Overwhelming

Evan sleeping as I blog and Mike plays a computer game
Tummy time, earlier today

Last week

Christmas week. I am going to start wearing makeup again soon!

Sorry I haven't posted much. In a short 2 weeks and 1 day, I am completely overwhelmed. Evan is still a great baby and a wonderful gift but it is difficult trying to get him on a schedule so that Mike and I stay sane. Mike goes back to work next week and I'm not looking forward to it being just Evan and me a few days a week. I can handle it but it is scary at the same time.

Evan's 2 week appointment at the pediatrician went well today. He is up to 7 lbs, 6.5 ozs. We are doing something right! My breastfeeding is not as successful as I thought either. I am still not producing enough for my growing baby boy so I am pumping, supplementing with formula and just trying not to get too discouraged. I have to remind myself that some is better than none at all.

My appointment with the OB/GYN yesterday went well also. Mike has done a great job of cleaning my wound (from the c-section opening) and it is starting to heal well. It is still not healed enough so Mike has to keep up the wound packing and dressing for the next 2 weeks. Maybe in two weeks, they can stitch me up.

I have driven a few times (supervised with my husband), since I haven't taken any pain medicine in a few days. We have gone out some too for groceries and more newborn sized diapers. Most of the time, we take it easy at home and clean the house and clean Evan's clothes, toys and blankets. We are still working out the diaper changing thing and trying to dodge Evan peeing on us. We haven't been very successful over the past two days. He's peed on almost everything on and near the changing table. He also hates being exposed. You take his diaper off and he cries and cries.

Overall, things are well with us. Like I said before, he is a dream baby and I love him more than anything in this world. I am trying to cherish everyday I get at home. I have to go back to work March 6 but it could be a little earlier because work denied me supplemental short term disability coverage, which means I won't get a paycheck for 2 or 3 weeks in February/March. I am still working on that one though. I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and I wish everyone a Happy New Year! Love to everyone!

Breastfeeding Success!

Today, we went all day breastfeeding only. There was no formula needed. We did have to use a little overnight last night but today it was a lot of patience on Evan's part and my part. He is eating every hour to hour and a half now but it's worth it.

Tomorrow, we are going to try and make a mini trip to Gwinnett Place Mall when they open. I want to try and get a picture of Evan with the mall Santa and get Mike one last Christmas gift. I have it planned out so that we won't have to walk much since I have my c-section issues. I took a few more cute pictures today but I have to load them on the computer. I'll post a bunch of them tomorrow, probably.

A bad night

The bad night had nothing to do with Evan! After dinner last night, I stood up and all of a sudden felt a rush of fluid. The front of my pants was soaked. I immediately took Mike and went to the bathroom and I was gushing reddish watery fluid from my c-section site. We ended up going to the Northside ER and all they did was re-dress my site and tell me to call the doctor in the morning. I was very upset and insisted on taking Evan with us. I know it's my hormones but I just can't bear to be away from him for long.

I went to the doctor this morning and one of my internal stitches have popped. It leaks through the bandage after a few hours. Mike is going to be changing the bandage and wash my c-section site each morning and evening. He really has been a good husband! Now, he has an additional MD visit with me once a week to the OB/GYN so they can assess my surgery site. Now I have to take it even easier, take an antibiotic and more pain meds. All in all, I still can't complain. I have a wonderful little Christmas gift.

Being a Mommy!

Evan and Daddy
During one of our many naps

The first swing ride. We're still a little too small!

Sorry I haven't posted since Evan's arrival. I am struggling with breastfeeding but starting to make some head way. My poor baby is already used to a bottle though and gets mad at me very easily. We went to the piediatrician today and Evan is up to 7 lbs, 1 oz and 19 3/4 inches in length. That's amazing to me at 6 days old. He is a very good, calm baby. I know it can change but I am enjoying every minute we get.

Mike is the most wonderful father. I cry happy tears just thinking about how beautiful they are together (and yes my hormones are crazier now than they were when I was pregnant). Everyone has come to see us and wish us well. Right now, Mike's dad, Dick and stepmom, Jackie are here. Between them and Christina, we haven't cooked a meal and have had lots of help cleaning the house and wrapping presents. I hope everyone else is well and I'll talk to you all soon!

Evan's Debut!

Mike, Evan and cousin Cole
Evan's First Christmas outfit from Aunt Christina

Shortly after birth

When Mommy got to finally hold her baby around 2 AM, 12/13/06

Well, it has been a very long, almost 24 hours. Evan was born via c-section at 10:45 PM Tuesday evening, 12/12/06. Mike and I were both scared to death, me more than him but things went very smoothly. I only dialated to 5 cm and Evan could be pushed back up so the doctor recommended that we go ahead with the c-section. I love my doctor and she was good to me. I shook for hours, from around 10PM when we decided to go ahead with the surgery until almost 2AM this morning. It was some cold and lots of scared. I'm already up and moving around and things are good. Evan just left to go get the circumcision. He'll be back within the hour. I am starting to pump also, since we are having a few feeding issues but things are still great and I'm so happy our beautiful baby boy has arrived healthy.

He is 7lbs even and 19.25 inches long.

Still waiting...

It is now 5;48 and I am 4-5 cm dialated. I am pain free, thanks to the epidural. All last night I had horrible cervical pain so when it came back today, I went ahead and asked for the epidural. I am hoping Evan makes his debut at a regular hour tonight but we will see. They broke my water at 10:00 AM this morning when I was 3 cm. It seems like things are taking a while. Stay tuned for his debut. I will post tomorrow.

Labor and Delivery

Well, I am at Northside. I'm going to be a mommy in one short day. They have already started the cervadil and will start pitocin in the morning. I had an amnio this morning and Evan's lungs are ready. Hopefully things will go smoothly. Mike is being very supportive and helping me out with very little complaints. He wanted me to make sure that I wrote that! I will keep everyone updated as soon as we know anything. Wish us luck!

To breathe or not to breathe

Evan has been practicing his breathing on ultrasound the past 4 weeks and he's been doing such a good job. He needs to keep it up though and improve really fast. He can come early on his own if he wants to, I won't object. If he comes on his own, it will just mean that his lungs are ready. I will probably have an amniocentesis in a few weeks to check his lungs and it scares the heck out of me. I don't want him to come if he isn't healthy enough but his size also concerns me. The doctors are definitely going to do what's best for him and me but there is so much to figure out in the next two weeks. The results of the amnio will determine if he arrives a few days before Christmas or a few days after.

On another note, the ultrasound tech said that he has a lot of hair. She didn't say it just one time either. By the way the ultrasound techs sometimes talk, it makes me believe that by the time he gets here, he'll weigh 20 lbs and have a pony tail! I can't wait to really see and meet him. Let's hope that he keeps developing his lungs!

Merry Christmas, I hope!

Today, I had another doctor's appointment and they did growth. Evan is a huge baby! He's up to 6 lbs and 8 ozs and I am only 34 weeks and 1 day! I wasn't in a hurry to get Evan here before Christmas because he wouldn't know the difference but knowing how big he is, I hope he does arrive around Christmas. I don't want a c-section nor a 9-10+ lb baby. I want him to be healthy though so hopefully his lungs will start to mature so he will be ready to come out sooner. I'll talk to my OB on Thursday and see what she says. I'm told that there's nothing that I could have done to prevent him from getting so large. My lab results from last week are perfect and I've kept my diabetes in check. I've had such a great pregnancy, I don't think Evan will want to leave his home as early as I want him to. I'll keep posting as he gets larger!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone has a very Happy Thanksgiving!

6 Weeks to Go!

Evan will be here in the next 6 weeks, give or take a day! On today's BPP, the sonographer said that he had some hair! I didn't really see it because she was pretty quick with the whole scan. He got another 8/8 score so he's doing well in my ever increasing belly. I have finally caught up with all the graphs and charts on pregnancy weight gain, 23 lbs and growing. If I grow facial hair and dye my hair white, I could double as Santa Clause by the time Christmas gets here. I'd sure be a jolly one.

I'm looking through the house for my picture of me with Jimmie Johnson from a few years ago at a fan club meeting. He was cute then too but it was before he had a model for a wife who made him trim up his eyebrows...stay tuned!

Happy Monday!

Jimmie Johnson is the NASCAR Champ!

I stole the banner off of the NASCAR website because I'm so excited. Jimmie Johnson finally won the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup! I'll change the picture later when they post a better one, because he's a hottie!

Go #48

Today is the big day for NASCAR. My boy, Jimmie Johnson, could finally get the championship after just missing it for the past few years. I've been a fan since he started racing and have every 1:24 Action diecast car that has come out since he began racing (it's quite an expensive collection and habit). I'm going to hope Evan wants to like Jimmie too. I'm going to clean the house and write shower thank you notes so that I don't drive myself crazy watching the race on TV. Good luck Jimmie!

NST

I had two appointments today, one with my endocrinologist who said my blood sugars were good and the second with the OB. At the OB's office, I had my first NST. That was an interesting experience that I have to go through every week here on out. Evan wouldn't move much during the test and the few times he gave me hard kicks, it almost made me jump off the table because it was so loud on the monitor. Since next Thursday is Turkey Day, I have to get my NST done in Labor and Delivery at Northside next Friday. Luckily, I have to work a few hours that day so it will just be a quick walk over to the next building.

This will be one of the only years I have to miss out on Black Friday shopping! I love shopping that one day of the year. The people seem to be in good spirits because they know what they are getting themselves into when they shop on Black Friday. It's just different than on Christmas Eve when the people are just rude because they procrastinated too long. Oh well, maybe someone will leave me a few specials on Friday evening and Saturday morning.

Checking back in

Mike fixed our home computer and we have a new one too so maybe I will be able to post more often than I have lately. Monday started the twice a week doctor's appointments. Evan got a perfect 8/8 score on his first BPP (biophysical profile). I have another appointment on Thursday with my regular OB for more monitoring, along with another endocrinologist appointment. I'm up to 20 lbs total weight gain so I guess I'm finally on track with a normal person's weight gain. I've eaten like a cow lately! The weight gain could get worse!

Baby Shower

Evan's door hanging
Growth Chart (it will be a while, but it's cute!)
Mobile and crib
Changing table, lamp, picture frames
A lot of presents, toys, shoes, etc that will be moved over time. There is no other place in my house, especially after the shower.

This past Saturday was my baby shower and I had such a good time. At one time, there were about 20-25 people in my house and everyone had fun too. It was overwhelming and I feel so lucky that so many people attended the shower and to send their good wishes (Andrea, Heather, Rob, Kathryn, Elena, Dick, Jackie). There was very little family drama so that made everything even better!

Tonight, Mike and I took a few duplicate items back to Babies R Us and took our gift money and gift cards and bought almost everything else on our registry. I still have just enough money to buy Evan a closet organizer. I took a few more pictures of Evan's finished room tonight.

Sorry I haven't blogged much, for you all who read. Thanks to my friends that told me they read this thing but don't comment! :)

Evan Update

Profile
Semi-clear picture of Evan's face. He looks a lot like Mike!
A little bit of a smashed picture. He must have been right up against something.

Evan is getting to be quite a large baby. At almost 30 weeks, he is now 3 lbs and 11 ozs. He's in the 70% precentile for growth. Otherwise, my blood pressure is fine and I'm up to 16 lbs total, but I'm eating all of the time. I'm worried about how large he may get but we should be fine. While we were having the ultrasound/sonogram, the tech popped his picture into 3D/4D mode. It was very cool. We have determined that he looks a lot like Mike. One of Mike's coworkers even told him that Mike has the same face when he wakes up in the mornings, after his shift. I would have to agree.

$50 doesn't go far!

After work today, I had to go by Babies R Us and pick up a high chair that Mike's father, Dick, and stepmom, Jackie, bought us. While there, I decided to use a coupon and buy a box of diapers. There went the first $30. Afterwards, I went across the street to Costco. One bag of cat food, a box of cookies for my husband, and a dinner salad later, and I'm out another $20. I'm trying to go ahead and buy diapers when I can so that we can absorb a little of the cost now and not later when Evan is here.

Otherwise, it was a crazy day at work. If anyone watched the news this weekend, there was a huge story about Northside Hospital and the Transplant Program defrauding the government because of an improper financial and referral relationship. Imagine working in that program and never knowing anything! My boss didn't tell us for 2 and a half years. My coworker and I knew something was going on but didn't know the story until the top story on WSB aired Friday. Today, patients were asking us if we were embarrassed to be working for the program. I guess that's just how the world works but it is amazing how people can pull the wool over your eyes!

Long time no blog...

Mike has gotten our computer back to working at a normal speed and I am slowly working on rebuilding all of my bookmarks and stored passwords. I had to remember that I was neglecting this blog. I'll try to get better!

Overall things are great! It was a busy Friday. There were two wedding rehearsals at church and I had another couple, getting married in November, attend the rehearsals to help them see how things go in a Catholic wedding ceremony and so that they could ask me questions. The night was crazy with all of the people there but it went by fast!

Afterwards, I got to see our sponsor couple from when we were married in the church last July. Tim and Sharon are wonderful people and we've just missed them at mass lately. They were eating dinner but took a break to talk to me. Tim and Sharon have also accepted our invitation to be Evan's Godparents. They really helped guide us to learning more about each other and our faith, when we were preparing for our Catholic convalidation, and Mike and I both feel they will make good Godparents. Mike and I are attending a Baptismal Prep class on Sunday and I'm excited! Evan isn't here yet but I feel better knowing that things are falling into place.

I guess my last happy thought for the evening is that it is nice to know that you belong somewhere. I really love my church and feel honored to be a part of it. Mike and I are both in ministries that we love (though I try to quit mine often!), we have our favorite priest that we adore, and we've made great friends that have made lasting impressions on us and our faith!

Computer Issues

We are having minor computer/browser issues. Until then, my blogs will probably take a backseat. It is hard to lose all of your bookmarks and saved passwords. At least I have them written down. More tomorrow....

OB Visit Update

I went to the OB today and the measurement was perfect, heartbeat was normal, weight is up to 12 lbs total (but that should change soon as I get into my 3rd trimester), and my blood pressure was great! The visit only took 30 minutes too so that really topped things off! I have a doctor's visit at least once a week from here on out with at least one of my doctor's. This is where things get expensive with office visit copays. At least all of the visits and all of the money are for my little miracle. It makes it worth it just thinking about it.

Opinions!

We all know that everyone has them and sometimes I wonder why! I am sick and tired of everyones horror stories of knowing a diabetic that had a huge baby, early baby, or otherwise. People can give me their opinion on my diabetes just as soon as they review all of my medical records. I bring this up because I met some people that work with Mike at his other job, last night. Mike already told me this one girl was a nurse who used to work at Northside in labor and delivery and she said that I would have Evan by week 35. She made it a point to tell me again, last night, when I met her, that she doesn't think I'll make it past 35 weeks. Did I ask her? No!

Anyways, just felt like venting. I appreciate good thoughts and positive advice but don't tell me your horrors or what you think will happen to me when you know nothing about me. I guess pregnancy is a time when everyone thinks they know your body better than you.

Other than unwanted opinions, it's been a good week. I have a regular OB visit tomorrow morning. I've also been busy arranging the upcoming church weddings (since I volunteered and I can't seem to get out of the job). I hope everyone else is having a good and unwanted opinion free week!

Childbirth Prep

I haven't had much to blog about lately. Evan is still moving right along. We went to our first session of Childbirth Prep tonight at Northside. Tomorrow, we go back for 8 more hours. It's really interesting and we learned to breathe tonight. All of a sudden, I'm undecided about an epidural vs. natural childbirth. I know a lot of people really feel strongly one way or another but I guess I will see when the time comes. Mike is a great sport about going to the class too. He was breathing right along with everyone else tonight. Hopefully tomorrow's class goes by fast and we learn a lot.

Thursday's Baby Update

I haven't been feeling too hot so I didn't post on Thursday after my appointment. Evan is currently 2 lbs 1 oz and in the 64% precentile for growth at 25 weeks and 4 days. I have to watch that. I am up to 11 lbs total, which shocked me because I put on the last 4-5 lbs in one week. I guess the weight gain is starting now! My blood pressure was also running a little high on the systolic side. The doctor wasn't concerned but I was. It did come back down before I left. I started doing some walking in the evening Thursday to help keep my blood pressure in a good place. We'll be 26 weeks tomorrow! Time is flying by.

Never Take a Self-Portrait

Well here you go! This is what I look like today, at 25 weeks and 2 days. I don't have makeup on but I did try and brush my hair and wear something decent as I tried to take a picture of my baby belly. I was determined not to take the picture with me holding the camera in my face where all you would see was my stomach. I had to find tall pieces of furniture but I got one decent picture. The pictures always make you look fatter too! Maybe I've eaten a lot this week? I will get another weight check on Thursday when I go for my ultrasound. Don't be too critical, it's all I could manage to do. :)

Another Great Baby Find

I have been obsessed with finding an exersaucer lately. I know Evan won't even use it until at least 3-4 months after he's born but I wanted to get one so bad. I wanted a used one even more since they are so expensive new. Last night I was on Craig's List and found one. It is in excellent condition and I only paid $25. I went to pick it up in Marietta today. It took me about 45 minutes back and forth from work but it was well worth it. I've already cleaned it up some, just to put it in storage. I'm very excited!

Nice Surprises!

I went to the OB/GYN this morning and everything went well. I've only gained about 3 or 4 more pounds so I'm up 7 total. I think it is actually only 6 pounds because I didn't take my boots off this morning when I weighed. I'll check again next week with I go to the perinatologist. Evan's heartbeat sounded good on the doppler too. The doctor moved my appointments from 4 weeks from today until 3, so that I will see a doctor every 2 weeks until I hit the magical 32 weeks, when I get to go twice a week until Evan arrives.

When I arrived home today, I received the wonderful Rachael Ray oval saute pan that you see pictured above. Mike went to Linens and Things and bought it for me because I mentioned that I wanted that pan in particular and because they didn't have the entire 10 piece set. The 10 piece set doesn't include an oval saute pan (just a round one), so this was a nice treat. I was completely surprised, and especially impressed that he used a coupon! At least I have taught him one of my crazy coupon habits.

Katy, Mike's sister, arrives tomorrow. We are going to the Baby Faire at the Galleria on Saturday. I'm excited about going and that she is coming to visit us for a few days. I'll try to take a picture of her and me, and not just one of my new saute pan.

Rachael Ray

I am totally obsessed with Rachael Ray, but I can't stand to watch her on TV. I'm weird, I know! I have Tivo'ed her daytime show and the first one was so annoying that I only made it through half. I am going to try and watch some more when I get bored. I can watch her 30 Minute Meals and Tasty Travels shows but after 30 minutes, I want to beat myself silly because I find her so irritating. With all this said, I have every one of her cookbooks, one of her Furi knives, a subscription to her magazine, Every Day with Rachael Ray, and now I want the new set of the Rachael Ray hard anodized cookware with the funky orange handles. I am trying to figure out the best way to save money on it though. I think I can use a Linens and Things coupon on it! I also think I might get the set for Christmas.

Keep in mind, Mike does MOST ALL of the cooking. I think my obsession with the 30 minute meals cookbooks is because I have little or no talent in cooking. I can bake you a wonderfuly tasty cake but that's about the extent of it. My brother, Jerry, tells me that I have bland taste though, because I'm diabetic, so that must be why I can't cook. I don't have the taste for seasonings and sauces.

Evan is helping me find my sweet tooth these last few days though, so maybe after pregnancy, I might get a little kitchen talent since I have expanded my diet with sugary things. I can't get enough chocolate! I have an appointment with the regular OB/GYN tomorrow. I can't wait to see how much weight I've gained. I don't think it's that much and my blood sugar is in control (even with the chocolate) so everything should be fine.

6 Months!

Today, we are at 6 months of a pretty good pregnancy. I have no previous experience but I've been very lucky to not have had many of the horrible side effects I have heard and read about. I didn't have morning sickness at all and didn't have to rush to the bathroom every 5 minutes, until recently. Evan moves a lot now and I'm finally showing. It's kind of thrilling. Mike was able to feel Evan kick just the other day, which elicited a smile! I go to the regular OB doctor on Thursday to hear the heartbeat and measurements and next Thursday is another ultrasound.

Our next project is to re-paint Mike's old toy box. We are thinking about painting it into a firestation or a firetruck. It is rectangular and both long sides open on the top (hard to describe). Mike's dad made him the toy box when he was younger. Our progress might be slow so it will be a while for the pictures.

No More Vacations!

Vacation time is over. I am quickly approaching my 24th week so I guess I'll stay put near home for a while. There will be plenty of things to do around here, luckily. This weekend we are going on our maternity tour at Northside and then we have a wedding to attend in Monticello for our friends Shaye and Raymond. Next weekend is the Baby Faire at The Galleria and next weekend, the weddings start back up at church. Since I can't give my Lead Wedding Coordinator job away at church (I already tried to quit once), I am still the go to person to schedule altar servers and people on the guild to help. I enjoy it for the most part, until the weddings stack up!

Our trip to Minneapolis was alright. When we got there, it was chilly and rainy. I think we brought the weather back with us too! We are the worst at taking pictures so I have none. We will be better with pictures when Evan arrives. I hope everyone else's weekend went well.

One Last Long Trip

We leave again in the morning for Minneapolis, MN. I am going to work Sunday through Tuesday and Mike is going because I got an airfare deal and I will feel better with him there. I'm afraid I might get stuck with messing with heavy things since our work exhibit is huge and heavy. I should be more trusting of the other people going with me, but I'm not. I guess I've been the only one working at these insurance shows before! This will probably be our last big trip before Evan arrives. I'm not looking forward to airport security hassels with my insulin but it's probably not as bad as I imagine it to be. I hope the silent people that read this blog, and Andrea and Katie who actually comment, have a good weekend!

Our Typical Dinner

Baxter and Romeo waiting for their share

This is the picture we get to look at every night that Mike's home from work and we eat at the dinner table. Both Baxter and Romeo sit patiently and wait to see if we are going to share with them. Tonight was no exception with our feast of Publix chicken. Mike did share some with them since we are leaving again on Saturday for Minneapolis. I am attending a work conference and Mike gets another small vacation for 4 days.

Our Vacation

Sunset in Tampa 9/5/06 (from a moving car)

We started our vacation on Sunday and drove to Valdosta to see Katy and Derrick. We went to lunch at Mellow Mushroom and visited. After lunch, we drove the additional 4 hours south to Venice, Florida. We stayed in Venice with our friends Erin and Brent (from Dallas, TX), Erin's parents and their 3 month old baby, Alannah. We had a good time visiting. We couldn't go to the beach because of red tide but Erin's parent's house has a screened in pool so we were able to get some swimming in there.

We left Venice on Tuesday evening, after some shopping at the nearby outlet mall. We were going to stop and stay with Katy and Derrick but Mike got a phone call on the way home to take a flight (his second job is being a paramedic on medical flights). We decided to take a detour into Tampa and visit Landry's, a resturant that we went to almost 2 years ago before we went on our honeymoon cruise. It was a very nice dinner during sunset on our 2 year anniversary. Afterwards, we drove home and arrived here just after 3:00 AM.

Today, our neighbor brought us over a ton of boy clothes and I did some Goodwill shopping while in Florida so I don't need any more baby clothes!

I hope everyone else had a good Labor Day Holiday Weekend!

Packing Procrastination

I am the biggest procrastinator when it comes to packing to leave on a trip. I have done everything else today so that I didn't have to pack. Now, at 11:23 PM, I finally have to get some packing done or else I'll be up all night. That won't work either since I'm not a morning person, and I have to drive in the morning. Today I went to Macy's, again, home a few hours, church, then back to Ross and finally home to wash clothes and eventually, pack. I hope everyone has a good Labor Day holiday. I'll post something on Wednesday when we return home.

Labor Day Weekend!

I can't believe vacation is almost here! It took forever for this week to end. I had issues with a coworker all week and it was torture to get to this day. That's how it goes working with women, someone's always moody and I know I'm guilty many times too. We don't get to leave until Sunday morning when Mike gets off of work but it will be worth it. We will make a stop in Valdosta to see Katy and Derrick then head to Venice, FL. Tuesday evening, on our 2nd anniversary, we will drive back to Valdosta and crash there, if we get the okay with Katy and Derrick! I figure Mike won't be as tired of me going to the restroom every 30 minutes if we only do 4 hours of driving Tuesday and then 4 hours home on Wednesday.

My sister-in-law Heather wrote me to let me know that her and Elena are doing good. Elena was born 8/30/06 at 6:23 AM (Texas time) and weighed 7 lbs 5 oz, 20.5 inches long.

I'm sure I'll find something to blog about in my boredom tomorrow as I was clothes and clean the house. By the way, Macy's is having a good children's sale. Broke me, of course, couldn't resist just a little something on the Macy's card.

Evan's Pictures

Evan is 22 weeks and 4 days old today. I went in to the doctor to get his pictures taken this morning. I don't think he liked the Diet Coke that I had with breakfast though. He rolled around and around for the first 25 or so minutes of the ultrasound and he wouldn't move his arm out of the way of his aortic arch of his heart. The doctor and sonographer really wanted pictures of it and he didn't want to cooperate. After 40 minutes, he started fighting the ultrasound probe back. He was kicking and moving. He showed his boy parts well today too so we definitely know he's a boy. He is currently 1 lb. and on target! I am up to a 3 lb. weight gain myself, which I am pleasantly surprised with. The doctor thinks the small weight gain is fine too. We get to see Evan in another 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and then twice a week when I hit 32 weeks. I'm not looking forward to the twice a week appointments, just 10 weeks from now, but at least they will make sure that he's okay.

Ultrasound tomorrow

I go see the Maternal Fetal Specialist at 8:30 AM in the morning for my monthly ultrasound. I guess the frequent ultrasounds is the only advantage to being high risk. I am going to start my morning early with a nice caffine-full diet coke so that Evan will be awake this time. Last month, he wanted to sleep and the ultrasound lasted 45 minutes. Hopefully Evan's growth won't be too far ahead and everything will check out okay.

On a side note, congrats to my brother-in-law, Rob and his wife, Heather. They welcomed Elena Barbara Falk early this morning. I don't have many details. They live in Houston, Texas and started the Falk family baby wave. I'm next and Katy is due in late January. We can't wait to meet Elena at the next family function!

More Nursery Pictures

Lamp base and firetruck picture frame. The shade is on my Babies R Us registry.

Loved from the Start frame that Christina gave us. (I love this Hallmark Collection of frames)

My Craig's List firetruck rug. It was a deal at $8!

Wall hangings over crib with the new firetruck hooks

Firetruck pictures

Diaper stacker

I had nowhere else for this but I think it's a toy holder. We are going to put pictures in the white frame. There was also no other place for the cordless phone!

I'm playing with the curtains still. They are super long and over the curtains that were already there.

Ditto from the above picture

Mike helped me put the firetruck hooks up and hang the few pictures we have. The nursery is almost done, except we haven't stolen Mom's rocking chair yet. We also need the little nursery items but that will come in time.

Venting!

So it isn't bad enough that I work in insurance and contracts for bone marrow transplants all day at work! I don't understand why OB/GYN offices don't know how to check your benefits and not charge you an arm and a leg for a baby that I haven't even had yet. I fired my last OB/GYN's office because they would not refund my money after I met my out of pocket for the year. Today, I get home and have a nice letter asking me for $440, payable in 2 easy payments of $220 in September and in October. HELLO!!! I have met my out of pocket for the year. If I have to pay them more money this year, I will be completly broke. I already owe my insulin pump company over $1,000 for my new insulin pump. Sometimes, I wish I didn't have to go to 3 different doctors all the time and pay so much money. If I knew getting pregnant was going to make me broke, I would have waited until I won the lottery.

My eBay Habit

Mommy's diaper bag for Evan!

Firetruck hooks for our three wall hangings

I am addicted to eBay. I have been searching for the perfect diaper bag and I finally found one that I love. It arrived today, along with my other purchase, some firetruck wall hooks for the three wall hangings that will be hung over Evan's crib. I am now waiting on Mike's diaper backpack to arrive. I didn't think he was a big fan of the Waverly stripes and monogrammed bag. I have him a new Baby Bjorn City Blue Backpack on the way. It was a steal at only $20, much cheaper than my splurge.

It was a long day today so I was thrilled to have two packages waiting for me at the door when I got in from work. I'm exhausted too but luckily, my wonderful husband washed the sheets on the bed and the're inviting me to sleep. Sweet dreams to all!

One week until vacation!

Mike and I get to go on vacation one week from today! We are going to see our friends Erin and Brent who live in Texas. We also get to meet their new daughter, Lana. We are going to Venice, FL to stay at Erin's mom's house. We haven't seen Erin and Brent since shortly after our wedding and theirs, almost 2 years ago. Erin took all of our great engagement pictures and firestation wedding pictures.

We also celebrate our 2nd anniversary on September 5. Time flies when you're having fun and waiting on your first born to arrive!

I've been Tagged by Andrea

One Book that...

...changed my life

All of the 30 Minute Meals books by Rachael Ray. I can't cook well so they are a huge resource. I know they technically aren't book books.

...I've read more than once

I have a hard time reading books more than once, but as a reference, I've read parts over in The Pregnancy Bible and Your Pregnancy, Week by Week.

...I would want with me on a deserted island

I'll go with the consensus and say the Bible. I'm not a faithful bible reader but I am religious and spiritual and would definitely want God with me on a deserted island.

...made me laugh

Jenny McCarthy.. Belly Laughs

...made me cry

The book I finished about 20 minutes ago, Emily Giffin... Baby Proof. I cry when reading many books though.

...I wish had been written

How to read Mike's mind

...I wish had never been written

no idea

...I am currently reading

Just finished Baby Proof so no new book yet

...I've been meaning to read

The Breastfeeding Book. My cousin gave it to me and since I had to cancel my breastfeeding class, because my flex spending insurance money doesn't cover it, it will be a valuable resource. Also, I want to read Jenny McCarthy's Baby Laughs because her books are quick, brainless and funny!

I can't tag anyone else because Andrea is the only person I know with a blog.

Evan the Tax Deduction

The onesie my cousin, Christina, bought for Evan

I went to my new OB/GYN today and was very happy. The doctor and nurse practioner were so sweet and nice. They sat me down after we heard Evan's heartbeat and listened to my questions. They also said that we will probably have Evan around 39 weeks. That will make Evan a tax deduction! He may just arrive before 12/31/06! It would save us a little insurance money and I'm excited that we may get to meet our baby a little bit earlier.

Today, we also found out that Mike's sister, Katy and her husband, Derrick, will also have a baby boy. Their baby boy is due 3 weeks after Evan is due so we will have boys close to the same age! We're all very excited.

More good health news

I got my lab results back today from some blood I had drawn yesterday. My thyroid results were good but the one I cared about was my hemoglobin A1c. It tells my average blood sugar for the past 4-6 weeks. It came back great! I've been averaging 100-108 so my baby is reaping the rewards, and of course me too.

I see my new OB/GYN tomorrow. I had to fire the other practice I was seeing over an out of pocket money dispute. I think I'll only hear the heartbeat on doppler tomorrow and talk to the doctor, but at least I will get to see a real doctor. I never met a doctor at the other practice I went to. Other than that, nothing new is happening but I figured I would write something to bore the few people that read this. :)

Only 2 lbs!

I went to my endocrinologist today and found out that I have only gained 2 lbs, in my 20 weeks and 1 day. My scale at home has been playing tricks on me so I thought it was going to be more like 5-6 lbs. I'm happy with that since I was already overweight to begin with. The doctor was happy with it too, since we've tried everything over the past couple of years to get me to a normal weight. Don't worry, I'm not doing anything to harm Evan, just doctors orders.

20 weeks and moving!

Today is a milestone in my pregnancy. I am 20 weeks along today! It feels like a light switch has been flipped in the movement department too. Baby Evan is making his presence known. I first felt it for more than a few seconds today, during the NASCAR race, right when Mike's favorite driver, Matt Kenseth was winning the race. Not my choice of drivers but I guess he will be just like his daddy in the NASCAR choices. Now, as I'm about to go to sleep, I feel the prolonged butterflies again. It's strange but at least I know things are going as they should. I can't wait to feel more and more as the time flies by.

Cole's Birthday Party

This is actually a picture from Wednesday evening's birthday dinner for Cole. You can see that I've gained a little weight from my pregnancy.

Singing Happy Birthday!

The look when someone else blows out your candles

Getting ready to open presents

Mike helping to assemble some gifts

Yesterday was the day of the big birthday party. Cole had a great time and Christina did a wonderful job of throwing him a great party. We had fun too!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Cole!

My cousin, Christina, and my godson, Cole, at the Japanese Resturant

Riding the motorcycle game at Chuck E Cheese

Riding the firetruck

Mike and my Uncle Charles playing the firefighting game. Very serious!

Cole helping Mike play the firefighter game, or the other way around.

It was Cole's 3rd birthday yesterday. We started out at the Japanese Resturant to watch the cook light food on fire for Cole. Afterwards, we took in an hour of Chuck E Cheese. It was fun but it will be nothing compared to the party Christina is throwing him this weekend. After the fun last night, I curled up in the front seat of the car and slept for an hour. When we got home, I changed clothes and jumped right into bed, as usual!