induction day

4/8, 10am update

Hello, this is Justin. I am the husband designated 'poster' while Mandy is trying to have our baby!

We checked in at 5:30am this morning, we had a nurse shift change and then we had some action finally at 7:45am. At that time we met Dr. Fok, he told her she was 3 cm dilated. He broke Mandy's water and started a Potosin drip. Our nurse Sarah, hooked Mandy up to the portable fetal heart monitor. We walked around the floor for awhile, and now she is sitting on the pregnancy ball.

Spirits are up, but pain from the contractions are starting to take hold.

Justin

Eviction Notice

Dear Baby Torud,

This notice is in reference to the current lease agreement:
Please be advised that on March 30, 2009 you were notified of the violation with our current agreement for the following reasons:

• You have vandalized your dwelling with weathering on the exterior, otherwise known as a rash called PUPPS, with uncontrollable itching and intense discomfort.
• You have been reported to authorities on disorderly conduct in the middle of the night including noise violation, domestic abuse, and vandalizing of internal structures.

You, baby Torud, were notified on March 30, 2009 that if this breech of contract was not corrected you would be held in violation of this lease and forcefully removed in 9 days.

THEREFORE, YOU ARE HEREBY OFFICIALLY BEING EVICTED OF YOUR CURRENT DWELLING.

You have approximately 36 hrs to peacefully leave on your own terms or intervention will be used. Officers Cervadil, Pitocin, and Epidural will be arriving at your doorstep on April 8, 2009 at approximately 5:30 am for a thorough inspection and to ensure physical removal from the premises. Although your lease does not expire until April 15, 2009, we feel you have violated our contract, and physical removal is our only option.

Sincerely,
Your landlord
aka-your MOMMY

pupps

A few more pictures, the bottom is my favorite.

So the conclusion is that it is most likely pupps, but it is not confirmed. I went to the dermatologist on Wednesday morning. She looked at it and said it definitely looked like PUPPS. The only way to get a definite conclusion is to have biopsies and blood work, but there is a catch. She needed to do 5 biopsies, 2 on the stomach, 1 around the breast, 1 on the legs, and 1 on my arms. She would actually numb me, and take a pinch of skin, and then put 2 stitches in each spot, and yes-this would leave a scar. She would not have the results back until at least next Tuesday. I also would need to have a blood test, which I had. The catch you ask-the results won't be back for at least 14 days. So after telling her that I was being induced on Wednesday morning, she agreed with me and said it really wasn't worth it. And 80% of all PUPPS cases come up inconclusive. It just doesn't make sense to put myself through that for nothing. So the last I heard she was trying to reach my doctor to tell her to induce earlier if I wanted. I haven't heard anything, so I am assuming Wednesday will be the day, unless he comes earlier. I have been terribly uncomfortable the last 2 days. Lots of braxtons and pelvic pressure. I actually came home from work early today, and I am only working a half day tomorrow. I never leave early!!! Hubby says he has to wait until 5 pm tomorrow, I just laugh. Although we are getting a terrible winter storm again tomorrow night so anything is possible!!

the end is near

Yesterday was exciting, yet nerve racking at the same time. I had my appointment yesterday. Not much to update as far as progress-I was 1 1/2 cm dilated, 80% effaced. The rash I have is out of control. They sent me to the lab to have a blood test to test for PUPS (I don't know much about it) Anyway, the lab wouldn't do it because I have to fast for 8-12 hrs before the test. So I am doing it tomorrow morning. This test also takes 14 days to get the results back because they send the blood work to Mayo clinic. My doctor feels that we really won't know what this is until after the baby is born. Well, because they wouldn't do it, they are sending me to a dermatologist, which is fine. They are going to do some biopsy's in a couple of spots to determine what it may be. In the mean time I am just hanging out waiting for my next appointment or labor to kick in. That was until I got a phone call that they want to schedule me for a induction. When you ask-NEXT WEEK! So, next Wednesday I am being induced at 5:30 am. I am very scared and very excited all at the same time. Because the doctor doesn't know what is causing this rash, she doesn't want to take any chances. This could all change tomorrow as well. If the biopsies turn out bad, they are going to induce asap, otherwise next week is the day!!

Anyway, I am off to dinner with my crabby husband. Today is our 2 year wedding anniversary. I picked up our piece of crap laptop that we spend a good deal of money getting fixed, and guess what? It doesn't work. So he is been dealing with that all afternoon and is not a happy camper-I don't blame him, but what can we do? Why waste energy getting angry?

pregnancy pictures

I never really put much thought into doing pregnancy photos, or should I say wasn't really interested. Anyway, my cousin talked me into it. So today, I was her guinea pig. Here are 2 of them. We took quite a few, which I will post my favorites at a later time. But for now these are the only sneak peak I get, and all of my readers get. I am so glad that I did this, so Missy that's for talking me into it!!!

I have a doctors appt tomorrow, so I will update everyone on progress. My new adventure is trying to figure out where my hives came from. I am covered in them all over my legs, stomach, and arms. Gotta love it! And they itch like crazy!!!

heartburn hell!

I have it, it is so bad. I feel like I can constantly taste it. Nothing helps, tums, Rolaids, please help me!! I have tried sitting up, not eating anything remotely spicy, any suggestions out there. Any relief is well appreciated!!!! I am so miserable from it, I can't sleep, and I just want to sleep.

Believe it or not, I am still here

Well, I won't make excuses, I am just lazy! Our laptop died right around my last post and is still broke. I have an old desktop that is from right around the turn of the century, and we have it set up downstairs in our basement. It is a little on the slow side and just a pain. Our basement is unfinished, cold, and just not inviting. And do I have to mention I have to sit on a card table chair as I write this, which is not the most comfortable on my bottom. So that is why I haven't updated, so I am sorry. I am going to try to do better in the next few weeks.

So, the baby updates:
I had a appt yesterday, as you all know I am going weekly now, and I don't have much progress. I am a centimeter dilated and about 50% effaced. So some progress is better than none. He is in position, which he has been since our last u/s at 32 wks (I will get to that too.) Other than that, so far total weight gain has been about 23 lbs, although I feel like a blimp. I am definitely caring straight out in front of me. I have started to swell terribly. I have been getting a lot of questions about swelling, and of coarse I responded quickly in saying "no, I have a job where I am on my feet for 9 hrs a day, and have had to problems!" Boy I should have kept my mouth shut!! About two weeks ago, we had some friends over and were sitting at a table playing cards for about 4 hrs. Well I got us to use the restroom, and could hardly walk. My legs were the same size from my knees to my toes, it was terrible, and it hurt so badly. Now, I deal with this on a daily basis. My husband has been great in giving me foot and leg rubs with ma.ma bee.s peppermint foot lotion-by bu.rts bee.s-highly recommend it, it is my only relief. I also have had to remove my wedding ring, which was a very sad day for me.

We had a U/S with our perinatologist at 32 wks, so about 5 wks ago. Everything looked great. I was so disappointed not to get any good 4d pictures again. He just doesn't sit still long enough for anyone to get any good shots. Our profile picture is even bad, although, I think we had a better tech the last time. The cp's in his head are gone, which is what is supposed to happen and his kidneys were both in normal range. They also told us that we should not need any additional follow up before or after the birth. This also includes him being whisked off to the nicu for tests, which was a big possibility. Needless to say, we were thrilled and relieved to hear that news.

The last couple of weeks have been a little crazy. Last weekend we traveled back to my in laws for the last time before the baby comes. We went back for my SIL baby shower and birthday-she is due 6 wks behind me. Her shower was beautiful. I truly hope she enjoyed every minute of it. We were also back home around February 15 for a few days for a family shower for us and just to spend a little quality time up there. It was a great weekend. Our shower was awesome-from the people that showed up, the food, gifts, everything. I couldn't have asked for a better day.

That same week I also spent some time back at my parents house. My dad is part of a organization that puts on a big fundraiser banquet that I have attended for the last 11 year. We also went and saw Wick.ed-loved it!!!!! My husband still can't get over the fact that the wicked witch of the west is not wick/ed. This is very depressing for him!! Other than that, we just hung out, did some baby shopping.

I know I am leaving a ton of stuff out, but I promise I will try to do better. Hope everyone is doing well and I will keep you posted on the events of the next 3 wks......