Campbell's Arrival... Almost

So by Saturday I was getting pretty determined. My plan was to go to the mall and walk for hours hoping that would move things along. Instead I spent the day cleaning the house top to bottom. I think it had the same effect!

That night, we attended a party - beginning of year get together for Brad's residency program. We talked baby all night - how we were so ready for Campbell's arrival. As we left the party and walked across the street to the car, squish. It felt like my water broke, or at least something was going on.

We hopped in the car, zoomed home and paged my doctor. He told us to come in to the hospital just to check. We grabbed our super prepared hospital bag (thanks to Brad's packing job the day before), threw the dogs in the car (luckily at the party someone told us about the great experience they had at a 24 hour animial hospital), and headed out the door.

First stop was the animal hospital. It was 9 PM, and we needed a place to board the dogs for the night. Luckily the animal hospital had room and took them in. Next stop, the hospital. Since I wasn't having contractions, the nurse performed a test to see if my water had actually broken. After two negative tests, we were sent home! False alarm - so frustrating!! Brad wanted to leave the dogs at the animal hospital, but I thought we needed to get them. By 1:00 AM we were back home with the dogs and finally going to sleep. What a night!

Plumbing and Packing

I had no idea when I wrote my last post that Campbell would be arriving that weekend. To tell the story of Campbell's arrival, I feel the need to recap the week. So from where we left off, the bathroom window arrived on Monday and the tile people started on Tuesday! What a crazy week... the last part of the puzzle was to finish out the plumbing. The tile guys finished a day later than expected so even though all the tiling and grouting was completed, it was recommended to wait till Monday to finish the plumbing to make sure the grout was good and dry. We did not want to take any chances though and begged that our plumber come on Friday. We did not officially have an appointment for Friday, but they were going to try and squeeze us in if other jobs finished early. Our plumber knew we were expecting any day and made it to our house on Friday afternoon.

Friday afternoons were my when my weekly check-ups were scheduled. Brad was torn between going to my doctor appointment and staying at home to meet the plumber. We decided to divide and conquer! Brad would stay at home to meet the plumber, also named Brad... who happened to have a lab and loved to duck hunt (this guy had spent a lot of time at our house redoing the bathroom and other various plumbing projects). Me being chatty, I got to know Brad the plumber pretty well. Real nice guy.

So at my doctor's appointment, the doctor noticed that my belly was not growing any more. He assured me that it was no big deal, but wanted to do a sonogram to check for fluids just as a precaution. So after my exam, I had to sit and wait for over an hour to get a sonogram. In the interim I called Brad (husband, not plumber) to tell him what's up. Apparently the medical term for "need to check your fluids" aka fluids could be low is oligohydrodranios. While I calmly waited at the doctor's office, excited to see new pictures of Campbell, Brad was in near panic mode at home. Oligohydrodranios is not good and can cause lung problems for the baby. If my fluids were low it would have meant immediately walking to L&D for a c-section. I was totally unaware and Brad was very aware. Of course, everything was fine - fluids looked great, Campbell was head down and ready to go. It was time to just wait for labor to begin.

It wasn't until I got home that I learned what all had transpired. My neatly packed suitcase was a wreck with tons more stuff thrown in to it. Brad had packed liked a maniac and was ready to jump in the car and head to the hospital. He had given the plumber instructions on how to lock up the house, assuring him that the dogs would be fine and would stay in the house when he tried to leave. By Friday night we had a "fully" packed hospital bag and finished bathroom. We were ready for Campbell's arrival.

Our beautiful finished bathroom. I love it!

Happy Fourth of July

It is with great excitement that I announce the arrival of ... our bathroom window! No sign of Campbell yet.

My friend and colleague who has had three babies told me since day 1 that I would be pregnant for 40 weeks and probably a little longer (my baby book said the same thing is common for first time moms). She's been right about everything so far, but that one I could not believe. Over the past year, I have yet to know someone who has gone the full 40 weeks; all my friends have delivered early. So from my perspective I thought having a baby at 38 weeks or earlier was the norm.

I have come to the conclusion that our little one is perfectly happy where he is. With 9 days left till my due date, I really hope we don't go past July 14th! We can't wait for Campbell's arrival, and now it's just a waiting game. On the positive side we may actually get the bathroom finished (see June post Home Improvement Projects). The window people called on July 1st to say that our window was ready - finally! By 7 AM this morning, the window was installed and the tile team is coming tomorrow at 7 AM to begin the process of putting our bathroom back together. I guess Campbell knew better than we did that it was probably a good idea for him to stay put a little longer.

Plus, it gave us a chance to see fireworks on the 4th. I love watching fireworks, and we have not seen a 4th of July show since we lived in Nashville. I convinced Brad we needed to take advantage of the moment, so last night we ventured out toward the river. Our goal was to get as close as possible without actually going into the French Quarter. We stopped at my favorite ice cream shop - Creole Creamery (the best!) - got cones and headed downtown. Brad in his driving awesomeness found a way on the other side of the convention center. Next thing I know we are under the Mississippi bridge with a perfect view of the Go 4th on the River Dueling Barges fireworks show. We illegally parked the car, jumped out and stood under the bridge, watching the beautiful fireworks display. It was a great night!

Little boy, we're ready when you are, but till then, we'll keep making the most of the minutes we have left till you arrive.