Test?

I love my dogs.

Well, that isn't completely true. I love some of my dogs. Others I just like and still others I just tolerate.

In the last week, Callie has been treated for an ear infection and thrown up in our bed (while I was in it). Luckily she is my favorite. She is currently resting comfortably in the best seat in the house.

I wonder if some higher power isn't testing me to ensure I am ready for a baby.

H2OMG

Yesterday we had an appointment for a NST (Non Stress Test) at the Women's Center of the hospital where I will be having the baby. The good news is that Fig's heartbeat was normal and good and went up and down and all around like it was supposed to. He got an A on his first test! I should have asked to keep the print out and hang it on the fridge or put it in his baby book.

The bad news was that his mama didn't do quite as well ...

So they have me lie on a bed and they hook up 2 monitors to my belly. One is recording his heartbeat, I didn't really ask what the other one was doing. His heart rate was about 135. They thought this was a little low, and it wasn't varying enough. So instantly I start to stress out about this. They thought he might be sleeping. They have me drink some ice water and poke around at him a little to try and wake him up. I have my eyes glued to the monitor begging that number to go up and up.

Trent promised him a Pony if he got it up to 150.

And just like that he did. It was jumping from 135 to 165 and all over the place. YAY FIG! Dad, time to start shopping for a Pony ...

The nurse looked at the print outs and furrowed her brow. The baby did what he was supposed to, something about 2 variances in 20 minutes of 2 boxes high and 2 boxes long ... blah, blah, blah. I tend to tune out medical professionals (occupational hazard). So why the concern, Nurse Ella?!

Apparently the second print out, the one below Fig's excellent over achieving heart beat, was the second monitor on my belly keeping track of me during all this. And it showed contractions. Lots of contractions. They were not regular and they were not painful (I didn't even know they were happening) but apparently they were not a good sign. Nurse Ella had to call my doctor.

The good doctor opted not to "keep me" but said I must not have this baby yet. We are 34 weeks, 5 days and need to be no sooner than 36 weeks. I must hold him in for at least 9 more days. This should be no problem since I didn't even know the contractions were happening. I will just sit with my legs crossed for a week and a half.

Nurse Ella provided us with 4 pages of discharge instructions that made Trent turn a funny shade of green. If this happens, call this number ... If that happens, call that number .... if the other thing happens, call 911. We had a 5 minute discussion about how we have a volunteer ambulance in Blanchard America and if Buck (the guy from the feed store) shows up, he is not under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES to look between my legs.

What do I need to do? No stairs, relax, plenty of rest ... and drink more water. Lots more water. Or, in my case, start drinking water period. I hate water. I don't like drinking it, not that crazy about bathing in it, only really like my water in lake form. But for the next 6 weeks, more water must be consumed. We can't be having a cranky uterus.

I started strong this morning, 3 16 oz bottles of water before noon. I have officially moved my office into the bathroom. And I don't feel better - mostly I feel like I am going to explode. They want me to hold him in for 9 days - and he is just going to come gushing out of me in one big damn break when all this water has to get out.

In the scheme of all the things we have been asked to do over the last 3 years to get a baby on the ground, drinking water seems pretty minor. If he can vary his heart rate for a pony, the least mom can do is drink an ocean of water a day.

Wedded Bliss

Three years ago today we were sunning ourselves in Jamaica preparing for our perfect island wedding.

We were married at 11 am (at 10 am they didn't know where my dress was, but "no worries mon"!) ...

And we were back in the pool by noon already on the honeymoon!

Happy Anniversary baby, let's plan on celebrating the 5 year anniversary by going back!!

Baby Class Take 1

Last night was the first night of baby classes. It is interesting to sit in a room with 8 pregnant couples and hear their perspectives on things that are important to them, things that scare them, and things they think are appropriate to say out loud in public.

It didn't go unnoticed to me that I could have given birth to several of the people in the room myself. They all looked so young. And all the women looked so pregnant. I was surprised when we went around the room introducing ourselves and giving our due dates that we were the first set to welcome baby into the world and only one other couple was due in June. That tells me two things: 1) I look pretty good for being over 8 months pregnant and 2) We should have gone to the previous section of this class. The young ones are smart these days I guess.

Our task with introductions was to tell our favorite and least favorite parts of being pregnant. I hate to be negative, but I don't have a favorite part of being pregnant - and I said that out loud to some very judgemental looks from around the room. I have heard women say that they loved being pregnant, and that notion completely escapes me. It is a necessary means to an end - I love that we are going to have a baby and I already love him move than I ever thought I could - but I would be just fine if this pregnany task fell to Trent instead of me. Judge away.

When it was time for the men to introduce themselves, they needed to say the theme of the nursery. Trent passed with flying colors but one guy in particular took a ribbing from his wife and the rest of the crowd when he described the nursery as have a "big boat" theme. His wife smacked him in the arm and explained it was Noah's Ark. He had no clue. Men are very different from us.

The content of this class was mostly things I knew already from reading my books. There were a few new tidbits, and a few things I had been experiencing that the instructor put a name and explained as normal so that was reassuring. The 2.5 hours went by really fast.

And then, at the very end, she hit play on the computer and it started. There was no escaping at that point. Christina's Birthing Story started to play. Somehow I managed to escape the childbirth video they show in 8th grade when they send the boys out of the room. And I have since managed to escape viewing the gory details for the 20 years since then. This particular video showed a woman in labor who chose not to have any medication. WTF? All the video did was enforce my preconceived idea that this was pure insanity. I could sense Trent staring at my face instead of watching the video - partly to see my reaction and partly to avoid passing out I'm sure.

The homework for next week is for the men to pack the "man bag" to take to the hospital. Trent didn't quite understand that the "man bag" contained no items of value for the man, and I told him if he asked if he could pack chewing tobacco I would leave him there. It should be interesting to see what finds its way into the bag of things he thinks will be important when I am in delivery. Who said this class wouldn't be entertaining?!?

Full Circle

Three months ago I didn't know what these things were. Now we are the pround owners of a Bumbo, a Boppy, and numerous Link-a-doos. This mom stuff isn't so hard!

Silver Lining

I hate my nose. It is pointy and heads in a northerly direction. I have always hated my nose, probably always will hate my nose. I instantly delete any profile photos of me that capture pointy nose on them.

Something happened to my belly over the last week - it dropped down about 3 inches and got more cone shaped.

With a belly that big, who even notices the nose?!!? To every experience there is a silver lining if you look hard enough.

Shower #3

Yesterday Crystie hosted a beautiful shower for me in Alex with Trent's side of the family and friends. It was perfect, and we got so spoiled once again. Somehow Trent's mom got Trent to attend. I will need to ask her for advice on how to get your son to listen to you when he doesn't listen to his wife so I can use this information against Fig someday.

The cake was darling and yummy - made my the same woman who made our wedding cake.

She served Green Eggs and Ham - Crystie is much more creative than I ever could be!

Trent participating in present opening ... which is to say he watched me open presents!

The cutest lil Vikings jersey you ever have seen - if they don't play this fall I am going to be so disappointed as Fig has a drawer full of purple and gold!

Thank you so much to Crystie for being an excellent host and a super Ant (not Aunt!) to Fig. Thanks to all the Drennan family and Alex friends for thinking of us during this special time.

A very good day

Today was a big day at the OB! Normally the visits irritate me, as I drive a long way and wait a long time for them to tell me to come back in a month. Today there were a number of items that made it worth the 3 hours of vacation time I burned at the visit ...

First was the weigh in. I love that they put the big weight at 100 pounds and then inch the little one over all the way to the left and then realize they need to move the big one to 150. I am sure this is some mental stroking they do for all pregnant women's egos, but I enjoy the thought that it is possible I only weigh 149 pounds at 8 months pregnant. I gained 2 pounds this month, which puts the total at 22 pounds gained. Cutting back on the Monster cookies has definitely helped.

Second was the nurse. As she was taking my blood pressure (123/68, yay me!) she asked if I had taken maternity photos yet. The look on my face must have answered the question, because she asked if I had a cast made of my belly. Now one of my friends did that and I thought it was pretty cool, but that is not for me. It took 8 months for me to get up the balls to take a photo of the belly and that was fully covered. I explained to the nurse that I was not wild about preserving the image of my belly - and she told me that I have - AND I QUOTE - "the perfect pregnant belly". Now we all know that isn't true - it is huge and hairy and I won't even describe the condition of the tattoo that used to be on my hip bone - but again, it was just what my ego needed.

Last was the doctor. I love my doctor. I am not positive she is the best OB/GYN around as we have had some run arounds with issues in the past, but she is so fun. By fun, I mean I think we could do shots of tequila together and have a rockin' good time. She has an excellent bed side manner, and she always compliments my shoes. I just love her. But I digress ...

I asked about the timing of this baby, since I have a mother in Minnesota who I would really like to get on an airplane as close to the blessed day as possible. She asked how I felt about June 3rd.

And just like that, Fig has a birthday. And I only have 7 weeks left!

A typical night

Sleeping is not something I have ever had a problem with. If I couldn't devote at least 3 hours to a nap, it wasn't even worth it to me. And after a 3 hour nap, I could still go to bed at the regular time and sleep like a baby (ha!) until it was time to get up in the morning. Those are fond, yet far-off memories.

9:30 pm: Put the dogs in their crates for the night. Crates are in our bedroom, which has proven in hindsignt to be a terrible idea.
9:45 pm: Start arranging pillows in all the areas of my body that need support. There are many. Thank goodness we purchased that King size bed.

Anywhere between 10:30 and 1: Trent comes to bed. This is the end of the good sleep as I know it.

1:30 am: Get up to go to the bathroom. Arrange pillows.
1:45 am: Tell the doggies that have been whining for the last 15 minutes to please be quiet.
2:00 am: Gently nudge Trent's arm to have him roll over to stop the snoring.
3:00 am: Get up to go to the bathroom. Arrange pillows again.
3:15 am: Threaten the whining dogs with bodily harm if they don't shut up.
3:30 am: Wack Trent in the head and order him to roll over to stop snoring.
4:30 am: Get up to go to the bathroom. Put pillows over my head.
5:30 am: Get up and put the whining dogs outside.
6:00 am: Hit Trent with the pillows until he rolls over and stops snoring.
6:30 am: Trent's alarm goes off.
6:39 am: Trent's alarm goes off.
6:48 am: Trent's alarm goes off.
6:57 am: Trent's alarm goes off.
7:06 am: Trent's alarm goes off.
7:15 am: Scream at the top of my lungs that if the damn alarm goes off once more, Trent is a dead man.
7:16 am: Get up. Go to the bathroom, let the dogs in, feed the dogs.
7:30 am: Let the dogs back in the bedroom to get Trent up.

This pregnancy will end eventually, but something must be done about the snoring and the dogs. I think middle of the night feedings once Fig gets here will be a welcome change of pace.

Overheard

Laurie: "Guess the circumference of my belly"
Trent: "Oh no, I am not falling for that one"
Laurie: "Come on, you won't get in trouble"
Trent: "30 inches"
Laurie: "It didn't even start at 30 inches"
Trent: "31 inches"
Laurie: "Yes, that is exactly right"

Let him believe that this 42 inch belly is really 31 inches. He will think I am Scarlet O'Hara after the baby is here.

Some assembly required

Really? I can't wait until Fig gets here and let him put it together himself? And here I have been holding off on figuring out how to program the ring tones on my cell phone until June ... suppose he won't be allowed to help with THAT either!

This came in the mail today from my cousin Nikki - the photo on the box of it assembled and hanging on the side of the crib is just darling. We will see how the adults in this house do with the required assembly!

Shower #2

Last Monday I made the trip to Texas for Baby Shower #2 hosted by the people I work with. There are so many talented people in areas other than Software that work for my company that I am just amazed by their skill! It was so nice to see everyone - working from home means that I talk to these people all the time but don't often get to see them face-to-face. We had a delicious lunch (Chipotle, of course!) and a fabulous party!

A diaper cake made by Jennifer - it is decorating the nursery and will never be used!

The cake made by Jennifer (a different one). It was so super cute I hated to cut into it and eat it.

Thank you to everyone who took time out of their day to come to the office and the shower and for all the excellent gifts. Thanks espcially to Suzette, Nancy, and Kelly for putting this together for us and for Jill for making the 6 hours round trip ride to Texas with me!

Shower #1

Fig's first baby shower was given by my cousin Matt's wife Holley at my Aunt Candy's house for my side of the family. Jill and Kayleen made the trip all the way from North Dakota, mom was there from Minnesota, Kami from northern Kansas, and the Okie relatives showed up in full force. While not able to attend, the Denny side spoiled us as well. I am truly blessed to have such a great family and so many close cousins that I think of as sisters. Fig will have the best Aunties and great Aunties any lil guy could ask for!

Holley and Jill had it decorated so cute - of course with a Seuss theme.

To balance out all of the Oklahoma State University outfits he already has ... GO BISON!

A crocheted baby blanket his Great Grandma Carol made - so special!

Thanks so much to Holley for being an excellent host and for everyone for coming to the shower or sending us goodies to remember us on our special day. You spoiled us so good!

Drennan Clan

Last night we celebrated Rick and Elaine's 40th Wedding Anniversary with a party in Rush Springs. If you take the years we have been married and add the years I have been alive, that is how long they have been married. Impressive. Congratulations to the best in-laws anyone could ask for!

Kevin, Crystie, Trent, Laurie

Konner, Elaine, Rick, Cooper