class recap

The bad news: What we thought was "Preparing for Childbirth" is actually "Lamaze" which we purposefully did NOT sign up for...

The good news: Our insurance will reimburse us $65 for a Lamaze class.

We had our first "Preparing for Childbirth" class Tuesday night from 7-9pm. We entered rather hesitantly, with only the instructor and one other couple in the room. As the room started to fill up, we recognized three other couples who had been in our "Baby Care Basics" class the week before -- the super-eager question-asking couple, the low-key & friendly couple, and the middle-age-father-with-a-moustache-who-didn't-really-want-to-be-there couple.

After an ice-breaker (Brandon just looooves those), our instructor Lisa Clarke introduced herself to us as a certified Lamaze instructor (uh oh) and the mother of three boys (Grant, Gavin & Jude - cute names). She also mentioned that this was her first class back since giving birth to Jude 11 weeks ago and her husband was home with all three boys. She also passed out Lamaze Magazine. That's when we knew we were in trouble. :)

She began by discussing the "three stages" of labor and knowing when you're actually in labor. She showed us some charts and graphs as well as demonstrated the dilation process with several models going from 1 cm. to 10 cms. There were also videos shown intermittantly, but nothing gross yet. That took about the first hour, and she was very casual about the whole thing. Meanwhile, I am furiously taking notes and wondering "Is she ever going to talk about pain relief that doesn't involve heavy breathing and focusing???"

During our 10-minute bathroom break, Lisa's husband called once to say that Jude was crying and he couldn't get him to stop. To which Lisa replied "What do you want me to do about it?" Great...

After the break, out came the mats and all of the Mommies got to lie down on the floor with our pillows and the lights turned off. And we started "relaxation" exercises. I wasn't sure if I was being hypnotized or if I just wanted to take a nap like I was in pre-school or something but it was kind of awkward lying there with all of these strangers. As soon as Brandon was told to massage my shoulders, I stopped wondering and just tried to enjoy it. And next thing I knew, it was over. (10 minutes early. Guess Lisa had to get back to her boys.)

I am hoping that the next few classes include other ways to prepare for childbirth (as the title of the class suggests) like "what happens if you are induced?" "what about c-sections" and, oh yeah, "what kinds of drugs can I get and when???"

I guess we will just have to wait and see... At least we are only paying $20 for the class now instead of $85. I think that might've been the most valuable lesson we learned that night.

my pregnancy this week

hello jennifer! By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

preparing for childbirth classes start TONIGHT!

I've been off all week (which has been heaven on earth) and tonight is our first Preparing for Childbirth class at UPMC South (same place as last week). It's the first class in a series of four that will hopefully ready us for what we will experience in February. We are supposed to bring two bed-sized pillows with us and wear comfy clothes.

Here is the official description:

This four week, eight hour prepared childbirth series offers expectant parents an opportunity to receive answers to their questions about giving birth and reviews what typically happens when mom comes to the hospital in labor. Through these classes, parents will learn the signs of labor and comfort measures including relaxation skills and paced breathing, as well as anesthesia options. Moms-to-be and their support persons rehearse for labor to help ease anxiety surrounding the birthing experience. This comprehensive course also addresses post-partum emotions. All instructors are nationally certified childbirth educators. The 4 week course meets on weeknights and is offered at the hospital and our satellite locations. Classes at the hospital include a tour of the birth center and postpartum. Magee-Womens Hospital recommends that expectant parents complete this course 2-4 weeks prior to their due date.

Sounds great, but what I'm picturing in my head is every movie or tv show that has ever visited this topic. Particularly "Baby Mama" -- oooh OOOOH! Guess you had to see it...

belly shots

Some of you have been asking for updated shots of my ever-growing belly...so here they are! (Gotta give the people what they want, right?)

I took these in the bathroom at work...

My belly is an endless source of fascination for both Brandon and me. We love sitting at night and feeling (and watching!) our little one wiggle and kick. It's the craziest, but best, feeling in the world.

tests and shots

So, yesterday I had to go for a routine Glucose Screening Test which basically tells the doctors if I am at risk for gestational diabetes. At 8am (after eating only crackers for breakfast), I had to chug a watered-down, super-sugary orange drink. Then I had to sit in the waiting room for an hour while the sugar did its stuff. After the hour was up, they had to draw blood to see how "sugared up" I was (not the technical term).

They took 3 vials of blood because they also needed to confirm that my bloodtype is still O-. I called my doctor's office today for the results and they told me that yes, indeed, it was still negative and that I had 5 days to come in for my Rhogam shot. So, I am getting that today at 2:45. I think I will finally feel better knowing that my body's antibodies aren't going to attack the baby's body. :)

my pregnancy this week (first week of my third trimester -- woo hoo!)

hello jennifer! This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

Cauliflower is not a favorite vegetable of mine...but that's ok. Seems like only yesterday that Baby Davis was just a Grape! :)

Baby Care Class in Review

We spent three hours at the Magee South facility last night with about 10 other couples who looked about as clueless as we were! The instructor, Connie, was very nice and very informative...maybe a little too informative because it was a LOT of information to absorb in three hours. We covered everything from safety to feeding to diapering to swaddling to bathing with a 15-minute bathroom break and about 30 other topics thrown in between. We were able to "practice" on dolls...but I don't think either one of us got quite enough practice. All we can say is that we tried our best and are thankful they gave us a "user's manual" to take home!

Here is the tester model of Baby Davis, all swaddled to perfection! (Note that she has brown eyes, just like us!)

Baby Care: Basic Training for New Parents -- TONIGHT!

Tonight we start a series of classes that will (hopefully) prepare us to be parents! But is anyone ever really ready? :)

Here is a description of the class we will take tonight from 6:30-9:30:

New parent basic training such as newborn care, feeding, and infant behavior are included with an emphasis on safety and health promotion. Parents-to-be have an opportunity to practice these skills on a Magee baby doll. Recommended during the second trimester of pregnancy, but may be taken at any time before birth. This class will boost your confidence while preparing for the arrival of your baby.

I'll blog tomorrow as to how accurate this was! Next Tuesday night, it's Preparing for Childbirth...

my pregnancy this week (26 for those who've lost track)

hi jennifer! The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days. (Lovely information...but necessary, I suppose.)

P.S. Where do they find these vegetables???

daddy's 40th birthday weekend!

We celebrated Brandon's birthday by heading to Mountaineer Race Track & Resort on Friday afternoon. After checking in, we played slots, Roulette and enjoyed a nice lunch at the casino before heading over to the race track for a night at the races! We watched the first few races while we had dinner and stayed for all ten of the races. We only won a few dollars, but came EXTREMELY close to winning $2,800 on a Trifecta! It was so frustrating, but very fun. After spending the night, we ordered room service and went downstairs to The Spa at Mountaineer where I had scheduled a one-hour Swedish massage for Brandon and a pedicure for myself. It was a great way to end our trip!

Sunday, Brandon's family (and my parents, too) had a delicious lasagna dinner and watched the Steelers game while Brandon opened presents and blew out the candles. Here are a few pictures!

my pregnancy this week

hello jennifer! Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

4 more weeks and 5 more pounds

We had our 24-week check up today with the CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife) in our practice. Yes, I put on 5 more pounds (since 4 weeks ago) which they said is normal and my belly is measuring perfectly (1 cm. for every week, which I did not know). Baby's heartbeat was found quickly and going strong at 145 bpm! The Head Nurse/Coordinator, Karen, then came in with at least an hour's worth of information and instructions. My head was spinning. I am glad that Brandon was in the room because I have NO IDEA how I'm going to remember everything she told us. She even sent us home with free gifts, courtesy of Similac & Enfamil. Two hours later (no kidding), Brandon drove me through a drive-through for lunch and back to work. I was starving!

Before my 28-week appointment, I need to have my glucose tolerance test done and I'll also get my Rhogam shot at that point (because of my negative blood type). I am looking forward to that appointment because it will be the first time I'll be seeing my regular OB, Dr. Whiteside, since I've been pregnant!

the deck is done!

Please enjoy these pictures of our beautiful new deck, which was lovingly (and meticulously) built by my father-in-law Bill, who also designed and masterminded the project. Brandon, family friend Chuck, brother-in-law Tommy, good friend Jeff, my Dad and even my Uncle Pudge all contributed and it wouldn't have been possible without all of their help. We are looking forward to enjoying our new deck (with our new baby!!) once the weather gets nice again in the spring!

the other member of our family

I just realized that I have yet to introduce the fourth member of the Davis household, our 7-year old goldfish, Fish! (Brandon's "nephew" Colin named him when he was 4.) Believe it or not, he started out as a little $0.25 fish, belonging to Brandon's late grandmother. When she passed away in 2002, Brandon took him in. At that time, he was in a little desktop tank. Now, he currently resides in a 20-gallon tank in our living room. (It was either that or a pond, the pet store said.) He has been through some rough times lately (ammonia poisoning, diseases called Ich and Cotton Mouth) but is doing really well right now, thanks to Brandon's constant attention and maintenance. We have never weighed or measured him, but we think he is the biggest goldfish in captivity. Fish thinks he's a shark. :)