36 weeks, a whole lot of booty.... oh, and a baby!

Well, I'm sure that everyone who reads our blog knows by now that we had our baby. Last week (monday october 20th) I had some false labour, we were in the hospital for a few hours then sent home. I took it easy for the rest of the week still trying to cook this kid for as long as possible. Well last Thursday evening (23rd) the church was throwing me a baby shower. I got myself together and enjoyed a wonderful evening of support and encouragement. It was really meaningful for me to be able to thank everyone. Everyone there has been so concerned about me and the pregnancy. People sent home food with Brad and told my family constantly that they were praying for us. Looking back I can see how God carried us through all the struggles and that is an answer to prayers. Lots and lots of prayers.

Well as I was saying there was this shower and we were showered. I was planning on taking a picture of all the boxes and bags but we've been pressed to get things washed and used because that Thursday night/early Friday morning I started having contractions. This is nothing new for me, I would often have cramping and contractions as I progressed through the pregnancy. They would come on at night (while trying to sleep) and settle after a few hours. This time though, they did not settle and by the time 7am rolled around they were becoming more regular and more intense. 8am Brad and I headed to the hospital where we discovered that this was the real deal.

A shot of Morphine, with gravol, an epidural (just in the nick of time) and 6 hours after arriving at the hospital we met our beautiful gift from the Lord. Carlon Timothy Reid. Born October 24th 2:31 pm 7lbs 10 oz. Four weeks early. I was told I did a very good job growing him, you'd never know he was premature. Just a couple things came up due to him being early. A low blood sugar and not too interested in sustained feeding. Both have been corrected however, now he's a little yellow. We have a Doctors appointment tomorrow (Thursday). I'll have another update after that. Till then enjoy the pics.

35 weeks and a new nephew!!

I've been usurped! By a little baby no less. Today I'm 35 weeks and it's exciting because that means I'm technically starting my ninth month. After my two weeks in the hospital I never thought I'd make it this far. But early this morning my beautiful sister Linda gave birth to her first child, a gorgeous baby boy. Aiden Thomas Breckenridge 9lbs 3oz born at 1:15am Thursday October 16th. An hour and fifteen minutes past her due date. Well, I'll gladly have my thunder stolen for an occasion like this. I am so excited for them. He is beautiful... did I mention that already? I don't care, I love him to pieces. I can only hope my labour and delivery goes as smoothly as Linda's did (6 hours) I told her it was all that horsebackriding she did as a kid.

Look at these shots and tell me he's not gorgeous!!

34 weeks, thanksgiving, two birthdays, and another appointment

Sounds like a crazy weekend right? Well it was pretty tame for the most part. This last thursday I hit the 34 week mark in the pregnancy (very exciting) On Sunday we celebrated Thanksgiving, my nephew Brennan's 13th and my brother-in-law (soon to be new dad) Dean's 40th birthdays.

Today we saw our OB for the 34 week appoinment. Everything is still in great shape. Baby's good, blood pressure's good, weight's good too. We had a little chuckle over the baby seeming to prefer one side of my tummy. No exaggeration, there's enough space left for another baby in there. It feels like it's trying to wrap around to my back.

My OB is pretty sure I'll be delivering early so I figure we will be three before the end of October. But, if I've learned anything this year it's that this kid is in control.

Well there's not much more to share except a pic of my belly to date.

Ah Saturdays!

Well, I must say that I enjoy Saturday mornings. This past week was pretty busy... as usual. I wasn't out of town at all which was nice but I did seem to spend a lot of time in the office working on my computer.

So, I suppose it is a bit strange that I'd spend a day off in front of another computer writing a blog. Of course, a lot of the stuff I do doesn't make too much sense.

Colleen and I went to the fall family banquet at the church last night but I was with the youth so we didn't get to sit together. I have concluded that if I am very full after a good meal I don't have as much patience with the youth as I normally would. It was a bit of a stressful time in the youth room last night but we managed.

We announced a new challenge to the youth last night. Last year we raised money to purchase hens and roosters through world vision. All together we raised just over $200 which bought two sets of hens and roosters. This year we're upping the ante and will try to raise $1200... enough to fill a stable with animals. Check out this link https://catalogue.worldvision.ca/Gifts/Forms/EventHome.aspx?eventId=247890 to see how we're doing towards our goal. Right now we're at 0% but give it time... we just started!!

This morning was great. We slept in, watched a bit of hockey, ate brunch (mmmm... biscuits!). Have I mentioned that I'm very glad that Colleen can cook/bake again?? Saturday mornings are much better with biscuits.

Brad

Graduation Day!!!

This morning at 9:27 I received a call from the ante-partum nurse telling me that she had spoken with my OB and they were graduating me from the ante-partum home care program. This means that I have been such a good patient and have remained stable and because I'm past the 32 week mark they don't need to call me every day or visit me once a week to perform a non-stress test. I never minded the daily calls or even the visits, but to know that I'm far enough past a significant danger zone that even the nurses don't have to worry about me makes me feel so much better. I feel like I'm bound to make it to full term.
A couple hours later I was at my OB's office and he confirmed coming off the ante-partum program, plus.... he increased my activity level. YAY! I can go to the mall for a couple hours, or make meals, or do light housework like laundry or dishes. (No vacuuming though, darn.)
I'm still considered to be on bed rest though, just not as strict as before. That's ok, now I no longer feel like an invalid. Brad and I went to Wal-Mart on Saturday and babies 'r' us today to get some stuff so I can have my hospital bag packed and ready (just in case things happen earlier than later).
My belly continues to grow and on everything else the Dr checks on my visits I pass with flying colours. I'm getting back to feeling more like a normal prego.

back on speaking terms

I tried to get the camera and computer to work together again yesterday to no avail. The computer told me there was something wrong with the usb device. That window never came up when Brad was trying it so I told him about it and when I hooked up the camera again to show him it decided to work. Crazy technology, intending to make our lives easier.

So here's a picture of me and my sister. Taken last Friday September 19th. We are five weeks apart.

how time flies

Three years ago today we were married. A beautiful, warm, sunny Saturday (nothing like today). I still can't believe it's been three years. I think about when we first started dating and it seems like yesterday, but it can't possibly be yesterday because SO MUCH has happened in three years. And although they have been laced with ups and downs they have still been the best three years of my life to date.

Besides the landmark of our anniversary, the last week of this pregnancy has been very encouraging. My OB increased my activity level a little and gave me permission to go to my sister's baby shower. (She is due October 15th) It was a real treat to be able to go even though it was only for an hour and it was a surprise for my sister which made it even more enjoyable.

Yesterday I bought a stroller/car seat combo and Brad was quite excited to be able to put it together. It is the very first purchase we have made for baby and it really brought the reality home for me that we are actually starting to expand our family. You'd think 5 weeks of bed rest would do it but when there's nothing physical in front of you (other than an expanding belly which in your wildest dreams could be a tumor) it is hard to wrap your brain around the whole experience. It always seems so surreal.

Tomorrow I am official 32 weeks pregnant which is a big milestone in gestation. Of course full term is always the best but compared to 27 weeks (when the trouble started) 32 is miles better, and at 32 weeks I have a little negotiating power when it comes to increasing my activity level. So, another appointment with my OB this Monday September 29th and we'll see where we are.

We did take a few pictures of my belly the other day, but our camera is giving us some grief. Once we get that figured out we'll add those with a posting. Until then, if you can all imagine me with a big round belly you'll know exactly what I look like. Oh, and imagine me lying down too. Now you know exactly what I look like.

If you're wanting to know what stroller we bought just follow this link:

http://www.sears.ca/gp/product/B000Q81ODS/sr=1-11/qid=1222288964/ref=sr_1_11/002-4261160-6312826?ie=UTF8&searsBrand=core&mqnodeid=397279011