Roll Call

Ok, Matt and I are curious (and bored waiting for baby). We want to know who is looking at the blog. There is no real way for us to tell. If you check out the blog, take a minute and post a comment to this posting that has your name. I won't go so far as request that you actually make a comment, I know that doesn't tickle everyone's fancy, but if you would just log in your name that would make us happy (especially me because I am hormonal). Hope everyone has a good weekend!

Still no baby...

Still no sign of Luke. As far as scheduling goes, he can come anytime! I finished my crazy debtor issues- we got our plan confirmed (sort of) and Matt has landed a new project (we are pretty sure). So, our work lives will now allow us time to have the baby!! If only the baby wanted to make an appearance! We will keep you all posted on the progress!

Place Your Bet on the Under...

Ok, it is official, Luke's arrival will be no later than July 11, 2006. If he does not make an appearance before then I will be induced early that morning. That would only make him 3 days early! But, his birthday will be easy to remember (7-11).

Week 37 1/2

We went to the doctor today (fully expecting to be told we could just walk across the street to the hospital)- we were wrong. Still have not dilated much further but dr. thinks I won't make it to my due date. He said "could be any day now." Actually he said if there is no baby by 7/7 we can pick a date. Just might take him up on that! I think the presence of Matt at today's appointment made the doc a little more conservative!

Will keep you all updated...

No baby yet...

Funny how my due date is not until 7/14, but once I heard the doctor say I would not make it through the weekend, I fully expected him to be right. We are almost to the weekend- nothing yet. I think the doctor jinxed me, but at least he got me ready- my bag is packed and the car seat base is installed in the car.

One theory is that I have been wound so tight at work that I have stopped dilating..hmm? the crazy debtor hearing is over, but no clue on the ruling. Should come tomorrow.

Next doctor appointment is Monday at 4pm (assuming I don't deliver before!).

Oh, and if my mother in law was worried about us naming the kid Bean she will be shocked at my newest idea- if baby Byman is born tonight on the Rocket Roger Clemens' debut, he just might be Luke Rocket Byman! (just joking Jane, I think). Sure makes Amy's choice seem more acceptable, baby "______ Danger Paczosa".

No hard feelings toward the Malaysians...

And now for the rest of the story...I was chastised for leaving everyone hanging on the Pottery Barn saga. Alls well-pretty much. We have bed, nightstands, dresser and mirror. Still need to hang mirror, but that is another post waiting to happen. Pictures to follow.

Here is the PB dresser. Nothing in it yet. I don't want to bother loading it with maternity clothes. I will use it as incentive to get back into my old clothes. As they fit, I can move them into the dresser. I don't want to hear anything from anyone if this thing stays empty for a while! And, just for the full effect, that TV is getting moved upstairs as soon as we buy a smaller one for our room. The mirror will then be placed above the dresser, like at most normal houses (we are trying).

The infamous bed and bedside tables. This is our old Queen size bedding- we are stretching it out until the new stuff comes in. The lady who is making it thought we would not have a bed until July so she was not in a big hurry! No one warned me about how freaking big a king size bed is. My lord, matt is miles away from me. Of course, I don't move at all from my upright sleeping position, but probably more than you were looking for about our sleeping habits.

The last belly pics????

This could be the last belly picture. Only time will tell. I turned a little so that you could all have the full effect- totally pushed out belly button, semi-dark line, huge basketball and the beginnings of two stretch marks. That is all I have so far (or so Matt tells me).

Notice how the drawstring is completely maxed out on these pants- I refuse to buy any more maternity clothes (and for the record, these are not maternity and hence I am at the end of the rope).

Brother from another mother...

Move over brother- Archie is clearly not phased by Luke's impending arrival, or at least in this picture. He seems to be quite concerned with why there is a bag packed in my bathroom now (I mean, soon to be packed, but definitely all layed out!).

Watch out telemarketer- hormonal woman on the line!

Everyone needs two phones in the kitchen. BTW, this dress is the epitomy of maternity clothes. Huge but comfy. I have only actually worn it to the pool, but it has potential to become one of my favorites if I go much further!

Week 36 1/2

Well, Dr. Haufrect checked me out. I am over 2 1/2 cm dilated. He will be impressed if I make it through the week to my next appointment. Looks like Luke really does want to see some World Cup soccer and maybe even some NBA Action. Hopefully he misses the Clemens debut! Of course, this could just be jinxing me to have the baby after the due date.

I'm still hoping to make it past Wednesday so that I can cover my crazy debtor hearing. Keep your fingers crossed and we will keep you updated!

Week 36

From the Experts (comments by me):


At the end of this week, you're going to reach an important pregnancy milestone: Your baby will be considered full term! That means you could give birth very soon (my mom thinks sooner rather than later). Put any unnecessary travel plans on hold now in case you go into labor early. Many airlines won't let pregnant women fly close to their due dates for this reason. It's also time to start wrapping up projects at work (please let me get through my crazy debtor hearing on the 21st) , get an infant car seat if you haven't already done so (done), and put finishing touches on the nursery (done). Your baby - who now weighs about 6 pounds and is almost 19 inches long - will continue to gain about an ounce a day until he makes his debut (good, he needs to fatten up just a bit, but not too much).

These explanations have lost their excitement for me- basically the only thing happening is that Luke and I are gaining weight. Actually, me weight gain has slowed dramatically (and I am still in the ok range). Back to the doctor on Monday. I'll be sure to post another report (and hopefully not embarass my husband too much).

Week 35 1/2

We had our last ultrasound this morning. No good pictures though. In fact all we got was one where the spine connects to the back of his head. He has a lovely, bony spine. His head is already way far down into my pelvic bone so there was no way to see his face. We did see a lot of spine though.

He kicked through the whole ultrasound so all the pictures are blurry. I'm optimistic about his soccer skills.

My amniotic fluid is good, he is definitely engaged and I am 1cm dilated which makes my doctor very excited. As for weight, the ultrasound measurements peg him at about 5 1/2 pounds. That puts him in the 48%. My doctor was also excited about this. He has been hoping the baby would not get too big for a person my size (prepregnancy size that is).

Also had the strep tests- interesting. Not nearly as interesting as my doctor trying to figure out who dilated I was. I had no idea my cervix was so far up- my goodness (just wait you non-pregos) (and Matt, yes I know people read this, but it was that traumatic). Anyway, I'm down to weekly visits. Monday is the the next one. I'll keep you all posted.

Silvercreek Splashday 2006

Not much has changed in a year. This is a remake of Veronica and Patrick's hurricane Rita picture from Marshall.

Law School Girls' Shower for Farrell

Here is another momma to be. Farrell is due 5 days after me (but my bet is she goes first).

Look at Kelly and baby Hannah! Hannah is getting so big and was so well behaved!

Barry and another mommy-to-be. These two were busy cleaning all day. (Thank goodness).

A great new addition to baby Pollard's room. Farrell's good family friend made this quilt from hand dyed fabrics. Isn't it gorgeous?

You should all sit down for this...

They are going to deliver my bed and dresser tomorrow. Yes, you heard me correctly, TOMORROW! (Allegedly!). Though I will probably never order anything from the PB catalog again, I am temporarily blinded by my excitement over FINALLY having a dresser and bed.

Of course, my bedding won't be ready for 3+ weeks, because we were told there would be no bed until July....I'll stop now before I am unblinded to the PB hatred!

Thought you would all be happy to know that there should be no more PB bashing on the blog for a while (unless they f*#k something up tomorrow when delivering the stuff).

I'll be sure to include pictures of it when it is set up (as if you all care that much- but too bad, if I have to deal with it, y'all get to see it!). Happy Friday!!

Week 34- CAUTION- The following can only be construed as birth control for all non-pregos

What is going on with me with only 6 weeks to go:

Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds and is probably almost 18 inches long (other websites say he is already 5 pounds and more than 19 inches long). The fat layers — which he'll need to regulate his body temperature once he's born — are filling him out, making him rounder. His central nervous system is still maturing and his lungs are well developed by now. If you've been nervous about going into preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that 99 percent of babies this age can survive outside the womb — and most have no major long-term problems related to prematurity (That is a pretty awesome factoid- now for the gross stuff).

You may be feeling a little fatigued lately, and that's perfectly understandable. Let yourself slow down and save some energy for labor day. If you have to spend a lot of time on your feet, try wearing a maternity belt that supports your abdomen and helps redistribute some of the weight (I'm sure that would look great in the courtroom). And if you've been sitting or lying down for a long time, don't jump up too quickly. Blood can pool in your feet and legs, which may cause a temporary (but rapid) drop in your blood pressure and make you feel dizzy when you get up. (OK, here we go, I warned you...)Many midwives recommend massaging the perineum (the area around your vagina) to help prevent tearing during childbirth. This is a good time to start, though not everyone is comfortable with this technique and it may not help in every case. You can learn how to do it here. (I dare one of you to click there!) You may notice itchy red bumps or welts on your belly (they might even spread to your thighs and buttocks) (awesome, as if I can see my thighs right now). This is usually a harmless condition called pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP for short), but let your practitioner make a diagnosis to be sure. Also be sure to call her if you feel itchy all over your body, even if you don't have a rash. It could signal a liver problem.

I warned you all- this prego thing is not for the faint of heart!! Hope everyone is doing well. I feel pretty good. I do get more tired now (could be the extra 30 lbs.). Baby's room is almost totally finished. We have got almost all the gear we need (or so I am told). We have finished all the prenatal classes (and we survived). BUT I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE THERE ARE ONLY 6 WEEKS TO GO!

I have the final ultrasound on 6/13. We will get all the important stats then! I also confirmed that my OB has a heart- he said that we can induce the Monday after my due date (a Friday) if I haven't had the baby yet (good to hear since the temp is already skyrocketing!).