To labor or not to labor, that is the question...

It's 2:00 in the afternoon and I had just walked into the kitchen to warm up some soup. As I headed to the microwave a sudden gush (Webster's definition: "to emit a sudden copious flow") of fluid in my nether-region. Now I had just gone to the restroom as Peanut has the tendancy to sit on my bladder so I know what it wasn't. I was having no contractions that I felt so what could that have been???

I called Kristin to bother her yet again while she was at work to let her know what I was experiencing. "Call the doctor" was her calm, cool response. Of cours, call the doctor!!! I called and they suggested I go to the hospital to ensure that my amniotic fluid wasn't leaking. Okay, makes sense. We're going to the hospital to rule out a leak or rupture.

CRAP! We haven't packed our bags yet... We should have listened to Michele, our doula and everyone else who may have mentioned something about packing a bag. Okay...what to pack, what to pack? Where is that dang list?

Suitcase is out, birth "plan" is printing...awww shoot my mom is here to pick up Abby. How can I play this off???? I'll just let her know I'm taking a study break. Why is Kristin on her way home...think Einhorn, think! She's working the rest of the day from home! Yeah, that's the ticket! Apparently I did a pretty good job since she hung out for a little bit then headed home.

Mom has left, Kristin is home, bags are still not packed...jeez how difficult can it be? Seriously!!!

Finally, we're on our way. I'm driving because I'm still able to so am I in labor? I don't have a freakin' clue! We arrive at the hospital, park, walk in and head to the second floor to get checked in. I get sent into the hottest room in L&D triage, put on the bare all hospital gown and the monitoring begins. Apparently I AM having contractions but I'm not really feeling them. The fluid isn't amniotic fluid and I'm free to leave. Sure, it sounds like I was in and out, but not really. We were at the hospital for a couple of hours at least.

Funny thing though, while we were in triage, Kristin and I were discussing how I had been inadvertently telling everyone I was due on the 12th. Plus we got pinged on Laura's Facebook about wondering where her niece or nephew was. Sandee also asked, so did Sara, Cami, Whitney, Melissa...the list is long. We laughed a lot once we shared with each other how many of our friends inquired about Peanut.

Home again, home agin...jigitty jig. I'm not in labor, I'm not leaking amniotic fluid, and my contractions aren't painful....yet.

Keep the good, positive thoughts coming.

Love, K (squared) & Peanut

Crop circles...or Helpful Hint #2

So yesterday evening I decided it was time to do some yard work per say. Now when I say yard work I mean on a personal level. I like to think I'm not the only person who keeps things cleaned up in the nether-regions so because I'm a giver, I'm going to share with you what NOT to do when you are pregnant.

Rule #1 - once you get to the point in pregnancy where you can't see over your belly, DO NOT attempt any clean up effort in that region of your body...even if you think you know what you are doing by feel.
Rule #2 - if you have a partner who is willing to assist, take them up on the offer. Don't be proud!
Rule #3 - Just don't do it...ever.

Here's my story...my trial by fire if you will. I'm apparently going through some nesting phase at this point in my pregnancy. Apparently this means nesting in all aspects of my life. My thought is I want to be fairly cleaned up during labor, no '70's bush for me!! I pulled out the clippers and even though I can no longer see down south, I had the big idea that I could pull a little Helen Keller (no offense) and trim by feel. So I proceeded to trim by feel and felt incredibly proud at my blind success so to speak. However, when I looked in the mirror and saw the real product of my attempt, I realized just how bad it was.

The exasperated "Ahhh h*ll!" brought Kristin running back to the bathroom. She found me looking at myself in the mirror, holding my belly up to bask in my glory, to enjoy my work of art. All of a sudden my love, my partner, my go to person was doubled over and laughing hysterically. "It looks like a crop circle!!!" I exclaimed as I busted out in laughter and wondered how to fix my failed attempt at trimming.

A friend offered an idea for the future on what she did when she was pregnant. Sure, it makes sense now to do it that way. I could have layed down in the tub and practiced some abs at the same time as I cleaned up the nether region but remember, if I hadn't attempted to trim my way then you wouldn't have a what NOT to do list.

I'm a giver!!!

Love, Kim & the Peanut!

Wow...

Wow...those are the only words that came to my mind on Saturday when we walked into the anniversary party/peanut shower. How could everything come together to make Saturday one of the most perfect days in the entire world?
What was probably the most amazing part of the entire evening was the turnout. Who knew that we had so many people who love and care for us and would take time out of their lives to celebrate with us?
We had family drive in from Oklahoma, friends fly in from the south and many more friends who live in the city stop by to celebrate with us and share in our excitement of our upcoming arrival. Friends and family planned via email, phone and whatever other means of communication they chose to help make this party a huge success. The food was amazing, the cakes were perfect and apparently the beer and wine was good too. I'm still in awe. Everyone was amazing for coming together to make it as wonderful as it ended up being.
My big plan to give a speech about my thankfulness to everyone for being a part of this journey was thwarted...mostly due to my hormones which caused me to cry as soon as I got the first three words out. Sure, I'm going to blame my hormones. All my friends know that I am not a sensitive person who has a bladder behind my eyes. I hide that very well.
In my head, this is what is I wanted to say, sort of. "Thank you everyone for taking time out of your busy schedules to come and celebrate today with us. There are some of you who have been a part of this journey since the beginning and others we were fortunate to befriend along the way. Regardless of the length of time that we have known you we want to thank you all for your love and support along the way. We look forward to sharing our new addition, Peanut, with you all and would love it if you were a part of his/her life. Thank you and we love you all very much."
So how difficult is that??? Geez...I'm such a sissy. ;o)

For everyone who has traveled along this path with us, we love you all more than words can express. Thank you for being a part of our lives.

Kim, Kristin and Peanut

Anger = Accomplishments

So I have to start off by saying I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE watching Peanut move. At first it was so freaky to see my belly move (yes, of course it reminded me of Aliens -all of them). I wonder what s/he is doing... We know in what position it is lying in my belly - head down, back running up my left-side. Peanut's had the hiccups a lot lately and that makes me laugh...and it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

I can't wait to meet him/her. October 14th is right around the corner!!!! Dr. Johnson is out of town the weekend of the 17th, so as far as I'm concerned, Peanut will NOT be arriving then. On time or a bit early is good for me! During the week too - that way we know Dr. J should be on call.

Apparently yesterday I woke up in a bad mood, although I didn't think so. Kristin and I had a disagreement before she left for work and it completely ruined my day. Miscommunication just s*ck!!! Regardless, I got a lot done around the house. Little things that have been looming really. I tried to put the new bookcase that I broke together with the new parts but they failed to send one part. I drug the 4-drawer file cabinet up the stairs. Yes, it was pretty difficult but trust me, I had enough pent up anger to get it up there a few time. After that I went out to start the yard and noticed that some tree branches needed trimming. Out came the saw and ladder and I cut lots of branches down and drug them to the back of the yard to the shrub pile/bunny rabbit house/deer feeding area. After that I cleaned up the yard and mowed it. By the time it was all said and done I was exhausted and had to take a nap!!! This weekend our to-do list will be shortened. We have to put up Peanut's blind in the room and put together the hutch. Also wash the windows and window covering on the main level.

Kristin and I are meeting at the gym in a few minutes. I'm looking forward to it because in this trimester Peanut is supposed to gain LOTS of weight. I would prefer it only be Peanut and not me as I have received numerous comments that I don't look like I'm due in October. I would prefer to stay that way so post-partum isn't as tough as it could be in regards to getting back into shape.

Have a great day!!!

Kim & Peanut

Ear Buds

So I have read (or heard) that playing music for the baby in the womb as well as reading to the baby is very beneficial. Apparently they are able to hear things from around 26 weeks of pregnancy so I decided that playing music wouldn't hurt, would it? I borrowed a little cd player from my mom and tried to figure out the head phone situation. Now you can buy headphones that supposedly fit over your pregnant belly, but seriously, how comfortable would that really be? I have a pair of headphones from college that are fairly big and I tried them across my belly and near my belly. Not comfortable and I questioned could the Peanut really hear it from a distance if I didn't have the earphones wrapped around my belly?
Think Kim... I have an ipod that came with earbuds. My new belly button (see previous post) is oddly enough the shape of an ear canal, sort of. It's not necessarily the shape of an ear canal, but surprisingly the earbud does stay in there quite well. I stick on bud in the belly button and one bud in the thigh/belly crease (the pregnant belly does hold it there - sigh) and alternate music every night. According to Peanut's movement, his/her favorite type of music (other than Mamma Kristin singing either 'Goodnight Sweetheart' or 'You Are My Sunshine') is Leahy. An upbeat, very fun Irish band. I think the Peanut enjoys the beat and energy of the music. My plan is to ensure I have Leahy on my ipod (if I can figure the d@mn thing out and make room for all the music I painstakingly burned and sorted in a certain way for bday) - but that in and of itself is a different post.

Until then...

Helpful Hint #1

I have been pondering in my head whether to post this blog or not as some may not want to hear it. Well...too bad. Consider it a helpful hint or what not to do when you get pregnant and have an annoying dog who is incredibly persistent about playing catch.

Let's just start out the story by stating a fact. I am getting used to the whole new 'pregnant body' and while it's not my favorite shape I am starting to be "at peace" with it. The larger breasts, the full and seemingly round tummy that is taking shape is freaking me out a bit. I'm not looking forward to the day where I am unable to see my feet. I hope to take that day in stride, but no promises.

So as many of you know we have a sweet, precious devil-dog named Keefer. Keefer has an addiction, he must have his yellow rubber ball at all times. It's either in his mouth or in the vicinity where he is sitting, standing, lying down or eating. If we're in the bathroom (his special one-on-one room) using the facilities, he brings it to the door and rolls it to our feet with his nose. We learned the hard way that shower time was no time to play ball with the big, black devil.

One morning I had just finished showering and I was in the bedroom getting ready. I was half dressed, the bottom half, when Keefer thought it was the ideal time to play. He would roll me the ball, I would throw it. A game of fetch ensued. Well, Keefer got a little excited and rolled the ball under the bed. GRRR. Dangit Keefer!! Somehow by the grace of God, I slowly, and by no means gracefully, got down on my hands and knees in search of Keefer's most adored toy. I made the mistake of not having a bra or shirt on yet. When I say mistake, trust me on this. Here I am, on all fours searching under the bed for this d@mn ball when all of a sudden I notice two severely disproportioned bag-like things hanging from my chest. What the h*ll!!! What are these?? Whose are these?? For the love of God where did they come from??

I have two incredibly elongated breasts hanging from my chest. Why God, why?? Where are my old breasts? Will they ever return? How can a human being look so much like a heifer who has ginormous udders?? Is this what pregnancy is all about?

I made the mistake of calling out to my partner and soul mate for reassurance. "Is this for real?" I cried out? Between fits of laughter and tears from the fits of laughter she reassured me that I was still beautiful. There was no cause for concern or fear.

Now ladies, if you're pregnant and happen to have an annoying dog, may I suggest one thing? Get rid of the ball or never, ever, no matter what get down on all fours with no bra or shirt on to search for something (especially your dogs ball). It's not pretty and trust me, you'll never look at yourself without thinking of cattle.

Into the 7th Month

I's really going to happen...
I know this because our baby furniture arrived on Tuesday. Yes sir, we have a crib and a dresser/hutch for the Peanut. We even have an outfit or two that we can put in it...just needs to be washed.
As for decorations...we're going with the Carter's Tall Tales from Babies R Us. It's mellow, and of course there are a few animals in it. They make some wall decals that go with it and I think we're going to see if Isabella and Michele want to help put them up this week/weekend since they're in town.
We're trying to decide if we want to put our handprints in the Peanuts room or not. We'll see if there is a place for them - a perfect place.