1st Christmas and other news

Mason's first Christmas was a busy day, but so will all his others, I'm sure. We did have a break in the afternoon that allowed for a good nap (for me, too). Christmas was also the day that Mason became a one month old, and with that milestone, I think we've also welcomed either his first cold or he officialy has colic. (We actually went to the doctor today after a long, screaming weekend. I hate to be "that" mother, but I would also hate to be missing something. Official word...not anything major, like illness/injury, could be a cold, could be colic...helpful, right?) In more exciting milestone news, Mason has started to smile real smiles. They are so cute, and can almost make me forget how awful all the screaming has been...almost!

Here's a couple pics from Christmas. Landon is showing more interest in his cousin every time he sees him, but this was the first time he actually got close enough to touch him. He was so fun to watch! Landon was really gentle, and seemed so amazed that this little creature (Mason) had a "button" (belly button) and hair and fingers....just like he has! They both also had shirts on that said "What Santa doesn't bring me...Grandma will!" Isn't that the truth!!!
















In other news, my parents did manage to bribe Todd and I with a gift card on Saturday to get us out of the house for dinner. I think they were mostly just dying to babysit. It was hard to leave Mason, especially since he had been fussy all day and I was worried he was sick, but it was so nice to get out. I even had my first glass of wine! Mom had her surgery today to fix her Achille's tendon. Everything went well and she's home resting. I had my MRI today, without any Valium or Ativan I might add! My unofficial opinion is that it looks worse than my previous, but I'll have to wait and see what the radiologist says. More on that later.

Silver white winters that melt into spring...

...these are a few of my favorite things!

Today Mason is 4 weeks old and I thought I'd share a few of the things he and I have come to love! Here are our top six...


Mason LOVES music! Well, Mason loves any noise...even the vacuum, ice maker, and humidifier. So this was a smart purchase for the nursery, especially late at night when we're trying to get him back to sleep. He prefers female voices, Eva Cassidy, Norah Jones, but he also is a fan of Jack Johnson and the Garden State/Last Kiss soundtracks. My voice also works really well, but Todd is tired of the songs I sing to Mason getting stuck in his head.





I haven't ever actually seen this show, but we have all started to call the nights that Nana has spent the night "Nanny (or Nana) 911". My mom has been so wonderful, and Mason loves when she comes over to spend the night with him...not to mention how much Todd and I love the extra sleep we get when she comes over! Todd gets pretty much a full night, and all I have to do is wake up when my mom brings Mason in for feedings. It's great!!!


The dogs. Ok, technically this is probably two things, but we're grouping them together. It has been so amazing watching the dogs investigate the new addition to the house, and now that Mason is a little more alert, he's been checking them out too.





These pics were taken with Todd's iPhone, so they aren't the greatest quality, but you get the idea.












Mason LOVES going for rides in the car. He may not always love getting into the carseat, but once he's in and we're ready to go, he's a happy baby.











The boppy. This has been one of the best gifts! It's perfect for feedings, playing, tummy time...every mom and baby should have one of these.








Nap time! This is a new favorite of mine as well. While I still have to laugh at all the people who say "sleep when the baby sleeps" - it is true, if you can manage to do it! Mason, however, has no problem napping...especially when it's on mom or dad!

Starting him off right....well, left

Mason continues to grow and grow. It's so much fun to watch him learning every day. He is really starting to have more awake/alert time and loves looking around at his surroundings. Of course, yesterday he spent most of the day sleeping, so he was a little confused as to why he needed to sleep at night. I'm sure we'll have many more confused nights, but man are they rough! I'm convinced that post-partum MS flairs have far more to do with stress/fatigue than they do with hormone drops. I've been good so far, although I have been having some random symptoms the last couple of days. Nothing that classifies as an offical flair up though...keep your fingers crossed for me. We'll see what my MRI looks like on the 29th.

Well, in some of his awake time yesterday, I managed to get this pic of Mason. Todd laughs about this shirt, but I just remind him that I will encourage and support our son in anything he wants to be when he grows up....except be a republican :)

Finally

I finally finished my final paper for my advanced patient care class. Phew. It was a 4 week class that started the week before Mason was born. 4 weeks, 4 papers. I had meant to finish the entire class that week, but I only got 3 of the 4 papers done. Thank goodness I did that much seeing that it's taken me 3 weeks to finish one! Now I have a little break until the next trimester begins.

One other thing. About comments. Feel free to leave comments and let me know you're out there. You don't have to have an account or anything, just click on where it says "0 comments" or "2 comments" etc at the end of the post...it's pretty self explanatory from there. We would love to hear from you :)

All-night buffet

That's basically what I have been feeling like. Mason decided to have his 3 week growth spurt a little early. I knew it was coming, but in no way was I prepared for the hourly feedings and crankiness that it would bring. He just wanted to nurse ALL THE TIME!!! I can't imagine what he weighs after all that. And he wasn't the only one who was hungry, his constant feeding made me feel completely famished, not to mention the incredible thirst! I'm crossing my fingers that it's over now, last night he was back to sleeping for about 3 hours between feedings. Now I'll just wait to do it all over again at 6 weeks.

2 weeks and lots of firsts

Yesterday Mason had his 2 week check up with Dr. Elliott. He totally shocked everyone when he weighed in at a whopping 8 lbs 10 oz!!!! Needless to say, he is growing quite well. It was his 1st visit since we were discharged and everything is going great. All my questions were answered, and all the answers were basically that he is a normal, happy, healthy baby. So now I just need to learn to relax :)



He had his first real bath yesterday and LOVED it. I was a little nervous after his strong dislike of his prior sponge baths, but he did great!


We also tried some "tummy time" yesterday for the first time. He was not such a fan of this, but today went a little better. He is already stronger than I thought and can lift his head up and turn it to the other side.

I got our Christmas card/birth announcements ordered yesterday, too. I'm sure they'll be going out a little late this year, but hopefully everyone will understand. A woman that works with my aunt is going to be starting her own photography business after the new year so she came over to practice a little on Mason. She did such a great job with him, we're planning on having her come back again when he gets a little bigger.


Well, that's all for now. I can hear him calling for me again.

Play it again, Mom

Mason seems to be on an every-other-night fussiness pattern (I refuse to use the word "schedule" as that obviously does not apply to a baby by any stretch of the imagination). Last night was a great night....which makes me somewhat fearful of what tonight has in store. It seems like he's been gassy lately, but I don't really know what it is. We have some Mylicon (sp) drops, but I'm not convinced they really work. Someone told us to try Gripe Water.......any other suggestions out there?

Oh, and please don't ask me what I ate. I did have some ice cream the other night, which I later found out can upset a breastfed baby, but really, I swear, I haven't had any broccoli, spicy foods, chocolate.....nothing weird. It is on my list of questions for the pediatrician tomorrow.

Anyway, back to the up all night business. Mason loves being sung/hummed to. So far his favorites have been "Over the Rainbow" and "Moon River". I know, I need to stop singing the poor kid show tunes but he seems to like them. At least I'm not singing him songs from Grease or Cats!

Baby Firsts

Mason had his first trip to Target on Thursday. I know, this isn't exactly a baby milestone noted in any baby book or calendar, but to me it was a momentous event. He of course slept through the entire experience. Before the Target trip, Todd and I took Mason to my grandparents house. They hadn't seen him since he was born, and it's easier for us to go to them. After the great grandparent visit, we drove out to Target. I pushed the stroller and Todd had the cart, and for the first time in my entire life of loving Target, I didn't buy a single thing there for me!

Yesterday Todd dropped Mason and I off at my mom's house for a while so he could go Christmas shopping. We ended up staying a lot longer than we planned, but it is so nice to get out of the house sometimes.

I should really be writing a paper now. I have one last paper I need to write for my advanced patient care class. It's a 4 week class that started the week before Mason was born. My goal was to finish it all before he got here, but with all the kidney stones and pre-term labor, that didn't happen. I did get 3 of the 4 papers done, which I'm grateful for now. I keep telling Todd he should write it for me, but I think I need to forget that dream and get writing!

Granny to the rescue

Last night my mom stayed the night with us. We put Mason's bassinette in the guest room with her and she brought him to me when he needed to nurse. It was WONDERFUL! Todd got a pretty much full-night of sleep and I was only awake long enough for Mason's feedings. Of course, all the nights before last night Mason was up every hour to hour and a half and then would have a crazy stretch from 2am til 5 or 6am that he was wide awake and had no interest in sleeping. Needless to say, Todd and I were already exhausted and the kid is only a week old! So, Granny to the rescue...and of course Mason slept great last night, usually 2+ hours at a time, and had no long stretch of being awake and/or fussy. Now my only question is...will he do this tonight? Not likely, I'm sure.

Anyway, thanks, Mom! You're a life-saver!!!

While he's still sleeping...

Here are some pics since we've been home. I know, "some" is kind of relative...what can I say...we're proud parents :) We've had some LOOOONG nights, but also a lot of fun!

Mason checked out his new swing

And his vibrating chair

Hanging out with dad

And being adored by mom

Had a quick sponge bath

And washed all that hair

One week old

Today Mason is already one week old! Things have been going OK since we've been home. I had a long weekend worrying about if Mason was nursing OK and getting enough. We were both having a hard time with the breastfeeding thing, that's for sure. Of course, added to this was the onset of crazy post-partum hormones that had me crying almost as much as Mason. Apparently this is just what happens, and it should go away after a couple weeks.

We had our first outing yesterday since Mason had to go in for a weight check. When we left the hospital he was a little under 7lbs 1oz (his birthweight was 7lbs 8oz). I was certain that he was going to be even lower than that yesterday and my fears would be confirmed about nursing and my mothering ability.......well, when the nurse put him on the scale he weighed in at 7lbs 9oz! I had to go look at it myself because I thought she might have read it wrong. What a relief to know that,even if it doesn't seem like it all the time, I might just know what I'm doing after all.

My c-section incision is pretty sore again, which is frustrating because I was feeling so great. I think I probably felt too good and over-did it. So today we're all hanging out at home and relaxing. I'll be sure to get some new pictures up soon, but as you can all imagine, my time available to sit at the computer is somewhat limited these days :)

Introducing...

He is finally here! Mason Patrick Loy was born November 25 at 12:22pm. He weighed 7 pounds 8 ounces and was 20.5" long. As you can see, he has a FULL head of hair! He looks a lot like Todd (I think) and even though I know they'll change, his eyes are the darkest, prettiest blue I've ever seen. The cesarean went really well, and while I'm a little sore still, it's nothing that ibuprofen hasn't been able to handle. We just got home this afternoon. We could have come home yesterday, but I decided I wanted just one more day. So now we're home and trying to figure out our new lives as parents....and open to suggestions :)

Basically, he's perfect. Never in my life did I think I could/would love someone this way. I know all parents say this, but it's really true. It was the most amazing thing on Tuesday when it was already apparent that he knew my voice. It's all still a little surreal, and I often look at him and just stare thinking, was that really inside me? Did this all really happen?

So here are some pics. Sorry it took a few days, but I've been a little busy getting to know my new little man.

My first look at him.

Being checked out.

Dad got to bring him to me for a few minutes before they went to the nursery while I was sewn up.

Our first family photo.

Hanging out at the hospital.

Getting ready to go home.

Our Last Supper

Last night Todd and I went out to dinner for the last time without having to arrange or plan ahead. Of course, this is also possibly the last time I won't be able to order anything on the menu that I want (i.e. wine, blue cheese, meat that isn't fully cooked, etc.)

I decided Simon's would work, since I wouldn't be as tempted there to have red meat. We had crab cakes and I had the simply grilled salmon. Todd ordered the salmon that I really wanted, with the blue cheese butter...but mine was just as good, I'm sure.

Before we left we took a final pregnancy picture. So here I am, all 39 weeks of me. Oh, and did I mention, I have less than 48 hours before this is all over? Actually, right now it's 45 hours and about 15 minutes....but who's really counting, right?



I then realized I stil had my glasses on and made Todd take another...

85 and time to retire

Happy Birthday, Ted Stevens....oh, and move on over.....Mayor, ahem, Senator Mark is in charge now! Hopefully as one of his last acts as Mayor he'll approve the AFD contract. Anyone know if David Ramseur is going with him to DC?

Things I didn't know

Since I only have 10 days left of being pregnant, it makes me think about the last (almost) 38 weeks and all the things I've learned. Here's a few...

1. Morning sickness really is a joke. It's not just the morning. It's ALL DAY LONG! Who knew morning sickness could strike in the middle of the night while you are sound asleep. Which leads to...
2. Zofran is a wonder drug! I would have never survived without it. Which also leads to...
3. All the people who said it would get better after the 1st trimester lied. I'm 10 days away from the end and I still throw up!
4. Virgin Pina Coladas are actually as good as the real thing. Although, it may have had something to do with the fact that they were served poolside in Mexico.
5. If the waiter in Mexico does by chance mix up the order, and serves you a real Pina Colada, you will IMMEDIATELY know. Don't worry.
6. I never thought that watching my husbands face light up during an ultrasound would actually be better than watching the actual ultrasound.
7. When it comes time to buy new (maternity) clothes, just do it. Having clothes that actually fit around you makes all the difference.
8. All the worrying I did about not feeling the baby move yet, was quickly replaced by total worry over whether I was feeling him move enough, which has now been replaced by wishing he would hold still once in a while because it hurts when he moves in certain ways.
9. People that say "get your sleep now while you can" have either never been pregnant or have forgotten how impossible it is to sleep at the end. You cannot get into a comfortable position that still allows for breathing...and if you do, you'll just have to pee in the next 2 seconds.
10. Worrying (endlessly) about having the baby come early has now been replaced with wanting him to come NOW!

And finally, having a husband who, for the most part, rolls with things and is able to calm my fears has helped get me through this whole thing. From the shots to the sickness to the bedrest/light duty to the moodiness...everything! (thanks, Todd)

Photo Requests

I've been asked by quite a few people why I haven't posted a pregnant picture of myself. I did put one on myspace a while ago, but I guess I haven't really thought about it. I'll try to get one in the next 11 days and put it on here for you all to see.

Also, I saw the doc on Wednesday. No bribes were taken. She did say we could move the date up a week, but I would have to have an amnio to check lung maturity. That is not happening. I did find out that I've been discussed in their weekly care conference for my whole pregnancy (being "high-risk" and then on top of that being the only pregnant MS patient in the practice makes me interesting apparently), and that everyone is aware of my plans and wishes and everyone is "on-board" so to speak. Hopefully this won't really matter, but just on that off chance he decides to come before my scheduled day, it made me feel better knowing everyone was in agreement incase my doc isn't on-call.

2 weeks

I have officially reached "full term". I'm 37 weeks now, so technically the little man could make his appearance any day and it would be fine. If he sticks with the plan, he'll be here in exactly 2 weeks (the 25th).

I have also officially reached the uncomfortable stage. I thought I had run out of room months ago, but now I know I have! Sleeping is next to impossible, which I guess I should just get used to, right? I go to the doctor tomorrow for my weekly check and I have seriously considered bribing her to move my date up a week.

What else...I had another OB triage visit. I'm really starting to hate that place. I passed another kidney stone, although this one was really not fun. Two stones in a week is a little excessive, I think. I had another shower, this one given by the lab. I cannot believe how much stuff we have been given. This baby has SO many clothes I don't think I'll have to do laundry for a month after he's born! Of course, that also means he'll probably out-grow everything after he wears it once.

Everything is pretty much ready. I don't have my hospital bag packed yet, but the cord blood kit and camera are by the door just in case. All we need now is the baby!

Sorry, Canada, not moving yet! Good morning, America!!

I have to admit, I was a little worried last night going to sleep. I was worried that it would be like the time I went to sleep and Al Gore was the President elect, and I woke up to find out he wasn't. But I woke up this morning, checked, and everything is how it was, and as it should be. For 4 years (since the DNC in 04) I have loved Barack Obama, and for the last year I have been watching as others either fell in love with him too, or, we'll just say they didn't love him quite so much. Through the name-calling and mud-slinging, through Hilary in the primaries, and Palin in the last couple months...all we heard was "yes we can". And THANK GOD people finally listened! Yes, we really can...and what do you know, we just did!

Now, while I have never been so proud and excited and full of hope for our country, the same cannot be said for the state I live in. It looks as though Alaska will be sending Stevens and Young back to D.C. AGAIN! I don't really understand how this happens year after year, but this year is especially upsetting, what with one being a convicted felon and all. And on top of this, Sarah Palin will be coming back to Alaska to govern again. This worries me in so many ways and for so many reasons. In the end, she's better here, watching Russia from her front porch, than sitting in the White House ready to take over, but I just don't see how it's going to work now with all the people she has pissed off in our legislature. Not to mention the people she has embarrassed across our entire state.

Enough of that. I'm sticking with excitement for our country, and with the fact that I no longer feel that I have to move to Canada. And as if Barack wasn't amazing enough, we now have Michelle as our First Lady! Even if you don't care for her (which, I don't really understand, but apparently there are some of you out there) how can you not appreciate watching the clothes! It's like our generations own Jackie O...but, before she was Jackie O and was still Jackie Kennedy. You know what I mean.

In closing, I would just like to say, THANK YOU, AMERICA!

It ain't over yet

For those people living under a rock, Election Day is tomorrow. I'm afraid that Democrats will, like they have historically been, be lazy tomorrow. It's a fact that dems don't get out there on election days and VOTE! I think a lot of it is the polls, they show Obama ahead, so people think, why bother? Please, be bothered! Get out there and cast your vote...and hopefully tomorrow night we can all celebrate the begining of some real change in this country.

Ok, enough election talk...for now...

Remember to Vote!!!!

How does this woman not scare everyone as much as she scares me?




And I know this is and older video...but it's a nice reminder since Tuesday is the big day.

Update

Sorry to leave everyone hanging, but the last couple of days have been a little crazy. Monday I saw my doctor, who THANK GOD didn't put me back on bed-rest. She basically said that as long as I feel OK at work, and that working doesn't make things worse, I can keep going. It helps that I'm still only working 6 hours a day, and that most of that time is spent sitting. She also said that the baby is just getting ready to come, even if it is a little early. I'm now at 35 weeks, so it really wouldn't be awful if he was born now, possibly a little NICU time, but nothing major.

I complained a little about some bladder pain/problems, but with Mason's head literally on my bladder, she didn't seem to worried. Well, as the afternoon went on the pain got worse and I ended up going back in to give a urine sample. Sorry for anyone who doesn't work in healthcare and isn't used to talking about pee, just skip this part if you want. Anyway, the nurse comes out and without really looking at me asks me if I'm on my period. HELLO?! Did you not notice the basketball under my shirt? Apparently there was a lot of blood in my urine. So they think I have a pyelonephritis (kidney infection) and write me a script for antibiotics. They also wanted me to try to pee again since there wasn't much the first time, so I did, and voila! out comes a big old kidney stone. (seriously, it was big...over 6mm...I measured it myself) Helps explain all the back pain I had been having!

Well, this all could be an explanation for the preterm labor. And the contractions have gotten better. So maybe Mason will hang out until the 25th after all.

Well THAT wasn't supposed to happen

Last weekend we had baby shower #1, which was the AFD "baby party" (they call it this because it's a couples event, and men don't/won't go to a shower). It went well, even though I was nervous about it. Most of my nerves were just because Todd hasn't been with this crew very long and I don't know most of the wives yet. It also doesn't help that Todd has been traveling as a captain so much he hasn't been with his actual crew lately. Anyhow...it was great to meet wives I hadn't before and just have a nice party with no games. The crew was also very generous and we may be getting that Chariot at REI after all with the help of their gift card.

Yesterday was baby shower #2. This one was thrown by my aunt and mom. It was the usual type of women-only baby shower that I usually don't like going to. I made them swear there would be no games at this shower either, although my mom did sneak one game in. Not too bad, just the basket full of stuff that you look at and then try to remember everything that was in it. Simple and I get to keep the basket and everything in it. I ended up being so incredibly spoiled by everyone, and I now have a long list of thank you cards to write.

During shower #2 I started having some cramping, which I figured was just because I had been doing more than I usually do, or should be doing. After I got home the cramping just kept getting worse, so I called Todd at work to ask the hypothetical "if I need you to come home" question. Turned out to be not so hypothetical after all and he came off shift and took me to OB Triage. Long story short.........pre-term labor. Because of my abruption a few months ago they were concerned that trying to stop the contractions would make the abruption/bleeding worse. So for a while there was talk of taking him via c-section last night (minor freak out/crying moment when this conversation happened). I was sent to ultrasound, which showed my placenta was OK, so the decision was then made to try to stop the contractions. Quick shot of terbutaline and more monitoring..............and at 2ish in the morning we were finally sent home.

The contractions didn't completely stop, but they have definitely slowed down and are less intense. I'm taking is easy today, and I have to call my doctor in the morning. The doc on call last night was a little more lenient than I'm afraid mine will be....keep your fingers crossed she doesn't put me on bedrest again! So for now baby is good and is staying put until 11/25. I'll update more when I know more.

A few simple facts

I haven't had to rant in a while about MS, so maybe it's just that I'm overdue, but it seems that lately ignorance is rearing its ugly head again. I admit, before my diagnosis, I was fairly ignorant about MS as well. I honestly don't mind talking about it, answering questions, none of this bothers me. What does bother me is people who think they are the expert. Anyway, here are a few facts. And if you don't want to take my word for it, the National MS Society has a great website with tons of information.

* Multiple Sclerosis is NOT the same as Muscular Dystrophy
* It is estimated that 400,000 people in the U.S. have MS, although these numbers are thought to be much higher since it's not a reportable disease to the CDC
* I did NOT get MS because I drink Diet Coke! Or because of any other reason other than I have bad luck. It's an autoimmune disease, my body attacks its own myelin.
* It is OK to be pregnant if you have MS! Actually, because of the immune response and extra hormones produced in pregnancy, MS usually goes into a remission period.
* With the above being true, yes, the post partum period can be difficult. That being said, for me, I'm prepared for it and have already decided on my course of action. (For those of you who are curious, I'll be doing monthly IVIg infusions for a while so I can still breastfeed)
* MS does not mean I'm dying. Nor does it mean that I'm going to be in a wheelchair.
* No, I'm not passing it on to the baby. Seriously, if this were true do you honestly think I would have gotten pregnant? The decision to have a baby was not an easy one, and I still worry about all the what-ifs associated with MS and what they would mean for my child.
* My MS has been fine since I've been pregnant. Since my diagnosis I've been lucky to have only had mild symptoms, and since I became pregnant, the symptoms have all been gone.

I know there's more. I get asked some pretty heinous things sometimes, but this is all I can think of now. Maybe I should start a weekly post for MS Rumors/Updates.

One last thing, I received a "Save the Date" reminder for the 2009 Walk MS. This year the Anchorage walk will be April 18th. I will be putting together a team again, so be expecting an email with more info soon.

The Final Countdown

I scheduled the c-section today. November 25th is the big day. I'll be in the hospital for Thanksgiving, but I'll have so much to be thankful for this year I don't think I'll mind. Besides, I'm sure I can convince my family to have Thanksgiving a couple days late this year.

For those who aren't caught up on everything, after Todd and I went to childbirth classes like a good little pregnant couple, my doctor had a long talk with us at my last OB appt. We talked about my higher risk of bleeding and about multiple sclerosis issues and all kinds of things. In the end it was really up to me, but once the 'hemorrhage' word was spoken, it was pretty much decided for me. I just can't take that risk, and I certainly don't need the extra worry. Not that a c-section is 100% safe, but it's less risky for me personally. And of course, I've already called L&D to check the anesthesiologist schedule, just to be sure!

So, that's that. Just 34 days away! Kind of crazy, really. I already re-set my countdown so it will be accurate. I have to admit, not only is having an "end date" in sight helpful, having a scheduled day is SO helpful to me and my type-A self. It's almost relaxing in a way...well, as relaxing as the idea of surgery can be.

Date Night

Tonight Todd and I were supposed to babysit our niece and nephew, but after an un-returned call to his sister, we figured it was safe to make other plans. Honestly I was half expecting a phone call saying she was dropping off the kids and where the heck were we...but that never happened. So our big, exciting Friday night consisted of Red Robin and my first trip to the new Target! Todd was less than excited when I suggested Target, but he's a good husband and went along with it.

There were SO many people there! We weren't even half-way around the store and I was totally annoyed with everyone, but I persevered for my love of Target. I have to admit that the prices weren't as good as I expected them to be, but I have to remind myself that this is Alaska, and everything is more expensive here. Of course, we didn't "need" anything, as Todd kept reminding me, so I didn't need the cart I was pushing, but I just knew something would come up. And, sure enough, it did. TOWELS! I've been complaining for months that we need new towels, and Todd really liked the towels that M & S had when we stayed with them in CO...which, lucky for me were from Target. So we have new towels, Halloween candy, a Halloween candy bowl, and shampoo/conditioner in a bigger container than they sell at Fred Meyer. And I bought some Sudafed to replenish our medicine cabinet after the cold I had.

Todd was right, though, even when you go to Target for nothing, you come out spending at least $100. Oh well, it was money well spent! I can't wait to go back, but next time I think I'll go alone so I can take my time shopping for all the things I don't need.

When is it my turn?

One of the other pregnant girls at work is probably having her baby as I type this. Her water broke today at work. Well, not broke in the gushing water sense that people see in movies, but none the less, she was, well, leaking. She had been having pains/contractions since yesterday, but today after the leaking she was told by everyone at work to go to the hospital. (Side note: DUH!!! was my response. While not the most sensitive, it seemed crazy that she wouldn't know to do that)

Another one of the the pregnant girls at work is also probably delivering right now. Last I heard she was heading to L&D to be started on Pitocin. (Another note: Yes, work is full of pregnant people right now. I'm one of 3 in the lab and one of 5 or 6 in x-ray)

Basically, I'm just a little jealous. It reminds me of before we finally got pregnant, when I was constantly complaining to Todd that everyone else was having babies except for us! I know my time will be here soon enough, and honestly, if my water broke today I'd be more than a little freaked out, but I'm ready. I'm ready for the heartburn to go away, to sleep comfortably again, to work my normal job/hours again, to eat blue cheese and drink a glass of wine, and most of all I'm just ready to meet this little one I've been hosting for the last 8 months. I want to see what he looks like, and find out if it's really true that heartburn=hair. I feel like I already know him and his little personality. Now I just need to meet him face to face.

Corner lot

I am that lady that lives on the corner. And someday, I'm going to be that old lady that lives on the corner. I freaking hate it when people walk across our front yard! Todd and I talked about putting a fence up, but of course money and time are always issues...and they were spent elsewhere this summer. So we've started another winter of people cutting across our lawn.

Now, I guess I'm not quite to that lady standards yet. I haven't actually yelled at anyone doing it...if only they could hear what I say in the safety of my house when I see them.

What's in a name?

A lot of people have asked how or why we picked the names we have for the new baby. Let me start by saying that is one difficult task! It was a little easier that we're having a boy. I kept saying early on in my pregnancy "he" whenever I talked about the baby (this was when I wasn't referring to him as "the Parasite"), so when we found out for sure it was a boy, there were already names being considered. And we seemed to agree faster on boy names than girl ones.

The middle name was easy. Todd's mom, who passed away in '06, was named Patricia, and so is my grandmother. Patrick was the easy way to honor both of these important women in our lives, and we both like the name. Patrick, for anyone into the meaning of names, means noble.

The first name was a little more difficult. I was so sick for the first 5 months that I joked often we were going to have to name the child Koehler after the toilet that he seemed so attracted to! We both love the name Mason. But I also love the name Gordon. Now before everyone starts snickering at Gordon, it would have also honored people in our families. Todd's dad, who also passed away in '06 had Gordon as his middle name, and my grandfather is also a Gordon. Todd couldn't get on-board with Gordon, fearing a lifetime of teasing and being called "Gord-o" was ahead for the little guy. So Mason, meaning (duh) stoneworker, it is.

Mason Patrick Loy. Not bad, if I do say so myself.

Kleenex filled birthday

No, I'm not crying about my upcoming birthday, I'm sick. It's been a long time since I've had a cold, I don't really remember when the last time was actually. But, sure enough, everyone in the little space I'm confined to at work has been passing in around, and while I avoided it longer than most...it found me. And just in time for the big 2-9 on Wednesday.

The worst part is being pregnant and having a cold. You can't take anything for it! Oh, except regular Sudafed, and cough drops. Oh, Tylenol...so basically, as I was saying, you can't take anything for it. And since I already feel like I can't catch my breath 90% of the time, being all plugged up fills in that 10% that I had a glimmer of breathing normally.

Other than having a cold, things have been fairly boring around here. Todd's birthday was Tuesday, and of course he was at work. Thursday night Todd made dinner for me while I watched Sarah Palin stumble through her debate with Joe Biden. Last night we went to my parents house for a little joint birthday gathering. I know sometimes Todd thinks it's a little weird, but that's just because our families are so polar opposite on things like this. So, while he thinks it's weird that my family gets together and celebrates birthdays and such, I think it's weird that his doesn't even call each other half the time (no offense to any of the Loy/Moran family intended).

We also went to another childbirth class Friday. I was considering becoming a childbirth class drop out for most of the day before the class, and of course, Todd would have totally supported this, but we went anyway. It wasn't as bad as the first class. I left feeling a little more confident in my own ability to labor and give birth, although I'm still not 100% convinced that a c-section isn't the way to go.

Well, that's all for now. It's time to open another box of Kleenex.

I'm not doing THAT!

Todd and I had our first childbirth class last night, and the title of this blog basically is how I feel about the entire labor process. Now, I'm not one of those women who just realized this during childbirth class, I've been in health care long enough and seen enough laboring moms in my life that I've known this since I was 17 years old and saw my first live birth. I know he has to come out, and I'm excited for that to happen, I'm just not so excited for HOW they are proposing he come out.

I am a big fan of having a c-section. Todd and I do not see eye to eye on this one. I am not a hippie, natural childbirth kind of girl. I have nothing to prove about my woman-li-ness, and, well, I can't get past the fact that I will be pooping in front of people! (quick note here: for all you women who have given birth and think that you did not in fact poop in front of people, you're wrong. the docs and nurses who work in L&D are just used to it and usually push it aside before you ever notice, just ask anyone who works there) Up until a couple of weeks ago, I wasn't going to have much choice in the matter. My placenta was really low for the first 7 months of my pregnancy, but, alas, that is the one thing that has gone right and it has since moved up and out of the way.

So, I'm going to birthing classes and being a good sport. I'm trying to have an open mind about everything, even though what I'm really thinking is that I'M NOT DOING THAT!!!

Sneak Peek

This picture is from my latest, and hopefully last, ultrasound that was done 9/11. Every ultrasound I've had the tech has tried to get a clear shot of his face but he refuses to move his hands out of the way. So this is the best we've gotten. He does appear to have a fully formed lip/palate, which was a huge relief to Todd.

It's strange enough to think about having a little person growing inside of me, but even stranger when you see him on the big screen.

New blog for a new family

Finally got around to setting up a blog to share our stories and adventures with family and friends. I meant to start blogging about my pregnancy around week 12 or so, but here I am starting week 31 and this is my first post. Better late than never, right?

A quick update of the last 31 weeks. We found out we were pregnant in March, and from the beginning this has proven to be quite the journey. I lived on Zofran for the first 20 weeks or so, and Todd had to give me shots of Progesterone until around that time as well. We found out that we're having a boy, which, although I would have been happy with a boy or a girl, deep down I really wanted a boy. Most recently I've been on light-duty due to a small abruption that happened around week 22. I'm grateful that work has been so accommodating with me so I didn't end up on bed rest for 4 months. As difficult as the pregnancy has been on me, baby appears to be healthy as can be, which is all that really matters after all.

Things are looking up, and the end is clearly in sight! Little Mason Patrick will hopefully be making his first appearance around Thanksgiving, giving us much to be thankful for this year.