It's Showtime!!!

I believe this would be my final blog as a pregnant mom for Ava. It is currently 2/19/11 3.35am. Whenever you see an "@" sign below I am having a contraction and needed to stop typing for a minute or two.

The last few days/nights have been a little more crampy. 2 days ago I went in for my NST and ultrasound. You were still cute as a button - fat with chubby cheeks and big lips. You were breathing really well and moved your hands quite a bit. Eyes closed though, oh how I would love to see those eyes!

Yesterday night was rough. Woke up at 2am with bad cramps and some other *signs* that things are moving about in there. Yesterday was touch-and-go. Knew something was happening (@) but didn't know when or what. Had a pretty relaxed day - took a nap while your dad worked at home.

Then, before dinner, I started to have some intense cramping. It would come and go, and the cramps were enough that I'd have to stop what I was doing. We were eating suhsi and I swear, I would LOVE to have captured a photo of the face of the guy sitting in front of me at the sushi bar. He looked as a pale as a sheet, especially when I had to close my eyes because of the pain. Haha. After returning home, your dad and I watched a silly movie (silly to me, good to him) and then went to bed. The cramps then slowed down some and we were (@) disappointed that maybe this was another false alarm. I called my mother to tell her that maybe we were mistaken and we weren't in labor. But as soon as I said that, the contractions started again. Mom was laughing at me. We were still in business. : )

Your dad and I decided to go to bed and get some shut-eye so we can rest up for the big event. I slept 1 1/2 hours before awakening at 1am with intense pain and pressure in my lower abdomen. Contractions now have come and gone, each one lasting about 1-2 minutes and anywhere from 3-11 minutes apart.

Your father was very tired (he's not one who has much stamina without sleep) so I let him sleep as I pace about, occasionally moaning from the intensity of contractions. I was sleepy at first too, but as time went on I realized I cannot possibly stay in one place the whole time. So I googled "things to do in early labor". The article suggested packing my bags, baking, and watching a movie/TV.

So this is what your mother is doing right now: writing this blog, and baking chocolate chip cookies for the labor/delivery nurses we're going to see soon. I still have to figure out what to (@) do with the dog. Boarding doesn't open until 8am, and by then I think we will be in the thick of things. I think I will have to depend on my friends for this one.

So, that is all from me for now. Will blog more if I'm still around and capable. Otherwise, I'll see YOU on the flip-side birthday girl! ; )