Jaxon's Birth Story: Part II

If you missed Part I of the story, you can find it HERE.

Part I RecapNicholas and I were taking maternity photos when I got bit by a ton of carpenter ants.  I had a severe allergic reaction and we went straight from the park to the hospital.  While in the ER, I was being monitored by the labor and delivery nurse manager.  All of a sudden, my baby's heart rate dropped from the 150s to 60 and I was being rushed down the hallway, up to labor and delivery for an emergency c-section.  

When we arrived in Labor and Delivery, the OB on-call that night was already in another surgery so they placed me in a recovery room.  While there, baby's heart rate started to climb back up to a normal level.  I focused all my energy and every thought onto taking deep breaths in and out from my oxygen mask, trying to ignore the itching (although it had greatly subsided by this point) in the hopes of helping the baby.
And it worked.  When the OB came in to my room, she decided that they would move me to a regular room and keep me overnight for monitoring and release me the next day.  With baby's heart rate now at a normal rate, she didn't see a reason to move forward with the surgery.  Being pre-term, she wanted him to stay put as long as he could.

Once we were in a regular room on the labor and delivery floor, they monitored me closely.  The nurse manager, C., was in my room frequently, checking on me.  They didn't want me getting out of bed just yet, so that meant peeing in a bed pan, which was pretty awful considering I was already peeing every 45 minutes before this happened, and now I had IV fluids running through me.  Those poor nurses.  I was paging them every 25-30 minutes to come put the bed pan under me.

I was still having contractions frequently, but baby's heart rate would decelerate and then climb back up once it was over.  They asked me if I could feel the contractions and I said, "Yes, but they just feel like the Braxton Hicks I've been having the past 12 weeks.  Just a tightening of the belly." And it was left at that.

Nick and I just hung out, as nurses interrupted us every 5 minutes for various reasons.  As he was sitting on my bed next to me, I said, "We almost had a baby and didn't have a name picked out.  We didn't even have it narrowed down to a definite two.  I think now is the time to really decide on a name."  He agreed and I said, "So what about Jaxon?  We both have loved that name for a long time now; long before we were pregnant.  The only reason we decided to explore other options was because so many other people are naming their son Jackson.  But should we really not pick it because of others when we loved it so much?"  He agreed that maybe we should strongly consider it but then we were interrupted again and we were still where we were before, without a definite name picked out.

Around midnight, Nick asked if they thought it was okay for him to run home for a bit.  C. was pretty certain we were in the safe zone, and there would be no urgent c-section since baby seemed to have improved, and said he should be fine to go home.  Since home was about an hour away, he knew it wouldn't be a quick trip.  But he wanted to change into comfy clothes since he was still in the clothes from our photo shoot.  I also wanted more comfy clothes because I didn't want to leave the hospital the next day in my dress.  Not to mention, I really wanted to brush my teeth and wipe my makeup off with a makeup removing towelette.  More importantly, our poor dogs needed some food and attention since we had both been gone all day at work.  And most importantly, I wanted food.  I hadn't eaten since lunch at 11am that day.  While I was not allowed to have anything except ice chips until this point, C. said by the time Nick got back, I should be able to eat food again.  She also said the night shift had some left over Tijuana Flats and she'd be happy to make me a plate, but I was really craving (don't judge me) McDonalds.
Nick called once he was home to see what I wanted him to grab.  Since I was prepared many weeks ago, I just had him grab my hospital bag.  It already had comfy clothes and toiletries in it so it was easy for him.  I would just restock and wash everything before the real deal.
Being the overly paranoid person I am, I told him to go ahead and grab the baby's bag as well as our DSLR camera...just in case.  His baby bag wasn't ready to go, but it had some of the essentials I'd want in the event he did arrive.  I then asked Nick to go up to the nursery and just grab a Cardinals onesie...again, just in case.

While Nick was gone, they told me that I could now get up to use the restroom if I wanted.  Thank goodness.  Laying down, lifting my butt, a nurse putting a bedpan under me, and just letting it flow was....not pleasant.  It was downright odd to just pee myself.  Especially when the nurse wasn't too helpful with the entire process.  So about 20 minutes later, I paged the nurse, who unhooked my IV and monitors and I went to the restroom.  When I came back, she hooked me back up.  She then stood there, just staring at the monitor for a good 10 minutes.  She then put an oxygen mask on me, asking me to lay there, taking deep breaths in and out.  She didn't explain why, but I could sense something was wrong.  She again stood there for another 5-10 minutes before leaving for a few minutes and came back with another nurse.  They then told me that I wasn't allowed to get out of bed anymore or eat real food. The baby did not like me getting up and moving around.  His heart rate would drop and it was taking far too long to climb back up.
Of course hearing this scared me and thus, I was keeping myself in that bed.  I'd put up with peeing in a bed pan and having a sore tailbone for this child.  Anything for him.

About every 10 minutes, the nurse continued to enter my room and readjust the monitors because they kept losing his heart rate.  I took his activeness to be a good sign though!

The nurse then asked me, "Do you feel your contractions?"  I again explained that I felt the tightness in my belly but it wasn't anything I wasn't used to from the past 12 weeks.  She asked me to rate it on a scale of 1 to 10 and, again, I rated it a 0 because they weren't painful, just uncomfortable.

Eventually Nick came back, with McDonalds, that sadly I couldn't eat anymore.  He was a little shocked to see the oxygen mask on my face so I told him that I had gotten up to use the restroom but the baby didn't like it so I wasn't allowed to eat or get up and needed to keep the oxygen mask on.

We tried to get some sleep.  Nick was successful at this, but he's also able to sleep at any time, anywhere, in any situation.  I, on the other hand, never got a wink of sleep.  I was worried.  Not to mention, how can you sleep when nurses are coming in and out of your room every 15 minutes to adjust your monitors, to draw your blood, to take your vitals, to ask about your pain level, etc.

Around 3:30am, my nurse came back in and for the millionth time, asked me about my contractions.  This is how the conversation went:
Nurse:  "Can you feel your contractions?
Me:  "Yes."
Nurse:  "On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate the pain?"
Me:  "A 0.  They don't hurt.  They feel like the contractions I've been having the last 12 weeks.  Just the tightening of the belly."
Nurse:  "Were they always this frequent?"
Me:  "I don't think so.  I did have them often but I feel like these are more frequent.  Is that due to the allergic reaction?"
Nurse:  "Well, these contractions are 3.5 to 4 minutes apart.  And they're showing to be pretty strong.  Definitely stronger than Braxton Hicks contractions.  Do you have a high pain tolerance?"
Me:  "I guess?  I used to for sure, mainly because of all I've been through."

They then decided to give me a shot to stop the contractions.  The nurse stayed in my room for 25 minutes then left, only to return 5 minutes later.  "I talked to the doctor.  The shot worked for a little bit, and your contractions slowed down to every 8 minutes, but then they picked back up and got back to 3.5 minutes apart so we're going to give you another shot."
So another shot was given and my blood was drawn again because my hemoglobin was pretty low two hours before when it was drawn.

About 30 minutes later, at 3:30am, my nurse told me that the shots weren't working.

Then things got real.

Nurse:  "When was the last time your cervix was checked?"
Me:  "It hasn't been.  Well, they checked the length of it via transvaginal ultrasound, but they haven't done that since 34 weeks.  They said they don't check for dilation until 37 weeks since so many women are dilated to 1 or 2 cm for weeks.  So my next appointment I was going to be checked."
Nurse:  "We're going to go ahead and check it and see if you're dilated at all from all these contractions."

I've never had my cervix checked and thus had no idea how painful it truly was.  As she has her hand way up in me, she's moving it all over, making the most confused face.  She pulls her hand out.
Nurse:  "Are you sure you don't feel any pain with these contractions?"
Me:  "I'm sure.  I mean, I FEEL them, but they aren't painful.  Just uncomfortable.  Am I dilated?"
Nurse:  "If I'm feeling it correctly, yes.  To about 3 maybe 4 cm.  Let me go get another nurse to check."

She leaves and returns 5 minutes later with another nurse.  She checks me and says, "Yeah, you're dilated to 4cm."  She then asked the same questions of the pain scale. They told me they were going to get the doctor to come in and check me and see what she thought.  They then tell me that I'm in labor and they're completely shocked that I have no pain.  "Most women are miserable by the time they reach 4cm and those that want pain medication are asking for it now.  Which is good for you since you want to go natural!"  I asked, "Isn't it normal to be dilated for weeks though?"  To which the nurse replied, "Yes, but with your first, usually only 1-2cm.  Once you hit 3cm, that's the start of labor.  For most women.  And by 4cm, almost all women are in pain and most are definitely feeling more than uncomfortable."  She then informs me that she'll have the doctor come in to confirm.

About 20 minutes later, at 4am, the doctor came in.  She checked my cervix and as her hand was up there, she said, "Yep, about 4cm and I feel the baby's head."  She removed her hand stood up and said, "I know this isn't your hospital and you'd like your doctors to deliver your baby, but you're in labor.  You aren't going home today.  You ready to meet your baby?"

Say what?!  "Are you serious?  I'm really in labor?"
The doctor responded, "You're really in labor.  You're dilated to 4cm, you have significant bloody show, and your cervix has dropped.  Normally, your cervix is back a lot further, but yours is right there.  You're having your baby today."

Holy.  Shit.  I couldn't believe it.  But I was happy.  I was going to meet my son today.  And it seemed like things were looking great for my natural birth since he was head down and I wasn't even feeling pain yet!

She left and I called out Nick's name because he had been asleep through this entire episode.
Me:  "Nick!"
Nick:  *sleepy voice* "What?"
Me:  "I'm in labor."
Nick:  "No you aren't."
Me:  "Yes I am.  The doctor was just in here."
Nick:  "No you aren't."
Me:  "Nick,  I am.  I'm dilated to 4cm."
Nick:  "But they say you can be dilated for weeks."
Me:  "That's what I said, but they said not to 4cm.  And my cervix has dropped, his head is right there, and I have bloody show.  I'm in labor.  We're having a baby."
Nick:  *finally sits up*  "Are you serious?"
Me:  "I'm serious."
Nick:  "We're having a baby?"
Me:  "We're having a baby."  As tears start rolling down my cheeks and he gets up and walks to me with a big smile on his face, embraces me in a tight hug and gives me a kiss.


Stay tuned for Part III (the actual delivery story)!!

Jaxon's Birth Story  |  Part I

Jaxon's Birth Story: Part I

Jaxon's birth story is a little lengthy, when told in detail.  If you know me, then you know I tell all stories in detail.
I keep this blog as an outlet for my thoughts, but also as an online journal, so to speak, in which I can look back on different events or experiences in my life and reminsce.  Thus, you're going to get the detailed version of Jaxon's birth story, broken into three different parts.

It all started on Tuesday, May 5, 2015.  I was 36 weeks and 3 days pregnant and following work that day, Nick and I met one another at Alpine Groves Park and awaited our photographer to get our maternity photos taken.

(I will do a separate post specifically about our shoot, showing you all about half of the photos we took)

Towards the end of our photo shoot, the photographer suggested Nick hop up on this giant tree stump, with me standing between him.  We did as instructed.

As she was taking photos, I felt what felt like a leaf stem poking my foot.  I repositioned my foot, but felt it again.  After about a minute, the poking feeling turned into more of a sting.  When I lifted my dress, I realized my feet were covered in carpenter ants.  I quickly ran away from that spot, threw off my sandals and Nick and I began furiously swatting the ants away.  As I continued to get the ants off my feet, Nick lifted my dress and discovered the ants were crawling up my dress, inside and outside, and it was covered.  He and the photographer began pulling and swatting them off, while I continued to work on my feet.

Once the ants were gone, we moved to a new location to continue with a few more shots before calling it a day.  However, I felt so itchy.  I didn't think anything of it in that moment.  I just assumed my itching was due to that heebie-geebie feeling.  You know the one I'm talking about?  When you find a bug in your bed or crawling on your arm and suddenly you're itchy all over with the feeling that there's more bugs?  That feeling.
I spent the next 15 minutes of the shoot incredibly uncomfortable and itchy, and thus very antsy (no pun intended) and getting anxious.  We then moved to what would be the last location.  She snapped some photos and I suddenly felt like my chest and throat were getting hot and tight.  I said I needed to sit down so we walked to a bench while Nick went to the car to get me a bottle of water.  The photographer asked if there were any photos we didn't get that I wanted.  She mentioned that we did not get any kissing ones and asked if I wanted any.  I lied and said no.  I could think of a few photos I really wanted, some be kissing ones, but I was beyond uncomfortable and anxious that I knew no photo would turn out well at this point.  I said I think we got them all and wasn't feeling well so it was best that we be done.

I mentioned to both her and Nick that I was getting light-headed and my tongue felt funny.  Nick said he could tell I was talking oddly and I realized my tongue was swelling, in addition to my chest and throat being hot and tight.  I realized I was having an allergic reaction (I had never had one before so I wasn't sure what the symptoms were).

We walked back to the cars.  I climbed in the driver seat of our SUV, thinking some air conditioning, water, and resting would make it all go away.  Nick sat in the passenger seat with me and just watched as things escalated.  I began getting very, very anxious and incredibly itchy.  I lifted up my dress to find my feet were red and swollen and I had hives all over my thighs.  Then they began appearing on my arms and chest.  The itching intensified to a point where I was scratching so badly I thought I might draw blood.  I couldn't stop.  I wanted to claw through my skin.  Then my belly became painful.  Not contractions, but just a pain in my entire belly and my vision began getting spotty.  Through tears, I told Nick we either needed to call 911 or he needed to drive me to an emergency room because I needed this reaction treated immediately.

We switched seats, leaving his car in the park.  As we exited the park, Nick called my OB's after hours to see if we needed to go to the ER or labor and delivery (we were told anytime we go to the hospital, go to labor and delivery but call beforehand so they can let them know we were coming.)  She asked to speak to me but told me that we needed to go to the ER because my breathing was impaired and that needed to be treated asap.
Nick flew down the highway to the nearest hospital as I was in tears and thrashing about in my seat, scratching my body all over as hard as I could.

He dropped me off at the door as I walked inside, barefoot, to the ER.  As she registered me, she called labor and delivery and they said they needed me to see them.  A labor and delivery nurse came down and wheeled me upstairs in a wheelchair.  When we arrived up there, she realized there were no clean rooms in the recovery area and left me there with Nick to get some help.  I couldn't take it anymore.  I was at a breaking point.  I got up from the wheelchair, pacing, scratching and crying and said to Nick, "Go find her.  Tell her I need medicine right now. I cannot handle this.  I am literally freaking out and can't breath and I need medicine immediately."  Just as Nick exited the recovery area to find her, she came back with the nursing manager, Karen, who took one look at me and said, "She needs to go downstairs to the ER.  We do babies here, not allergic reactions."  So they wheeled me back down to the ER and Karen came down with her equipment to monitor the baby.  At this point, my hives had worsened and were all over my entire body.

They immediately took me into a room and started an IV while getting my medical history, asking what had happened, and getting medicine ready to treat the reaction.  I don't remember too much of this, as I was still freaking out.  Karen and Nick were trying to calm me down, telling me to take deep breaths from the oxygen mask, and letting me know that I needed to calm down, not just for myself, but for the baby.  Hearing that, remembering that it wasn't just me, I began to take deep breaths.
It was then that I noticed the doctors and Karen were talking over me, not to me.  Karen began unhooking and unplugging things with a strong sense of urgency.  Another medical staff personnel in the room asked, "Where are we taking her?" to which Karen responded, "To the OR for surgery."
I looked at Nick, eye wide, tears streaming down my face, scared shitless, and again freaking out.  Of course, Nick was quick to grab my hands, have me focus on him and tell me that I needed to calm down, that everything would be okay, he wasn't going anywhere, but we needed to do what was best.
Karen then took over talking to me, telling me how important it was to calm down and take deep breaths because right now, the baby really needed them.

During my reaction, I was contracting every 3.5-4 minutes and the baby was not handling them well.  Suddenly, his heart rate dropped from the 150s to 60!! and that is when Karen said they were taking me in for an emergency c-section because the baby was in great distress.

I was so scared.  I honestly do not remember being so scared.  Not even through my cancer battle.  Hearing that his heart rate dropped to the 60s had me so scared that he might not make it or that something was severely wrong with him.
Never, ever did I imagine that my reaction would affect him.  It honestly wasn't even a thought in my mind from the time I was bit to the time I was in the ER.  I assumed they'd treat the reaction and all would be okay. Now here I was being told my baby was coming, in this moment, and he was in great distress.

For the first time in the entire time I've known Nick, I saw fear in his eyes and on his face.  He was doing an amazing job of being there for me, coaching me to stay calm and relax, reassuring me that everything would be okay because he knew how incredibly scared I was.  But I could see that same fear in his eyes.  Was it for me?  Was it for our son?  Both of us?  I don't know.  But I could see it and it only made me more scared.  The strongest man I know, who always holds it together, holds me together, and hides all negative emotions, was visibly scared.  Despite his smile and comforting words and touch, behind his caring eyes, was fear.

They were walking so fast, (it felt almost like they were jogging) down the hallway, with me on the ER stretcher bed, wheeling me up to labor and delivery.  As we were running down the hallway, they tucked my chart under my shoulder.  When I looked down at it, I saw a blank birth certificate and it suddenly became very, very real what was about to happen.  And I prayed to God to protect my baby and me, but more so that precious miracle baby.

Part II coming soon!

Jaxon Thomas

I've been absent from this blog again.  But this time, it's been for good reason, I promise.  

While it's still because I'm too busy, it's a different kind of busy.

I've been a little busy tending to this adorable little baby who has completely stolen my heart.

Born at 36 weeks, after a very sudden and somewhat dramatic and whirlwind experience, we welcomed Jaxon Thomas into the world at 9:54am on Wednesday.  He weighed in at 5 pounds and 11 ounces and was 19.25 inches long.  

I cannot thank those enough for the generosity; be it through the love and support of text messages, emails, and Facebook posts, or those that have helped out with our dogs and home, or bringing us meals.  We are so grateful for the people in our life, near and far.  You've all made this experience that much more special.

Many people have asked for my birth story.  Not just because little man was 4 weeks early, but because those who have seen photos on Facebook and Instagram know that I went straight from my maternity shoot to the hospital and others know Jax spent some time in the NICU.  I promise to write his birth story and post it soon.  Probably after my mother leaves in a week and a half.  Right now, I'm really soaking up every single bit of newborn time as I can.  I'm already so emotional knowing he won't be this tiny forever.  

So excuse me, but I need to go snuggle the crap out of my baby now.

Derby Party

This past week we attended a Derby Party Change of Command Celebration (more party, less formal than this event we attended) for Nick's squadron.

They reserved a room at Mellow Mushroom (one of my fav pizza places and right up this pizza-craving pregnant girl's ally!), and had it catered with delicious food, mint juleps, wine, and beer.  Sadly I had to forego the drinks but I sure as hell took advantage of the food!!!

It was a laid back atmosphere where we all just hung out for a few hours and then eventually watched the race.  I've never cared for the derby and still don't, but it's always fun to go out (and early!  the event was 5pm-8pm) and get to dress for a theme.

I really only fit into a few dresses so I opted for the one of the three maxis I had (to hide my swollen feet) which was blue.  I picked up a white hat from Walmart.  Then I wandered around Joann's Fabrics to find blue flowers to put on the hat to match my dress.  I found ONE.  One blue flower.  I needed something else.  I couldn't decide what color to pair with it and then I decided to represent the Swamp and go with orange feathers.  (Nick's squadron, the Swamp Fox's colors are blue and orange.)

The guys are giant dorks and had patches made (not specifically for this, but just for all their various functions in general...and because pilots love their patches) and decided to all put them on blue blazers.  So Nick paired his with a bow tie (a REAL bow tie because he turns up his nose at fake and pre-tied ones lol).  And khaki shorts.  Yes, shorts.  It's Florida.  More than half the guys were in this same get up.
(and of course, by the end of the night, the bow ties were undone.)

I feel really fortunate to be a part of this squadron.  Everyone always me told the aviation community was the best and while I have nothing to compare it to and say it is "the best", but I am truly loving it.  There are always fun functions going on, the wives club is active and they're all awesome women (no catty shit), and we all have such a great time together.  Sometimes I wish there was a little less going on, because I feel like we always have plans (or that Nick is always gone with the guys) but I'm happy it's a very fun and involved squadron.  I'm happy they are so close and very family-focuses.  It eases my mind about the upcoming workups and deployment knowing we're part of a great squadron and I have a great group of woman to lean on if I need it.

Pregnancy Update: 35 Weeks

How far along?  33 Weeks

Baby size?  Bunch of carrots.  But since we were at the doctor this week, we know Baby Obie weighs 4 pounds and 12 ounces :)

Baby progress?  

Weight gain?  32 pounds.  I was the doctor and got my official weight.  

Belly Button?  We're still holding strong with not popping out!

Wedding Rings?  Hit or miss.  Just depends on the day.  

Sleep?  Sleep is getting a little easier.  I think it's because my stress is reduced now that I have three of my four events out of the way.  And I'm also in the third trimester, which they say is almost as tiring as the first.  I haven't seen that to be true yet.  The first...wow...that exhaustion was unlike anything I've ever experienced.  Okay, that's a lie.  Chemo was worse, BUT it was a very close second.  And I haven't felt that way since then.  But I am more tired than normal.  

Symptoms?  
Dropped.  I don't think this is a symptom but I sent my mom, sister, and brother a picture this week (the three of us have a group text that we are constantly talking in) and they said it looks like I've dropped.  I can't tell, but I look at myself everyday.  This has me excited but also super nervous.  I'm told you could drop and the baby still not come for weeks, but it's my first real sign of "you're almost there!" going on.
Tailbone.  Holy mother of God is it painful!!!  I can get no relief.   Standing, sitting, laying.  It all hurts.  Any teeny tiny movement is so incredibly painful.  Little Man is head down which is only increasing the pressure and my previous tailbone injury just doesn't help anything.  Thankfully we don't have much longer!!
Braxton Hicks.  ALL.THE.TIME.  It happens all the time.  I'm happy they're "good" for me but man, do I wish I could get a break from them because they sure hurt and make all movements painful and difficult.  
Swelling.  I mean, look at this.  I didn't even have any salt in two days and had been drinking TONS of water.  Tell, how do I swell only a little during my normal days, yet when I'm on bedrest, I swell THIS badly?!  I was up and on my feet for ONE quick trip out of the house, and I was sitting the entire time!  (Steak n Shake craving).

Other than that, the same ol' symptoms.  Acid reflux, back pain, general uncomfortableness.  

Cravings?  Nothing still.  

Movement?  Still moving, but not as much.  He's got less room for it now.  But his movements are long, slow, strong movements.  Instead of a quick jab, you see something roll across the entire length of my belly.  It's weird but so amazing at the same time.  I truly love all his movements and I get so sad knowing I don't get to experience for too much longer.  

Workouts & Activity?  None.  Bedrest kind of prevents that.  

How are you feeling?  Anxious and moody from having to be confined in my house and not really moving around.  I'm so bored and just want to be able to get up and do what I want.  I know rest is best but goodness, it sucks!

Best moment this week?   I started the week off at the pool with friends and it was relaxing.  It bedrest has to exist, being poolside is the way to do it.  

Worst moment this week?  Being poolside with friends.  I was really self-conscious.  I sat there in my tank top for a while but I began to sweat through it so I finally took it off.  I know they don't judge me AT ALL.  And I know I could look far, far worse, but I still felt so self-conscious.  Not only do I have this ginormous belly (and boobs that have begun to grow again and barely fit in the new DD tops I bought back in January), but it's white as shit!  (Obviously the expression is what I meant, since shit isn't white.  Unless we're talking about dog shit laying in the yard, then yes, that turns white so then it would be a valid statement.)  I don't have a maternity swimming suit since I'm due at the end of May and couldn't justify those ungodly expensive (and ugly) suits to only wear a few times.   (Yes, I show bare belly photos on this blog, BUT I'm able to pick a photo that doesn't make me look as badly as others.  I can control the angle).

What do you miss?   Feeling confident in my body.  I didn't realize how confident I was.  I wasn't overly confident, but I didn't despise my body.  I very issues going to a pool in a bathing suit.  But now?  Oh wow!  Self-conscious to the max.  I hated feeling that way about myself, but I decided to just bite the bullet and take my shirt off.  It was difficult, but after a while, I felt a little more comfortable.  Only a little.  I want to get back to a place where I am comfortable.  Maybe not confident, but at least comfortable.  That's my aim right now.

Random photos of the dogs in the spaces that they've claimed.  Any time we're in the baby's room, this is were both of them lay.  Vino, tucked behind the glider or between the glider and crib.  Yadi stakes her spot in front of the crib.

Things that suck?  Do you want me to be honest?  Sex.  It's awkward for Nick to feel the baby kick through my abdomen.  And it sucks for me because afterwards, my belly is very tightly contracted for at least an hour.  My friends and the doctor said this is perfectly normal (your uterus is contracted like this after sex even when you aren't pregnant, but you just don't notice since your uterus isn't ginormous.)  So it sucks to have it end with uncomfortableness.  
Another thing that sucks is building a custom closet.  While it's awesome to have a custom closet, it sucks when we're two indecisive people trying to decide shelf height, spacing of the shelves, how many, etc.  I'm also a VERY visual person so I had a very difficult time deciding.

Things that don't suck?  Not having to find clothes to fit this bump to go to work.  And not having to wear uncomfortable shoes.  Bedrest sucks, for the most part, but there are perks and being a bum, working in a sports bra and underwear is definitely a perk!
AND I was able to fit into these shorts!  They're pre-pregnancy shorts.  Granted, they aren't buttoned, but they are zipped and held together with a ponytail holder.  I guess that means my hip really didn't widen too much.

Looking forward to?   Shopping post-baby.  There are so many adorable spring and summer clothes out, but I can't buy any.  I have no idea what my body will be like.  I'd love to think I'll get down to my pre-pregnancy size.  Far too many people say to me "You were tiny before and were all baby.  You'll be fine and back to your normal size in no time."  Which is GREAT to hear when I feel like a whale, BUT I'm not going to be naive enough to think I'll be that lucky.  I'm sure there were women who were told this and it didn't happen for them.  I'd rather sit here and tell myself I might not be back to that size, or I might have to work really hard, than tell myself I'll bounce back to old me quickly and be so incredibly disappointed.  But man oh man, I cannot wait to go shopping!!!!!!