Aidric Max Covell

Born August 14th at 4:13 am, 6 lbs, 8 oz, 20 in.

He is everything I ever dreamed.

Prodromal Labor

I wasn't sure if I was going to write about this. Partly because by writing, it becomes more real. And partly because I want to keep positive about this part of the pregnancy. And partly because I don't want to sound negative or complaining.
I am positive and so happy. Positive about the birth and health of Baby Boy. I have had a wonderful pregnancy - being able to go to yoga, and go for walks, and feeling so strong.

But I have not slept since Sunday night. Well, I mean, slept more than 20 minutes at a time, except for a few blissful hours Tuesday night. I have what my midwife calls 'prodromal labor'. Which basically means my uterus is doing all the things that a laboring uterus should do, like contract. A lot. With pain. But with no advancement. And no end. The prodromal, or false labor, hurts just as much as true labor. The only difference is no baby.

During the day, it is better. Something to do with estrogen levels. But since Monday night, the contractions come every 4 to 10 minutes all night long. During the day, I can actually go out and function somewhat normally. But starting at about 1 am and going to 9 am, I am contracting like crazy.

So I have been enduring this for 5 nights. All I can do is pray that true labor will start and end the nighttime torture and sleeplessness. For some women this goes on for weeks. There is nothing I can do. This does not mean there is anything wrong. I am healthy. Baby is healthy. My uterus is just a super uterus, and she likes to really, really prepare and practice. My sanity is paying the price, though. One positive thing - when true labor finally happens, it should seem like a piece of cake compared to this. I hope I didn't just curse myself.

I had never heard of this, even with the stacks of pregnancy books I have read. I just have to sleep and rest when I can. I have loved getting all your notes of excitement and anticipation. And the grandparents-to-be call with hopes of new news. But please accept my apologies for not answering the phone right now, or getting back to you.
I need to just get through this because the most beautiful baby is waiting for me to be strong and be there for him 100%.

Aaaaaannnnd, GO!

We learned in our childbirth classes the signs of early labor. They are:
1. Losing the mucous plug.
2. Breaking of the water.
3. Contractions.

During the first stages of early labor (which can last weeks), the cervix softens, begins to thin out, and dilate. Contractions last from 10 to 45 seconds and are spaced out. One thing they don't dramatize on TV is the 'mucous plug'. What a horrible term. My doula likes to call it 'baby gel'. Much nicer. But they don't tell you that it means you basically leak 'baby gel' constantly for who knows how long. I have to wear Depends now.

Well, Monday night I had signs #1 and #3. And the contractions started very energetically, every 5 minutes. So we were very excited! But by morning , the contractions pretty much subsided. I did not sleep. There is no way one can sleep through contractions. It would be like sleeping through an Indian burn.

So Tuesday goes by without any real contractions. My midwife tells me that this stage of labor can last a week. Now I'm confused and a bit frustrated and very excited. And I get to sleep Tuesday night (heaven). Around 5:30 Wednesday morning, more contractions. But now they feel low and come every 20 minutes or so. And I can sleep in between them.
All day Wednesday, I get occasional contractions. I feel more optimistic that this is a good sign. I can tell Baby Boy is very, very low now. There is nothing like the feeling of a head inside your pelvis.

Well, there is the update. This stage may last a while. But I really hope not. Going to have a good talk with BB tonite about the virtues of punctuality.

Ding!

40 Weeks! Ding!


Can you believe it?
I still feel so good, even though I have definitely slowed down some and am sleeping more. He has dropped, so I have my healthy appetite back and can eat more than 3 almonds at a time without getting full and getting heartburn. No longer on the 20 Tums a day diet. Amen and halleluja!

I was out to eat the other night, and had to go to the bathroom (of course). As I was waiting in the line (gah!), a girl of maybe 22 turns my way, looks at me and exclaims, "Oh my God! You're pregnant!"
"I am?!?" I said. "Oh, no! I'd better tell my husband!"
Ha Ha.
"When are you due?" Oh, if I had a dollar for every time I've heard that!
"Monday"
I swear her eyes bugged out of her head, and she looked at me like I was a live grenade, ready to explode my innards all over her and the bathroom walls. Real fear was in her eyes.
I felt so powerful.

I wonder if I am going to care that pretty soon I will no longer be the topic of all conversations I have. Most of the time, I strangely like it. I never thought I would take to talking about myself so much. But folks seem genuinely interested. Every once and a while I have a conversation and my pregnant state never comes up, and I like that too.

I think I will be ecstatic to have all talk be about the Little Guy instead.


Check this out:
11.......19.........23......26.......30.......36........40

The Original Furbaby

Cato has enjoyed all the new things in which to sleep. And has enjoyed the millions of boxes that have invaded our house. He thinks it is all for him. While on the changing pad, he actually let me put a diaper on him, giving me his warning face. He jumped out before we could take a picture of it.



We ended up not keeping this very frilly bassinet. Cato was crushed.




He loves the Preggle pillow. Perfect kitty shape.




Cato is unusual in that he likes to go for rides, or at least it seems like he doesn't mind. He was hoping to get out for a drive.

Bedroom Redo Part II

A while ago I posted about the bedroom redo. Since then we have updated with an IKEA wardrobe ( I still wet myself when I open it and see all the space and potential for organization), and a whole bunch of Baby stuff. I scored big with a visit to a great little second hand baby stuff store: bassinet/cosleeper, onesies, books, play gym, boppy, and car seat snuggler.


BEFORE:

NOW:


There is the wardrobe. I love it.
And the paper grocery bags next to it hold receiving blankets and towels for the birth. They will get warmed up and used to catch slippery new Baby.
And the new duvet. It doesn't look like it goes with the wall color, but it does.
Still on the search for the perfect curtains.





BEFORE:


NOW:


Here is the Baby corner. And Clouseau saying, 'Hello. Please give me food.'
I put up the shelf this morning to hold diapers, wipes, and gin.
You can see the new hampers, diaper pail, bassinet, and cute hanging door baby clothes hamper (Thanks, Christy!). We should be getting the changing pad any day now. It will go on top of the dresser, which now holds a million blankets, onesies, and diapers. The same dresser that used to hold my goth clothes and lingerie.


All you wise Moms can tell me what else I need to do to make this battle station fully armed and operational.





The cosleeper will attach to the bed, and we can move it around during the day. Next to bassinet are more baby things which I have no idea where to store.



And here is the mess still left in the living room. The car seat and stroller will be put in car this weekend. Big IKEA boxes will be thrown away, and huge swing will just have to be in the way, I guess.


So things are coming together, and it feels good.

Last Sketches

These are the last figure sketches from my sketch group. All done.

This is Toni. She brought her own music to class, and it was as if she took my own iPod. It's fun to find a music buddy.


And this is Forrest. Very nice guy. Great model. Listened to a book on tape as he posed.