36 Week Appt

Progression has been made, but not quite enough for a hospital admit. :)

Everything looks GREAT! Measuring right on, baby's heartbeat is good & strong, B/P still goes up, but comes down quickly with rest & we are now 2cm dilated & 80% effaced!

Any day now baby Drake will be joining us, just a matter of when he is ready!

This morning I am meeting with the Maternity Care Coordinator at St. Luke's to go over how I would like things to go in a perfect delivery (which we all know never happens). Then the dogs go to the vet this afternoon & then work tonight.

I am 37 weeks today, the official marker of Full Term!

Nesting & Contractions

I woke up this morning thinking of all the things that need to be done! Not that we couldn't bring Drake home otherwise, but I don't want to come home to a dirty house with visitors to follow. I know things I shouldn't worry about right?

Anyway, today I have cleaned out the fridge, cleaned the kitchen, loaded - ran - unloaded the dishwasher, caught up on laundry, cleaned the bathroom, rearranged the dog food/treat area (our dining room was getting a bit to cramped for my liking), washed the dog bed blankies, took Scout for his pre-neuter exam, made appt's for both dogs to be spay/neutered on May 13th, made an appt with the vet on Thursday (for the 2nd round of Kenzie's shots, Frontline application for both dogs, & heartworm med for Scout), made an appt on Thursday to meet with the Maternity Care Coordinator at St. Luke's, paid bills, & ate LC's with Tahisha!

Whew, what a day!! And I still have to work tonight!

Does it sound like I'm nesting??

The contractions are still coming regularly. They are doing the same thing as yesterday, getting stronger as the day progresses. Maybe working will put me into labor, who knows?

Tomorrow I go for my regular appt with Dr. Miller. They are doing my Strep B test & a normal check up. We shall see what she says... 

1st Trip To L&D

This evening we made our first trip to the labor & delivery floor at St. Lukes! I am excited to say that because it means things are moving along, just not quite far enough along yet.

I have been having contractions off & on for the last few days & this afternoon they became more regular (about 3 to 6 min apart). I could still function with them, but was also having back pain & shooting pains in my pelvic area (I know lovely, right).

I called the doctor & they said I can always go in to be checked out. If I feel like it is needed or the contractions get worse to go ahead & go.

Dustin came home at 5:00pm, we got a doggie sitter & off we went.

When we got there they hooked me up to the monitors, checked my urine, checked my vitals, checked my cervix & checked to see if my water had broke.

My water had not broke, my cervix was still at a 1, my urine was fine, my vitals were good except my B/P which was 140/87, baby's heart rate was good in the 150's, & I was having good contractions about every 3 to 4 minutes apart.

They then wanted to watch me for an hour, check labs for Toxemia, & then recheck my cervix.

2 hours later my contractions were still happening (a little less intense), my B/P was much better at 125/82, my toxemia labs came back normal, & my cervix was still a 1.

So home we came.

I was instructed to come back if my contractions got worse in intensity (meaning I have to stop what I am doing & can't talk thru them), my water breaks, I have signs of hypertension (headache, blurry vision, dizziness), or I have bleeding.

So now I am hanging out on the couch & playing the waiting game. It is back to work tomorrow night if nothing progresses, doctors appt Wednesday afternoon, & work again on Thursday.

If we have a baby by Sunday, I have been right all along! I have been saying this week thru the whole pregnancy. :) My Mom swears it will be Thursday (the 16th). Dustin still thinks next week. We shall see!!

Maternity Pictures

TaDa! 

Here they are!

There are several I LOVE & some that aren't so flattering of course. It is a little hard to see yourself with an extra 28 pounds on & feel okay with it.

I wish we would have done more just belly shots & less full body, but here are some of our Favorites!

Any Suggestions?!?!?

*UPDATE*

After trying everything I could think of, all the suggestions & everything I could google my beloved rings would not come off.

So I went to Helzberg & they also tried to get them off with no luck. Out came the cutters. This was much more traumatic than I expected, I was holding back the emotion as she was cutting my wedding rings. I didn't think it would bother me like that, we of course will have them fixed after my swelling goes down, but the thought of my rings being cut was hard.

So with 2 sore fingers, $150.00 to renew our care plans (instead of the $400-$500 to fix them) & all my rings cut I am back home.

I can't wait to get them fixed & wear them again, I knew I missed having them on but I didn't realize how much!

I need some suggestions, fast!

Yesterday we got maternity pictures taken, which was so much fun!! But I of course had to put on my wedding rings (which I have not worn in probably 3 months) & now I CAN'T get them off!!! I had to sleep in them last night hoping the swelling would go down a little, but it hasn't.

I have tried several different things: ice, soap, oil, tape, plastic wrap, etc.

Anyone have any other great ideas?!?!

The next problem is I have to work tonight, which is when I swell the most! If I go to the jewelry store & have them cut off can the fix them later once my fingers get back to a normal size??

32 Days To Go!

Only 1 month (or close to it) left before we meet our BABY!!!!

It is so surreal to think he is going to be here soon. As I walk around the house it is obvious of the change that is appoarching. The bottles & such are washed & in the cabinet, the swing, playpen, bouncy chair, toys, bumbo & car seat are in their "homes" & ready to be used. Our room has his little bassinet & my side table now includes diapers, wipes, blankets & burp rags! His room is complete with our packed bags sitting on the floor (to be moved to the car in the next few days). I don't feel like we could be more ready, but I am sure when the time comes there will be something I don't have! I know everyone thought I was crazy for starting to get things done so early in the pregnancy, but now I can't tell you how glad I am to have everything in place. As we got baby items thru the entire pregnancy I got them washed, put together & put away immediatly & by doing that we have never felt overwhelmed & now we feel prepared. I know if our baby were to join us tomorrow we could bring him home & be ready to care for him without our house being in an uproar. Thanks again to all our friends & family for all the amazing support & generosity you have given & continue to give us!!

This evening we are getting maternity pictures done. I am actually super excited about it!!! I didn't think I wanted to do it, but I am so happy that we are now. I will post some as soon as we have them back!

Yesterday, Tahisha & I went to visit Amber & baby Evan! He is so tiny & cute! Amber seemed to be settling into Mommy-Hood with no problem & was happy to have her "Peanut" home. He is having a little bit of an issue with his billirubin, temperature regulation & losing weight. But they are on top of things & are watching him closely. I am so happy to have a friend to share this amazing experience with & I hope our boys will be buddy's!

Pictures are up!

This is what you see when going up the stairs to our bedrooms! It reminds me every time that our little one will be here soon! I hope he likes his room as much as we do!

Again, here is our changing table & comfy rocking chair! I purchased the Diaper Genie yesterday, which we are super excited about (oh the small things in life)! The baskets have all the essential items in them & are ready for use!

The quote above the window says
"Some people dream of angels I hold one in my arms "


Drake has his own pet fish already!
Actually we have had our "Fishy" for some time, but we decided it would be a good addition to his room!
The blue picture above the chairs says
"Teeny, tiny little toes, small and round litle nose; A precious gift from heaven above, my sweet baby that I love."


Here is his name again, nothing has changed. I am trying to think of something to hang under it. The picture to the right says "Blessings come in all shapes and sizes".


I didn't realize until I had everything out that all our pictures are frames. So right now they are of strangers, but soon enough they will be filled with our growing family!

Siblings & Friends

Scout & Kenzie have become quite the pair these days. They are always together either playing, sleeping, or causing trouble!

We have taken them places seperately now & then & the whole time one is gone the other is pouting & looking around the house. It really is cute!

Even though they aren't really "blood" siblings, they have so many of the same markings & physical features.

She has discovered & LOVES rawhide bones!!! It will keep her busy for at least a couple hours. The sharing is still a little hard at times. They both like to "hide" their bones around the house from each other. It is pretty funny!!

She is now 19 weeks old & is weighing in at 33 pounds!! Yes, she is going to be a big girl!! Gaining 6 pounds in 1 week!

Kenzie's favorite thing is to cuddle with anyone! Scout on the other hand is not much of a cuddler, but he lets his Kenzie girl snuggle right up! This is a very familiar site at our house. :)


As far as training goes things are getting much better! She is now about 95% potty trained, with occassional peeing in the house (no pooping though!), more so on days like today when it is yucky outside & we aren't out as much. She also is completely kennel trained, can sit, stay, come & has learned the word "no".
She is coming along & I think we can say she has become part of our family!

34 Week Appointment

We are finishing up week 34! Tomorrow starts our 35th week! I can't believe we are going to be welcoming our Baby Boy into the world soon! It seems so close yet so far away, but if April goes as fast as March did he will be here before we know it!

The last few weeks have been the toughest for me. This 3rd trimester has been my worst. I am just uncomfortable all the time, the swelling in my feet & legs is constant, the pressure in my pelvis & now my back is unbearable at times & to top it all off I can't sleep (between not being able to get comfortable & our Kenzie). I know I am complaining, I don't mean to, I am so ecstatic to be at this point & to be feeling Drake kick & move around so much.

I went to my 34 week appointment today. Dr. Miller said everything looks good & we are right on track. Baby/uterus is measuring right on schedule &his heart beat sounded healthy & strong. She also checked me again today (due to all the pressure I have). I have officially began dilating! Don't get too excited, she said she wouldn't even call it a 1 yet, but progress is progress, right?!? I can't even begin to imagine the pressure I am going to be feeling as we get closer & closer!

We have started making guesses about when we think lil Man will join us. I think it will be during the week of April 13th. Dustin thinks it will be the following week (April 20th) & my Mom said tonight she thinks it will be April 16th. She is going for the day, not even a range! Anyone else have any guesses??

Everything else is moving along. We have everything washed, opened & put away. We are prepared & ready whenever Drake wants to join us. I even have our bags packed for the most part!

Today my friend Amber (from work) is having her Baby Boy!! She has been on bedrest for 4 or 5 weeks now due to high blood pressure. She has been in the hospital since last Thursday & began showing symptoms of preclampsia. So she is now 37 weeks & her doctor decided it is time! They have had a long last 2 days, but hopefully by now they are holding their precious baby!

Family & Friends Baby Shower

On March 14, 2009 we had our Family & Friends Baby Shower!

The shower was at Stone Canyon in Parkville (great place for gatherings, they make you very comfortable & clean up). We had a packed room! It is so amazing to see all the Love & Support we have for our growing Family!

I have posted just a few pictures! Hope you enjoy!

A special Thank You goes to my Aunt Shelley for hosting the shower!

We would also like to Thank everyone for coming & for all the AMAZING gifts we received! We could not be ready if it wasn't for all of our wonderful family & friends!