Thursday, December 30, 2010

Updtaes on NBC (21 weeks), The Tike (17 months), moving and the holidays!


To say we've been busy might be an understatement; we've been running a sprint the past month and we're almost to the finish line. Between the holidays, colds/the flu, dr appoints for both me and the Tike, family here, getting ready to move to CO, etc. there really is never a dull moment in our lives right now. As I write this the packers/movers are in full force boxing up our apartment with most of it being moved back to Loveland and the rest staying in storage here in VA. Yesterday they packed all day and now today they’re finishing up packing and moving everything. We checked into another lovely hotel room last night and will be there until Monday when we finally get to leave here and head back west. A & I are so excited to be closer to family and to live in Mountain time. We can't stand this east coast time zone; everything comes on way past our bedtime. Tonight A & I are off to a Raw WWE event in downtown DC. I surprised A with ringside tickets for Christmas. I’ve never been to a show so this should be quite interesting and entertaining I’m sure. My uncle Bob and Bill are headed out this Saturday for the last home game and to drive Rambo and our pickup back. We’ve had quite the ordeal trying to figure out how to get the dog back since it’s too cold to fly him as cargo. Luckily I have a great family that’s always willing to pitch in and help, which is always appreciated. Anyway, time for a much needed update on everybody in the family!

Adam/Daddy update:
-Got to feel NBC move for the first time the other day!
-Earned “Defensive Player of the Game” for last weekends performance. He had a sack, 4 tackles, and a ton of QB pressures. It was a much deserving award for someone that has worked so hard all season long.
-Only has one game to go with a record of 6-9.
-He's healthy!!! He's started every game this year and is playing great.
-Ready to have a break from football and to get some much needed rest on a fatigued body.
-Is Jr's favorite person in the world! Jr loves hanging out with his Daddy. Jr loves his Daddy so much that he will barely let A put him down when he gets home from work.

The Tike @ 17 months:
-Uses a spoon independently, usually with his left hand. Eats oatmeal the best with it, since it sticks to the spoon the best.
-Is a 1 napper! Naps from 12-2ish and then plays in his crib till 2:30-3.
-Continues to sleep 8-7:30ish, gets up for breakfast at 8.
-Such a boy! Loves to play with cars, balls, and anything soft he can tackle.
-Busy doesn’t even begin to describe how active Jr is. He’s always on the go, unless he’s sleeping, but other than that he can barely sit still.
-Is a sweetheart and loves to give his little flirty look to the girls all the time. Also is great at giving hugs and kisses! He’s so gentle when he gives a kiss as not to hurt the person in anyway.
-Jr is already practicing to be a big brother and gives “The Baby” (mommy’s tummy) kisses all the time. He then will lift up his shirt and has the funniest look on his face. I think he’s wondering why he doesn’t have a tummy that sticks out quite like Mommy’s does. We’re trying to explain to him that only Mommy has a baby in her tummy. He likes to walk around to other people and try to have them pull their shirt up to see their belly. Ummm interesting?
-Is great at signing and is starting to try to say whatever you say.
-The tike loves to run!
-Jr is everything Daddy! He looks, acts, is built, etc just like his dad. Well come to find out he also runs like his dad. He has the lil arm swaying motion just like his daddy does. Go figure!
-Celebrated his 2nd Thanksgiving with Mom, Dad, Aunt Stacy, and Uncle Phil.
-Was dedicated to the Lord by M&D on the 27th of November. His godparents Phil and Stacy were able to be there for this big celebration.
-Loves to drink milk and  “Crunchies” have become his favorite food to eat. These are also his two favorite signs by far; we seem them all day long usually. The crunchies however are reserved to only a snack food, which Jr doesn’t quite understand.
-Had family pictures taken and got to wear Daddy’s game jersey for a couple pics. Wasn’t quite sure what to think when he tried to walk in his “dress.” Nonetheless, it’ll be exciting to see how much he grows into it and who knows maybe fills it out someday. Also took some pics of Daddy and him walking with their jerseys. I can’t wait to see how he compares to A in just a years time.
-The tike wasn’t quite sure when we took him outside to play in the snow. I can’t wait to take him sledding again this year. He loved go out in the snow to play and sled last year.
-Got to meet Santa again this year. However, Jr wasn’t a big fan of the bearded white haired man. He cried so Daddy took him and then they suggested we do a family pic. The family pic turned out great, however Mommy never got the screaming/crying pic of the Tike. Next year should be interesting to see what happens with a toddler and baby.
-Mom’s cousin, Val, came for a couple days from Texas where she’s a volleyball coach at a JC. The tike and Val played non-stop and just enjoyed hanging out together. Jr even showed her the ropes at the lil playground set inside the mall. A little girl scared Jr as she tried to pull him down the slide; I think she really liked him as she would not leave him alone, until finally her Dad came over and took her away.
-Jr does great at the gym daycare. He’s graduated to where he can go anywhere in the daycare place. I usually find him in the basketball court trying to play with the older boys. He’s busy picking up balls and they’re busy running around passing them to each other. He does poop almost every day we go there at the exact same time, which means that I get called everyday to come change him. One lady thought he really didn’t like daycare and that’s why they called my name every day; not so much, he actually loves day care and the kids, but can’t hang out in dirty pants very long.
-Celebrated his 2nd Christmas with Grandma Mc, Grandpa Mc, Uncle PJ, Daddy and Mommy. Daddy had to leave halfway through the day to fly down to Jacksonville for his game the next day. So we did most of our celebrating on Christmas Eve.
-It snowed on Christmas (just like last year), however this snow didn’t accumulate too much.
-For Christmas from M&D Jr is getting his first 4-wheeler. He hasn’t got his “Big” Christmas gift from us yet since we’re moving, but as soon as we get to Loveland he’ll finally get his big gift. He absolutely loved the one at Grandma/pa Mc farm and he was only a year when he rode around on that, so this should be interesting when he gets on this one.
-Jr got a terrible cold/fever right around Christmas. He had a fever that wouldn’t come down for a long time and simply did not feel good. He’s doing a lot better and you wouldn’t even know that just last week he was absolutely miserable.
-Lived on mashed potatoes when he didn’t feel very good. Wouldn’t eat anything else besides potatoes for a couple days.
-The Tike absolutely loved tearing off the bows on the presents and ripping off the paper. He didn’t quite understand there’s a gift inside, but really just enjoyed the bows and paper!
-Was spoiled at Christmas by all his grandparents, uncles, aunts and family.
-Enjoyed running around and playing in the pool at the hotel where Grandma/pa stayed.
-Has no fear of the water and loves to just go to the edge and jump in.
-His left bottom molar has finally come through. I think a lot of our cold/fever was due to this tooth trying to cut through.

Mommy @ 21 weeks pregnant with NBC:
-Can’t believe we’re already halfway through this pregnancy. Sometimes it seems like we just found out.
-Loves feeling the baby move (inside and outside).
-Is carrying NBC the exact same way I carried Jr, low and like a basketball.
-Finally feeling pretty good pregnancy wise. I work out at least 4-5 times a week doing weights and cardio.
-Is super excited that we're going on much-needed Mommy and Daddy trip! Here we come warm weather!
-Has had a touch of the flu/cold this week, but hopefully once everything settles down a bit so will my health.

Here's a quick little update on the major pregnancy points:
How far along? 21 weeks (5 months)
Total weight gain/loss: about + 9 lbs
Maternity clothes: Yes. I love my stretchy pants. Super comfy! A says my maternity jeans are like sweatpants with jean material.
Stretch mark? Nope.
Sleep: My favorite thing! I love to sleep because I'm so exhausted from everything going on right now.
Best moment this week: Last week at 20 weeks 2 days we got to see NBC via ultrasound. Two days after our ultrasound I had a regular OB appoint where I got to hear the heart beating nice and strong (when she could find it as NBC was moving around like crazy). Nothing could have made my week much better than seeing and hearing my sweet lil baby. Or at least I thought nothing could have made it much better, but then on Christmas Eve I felt the baby move from the outside. This week Adam got to feel the baby kick his hand. What pure joy came across Adam's face when he felt the sudden kick!
Movement: Yes! Especially right after I eat and the lil newbie is particularly active in the evening and at night. I can now feel the baby move from the inside and outside. The baby is sitting so low that when the baby does kick me it's way below my belt line. I do have an anterior placenta so I don't feel as much movement as I did with the Tike. I'm also busy running after the Tike all day long, so I don't take the time to notice that something is moving around in me.
Food Cravings: None. I know it's weird, but really nothing sounds that great. Just eat to feed the baby and keep my energy level up. It’s strange because I’ve been like this the whole pregnancy. Nothing really sounds that appetizing to me.
Gender: The ultrasound tech is the only one that knows. Can’t wait to do a couple wives tales and then have A tell me if we have a son or daughter on NBC’s birthday! Oh I just get goose bumps thinking about it!
Labor Signs: No, but I do feel some pressure already. I really hope this baby stays put longer than the Tike did.
What I miss: To be honest, not too much. I wish I had a little more energy and sometimes I still get a morning sickness feeling (early morning/late evening), that I wish would go away, but other than that I don’t miss a whole lot.
What I am looking forward to: Feeling more kicks, punches, and rolls! My next appointment which will be after A & I go on a much-needed toddler/babymoon!
Weekly Wisdom: Enjoy every moment of the pregnancy (it’s already half over). Take time for NBC each day, just to talk to him/her. Cherish the special moments between A, the Tike and NBC!
Milestones: Having our big ultrasound. Feeling movement from the outside.

I had a regular OB appointment last Thursday, where I got to hear NBC’s heart beating. However the lil one kept moving all around, which made it hard for the dr to find it with her Doppler. He/she’s a very active little machine! Here are the quick highlights from the appointment:

Baby weight: 11 oz
My weight:  about +9 lbs
Baby Heartbeat: 130’s
My blood pressure: 114/72


“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”-John 16:33

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

NBC Ultrasound Pics 20 wks 2 days (Jr's ultrasound blog from 20 weeks too)





































 

Life is amazing and I can't believe how blessed I am to have a healthy baby growing inside of me. We had our big ultrasound on Tuesday and everything seems to be going great with the little one! I absolutely love watching the heartbeat and seeing all four chambers hard at work! We even got some cool 4-D pics of the lil one just sleeping away! A looked over at me when we were looking at the 4-D images and said, "I would hate being in there. There's absolutely no room and does that look comfortable?!" NBC was sleeping most the time as it was 8:30 in the morning and NBC seems to be most active in the evening and in the middle of the night (wonder what this will mean when he/she is born!)! The ultrasound did take a little longer because baby and tech were not on the same page. Tech wanted to measure particular things, however baby would not move to help her get the measurements. Finally after an hour and half they had everything they needed and we were free to go. Baby was measuring 20 weeks 1 day and technically that day I was 20 weeks 2 days based on first measurements that were taken when I was about 6 weeks or so. Here's the quick highlights from the ultrasound:

-Baby Weight: 11 oz
-Baby Measuring: 20 week 1 day (right on schedule)
-Baby Heart rate: 136 bpm
-Placenta is high and anterior (this is great news, but also a possible reason I'm not feeling much movement, also most movement is coming in the middle of the night).
-Baby is nestled very low and it's head is already on top on my cervix.

So funny story about our ultrasound and whether NBC is a boy or girl. In a nutshell it went something like this. The tech comes in and puts the fun gel all over my tummy and does a small meet and greet with A & I . She then starts to do the ultrasound and then suddenly stops and looks at us and ask "Do you want to know the sex?" We then proceed to tell her that we don't want to know the sex and she says, "Ok. You might want to close your eyes then because baby is head down and legs are up in the air, which will give me a great pic of whether it's a boy or girl. And trust me you'll be able to see if it's a boy. So given the position of the baby, you two should close your eyes." We then proceed to close our eyes for a couple minutes while she measures everything. She then goes back to just looking at the head and we were allowed to watch from then on out. I asked her later on if she knew for sure what we were having and she said "Yes." She then proceeds to tell me that it's difficult when the parents don't want to know because she has to watch what she's doing a little closer as to not show us something that might reveal the sex of the baby. When she got to measuring the heart beat, she said another thing that was quite interesting. So the heart beat measured in at 136 bpm. She told us it's an old wives tale that holds no truth to whether it's high (girl) or low (boy). The whole little ordeal was quite interesting and she really tried to steer clear of the lower body while doing the ultrasound, but who knows??!! A & I just looked at each other and laughed after the whole experience! Let the guessing games begin!!!!

I love the fact that NBC is going to be a surprise just like Jr was! It's so much fun and I love the guessing games that go on. We do plan on doing lots of wives tales just like we did with Jr, but only he/she will tell us the complete truth when he/she is born whether we've got another one on the blue team or if this little one is sending us to the pink side!

A Baby is truly the gift that keeps on growing!

*So I found my post from when we had our big ultrasound with Jr and it was quite interesting the close similarities between them.
-I was measuring 20 week 2 day with Jr and was 20 week 1 day with NBC.
-Heart rates both were lower. 144 for Jr and 136 for NBC
-Jr weighed in at 13 oz and NBC at 11 oz.
-I carry both babies really low.
-Plus a lot of similarities between this pregnancy and my pregnancy with Jr!

Wonder what this little one will be:) We will know soon enough!!!



Here's my blog post from when we had Jr's Big Ultrasound:

Baby's Big Ultrasound

Baby C’s first pictures:


Today was so amazing that it just left Adam and I speechless. What do you say when you see all that God has done for you?! Two o’clock couldn’t have come sooner for me; I was so excited to see Baby C for the first time. We pulled out the video camera to catch it all on video. Here’s about 16min worth of video. You can really see the spine, heart, legs, and arms. She goes into detail about the stomach, kidneys, etc. She said everything looks to be measuring well and that overall the baby looks healthy.


wks we’ll have another ultrasound done and maybe then Baby C will decide to cooperate, but maybe not if its stubborn like its parents:) The tech was able to measure everything else, except some thing’s on the face/head. Our tech tried really hard to get the baby to move it’s head, but let’s just say we have a camera shy little one. We tried jiggling the ultrasound wond, moving me around, emptying my bladder, but Baby C just preferred to show us his/her wonderful looking spine. Seeing the four chambers of the heart was amazing and just so cool to watch beat away. Here’s some details from today’s appointment.

Baby weight: 13 oz


Measuring me at: 20w 2d (a wk ahead of schedule)


Heart rate: 144bpm


We talked to the Dr. about the headaches that I seem to be getting all the time lately and also about my stomach problems. He thinks a lot of my headache problems are from me not sleeping very well. We have some things we’re going to try and hopefully we can get something figured out. Our nurse asked us about any names we were thinking about, so Adam and I told her the names we were thinking about. We’ve never told anybody (strangers) the names we were thinking about, so today was full of a couple firsts. Anyway, right now we have two boy names we really enjoy and one girl name, which both Adam and I love. However, we’re keeping the names a secret until the baby is born. We would both like to see the baby before we name it.


Today I’ve felt pretty good; however, I can’t seem to shake this headache that started this afternoon. This pregnancy has been rough on me, but I am so thankful to be pregnant and can’t wait to meet little blessing inside of me. The Lord has truly blessed me with so much and I am forever grateful for everything!


Just as I speak/type, Baby C decided to give me a good kick in the side. Oh how I’ve missed that feeling:)


“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”- Romans 6:23

Thursday, December 2, 2010