Day 30 - 30 Weeks Pregnant!

So, my front tooth fell out since I've been in the clink, while eating a salad. It's making me crazy and I am afraid that the nurses, who have not known me any other way, think this is how I normally am! Just a poor redneck, who wound up in the hospital with insurance that doesn't cover anything maternity. Pure white trash. Room 381.

Well, Dr. Strubel-Lagan said I could make a dental appointment for 34 weeks! That's right, everyone! I'll have the old bucky fixed on September 2! The day after Labor Day, so I can still open your beer bottles with my front tooth at the Labor Day Celebration and no one has to be disappointed!

Speaking of Labor Day, I will still be on bedrest, but can do that poolside. I will be at the Aviator Pool for the weekend, if anyone wants to come by and say goodbye to the smile no one has grown to love. I'll be the whitest, fattest person, as the sun hasn't touched my skin in 4 weeks. you should be able to find me.

Day 28 - 4 Weeks down - 4 Weeks to go - then another 6.

Today is Bea's last day! Bea has been Georgia's favorite nurse since the beginning. She will cry when Bea leaves the room and she'll won't go to anyone else, if Bea's around. Bea has taken Georgia into delivery rooms to "give laboring moms something to look forward to," taken her on "rounds" and even staff meetings. Bea is leaving after 23 years. We are so sad that we won't see her all the time anymore! She's the best and it's a bummer. On that note, I'll take a Zoloft.

Heidi had Georgia yesterday and gave her a bath. She loves baths and thankfully, Heidi likes giving them, which is good, because it's probably the only one she's getting each week. Just kidding.

My aunt, Hira is coming to town for 3 weeks of assistance and gets here Thursday. Matt's brother, Andy and his wife Ana get in on Friday for cousin Jennie's wedding. I was supposed to be leaving for Vegas on Saturday, but alas, I will stay here and skip the wedding and Vegas and incubate.

Day 26 - Sunday FunDay!

I love Sundays because it is the only day that the three of us have together! We've laughed a ton today!

Several days ago, I had grown tired of receiving expired milks and yogurts. The straw that broke the camel's back was when my grapes arrived and they were molded TO the dish. Seriously, attached! I complained, which I rarely do to someone's face. Then today, my breakfast arrived and we saw the note attached to my order, which said to be sure to give me "fresh food only. Check dates on yogurt and milk". This order is only for me. It is the exception to the rule. It makes me happy to be a VIP and no longer in the catagory of those who warrant rotting food. I'm so lucky!

Matt, Georgia and I went on a 30-minute wheelchair ride again to the park, where we picnicked and played on the swings. Okay, not so much me on the swings, but them. Still, it was the best!

Day 25

Hey, it's Saturday and I got to take a nap today. I woke up and ate some strawberries. Pretty leisurely, as a Saturday should be. I always wonder how the other half lives on a Saturday. Thank you for the opportunity to see what it's like!

So, Scott Marcelle, my old roomie, who now lives in Seattle called me today and he was on his way over to his twin's house and just called to say "hi" during the drive. We hung up and he walked into my room! It was a great surprise and I was truly shocked. He brought 3 seasons of Will and Grace and a Diet Pepsi.

In lieu of a trip to the pool, I opted for a wheelchair ride for 30 minutes with my family. Matty took me to the park and I got to watch Georgia laugh on the swing. It was great and I felt like a normal person, who just happened to be in public in her pajamas, so maybe not so normal. Georgia now has found where the wheelchairs are kept and when Charisse, our nurse, took her on a walk yesterday, Georgia went into the room, crawled up and waited for Charisse to take her on a ride. She later stood in the wheelchair and while passing other rooms on the wing, she blew kisses at them.
She seems to be adjusting.

Day 23

So, I just came back from the ultrasound and there is no change. 7.5-8mm, so that means no more testing. It's basically stayed steady for 3 weeks, so they feel that from this point, there's no reason to keep checking. They will for sure keep me here for at least 5 more weeks, which I was prepared for.

The good news, is that the baby weighs 3.1 lbs! From this point, an average of a pound every 2 weeks is expected. That said, we should have at least a 6-pounder if we can make it 6 more weeks, and if we go to 36 weeks, a baby should gain up to 1 lb a week, during the last 4 weeks. By my calculations, we could have a 10-pounder!

Alex North came down yesterday and smuggled in the Filet-o-Fish. Oh, thank you, Alex! The tartar sauce made my day and I ate the 2nd one for breakfast!

The Jacksons came by for dinner and brought yummy thai food! More importantly, they brought Miss Ava, who is a perfect little hospital guest! Look at her! You can't see this, but her legs are awesome!

So, Roxanne knows what we are having! It's fun that they are so excited for us and we don't know! If any of you want to know, buddy up with Roxanne!

Georgia after a 3 hour nap today!

She seems pretty broken up about me being here. It's obvious.

Day 22 - 29 Weeks Pregnant!

Well, I am 29 weeks pregnant today, so I have a maximum of 11 weeks to go, but surely, I would be at home by then! Things are great! Tomorrow, I have the big ultrasound to measure the cervical length and check the baby size. My nurse, Roxanne really wants to know the gender, so I told her she could find out tomorrow. So, for all of you that want to know, you can try to break Roxanne down.



Heather Dokken came down to see me yesterday, bearing San Pellegrinos and other treats. She told me a tale of spending time in the ICU and a neighbor had woke to discover the police and that his testicles had been shot off. It was a good story. The kind of tale that helps one realize that one's day isn't so bad.



On the heels of that story, I was inspired to have a pizza snuck in. Oh, sweet ambrosia of the gods! Why must we hide our relationship? Why can't I have pizza sauce on my face every day? Today, I asked if I could just once walk to the microwave, which is about 30 feet. They said yes, so I hid a slice of leftover pizza under chicken so the nurses didn't see. It was kind of like in prison, when you get drugs smuggled in, under the disguise of a bag of brownies. I'm really living on the edge.



Sarah Wood came by today to bring me some mags and a book called, "Are you there Vodka? It's me, Chelsea." She said I could go into labor from laughter. Oh, what a way to go!

Oh, did I forget to tell you that my grapes yesterday were moldy? Big news on the 3rd floor.

I got hooked up with http://www.facebook.com/ and http://www.skype.com/ and should have a camera for the live feeds by this weekend. This will ensure everyone is able to see me not moving on a 24/7 basis. Calm down! It's only a couple of days of waiting! Be patient! (That was my joke, 'cause I'm a patient.)

Oh, Baby Dollarhide!

You keep growing and pouting!

Keep up the good work, chubby cheeks!

Day 21 - 3 down, 5 weeks to go!!

Do these bunny slippers make me look fat?

Last night, Kristine, Sarah, Kim, Liz and Tanna Rae came down to the hospital for book club. We read our People Magazines and discussed. Obviously, Brangelina was a topic. We also discussed celebrity baby names. This morning, Liz sent me a list of the 50 strangest baby names and we just may go with Jermagesty, which would be good for either a boy or girl.

Anyway, it was a great night with good food and I thank my pals for the effort! Dr. Fraser asked today if she could become an honorary member.

This morning, Heidi brought Georgia down to see me and she played with some new building blocks that a cell mate of mine gave last night. She was wearing the hawaiian dress from Aunt Sarah! Thanks, Sarah!

Heidi just put in 2 nights with G and we are so greatful! Thanks for the trips down here and the sleepless night!

I just came back from the pool, where 4 other cellmates and I float on noodles for 30 minutes. It's pretty exciting, when you do nothing for a living. We talk about how the food sucks and breaking out some day. You know, the old, "What are you in for?" and naturally, everyone claims to be innocent, when really you know they were on trampolines every day. Typical.

Heidi came by yesterday afternoon with Maya and Georgia for another visit!

Georgia seems to be content with her current babysitter.

Thanks, Heidi and Maya!!

Today, at the pool!

Georgia with Heidi last fall. She's is good hands!

Day 20

Hey, I decided to start a blog to keep everyone informed on the progress of Baby Dollarhide and the life of action and intrigue that Matt and I have currently!

Well, we are at 3 weeks in the hospital tomorrow, and that means 5 to go! There was no testing done last week, but we'll have a big ultrasound on Thursday that will give us an indication of how big the baby is. Nearly 2 weeks ago, the weight was 2lbs 1 oz, so hopefully in 2 weeks of incubating, baby is topping the charts! Stay tuned...

Georgia is doing great and is currently at the pool with Heidi and Maya! Matt is going to a Rockies game tonite and my book club is coming to the hospital tonite! So, we are all trying to have a normal life during this time!

Thanks for all the good wishes.
Erin