And an update...

Thursday night was awful.

I got an OK from my OB to up the procardia to a higher dosage, and more often. Great. I did this 3 times.

The third time was at 2:30 am on Friday morning. I took pills, had lots of water, got back into bed. 30 minutes later I was so dizzy, I was spinning. It took another 30 minutes for me to be able to get up out of bed and into the living room where my blood pressure cuff was.

Oddly, my BP was fine, but my heart rate was pretty elevated and I felt horrible. Also, remember those contractions? They were back, steady, every 10 minutes. Sometimes 8. Sometimes 6.

I ate something and managed to get back to sleep at 4:45. At 5:45 my handsome husband came looking for me (I couldn't get off the couch) and we talked about options. We carefully decided to call the doctor, and my mom, 6 hours away in Arizona.

Doctor says "GO IN!" Mom says "I'm coming!" and I rest a bit more. We call a friend who will come over and wait with the kiddos until my mom arrives, probably around 2 pm.

Things slow down. I don't take any more procardia. Still, the contractions become erratic. Steady for over an hour, then nothing for 45 minutes. This is SO frustrating.

We're still at home (and undecided) when mom arrives at 2.

We leave at 3 for a walk around the bookstore (which kicks the contractions up big time!) and a frozen custard (which keeps them holding steady) and at 5 hit the hospital. Again.

My nurse has a bedside manner of negative 3. She also (not to be too graphic here) has a finger that feels like it's about 1 inch long, and sharpened. I've never had such horrible "checks" in my existence.

Nurse: "Who said you were at a 7?"
Me: Dr. J, two days ago.
Nurse: Nah, you're at a 6.

I really don't feel like arguing with her, but I want to holler "Are you freaking kidding me!? And who are you exactly, Ms. pointy nubby fingers?!" But I go with it and she hooks me up.

The contractions go nuts. Not huge, but right on top of each other.

I explain to Ms. Pointy-Nubby that Dr. J said to come in, and that Dr. B (my Perinatologist) tried to get me in on Thursday to have the baby. She was having none of it.

Nurse: "we'll see how you do"

2 hours I have layered contractions. I read a People magazine (I don't care about the Kardashians, but am surprised to find that they're Armenian. Interesting!). My husband is kind. My mom is here. I'm pretty sure things are speeding up.

Nurse: "The Dr. on call says to send you home."

I completely lose it.

My husband, kind soul that he is, comes to my rescue and becomes my advocate.

Husband: "Ok, when are we supposed to come back?"
Nurse: "when the contractions are 10 minutes apart"
H: They've been 10 minutes apart for days.

Discussion ensues about my dilation, the distance we are from home, the fact that both other Dr's wanted me to come in, who makes that final decision to have me stay, etc.

In the end, the nurse can't tell us what to do. She says "wait until it gets really bad". We explain "it's gotten REALLY BAD a number of times, and we've put it off until we felt like we really needed to show up." So she says "I don't know what else to tell you."

It's not that I want the baby out NOW. She keeps acting like I'm there because I'm tired of being pregnant. That's not it at all. She explains that if I have the baby at 36 weeks instead of 37, then the NICU has to be in the room to whisk the baby off. I keep telling her "I WANT to go to term. I want what's best for my daughter, but we keep getting mixed messages and no one will give us a straight answer. " I even get fiscal. "There is no reason that I want to have this baby now just so that I can pay someone else a whole lot of money to keep her in a room that I'm not in. I don't' want to stay here for days and pay for a bed when I can stay in bed at home. I am NOT here to force the issue, I just want to know when to come back."

Yeah, she has no idea.

We go home, and are still home.

At least I got some custard out of the deal.

Another reason why I love my husband

Me: My brother dated this really weird girl for a while.

Handsome husband: Weird?

M: Stalker weird.

HH: ???

M: He kept breaking up with her, but she would just SHOW UP in his bedroom and wait, for HOURS for him to come home.

HH: Ok, that's weird.

M: No, it gets worse. He would ignore her, and go to sleep. Hours later she would STILL be there.

HH: Seriously?

M: really.

HH: Let me get this straight. She would stalk him, in his bedroom, silent, and not leave.

M: Right.

HH: How does this sound like Twilight?

M: What?

HH: EDWARD!!!

And then it was 7.

36 weeks tomorrow. THIRTY SIX WEEKS!!!

Saw fabulous Dr. J today who said "let's try for one more week, but if you can't make it that long, then I'll see you at the hospital."

If I make it, considering that I've dilated to a 7 now. Who does this? Walks around with a gaping hole in their body and doesn't end up having the baby at home? Seriously, I'm getting off this computer now and looking up "emergency home delivery".

I suppose there are two problems with that. First, I have to look it up on the computer (duh) and if I look up "emergency home delivery" I might get a pizza joint.

I just looked it up. Ok, the first thing that popped up wasn't pizza, it was "medical alert".

So, 7. A good friend of mine (who has her babies at home) came over last week and said "when I get to a 7, my water breaks and I have the baby 20 minutes later." That was in no way comforting.

Oh, and did I mention? The car with the air conditioning is in the shop. It's getting a new water pump. We can still get to the hospital, but we'd have to take the no-air truck. It's over 100 out there and a 15 minute drive. Not to mention that I don't really want to have the baby in the truck.

Oh, now I'm complaining. Sorry.

The tough part is, I want to wait another week (I carry my procardia around like it was The Ring or something... whispering to it "my precious") but I've had steady contractions for 3 hours now. I want my new beautiful daughter to come into the world as healthy as possible.

Bake baby, bake.

My handsome husband likes to proudly state that "if we were pioneers, we'd do just fine." And I believe him. He's a hard worker, patient, optimistic. However, if we were pioneers, we wouldn't have this baby. She would have shown up weeks ago, with no NICU to go to, and we'd just be sad. Even with all of the wonderful modern technology and medicine around, there can still be problems. I'm going to do whatever I can to make it easier for her to come into the world.

Guess I better go lie back down.

Happy Birthday President Obama

I saw this on someone's Facebook status today.

At my house we're a divided nation... one republican and one Democrat. I actually got a call from one of the political parties the other day asking who we were voting for. I laughed and said "we cancel each other out."

We have a very good friend who comes and shares Sunday dinner with us each week. He's on an unabashed hunt for a wife, wants a pretty conservative/traditional woman, and he's a die-hard democrat.

While complaining one evening about the absurd things he has heard from his republican friends about President Obama he lamented "I just don't know what they have against Obama!"

My handsome husband replied: "Well, his political party to start."

The end.

Still at a 6!

So, for the first time in 7 weeks, I'm still at the same dilation stage (is that even a phrase?) that I was last week. My OB is so proud.

I'd like to thank Orson Scott Card for helping me through this last week, since I've read 1.5 of his books in the past few days. These are not short books.

I'd like to thank my handsome husband for getting me Taco Bell about 9 times.

I'd like to thank my kiddos for being so patient with me.

So, 35 weeks tomorrow and a huge bottle of procardia to help keep the contractions at bay. Now just watch, I'll go to 41 weeks. Pfft.

BTW, I attend the same church building as Brandon Flowers, the lead singer of the Killers. His wife (Tana I think) is very nice and we've spoken a few times about young kids and the Nursery (shudder!). She was at my OB today, and signed in just before me. I knew my OB was the coolest, but I didn't know that rock stars wives went to him too! Kinda fun.

A Pregnant Freak of Nature

So, last Sunday morning the family is scrubbed, pressed, combed and bowed. They headed out to church (without me, again) and I waved goodbye. They were excited because after church dad was taking the 3 kiddos on an overnighter into St. George for swimming and ice cream and junk food and fun.

My handsome husband and I had planned for us to take the kids this summer on an 8 day trip through Utah, visiting various family. I did not grow up in Utah, so this is still exciting for me to do. I love the mountains and the green trees and cooler temps.

That all changed when I was put on bed rest. It was decided that handsome would still take a trip with the kids, but it got changed to 4 days in Arizona at other relatives.

Then I dilated to a 4.

It was decided that if I dilated any more in one week, then they would cancel the Arizona trip.

I dilated to a 5.

OH, I felt so bad! The kids are pent up (it's too hot out to play) and really looked forward to seeing Grammy and swimming. After much discussion it was decided that a one-day-trip to St. George was doable. I was happy to know that they would be close enough to return quickly, but still far enough to enjoy one night of jumping on a motel bed. Who doesn't love that?

So, Sunday. Clean, waving, happy. Then, about an hour into church I start having contractions. Hard ones. 10 minutes apart. Between 45 aand 60 seconds each. SHOOT!

I douse my insides with water. I change position. I get out of bed. I walk slowly. I take a shower. I drink more water. I drink yet more water. Finally, after about 2 hours it seems to stop. Thank heavens.

Hansome comes home with the excited kids and yells "change clothes! Have a snack! We're leaving in a half hour!" While I ask him to chat with me for a minute.

He's concerned. I'm determined that I'm ok and that he should go. It takes some convincing, but he decides that it's ok and he gets the kids dressed, lunched, wrangled, and into the car. I say about 9 prayers that they will be ok and that I'll be ok while they're gone.

I wave goodbye!

45 minutes later they all walk back in the house. Dad is cranky! The boy has a tummy ache. The oldest girl forgot her inhaler. The youngest girl is just caught in the middle. Dad is nearing the edge of patience.

After potty stops, pick ups of meds and drinks of water, I sit them all down and I use my stern voice. "Ok, listen up! Is there ANYTHING anyone needs to take?" (heads shake in the room) "Boy, do you need to stay home with me? Are you sick?" (No, I'll make it!) "Ok, this is the LAST time I expect to see you. Do not bug dad while he drives! Do not ask when you will get there! Do not ask for different music! Do not bug each other or touch each other or whine about ANYTHING. Got it?!" (heads nod) "Ok, now, go GET in the CAR and have a GOOD TIME!" I get kisses and the kids bolt to the car.

Handsome looks at me and says "wow, you more madder about all this than I thought you would be." I answer back "sometimes it's all about putting on a show." He feels better, I feel better, they leave.

I do great, no contractions. They arrive back on Monday evening.

Two hours later I'm sitting in the recliner (excuse me, it's called "The Man Chair") reading to the kids before bed. I notice that I'm having contractions again. Hard. 10 minutes apart. I ask for a bottle of water, and then another. I kiss the kids goodnight.

10 minutes later I'm on all fours on the floor with a contraction so hard it makes me cry. It won't let up.

Handsome is hovering, touching lightly, asking if we need to call someone and get to the hospital. I'm not 34 weeks until Thursday.

I tell him "no" and ask for a third bottle of water. I take the anti-contraction meds I always take before bed and run a hot bath and start praying. I have a 4th bottle of water.

2 hours later, it's stopped again and I manage to sleep through the night.

Tuesday we spend our 5 hours at the hospital. Of course, just like when you take your car into the shop, nothing happens. They check my cervix, and I'm kind of shocked, and happy to find I'm still at a 5. They call my Dr. and tell me "he'll probably just send you home". However, it takes 50 minutes to get an approval from my doctor. The kind nurse comes back in with my release papers, grins and then looks at my monitor. I've had 5 contractions in 50 minutes.

Nurse: Oh! I have to call your doctor.

So, it's decided I need a nasty little shot to stop the contractions. I may need up to 3.

ONE. Ouch. An hour later...

Nurse: I have to call your doctor

TWO. Ouch. Another hour. Did I tell you these things make me shake? I tried to put on lip gloss. It was comical.

Nurse: I have to call your doctor.

They decide to give me two big pills to help stop things more. They give me the pills and I get checked again. Still a 5! Woo!

My kind and generous husband goes to Tommy's Burgers and buys me delicious and greasy food. And a diet. I feel bad because I'm in triage with other women who are actually going to have their babies today and they can't eat, but I'm starved. C'est la vie.

I've stopped! Finally. The nurse calls my doctor again, gets the ok to send me home but says "I have to check one more time, sorry!"

Ok, not to be gross, but I'm lying there with my nethers exposed, and she's chatting with my husband about the book he's reading. A history of Muslim and Christian something-or-other. She's practically turned around backwards while doing my exam. Suddenly she stops and sits on the bed. She looks concerned. This is taking a while. Too long; and it's pretty uncomfortable.

Nurse: I have to call your doctor.

It seems I've quietly dilated to a 6. Seriously? I mean, most women are begging for drugs at a FOUR! I don't know if I should be proud of my strong pioneer stock (Ha! I am no wimpy city girl. I could birth babies on the prairie and still make a mock apple pie from ritz crackers that same night!) or be afraid that they're going to keep me in the hospital.

The nurse hooks the monitors back up. She's really quite nice and apologizes. We talk about how wonderful Nothing Bunt Cakes are - and vintage aprons.

Eventually, over the concerns of my shocked nurse, my kind doctor sends me home with a prescription for more brown pills.

Even my doctor is shocked the next day when he checks me himself. "Yep, you're at a 6."

On my out the door, the nurses in my OB's office asked if I was ok. "Nobody walks around at a 6!" So I asked "never?" Nurse: Hardly ever.

I'm extremely glad that Heavenly Father helped my body to be still and calm during the 24 hours everyone was gone. I know he's helping to keep her in right now.

Still, I am a freak of nature. Obviously.

Dear Iris

Your mommy spent about 5 hours at the hospital today. I had two terrible shots! Seems you're anxious to get here. I guess that may not exactly be true, since it's my body that's doing the contracting, you're just being your perfect little self, all squished and warm and constantly adjusting to make space.

I talk to you a lot. I probably pray for you more than that.

Today I was told that I'm "AMA" Advanced Maternal Age. Well, yeah! This means that you'll have one of those "old moms" when you grow up. When you're in college, I'll be about 60. You'll have friends who's parents will only be in their 40's (or younger!). I hope you'll be ok with this.

Being pregnant with you has been so wonderful. Even with all the extra pokes and prods and doctors and hospital visits, I love you just the same. I might even love you more, since daddy and I have worked so hard to get you here.

Your daddy is just the best guy. He's taken over about everything about the house and the meals and your brother and sisters so that I could lie still most of the day and try to keep you safe. Daddy gives great hugs and kisses. Daddy gives treats! (you'll learn that he's Lord Of The Swag Candy at our house in a year or two, no doubt). Daddy doesn't like the cat much, but don't let that throw you. He still brought me home the cat we have now, when I was feeling sad. (She's kinda cranky.) Daddy works hard and is smart. Daddy likes to take your sibs to bookstores and out for Saturday morning doughnuts. Daddy loves all of us here at home, and he loves holding my tummy, giving you kisses and talking to you. You're going to like him.

Iris, I'm going to be 34 weeks pregnant with you tomorrow. If there's anything you can do on your end to stay in there just a couple of more weeks - I promise I can make it worth your while. I'll let you wear whatever weird outfit you want to on the first day of kindergarten. I'll put a zinger in your lunch once a week. I'll let you stay home from school sometimes just so you and I can hang out. I'll walk an extra block with you, even when I'm tired. I'll read the same book over and over just for you.

Please stay inside, just a little more.

I didn't really mind the shots as much as I said I did. It's worth it.

I love you,
Mama