A Good Day for a Birthday?

Kris' contractions restarted about midnight. She is timing them now and then going out for another walk with Shaun. When she comes back, we plan to bake muffins.

Walking Coach Danielle

Well Saraphina's due date is here but Saraphina is still enjoying her birthfree existence. Today is also Kris and Shaun's anniversary (note the beautiful necklace Shaun gave her).

Kris had a relatively contraction-free day so her sister, Danielle, came over to take her for a real beach walk. Off they went with Kris' mom and Danielle's youngest daughter (who was born soon after just such a beach walk almost three years ago).

Well as of tonight, there are still no contractions. Saraphina has now officially entered the Leo phase of the Zodiac and we think making us wait for her grand entrance is certainly Leo behavior. Although she is not really late, we're just very anxious to meet her.

Shaun and I have made an anniversary dinner lasagna with homemade basil pasta and pannini-grilled eggplant. At their wedding we served gnocchi, polenta, and mystery meatballs. Hmm, I think I even have some chocolate chipotle mousse cakes in the freezer we can add for dessert.

Yes, this baby is going to come, just maybe not today.

A Day of Rest

Contractions slowed down during the day today so Kris is looking a lot more rested this evening. Looks like Saraphina is not one to be rushed. Tomorrow is Shaun's and Kris' 2nd anniversary and Kris' due date. Maybe a birthday too, we'll see.

Amber Alert

On the readiness scale, I think we are at Amber (since I'm writing the blog, I get to make up the scale). Kris was at 3 cm this morning after a night of some hard irregular contractions. Her doctor confirmed this morning that Kris is in early labor. That could mean two days or less until delivery. She told Kris to rest now, while she can. That's what she is doing... except for when we wake her up to see how she is feeling. The doctor says she will dilate more easily if she is relaxed and rested.

Grandma Rose and Grandpa Bill were just here delivering some snack foods and will be stopping back in later. We are charging our cell phones and finishing up our baking tasks so we'll be ready for the welcoming.

A Quiet Sunday

Kris had harder contractions this morning but they went away. She spent most of the day resting but was feeling much better than yesterday.

Dave, the roast master, went out to Costco to get a beef roast. We called up Rose and Bill to join us for an informal dinner.

No contractions during dinner, but we are all expecting to be together again real soon.

I made an apple pie for dessert with apples from our tree and Shaun's homemade pistachio toffee ice cream. (I'll spare you the photo this time.)

After dinner, Kris and Shaun looked at an album of Kris' baby pictures to get an idea of what Saraphina might look like.

Kris and Shaun are out walking, in hopes that a walk might restart her contractions. She was beginning to have some again when they left.

Time for us to get some sleep in case we have to get up during the night.

A Tired Day

Here's the dress we promised to show you. Kris hemmed it last night.

Kris woke up this morning feeling a bit dragged out, so Shaun took her for a quick visit with her doctor. Turns out her blood sugar was low. Hmm, we can fix that. (Click on photo below for more detail.)

Sticky buns are probably not exactly what Kris' doctor had in mind when she mentioned the blood sugar, but we plan to do some baking for the hospital staff, so we're doing a little testing in the meantime.

While some women crave pickles and ice cream, Kris has been craving Chicago-style pizza. She found her favorite Chicago pizza on the web and showed Shaun what it should look like. Shaun has been trying to recreate it. This was tonight's version.

We're hoping that he doesn't get it right too soon, as we are happily enjoying the experimentation.

When Kris got home this afternoon, she was still feeling pretty tired and uncomfortable. The doctor said the baby is definitely moving into position and Kris' contractions are rhythmic, but not close enough or regular enough yet. So this is probably a good time to be resting.

Here is a photo of Kris' resting companion.

Frankie (named after Old Blue Eyes) lives next door with Molly, but Frankie likes to spend some of her outdoor time in our secret garden with Kris and Shaun. Today was a good day to have a cat purring next to you. Thanks Molly for sharing her with us.

A Day of Walking

Kris started the morning off with contractions but they were about 12 minutes apart. Labor is defined as 5 minutes apart (lasting about 1-1/2 minutes) for at least 2 hours. We went out shopping (mall exercise). When we got home, she timed her contractions and they were still 12 or more minutes apart (lasting about 1-1/2 minutes).

I ran across the street to find out how Barbara's daughter was doing. Hmm, we're still racing towards grandmotherhood. They both have the same doctor who is predicting soon for both. We may be walking the halls together.

I took Kris for a beach walk this afternoon. Maybe that will help. If not, I don't think Barbara has a trampoline... but I do.

Grandma Rose is on call, but Kris' doctor says even when labor officially begins, Kris can stay home a while since we live so close to the hospital. It's Grandma Rose who has to get a head start since this is Fiesta weekend in Santa Barbara and the traffic into town is pretty horrible.

Stay tuned.

P.S. I'm working on that dress I started last night. If I get it done soon, I'll post a photo. It's pretty sweet.