Change of clothes, Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, over the counter pain medication for headaches, etc), Snacks/Food, Phone numbers, Cell Phone

Nightgowns (or any kind of comfortable PJ’s), Nursing bra or sports bra, Toiletries (soap, shampoo, lotion, toothpaste, toothbrush, hair brush, hair dyers), Going home outfit, Cell phone

One outfit for the trip home, Hat, Socks or booties to go home in, Receiving blanket to go home in and also one to send home to the family pet with the baby’s smell on it, Car seat

3-18-2009

Happy belated birthday to me! My bday was two days ago, but I'm still enjoying my presents... my mum bought me maternity clothes and books, my MIL got me a snoogie (and oh how I love it!), and my DH got me a german license plate to put on our VW. He had it specially made to say 'Herr Rolf' because our cars name is Rolf. Silly, I know, but sweet. On St. Patricks day eve we set up leprechaun traps around our living room and when I woke up they were filled with Keblers elf cookies (this is a family tradition, if you want the long story just ask for it...). Classes are still going really well, but I really miss spring break. My mom flew out from MI to see me and we stayed at my in laws so we could see my in laws too. We hopped around Park City for a while and did some shopping in the tanger outlets, which was super fun. I got thrown an impromptu shower that was supposed to be for my SIL too, but she's already 3.5cm dialated and almost fully effaced (it's still that way and it's been over a week, she isn't due for another three weeks) so she couldn't travel to the family condo. I was super sad because she is so much fun, but I guess she didn't really need the shower because this is baby number four for her. :) It's still nice to get new things though, and my MIL drove out to see her and drop off all of the presents we got for her.

On the pregnancy front all is going well. Bug still loves to move and I don't mind because it's really reassuring to me. I had a good friend who just miscarried both of her twins at 20 weeks. It was heartbreaking and i've been a little nervous about my own pregnancy since I found out. I've only gained 12 lbs from prepregnancy weight, but because I dropped 10lbs in the first month and stayed that way for three months I like to say that I've really gained 22lbs. I'm worried that I'm not gaining enough weight, but I'm sure that it'll all come on later. On a last note I'm starting my hypnobirthing class tonight. It'll go on for six weeks, two hours a week. I hope that it's worth it. :) I'll probably talk about it later. Sorry for the long rant today, a lot's happened since the last time I wrote.

3-29-2009 Greetings all! I am almost 29 weeks (tomorrow) and I am so excited! I can't believe that I am this far along because I can remember finding out in October and thinking that January was forever and a day away. Look at me now! Huge and happy! :) On wednesday I had another check up and had both my 1 hour glucose test and my RHOgam shot. I haven't heard any news back, so I'm assuming that I passed the glucose test (I'll keep my fingers crossed). I was really scared about the RHOgam shot because I've heard that immunoglobulin shots are nasty, but I exposed my hip, felt a tiny prick and a little ouch and it was over. All of that worry for nothing. It didn't even hurt afterwards. I looked in the mirror this morning and I still have a 1cm diameter bruise around the spot... it's been four days! Good thing that it looks a lot worse than it feels.

Other than that nothing much has been going on. My OB switched my visits to every two weeks (I think it's a bit too early, but it's up to her, and I won't complain about hearing the dopler more often). I only have four weeks of class left and another week of exams before I am finished!!! YAY. I am looking forward to the semester being over because I can relax and not freak out over labs and homework, but on the other hand I know that I'm going to be dead bored before the baby comes. What does an eight month pregnant lady do? I can't work in my lab because I don't want to transform yeast cells and work with DNA replication (with e. coli). It just doesn't seem like a good idea. On the other hand, what else can I do? My hubby will be gone all day in summer classes and at work. :(

Bug's doing well yet again. Heartbeat was 142. I'm pretty sure that he's settled in a transverse position because I get kicked on both sides of my belly at the same time. Not sure what to think of that....

4-22-2009 (32 weeks 2days)

I just got back from the OB office and it was quite the ride. Two weeks ago at my last appointment, my doctor was gone delivering twins and another single baby. I saw the nurse practitioner who was so bubblegum sweet that I just wanted to give her a hug (yes, she was that cutsie). Anyway, the nurse forgot to give me a slip to schedule an ultrasound, so I was pretty angry/disapointed at not having an ultrasound. This time round I gained 4 pounds (over the last two weeks, yikes!) and I was sort of depressed. The doctor came in, answered some of my questions about medications (Clariton, and Prilosec OTC), took my fundal height measurement, and listened to the heartbeat. She was confused that I hadn't had an ultrasound, and, after finding out my situation, found an open tech to give me one right then and there. Yay! I got my ultrasound! I asked for pictures and the tech was super nice and got some okay shots of my little bug. Bug's measuring ahead. He weighs 4lb 13oz and is head down. I am a bit worried because babies are supposed to gain 0.5lb a week from here on out. An eight pound baby I could handle, but what if he just keeps on growing quickly and ends up being 10lbs. aaaaah. No 10lb babies here...I hope. Anyway, I'm in a super good mood after seeing my bug and having good test results (I took my glucose test at 28 weeks and found out my level was 97, right between the 40 and 130 they shoot for). I feel so blessed to have such a healthy pregnancy and I hope that it will continue to go just as well.

As for school, this is dead week. Finals are next week, but I'm stressed out over preparing my class that I TA for for their final and then finishing the 2 projects that are due tomorrow. I only have two finals, but I'm anxious for my heat and mass transfer class because that class is a killer. Rural Sociology is a breeze, so I'm not too concerned about that. It's 75 outside and overcast. We have an unseasonal warm front in Ut right now, but it's supposed to get cold and normal again over the weekend. Although I love the sun and warm breezes, I'm starting to understand why pregnant ladies don't like the heat...it's uncomfortable! I need to invest in some more shorts.

5-22-2009 (36 weeks 4 days)

Wow, it's been awhile since I've written here. Everything has been going really well and I am still doing really well. I just got signed up for WIC which will take a little bit off of my food budget and I got a great second hand breastpump for which I need to buy some bottles or something. All I need to do it a)buy nursing bras b)buy a changing pad and c)come to grips with the fact that I will soon have a baby. I know there is a baby in my stomach, but there's a big difference between knowing and really understanding what it's like to have a baby. *sigh*. Healthwise I'm doing great! I have gained 30lbs and my bp from this morning was 120/64. The doctor did the swab for strep B today and check my cervix, I'm sitting at 80% effaced and 2cm dilated. That seems crazy to me because I haven't had any contractions and no discomforts other than back pain. My ob also said that my boys sitting really low and is engaged in my pelvis. YAY! That means I'll probably be just fine doing a natural birth (aka no breach). I'm just in a really good mood because I have progressed. I understand that those 2cm could mean nothing, but 2cm is much better than 0 when labor begins.

The weather keeps getting warmer and warmer. euch. I'm glad that we live in a desert because it gets up into the high 70/80s during the day and during the night can get down to 40 ish. I keep the window open and my poor hubby freezes to death (he says it's like camping in your own bed lol). I'm so excited that I'll get to meet my little boy soon, but not too soon! I need a little more time to get ready. :)

5-29-2009 (37 weeks 4 days)

3 cm 80% effaced. Yay! The end is in sight and I am so excited. The Drs apt went well, his heartbeat was around 130 and he's just doing great! I had a NST after the apt because I've been feeling decreased fetal movement. The techs decided to "buzz" him with a buzzer thing right as we started and oooooooh did he HATE it. It felt/looked like he tried to jump out of my left side and he hasn't stopped moving since. It's reassuring to feel him, and I have felt more movements since they buzzed him than I have all week (heck, maybe for the last two weeks). I'm trying not to get my hopes up because I'm so dilated. It could mean nothing and I could be pregnant for the next two to three weeks, but..... I can dream.I haven't really been having many BH contractions, and I can't feel them at all. I have to feel my stomach with my hands to see if I am having one. :) I don't mind being pregnant right now. I am tired most of the time, but overall it's not a huge deal. I sleep 8+ hours at night, I have a wonderful husband, and everything is ideal. Now I just have to wait for my baby to come.

6-6-2009 (38 weeks 5 days)

Baby probably won't come anytime soon...he seems perfectly happy where he is. Dr's apt yesterday showed no progress, I'm still 3cm 80% effaced and at a -1 station. My bp was 116/68, no protein or sugar in the urine, no unusual symptoms except for a possible blocked milk duct. No change...no baby. *sigh* I haven't been sleeping very well, my reflux has gotten so bad that even with Prilosec I still have to chew on more than 5-7 tums a day. I'll probably need a new bottle soon. Other than sleeping I have no real complaints, I'm tired but not to the point of exhaustion and my tummy feels so stretched and full that bending over has finally become a chore. I think that I lost part of my mucus plug today because right before I flushed I noticed some weirdo dark tinted stuff sitting in the toilet. hmmm. I can't let my hopes get up yet because I could still be pregnant for another two weeks. My mom will fly out of the 11th, and she really wants to be at the birth. If I don't go until the 12th I'll be fine...here's hopping that I go on the 12th-or slightly before. I'm sorry if I seem really mopey. I love being pregnant and feeling my little boy shift around inside of me (except when he goes for the ribs/cervix), but I just want to hold him and cuddle him and love him....from the outside. He is such a blessing to me and my DH, and I wouldn't mind meeting him sooner than later. Labor dust to all, and baby dust to those TTC! Hopefully my next entry will be a birth story, but we'll see how things go. :)

6-14-2009 (39 Weeks 6 days)

Gregory Thomas Fausett was born at 7:59am, 21 in 9lb 2.5oz. 10 hours of labor with 2-3 hours of pushing. :)