8: Celebrate (Almost)

Remind me some day to tell you about the day where your Mom had about 4 painful contractions before noon and then I thought today would be the day to celebrate, so I ran around like a chicken with my head cut off all day at work and then, as it turned out, after your Mom's regularly scheduled doctor's appointment, that she was still 1.5 cm dilated and 50% effaced.

Oh wait, that was today? Oh yeah, it was!

But, alas, it doesn't look like today is the day!

But, you could be here any day now! We're officially on Baby Watch: 2010!

She's just having another contraction as I write this!

Inch by Inch (or CM by CM)

Good news! Dr. Hagood told your Mom yesterday that she has progressed to 1.5 centimeters dilation and still 50% effacement.

What does that mean?

Really, it means nothing!

You could be born tomorrow, or you could be born in 3 weeks!

But, the numbers are going up, so it looks like we're progressing!

The light at the end of the tunnel is getting bigger and bigger!

But, believe it or not, your Mom actually lost a pound. So, now she's down to 147-- but the Doctor said that's completely normal.

And, the moment of truth: here is your Mom at 37 weeks!

We can't believe that you're almost here!

Defcon 1: Snow and Centimeters

We knew it was coming. We knew it was going to hit Dallas. It does snow here every so often (and already did on Christmas!). But we didn't think it'd be like this! The weather outside may be frightful, but today was a great day!

Imagine when we woke up this morning for our weekly appointment with Dr. Hagood and saw this outside our window!


But, the snow didn't keep us from taking you to not one, but two doctor's appointments!

At the first appointment with Dr. Hagood, we got to hear your heartbeat again. I never get tired of hearing that sound. And then, your Mom asked Dr. Hagood if she could tell where you were oriented in her belly. So, with a few squeezes, she showed us where your head was (downward, well below your mom's bellybutton and near to the pelvic bone), where your tushy was (above the belly button) and even found your back and a couple of knees! So, you are in position for sure, but that doesn't mean you'll stay that way, nor does it mean you're ready to come out right now either.

We also found out that we were downgraded from Defcon 2 back to Defcon 1! That's right: your Mom is only 1 cm dilated, according to Dr. Hagood. It's not that your Mom has "closed back up," as far as we know. But, since last week we met with Dr. Richards and this week was with Dr. Hagood, they must just have two systems of measurement. But either way, we're 1 Centimeter dilated now.

Now, this actually isn't a downgrade and it actually doesn't mean anything as far as when you'll be coming. Someone 2 CM dilated today could give birth in 3 weeks; someone 1 cm dilated today could give birth tomorrow. On top of that, your mom is 50% effaced (meaning that the cervix has thinned by 50%). So really, this diagnosis doesn't really mean anything as far as WHEN you'll be coming. But it DOES mean that your Mom's body is readying itself for your arrival, which is good! We want the body to be as ready as the mind, for sure!

As the snow day marched on, the roads remained safe for driving, so we went to the next appointment and met Dr. Denison, potentially your pediatrician! We really liked Dr. Denison and the practice and office. They were playing "Finding Nemo" in the waiting room and have an antique barber chair for older kids to sit on while giving blood (it was a bit "Sweeney Todd", but you haven't seen that, so you won't be concerned). We may audition one more Pediatrician just to be safe. But Dr. Dension may be the man to be giving you lollipops for the next 15 years or so!

With the Doctor's appointments behind us, I knew I wasn't going to be venturing into the snow again this evening. So, with my last hurrah, my gloves on right and my scarf tied tight I did something which I hope to do with you someday soon: I made snowmen! Actually, a snow family to be more correct. Your Mom stayed inside, which is a good decision- there's no reason that she and you should be standing out in the snowy cold and getting her hands wet and freezing.

But me? Yeah, I'm allowed to do that! I made one for me, one for your Mom and even one little snow baby just for you!


Oh yeah, those are carrot noses! This is the real deal, baby! Except we didn't have coal, so I used rocks for the eyes...and no buttons. But the grownups did look naked, so I clothed them when I was done with my hat and scarf.

The reason I tell you this now is because I hope it snows like this when you come out. Maybe when you're like 1 or 2, so you can really enjoy it and so we can do this together. Believe it or not, this is the first time I've ever built snowmen. But, seeing as how I grew up in Texas, that's not too hard to believe. I guess I just never made snowmen in college in Boston...too busy making snow forts and snow balls.
But the snow family wasn't complete without their three doppelgangers. So our neighbor Brian was kind enough to snap a shot of the whole family (flesh AND snow) (except for the dogs, who pretty much refuse to go outside!):


So. Here we are: It's week 36, we're 1 cm dilated, 50% effaced, and it's snowing in Dallas (and has been all day). Although we can't wait to meet you, we ask politely that you hibernate for at least a few more days...after all, you're full term (37 weeks) as of this Saturday!

week 36!

Everyone loves a snow day, for sure! But, on this snow day we got to meet a promising Pediatrician, hear your heart beat, find out for sure where your head is (and your tush), and visually see on our own lawn, in front of our own house that what a family of 3 will look like. Our 2 big snowmen (and 2 snow dogs) will very very soon become 2 big snowmen, 2 snow dogs and 1 tiny little snow man. Except that none of us, hopefully, have carrots for noses!