Snow White, Snow Green?

Since my last post, the snow continued to fall and yesterday I sat in my chair watching the snow fall from early morning and late through the night. By six PM, the wind was whipping, the electricity was flickering, and my phone was uncooperative for sending or receiving phone calls. I tried to get a hold of my husband to tell  him to stay on the boat and not try to come home. This is an almost impossible task when 1. my phone doesn't dial out and 2. unknowingly to me the boat lost power. I received a few text messages from my boat wives about some of the information of the boat. Apparently, they closed base and were not letting anyone off. This was relieving to me because I knew he would not be able to drive home and would be safe. At about 8 PM my phone rang through finally and it was Dave. He told me he was down town by H&R Block, which is just a few blocks from the corner of base. I couldn't believe he tried to come home! He was clearly frustrated, telling me he left work an hour earlier and had been sitting in the exact same spot down town for half an hour. My friend who lives further down the road from me in a different town, she called to tell me that her husband had been trying to get home from down town Bremerton since 3 PM. She wanted to know if he could stay with us if he had enough luck to pull off the road and walk. Of course that was fine with me. I immediately called Dave back to tell him the road he was on had been blocked since 3 PM because further up there were cars that tried to cross the bridge and ended up getting stuck in the middle of the road. Dave said if they were inching along he would be fine but the traffic was not even moving. I started praying to get Dave home and ten minutes later, he called to tell me he was able to get out of the line of blocked in cars, pulled into an alley way and parked the truck. He was already walking on foot toward main gate. Just trying to be helpful,  I offered to pick him up at the gate.  Of course he said no way; he didn't want me driving even a short distance. He told me the car would not make  it and he didn't want me to walk on the ice.

Dave finally made it home and we went to bed. This morning we were up at 4:30 AM to get him out the door. He walked to the truck and called me when he made it to work at 6 AM. I had an appointment at 11 AM this morning that I knew I was not going too. I  called my nurse to cancel the non-stress test. My concern with this is the fact that I haven't  had an ultra sound for two weeks (by the time I see her next) because we forgot the last one! My nurse called me around 11 to let me know she received my message and informed me she went into a ditch last night and also was not going to work. In fact, half the hospital was shut down for the day. Depending on weather and if she will be working Friday, I may or may not have an appointment. Beaner is still moving all over so I feel fairly confident that the Bean is doing well.


After Dave left, I read in bed for a while then went back to sleep. When I woke up again, I took a step outside to see the windy damage. The once covered white lawns are now completely covered in pine green tree branches scattered across in every direction. My beautiful Christmasy atmosphere is there, but the nastiness of the storm looms still. Dave told me last night as we were lying in bed that if I were to go into labor now, he would have to deliver me on the floor because there would be NO WAY to get to any hospital. Although I like the pretty snow, I am hoping when it is time to get to the hospital that we are able to get out, and even more so, I am hoping the weather will cooperate when it is time to travel with little Bean. Only time will tell...

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!

Last night was freezing. That says a lot because I haven't been cold for months now! And I'm always cold! However, last night  seemed very cold to me, and we are not even seeing snow yet! So this morning when I woke up, I walked to the living room and smelled heat. Yes, heat has a smell. My wonderful husband turned the heaters on last night because he said this morning that he wanted me to be toasty warm while watching my football games today! So sweet! Unfortunately he had to go to work today, yes, on a Sunday. So here I am sitting in my chair and getting ready for my games to start! The warmth inside, cozy robe, and fuzzy pants make me feel like Christmas is here! I want to  set up a tree in the corner, even though I would have to take  it down before Christmas is even here, due to our move! But still! I might  just  do that! The only problem is that the tree is up three flights of stairs in the attic and I'm pretty sure everyone would frown upon bed rest me walking up there to get the tree. And, I don't know if I could talk my husband into getting the tree down only to have to put it back in a few weeks anyway!

Thursday was my last appointment I had for non-stress-tests. We were so distracted talking that we forgot to do the ultra sound! Oh well, I go back Tuesday, which is soon enough. The Bean has been doing his/her fair share of moving around so I'm not too worried. In fact, I haven't really been worried about anything. It seems things are going so well for us lately, God is really blessing us. My biggest complaint is that I can't go shopping! :( However, I am determined to see if the mall has wheel chairs because  I would LOVE to go to the mall on black Friday, and maybe my husband would give me even a little bit of money to pick out a birthday gift. That would make my day! I know the NEX has a huge sale that morning so I might go down there, since it's right down the street and a small store. I'm getting so close to my induction day that I am getting less worried about walking too much. They have told me I can start walking and pretty much be off restriction a week prior to induction, so I might start taking advantage of that. There seems to be so much to do lately! The move is coming up faster than expected, family is coming for Thanksgiving, Dave is working a TON lately, and then the baby will be here! I can't 'nest' if I'm on bed rest!


Friday night I was able to go to dinner with two of my girlfriends at Red Robin. It was nice to get out but I can see why I'm on bed rest! It was a long evening even just sitting there eating! I'm used to pretty much eating in my recliner lazy style, and sitting straight up in a bar chair was tough on the squished rib cage!

The nurses reassured me that baby will be pretty safe to travel upcoming. I was worried about baby being squished in car seat and having breathing troubles. They said not to worry and as long as baby is born healthy without breathing issues, then he/she will travel just fine. They even suggested I can breast feed in the back seat! I'm not sure I like that idea so much! Scares me! What is the point of having a car seat if you take the baby out? We are going to play it all by ear!

I'm so excited to see snow except I don't want us to have a dangerous travel experience, so mixed feelings there. I guess that's all for now! I have to go check on my fantasy football teams to make sure I have the best players ready to go!

The BIG One!

Madigan was yesterday. We haven't been there for three and a half weeks. Last growth chart ultrasound baby was 2 pounds nine ounces estimated weight. If the baby continued the same forward progress then up through birth, estimated birth weight would be 3 pounds five ounces. However, there is a massive army of prayer warriors on our side. Yesterday Dave and I took bets. I guessed 3 pounds six ounces and he guessed 4 pounds. We were both surprised. Dun dunn dunn dunnnnnnn......drum roll please!....
Beaner's big movements are because Beaner is big... estimated weight CURRENTLY is 4 pounds seven ounces!!!

 Granted, we know this is give or take and could be less. But, we are fairly confident that birth weight will be at least 4 pounds and we are pulling for 5 to 5 and a half! This  is the story of God being good and working together for those of His with faith! Even my doctors were shocked. The percentile Bean has been in from the beginning was 2 to 3. This lasted for a good 16 weeks. Suddenly, Bean decided to show off and move up to the sixth percentile. While still high risk and below 10, things are looking positive!

Blood flow and fluid levels were great, movement as usual is nearly obsessive, and now we have a bigger baby. Our move is working out great with dates and timing and at this point we are hoping for  Bean to only spend maybe a few days in the hospital and  be able to come home before we travel across country.

On the downside for the pregnant woman... I have found out that I cannot labor in the tub, cannot use a hot shower for pain relief, cannot even go walking the hallways, definitely cannot get an epidural (because of my back surgery), and may not have the option of delivering the way I had chosen. This pretty much means the only natural pain remedies I have used previously for my back I cannot use during labor. On top of that, being induced only adds to the length and intensity. So yes, I am whining, and rightfully so. However, with this new knowledge three weeks prior to the day, I will figure out a way to happily suffer through completely reinventing my birth plan. As long as Bean keeps kicking and comes out screaming, I will be a happy woman. The process  though is to be decided...

It's official: My mom has bought her ticket!! Now we are waiting and hoping and continuing to pray that things don't kick start early. My dad will be here for Thanksgiving and I can only see the humor in having baby come while Dad is here unprepared and mom is not here. This would be the typical type of event that unfolds with me. However, I really doubt either of them would be even a bit amused! The doctors are not worried about pre-term labor and I have not had any warning signs or major concerns. It is looking quite optimistic that things will progress as expected.

Now onto my husband... the bum has duty the night I am to be checked into the hospital! What!? This means he will either have to drive over in the morning and hope he didn't miss much (although if he missed it all I don't think he'd be too disappointed) (I WOULD BE FURIOUS!) or I will have  to basically tell the doctors that I cannot come in until the morning of the 8th. He is a good man and very committed to helping out the boat knowing he will no longer be on it, but some things I do feel fair to say I want to be selfish with. If he even has the option of switching duties with someone else, this might prevent him from being there the 9th, 10th, and the weekend when the baby is actually here. I really don't want that  to happen!

I have my bag packed, Bean and Dave's bags are also packed. We hope they don't leave the house for another three weeks, but we're prepared anyway.

I asked the doctors about six weeks ago if I could make a difference by eating a lot more. They said it wouldn't help. I beg to differ. I have eaten a lot more and although not always healthy (lots of fast food) I think it was just what Bean was looking for! Speaking of which, it's time for lunch, Bean is kicking me because he knows when it's time to  eat!

More appointments, movies, and boredom

This morning I woke up at 7:30 thinking I would have time to eat in the hospital cafeteria before my appointment. (Don't laugh, it's actually really good! And I get all food groups for three bucks and I don't have to cook it myself!) So I woke up and called only to find out they stop serving at 8. I was hoping for 9! Oh well, so already awake and ready to go, I decided to stop at the Pancake House for breakfast. Rarely do I take myself out for a meal unless it is McDonald's drive thru. I am sick of sitting at home so it was kind of nice. I had banana pancakes, side of strawberries, one piece of bacon and one egg. Oh, and a big glass of orange juice! I thought it would be entertaining to get Beaner all wired before doing the ultrasound with the doctor. Hmmm.... I don't know if I wrote that story! So if I did, you get a refresher... Last time we went to the doctor, Beaner would kick the cord right before the doctor would get the measurement. Every time! So the doctor would just about push the button on the cord to check blood flow and Beaner's right foot would come and kick it away. Then he tried again and Beaner's left foot would kick it away. This went on about four times, feet alternating each time. Finally, the doctor stopped, looked at my belly and spoke right to Bean and said, "Now, you just calm down so I can do my job!" And immediately after he said that, it was as if Bean was looking right into the camera, he lifted his right hand and gave us a wave! Then the doctor tried for one more measurement and Bean kicked the cord away! So the doctor then said, "Please just one more time, let me get this measurement." Immediately after Bean lifted his little hand and put his thumb in his mouth and stayed still. True story!

So today the appointment went well. Everything looks good still. I had my non-stress test and afterwards spoke to a midwife. She told me different options for the induction day. She also told me to expect an uphill steep long battle and that most people who get petocin opt for the epidural. It seems they all think I'm crazy wanting to do this naturally. I probably am but I have not committed fully either way.

Today's agenda consists of more Christmas movies, apple juice, and some leftover banana pancakes! Oh, and just maybe, in two weeks I will be off bed rest and encouraged to walk this baby out of me! The big appointment is on Monday so that is the determining day for many things.

More or Less To Do

Wow! I'm off on this writing ordeal! Sorry about that, it has been approximately ten days since my last post. Speaking of writing ordeals, my friend scored me a job, not only a job, but a job in my alley! No, I don't get paid. But that's not the point! The point is, I can put my pretty little Professional Communications degree to use! This comes at the most appropriate time, because today I was put on official home bed rest. Meaning, I'm bored and need a project! So here's the project: I get to email the six or so local news stations in the area to write an informative yet concise email to attempt to persuade them to visit our Naval Avenue Elementary School the day after Veteran's Day for a program where the Captain of the Sea Wolf and crew, the mayor and other elected political officials, and several veteran's will all be in attendance. On top of that, I may or may not have the chance to write an article for one of the papers about the event. (I have freelanced for them in prior months.) I might be such a nerd, but things like this are the things for me!

So yes, bed rest it is. Today Dave surprised me by coming home early to take me to my appointment. I had my non stress test and heartbeat was good, fluid levels were good, and baby's position is good. My next Madigan appointment has been moved up a week, which is really good, because we get to see sooner rather than later how the Bean is growing.

The unofficial news is my induction tentatively planned on December 8th. We are hoping that will not change because it works great with our move plans. Of course, every plan we make will be created around the health of the Bean. After labor and delivery, we will stay at a house on the Madigan base until Bean gets to come home. So far it sounds like Bean won't be able to be home for very long at all prior to taking off across the country. Again, everything is tentative and up in the air.

About my last post, all I can say is I think things will work out and I think I can officially say we are moving to Groton, CT.

Dave made Lieutenant this week. I was able to go to his ceremony and pin on his stripes. This is a big accomplishment and we are excited about it.

Not much new to report, other than I do have contractions now and I have some pretty annoying rib pain at times because, regardless of what the ultrasound says, I swear this baby is bigger than they know!