We Have a Date

Unless Angie goes into labor earlier, which seems unlikely at this point given her past birthing history and the fact there is "not much happening" with her cervix, SB will arrive on June 11th. The OB gave us the choice of induction on June 8th or June 11th. Angie didn't care one way or the other, so I chose June 11th for a couple of reasons. First, did you read my post below about being completely unprepared? Well, a couple more days could make a big difference on the preparedness front, not only for cleaning, shopping and organizing, but it also gives me a couple more days to pump to help bring in my milk supply (more on that later, so if the topic makes you squeamish, you are forewarned). It also gives Trevor a chance to pick up one last trip to offset the FMLA days he will take after the baby is born.

But the main reason I chose June 11th is because it is (was?) my grandmother's birthday. I was very close to my grandma (my mom's mom) who passed away when I was pregnant with Fletcher. She was in the hospital when I had my first ultrasound to confirm a viable pregnancy and I went straight to her hospital room after the appointment to show her the blobby pictures. I will never forget that day. I think her excitement was second only to mine, and not by much. So, it will make me very happy if SB is indeed born on June 11th, and the occassion may even necessitate a (middle) name change in my grandma's honor.

The end is in sight as we have less than two weeks to go. I am still a little bit in denial, even though I have been shopping for newborn diapers and girly take-home outfits the past couple of days. I have also been reading baby books during my pumping sessions because, although I am a veteran mom, I have no idea what to do with a full-term baby.

Speaking of pumping (this is your cue to stop reading this part if you "don't want to go there"), as of yesterday I have entered the pumping part of the protocol. I now take 21 supplement pills a day (3 different supplements, but multiple pills) and pump every three hours during the day and once at night. I woke up at 2am last night, but Fletcher was just too cuddly, so I didn't manage to sneak off to his room to pump until about 4am. I am actually pumping right now as I type (for all you pumping moms out there, I recommend the Pumpease). I have yet to produce any measurable quantities of milk, but have produced some drops at each session, which I think is normal in an induction protocol (after all, it has only been one day).

Trevor has been great the last few days about looking after Fletcher while I focus on baby stuff (afterall, feeding is one of the biggest responsibilites when taking care of a newborn and I am already doing that part, in a sense). And I have a feeling the two of them will become quite close in the next few months.

So, it looks like everything is coming together and I have a chance of being marginally ready to welcome another member of the family. Angie is feeling good, as good as you can feel at 38 weeks, that is. Her blood pressure is great and while my mom thinks she "looks uncomforatble" she said she is not feeling too bad at this point, although I am sure she is ready to be done with this pregnancy. She gave me a tour of the labor and delievery and postpartum units the other night (she works there, so I got the informal, behind the scenes tour) and has filled me in on generally what to expect.

All in all, I am hopeful that unlike my previous experience, the most difficult decision I'll face this time around is what blanket background and outfit to choose for her hospital picture...

Which do you think?