Week 39 and Counting

The countdown to the due date is now 7 days. It is hard to believe that it's almost time for baby M's arrival. Today at my Ob appointment my cervix was 2cm dilated and 80% effaced.

These are my predictions for labor:

• Back labor (which I've heard is painful) since I usually have back cramps during menstration
• A birthdate of 10/09/08 (which would have been the due date if 2008 hadn't been a leap year)
• A birth weight of 8 pounds 6 ounces (factoring my 8 pounds 3 ounces birth weight and D's 6 pounds ? ounces birth weight (as a twin, mind you)
• A birth length around 21 inches (mine)

We'll have to wait and see if my predictions are correct.

False Labor Anyone?

Well it happened. I experienced false labor. I attribute it to stress at work and trying to do too much at home. Regardless, it happened and now I know the difference between false and real labor!

On Sunday evening, I started feeling a little different. In the back of my mind I wondered if it might actually be time for little M's debut. On Monday morning as I headed to work, I began having what felt like menstrual cramps. Work that day was rather stressful, as I was still trying to catch up on pre-existing work and plan ahead for deadlines that woukd occur during maternity leave--all without having coverage while I would be gone. End of the day, I approached my boss with these frustrations and he did not seem to care or feel that the situation would improve.

I was pretty upset as I left work, but talked over the situation with a colleague/authority figure. She was reassuring, for she stated that my boss was definitely overworked with too many deadlines and was still in denial that I would be gone for 6+ weeks. She also thought he was pessimistic that a replacement would be hired in time, so he thought he would have to pick up the slack while I was gone.

The last think I wanted was to leave a pile of responsibilities on my already too busy boss. I wanted help now so I could orient someone in the position and feel reassured that I could relax during maternity leave. My fear was that anything I left unfinished would be waiting for me upon my return, in addition to any new projects. Yikes!

Around 11 pm, I was awoken with what felt like a serious menstrual cramp. Fearing the worst, I thought I was going into labor. How could this be? I don't even have my hospital bag packed! The cramps continued, increasing in severity and number. I jumped out of bed and began doing laundry and packing for the hospital. D was startled from his sleep and asked if he should stay up with me. Not knowing how long this would last or how far apart the "contractions" were, I suggested he get some sleep.

The contractions continued to increase in frequency, but were sporatic. They would come every 2-3 and 10-15 minutes apart and then stop for 30+ minutes. I continued to prepare for the hospital, as I finished laundry and went through my checklist of items to pack.

Around 2 or 3 am, I decided to lay back down and try to get some sleep. I was again awoken by contractions around 5 am, but tried to stay calm since they were not close enough to be time for real labor. I continued this throughout the night, awaking every few hours or so with a contraction and then falling back to sleep.

In the morning, I called my Ob's office and explained the situation. They made an appointment for me to come in around noon to be examined. In the mean time, I finished packing and discussed the logistics with D. I stated that I was not yet ready to have the baby (with so much more to do) and he said that I would be a wonderful mommy. How great!

After D left for work, I was left with the responsibility of getting the car seat installed and inspected. Still having contractions, I was extra slow at getting ready and out of the house. I did my best to finish everything and focused on making it to the Ob office on time. After calling around, I found a car seat technician (yes, there is a professional for this task) at one of the local fire departments who agreed to install the car seat. Unfortunately, as I was leaving one station I had a contraction and backed into their extremely short fire hydrant! Just wonderful! I proceeded to the next fire station and tried to focus on the details of the car seat installation as the technician explained it to me.

Afraid that this might be it, I was worried that I may not get a chance to eat after my appointment. I called D and explained my mishap with the fire hydrant; he was not surprised, knowing my poor driving skills. We discussed lunch and he convinced me to go to his office for a quick bite to eat. I agreed in hesitation, knowing this would make me a little late for my appointment. I was so nervous; so many emotions were going through my mind.

Upon arriving at the Ob office, I was strapped to a device that measured uterine contractions and a fetal heart monitor. I was instructed to press a button every time I felt what I thought was a contraction. After 30 to 45 minutes, I met with the doctor and was examined. Although I was 80% effaced, my cervix was only 1cm dilated. He stated that I was experiencing false labor, differentiated between false and real labor, and instructed me to go on with life as usual until the contractions were continuous and five minutes apart. What a relief! All that stress for nothing. At least my hospital bag is packed and the car seat is properly installed. Now all I have to do is try not to get too worked up and take it easier at work. We'll be ready next time!

Celebrity Sighting

I spotted Steve Zahn this morning. I recall reading in the Ace Weekly (Lexington's local entertainment paper) that he lived in the area or was considered Lexington's adopted son (something like that), but thought little of it until an actual encounter.

Well, after spotting the guy this morning, I thought I'd do my research and see what he was doing in the area. I immediately went to my favorite movie web site, the Internet Movie Database or IMDb (www.imdb.com), and read his mini bio. Apparently, Mr. Zahn, a Harvard graduate, married a local Lexingtonian (John Peterman's daughter), and resides at a farm near Lexington with his wife and two children.

Did I take a picture, you ask? No, for I didn't want the guy to think he couldn't blend in with the locals. Did I approach him, you ask? Well yes, I did. I used this line: 'Has anyone ever told you that you look like Steve Zahn?'

He responded with, "Well...actually...I am."

I was taken aback, for I didn't really expect it to be him, and responded, "What are the odds?"

His response was, "Not that rare."

Geez, I am such an idiot. Now I am bantering and probably annoying the poor guy. Sorry, Mr. Zahn, but I am preggo and a little star struck. We don't get your kind around here often...

Before I said anything that sounded more stupid, I decided to end the conversation by wishing him well and letting us both get back to our business of shopping. Thanks so much, Mr. Zahn. See you around some time, perhaps.

Phthalates and Bisphenol-A (BPA)

This is where scientific reasoning and logic come in handy to make informed decisions and minimize panic and mass hysteria...

After already performing a literature review on the topic, I had reassured myself that not all plastics are bad. D watched the Today Show recently and freaked out after watching a segment on BPA in plastics. Can we say mass hysteria? Thanks so much, NBC; now I feel the need to inform the public.

ORAL STATEMENT OF THE AMERICAN CHEMISTRY COUNCIL
Hearing on Safety of Phthalates and Bisphenol-A
in Everyday Consumer Products
House Committee on Energy and Commerce
Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection
Public Health Policy Statement was issued on June 10, 2008

This article defines phthalates and BPA and explains that the controversy surrounding these products is not new, "Phthalates and bisphenol-A, or BPA, are not exactly terms that roll off the tongue; although of late they seem to be the focus of more and more American consumers who wonder whether products with these materials are safe. More than five decades of scientific scrutiny by institutions around the world support the continued use of phthalates and BPA in consumer products."

..."Over the last 18 months, media reports have referred to a handful of studies that attempt to link phthalate and BPA exposure to adverse health effects. We’re here today, Madam Chairperson, to provide a more complete picture and to help put the public’s mind at ease."

I couldn't have said it any better:

Today Show Reverses 40 Years of Industry Science,
Strikes Needless Fear in Millions
This article from the ACC goes on to dispute the Today Show claim on 4/19/08. This article lists the Today Show "facts" and provides scientific evidence to dispute each claim that was shared with the general public.

Resin identification codes are labeled for recycling, not for product safety.

Article on the use of resin identification codes
and
Resin Identification Coding System

In a nutshell, always read the labels. Follow the manufacturers' instructions for plastics. If the container is not indicated to be microwave and freezer safe, then don't use it in the microwave of freezer. Enough soap box ranting for a day. Feel free to respond.

Baby M Is Very Blessed By Family & Friends

We cannot thank family and friends enough for all of the love and generosity that we have received. Even though I am SUPER behind on thank you notes, I will finish them--sooner rather than later hopefully. Until then, a great big thank you wrapped in a hug for all of you.

Nesting

When did the nesting officially begin? What a great question...one that I may not be able to answer, for it feels so instinctual and natural during pregnancy. I think I've been nesting well before week 30 of pregnancy, if I had to guess. Below are some of the nesting projects that I've been working on lately:

The first sign of nesting occurred after Mom Mom J sent some baby clothes our way. I sorted the clothes by size and began washing them. The nursery closet was then organized and incoming clothes that we received as gifts were separated by size. I have chosen not to wash everything because I don't know how much baby M will weigh when he's born and I have no idea how fast he'll grow. Baby M is very fortunate to have received a lot of clothing from family and friends--can't wait to see him in them and share the photos with you! :-)

The weekend of July 26-27, I decided to create closet dividers for baby M's closet. These dividers from Sugar Booger (here and here) were on our Babies R Us registry, but were available on-line only and I didn't think anyone would purchase them. Hey, why buy them when you can make and personalize them yourself, right?

I think the dividers turned out prettay, prettay, prettay, prettay, prettay, nice:

The next time I create some nursery closet dividers (as these are already laminated and hanging in baby M's closet), I will add the weight range that coincides with the age--as babies develop on their own terms and do not always fit into the newborn, 0-3 months, etc. categories.

Another project that I tackled was a little more manly and domestic--grrr. On the morning of my first Lexington baby shower, I decided to tackle the window and door trim upstairs (first floor). With D traveling so much for work, I thought this was a task I could do myself. The dogs had managed to claw away the white paint from a few of the window and door trims around the house. This project included cleaning the trim to remove dirt (and dog slober, etc.), sanding to remove excess paint, wiping away the dust from sanding, and painting (two coats) the trim. Why stop with window and door trim when there are baseboard that need touching up as well? Yeah, I touched up a lot of the first floor baseboards also.

Other projects throughout the house included organizing the office, organizing the upstairs garage, sorting items to donate to Goodwill, writing thank you notes for baby gifts (still working on this one...), vacuuming the house twice weekly (this one has become pretty difficult as pregnancy has progressed--ouch), washing the dogs every two to three weeks, keeping up with e-mails, posting to this blog, working, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. Would I be doing all of this if D were around the house more? Probably, for his nesting instinct either hasn't kicked in or is prioritized on other things. It's amazing what can be accomplished when you cut out two to three hours of sleep a night!

Not that these projects HAD to be completed before M's arrival, mind you, but it sure helped to pass the time while waiting for his arrival! ;-) So if you have been wondering why I have been a little less social, let's just say I've been nesting and have very much enjoyed the feeling of accomplishment obtained from completing various tasks around the house. I'd love to see you, if you don't mind visiting me at home and getting put to work! Just kidding (JK); I only take volunteers. ;-P

New to My Wish List

New to my list of things to do before baby M arrives is to compile an iPod music playlist to take with us to the hospital. I want the experience of childbirth to be AS RELAXING AS POSSIBLE.

While reading up on this week's development of baby M (technically fetus M), I came across a hyperlink to a great product on Parents Connect called Stork Tunes

Stork Tunes is a labor and delivery CD. Not only is the music designed to be soothing for mothers in labor, but it is also a charitable CD that benefits the March of Dimes.

I like the concept, but I don't know if I like all of the songs. They are a little too "granola" for me. So if you would like to recommend some songs to add to the playlist that I am creating, please do so.

"Pregnancy is the only time in a woman's life she can help God work a miracle."
—Erma Bombeck