Yes, 2 hours!

Today Liam met Santa!! Shanna and I took Cole and Liam to the Mall at Millenia to see the most beautiful Santa Claus in town. And since he is the most beautiful, we waited in line for 2 hours. It was one of those things . . . once you commit to it you just have to see it through. The boys were perfect and Shanna and I enjoyed the time together catching up. It went by really fast. Liam fell asleep and woke up right when it was our turn. I handed him over to Santa and hoped for the best. Right then this little elf-like guy started jumping around and waving things in front of Liam's face. He LOVED it and shot off one of the biggest smiles I have ever seen. I think the picture was worth the wait! Cole is older and seemed to think that maybe Santa was just some creepy guy. He screamed, which made for an equally awesome picture - for different reasons. Our first Santa experience was an overwhelming success. Now we can really tell Santa that Liam has been a good boy!

Back to Work . . .

. . . and no time to blog!

Wow! Liam will be 16 weeks old this Thursday. I haven't blogged in forever! Guess that is what happens when you go back to work. Everything is going SO well. We have all adjusted and are just so thankful that my mom is coming to our house everyday. How lucky we all are . . . especially Liam!

I promise a longer post soon with pictures!

Until then . . .

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

12 weeks already!

Wow! Today is the last day of my "maternity" leave. I put the word maternity in quotes because that isn't really what it is . . . it's short term disability and I only got paid a percentage of my salary for six weeks (would have only been four if I hadnt had a c-section) and then the other six weeks I used ALL of my sick, vacation and personal time. I can't believe how fast these 12 weeks have gone by. I can't believe how different Liam is . . . he's a fun, little baby now. Not a scary "breakable" infant! He grasps my fingers, yells really loud just to hear himself, holds on while being carried with his strong head up and away from my shoulder. He laughs and smiles. Oh, does he smile. His favorite place to be is on the changing station getting his diaper changed. No matter how mad he was before he just laughs and coos when you get him up there. Why cant we go back to work week 2, 3, 4 and then have more time at the end when they are so fun! Obviously I am kidding . . . who would watch a 2 week old! ;)

I am excited to return to work tomorrow. Obviously I am not excited to not be with Liam all day long, but it is good for both of us! I love my job. I have been at the Economic Development Commission for over six years. I love what I do and I miss my work. I miss my co-workers and I miss being a part of the community. I am ready to dive back in and do a kick ass job! The family atmosphere at the EDC makes it the perfect environment for a new family! The best part of all is Grammy is going to be watching Liam . . . at our house. We are all so blessed! It has been such perfect timing that my mom retired at the end of last school year. She and I have had such a great time together during my leave and now she will be helping us out so much! I would be feeling very differently today if Liam were starting daycare tomorrow (but I know that would be OK too), but he won't be doing that for several months and for that I am grateful. Thanks Mom!!

Tomorrow we start a new chapter in our lives . . . that of working mom!

Getting some Z's!

Liam has slept seven hours straight the past three nights! I would say that three nights in a row means this is a new schedule. YIPPEE!! Just in time for my return to work. People say we are lucky and believe me . . . I know we are lucky! But I also think that we have worked really hard to get Liam on a schedule! We both read Babywise two times before he was born and several times since. I consult Erin on a regular basis and we don't mess around with his schedule! He eats every three hours, then has awake time until he fusses just a little (about one to one and a half hours), then he goes down in his crib awake. He "talks" to his mobile and we go in about 10 times to put the pacifier in his mouth and then he soothes himself to sleep. Sometimes in the early evening we put him in there and he cries for about 10 - 20 minutes (this is not fun). And at his last scheduled feeding around 9:00 pm we turn off the tv and every light . . . nighttime! We don't talk and he usually takes his bottle with his eyes closed. Then we let him go . . . 7 hours! I stick with the schedule while I am out and about during the day and he does so good. After his bottle he falls asleep in his carseat after a little while of looking around. I know that all babies are different, but I say to my pregnant friends out there . . . sleep training from the beginning is worth a try. What do you have to lose!? (Except sleep if you don't!)

This weekend we have to decide what pictures we are going to order from our photoshoot with Abby Liga. How will we decide?! If you haven't seen them yet, check them out . . .

http://shop.ligaphotography.com/portraits/dinsmore-family Password: dinsmore

It's finally Fall in Orlando!

It was finally chilly this weekend. We took full advantage . . . we ate lunch outside with friends, went to a Pumpkin Patch, made chili, and dressed Liam in footed pajamas!! It's the little things!

"There is NOTHING wrong with this baby . . . "

. . . That's what my mom says all the time while playing with Liam. He'll look right at you and flash you this big ole' smile and you can't help but think it. But then we remember that just 2 short months ago he had some head trauma and a couple of seizures. And then you go to the neurologist and the developmental specialist and they say they are concerned about this or that. And your mind starts going crazy.

Today I joined "Team Grammy" and I agree . . . There is NOTHING wrong with this baby!!

We went to the neurologist today (more on him later) for a follow up to our appointment one month ago. One month ago they told us that they were concerned that his head was growing too fast. Not that his head was too big, but that it was too big compared to how big it was when we left the hospital. Ok. What does that mean (you always have to ask this)? It meant that there was possible swelling. And if there is (you have to ask this too)? That would mean that they would have to do surgery to relieve it. So I have been thinking about this for one month. BUT Brian wouldn't believe it. You see, no one could measure his head and get the same measurement so we didnt have much confidence in the process. Today we returned to have the same doctor, in the same office measure his head one month later. And . . .

"There is nothing here that alarms me!" said the neurologist. Not sure why I put an exclamation point because Dr. Personality did not say this with any type of feeling! I cant stand this doctor. He met with us in the NICU. Sat us down and scared us to death. He talked in circles and was so doom and gloom. He's a childrens neurologist. He only works with children. How can he be so cold and matter of fact?! He wants to see us again in January and if there is no change then he will "release us from his care" and that will be behind us!! Yay!! I will sleep good tonight! (well, as good as you can sleep when you have a feeding every 3 hours!)

Two month appointment

Liam had his two month appointment at the pediatrician last Friday. Poor little guy got four shots. He cried so hard. So did I!! He was pretty out of sorts for the next two days. Here are his stats . . .

Weight . . . 13 lbs, 7 oz . . . 90%
Height . . . 23 1/4 in . . . 55%
Head Circ . . . 16 1/8 . . . 70%

He's not overweight. He's undertall!! He's our cute lil butterball!

Tomorrow Liam goes back to the neurologist. Last time we were there they were concerned that his head was growing a little too fast which would indicate swelling. So basically we are going back to have his head measured again and compared to when we were there one month ago. We brought this up with the pediatrician on Friday and she wasn't concerned so we aren't letting ourselves be either.

Brian just took Nana to the airport. She is on her way back to Milwaukee. What a great visit we had. We will miss Nana and Papa and look forward to visiting them in Milwaukee when Liam is a little older!!

It's Tummy Time!

Liam has had an eventful day! First, Abby Liga our awesome wedding photographer came over at 9:30 this morning for a family photo shoot. Remember a long time ago I posted that I had booked Amy Smith to take Liam's newborn pictures? Well, Amy's photo shoots and photos are very expensive (and worth every penny!) and although Abby is expensive too, because we used her for our wedding she waved the session fee as an "anniversary gift." So I cancelled Amy (I will use her another time) and booked Abby. I booked her for a newborn session the week after Liam was born. BUT Liam was in the hospital the week after he was born so I cancelled that and made it two weeks later. Two weeks later was when I thought I was going to die from the pain of breast feeding and I couldnt picture getting the house and the family ready for a photo shoot, so I cancelled and rescheduled once again. All the sudden I realized that we don't have a new-newborn anymore and those beautiful, scrunched up photos weren't going to happen. I called Abby and asked her if she thought we should wait and do pictures when he is sitting up. She assured me that she would get some great shots and we would be happy we had them.

Picking out clothes for the family, getting the house photo ready, getting ready the day of (with unpredictable hair) and all that good stuff is very stressful! We pulled it together! We had a good time. I'm glad I didn't spend a lot of time picking an outfit for Liam because he wore a diaper or a blanket the entire time. It was great to see Abby again. She always makes us feel so comfortable. She said she was getting some good shots. I can't wait to see what they look like! Thankfully we waited until the end of the shoot to do the "no diaper shot." Liam peed on Brian the second he picked him up to pose. That pretty much wrapped things up!

Next we had an appointment with the developmental specialist. She asked us a lot of questions and then did several tests. These included trying to get him to track black and white flash cards. Hold his head up on his own. And lie on his tummy and lift his head. He doesn't do the tummy thing very well. Could it be the fact that when she weighed him today he was 13 lbs 5 oz . . . in the 90th percentile for weight. He also measured 23 in . . . the 50th percentile. He's a little chunker! So, she told us that we need to do a lot of tummy time with him to strengthen those muscles. I don't think anything she said or anything he did or didn't do there was alarming. All babies develop at different speeds and it is too hard to tell anything when they are two months old. We go back again in six months. I am happy that we continue to have these follow up appoinments with the neurologist and developmental specialist. It will be really nice when he is older.

Tomorrow we go to the pediatrician for two month shots. Yay! I am not excited that he has to have shots but I am excited that we won't have to worry about taking him out in public or have him around friends' kids anymore! I'll post how that goes and his official weight and height after that appointment tomorrow.

Let's do some tummy time . . .

Liam meets Nana and Papa . . .

Brian's parents are visiting from Milwaukee. They arrived last Sunday and drove down south on Monday to pick his grandmother (Oma) up. She had a short visit until they took her back on Wednesday, but it was so great to get some pictures of her with Liam. She loved feeding him his bottle* and holding him. Brian's stepdad, Kevin (Papa), leaves tomorrow and then his mom (Nana) is here until next Tuesday. They are so helpful with Liam . . . it's nice that they can get to know him!

* You might have noticed in some of my Facebook pictures that a lot of people are feeding Liam a bottle. It's true . . . I had to stop breast feeding. What an experience that was. I was having a lot of problems that were very painful including constant clogged milk ducts. I think that because I had to pump every two hours for the first week of Liam's life and my supply and demand was not regulated by a baby but instead a pump . . . I just produced too much. I tried day after day to continue. I tried feeding on one side, pumping on the other, then supplementing with some formula. Once I finished all this we had about one hour until it all started again. I couldn't believe how demanding and painful breast feeding was . . . woman don't talk about it very much! Girlfriends need to share with each other. I was literally sick, on the couch for a couple of days and I was crying every time I had to feed him. On top of that, he seemed to prefer the bottle. Finally, mom and Brian had an intervention with me and told me that it would be better for everyone if I stopped. So I called the pediatrician to ask about formula and I called the OB/GYN to ask how to shut this down. The nurse said that she wasn't going to lie, that it was going to be very painful, but that the best thing would be to go cold turkey. So I hung up the phone and realized that I had just breast fed Liam for the last time. I cried and cried. For the next two days I experienced a tremendous amount of emotional and physical pain. I mean, this was more painful than the c-section! I used frozen compresses, tight sports bras, pain pills, cabbage leaves . . . you name it, I did it. It took 2 days for the really bad pain to go away and a weak to feel somewhat normal again. After that I was a new woman!! I was pain free, could get more sleep, get help from others, leave the house, go on a date . . . Wow! I had planned to breast feed for a long time. I had planned to pump at work. It was going to be difficult but I was going to do it. Well, it didnt work out for us and that is OK! Liam is happy. I am happy. He loves his bottle. AND he loves that Daddy can be a part of it all.

I'm back!!

The post below was started 8 weeks ago while we were still in the hospital. It took me forever to finish it. I didn't want to move on with any other blogging until I got it posted. I think it is important for us to remember the sequence of events that were Liam's birth! From now on I promise to post cute stories and even cute pictures of our son, Liam Robert Dinsmore! This pregnancy blog is now a Mommy's blog! Stay tuned . . .

Disclaimer . . . I don't feel like rereading the post below right now. Beware of tons of mistakes! It will take me another 2 months to proofread it!

A Kumquat is Born!!

We have received an overwhelming amount of support from family, friends, friends of family, family of friends, strangers, etc. Some people are just hearing about the fact that our son, Liam Robert is in the NICU and they are wondering what exactly happened to put him there. I am going to do my best to tell the story here. I am going to just start typing. All grammar and spelling are out the window at this point. Just want to get the events and some of my feelings down . . .

I went to work on Wednesday, August 5 - business as usual. Or as usual as it can be when you are 38 plus weeks pregnant and totally uncomfortable. Jen and Karen both mentioned that I looked as if my belly had dropped. I knew I wasn't totally feeling myself when I refused a hug from Karen because it actually sounded like it might hurt. I had lunch plans with Fada and Kelly. I was excited to see them. I knew it would be the last time while pregnant! On my way to meet them I felt an urge to run into Marshall's and Babies R Us for some last minute items for my bag (which was packed and had been in my car for a couple of days - just in case). Shanna sent me a list of things that she had brought, needed, didn't need and wished she had! This was SO helpful. I had to get the things that I was missing. After I got my stuff, I met the girls and ALL the kids and had a really fun lunch. I went back to work and didn't feel very well but also felt the urge to get the Schwartz Awards (my part) wrapped up. I worked until about 7:00which was pretty late for me considering I have been bolting at 5:29 to get home to pjs and the couch! It's like I knew I wouldn't be back!

Wednesday night after dinner I started to have some contractions. I had them before and this didn't feel much different. I paid attention to how far apart they were and how intense. I took a bath. A LONG bath. Brian went to bed while I was in the bath. When I got out I tried to go to bed but was super uncomfortable when lying down. So I got up and went out to watch tv. It was like 11:00. At 12:00 I felt like the contractions were coming at a regular interval about 6-7 mins apart. I woke Brian up, told him to get his glasses, a watch and a pad of paper . . . I needed him to help me keep track! This seemed real (well, from what I had read.) We did this for one hour like we had learned. The contractions were pretty consistent - getting closer to 5 minutes apart and lasting about 40 seconds each. After hoing and humming we decided to go to the hospital. We thought the worst thing that could happen is that they would turn us away but at least we wouldn't be so worried. So we loaded up the car and headed to Winter Park Memorial Hospital.

The main entrance to the hospital is closed after hours so we had to go through the Emergency Room. We were the only people here. A woman asked me my name and maybe because I was scheduled for induction on Monday, I was in the system. She put me in a wheelchair and we made our way to Labor & Delivery. She did get a little lost a long the way and my contractions were getting a little more intense. I still wondered if we were going to be turned away! It was SO quiet when we arrived. They put us in a room and the nurse told me to put a gown on. REALLY? We are really doing this? She checked me and said I was 4 cm but my cervix was paper thin and I was 100% effaced. She asked if I would be wanting an epidural. Um, YES! They said they would go ahead and make the call since the anesthesiologist had to come from home. My contractions were becoming really painful now. Like crying during! I kept asking "how far away does he live!?" I wanted to see what real labor felt like and now I know! Ouch. I don't have the times memorized anymore but it had been a few hours (we arrived at 2:00 am) and I was now 6 cm. My parents were on their way.

Around this time god arrived. I mean the anesthesiologist got there. I was crying pretty much through each contraction at this point. Boy, was I happy to see him! He started the epidural and my legs got all tingly. It was wonderful. I could see my contractions ("off the chart" as the nurse had put it) on the monitor but I couldn't feel a thing.

My parents arrive and we all hung out for a few hours. The nurses continued to check my dialation and my doctor had been called. In the last blog I mentioned that I saw the nice, new, young doctor because my doctor had gone out of town. Well, looks like she would be delivering our baby after all! They said she would be around first thing in the morning. The nurses suggested that I get some sleep now and asked my parents to leave. They went to Denny's for breakfast (it was 4:00 am). Brian slept. I did not. Who could sleep at a time like this!?

Lots of checking. The doctor arrives. I am 10 cm. It's 8:00 am. It's go time!! I was so happy that I was going to be doing this with Dr. Snook. She made me feel very comfortable.

I basically just pushed for the next two hours straight. I still wasn't feeling the contractions so we would all watch the monitor. As soon as we saw a contraction was coming we took our places and I pushed through it. Usually four good pushes per contraction. They could see the top of the baby's head every time I pushed but as soon as I would take a new breath or stop it would go back up to where it had started. They were all cheering me along and saying "good job" but I could read the looks between the nurse and the doctor and it said "this baby isn't progressing." We were about to start the third hour of pushing when the doctor suggested that we take a break for awhile. She wanted me to "labor down" and see if maybe he would descend some more on his own. I also was exhausted and needed to get my strength back up.

At this time I was in horrible pain again. I kept saying that my epidural had worn off. They explained to me that it hadn't worn off but that the baby was adding more pressure to my pelvic bone and that is what I was feeling. They told me that I could have more but they explained that it would be helpful for me to try and push through some contractions while I could feel them. I agreed. At this point I would do anything to get the baby out. So we started the fourth hour of pushing. I pushed for that last hour with what felt like no epidural. It was so painful. They tried different positions and continued to cheer me on. The doctor now had a few other patients at the hospital and she left for a couple of minutes. I continued to push with the nurse.

I should mention that Brian was sitting right on the bed this entire time. He was holding a knee and doing everything we had learned in our birthing classes. I think I only yelled at him a few times for stroking my arm. He was so supportive. My parents also stayed in the room. Mom sat in a chair above my shoulders and Dad stood behind a curtain near the door!

At the end of hour four Dr. Snook came back into the room. I was now sobbing in pain. She took one look at me and said "OK, honey, we're not going to do this anymore." I agreed. It was c-section time! They explained what was going to take place now. Gave me more drugs. Prepped Brian and I for the surgery. They wheeled me out of the room and told Brian that they would come get him in just a few minutes.

Here is where the story gets blurry for me! Here is what I remember and what others have told me. They prepped me for surgery and Brian joined me in the emergency room. There was an anesthesiologist and her intern at my left shoulder, Brian at my right, Dr. Snook and another doctor down there and a couple of nurses in the room. Everyone was joking around. They were commenting on my toenail polish. I was asking if they gave me the "Michael Jackson" juice. They were explaining what they were doing. It all seemed so routine and normal. Even though I warned him not to (I was scared to death he would pass out), Brian peaked over the curtain at the start of the surgery.

Now this is where we should have the picture of the baby being held over the curtain for us to take our first glimpse. Brian cutting the umbilical cord. And then the picture of them putting my new bundle of joy on my chest and me crying at the sight of my beautiful baby boy. And then the picture that Brian would take of our son being weighed, having his footprints done, etc. But for us this is where everything takes a horrible turn.

I can feel a tremendous amount of pressure. Not pain. PRESSURE. More than what would be normal. I can hear the doctors huffing and puffing. I even heard Dr. Snook say "oh my god as she gasped for more air." I heard someone shhh her. Then someone starts yelling "get Daddy out of here." Brian is looking at me and shouting back "I'm not going anywhere." I look at him and calmly say "go on babe, do what they tell you. I am fine! I will be fine." He listened to me and I remember the scared look on his face as he leaves the room. At one point before he left I mentioned to him that there was so much pressure on my chest. That it felt like someone was standing on it. He said he looked over and the reason was that someone WAS standing on my chest. Two large male doctors have a knee on each side of my chest and they are tugging. He heard Dr. Snook yelling for someone to "push it up" "not like that" "like this" (as they tried to push the baby back up through my birth canal. I was gasping for more air as the pressure became more and more intense. The doctor was yelling for them to give me more drugs. "Knock her out! Knock her out!" I heard. "I already gave her blah blah blah cc's (or whatever the measurement was) "well, give her blah blah blah more!" Brian was gone. The room was full of people. I now knew that my baby was STUCK!

The first thought that ran through my head was . . . they have to get this baby out of me, right. I mean, they will break bones or whatever it takes but he has to come out. I knew I would be OK. They kept saying "you're going to be OK." But then it hit me "is my baby OK!?" Is HE going to be OK?! Then I started yelling "Is my baby OK? Is my baby alive?! Is he going to be OK? Someone has to tell me something." The anesthesiologist and her intern were shhing me and assuring me that everything was going to be OK. Finally I can tell that he is out. Now there is a different team of people saying things. I am so drugged out that I am not sure what is going on but I remember that I was still yelling. Finally a nurse comes over to me and says "you're baby is out. He is in distress. We are doing everything we can. You need to calm down." That is the last thing I remember until I come to, still in the operating room and Brian is there with me. They are stitching me up.

The story that my mom tells of Brian coming out of the room is heartbreaking. My parents were standing at the window of the nursery where they were told to wait to get the first glimpse of their grandson. They stand there . . .waiting and waiting. While they are waiting they notice that there are a lot of doctors and nurses coming off the elevator. Running. Running down the hall and into what my mom is sure is my operating room. She mentions this to my dad and he assures her that everything is fine. But it keeps happening. Mom has a bad feeling and starts walking that way. This is when Brian walks out of the room . . . he losses it and tells my parents that the baby is stuck. They wait together. Yuck!

They put Liam into an incubator and rushed him past his grandparents to the NICU.



Liam Robert was born on August 6, 2009 at 12:28 p.m. He was two weeks early and weighed 7 lbs, 13 oz. He was 20 in long. He was stuck in the birth canal and experienced head trauma. His apgar scores were 0 at 1 minute, 3 at 5 minutes and 6 at 10 minutes. His paperwork describes him as "depressed, floppy and gasping" at birth. He was moved to the NICU where he was put on a ventilator and feeding tube. Liam suffered two mild seizures over the next two days and was given an ct scan and an EEG. No major damage was detected. If he had one more they were going to start him on Phenobarbital. Thankfully it never happened again. Brian barely left the NICU the next two days while I was stuck in the room on an IV and catheter. My blood pressure was alarmingly low and I was stuck. Two days after he was born I FINALLY got to see my baby in person (Brian was bringing me lots of pictures). These were the two most horrible days of my life.


I was dismissed from the hospital on Sunday but they let us stay so we spent one night as "squatters." It was weird and depressing so on Monday we went home. It was a long week of back and forth to visit and bring milk to him. It was so sad when we left. We knew he was in good hands. The nurses (angels) in the NICU were so amazing. He was in good hands. He improved every day. Started to breath on his own. Eventually I was able to breast feed him in the NICU.

On Friday, August 14, Liam was discharged and we brought our beautiful baby home!! It's been two months since then and although we are still being seen my neurologists and developmental specialist, we believe that this was all just a really shitty start to an otherwise healthy, happy life!! Liam seems perfect and just melts our hearts when he smiles at us! We love him so much.

Enough of the scary saddness get ready for a blog filled with funny stories of first time parents feeling their way through this thing called life! And away we go!

38 Weeks

Had our weekly OB appointment yesterday. Our doctor is out of town so we had this new woman that has joined the practice. We LOVED her! Once we got past how stinkin' pretty and nice she was, we just thought she was so smart and inquisitive. She asked so many questions about my diabetes and how it works with me going to a specialist too (which I don't think has worked that great at all - no communication between doctors). She said she might come by and see us in labor on Monday! I hope she does. I think I might choose to go to her for my GYN after the baby. It's not like we could have had her as our doctor - she just started. Anyway, she did the pelvic exam (ouch). She looked up at me and said "how many kids have you had?" I said "this is it." And she said "wow! you are about 4 cm dilated. That is really unusual to be that far along with your first." BUT this is great news! Because if I am induced on Monday it will be so much better to be further along on my own. My chances of c-section will be considerably lower. I was so happy to hear. So here I sit at work (I have two things left to get done!) contracting and 4 cm dilated! Yikes. I do have my bag, packed and in the car!

I'm having contractions!

So I went in for my Monday morning monitoring today and the nurse said that I was having some consistent contractions. She counted on the paper that prints out and said about 8 minutes apart. She then said "you may be having this baby before next Monday after all!!" On the way out the door she told the cute lady at the front desk that they probably won't see me on Thursday (have I mentioned before that I love the women that work here). That woman said "well, Heather just called and is not coming in today because she had the baby last night!" Then they threw some voodoo on me and told me "GOOD LUCK!" I was instructed to call my doctor if they became more like 5 minutes apart. The thing is they don't hurt. It is just tight pressure. So sometimes I can't tell if it is "real" or not. I think I am having one right now at 2:15 so I will pay attention and see when it comes again.

By the way . . . I know that this could go on for a long time! And I also know that he probably won't be as big as they say! All just a guessing game. But kinda fun to guess, don't you think!?

Can we please talk about the HORRIBLE pelvic pain that I am having? How did I not know anything about this? For weeks I have been exclaiming that my vagina hurts (mostly just because it causes people to giggle) because I couldn't exactly tell where the pain was coming from. Last night it was SO bad that I started to google around and I found that it is a real thing. I am sure I have had this for a while. The things that people were writing online . . . hurts to put my pants on when I have to lift one leg, hurts to roll over in bed at night, hurts to walk up stairs . . . yep that's it. And it is getting worse everyday. OUCH!!!

Brian and I went out to dinner this weekend! It was the first time since I started the insulin. It has just seemed like too much of a hassle to me, but my craving for sushi won out and we did it! Brian packed a small cooler and got all of my things together for me. We went to Seito in Baldwin Park (a favorite!). My plan was to park close to the restaurant and then go do my shot after we ordered to ensure that I would be eating within 15 mins of ordering. Well we parked pretty far away so I decided to take a chance and gave myself the shot before we got out of the car. We were seated right away and ordered some edamame and seaweed salad as soon as we sat down. It came fast and I relaxed. I am sure you don't have to be this crazy about the timing but what do we know! I really didn't want to pass out there! We had the most delicious sushi! If you eat there be sure to try Fireworks on the Beach. It is as pretty as it is delicious. Can we go back tonight!?

We have a birthday!

If Liam doesn't come before, I will be induced on AUGUST 10, 2009!

We could have scheduled the induction for next week but we decided it would be best to wait just a little bit longer (less chance of a c-section). So I will be induced at 38 weeks, 6 days. Next week will be my last week at work. I will go out on Friday and have a baby on Monday. Just like me to not have a day off between jobs (I never have since I started working at age 15).

We have to call the hospital that morning at 5:45 to make sure they have a bed and then we will go to Labor & Delivery at 6:30 a.m.

I am so excited!!

37 Weeks . . . FULL TERM!!

That's right, Liam, you are officially cooked! If he were to be born today his lungs should be fully developed and there should be no problems!

I really don't have much to report. I am still uncomfortable. My belly is huge. I am still struggling with food and insulin shots. Still having trouble sleeping at night. Still getting monitored twice a week. Hmmm . . . good times. Haha.

We have our OB/GYN appointment today at 4:15. If I understand correctly, we will schedule the inducement (of course I thought that last week too). It could be next week or the week after. If it is my choice, it will be so tempting to schedule it next week, but I will wait and see how my cervix is progressing (it was "pretty hard" last week). If things haven't changed then I will do the responsible thing and schedule the inducement for two weeks (week 39) to lower my chance of a c-section. I will blog again tonight and let you know the outcome.

Our master bath will officially be completed TODAY! For sure! Gregg has gone on vacation, but his dad is coming by to finish up one last thing. It should have been completed last week but the floor in the shower was a little uneven and Gregg was not happy with it so the ripped it up and redid it yesterday. If you ever need a super hardworking, talented, honest renovator . . . ask me! Hopefully we will post some pictures tonight. I can't believe the transformation. And I can't believe how much I am enjoying having a bathtub!!

EDC Baby Shower

They had a baby shower for us at work today. It was amazing! Brian was able to join. We had pizza and salad for lunch. They used Brian's robots as decoration and had a robot cake made at Sprinkles! We got a VERY generous gift card for Babies R Us and lots of other gifts. Some old co-workers and wonderful friends (Sarah, John F, Eric J and Christian) came to the party. WOW! I am one lucky girl!

36 Weeks

The weeks were flying by, but have suddenly slowed down - this week is crawling! At the end of this week Liam will be considered full term! He's in head down position and ready to go. I don't feel him move around as much. I don't think he has the room. I haven't experienced any Braxton Hicks yet either.

I went Monday morning for the non-stress test. I ate a piece of cheese on the way (I had it in my purse - haha!). It worked. Liam was more alert and they got what they needed in the first 1/2 hour. On my way out the doctor walked by and looked at my chart with the nurse. He asked if I had scheduled my induction yet. I was confused. He said he sent that reccommendation to my OB/GYN the Monday before. He was suggesting an inducement be set for week 38 or 39. So yesterday I went to the OB/GYN and asked him about scheduling my induction. He said he didn't have that recomendation from the specialist, but that he agreed and would look into finding the paperwork. He said the hospital needs two doctors to say 38 weeks to induce that early. We go to the specialist again tomorrow and I will mention to him that they did not receive anything and we go to the OB/GYN again on Tuesday so hopefully we will schedule the date then. I know that inducement is controversial and looked down upon by some people, BUT in the case of gestational diabetes (especially when taking insulin) it is safer for the baby to be out in the world than to be inside with the illness! My doctor said it has nothing to do with his size (he never induces for size) but just because of the diabetes itself. I vote for the first day of week 38!!

I have gained 22 pounds. I held steady at a 25 pound weight gain for 6 weeks and then yesterday I learned that I had lost 3 pounds. I am sure this has to do with the diet I am on . . . even though it is 2100 calories there is no room for junk or overeating! I miss food. I miss flexibilty. I hate peanut butter, cheese and graham crackers (which I was excited about until I ate twice a day, every day). When this is over I might never eat them again. Ha. I have a dream that I feel really good the night after delivering and Brian goes to the Outback Steakhouse across the street from the hospital. He brings back Alice Springs Chicken, baked sweet potato and a blue cheese chopped salad. Do you think they would let him take a Wallaby Darned in a to-go cup!?

Belly Shot!

35 Weeks 4 Days

(is it just me or is my belly button off center!?)

Things People Say #2

I can't stop thinking about what happened in the elevator yesterday . . .

I jumped into the elevator with two people that were riding together and headed to the same floor. Once the door shut I turned to face them (remember my belly is BIG!) and the woman turns to the guy and says (I should say shouts cause that's what it seemed like) "Oh! Did you hear that Alisha lost the baby!?" He replies "Yeah, that is so sad." She then says "Yeah, I guess they are going to have a funeral and everything." Really? Did you just look at me and remember that someone you know lost their baby? AND you say it . . . outloud . . . in front of me?! What an idiot.

35 Weeks

Wow! Look at that countdown on the side. Not much longer now! In addition to a weight that is wildly less than what they are predicting for little Liam, the Web site this week says that his kidneys are fully developed and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight (oh, I bet he will!).

I don't really have anything new to report. Just uncomfortable - I guess that isn't new! I go to the specialist now on Monday and Thursday's for a Fetal Non-Stress Test because of the insulin. I went on Monday and they took me into a room, sat me in a recliner and hooked me up to a machine. They look for three movements in a 30 minute time period. After about 10 minutes and no movement they zapped my belly with this alarm thing to try and wake Liam up. Nothing happened. She gave it more time and zapped again. One movement. I was in there for over an hour and they didn't get what they wanted so they moved me into another room for an ultrasound. Of course I was making up all types of terrible things in my head! The ultrasound tech took the heart rate (normal), checked the fluid levels (normal) and looked for fetal breathing movement (normal). Then she too had to see him move. He poked, probed, shooked, had me rolling back and forth. This kid was waking up for no one! She mentioned that he may be "mellow" (I guess we can only hope!). Finally he moved a couple of times and she said she got what she needed. I was like "are you sure!?" She said promised! Of course he spent the rest of the day proving to me that he would just move around on his own terms! They suggested that I eat later next time or have some juice (which I dont think I am allowed to have - I guess they forgot why I am going to them) before my next appointment . . . which is first thing tomorrow morning. Maybe I should change these appointments to the afternoon!

On his way out the door today Gregg said that he thought he would have the master bath completed by next Wednesday. One week. Yay!! They are starting to put tile on the shower walls. It is going to be pretty dramatic in there . . . the tile is dark. I think with light paint on the walls it will look really good. I will post pics soon. It is really hard to take pictures of a bathroom!!