2 days past due.

Today is my second day past due. I was feeling really bummed earlier. I was kinda snippy with Andre and my mom too. I am just tired of being pregnant. I know I've said I'll miss it, but right now, I'm 10 months pregnant and I just want to be able to hold him.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and my mom and I are making a small meal. It's nothing like what we did last year though! It will still be good. We didn't want to do anything over the top just in case this little dude makes an appearance. I'll probably get a chance to taste tofu turkey ("Tofurkey") and I'm kinda excited about that.

My mom and I went to the gym today and walked for an hour. That translated to 2.5 miles for me. BOY was I tired. I am hoping I'm not too sore tomorrow. I remember being able to walk 3 miles everyday and not have it even phase me. I guess that's what happens when you gain ** pounds in 10 months. (HA! And you think I would reveal that number!!!)

Have a lovely Thanksgiving all! Maybe the next time I'm back I'll be watching my little guy sleeping in my arms. We can hope right?

1 day past due.

Today I am officially one day past my due date. Am I bummed? A little. I guess I am in such anticipation to see him and meet him. I've spent 10 months growing this little person and the highlight of my 10 months has come and gone. Yea, I know it's only one day, but you try walking around with the equivalent of a bowling ball or small pumpkin hanging off your abdomen!

I went to my appointment today and I am 1-2 centimeters dilated. I am also 75% effaced (thinned out for you non-obstetrical folks!). I guess I am grateful that it's thinning out...now it just needs to open to fit his widdle head through!

I am hoping that he decides to come on his own before Sunday night. If not, I will be induced...not something that I am looking forward to. The drug they give you (Pitocin) is brutal (so I've heard) because they cause contractions...though not all at once and not super strong in the beginning. I just want things to go how they're supposed to. If I am induced, this means I'll be having a Decemeber 1st baby. That's okay too...I just thought it would be cool for the 3 of us (me, Andre, and the baby) to have out birthdays one month after each other (Andre-September, Me-October, Dre Jr.-November).

My mom and I went to the mall today to get some walking in for me. I had a great coupon from Bath & Body Works and ended up getting these slippers for free! They are absolutely the SOFTEST and CUTEST things ever. They're from their "Lambie" collection. Please excuse my cankles!!

I'm due. Where are you?

Today is my due date. Where is my child?! Well, I know where he is, but sheesh! I am not feeling as tired as I was, but I am just tired of not being able to just get up out of my bed. My tummy is smack dab in the middle of my legs when I sit down. It's funny.

Because he is not here yet, I am trying this eggplant parmesan recipe that has been known to put women into labor. I don't know if it will have the same effect as from the restaurant it comes from, but it's worth a try right?! Then, for dessert, "labor cookies." They're really just ginger-ish cookies with cayenne pepper in them. I tasted the dough and it had a little kick in the end. I'll make sure to have lots of milk!

My mama is here and we have been having a great time just hanging out. We've been to Wal-Mart twice. What else is new?!

Anyone wanna make some bets on whether or not I will make my induction date?

I'll leave you with a YouTube video that had me crying, and I mean because I was laughing hysterically!! I couldn't actually embed the video so PLEASE click on the link. It's only 28 seconds!!!

http://www.youtube.com/swf/l.swf?swf=http%3A//s.ytimg.com/yt/swf/cps-vfl66122.swf&video_id=5nYoahyaPuA&rel=1&showsearch=1&eurl=http%3A//webmail.aol.com/39997/aol/en-us/Suite.aspx&iurl=http%3A//i2.ytimg.com/vi/5nYoahyaPuA/hqdefault.jpg&sk=u2M9aLP_FSfpnQoicLNoYJJCB6M38zbOC&use_get_video_info=1&load_modules=1&fs=1&hl=en

39 Week Appointment and I'm drivin with a car seat!

I had my 39 week appointment yesterday, and I am still only a fingertip dilated. Lovely. I was hoping there would be more progress, but no such luck! It's a bit frustrating, but I guess nature will take its course eventually. We do have a plan, though. If Little Mr. Dre is not here by Monday, I will have an appointment with another MW on Tuesday and then if nothing happens the rest of the week, they will induce me on the 30th. I am really hoping that I do not have to be induced. I've heard that the increased chance of a c-section occurs with inductions due to the baby going into fetal distress. Hopefully, everything will work out the way it should!

I have been having some contractions today, but nothing major. They are definitely low now and not higher like most of the others I have had. I can feel the tightening and the crampiness during them and sometimes I can feel them in my lower back as well. I am praying that I don't have back labor (which means the little guy is sunny side up!). But I guess if I am, it's only karma since I gave my mom back labor, lol.

I went to one of the county's fire stations today to get the car seat installed. Andre, bless his heart, tried to put it together. Too bad he used ALL 3 BELTS!! I knew something didn't look right. I know if we had pulled up to the hospital like this the nurses probably would have laughed at us hysterically. The guy wanted to take a picture of it.

I was riding back home with the car seat installed and it occurred to me that there will be a little person in their soon. I am still in shock and awe that I am going to be a mom. I have a feeling that I won't be able to stop staring at his little face. I also have a feeling that I'm going to be very protective and jealous (well, maybe jealous is not the word), but I know I'm not going to want to hand him over to anyone right away. I mean, as of Monday, I will have been carrying him for 10 months (yes, they lie to you...it is NOT 9 months!!). I will want to hold him and bond with him before anyone else. I also want to be able to breastfeed him within the first hour after delivery and I don't want to have to cover him up to do so for the first feeding. This is why I am hoping that friends and family that come in after he is born understand if I ask them to please wait until 45 minutes to an hour after he is born before coming in to see us. I really want that time for the 3 of us (me, Andre, and the baby) to bond before I have to pass him around. And please, if you're sick, do NOT come in the room, lol. I don't want him having to fight off any germs from jump street. That's what we have daycare for people!

Ok kid, one more week and mama's sending you an eviction notice!

Aaaah...39 weeks! This means (hopefully!) that my bambino will be here sometime next week. I am totally fine with him being in here this last week, but after next Monday, I'm sending him an eviction notice!! I have been feeling a little crampy today and the contractions are getting uncomfortable, but they're not bad. The worse is when he starts squirming through them. I don't think he likes them very much, but it feels like my skin is going to stretch beyond repair!! Hopefully he will hold out til Saturday when my mom gets here! I am so excited that I get to see her. I haven't seen her since August when she threw me the most amazing baby shower!

Ok, so I just saw the cutest thing EVER! I'm watching A Baby Story and the mom had a c-section. The baby came out and was crying. Then they laid him down and he sneezed...and then fell directly to sleep!! Awww!! Ok, now I want my kid! =[

Wow, Dr. Phil & 38 Week Appointment

Since a couple of week's ago, I have been watching Dr. Phil's, "Get Real Retreat." It comes on every Thursday. I just sat here and BAWLED because this guy was telling his traumatic story of being raped, not once, but TWICE, in his life by a man. I struggle to understand how people do these types of things to others. This man has lived his entire life since he was 9 years old. He described it as he, "died," that day. This makes me want to just hold my baby so close and never let him go. I don't want to be an overprotective, overbearing, helicopter parent (term used from college classes, lol...helicopter=hovering), but I want to protect him from the evil this world can bring!

In other news, I had my 38 week appointment today. It went very well. His heartbeat is just as strong as ever. I asked my MW how big she thought he might be. She said 7lbs! I was like oh no! I was only 6lbs, 4oz when I was born and Andre was only 6lbs, 9 oz. She said she could be overestimating a little since I am so petite. I am hoping this little guy stays under 8lbs! Thank goodness they don't gain a pound a week. Otherwise, I might be having a 9lb baby.

SPEAKING OF HUGE BABIES: On my birth board, there was a woman who gave birth to a 14lb baby! She (the mom) had Gestational Diabetes so sometimes moms with this can have larger than normal babies. The largest I'd ever heard was 12.5lbs from the leader of my book club, but to see this 14lb baby was insane! She looked so uncomfortable! I hope everything is going well with her.

Ok, off to find something to do!

More Prepping...and a TROLL!

Yesterday was a really busy day. I've been in this nesting phase for the past couple of weeks and yesterday was the crux of it all. Andre and I went to 2 Babies R Us' and BOY was that work.

Because I'm on maternity leave, I end of having a lot of time on my hand. So much that I calculated to the dollar and cent how much our Pack and Play was going to cost. (Andre thought this was hilarious as he counted out the money I gave him from the baby showers). It was originally $130-something (tax included) and with the gift cards and coupons, it went down to $62.13! Mama is a bargain shopper! (I think I get that from my mom!)

We also got the changing table pad and cover and a blanket for the co-sleeper and Pack and Play. We also took maternity photos at one of the Babies R Us stores. Andre wanted the ET finger and I wanted the heart. The picture was a free 8x10. We ended up going with the finger pose because I did not like the way that my pinky finger looked in the heart photo. *(Thanks mom and dad for taking me to the hospital in 7th grade when I fell on my finger. Yes, I think I broke it and unfortunately the ghetto splint of band-aids and a popsicle stick didn't do me too much justice. My finger is now at a permanent angle lol. It's ok, I forgive yall!)* Anyway, the lady made a montage of the our two favorite photos and we can order them should we ever want more.

While driving back from the stores I was having the worse false labor pains ever. They weren't as painful as they were uncomfortable. Apparently the baby didn't like them either. He was getting down in there. I know he was like, "Look lady, you need to stop overexerting yourself so I can stop being squeezed!"

We got back last night after our baby run and set up the changing table. We were given the changing table by a coworker. It was such a blessing. I fits in perfectly next to my dresser and I am so excited. Then Andre moved some of my furniture over so we could fit the co-sleeper next to my bed. We got it popped up, but were looking stuck on stupid trying to figure out why the side wouldn't let down. We were WAY too tired so he went home and I just laid in bed. It was so cute waking up with the bassinet next to my bed. 13 more days until I'm due. I can't wait to meet him!

In other news, my best friend from home is moving to NH. I was really bummed when she told me tonight. It's all because her troll of a roommate. Not getting into details, but suffice it to say that there are some really screwed up and selfish people in this world who need to get their priorities together. I am happy that she will be able to be a little more stress free and be able to continue doing the things she has wanted to since graduating. She was the only person I really hung out with when I would go home because, well, you know how the whole friends from high school thing goes. You lose touch and move on.

Anywho, I'm off to bed. Tomorrow I plan on cleaning out my car and baking 2 pot pies so my mom won't have to do so much cooking when she is here. Then, I get to put all the stuff in the changing table. How fun! It's getting so much more real guys!

Here are the 2 photos we took last night. They might be small, but you get the "picture!"

P.S. The wording on the photo is, "Every day a step closer to holding you."

37 week appointment

So, I had my 37 week appointment yesterday. Everything was great. Baby Dre was kicking around during and after my MW (midwife) listened to his heartbeat with the doppler. I think he got kinda ticked when she was trying to figure out if he is still head down and what body parts were where. He's so cute!

She checked to see if I was dilated at all. I have to say this was pretty incomfortable and I am so not looking forward to having them do this frequently during labor. My response after she was done? "Well. That was different." She thought this was hilarious. She said most of her patients say that it hurts or that it's horrible. She said she'd be laughing for the rest of the day about it. Glad I could bring some joy to someone's life!!

As far as dilation, I am still closed. At first I was disappointed, but now I'm okay with it. It doesn't matter if I'm dilated or not. I could go into labor any time now. I'm just hoping that this little guy takes his time. I NEED for my parents to be here, and if he can hold out til the 22nd when my mama gets here, that would be awesome! Plus, I am enjoying my time off without having to worry about the stressors of my job.

Not much else to report. If you're in for a good laugh, check out this video. I usually don't like to laugh at other people's expense but she posted it. I recommend fast forwarding to 2 minutes so that you can skip over her singing. This is one of the most hilarious things I have ever seen!!!

Yes We Can and Yes We Did!

I cannot even begin to explain the joy I felt last night watching Barack Obama win the presidential election by a landslide. I am still in so much awe.

I never thought I would see the day where someone who is part African American would or even could win the presidency. How awesome that those of us who desired to see a change can see the manifestations of our voting and our prayers.

Some question whether Barack will be able to deliver on all his promises of change. I think we must all be aware that he is just a man and that he has people he has to consult with. I just pray that God leads him to bring men and women into his cabinet who know what they're doing and are not out for personal gain.

I currently am apart of a birth club where moms who are expecting in November can chat. Last night there was a post on our new president. Most moms were excited to see that some sort of change was around the corner. Others, not so much. And I realized that this is okay. Everyone is entitled to their opinions and feelings, but some things that were said was enough to make me want to jump through my computer screen! For instance, one mother had the audacity to say that she did not want the money that she, "worked so hard for," to go to people that basically don't get off of their butts. Though I do not qualify for a lot of assistance because, according to the state of Ohio, I, "make too much," I do qualify for some assistance and, honestly, if I didn't, I would feel so much better. So since I do, I would like it to be known that I am a college educated (and graduated!) woman with a full time job. I have faced a lot of experience on my job that MANY of these, "hard workers," have never and will never experience. How dare you lump me in a category of unmotivated people? I was insulted.

Another mom had the nerve to suggest that Barack does not even represent America...in her words, "not even his name!" This REALLY pushed my butttons. So are you telling me now that a man born and bred in the United States has to have and "Anerican" name (whatever the heck that is...) to be deemed worthy of presidency? Shameful.

Comments like these make me realize that we have come a long way as Americans (we proved that last night!) but we have a long way to go. I mean, whenever a man has to stand behind a bulletproof glass to make his acceptance speech for fear of being assassinated, that is insane.

With all the hate and cruelty that spews from people's mouths, I am proud to say that I am an American and that my son will be born into a country that may not be the greatest, but that is interested in seeing a change. I can tell him, "You can be anything you want to be, yes, even the president of the United States." And he can look at President-elect Barack Obama and say, "Hey, he looks like me. Maybe I really can do this."

P.S. Hope you all enjoy the photo!

AMAZING!

So a lot of times, pregnant women (myself included), tend to complain about the aches and pains of pregnancy; about what it does to their bodies; about how they just can't wait to, "get this kid out." Don't get me wrong, it's all true, but I was thinking last week about how amazing of an experience it is to, "grow," a baby. I was thinking about how I'm gonna feel when he is no longer in my tummy and out in the world with everyone trying to get their hands on him. I am truly trying to treasure these last few weeks because, as my supervisor told me, this is the only time in his and my life that he will be all mine!

I am hoping I don't turn into one of those moms who goes crazy when someone touches their baby, though I will not allow sick folks to touch him! So, if you are feeling ill...STAY AWAY, lol! Oh yes, and if you are germy, I will be keeping a bottle of hand sanitizer in the diaper bag!

"Water sucks! It really, really sucks!" - Waterboy

Ya know, I never knew how TRUE those words could be especially after being pregnant. I mean, the recommended amount of water a pregnant woman is supposed to drink is supposed to be somewhere between 64 and 80 ounces. Holy water bottles, Batman! First of all, how is that humanly possible for someone who works full time and has any sort of life?? I guess my gripe is, what's the point if all it's gonna do is send me to the potty every half hour? I got as much as I could in (usually around 3 bottles of water) when I was working, but now that I'm on maternity leave, should I be shooting for more?? I mean, is it not bad enough that I get up 2-3 times a night just to go? Now I'm supposed to add in 10 more trips to the john on top of the 35 I already take? I swear, my toilet paper and handsoap are continuing to run low! (Guys have it so easy...well, as far as the TP thing goes. Hopefully you gentleman are all washing your hands, lol!)

Anyway, I wanted to start this whole thing because every member of my entire family is in another state. So, in order to make sure everyone keeps in touch and gets updated and all, I decided to do this. Hey, I thought it was a pretty good idea.

If anyone has not seen the progression of the belly on either MySpace or Facebook, here's a link to my Facebook album. You won't be able to make comments or anything, but you can still enjoy them nonetheless:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2204657&l=3477c&id=23307970

In other news, I had my 36 week appointment this week. From this week on I will be seeing my midwife weekly. (No, I am NOT giving birth at home with a tree hugging hippie! My midwife is a nurse midwife...she does everything an Ob/Gyn would do except C-Sections and circumcisions). This weeks appointment was a bit uneventful. The usual leave your sample, step on the scale, measure the belly, and listen to the baby's heartbeat (<-- ALWAYS the best part of my day!!). I will be seeing her next week and will get checked to see if there is any progress in the way of dilation/effacement. I sure hope so! I can't wait to see my little boy's face!

Countdown to due date: 23 days!

Happy November!

-Ebonee