Welcome to the World Oliver Alan

Captain Destructo and his parents want to introduce you to Oliver Alan, the newest boy to enter the Destructo family.  He was born Monday, March 24th at 4:17 PM after about five and a half hours of labor.  I did get my natural birth for those who were wondering.  He weighed 7 lbs 14 oz and was 19 3/4 inches long.  We are so in love and so very tired.  Sorry for the quiet on the blog.  I hope within a few weeks to get back to posting Destructo's adventures more regularly.

Week 39: Watermelon

Source

The fruit of the week really makes me anxious for summer gardening.  I had never planted cantaloupe or watermelon until last year and they did really well.  I look forward to planting them again this year.

How far along: 39 weeks. 

Total weight gain:  Up 30 pounds.  At one point it was up 32 pounds, but last night when I weighed myself I was back down two pounds.  

 Maternity clothes:  Yes.  Not many of those even fit me anymore.  My belly is always hanging out.

 Stretch marks:  They are all over my hips and butt even onto my upper legs.  

 Sleep:  I was incredibly queasy last weekend and discovered that Dramamine really makes me sleep well.  So I sleep crappy the nights I don't take it and pretty good the nights I do.  

Best moment of this week:  Well the week is only half over so hopefully having a baby will be the best moment.  If not, probably just chilling with Destructo.  I have been staying close to home just in case I go into labor.  With Destructo being malpositioned and this being my second baby, I truly have no idea what labor will be like since Kai's was so far from normal.  I don't want to get too far away and have labor start fast and furious when I am out with Kai.  Plus the weather has been gorgeous so we have been going for lots of walks so he can ride his bike.  And by walks, I mean waddles in my case.

Miss anything:  Knowing with a fairly good degree of certainty I am not going into labor when I lay down to go to sleep at night.  I hate the uncertainty of everything.  Plus the having to line up who is coming to take care of Destructo each and every night sucks.  So I guess I miss the relative certainty that is life.

Movement:   Quieter than normal especially today.  He has barely moved today.  He was pretty active last night so apparently he wore himself out.

Food cravings:  Cherry slushes from Sonic.  My hubby brought me one home the other night and I have had to have one each day since.  Pure sugar I am sure, but so delicious.  

Have you started to show yet:  I am huge.  End of story.  In fact, maybe I will even include a picture.

Yep looks like a watermelon to me

Gender:  Baby boy who will probably never have a name other than knowing it will be a Biblical name.  

 Labor signs:  Tons of them.  I was 3 cm dilated and 80% effaced at my appointment on Wednesday.  I had timeable contractions Thursday evening for two hours, but then they went away.  I have had other gross labor signs we won't blog about.  And tons of contractions and cramping, but nothing regular as of yet.  

 Belly button in or out:  Out yuck.  I actually don't think it can get any further out.  Mr. Destructo is fascinated with poking it and it makes me irate.

Wedding rings on or off:  Off.  My hands and feet are both quite swollen and now even my face and upper arms is a bit swollen.  

Happy or moody most of the time:  Happy  but anxious.  I want  life to settle into a routine again.  Plus I am tired of uncertainty.  I get quite angry/moody when I am really having contractions and uncomfortable but luckily then it passes and life moves on.  I will still take this a thousand times over compared to Destructo's birth because I am making progress with not a ton of discomfort.  I was in hard active labor for days just to get to a 3 with Destructo and I am sitting at a 3 (and hopefully even more) with just minor annoyances.  I hope this continues.

Sign up to join in the Carnival of Natural Mothering in April

Join us April 1st in the Carnival of Natural Mothering.  This month's topic is what you wish you knew.

Remember when you got your first positive pregnancy test? What do you wish that woman knew? Write a letter of love and encouragement to that awesome mama just starting her journey.

I have written a post similar to this a year or so ago, but am going to add my thoughts to it about pregnancy a second time around with a toddler.  

Sign up by March 30th over at Growing Slower.