Giraffes, Monkeys, Elephants and Tigers - Oh My!

My wonderful husband, Nick finished the boarder in the nursery this weekend! He's been very busy. I thought I would be helping with everything to prepare for our little girl's arrival but Nick has been doing all of it! He even went out on Black Friday to 4 different stores with a list I helped him with! Thank you, Nick!

Back in June, Nick and I decided to go with a gender neutral theme with most of our baby stuff including the nursery, car set, stroller.. etc. We plan on having more children and wanted something that could go with a boy or a girl!

Here's a funny story about the border: Nick and I ordered a border from Babies R Us that we liked. A few weeks ago we tried putting it up with some paste/glue that Nick had discovered online and the reviews were great. We thought it would be an easy task. How hard could it really be to put up a border? Well about 18" into putting it up, we were both pretty frusterated and decided to bag it. (It took all of 5 mins. for us to get to that point). So I suggested that I should cut out all of the animals individually. Nick thought it was a crazy idea.. but since I've been on bed rest, I've been looking for project that I can do while relaxing in my recliner. It only took about 6 days, on and off.. and all of the animals were cut out! And there you have it.. our "make-shift" border. Paint and some animals cut out from the border.

There's tigers in the border up above. We had to go with the lion on the wall.

I LOVE it!!

Nick hard at work!

Cookies for our troops!!

This is just a snapshot of all of the cookies that my friend, Anna and I made yesterday. We made over 20 dozen cookies for my little sister Ashely who is currently in Afghanistan until March. Anna was the baker and I was the roller. While I rolled the dough into balls, Anna was manning the oven and the process in the kitchen. Thank you Anna for all of your help. The cookies look amazing and I'm sure the troops will LOVE them! We made enough to ship 2 large 'Flat Rate' boxes! It feels SO good to ship stuff over there. A little bit goes a long way.

(Peanut Butter, Snickerdoodles and Chocolate Chip cookies!!).

So much to be thankful for

We hope that all of our friends and family had a wonder and relaxing Thanksgiving.

A few days before Thanksgiving, we had a bit of snow here in Washington. Nick never has any trouble driving around in the snow. I was very thankful not to have to drive to work or worry about my branch being open this year. I was safe and cozy at home.

Nick and I were joined by my parents and headed over to Nick's parents for Thankgiving dinner. Because of my gestational diabetes we went with the lower carb options. We had prime rib for dinner instead of turkey, sweet potatoes, stuffing, cranberries and fresh green beans. YUM!

I've been on an egg kick the last couple of weeks. Cobb salad with an egg, egg salad sandwiches and even just a hard boiled egg with an eggo for breakfast. Thanks Mike for making these for us to enjoy!

Dinner is served.

Nick slicing up the prime rib before dinner. His dad, Mike had to supervise.

While my mom and Nick's mom, Sue enjoyed feeling or watching the baby move around in my very large belly.

We really enjoyed our day.

An update from the doctor's visits on Wednesday:

Nick was able to join me for the non-stress test this week for the first time! He was quite facinated by everything from hearing her heartbeat the whole time to being able to see what her heartrate was. (It ranges from the 130's to 200). Out little girl passed the test once again with flying colors. She's very active!

My belly is measuring 41 cm and I gained a pound over the last week! I'm up to 3 pounds gained. At this point, she should be gaining an ounce a day or a half a pound a week.

(She currently has the hiccups). =)

Her head measurement went from 9.37 to 9.60 cm.

I'm now almost dilated 2 cm and 75% effaced. I'm having contractions more frequently and can tell my body is getting ready for the big day.

Nick and I asked Dr. Call about calling him first if my water were to break or I went into labor. Yep, we're suppose to give him a call day or night before heading into the hospital. He also told us that we can schedule the inducement on Saturday the 11th, but that doesn't mean it will happen fast and she'll be born that day.

We have an ultrasound scheduled for Monday the 6th to get a better idea of her size and weight. We'll meet with Dr. Call on Wednesday the 8th and discuss our options then.. and schedule either the c-section (crossing our fingers it doesn't have to happen that way) or inducement. So... 2 weeks from tomorrow, something will be happening. Whoa!

That's it for now.

Everyone is getting ready for her big arrival.

Here's an update on how everything is going: We met with Dr. Call on Wednesday and her head diameter grew from 9.09 cm to 9.37 cm during the last week. The good news is that it's measuring 3 weeks ahead of schedule instead of 4, so we've been able to close the gap a little bit on her growth. Not to worry, she's still growing and at a healthy rate. I've just been able to slow it down to "normal" with controling my glucose levels which has been fantastic! I remember when the nurse told me I had Gestational Diabetes and Dr. Call got on the phone to tell me not to freak out. I told him through all of the tears that I would be one of his best Gestional Diabetes patients ever! I'm staying true to my word.
We are now 36 weeks along and at a point where she is going through a surge in growth. She's suppose to be putting on about an ounce a day in weight or half of a pound a week. My belly is measuring 41 cm and I'm suppose to be 36 cm or close to that! I look like I am full-term and am ALL belly. The belly is suppose to measure in cm to how many weeks along you are. I've still got some growing to do in the next few weeks.
I lost another 2 pounds over the last week and am down to a total of 2 pounds gained for the whole pregnancy. It's so strange to know that she is growing and I'm losing weight. Talk about being ALL belly.
The Non-Stress test was done on Thursday at the hospital and she once again passed with flying colors! She did so well that Dr. Call approved me to drive downtown and have lunch with Nick for his birthday, which was Friday. Happy Birthday, Sweetheart! So needless to say.. our little girl is very happy where she is at and is doing well, growing and is still very active.
Sleep or should I say lack of sleep? It's hit and miss with me at this point. I've been getting up with Nick every morning during the week around 6:45 and try not to take naps thinking that it would cause me to sleep better during the night. Yeah right! I'm having a very hard time sleeping or getting comfortable. I was up at 4:30 the other morning and didn't take a nap. I guess this is what they all say about my body getting me ready for when she is here and I won't be sleeping much!

GO DAWGS!!

These booties are from my branch.

Needless to say, Yes - She will be wearing these home from the hospital!!

Nick painted the boarder in the nursery last weekend. Poor guy, now that I'm on bed rest I have a 'to do' list every weekend for him. He's been great and is keeping a close eye on me making sure I'm not doing much at all. I'm very head-strong and he's always calling me out on that. Thanks Nick!

Medela, Moby wrap and newborn diapers.. Oh My!!
My sister Ashely sent us some amazing gifts this week. Thanks Ash for everything! This has helped us prepare for her big arrival. Even Chester wants to help out!





36 weeks, 41 cm and still smiling.
Since we know we're not going to be able to go past 39 weeks, it's safe to say she'll be here in a little less than 3 weeks!!!

Our next appointment is on Wednesday with both the doctor and the non-stress test. I'll have an update for you sometime this weekend.

Rested with a side of restless....

A week ago today, I was placed on bed rest. Doctor's orders.

There are many different types of bed rest and here are my limitations: Up and about for a maximum of 2 hours each day. Allowed to get up for meals, shower or the restroom. I am able to be in bed, on the couch or the recliner which is nice.

If you know me well, you know that I am a very stubborn person and being placed on a LOA was a bit of a shock. By the time I was getting use to that idea I was placed on bed rest which has been even harder for me. With the love and support from family and friends this last week hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be. Okay, that and the 3 exceptions my doctor made which are: I was able to go over to my parents house for the weekend while Nick was in San Francisco on business, I was able to go to my hair appointment last night (which for the record was 2 weeks past the point that I would like) and I am able to attend the last 2 baby classes! I offered Dr. Call a $20 spot but he didn't accept. Just kidding!!

So not to get all mushy on all of you, but thank you for all of the help, visits, calls and check in's. It's times like this when the little things really brighten up my day!

The reasons I was placed on bed rest: Because of the gestational diabetes our little girl is measuring about 4 weeks ahead of where the "normal" is, which has caused my body to think that we're 39 weeks along instead of 34. During my non-stress test last week, the nurse discovered that i was having contractions and was dilated. I just thought the contrations were cramping and the doctor ordered an exam and a test called a "Fetal Fibronectin" to see if my cervix was producing any protiens. The results came back with 1 cm. dilation and negative on the protiens which is a good thing! She still needs to bake for another 4 weeks... so I'm doing what it takes to keep her in there and safe! The great news was that our baby passed last week and this week with flying colors! She's happy and healthy as can be. They monitor her heart rate and movements and make sure that when she is moving around (which is a lot) that her heart rate goes up and stays up for a period of time.

Thank you Mom for taking care of me and keeping me off my feet this last weekend! It was wonderful spending the time with you. I enjoyed every minute.

Thank you Dad for also keeping me off my feet and watching Toy Story 3 with me! I had a lot of fun!

And here's Callie! She's my parents latest addition. She's a Tibetan Mastiff, weighs about 75 pounds and is only 7 months old. She's a sweetheart and loves to cuddle. I think her colors are amazing. By the end of the weekend I started calling her Cami. It's a mix between Callie and Ammy (my favorite dog that my parents had to put down last year).





34.4 weeks along. My belly button is almost gone and I'm still growing!

I had a wonderful appointment with Dr. Call on Wednesday. He was very happy with my glucose numbers and it shows in her growth! Her head diameter went from 9.06 cm to 9.09 cm over a week. We're able to get her growth to slow down to "normal" with my eating right and keeping my numbers where they need to be. (Pat on the back for me!).
Weight gain or should I say weight loss? I'm down to a total gain for the whole pregnancy of 4, yes 4 pounds. Interesting to think that she weighs more than 4 pounds right now.

I am still seeing Dr. Call every Wendesday and have a non-stress test every Thursday. During this last appointment Nick and discussed our "birth plan" which was not a long list at all and Dr. Call said we have a chance of vaginally delivering her instead of a C-section and he is planning on inducing us at 39 weeks regardless. December 11th. =) The 9th is my youngest sister's birthday.. that would be a cool date too.









My Bed-Rest Buddies. They keep an eye on me while Nick's at work, except for when they sleep half their day away. Wow, they make it look so easy!