Miller's Birth Story-Part 1

I told ya'll I was going to have this baby early! And, of course, she would have to come right smack in the middle of Meet the Teacher Night! Needless to say, my class did not meet their teacher, because my water broke the night before around 1:30 AM. I wasn't sure if it was for real, so I went back to sleep until about 4. At that point, I was pretty sure it was for real, but I had an irrational fear of going to the hospital only to be sent home. I was determined not to do that during my whole pregnancy, so I called the nurse's hotline. Strangely enough, the nurse that answered sounded like a little old man. It was quite uncomfortable answering the questions he was asking while picturing a little grandpa on the other end of the phone, but I got over it, because in the middle of talking to him I was finally SURE that my water had broken...I will spare you the details.

Ok, on TV people's contractions start out mild and pretty far apart. This was not the case. By the time we got to hospital, I was already in tons of pain with contractions coming like every 2 minutes or so. I was acting like an idiot and I will be embarrassed for the rest of my life. I was planning on being very dignified and breathing through the contractions like a pro, but instead I was yelling "OWW,OWWWWW,OWWWWW!" and following it with "Sorry, I am so sorry!" to all the nurses. I may have punched my husband at one point and there is a rumor going around that I pinched him. I won't deny the fingernail marks I left on is hand, because he has photographic evidence of those. Oops.

By the time the epidural guy got there, I had no idea where I was. He managed to get the epidural in without me freaking out at all. Since I was so wasted, I totally believed him when he said that the pressure I felt from the epidural going in was a contraction. Pretty much everyone in the room was lying to me on that one. I greatly appreciate that. I have been terrified of getting an epidural pretty much ever since I entered my child-bearing years, and I never thought I would be able to get an epudiral without completely freaking out. Thank you, Nurse Tammy for getting me good and drunk!

Come back soon for Part 2. It is hard to type while feeding a barracuda!

First Day of School

Today was the first day back to school (for teachers, not kids) and I am EXHAUSTED. My ankles are HUGE. I can't believe that I am only going back for 5 teacher work days and then not going back till November. I was looking at my roster and thinking how sad that I won't even be there for these little guys first day of Kindergarten. How sad! Oh well, for now I am just trying to make it through this week without going into labor so that I can have everything ready for my sub and my assistant.

I would like to have this baby on Monday. I can make that decision and follow through with it, according to this ridiculous book:

There is some true hippie craziness in this book, people. Apparently, while in labor, I can simply tell my body what to do and it will do it on command. That is going to come in really handy AFTER the baby comes when all I have to do is say, "Body, lose 30 pounds. Stomach, get flat." I might give that a try!

Push Present

I am a big fan of the idea of a push present. I thought the husband might need some help selecting something, so here are some ideas. I will conveniently divide them into two categories.

1. These gifts would be appropriate for a short, easy labor....

Miller's birthstone (assuming she makes it until August) will be peridot. I am not a huge fan, but I do think these earrings from Blue Nile are nice!

Of course, I think we all know I would rather have these from David Yurman. They aren't technically peridot, but they are green (and they match my ring.)

You might be thinking that shoes are a bit non-traditional. Well, that is only because you don't know that these are the Tory Burch MILLER thong. Yes, they are Miller's namesake shoe! And look how pretty! Too bad they don't came in baby size!

2. These gifts would be appropriate for a long labor, C-section, or anything that makes me hyperventilate....

Obviously. And it would be nice and safe for the baby.

Maybe a new car is impractical since there is really nothing wrong with my car (other than the Dr. Pepper situation), so a trip to Peter Island would be nice. We can bring the baby. I think the sooner we start taking her there, the more likely she will want to get married there. If you think of it that way, it is really a money-saver in the end as we will likely spend much less on a destination wedding. I'm just sayin....

Grrrrr.....

I am apparently not very good at this blogging business. I haven't had anything to say for a few days, because most of what I do have to say is negative and I am sure nobody really wants to hear (read) my complaining. However, I am going to complain about a few things anyway, because it is my blog and I can do what I want! So, here goes...

1.I am getting pregnanter (I know that is not a word) and Practice Baby is getting heavier and that is not a good combo. My back is killing me and he has been crabby and refuses to be put down. (He is asleep right now.)I only have a few more weeks with him though, and I am gonna miss the little guy! I guess Practice Baby will be replaced VERY soon with Real Baby! And nobody is gonna come pick her up at 5:00 each day-scary!

2.I am also a major stress ball about getting ready for Miller. This won't shock anybody, but I want to bleach my entire house and all its contents before bringing that baby home! I also want everything to be completely organized. I want meals in the freezer, lesson plans made through November for my sub, and basically anything Miller will need for the first year or two of her life purchased and put in its place. Anybody want to help with all that?

3.Fred is going out of town for work a lot lately, and I am absolutely sure that I am going to go into labor while he is gone. I am just a positive thinker that way.

And there you have it. Feel free to comment with words of encouragement. :)

The Red Popsicle

Last night, I got a chance to talk to my friend Rachel who lives in Seattle. She has been great to talk to during my pregnancy, because she has two kids and is not scared to be honest about pregnancy and childbirth. There are just so many gross and/or scary things involved that nobody tells you! And let me also take this opportunity to say how great it is to have a friend who you know will always be there for you when everyone else around you seems to be going crazy. Ahem. Anyway.

As I have mentioned before, I am terrified of having this child exit my body. To make me feel better, Rachel was nice enough to tell me the entire birth story of her daughter, Piper, on the phone last night. Rachel has the best (weirdest?) memory of anyone I know. I am sure she could tell you what class she had 3rd period in 7th grade, who the teacher was, who sat beside her, and what grade she got on the final exam. So, I was trying to express this to Fred, and our conversation went like this:

ME: Rachel just told me Piper's entire birth story, right down to the red Popsicle.

FRED: (says nothing, looks horrified)

ME: What? She has a crazy memory. She remembers what color Popsicle they gave her at the hospital 4 years ago.

FRED: Oh. I thought that "red Popsicle" was a euphemism for something to do with delivery, and I was terrified!

My poor husband has endured so much during my pregnancy, that he is now afraid of Popsicles.

4th of July

This is what I did for July 4th! Yes, that is a beer. I drank about 1/3rd of it, and it was delicious! Judge me if you will.

Happy Gamecocks Baseball National Champions Day!

Evidently, today is a holiday. I love it! And Practice Baby is celebrating by sleeping like a champ-thank goodness.