On the 7th day...

Today, Noella is one week old.
We've survived our first week as parents. It started out rough but i think we've got the hang of it.

Every time i look at that little girl, i'm amazed. Amazed that i grew her. At how much she looks like her daddy. I'm amazed at her strength. At her personality and the fact that she already has an attitude very much like mine. I'm amazed that i gave birth to her. Something i wasn't sure i could have ever done.

She's changed everything in so many ways. I wouldn't trade this feeling for the world. As different as life has become, it seems so natural at the same time. Transitioning from being just plain old Eryn into a Mom has been the most natural thing in the world for me. I suppose i'm surprised because everyone tells you how life will never be the same after you're a parent and it kind of scared me. I didn't know what kind of change i was expecting but it just seems like she's always been here. Maybe she has been. Kind of watching us from Heaven and making sure things were lined up just perfectly for her arrival. and ya know what? they were. :)

D Day

I was called yesterday morning to be told i'm being induced for labor today. Needless to say, i was excited and scared and relieved all at the same time and have rode every emotion in between since.

I was given a 24 hour urine collection test (yes i had to capture every drop of my own pee for 24 hours and pour it into a lovely orange jug) which came back with elevated levels of proteins. Because of my extreme edema and the headaches and nausea i've been having, they are worried about preeclampsia and decided it's best to get this baby out sooner rather than later. I'm certainly not going to argue with the pros but in my head, i had prepared myself for hours of labor at home and then going into the hospital.

I was prepared to be eased into labor by mother nature and it seems like my body has other plans which kind of worries me. Babies are born everyday in much higher risk situations. I know this. I told myself this throughout my day yesterday but it still didn't ease my mind. This is my baby. My first baby. This was not in our plan. I guess it's my first real lesson in parenthood. Plans fly out the window faster than you can make them. It's a truth i've got to face one day or another.

So, let me end on a more positive note. I will be a mommy with a little perfect pink bundle of joy in my arms by the end of this weekend and it's the most exciting thing to happen to my little life so far. I can't wait to meet her and count her toes over and over again. I made a miracle and i'm finally going to get to see the fruits of my labors. (pun not intended).

Wish me (and especially Jason) luck today!

Our little home

Here are some pictures of my favorite things in our apartment.


This is a wall hanging my mom bought for us. Pretty spiffy eh?


And of course we have a few buddahs.
BOOKS!
This is an antique frame i pilfered from my mom and have hung some of my treasures in as well as a few things from Jason.
Our rather plain bedroom.
GIRAFFE!
Noella's Crib
Our living room floor and coffee table
This is a credenza i bought for $10 in NY. We have Noella's piggy bank and ours on top for safe keeping.
Coat Closet
Where we hang our keys. Mine on the left, Jason's on the right.
Out fruit plate that was given to us by Pat Maynard.
This green vase has the very first flowers Jason ever bought me. They are from my birthday last year.

starting and stopping

I've been having contractions on and off for a few days. Usually only at night or in the morning when we happen to be running late. (I sure hope this isn't a sign of our future with this little one)

They come in regular waves like good contractions ought to but only last for a few hours then stop. I've been keeping poor Mister awake with my moaning and groaning and tossing and turning. It seems as soon as he gets into a good rhythm of snoring, i've GOT to change positions or my abdomen just might rip itself off. Poor fella puts up with so much from me and Bambino.

All this starting and stopping has me super sore. It's harder to waddle when your crotch aches. (sorry for the crude wording but there's really no other way to express this discomfort) I have today off for my last sonogram before Bambino gets here. I'm excited to see her again. There is something truly awesome about having the ability to take a peek in there and see your baby, though unrecognizable as they may be on a gray screen. It's amazing how far medical technology has come in a few short decades. Madam (my maternal Grandmother) had 7 kids and didn't know their gender or approximate size or anything really about them physically until they were born. She says it was better that way. You wouldn't get so worried because your measurements were off or maybe the umbilical cord was showing up as a tumor. You'd just wait it out and get what you got. She is one tough bird.

My patience with this pregnancy has reached it's all time stretching point. I'm not so anxious to get the labor process moving but more anxious to get to be able to move around at least a little without everything hurting and maybe be able to wear my sneakers without my socks showing on either side of the tongue. I know it's selfish to admit it, but i'd like my own non-pregnant body back more than i desire to push this little creature into the world at the moment.

Don't get me wrong. I am over the moon excited to meet this little girl. I'm just not skipping for joy at the thought of what it's going to take to get her here. Labor is messy and wet and sticky and painful and i'm just not a fan of any of those. But my body was designed to do this and do it i shall! It's all going to be worth it to see that little cone shaped head and to hear her cry her little lungs out. I can't wait to snuggle her face and nom on her little toes. Babies take more work to bring into this world than they do to take care of. That's my opinion at the moment anyway.

we'll see what i think of this a week after she's home.

Belly Pictures

For those of you not connected to facebook or who would like a side by side comparison here's some belly shots.

December 11th 2010 - 26 weeks
January 17th - 32 Weeks 2 days

January 25th - 33 weeks 3 days



February 3rd - 34 weeks 5 days


February 10th - 35 weeks 5 days

February 15th - 36 weeks 6 days
February 21st - 37 weeks 2 days
March 2nd - 38 weeks 4 days




We are getting down to the wire! I'm 39 weeks today. Just a short while longer and she'll be here!