A Day with the Dog and the Ducks

Today, I weathered the heat and drove to Children's Lake in Boiling Springs. This is a natural spring lake just 10 minutes from our home.

With my niece Jocelyn and Molli in tow, and a bag of old bread and rolls, we headed out to feed the ducks.

We stopped near a small boat ramp and Jocelyn opened the bread and magically she called

in every duck on the lake. From Mallards to Geese to Loons, all the ducks came to partake of our yummy honey wheat Sara Lee Bread.

Molli kept hesitating at the side of the lake, like she was wanting to jump in.

Finally, Molli made her way down the boat ramp and cooled herself off in the water.

All the while, Jocelyn fed the locals.

I am not sure who enjoyed the excursion more, the little girl, or the little dog.

Father's Day

For Father's day, which was last Sunday, I made breakfast for my dad and Jim.

We had belgian waffles and fresh fruit.

That evening, I treated my husband to his first Father's Day Dinner. I made London Broil on the grill with corn on the cob and potatoes.

I lit some candles. I poured tea and water into wine glasses and made a Happy Father's Day sign. I think Jim enjoyed his meal.

Dear Audrey or Grayson

Your room is ready.

Your crib looks comfy. I play your mobile whenever I visit your room.

I made sure I got you a plush changing pad for your lil hiney, since I hear you'll be spending alot of time getting your diaper changed.

I added a comfy glider so that I can rock you to sleep. I've placed books nearby so that we can enjoy some reading together. Daddy even has some very special books about fire-fighters that he will read to you.

I added a cd player for all the wonderful lullaby cd's that we will listen to together. But, don't be surprised if I sing you to sleep. I have been practicing in the shower. I especially like Baby Mine by Bette Midler...since I know it pretty well.

I have your clothes seperated by boy or girl...or neutral. Whoever benefits from the opposite sex hand-me-downs is incredibly lucky!

Your play pen is set up inside the family room. It has little elephants hanging from above.

Your swing is in the family room. It has polar bears and fish.

I really tried to find things that I hope will make you happy and keep life not so humdrum.

Every where you look will have something new for you to explore; a rainforest play mat, a barnyard kick mat, even a bear-skin rug that GramCracker made for your room.

Your car seat is ready. Your diaper bags are packed.

We have enough diapers and wipes, bottles, and bath wash.

We are ready to meet you....so ready!

Car Seats and the last of our Baby Prep needs

Today, after a yearly check-up visit to the vet for Miss Molli, I made my way to Babies R'us and Target to gather the last of the items that we will need to be prepared for baby.

We had very little to buy, and our gift cards covered all of our needs.

At Babies R'us, I picked up some waterproof crib pads, a little laundry bag that snaps to the changing table, a play pen sheet for GramCracker's playpen that my Aunt Linda so graciously lent to her, and car seat strap covers.

At Target, I bought a breast pump. I opted for the Medela manual pump, over the Lansinoh that I had orginally registered for. At my breastfeeding class, I learned that Medela is by far the most highly recommended, and that since I will not be returning to work right away, a manual pump would suffice. I also got some breast milk storage bottles for my pump.

Lastly, I got a cool mist humidifier. At our baby care class, they discussed how using a cool mist humidifier greatly reduces the risk of SIDS.

That's it. Those are the only items that we needed to purchase on our own, and we have enough gift cards left to cover anything else that will pop up in the first few weeks.

We are just so grateful! Our friends have been so good to us. Our parents have been amazing!

After I returned from my shopping excursion, I drove to the Upper Allen Police Department. Sergeant Beaudry was in the parking lot with Jimmy, finishing up the installation of the car seat base for the Expedition.

Once completed, he installed and did all the safety checks for the car seat in my Trail Blazer.

He went over the advice of the American Pediatrics Association for rear facing car-seats and then sent us on our way!

We are so lucky to have friends like Sergeant Beaudry to help us with these final important tasks.

Over the course of the week, I have been working on the finishing touches to the nursery. We added a Cd player to the room so that baby can listen to the great cds that we got as gifts.

I put together a basket of great books from the showers, to have close by for baby and us to read.

I washed up the last of the bibs, receiving blankets, and outfits.

There is little left to do.

My next task, addressing our birth announcements.

I chose a boy announcement and a girl announcement that we can print off at Walmart upon baby's arrival. We just need to add a picture and the birth specifics and they will be ready in no time. Since I know that they are 4 X 8, I bought envelopes ahead of time so that all we have to do is stuff and send.

What the next few weeks hold

I am really unsure.

Today's doctor's appointment seemed to give me some idea of direction though.

I am once again measuring 2 weeks ahead for my fundal height ( pubic bone to top of my uterus).

This visit was with my normal midwife Cindy, whom I haven't seen in nearly 2 months.

It is funny how each midwife's demeanor is so very different. All 3 are very good. Cindy tends to be the one who is slower to worry. She said she was still planning my visits and ultrasounds based on my August due date and that everyone measures ahead and ultrasound measurements can be off.

However, after that, she did the exam and she did say that the baby felt large when she was pushing on my belly.

Today, we discussed my degenerative disc disease/osteoarthritis and how that may effect my options for pain medication or interventions, such as a c-section. Cindy scheduled a consult with the anethesiologist to discuss options before I go into labor. I highly appreciate having a consult before D Day, so I can wrap my head around my options.

I am also set up for a final ultrasound during the week of July 26th( the 38th week of my original due date) to get an idea about the size of the baby. This is pre-caution should the baby not have already arrived.

I am already guessing that should I continue to measure so far ahead and I have an appointment scheduled with one of the other midwives that the ultrasound date will get pushed up. I think I have it all figured out now.

For now, Baby and I are doing fine.

God is good and I am grateful!

30 Days..hath September, April, June and November...and possibly me.

After today, we have 30 days until our projected due date!

Ya know, I think that I worry just as much now as I did for the first 35 weeks.

My worry is just a different kind of worry...will the baby be healthy, will delivery go well, will I be a good mom, will the baby be a boy or girl and will I be better at being a mom to one or the other???

Today I am just plain achy...like period achy. Though I think I have only experienced "period achy" a few times in my life. My back is a little stiff, my hips kinda hurt, I am feeling some pressure, I am more gassy as of late, my belly even feels a little upset in waves.

I have a Dr's appt scheduled for tomorrow morning. I think this will be my first internal exam and the start of my exams that happen every week.

The baby seems to have found a new favorite place to sit...right at my belly button. This makes it impossible for me to bend at all.

The baby must be very long. It feels like I have a little hand under my right hip that is constantly waving, a hiney that can't decide if it wants to sit to the left or right of my belly button, and a foot in my left rib, or maybe my lung. I have been short of breath a few times over the last week.

I drum a beat on my belly and the baby seems to sway toward certain noises.

It likes when I sing, and when I eat strawberries.

It is most active when I am winding down.

It has a mind of it's own.

AND I LOVE IT ALL!

Baby Shower #4 and a wonderful weekend

Our baby shower frenzy is over. Baby shower #4 took place at the Greshville Inn in Boyertown.

This was held for my mom and dad's family and friends who live nearby.

Wow...Jim and I are so blessed by such amazing family and gracious friends. We recieved so many wonderful gifts. There are just a few last items that we need to purchase and we have many gift cards to use for those remaining items. God has given us so much by way of our family and friends!

While the ladies and I were away, my dad and Jimmy worked on shelving for our shed, garage, and basement storage. It seems that they had an ejoyable day together, while my dad schooled Jim on plywood and drills. I am so grateful that the two most important men in my life actually like each other.

When we arrived home my Mom and Aunt Robin helped me to get the final items all put together and ready for Audrey or Grayson's arrival.

This morning, I woke at 6:15 am to my Mom working in my flower beds. In a few short minutes, my Aunt Robin joined her. They managed to weed and pull and move many of my flowers. The beds look awesome.

Then, they created a new flower bed around our shed, as Jimmy has been annoyed by the stone under the shed that keep falling into the grass and he hits with the lawn mower. They mulched and within an hour were finished with yet another project that we benefit from.

Do I tell my parents and family often enough how much I appreciate all that they do for me?

I am one lucky kid.

So often when they leave, I kick myself for the complaining and criticizing that I so often do when they are here for a visit.

Today, they had just pulled out of the driveway and Jim said to me: "Are you crying because you miss them already?"

The truth was, I was.

The next time that I see them, I won't be the same person. Neither will Jim. I'll be someone's mom. He will be someone's dad. They will be someone's grandparents.

It will never be the same. Isn't that amazing? Isn't that scary? Isn't that wonderful?

Oh My Wonderous Feet!!!

I just had one fo the most incredible experiences of my life.

I treated myself to 2 treatments at a local place in Mechanicsburg called Heel Your Sole.

It definately healed my soul for the 2 hours that I was pampered there.

Heel Your Sole specializes in foot baths, scrubs, and reflexology. The store front is a sanctuary when you enter. I felt taken care of from the minute that I stepped foot in the door.

The therapist even took my shoes and socks off....and put them back on. She put a warm lavender wrap around my shoulders....Ahhhh heaven!

I relaxed in a huge elevated comfy chair and sipped lemon water. I even got to read a chapter of my book as I soaked.

I chose the “Queen Bee”

Enjoy the ‘buzz’ from a foaming vanilla honey bath
Awaken your senses with a our own apricot kernel foot scrub
Complete your treatment with our soleful experience using
our Homemade Shea moisturizer.

The description should say, soak your feet in a luxurious bath. Then, have your feet pumiced and scrubbed. And, the best part, have your feet basked in the best foot massage/reflexology you will ever experience.

I also added "Happy Hands"

A soothing hand & lower arm massage
using our signature Shea lotion, then warm mitts.

This should say: Treat your fingers to some love.

The therapist was sure to stay away from the reflexology point that corresponds to the uterus, since the baby isn't fully baked. It was amazing how I could sense the points that she was working on my feet and where they coorespond to my body, especially my back and sciatic nerve.

Every person on earth should treat themself to a day of being pampered at least once a year.

I am going back before baby is born. After 37 weeks, I am asking for them to press that uterus point. ;)

Where has the time gone?

Perhaps I will jinx myself by asking that, but I am wondering where in the world have the last few months gone. Once I got over the the worries and sickness, the rest of my pregnancy has gone fairly quickly. I am hoping the next 5 weeks follow suite.

I feel like I have been hungrier over the last week. I haven't stepped on the scale since my appt. on Thursday. I am trying my best to stay healthy, walking everyday and keeping active at home.

If another person comments about how I might be overdoing it...I might do something other than be polite. What in the heck.....I am training for a marathon here ( at least that's what we hear in birthing class) so sitting on the couch and eating bon-bons and enjoying being able to "eat whatever I want" is false.

Or, If I hear again that since I am going to breastfeed the weight will fall off...I am giving that person a factual book on breastfeeding. You still have to eat well when you breastfeed, actually better. Did you know coffee stays in your system for 96 hours? So, no coffee for Grayson/Audrey and Mommy. Breastfeeding moms need only eat about 300 extra calories a day. Many times, the baby doesn't love the foods that a mom eats, so it may mean seeking out foods that agree with baby's "green" belly.

I am trying hard...I have to say, I can still see my feet...but I haven't seen anything else below my waist in weeks. Thank Goodness for mirrors.

So Now what?

It's June 15th.

I have either 37 days( July 22nd), or 47 days ( August 1st), 53 days ( August 7th) or 55 days 

August 9th) since I have no idea when my projected due date is anymore!

At my midwife appt., I was measuring 2 weeks ahead, no longer 3 weeks plus.

But, on Friday, she called with my ultrasound results and said the Ultrasound Tech reported that I have a healthy EXCEEDINGLY LARGE baby, measuring 3 weeks and 3 days ahead of my original due date.

So... at 38 weeks, I will have yet another ultrasound 

(that is 7 total) to see how big the baby is at that time and to then discuss possible interventions

(induction or scheduled c-section)

Well, what date is considered 38 weeks?

I guess I will just go before then and avoid the ultrasound...Sound Good? Then, I can avoid this confusion.  COME ON...give in to my optimism. :)

I had a wonderful time at my 3rd baby shower yesterday, thrown by my friends Jeanne and Ruthie. Lots of Food...WOW! Many wonderful friends, games, and again very generous gifts.

There is very little that Jim and I need to purchase before the baby comes. We are lucky to have alot of gift cards to cover all of the items that we still need.  We have plenty of diapers and wipes.

So now all we need is...our baby!

Month 8

Baby’s senses are continuing to improve -- when light peeks in through your (extremely) stretched belly, those tiny eyelids and irises blink and dilate. And, baby can now recognize and react to simple songs… time to start practicing your lullabies! Growth (at least inside your womb) is starting to slow, and you may notice baby descend into your pelvis at the end of this month.

Ricky don't lose that number....

Today, I asked for a copy of my results from my 3 hr. gestational diabetes/glucose tolerance test.

Yeah....the numbers were THAT NORMAL!

And again, this is the third time I have had to take a GD test.

Fasting Glucose:   Normal Range 65-94.   My number: 77

1 hr Glucose: Normal: Less than 180 mg My number: 147

2 hr Glucose: Normal: Less than 155 mg My number: 97

3 hr Glucose: Normal: Less than 140 mg My number: 83

In order for a result to SUGGEST Gestational Diabetes, you have to have 2 or more numbers out of range.

The Hospital hadn't faxed my ultrasound results, which means that there wasn't anything remarkable to report.  My midwife is going to call me tomorrow with the final results, but had no concerns.

Baby was head down again today, but laying his/her hiney on my right side this time.

When I told Pam, the midwife, that the Ultrasound tech said that the baby had big cheeks, like their dad, she was in the process of feeling my belly to see how baby was laying. She said, which "cheeks" because the "cheeks" over here seem kinda chubby too.  They must get those cheeks from me, not daddy. :)

We talked about Kick counts, which I should be measuring. I have felt no need to stop and measure kicks, seeing as this baby doesn't kick, it does full turns in my belly.

When I said this to Pam, she said that they equate am active in utero baby to a high IQ. Of course, again, just like Mommy.

I am measuring 2 weeks further this visit, instead of 3.

She did not make the official change to my due date, as she feels that the baby and my measurements may even out.

This makes me happy. I do want to have a normal delivery if possible, and a normal size baby!

Breastfeeding Class

I had my pre-birth breastfeeding class tonight at the Women's Center.

Tammy Rohm, the Lactation Consultant at the Hospital and the person who taught our baby care class, also taught this class.

Very informative. There were 4 familiar girls that were a part of our birthing class and myself, amongst the 8 total girls in the breastfeeding class.

We learned about proper feeding techniques and holds, as well as breast pumps and tips and techniques to get us through the bumps in the road as new breastfeeding moms.

This is the last of my classes before the baby comes.

I think today I started to have some braxton hicks contractions...strange tightness every so often.

Does everyone have a baby that moves as much as Chubby Cheeks does?

It is never ending...though I love the feeling of having him/her make themselves known inside of my belly.

Tomorrow, is my follow appointment from my 3 hr Gestational Diabetes test and ultrasound. Please keep baby and I in your prayers that we get a healthy report.

Laughter is life's best medicine

That statement is so true.


This weekend, my Aunt Robin threw a baby shower for me in my hometown of Wellsboro.

The shower was filled with good food, amazing gifts, lots of games, good ol' friends, and a whole lot of laughter.

I arrived in Wellsboro on Friday afternoon and spent quality time with my Aunts, Uncle, Cousin and Mom. We ate dinner, shopped a bit, and relaxed.



Saturday, my mom and I headed to my Aunt Robin's for the shower, at noon.



Once again, my friends were so amazingly generous with gifts that I was overwhelmed with gratitude. Thank you God for putting so many wonderful and loving people in my life.



After the baby shower, we headed back to my parents house and enjoyed a dinner of chinese food and many good laughs together.

Sometimes the simplest things, like take-out and family, are the best things in life.

Chubby Cheeks

What a long day. After 12 hours of fasting...I woke up at 6:45 am and headed to Quest Diagnostics for my 3 hr Gestational Diabetes test. They took 1 vial of blood. Then, I drank a double concentration of the Sunkist-tasting Orange drink. 1 hr later, they drew another vial of blood, and again at hr 2 and again at hour 3.  So, at 11 am, I was done. I did not feel jolted or sugared-up. So, my only guess is that the GD test will once again come back negative. At least, that is my hope!

I went to visit my friends at work, stopped at Old Navy and Target. 

Then, I headed to the Women's Center to meet Jimmy for our Ultrasound appt.

Jimmy was already parked and waiting for me. We went in, and beforehand, finalized insurance for the baby.

We were seated in the lounge with two families that were waiting to hear that their babies had been born. Within minutes, one dad came out and said "7 lbs 6 oz, 20 inches long". They already knew it was a girl.....It seemed such a happy yet hum-drum announcement. 

Turns out that the other family was the family of a couple that we had just graduated Birthing class with on Monday, another girl named Stacy. They were going to be surprised!  Talk about getting the class in right on time! Her water broke on Tuesday...one day after the graduation.

They scooted us back to the ultrasound waiting room. Within minutes, we were catching a look at our beautiful little one...er....BIG one!

Baby was in a bit of sleep mode, but still moving.

Baby is head down; which is great news! 

Baby is measuring big, just as expected. Baby has a big noggen, just like Daddy.

But, the cutest and most striking feature....BIG CHEEKS...smooshy...sweet...lovable... smother them with kisses baby cheeks.

We decided against asking the Tech to place the gender in the envelope. One of us would give in and peek...guess who?  So, we still don't know the gender. Although, Jim swears he saw "boy parts". I saw nothing. I didn't even think she got near that area of the baby. So, Jim says boy and I say those are girl cheeks. One of us will be right.

The Tech said she was absolutely sure of what the gender was. she even joked and said: "Haha...I know what you are having!" as we stood to leave. It was then that I saw her name was Natalie. So, I said: "Well Natalie is one of our girl names...so I will take that as a sign." She said, please call ultrasound when you deliver so that I can come and see that beautiful baby and those chubby cheeks. So, I say...she wants to see a baby that may have her name.

However, she did say that she has 2 boys......

Either way, we will be seeing "Chubby Cheeks" is as little as a month from now. Our new expected due date according to the ultrasound is July 22nd.

I CAN'T WAIT!!!! 

Chubby's heart and organs look good and everything else seemed well, although the Tech can never tell you the final prognosis. The doctor always has to do that.

Please pray that Thursday's follow-up appointment with the midwife gives us all the good news that we are hoping for.

Week 32

Your pregnancy: 32 weeks

See the big picture

How your baby's growing:

By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.

BIG

It isn't just a good movie from the 80's.

It's apparently a good adjective for our Baby.

I had a midwife visit today with Pam Kozick, the only midwife that I have yet to see in the practice.

After today, I have seen all 3 ladies who would possibly deliver our baby...UNLESS the baby continues to grow at a rapid pace and I am possibly required to have a scheduled c-section. Then, it's a switch to the doctors. 

My news: I lost 3 lbs...HA! My blood pressure is 124 over 80. No swelling. 

AND...close your ears or eyes, male or possibly grossed out readers, my colostrum is here and my breasts are beginning to leak a little...yikes!

The baby's news: HEAD DOWN!!! Yahoo! Heart rate in the 140's.  We have a very active, lil NY Giants Fan!

The weight guesstimate for this far along is a 3 lb baby.

Ladies and Gentlemen...we have a 5 pounder! 

What? I have 8 weeks to go! or so I think, er thought!

The midwife was very concerned that they have missed Gestational Diabetes. Um, I took the 1 hr GD test and passed. AND, I took the A1C test and passed with flying colors. BUT, I am now scheduled to take the 3 hr Glucose test tomorrow morning. Yippeee....12 hours of fasting and 2 bottles of the orange soda, and better yet, 4 vials of blood this time!

Then, they scheduled an ultrasound to measure the baby and get a more accurate look. That happens this Thursday. Getting to see our baby again is a treat. I, of course, care only that he or she is healthy! Please pray that the ultrasound shows us a healthy baby once again. I don't care how big he/she is, as long as all is well with them.

Since our odds of having a c-section, due to a large baby, are increasing with each OB visit, we are going to ask the ultrasound tech to please put the gender of the baby in an envelope. Should I need a c-section, I may need to be put under general anesethia because of my Degenerative Disc Disease. An epidural is placed in or around the discs where I do not have spinal fluid, making an affective epidural a hit or miss. Should that be the case, I would have to be knocked out and Jim would not be in the surgery with me. So, they would deliver the baby and then walk out and tell my husband the gender and health of the baby and then allow him in to see the baby. Not exactly what we were imagining when we took our birthing classes.....

So, my friend Spring had a great idea. Keep the envelope and right before we go into surgery, open the envelope and still share the "It's a..." moment. Great idea, huh?

Yes, I will be able to keep the envelope sealed until that moment. I have waited this long, what's another few weeks!"

This would just give Jim and I that "moment" that we have looked forward to for 32 weeks!

A follow up visit for both the Diabetes test and the ultrasound are scheduled for Thursday, the 9th with Pam.

I guess I should keep the tags on the "up to 8 lbs" clothes. HA!

Wow....I could have a baby in my arms in 5 or 6 weeks! Holy Smokes!

I guess God was kicking me to get organized for a good reason!

Thanks everyone for your prayers!