My Friday chock FULL of Surprises!

SURPRISE #1:
Walking out the doors of the apartment this morning, it was markedly different. To most, another day in the life of Jennifer. Yet, today is VERY different. Today, my friends is the last weekday as pre-baby Jen. I felt surprisingly uneasy. I anticipated similar emotions to when I took off for my honeymoon or any other vacation, but this was not the case. Perhaps it's because deep down I knew I was leaving responsibilities I could handle, people I understood, and a routine that was familiar, and trading it all in for a more difficult job – a job I have not trained for – taking care of a little person I don't know or understand, under circumstances that will no way nearly resemble a routine.

SURPRISE #2:
The baby inside me looks like a mini-me. The tech administering the 2D ultrasound at my check-up was so intrigued by the chubby cheeks she saw in the 2D ultrasound, she switched the machine over to 3D/4D mode to get a better look. And there she was...mini-J. I too, had very big cheeks (still do) when I was a bambino.

SURPRISE #3:
Our baby isn't a tiny monster, unless you consider an average baby (somewhere aroud 7-8 pounds) to be large, which I do not.

SURPRISE #4:
Protein in my urine. This came as a surprise to me, but it's concerning to my Doc as traces of protein have not been lingering around till this check up. This is a sign of Preeclampsia + baby mama not being able to breathe, because Salma is still sitting so HIGH that she's constricting my airway and pressing on my lungs + my tummy measuring 40 cm (which is bigger than I should be at this time) = induction of labor this SUNDAY. Yes, you heard right -- THIS SUNDAY, 8/9/09 at 7:30 PM.

SURPRISE #5:
AM I READY FOR THIS?!! In near panic I realize that in less than 48 hours I will be introducing Miss Salma Loren (pronounced like Sophia Loren, not like the Lauren in Raulph Lauren) Schalhamer!!!!!!

SURPRISE #6:
All my blood tests came back normal, my blood pressure has been running high for me but was great today! The baby's heart rates were perfect, and although my blood pressures were askew, everything looked well enough to send me home; till Sunday that is. As Dr, Scariano said -- she's listening to that little voice in her head that Salma needs to come out sooner than later.

SURPRISE #7:
I don't do well under Mom-to-Be stress. Once home, I sobbed like a baby. OVERWHELMED is the word of the day here. I might not be as ready for this Mom thing as I thought!

NOT-A-SURPRISE #1:
My husband is going to be an amazingly wonderful father. When I asked him how the hell he figured out how to be so calm and truly, my rock of Gibralter under such unexpected circumstances (making another trip to the hospital in L&D), he calmly looked at me and said, "Babe, I was ready to be a Dad." & "You're the strongest woman I know." And, "YOU. CAN. DO. THIS. & you're ALREADY the best mother to Miss Salma with how good you have taken care of her in utero."

If that doesn't melt your heart and have all you ladies trying to steal my man, then you are all crazy! (NOT-A-SURPRISE #2- I am one lucky woman.)

Date Night

Last night Tarzan and I had an attempt-a-date. We didn't leave the house, as Tarzan made a lovely dinner for me.

Who was I kidding, as I would have loved to have gone out... but. alas, my back has been killing me, and getting tired is what I do, and I wanted nothing more than to veg out on the couch. We opted to watch the Rockies rather than go see the movie I have been dying to see, The Hangover.

We're planning another date night this coming weekend, being as it will be our last weekend as a 2-person family for the rest of our lives. I told Tarzan that if there was anything he wanted to do before having children, he's got 11 days to do it - and good luck finding a chic to have sex with us, because I'm not exactly a prize these days. (Ha ha...me so funny.)

The Hospital Tour

This week, Tarzan and I attended a maternity tour at The Sky Ridge Medical Center, where I will be delivering Salma. We met with a lovely lady, who took us through the entire hospital process...everything from where to park, registration, the LDR (labor/delivery/recovery) suites and postpartum care. We even got to sneak a peek at the little bambinos in the nursery.

I was very impressed with the staff and facilities. The staff supports keeping the baby with the mother/father at all times, which is why everything needed for a vaginal birth is in-room. If complications were to arise, Sky Ridge has a state of the art neonatal intensive care unit. They are a Level 4 (out of 5) NICU hospital. A Level 5 NICU is the most advanced, and that being Children's Hospital in Denver. I'm confident we'll be in talented hands!

Tarzan was most was most excited by how amazing the suites are. They really are! Marble floors, lots of room, flat screen TV for him to watch, room service, etc...

It definitely put things in perspective that iin less than 3 weeks, we will be having our first child together! Agghhh, now if I could just fast forward through the whole labor part, that would be GREAT!

Can someone say 'Sticker SHOCK'??????

After an unexpected trip to Labor & Delivery this week, Tarzan and I realized we might want to purchase our remaining baby necessities sooner than later. (I'm fine by the way..)

Our list consisted of things like a bottle sterilizer, bottle warmer, some nursing supplies, hard candy to help with dry mouth during delivery and last, but not least, Dreft to wash our all baby items in.

Unlike the bottle system or diapers I chose, I did no research on laundry detergent. Word-of-mouth and numerous advertisements in baby magazines led me to believe that Dreft is just what I should use.

Standing in the laundry isle I was in sticker shock...a 1.5 gallon tub of Dreft is $18.00? What the hell? What's in this stuff that makes it so special? If I use Dreft will the baby shit ice cream?

I just didn't get it, so I "attempted" to compare the solution in Dreft to the solution in Target's knock-off. However, you can't compare the two because Dreft doesn't release their secret ingredients. So there is no way to actually know just what is in this stuff that makes it so friggin' amazing.

I convinced myself that it was okay to splurge this one time and then do further research before buying it again. After all, in addition to clothes, I'm supposed to wash the bassinet and crib sheets, swing and car seat fabrics in this stuff...so I'd better be safe than sorry.

This morning I went to the Dreft web site and clicked their FAQ tab. The first question is, "How is Dreft formulated for baby laundry needs?"

The answer: The Dreft® formula is designed to not only help fight tough baby and toddler stains, but also provide a gentle clean for baby.

Well, no shit. Isn't that what all laundry detergent is formulated to do?

So from now on, I think I'll go with the Target knock-off or All Free & Clear – or something similar with no scents or dyes. I'll consider this a FIRST-TIME-SUCKER-MOM purchase and chalk it up to just being naive.

Only the BREAST for baby Salma......

Am I worried about how much pain I'll endure during labor? Not really.

Am I concerned about not getting enough sleep after the baby is born? No, I expect it.

Am I fearful of dropping the baby when walking down steps? A little.

Am I overwhelmed by the breastfeeding process? You betcha I am!

I've always wanted to breastfeed. In fact, the only time I ever entertained the idea of not breastfeeding was when I was deciding whether or not to go through with the breast reduction. Luckily, I did go through with this surgery & the surgery was a success, and I'll only know if all my milk-parts were left in-tact upon delivery. I am remaining optimistic that I will indeed be able to breastfeed.

That being said, in sharing my hopes of breastfeeding with friends and family, I've come to the conclusion that although nursing is a 'natural' feat, it isn't a sure-thing, nor is it guaranteed to happen naturally. Which, quite frankly, is scaring the shit out of me.

Here are just a couple remarks on nursing that I've heard lately:

- "I can remember my milk coming out looking like tomato soup because my cracked nipples were bleeding."

- "Breastfeeding felt like my nipples were being raked across a gravel road or sandpaper."

- "I can remember just crying because it hurt so badly."

And if those comments aren't enough to freak any newbie baby mama out, I ran into a random stranger at the bank yesterday who also happened to be a lactation consultant (it's funny, and actually kinda cool to get approached by so many random strangers when you're pregnant)! Anyhow, after basic conversation about my due date, the baby's gender, etc - she asked me if I was 1. going to breastfeed and 2. doing anything to toughen up my nipples...like scrubbing with a loofah, a toothbrush or sandpaper. WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? She quickly added those were things I DID NOT want to do, but either way, the visuals turned my stomach, and quite horrified if people would actually do this.

I know that if breastfeeding doesn't work out for my baby cub and I there are other alternatives. I can pump and feed her with a bottle or go straight to formula. I guess only time will tell.

In the meantime, I'd prefer to not hear any more horror stories on the subject. If anyone must tell me a story, make it a pleasant one, and lie if you have to. Lord knows, these girls of mine have been through enough already!

The Friends Shower...

Our Friends Showers took place last Saturday afternoon. My friends, Meg, Sorcha, Erin, Melanie, Marta & cousin Danielle put on the shower.

Ladies, thank you soo much! The decor was perfect, the food was perfect, the games were perfect, the cupcakes were perfect and the company in which I was surrounded by, was perfect as well!

The baby and I couldn't have asked for a better shower. In fact, there isn't anything I'd change about it! Just check out this amazing center piece, made with lots o' diapers, daisies, and the color scheme of the entire shower and the center piece was yellow and pink ---- LOVE IT!

I was, and still am, truly overwhelmed by the love and generosity Salma, Tarzan and I were showered with. I received baby care products, diapers, clothes, clothes, and so much more than I can even list.

So thanks to all the ladies who spent their Saturday afternoon with me, celebrating the little one. I appreciate each one of our friendships and love you all very much! Oh yea, it was great to get away for a brief reprieve from bedrest too! :)

I've been MIA for June ~ only thing to report is that BEDREST SUX!

So, I have been MIA for June 2009 - let me bring you up to date! I was put on bedrest at 30 weeks because what I thought were normal aches and pains of pregnancy were actually contractions! Who would have THUNK???? Anyhow, I have now been on bedrest for 5 weeks now and feel like I have been dying a slow death! It's been miserable, especially for this girl who CAN NEVER SIT DOWN! Anyhow, my mom, RJ, family & my wonderful friends have been making it much more tolerable! Only 1 more week of bedrest and I'm off of bedrest! According to my Dr, if I go anytime after 36 weeks, baby Salma will be 'fully baked' and they will let me proceed with the contractions and EASE into labor! Like I how I said, EASE.............positive thinking, positive thinking! Labor will be as EASY as it can be! Positive thinking is my MANTRA!