Jodi- Three months

Jodi,

You turned 3 months on 6/14/09. We went down to Gandy's Beach to initially visit Mimi, but she was unable to come up from Florida to see you. You've gotten so big!!! You weigh almost 12 pounds. You are starting to find your thumb. Another thing you've found is your voice. You love to screech and scream, especially when I'm on the phone. We talk a lot, especially in the morning. You are such a happy baby in the morning. I walk to your crib to greet you and you have the biggest smile on your face. When I get ready in the morning I can hear you entertaining yourself in your crib through the baby monitor.

You've done such a good job sleeping in your own room. We moved you in there in the beginning of June since we were starting to sleep through the night ( you would wake up at 4:30). Ever since you've been in your own room there have been maybe one or two occasions where you've woken up at 3, and that's it. You are such a good baby!!!

Mommy and daddy have set up a routine for you now that mommy is back to work, and you seem to be falling into it pretty well. Your naps and food schedule is pretty much still yours, but you wake up and go to sleep at the same time, and we always have jammy time at 8 pm.

You've done so well with your shots!! You only cry a little bit! Such a brave girl.

You're hair has a tint of red in it, and your eyes are changing color. I think they will be brown, maybe a dark hazel.

Your neck is strong, but you hate tummy time. After about 30 seconds you've had enough and you start to scream. You love to lift yourself up to the sitting position, then you hoist yourself up on your legs. You like to stand on your own two feet (with mom or dad holding you).

You were baptized on 5/17/09. We had a little party for you. Your great aunts and uncles came, your aunts and uncles, cousins, and grandparents. You were such a good little girl, you slept through the whole thing.

You love to watch Winnie the Pooh. You laugh and giggle, especially when Lumpy the Huffalump comes on. We sing the song together and you sit in your swing and stare at the movement and colors. You aren't this mesmerized by any other show.

I love you more everyday Jodi Marie, your the best thing that has ever happened to me.

D-Day

It has been AWHILE since I've posted. But to keep up with the blog, since it's happened over 2 months ago, I'll blog about my labor and delivery. On March 12th I had my 39 week appointment with Dr. Adibi. At my doctor appointment he told me I would be induced that next day. If induction went well the baby would be born on Friday, if not, he would do the C section Saturday morning. Either way she was coming before her due date on Monday.

I got decent sleep that night. We woke up and got to the hospital around 9 am, and they started the pitocin. I was on pitocin for 8 hours and had only mild contractions, and was only still 2 cm, her head at-3 station. At that point they stopped the pitocin, kept me overnight and gave me cervadil for 12 hours. The next morning, 3/14, the cervadil was removed, but there was still no change in dilation, cervical effacement or head position. Again they started the Pitocin at 9. The contractions started to get a bit stronger than the day before, and at 3 pm my water broke. At that time the inserted a cathode that meaured the intensity of contractions into my uterus. After my water broke the contractions got much worse. Josh was helping me through them. At 5 pm Dr. Kisthardt came in and said my contractions were hard enough to get the baby down, but the baby was not decending, so a C-section was in order. They brought me to the ER, gave me a spinal, and at 5:48 pm Jodi came into the world at 8lbs., 8oz., 21 inches. I was so exhausted and kind of out of it (thanks morphine), they brought her over to see me, and after stitching me up, a couple hours later I got to hold our baby girl. The most beautiful child I'd ever seen.

We left the hospital on 3/17, and life hasn't been better. She fills our lives with so much joy. We have our tough times, because as much as you think you know, you are NEVER going to be prepared for parenthood.

I am going to blog every three months on her growth and continue to post pictures.

Week 38

No news. She hasn't dropped, I'm no more effaced or dilated that I was two weeks ago.

I seriously just want to scream.

Week 36

We went for our 36 week check-up on Monday. So far, 1 cm dialated, 70% effaced.

The doctors are worried about my blood pressure, so shortly after our doctor appointment we went to the labor and delivery ward at the hospital to have a non stress test done and a pre-eclampsia panel taken. They still want to monitor my blood pressure, so now my doctor's appoinments are twice a week. The swelling in my ankles and hands are getting pretty bad, and I've started getting headaches. The doctors also keep asking me if I have blurred vision, and I keep telling them no. However, I've noticed in the last week that I've moved my computer monitor closer to my face, and I write with my nose against my notebook, so perhaps my vision has started to blur....

Dr. Adibi thinks that she is larger than her gestational age average. Dr. Hamilton thinks she just the right size. We went for an ultrasound yesterday at 36 weeks and 2 days, and she weighs approximately 7 pounds. We'll see what Dr. Adibi says about that at my appointment on Thursday.

I think that I am starting to have contractions a bit. My back is really starting to hurt, and everyonce in awhile I'll get a menstrual like cramp. However, most of the time I think I am getting Braxton Hicks contractions. I think she is really low now, since it feels like I am carrying a bowling ball in between my legs. The pressure is getting bad too.

Hopefully not too much longer...I am very excited to finally meet her.

Week 33

(Pic of baby belly Week 33)

I had an appointment yesterday with the doctor I dislike the most in the group. He's just an old fart whose been doing this too long, so he doesn't really let you ask questions. Everything looks good. He palpated my belly and the baby's head is down, which is good. We heard the heartbeat and is was 134; normal. Nothing really too special going on; I guess we're just playing the waiting game!!





The baby shower was awesome! I loved seeing everyone! Jean- thanks for the pics. I can't wait to show them to her when she's older. I had a great time and I can't wait until I get invited to all of your baby showers!!!!!!





Someone had asked me when they thought it would be a good time to visit after the baby's born. To be honest, Josh and I would prefer only close family (mom/dad/brothers/SIL's) for the first couple of weeks. My mom and Connie will be helping me and Josh out quite a bit, and I know everyone really wants to see her, and well want to show her off!! But until we can get our bearings back physically and emotionally, spend some time bonding and getting to know her, I think two-three weeks after she comes home I'll be accepting visitors. Then you can hold her all you want. I already have a folder of phone numbers that will go in my travel bag to the hospital, so when she comes out, Josh can snap a pic on the phone and send it to our family and friends!

Week 30

We had our 30 week appointment yesterday. Everything looks fine and baby's heartbeat is maintaining at 133 bpm.

We also scheduled out all the rest of the appointments until the baby's due date. It was weird knowning there are very few appointments left until she arrives.

The furniture for the nursery arrived and we put it all together. It looks really nice. We just have to add the personal touches, and then all we'll need is a baby to put in there!!!