Baby Class

Today Josh and I went to the Weekend Express Birth class at the hospital. They normally do a 4 or 6 week series but we couldn't fit it into our schedules over the summer. I was actually worried this past week that we wouldn't make it long enough to go so I'm glad we did.

It was a small class to start with - about half the size of their usual ones. Within the first ten minutes one of the women had a seizure or big blood pressure drop and passed out. So, even though we were in a building on the hospital campus it wasn't an actual medical building so the teacher called 911 while a class participant (who was an EMT) helped the woman. It started off the day with a bang.

It was a pretty good class. I started to get really overwhelmed right at the end - lots of information, lots of things to think about and lots of emotions. Overall it was good and informative. We talked a lot about, and practiced a lot of different positions to help with labor contractions, massage techniques etc. It was helpful and I think I have a better idea of what will be or won't be comfortable for me and the way my body is. We also talked a lot about being able to vocalize what we need during labor so that our husbands or whoever can help the best possible way.

I was nervous about watching super graphic videos but the stuff we saw wasn't bad at all. The teacher was also about to use some good visual aids that were helpful.

Overall it was a good day. Tonight I am hoping to maybe play a game with my mom and Josh after dinner then curl up with Josh and watch a movie. That was another thing that the class made me think of - I have been craving time with Josh even just sitting and doing nothing.

Tomorrow is the shower at church and I am so excited. I will post stuff about that later.

Last nights' adventure

So yesterday we had our 35 week appointment. The doctor was more rushed than usual so I wasn't able to ask him all of the questions that I had. He did take me off of working at the office completely but said that I can work from home. He told us that my cervix is still thinning and Addie's head is at a 0 which is "engaged".

I was pretty stressed out after the appointment because I had other questions and I'm not excited about bed rest. Really, it's ok if she is coming early but I'm anxious about being on full time bed rest for 5 more weeks. A lot of that stress is about finances and not getting my full paycheck for as long as I was hoping to.

Yesterday after the doctor I took a nap and then ate dinner with my mom. I've been meaning to write about that and can't remember if I did or not. Mom flew in on Monday and will stay until a week or so after Addie is born. Anyway, last night Mom and I went to the fabric store and just watched tv. Josh and I hung out for a little while after he got home from church last night.

Around 10pm I started having more intense contractions - not super painful but worse than they have been up to this point. I took the medicine that is supposed to stop them but it didn't help. Around 11pm Josh and I called the after hours nurse line and they said to go into the hospital to get checked out. Josh woke up my mom and the three of us grabbed bags and headed to the hospital. It's normally about 40 minutes away and Josh made it in 30. We went into the triage room where they monitored my contractions for awhile and then basically just sent me home. The midwife that was working said that she didn't understand why the doctor had me on bed rest or medication to stop the contractions and that they aren't strong enough to stay at the hospital. I was kind of anticipating that this would happen anyway. I was feeling embarrassed and frustrated that we went all the way there for nothing but Josh keeps telling me it's better to be safe than sorry. I keep coming back to the frustration that the doctor said they think she could come anytime but there is still the chance it could be awhile. I don't like not knowing and feel like I'm on edge with every little contraction, pain etc.

So, we ended up going back home but I guess it was a good practice run. Josh was able to show my mo how to get to the hospital in case something happens while we are at home without him.

That's really about it. I hope that we don't have any more false alarms but I guess you never know. We are supposed to try to retake maternity pictures tomorrow since it was raining on Monday and Josh and I have the birthing class at the hospital all day Saturday. I am going to still plan on doing those two things but am not planning anything for after that. My shower at church is Sunday so hopefully we will be able to make it to that as well.

Updates a few days late

Last Thursday Josh and I went to the doctor the for what has become weekly checkup. So far everything continues to look ok. I am still progressing faster than they would like but nothing immediate. I asked the nurser practitioner if she had to bet on how much longer it would be, what would she say? Her answer was "I give you at least a week" That is only mildly helpful. At this point I still don't want Addie to come to soon, but I'm also hoping she doesn't wait until her due date. I'm pretty uncomfortable and I a week or two like this won't be terrible - any more would get really old. She is still sitting super low and I was about 50% effaced. A week ago the doc gave me medicine to take as needed to stop the contractions. I don't really like to take it though because it is actually a medication to lower blood pressure so it gives me super bad headaches and makes me pretty dizzy. The other option was a med that would make me jittery and shaky. Neither was really a good option.

Other than constantly wondering when she is going to come, everything is going fine. My mom flies in today. She has been in Canada and Alaska all summer in their RV. Since there is a chance Addison will get here early she and Larry got to Seattle and then mom will fly in today to stay until after she is born. Larry will come for a few days once Addison is here.

I'm going to brag on Josh for just a minute. He has been so incredibly helpful and sweet it is just unbelievable. Yesterday I kept asking what I could do for him - the poor guy was so worn out. All he would tell me was I should let him take care of me! I really don't know how I would have gotten through the past 8 months without him. I know we are going to need each other even more once we have a newborn and it is reassuring to see how supportive he has been already.

This picture was last week (I think). I'm probably just a bit bigger now but it is still pretty close.

Cradle

I posted pictures of the nursery yesterday but wanted to give special attention to the beautiful cradle that Josh's parents had his uncle make for us. We picked a style that will convert to a toy box when Addison is old enough. I also had Matt paint the top house part general colors so that we can pass this down with all the kids. What a great treasure for Josh and I to have for our kids from their grandparents!

The pictures absolutely do not do it justice. It is all handmade and incredibly beautiful! Matt is so talented. He works out of Fredricksburg,TX - here is his website if anyone is interested:


I have a doll cradle and rocking horse that were made for me when I was a baby. They are in Addie's nursery now. It's neat for me to think that this cradle is something all of our kids, and hopefully grand kids will be able to use.

At last...

Nursery Pictures are here!

The room started out light blue. Josh spend a few days putting primer on the walls-


Then when my dad was here, he and Josh painted the walls a yellow that matched the bedding -



Then, Josh and I found a tree graphic that we agreed on. He projected and traced it on the wall, then painted in the brown. It was a tedious and tiring process but he was so excited about doing and sweet even when his shoulders and back were sore.


Finally, we put up the wall stickers that matched the bedding and they look great. I decorated the lamp I found to match. I made the three frames that are on the wall by using a window valance that came with the bedding that was too small - I cut up the fabric and covered the frames. The picture album is one I bought and put Addison's name on the cover. I am so excited to be able to put pictures in so she can see what we did to get ready for her to be here. The bunny's name is Flopsy. Josh and I went and made her at Build-A_Bear as a present to Addie from us. The whole thing has come together and I love it, love it, love it. The only thing missing (besides Addison of course) is a glider that I hope to get. I can't wait to sit and rock in the room with her and even before she gets here.

Recent Visitors

For the past two weeks my best friend Jackie Beth as been staying with Josh and I. This is the third year (maybe forth) that she has come for an aerial dance festival in Boulder. Aerial dance is basiclly like Cirque de Sole type stuff - trapeze, fabric, other weird steel frames, bunjees etc. It's pretty awesome. I actually wanted to take a class with her this year but being 8 months pregnant that didn't sound like a good idea.

While JB was here we didn't even get to spend a large amount of time together but it was so great just to have the day to day interactions when we both got home in the evenings. I love any time we get to spend together and wish we didn't live so far apart. Friends are a blessing.

Friday my dad and stepmom came into town for the weekend. We don't usually get to see them very often so this was a special trip. Pam thought it was really important that my dad see me pregnant and I am so glad that they were able to come. While they were here we worked hard on all of my current "nesting" tendancies. Pop and Josh painted the nursery and rearranged the furniture. Pam and I worked on going through boxes that Josh and I had not unpacked yet. Most of them were decorations so we hung up the ones that Josh and I wanted on the walls and then sorted through the rest of the stuff to decide what was going to Goodwill. I'm not putting up any pictures of the nursery yet because Josh has one more thing that he wants to finish before we post pics but I have some of the rest of the weekend. One of the funny things that my dad told me is that my belly actually looks smaller now than in pictures a few weeks ago. I think it's because Addison has moved down lower.

Pop and Pam have been sending Josh and I packages throughout this pregnancy. They brought us a few more things when they were here. One of them was a potty training toliet seat that looks like a baseball - it was hilarious! Baseball is one of the things that my dad and I share so that was a funny present.

The next doctor's appointment is Thursday. I have noticed that I am definitely getting more and more easily worn out. As much as I was hating bed rest restrictions a few weeks ago I almost hope the doctor increases them now. I'm trying not to focus too much on Addie coming early. I'm not super worried if she does come a few weeks early and the doctors feel confident that she would be healthy. I am mainly just preoccupied with wondering about the timing. I have had the due date in my head for so long and have been counting on that time frame - now with the possibility of delievering early it just increases my anxiety. I have started to worry a little more about the actual labor and birth. I keep telling Josh that I am worried I will be wussy and a whimp. I'm trying not to worry about it too much and not worry about the timing either. I am sure that Ms. Addison will grace us with her presence whenever she feels ready. Hopefully that will be at least by the due date and definitely not after.

Random Updates

I don't have picture to post yet but just wanted to give everyone a quick update on life....

I have hopefully found a good balance between resting and doing things around the house/exercising etc. We go back to the doctor tomorrow and will see if there has been any changes with Addison. This weekend Josh and I were on the church family camping trip. I mainly sat around and played games all weekend. This trip is always one of my favorite parts of the summer. It is probably about 50 people from church, mostly youth group families and we just enjoy being together. This year Josh and I had a cabin instead of our usual tent since I was not thrilled about sleeping on the ground. I did really well except for Saturday when I didn't feel good and didn't sleep much at all. It was not so much contractions as just a constant pain, my guess is from how low she is sitting.

Josh's summer is officially over except for a lock-in/all-nighter in a few weeks. He is working from home most of this week. Yesterday he started painting the nursery with primer and doing a few other things around the house. My dad and step mom come into town from Lubbock on Friday and our goal for the weekend is to get the nursery walls finished, shelves hung up and a few other things. I'm so thankful that they want to come and help us get ready. I will have pictures up hopefully early next week of the almost finished product.

My little sister is in Africa on a mission trip for 3 weeks. I am so, so jealous that I am not with her but I am also so excited that she is getting to have this experience. I know that my time in Africa was definitely life changing for me.

There is a lot of other stuff going on but I should get back to work. More updates and pictures soon!

Fortunes

Each month I go to dinner with my friend Alli that I worked with at Tennyson Center a few years ago.

Last night we went to PF Chang's and after a long time of just talking and eating we read our fortune cookies. Mine said "You are about to embark on a wonderful journey."


Alli's said "Things in small packages can bring a family great joy"

They both could absolutely fit for me, and Alli's sister just had a baby so hers works too.

I just thought it was a neat coincidence and part of my week....

"Modified" Bed Rest

Yesterday when Josh and I went to the doctor for our 32 week appointment. I have mentioned previously that I have been having some mild, infrequent contractions. At this appointment they checked Addison and she looks great! We even got to see her eye-balls move (creepy). Anyway, while she looks good there is also a moderate risk that she will come early. She is sitting really low and they are worried that the cervix is already beginning to soften.

So....I'm on what Dr. Nelson called 'modified bed rest". Josh and I had some confusion about what this actually meant so I called the doctor back this morning. I am still able to work full time for now but may have to cut back. Basically once I go home from work I am supposed to lay around, take it easy etc. I asked if I can do some easy physical activity and the doctor said it was ok as long as it's not too strenuous. That made me feel a lot better - I wasn't necessarily worried about my health or Addison's health (although I want her to cook as long as possible), I was mostly worried about my mood if I was not able to be physical. That is something I know about myself - I get grumpy if I just lay around.

Long story short - Addison is doing great, we just want her to stay in there a little longer. Another thing the doctor said today is that if I make it to 36 weeks then I can go off of the modified bed rest because at that point it won't matter much. I have to go back weekly for appointments from now on so I will keep everyone updated!

Baby Explosion

There is about to be a baby explosion! I have lots of friends who are (or recently were) pregnant.

First, a few weeks ago my long time friend Kristen had her second son Bryce. He was about a month early but is perfectly healthy. Kris and I grew up together in Austin when her family moved there after returning from Africa. We got married almost exactly 2 years apart and moved to Denver within a few months of each other. This is Kris and Bryce before they left the hospital (I got the picture off of her facebook).



Then, my friend Jenny had her little boy last week. Jenny and I were in club together at ACU and she worked Leadership Camps with me one summer. Jenny and her husband Chris welcomed Jude on 7/28/09. (Jenny, I got the picture from your blog).


Seeing Jenny and Kristen's pictures and hearing about their family's joy welcoming their new children makes me so ready for Addison to be here. Now for friends that will have babies soon...Next is Erin and her husband todd. We were in Siggies together at ACU. They are going to have a little girl named Ellie.

Ashley Snow, who was one of my good friends at ACU and bridesmaids, is due about 2 weeks after Erin and is having a little girl named Emma.

After than it is finally time for Addison to be born. I'm due about 2 weeks after Ashley. I'm not only blessed that I have been going through this experience with other christian women that I love, I'm also excited that our kids will grow up together and maybe even be friends as they get older. We aren't even all in the same place but it is so fun to be able to keep up with each other thru blogs etc and share this time.

I also have two friends who are due not long after Josh and I are. Kasey, one of my very best friends, another bridesmaid at my wedding, is actually due on my birthday, November 23. Sara is another friend who is due between Kasey and I (not sure exactly when).

Keep, all of the new moms and moms-to-be in your prayers.