Bye bye pounds

I gained 30 pounds during pregnancy. According to my scale, I've already lost 26 of it just 10 days after giving birth. Pre-pregnancy jeans fit just fine as well. Now maybe I can start working on the other 50 or so pounds I'd like to lose.

Introducing...

Brady John. Born Feb. 23 at 5:47 p.m. via c-section. 9 pounds 5 ounces. 22 inches long.

Nothing like being a week late with things. As you can tell, we've been a bit busy.

A plan

When we left the doctor's office yesterday, we left with no further appointments and left knowing that we won't be back until after the baby is born.
That's right...we have a plan.
If I don't go into labor by Wednesday, I'll report to the hospital at about 4 a.m. to be induced. If the induction isn't going well, I'll be taken that day for a c-section.
With all the medical issues we're facing (pre-eclampsia, bigger baby, fibroid, etc.) this is what my doctor decided was the best plan of action. Dan and I both agreed with her.
Baby still looks wonderful. His heartbeat was nice and strong and he was very reactive which is what they like to see. He was still measuring about 3 weeks or so ahead (a few weeks ago, he was measuring about four weeks ahead).
My blood pressure was good. I still have no swelling. But I do have a very mild case of pre-eclampsia. Last week, my protein measured at 306 (the cutoff is 300). This week, I was holding steady at 307. That's good news but we're still in a risky category. The danger with pre-eclampsia is that it could get worse. Normally, my doctor said women with pre-eclampsia will be induced at 37 weeks, which for me would be today. But because we're having a boy and there's a chance his lungs aren't fully developed, we're holding off until Wednesday to give him a little extra time. I'll be almost 38 weeks along then.
As for me, moving around, sleeping and even breathing are all getting harder. I don't just have the baby to contend with. The fibroid is providing a lot of extra pressure on my lungs. I can't do much without having to rest (the doctor has said all I should be doing is resting anyway). But I still feel OK. The contractions have basically stopped. And while my cervix is soft, I'm still only 1 cm dialated (exactly where I was almost two weeks ago). I don't think this baby is in any hurry to get here on his own.
I'm still under 30 pounds for weight gained during this pregnancy, which was my goal. And my belly button is still an innie -- something that surprised the nurse during my non-stress test yesterday. Overall, things are going well.
Now, we just wait.

What it means to be a dad

Today, I'm feeling grateful. I have a fantastic dad. He's a man who has always been there for me, often tells me that he loves me and is a great role model for both my husband and my son.
Not everyone has that -- my husband included. Luckily, he grew up with a strong mother who was able to play both roles, mother and father, while teaching him everything he needed to know and showing him what it was like to be a good parent. I know it wasn't always easy for her, but she did the absolute best she could, and she did a really good job of it.
But my heart still hurts for Dan. Where there should be fatherly love, there's nothing. There's a man who forgets his birthday, spreads lies to family members and friends and continues to let his son live with a secret that if told would hurt far too many people. But kept in secret, it hurts Dan.
Up until this point, Dan and I have vowed to take the high road (this blog likely derails that). On Sunday, Dan's dad left a message on facebook that while vague we both believe it was targeted directly at me. This isn't the first time he's done something like this. It likely won't be the last. At first, I was angry. I was hurt. Now, I'm just sad.
Sad that Dan will never have a "real" dad and that our son will never have a grandpa on that side of the family. But it also makes me appreciate what they will have that much more.
Watching Dan and my dad develop a strong relationship has been as rewarding for me as it has been for Dan. They hunt together, they fish together and they just spend time together. Dan loves that time. I know my dad does, too.
That's the kind of relationship I know Dan will have with our son -- one based on love and mutual respect.
Today, I'm grateful. Grateful for my dad who has accepted my husband just as he has me. And to my husband, who I know will be a fantastic father to our son.

OMG

The due date countdown now shows 24 days. Originally, we had been aiming for 39 weeks. Then the doctor said she'd like to induce me or schedule a c-section for around 38 1/2 weeks. Last week, at our appointment, she seemed as if was leaning towards moving up to the date to around 38 weeks (or maybe even earlier). If that's the case, that's in 10 days. 10!!! I had a minor freakout this morning when I thought of it that way.
While we're definitely ready to meet him, it just seems like everything has gone so fast. In a few days, I'll be full-term. And in a few days, we'll likely be meeting our son. So exciting, but also a bit overwhelming. I never thought we'd get to this point.

Congratulations Jake and Kelsey

Around Christmas, my youngest brother and his wife told us that they are expecting in July. Well, yesterday, we found out that they're going to be having a little girl.
My niece Kayla is 11 months old. Our son will be here soon. And he'll be followed by his little cousin a few months down the road. Lots of babies.

Thursday appointment

I'm really late with this update. Every time I sat down to write something, I just wasn't in the mood. Lots to update though...

* I have a very mild case of pre-eclampsia. The 24-hour urine test showed that my protein was at 306. The cutoff is 300. Basically, that's likely the difference between one trip to the bathroom. I knew I should have held that last one. :)
* Blood pressure was fine and I still have no swelling in hands, feet or legs. (I'm still wearing my wedding ring).
* I'm done with work until likely the end of April or so. The doctor did not put me on bed rest but she did caution me to take it easy.
* Baby's heartbeat looked great during the non-stress test.
* I wasn't checked on Thursday, but on Monday, I was 1 cm dialated.
* I go back Thursday for more tests, a non-stress test and an ultrasound. I'll be one day away from 37 weeks then. My guess is that we'll set a c-section or induction date.