Post Partum Week 2

A day late...but I couldn't get the pictures to cooperate yesterday! And really, who wants to read this without the pictures....

Another week down, and we're all getting better acquainted with each other. It's been a crazy busy week-in the last week, we went to a wedding, took our first overnight trip, visited dad's old school, visited with lots of friends and family, and ran a plethora of errands. Jack's 2 week appointment was earlier this morning, and we were thrilled o learn he grew 1.25 inches (up to 20.25 inches) and had surpassed his birth weight (up to 6 lbs 15 oz-->a full14 ounces in a week and a half!) everything went well at the appointment this morning, and Dr. Baust cauterized his belly button, removing most of the umbilical cord stump.

Jack with big cousin David

No! He's Mine! -Cousin Colbie

With Aunt Jeri-Lee

Very Serious

Daddy calls your forehead wrinkles your WiFi reception.

Everyone's taking pictures of the little man.

Napping before the wedding.

Jack and Emily, the Bride

Tank goodness Wegman's has carts big enough to accommodate a car seat and our massive cereal haul.

Breast feeding is getting better and better. I need to find a better chair to sit in downstairs so I don't kill my back, and we're working on being able to lay down and nurse at night. 

Cloth diapering is going well, too. I can't wait for him to fill out and be able to wear his one size diapers. I still love using fitteds at night, and we're able to use his itty bitty Kawaii Pure and Naturals and Little Bamboo Baby pockets. I'm anxious to see if he'll fit in his Rumparooz-they say they fit at 6 lbs, but I've been too nervous to try them. 

Happy Baby, modeling a Thirsties XSmall Diaper Cover

 As far as my recovery goes, I'm doing well. As of today, I can start driving again. I haven't taken any pain killers since Tuesday, and even then it was just Advil. The dermabond covering my incision is starting to peel off, and the incision looks pretty good. My swelling has gone waaaaaaay done-my feet and ankles look normal again my hands are still a little puffy, but I can finally wear my rings again. I'm down another ten pounds from last week-I weighed in at 221.4 this morning. 22.6 lbs down from delivery, 61.4 to go till I'm back at my Weight Watchers goal. I've read conflicting information on rejoining Weight Watchers after pregnancy, so my plan is to wait until my weight loss either tapers off or I reach 6 weeks pp. That will give my milk supply a chance to stabilize, and as long as I'm losing weight, I do t think Weight Watchers can do much more for me right now.

Seems to have gone down some, although, we took this picture after a Mexican smorgasbord. I feel like I look a little smaller most of the time...

Post Partum Week 1

I can't believe that a week ago at this time, the doctors were debating what the best course of action would be for me and Nick Jr (as we still called him at that time). This last week has been quite a learning process, but we've been blessed to have (thus far) an easy baby to guide us along. So here are a few reflections on the week:

Breast feeding : It ain't easy, and while it takes time, it seems like an eternity to adjust, especially when you're in pain. It wasn't bad in the hospital, and thankfully, his latch was never bad. Once we got home, however, my nipples were so irritated and beginning to crack. My milk came in on Tuesday (4 days pp), which was a relief. Jack was down 9 oz from his birth weight at his pediatrician appointment on Monday, so I was hopeful for him to start gaining weight quickly. Wednesday, he was up 5 oz from Monday! Wednesday was also the peak of my nipple pain, and while its not perfect yet, things are getting a lot better. I have found that Bamboobies Boob-Ease Natural Nipple Balm and Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Nursing Butter help, although I prefer the Bamboobies. I've also used some of the Bamboobies nursing pads and Phillips Avent Washable Nursing pads. The Bamboobies are much softer and more comfortable. I've also pumped twice, just to alleviate some engorgement. I think once we get back above birthweight and are a little better established with breast feeding, I'll start pumping and introduce the bottle. Nick is really eager to be able to feed him.

This is what my husband finds humorous.

Cloth Diapering: We used disposables in the hospital, but were eager to start using cloth when we got home. It seemed like we weren't getting any pee diapers, though. We think that some of the cloth we were using were so absorbent (Hello, Thirsties Duo Fab Fitteds) that I was missing some of his potty breaks. We switched back to using leftover disposables from the hospital for a day or two while we made sure his input and output were appropriate for gaining weight. After our appointment on Wednesday, we switched back to cloth. I've gotten much better at fooling Prefolds, although Nick wasn't quite sure what do with them at first. I looooove Kissaluvs fitteds. The Thirsties Duo Fab Fitteds fit well, although bulky, and are super absorbent. These will definitely last for a while. Thirsties Duo All-In-One also fits him well right now, and is a bit more trim. At this point, he's able to wear both Thirsties Duo Wraps and Xsmall covers. If I hadn't been afraid the wraps would be too big, I probably would have just stuck with the wraps as they will fit him for longer. As far as Prefolds go, we have a diaper Rite unbleached ones and Green Mountain Diapers bleached ones...I'm not sure if its the brand of the bleached/unbleached factor, but the Diaper Rite ones seem to be more pliable and easier to work with.

I love the owls...

Sleep: We are truly blessed by a baby that likes to sleep! We had a rough time with sleeping I. The hospital, but for the past 2-3 nights, he's decided to start sleeping for 4 and 5 hour stretches at a time. This morning none of us got out of bed until about 9:45-we were up at4:30 and 7:30 only long enough to eat and get back to sleep. I had hoped he'd go right to his crib, but he's been sleeping in the rock and play next to our bed at night, mainly because I'm too paranoid to not have him close by. The first night at home was horrendous-only because I was too worried that something would go wrong. 

Little Squirt hanging out in his Snugabunny Rock and Play.

Weight loss: This morning I got on the scale for the first time post partum. I am down 13lbs from prior to giving birth. (It feels like a lie to say that, as I didn't have to do much-the doctors did all the work!) My final "weigh in" was 244lbs last week-up 85 lbs from my Weight Watchers goal, and 70 lbs from my first pregnancy doctor's visit (I wasn't very responsible last summer). I would guess I have at least another 5 lbs of water weight I'm carrying around-my feet, legs, and hands are still very swollen. My stomach has gone down a lot. It's going to be my hips and thighs that are going to be difficult to get the weight off. I've been eating healthier this week (no more emotional eating!), and my goal is to rejoin Weight Watchers at the end of next week. I can't exercise right now, so I'm hoping that just adjusting my eating habits and breast feeding to help melt as much if the weight away as possible. 

OK. so while the tummy is going down, I still feel like a heifer. But the goal of this picture is to help inspire me to keep losing weight and get back down to where I was.

General Recovery: I'm pretty proud of all I've done this week. We've been out and about a fair amount, and I've handled it really well. Today I've been a little more sore, but I also forgot to take my painkillers. Oops. Sometimes I forget that not only did I have a baby, but I had surgery as well. 

John Robert's Birth Story

On Monday, June 10, we were told to schedule a routine Non Stress Test for Friday, June 14, just shy of 41 weeks to ensure baby was still looking good in utero. When we showed up at 9AM that morning, I'll admit, I was a bit nervous. I wrote it off as taking another test I couldn't study or otherwise prepare of, and my blood pressure showed it, up in the 140s/90something.  Then, during the NST, he was not particularly active. Blood pressure was down to 136/82 by the end of the test, but we were sent on the Labor and Delivery for further monitoring.

It was about 10AM when we arrived at the hospital and made our way up to OB Triage. My blood pressure was way down when I laid on my left side, and, while I felt baby reacting on the fetal heart monitor, his heart rate was not accelerating like they had hoped. (Good news was, though, that it wasn't decelerating, either.) My Dr came back and explained the results. The next plan of action would be to admit me, do a Contraction Stress Test, and decide from there how the baby was going to get here. Regardless, she told us, "You're having a baby today." Nick promptly went home to switch cars and get our stuff.

About 12:30, we were moved into our Labor and Delivery room. I got hooked up to another Fetal Heart Rate Monitor, a contraction monitor, and some pitocin. The goal was to get the pitocin to bring on 3 contractions in 10 minutes and see how the baby responded. Once again, baby was non-responsive. Around 3:30, the decision was made we'd move forward with a C Section. The concern was baby would not tolerate labor well, and eventually require an emergency C Section after a long (and unnecessary) labor. 

It was 8:45 before they walked us down the OR-quite possibly the longest 5 hours of my life. We kept thinking we were getting to I back, but another woman was ready to push around 6, which turned into an emergency c section, so we continued to wait. Even as we walked down the hall. The stopped us as they thought the doctor was being called into another emergency situation. (Thankfully, for everyone, he was not.)

Nick waited outside the OR while they gave me my spinal and did the final preps for surgery. (He said it was the longest 15 minutes of his life.) Once he to back there, they began the actual cutting and 5 minutes later, John Robert was here with us. Hearing him cry for the first time was one of the most amazing experiences ever. 

Once they finished putting me back together, Nick headed to the NICU with Baby Jack (for standard transitional tests and measurements), while I hung out in recovery. Recovery went pretty quickly-I was finally able to get a cup of water and some ice chips. Nick and Jack joined me about 15 minutes before we started on our journey down to the post partum unit.

As they sat me up in bed, I felt the nausea strike...and I just got sicker with every turn we made. I was thrilled to see my family waiting in the hallway, but I would have been just as happy to curl up in a dark corner somewhere. We got settled in our room, and my family greeted little Jack. It was wonderful to see how excited they were over him. I mowed down on some beef broth, cranberry juice, water, and a Popsicle. And as my family was leaving, promptly threw it all up. I threw up again around 2AM and 4AM. I think it was a combination of the anesthesia, exhaustion, hunger, and eating too quickly. At 6AM I took some anti-nausea medicine. For breakfast I had toast, jello, crackers, and cranberry juice, but by lunch, I was eating a normal lunch.

Saturday, I was slow, stiff, and sore to stand up, but otherwise well. No pain killers, until about 10PM. No poop yet (I know that's what you were wondering about), but I've been peeing like a pro, and generally recuperating well. We were expecting to be in the hospital until Monday, but we were doing so well, they sent us on home by lunch time.

Induction thoughts

The further past my due date I go, the more I think about the possibility of induction. I really, really hate drugs. In a situation where I have minimal control, they make me feel even more out of control. And, for me at least, a planned induction equates a C section, something I truly want to avoid.

I was born 6 days late. My mother's water broke at 11PM, with no contractions in sight. They gave her pitocin right away, and when her body made minimal progress (and I was in distress), they switched to an emergency C section 24 hours later.

My sister was induced around 37 weeks with my nephew due to pre-eclampsia. Her body was not ready, so 46 hours later, he arrived via C section. When my niece bordered on 2 weeks late, they didn't even other to try to induce, they went straight to C section.

I know family history is not the be all, end all of how things will go down for me, but the longer I go, the more likely I believe it. And I don't want it. (But, truly, who does?) It just seems like the women in my family are not cut out for birthing babies.

At the same time, I'm over being pregnant. Yes, I'm uncomfortable and huge, but that seems minimal at this point. I'm ready to move on to the next phase. This week in particular I feel like I've been in a holding pattern. I'm ready to move past that.

So when I go for my appointment next week at 41 weeks 1 day, what do I say? Ask them to try to hold off longer to see if I can make this happen and avoid induction? Beg them to induce me that day so I can move on? Then there is always the fear that baby won't be doing too well at the Non Stress Test tomorrow. We could be looking at an induction (or C section if its really bad) tomorrow afternoon.

All I can do at this point is hope, wish, and pray that Nick Jr decides to make his appearance today...or at least sometime before Monday.

Labor? No, not really...

Prodromal labor-which sounds better than false labr-sums, mentally, physically, and emotionally. This past week has been a bit of a roller coaster ride...I hate questioning "Is this real?" I have constantly told myself I would end going over due, but after the events of the weekend, I've really felt down and blues out it. I keep telling myself it'll come-I'm only 2 days past a silly estimate at this point-and after some retail therapy yesterday afternoon, I think I actually believe it. 

Wednesday, June 5-
Woke up feeling off; tired, a little nauseous, and just not with it. Add in a ridiculously hormonal moment at the OB's office.

Thursday, June 6-
Woke up super early (4AMish). Felt like I had to pee all day long. Before we left to go up to Richmond to look at cars, thought I had a change in discharge. Had to stop at a rest stop along the way, realized I was losing my mucus plug. The rest of it made its exodus at a BMW dealership. Had 3 intense contractions on the way home (while I was driving) about 10 minutes apart. Had a serious conversation with Nick Jr that I had to get home before he did anymore.  He decided to go back to being super quiet.

Friday, June 7-
Up again fom 3:30-5, then awake for the day at 6:30AM. Nothing the rest of the day-no contractions.

Saturday, June 8-
Morning three of being up early. (This shit is getting old.) Woke up with back aches, which were inconsistent yet harsh enough for me to question if I was sore from the position I was in, or having contractions. Seemed to go away after napping on the couch. Went to a work picnic, felt really off and tired. Every movement I made extremely painful in my crotch. At about 8:30 PM, started to feel some contractions, mainly in back. Started timing them about 10 PM-lasting 45-60 secs, about 1.5-2 mins apart. Called Beth, gave her a heads up. Since she was already over this way, she came over to stay the night. I decided to get some sleep. Fell asleep around 11:30 PM. 

Sunday, June 9-

Woke up around 2:30, went downstairs around 3AM. Tried to go to sleep on the couch. Contractions started to get a little stronger, encomassing more of my abdomen rather than just my back. Fell asleep from 4:30-6:30. Got up, asked Nick to start making breakfast while I walked the dogs. I was sore and experiencing crazy lightning crotch while walking, but couldn't time any contractions while walking the dogs. At this point, contractions slowed down. We did everything-took a drive, walked around the mall...whenever I got still, contractions would slow down or stop. Took a much needed nap while Nick went to pay hockey (and we decided it there was no sense in Beth staying), I woke up to no contractions. *sigh*

Monday, June 10-

Dr's appt...no change in dilation or effacement. Non Stress Test scheduled for Friday, appointment for next Monday, an induction will be scheduled for sometime next Tuesday through Friday, unless Nick, Jr decides to come sometime sooner. 

Here's hoping the  real thing comes about before Friday so we don't even have to go the NST route!

Week 40

How far along? 40 weeks

How big is baby? A baby. Between 6 and 10 pounds, 18-21ish inches long

Total weight gain/loss: I was up to almost my WW starting weight on Wednesday at my appointment. 

Maternity clothes? Still have some non maternity items I can wear, like a really cute maxi dress I had on today. 

Sleep: Not good this week. Consistently waking up way too early.

Best moment this week: Getting Nick's car taken care of. Surprise shower thrown for me at the studio. 

Movement: He's slowed own some. Conserving his energy maybe?

Food Cravings: None. My appetite as actually decreased some. 

Food Aversions: Bananas. 

Gender: Boy. 

Labor Signs: Contractions coming nd going throughout the week. Lost my mucus plug Thursday. Baby seems to be settling lower and lower, given his increased pressure on my bladder and the pain in my crotch. 

Pregnancy Symptoms: Exhaustion. Loss of breath. Frequent urination. Sore crotch. 

Belly Button in or out? In!

What I miss: People not being overly once rend with my cervix. 

What I am looking forward to: Meeting my little boy (hopefully) soon.

Upcoming appointments/events: Assuming I do go not labor, 40 week appointment is Monday at 10:30AM. 

Milestones: Full term. It's here at last. 

The truth about being 39 weeks pregnant

I hate the whole "Hurry and Wait" mentality. I feel like that is how I have lived this week. Make sure the house is picked up. Don't leave any dishes in the sink. You never know when the baby might come. To make matters worse, there are times when I just don't want to worry about picking up. I want to sit around and be a bum. Productivity has not always been first on my mind. 

And my evenings have been occupied with car shopping. Not my favorite thing to do, but a necessary evil right now. We found out Monday for certain the insurance company was going to total Nick's car after the accident last Friday. We kept going back and forth with which scenario we should do, replace his car and keep mine, get a new family car for me and have him drive mine, or replace both. Last night, after driving an hour and a half out of town, we found the perfect compromise of speed, power, and maturity for Nick at Carmax. I'm thrilled to be done with car shopping, and hoping that later this summer we can get my car replaced, too. Two car payments will suck, but I think at this point, it's a necessary evil. 

Between worrying over money, being harassed about when Nick, Jr, is going to arrive, and a sudden apprehension about labor and delivery, my Dr's appointment wasn't so good on Wednesday. My blood pressure was way up (usually its about 112-124/70-80; this time it was 138/86), my weight was 1 lb below what I was when I started Weight Watchers. My feet and ankles ave been ridiculously swollen this week (especially last night), and I felt like crap-nauseated, run down, and generally hating life at that moment. While we were in the examining room, Nick asked if I was OK. The flood gates opened up just as the Dr opened door. I have never been more embarrassed, which only made me cry harder. I can say I haven't had many emotional meltdowns this pregnancy, but that was truly a special one. 

All the while, I'm getting incessant phone calls and texts as to when I'm going to pop out this baby. Because, you know, I have so much control over that. Anyone I call automatically assumes I'm telling them the baby is on the way. (What they don't realize is there are very few people I'm going to call to tell that to. I don't care about people knowing, but I'm not going to be spending my time on the phone telling them all.) Here's a conversation from earlier this week with my grandmother:

Me: Hey grandma. 

Grandma: Are you on the way to the hospital?

Me: No, I'm on my way to see you.

Grandma: Oh {disappointed sigh}

Additionally, people are asking me questions about how dilated and effaced I am. Seriously, the waitress last night at Friendly's asked me about my cervix. Why is that appropriate, necessary or helpful? Wednesday, I was a little more dilated (a real, true centimeter) and about 50% effaced. Awesome. I also know that means jack shit-I might never go more than that on my own, or my body could have taken over, gone warp speed ahead and finished off the other 9 that night. I also lost my mucus plug last night. It was the most disgustingly, exciting thing ever; however, it could still be another week before I go into labor, or before they have to induce me. So while it is weird that people are so interested in these very intimate parts of my body that I am not really comfortable sharing, I also don't want to give them any false hope. If I tell them I truly believe the baby is coming this weekend (and I still kinda do), if he doesn't, they are going to be so disappointed. And I know it's all because they are excited and so eager to meet him, but so am I. None of us have any control over the situation, and I trying as hard as possible to relax and be zen about the whole thing, but let's face it, I'm a planner. I want to know when and how he's going to get here so I can prepare. But I can't. I don't need everyone reminding me how little control I have. 

Hospital Bag

We all know I'm a ridiculous, plan ahead packer. I started thinking about what to put in my hospital bag at about 30 weeks or so. Here I am, 9 weeks later, and still haven't touched it, but that's beside the point. At least I was ready to go.

Some things I held off on packing, waiting to see if I would need them or not in the mean time, and some things I kept switching out (or back in) for other items. I am certain I have over packed, and I'm OK with that. I feel like everything fits nicely in my suitcase with extra room to carry home any goodies from the hospital. While we live close enough Nick could run home to get something, I think he's going to be too afraid he's going to miss something if he leaves. I'd rather have too much right now that not enough.

So what's in the bag?

For Me:

• 2 sets of Nursing PJs, one with a coordinating robe
• Flip Flop Slippers
• Plastic Flip Flops 
• Nursing Tank Top
• Yoga Pants
• Black Maxi Dress for coming home
• Nursing Sleep Bra
• Nursing Sports Bra
• 3 pairs of underwear in a variety of styles (who knows what will feel more comfortable, if I decide to wear anything other than the hospital mesh panties)
• Post Partum Support Band

For Dad:

• 3 pairs of socks
• 3 tshirts (one is a surprise to go with matching onesie for baby)
• pair of comfy pants
• pair shorts
• 3 pairs of underwear
•  Plastic Flip Flops

Our toiletry bag stays packed all the time, but I did through in a few Labor and Delivery "specialty items"

• Gum
• Chapstick
• Plethora of Hairties

And some extras...

• Celebratory Bottle of Wine (one of my favorites-bonus that it's red and doesn't need to be kept cold)
• Baby Book
• Glasses
• Thank you Notes (Just in Case-I hope to be too busy!)
• Tennis Ball (For massaging during labor)
• Iphone Charger
• Ipad Charger
• Corkscrew (that bottle ain't going to open itself!)
• Towel and Washcloth (I've heard mixed reviews on the ones at the hospital. I'm most concerned about having one big enough for me!

Clothes for Baby

• 3 sleepers (2 size newborn, 1 size 3 month)
• 3 going home outfits 
• Blue Bubblesuit
• White Bubblesuit
• Blue overall set
•  Kimono Undershirt
• "Adorable Baby" Onesie

Other Items for Baby

• Aden +Anias Swaddle Blanket
• Carter Cotton Blanket
• Crib Shoes
• White Socks
• Blue Crocheted Socks
• White Mittens
• Blue Sweater and Hat

And just because the diaper bag is already packed...

• 2 Burp Rags
• 2 bibs
• Wet Bag
•  Diaper Clutch
• Diaper Cream
• Travel Wipes
• A few disposable diapers
• Medicine bag
• Bandaids
• Nasal Aspirator
• Medical Syringe
• Medicine Dropper
• Gripe Water
• Infant Tylenol
• Orajel
• Nail Clippers 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  All baby items are packed in the diaper bag, ready to go, and the diaper bag is inside the big suitcase.
  
  
  
  

What I don't have photographed here are a few things that are in a My Thirty-One Large Utility Tote out in the car (too lazy to bring it in)

• Regular Pillow
• Blanket
• Boppy Pillow

Last minute items to grab on our way out the door:

• Camera
• Camera Charger
• Ipads
• Phones (which seems silly as they are with us 99% of the time)

I have also through our pump in the car, just in case, and we have snacks in the front pocket of the hospital bag. I (hopefully) have packed everything so that it's easy to get to. The toiletry bag is on top of everything when you unzip the bag, but everything else I might need while in labor is a front pocket of the suitcase-not that I anticipate needing much. And yes, I did decide to use a carryon compliant suitcase as our hospital bag. I like that it's on wheels, so easy to move about, and when you open it, it's easy to see where everything is.

Hopefully, in the next couple of days, we'll find out just how good of a job I did with attempting to plan ahead and pack for the hospital. 

Predictions

As I round out this last part of my pregnancy, I have a few predictions. I could be completely wrong, of course, and my reasoning is absolutely non-scientific, but I figure I should document them just in case I'm right.


Date of Birth: June 7.
I've said all along that I thought he'd come close to his due date. Last week, the milk we picked up had the expiration date of June 7, so I decided it was a sign. This week, the milk expires on June 12, so I'm willing to expand that to a span of June 7-12.

Time of Birth: The 3 or 4 o'clock hour
Nick, Jr, always gets me up during either the 3AM or 4AM hour. I'm not sure if he'll come in the early morning or afternoon,  but I think it'll be sometime in that time frame.

Type of Labor: Slow, then suddenly fast and furious
I think Nick, Jr, has a mind like me-when he decides to do something, he wants to get it done. I think my body will take a bit of time to convince him eviction is eminent, but once he's ready to go, he'll get the heck out. Or maybe that's just wishful thinking.

And, because I'm currently obsessed, here's this week's stats:

Week 39

In general, it was a rough week. I've gone back and forth with extreme energy and extreme exhaustion. We found out Nick is being transferred to a new school, which we have mixed feelings on, but once we realized is current job is being cut to part time, we do feel better. Additionally, we got a little more wok on the house done. Nick painted the downstairs wall, but the color doesn't match. The plumber came, and while he made progress, things aren't quite finished yet. And Nick was in a minor accident on Friday, which may have caused one major damage to his car. We're waiting to find out more. It's definitely been a roller coaster week. 

How far along? 39 weeks

How big is baby? Pretty much as big as he can be. A mini watermelon, anywhere from 6-10 lbs, and 19-21 inches. 

Total weight gain/loss: +1lb at the Dr on Thursday. 

Maternity clothes? I hate clothes. I have a few staples I am wearing, some maternity, some not. I wore a beach over up/sundress the past to nights and actually felt cute. 

Sleep: I've been pretty tired this week, although about every third morning (Wednesday and Saturday) I've been up ridiculously early. The actual sleep is OK though. I'm usually up during the 4AM hour, which makes me think he'll come around tat time. 

Best moment this week: Waking up Tuesday AM, and despite Nick having to go to work, I didn't!

Movement: Pretty active. Wednesday he did go through a quiet phase, but made up for it Thursday. 

Food Cravings: None. 

Food Aversions: Bananas. 

Gender: Boy. 

Labor Signs: Some inconsistent contractions. As of Thursday, still no change in dilation. Contractions (and back pain) increase while I'm up and active, but disappear when I sit down. 

Pregnancy Symptoms: Swollen feet. They improved, and then got worse. My lady parts are also incredibly swollen. 

Belly Button in or out? In! I can do this-I can keep an innie the entire time!

What I miss: People not wanting to know the status of my cervix. It's very awkward. Additionally, if I could go back in time, I probably wouldn't have gotten any internal exams till this week. Ignorance is bliss, especially on something that could change so quickly. And it would really irritate them if I had no clue as to my status, too. 

What I am looking forward to: Finally not being pregnant. 

Upcoming appointments/events: Next appointment is Wednesday. I'm sure I'll be there, and not in the hospital. We also already have our 40 week appointment set up for Monday, June 10 at 10:30AM. 

Milestones: I guess the next major milestone will be either making it to my due date, or surviving labor. I'd really like this baby to come on this week. 

Sadly enough, it took 5 pictures to get this good of an expression. It was just not happening today.

I feel huge and low. Please let this be the week.

Couch vs. Bed

I hate the moment where you're trying to decide, "Do I keep laying in bed and see if I can get back to sleep, or do I head on down to the couch? Once I make it to the couch, is it back to sleep or try to be productive?" 

Right now, couch sleep is sounding good.