She finally succumbed.

I'm at 33 weeks even. Not quite sure how that happened, but ok!

115 on the scale, three pounds gained. Go me, go me, go me. *happy dance*

Spotting started this morning, an increase in discharge had started about Saturday. Explained this as well as reported the occasional strong contraction to Dr. K. and a nurse I haven't seen prior to this. They confirmed the blood in the urine and did a full exam.

"Looks like you have a vaginal infection going. Here's another script. And oh, by the way, (not really) you've dilated to 1 cm." This is not so good, as two weeks ago my cervix was completely closed. The infection could be a reason, also all the walking we did Sunday might have finally caught up to me. I doubt the walking, probably the infection and the timing. I'm one week away from Zero Hour, so to speak. After next Tuesday, any labor starting will be allowed to continue. They scheduled another ultrasound for Tuesday, before my now-weekly appointment, just to check up on Becca. She's still breech and showing no signs of wanting to turn. Frankly, I think she doesn't like being on her head. Probably makes her dizzy or something. ^_^

So, everything's looking ok for the most part. Just some minor issues that can be cleared up with antibiotics. I'm still much better off then when I was preggers with the kiddo, so I consider this positive.

And I'm craving creamy sweet like a bear trying to bulk up for hibernation. Hence the chocolate cream torte currently sitting on the counter. ^_^

Well, we don't know why you're spotting, but no, it's not good. Keep up with the water and the rest.

Now for the good news:

I'm not 30 weeks. I'm 28.

I gained 1.75 pounds in two weeks.

All the tests they could process quickly (UTI and pre-term swab) came back negative. So I'm not in danger of going into labor in the next two weeks.

My cervix has not changed.

I now am in possession of a 3-D image of Becca's face. KAWAIIIIIIIIIIIII!!! Wolf got all misty looking at her.

Starbucks in the hospital is sold at cost. Whoot! When I can have coffee again, SO getting my first cup there!

Going to take a nap now. Haven't had one all day and boy am I feeling it. The bloodwork will show if there's an infection lurking somewhere else.

Braxton-Hicks contractions

WebMD Braxton-Hicks Contractions -- False labor pains.

Babycenter.com Braxton Hicks are sporadic uterine contractions that actually start at about 6 weeks, although you won't be able to feel them that early. You probably won't start to notice them until sometime after midpregnancy, if you notice them at all (some women don't). They get their name from John Braxton Hicks, an English doctor who first described them in 1872.

As your pregnancy progresses, Braxton Hicks contractions tend to come somewhat more often, but until you get to your last few weeks, they should remain infrequent, irregular, and essentially painless. Sometimes, though, Braxton Hicks are hard to distinguish from early signs of preterm labor.

Play it safe and don't try to make the diagnosis yourself. If you haven't hit 37 weeks yet and you're having four or more contractions in an hour, or have any other signs of preterm labor, call your caregiver immediately.

By the time you're within a couple of weeks of your due date, these contractions may get more intense and more frequent, and cause some discomfort. Unlike the earlier painless and sporadic Braxton Hicks contractions that caused no obvious cervical change, these may help your cervix "ripen": gradually soften and efface, and maybe even begin to dilate a bit. This period is sometimes referred to as "pre-labor."

So, yeah.

That's what I've been having for, oh, about a week now. Had two while I was being examined today, causing the PA to become a little...concerned. My OBGYN, Dr. Kass, ran a swab test and checked my cervix. I'm currently at 28 weeks. The swab test, designed to show positive/negative, has one purpose. If positive, I've got a 50/50 chance of going into labor in the next two weeks. If negative, everything's fine. The exam revealed I'm a little "soft" and a tiny bit dilated, which isn't uncommon in a second pregnancy. The ultrasound looked really good and I'm not showing signs of dehydration or infection. Course, that was probably the 12 ounces of yucky glucose soda I had to drink for my diabetes bloodwork an hour prior.

The text came back negative.

What does this all mean?

Keep taking it easy, keep watching for other signs; cramping, bleeding, lower back pain or painful contractions and a sudden increase in discharge (read: mucus plug or water breaking), and drink more liquids.

I've been trying to ignore the bloody tightening, as thinking about it will only make me freak out. Wog is still happily squirming around, she loves to start punching me when I lay on my left side. Another appointment in two weeks, they'll do another cervix exam and proceed from there. On a much more positive note, I'm up to 108. Whoo.

One side of my face is rounder then the other. Maybe sleeping on my left side so much is squishing my cheek?

Officially, I have gained 3 pounds in 2 weeks. This is excellent, keep up the good work. Yes, adding whey protein to my diet would be a good thing, also those Carnation Instant breakfast things again. Ultrasound is next week, appointment and diabetes test the week after that. Whee. Keep watching for any further signs of pre-term labor, now including backache and a fullness feeling in the pelvis, meaning the baby has dropped into the birth canal. Pollywog's laying transverse, meaning the head is on the left and the feet are on the right from my perspective. C-sections were briefly discussed and will only be used if a)Wog's too big for me to push out, b)there's an emergency or c) Wog goes breech and the doctor can't coax a 180 degree turn from manipulating my tummy. Inducement will not be used unless absolutely necessary. And oh yes, if you feel any labor symptoms, call the facility immediately and get my hiney into the hospital, any time. Other then that, I'm completely healthy and the heartbeat sounds great. Next big step is the ultrasound to make sure there aren't any visable deformities or signs of complications.

I need a drink. Where's the juice?

I have health coverage! *does the happy Medicaid dance* Just in time too, as I got a call from my OBGYN's office today. "Guess what! Your pap smear came back indicating a possible infection! Having any itching, burning, discharge, etcetera?" Um, yeah, a little discharge that looked different. "Ok! Have a script! We'll send it to the pharmacy of your choice." So we sent it to Sam's Club. No idea how much it's gonna be, as I'm not suffering from any other symptoms, I'll wait until I get my temporary card, which should be in a few days. In the meantime, I'll call the pharmacy tomorrow, find out how much it's gonna be, and if it's not too expensive, we can pick it up and petition for a reimbursement.

So now me, the Pollywog and Markl's covered for at least until July. Then Markl and I have to renew, Wog's covered for a full year after delivery.

And I was informed my ultrasound can't be done until 1/30. I could call the OBGYN, see if they can put me on immediate referral, or just wait the next 15 days. Wolf didn't seem to show a preference either way, simply expressed impatience in wanting to see Wog. ^_^

Still need stubs for Wolf, his office is working on it. His paycheck was mailed Friday, we should get it probably Wednesday.

Other then that, things are well on our front. No ice storms, just lots of rain with the possibility of rink-roads later on in the week. *shrug* Welcome to global warming.

Day Two! There's an anime store here! Anime and manga and a bunch of really cool posters and Queenie is a happy, happy otaku. There's also at least one small Asian market that we spotted. Do you know what this means? Sweet rice! Whoo hooo! Although we had to leave the rice cooker behind, but that's ok. I will learn how to cook it on the stove.

So! Progress report, such as it is.

Got the car and life insurance transferred. Rental insurance is staying under CO policies until such time as we move our stuff out. Since we're not formally renting, there's no need to change the coverage. Once we get our own place, the policy will cover stored goods, no matter where it's stored. I heart State Farm.

DMV was the quietest I had ever seen. Yay for small counties. We gathered the necessary paperwork and gave the DMV Wells Fargo's info so they can get the title. This process could take days and will cost over $100. Good news is we have the money, most of the fees are one time only shots dealing with inter-state transfers and the registration covers two years. Compare this with the $300+ CO wanted to register Sherzi for ONE year. Yep, I'm loving New York. Even more so because...

PCAP, the state pre-natal program, does not have residency requirements. ^_^ I have an appoitment on the 15th to go see them and get set up and they're sending me paperwork to fill out. I have all the necessary documents, except proof of pregnancy. *glances at tummy, now prominently rounded* Yeah, no official doctor's note confirming due date, which is what PCAP needs. I can fix this two ways. Call the clinic where I had the pregnancy confirmed and see if they'll fax over that particular record, or get an appointment with the Women's Health Center here. The appointment would be retro-paid once PCAP confirms I'm eligible. And there's the simple fact that I haven't seen a doctor at ALL. So I'm going with the latter. I intend to call them today and get in next week. I've been assured by everyone in the know that when I tell the clinic I haven't had any pre-natal care and I've already started the process with PCAP, they'll see me no problem.

Markl's registered for school, mostly. We need to take in some paperwork stating yes, we live at this address with relatives and they are happy to have us, and apparently there's one set of shots still not confirmed. I've called the kiddo's clinic and requested that info be faxed over, and the school itself has requested that with the records from Arkansas Elementary. He starts Monday, regardless. Everyone in the office was incredibly nice and Wolf kept having flashbacks, as this is his elementary school. I was feeling strangly nostalgic myself.

Today's goals are getting the rest of the DMV paperwork turned in, the school paperwork turned in, and calling for my appointment. Oh yes, and get gas. ^_^ Yes, it's more expensive out here, by about 40 cents, but it's still well below $3.00, so I'm not complaining. We'll also need to pick up some basic school supplies, as everything we bought in the fall was kept by Arkansas. Kiddo's got his backpack and lunch box and three folders. ^_^

I'd like to get registered with Kelly Temp services today, but still having the kiddo may prove difficult. Yes, Mother Alyce is willing to watch him, but we can wait until the next work week. At least I'll be able to say, Yes, I'm on call anytime, cause I don't have to worry about daycare! Whoot!

Um, does anyone remember/have access to appropriate material/guess off the tops of their heads just how much wiggle room a 5 month old (roughly) fetus has in a womb?

Cause I swear, I'm feeling the flutters and possible actual kicks (which could just as easily be gas) on both sides of my abdomen.

When I mentioned this to Wolf last night, he looked at me and said "From what I remember, after the zygote stage, the womb isn't all that woomy."

*snerk*

I couldn't turn a pun that well even if I WASN'T trying! Which is when all my puns slip out.

Fact: It's barely above 0 degrees outside.

Fact: Queenie + cold = blanket-wrapped Queenie with a mug of hot cocoa in her hands. With marshmallows.

So WHY is it that in the middle of all this freezing-ness, I dream about spending 15 bloody minutes in a Jamba Juice trying to decide what I want and THEN wake up craving a smoothie?

*drinks a cocktail of hand-squeezed grapefruit juice, water and two scoops of instant strawberry lemonade mix*

Maybe T would agree to taking me to a Jamba Juice if I offered to treat him. He has been really sweet about giving me a ride and I don't exactly have gas cash on me.

In other, less insane news:

Shippo's here! He's in his box in the complex office waiting pickup. I'm hoping I can get him today, if not, it'll have to be Saturday. S'all good though. He got here before the 7th.

I'll make sure he gets lots of cuddles before handing him off to T. I doubt T will cuddle a plushie. And you know how plushies are. They need as many cuddles as kiddos. *nodnodnod*

Wasn't this supposed to be LESS insane?

Oh shut up.

Nothing in or around the birth canal. Spots of dried blood, well, elsewhere. No signs of rips or other physical damage.

And the bleeding seems to have finally stopped. (We'll see if that statement holds true after the walk to the bus stop.)

I'm guessing one of the curses of pregnant women.

Hemarroids. Or however it's spelled.

Um, yay?