Update

I had a doctor appointment and apparently not being at work is doing me some good, I guess I didn't realize how much it stressed me out. Anyhow, my blood pressure was 130/80 which is pretty normal. My swelling has continued to increase, my feet do not even look human. I think they look like Fred Flinstone feet.

At this point we just wait and see what happens, I am 2 cm dilated but I could stay like that for weeks so who knows. Dr. Dupler did seem a little concerned about how big Maddy may get if she doesn't come soon. He said because of my small stature (he called me short) it will be harder the bigger she gets for me to deliver and the increase of a c-section goes up. I have a feeling if Madelyn doesn't decide to come on her own this week then they may try to move things along next week.

Only time will tell. I sure would like to be spending my days at home with a baby though instead of sitting here by myself everyday!!!

We will keep everyone updated as things progress, my next appointment is Friday morning.

I think the chances of being able to attend my sister's graduation from IU are slowly diminishing. Sorry Allie, I am really bummed.

House Arrest...bedrest

Well today was an interesting morning, I had a 9:00am doctor appointment that Adam accompanied me too. The nurse came in the room to take my blood pressure which has been running high for a few weeks now. I could immediately tell by the look on her face that it wasn't good, plus she said "take a deep breath and let me take that again". My BP was 140/100, way too high. Dr. Paas immediately sent me over to labor and delivery to be monitored and possibly induced if my blood pressure didn't go down. I was put on all kinds of monitors and they drew blood, AGAIN. The nurse felt the veins in my left arm and she said "have you had a lot of labs drawn during this pregnancy?" I of course responded with a YES and that it's pretty pathetic that she could tell that by feeling my veins, I thank my dad for that in passing down the negative blood type.

I was monitored for an hour with my blood pressure being taken every 15 minutes, it continually started to go down as I laid there. So as you may have guessed it they sent me home to be on bed rest until Maddy decides to come. The only good news of the day was that I am having contractions even though I don't really feel them. The only way I could tell I was having a contraction was because Madelyn's heartbeat would go up about 30 bpm when they were happening.

As we were leaving my nurse politely said "see you next week" and winked. I sure hope she is right because I am going to go nuts being at home all day, not to mention probably driving my husband nuts too. Sorry honey!!!!

I can't forget to tell you about the highlight of Adam's day while at the hospital. I was laying in the bed and all of the sudden I see this huge shadow outside the window on the wall. The nurse says "oh yeah we have 2 turkey vultures that roost up here on this ledge". The two huge birds sat at my window the whole time we were there and Adam was pretty entertained, I have to say they were two of the ugliest birds I have ever seen. It made the time go fast at least!!!

7 Showers Later!!!

My baby showers are officially over now, my last one was this past Saturday. I was starting to get a bit nervous that I would be taking Madelyn with me to the last few...but we made it.

We are very lucky to have so many people that love and care about us enough to throw such wonderful showers. I uploaded some pictures under "Our Pictures" to the right if you want to see some of the great things we received for Maddy.

Now we can't wait to use them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was a busy day!!!!

Not only was yesterday my birthday but we also met with the pediatrician and I had a doctor appointment myself. Adam and I both worked a half day and it was really nice to spend the afternoon together, the closer my due date approaches the more I realize that it will never just be Adam and I again. I am so anxious and excited for Maddy to arrive but at the same time I know we will never be able to go where ever and when ever we want. The weather was so beautiful yesterday, Adam and I were reminiscing about all the times we would go sit outside at a restaurant and enjoy a few drinks and each other's company. It will be interesting to see how those days will change, I figure we will be packing a picnic and going to the park so Maddy can play. I look forward to those days as well!!!

We met Dr. Rudicel yesterday, he will be Madelyn's pediatrician. Adam and I both liked him, the office was nice and very kid friendly. There was Colts, Pacers and Sponge Bob stuff everywhere. He even gave us a tour of the facility himself and was most excited to show us the little potty they have in the bathroom for the kids. I could see how kids would really like him. Adam asked a few questions about how he would deal with allergies, mainly because he had to deal with allergies himself growing up. He answered the questions to Adams satisfaction!!

We then went to my doctor's appointment for my 37 week check-in, I have to go twice a week now so I feel like I am constantly at the doctor. Everything went well and my blood pressure seems to be staying pretty steady, it's still a little high but nothing alarming. Dr. Pass did tell me she thinks I will be having an April baby not a May baby!!! I am not sure why she thinks that but I was more then happy to agree with her, we will see if she is right!!!

We Graduated!!

Adam and I finished our last childbirth class this week and we were awarded with a certificate that we "Graduated". Now we will see how much we actually learned when we have to put it in action.

This week we basically went over all the breathing techniques and relaxation exercises. We did watch another video about a cesarean section, it was interesting to see the differences and how quickly it can all take place.

We had one couple in our class that was due the end of May, they came into class to tell us that they had the baby 6 weeks early. Apparently she started having contractions the week before during class and they didn't stop for 4 days. She went to the hospital only to be turned away but 3 days later she had him. She was able to go home but the baby was still in the NICU with a feeding tube. She has to return to the hospital every 3 hours to breastfeed, I can't imagine how hard and exhausting that would be. The baby was doing great and they were hoping to take him home within the next few days. It was nice to see how excited and proud they were!!

So now we just wait until Maddy is ready and we can put into action all that we learned!!

Trying to Avoid Bedrest

On Tuesday morning I woke up to really swollen feet, ankles and hands. I went to work and since I work at a retirement community blood pressure cuffs are readily available, I took my blood pressure and it was a little high compared to what it has been throughout my pregnancy. I called the doctor office and they asked me to do a few things then re-check it in an hour. It was still high after I re-checked it and the nurse had me come in to the office. They did some blood work and that all came back normal which was good news. I went back to the doctor yesterday and my blood pressure was still high, the doctor was a little concerned. He asked me if I wanted to try and continue working, I of course said "yes" because I would rather have more time off once Maddy is born. He gave me strict instructions to go to work only, after work I need to go home and lay down. Dr. Mernitz didn't hesitate to tell me if things get worse that he would put me on bed rest until the baby can be delivered.

So nothing too exciting for me the next few weeks, I will be taking it easy and trying to keep my blood pressure down.

3rd Childbirth Class

We attended our 3rd class last night, I was most anxious for this class because we took a tour of the maternity floor. We saw the triage, LDR (labor, delivery, recovery), surgery area and post-partum rooms. The hospital I will be delivering at is fairly small, I couldn't get over how quiet it was last night.

All of the rooms have flat screen TVs, CD/DVD players and refrigerators. Adam's favorite part is the "Nourishment" rooms they have on each hall. These rooms are stocked with water, soda, fruit, sandwiches and snacks for the dads. I of course will not be allowed to have anything but ice chips until after Maddy is born. They also have a family lounge area that has fresh baked Toll House cookies that smelled really good last night, we figure this is where you will be able to find both of our father's the majority of the time.

Adam and I are both getting pretty anxious for the "Big Day" to arrive. We were talking yesterday about getting a bag packed for the hospital in the next few days just in case.

Two babies were born while we were there last night, we heard the lullaby over the loud speaker twice!!!! So exciting!!