As I near the end of my pregnancy, I've started working only 4 hours per day. So far it has been nice to have more time at home, but it has meant that I just need to cram all my work into 4 hours per day, which has been a bit challenging.
I had been meaning to put together some freezer meals so that we will have something to eat when the baby comes and we are too exhausted to make anything. I was putting it off because I've been waiting for the kitchen to be finished. It is now finished to the point of functional, but there are a few details that need to be attended to. But, last night I was able to assemble a lasagna and get that in the freezer. Tonight I'm hoping to make chili and enchiladas.
Also last night I just got this feeling that the baby is going to come soon. I don't know why I was feeling that way but there was just something about how my body felt that makes me think the baby is close to arrival. I even laid in bed kind of just waiting for something to happen. I'm starting to get scared of the actual labor and delivery. I had a dream last night that it was really easy, but I'm pretty sure it won't be a walk in the park.
Gus is trying to finish the floors in the other half of the kitchen today and then needs to tear out the carpeting in the living room. We'd like to get that done before the baby gets here! But, if she comes as soon as I think she is going to, then we might be out of luck!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
sunday funday
As we eagerly await the arrival of Baby Chunglund, my weekends have been filled with washing baby clothes, trying to clean and finish unpacking a house that is still under some state of construction/renovation, lots of knitting, and plenty of naps. I've knit three hats in the last week or so and have two scarves underway.
Yesterday, one of my favorite people, Erica, came through Duluth on her way to Eveleth and we had brunch at Pizza Luce. So far, we've had a hard time finding a good place for brunch in Duluth and even my requests for recommendations have resulted in things such as Perkins and Old Country Buffet ... REALLY? Luce was quite delicious though. I ordered the Truly French Toast, which was stuffed with brie and accompanied by pecan banana syrup and whipped cream. Erica had the Portabella and Eggs and since the 'shrooms were so spicy she gave those to me. They were also delicious - smoky, spicy, mushroom-y. I also partook in their Bloody Mary Bar (virgin, of course), which I was impressed with - lots of fixings. The only things missing were beef sticks and perhaps a shrimp. But I managed to load my drink down with lots of good things - cucumber spear, pickle, extra horseradish, cheese stick, pepperoncini, marinated mushroom, etc. Good stuff.
Later in the afternoon, since the house smelled like the disgusting adhesive that Gus used to attach the back of the cabinet, we decided to take a drive up to Gooseberry Falls to look at leaves and take a little walk. I think Carl thought that we were torturing him by letting him dip his paws in the water, but not letting him run free and splash around.
It was a nice relaxing day and even though not much progress was made on the kitchen on Sunday, I'm glad I got to spend some quality time with my husband before the baby gets here!
Yesterday, one of my favorite people, Erica, came through Duluth on her way to Eveleth and we had brunch at Pizza Luce. So far, we've had a hard time finding a good place for brunch in Duluth and even my requests for recommendations have resulted in things such as Perkins and Old Country Buffet ... REALLY? Luce was quite delicious though. I ordered the Truly French Toast, which was stuffed with brie and accompanied by pecan banana syrup and whipped cream. Erica had the Portabella and Eggs and since the 'shrooms were so spicy she gave those to me. They were also delicious - smoky, spicy, mushroom-y. I also partook in their Bloody Mary Bar (virgin, of course), which I was impressed with - lots of fixings. The only things missing were beef sticks and perhaps a shrimp. But I managed to load my drink down with lots of good things - cucumber spear, pickle, extra horseradish, cheese stick, pepperoncini, marinated mushroom, etc. Good stuff.
Later in the afternoon, since the house smelled like the disgusting adhesive that Gus used to attach the back of the cabinet, we decided to take a drive up to Gooseberry Falls to look at leaves and take a little walk. I think Carl thought that we were torturing him by letting him dip his paws in the water, but not letting him run free and splash around.
Friday, September 24, 2010
seven pounds seven days
1) Pop-Tarts
2) gas station cappuccino
3) Costco muffins
4) M&M cookies
5) The Tappy at Erbert's & Gerbert's
6) Starbucks pumpkin bread
7) Pumpkin spice latte
I assure you there is more, but that's all I can think of at the moment.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
sibling rivalry
The car seat has been installed in the car for the last couple of weeks. Carl Rove has ridden in the car twice since the installation of the car seat. The first time he was in the back of the car and when I came out from the grocery store, he had both his front paws in the car seat. The second time was just last night and he was sitting in the back seat next to the car seat with his head inside the car seat. I think Carl is ready for this baby too! I just hope he doesn't get too jealous!
Monday, September 20, 2010
busy weekend
Gus got the appliances back in the kitchen at about 7:00 p.m. on Friday night just in time for us to start putting together the food for my parents' 25th anniversary party at the lake. We prepped until about 1:30 a.m. and then hit the sack for a few hours of sleep before we were on the road to Lake Vermilion. The party was a success! The weather was gorgeous and we were all able to sit outside and enjoy the last bits of sunshine and warmth. There is nothing better than an afternoon of good food and family!
This past Thursday we also had an evening of good food and family. My cousin Krista threw me and my cousin Samantha a baby shower. So on Sunday I spent the afternoon returning gifts and washing baby clothes. Last night, the whole family - Gus, me, and Carl finished putting the baby's room together. I put a blanket in there for Carl and he slept listening to lullabies even after Gus and I exited the room. Last night I really felt ready and excited for this baby. I can't wait to meet Baby Juliet and watch her sleep in her crib. I hit 37 weeks on Sunday so I'm in the home stretch! She'll be here before we know it!
This past Thursday we also had an evening of good food and family. My cousin Krista threw me and my cousin Samantha a baby shower. So on Sunday I spent the afternoon returning gifts and washing baby clothes. Last night, the whole family - Gus, me, and Carl finished putting the baby's room together. I put a blanket in there for Carl and he slept listening to lullabies even after Gus and I exited the room. Last night I really felt ready and excited for this baby. I can't wait to meet Baby Juliet and watch her sleep in her crib. I hit 37 weeks on Sunday so I'm in the home stretch! She'll be here before we know it!
Monday, September 13, 2010
this is what i learned
After having moderate contractions every 4 minutes for about 3 hours on Friday, the nurse on call told us to head to the hospital. Gus finished packing "the bag" and put the car seat in the car and we headed to the birth place. I was hooked up to the monitor for several hours where my contractions were still coming every 4-5 minutes. So here's what I learned ...
1) When administering a cervical exam, technique is very very important. I've had them about three times throughout this pregnancy and while uncomfortable none of them were painful, much less left me feeling violated until the first one I had administered by a resident doctor. What the nurse practitioner and attending OB-GYN could do with two fingers took this guy TWO HANDS! WTF. I could have sworn his entire arm was in my vagina digging around there for what was probably less than a minute, but felt like forever. When he left, I actually cried thinking about how they would probably have to do that several more times before this baby is born. I mean, I literally was sobbing. I told Gus that I would need an epidural just to get through the pain of a cervical exam. Take home message - don't let the resident doctor do the cervical exam. As both my cousin Sam and I pointed out, this guy probably isn't getting a lot of action with the ladies if that is truly his "technique."
2) When you are in labor, you will not be smiling. While this is my first baby, I don't really know what labor is supposed to feel like. Apparently though, if you are truly in labor and ready to head to the hospital you will likely not be smiling nor will you be talking v. much. Good things to know. The doctors and nurses told me that while I appeared uncomfortable, I was a bit too "smiley" to be having real contractions.
3) Don't go to the hospital until you have stopped smiling or until your water breaks. Now that I know how much fun it is to have a resident doctor stick his entire arm up my vagina, I seriously do not intend to go to the hospital until I absolutely have to. I figure the longer I wait, perhaps the more my cervix dilates thus eliminating a few extra cervical checks?
4) ASK QUESTIONS! The nurse came in towards the end of my stay and told us that the attending OB-GYN had ordered this medicine for me that was supposed to stop the Braxton Hicks contractions. It was in the form of a shot. I HATE SHOTS. Like they literally scare me so I really didn't want one. So Gus and I were trying to ask questions to figure out if I really needed the drug. Turns out the drug is primarily given to alleviate any of the mother's discomfort and to put her mind at ease because the contractions have stopped. Since the contractions weren't harming the baby and the pain was manageable, I opted not to have the drugs. I did have to wait for another hour in order to have this conversation with the attending doctor, but in the end I got out of there drug and shot free.
5) I have the best husband in the world. While he can't possible understand how awful it is for a resident doctor to dig around up in your lady business, he made a point of telling the attending physician that the last internal exam I had was less than pleasant. As such the attending physician told us that it was all technique and that I could let him know if it was painful. When the experienced physician did the exam, it was obviously uncomfortable but not painful and definitely did not leave me feeling violated. Like I said ... two fingers versus two hands - you do the math. So I'm really glad that Gus spoke up for me and I think he will make an excellent birth coach when the time FINALLY comes.
1) When administering a cervical exam, technique is very very important. I've had them about three times throughout this pregnancy and while uncomfortable none of them were painful, much less left me feeling violated until the first one I had administered by a resident doctor. What the nurse practitioner and attending OB-GYN could do with two fingers took this guy TWO HANDS! WTF. I could have sworn his entire arm was in my vagina digging around there for what was probably less than a minute, but felt like forever. When he left, I actually cried thinking about how they would probably have to do that several more times before this baby is born. I mean, I literally was sobbing. I told Gus that I would need an epidural just to get through the pain of a cervical exam. Take home message - don't let the resident doctor do the cervical exam. As both my cousin Sam and I pointed out, this guy probably isn't getting a lot of action with the ladies if that is truly his "technique."
2) When you are in labor, you will not be smiling. While this is my first baby, I don't really know what labor is supposed to feel like. Apparently though, if you are truly in labor and ready to head to the hospital you will likely not be smiling nor will you be talking v. much. Good things to know. The doctors and nurses told me that while I appeared uncomfortable, I was a bit too "smiley" to be having real contractions.
3) Don't go to the hospital until you have stopped smiling or until your water breaks. Now that I know how much fun it is to have a resident doctor stick his entire arm up my vagina, I seriously do not intend to go to the hospital until I absolutely have to. I figure the longer I wait, perhaps the more my cervix dilates thus eliminating a few extra cervical checks?
4) ASK QUESTIONS! The nurse came in towards the end of my stay and told us that the attending OB-GYN had ordered this medicine for me that was supposed to stop the Braxton Hicks contractions. It was in the form of a shot. I HATE SHOTS. Like they literally scare me so I really didn't want one. So Gus and I were trying to ask questions to figure out if I really needed the drug. Turns out the drug is primarily given to alleviate any of the mother's discomfort and to put her mind at ease because the contractions have stopped. Since the contractions weren't harming the baby and the pain was manageable, I opted not to have the drugs. I did have to wait for another hour in order to have this conversation with the attending doctor, but in the end I got out of there drug and shot free.
5) I have the best husband in the world. While he can't possible understand how awful it is for a resident doctor to dig around up in your lady business, he made a point of telling the attending physician that the last internal exam I had was less than pleasant. As such the attending physician told us that it was all technique and that I could let him know if it was painful. When the experienced physician did the exam, it was obviously uncomfortable but not painful and definitely did not leave me feeling violated. Like I said ... two fingers versus two hands - you do the math. So I'm really glad that Gus spoke up for me and I think he will make an excellent birth coach when the time FINALLY comes.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
hey good lookin'
Whatcha got cookin? Kitchen renovations are well underway. I can't believe I forgot to take before pictures of the kitchen so the new kitchen reveal won't be quite as dramatic. I'm starting to get excited though! The cabinets and counters were delivered yesterday. The counters look really nice. Gus even started putting up the drywall yesterday! I'm looking forward to dinner parties at our house and cooking and baking in my new kitchen!
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