labor

Can you see that chicken scratching? That's my first attempt at recording my labor pains. Clearly, I did not get far. After I woke Jon up at 3 am, he tried to keep track - but quickly realized it would be much easier if he downloaded Labor Mate for his I Phone.

Ah, technology.

Here's the read-out, you know, in case you were wondering, or for future reference.

Although, now that I look at that, I seem to remember A LOT more contractions than that. Perhaps we forgot to push the little button sometimes?

And it sure doesn't record how GOD-AWFULLY, MIND-NUMBINGLY PAINFUL it was.

Jul 2, 2009 4:42 AM Duration: 58.5 seconds Frequency:

Jul 2, 2009 4:46 AM Duration: 43.2 seconds Frequency: 3 minutes and 
17.2 seconds

Jul 2, 2009 4:48 AM Duration: 1 minute and 36.3 seconds Frequency: 2 
minutes and 28.3 seconds

Jul 2, 2009 4:51 AM Duration: 44.4 seconds Frequency: 3 minutes and 
9.7 seconds

Jul 2, 2009 4:53 AM Duration: 49.7 seconds Frequency: 2 minutes and 
7.2 seconds

Jul 2, 2009 4:56 AM Duration: 1 minute and 4.8 seconds Frequency: 2 
minutes and 23.4 seconds

Jul 2, 2009 4:58 AM Duration: 54.9 seconds Frequency: 2 minutes and 
2.7 seconds

Jul 2, 2009 5:03 AM Duration: 1 minute and 7.6 seconds Frequency: 5 
minutes and 5.9 seconds

Jul 2, 2009 5:05 AM Duration: 20.1 seconds Frequency: 2 minutes and 
25.3 seconds

Jul 2, 2009 5:07 AM Duration: 1 minute and 8.0 seconds Frequency: 2 
minutes and 0.2 seconds

Jul 2, 2009 5:10 AM Duration: 18.6 seconds Frequency: 2 minutes and 
24.4 seconds

Jul 2, 2009 5:11 AM Duration: 1 minute and 22.6 seconds Frequency: 1 
minute and 27.3 seconds

Jul 2, 2009 5:13 AM Duration: 39.3 seconds Frequency: 2 minutes and 
20.3 seconds

Jul 2, 2009 5:15 AM Duration: 49.9 seconds Frequency: 1 minute and 
55.1 seconds

Jul 2, 2009 5:18 AM Duration: 1 minute and 50.8 seconds Frequency: 2 
minutes and 10.9 seconds

Jul 2, 2009 5:21 AM Duration: 48.2 seconds Frequency: 3 minutes and 
51.1 seconds

Jul 2, 2009 5:24 AM Duration: 48.2 seconds Frequency: 2 minutes and 
19.2 seconds

Jul 2, 2009 5:26 AM Duration: 1 minute and 8.0 seconds Frequency: 1 
minute and 57.1 seconds

Jul 2, 2009 5:29 AM Duration: 1 minute and 7.7 seconds Frequency: 3 
minutes and 42.3 seconds

Jul 4, 2009 3:19 AM Duration: 1.1 seconds Frequency: 45 hours 49 
minutes and 18.8 seconds

Jul 18, 2009 8:20 AM Duration: 1.7 seconds Frequency: 341 hours 1 
minute and 4.8 seconds

you'd think I was still pregnant

I read about these coconut M & M's somewhere. Now I can't stop thinking about them. They're only available for a limited time. Unfortunately the Walgreen's near us doesn't have them. If anyone sees them, please send them to me. I will pay you back.

if you looked up yum in the dictionary, you'd see this picture

How do you thank a friend who continuously goes above and beyond? You just can't!

Abigail made these gorgeous whoopie pies and shipped them to me so I could enjoy them in my 38th week of pregnancy! I mean, really! Who does that?!

Abigail, you've outdone yourself, AGAIN. Thank you. You are simply the best.

tired

Sorry for missing a few days. I've been really tired and uncomfortable these past few days.

Trying to enjoy this special time I have with Jackson as my only baby.

I love you Jackson.

pregnancy, cravings

What I look forward to more than anything, these days.

{Pic here. }

down! baby's head is down!

YAY!

YAY!

YAY!

image: William Hunter's Anatomia Uteri Humani Gravidi, 1774

William Hunter became one of the most famous anatomists and obstetricians in 18th century Europe. Over the course of 30-odd years, he worked with the artist Jan van Rymsdyk to produce what's considered one of the greatest achievements in the history of medical illustration, Anatomia uteri humani gravidi tabulis illustrata = The anatomy of the human gravid uterus exhibited in figures, which was published in 1774.

from: Historical Anatomies on the Web - Hunter, William, via: daddy types

tilt excercises

The other night, when I was doing my upside down exercise, Jackson got right up on the couch to do it with me.

From the same website, I thought this was an interesting ~ and sad and sweet~ theory:

That is that babies often turn to the breech position in order to come up to comfort the mom. Because it sounds like you are so anxious (even though the basis of your anxiety is the position) I would consider this to be a strong possibility. So, try spending some time talking to the baby. Tell it that you would feel much better if it would put it's head down. You appreciate the fact that your baby is trying to comfort you but the best thing would be for it to get in the most positive position for the birth.

before and after

Before:


After:


Remember I mentioned that with Jackson we took a picture everyday? Here's the very first picture, and the very last. I look like I have a basketball in there. I remember being shocked that my belly went as far as the doorknob.

kickboxing note

Baby is really kicking up a storm lately. When Jackson started doing this, Jon wrote this note to him:

Dear Baby,

I'm glad you like kick-boxing, it will help you grow strong and healthy but try not to do it at night so mom can sleep. She does carry you around all day! Jeesh.

Love,
Papa

I think I'm beginning to show......

30 weeks.

With Jackson we took a picture of my growing belly every day. The idea was that Jon would eventually make a movie out of it.

Here we are at the Barnett Newman sculpture outside the Mark Rothko chapel in Houston.

craving, pregnancy

Hot dogs.

{Picture of John from upstate last summer.}

pregnancy tips

Tip No. 1: Don't bring home chocolate ice cream when your pregnant wife asks for mint chocolate chip.

And then don't say she didn't ask you for that flavor. Yes she did.

Although I have to say the chocolate ice cream from Trader Joe's was REALLY good. Thank you, Jon.

{image from Martha}