Not your average Doctor's visit...

So, yesterday's doctor's visit wasn't as routine as we would have liked... They took my blood pressure twice and noticed that it was too high. They sent me over to the hospital for monitoring and testing to make sure that I didn't show signs of preeclampsia. That involved more blood work, more blood pressure screenings, urine samples, and a non-stress test on the baby. Everything is fine. The blood pressure returned to normal while I was on the maternity floor, but I have been threatened with bed rest if I don't get my feet up to reduce the swelling (which I think is just from the flying this past weekend)... so as I type... my feet are elevated! I'm now on the doctor's radar... I have to go back next week to get re-checked.

The baby's heartbeat clocked in at 144 bpm, and I got to hear Baby P on the heart monitor for a good 20-25 minutes while they were doing the non-stress test... He/She seemed perfectly happy to me. The doctor measured my stomach, and it measured exactly according to due date... 33 (I'll be 33 weeks tomorrow).

I honestly wasn't worried about the situation, as my blood pressure has always been fine, but it was a good run-through for admitting myself into the maternity unit for when the real thing comes!

Baby P's First Party!

Well, we're back from North Carolina and what a beautiful weekend it was! The weather was perfect, I'm still in first place in my NCAA tournament bracket (winning by a landslide!), and I got to see a bunch of family and friends at the baby shower! We got so many cute things, and lots of books to start Baby P's library! We almost exceeded the weight limit on the suitcase coming back, but we distributed the weight to our carry on bags. While Steve had a sore back at the end of Sunday, we managed to get EVERYTHING back home! Special thanks to Sonni, Brennan, and Amanda for throwing me a wonderful shower. Everything was perfect, and I'm so blessed to have such good friends as the three of you!

Laziness or Writer's Block?

I'm still here... for the 5 of you that actually read this blog on a semi-regular basis... I've just been suffering from writer's block (or I've just been plain lazy). To recap the last few weeks...

March Madness: I am attempting my first ever bracket this year. There is no money riding on this, just ego. I am currently in FIRST place, and I have been accused of cheating once or twice (by my own DAD). I will fess up to doing my online research, as I must admit I have not followed college basketball since I moved away from the wonderful world of the ACC. Its too early to say if I will win or not, but its been fun checking the scores and the jabbing emails back and forth between our family members involved in the group.

Baby Updates: I'm about 8 weeks out from D-day! There is still so much to do to get ready, but this weekend will help! I'm heading to NC for the first of two baby showers being given for me. I'm really looking forward to the weekend! It should be lots of fun! My other two friends that I mentioned both had their babies last Thursday, and I must say... of the pictures I've seen.. they are beautiful! My co-worker is closing in on 5 weeks until her due date. So its all getting exciting around here.

On a note of personal sadness... I have been waiting patiently for Brad Paisley to come to town when the winter weather is not an issue, and I have been waiting for Keane to actually come to the states for a tour... and what do you know.. May 25th Keane is coming to Boston, and June 7th, Brad Paisley is coming to town. BUMMER. I am so excited to be having a baby, but really bummed that I don't get to go their concerts.

Birthday thoughts

(me at age 2- already lovin' my special day!)

Today is my Grandmother's 89th birthday!! Happy Birthday GM!! As people tell me everytime they meet her or see a picture of her... She looks GREAT for her age... and she does!! Here's hoping you have a fabulous day! You deserve it!

(Grandmother and me about 4-5 years ago on one of our birthdays!)

Also, in birthday news... We have two sets of friends due to give birth next Thursday via C-Sections. One of them might decide to come on their own a little early... but if all goes as planned, there will be a little Nicholas and a little Amia next week, and we couldn't be more thrilled for them! Best of luck and we can't wait to meet them!!

More birthday news... My 7 year old niece has firmly put her foot down and told her grandmother that no-way, no-how, she does NOT want to share her birthday with my child. I can't say I blame her. I threatened my sister within inches of her life if she dared to pop her kids out on my birthday... I wasn't Kidding.. DAD.. really.. I wasn't kidding... Robin isn't lying when she tells you this. I told her to keep her legs crossed... So, thus her kids were born three and six days after my birthday. I know this will come back to haunt me. For those of you who don't know, Baby P is due on my birthday. This practically insures that it will be born on my birthday... seeing that I have been super protective of that day for 28 years. It also means that if I don't have it on its due date/my birthday, there are increasingly fewer days around it that I can have this child without getting a lot of flack. I could potentially have some kids mad at me if they are made to share their special day with their new baby cousin...

Finally in birthday thoughts... Steve and I were filling out our Maternity Pre-Admission forms that we have to send to the hospital prior to giving birth. These questions aren't rocket science.

When is your baby due? on my birthday.
When is your birthday? duh.
Your Age? ___________________ ???????

Ok, seeing that I have no idea when this baby will come, I might be 28 or I might already be 29.. How can I answer this question? Put 28/29? What if I get admitted on my birthday, but before 2:14PM.. then I'm still legally 28...Leave blank?? put some smart-ass remark? Of all questions to get stumped on... you wouldn't think it would be your age.

Starburst Jellybeans

Starburst Jellybeans... one of my favorite things... especially the Red, Pink, and Purple ones... Regular Jellybeans need not apply. They are not the same. When Steve and I were in Las Vegas back in November, we found the M&M store... there you could pick and buy your favorite color M&Ms... I need to find the Starburst Jellybean factory, so I can make a bag of just Red, Pink, and Purple jellybeans... I have no use for the green, yellow or orange ones. I pawn those off on Steve. With these raging hormones, he discovers my wrath if he sneaks a red, pink, or purple into his mouth.. I am all too aware of this deceit and will not stand for it. Thank goodness the Easter candy is only out for a few more weeks... especially seeing how fast we went through the last bag!!

Birth Class

Yesterday we had our all day BIRTHING CLASS. and it was ALL DAY.. 8-5. We had a lot of mixed opinions about the necessity of birthing class, but ultimately, Steve and I are really glad that we went through it. It's sort of a rite of passage. Seriously... you can read and read and read, but to hear a nurse from our hospital and my OB-GYN practice tell me exactly how things will go, and what to expect was comforting. We received a ton of information and we got to tour the maternity ward. Now, what was not so comforting was the incredible descriptions of the length of labor and the amount of pain that I will most likely be enduring... I knew this would be no picnic in the park, and honestly I hadn't thought much of the labor process... but now I'm thinking about it, and I pray that I'm strong enough to handle this! I guess its a little too late to turn back now anyway... Guess I'll just bear down and hope for the best! (best= being a relatively short and painless birth) They say its very hard, but so worth it. I would say having a new little baby would be worth the pain.

I do have to say, that I was pleasantly surprised by the number of couples in my class that are (just like us) being surprised in terms of the baby's sex. Only three of the eleven couples knew the sex of their baby. I'm starting to like surprises again!!