Don't Forget

Remember a LONG time ago when we found out Bam Bam was a Pebbles that we started an expect net baby pool. I almost forgot!

Now that it's almost baby time let's check in on everyone's guesses. I sure do like Jackie and Tom's dates :) But wish I knew how to change my own guess of going 5 days over...hope I haven't doomed myself!

www.expectnet.com
game name: bambinobennington

Getting Closer

belly shot- 9 days until due date

Well we had a pretty active weekend, opting to get out on the town rather than rest, in an attempt to get things moving along! We grocery shopped, went to an anniversary party, went out for Greek food with friends (opah!), and spent yesterday walking the mall with mom and dad. I'm kinda tired now, but determined to do my best keep things moving this week so we can go on time! :)

I've also been enjoying 'labor salads' which are an internet craze and supposed to induce labor. Does it work? Probably not but they are tasty and healthy anyway so why not? Something about the walnut oils and balsamic vinegar causing a magical reaction in the body :) Sounds good right?:

• Romaine Lettuce
• Red Cabbage
• Walnuts
• Gorgonzola Cheese (just a sprinkle- got to watch the unpastuerized cheeses!)
• Balsamic Vinegar

Nothing Doing

Well I'm just settling in after returning from our 38 wk doctor's appointment, and a bombardment of questions from EVERY coworker on the baby's status :-)

And there's not much to report! Things have changed very little from last week so we're still in the 'wait and see' game. Here's the rundown:

• My feet are still pretty big but water weight gain and blood pressure are good. My BP has returned to it's 'beautiful' baseline of 110/70!
  
• Doc couldn't tell if she was head down so we got another ultrasound! She was very smushed though so it was hard to see anything, and sorry we got no good pictures to post :( The pictures she gave us are of unidentifiable smashed body parts. We did see her touching her toes with her hands though! Yes- she is still a girl, head down, and dropped.
  
• **TMI stats** I am still not quite 1cm dilated and very high. Doc reminded us these stats really don't mean much and labor could start whenever. We did, however, discuss what happens if we go over. He will allow us to go over one full week and then induce using Pitocin... which is pretty standard. If I have any hope of going natural I really don't want to be induced....so it's time to start walking, squatting on my yoga ball, drinking red raspberry tea and engaging in those other activities to bring on labor ;)

Is it weird that I am going to miss going to my doc's all the time? I really like all of the nurses and docs there, and it's kinda exciting to go in and check on my body changes. I guess the excitement of being pregnant very shortly gets replaced with the excitement of having a baby!

Easter Pics

We had a very nice Easter yesterday. It was your typical Easter Sunday. We went to our home church here in Greenwood (and sat in the back since we were a little late- it was crowded!), then headed down to the farm in North Vernon for food, family and eggs!

It's safe to say this will be our last visit to NV just the two of us. Next time we will have a tagalong!

Egg Hunting in the cold!

Can I still call him my 'big' brother?

What do you mean this is a girly hat? Bob is officially scared of me by the way, because he thinks I ate a baby. A rational fear really.

Jeremy happily spent the afternoon in the garage with Andy and Dad working on mechanical issues with the riding lawnmower. Rather than tell the whole story I'll just let the picture do the talking.....

Not for the Squeamish!

I can honestly say so far there has been nothing about pregnancy or pregnancy anatomy that has grossed me out. I find the whole thing entirely fascinating even though I normally don't like blood, etc. I didn't even flinch when we watched the delivery of the placenta in class-- how cool to see the slab of tissue that sustained your baby for 10 months!

Anyway- when my stomach growled just below my boobs the other day, I got to wondering where everything must be positioned nowadays. And boy have things ever changed, look at this! And look at the bladder especially...with drinking about 140 oz of liquid a day it's no wonder I can't stop peeing!

What I think is almost more fascinating is the external view of the uterus. It's shocking to think of the stretchability of this organ, which is normally around the size of a fist. I'm amazed to think not only how big it has gotten, but that it has the capacity to return to normal within about 2 months of delivery. Check out this before and after!

I could go on in more detail about the coolness of the mucus plug and other things, but I don't want to gross anyone out. Just wanted to point out what amazing bodies we have. God really made a very efficient and versatile machine when he made the woman's body....I don't think any Purdue engineer could have done any better.

Happy Good Friday!

37 wk doctor report

I just told my coworker I should knock on wood or something before publicizing this....but nothing seems to be happening in baby land!, so it appears we will not have an Easter baby! (knock knock)

We had another routine appointment. I'm still holding onto that crappy water weight but the doctor seems to think my weight is in a good place. I'm to keep watching the sodium and water intake, and everything else is fine! Baby's heart beat is good and she's still measuring 'average'.

**TMI section**....we have the first small signs of progression at a fingertip dialated and still 50% effaced. He said a 'fingertip' was not quite 1cm....so just an itty bitty bit.

Two of my pregnant friends were at the same doc's this morning to check on their babies. Brook found out she is having a girl- congrats!! We also ran into Ryan and Allison who had a picture of their little bean too, so cool! It's hard to believe Pebbles was ever that small :)

full term and feeling it

Well guess what? We are due exactly 3 weeks from today, meaning we have hit the 37 week mark now have full term baby!!

Basically all this means is that Pebbles is fully formed, and if delivered now would not be considered 'premature'. So if she were a Thanksgiving turkey you could say she is done cooking, but should baste a little longer for that nice golden brown :)

Everyone said there would come a point at which I'm so miserable I just want it to be over. I'm not *quite* there yet but getting close...talk to me next week. Things are definitely getting more and more uncomfortable, and I pretty much always have a complaint of pain somewhere in my body, and an insatiable appetite that jerks my blood sugar around all day and night. But I have resolved to stay positive and I think Jeremy will agree I'm doing a good job!....what's the good of complaining?...in the end we get a baby anyway so I'm guessing it will all be worth it :)

It's still hard to believe that there's a baby coming- is that weird? Especially now that she is welcome to come anytime. I can't wait to see what she will look like and maybe when I see her will be the first time I actually realize we have a kid!

Lastest Doctor Report

We had our 36 wk doctor's appointment on Wednesday. Not alot to report but here's the scoop

• I'm still pretty swollen but better than I was. I should keep doing the same things to reduce sodium and water weight. And while I was sure that the reduce in swelling would have led to a weight loss this week....alas no, I gained 3 more lbs :( So total I have gained around 35...boo hoo! ....and 12lbs of that was in the past 3 wks....waaah!! Stupid water weight!

• Baby's heartbeat was great as usual. The doctor felt around and guessed that Pebbles might currently be 6.5-7 lbs right now....so we're probably looking at 8-8.5 lbs by the end. This is just her guess of course, they have no way of measuring (since we are getting no more ultrasounds)

• I got checked for the first time for progression and can report that while I am 50% effaced, the shop is still closed for business if you know what I mean. While I know some people are interested in these kind of stats maybe some aren't....in future blogs should I have a portion labeled ***TMI section- read at your own risk*** ??

• Of the 5 docs in the practice I can say this week's (who we met for the first time) was the only one I didn't care for. She smirked at our plans for natural childbirth, and smirked again when I said I thought the tea was helping with my swelling. She just rubbed us both the wrong way, but hey if her lottery number comes up at delivery time, so be it! Her smirking did lead us both back to studying our birthing book and we plan to practice some pain techniques this weekend.

And that's about it! We've been chilling out alot at home and ticking the last few things off of our to do lists. It's hard to believe there will be a baby here soon!!

Jeremy got the lawn mower out for the fist time this week, as it's finally that time of year in IN. He is headed out for two days in CA next week which I think will be fine as the baby is showing no signs of arriving just yet.

Happy Friday!

Beached Whale Siting

Somebody alert the Coast Guard quick!!

Thanks Becky for my pretty pretty toes...they have little flowers on them!! :)

Tea Tip #2

I sound like a tea pusher with yet another tea recomendation. In my last post I was trying to find ways to reduce swelling. Someone suggested I try drinking Yogi's "Mother to Be Tea", which helps with swelling, nausea and energy.

Along with the other things I'm doing (water, feet elevation and lukewarm baths), I've also been drinking my tea for 3 days now, and am happy to report everything is working. Not only can I wiggle my toes (which I couldn't last Thurs), yesterday I think I glimpsed my ankle bone!!

The tea is pretty yummy too and does lots of good things for the pregnant body. No worries this is doctor approved (unlike my postpartum tea that says in bold DO NOT drink while still pregnant!).

Check it out- I found at the 'Nature's Cupbooard' health store in Greeenwood

In other news I forgot to mention that we are now driving around with a car seat in our car. Crazy huh? I guess it's best to be prepared!!

Also this weekend I started packing my hospital bag. There's lots of things like toiletries and clothes I can't pack until we get closer, but I have some. Pebbles bag is packed too with her two coming home outfit choices (one is Newborn, one is 0-3 mo in case she's big!). I need to load up Jeremy's Ipod with my labor music too!

On Sunday we made some homeade bbq and crab soup to freeze for later. Both are low cal recipes so we can try to eat healthy after baby. Boy do we have alot of crab soup!! Jeremy froze 6 containers of it!

Happy Monday!

well isn't that SWELL?

I guess it's fair to say not every doctor's appointment can be perfect.

We had our 35 wk appt yesterday and while baby is doing well (great heartbeat, average size), doctor was a little concerned about my swelling and rapid weight gain-- 9lbs in two weeks! Eeek! Since I had been doing so well on weight and my legs are like tree trunks she concluded it's probably all water weight.

I knew my legs had swollen up alot so she took a look and agreed they were pretty big, especially my 'cankles' and feet. Yesterday I noticed that after 9lb Rosie had her foot on my calf for a minute while I was stretched out on the couch, the impression of her paw on my leg lingered for several minutes after. It was kinda funny actually, but weird too.

Doctor is not yet very concerned but I need to work on reducing my water rentention or at least not let it get too much worse. If it gets notably worse they will of course be looking for toxemia/pre-eclampsia. So here's my plan of action:

• lots of water, and replacing my diet rite, Odouls and cranberry juice with just plain water :(
• reduce salt intake- meaning less Lean Cuisine lunches!
• walking some every day- if it's raining then do laps in the hallway at work, and increase walking by going to the 'far away' bathroom down the hall. I already park at the furthest away parking spot for this reason, always have.
• elevating feet when possible- still working on a setup for my desk that's actually comfortable
• take a lukewarm/tepid bath at night... not hot. Tepid is supposed to draw out sodium and water

35 wk belly shot

35 weeks and growing and with the new hair cut Jeremy gave me.

We don't need no stinkin salon!

Look at the crocuses by my feet- it's springtime in Indiana!

pregnancy humor

My friend sent this over email- thought you all may enjoy

Pregnancy Q & A

Q: Should I have a baby after 35?
A: No, 35 children is enough.

Q: I'm two months pregnant now. When will my baby move?
A: With any luck, right after he finishes college.

Q: What is the most reliable method to determine a baby's sex?
A: Childbirth.

Q: My wife is five months pregnant and so moody that sometimes she's borderline irrational.
A: So what's your question?

Q: My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll feel during labor, but pressure. Is she right?
A: Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.

Q: When is the best time to get an epidural?
A: Right after you find out you're pregnant.

Q: Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in labor?
A: Not unless the word "alimony" means anything to you.

Q: Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?
A: Yes, pregnancy.

Q: Do I have to have a baby shower?
A: Not if you change the baby's diaper very quickly.

Q: Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again?
A: When the kids are in college

Birth "Plan" rough draft

Now I know the idea of a birth "plan" is kinda funny, because nobody has a real plan for what's going to happen (except God!). But everyone says it's good to take one to our doctor, and also to the hospital for the staff to follow.

We are planning to review this with the doc next week (the yes/no is for him to respond). So I guess you could say in an ideal world where everything is perfect and sunny, this is the way we would like it to happen.

What do you think...good, crazy? Ambitious for sure!! Watch- I will have to be medically induced, end up taking every drug they give me and have to have a c-section. But hey, if that happens we will have to be flexible. As long as Pebbles gets out healthy and happy right??


ATTENDANTS AND AMENITIES
I'd like the following people to be allowed during early/transitional labor:
Yes No • Partner: Jeremy Bennington
Yes No • Friend/s: Erin Brenton
Yes No • Relative/s: Terri and Terry Sargent (parents)
• Relative/s: Any other relatives present at hospital

I'd like the following people to be allowed during hard labor/birth:
Yes No • Partner Only : Jeremy Bennington

I'd also like:
Yes No • To bring music
Yes No • To dim the lights

LABOR
Yes No I'd like the option of returning home if I'm not in active labor

Once I'm admitted, I'd like:
Yes No • My partner to be allowed to stay with me at all times
Yes No • To eat if I wish to
Yes No • To stay hydrated by drinking clear fluids instead of an IV
Yes No • To have a heparin or saline lock

As long as the baby and I are doing fine, I'd like:
Yes No • To have intermittent rather than continuous fetal onitoring
Yes No • To move about freely if possible
Yes No • To be allowed to progress free of stringent time limits
If they're available, I'd like to try:
Yes No • A birthing pool/tub (for comfort not waterbirth)

I'd like to bring the following birthing equipment with me:
Yes No • Other: yoga ball
When it's time to push, I'd like to:
Yes No • Do so instinctively

I'd like to try the following positions for pushing (and birth):
Yes No • Semi-reclining
Yes No • Side-lying position
Yes No • Squatting
Yes No • Whatever feels right at the time
Yes No As long as my baby and I are doing fine, I'd like the pushing stage to be allowed to progress free of stringent time limits

PAIN RELIEF
I'd like to try the following pain-management techniques:
Yes No • Bath/shower
Yes No • Breathing techniques/distraction
Yes No • Massage
Yes No Please don't offer me pain medication. I'll request it if I need it.

If I decide I want medicinal pain relief, I'd prefer:
Yes No • Regional analgesia (an epidural and/or spinal block)
Yes No • No Analgesic medication such as Demoral
Yes No • Would like to explore use of a pudendal block rather than epidural

VAGINAL BIRTH
I'd like:
Yes No • The room to be as quiet as possible
Yes No • To try perineal massage before assuming need for episiotomy
Yes No • To risk a tear rather than have an episiotomy

After birth, I'd like:
Yes No • To hold my baby right away, putting off any procedures that aren't urgent
Yes No • To breastfeed as soon as possible
Yes No • My partner to cut the umbilical cord

C-SECTION
If I have a c-section, I'd like:
Yes No • My partner present at all times during the operation
Yes No • The baby given to my partner as soon as he's dried (as long as he's in good health)
Yes No • To breastfeed my baby in the recovery room

POSTPARTUM
After delivery, I'd like:
Yes No • To stay in a private room
Yes No • To have a cot provided for my partner

I plan to:
Yes No • Breastfeed exclusively
The following can be offered to my baby:
Yes No • Please don't offer formula, sugar water or pacifier to my baby at any point

If my baby's a boy:
Yes No • I'd like him circumcised at the hospital.

technical difficulties

I've had a couple of people say they've tried to post comments on here and couldn't. I just looked though all of the permission settings and whatnot to make sure I wasn't somehow blocking people.

Everything looks good so you should be able to post- try again! I'd love to hear from everyone!

:) LB

interesting website and products

Since I know alot of my friends and readers are mommies or expectant mommies (June-Nov 07 seems to be the hot time to have babies!), I thought I'd share a website and some products I am going to try.

I am a tea drinker and was looking a postpartum recovery tea that I had heard of. It's just herbal tea but chalked full of the stuff an ailing mommy needs. Since I drink tea I figured why not?

Well I found a great website that sells all kinds of organic/herbal products for preggos, new moms and babies. Check it out!


I will be purchasing the Postpartum Tea as well as a Postpartum bath soak. Cool huh?

This herbal blend of organic stinging nettle, organic raspberry leaf, organic alfalfa, organic oatstraw , organic lavender, organic lemon balm, organic cinnamon and, of course, organic lady's mantle . It's rich in valuable minerals iron, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus necessary for postpartum mamas. And its astringent herbs help tone the uterus, reduce uterine bleeding, and all the while, helping to calm and balance brand new mamas.

Spring in Indiana

Well it's ALMOST spring...springlike enough that we planted our pansies out front. Yay! Yesterday we went down to North Vernon for some visiting, relaxing and (of course) grubbing on the farm.

We are slowly ticking away at what's left of our 'to do' list. Saturday we preregistered at the hospital and bought some pharamcutical supplies for postpardum (can I just say I'm scared?). We still need to write out our birth plan, install the carseat and pack a hospital bag eventually. Can you believe it's almost time for that stuff?

Anyway- here are a few pics from the weekend :)

Stop playing with my chins!

Mom has already honed her Mamaw skills

Look Mom no coats!!

My how times have changed.....
March 15th, 2003

March 11th, 2007

Happy 4th Anniversary!

The Left Side Mystery

** I'm trying to pretend to be smart here- don't hold anything I say as absolute wisdom**

Anyone who has ever been pregant has heard about laying on your left side. This is prescribed for many different things- to alleviate nausea, to slow down contractions, as a recomended sleeping position in the 3rd trimester, and also as the chosen position if the mother feels she must lay down during natural childbirth.

Just today the doc reminded me that if I should have Braxton Hicks, to drink 8 oz of water and lay on my left side for an hour while counting contractions. I even remember hearing this remedy related to stomach issues when I went to the ER for a 'bowel spasm' my freshman year of college (don't ask).

So here's the explanation- the Vena Cavae. The Vena Cavae is the body's largest vein. I may have learned this in 5th grade but didn't remember...an artery pumps oxegenated (clean) blood away from the heart, and a vein pump deoxegenated (dirty) blood back to the heart.

So the big boy, the Vena Cavae, brings all the bad stuff- all of the toxin laiden gross blood back through to body to be cleaned. And where does it live? The right side!....It's the blue stuff in the picture below:

So laying on your left side is optimal because if you lay on your right you can sort of crush your vena cavae (especially the pressure of the baby can) and that dirty blood may be slowed from a good cleansing process. They even tell 3rd trimester ladies that you could cause yourself to pass out! Laying on the left promotes good circulation and cleansing of the blood. Cool huh?

I've been a faithful right side sleeper my whole life so laying on my left has been an adjustment for me- and my cuddle buddy Hayden. But who knows- maybe laying on your left can make you healthier in general?...help ward off viruses, help filter out a good night of drinking, or aid in weight loss? (okay now I'm just wishful thinking)

Ciao students!

doctor checkup

I had my 33 wk doctor's appointment today. After waiting an hour, I got in for my usual 10 minutes. I made the mistake of using the bathroom in the waiting room and wouldn't you know it then they called my name and it was sample time!...I should have just held on. So I had to drink some water and wait for a sample- which only took like 2 minutes. I guess next time I have to go while waiting I'm supposed to tell the desk nurse I need to go pee pee and they'll give me a cup...who knew.

Anyway here are the stats:
Blood pressure- 110/70, again dubbed 'beautiful' (I don't really know what BP numbers mean so I just believe them)
Weight- I've gained NO weight since the last appt- yay! Holding steady at 25 lbs
Heartbeat- Pebbles hearbeat was right around 150 bpm which is good
Baby Size- She's measuring right at 33-34 weeks- meaning unless something changes she will be an average size baby- not too big or small

We have one more two week interval then start weekly doctor's appts. At 36 weeks they will do an ultrasound to check her position and also start on those gory details checks...which might be TMI for the blog :)

It's a little overwhelming that this pregnancy has been so textbook. We have certainly been blessed. I could start to become paranoid that something will go wrong since it's been so good thus far, but what would be the point of that. Let's continue to think positively and keep it all in God's hands!

Our Will be Done...

I had mentioned to Jeremy about doing a will sometime now that we are real grownups with assets and a soon to be child. I thought this would be a long process involving lawyers and everything, but guess what?...you can do a will online in an afternoon for $30!

So we really are real grownups because we completed it this weekend, as well as a 'durable power of attorney financial', a 'durable power of attorney health care'....and something else I can't remember the name of. After chinese and a movie we had our friends sign as our third party witnesses that we were of sound mind (which I believe to be highly subjective). We just need a notary stamp on the money one and we're done!

We made another trip to Babies R Us for a few last essential peices we were missing and guess what...I think we're about done buying baby supplies! We got a changing pad, diaper pails, manual breast pump, disposable diapers, plus things like wipes, shampoo, desitin, etc. Now we just need to make a trip to the pharmacy for my postpardum essentials (I won't go into detail).

I must be nesting because everything we bought or got as shower gifts is now washed and neatly put away- so our nursery is done...yay!

Pebbles and I are doing well. I'm starting to get more and more tired as the days go on. I think that burst of energy you get in the middle is officially long gone. I'm also starting to understand what women mean when they say that you'll be uncomfortable in your own skin....and I know it's going to get worse! We have a check up on Thursday- pretty soon will be going every week!

That's all for now- Ciao!