Announcing the Winners

Some of you entered guesses about the Boise Baby's gender, length, weight and so forth on the expectnet site. The scores of the winners in each category have been calculated and the results are in...

Birth Date/Time: my sister Monique wins with her guess of 12/25 at 12:00 am
Weight: Katie P McD wins with a guess of 6lbs 12oz
Length: 5 way tie between Ann Tan, Liz Sabin, Robin Young, KP McD and a gal from the message boards

Overall winner............

My sister Monique

I'm Back

Hello all! Aiden and I came home today and we all are excited to start our life as a family. I appreciate all the emails and voice mails I've received over the last few days and I promise that when we settle into our routine I will work on responding to them personally. I appreciate everyone understanding that we are mostly not ready to answer the phone right now but we will be soonish.

I am lucky to have some help here tonight so Adam and I can get some sleep. Off to bed...

Aiden Michael Ross, born 12/27/07

Medical Update

I started having weekly appointments today and, since Adam is off today, he was able to come along. I saw Dr. Anstine (my regular doc) and she said I am definitely making progress. She also noted that the baby is VERY low (which I already knew thank you very much). Dr. Anstine wants me to keep the baby cooking until at least this weekend but she didn't put any restrictions on me and said that everything would probably be perfectly fine if the baby were born this week.

She is on call this weekend but out of town next week so I need to either have the baby this weekend or keep everything under control until she comes back. The sad thing (for me) is that it could still be several weeks before the baby is born which would mean several more weeks of this discomfort.

Merry Christmas

Adam and I have had a great Christmas. We decided to have a pretty low-key holiday this year because we have bigger things coming down the pike AND because it is one of the last years we won't have to do a big production for Christmas.

Yesterday Adam worked until noon, we had lunch at home, took a nap, ran a few errands and had an early dinner at a Vietnamese restaurant. After dinner we opened presents, made coffee cake and fruit salad for today and watched a few episodes of Big Love season 2.

Today we ate our delicious coffee cake for breakfast and opened stockings. We also talked on the phone with various family members, ate lunch at home, saw Juno and I took a nap. Tonight we are making pizza for dinner (one of our favorite things to do) and doing laundry (not one of our favorite things to do but a fact of life). We are also doing some research on laptops as we are FINALLY feeling ready to buy one.

Maternity Support Belt

I posted earlier that nobody in town had my size in the maternity support belt my doctor recommended. Adam and I decided to go to Babies R Us just in case the girl on the phone was wrong and it turns out the belts aren't sized like normal clothes so I wear a medium in this item and they had it! It seems to work pretty well too so that's good news.

Update

Went to the doctor this morning and they tested me for a urinary tract infection which I do not have. I talked extensively with the nurse and they decided to wait until my appointment on Wednesday to check on other stuff. Until then, I am to take it easy, drink water, take Tylenol and get a maternity support belt to help with my back pain. Only one problem...NOBODY IN THE TREASURE VALLEY HAS MY SIZE RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!

The doctor and the nurse told me I could go run a few errands as long as I paid attention to my body. They said if it started feeling too hard to walk around that I needed to go home so I finished buying a few small presents for Adam's stocking. It was exhausting and starting to get painful so I got myself home and I guess I'm back to bed rest until I see the doctor on Wednesday.

Testing

I'm testing a feature that allows me to post directly to the blog by simply emailing the post.

Grounded: Update

Adam bought me a book at Barnes and Noble and I already read the whole thing. He's making dinner right now and I'm taking some time out of bed (but still sitting). I haven't had any contractions today but my backache and cramping haven't really gone away so I called and spoke with the doctor again. I am going in tomorrow morning to get checked. I wasn't scheduled for an appointment until Wednesday but he thought it would be best if I got my urine checked tomorrow and had someone do a quick internal exam to make sure everything is still okay (especially since they are closed on Tuesday).

So, I think we will make sure our hospital bag is packed TONIGHT just in case.

Grounded

All day yesterday I had a really bad backache and menstrual like cramping. I also had some contractions in the car when we were running errands last night so I decided to call the on call doctor around 8pm. Since I'm 36 weeks right now (next week the baby will be considered full term!), he told me I needed to go on bedrest for the rest of the night and all day today. I'm out of bed right now (just so I can update my loyal fans) but I'm headed back in a minute or two. I think Adam may go to Barnes and Noble to get me a book or to Blockbuster to rent us a movie.

Weekend Update

First of all, let me reassure everybody that both baby and I are perfectly fine following my fall in the parking lot at school. A lot of people have called and emailed and we really appreciate the concern. One of the reasons I'm feeling so much better...swimming. I really can't believe how much it helped and I am trying to go every day so I can maintain this good feeling. I swear, swimming is a miracle cure for the aches and pains of pregnancy.

Yesterday I spent most of the day working on prepping things in my classroom. My assistant Holly kept me on task and we got a lot of work done. I think my sub could basically walk in Jan. 7 (our first day back to school) and be ready to roll. I have almost all my photocopies done and a basic outline of my lesson plans filed by week for the REST OF THE YEAR. Holly and I are planning to go in one day this week to finish the last few things we were just too pooped to do but I'm feeling good because it's one more thing to cross off my list. Of course I'm convinced now that I've found a sub and am ready for her to step in, the baby won't be born until July!

This weekend we are trying to get a bunch of stuff done. I am out of school for the break so it's a perfect opportunity for us to get busy. Our goals for the weekend (which extends until Tuesday in my mind because of the holiday)...

1. pack hospital bag
2. wash baby clothes (we won't do this until after Christmas though because I know the baby got more Christmas presents than either of us and I'm sure at least some of them are clothes)
   
3. FINALLY set up a time to get new doors installed in the baby's room
4. oil change on my car
   
5. prep a few more meals for the freezer
6. finish Christmas shopping for each other
7. haircut for me (and maybe a pedicure??)
8. order/buy the last few things we really NEED for the baby
   

Good News

The kids at school were SO WORRIED about me when they heard I fell. I can't believe how many kids have stopped me in the hall and asked if I'm feeling better. It's nice to know that kids actually care about others.

In other news, I finally found a substitute to cover my maternity leave. I was starting to panic because I was having such bad luck finding someone who would be both competent and tolerable. I am so relieved!

A Slip and a Fall

I slipped this morning in the parking lot at work. No, it wasn't icy but it was really wet. I was getting something out of the back seat and I just fell straight to my bum. I was wearing light colored pants (isn't that the way it always is?) and I got really wet. I called the doctor's office as soon as they opened 15 minutes later just to let them know.

They sent me in to Labor and Delivery Triage to get monitored. I ended up being there almost 2 hours because the baby was moving so much that they couldn't get quite enough monitoring time before it would decide to slip the monitors and hang out elsewhere.

Everything looks good. I'm not having any contractions and the baby is fine. My hip is VERY sore now though and I am REALLY struggling to walk so I took the rest of the day off. I'm planning to go swimming (it's supposed to take some pressure off my hips) and just take it easy.

Mama's Little Jumpin' Bean

Last night I was sitting on the couch and realized I could really SEE the baby moving around. I called Adam over and told him to just watch for a minute. Sure enough, Adam was able to see the movement. The Jumpin' Bean was pretty quiet after that though so we don't have any video to upload.

I Shaved My Legs for This?

We went to Portland this weekend for Adam's grandmother's birthday party. We had a great time and I am so glad we were able to attend.

The only disappointing thing...our hotel didn't have a working pool. I thought for sure it would have an indoor pool and I was really looking forward to swimming (it's supposed to help take pressure off your back and hips during pregnancy). Unfortunately the pool at the Marriott Residence Inn near Lloyd Center is an outdoor pool. Why in the world would ANYONE in Portland have an outdoor pool?

Off to Portland

We are leaving for Portland right after work today. I'm looking forward to the trip but am more than a little concerned about my energy level. Some days I feel pretty good but some days I feel an exhaustion level that simply can't be described. On those days I struggle to keep myself moving, I slur my words and I simply have to take a nap. I almost always have one of those days on Saturday so we've requested early check-in at our hotel with the hope that I will be able to take a nap between lunch and dinner.

Clothes!

Today I received a Hanna Andersson gift card in the mail. It's funny because I was thinking as I drove home that I didn't really have many clothes yet for the baby. I got online and placed an order immediately. We should get the order in the next week or so. I ordered 5 white long-sleeved shirts (in two different sizes), 5 little pairs of pants (also in two different sizes) and a little fleece jacket similar to the one we already have but in the next size up.

So now the baby will have a fleece jacket, red pants, blue pants and striped pants in size 50 (0-3 months) and size 60 (2-6 months). I thought these were pretty foolproof unisex outfits though and I like that they will definitely mix and match.

Beached

I rolled over onto my back last night in my sleep. Just in case you've never been 34 weeks pregnant, let me tell you, it wasn't pleasant. I was in a lot of pain from all the weight of the baby pressing down on me and then I really struggled to get up to change positions.

Rockabye Baby

I was looking for things on Amazon to add to my Christmas list and came across these CDs. They make these for a bunch of bands. If you're interested in hearing samples you can find them on Amazon.

Medical Update

Had another appointment with the OB. Today I saw Dr. Grissom and she was efficient. I can't really say she was warm or nice but she did answer my questions and do all the things she needed to do.

My blood pressure was 120/70, my weight was up 1 lb (from 2 weeks ago), the baby's heart rate was in the 120s. Also, I got cleared for takeoff to Portland this weekend so everything is good.

Busy Busy Busy

Well, we didn't get quite as much done as we wanted but we still did a lot of work today! We made lasagna and are in the process of making chicken pot pie. We got all the windows insulated (amazing what a difference that makes!). We went ahead and saw the movie even though we didn't get ALL the stuff done.

Overall, a pretty productive day.

Planning Ahead

This week I used my newish cookbook to make macaroni and cheese. I made three loaf pans of it and froze two. We made small hamburgers to eat with it and the dinner was a hit! You may remember that I've been trying to make and freeze meals for when the baby comes. The past month or so we've been really busy and tired and we haven't managed to freeze much of anything. After the rousing success of macaroni and cheese I decided to look through my cookbook again for inspiration.

This week we are planning to make chicken pot pie, lasagna, pizza dough and enchiladas. We are going to try to make as many as possible today so we won't have to cook during the week. While I am working on cooking, Adam is going to work on insulating our windows with that plastic film stuff. When we finish our very ambitious project we are going to reward ourselves with a trip to the movies to see The Golden Compass...I might even drink a coke.

Next weekend we will be in Portland for Adam's grandmother's birthday and our last out of town trip until after the baby comes.

My Favorite Thing

I recently bit the bullet and purchased a maternity wedge pillow. It has made such a difference in my comfort level while sleeping. It works sort of like a shim...I place it under my belly and it keeps me from rolling too far forward and putting weight on my belly. I can also use it if I want to sleep on my back because it elevates me enough to keep all the blood flowing but allows me to sleep without pressure on my hip.

Sunday Triple Header

All of a sudden I've got a bunch of things I want to write about. Not wanting to forget any of these gems, I will post them all right now.

1. Mick (our dog) has always liked hiding under things, in corners and so forth. Since we started putting furniture in the baby's room he has taken a liking to hiding under it. When we first got the dresser we started finding him under it all the time. We weren't expecting him to be able to get under the crib because it has a lower clearance but I guess we underestimated his terrier persistence. The only problem with him getting under the crib is that we don't think he's figured out how to get out yet. Several times now we've had to lift the crib to let him out. It seems like he should be able to get out if he was able to get in there but who knows.

2. This morning I was sitting on the couch and Adam placed his head on my belly. After about 10 seconds the baby kicked Adam in the head. It was pretty mild as kicks go but Adam definitely felt it. Adam kept his head there another minute or so but Baby Ross was NOT HAPPY and dealt him a huge combination kick that had us both laughing hysterically. Adam was surprised at just how physical a kick a 4 pound baby can deliver. Adam doesn't have to get kicked in the head too many times to get a clue so he moved his head out of the danger zone.

3. Kids at school are slowly realizing I'm pregnant. One girl, a first grader, is totally fascinated by the baby. The other day I was sitting down and she needed her shoe tied. I had her put her foot on my thigh because there was just no way I would be able to bend over and tie that shoe! Anyway she very sweetly said, "Mrs. Ross...am I kicking your baby?" I had to stifle a laugh but I replied, "No honey, the baby is not in my leg, don't worry."

Sore Ribs

I guess I've officially made it to another milestone. I woke up this morning feeling like I'd been punched in the ribs on my right side. I'm having trouble breathing because it hurts more when I inhale. This too shall pass.

Kitchen Pictures

We've been meaning to post them but we just kept forgetting. Now you can finally see pictures of all the hard work we did in the kitchen. We still want to replace the floor and the counters but you'll get the idea.

The first picture shows the new light fixture that Adam installed. The second picture shows not only the repainted cabinets but also the fancy new hinges and the shelves we put up.

Crazy Baby Judo

We had fun at the party last night but it WORE ME OUT. It was different than any other party I've ever been to...they had a mechanical bull, trick ropers, gun slingers and a wild west photo booth. My work Christmas party is at a pizza place. I'm thinking it will be a little more subdued.

Anyway, when I was trying to get to sleep the baby started doing this crazy kicking that we call Baby Judo. I'm not exactly sure how s/he does it but I can feel it simultaneously on both sides of my belly and they are so hard that Adam can definitely feel them. We've never had a chance to SEE Baby Judo (s/he only does it when I'm trying to sleep) but I'm pretty sure we'd be able to see them pretty clearly. I was trying to figure out exactly how s/he is doing Baby Judo and the only thing I can figure is that s/he is doing the splits.