Progress, well sorta

I had an appointment today after two weeks without one. I was expecting change. Last time I was 3cm, 80% and -1 station. Today she said 3+, 90% effaced and still -1 station. So, I effaced 10% more. I mean, really? That hardly even counts. I asked her what 3+ means and she says that most times when you tell a patient they're 4 cm dilated they freak out and think they have to be admitted to the hospital right away cuz they're in labor. So I guess I'm really 4 cm, but the 3+ sounds better. I don't know. I have another appt on Monday, which seems kinda silly to have one 4 days from now. Maybe I'll move my induction to Tuesday. My induction is now schedule for Wed the 22nd. Don't ask me why I changed it, I'm hormonal. Doug had a test he needed to take on Tuesday and that's a day after my due date. But the pediatrician would not let me leave until Christmas Eve, which seems to ruin some plans. Anyway, I don't know what I'm doing but I thought I'd update.

Most pregnant I've ever been

I am now officially more pregnant than I've ever been. Somehow it's not that great of a milestone to reach. Still feel it's going to be a little while

Beat ya sucker

That's the text Doug got from his coworker. His wife is due ten days after me and is in labor right now. I came down the stairs tonight Doug turned to me and said, "You're not gonna like this."

On a happier note, our super neighbors brought this over today.

It was so unexpected and totally made my day.

Scheduled

So I found out this last week that I am Group B strep positive, which means I have to get antibiotics during labor. They want the antibiotics given twice in four hours. The only problem is my labors are not usually that long. I'm not due til the 21st, but really, who wants their birthday on the 21st of December? They'd get the whole, oh "here's your birthday and Christmas present" deal all their life. Everyone I've talked to who has their birthday around that times says that's what happens. I know that getting the antibiotics is best for the baby and I only want what's best. So I've scheduled an induction for the 15th of December. Time to be determined the day before. This way I can guarantee all the antibiotics. But I really wanted to go into labor on my own this time. I was so excited for it, the whole when would labor start? At that point I'll be 39w1d, the most pregnant I've ever been. My water broke with Charlotte at 37 weeks. With Ben I was also GBS + and they induced me at 38w2d. With Anna I made it to 38w5d and went into labor on my own. Anyway, I'm having a hard time with this. Deep down I know I won't go into labor on my own before that. My pregnancy has been so different this time around that I know I won't have an early labor like I have with the others. Also, my MIL is coming down to stay on the 14th to help out. The 15th would be perfect and safest and best for my baby. When I called to schedule the induction the nurse was like, "You do know this is an elective induction right?" Almost started crying right then. It makes me feel so guilty. I know that having a date scheduled makes everything easier. Babysitters for the kids, Doug has work off scheduled, etc. But I just feel like I'm admitting defeat doing it this way. Ok, had to get this all off my chest. Thanks Ok, just found out that Charlotte has a school Christmas presentation on the 16th so we're moving it to the 17th. I figure if I'm going to have the luxury of scheduling it I'd like not to miss important things like my daughter's Christmas singing!

The snow!

At least the kids love the snow! It's the Christmas season

Fall

Charlotte was asked to create a monster for school. I am not creative. When I saw that assignment I cringed. I'm very lucky to have a husband who likes those sorts of things. He and Charlotte sat down and created this. She was so proud! Thank goodness one of us is creative. We tell the kids stories every night before bed and I dread that part every night. I have to come up with a brand new story every day. Doug, on the other hand, makes it look so easy. I love him!




We had crazy hair day at school and this is what we came up with! I love how much she wants to participate in these activities.


Doug had his birthday last month and instead of a cake he wanted popcorn balls. It was fantastic. And it all got eaten! Normally cakes sit at our house for a few days before I finally throw them away. He got to go to a Jazz game for his birthday. Sometimes I actually am a good wife.




For Halloween Charlotte couldn't decide between being Tinkerbell or Belle. When I got this Belle costume for free I decided for her! So she wears it to school but then decides she wants to be a witch when we actually go out trick or treating. As you might have guessed, a girl she likes at school dressed up as a witch and so being a witch was way cooler. Luckily we had one downstairs in the hobbit room. It was raining that night and our costumes got a little obscured. But the kids had a blast. We drove the car and would heat up in the car in between houses. It was freezing and I couldn't believe how long the kids lasted. I'm sure I didn't help though. I just don't understand how you give up free candy. Doug was the one encouraging us to head home and I kept saying, "How about this house?"




My sister in law made Doug this awesome costume, though with the rain and whatnot he never really got to wear it. Doesn't he look great?



Anna would not wear any costume. I tried 3 different ones and she sobbed every time. So she went trick or treating like this:

Crazy makeup lady. Yeah, it was the best we could come up with. After a few houses she was just too cold and didn't want to come out to the doors. I knew though that she would be so upset if Charlotte and Ben had Halloween candy and she didn't so I went to the door and asked for candy for her. I'm sure people thought I was just getting it for myself. You'd be surprised how much restraint I've shown this year though. I've hardly had any of her candy.

It's started

I got my cerclage out last week and since then people seem to respond to my phone calls quicker. My mother in law starts out phone conversation with, "Is she in labor?" Even Doug is more antsy. I'm sure this baby won't come for a few more weeks, but it's funny to notice the change. Until my SIL was pregnant I never realized the excitement of wondering when a woman will go into labor. It's crazy fun wondering if they'll go into labor that day and I love that I get to be involved! So as annoying as it all is, I get it. Also, no matter how much your sister loves you, don't walk into a room and tell her "Oh my gosh you're huge!" I don't know what it is, but these last few weeks I have felt enormous. It doesn't help when other people agree with you. I've been measuring 2 weeks ahead for a month now. I want to think that means the baby will come sooner, but I know it doesn't work that way. At least though that helps me feel better about being huge. We've got the crib set up, the bags packed and the carseat all ready. Now it's just the waiting game. We still don't know what we're having. We've got a girl and boy take home outfit in the bag. Doug has not decided on a name yet, though he promises he'll decide before we leave the hospital. Anyway, that's the update.