Get out of mah belly

Miss Ruby is one week old today and I am just barely getting settled back into daily life, including my computer and emails and thought I should update the site. The three of us are all doing very well and could not be any happier. Chad and I are on a high I don’t think we’ll ever come down from (well, maybe when Ruby hits her teen years, haha). We have been very lucky that Ruby is such a good baby that sleeps and eats well. She slept for seven hours straight the first night home! I would have appreciated it more if I could have slept, too, but I was up constantly checking to make sure she was okay and trying to wake her up to eat. I haven’t had to worry about that since, though, Ruby wakes up every 3 hours overnight to eat which is about how often she feeds during the day, as well. Luckily, Chad and I are both off work to be with her and can adapt our days and nights to her feeding and sleeping schedule, She is also starting to be awake and aware a lot more and it is fun to watch her take in her surroundings. Aside from a touch of Jaundice she is an absolutely healthy and happy baby. Chad and I adore her, as does everyone who meets her. Even the cats like her!

I am pleased to report that I am also doing great. What an amazing experience the birth was. Labor was long, but the delivery went as smooth as can be expected and recovery has been easier than I imagined. It doesn’t hurt that I have the world’s greatest husband. Or that my mom stayed with us through yesterday to help us get settled at home with the baby and left us with a clean house and full refridgerator. Physically, there are a few aches and pains here and there, but nothing a little Motrin can’t take care of. Emotionally, I’ve had my moments, but the pure joy of having Ruby eclipses all else. I’d have to say that about my biggest complaint at this point is being between sizes where I only fit into about half of my pre-pregnancy clothes. That sounds like a good excuse to go shopping, but who has time for that?! I’d rather stay home and stare at the baby.

We took Ruby for a walk in the park today to celebrate to 1-week birthday. Here is a cute shot of the three of us that we took while we were there. Check our photo album on the main site at www.chadandkate.net/gallery/ruby1week for the rest of the pics.

Ruby Kay Klein was born at 5:50 pm on March 21, 2007 (3-21, easy to remember!). She weighed in at 7 pounds 8 ounces and measured 18 inches long. Mom and Ruby are doing great.

Please see our main page at www.chadandkate.net for links to pictures and video.

Unlike hide-and-go-seek, I know exactly “wherever” Jackaruby is, unfortunately – IN MY BELLY! I’ve done everything I can think of to bring on labor, short of drawing a map and directions for the baby to take to get out and swallowing them. I keep telling her/him, “You’re two days late now, baby, it’s time to be born!” I’m not sure they are listening, though! I still have contractions that come and go, but nothing regular or strong, just enough to keep me uncomfortable and up all night!

What a rollercoaster the end of this pregnancy has been. From a preterm labor scare and bedrest and being sure that the baby was going to come early, to now being 41 weeks and facing an induction date. That’s right, there is an end to my discomfort in sight! If Jackaruby doesn’t decide to come before – and, oh, how I hope he/she does! – labor will be induced this Friday, 3-23-07, at 7:00AM. The doctor said most women have their babies by 3:00PM after they are induced at that time, but I’m not sure I believe her predictions anymore and at this rate am expecting a long, painful labor and just hope to have the baby by Saturday night! Haha.

Chad has to be back at work on April 16th to start a project, so he started his four weeks of “paternity” leave today. Lucky him, he can stay home and wait on this baby with me and accompany me to all the tests and doctor’s visits I have this week. That will keep us busy! That, and enjoying these last few days of freedom and time together just the two of us before our lives change forever (though if we didn’t have them that would be fine, too – we’d rather have the baby at this point)!

Can’t wait to share the good news. If we don’t have an update before, we’ll post all the info and pics of the newest Klein this weekend!

We received with a beautiful baby quilt from Chad’s Aunt Teresa and Uncle Matt. Teresa clearly put a lot of thought and hard work into it and made a special gift for Jackaruby! I had never seen a quilt pattern like that, or one featuring frogs and monkeys! Check out the quilt below, or see the full album here.
Now all we need is a baby to put on it! But, alas, we still don’t have one. I have continuing contractions, nausea, and other symptoms of labor, but am not in labor yet. We’re hoping it will be soon! In the meantime, I’m walking laps around the block to get things moving.

Finally a new post! Sorry if we left anyone in suspense these last few weeks with no updates (no baby yet!), I’ve been wanting to get some current pics to post along with it and finally we have some. Below are a few pictures of us at the beach where we went walking yesterday and a few others from around home. You can link here to the full photo album.

I have been pregnant for 38 weeks now and am really beginning to feel like a ticking timebomb! Labor could start any second. I am over 2.5 cm dilated, 70% effaced, the baby is at 0 station and I am having occasional contractions. On Friday the doctor predicted I’d be in labor in a matter of days, most likely within the week. Good thing we finished our birth preparation classes last week and, thanks in large part to another wonderful baby shower, finally have all the baby gear we need (… for now)! The last few nights I went to bed thinking we’d be going to the hospital before morning, but no such luck so far. I was up a lot last night with contractions and back ache and they are continuing this morning, so maybe it’ll be today. Chad and my mom would both like to not have to go to work tomorrow, so we’re gonna take some long walks and I’ll see what I can do. As eager as we all are to meet Jackaruby (and for me to not be pregnant anymore), we’ll just have to wait for when s/he is ready to come – it could be in two hours it, could be another two weeks! Oh, the suspense!

Chad and I are so excited and can’t wait for the baby and to share the happy news with all of you. We will be sure to update this blog as soon as possible after the baby arrives.