59 more days!

There will be only 5 more times (at the most) that I will celebrate the first digit changing in the countdown toward Nadia's EDD! I love being able to refer to her by name. It seems soooo much more personal. I've never had a Nadia as a student the past 16 years I've been in education, and considering that lately I've had 250-400 students a year, I think that shows it's not a super common name. However it turns out I have known ONE other Nadia besides the gymnast. There is a woman in the church (whom I knew but didn't know her first name) named Nadia. The Pastor said he thinks she'll adopt our Nadia as a granddaughter. :-)

Three hours is a long time to teach at this stage of the pregnancy. I will definitely do things differently on Wednesday night as by about 7:30pm I could feel the color draining from my face as well as my legs, ankles, hands, etc. all swelling up. Even my knees got huge (temporarily). I sat down and that helped a little, but I couldn't wait for class to be over although I really enjoy teaching this particular class and the students seem really nice. I had brought one bottle of water but had finished that off maybe 1/2 way through the class. On Wednesday I plan to bring 2 bottles of water, something to eat (I think that was part of the problem), and also will sit more during the class period to try to avoid all the swelling. Usually it's only my fingers that are swollen; I can still wear my wedding band, but that's it, and that's only because it's a 6 and my fingers are usually a 4 1/2. However my ankles, feet, legs, etc are usually not swollen (yet anyhow!). My shoes actually felt painful by the end of class. Thankfully it all went away once I got home and propped my legs up. I hope I make it to the last class - June 25. I think it will be more difficult than I imagined it would be. If I don't teach in the summer then I go 12 weeks w/o pay, so I really wanted to teach at least 1 class. Last summer I taught 3 classes. Thankfully I will get paid for 2 classes this summer as I'm getting a grant stipend as well. Today I get to stay home aside from a mtg at 2pm at the public library for a committee I am on. I finished one accreditation report yesterday morning and plan to finish the second today.

Back to Work

Well I have to say I really did treat last week as a vacation. I did very little school work. Tonight is the first session of an assessment class I am teaching for 6 weeks. Class will be held from 5-8pm on M/W, and we get Memorial Day off so really it's only 11 class periods altogether. The only other time I taught this class was last summer. My dept chair usually teaches this class in the fall/spring semesters. As of this morning there are 26 students enrolled in the class - 17 undergraduates and 9 graduate students. Looking at the class roster, I have had at least 11 of the students before in at least one other class (which is good as it means fewer new names to learn as that's not my forte). In addition to my class resuming, I also need to get back to work on other projects on my to do list. I think the one I will start tackling today will be 2 accreditation reports (I am a reviewer of other universities) that are due by 6-1.

Last night I finished the thank you notes. I am used to typing and not used to handwriting that my hand kept cramping up so I was only doing a few at a time, LOL. Speaking of aches and pains, sleeping has been rather difficult since the beginning of the 3rd trimester. In the beginning of the 2nd tri I started getting hip pains when I laid on either side. Then I got the total body pregnancy pillow and was able to sleep comfortably for the rest of the 2nd tri. Well sadly the "nest" doesn't do the trick any more. It still helps a little, but my hips really, really hurt part way through the night. Thankfully I can usually sleep at least 6 hours before the pain keeps me awake. I learned the hard way that if I take a nap during the day then that means fewer hours I can sleep before the hip pain keeps me awake. So I am avoiding naps. Yesterday when I felt like I was going to nod off, Paul and I went for a walk instead (that woke me up!). We walked much farther I am happy to say! Of course I am thrilled to pieces to be pregnant, but I am ready to give birth and be done being pg (but in reality I want her to stay inside til July). Although I know she's going to keep me up a lot at night (especially at first), I think at least when I lie down after having her I won't be greeted by intense hip pain. The Pepcid is doing a pretty good job with the heartburn lately as long as I take it every 12 hours w/o fail. I will definitely be popping fewer pills once she's born as right now every day I'm taking 1 prenatal vitamin (that will continue), 2 softeners, 3 iron pills, and 2 Pepcids. Of course popping pills is far easier than having 3 shots a day in the butt like I did at the beginning of the pgcy! :-)

Two Months!

Well I am very conscious every time we hit the 18th of the month since Nadia's EDD is 7-18. That date is exactly TWO months from today which means starting tomorrow it's less than 2 months away! WOOHOO! And if any of my efforts to bring on labor early are successful, then maybe she'll be in our arms in about 6 weeks!!!

Last night I was working on thank you notes. It reminded me of 7 years ago when I was doing them after bridal showers and after our wedding. I guess those are the two times in your life when you receive the most gifts and write the most thank you notes. :-) There were 7 people who gave an individual gift yesterday, and I did those first. I wasn't sure how to handle the rest at first as 42 individuals or couples had signed the card. Linda Sue, the choir director's wife, had taken contributions from those 42 people and purchased all the other gifts. So most of the gifts weren't labeled as being from a particular person. Last year there was a baby shower for another member of the choir, and Linda Sue did all the shopping that time as well. That woman just wrote one thank you note which was read to everyone and then posted on a bulletin board in the choir room. I thought about doing it that way as well, but then decided to write individual thank you notes to everyone who signed the card. Two who gave individual gifts also had signed the card, so I have 47 thank you notes to write. I am so, so grateful for their generosity! We certainly received some necessary items like a crib mattress and high chair. I was thinking about the 2nd boppy, and it hit me that presuming I do find them useful, it would be nice to have one in my office since I plan to nurse her there as well. So I don't plan to return one of them unless I end up being like Lynn and don't find them that helpful.

BABY SHOWER!!!

Today the senior choir (in which I sing alto) and the handbell choir (which I am also a member of) had a breakfast together. This is an annual tradition for the senior choir, and in light of the fact they were also turning it into a baby shower for me, they also invited the handbell choir this year. I was afraid I'd bawl my eyes out. I am happy to say that although I did get choked up and shed a few tears while I was thanking everyone for the gifts and also for their prayers (some have been praying for 4 years) - I never totally "lost it." I can think of the baby showers I have avoided as well as the ones I've attended where I felt like crying as I sat there wondering - will I ever be a mom? I can't believe it was MY turn today for a baby shower. Sometimes I still can't truly believe I am actually having a baby girl. I really had given up hope. Anyhow when we walked in there were three long rows of tables. I am not sure how many people were there, but I'd say at least 60. On each table there were balloons (two purple, one pink, and three mylar). The weights to hold the balloons down were gifts - a little toy (a peacock), a roll of wallpaper border for the nursery, etc. At each person's place setting was a Baby Ruth candy bar with a butterfly attached. How appropriate! :-) My mom used to send me with small Baby Ruth candy bars to give to my classmates on my bday when I was in elementary school so that brought back memories to see those candy bars.

After we ate and honored Bob & Carol (the directors) and gave them gifts as well as our accompaniests and had a short devotional and time of prayer, then Paul and I were showered with gifts. Usually hubbies don't get to participate, but spouses are always invited to this event. So Paul sat beside me and together we opened LOTS of presents!!! She got so much stuff such as a high chair, rocker, mobile, crib sheets, clothing, etc. We are so, so very thankful for the generosity shown to us!!! Carol (handbell director) made her a quilt and Cindy (sings alto and also is a substitute in the handbells) made her a bib. It's so pretty; it will be hard to use it and let it get dirty! The only item which was a duplicate of something I have already received is I got another nursing pillow (very similar to a boppy). So I need some expert opinion from you moms out there. Should I exchange this pillow for something else (this one came from Walmart) or would it be helpful to own two of these??? Inside the card which everyone signed and wrote little messages in (definite keeper!) there was also some cash and a gift card from Walmart. Wow! A few of the clothing items I got today were newborn size. I didn't own anything that size yet so now I have something that she can wear right away!!!

I have to say I wish right now I knew for sure that we were not going to move prior to her birth as I feel the urge to start setting up her nursery today! I'd love to put up the new valance in the window, set up the crib and put the dust ruffle, sheet, and mobile on it, etc. I will restrain myself and wait 2 more weeks though. If I set up a nursery in this house it will be in a purple bedroom. If we are able to buy the house we really like, her bedroom walls are pink. Either way it will go with the Gossamer Wings items.

Anyhow I am grateful to the Lord for this miracle of life that He has created within me that we could celebrate today, and I am also very grateful to the people at my church - for their prayers for months (and in some cases years) and also for all the lovely presents which they gave us today. They made today a very special day for Paul & I!!!

She has a name!

Our little girl's name is Nadia Renee! Paul came up with Nadia, and Renee is my middle name. I think the name is pretty, and I like that it is unique yet not difficult to spell. Surprisingly it was #198 on the Social Security list for girl names in 2007. I say surprising as aside from the famous gymnast, I have never known of another Nadia so I didn't expect it to be that "high" on the list. I love the meaning of her name. Nadia means "hope" and Renee means "reborn," and this little girl definitely represents hope reborn. I had given up hope awhile ago of ever giving birth to a baby, and about this time last year my hope of ever becoming a mom through adoption was almost gone as well. I can't wait to hold Nadia in my arms! I ordered these letters for the wall in her bedroom today. The pattern will be blue butterfly, yellow butterfly, yellow flower, pink butterfly, and yellow butterfly. I think it will go well with the other butterfly things I registered for (mostly from the Gossamer Wings collection). She already has a butterfly lamp in her room! If we ever have or adopt another baby, the name selection process will be MUCH easier as we already have a boy's name picked out (Ian Alexander), and we have agreed on what the first name will be if we have another girl (keeping that a surprise). So all we'd have to do is come up with another middle name! Big sigh of relief! :-)

31 Weeks!

Today I had an appt with my regular OB. I believe he's the only one I'll see for the next 2 months as I am done seeing the high-risk OB and the hematologist. The medical student found her h/b immediately. Her heartrate has always been in the high 140's (147 on Tuesday for example), and my uterus is also still measuring exactly as it should for how far along I am. My b/p was still good, and I had lost 1/2 lb since Tuesday. I don't think I changed my eating habits at all; I attribute the slight weight loss to my increase of physical activity. The doctor said I should come back in 2 weeks, but 2 weeks from today I'll be speaking at a conference in State College. They didn't have any appts for the next Monday or Tuesday so my next appt will be June 4 (19 days from now) at which point I'll be 33w5d. I don't mind that the appts will be a little farther apart as they don't really seem to be that big of a deal. I know that shortly after that appt they'll start having me come in once a week.

The dinner last night was really nice. I took most of my appetizer home (quesedillas) as well as half of my dessert. Normally I only order an entree. We never order appetizers, and I very rarely order a dessert or a drink (Paul always has a soda). The dessert was the best part. I highly recommend their "Apple Sizzler." YUMMMY!

The b/f class last night reaffirmed my desire to try to go without an epidural. I also plan to ask for them to let her nurse asap after birth - before they bathe her, etc. Oh and the class was free after all - the insurance will pay. :-) The most interesting thing I learned though had to do with having the baby self-attach. I was impressed by the video clips showing newborn babies crawling to the correct spot and latching on all by themselves! I don't associate crawling with a baby less than 1 hour old, but in fact they can get to where they need to go to be able to eat. I plan to try it although the nurse warned that it can be like watching paint dry. So if I get impatient, I'll help her get in the right position. :-) I have looked forward to nursing a baby for years - that day isn't far away now!!!

Last Class

Yesterday I took another short walk, and then when we got back I trimmed 3 bushes/trees for 30 minutes (I saved the top part which requires standing on a ladder for Paul). So I got even more exercise than I did on Tuesday. :-) Earlier in the day my friend Cheri stopped by for a short visit, and she gave me a box of (used) girl clothing. Most of the outfits are size 24 months (summer clothing). Someone she knew was giving away a lot of baby clothes, and Cheri passed some on to me and some on to her niece (who is also pg). So our daughter owns a lot more clothing now than she did a day ago, but of course these won't fit her for about 2 years. :-)

Today I am going to have lunch with a friend from where we used to live. She'll be at my university for a conference today. I am really looking forward to seeing her. We worked together for 7 years, and I miss her! Tonight Paul and I are going to dinner at Bennigan's as we have gift cards for that restaurant and they're having a special where you get an appetizer, entree, and dessert for $10.99. I'll have a salad as my entree. :-)

Today will end with a class on nursing for me from 7-9pm at the hospital. When we got the brochure of all the childbirth classes, we signed up for three, and we've already done the other two (tour of L&D and infant/child CPR). The other two were free, and this one only costs $10. Hopefully it will be helpful!

Exercise!

Well yesterday I went on a walk for the first time since I think October. Of course I am way out of shape compared to last summer when I could jog our 3.4 mile route in about 50 minutes. I get out of breath rather easily these days! Paul and I used to do our route together, but he's been doing it alone lately and had told me several times that he missed doing it together. Yesterday we did the first part together and then I turned around and he kept going. I think after that experience he probably won't tell me that he misses me any more since I walked soooooo slowly, LOL! Hopefully I can gradually increase the pace and the duration. It felt great to be outside on such a pretty day (in the 70's yesterday)!

This morning I have a meeting at a restaurant in Lewisburg that serves a very nice breakfast buffet. I am carpooling with another prof. The funny thing is the last time I was at this restaurant was last May for the annual choir breakfast, and the choir is having breakfast there again this Saturday. So I haven't been there in a year but will be there twice this week. :-) This year the handbell choir is also coming. Spouses are always invited so Paul will be with me on Saturday. I have to say I have really been enjoying a relaxing pace this week. I've watched one movie with Paul each day, read a novel, etc. I haven't done any schoolwork (except for a few work emails) since Saturday!

Sixth ultrasound

Our little girl now weighs 3 lbs 11 oz, which is in the 50th percentile for 30w. Everything looked good - even the placenta! It is no longer on or even near the cervix. PTL the placenta previa has been resolved. :-) The only measurement that was toward one of the upper/lower limits of normal was the amount of amniotic fluid (on the high side). I knew that too little fluid could be a problem; I didn't know there was such a thing as too much fluid. What was different with this u/s compared to the last 5 was that part of the time it was a 4D one. Her head was tilted back so that made the top of her head cut off from our view. It looks like she's smiling in this photo! Her hand was right in front of her face. Doesn't she have such cute little chubby cheeks? :-) I am glad that at this point there is no longer a reason why I should have to have a c-section. So in early July I plan to start doing activities that might bring on labor; so if she cooperates, maybe in 8 weeks she'll be in our arms!

I wasn't happy with my weight gain though as I gained 5 lbs in the last 2 weeks. UGH!!! However since I hadn't gained weight the previous 2 weeks before that it means I gained 6 lbs in 5 weeks. Altogether I've gained 22 lbs in the last 17 weeks. I was hoping not to gain any more than 30 lbs, and I think that's still possible if I can stay close to 1 lb a week weight gain. Well the most important thing is that she's doing well!!! My diastolic b/p was lower than usual. Normally that # is between 60-70; today it was only 50. They didn't say anything so I guess it's okay to be that low? My systolic was 100 which is very normal for me (100-110 is my norm). Well now that the placenta previa restrictions have been lifted, I can start doing some exercise again. That should help me keep my weight in check. I am sure I cannot do what used to be my usual 3.4 mile route (especially since there is a VERY steep hill involved), but I think I can do a little walking outside in this gorgeous weather (70's today after a very chilly day yesterday). :-)

Today Paul's parents are celebrating their 41st wedding anniversary! Happy Anniversary, Mom & Dad! Last year Millie threw a big party for them for their anniversary. With the divorce rate being so high these days, I think it's pretty special that both of our parents are still married (mine will celebrate their 39th anniversary in 4 months).

Finally, for any classical music lovers out there, my sister will be performing in a baroque chamber music concert which will be broadcast live on wfmt from 1:15-2:00 EST tomorrow. The wonders of technology that I can listen live to my sister's concert being held in Chicago! ;-)

Names

The photos are from the faculty luncheon at Perkins last Saturday.

The SS releases the list of the popularity of baby names on Mother's Day weekend every year, so the 2007 list was recently released. Sophia was still very popular (#6) although not as popular as Emily which has been the #1 name for 12 years straight (similar to Jacob which has been #1 for 9 years straight). Interestingly, "Nevaeh" was #31 for girls last year and is "heaven" spelled backwards. "Elvis" moved from 761 to 676. Renee was #709, and the two first names we are trying to decide between were in the late 100's and late 700's, which is fine by me. The surprising thing to me is I've never known someone who has the name in the late 100's whereas I know several who have the name in the late 700's. My sister is making something with her name on it, and so Paul has agreed that we can finalize her name in the next week. So stay tuned! :-)