymore. Being this pregnant is not fun but it is worth it. I can't sit for too long or I'm in pain, I can't stand too long or I'm in pain, I can't lay down too long or I'm in pain. I can't see anything past mid-belly. It is getting harder to resist tempting treats with the holidays approaching. I had to visit the bookstore yesterday to run a few errands and the entire store smelled of chocolate and they had so many goodies on display, including all of my favorites. Sigh. Did I mention that I had to pass the yummy homemade fudge. Twice. I really am looking forward to being able to eat chocolate and other sweets again. It's harder to resist knowing I'm not allowed to eat any of it, but I am doing it. It's all for the baby and it's all worth it.

Still Pregnant

So I'm still pregnant. My doctor wanted to induce me this weekend because the baby is getting big and I'm miserable, but the hospital won't allow it. Apparently, the hospital has allowed early inductions (36-37 weeks) for convenience and gained lots of negative attention for the number of NICU babies they had. So, the hospital has swung the pendulum the other way. Because my gestational diabetes is controlled they won't budge and they won't listen to my doctor. My doctor is encouraging me to try everything to go into labor on my own. Other than that, it's snowing (boo because I hate snow and it makes walking difficult and I can't even indulge in hot chocolate) and BYU has decided to only half show up for the game.

On a happy note, I bought bread pans today. We registered for some when we got married but never received any and we never bought any. We have bananas that are overripe and I don't want them to go to waste, so it was time. I bought the Williams-Sonoma gold line bread pans. We have round cake pans in the same brand and they are wonderful. They cook evenly and the cake comes out easily and without tearing. I recently did some research and the loaf pans come highly recommended by long-time bread makers, professional cooks, and cooking magazines. After reading user reviews I decided this was the way to go. My mom also has them and loves them. Robert and I also bought the all important, heavily recommended boppy. We're ready for him to come!

Pictures and Updates

I have heard from several people who want to see some pregnant pictures of me. I admit I haven't taken many but I took some this week and so I will post them. The update from the doctor is that the baby is still measuring big so they have set an induction date if I don't have him by them. It is near my due date. They don't want to let me go overdue because he would be measuring over 43 weeks by that time. Robert and I have the car seat, stroller, swing, bouncer, etc. and are ready for him to come. I have some wonderful friends and a wonderful ward who threw me awesome showers. More on that later as this is a quick post because dinner is on the stove and needing my attention. I hope you all rejoice in my hugeness!

H1N1

I was vaccinated today at my doctor's appointment. It will take two weeks to be fully effective so I still need to stay away from sick people (you don't need to tell me twice). My blood pressure is a little lower than it was last time but they still don't know why I feel dizzy and faint. The baby was transverse at the last visit (head on the side of my abdomen) but he has turned. Robert and I have been telling him to turn and singing "turning" songs to him this week (mostly as a joke) and it appears to have worked :p So far I show no signs of labor so I go back next week. Because my diabetes has been so well controlled they are not going to induce for another two weeks if at all.

My mom is in town and we have been baby shopping this week. We have the necessities and I bought a rocking chair yesterday. Robert put it together today and it is so cute that I can't wait to rock our little baby in it. We will put the crib together tomorrow (thank you to aunts Jan and Ann).That's it for now other then the news that the law school has confirmed cases of H1N1.

Doctor's Visit

Friday I received a call from my doctor's office. He has H1N1 and they wanted to reschedule for the 27th. I reminded them that I was 35 weeks pregnant, and they rescheduled me with another doctor instead.

I felt dizzy most of the weekend so I was really looking forward to this doctor's visit. I stopped driving when the dizzy spells first hit this week so that I didn't cause an accident. I was hoping they could figure out what was wrong, fix it, and I could go on my merry way. They checked my blood pressure. It was lower than it had been but not too low for a pregnant woman. They then took some blood to see if I was anemic; nope not anemic. (He had asked me if I was taking me prenatal vitamins, I said yes and he was surprised when the blood test showed that I was telling the truth. Why would I lie when I want to find out what is wrong with me?) They asked if it was related to lows in my blood sugar. Nope told him that I tested when I felt really dizzy and told him my numbers, even he said they were excellent and wouldn't be the cause of dizziness. Bottom line - (drum roll please) they don't know what is wrong with me. If I don't stop feeling dizzy they want me to come in so they can give me and IV and hopefully make it go away. I go back next week anyway so we'll see what happens. I felt fine today until this afternoon at work.

Work: I gave notice that this is my last week until after the baby is born - I'll probably go back in January (December if I can swing it). I love my job. It is something I love doing and it keeps me sane (law school is insane and being able to get away and into the real world has saved my sanity). I also love the people I work with. They are like me but different also so we compliment each other well and have a good time at work. I'm really going to miss them. But, I realized that the baby comes first, right now school comes second, and then work. I had planned to work right until the baby was born but these dizzy spells have changed that. I really wish the doctors could find out and fix the dizzy spells so that I could work a few more weeks at least.

On other baby news - he has not turned yet. The doctor started feeling for the head and couldn't find it until he found the back. Yes, my cute little guy is still sideways. I am encouraging him to turn but don't know if he understands me yet (English is a difficult language after all). Anybody have any tips on how to safely get him to turn? The doctor wasn't concerned, he says that there is still plenty of time. Everyone, encourage John to turn so I don't have to have a C-section. (caveat: I have nothing against C-sections per se I would just rather not have to recover from surgery if I don't have to). I've only had Braxton Hicks so far so it looks like he won't come just yet. I'm 36 weeks this week so let's hope he doesn't go past 40.

I'm Huge

So I'm 35 weeks pregnant today. I wish I were 40 weeks and done already. I had to skip work and school today because I almost passed out as I was making breakfast. Never had that happen before. Also, The baby is sitting on my sciatic nerve and I walk like an old lady that needs a cane or a walker. I called the doctor and he told me to lie down. I was feeling better in the afternoon until an hour ago when I began feeling really light-headed and nauseated again. I'm also huge and I just want John to be born so I can be done with being pregnant. But, it's still a little too soon for him to come so I have to hang in there so that he is as healthy as he can be; he is most important right now. I'm getting sympathetic looks from people at school, along with a few "is she crazy" looks from others (why yes, I am crazy to be attending law school, working, and pregnant; just look up my picture in the dictionary - it's next to crazy, insane, giant pregnant lady). Others ask if I'm ready to be done (the answer is a resounding YES).

My diabetes continues to be well controlled with diet and I am anxiously dreaming of the day I get to eat ice cream again. They will need to monitor the baby carefully after he's born to make sure that he's okay. My arms and legs are actually smaller than they were when I was diagnosed, but my stomach is getting bigger by the second. I constantly feel the baby move and just wish he didn't like my bladder so much. It's embarrassing to go to the bathroom before class, during class, then again right after class. When he moves, I have to hobble to the bathroom. Most of all, I feel huge, ginormous, (insert favorite adjective or synonym for giant pregnant lady here). I remember buying maternity clothes and wondering if they were too big. It's a little depressing when you realize that you fit in them; then you wonder if you will ever shrink back to your old size.

I love my baby so much and I know that all of this is worth it. As long as he is safe and healthy I can deal.