Thursday, April 28
all the pictures
seriously. except for the ones I got from my mom, they're mostly quite similar to mine so I haven't put them up yet. go here. they're big, be warned, and unedited. there are no woohoo shots, but there are pictures of Kieran seconds after birth, so be prepared for some goo. They're in folders by dates, so you can figure out what's what and from when. Enjoy!
Wednesday, April 27
Tuesday, April 26
wow, time flies
So Kieran's now 2 weeks and 3 days old, and we're still surviving, which is good stuff. He's a really good baby, although is currently going through a cranky stage / growth spurt, but we've been assured it doesn't last. Here's hoping. I'm pretty tired, but we're getting into more of a routine with the eating and sleeping, so things are settling down. What to say? Hmm. Things we've learned so far.
Babies don't like baths at first, but generally get to like them as they have more of them.
If your baby weighed 8lbs9oz at birth, and weighed 8lbs11oz at his 1-week checkup, and 9lbs7oz at his 2-week checkup, you will be horrified, but the doctors will be thrilled and tell you to keep doing what you're doing, whatever that is.
Babies do not like being startled by cats jumping on them or by things falling near them. They cry really sad, scared cries when things like that happen.
Babies can make horrific, sounding like they're being torn apart by wolves sounds, for no good reason other than that they have been in their carseat for what they think is too long, and they want out.
You will probably cry the first time your baby makes that sound, because you're really hormonal and you don't know why your baby is making that sound.
That's ok. You'll probably cry some other times too, for similar reasons.
That's ok too.
You'll find it really hard to keep in touch with people, and will just cross your fingers and hope they understand that it's not because you don't want to talk to them, but just that if you do find yourself with a moment during the day where there isn't a baby attached to your breast or sleeping peacefully on your chest (because he does sleep SO well there, and looks so cute, and you just aren't willing to chance that he'll wake up when you put him in his crib, so you just sit and watch him sleep and quite possibly fall asleep yourself), that generally there is something more pressing, like the need for clean dishes and undies for you and sleepers for him.
Actually having a baby is a good reality check for all your idealist notions of how you're going to do things. Drug free labour? Sweet Jesus no. Baby in bed with you? Regularly, no. Sometimes, yeah. Makes the night feedings *so* much easier. Pacifier for the baby? Again, regularly, no. Sometimes, yeah. He won't keep it in his mouth long anyway, but those few seconds of quiet while I'm changing a diaper at 3am are more valuable than my worry about him becoming one of 'those babies' who always has a soother in his mouth.
That's all I can think of for now, I'll let you know as we learn more.
Babies don't like baths at first, but generally get to like them as they have more of them.
If your baby weighed 8lbs9oz at birth, and weighed 8lbs11oz at his 1-week checkup, and 9lbs7oz at his 2-week checkup, you will be horrified, but the doctors will be thrilled and tell you to keep doing what you're doing, whatever that is.
Babies do not like being startled by cats jumping on them or by things falling near them. They cry really sad, scared cries when things like that happen.
Babies can make horrific, sounding like they're being torn apart by wolves sounds, for no good reason other than that they have been in their carseat for what they think is too long, and they want out.
You will probably cry the first time your baby makes that sound, because you're really hormonal and you don't know why your baby is making that sound.
That's ok. You'll probably cry some other times too, for similar reasons.
That's ok too.
You'll find it really hard to keep in touch with people, and will just cross your fingers and hope they understand that it's not because you don't want to talk to them, but just that if you do find yourself with a moment during the day where there isn't a baby attached to your breast or sleeping peacefully on your chest (because he does sleep SO well there, and looks so cute, and you just aren't willing to chance that he'll wake up when you put him in his crib, so you just sit and watch him sleep and quite possibly fall asleep yourself), that generally there is something more pressing, like the need for clean dishes and undies for you and sleepers for him.
Actually having a baby is a good reality check for all your idealist notions of how you're going to do things. Drug free labour? Sweet Jesus no. Baby in bed with you? Regularly, no. Sometimes, yeah. Makes the night feedings *so* much easier. Pacifier for the baby? Again, regularly, no. Sometimes, yeah. He won't keep it in his mouth long anyway, but those few seconds of quiet while I'm changing a diaper at 3am are more valuable than my worry about him becoming one of 'those babies' who always has a soother in his mouth.
That's all I can think of for now, I'll let you know as we learn more.
Wednesday, April 13
baby!
ok, so short and to the point, because I'm tired, and frankly would rather be hanging out with my sweet boy or napping than sitting in this remarkably uncomfy chair at the computer.
woke up at about 2am Saturday with contractions, they were far apart though, so we just sat tight and I went back to sleeep. Woke up at about 3:30, they had progressed to what I would say is fairly painful and about 5 minutes apart. Woke up Grant again and Erin and headed to the hospital. 12.5 hours, GBS antibiotics, phentenol, laughing gas, and a pudendal block later, I have this to show for it.
Robert Kieran Roach (Kieran, not Robert)
8lbs 9oz
Born April 9, 2005 at 6:24pm
I wouldn't rush out and do it again, it was really painful and incredibly tiring, and every part of me aches still. It wasn't absolutely horrible though, and I think I managed pretty well. I'm amazed at myself, and what my body knows how to do, and what the last 9 months have given us. I'm way more hormonal now than I ever was while pregnant, my stomach is just...horrific, lol, but that's to be expected, my breasts are roughly the size of my head, much bigger than Kieran's head, and I'm so tired I could fall over. And it's so worth it. I'm going to go look at my baby. He's so soft and perfect and I just want to look at him and touch him and sniff him all the time.
More later when things settle down.
woke up at about 2am Saturday with contractions, they were far apart though, so we just sat tight and I went back to sleeep. Woke up at about 3:30, they had progressed to what I would say is fairly painful and about 5 minutes apart. Woke up Grant again and Erin and headed to the hospital. 12.5 hours, GBS antibiotics, phentenol, laughing gas, and a pudendal block later, I have this to show for it.
Robert Kieran Roach (Kieran, not Robert)
8lbs 9oz
Born April 9, 2005 at 6:24pm
I wouldn't rush out and do it again, it was really painful and incredibly tiring, and every part of me aches still. It wasn't absolutely horrible though, and I think I managed pretty well. I'm amazed at myself, and what my body knows how to do, and what the last 9 months have given us. I'm way more hormonal now than I ever was while pregnant, my stomach is just...horrific, lol, but that's to be expected, my breasts are roughly the size of my head, much bigger than Kieran's head, and I'm so tired I could fall over. And it's so worth it. I'm going to go look at my baby. He's so soft and perfect and I just want to look at him and touch him and sniff him all the time.
More later when things settle down.
Thursday, April 7
damn ticker!
I've decided that the baby on the baby ticker up yonder is actually my baby. Look how happy he is to be just hanging out at 41 weeks 1 day! What a jerk. According to my doctor here, I'm only 41 weeks tomorrow, but since my doctor originally told me I was due the 30th, and with the ultrasound saying last week sometime, I'm sticking with that. Like it matters at this point anyway. So I'll be either 41+4 or +2 on Sunday. Baby, COME OUT!
I'm sort of paranoid to be out and about now. Everything I've read says that it's unlikely your water will break before you know you're in labour, but it can happen. That's what happened to a few people I know anyway. I'd hate to like, be at Superstore (where I am almost every day) and standing in a pool; that'd be sort of embarassing. I went out to a concert last night with my sister and some friends, we were hoping that the loud music might encourage / scare the baby out, but obviously, no go.
I've been sleeping in until like, 11:30. I sometimes get up earlier with Grant and have breakfast, but then go back to bed and just sleep. Then I'm like, hmm, almost lunchtime, probably should get up. I'll try to 'enjoy this while I can', but I'm still not sleeping really well at night, and this is just a convenient way to waste half of the day.
I'm sort of paranoid to be out and about now. Everything I've read says that it's unlikely your water will break before you know you're in labour, but it can happen. That's what happened to a few people I know anyway. I'd hate to like, be at Superstore (where I am almost every day) and standing in a pool; that'd be sort of embarassing. I went out to a concert last night with my sister and some friends, we were hoping that the loud music might encourage / scare the baby out, but obviously, no go.
I've been sleeping in until like, 11:30. I sometimes get up earlier with Grant and have breakfast, but then go back to bed and just sleep. Then I'm like, hmm, almost lunchtime, probably should get up. I'll try to 'enjoy this while I can', but I'm still not sleeping really well at night, and this is just a convenient way to waste half of the day.
Wednesday, April 6
because *other* people have news
ok. News bit number one, my preggo friend Amy had her baby on Monday, a little boy! She was due on Sunday, after me, so I sort of hate her, lol, but I've been saying since this whole bedrest thing started that she'd probably end up having her baby before me anyway, and she did. I'm so excited for her, but haven't talked to her yet so don't have any details. I do, however, have this lovely picture of us from when we chaperoned a kids' camping trip to Mount Carleton last spring. I have never, ever, had such a terrible time in my life, but Amy and I somehow kept each other from murdering any students or our fellow chaperone. I'm still not sure how. This picture pretty much sums up how much fun we were having, it's from about halfway up the mountain.
(Me and Amy. Note the fake smiles so the kids don't know we're plotting their deaths)
That's about as far as I made it, soon after this picture I had my first and only ever attack of exercise induced asthma. Scary stuff, I was pretty certain I was going to die.
News bit number 2, my friend Andrea and her fiancé John have entered a contest to win a dream wedding and honeymoon, the whole shebang. They've made the final 10, and now it's up to us to vote for them every day to make sure they win. So go here, click on 'contestants', and vote for Andrea and John. Read the story too, it's really sweet. But mostly, vote. And tell your friends to vote. I'm not sure when the contest closes, so vote soon.
I can hear the birdies chirping outside, it looks just lovely out. I think I'll go back to bed for a few minutes, because I had another fantastic sleep last night, and then maybe go for a walk.
(Me and Amy. Note the fake smiles so the kids don't know we're plotting their deaths)
That's about as far as I made it, soon after this picture I had my first and only ever attack of exercise induced asthma. Scary stuff, I was pretty certain I was going to die.
News bit number 2, my friend Andrea and her fiancé John have entered a contest to win a dream wedding and honeymoon, the whole shebang. They've made the final 10, and now it's up to us to vote for them every day to make sure they win. So go here, click on 'contestants', and vote for Andrea and John. Read the story too, it's really sweet. But mostly, vote. And tell your friends to vote. I'm not sure when the contest closes, so vote soon.
I can hear the birdies chirping outside, it looks just lovely out. I think I'll go back to bed for a few minutes, because I had another fantastic sleep last night, and then maybe go for a walk.
Tuesday, April 5
no baby today
not a planned one, anyway.
membrane strip #3, it's becoming sort of a joke. She said I'm 3cm though, that's up a full cm from last week, and almost completely thinned out. The baby's head is 'well placed', which is good to know so that if I do (hopefully) go on my own, that the chances of cord prolapse are slim, where they would be slightly higher just because I have so much fluid in there. Anyway, all is good, I'm scheduled for an induction Sunday, but really, *surely*, something should happen before then. I have to call labour and delivery early, 7:30-ish, and go in whenever they tell me to, and my doctor should be in around 9am to start things going. They're going to rupture my membranes, and hopefully that's all they'll have to do.
It's lunch time, I just wanted to update everyone.
membrane strip #3, it's becoming sort of a joke. She said I'm 3cm though, that's up a full cm from last week, and almost completely thinned out. The baby's head is 'well placed', which is good to know so that if I do (hopefully) go on my own, that the chances of cord prolapse are slim, where they would be slightly higher just because I have so much fluid in there. Anyway, all is good, I'm scheduled for an induction Sunday, but really, *surely*, something should happen before then. I have to call labour and delivery early, 7:30-ish, and go in whenever they tell me to, and my doctor should be in around 9am to start things going. They're going to rupture my membranes, and hopefully that's all they'll have to do.
It's lunch time, I just wanted to update everyone.
big day!
or not, still waiting for it to be time for me to go to my appointment. It's brutal, waiting. I've been awake since 5:30, because obviously I had to pee, and then just couldn't get back to sleep. I'm anxious to see what happens today, both because it could be something really exciting, and it could be nothing at all, which would be sort of frustrating.
My sister is up, and called a while ago to remind me to call her when I find out what's going on, even if it's nothing. She's stuck at a first aid course all day, and it seems I'm in a race with another guy who's there, he's waiting for his wife to have a baby. I'll do my best! I told her she's mom's fill in as labour coach. It's too bad really that you can only have 2 people in with you the whole time. I'll just have to be out wandering around I guess.
I've mostly stopped answering the phone, and will definitely be not answering the phone and will be changing the message once the ball starts rolling. Is that selfish / inconsiderate of me? I don't care, really. The thing is, if we're home, clearly there's nothing going on, so if you must call, remember that, and don't ask, that's just silly. I'm still feeling basically good, and that's the only reason that I haven't murdered anyone, or at least told anyone off. Including, but not limited to, random strangers at the mall who stare at me or ask me when I'm due. One woman last night, a saleslady at Reitman's, said, 'oh, I just always want to touch the bellies when I see them, but I know I can't!'. I think she was half expecting me to say, 'no, go ahead!' But I didn't. It's my stomach, and even though it's sticking out into what may appear to be public domain, it's still mine. I don't mind in the least when people I know touch me, but the idea of strangers is just...odd.
I'm compiling a list in my head of things that are good to know during pregnancy. I'll post it whenever I get a good bunch of things.
Well, it seems that it's actually time for me to start getting ready, showering and whatnot. My appointment is in an hour, and even though it won't be really, I always show up on time, just in case. Grant's going to meet me there; I'm glad he's coming to the appointments now because a) it gives me someone to talk to once they shuffle me into the doctor's office and make me wait some more, and b) he feels better knowing that there's really not much going on at these appointments, I'm not exaggerating at all, and everything is ok with me and the baby.
More later.
My sister is up, and called a while ago to remind me to call her when I find out what's going on, even if it's nothing. She's stuck at a first aid course all day, and it seems I'm in a race with another guy who's there, he's waiting for his wife to have a baby. I'll do my best! I told her she's mom's fill in as labour coach. It's too bad really that you can only have 2 people in with you the whole time. I'll just have to be out wandering around I guess.
I've mostly stopped answering the phone, and will definitely be not answering the phone and will be changing the message once the ball starts rolling. Is that selfish / inconsiderate of me? I don't care, really. The thing is, if we're home, clearly there's nothing going on, so if you must call, remember that, and don't ask, that's just silly. I'm still feeling basically good, and that's the only reason that I haven't murdered anyone, or at least told anyone off. Including, but not limited to, random strangers at the mall who stare at me or ask me when I'm due. One woman last night, a saleslady at Reitman's, said, 'oh, I just always want to touch the bellies when I see them, but I know I can't!'. I think she was half expecting me to say, 'no, go ahead!' But I didn't. It's my stomach, and even though it's sticking out into what may appear to be public domain, it's still mine. I don't mind in the least when people I know touch me, but the idea of strangers is just...odd.
I'm compiling a list in my head of things that are good to know during pregnancy. I'll post it whenever I get a good bunch of things.
Well, it seems that it's actually time for me to start getting ready, showering and whatnot. My appointment is in an hour, and even though it won't be really, I always show up on time, just in case. Grant's going to meet me there; I'm glad he's coming to the appointments now because a) it gives me someone to talk to once they shuffle me into the doctor's office and make me wait some more, and b) he feels better knowing that there's really not much going on at these appointments, I'm not exaggerating at all, and everything is ok with me and the baby.
More later.
Monday, April 4
nothing doing
despite my best efforts, no baby yet. I've still got at least all day today to will something to happen, and there's no saying that my Dr. will for sure actually do anything tomorrow, she could just be setting up an appointment. We'll see. I'll definitely update tomorrow or Wednesday, so if you don't hear from me on here, it's possible that something's going on. It's also possible that blogger is broken, or something equally non-baby related.
I have an eye appointment on Wednesday in Moncton, I don't think I'm going to make it. It was made during the 'this baby is going to come any minute' stage of the game. SUCH the jokester! Anyway, so I have to change that. I really like my eye doctor in Moncton, but I think it's probably more practical to have one here for simple checkups like this...just an apres-lasik check in.
My poor belly has been so itchy lately that I thought I was going to die. I've got some band-aid anti itch gel that works pretty well, although smells like vaporub. I think the problem may be that because my pants don't fit properly (I don't know how they possibly could, at this point), the buttons and zippers (which are often open when I'm just hanging out at home) are probably rubbing against me, and I'm allergic to nickel, which they may be made of? I think this rather than just the stretching factor because it's only on the bottom half of my belly, and things don't really feel that tight there, relative to anywhere else already showing signs of stretch. So, I've gone back to my original plan of wearing the overalls every day to see if that helps.
I'm bored, and hungry, so am going to eat something to take care of one of those needs. I'll pass on any news as it presents itself to me.
I have an eye appointment on Wednesday in Moncton, I don't think I'm going to make it. It was made during the 'this baby is going to come any minute' stage of the game. SUCH the jokester! Anyway, so I have to change that. I really like my eye doctor in Moncton, but I think it's probably more practical to have one here for simple checkups like this...just an apres-lasik check in.
My poor belly has been so itchy lately that I thought I was going to die. I've got some band-aid anti itch gel that works pretty well, although smells like vaporub. I think the problem may be that because my pants don't fit properly (I don't know how they possibly could, at this point), the buttons and zippers (which are often open when I'm just hanging out at home) are probably rubbing against me, and I'm allergic to nickel, which they may be made of? I think this rather than just the stretching factor because it's only on the bottom half of my belly, and things don't really feel that tight there, relative to anywhere else already showing signs of stretch. So, I've gone back to my original plan of wearing the overalls every day to see if that helps.
I'm bored, and hungry, so am going to eat something to take care of one of those needs. I'll pass on any news as it presents itself to me.
Friday, April 1
reassurance
I've been talking to a friend of my sister's, and she had her membranes ruptured to induce labour. She started having contractions about 5 minutes later and delivered her baby about 7 hours later. Not bad. That's encouraging. Something has to work, right? I'm still holding out for something to happen naturally before that, so keep those labour vibes coming!
hey guess what! I'm in labour!
just kidding. April fools!
was that mean? oh well. many of you seem to think I'm not going to tell you when I have a baby anyway, so I figure it's fair to mess you around a bit.
My sister took me for a pedicure the other night, it was sweet. The colour is a reddish pink, and called 'nice colour, eh?'. Pretty fun. While I was there, the ladies all got talking about psychics and whatnot, and the wedding ring on the chain test to see if you're having a boy or girl baby. They do it over your left hand, and keep repeating the test so it reveals what sex all of your past / present / future babies will be. One woman did it to all of us, and 2 of the other women already had children, and it guessed their sexes correctly, then predicted other kids for them. One woman it didn't move at all, just stopped, she doesn't have kids, nor is she planning on having any. They did me, and according to the test I'm having a girl. Then a boy, then another girl. Pretty fun, they made me promise I'd call and let them know, because I explained to them that I was pretty sure it was a boy, given what we've seen on the many ultrasound scans. It would be pretty funny, but rather surprising.
I called my doctor's office, and the receptionist said that she'd probably not rupture my membranes right there, but would likely send me over to labour and delivery. I guess I'll just have to go with bags packed and see what happens. That's on Tuesday. Wow. I'm not sure if knowing *is* any better than not knowing, really.
Also, to add to my list of fears and worries, I've been thinking more about the whole tattoo epidural thing, and since I can't find out ahead of time, since it depends on the anesthetist on duty, I'm worried now that if for some reason I need a c-section ( I can't see why I would, but it's always possible, I'm trying not to think too much about it) that they'd have to knock me out, and I really, reallllly don't want that. So, hopefully I won't need an epidural anyway, and if I do, I can get one, and there'll be no need for any of this silly c-section business.
was that mean? oh well. many of you seem to think I'm not going to tell you when I have a baby anyway, so I figure it's fair to mess you around a bit.
My sister took me for a pedicure the other night, it was sweet. The colour is a reddish pink, and called 'nice colour, eh?'. Pretty fun. While I was there, the ladies all got talking about psychics and whatnot, and the wedding ring on the chain test to see if you're having a boy or girl baby. They do it over your left hand, and keep repeating the test so it reveals what sex all of your past / present / future babies will be. One woman did it to all of us, and 2 of the other women already had children, and it guessed their sexes correctly, then predicted other kids for them. One woman it didn't move at all, just stopped, she doesn't have kids, nor is she planning on having any. They did me, and according to the test I'm having a girl. Then a boy, then another girl. Pretty fun, they made me promise I'd call and let them know, because I explained to them that I was pretty sure it was a boy, given what we've seen on the many ultrasound scans. It would be pretty funny, but rather surprising.
I called my doctor's office, and the receptionist said that she'd probably not rupture my membranes right there, but would likely send me over to labour and delivery. I guess I'll just have to go with bags packed and see what happens. That's on Tuesday. Wow. I'm not sure if knowing *is* any better than not knowing, really.
Also, to add to my list of fears and worries, I've been thinking more about the whole tattoo epidural thing, and since I can't find out ahead of time, since it depends on the anesthetist on duty, I'm worried now that if for some reason I need a c-section ( I can't see why I would, but it's always possible, I'm trying not to think too much about it) that they'd have to knock me out, and I really, reallllly don't want that. So, hopefully I won't need an epidural anyway, and if I do, I can get one, and there'll be no need for any of this silly c-section business.