The Kello Show

So, we've finally got Spring here in Sandy. We had a week of really gorgeous weather (maybe even a little hot for Kell's taste). We got some good work done in the yard and I am loving all the flowers that are blooming. These pictures are to to show off my belly (and Bella) and my clematis. I think it's so pretty. I love when all the flowers are in bloom.



I had my appointment yesterday and my VERY stubborn girl is in exactly the same position she was a couple of weeks ago, bottom down, head and feet up by my ribs (Frank Breach). It’s apparently one of those positions that is quite difficult to get out of. If she were any other kind of breach, she could pretty much just lean forward and gravity would help out, but if she tries to turn from this position, she will pretty much just rock back and forth. So, that means we have two options.

External Version – My midwife wasn’t really keen on this for my case, probably particularly because I wasn’t super keen on it. She said with first babies, they are usually packed in there pretty tight, which reduces the possibility of success. Success is pretty low anyway because they can only get the baby to flip about 60% of the time, and 40% of the time the baby flips back around anyway because they’re not comfortable. It’s also pretty darn painful and it can cause you to go into labor, which with a breach baby, they really want to avoid.

Scheduled C-Section – My midwife suggested that we schedule a C-section for 38 ½ to 39 weeks. This way, we can avoid going into labor and just having to have a C-section anyway.

We’re going to go ahead and schedule the C-section, then I’m going to spend a lot of time flipped upside down with incents on my pinky toe and soft classical music at my lower abdomen (all recommendations from the Midwife), though I’m not sure I’m supposed to do it all at the same time.

So, we’ll plan on having our girl the last full week of June (no official date yet) and see if she decides to work it out herself. I think, perhaps, she’s just going to do things on her own terms. I wouldn’t know anyone else like that, would any of you?

Last weekend, Kell and I attended an Intensive Child Birthing class at Mt Hood Legacy, which is where we'll be having the baby. The class was great. Our instructors were a lot of fun, and one reminded me a lot of my mom. She had a lot of practical advice and didn't pressure us on what's the "right" way to do things.
They had one of the dads put on a sympathy suit. The best part was that they added a weight to his bladder and a restricting band around his chest (so he couldn't breathe) and then put the belly and breasts on. Just seeing him try to put on his shoes was enough so that every man in the class didn't need to wear it. I never feel the need for Kell to have to experience exactly what I'm feeling, but it was funny to watch another man go through it. Kell has been sympathetic all along. He has even totally had sympathy symptoms like heartburn.
We got a lot of good info about breathing and relaxation techniques and a lot of good positions that are alternatives to laying in bed. Our birthing center has jacuzzi tubs for labor (not birth) and birthing balls and squat bars. They're really good about letting you do what you need to to be happy. Plus, the rooms are pretty darn nice. Walking through the halls, I got really anxious for our girl to come.
Next weekend, we have baby care class. That should be lots of fun too.
I go in this Wednesday to find out if our girl has flipped. I'll keep you all updated on that.

Remember how much fun that game was as a kid on rainy days when you couldn't go out for recess? Well, the Head's Up I'm talking about isn't as fun. That's right, our Hannah girl is bottom down, legs and head up breech (Frank Breech - think that means I can blame my dad?). We had an ultrasound on Wednesday to make sure she was assuming the position. Her head is below my right ribs and her legs are below my left ribs. That explains the abundance of heartburn. I've only really felt a lot of movement down low all along, so it makes me wonder, does our girl have really bad gas? Or is she like momma and likes to shake a tail feather?
Our midwife suggested a number of things that we could do to get her to flip including accupuncture, laying with my head down inversion-style, and classical music played very low at the top of my pubic bone. Most places I've seen say only 3-4% of babies are breech, so I'm thinking, she's going to pull through for us. Meanwhile, I'll be the girl who's laying on an inversion table with headphones on my lower belly.
It's times like this that I really wish my sisters and mom lived in the same place I did. I could totally go for some belly kisses and first-time mommy advice. If any of you have any pointers for getting my family to move to Oregon, do please share. Thus far, my attempts have been futile.

There are so many sweet things in my life lately, that I had to share with you.

1. Our baby shower in San Diego. My wonderful mom and sisters put on a spectacular baby shower for us in San Diego on Easter weekend. Kell and I made a quick trip down and had such a wonderful time. Our friends are so generous. Our little Hannah is well covered for clothes and bath time for the first year of her life. And, who doesn't love clothes and baths? We'll post pictures soon. (Someone - me - forget to pack our camera, so we have to get pics of the shower from my sisters).
2. Hannah herself. She's a sweet thing, I think. Hannah is an acrobat. I think it's only a matter of time before she starts training for the Olympics. She does flips and twists all day, especially after lunch when I'm back at my desk. She likes to tease daddy and stop moving when he puts his hand on my belly. Is this the beginning of wrapping him around her little finger? She responds quite a bit to Bella as well. She likes when Bella cuddles up to my belly. At least, I think she likes it. Maybe she's kicking to say, "get away!"
3. My niece Jillian and nephew Ross. I love those kids. It was so wonderful spending time with them in San Diego. Jilly is very excited about her new cousin, "baby Hanny." Since we got back to Oregon, she has been riding around the house on her Disney Hoppity Hop saying she is coming up to see us. Anytime you want to visit, little miss. We love that little munchkin. Ross-a-Roo has gotten so mature since we last saw him. He is really a good soul and would cuddle up to me and kiss my belly. I love cuddle time with Ross. We've always been close and I just hope he's not too disappointed that we're having a little girl. Maybe we can get you a boy next time, Roo.
4. Glucose test: OK, the test itself isn't sweet, but the "glucola" I had to drink sure was. About 15 minutes after I drank it I started getting shaky and even wackier than usual. After the blood draw, I crashed really hard too. I couldn't wait to get some food in me. When the midwife checked Hannah's heart rate, it was pretty high. She was reacting just like momma. We had yummy Mediterranean food to get us back on track at one of Kell's favorite local delis: Selma's.

I just thought it was important to take time to focus on some of the sweet things in life, especially since there is so much yuck in the world. At least our little microcosm is full of sweetness.

So, here I am at 23 weeks. I don't feel like I'm getting a lot bigger, but when you compare them, it sure looks like I am. Thanks to sister Jenn for sending all the maternity clothes. This is one of my favorite tops from the bunch. I think I wear it weekly.
We tried to get a picture with Bella in it, but she wasn't feeling photogenic that day. She is a really good big sister. She snuggles up to my belly at night. I like to say it's so she can cuddle with Hannah (I know, it's because my belly radiates incredible heat). She also likes to give my belly kisses. I'm pretty sure she can't wait for her little sister to be born.
We took this one right before we went to register at Babies-R-Us. That place is insane. I never realized how much stuff they have. Don't worry, we found plenty of things to put on the registry to get ready for our girl.
We've been working on Hannah's room and will post pictures soon. It's gonna be darn cute, if I do say so myself.