Oh my gosh...I just reread my last post and I sound so pessimistic. I'm sorry!!! That is so not my personality. I'm really so blessed and have absolutely nothing to complain about. I'm just really, really, really, really, ready to have my baby here. :) I think I will go shopping now...that makes everything all better.

Sarcasm Saves the Day.

Highlights from my first Labor and Delivery trip:
* The doctor sent me into L & D because I was having sharp pain in my lower abdomen which turned out to be contractions every 6 minutes....who knew! Didn't feel like a contraction to me.
* They had me walk around the hospital for an hour to see if things would progress. My contractions did but I didn't dilate further so they gave me some drugs to sleep and sent me home saying they'd see me back in 4-24 hours. It has now been about 60 hours and I'm still contracting every 5 minutes but making no progress.
* I have decided that I am more likely to end up in the psych ward than in labor and delivery again.


Good news from the doctor yesterday:
(Yes, this is me being very, very sarcastic...it's my survival technique.)
* I have not one but two placental lobes.
* I wont be induced til at the earliest next Wednesday. Last time I checked my calender that was still 6 days away. I'm currently contemplating flying back to Utah where my doctor promised me I would have delivered 7 days ago.
* My baby has "probably" gained about 2 pounds. So what--now we are up to 15 pounds?!? No problem! What's another 2 pounds?!? I should probably just return all my newborn clothes and go for the 3-6 months.
* Natural redheads tend to bleed and hemorrhage the most.
....awesome! I'm so glad you shared that bit of information with me.


Bryan has me on a strict walking schedule. All it does is inflict useless pain. I no longer find my husbands jokes funny and whenever anyone asks me about how I am feeling I instantly start crying. Like I said, I think I have bought myself a one way ticket to the psych ward. Gosh, I can't even imagine what I am going to be like by Wednesday. Scary.

...AND yes, I know I am a big drama queen. My doctor also told me this was allowed. I'm so grateful for his permission.

I think I need to go pray for patience.

The Scream

News on the baby front:

Not too much to tell except that I'm dialated to 2 cm and will supposidly be induced by the 28th if the little guy isn't here by then. I've been having tons of contractions that get my hopes up every day but nothing comes of it. It's such a mind game. I'm still crossing my fingers that he makes his debute before then because things are getting mighty tight and uncomfortable! At my appointment Friday the doctor striped my membranes. To describe that experience I'll say that Bryan started laughing when he saw my face--he said I reminded him of The Scream painting by Edvard Munch:

Apparently the doctor saw my face too because afterwards he immediately asked if I planned on getting an epidural. "Uh...do you even need to ask me that?!?" Saturday we went to Bry's cousin Olivia's Wedding. It was a beautiful outdoors reception and so fun to see all the extended family.
The girls: Me, Megan, Tami, and Jolene.

Right before this picture was taken Megan says to me, "I want to stand by you so I look small." Thank you Megan. We are no longer speaking.

The first time through Megan actually caught the bouquet: My guess is because these three girls were her competition. Makayla was quite happy to take it off Megan's hands though.

Bless the Mani/Pedi's!

My wonderful mother in law took me to get a full mani/pedi yesterday...massage included. She is basically my favorite person in the world right now. It was just what the doctor ordered.

Besides the lack of news on the baby front things here in Shingle Springs are going great! Bry is really loving his internship and gaining lots of useful knowledge. He told me he's surprised at how much he actually learned this year in school. Glad all his time studying wasn't wasted. :) He has spent the last few days in court and almost witnessed a brawl; Today he informed me he will be doing depositions. I, on the other hand, will be sitting by the pool reading Work and the Glory praying this baby decides to listen to his father. (Bryan gave him an eviction notice yesterday...how loving is he?!?)

I also thought this would be appropriate being that it was just Mother's Day. I was able to read Elder Ballard's Daughters of God talk this morning which touched me deeply. Because of everything Bryan and I have been through to bring this little boy into our family I have never REALLY stopped to think how much work being a mom will be. Maybe that's the wrong way to put it--I have definitely thought about it--but to me the blessings and desire to be a mother have far out weighted anything else, as I'm sure they always will. As I read his talk I felt a strong need to remember what he said and how I feel at this point in my life.

He said, "recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction."

I just always want to remember that when things get a little difficult, as I'm sure they will, that I want to be a mother more than anything. This little boy is one of my biggest blessings from a loving Heavenly Father; I am elated to experience the joy that comes in the little moments of motherhood. And to all you mothers and mother-hopefuls out there: I have such a deep respect for each of you and all you do.

Burp Cloths!

My mother in law taught me how to make these adorable burp cloths. I'm pretty excited about my new found domestic abilities. :) Bry came with me to the fabric store and we picked out all these cute patterns and colors to match the baby's little outfits. We've made 8 so far and now I'm working on some receiving blankets. (Please ignore the swollen face).

I had another doctors appointment yesterday which proved to be a little frustrating. My doctors in Utah had told me that because I have gestational diabetes they would probably not let me go passed 39 weeks and definitely not passed my due date because of the risk of delivery a large baby. Well, like I wrote last time I've actually been measuring about 3 weeks small, so at my appointment yesterday they did an ultra sound. If he was 5 pounds (which is what the doctor was thinking) they were possible going to induce me today because they were worried about him thriving. Turns out the baby is anything but small! He is totally hiden and already weighing in at 7 1/2 pounds!!!!!!! So in my head I'm thinking...well I guess the diabetes is effecting him and I can plan on being delivered around my due date at the latest. Apparently doctors here don't hold the same policy as Utah's doctors. This doctor said there was no way he'd induce me before 41 weeks. This sent me into a major panic! I am so not okay with delivering a 10 pound baby...is that even possible for me?!?!? His logic makes zero sense...

He says that first time mothers that are induced are 6 times more likely to deliver by c-section. Fair enough. BUT HELLO my other doctor said that small moms that have diabetes and who's children get above 8 pounds are way more likely to have c-sections. Please explain that one to me. I wasn't a very happy camper last night. This discussion is NOT over! Okay and I act all big and tough on my blog but at the actually appointment I was ready to cry like a little baby. I'm making Bry go with me to my next appt...he is the tough one. :)

The Joys of Living on Property...

I grew up in the city, surrounded by neighbors, where fences weren't allowed because it messed up the neighborhood aesthetics...Bryan on the other hand grew up on "property". Apparently this is what the wealthy California people call it...back home we call it the country, or the boonies. :)
Well I got yet another new "property" living experience yesterday. It's called shearing the sheep. Supposedly they have done this before, but the pictures might give you a different impression.

"Uh...what now?"
"I guess we have to try and get the sheep on his butt or he'll buck and run away."

20 minues later... "So now we start shearing?"
"This is disgusting."

Bryan: "WHAT IS THAT?!?!" Father in law: "His talliwacker. Don't shear that."A painfully long time later....

Poor Rambo. It's not a good looking hair cut but it's free.

On the way home more comedy ensued...

I wouldn't let Bryan drive because his hands were covered in sheep. Actually, I wouldn't even let him sit in the front...he sat in the back on the way home.

Me: "I haven't driven in a week. This feels weird."

Two seconds later, out of no where, a deer jumps off the hillside we are driving next to and almost lands on my car. I have a heart attack.

Bryan: "It shows."

Then we get home and I back into a pile of bricks. Awesome. Love living on property.

Fortune Cookie

Bry and I had Chinese food the other day and one of our fortune cookies said...

"A small stranger will soon come into your life and bring you joy."

Too perfect. :)

I had my first doctors appointment out here. We had to wait 2 1/2 hours to see the doctor but in the end it was worth it (although I don't know that Bry agrees) because he told me I'm 1 cm dialated and 60% effaced. I never thought hearing that could make me so excited! He also said that I'm actually measuring pretty small, so he wants to do an ultrasound to make sure that he's not too little. Always something to worry about! Either way 22 days to go...