Stellllaaaa

This past Sunday we blessed Stella. It was a wonderful day. My aunt Barbie made her blessing dress, bonnett, and booties. She looked beautiful!
We were fortunate to have many friends and family there to help us. (for posterities sake I will list them here, Daddy, G'pa Eric, G. G'pa Arden, Uncle Jamo, G. Uncle Barry and Scott, Bishop Fred, Pres Mackey (stake Presidency), Jake Ericson, Billy Hunter, Ryan Lenahan, Dana Farnsworth) Unfortunatley.. we were not able to get all 12 guys in the pictures. Jamo, Billy and Ryan had to leave, and Bisho... well he's a Bishop and I couldn't catch him after Sacrament meeting.



In an effort to not be out done with attention... Isabel was CRAZY at church all day. At one point she left Sacrament meeting, presumably to go to the bathroom, and I found out after church she left to run around the (hardwood floored) gym in her mini heeled shoes. Yeah... she was THAT kid.

I learned a few things that day mainly that I should never stand on the right side of MIke for pictures... my right side is not my pretty side. :)
So here is our wonderful Stella.

more news!!

Ok, not really but I just wanted to get your attention so you would read my blog. :)
Stella is sleeping pretty well...or was until last night ( hoping that is just a blip on the radar). I learned that if I don't stay totally hydrated Stells doesn't get to eat. We took her to church for the 1st time on Sunday, she was awesome. I always said that I wouldn't take my kids before 4-5 weeks, but I woke up that morning and just felt like I needed to be there and that we should go as a family. It was so nice to go again! Other then two weeks in October, I had not been at church since around the 24th of July. I did get to be ( as one friend put it) a momma bear making sure no one touched her. Mike was just as vigilant if not more so. He's such a great daddy!

Isabel loves being a big sister and is getting better at holding her ( and picking her up unauthorized!), and has started keeping her entertained for me if I need to finish up a task before feeding Stells.
All in all, life s great!!

Giveaway!!

Ok so not mine, but a blog I follow, http://shanty2chic.blogspot.com/ is giving away a new Silhouette Machine! This thing does so many cool things, (think cricut but without the cartridges). You can download the designs and have them all saved with out the bulk of trying to keep the cartridges organized or changing them out constantly.
I hope I win.... I hope I win!

another week

This has been a wonderful week. I've gotten to hold my baby lots and lots (yes I know the grammar in that sentence was awful). We had a couple of rough nights.. but over all I'm pretty lucky. I have learned that she burps MUCH better for Mike than for me. My mom was in town this week. It was so great having her here. We didn't do much besides sew.... and sew and sew. That was punctuated by a few trips to JoAnn's, one to Costco (where Isabel conned my mom into buying goldfish and fruit snacks) and Target where the girls were loaded up with clothes from Grandma. I need to take pictures of the projects we did but I have to finish my two first. I have just a few details left and I really, really want to get them done. So here is our list of projects..
ponchos for each girl
dust ruffle for Stella's bed set
Car Seat cover (I messed up a bit so fixing it soon!)
Diaper bag (looks awesome!!! I just bought the wrong snaps for it, so it will be done this week)
curtains hemmed for Stella's room
and something else I"m forgetting.

Note the car seat and diaper bag were my only two projects... Grandma had the rest and got hers all completed! She also did the binding on a quilt for my cousin this week. I was tired! My aunt came in town also to stay for a day, she also brought more clothes for Isabel, and she knitted hats for the girls. One I really want in my size... but Isabel and Stella have matching hats. SO cute! I have a picture up on FB and will add that to the list of items to post this week.

The one thing I'm tired of is the hormones. I have been snapping at everything like crazy. Silly things are setting me off and the fact that someone is trying to be nice is forgotten... I instantly start raging. yeah.. that needs to stop. I guess it's better then being depressed except that my raging affects my poor husband as he has to deal with the windfall of it all. Hopefully just another couple weeks and I'll be back on track with some normalcy.

I'm excited for this holiday season. I have so much to be thankful for this year. I'm excited for the magic and peaceful feeling that comes with this part of the year. Our tree is definitely ready to be assembled and decorated. My sister is coming again for her annual trip in December. Again.. so excited for her to come. My mom called today (she left yesterday morning) and following up with a conversation we had... Stella looks more like Leslie than anyone else at this point. Hopefully we'll have some baby pics to compare too when she comes.

One week... (and a bit more)

It has been an interesting week around here. First, I didn't get to leave the hospital on Monday like I was supposed too, I spiked a fever on Sunday and the Dr. wanted to make sure I didn't have an infection. So I had one more day to hang out. On Saturday they put Stella on the bilibed because her bilirubin levels were too high. Thankfully that didn't happen until after we watched a rather sad football game, but at least we were able to cuddle all day. Stella met one of her Great Grandma's that day. Sunday we had friends come and visit. Lacey and two of her daughters came up, Isabel had fun playing with her friend. Just before they left Crystal and Billy came by and stayed for awhile too. It was fun trying to discreetly nurse with Billy there. It was the first time I've had to try. I think I did ok and avoided flashing him. Monday morning Stella's bili levels were holding steady so they took her off they lights. My friend Candy came and visited Monday night and we had a great visit. Tuesday I found out about 8:30 that we'd get to go home and were so excited!!! We finally got home about 1:30 and by 2 I was asleep. I woke up at 4 and felt like I was run over by a mac truck. Mike had Stella outside and couple of our neighbors saw him and stopped by for a visit. We just vegged the rest of the day. Wednesday was my overly emotional and hormonal day, I couldn't stop crying all day. Not sure how I got thru that day, but even a form thank you card from the St Louis Cord Blood Bank sent me in tears. Thursday we took Stella to the doc, then had to run down to the hospital to get her blood tested again. This is where is gets fun. Apparently the cord to charge my phone suddenly was broken and not working, tried 4 different outlets, and my computer nothing. Of course that would be the day that the Doc's office was trying to call me and home health was trying to call. Mike finally called my friend Candy who drove over to my house to check on me. Needless to say, Mike was worried because the offices were calling him. We finally got it all worked out. Stella's bili count jumped up a bit for the few days she was off the light and they wanted her on the bili bed immediately. So 2 hrs later home health was at the house. Candy stayed with me thankfully, I was starting to turn into and emotional wreak.

So we've been back on 3 hr feedings so she can excrete the bilirubin and go back to get the blood tested tomorrow morning. My mom comes in town on Monday so hopefully we can get her off the bilibed by then so we can all cuddle.

So that's it, I'm going to try and download pictures from my phone so that you can see all the many fun times we've been having here!

Ok so there are a lot of picture but I finally have time to post and not sure how quickly I'll get to it again. Great news... Stella's bilirubin levels dropped 5 points after 2 nights on the bilibed!! So she's off the bed. Now just to be able to keep on a fairly normal feeding schedule.

Enjoy the montage of pictures!

Notice her cute little grin.


I love this 'old man' grin!


For those that remember... this same ring was up to the shoulder of both Isabel and Brooklyn when they were born. Stella only gets 2 fingers inside. (I LOVE MY DOCTOR!!!)




Bilibed at hospital


Bilibed at home


I LOVE these next three.. While Mike was outside the OR as they were getting me set up, he was practicing his surprise face.




My three favorite people!


Cute daddy and Stella!



Lastly a random picture I found of Mike on a work trip to Tx.... riding a Jack-a-lope.

And baby makes 4

Introducing miss Stella Ann Pulley.


So Thursday I went to the Doctor for my normal weekly appointment. I had been stressed out that morning, I found out the night before that my mom is coming down on the 15th of November and since I was no closer to delivering I didn't know how it would work out. Obviously I need a baby if my mom is coming down. She can't change the dates due to work. So after Doc comes in and asks me how I'm doing... I quickly spoke of the stress. Then we talked about if/when VBAC, what stars have to align for it to happen. Turns out the reason he wouldn't turn her is because of the increased risk of a uterine rupture (which would equal no more kids). So after we discussed all this, he starts the exam. While he's doing the exam... it was so funny to watch him sigh and his face drop slightly. I jokingly asked him what's wrong and there was a hesitation before he asked me..."you haven't had any contractions or cramping?" No I replied... I've had really minor cramping every now and then but that's it. He looks at me and said.. "you daughter is kicking me". So I was 2-3cm dilated and Stella was trying to come out feet first. He looked at me and said.. we need to have this baby.
I was a bit taken back.. wasn't how I expected my morning to go. He stepped out to make a phone call, came back in and said. This baby is coming today. It was all set up. I walked over to L&D was admitted and had to wait until 4:30 since I had eaten breakfast.

Fast forward a few hours the happy drug people came in to do my epidural, it was the easiest epidural I've had put in but it didn't take well. Instead of my surgery starting at 4:30... it didn't get started until 5:15. They had to keep giving me more and more drugs and rotating me trying to get my right side numb. Finally they had it but holy cow... this C-section was more uncomfortable then my last two were. I don't know if it was just a different Doctor, he seemed faster, or because I had a big baby they were pulling out and they had to pull and push harder or what but they ended up giving me a bit of nitrous oxide too because it was ridiculous how uncomfortable the whole thing was. BUT... I got this cute lil' person out of it...



It was so much fun to hear her kicking and hollering and to watch her being dried off (the fact that she was big enough and there weren't a thousand NICU people around her helped) and then got to watch Daddy hold her. It was so wonderful! Isabel was so excited about the whole thing and was practically running into the recovery room with Daddy so she could meet sister. Mike's whole family was there and his brother and wife brought dinner up for everyone. They took Stella from me to take her to the nursery and I didn't see anyone for a while, the whole family followed Stella up to the nursery and watched thru the window while she got her bath and measured etc. When they came back I was starting to be wheeled up to my room and Isabel was literally jogging along side the bed hyper, hyper, hyper.
All in all it was a fantastic day and I'm so grateful for all the love, support, kind words, prayers offered up etc. Our family is so excited to have a little addition that we get to take home!

Look at these rolls! Not as impressive as some.. but for one of mine...yay!!



Weighing in at 7 lb 4 oz and 19.5 inches


Holding baby for the 1st time in recovery room.

Lest we get the wrong idea

Izzy's new dress


I love being pregnant. The tiredness has passed.. I was just from finally being able to move again. My chiropractor is fixing my back and reminding me to ice so I can decrease all the inflammation in my SI joint so that's feeling better. I've been having fun starting on some projects I've wanted to do, ie burp cloths, tent blanket for car seat and possibly starting on the high chair cover although that one might wait a bit. This morning I got Isabel's room all clean including the closet floor which had become a dumping ground. We are finally ready to start moving things around to get the baby's room ready and I had to get Izzy's room clean to move out the dresser. Mike is going to get some help this weekend and move the dinning room table in the basement (we only use it 3-4 times a year) and in it's place we are putting my desk and a player piano we are the foster home for, for the next couple years until it's owner graduates from BYU, move the tall dresser that houses my scrapbook stuff in there also. Then we can get Isabel's dresser out and put it in the baby room.

I'm excited for all THAT to be done so I can get Isabel's closet in order. She needs a new shelf so she can help put her clothes away and some shelves on her wall do make up for losing dresser space. Who knows when the painting will get done in baby's room but the smart bet will be whenever my mom comes into town. :) So.. it's fun to finally start getting ready like normal people.

So this had been so much fun. Apparently there have been times it seems like I'm complaining about it but if it sounds that way it's only because I don't handle change well (surprise, surprise) and honestly... who really thought I'd still be pregnant. So it's adjusting to that change that is hard for me, although I'm grateful for it every day.

So just to hold people over.. her us a pic of me being more and more huge everyday! yea...I'm finally able to get big!

(pardon the super tired look... I had no makeup on)

Major Tiredness.

Holy cow! I am tired! Going from nothing to long walks standing all day cooking and lets not forget trying to run up the stairs! However, I am so grateful that my Doctor has fixed me (maybe too well... baby still doesn't want to come out!) and that I get to get up and move around a bit before I have her. I couldn't imagine now.. knowing how tired I am now, going straight from 3 months of bed rest to new mommy. Never thought I'd appreciate how hard my stairs are to climb. Now if my SI joint would ever get back in place... :) So things are going well here. I'm happy to be able to take Isabel trick or treating on main street today (the shops here in town have people outside with candy.. it's a mad house!) and to our church's trunk or treat tomorrow night.
I know have more compassion for those who's feet hurt all the time. My heels kill me from the extra weight and finally being on them again!
Thank you to everyone for their thoughts and prayers.. now off to call a chiropractor!

I'm FREE!!!

Well at least from bed rest. Cerclage came out yesterday with surprisingly less pain then I thought. It was over pretty quickly. Because baby is still breech and the two previous c-sections... Doc says I have only a 40% chance of a VBAC. Sad day. He also is apparently a fan of the episiotomy, not happy about that so we'll work on that. He won't turn baby either, well not while in labor, he might try while I'm in the office next week but we'll see.

I tried doing the lunges and squats I told everyone I'd do. It was truly pathetic. I got 3 lunges in on each leg and my muscles about gave out on me. Then I tried running in the hall way but all I succeeded in doing was making Mike laugh at me. So I am now up for suggestions.. I know I still have about 4 weeks left, but I really, really want to meet my girl. Plus I have a feeling that it might be a few weeks before I go into labor. Yes I'm learning how the other half lives. Oh and I have my first stretch marks which means if I have to go longer.... my cute stomach will be cute not longer. I remember going down for a wedding in Alabama a few years ago.. I think it was Doug and Sarah's.... all my old roommates were commenting on my nice flat stomach after I had Isabel (granted when you're only pregnant for 6 months...) now I'm going to have to work much harder to get it back. I know, no one feels sorry for me.

So the super happy note... I'm off bed rest!!! So I am running around doing whatever I can now. I don't know if I'm hitting "nesting mode" or just excited to be up but I have been cooking/baking the last couple days and will do more today (oh the cinnamon rolls last night were AMAZING), starting sewing projects, getting excited to go to JoAnns for fabric to do more projects.

Oh to be free!!!

Showers and waiting

Saturday we had a friend throw us a baby shower.. a bama baby shower. I have a picture of Isabel sitting in the living room with my AWESOME Bama balloons, I LOVE THEM!!!! (thank you Crystal!). The shower was at Buffalo Wild Wings and we just had a great time sitting around talking and eating. It was a couples shower so it was nice to have the husbands there... the ones that could come.



I hung upside down on the inversion table and almost threw up. Apparently I should have known better then to use it the 1st time and go straight up and down. My dad kindly reminded me that I could stroke out so we're taking it a bit less then vertical from now on!
We're getting really excited for this week. Tomorrow is the big day... 36 weeks!!! The stitch is coming out... and the lunges, squats and attempted sprints are coming. I even had a dream last night I was jogging thru the halls of the hospital in my underwear trying to get baby to want to come out. She may not still arrive until next week.. or later but I'm still hoping by Wednesday. Just my luck she'll be more stubborn.... but I can still hope. I can't wait to be able to actually get off the couch without help or my basketball getting in my way!

And tonight for family home evening... painting my pumpkin belly.

We'll keep everyone posted... Oh and for those who are really concered (Cheyenne).... my 1 st stretch marks came in.... and they are not even on my stomach! Thankfully I think my swim suit will hide them.

Hanging around...

My FIL brought up his inversion table yesterday.. I get to start hanging upside down to try and have my baby turn. Yesterday Mike and I went and got our pedicures and I had my eyebrows waxed... I feel pretty...o so pretty. It was nice to get out the house and have a mid-day date with my husband. I got an idea from my friend back home... I'm going to try and find some paint lying around and paint my stomach like a pumpkin. I'm pretty excited. Since I have no stretch marks (knock on wood it stays that way) my tummy isn't too bad looking! Stay tuned for pictures!!

To celebrate...

my 35 weeks.. I decided to watch Transformers 1 and 2. The black military guy fighting... with one with the red hat, made me think of Mark and I smiled often, beating the bad guys. I digress.. My lil' girl still hasn't flipped, rather then trying the pillow under my pelvis for a few minutes (because lets face it my back hurt for days) I decided to lay upside down hanging off the couch. After Mike had to rescue me to put more pillows under my head, it wasn't so bad. Baby loved all the space to move around and holy cow... my hip flexor attachments are TIGHT! So I enjoyed the stretch. However... I would not recommend this for people who get motion sick. If I turned my head away from the TV to talk to Mike I really thought I would vomit upside down. I only made it about 5 minutes like this because of the whole wanting to be sick problem but my back didn't hurt nearly as badly so I think I might do it every night.
I could not however sit up so Mike had to come rescue me again and was lifting me up and helping to move me like I was an invalid. I love my husband! Thankfully with his help there was no emptying of the stomach. So here's to another few days of head rushes.

35 Weeks!!!

I just realized at 2:45 this afternoon (that would be when I clicked on my blog) that I'm at 35 weeks! I have monitoring tomorrow, a Dr. appt on Thursday then my hopefully last Dr visit on Tuesday when they pull out my stitching!!! I do have this fear that because the US tech messed up my due date that Doc will want to make me wait one more week. I even dreamed about it the other day. Mike took a pic of me looking all pregnant but I haven't gotten it off his phone yet. I might even be on his FB. So that's all for how. Just waiting.. I did start all the laundry for baby stuff and grabbed a few things for baby at the hospital. If she doesn't come until Halloween... I have Isabel's old pumpkin costume to bring her home in!

Such a tease!

Since I'm able to get up for a couple of hours in the morning I went to church today for the first time since the Sunday before the 24th of July (I'm guessing the 21st). It's been FOREVER. I have missed it terribly. So I was able to go for Sacrament today and loved it. While sitting there, having baby move all around she started sliding down.. her head was not longer straight up and down. She was sideways in my belly.. yes I was super excited. Then I stood up and was walking out of the Chapel and when I stopped to talk to someone.. I realized her head was back up top. I mean really.. flip already. Back to laying down on pillows and lots of prayer!

please, please, please

Little baby of mine....please turn over so I can have a chance to deliver you "normally" I'd really like to not be required to have another person cut into me. So please behave and listen to your mommy and flip!

34 Weeks!

So 34 weeks came this week. I'm getting pretty excited. I went in today for my ultrasound, she weighs approx 4lbs 10oz and apparently has a bunch of hair, well at least more then the last few babies the US tech had seen, she's still breech. I started monitoring this week also. If you've never been on monitoring before, it's kind of fun... they hooked me up to the machine that I'm used to being on and gave me what looked like a morphine pump and I had to push the button every time I felt little girl move. There wasn't a ton of movement at first then she started doing a congo line and I felt like my finger was twitching.

Because I saw Doc today I can miss my appointment tomorrow and see him next week. I"ll head in, and finally get to ask a few questions about the labor process hoping for that VBAC. I need to figure out how to turn her around so I can deliver her. Then on the 26th of October at 2 pm my cerclage comes out! Doc said I have to stay around the hospital for about an hour or so in case I head into labor. So basically if her can pull it out... I"ll be doing squats, lunges and what not all the way to the elevator and then I'll be doing wind sprints up and down the halls. I really hope she comes out with in the week of my stitch coming out. Apparently I have a 50% chance of delivering within 3 days. So everyone should keep their fingers crossed. Mike and I finally got a picture taken.. Of me at 34 weeks. I need to get it off his phone but man I feel huge!

So that's it... we're about done with this crazy weekly blog update. :)

My 33 week visit

I went to see my Doctor on Thursday. I mentioned to him about missing my friends memorial service and about started crying right there on the stirrup table. He was very compassionate but let me know that he would not have cleared me to go, that and Mike was not going to drive me because he wasn't comfortable either. So I guess a family visit is in order this May.

On to happy news that doesn't make me cry. Doc was so excited to see me at 33 weeks. I don't think he really thought I'd make it this far. So here are my cool changes coming up.....
34 weeks... bed rest is modified and I can get up for 2 hrs in the morning and 2 hrs in the evening (which means I can legitimately go to the Primary program for church next week, it's Isabel's first one)

also at 34 weeks.... I'm off my meds!!! Finally no more pumping my body full of drugs (although I owe it to those drugs to mention they have helped keep baby inside me)

36 weeks... CERCLAGE COMES OUT!!! I can't wait for this! He said about 25% of people go into labor within the next 3 hours after the procedure, and about 50% within the next 3 days! So this lil girl might must make her debut before Halloween.

Oh AND my mom is being 'forced' to take vacation because she has so much accumulated that she is going to be able to come down!!! So she's planning on being here the end of the 1st week in November which is 37 weeks. We figured that was safe just in case I didn't go in to labor right away.

So exciting to think that in 3 weeks I might finally get to see this baby. Once I get the go ahead, I'm going to start washing all of babies clothes and such to get ready. Now to make it perfect I just need to be able to deliver and avoid a C-section.

WOO HOO!!!!

Thoughts

"The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them,
glory and danger alike, yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it." ~Thucydides




This week I have been almost fanatic with checking up on blogs and facebook checking for updates and comments on Mark. I have cried and cried everyday since he has passed. It still breaks my heart even though I know that Mark truly felt like this was his mission on this earth, to take out the bad guys and he was able to even while being shot at. His heroism overwhelms me. His love for his country, his selfless service and the service he gave in honor of our Heavenly Father, overwhelms me. I can only hope that I can live MY life like Mark. Truly aware of my purpose and ready to face whatever comes.

It breaks my heart that I won't be able to attend his memorial services. They are in Haleyville, AL, about a 5-6 hr drive from here. I can't see any way my Doctor will let me forgo bed rest for a day to drive down there. I would, I will ask but I doubt that he will let me make that trip. This spring when we head down there, I do want to stop to pay tribute to a hero of mine.





Below are some quotes I found on a Military post his brother Thad linked to.

“Lest I keep my complacent way I must remember somewhere out there a person died for me today. As long as there must be war, I ask and I must answer was I worth dying for?”
Eleanor Roosevelt


When tomorrow starts without me, And I'm not there to see;
If the sun should rise and find your eyes, All filled with tears for me.
I wish so much you wouldn't cry, The way you did today;
While thinking of the many things, We didn't get to say.

I know how much you love me, As much as I love you;
And each time that you think of me, I know you'll miss me too.
But when tomorrow starts without me, Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name, And took me by the hand.

She said my place was ready, In heaven far above;
And that I'd have to leave behind, All those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away, A tear fell from my eye;
For all my life, I'd always thought, I didn't want to die.

I had so much to live for, So much yet to do;
It seemed almost impossible, That I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays, The good ones and the bad;
I thought of all the love we shared, And all the fun we had.

If I could relive yesterday, Just even for awhile,
I'd say goodbye and kiss you, And maybe see you smile.
But then I fully realized, That this could never be;
For emptiness and memories, Would take the place of me.

And when I thought of worldly things, I might miss come tomorrow;
I thought of you, and when I did, My heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through heaven's gates, I felt so much at home;
When God looked down and smiled at me, From His great golden throne.

He said, "This is eternity, And all I've promised you;
Today your life on earth is past, But here it all starts anew."
"I promise no tomorrow, But today will always last;
And since each day's the same day, There's no longing for the past."
"But you have been so faithful, So trusting and so true;
Though at times you did do things, You knew you shouldn't do."
"But you have been forgiven, And now at last you're free;
So won't you take my hand, And share my life with me?"

So when tomorrow starts without me, Don't think we're far apart
For every time you think of me, I'm right here in your heart.




We love you Mark

Mark Forester

I received a phone call from my friend last night telling me that Mark was killed in battle in Afghanistan. There is a really beautiful tribute to him on the Michael Andrew Photography blog on the left but I wanted to put a few of my own words down. I am by no means eloquent. But I have had a few memories bouncing around my mind. mark was the brother of one of the first people I met when I went to school at Alabama. Thad and I Hung out quite a bit my first year and had a friendship from then on. Mark came around a few years later and I spent many, many days at their place. They, along with Mike and Paul were the first guys to let me practice my cooking on them at least once a month. Some recipes were great...others not as much but they let me practice anyways. I remember hing grocery shopping for Mark and Thad because I couldn't believe the food they bought.

Mark and I spent a fair amount of time becoming friends and was my foot rub buddy, my friend to bounce ideas off of and the first person to show me that they carried a hand gun in their truck. I will admit, I was a bit nervous after that one! Mark was such a wonderful young man, very caring with a good sense of humor. He lower you to just be, be who you are, sit in comfort and didn't push. However, when you got him on a topic he was passionate about, well it was fun. He and Thad would get into "fake fights" as brothers do and the atmosphere around them was just fun.

Mark and I lost contact when I moved to Missouri for grad school and through the wonders of Facebook we reconnected. I was so proud of him when I learned he entered in the military. Willing to serve the country, help make it a better place, keep our freedoms, and set an amazing example for us all. He died in combat, fighting, taking out the enemy in the process. I am so proud to know him. To have shared a part of my life with his, not matter how small. I still can't believe he's gone. My heart breaks for his family but at the same time I hope they are so proud of what he has done. I am, I thank him, my family thanks him and I hope we all will give thanks for men like Mark. Many of you know others who have served, I do too, but this is the first one that I that I knew personally who lost his life fighting for what we get to enjoy in this country. Mark, you are loved and will be missed.

another week

Well, we've done it. My awesome husband has taken care of me and we have made it to 32weeks!! It's a bit surreal, but we've done it. I can't wait to see my doc because on 2 weeks I'll have a change in my bed rest and hopefully be able to wander around some more. I am grateful for all of my friends who have helped out our family whether by watching Isabel, bring us dinners etc. Our family went outside tonight to enjoy the weather, I laid on the lounger, watched Isabel play, spoke with our neighbors, played with their dog and helped Mike study for his test tomorrow. now I'm just hoping for a quick week.
I'm also excited for General Conference for my church this weekend and will be trying to Skype with my sister in Africa and my friend in Hong Kong. Should be a great weekend!

Another Sunday

Here I am, another Sunday, at home, by myself. Bored. I have a couple of pictures I'll post below of our last ultrasound. Unfortunately they are not the best but it's what I have. I am trying to be patient with many of you... y'all really should update your blogs. I know, I know, you're busy off living your lives and working/kids/etc, but just think of me here...bored, lonely just waiting for a small glimpse of what goes on outside the walls of my home. No contact (ok, other than FB) with the outside world. Especially those who have recently been to the beach (*ahemcheyenneahem*) or those who regularly blog (*ahemjeniahem*) and those planning on moving (*ahemsaraahem*). And to everyone else.

Ok attempted guilt trip over. :) It's been pretty good here this week. We did go to the playground yesterday, me and my lounger laid and watched Mike and Izzy play. We met some friends up there and I got to see Kourtney and her boys. She's another one of the 10 ladies that have been pregnant in my ward since summer. Then came home to watch Alabama, or a team that once resembled Alabama play football. I was honestly worried but thankfully we pulled it out, somehow, but that's what makes a team champions. Somehow winning when odds are against you, pulling together to make it work. Now on to FL, I'll see my Doc a few days after the FL game, might have to find some Alabama stuff to wear if we pull that one off too....

Ok so here are some pics. One good one of her arm and a bit fuzzy one of her face. Enjoy!

31 weeks

So for those of you who haven't heard, which would be the couple that haven't seen facebook yet... I have an approx 3lb 7oz baby (in my belly still). Apparently when I posted it on FB some people were not sure if I meant I had delivered or not, so know she's still inside. I had that ultrasound yesterday and all looks great, then I went to the Doc today and he told me that I'm one of his best patients. Not as far as following rules, but in how I'm doing. When he marked my sheet for return I am officially off the high risk and in the moderate risk category! Granted that probably has more to do with me being 31 weeks along but still.
I had to laugh while I was there today, I don't know how most doctors react when they see their handy work, but mine jokingly complements himself on a job well done on my cerclage every week and then today he came in and says..."your blood pressure looks great, your weight looks great, your urine looks great..." How often is that apart of normal conversation. So accoring to him, I have great looking urine and a great looking cervix. Aren't you glad you stopped by my blog today. :)

I also have progressed enough to where I don't need to go to the doctor for awhile. I'm not going to know what to do with myself next week when I have no where to be. I don't go back to the office for 2 weeks then an US at 34 weeks. Once I hit the 34 week mark I do weekly monitoring.

I scheduled the appointment for my return visit and it was so weird, I don't go back until October. OCTOBER! I can honestly say I did not think there was anyway I would still be pregnant in october, but here it is. Doc asked me today if I had any questions or if anything was bothering me... I said "yes...the thought of pushing out a 7-8lb baby, I might have to rethink this vaginal delivery."

cramping and dreaming

So I spent most of the day yesterday cramping. I didn't know I was worried until I called Mike about 4:30 to see what time he was coming home and told him. Then I started to cry. How funny, now matter how many times I go thru this I still cry. Yes I realize I'm still super early and I think that's why. As much as I feel like I'll never stop being pregnant and I want this baby out because I know it will be fine.. it's still just a 31 weeker. (yea for 31!!!!) Doctors and nurses will always tell you to drink 32 oz of water to see if the cramping stops. They like most medical people realize just how important water is and how quickly your body revolts without enough.
So 96 oz of water went in me yesterday, I still probably have most of it in me and my body is back to it's happy normal self.

So then the dreaming starts. Last night I dreamt I was cramping so I went to the hospital and found an empty room up on Antepartum (my 2nd home) and hooked myself up tot he TOCO machine (ya'll know the one... they put it on your belly to see your contractions on the print out) and I was there hanging out with Isabel. We were in this huge room that was more like a mini dance hall.....so I did what anyone whose dreaming would do, I tried to get up and casually dance, with out engaging my stomach muscles. You can probably guess how well that went. Needless to say my printout was all over the board and all I could think about was... man there goes my flat line record. Finally Isabel told me I should probably stop dancing. I don't remember much else other then a nurse coming in. It's pretty foggy after that.

So that's my welcome to 31 weeks party.

Diaper Bags

So with little else to do besides watch Grey's and surf the internet, I have looked at just about EVERY diaper bag there is available (at least in a price range I'm willing to pay) and I've found a few but then I happened upon this site, it's one of my favorites, and I was thinking...if this baby comes early, I just might have to make it!

I have decided I really want a messenger bag after remembering what it was like with Isabel and a full bag plus it's just more my style. So I'm just thinking...

If the link doesn't work go to the Make it-Love it button on the left. It's the messenger bag tutorial.

Has it been so long?

I didn't realize I hadn't posted in 5 days. Granted my days don't change much but I had intended to be posting most everyday. Yesterday was a pretty good day. Mike made some amazing breakfast and then we went to the park. We took the lounger with us so I could lay down while Mike played hockey and Isabel ran between the playground and her dad playing in the hockey rink. It was a great morning. We came home and rested, watched the Alabama game, I rubbed Mike's feet (one side badly, I was falling asleep and I never finished... it's on my to do list today), My cute family family made cookies that were SO good. A wonderful lady the ward made us some yummy Mexican casserole.
All in all a pretty good day. I did however realize at the end of the day that being on bed rest, (obviously) makes it hard for me to contribute, but I have got to find ways to be a better wife and companion for my husband. This whole situation places more stress and responsibility on him and most day I just take and take from him and don't give back. It's really sad. I don't mean by doing 'things', we all know I'm not supposed to but in showing him in the small and little ways that I do appreciate him and all he does for me. I married a man who works so hard and is so caring and I need to show him that I am so very grateful for all he does. I decided last night, after he came and put me to bed (yes I'm like a 4 year old who like to be tucked in if he's not coming to bed at the same time), that I need to pray and pray hard to be a better wife. A much better wife. So of course I won't magically wake up better but I know I'll be given more opportunities to show my love and appreciation for him.

In case you've been gone...

30 weeks today!!!! I'm pretty happy about that one! I see my Doc tomorrow for my weekly follow up and get my injection. Only 5 more injections and 3 more ultrasounds. I still feel like I'm farther along but according my email.. baby is about the size of a cabbage and about 3 lbs, I mean really, I might have to push out a baby that weights over 2 lbs. :)

Slowly, ever slowly

Time is passing. I actually can't believe that it's Sunday already. I'm almost at 30 weeks! It feels like I should be farther along since I've been on bed rest for about 6 weeks now. Don't look now but all my muscle is leaving my body. Funny thing about my family.. my cousin went in the hospital last week with pre-term labor.. or so they thought. Thankfully she is at 34 weeks and doing fine. She should be good for a few more weeks at least. Mike is leaving town this week and we just set up a slumber party for my and Isabel at a friends house. We were all worried about me being here by myself and trying to take care of me and Isabel, no one could stay with me so I'm going to a friends. I think I'll pack up the fresh veggies and fruit that might go bad this week and take with me to donate to the cause. I'm so grateful for friends who let us 'impose' on them whether with watching Izzy, making us dinner or letting us do slumber parties!

I found a new Sunday 'activity'. With the recommendation of friend I listened to BYU-radio. It was a nice change from the same CD's over and over and helped me to keep focused on my Sabboth day, which is hard when you haven't been able to attend church in 5 weeks. It also makes me feel more worthy to partake of the Sacrament when the Elders from our church come, when I've been able to keep the Spirit in my home and it's not like an after thought.

So everyone keeps asking Mike and I how, well how I am. I know sometimes it's hard to know what to say. Mainly because my days don't really change from one day to the next. I'm bored, (currently waiting for Season 6 of Grey's Anatomy to show up on Netflix on Tuesday), tired of laying here but knowing I don't have a choice if I want to bring my baby home from the hospital, I stay busy with crosswords, books and inet. So that's it. No one has to ask Mike over and over.. I'm good. The good thing about having a ward family is word travels fast so if I'm not doing fine, or I go into labor, everyone will find out within a day. :) If I can actually make it full-term, my friend was joking that we might actually have a full waiting room of people excited for me! That was a funny thought but in many ways, this baby is the 'ward baby', however that doesn't mean anyone will get to hold her for a bit. he he! :)

Grey's

So my new obsession is Grey's Anatomy. Between the hospital and home I have watched the end of Season 3, all of Season 4 and I'm 4 episodes away from finishing Season 5. I do have a book I want to read but all these cute doctors are getting in the way. So today's last episode I watched was where Izzy was making Merideth try in wedding dresses and Bailey was holding on to a little girl who was dying of Tay Sachs disease. Needless to say, I have been crying. It's not so much about the little girl dying that got to me. What was hitting home was watching her scared Dad, not sure what to do, finally holding his daughter for her last few seconds of life. I remember watching Mike hold Brooklyn her last few moments, giving her a blessing and as they took her off all her machines and monitors, they handed her to Mike and she passed in her Daddy's arms. I still don't think that was the hardest part.

I feel for those who have also lost children, and hope and pray that none of my friends have to go through that experience. But what people don't tell you about death, what no one thinks about is what comes next. I don't mean the funeral, or how the family copes. I remember like it was yesterday, about two hours after Brooklyn left this life, we handed her back to the nurse then we stood up and left.

What they don't tell you is the emptiness, loneliness and out of body experience... walking out of that hospital knowing you're not coming back, knowing you're not taking that little angel home, knowing that despite all that has happened, you are making that long journey back home, alone. Having to walk back, with empty arms, its like you're moving in slow motion and everyone around you is on fast forward and you just want to shout at them that your life, a small piece of your life is over for now. But you don't, you hold on, you make that journey and you wait for the pain to come.

(No)Labor day

So here we are on (NO) Labor day and I have spent most of it watching Grey's Anatomy. My family left to go to the ward picnic then Mike took Izzy swimming, they both had such a wonderful time! Now we have just been hanging out and watching Enchanted. Isabel loves this movie. I hit 29 weeks tomorrow. I'm pretty excited, although it's a bit tough this week, Mike is working so much so on top of everyone helping my family....I have to find rides to the Dr's. Just one more way my family has to depend on others with this baby.
I woke up this morning and realized I didn't comment on Saturday. Granted September 4th is not a day I like to remember, but I'm actually happy that I didn't think of it. September 4th was the 2 year anniversary of Brooklyn's passing. We decided as a family to remember her birth and not focus on her death. So I'm actually quite happy that the thought didn't cross my mind that day.
I am so ready to get off this couch. I'm so tired of being a bump on a log and not helping my family. I know what's more important, I know it's all worth it, but I'm still tired of having to ask others for everything. I really just want to cook for my family, unload the dishwasher or even do laundry. Instead I get to fight off depression, boredom, and laziness. woo hoo.

Saturday's news

This picture was taken by the public relations lady at the hospital, she's doing an article for the mom's on bed rest and interviewed me.

ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!

I'm so excited that football season has started! Granted the first game is in PPV so I'll be taking my info from my phone, but nonetheless, I'm so happy to have some family time festivities taking place every Saturday. The weather has been beautiful the last few days, last night Mike took my pillow and a big towel out to the front lawn for me so I could lay there and still be part of the fun with sidewalk chalk. All of our neighbors were out and I finally was able to see them. It was so nice to be out in fresh air, with the breeze, even the mosquito bites were tolerable because I was enjoying myself so much. We may do the same thing this afternoon.

I go back to see my Doc on Tuesday. Hopefully he'll be running close to on time. He's usually an hour or so late, but now I know it's because he's usually on call Tuesdays so he's been down in L&D taking care of those patients. I'll get to ask him about wheelchair rides and specifics on my bed rest. Y'all know me and if I don't have specifics... well I find grey areas without really meaning too. Wednesday are my ultrasounds. We're still back to every week, two appointment, and I can't drive to either. At least the US won't take long. I'm usually in and out in 15 min.

My week has gone by pretty slowly, I'm hoping it picks up soon. My first week or two at the hospital was the same way so it could just be the change of scenery. I am much more relaxed and having much more fun at home. I have to say I have either taken 2 hr naps every day or (like last night) slept for 9 hrs.

My cousin Chelsea brought over a ton of DVD's last night of TV show seasons. I can get caught up on my DR smut with Grey's Anatomy, get addicted to Bones, which I've never watched and Arrested Development. On top of reading and finishing my cross-stitch. I'm so grateful that I have so much to do..even if I'm not really doing it yet.

Another win!

I woke up this morning and went to lay on the couch, I checked my email and found out I won another giveaway!! This time from Cap Creations off the Make it and Love it blog you see on the left. I received a $40 gift certificate and just purchased this necklace. It will have all three of my girls' names on it but I can't show it to you since we're not telling this girls' name!

On a different note... my first day of bed rest went pretty well. I did get a nice nap in for 2 hrs today, which helped since I didn't sleep well last night. I guess I have officially hit the point where I get too hot since I'm pregnant and poor Mike will be freezing while I'm sweating. So tonight, poor Mike will have to pile on the blankets, I need to sleep at night. My nap was amazing. Isabel still went to another friends house and loved playing with their little 1 year old and came home and told me how cute she was and the fun she had. Apparently she also stole the 1 yr olds sippy cup. Sorry Amanda!

I will get back to reading tomorrow, books that is, I read 4 magazines today and I'm ready again for something that requires more then 45 min to read. :)

28 weeks

I'm going home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Finally, I can go to bed with my family, wake up with my family, see my daughter who desperately needs her momma, a hubby who needs me and frankly, I need them more then 4x a week. Sill have weekly Dr apointments and weekly US and I can't drive myself to them. But who cares... I'm going home!!!!!!

I did it!

28 weeks. Today. The big 2-8. I'm pretty excited about it. Never been this far, never been this big and never been so ready to get back to my family! I'll find out tomorrow if I get to go home. So far everything is stable it will just depend on my ultrasound, and hoping my Doc does rounds in the am! The funny thing about still being pregnant (and I know I wont get any sympathy from anyone, nor do I expect it)... if you think about it, this is full-term for me. So now I'm supposed to go home and keep baking for another 4-6 weeks at least. Now I don't need any reminders on why it's important, trust me I know, but mentally its a bit hard for me to get around. I knew my surgery would help me, I had a good feeling I'd have a viable baby and one I can take home, but man.. thinking about being pregnant for another month is tough! I feel like I'm at 40 weeks and I now have to try to have the gestation of an elephant.

All my pregnant life I'll I've known is surprise, NICU, traveling to see my baby, a bit of stress, tears, I know way to much about preemies, but the plus side is being well rested when baby gets home. Now I'm in no mans land...so to speak. It's still a bit of a waiting game, and hoping I can make it a bit farther. My next goal is 30.5 weeks (Mike is out of town when I hit 30 weeks so I have to shoot for that Friday), and I don't want to deliver during ALABAMA FOOTBALL(!!!!!), then 32 weeks and so on. I'm still hoping for a VBAC delivery, but that just depends on who is on call. I guess in some respects, all my pregnancies are up in the air, it just now, I feel like I'm in more foreign territory. I could concievably have a normal delivery, with a baby to bring home and I never really thought that would happen for me. I'm excited about it, but... well we all know dealing with change isn't exactly my strong suit!

I also want to thank everyone for their comments on FB, this blog, their encouragment, prayers and service to my family. We have been truly blessed to be remembered by everyone during this time and I wish there were words to adequately express my appreiaction and love for you all! HOpefully...tomorrows post will be full of excitment and good news!!

I'm waiting....and watching....

(if you've watched Phineas and Ferb...sing in that tune)
Here it is... Saturday, 27 weeks and 4 days. It was this 'day' or time of my pregnancy 4 years ago when I had Isabel. So tomorrow I'll have gotten farther than any other pregnancy. Pretty exciting! And I'll find out Tuesday if I get to go home to complete bed rest there. My week has been pretty slow since Tuesday. That as such a great day, and I have been bored, bored, bored. The sad thing is I have so many things I can be working on, yet I'm not. So now I'm back to working on my cross-stitch... after my family leaves tonight...I think. :) Mike and Isabel stayed last night with me and since Mike was able to resurrect my computer briefly, we got a ton of pictures we thought we had lost when Isabel knocked Mike's old computer off the bed. So we laughed and laughed as some great memories.
They have left for a few minutes, Mike had to get a new phone, his software is glitching really badly and making him miss stuff with work. So they are coming back in a bit and we're taking a wheelchair ride outside in the sun!!!! It will be my 2nd time outside in about 4 weeks and my first in the sun. We'll walk all around until we can find some sun I can sit in.
So that's about it. Nothing very exciting. (other than talking with my cool sista on the phone this morning!)

GREAT NEWS!!!!!

Happy days always start with a chicken balloon...-courtesy of Leslie.



Ok, so I am so excited today. The day started out with me being able to remember my awesome daughter Brooklyn, she would have been 2 today. I was excited for our family night and the traditions we are starting with celebrating her day.
After that, not only did I get some great French toast for breakfast, right afterwards I headed downstairs for my ultrasound. They were doing another big one getting all the measurements. It went by quickly but the 1st thing we did was get my cervical length and it was the exact same as last week which was awesome! THEN she did the measurements and we found out the baby weights 2lb 4oz!! For those that don't understand this huge milestone, 2 lbs is huge for NICU babies, there is a big difference in complications between a 2 pounder and less. Isabel was a 2lb 4oz baby and Brooklyn was 1lb 7oz. Many, many more health problem occur to babies weighing less. SO, this is huge! I'm at 27 weeks and feel awesome. As I was waiting for my chart to be done one of the Docs in the practice told me all was perfect and said, "when is Webb (my doc) sending you home?" I told him not until after 28 weeks. So immediately after I got upstairs Dr Webb came in to see me and asked how it all went, I told him that everything stayed the same, measurement had not changed at all AND that I was the proud owner of a 2+lb baby! I was SO excited. Needless to say, so was he. I got a huge grin from him and he said...
wait for it....

wait for it...

If next Tuesday when I'm at 28 weeks, things are still the same... I can go home!!! I'll still be on full bed rest but I'd be at home! I really hope that happens, it would be so great to be at home with my family, even if I have to stay in bed/couch all day, I'd get to see them everyday and be there when Mike came home. I will want to cook, but knowing I can't get up for that long.. I might be able to make a sandwich. :)

So then Mike stopped by after his meeting and brought me some chocolate that a friend sent with him (Thank you Taunia!!) so I received truffles and two different bars of Ghirardelli chocolate bars. Plus Mike dropped off the rest of the peanut M&Ms that we added to our trail mix. Later that day Mike and Isabel came back by with some yummy dinner that was prepared by another friend in our ward, and Mike made an awesome birthday cookie cake. I got to take my wheelchair ride and we went outside in the courtyard to eat dinner. The weather was beautiful, it was my first time outside in 3 weeks! We ate dinner then Isabel was able to do our balloon tradition. We take 11 balloons (and both years... one popped in the car!)- one for every day of her life- and we set them free and send them up to Brooklyn. Isabel loves this part of the tradition and gets so excited to let them free! Then we blew out our imaginary candles and ate our cookie cake. It was a bit odd being in the hospital courtyard for this moment but I'm so glad that we did it anyways.

Today has been such a fantastic day and I'm so grateful for all of the blessings I received this day. I have an amazing family, and one on the way that fills me with so much joy. I am so grateful for all the prayers, thoughts, well wishes and acts of service in which we have been the recipients. We love you all! And because it's been forever since I posted pics... here are pics of my chicken balloon for those who wanted to see it and some pics from our birthday celebration today.

Birthday Celebrations.... (I so needed my makeup!)







This is a close up of the headband I made for Isabel with my friend Becca.

A break from the ordinary

Today is a rough day. I had so much fun yesterday with friends and family coming to visit, but today...whew! Before anyone freaks out...baby is fine, I'm still stable..well physically anyways. It all started with not turning off the TV until 1am. That is never a good start. I'm having a tough time processing everything today. We have some wonderful, supportive amazing people in our ward at church who have taken Isabel in daily. Everything has been fine until one day last week and then today. Mike and I had some miscommunication on our end with the people watching and I feel awful. One friend missed an activity she was supposed to be at, and had Isabel for 14 hrs. Yeah, I'm an awesome mom! Then today... well Mike's phone is on the fritz and keeps deleting his texts, emails and call logs, so he didn't see the new email with who had Isabel so when he dropped her off, the lady couldn't do it so he took her to the next person he thought it was... and dropped her off. Turns out it was still the wrong person and he could finally read his emails on the way to work. So I tried calling to straighten it all out. It seems like a small thing but I don't want to take advantage of the people who are helping our family out.

One of my friends watching her called and let me know it was all fine and not a big deal and people just want to help out our family and are glad that I'm doing so well. I hate feeling like I'm putting people out or taking advantage of them. This is just a rant... I'm hoping I'll feel better tomorrow. I just hate not having control and part of me really wants to go home and be able to take care of my daughter but I know if I do that, I'm putting my other daughter's life at risk. I hate being here today. Oh and to top it off... tomorrow is the 2 year birthday of Brooklyn. So where I'm sure I'll be just fine tomorrow.. today it's hitting me. So here I am again, in the hospital, pregnant, emotional and really missing my family.
I think I need to go find some more chocolate....

Moved again...

So they just moved my room again. My AC is leaking into the room below so they are fixing it tomorrow so hopefully I'll be back in my room tomorrow since I didn't move my decorations/stuff. I just brought my electronics/toiletries/clothes for the day. So we'll see. My room I'm in now, seems so stark and stale so hopefully...hopefully I'll get back to my room with personality tomorrow.
I did have some fun visitors today. Lacey and Crystal came, followed by Mike and Isabel then Mike's Grandma and Grandpa came for a bit. It was a great day! Thanks everyone!!

When Isabel left she was in tears, she misses Brooklyn and is scared that this baby won't get to come home either. It's so hard for a 4 year old to process everything. So we talked about her fears for a minute and talked about her praying to Heavenly Father to ask for some comfort. Mike and I have good feelings about this baby and trying to convey it to Isabel. Hopefully she's like me and after a really good night sleep she'll be able to process better. We're going to have to talk her thru this one.

Birthdays and Sleepovers

Last night I was able to have Mike and Isabel come spend the night with me. It was so much fun! They got up here and we all had dinner together, watched a movie, had to go out in the hallway for a bad storm (for safety reasons they have to make us sit in the hallway if there are tornado warnings)-I did meet my neighbors though. Came back in and put Isabel to bed around 10:30, it was really late I know. This morning we had breakfast, scriptures and watched Phinneas and Ferb then heading to the craft room to do some painting. We just relaxed most of the rest of the day. It was so great to get to spend most of last night and this morning/afternoon cuddling with my girl! We all needed it so badly.

We also called Grandpa Jim to say happy birthday! I can't believe my dad is 61.... that seems so old and I don't think of him as being old! I guess it makes sense..I am 30 now.

Doctor update!!!

I just saw my Doctor! He is so excited that I'm still pregnant and doing really well. He agrees that even though he 'could' send me home he wont before 28 weeks. I am not comfortable going home before them because I know I won't stay down like I need to. There is a small chance I could go home but if my cervix shortens by a half a centimeter, then I won't be going anywhere. He's getting more confident I'll get to 30 weeks and definitely to 28. He was saying as he left..we'll have a 34 week delivery. Now we all know that he's getting super almost crazy optimisic but it's all good. I had been taken off monitoring unless I felt like I needed it but I think he's going to put me back on. Which is fine, it's only 1 hour 2x a day plus extra if I feel like I'm contracting. All in all he says things look good and knows that if we hadn't done the revision of my surgery... I'd have another baby now.

The hard part is Isabel missing us when she goes to bed. Mike has spent the night here twice and where Isabel can play and play all day she really misses me/us at night and nap times. We might do a family slumber party on Friday night. Layna is bringing her to me any second now and we're going to call A. Leslie in Tanzania!

WOO HOO!!!

So I won again... Today I won an adult hoodie from Evy's Tree! I'm so excited! These hoodies are so cute with ruffles all along the zipper area around the hood and accents on the pockets. Complete with a little flower on the left shoulder! I'll have to take a picture when I get out of the hospital with my bread maker and my hoodie!

Check out Evy's Tree website to see my prize!

26 weeks

I made it to 26 weeks yesterday!!! So happy, 2 more weeks and it will be the longest I've ever made it pregnant. Yesterday was a great day. Mike felt SO much better and was able to go to his class, Becca came over and we finished off the cute flower headbands as seen here they turned out really cute! Note: an embossing gun works well in place of a lighter. I had my ultrasound and it appears that my cervical length hasn't changed at all since last week, awesome news, physical therapy stopped by and tried to fix my SI joint and reminded me of simple things to do and I found out I can start doing some small exercises, which is great because I'm losing so much muscle. I remember my Bama girls at a wedding commenting on how I didn't have a stomach and I had to remind them that I never carry far enough...well here's my lot, I'll have to replace/rebuild every muscle in my body because it will be completely gone!
After all that Mike stopped by for a second, I had a steak dinner, and then a friend came over and spent another hour or so with me and brought me Twizzlers!

It really was a great day. I have been so blessed while I'm here and great friends, family, doctors etc. I am very, very fortunate. Oh and I just found out that I won a new Cuisinart bread maker from http://www.fabulousfunfinds.com/. I'm so excited to make cinnamon rolls and homemade bread whenever I get home!!

One heck of a day!

So this morning started out just like most any day, then I find out my Dad was taking Mike to the ER. He felt like his gallbladder was bothering him again. Not really sure what the MD's thought..they finally got a needle in and he had an IV then released him a few hours later. They have no idea why he was in pain but the best part was they gave him literature for heart attacks but told him he didn't have any problems with his heart. I just love ER Docs. Then he came up to my room as was pretty miserable, then started a fever. My nurse was getting worried about him being here and sick while I'm here...the last thing I need is to have an infection while I'm finally doing well. So he's at home, hoping to go to his classes this week, Isabel is at a friends and may be spending the night. It's been too crazy! So hopefully, he'll be feeling better tomorrow. Our GP is going to redo some blood tests and ultrasound is gallbladder soon. Hopefully, we'll get some good news!

Great weekends

This has been a great weekend. My Dad has been in town, playing with Isabel, Mike and the two of them stopped by last night and again today after church. Mike even brought real dishes and dinner to me! I did go and play a bunch of games on the wii again and play super mario bros. I dabbled a bit in some scrapbooking and one day I'll remember to bring the tape to start hanging up some decor. Did I mention the fresh blueberries?! I have been feeling pretty good this weekend. I get sore from sitting up a bit much so I'm learning better what my limits are. Oh and my friend and I did make some cute flowers for our girls' hair. I just need Mike to bring the cord to download pictures so y'all can finally have something more fun to look at then just my ramblings.
I'm ready for this next week... Tuesday is 26 weeks!

Fabulous Fun Finds

Ok everyone, I have been so busy every morning entering this website's giveaway contest. You should go look at the stuff she has to giveaway! I think there are about 25 different giveaways in all sorts of categories. It's wonderful!

Schedules

Today I started with trying to get on a schedule. One variable is of course wake up time... but eat, scriptures and whatever until 9am. Shower, monitoring for an hour. Read, lunch around 1. Then in the afternoon craft time.. or the original Mario Bros o the wii they have in the lounge they have for us moms. I totally played for 30-45min and yes, the pads on my thumbs hurt. I loved it! I even remembered most of the hidden coin, or extra guy spots. They have SO much to do in the craft room and tons of recliner chairs so non of us are going against our 'bed rest' rules. If I could describe the amount of scrapbook paper, insane!! They have embossing tools, cricuts, paint supplies, cards, crafts for kids, foam kits, stamps, punches... the list goes on... I'm going to be spending a lot of time in the afternoons there! First step is to make a couple of items to decorate my room so it doesn't look so clinical.

anyways back to my schedule, dinner and then either TV or reading whatever I feel like. The last two day of trying the schedule have really been great for making time go by.

Oh and I was pampered today. A lady from my ward came up and did a facial, rubbed my shoulders, rubbed my feet and put lots of lotion and then plastic bags with booties on them. It felt so good! Couple that with getting to use conditioner in my hair for the 1st time in over a week... and real lotion on my body.. it felt awesome! And since I did a stellar shave job on my legs, I haven't stopped feeling up my shins all day, my skin is so soft and smooth! I know to much info....


and Leslie, Pictures were taken of the chicken, I'll try and get them posted soon!

busy, busy, busy

I know.. how can I be so busy when I'm confined to a bed... well lets see.. after spending the morning watching Color Splash reruns on Hulu.. and getting awesome ideas for the babies room here is the rundown of my day...
Mike came during the day for 3.5-4hrs, while he was here Layna stopped by, she left and a NICU Parents volunteer stopped by, Mike left, then Chrissy left. Bro and Sis in law stopped by, while they were here Becca come by for craft time, Bro and Sis in law left, then during craft time father in law came by. FIL left and Becca and I worked on crafts, then Meg came by and Becca left. WHEW! I was a great day and I have so many great ideas for fun easy crafts, some for me (and Becca), some for the NICU Parents group, and some for the moms with me on antepartum. I'm actually not to tired after all this excitement and an so grateful for everyone who came to visit!

Still had a great day, physically wise...and found out I am going to be interviewed for an article that goes out to all the bed rest moms. They want pics with Mike and Isabel too! How fun!