More Frequent Check-Ups

I now see my doctors once a week, and am taking no stress tests (NSTs) twice a week. My insulin dosage has increased to 20 units, and Maya's movements are getting slower. This morning I went in to see Dr. Doany and got to see a pretty neat ultrasound. Maya was moving around and she had her umbilical cord wrapped around her finger. Periodically, she would put her finger in her mouth and play with it. Her features are pretty well defined, but the 4D pictures show her looking all squashed up. She is now weighing at 7lbs 6oz, still has long limbs, and yes, is still a girl! Dr. Doany says that Maya is a week ahead in her development, which is a good sign. All in all, we are still on track for delivery the week of October 24. Time's a tickin', and my patience is waning. Can't wait to meet this little girl.

First Visit to Labor and Delivery

Yesterday afternoon, while I was at work, I began to feel what felt like real contractions. It was difficult to get up and walk, my stomach felt really tight, and I had a pain that went from my back to the front of my stomach, to my knees and then all the way back. I also hadn't felt Maya move in about an hour, and per the No Stress Test instructions, I was to give my doctor a call. Dr. Kahen asked me to get to Tarzana Hospital and admit myself into Labor and Delivery for observation. Since the pain was somewhat bearable, I took it upon myself to drive down to the hospital (very silly...I now know that ) and on the way, let Brad know what was going on. Deep inside I felt that it was not Maya's time, but I was not comfortable with her not moving.
Nurse Terri was quite a ball of fun - she calmed down my nerves and suggested that we go ahead and monitor my contractions as well as Maya's heart beat. Maya's heart was strong, and with Brad glued to the monitor, he knew every time a contraction would come on. We got to practice our breathing, but my electronic-obsessed husband was most fascinated with the machines in the room. Our printout showed that I was having contractions about every three minutes, but they were of very low intensity. I could feel them, but from what I understand, the "real ones" will be "really felt". After monitoring Maya some more, we were discharged and on our way home.
After some sugarless chocolate chocolate chip ice cream from Baskin Robbins, I lay down and rested for the remainder of the evening. Maya is definitely making her readiness to be born, known.

My Letter to Maya

Dearest Maya:
It's your Mummy here. I am in my last stretch of awaiting your arrival and besides being a little scared, I am so, so, so, very excited to meet you. There are days that I sit at work daydreaming about all the wonderful times that you are I are going to have. Getting to know each other is going to be the most fun. Thanks to the privilege I had of carrying you these past months, I have had the chance to get to know a bit of your personality and from what I can tell, you are going to be a fiery little girl. Now, let's get a few things straight...you are number one in my life and I hope that I am able to prove that to you every day. Secondly, this is my first time being a mother, so cut me a little slack as we learn this mother-daughter thing together. Lastly, all I want from you is for you to feel loved, cared for, and most of all, secure. Once we get these things established, we can conquer all that life throws at us.
You are one lucky little girl because you were created out of love, and are being born into such a world of love. You've got all your grandparents here, and you even have a great grandmother who can't wait to meet you. An extended family of uncles, aunts, great uncles, great aunts, and cousins awaits you. Just know that from the moment you were made, you were loved!
Your room is almost ready, except for some finishing touches. I think you will really like it. It's a honeydew melon green with a whimsical design of Gossamer Wings. There is a sturdy white crib, a dresser that your daddy painted for you, a closet for your rapidly growing wardrobe, and pretty curtains. Grampa Sal painted a mural outside your window so that you would have an island view.
That's it for now. I feel you moving in there, letting me know that it's time to lay down and relax. There is so much more that I want to say to you, but this will have to do for now.
Good night my little one...sweet dreams...and I will see you soon.
Your Mum.

The Not-so-Dreaded Insulin Shot

After visiting Dr. Kahen on Wednesday, she informed me that it was time to take the dreaded insulin shot. I had been really diligent about following a strict diet for my gestational diabetes, but in nearing the finish line, my body has been undergoing stress and the sugar is not metabolizing as efficiently. A high sugar count could lead to Maya gaining unnecessary weight and getting stressed out herself. Brad and I went to the pharmacy yesterday afternoon where they showed him how to administer the insulin. I am terrified of needles, let alone long needles, and this half-inch needle looked like it was a mile long. Brad calmed my fears and gave me my shot in the arm as we were watching Deal or No Deal. I didn't even know that he was done. No cold sweats, no jitters, and I actually had a peaceful sleep last night. When I woke up this morning, my sugar was well within range.

Grampa Salcasso

Maya has a Grampa who has finally decided to show off his talent for painting. Let me set the scene for you - a drab yellow wall that is on the side of our garage. A wall that Maya will be seeing as she looks out one of her two bedroom windows (the other window faces our backyard). This drab wall has gone from being an eyesore to being a vision of islandmode. Grampa Salcasso started out painting the wall a calming blue depicting the ocean and the sky. He then separated the two with a horizon line and from there, the drab yellow wall was history. When he returned to finish his mural, Grampa Salcasso produced a huge coconut tree on an island boasting white, blue, and red flowers, a rocky barrier covered in vines, and a sandy beach. With some input from Proud Papa Brad, a coconut tree-filled island produced itself at the horizon line. Then came a sail boat, and to tell you the truth, I think that his creative juices have just begun flowing.
What a gift Grampa Salcasso has left for his little Maya - he has created the feeling of islandmode outside her window and has set the mood for her life. Proud Papa Brad and I are indebted to him and hope that he will get our hints and let his artwork wrap around our home!

Maya is Coming Early

Well, per Dr. Kahen, Maya will be arriving the week of October 24. Brad and I are uberexcited and are now full speed ahead with the finishing touches. This weekend will be a shopping one as we need a few more things. Thanks to Grandma Betty, the windows in Maya's room transform the room into a little girl's dream, and thanks to Grandpa Salcasso, Maya will have a pretty view outside her bedroom window...when his mural is completed.
Maya is coming...Maya is coming...Maya is coming!

Baby Signs...In More Ways than One

Well, I have hit the 9 month mark - 36 weeks! Time has flown by so fast, but something tells me that these last few weeks are going to drag on and on. Went to a bridal shower over the weekend and when I came home, Brad had set up Maya's beautiful crib, and Grandma Betty had hung the curtains and valences in her nursery. It made me realize how far we have come in one year. Last year we were wedding planning, and this year, we are Maya planning. There are baby signs everywhere in our home.
Sunday (9/23) was rather interesting as I started cramping and feeling what seemed like contractions. I got really nervous and kept telling Brad that I was not ready for the pain. He is such a rock on this matter and he comforts me and keeps things light. He has taken on a lot of the load in preparing for Maya, in addition to all the stuff he does around the house. Bless his heart, I think he is as ready for this to be over, as I am.
On Monday (9/24) night, we took the grandmas and went to the Baby Signs class. For those of you with infants out there, I really recommend this program. Baby Signs is a way for parents to communicate with their infants using sign language. It doesn't interfere with their ability to speak, but it makes it easier to understand what they might be trying to say, pre-speech. We learned some basic signs for food, drink, milk, Mummy, Daddy, dog, etc. Then we learned how to incorporate these signs when reading to Maya and when singing to her. Brad and I have been practicing our signing and are getting better at it.
Tuesday (9/25) night was our second Lamaze class. It was a great class that went through early labor, active labor, and the delivery of the placenta. If any 12 year old (thinking of having a baby) out there saw the video that we saw, we would have a significant decrease in the number of teenage pregnancies. The teachers in these classes don't sugar coat the pain factor...pain is definitely a strong component of childbirth and these classes are great in teaching us how to deal with it. We learned more breathing, touching, and massage techniques, and at the end of the class, all coaches were given massages by their wives.
From my doctor's appointment this morning (Wednesday, 9/26), I have learned that my cramps over the weekend were the result of Maya dropping significantly. Her head is in the downward position which is great. As for her due date, well, that may have changed a bit. Dr. Kahen says that my pregnancy will not go past the 38th week due to any stress on Maya caused by my sugar levels. This speeds things up just a bit, so I drove to work this morning with a totally different sense of excitement. Will keep you all updated as to what progresses.