Kenley Faith Brockman

Kim and Clay welcome Kenley Faith at 4:42pm. 7lb 12oz. More details to come

36 weeks....

I'm sure everyone wants to see the pictures and may skip the "educational" information about 36 weeks so I'll start with them, but first here is a reminder of 32 weeks....

and now at 36 weeks... DEFINITELY BIGGER ;o)

And last night too to show the true size of my belly.....

What's also really funny is how much bigger we can make my belly look if I smush the "girls" out of the way. It's frightening at that point so I won't post a picture of me crushing the "girls" and the massiveness that is said baby.

Now the educational part:

Little Bean should be about 6lbs now and about 18 1/2 inches long. That's a lot to scrunch up in my stretched out uterus which is probably why the "wiggles" and "kicks" feel more like stretching and someone trying to protest for more room. The size should be comparable to a crenshaw melon. (The word crenshaw just makes me think of Bring It On: All or Nothing.. ha! Cheerleading movies get to me... totally off tangent...) Little Bean should be shedding the downy covering of hair and waxy substance that covered and protected him/her during the stay in the amniotic fluid. The baby then swallows these substances from the fulid (along with other things) and this is what results in that black meconium that you hear about for the first few bowel movements. YUCK! If we can make it one more week to 37 weeks, we will be considered full term. We shall see what happens. If we are born before 37 weeks we will be pre-term. This is NOT the same as being a premie. Pre-term babies are born early but completely developed. Premie babies are born early but have some not quite developed fully. The biggest concern here is that the lungs are not fully developed and ready for life outside the womb.

As far as me, I found it hard to sleep last night. I was up just about every hour and then got up for the day at 430am. This is why I may appear to be tired in the picture above. I'm anxious and excited and nervous and find myself always heading to the bathroom. Someone (not naming anyone... Little Bean....) thinks its a game to smush my bladder and then when I try to pee, it gets headbutted. It's quite a weird sensation. Other than that, I'm just watching the days pass and wondering if Little Bean will be a little boy or a little girl.

"Unplugged"

****WARNING******************************
I feel obligated to give the TMI warning...
continue at your own risk.......
********************************************
So I am still progressing... how do I know?

Well, tonight I lost my mucus plug. Interesting to say the least when you weren't expecting it. I was still having some bleeding from Monday's (wait that was just yesterday) exam of the cervix. That's also weird since you spend your whole pregnancy knowing you shouldn't see any blood.

I should have known something was up. The last few times I went to the restroom last night were different down there and then...SURPRISE, what the hell is this huge goober?

I didn't know a lot about mucus plugs so after telling Clay what had just transpired, it was time to consult Dr. Google. He wondered what it meant. All I could say at first was that it meant my body was progressing and continuing to prepare for the big show.

According to numerous sites (and everything on the internet is true, right?) you shouldn't be worried about losing the plug as long as you are 36 weeks gestation. Well, I was 35 weeks and 6 days and like 21 hours (since it was like 9pm) which is close enough for me. The articles also mention that labor is not imminent immediately but it is definitely LOOMING. The time estimates, since there is no EXACT science about when you will go into labor, say labor is usually within 1 to 2 weeks. (Here's hoping for the within 1 week mark.) I did also ask a few friends (to remain nameless for their protection) about their pregnancies and mucus plugs. One didn't recall losing hers (which Dr. Google said is actually common since you can lose it slowly over a few days instead of one big goober) and the other two both lost theirs within ONE week of deliver. ONE week people! OMG! So it appears Little Bean isn't going to be staying in utero until mid to late Jan. I'm expecting a Dec baby or a very early Jan one. Good thing our bag for the hospital is packed and ready and the car seat is in the car. Now I just have to prepare Clay for an "early arrival" and comfort and convince him that everything will be okay if Little Bean comes early. Babies come when babies come and you can't control it.

Just a little lesson about the mucus plug that I found interesting...the mucus accumulated early in pregnancy and has been a beneficial protective barrier against infection between the outside world and Little Bean. The plug is lost as the cervix dilates and effaces (thins) and the plug is no longer large enough to remain in place. Therefore, I bet I'm more than 2cm or 50% effaced now ;o)

On a completely different note, I was talking to Mel about it (sorry you don't remain nameless Mel). She made a funny comment. What feels like a long time ago, I wrote this post about synced up cycles. Well yesterday Melissa had surgery on her nose and nasal cavities to eliminate built up mucus from her sinuses. She put two and two together and said we were synced again. We were now both mucus free... ha! Too funny Mel!!!

Now the waiting game and the anxious nervousness about Little Bean's pending arrival is just enhanced. I can't wait to hold my baby and see his/her sweet little face.

36 week appointment

Today we were scheduled for our 36 week appointment. We are actually only 35 weeks and 5 days, but my Dr. is only working today and only a half day, so she was only seeing prenatal patients. Then she isn't working again until around New Year's Eve (when we go again for our 37 week appt. ) However when I got to the parking lot, my cell phone rang and it was the Dr.'s office. They said she had just left for the hospital. She had 3 ladies in labor and they needed to reschedule or I could see a different Dr.

Well being 36 weeks and wanting to get "checked" for the first time as well as get the Strep B thing out of the way, I agreed to see a different Dr. My 11am appt turned into a 1220 appt. The most waiting I had to do yet. We got called back to the room and they made it seem like the other Dr. wouldn't be doing any checking or the test. I was disappointed. But as we waited longer, the nurse came in again and said "Good news, Dr. Dutta is on her way back from the hospital." So, I was given my sheet and I prepared for the appt.

So here are the normal basic stats:
Weight: 208.6 lb
BloodPressure: 112/70
Baby's heartrate: 156bpm
Tummy measurement: 37 cm (measuring ahead again.)

New and EXCITING stats:
2cm dilated
50% effaced
Baby is still head down

What? I was totally expecting to be 0cm dilated and closed up like Fort Knox. However, I must remind myself you can stay at 2cms for WEEKS so it doesn't necessarily mean anything, but it was pleasant news that my body is ready to prepare for labor as we face the weeks ahead.

We did discuss how my fingers are very swollen today, but everything is okay as long as my blood pressure is in check. We also discussed with her some of our "birthing" plan ideas and got her opinion on a few things like the tub, birthing ball, etc. We talked about Pitosin and epidurals. I want to try to go as long as possible without the epidural but I am keeping things very open.

Clay isn't as excited about our progress because he thinks the baby should stay in there until Jan 20 to make sure it's "done cooking" and completely healthy. I keep telling him that the baby will come when the baby is ready to come and things will be fine.

We have class tonight and tomorrow so we are busy this week. With Christmas at the end of the week, next week and our 37 week appointment will be here soon. We take our 36 week pictures this Wed so stay tuned for those too ;o)

Crazy?

Clay told me a funny story the other night on the way home from our childbirth class. His buddy Bill was warning him that I may stay "crazy pregnant" for a few weeks after baby but that I should return to "normal" pre-pregnancy demeanor a few weeks after getting home. Clay added to this that I really haven't gone "crazy pregnant." I'm just my same old self and enjoying every minute of this experience, even the leg cramps and the lower back pain. So I have to ask, does that mean I started out crazy and Clay is just used to it ;o) Just curious.
I was talking about this at work with Liz and another co-worker Justin and we all had a good laugh because I really haven't ever been "normal" so maybe the "crazy" isn't so bad. Justin and I continued our conversation too to say that when you've gone through any wait with infertility that the "crazy" from that experience makes pregnancy look like a cake walk. (Justin and his wife also went to a reproductive endocrinologist for fertility help. His wife has PCOS too, but now they have wonderful twins. ) So I guess my 15+ month wait and walk through infertility to get pregnant helped with my crazy perspective and I'm loving every minute of this blessing.

Poll results and dreaming....

The poll is now closed and I have removed it. Out of the 21 total votes, things were just about split. We had 11 votes for a girl and 10 votes for a boy. I have had several people tell me today that we are having a girl but those people don't read the blog and didn't vote on the poll. I don't remember if Clay and I ever voted or not but it would be about the same. He still votes that we are having a girl. I'm usually unsure but the other night I had my first dream. We had a boy and I delivered it myself at home with Clay sleeping. He was really cute but he wouldn't cry which was weird. Guess we will have to wait a few more weeks to see what baby really is... boy or girl, we want healthy and we will be very happy.

T minus three things....

I wanted to be done with the nursery by Christmas in case Little Bean made his/her arrival early. I am now able to cross that off of my list. Our baby's room is done except for 3 things...
1. The lamp (that I MAY be getting for Christmas *WINK*)
2. The baby's name in letters above the crib (This can't be done yet of course.)
and most importantly....
3. THE BABY ;o) to enjoy the room.

Here are some pictures....

That is the overall picture standing from the door. And here are each of the different walls/areas...



Even the closet is ready for now... everything is pre-washed and put away in the dresser and the closet and I got some storage for the towels, bedding, and blankets in the closet.

One of the sweetest things in the nursery was one of Little Bean's first Christmas presents. It is from his/her Aunt Val, Uncle Scott and cousin Sophia. We got it when we were in TX. Aunt Val made it and it matches the nursery wonderfully. We will cherish it for many years.

So there you have it... we are decorated and ready for Little Bean's arrival, well at least his/her room is ;o)

35 weeks

So Clay asked me last night, "Do you know what tomorrow is?"
I replied, "35 weeks or less than 35 days left until our due date."

Apparently that wasn't the right answer. His answer was that we could count the remaining weeks on ONE hand as he held out his hand with all 5 fingers extended. Isn't that pretty much what I had said too, but in a different way? Well anyways, yes today marks week 35 and we are moving right along. We have 5 weeks to make it to full term and I'm sure they will just fly by like the last 35 have.

For all of our baby updates.....
On BC this week it compares the little one to honeydew melon tipping the scales at 5.25 lbs. Little Bean should be about 18 inches long and just continues to grow. However, they indicate that its getting "snug" in the womb with not much room to move about. There is also more BABY in there than fluid at this point. Little Bean's kidneys are fully developed now and his/her liver is starting to process some waste products. most of the basic physical development is complete and we will spend the next few weeks in womb putting on the weight. (Boy I think they say that every week. I'm sure I'll be putting on the weight these next weeks too. HA!)

As far as things on my end, they are still good. I take Tums at night for the extra calcium and I think it is helping a bit for the leg cramps. I have had a couple really good sleeping nights this week and have GREATLY enjoyed those. It is getting harder to do stairs and keep my breath and tying my shoes feels like a chore some mornings. I did stop wearing my wedding ring as my water retention has increased and it was becoming difficult to take it off during the day. We have been taking our classes at the hospital and found we are nerds. We like all the information, especially Clay. I think its just cause he doesn't have a lot of past experience with babies and wants to feel as confident and educated as he can going in. Most of my stuff, I have learned from friends and my SIL but its a good recap of all the information out there.

We go back to the doctor on Monday for our 36 week appointment and I am very excited. NO I am NOT excited about the rectal culture for Group B Strep but because I know its coming I won't be overly surprised. I am excited that we will actually be getting checked for the first time to see if I'm dilating or effacing yet. I don't expect much but it will be a new experience.

Given I want to be mostly ready by the 36 week mark, we are hoping to do a few baby things this weekend. We have a shelf to hang in the nursery, some laundry to pre-wash, a carseat to install, and a hospital bag to start packing.

We are getting so close now. I am getting really anxious and excited to meet our little one and find out if Little Bean is a he or a she. The poll ends today and the votes are really almost tied. Clay still thinks we are having a girl and I just go back and forth. Time will only tell.....

Busy Bees Family Childcare

Well it's official, Little Bean has a daycare!! The interview we went to on Friday night went very well. It was a lady named Christine and we liked her a lot. We got her name from a lady at church. We were there the normal hour to ask our questions. Her oldest and youngest children (8 and 2) were there. Her middle child (5) was down the street at a friends. Her husband also sat and talked with us. We started with a tour of the entire house. It was a comfortable place and she utilizes the entire house for the daycare. There was a nice reading room with a large rack of books and a reading "stage" with a slide. Then there was another room where the "activities" were done. This is the "preschool" area where they do numbers, letters, colors, shapes, etc. The finished basement was also a large toy room for the bigger kids to play in. It just had a very family and comfy feel. It was very welcoming and kid friendly. Now granted, the reading room and learning area are a bit down the road for Little Bean but the atmosphere was nice. The conversation was nice and the children loved Clay. The older one talked to him about sports and the little girl brought him a Dora doll and a bunny and then wanted to read him a book. The children were really respectful of both parents and I thought that was a good sign for how she interacts with kids. We thought they were a really nice couple and when we went to make our "pro vs con" list, we really couldn't think of many cons. We took that as a good sign. Her mother also helps her with the daycare and that is nice to know there will be extra hands around as the daycare grows. We emailed her today to let her know we'd like to sign her contract so we are all set. I am very excited that I found someone and that I found someone that Clay and I both like this much. I know Little Bean will like it there too. Oh and yes... the name of the in-home daycare is Busy Bees Family Childcare ;o)

11 hours, 2 stores, and an interview later....

Today I had the day off to go shopping with Liz. We were going to the Chicagoland area to find a Babies R' Us and hit up IKEA. We left about 730am and dropped off Braden (Liz's little boy) at his grandma's. We took Rylee (her daughter with us) and headed north. We went to Babies R' Us first and got there right as they opened at 930. Almost 3 hours later we were finished. WHEW!! I pretty much cleared out the rest of the registry items and then some. You should have seen the cart!! The service there was outstanding. The lady at the front helped me get my 10% off coupon for my registry then said after I was done shopping to come back and she would add all the items I wanted (that weren't originally on the registry) to the registry so I would be sure to get the discount on most of my purchase. They also had some items (like sheets) on clearance so I was able to do some swapping and save big. In addition, I am now the the proud owner of a Babies R Us credit card. I'm usually not one to ever agree to a store credit card for the additional % off but they were doing an additional 15% when you opened a card and added it to my 10% so I ended up with 25% off of almost everything. Good deals!!!
As the proud owner of a Babies R Us credit card, you got a free pack of onesies....

And just to prove I went to town and pretty much cleared it all off the registry, check out this receipt.......

WOWZERS!!!!

I really think I did good though because after all the discounts, coupons, and gift cards (which they let me use and do a partial pay with the new credit card), I only spent $87. Can you believe it? Here is a brief list of the items I picked up:

• 3 different crib sheets (one red, one yellow, and one animal print)
• 2 mattress pads
• 2 large waterproof protectors
• 2 med waterproof protectors (for changing table)
• the contoured changing table cushion
• 2 covers for the changing table (one red and one brown)
• 2 packs of onesies (one short sleeved and one longsleeved)
• a book that Clay picked out (this is going towards his Christmas stocking)
• 2 formula dispensers
• carseat saver/ protector (although this may be returned for a different type)
• tons of burp cloths (even some cute ones that match my receiving blankets)
• 1 pack-n-play sheet for the playyard
• some adorable sleeping gowns (shown below)
  
• some adorable long zippered sleepers (shown below)

Yes, it is most of the "boring" stuff but it's stuff that wasn't purchased and that is needed, mostly bedding I guess. Now the nursery is really coming together. I am going to try to get to Target this weekend for a few more items but other than that, it really is almost just ready for BABY ;o)

After BRU, it was lunchtime. We thought we could find a place on the way to IKEA but we missed a turn and took the scenic route, so we decided to eat at IKEA. They really do have good food. I had a buffalo chicken wrap, some chips, and a really good choc chip cookie. Then we hit the floor to shop. I was looking for some drawer organizers that my wonderful SIL found. Liz was looking for storage furniture for her basement. Off we went... we were both very successful! Here is my proof (I don't have a picture of Liz's proof as it is yet to be assembled and requires more time than my assembly).....

I also got a cute little wooden stacker toy and some "interesting" sleeved bibs that were recommended by a co-worker.

Finally with sore, swollen, and tired feet, we headed back to the truck and back to town. We got back around 515pm but it wasn't time to go home yet. Clay and I had an appointment with a potential babysitter at 530 so he met me at Liz's. The potential sitter is actually just down the road from Liz's so it's a super convenient location for us. Clay and I got done there about 63opm and headed home to unpack the day's purchases (and eat dinner).

All in all it was a GREAT day! I had a very nice time with my friend Liz and great success with all of my shopping.

34 weeks

You guessed it. 34 weeks is a cantaloupe by weight. Little Bean should be about 4 3/4 - 5 lbs. Getting bigger for sure (so am I).
Weight: 205 lbs (justified as end of the day with tennis shoes on)
Blood pressure: 102/70

Baby's heartrate: 150s (but who knows)

Belly bump: 34 cm (right on track)

According to BabyCenter, Little Bean is still just chunking up. Not much going on with new development. Just working on packing on the pounds and a little development for the central nervous system and the lungs. They add here not to worry about pre-term labor because babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies. Good to know, but I'd still like Little Bean to cook a little longer.

On my front, we are getting to the point where comfortable isn't always a word in my vocabulary, especially when trying to sleep. If I'm not up to pee 3 or 4 times a night then the leg cramps strike. The last couple nights the leg cramps have been on a rampage. I have had cramps in places on my legs I didn't know could actually cramp. I usually catch them really early but they are still enough to wake me up and often jump out of bed to try to stretch em. I talked to the doctor about them today and she just said lots of calcium and potassium. Well I drink tons and tons of milk and eat lots of bananas. She also said I could try some TUMS for extra calcium.
We also talked about Braxton Hicks contractions. I don't really feel them but she said when my tummy gets nice and tight then that would be them. HUH? I guess.

We are scheduled to go back for our 36 and 37 week appointments already. Those appointments are the weeks of Christmas and New Years and the doctor is working limited hours so we wanted to get all set up. Then we will be going every week and getting checked to see if we are dilating and effacing preparing for the big show ;o)

We also started our childbirth class at the hospital yesterday and will be going the next few Tuesdays. The babysitter search is still on and we have 3 more ladies to talk in the next week or so. I also have a big shopping trip planned with Liz for Friday. We are going to the suburbs to hit a big BRU and IKEA. FUN! I want to finish buying up the goodies for the nursery and some other odds and ends. I just can't wait. One more day of work!!

All the ducks in a row (or rows) for a Super Special Shower

WOW! One may ask how I got so many ducks. Well, have a great baby shower with a theme (and I love a themed) and there you go ;o) I had a few additional ducks but they have been adopted out to good homes.
This past Saturday was my second baby shower in Decatur for family and friends hosted by my Aunt Rachel.

We all had a great time and I felt very special!
Here are some pictures of the decorations.....

We had a good turn out with about 20 guests there, and this time I remembered to get a group picture. Both of the Grandmas were at this shower. (I don't know why my shirt looked like that in some pictures. It was something weird with the lights.)

We also had a very special guest. It was my "Grandma" Mattie. She happens to be my very first babysitter and holds a special place in my heart.

Of course since I love games, my Aunt Rachel had a few planned. We played a version of "Baby Price is Right" where we had to guess the price of several items and be within $0.50 to count it as correct. Out of the numerous items, I only got 2 right. However, I overpriced a few of them so it wasn't too bad. Then we also got to guess how many M&M's were in this bottle...

Do you have your guess? My guess of 317 was close but still low. I can't find the exact number but I think it was 350 something. Now Clay and I have started eating them but haven't been counting so we won't be double checking. The final game was 20 questions about me and it was fun too.
We had some wonderful cupcakes and punch. I have lots of leftover cupcakes to take to work tomorrow so I'm sure my co-workers will be happy too.
Little Bean also got some wonderful goodies at this shower too. (That post to come later again.)
It was a wonderful afternoon and I can not THANK my Aunt Rachel enough for her hard work and planning. She sure knows how to spoil me and it shows. I love you lots Aunt Rachel!!!
However, when I got home and unloaded the car, Little Bean's room once again looked like this....

When is it too early to tell your child to pick up their room? ;o) Clay and I spent some time today picking it back up and putting all the goodies away. Now I have a big shopping trip planned for the end of the week with Liz to get the rest of the essentials and finish stocking up.
I will post soon about all of the wonderful goodies and add some more pictures. Stay tuned!
And if you are reading this and you were at the DECATUR shower," Thank you!" for coming. It was a great day!

The reaction we expect...

A few co-workers and I like to look at LOL Cats. We even get a daily newsletter we share (and I forward to Clay too). This was one of the pictures from the other day that Josh sent to me separately too. This is the reaction that Clay and I expect from our kitty ;o) Too cute not to share.

33 weeks

Wow! Seriously? I feel like I JUST posted for 32 week pictures. I have a feeling this month and the next 4-5 weeks to get us past the holidays are going to be C-R-A-Z-Y! That will also put me at 38 weeks. Oh my!


Well, this week we went to the doctor on Monday for our appointment. (We got a little off of our Friday routine with the trip to TX and Thanksgiving.) It was a pretty quick appointment. We didn't have too many questions.


My stats from the day:


Weight: 202.8lbs

Blood pressure: 102/62

Baby's heartrate: 160

Belly bump: 32-33cm



We did talk with the doctor about the lower back pain that is starting to surface due to my shift in gravity to the front with the weight of the belly and she gave me some lower back exercises to do. I really miss Fit Mommy with regards to staying limber. I need to make myself do a few things at home before bed each night. We go back on 12/11 for our 34 week appointment. Then we will go again the week of Christmas for our 36 appointment and every week until the baby comes. She also said she will start checking me at the 36 week appointment so that is exciting.

On the baby front, according to BabyCenter we are up to a hefty 4lbs in womb. They compare it to lifting a nice size pineapple. (I bet you wondered about that with the pineapple above.) Little Bean should quickly be losing that wrinkled alien look as he/she continues to plump and his/her skeleton continues to harden. It does mention the bones in the skull won't fuse together until early adulthood. They stay unfused to allow movement and overlap which makes it easier for the head to travel down the birth canal (and then allow for the growth of the brain and tissue during infancy and childhood). It also mentions the pressure on the head during labor is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance. I know I sure was. I think my mom described me as a yellow cone-head when I was born since I was also jaundiced.


According to BabyCenter on my front, the waddle is fast approaching. Well, I have news for them. I already waddle, especially if I have been sitting for a bit. Finding a comfortable position to sit (and sleep) is an even bigger challenge. TRUE!!! Last night was a bad night for sleeping. We added the body pillow back to the bed but I know I tossed and turned (slowly) to try to get comfy and everytime I woke up, I was definitely in the center of the bed sprawled. Poor Clay won't have much room until after baby's arrival now.

We also have started our "classes" at the hospital. We signed up for the main childbirth class which will be the next 3 Tuesday nights from 6-9pm. We are also taking a few of the freebie classes that come with it. Last night we went to "Mommy and Me" which is for more than just the Mommy and tonight we go to Carseat Safety. Throw in the breastfeeding class toward the end of the month and we are BUSY BUSY BUSY!


The description for Mommy and Me reads "The goal of this class is to provide you with knowledge and skills you will need to be comfortable in caring for yourself and your new baby during those first few days and weeks at home. Topics include care of mom, basic infant care skills, safety, and normal newborn characteristics. " For the most part I would say that was fairly accurate. However, the care for the mom was more about her time in the hospital right after delivery and the infant stuff was for more at home. The only thing is that Clay and I lost our "practice baby" because there were 15 couples in the class and only 14 babies, so the instructor took ours ;o( This was of course after Clay had been posing the baby in funny charade like positions where the baby was driving, running, or dancing. It was quite humorous ;o) They did show you how to swaddle the baby and to give a sponge bath. They also did diaper changes. I enjoyed the first part of the class where they talked about the different "items" that are available in your room. However I must add the PILLOW sized HORSE pads they use right after delivery scared me a bit. OH MY, were they HUGE!!!!


We both enjoyed last night's class but were tired when we got home. The classes either start at 6 or 6:30 so it makes for a quick dinner and a long fast night (if that makes any sense.) By the time we get home it's time for bed and then back to work. Busy days for sure.

Guess I will wrap this up. I have 2 more posts swimming in my head but they will have to wait.