As I mentioned in my previous post, my doctor wanted me to be induced because I was moving along with no signs of labor. Even after stripping my membranes, nothing happened overnight. Not one contraction. No waters breaking. 

We arrived at the hospital at 7:30 am during an emergency situation in Labor and Delivery. Just what we wanted to walk into on the morning of our induction! So things were pushed back about 2 hours. 

They started the Oxytocin drip around 9:30 am. It wasn’t long before I was feeling those wonderful contractions! OUCH! They aren’t joking when they say they are awful! I opted for an epidural, and I just got it on time, because it wasn’t long before I was fully dilated! That was around 12:30 pm. My nurse asked if I was ready to push, and I wasn’t because my parents had just stepped out for a quick lunch and my in-laws were on their way. We rested a bit, everyone made it back (I only wanted my husband in the delivery, but I wanted them all there waiting too), and I pushed about 45 minutes before my doctor decided to use the vacuum. He just wasn’t moving through after a certain point. But I was glad he decided to use it, because it really got things moving along! Not many can say their first child’s labor and delivery was under 5 hours! And the epidural worked PERFECTLY…didn’t feel much except a bit of pressure.

Jacob and I were doing so well, we were discharged (by our choosing) the next afternoon, and here we are! The first night was rough. My husband and I were so exhausted and Jacob obviously wasn’t on any routine, so we were really winging it without a plan. We were crabby and frustrated, and Jacob just would not sleep unless he was in our arms. So we really spoiled him that first night, but decided that couldn’t continue! We started him napping in his crib yesterday and tried to let him whine a bit before jumping as soon as he made a peep. We also decided that I’d sleep through until 2:00 am (except to breastfeed, but now my milk is in, so I’ve pumped bottles for tonight! Yippee!) and after that, my husband would sleep through and I’d be on-duty. Jacob wanted to nurse at 12:30 am so I was pretty much on the rest of the night, and he wanted to nurse often! Every hour! He was a hungry baby! But we’re still trying to work on a routine so I think tonight will be a bit better even. He loves his swing so we can use that too as a last resort if he starts fussing for no reason.

I also mentioned in my previous post about my follow-up interview for the teaching position. I met with them at 10:00 this morning, and they told me they would decide over the weekend and call the candidates Monday. I got offered the position at 11:20 am. And I ACCEPTED! I am so excited for this new chapter! My work hours will be SO much better for me and my family! I can be a better wife and mommy because of a steady work schedule, as opposed to now, being on-call to go in because we’re short-staffed any weekday from 6:00 am – 6:00 pm. No thanks! I’m not driving in at 6:00 am on a sub-zero, icy, snowy morning with my baby because someone called off! Nor do I want to be stuck at work until 6:00 pm because we’re short-handed, and rush home, try to get everyone fed and what not. And I’m so tired of going in on weekends to get MY work done! DONE! For good! Yay!

Jacob’s snoozing but Daddy is right there, ready to jump when he’s needed. My husband IS. AWESOME. He also decided the day Jacob was born to quit smoking, cold turkey, and he’s doing a great job right now. I hope and pray he can keep it up!

I’m going to take advantage of the quiet and get a bit of work done now. Hope all is well out there in WordPressland!

Then, I just got a call from the principal at the school I interviewed at! She wants me to come in Thursday or Friday to meet with the priest. She said I was her “top candidate” and that I’d “really fit in” there. She totally understands we’ll be playing this by ear and told me to call her after I come home and we’ll go from there, but didn’t want me to miss out on this opportunity. And I don’t either, but obviously, the baby is top priority! As long as all goes smoothly, my parents said one will drive me and one will watch the baby so I can go in.

Wow. So this is going to be a good start to the week, and hopefully a good end!

And tomorrow is my birthday! THE BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!

STILL PREGNANT!

I’m 39 weeks and 3 days. My due date is in 4 days. FOUR. DAYS. Of course, that means nothing, as he can come whenever he is ready to! But Mommy and Daddy are ready! Nursery is done, house is clean, bassinet is upstairs ready for the first few weeks, hospital bags are packed, everything we need we either got as gifts or purchased! Now we just need our little guy!

I decided a few weeks ago to start an early maternity leave. Mostly because I am unhappy at work, and they don’t have enough respect for me and still expect me to do certain things that I physically could not do anymore, and I was getting tired of the “looks” from my supervisors. I’m not looking forward to going back, and I hope I don’t have to.

I had an interview today for a 2nd grade teacher position at a school I REALLY want to get into. It went VERY well, but she said every one of her interviews has been incredible. So. Two things that I have going for me though: 1. I already completed the required mentor program, being that I taught in a Catholic school in the past; 2. She ran into the principal of the school I taught at before this weekend, and told me that she “highly recommended” me. I don’t think the other applicants can say those things! But one drawback: Well, I’m having a baby. I reassured her repeatedly I would be in to set up the classroom, professional development, and be ready to start at the beginning of the school year. So I hope I was able to convince her! I’ll know either way the week of July 28th, and I will be on pins and needles until then.

I decided I need a make-over. A spiritual, mental, emotional make-over. I’m tired of feeling drained, beaten, and stressed all the time. So I thought I’d start somewhat of a “bucket list”. Most of it will be simple things that I’ve been wanting to do, but haven’t. Little doses of happiness, as I see them. I also am working on my relationship with God and my faith. It hasn’t been easy to do.

So that’s my life in a nutshell. Hopefully my little man will be here by my next update!

I have to say for the most part, this pregnancy has been a VERY smooth ride!

I’ll be 30 weeks (!!!!!!) tomorrow, and I’ve been lucky enough to not have any morning sickness, no back or hip pain, no ravishing hunger, no crazy cravings, and no swelling (yay for no cankles!). My worst symptoms throughout the pregnancy have been the early fatigue, hormonal mood swings (sorry, Babe!), and round ligament pains. I’ve also only gained about 25 pounds, and I’m “all belly”, as they say…which is good since I’m the Maid of Honor in my best friend’s wedding 10 weeks after delivery!

Around 18 weeks, when I had my anatomy scan (and discovered the gender of our little Bean), it was discovered that I had placenta previa. My doctor was mainly concerned with bleeding, but I haven’t had any. I have a follow-up tomorrow to see if it moved away from my cervix.

Then, last week, I had my glucose test. It came back high: 175/140. So I get to take the 3-hour test Thursday morning. Oh, boy! I’m quite confident I don’t have gestational diabetes. I won’t lie; I haven’t been watching my sugar and carb intake. In fact, I’ve had major meat and egg aversions for most of my pregnancy, although not nearly as bad now as I had early on. So I’ve been doing really well since then watching my carbs and sugars. I’m hoping a diet change will do the trick! (And I’m not trying to “fake out” my test. This is a change I want to do throughout the rest of my pregnancy for the health of my baby and I.)

I’ve been having my thyroid checked every 4 weeks. My levels have increased, but my endocrinologist has not been worried in the least, so that really helps.

Other than the pregnancy, life has been very hectic and busy, especially my professional life. I’m definitely looking forward to slowing down a bit once he graces us with his presence!

I am looking forward to catching up on some blogs here soon. Hope all is well!

After my ultrasound, I was released from my specialist to my regular OB, so I’m no longer considered high-risk. It was bittersweet. The nurses and staff were genuinely happy for me, I’m sure because working in an infertility clinic, that’s not something they see too often. I am forever grateful for their kindness during my time with them, and Dr. T for performing my surgery successfully and salvaging my fertility. I’m looking forward to returning to him for regular gynecology check-ups after Bean arrives.

I have an endocrinologist appointment next Wednesday, and my regular prenatal appointment on December 18th.

Introducing…BEAN!

I still have to get bloodwork done for a while, which is fine by me! I also will be frequenting my thyroid doctor. He didn’t adjust my meds yet since he slightly increased them already in July. I also made my first prenatal appointment! I can’t believe my calendar looks like this now:

And this is my Bean!

I was reading a bit about Hcg levels. Mine seemed on the higher side, compared to what I saw online, which is GOOD! We’re hoping for it to have doubled this morning. I’m so excited to have my blood drawn…who would’ve thought! I always had so much anxiety and have gotten blood drawn probably 20 times in the last year and a half, and now I’m looking forward to it.

I still can’t believe it. I DO feel pregnant, now that I know I am. Gas has subsided quite a bit, but boobies are still hurting like a mofo, and I have some cramping…and I just FEEL pregnant. I can’t explain it. I guess I should enjoy it now because in a few weeks, I might be sick as a dog!

I’M PREGNANT!

Hcg: 98

Progesterone: 40+

Follow-up Friday, followed by an endocrinologist appointment to get my thyroid medication adjusted.

Boobies still hurt like CRAZY, still super gassy, a little crampy, and extremely tired today. Those are the only symptoms I’ve had, really.

I have my doctor appointment early in the AM…I can’t believe after 35 months of trying, this is happening…

My boobs are still super sore, more sore than usual, and I am STILL super gassy and peeing a bit more than usual. So for the heck of it, I tested after work today (didn’t pee for at least 3 hours) and a faint line showed up pretty much right away. I thought it was an evaporation line so I waited for it to disappear, but it didn’t, and got a bit darker. The first picture is 5-10 minutes after taking it (I have no concept of time during that period), and the second is about 2 1/2 hours later. Of course, both pics look a bit lighter than they did in real-life form:

So I guess the next step is to test in the AM with FMU, then if I get a similar result, schedule a blood test. I just wish I had splurged for a pink dye, name brand, or digital test so I wouldn’t be so confused…but I’ve taken blue dyes before, and have never gotten anything like this, maybe a little gray at first as the test is working, but it fades to nothing, even when I try to imagine it’s there. But pics don’t lie…

PLEASE let me know what you think! Bump or false alarm??????