It's a Girl

Clara Rose born on January 28, 2009 at 2:14am. She was 6lbs 12.7oz at birth and 19 7/8ths inches long.

She breastfeeds extremely well, sleeps well and is all around a happy baby. We are so lucky.

I apologize for not updating sooner but I've been trying to get a routine together while we are here in the hospital and last night was a toughy for us. But we made it through.

My mom is staying with me tonight, Ray went back to house with my dad so he can sleep in our bed and get some rest. He'll be back tomorrow and I'll be released from here. The experience has been wonderful.

I will however spare the details of the birth process---but that wasn't too bad either. Here's a picture of her:

Today's The Day

We'll be heading to the hospital in 5 hours to start the induction of Baby Parrish. I am nervous, excited and scared but I really can't wait to meet our little one.

I have to admit I had a total freak out Sunday- fit with crying and everything. Ray was great, told me we'd be fine (do I believe him?) and that we have lots of support and love and that's what's important.

I know all that. But still, you know...

Anyway, I think the freak-out was pretty normal and I am over it now. Everyone will be around (though I am not 100% sure if that's a good idea) the first week or so after the baby is here. I am hoping I get some peace and quiet in the hospital tonight- just me and Ray.

Well- the next post will let you know what we had, what the baby's name is and all the details. Wish me luck!

Well it's official

The doctor has scheduled an induction for next Tuesday. So I have to go into the hospital on Monday night to get some medicine to soften my cervix. hopefully it will all go well.

Naturally there are still a bunch of things that need to be done before Baby P's arrival. But none of it is major end my mom will be here this weekend so it will all get done.

As soon anything happens I'll update again. In the meantime we've got lots to do.

Ahhh yes...

So I've determined that this whole bed rest thing might not be too terrible. I haven't quite been feeling that great and I certainly can't sleep. Poor Ray.

I do feel like I should get back to work though. I wish I could work from home but the way my job is structured I just cannot. It sorta sucks.

Today I have to speak with our Employee Service Center to get my leave taken care of. My doc indicated that she thought if my pressure was okay I could go back to work. But I will only do that if I can go back full time and not have any complications. If she only lets me back part time it wouldn't be worth it. Plus I'd have to make the 5 work day elimination period AGAIN and I am not sure I want to do that. The only advantage is that I could, possibly do the 5 day elimination period unpaid without too much consequence for our budget. Really, it's not a big deal if they keep me out for the rest of the month- just I would have had more time as a p/t employee after my 6 weeks of paid STD leave was up under the FMLA rules. Now I have to sorta re-arrange it.

Overall though, I am doing okay. I finished the baby's blanket (finally) and we got the baby's name up in the room, which means NO ONE is allowed in there now. It looks so freakin' cute. We still need to put the shelves up above the changing table but because our house was built in '41 we don't have drywall in there but plaster walls and it's been really really tough locating the studs with the stud finder. So we are trying a different approach (one I am not too happy about btw). But at least it will allow Ray to find the studs and hang the shelves this week.

Once the shelves are up, we have two more things for the wall and then the room is officially finished. Ray can then move the glider up to our bedroom and I can move our mini-rocking chair in there. After the baby decides to sleep through the night we'll move the glider back into the nursery.

I am so happy with the way it turned out. Once the baby is here I'll post pictures.

So, things are okay. I just wish I could sleep. I was up at 3:30AM today and I have an early morning NST today too. I just hope my pressure is looking okay. My guess is that everything will be fine. As usual.

I have a doctor's appointment Tuesday and then another NST on Thursday. Lots of fun!

It's all fun and games until they make you pee in a jug

Oh Ann, I never thought I would truly understand how you felt about the jug o' pee until I got the chance last night to experience it myself.

Bleh, and I'm on bed rest for at least a week. Which sucks hardcore btw.

So the story goes that I went in for my routine check up yesterday with my doctor. My pressure, after the nurse took it for the third time was 143/98- very bad. The doctor came in and checked it herself- it was 143/92-not too much better. I got to go to L&D triage to be monitored and checked for pre-e-fun? Not so much (i was really hungry). The tests all came back normal-I'm not swelling or anything but my pressure goes up when I sit up, stand up or lay flat. So I am supposed to lay on my right side or left side for at least the next week.

Of course I have a ton of crap to do-which includes finishing the nursery and my blanket.

Anyway, if the urine comes back with protein in it there is a pretty decent chance I'll be induced this week. Hopefully, everything will be normal and we won't have to worry about it. I am so not ready for this baby yet. But it's going to be what it's going to be, I suppose.

In the mean time I am going to do my best to take it easy. At the very least I'll finish packing my hospital bag (just in case) and do whatever left over baby laundry I have to do (only a few things). Ray can work it out with my FIL the rest of the nursery. With any luck the baby won't be here early and I can go naturally, like I want to.

So, that's it for now.