The Denist

I, like any other rational and normal adult human being, haven't been to the dentist in over 5 years.

However I do have an appointment in a week and half (as does Bryan, who hasn't been in longer) and we found out that our insurance is "incentive" insurance - so going every 6 months increases the amount they pay for services. This means that we may will actually go every 6 months.

Especially since we discovered that the kids (Penelope in particular) just *love* going to the dentist.

Did you think I was being sarcastic? I wasn't. Am I being sarcastic now? Nope, still genuine. I know. I'm shocked too.

Sissy started off her appointment in my lap, but soon decided that she was a big girl and could do it by herself. So she sat in the chair and dutifully obeyed every command the dentist and dental assistant gave her. She kept her mouth open while they counted, scraped, polished, and brushed. She allowed the dental assistant to use that loud liquid sucking contraption. She let the dentist floss her teeth. She didn't bite the dentist.

She sat still for x-rays.

They only took two (of her front teeth - upper and lower) and - you guys - the d@mn x-rays made me CRY. Why? Because you can see, especially on the bottom, just how close her permanent teeth are to the surface. We still have a year or so before she starts to loose teeth... but holycrappeople she just GOT those teeth!

And? AND? The entire dental office was shocked and amazed that she was only 3 1/2. They pegged her for 5 or 6. SIX. How can she be close to six? I JUST GAVE BIRTH TO HER.

*sigh*

And then there was Bubby. Who did well - but was too squirmy for anything other than some teeth counting and a quick fluoride treatment. His 2 year molars are almost finished popping up (thankyousweetbabyZeus), so I'm hoping that soon his sleep will be... better.

The office really was terrific. So if you're ever looking for a family friendly dentist in Salinas, let me know. Dr. Moran is terrific.

She thought we were pretty terrific too - no cavities (I know, they're so young, but it's shocking how many toddlers I see with caps & fillings), no plaque, kids brush 2x a day, and (starting yesterday, after our appointment) we floss daily. She will be less impressed with us after B and I go in. We have good brushing practices, but neither one of us floss regularly and we're both soda drinkers - plus it's been so long since our last visit that I'm sure one or both of us will need a filling or two.

Oh well, at least the kids are off to a good start...

Head up, head down

So I've already posted this on Facebook, but since this blog doubles as the kids' baby books I figured I should post about it on here as well.

Wednesday was our 38 week prenatal appointment. Everything was pretty normal, but Kaleem was concerned that the baby seemed to be breech. Since I have a LOT of water, it was a little hard to tell, but the heart tones were up very high and the baby's movement had changed over the past few days. So we scheduled an ultrasound for today to double check and so (if baby was indeed breech) we could work on trying to turn him/her before delivery.

I was really nervous about the whole thing. For whatever reason I've had a lot more anxiety with this baby than I ever did with Penelope... I think it's because there's so much else going on. Grad school, unemployment, Bryan's weird work situation (short story: they suck), and not having insurance combine to make me a little on edge. So the possibility of a breech baby/delivery was really difficult for me to contemplate. A complication I really didn't need.

So Thursday wasn't a very good day for me (mental-health wise) and I was a bit of an emotional wreck. I got a lot of great advise from friends about yoga positions, acupuncture, chiropractic work, etc that have helped women turn babies, and Kaleem was confident she could turn the baby if necessary; but I was still a little freaked out and very stressed about the whole thing.

I had a heart to heart with "&" before bed on Wednesday and Thursday and told him/her that Mommy would really appreciate it if he/she would flip back and get ready for labor. I know I had told the baby last week that I wasn't ready for his/her appearance, but flipping back would really make Mommy feel better. I also told "&" that he/she could come whenever he/she was ready - I wasn't finished with all of my work, but that was less important than his/her safe arrival.

Movement Wednesday night and Thursday was all over the place and frequent. Friday morning it seemed as though baby had changed position, but I though he/she might be transverse.

Before we went in for the ultrasound, Kaleem felt my belly and told me she was pretty sure the baby had flipped and was now head down and in the perfect birthing position.

So we went in, the tech spent a few seconds checking and confirmed - baby is head down!

PLUS, he/she is in the perfect birthing position. There are a few ways babies can present, but one is ideal for delivery - and "&" has positioned itself perfectly. Mommy is so proud!

It was a huge relief - for everyone! But it really helps my stress level. I still have work to do, but I'm ready for the baby to come whenever he/she is ready. I know I can get my work done on time no matter when this baby decides to show up - so I'll just let baby be my guide.

My contractions and the pressure have increased throughout the day, but I don't think labor is imminent. A couple days, a week, two weeks... who knows? I'll get as much done as I can and then I'll finish things up after baby arrives. My Mother In Law will be out to help, my mom will be here, my dad is always available, and Bryan should be able to take some time off. I know everything will get done... eventually. And the most important thing is a healthy baby and delivery, and the timing of that I shall leave to "&".

Mommy is ready whenever you are baby!


Oh - and we've narrowed our names list. So here it is:

Girls: Isadora, Calliope, Athena, Jolie (that one is new)
Boys: Dexter, Milo, Griffin

35 weeks - appointment

Our 35 week appointment was today. Rather uneventful, but here's the stats.

Baby's HB: 144
My BP: 110/68
Measuring: 36 weeks
Cervix: closed

I'd been having a lot of contractions and cramping, which is normal, but both Bryan and I were happy to hear that my cervix is closed. No baby this week! Baby needs to wait until at least March 27th (that's when my class is over). Although it's still possible that I'll go a full 40 weeks, which is fine. While delivering at 38 weeks would be nice, I'll be ok if I go a full 40.

My midwives do want me to take a few supplements to help relax things, so I'll pick those up this weekend.

The next few days: San Francisco zoo (or aquarium), maternity photos, and sewing projects

Things for next time: diapers are finished! Pics will be taken and uploaded soon.

31 week appointment

Today was our 31 week prenatal appointment. Next appointment is at the end of February, already into our every 2 week appointments!

So here's the stats:

Baby: heartbeat 154, head down (but still floating, not in the pelvis), feet are lodged into my ribs, measuring at 34 weeks on one side and 31 weeks on the other - so we're going with 31 weeks.

Me: Blood pressure 98/60 (eep!), Iron 10 (low as well), and I'm gaining more than I'd like but not more than I should.

So I need to take my Iron supplements (I've been lax), get in plenty of cranberry, and walk when the weather is nice.

6 weeks until I'm full term and 9 weeks until my due date.

Tomorrow is going to be crazy-busy so I should at least attempt to sleep.

22 weeks

Today I'm 22 weeks pregnant and we had our monthly appointment. It was a pretty boring appointment, which is good :) My blood pressure is super low (like always), baby's heartbeat is around 144, and I'm measuring at 21 weeks (which isn't abnormal, I think this baby will be a tad smaller than Penelope).

Everything looks good! Next appointment is January 7th.

PIGLET

Miss Penelope is now 11lbs, 1oz - we officially have a little piglet :)

I need to re-measure her since she was all scrunched up at her appointment.

But everything looks good - all her measurements are on target, she's perfect! I do need to get her into the Pediatrician soon (we saw our midwives today) since one of her pupils dilates wider than the other. It doesn't do it all the time (and it was fine for her appointment today so my midwives told me to keep an eye on things and mention it to her Ped), but my mom saw it this afternoon so I know it's not a figment of my imagination. WebMD doesn't have any information on what it could be, and a Google search freaked me out about possible blindness and caner. But since she's not having an other symptoms or neurological issues, then it's probably not a big deal. I'll still get it checked out, I'm still a little worried.

So tomorrow will be busy - Penny and I have lunch with my friend Holly (who is pregnant with her first, a girl) and then we're going over to Sarah's for an Obama Inauguration party! I think I may have to get Penny a special red, white, and blue outfit for the occasion.