Baby Peanut 'n' Me

Everyone else is doing it...

2007-03-10T18:25:00.000-07:00

Switching over to Wordpress, that is.

Yup, I've joined the rest!

Here is the link:

http://www.harrisonandmommy.wordpress.com

Enjoy!

Holy Crap!

2007-02-14T12:37:00.000-07:00

So Brian and I are eating dinner the other night, Harrison is crawling around and playing on the floor. All of a sudden, Brian looks up and says "Holy Crap." Harrison is up two stairs. He is quick too! So, he is officially doing stairs! He is starting to pull himself up to standing on everything too. It is hilarious to watch him. He grunts when he is working really hard!

He is also doing MUCH better. He is back to his crazy, outgoing, laughing, funny self. The only thing is that he has decided that at about 3 every morning he wants mommy to come and snuggle him. I'm not sure what is going on, but he has done it a couple of times in a row now
I have no problem letting him cry, but he just whimpers and cries for an hour. I'm not sure what is going on.

This move is becoming more real. It has been snowing like crazy here, like everywhere else, and I'm not going to miss it!

I have some pics to post, but I'll have to post them later; I'm on the laptop right now.

Stay warm on this Valentine's day!

Croup sucks

2007-02-06T20:37:00.000-07:00

So about three days ago Harrison and I got colds. Well, mine has mostly gone, but Harrison is SICK. We have spent the last few days with him just laying on us and whimpering. So last night we finally took him into the ER. They wanted to just keep him in over night to watch him. As it turns out, he has croup. Poor little guy. He coughs so hard that he throws up. Thankfully today he hasn't been throwing up, but yesterday...well...brian got slimed good. Poor little man. Today he is more alert, but still really sad. We are hiding out at home until this goes away.

I hope all of your little ones are doing better than our little dude!

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On the moving newsfront: we sold our house in two days :) It actually hadn't even made it on to the market. We met with the realtor on Sunday night and the house was sold Tuesday night, subject to financing. We found out today that she has been approved and the house is officially sold! We got $1,000 under our asking price, so we are happy!

I am packing a little each day, so that is making it easier.

Not much else is new here.

I'm lovin' it.

2007-01-17T13:49:00.000-07:00

Well, here is the scoop! Last year we spent Christmas in Miami/West Palm Beach with Brian's family. While we were there Brian's cousins were all there and there is one cousin there whose father-in-law owns some McDonalds and he works there. Well, to make a long story short, a couple months ago Brian asked if there were any openings in their organization for Brian to work in a management position with the final goal being owning our own restaurant. His cousin jumped on it and said, there is. So, we just spent a week there so Brian could see if this is really what he wants to do.

For those that don't know, we looked into buying my brother's restaurant last year, but it just wasn't going to work out. We have always talked about owning our own franchise restaurant, but it wasn't looking likely. This is a great way for Brian to get training in the McDonald's biz and for us to have time to save money. He will be making more money starting than we are making here, and he will move up more quickly than he would at the bank where he is now.

While this takes us far away from my family, it is a GREAT opportunity for us. Brian can work his way up the organization and we will scrimp and save so we can buy our own restaurant. It is a BIG change, but we are so excited. My family isn't so excited. I talked to my sister who has lived away from our family since she was married in the early '90s and she said while it is really hard, if you decide that you are going to like it, then you will. If you decide to hate it, then you will. Of course it is about the mindset, but I know it is going to be hard.

Brian and I have made a lot of great friends here. We really like the area and are going to miss our friends. Brian has a LOT of family in West Palm Beach, which is going to be great, but it still isnt my family. I really connected with some of the girls down there while we were there last week, so I'm confident I'll have some great girlfriends down there.

Anyway, that's what is going on. I may be totally insane for moving, but I know I would go totally insane playing the what-if game the rest of my life if I didn't do this.

I'm a slacker...here is why.

2007-01-16T14:48:00.000-07:00

Well, we went to West Palm Beach, Florida, for a week. We got in late last night, but our luggage didn't. Oh well. So, the reason we were there? To relax...hang out...get a new job. Yup, hubby has a new job there. We are moving at the end of February. This is HUGE. What a massive move. It will be great. More to come, I'm sure. Here are some pics from the beach!

Also, in other BIG news -- Harrison started crawling yesterday!!!!!!!! He has been chasing the cats all day!

And this just in...

2006-12-23T08:19:00.000-07:00

Harrison fed himself a bottle for the first time all by himself yesterday morning -- daddy and I were SOOOOOOOO excited!

My little man is growing up!

2006-12-22T17:36:00.000-07:00

Someone has discovered that if you tuck your legs up underneath you and put your bum in the air and get up on your arms...you can move. He isn't moving very fast, but it looks like we may have a crawler on our hands soon. It is the cutest thing to watch!

I have him on video...if only I could figure out how to post them.

We tried grinding up our dinner the other night to feed to Harrison -- NO WAY WAS THAT GOING TO HAPPEN. He gagged and gagged and gagged. It wasn't spicey or anything. Silly man.

We are going to my parents' for Christmas :) Nothing like being home for Christmas!

From our family to yours -- WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!

Some more pictures

2006-12-09T10:09:00.000-07:00

All right, sorry about the last post, Harrison was playing in the Christmas tree so I had to run! We have been busy here, like I said, doing photography, Christmas and all other jobs we have in this house. I'm going to post some pics from when Brian's parents were here.

Harrison is still an amazing baby. He sleeps from 7:30 or 8:00 p.m. until 7:30 or 8 in the morning, usually. He is teething again, which makes for a barfy baby, but still happy.

I had to go to a funeral yesterday down in my home town :( Sad. One of my girlfriends that I grew up with, her only two brothers were found dead a week ago. They had either died of carbon monoxide poisoning, or they froze to death in a hunting cabin. So sad. They were 21 and 26. So Harrison and I headed down for some grandma and grandpa lovin' for him!

Well, I need to make some Christmas baking AHHHHHHHHH. I hope I have time. I made up THE cutest plates. I'll post a pic when I have a chance. (You would think with a photography studio in my very own home I could take more pictures.)

Anyway, for those that haven't checked it out, I have a new photography website. Let me know what you think!

www.dbimages.ca

Also, we are going to Florida for a week in January WOO HOO!!!!!!!!

HA HA HA. We are so mean. I LOVE this hat. I think he is the cutest puppy! There are matching mittens and they are paws. Ha ha ha!

Love this shirt!

This is our Christmas tree...I don't know why it isn't lit for the picture...maybe I'll take a different one.

Yup, this is the cutest santa! We are so mean for dressing him up all the time! I couldn't resist when I saw this!

Here he looks like Godzilla the Santa overtaking the Christmas tree...he he he.

Here is the whole outfit ... I love it!!!

So, we LOVE THESE. Harrison loves frozen blackberries in these...

What up, Homey H? I LOVE this picture of him. BTW : His shirt says "Crying: it gets the job done."

Our Christmas Card

2006-12-09T09:57:00.000-07:00

Sorry, I haven't posted. In-laws were here, photography business BOOMING. Oh, yeah, and a six-month old ;) Anyway, not much new. Harrison is working on his third tooth. He can sit up on is own. We are working on the having him hold his own bottle thing. He can say da da da da. LOVE IT!

Anyway, can't chat, must sleep.

I'm already 6 months old!

2006-11-19T17:08:00.000-07:00

Okay, in a few days he will be six months old! That is nuts! He is SUCH a happy baby, it isn't hard to get a happy picture! Enjoy!

Two at once!

2006-11-18T11:14:00.000-07:00

Yup, two teeth at once! Harrison's bottom two teeth broke through the skin last night! So fun!!!!

Halloween picture!

2006-11-06T21:06:00.000-07:00

I couldn't get him to smile, but he is still the cutest chicken around!

I can't believe it...

2006-10-27T09:19:00.000-06:00

Harrison is 5 months old today. That is just crazy. He is a rolling maniac! You can't leave him anywhere, he will just roll around. He likes his cereal. Yesterday he sat in his highchair for the first time and had cereal. He is just so handsome (he is a minime of his daddy!) I can't believe how time flies. I love you Harrison! You are the best thing that ever happened to mommy and daddy. We love you soooooooooooooooooooo much!

2006-10-24T16:16:00.000-06:00

VACATION!!!!!!!!!!

2006-10-24T15:16:00.000-06:00

Mommy & Daddy love vacation. In fact, they just got home from one and within a few days bought tickets and booked the rental car for next year's vacation!

We went to Grandma and Grandpa's condo in Montana for a week! We had SOOO much fun! I was really good. Mommy got sick the day before we went, with the flu, but she was better the next day. We all got colds, but we are almost over them now.

While we were at the condo we did a LOT of shopping (well, mommy did) and we just relaxed. I slept in my playyard for the first time, and I LOVED it. Also, we went swimming! I LOVE SWIMMING. Well, mostly I just wonder why there are other people in my really big bathtub.

Anyway, my first real vacation was fun. Daddy spent a lot of time with me while mommy got a rest. I sure like my daddy. We play a lot and laugh A LOT. Mommy and Daddy and I laugh all the time.

Mommy is crazy

2006-09-29T13:59:00.000-06:00

I love this picture of Harrison. I didn't have my flash with me for my camera because I was on my way to an outdoor shoot, but I snapped this one and fixed it in photoshop...I am SO in love
with this hat. Brian doesn't like it, but I think Harrison is adorable! Ha ha ha!!!!

I can't believe it...

2006-09-27T13:41:00.000-06:00

We hit a milestone in our lives yesterday...we bought a minivan...I can't believe I'm 25 and I have a minivan...at least it is a REALLY nice one lol. For those that care what kind, we bought a Honda Odessey

I'm sure you all have left...

2006-09-27T13:10:00.000-06:00

I'm sure what faithful readers I had are gone, but if there are any of you out there in blog land that still care...here we are!

Okay, sorry I haven't posted, but seriously, I haven't had time. Life is starting to slow down, FINALLY. Crazy wedding season is over and I'm just doing the odd wedding for the next little while and a few family/baby sittings. BTW -- I redid my photography website -- let me know what you think (www.devynnbohnphotography.com)

Primerica training is going well! I wrote my life insurance license test yesterday...we will see how that went.

I'm back to work at court reporting, one day a week. A friend watches Harrison for the few hours I am gone. It is going okay.

On to Harrison! He is a GIANT. I'm posting pictures of him, because he just looks so different!
He had his 4 month shots today -- I can't believe he is that old! He did really good. Daddy was with us, and so that helped us both. He weighed in at 15 lbs, 7 ounces and he is 26 1/4 inches tall. He is SO much fun. He loves to laugh. He is just a super happy baby. We have a lot of fun! Not much else is new here...just keeping busy. I miss "talking" with all of the other blogmoms out there, I'm sorry I have been a dork on the blog thing. I hope you are all doing well. I'm going to read your blogs now since I haven't had the chance in FOREVER.

Thanks for those that have stuck around!!!

wow ... this baby thing sure takes all my time!

2006-08-02T18:07:00.000-06:00

Actually, baby and photography! I'm working overtime on both! I will post, I promise. Jenthemom called me the other day just to make sure I was still alive and okay since I haven' t posted in FOREVER! I am okay. Photography wedding season is in full swing and I haven't had time to do anything other than wedding after wedding and wedding. Hubby had surgery last week on his knee, so I'm taking care of him too. I am also getting my life insurance licence and working on training in Primerica!!! And I go back to Court Reporting in September! AHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I PROMISE I will post -- please don't leave me!

I will post pictures so you will all still love me!

I am SUCH a happy baby!!!!!!!! I smile all day long!

I love my daddy.

Don't worry, mommy and daddy were with me the whole time I was sleeping with my kitty. Aren't we cute?

I have found my fingers and my thumb. I make the cutest sucking sound ever!!!

Baby Paparzzi

2006-07-18T10:16:00.000-06:00

My family calls me the "Baby Paparazzi" because I'm constantly taking pictures of Harrison! Here are a few of the pictures from the BBQ at my parents' house on Sunday.

Also, in other big news -- GUESS WHO JUST FIGURED OUT HOW TO ROLL OVER? He started to cry at around 3:00 this morning, which is weird for him, so Brian goes into his nursery, and what do you know? He has rolled over and is in the corner of his crib and isn't happy about it! Every time I've gone back in his crib since, he has managed to turn himself 90 degrees. He is hilarious!

Picture time!

Check out my outfit! I think he looks like an old man in Florida! HA HA

Awwww...cuddle time with his cousin!

He is so cute! I just love it!

All this partying has made me tired!

New pictures of Harrison!

2006-07-06T16:04:00.000-06:00

Well, I got the urge yesterday to take some professional pictures of Harrison! For those that don't know, I'm a professional photographer, and more specifically, I specialize in newborns and haven't even had the chance to do much with my very own little model! My website is http://www.devynnbohnphotography.com it really needs to be updated, but I just haven't had time (imagine that!). Anyway, I thought I'd share some pictures from yesterday!

I can't believe he is over a month old!!!!

2006-06-29T21:45:00.000-06:00

I still can't believe how old he is! As I'm writing this he is falling asleep in his swing for the first time. He has hated his swing until now, so I'm VERY excited about this. Don't get me wrong, I love rocking him to sleep, but it takes a LOT of time out of my day. Once in a while it will be nice to have the swing rock him.

Also, today he had his first bottle. I pumped and gave him his first bottle to see how he did. I have a few weddings to shoot this summer and I need to have him on a bottle so someone else can watch him while I'm shooting. Also, I'm going to the Phantom of the Opera and Brian is going to watch him and I know I'll miss a few feedings then so he needs a bottle.

I also tried the breastfeeding in bed while I'm laying on my side -- LOVE THAT! It is nice 'cause Brian can get him and change him and lay him next to me. Anyway, that's all that's new from here.

My little man...

2006-06-22T16:45:00.000-06:00

So as I was feeding you this morning I got to thinking about a lot of things.

One day you will be able to hold your head up and look around to see the world. I hope that you continue to hold your head up as a boy to investigate the world around you. I hope as a man you will hold your head up high and be proud of the man you have become.

One day you will be able to walk. I hope that as a boy you walk with those kids that others won't walk with. I hope as a man you walk slowly with your son as he learns to walk and run with him as he learns to run.

One day you will be able to talk. I hope as a boy you find your voice and aren't afraid to speak up for what you know is right. I hope as a man you continue to speak truth and use your voice to uplift people.

One day you will discover your hands. I hope as a boy you use your hands to discover the feel of dirt in your hands and the soft touch of a kitten's fur. I hope as a man you use your hands to help others in time of need. I hope you use those strong hands to hold your babies and remember how we all started in this world.

One day you will discover your ears. I hope as a boy you use your ears to hear your family tell you how much they love you. I hope as a man you use your ears to hear people and be a sounding board for them. I hope you use your ears to hear your baby's first cry.

One day you will discover your sight. I hope as a boy you use your eyes to see the new world around you. I hope as a man you use your eyes to see those in need and to see what they need.

Harrison, you are so little right now, it is sometimes hard to believe you will one day be a man. I hold you in my arms and marvel at the thought of you growing up. In the few weeks I have known you, I have had the chance to watch you grow already. I am so totally in love with you. I love to watch you sleep. I love to watch you when you are awake and kicking and playing. I love to watch your daddy with you. I love to watch his strong hands holding you. I love to watch him play with you. Harrison, you are so loved. It is hard to believe I can have this much love for you and I have only known you for a few weeks. We awaited your arrival impatiently and know that you are here, we can hardly believe it.

I am so excited to watch you grow. I am excited to watch you learn to crawl and walk and talk. I am excited to see you go through school and extracurricular activities. I am excited to see you one day marry and have kids of your own. I am excited to see the man you will one day be. Thank you for just being you.

Love,
Mom

Harrison's blessing.

2006-06-19T13:06:00.000-06:00

Yesterday we had 40-50 people up here for Harrison's blessing (christening for those not Mormons out there.) It was so nice to know so many people love us and Harrison. My parents and brothers and sister and their families came up Saturday and slept at my aunt's house since we just couldn't fit 17 extra people in our house since we already had 4 extra people here and our house is tiny. The blessing was at 9 a.m. at church. We took up all of the pews on one side of the church...I hope the people that regularly sat there weren't too upset. Brian did the blessing and it was beautiful. Then we headed over to the community hall in our neighbourhood and had a lunch. There is a playground there, so that kept all of the kidlets occupied and the rest of us chatted and ate. It was so great. Thanks to everyone that came out! Below are some pictures of our handsome guy!!!!

Okay. I know I'm totally biased, but he is just perfect!

Awww...our little family! My other handsome prince!

Four generations!!!! Harrison is great-grandbaby number 64 for my grandma!

These are my parents with us.

This is Brian's family with us.

I LOVE this pic. He is so adorable in his blessing outfit!

Sorry for the long time since I posted

2006-06-14T19:34:00.000-06:00

Well, life here has been a lot of fun. I just love having Harrison around. He is starting to try and stand and see how strong he is. He can hold his head up and is quite controlled with it. He is really starting to look at me. After I feed him a lot of times he will just sit and look right at me -- not the googly eyes that wander.

I bathed him for the first time by myself today and we did just fine. Grandma bought him a bath tub and he didn't like it, so I just held him. Ha -- a squirmy 11 lb baby is kinda hard to hold. But he doesn't cry in his baths, he just has this look on his face like "Is this over yet? I feel kind of exposed, mom."

We went to the doctor today because he has lumps on his chest that I wanted to get looked at. The doctor said it is breast tissue and very normal. He said it should go away in the next few weeks, and we are going to see him in two weeks again. Harrison did so well in all of his tests that the doctor did. He is 11 pounds, 4 ounces now and 21 1/2 inches. He has grown out of his newborn diapers and pretty much out of the newborn sleepers. He is such a good baby. He eats pretty much on a schedule and sleeps through the night (please don't shoot me if your baby isn't sleeping through the night. I realize I am very lucky.)

In other news -- Jen had her baby!!!!!!!! Woo hoo!!!!

I gave myself a mohawk!

2006-06-06T17:46:00.000-06:00

LOL -- I'm not sure how this happened, but we thought it was funny!

Our first big outing...

2006-06-05T17:39:00.000-06:00

Here is a picture from yesterday, our first big outing, to church. I really like this picture -- my boys are so handsome!

The other picture is my handsome boys too!

Birth story!

2006-06-03T19:34:00.000-06:00

Well, all, I'm finally getting around to writing the birth story!

So Saturday afternoon Brian had a few guys over to help him finish the basement. Some friends of ours stopped by to pick up their couches out of our basement. The wife and I were upstairs in the kitchen while the boys worked on the basement. We were making turtle cheesecakes for me to freeze. While we were making them I started having contractions again. She is an RN, so she started timing them and getting right into this contractions thing. She doesn't have any kids yet. So eventually we order pizza for all the hungry guys and I'm still having contractions. Everyone ends up leaving except for her husband, he and Brian keep working on the basement. So I decide to take a bath. I'm in the bath and my contractions are kind of getting closer together...could it be? I get out of the tub and walk around the house a bit and keep timing them -- they are 2-3 minutes apart and have been for a few hours. So I call down to Brian, "My contractions are 2-3 minutes apart...I think this is the real thing." So off we go at about 5:00 p.m.

We get to the hospital and they attach the monitors to me and baby and then the nurse checked to see how dilated I was. I was 6 cm! Woo hoo! They get Brian to go and admit me and they take my blood, and I'm off to labour and delivery. We got a SWEET room. Cable TV, leather couch and a glider rocker, shower, all the fixins for a good labour! We are making the final phone calls to people and then the doctor comes in to break my water. Gush!!!!! Then my contractions are instantly more intense. There also seemed to be almost NO break. That's because the break was only 10 seconds between them. The nurse and the doctor felt really bad for me. They told me that my contractions should be close together, but not THAT close together. So I'm working through the contractions really well and then I'm about 8 cm and it is really starting to hurt. I ask for Morphine. The nurse gets me the Morphine, and it lasts all of about three contractions -- great. I ask for more, she tells me she can only give it to me every hour. I'm screwed. I start to feel that the only way I can make it through these contractions is to push. The nurse or doctor checked me again and told me I could go ahead and push. I was 10 cm. I pushed. I pushed some more. I kept pushing. They had to put the monitor into his little head because they couldn't get a reading off the external monitor. Brian was a GREAT coach and really did everything perfect for me. This baby didn't want to move. He stayed at -1. Wouldn't budge. I have no drugs in me and the baby isn't moving, and I can tell he isn't moving. I started to ask for a C-section. Then his heart rate started dropping. The doctor went and got the obstetrician. The obstetrician walked into the room and said to me "We have some options." I said "I'm not opposed to a C-section." She said, "Off to the OR we go." So then they took the monitors off me and started wheeling me to the OR.

The WORST contractions were right then. I wasn't in a pushing position anymore, and I had no focus for pushing -- does this make sense? I had to work through the contractions knowing that my pushing wasn't helping things along. They were awful.

We got into the OR and the anesthetist was GREAT. They had me lean over the edge of the bed with a pillow on my stomach and he said, "You will feel the needle. You will feel the tubing now. And now you won't feel anything." And I didn't. It was BEAUTIFUL. I was FREEZING almost instantly. I felt tingly all over, but I couldn't feel anything. I couldn't even feel pressure from them pulling out the baby or anything.

So then they let Brian into the room and the anesthetist was on my left and Brian was on my right. They were watching the procedure and making sure I was okay. They got me a blanket because my teeth were chattering so bad (in fact, I bit my tongue).

The procedure didn't take long at all. Next thing I know, the doctor is saying, "It's a boy." I said, "What?" Brian said, "It's a boy." Huh? I thought this was a girl all along! Almost everyone did. So after I got over that little shock they showed purple Harrison to me. He was so purple, but I looked over to the area they were working on him shortly and he was pink. He didn't cry much. Brian was over taking pictures and everything while they sewed me back up. Then they wheeled me into the recovery room to monitor me for a bit and they put the things on my legs to help with swelling. I was SO cold. They let Brian and Harrison come in and visit me. Awwww...and I got to hold my little man. He was so perfect. All 10 fingers and all 10 toes! Then they monitored me for about half and hour and then took me to my room. We wanted a private room, but there weren't any available :(.

They kept Harrison in the nursery that night because I couldn't get up to help him anyway, and they would bring him to me to feed. I nursed him at 1:00 and he nursed SO well, just like he does all the time. Then they took him to the nursery. The nurse checked on me a few times through the night and I kept asking, "Shouldn't I be feeding him?" She said, "He isn't hungry. He'll wake up when he wants to eat." I didn't like her. Anyway, at 6:00 he woke up to feed. He stayed in my room from then on, and Brian was back at 7:00. We just cooed and oohed all over him. Then we called and told everyone the good news. Except, we called everyone, and he was just Baby Bohn. We didn't have a name for him yet. Later that morning we started to flip through our baby name book. Brian was flipping through the Jewish name section (funny...we aren't Jewish) and said, "What about Harrison?" Awww...Harrison! It was a toss up between Harrison and Maxwell. He just didn't seem like a Max to me. He was for sure a Harrison.

They took my catheter out that morning and my IV as well, so I was up and walking within 12 hours of the surgery. I was amazed. My mom wasn't even out of bed for a week after her C-Sections (granted that was 30 years ago), but I've heard other women say they weren't up and walking that quick. I am lucky. I really didn't want to be in the hospital any longer than I had to, and I didn't want to overdue it at the same time.

That day my mom and dad and grandma came up to visit Harrison. Harrison is great-grandbaby number 60-something for my Grandma!

That night at around 10 Brian went home to get some rest, and I found that I needed him still to get Harrison out of the basinet for me, because I couldn't lift him. (not supposed to lift anything over 10 lbs -- ha ha ha.) He came back at around 11. The nurse made him go home at 12. I was SO mad. She wasn't around to help me. When I called, it took forever to get a nurse there, and they wouldn't let Brian stay with me and help me. Stupid "hospital policies." We had a rough night because I wouldn't swaddle Harrison like he likes to be swaddled, and so he would be fussy, and the nurse wouldn't come quick enough. So I actually got up, out of bed and swaddled him, and it hurt like hell, but I had no choice. The nurse showed up half an hour later but I told her, never mind, I got it. So we had a rough night that night, and my roommate showed up at around 4 that morning. Her baby was FUSSY, but I know she couldn't help it. Harrison was great and slept through it.

Brian came back at 7 Monday morning. We just waited around for me to pass gas and then we could go -- how frustrating LOL. We waited and we waited. Eventually I "passed" the test and we could go home. My mom and my aunt came up to see us and then we got our stuff together and we were discharged.

That drive home from the hospital was nerve-racking to say the least. My husband is a really good driver, but I was SO antsy riding home. I just wanted to get home. We managed to get home. My mom was wonderful to stay with us. She stayed from Monday - Sunday.

Today is our first day, just Harrison and I, and we are doing great! We walked all the way to the end of the street and got the mail. That was our big outing for the day. My sister got me a sling, that I LOVE. Harrison just slept on our walk in that.

So, that's the story!

Awwww...

2006-06-02T09:55:00.000-06:00

He is just so cute! We took these pictures last night. I love the tweety bird cheeks!

We took him to the doctor yesterday and he had gained six ounces in a day! Crazy. So he is back up to 9 lbs, 15 ounces.

Thanks for everyone's support!!!!!!

Updated pic!

2006-06-01T10:53:00.000-06:00

This was taken last night...super strong Harrison. We are all doing great! We go to the doctor today for the first time -- our first trip out into the real world!

Harrison DeLyle is the cutest!

2006-05-31T17:34:00.000-06:00

Well, he is four days old now, and everything is still going great! He eats really well. He is just overall a great baby. He only cries when he is getting his diaper changed.

Mommy is doing great. I feel amazing considering I had major surgery four days ago. I feel much better now that the staples are out! I hate not being able to do everything I want to, but I know I need to take it slow. My mom is here and is making sure that I take my naps when Harrison is asleep.

Last night was a really good night. I got up and got him from his crib for each feeding on my own and I fed him and changed him and put him back on my own. I know there is help if I need it, but I feel so good that I don't mind doing it. I needed Brian's help on one of the explosive diapers that Harrison had.

Thanks for all of the support.

Congrats to Shannon on their new bundle of joy!

Mommy here...

2006-05-30T15:30:00.000-06:00

Well, hello all of my blogger "family" and others. This is mommy here. I'm home, safe and sound, and we have THE BEST baby ever! He feeds amazingly EVERY time and he has since his first latch (sorry to those that have had problems). He is huge! Actually, he is down almost a pound since birth. He weighed 10 lbs, 7 ounces at birth and this morning he was 9 lbs, 9 ounces. But because he is SO big, the nurse wasn't worried. My C-section incision is tender and sitting up can be hard, but really, I feel amazing. I will post the labour story later when I have more time. Thanks for all of the support!

Pictures of our little wee one!

2006-05-28T21:22:00.000-06:00

Just FYI, the previous post, as well as this one, were made by Brian, Devynn's Hubby. She and baby are still in hospital for at least another day. I know everyone was waiting for pictures, and I was in no position yesterday to post anything, since I posted that announcement at 3:00 this morning. Anyways, we named our little boy Harrison DeLyle (DeLyle is Devynn's grandfather's name). He is having a little more trouble today than yesterday, but is doing really well. We had a few poops, but no wet diaper, yet. We are just waiting for that and for him to want to feed more.
Anyway, here are some pics, with more, I'm sure, to come.

Further to Devynn's post from yesterday.

2006-05-28T02:43:00.000-06:00

So those contractions Devynn had yesterday were the real deal!!! We went to the hospital at about 5:30 and had a little baby boy at 11:33 pm on May 27th. He was 10 lbs, 7 oz, and 21 inches long. I will post more (or Dev will) once we all get back from the hospital, along with pictures, but she did have to have a C-section, because his head was too big. Both mom and baby are doing fine, but no names yet. We're working on that.

No baby...contractions were five minutes apart...

2006-05-27T08:14:00.000-06:00

so I woke up hubby and we showered and now the contractions are all over the place again...grrrr....

I decided to do the following post, since I'm bored and everyone else has done it LOL

1.Grab the book nearest to you, turn on page 18 and find line 4.

"For best results, don't substitute self-rising flour for other kinds, unlessdirected in a recipe." Betty Crocker's Bridal Edition Cookbook

2.Stretch your left arm out as far as you can & catch air?

Yup.

3. What is the last thing you watched on TV?

The local news at 11.

4. Without looking, what time is it?

I would say 8:15.

5. Now look at the clock, what time is it?

8:18.

6. With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?

Hubby cleaning the kitchen :) :) :) :)

7.When did you last step outside? What were you doing?

Yesterday to get a package from the UPS guy.

8.Before you started this survey, what did you look at?

Sugar & Ice's blog.

9.What are you wearing?

Undies...just got out of the shower.

10.When did you last laugh?

This morning...hubby was being funny.

11.What is on the walls of the room you are in?

Two Ansel Adams prints.

12.Seen anything weird lately?

Weird? The baby stuck it's leg pretty much straight out yesterday and just left it there...kinda weird to see that coming out of my stomach!

13.What do you think of this quiz?

Just another time-filler for this lady.

14.What is the last film you saw?

The Da Vinci Code the day it opened.

16.Tell me something about you that I don't know.

I was adopted when I was 1 into THE BEST family ever!

17.If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do?

Don't send me hate mail, please -- I would require people to have licenses to have kids.

18.Do you like to Dance?

Yup!

19. Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her?

We still haven't decided and this is pretty iminent! Jorja, Olivia, Luci...just some ideas.

20. Imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him?

Still don't know...Nolan, Max, Dane...?

21.Would you ever consider living abroad?

Tried it for a few months...didn't love it.

22.What do you want GOD to say to you when you reach the pearly gates?

Well done, thou good and faithful servant!

update

2006-05-26T11:28:00.000-06:00

Well, I am still having irregular contractions. Not exciting. I went walking last night...no luck! This waiting game sucks! But I know the end is in sight now. I'll let you know if anything exciting happens!

Thanks to all of my readers out there! So much fun!

Update...

2006-05-25T13:47:00.000-06:00

The contractions stopped after about 12 hours of them. BUMMER! I feel nauseous and hungry at the same time. Well, I'm off to try and eat something. I'll keep you updated!

Contractions

2006-05-25T09:28:00.000-06:00

This isn't actually Devynn. She is sitting on the couch waiting for her contractions to increase. She has been having mild ocntractions since about 11:30 last night. We stayed up for a few hours to see if they would do anything, but decided to just head to bed and see what happened. She "woke up" about an hour ago (she didn't really sleep much last night) and they have still been around 6-10 minutes apart. We are just waiting now to see if they increase in frequency and intensity. Here's hoping!

I'm shocked!

2006-05-24T13:07:00.000-06:00

I just got home from the doctor's, and I totally thought it would just be the same as yesterday...wait until next week, we will do another ultrasound and induce you, blah, blah, blah.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

As it turns out -- I'M 4 CM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOO HOO! I'm SO excited, and I just can't hide it *sing with me ladies!* la la la la!!!!!!!!!

The doctor stretched my membranes hoping that that will help things along. If I don't have the baby by Monday, I'm scheduled for induction. YA HOO! Either way, by this time next week, I'll be a momma!

I'll have Brian take a picture tonight after I get home from the baby shower I'm going to for a friend of mine. Ya hoo!!!!!!!

A scare...

2006-05-23T14:49:00.000-06:00

The baby hadn't moved all morning, and I couldn't get it to move, which is weird. This baby is in CONSTANT motion. When it sleeps it still moves around just not as much, so when it had been a few hours and I couldn't get it to move, I got scared. I tried eating, showering and drinking cold water, and nothing. Usually you can poke the baby and it will kick back or move, but nothing was happening. I called my doctor's office and they told me to head to the hospital.
We got there, and I thought I had felt a small kick on the way there, but I wasn't sure. We got in and they hooked me up right away to the fetal monitor. Within a second, I kid you not, of her strapping that to my belly, the baby kicked it off. It HATES when anything is resting on my stomach. I had tried to put my hands on my stomach and get it to move earlier, and it wouldn't, but this was a HUGE relief. I just needed to feel it and hear it and I got to. So they monitored me for 20 minutes and they said the baby was perfect and the heartbeat was just fine. They said I was having practice contractions like I should be and all was okay.

My doctor came in and we talked about inducing me to get the baby elephant out. She said the CHR (Calgary Health Region) is starting to implement a new policy which would mean you have to wait until you are 11 days over before they will induce you; it was 8 before. She said the reason is because you have a much higher risk of a C-Section when you are induced and they would rather us do this naturally. I agree, BUT since I am at such a high risk of a C-Section because of the size of the baby, I don't really think I should have to wait any longer. Of course, I didn't go to med school, so what I think doesn't really count. The good news is the baby is okay and I am surviving.

I don't want to be the pregnant lady that cries baby all the time, but I would rather be safe than sorry.We will keep you updated.

Picture on my due date, May 21st, 2006

2006-05-22T14:50:00.000-06:00

Due date: May 21st, 2006

I am huge. Seriously, this is bad.

Peanut...you need to come out. Mommy looks like and elephant, and that's not very nice to do to me!

Look at this before and after...

...

2006-05-22T12:21:00.000-06:00

No news yet...

Had a bad night two nights ago.

2006-05-20T10:28:00.000-06:00

That's an understatement. I got up around 3 to pee...no surprise there! And when I got back into bed, I just started crying. Now, for those that don't know me, I'm not the type of girl to just cry. I'm really not much of a crier and I usually have a good reason to cry if I'm going to cry. So anyway, there I am, 3 a.m., and I'm bawling. I'm trying to be quiet because I don't want to wake up Brian. Well, he wakes up and asks me what's wrong. I say I don't know. I'm just crying. Then I start saying things like:
"I'm done."
"I can't do this anymore."
"Why, everytime I have to pee, does it have to be like moving Mount Everest?"
"Why is it that everytime I move or turn over it is a huge feat?"
"I want to sleep on my stomach."
"Why won't this baby just come out?"
"I don't think I can do this."

Poor Brian. He is so good to me. He just sat up with me and said, you can do this. You have to. You will make it; it's only a few more days. It took a while to settle me down. Then I felt so bad for him because he had to work at 9 and he'd been up with crying-pants me! I ended up with a NASTY migraine yesterday. I don't know why. I haven't had much in the way of headaches throughout the pregnancy, but yesterday was unbelievable. Anyway, that was my pity me day. Today I'm making a bunch of food to put in the freezer for after baby arrives. I'm over the self pitying, but I still wish I had a baby here!

Here's to a day of cooking and a BBQ to top off my birthday today!

The doctor says...

2006-05-18T17:29:00.000-06:00

Well, the doctor yesterday was the only doctor in my clinic that I hadn't met yet, and she is SO nice! Totally my favourite! She measured the baby at 45 centimetres (but her measurement of where my pubic bone is, seemed significantly higher than where the other drs have measured from) and said my blood pressure had actually dropped from last time. I think that goes to prove that I'm really not worried about this baby thing. I lost four pounds since last week -- woo hoo! The doctor said that is totally normal, and actually good. Then she said "Maybe I will have the magic fingers and you will be dialated!"

No such luck.

She could barely find my cervix, and she said it was not opening at all. Suck! I was so hoping to hear that I was a few centimetres! Oh well.

Then we talked about the ultrasound. She said the baby is showing to be in the 95th percentile of ginormousnous -- is ANYONE surprised? Not me. She felt around the baby and said, "You have one fat baby in there!" I said, "I was kind of hoping it was really long and skinny, like my hubby, and that's why it weighs so much." She said, "No, everywhere I feel is baby. You have a chunky baby in there." Nice.

So we talked about induction and she said since the baby is already so big they think I'm at a higher risk for a C-section, so inducing me would make my chances of a C-section even greater, so they are going to let me go as long as they can. She said their clinic's policy is no longer than eight days over. So that puts us on May 30th as the induction date, if they have to, which means I may have been right all along, and we may get a June baby yet! I never do ANYTHING the easy way and apparently this baby is following in mommy's footsteps.

I also decided earlier in the week that I'm going to pamper myself a bit today, since I think I deserve it (seriously, look at the picture below, you HAVE to agree with me LOL). So I went for a haircut at 11. Tammy is the best! And then I went and had my legs waxed. The plan is to paint my nails and toenails tonight sometime and then I'll be all gussied up! I just feel like such a blob I thought I deserved a bit of pampering.

I am sick of just taking it easy, and I want this baby here! I know, I know, patience is a virtue and I will be glad for the time I've had just me and just me and Brian.

Anyway, that's the update!

Ultrasound and new pic!

2006-05-15T13:57:00.000-06:00

This is me right at 39 weeks!

The ultrasound estimate this week was 9 lbs, 8 ounces! Is it just me, or do I look like I'm a little tired? LOL -- I look exhausted! That could be because I'm 39 weeks pregnant and carrying a baby elephant, or it could be that I stayed up until 1:30 reading the Da Vinci Code last night. Ha ha -- probably both!

wow...the countdown is really on

2006-05-11T17:16:00.000-06:00

I just got back from the doctor's office. I am measuring 45 centimetres -- ha ha ha! But, the great news is I didn't gain a single pound this week! Woo hoo!!! The doctor confirmed that the baby has dropped for sure -- I thought it had, considering things just *feel* different. She is sending me for an ultrasound on Monday to see how big the baby is and what my amniotic fluid level is.

We are really hoping for a Mother's Day baby. I'm going to try all of the old wives' tales starting Friday night and going into Saturday. Maybe that's bad, since I'm not officially due until the 21st, but we are ready for this baby!

Bring it on!
If you have any tips on getting this baby outta me -- pass them on!!!!!!!!!

Birthing class -- TOTAL waste of time and money.

2006-05-02T16:04:00.000-06:00

Seriously, people don't know the stuff they teach in these? I'm sorry, but how can you not know this stuff unless you live under a rock? Seriously, our class last night was on diapering, bathing and swaddling. I can't believe I'm paying for this stuff. There were two guys in the class that had never changed a diaper before, but still, their wives had and they could teach them. I am really disappointed in this class. I will admit that I have learned a few things, but certainly not anything worth $110. I haven't learned anything that I wouldn't have just figured out or could have asked my mom or sisters or friends. I suppose I just didn't know what to expect.

Anyway, if you got a lot out of your class, that's great. But personally, I can't believe they charge for these classes.

I'm kinda cranky...sorry for such a cranky blog :(

Just how big is this baby?

2006-04-27T15:06:00.000-06:00

Well, the ultrasound today showed that right now the baby is 7 lbs, 12 ounces and I have two and-a-half weeks to go by their measurements. Looks like we are having a healthy baby!

*edit* Do people think I think this baby is going to come out 7 lbs, 12 ounces? I don't. Oops, if I made you think that. Babies grow a LOT in the end, I am anticipating a bigger baby, more closer to 9 lbs if I go to term. I also know these are just estimates, but, as others have pointed out, they can be pretty accurate. We will all know in a matter of days! (Hopefully LOL)

I'll have one grande baby, please.

2006-04-26T13:25:00.000-06:00

Well, we went to the drs yesterday and her first measurement was 42 cm YIKES!!!!!! Then she gave the baby a minute to move around, since I think its bum was in the air, and she redid the measurement and it was 39...better. I'm still only 36 weeks. Anyway, she wants to do an ultrasound ASAP to see how big this baby is. I'm going tomorrow at 1!

I am FINALLY really done work. Today is the first day I'm really home with "nothing" to do. I organized the nursery as much as I could today and I'm thinking of working on the quilt I'm making for the baby, or the cross-stitch. I am still not anxious about the baby coming, just really excited!

Brian left me a really nice note on my pillow and he made me cry! He is the best husband! This morning as we were just first waking up he put his arm around me and the baby and within a few seconds he was getting booted by the baby! I think he was pretty stoked about that!

Anyway, just awaiting this little bundle of joy!

AHHHH!

2006-04-21T11:49:00.000-06:00

Did anyone else notice the ticker is on the last baby??????? Yikes!

Anyway, no news here on the baby front, other than I shouldn't have walked around Costco today for an hour -- ouch, I'm in pain! Wish it were contractions!

Doctor says she wants this baby to come out after Tuesday because this week is the week they gain most of their fat and she doesn't like skinny babies...I think I might, though!

I thought my water broke on Tuesday, but turns out it wasn't, the doctor thought this was it too, but after some more investigations, turns out it wasn't :( I was kinda sad...I realllly want to meet this little one! And I know, all you moms out there are going to tell me that once this baby is out I may be wishing in those early morning feedings that it was still in me. BUT, I want this baby, and I want it now! LOL.

I'm finally off work! This is my last weekend that I will have any work to finish up before the baby comes. That is weird. I went into my office today to drop off a transcript...and it felt weird that I would only be in there once more before I'm a mum! Crazy!

Anyway, just impatiently waiting for Peanut to arrive.

PS> My dad asked the other day "How is Peanut?" I thought it was cute that Grandpa called him/her Peanut!

The progression...

2006-04-15T12:36:00.000-06:00

I thought this would show up better :P Oh, well, you get the idea...right? If you click on the picture, it comes up a lot more clear!

Mommy at almost 35 weeks!

2006-04-15T12:10:00.000-06:00

The other day I walked past a lady and I swear I heard her say "Must be twins."

The calm before the storm...?

2006-04-14T20:46:00.000-06:00

Well, I am so calm about having this baby. I really don't have a single worry right now. I am excited to be a mom. I am not worried about anything...I have a feeling this is the calm before the storm...

Mommy at 33 weeks!

2006-04-07T19:02:00.000-06:00

It is no wonder I feel huge -- I AM!

This is a horrible picture of me, but I have had a LONG week!

How far along AM I?

2006-04-04T17:57:00.000-06:00

Well, according to my measurements and ultrasounds all along, I'm 33 weeks. According to the doctor yesterday, I am measuring 36 weeks. Um...YIKES! I know this could mean nothing, but it could mean everything LOL. I am SO tired, and why does EVERYTHING hurt? I can hardly walk because of the nether regions of my body aching. Sometimes I feel like this baby is going to drop right out!

We had our first prenatal class last night -- we are apparently quite late on the draw for getting into the class, most of the women were due in June, and some in late June -- oops! The class runs for six weeks, so five weeks left, and according to my original due date I only have seven weeks left, and according to the doctor's estimated new time of arrival is four weeks. I have a feeling that we won't be finishing our prenatal classes.

I'm tired.
I'm very tired.

I am on a big job this week, but thank goodness it is really easy and big $$$, and I think this will kind of be the end of the majority of my work until after the baby is born. I will still try and do a little bit, but I think I will be working from home for pretty much the rest of it.

I'm still tired.

Attention all pregnant mommas in Calgary...

2006-03-28T14:25:00.000-07:00

Thyme Maternity in Southcentre mall is closing out. Tomorrow is their last day, and it is 50% off the last ticketed price! The sizes left are XS, S, XL XXL. Retail therapy never hurt anyone...

Penguins and ultrasounds

2006-03-16T10:23:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm feeling much better than I was this time last week. The nausea lasted until Saturday, but I feel MUCH better.

On the baby front, I am a penguin. Waddle, waddle, waddle. You get the idea. Brian just laughs as I waddle around the house. When my back is REALLY sore, which is often, it is worse, and he just sits on the couch and laughs at me -- ha...ha...Speaking of my back being sore -- what the heck! Sometimes, if I have been laying, standing or sitting in the same position for longer than about 15 minutes it feels like my lowest vertebrae seize up.

I had an ultrasound last Friday because the doctor wanted to make sure everything was okay and get some measurements. So there I am laying flat on my back on the ultrasound table and then I have to get up off the table to go to the bathroom and then come back for another test. Much easier said than done. You see...my back was frozen. There I am, as big as a whale, trying to turn to my side and maybe get off the table, and the ultrasound tech (nicest lady ever!!!) is wondering what the heck is going on. Finally I manage to get on my side and I turn my lower body in such a way that produces an audible CRRRRACCK in my lower back. She says "Is that normal?" I said, "Normal is not a word in my vocabulary at the moment; I'm just taking whatever my body gives me and trying to function." So after my back cracked I was okay to waddle to the bathroom. Then I had to come back and lie on the table again and have another test done. Then I had to get up again to go home -- same thing again, wait for the CRRRACCK and I'm fine.

Okay, so a little more about the ultrasound -- we have the CUTEST baby ever!!!!! It was sucking all of its fingers on one hand. You could see the sucking motion in the ultrasound -- SO CUTE! She said the baby is head down and she would be surprised if it didn't stay that way.

Anyway, I'm in SERIOUS nesting mode. Must nest...blog later...

I'm on bed rest...

2006-03-09T11:56:00.000-07:00

Only for the rest of the week, but still, that's too long for me! I have food poisoning. I wrote about it in more detail on my other blog.

Blech.

Are you Baby Wise???

2006-02-28T17:18:00.000-07:00

Well, I am an avid reader, and with the pregnancy, I have had to be choosy what I read, since there are SOOOOO many conflicting opinions out there on everything!

Anyway, my sister, and two of my sisters-in-law recommended "On Becoming Baby Wise" by Gary Ezzo and Robert Bucknam, M.D. Hubby is reading it too. We both really like pretty well all the principles in the book. It is mostly about how to get your baby on a schedule and sleeping through the night by 6-8 weeks. Now, I know that it won't work for every baby, but in my already sleep-deprived state, I'm willing to give it a shot.

I just thought I would put it out there for all those new moms-to-be and moms a few times around -- my sister and one of my sisters-in-law had a few kids before they read this book, and they said they saw a difference!

Happy blogging.

PS> Has anyone else had slight insomnia since/when they were pregnant????/

The thoughts of a mommy-to-be -- the countdown is on!

2006-02-22T14:51:00.000-07:00

I have never been so tired in my life! Okay, well, except for the first trimester where I slept more than I was awake! I am just super tired. In fact, I had a half-an-hour nap today and it was heaven.

I also can't believe how carrying around a baby can be so much work, and this one isn't even out of me yet! I just find that walking around the grocery store is getting to be a hassle. I think it is funny when I try to get out of a chair or off the couch that I have to get a rocking motion going before I can get out!

Regardless of all of that -- I LOVE BEING PREGNANT! It is amazing to know that we created life and I'm carrying this beautiful little one inside of me. I love the kicks. I love to feel when it wakes up and kind of stretches and I can feel it on both sides of my stomach. I love feeling the baby hiccup. I love the ultrasound pictures.

But...

I'm starting to get a little scared. I'm good at this mommy thing while the baby is inside of me...how will I be when it is out? I am scared that I won't have that maternal instinct. I am scared that I won't find time for my husband. I am scared that time will fly so quickly that I won't remember those early morning hours with my baby and me, just us.

But...

I know that my mom was the best example I could have asked for and I will try to follow in her footsteps. I know that I have my mom, sisters and sister-in-laws and a mother-in-law to help me get through some of the baby stuff I don't know. I know that my husband is patient and loving and will be there when I'm at my witt's end. I know that I can make it through this one minute at a time, one hour at a time and one day at a time. I know I am strong.

But...

I'm still a little scared....

Mommy at 26 weeks!

2006-02-16T15:38:00.000-07:00

Hiccup, hiccup, hiccup

2006-02-13T13:17:00.000-07:00

The baby had the hiccups for the first time that I felt a few mornings ago at 5 a.m. It was hilarious. I loved it!

The baby is a kicker! Loves to play on my bladder, especially when it is full.

I am loving being pregnant! I love feeling the baby move. I'm really excited to be a mom. There are days where I am getting tired of carrying all this extra weight around (25 lbs.), and my back is REALLY starting to hurt, but despite that, I am sooooo excited!

So far the verdict by most is that we're having a girl, which is what I've thought all along, but only time will tell (14 weeks or so). Brian and some friends of ours painted the nursery this weekend -- I LOVE IT! It is soooooooo nice. We painted it a realllllly dark redish brown -- it is called Chianti by Behr. It took them a coat of primer plus three coats of paint to get the colour right, but is is beautiful. Our trim throughout the house is white, and the crib and dresser are white, so it looks really nice! I know, I know it is isn't the typical nursery pastels, but I'm just not typical. I wanted earth tones, but not brown or beige. And, since we didn't know what we were having, it was hard to pick a colour. I wanted to do green, but then when I saw this colour, I had to have it!

Oh, and Brian and I set up the crib the other night too -- wow....talk about this getting real! We are really excited!!!!!!!!!

Peanut, you better listen to your mommy!

2006-01-23T18:42:00.000-07:00

So, we have had an interesting last week. A week ago yesterday I was sitting in church and I wasn't feeling very good. The room was really hot, and I was starting to feel like I might throw up. I made it through the meeting, found Brian, hauled him away, and we drove home. I was convulsing the whole way home, but had nothing to throw up. So we get home, and I'm trying to relax. I'm still feeling awful. It felt like I had big gas bubbles inside that wouldn't go away. Anyway, I called my doctor's office and talked to his nurse, she recommended that I call the health link, so I did. I explained to the RN what was going on, and right around then I had started timing these "gas" bubbles. Hm...every eight minutes...that's interesting. So she suggests that I head to the emergency care clinic just to make sure everything is okay. By the time we get to the emergency care clinic, my "gas" bubbles are every five minutes apart. The nurse says we should just go right to Foothills Hospital labour and delivery ward, but I ask her to rush my into the doctor just to make sure it really isn't gas. So they rush my into the doctor, and by this time, my "gas" bubbles are three minutes apart. Interesting...

So the doctor checks me out and says he is rushing me by ambulance to the Foothills Labour and Delivery in case Peanut decides to make an early entrance into the world. As it turns out, this first-time mom to be doesn't know the difference between a contraction and a "gas bubble."

So the doctor does some more testing and in the meantime, my contractions start to space out again (thank goodness.) So he tells Brian that Brian can drive me if we head over to the Foothills right away. By the time we get to the Foothills, my contractions have spaced out considerably.

They listen to the baby again, and the baby is fine. The doctor checks to see if I'm dialated, and I"m not THANK GOODNESS! So he sends me home and tells me if it happens again and there are a few more symptoms, then to come back.

Throughout all of this, I wasn't really scared. I know that sounds weird, but I was abnormally calm. My though process was that there isn't anything I can do anyway. If this baby is meant to come early, then so be it. I put my trust in the doctors.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Peanut, we really can wait to meet you know since we thought you might come early a few weeks ago. We are excited to meet you! You are kicking mommy a LOT, and she loves it! Daddy is sad because he's only felt you kick one or two times, but I keep telling him you need to get bigger and then he'll feel it.

Ultrasounds and flying...

2006-01-10T14:35:00.000-07:00

The ultrasound was soooooooo fun -- okay, not the drinking 40 ounces of water an hour before and then waddling to the ultrasound clinic, not because of the baby, but I'm afraid if I don't waddle I will pee myself, and not the pushing on my bladder with the super warm ultrasound jelly -- but seeing the baby was amazing. I almost cried.

We got some GREAT shots of the baby's head and hands and arm. We have a great profile shot of the baby -- so cute! The ultrasound tech said that we could find out what the baby was, if we wanted, because he/she wasn't being shy at all, but I didn't want to know and Brian did, but we didn't find out -- ha! I won that one! From what I saw in the ultrasound, it doesn't look like a boy, and I thought it was a girl before that anyway, but only time will tell -- and a painful delivery LOL.

It was amazing to see the baby moving inside of me.

The ultrasound tech also thinks that the due date might be off, but she couldn't confirm it. She just thought the measurements of the baby were too big to be due at the end of May, she said maybe the beginning of May. The doctor has to confirm what she thinks the due date is, and we meet with the delivering doctor for the first time on the 19th.

The baby did well on the flight to and from Miami, but had the hardest time on the flight from Denver to Miami. Peanut was awake almost the whole time, kicking really hard and moving around, which made it difficult for me to get comfortable.

In Miami, Peanut was really active; I hadn't felt he/she move that much at all. At one point I felt a foot or something sticking out really far and I looked down and I could see something pushing right next to my belly button, Brian got to feel it and his sister. Every once in a while I feel the same thing.

Peanut did really well despite the stress of the flight home (or lack there of) -- to find out more about that click here.

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Peanut, mommy and daddy are sooooooooo excited now that it is getting closer to meeting you. Daddy wants you here right now so he can start daddyhood -- mommy is okay with the baby/mommy bonding we are doing right now, and I'll be fine for a few more months of kicks and growing out of my clothes.

Daddy felt you kick for the first time on Christmas day. You are really kicking a LOT now, and it is fun to feel, except when you kick really hard, that kinda hurts. I can't wait to hold you! You are coming into a home with sooooo much love for you! Can't wait to meet you!

Happy kicking!

Doctor doesn't think its twins -- WHEW!

2005-12-14T11:52:00.000-07:00

Well, I had a doctor's appointment yesterday and he only heard one heartbeat, not two! It took him a while to find the heartbeat, which, of course, scared me a little, but he found it and it sounded just like it was supposed to, he said.

We will be going for an ultrasound soon! Brian thinks I'll cave in the ultrasound and want to find out if it is a boy or a girl, but I have never wanted to know -- I think that is all part of the whole experience. I have never believed in finding out what you are having, but that's just me. So we aren't going to find out! I started feeling the baby moving around in there, but it is only usually when Peanut is near my kidneys or is pushing on something that pushes on my kidneys. I feel great.

The pleurisy still acts up every once in a while, but I know not to overdo it now. The doctor said I can head back to the gym, but only for light weights and walking, no running or eliptical trainer for me. I have been trying to get out and walk every few days at least, and that feels good. Right now I have been trying to go to the mall and walk -- don't worry, family that knows me, I haven't spent any extra money, other than the few gifts we needed to get people for Christmas -- and I love walking in the mall, there is always something to look at, and I can people watch too, which I love.

Anyway, that's about all from mommy-to-be land!

Mommy at almost 16 weeks

2005-12-03T18:03:00.000-07:00

It is time for another picture!

2005-12-02T14:17:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm HUGE! I think my size warrants a picture for this site! Brian and I went on a date night last night and I couldn't find anything to wear. Nothing! I put on my favourite pair of casual track-type khakis and I couldn't do them up. I don't mind my shirts being a little tighter in the baby region, but my pants are becoming an issue! I have one suit that fits, and I can't do the jacket up, the pants fit because they are a low rise, but they are only going to fit for maybe another month. Also, a new thing that really is getting tight -- my winter jackets. It was -21 today, so it isn't really optional. Maybe Santa will be getting me a maternity winter jacket.
Tomorrow is Brian's staff party so I will have Brian take a picture just before we go so you can see how big and cute I am LOL.
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Peanut,

You are GROWING! Most websites say you are about 5 inches long! If we got an ultrasound done we would be able to tell if you are a boy or a girl, but we don't want to know! We want it to be a surprise when we meet you! I don't know if I have felt you kick yet, I think I have, but I'm not sure. But I definitly feel that you are in there and I love to be able to just know that you are in there! Daddy loves to talk to you! He likes to put his head on my tummy and talk to you. We love you!

Someone touched me THERE?????????

2005-11-24T07:42:00.000-07:00

I got your attention, didn't I? Well, that's what good journalism is about, sucking the reader in! Ha! I did it!

Anyway, there is some truth to the title of this blog -- I had my first touch of the tummy by someone other than Me, Brian and my nieces. A girl at work yesterday asked how I was doing and touched my belly! Yup, I have a belly to touch -- not just a flabby centre -- I have a rounded pregnant belly! I didn't mind it at all! Brian thought, since I'm not a touchy feely person, that people touching my baby belly would bother me, but it didn't! I think that it will only go on for another six months, and I can make it through that.

So I think this baby belly grew over night -- literally. About four days ago I was still wearing my normal clothes, they were just fitting...er...well...um...snug to say the least. Then about three days ago NOTHING fits except for my yoga/sweat pants. I tried on my work clothes -- no luck except for my black pin-striped suit, which at one point was tight in my life, and then I lost weight and it was falling off of me -- I always said it would be a good maternity suit -- and what do you know? It is! Anyway, it is kind fun now that I'm showing. It is weird, as well.

But I'm loving' it!

I have not been feeling good lately, quite nauseous, and no food appeals to me! I have tried to eat what I can. I made a beautiful dinner two nights ago for Brian, it was chicken cordon bleu -- I took a bite and that was it -- that was all I wanted :( So sad!

Well, I'm off to a rousing divorce today -- should be fun, they always are.

It really hit me yesterday...

2005-11-09T13:24:00.000-07:00

So yesterday was the first time we heard Peanut's heartbeat. That REALLY made it sink in. There is actually a little person inside me with their own little heartbeat and their own little body. The doctor found the heartbeat no problem, and it was really cool to hear. It was really fast compared to mine.

I'm so excited to be a mom! It is getting more and more real. I think it will kick in more for Brian when the baby starts moving and I start showing. We wandered around Toys 'r' Us this afternoon just for the fun of it. There are a LOT of toys for kids. We really liked a lot of the play and learn type toys, but, of course, it will be quite a while before we will really start looking at getting some of those toys.

Anyway, life is better now that I'm starting to feel a little better. I had a relapse on Monday night of the pain -- apparently I shouldn't go to the gym quite yet. My boss told me that maybe I should call her before I leave the house so that she can stop me from doing stupid things like that ha ha ha ha ha ha!

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Peanut,

We are getting more and more excited to meet you! You are growing, that's for sure. Hearing your heartbeat for the first time almost made mommy cry, because it was the first time I could kind of "feel" that you are really there. Daddy likes to look at all the fun toys in the store, and he talks about how much fun it will be to be a daddy!

Keep on growing!

A scare in the hospital...

2005-10-26T20:30:00.000-06:00

Well, we definitly had a scare yesterday. At about 2:30 in the morning yesterday I woke up with a chest pain and I couldn't get back to sleep. I rolled around and tossed and turned hoping to find a comfortable position to fall back asleep in -- I didn't. Finally, at 5:30 I decided I was going to try and come downstairs and sleep in the recliner, I couldn't use my left side of my body to push myself up and so I couldn't get out of bed. Then I woke Brian up and told him something was wrong. We decided to go to the hospital. We arrived around 6:00 and there was no on in the waiting room, so I was admitted quickly. The first diagnosis from the doctor was that he thought it could be a collapsed lung or blood clots. He did a bunch of blood work and an EKG to rule out any heart problems. Then he also did an x-ray of my chest. I got back to my room in the ER and it wasn't too long until the doctor appeared again, he said that my blood tests came back positive for blod clots and they were going to do two more tests to see where th blood clots were. So he did an ultrasound of my legs, since that is where most women get them, and that test came back negative. The doctor wasn't sure what to do next, so he contacted an internist who recommended a nuclear x-ray of my lungs to see if there was a blood clot. I didn't want to do a nuclear x-ray, because they have to inject you with a radioactive dye, which can be very harmful to the baby. But the doctor informed us that if I had a blood clot in my lung it could be fatal, and then both me and baby would die, or I could put the baby at risk by the x-ray and live. So obviously we didn't have any choice. I did the x-ray and the radioavtive dye. The tech at the nuclear x-ray said she had one of these done when she was pregnant and she worked in the nuclear x-ray deptartment through all three of her kids and they all turned out "normal". The results came back negative. So by this time I had been in the hospital for 10 hours and the doctor said there wasn't anything else he could dom, gave me some painkillers and sent me on my way. He said if anything changes or gets worse, to come back.
So, four hours later, we were back in the ER with more pain and it was now into my back and I still couldn't breath very well. So we spent three and-a-half hours in the ER until they admitted me again. The new doctor ran some more blood tests and another EKG, and then I talked to him about my pain and lack of sleep. He said he would give me some Morphine, but it wasn't good for the baby, but it was a catch 22, because the pain could get worse if I don't sleep and I need to sleep. So he gave me a small shot of Morphine. He came back about 20 minutes later and told me I either had costochondritis or pleurisy, pretty much just an inflammation of something in the area I was feeling pain. After doing some research on our own, we are pretty sure it is pleurisy.
The result is, I am in pain. I can't take a deep breath. My limbs go numb every once in a while. I have a migraine as a result of all of the fun I have been having.
Anyway, the good news is baby is fine. They don't think Peanut is in any danger, and I am taking the brunt of everything. They don't know how long this will last, and I can't take anti-inflammatories or antibiotics because I'm pregnant, so I have to tought it out. That's what is going on now.

Anonymous users

2005-10-19T11:27:00.000-06:00

Hey, family that reads this, but doesn't have a blogspot username...you can now comment to this anonymously. I will take this away if I get creepy ads and people looking at it.

No more spicy foods...:(

2005-10-19T10:40:00.000-06:00

No more spicey foods for me. I was most uncomfortable ALLLL night last night from about 5:30 to 10:30 and then I finally fell asleep. I love spicy foods. And I didn't think that my chicken stirfry was all that spicy, but it must have been, because I didn't feel good at all.

Everything on the baby front is going well. I don't feel as nauseous anymore and I just feel "normal." I'm working out at least twice a week right now, but I want to do more without overdoing it.

I think the initial shock of becoming parents has hit us, but I'm sure once I start showing, things will seem more real again.

I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow afternoon, I will keep you posted!

Wow...

2005-10-15T22:36:00.000-06:00

Wow...that's the only word that really describes what I am feeling right now. I just got home from Time Out for Women and I am inspired! I love conferences for women. Every now and then I think we need a boost to help remember just how awesome we are.

I went to the conference today with a few thoughts in mind hoping to maybe glean some answers from the speakers today. The thoughts I had were, of course, baby related.

"How will I raise this baby to be raised in the gospel, but not be sheltered, but to have a balance in all things?"

"How will I change as a woman, wife, daughter of God?"

The answer to the second came more definite than the first for me.

How will I change as a woman with this new little one?

I will become stronger. (I will, you watch. Anyone that knows me knows that I wouldn't choose to become weaker.)
I will also become more tired ;)
I will finally be closer to trying to be like the one woman I have always wanted to be like...my mom. (I love you, Mom.) (My mom is the best mom ever.)

How will I change as a wife with this new baby?

I will have to find a balance between baby and hubby.
I will be more stressed with a baby to take care of, so I hope that I can still keep my relationship with Brian as good as it has been.
I will still giggle as I always have.

How will I change as a daughter of God with a new spirit?

I will change in more ways than I can count or fathom.
I will have a new element to my testimony, an element of motherhood I haven't had the opportunity of having before.
I will start to understand a little bit about how much love our Heavenly Parents have for us.
I will continue to have a strong testimony and bear it, so that my children will know what I believe.
I will stand a little taller and prouder and stronger as a daughter of God.
I will be more of an advocate for right for the sake of my children.

Anyway, I am still contemplating more about the first question, and more on the second one as well.

I am excited to become a mother. I am excited to welcome a new spirit into our home. I am excited to see my husband hold our new little baby (yes, I'm crying.) I am excited to see the love that my husband will have for our child, someone he barely knows, yet would do anything in the world for. I am excited to change as a daughter of God.

Even though I'm excited for all of this -- I am scared.

I am scared for what this nasty world holds for my children, but I am going to teach my children the best I can to do what is right. And, when they fall, I will be there to help them up and walk them through life with gentle reminders and love.

I am scared for my children because I don't want them to get teased at school, but even more, I don't want my kids to be the ones doing the teasing. I am going to teach my children that everyone is different, and that we are all beautiful in our own ways.

I am scared that I will be inadequate as a parent in so many ways, but, I will not dwell on my inadequecies, and I will look for the small victories I win each day.

Wow...there is so much going on inside me right now. That's enough for one day, but there is more where this is all coming from.

MAJOR food aversion...

2005-10-14T15:29:00.000-06:00

Don't even think about bringing any eggs or egg-related foods near me -- yech! I can't even stand the thought of eating eggs right now. I tried to eat some last week and I was sick the rest of the day. I still haven't actually thrown up -- woo hoo! (Thanks, Peanut!) and I am glad about that. I have a little more energy than I did a few weeks ago, which is nice, I'm starting to feel a bit more normal!

I am around 9 weeks right now.

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Peanut,
You are about 1 and-a-half inches right now :) I think you went through a growth spurt the other day, or some major changes were happening, because mommy was very uncomfortable for a few days and I just couldn't seem to find a comfortable position. I am telling my aunts and cousins on my mom's side about you tonight! I'm very excited to break the news to them! Happy growing!

Mommy at six weeks

2005-09-30T11:15:00.000-06:00

We have decided to do pictures every month to see all of the lovely changes that will be going on with me! Ha ha ha ha. So here is the first one!

Ultrasound results are in!

2005-09-30T11:03:00.000-06:00

So the doctors were off! Currently Peanut is 3mm. We are only six weeks as of now. That puts our due date on May 22nd (looking even more promising to have a birthday baby for me!) In the ultrasound we were able to see this tiny little grayish thing if she zoomed in on it, and that was the baby! She said the heartbeat was 126. That's the update!

Weird cravings...

2005-09-28T19:39:00.000-06:00

Okay, so I have had a few weird cravings, but one that I have had for a while is fried onions. I can eat them with anything. I CRAAAAVVVEEEE them. I remember when I was growing up my dad would have fried onions with the weirdest things...now I want them with everything! Have you had any weird cravings during your pregnancies?

Tossing and turning

2005-09-28T14:04:00.000-06:00

Well, last night was a VERY uncomfortable night for this momma to be. I just couldn't seem to get comfortable. I literally tossed and turned allllll night! I guess if I had been looking out the window during the night I would have seen our first snow fall of the season -- oh, I am so sad I missed that -- NOT! I don't know why I had such a rough night! I hope this isn't a sign of things to come!
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Peanut, you are about the size of a raspberry or so the books say! Mommy is still feeling pretty good, just really tired! Speaking of tired...I'm off to a nap. Happy growing

I may be hormonal, sleep deprived or...maybe I'm right....

2005-09-26T16:56:00.000-06:00

I'm starting to get a little emotional over this whole baby thing! I am starting think of the blessings that will be ours with our new little one. I am thinking more and more about the statement that one day only LDS women will WANT to be mothers. That's crazy! I am barely into this whole pregnancy thing and I can't think of a better experience. With women being naturally compassionate, it would only seem to me that women would crave to have children, someone to care for.
Now, I know, that those of you with kids are going to think I may be crazy right now and hormonal and a little dillusiounal, but seriously, I'm sure there are moments in your life that you would never take back, and having your children is one of them. We are to raise the next generation, and it seems that this old world really needs strong leaders and a strong society.

In a Relief Society lesson earlier this year, a girlfriend of mine was teaching the lesson, and her husband had recently left her after 12 years of marriage and three handsome sons. Her lesson was on raising a family unto the Lord, or something like that. She said in her lesson something that a lot of my friends and I have talked about in the past, the fact that raising kids in today's society is SCARY. They are going to face a lot more things at younger ages than we ever did. My friend, while giving the lesson, was in tears about this, she really was scared about it. And one of the sisters, bless her heart, said to us "Now, I want all of you young ones with and without kids to hear this. Being scared to raise kids in this world is Satan's tool. Don't let him get to you." She was the mother of teenagers at the time, and she couldn't have been more right. Satan wants me to be scared. He wants me to spend time being scared instead of looking forward to the good times with my kids and the growing times with my kids, and also to be scared of what is going on in society, instead of arming myself with tools to teach my children how to avoid these evils in society.
Anyway, these are just the mindless wanderings of a hormonal mom to be.

News on the baby front -- my first ultrasounds is Thursday at 1! We will find out a more definite due date at that time. I am still feeling really good, just getting a lot more tired every week.

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Peanut,
You seem to be our favourite topic of discussion right now! We just talk about you all the time! We look forward very much to meet you. Your grandparents are very excited to meeting you too, as well as all of your aunts and uncles and cousins. You are coming into this world into a large extended family -- you are so lucky! Happy growing!

It is ultrasound time...

2005-09-23T17:15:00.000-06:00

Well, we went to our family doctor yesterday and he gave me his doctorly advice and told me what to expect within the next few weeks. He wants to see me at 12 weeks to see how it is all going, then he will hand me over to a family clinic with all female doctors that deliver. I asked the doctor yesterday if he delivers, and his response was "Well, I can if you go into labour right here, but I don't generally." Ha ha ha ha!

He also wants to get me in for an ultrasound this week, or next, to make a more definite due date. He said probably May 6th, and the other doctor said May 10th, so either way, we figure it will be an almost birthday baby for me!

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Peanut, you are eight weeks old. Mommy is starting to feel a bit more sick once in a while, but I still feel really good overall. I am VERY tired, and I have to take catnaps throughout the day, but I haven't been really very sick. All of your aunts and uncles and grandparents know that we are expecting you now, and they are all VERY excited! You will be grandbaby number 14 on mommy's side of the family, and grandbaby number 3 on daddy's side of the family. You will have a LOT of cousins to play with. In fact, you have a cousin that will just be a few months older than you to play with! Keep on growing!

Peanut is the size of a peanut

2005-09-21T09:43:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow is my first visit to my family doctor since we found out about Peanut. I am hoping to get a referral to a good ob/gyn. Brian is really excited about having a baby and adding to the family. I have decided to start scrapbooking all of this, so I went to the scrapbook store the other day and picked up a few things to start my baby phase of my scrapbook. I went to the gym yesterday and got a prenatal workout schedule, just to make sure that I'm not overdoing it at the gym, but I still want to go and keep what I have toned.

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Peanut, you are about the size of a peanut right now! Mommy is starting to feel a little sick, but that is probably from all of the vitamins she is taking. Daddy is really excited! We are both so excited to go into this new phase of our lives with you.

The shock is setting in.

2005-09-19T14:14:00.000-06:00

Well, Brian and I have finally come to the realization that THIS IS REAL! We are really going to be parents. By my next birthday, I will be a mommy! We are very excited. On Saturday Brian came home with a dozen white/pink roses and a stuffed Elephant(we are calling him Peanut) and a beautiful card! I am putting a picture in below.
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Well, Peanut,
We are soooooo excited to meet you. Daddy is getting really excited about being a Daddy. He likes to talk about how much fun playing with you will be and holding you. We are excited that you are going to come into this world right around Mommy's birthday! What a great birthday present! You will have your very own room in our new house. We are going to make it a Noah's Ark room and there will be lots of fun animals for you to play with.

Holy Doodle, we are havin' a baby!

2005-09-17T22:00:00.000-06:00

Well, we are officially having a little Baby Brian or Baby Devynn....but for now, the baby is called "Peanut". Why you ask? We don't know. It has stuck, and that's the name. It isn't even the size of a peanut yet!

I just wanted a place to write my feelings for the baby and to let Peanut know what I am feeling and thinking during these first few months.

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Well, Peanut,

We are excited...we found out yesterday, September 16th, 2005, that we were expecting you. We are really happy to be adding you to the family. You are due on May 10th, 2006. I went to the doctor this morning, and she told me for sure that you really are inside of me! Daddy was in shock yesterday when I told him that you were on the way. He didn't believe me at first, I don't think. But he is excited now. Last night he said goodnight to you in my tummy for the first time, and I thought it was so cute! He likes to talk to you, even though you are the size of a grain of rice right now. You are six weeks old right now (so the doctor said). We are excited to meet you. Mommy and Daddy are still very much in shock that we are adding you to our family.