First Restaurant!

Thursday, March 4th was my birthday... ugh. I really tried to forget about it as I knew it was coming up. I was hoping too that Tommy would pull the typical "oops, I forgot your birthday" man card, but he didn't... he remembered. I guess as I get older, I keep thinking birthdays will just disappear. I am 36. 4 more years until 40! OH NO!!!

Anyhoo, my in-laws also didn't forget, and they wanted to take us all out to dinner to celebrate. I thought that was OK, it was a night off of cooking and trying to balance baby duty and dinner. So we packed up the whole family and headed to La Mesa, a pretty good Mexican restaurant. This was Elizabeth's first time out at a very crowded restaurant! And she did great! She basically slept the whole time.. you'd think SHE had the margarita! Oh, and it was GOOD! :)

Here are a few pics. I realized I didn't get one of Elizabeth in her car seat snoozing away, but she was there, next to us at the table!

First roadtrip!

Last week we took our first road trip! Yep, we packed up and drove to Sioux Falls, SD to go visit great grandma Wehling! It is about a 3 hour drive, one way. We surprised grandma by just showing up at her door, and she was sooo excited! We visited for awhile with grandma and got caught up on the family "happenings". It was really nice, and Elizabeth was so well behaved! Here she is with her great grandma:



After that, we stopped by the mall there in Sioux Falls, to surprise Tommy's cousin Alissa and her brother-in-law Tim. They both work at a shoe store there in the mall. It was great to see them both, and they both enjoyed meeting Elizabeth for the first time!





She did really well on the trip up and back... slept most of the time, but when she wasn't, we played in the backseat together. We also realized in a hurry that we have instantaneously grew out of my car! We had to scoot the front seat up so far to get the car seat behind it, so I had enough room in the back to sit and feed her. My knees kept hitting the glove compartment, so I mostly sat in the back with Elizabeth. Can't imagine traveling like that further distances! no room for the dogs either! So looks like we are looking at a Tahoe or Suburban. Better for those trips to the cabin this summer... can't wait for those! :)

Holy cow, how time flies!!

Good grief, it's been over 2 weeks since my last post! We have been so busy these past few weeks, so I'll try and update more often, so it won't have to be all in one post! Elizabeth is doing great! She is growing nicely, and changing everyday. A couple weeks ago we had some issues with nursing that I think we finally resolved. It's been a hard road for that! You would think it's the most natural, easy thing in the world to do, but it's not! Thankfully now, she's eating normally and growing well as a result! I weighed her this morning before we gave her a bath (I have a US postage scale for the business that measures pounds and ounces... up to 10lbs!), and she is now weighing in at a healthy 9lbs. 2 oz! She has also grown an inch in length, so we are getting too tall for some of her sleepers already! She sleeps pretty good at night, we are down to only one feeding a night, usually around 3am, then off to bed again until about 7:30am.

We have made several outings already. On Feb. 6th we went to our friend's daughter's, Sofie, 6th birthday party! She was such a good girl, just let her get passed from person to person, eventually passing out in her carseat while we all ate dinner. She even got a picture with the birthday girl herself!



We also went to another birthday party for my nephew Ben, who turned 6 also! That was on Valentine's Day, where we had lots of good pizza, Stacy's famous salad, and cake and ice cream for dessert! This was the first time all the nephews got to meet their cousin Elizabeth! They were all very excited to meet her. The oldest cousin, John, who is 14, even held her for awhile!



We have also been to Target (which she slept through the whole time) and to a wedding rehersal dinner last weekend. She was perfectly behaved the whole time, as everyone just oohed and ahhed over her. Gotta love it! We have had lots of visitors come too, which is fun. It certainly has kept us busy at home. She also loves this gym thing that one of my friends bought for us for her, and I got a video of it. It was taken on my cell phone, so don't know how clear it will be:



Today, she is 4 weeks and 4 days. She is so much fun! Here are a few more pics we took recently:











I hope to keep updating more frequently, so please keep checking back to see how our peanut is doing! Thanks again for all the love and support everyone has shown us! We are so blessed!!

Elizabeth Rose is here - a birth story!

First off, sorry this is coming so late, it's been a bit hectic around here the past 2 weeks since the baby has come! But it has been such a joy and blessing to finally have her here and being able to love on her!

It all started Jan. 16, Sat night, when we went to the hospital to be induced. We got there, got checked into a room, was hooked up to all the monitors, when the nurse said, "looks like you're contracting on your own!" HUH?? I didn't feel anything, so she showed me the monitor. Sure enough, there were contractions! So I went into labor on my own, so no need for Cervadil! I hadn't really felt them yet, so my nurse suggested we walk around the floor to get things going. So Tommy and I got up and did several laps around the floor. That's when I started to feel them a bit. Yep, feels just like a really bad menstral cramp. We got back to the room and I sat on a birth ball (like one of those excercise balls you blow up and use for different excercises). Rotating my hips on that and leaning on the bed helped me through the contractions. Tommy just watched TV, poor thing that's all he cound do!

The Dr. came in about 9pm and told me to get some sleep if I can, that they will start Pitocin around 3am. Yikes! I heard that brings on some good contractions! So I tried to sleep.... yeah right! Every time I would just start to fall asleep, I would have a contraction. They were like 4 min. apart. I got NO sleep. Just watched the clock until 3am. So I labored all night (med-free!) and was only 1cm dilated by 3am. Crap. So they started Pitocin in hopes to speed things up. Contractions got a litte worse. By 7am they checked me again, and still only 1cm. WHAT!? The contractions sucked at this point. So my Dr. broke my water at 7am (that was a wierd feeling...) and then the contractions REALLY kicked in! By 8am, I couln't take it anymore and the Dr. checked me... 3cm! Time for an epidural! The anestesiologist (sp?) come in and got me all prepped. I had to sit all hunched over while he put the epi in my back. OUCH! It hurt to curl up like that, especially during contractions. He was having a hard time getting it in, so he had to try several times. I started to feel nauseaus from getting too hot. The best trick ever I got from my nurse, she opened one of those little packets of alcohol wipes and had me sniff that. It worked! My nauseausness passed! Finally the epi was in, and ahhhhhhhhh.... that was pure heaven after no meds for 14 hours! I felt NOTHING!

I finally got some sleep on and off and then the epi started to wear off on one side... so they came and juiced me back up. He gave me some extra heavy meds that lasted for an hour, then the regular epi took over. It was all good again. It was about 1pm on Sunday at that point. I was feeling pretty good, my mother-in-law Sharon and sister-in-law Shelly came up to visit. That's when I started feeling some pressure down there. I got checked.. 4-5 cm! Woo hoo, finally making some progress! So after they left, I tried to get some sleep again. Meanwhile, we were watching movies we brough from home to help pass the time. About 3pm, the nurse came in to check me, 7cm!! YES!! She also said she noticed some swelling on one side of my cervical lip. Weird. She said she will check again soon to see if it had gone down.

She checked an hour later, and the swelling was worse! My entire cervix and surrounding tissue was swelling, and I closed back down to 4cm. Come to find out, Elizabeth's head was too big, and my pelvis too small, so she kept hitting my cervix with her head and caused it to swell. Also, my epi was wearing off AGAIN and it ws getting painful. So Dr. Gernhart told us it didn't look like she was going to come out naturally, and said we better do a c-section now. I was upset for about a minute, but was so tired after 22 hours labor at that point, that I was ready and excited to meet my baby girl! The nurses quickly got me prepped, Tommy dressed in his scrubs, and we were wheeled down to the OR around 4:20pm.

We got in the OR, there were so many people in there ready to help out! It was Sunday, and I guess it was just me and one other person on the L&D floor, so lots of nurses were bored! :) Tommy got a picture of my laying on the operating table, as the anestesiologist put in more meds into my epi to get me totally numb. I was soooo sleepy at this time, mostlyl from not sleeping, but also from the meds that I was given. It was so hard to keep my eyes open! Tommy finally came to sit by my head and he grabbed my hand. Surgery started.

I didn't feel a thing, of course, but Tommy could see everything around the drape they put up in front of my head. He didn't look much, as I'm sure there was lots of blood! At exactly 4:42pm, Elizabeth Rose was born, weighing 7lbs. 7oz., and 20 1/4" long, screaming and all! They cut the cord, and brought her over to me to take a look at her for the first time.. I just cried. It was so great to see her finally and hear here crying! She was fine! I pushed Tommy to go get pictures, so he went over and got a bunch of pics. The nurses were great too and got lots of pictures with Tommy in it. I couldn't see any of this, so glad it was documented for me.

While Dr. Gernhart and the others sewed me back up, I could barley stay awake. I just wanted out of there to hold my baby girl. Tommy went with the nurses and Elizabeth down to the nursery on the floor below us. Meanwhile, I was wheeled into recovery, where I dozed on and off for an hour. They gave me good pain meds and took out my epidural. They had to watch me for an hour to make sure my blood pressure and stuff was fine. Tommy came up to see me and showed me the pictures he got of her... she was perfect! He also brough up her footprints that they stamped on stickers. Big feet! Around 6:15pm, I was taken down to my room (Tommy negotiated with the nurses to get us a corner room.... they are HUGE!! Way to go, baby!!!).

When I got there, only nurses were there waiting for me. Tommy and Elizabeth were in the nursery still, I heard she was getting her first bath. About 15 min later, the proud papa came in with our baby girl and I got to hold her for the first time... and it was wonderful!! She was so tiny, cute, warm and absolutly the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. Tommy had called our families and soon Tommy's parents, sister, my mom and my sister were up there in the room welcoming the latest Wehling into the world. It was great. Soon after they left, I was sooo tired, I had to pass out.

We ended up staying in the hospital for 5 days total, due to my c-section and Elizabeth's unwillingness to pee or poop like she should! She held it for 24 hours at one time, so Dr.'s wanted to make sure she was OK. Finally she peed and pooped like normal, and has been normal since. She is stubborn! :) We finally packed up and left the hospital Wednesday afternoon. It was so good to be home with our family. The dogs were REAL curious as to what this "thing" was that we brought home. Lucy really just sniffed her to check her out, and walked away. Oscar, on the other hand, is very protective. He is always looking at her, sniffing her, wondering what she is doing, wehre she is going if we walk with her. He's the over-protective big brother. It's kinda funny!

So here we are, 2 weeks later, trying to get into a routine. Elizabeth is sitting here next to me in her bouncy chair, fast asleep so mommy can type this out. She is such a precious angel brought to us from God. I still can't believe it sometimes I am finally a MOM. And to see Tommy with her, makes me so proud... he's such a loving dad, so excited about her, and such a wonderful husband. I truly and blessed to have him in my life. He is and will be the BEST daddy ever. To see him hold her makes me wanto to cry in happiness. I finally was able to give him what he wanted.. a child. And me, I finally have what I always wanted... a family.

Induction Day!

Well, the day has finally come... it's induction day! It's been a long road for Tommy and I to finally get to this point, but I am so excited, and so ready.

We are heading to the hospital in about 3 hours to get checked in, get a room, and get the Cervadil started. I hope that is enough to send me into labor, and not have to do Pitocin. That kinda scares me... I hear the contractions come on very fast and very strong and they suck. But only my body and time will tell!

I am just finishing up some last minute laundry, cleaning up the house, etc. I am so nesting right now! :) Tommy is at work with his dad cleaning so he won't have to do it tomorrow (for obvious reasons!) When he gets home, we are just gonna pack our last minute stuff, load up the car and the new carseat, and head out!

It's so surreal that this has finally come. After 2 long and painful years of trying without any results, this is finally the cherry on top. I have been very emotional about it all, but it's all been good. It's just amazing how our lives will be changing forever in just a few hours. We are not going to be a couple anymore, but a FAMILY. I've waited 35 years for this moment. It will be so awesome, and I can't wait.

I will try and post from the hospital if we can to let you know what is happening. I just want to thank you ALL for being such wonderful friends and supporters during this whole thing... I don't think I could have stayed sane without the love from you all. Tommy and I are very thankful for each of you! God bless you all!

And now, I will leave you with my final statistics:

How Far Along? 39 weeks

Total Weight Gained/Loss? +28 lbs.

Maternity Clothes: Wow, not much left that fits me... I'm big!

Sleep? Horrible... always up to pee at least 2 times a night, then can't fall back asleep!

Best Moment of the Week? When Tommy and I went on our last "date" last night as a couple. It was so nice to spend that time with him.

Movement- Good Lord, all the time... it's cool to see and feel parts of her under my skin moving around!

Food Craving- Anything sweet!!

Food aversions- Still the smell of Tommy's Totino's Party Pizzas... yuk!

Morning sickness?- Nope, but still have heartburn!

Gender- Still a girl!

Labor Signs- I'm feeling a lot of stuff, but no contractions yet. Back aches and pressure "down there".

Belly Button- Finally an outie!

What I miss- Being able to get up from furniture and not look like an old woman!

What I'm looking forward to- Giving birth to this beautiful baby girl!

Weekly Wisdom- Be thankful for every ache, pain and feeling of pregnancy... it truly is a miracle!

Milestones- Made it to 39 weeks and heading to the hospital in a few hours to deliver!



The day I found out I was pregnant... oh, how small I was!!



Me at 39 weeks today... yikes!

I'm officially done!

With work, that is!

I had my last OB appt this morning, we did the NST, and everything looked great. She is moving well and keeping me up at night! What didn't go so well was that I'm still spilling protein in my urine, and the numbers were way up. I knew something was up when my legs and feet started to swell pretty bad again this week. So my dr. told me I was done working as of that moment! I am now on bedrest until Sat. night when we head to the hospital for induction. I did run back to the office to tell my boss and get all my work organized and transitioned to my coworkers. I left about noon and headed home to rest, and that's all I've done today. My swelling has already gone down, so that's good. I unfortunatly was planning on doing some last minute errands before Sat., but now my wonderful husband has the list of things to do! Grocery shop, get my car cleaned out, the car seat installed, etc. He's been great. He made dinner for me tonight, cleaned up everything afterwards, even emptied the dishwasher of the clean dishes and put all the dirty ones away! He is awesome!

So more laying around tomorrow and most of Saturday. Which is so hard for me to do... but I have to. Oh, when the Dr. checked me, I still wasn't dilated, but she did ask if I had any procedures done on my cervix and I told her yes, about 13 years ago I had a LEEP, which is when they freeze part of your cervix to kill pre-cancerous cells. She thinks what she is feeling is possible scar tissue from that procedure, and that is what might be preventing dilation. She said it's not a problem, she will "get through it" when we get to the hospital... yikes!

More updates to come!

No Baby... Yet...

Well, obviously, I didn't get induced yesterday! Had my NST yesterday, they drew blood, and I turned in my jug-o-pee from my 24 hour urine test, and my numbers came back under 300, so no pre-eclampsia!! Yay!

We are now scheduled to head to Labor & Delivery on Sat. night (the 16th) at 6pm to get checked in, get a room, then they will start me on cervadil (to help ripen the cervix). When I was checked yesterday by my OB, I was still only 50% effaced (same as a week ago) and still not dilated at all!! So, Elizabeth is gonna be difficult and take her time... but hopefully Sunday she will come out!

I'm so ready.... I'm mentally done with work and can't wait until Friday. My last day!!! Plus, I still have some last minute things to get and do to get ready for her, so this extra few days will be nice. Plus I will get another full paycheck this Friday because I stayed all week, so all in all, it's a good thing!

Now hopefully she will not come on her own before Sat. Although, I would be OK with that too. We are waiting until Saturday to go buy the travel system we want (has a car seat, stroller, and carrier all in one) because I have a coupon for 20% off starting on Friday... I know, I'm thrifty!!

Stay tuned...

Not so great news from the OB...

I had another NST today with my OB, and everything looked great on the tape!! Heartbeat looked good, movement was good, and had a few minor contractions! I have been feeling lots more "stuff" going on down there, didn't know if they were the real deal or braxton hicks, but either way, something is starting to happen down there. That's all the good news.

Bad news, I'm becoming pre-eclamptic :( I have to do ANOTHER 24 hour urine test on Sunday, turning it in on Monday when I go see her again for another NST. Apparently, my first urine test revealed a score of 168, the one I did last Monday was 244, and they look at 300 as being pre-eclamsia. So it's slowly starting to creep up. She said depending on what my score in on this coming Monday's test, we might induce as early at Tuesday!

She gave me strict orders to work today and tomorrow, jsut don't do a lot of running around, and then this weekend, lay around and do NOTHING! I told her I will try, and she told me I have to... it's hard for me not to want to do stuff! I still need to clean the house and get a few last minute things for the baby! But I will obey her and not do anything. Tommy will understand and I know will be a big help. It's just hard for me to reliquish that "power" to someone else! :)

We're getting close!!

Happy New Year and other news!

Sorry this is a few days late, but HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I can't believe it, it's another year in our lives, and I am totally looking forward to 2010. So many new changes to come! We had an awesome year in 2009, business is good, Tommy and I are great, and we are growing our family by 1, so things are looking up!

Since now I am 37 weeks pregnant, my Dr. wants me to come back 2 times a week for monitoring. We are doing non-stress tests (NST's). They strap 2 belts to my belly, one to listen to the baby's heart, the other to measure any contractions. Then a tape readout of the activity comes out of this machine. It's fascinating to watch! I have to push this button when ever I feel movement too, so it's interesting to see when she moves in relation to her heartbeat. Everyting looked good today on my tape. We have a healthy, active baby!

We have good news and bad news from this morning's appt! Bad news... blood pressure is all over again (148/88 when I got there, later was 138/82), and I'm spilling protein in my urine.... again. So lucky me, get's to do another 24hr. urine test. Ugh. Have to turn in my jug-o-pee tomorrow.

Good news is, we talked about induction! I told her I am done, my back hurts, I can't sleep, I'm sore, etc (trying to use the emotional pull... lol!). She just laughed at me and said, "ya think?!" So we looked at the calendar, and decided on Sunday, Jan. 17th! 13 days! I am soooo ready! Of course, then she checked me, I'm not dilated yet, but my cervix is half way thinned out, so things are starting! She said I might go on my own, but we will see. I go back again on Thursday for another NST.

So I told my boss about this news, so we are going to get things transitioned over this week to my other team members so they know what is going on. Then I just wait... I got all the things I need for my hospital bag over the weekend, so that's good. Still need to clean the house, I got all the Christmas decorations put away yesterday, so the house is back to normal. Got grocery shopping done, laundry, etc. Just in case, ya know! ;)

I'll keep ya posted!

Last high risk OB appt!

I graduated from Dr. Bonebrake!! :)

This was my last appt. with him. It was bittersweet, as we both really like him. I got there and did the normal stuff, weight (ugh), blood pressure and normal questions about my meds, etc. My blood pressure, by the way was 131/82... yipee!!!

Lindsay, our tech, came in and we got started with the ultrasound. Oh my, is she bigger than 4 weeks ago! She takes up the whole ultrasound screen! She did her normal measurements of the baby's head, abdomen, bones and amniotic fluid. Fluid looked good, and baby is approx. 6lbs. 12oz! Overall, measuring at 63rd percentile, with her belly measuring at 81 percentile... perfect! We got to see her cubby little cheeks, her hands, arms, butt, and the hair at the back of her head! We also got to see her "practice breathing", which is good too.

Dr. Bonebrake came in then just to go over the measurments and take a look for himself, and he confirmed everything... she looks great! He said we have a happy babe that is thriving in the uterus! He looked at the placenta, and said it looked good also. Everything is falling into place, literally! She is head down, facing my back/right side, with her spine against my left side, butt under my boobs, and feet and legs over by my right side (where I feel her beating me up constantly!)

He also called my OB's office to get the results of my 24 hour urine test that I did last week, since my Dr. didn't call me!! It came back normal. He is looking for a number higher than 300 that would indicate pre-eclampsia, and my number was 164. He also said my blood platelets and such also looked good. Clean bill of health! :)

We didn't do the NST today, as he said it's basically the same as the u/s, but not as indepth, so I start the NST's this Thursday at my OB's office. I go every Monday and Thursday morning until I deliver.

About 19 days until I would get induced, if I don't go on my own before hand... holy sh*t!! I feel so unprepared still in so many ways, but other ways soooooo ready to have here here in my arms! With year end billing for Bigg Dogg, we have lots going on... oh, not to mention the blizzard we got over Christmas, so billing is going to be a night mare also. Just want it all done before she comes. Lord, help me get through this next few weeks... and keep her put until this is all over! For mommy's sake! :)

"No, it's not lemodade!!"

So I had a regular OB appt. yesterday, but had some unexpected news. My blood pressure was up a little bit again (142/88). Didn't think it was all that bad, considering it's been that high before. I also was Christmas shopping all morning, rushed home to eat lunch, then rushed to this appt, so maybe that's what the reason was. Who knows. What was surprising was they found a tiny bit of protein in my urine! That could be an early indication of pre-eclampsia, or toxemia, or pregnancy-induced hypertension (all the same thing, just different terms). Basically, high pressure in the mother at the end of pregnancy. This is not good for several reasons: Can cause seizures, headaches, swelling, etc in the mother, and can lead to less oxygen getting to the baby which causes growth issues and other problems. So all in all, it's not good.

Good news is, it's very mild (if that indeed IS what I have.. more on that in a minute). Once caught early, it can be controlled with a low salt diet, bedrest, and sometims medication. If the mother is close to full term, they will usually induce labor. Delivery is the only cure.

So Dr. Gernhart said I need to go home, no shopping, no traffic, no stress, do nothing basically. Then she told me I needed to complete a 24 hour urine test... FUN! They gave me the supplies, which consists of a gallon jug looking thing, and a little plastic bowl thingy that you put over the toilet seat so I can pee into. So for 24 hours, I have to collect ALL my pee and then put it in this jug and keep it cool in the fridge. That's why I told Tommy to leave that jug alone, it's not lemonade! :)

I go back to the Dr. today at 2:30 to drop off my jug-o-pee and get some blood drawn. With the swelling in my hands and feet, they just want to be careful. I can understand. To be honest, I'm not really worried about it. Stress can do this to anyone, and someone pregnant is much more likely. With the stress of shopping, money and the holidays here, it's been stressful. So once I get over this "hump" (2009), I hope to relax in the new year and let things happen naturally. Now those of you who really know me are probably laughing at this point... let things happen naturally... HA! I'm a worry wart, and will probably worry myself into pre-term labor! AHHHHH!!!

Next week, starting Monday, I go in for my NST's )non-stress tests) and will have my cervix checked for dilation! Woo hoo! We're getting there!

35 Weeks!

Holy cow, we are in the final stretch!

We finished the nursery, the childbirth classes are done, and the holidays are here... that means Elizabeth will be here in a matter of weeks. It seems so unreal when I think about that... we've waited sooo long for this to happen, and now it's almost here. I get emotional when I think I've waited 35 years for this moment. What a life changing event, and we both are so excited, nervous, and ready to take on the new role of parent!

Overall, I feel good... I'm just ready to have her here in my arms!!

How Far Along? 35 weeks

Total Weight Gained/Loss? +26 lbs.

Maternity Clothes: Lots of my shirts are getting shorter, and I can't wear many shoes anymore... feet look like sausages!

Sleep? What's that!?!?

Best Moment of the Week? When Tommy finally announced our baby on his Facebook page and uploaded pictures of our nursery. He's a proud papa!

Movement- Slowing down, but definatly still a mover. She has a foot or something in my right side that hurts when she stretches out!

Food Craving- Steak! Steak! Steak!

Food aversions- Still some smells, but overall, I can eat whatever. Just don't have much of an appetite.

Morning sickness?- Nope, just that lovely heartburn!

Gender- Still a girl!

Labor Signs- I don't think so

Belly Button- Flat now with the rest of my belly

What I miss- Being able to sleep on my back... ok, sleep at ALL.

What I'm looking forward to- Going to the doctor weekly now! Hope to see some change in me soon!

Weekly Wisdom- BUY COMFORTABLE SHOES!

Milestones- Finished our childbirth classes!

Last Childbirth Class

We GRADUATED!

Last Thursday was our last day, and it was all about newborn care. Each couple got a "baby" and we had to diaper it, give it a bath, dress it, burp it, cradle it, etc. It was fun. Except Tommy kept squeezing her head to make funny air noises... boys!

We also had a couple that just had their first baby 10 weeks ago come to the class to answer questions and talk about their birth experience. It was really cool! They were such a cute couple, and their daughter was soo freakin cute! They were very open to our questions, and we got some good tips from them too. We wrapped up the class with evals and then we were done. Us, two other couples, and the instructor stayed after class and chatted for about 30 min, and it was nice. We met some great couples going through the same emotions as we are now, so it was nice to be able to relate. We are now even friends with them on Facebook! :)

Now done with that, it seems so real... only 4 weeks left!

Updates!

Sorry it's been so long since I have last updated what's happening... nothing real exciting, but just been busy with getting ready for Christmas and all!

Things are still going well with the pregnancy, except for my swelling ankles and feet! OMG, it's quite funny when at the end of the day I take off my shoes, and there are deep indents from them! Oh, and ankles bones!? Where did THOSE go? I have to get out and shoe shop soon, it's getting to the point I have nothing to wear to work! My hands are swelling a little too, I can't wear my wedding rings anymore, which makes me sad. They say lying on your left side helps... well, I can't really do that at work! And when I get home, I try and do that, but that doesn't always happen!

Still sleeping like crap, so I've been crabby during the days. I just want ONE night where I sleep all the way though... that would be nice! My hips are still bothering me, so it keeps me up usually in 2-3 hour incriments in the middle of the night... FUN!

OK, enough complaining! :) On a lighter note, a very good friend of mine who has been trying to get pregnant for almost a year now, is now pregnant!!! I was soooo freakin happy for her when she told me! She has had a couple ultrasounds to confirm, and everythign looks good! She is due in July I belive, so it will be nice to have a playmate for Elizabeth that will be just a few weeks apart!

We had some major snow storms last week here, all in all, we got about 14" in 3 days! It sure did keep Tommy busy! But he loves it... he worked a 12 hour day one day, and 18 hours the next! He was a little tired! But we did the billing for all that last weekend, and man, it sure pays to do snow removal! :) I'm just excited we are finally gonna have a white Christmas!

Last Saturday was Tommy's birthday! Yep, my baby was 34 years old on the 12th. I got him a coffee maker for his birthday, as he's been itchin to have coffee around the house. He really likes it. We had a nice relaxing day, for the most part, and went to dinner with his parents and brother Jim to Big Fred's at night! Ahhhh, gotta love that pizza! The Heisman awards were on that night, so it was kinda fun to watch that too and cheer on Suuuuuuuuuh! Although he didn't win, we had a fun time. Got home at 9ish, sat on the couch, Tommy made a bowl of ice cream, and we were history! Oh, yeah, fell asleep on the couch! We were supposed to meet friends out for drinks, but that didn't happen. Woke up around 11 and drug ourselves up to bed. Whoa, party animals! :)

I go back to the OB next Tuesday. Then one more trip to see Dr. Bonebrake on the 28th. She is growing and kicking and moving so much! One night last week, I was pretty upset. She usually is all over the place after dinner. Well, one night, I didn't feel her... I laid down, shifted sides, and nothing... I was so freakin scared. I tried drinking something, eating something, but nothing. It really freaked me out. I cried myself to sleep thinking something happened and she was gone (hormones, people!!) Woke up at 3am to her kicking me full force! What a relief! Not sure if she was just in a deep sleep or what, but she sure gave me a scare!

OK, now that I rambled on about NOTHING for so long, I'll wrap this up. Those were just some of the events that were floating in my head. More later, we have a busy week this week and next. Christmas is only 9 days away.. holy crap!

Busy weekend!

It was non-stop this weekend, but we got lots done!

I cleaned the house Friday night, figuring I wouldn't have time the rest of the weekend, and I was right! Saturday morning, got up and put together the swing that we got for a shower gift. That was like performing surgery... the instructions SUCKED and made no sense. And I am usually really good at that! So Tommy came to help me finish it. Then the fun part... the crib! It was so easy to put together, maybe 20 min or so. It is so beautiful! I also did 5 loads of laundry (ours and the baby's) and finally got all her blankets and sheets and everything washed and ready to go. Saturday evening Tommy and I went to pick up the changing table/dresser I found on Craigslist. It was perfect! And we got a heckuva deal! Turns out the gal that was selling it is a hair stylist at the salon I go to, and in fact, stations right next to my girl! Small world! But I digress...

We got home and my sister came over to help Tommy take the dresser upstairs, it was heavy. The Big 12 Championship game was on at 7, and it really looked like the Huskers were gonna beat Texas, but at the VERY last second (litteraly), Texas kicked a field goal and won by 1 pt. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR............ but I digress....

Sunday we got up and was planning to go get our Christmas tree, but Tommy wasn't feeling well. He's had this pain in his left side for a couple days, and it was really bothering him, so he laid in bed while I took a shower and ran some errands. I also went to Plattsmouth to our friends Jason and Kendra's home to pick up the crib mattress and some under the crib baskets she was going to give me, since their youngest is out of his crib. They are so generous! They also gave us some other gear that I hadn't bought yet, so THANK YOU! On my drive home, it started to snow pretty good, so I ran to Walmart (my last stop of the day) and then headed home. Unloaded my car and then started to work on putting the entire nursery together! It was so fun for me, but it kicked my butt... 3 hours later, I am done! Tommy was at work this whole time, so he didn't see it until later when he got home, but I got all her clothes put away, all the toiletries and blankets and dieapers all put away in the changing table... put the crib sheets together... put a few things on the walls, and now it really looks like a nursery! Here's a sneak preview.. will have more pics when it's completley done!

4th Childbirth Class

Sorry, this is a bit late, but it was a super busy weekend!

Last Thursday we had our 4th class, and this time we met at the hospital. We went up to a classroom at Methodist and had "class" for about an hour. We talked about changes in mom after birth, post partum depression, and what the baby should look like once born. Lots of good gross pictures to squirm at! :)

After that, we went on the hospital tour of the labor and delivery floors. Went up to 9th floor to visit one of the birthing rooms. I've been in one before (that's where we did all our IVF stuff), but didn't know all the "hidden" items in the room that is really pretty cool! There is all sorts of electronics behind closed doors, dvd player, stereo, etc. What I thought was just a closet folded back into where the child warmer was! The remote for the surgical lights overhead were a hit with the boys, of course. They were playing with them like it was a disco! Pretty funny.

Then went down to 8th floor to visit one of the recovery rooms, where I will be after you deliver. They are a bit smaller, and if there are lots of people visiting, it will be closterphobic! Unless you get the corner rooms! We went by the nursery to see some brand new babies getting warmed up... it really made it real!!

The hit of the tour was the "father's lounge"... TV, internet, a fully stocked kitchen, and a fridge with ICE CREAM IN IT!! OMG, you would have thought someone just won the lottery, Tommy and the other guys' eyes lit up! LOL

Next week, we are back in the classroom, and the entire class will be on breast feeding. Should be very informative!

Whew... she's still a GIRL!

We had our next high risk OB appt. today with Dr. Bonebrake. It was such an interesting appt! The tech came in first to take all the measurements, starting from head to toe of our little bean. After the measurements, she gave us an approx. weight: 5 lbs!! I am 32 weeks, and all my baby books say around 4 lbs or little more, so we have a big girl! She was also measuring in the 82nd percentile for growth! Nothing out of the ordinary, and nothing to worry about, but the tech said I must grow 'em big! :)

We also got to see her "practice" breath, which was cool, and her belly was full of amniotic fluid, which is good too. Her heart looked good, got to count the "digits" on her hands and feet, and the placenta had moved up and in perfect position. She even has a little bit of hair at the back on her head!

Then the tech said she wanted to try something, and switched to a different kind of u/s wand. Once she did, I saw the most awesome thing in the world... our baby in 4D!! She was squirming around a bit, nuzzled right up against the placenta, and making faces at us! We could see her eyes flutter open, but only for a brief moment. I was in love!! She had her left arm across her face, most of the time, but after some prodding and poking, we got her to move it and got some amazing pictures.



Profile - who's nose is that!?



Foot!



Finally moved her arm... that thing on the right side of the picture is the
placenta.. she's using it as a pillow!



Making faces at us!



Whoops... arm back in front of her cute lil face!

Dr. Bonebrake then came in to take a look and he said everything thing is looking great! She is head down, and that makes sense since I feel her kicking the crap out of my ribs! We talked about inducement at 39 weeks, but he's hoping maybe I will go on my own before that. There is a higher risk of c-sections when you have to induce, so obviously, he doens't want that for anyone. So he told me to start talking to her and tell her that somewhere around 37-38 weeks would be perfect! :) I told him I will start talking to her right now!

He also said that he feels comfortable "releasing" us from his care, if we are comfortable with that, or we can go back for one more look in 4 weeks. Tommy wants to go back just in case, so we head back Dec. 28th. Fine with me, just another time to see her!

Oh, and I think we narrowed down an name to Elizabeth Rose.... stay tuned!

31 week OB appt.

Same ol, same ol'..... she's doing great! Measured at 34 weeks, heartbeat was strong and steady in the 150's, and my blood pressure was 130/64, which was great. So it's all normal! Go back to her in 2 weeks, and I have my last high risk OB appt. next Monday. It's getting close!

This past weekend, my mom came over and helped me go through ALL the shower gifts and get them organized so I can see what I have and what I still need. It felt sooo good to get it all organized! Now I need to start washing some things, and figuring out what I need to buy. We got a few giftcards from the showers, so it should all be good! I have so many cute girly things... I am so thankful for all my friends and family that got us the gifts, and the friends that are donating things to us too. Babies are expensive, so every little bit helps!

We are going to look at a dresser/changing table tonight. Then I painted one of our unused dressers white this past weeknd, so that will be ready to go. So all we need for big furniture is our crib and a glider! I'm getting excited! 8 weeks at the latest to go!! :) :)

30 weeks!

I can't believe it, but I made it to 30 weeks! Yipee!! So far so good, no major complaints. Just have the normal-at-this-time aches and pains in my back and legs, and speaking of legs... my lower legs, ankles and feet are now starting to swell. FUN! I officially have a cankle! :) I try and prop them up at work as much as I can. I also need to go shoe shopping this weekend to see what I can find to wear for winter. Only 9 more weeks to go at the latest.... seems so soon!

How Far Along? 30 weeks

Total Weight Gained/Loss? +20 lbs.

Maternity Clothes: My pants are starting to get tight.. might have to shop! :)

Sleep? It's getting harder to get comfortable, but when I do sleep, it's good!!

Best Moment of the Week? Sitting in childbirth classes and Tommy reaches over to lay his hand on my belly and just kept it there...

Movement- This girl is trying to kick her way out. Sometimes I see my entire belly move!

Food Craving- Coke (never drank it before!)

Food aversions- Some smells are bothering me.. like taco meat

Morning sickness?- No! Just bad heartburn

Gender- Still a girl!

Labor Signs- Nope

Belly Button- Still an innie, but slowly rounding out

What I miss- being able to put on my socks with ease

What I'm looking forward to- My last shower is tomorrow, Nov. 15th!

Weekly Wisdom- Don't drink too much water before bedtime! I was up 3 times last night! :)

Milestones- My swelling ankles and feet... welcome to the third trimester!

2nd childbirth class

Thursday night, the 12th, we had our 2nd childbirthing class. We got to watch the "stages of labor" video, which was basically following 3 gals and they journey through the 3 main stages of labor. I was soooo hoping they would show the actual birth... I wanted to see the guys in the room squeem! :) They did show it, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Tommy was a trooper and didn't have any smartass comment to make about it! :)

After that, we went to 4 "stations" around the room to practice different laboring positions, using different tools: birthing ball, massage, sitting possitions, and again breathing techniques. It was very interactive and fun, and got to talk with the other couples in the room.

29 week OB appt.

Just got back from my 29 week appt... and all is good! We listened to the heartbeat, which really sounded good and strong, and more clear this time than maybe others. Maybe not, but I think it sounded great! She measured me ahead again, measuring at 33 weeks! :) OK, I don't think I look that big, but hey, better than being too small!

I go back for another appt. in 2 weeks with her, and 3 weeks to see Dr. Bonebrake, my high risk OB.

This little girl is a kicker!! She is very active, and Tommy got to feel some pretty big kicks a couple nights ago that just made him smile. It's the most wonderful thing to see him so happy about it too. Can't wait to meet her in person!

First childbirth class

We had our first of 6 child birth classes last night. And it looks to be a fun class! There are 8 couples in it, so it's fairly small, which is awesome. Our instructor is very nice, and we had a good time. We talked about the anatomy of a pregnant woman and the discomforts of the 3rd trimester. We also got to get on the mats on the floor and practice some breathing excercises for labor. We laughed alot, asked questions, and got a great book full of info.

The funniest part was when our instructor passed around a chart that shows the dilation of the cervix in acutal size, from 1cm to 10cm. Tommy's reaction when he saw the 10cm one was "Whoa! That's a HUGE hole!" The class all just laughed. It was pretty funny. He's a good sport... and I hope will get lots out of this.

Next week we get to watch the video of an actual birth. I have a feeling Tommy will be a little squimish, but I think that will be all the guys in the room. It should be interesting! :)

H1N1 shot

Well, after much debate, lots of research, lots of tears, and talking to both my high risk OB and my regular OB, Tommy and I decided I better get the shot. I was sooo hesitant to do this, since it's a new vaccine, and there have been no studies on it and how it may affect the baby, but it was determined for me (who has very weak lungs due to childhood asthma) that it would be far more risky to NOT get it, than to get it. The CDC is also recommending pregnant women get it, whom are considered high risk for complications due to a compromised ammune system.

Douglas county health department had their first public clinic today, and so I went... and got the shot. I feel fine and the baby is moving all around, so things are good. There were a lot of other pregnant women there too. It made me feel a bit better!

So here's to health this winter!!

Family shower

I had my first shower on Sunday, Nov. 1. It was family members only, and we had so much fun! The crew from South Dakota couldn't make it, but the Grand Island and of course Omaha crews were here. My 3 sister-in-laws (Stacy, Jill and Shelly) hosted it, held at Stacy's house. We had a cake made by Jill's dad (awesome!), great food and really good punch! It was a girls party, and there were about 12 or 13 of us. It also got up to 72 degrees that day, which was great for November!

We got lots of good girly stuff, and man, it makes it all so much more real!
Here are some pictures:















My sister in law Jill is so talented, she is the one that drew that picture for the nursery... that made me cry when I opened that one! And that last picture is a diaper cake that Stacy and her friend put together... soooo cute!

I have such a genarous and loving family, I am very lucky.

The nursery is painted! Finally!

After almost 2 weeks of work, this room is completely painted! Thanks to help from my friend Kendra, my sister-in-law Stacy, and my wonderful and patient husband, Tommy, we got this thing knocked out. It was one thing after another with this, but the result was totally worth it, we think!

Here are some before pics:


Of course we painted the spare bedroom a light blue about 2 years ago...





My friend Kendra and her son Reece helped us paint!



My sister-in-law Stacy cutting in the top of the wall... she did an awesome job!



The room is now pink!



Tommy got in on the action of painting those stripes... fun!






Done!





Now we just need to fill it with stuff! My first shower is this Sunday, Nov. 1. This is the family shower, so everyone from Sioux Falls, SD to Grand Island, NE will be coming in. Should be a blast... can't wait!