Happy Birthday Baby John!!

Weighing in at 8lbs 9ozs, measuring 21 1/2 inches long, born by emergency c-section on October 23, 2009 at 4:15pm, please put your hands together for John Phillip Fry!!

Last Friday, I went into the doctor for my weekly fetal non-stress test and while I was hooked up to the fetal monitor they took my blood pressure, which was very high. It has been high throughout the pregnancy, but this was higher then it had ever been, and the doctor came in and told me she wanted me to be admitted until I had the baby because she felt it would be safer for me. When I asked if I would be having the baby that day, she said she thought it would either be that weekend or they would just have me wait until the 30th, which is when I had my original c-section scheduled. So off to the hospital we went, and they put me in the OB Triage to wait for the nurse to be in to get me all set up. Phil and I were in that room for about 5 minutes when the nurse came in and said that the doctor on duty set me up to have my c-section a few hours from then, and they were going to take me to labor and delivery to start getting me prepped. Phil and I just looked at each other like what!!?? It was a total surprise that it was going to be happening right then and there, because I thought for sure they were going to make me wait another week. So I called my mom to tell her and dad to get done there as soon as they can, and off to labor and delivery we went.

After getting prepped and my parents finally getting to the hospital, they had Phil dress in scrubs and took me off to the operating room to get the epidural and start the c-section. I have never been so nervous in my life, I was shaking like a leaf the entire time and nothing I could do could stop that. Luckily the epidural went in without any problems, and once I was laid down on the table and the medicine started kicking in, Phil was brought in to sit next to me. At 4:08pm they started and at 4:15pm John was born. He cried right away and my heart just soared and as soon as they brought him around the curtain and showed him to me I just started crying. He was perfect, and he was ours, and we had waited so long for him. Phil went right over to him and they had him cut the cord and since he was doing so well, they took him to recovery to weigh him and wait for me, and they sent Phil with them while they spent the next 45 minutes putting me back together. I was so impatient the entire time, I just wanted them to hurry up so I could get to recovery and see my baby boy.

In recovery, I was still shaking so bad, and the nurse told me that it is normal, it was just hormones from just having a baby, and it was so bad at first I wasn't able to hold John, but they brought him to me and I just couldn't believe how beautiful he was and that I did that. My family came in two at a time to see him and two hours later, I was transferred to my postpartum room and was finally able to really hold John and check him out, of course checking to make sure he had all his fingers and toes.

I was in the hospital for four days, and was able to come home Tuesday night. John is in perfect health and even though he seems to have his days and nights mixed up and Phil and I pretty much are running on a few hours sleep here and there, we couldn't be prouder of what we have created and the new family we now have. It seems so strange to me at times that I actually have a son. I guess I thought I would never have a child of my own, just like a never thought I would get married, but now I have a family of my own, we just moved into a nice and bigger apartment that allows John to have his own room, a dog that is still trying to figure out what the heck this little person is, and great family and friends that love me and support me along the way. I couldn't be more blessed.

37 Week Appointment and Hospital Stay

Tuesday we went in for our normal prenatal appointment and as always, they first get me hooked up to the fetal monitor and take my blood pressure. Now, since becoming pregnant my blood pressure has been on the high side, but I have had every lab test done and even done a 24 hour urine collection and all has come back that I just have maternal hypertension and I'll be fine. Well, my blood pressure was through the roof both times they checked it, so the doctor told me she wanted me to go right to the hospital and be admitted for a 24 hour observation and also do another 24 hour urine collection to rule out the possibility of me having preeclampsia. They kept asking me if I had a headache or blurred vision or felt bad, but I felt fine. I was more worried about baby then myself, but they assured me that he was fine, it was me that they were concerned about, and if there was any health risks to me, they would take the baby right away.

So basically, I sat in the hospital for 24 hours, collecting my pee, just for them to tell me last night around 10pm that everything came back fine and I was free to go home right then and just go to my regular prenatal visit next week. In a way, I know it was best for me to be in there because if there was a problem then things about be done, but I truly felt like I could have been taking my blood pressure at home and peeing in a bucket at home where I would have been comfortable. I guess a lot of it is because since I was already in the hospital, I just wanted John to be able to be delivered, because I am at the point where I am just uncomfortable and ready for him to come out. Plus, when the did an ultrasound on him, he is already at 8 1/2 pounds!!! But they say his lungs may still need to be developed a little more, so once I heard that, I felt better about making sure he stays in here at least another week or so. But more then likely they are going to schedule the c-section for next week.

So now I am home and taking it easy. We are moving this weekend and have so much to do around here, and I keep feeling the need to grab some boxes and just start packing and cleaning, but I am having a lot of Braxton Hicks contractions when I do too much, which they said is normal, and plus with my blood pressure I know I have to take it easy and just let Phil handle everything. The best news today though is that my doctor's office just called and they are faxing a note to my work letting them know I missed work yesterday because I was in the hospital, and that I am on restricted activity and will not be able to return to work through the remainder of my pregnancy, so I am officially on maternity leave!! Another thing I don't have to worry about, just as long as we can get through this move and then bring this baby into the world and home where he belongs.

Stubborn Baby

Last Tuesday, at our 36 week prenatal appointment, they checked the baby's fluid and we discovered that John is still in the breech position, his head is up, right above my belly button, and in fact every time he turns his head from side to side (which he does a lot), the whole top of my belly moves. As cute as that is, the doctor gave us about a 5 percent chance that he is going to turn on his own, which means it looks like I am going to end up having a scheduled c-section. To be honest, as much as I would love to have a regular delivery, there has always been something in my head that made me think I was going to end up having the c-section, and I wasn't even upset when the doctor told me this. Disappointed, yes, but not upset, because whatever we need to do to deliver him safely is what I care about, and if it means surgery, then I am for it. So Tuesday we go for his growth ultrasound and we will see what they said then. I doubt very much he is going to turn on his own, because he is still in the same position, and I think he is just comfy there. My main worries and concerns are after the c-section, such as my healing time, which they say will be longer for me because I am unable to walk, and what it will be like for me when I have to transfer from my chair to the car or my bed, and such. But those things are for me to deal with, and I will with no complaints, because it means that my son came into this world safely and is happy and healthy. As a mother, you have to put your needs aside for the well-being of your child, and I would go through this a thousand times over just to be able to have him here with us.

As for everything else, I feel like I am living in chaos as our move is coming up on the 18th and our house is just a mess. Moving is such a pain, trying to pack up everything, and weed through things you haven't used since you first moved in. And I am really no help at all because I can no longer bend over easily, or lift anything, and anything I do just wears me out, so Phil has to be the one who does this whole thing. I try to help out with what I can, but mostly I just supervise. Then, once we get moved next weekend, that place will be a mess, and we have a very short time to get it somewhat organized and get John's room ready before his arrival. Of course, this is not the best time to move when your nine months pregnant and could go into labor at anytime, but our lease is up and we couldn't pass up on the amazing deal with were able to get on a two bedroom, plus John needed his own room. Luckily, my aunt Kelly, uncle Rick, and cousin J are helping Phil with the move, so I don't feel so bad about just sitting back and directing where the boxes go, as that is about all anyone will let me do.

And lastly, it looks like I am going to be taking my maternity leave 2 weeks earlier then I had planned. Work is just getting to be really tough on me, I can't sit in my chair for very long because my back hurts all the time and my feet and ankles get so swollen, and the bigger I get the more tired I am, and trying to work for 8 hours is miserable. So tonight I work a 4 hour shift, and the same with Monday, and then on Tuesday I am having the doctor write me a note saying I am taking my leave now. They have me starting my leave as of my due date, Nov. 5th, but with scheduling a c-section he is more then likely going to be here before that, and I really could just use this time to rest, get his nursery ready at the new place, and have a little Kimbo time before it all becomes John time.

Back up and running!

I finally had the Internet fixed around here, so I am able to be back online again full time, which means more time for blogging!! I just need to get a wireless router now so I can use my laptop here at home again, but I have to send it out to Dell to get fixed because the screen lid decided to break.

Well, October is upon us and this is going to be one busy month around the Fry household. We are going to be moving on the 18th to the other side of our complex to a two-bedroom that we were able to score an amazing deal on, $30 less then what we are paying for now, and it is really a good thing we were able to get the two-bedroom because as we start buying things for the baby, like his travel system (stroller and car seat combo) and people start giving us gifts like lots of clothes and a baby bath, we soon realized that for such a little guy, his things are big and taking up a lot of space. Plus, my mom is throwing me a baby shower that same week, so things are going to be pretty busy. Not to mention that once we move, we have about two weeks before my due date, so my mom said that she will come over and help me get things settled in, so our house is somewhat organized when John comes.

Speaking of John, things are going well, we will be at 35 weeks tomorrow. He is still as active as ever, and at the doctor they have been hooking me up to a fetal monitor to check his heartbeat and the doctor says he seems pretty happy in here. I had to cancel my appointment for yesterday due to Phil and I having a cold (which he is better because he can take some good medicine for it, I am toughing it out with no meds), so we go on Friday and should have another growth ultrasound. I am interested to see how big he is now, he was 4.8 pounds about 3 weeks ago, and I am also hoping he cooperates and lets us get a good 3D picture of his face this time.

32 Week Update

Today was my 32 week prenatal appointment. I first had to get blood drawn and also turn in the 24 hours of urine I collected all day yesterday, which will check to see if I have any problem with protein in my urine, which might be a sign of a high blood pressure issue. Every time they check my pressure it is always high, so the doctor says I am to get a blood pressure monitor for home and check daily. He said sometimes your blood pressure will be normal at home, but high at the doctor. If it is high at home as well, then I will be put on some meds until the baby is born, so I don't have any complications during labor and delivery.

We had a growth ultrasound today and John is 4lb 8oz, which surprised me, because I really didn't think he was that big already, but they said he is still right on schedule and everything looks good. Of course, just like his momma, he is stubborn and never lets us see a good picture of his face in a 3D ultrasound, today he had his face toward my back and wouldn't move for anything. I guess he wants to keep it a surprise what he is going to look like, but I am just dying for a little peek.

Everything else is going well, I was tested for gestational diabetes last time I was in there and that came back negative, and so now it is basically just a sit back and wait for him to be born anytime after 36 weeks, although I am really hoping he goes the whole 40 weeks and is born in November instead of October, since October is just a month I don't like, and I really hope he isn't born on Halloween, because I hate that day with all the gross stuff lol. But he will get here when he gets here, and I can't wait to finally meet him!

Welcome to the Third Trimester!

It is hard for me to believe, but I am officially now in my third trimester! In 12 more weeks my son will be here, and I feel like I am nowhere near ready for him, at least materials wise. I need his bassinet still, and a lot more clothes then I already have, plus the essentials like diapers and wipes. But I have to keep telling myself to just take it easy and that by the time he is here, everything he needs will be here too, and to just pace myself. I am just getting so excited, but more nervous as well. What has been keeping me up at night, besides the aching back and the baby dance party in my belly, is my thoughts of, "Oh my God, he has to come out!!!!" I have read so many baby books, and read up on labor and delivery, but I know when it actually comes time for me to go through it, everything I have read will go right out the window and I'll just do whatever I need to do to make sure he comes into the world safe and healthy.

Today was my 28 week prenatal visit and we had another growth ultrasound (pictures to be coming soon). He is at 2.6 pounds and the doctor says he is healthy and on schedule. We were able to try another shot at the 3D/4D ultrasound and we were able to get a little better picture of his face, but he wouldn't get into position so we could see his face straight on, and then he kept putting his hand and arm in his face. I can't believe how big he has gotten from the first ultrasound we had done at 8 weeks, and I can't believe he is going to have more room to grown when it seems so cramped in there already!!

The only trouble I had run into lately with the pregnancy is that my arthritis flared up twice in a week while I was at work, and I had to go home to rest. I told the Dr. and she wrote me a note for my manager stating that she wants me to work no more then 20 hours a week, instead of the 30+ I have been. She said she wants me to be able to get more rest, get my feet up more since I've been having some foot swelling, and says flares may be common because of my body working overtime these last three months, but she doesn't want to see me on bed rest because I work too much and don't get enough rest. I was actually wanting to take down my hours anyway because I am getting more tired easily, so this isn't upsetting to me. Other then that, though, my health is great, and from now I will be going to the Dr. every two weeks until my 9th month, when I go every week.

On another good note, Phil had an interview for a job today at my work and got the job!! I haven't really blogged about it, but he was laid off from his job at his school, and trying to find work has been hard, but they are starting to hire at my work after having a large hiring freeze, so he starts on Thursday. It will be nice working with him, we won't be working the same area, but we'll see each other a lot.

Well, I'll be uploading the newest ultrasound pics soon and will get those posted soon. Until then...I'll still be puffy and preggo! Hahahaha....

How I chose the name for my son

When telling people I am pregnant, or when they ask if I am having a boy or girl, the first thing I am always asked is, "What are you going to name him?". Seeing as John is a family name, I assume that most people, those who are in my family, must think I am naming my son after my Grandpa John, who passed away when I was 12. Truth is, my grandfather already has a namesake, my cousin. And as much as I love my grandpa, I felt that my son should have the namesake of someone who is very important and special in my life who does not have the honor of having someone named after him. It just so happens that this person also has the name of John.

John is my stepfather, and has taken on the role of father figure in my life when unfortunately, my real father just wasn't there. I am not trying to hurt my real father by saying this, but if he does read this, he knows this, and I have told him this. John and I have a very close relationship, he takes care of me when I need it, and I do the same for him in return. He has had a lot of medical issues in his life with my mom and I, and I have spent many a time in hospitals and at home making sure he is OK. He is a very kind and loving man, although to those who don't know him he seems very quiet and reserved. But he has a wonderful sense of humor and we make each other laugh all the time.

What I find most upsetting is that he has four children of his own, all of whom have removed themselves from his life, rebelling against having any sort of parental figures in their life, and wanting to do their own thing. He has grandchildren which he has only seen from pictures, and some new grandchildren he has never seen a picture of. He'll never say it, at least not to me, but I know that it hurts him that his children have acted the way they did when all he ever tried to do was give them love and discipline and show them how to be decent people in life, and it must hurt him to have grandchildren he has never met. I thought, what a better what to honor a man who has done so much for me, then to give my son his namesake, something his children have not done. Of course, John is a family name, on my mother's side, and it is nice that he will be able to have a family name, but when people ask me who my son is named after, I tell them he is named after my dad.

Phillip is my husband's name, and since this is our first child, and first son, I thought it fitting to give him my husband's name, even though he liked the name Michael for a middle name, which is his brother's name. And I think John Phillip Fry is very professional sounding, a name he can use when he becomes an attorney or doctor (a mother can dream..lol)