7 months

Wow, I am a horrible blogger! It's been over a month since I've posted anything. Yeah.  So, Sophia is 7 months old! (actually closer to 8 now) Time does fly...

What's going on at 7 months:

• teething, but still no teeth
• she's in 6-9 month clothes, although the 6 months are getting small
• rolling onto her stomach occasionally
• almost sitting up by herself and can't stand lying down on her back
• loves bouncing in her exersaucer
• still doesn't sleep through the night
• loves to read books with me
• likes to sit in Starbucks and watch everyone
• entertains us all the time

6 months

A little late...

She is half a year old already! Where has the time gone?

What a year

If there is one thing I keep hearing people say is that this year has been a year for many life changes. It is so true in my life as well.  It's a little overwhelming when I really think about it.  2011 started off on a sad note. C's step father passed away on New Years Day.  He is greatly missed and I so wish he could have met Sophia, but I think he looks after her. He is her guardian angel.  Some other changes in my life this past year:

This was happening in my belly!

I'm still in awe sometimes when I think about getting pregnant. It was such a crazy, amazing and often difficult experience, but I'd do it again and again for her.

Wow- look how big I was!

We got married!

Well, technically, this was the end of 2010, but oh well. It was still a big moment. Even though we've been together for about 12 years it was special. Even if it happened in our kitchen. :)

And then she arrived...

     

We also had a big loss in our family. We lost Tom and Lucy in a matter of days.  I miss them everyday and still sometimes wait for Lucy to come running down the stairs or Tom to greet me at the door.  I think I'm still dealing with that.

We miss you Tomcat

I still miss this crazy dog

Other 2011 adventures:

- We took a trip home (Sophia had her first plane ride!) and she got to meet her crazy family

- C got a new job with normal hours 

- I'm finally back at work full time (although I wish I could stay home with the baby)

- C had his surgery

What a crazy, sad, and wonderful year it has been. Here's hoping for a happy, healthy and maybe not so eventful 2012!

I'm leaving my baby with a total stranger

Starting tomorrow, Sophia will be going to a baby sitter all day.  It turns out I'm not dealing well with this.  This woman seems perfectly nice and capable and has been watching kids for 20 years, but this is my baby we're talking about. What if she doesn't get the attention she needs? What if she's scared because we're not there? What if this woman is really a psycho? Yeah, I may need a Valium tomorrow.

In other news, I found out why I've been feeling so horrible and my hair has been falling out. I have a severe vitamin d deficiency. It's pretty scary actually. It's difficult to get vitamin d as a vegan besides getting it from the sun.  So, I am taking a supplement and hoping it will help.

I really just need to get through this week and hopefully it will get easier. How can I leave this cutie with a stranger all day?

3 months and going back to work

I cannot believe Sophia is 3 months old already. It is true when they say they grow up too fast! She  is such a different baby now than she was.  She smiles all the time and laughs out loud sometimes. She has definitely discovered her hands and loves to chew on them too. I think teething is right around the corner.  She can even hold her head up pretty well.

Sadly, tomorrow I go back to work full time.  I do like my job and the people and I love the organization I work for. However, since having Sophia it just feels so unimportant.  In the scheme of things, it seems so irrelevant, yet I have to do it for financial reasons.  I feel like I'm going to miss her growing up. I swear she changes or does something different everyday and I want to be able to see and experience it while she's still so young.  It all seems so unfair. How do all these working moms do it?  I'm sure this is going to be a hard week. 

I haven't abandoned the blog!

Wow. I haven't posted anything in so long! Honestly, I haven't had the time. How do some of these moms do it? I'm lucky to get a shower and brush my teeth everyday. Seriously. I had all these plans of posting everything going on with Miss Sophia, but there is not enough time in the day. I'm not even working full time yet either. That will start on the 21st and is a whole other post.  So, I'm going to try and be better about updating in case anyone out there is still reading. For now, here are Sophia's 2 months pictures:

 

1 Month

I cannot believe Sophia is a month old already! The time seems to have flown by, but at the same time seems to have stood still.  It hasn't been the easiest month for any of us, that's for sure, but hopefully it will keep getting better.

The First 2 Weeks

Wow, what a crazy couple of weeks it's been.  You cannot imagine or prepare yourself for what being a parent is, especially of a newborn.  It's been sleepless nights, tears, out of control hormones, and this feeling that you have absolutely no idea what your doing.  It's been hard, but I love this little girl more than anything.  I love her more each day. We were lucky that my parents and sister were here to help for awhile. I don't know what we would have done without their help. It's amazing how much she's changed in just a couple of weeks too. Her face is filling out and she's definitely gaining weight with all the milk she drinks.

I plan to post my birth story if anyone is interested. It was definitely not anything like I had wanted or planned.  Actually, a lot has been this way and it's something I'm dealing with.  I think I've had a bit of postpartum depression as well.  It's all been very overwhelming. I'm glad Cary has been here to keep me sane and take care of Sophia too.  The one thing I am certain of is this little girl has been worth all of it.

She's here!

Well, technically she's been here for 11 days, but things have been a bit crazy. Between having a c-section, trying to get everyone settled at home, and my parents and sister visiting, it's been a little busy around here.  Sophia Helen was born on August 20th at 10:42 p.m., weighing 5 lbs 3 oz and 18 inches long.  For now, here are some pictures:

38 Weeks

We've made it another week! Again, who knew? Well, if I don't have Miss Sophia by next week she is being evicted on the 24th. That's right, evicted.  I am nervous about being induced, but at the same time I'm ready to have her and meet her.  I am so done being pregnant! Another good thing: I had my last trip to the hospital for my NST's and ultrasounds! You have no idea how exciting this was!

Look exciting doesn't it?

I actually had 3 contractions while hooked up, so maybe that's a good sign she'll come on her own before next week. I did have a talk with her and told her she was being evicted next week, so it would be so much better if she just cooperated and did this on her own. I'm not sure she's going to listen to me though.  Stubborn girl.  They measured and weighed her today too. She is at 5 pounds 6 ounces and measurements were fine.  That's a good weight I think. The bigger she is the more likely I'll have to have a c-section.  We got a few more ultrasound pictures too. One is a regular and the other is a 3-D one.  We saw her sucking on her fingers and hand!

A foot! A foot that's been pushing on my ribs!

Here's her cute little face! You can definitely tell she has my nose here!

So, no matter what happens, I will definitely be having this chickpea next week! :)

37 Weeks

Well, we have officially made it to full term! Sophia can definitely come out safely now.  That is if she wasn't being so stubborn. At my Ob appointment Tuesday, I was still 4 cm. dilated, so no progress there.   They said they will probably want to induce me at 39 weeks if I haven't had her yet. They're worried about me getting an infection from being dilated for so long.  I really don't want to take Pitocin though.  I've heard so many bad things about it, plus, I would be stuck in the bed being monitored and wouldn't be able to move around if I want.  Definitely not what I want.

Sorry about the crappy picture...

So, my goal now is  to try and coax her out. My doula suggested drinking raspberry leaf tea, which I just bought today. She also said to do movements that are used in birth like swaying on my hands and knees or any movement that helps gravity do it's job.  Another thing I can do is have my Ob sweep my membranes. I may ask them to do this next week even though it doesn't always work.  I've been eating spicy food too.  We'll see, but really it's all about when she's ready to make her entrance.  So, please send us positive baby vibes!

36 Weeks and a letter to our chickpea

Dear Sophia,

We are ready for you whenever you decide to make your entrance into this world. There are so many people anxiously awaiting your arrival.  Not only are me and Daddy waiting but Grandma, Grandpa, Nana, all your Aunts, Uncles, cousins and a whole lot more are too.  But really, no pressure.  You teased us a few weeks ago when we all thought you were coming! I just wanted to let you know it's safe now to come and we can't wait to meet you!

Love,
Mommy

You're running out of room in here!

35 Weeks

So, here I am at 35 weeks. No one, not even me thought Sophia would stay in here this long! The good news is she is growing.  At my ultrasound yesterday, she weighed 4 and 1/2 pounds.  This is still underweight, but I'm just convinced she is just going to be a small little girl.  As of Tuesday, I was still only 4 cm. dilated though.  If she stays in here until next Tuesday, they'll check my dilation again.

I really do like this movie though...

It has been a difficult couple of weeks.  I feel like I'm in my own Groundhog Day! You now, the Bill Murray movie? Everyday is the same. I wake up around 9 or 10, feed the zoo and eat breakfast. Then it's trying to find something to do. Usually it's getting online to check Facebook, Twitter, news, and blogs I read.  After that it's Netflix to watch a show or movie. I'm currently re-watching Torchwood.  I'll eat lunch and maybe read after that. Oh, and don't forget the bathroom breaks every half hour or so! Aren't you jealous? I live such an exciting existence right now! I do get to go out into the world every so often though. I go to my OB on Tuesdays and the hospital on Thursdays.  Sometimes I'll tag along with Cary if he's going anywhere on his days off.  I'm telling you, I can't stand all this excitement! <--- That's sarcasm right there.

I know I shouldn't be complaining, but enjoying my "me" time and peace and quiet before this little girl comes and changes our lives forever. I'm trying, but it isn't easy.  So, who knows how much longer this little chickpea will stay cookin'.  Until then, you know what I'll be doing...

34 Weeks, and yes I'm still pregnant

She's still cookin' in there

Here is this week's  update:

- I am now 4 cm. dilated and 90% effaced

- She has definitely dropped some more

- My docs are pretty confident that I can deliver her vaginally now, especially since she's so small

- I have officially been home for a week now
- I am going crazy

I am pretty miserable at this point especially with this heat. I have to keep telling myself that the longer she's in there, the better off she'll be. I am resting as much as I can, but getting bored. I've been reading, wasting time on the internet, and watching shows on Netflix.  I wish I had the energy to really clean the house, but I don't. I am excited, scared, and a million other emotions about having her.  I am excited to meet her and see what she looks like, but I am definitely scared about the whole giving birth part.  I hope I can do it naturally, but who knows.  My OB's think I'll have her pretty fast once I start active labor since I'm already dilated.  Let's hope so! Until next week...

33 Weeks

I know everyone wants to look at my big naked belly...

What a crazy couple of weeks! As of yesterday, I was 3 1/2 cm. dilated and in early labor.  I got a shock last week when at my 32 week OB visit, they found out I was 2 cm. dilated and was probably having contractions.  I was given 2 steroid injections to help her lungs develop and they seem to think she'll be okay born this early.  She was weighing at 3 pounds, 9 ounces last week, so she is still very small.  I've never held a baby that small before! I have officially been put on modified bed rest too.  Today was my last day of work and it felt very strange leaving.  The next time I go back there I will be a mom! It still seems strange to me.  Who knows how long she'll stay in here. My doctor said yesterday that she doesn't think I'll go longer than a week.  Well, it's all up to Sophia on when she's good and ready.

I also had a baby shower last weekend given by our friend Amanda. She made some yummy vegan, gluten free food for me! She made vegan quiche, and vegan, gluten free cupcakes that were amazing! I also got some nice gifts too. Here are a few crappy, cell phone pictures:

Pretty flowers and one of my favorite books

Food...

Pretty diaper cake

Look at the cute owls!

These were incredible! Yummy...

So, who knows, this may be my last entry as a preggo and the next one might be as a mommy! Stay tuned...

31 Weeks

Here is this week's update:

- Both NST's and the ultrasound were fine. Sophia is still looking good. We saw her playing with her foot during the ultrasound and got a few good pics. Next week they will measure and get her weight again. Hopefully she's grown!

- We had our last hypnobirth class. I am so glad we took them. It has given me a totally new perspective on birth. I feel more positive and not quite as anxious about it. Having a c-section though I'm still a bit afraid of. I will hopefully have a private session with the teacher about that.

- I found a doula who works for free or donation and hopefully can meet with her this month. 

- I'm actually getting pretty excited about meeting Sophia! I can't wait to meet her and see what she looks like. I'm trying to enjoy these last couple of months of pregnancy. It's a bit hard seeing as how uncomfortable and tired I am, but I'm trying. I know I will never be pregnant again, so maybe I'll try harder.

- Miss Sophia is on Cary's schedule somehow. She sleeps and doesn't move around much during the day, but come evening and all night, there is a party going on in my belly! Let's hope she doesn't keep this schedule once she is born.

Until next week...

28 weeks

Well, technically I'm 29 weeks now, but I'm a bit behind. I promised myself I would start updating every week now.

The view from above

So, what's going on at 28 weeks? Well, I got a little scare last week.  Apparently, little Sophia is indeed little. She weighs 2 pounds, 5 ounces and this is only in the 3rd percentile. They worry when they are under 10 and really worry under 5.  This could mean a few things: 1- she's just a small baby (we're hoping for this one), 2- she's not getting enough blood flow/nutrients from the placenta, or 3- something is wrong with the cord.  All of this leads to me having NST's (non stress tests) and doppler ultrasounds every week from here on out.  The NST's measure her heartbeat, movement and if I'm having any contractions. The doppler looks at the flow from the placenta to her.  I now go to my OB's office once a week and the hospital once a week.  It is truly exhausting.  The couple of NST's I've had have been fine and the one ultrasound I had looked good. The doctor said this could change from week to week and is why they have to monitor it.  Let's hope she keeps growing! But, not too big.  

On a different note, our first hypnobirth class was amazing! I'll have to write a post just for that. I can't wait for this week's class.  I think it will help me relax no matter what kind of birth I have.  Stay tuned!

27 weeks, or OMG I'm huge!

I have been so bad at updating on here and I apologize. I can't believe I haven't done anything since March. Time is flying by and so much has happened since then!  Well, obviously I've gotten bigger.  I think maybe I feel much bigger than I actually look.  I haven't gained a ton of weight though so that's good.  I can definitely feel her moving around in there and can see my stomach moving which is kind of creepy! Cary has felt her moving too. I can't believe I'm about in my third trimester already, about 91 days to go.  Yeah, I'm not freaking out about that at all.  We start one of our birthing classes next week.  The first class is hypnobirthing classes and then in July we take childbirth education classes taught by some doulas.  I'm pretty excited about the classes.  Right now, let's just hope I can survive this summer with the heat!  My next OB appointment is next week and I may get yet another ultrasound to see how big she is. Apparently, I'm measuring big and they want to see if it's her or if it's just because I'm so small. So, I will update next week hopefully with some ultrasound pictures- I promise!