24 Days Old!

Emerson Photo by Angela Hartwig

Emerson Victoria Weber

The new Weber Family:

3/29/09, @ 12:58 pm, 9 lbs, 21 1/4 inches long.

Induction for Over-Due Pregnant Woman Potentially Canceled

No comments could be obtained. Both reporter and photographer were injured.

40 Weeks and a False Alarm

Monday (3.23.09) was our 40 week appointment. It was somewhat disappointing leaving the hospital no closer to labor and with blood in my urine, this time indicating a bladder infection. We celebrated by having lunch at the Pickle Barrel and I ate what had to be The Largest Brownie in the World to make up for my melancholy mood. Then, I did what any over-due woman would do--I went shopping.

Later that evening, around 6 o'clock, I was surprised with what I can only describe as a "leak," and a pretty noticeable leak at that. After a call to the on-call midwife, I was told I could stay at home (even if the "leak" turned to a "gush"? I had to ask) and wait for contractions to begin and even out. So, expecting SOMETHING to happen, we double checked our already packed bags, and I immediately started tidying up the house. I was feeling great--full of energy, and not a pain in the world. But still, I had a feeling that it possibly wasn't my bag of waters, as that would just make things too easy. Sure enough, no contractions followed, and by morning, I was calling in for yet another appointment to check on the fluid. If it was amniotic, there runs a risk of infection when the bag is torn or exposed to too many hours.

After today's exam, it turned out it was certainly not amniotic fluid, I was now effaced to 90%, but still only between a 1-2 cm dilated. However, Mary did change her mind in waiting to schedule an induction from NEXT Tuesday (3.31.09) to THIS Friday (3.27.09), should the baby chose to hang out in there that much longer. She remained optimistic (not thinking we'd need to induce) and after I was on the monitor for around 30 minutes with light contractions, she said, "Well, maybe we'll see you tonight." To which I instantly responded, "Shut up, Mary!" Not in an angry way, just in a "For real? It's never gonna happen and I know it!" kind of way. Too much wishful thinking gets you nowhere. Trust me. I know.

So, we were off the the Pickle Barrel once again for lunch, this time: The Biggest Scotch-a-roo Bar in the World.

39 Weeks

Our 39 week appointment has come and gone (3.16.09). After all the previous contractions, I honestly didn't think I'd make it to 39 weeks...nor did Mary. But here I am, measuring over 40 weeks, with a predicted 8+ pound baby still growing and comfortably hanging out inside of me. (Clarification: SHE'S comfortable. Me, not so much).

At our last ultra-sound (I think it was at 38 weeks) the tech was taking measurements, and when she got to the baby's belly, said, "Oh my, that's a big belly!" Better a big belly than I HEAD, I suppose....

My next appointment will be on Monday, 3.23.09. My midwife and I were talking how it'd be nice to have her before then, and when she mentioned having her on the day of the appointment, I told her it was my brother-in-law's birthday. Her face got a little serious/concerned, and she said, "Well, do you like him at least?" Which I found to be a hilarious questions. I wasn't telling her because I DIDN'T want the baby born on that day....just telling her as an aside. (No worries, I still like you, Adam).

37 Weeks

Another appointment. After politely declining the cervical exam last week (Mary likes to give me the option, unless necessary) we decided that I should be "checked" this week. After a long day of feeling miserable and many contractions throughout the evening yesterday, I thought it'd be a good idea. I was told I am around 85 % effaced, and 1 1/2 to 2 cm dilated. In first time moms, effacement occurs before dilation, whereas in 2nd time moms, dilation occurs first. So, in other words, it's possible that we are fairly close. But at this point, it's all a waiting game. Bring on the Baby, I say!

Baby Shoes

On a recent shopping trip to THE greatest baby clothing store ever in Worthington, MN, I purchased some cute little baby/toddler shoes that actually squeak when the baby walks. No worries, the noise mechanism is removeable. So this week, as I was sitting at my computer at school, I had a little vision of our baby girl toddling around our house in these shoes. I immediately emailed Hugh. The transcription is as follows:

Amy's email to Hugh:

In about a year.....we're going to have a little person, with fat-rolls on her arms and legs like every good toddler should, toddling around our house in little shoes that squeak. In about a year.....

Hugh's reply:

holy crap.

Amy's reply:

I thought you'd say something like "Aww..."

Hugh's reply:

that's what I meant....Awww.....

I love you.

34 Week Pic...

Oh boy..I mean, um, girl....Now THAT's

a belly.

Reminiscing...

Back when this photo was taken, somewhere along the campaign trail, Hugh and I were the only two people who knew I was pregnant. I remember feeling awfully car-sick just about every time we got into a car--we were in the Black Hills, after all, and trying so hard not to tell Chris & Julie that we were expecting. I thought Hugh would, but bless his heart, he wanted to keep the news on the down-low until we could tell family first.

33 Week Follow Up

I had a great doctor appointment today. Very minimal weight gain, my uterus hasn't grown since the last measurement when it was a little on the large side, AND...are you ready for this? I started having a (minor, have-them-all-the-time) contraction, and as my doc placed her hands on my belly to feel it, she said, "You know, you probably won't make it to your due date." I immediately gave her a high-five. It was an impulse--I couldn't help it. I have to admit, it would be nice to have the baby just a smidge early, say 37 weeks. I am just hoping to make it as far as the baby needs me to, which she said would be the first week of March. But her comment was enough to keep my spirits up (I hear women in their last month get pretty irritable) for a while at least.

32 Weeks

We had an interesting visit to the doctor's office on Monday (1-26-09). I was able to move up the ultrasound that was scheduled for today, because I was having some cramping. They got me in right away, put me on a monitor, and then did a "check" as well as the ultrasound.

It was actually relaxing to be on the monitor, hearing the constant heartbeat, usually in the 140 range. Hugh even took some video footage of it for "Dude to Dad." They were able to pick up on a few contractions, but only one that was long enough to really matter. The others, which I experience quite often, are only lasting around 30 seconds and are nothing to be concerned about. The baby: extremely active, as usual.

I won't give you any details about "The Check." Let's just say it was my least favorite part of the visit, but everything was fine.

The untrasound was "normal" according to what the tech told us, although we were unable to actually see much of what she was talking about. I guess that's because the baby is so much bigger this time around. She's now weighing in at 4 pounds, 6 ounces. She was near the 50-60th percentile in size and weight, if I remember correctly. Thankfully, her head didn't measure large, either. (One of my fears, for obvious reasons.) My fluid levels appeared normal as well. I'm just a big bellied pregnant woman, I guess.

Since the sex was once again confirmed, I will be doing lots of little girl laundry this weekend. Call it nesting, I just want to be prepared. Which is another reason why my lesson plans for my long-term sub are almost finished. Hooray!

Baby Laundry

Burp rags: 14

Newborn Onesies: 3

Short sleeve 0-3 Onesies: 5

Long sleeve 0-3 Onesies: 3

Full sleeper 0-3: 1

Ducky bath towel: 1

Matching ducky wash cloths: 2

My hands smelling like a newborn baby: Priceless.

At the 31 week check up...

I measured a little big...ok, 5 cm big. So it was highly recommended that we have another ultra-sound. Soon. So on Thursday, 1/29/09, we'll go in again to "see" our baby. Hopefully all is well, and we'll have more pictures to share.

Entering the 3rd Trimester!! Week 28

How our baby's growing:

By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (although it was estimated at 2 1/2 lbs at last appointment) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world. (The baby's not the only one adding more body fat...so what am I preparing for then??)