Was bed rest really necessary??

Today is September 5th, the baby's due date, and still NO BABY!

My parents have flown out from Utah to see the baby. When they bought their tickets we thought that the baby would definitely be here by now. We are doing everything possible to induce labor. We've walked through the Galleria, IKEA, took a long walk today... all of these have started hard, 5 minute apart contractions, but as soon as I laid down they would go away. (I can't go to the hospital until I have had 90 minutes of 5 minute apart contractions while laying down) Looks like Tangie/Shigella/Brucella/Markina is quite comfy where she is at and has no desire to change her living situation.

Progress

I woke up early this morning having contractions. When Jeff's alarm clock went off at 7am we started timing them. 8 minutes apart. We started to wonder: should Jeff go to school today? Our "rule" is I text Jeff to come home from school when they are 5 minutes apart for 15 minutes. (Dr wants us to call him when I've been having them 5 minutes apart for 90 minutes). We are both thinking 8 minutes is really close to 5 minutes maybe he should just stay home... but Jeff's lectures this morning will not be videotaped... but he can always get notes from his buddies... but what if the contractions go away and he stayed home for nothing?... and every 8 minutes my abdomen feels like a vacuum is trying to suck up my entire abdomen from the inside- not a good time to be making a decision. We finally decided to stick by our rule. That's why we set it, so we wouldn't have to make a decision in the moment, right? So Jeff went to school. And because blogging isn't something you do while giving birth, you already know what happened. The contractions slowed down, and then stopped. Part of me was disappointed, I'm so excited for this baby to be here; but the logical side of my brain was relieved, this really is not the ideal time for the baby to come because Jeff is studying hard for his upcoming tests next Monday and Wednesday. If little baby can just stay inside until next Thursday I will have a more attentive husband during labor, and the transition will be easier. So I'm hoping for Thursday, but secretly wishing those contractions start back up again.

In the meantime I'm trying to stay busy. I ordered several books from Amazon that arrived in the mail yesterday. I'm devouring the books rather quickly, they won't last long. Hopefully another package from Amazon comes soon (Mocking Jay- book 3 of the Hunger Games- should be in this package!). Besides reading, I'm doing some sewing (of course! You are probably thinking that this blog is getting a little too close to becoming a craft blog). My latest round of projects started when I bought a pack of standard sized pink and white bassinet sheets. I opened the package up and washed them so they would be ready for the baby. Unfortunately I realized too late that my bassinet mattress in not standard sized. So I bought some cute pink fabric and sewed up my own custom-sized bassinet sheets.

(Ignore the stuffed animals, this is the only picture I have of the sheets). I think they turned out GREAT! they fit so tight and snug! and I love the daisies so much more than plain boring white and pink sheets. To figure out the pattern I used the basic design of the store-bought bassinet sheets and referenced a tutorial from MADE for guidance on the basic construction. After I finished though, I still had extra fabric. So I kept cutting and sewing and created this:

This is a skirt with built-in bloomers underneath. I used the book "Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing for Baby: 24 Easy Projects for Newborns to Toddlers" as a reference for constructing the bloomers. But the smallest size patterns she offers is for a 6 month old, and I wanted something baby can wear her first week so I created my own pattern based off the book's basic shape and a newborn sized diaper. We will see if this actually fits! I may be re-adjusting the elastic when the baby is born. As for the skirt, I just cut up a bunch of strips of fabric and made the pattern up as I went along.

With the extra daisy fabric used up, there was still the problem of the pink and white bassinet sheets. I already washed them so they couldn't be returned. And they were made from a really nice quality fabric...so I made these:If you remember from my nursery decorating post, I was already planning on making some Shabby Chic pillows for the nursery and the fabric was perfect! I had a LOT of fun making these ones. For the pink rosette pillow I just looked at some pillows online and then just started sewing, so no tutorial to reference sorry. But I did use a real pattern for the other pillow- I bought the pattern from V and Co. I read her blog regularly and I really like supporting my favorite bloggers.

It's exactly what I wanted! I love the soft, cozy, mushy look of it- so shabby chic!

My pillow would fit right in with this bedding (from Rachel Ashwell's shabby chic gallery) wouldn't it?

Waiting...

The time has come

The time is now

Baby K. Hamaker, will you please COME NOW!

I hit 38 weeks yesterday, that's full term! 8 of you voted that baby would come this week, and I hope you are right. I am ready for her to come. A crazy nervous energy hits me all the time now that makes me want to prepare for the baby in every way possible (I'm guessing this is what people refer to as "nesting"). Problem is, everything is ready. The hospital bag has been packed for 2 months since we returned home from the hospital the first time. Her clothes are washed and hung up in closet or folded and put away in her drawers. Her bassinet is ready, filled with everything I will want in the bedroom at 3 in the morning: diapers, wipes, receiving blankets, burp cloths, and more. Her car seat is ready and installed in the car. I've figured out how to use my Moby. I've read all my books on labor and delivery and baby care. What else is there to do? What are you waiting for baby?

I don't care.

You can go by bike.

You can go on a Zike-Bike if you like.

If you like you go in an old blue shoe.

Just go, go, GO!

Please do, do, DO!

Baby K. Hamaker,

I don't care how.

Baby K. Hamaker,

will you please COME NOW!

If you wish you may go by lion's tail

Or stamp yourself and go by mail.

Baby K. Hamaker!

Don't you know

the time has come

to go, GO, GO!

(adapted from Dr. Seuss' Martin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now )

No baby yet

For everyone who voted that the baby would come this last weekend you were wrong! No baby yet. phew! You may change your vote if you would like.

Being off bed rest wasn't quite what I was expecting. I didn't know how amazing that Ventolin medicine was. Without the medicine I have irregular contractions all the time and they are very unpleasant, and some regular contractions (20 minutes apart- nothing to get excited about) and they are even more unpleasant. And moving around, even just a little bit, takes all my energy. I get exhausted so easily. I think the reason my doctor took me off bed rest was because he knew that taking me off Ventolin would keep me in bed so bed rest restrictions were unnecessary.

I was so excited to go shopping when the bed rest restriction was removed. I went to Michaels thinking it would be fun just to walk around and buy crafty stuff. I was so wrong. I was almost dieing by the time I got back to the car. Contractions had started, my feet hurt so bad, and my back! Oh my poor back was not used to supporting my big belly. I went straight home and laid down on the couch for the rest of the day. All those shopping plans and plans for a hair cut all got tossed out the window. I am back to my 'bed rest activities' like crocheting and stitching.

Speaking of bed rest activities, here's a little birdie that I made for a friend who just had a baby. (The pattern is from the book Little Birds: 26 Handmade Projects to Sew, Stitch, Quilt, and Love. The designer of the project has a blog called Cupcakes for Clara that I adore). I like how it turned out, but if I make another one I think I will make the eyes and nose smaller.

If' you haven't already, please vote for when you think the baby is coming! (I moved it to the top to encourage people to vote. Just click the circle next to the date you would like to choose and press "Vote")

FREE!!

I went to the doctor's office yesterday for my weekly appointment, and I was told the best news in the world. I am OFF BED REST!!!! and I am off my medicine that stops the contractions. This isn't what I was told 2 weeks ago, but I'm not arguing. Goodbye couch! I will not miss you.

So now the baby is free to come when she would like. This means it's time for a poll. Please vote for when you think the baby is coming.

Some info to help your decision:

• I am 36 weeks along
• I will be 37 weeks on Sunday (Aug. 15)
• 38 weeks is considered full term
• The baby's due date is Sept. 5
• Jeff has tests August 28-Sept. 1 (worst time for the baby to come)
• Jeff has a break off school from Sept. 2-7 (ideal time for the baby to come)

I'm off to go enjoy my freedom. Shopping, cooking, sewing, and I can get my hair cut! Maybe I'll go get a pedicure too! First up I am going to wash dishes!!  (I am seriously so excited to be able to do this).