Here are some pics of the happy day! Sorry my camera and I haven't figured out how to get very good photos in the low-light of indoor settings. Sigh. For more photos, check out my flickr.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Congratulations Nick & Ashlea!!
Today our friends Nick & Ashlea got married! It was a really nice ceremony and reception. I of course didn't stay for the whole thing because four hours of socializing is about my limit these days, but I'm so glad I was able to go. Getting all dressed up while pregnant sure is an experience though. Phew. I even wore little heels!! Then happily came home to my pjs and flip flops.
Here are some pics of the happy day! Sorry my camera and I haven't figured out how to get very good photos in the low-light of indoor settings. Sigh. For more photos, check out my flickr.
Here are some pics of the happy day! Sorry my camera and I haven't figured out how to get very good photos in the low-light of indoor settings. Sigh. For more photos, check out my flickr.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Doc Update/Lamaze/Garden
So today we went for our 37 week doc appointment. First, my doc had to reschedule but we didn't get the message so we showed up only to be told to come back later. Ah well. I guess she had two deliveries this AM so that's exciting. Anyway, by the time we actually had our appointment we discovered all is still well! His heartbeat was between 130-140 (can't remember for sure), I was measuring 34 cm, I'd gained some weight (sigh), and my blood pressure was good. I discovered that the penicillin will indeed be administered via IV during labor, and I need a dose every 6 hours. Hopefully I only need one!! I did also find out that I won't need to be hooked up to the IV the whole time, just in the beginning to get the penicillin. Should be ok. I don't think I've ever been hooked up to an IV before though, so it sort of freaks me out.
We had our third Lamaze class tonight. It was really good! We did the tour of the hospital and the class was more talkative and asked a lot of questions; I in particular couldn't keep quiet, but this was the stuff I was really curious about. At first I was creeped out by the hospital. I didn't think it would bother me, but I realized that it really did seem weird to be going to this place associated with pain and sickness for something so healthy like childbirth. The labor and delivery rooms are designed to seem homey, but the result is an awkward cold hotel room with hospital equipment throughout. I was feeling a little freaked out. But as we stood there, in the creepy hospital/hotel room, with the instructor showing us all of the equipment and components of the room, Aaron and I actually became very excited about our upcoming adventure. It is really gonna happen!! And it's gonna be ok!! And even though hospitals are weird, it really sounds like they do what they can to make this a positive experience for us. For most of the laboring, it will just be Aaron and I, doing our thing -- that helps a lot. There are squatting bars and birthing balls available, and the bed adjusts to a variety of positions. There is a private bathroom, and most have showers and one even has a bath (so hopefully I can get the one with the bath!). The baby will be in the room with us the whole time, too. Two hours after delivery we move to the post-partum rooms. Those are really big and the one we were in was nice and sunny. There is a TV and DVD player, so we can watch movies, and again, the baby will be with us the whole time. All the post-partum rooms are single rooms, so it should really be OK. And what really got us anxious for the big day was going by the nursery! There was only one little baby in there since mostly they do all that stuff right in the delivery room. But he was right up by the window, a pink little newborn. It was so amazing and beautiful -- I think I actually got choked up. Our instructor guessed him to be about 7 lbs. Our little one isn't far from that now (most likely)! Ok little Nemec, we're ready whenever you are!!
I brought my camera but didn't take any pictures at the hospital because I was too shy. But here are some pictures of our garden and a butterfly that was hanging out on Aaron's shoulder.
We had our third Lamaze class tonight. It was really good! We did the tour of the hospital and the class was more talkative and asked a lot of questions; I in particular couldn't keep quiet, but this was the stuff I was really curious about. At first I was creeped out by the hospital. I didn't think it would bother me, but I realized that it really did seem weird to be going to this place associated with pain and sickness for something so healthy like childbirth. The labor and delivery rooms are designed to seem homey, but the result is an awkward cold hotel room with hospital equipment throughout. I was feeling a little freaked out. But as we stood there, in the creepy hospital/hotel room, with the instructor showing us all of the equipment and components of the room, Aaron and I actually became very excited about our upcoming adventure. It is really gonna happen!! And it's gonna be ok!! And even though hospitals are weird, it really sounds like they do what they can to make this a positive experience for us. For most of the laboring, it will just be Aaron and I, doing our thing -- that helps a lot. There are squatting bars and birthing balls available, and the bed adjusts to a variety of positions. There is a private bathroom, and most have showers and one even has a bath (so hopefully I can get the one with the bath!). The baby will be in the room with us the whole time, too. Two hours after delivery we move to the post-partum rooms. Those are really big and the one we were in was nice and sunny. There is a TV and DVD player, so we can watch movies, and again, the baby will be with us the whole time. All the post-partum rooms are single rooms, so it should really be OK. And what really got us anxious for the big day was going by the nursery! There was only one little baby in there since mostly they do all that stuff right in the delivery room. But he was right up by the window, a pink little newborn. It was so amazing and beautiful -- I think I actually got choked up. Our instructor guessed him to be about 7 lbs. Our little one isn't far from that now (most likely)! Ok little Nemec, we're ready whenever you are!!
I brought my camera but didn't take any pictures at the hospital because I was too shy. But here are some pictures of our garden and a butterfly that was hanging out on Aaron's shoulder.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
37 weeks!!
Well I will post more after the doc appointment tomorrow, but I couldn't resist the urge to announce that I am officially 37 WEEKS pregnant!!!! That's awesome news because it means the pregnancy is now considered "full-term". The little one will continue to develop over the next few weeks (particularly his lungs), but as far as the medical world is concerned, if he were born today he would not need special NICU care or anything like that (unless there are other complications we aren't aware of). I will not be going into premature labor!!
In other news: Our friends Nick & Ashlea are getting married on Saturday, so that's fun. Aaron and I have been putting together some song lists to play during dinner and the reception, so that's been lots of fun, and we're helping however else we can. It really is a family and friend event so it should be great, and I'll just see how long I can last, ha ha. The wedding is at 4:30 with reception following... I can probably make it until 9, right??
I am now sort of on my own homemade maternity leave. I have a ton of unused vacation hours at work and my contract ends this month so I have to use 'em or lose 'em. Therefore I just worked two days this week, will work two days next week, and then take a week off, and work one more day. Oh, and my work days are four-hour days. Pretty sweet. But he*l, I'm 9 months pregnant and I guess I deserve some lazy home time before my life changes forever, right? I still have ten hours of vacation time I won't be using, as well as 18 unused sick days so I really don't have to go to work at all, but I do hope they are still considering hiring me in the fall (the job is still in the works but should still be a go -- it has been approved by one office but now they are going back and forth with HR to get the job description approved for posting).
Ooooh and my brother is off to Australia today!! I bugged him over and over to make sure I had a way to contact him if the big day happens while he's over seas. Guess it isn't really that different than him being in California, but we both felt different about it and wanted to be able to get in touch. He comes back before the end of the month, so I think he'll be in the states when I give birth, but we'll just have to see.
Any guesses on birth dates?? Comment if you have any. As of late I'm going with July 3rd...
In other news: Our friends Nick & Ashlea are getting married on Saturday, so that's fun. Aaron and I have been putting together some song lists to play during dinner and the reception, so that's been lots of fun, and we're helping however else we can. It really is a family and friend event so it should be great, and I'll just see how long I can last, ha ha. The wedding is at 4:30 with reception following... I can probably make it until 9, right??
I am now sort of on my own homemade maternity leave. I have a ton of unused vacation hours at work and my contract ends this month so I have to use 'em or lose 'em. Therefore I just worked two days this week, will work two days next week, and then take a week off, and work one more day. Oh, and my work days are four-hour days. Pretty sweet. But he*l, I'm 9 months pregnant and I guess I deserve some lazy home time before my life changes forever, right? I still have ten hours of vacation time I won't be using, as well as 18 unused sick days so I really don't have to go to work at all, but I do hope they are still considering hiring me in the fall (the job is still in the works but should still be a go -- it has been approved by one office but now they are going back and forth with HR to get the job description approved for posting).
Ooooh and my brother is off to Australia today!! I bugged him over and over to make sure I had a way to contact him if the big day happens while he's over seas. Guess it isn't really that different than him being in California, but we both felt different about it and wanted to be able to get in touch. He comes back before the end of the month, so I think he'll be in the states when I give birth, but we'll just have to see.
Any guesses on birth dates?? Comment if you have any. As of late I'm going with July 3rd...
Sunday, June 8, 2008
maybe i'm a koala
Lafayette, IN, has reached summer. Summer here is thick moist air and oppressive heat. Every year, you try to get used to a layer of sticky moisture coating your skin. Imagine that while being 9 months pregnant. Ick. We do not have central air in the little old cottage-like ranch house we rent, so I keep a box fan on me whenever possible.
Yet today, despite the dense air and 90 degree heat, we went to the Indianapolis zoo with our friends Tain & Ingrid! Luckily Indiana sacrifices trees and hills for wind, so we did have a hearty breeze to provide some relief. The day at the zoo was terrific, though, regardless of weather. I saw a handful of other pregnant women, all who I swear weren't suffering the heat and baby weight as much as I, but I suppose it's probably just a perspective thing. I also had the opportunity to watch all sorts of moms and dads with their children of all ages, which becomes more and more fascinating as the big day approaches.
Here are some pics from the zoo!
In other news:
I had my work baby shower yesterday, and that was very nice. It was so generous of my boss and his wife to throw the shower for us, and I was actually very touched to see so many people show up. My office is a quiet one with limited staff, and I'm a part-time student worker, so I sort of feared that no one would come and it would be terribly awkward. Despite the fact that it's always weird to be the center of attention at something like this, and that I was socializing with co-workers outside of the workplace, it was a really really nice event. So thanks for that!
That's about it for now. The little guy who lives in my belly seems to be having fun switching sides, which is strange because he's so big now. He had been camped out in one position for weeks and weeks, and over the past few days he seems to alternate sides daily. His head remains down though, so I don't think it's cause to worry, but it is funny to watch my lopsided midsection move back and forth.
Though I still feel enormous and continue to grow, I realized at my last doctor's appointment that I've gained about 26 lbs from my initial weigh-in. That sounds like a lot, but they recommend gaining 25-35 lbs during pregnancy, so it seems I'm doing OK after all. And no stretch marks yet, but I sort of feel they are gonna spring up on me in the last week or two, or perhaps not appear until after the birth. We'll see!
Yet today, despite the dense air and 90 degree heat, we went to the Indianapolis zoo with our friends Tain & Ingrid! Luckily Indiana sacrifices trees and hills for wind, so we did have a hearty breeze to provide some relief. The day at the zoo was terrific, though, regardless of weather. I saw a handful of other pregnant women, all who I swear weren't suffering the heat and baby weight as much as I, but I suppose it's probably just a perspective thing. I also had the opportunity to watch all sorts of moms and dads with their children of all ages, which becomes more and more fascinating as the big day approaches.
Here are some pics from the zoo!
In other news:
I had my work baby shower yesterday, and that was very nice. It was so generous of my boss and his wife to throw the shower for us, and I was actually very touched to see so many people show up. My office is a quiet one with limited staff, and I'm a part-time student worker, so I sort of feared that no one would come and it would be terribly awkward. Despite the fact that it's always weird to be the center of attention at something like this, and that I was socializing with co-workers outside of the workplace, it was a really really nice event. So thanks for that!
That's about it for now. The little guy who lives in my belly seems to be having fun switching sides, which is strange because he's so big now. He had been camped out in one position for weeks and weeks, and over the past few days he seems to alternate sides daily. His head remains down though, so I don't think it's cause to worry, but it is funny to watch my lopsided midsection move back and forth.
Though I still feel enormous and continue to grow, I realized at my last doctor's appointment that I've gained about 26 lbs from my initial weigh-in. That sounds like a lot, but they recommend gaining 25-35 lbs during pregnancy, so it seems I'm doing OK after all. And no stretch marks yet, but I sort of feel they are gonna spring up on me in the last week or two, or perhaps not appear until after the birth. We'll see!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
nesting, strep b, lamaze
Well I thought I was missing the nesting gene, but I think I actually have a little bit of nesting in me after all! It has been so fun to wash all the new baby clothes and think about the arrival of our little guy. Aaron and I have pretty much rearranged every room and cleaned the place top to bottom, but with us, all our art projects, and two dogs, big cleanings are needed regularly!
In other news, I got the call from the doc about the Strep B test (I swore she said I'd hear next week but I guess I was mistaken). Anyway, bummer is I tested positive. Ick. Makes me feel dirty or something, but I guess it's a very common bacteria that lives in the intestines and sometimes the vagina. In any given perfectly healthy woman it may be present at one time and absent at another. They test around 36 weeks to see if it is likely that the bacteria will be present during birth. If it is, there is a possibility of infection in the newborn. So to prevent the infection, they give you a dose of penicillin. There is of course a lot of debate as to whether it's better to use these antibiotics or not, so I find myself hopping either side of the fence depending on which article I read. Consequently, I will just go with the doctor's orders.
And we had our second lamaze class tonight. I don't know if I want to continue taking these classes!! First part was alright, we did some somewhat awkward but ok ice-breaking exercises. Then we watched a video that discussed the stages of labor and showed some parts of a live birth. Man, the placenta is huge! No wonder bellies have to be so big to hold the baby, placenta, and all those fluids. Anyway all that stuff was good to see, but the second half we started breathing exercises. It was so awkward!! She played this really strange instrumental cd of songs like Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star while we were all lying down on gym mats in the dark and she told us to concentrate on the music. Then we had to start these relaxation exercises where couples faced each other, breathing in and tensing a body part, and breathing out and relaxing. Ok, that all sounds fine, but she starts by having us tense up our face muscles. SOO Aaron and I are lying there facing each other listening to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, breathing in and scrunching up our faces into weird frowns or big grins and we're NOT supposed to laugh??? Well, I lost it in a giggle attack while everyone seems to be peacefully practicing just like they are supposed to. I felt like I was a 12-yr-old school girl or something. I don't know. I finally regained my composure and Aaron and I struggled through the rest of the exercises, trying to keep our cool. But she says things like "if you didn't bring a focal point, focus on your husband's nose"... I dunno... this lamaze class might not be for me. Next week we do the hospital tour which I'm excited for so we'll definitely go to that, but I don't know about the last two weeks. Seems Aaron and I might do better coming up with our own relaxation techniques...
In other news, I got the call from the doc about the Strep B test (I swore she said I'd hear next week but I guess I was mistaken). Anyway, bummer is I tested positive. Ick. Makes me feel dirty or something, but I guess it's a very common bacteria that lives in the intestines and sometimes the vagina. In any given perfectly healthy woman it may be present at one time and absent at another. They test around 36 weeks to see if it is likely that the bacteria will be present during birth. If it is, there is a possibility of infection in the newborn. So to prevent the infection, they give you a dose of penicillin. There is of course a lot of debate as to whether it's better to use these antibiotics or not, so I find myself hopping either side of the fence depending on which article I read. Consequently, I will just go with the doctor's orders.
And we had our second lamaze class tonight. I don't know if I want to continue taking these classes!! First part was alright, we did some somewhat awkward but ok ice-breaking exercises. Then we watched a video that discussed the stages of labor and showed some parts of a live birth. Man, the placenta is huge! No wonder bellies have to be so big to hold the baby, placenta, and all those fluids. Anyway all that stuff was good to see, but the second half we started breathing exercises. It was so awkward!! She played this really strange instrumental cd of songs like Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star while we were all lying down on gym mats in the dark and she told us to concentrate on the music. Then we had to start these relaxation exercises where couples faced each other, breathing in and tensing a body part, and breathing out and relaxing. Ok, that all sounds fine, but she starts by having us tense up our face muscles. SOO Aaron and I are lying there facing each other listening to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, breathing in and scrunching up our faces into weird frowns or big grins and we're NOT supposed to laugh??? Well, I lost it in a giggle attack while everyone seems to be peacefully practicing just like they are supposed to. I felt like I was a 12-yr-old school girl or something. I don't know. I finally regained my composure and Aaron and I struggled through the rest of the exercises, trying to keep our cool. But she says things like "if you didn't bring a focal point, focus on your husband's nose"... I dunno... this lamaze class might not be for me. Next week we do the hospital tour which I'm excited for so we'll definitely go to that, but I don't know about the last two weeks. Seems Aaron and I might do better coming up with our own relaxation techniques...
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
pictures!
Here are some pics of the garden. Yeah, we've got weeds and things are randomly placed, but we just wanted to see if things would grow. Guess what? They are! Check out that pumpkin! (We had thunderstorms all night so everything is muddy and wet).
And here I am trying to take a picture of my 36 week belly. It's hard to get a good angle. And please forgive the wet hair :)
And here I am trying to take a picture of my 36 week belly. It's hard to get a good angle. And please forgive the wet hair :)
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
36 wks - doc update
Went to the doc today! All is healthy and well!! I am measuring just 33 cm I think, but doc says that's OK because he has ENGAGED!! Meaning I was right, he has dropped into the lower pelvic cavity in preparation for the big day. She said I am even 1 cm dilated so that's cool!! Doesn't mean too much -- birth could still be five weeks away, but it's still neat to know that my body is doing what it needs to do to make this thing happen. I had my Strep B test today and will get the results for that next week or so. I will now start seeing the doc every week.
Thursday is our second Lamaze class. Maybe I will finally remember to bring my camera somewhere and have some pictures for you. I forgot to mention the guy in my class that is JUST like Eugene Levy so Aaron and I are excited to watch him this week.
And two more exciting bits of news:
Our friends Ingrid & Tain are staying in Lafayette for at least another year!! Tain got a cool job for the Nanotech something-or-other dept. at Purdue and they are stickin' around. AWESOME.
AND...
Aaron got into grad school! CONGRATS TO AARON!! He is going to start his MFA in ETB (electronic and time-based media) at Purdue in the fall. He will get to quit his mind-numbing office job! WAY TO GO DAD!!
So lots of exciting news here in W Lafayette. We also bought a snazzy red arm chair and are finally getting the house to be a little bit less like a storage unit and more like a home.
Thursday is our second Lamaze class. Maybe I will finally remember to bring my camera somewhere and have some pictures for you. I forgot to mention the guy in my class that is JUST like Eugene Levy so Aaron and I are excited to watch him this week.
And two more exciting bits of news:
Our friends Ingrid & Tain are staying in Lafayette for at least another year!! Tain got a cool job for the Nanotech something-or-other dept. at Purdue and they are stickin' around. AWESOME.
AND...
Aaron got into grad school! CONGRATS TO AARON!! He is going to start his MFA in ETB (electronic and time-based media) at Purdue in the fall. He will get to quit his mind-numbing office job! WAY TO GO DAD!!
So lots of exciting news here in W Lafayette. We also bought a snazzy red arm chair and are finally getting the house to be a little bit less like a storage unit and more like a home.
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