November 10, 2010 - 29 Weeks

Mike felt her move for the first time - finally! 

I wasn't feeling well today and so stayed home sick.  I was on the couch about 15 min before Mike got home from work and she started moving around a lot (which is kind of weird because it's not usually an active time for her).  Unfortunately, it only went on for about 5 minutes or so and then she calmed down.  I was like, "Darn it, why couldn't she have waited 15-20 minutes?" 

Then as I heard Mike unlocking the door, she kicked again - just once and was calm again.  I thought, "are you kidding?  She must be playing games with us."  I told Mike about it when he came inside and he just laughed and said, "She's stubborn and doesn't want me to feel her yet." And he went into the kitchen to get lunch. 

About 5 minutes later, she started kicking a lot again, so I told Mike to come in and look (like I have done so many times before in the last month and a half).  He reluctantly came in (expecting to be dissappointed as usual) and then she did a quick soft kick.  I said, "did you see that?" and he said no. 

So, I made him put his face right next to mine so that he could get the same view as me.  We waited a second and she kicked again.  He saw it that time and had a big grin on his face and quickly moved his hand to my belly.  A few seconds later she kicked again - finally he felt it for himself.  We both laughed and you could tell he was happy that she finally let him in on what had previously been just a "girl thing".  (I say just a girl thing, because both my mom and my sister felt and saw her move when I was in Fort Bragg this weekend.) 

I think I was actually a little more excited then Mike because I had been looking forward so much to sharing the experience with him.  Although, now that I think about it, it may just be that I showed my excitement more than he did (as is the case with most emotions). lol.  Anyway, a very exciting day for us!

November 9, 2010 - 2nd Child Birth Class - 29 Weeks

We went to our 2nd Child Birth Class today.  At the beginning of class, the teacher talked about the two things that can signal the start of labor: contractions or your water breaking, and how each of those experiences can go.  Next she told us about the different stages of labor and how that can go. 

And then we (mom's and dad's) got on the floor and did some yoga exercises and practiced breathing techniques, as well as practicing things the dad's can do to help the mom's feel more comfortable during labor.  She talks a lot about how the dad needs to be there for the mom and try to anticipate her needs so that she doesn't have to ask for anything.  That sounded pretty good to me :)

At one point the teacher had us mom's lay on the floor on our side with a pillow and practice some guided relaxation while the dad's sat next to us.  She told the dad's to do things that made the mom's know that they were there for us and she made some suggestions of what they might do.  Mike was gently rubbing my stomach and back and doing great until she suggested that the guy's may want to caress their partners face and neck.  Unfortunately, when Mike tried this it tickled and I busted up laughing - kind of the opposite of relaxation.  lol. Then she made that suggestion again and unfortunately Mike listened and it happened again - I started laughing.  I had to whisper to him, "do not do that again".  He started to do it at her suggestion a third time and I had to give him a look.  Thankfully he understood my facial expression and didn't do it again.  :)  Anyway, after that, Mike and I realized that what is good for one person may not be good for all and we have a bit to talk about to make sure we're on the same page about what things are comforting and relaxing to me and what things aren't.

Anyway, the class was really informative and made me feel a bit more prepared for what's going to happen in just 11 short weeks!

November 6, 2010 - First Baby Shower - 28 1/2 weeks

I had my first baby shower today at Coni's house in Fort Bragg and had a great time!  Thank you to everyone who could attend - it was great seeing you.  To those of you who couldn't make it, you were missed and I know you were there in spirit.  There was yummy snacks and cake, good conversation and some fun baby games.  The games got a little competitive - I didn't realize how many songs had the word "Baby" in the title, or how many baby related words you could come up with using the letters from her name (Alexia Joy Dell Stuckey).  I could only come up with a few (and it was kind of a stretch to call them baby related).  It was no surprise to me that Aunt Beth won that game though - she's the Boggle Queen!

The gifts were wonderful - everyone was too generous and we really appreciate it.  We now need to find room for the bouncer/vibrating seat, the high chair, the swing (that will be coming soon) and all the clothes, bedding and other items.  We have some major organizing to do in the nursery!  But I'm looking forward to getting it all set up. 

Again, thank you all for making the shower such a great experience and for helping us prepare for Alexia's arrival!

November 2, 2010 - First Child Birth Class - 28 Weeks

We went to the first in a series of 6 Child Birth Classes tonight.  It's through the hospital on Tuesday nights from 6:30 - 8:30pm.  There were about 10 other couples and we all introduced ourselves and spoke a little bit about our pregnancy experiences so far.  Then the rest was pretty much just an overview of what we would be doing in the remaining 5 classes, as well as a brief overview of what happens during labor and delivery. 

We watched a video about labor and delivery too.  Parts of it were pretty cool - there was a simulation of what it looks like inside as the baby moves from the uterus, through the birth canal and out into the world.  Of course, then they showed an actual view of a mom in delivery and the baby coming out - that was not quite as "cool".  I really had to resist the urge to look away, but I hung in there and watched the whole thing.  OMG - I do not want to go through that.  Can't I just skip ahead to February and have her be here already :) 

Anyway, I'm glad we're taking these classes so that I can learn about all of my options and figure out how I would want to handle various situations should they arise.  As some of you know, I like to be in control and plan ahead and can have a difficult time being flexible and going with the flow at first.  It usually takes me a little bit of time to get used to a new idea and be ok with it - obviously time is not a luxury I will have while giving birth, so... I figure the best thing I can do is prepare for as many different situations as possible and make sure my doctor, the staff, and Mike know how I would want to handle the different possibilities and then try to let go - I mean that is as "in control" as I'm going to get to have, so I might as well start coming to terms with it now :)

October 26, 2010 - 27 weeks - Dr. Appt

We had a standard prenatal doctor appointment today.  Nothing really of note.  Everything is good and the doctor seemed happy with how things are going.  I did have slightly elevated blood pressure - but I had had a particularly stressful day that day, and so they said it was probably fine and we would just keep an eye on it.  My next appointment is on 11/10 and I'm suppose to take a 1-hour glucose test before that appointment to test for Gestational Diabetes, which is standard at about 28 weeks. 

I had to have that blood test done at 14 weeks too, because I had PCOS and was overweight when I became pregnant.  I didn't pass the 1-hour test at that time and so then had to take the 3-hour glucose test which includes 4 blood tests in 3 hours - Not Fun!  I passed the 3-hour glucose blood test with no problem, but by the end the phlebotomist said my body was starting to go into shock and so I don't ever want to have to do that test again, if I don't have to.

So, I'm really hoping I pass the 1-hour test this time so I can avoid doing the 3-hour glucose test again.  I'm going to really watch my carbohydrate and sugar intake between now and the test and make sure I don't scimp on my exercise program, as I hear both of those things can help you pass the 1-hour test.  We'll see.  Keep your fingers crossed for me.

October 20, 2010 - 26 weeks

We had a tour of the maternity ward at Sutter Hospital this evening (10/20).  It really made this whole thing seem more real!  It seems like that happens a lot - it becomes more and more real as the little milestones occur and as we get closer and closer to the due date!  We didn't get to see as much as we normally would have because they had 6 births that night (which they say is unusual).  And so there were a few things we weren't able to view, but we still got the basic idea.  It made me feel a little more prepared and a little less nervous, knowing where the maternity ward was, and where we check in and what the basic process is.  I think I might do the tour again in December in hopes that I would get to see the whole thing this time.  Plus we will have finished the childbirth classes by then (we start those classes 11/2) and so I hope to actually have some questions the second time around.

How we decided on her name...

Quite a few people have asked me how we came up with the name Alexia, so I thought other people might be curious too, and thought I would post it here.

Mike and I have been talking about baby names for years.  I mean, I think we were only together a few months when we started talking about it (and we will have been together 8 years come this February).  Mike made it clear from almost the beginning that he wanted more kids someday - which was great with me because I always knew I wanted kids too.  However, I was only 23 at the time (he was 31) and I wasn't ready for that quite yet.  And he said he was happy to wait - although, I don't think either of us intended to wait so long :) 

Anyway, we've had a top 5 boy/girl names list for years now.  And of course, the names keep changing.  When we found out we were pregnant the top boy name was Ryan (Alec was in 2nd place), and the top girl name was Kylie (Alexia was in 2nd place).  But as time went on, Alexia moved up the list and by the time we found out she was a girl, Alexia was in the #1 slot! 

Honestly, I don't really remember how we came up with Alexia.  On several occasions - usually when driving to and from Fort Bragg (you know there's all that time to kill in the car) - we have talked about baby names.  One time in particular I remember Kathryn, Mike and I decided to go through the alphabet and name all the names we liked (sometimes being sarcastic and joking around) for each letter.  It became apparent at that time that we liked the root name Alex - Alexander, Alec, Alexandria, Alexis, Alexa and Alexia, etc...  I think that was the first time I had brought the name Alexia up to Mike.  I liked it because it was a little different, but not too much.  He said it was ok, but didn't love it.   I kept bringing it up and it must have grew on him because later it was added to the list.  And like I said as time went on, the name moved it's way up the list - moving other names we liked (McKensie, Madison, Piper) down the list.

In regards to middle names - Mike and I have always like the idea of using family names as a middle name.  So, we came up with some family names that we liked and then decided which ones sounded the best with the names we had on our first name list.  Joy was my Nana's youngest sister's name (she was my great, great Aunt on my mom's mom's side).  It is also my Granna's middle name and my middle name. 

Anyway, that is how we came up with Alexia Joy Dell Stuckey!