An Update

Still no baby...

 

Every time I go to the hospital for an appointment, I see a new doctor, with a new opinion. The only thing they all have in common is that they tell me to come back in two days for a possible induction. My blood pressure is still really high, but not high enough to be considered preeclampsia (otherwise known as toxemia). With medication and bed rest, their goal is to keep the baby cooking for at least two more days, while keeping me safe and healthy.

Every two days, I hear the same thing. Every two days, I get my hopes up. At this point, I am trying to stay focused and positive but am feeling extremely anxious to have this baby. 

For the next five weeks, Jordan will be training out in the field for his upcoming deployment, which means there's great chance I could be induced or go into labor without him here. If that were to happen, they would do their best to get him back to base in time for the birth, but as with everything Army involved, there's no promise. The thought of going through this without him makes it really hard to wait "another two days" because I'm never sure if he'll be here or not... which I'm sure does wonders for my blood pressure. Funny how these things seem to work in circles, isn't it?

Please send us plenty of happy thoughts and positive energy- we need all the love we can get!

Gestational Hypertension

Here's the scoop. Our baby is coming soon, ready or not. This week I was diagnosed with gestational hypertension- that basically means that my blood pressure is really high and the only way to relieve it is to give birth. The doctor put me on bed rest until they decide to induce me, and I have to report to L&D every Tuesday and Friday for Non Stress Testing and lab work. Keeping both myself and the baby healthy has become a balancing act, and they think he'll be here sometime within the week.

I'm pretty nervous about the labor and delivery, but as nervous as I am, I'm just as excited. I can't wait to smoosh Chandler's little cheeks and love on him every day. I am SO ready to meet this special little love.

Jordan is beside himself with excitement, finding a new project every day to "prepare" for the baby. This week he did the baby's laundry and put the car seat in our car. He also built a baby swing, hung a shelf in the nursery and made definitive plans to teach Chandler to ice skate, as soon as he can walk. Jordan is beyond ready to meet his son.

Here's hoping tomorrow is the day!

Lamaze Class

Jordan and I started our birthing class last night (don't worry, I'll spare the gory details)....

The nurse was teaching our coaches (note: husbands, in most cases) different pain management techniques like breathing patterns and massages. She was "simulating" contractions throughout the exercise, which basically translated into screaming and yelling in pain to note the rise and fall of each contraction. It was extremely stressful. In order to find out which technique was most comforting, each exercise was followed by the question, asked by our coach, "Did you like that?" All I wanted to say was, "Lady, PLEASE stop screaming in fake pain and for the love of GOD please stop telling my husband to blow in my face."

Don't get me wrong, I'm completely grateful for all the information.. but when I'm not in labor, please don't blow in my face or stroke my eyebrows, okay? 

I received quite the confidence boost, seeing all the other pregnant ladies in their ratty sweat pants and Army tee shirts, carrying pillows with dirty pillow cases (FOR SHAME). The girl next to me whispered to her husband that my pillow smelled good. I wanted to lean over and say "..it's clean." I was feeling quite cute in my maternity leggings, glitter Toms and planet-awareness v-neck tee. It isn't very often a woman feels cute at almost 36 weeks pregnant, so it was momentous and therefore blog-worthy.

We had a good time and laughed a lot. Day number one of Lamaze, I'd say, was a success. Bring on this baby!

Hiccups, Heartburn and Hopeful Thoughts

Oh, my sweet blog. It's been almost one hundred years since I've last written. Don't worry, we're still alive and baking our tiny little Chandler. I've been having contractions a lot more lately, along with a surge of heartburn that could take down a pack of angry wolves. Most already-moms squeal and say sing something like "Ooooh, get reeeeaddyyyyy," when I tell them. I guess that means he may arrive a little bit earlier than previously assumed. As long as he's ready, I'm ready. I quite like the idea of having TWO Valentines, this year. We'll see.. maybe I'm just dreaming..

At almost 36 weeks pregnant, I have officially reached the part everyone warned about- sleepless nights, constant aches and other oddities. I'm still enjoying it all, though. Nothing makes me happier than feeling those little hiccups in my belly, which also seems to be happening a lot more often these days (poor little mini love).

Cave of the Winds

Last weekend, Jordan and I took a tour of Cave of the Winds. It's about a mile long stretch of underground caverns, including tight spaces, short ceilings and steep walkways. Although the tour isn't recommended for pregnant women, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. What can I say? I'm like Rocky Balboa when it comes to this pregnancy stuff (at least, that's what I keep telling myself). 

If any of you have ever seen the episode of South Park where they track ManBearPig, it took place at Cave of the Winds, and there were plenty of ManBearPig jokes to be heard- the tour guide even said there have been sightings.. I'm super "cereal" (I've come to find out, in order to live here and understand the jokes, you almost have to brush up on your South Park knowledge).

Thirty Three Weeks

Can you believe it? Only seven weeks to go, until Baby Chandler is here. Time is still flying (thank Prada), and besides a few common aches and pains, I'm still quite enjoying my pregnancy. I've been spending a lot of my free time taking hot bubble baths, eating citrus fruits and drinking iced tea (simultaneously, whenever possible). 

Chandler has certainly dropped, giving my ribs a nice break from all the kicking. Strangers tend to think I'm "about to pop," which I think sounds terribly morbid. 

Jordan loves putting the baby's furniture together, which I am grateful for (he diligently reads all instructions, which I am also grateful for).  His nursery is very close to complete and I cannot wait to show everyone!

Maternity Shoot

All Photo Credit Goes To Mackenzie Dowler 

(the fashion genius behind The Fitting)

The Name

The official announcement of our baby's name has been long awaited. We've managed to remain pretty tight lipped about it, telling very few people. But now, it's time to tell EVERYONE and we couldn't be more excited! Without further ado, I give you.... the name:

*DRUM ROLL PLEASE*

*****

******

*******

*****

******

*******

*****

:]

Only a couple more months until our little boy is here!

Chandler, we can't wait to meet you!

27 Weeks

People ask me all the time, "What does it feel like?" in regards to the baby kicking... As of now, I have a new answer: Imagine a mini Carlton from Fresh Prince doing the Cha Cha Slide. Now imagine you swallowed him whole. Voila! No more goldfish/butterfly/gas analogies.

Seriously though, this baby is on the move all day, everyday.  I've heard fetal movement is a sign of intelligence... If that's true, I think I'll be giving birth to the next baby Einstein! He tends to like my right side better than my left, which typically makes me look a little lopsided. I like to make the joke that there's not enough "womb" for him on the left side.. ha. ha. ha.. not funny, right?

Highlight of my week: At about 27 weeks along, I am now able to balance bowls of cereal and soda cans on my belly, without them spilling (until le bebe decides he's done being a shelf and kicks them off). For anyone who's ever been pregnant, that's an accomplishment! I can't believe I'm already in my third trimester- this pregnancy has completely flown by! Ask me the same question in about 10 weeks though and I may give you another answer...

[Baby Einstein]

Le Belly

It's been about a month since I last showed you my little work of spherical art, so here it is at just about 24 weeks:

Lately there have been less aversions to smells and foods, which means less nausea, less exhaustion and less mood swings. With all those lesses, comes the mores. More cravings, which means more eating, more aches and pains, LOTS more kicking and flip flopping (Jordan and I have spent countless time this week watching him jiggle my entire belly from under my t shirts), more left sided sleeping and more weird stranger comments. Last week, a guy in a trench coat apologized to my belly for his use of fowl language. People can be so odd...

It's A.....!

Here it is, the moment you've been waiting for.

At just over 19 weeks, this is the bump I've been working on. Mind you, this is in the morning, before eating. It always seems to get bigger throughout the day. Before scrolling down, can you guess if Baby Dowler is a boy or girl?

The verdict... [drum roll please]...

*******

*******

*******

*******

*******

WE'RE HAVING A BOY! 

[look at his cute little button nose] 

Most of our friends are having girls right now, so Jordan wanted me to pass on this message: "Our little guy is gonna have the pick of the litter- he'll probably have twelve girlfriends." So to all you ladies having little ladies, WATCH OUT! There's going to be another cute Dowler boy on the prowl.

The ultrasound technician measured all of his organs and extremities, listened to his heartbeat and watched his range of motion- everything looks great! Throughout the ultrasound, he kept flexing his tiny little bicep over and over and over again and then at the very last second, right as she took the last photo, he flashed us a big thumbs up- he's his daddy's boy already.

The FINAL Countdown Begins

I just wanted to say one thing, before I explode:

10 MORE DAYS UNTIL JORDAN IS HOME!

And this time, I get to keep him forever. No more sadness, no more goodbyes, no more long distance marriage (at least for a year or so). The day I've waited all my life for, is almost here. My sweet soldier is COMING HOME! It'll be a quick stay, and then we're off to Fort Carson, Colorado (also known as "home" for the next four years).
You know what else that means? It also means it's almost time to post the long-awaited highly-requested BELLY PICTURES! I promise you all, as soon as he comes home and things settle down, I'll show you the bump. Until then, here's how I feel about prenatal vitamins...

Nightmare on 13th

Top 5 Reasons Haunted Houses Are NOT for Pregnant People

1. You might pee your pants. There are no bathroom breaks along the way.

2. The mix of smells (sweat, mildew and bad breath) might make you throw up.

3. The rolling tunnel walkway throws off your already terrible sense of balance.

4. The creepy doctor with the bloody two-headed fetus doll is NOT funny anymore.

5. The strobe light maze might cause you to become dizzy and blind.

Although I did have a good time, it was a far different experience from haunted houses in past years. I recommend going ONLY after you've used the restroom- if you don't think you have to go, try, try again.. Remember to bury your face into a friend's shoulder during all the scariest parts. Bring some lemon extract oil to smell when you feel nauseous, and close your eyes and stick tightly to anyone within grasp (even if you don't know them, you're all going to end up in the same place, right?) while walking through the strobe light maze- they will find their way... eventually.

The Belly vs The Jeans

It has begun, ladies and gents. My last pair of jeans has given me the bird. My belly has outgrown most of my clothes, which leaves me to all that is loose and comfortable- luckily I have an extreme amount of sun dresses and skirts with stretchy waste bands, that will get me through the next month or so, until it gets too cold outside. But as for jeans, I'm SOL. I guess I'll have to do some maternity shopping soon. Any recommendations for cute, affordable maternity clothes?

I decided very early on that I wouldn't put any baby bump pictures online until Jordan gets to meet the belly in person. To all that have asked to see, you'll just have to wait a few more weeks. 

So at a little over 16 weeks pregnant, this is what is has come to:

Belly: 1 - Jeans: 0

Nuisance du Nez

They say when you're pregnant you can smell things from a mile away, and they are absolutely right. I can smell onions cooking at dinner time, and there's not an onion to be found in this entire house. I can smell people's cigarette smoke before they even light up, I swear. If someone has eaten garlic in the last 24 hours, I'll be able to tell. 

But the newest nuisance du nez comes from my favorite magazine, Cosmopolitan. I can smell every single perfume sample, all at once, before I even open the cover. To avoid the trifecta of headaches, gagging and watery eyes, I have to rip out every perfume-doused page before delving into the world of fashion, love and guy confessions.

[Ahhh, much better...]

The "Oreonion"

 I just created my very first definitely-pregnant-snack. I call it the "oreonion." It is a funyun, smashed between the delicious layers of an oreo cookie. It was divine. Don't you judge me..

 *Also, I just noticed that most of my posts this month have been about food. I feel it necessary to inform my readers that as of yesterday's appointment from hell, I have LOST two pounds since the beginning of my pregnancy. I'm not a complete fattie...

Crazy Pregnant Woman-Beast Hormones

Over the last 15 weeks I've thought to myself, "What pregnancy hormones? I don't notice any difference in my attitude..." Boy, oh boy did I find myself eating my own words today...

I went to my monthly OBGYN appointment this morning- baby is growing perfectly! The doctor, no matter how cheerful, just could not master the idea of being "gentle." To spare the gory details (all the other mamas out there will understand), I'll skip to the end of the appointment when he suddenly decided I needed to get my blood work done. So I scheduled my next appointment, got the paperwork and headed down to the lab. After collecting enough blood and urine to drown a whale, they sent me to the front desk. Turns out, they gave me the wrong patient information. So back up to my doctors office, I went. Beyond frustrated, I informed the receptionist of the mistake, in my nicest "I hate you" voice. She giggled, said "You'd be surprised how often that happens around here!" Comforting, right? So then I went back down to the lab, where, instead of switching the labels, they made me go through the ENTIRE process again. To say I was mad would be a great understatement.

When I got home, Jordan called. I yelled and screamed and cried and complained for a good lengthy amount of time. When I was done, I apologized. He said, "Don't worry about it baby. And if you feel the need to apologize, then I forgive you. But it's okay. Take some deep breaths. It's all over, now."

I don't know how he does it. I'm the luckiest.

So, I hereby admit that I have crazy pregnant woman-beast tendencies.  

Sometimes.

Late Night Cravings

Why is it that I crave junk food only at night? 

Why does Walmart only sell GIANT BARRELS of cheese balls?

Why must they taste so gooooood?

I try to eat healthy for Little Critter's sake, as well as my own.

But sometimes, I just have to give in to the cheesy salty goodness...

At first, I told myself I didn't want that garbage.

And then I tried one..

Turns out, I do. I DO WANT THAT GARBAGE. 

And I want to eat it in bed. So I will.

In other news:
This hilarious video is totally me and Jordan, 50 years from now:


(Thanks, Emily!)