Grandpa arrives and Sunday dress!

Grandpa Koopman arrived on saturday to get his share of baby time. He was very excited to see his first granddaughter.

Later on in the day we went to the Kilohana race site to see friends and show off!

Afterwards, we went to dinner at Olive Garden to celebrate my Dad's birthday, parents wedding anniversary and the arrival of our little sunbeam, Adalyn.

Today we all got up and went to church. Of course Adalyn had to put on a pretty dress.

Lazy day!

Kicked back and relaxing!

Today was a fun day as she had many visitors that came to hold her. Grandma Lumiqued, Auntie Lourie and Auntie Mary Ann all came by to share some love with our little Adalyn.

After all the fun Adalyn wanted to just lay back and chill in her crib while Grandma Koopman and I went shopping for food and other baby items.

Looking forward to what new adventure today brings!

Jared

Nap Time!

Sleepy Adalyn!

24 hour crash course

Well we have survived our first 24 hours home. It wasn't easy but with Grandma Linda's help we made it through.

Adalyn had a tough time with gas and latching on for feeding...which means it was a very long night for everyone, especially Mary Lou. tonight we have a better plan of action so hopefully it wont be so rough on Adalyn.

Mary Lou also had a rough night last night. She had several chill spells which made it hard for her to rest and also feed the baby. So while I took Adalyn to her first appontment at the newborn club and to get her blood tested, Mary Lou visited the woemns clinic to get checked out. Our little girl is the star of the day...she didn't cry one bit as they poked her for the blood draw. The doctor wanted to check for infection from the surgery. Everything was ok and the doctor told her that the chills could be a result of her milk supply coming in. Apparantly the chills are a common issue for woman just beginning to nurse.

After all our checkups at the hospital, we came home to have lunch. Grandma Erica made a visit and spent the entire afternoon holding Adalyn and pampering her as grandma's do. This allowed Mary Lou to get some much needed rest throughout the afternoon. I spent part of the time doing some meal planning and then I also took a nap. We are so glad both grandma's were able to spend some time with our daughter while we got to rest.

After dinner, baby got her first bath at home! It was a bit tramatic at first, but she soon calmed down for a few kodak moments.

Now it is time for bed before another round of feeding, burping, and diapers.

Until next time,

Jared

Home at last!

Both Mary lou and Adalyn recieved passing grades from the doctors today and both were discharged from the hospital at noon today.

Adalyn slept peacefully on her first journey into the outside world and on her first car ride. Grandma Koopman was ready waiting to great us as we walked in the door. She had everything all clean and in order...what a treat!

Home at last! Home at last, Thank God Almighty, we are home at last!

Thank you everyone for all your prayers and support (and food!) the last few days. We truly appreciate everything you have done.

Now our adventure begins and we are so excited.

Jared, Mary Lou and Adalyn

Day 3 - Jaundice Girl

Early this morning, baby girl had some blood work done. The Pediatrician came by afterward and informed us of the results. Adalyn has jaundice and they were going to start treatment shortly. Our little girl got her own little contraption that looked like a tanning bed. Contrary to how that sounded, she was not a happy girl. Eyes were covered, she was no longer in the comfort of a swaddle and she wasn't able to enjoy looking at all the things around her, especially mommy and daddy.

She cried a lot and it was a big shocker to most of us as she didn't cry at all unless someone was poking her with a needle. Despite the unhappy baby, we made the best of it and made every opportunity to break her from the tanning bed jail cell and fed and changed her sneaking in some cuddle time with grandma and friends who visited. All in all, she has to stay under the lights 24/7 until she's released only to be removed when feeding or changing.

We made it through today with some heartache in listening to her cry, but we know its for the best and we'll soon be able to bring her home.

My progress has been going very well. I have all the symptoms of surgery (c-section) and was able to pass all the requirements to no longer have to be hooked up to any machines. It was great freedom having everything removed by this morning and finally be able to take a shower and eat a regular non-clear diet of foods!!! :D

Since we haven't gotten much sleep and Adalyn will likely be very fussy throughout the night (maybe mommy more so concerned) we've decided to move her into the nursery for the night so she can be monitored and mommy and daddy can get a good solid night of sleep. So, we'll see her again in the morning, unless we decide to check in on her during the night.

Well, that's it for now....thanks everyone for visiting us today!

Love,

The Koopman's (Jared, Mary Lou and Adalyn)

More Day 2 Pics

Enjoy!

Adalyn Grace - Day 2

Here are some pics from Adalyn's 2nd day, Sunday, August 16, 2009. Jared and I have been blessed with family and friends who have helped us out so much. Linda, Jared's mom has been a HUGE blessing this whole month when she arrived a couple weeks ago and will be with us til the end of the month as she'll be heading back to Colorado. Thank you to everyone who has played a part in helping us out as we prepared for Adalyn's birth. We really appreciate the encouragement, food, prayers and visits. Also, I cannot say enough about how AWESOME our care here at Kaiser Santa Clara has been. We're so happy to have chosen to deliver here. Everyone has been great! Thanks everyone and I hope you're enjoying the updates.

Introducing Adalyn Grace Lumiqued Koopman

After a very long and slow birthing process, Adalyn finally made her appearance on Saturday, August 15 at 11:03 PM. She weighed in at 7.1 lbs and 19" long.

She was delivered via C-section due to complications during the natural birthing process. While it was not our first choice it became clear that this was best for both mother and baby. Adalyn came out within 8 minutes after the procedure started. She was alert and very healthy!

Even tho the c-section was not our first choice, it later prooved to be a blessing in disguise. During the operation, the physician found two cysts located on one of Mary Lou's ovaries. Both were approximately golf ball in size. After Adalyn was safely delivered, Mary Lou and I, along with the physician decided that the best course of action was to remove the cysts right away since she was already on the operating table. The cysts were not cancerous and it is most likely that the ovary will continue to function normally, although it is certainly possible it may be permanantly damaged. Again a blessing in disguise as this issue was able to be taken care of right now.

Mary Lou, Adalyn and I have now moved into the mother-baby unit at Kaiser Santa Clara for the next several days to allow mom to recover fromt eh surgery and to allow us to bond with Adalyn. We are both very tired.

The entire KP labor and delivery staff were awesome.

Thank you Mary Ann and Linda for all your help and support during the labor process.

We will be posting more pictures and updates later but for now we need to rest. We would love to have visitors but please call before coming.

Thank you all for all your support and prayers. We truly appreciate it.

Jared, Mary Lou....and Adalyn!!!!

Just say yes to drugs

Mary Lou is now on her way to nirvana...the epidural is now in place! She received another dose of pitocin.

Things are progressing slowly right now so hopefully it will increase soon. Who knows, maybe my next post will be with pictures!

Thanks for keeping us in your thoughts.

Jared

Hey diddle diddle, the water's now a piddle

At 10:45 am this morning it was decided that the next course of action was to beak the bag of waters. So now we are waiting to see if that will speed things up a bit more. Mary Lou was still only about 4-5 cm dilated.

Mary Lou is still in good spirits and feeling ok. The contractions are starting to become a little more intense.

I am doing ok. A little tired, but I was able to catch some zzz's when my mother arrived to help keep and eye on Mary Lou.

That's it for now.

Jared

The 4 am update

We have reached the 4 centimeter mark and have just started the first dose oh pitocin. This will help the contractions along in order to increase the dilation

And with that, I am going to lay down for a bit.

Jared

The contractions have started!...

We checked into Santa Clara Kaiser at 2:30pm today. The nurses got us all situated and we talked several times with the Doctor to determine the best course of action.

At around 6:20PM they administered the first dose of mesoprostal (sp?) in order to help the cervix soften. Mary Lou then had to lay down for an hour to allow the medication to start working. At about 35 minutes into it, the baby had a slight negative reaction to the medication so the nursing staff is continuing to monitor both mom and baby at this point.

Right now we are just waiting to see if it was just a one time reaction or continuing in order to determine the next course of action.

The contractions have started but they are very mild right now.

Thank you everyone for your prayers and support. We will continue to update you with any progress.

Jared

Induction Day - Friday 8/14/09

Yesterday, Tuesday, August 11th, we had our 39 week doctor's appointment with our Perinatology team at Kaiser Santa Clara.

Mom and baby are doing well. Unfortunately, my cervix hasn't progressed at all and is completely closed. There's still a slight chance I may go into labor on my own, but the chance is low, but again, you just never know.

With this most recent information, the doctor decided to schedule an induction before my due date. We picked Friday as there was an available appointment at 1:30pm. At this time, we are scheduled for an induction on Friday, August 14th at 1:30pm as long as Labor & Delivery is not full. If it is, we'll be rescheduled to most likely Sunday. We'll have to wait and see.

There are different methods that are used to induce labor, and which one is used depends upon how ready my cervix is for labor. We'll cross that bridge when we get to the hospital and I'm checked.

Once I'm induced, labor can start quickly or take a couple days. Depending on what procedure is chosen, we may be able to go home or we'll be in the hospital until the baby arrives.

With that said, if we are in fact induced on Friday, our little girl may be with us anytime between Friday to Monday!!!!!

Yay! Can't wait to meet her!!!!

Thank you everyone for your thoughts, prayers and encouragement!!!! We really appreciate it!

Visiting us at the hospital or at home when the baby comes.....

All,

For the most recent updates to how we're doing, this blog is the best way to find out pertinent information. Please feel free to check it anytime.

There's FREE WiFi at the medical facility, so we'll be able to update often!

I've gotten some questions about visiting us when our little girl arrives.

Please feel free to visit. Please call Jared's cell phone at (650) 722-6785 to find out when a good time to visit will be.

We will be delivering at Kaiser Permanente, Santa Clara located at 700 Lawrence Expressway, Santa Clara, CA 95051. For additional information.....here is the hospital's website: http://mydoctor.kaiserpermanente.org/ncal/facilities/region/santaclara/area_master/home/

Here's the link for directions: http://mydoctor.kaiserpermanente.org/ncal/Images/sch_map_tcm28-8048.pdf

Here's the link to the hospital map: http://mydoctor.kaiserpermanente.org/ncal/Images/wayfindingbrochure_tcm28-9193.pdf

Here's a virtual tour of the areas we will be in: http://kpvirtualtour.com/english_set.html

If you visit us at home, we'll share our address with you when you call if you need it.

7 days til she's due.....

Well, the weekend came and went and still no sign that the baby is coming anytime soon, but we'll just have to patient and wait and see.

Jared and I are so excited to meet her....we keep giving her pep talks at night, but she seems to be way to comfortable in there.

We have our 39 week doctor's appointment tomorrow and we'll find out if anything has progressed. Like I posted last week, the doctor found no reason to move things a lot quicker so no inducing is planned as of last week. Mama is doing great, baby is doing great, she's normal size and the doctor wants to see if she'll come naturally. We said, "okay, sounds good!"

Gym aqua classes have been a huge help! Keeps my endurance up and is a great way to exercise with low-impact, resistance and buoyancy....I love it! I go 3 times a week until I can't go anymore!

Thank God for a blessed pregnancy. I've been mobile, can drive, have energy (have my low energy timeframes too) and haven't gained any weight (which doctor's say is fine and I'm healthy). I know everyone's bodies react differently, luckily for me during this pregnancy, I've been really fortunate.

Thanks for all your prayers, advice and encouragement....we really appreciate it!

39 weeks....

Your pregnancy: 39 weeks

See the big picture

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's waiting to greet the world! He continues to build a layer of fat to help control his body temperature after birth, but it's likely he already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds, a mini watermelon. (Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.) The outer layers of his skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath.

See what your baby looks like this week.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

At each of your now-weekly visits, your caregiver will do an abdominal exam to check your baby's growth and position. She might also do an internal exam to see whether your cervix has started ripening: softening, effacing (thinning out), and dilating (opening). But even armed with this information, there's still no way for your caregiver to predict exactly when your baby is coming. If you go past your due date, your caregiver will schedule you for fetal testing (usually a sonogram) after 40 weeks to ensure that it's safe to continue the pregnancy. If you don't go into labor on your own, most practitioners will induce labor when you're between one and two weeks overdue — or sooner if there's an indication that the risk of waiting is greater than the risks of delivering your baby without further delay.

While you're waiting, it's important to continue to pay attention to your baby's movements and let your caregiver know right away if they seem to decrease. Your baby should remain active right up to delivery, and a noticeable slowdown in activity could be a sign of a problem. Also call if you think your water may have broken. Membranes rupture before the beginning of labor in about 8 percent of term pregnancies. Sometimes there's a big gush of fluid, but sometimes there's only a small gush or a slow leak. (Don't try to make the diagnosis yourself. Call even if you only suspect you have a leak.) If you rupture your membranes and don't start contractions on your own, you'll be induced.

Surprising Facts: How your body changes after giving birth

Even if your labor and delivery was fast and easy, it will take some time for you to feel like your old self again. It may be hard, but try to remember that it took nine months to get here, so you won't bounce back — emotionally or physically — overnight.

What to expect from your body:

• You'll start losing weight right away. While you probably won't return to your pre-pregnancy weight for some time, most women are about 12 pounds lighter after delivering one 7- to 9-pound baby and losing another pound or two of placenta and another two pounds or so of blood and amniotic fluid. Although it will take a while for your body to regain its pre-pregnancy shape — that pregnant belly may stick around for longer than you'd like — by the end of the first week, you'll probably have lost about 4 pounds of water weight.

• You'll have lochia discharge. After your baby is born, the cells that form the lining of your uterus will begin to slough off. This results in a discharge called lochia that lasts for weeks. At first, this discharge is mixed with blood, so it appears bright red and menstrual-like, then it gradually gets lighter in color, finally fading to white or yellow before it stops.

• Your emotions will be in flux. Within the first week or two of giving birth, many new moms experience the "baby blues." You may find yourself moody and weepy, exhausted, unable to sleep, or feeling trapped or anxious. Your appetite can change, too — you might want to eat more or less. The good news is this emotional upheaval will generally pass within two to three weeks.

Call your caregiver if: • You have signs of abnormal vaginal bleeding, such as soaking more than one sanitary pad in an hour, passing blood clots bigger than a golf ball, or bright red bleeding that occurs four days or more after you give birth. You may have what's called a delayed postpartum hemorrhage. (Note: Call 911 if you're bleeding profusely or if you have any signs of shock, including lightheadedness, weakness, rapid heartbeat or palpitations, rapid or shallow breathing, clammy skin, restlessness, or confusion.)
• You have signs of infection, which may include any fever; lower abdominal pain or foul-smelling discharge (signs of endometritis); difficulty urinating, painful urination, cloudy or bloody urine (signs of a urinary tract infection); redness, tenderness, discharge, or swelling around the site of a wound (such as a c-section incision, episiotomy, or laceration); a painful, hard, reddened area, usually only on one breast, and fever, chills, muscle aches or fatigue, and possibly a headache (signs of mastitis, a breast infection).

• You have signs of postpartum depression, such as being unable to sleep even when your baby sleeps, having any thoughts of harming your child, crying all day long for several days in a row, or having panic attacks.

How to recover more quickly:

• Get as much rest as you can, and make an effort to sleep when your baby sleeps. This can be tough advice to follow, especially during the day, but it really helps.

• Limit visitors and the time you spend with them. Consider turning off the phone and posting a "we're napping" message on your door to discourage drop-ins.

• Eat a well-balanced diet.

• Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and sugared sodas.

• Accept all offers for help with cooking, cleaning, childcare, errands, and the like. If you aren't receiving offers, ask for help. It's hard, but trust us, your friends and family want to help and most will be honored you asked. If you can't get help for free, consider hiring a mother's helper, cleaning lady, or others who can give you a break.

• Don't isolate yourself. Talking to friends, relatives, and other new moms about your birth experience and life with a newborn can help you cope.

This Week's Activity:

If you're planning to breastfeed and haven't bought nursing bras yet, now is the time. Bring them to the hospital — you'll want them for comfort and support. Your breasts are likely much larger now than pre-pregnancy, and they'll probably increase one or two more sizes while you're nursing. While you're shopping, get some breast pads to tuck into your bra to absorb any leaks and some purified or "medical-grade" lanolin ointment for tender nipples. (Avoid lanolin if you're allergic to wool.)

11 More days.....

Til baby's due date of August 17, 2009. Well, as Jared posted on Tuesday......the doctor believes that mama and baby are doing great. Since the baby's size is normal and we're both doing really well, there's no reason to induce at this point in time. We're going to wait and see how things progress and decide next week (39 weeks) if we need to change to the plan for any reason. I'm not dilating at all as of Tuesday, so we just have to wait and see when labor starts.

Our baby girl is certainly active and moving around a lot these days. We can't wait to meet her and hope that she's not too comfortable in there.

If I go pass my due date, the doctor will likely induce.

Today, we had another NST/non-stress test (have them twice a week). She, as always, passed with flying colors!

That's it for now.....

Jared and I are very excited!!!!!

Another day closer!

Doctor says mom and baby are doing well. It is up to the baby now when she wants to make her appearance.

38 Weeks and counting!!!

Your pregnancy: 38 weeks

See the big picture

How your baby's growing:

Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.

Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)

See what your baby looks like this week.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

For many women, the next couple of weeks are a waiting game. Use this time to prepare your baby's nursery or to take care of necessary tasks you may not get around to for a while after your baby's born. Take naps, catch up on your reading, and spend uninterrupted time with your partner while you can.

Some swelling in your feet and ankles is normal during these last weeks, but call your practitioner without delay if you notice excessive or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles, more than slight swelling of your hands, any swelling in your face or puffiness around your eyes, or have a sudden weight gain. Also let her know immediately if have severe or persistent headaches; visual changes (such as double or blurred vision, seeing spots or flashing lights, light sensitivity, or a temporary loss of vision), intense upper abdominal pain or tenderness, or nausea and vomiting. These are symptoms of a serious condition called preeclampsia.

3 Questions About... Preparing to breastfeed

Q1.

Why is breastfeeding considered the best way to feed a baby?

Breast milk is nature's most perfect food for babies. It has just the right proportion and types of proteins, carbs, and fats, along with almost all of the vitamins and minerals that a baby needs in the first six months of life. Dozens of studies have confirmed the benefits of breastfeeding and new ones are published all the time. Here's a look at some of the highlights. Breastfeeding can:

• help protect your baby from diarrhea, respiratory problems, and ear infections.
• reduce your baby's risk for allergies, leukemia, and possibly obesity.
• reduce your stress level and risk of breast cancer

Q2.

What can I do to prepare for breastfeeding?

You can set yourself up for breastfeeding success by reading about how to breastfeed and learning where to turn for help if the going gets rough. Here are four key things to know:

• Insist that you and your baby have skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth (unless either of you has a medical complication) so you can start breastfeeding as soon as possible. If you have a c-section, ask that your baby join you in the recovery room as soon as your surgery is done.

• Realize that nursing doesn't come naturally to every woman, and if you're feeling discouraged, you're not alone. Get help early while you're still at the hospital or birth center to make sure you and your baby get the hang of breastfeeding before you go home.

• Nurse your newborn frequently — eight to 12 times every 24 hours. And unless medically necessary, your baby shouldn't get anything but breast milk until breastfeeding is well established (for the first few weeks at least).

• For more information, see BabyCenter's comprehensive breastfeeding area.

Q3.

Does breastfeeding hurt?

Just because breastfeeding is the most natural way to nourish your baby doesn't mean it's always easy. For many women, breastfeeding can be uncomfortable or even painful at first. Don't suffer in silence. Pain is often an indication that your baby isn't attached to your breast properly. Her mouth should cover a large part of your areola (the pigmented skin around your nipple). Your nipple should be far back in your baby's mouth. If nursing hurts after your baby's first few sucks, break the suction by inserting your little finger between your baby's gums and your nipple — and try again until you find a position that's less painful. Talk to a lactation consultant before you leave the hospital to make sure your baby is latching on to your breast correctly. If your hospital doesn't provide lactation support or you encounter difficulties after leaving the hospital, you can contact La Leche League International for help.

Some women are totally comfortable breastfeeding in public, while others feel self-conscious. If you're worried about it, carry a jacket or extra blanket with you when you go out with your baby. That way, if he needs to nurse before while you're out, you can drape it over your shoulder and your baby's head for privacy.

This Week's Activity:

Start reading up on baby care. If you haven't already, now is the perfect time to switch reading gears from pregnancy to baby. You won't have as much time to read after your baby's born, so learn all you can about the first few weeks now. A good place to start is BabyCenter's Preparing for a Newborn area.

Full Term at 37 Weeks!!!!

Your pregnancy: 37 weeks

See the big picture

How your baby's growing:

Congratulations — your baby is full term! This means that if your baby arrives now, his lungs should be fully mature and ready to adjust to life outside the womb, even though your due date is still three weeks away.

Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

See what your baby looks like this week.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

Braxton Hicks contractions may be coming more frequently now and may last longer and be more uncomfortable. You might also notice an increase in vaginal discharge. If you see some "bloody show" (mucus tinged with a tiny amount of blood) in the toilet or in your undies, labor is probably a few days away — or less. (If you have heavier spotting or bleeding, call your caregiver immediately.) Also be sure to ask your caregiver about the results of your Group B strep culture. That way, if the result isn't yet on your chart when you get to the hospital or birth center, you'll be able to give the staff there a timely heads-up if you need antibiotics.

It may be harder than ever to get comfortable enough to sleep well at night. If you can, take it easy through the day — this may be your last chance to do so for quite a while. Keep monitoring your baby's movements, too, and let your caregiver know immediately if you notice a decrease. Though her quarters are getting cozy, she should still be as active as before.

While you're sleeping, you're likely to have some intense dreams. Anxiety both about labor and about becoming a parent can fuel a lot of strange flights of unconscious fancy.

Home alone "I know some people are thrilled to show off their new baby. But all I wanted to do was curl up with her in my arms when I got home from the hospital. Next time I'll tell people ahead of time that we aren't seeing visitors for the first week." — Anonymous

Surprising Facts: Signs of labor

There's no way to predict when labor is going to start. Your body actually starts "preparing" for labor up to a month before you give birth. You may be blissfully unaware of what's going on or you may begin to notice new symptoms as your due date draws near.

Here are some things that may happen in the weeks or days before labor starts:

• Your baby drops. If this is your first pregnancy, you may feel what's known as "lightening" a few weeks before labor starts as your baby descends lower into your pelvis. You might detect a heaviness in your pelvis as this happens and notice less pressure just below your ribcage, making it easier to catch your breath.

• You note an uptick in Braxton Hicks contractions. More frequent and intense Braxton Hicks

• You pass your mucus plug. The mucus plug is the small amount of thickened mucus that blocks the cervical canal leading to your uterus. The plug may come out all at once in a lump, or as increased vaginal discharge over the course of several days. The mucus may be tinged with blood (which may be brown, pink, or red), in which case it may be referred to as "bloody show."

• Your water breaks. Most women start having regular contractions sometime before their water breaks, but in some cases, the water breaks first. When this happens, labor usually follows soon. (If contractions don't start promptly on their own, you'll be induced.) Whether the amniotic fluid comes out in a large gush or a small trickle, call your doctor or midwife.

How can I tell if I'm in false labor or true labor?
Sometimes it's very hard to tell false labor from the early stages of true labor. Here are some things that might help you sort it out:
• False labor contractions are unpredictable. They come at irregular intervals and vary in length and intensity. Although true labor contractions may be irregular at first, over time they start coming at regular and shorter intervals, become increasingly more intense, and last longer.
• With false labor, the pain from the contractions is more likely to be centered in your lower abdomen. With true labor, you may feel the pain start in your lower back and wrap around to your abdomen.
• False labor contractions may subside on their own, or when you start or stop an activity or change position. True labor contractions will persist and progress regardless of what you do.
contractions can signal pre-labor, during which your cervix ripens and the stage is set for true labor. Some women experience a crampy, menstrual-like feeling during this time.

This Week's Activity:

Figure out how to install your baby's car seat. You can't bring your baby home without a car seat and it's harder to install than you think, so don't wait until the last minute. Some car seat manufacturers have a toll-free number for you to call so an expert can walk you through the process. Or get a car seat safety inspector to help you. To find one in your area, go to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Web site or look in your local phone book.

NorCal Family Baby Shower - 072609 and Pics

Here's the link to today's photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/takecareandgodbless/MaryLouSNorCalFamilyBabyShower072609?authkey=Gv1sRgCLbC-rb1-urFQA#

My awesome sister Mary Ann and wonderful cousins
Arlene, Carole and Geraldine threw me a NorCal Family baby shower today.

I had so much fun and the set up in the dining room was so impressive. I felt like I was at a restaurant. The table settings were full of vibrant colors of decorations, flowers, vases, etc. The party favors were absolutely adorable and I loved the cute baby food jars with sayings with a dual purpose of a vase to hold the roses.

Lunch was yummy (as always), cupcakes (red velvet, chocolate and lemon) were to die for....."Thanks SugarDanny's! although I only tried the red velvet sans frosting, but I heard the others were oh so good!

We played several fun games like "Name that baby," "Name that baby song," "Name that celebrity's baby" and lastly, as I opened my gifts, a round of BINGO was had by all and was dependent on the the order of what gifts I opened. Lots of fun!

I love my family and it was a special treat to have my mom come up as well!

Thanks everyone for all the wonderful gifts for Baby Koopman and for all that you've done for Jared and I.

I definitely felt special and loved on this wonderful day!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!

1st Week of Maternity Leave!

Maternity leave has been awesome!

On Sunday, I put together my "To Do" list for Monday. Unrealistically, I had about 15 items on it and realized that there was no way I was going to get it all done. The Monday list quickly turned into a weekly list that kept growing.

Monday was full of errands, non-stress test at Redwood City and many things around the house. I was tired by the end of the day.

Tuesday was my first doctor's appointment at Santa Clara with Dr. Miller, a Perinatologist that I was referred to by my doctor at Redwood City when we informed her that Jared and I decided to deliver at Santa Clara. The number one reason to deliver at Santa Clara was that they were very well known for their NICU. Because I have diabetes, and there could be complications with the baby because of it, we decided that would be the best place for us to deliver. It's also less than 2 years old, very nice, spacious and has no shared rooms. I met with Dr. Miller and he seems to be specialist on high risk pregnancies. The appointment went well and I have my next appointment on August 4th. It looks like we'll be playing it by ear on how far along I'll go before being induced if needed. All looks good with the baby and myself so he would rather me go into labor on my own if possible.

On Wednesday, I had my last doctor's appointment with my OB/GYN at Redwood City. Dr. Carlson is great and it was a bit hard to leave her care, but I believe delivering at Santa Clara would be best. Oh, before I forget, I took an Aqua class at 24 Hour Fitness in the morning and absolutely loved it. It was a great way to have low-impact exercise with resistance and buoyancy.

On Thursday, I was back at RWC for another non-stress test and baby passed and did very well. I had some protein and glucose leaking into my urine, so it's something we're all going to be watching moving forward.

Friday started with another great Aqua class at the gym! I love that class! It was also a NON-Kaiser day which was nice since I had been at Kaiser the last 4 days in a row.

Each day was full of lots of errands and I realized (with the recommendations of many people) I needed to schedule in REST and Relaxation time. Too bad I need to schedule into my calendar...craziness. Just want to get a lot of things done before the baby comes.

Well, the week is over and the weekend is going to start soon!!!!

36 Weeks......and counting!

See the big picture

How your baby's growing:

Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely she's in a head-down position. But if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying she'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.

See what your baby looks like this week. (Or see what fraternal twins look like in the womb this week.)

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

Now that your baby is taking up so much room, you may have trouble eating a normal-size meal. Smaller, more frequent meals are often easier to handle at this point. On the other hand, you may have less heartburn and have an easier time breathing when your baby starts to "drop" down into your pelvis. This process — called lightening — often happens a few weeks before labor if this is your first baby. (If you've given birth before, it probably won't happen before labor starts.) If your baby drops, you may also feel increased pressure in your lower abdomen, which may make walking increasingly uncomfortable, and you'll probably find that you have to pee even more frequently. If your baby is very low, you may feel lots of vaginal pressure and discomfort as well. Some women say it feels as though they're carrying a bowling ball between their legs!

You might also notice that your Braxton Hicks contractions are more frequent now. Be sure to review the signs of labor with your practitioner and find out when she wants to hear from you. As a general rule, if you're full-term, your pregnancy is uncomplicated, and your water hasn't broken, she'll probably have you wait to come in until you've been having contractions that last for about a minute each, coming every five minutes for an hour. Of course, you'll want to call right away if you notice a decrease in your baby's activity or think you're leaking amniotic fluid, or if you have any vaginal bleeding, fever, a severe or persistent headache, constant abdominal pain, or vision changes.

Even if you're enjoying an uncomplicated pregnancy, it's best to avoid flying (or any travel far from home) during your final month because you can go into labor at any time. In fact, some airlines won't let women on board who are due to deliver within 30 days of the flight.

Eating in "Start collecting take-out and delivery menus from local restaurants. You won't have time to cook in the early weeks after giving birth. Even restaurants without a visible take-out business will usually accommodate a to-go order (especially if it's for a new mom!)." — Kristina

Surprising Facts: The stages of labor

For first-time moms, labor takes an average of 15 hours, though it's not uncommon to last more than 20. (For women who've previously had a vaginal birth, it takes eight hours, on average.) The process of labor and birth is divided into three main stages. Here are the highlights on how childbirth progresses:

First stage The first stage begins when you start having contractions that progressively dilate and efface your cervix and it ends when your cervix is fully dilated. This stage is divided into two phases, early and active labor.

It can be tricky to determine exactly when early labor starts. That's because early labor contractions are sometimes hard to distinguish from the inefficient Braxton Hicks contractions that you may have been feeling for some time.

Unless there are complications or your midwife or doctor has advised you otherwise, expect to sit out most of your early labor at home. (Be sure, though, to check in with your caregiver to make certain.)

Early labor ends when your cervix is about 4 centimeters dilated and your progress starts to speed up. At this point, you enter what's known as the active phase of labor. Your contractions become more frequent, longer, and stronger.

The last part of the active phase — when your cervix dilates from 8 to 10 centimeters — is called the transition period because it marks the transition to the second stage of labor. This is the most intense part of the first stage, with contractions that are usually very strong, coming about every two and a half to three minutes and lasting a minute or more.

Second stage Once your cervix is fully dilated, the second stage of labor begins: the final descent and birth of your baby. This is the "pushing" stage of labor, and it can last anywhere from minutes to a few hours. (It's likely to be quicker if you've previously given birth vaginally.)

Your baby's head will continue to advance with each push until it "crowns" — the term used to describe the time when the widest part of your baby's head is finally visible. After your baby's head comes out, your midwife or doctor will suction his mouth and nose, and feel around his neck for the umbilical cord. His head then turns to the side as his shoulders rotate inside the pelvis to get into position for their exit. With the next contraction, you'll be coached to push as his shoulders deliver, one at a time, followed by the rest of his body.

You may feel a wide range of emotions now: euphoria, awe, pride, disbelief, excitement (to name a few), and, of course, intense relief that it's all over. Exhausted as you may be, you'll also probably feel a burst of energy, and any thoughts of sleep will vanish for the time being.

Stage three The final stage of labor begins immediately after the birth of your baby and ends with the delivery of your placenta. The contractions in the third stage are relatively mild.

Get a more detailed account of what happens during each stage of labor.

This Week's Activity:

Create a grapevine. Make a list of all the people you want to hear about your baby's birth — with their phone numbers or e-mail addresses — and pass this along to a friend who can spread the news. That way, when you're ready for others to know, all you have to do is make one call. Include at least one person from work on the list, so they can spread the word there.