Any day now!

Well, Addison should be here any day now. I went ahead and took leave from work as I'm having contractions at 10 minutes apart and my doctor didn't think I should be driving. I've been resting a lot or as much as I can anyway. Last Thursday I started having contractions at work and they continued to get closer into Friday so I finally called the doctor's office and they said to get up to the hospital. I ended up at the clinic because labor and delivery was full so they checked me there and had me on the monitor. Basically my contractions weren't consistant enough and I was only dilated to 1 so they sent me home. Mom went ahead and came up as we feared if I did have it she wouldn't make it through the snow storm. We did end up getting nearly a foot of snow so it was a good thing she made it here. It was nice to spend that time together even though Addison decided it wasn't quite time to join us.

Monday I had my regular appointment so mom went with me and they said I'm dilated to 3 so when my contractions get closer to 5 to come back up. Now I'm just waiting at home. I knew people were probably wondering what's going on so I thought I'd better update everyone.

6 lbs. 6 oz.

Well, we went to the doctor yesterday and they did an ultrasound. Everything looks well. They estimate her at 6 lbs. 6 oz. Right now it's just a waiting game. Scottie told the doctor he believes she'll be here before Christmas and after checking me the doctor agreed that this could be a possibility so at this point we'll just wait and see. I think we have most everything ready for her. We got the last of what we needed that day so that's a relief. We'll continue to keep everyone updated each week.

2:00 a.m. Scare

So we had a little scare early Sunday morning...For about an hour I was having horrible back and stomach pain. The stomach pain was only on my left side so I was pretty sure I wasn't having contractions but the pain was unbelievable. It got less and less and by 3:00 a.m. I was able to sleep a little. The next day at 3:00 that afternoon that horrible pain was back so we called the doctor who believes I may have just pulled a ligament or something but to rest as much as I can, take Tylenol and keep a heat pack on. I went to work a little yesterday but the back pain makes it hard to sit at a computer for very long so I didn't last but a few hours. This morning at about 2:30 a.m. I woke up extremely swollen on my left side. I looked like a monster with one eye swollen shut and my hand so large I couldn't make a fist. Addison wasn't moving much after me being up for an hour so I only got more concerned and finally called the doctor. I'm sure they think I'm a nut. They had me eat something and lay on the opposite side I was swollen on and sure enough she started to move. Needless to say, I have a doctor's appointment on the 3rd and I believe they'll be doing an ultrasound so we'll see what they say then. At this point I would just like some sleep without pain. Tylenol does not do the trick for me.

Oh Christmas Tree...

Friday we decided to get a real tree to decorate this year. I figured since I can't be home over the holidays this is the next big thing as it reminds me so much of home. The tree ended up a little larger than we thought once we got it in the house but I love it.

The finished product...

Oh and on Wednesday we had a couple inches of snow. Luckily I didn't work that day because it snowed most all day. It made for a pretty day to get out some Christmas stuff and get in the holiday spirit.

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Fishing on the Mighty MO

Scottie's mom, stepdad and nephew

Holy Fish!

Scottie's been asking me to post these and I keep forgetting. He enjoyed a little fishing this summer with family and friends as you can tell.

Check out my Slide Show!

Childbirth Classes

Well, Scottie and I went to our first Childbirth Education Class. Much of the stuff I already know from reading so many books which is kinda frustrating seems how we spent $70.00 for the class but hey it's nice having him there to understand some of things I'm going through and the communication excercises give us time to talk about things regarding the baby. We did a little of the breathing techniques and Scottie was forced, as all husbands were, to give me a nice massage while I was in practice labor.
I'm finding out from other women in class that the doctor's don't communicate too well with them either. It's as though we're supposed to know what to expect. The nurse leading our course expressed her frustration with this and Scottie and I also ended up finding out that I would more than likely be induced because of the distance I would have to travel to get to the hospital. Why my doctor couldn't say that I'm not sure so I'm definetely asking her on Tuesday.
Anyhow, we have one more Saturday of class. I'm not certain it was worth the money but you never know till you try it.

The Babymobile

After numerous troubles with my little truck we decided we had to get something more reliable and better on gas for sure. So here's what we found...

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Don't foget to Stomp!
http://minibytes.mondominishows.com/poo/affiliates/play.asp?Affil=iwon&W

Shower Pictures

Mom and Aunt Tami determining the candy bar in the diaper
Cousin Missy and I being silly
The beautiful cake
My Best Friend Chandell and I
And Scottie and I after a full day, finally at g-ma's to eat chili and relax

Doctor Update

Well, we went to Lincoln yesterday for my Dr. appt. My glucose test came out fine, we heard the heartbeat again, I complained a little about being sick more than I was in the beginning of my pregnancy, which the doctor said usually I wouldn't experience that sickness again until 34 weeks. This scared me! Is she saying I'm farther along? I know many people think so and I often wonder but anyhow she told me to watch what I eat, eat smaller meals, and take Pepcid. After checking the heartbeat and measuring my belly she then told us the baby's head was down! Anyway, Scottie and I are now rushing to get things done after this appointment. I have a feeling the baby will be here before we know it. The doctor did tell us that her last day is the 27th of December and she didn't have me choose another doctor so I guess she's confident I'll deliver before then. Either way I'm really freaking out. This has gone so fast! Can you tell I'm freaking out.

In the news...

Just a little insight into what my job is. This article ran in the paper on Friday so I just got to see it today. I'm not always sure what they'll put in the paper but it turned out well. If you click on the News Press link, under local news on the main page you'll find the article "Program decreasing youth offenses."

Thank you everyone!

Scottie and I just wanted to thank everyone that came to the shower on Saturday and for all the wonderful gifts. Thanks to Sis, Sabrina, Missy and Heidi for putting it on. It was beautiful and a lot of fun. It was nice to be home and get to see everyone. The weekend went so fast but I'm glad we got to visit a little bit with all of you. I will get pictures posted as soon as I can. We got home last night and Scottie had to put everything together while I went through all the little outfits. His mom came up so we got to show her the gifts and she showered us with a few gifts herself.

We will be going back to Lincoln for my doctor's appointment on Tuesday and get to take a tour of the hospital. By then they should have the results from my 3-hour glucose test also. Hopefully it's good news. The next couple weekends we'll be taking birthing classes so it's going to start getting very busy for us and we'll be making a lot of trips to Lincoln. We'll certainly keep you updated.

Thanks again to all of you for making our weekend very enjoyable. It was nice being will family and friends.

Getting Bigger

Mom wanted me to post a picture since she hasn't seen me in awhile. I needed to take one anyway for the baby book but I'm just not big on pictures of myself, as you can probably tell.

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Addison's Room

We're almost done. I just want to paint the rainbow on the wall above the crib. Thought you might like to see our progress.

Scottie and I found this little rocking chair at the Brownville Flea Market. I was so excited to add it to the room and was surprised at how good condition it was in.

And of course, Meiko says "hi". He is still confused about all that is going on in our house and we're not sure how he will be with the baby. We always said we'd get rid of the animals but that's proven a little more tough than we thought so we'll have to see what happens. In the meantime he still likes being the center of attention.

My brother and I being goofs at a Wau-Pal game

I don't remember why we were being so weird but we must have been having fun! Thanks for the pics Shane.

The view from our deck

I was bored the other day and thought I'd show you the view from our house. This is looking up at the college, over the many trees of course. Just pictures of our deck on the south side of the house. It's really pretty to sit and look out over town, especially on the 4th of July. We can watch everyone's firework shows.

Oh I couldn't forget the squirrels. They love our yard. I caught one eating my apple I threw out in the driveway. They keep Meiko entertained and close by so we don't mind them much.

Updates

So, we just wanted to update everyone. It's been a while since I've posted anything and for some reason I was having trouble getting my pictures uploaded. We are still working on the baby room. I've got the curtains up and the stickers on the walls. I should have pictures soon for you all to see. I'm trying to be creative. I think I'm going to make a big rainbow on the wall over the crib. That will definitely take some time and probably several paint markers. I'll have to get a few pointers from Dave, as he's the muralist. Is that even a word? I don't know but it sounds good. What do you think Dave?

Anyhow, another new development is we are hoping to have our basement completed before Addison arrives. We have someone coming to give us an estimate this week I hope, but we thought this would be great for when people come to visit and need a place to stay since the guest room has become the baby's room. I'm really excited to get that done. I've been wanting it done since we moved in and here we are almost 2 years later. Finally!

I don't know that there is much else to tell. I'm getting used to Addison moving around a lot. It was strange at first and still a little strange. It's especially strange when other people want to touch my belly. I have yet to be comfortable with this but I find it fascinating that people I don't even know are comfortable doing that. Aside from work I spend a lot of time reading so many books and learning new baby facts every day.

Well, those are a few updates. I hope to have pictures for you this week so keep posted.

Pressures and Temptation

This video is so awesome. A co-worker sent it to me because of my work with youth. It's hard to follow at first but as someone who see's kids struggle with all these issues and remembering what it was like at that age and even now, the pressures and temptations that lead us away from God it is so moving. It's beyond words, you just have to watch. It really made me cry thinking how tough life is and that my child will face this one day. Please watch.

Scottie's Labor Day

So, while Mom and I were getting the nursery ready Scottie had planned a trip to Milford Lake in Kansas with cousins and friends. I would have loved to have gone but was worried about getting too hot and I was too anxious to get the nursery started so I thought it would work better for Mom and I to spend that weekend together.


Scottie took our jet ski down and it appears they had a lot of fun on it. I really miss having our boat to relax on but the jet skis' more fun for him and others, as you can tell. Anyhow, I'm glad he had a good time and the nursery was a nice surprise for him when he got back.

HAPPY GRANDPARENT'S DAY!

GRANDPARENTS

Grandparents bestow upon their grandchildren
The strength and wisdom that time
And experience have given them.

Grandchildren bless their Grandparents
With a youthful vitality and innocence
That help them stay young at heart forever.

Together they create a chain of love
Linking the past with the future.
The chain may lengthen,
But it will never part....

~~Author Unknown.~~

Few can bring the warmth
We can find in their embrace,
And little more is needed to bring love.
Than the smile on their face.

They've a supply of precious stories,
Yet they've time to wipe a tear,
Or give us reasons to make us laugh,
They grow more precious through the years.

I believe that God sent us Grandparents
As our legacy from above,
To share the moments of our life,
As extra measures of His love.

~Author Unknown.~~

Everything I need to know about life, I learned from Noah's Ark...

1. Don't miss the boat.
2. Remember that we are all in the same boat.
3. Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.
4. Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.
5. Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.
6. Build your future on high ground.
7. For safety sake, travel in pairs.
8. Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
9. When you're stressed, float a while.
10. Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
11. No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.

As many know, I'm doing the baby room in a Noah's Ark theme so I'm constantly looking for new things to put in the room and I had come across this little Noah's Ark Inspiration and wanted to share it with all of you. Hope you enjoy!

Indian Cave State Park

Me and my pregnant belly in front of the cave.

Mom and I after all those stairs.

Looking at the cave from below.

The walkway up to the chimney of the cave and the chimney and little shelf.

Sad to say in all the time I've lived here I've never ventured over to see this park and it's only 30 minutes away! We decided to come over and see the fireworks that evening and luckily we got to the park early enough to see the cave and some other scenic outlooks.

Making Progress

Well, we're making some progress. Mom was down over Labor Day weekend to help me with the nursery and we got a good start. We got the entire room painted, closet doors put on, and the crib and dresser/changing table are together and in the room. Unfortunatly my Noah's Ark wall stickers were still not in after ordering over 2 weeks ago but I'm happy with the progress we made. I don't know what I would have done without mom's help. THANKS MOM! Eventually I'll get the stickers up and bedding and curtains so that will make the room look a little more complete so stay tuned.

Falling Model cracks up News Anchor

Can you find them?

We're expecting a girl!

baby faces




big belly

sucking thumb?!

baby arm and hand

Well, as many predicted, we're having a girl! We got a lot of ultrasound pics but here are a few. There are some pretty good ones of the face. It was so amazing to see and we're pretty certain it's a girl by what we saw... or should I say didn't see. I can't wait to get started on the room and buying girly stuff! She sure moves a lot throughout the day and the feeling is so weird but really neat. We're happy to share this news with all of you and hope to see everyone soon!