The Last Night?

Last Tuesday, Sept 21st, I started to notice that I was becoming increasingly itchy. While this had been the case for several weeks on my stomach, the itch began to spread to other areas of my body. By Wednesday, I was scratching myself crazy. I phoned my physician's office and he sent me to Sutter Roseville Hospital for a Non-Stress Test. Aislinn showed signs of "fetal well-being" and my physician assured me that my rash, now broken out all over my body, was not a danger to myself or Aislinn. 

My 38 week appointment was on Sept 23rd, and Dr. Maher suggested induction at 39 weeks. He checked my cervix and found that I was 80% effaced and 1 cm dilated (TMI???). This, he said, was a cervix "favorable" to induction without a significantly increased risk of C-Section. This information, along with the torturous itching, was almost enough to convince me to schedule the induction right then, but I hesitated and instead agreed to re-evaluate at my next appointment. So, that leaves me here tonight, awaiting my appointment in the morning, unsure of my fate over the next 24 hours...

Nerves are setting in. My stomach is in knots. Tonight may possibly be the last night of my life as I have known it, and my soul if filled with fear, excitement, and anticipation for my little girl to be here with me. 

I can't wait to meet her, to hold her, and to spend the rest of my life making sure she is loved, encouraged, and nurtured into the amazing person I know she will become. 

The New Car!

We finally pulled the trigger on a new car! Welcome Ruby, our 2008 Toyota Rav4  :)  

Updates!

Where does the time go? I have fallen behind yet again, and since I'm officially off on maternity leave, I really have no good excuse!  

I am now a little over 35 weeks pregnant and I started maternity leave a week and a half ago. My first day off of work was sad. I felt like I had lost something... But that feeling really only lasted one day and then the excitement set in! 

Pregnancy continues to taunt me with uncontrollable weight gain (40 lbs as of this morning), swelling, shortness of breath, and fatigue. And, of course, the occasional mood swing :(

Nursery construction has started, but we still have lots more to do to prepare for Aislinn's arrival. My first baby shower with my co-workers was wonderful, and I'm excited for this weekend and our second baby shower with family and close friends! 

Julie and Tyler welcomed their beautiful baby girl, Reese Delaney, and we recently celebrated Mikayla's 8th Birthday and Cameron's 4th Birthday. 

We just finished up our childbirth classes and the hospital tour in preparation for delivery. I decided to take the semester off from the master's program at Sac State so that I could focus instead on our baby and my eventual return to work. Hopefully, when the time comes, the transition back to school will go smoothly! Here are a few recent pictures...

Cameron's Birthday Party

34 Weeks Pregnant

Phase 1 Nursery Construction

Reese Delaney

Mikayla's Birthday Party

28 Weeks

28 Weeks came and went and I barely remembered to take pictures of my growing belly :)  Much has changed in the past week. I realized that working 12 hour days is no longer compatible with pregnancy. My doctor recommended a modified workload and schedule and I am now working 8 hour shifts, three days a week. While I would have liked to continue patient care until closer to my due date, I am happy to say that I feel much happier and healthier with my new workload. Who wants to come home with contractions and vomiting and feeling like they can hardly walk because their back pain is so severe??? Not me, and not Aislinn either.

Tomorrow will mark week 30 and I will be three quarters of the way done with pregnancy.  At this point I have gained almost 30 lbs (yikes) and have started to notice more swelling in my hands and legs. The heat has been absolute torture and Travis and I have been spending a lot more time indoors than we typically would during the summer... (Note to self: next pregnancy during the winter, please.)  I live in shorts and tank tops these days and I try to avoid the sun. It has been exciting for the last 2-3 weeks, as Aislinn is obviously getting much larger and her movements are getting stronger. Her cute little 'kicks' have turned into full blown attacks, although she has decided to stay camped out on the right side of my stomach for some time now. I can feel her back against the right side of my belly, although I'm not sure which end is her head and which is her bottom :) 

Travis and I are trying to enjoy summer as much as possible. We've been hanging out with friends, going to lots of BBQs and pool parties at the Yanes house, spending time with family, and counting down the weeks until our little girl is here with us. Travis is playing Rec Football and working in a new group at State Street (a much needed change of scenery).

Here are a couple pics with two of my favorite friends from high school (that I don't get to see nearly often enough!). We met up last weekend for drinks and shopping in Auburn.  Dang it... I'm still the fat one!

Me and Molly

Me and Jenny

Squaw Creek Resort

Travis and I spent last weekend at the Squaw Creek Resort in North Lake Tahoe. We wanted to squeeze in at least one trip before we are confined to the area surrounding Sutter Roseville Hospital. We had a great time relaxing by the pool and enjoying good food. We started out blindingly white, and came home red... 30 minutes without sunblock is all it takes for some of us! Returning to work, I had my first day off of orientation. The day went well, and it was liberating to be able to take care of my patients again without having to check with someone else first! I hope it continues to go well!

The Beautiful Resort Pool

The View from the Resort

Eating Lunch at Sandy's Pub

Our Hotel Room

Babysitting Carter!

Hello Fellow Bloggers,

Life has been busy and exciting the last couple of weeks! The weather is finally living up to Californian expectations and Travis and I have been trying to enjoy it, although my heat tolerance is limited now that I am lugging around an additional 20 lbs! We did go on a kayaking trip a few weeks ago and also a family trip to the Sacramento Zoo. We also celebrated my Grandfather's 75th Birthday, welcomed Adam and Lauren's new baby girl, Ella Madeline, into the world, and today, showered my friend Julie with lots of gifts in anticipation of her little girl, Reese, who is expected in August (can you say 'run-on sentence'?... they were always my weakness in elementary school!). Travis has been focused on getting fit for the summer. He is up at 5:30 in the morning and heading to the gym before work, whereas I have been avoiding most physical activity all together. As I'm sure everyone will notice in my belly pictures, I have experienced a growth spurt in the last month or so.... and exercise has been low on my priority list. Cross your fingers that I can get back into it after Aislinn is born!  

Me at 20 Weeks Pregnant:

Me at 24 Weeks Pregnant with a 20 lb. weight gain!

Grandpa's 75th!

Fun at the Zoo

Ella Madeline (06-08-10)

The 9th of May marked my little sister's sixteenth birthday. To celebrate, the family went out to dinner at McCormick's Seafood. This special occasion was yet another reminder of how lucky I am to have two amazing and beautiful sisters in my life, even as crazy as they are sometimes. The scary part???

At 16, Breanna is now officially a licensed driver... and she can't wait to get out on the road.

Just a reminder to all of us out there, BE CAREFUL, and watch out for this girl

behind the wheel!

After dinner, Breanna Banana made her way through two desserts and then the family went to check out Dave and Buster's for a few games. Even Mom showed off her basketball skills to the world, and Breanna and Travis had a basketball showdown... Unfortunately for them,  in the end it was obvious who the real champion was.... 

ME :)