13 days old

She is super cute to look at. She is the apple of our eye.

I can't wait to see what she looks like next week. It is amazing how fast they grow.

Babies are a blessing and stress

Anyone who is a parent, I'm sure, understands my heading. I love love LOVE Adeline. I find myself staring at her non-stop. When she wakes me up at night, I get a bit frustrated, but when she is calmly sleeping moments later, I forget any annoyance I had with her because she is so perfect to me. My hormones are a little bit more controlled, but I still find myself getting anxious and overwhelmed. We have only gone out in public 3 times: the doctor office, trip to get her birth certificate, and off to get food and visit family. I was on edge all three times. I'm not sure why I am so anxious, but it draws me to tears each time. Adeline has been doing well, for the most part, with sleeping. Her sleeping has become a lot better at night time ever since we purchased the Rock n Play. It is like a bassinet but is more upright. This helps with her gas. The scary part is listed in the reviews for the rock n play. Many parents have said that because there is not enough padding, their kids end up having misshapen heads that require a correctional helmet later on in life. I have been laying down blankets to try to prevent this. She sleeps so perfectly in it, but those reviews scare me. A lot scares me these days. I know that it will pass, but until then, I will have to endure. For your viewing:

She is here

What an exciting weekend! It started with Thursday night of some El Calderon enchiladas. Then we went on a night time walk with Steve. He was walking so fast, it was hard for me to keep up. Yet they say walking induces labor. That evening, I was experiencing strong contractions, but only strong enough to cause discomfort. I finally fell asleep at midnight. At 3 AM, I woke up with the strongest pain ever. I took two steps out of bed before I felt a gush of water. I couldn't believe ny water had broken!! My mom drove us to the hospital within 20 minutes. Then the contractions hit. Never have I experienced such pain! Luckily, the nurse ordered me an epidural within 20 minutes. They gave me petocin to help speed things along. I progressed from a 3 to a 9.5 working 7 hours. It was then discovered that the way she was placed, I would need a c-section. After giving me more drugs, they wheeled me in to surgery. 10 minutes later, she was born: Adeline Savvyanna Zontos. 7 pounds 13 oz and 20 inches long. Born at 2:08 PM on 3/2/2012. I didn't get to see her for two hours until I regained sensation in my body. More stories of the weekend to come.

39 weeks

This past doctor's appointment put some changes in the birth of our baby. The pain I was experiencing was me having contractions, but unsuccessful contractions.. meaning they weren't progressing towards the birth of baby "Z". The doctor noticed that now baby "Z" is currently turned a quarter turn to the right.. she is still head down, but now facing my hip rather than my back. The doctor said that they will wait until I am dilated to a 10, then try to turn her with the vacuum. If that doesn't work, they will probably have to do a C-section. Technically, if I am getting a C-section, I would rather have it immediately rather than go through many hours of pain to try to progress to full dilation just to end up doing the C-section anyways. I asked the doctor if we could schedule me to be induced by next Monday. She said "the way the baby is currently positioned, I understand that you are in a lot of pain. Let's just say if you come to Labor and Delivery sometime over the next week because you can't take the pain, we won't turn you away and will induce you". I then said "I'm ready now.. but I will wait a few more days". The doctor just smiled and said "remember, the longer she stays in, the more developed she will be". My goal is to make it until Friday. I hope they don't turn me away!!! Now for my 39 week update. How far along? 39 weeks Total Weight Gain? 40 pounds. It must be from all those lemon desserts. Maternity Clothes? I have enjoyed not having to work since I am lounging in leggings and dresses. Stretch Marks? Discovered more on my thighs. EEK! But the doctor assures me the red/purple stretch marks go away. I sure hope so, because otherwise, I will be wearing swimming shorts rather than a normal bathing suit. Sleep? I get about 1 1/2 hours at a time. Best moment this week? Staying at my parents house to be able to have lunch with Dave and Jamie (and Annika) on Monday and then Lenessa (Maise Lou and Henry) on Tuesday. Miss anything? Being able to look over my shoulder when backing out my car. Food cravings: I think the lemon cravings are decreasing. That's good, because my weight should stop increasing. Anything making you sick? Believe it or not.. Ketchup. I LOVE ketchup but I saw some the other day and about lost my meal. Gender: Girl Labor signs: Yep, but no further dilation. Belly Button in or out? flat as a pancake. Wedding rings on or off? No rings Happy or Moody? Happy, but trying really hard to get comfortable. Everyone was not kidding when they said that the end of pregnancy is hard. It is uncomfortable to stand for too long but also to sit down longer than 15 minutes. Looking forward to: Maybe having the baby this week!

Are these signs? Or am I being oversensitive

After the doctor on Friday, I'm not sure if the increasing symptoms I'm having are real or not. That doctor has made me second guess myself. I woke up 3 times last night with the worst cramping I've had in my life, that I almost threw up. I was thinking "is this it?" but attempted to go back to sleep each time. I was able to go back to sleep. If anything, I woke up this morning feeling like I got hit by a train, but no more serious cramping. When we went on a walk today, I could barely go half a mile without bending over in pain. Yet sitting here at the computer, the major cramping has subsided, so no labor for me yet. Baby is still active, so no concern there. I am looking forward to starting my stay at my parents house tonight. It will be nice to stay there and just sit and do nothing.. :) I am off of work, so if I don't deliver, I will be able to get things done like an oil change, tire rotation, etc. FYI I hate waiting, so baby Z needs to hurry it along!

You're not my doctor, so how do you know?

I find the end of pregnancy very confusing. All the signs of labor that I've had for awhile are now seeming normal, so how do I know the true difference between "false labor" and "true labor". Usually, looking up information online has been a great help. The problem is that all claims about true labor are vague and finish with "everyone is different, so the best way to determine if you are in true labor (and your water has not broken) is to contact your physician. That's all great, except when your doctor has a day off. My doctor has Friday's off except if there is an emergency (such as a delivery). While filling out my Short Term Disability paperwork on Friday morning, I realized there was a full page that had to be filled out by my doctor. Oops! I went down to the doctor's office to drop it off and requested to ask to someone to help me with their suggestion of what the difference is between "false labor" and "true labor". The doctor that was filling in was one that sent me to the labor and delivery room last week when I was simply asking questions.. and when I said that I was just nervous, she had said "if you were truly nervous, you would already be on your way to labor and delivery". Anyways, this doctor came in and I was asking her for the differences so I could be more aware. Her first comment was "well, you are not in labor right now because you are able to talk to me". I was taken aback because I didn't say I was in labor, just wondering the differences. So I responded "ok, so pain where I can't talk.. what else?" Then she went on to say "you also aren't in labor because you haven't dropped at all". Once again, advice that made her look like she didn't care.. especially because I have dropped down four fingers width (from my sternum to the top of my bump, it has lowered the width of 4 fingers in the past week and a half). So I said "ok. Anything else?" She then said "if you are thinking you are in labor, you need to go to labor and delivery". I then had a little pregnancy hormone surge and said "I can't just go to labor and delivery with every inkling of suspicion because each visit there is $2500 since it is an outpatient procedure. That is why I am asking you what I should be aware of so that I will only go to the hospital when I am actually in labor". She said "well, better safe than sorry". The conversation was obviously going nowhere, so I just said "ok. Thank you for your help". At that moment, I had more love and devotion to my actual doctor. Even when I worry, my doctor will tell me what I need to know rather than tell me I'm being crazy and act like I'm just some elementary student who doesn't know anything.

38 weeks

Today I went in for my 38 week checkup and I am already 2 cm dialated and 15% effaced! The doctor then "stripped my membranes" or some medical activity that is supposed to "help things along". She said that I might not make it to my next Tuesday appointment, that I may deliver before then. I sure hope so because then I can get my max amount of maternity leave possible. Here is my 38 week update How far along? 38 weeks Total Weight Gain? 37 pounds. I have gained no weight! Maternity Clothes? Work clothes no longer fit. Stretch Marks? Since she is sitting on my nerve and artery, the stretch marks on my upper thighs are more serious. They should go away, though. Sleep? Still sporadic Best moment this week? Finding out I'm dilated Miss anything? Energy Food cravings: Not much since I'm always full. Anything making you sick? More than anything, just standing up makes me woozy. Gender: Girl Labor signs: I believe so! Belly Button in or out? Still an innie, but bordering to being flat. It looks like the bottom of a balloon. Wedding rings on or off? I lost the Target ring. :( Happy or Moody? Happy, but just getting tired of being prego. Looking forward to: Maybe having the baby this week!