Bath Time and Naked Time...

OK, so we have gotten to give Micah 2 baths in the past 2 days and they are real baths because he lost his umbilical cord on Sat, and he LOVED it. He practically falls asleep resting there in the warm water while someone gets him all clean and smelling good, it's great!!!
So we probably won't always give him a bath 2 days in a row, but the 2nd one was a necessity! We were just doing a routine change of the diaper before a feeding and Micah was very unusually content with having his diaper changed. It was wet but barely dirty, and Matt was just about the put the clean one on when all of a sudden we heard the sound...the juicy sound that often comes from his rear and is hilarious when he has his diaper on, but this is the first time we were able to see in action how projectile this sound really is. It almost went off the end of the changing table, liquid projectile that covered the table and we could hardly contain our laughter as he just lay there in it not really knowing what was going on...
So, just about the time that is getting all cleaned up, again, noises from down below and more grainy yellow mustard oozing from below, but this time it wasn't as projectile, so it came out and started to role down his back...again with the uncontrollable laughter and yet Micah has hardly even flinched at all that is going on...so as i am at his head lifting up his legs for Matt to clean his back and butt, his little man part is facing me and this is when he decides it is time to pee, all over me and his belly and face...more laughter, and at this point we decide the bath is necessary. So we give him a warm bath that he loves, and just as we take him out and put him in daddy's arms on the towel, he has another urge to relieve himself...luckily in the towel and not on dad...good thing we left the water still in the bath! So we put him back in the water and rinse him off once again. This time we get another towel and get him out again, only to hear the noise and quickly hold him over the tub. When we set him in again to rinse off his behind, he realizes he must relieve himself again, spraying his urine up towards his head before Matt quickly directs it off to the side!! At this point, I am not totally sure how clean he really is, but we hardly dry him off before putting on a diaper and clothes quicker than ever in the hopes of all of us not getting sprayed anymore!! All the way, he is so content, so happy, not a care in the world, and I am sure feeling much better now that all of that junk is out of his belly!! Good times to remember!!

Terrible two's

Ok, so I know I am far away from the actual 2's, but what about 2 weeks?? He is so irritable right now, don't know if it is changing schedules, all the family that was in town, if he is just starting to stay awake more and doesn't know what to do with himself except cry...he just won't be put down. He can be so sound asleep, and then put him down and watch him wake to a screaming cry. It is so sad and so pitiful, and then it is slightly hilarious to put some loud music on (louder than the cry) and watch him instantly calm down and look stinking adorable once again!! This is the cuteness that can occur soon after a good scream...

Innie/Outie...

Micah is 15 days old today! YAY! And his umbilical cord end finally fell off!! Now we don't have to be so gentle when cleaning and we can try more of a real bath (as if he might like that any better than the washcloth baths we have been giving him, I doubt it!) And we don't have to worry about keeping it dry and using the peroxide and keeping the diapers lower...which I do think has made them fit a little awkwardly (that and the fact that he is so teeny that they can't get close enough to his body to hold in what is supposed to stay in the diaper) and we don't have to feel like maybe we are hurting him...
Well, it didn't actually just fall off...kind of like how matt spent about the last month or two of my pregnancy wishing, praying and even attempting to pull out my belly button so that it would become an outie...it was with that determination and excitement that he eventually coaxed the last little bit of cord away from Micah's belly. I have to say the belly button is so much cuter!! Now we have to take more naked pictures without the black cord on the belly...more to come...

Time

I think I could probably get a lot more done during the day while Micah is sleeping, but he is SO stinking cute and so hard to put down sometimes!! I just enjoy holding him and I can't get enough...

Early Potty Training

It is just the end of the first week of our son's life, but he is so entertaining!! I could just sit for hours and hold him and listen to him and watch his many different faces that he makes in his sleep; and I do sometimes, just hold him and watch him and enjoy every part of being a mother.
The humorous parts are great too!! Matt's first fatherhood intro to changing diapers was a great one, while still in the hospital. He was working on changing a dirty diaper, and against all recommendations from others, he turned his head for just a second only to look back and find that Micah still had more to get out of his system! hilarious, but that's not all!!! As Matt is now trying get another wipe and diaper ready, Micah decides that since he is undressed anyways that this would be the best time to also release his juices. Yes, he is pooping and peeing at the same time while daddy is trying to contain the mess and I am traing to contain my laughter (which hurts since I am still healing!)
But this isn't it. We went to the doctor on day 4 and the first thing they had to do was strip him and weigh him. we got him naked and then when the nurse took him out of the blanket and put him on the scale, yep, you guessed it, he decided that was the best time to pee! Right as the nurse had turned her head, and all we could do was laugh as he showered himself and her paperwork that was a little too close!!! Too funny!
Then yesterday, Matt and I give Micah his first shower...this was a tramatic experience, I'm sure, as he was cold and naked and being introduced to water for the first time. So in his best timing, just before we start, we both look down and see water on his belly and in the tub, and on the floor nearby. Yep! Take his clothes off, and not sure if he retaliates, or just enjoys being butt naked when he goes to the bathroom. Early potty training?? maybe.
Here is the picture for a laugh!

New Addition

What a fabulous new addition to our family just in time for Christmas!! Micah David was born at 12:14 am on Dec 12, weighing 6 lbs and measuring 19 inches. He is SO cute. Of course I would have to say that, but he really is!!! We came home from the hospital on Dec 14, and as I am writing we are finishing out our first full day at home. I don't know if it will ever sink in that he is ours, but I am thoroughly enjoying every minute of my time with him.

It's way too early!

Way to early to be awake, that is...I am at 37 weeks and I know my sleep is so precious right now as I anxiously await my little bundle of joy, but I seem to hit a wall around 3 or 4 every morning, and today it wasn't even worth continuing to lie in bed looking at the ceiling...
I know I need to be trying to get as much sleep as I can right now, and I do try, and required bed rest has helped with extra naps during the day, but then at night, when I want to be sleeping...in the wee hours of the morning when my bed is cozy and there is really nothing exciting going on in the rest of the world......that's when I want to be sound asleep!!
So I have a snack, play on the internet, pray for a quick labor and delivery and a healthy baby boy, maybe read a little, and count down the time until my husband wakes up and I can have someone to talk to (and vent to about not sleeping!)
until then...

false alarm!

So monday was fun (in a sense) but i wouldn't have asked to do it again...and i didn't...ask, that is...
so yesterday i had to go in for some follow-up testing for what i had done in the hospital on monday, a better look at my baby and his condition, plus my regular appointment to follow. i was excited to see my little guy again on the ultrasound and hopefully get some news from my doc that i had dilated even more...
well, i did get to see more of my baby (and besides getting a little sick from the position on my back) it was fun and he passed all of his "tests" with flying colors: breathing, swallowing, moving, he is such a good boy!!
and i did get news of more dilation, from 2 cm on monday to 4 cm yesterday! that's some nice progress!
so i figure that is it, now i go home and continue to try and figure out exactly what a contraction feels like, i mean, obviously my body is getting ready and i need to make sure i am paying full attention!!
BUT, my vision is still weird, my blood pressure is still high (of course they took it while i was not feeling well during the ultrasound) and they are also worried about the ratio of blood flow from me to the baby, so my doc says go home and get your bags and head back to the hospital. you mean, my bags! the ones i am supposed to take when i am going to deliver? yes, those, because if nothing changes, we may try and get this little guy out today. TODAY?!
i mean, i want to have him early, definitely before Christmas, but i don't think i was quite mentally prepared...
but we did as asked, and then headed back to the hospital, only to be asked by every single nurse that saw me what i was in for and what tests were supposed to be done to me??? for some reason i thought they should know this info and should not be going off of my lame terms that i might have overtly picked up from my doc, like, i don't know, something having to do with fluid and blood and baby???
well, confused or not, the tests were eeeevvveennnntttuuuaaalllyyy done on me, my blood pressure was monitored, the baby was monitored and after a lllooooonnngg and boring stay once again we were sent home...
so, i think we are a little more ready for the real thing now. the process of staying calm while loading stuff in the car, the route we have decided will be best to take, finding our way to the right floor and getting a room...it's like we're pros! let's do this!!

crazy vision, crazy day...

ok, so i am not fond of going to the doctor's office, never really have been and i feel like they never truly know what it wrong, they just say "maybe this or maybe that" and prescribe costly medicine and send you home...most likely the reason i don't like spending the time or the money to go in in the first place!
but right now in my life, i have to remember that i have a baby inside of me, and thus i am not just trying to take care of myself, but i have to take care of the little guy too...so.....after seeing double progressively got worse over a few days, i decided it was best to call and not wait a couple more days for my next appointment, which led to me seeing a midwife about my issue and thus being sent to the local birthing center at the hospital to get blood taken....now here is where it got interesting, because i had gone in for the appointment quickly just trying to get in, but then ended up just waiting in the waiting room for about an hour and then assumed i would get some answers and then go home to eat lunch, but, NO...
i was told i needed to go to the hospital to get blood drawn and that way they could get the results right away, no waiting until the next day...so this became our "dry run" visit to the birthing center since we had never been...and it's a good thing we did it, although at the time i had no idea how close it would be to the real thing...through some confusion and misguided directions, we finally ended up on the right floor and in the right ward, where i was given a "room". what!? i thought i was just giving some blood. then, no you need to get undressed and put on this robe while i get your bed ready...NO, you don't understand i am just giving blood...
well, i guess they had other things in mind, i ended up with the robe on, in the bed, being monitored for a few hours while the baby was also monitored and they happened to take blood at some point in there, while my poor husband (who has been sick over a week but is still the most supportive husband ever!) tried not to fall asleep while flipping through tv stations...
and remember, i have not eaten lunch and i had to give blood and they wouldn't let me eat anything until after the blood work came back...and i am a hungry, pregnant woman!
so, all of that to find out the baby looks good, my blood pressure looks good (except when they brought the needle in to take blood!) and my blood work looked good...and i am 70% effaced and 2 cm dilated...but i have also been put on bed rest! i think they just can't totally figure out why my vision is bad so they say bed rest and hope it gets better, but what does that look like when i am just weeks from a due date and trying to get everything for home and work in order while i still can??? ugh! plus, it is just boring!
i know there will be a time soon when i have a screaming baby and all i want is bed rest, but that time has not come and i am not really interested in laying around doing nothing for the time being...so i think i'd like to just go ahead and give birth as soon as possible:):) a cute little early christmas present, i'd be ok with that!!!

Turkey Day

I know! It's about time for pictures!! It has been more than 5 weeks, and since I feel as though I am getting bigger by the minute, I am quite certain that I have grown over the course of 5 weeks!! Well, today is Thanksgiving, and I am thankful for my big belly because it means that there is a healthy baby inside who we will all soon get to meet:):) Although Matt has been sick for a few days, for some reason he got really excited to take pictures of me yesterday, so here are a couple of the growth.

it's all in my head!

I've had a headache for 4 days now! It started in my neck as usual, then became a headache, followed by an overnight, full-blown, all the extras, no sleep at all, migraine! no fun! and I still have it and I am hoping and praying that it goes away soon. I don't know if it's the baby, but I definitely don't want it to last for 5 more weeks!!

It's for real!!

I know it has been for real all along, and I have been carrying this baby in my stomach now for over 7 months! But with actually filling a room with toys and clothes and necessities, with having a car seat and a bed and lots of diapers around..it is feeling even more real! In less than 2 months (hopefully!) I will be waking up at all hours of the night (to feed instead of using the bathroom like I am already), carrying a baby with my arms and not my stomach, and looking into the eyes of a beautiful baby boy created by God. CRAZY!! and EXCITING!!! WOW!!!

30 WEEKS!!

I have hit the 30 week mark, meaning I have hit the 10 week countdown! whew! I had my 30 week checkup today and everything seems to be going well, even the sugar test that I had done and was not so sure about...not fun to have to spend half my day giving blood, and paying for it! But good to know I am healthy:) Here are some pictures from yesterday and today...it took a while, but got matt inspired to take some updates...

Also found a couple more good yard sales this weekend, I like the big ones! So much easier than finding a bunch of little ones, just getting more variety in one spot and not having to drive around...

Clear on a Rainy Day...

Well..I have waited my full week and did not receive a phone call..no call was supposed to be good, so supposedly I am in the clear and do not have diabetes...either that or they lost my phone number or forgot to call, but we'll stay on the bright side and assume I am in good health!!

I think it will be time for more pictures soon! He is a growing boy and next week we are at 30 weeks and the 10 week countdown!! Woohoo!

The Waiting Game

Well, I survived my huge loss in blood! They toook a lot of blood! So, I am still alive, but now I just have to wait, and hope that I don't get a phone call since no call is good (unless they lost my number or forget to call me)...we'll see what happens now...

Dr's Visits

Up until recently it was easy for the months to go by quickly since I only went into the Dr once every 4 weeks, so that was how I counted down (and really how I remembered where I was in my pregnancy). But recently it has been a weekly visit for me. I went in for my first ultrasound to find out the sex at 21 weeks, then had my next appointment at 25 weeks, then got the opportunity to do the 3D ultrasound at 26 weeks. Then I had to have the glucose tolerance test at the end of my 27th week (and unfortunately, as much as I HATE blood AND needles, I failed this test by scoring too high for my blood sugar count) and now I am going back in tomorrow for the follow-up blood test which will consist of having my blood drawn 4 TIMES in 3 HOURS!!! On an empty stomach!! I am so nont looking forward to tomorrow!! Then I will have just 10 days off (unless, of course, i fail this second test and have to go back in because of that) before I go in for my 30 week appointment, and then it is every 2 weeks, and just a 10 week countdown!! So hard to believe right now, but I am so looking forward to seeing my little guy and holding him in my arms:):)

From bump to volleyball....

It's funny how proud I was of each little bump in my stomach along the way, and now how funny it is to look back and see why maybe it was hard for others to tell that I even had a "bump". But when I was looking back over my progress last night, I realized the huge jump between 20 and 26 weeks!! Just 6 weeks and he really ballooned inside of me, to about the size of a volleyball:):) I havn't done as good as I wanted to with taking progressive pics of my belly, but these definitely show the growth!!

in 3D!!

It was totally cool to see our baby in the first ultrasound, but today we got to see him in 3D! How cool was that, not only to feel him moving all around, but to see him moving all around in 3D!! we could really see more of his face and other features, and of course, he is adorable...he will got well inside of the "captain adorable" shirt I just got from a friend:) I think he looks like Matt...we'll see soon for sure!!!

Success!!

I was inspired last week by my friend Christin and all of her pictures of stuff she got at yard sales:) i have tried all summer (at least when i could) to get out on Saturday mornings and find good deals on baby stuff, and to no avail! But finally! This weekend was it!! Compared to finding nothing in the past it wasn't like I got a car full, but I walked away very pleased with the outcome.
I planned my whole route based on what times they started and where they were, and also based on what they were offering at the sale. I made it to my first location at 6:30!! And it was at a school and the parking lot was packed already, but it was a great find!!! It was the planning, it had to be the difference. It also helps a lot to know the sex now...
I found a heavy duty dresser that will be able to double as a changing table for the baby's room. I got a bouncer in a box that had never even been open. I got some plush toys, including a pillow in the shape of an Eagles helmet (for my husband). And I got a bunch of outfits that look like they could all be brand new, and it was all so cost-efficient!!!
I don't have pictures now, but just picture the smile on my face right now because of my excitement for my finds:):):):)

It's official!!

It's officially a HE, a BOY!! We are having a boy and there was no denying it when looking at the ultrasound!! what a cutie, and so cooperative:):) And we get to go back next month and be a "test subject" and do a 3D ultrasound for free, very exciting!! Time to start shopping.....

Pop goes the weasel

ok, i am really popping out now. i am in all stetchy pants and my belly really pops out and is noticeable with just about any shirt i wear!! here is a pic of me at 20 weeks and a couple of days, and today i am exactly one week from finding out the sex of the baby!!

Time to Touch

OK, so i know i've posted other pics of my belly, and then when i posted them they didn't quite look as much like i had "popped" out as when i looked straight down at my belly. But i think it has really happened. And i think i am more sure about it now because just this week i have had at least one person a day want to touch it:) And i am wearing all stretchy pants now too! i think it is truly noticeable now, and i will take more pitures soon, but for now, it's stretchy pants and wearing some of Matt's shirts and trying to decifer between kicking and gas:0:0 Less than two weeks until we find out if it is a boy or a girl!!!

Belly Progress...

OK, so I do fully realize that the progress looks small on these pictures, especially from the last I posted any, which were from week 11 or 12, but there really has been much progress! I mean, I think I only have 2 pairs of shorts that still fit, and some stretchy skirts I can still wear. I do desparately need to go shopping, and I am very excited for that!! Really though, when I look down at my belly, it looks like I have gotten SO big!! But then I look at the pics, and it doesn't quite have the same effect!! HAHAHA! I am still a proud pregnant woman, though! Here are pictures from the middle of 16 weeks...

baby belly

I am getting a little more of a belly, recognizable to those at least who ask and i can put my hands around it and show them. Definitely recognizable (and exciting) for me since most of my summer clothes (i.e. shorts and capris) are getting a little too tight to wear. I am a little nervous about the rubber band thing, i think i might just stick with elastic waste bands or going up a size or two for comfort for now...I'll have to take some more pics soon...15 weeks!

The Word is Out!

Sometimes it is really easy to keep a secret because I just make myself forget all about it so I won't accidentally spill the beans...but being pregnant!! that's a harder secret to keep because it is with me every day! but the secret is out and it is so much easier to be able to talk about it.

before we were telling people (and on the days when I physically felt normal) I could almost forget since I couldn't talk about it... but after seeing the first picture of the baby it got a lot harder to not think about a baby being inside of me all the time!!! and now today, to hear the heartbeat for the first time!! how amazing (and sort of funny sounding) that was!!

Yeah! I'm Pregnant!!! The pick is at about 12 weeks:) Just starting to show...

Should I Be Worried?

My husband is turning 30. Does that make me older? Should I be worried about anything?

it's Over!

the spaghetti dinner is over! woohoo. i mean, it was great fun and i am glad the kids had a blast, and i am glad we are able to help kids go to camp, but i am so glad it is over!

Biggest Loser!

I am watching the season finale of the show "Biggest Loser" right now and I am smiling! Partly because I went to school for health promotion and love to see people begin to be healthy and love it. Partly because it's not just about losing weight for all these people, it's about life change! These people have changed their weight and changed their life and it makes me smile!

Tea or Coffee

I like both. I am making tea a lot more at home lately (since being out in the bush for 2 weeks with only hot water and tea bags) and I enjoy the variety so close at hand. But, I also still enjoy going to Starbucks for a delicious brew...especially the new Pike Place brew (and the fact that I have a card to get a free cup every Wed for the next 2 months helps!) that is so nice on my taste buds! Depends on my mood....right now it is tea:)

Crocs 2

I'm still enjoying my crocs! They are so nice and soft!

Playoffs

It's going to be hard to get actual work done the next few weeks, it is so much work just to refresh my brackets through yahoo and facebook every few minutes, as well as keeping up on TV...man, it's going to be rough!

Success

I like Coach Wooden's definition of success:
Success is peace of mind that is the direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.

Nice!

Woodenism

I like this from Coach John Wooden's book:
Talent is God-given: be humble.
Fame is man-given: be thankful.
Conceit is self-given: be careful.

go Coach!

Commitment

Commitment

Comes from the HEART

Is recognized by Actions

Is the reason for Success!

Believe it!!

Crocs

I hate giving in to what is cool. I hate that crocs became the cool thing to wear, and no matter if i liked them or not, thought they would be comfortable or not, wanted to buy them or not, i just wouldn't because they were the "in" thing. But now that i have them, i really enjoy them...and not the fake kind...normally i go for generic brands of things...but there are some things you can just not go generic with, and Crocs is one of them! there is such a difference. they are so much softer!! it was worth the extra in payment to make sure my feet would be comfortable!! Go get some....and not because i said they are cool, but because you will try them on and not want to take them off...

Junk!

I hate allergies. I didn't have them until last fall, and I am dealing again, and I really don't like them! Sniffling and sneezing and weezing and coughing and congestion and headaches and on and on...it is just no fun! I stick my tongue out at you!

Rel8ing

I don't have a great history with relationships...keeping them, i mean. i moved around a lot, and kept in touch with people each of those times for a little while, but then it starts to get old and hard and almost not worth it-the time and energy. then i just decide to be friends with the new people i have met and move on...from elementary to middle school to high school to college.....but i am finding relationships more enjoyable recently. i mean, just sitting down with people over coffee and trying to talk about life and love and passion....trying to build into friendships that will hopefully last if another move ever occurs. I truly believe God is helping me to see others the way He sees them and to love others the way He loves them! Thanks! i am mosst thankful for my very best friend, Matt, but i am also very thankful for my other friends God has given me!

More from AZ

There was something about being out in the woods for 2 weeks that was great for me! I didn't have any headaches, my knees rarely hurt, my muscles were sore but in a good way, my bowels were so regular that i went every day after brerakfast and sometimes again later in the day... i don't know if it is just being out there, or the food was different, or my neck does good when i sleep on the ground, or my knees do better when i am hiking 10 miles a day...who knows. but things are different. i have had a headache almost everyday since i got back, but knees hurt more from sitting all day than they did from hiking, my neck hurts more from looking at a computer (or stress or some other unknown) than it did from sleeping on the ground and carrying weight on my back everyday, my leg muscle are in more pain from cramping up because i am sitting at a desk all day...i think i need to go back out into the woods!

Hiking in AZ

I just got back from hiking for 2 weeks in AZ with the National Outdoor Leadership School...it was fun, it was hard, it was exciting, it was frustrating, it was beautiful, it was a learning experience...it was also amazing to take a shower and sleep in my bed for the first time. it's amazing the things you start to appreciate so much more when you have not had them in a while...i am still processing some things from the trip, but i know i was there for a reason, i know i learned some hard things about myself, and i know i am going to become a better person because of this trip. more stories are sure to follow...

Leadership

Sometimes being a leader sucks...but I think it is what I am called to do...and it is what I am going to be doing for the next couple of weeks: learning to be a better leader and doing it in the outdoors. 2 great combinations, both could be hard for 2 weeks straight, but at the same time, I am very excited for both. I'm sure I'll have lots of stories when I get back!

Christmas is over....

Taking down Christmas decorations is like unpacking after a trip...it's dreadful! I have put it off for a while now, but it was a necessity, mainly since we are leaving town so soon. Putting up the decorations is great because it is the beginning of the season: parties, food, baking, presents, giving, family, friends, etc...it starts the anticipation. Like when you are packing to go away on a trip and it is fun because you are excited for a trip, but then when you come home the last thing you want to do is unpack and do laundry, etc...and so it is...until next year.