Full Moon

So Scott and Jason are psyching me out with the talk of the full moon and how I'm going to go into labor tonight because of it. Last night I dreamt that I did go into labor and it was so real! I can't handle this not knowing though! I need a date and time!! Once tonight passes I think I will feel better (and once Scott shuts up about putting down some towels on the bed "just in case").

This is an Outrage!

I am perplexed at the lack of faith from my mom and Amanda in the comments to the previous post, that I had no choice but to respond to everyone. First of all, a little refresher on what Amanda did in middle school. Long story short, she was in the garage cleaning the litter box for the cat, when BK and I heard a bunch of retching noises and then her scream "NOOOOOO!" Probably one of the top 3 funniest memories I have from growing up.

My first rebuttal point is there is nothing in the realm of changing diapers that I could do that would ever be construed as in the realm of hilarity compared to Amanda gagging in the garage and screaming "NOOOOOOOO!" (as if that was going to stop things for her). Secondly, keep in mind that I pick up Chunk and Bud's crap weekly with plastic gloves and a plastic grocery sack. Not once have I ever gagged or even felt queasy. In closing, I have the utmost confidence that changing the diapers will at no time trigger any gag reflex. I will surely get pruned hands and blistered thumbs from working the tabs before I ever gag.

Mark it down, people.

Dates

So the guessing has increased now that we're down to the wire. Chelsea was originally August 1, but after an update about yesterday's appointment (and the doc saying he thinks a few more weeks) she said she would take the 7th as well. But to clarify, she still has faith that it could be the 1st. Christine has chosen August 21, my dad thinks it will be his birthday present on the 25th, and Brooke's mom says I need to hold out until at least the 22nd so she's a Virgo and not a Leo like her mom. I think I agree that I should try for that - I know how hard-headed I can be, poor Scott will have a heck of a time mediating when it comes to the teenage years if we're both stubborn Leos!

In more current news, she's got the hiccups right now which has angered her to a point of frenzy and my belly looks like a wave pool. She tolerates the hiccups for approximately 5 minutes, and then she takes matters into her own hands and begins an all-out assault of flailing arms and legs trying to rid herself of these horrible things. Poor girl. If only she were breathing in there and could hold her breath. We'll try and teach her that trick when she gets out.

36.5 Week Checkup

We had a couple of good appointments today. The first one was with the OB and he said everything is looking good. The baby has dropped down a bit more, but still no dilation. He thinks we probably have a couple more weeks till she gets here. I checked the calendar and the full-moon is scheduled for this coming monday/tuesday, so you never know! Summer got a clean bill of health from her ear, nose and throat specialist, as well. We're supposed to call him in a month with an update, but otherwise no more office visits unless her symptoms come back.

I found a couple of funny clips on YouTube of guys changing diapers. I feel CONFIDENT this will not be the case for me. Check it out:
Link1
Link2

Prenatal Class, Nesting and the Final Countdown

We finished out last prenatal class this afternoon. Summer wasn't feeling well with her ear a few weeks ago, so we missed out on the opportunity to take the class in two sessions. Instead, we got the 9:30-4:30 all day version today. Overall, it was very a very informative class as we learned CPR, how to help a choking baby, the labor & delivery process and got to take a tour of the hospital. Summer was definitely the furthest along of anyone in our class and it's hard to believe we have less than 4 weeks to go. The video we watched today said typically the baby will come within 2-4 weeks after the baby dropped!! Tomorrow we are going to break out the car seat to make sure I can operate it correctly. The L&D nurses that taught the class today were really harping on us about the car seats. Summer also plans to wash the baby's sheets, some blankets, burp clothes and a few outfits. We're going to hold off on washing all of her outfits until we know what all is going to fit. Summer has continued her nesting ways. Last night she completely cleaned out the nursery of the extra hardware, instruction manuals and left over packaging from the last few weeks of unwrapping all of the nice gifts we've received to date. This week, I had to put together a list of all of the tasks I have started, but not yet finished for my boss. We are definitely heading down the home stretch and we both can not wait to meet our daughter.

Here is the 9 month update: Link

Baby Dropping?

It appears that the baby has "dropped" lower into Summer's pelvis. Summer says she feels a lot of pressure "down there"and can distinctly feel the baby movements lower in her pelvis than what she previously had. She said it feels like she is carrying a watermelon between her legs! What's funny is that the baby has positioned herself so that you can see her butt sticking out of Summer's stomach. We have our weekly doctor's appointment tomorrow, so we will post an update then.

Week 35 Update

Well, to add insult to injury, our air conditioner conked out around 4pm on Saturday afternoon. So, I packed up Summer and the dogs and we went to mom and dad's house for a sleep-over. Chunk and Buddy were VERY excited to be around all of the carpet (good for back scratching), Merry (Amanda's dog) and all of her toys. Luckily, I was able to get it running again today, but I am still having the AC guy come out this week to do an inspection. I'm no math expert, but something tells me that wife + pregnancy + 3rd trimester - air conditioning = a bad time for dad.

Summer is slowly but surely starting to feel better. To expand on the aforementioned Bell's Palsy diagnosis, she actually has Ramsay-Hunt syndrome which, in layman's terms, is a strain of chicken-pox in the ear (not contagious) and causes the pain on that side of her face. The temporary paralysis to the right side of her face is caused by inflammation which damaged a nerve on the side of her face. Once the nerve grows back, and it will, she will regain movement. After doing some research, we found that the disease originates from the initial exposure to chicken-pox as a kid, then lays dormant. It's activated by a couple of factors, most notably viral infection (e.g. her ear infection from last week) and being in the late stages of pregnancy (the disease is VERY rare, but most of the people who have it are pregnant women in their 3rd trimester). Thankfully, it has no impact on the baby, but makes mom very uncomfortable. The chances for a full recovery are VERY GOOD, especially when treated right away (we had Summer at the doctor's office 1 hour after the right side of her face went numb). The result is the right side of her face is pretty tender to the touch. Thankfully, the pain has subsided to more of a nuisance as of this evening and she has even been able to start sleeping on her right-side again. She actually has been eating much better and sleeping a lot. We're going to talk to her doctor and work this week about getting her schedule reduced to a part time basis. Then we'll go week by week and see how she feels.

As for the baby, it's hard to believe that we'll be able to meet her in 6 weeks or less. That's right, I said 6, even though she is due in 5. Her doctor has previously told us that he will not let her go more than a week overdue. Today we had a great time in Old Navy shopping for some swimsuits for the little lady. I will say I am quite displeased at the lack of selection of one pieces (there were NONE) in stores these days. Here is a link to one of the suits we got:

Bikini #1

And, in breaking news, I think we have a name picked out!! Unfortunately for y'all, we won't be sharing it with anyone else until her birthday, so she will continue to be "the little lady" to you! About 2 months ago, I thought we had a first name picked out. Then, about 6 weeks ago, we switched to our current choice for the first name and have been focusing on a middle name ever since. Well, one of the only positive aspects of the AC going out is that Summer and I agreed on the name while at dinner at the Cotton Patch Cafe (that's right, it's classy!). I'm just happy to know she won't be leaving the hospital "Baby Keith"! Here is the link to this week's update

Week 35

Please continue to pray for a speedy recovery for Summer and continued good health for our baby. We love you all,

This is what I have...

Bell's Palsy

Please pass on your prayers for a swift recovery! I don't like the "1 week to 6 month" time frame my doctor told me! I believe that I also have the Ramsey Hunt Syndrome that they talk about on here as those are my symptoms (intense ear pain, swollen lymph nodes, vertigo). I go back in 2 weeks to the Ear, Nose and Throat doctor so hopefully by then it will have cleared up a bit. Dr. Ruk (OB) wasn't too concerned from an obstetrical standpoint, but I am on weekly visits with him now. My biggest concern is weight loss since I haven't been eating like I should for the little lady. We got some Ensure shakes last night though so hopefully I can choke those down a couple times a day. I really should be thankful that this is the biggest complaint I've had this pregnancy, but it's hard to give thanks when half your face doesn't work! Ah well, this too shall pass.

Week 34 Update

Unfortunately, Summer is still on the business end of a very unpleasant viral ear-infection. After half a day of new med's, we've not seen much progress, but hope to at some point today or tomorrow. I checked in advance on all of the medicine and it's baby safe. The baby is still very active, but I think the lack of sleep Summer has had has probably shot any chance of us having her on a regular sleep schedule initially. But, at the end of the day, I guess we'll just be thankful for ANY sleep we can get that first month or two.

Thanks a million to Meredith, Christine and Chelsea for throwing such a wonderful shower. John and Barb were in town and helped me continue to finish out the nursery. John and I hung curtains, put together a table, and shelves while Barb organized the entire room. Summer and I really appreciated their company and help this weekend. This morning we put the bedding in the crib and big boss lady is very pleased with the result. We still need to unpack a few more gifts and order the glider today, but overall are in good shape. We've got another routine doctor's appointment wednesday and will update you after that.

Here are the links to the update pages: Update & 3D update

Comeuppance

I believe that my easy, worry free pregnancy has finally been breached. I have what can only be described as the most righteous, raging ear infection that has ever struck man, woman or child. I keep telling Scott, I would rather have food poisoning, bronchitis, the flu - anything but this GOD AWFUL PIERCING STABBING PAIN in my ear and throat. Seriously, I see now why babies and kids just scream for hours when they get these things. I would do the same thing if it didn't hurt so bad to just open my mouth. The one good thing I am hoping that comes from this is that maybe the little lady is building up an an immunity to ear infections in utero and will never have to suffer one. We can only hope.

New Website

For those that are interested, here is another web-page we found which not only gives you weekly updates, but it also has a 3D 360 degree movable image of what the baby looks like at each week.

3D Link

Julie Update

I talked to Jason today and they were able to take baby Julie home today. He and Lili are both very excited to have the whole family under one roof again. And they did decide on the middle name....Julie Mae Rannebarger.

Week 33 Update

Link