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Chevie's Diary Entries Diary Navigation: Choose A Diary Entry -------------------- Latest Entry: 10/25/00 -------------------- 10/10/00 8/31/00 8/13/00 8/9/00 7/31/00 7/19/00 7/12/00 7/6/00 6/27/00 6/22/00 6/14/00 6/5/00 5/31/00 5/22/00 5/15/00 5/9/00 5/1/00 4/24/00 4/18/00 4/10/00 4/3/00 3/25/00 3/17/00 -------------------- Chevie's Introduction

July 31, 2000

36.5 weeks, 3.5 to go!!

I'm so very sorry for getting behind on my entries lately. I have been so busy with work and family. I'll try to update you all from my last entry.

I went to the doctor on July 21 and not much was done. They checked my weight which seems to be slowing down a bunch. I've been losing weight here and there, or just gaining one-half to one pound a week. Jaydon's heart rate was the lowest it has ever been: 132 bpm. I was concerned, considering the first five months it was usually 142-148. The nurse said not to worry and to only be concerned if it drops to 120. The doctor said I have a lot of swelling in my ankles and legs, which I could see for myself. He told me to cut out all salt and fried foods completely. Of course I didn't follow his orders that strictly, I just cut back. Since then my swelling has diminished. He told me that starting that next week (July 29) he would start seeing me every week and doing a pelvic exam. I would also get my strep test done. Oh, what fun I had waiting for that appointment.

Well, my birthday came and went on the 27th. I finally turned 21. Whoopee! You can't have as much fun as you would like to when you are pregnant on your 21st birthday. I had always planned on renting a limo with some friends and going into Dallas to party all night. I guess that will just have to be postponed for a little while. Oh well, it is well worth it.

So anyway, last Friday I had the first dreaded pelvic exam and strep test done. The pelvic was nothing like I thought it would be. I imagined it very painful and long, but my doctor was done in about two minutes. So here's the news: The baby has dropped, and I am 1 cm dilated, but my cervix is very thick and short. He said that if the baby came on his own it would probably still be about 3-4 weeks. Here's the catch: He isn't going to let me go to my due date. He wants to bring me in one week before and induce me. You see, I live about an hour from the hospital so he feels more comfortable doing this (I also think he plans on going out of town). So at my next visit he will check me again and see if we need to do it sooner. If I haven't dilated any more we will wait till the 16th to schedule the induction. So we haven't picked a birthday yet for our son, but will in the next two weeks. I will get the strep test results back in about a week or maybe sooner. My next appointment is in two days (Aug. 2). Wish me luck!

So now we are current. This past weekend I spent all my birthday money in Shreveport gambling. I had a whole bunch of fun! I even brought money back. At one point we had nothing but $40 and we decided to leave Horseshoe and go to Harrah's. Well, that was probably the best decision we could have made. We got over there and won back about $300 and still left for home with $100. So all in all, we aren't broke and I had a lot of fun.

My mom was supposed to go with us but instead went to look for a new house closer to us. She ended up finding a beautiful house in a very upscale neighborhood. If you're from Texas you may have heard of it -- Stonebridge Ranch. It has a country club, three pools (one of them has a beach with sand), tennis courts, jogging trails and much more. I am so excited for her, but I'm even more excited because I get to quit my current job and work for her!

This means I will be able to spend day and night with my son when he arrives. I was going to have to come back to where I work now and leave him with my MIL. I was really dreading this. I knew if I did that I could have risked missing out on a lot of his "firsts." This also will enable me to breastfeed longer if I wish and get back into shape quicker. My mom has already told me that the most I will work in one week will be four days. She runs her office out of her home so if I'm not busy I can play with Jaydon, take him for a walk or even watch T.V. For pay compensation she is going to pay three of our major bills each month: land, house and a new car payment. So yes, I even get a new car out of the deal!! If you have kept up with my diary, a few weeks ago I was complaining about our car that we have now always breaking down. My mom closes on the house around Aug. 15 so hopefully she will be settled in just before the little guy is here. I am so excited!! Right now things couldn't be going any better, or so it seems.

By the way I am a little more than nine months pregnant but still feel great. I only have back pain and swelling if I have been walking a lot or eating salty foods. Heartburn has ceased and breathing has become normal since the baby has dropped. So all in all, it isn't so bad being pregnant. Since this is my first pregnancy, I have nothing to compare to but I do know that it has been very easy. I just hope my next one goes as smoothly. I will really miss being able to feel Jaydon inside of me, though. I will miss every hiccup and every kick or punch. I feel good knowing he's in there safe and sound, but I will feel even better when his daddy and I can hold him and let him experience life itself. I just hope that I can be the best mommy possible to him, and give him everything he needs or even desires. I know you aren't supposed to spoil your children, but what can I say, I already love him with all my heart and want him to always be happy.

Well, gotta run, time to get back to work. My next appointment is in two days so I will update on my BB if anything significant happens. Talk to you all later!

Love,
Chevie and Jaydon