Bella, Piper, and Tater: Do you they really understand?

Now we all know I am a HUGE animal lover and would do anything for my pets.  My pets even know this so I do believe I am their favorite parent.  Spencer tends to scare them a little bit. 

It seems that since I became pregnant they are very protective of me.  Tater sleeps by my head every night and follows me around during the day like a little puppy (he's a cat).  He is sitting by me as I type right now.  Since summer began I will wake up and let Bella out if she hasn't already gone out, but she only stays our a little while then she is back at the back door barking and pawing on the door wanting to come back in.  This has never happened before.  She usually just stayed outside and cooled of on or under the porch.  But now it seems she constantly wants to be with me.  Piper lets Tater and Bella take care of me during the day, but at night when she finally decides to come in she curls up on my belly and goes to sleep.  She's purring and LBR is kicking her.  There has been one occasion where LBR kicked so hard she got up because it scared her, but she was right back on my belly several minutes later. 

I do believe my animals know something is going on, but I am not sure they understand how their life is about to change.  We are also praying they adapt to the new baby and leave him/her alone.  My parents had a cat when I was born and there was never an issue, so I really hope ours do not give us one.  Maybe they will be just as protective of LBR as they are of me.  

On occasion the kitties will go missing and I will go around the house looking for them.  Somehow they have managed to sneak into the baby's room and they are napping.  They aren't in the crib or anything, but napping on the rug on the floor.  Piper really likes the baby's room.  I find her there often, but I also think she is hiding from Tater. 

Side note: If you read my blog on a regular basis, but do not follow publicly, please do.  I am very curious to see how many people are actually reading my blog.  It might encourage me to update more, if I know people are actually reading it.  Thanks in advance!

~Lindsay

38 Weeks

We went back to the doctor on Wednesday and everything is going great.  I haven't changed any, so I guess  we are just playing the waiting game.  I am getting extremely nervous about what we are going to do with this little one once we get home.  My mind completely skips over the fear of the hospital and labor and goes straight to being the responsible adult that is responsible for the well being of this little one.  I have heard everything just sort of naturally kicks in, so I am really hoping that is what happens.  But, I am still extremely nervous. 

I also think it is going to be crazy to finally know what our LBR is.  It seems like we have just called LBR a baby this entire time, it is going to be very strange to give him/her a name.  However, it is nonetheless very exciting. 

I have been enjoying my weeks off from work, by doing things around the house (occasionally), visiting with my sister, hanging out at a friend's pool, and floating in my own little pool (will have to post picture later). 

I feel we are pretty prepared for the arrival of LBR.  I can't think of anything we need to go out and purchase right now.  The other things we might need can wait until after he/she gets here. 

Here's hoping LBR arrives before July11th!

3 Weeks and 3 Days To Go! (or there about)

We went back to the doctor yesterday and nothing had changed.  I was hoping it had, but nothing.  That of course does not mean anything.  I could still go into labor on my own at any time.  However, the doctor did say if I started having contractions and they were five minutes apart to call.  This time they would not stop them.  So I found that encouraging, yet scary all at once.  So I set up my next weekly appointment for next Wednesday.  Maybe something will have changed by then.  We haven't even begun to discuss the possibility of induction (which I don't want).  I guess that will come in the next couple of weeks.  Spencer and I both would like for the baby to come on his/her own, when he/she is good and ready.  We are both hoping it is sooner than later too!  We are ready to meet our little one :)

School is officially out for me, so I have been spending my days resting and preparing for LBR's arrival.  Some days I feel as if I get a lot accomplished other days are rather lazy.  I guess I should enjoy these while they last, because pretty soon I am going to be rather busy. 

Labor and Delivery

On Wednesday I had my first weekly doctor's appointment.  They did the exam and I am 60% effaced and 1 cm dilated.  Of course, this does not mean the baby is about to make its arrival.  It just means I am progressing as I should.

I have been having contractions for the past couple of weeks, but nothing that was very concerning.  I might have a couple a day, but they weren't hurting, just slightly uncomfortable.  However, after my exam on Wednesday I was on the way home and I began to notice that I was having more and more contractions.  I had at least 4 in the 15-20 minute drive home from the hospital.  It was five o'clock and I knew the office was closed, but I figured I should call the doctor just to make sure.  She had mentioned earlier that day, that if I had 3-5 contractions in an hour to call.  This pregnancy thing is new to me, so then I began to doubt myself if I was even having contractions at all.  So, just to be on the safe side, I call and leave a message and the on call doctor in my practice calls me back right away.  I explain the situation and without any hesitation she tells me to come on in to Labor and Delivery. 

I am not prepared for this.  I do not have my bag packed.  We just left the hospital.  Will this be the day we meet our little one? So many things are running through my mind. 

So we load up in the car and head off to Labor and Delivery.  Once we arrive they put my in a room, hook me up to the monitors to monitor the baby and my contractions. 

The nurse comes back in 30 minutes and tells me she's been watching me and I have had six contractions in the past 30 minutes.  The doctor has ordered her to give me a shot to slow them down and eventually stop them.  However, the shot will make your heart race and feel sort of loopy.  She continues to monitor me for another 30 minutes to make sure the shot works, then comes back because the doctor wants a urine analysis.  This takes another 45 minutes to come back. 

Finally after four episodes of Reba the nurse comes in with my discharge papers.  Yay!  We are free to go home. 

The nurse did tell us that sometimes after being examined your cervix can become irritated and cause you to have contractions.  I did not know this, but I am thankful Baby Roden didn't come Wednesday night.  I know he/she will make his/her arrival when the time is right.  We have had a practice course in going to Labor and Delivery though.  I think we will be well prepared.

To Say or Not to Say Part II

I had previously mentioned that my last post would be continued.  These are a few more comments I have heard during my pregnancy. 

As you all know Spencer and I chose not to find out the sex of the baby, but there is this lady at work that flat out accused me of knowing the sex of our baby and just telling anyone.  Now, this makes no sense to me whatsoever.  Why would I keep a secret like that?  But, I also had to remind myself she is an older woman with no children of her own, and I think she is just downright unhappy.  This is also the lady that told me I looked like I was walking with a dirty diaper on (meaning I was waddling).  How would she know what a grown person looked like wearing a diaper?  I know I sure wouldn't, much less a dirty diaper. This has been the only person to tell me my entire pregnancy that I looked like I was waddling.  Now, if someone were to tell me that now, I would agree.  I do feel like I am waddling a little more and walking a little more slowly, but of course that is expected since I am only four weeks away from my due date. 

More comments from the peanut gallery:

"Bless your heart.  It is too hot to be pregnant."

"That baby isn't going to come early.  You will probably go over your due date.  I did."  (This one just makes me mad, because guess what?  I am not you!!!)

"How much weight have you gained?" (Is that really any of your business?)

Just a little more venting for the day.  I know all you out there who are pregnant or have been pregnant have comments of your own.  Feel free to share.  I never imagined how many people would not think before speaking to a pregnant woman. 

To Say? or Not to Say?

I have been thinking about this post for several weeks now and decided that I should just go ahead and post it because I may not remember these things in the future. 

While going through this pregnancy I quickly learned many people like to say things to you whether you want to hear them or not.  Now, for the most part people have been very kind and said nice things, but yes, there are people out there that like to say what is on their mind and not think twice about it. I would like to share a few examples.  Oh...and people are very quick to give their opinions whether you want them or not.

"You look like you exploded!"  Thanks I really appreciate this comment.  If I weren't pregnant would you tell me I was fat?

"Are you sure you aren't having twins?" Well, according to the ultra sound technician there is only one in there, but you are welcome to think there are two.

"How's Big Momma doing?" Well, I guess Big Momma is fine she's blown up and on our boat at the lake (Big Momma is our floatation device that we pull behind our boat.) If you are referring to me, why are you calling me Big Mamma? 

When asked how I am feeling and I say great or fine they LOVE to tell me, "Oh!  You just wait!  It gets worse!"  Then why ask me if you aren't going to say anything nice????

At the beginning of our pregnancy people suggested we come up with something to call the baby since we weren't going to find out the sex of the baby and we didn't want to refer to the baby as "it".  So I came up with LBR which as we all know are my initials, but it also stands for Little Baby Roden.  So for the past 30 weeks or so we have been calling  the baby LBR.  Now, that we are getting close to D-Day, and Spencer and I have names picked out for a boy or girl people like to ask what the baby's name will be.  Well, people also like to tell me it doesn't matter what you name the baby it will be LBR because that is what he/she has been called.  Ummmmm that is a big NOOOOOOOOO! This comment just does not sit well with a hormonal pregnant woman.  Why tell me to come up with LBR and then ask for the baby's possible name and then tell me you aren't going to call the baby by their name,  it's name must fit the initials of LBR? Hmmm?  Who's carrying this child?  That's right you have had your own children, let me have mine!

to be continued....

LBR's Baby Brunch

On Saturday my family and friends hosted a Baby Shower Brunch for LBR and myself.  April, Elizabeth, Laura, and Lauren did an AWESOME job!  It was absolutely perfect.  I know they spent a lot of time planning the perfect event.  I am so thankful to have such wonderful family and friends.  It was held at April's mother-in-laws loft downtown.  Such a fun place for a party.  We had a great turn out and LBR received some much needed baby supplies.  We are so blessed to have so many people in our lives to share in this exciting event.  We are also very thankful! 

April, Lauren, Mom-to-be, Laura, Elizabeth

The adorable diaper cake!  I think this giraffe on top is one of the cutest stuffed animals I have ever seen! 

The most delicious carrot cake ever!  I do believe this beats my favorite carrot cake from Full Moon!  (Way to go Lauren!)

  My teacher friends from school!  Amanda, me, Jenny, and Cara

Meghan, Me, Lauren, and Emma

Me, Aunt Katie, and Mom (we need a grandmother name, but she has yet to decide on one!)

MiMi (Spencer's Mom) and Me!

Aunt Katie, Mom, Me, and Joycie!  Four generations!

The guests had to guess whether we are having a boy or a girl!  Apparently, not everyone voted, but Girl won 12 to 15!

Me, Spencer, and GiGi!

I do believe we are much closer now to being prepared for LBR's arrival.  Thank you to everyone who came and participated in this joyous occasion!  We are so blessed!