Stubborn Baby, Fickle Mommy

Really thought today was it. This morning started a series of heavy contractions that did not let up during church service and I also started to spot. Okay, so the normal thing to do would be to call the hospital right away. Me, I was trying to figure out what I wanted as my last meal before I had to give up my pregnancy 'all you can eat' privileges! Once we got home I wanted to time my contractions before making the call so in the meantime Steve went out with my request of McDonalds. Yes, we had an awesome McDonalds feast! I even had a fish burger I haven't had since I was a kid! And then I decided to take a nap. And then I woke up... and yes, we're still here and no I still haven't called the hospital. Okay, so I don't mean to be so fickle and poor Steve is on edge cuz I can't make up my mind... but if only these contractions would just intensify and give me more reason to want to go to the hospital! I promised though for sure tomorrow no matter what, I would call in. I like the date too since Sydnie was born on the 8th. =)
I can't believe I consumed all that McDonalds grease. And considering we never left home, we eventually got hungry and had to think about dinner!

Dribble

As much as I've been opposed to delivering early, I'm actually quite surprised that we're still hanging out waiting for #2. We've had a few false alarms since the weekend, but before making the drive to Hoag, I tell Steve I need the contraction to have me doubled over in so much pain I can't even scream. While they have been increasingly getting stronger, I still can't say I've crossed a 'five' on the pain-o-meter. Thought today at around 5:00 pm that for sure it was finally time, but here I am instead updating our blog. I figure I'd rather take the risk of delivering in the passenger seat over being sent back home! haha. I never got this far with Sydnie but I was reading that one mom delivered at 36 weeks with her first but not until 41 weeks for the second... so potentially we may still have a few more weeks!
Well one very prominent problem I am encountering is incontinence. It is really no laughing matter! I am so thankful nothing has happened in public! This subject was broached in an earlier entry, but that was when "dribbling" would involve a sneeze or laugh. My recent experiences have initially led me to think my water broke because it would happen while I'm washing the dishes or seconds after I just used the restroom. There is absolutely no forewarning and no urge for that matter, so I assume it must be the kid messing with me from inside. As you know we've been potty training Sydnie... it's painful for me to share this but also paints the picture for the reader... well there is a pile of training underwear in a bucket in the bathroom we collect from all her accidents... and now a few of mommy's underwear occasionally find their way to the bucket! I'm going to need some Depends the next time we go out!

still Three Parks

Another doctor's visit and still at three centimeters but 80% effaced. With Sydnie, scar tissue on my cervix had prevented me from dilating past three so wondering if the scarring may have reformed and we might encounter that again. Doc did ask if I would like to induce if we do end up making it all the way, which I'm still against unless for some reason baby is going to be ginourmously huge. I only had the epidural in place for about half an hour the first time before delivering so if we make another attempt without drugs and actually succeed all the way, my big fear is the pain associated with the birthing part. hmmm... my masochistic side is starting to diminish as I get older. Sydnie had her first public tantrum yesterday at Babies R Us. She wanted me to take out this wagon for her out of a bin and I was checking out so I motioned for her to come to me instead. She proceeded to stamp her foot and release a loud wail in front of a pretty large audience. I personally found it pretty amusing. I appreciate though that despite me being the bad guy, she still wanted me to comfort her and make her feel better. Little sucker =) haha. I enjoy my mini best friend so much. She is my little comedian and some of the things she does I wish I could capture with more than my memories. So I know I've never been the world's quietest sleeper but I was officially kicked out of our bedroom and demoted to sleeping downstairs this week. I make Steve sound like the bad guy but I really can't complain because I've been sleeping great while he wakes up with dark bags under his eyes. haha. I didn't have this problem the first time around but with this one Steve says my snoring is out of control! I figure it is the extra weight gain as I'm about 14 pounds heavier than what my final weight was with Sydnie but then again, this "problem" has been torturing Steve since first trimester! He's been patient though and it was only when it seemed like my "noises" were affecting Sydnie's REM, we agreed I would need to be the one leaving our bedroom premises. Well lets hope I'll be allowed to re-enter post delivery!

Struck Gold

I went to my weekly check up this morning and I'm about three centimeters dilated. I still have hope we have a few more weeks but staying active is getting progressively difficult. If only Sydnie was in on our plan she would force me to stay seated and keep my legs crossed! =)
For those that may be eating while reading this or just are hyper sensitive to body waste, other than their own, you may want to avoid scrolling down.
Steve and I are personally quite proud of this picture though... So last week my mom for whatever reason decided to pin Sydnie's hair before putting her down for a nap. And Sydnie, in typical Sydnie fashion took the pin out and put it in her mouth. My mom saw this on the monitor so ran upstairs. My feeling is Sydnie heard my mom's panicked steps coming up and without thinking swallowed the pin. I never received any of my mom's calls while at work so learned of the situation when I got home. Since she was eating and playing well, we decided to wait it out. Our only concern was that she would have swallowed the pin opened versus closed, which would mean the sharp pointy end was exposed. Well, a couple of days passed and on Saturday, this was the picture Steve emailed to me while I was at work:
Relief! Good job Sydnie and really Thank God! The horrors we may have had to go through if it failed to appear!

One Year Modeling Pics

Its a Borl

My pregnancy ticker says I have a little over a month to go and I am hopeful that is accurate, but I fear delivery being any day... Going pee for too long makes me wonder if my water just broke, paranoia sets in with a sudden back spasm... the worst is when I have a big poo. Usually that should be a good thing but I hear that pre-labor your body naturally releases a laxative-like force wanting to "empty" out - so even poo freaks me out! haha
Well, we are still struggling with names. We do know we want to continue with the "s" but never thought sticking to an S name would be so limiting. Of course when people find out we don't know the gender they'll try to predict for us. It will be interesting once he/she arrives, how many myths are broken or accurate. Here is what has been said so far:

<< Theories supporting a girl: >>
* I eat a lot of sweets
* Hips are wider
* Baby's heart rate is over 140
* I prefer sleeping on my back than my side

<< Theories supporting a boy: >>
* Sydnie sucks her pointer finger
* Sydnie can be a little all over the place indicating brother
* More "popped out" than with Sydnie
* Baby is more active
* Voracious appetite

At this point it seems pretty 50 / 50, hence a "borl". =)
Well I've officially passed the weight I was with Sydnie at full term. One thing I think that helped with having two pregnancies close together is I feel my stomach was still pretty elastic from the first, which I believe is what is preventing stretch marks with this one. But why does food still taste so good?!
I was treated to two amazing baby showers the other week. While I didn't expect any shower for kid #2, can't say I didn't love all the gifts =) and above all it was a really nice time with friends that made me feel so special!

Easter 2009

Celebrating the resurrection... and reason to dress Sydnie up =)