D-Day...

Well, today is the due date day. Doesn't seem like little pumpkin will be making his/her arrival anytime soon.

To help me relax and cure my "uptightness" that my doc called it, we will just be relaxing at the house today. No water aerobics, no errands. Maybe even read a non-baby book!

And Kathryn, to comment on your comment from yesterday, he has delivered many babies. Should take his recommendations. Kinda hard for a type A person like me. I feel like I'm just being lazy. Don't have War and Peace, but do have a few other books. Now just to find a comfortable reading position.

Thanks for the thoughts and prayers. Was a little overwhelmed yesterday. I am soo honored to be pumpkin's mom - I just can't wait to meet him or her! That time will come, eventually :-)

Any suggestions on helping me be less "uptight"? What did you do when you were waiting for your babies to come? Did schedule a nice "date night' for tonight - fondue at the Melting Pot! yum!

1 down...

9 cm to go! Well, we are progressing, but I thought I would be much farther along at this point (massage, water aerobics, full moon...). Kinda disappointed. Well, very disappointed. Also, the check was a little more uncomfortable than I thought, so getting kinda nervous about this whole labor thing. Say a few extra prayers...this momma's doesn't know what to expect or how I'm going to handle it! And to top that, my doc says I'm doing too much and need to relax. He said just get a book and read. Doesn't he understand how difficult it is for me to lay and read!! Men! Doctors! argh!

FYI, the ultrasound due date is June 22/23...so I'm trying not to get all worked up. And I was 3 weeks late, although my doc will only let me go 2 weeks (July!!).

St. Gerard, pray for us.
St. Gianna, pray for us.

1 day...

Well, as I try not to think that tomorrow is my due date, I'm going to keep myself busy today. So as not to keep my readers in suspense, just want to let you know I did not go into labor last night. Going to finish some freezer meals this morning, have lunch with my good friend Robin, and then head to my doc appointment to see how things are progressing. Had a great massage last night, and she hit all the labor pressure points! We'll see if that works! You may be lucky and get 2 posts today...

2 days...

Wow - 2 days! But, could be up to 16 - my doc says we'll talk about inducing at 42 weeks. So, this daily update may continue for awhile! I did do my water aerobics today, and am off to a massage in an hour...maybe that will get things progressing!!

Yesterday my friends Kathryn and Amber commented about having their children around the full moon. According to the Farmer's Almanac the next full moon is tomorrow - June 18! We'll see if that prediction runs true for us...

I did find an article to substantiate this, but most of the scientific studies state that this is mostly it is an old wives tale. Here is the article's reasoning:

The theory is that the moon's gravitational pull effects the amniotic fluid in much the same way as it effects the water in the sea, rivers and even the water that's otherwise found in our bodies.

As a woman's body prepares for natural childbirth, the amniotic sac becomes distended so the point where it will easily burst if put under pressure. Under normal circumstances, the pressure of labor contractions bursts the sac. During a full moon, the pressure caused by the moon's effect on the water inside the sac can cause the same things to happen, but without the accompanying contractions.

Well, if I do go into labor, I'll try to have Ry post something here. Otherwise, if I'm not posting, you know what I'm doing!

3 days...

Wow, 3 days? Really? I guess one thing about being "retired" is you never know what the date is. I know what day of the week it is, but not the date...

One assignment we had in our Bradley class was to write down activities to do for the week prior and 2 weeks after our due date. It's to help keep your mind off just waiting, and plan for other things.

So, today's activity: have lunch with my former roomie! yea! I had lunch with a former roomie Teri who I lived with my sophomore and junior years at A&M. She just moved back to Austin and we hadn't seen each other in several years. And today was her birthday - so happy birthday my friend!

Then I also spent some time chatting with my friend Sharon and she gave me a bundle of cloth diapers. Yea! Pumpkin is getting all stocked up!

I forgot to post yesterday of this strange comment I got while in line at Rudy's. This woman commented that I was "huge" and must be having twins. When I told her it was just one, she said the baby had to be 10 pounds!! Can you believe it! I have only put on about 23 pounds this entire pregnancy! And that someone would tell a stranger that. And it wasn't that she didn't have children, she was holding a child. Oh please, no 10 pound baby for me! please...

Ry thought it was weird too that when we were at Starbucks yesterday, the cashier leaned over the counter to touch my belly! I should have at least gotten a free drink out of that!

I guess I should consider myself lucky. Haven't been stopped with the crazy birthing stories from strangers, or gotten many other pats on the belly. There is a full moon coming, maybe that's why people were acting so strange...

4 days...Happy Father's Day!!

We've had a relaxing day today! Mass, Starbucks, HEB, and Rudy's for some BBQ. Boy was that place crowded - guess it is where all the dads wanted to be!

Ry's parents came down to celebrate the day with us. It was nice just to hang out and relax. Even found more decorations for the nursery, so will have to post updated photos soon!

Ry did pretty good for his father's day! A Burn Notice dvd (he just loves the show), cute family frame with pic of us, and pic of me in one of his shirts. Next year I'll take it with our little one and we can watch how he/she grows up in daddy's clothes! It barely buttoned for me! Ry's parents gave him some baby items (car seat protector, for the new car and all, and a cute I love Daddy bib) and a nice shirt too! They even brought some food so I won't have to cook much this week! yea!

No contractions or anything. Just a bit uncomfortable, usually in the morning or at night. During the day, I seem fine, just walking much slower :-)

5 days...

Thanks for all the comments these past few days! I'm soo honored to have such great readers!

As promised, here are photos of our nursery. Still working on finishing painting the bookshelf, and trying to figure out some more artwork..

changing, nursing, rocking area

our super-cute crib, given to us by Ry's parents and the bedding by mine

the great closet Ry worked so hard on! and do you see the baptismal garment, it was first used for my aunt when she was baptized over 61 years ago!

and the entire room! the cute little aggie blanket was sent by our great friends Ray and Elizabeth, and we got it yesterday. I just love it!!

and here I am, 39 weeks preggo!

and exictedly so!

and last, my absolute favorite photo! Ry took this recently, and I just love it!!


still going to take it slow today! yesterday I spent the entire day at home! it was great!! giving myself a few days off, and then next week, well, at least my doc will be back!

6 days...

Well, not much going on today. Trying to take it real slow this weekend - my doc is on vacation and I would really like it for him to at least check up on me... So a fun day checking email, updating the blog, etc.

No contractions or anything. Pumpkin seems quite content. Will take a 39 week photo tonight, so y'all can see how I'm doing :-)

I am putting together a listing of intentions to pray for during contractions, so if you have any needs, please let me know. And also putting together some Catholic prayers, so if you have any suggestions...

39 weeks...

Well, here we are - 39 weeks! Amazing!

Little pumpkin is doing well. Went to the doc (actually, just saw the nurse) yesterday and all looks good. My doc is on vacation this week, so please pray that our little one doesn't decide to make his or her entrance until at least Monday :-) Another good thing is that since I just met with the nurse, we didn't started cervical checks. yea! Will find out next week if I'm progressing. The other good news is that my sugars have been great - and now I only have to check twice a day! yea! My fingertips will be soo happy!!

As I was thinking about what to post, I wanted to remember things that are a little more difficult for me during these last few weeks of pregnancy. Most of you mommas out there will understand, so feel free to post what was hard for you.

- washing dishes (seems like the sink is soo far away)
- rolling over (seriously, I have asked Ry to help me roll over to get comfortable)
- getting comfortable to sleep (I have 5 pillows on my side, and some nights use all of 'em)
- being warm (have the fan at medium to sleep and I don't use the covers and Ry is bundled like it is winter!)
- getting up at 2 am, or 4 am, or 6 am just to go to the restroom...and sometimes more than once!
- I'm walking much slower...
- can't really bend over to pick anything up
- taking naps in the afternoon (this is a real change, but I'm getting used to it :-)
- a bit of insomnia (can't seem to sleep in)
- driving (even though we have a new car...have to move the steering wheel a little more away)
- showering (got my stool in the shower now, so that makes it better)
- walking up and down the stairs
- growing out of pregnancy clothes!
- got pregnancy brain (reading things wrong, even wrote an email to Kraft this week that their instructions were wrong for a new item I tried)
- waiting (and y'all know me, I'm a real planner)
- wondering if this day or this night will be "the time"

Thanks for all your prayers and support during our pregnancy. There are some out there I know who read this blog and have walked with us through these last several months (and even the 4 years to get to this point), then y'all "stalkers" too! Feel free to comment so I know you are out there :-)

Will try to post more often this last week (or weeks, my doc won't worry about inducing until 42 weeks). A fellow blogger Florida Wife was great at posting her last week of pregnancy, so I will try to do so too! Maybe it will ward off some calls and emails...

Single digits...

Well, 9 days until my due date! Wow! Seems like just yesterday that we were finding out about this pregnancy. I was soo worried in the beginning. As many of y'all may know, this is our 4th pregnancy. The first 3 never made it past 10 weeks, so we kinda kept it under wraps until we passed our first trimester.

Things are going well. As you can see from the previous post, Ry was quite busy this weekend. And last night he generously went with me to the "big" HEB. We did a big "stock-up" trip. And I'm finally mastering the use of coupons - saved almost $31, although we did spend $159 (and I didn't get the meal deal, just regular coupons). I don't think the people behind me like me very much - I probably had 25 coupons! And the whole trip took 3 hours from leaving the house to returning. Probably won't be able to do trips like that for awhile.

Now, one thing we hadn't told many people, is that we found out that we were pregnant the day after the feast day of St. Gerard. I belong to an on-line Catholic group, and they had done a novena to St. Gerard in celebration of his feast day. On one day, one of the intentions was for us to increase our family. I do feel that through his intercession we have. He is a wonderful saint who is the patron saint of expectant mothers and pregnancy. You can find more info on him here.

So, since we are 9 days out, we plan to start a novena to him, asking for his intercession for this pregnancy and delivery. Feel free to join us!

Novena to St. Gerard

Most Blessed Trinity, I, Your child, thank You for all the gifts and privileges which You granted to St. Gerard, especially for those virtues with which You adorned him on earth and the glory which You now impart to him in heaven. Accomplish Your work, Oh Lord, so that Your kingdom may come about on earth. Through his merits, in union with those of Jesus and Mary, grant me the grace for which I ask.... (Mention your request)

And you, my powerful intercessor, St. Gerard, always so ready to help those who have recourse to you, pray for me. Come before the throne of Divine Mercy and do not leave without being heard. To you I confide this important and urgent affair.... Graciously take my cause in hand and do not let me end this novena without having experienced in some way the effects of your intercession. Amen.

O good St. Gerard, powerful intercessor before the throne of God, wonder-worker of our day, I call upon you and seek your help. While on earth, you always fulfilled God's designs; help me, too, always do God's holy will. Beseech the master of life, from whom all parenthood proceeds, to bless me with offspring, that I may raise up children to God in this life and heirs to the kingdom of God's glory in the life to come.   
Amen.

Photos to come on our almost finished nursery! yea!

My husband's been nesting...

Well, seems like it is not just me who has been nesting for this baby! Look at what my wonderful husband has done just in the last 36 hours:

- put in the mattress in the crib
- hung the artwork in the nursery (photos to come when I find the camera...). Quite a feat with a wife who couldn't make up her mind...
- hung a mirror in our bedroom that has been on our floor for over 2 years
- hung a mirror in the guest room
- washed both cars
- put extra dirt in the front yard
- watered the yard and making it look very nice
- set-up the pack-n-play in our bedroom
- installed the hammock in the pack-n-play
- installed the car seat in the car
- put together the stroller
- put together my nursing stool
- transplanted a sapling from our yard to a pot

And made dinner for me (and we had nothing in the house - even had to go to the grocery store to get food!). What a great husband! I'm so lucky and blessed!!

Momma's raise...

So, Momma got her raise - a new set of wheels! Yea! Check out our one-week old addition!

in the driver's seat...


a sweet side view...


front on...


and check out the date, the day before pumpkin is due!


A special thanks to my wonderful husband for making this possible! Your months (even years!) of research really paid off! It is a beautiful car and I love it! thank you!

the civic did find itself a new home - back in Aggieland! Tessa, hope you enjoy it as much as I have these past 10 years!

$945!!!

Pumpkin is up to $945 in pledges...Just need $155 to beat last year's of $1100. Any last minute sponsors? If so, use link on posting below!

a message on behalf of pumpkin...

I'd like to invite you sponsor me for the 14th Annual Texas Alliance for Life Walk 2008 (even though Mommy doesn't work there anymore). She has been training hard (well, maybe that's just to get ready for me), so we won't let you down. The Walk will be on June 7 in Austin, June 21 in Seguin and June 28 in Georgetown. We probably won't make it to any of the "official" walks, and just walk on our own (you know, Texas heat and all). The funds promote the sanctity of innocent human life and to raise funds for life-saving programs and agencies in our community.

100% of the proceeds will support these programs and agencies, and all donations are tax-deductible.

You can sponsor me here. Last year Mommy and Daddy raised over $1100 and I hope to beat that! I've already raised over $600!!! If you have any questions, just ask Mommy. If you have sponsored our family in the past 2 years, we thank you!!

Can't wait to meet you!!

love,
Pumpkin, age 37 1/2 weeks

4 week update...

Well, I have been officially out of work for 4 weeks now. This week I've been a bit discouraged on my progress in getting everything ready, so I decided to write down what I've done since my last day at TAL on May 1. Made me feel a bit better...

Classes:
Infant/Child/Adult CPR and First Aid class
Breast-feeding class (at hospital)
Infant Care class (at hospital)
Almost done with our Bradley Birth classes

Doctor appointments:
Weekly with ob/gyn
dental appointment (not very comfortable at this stage...)
almost weekly diabetic appointments (and got GD under control - without medication!) - and I have to include lots more exercise to keep this under control!
interviewed and chose pediatrician (thanks for the great recommendation Shana and Sharon)

NFP/FC stuff:
wrote letter to Dr. Hilgers for a client
5 appointments

Social engagements:
our 6th wedding anniversary!
several lunches with friends
wonderful baby shower
my parents visited for 2 weekends
Aggie Girls Night
joined and attended Moms' group at our parish
walking dates with friends (thanks Sara and Shana)
set up meal website for a friend who is due this week (I just love it this great website Care Calendar)
Pumpkin has raised over $500 for the Texas Alliance for Life Walk 2008

Baby Prep:
decided on a photographer for Pumpkin's first year (and won a $200 gift certificate)
set-up nursery - designed room set-up, washed newborn clothes, purchased some items we had yet to receive, etc.
finished baby shower thank-you notes
began updating our will
found gifts from pumpkin for his/her godparents
created birthplan
finished Secrets of the Baby Whisperer
almost done with Happiest Baby on the Block

Prep for house:
tried to complete weekly blessing hour (if you haven't heard of Flylady, check out the link!)
deep cleaned kitchen, guest bedroom, baths, laundry room, office, nursery, our bedroom, my closet, and our master bath
prepped 14 frozen meals for when bambino arrives
2 huge loads of stuff to Goodwill (including 6 bags of my clothes!)
4 boxes of books donated to our local library
began weekly menus (and tried to stick with them)
tried to go to the grocery store weekly (a big feat for me)

Okay, well that looks impressive. Guess my type A personality was getting the better of me...Sometimes you just need to write it down, and sit back, and reflect. Yesterday was 37 weeks, and it seems like things this week have slowed for me - taking more time to get out of bed, do simple errands, etc. As a friend of mine reminded me recently, I will never have this time again. This time just to relax and prepare. And my house is ready, maybe not perfect in my eyes, but I think it would be perfect in a baby's. It is our home!

36 weeks...

Well, here we are - 36 weeks! Can I tell people now that I am 9 months pregnant? Or will that freak people out?

Seems like Pumpkin and I finally got this gestational diabetes under control. We tried diet with no exercise, didn't work. We tried medicine, made me hypo-glycemic. And this past week, we tried diet and exercise, and to my (and my perinatalogist's surprise) we finally got it under control!! Whoop! Now we don't have to take that awful medicine, go for weekly ultrasounds, or BE INDUCED!! Ry has been such a great support - making me walk and exercise even when I didn't want to. It's been so hot lately, I didn't want to walk a couple nights ago, so we played Wii Sports for awhile. I'm not too good (could be this extra weight and all), but at least we were moving around and sweating.

I can't believe it has been 3 weeks since my last day at TAL. Doesn't seem that long... I think I need a post to show off all my nesting...maybe tomorrow when Ry has his Indiana Jones movie marathon!

Pumpkin's Austin Baby Shower...

Yesterday we celebrated Pumpkin with a baby shower here in Austin. I am blessed to have 6 wonderful friends who offered to put it on. The funny thing was that most of them met for the first time at the shower!

Here they are from left to right:
Sharon - my Catholic compass and wonderful prayer partner
Lorena - my former roommate in college, bridesmaid, etc.
Paula - a friend who has mirrored my life - moved to Austin at the same time, got married a week apart, pregnant together, etc.
me
Erin - my wonderful NFP teacher and support with our infertility
Robin - my former co-worker and wonderful cheerleader
Danielle - my husband's best friend's wife who has become one of my closest friends


My mom, sister and me


Me and my sister Tessa, and the cute rocker she painted and was given to Pumpkin by her and my mom


And I was very fortunate to have several other pregnant mommas at the shower. We may have to all get together in November for an updated photo... From right to left they are:
Rowena, due end of May
Lisa, due mid June
me, due June 19
Robin (due end of August)
Paula (due beginning of October)
Kristy (due middle of October)


Thanks again for everyone who helped prepare this special day, and helped us in all the things we need for our little one. Just a few more weeks...

update on the GD...

Well, looks like my readers have been praying hard for me and Pumpkin because...we have stopped taking the gestational diabetes medication!! yea! Seems like it was working a little too much, and my ob/gyn wanted me to get off it for a week. So, I'm going to work *super hard* this week to get the diet just right, and exercise, so that we don't have to go back on it. At least 3 times in the past week I have become hypo-glycemic (light-headed, shaky, fast heartbeat, etc.).

Thank you!! And we will keep y'all updated! Already 35 weeks tomorrow....

my friend Emily...

My friend Emily found this posting for me. Beautiful. Thank you!

If you want a fun read, check out her blog! Always keeps me laughing and smiling of her experiences as a mom of 5! Now I remember going to her wedding...and hanging out at St. Mary's even before she met her husband!! How wonderful to have blogs to keep up with each other's lives!!

6 1/2 years...

Last week we went to Green Pastures to celebrate our anniversary. We went there 6 years ago when Ryan proposed. Here we are then...


And here we are last week, 6 1/2 years later. Just little bit different!


And Happy Mother's Day too!