Monday, October 11, 2010

My nursery rhyme shower

Katie posted pics on her blog from the baby shower that she, Diana and Mary threw for Boo and I. Like I said before, their attention to detail was AMAZING. You really have to check out the pics to see what I mean!

Check out the pics!

J.B.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

10 days

The first two years I knew Papa Bear, we lived in different states. He spent a year deployed in Iraq.

So him leaving for 10 days should be a piece of cake, right?

I hope so. It's so crazy how your perspective changes. Seven years ago, only being away from Dave would have been a dream. Today, 10 days seems like a long time.

Considering the fact that I'm 37 weeks pregnant, 21 days away from my due date and he won't be home until 10 days before my due date; the circumstances are a little different this time.

But still, after I dropped him off at the airport, I was not the mess that I was when I said goodbye to him as he deployed to Iraq. That day I literally felt like someone close to me had died. Given where we left things, I wasn't sure if I'd ever talk to him again and I hated the thought of possibly losing someone who had become such a dear friend in such a short amount of time. That's not even considering the fact that he was headed into a war.

This time I knew I'd talk to him before he boarded the plane, after he landed in Chicago and at least once more before I go to bed. And I know there will be many more phone calls, text messages, emails and numerous Skype conversations before he's back home. Thanks goodness for technology! He's close enough that he could drive home if Boo decides to show up early -- but I'm really hoping that doesn't happen.

But I still miss him. I think mostly I'll miss being able to grab his hand so he can feel Boo. And the smile that spreads across his entire face when he feels the kicks too. I'll miss him waking me up at 11 p.m. (after he's taken the pups outside), so that I move from the couch and into bed. I'm missing hugs and kisses. I'm missing his runs to DQ to get me some ice cream. I wish they delivered.

I only have to miss him for ten days and then he'll be home. And there is definitely a thing or two to look forward to in the days after he comes home too.

J.B.

Friday, October 8, 2010

36 weeks + some days

This whole being nine months pregnant, work full-time and get ready for baby thing is exhausting. So you'll have to excuse my lack of blogging. And it's not even that I have a lot of stuff going on -- well, this week I didn't have a lot going on -- it's just that by the time I get home from work the only thing I have energy to do is changing the channel on the remote as I lay on the couch.

This week we had our 36 week appointment. Boo must have had a bit of a growth spurt as his measurements were right on track for how far along we are. His heart rate is still great at 136 bpm. My platelets were tested and increased!!! So now my anxiety about delivering Boo without being able to get an epidural has decreased significantly. The doc also did the first check to see how I'm progressing towards labor -- and the results -- I haven't really started making any progress. But that was pretty much what I was expecting. I still feel fairly comfortable, can still sleep, etc -- and I figure if I'm still feeling this way, the little guy inside me is probably feeling the same way. So I wouldn't be surprised if I'm like my mom and go past my due date. Which is okay with me because....

Dave got a new job!! He just started this week. He has to go out of town soon for training and won't be back until 10 days before Boo's due date! So we've already started lecturing the kid about how he needs to stay put for two more weeks.

Last weekend, my mother-in-law, both sister-in-laws and my youngest niece came into town to throw my a baby shower. We had a great time. The shower was beautiful. Beforehand, I couldn't fathom how they were spending so much time in NC planning it when they had to fly up here...I knew they couldn't bring a lot of stuff up with them on the plane. But once I walked into the the party, it all made sense. The details and decorations were amazing! There will be pictures someday for me to share. And of course, I couldn't be more blessed with all the family and friends who literally showered us with gifts and love. It's amazing to me how many people already love our little boy and are so excited to meet him.

During their trip we also went to a Twins game, apple orchard and Katie did a mathernity session for Dave and I. Here's a link to the sneak peak on Katie's fan page. If you're not a fan already, while you're there, "like" her and leave a comment!

J.B.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

34 weeks!

Another appointment down! After my next appointment, I'll start going every week. Just another sign that the pregnancy is almost over.

If you asked me during the first trimester, I never would have said this....but I've been enjoying being pregnant. It's so cool to know that there really is a little guy living inside me...and I'm growing him! I love his kicks and his hiccups and watching him make my stomach move.

Once again, we had a good appointment. I'm growing and he's growing. His heart rate is at 135 bpm. I got my flu shot. Asked the doctor some questions.

We had our childbirth prep class at the hospital over the weekend, so the actual thought of giving birth is at the forefront of our minds these days. I'm glad to know that we know where to go when that time comes. Our due date is six weeks away, yet the doctor said at this point in the pregnancy there is no trying to stop labor once it starts. So at some point soon, I'll have to think about washing some baby clothes, getting our hospital bags packed and getting the car seat installed. I have a little bit of time to procrastinate...but at the same time, we definitely want those things ready to go!

Here's me just shy of 33 weeks...up on the shores of Lake Superior in Grand Marais. Even though this pic is a week old already, it's the most recent on I've got. :)



J.B.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Baby Bumps

Priceless

Me @ 31 weeks and Michelle @ 34 weeks

J.B.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Lucky Day

Today's been a great day. It started off normal. Got up at a decent time...(yesterday I woke up at 4:00 a.m. unable to sleep because I could breath...stupid allergies). Went to work. Something was a little off when I noticed some of the lights were out and the big sign by the elevators that said, "Elevators broken. Do not touch. Elevator company has been called." I wasn't too thrilled to see that sign. I work on the sixth floor and this pregnant lady wasn't looking forward to climb up all those stairs. But as I started climbing up the first stairwell, I saw someone who worked on my floor. She informed me that the power was out and might not be back on until noon. So I quickly got out of the stairs and started calling some of my co-workers to see what the plan was for the day. Eventually, I found out that I got to go home (HR didn't want me climbing up all those stairs)...and I'd get a call when the power came back so that I could go in. The power ended up taking longer to get back on than anticipated (I actually don't even know if it's back on yet), so I got the whole day off without taking PTO. Woo woo! It's like I landed on the Free Parking space in Monopoly. Dave was home today too, so we took the dogs on a walk, went to Caribou for a while, put the crib skirt and sheets on Boo's bed, enjoyed a home-made lunch and watched some Good Will Hunting.

Today was even better because we had a doctor's appointment. Boo is still looking good and healthy. I'm measuring right on track and Boo's heart rate was 134 bpm. There was a medical student shadowing my doctor today, so we got to hear Boo's heart rate twice. Once from the student and once from my doctor. So once again, I got lucky today and heard Boo's heartbeat two times!

I'm 32 weeks pregnant now. I officially only have 8 weeks until Boo's due date. The pregnancy is still going well overall. My biggest complaint right now is my allergies. My pregnancy is making them worse, because I can't take my normal medicine. But I'd be dealing with allergies this time of year pregnant or not. So honestly, I can't blame that on the pregnancy. Of course, I'm still feeling Boo kick. But it's turning more into a stretching/pushing out my stomach feeling that jabbing kicks. I guess that's because he's running out of room inside me. For the most part, I'm still fairly comfortable. There's been a couple of time when Boo's pushes himself up against my ribs, but that's hasn't been too often.

The rest of our week will be pretty nice too. Since we had the holiday Monday and the "free" day off today and I have plans to take Friday off, I'll only have to work two days this week. And tomorrow we're going to the Twins game. Lots of fun for Boo, Dave and I!

J.B.

Friday, September 3, 2010

September!

September is here! That means next month is the month Boo is due! The weeks counting down to his due date are also in the single digits. Time is going by so fast!

Last weekend a couple of my friends threw a baby shower for us. It was so much fun! I'm so blessed to have such great friends that came out to celebrate baby Boo. He is already spoiled! My friends did a great job of making feel special and loved. Hopefully I'll get some pictures. I never took out my camera, but I know there were pictures being taken.

This month is going to be a fun month. Dave and I are taking the dogs up to the North Shore one weekend. We're renting a tiny cabin and both of us are looking forward to relaxing and spending soem time together.

We also have our childbirth prep class.

One of my sisters and my dad have their b-day.

And at the end of the month, my mother-in-law and sister-in-laws are coming into town. We're going to a Twins game and they're hosting a baby shower for me. Katie is also taking my maternity pictures.

It's going to be a very busy, but a very fun month. And I'm looking forward to it!

J.B.