Welcome to the world Josiah!!

Josiah is here!

Josiah was born at 10:43 AM on December 30, 2010. He is 7 lbs and 1
ounce and length later to come :) He's beautiful and perfect and he
and momma are doing very well! (Pictures attached!)

We're so excited he's here!

Love,
Amy, Boomer and Josiah

--
http://www.babybakalchuck.com/

Go Jo Jo Go!

I had another NST (non-stress test, which is just being put on the fetal heart monitor) today. Once again, they said he was responding and doing everything perfectly. When I asked Dr. Powell if they were going to start checking on dilation and effacement she said, "since you are having a c-section, we really don't care!" Hahaha. If anything were to change or if I wanted them to, they would check, but at this point it really doesn't matter. If I go into labor they will go ahead and do a c-section. Dr. Powell said there's just no reason to be invasive or cause any unnecessary stress to me at this point.

I feel good. Ok, not really. I feel tired and really uncomfortable, but mentally, other than tired, I feel good. :) I feel like Josiah is really ok for the first time since Dec 6th.

We have most everything ready. All of his newborn clothes and most of the sheets, blankets and diapers are washed. We still need to install the carseat, but the room is mostly ready. Plus he won't be sleeping in there much to start with anyway. Squeakie has been evicted from the master bedroom and we've stopped letting the cats into the nursery since everything has been washed. Of course one sneaks in for a few minutes every now and then, but mostly they are gone. Christmas is coming and I have so much for which to be grateful. Wonderful friends, amazing family. I'm so glad Mom (Emmy) and Claude (Pop-pop) and Aunt Jenny are spending Christmas here in Durham with us, so we can all be together, comfortably (I hope anyway, for them) and I don't have to travel 3-4 hours to the Outer Banks when Josiah's eviction is imminent.

December 30th, here we come!

He's a Little Fella

Some of you may know about this, but I haven't really wanted to discuss at length with anyone because I've been scared, so I haven't written about it. On December 6th I had a routine ultrasound for a growth check. Since all of our previous appointments and ultrasounds had gone so perfectly I told Boomer not to even bother to come with me. So of course this was the only "bad" report we've had the whole pregnancy. Apparently Josiah hadn't grown any since the last growth check. Dr. Bird basically told me, "don't be too concerned yet". What no one bothered to tell me was that he scored an 8 out of 8 on his BPP (BioPhysical Profile), which is as good as it gets. They also didn't tell me that ultrasounds are not 100% accurate or that growth checks should not be done closer than 3 weeks apart (my last one was only 2 weeks before this one). They also didn't tell me it wasn't terribly uncommon for babies to quit growing. I just found out my niece, Mackenley, stopped growing at 34 weeks and she was born tiny but perfect, and is a wonderfully healthy 11 year old now.

So, this news, don't get me wrong, it worries me, but since December 6th we've had 2 appointments per week and everything has been fine. I go on the fetal heart monitor (called an NST, non-stress test) at the beginning of the week and have an ultrasound at the end of the week. His NSTs have been perfect, but supposedly he still hasn't grown. I type "supposedly" here because on December 6th I asked the sonographer if maybe his growth had stopped/slowed because he was out of room in my womb. She told me no, he still had plenty of room. When we had the last ultrasound this past Friday, Dec 17th, I asked if he still had plenty of room. This time she told me that no, it was tight. Now, I'm not a medical professional, but I don't think my uterus has shrunk. So if he hasn't gotten any bigger why are his quarters getting close?

Anyway, I've been told he's about 5.5 lbs now, but they can't give me a length. He is doing everything he's supposed to be doing, like practicing breathing, and his cord looks good. I'm trying not to be too concerned because I don't think stress hormones will help him.

I'm having a c-section at Durham Regional on Thursday, December 30th. Less than 11 days! I'm so ready, and so not. I'm also about as uncomfortable as I have ever been in my life. I really don't understand how any woman can enjoy being pregnant, especially the 3rd trimester. I limp and waddle everywhere. I have to pee all the time. Everything hurts, and just 2 days ago I started having these shooting pains in my unmentionable areas which are, come to find out, totally normal and due to his head being pressed up against some pelvic nerve. I ask you, is this something one can enjoy? Luckily, bitching about it helps. :) As does keeping my eye on the prize! In 11 days I get a wonderful baby boy and that's worth anything and everything.

Now go call the schmaltz-police.

Diastasis Recti

This morning shortly after I was cleaning up some water Huggy knocked off my nightstand my stomach really started hurting. I thought it was some sort of gastrointestinal issue and confused nausea with just lots of pain and went in to see my docs. Turns out, Josiah has split my stomach muscles a bit. It's not rare or life-threatening or anything. Just extremely uncomfy. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001602.htm

In other, GOOD, news, Josiah is perfect. They put me on the fetal heart monitor for about 20-30 minutes today and he moved around a lot and his heart rate went up and down, between about 128 and 178. I was, of course, alarmed, considering whenever they doppler me his rate is always mid 150s to low 160s, but that's apparently a slightly different way to measure it. When I asked about his big fluctuations they said it means he's a "REALLY good baby, and we love good babies". :)

Really, I can deal with anything as long as Josiah is ok.

34 Weeks

I'm 34 weeks pregnant today and there is a whole little person inside of me. I mean, if he came out today he'd probably be totally fine and have few to no complications. Hard to imagine. I sit in the nursery sometimes and look at all of his baby stuff and I still just can't quite believe I'm going to be responsible for a whole other person for the rest of my life. Sometimes I feel like I'm not even that great at taking care of my cats. And, I know, call the schmaltz-police, but I'm just overwhelmed with love for him. Ok, I KNOW in my head this is oxytocin, but it doesn't make it any less overwhelming for me. It's hard to wait to meet him and that's not just because I'm so uncomfortable.

Updates

Sorry it's been so long since I updated. It seems time just keeps getting away from me. I will attempt to give a run-down on everything going on right now.

Jenny gave my third, and what I thought was my final, baby shower last Saturday. It was so nice. Viv helped a lot too, and so did Mom. I got wonderful things, including, but certainly not limited to, 6 (I think) bumGenius cloth diapers, a blue bumbo, a turtle you put in the bathtub to make sure the water is the right temp, some great blankets, some cloth wipes, an organic changing pad cover, a tummy time mat, several handmade blankets and sweaters from Viv and Esther (Josiah's bubbe) and Eve (Josiah's aunt) and lots of outfits that are just too cute for words. Along with the cloth diapers from Jenny and Mom, Jenny also got him tons of clothes AND made him the gorgeous letters seen in the pic above (yes, those are my fat, swollen feet). Everyone's artistic talents and abilities just floor me. I'm not remotely creative or talented so hopefully Josiah will take after his daddy and the rest of our families. :)

I also had my work shower, which was fabulous. And Boomer got to attend! We received several amazing handmade things there and lots of gift cards and a car seat base (for Jenny's vehicle) and lots of other great stuff.

Speaking of work showers, I mentioned above I thought Jenny's shower was the final one, but no, the generous folks at Boomer's work want to have a shower for us, which will be Wednesday, December 1st. I feel truly blessed to have all these loving, considerate, good-hearted people in our lives. I've always believed it takes a village to raise a child, and I love my village! Josiah, and Boomer and I, of course, are very, very lucky.

On the medical front, I'm in considerable discomfort at the end of most days now but I'm quite sure it's normal (having been assured by the docs). I just think of it as the small price to pay in for such a great payout. And that payout is scheduled to be delivered on December 30th at 10:30am. Yes folks, that's when the c-section is happening. Be there or be square.

As far as what we really still need, basically just a swing and some crib sheets. I really think that's it. I would love more cloth diapers, but we do have plenty. Shockingly, I think we are mostly prepared, at least with the right accoutrements, for his birth. Mentally and emotionally... I'm not entirely sure about.

Oooops, we missed Centering!

We missed Centering last Tuesday! We thought it was this coming Tuesday. But now we have all the dates in our calendars. :) However, I have been to see Dr. Frenduto a couple of times. My feet were very swollen and I have been having a lot of pelvic pressure. Turns out, Josiah is head down (as he should be) and his head is sitting right on my cervix, which Frenduto tells me is normal. He acted like it was something that would come and go over the next couple months, but so far I've only had a couple hours of reprieve in the last 5-6 days. Most of the time it's merely uncomfy. Sometimes it makes me cry a little. I really hope it's not going to be like this for the next 2 months, but I suppose even if it is, the outcome will be worth it. Laying down helps so I've been doing that a lot. Standing for long periods makes it almost unbearable.

I also managed to get a pretty bad case of bronchitis a couple weeks ago, but I'm all done with that now!

On a happy, non-sick note, I had my first baby shower! It was the family/old friend shower in Elizabeth City given by my 2 moms, though some new friends were there too, like many of Mom's (MLW) Literary Divas. It was a wonderful shower. Many of the women told me it was the best baby shower ever. We received some awesome gifts and the fellowship was even more amazing. There was so much laughing that I may not have been the only one who needed a diaper!

Josiah is moving like mad quite often. Many times I feel him on my far right and far left at the same time, making me think he's practicing some sort of drumming, or possibly soccer kicks. When Frenduto was trying to doppler him to get his heart rate he kept laughing and saying, "he's kicking me!" I told him he does that to me a lot too. :)

All in all, I think things are going ok.

Centering - Session 3

Today's Centering class was good. My glucose and protein were perfect once again. My BP was a little high and my weight was down about a pound since the class last month. But Michelle (the PA who leads the class) said she wasn't concerned because Josiah appears to be growing as he should. My fundal height measured at 26 weeks instead of 25, which is not unusual. She said if it was more than 2 weeks off they would do another ultrasound to re-check. Josiah's heart rate was around 160.

And speaking of another ultrasound, I get one on October 5th. YAY for being "high risk" and getting lots of extra ultrasounds. I also have to start having one-on-one baby doctor appointments once a month, as well as Centering, so basically I get a check-up every 2 weeks. For those of you who know how anxious I am, you know this is a very good thing. Constant reassurance! I'll also talk to the doctor then about scheduling the c-section.

I am greatly reassured after talking to Michelle, who is Jewish, about the brit milah (bris). She asked Boomer who he found to do it, and when he told her Adelman she said "He's the best. That's who did my son's bris. I had a urologist present at the ceremony and he said he'd never seen any circumcision done so well." This was quite comforting to me, as you can imagine.

*bump*

And there he is!

I was at Lane Bryant today getting a new, well, let's call it a support device, and I told the woman I needed some better support because I was pregnant. She looked at me and said, "you don't look pregnant!"

I have to admit, I hate not looking pregnant. I just feel dumpy and I figure people just think I AM dumpy. I WANT to look pregnant, dang-it. I need something to show for the misery that was my first trimester. Though I must admit that it's gotten a lot better lately. I never got a JOLT of 2nd trimester energy that so many women promised me, but I am not nearly as tired as I was.

I wasn't really expecting the sudden ability to vomit at will, but hey, everyone has to have a superpower.

Websites I Like

Highly recommended source for reviews on toys, books, video and software:
http://www.toyportfolio.com/

Breastfeeding and Parenting. Evidence-based information on breastfeeding and parenting issues: http://www.kellymom.com/
 
A site for drugs in pregnancy:
http://www.safefetus.com/

DS is a community of cloth diapering moms sharing tips, experiences, and support in all aspects of parenting:
http://www.diaperswappers.com/

Cloth diaper supply shop, diapering care, basics and detergents list:
http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/

A "deal of the day" website for moms offering discounts on baby and maternity products:
http://www.babysteals.com/

Blog, consumer reviews, and "bonus material," including information about cribs, strollers, humidifiers, monitors, and all sorts of other baby gear. It goes with the book, which I highly recommend. They take NO advertising whatsoever. The writers believe that the no ad policy ensures objectivity:
http://www.windsorpeak.com/babybargains/default.html

Thank you Princess for giving me a lot of this information! If any of you know of any other good ones, let me know and I'll add them here.

Registry Information

It's very exciting to buy baby stuff! We've already started buying things, and friends and family have already bought things. So in case you are wondering about a registry, I thought I'd give you some information.

We're going with mostly bumGenius 4.0 (not 3.0) cloth diapers: http://www.kellyscloset.com/giftregistry_home.asp?action=view&id=28895 (password is Josiah) Kelly's Closet often has coupons so ask me and I can check for you!

The picture shows our bedding, which we have changed from what we originally decided. We're now going with Mr and Mrs Pond. :) It's already arrived and I love it!

For everything else, we're registered at Walmart: http://www.walmart.com/giftregistry/gr_detail.do?registryId=80503569147

We will appreciate and love anything you want to give Josiah, but if you are looking for a guide, here it is!

Josiah Jordan Bakalchuck

It's official! We're having a boy. The ultrasound went great. Little Josiah is a wiggly thing but certainly proud to display his manliness. I couldn't tell what the heck I was looking at but the awesome ultrasound lady, Joanie, and Princess were both like "WOAH, HELLO! He's not shy!" That was the first thing everyone who knew what they were looking at saw.

Once again, all measurements were absolutely on target and perfect. 10 fingers, 10 toes, and everything measurable about the brain at this point totally flawless. So Josiah is perfectly average and perfectly perfect in every way, so far. :)

I know the 4D pics are a bit alien-ish at this time, but still, it's amazing to me how much he looks like a little human already.

Centering Pregnancy

Boomer and I had our first Centering Pregnancy class today. I peed on a stick to test glucose and protein and both were normal. My weight was up from the last visit but still down from my starting weight. My blood pressure was 131/68... top number a little higher than normal, but I don't do well in group situations, so slightly higher was to be expected. And the baby's heart rate was 161, also up from last visit, but still normal and to be expected, since Mom was agitated. :)

I don't enjoy those getting-to-know-you "fun" things that groups do, but I got through it. Boomer made a frenemy in the guy next to him by discovering that he's a Red Sox fan. The doctor who led the group is from NY and had lived in Brooklyn, so of course Boomer discovered that she actually lived 3 blocks from him in Bay Ridge. Everyone was very nice.

Most of the couples in there were pregnant with their first child. One couple was having their third! Yikes.

Most were due after me, some as late as early Feb. Most were not showing either. I'd really like to start showing instead of just looking dumpy.

I'm feeling better, less tired, though my back and knees are really hurting. I'm going to a chiropractor for the back issues, and will talk to my doc one-on-one about the knees. I think I just really need to get back to water aerobics. More soon.

Due Date: January 5, 2011

Something I never thought would happen is happening and it's still very surreal. I see the sonogram pics. I even see it moving during the ultrasound. I heard the heartbeat today. But still, I can't say it's quite sunk in all the way that there's a baby in there. And lord have mercy, how is it gonna get out? Not in a natural way, I can tell you that. I know I have said it before, but let me say it again.... I'm 37 years old, you just don't come back from that at my age! I would like to be able to use my parts again, thankyouverymuch. No, I feel no need to "experience childbirth", and no, you aren't going to change my mind. No offense, but I know where they come out.

So today at the doctor I heard the heartbeat. It was very nice. I'm sad I heard it for the first time alone, but I suppose these things happen. At least I'm not really alone. Of course the heartbeat was right smack dab in the middle of the range, so no indication of sex from that. It was 142 bpm. Very fast (for an already-born human anyway)! I hope it's not as anxious as it's mother is. I know, I know, it's supposed to be that fast. I measured 14.5cm from top of pubic bone (I think that's what she measured from and what she called it... anyway, from top of my "area") to top of my uterus, which the midwife told me was exactly dead-on of where I'm supposed to be. So, GOOD JOB BEING AVERAGE BABY BAKALCHUCK! I'm down with average right now.... we're shooting for normalcy after all. I'm sure s/he'll be exceeding my expectations soon enough.

Let's see, what else? Oh, I'm going to be doing CenteringPregnancy, which I am very excited about. Basically once a month I meet with a midwife and 5-9 other mothers/couples who have similar due dates. In addition to increased satisfaction, research has shown that women in CenteringPregnancy have 1/3 lower relative risk of having a preterm infant than women in traditional care. My first "class" with CP starts July 27th. I need to be there between 8:30-8:45a for my finger-stick AFP test. We actually begin the CP at 9am. I should have a partner, but it's not 100% necessary. It can be a different partner each time (I asked, of course).

I was down 5 pounds from when I was weighed at Duke for the First Trimester Screening on the June 24th, but no one seemed too excited about that. In fact it wasn't brought up at all, so that's good! I supposed I should mention those screening results here so we have a record of everything in one place:

Due to my age (Geriatric Maternal Age, or some such thing), before the screening, I had a 1 in 165 chance of having a Downs baby. After the screening my chances dropped dramatically to a 1 in 3200 chance of having a Downs baby.

Before the screening I had a 1 in 300 chance of having a trisomy baby (another chromosomal mutation that causes retardation). After the screening my chances dropped even more dramatically to 1 in 5800. So.... YAY!

Lastly, we find out the baby's sex on Wednesday, August 11 at 4:15pm. So the count-down is on!