It is time!

I might be the only one who hears Rafiki's voice when I read that phrase, but I thought it was an appropriate title since I have not blogged for decades. I also think this is what our baby is saying, even if it's not supposed to be his time for delivery, he seems to have his own schedule. But before baby drama, I'll catch you up on the last few months.

Christmas was wonderful. We spent the actual holiday up in Pine Valley. It was so relaxing and beautiful- all things Pine Valley.

In early January we went out to California to visit the Somerhalders, which was so fun! We visited Angel Island (the Ellis Island of the west coast), which was really very green and more like a national park than a historical site. There are lots of trails to hike or bike, or camp even, whatever your fancy. We went during the off season, so most everything was closed down and it was a bit chilly, but still fun.

While we were there we also went to Calavares (I'm pretty sure I spelled that incorrectly) Big Trees. I believe they are giant Sequoias. There was snow still on the ground and it was pretty dang cold. But, the trees were so neat! We had fun just walking around on the path and playing in and on the large trees that have fallen.

After January there was not too much traveling, just working and thinking more about the baby (though not doing too much about it). You would think for being the somewhat anal and controlling person that I am predisposed to be I would have had my nursery ready many months ago, but, no, we are just now getting to it and really only now because the baby is probably going to come early. First, here are some pregnancy pictures.

Me at about 7 months. (Sorry about the glare, but I liked how I look better in this one [is it alright for pregnant women to be conceited?]) Ü

Me at 8 months or so (I guess I'm still technically 8 months, this was taken 3 weeks ago)

So, here's the preterm labor story:

I had been feeling "tightening" fairly consistently starting about 2 weeks ago. I assumed they were Braxton Hicks contractions, and though moderately worried, I didn't do too much about it beside try to drink more water (I think that is the cure all for all things pregnancy- DRINK WATER). I was working last Sunday and felt pain, pressure and crampiness in my pelvis and lower back. This disconcerted me, so I talked to my charge nurse and she had me immediately go up to L&D triage and they hooked me up to the monitors (this was at 2 a.m.). I was feeling somewhat stupid because after they had checked me out, everything looked okay. 1 or 2 contractions but nothing serious. One last thing: check the cervix. I was 2-3 cm dilated and 60-70% effaced! Whoops. No going back to work, and no going home. Is it bad I felt somewhat vindicated because then at least I wasn't a stupid, ancy first time mom who just jumped the gun? Anyways, they tried to stop my crampiness/ contractions with terbutaline, but it didn't last long (gives you a weird sensation though!). My perinatologist was contacted and they started me on Procardia (which is just weird- it's a blood pressure drug- a calcium channel blocker for the medically minded- and I am somewhat surprised at its effectiveness). To make a long story short (too late), I was in the hospital for 3 days. The baby is just fine. In fact, even if he had been born then (at 34 weeks), he would have been healthy and viable, albeit small and skinny- he would have had a stay in the NICU for a while as well. My very very nice perinatologist schooled me about Braxton Hicks contractions:

Mr. nice doctor: "Do you know what the definition of a Braxton Hicks contraction is?"

Me: "Um, when you have contractions that aren't painful?"

Dr.: "When you have cervical changes."

Me: "So I wasn't having Braxton Hicks."

Dr.: "No you were not."

And there you have it, Lindsay is one of the lucky women who has cervical changes without really realizing it! Enough about my cervix, though. I was able to go home on bed rest last Wednesday. I promised the bed rest gods I would be good and really take it easy, and I have been. I don't make my meals or clean anything up. My poor mother-in-law is pretty much my slave. ;) I do feel bad being a lazy louse, but I know it's what I need to be doing. I go off the tocolytics (anticontraction drugs) at 36 weeks- this Friday, and then we'll see from there. It would be somewhat comical if I carried him (who is still nameless FYI) full term. lol

Here is me in the hospital (we need "I'm too Sexy" playing in the background).

I want to thank all the love and support I have received the past few weeks. Everyone has been SO thoughtful and caring, it really has been wonderful. Thanks!