Merry Christmas Everyone!

And yes, I'm still pregnant. 38 weeks. It's okay with me, we prefer for him to come after Christmas day. I want to enjoy Charleigh's Christmas, she has a little bit of an idea what's going on.

We aren't going home (obviously). I don't want to be 3 hours away from my midwife/hospital if I go into labor. It sucks, because this is the last year we will be living so close to family. We are moving this summer, and every station is at least 600 miles away. (that's what sucks about aviation in the USCG - it's a great rate, but all the stations are so far away).

But everyone is coming up when the baby comes, and we'll exchange gifts and eat a yummy dinner. Which I won't have to fix, maybe? We bought a huge turkey, which I can't wait to eat - I love me some turkey.

Everything with the pregnancy is fine, just annoying. I thought I was having some blood pressure problems, even though I didn't have a lot of signs. Every time I stood up (for 3 days in a row) I would get super dizzy, break out into a sweat, and see stars. Yeah, it was fun. I called L&D, because of course this was happening over the weekend. I was told it wasn't a big deal unless it was happening while I was laying down, but I needed to see the midwife the next day.

I went to my appointment the next day, and she got called out to deliver a baby, and apparently it was complicated. She didn't come back the whole afternoon. The other doctor was in surgery, so I was screwed. We came back the next morning, and she was gone. Again. Luckily the doctor was there, and my BP is fine (100/70). What was happening, was the baby was lying on an artery, preventing good blood flow to my brain whenever I stood up. Yeah. That was fun. He finally moved off it sometime Tuesday night - so I can walk again.

He's just trying to aggravate his mom some more while he's still inside, I guess.

But he does an eviction date. I have an inducement date for the 30th, which I'm hoping I won't make it too. This pregnancy has aggravated the mess out of me, and I just want him out. I'm contracting on my own, and 2-3cm, 50% effaced, so all they will have to do is break my water to get things going. Just hope it happens on the 26th or 27th on its own. ;)

Anyway, Charleigh is doing great. She loves all the pretty lights, and asks us to turn on the Christmas tree and the ice skating snowman thingy we have all the time. She didn't see Santa, mainly because I wasn't going to pay 10-15 bucks for her (most likely) to not even sit in his lap. No thanks. Plus, I'm trying to keep her from not getting exposed to a lot of germs, (So she can stay well and visit me in the hospital), and all I can imagine is all the snot and spit in Santa's beard. Paranoid, yes, that's me. But, ew! lol

I don't think she gets why their is a bunch of wrapped things under the tree. She'll get it next year, I think.

So, I'm going to get some stuff prepared for our little Christmas Eve dinner tonight. We are pigging out on some ham, homemade mac-n-cheese, homemade mashed potatoes, stuffing, and some veggies. Yum. Too bad I can only have a small piece of dessert - stupid gallbladder.

Oh, and here is a video of our little drama queen. She was singing "Ring Around the Rosie" but stopped when I brought out the video camera. She got upset when I wouldn't let her watch herself on it. So, she isn't always sweet and cute all the time! ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAm83v_Xpbk

Sorry for disappearing again.

I only have 3.5 weeks till my due date, and I'm hoping this little guy wants to make his appearance sooner. I'm thinking he will. Considering at 35/36 weeks I'm 2cm and I've been contracting like crazy since my last appointment.. They are now starting to get slightly painful and making me nervous for labor.

But I'm so tired of being tired and in pain all the time. I didn't want Charleigh's pregnancy to end, I'm feeling much different with this one. I have the SPD pain, the heartburn, and the anemia making life more difficult. Oh, and morning sickness is making a comeback. Fun. Add in a HUGE belly - and you get the picture. I'm carrying totally different - all out front. It makes it easier in some ways, but I think that's what is causing so much pain in my pelvic area.

Enough complaining. This little guy will be here soon! We are totally ready for him. Jason and I have purged, scrubbed, organized the WHOLE house. I would love to pressure wash the garage but since we don't own one - that's kind of hard. I've been nesting like CRAZY. The whole house has to be neat and clean before bed now. I used to wait till morning to tackle any mess with Jason, but nope. I'm scared I'll go into labor in the middle of the night. We'll have family coming in and my house will be a disaster. (you know, heaven forbid there be a few dishes in the sink or some toys on the floor) Jason asked me where his wife went last night. ;) Whatever, its not a bad thing to have a super clean house.

On to my favorite subject: Charleigh!

Charleigh is doing wonderful. Walking and talking like crazy. She is getting better at the walking thing. She can almost run, and she is able to kick a ball now. She's catching up to her peers quickly. Just like I knew she would.

She is still talking our ears off. She is starting to put together sentences, and picks up sign language like crazy.

She is being a big copy cat. She loves to imitate me when I'm getting ready, including putting on make up. And now that she can walk, she loves to help you clean up. She loves to dust. I give her the swiffer and let her go while I'm doing something else. (she's sitting here scrubbing the couch with a baby wipe)

She is the sweetest thing, she loves to gives hugs and kisses. And recently learned to say I love you. (I wudd you) Today she actually said it first when she gave me a hug - it really melts you. She also now loves to rub my belly and kiss it. She says bbbbaaaabbbbyyyy. SO cute. now whether she gets that there is a baby coming out of there, I have no clue. She is super sweet to her baby doll(s) though. She loves to rock them, kiss them, and hold them. Then drops them on the ground. lol

She's really into Elmo, everytime we go to the store and she sees anything Elmo (if she's walking) she yells ELMO! and then wants to take off running towards it. It doesn't matter if its a toy or a fruit juice drink. Although, she doesn't really watch him on TV - she just likes books and anything she can hold with him on there.

As far as Jason - he's busy with work. He's going to be switching back to the day shift which will really help me when this little one comes. I'm scared of bedtime. He is taking a month off (or less if I feel I can handle it or he is driving me crazy) to help us all adjust.

We are waiting on orders to see where we'll be moving to in the summer. I'm anxious to get the heck out of town. We love being so close to family, but we want to try something different. Live somewhere we possibly never could afford. All the places we chose are super family friendly, so that will be a great advantage. Let's just hope we get something on the list!

So, we're just here waiting. Waiting on Christmas, the birth of Cade, orders...

Anyway, Charleigh has a therapy appointment (its more of a playtime thing to help her catch up on her skills), so I gotta run.

I'll add pictures later!

Found out I'm..

anemic.

No surprise here. It was nice to know why I feel so sleepy all the time.

I'm borderline anemic when I'm not pregnant, so it makes a lot of sense.

Let's hope the iron helps, once 7:30pm hits I start dragging. Which is not an option with a toddler who needs a bath and playtime before bed. :)

Everyone else is doing good here. Preparing for our last trip home till after I have the baby.

Another trip to Labor and Delivery

Everytime I think I am in the clear or getting a grip on a new pregnancy "symptom" or something - something comes along that just changes my whole view.

I had a gall bladder attack. It was my first - and it would NOT quit. It went on for six hours - till they gave me some good drugs. Of course we had to wait for the doctor to call, for them to get a good look at the baby's heartbeat. Blah blah blah. They have no idea how hard it was to sit like they wanted me too and not want to curse them out because I was in so much pain.

So they ran some tests. I have "sludge" in my gall bladder. The plan is to stay on a low fat diet till I give birth, then re-evaluate to see if I need surgery (most likely I will). There wasn't any signs of anything getting infected or bursting or whatever they said. The diet, sounds like a freakin blast. haha. But if it prevents what happened last night, I'll deal.

It was miserable, and some one the worst pains I've ever felt. And I feel for anyone who has dealt with it - and I hope no one else I know ever goes through it.

But, I couldn't just go in for a gall bladdar attack - just as they were making a plan for my gall bladder, I started having regular contractions. They eventually stopped. But I am dilated 1cm (my inner cervix, not just my outer cervix which will stay open after a woman gives birth), but as long as there is no change - we're good. So we may have a 2009 baby after all. Even if I don't go into labor on my own, the gall bladdar attacks are enough reason to induce me. Hopefully it was just be attack not attacks.

Again, I have to keep on eye on contractions and such. It was a long and scary day. I'm so glad its over. And I really hope that this is the end of pregnancy surprises.

I'm exhausted. We were up ALL night. Charleigh did get 6 hours or in till we were forced to wake her up. Again, why can't this stuff happen during the DAY and not on the weekends? Plus the weather has been HORRIBLE. It has not stopped raining since Tuesday evening. We are stuck here in our house, we literally can't drive out of our neighborhood. The only reason I got discharged when I did was because I asked (or my friend made me) because of the weather.

(The pain started around midnight and I finally gave in to Jason begging me to go the hospital at 5am)

So yeah. This pregnancy, has been stressful. But less than 5 weeks to go till I'm full term, and its ON baby. I will try every natural way to induce labor. lol That sounds so terrible, but man, the stress is killing me.

And with that. I'm going to bed. Where hopefully it will be a quiet, pain free night.

November Updates

Sorry I haven't posted. Time just gets away from me, I can't believe its been a month since I posted a real post. I really stink at this.

The pregnancy is going all right. I thought it was about the same as Charleigh's at first - but its been more difficult in most ways. I've had the issues with the mucus plug, a couple of weeks ago I had spotting - but it stopped on its own. Everything is fine. Then you have the Pubis Symphysis Disorder - some days its mild - others I can barely move. The being tested for Gestational Diabetes twice - which means I had to drink the nasty sugar drink 4 times. Gross. The low lying placenta - with the threat of a C-Section. (but I get lots more ultrasounds - so that's a plus!)

And can I say -carrying a baby high in your ribs, just sucks. I much prefer the baby to be in the pelvis/hips. I might have had to pee 30 times a day with Charleigh, but I could breathe. lol

I think that's it. I'm just more uncomfortable, and the minor complications have made me a worry wart. Not to mention I've been cranky and hormonal as all get out. And I can't believe its almost over - less than 8 weeks. I know I'll miss being pregnant, but I'm looking forward to being able to walk without waddling. :)

Moving on.

Charleigh. :)

Charleigh is now officially walking. We think the braces/inserts were what she needed for her confidence to start. Now she loves to walk everywhere she can - by herself. We went out the other night, and she wanted to walk around everywhere we went. It's a pleasant change.

She is starting to get faster, so that's helping. It took us forever to get anywhere before, but now she can book it. The problem is that she wants to stop and play with stuff that she couldn't before. We walked through Walmart - and she's usually in the cart, someones arms, or the carrier. Well, we let her walk, and it was like we opened a whole new world for her. It was too cute.

She is discharged from physical therapy. She is making great strides without it. She's picking up her walking skills, just like she did with crawling. Very quickly. She went from not walking, to walking with your hands, to walking on her own in 4 days.

I asked her what she was doing one night, and she goes - WALK! And then proceeds to walk across the room to me. No one or two steps for her - she had to prove she could do it, and do it well.

She used to only walk by herself when she was wearing her braces, but now she walks whenever she feels like it - braces or not. The braces are to help her ankles not turn in - she has her daddy's flat feet. So we are trying to prevent her feet from being as bad as his by her wearing inserts for life. BUT not braces. So once she outgrows the braces, she will over have inserts in her shoes. No big deal.

Charleigh is still talking like crazy. She is picking up signs as well. Sometimes I have to re watch Signing Time to figure out what she is signing. Smarty pants. :) We watch it together, but her little brain picks up signs faster than I do. She is also so very sweet. She loves to give hugs and kisses. Now that she is recognizing friends and family, she will go up to them and give them a huge hug. Its awesome.

So, that's whats been going on in our little world. Trying to get the house ready for the new baby. Which with my pelvic pain, has been made difficult.

Jason is doing good. He will be switching shifts once the baby gets here. It will be nice to have him home for dinner and bedtime again. He's working to get his stuff ready to take the test for his next promotion. It will be easier when he switches shifts to get his stuff done.

He's also great with Charleigh, and the days where I have a hard time getting around. :)

Anyway, we are dealing with Ida's winds (I think) and its banging the swing against the back door which is making C and I jumpy. I'm going to try and move it out of the way again.

Thanks for reading!

Picture Post - Lots of news to come later.

Here are some pictures from the past month or so. The first 8 or so were taken by my sister DeAnna. She does great work. We are so lucky to have someone to take beautiful pictures.

Daddy and Charleigh (we were on my aunt's farm)

The pretty girl (and yes, she is walking!!)

Us

Us Again. And the little pink things on Charleigh feet are her new braces/inserts.

Almost 32 weeks. I'm huge.

I like this one. And it was one of the best ones we took before Jason decided to let er' rip.

The tired, cranky girl on Halloween. She looked so cute though!

Look at me!

She's just so cute.

Standing on her own!

Walking with Daddy. We found a nice new park to go to - she loves it.

That look is straight from her Daddy.

The Diva

So Happy!

Smile!

Looking at the chickens. When she saw them - She said, Mmmmm, Chicken Yummy! No lie.

This was my attempt to distract her while we were going through that horrible crying phase. Painting with pudding - its a no go.

Her Halloween PJ's. I can't help myself, she gets a new pair of PJ's every holiday or birthday. lol

This has been a week from hell

Seriously. Hell.

Charleigh has been a monster this week. She has started being ultra clingy as soon as Jason leaves for work. Nothing distracts her. And it is not just the clinginess - its the whining, crying, and screaming. These are times I wish we would have left up the crib so I could put her in there and know she is safe, so I could scream and cry.

4 nights of crying.

4 nights of not being able to pee without her freaking out.

4 nights of her having to lay on me and not move. Even while playing. And when I move her 1 inch, she starts crying.

4 nights of her randomly starting to cry, even though we are as close as close can be.

4 nights of no breaks.

I've managed dinner one night this week. I'm too stressed to eat, and I'm not going to hear her scream the whole time. Jason works nights - so its pointless anyway. I have to eat dinner alone on a good night. Jason can eat cereal. I'd like to see him cook when he has a screaming toddler clinging to your legs.

She won't go to friends. We did a friend's house Monday, she screamed if anyone touched her except me. You thought they were beating her.

I'm really pissed tonight, because I texted Jason at 5 to come home for his lunch break. He never does because we live 15 minutes away from the base. I really needed those 20 minutes of freedom. And of course, why would I expect anything less than the USCG screwing my plans.

They worked through lunch - the purpose to get off early. HAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. It's after 10 - have I heard from my husband? Nope. He's supposed to get off in less than 2 hours. Whether he will or not, who the hell knows. I think he might have gotten off on time ONCE this week. I seriously would LOVE it if my husband got paid for overtime. Some weeks we would be rolling in the money. (there are times he's there till FOUR in the morning - he goes in at four). I could say more about it - but I don't want something to bite me or my husband in the ass.

I'm just saying - I'm not getting help anywhere. Half our friends are out of town, I think one of my friend's kid is sick - and he is a very big handful himself. And blah blah blah. So I can't even get out of the house and get some adult time.

We don't live near family.

20 minutes people. Just 20 minutes - that's all I asked for.

I finally had to put her in the playroom and shut the door (we have no gate) and just take a few minutes to breathe. She actually calmed down and started playing after 5 minutes or so. So I didn't torture her or leave her there. Of course, she started up as soon as she saw me. *sigh*

Nothing distracts her. Maybe going to the store would, but I'm too scared to try it. Although, it would take too much effort to get her ready. She screamed the whole time we were getting ready Monday night.

I wish my husband knew how lucky he is..

This has been the roughest week, parenting-wise, ever. I feel like my child hates me. She is only happy when the husband is home. Why can't she be her happy self when he isn't around. :( I love her so much, but I feel like she only tolerates me till her Dad gets home.

*sigh*