What I learned from having a C-section

Oh the things you learn when you go through a new experience. Before I had Dax I posted a list of comments about things I had learned while pregnant... here is what I learned in giving birth to Dax...

1. Be prepared, even if you have this idea in your head that you WILL get an epidural be ready for the fact that you might not be able to get in for quite awhile. We didn't take a child birth class but watched a DVD series and I felt like it prepared us enough. We didn't do any fancy breathing but for me just breathing deeply and slowly through the contractions really helped.

2. Contractions are much more painful, for me, when I was by myself. It seemed like every time I went to the bathroom or when a contractions started and Dustin was across the room they hurt a lot more. As soon as I could hold onto Dustin or he touched me in anyway I relaxed and could handle the pain a lot easier.

3. Distractions while in labor are key! I had my laptop with me and just cruising facebook or myspace helped the time go by... course when you're in labor for 30 hours nothing really helps.

4. If you don't want people at the hospital tell them you are doing just fine and will let them know when you are ready for company. I always thought I would want my family and close friends at the hospital to help pass the time while I was in labor. When it came down to it all I wanted was Dustin and didn't want any other people there. I told my Mom afterwards that the real reason I didn't want her to come right away was because I knew I would fall apart if she was there and I didn't need to do that at that time.

5. C-sections are not the end of the world. They put a whole new twist onto having a baby and to what you can do right after the baby arrives but as long as you are prepared with a support system you will be just fine. Be prepared to not want to move for about 2 weeks and really you won't be able to do much. DO GET OUT OF BED AND OFF THE COUCH! I put getting out of the hospital bed off an extra 12 hours and I almost wish I hadn't. After the first time getting out of bed, which did hurt A LOT, it got much easier and the first shower was definitely worth the initial painful walk to the bathroom.

6. Let the nurses, your family and your husband/boyfriend do all the work. There really is no reason to push yourself to do much more than relax, sleep and feed the baby. I changed 1 diaper in the hospital before we left the first time and that was only because the nurse had just left and I felt guilty calling her back. When we were re-admitted I took over the diapering and Dustin did all the paperwork--- we had to weigh Dax before feedings, after feedings and all of his diapers. Tag team everything!

7. Cry! If you feel the need to cry do it. Even though you'll probably feel pretty silly it really is important to get those emotions out. For me crying usually meant that I was exhausted. Dustin or my Mom would always send me to bed after a crying spree and I always felt better when I got up, even if it was only 5 minutes of stretching out.

8. Newborn clothes and 0-3 month clothes are NOT the same! haha! I asked my friend Carley if they were the same and she informed me they were not but for some reason i didn't believe her initially, sorry Carley! I should never doubt my pregnancy guru. I actually sent my Mom out to buy Dax a couple sleepers because he just didn't have enough clothes for being so little. I would suggest having 1 or 2 premie size sleepers because if you have a under 7 pound baby you will probably want them to look like they actually fit into their clothes at least occasionally.

9. Take everything that isn't nailed down from the hospital room. I didn't realize that once something is checked out to your room- like glucose water, diapers, wipes, or cups- it can't be taken back. We had 3 bottles of glucose water in our room when Dax was in for his jaundice that weren't opened that would have been thrown away if we didn't take them.

10. Okay I think this is my final one at the point ha ha! It's the most important one too! LET PEOPLE HELP YOU!!! This one was hard for me because the things I needed help with had nothing to do with the baby. I had the dumb idea that I could work and have a newborn. DUMB DUMB DUMB! I did it but needed help from some of my wonderful co-workers and letting them help made me feel guilty but was necessary and they all said they wanted to help. Remember when you want to help those around you?? Well this is your time to be helped, let people help.

Good timing... Dax is just waking up. Later gator!

I have an 8 week old baby!

Holy Cow how is Dax 8 weeks already??? I am having some major anxiety about going back to work. I am NOT ready! I still have like 2 weeks before our December break is over but we are SO not to a point of being able to be out the door by 7:15 am every day, okay not every day but we will have to be out the door 3 days a week. The days I work from home don't panic me 'cause if I don't get a shower in before 8 PM at night it doesn't matter. EEEKK!!! I don't know how parents do it and I SO , SO SO SO wish that I could be a stay at home Mom or that I could at least work from home. Even though I would still be working full time at least I wouldn't feel the added stress to be out the door bright and early.

Okay now I'm done whining. I shouldn't be whining because I am blessed to have a job that allows me to bring my baby to work. Not many people can do that!

As soon as I find the cord for my camera I'll update pictures of the little man! He is so big!

Do these lips and nose look familiar?

I've had several of my friends say that Dax really does look like his ultrasound pictures and he does! I got a picture of his nose and lips up close for your comparison...

Family Pictures!

I am so excited to share with your our first formal family pictures! We got the photo disk from Sears so I can re-print these shots and share them anywhere, such a neat feature since all too often you forget what the pictures even looked like until you finally get them several weeks later. Now I can show off my super cute family to y'all ahead of time. Hope you think they are as cute as I do.

1 month

Happy 1 Month Birthday baby boy!

I can't believe that a month ago Dustin and I welcomed this handsome little guy into the world. In some ways it feels like forever ago but for the most part I can't believe how fast this last month went. Here are some pictures from the last few weeks :0)

Dax is now weighing about 9 pounds- we weighed him while holding him so it's not precise.

He is a big fan of eating and took his first bottle about a week ago. He doesn't really care what you put in his mouth as long as he can suck on it.

He seems to have mastered how to smile and practices it while being talked to the most.

He only sleeps for about 20 minutes all alone but if he's being held or up against a warm body he can sleep for hours.

Dax just moved into his 0-3 month clothes and the size up from the brand new baby diapers.

He's a growing boy for sure!

Mommy, Dax, and Great Grandma Gregerson

4 Generations on the Gregerson side (and one unhappy Dax)

Putting our Christmas deer together with Daddy

other little stories

Okay so ever reread something and then think of all the other little elements you forgot about... here is the rest of the story.... :) in list form 'cause that's how I'll remember it...

1. Those of you who know me will be shocked to hear that the whole time we were in the hospital following Dax's birth I didn't wear one stitch of make up. Not by choice mind you, Dustin held my make up hostage and wouldn't bring it to the hospital.

2. From the time we left the house until we got to the hospital and even until Dr. Shannon said "Yes your water broke" I kept saying, I am going to feel so dumb when I get sent home 'cause my water really didn't break. Course that didn't happen but I was sure it was going to.

3. Dustin made at least 3 trips home on the 24th to get stuff for me... my bag to start with, then the laptop and I can't remember what the other trip was for but he said he felt like we were moving in.

4. We had THE BEST OB nurses and Acute Care nurses (well most of those). Our OB nurses were so sweet and caring and patient. They let us do our "thing." They were never pushy or ever made me feel uncomfortable. Even though it was the very first time I had met these women they treated me like their long lost friend. I am truly grateful for that experience.

5. We had one male nurse in the Acute Care area. I think we intimidated him. He hadn't changed a diaper and I couldn't do it at the time and it was the middle of the night and Dustin was fast asleep. He had to call another nurse in to help him. Totally cracked me up.

6. I have the best man in the entire world. Dustin is amazing! I have said that over and over but I really truly mean it. He is so sweet with Dax and he has done such a great job taking care of us. From helping me out of bed and to the bathroom, taking Dax and making me go take a nap, and the list goes on and on. I know this is the stuff that is supposed to happen but when it does happen it just feels so great. The best part, he didn't even think twice about any of it. I love you Dustin. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

7.I always thought I would want my parents and my closest friends at the hospital when Dax arrived but when it came down to it all I wanted was Dustin. It worked out pretty well that things were dragging along because I kept putting people off coming up because it was taking so long so in the end it ended up being just me and Dustin. It really was perfect.

8. One of the worst parts of Dax's arrival was being re-admitted for his jaundice. Our wonderful nurse was so sweet the day before and gave us a heads up about his levels and what to expect. I was completely emotional. I cried a lot. Not because I was sad but because I wasn't in control and wanted Dax to be totally and completely healthy. Dustin was great, he kept telling me that Dax is tough and that he'll be okay. Thankfully it was only 2 nights but by the time we got home I was completely DONE with hospitals!

I think that's it for now.... or at least what I can remember.... :)

Dax Paul is here!

Dax Paul arrived on October 25 at 7:02 am weighing in at 6 pounds 15 ounces. Wow do I wish his arrival was as easy as that sentence was to type. Dax took 30 hours to get here from the time my water "broke" at 1:30 am on October 24th until he made his appearance but more on that in a moment. :)

Dax is such a sweet baby. He sleeps for several hours at a time, eats like crazy and is doing a great job of filling his diapers. He's a snuggler and would like nothing more than to be in your arms all day long. He makes the cutest little squeaking noises. We couldn't ask for a better little man!

Okay on to his arrival...

At about 1:30am I got up to go the bathroom only I really didn't "stop" going... but it wasn't the big gush I thought came with water breaking. I called the OB nurse at the hospital and asked what she thought was going on. Since I wasn't sure and she wasn't sure my water had broken she said to go back to bed and see if I kept leaking. I fell back to sleep until about 6am... when I felt another little...umm... leak... I got up called the OB nurse again and decided that I would take a shower and we'd go into the hospital just to be checked out. I really didn't think anything was going on and was pretty sure I'd be sent home.

We got to the hospital, got all set up on the fetal monitors and Dr. Shannon confirmed that my water had in deed broke. We were in for a long road as the nurse said and Dr. Shannon explained that he figured it would be anywhere from 10-20 hours before our little guy arrived because I was only dilated to 2cm. Boy was he off!

So got started on Pitocin a couple hours later as my contractions weren't very strong and were pretty spread out. I would like to also note that I had no pain medication at this point and didn't get any until 11:30 that night. Can you believe that??? I still can't!

Dustin was AWESOME through all of this. He was bossy when I needed him to be, comforting when I needed him to be, and made me laugh frequently. I didn't really want to walk but he got me up and moving, even if it was only for a few laps around the floor. When the nurse suggested using the jacuzzi tub it just didn't sound like a great idea at the moment but Dustin said I should try it. I was in there for about 45 minutes (this was still before I got any pain meds).

After the jacuzzi I think I stood through a few contractions and then laid back down in bed. This was when they started to get more intense and I was getting really tired. The nurse checked me again and I was only dilated to 3 cm. Still too early for an epidural. Damn! So she suggested that I take a narcotic (I can't remember the actual name of this one). After I took it I felt even more sleepy and was able to sleep between contractions but it did NOTHING to help with the pain! NOTHING! After about an hour or two of no real relief I asked for either something else or more to try to help. I then got another drug called Stadol (sp?) still didn't help at all. Apparently narcotics do nothing but make me loopy. Not the best feeling in the world.

At about 5 am I think Dr. Shannon came by to check on me and after realizing I hadn't made any change suggested we try a epidural and see if by getting me to relax things would progress. Okay before I say anything about the epidural I will say after it was completed it was worth it BUT getting the epidural was probably one of the scariest parts of Dax's whole birth. It hurt and I had strong contractions so it was very hard to sit still but after I was all numb I felt great... actualy I felt completely foreign 'cause I couldn't feel my legs! I was finally able to fall asleep. Poor Dustin was sitting by my bed, his head on the side of the bed trying to fall asleep too. The only problem was when I would fall asleep I would start breathing so shallow that my oxygen levels would drop and would set off an alarm. So poor Dustin spent the next about 30 minutes?? saying BREATH every time the alarm went off. We didn't get any sleep.

Dr. Shannon checked me again and decided that since I hadn't progressed and we were past the 24 hour mark we needed to get Dax out. He was still doing great inside, heart rate was great but it had just been too long. I lost it at this point. A combination of being exhausted and pretty sure that I wasn't going to have a C-section caught up with me. Dustin was so sweet, he held my hand and just kept telling me that everything was going to be okay and that he would be right there with me.

We were taken down to the operating room, holy cow it's cold in there! When Dustin came in he got to sit by my head and my anesthesiologist, Scott started talking to me about what I'd be feeling and such. He told us a story about a baby that was "supposed" to be a boy but ended up being a girl. I then asked when they were going to get started and he said "well they are almost to the baby" I don't really remember this happening but Dustin said I had this look on my face like "what the???" I was so surprised. Dustin said he knew they had started and knew that Scott was talking to be so intently to see what my reactions were as they started. The only thing I remember really about Dax coming out was the amount of pressure they put on my ribs to get him out. Wow!

The rest is kind of fuzzy. I remember asking Dustin what he looked like, what color his hair was and if he was still a boy. (to which Dr. Shannon kind of giggled and said Yes it's a boy). I remember getting to see him finally and kiss him and I remember Dustin going to be with him while they finished up with me. I fell asleep though so everything is kind of... blurry... I had to ask Dustin several times to clarify when certain things happened. I do remember being in recovery and watching Dustin watch Dax being cleaned up and assessed but I couldn't actually see Dax. I don't remember though how we got from recovery to the room. So strange to have gaps but that's probably a good thing too.

Well that's the story of Dax's arrival. I can't believe I just wrote a book but I'm going to print off all of my entries about my pregnancy for Dax's baby book....

We spent from Saturday- Wednesday in the hospital for his birth and then when we were leaving our WONDERFUL nurse, we really do love her, told us that because his bili levels were high we would probably be re-admitted the next day after our Dr's appointment. Which is exactly what happened. So we got 1 night at home and then 2 more nights in the hospital for a total of a week! Oh we were so happy to be home once his jaundice got better.

Thank you to everyone who has sent notes, texts, and visited. We love you all and are so happy you could be part of our little man's life!

The happenings at 36 weeks...

Hi Everyone,

Well I think I would consider us in the home stretch now, we're officially 36 weeks along and only 28 days from his due date!

I had a Dr's appointment this afternon (who in there right mind would schedule a 4:30 appointment???). We didn't learn anything new... I gained 2 pounds and am measuring 34 weeks instead of 36 but my Dr. said not to worry about that. It was a good appointment and we have an ultrasound scheduled for bright and early Monday morning. Hopefully it will be the last one. :)

In the last week I feel like my body has truly been taken over by another being. Dax seems to think that he doesn't have any more room (and I tend to agree with him) and is using all of his might to stretch out his little hot tub. Pretty sure he would like to have my ribs removed until he vacates- last night I had to put my arms over my head and stretch out as far as possible just to get him to stop pushing on them. I really do still LOVE feeling him move around but it is getting much more painful. Last night he had the hiccups for quite awhile and they actual hurt. I made Dustin put his hand on my belly because you could REALLY feel them from the outside.

Speaking of my wonderful man, he has been giving my belly a lot more attention lately. He thinks it's hilarious to wake Mr. Dax up, especially when I am all settled into bed. It really doesn't bug me because I love that Dustin wants to feel the baby move and knows exactly what to do to get him to move around. I am SO excited to get to watch Dustin with him once he arrives.

Rhea's daughter, Keona, came to visit me on Wednesday. The following is the conversation we had as she was rubbing my belly:

Keona: Is the baby still in your belly?
Me: Yes he is
Keona: I can't see him yet?
Me: Nope not yet
Keona: but I want to see him
Me: (grabbing the ultrasound picture off my wall) well this is actually a picture of him in my belly
Keona: oh, okay. He is very cute

I just love 3 year olds!

Okay that's all from me this week! Hope you are all doing WONDERFULLLY! I can't wait til I get to post a Welcome Baby Dax announcement!!!

New Favorites!

I have two new favorite websites that I check DAILY! If you are a mom OR if you have friends who are having babies you need to check these sites out:



www.babysteals.com



and



www.mamabargains.com



I just got myself and a friend a nursing cover for half what they would have cost in the store!! So awesome. :)

What I know from my Dr's Appointment today...

... NOTHING... I know nothing!

Basically, my placenta is no longer covering my cervix BUT is close enough that we're going to have to do another ultrasound in a few weeks to determine if it has moved far enough out of the way to not become a problem. Needless to say, I am completely frustrated. I am SO happy that I don't have to worry as much about bleeding and other complications that go along with a Complete Placenta Previa and SO grateful that I haven't had any of the issues but so frustrated because I really thought that we would have answers at this point. I guess not... so we're still in limbo... we still just don't know if Dax will be arriving via C-section or not.

Below are two of the three ultrasound pictures we got at the ultrasound.

We finally got a profile shot!!!! His hands were still up by his face but enough out of the way to get this picture and one other of his profile.

We also got another picture of his nose and lips AND his chubby little cheeks. Aren't they just too cute!!

Some other cool facts we found out at the ultrasound- Dax is weighing in at about 5 pounds and the really cool thing we found out... HE HAS HAIR! I still can't believe that hair can be seen on an ultrasound. Now we'll just see if it's accurate when he arrives.

Just 6 more weeks until his due date!!!

Things...

SO I have a WONDERFUL cousin, Megan, who is due the exact same day as me with her first baby, a girl! Oh how I wish she lived closer! She recently posted on her blog about somethings that she wished she'd known before she was pregnant. This got me thinking so thought I'd generate my own list of completely random things that relate to this pregnancy...

1. losing sight of my toes- I can still see them! I can still paint them even! It's a little more difficult and I usually end up putting glitter over the paint to disguise the mistakes but I can still do it all on my own.

2. My belly button- I still have one y'all! It hasn't popped or flattened out yet... guess that means that baby isn't done yet, right?

3. The size of my belly- I seriously thought that with only 6 weeks to go in this pregnancy that I would be toting around a GIGANTIC belly but I am still getting the "oh you're so small" comments everyday... except from Dax's handsome father who reminds me that even though my belly isn't huge it is definitely there. haha!

4. Ultrasounds- I totally did not realize how much joy and frustration ultrasounds would bring into my life. The joy and excitement that comes each time I gaze at Dax on the fuzzy screen or learn something new about him blows my mind and makes every ache and pain worth it BUT the frustration that comes with the bill after each of them and the uncertainty of how he is making his way into this world is driving me nuts! I did get the results from my last ultrasound... but I'm saving those for after my Dr's appointment tomorrow so I have "official" news instead of my assumptions to tell y'all.

5. Preparedness- Is that really a word? Okay so I seriously thought that by this point I would feel like I knew what was going on, I thought I would feel in control and like everything is where it should be. I totally do not! I know we are ready for him, I know that we have all of the essentials, and I know that really truly you can't be prepared for your first baby BUT that doesn't stop me from wondering " Are we REALLY ready?" "Can we handle taking care of a brand new baby 24/7??" okay must pause with post to take deep breaths haha!

6. I did not realize that people telling me how my baby is going to act would drive me completely bonkers! Seriously people, if I don't even know him REALLY how can YOU know what he is going to be like??

7. I will never get tired of how excited and curious my brother is about this coming baby. He is always poking my belly and trying to get his nephew to move so he can feel him-- it hasn't worked yet. I've also been amazed at the questions he has asked me about being pregnant and how I feel-not just about being pregnant but being a mom in general.

8. How wierd it still feels to know that I'm pregnant. Ever since I was little I have wanted to have a baby, to be a mommy but now that I actually am it feels so foreign, so odd. Maybe that's related to how much of a surprise this baby was but I really thought that by now I'd think of this as "normal."

9. His Name- it was made me laugh and shake my head sometimes with how people react to the name we picked out for our little guy. The funny thing is that I really don't care if they like it or not. It just feels like his name, I haven't thought for even a second that Dax just isn't going to work for him. Of course he isn't here yet so maybe when we get a good look at him it won't seem right but I can't imagine any other name for him. My mom suggested that we spell is name with an extra "x" at the end but after discussing it with Dustin we decided against it... I shouldn't say we discussed it, really the conversation went like this: Me: "I'm not sure about the extra 'x' I've already written it so many times with 1 'x'" Dustin: "We're not doing the extra 'x'" Case closed. :)

10. I really was not prepared for the generosity of others. We have so many wonderful friends and family members that have offered to let us borrow things or have their baby items that won't be needed anymore or have offered advice on what you REALLY need when you have a baby and what really isn't necessary. We are truly blessed! Have I mentioned all the fun new baby clothes and items we have received? Thank you just isn't enough to express how grateful we are to our friends and family!

11.Heart burn... oh the heartburn! I'm pretty sure that everything I put into my mouth gives me heartburn with the exception of chocolate milk. Plain milk probably wouldn't either but I can't stand the stuff, haha!

12. I LOVE feeling Dax move. Sometimes I will poke at or push (lightly) on different areas of my belly to feel him move around. The other cute thing is if Kyleigh is sitting on my lap he will kick at her. He also has a tendancy to move when Dustin starts talking, I think this is so wonderful because to me it's him saying, That's my Dad, I know him! :)

13. Not feeling like I have to be skinny for the first time in my life, the rounder the better! Enough said. :)

14. Dustin and I created a life, how awesome is that?!?! We created a little boy who will join us in roughly 6 weeks!! (he will be getting a memo in about 3 weeks reminding him of his due date)

I think that rounds out my little list here. :) I know it's completely random but... well... that's my mind these days!

Holy Cow I'm 33 weeks pregnant!

Okay seriously people, I am 33 weeks pregnant today! When I found out I was pregnant people said it would go by fast but I really didn't think it would go by this fast. On the other hand 7 weeks still feels like a long ways away. I have another ultrasound on Monday and I am PRAYING that we will have answers at my Friday Dr's appointment about whether I'll be having a C-section or not. It's really starting to wear on me not knowing what to expect. I'll write more on Monday after my appointment.... I probably won't know anything then but maybe I'll have a new ultrasound picture to show off. :)

Let's compare shall we

So below is the side by side profile comparison of me at 19 weeks and me at 28 weeks- okay this may sound silly but where did the belly come from that fast? I mean seriously, if you're going on a diet you don't expect to lose this many inches in 9 weeks but holy cow when you're pregnant you can sure gain inches in a hurry. I don't know what my weight gain actually is but according to the Wii I gained 6 pounds since the last time I was on it and according to my Dr I gained 2 pounds since the last visit. I'm happy with this and I think I should note that I am NOT trying to not gain weight-- truly I figure if there is a time to eat whatever I want and pack on a few pounds now is the time-- it just seems my body is saying that it's not necessary. My Dr. is not concerned about my weight gain as Mr. Dax is still growing very well and my belly is measuring right where it should be- between 28 and 29 weeks.

SO here is the front comparison shot, granted I should be doing this in the same shirt but hadn't really though that a comparison shot would be pretty cool-- I'll have to do this again and be sure to be in the pink shirt. :) Now here's my question-- when you're pregnant and someone says Oh you're looking so little still-- how do you respond? I say Thank you just because it is SO much better to hear that than "wow you're fat" (insert laugh here). But those people also got me a little worried that maybe I'm supposed to be bigger at 7 months-- I am so thankful to have a Dr. who is reassuring and said that there really is no magic number for weight gain and that EVERY pregnancy and every woman carry differently. So to all of you out there who say I still look so little- THANK YOU! I love you and when I'm 36 weeks pregnant and can't see my toes can you tell me that I still look so little even if what you're really thinking is "hmm is she having twins??" (insert laugh again)

We're back to a "maybe"

Just got back from the Dr. and the biggest news is he isn't saying I'll need a C-section for sure. He says that the placenta has moved a little and could move completely out of the way by the time we get to delivery. Which was a shock to me after talking to the nurse on the phone about my results. He also said that if I do have to have a C-section we could wait all the way up til week 39, again this surprised me becuase everything I have read indictated 36-37 weeks. Maybe that's because women start to thin out and/or dialate around that time and if that happens a C-section would occur because the placenta would begin to be exposed which isn't a good thing. So I guess the short version of the Dr's appointment is-- we're back to maybe either direction. :) Which is okay but also drives me nuts... I need to get used to the fact that life with a baby is never set in stone and you can't plan everything out to the T.

Baby is measuring right where he should be, I'm measuring the same and only gained 2 pounds since the last appointment. I have no idea how much total I've gained as I've decided its better to not get fixed on the "right" number of pounds to gain.

Well that's all for now, this is my last week of summer break and my last monday off with Dustin so better go enjoy in. :)

Ultrasound #2

Above is Mr. Dax's lips, nose and just above his nose is his closed fist. He hid his face for the entire ultrasound but was more than happy to show that he's a boy! :) He's healthy and doing great! He's spread out the width of my belly in the breech position and seems to be quite comfortable there. :) Aren't those the cutest lips and sweetest nose!

So heard from the nurse at my Dr's office today and I still have the Complete Placenta Previa. It hasn't budged. I'll admit this time the nurses call actually brought tears to my eyes because even though I have made the C-section "okay" it's everything else that could go wrong that terrifies me and I really had it in the back of my head that my placenta would get out of the way and we'd be good to go. I'm still not having any complications from the previa but there is the possibility of bleeding at any time and if the bleeding can't be controlled then he would need to be delivered early. That scares me, I know that I am tough, I know I'll be okay but the idea of him coming before he's really ready is just not something I even want to consider. I'm already madly in love with this little boy and want the very best for him. So if that means bedrest at some point or anything else then that's what I'll do. Bedrest hasn't been mentioned by my Dr because I'm not having any complications but I am curious to know what he's going to say at the next appointment and I really want to know where we go from here. I know he won't be able to give me all the answers I want but a scenerio of what he sees happening would be great. I've read they take babies at 36-37 weeks with a previa so that's another one of my questions, when will this baby be born since we can kind of set a date at this point I think, guess I'll find out at the next appointment. My next Apt. is the 10th so I'll update this after that I guess or whenever I need a moment to vent. :) I do get ANOTHER ultrasound out of the deal too in 4-6 weeks to check things out again.

Okay so on with my belly picture... this is actually taken at 26 weeks, 6 days but we'll call it 27 weeks.

Because of Dax's position I seem to be getting wider instead of sticking out more. Mom commented tonight on how his position is causing me to be wider and my wonderful brother piped up and said he'd get me a wide load sticker if I need it. We all started laughing 'cause what else can you do- you only get to use material like that so often and frankly the only other people he could use it on would NOT appreciate his humor. I love my little brother and had anyone and I mean ANYONE else said that to me it probably would have made me cry but Bill just has a way of saying something like that with a big grin on his face and I just can't be mad at him. He's gonna be a great uncle---- or a dangerous one haha!

Peony Plum Flower Candle

I am in love with my new candle from Old Navy. I bought it just because and now wish I had bought at least two more and guess what..... I can't find them online anywhere and won't be back to an Old Navy store until..... well I don't know when I'll be back. SO if anyone goes to Old Navy and happens to see a Peony Plum Flower Candle could you buy it for me and I'll pay you back????? THANK YOU ahead of time :) This is such a random post for me because usually I don't post about random things I've gotten or would like to find again but other people seem to so thought I'd give it a go.

The last 3 days have been killer on my middle region. I have been in a class from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm with very little breaks. Which means lots of sitting still and sitting has not been a good thing for my prego body so far but usually I am somewhere where I can go stretch out for a few minutes to "fix" the issue. Not the case this week. I am so grateful to have a wonderful massage lady-- I'll have to ask Melissa what she prefers to be called- and I'm going to go visit her tomorrow for an hour of sheer bliss and the great treat of laying on my tummy. No I'm not actually flat on my tummy-- don't even think I could get flat on my tummy but the pillow I lay on has a hole cut out for my ever expanding midsection and I didn't realize how much I would LOVE that pillow until the other night when I was SO wishing I could just take a second to spread out face down on the bed.... it didn't happen but tomorrow it will!!! YAHOO!!!!

Better run! Hope everything is great with everyone out there. I'll post after my ultrasound on Tuesday. :)

We have a name...

Hi all! Well we are at about 24 and a half weeks... just under 15 to go! I thought it was about time that I filled anyone in that doesn't already know, the name of our little man. :) Dustin and I decided almost as soon as we were pregnant on a boy name but didn't really discuss girl names...crazy how that worked out! Turns out my Mom was the same way when she was pregnant with me and Bill-- when she was prego with me she and Dad easily came up with a girl name but weren't really sold on a boy name and with Bill they came up with the boy name easier and weren't so sure about a girl name. It's strange how these things work out.

Okay so... the name we picked out is Dax Paul. He will carry on his Dad and Grandpa's name tradition of being a "D" first name and Paul for the middle name. As soon as we both heard Dax we were sold, just didn't feel like any other "D" name would really fit. Although we do have a lot of wonderful Daniels in our family... which would be part of the reason for not choosing the name and it's a little too traditional for both of us.

It's been interesting how people respond when they hear the name you've chosen for your child. I've gotten a lot of "Oh that's cute" and "That will be a strong name" the strong name comment usually comes after they have had a moment or two to think about it. I agree, it's unique but not so far out in left field that no one can pronounce it or spell it. Being a teacher that is one of the hardest parts about coming into a classroom- screwing a kid's name up over and over again. Ugh!

So had a Dr apt. yesterday-measuring right on track and Mr. Dax kicked the doppler over and over again when the Dr was trying to listen to his heart rate. Dr said this is a great sign that spontaneous movement can be triggered by something as light as the doppler--- I was thinking that he was just trying to be a stinker like his Dad. :) SO everything is good, another ultrasound on the 28th to check where my placenta is and hopefully get some more shots to take home of my D man! :)

22 weeks

WOW where did the time go? Below are two pictures of me at 22 weeks-- they were taken a day a part. :-) This baby is on the move like crazy, Dustin finally got to REALLY feel him last night, he felt one movement the night before but got kicked at least 2 or 3 times last night. Oh my gosh that was one of the neatest experiences because instead of me saying "Did you feel that?" and hoping he did, HE actually said, "is that him?" then followed it with "He's saying, let me out!" :) It was so sweet.

So far I'm not feeling big or anything, I actually feel pretty small for being 22 weeks until I look at the above pictures than I think I look pretty good for being 22 weeks. :) According to my last Dr apt. I still haven't gained any weight but the baby is growing like a weed- my appointment was at 21 weeks and I was measuring 22 weeks. Baby is totally healthy but I have a tiny issue that may not even be an issue by the time we get to delivery- I have a complete placenta previa- DON'T google it-- it freaked me out when I did that. Basically it means that the placenta is completely blocked my cervix and at this point I will have to have a C-section around 37 weeks. NOW I know that my placenta can still migrate out of the way SO I'm not freaking out at this point at all and if I have to have a C-section that okay too- not what I want to happen but I'm okay with it. My Dr says not to worry at this point because I've had no bleeding so far and the baby is healthy and my cervix is long and thick. SO if you have a horror story of Placenta Previa, I really DON'T want to hear it but if you have a good story about the placenta moving out of the way and having a healthy delivery then go for it, I'd love to hear those things. :-) The exciting part about this is we get to have another ultrasound on July 28!! Which I am SUPER excited about because we only got ONE picture of the baby! One, that's right I said it, one! So at the next ultrasound I'm going to ask for at least a couple pictures. :-)

OH... almost forgot...

We, meaning Dustin, got the crib put up this week too! I love being able to walk into what will be Kyleigh and Dax's room and see his bed all set up- even though he probably won't actually sleep in there for quite some time it still makes it partly HIS space. Once that was done I got an itch and ordered all the baby bedding!! I also ordered 3 very sweet pictures to add to the room- one is of a little boy with his arm around a Lassie type dog that says "Boys best friend" to go above his dresser I think, the second is of a little girl sitting next to a dog both with floaty rings around their waists to go above what will be Kyleigh's bed and last but not least a very sweet picture of a crescent moon that says Sleep Tight little prince. The two kid pictures are black and white and the moon picture goes with the bedding. I'll be sure to put pictures up as we get everything set up. :-) I am LOVING knowing we're having a little boy!

It's a....

BOY!!!!

We're having a boy!!

The ultrasound tech was very cute, she said "ultrasound isn't 100% accurate but you can't deny what was there, when it's there it's there" So we are over the moon! Now I worry she is wrong and it is a girl but I saw it with my own eyes! From what I saw everything looked great, of course the techs can't tell you much of anything because they aren't your doctor but she didn't seem alarmed by anything or take a ton of time on anything except his heart because he kept moving and she even kept commenting about how hard it was to get a clear picture 'cause he was on the move all the time. :) Anyway I would put a picture up of the little guy but the only picture she gave us is of his arm, which is a very handsome arm but not really anything too interesting to look at :) He was moving around like crazy so it took her awhile to get all 81 pictures, that's right, I said 81!! Maybe the Dr will give us some of the ones he will get... one could hope, right?? :)

Okay so I have to share my funny now story--- so when we get to the hospital the lady sitting next to us said that she had been waiting 45 minutes past her apt. time, now anyone who has had an OB ultrasound knows that you have to pee almost as soon as you get there, I am no exception to this. Dustin thought my need to "release" was hilarious until I thought I was going to cry and pee my pants because they were truly 45 minutes behind!! It got so bad that it hurt to hold it any longer. I finally couldn't take it anymore and asked the receptionist how much longer it would be and that even if it was going to be only 5 more minutes that there was no way I could wait that long. SO she finds, what looks like, a big clear Dixie cut--- ya know like the red ones you make alcoholic beverages in at parties-- and said you can fill this to the second to the top line... then tells me she isn't sure where the bathroom is because we are in the new wing of the hospitol!!! I then glanced down the hallway and say the universal sign for bathroom, ya know the blue guy, girl and wheel chair all on one sign and started booking it down the hallway. Needless to say, I filled the cup and still had to pee, badly! SO went and sat back down next to Dustin for 15 minutes and had to go DESPERATELY again but instead of asking the receptionist for permission I ran to the bathroom without the cup. Oh man did that feel good! Turns out when I went in for the actual ultrasound my bladder was still plenty full-- so note to women out there-- if you are in pain or need to go very, VERY, VERY, VERY badly, go! Don't let go of everything but GO! :)

20 weeks!

Halfway to having a baby!!! Tomorrow is the big ultrasound and I couldn't be more excited and more nervous. I'm so ready to get a look at this little one and hopefully find out if its a little boy or little girl in there. :) Below is a picture I took really quickly in our hotel room on a school field trip, the baby has really popped out lately and has been moving around like crazy- I am so excited for the day that Dustin can feel this little one moving, so far every time I say Give me your hand, he or she stops with the big movements that he can feel. Total bummer but I know the day is coming that we will be able to pick out which body part is poking out. :) So without further adew (is that how you spell it?) Here's the belly at 20 weeks:

What a difference a few days makes...

It's amazing to me how quickly I have start to have a bump. Just last night Dustin looked at me and commented about how I've "grown." In fact at work yesterday at least 2 of my co-workers said I'm really starting to show now. How does that happen so fast? I mean how do you go from looking pregnant in certain clothes to looking pregnant all the time in a matter of 4 days??? The picture in my last post was take Friday, May 29, the picture below was taking 4 days later, 4 days later people!! Some of you will probably tease me that I'm not THAT big but to someone who has never had a belly like this before it feels HUGE already! And I have 21 more weeks of growing to do! Please don't laugh if the bump really hasn't changed too much... it's my first pregnancy and everything is new and a little growth feels like A LOT. :)

Here I am at almost 19 weeks. 18 weeks, 5 days to be exact :)

Little bump

Well all it's happened... I have a baby bump! It looks bigger in certain clothes (the kind that don't keep it tucked in at all) and small in others... this pink dress seemed to bring out the roundness of my tummy. ha ha! So anyway... for your viewing pleasure (if that's what you want to call it) I give you me and the bump.

No, that's not my bathroom. I took this picture at work in the bathroom- glad no one saw me walk in their with a camera ha ha!

The little gremlin (as Dustin called him or her the other day) seems to be growing since I can now feel little popcorn pops and flutters at least once or twice a day. It seemed so wierd at first but now I'm really enjoying the randomness of movement that isn't caused by gas! :) Now we're just counting down the days until our ultrasound-- exactly 2 weeks from today!! Yahoo!

Below is a picture from Easter time of Kyleigh putting "lipstick" on her Daddy. I just LOVE this picture and had to share it with you. :) Her arm around his neck holding him in place totally cracks me up.

17 weeks

Had another Dr. appointment on Friday- everything checked out great. I actually lost 3 pounds but the baby is growing and right on schedule so no cause for alarm. :) The baby's heartrate is between 140 and 150 beats per minutes... the little stinker kept moving away from the doppler so my Dr gave a range instead of an exact number. Hopefully he or she cooperates on June 16th so we can find out what we are having... keep your fingers crossed! :)

Speaking of which... starting to collect everyone's guess...what do you think we're having? Are we gonna get some blue in our lives or more pink? :)

Anne Marie and Me!

One of my very best friends from Whitworth, Anne Marie and I got together for the first time since graduation! We had so much fun getting pedicures and going out to lunch-- I think we could have talked for HOURS!!! Below is a picture of us! I just LOVE her eyes!

6 weeks

Here was me at 6 weeks, I pretty much look the same at almost 15 weeks so not gonna post another picture until there is more to see. :) Just needed to get the skinny belly on record... hopefully we'll see it again after this baby comes. ( Do you like my Octopus bathmat??)

Below is the first test I took purely on a whim... did not think I was pregnant at all... just didn't want to pack the test to move....

The next three tests I took to make sure the first test was right... I think it was... ha ha! I didn't take pictures of the next 3 I took just to be sure... pretty sure I took 7 tests total!

Looking back now, why did I waste the money on the extra tests? Each of them even say (and so does the baby books) that getting a false positive is very rare. Oh well :) Dustin called our bathroom the pregnancy test graveyard because they were all lined up on the washing machine for several days! ha ha!

Did you see the ticker?

If you haven't noticed there is a new ticker on the right hand side of the blog... yup... that's right... we're having a baby! We're both very excited although, I was quite shocked when we first found out! SO here's what I know so far....

Due October 30, 2009
Heartbeat was 160 beats per minute at last apt.
Yes, we will find out what we are having-should find out what we're having in June-- if anyone say's A BABY I might scream ha ha. I think it's a boy, Dustin's parents are pretty sure it's a girl, Rhea wants a girl, Leah thinks its a boy.... so anyone else care to guess??

I promise to keep you all updated on the happenings of this pregnancy. No baby bump yet but my jeans are so uncomfortable by the end of the day that I am miserable so I'm already in maternity pants... don't laugh! I got some really cute jeans and capris from Old Navy that don't look like maternity pants unless you notice the elastic band.

Dustin has been so awesome and supportive, we both heard the heartbeat at the last appointment and he got a big grin on his face when he heard it. He's taken great care of me when I don't feel good--- which has been the last 8 weeks. Thankfully I'm finally starting to feel better, just exhausted!

Well that's all the update I have for now. :)

25

Well my 25th birthday was pretty uneventful, which was quite wonderful! A bunch of us were supposed to go out on the 28th to celebrate but ya know how life works and too much came up to make it work that weekend. But we all agreed to go out and play sometime soon. I'm doing just fine with being 25 now... it still seems a little weird to actually be 25....

Dustin and I did get moved into our new house! We're getting unpacked and starting to get a little settled in... there is still a lot to unpack and we still have to move the kitchen table. I'll post pictures soon.

That's about it from here. There's been some changes going on that I'll report on before too long.

Hope everyone is doing GREAT!!!

Post #25... the day before my 25th birthday

OKAY so how weird is it that this is my 25th post and it's going to be about my apprehension about turning 25?????? WOWZA! That's strange...

Anyway... it is my last day being 24 years old. Truthfully I'm better with it now than I was a month ago. My issues with turning 25 are really quite silly... basically... I'm not married and I don't have kids... both of which I thought I would have before I turned 25. I know that when I set that age as being the time that my "adult" life would start was pretty silly because 25 really isn't that old. My Mom didn't even have me until she was 27 BUT she had been married for 3 years by the time she was 25....

SO... having gone through a lot of changes in the last year I've decided to embrace turning 25, or at least try to embrace turning 25... I mean think of all the blessings that are in my life as I turn 25.... think of all that I have accomplished in 25 years, in the last year! Here's my list of 25 as I turn 25.....

1. I am alive

2. I am healthy

3. I have an amazing job

4. I am with the love of my life

5. I have the best biological and un-biological siblings in the whole wide world- Bill, Rhea and Leah- I love you guys!

6. I am Auntie to the most beautiful neice around-- she melts my heart!

7. Dustin and I have a 3 bedroom/1 bath house to move into in 3 weeks

8. I have AWESOME friends who love me and I love them!

9.Dustin has brought a very sweet, wonderful little girl into my life this year- I am truly blessed by both of them!

10. I have my degree

11. I am fairly independent- I say that and I giggle....

12. I have learned a lot this last year, mostly about myself and how tough I can be

13. This year I am determined to break the tradition of my tattoos... I'm going to get one because I am happy in my life NOT because I am upset!

14. I am going to grow my hair out in my 25th year! We'll see how long I let it get....

15. This year is the year of starting the next level of my education... going back for my professional certificate!

16. I am going to be more active and fit my 25th year.... Dustin said he'd help me with this one :)

17. I can't believe I haven't mentioned this... my parents are such wonderful people in my life! As i said in one of my previous blogs they are truly blessings in my life!

18. I have a great and supportive extended family- lots of cousins, aunts and uncles who love me-- and who are almost all older than me :) Bill, Jacob, Matthew and I are the youngest 4 of all my cousins

19. OOO I almost own my car... just a couple more payments and it's mine...no wonder it's making a funny noise! ha ha

20. I can finally grow my nails out, I know, sounds silly but for YEARS I couldn't get my nails to grow and now they do :)

21.Dustin and I are going to add to our lil family by getting a puppy sometime this year... to be named Axle or Diesel... depending on the color :o) hee hee

22. I'm not as picky an eater as I used to be... but I'm still quite picky....

23. I am going to be old enough to rent a car tomorrow without having to pay an extra fee!!!

24. Cheap insurance!

25. Really truly I am finally at a place in my life where I am content and looking forward to what may come in the next few years. :)

SO... I guess... I'm okay with turning 25..... I'll let ya know how it goes....

Cutie Patootie!

OKAY I had to post the picture above because Miss Avy is just too darn cute! She is my dear friend Tedra's baby girl! I love that my friends are having babies and I get to play with them, snuggle with them and practice my own mama skills with them. SO THANK YOU to all of my wonderful friends for having beautiful babies and allowing me to be part of your lives!!

I love you guys!!

Have I mentioned before how wonderful, sweet and funny Dustin's daughter Kyleigh is? Oh my goodness she is such a kick! I am truly blessed to have her in my life! I am turning 25 in a week and Dustin has been giving me a bad time FOREVER about being older than he is and turning a quarter of a century old BUT Kyleigh was on my side the other night and agreed with me that I'm not old yet. Thanks Kyleigh!!!

I'll post more later about my issues with turning 25... I'm really just not ready to face it yet....

The blessings of my life

I don't know why but today I feel compelled to share with you how wonderful the main people in my life are. How great they are to me and how much I value them.... so here goes....

1.My Parents

As I have grown up I have always known that I have a wonderful set of parents. They have always been the kind of people that I could go to with any problem or joy and know that I was supported 100%- granted, they may not always agree with my decisions but I know they will always love me regardless of my choices in life. I didn't fully realize how great I had it until Karl and I broke up and I moved home with them. It was a VERY hard decision for me because I was losing some of my freedom, you see Mom and Dad will always see me as their little girl and sometimes forget that I am almost 25---don't get my started on turning 25--- ANYWAY... I took off for some girl time with Rhea and came home to my old bedroom all set up and ready for me. How sweet is that. One of the most constant blessings, besides their love, that my parents have given me is a place to call home. A place to go that is always open for me. I have lots of other blessings associated with my parents but I think the biggest is how much they love me. (duh, right) :-)

2.My brother

I have the best younger brother in the entire world! Growing up we weren't always fond of eachother but since I graduated from high school we have been through so many changes, so many life altering situations and through it all we have leaned on eachother, cried with eachother, laughed with eachother and always known that if we have a problem we can come to eachother and talk it through. We have always been eachothers traveling companion as Mom and Dad often drug us on lots of LONG road trips, the best one was our last big trip to Yellowstone: I think it was the first trip we didn't fight and argue on because we were able to enjoy eachothers company full instead of bugging the heck out of eachother. Bill has always been a great ear to listen and has the best hugs in the world, espcially when that's all that you need to fix your world. He is the best!!!!!

3. Dustin

Oh my handsome wonderful man! Dustin and I have been through a lot and it all showed both of us how much we love eachother, how much we value our relationship and how well we really fit together. He makes me laugh when I want to cry and holds me when the laughter isn't enough. He teases me, compliments me, encourges me, and most importantly he loves me! He truly loves me! He also puts up with my forgetfulness, my lack of knowledge on just about everything, he takes me on adventures to places like Ione and Moyie (if you haven't been there you haven't lived!), we go camping, we go boating, he covers me in mud when we're playing in the big S-10, he laughs with me and at me. Dustin is my other half and when he wasn't in my life everyday I was empty. I have never felt so full of life and love as I do when I am with him.

4. Rhea and Keona

My first sister and neice! I love you! Rhea and I have been through so very much in our lives. From tiny infants to now adults we have enjoyed laughs and love and held eachother while we cried of those we have lost. Rhea is always my go-to friend and has picked me up when my world has come crashing down. I am blessed to have Rhea! Rhea has also allowed me to be part of beautiful Keona's life. From the moment Keona was born and I heard her cry for the first time I knew I loved her. Standing in the hospitol hallways my arms wrapped around Misti crying because we were so happy she was here! Keona is a light in my life, she is so funny and sweet and cute and TOUGH- that girl is just as awnry as her mother. They are truly two peas in a pod! I am so blessed by both of these wonderful girls!!!

5. Leah

OH my Leah! Leah and I are so similar it's scary!! We're two peas in a pod and when we are together it's always tons of fun!! Leah is my cheerleader, my dear sweet sister and friend! She can pick me up on my darkest, most stressful day and remind me that life is beautiful! While we have only gotten to be good friends this year I know that we will be a lifelong pair. :-) She has already been welcomed into my family and I know she will be part of it for a very long time.

6. Dustin's parents

Even though Dustin and I aren't married I still feel like Lorraine and Dennis are my other parents. They are wonderful to me and have always welcomed me with open arms. I am so blessed by them, by their generosity and love. They tease me and encourage me. Heck Dennis made me my ONLY birthday cake last year (Rhea made me a super yummy birthday cheesecake though). They include me in family activities and have really made me feel like part of the family. I know that they will be a huge part of my life for the rest of my life.

My life is so full of wonderful people who lift me up when I'm feeling down and encourage me along the path of life. My life has been marked with those people who have not done that which makes the blessings in my life shine even brighter. Thank you to all of you who are blessings in my life, I am truly, truly grateful for you!!