36 Weeks!

I had my 36 week midwife appointment today. It felt so wierd to go back, since I was just there 5 days ago. But, weekly visits it is from here on out!

I measured 35 cm. Which is just great! He doesn't seem to be a very big baby and they estimate he'll be about 6 1/2 pounds, no more than 7. I can't wait to see if they're right. I know the u/s I had with Goldie wasn't very accurate. I was offered an u/s today, but declined. My neighbor is going through a complicated pregnancy right now, with weekly ultrasounds and visits to specialists. I see the emotional roller coaster this has put them on and I want no part of it. I don't need any help finding things to worry about.

The midwife also mentioned that there was a RSV outbreak at the hospital they use. (I'm planning on delivering at a birth center.) Healthy newborns from the nursery were testing infected and they had to stop admitting mothers to labor and delivery. I relayed this story to my husband who still thinks a hospital birth may be safer. It just shows that anything can happen regardless of how well thought out and researched our choices are.

I've also been thinking a lot lately about trusting my instincts and intuition with this pregnancy. I'm finding it harder since Goldie was born. My question is this: Did you "know" (in your gut, not medically speaking) your baby was going to have DS or have a feeling that something wasn't right when you were pregnant?

What do you do all day?

As part of my baby preparations, I wrote down Goldie's routine for the day. My mom will be taking care of her and I want to make it as easy on both of them as possible. Plus, I can go into labor with a clear mind that Goldie's needs are being met. It may also come in handy if anyone stops by to help out after the baby is born.

I couldn't believe once I started how many little things I do for her. I also learned that while I may feel disorganized, we really do have a routine that we follow everyday. Its flexible, but consistent. It also answers the age old SAHM question, "What do you do all day? Don't you get bored?" I thought I would post just the morning to lunch portion, I don't want to completely bore you. If this doesn't seem like a lot, keep in mind that all this goes on while homeschooling my 2 older kids, making their lunch, etc...

Goldie’s Schedule

6:30-8:00 Good Morning!

Potty -Right after she wakes up Goldie pees on the potty. She is usually dry in the morning.

Breakfast Goldie likes: - toast w/ raspberry jam or peanut butter
-Waffles w/ maple syrup to dip them in
-banana
-cereal w/ soy milk (feeds herself so use 2 bibs and a placemat)
- NO cheese, milk, or yogurt
Drink - 50/50 juice (white grape or oj) and water = 8 oz w/ 5 tsp Thick-It
- add 4 drops of Vitamin D (only added to morning drink)
Ginkgo - give .50 ml in the morning (not afternoon or evening)

Get dressed, puts her pajamas away in drawer

Playtime - read books, do puzzles, play babies, watch Signing Time, helps unload dishwasher and puts her dishes away.

10:00 Potty time and snack. Encourage Goldie to drink.

Lunch - 1 orange probiotic and ½ tsp Children’s DHA
- both are on door of refrigerator, use medicine syringe for DHA
-Goldie likes: leftovers from dinner, pb&j, fruit, salad, canned pasta, chicken, salty foods, tuna, and soup
Potty

Nap - Goldie is ready for a nap by 1:00.Sometimes sooner if she was up early. She likes to rock in the recliner and listen to her GloWorm (while I sing along). Sometimes we lay on my bed and I sing to her.

Potty - Goldie usually poops after her afternoon nap. Be patient this can take a long time. It’s a good time to read some books.

So there you have it, a peak at the day in the life of Goldie!

I also did not intend this post to be about nutrition, supplements, or potty training. But, I realize people may have questions after reading it. I consider all of Goldie's supplements essential for her. She has to have probiotics and fish oil(Children's DHA) to avoid constipation. The fish oil and melatonin work together to help her sleep. We also see a difference in her speech and cognition when she is taking Ginkgo. As for potty traing, we aren't. We have practiced elimination communication since Goldie was 4 months old. Our road to being diaper free is just a little longer than most!

Measuring Up

We've been humming right along the last couple weeks. Putting food in the freezer for next month and going on a couple field trips. Like these replicas of the Nina and the Pinta we toured last week.



I've been feeling pretty good, just a little uncomfortable by the end of the day. Which is to be expected at this point,especially with a 2 year old. I have no problems gaining weight, 5 lbs in 3 weeks. I think I'm as big now as when I delivered Goldie. So, I was not expecting to hear that my measurements hadn't changed since my last midwife appt. I measured 33 cm 3 weeks ago and again at 35 weeks. I'm worried about the lack of change more than anything. It is in the normal range to be 2cm smaller or bigger than the number of weeks.

I have to admit that I was pretty freaked out when we left. And into the next day. This wouldn't have bothered me 3 years ago. I should say didn't bother me. I measured small when I was carrying Goldie. Looking back it was the only concrete sign that something was up with her. But, now I know so much more. I'm not worried that this baby could have DS. That I can deal with. I am worried that he's not getting the nutrition he needs to grow. What if something is wrong with the cord or the placenta? I just want to get him here safe and sound.

The good news, he is moving almost constantly and his heart rate was good. The previous measurement could have been wrong and he has also changed position and is sitting lower than before. For now I'm making sure I drink enough water and taking it easy. I go back on Monday and if there is still no change I'll go in for an ultrasound. Until then, prayers are always welcome.

Wordless Wednesday - OT

Halloween 2009

Here is the best picture I could get. Goldie wanted nothing to do with standing still, she was ready to go! Hank and his friend use a tractor drive the kids around with a trailer and some hay bales. I think that was Goldie's favorite part. After getting out for the first 5 houses she was done and I brought her home. Despite all the candy, all 3 girls were asleep by 9:30!

I wanted to update since my last post. Goldie's ped doesn't have the H1N1 shot. My PCP only had 4 left when I called and Goldie is not their patient so I couldn't get one for her. The health department said they don't know of anyone in this part of the state that has them and I was very lucky to get one myself.

I did it.

I got the H1N1 vaccine yesterday. After many hours of research and debating in my head I decided to just get the shot. My PCP had them and they were mercury free so I went yesterday morning.

Boy, does everyone have an opinion about it too. I can't believe the reasons people were coming up with that I shouldn't get it. Like its a government conspiracy? Seriously?

Right now, it seems like everyone we know has swine flu. The pediatrician (solo practice) up the road was seeing 100 kids a day! I think we may have had it back in August. That was when I had bronchitis and took antibiotics and still coughed for 5 weeks. But, if that wasn't it, then I would really be in trouble if I did get it. Then again, if we did have it, why get a vaccine I don't need?

I know a lot of people say the media is making it out to be worse than it is. Well, after Goldie's surgery in September a woman who lives near us passed away from H1N1 complications (pneumonia). She was only 44. That was when I really started to worry. This was someone we knew. Not someone considered "at risk" or with health complications. I drive by her house everyday and think about her husband and daughters.

I'm also going to see if Goldie's ped has the vaccine available. She barely drinks enough as it is. I hate to think of her getting dehydrated again.
In the meantime, when we are out and about, we'll keep taking baths in hand sanitizer. Then scrubbing again at home. The truth is we did that most of the time anyway. I learned pretty fast that 3 sick kids is no fun. I don't care who thinks I'm crazy as I wipe down the highchair at the restaraunt. Because you know they won't be the ones scrubbing my carpets at 2 am or using a syringe to get fluids into a lethargic 2 year old. And you would be suprised by how dirty the tables are, let alone the highchairs!

More pregnancy stuff

Thanks to everyone who left such reassuring comments on my Pregnancy and PPD post. It's nice to reminded that what I'm feeling is normal for the situation and that everything does work out in the end.

I also wanted to mention that I don't dwell on the serious stuff most of the time. Goldie doesn't allow me any time for that! I am really looking forward to this little guy's birth in December. It will be our first out of hospital birth. There is something I really enjoy about labor (yes, really) and thought this would be the ideal way to give birth. I will not miss dealing with OB's who agree to a birth plan and then change their mind or nurses who can't fathom why I don't want an epidural and have the nerve to tell me "its not fair" when my baby is born before the woman in the next room's. Or staying home until the last possible minute. And don't get me started on that automatic blood pressure cuff. Since we're aware of the various complications that can arise, I am always praying that everything goes well and our baby gets the birth he needs.

Another thing I love about the midwife's office: When you walk in the door their is a series of posters on the wall. I didn't pay much attention at first. Then, I noticed that the first one is of a mother with her baby in a sling. I had to do a double take because that baby had some very familiar DNA! My heart just got all warm when I saw that and I knew I had made the right choice.

Can you imagine that hanging in an OB's office? Gasp