Quinn George

Our perfect man arrived on Monday August 24th, 2009 at 4:45 pm, weighing 6lbs, 8oz and 20.5 inches long.

I'm recovering well but let's just say my body felt as though he was a 9 pounder, so it's going to be a few weeks before I'll be feeling great, but I'm so in love it doesn't even mattter!!!

I'm typing one handed so I'll leave you with some pictures from his second day, my mother has better ones of his birthday. I may or maynot get a chance to post our nearly 33 hour labor and 4 hours of pushing in the near future, but here he is:

A BABY in 24hrs or less...

MY WATER BROKE AT 820 THIS MORNING!!!!

Everything is good and we've been given the A-Okay to labor at home until I feel like i need to come in. So I'm trying to keep busy. I'm feeling pretty good still 2 hours later and we're anxiously waiting for the baby! :-) :-)

39 week appt

Wow... my doctor's office must have been reading my blog and knew I was disappointed by the wait last week. I got in right away with MY Dr as scheduled and was already in the exam room 2 minutes before my appt. YAY! I could have hugged him I was so happy.

So anyway, the update:

1. I'm now 3 cm dilated. So I went from 1 cm week 36 to no change by week 38 and now week 39, we're at 3cm. YAY!! I am happy that's less dilating my body will need to work on when I'm in labor. But it does not mean anything when it comes to how close I am to going into labor.

2. Dr B "stripped my membranes." Click here if you care to read about what that means.

3. If we go overdue, we have a NST (non-stress test) scheduled for 8/27 which is at 40w 3d, which is also the day of our last scheduled appt. Click here to learn about NSTs.

4. If everything goes okay at the NST and 40 week appt on 8/27, and we don't go into labor naturally, we are officially scheduled to be induced at 41 weeks 1 day on Sept 1st - 630am.

Baby,
Momma and Daddy do not want to wait until 9/1 to see you. If we're induced it can lead to needing more pain management and potentially an increased chance of a c-section from the drugs slowing down labor. So... If you insist on staying nice and cozy and want to be born on 9/1, that is fine, but please be sure that you've done your part to come naturally on the 1st without the need for induction. I promise you that you won't be cold when you enter this world. It feels like Florida here, which is not usual. But you would like Florida, that's where Mickey Mouse lives and we promise we'll take you there when you're a bit older... so come on out, Sweetheart, we really can't wait to meet you - Neither can your 5 Grandparents, 5 Great Grandparents and countless Aunties and Uncles! You will be one spoiled baby - I only had 1 Grandparent and I was spoiled rotten... What other ways can I tempt you?
Love, Mommy :-)

SURPRISE work shower!

First of all, yes, we're still "with child" :-)

As you might have imagined, being very pregnant can make anyone cranky - and I'm no exception, especially at work.

On Monday I get a note from my manager's admin scheduling a "transition meeting" with him and my replacement for Thursday (today). I was sooooooooooo irritated by this for 2 reasons.
1 - I was mad that he was waiting until later in the week - what if I had gone out early (obviously this didn't happen)
and 2 - Didn't he trust that we had everything under control with my replacement and all the other prep I had done?! Call me parinoid, but I was really upset by this.

I should mention at this point that I had vented about this to anyone that would listen throughout the week.

So, I go down to his office this afternoon and he says, let's go in the conference room. Ugh.. really, why, it's just the 3 of us and your office is so big it has a couch... Okay - whatever.

We walk out to the nearest conference room and both have their doors shut. So I say, "oohh they must be booked" He says, "no, they're not" (If you know my mgr at all, you'd know that he would normally have no idea if a room was booked or not - duh, he has an admin)

I decide to be difficult and say "well you can open the door because I got stink eye from someone the other day when I opened the door on them in their meeting" So he obliges and SURPRISE....... all the women I have ever worked with during my 6 years at work are sitting in the conference room, beautifully decorated with yellow streamers, yummy yellow and green cupcakes that said "Congratulations Andrea" (thanks Ursula) and tasty brownies and the Oreo mud pudding pie dessert that is just heavenly! (Kate, it was so tasty - thank you for organizing)!!

I immediately start crying - I had a surprise bridal shower before, but I am a detective, even subconsciously and found out about it. I can honestly say that this is the first time (besides Christmas gifts from Santa as a kid) that was I truly surprised.

Thank you ladies for being so thoughtful and making one of my last days before the baby comes enjoyable at work.

1 week to go...

No picture today, I came home from work at 330 and took a much needed nap for a couple hours.

It's been a bit warm, to say the least, and yes, people, it's a bit uncomfortable for me. But I'm trying to stay positive and grateful for the A/C we bought for our bedroom earlier this summer. Hey... it's still better then early February in North Country NY, right girls?!

How far along? 39 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: SIGH!!!! 27 lbs... I'm hoping this will be my last post at my weight... I've gained 3lbs in 1 week! Pretty amazing considering my meals are equal to the amount of food you'd feed a picky 1 year old. And no, it's not water weight, my rings are fitting and my feet look the same.
Stretch marks? Still the same one, I feel like I have some hidden ones that will show their ugly faces after baby is born and I can see my whole body again.
Sleep: Hmmm... not going to complain because I am still getting more sleep then I will in a week or two, but I will say again "it's a tad warm..."
Best moment this week: Enjoying the weekend of "waiting" with some friends at bbq's/picnics!
Movement: Still lots, but slower today, I have heard that babies will rest up and slow movement in the few days prior to being born... fingers crossed :-)
Gender: We'll be finding out shortly... yay!! WE CAN NOT WAIT!! Can you believe this mega planner still doesn't know?!?!?
Labor Signs: Still just practice Braxton-Hicks --- 1.5 cm dilated as of July 31st -- but only 1 cm dilated (and 75% effaced) on 8/13... do the different Drs use different metric rulers?
Food Cravings: Still no room for food in my bell - but the scale tells a different story.
Belly Button in or out? It's still half out, just the top, but when I have contractions it flattens out--- weird weird.
What I miss: The last few weeks it's been my independence, yep same thing this week, though I'm so grateful for the stuff that Chip is doing for me... he took off my chipped red pedicure.
What I am looking forward to: Meeting Baby, obviously!!!! This will not change until the baby comes.
Weekly Wisdom: My replacement asked me if the Drs estimated how big the baby is, and I told her that even though I'm on the smaller side, he thinks the baby is large according to the ultrasound at 34 (?) weeks. She then said, "ooh you're going to end up with a 'C'. " First off... for some reason it irritated me that she just says "C", secondly... why would you say that to someone?!?!? It's like saying, "oooh good luck going under the knife and then being able to take care of an infant in the weeks during your recovery." So add this to your list of things you DON'T SAY TO A PREGNANT WOMAN!
Milestones: 1 week left hopefully... though the date 9/1 is ringing in my head. BOO!
Shout outs to new followers: No new followers this week, but I'm glad you're all still hanging in there with me... we're almost done!!!
Baby Brain Moment of the Week: blah... don't remember..
Wedding Band Status: Engagement ring off, but I wore it on Sunday - that's how I know none of that is H2O weight and swelling. Still have my wedding band :-)
Weekly Belly Pic: None today, I'm too sleepy looking.

Two and a Half Years

Chip and I will be married 2.5 years tomorrow. We think it'd be pretty fun if the baby were born on this day, but... alas, no signs as of yet.

If tomorrow's weather is anything like it was today, it couldn't be more opposite of the day we got married. There was a fresh coating a snow from the Valentine's Day storm a couple days before and although it was sunny, it was a very very cold day. Anyway, I'm just getting a little sick of the waiting game, so I figured I'd post something a little different. Here are some pics from our big day - we absolutely can't wait for our next big day - when we are a family of 3 :-)

On to week 39...

"Pregnant Forever"

That's how I interpret today's appt.

I waited nearly 1.5 hours for the Dr to tell me today that I am no further dilated then I was 2 weeks ago, 1.5 cm and that I'm 75% effaced. One Point Five Hours!! I've tried to be understanding about Dr's being called over for deliveries and for them all going on vacation at the same time... but this is getting a tad ridiculous!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ohhh and by the way, I thought the head was low, it feels low, and it is according to Doc., but it's not "nearly where it needs to be" again... lovely!

All other vitals for baby and I were good, but I'm pissed that I waited that long for them to tell me what I already knew! GRRRRRR...

So, as you all may recall from week 34's surprise ultrasound... you know the one where he said that the baby's head was measuring 2.5 weeks ahead... Yeah, well that means that the head is now about 1 week overdue... how's that for anticipating labor ::: tear:::

Please don't misunderstand, I know we've not passed our due date, that's not what I'm frustrated about - I'm irritated about the wait in the doctors office week-after-week. But I guess when you're an OB, you work hard and play hard, but if I ran that practice, 75% of the delivering docs wouldn't be able to take vacation all at the same time. Note to self, for child # 2, do not plan pregnancy for summer or the holidays or school vacations or....

Still here!!!!

Since a few of you guessed week 38 as the week little Schaller will make his or her grande appearance in the birthday poll, I feel I owe you a status. I'm still here and hate to say it, but I think you're going to lose the poll! In fact, I've convinced myself that those of you who picked week 39 are also going to lose.

Still here...

Appointment tomorrow afternoon, I'll post any exciting news following that. Off for a nice walk with Chip in hopes that gravity will do what it does best --> As Sir Isaac Newton once said... "Drop it like it's hot!"

Starting Week 38

Last night I had to go pee more then normal and then around 3am, I started to feel nauseous and my back was killing me, so I thought... oooh maybe this is it. Got myself all excited and wouldn't you know, 17 hours later, no labor. Oh well. They say that when you first start going into labor you should try to rest. But I ask you... how can you rest when probably the most important day of your life is upon you?!??! If I can paint a quick picture, it's like when you're a little kid and it's the day before school... but a million times more happy anxiety!

How far along? 38 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Again, whoever "they" is lied... my weight has not plateaued, in fact I gained 2 lbs since last week!!! So I'm up to 24 lbs.
Stretch marks? The one above my button is getting larger still and I'm starting to see random spots on my tum that could turn into stretchies here real soon if baby doesn't come ASAP.
Sleep: Notice I'm officially no longer saying "relatively not bad."
Best moment this week: The whole long weekend!! Saratoga with Mom and Chip on Friday, getting pampered at the hair dresser and then dinner with Chip on Saturday, and ordering almost the rest of the stuff off our registry that we absolutely need.
Movement: Baby was trying to escape out my belly button stretchmark today, I'm sure of it!
Gender: We'll be finding out shortly... hopefully in less then 14 days!
Labor Signs: Still just practice Braxton-Hicks --- 1.5 cm dilated as of July 31st -- and of course my "chicken little the sky is falling" nausea last night.
Food Cravings:Still no room for food in my bell.
Belly Button in or out? Perhaps I should change this question to when it's going to go back in...
What I miss: Last week, I said I was missing my independence, yep same thing. Chip pushes me up the stairs when we go up for bed at night. Classy!
What I am looking forward to: Meeting Baby, obviously!!!! This will not change until the baby comes.
Weekly Wisdom: See post below about the dentist.
Milestones: Baby is over 7lbs... though s/he feels like 10+.
Shout outs to new followers: Welcome Lyryn!
Baby Brain Moment of the Week: I can't recall any conversations any more - I think I'm going to set my last day at work as my due date, regardless of whether or not I go past it.
Wedding Band Status: Engagement ring off, but still have my wedding band on... I've been fearing I'd look like a knocked up teen without them, so I'm glad my band still fits.
Weekly Belly Pic: I posted two today. One of this afternoon after work. And the second comparing a few of the weeks. You can tell in week 9 that I felt like CRAPPAH!

Note the new hair do!!! :-) Of course I can't do it exactly the same way as my hair dresser, but let's face it, when you're more then 9 months pregnant, the last thing you want near you in the dead of August is a steamy flat iron!

Labor play list - suggestions?

Making up a labor play list for our ipod tonight...

Any good suggestions? Humorous, calming, fun... I'll take any and all :-)

Reason #891 I love my husband

Chip wanted to do something nice for me before the baby came, so he scheduled me for an appt with our friend's hair dresser. I really like mine, but the last few times she's cut it, it has not turned out good, I think she's just too chatty! So, when Chip told me he made an appt for me to get my hair done, complete with high and low lights, I was so excited because my friend Kate has raved about this guy - and her hair always comes out great.

I just got back from 2.5 hours of hair pampering and love it! I'm really happy with what he did to my hair and feel so pretty! :-) Thank you, Chipper :-) xoxo

Tonight we're going to dinner to my friend Molly's husband's restaurant called Frankie's. I've been a few times with girlfriends, but Chip hasn't been yet, so we're heading down for a late date night.

Congrats go out to the Phillips family as they welcome their second Grandbaby this year. Chris and Lisa had a baby boy last night! Baby and Mommy are doing very well and she was only in labor for a few hours!!

I'm obviously so happy to hear that the baby was born nice and healthy and everyone is doing well... who doesn't love to hear about new babies being born!!?! But this lead me to realize that
all my friends who've had babies this year have gone early, so I know there must be just as many people to help keep the "due date average" and I'm going to be one of those lucky women!

Also, the average labor is about 16 hours... Since both Allyssa and Lisa had shorter labors, I have started to accept that I will also likely have a longer labor to help maintain that "average." Oh well, I look hot after getting my hair done today, so I'll just continue to look fresh until baby comes :-)

37 week appointment

I get there in time for my 3:10 appointment and they tell me Dr K, who is the only delivering OB in the practice I hadn't seen yet, just got called next door to the hospital for a delivery, but he'll be back in 45 minutes. This is the 3rd time that this has happened to us, but just as I told him when he apologized for the delay - it could be us soon, so I'm not upset.

So I took advantage of the time, ran to the post office and then brought my lappie into the waiting room to get some more work done.

My weight, bp, urine, measurements were great. Negative group B strep test, so that's good, no IV administered antibiotics needed during delivery! He then pressed down on my abdomen in between my hips to see if the baby was still head down and it was quite tender, like I'd done 1000 crunches the day before. I assure you, I can't even sit up without moaning, so this was certainly not the reason for the soreness. He said the baby was nice and low - yay!

But that's about it... not that I had wanted another exam, but it would have been nice to know all the Braxton-Hicks I've been having have been leading to some progress.

I am however, hoping that the baby does hold off until at least Saturday morning, we've had a week full of beautiful weather, so Chip, my Mom and I are going up to Saratoga tomorrow to enjoy some pony races! Hopefully, we'll come back with some extra dollar$ :-)

In my lungs

That is where the baby is today. I had a dentist appt first thing this morning. While I was waiting in the room, sitting straight up, mind you, I was having issues breathing. Like I'd just done a 100m sprint.

So I get into the dentist chair for my cleaning and you know how they angle the chair down so it's easier for them to get at the teeth... well, gravity moved the baby even further into my lungs. We tried shifting me in the seat, tried moving the chair up and I still couldn't breathe. Also, the light they use to see what they're doing is like one of those freaking red bathroom heating lamps.

I start sweating...

I can't breathe...

I sit up to get a sip of water, lay back down

I'm sweating even more...

I still can't breathe

So I finally ask the hygienist to stop, holding back tears, because, I am an hormonal mess this week, and she says don't worry, we'll reschedule for after the baby comes. Oh sure, because it'll be super easy for me to get here at that point!

So... my new "weekly wisdom" is that, if you're 9 months pregnant, don't torture yourself by going to the dentist. You already have 1 regular dr appt/week, so don't try to add in another appt... it will just screw with your hormones! BOOOOO.... now I get to anticipate this next month too. GRRR.

And... we're at TERM!

... If baby were born today he/she would be born with strong lungs and ready to greet the world!!!

37 WEEKS :::YEEEEEAAHHHHHHHH:::

How far along? 37 weeks, 1 day

Total weight gain/loss: Total net + 22.

Stretch marks? The one above my button is getting rather LARGE! Crap!

Sleep: Starting to get worse, but I'm not going to complain too much.

Best moment this week: Picnic lunch with Chipper on Saturday :-)

Movement: Holy uncomfortableness today... not in my ribs but at the top of my belly, now it hurts to touch... I'm so very ready to be done... I hope the next 21 ish days go by quickly.

Gender: We'll be finding out shortly...

Labor Signs: Still just practice Braxton-Hicks --- 1.5 cm dilated as of last Thursday.

Food Cravings: There's no room for food in my bell.

Belly Button in or out? Bottom is starting to pop too, must mean baby is dropping.

What I miss: Well Chip had to help me put my shoes on this morning... so I guess this week I'm missing my independence.

What I am looking forward to: Meeting Baby, obviously!!!! This will not change until the baby comes.

Weekly Wisdom: I've got nothing this week.

Milestones: We're at TERM today :-) Healthy baby here we come!

Shout outs to new followers: No one new this week, but glad you're all still hanging in...

Baby Brain Moment of the Week: Oh man, I'm still so clumsy.

Wedding Band Status: Engagement ring off, but still have my wedding band on... I've been fearing I'd look like a knocked up teen without them, so I'm glad my band still fits.

Weekly Belly Pic: View from the monument at the top of Mt Greylock... you can see me with the navy shirt on.

Nursery Pics - Finally!

Well, it's not 100% complete, but I'm going to share with you anyway :-) since you've been patiently waiting.





Crib: Complete with matress and wall decorations. Yes, I realize there shouldn't be any stuffed animals or blankets in the crib when baby is sleeping, they WILL come out, as did the bumper already.



This is my parents old recliner. I LOVE it! It's so 70's but it's super cozy and my mom nursed my brother and I in it, so it's special.


The mobile was made by Mom and I. She did the hot air baloons, they each have animal stickers on them and cute ribbons and baskets hanging from each. A couple weeks ago we built the top part of the mobile, it's hard to tell, but it's star fabric and supposed to be a blue sky'd day :-)

Also notice the small rocking chair. That was mine :-)

Here is a view of the dresser/changer.


This is an old rolling cart we had that I think will make my life a bit easier to access from the recliner when I'm nursing the baby. The diaper cake is the one Mom made for our shower a couple weeks ago. She's so super crafty!!!


It's a small room, but really, all we need to do is to get a small carpet for the center of the room and we're good to go :-)

Here we are...

into Baby S' birth month! Is it even possible????

Some days I feel like I've been pregnant forever, other days it feels like just yesterday we got a positive test. I'm sitting in a finished, albeit kinda unorganized baby room enjoying all the items we've picked out for the baby. I hope s/he likes it in here, it's by far, the happiest room in the house.

For the most part I've enjoyed being pregnant, mostly because I've felt pretty good and have been able to enjoy the anticipation of our family starting a new adventure. I feel so grateful to have had a healthy pregnancy and hope to continue that trend right through to baby's birthday :-) Though I'm incredibly excited to meet our boy or girl, I'm also a bit sad that the baby won't be with me 100% of the time and I won't feel every little movement, even the annoying little hiccups on my bladder.

I don't think Daddy can wait any longer. He couldn't be more excited to meet this baby... it makes me fall in love with him all over again. I can't wait to see him hold his son or daughter for the first time.

We're still taking suggestions for baby's name, does that make us bad parents!? haha. We're pretty set on a girl's name but are still not 100% on a boy's name, though we have a list to chose from. So... please, suggest away :-)

Happy Weekend!

Appointment Today - PROGRESS

This afternoon was our first weekly appt... from here on in we go each week - is it even possible we've been pregnant for this long that we're in the home stretch?!?!

Well folks, we have progress. Dr's exam showed that I'm 1.5cm dilated. I realize that women go for weeks being more then 3cm dilated without going into labor, while others won't show any progress and have the baby the next day. So basically, that means nothing except for that's 1.5 less centimeters that will have to dilate while in labor! Yay!!!

Baby's heartbeat was strong at 138 bpm and my belly is still measuring a bit small. But the Dr reiterated how large the baby measured at our last appointment 2 weeks ago when we had our ultrasound. It didn't sound like he thought we'd be making it to the due date and left smiling saying"Give us a call if anything exciting happens." So... I hope he's right, but I can't help but think that maybe he just jinxed us into 4+ more weeks of pregnancy.

In other news related to progress: I don't think I look like the baby has "dropped," however, I can feel him/her a little further south than even just a couple days okay. "They" say that once the baby drops you feel like you can breathe better, but this kid is still way up into my lungs too, so we've got a long baby for sure. Plus the fact that I'm so short probably doesn't help much either.

I'm off to bed... can't wait for the end of the work week tomorrow afternoon :-)

36 weeks - 1 week until "Term"

Happy Birthday Grandpa-to-be (again) George!!

One piece of exciting news today - Our hospital doesn't have a NICU, so if you go into labor prior to 36 weeks, they transport you about an hour away to a larger hospital that does have one. However, at 36 weeks and later, they'll deliver at our hospital. We've reached that week this week... yay for not having to travel more then 5 miles to the hospital!

We're getting so close to meeting our baby... we're incredibly anxious but I'm so nervous I won't have the courage to say no to an epidural as I have planned. Chip will be amazing though coaching us through, so I'm not worried about that, I really just want to avoid being stuck to one position and numb... fingers crossed.

How far along? 36 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Total net + 21. Yep, broke the 2o lb mark and that means that in the last 2 weeks I've gained 5lbs! Yikes, hopefully I don't get a talking to at the Dr this week.
Stretch marks? I think I found a new one developing on the side of my bell, which wouldn't surprise me with how sore/tight my skin has felt.
Sleep: Again, I think relatively well.
Best moment this week: Realizing how much I had saved at BRU this weekend. I said it before, I'll say it again. I. AM. AWESOME. HA!
Movement: They say the baby slows movements down as it moves out of room. Well... "they" are a bunch of dirty fibbers!
Gender: Still thinking boy despite another girl dream last night. Chip is holding strong with baby being a girl
Labor Signs: Still just practice Braxton-Hicks - we should keep it that way for another 1 week at least! Really only 6.5 days, Baby S --- stick it out for at least that long, please.
Food Cravings: None really, I love picnic foods and have gotten another weekend of enjoying it at a baby shower Sunday - perhaps that would explain my 2week 5lb gain. Eek.
Belly Button in or out? Consistently just the top, perhaps that's how I'll know when baby has "dropped" when we see that the bottom of the button is finally out too.
What I miss: Not having to blindly shave, tie my shoes, bending over, being able to get off the couch without help, etc... etc... etc...
What I am looking forward to: Meeting Baby, obviously!!!! This will not change until the baby comes.
Weekly Wisdom: We've had a rainy summer.. as a result, we have a LOT of mosquitoes... and all day long too, not just in the evening. When you're pregnant, you have more lovely blood coursing through for them to feast on - so when you're at your husband's softball game, make sure to wear long pants so you don't look like you've been attacked from the shins down. But I'm not speaking from experience or anything.
Milestones: Hmmm....... the baby book says baby is almost 6 lbs, but we know our chunker was that big a couple weeks ago. SO, we'll just patiently wait for next week's milestone when baby is considered term and is welcome to join us at that time.
Shout outs to new followers: Hello to blogger, Kerri.
Baby Brain Moment of the Week: Still dropping EVERYTHING, let's hope I don't do the same with baby!
Wedding Band Status: I took my engagement ring off and am just wearing my wedding band. I could still wear it, but with my band being so thick, my engagement ring sits higher up my finger, where it's a tad bigger. So we'll call this a precautionary removal :-( boo, I LOVE mine.
Weekly Belly Pic: Mom thinks I've dropped... I think it's just the funky pattern of the dress. See my lime kayak, "Kiwi" in the background. Poor thing has been very neglected this summer, I've only paddled once :-(

I AM AWESOME - PERIOD.

... and so is my friend Jess!

We went to Babies R Us today. I came loaded with my BRU coupons, but didn't expect I'd be able to use more then one on a single item. Why we're awesome:

1. Crib Mattress: Priced at $85 ~~~~ paid $49 = $36 saved
2. Stroller: Priced at $170~~~~ paid $123 = $47 saved
3. Other leftover pre-birth needs: Priced at $123 ~~~~ Paid $113 = $10 saved

Total amount saved: Nearly $93!!

And THAT, my friends, is why we're Awesome :-)

So, I'm spending the evening nesting, washing and organizing baby clothes, bedding, etc. I might even search for some fun crafts to do in the next weeks as we wait for our little Baby S!

Thanks for coming with me, Jess!

Holy sleeping in Batman!

Is it even possible that I slept in until 1130 this morning?!

...don't start judging me, I work a 9/80 schedule, so I get every other Friday off and have gotten in all my hours this week...

I got up a couple times for preggo lady peeing, but Chip left for work a little before 9am and I slept from then until 1130! It was GLORIOUS!