Give a big warm welcome to Felix L'Heureux Gillet

Though many of you have already "met" him through email and Facebook, we wanted to formalize an announcement that includes two very important items: A photo that is worthy of printing out for Great-Grandma's fridges and, much more importantly a middle name. Our birth story, as some of you know was long and included many moments of interstate hand-ringing and will be recounted in its entirety at a later date; for now we will just say it started at home and ended nearly 3 days later with our beautiful creation taking the man-made northern route.

From Felix

Felix L'Heureux Gillet
Born 2/25/10 @ 12:34 am
7 lbs 9 oz, 19.75 inches

Just a quick note...

Hi everyone,

Just a quick note to let you all know that I am doing fine. My midwife stopped by around noon, and I am dilated 3cm, 80% effaced, with contractions 7-10 mins apart. Alex has been such a help with the contractions and keeping me well nourished, just to list a few things. I don't know what I would do without him or without our friend Kristin who made a quick trip to the store for us (since our supplies that we stock up on keep dwindling the more the baby delays)! I keep looking at the baby's ultrasound photos, and getting more and more excited to meet the little one. I know that a lot of you are thinking about us today - thank you so much for your support! Can't wait to spread the word about our new arrival.

Love,
Dani

Cookies and pools!

Test results (ultrasound, blood work) were very positive, in the words of our midwife we are, "Sitting pretty". Contractions are much more regular- coming in every seven minutes- and a lot more painful. We are both amazed how much pain is relieved just by my firm squeezing on her hip bones.

Yesterday in the midst of contractions and running around Dani made a batch of cookies that she dubbed her, "Labor of love."

We also picked up and set up the tub; just add water and we will have a pool party in the bedroom! Hopefully the baby will join in the fun.

Some more facts

Dani has been having regular hard contractions since last night, and we went to Alma again today to get a the readings of the previously mentioned tests: all's well in blood and urine town. They took another blood sample and sent us for some sonograms to be certain that baby's heart is strong, is taking practice breaths, learning the backstroke and that its pool is still full. Reading of the results tomorrow. Dani is being a trooper though all of the contractions, and is now taking a nap. She thinks it may be tomorrow before we are introduced to the baby.

Progress

We just got back from the birthing center, we have had visits everyday for the past three, they are closely monitoring Dani's slightly elevated blood pressure. At this point it is borderline so they/we are comfortable waiting, primarily because her previously taken blood test came back normal (her kidneys and liver are not pissed off at the baby staying past 40 weeks). Laura, our primary midwife, informed us that if Dani's blood pressure goes up, or the blood tests were anything less than perfect, or if the Protienura urine analysis (results tomorrow) were abnormal, we would be going to the hospital, probably to be induced. She is very aware that this is not what either of us want but, just like everyone else, wants the safest possible birth. The prospect of going to the hospital is making Dani & I very nervous; but we are ready to pivot and take that course if necessary.

She is dilated 2cm and 50% effaced; exciting to have some hard numbers to show progress. Just hope that the blood pressure, etc stays below the border until we are in the home stretch; no one wants to end up in the hospital, especially for something as positive as giving birth.

Still waiting...

The baby's room is ready. Diaper bag ready to go, bouncy chair ready to be bounced in, rocker and blanket (made by Grandma Alice for Alex when he was little) ready to cuddle Mom, Dad, and Baby (maybe not all at once), crib ready to be slept in by baby down the line...

We've both got some practice now folding the cloth diapers...







We've been biding our time in the forest, and can't wait to share the trail with our little one. Whenever you are ready Baby. We can't wait to have you in our arms!

tick. tock.

Now that I am officially on leave from work, I have plenty of time to wait around for the baby to show itself; lets hope it wants to come out soon. We have been blessed with some awesome weather and have been enjoying it by squeezing in hikes and lounging in the sun. Maybe tonight will be go time!

Taking it day by day

This morning we went to Little Red Bike for brunch and split the Huevos Rancheros and French Toast with bananas, peanut butter, and syrup. Then we headed out to the nursery (appropriate!) to pick out some new plants for the front yard. We ended up with two trees (Dogwood and Laceleaf Maple) and a vine to climb our front porch (Star Jasmine). Alex planted them all while I took a long nap, and then we headed out for a hike late in the afternoon. It was super sloppy muddy in Forest Park, and by the time we were leaving it was dark. Starving, we came home and Alex made chicken fajitas while I got the laundry going. We had some delicious leftover chocolate cherry cake that Kristin brought over, and are now settling in to watch The Royal Tenenbaums. It was a lovely Valentine's Day, but still no sign of true labor. Maybe tomorrow? We'll keep you all posted. Love!

Movin' south/ lots of eating

Woke up, ate waffles, lounged in bed, fell asleep, ate chili, three mile hike in FP, Dani lived through the first hard contraction (so it begins), soak at the Kennedy School*, more eating, stocking up at market**, bump into Kristin & Zakk at aforementioned market, back home, Aviation v 12 Bridges gin death match***, screening of Zakk's latest creation****, more waiting/ eating....

*people get scared when told the baby is due in two days as you sit poolside
**feel like we are shopping before a big snow storm
***close competition, but expectant parents agree that Aviation is a bit better with its nice "mellow olive and spicy anise notes"
****order you copy here

BABY POOL

I came across this simple scheduling site that will aid in coordinating a massive, multi-state, multi-family, cross generational pool on when the baby will come. Forward the link on to anyone you think may find this sort of think interesting, preferably limited to people that we know. Happy guessing!!!


http://doodle.com/zxwudbaqsckg5rsg

Belly, Hand, Appetite

Baby G is growing big and strong in my belly. And responsive too! Two light pushes on the belly, and you'll receive a kick back. Sometimes when I talk to the baby, it will stretch out a leg or make some other endearing movement. With all the reading I've done on fetal development and what to expect regarding changes in my body, I haven't done much research on what to expect in labor. I think I've unconsciously been avoiding this because I want to be able to disengage my active mind and instead let my body do what it was made to do.




I was diagnosed with pregnancy-induced carpal tunnel syndrome, which really stinks. My hand doesn't even look that swollen, but it aches constantly and my fingertips are tingly like my hand is asleep. It's the worst when I wake up, and will slowly ebb over the course of the day, but sometimes it is ferocious in the middle of the night. It hurts to type (I'm typing with my good hand, thankfully my right is not as affected), but I'm certainly looking forward to the end of this particular ailment. I'm confident that I can bear the pain of childbirth because it is constructive, but this pain in my hand will bear no fruit.




Alex thought it was funny that this spread is what I brought home from the store. I don't understand the humor... it's all fruit and veggies (even though some are gummy and others covered in chocolate)... ;)