More Pictures ...

To back track over the past few weeks ... here are some more photos (click on the image)

*SherryQ*

Captain Picard...?

I forgot to show you all this from about a week ago...

hee hee :)

*SherryQ*

The Birth Story :)

First of all - Octavio and Antonette (the Doula) were a GODsend through the entire process (progress)!!! I could not have done this without them - no way, could NOT have done it at all ....

b/c we were "high risk" and running "late" (41 weeks) ob/gyn convinced me to induce with prostaglanden (?) gel on Monday - happened @ 2p.m.

My body took over and labored on its own after about 4 hours. I stayed at about 3.5 cm from hour 4-14 (all went well here - used the Earth Mama Angel Baby CD for meditation and I HIGHLY recommend it!), when ob/gyn offered options.

Since I hadn't slept already for almost 48 hours (anxious about induction), I opted for some help to rest up for the event, and the ob/gyn suggestion of pitocin to "help" with dilation... uhhhh... I'll make a different choice next time...

I slept hour 14-16.5 and then awoke from a deep deep sleep into intense labor (still measuring 3.5 cm) and my water breaking. The intense labor lasted about 1 hour - where I found myself fully 10 cm and began pushing for about 40 minutes - and then met sweet baby Benjamin face to face! (insert giant THANKS here to nurse Tracy - a strong natural birth advocate and excellent coach)

My comment on seeing Benjamin in ob/gyn's arms at birth, "How'd you guys do that?" Everyone in the room cracked up - and I was completely confused at first since I didn't really know that I'd said that out loud ... After 8 years of ttc, this moment was truly a miracle and I could not believe that I had actually had a baby!!!!

Now he is here - and wide awake - and hungry ... and as sweet as a sweet baby puffin can be :)

Puffiliciously Puffinish - looking all like my brother with Octavio's nose and facial expressions :)

*SherryQ*

Photos of the little Photo Bug!

Heya :)

Here is little Benjamin in his Amby... I lasted with him in there for about 10 minutes... eeks! He is SO tiny :) Octavio is braver than I am and has left Benjamin peacefully resting in the Amby for about 45 minutes while I was blissfully unaware in the shower...

What a sweet puffin!!!

And ... wide awake moments ...


Our sweet little niece, Zoe (2 1/2 years old) says, "He has Tio's nose and Titi's arms!"

Benjamin's Titi Evelyn says, "He looks like a blond Octavio."

G-Dad says, "He has my nose!" We say, "A, he's Adorable!!!!"

*SherryQ* going to sleep as often as I can :)

Hey Ya'll :)

We are in LOVE :)

Doh! :) xoxoxo

Milk, it does a body good!!! (from Octavio)

As you can see from Baby Q's expression, he is one little sweet puffin. We only wish he would stay like this forever. Looks like he's telling Mommy Q, "Got milk?". There will be pitfalls as well as mountains to climb for Q but one thing is certain, Mommy and Daddy are loving every minute of it.

Here's Benjamin!!! (from Octavio)

Here is a little snippet of our bundle of joy. Mom and Baby Q are doing fine, Dad is very tired...
More pics to be available soon. Benjamin is oodles and oodles of fun, of course until Sherry asks, "Octavio, can you change the Baby?" Kidding aside, we wouldn't want it any other way.

Thanks very much for the congratulatory e-mails, flowers, etc...

The MOST unflattering photograph, EVER >:P

Publication: Frederick News-Post;

Date: Jul 3, 2008;

Section: Home & Family;

Page: C-1

HAVING A BALL GIVING BIRTH Using a doula can help reduce negative feelings about one’s childbirth experience, reduce the need for pitocin, forceps or vacuum extractions and cesareans, and reduce a mother’s request for pain medications By KRISTA BRICK SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-POST

Any day now Sherry Quinones’ life will change dramatically, and it’s a change she’s been awaiting for nearly eight years. With the upcoming birth of her first child, Sherry is leaving nothing to chance.

She has a birth plan and a doula to help her execute it.

“I thought about this day for such a long time. I like to know as much as I can know and have a plan and a back up to that plan,” she said.

Her plan involves Antonette Hoffman-Robinson, a birth doula and lactation educator, who Quinones hired to help during the birth of her son. The word “doula” comes from the Greek word meaning “woman’s servant.” In modern times, doulas are being used to provide emotional and physical support to a laboring woman and her partner. They are different from midwives, who are trained medical professionals who can perform medical procedures and deliver babies.

According to the Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators, a doula can help reduce the negative feelings about one’s childbirth experience, reduce the need for pitocin, forceps or vacuum extractions and cesareans, and reduce a mother’s request for pain medications.

Sherry said she is hoping Hoffman-Robinson’s presence will help her hold off on heading to the hospital longer and remember what she can do to help herself during active labor.

“Antonette will be a help to remind us of our goals and to execute them,” Sherry said.

Nancy Lord, coordinator of the Frederick Memorial Hospital’s Family Focus/Childbirth Education program said expecting parents are asking more often for doula information.

“They are very interested in doulas because they like the idea that dad is there to help with certain things, but it is nice to have someone who is so familiar and skilled in the area to help them also,” Lord said.

According to Doulas of North America, an international organization promoting and certifying doulas, more doulas are making their way into delivery rooms.

“I think there is more of a open mindedness to having a doula especially as natural childbirth and informed births are on the rise,” said Natashia Fuksman, northeastern regional director for DONA international. “Certainly the use of doulas has been on an increase. What we are seeing very consistently is that mothers are having far more satisfying birth experiences with consistent labor support with someone not a clinician but someone trained in labor support fulfilling emotional needs as well as physical needs.”

Doulas certified by DONA must complete a class series and a 16-hour workshop as well as attend at least three births accounting for 15 hours of labor support. The process can take up to a year. According to DONA, doula-assisted births result in a decrease in postpartum depression and a more positive birth experience. Some doulas also help mothers with postpartum care after delivery.

Hoffman-Robinson said she got into the field after feeling unsatisfied after the birth of her son Baylin by cesarean section. “Instead of being angry, I wanted to be positive,” she said. Earning her certification as a doula, Hoffman-Robinson said she focuses on empowering women in the delivery room. “I love to see these women feel good because they birthed on their terms.”

For about $450 Hoffman-Robinson (www.nascitadoula.com) helps a pregnant woman with two prenatal birth visits to create a birth plan, is available 24 hours, seven days a week for consultations, attends the birth from labor’s onset and makes a postpartum visit. She also can provide lactation education.

She has been working as a doula for two years and has had 15 clients so far. “Partners feel comforted by me because it is hard to see their spouse in pain and not know what to do. I can help to facilitate that spouse’s involvement,” she said.

Christine Myers of Frederick was a childbirth educator for six years and discovered she enjoyed being with her clients as they delivered. She is now a DONA-certified doula and has attended nearly 40 births (www.gentlepassagebirth.com).

“Husbands often still want someone else there. I can help the husband help their wife if they don’t remember what they learned. A lot of times I can take a backseat,” Myers said. “I am not a there to usurp the role of the husband, but I am backing up the role.”

She said there are misperceptions about the intentions of a doula. “Some think that doulas are just for those giving natural birth,” she said. “When you are in labor, whether the woman is having medication or not, there are some things still they need to do, like getting enough fluids, trying to change position and address the emotional stress with labor. Some may not feel pain but need to be talked through the emotional stress and have help to make medical decisions.”

Nicole Kosineski of Adamstown is still working on her certification as a doula. She got into the business after using a doula in the natural birth of her daughter a year ago.

“She was my rock,” Kosineski said of her doula. Her husband encouraged her to hire the doula for the birth.

“My husband is a wonderful man, but taking a three-day course on birth and expecting him to support me as much as someone who does this for a living would know how to do is unrealistic,” she said. “A lot more women are taking charge of their healthcare and realize they do have options. The trend goes in and out. It has started and faded before. I pray it doesn’t fade this time.”

Before hiring a doula, DONA recommends checking their experience level, asking how many births they have attended and determining the services they provide. Also important is finding out what type of on-call availability they offer and backup plan to that availability. References and fees should also be discussed.

Kosineski (www.frederickdoula.com) advises pregnant women to make sure the doula shares their philosophy on birth.

“There are doulas who will walk out if you say you are going to have an epidural or cesarean sections. Find out the philosophy of the doula you are interviewing. It is a red flag if the doula argues with nurses on medical care. A doula can help remind you of your birth plan, but the doula is not to discuss your plan with the medical staff,” Kosineski said.

For information about doulas visit www.dona.org or www.alace.org

.

Staff photo by Doug Koontz Antonette Hoffman-Robinson, far left, a doula, or birth coach, helps Sherry Quinones with a hip press massage.

A funny thing happened

at the Perinatal Specialist's waiting room - waiting - some small talk was initiated ...

I said, "we should go to Argentina sometime"

He said, "I can't just skip out to Argentina for a weekend of fun while Valley Oak isn't ready for sale, I'm not like Ryan" delivered completely deadpan...

I almost peed my pants.

They are listening despite themselves when we are watching trashy television!

*SherryQ* :)

Still Waiting ...

Visited the Perinatal Specialist this morning - baby is ready and good to go!

We're waiting for him to figure out his exit strategy - and that karate kicking my ribs is probably not going to work :)

I have transformed into being end-of-pregnancy uncomfortable, so there's a good sign!!!

Clip, clop, clip, clop - every clippity cloppity moment is closer and closer to meeting the baby!

p a t i e n c e

*SherryQ* :)

I'm stupid ...

"What is wrong with me?!?" she asks rhetorically, or expecting deep empathy and complete denial from her friends ...

I figured it out! I claim complete pregnancy loss of mind - or confusion, whichever comes most easily if/when confronted, and I made my appt for labor "help" for next Monday - July 7th - believing as I did so that the Dr meant in the next week or so ... yes, yes - it's all very clear to me now :)

So, the kindly CRNP Mossberg (she does the actual inductions) scheduled an additional stress test for me next Thursday at 10:45 a.m., at which time they will provide me with instructions for what I am supposed to do on the following Monday...

Bought us another 4-5 days!!!! C'mon labor - let's go!!! :)

ttyl *SherryQ*

btw PLEASE do not question my tactics - I do not have a complete loss of mind and will, of course, go to the hospital, or tele the Dr. if anything unusual pops up ...

Stupid

Damn - there, I said it - damn >:(

If I don't go into labor on my own before next Wed - the Dr's are going to "help" us b/c of the baby's movements and placenta and my age and whatever

Frick - hate it

I'm sure you (or at least the females) can all fill in exactly what is going to happen courtesy of the "help" I am in line to receive

If only I wasn't so, like, old and getting/staying pregnant hadn't been so precarious

Stupid dumb stupid situation - hopefully the baby will be well

*SherryQ*

The Unthinkable

has happened ...

first, I decided that I no longer need to towel off anyplace below my knees after showering

then, I purchased and wore those giant pregnant lady panties

You are lucky - I do not have any photos ...

We are in the final weeks, please help me forgive myself :)

ttyl *SherryQ*

Getting Ready!

At the regular OB/GYN visit this morning, we found out that I am not dilated at all - but am 75% effaced ... so the body is starting to work a little bit :)

Ok - I took my own picture, and I am not good at this ... but here I am at the GInormous phase of pregnancy ...

front
and
side

ooooooooh spoooooooooky :) I'm guessing that we have about another week or so before this sweet baby becomes anxious to meet us - in the meantime, I'll be getting ready! :)

ttyl *SherryQ*

It's all about the Baby!

Heya :)

I forgot to tell you all about going to see sweet Tana's first dance recital - where she was the BEST dancer in her group (read, "in the entire 2.5 hour show")! She was the only sweet puffin prancing around and groovin' the moves to the "We are Siamese" cat song from Lady and the Tramp, until she looked around and saw that no one else in her dance posse was following along. This revelation tripped her up for a sec, but then she dove right back into some rockin' ballet moves :)
Here she is celebrating her success at the pizza place with her patient Mommy ...

super genius!

On our baby front - we received the best of all possible news today! The baby is gaining weight and movin' up the scales in all areas (tummy still small, but growing!) - so the Dr's are going to (with weekly monitoring) let us try for another 3 weeks to get my body to go into labor :)

As I don't quite feel ready yet - I'm not sure what I am looking for to be "ready," but, I think I'll know it when I feel it - we're going to wait another week before we try any tricky tricks at home to get things started.

In the meantime, I am resting, eating, drinking and resting still. The doggy is now accustomed to me interrupting his day by being at home - and has decided that he is fine with it all. I showed him the pictures of the baby - - - - WAIT a minute! I have actual pictures!!!!

It might take you a minute to see his sweet face - the right side is smooshed up against the uterus - and he looks like he is holding a book (actual more goopy inside stuff). He's going to be a little snuggle bunny!

Slightly different angle of same - and the sweet baby is a little perturbed here, having been poked around for some time at this point ... He IS Octavio - don'tcha think?

Anywho, the doggy looked at the pictures with one eye, then the other eye (his big nose forces him to do this) and then, I swear, he looked at me and smiled! :) We are SO so so so so excited!

Any chance that I can blame an order of this tempting Iced Chocolate drink on my pregnancy and impending birth excitement??? Omg - I LOVE, nay, COVET this site and its potential deliciousness ... :)

Now on to finishing up the room and packing my bags for the hospital... All in good time - eh?

ttyl *SherryQ* :)

Baby Waiting

Just a little while longer :)

My last day at work was Friday, June 13th (spooooky!) - how weird to not have job ...

More news (maybe) after our visit to the Dr on Wednesday :)

ttyl *SherryQ*

Upholstered Swivel Glider Rocker found!

We found it! We found it!!!

It was delivered on Monday - and Octavio had to carry in all 5 boxes - and bring them upstairs in the gazillion degree heat...

We emptied the boxes Monday night - and let all of the pieces sit and air out. We read on a review site that the upholstery is a little pungent with the flame-retardants. It seems to have worked out well - by Tuesday morning, the smell was gone.

And then last night... we assembled (Octavio did the work, and I contributed a lovely golf clap) the upholstered swivel glider rocker and matching ottoman!

You may be saying to yourself, "but, hey! wait a minute... I thought that both the Sawks and the Celtics were on last night - the Sawks even altered their start time to accommodate fans = Octavio." Yes, it is true - but, alas, both big Boston teams, well... bombed last night. So, the rocker was assembled instead :)

Perinatal Dr. visit went well this morning - we saw all of the heart ventricles, kidneys, stomach, spine, feet and a sweet arm and hand covering his face - again! So, no pictures (again) ... this baby is going to surprise us :) Ob/Gyn visit tomorrow - maybe we'll have more info then ...

ttyl *SherryQ*

Power Outage bit

Ahhh... it WAS a bird!!! Only in Frederick ....

From the Frederick News Post (I got the FNP!)
Power restored in Frederick
Originally published June 08, 2008

From Staff Reports

Power has been restored to more than 16,000 Allegheny Power customers in Frederick County, according to Allen Staggers, spokesman for the utility.

The outage was mainly contained to downtown Frederick and the Ballenger Creek Pike area (This is where we live).

Crews were alerted to the problem shortly after 6 p.m., he said. A bird flew into a substation and caused a short, Staggers said. The bird died. Frederick Memorial Hospital was also affected by the outage but functioned normally on back-up power, according to a spokesperson.

Officers with the Frederick Police Department placed flares at intersections to alert drivers the traffic signals were out, said Sgt. Mathew Burns.

He, along with his officers, saw outages all over downtown Frederick and along U.S. 40.

City Cab Co. was nearly crippled by the area’s power outage, co-owner Blaine Young said (omg - we have cabs?!!?).

“We’re dead, everything’s dead,” he said. “We’re operating on a back-up phone system, but we’re going back to the way the cab business was in the 1940s.”

Drivers communicated with each other via cell phones, and they met in zones throughout the city to keep customer service as smooth as possible.

“All our technology is useless, our computer dispatch is down, everything is down,” Young said. “This really caught us by surprise.”

The office was operating on battery and auxiliary power, he said. “We’re trying to do the best we can, we hope people can be patient.”

The Summer Concert Series at the Baker Park Bandshell was also interrupted Sunday. The Scott Ambush contemporary jazz band was playing and couldn’t continue due to a sudden power outage in downtown Frederick.

The 72 Play Fest final performance has also been postponed due to the outage with the performance rescheduled for June 22.

Dr. Visits update

Heya :)

We're plugging along ...

Baby continues to grow (still at or below the bottom of the growth curve - but, growing)

You couldn't tell that by looking at me, though - I am a GIANT in woman's clothing

Baby's heartbeat is 140, my total weight gain is up to 20 lbs, my blood pressure is 111/64

The cute Chinese Dr. checked to see how far down the baby's head might be (now THAT was an odd sensation... enough said!) - and we are not quite ready to talk about delivery - he has some traveling downward yet to do :)

Overall, we feel well - starting to notice physical signs of getting ready to make room for baby to enter the world, but nothing unusual. I think the comfort level is directly related to my increased rest/proteins/water.

No pictures again this week - although we were offered another boy bits shot - that I emphatically declined. I mean, seriously - should we have been planning for a "boy bit in utero" retrospective that we are missing the boat on? Was this our chance for artistic glory?

hmmm... pass, please

I hope that all is well out there! Did you all see that Alicia Paulsen's book can now be pre-ordered???? W O W :)

ttyl *SherryQ*

Oh no, she d'in't - oh, yes, she did!

An iPod touch for the sweet baby? Oh, yes, she did! The baby needs it for labor/delivery and sweet night music :) Daddy needs it for sports scores (it is baseball season - c'mon!). Mommy needs it 'cause of the swivel screen and she is a playlist junkie.

Another photograph in the last month of pregnancy? Oh, yes, she did!

Holy Frick-a-Doodles!
(an homage to KBT)

I walked past the mirror on Sunday morning and saw this - sans sweater/shirt even more alarming! - and had to seriously back up and do a double take of myself... That is one giant tummy on that girl!!! Sakes alive!

Perinatal specialist visit tomorrow - and regular Ob/Gyn on Thursday :)

ttyl *SherryQ*

Baby knows karate?- From Octavio

I kissed the belly and the baby kicked me in the mouth, twice! This baby is already practicing his karate skills on me.

All Systems "GO"

The baby is in position, repeat, the baby is in position ... (no sirens actually sounded - but it would be SO cool if they did!)

The sweet baby's head is so far down now, we can't even get even a "kind of" a profile ... 3-5 weeks until we meet him!!!

I'm sorting some music into new lists - one of which is for the labor bit. Beyond "Red Hooded Sweatshirt," I have come across a song that has me completely obsessed, stringing in a constant loop, and can only dare to dream that I had the nerve or some kind of confident labor humor, to add it to that playlist. Anyone? Anyone? omg - it's "Don't Touch Me" from the Space Ghost's Musical BBQue - Cartoon Network Band... :)

That would be frickin' funny - no?

Yes - I see, it's time for a rest :)

ttyl *SherryQ*

Missing Socks

I've already lost 3 of the sweet baby's socks :( One blue, one gray, and one with a little baseball on it ...

UGH! The emotions ...

Stupid laundry - stupid folding of the laundry

*SQ*

Socks have been found and returned to their pairs!!! :)

FMH Hospital Tour

He asked the little volunteer at the front desk if this was a "3-hour-tour." Correction - he sang it.

You can see where this little trip was going - oui?

We had our hospital tour with FMH Wellness Center lady, Amy. Unfortunately, she is one of those sugary-sweet-if I just smile enough you'll be happy too... kind of people. Fortunately, she did give a very informative tour, answering everyone's questions honestly, with a good balance of what the nurses are able to accommodate, inclined to accommodate, willing to accommodate. This giant tummied librarian likes to know these kinds of parameters. It helps me judge how difficult or pleasant I can be prepared to be. I gots to know the lay of the land, so to speak :)

I feel well informed and prepared for this hospital experience - and almost ready!!! I'm still not to the point of desperately wanting the pregnancy to be over... but, I know that is coming.

Our doula visited on Sunday for a few lovely hours - and has much experience at FMH, which also helps with my feeling of being prepared. We talked more about my expectations of her, Octavio's expectations of the entire experience, and what to concentrate on over the next two weeks - when I will be at week 37! W O W :)

Octavio is now nesting and reading :

We are SO excited!!!!

ttyl until our next specialist visit on Wednesday! Hope you all enjoyed your Memorial Day weekend, and kept someone close to your heart xo *SherryQ*

Confessions, an Update and Shopping list

I have two confessions:

Confession #1 - - - On April 18th, I ate a steak. Like a whole piece of it. Octavio grilled it up for me - skirt steak Puerto Rican style. And, I did not vomit or complain (too loudly). I am pretending like meat is medicine for the growing baby, and am trying to take it like a WOman. I did get a tummy ache later - maybe it was mental ... I tried to commit to eating the red bloody meats at least once a week, through breastfeeding. This resolution did not last ... but, I did eat hamburger (b-l-e-c-h, nevah again!) the other night at a cookout...

Confession #2 - - - Sometime during the week of May 5th, I gave up wearing my regular pants with a bella band, and wore a pair of full panel maternity pants. Yes, indeed, I did.

An update:
All of the rest, food, water seems to be helping the placental/amniotic fluid issues :) Even though I haven't gained any weight in the past two weeks... another visit next week will give us more information about the sweet BabyQ :)

Giant Tummy = Tiny Baby

Shopping List:
Other than the Ikea dresser and Glider that my mother is making arrangements for (THANKS, Mom!), this is what we are shopping for this weekend ...
*KangarooKorner adjustable cotton pouch
*Sophie the Giraffe
*Baby Bjorn
*Nursing Bra Tops
*Pacifiers
*Diaper Bag - just haven't found the right one yet

Other than adjusting to not being at work so often - soon to be not at all - that's about all that's going on here - OH! WAIT... Look at one of the shelves that Octavio built for his sweet boy ...

I need a new camera, or more patience :)

ttyl *SherryQ* currently not able to stop the never ending "Red Hooded Sweatshirt" by Mr. A. Sandler from running through my mushy mind ... 'zup?

Where a Spontaneous Energetic Cow Parade is Reverently Observed ...

Hello :)
I believe that the baby is still growing - I know that for sure, I am still growing!

enter exhibit A: "the downward spiral shot"

Whilst sitting on the couch (which I am NOT supposed to do - its either prone on the left side or in a supportive chair), I happened upon this vista, and the melonishness of it all caught me in my funny bone = a photo must be taken! :)

That's my only photo to share as of right now. My camera battery died - again. I can only get about 3 pictures taken before the darned thing just tires out no matter how much I recharge it. Get a new battery, you say? Or a new camera, you say? Yes, I hear those voices too - just haven't been irritated enough to actually do anything yet - but will with baby on the way :)

Lack of camera attention caused me to miss being able to take a photo of my reverent (read - half asleep after lunch) observation of the cutest spontaneous cow parade on my ride home from work this afternoon (no worries - Octavio was driving). I added "energetic" to the description as well - because they were prancing up and down in the happiest fashion around the tip of a little curvy hill on their way to something that must have been very exciting ... an afternoon party of sorts, perhaps? Well, that's how it happened in my world - and if I could have taken a photo, I could have shared evidence... bygones ... but I couldn't resist the blog title, so now you know the rest of the story :)

I need to attend to the camera issue asap so that I can share the progress of the nursery - complete with shelves and stuff on shelves! I would also like to post some photos of the cute presies BabyQ has received from all of your generosity!

BTW - you read and hear about how the pregnancy hormones make the ladies all crazy and stuff - and now I know it is true! I recognize it, but I can't stop it! I feel like I am either smiling or sleeping all of the time... I am forgetting things and I trip over - over - over - nothing. I just trip :P Freakish, ain't it ... ? The poor dog is beside himself wondering what invisible things he is missing that I am tripping over.

ttyl - more on Wed or Th after more Dr. visits, unless by some miracle I remedy the camera issue :) *SherryQ*

Perinatal Specialist visit

Howdy All :)
I visited the perinatal specialist again this morning - and as of last week, we were encouraged with the baby's growth (still very small, but growing, except for his tummy), but we were still moved to weekly visits because of the small measurements.

This week, he had some slight growth, but unfortunately, not in the stomach at all, and my amniotic fluid is quite low even compared to last week - indicating that the placenta is quickly going to stop being able to nourish the baby at all. I have been given signs of what to look for, and they are willing to let me wait another week for a return visit (unless something creeps up) - after which I'll be monitored for these changes twice a a week until the baby arrives.

No pictures this week at all - just information :(

So we are now at the point where I am needing to work no more than 3 days/week and no more than 4 hours/day in a sitting/desk position (I'm antsy just writing this down!).

We also discovered this morning that this
Sweet Baby LOVES the acai blueberry/pomegranate juice!

I'll find some pictures to post - soooooooon :) xo *SherryQ*