Baby Update

So here I am on my due date and NOTHING is happening! Yesterday, I had my "last" appointment only to find out that I am not dilated at all (he couldn't even strip my membranes because you have to be at least a 1 to do that) and that they will need to see me in a week. I am bummed and so tired of being pregnant. I know that I could have a C-section right now if I wanted to, actually I could have had one 3 weeks ago, but I am determined to try and have this baby naturally. However, with my body not really doing anything, I fear that a C-section is in my future.

The doctor said that on my appointment next Thursday (which I am sure I will make it to), we will discuss my options. With a VBAC, induction can be risky and most doctors are only willing to use Pitocin and not any prostaglandins (Cervidil, etc.), so hopefully I will be dilated to something by then and just need a little Pitocin to get things moving. So if nothing continues to happen this week, then it looks like something should happen next weekend whether it be induction or a C-section. They did say that I can hold off on a C-section until I am 42 weeks, but I don't know if I could last that long both physically and emotionally. I know I don't sound like it, but I am trying to stay positive.

So for now, I am trying basically every "Old Wives" remedy for stimulating labor (I know, I am desperate, but my doctor said they are worth a try). This morning I drank 2oz of Castor Oil mixed with OJ (it tasted like I was drinking vegetable oil straight up...YUCK!) and went to the gym to try and stimulate some contractions on the treadmill. I literally was running (not a pretty sight for those behind me) and was getting a lot of looks like I was crazy, but also looks of sympathy:) The treadmill did stimulate some good, painful contractions...probably my best ones yet, but as soon as I stopped so did the contractions.

After the gym, the Castor Oil kicked in and I have been pretty miserable ever since. Hopefully, some of these GI cramps will stimulate some more contractions...we'll see. I am going to try and hang in there and be patient. If anyone has advice, recommendations, stories...ANYTHING to help me cope, it would be much appreciated!!! I will keep you updated.

Marathon Day

This past Sunday (1/18/09), Ben and Jen ran the PF Chang's Marathon. This was Jen's first marathon and Ben's second. His first was the St. George Marathon in 2003 where he finshed at about 3 hours and 40 minutes.

Ben has always been very active with running, biking, skiing, hiking, and swimming and in really good shape until...we got married. Between work and whatever, exercise became very low on his "To Do" list. After we had Logan, physical activity (besides an occasional bike ride, hike, or swim) became non-existant.

I have always been pretty good about going to the gym and would try my best to motivate Ben to do the same, but it just wasn't a priority to him. So as you might guess, Ben started to gain some weight on his very naturally thin frame. He also was starting to feel out of shape. I honestly, could care less about the weight gain (hello, I'm a hippo), but I really was starting to get concerned about his health. He also hadn't been following his gluten-free diet, which is essential to treat his Celiac Disease.

So, I kept nagging him about going to the gym and eating better, but he said that it is hard for him to just go to the gym, he needs some type of goal to work towards. We dropped the subject for awhile until Jen approached Ben with the idea of running a marathon with her. THANK YOU JEN!!! That is exactly what Ben needed to get motivated to get back into shape, follow his diet, and work towards an incredible goal!

Then the training began and Ben was really enjoying being active again. He lost about 20 pounds and kept looking in the mirror and saying how "svelt" he looked:) I was happy to see him feel good about himself physically again. He really enjoyed training with Jen and they did a great job motivating each other through the strenuous training schedule.

January 18th came before we knew it and Ben and Jen left the house at about 4:30 am to make it to the starting line by 7:40 am. There were about 15,000 participants in the marathon and over 15,000 doing the half marathon, so you could imagine that traffic and finding parking was a nightmare! Eventually, me, Matt, Wade, Seth, and Ben's brother Sam got to the finish line around 11:30 am to wait for them to come running through. They both were estimating times around 4 hours so we thought that they should be coming by at any time. We had our signs and cameras ready as we scanned every runner that approached the finish line.Jen came in with a huge pack around 4 hours and 20 minutes. We jumped and cheered for her as loud as we possibly could and luckily she saw us and gave us a big wave! Jen did such a great job and we are so proud of her! She was, however, disappointed with her time, but was happy to have finished the race and to have accomplished such a big goal. She also said that it was the hardest thing she had ever done, much worse than giving birth to her 3 boys! To read more about Jen's marathon experience, here is her blog link: http://theroperfam.blogspot.com/So after Jen came in, we figured that Ben couldn't be far behind. So...we kept waiting, waiting, and waiting. Then I started to get really worried because Ben's hip started to give him problems about a week before the marathon and it was starting to feel better, but I wondered if he had really hurt himself. I turned my cell phone volume up to the highest and kept it close to my ear just in case the marathon medic was going to call me to come and get Ben. I was so worried and kept saying a prayer in my head over and over hoping that he would be ok. Then finally, almost about an hour after Jen came through, Ben comes hobbling across the finish line. I have never been more happy to see him!As we predicted, he was hurt. From about 12 miles on his hip started to give out and then his knee started to ache by trying to compensate for his bad hip. He went through quite the mental/physical battle out there giving everything he could to finish. He ended up having to walk almost the entire last 6 miles! I could see the pain and anguish in his face as he nearly cried when he saw me at the finish line.Of course, Ben's marathon experience was not ideal, but it was an experience that he will always remember especially when trials and tribulations come his way. Ben can accomplish anything he sets his mind to no matter how hard the circumstances may be. His determination to finish was inspiring and we are so proud of him! Even though he had a rough time, he is not about to retire yet. He is going to take a break from marathons for awhile and start training for a triathalon in April. He is determined to maintain his endurance and to get into even better shape. He is really sore right now, but his hip and knee are starting to feel much better...nothing serious, thank goodness.That night we watched Run, Fat Boy, Run. So funny, and a perfect way to end the marathon night. If you have seen it, you know what I mean:)
CONGRATULATIONS Ben and Jen on your huge accomplishment!!! We love you and are very proud of you!!!

Just the 3 of Us...For Now

Are we ready for # 2? The answer would be, NO!!! I can't believe how fast this pregnancy has gone (thank goodness) and that we are going to have another sweet little angel in our family in the next few weeks! We are so excited to be having another baby and Ben and I keep talking about how different the experience will be the second time around now that we have a little experience:) I also, keep thinking about the delivery and hoping and praying that everything will go smoothly. Like I have talked about before, I am attempting a VBAC, but who knows what will happen or what my body will or will not do. I am trying to stay positive and hope for the best, but all that truly matters is that this little boy is brought into the world safe and sound regardless of how it happens.

The main reason I would say that I am not ready is because I haven't done ANYTHING yet to prepare for this little guy's arrival. I know, I am bad, but with the holidays and everything I just haven't had time to start preparing. I keep saying, tomorrow I will: sort and wash the baby clothes, buy baby supplies, clean the house, etc, etc., but it hasn't happened yet. I just have ZERO energy and feel like an enormous buffalo! Hopefully, tomorrow WILL be the day that my "nesting" adrenaline rush will kick in and I can get everything done. I guess, really, I don't have THAT much to do, but I just feel guilty not having everything ready for this little guy like I did with Logan. It will get done and luckily I have my hubby to help me:)

Is Logan ready to be a big brother? He has no idea what is about to hit him! I keep trying to explain to him that there is a baby in my belly and that he is going to be a big brother. Logan just looks at me with confusion and then looks at my belly and says "button" as he is poking at my ugly inverted belly button. I think that he just thinks that his mommy is really fat and not very fun because I can't play with him the same way that daddy can. He really is too little to understand, but he will know soon enough:) Luckily, he is really sweet and tender with his cousin Trent (almost 8 months) and is very "helpful" if you call pulling his binkie in and out and shoving his burp cloth in his face helping:) However, he does give Trent the sweetest hugs and kisses and is always very concerned about him and what he is doing. I think he will be a wonderful big brother and they will be the best of friends forever:)

Well, that's what is going on with us right now. We will keep you informed if anything happens, but most likely I will not be having this baby until the end of the month or the first of February, which will give me more time to get motivated and get off my fat bum to prepare for baby #2!!!