Oh, the Weather Outside is Frightful....

It has been snowing, pretty much non-stop at our house for about 48 hours now!


I am lovin' it!

It's supposed to clear up tonight and be in the 50's for Halloween night.

Something tells me we're going to see a lot of this this winter!
No complaints here!
I may be singing a different tune by March, though!

37 Weeks...

Alright, I am officially, officially full term now! That means that this baby can come anytime and Dr. P won't do anything to stop it!

I had my 36 week appointment on Monday and everything is still looking great! We have decided that each week when I go in, I need to lay on my left side for a little bit before they take my blood pressure because when they take it right away, it's a little high. We don't want that.

When Dr. P measured me this week, she said, "I think you have a long baby in there!" That would explain why I can feel the baby's head pressing down on my tailbone, but also feel pressure right up in my rib cage! So, we'll see how many inches Baby Bruce is soon.

And when Dr. P listened to the heartbeat, Baby had the hiccups, which was really cute to hear! Dr. P said that when the baby gets the hiccups, it's good because it means Baby is using its diaphragm muscles and practicing inhaling and exhaling. Baby's head is still down and he/she still enjoys stretching his/her feet out my side. It hurts!

I can't find my What to Expect book at the moment and I'm too lazy to go searching for it. And I'm not a big fan of what the website says because it's a lot of stuff about my anatomy, which I'm sure you all just LOVE reading about...

Basically, Baby weighs about 6 1/2 pounds right now and will continue to gain about a half a pound a week until D-Day!

I have been busy this week with washing the baby clothes I've received and blankets and towels. The nursery is coming together and looks really cute.

Riley knows something is going on, too! She will go in the baby's room and sniff around. I also set the pack 'n play up in our bedroom for the beginning nights and she likes sniffing that and licking the corner of it. She's so cute.

My Night/Morning...

Well, it's 7:42 on Saturday morning and I have been WIDE AWAKE since 4:00 am.

I did not fall asleep until 1:15 or so.

That's maybe 2 1/2 hours of sleep.

I finally got out of bed at about 5:30 and decided to play an online game or two. At about 6:20, I had a really strong Braxton Hicks contraction (not abnormal), followed by a text from my soul sista, Katrina (who, as you remember is pregnant with twins and is due 5 days after me) that said, "Water broke! Pray for us!"

As I was still contracting, I waddled to the bedroom to inform Stephen of all the excitement, and texted Katrina back that we are so excited they're having their babies today! And then we prayed.

That is Reason #1 why I love being married to my Huzz.

Then, we were just laying there, reflecting on the fact that this is going to be us in the next few weeks, when I had another Braxton Hicks contraction, just 8 minutes after the previous one.

Hmmm, that's weird.

I switched positions and we continued to talk in bed.

I had another one after that, just seven minutes later.

Now, in our birthing class, Nurse Chris told us that if we have 4 BH contractions in an hour before our 37th week to call our doctor because we could be in preterm labor.

Then, I decided I was hungry. I had been up for almost 3 hours, after all!

So, I waddled to the kitchen to make a PBJ sandwich and had another contraction, which was just another 7 minutes after the previous one.

Well, I decided that I'd eat before calling the doctor because I was starving.

I ate my sandwich and have drunk about 18 ounces of water. I don't think I've had anymore contractions.

I do think that I couldn't sleep and have been wide awake because of Katrina. Maybe I've been having mild contractions because of her, too. I don't know...it's weird.

In any case, I don't think I'm in preterm labor right now. I have my next doc's appointment on Monday afternoon, at which they'll be "checking me" for dialation and fun things like that from now on. Yippee!

Nathan and Katrina, we love you and are thinking about you and praying for you and those babies today! We are soooooooooo excited!

For later on today, I'm looking forward to watching the Huskers beat Iowa State! Game starts at 11:30 central time. GO BIG RED!!!!! Hopefully, that won't put me into labor!

PS - Huzz is not happy that the Huskers game is IN HD on Fox Sports and the CU game is NOT IN HD, even though it's the local game. Haha. Just shows you that CU fans are not as loyal as Husker fans!

36 Weeks...

Okay, I'm getting all caught up today!


Physically, I am very ready for Baby Bruce to make his or her appearance, ASAP! As I mentioned in my previous post, my back has started spasming down in the sciatic area, which hurts a whole lot. This forced me to go and get a back support belt thingy. I think it's helping, but certainly has not removed all my discomfort.


And the heartburn...it is killing me. Maalox is like, my appetizer before each meal. And even then, it only gives me relief for a short while. I read that once Baby drops down a little, my heartburn should subside a bit. I hope so.

Also, my feet look like Fred Flintstone feet pretty much all the time now.

Okay, now for the technical information from the Baby Bible.

"Weighing about 6 pounds and measuring somewhere around 20 inches tall, your baby is almost ready to be served up into your arms. Right now, most of baby's systems (from circulatory to musculoskeletal) are just about equipped for life on the outside. Though the digestive system is ready to roll, too, it hasn't really gotten a workout yet. Remember, up until this point, your baby's nutrition has been arriving via the umbilical cord - no digestion necessary. But that's soon to change. As soon as baby takes his or her first suckle at your breast (or bottle), that digestive system will be jump-started - and those diapers will start filling."
~ What to Expect When You're Expecting, 4th Edition

Basically, this baby can come ANYTIME! Wa-hoo! Hopefully, it will wait at least another couple of weeks, though, because the baby's room looks like a bomb has hit it. I can't close out our registry for another couple of weeks (don't get me started on that stupid policy), so I'm at a stand-still, since we need to get some more basics (like a mattress) before I can really set up the nursery.

If you think of it, say a little prayer for the 3 of us. For me, I am getting more anxious about the actual birthing process. For Baby, obviously, that when he/she decides to come outta there, that it will all go smoothly. And for my Huzz, that he will continue to be calm and soothing to me. I can tell that he is getting pretty excited about this new addition to our family! And I'm sure he's looking forward to not having to rub my feet anymore!

Tad & Holly's Wedding...

My dear cousin, Tad, who is six months younger than me got married this past weekend in Omaha!

This was a very special wedding to celebrate because Tad has always been in my life. I have so many fun memories with him and my other cousins. There are six of us, all within about 2 1/2 years of each other and we grew up together.

Tad's sisters, Lissa and Jaimie, gave a toast at the reception and shared their "Top 10 Embarrassing Memories" of Tad. I remembered several of them, as I was a part of them, too.

It is so awesome to see Tad so happy with his new beautiful wife, Holly!

I don't know what's wrong with me, but I took very few pictures at the wedding. I wish I had gotten a picture of the happy couple. Take my word for it. They were HAPPY!

At the beginning of the reception, I reminded Gramma how the first thing I saw when we walked into our reception was her standing on a chair!

So, she promptly jumped up on a chair to whoop and holler as Tad and Holly were announced!

I love my Gramma!

And this little girl stole my heart all weekend. My niece, Hannah, is talking so much and has the cutest personality. I wish she (and her parents) lived closer! Hannah is saying my name perfectly. I have to say I was a big hit. This is her dancing with her daddy.

Over the weekend, we learned that Hannah is going to be a big sister! Congrats, Kyle, Alexis, and Hannah!

This is my cousin, Jaimie, and her daughter, Makenna. Both Jaimie and Makenna were in my wedding, as bridesmaid and flower girl. Aren't they both gorgeous?

We also learned that Makenna is going to be a big sister, too! Congratulations Jaimie, Clayton, Taylor, and Makenna!

Babies are in the air!

Here's a picture of my sister Kelsi, and my Aunt Cheryl. Over the weekend, we learned....

Just kidding! Neither one of them is having a baby anytime soon. Ha!

And here is a picture of my handsome Huzz and me. Because my feet were hurting about 5 minutes after I put my shoes on before we left for the wedding, I spent the majority of the evening sitting down. My feet were humongous by the end of the night! I had even gone and bought shoes a whole size bigger just for the wedding.

Shoes are my enemy right now.

Once again, we are just so overjoyed for Tad and Holly! We pray you will have a beautiful life together. Thank you, Holly, for making my cousin so happy!

35 Weeks...

I know I never posted last week, but we were out of town for my cousin's wedding and I just didn't have time to sit down and blog.

But here's a picture of me in the hotel room.

We drove to Omaha and back, which was hard on me. When we got back, my back began spasming and getting very angry at me.

So, at 35 weeks, I got bigger of course, and more uncomfortable.

The end.

Seriously?

Two Years Ago Today...

We married each other.

We committed to each other.

We began the rest of our lives together.

I am so blessed that I get to spend the rest of my life with my husband.

I am so thankful God gave me this gift.

I love you, baby!

*Photos courtesy of Brad Walters Photography

34 Weeks...

It's GAME DAY, baby!!!

I'm filling out my jersey a little more than last time! And last time, I was wearing shorts with my jersey. As I write this, it is 35 degrees outside and it's misting/snowing! Even for Colorado, the 8th of October is a little early for such weather.

"Your baby could be as tall as 20 inches right now and weighs about 5 pounds. Got male (a male baby, that is)? If you do, then this is the week that his testicles are making their way down from his abdomen to their final destination: his scrotum. And in other baby-related news, those tiny little fingernails have probably reached the tip of his or her fingers by this week, so make sure you have baby nail clippers on your shopping list!"

~What to Expect When You're Expecting, 4th Edition

Now, the fact that Baby Bruce weighs about 5 pounds is crazy to me! When I was born, I was 5 pounds, 1 ounce!

My sleeping problems are getting worse and I'm passing them onto Huzz because I am snoring, apparently really loudly! I got some breathing strips, but Huzz thinks they make it worse. I think it's probably due to my squished diaphragm and lungs. Sorry Stephen!

Also, my hips and lower back are aching more and more. Fun times!

Let's go, Huskers! Beat Missouri tonight!

33 Weeks...

I know I am posting 4 days late, but the last 4 days have been so busy!

First, I'll talk about Baby Bruce. I went to my doctor's appointment on Friday and found out that the little monkey is head-down, so that is great news! Dr. P says that at this point, babies rarely flip back up, so hopefully Baby will stay in position.

I also spoke with Dr. P about vaccinations. I have been reading a lot about the normal flu vaccine and the infamous swine flu vaccine lately and was on the fence. I don't overreact to sickness and illnesses, but just try to eat right and gets lots of sleep during cold and flu season. But Dr. P said that she's never seen an illness like swine flu in her 16 years of having her practice and she's strongly recommending all OB patients to get the vaccine.

Because I trust her, I decided to follow her advice. And Huzz and I need to go get our normal flu vaccines soon. Again, the only time I've ever actually had the flu is two months after I got the flu shot when I was living in Maryland. But again, I could react differently since I'm pregnant. Sigh... This is just the beginning of making decisions like this for our family!

As you can see, I continue to get larger.

Baby is now the size of a large melon and should be over 4 pounds now!

"Baby's gaining weight almost as fast as you are these days (averaging out to about half a pound a week), which puts the grand total so far at more than 4 1/2 pounds. Still, your baby has plenty of growing up (and out) to do. He or she may grow a full inch this week alone and may come close to doubling in weight by D-day. And with that much baby inside your uterus now, your amniotic fluid level has maxed out (there's no room for more fluid now). Which explains why those pokes and kicks are sometimes extremely uncomfortable: There's less fluid to cushion the blows. Antibodies are also being passed from you to your baby as your little one continues to develop his or her own immune system. These antibodies will definitely come in handy on the outside and will protect your baby-to-be from many of those playground germs."

~ What to Expect When You're Expecting, 4th Edition

I have been getting lots of sharp pain from Baby's legs stretching up under my ribs. That hurts!

Last Thursday, Bro-in-law "E", flew in from the northwest for the weekend and his wife, Julie came on Friday night. On Thursday evening before we headed to the airport to pick up "E" (that's what we call him, seriously), we headed to the baby superstore to pick up the crib that had come in. Then, we headed to Triple B to buy the raised air mattress that was on sale and we had a 20% off coupon for. We got a $300 bed for about $180. Not bad, eh? We picked up "E" and got home kind of late.

Friday was spent getting ready for Saturday: cleaning, straightening, brushing Riley, fixing the kegerator, all the things you do to get ready for about 30 people to come to your house. Huzz turns 30 this coming Wednesday, so we celebrated that on Saturday night with a BBQ get together with friends. By the time the party started at 5:00, my feet were already throbbing with pain, but I pushed on until 1:00 am!

I made and decorated this cake and a sheet cake ~ do you like?

That cake was on FIRE!!! Haha.

Then, we had to get up by 8:30 on Sunday morning (we didn't make it to church) and drive down to the Springs so Julie could help host my baby shower at my mother-in-law's house. I hung out with my mom until it was time for the shower and that started at 2:00. It was so fun! I love seeing people who I don't get to see on a regular basis, but I have known since I was little. I have felt so blessed, loved, and cared for these past couple of weekends with these showers!

After the shower, we headed back to D-Town to take E and Julie to the airport, stopping at Noodles for dinner along the way. By the time Huzz and I got home, my feet were the most swollen they have ever been! I soaked them in cold water and then propped them up the rest of the night. They look a lot better now, but are still swollen, so they're up on the ottoman.

Today is a lazy day. I have a lot to do, but I've decided that today is my recovery day and I'll get busy tomorrow!

Quick update: my friends, the Stroups, have brought home their little Livia Joy home from the NICU! It sounds like she is doing awesome. Thank you for any prayers you lifted up for this family during the last couple of difficult and joyful months.