November 19, 2011: Happy Birthday!

November 19, 2011
40 weeks, 2 days
2:25 am

Colter Ramsey Malcolm is born!

A recap from CJ:

Hey folks... sorry for the mass email.  I think this is the first one I've ever done.

Heather delivered a beautiful boy early this morning, Colter Ramsey Malcolm, named after Jim Bridger's partner, John Colter, first explorer of Yellowstone National Park and guide to Lewis and Clark.  "Ramsey" is Heather's pops' name, passed on to his first grandchild!

Heather's water broke last night (9ish) while baking a coffee cake at our home in the Grand Canyon. We lolly-gagged around for an hour or two thinking we had a bit of time and debating whether we wanted to eat coffee cake enroute to Flagstaff.  We decided against it.  By the time we reached town, Heather was rapidly progressing.  We stopped at Ken Phillips' house -my boss- for a quick rest and nearly delivered the baby in the drive way.  The paper boy was kind enough to stop and offer assistance as Heather lay in the drive way mid contraction w/ a hospitable twenty degree wind chill factor greating us like an old friend.

We made it to the hospital shortly thereafter.  Heather delivered at 0225, within 45' of entering the L&D suites.  Our obgyn was a wonderful woman and coached me through the delivery...I was blessed to catch the baby -who by the way was swimming like a fish exiting his 9month prison.  Heather was insanely brave and was able to deliver naturally.  It was fun to watch the nurses scrambling a last minute sortie to start the delivery... they actually had to tell Heather not to push -I don't think she was hearing a whole lot in those moments. 

Heather had a record breaking 5 hour labor -pretty dang quick for a couple of rookies!

I'm currently downstairs drinking espresso as Heather sleeps upstairs w/ our healthy 7lb 6oz kiddo.  I love you all and wanted to share the excellent news as soon as I could!

C.J.

Dear Baby

November 12, 2011
39 weeks, 3 days

Dear Baby,

This is your Mama.  I love you!  You have been so very patient in waiting for your Papa and I to get ready for you....thank you.  And you have been very good about not kicking me in the ribs recently.  Perhaps because you have "dropped" and are getting ready to join us!

Well, your Papa and I have decided that we are ready for you to come now.  We had a wonderful stroll under the full moon along the rim and Papa turned to me and said, "I'm ready for Baby."  It was simple, and oh so beautiful to hear those words.  Honestly, I wasn't ready a week ago.  I didn't understand why all those other Mamas out there were so eager to get the little babies out.  But now I do.  I am so very excited to meet you!!!

I understand that I have created a warm environment for you to live in.  It must be wonderful - I know how much your Papa loves the water and I am sure you feel the same.  I promise that although it is wintertime I will keep you nice and snuggled up here in the world.  We have some pretty fancy cold weather gear for you.  Just wait till you see snow! 

I understand that it is scary to enter into a new world.  Mama and Papa will be there for you.  We promise.  The second you come out in this world we will hold you and love you and protect you.  We will show you the wonders and teach you to love to explore. 

If you need to wait a few more days, that is fine!  Just know that your Mama, Papa and big brother Owen are eagerly waiting to snuggle with you.  We love you! 

Safe journey and we will see you soon!

Love,

Your Mama



11-10-11 Mama & Papa under the full moon at Mather Point



Happiness is....



November 4, 2006: 
Our First Kiss as Mr. & Mrs. Malcolm


November 5, 2011
38 weeks, 3 days

Last night CJ and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary.  5 years!  Brilliant...

We stepped outside before going to bed and held each other under the warmth of a Mexican blanket as the snow fell down around us.  Baby kicked CJ in the stomach.  Owen frolicked through the yard like a kid in a candy store.  It was perfect.

This morning I woke up early because I knew that Owen would be super excited to go outside and play.  OK, really now, who am I kidding?  I was super excited to go outside and play.  We went on a nice, long slow stroll (with Owen sprinting 1/4 mile away, 1/4 mile back the entire way).  The wind whistled through the freshly blanketed pine trees and the sun broke through the clouds at all the right moments.  Not a soul had marked tracks yet.  It was our winter wonderland for the morning.

I was reflecting on life (BIG topic to reflect on...) and realized how truly happy I was.  I mean, really, it doesn't get much better than this: an awesome husband, Baby on the way, an obedient dog (98% of the time....let's be honest), a great house, a good job....oh, and did I mention that I live at one of the seven natural wonders of the world?!  That's gotta count for something.

A few things I've learned during my first pregnancy:

1.  When there's a bathroom, stop and use it.

2.  There's nothing wrong with walking slowly.  Waddling is normal.

3.  Elastic is your friend.

4.  Recruit help.  Why bother bending over when there are plenty of folks who can do it and still breathe?

5.  No matter how much unsolicited advice you receive, always smile and say "Thank you!"

6. Cankles don't mean you're 75 and going into heart failure.

7.  Yes, your belly can be a tray table.

8.  Snore away.  Breathe heavy.

9.  No matter how much weight you gain or discomfort you are in, you can always find happiness.



This morning! Please forgive the sexy attire...
and the puffy morning manatee eyes.


Fun Baby Fact:  Baby is around 7 pounds this week and 20 inches long.  All systems are pretty much ready for action outside of the womb.  What triggers Baby to decide to join my winter wonderland?  It's tricky to know for sure- but most likely a combo of things.  It begins with the fetus whose "brain sets off a relay of chemical messages that kick off a chain reaction of hormones in the mother.   These hormonal changes in turn pave the way for the work of prostaglandins and oxytocin, substances that trigger contractions when all labor systems are "go"." 

Fun Pregnancy Fact:  I feel like a ticking time bomb.  When anyone hears when I am due, they automatically go into, "Any minute now!"  mode.  And, yes, it could be any minute.  One of those beautiful things in life that I have absolutely no control over.  Frankly, I am glad I don't have to be the one to make the call of when labor begins. :o)

Full Term Photo Shoot

October 30, 2011
37 weeks, 4 days

At 37 weeks, we enjoyed a road trip down to Sedona.  My husband did a fabulous job taking some pics.  Here are a few belly photos for your enjoyment!

Hello, Cervix!

October 23, 2011
36 weeks, 5 days

I have been feeling exhilarated the past few days.  Perhaps it is the gorgeous fall weather - the wind gently blowing off the first of the golden brown leaves.  Perhaps it is the good nights rest I have had over the past few days.  Perhaps, just perhaps, it is because Baby is on its way.....

I had an OB appointment on Thursday.  And when the doc asked, "Would you like me to check your cervix?", I have never opened my legs in a cold office building quite so quickly.  Curiosity definately won out.  So, for those of you who can't quite stomach reading about cervixes please feel free to skip down a paragraph or two.  As of Thursday, I am 2 cm dilated; cervix is 50% effaced; and Baby is in Station -1.  Check out the diagram below:




Unfortunately, you can't predict anything from these measurements.  What it does indicate is that I am at a good starting point!  The doc says it would be rare for me to have to have a c-section.  I have had no Braxton-Hicks contractions (pre-labor contractions) so I am pretty darned pleased that I have opened up a bit without that.  Looks like my body and Baby are working together quite nicely.  

I was thinking of starting a betting pool for the day Baby will come.  I was thinking a PayPal account might be exciting (hehe...). My bro thinks the winner should have naming rights.  Any takers?!  ;-) 

My ligaments and tendons are getting loosey goosey.  I stepped off my deck today (a mere foot and a half) and my left ankle gave out and I landed, rather gracefully, on my left knee.  I popped back up with no pain.  Later on my walk, I stepped on a rock and this time my right ankle gave way.  Thankfully no serious falls but with everything starting to loosen up and open for the coming of Baby I should be more cautious! 

Protein.  According to a nurse I spoke with, I should be shooting for 90 grams of protein a day.   90 grams.  Wow!  This is increasingly difficult as I find I am not as hungry as I once was.  The uterus taking up the space of my stomach?  Most likely.  However, my craving of the past few weeks has been oatmeal.  I love oatmeal.  And I figured out that a bowl of oatmeal made with milk and with added raisins and nuts has 20 g of protein!  I think this is a fabulous way to start my day.  We also get farm fresh eggs (the yolks are so yellow you wouldn't believe...and they taste.....like a little slice of heaven) which, according to incredibleegg.org, have 6 grams of protein each.  So with 2 eggs, a bowl of oatmeal and an Odwalla protein drink, I am at least at 50 grams a day.  I figure I am hitting at least 60 -70.  Whew.  With all the extra weight I am carrying (about 30 pounds), my legs should be seriously muscular by the end of this pregnancy.

Have I mentioned how much I love Amazon.com?  I order things and they come right to my front door.  No questions asked.  None of the "You live in the middle of nowhere" stuff.  It just comes.  Like my cloth diapers.  I am getting so excited to use them.  And I have a diaper sprayer to clean off the chunks.  Yes, chunks.  Or perhaps soft serve?  Or, even better, liquid poo?  If you know the Malcolms, then you know I couldn't talk about diapers without throwing in something about poo.

In remembrance of my 15-week belly.....Did I really think I had a bump back then?!  And I look so thin.....hehe....

And my belly as of 10 days ago (I promise an updated Full-Term belly in the next week!):

Fun Baby Fact: Baby is gaining about half an ounce per day.  Baby simulates breathing by inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid.  And Baby has hiccups!  He hadn't had them until about a week ago.  Now pretty much every evening after dinner she hiccups away for a few minutes.  It makes me laugh.

Fun Pregnancy Fact:  I think I divulged plenty of this above :-)  3 days till FULL TERM.

Ramblings

October 16, 2011
35 weeks, 4 days


Family Photo 10/15/11



This past week or so has brought on some most exciting changes.  Body changes, that is.  According to my husband, I snore.  And I have acid reflux.  And, believe it or not, Baby is still torturing my right ribs.

Let's start with snoring. I will have you know that I have never been one of those people.  In fact, I always prided myself on being a quiet sleeper.  Not in the last month of pregnancy.  CJ says that it all began a few weeks back when I snuggled up to his neck (I tend to take over his pillow part way through the night) and I woke him up with my loud mouth breathing.  Please appreciate that pregnancy causes nasal congestion.  But then, within the past week, my "loud mouth breathing" has turned into snoring. What have I become?! 

Acid Reflux.  It has become the bane of my existance.  The past two nights have been long.  Very long.  With very little sleep.  Night 1 I managed to sneak through the night with only mild sleep disturbances. An additional pillow seemed to ease my discomfort.  However, last night was an entirely different story.  The burning morphed into nausea and I floated in and out of sleep until about 3 am.  At that point, I added 3 additional pillows (until I was sitting upright.....).  That helped for about an hour.  I then trusted my husbands' 4 am wisdom: "Drink some baking soda and water.  It helps neutralize the acid."  Within 30 minutes or so, I was able to return to bed and drift off in my upright position.  Tonight, I ate dinner nice and early.  I will beat you, Acid Reflux.

 



Peek-A-Boo!  Backdrop: Mt Humphrey's



I love Baby.  I really and truly do.  He/she could do me the favor of migrating his/her feet out my right rib cage.  Maybe try out the left side?  If this baby is going to be even half as active outside of the womb as he is on the inside, we are in for a real treat :o)  It is reassuring to feel her squiggling around, hiccupping and kicking me.  I love it.   According to the doc, my fundus is growing perfectly and Baby's heartbeat continues to be strong. 

Almost full term....!  We are feeling prepared.  Embracing these last few weeks of Mr. And Mrs. Malcolm pre-baby.  CJ and I joke about Baby not allowed to come before November 14 (my estimated due date being November 17).  We have "planned"  our lives until that date - including when I start maternity leave.  According to the nurse from the labor class, it is common for women who live at altitude to go into labor 2 weeks early.....We shall see!  My new mantra?  Baby, you come when you're ready!





The Glory of Fall

Fun Baby Fact:  Baby weighs in pretty darn close to 6 pounds this week.  The countdown to a full term Baby begins....10 days - 37 weeks!

Fun Pregnancy Fact:  We are in major "labor" prep mode.  We went to our Labor class and have been reading up on natural birth.  I am not nervous or scared about labor- in fact, as a nurse, I am intrigued to see how my body will respond.  God created women to go through childbirth.  Knowing the reward of the hard work helps me stay focused on ultimate the goal!

Learning Patience



33 1/2 week belly photo



October 5, 2011

33 weeks, 6 days

Pregnancy has taught me a new level of patience.

This past week, as I made my way through TSA at the Flagstaff airport (en route to San Diego for Baby Shower Weekend Extraordinaire), I felt remarkably calm.  I squatted down, took off my shoes, and slowly stood back up (could you imagine losing your balance while in line with however many impatient travelers behind you?!).  I gracefully lifted my bag onto the conveyor belt and smiled as I *quietly* burped up my morning dose of yogurt and berries.  I found a seat in the terminal and chuckled as I realized that I was breathing rather heavily.

Within the chaos of the airport, my mind was quiet and peaceful.  I was acutely aware of my body: my steady heavy breathing, Baby wiggling away inside of me, the squeezing of my compression stockings pushing the fluid back up to my heart.  It was a wonderful sensation - being present with my body, if even just for a few moments.

Now to maintain my new-found patience in the year to come.......

34 weeks!  Whopeeee!!!  My official Baby Shower was just perfect....not too many people and surrounded by those women (and a few men) that are so very dear to me.  Naturally, as I am sure most preggie mamas say, it was overwhelming.  So much love, praise, unsolicited advice....and to try and process it all in just a few hours was both rewarding and exhausting.  My nieces did a fabulous job of playing "hostess" and "waitress".  I feel so incredibly blessed to have such wonderful family and friends - a support network that will be my backbone over the coming year.

Now I am back home.  Home.  Sigh.  Home and ready to organize the goods and prepare for Baby.  I told CJ, "No more big road trips 'til after Baby comes!" The temperature has been a chilly 45-50 degrees today and they are predicting snow tomorrow.  Oh, wouldn't it be fun if we had an early winter and a nice, big snow storm when I go into labor?!  Hehe.... I swear my husband is doing a little dance to the weather gods (he not-so-secretly wants to deliver our baby somewhere other than at the hospital).

Fun Baby Fact:  Baby can be up to 5 lbs this week.  CRAZY.  If Baby is a boy, his testicles are descending (if I were a man I might have greater appreciation for this particular event....).  Fingernails reach the ends of the fingers getting ready for a manicure- oh, and speaking of!  The little Vietnamese lady who gave me a mani/pedi, touched my belly and claimed, "It's a boy!"  Hehe....

Fun Pregnancy Fact: My morning wake up call has become a right calf cramp.  If I manage to flex my foot in time, it passes over with only mild pain.  However, in the event that I am not so speedy in the flexing I find myself laying very still and wincing while attempting not to wake my love biscuit lying beside me.

Striking a pose while out for a hike in Rancho Penasquitos
Canyon Reserve (San Diego)...elastic pants rule!