For all of the family members who plan on visiting when Joaquin is a newborn, we have a request. There has been much talk lately about whooping cough and its potentially lethal consequences to newborn babies.
Jay has gotten his vaccine for whooping cough (pertussis) and I will be getting mine at Hoaq following the birth.
We would greatly appreciate if those of you planning to visit with Joaquin regularly would also obtain this vaccine. We had no problem getting the vaccine for Jay from his primary care physician, so I don't imagine that this should be difficult for others to obtain as well.
Please let us know if you have any questions. Thank you!
A brief article on Pertussis can be found here.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Ticker Change Thursday - 34 Weeks
Joaquin is 34 weeks today and still about the size of a honeydew melon. His fat layers — which will help regulate his body temperature once he's born — are filling him out, making him rounder. His skin is also smoother than ever. His central nervous system is maturing and his lungs are continuing to mature as well. The great news is that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.
How far along? 34 weeks
Weight gain/loss: I'm up a total of 31 pounds.
Sleep? Sleep is becoming much harder these days. I think I just do not expend enough energy during the day anymore to feel really tired at night.
Best moment this week? College football on Saturday was great - UCLA won, Notre Dame won and USC lost. A rare "perfect day."
Movement: In the last day it seems like his movement has slowed down a bit. Hopefully it is just because he's getting too big and running out of room.
Food cravings: Eh - I barely have an appetite these days. I only eat because I know I am supposed to.
What I miss? Leaving the house!!
What I am looking forward to? I have a baby book themed work baby shower coming up, which should be fun and a chance to escape the house for at least a tiny bit. Also - our u/s next Wednesday morning.
Milestones: One week away from 35 weeks - which is when my OB will not stop labor!
What I'm nervous about: I'm nervous that I'll go crazy in the next few weeks being stuck at home all the time.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Modified Bed rest is ... Interesting
It's funny how people who have not been on bed rest will express jealousy over someone's mandatory laziness. Bed rest has never been something that sounded even remotely pleasant to me - I'm just not good at sitting still or remaining inactive. So, I knew on Thursday night that this would be tough for me.
It's been two full days so far, and I have noticed that my contractions are less frequent. So, between the increased medications and the resting, something is working. I am very grateful for that and hopeful that at least the next 2-4 weeks will remain relatively uneventful
But, oh boy, this is tough. Those who know me well probably have seen me in action at home. I'm not good at letting things wait until later. Dishes, laundry, jackets draped over chairs - these things drive me batty. It is difficult for me to truly relax until I have accomplished at least a few things around the house. So you can just imagine how sitting on the couch for 80% of the day makes me feel.
But, there are good things about it too. Most importantly, it is giving Joaquin every opportunity to grow big and healthy. But also, I am reminded all over again what a great husband I have. Jay has really been awesome. He is cooking, cleaning, taking care of the dogs and not complaining at all. I am so lucky. I would never be able to relax the way I should without all of his help.
Tonight, Jay made dinner. It was a simple dinner - grilled chicken and rice. After a few mishaps with the rice, we ate a delicious dinner and Jay admitted that it was really stressful juggling making dinner. Trying not to burn the chicken while figuring out the rice is not as easy as it looks. And then he said he had a whole new appreciation for what I do (or at least used to do when I cooked dinner on a regular basis).
So, even though this is tough on both of us, we have each been reminded of how much we do for each other. We are very lucky.
It's been two full days so far, and I have noticed that my contractions are less frequent. So, between the increased medications and the resting, something is working. I am very grateful for that and hopeful that at least the next 2-4 weeks will remain relatively uneventful
But, oh boy, this is tough. Those who know me well probably have seen me in action at home. I'm not good at letting things wait until later. Dishes, laundry, jackets draped over chairs - these things drive me batty. It is difficult for me to truly relax until I have accomplished at least a few things around the house. So you can just imagine how sitting on the couch for 80% of the day makes me feel.
But, there are good things about it too. Most importantly, it is giving Joaquin every opportunity to grow big and healthy. But also, I am reminded all over again what a great husband I have. Jay has really been awesome. He is cooking, cleaning, taking care of the dogs and not complaining at all. I am so lucky. I would never be able to relax the way I should without all of his help.
Tonight, Jay made dinner. It was a simple dinner - grilled chicken and rice. After a few mishaps with the rice, we ate a delicious dinner and Jay admitted that it was really stressful juggling making dinner. Trying not to burn the chicken while figuring out the rice is not as easy as it looks. And then he said he had a whole new appreciation for what I do (or at least used to do when I cooked dinner on a regular basis).
So, even though this is tough on both of us, we have each been reminded of how much we do for each other. We are very lucky.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Family & Friends
I didn't think I would have to draft this post for a while longer, but I guess at this point it's becoming more and more likely that we have to start actually planning for a birth. That is exciting and scary at the same time.
Jay and I appreciate all of the support that each and every one of you has provided throughout this process. It is so comforting to know that we have so many people in our lives who are just as excited to meet Joaquin as we are.
Many of you have asked about things like visiting the hospital, being present for when he is born and visiting our house after we come home from the hospital.
Here is some preliminary information for everyone:
I will be delivering at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach. The Hospital is between Superior and Newport Blvd, just up the hill from PCH. The Labor & Delivery department is located on the 5th floor of the main building of the hospital, opposite the main parking structure. The hospital also offers complimentary valet parking. You can go straight up to the 5th floor without checking in with the main desk on the first floor. The hospital has free wifi access, so you can also bring your laptops/iPads. They also allow cell phones.
Either Jay or our doula, Lorraine, will try to periodically update any one who decides to wait at Hoag on our progress throughout labor to the extent possible.
The hospital has a policy that no family members may visit with the new parents/baby for at least 1 hour after the baby is born. This policy is meant to ensure that the baby gets some "skin-to-skin" time with mom and the staff has a chance to complete their basic tests and so forth.
Assuming all is well, we will be moved to the 7th floor of the hospital 2 hours after delivery. This is the "mother-baby" unit. So if you want to forego the waiting room and come to visit later, this is where you will find us. Under normal circumstances, mothers stay on the 7th floor anywhere from 2-5 days. You can call Hoag directly to check that I am still there and able to take visitors, or you can give Jay a call on his cell phone.
After we return home, Jay is planning to take 2 weeks off from work, so I will not be alone. We plan to use this time to bond as a family as much as possible and also to allow me to recover physically. Visits from family members are welcome at this time, but our home is just far too small for any overnight visitors in the guest room. So, for our out-of-town family members who would like to visit, we highly recommend the Best Western Newport Beach, which is walking distance from our place. If you'd prefer a nicer hotel that is only a 5 minute drive away, we recommend the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach, which is just north of our place on PCH.
If you have any questions, please let either Jay or me know. We hope that anyone who wants to visit will be able to do so!
Jay and I appreciate all of the support that each and every one of you has provided throughout this process. It is so comforting to know that we have so many people in our lives who are just as excited to meet Joaquin as we are.
Many of you have asked about things like visiting the hospital, being present for when he is born and visiting our house after we come home from the hospital.
Here is some preliminary information for everyone:
I will be delivering at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach. The Hospital is between Superior and Newport Blvd, just up the hill from PCH. The Labor & Delivery department is located on the 5th floor of the main building of the hospital, opposite the main parking structure. The hospital also offers complimentary valet parking. You can go straight up to the 5th floor without checking in with the main desk on the first floor. The hospital has free wifi access, so you can also bring your laptops/iPads. They also allow cell phones.
Either Jay or our doula, Lorraine, will try to periodically update any one who decides to wait at Hoag on our progress throughout labor to the extent possible.
The hospital has a policy that no family members may visit with the new parents/baby for at least 1 hour after the baby is born. This policy is meant to ensure that the baby gets some "skin-to-skin" time with mom and the staff has a chance to complete their basic tests and so forth.
Assuming all is well, we will be moved to the 7th floor of the hospital 2 hours after delivery. This is the "mother-baby" unit. So if you want to forego the waiting room and come to visit later, this is where you will find us. Under normal circumstances, mothers stay on the 7th floor anywhere from 2-5 days. You can call Hoag directly to check that I am still there and able to take visitors, or you can give Jay a call on his cell phone.
After we return home, Jay is planning to take 2 weeks off from work, so I will not be alone. We plan to use this time to bond as a family as much as possible and also to allow me to recover physically. Visits from family members are welcome at this time, but our home is just far too small for any overnight visitors in the guest room. So, for our out-of-town family members who would like to visit, we highly recommend the Best Western Newport Beach, which is walking distance from our place. If you'd prefer a nicer hotel that is only a 5 minute drive away, we recommend the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach, which is just north of our place on PCH.
If you have any questions, please let either Jay or me know. We hope that anyone who wants to visit will be able to do so!
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