April 26, 2007

I am truly enjoying my maternity leave so far. However, all the extra time on my hands makes me even more anxious for the baby to come. We went to the doctor today and he told me again, we need to get that baby out! I started having contractions on Tuesday afternoon and they lasted about 2 hours. They went back and forth between being 5 and 10 minutes apart. We went for a walk to see if they would continue and they stopped. Jarrett told me that night that he wasn't mentally ready for the baby so I couldn't have him yet. I told my doctor about the contractions and he told me that the next time I get contractions that are consistent to head to the hospital and they would check me out and possibly help me along. He didn't seem worried about how far apart they were, just that they were consistent. I've been having them today so we'll see what happens!

Week 38

I am officially on maternity leave! Friday was my last day of school and my students were great. One group turned in How-To papers that day and asked if they could bring in the food that they wrote about in their papers. Of course I agreed, so we had fruit pizza, cookies, brownies, cheesecake, and taco salad. Another group planned a pizza party and my last group brought in popcorn. A lot of kids gave me hugs when I left, so that made me feel like I had made a little bit of a difference. It all seems worthwhile in moments like that!
Saturday I spent the morning being pampered. I was finally able to use the Mini-Spa gift certificate Jarrett got me for Christmas and it was well worth the wait! I started the morning with a pedicure and then had a prenatal massage. After the massage I got a manicure and a facial. It was the most relaxing way to start my maternity leave. I was supposed to help Jenna pack up her dorm room when I was done but I was so relaxed I couldn't do anything. I finally gave up and came home to take a nap. I can completely see why women spend tons of money for that kind of treatment!
I am still feeling pretty good. I have been taking a lot of walks in the past few days. People keep joking with us that we are trying to walk the baby out. It sounds like a good idea to me, however it really just feels good to get out and walk. I feel so much more energized after a walk around the block. If the baby happens to come out as a result of that, then it's a bonus!

Week 37

When you look at this picture compared to Week 33 you can definitely tell the baby has dropped, my stomach just doesn't look as perky! I had another quick doctor's appointment on April 12 and all was well. I go again April 19 and we may have an exam that day, but we'll see. On Sunday Jarrett and I did a lot around the house and I stared having contractions every hour but they never got any closer together and when I went to bed they stopped. My braxton hicks contractions are becoming stronger and not just in my back.

This evening at our Prenatal class Jarrett was able to wear the empathy belly for about an hour. He looked at me part of the way through and said that he can't believe how much weight it actually is to carry a baby and I can tell he has a new appreciation for pregnant women. He also told me that we aren't having any more children so I don't have to carry around another one. I told him that we could discuss that later! We had a good time practicing our breathing techniques. We also talked about how 3 years ago today we were at our wedding rehearsal, time certainly flies!

Week 36

We are definitely getting close! I am seeing the doctor every week now. At my appointment on April 5 my doctor didn't really say much. He was more excited when I told him about having Braxton Hicks than anything else. Things are going well for us. I am sleeping fairly well despite having to get up to use the bathroom.
We started our prenatal classes this week and let me tell you, it was an experience. Of all the women there I am the only one about to pop. Everyone else is due at the end of June and beginning of July. I look HUGE compared to everyone else. You could just see the looks of disbelief and pity when I walked into the room. When we went around the room and introduced ourselves and told our due dates, the instructor told me she hoped I made it through all the classes. We went over massage and breathing techniques for labor for most of the class. Jarrett kept me amused the entire time with his usual antics. I enjoyed seeing Jarrett on the mat attempting to "push out the baby" more than anything else. I really should have taken a picture. At one point the instructor asked us who was breech. No one said anything and then Jarrett spoke up and said "I was breech." The entire class broke out laughing because our instructor was referring to the babies and not us. Jarrett also inspired our instructor to amuse us with tales of men passing out in the delivery room. She told him to sit in the chair by my head so he wouldn't hit anything when he passed out. Overall the class was pretty good. We meet 3 more times and I do hope we can get our money's worth from the class.
I will post a new picture by the end of the week. I have a shower given by my sister-in-laws on Saturday and a shower on Wednesday (April 18) given by teachers at school. Of course, my last day at school is April 20. . .and I am counting down.