Ready to go...but let's wait! (Updated)

Well, I packed my hospital bag today. I learned my lesson. What I didn't mention the other night was that a couple of my contractions were so strong that they caused me to pee my pants. Yes...I know pregnant women do that sometimes, but when you don't have extra pants, that is a big problem! I ended up leaving the hospital in a gown...wrapped in a sheet! Its funny now, but it sure wasn't that night!! So...I packed a bag containing everything I'll need if the contractions come back...including two pairs of pants!! Just in case! I no longer trust my bladder!

Just because my bag is packed does not mean that Carter has the OK to come out...not for at least 9 more weeks!

Update: I just talked to the bank and the check for the full amount of the cord blood collection plus 18 years of storage has been sent!! That was the last piece of the puzzle and I feel like the world has been lifted off of my shoulders. As much as I complain about them, the bank really does come through every time...eventually!

BRADY! BRADY! BRADY!

OK this is completely off topic, but its my blog and if I don't vent here, I may start choking people! As you all know, I am a huge football fan...especially when it comes to my Brownies! As I am watching the game, I am getting soooo pissed!! Our QB, Derek Anderson has been screwing up royally since week 1 and our dumb ass coach will not take him out. Brady Quinn was a 1st round draft pick and he could be anywhere right now...playing every week. But instead, he is sticking around in Cleveland, waiting patiently for his shot. In the meantime, Anderson is not only pissing off the fans, but he is also making his own teammates mad. After the last interception, Braylon Edwards had to be pulled back before he went Van Damme on his ass. Tell me again why this man is still on the field?? Maybe the Browns should hire me as their coach.

Whew! Anyway...I am feeling much better. I did have a few contractions last night, but they weren't too bad and I was able to get them under control. Well...I didn't really do it, but they got themselves under control! Carter has been moving just as much as he did before, so until I start feeling something new, I will just keep hanging in there with the contractions I am having.

Tonight, I am going to order the table that will go next to my glider in the nursery. It's pretty plain, but will go wonderfully with our furniture and it has a drawer so I can keep burp pads close while I feed Carter...in case he's a lil puker!! So...that's all for now!

A bump in the road...

I just got back from the hospital. I felt kinda funny all day, so I paged my OB around 3:30 and he said to come to L&D, just to be safe. By the time I got there and got hooked up, my contractions were 5 minutes apart. Carter was handling them well. The doctor came in and checked my cervix and it was closed tight, long, and the baby's head was high. He monitored me a bit longer and when my contractions died down, after about an hour, I was sent home. He said there was no need for Magnesium because my cervix is closed. He was worried that giving it to me would cause my blood pressure to go up, which for a paraplegic is very dangerous. So...I am taking it easy and will need to go back if the contractions pick back up. I'm really tired now, so Steven and I are going to watch the UFC fight in bed. Good night!

How awesome is this?!

So, I'm watching my belly as I often do...and I see some serious movin' and shakin' going on. Glad I had my camera close at hand! Things like this just remind me that miracles happen every day...

(Yes, Bailey always lays like that.)

Yet another fight with the bank...

1st off...I am frustrated because my ear issues are back! Have been for a few days now. This is the 2nd time since I have been pregnant that my left ear has clogged. Since Friday, I have been completely deaf in that ear. Seriously, if I cover my right ear, I got nothin'! It usually only lasts a couple days...with me flushing it 2 or 3 times a day. Today, I decided I had enough and called the doctor. She gave me a prescription...but it doesn't start working until the 4th or 5th day you use it. Great! I can't walk and I can't hear!!

I have managed to pick myself another fight with the bank. I enrolled for cord blood banking about 2 months ago, knowing that my trust had to pay for it because its a medical thing. Even though it is $3,700, I really didn't figure it was even up for debate...considering it could potentially make me walk someday. Well, they are being control freaks again...making me submit my request in writing, along with info on the subject and a fully itemized invoice from CBR. I hope they know that they can't say no. And to top that off, I've faxed these documents twice and they mysteriously "can't find them anywhere". Go figure!!

It's always drama!! So, to make ourselves feel better, we decided to teach Bianca a new trick...

Life is so much better with dogs! I wonder how long it will take us to teach Carter to balance toys on his head.

All done!

Carter's room is done!! We are still waiting on the glider rocker, which we will get when we go to NY for our shower. So...we have one bare wall where that belongs, but other than that, we are ready. We just went to Babies R Us and got the mobile, wall hangings, and a few odds and ends that I needed for the diaper bag. We also got him a homecoming outfit and a winter suit...which he will need shortly after he is born.

Everybody says they can't believe I am prepared so early. I really wasn't aware that I was...kinda thought 6 months pregnant was a good time to get all your ducks in a row. Maybe its because its my first baby. I know that he could come at any time...God forbid...but if he does, we have what we need. Now, we can sit and enjoy the rest of the pregnancy with no worries about not being prepared. I am very happy!

The glider and table will go in this corner.

We are picking up the wall hanging for above the changer tomorrow.

This is where our little slugger will have sweet dreams!

Furniture?? Could it be??

Oh my God!! Yessssss!! My crib is finally in stock! It has been out of stock everywhere for months and I am so picky that I was having a hard time adjusting to the thought of a different crib. Now I don't have to think about it because it is being ordered tomorrow!!

We ordered our changing table a few days ago, so that should be here any day. I can't wait to get it put together! Next, we will get the dresser and then we wait for the glider rocker, which my dad and step-mom want to buy. So, we will get that next month. I can't lie...I am getting very very anxious!! I want the nursery done now!

I started reading to Carter. I got "Oh Baby, the Places You'll Go" by Dr. Seuss. It is adapted to be read to the baby while in utero. I saw a study that babies who are read to in the womb show better sucking reflexes after birth. So...why not??

I am off to hang with Steven. Lately, we haven't seen each other as much as usual and it makes me miss him so much more. I will update when we get the furniture up.

Go Brownies!

OK...today is a big day in the Butchino house. My favorite team, the Cleveland Browns and Steven's favorite team, the Pittsburgh Squealers...I mean Steelers will face off tonight. There will be a chill in the air inside these walls!! Why do I like the Browns?? Well...for starters...

Meet Brady Quinn. Beyond him, I really am not a girly girl when it comes to football. If it weren't for a certain team stacking cheater, I would've taken the trophy in our fantasy league last year. But I'm not bitter! Anyway...I just wanted to share this picture.

Back to the game! The Browns haven't beat the Steelers in...oh, close to forever. So...as you can imagine, my husband has that smug disposition that he has every year...as he assumes that his team is going to win. Well, not today mister!! I will be squeezing my big pregnant belly into my Quinn jersey that absolutely does not fit anymore and once the Browns win, will proceed to be the sorest winner anyone has ever seen!! I bet my husband wished he had one of those clueless wives!

In other Butchino news...our little Princess Bianca is 1 year old today!

GO BROWNS!!

Down to double digits!!

Can you believe it?? 99 days until my due date! I have to thank God for getting me this far. He has truly blessed me and Steven.

I had an OB appt today. Carter's heartbeat was nice and strong...and we heard him hiccuping the whole time! Poor guy! I told the OB that I have been having a harder time getting big breaths and he said he knew we would run into this eventually. Because I cannot stand up, the baby has less room to grow down, so he is growing up toward my ribs. He said as long as I can relieve the shortness of breath by lifting my arms, to lengthen myself out, then I will be good. He wants me to tell him when I can't relieve it. I go back in 2 weeks for OB appt/glucose test/ultrasound. Then, 2 weeks after that, we meet with the anesthesiologist. I can't believe the 3rd trimester will be here in 2 weeks!!

I used my gift cards at BRU.com and got 2 of the 4 items I ordered today! I got a Carter's diaper bag and a Carter's baby record book. I get a kick out of having my child named after a baby line!

NEVER FORGET...9/11/01

Baby Shower #2...success!!

Baby shower #2 was great!! I had an excellent time and got lots of useful gifts. I also got $125 in BRU gift cards, which will be fun. I can't wait to shop!! We now have 8 packs of diapers and 7 packages of wipes!! Super helpful! We won't need to buy any for months after Carter comes home! I also got lots of clothes, a baby seat, bottles, bottle warmer, and many other wonderful gifts! I am so thankful for my friends & family. We are well on our way to being prepared for Carter to come home. I am feeling very relieved! And we still have 2 showers left, both in NY in October!

Me enjoying my shower!!

The adorable cake!

Diaper cake my friend Katie made.

Diaper wreath my aunt made.

So thankful!!

Tonight I am trying to relax...it was a long day. Steven is working a side job with a friend for extra money, so Bailey, Bianca, and I are hanging out watching movies. I hope I sleep well tonight!! Right now, I feel like I could sleep for years, but that's up to Carter...he controls my sleep these days!!

25 week picture

Here is my 25 week photo...it is actually 24w5d because we just took it tonight, but its close enough!

Nursery pics...finally!

I finally uploaded the pics of the nursery! We don't have any furniture or anything, but you can see the before and after with the paint. I think it matches the bedding perfectly! I have my 2nd baby shower this Saturday, so hopefully we will get a bit more done after that. The crib and dresser should be here in 3-4 weeks. After that, we will just be waiting for the changing table and glider rocker that my dad offered to buy...which I will get at my final shower on October 18th! How exciting!!

Before...boring white!

Daddy...hard at work.

The bedding next to a finished wall.