I will be putting a proper "birth story" post up soon but thought I'd just introduce our beautiful daughter Molly Grace...
More soon...
Posted at 06:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (36)
Wow! I bet you didn't expect to see a post from me that didn't include pictures of our adorable newborn!
Here's the deal... The baby will be here by Saturday at the latest! Yay! It's so exciting!!
Today I went to see the doctor and she checked my cervix.. I am already 2cms dilated!! YAY! All those hours of prelabour have actually been doing something! She also did a "stretch and sweep" (warning TMI coming up...) where she inserts a finger into my cervix, stretches it out another centimetre or so and separates the bag of membranes from the wall of my uterus... I had some spotting and a bit of a show this afternoon so hopefully it will stimulate some more action before induction.
Whatever happens, tonight will be our last night at home without Baby Carr!! I go in tomorrow night for the prostin gel to be administered and if I haven't gone into labour by the following morning, the oxytocin drip will be put in at 7am on Friday. The nice thing is that John can come stay with me tomorrow night as we'll be put straight into a birthing suite.
Christmas was lovely! We spent the morning opening pressies at Mum's place. She made a pavlova for after Christmas lunch which she said had "flopped" so we did the healthy thing and had some for breakfast... gimme a break, I'm nearly 42 weeks pregnant, I think I'm allowed!
We then headed to my auntie's place for KKs and lunch... It was such a great day although I spent most of it kind of watching from the sidelines as I didn't have the energy to fully engage in conversations... heh!
I got some beautiful gifts including a citrus juicer, Ben Folds 5 CD (which I've wanted for ages... since 2000 I think), Gorgeous frangipanni body mousse, a cool orange baby bag, the Beatles love album, some beautiful jewellery and plenty of baby things. Mum and Dave (her partner) found this cool baby bouncinette which vibrates, plays music and has heaps of toys attached...It's the Rolls Royce of baby accessories! Mezz gave us a Weight Watchers healthy lifestyle book for families and my KK (Dave) gave me a big gorgeous Womens Weekly cook book and a posh perfume (Can't remember the name of it but it's yummy!)... There were plenty of other pressies which I wont write down but am so grateful for!
We spent the evening at John's folk's place where we exchanged more gifts and relaxed while watching the carols (taped from the night before as Mezz was one of the 2 backing singers... she was the one singing behind Anthony Callea!).
Even though this Christmas was very different I could still feel the spirit of Christmas really strongly. Love, generosity, sacrifice... it was all there. Hope you all felt very blessed!
Here are some more pics... just for fun!
These are babies belonging to two of my friends from Birthready... Amy on the left weighing in at 10lbs at 38 weeks (!!), delivered by c-section and Lauren on the right.. 6lbs 4oz... too cute!!
Me and the cute boy having coffee...
Hopefully the next post will contain a pic of our new family member!
Ash
xxx
Posted at 08:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (39)
I just stole this from http://squishilicious.blogspot.com/..
Also... how awesome is this guy?? He looks like a different person from the guy who began the competition!
Some funny George W Bush quotes...
"The vast majority of our imports come from outside the country."
"If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure."
"One word sums up probably the responsibility of any Governor, and that one word is
'to be prepared' "
"I have made good judgments in the past. I have made good judgments in the future."
"The future will be better tomorrow."
"We're going to have the best educated American people in the world."
"I stand by all the misstatements that I've made."
"We have a firm commitment to NATO, we are a part of NATO.
We have a firm commitment to Europe We are a part of Europe . "
"Public speaking is very easy."
"A low voter turnout is an indication of fewer people going to the polls."
"We are ready for any unforeseen event that may or may not occur."
"For NASA, space is still a high priority."
"Quite frankly, teachers are the only profession that teach our children."
"It isn't pollution that's harming the environment.
It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it. "
"It's time for the human race to enter the solar system."
God help America
Posted at 04:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
It appears that my comment on Beckies blog has been taken the wrong way...
There is no one in particular who I am annoyed at for asking about how I am or how the baby is. It is just the sheer volume of questions like "are you in the labour ward yet?" and "So, where is this baby?" that have been coming from family and friends via text messages and phone calls. I am really sorry if it has been taken the wrong way. I really value everyone's interest and genuine concern for me and by baby and hope I haven't discouraged anyone to comment here as I LOVE hearing from you..
Once again I'm sorry if it's been taken the wrong way! Hope you don't think I'm a bitch!
Ash
xx
Posted at 09:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (16)
Nothing yet... Baby has lost track of the time.... tick tick tick
Things I have tried to bring on labour:
The only thing left to do is wait and try to ignore the fact that the estimated due date has come and gone! I had a great sleep last night! 9 hours!! That's some kind of record for me at the moment! I feel much better.
Did you know the average 1st time mummy these days has a pregnancy which lasts 40 weeks and 9 days... that would make it Christmas day!! Why on earth do they bother giving you a due date?? In Canada they give you a due fortnight! Now that's a much better idea!
John took me to Williamstown today as there is a craft market on every 3rd Sunday of the month. It was such divine weather! We wandered around for a while and then sat under the trees while we ate lunch. John had pad thai and I had a big juicy hamburger. We then walked across the road to the gelato place and I had a gorgeous lime and lemon gelato... It was so lovely seeing all the young families out having fun and just picturing us in a little while running and playing with our bubs! We then went down to the main beach and sat for about 40 minutes just soaking up the sun and relaxing... It was just what I needed! I have felt a little cooped up recently.
John finishes work in 4 days. He works in schools- can you believe it's holidays already?? Yay!! Holiday baby!! I can't wait to meet my little cherub!
Hope you're all having a lovely Sunday!
Ash
xx
Posted at 05:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)
Was awake almost all night again. Beautiful John got up and had a cuppa with me at 4am and the cat thought it was time to get up so he paced around demanding to be let outside... no luck Buttski! We went back to bed at 4:45 and I think I may have dozed a little... I put my little tranny radio next to my ear really quietly on a boring talkback station and I think it helped.
I don't have an infection, just a cold... it's good but now my nose is all blocked and the headaches are rippers!
UUUGH!
Posted at 09:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)
Well, here we all are then!
I have never been so BORED in my whole life!!!
Here are some pictures...
This is me having my 39(+4 days) week appointment yesterday... Baby is ever so slightly posterior and it's head is actually not as engaged as we thought it was. So we may be here for some time! Although I feel like things are gearing up as I have had an upset tummy and lots of braxton hicks contractions- so here's hoping!
You can see by the shape of my belly (it has a flat spot on the front) that bubs is lying with its back slightly to my back... so this morning I am sitting on a fit ball leaning forward as I type this... this has worked to turn it around in the past so hopefully it will work again. I love my gorgeous midwife Laura!
John's got a job interview at 11:15 today as a contemporary guitar teacher and guitar ensemble teacher at a k-12 independent Christian college. He looked so cute when he was getting ready this morning that I just HAD to take a piccy. This would be a great job for him! Hope he gets it! But moreso I hope he comes out of the interview feeling really good about how he held himself.
I went to bed last night at 1am and was awake again by 3.... and was awake until 5am when I fell asleep till 7 and then woke again till about 8 when I dozed till 8:30. It's just not the same as a whole nights sleep! I have killer sore hips and I am not very well in general.. I think I have a throat infection. I am going to the doctor this afternoon so I can hopefully knock it on the head before I go into labour. I have not been sick in soooo long! I used to get coughs and colds all the time but since I've been healthier I just don't pick things up like I used to. I think the lack of sleep has run me down so my immune system is not as strong.
I cannot wait to have ths baby!
Posted at 11:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)
Ways to naturally induce labour.... any ideas?
Posted at 10:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
I love ebay!
This is so cute! I have been looking for a baby carrier sling that would also be supportive for my back but they have all been so expensive! I found this one on ebay and snapped it up for under 20 bucks! I also got three fluffies brand fitted nappies for 17 bucks including postage. I think I did pretty well!
I went to the midwife yesterday and she was a bit concerned about my bub's position.. She wasn't quite sure where it was lying so encouraged me to spend some more time on all fours and in forward leaning positions... I just really hope it's not breech. I have a feeling it may be though... hmm not sure. I am trying not to worry about it though as I know whatever needs to happen to get this baby out safely is what will happen.
I went in for monitoring on Tuesday as I had a really bad pain in my upper abdomen and didn't really know what to do. I knew it didn't feel like labour as it was not at all like menstrual pain and it was in the wrong spot. I was having regular painful braxton hicks contractions every 10 mins though which were making the pain worse. I called my midwife who suggested I come in just to make sure everything was ok. Sure enough, as soon as I got to the hospital the pain eased and the contractions became less frequent and I was left feeling a bit of a silly sausage but glad to see my baby's heartrate was all fine. I discovered the pain I was experiencing was gastric pain as a good dose of Gaviscon antacid made it go away.. I felt so sheepish going into hospital for bad heartburn but the midwives assured me that that's why they're there and if I feel something's not right it's better to be safe than sorry... yadda yadda yadda... I still felt stoopid!
I went shopping this morning, hoping that going out by myself would bring on some contractions *lol*... but nope! I managed to do a much bigger shop than I usually do- I am hoping it will last us more than the week as it is getting to be more of a task hauling my big belly around the stupidmarket. I had a nasty trolley with a wayward wheel too.. One of those sneaky ones that waits till it's full of heavy groceries to decide it doesn't want to cooperate... grr.. nasty trolley!!
I really hope the fires in NE Victoria are brought under control soon! It's very scary... The thought of all the fires joining to become a megafire is just terrifying. Lord- please help! Also, what is the deal with Paulene Hanson being back on the scene?? again... Lord- please help! And while we are on current affairs- Did anyone hear about the kid in the US who was arrested for opening his Christmas present early?? Go figure!! Our world is a very screwed up place!
Have a good day everyone!
Ash
xx
Posted at 11:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Yup!.... I'm still here!
Glad I didn't go into labour while John's back was out but now I am SO ready for it to happen!! I am really bored today but too tired to do anything much- not to mention the fact that I'm not too keen on driving any significant distance by myself now... although if I go to a place where it would be really embarrassing and innappropriate for my waters to break, it will happen for sure... hmm what about in an expensive linen shop?? I can mop it up with the indian cotton towels. Sounds like a plan! *lol*...
I had to get up to pee about six times last night... and I couldn't get back to sleep between visits so I sat up and watched Letterman, some show about gay people, a BAD sitcom about a family and once the infomercials came on I decided I should try sleeping again. Hmm... I did get to sleep but it was morning before I knew it and I was getting up again..
Gee my posts are SO boring these days! Here are some photos of Felix... Isn't he the most adorable little character?!
Thanks to Jodie who emailed me with all the info I needed about the WW breastfeeding plan.. I feel like I'll be able to get a handle on the weightloss thing again pretty soon after giving birth... To start with I know the best thing for me to do is simply cut out the junk-food and walk... Sounds pretty easy really but we'll see!
It was our 2nd wedding anniversary yesterday- Phil was sure we'd have an anniversary baby but no such luck.
Happy anniversary Johnny Boy... thanks for putting up with me for the last 2 years.. no.. seriously, they have been the best 2 years of my life. I love you! xx
COME ON BABY!! TIME TO MEET MUMMY AND DADDY!
Posted at 11:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)
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