I’ve never done water aerobics before today. Let me just say, I had a blast. It was a rainy day here in Portland and I badly needed to get out of the house. I have been meaning to check out the NE community center and finally did so today. I dropped Anna off at the child care center there, which is actually really nice and comfortable. She cried a little but over all I think she did fine. Then, off I went to water aerobics. I had no idea what to expect. It was a class of maybe 10 and I was indeed the youngest person there by far. I am 32 and I would say the average age was more like 57. I was pleasantly greeted by a cute little woman in her 70’s named Hazel. The class was quite fun and I think I got a good work out too. I never felt too tired but that is okay with me being 11.5 weeks pregnant. My last pregnancy I think I pushed it too far and that may be why I ended up having pre-term labor. ( also I was really stressed out at the time). So this pregnancy, I am trying to go easy on myself. Not that I am some crazy athlete or work out person. I have however always been a fairly active person. I like to run and that is my primary mode of exercise. In college in Montana I would finish with classes for the day, hop in my then little red pick up truck, taking my yellow lab ( Luna) for an hour long hike everyday. After my pregnancy with Anna ( and 3 months on bed rest) I started doing baby boot camp. It is a stroller/mommy work out group class and I loved it. It was a way to get out of the house and be with other moms.
the end? March 9, 2009
So, I am thinking about ending this blog or at least going on a temporary break. One reason is that I hardly have time to write anything or even think of anything to write or post. Second, is that as Anna is getting older I am beginning to become more careful about what I am posting about her etc.
Early on this blog was a great way to communicate with family and friends when I was on bedrest and had A LOT of time on my hands. After that, it sort-of turned into a blog about being a new mom and posting things I thought other new moms found interesting.
Now, with a one year old on my hands, it seems I have less time to write anything and frankly I am just not feeling like I have anything I want to say right now. Boring yes.
It has been over a year since this blog started and I am happy to be able to re-read my posts from then and remember the past. I have had over 8,000 people reading this blog since then. Not a lot of people, but more than just my family and friends. I hope maybe I have helped some other people in a positive way because of this blog.
Maybe, I’ll start writing more when she has a little sibling on the way……..stay tuned on that one. It isn’t happening yet.
So, check back periodically, maybe there will be more posts down the road. As for now…. adios.
Anna is almost walking February 13, 2009
Geez what a year it has been. One year ago I was STILL in the hospital. I got “out” on Valentines day, but still spent an additional 5 weeks at home on bed rest. It all seems so long ago and like a weird dream.
Anna is now almost 11 months old and is actually fast on her way to walking. She took 3 steps today on her own!! It is crazy how fast they develop and change before your eyes.
We just got back from a trip back to St. louis to visit family. Traveling with a 10 month old isn’t easy. It is hard to hold them in a confined space for that long. (Especially because their attention spans are like 1-2 min. ) I dont’ plan on traveling anywhere again for at least a few more months.
what a year it has been. January 5, 2009
Happy new year! What a year it has been. I would have to say it has overall been one of the best years of my life due to the arrival of our daughter Anna. I never new just how much fun and joy she would bring into our lives. It has been a crazy journey so far. Two days from now marks the start of my 10.5 week bedrest sentence due to pre-term labor. It is really just amazing to me that it has already been a year since that all happened.
Much of that day is a blur because at the time I just could not grasp what was happening to me. I was in denial I guess. I had been having what I thought were “braxton hicks” contractions. Low and behold they were much more than that. (so, a word to the wise to any pregnant woman reading this, If you are having contractions, even painless contractions, and they seem to be happening several times a day–PAY ATTENTION to them. You should sit down and time them and if you have more than about 4 an hour–call your doctor right away.) I finally went in to the doctor because these contractions seemed to be coming on frequently and regularly. When I got to the clinic, they did and exam and an ultrasound and put me on the monitor. Low and behold I was contracting every 4-5 minutes and my cervix was changing. I was 26 weeks pregnant. So, they shot me some terbutaline ( a medicine which can slow down and sometimes stop contractions) and sent me to the hospital. I remember it was a a rainy, dreary day here in Portland. I distinctly remember it pouring as Ryan and I drove over the Freemont bridge heading up to St. Vincents hospital. I remember Ryan calling his mom and that he could hardly get the words out of his mouth to tell her what was going on. Although I was nervous, I think seeing him so choked up hit me harder than anything. And, from there I spent 5 weeks or so in bed at the hospital and another 5.5 weeks in bed at home. I could only get up to use the bathroom and to take a quick shower. Every week was a blessing and we watched the calender like hawks. First our goal was to get to 28 weeks, then to 30 weeks, then to 32 and lastly to 36 weeks. It was hard and challenging but I guess overall I knew everything was going to be okay. Or, I guess that is what I had convinced myself of. In the end, it all turned out well when on March 20th we delivered a healthy baby girl ( at 36 weeks and 6 days gestation). It was the greatest gift ever.
Ryan and I have had such fun with her, watching her grow and develop. She is 9 months old now and there are times at night when we walk by her crib while she is sleeping and we both say…”is that OUR daughter?”.
We had tremendous support from our family and friends which is really what helped us through. It was however hard not having family close by. All of our family was back in the midwest. It was also hard because Ryan had just started his new job and was working long hours, then coming to the hospital after work, then going home at 10pm only to wake up and do it all over again. I must say, it greatly strengthened our relationship. Things do happen for a reason.
Shortly after I landed in the hospital I started this blog. It was to help accomplish a few things: #1 give me something to do, #2 keep people posted on everything, #3 chronical our journey.
going back to work…a crying shame June 19, 2008
This week marks the end of my 6.5 month hiatus from the working world. Ah, I must say it has been nice. Not that I would like to repeat the 2.5 mos of bed rest–but not being at my stressful job has been great. It has made me wonder why I am even returning …..maybe I should be looking for something else. I am definitely dreading going back and that is a problem. It is not that I want to be a complete stay at home mom either-because lately I have been desiring more interaction in the adult world. I like working and being productive. It is just my job that is so stressful to me and I swear that stress is what caused my preterm labor. I’ve decided to give it until December to see how things go. I’ll be starting at the new clinic in August so I’ll wait and see how that goes. While I am appreciative of having a good job and the ability to wake up and actually go to work–I do believe that life is too short to be doing something that makes you that unhappily stressed.
My parents are driving out from Minnesota to stay with us for 2 weeks and watch Anna when I return to work. Once they leave she will be going to daycare.
The ballon April 9, 2008
So for those of you that have been reading this preterm labor/pregnancy blog now since the beginning, you may be wondering…what ever happened to the balloon.?????? ( see previous post re this). Well, I do believe the balloon did drop when she was born. I had gone in to the hospital on a Wednesday March 19th, the balloon at that time was quite low to the ground. I however did not deliver Miss Anna until the next afternoon-March 20th and then of course spent the following 2 days in the hospital recovering. When I did return home on Saturday the balloon was on the ground. So, It is my belief that it did drop when the day Anna was born.
We also had another outing yesterday. We went to the grocery store Fred Myers and then off to Milagros -a neat Children’s Store located in NE Portland. We went there in search of the Moby Wrap/sling. Havent yet tried the sling out but look forward to using it. We also took Max for a walk. It was a bit challenging being alone and pushing the stroller and holding the dog leash but we managed. All is all, it was a great day. Anna also got some sleep last night which means mom and dad were finally able to catch a little shut eye.
We are looking forward to having Grandma Jane coming into town this weekend.
2.5 weeks old. April 7, 2008
Baby Anna is now about 2.5 weeks old. We are trying to settle into routine but obviously routines are hard to come by with newborns. She is currently still has her nights and days mixed up and enjoys keeping her parents awake all night. Her Grandma Helen was in town all last week and her Grandma Jane will be coming next week. Mom is trying to find some time for herself. I’ve made a few journeys outside the home–the grocery store and Target! Wow what fun huh! Last week we went to our 2 week checkup and Anna had gained almost a whole pound since birth!! This made mom feel very relieved. All that hard work at breastfeeding seems to be paying off. Anna is doing well according to her Doctor with no concerns. Her fractured clavicle seems to be healing fine and doesnt bother her in the least bit. Her jaundice has essentially cleared up and her cephalohematoma ( bruise on head) is resolving.
On Saturday we had our first major outing besides the Doctors Office. We went out for coffee with dad and grandma to this place called Sip and Kranz, then off to a baby store called Little Urbanites for a few fun things. After that–some time at a friends house and off to dinner at Jakes. It was a BIG day. I realized just how isolated I’ve been these past 3 months. I am ready to get out and see the world again now.
More news: that job that I wrote about that I interviewed for a few weeks ago….
They called and offered the job to me!!!!! So I accepted! I guess it wasn’t as bad of an interview as I thought. I will be working in the same department with the same company just at a new location and only part time. I’ll be working 2 ten hour shifts which will be great and NO more nights or weekends as I did in the past. I think this will be a good combo for me and Anna. It will allow me some adult time and yet not be working too much as I used to do. We still have to settle in on a daycare which I am totally not looking forward to. We interested in this place that is located on the first floor of Ryan’s office building so daddy will get to be nearby. I dont even want to think about dropping her off there just yet. I am so glad I’ll be home for 12 weeks–6 weeks is just too soon. It is a shame because 6 weeks is only the time allowed medically for the woman to heal and recooperate from labor–but the newborn infant isnt considered in that time off period. 6 weeks seems so premature for a little one to then be left alone with stranges all day while mom is off working 40 hours a week. It seems you would have hardly developed your relationship/routine with your little one before you are required to re-enter the work force. Additionally I can see why so many women give up breastfeeding at that point because It all can be quite challenging to juggle. I think our country would be better off if we placed more value on the family unit–allowed moms to stay home longer ( with some pay) to develop these crucial relationships with our children. It seems our country just values the bottom line–money –over families and relationships. It is very sad to me. No wonder we have such craziness going on in the world.
Its a….GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!! What a miracle. March 28, 2008
After 10 long weeks of bedrest and many worried nights and days—–Beautiful Ms. Anna P made her grand entrance into the world on 03.20.08 at 3: 38 pm ( first day of spring). She weighed 7 pounds and was 20 inches long. She instantly won over her parents hearts.
She suffered a fractured collar bone on the weigh out ( poor little girl) and had some significant bruising to her head ( traumatic birth I guess) as well as a little round of jaundice–BUT otherwise is quite healthy and robust. We are loving having her here with us and are still shell shocked that she is ours!!! Mom and dad are of course busy as ever and are struggling to find time to rest. We hope to be updating this blog down the road and especially adding pictures are we go. Here are a few to start.
no more bedrest March 17, 2008
Happy St. Patricks Day!! Hope you all go have a green beer for me.
Friday I stopped bedrest! I have been slowly easing into things as I am finding that I tire out pretty quickly. Ryan and I went out to dinner friday night and I could hardly make it through ( i did however push myself to make it through desert). Sitting upright for that long was pure torture. I was sore, my back hurt, the baby keep kicking and I was having those darn “painless” contractions again. Saturday I went to get my hair done and barely made it through that as well. Today, I actually went to a job interview. I know I’m nuts. It was with the same company I currently work for–just a much closer location and a part time position. We”ll see how that went— I felt like a blubbering fool. There were 10 people interviewing me. I have not had to be “on my toes like” that or in a work environment for over 2.5 mos–i think my brain has turned to mush. I’m not sure I’ll get the job–oh well–what can I do???
36 weeks!! Can you believe it? March 14, 2008
Yes the 36 week marker is here!!!!!!!! Today is the day we all have been waiting and praying for. What a relief/miracle/blessing. I hardly know what to do with myself. Now the next question is..when IS this baby going to come?? Soon? Or will he/she hold out to the very end???
So, I have this story that I think is very weird and even a little eerie. It is not made up and it happened last night. To start, on Feb. 3rd, 2008, my family back in Minnesota gathered around for a baby shower for both me and my cousin Alicia.
I was in the hospital and unable to make it. Someone, (i believe my cousin Kristina) bought this helium balloon that said: welcome baby p. that they had for the shower. After the shower, my mom shipped out some goodies for us here in Portland and in the box she placed the helium balloon. I took it out of the box and it was good as new and floated right up to the ceiling of my living room and has remained there ever since. I did have a baby shower here and for the afternoon the balloon was tied to a tree outside to greet everyone. After the party the balloon came back in and went right back to its corner in the living room. Yesterday it finally started showing signs that it was deflating–but only a little bit. Every time our heat would turn on the balloon would start to bob up and down. At that point, I for some reason, had this thought that when the balloon completely drops to the floor–that is when I’ll start labor. Crazy–I know but hey I’ve been laying in bed for 2.5 months-give me a break. So Ryan came home from work that night and I told him my thoughts regarding the balloon–he laughed a bit but obviously thought nothing of it.
Later, that we decided that tonight was the night we were going to return to sleeping in OUR bed which is located on the 2nd floor. Prior to last night we had been sleeping on the 1st floor in the spare bedroom so that I could avoid using the stairs. While we were laying in bed reading and enjoying being back in our big comfy bed, the balloon came bouncing into our room! It had come up the stairs and right into our room. Then it proceeded to bounce along the ceiling until it settled into position right above my head!!! It then began bobbing up and down again and at times was hitting me in the head! Ryan and I were laughing hysterically but we were also a little freaked out. The balloon would not leave me alone so I ended up having to tie it to the end of the bed where it remains. IS THAT WEIRD OR WHAT?????? I have to admit I am a bit superstious and do think this could perhaps be a sign of some kind. Either that or we have a friendly ghost who is cheering us on. None the less, it was a very strange event.
Now, on to a different topic. For those of you that are pregnant or with a little one already, you may be interested in this. I found these really cool diapers called g diapers. They are environmentally friendly as they are bio-degradeable and flushable. “The flushable refills contain tree farmed fluff pulp and Super absorber. These lock away cells hold up to 100 times their weight in liquid so your baby stays dry. The outer material of the flushable is all natural fiber and is 100% compostable.” They decompose in about 2 mos. Normal “disposable” diapers do not decompose for 500 HUNDRED years!! That is insane! Cloth diapers are an alternative but they too aren’t that eco-friendly in that it takes a lot of water and energy to clean them each time.
check out their website–they are really cool: gdiapers.com
ITS THE FINAL COUNT DOWN. March 13, 2008
At the present moment I have less than 24 hours left of bedrest!! Team P. is nearing the finish line. I get to stop the terbutaline. I will still need to take it easy for the next week or so, but I will be able to walk around the house, take care of my basic needs, even run some errands. We had a Doc’s appointment yesterday with the perinatologist. Everything checked out good; the baby’s heartbeat was normal at 144 bmp, weight gain was appropriate. Ryan and I are going out to dinner tomorrow night and I’m going to get my haircut! How exciting right?
Will keep ya posted on further news. In the meantime I may just continue to post videos/pictures that I find entertaining. (Too bad if you do not).
If you do have anything funny or of note to post please let me know.
One more thing, I found this cool website this morning called:
It is a music website/web radio that you can select what type of music to play based on your mood. check it out.
belly pic March 10, 2008
my mom requested an updated belly photo to be posted..here you go…getting bigger.
I was reading my friends blog, www.mrdiggles.com, and came across this funny video he had posted. Hope you enjoy too, it is these guys trying to pull a tree down using their truck. I would have thought the outcome would be quite obvious, apparently not to them.
DID SOMEONE SAY WALLETS?
Just wanted to give a plug to my friends billfolds/wallet company based here in Portland. They make terrificly fun an quality wallets. Their company started out by Garett making handmade wallets out of duct tape in his house. It has all grown from there. You can now find their wallets in all sorts of speciality stores, boutiques, as well as major department stores such as Nordstroms. To read more about their interesting story and to view their latest creations click: db clay
“who is dbclay?”
“Based in NE Portland, we create unique wallets called pocket art. Our newest collection of Designer wallets is titled Version 3. We have developed a proprietary printing process for transferring conceptual artwork and timeless photographs onto our custom textile (eco friendly Tope) prior to stitching our one-of-a-kind Tope fabric into a strong and beautiful billfold. Each piece tells a story, intends to spark human interaction and encourage meaningful conversation.”
In need of a photographer???????
ONE more plug: my friend is a photographer here in PDX and just got her website up and running. She takes amazing photos. If anyone is in the need to a great photograpger for an event I suggest you check her out. She has done a lot of different events from weddings, to birthday parties, pets, etc.. Check out her website too by clicking: juliana photography.
35 weeks today, 8.5 weeks of bedrest and 7 more days left March 7, 2008
Made it to 35 weeks!!!! Holy cow. This it the point I was hoping to get to 2 months ago when all this began. And now we are here. Its a party, time to celebrate! Max and I are going to do a little dance together now on the couch.
Just 7 more days left of bedrest, of not being able to take care of your self or to go outside and take a walk, to drive, to cook, etc. It is hard to be so dependent on other people for your basic needs. Thankfully, I have a truly wonderful husband who has been working his butt off. He has been working long hours at work, and then coming home to care/wait on me and Max. And he did it without hesitation nor complaining. Now that is not to say we didn’t have some rough spots and frustrating days-but all in all we did it together as a team. I think we are very lucky–I am very lucky.
The thing is, there are many other people out there who do not have such a great husband or family or friends; who maybe don’t have a date they are shooting towards when all their suffering or certain circumstance will be over and their lives will go back to normal. For some people, it goes on forever. They are the one’s that are truly inspiring.
Ryan and I both feel that although this has been a challenging experience (one of many more to come down the road) it has been a positive one on so many levels. It has helped us grow as individuals as well as a couple. It has taught us more about ourselves and allowed us to slow down and appreciate the small things in life. It has taught us to appreciate the value of ONE day–a single day. Not yesterday or tomorrow, but today. everyday we both wake up thankful for another day-for another day of this pregnancy and development for this little baby. That was all we had–just a day.
inspiration video that many of you have probably seen before-it is worth watching once again.
8 weeks of bedrest March 4, 2008
10 more days left of bedrest! Count down. I am excited and nervous all at once. Would like to feel like a normal person for at least a few days before the baby comes. (you know be able to like stand erect for more than 10 min, maybe take a short walk, go out to dinner etc) Don’t get me wrong though–I am thankful to be in the position we are today as opposed to 8 weeks ago. I feel so fortunate. It has been a great challenge–but one that is worth every second.
Just got the statement from the hospital–total charges for 5 weeks—any guesses…………83,000$. Nuts huh. Thankfully, we have good health insurance or we would be in big time trouble. I didnt even have any invasive tests or procedures, surgery etc..just basic care. I’m not sure how people without health insurance would even get by. Been thinking about how poor the quality of food is in the hospital too. It is much worse than the school lunches I remember as a kid. Here is a place that is suppose to be helping people get healthy and feel better, yet they are serving food that is awful. It seems like common sense..but apparently it is all about cost. Tell you what though, people would feel a lot better if they were eating GOOD food. Not the mushing, sorry veggies they try to give you, or the fruit out of can or weird meat that comes in a box?? It is totally absurd. Our country has some things very backwards.
Its also crazy that our country doesn’t seem to value families and new moms etc. We are like 1 of 3 industrialized countries that doesnt give adaquate time off from work OR paid leave for parents to care for their newborn children. Sure there is FMLA-however not everyone qualifies for that and it isnt for paid time off. Instead many families are forced to turn their babies over to the hands of a stranger at just 6 weeks old so mom and dad can rush back to work. No wonder so many people are stressed out and unhappy.
Sorry for the little rant–just some things that have been on my mind as I have been laying here for 8 weeks.
34 weeks today!! February 29, 2008
Not much to say today other than we are now at 34 weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
14 days until 36 weeks–and i can then stop the terbutaline and slowly stop bedrest!!!
