We are at the hospital!

The day is here! We are at the hospital and have been here for a few hours now since early this morning. I started to feel increased contractions and closer together around 9:30 last night. They were 10 minutes apart and then by the time we left they were 4-6 minutes apart. After talking to the Dr. around 11:15, we headed for Nashville around 1a.m. I got my epidural around 4 (I think) and it was better than the one I had with Kameron. I was 3 cm at that point. They put me on a little Pitocin to help things move along comfortably. The only issue right now has been my blood pressure is low and the baby's heart rate is lower during my contractions, but that is better now that they have been able to regulate it more. My contractions are about 3 minutes apart now.
It's 8:00 now and I'm at 4 cm and my Dr. just broke my water so things are going well! I'll have Buddy update when he can but she'll be here today at some point! We will be here at Baptist until Sat. and feel free to come visit us!

38 weeks

Things are moving right along! My appt. on Tues. went well, but an unexpected 'progression' I guess you could say. My Dr. stripped my membranes, which I didn't realize she was going to do until it was happening, so needless to say, it's not the most fun experience! But, I do remember it from Kameron's pregnancy & it's supposedly done to help the process towards labor. It does cause some bleeding, but isn't a lot. I am a little more than 1 cm & 50% still, but the baby is not quite as high as she was last week. She felt her head this time, but she is still sitting higher than lower. She compared my office visit details to Kameron's pregnancy & I am actually a little farther along compared to Kameron's at 38 weeks. Having said that, neither of us are really to the 'I can't wait' point of having her make her appearance & she did say she doubted it would happen over the weekend, so likely I'll be back for next week's appt. We'd both rather the baby be ready than push things along faster, unless it gets to that point to where I can't take it or something else comes up.

My belly measured at 37 cm & the baby's heart rate was 140. I actually keep forgetting to ask my Dr. about the heart rate recently, but looked back to see it was 140 the week before & was 150 the two weeks before that. I only gained one pound over the past week, so I was pretty excited about that since it was almost 4 the week before! My Dr. said all is good though and I'm not at or passing up weight gain equal to number of weeks pregnant, which I guess they use to compare.

I am continuing to experience minor contractions & actually thought one episode last week was the real deal since I felt it three times within about 20 minutes, but then it went away, which will not happen with actual labor. My Dr. did say I will likely continue to get them & more often/more intense now that she has stripped my membranes, but so far I haven't really had anything different in the two days since then.

We are enjoying some just fun play time w/ Kameron! It's kind of nice to have Buddy come home from work & neither of us really have other obligations to take care of in the evening at all since we have now officially closed the photo studio & all my PC work is now just catalog/online parties. Not that we didn't have it under control with each of those things, since I can gladly say we did & put family first, but it's nice to just have these times to take advantage of while we can! We took Kameron to the zoo on Friday while I can still make it & enjoyed likely our last trip to the Nashville Zoo. Kameron LOVES animals! Last night we installed car seats & upgraded Kameron's since he'll outgrow the one he's in once he gains another 3- 4 pounds (and Kameron made it a special point to say he loved his brand new car seat this morning we he officially got to try it out; which is good since I put a lot of research into which one to get based on ratings/crash tests & maintain the latch system as long as possible). And we started getting baby gear & toys all washed up & put together from being in storage, so things are coming together to be ready to go when baby sister arrives!

For now, we just enjoy our time, and at the same time await the soon arrival of our new addition! I will go back to the Dr. on Tues. for my 39 week appt...unless someone decides to make her appearance sooner!

37 weeks

Wow, I can't believe how quickly things are progressing now! I did write a small book in my last entry just a few days back so a lot is in that entry compared to this one, but I wanted to include other updates as well.

My appt. yesterday went very well. Thankfully things went smoother this time & not as rushed! Buddy was able to come to this appt. & was a good thing since we were anticipating an ultrasound, which he didn't want to miss. She did one pretty much at the beginning to just see how the baby was positioned. She is, in fact, head down & in position. She also checked her heartbeat & the fluid. It really was only a matter of a minute or so, and nothing like our last ultrasound. And, since she's so crammed in there now, it's hard to make out much of anything aside from the spine & heart! I am also progessing since I'm 1 cm & 50% effaced, so things are moving along! It's still hard to say when to expect her (early, on time, late). I am continuing to feel the minor contractions, but no pattern to them as far as frequency & they only last about 10 seconds. But, it's moving in the right direction. My bags are officially packed for the hospital, directions ready to go for whomever happens to be here when I need to go, and the baby's room is almost complete! We just have a little more laundry & searching for 'missing' baby items to put into place (like I don't remember which storage tub that crib aquarium is in or the other parts to the mobile).

Well, we finished up my maternity pics session tonight & I'll be posting a link to that in this blog entry probably tomorrow (Thurs.). They are awesome! Of course my feet are paying for it...especially that right foot feeling all numb & definitely looking like a cankle! :) Heartburn seems to now just happen in the late afternoon regardless of any certain foods I can pinpoint to blame.

Here's the link for my maternity pics: www.buddybartels.com/danelle-maternity

Next appt. is on Tuesday & I'll keep this updated then, or before if anything changes!

36+ weeks

We were finally able to get the belly pic uploaded so I could type my entry this week. I guess I don't really have to wait for the pic to be on here, but it just seems to make sense that way. Well, we are officially a little over three weeks away from the due date - wow!

My 36 week appt. was fine...I just left there feeling like I was left hanging since she was pretty quick w/ me & didn't even take the time to help me up from the table or wait for me to do it before she left, which is hard to do now days on my own! My Dr. must have had a busy morning already that put her behind since I normally don't wait more than 5-10 minutes if anything, but I didn't see her until almost an hour after my scheduled appt. In fact, after I got home, I realized she didn't even measure my belly this time! Oh well...she did listen to the baby's heartbeat & said it sounds great. I also asked her if she could tell how the baby was laying, and it's just about like I figured - her butt & back are normally sticking up in the top next to my ribs. She did say the baby isn't close enough down yet, but that normally happens over the next week or so & she will see how it is when I come back next week. If she can't tell where her head is, she will do an ultrasound in the office to see how she's positioned. She also did the strep B test that is always done at 36 weeks. I gained 2 more pounds, which was fine. I also found out that I have been saying it wrong lately when I've been asking how long I pushed w/ Kameron's pregnancy...it was actually right around 30 minutes, not 1.5 hours! I know I knew that but must have thought it was longer since most are for first time moms. Anyway, I also found out from my file that the cord was wrapped around Kameron's neck 4 times! Wow! I remember it was around there, but not that much, so I guess it's lucky we didn't have complications that could have cut off his air flow!

The swelling has progressed quite a bit over the past week. I am still seeing it moreso in my right foot, but now the left is starting to show a little bit, too. And, it's more obvious earlier in the day. The top of my right foot looks like a pin cushion & feels a little numb. And if I press down on it, it doesn't pop back up, which is kind of funny! My fingers have been swollen for a few weeks now (I haven't worn rings for a few weeks), but not bothersome. Heartburn continues to be a daily thing, but mainly in the evening & not really too bad. My biggest thing over the past week is the shooting pain I've established that starts at my left hip & shoots down my butt & leg. It's not very fun & sometimes is pretty painful to walk/get up from sitting, and of course sleeping. All in all though, still doable! :)

Kameron has been really getting excited & asking about when his baby sister will be here (he keeps asking if she'll be here before Santa comes). He's actually had a much better run this past week or so...we've been having some 'terrible threes' issues with him the few weeks prior to that, but his sticker incentive chart, new bedroom furniture & being able to 'earn' his way into see Disney on Ice has really helped him. He enjoys the sticker chart & after seeing the Disney on Ice commercial a couple weeks ago, he was set in getting there. We went on Thurs. night & he loved it. He just was trying to do what little boys his age do I guess - see how far they can push & get away with it. But, timeout has always been a weakness for him, so that has continued to work, and luckily not needed as much over the past week and a half.
His latest excitement is that he decided he wants to be Larry Boy from Veggie Tales for Halloween. So, we ordered a hat/head, but no one makes a costume! They have Larry the Cucumber, but when he turns into Larry Boy, the outfit is quite different, and no costume exists for that. So, Buddy took on his sewing skills & has completed the costume, and it's great! I'll be sure to post pics at some point or by Halloween. Baby sister will likely be a cat since Kameron picked it out for her. They were originally going to be Scarecrow & Dorothy, but then Kameron decided he was set on Larry Boy. I guess I could do a Tomato for her to go w/ the Veggie Tales theme...we'll see.

I had my last PC party yesterday until after the move, so now it's time to focus on relaxing before the baby comes, and spending some quality time w/ Kameron & Buddy. I also plan to get what I can done as far as going through things in the house in preparation for the move, but luckily we'll have movers that Buddy's job pays for to come pack us up. Still, I need to go through things to sort & sell on ebay, which I have already started.

I have had quite a few people ask about where I will deliver & visiting, so I wanted to post something here in case I don't get an email out to everyone...I will be at Baptist Hospital in Nashville. I actually enjoyed visitors at the hospital when I had Kameron, so that is welcome on my end! The hospital parking garage for maternity is located at the intersection of Church St. & 21st Ave. (from Clarksville you take I-24 to I-65 to I-40, staying to the right each change & then take exit 209A - Church St. - from 40; turn right onto Church & then right onto 21st & park in that garage to your immediate left). Maternity is on the 3rd floor. Since we don't really know when she will make her appearance obviously, I will try to have Buddy type in a message on the website at some point or send a mass email after her arrival, but not sure that we'll have an opportunity to do that. So, I guess just keep checking here, &/or call the hospital as it gets closer...could really be any day now!

I go back on Tuesday for my 37 week appt. & we'll see how she is doing & if we can tell how close it is! Oh, and check back soon for a link to view my maternity pics! We have done most of them but aim to do a few different ones still & then I'll have them posted. Of course you saw one of them on the main page, too...isn't that such a cute shot? :)

Almost 35 weeks

Well, last week's entry timeframe is gone since it kind of slipped away from me! Oh well. The 34 week pic is proving to show that I'm continuing to grow. I went in for my 34 week appt. last week & am measuring right on schedule at 34 cm. I did gain 4 pounds from 2 weeks prior, but she said that was fine & normal to have more in the end (and a lot better than in the beginning). I think I'm up to about 25 total, which is good.

I was concerned about the swelling I'm getting in my right foot so she checked it out since that can sometimes mean a blood clot, especially when it's only on one side, but she didn't find anything & I'm not having any pain. She felt better about it knowing that it happens late afternoon ususally but then is gone by morning until the late afternoon again. But, I am watching it just in case. It's an everyday thing.

Other than that, I am getting more & more heartburn episodes, so I should probably see if I can pinpoint certain foods that set it off since it is bad at times. For the most part though, Rolaids does the trick.

In other news, we have put an offer in on a new house in the Champaign, IL area. We are pretty excited, but trying not to get our hopes up since it all depends on the sale of our current house, and if no one else puts an offer in for the new house before then. Since we had our current house built, we discussed looking into that option again, but we really like this other house that was just built (and that's amazing in itself), plus don't want to live in something temporary if we don't have to, especially with kids! So, we'll see - at least it's a back up plan in place.

I go back to the Dr. next Tues. for my 36 week appt. & then will go back weekly. It's getting close!

32 weeks

My Dr. was back for this appt. and it seems that the nurse that did my measurement two weeks ago was a little off since my Dr. measured me at 32 cm this week, which makes more sense. I was starting to get worried about growing more than the 2 cm for the week timeframes, but now it looks like I'm back to being right on schedule. I've gained two pounds from the last visit, which she said was really good, so looks like everything is going great.

The baby continues to be active, and sometimes a bit painful for me up in my ribs! Nights are starting to be more difficult still with leg/side pains & cramps, getting up a few times, etc. Still tolerable though, so no complaints really!

Kameron has his latest experience with a baby over the weekend when we stayed in IL with our soon-to-be "neighbors" & best friends for IL with their 4 month old. It proved to be a great experience & he's looking forward to his own little sister to come. He was so cute playing with her, holding her & just trying to help do what he could for her!

We have official set up the crib & nursery decor for the most part! Kameron was pretty excited to "help" Daddy set up the crib & get things ready. Of course as most of you know by now, we won't be here long after she arrives, but since we will be here, we had to get the room as ready as we can - just no painting now!

And that's really our latest & biggest news...our upcoming move to Champaign, IL at the end of Oct. We are very excited for everything this move will bring to us as a family, but of course sad to say goodbye to people & what we have here in Clarksville. So, we've got our house on the market & just hoping it will sell by then! We have been looking at houses & plans for houses in the Champaign area & trying to figure out what will work & what we want to do. We may be making another trip there before I can't travel that far anymore due to ending of the pregnancy just to get things done if need be. There are some wonderful options, it's just figuring out what will work best with time & money.

I plan to continue selling Pampered Chef after we move but will take a bit of a break between relocating & the new baby. I hope to start back in Nov., just not near as many as I do now. In the meantime, I'm filling my dates between now & mid Sept. & then also offering incentives for anyone that does a catalog/online party to help me get through Oct. & part of Nov. when I won't be doing any parties. So, let me know if any of you are interested! :) I already have a few people lined up to do a party in the Champaign area & I'm looking forward to meeting others & starting an additional team there as well.

Buddy will continue his wonderful photography business there, but it all depends on what we do for housing as to when he'll start it. Plus, he's been really into commercial & different types of photography lately that he plans to focus on once we move, too.

My next appt. is in two weeks so I'll update from that one then.

30+ weeks

I went for my 30 week appt. this week & all is good as of now. My belly is measuring in at 32 cm, which is still fine, but it's best if it doesn't get 2 cm bigger/smaller than my week are along. If it does, they'll just need to be sure she isn't growing faster to where it would be a concern for my travel, etc. in case she were to look like she would arrive earlier. But for now, it's all good. Her heartrate was good...after she finally got it since she moved a bit. They also confirmed that my gestational diabetes & HIV screening both came back negative.

She seems to be very active & has some days that I can't tell if she's been able to sleep much since she's so active. I love every minute of it, though. Of course it's more obvious when I'm sitting down or laying down at night. I have noticed a slight big of swelling starting in my right foot, but this is about the time it starts! Heartburn is making an appearance again a couple of times a week.

Not much else really to report. We are just enjoying this process & seeing how Kameron is getting excited for his baby sister's arrival, too!