01/02/12:  We are getting several calls and texts per day asking for status updates - the answer is "not yet".  Though I was 95% effaced and dilated to 2cm on Thursday, she is hanging on.  My contractions have eased in the past couple days - still there, but less frequent.  Granted I could go into active labor at any time, no sign of it at the moment.  As one friend said "when it's time, it's time."

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12/31/11:  Okay, my sweet little girl is DUE today and has teased me in many, many ways, but still no appearance.  95% effaced and dilated to 2cm (as of 2 days ago) - it could happen anytime from tonight (getting less likely as the day marches on) to two weeks from now (at which time they'll induce).  We were supposed to meet our friend for tea today who is due in a week - she didn't show; instead we got a call she is in labor! 

 

So my New Year's wish for me and my baby is to find something to celebrate every day, regardless of our circumstances.  Even when things don't go as we hope, there is so much to be happy about and so many wonderful things to share with my daughter every day.  May we keep those things in our view and have faith that with positive thinking and energy, the rest will work out fine.

 

AND WOW, thanks all for the wonderful gifts.... I'm losing track of who I've mentioned and do need to get photos of everything up on here soon.  So amazing the endless wonderful book collection, CD's and toys from Jeni and her smart children. I've started reading the books to her - she gets excited when I do that.  Ann, Eugene and Marcus have practically outfitted my child into the next decade (literally - 9 pairs of jeans and more!?) and given endless beautiful classic wooden toys that will enhance her problem-solving skills (yay for thinkers!).  Joe, for the thoughtful gift certificate that will certainly come in handy.  Jerry and Cheree with all adorable clothes...  I think I've mentioned others, including Grandpa with the swing and clothes, Brandy with gorgeous hand-knitted sweater, clothes and toys; Ken with the awesome baby backpack; Mike with the Patagonia bunting and cheers for single parenting; John and Annette with the bath set; Eric M & Jess for sweet books; Eric G for helping with our tree and offering support (and a back-up ride!); and others who have offered to help in many ways.  So sweet!  Thank you!

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12/22/11: "Being a mom is the best thing that life can ever give you." ... from a friend today. :)

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12/21/11: Happy Solstice!  Thanks to my friend Eric G. for helping pick, get home and decorate the greatest Christmas tree ever last night.  I'm hoping it will be baby's first tree!  I'll try to get pictures posted of all the wonderful gifts we've received lately - a lovely hand-knitted sweater and baby clothes from Brandy, piles of sweet classic baby toys and books from Ann and Eugene, bathing set from my neighbors, John and Annette, and a baby swing and clothes from Grandpa - and the many other gifts mentioned previously.  So sweet!  Thank you all!

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12/18/11:  Yesterday was 38 weeks.  While her official due date is still almost 2 weeks away, she's teased me into thinking she was coming a couple times.  Now, I've just given in to the idea she is never coming - we are going to co-exist like this indefinitely. 

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12/11/11: We crossed 37 weeks yesterday - baby is full-term under anyone's definition.  It seems like everything is difficult at this stage - getting in and out of cars, walking, moving, sleeping, eating, living.  I feel like I need to be moved around with a crane.  Caring less and less if the house and my preparations are perfect when she comes - I just want her to come soon!  I keep thinking I'm close.....

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12/02/11: I saw the midwives last night.  Baby is preparing!  She has mostly dropped (-1), and I'm 80-90% effaced - which means once she finishes her drop, things could go very quickly.  I hardly slept with excitement - I have so much to do!!  BREATHE!  Oh, and thanks for the awesome baby backpack, Ken - it will be fun to hike with her!  Sweet!

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11/25/11:  Lots of contractions this morning - just 8 more days, baby!!  8 more days to reach the 36 week threshold where the midwives won't send us to the hospital.  Almost there!!

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11/23/11:  Presents for the baby today!  Thanks Jeni et al. for the great books and cute polar bear.... and Mike, for "spreading a little positive energy" and further outfitting my girl in outdoor-wear!

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11/17/11:  Water aerobics this morning with the blue-hairs at the local Rec Center!  Can't do much else.  Sweet!

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11/16/11:  45 more days until baby's due date!  While I'm surprised to find I still have a long "to-do" list (which is almost inconceivable in view of how much I've done), and I've had some difficult times during in this pregnancy (not related to her), I am just so happy to have my baby.  I can't wait to meet her and share the amazing and beautiful things in life together.  What an amazing gift coming into my life - there are no anchors big enough to hold us down!  Tonight is our first group meeting with other moms at the Birth Center - I'm happy to be meeting other expecting parents in the area. :)

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11/10/11:  After creating something like a crime scene in two beds last night, thrashing around with piles of pillows, trying to get comfortable, I decided to try the car.  Reclining the seat to the perfect angle (where I can breath, have blood flow to my lower body and still sleep), lumbar support, heated seats.  It is a bit cold in the garage this time of year in Utah, but hey, whatever works.  Just 3 more weeks until I am eligible to give birth with my midwives, outside the hospital!  Yay!

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11/07/11:  I continue to be blown away by my new midwives at the Birth Center of Utah.  They have literally spent hours with me, one-on-one, over two appointments.  One of my upcoming appointments includes a miniature Navajo Blessing Way for her benefit.  How sweet is that!? 

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11/5/11:  Happy 75th Birthday Grandpa!  And happy 32nd week to my beautiful girl!  I'm STILL working on the nursery (more photos to come).  It's very fun, though I keep thinking I'm "basically done with it".  Somehow I still always have lots more to do.  I need to hang the tree mural, need to finish painting endless wood letters (I'm hanging a Beattles verse on the wall), need to hang a shelf, figure out a dimmer switch, install baby audio and video monitors (though she'll probably just sleep with me), and clean up...  Then decorate her bathroom.  Endless work - endless fun.  :) 

 

Then there's things like settling on a name, making sure I'm clear on newborn care, etc.

 

As for baby herself, she was in perfect position at our midwife appointment last week, but I think she moved!  She's not supposed to do that at 32 weeks!  I was convinced she was lying transverse in my belly last night instead of head down.  I may have to go take one last set of picture today to find out....  Yep, any excuse to see my girl one last time before we finally meet.

 

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11/01/11: I've been busy feathering the Utah nest, loving the very warm blue sky days, until this morning when it suddenly turned to SNOW!!  Classic overnight Utah season change!  I'm so excited, thinking about the last days of pregnancy over the holidays, putting the finishing touches on all things baby, setting up a tree, then mornings skinning with baby in Millcreek canyon, pulling her in the ski-equipped Chariot.  Pictures of all her cute winter wear and the nursery will be coming soon.  LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW!!!

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10/30/11 (31 weeks, 1 day):  Baby's seems to get the hiccups a lot at night while mama tries to sleep.  I used to wonder if I was really feeling hiccups, but not anymore.  I put my hand on my lower belly and can actually feel her head jolt with each hiccup.  It's amazing to think that my hand is maybe an inch away from her face.  ***More fun this week - baby found a footrest!!  There were a few days where she seemed to use the lower edge of my ribcage to nestle her feet in.  Ouch!   ***Otherwise, I'm looking forward to receiving the last major nursery items this week (dresser, glider chair, bed frame), and just trying to negotiate life in full power-waddle. 

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10/21/11: How can a 3 pound baby make it so hard to eat (there's no room), breathe (no room), sleep, sit, walk, tie shoes, pick up things on the floor, get on the boat, get in and out of cars, chairs, bed, etc.?  30 weeks tomorrow - 10 more to go?  She is more than worth it .... I just don't want to move (except my back starts to hurt when I sit too long). :)

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10/17/11:  29 weeks + 2 days.  I flew from our Utah home to California for work - my baby kicked up a storm on the descent.  Since she's using my bladder as a pillow these days, I was a little rushed to get to the restroom after take-off, and when I came out, a wide-eyed flight attendant got right in face and asked "ARE YOU OKAY??"  Uh, yeah.... I was too embarassed to tell her I'm not quite 7 month's pregnant.  I realize I suddenly look like I could give birth any minute, but it seems my baby daughter is just going to be a big girl with those chubby cheeks and still over two months to go!  Dad weighed over 10 lbs..... :)

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