Went in for another routine appt this morning and ended up over at the triage center of Women's Hospital again! My blood pressure was up a little and I have some nasty edema (swelling) in my feet and hands. So they wanted to run more tests to rule out preeclampsia and make sure Mia didn't have to come out today. Poor Pete was so excited, he looked a little disappointed when Doctor Jaeger told us all of my lab work came back fine and we'd have to wait another week to induce. So after nearly 4 hours there, I am home again, rockin and rollin. On the plus side, I have progressed to 2cm dilated, 80% effaced on my own in a week, so there's still a chance I could go into labor naturally before Friday. If I could pick, I'd rather do it that way, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
Friday, July 27, 2007
Another One Down
38 weeks! Wow!
Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)
Some swelling in your feet and ankles is normal during these last weeks, but call your practitioner without delay if you notice excessive or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles, more than slight swelling of your hands, any swelling in your face or puffiness around your eyes, or have a sudden weight gain. Also let her know immediately if have severe or persistent headaches; visual changes (such as double or blurred vision, seeing spots or flashing lights, light sensitivity, or a temporary loss of vision), intense upper abdominal pain or tenderness, or nausea and vomiting. These are symptoms of a serious condition called preeclampsia.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
VENT
Of all things I'll miss the most about being pregnant, it will be the heartBURN. Yeah right.
Never in my life have I had such bad indigestion. Some days I wake up and wonder if I have an esophagus left. Clearly my stomach acid has eaten it all away. There might be a thin layer left, like wet tissue paper, fighting for it's life. Makes me think of that scene in Indiana Jones (is it the Temple of Doom?) where they are lowering Screaming Man into the pit of lava and fire. I seriously may need an esophagus transplant. I am past the point of Zantac and TUMS. Useless, I tell you.
So the old wive's tale says lots of heartburn = hairy baby. And apparently new studies out of Johns Hopkins prove that the same hormone that produces hair also causes terrible heartburn. So if all of the above holds any weight, Mia is going to look like Chewbacca. My sonogram last week showed hair. The tech zoomed in on her head and said see that funny-looking stuff floating around like sea weed? That's hair! Guess we'll know in a week.
I Need a Home!
Everyone meet Ghost of Paco. You can call him Ghost. He made friends with Mookie and now hangs around all day on our porch. We put some food and water out occasionally, so now he really NEVER leaves. He sits by the kitchen door and tries to sneak in sometimes. Chili wants to eat him.We're running a small Humane Society here already and have a baby on the way, so there is no way we can make room for any more pets. But this little guy is breaking my heart. He is so sweet and playful. Without a doubt he would be an extremely loyal companion to anyone who gives him the attention he deserves. Whether you have a small apartment (not naming any names) or larger home, he'd be the perfect pet, even if you aren't a cat person. He is not your average cat. Otherwise, I wouldn't care this much.
I've called the local shelter and they basically told me Animal Control could come pick him up, but they would put him down. They are overwhelmed with cats right now. So she suggested I either help find him a home or simply let him be. We can't keep him, so I'm hoping someone else can help! Pretty PLEASE.
Also, he seems to be in overall good health - shiny coat and clean
The Nursery
Most of you have seen Mia's room, but for those who haven't, here are some shots of the place. We still need a rug, curtains and lamps. But other than that, it's about done!
Look at all this stuff! 
The glider we splurged a little on.
The dressers we bought as antiques for $200 total off craiglist.Pete spent countless late nights restoring the pieces and painting them white to match the crib. I found the drawer knobs on Ebay, as well as the wall shelf. We plan on replacing this lamp.
Wall shelves, wall letters, birdhouses and flowers are from Michaels.What the?
So I have on a Baby Story, this woman is delivering around 37 weeks, and nearly her ENTIRE family is in the room while she is pushing. Am I the only one that finds this a little strange? Lady is spread eagle, her knees back behind her head somewhere. Meanwhile her sister is down there with the zoom lens, her brother is cheering and clapping, her mom and dad are helping the husband hold her legs, and there are kids chasing each other around the room. And out comes the baby. Happy Birthday. Say hello to your crazy family.
Funny thing is, I see episodes like this all the time. I think my favorite was one where this poor girl was going all-natural, med-free, sitting naked from the waist down in a birthing tub. Well low and behold her husband was in there, and her mom and dad were at the edge of the tub, and a few others sitting around the room with cameras. I think somebody was eating McDonalds. It was a free for all. And the poor girl was in so much pain.
Pete is the only one, other than the medical professionals, that will be in the room with me. I love you all, but nobody needs to see that.
He Shops Consignment...?
A friend at The Babywearer recently spotted singer-songwriter Dave Matthews, 40, and his 5-week-old son August Oliver in Seattle.
I'm at my favorite local consignment shop today trying to shop while I wrangle my 2-year-old daughter away from the front door. Someone had come in and I was just checking to make sure they shut the baby gate so that my daughter wouldn't run into the street. Well, I look up as I pass the person and it's Dave Matthews, wearing his new little baby in what looked like a black Kangaroo Korner Adjustable Fleece Pouch. The fit was really good too. He had the perfect pouch hold! I must admit he looked kinda hot! Anyway, I didn't say anything. I figure celebrities are entitled to their normal lives out and about, but now I'm wishing I had at least complimented him on his awesome sling!
*Sigh* Found this posted on my preggo board. Had to share. I'm sure it made everyone's day. I've purchased 2 slings myself, a Hotsling in khaki and a Maya Wrap ring sling in black. Can't wait to see which Mia prefers. I've tried them on, they'll take a little getting used to. We also have a Baby Bjorn (thanks Eva and Cory!) for when she is a little older and has more head/neck support.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Oh God, I Officially Have CANKLES
Second to last week of being pregnant and here they are! I haven't seen my feet look this bad since I was on the dance team in high school, spraining them once a month. Gross. They look like 2 big loaves of Cuban bread stuffed into flip flops. And my fingers look like chorizos.
No I am not posting any pictures.
Mia's Room - artwork I painted
Thought I was never going to finish these! I probably spent a small fortune on supplies between Pearl Art Center and Michaels (enough to buy new from the Pottery Barn) but hey, at least my daughter will know that her mom is pretty crafty.
Baby Book Recommendation
Baby 411
From the creators of Baby Bargains (a MUST if you are like me and have no idea what the best and most economical items to register for and purchase are), this perfect little bundle of information beautifully organizes what all new parents need to know - nutrition, health, hygiene, warning signs, sleep, development and more. I know once Mia is here, screaming with the lung capacity of an Oprah audience member and squirting poo from the corners of her diapers, I'll probably forget every single thing, but all of their suggestions are formatted for quick reference. I've been devouring the pages everyday, and so has Pete. This is one of the only baby/pregnancy-related books I've been able to get him to read!
What I'm Reading Now
Eat, Pray, Love
Woman in her early 30s wakes up one day and realizes she doesn't want to be married or have children. So she escapes to Italy, India and Indonesia for a year, putting the pieces together, trying to find comfort in her decision to leave it all behind. It's heart-braking (I could not, even for one second, imagine life without my husband) yet exhilarating (her travels and adventures will have you planning your next vacation). I bring it along to my weekly OBGYN appointments and get a good laugh, sitting there hooked up to fetal monitors, hearing the baby's heartbeat, reading "having children is like getting a tattoo on your face, you better be sure that's what you want before you get one."
Not a Nice Guy
Minor League team to host "Michael Vick Animal Awareness Day"
LONG BEACH, California (Ticker) - A minor league baseball has announced that on Sunday they will host "Michael Vick Animal Awareness Day." The Long Beach Armada of Los Angeles of California of the United States of North America including Barrow, Alaska in the Independent Golden League are holding the event on the heels of Vick - the quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons - being indicted on federal dogfighting charges. Fans are invited to bring their dogs and sit in a special section at Blair Field.
Also, any fan who trades in a Michael Vick jersey will receive free admission to the game. The Armada also will destroy all Vick jerseys in protest to the inhumane treatment of animals.
The Bed Rest Boogie
People probably wonder what it is I do all day. I do the bed rest boogie. This involves A) not driving myself crazy with boredom, B) not driving others crazy with my boredom and C) keeping blood pressure stable around 120/70.
Typically my day of doing nothing begins around 7:30 - 8am. Must get up bright and early to do nothing! Why am I not sleeping in? More so, the question should be why am I not sleeping at all? I can't. Just doesn't happen anymore. I lost sleeping priveledges forever about 3 weeks ago. Instead I lie awake for hours on end, with at least half a dozen "things" running through my mind... health insurance, car seat installation, failed inductions, chicken recipes, if I will ever have time or money for a pedicure again, the price of rice in China...
And then I have to pee. Fine, but this involves getting up, which involves throwing a hip or shoulder out of place. And getting back into bed is nothing short of an art form. I have my regular head pillow, a body pillow, 2 feathered pillows, a snorting Boston Terrier and sweet husband who, God bless him, is in deep, luxurious sleep. Getting these objects to work in my favor takes time and patience. Once I've accomplished these thing I have to pee all over again. Awesome.
But back to my day. So I get up early and contemplate what to do. Ask the animals what they want to do. They want to eat, play, sleep. Good then, we are on the same page. I make some breakfast, surf the net, check on my amigos, see what's happening on the pregnancy forum, maybe throw on A Baby Story or the Price is Right, make some important phone calls, pay bills, figure out something to make for dinner, sort laundry, make the bed, clean the kitchen, read a book, reorganize the nursery, sterilize bottles, go to my OB appointment, which is twice a week. According to the doc I'm supposed to be clocking in 2 hours on my side in the morning and afternoon. I guess this helps keep things circulating in the right direction and my heart healthy. So I try my best and follow those orders, but it doesn't always happen. Rest is not the same relaxing activity when it is forced upon.
I only drive back and forth to the doctor. Last week I bent the rules slightly and made an emergency trip to Target. By the time I got home I was having contractions. Busted. So I just plant my butt home. My fuel light came on today. That's the first we've seen of eachother in 4.5 weeks. At least I'm saving some cash.
Do I miss work? Sometimes. Sort of. I don't miss having to be on any sort of schedule, and I sure as hell do not miss the commute from one county to the next, but I miss the interaction. I miss having a story to tell at the end of the day. Come next Friday though that will all change. I'll be so consumed by this little person, I'll barely remember what life was like before her.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Living in the Tropics
Shut up, I'm bored!
*Plumeria*
36 Week Belly Shot
Pregnito, Pregasaurus Rex, the Pregatron 3000, Hormono 
Yikes! Check out my crooked linea negra (that's not hair!)
Shower Pictures - June 23, 2007
Pete and I were exhausted from a long night in the hospital! Aunt Keri put on a great party at our house with all of our friends and neighbors. We had nearly 50 people there! I think it took us over an hour to open all of the gifts - we were a little overwhelmed. Mia is lucky to have such great people in her life. Thank you to Keri, Jaime, Juli and Erica for all of your work, and to everyone who celebrated with us! (esp. Paul and Don!) 
Daddy and Mommy taking it all in.
The Proud Papa :)
Everyone is excited to meet Miss Mia! 
Shower Pictures - June 3, 2007
Mirta, Maria and Meg threw Mia and I a wonderful celebration! Once again Meg outdid herself with all the delicious food, including shrimp and a potato salad that I've craved since! We filled 2 car loads of gifts - everyone was incredibly generous and excited to share in this great moment. What a great Sunday! 
Jen, Maria A., Keri, Mirta and Linda.
Aunt Liz keeping score on all the gifts.
Hot Latina ladies - Martha and Maria :)
Annie and my gift-opening assistant, Miss Angelina.
Everyone is all smiles.Odalys spoiled Mia with so many cool onesies!
That's one happy Abuela!
So many cute clothes! 
The Final Countdown
37.5 weeks pregnant.
Well, I'm about 9 months late on starting this blog.... in 10 days Mia will be induced! We are finally going to meet our little girl.
Pete is super excited. He stayed home yesterday and cleaned out the office, as well as the closet up front in the kitty pee room. If he isn't organizing something he is busy assembling bouncers and swings, etc. A few days ago he told me he was tired of me being pregnant and just ready to hold our baby already. Made me laugh. I was kinda thinking the same thing!
Pregnancy has treated me well. Even now, with the lightning/razor blade crotch, swelling, pelvic pressure and unstoppable indigestion, I can't really complain. Other women have suffered much worse symptoms and hormone fluctuations than I. No stretch marks yet. Four days ago I had only gained 19 pounds, but as of today's appt I am up 25. I'm hoping most of those six pounds are from water retention! (or cheesecake retention, as Pete says)
So here we are, T-minus 10 days. I just keep staring at my belly thinking WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A KID SOON. Real soon. Am I dreaming?