Welcome Evan Allen Hodge

Our son made his early arrival on Wednesday 4/29/2009. We were due to be induced next week, but he had other plans. All day Tuesday I felt like crap with terrible back pain. Went home and passed out for a couple hours. Got up and packed the hospital bags. (glad I did) Prepared some last minute things and went to bed around 11:00pm.

I woke up around 1:00am with what felt like menstrual cramps and I knew they were probably contractions, but I had been having some off an on for a while so I didn't think much of it. I got out of bed to go to the bathroom and my water broke. I knew it was my water this time because the contractions intensified immediately. It got to the point when I couldn't talk through them anymore so I knew we needed to go to the hospital.

We got to the hospital around 3:00am, I was checked and it was my water so I was a keeper. I had to wait until 8:00am to get my epidural because of my blood thinners. I thought "Hey no problem it is only 5 hours." Well, by 7:00am I couldn't take it anymore I was crawling out of my skin so I asked for Stadol to get me to epi time. This was heaven. I was able to sleep for a while and relax.

By 1:00pm I was 10 cm and ready to push. I pushed like a mad woman for 57 minutes and my baby boy made his grand entrance. The cord was around his neck so they had to work on him for a minute to get him to breath, but then he cried and we all cried. Jesse saw and participated more than he thought he would want to and was glad he did. I tore a little and needed some stitches, but so far so good. The worst part of recovery is how sore my whole body is. I feel like every muscle in my body has been run through the ringer. We are very blessed and cannot wait to go home tomorrow and start our lives with Evan.

1st pic at 4 months vs. today at 9 months

This should be the last pic unless baby Hodge has a huge growth spurt. I went today and had a prenatal massage, it was amazing I feel like jelly now. Everything is ready for baby, just waiting now. PS: If you look closely you can see the old carpet compared to the new wood floor that Jesse put in.

Officially full term today!

Today we are officially full term 37 weeks. Baby Hodge can come any time now and he would be 100% cooked. I am also officially miserable. I can't believe I still have to work. In a perfect world I would be laying in bed or on the couch for these last couple weeks. I cry nearly every day on my way to school. I can't help it, I feel like crap. My feet are giant ham hocks, my head hurts, it feels like someone is stabbing me in the back all the time, I keep having occasional contractions, my hips hurt, ....there are probably more to add to this list, but I digress. I have an appt. tomorrow so hopefully there is some more progress and I am going to ask her again about possible induction dates. Walking around Lowes last night I really thought he was going to just fall out, that's how it felt anyway, he was so low. I have 2 more concerts to do and then technically I am done with projects...well except for one that I am trying to finish before he gets here, but that one is not really due until June, but I'd rather have it out of the way. I hope you are all having a nice Wednesday and happy Earth Day.

36 week update

So, I went to the doctor today and apparently I am already 1.5 cm dilated and 80% effaced...and I guess all of these weird back pains and belly tightening I have been having are contractions?! Needless to say I left the doctor with my head spinning. She said even though we are a little early, she would not stop labor once it starts since he is nearly full-term. I am supposed to take it easy for now to try to keep him in there as long as possible. We still could very well last until the first week of May as planned, but there are certainly some things going on in there that could mean he may come a little early as well. Therefore, I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens. I'll keep everyone posted.

Growth U/S 36 weeks

This morning Jesse and I went and had a growth ultrasound since the doc thought he was measuring big. He is 6 pounds, head down, and ready to go. The tech said he is measuring right on track, fluid looks good, etc. So I guess this was all an elaborate fat joke???? lol

Chicken Thighs with Grape Jelly

Here is a recipe that we tried tonight and it turned out really good. I used 2 large chicken breasts instead and halved the recipe. If I made it again I would use a little more onion, but I love onions.

Ingredients:

1 cup grape jelly
3/4 cup ketchup
1/2 cup minced onions
2 tbsp. white vinegar
1 tsp. dry mustard
3 lb. chicken thighs, skin removed

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. In a small saucepan, stir together grape jelly, ketchup, onions, vinegar, and dry mustard. Heat over medium-high heat until mixture comes to a boil and jelly is melted. Remove from heat.

Arrange chicken pieces in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Pour sauce evenly over chicken and turn pieces to coat both sides. Bake uncovered for 1 hour, until chicken is very tender. Makes 4-6 servings.

Again with giantism

So at my appt today they are still concerned that we have Andre the Giant in there and I go Tuesday for an ultrasound to find out how huge he is. Also, after nearly sending me into tears with his moving my belly all over the place, doc is not sure whether or not he is "head down" for delivery so they can check that as well. I'm not too concerned, but I am excited to see baby again before delivery. I can't believe only 3 more weeks!!! ahhhh, slightly freaking out, but very excited! I will post ultrasound pics next week of our giant child. lol

Story of Peeing on a Stick

I thought I would take a moment and tell the story of how we found out we were pregnant for those who don't know. Jesse and I had been trying for a few months, not too long, but I am bad with dates etc and I "knew" we were not pregnant in August. My period was 9 days late, but I was having cramping like I was going to get it any day so I didn't want to waste money on another negative test. Tiff and I were running around when she convinced me to get a test at CVS on the way back to her apartment. So I did the test and read the negative result. I was not too disappointed, but I was concerned and thought I would have to see my gynecologist in a few days if I still didn't have my period.

So, I am sitting on her couch while she is in the bathroom getting ready to leave and I am looking at the side of the box with the remaining test inside where it shows how to read the results and I realized...hmmm I think I messed up. So, I dug the test out of the trash and sure enough I really was pregnant. Tiff came out of the bathroom and I pretty much threw the stick across the counter at her. I was shaking and didn't know what to do with myself. I'm glad she was there because I probably would have freaked out if I was home alone.

We then drove to Barnes and Noble to get a "Dad's Guide to Pregnancy"book. I wrapped the book with the test and when Jesse came home from work I gave him the gift. He was a little confused at first because he had never looked at a pg test before and didn't know what I was giving him. We both cried and discussed when to tell people etc. I knew we should wait a while because of the risk of miscarriage, but I was too excited. This all seems like years ago, these months have gone by soooo fast. I hope you all are doing well!