Induction: Not the Devil's Work

Went to see Dr. Nanda yesterday and found that I am already dilated to 1cm. This news prompted me to finally muster up the key-honies to ask about induction. It turns out I can be induced at 38 weeks and 5 days, which is three weeks from yesterday!! I have decided that induction is right decision for me. I am waiting on a phone call from the hospital to get this puppy scheduled and get this kid on the ground. I am ready to go through newborn psychosis and start looking for a jobby job. I am surprised by the hostility this decision has inspired. When I tell people, they demand to know WHY I have chosen induction. I am already progressing naturally and I like the idea of having a scheduled time to go to the hospital and face the horror of childbirth. The date I have chosen is only 7 days prior to the child's due date and I could go in to labor early anyway. The reaction reminds me of when I sued to smoke menthol cigarettes and upon seeing the green Camel logo, 96% of people felt an overwhelming desire to ask if I knew they would crystalize my lungs??? Uh, yeah, I have heard that about 27 million times. The hostile response also make me wish to offer a HUGE APOLOGY to Jennie Lynn, whom I have terrorized with comments about how crazy she was for having Ells with no pain killers. I AM SORRY FOR MY HOSTILITY! Being on the receiving end sucks!! Back to the induction: I have read all about it, I have seen the Ricki Lake documentary, I know the pros and cons and I am cool with it. Hopping off the soapbox now...

This weekend I have a baby shower in San Antonio! I am going out of town one last time before I drop Elyse. Then, next weekend is my Houston shower. Then, it's GO TIME. I have taken photos of all of the fabulous shower invites that have gone out on Ely's behalf. My loved ones are so fabulous--no wonder I adore them.

35 weeks and counting...

Happy 2009! So, the photos may be inappropriate, but I guess I don't care. This belly is quite impressive and I must show it off!!!

I have reached 35 weeks of pregnancy and it seems that I am beginning to fall apart. Walking has become a bit of a challenge--I am in full "waddle" mode and it is actually pretty pathetic to behold. Rolling in and out of bed is an experiment in using gravity, but also trying not to fall on my huge ass once gravity begins to do its job. My freakish spurt of energy that helped me skate though all the activities of December is gone, baby, gone. Have had a sore throat/hacking cough and snotty nose for 4 days now and am pretty much miserable.

In good news, however, Elyse seems to be flourishing! She kicks the hell out of me and is quite active! I can see my stomach move when she does this--it is just so strange. This week is going to be crazy! I have a breastfeeding class on Monday, an appointment with Dr. Nanda on Tuesday, Dr. Monla on Wednesday and Elyse's last ultrasound on Thursday. Then, Friday, I leave for my San Antonio shower! I need a nap just thinking about it!

A Merry Li'l Christmas

Ahhh, what a lovely Christmas week it has been. To begin, the Gourmet Goddesses has our annual holiday dinner and were SO happy to have Carol home from England! We did a gift exchange and Carol brought Christmas crackers from England! Carol also brought a bagful of SUPER LUXE baby clothes for Elyse! Ely got a 3 piece Missoni outfit (she will be donning that one on her way home from the hospital), a cashmere Escada hat and a Burberry rattle! Tres chic!

For Christmas and Christmas Eve, Jason, Lisa and I went to the parents house in Spring where mom cooked two 5-star meals for us! It was so wonderful, I just can't wait for my baby to be here and enjoy her wonderful family and friends.

Boob Report

The horror on my chest continues. I have graduated to an "F" cup. Yes, "F", as in "WHAT THE F*CK?!!???" Or, "ARE YOU F*CKING KIDDDING??"

The fun continues...

Since I last blogged, Ely and I have been on the party circuit big time. We had baby Lauren's 1st birthday party last Saturday, then Ella's 2nd birthday party and last night we celebrated Jason's 34th birthday!

We have been immersed in baby education this week as well. I dragged Jason to a Newborn Care class on Thursday and then a SEVEN HOUR Prepared Childbirth class today! We learned a lot. Will I remember any of it whilst in the terror of childbirth? Let's hope so.

Elyse had her last ultrasound on Tuesday this week. She's doing great! She weighed 4.3 pounds, which puts her in the 39th percentile in weight. Not bad for a vegetarian mama! Everything looks fabu with the little bugger. She is moving like crazy--she does the Electric Bugaloo in my belly all day, every day. It's the best part of being pregnant. I have started nesting and hope to post some pics of the nursery soon!

Why I love my kitty cat

Is this the cutest freaking kitty ever? Dignan is keeping Elyse's carrier warm for her. SSOOOOOOOOO adorable!!

Oh, Mexico, it sounds so simple I just had to go...

Casey, Jen and I took our long awaited trip to Mexico last week. We had the most amazing time! It was really cool to be there with Elyse in my belly, since she was made in Mexico! (Perhaps, TMI.) Cheers to Jen and KC for being hard core Playa freaks like me and refusing to cancel this trip. I love you girls!!!

I asked KC and Jen to take lots of pics of my belly so I can show Elyse how much fun she had in utero. I love Playa Del Carmen so much--I have resolved to go at least once a year until I croak. Fortunately, I have lots of awesome friends and a hubby who agree with this resolution whole heartedly, so I will never lack superb company each year. Mexico freakin' rules.

Holiday cheer!

For Thanksgiving, we drove up to San Antonio to have Turkey Day with the Dyer Family. We had a great time over at their neighbors, the Coffees'. Since Elyse is taking up all the room in my belly, I was unable to gorge as much as I would have liked, but I gave it a damn good effort. Friday we did a TINY bit of shopping, then the Dyer Family and the Aguilar Family (including Grandpa Felix) all went to dinner. It was wonderful to have the families together. I am very thankful for my loving, happy family and my little tummy hogging baby!

On Saturday, we had Cousin Julie's baby shower. It was so fancy! Aunt Maggie went all out, it was really beautiful. Again, I got to see lots of my beloved family and had an awesome time. We drove home afterwards and were pretty wiped out.

Sunday, my babydaddy surprised me and went into full Griswald mode! He recruited his brother Kevin and we all went and picked out TWO trees (one for inside, one for the front yard)! The boys worked really hard and decorated the entire outside of the house. I will post pics of it soon. It makes me sososososososossoso happy to have the house decked out for the holidays! I am so content. If only Elyse were here to see it all. I cannot wait for her to be out of the belly! Only nine more weeks (gulp!)!!

Tons of new pics

OMFG, I had no internet at home for almost TWO WEEKS. THE HOOOOORAHHH!! So I have lots of events to document. I am posting pics of the Nutcracker Market with Jen and Mom, our Gourmet Goddesses dinner at the Art Institue and pics from Julie and Madge's couple's shower in Austin on this post.

Elyse is doing great! She moves around so much now, it is so freaky! She loves when her daddy puts his hand on my tummy and plots against me with her. I swear she knows his voice!

Dear Wine,

With the holiday season (a time I have lovingly coined "the drinking season") approaching, I am feeling a little reminiscent of all the drinking seasons I have spent of yore, enjoying the libations of the holidays. Homemade eggnogg (Martha Stewart's recipe--the most vile, heart clogging richness ever), wine, champagne, port, Glugg, meade,spiced rum, more wine...all the classics live on in my memory. In order to express my feelings, I would like to share this cathartic letter. Enjoy.



Dear Wine,

Around this time of year, I am always preparing for us to have a great time together. As you may have noticed, from the plummeting sales numbers at Spec's for the past 7 months, I am pregnant. This means that for the first time in many drinking seasons--we will be apart. I will miss you dearly. Just know that I have not forgotten you. I look forward to our reunion in the delivery room on February 6th. I have the Piper Heidsieck chilling...

Love,

Deanna