The Caleb Blog - Third Trimester

Walked a Mile

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:20:00 -0700

Yep Caleb and I walked a mile today. Not all at one time mind you. We took a pit stop at my parents house, then we went to the park, then made our way back home. He did really well, but I can sure tell he's tired. He just flopped right on the couch when we got home and laid down.

Oh, is he ever going to sleep good tonight.

It felt good to get out of the house today with Caleb. The past two days have been rainy and cloudy and we couldn't really do very much. He enjoyed himself for sure and frankly, so did I. Kind of took my mind off things for awhile.

Looking forward to being the old mommy again, and I'm sure Caleb is too. Although, he's been pretty good throughout the pregnancy. To him, I'm probably the same old mommy, but, I still feel like I haven't given him the attention that he's really needed.

That's just me though.

Caleb's Toddler Forecast: Watching TV on the couch.

Rain, Rain...You can Stay

Fri, 15 May 2009 17:25:00 -0700

We have had a dry spell as of late and it is so good to be able to have some relief from the dryness around here. Caleb and I just sat outside in the garage for the longest time. Well, I sat, Caleb ran around and even went outside a few times. I went and got the camera, but poof, he got camera shy.

He was facinated by the hail we got though. He picked up a few that got close enough to the garage. Although, it melted in his hand the moment it got in it.

After the rain slowed a bit, he got brave and went outside and of course his head is completely soaked. But he had fun and he got to do something "really cool"

Caleb ACTUALLY TOOK A NAP TODAY!! TWO HOURS!! Go Caleb!! I laid down at the same time. I didn't sleep, but I rested and that's a good thing. I haven't had that in for ages as of late.

Caleb's Toddler Forecast: Looking at the fish tank

EDD: Today

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 16:51:00 -0700

Mom and I just got back from my doctor's appointment (yeah, I know, 3 hours later...we had shopping to do), and it was a pretty good appointment.

I had my ultrasound today and found out that the baby measured 10 pounds and something. Yeah, 10 pounds. Obviously, that is not for real. It's usually off by about a pound to a pound and a half, but we are still expecting him to be more like 9 pounds. Great!! With that in mind, I was ready to tell Dr. Magee that I was ready to have this baby.

We discussed my options which were:

A) wait and let nature take its course
B) start to induce tonight and have the baby tomorrow
C) skip inducing and go straight to a C-section

Before we made a decision, Jordan asked if I should be checked first before we make a sound decision and Dr. Magee was going to do that. When he checked...NO PROGRESSION. Yep, that's right. Still 1cm. Kind of frustrating considering how big the baby is and how low he appeared to be. So, I decided that I wanted to try a vaginal birth first and if I need to go to option C, then I have that option.

So, we found out that the hospital has 1 bed available for tonight and I got it. I have to be at the hospital at 8pm tonight where I will get prepped, do paperwork (even though I'm pre-admitted), then the cervidil is started. Cervidil, for those that don't know, is a medication that softens the cervix to allow for better inducing the next day. As far as I know, if I progress the way that I should, I will have Pitocin. If I don't progress, then we go to a C-section.

In any case, Caleb will be arriving in the world tomorrow. I'm nervous but excited all at the same time. This is really going to happen. Wow. I'm going to be a mommy!!!

EDD: Today's The Day

Sun, 05 Nov 2006 09:56:00 -0700

Well, today is the official due date for Caleb to arrive and nothing is happening in terms of active labor. It's all about the same really. Cramping, some pressure down below, and my hips feel like they are about ready to break because of this pressure. On top of that, my belly is so hard and big that it could split down the middle at any point. LOL. Little Caleb is just content staying where he is, being all nice and warm and not wanting to budge. That will change after tomorrow though.

Tomorrow is my next appointment to find out if he is the one that is the culprit or if it is me. I'll have a sonogram and be checked and if there is no progression than we'll be discussing options at that point. For sure though, Caleb will probably be here sometime this week. Yay! I'm happy because I'm miserable and so tired right now. I want this to be over so I can hold our little man in my arms and be ready to worry for the rest of my life. Yay!! LOL

In honor of making it to 40 weeks and to my official due date, here is a belly pic:

Weekly Baby Forecast: He's Ready!!!!

EDD: Not Soon Enough

Fri, 03 Nov 2006 09:52:00 -0700

Well, it looks like I'm going to make it to my due date afterall or be late. Nothing is happening down below and I haven't progressed at all after 3 weeks of cramping.

I had my doctor's appointment on Wednesday and found all this out and Dr. Magee really seemed to be surprised that I haven't progressed. So, providing I don't do something on my own between now and Sunday, we made an appointment to see him on Monday to get checked again and to have a sono. We'll be checking for Caleb's position and to find out if it is me who is not cooperating.

Since Wednesday, I've done nothing but stress. I mean, I've been stressed about the whole thing for months now, but I'm seriously at the point now where I feel that at any time I could breakdown. In all honesty, if I could do some things differently I would. I've got too much on my plate right now, or so it seems, that I have no idea what to do with it all. This is supposed to be a happy, yet semi-stressful, time and I'm finding that I'm becoming more stressed than happy, and it's not healthy for me or baby.

Mom and I have been keeping busy with things and the nursery is finally done with the exception of the glider being apart of the room. We're still waiting for a call to go and pick that up. Once that is in Caleb's room, the room is done. It looks so cute in there. I have pictures, but I've just not had the time, nor the will, to put them up just yet. Once the glider is in the room and the room is officially complete, I'll put those up.

Today's Baby Forecast: Stressed

EDD: Seven More Days

Sun, 29 Oct 2006 09:18:00 -0700

A week from today, is the big day. The question is, will Caleb decide to make his entrance before, on, or after this date. I'm guessing he's going to be a few days late. I was really kind of hoping to have him in October, but it doesn't appear that is going to happen. Granted there is still 2 more days left of October, but nothing is happening except for some cramping. So, a November baby he will be after all.

Mom has been here for about a week now and we've accomplished so much in getting the baby's room about where it needs to be. Whenever he decides to make his appearance, he'll have everything ready and waiting for him. I think it's looking pretty good. I'll take pictures when we are done. The only thing I'm actually waiting for is the glider, and I'm hoping that will come sometime this week. Then, the room is complete.

In honor of making it to 39 weeks, here is a belly pic:

Weekly Baby Forecast: Your baby's ready to greet the world! He continues to build a layer of fat to help control his body temperature after birth, but it's likely he already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds. (Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.) Your baby's organs are fully developed and in place, and the outer layers of skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath.

EDD: Never!!

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 10:06:00 -0700

Had my doctor's appointment today. It was a pretty good one. I haven't progressed at all since last week. Still dilated to 1cm, 50% effaced and still a -2 or a -1 station. I was really hoping that I would have progressed some. It looks as if November will be the month in which Caleb will be born. I did find out though that my doctor's office protocol doesn't allow me to go over a week past my due date, so if it doesn't happen by the end of the week of November 5th, I'll be induced which will be fine with me. I'm ready for Caleb to be here and get him in the nursery. LOL

Mom came in on Monday and she is so excited to be here. We've already done some baby shopping and will do a little bit more this weekend. Jordan will have to take us this weekend, because I'm still not comfortable getting downtown. Surprise Jordan!! After that, I think we're good to go. It seems we have everything now.

Today's Baby Forecast: Tired

Playing the Waiting Game

Sun, 22 Oct 2006 17:54:00 -0700

14 days until Caleb is officially due. Now, all we get to do is wait, wondering if he will come early, on time, or late. These last 2 weeks, I've been told, are killer because you get the most tired, and the most anxious since the time is getting closer. I think I'm beginning to feel that now: tired and anxious.

Mom is coming in tomorrow around 12:30. She's looking forward to coming out, and I'm looking forward to her coming out. Then dad will come about a month later for Thanksgiving. Yay for family!!

Weekly Baby Forecast: Your baby has really fattened up. He likely weighs between 6 and 7 1/2 pounds now (boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls), and he's probably between 19 and 20 inches long. He has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test with your pinky! His organs are fully developed and in place, but his lungs and brain — though developed enough for him to function now — will continue to mature right through childhood.

Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If your baby is born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If he's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time he's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after he's born, but they won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)

Finally Cleaning

Fri, 20 Oct 2006 15:28:00 -0700

I finally got to get started on cleaning today. I think I started at around 11am. Had a bit of an emotional start and had to cry it out first, but I got over and started doing what I need to do.

I cleaned up the guest room, Caleb's room, our room, living room, kitchen (for the most part), and am about to start the family room, and then I'm done until Monday when I put finishing touches before mom comes. Yeah, I have to do that to make everything look fresh.

I've done a lot of clothes washing today too that I've been neglectful on. I've just not felt like doing much of anything as of late. Just being lazy.

Caleb has been doing a little moving around today during the afternoon which is rather surprising. He normally does his thing towards the evening time. He's gearing away from a schedule today for some reason. Maybe it's because I just had a bit of a snack and he's getting that nutrients from that. Not that corn chips really offer that much nutrients.

Today's Baby Forecast: Blah

It's Official - Maternity Leave Started Today

Thu, 19 Oct 2006 14:25:00 -0700

Today, is the first day of my maternity leave. After a hard day at work yesterday being on my feet and not eating anything until dinner at 5pm, I was so glad that my supervisor took me off the schedule and allowed me to start my maternity leave today. I was going to be cancelled today anyway because we were over staffed, so it wouldn't have made much of a difference, but I like calling it the beginning of my leave.

Today, I turned in my papers, went to Babies R Us to return an item from my MD shower that didn't fit our travel carrier, had lunch with Jordan, went to walmart and am now back home about ready to vacuum the couch to get rid of the Dakota hair that's accumulated. Then, after that, I am going to bake a bundt cake, all the while washing clothes. I was kind of hoping to take a nap today because I slept like crap last night, but I'll have the next few days to do that. Sort of.

I think Caleb has dropped some more becuase I'm feeling a little heavy down there. Not "down there", but just above "down there". LOL. It's getting harder and harder to walk comfortably now and my back has is beginning to kill me. Jordan massaged it last night before we went to bed and it felt better, but by early morning again, I was just about in tears and almost woke him up so he could massage my back again, but I didn't. I suffered through it because Jordan needs to get his rest for work and all.

As I'm sitting here writing this, Caleb has the hiccups. It's a pretty rhythmical kick or punch. It's actually quite neat to feel.

Today's Baby Forecast: Tired

37 Week Appointment Today

Tue, 17 Oct 2006 14:30:00 -0700

Had a pretty decent appointment today. My HR and BP were all normal and everything has stabilized including my weight. In fact, I lost a pound from last week. GO ME!!!

Caleb's HR was at around 150 and he has dropped. I now actually have a little space between my rib cage and the top of my uterus. I could tell this week because I'm not as short of breath going up the stairs anymore.

I was checked again today, like I always will be from now on, and found out that I'm 1cm dilated, 50% effaced, and Caleb is at a -2 possibly even a -1 station. He wasn't quite able to tell. He was able to feel the head so he is properly positioned.

Still looking at a couple of weeks before delivery time. So, that puts us at around my due date.

Mom comes in on Monday and I'm getting excited. She'll be here until November 30th helping out with the baby and so forth. I haven't been with family for that long since my college days, so it'll be interesting to say the least. LOL. With mom here though, I'll be able to get a little rest and still learn on how to be a mommy.

Today's Baby Forecast: Anticipation

Could I Be Nesting?

Mon, 16 Oct 2006 10:27:00 -0700

Yesterday morning, I woke up at 3:30 to do my business, got back in bed, and a half hour later, I had this urge to want to get up and clean. That is not the time that I should want to clean. That is my sleepy time. That is my time to get the rest that I need to get. But no, I want to clean at 4am. Did I get up? Nope. I wasn't about to. I went right back to sleep. I mean, I'd wake up Jordan, wake up the dogs and they'd be crazy. It wasn't worth the hassle. However, I do feel the need to clean a little today, so I will be doing that. My house isn't dirty persay, it just needs to be straightened up a bit, vaccumed, etc. With it being rainy, it might be a good day to do it since it won't be hot. Not sure how much I will really get done today, but I hope to do the family room, the kitchen and the living room. All of which are going to be pretty easy to do. The easiest, will be the upstairs where the bedrooms are.

Jordan and I went to Carter's this weekend and picked up some items from the store. Also went to Babies R Us and picked up our stroller and a mobile for the crib. It was a nice outing and I really enjoyed myself. I think Jordan did to. Also this weekend, we put the car seat in the vue, put the stroller together, put the base of the carrier in the OTHER car so that we could use that as a car seat if needed, and also put the mobile on the crib. It is looking more and more like a baby is coming to this house soon. It really is getting exciting. Still scared to death that the time is getting closer and I'm going to be a real mommy soon, but definitely exciting.

In honor of making it 37 weeks, here is a belly pic that I took yesterday:

Weekly Baby Forecast: Congratulations! Your pregnancy is now considered full term — meaning your baby is developmentally ready to handle life outside the womb. (Babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 weeks are post-term.) Your baby probably weighs a little over 6 pounds at this point and measures between 19 and 20 inches, head to heel.

Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children are born blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

I Think We're Ready

Fri, 13 Oct 2006 13:09:00 -0700

If Caleb should come today, I think Jordan and I are for the most part ready. We have the basic things to get started and his room is about as completed as it can be.

I'm actually wishing for the first time that he come. I don't want to go until November. I'm ready for him to be here now. I'm anxioius to hold him, to feed him, to watch him sleep, etc. November just seems so far away right now.

My contractions are still irregular but they are beginning to happen more frequently. Some of them hurt, some of them don't. Of course the real ones, when they come, will be drastically stronger, so I should be able to tell the difference when it does happen.

I'm beginning to think that he is dropping though because I did feel a bit heavier lower down then I have been. I feel ok when I'm laying down, it's when I get up and move that I feel the bulk of the weight. Had a little lower back pain earlier today, but it went away after awhile. Feeling pretty good at the moment.

Now, if I can only get rid of this head cold.

Yesterday, my due date buddy, Nikki, from justmommies.com gave birth to her baby girl. She was 5 lbs, 1 oz and was 18.5 inches long. She needed to be induced because the baby's stomach was a month behind her actual gestation age due to her placenta going bad. It wasn't giving her the nutrients that she needed so the doctor's decided to induce. She gave birth at 12:58PM. Congratulations Nikki!! I'm so happy and proud of you.

Today's Baby Forecast: Achey

Caleb is a Growing Boy!!

Wed, 11 Oct 2006 13:47:00 -0700

Had my doctor's appointment today and it went pretty well.

My sonogram showed Caleb in a nice, neat, little ball and you couldn't even make him out anymore he's so tightly curled up. I have pictures, but they aren't great. Probably won't even bother putting them on the website. I only got two half profile shots and a picture of his spine, and that is it. But, he's definitley bigger. I'm so glad that I got the 3D sono when I did.

He's measuring about 7 pounds 2 oz at the moment which is a pretty good size according to the doctor. Pretty average for this time. So, technically, we could deliver anytime between now and November. How awesome is that???

I also was checked today for the first time to see if I'm dilating yet, and I'm just beginning to dilate. I'm only a fingertip but I'm not effaced, so I still have plenty of time. No delivery just yet! The only bad side right now is that I'm cramping and I'm bleeding a little bit, which he said would happen.

The best news of them all today was the fact that I did not gain a pound since last week. I feel so good about that. I've stabilized and I'm completely all baby. So, this baby weight should come off pretty quickly after he's born.

I was a little embarassed this morning though because I looked like crap. I was so tired this morning. I had contractions all night and when I had a break from them, Caleb punished me by kicking and pushing me every which way. So, needless to say, I got no sleep and it was a bad night. I think the best sleep I got was from 6am to 8:45 this morning. My appointment was for 9:40. My intention was to get up around 7:30, wash my hair, dry it, curl it and look absolutely smashing, but it didn't work out that way. I was so tired, I forgot to put deoderant on and didn't realize it until I got to the ultrasound room.

My next appointment is next Tuesday where I will get yet another checkup.

Today's Baby Forecast: Crampy and Tired

Dr's Appointment Tomorrow

Tue, 10 Oct 2006 17:45:00 -0700

Tomorrow is another big Dr.'s appointment. I'll have my final ultrasound to make sure Caleb is doing ok one final time, then I go see the Dr and get checked for the first time to see if I'm dilating at all. From here on out, every appointment I'll be checked. Woo!! I think when he tells me that I've already started to dilate, I'm going to be scared to death realizing that it won't be long. Aack!! I'm going to be a mom in the next few weeks. A real one. Not just host!!!

I hope I'm not the only first time mom that as ever felt that way.

I just got word that my due date buddy on a message board that I frequent has gone into L&D and there is a possibility that she will be having her little girl in the next few days. Her name is Nikki and you may have seen her pic on my Maryland Baby Shower photo album. She was supposed to be due November 6th. Apparently, her baby girl wasn't moving as much yesterday or today during her ultrasound and they found out there her belly (the baby's) is measureing only 32 weeks (her gestation age is 36w, 1d). So, her OB decided that Nikki should go to L&D to make sure things are ok.

Today's Baby Forecast: I'm Going to Burst