Baby Watch – Still Waiting!
no, i’m not birthing our child yet. it’s funny, i received an email this morning asking if i was since i hadn’t published a blog post yet – HA! i wish. mostly it’s getting more challenging to function and string words together thanks to lack of sleep and carrying around another human on top of being a human myself. gestation is weird and amazing. i’m currently eating pineapple and drinking raspberry leaf tea in hopes to get some things started. she can safely come at any time now!
i’m almost 39 weeks and it’s normal and healthy for babies to come between 37-42 weeks. i would really appreciate your thoughts and energy for it to be sooner than later so that my husband can spend more time with us before he has to travel again!
i figured this could be a good time to let you know what to expect ’round these parts once she is here! i have a few blog posts written and ready to go out at least once a week. i will most likely pause ‘tell me something good friday’ for a bit because i don’t want to feel stressed to write when my top priority needs to be caring for our newest family member! i may have a guest post or two but i know for me, i don’t always love reading guests posts consistently so i’m steering away from that.
hopefully we are buddies on instagram because that will most likely be where the first announcement for bavery will occur! i will of course announce it here too but may not be right away.
in the meantime, we are enjoying our time together! we have been going on lots of dates, walks and spending time with our family too. this photo was taken 2 days after my husband’s iroman, where i was for sure still exhausted and ready to fall asleep at any moment.
my husband has definitely been nesting more than i have, which seems about right for how our relationship works! ha! he’s made us freezer meals, has reorganized the pantry and been so helpful in keeping our clutter to a minimum. i have done lots of laundry and it is insanely sweet to fold little baby clothes (i’m sure that will be the last time i say anything of that sort).
i found this glider for a steal and my friend kate’s mom reupholstered it for us and i am in LOVE! i can’t sit in it for very long right now because this baby girl needs to spin around to get in a better position for birth. this means i am spending most of my time leaning over a turned around kitchen chair, on a big exercise ball or leaning forward. it’s annoying and uncomfortable but i know it will be worth it and make for a much better birthing experience for both of us!
the first time our dog sugar jumped on the gliding footstool was hilarious. she has yet to do it again but it looked like she was trying to balance on a tightrope. the chair and swing are currently in our office which is quickly turning into a ‘multi-purpose room’ as my mom dubbed it. perhaps i should do a little nursery post because it is indeed little as in – closet. basically i want her to love harry potter but i promise we will treat her better than they treated him.
so that is what is happening over here at the moment! i have put a pause in working with my clients for a while, got our business to a solid place to run without my brain for at least a month and still trying to figure out the energy for writing!
for ladies who have given birth, please share any thing that worked for you to get your birthing time started! i am really needing positive and happy stories around birth so please refrain from sharing anything that isn’t that (though i’d be happy to hear your story after our little one is here)! trying to decide if it’s worth it to try to eat something spicy because my heartburn is so intense lately…
happy monday and thanks for reading my ramblings!
Sheila
August 22, 2016 at 11:14 am
HI Chelsea,
First baby – I drank some sort of oil concoction. Can’t recall all the ingredients. Yes, it worked, within 12 hours. But I actually wouldn’t recommend it. I think the baby was not ready and the birthing time was long.
Second baby – I danced (carefully but with energy) with hubby and 1st baby to a high-energy song–one of our favourite theme-of-our-life feel good songs. Labour started about 24 hours later. Baby was ready, shorter birthing time.
Wishing you all the best for a safe and happy delivery!!!
Sheila recently posted…Gratitude – and a Free eBook
chelsea
August 22, 2016 at 2:14 pm
thanks sheila! and yes, i keep going to that place too of not wanting to rush her so i mostly just want to do some priming things so thanks for being honest with your experience! i adore your idea of dancing your other babe out – we are most certainly going to try this at some point! what a fun memory to create!
Jennifer Haston
August 22, 2016 at 11:32 am
Wishing you the best for safe and happy delivery, Chelsea! I am at 34 weeks today and feeling pretty achy.. but want to encourage our little girl to keep growing. WE have been going on lots of dates too, super mindful that it may be a while before we can again — or if we do.. it will populated by “checking in” on the babe.. but we are patently aware our life is about to be totally and completely different. The thing I have heard working for people is meditation. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. I don’t like yoga at all.. but have heard that there are exercises you can do to encourage labor.. sending you prayers that she comes soon!
chelsea
August 22, 2016 at 2:15 pm
thanks jennifer 🙂 sorry you are feeling achy and yes keep that baby in there to grow grow grow! i’ve been doing my meditation/hypnobabies and those recordings keep reminding me to be patient and she will come when she’s ready 🙂
hope you feel less achy soon!
Sarah Alvey
August 22, 2016 at 12:25 pm
Hey Chelsea,
I can’t believe it’s already almost time for that baby!! I am super excited for you and Ryan!!! Here are the things that helped jumpstart my labor.
Angela~ I had my membranes stripped and then Jeff and I did some walking right after and I was in labor within 12 hours. I labored for awhile but it was also my first.
Jaxon~ I had my membranes stripped 3 times and he was still 5 days late!!! I think I was lucky with Angela. The day I went into labor though I went to the lake and was walking through the water with Angela and that evening I had a jalapeño burger with some jalapeño fries and I went into labor a few hours later. I understand your fear of eating it though as I was the same with the heartburn!!!
Scarlett~ I didn’t do anything with her… I had a doc appointment and an ultrasound the morning of my due date. During the ultrasound the contractions started and I was admitted that evening.
During labor with Jaxon and Scarlett I did quite a bit of walking which seemed to help. With Scarlett I also sat in the jacuzzi tub which helped with the pain and I sat on the birthing ball which helped her drop into the birthing canal. Good luck!!! And I hope that little girl gets herself positioned here soon!
chelsea
August 22, 2016 at 2:17 pm
sarah – you’re so awesome for the detailed descriptions! thank you!!! i think the midwives will strip membranes either at 40 or 41 weeks but i’m going ask her about that during this week’s appointment – thank you for the reminder! i did just eat some spicy food after a swim in our pool so maybe time shall tell! thanks also for letting me know that the tub and birthing ball helped – thank you!
Holly
August 22, 2016 at 12:37 pm
I know how committed you are to natural birthing process. I honor that and you and all of the all that means. So, I say breathe in love, breathe out love, and write a new affirmation. Try this one on – I know this baby comes at the right and perfect time! Oh and NOW works!
I’ll put my call out to the Universe for ya, sis! You got this!! Smiles and love..
HD
chelsea
August 22, 2016 at 2:18 pm
so appreciate your comment, thank you holly! during my birthing affirmations track, one is “my baby will come the perfect time, not when doctors try to predict” but i love your idea of creating my own written affirmation to add to my wall! thank youuuu 🙂
Audrey
August 22, 2016 at 12:45 pm
Definitely just went to your IG to put the notifications on because I’m SO EXCITED FOR Y’ALL!!
I can’t wait until she arrives in this world! Your IronMan is an IronDad!! Mr. WifeStyle for the win over there with all the nesting! Enjoy these last few weeks/days/hours (??!) as two because three will be here before you know it!
Audrey recently posted…Freddie Gets Married
chelsea
August 22, 2016 at 2:19 pm
awwww yay! thanks for being so excited – just washed her travel bibs you got her (though she won’t wear them for a while) and it made me smile all over again! definitely soaking up the time together and working hard not to make it all baby talk either!
Amanda
August 22, 2016 at 2:04 pm
I’m so excited for you guys! And by the way, I have something for you. Would you email me your new address so I can get it sent out this week?
Amanda recently posted…14 Things You’re Supposed to Stop Doing After 30, But I’m Doing Them Anyway
chelsea
August 22, 2016 at 2:28 pm
thanks amanda – we are super excited toooooo! that’s super sweet of you – i will send you an email. thanks for being so sweet (and i’m totally jealous of your family-friendly new car!)
Vivien
August 22, 2016 at 2:05 pm
Can’t wait to hear your announcement via Instagram! I wish I had some birthing insights so I could share (but I don’t). Hopefully one day I will be coming and asking you and Ryan for advice 🙂
My mom once told me when I was a baby, my parents were advised to rub baby oil onto my head to help deal with my cradle cap. As a result, I ROCKED the fauxhawk before David Beckham made it cool. I was a trendsetter! 😀
Vivien recently posted…Power of the Positive
chelsea
August 22, 2016 at 2:29 pm
we shall gladly give all the advice you could ever want (i’m finding that parents really loooove to do that so i’m sure we will be the same haha)! well done with the fauxhawk – david obviously saw your baby photos and deciding to try it out. trendsetter vivien!
Astrid
August 22, 2016 at 7:32 pm
Our first was born at 38 weeks, our second at 36 and our 3rd at 40 weeks + 2minutes. I felt so overdue but absolutely nothing worked to get her to come any earlier than she was ready. Can’t wait to hear more.
chelsea
August 23, 2016 at 3:29 pm
oh my -goes to show you they really will come when ready! thanks for sharing astrid 🙂
Paula Howley
August 22, 2016 at 10:38 pm
I wish I had something useful for you Chels but I don’t. Just that I think the good ones take their time. Meaghan was 10 days overdue and still had to be induced. I’m glad it worked out the way it did. BTW, you will for SURE be having a little Virgo baby! Boy I know those Virgoes well- I have 5 planets in Virgo and Virgo rising- gonna be interesting!!!! Sending you lots of love honey- thinking about all 3 of you. btw, I would love to hear your candid opinion on the WCPS.
chelsea
August 23, 2016 at 3:32 pm
yes and i know she will come when she’s ready but putting it out there – we are reaaaady! yay Virgo babe – can’t wait to hear what you share with us!!! trying to find the energy to write a post about the WCPS – big freaking deal! i had the same people but in a different order 🙂
Stazi
August 22, 2016 at 11:02 pm
I hate to tell you, she comes when she comes! Do eat all the spicy foods, because they are delicious (and I attribute that at least partially to why Babs loves green Chile) but I strongly recommend against eating an entire pineapple in a sitting because you are desperate. It was a really bad idea. Good luck!
chelsea
August 23, 2016 at 3:33 pm
oh i know but i always love to hear what/if things appeared to have worked for others! yeah no pineapple in one sitting haha sounds rough!
Stazi
August 22, 2016 at 11:08 pm
Also, I tried everything (literally every old wives tale I got wind of) and was still induced at 41+4. Castor oil is awful, but besides no going on that – try whatever you want to, in a healthy manner. Pedicure, massage, pressure points… it will work or it won’t. I was completely effaced for several weeks but never dilated enough for a sweep. Just remember that just because something worked for your nail ladies mom’s cousin doesn’t mean it will work for you. But I am crossing my fingers for you 🙂
chelsea
August 23, 2016 at 3:33 pm
thanks 🙂
chelsea jacobs
August 23, 2016 at 8:15 am
Don’t do the spicy!! I did it and it was NOT worth the heartburn pain. It didn’t work, and I’m so glad it didn’t because I think I would have been so distracted by the heartburn and nausea! (Unless you’ve already done the spicy thing…in which case I am totally sure it will work for you and you will be just fine 😉 ) Good vibes your way, friend! Hoping you have an amazing birth experience!
chelsea jacobs recently posted…Project Happy: Days 22-28.
chelsea
August 23, 2016 at 3:34 pm
yeah i think id have to try during midday and take medicine afterwards (though i realize nothing really works unless the process has already started). thanks for the good vibes – much appreciated!
Danielle Frizzelle
August 23, 2016 at 7:12 pm
Hey there! I tried every trick in the book to get my little girl to come out. Nothing worked! I ended up being induced at 41+1 weeks. It was a wonderful experience! Not sure how you feel about a photographer, but we had one and it was the best decision!!!!!
Elyse@JustMurrayed
August 24, 2016 at 12:00 am
Sending positive thoughts, Chelsea! Wishing you a happy and safe delivery and can’t wait to “meet” Bavery!
Elyse@JustMurrayed recently posted…Celebrating 30
Pebby
August 24, 2016 at 8:17 am
Walk–hoping that you have a safe delivery! Listen to your body and sleep when the baby sleeps after she is born. Make sure that you have plenty of help around those first few weeks. Let someone else take care of the house cleaning, laundry, cooking, dish washing, etc…your focus should be on the baby and you.
Elizabeth
August 24, 2016 at 1:58 pm
Chelsea, I can’t believe you’re almost there!!!! I have absolutely no good ideas on how to start labor BUT I’m sending lots of good vibes that Baby pops out soon!
Elizabeth recently posted…What I Would Love to Tell My Newlywed Self
Elisa
September 18, 2016 at 4:56 am
Aw, you look so good! I can’t wait to see your nursery. Have fun!
Elisa recently posted…Best nursery gliders: Buying guide and top rated products