Station of -1

That means absolutely nothing to most of you. I even learned this terminology myself for the first time with this pregnancy (and not with Annabelle).

But, basically, the station is where the baby is positioned in your pelvis. It goes from -3 to 3. The baby is at a station of -1 right now. Per the doctor, a station of 0 is active labor, and at a station of 3, the baby is crowning.

So, all that being said, the baby is really low (per the doctor), and she anticipates I'll go into labor on my own, without induction, some time this weekend. If not, I have an appointment scheduled for Monday, and she said at that time they will schedule an induction for Tuesday night (with her) for the baby to be delivered on Wednesday.

She said they don't usually like to go more than a week past the due date for the safety of the baby, but as long as an ultrasound (scheduled for tomorrow morning) checks out alright with the amniotic fluid levels, then I am alright to wait since I prefer the natural method.

She did understand that my first concern was for the baby, and she felt comfortable waiting as long as the ultrasound checks out alright tomorrow. If it doesn't, they will be inducing tomorrow night.

And, they ran a non-stress test today, and she was fine (finally, after the baby started moving) with those results. They did have us a bit concerned at first though.

And yet again, the contractions picked up this evening in regular 6 minute intervals. We even called my parents to the house as I thought for sure that this was the real thing. I guess not since it is now 12:26 a.m., and the contractions have pretty much stopped.

This child is a complete tease! It must be a boy, not in a rush to do anything.

Snug as a Bug

Okay, so we made it past the weekend. Thank goodness! And, the contractions are no longer strong and uncomfortable. And, they are few and far between. I rescheduled my doctor's appointment that was scheduled for tomorrow until Thursday, April 15th, tax deadline day. The one day I will never ever forget as long as I live because it brings back wonderful memories of stressful days.

Since Beebo has decided to wait until after his/her due date, and I was planning for Beebo to arrive 5-7 days early, I am now praying that Beebo will wait until at least April 18th to make his/her grand appearance. April 15th is definitely out of question if I have anything to say about it. That being said, Beebo's birthday will officially be April 15th, 2010.

Why April 18th? Because you see, if April 15th falls on a Saturday, the tax deadline is extended until the following Monday, April 17th. Therefore, April 18th clears the deadline completely, and Beebo and I can celebrate his/her birthday with less stress every year.

What if Beebo arrives between now and April 15th? Well, I guess that will be the end of my career as I know it because my babies will always come first! Perhaps that is an excellent reason for Beebo to arrive early? I'm enjoying not working so much that I don't think I ever want to go back to work as long as hubby can support my frugal habits.

Annabelle was respectful enough to dodge the tax deadline perfectly. October 15th is another major tax deadline, but she was kind enough to wait until October 18th! That's my girl! She planned accordingly! I guess she wants me to continue working because she thinks I am going to buy her a car and pay for her wedding one day. She can keep dreaming!

So until Sunday, let's hope Beebo stays just as snug as a bug!

Why do you want a brother?

Mommy: Tell me why you think you want a brother.

Annabelle: Because we're all women [with an emphasis on women].

Mommy: Who told you we need a boy?

Annabelle: Nobody. I figured it out all on my own when my big girl and me were hiking.

["Big girl" is her Madam Alexander doll that looks like an American Girl doll that she got from Nonnie for Christmas. She also refers to "big girl" as Mary Annabelle Grace {insert our last name}.]

Mommy: Hiking? Where were you hiking?

Annabelle: At Stone Mountain [with some attitude in her voice]!

Doctors On Call

Say a little prayer that Beebo is just teasing us again. I really, really wish that Beebo would hold off until at least Monday to make his/her arrival.

The doctors on call this weekend are doctors from a completely different practice. Doctors I have never met, much less seen.

That is just a tad bit irritating to me. I didn't find this out until about a month or two ago. The paperwork I had read stated that if you wanted to have a doctor from my particular practice to deliver your baby, then you had to go to the Northside Atlanta Hospital instead of the Northside Forsyth Hospital. Well, that is what we are doing.

Why did they all decide to take the weekend off? I know it is Spring Break, but come on! Of course, there is definitely one from my practice that I would prefer to most definitely do without. He ticked me off when he was doing his rounds after Annabelle was born.

Contractions

What is up? These annoying, uncomfortable and somewhat painful contractions are NOT going away. And, just wait, I bet my next appointment will show absolutely no progress whatsoever!

I thought for sure that if you had calculated your due date accurately, then the baby would arrive just on time. I am becoming doubtful as my actual due date is Saturday, April 10th. My first and only ultrasound predicted today, Thursday, April 8th, and based on my last cycle, my OBGYN has a due date of Sunday, April 11th.

In all honesty, I am feeling rather awesome despite these annoying contractions. If the first trimester morning sickness could be eliminated and I could afford to pay someone to clean our house and cook our dinners, I would have 4 more children on top of these two!

Who believes me?

In the mean time, I am going to go indulge in some more ice cream while I still have an excuse. Of course, I still have an excuse until Beebo stops nursing too, right? Right!

For that reason alone, bring on the six kids!

Barometric Pressure

I'm taking a poll, except I'm too lazy (more like tired) to figure out how to add a poll to my blog tonight. But, here are the questions.

Do you think the change in barometric pressure caused by the thunderstorms and rain tomorrow will send me into labor?

If not, do you think this child has enough of a sense of humor already to wait until April 15th to make his/her arrival into this world?

As for hints, all of the labor indications are definitely there. Contractions (definitely contractions) since Monday, low dull backache with contractions, emotional mood swings since this weekend, nesting and other hints I won't disgust you with on this blog.

Any guesses on the weight? Hint: As of Monday's doctor's appointment at 39 weeks and 2 days, I had gained approximately 32 lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight. When Annabelle was born early at 39 weeks and 2 days, I had gained 40 lbs and she weighed 7 lbs, 9 oz at birth!

False Labor

What is up? Yesterday afternoon, I thought for sure that we were going to meet Beebo for the very first time by Tuesday early morning at the latest. I even called hubby home from work at 2:30 p.m. because my emotions took the best of me, and I was afraid that labor was going to progress quickly as I started having uncomfortable contractions around 1:00 p.m. And, they were becoming fairly regular.

But, now I'm just waiting for the real thing, and frankly, I'm a little freaked out that the real thing will hit suddenly with all intensity at the worst time.

Fortunately, yesterday's little episode did prepare me more emotionally for Beebo, and believe me, that goes a very long way! Based on my emotions alone, the remote thought of natural childbirth before yesterday made me cringe. Now I say, bring it on (assuming pitocin is not involved in the equation)! But again, let me reiterate, I am NOT against an epidural.

For now, I'm just a little worried that my water may break and require an induction of labor. The doctor stripped my membranes yesterday (and caused this mess of contractions). I just hope he didn't do anything that will cause my water to break because of it.

And, I'm also a bit worried about the size of this child. But, of course, isn't it really the size of the head that matters? And, I've already mastered the birth of one big headed child (in more ways than one). Hubby's side of the family doesn't make small headed babies!

Baby and Me

Annabelle attended a Baby and Me class at Northside Hospital today. She had an absolute blast, and as we were walking down the hall for a tour of a hospital room, she turned to me and whispered, "This is fun!"

Some highlights of today included the following:

1. Ms. Pam taught the class. At the beginning of the class, Ms. Pam asked all of the kids to spell their names. When she got to Annabelle, Annabelle literally jumped up and down with excitement as she spelled her name. "A-N-N-A." Then she turned to me and whispered, "Mommy, what is next?" I was so proud of her for spelling Anna all on her though!
2. Annabelle was not shy at all when the class first started. We didn't know what had happened to our little girl. She was so excited! However, two girls in the class who were sisters aged 6 and 4 got to laughing so much that Annabelle quieted down. She watched them the entire time, and she became very shy again when it was her time to change the baby doll's diaper because they kept laughing every time the diaper was referred to as a stinky diaper.
3. Ms. Pam asked if she was going to have a baby brother or baby sister, and she replied, "We don't know."
4. Then she was asked what the baby's name was going to be if he or she was a boy or girl. She told Ms. Pam, "We call it Beebo while it is in Mommy's tummy. But, if it is a girl, I think we should name it Pin-cess Jasmine or Ariel." Ms. Pam actually thought we are planning to name it Beebo if the baby is a boy.
5. When asked if she wanted a boy or a girl, she said, "A boy!" I think she's been brainwashed by someone as she used to say she wanted a girl.

She graduated with flying colors, and she was rewarded with a certificate and two coupons for a free McDonald's McFlurry.

Nesting?

I went into labor with Annabelle the day after I cleaned things in my house that probably have never been cleaned. Because apparently, it was very, very important.

Based on the following tasks completed today, do you think I'm nesting?

1. Emptied refrigerator completely and gave it a detailed cleaning. It was looking pretty nasty though!
2. Washed covers to glider in Beebo's room. I think I've only washed it once since Annabelle was born. I'm not sure I should even admit that on here!
3. Washed another load of clothes. Although these only had to be washed because someone failed to put a diaper on Annabelle last night before she slept in her big girl bed for the very first time. And just for the record, it wasn't me! And it wasn't hubby either! Annabelle got herself dressed for bed, so neither of us realized she didn't have a diaper on. Have I mentioned that the diaper before bedtime has never been forgotten? Oddly enough, she only wet the top sheet! But, that was followed by a full fledged, complete loss of bladder control, empty her entire bladder on my hardwood floors at 10:30 a.m.
4. Detailed cleaned the bathroom while Annabelle was bathing this evening.

And, the night isn't over yet. If only my sweet child would go to sleep, then maybe I could get something else accomplished! The bedtime routine started at 8:00 p.m. (and that was already after she had her bath and hair dried), and it is 9:30 p.m., and she's still not asleep!

I guess this will become my new blogging time since it has to stay quiet around here until she's asleep. We really need to invest in a DVR!

P.S. I am hoping by blogging the above that it will in all actuality make Beebo wait until at least Monday to arrive so that I am completely wrong about my instincts. Right now, I'm not sure I'm emotionally (or physically for that matter) ready to take on natural childbirth again. But, I'm going to give it a try.

Big Girl Bed!

Finally! And, Mommy is on the verge of tears. It is 10:12 p.m. I have a fridge to clean, a bed to make with clean sheets, a bouncy seat and swing to set up and get ready to wash in the morning (since the washer and dryer are in Annabelle's closet in her new big girl room) and thank you notes to write.

And, Annabelle is still NOT asleep. She hasn't ventured from her big girl bed yet, but every time I check on her after the allotted time interval (5 min, 7 min, 10 min, 10 min), she is wide awake and talkative as can be.

And she's singing her new favorite song, "One, two, free, four, five. Once I caught a fish alive. Six, seven, eight, nine, ten. Then I let him go again. Why did you let him go? Because he bit my finger so. Which finger did he bite? This little finger on my right." Okay, well, that does make me smile and laugh a little bit.

I cannot start on any of the above until she actually goes to sleep because her bedroom is in the center of the house. I am now thinking that Annabelle and Beebo should have shared a room!

Is this baby seriously due any day now? I'm about to wake from a dream, right?

Has anyone else noticed that a full moon is on its way? When is that due? Probably April 1st!

My Prediction

I predict Beebo's arrival no later than 3 days from today, if I'm lucky! Lucky in the sense that I have at least 3 days! The signs are all there, and it is pretty clear to me that Beebo has dropped even more.

Just three days before Annabelle was born, I had a very similar pain as to what I had today. And, I had several contractions, 8 minutes apart, with slight pain Saturday evening. And, yesterday, during our "Childbirth Refresher" course, my back started to hurt slightly.

Have I mentioned that I am NOT ready for this? Besides the emotional readiness not being there, we are not set up for a newborn in this house. For example, the following still needs to be completed:

1. Hospital bags need to be packed.
2. Swing needs to be washed and set up. It is still upstairs in the shed.
3. Bouncy seat needs to be washed and set up. It is also still upstairs in the shed.
4. Beebo's clothes need to be washed and hung. Again, they are still in the shed.
5. I need to find the "going home" outfits for either sex. If only I knew where to look!
6. Baby names need to be confirmed. Yes, I'm having second thoughts on the names.

Besides the lovely pelvic pressure, I am still in complete disbelief that we are going to have a baby living with us in a few short weeks (most likely days). This has been the most surreal pregnancy ever which is so strange since I've already been through this before.

And, I just realized that 3 days from now is April Fool's Day! Hubby and I have been joking all along that this baby would probably be born on April Fool's Day. Mostly because it has been a jokester from the very start (for reasons forever unknown to everyone else). Must be a red-headed boy just like his Daddy!

We get what we get

"We get what we get, and we don't get upset."

I'm not sure where I heard that saying told to 2 and 3 year olds, probably some parenting book as I just read that exact saying in a magazine in the past few weeks. But, I've been telling Annabelle that for awhile.

On Sunday at my niece, Molly's, birthday party, everyone was asking Annabelle if she wanted a brother or a sister or if she thought Beebo was a boy or a girl. I don't think anyone else (besides hubby and myself) heard her as she is quite timid in big crowds, especially when the attention is all on her.

But, her response was "we get what we get." And, in all honesty, I don't think she cares. I've tried to instill that attitude in her although it is tough with everyone voicing their preference on the sex.

So, I was telling my mom about her response today. Annabelle was obviously listening (as she doesn't miss a thing). She chimed in with the following.


Annabelle: "We get what we get, and we don't mail it back."

Insert snicker from Mommy.

Mommy: "Where are we going to mail it back to?"

Annabelle: "Jesus and God."


As for the "we don't mail it back" part, she thought that up all on her own!


Dear Annabelle,

You have brought the most joy to this pregnancy with your sweet and innocent sayings. When I've been down and in complete denial about Beebo, you have lifted my spirit to remind me what a true miracle and gift from God you and Beebo both are.

I love you, and I know that your sweet, loving spirit will always mend my heart and lift my spirit when needed.

Love always and forever,

Mommy

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

There is something about the near birth of a newborn baby that causes things to break in our household. Before Annabelle, I probably would have adjusted the above sentence to say "that brings bad luck our way." But, slowly, very slowly I must add, I am learning to not sweat the small stuff. Maybe it is knowing that we have been very fortunate and very blessed in our almost 10 years of marriage. Or maybe it has been watching our economy crumble around us over the past few years and still knowing that we are going to be alright because we have planned accordingly. Or perhaps it is the simple joy that a child brings that makes you realize that money is just that, only money.

Before Annabelle was born, I remember specifically telling hubby, "We just cannot get ahead! Every time we are doing well, something else happens!" Those things that happened seemed to be big ticket items such as a new transmission for my lovely first car, a 1998 Mazda 626. Or a new roof required by our homeowners' insurance policy. But now I laugh at that comment. We were living very comfortably on two incomes. I should be making that comment now instead of 5 years ago!

Within a week before Annabelle was born, we realized that our furnace was not working after we turned it on for the first cold wave. It was supposed to be a $500 fix, if I'm recalling correctly. Of course, that freaked me out as we were attempting to live on just one income in a few short months when my maternity leave ran out. But, I think I was more freaked out about bringing home a newborn into a very cold house. It turns out that the part was actually covered under warranty (after hubby demanded more information), and the company acted fast and got the furnace working again the day before Annabelle was brought home from the hospital.

And now we have another newborn baby due in 4 short weeks, and within the last week, our television and vacuum cleaner completely died!

I am blaming Pigs' Tales for the television. Only kidding Pigs! But, perhaps I shouldn't have commented on that blog post or maybe the television would have lasted just a little bit longer.

As for the vacuum cleaner, I am sure I can find someone to blame. Hubby! Aren't men to blame for most everything anyway? Again, only kidding hubby!

So, I have spent this week reading up on televisions and vacuum cleaners in Consumer Reports as well as shopping online.

And along with those big purchases, I have also been desperately pricing twin size mattresses and box springs (aka foundations now) for the best deal. Let me tell you people, shopping for mattresses is like shopping for cars. Perhaps worse! The choices are endless, and there really is no ability to compare properly. Thank goodness we are only looking for a twin mattress for a 34 lb toddler right now. I'm not looking forward to replacing our queen mattress that needed replacing 5 years ago!

As for having another baby, I think we'll hold off another 3.5-4 years as the expense seems to get bigger each time! Oh wait, I probably shouldn't have made that comment either!

The Honeymoon is Over

Yes, the honeymoon is officially over. Isn't that what they call it? You know, those 3 months they call the 2nd trimester. I sure was hoping that honeymoon would continue into the 3rd trimester, but nope, not this time! Well, I guess it did by one month since I have less than 2 months to go, but I was hoping to only be miserable and really big the very last month.

But, the back pain has started. I guess it doesn't help that I'm toting around a 34 lb 3 year old! And, I'm still having to lift her into her crib every evening for bedtime. We need that big girl room and bed finished ASAP!

And, the best part, I think this child is now ALSO on my sciatic nerve, hence the back pain. Apparently that is a real comfortable spot for Annabelle and Beebo both. I literally had to have Annabelle's bath stool AND hubby to help me crawl into bed every evening while I was pregnant with Annabelle for the last few weeks (if not the last month) because she loved chilling on my sciatic nerve.

Please just pray that this child isn't planning to come a month early! I'm anticipating a week early based on Annabelle's arrival, but I cannot handle any earlier than that. Seriously folks, there is way too much to do!

My Mommy?

I have to blog about something sweet and funny because this child of mine is slowly driving me bonkers. I'm afraid I've messed up big time because she seems to rule this roost lately! Perhaps my lack of patience doesn't help, and I am blaming that one on the pregnancy. I hope my patience will magically reappear again once Beebo makes his or her entrance into this world.

But, have I mentioned that I am now praying Beebo will be a boy? Yes, a boy, because I don't think I can take any more sass and attitude from another girl! Not to mention, don't boys eventually talk less? And the drama! My goodness, the drama! So, there you have it, I now officially want a boy! At least after today I do. We can talk again tomorrow.

So, back to my blog title, "My Mommy?"

I have certain songs that I sing to Annabelle every evening. I have been singing the same songs for a very, very long time, but "Hush Little Baby" has always been on the list.

Lately, when I sing this song and sing, "Mama's going to buy you a billy goat," Annabelle will interrupt my singing and say, "My Mommy? My Mommy's going to buy me a billy goat?"

And, then, "My Daddy? My Daddy's going to buy me a cart and mule?"

Of course, then I spend time explaining to Annabelle that Mommy and Daddy aren't really going to buy her those things. But, she'll continue to ask me on random nights. Pretty cute if you ask me.

Hookah Dookah

Is it strange that my daughter names her imaginary friends and baby dolls very strange, random and completely made up names? I guess not any more strange than Annabelle deciding long ago that the baby would be named Clifford if it is a boy! Yes, Clifford! Good thing she doesn't get to pick the name.

While playing with Annabelle this past Sunday, she invited hubby and I to visit her friends whose house was her bedroom. But first, she gave us names of our own. I was no longer Mommy, and Daddy was no longer Daddy. Instead, we were blessed with the following names.

Mommy: Hookah Dookah (pronounced Who-ka Doo-ka)

Daddy: Gaga (pronounced like Lady Gaga)

The imaginary girl friend that we went to visit was also named Hookah Dookah, and her brother's name was Haka.

Hubby and I agreed on the spelling of Hookah Dookah, but I thought it was important to spell out the pronunciation more clearly above. And feel free to begin referring to hubby as Gaga now. I think he likes his new name.

The Birds and the Bees

I didn't think these questions would start at such a young age! This evening, while staying with Annabelle until she fell asleep (as usual), we had the following conversation (after we had just previously discussed where the baby's head, feet and tummy were inside of my tummy).

Annabelle: Mommy, how does dat baby get out?

Mommy: (Pause)

Mommy: We'll talk about that tomorrow Annabelle. You need to go to sleep.

Annabelle: I tank it climbs out. It then walks onto your tummy, then onto your arm, fingers and hand!

I decided later I should have just told her, "God helps the baby get out of Mommy's tummy." But, I'm afraid that answered would have been followed by "Why?" or "How?"

Last week, my mom asked if Annabelle had yet asked how the baby was going to come out. I told her that she hadn't, and I really didn't suspect that she would. My mom mentioned that Annabelle had just asked her that week why she had a belly button. Her little mind is apparently running a mile a minute (maybe faster)!

I am so excited!

While shopping at Publix this evening, Annabelle randomly chimed in with the following:

Annabelle: I am so excited! (She had a huge smile on her face, and she really said it with a lot of excitement in her voice).

Mommy: Why sweetheart?

Annabelle: Because we're going to have a baby soon!


If only she'll stay that excited in a few short months. That sweet voice and excitement was a big step in preparing me for the birth of this second child. In all honesty, it has taken me awhile to even begin accepting the timing of Beebo. Six more months would have been ideal in my eyes. But, I know God timed Beebo perfectly.

19 weeks

19 weeks today and counting!

I'd count backwards to gain a little more preparation time if it didn't mean I'd have to suffer through that dreaded morning sickness again. Now you all know why I was feeling my weakest in an earlier post back in September! Morning sickness and illness struck me all at once, and with a vengeance! Of course, I think most of you have already heard our news or suspected it by my very large and continuously growing tummy.

And, since hubby and I both work our best under pressure, we have the challenge to turn an already tight 1,100 sq ft home into living and toddler playing quarters all before April 10th, 2010. Then, the next challenge is to find a larger home to accommodate our growing family. But, wait, we probably should consider getting this one marketable and sold first!

All before April 10th, 2010 (4 weeks prior if we're smart)!

I guess that is still easier and a lot less stressful than building a shed. Yep! Hubby built a rather large shed to house our junk while I was pregnant with Annabelle.

Speaking of stress, do you all know my part-time profession? Do you know when your taxes are due every year? And, now, do you know my due date? Great timing, huh?!?!

The big sister to-be is very, very excited! She named the baby in utero "Beebo," and she came up with that name all by herself. Annabelle was named "Cashew" until birth, but we just couldn't think of a name for this one until we asked Annabelle one day. She responded immediately with "Beebo!" We're pretty sure she got the name from Sandra Boynton's The Belly Button Book.

And, just for the record, once again, we are not planning to find out the sex. Mostly because it annoys all of you! So, you'll (hopefully) have to wait until late March or April to find out if we're having another girl or a "Junior" as hubby likes to tease me!

So maybe tomorrow I'll post a picture or two of my growing belly in the really cute shirt I bought last weekend. The one that hubby responded (in all seriousness) with, "Do you have the fake belly on?" Yes, he didn't realize that my belly had gotten quite so big! He better be glad that I don't take offense to weight gain while I'm pregnant! That is unless you tell me the weight gain is in my behind! Ahem! Mother!