3 months...

So I know I'm well behind on this. (as I look at this and remember that I didn't write anything but the first sentence and now Bella is 4 months. Shh.. We will just pretend I did this on time...)

Happy 3 month birthday, Isabelle!
In the last month:
~You have gained at least a pound to a pound and a half. You are somewhere in between 11 and 12 pounds (I believe).
~You are wearing 0-3 month outfits, though Gigi bought you several Christmas outfits that are 3-6 months so you are wearing them as well.... They are definitely big, but ya got wear your Christmas stuff!!
~I swear your feet haven't grown any longer, but are thicker...the rest of you grows each day it seems.
~You are now consistently eating 6 oz bottles of mommy milk every 3.5 to 4 hours at home (though day care feeds you 4 oz quantities - way more frequent!)
~You are sleeping well through the night (atleast 8 hours and upto 10 hours!) I think daddy is more happy than mommy is about this. Mommy still wakes up before you to make sure you get milk and to prepare everything for your day!
~You are such a happy baby when you wake up! And since you sleep so well, we have been making it to daycare lately before you have to have your first bottle - this lets mom sleep a little longer which she is thankful for!!
~As mentioned twice above, you have started daycare which means mommy went back to work. The good news is you do really well there. Your teachers LOVE you and think you are pretty amazing... Mommy misses you, but knows that it is for the best! We spend extra time cuddling in the evenings to make up for it!
~You love to be held by anyone and enjoy seeing your grandparents!
~One of your favorite things to do while being held is to roll over/off and on to your back so you can see what is going on...
~You love to smile and laugh! Your eyes light up when you see your mommy and daddy (theirs light up when they see you as well...)
~You had your first Thanksgiving and got to meet your Aunt and Uncle from the NE for the first time! They loved you and loved on you while they were here! Your aunt took sweet pictures of you that we will use on our Christmas cards this year! You also got to spend lots of time with many of your mommy's family which you seemed to enjoy.

We have had so much fun with you this last month! It just keeps getting better and better!! You are getting do much of your personality and we just love it! We are trying to savor these moments because it seems like yesterday you were born. You are such a good and happy baby! We love you so much! Your smile melts our hearts. You definitely have everyone wrapped around your finger...just wait til you can tell us what to do... We are looking forward to your first Christmas and all the fun and excitement it will bring! We love you Isabelle!

2 Months

This is a little late in getting posted, but I'm going to blame it on the fact that I was waiting on her measurements from the doctors office (which I really was!!!).

At two months, Baby B you are:
~23 inches long (wow! Almost two feet, you are most definitely going to be taller than your mom!!) The doctors office even commented that that was tall.
~10 lbs 7.3 oz - almost to average! Yay! You are definitely getting the pudge and growing so big
~15 cm in head circumference. Not sure on this one but assume its good!
~ sleeping between 6 and 8 hours at night for mommy (which she very much appreciates!!!)
~ eating 5-6 times a day and eat 4-6 oz when you eat. You prefer milk to formula but will take either.
~ in love with your pacifier. Not obsessed, but it does help you on soothing.
~such a smiley baby and developing such a great personality! You can always find a way to crack your dad and myself up. You give the best facial expressions!
~the apple of your dad and I's eyes. I am having hard time knowing that our constant 24/7 time is coming to an end. Momma's gotta go back to work so you can have awesome clothes :).
~loved and cherished! We all think you are the best baby ever!

Dear B,
Time is flying and you are getting so big. The time for mom to go back to work is fast approaching, but I know you will be in great hands. I will definitely cherish all the time I was able to spend with you early on. It will always be a reminder for me to ensure that I spend as much quality time with you now that I'm going to miss a few hours of your day. You are such a sweet, happy baby! You are loved, cherished, and even a little spoiled, but we wouldn't have it any other way. Your smile and laugh are contagious and bring joy to many people. Your entire family loves you and cherishes their time with you (Just wait til Thanksgiving!!). It's been a great 2 months since you changed our world! Looking forward to the days, weeks, months, years, and decades to come!

Love you, B!
Mommy

7 weeks

B turned 7 weeks yesterday. Here is an update on my sweetie:

She is getting so old so fast (maybe if we didn't measure in weeks I'd forget..but at the same time I love measuring in moments with her!).

She is about 10 lbs which means she is getting closer to doubling her smallest weight. Again, growing so fast. I haven't measured length, but she is growing in that area to based on the car seat and bouncer (as well as sleepers..).

She has outgrown newborn diapers and graduated into size 1 diapers. Dad thought they looked big on her but agreed that it was because he was so used to the newborn size.

She is also mainly wearing 0-3 month clothes. She can still fit in some of er newborn outfits but those are getting smaller by the day. Hopefully we will get a few more wears out of some of her nicer outfits. We will see, though. On a side note, I need to finish washing her Christmas outfits because it's not very long til he will be sporting those. (She has like 6 sleepers/onesies that mommy will try to ensure she wears in addition to a couple of dresses so I'm guessing starting at Thanksgiving she will be wearing Christmas.. Next year, I will coordinate better with her Gigi to make sure we don't buy too much. - or so I say...we will probably be in the same boat..)

She had mastered sleeping for extende periods of time at night! (I say that and she will prove me wrong..). She typically eats sometime in the evening (between 7 and 9) and then between 1 and 3 am and then sleeps til 6-8. Mommy is thrilled!

She eats between 4 and ~5.5 oz at feedings when fed by bottle. This week, for the first time since day 5, she have been successfully able to breastfeed and almost be full. In the past, she would get bored or fussy and we would revert to the bottle where she would take a full feeding. Now she will stay and eat/drink. I typically give her an ounce to ensure she is past full. (and then I pump just to check). I know, I worry way to much. This is great news for us, though!

She is becoming more animated by the day. Thursday during her late night feeding, it was all she could do to smile and make the cutest faces at me. If you upset her, you get some good faces too.

She has crossed state lines, been thru the airport x-ray machines, an flew in two airplanes during her travels this past week.

I have and still am enjoying being with her every day (though when she cries constantly it wears on me..but we both make it thru). I get two more weeks with her at home before I go back to work. It makes me sad that this time has flown by so fast. At the same time, I'm grateful that I have had each moment and that I am fortunate enough to stay at home this long.

B is the apple of my eye. She makes me smile and laugh constantly. She has given my life so much more color and fun. She has made my life so much more worthwhile. To say I love her just scratches the surface of my feelings towards her. I thank God for blessing me (and her dad) with our sweet baby girl, Isabelle.

B's First and Second Flights

B is a great traveler.

Last Wednesday, B and I travelled to Texas to visit my mom (B's Gigi) and some of our friends and family. Gigi is working half of the time in TX so we decided we would go keep her company. We drove from our small town to Gigi and Pops' house that morning. Pops made lunch for us (well, me) and my grandmother ate with us. Then, he took us to the airport. We had a nonstop flight to TX. All went pretty well. Security was LOADS of fun...let's say they were very unclear about exactly how they wanted the stroller and car seat. Ohh well. The flight was a breeze. B was hungry and ate during take off. She then slept the rest of the flight. Gigi met us at the airport and we headed to her temporary apartment.

We had a great but busy weekend. Thursday, B and I bummed around Gigi's apartment during the day. We did venture out to help Gigi and visit her work. That evening we went to Chuy's for dinner. Friday, we drove back to where we lived before moving home. We ate lunch with some friends. The we went and visited with our friend Rachel and briefly saw B's boyfriend (Jr). Junior had a cold so his mamas kept him most of our visit. Jr is 6 months older than B though he looks a year older than her. It's crazy to think B is gonna get that big anytime soon. We ate dinner with some other friends and drove back to Gigi's apartment. We brought back one of my friends with us.

Saturday, we had a girl's day of shopping which was nice. It included eating at California Pizza Kitchen (we had small plates which were good.$ and Cheesecake Factory (also very very good as always...). Sunday, we got up and met two of my cousins for lunch and then did some furniture shopping for Gigi's new apartment. Monday, we got up and headed for the airport.

We were sad to go, but excited to see Daddy (the Hubs). Security was much easier now that we knew what to do. B was great again on the flight. Pops picked us up and fed us lunch before sending us on the way home.

We made it back to meet the Hubs as he got home from work. We dressed B up in her Halloween costume and got ready for the trick or treaters.

B and I had a great trip, though I think it will be 2012 before we attempt something like that again. We are exhausted and have spent last night and today trying to catch up on sleep and rest.

Halloween and Volleyball

So, I have to tell a story on myself. I expected Bella to be big when she was born. Like as big as she is now (okay, maybe not 9 lbs but atleast 8 and change...). I wasn't the only one who expected this (hence, the week early induction) and so I didn't purchase many newborn outfits. I mean, she was only going to wear them for a week or two (not five or six). She would definitely be in 0-3 month clothes by October..so any cute fall/Halloween outfits should be 0-3 month, right? Ha! Insert God's cue to laugh at my planning and thinking.. So poor B has had to wear big onesies these last couple of weeks so that she can adequately sport her Halloween gear. (There will be pictures below to show off some of her outfits.) Finally, as Halloween approaches most of these outfits fit. (there is still one onesie that is a little big...). Again, case in point of why you shouldn't plan and count on things when you are a new parent. The question remains on how much of her (large, thanks to Gigi) Christmas wardrobe is going to fit her...it only varies in size 0-3 months to 3-6 months...le sigh. Atleast I have learned this enough to resist all temptation to buy cute fall/Christmas outfits for next year. No telling how off the mark I will be..

In other news, we took B to the Huns' school tonight for a volleyball tournament he agreed to participate in. It was a good way for him to show her off and to test myself by riding in the front of the car. Yeah, I'm that parent who has been riding in the back seat to keep an eye on my child. I won't be able to do that on Wed when we drive to LR so this was a good adventure... All went well. The men teachers (mainly coaches) beat the seniors and narrowly were beat by the sophomores in the championship round. I couldn't decide in game 2 of the championship round if I should root for the adults (who lost game 1) or for the kids (cuz I was tired and ready for it to be over). The adults won game 2 and missed winning game 3 (best 2 out of 3) by a couple of points. Not bad when your age ranges from 20-60ish playing 16 year old athletes...

Well, I'm off to play mommy, but enjoy the pictures below!!!

One Month

B -

It's hard to believe, but you are one month old!!! It's been a wild ride.

Here's a recap of the last month:
* You have grown at least 2 inches (probably more, but we haven't measured you in over 2 weeks).
* You now weigh 8.37 lbs (according to the scale that granddad weighed you on yesterday.)
* You have met all of your grandparents and two of your great grandparents.
* You have been to the hospital and doctor's office a couple of times, but haven't been to either since you were 2 weeks old.
* You have travelled to Little Rock to visit some of your extended family.
* You are eating ~3 oz every 3 hours. (It definitely keeps mom busy with the pumping.) We are trying to get you to breastfeed again, but that has been a struggle.
* You are a happy baby for the most part and typically don't fuss unless you are hungry or we are changing your diaper.
* You mainly wear newborn clothes, though mom has been putting you in your Halloween gear (which is all 0-3 months). You are about to outgrow those sweet newborn outfits, though.
* You like to make funny faces especially when daddy blows on your face.
* You make your mom and dad smile and laugh so much. We love you with all our hearts!

B,
I'm loving being able to stay at home with you and love on you 24/7. I can't imagine life without you and enjoy our moments together. You are growing way to fast for me... You are thhr best thing I have ever done. I love you so much more than I could have ever imagined. May you always smile and laugh with your care-free spirit.
Love,
Your Mommy

Math Riddle

Okay so I know I owe this thing a million (or atleast a couple) updates. Here's the general news - Bella was born on Sept. 16th at 4:41 PM. (I'll try to get a post up on this very soon!) She and I were released last Monday evening from the hospital. We had to readmit her into the hospital Wednesday due to some issues (yet another post in the works) but we were released yesterday (another post). So long and short, she and I are doing well now. We have had some speed bumps but we are both healthy now.

Alright, now for the riddle -

If you have to add a tablespoon to 4 fluid ounces, how many teaspoons (or partial teaspoons) are you supposed to add per 10 mL?

Argh.... Love conversions... It only took google and a piece of paper and way more time than it should have to figure it out.....

The first week...

I have debated posting this (mainly because of my embarrassment and feeling like a failure), but I feel like by posting this I could maybe help someone else not feel like a failure. The joys of parenthood, especially for a first-timer is that younare going to make mistakes, bad things may happen, but you can't guilt trip yourself, blame yourself too much, and you shouldn't beat yourself up about those things. (this is much easier said, than done. It's also easier to say these things 3 weeks later - and to be honest I still blame myself to some degree.

As has been posted, Bella was re-admitted in the hospital at the tiny age of 5 days. Why you ask? She had dehydration and hypernatremia (elevated levels of sodium in her blood.). I'm sure now you want to know what caused it/how it happened? Both were caused by issuesbwith her breastfeeding. We knew she was having some issues, but thought we had worked through most of them (except those cause by my eating).

We were discharged from the hospital with an appointment two days later with the peditrician. The appointment went okay. (okay, it went terrible, not the actual appointment, but she got hungry why we were there and then had trouble feeding, but finally got that done.) she had also lost more weight, which was also frustrating for me. You see, I have this idea that I should have the perfect child (I mean obviously she is beautiful) and I should be the perfect mom (again, Please Don't Get This Idea Stuck In Your Head!!!!). B's peditirician asked me to pump and bottle feed her so we knew how much she was eating (again, not something I ever wanted to do. I was determined to exclusively breastfeed this child, but after seeing her weight loss and talking to the doctor, I gave up keeping that expectation.)he also wanted to run some tests, which was a long, emotional ordeal.

By the time we made it home, I wanted to cry (I think I did...). I got the pump out and got everything sanitized and ready to pump. Turned the pump on and it worked for like 30 seconds and it just stopped. I'm not kidding!!! I about lost it!! This wasn't a cheapo pump. It wlas a Medela. I paid ALOT of money for it. And for it to stop working before I could use it after the horrible day I had...I about lost it. A call to Medela and my mom helped calm me down. So the power supply shorted. Luckily, the pump comes with a battery pack. So off to pumping I go...

Fast forward a couple of hours to ~8 that night. I get a phone call from the doctor with the news that the blood tests came back showing the issues (dehydration and elevated sodium levels) and that we needed to come to the hospital to readmit B. My heart dropped. I don't think I have ever felt more vulnerable, scared, and like a failure. By the way, the first two emotions were okay, the last I know wasn't okay. I tell this because I don't want anyone else to feel that way. How are you supposed to know that your precious baby has high sodium levels? It's not like she has a sign over her head. As far as the dehydration, not even the doctor realized how bad she was til he got the results back. (or at least that's what it appeared..) and I had my mom around and she didn't realize it. It has taken several days for me to understand that I'm not a failure and that I'm still learning. I beat myself up a lot the first couple of weeks which was not good for myself or B.

B was in the hospital for 5 days to lower her sodium levels slowly (we had to go very slowly not to shock her system.) This was done with low sodium IV fluids (for the first day and a couple of hours) then it was observation and eating. The dehydration was taken care of with the pumping and ensuring that she got certain amounts of food. (The IV also probably helped:).)

She is a fighter and such a good baby. Her mommy is donproud of her. She did a great job in the hospital and the nurses loved her (or at least seemed to be enamored with her..) The Hubs (daddy) and I stayed with her the entire time. Her Gigi was here when she was admitted and stayed for a couple more days. Her other grandmother also came to see her while she was in the hospital.

As I've talked with more people, it appears the issues with eating and even the dehydration are more common than what I had heard of. The issue is that no one talks about it. Again, I'm not sure if it's afraid of being seen as a failure or just something parents forget or don't want to mention because they don't want to scare you. The issue is that by not talking it makes it worse when it happens and you haven't heard of it. The sodium issue is more rare, but again was mostly due to the dehydration. The most important lesson here is to talk. To overcome the fear of being seen as a failure to share a story that may help a mom and her baby. To be honest, no one thinks that you are a failure. They understand that there is a learning curve and that you are doing the best you can and that some of this just happens sometimes. So don't beat yourself up. (I wish I had listened more when people gave me these encouraging words...)

Hopefully, my sharing of this experience will help others. Also, hopefully, B won't think I'm a terrible mother from hearing this story.

Math Riddle

Okay so I know I owe this thing a million (or atleast a couple) updates. Here's the general news - Bella was born on Sept. 16th at 4:41 PM. (I'll try to get a post up on this very soon!) She and I were released last Monday evening from the hospital. We had to readmit her into the hospital Wednesday due to some issues (yet another post in the works) but we were released yesterday (another post). So long and short, she and I are doing well now. We have had some speed bumps but we are both healthy now.

Alright, now for the riddle -

If you have to add a tablespoon to 4 fluid ounces, how many teaspoons (or partial teaspoons) are you supposed to add per 10 mL?

Argh.... Love conversions... It only took google and a piece of paper and way more time than it should have to figure it out.....

One week old

B -

You are one week old today. You are unfortunately in the hospital. You have had quite the first week...Here's a quick update of you:

* The last time you were measured you still were 17 and 3/4 inches.
* You weighed 6 lbs even this morning.
* The nurses removed your IV this morning. (You have them wrapped around your finger..)
* Your sodium levels are almost in the right range.
* You are eating well every 2-3 hours.
* You smile alot and are in general a happy baby.
* You have your mom, your dad, and both grandma's wrapped around your fingers.
* We are all thrilled you are doing much better and are anxious to get you home..

Pictures from Bella's First Visitors

So I'm way behind on pictures (and posts for that matter), but I thought I'd post a few from her first hospital stay.

Sweet girl

Daddy and B

B rooting on the Hogs

Aunt A and B

My granddad, me, and B

B, myself, and Aunt A

B and all her cuteness

I find this picture terrible of me, but this is us getting ready to leave...it had been a long day.

B and me..

Rocking and waiting

She was soo small in her car seat

Bundled up and ready to go home

The Birth of Isabelle Lorraine

Isabelle Lorraine was born on September 16th at 16:41.

She weighed 6 lbs 7.3 oz, was 17.75 inches long.

 

Here is a short summary of her birth.

Due to being diagnosed with a mild case of Gestational Diabetes, my doctor informed me somewhere around 34 weeks that we would not go past 39 weeks. As each week passed, we continued to discuss what that meant (though he was hopeful that she would come on her own). At 38@ weeks (well 37 and 6 days), I had my next to last appointment. The game plan was that I would come in for my normal appointment (exactly one week from then) and based on my progression, we would induce Thursday or Friday.

On Thursday, September 15th, I headed to the doctor's office. I had progressed more than I had last week, but still need a little more time. Based on that, he scheduled me to arrive at The hospital Thursday night at 8 to begin "prep work" for the induction (which would take place on Friday morning). I came home with my mom who was here for the fun and we just spent that afternoon doing what we do best - shopping and walking.

After pizza for dinner, we arrived at the hospital around 8. I was admitted and taken to my room (2312). There they did the normal admission stuff and started me on the prep work (i.e. Cervadil). The Hubs hung around while mom headed home for the night. They also gave me an Ambien to try to help me sleep. Around 3:30 AM, they had to remove the cervadil as I began to have regular contractions (I think they were less than 5 minutes apart...).

At 6:30, we started the induction with the pitocin drip. The doctor came in at 7:30 to check on progression (I was 2-3 cm and 90% effaced). At that point he tried a couple of times to break my water. It didn't go do well, but the nurse suggested giving the epidural first. Insert long complicated story of my adventure with the epidural. The long and short is two people attempted to give me an epidural (a CRNA and the anesthesiologist) and combined they had to do it at least 3 times (pretty sure it was 4, though) and in the end, it didnt take properly. This took a couple of hours to sort out and try to fix... In the mean time, Dr. Jones came back and my water finally broke.

By noon, things had progressed to where I was 5 cm dialated and making good progress. They were still playing with the epidural. They upped the pitocin to the final amount thinkingnthat would help progress me to delivery point. At 2, there was no change in dilation, so we began to change positions to try to help. But at 4, again therenwas no change. Based on this information, Dr. Jones recommended a C-section. By this time, I was exhausted due to the lack of pain medicine (and I was in ALOT of pain) and the fact that it appeared that I wasn't progressing, so we agreed with the doctor. They began prepping me for surgery and took me to the OR around 4:15. (I did get a spinal in the OR, which did work!) The Hubs and mom came in the OR once everything was ready and stood by me in anticipation of the birth of our little angel.

At 4:41, our world changed forever as Miss Bella entered it. She was (and still is) the most beautiful sight. We got yo hold her and see her before they took her to run tests. Eventually, both mom and baby made it back in the room. Mom, dad, and baby had some alone time while my parents and little sister went to grab a bite to eat. (My dad and sister arrived while I was coming out of surgery.) When they returned, we introduced them to Bella.

38 Weeks and 6 Days - Bella Will be Here SOON!

I'm 38 weeks and 6 days!

38 Weeks and 4 days

38 Weeks and 5 days

38 Weeks and 6 days

How Far Along:  38 Weeks and 6 Days

Size of baby:  19 to 22 inches from crown to toes… and she weighs ~7 pounds (about the size of a watermelon).

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  According to my appointment today, I’ve lost ~2 pounds (I’d say I’m pretty stable…somewhere plus or minus 2 lbs…the nurse and I have a running joke about it) so ~7-9 lbs according to the doctor’s scale. According to my scale, I’m at ~12-14 lbs.

Maternity Clothes: Yes. For the last week, I’ve pretty much tried to stay in maternity stuff since it will get packed away pretty soon. L

Gender:  It’s a precious baby girl!

Movement: Every day.  She keeps pushing in uncomfortable places and rolling a lot, but I figure she is probably just trying to be comfortable

Sleep: I’m waking up atleast three- four times a night. I have slept well the last few nights…that or been so sleep deprived that I don’t notice things like my phone ringing…alarm going off..you know, the norm.

What I miss:  Sweets…I’m having cravings for anything sweet right now…not a nice joke to play on someone with GD…

Cravings: Cake and Sweets

Symptoms:  Jabs and flips. Feeling panicked that this baby will be here soon. Nesting like crazy according to the husband. Awkward stares from people and people asking when I’m due.

Best Moment this past week:  So, I’m writing this today because I will be in the hospital tomorrow (well technically, we will go in tonight) at 39 weeks. We will be inducing Bella (unless she decides to come on her own today) tomorrow. It has been unreal the support and love we have received throughout this whole pregnancy. We are in a bittersweet moment where we realize our lives will never be the same and yet we are thrilled to be able to see and hold sweet Bella. Looking forward to tomorrow and the days to come.

Pregnancy Highlights:

The Night Before...

So here we are... The night before the last doctors appointment of this pregnancy.This appointment, in many ways is critical, and yet in many ways it will be similar to last weeks appointment.

I would think it is fair to say that the Johnson house is full of nervousness and anticipation. We are anxious to know exactly what the plan is because right now there are still options. I am thankful that the options have been discussed and either is completely okay with us. Both include induction and both will put us in the hospital sometime tomorrow. You may ask what the unknown is... It's the question of when and what the path forward from there is exactly. Either way, we know we are in God's hands.

Please pray for us over the next couple of days as we continue thru these last days as husband and wife and transition into a life of husband/father, wife/mother, and baby. This may be the last post for a couple of days, but I will try to update as family, baby, and time allow.

Don't mind me over here while I freak out...

Did you know that I'm having a baby?!?! Like this week?!?!

For the past day, I have been freaking out. I mean I realize I'm pregnant and the end result is that a baby comes out. However, it is hitting me that in a couple of short days, my life as I know it will change FOREVER!! Yes, I'm still freaking out.

It's crazy that the time is already here. I know it will be okay and everything will be fine (with lots of prayers and probably a few tears), but I'm nervous. I think that is probably a normal to be nervous and anxious.

People are now asking me when I'm due. I guess I look bigger than I think...that's okay. I am about to give birth so it is probably good that I look that way.

Anyways, I'm going to go to bed and try to get sleep while I can.....

Where were you?

It's a question that you may have been asked or asked yourself today.

10 years ago, I was in my AP Psychology class. I think I had gotten in there early (like the nerd good student I was...no, not much has changed). Someone came into our class to tell us about it. Ms. Hyatt (who was one of my favorite high school teachers) had turned on the TV when the second plane hit. We knew our lives would never be the same. You see, most of that class was seniors. Our lives up til that day had been consumed with sadness that summer was over, discussions of what colleges we should go to, anxiety of test scores, and anticipation of what schools/scholarships we would be accepted/given. Never in our minds (or at least mine), could something like this happen.

Don't get me wrong, our school years had been affected by violence. In 7th grade, two boys shot and killed a teachers and four students in our state (Jonesboro). Two years later, as freshman, we watched in horror as the Columbine shootings occurred (I can tell you where I was when I first heard about it and what I did that night). A couple of weeks after Columbine, our school faced a bomb threat that emptied the auditorium and sent the student body home for that day. Not to mention the other bomb threats I experienced as a student. (The sad truth is that I probably don't remember all of them.)

We were all speechless. How could these people attack the might US on our soil? Yes, they had attempted to bomb it (the World Trade Center) when we were younger). I remember watching the news on it. But we were the mighty and powerful US of A. And yet, we were in chaos. All that was spoken of that day was what had happened and what did this mean for us? Would there be a war? Would it be on US soil? Would they issue a draft? I can only imagine what all ran thru our minds. Our eyes were opened to the evilness of the world around us. In many ways, we lost some innocence and grew up that day.

In the 10 years since, we have seen wars. We have seen more terrorist attacks (though none with the devastation of 9/11). We have seen more evil and seen evil people be sought and killed. Still, we have been forever changed. Never will we assume that we are safe from terrorism. Our innocence and sense of comfort and safety has forever been taken away. That's not to say that we aren't safe, but that our safety is not taken for granted.

10 years later, I sit on my couch preparing for the birth of my first child. A child who I pray never has to experience national tragedies such as September 11th. I pray, though, that we teach these children, who were not alive when 9/11 occured about this tragedy, about pride and loyalty for our nation, for those who dedicate their lives to saving others, and that they, too, will be forever changed and grateful.

September 11, 2001 will be a day that I will never forget. Where were you? And more importantly, what can we learn from that day? What can we take away from that day? What can we do to make a difference 10 years later? How can we keep the memories of those lost during this tragedy?

38 Weeks...2 to go....

I'm 38 weeks!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along:  38 Weeks

Size of baby:  19 to 22 inches from crown to toes… and she weighs ~7 pounds (about the size of a watermelon).

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  According to my appointment on Wednesday, I’ve gained ~2 pounds (I’d say I’m pretty stable…somewhere plus or minus 2 lbs…) so ~9 lbs according to the doctor’s scale. According to my scale, I’m at ~14 lbs.

Maternity Clothes: Yes, but I can fit in some of my regular shirts still. I vary in between maternity and regular shirts.

Gender:  It’s a precious baby girl!

Movement: Every day.  She is getting stronger in her kicks and they are more often. The hiccups down low are pretty amusing. The long stretches that make my entire abdomen hurt…not so amusing.

Sleep: I’m waking up atleast three- four times a night. I really miss deep sleep.

What I miss: Energy  and Sweets…I’m having cravings for anything sweet right now…not a nice joke to play on someone with GD…

Cravings: Cake and Sweets

Symptoms:  Jabs and flips. Feeling panicked that this baby will be here soon. Nesting like crazy according to the husband

Best Moment this past week:  This past weekend, my parents came up and helped us fix up Bella’s room so it looks good. She can arrive now whenever she wants. It was really great to spend time with them. The other GREAT moment came yesterday at my doctor’s appointment where he gave me a game plan. There are 3 options moving forward including the one where she comes when she wants. We’ll see what happens, but glad to know we have path forwards (yes, I realize I’m a nerd….)…