Birthday

It's official: Baby Carmen will be arriving on Friday, September 12, 2008 at 7:30 am by way of Cesarean section. It's not exactly the way we would've planned it, but the little bugger just isn't turning, and the whole manual turning thing doesn't sound like a good idea. The whole idea freaked me out at first, but now I'm getting used to it, and of course, I love the idea that I can put it on my calendar. I realize C-sections just aren't as big a deal as they used to be, but it will be my first operation, my first IV, my first real hospitalization-it's all just a little overwhelming.

So, for the next 18 days I will be wrapping stuff up at work and taking it as easy as possible. It may be time to turn the cable TV back on.......

Today's check-up

Today was our last scheduled sonogram for baby Carmen. We were excited to find out how big she's getting and what position she's in since we're less than five weeks from go time. It turns out that she is already about 6 lbs. 6oz., and she's breech. Dr. Morse is predicting that she'll be about an 8.5 lb baby if we go full term. Nate and I were both 7 and change, so that seems HUGE to me! Dr. Morse isn't concerned. We're giving Carmen until next Monday to get in position, and if she's still breech then, we'll make a serious plan about how to get her out. They can try to manually turn her if we want, but it hurts, only works half the time, and would mean I'd have to be induced right after they turned her because they'd likely damage the placenta. The other option is a c-section which is certainly NOT what I wanted, but might have to happen. In that case, she can be as big as she wants! I just hope all those cute 0-3 month outfits won't go to waste!
All in all, things are going OK. I feel tired and I wobble everywhere I go, but that's to be expected. It's been a strange week or so as my Grandpop passed away and we simultaneously look forward to Carmen's impending arrival. Makes a person do a lot of thinking about the cycle of life. I also learned this week that a former student of mine lost his battle with cancer last month. He would have been five next month. I only hope I can be a strong as his mom was throughout his illness and treatment. They are both in my prayers and I'd ask you to include them in yours as well.
I'll keep posting more info on Carmen's progress as it becomes available. We probably won't know anything before next week.

Love to all,
Amanda

Bit of a scare

I went to see Dr. Morse for my regular appointment today and had a little scare. I had stayed home from work because I'm STILL coughing and just didn't feel right. I got to the appointment and they weighed me and took my blood pressure as usual. I had lost 2 pounds which was weird, but not hugely weird because it's so hot. My blood pressure was 144/98 which is way high for me. They asked me what I'd bee doing all day and the answer was nothing. I'd been home resting all day-and not the resting where I do 5 loads of laundry including carrying all the baskets of clothes around. I truly rested!
So they sent me over to Labor & Delivery to run some tests and be monitored. I had told Brad to skip the appointment because nothing exciting ever happens, so he was home with Ethan. I called and filled him in and he was at the hospital in a matter of minutes. They admitted me and got me hooked up to the fetal monitor as well as a blood pressure monitor. My blood pressure stayed high until Brad arrived and then it got much lower with every reading. They did some blood work and everything came back normal, so they sent me home. By the time I left, my blood pressure was 122/66. Dr. Morse wants me to come back next Monday just to check on me and then we have our regular visit in two weeks which includes another sonogram to check on her growth.
All is well for now, but it kind of spooked me. I've never been in the hospital all hooked up to machines and what have you. I guess it's good that I got my first experience with that out of the way before labor starts.
I'm going to try to get some sleep now because I'm VERY tired, but I'll keep everyone posted if we have any more excitement.
By the way, we got to listen to baby Carmen's heart the whole time we were in the hospital and that was very cool. She's an extremely active little girl!

Completely overwhelmed with gratitude!

Richard, Meghan, Nate, Amanda, Krista, and Brad at the baby shower.

I really don't even know where to begin. Yesterday, my aunt Caryl and mother-in-law Rene threw me the most wonderful baby shower. We all met at my church in the parlors and visited, opened presents, and had lunch. It was absolutely delightful! I was thrilled not only by all of the amazing gifts, but by the people who took the time to actually travel in for the event. We had my Mom and Dad, and Nate and Krista in from Ohio, which is always awesome. Having Nate and Krista is the house means I've been laughing myself sore since they arrived. We have way too much fun together. Add Richard and Meghan to the mix, and things got truly out of control. They came in from St. Charles and stayed the afternoon before driving back so Richard could go to work. I've been battling a cough that seems worse when I talk or laugh, so I pretty much coughed the whole day. It was so worth it!
From the West, we had Jen traveling all the way from the Kansas (ew) side of Kansas City. Jen is one of those friends that I've had for so many years that just being in the same room with her makes me happy! We also spent the morning with lots of local family and friends, and I invite everyone who is able to stop by the house and see the nursery now that it's almost fully equipped. Just give me today to get everything put away!
Now on to the gifts. UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So many cute onesies, and soft blankies. It was like Super Christmas! I get extremely excited about the handmade gifts, and there were some spectacular ones.
Krista demonstrated that she hasn't been working all summer (teacher) by arriving armed with like 47 packages. There was practical stuff, some of which she didn't understand why I would even want (car seat protector), some of which made me laugh a lot (breast cream), some of which made everyone laugh (pacifier with gold grill), and some of which was so thoughtful (painting, gorgeous handmade blanket). She went way overboard and that's the kind of aunt that Carmen needs!
Grandma Doris gave us this absolutely beautiful white and pink afghan. Seriously, it's breathtaking. I might have to hang it directly on the keepsake quilt rack. It's just amazing.
Grandma Kathy made her an awesome quilt too, as well as a lined hamper that is just precious. She is so crafty!!!
I could tell that my mom had had fun with her shopping and will continue to do so. The clothes she gave us were so my style and included a "Mizzou rules, Kansas drools" onesie and pacifier set. Mom also helped me cover the practical bases by giving us the changing pad and mattress pad we've been needing, and in a few weeks, we will have a brand new glider and ottoman for the nursery! Thanks Mom and Dad! OH! I forgot the diaper bag. I am madly in love with my diaper bag. I may start carrying it now. It is the coolest ever. No exaggeration.
Grandma Darla gave me the travel system that Carmen and I will use to travel the town. It's so cool that it defies description. Seriously, you'll just have to come over and play with it.
There were a bagillion other gifts that I LOVED, but I'm going to stop writing and go play with them now. Thank you so much to everyone who was there or sent wishes from afar. It was a truly wonderful day. Just 7 weeks to go, and we'll be able to meet the center of all this attention. We CANNOT WAIT!