Is July really almost over?

I really can't believe that July is almost over. Because that means, August is next and that means I will have an infant in my home again. That's means I will be mom again (sometimes I'm still surprised that I have one child, that I'm married, and that we own a house). It's just weird feeling all these things.... sometimes I ask myself, how old do I feel? And right now, I can't say I feel any certain age... well maybe I feel about 85 right now with my aches, pains, fatigue and my brain not functioning at it's normal level.

Anyways, things are still going pretty well with the pregnancy. Many people ask me how I'm feeling and I'm am starting to say... ehh, I think I'm ready. The simple things have become a chore; like doing dishes, cooking, picking up things off the floor, just sitting, and even reading can be difficult sometimes. On a good note, we have bought most of the things that we need to buy and have done most of the major tasks that need to be done. However, there are many small things that I'd really like to do but just can't get the energy to do it.. like clean out freezer/fridge, mop/vacuum floors, play outside with Wendell, and well.. pretty much anything that requires any movement other than sit on my comfy couch. Luckily, I still sleep pretty well and can take naps in the afternoon so that has been a good thing. I'm still out walking for exercise but at a very slow pace.

One of the big questions we have been discussing is whether to have a C-section or attempt to try and have a normal birth. At this point in time we are walking the same road we did with Wendell which ended in a c-section so it's tempting to just schedule it and be done with "thinking about it". Here is what happened with Wendell... first off, he was breech so then we scheduled to do a version (turning him) with the plan to do pitosin immediately after so he couldn't turn back and have complications later. So Phil and Heather (and family) are all geared up that this would be the day.. we go to the hospital and it turns out he had flipped himself (but could flip back anytime) so the doctor suggested we do the pitosin anyways since Wendell was plenty big. So I sat at the hospital all day, hooked to tubes and basically nothing happened so the doc. gave us the option of c-section that day or go home. I felt that if Wendell wasn't ready then maybe we should go home. So sad, and disappointed to be empty handed, Phil and I returned home.

A week later, I'm overdue and the doctor is concerned that Wendell is getting big and highly recommends we take another shot at pitosin. Once again, tubes and all day of labor, that night I decide to get the epidural because I am not dilating/progressing which means we are looking at the next day before there would even be an attempt at pushing Wendell out. I felt I would be better prepared if I could get some rest before the next day. And it turns out to be a good decision because that morning at 6am, Wendell started showing slight signs of stress so we did a c-section (and I would have had an epidural anyways). My c-section went quite well, and all turned out good. No infection, I felt great for the most part, and recovered quite well. I think a lot of that is because my doc. wasn't rushed to do the c-section and my body heals well so the combo made for a good outcome.

So here we are with baby #2... so far I'm not dilating (we'll know more at the next few appointments as the doc. continues to check me) which so far has been the same as what happened with Wendell. As of two weeks ago she was breech - this next appt. might result in an ultrasound to confirm her positioning.. and a minor factor is that my group be strep test came back positive. My doc. says I can try pitosin again but I don't really think it'll work, just because it didn't last time (the doc. says it might work but probably not). I asked about other options of inducing and he said that we couldn't really try anything else because I've already had a c-section - other ways of inducing can be too intense for my scar. So if I don't dilate on my own, she's breech and big then my doctor will recommend another c-section to be safe. The longest he will let me go over my due date is two weeks.. which means I still have plenty of time to decide. There are a few perks to doing a c-section. 1. We can plan it, set a date, get child care lined up, and have our bags packed. 2. Mentally, I would be prepared, well rested, and feel ready. 3. (best perk so far) is that my doc. said I can schedule it a 6 days before I'm actually due... which is sounding pretty darn good right now.

My next appointment is Friday and it appears that we'll be doing an ultrasound which will determine the size and breech issues which could be major factors in our decision making. So for now, I need to decide how important is a regular delivery to me and why. At least, I'm on the fence on the issue and would be okay with a c-section. So, I'll keep you updated.. and if you have any strong opinions on my situation then feel free to share.

Below are some fun pictures.

Pic #1 is Wendell being Mr. Helpful and washing off a cucumber from the garden.

Pic #2 is Wendell showing off the giant summer squash that had been hiding in the garden.


Pic #3 shows the infant car seat that I just brought up from the basement. Wendell has discovered a new "rocking chair" for him to sit in while watching tv. It's crazy to think he used to fit in this car seat! One of my projects in the next few days is to try and make a seat cover that isn't so "blue". This car seat was given to us and we're not going to buy another one just so it can be pink/neutral colored. I think you can buy car seat covers but I haven't seen any in stores and on line they appear to be pricey.

Pic #4 is Wendell caught stealing a cookie from the cooking rack. His face had chocolate all over it so there was no hiding of this cookie snatcher.

We have our last travel weekend this coming weekend. Phil is running the BIX in Davenport. I had planned to watch but I think it starts at 7am... kind of early for me on a Saturday morning... maybe I can plan to be at the finish line which would mean a little extra sleep. We might put Wendell in the junior BIX on Friday evening which would be a lot of fun to watch. Then we're back Saturday evening so we can relax.. we've been gone the last few weekends and are worn out on travel.

Well, I'll keep you posted on any new updates!