Shameless Consumerism

I finally made a baby purchase after my Dr. appt. this morning. I went all out and bought... 3 onesies! That $8 was really burning a hole in my pocket.

I have been receiving lots of inquiries about what I've got, what I need, will I be having a shower... The answers (in order) are: nothing, everything, and next Saturday @ Gabe + Mandy's (the old Haynes house). So, I thought it might be nice (more for me, really) to share all of my registry information on the blog. It's easier than individual emails and then I know everyone has it. Here goes (warning - I registered at LOTS of places):

Target
The basics - large and small

babystyle
Storage, nursing, etc.

Pur Bebe
Organic baby wear and accessories

Pottery Barn Kids
Storage only - they're way too expensive!

Our Green House
Organic and eco-friendly stuff. Yes, I really do care about that stuff...

Happy Shopping :-)

30-Week Update

I'm going to try to be better with updates as time is running short! I went for a follow-up ultrasound this morning to check my placenta, which was low-lying at my 20-week appointment. Well, 10 weeks later... the stupid thing still hasn't moved up. Though it is not covering the cervix (thank goodness!), it is only 2 cm away. I'll probably have to get another ultrasound in about 4 weeks and if it still hasn't moved, I will most likely deliver Ella via scheduled c-section. This was not exactly the news I was hoping for. But, there's still a chance everything will turn out normal. I go back to my doctor in a few weeks, so I'm sure there will be more to report at that time.

The good news is that Ella is healthy and active, weighing nearly 4 pounds. She's also measuring in a little ahead of schedule, so my due date has been moved up a bit to September 6. Not much of a difference, but I'll take good news any day - even in small portions. This pregnancy hasn't exactly been easy. But if it doesn't get you one way, it'll find another.

Superfreak

30 weeks pregnant and I still haven't bought a single thing (well, a book)... needless to say, I'm a little freaked out. I have no crib, no car seat - not even a single onesie. We have received lots of gifts (and I am incredibly thankful!), but not much in the way of the necessities. I'll be set to dress Ella once she's 6 months old, and I have plenty of stories to read her. But if I want to give her a bath, or take her for a walk... I'm out of luck.

I'm hoping to get our bedroom ready for her in the next few weeks - so we actually have room for a crib/baby stuff. We just don't have a very kid-friendly house, but I'm sure that will change. No more sharp corners or breakables covering nearly every horizontal surface... I better get to work!

p.s. The photo is the cutest baby hat EVER, made by my good friend Ji Sun. She has mad skills and great hair - can't beat that!

Stress = Bad

The following is old news - nearly a month old. Many of you already know about it, many don't. Here goes...

The night I flew back to MT to visit my family for Andrew's graduation, I started having contractions - painful ones - not the Braxton-Hicks silliness that happens all the time. I woke up Andrew to let him know, but said I thought they would go away. But they didn't - for about 8 hours. Finally, I called my mom before she left for work and asked her for a ride to the hospital (convenient, because she happens to work there). By the time she got to my dad's house, I was having another contraction and throwing up. I felt fine for the ride to Plains, but started feeling crappy again once they admitted me through the emergency room. This is a really long story. I'm going to condense it...

I got on an IV to replace fluids (though I was never dehydrated) and to pump me full of magnesium to stop the contractions (luckily I didn't dilate). It was way uncomfortable. In my 10-hour stay, I had the pleasure of 4 different IVs, a urinary catheter (that's a story all on it's own), blood tests, use of a bedpan and news from the doctor that I wasn't very happy to hear. She wanted me on bedrest - at least most of the time. I was put on Procardia (a heart/blood pressure medication) to keep my contractions from coming back and was sent home. At least I got to see my family and I was able to go to Andrew's graduation. But, the whole ordeal was rather scary. They couldn't find anything wrong with me, so we can only assume it was stress.

I went to my doctor after returning to DC and basically got the same prognosis. I had to start seeing another Dr., keep on the Procardia, and cease all exercise/cut down on work. But, luckily... when I went back in again last week, I was given a clean bill of health and told to get off of the medication (YEAH!!!) and encouraged to get back to normal (or close to). I feel so much better - the Procardia made me rather lethargic and caused my feet to swell to Cabbage Patch Kids' proportions. I'm finally back to exercising (we went swimming this weekend) and don't feel like taking a nap every hour of the day.

I go back in for another appointment on July 11, so hopefully all is well between now and then. I'm really just taking it one day at a time... crossing my fingers that little Ella will stay in there for a few more months.

As Promised...

I know... it's been a long time since I wrote anything on here. Things have been busy and I have lots to report. Until I get to it (hopefully this weekend), here are a few photos from Brady's birthday party. We all wore offensive t-shirts and I made cupcakes that looked like boobs. It was fun... definitely a theme we'll be keeping for years to come!

Wacky Dreams

Pregnancy has a way of messing with everything... even one's subconsious. I have been having the craziest dreams for the last few months. I think that last night takes the cake. Here's the shortened version: I was walking down the street with a group of people and Ella (yes, we're naming the baby Ella) started kicking really hard. I lifted up my shirt and I was able to see her little feet and hands trying to break through my belly. She was stretching out and my skin was getting more translucent, until she finally broke through (think Alien). She was rather cute, but I had to be rushed to the hospital to make sure she was ok... then I woke up. In my dream, the experience was rather calm and not at all painful. But in retrospect, the whole scenario is rather disgusting. Hopefully she'll stay in there a bit longer and come out in a more traditional way...

Graduation

Saturday was graduation day for my little (younger, but not actually smaller) brother, Andrew. We had beautiful weather and the ceremony wasn't too terribly long. I was able to catch up with lots of friends and family - it was so great to see everyone. I can't believe that the next time I see most of them, I'll be a mom. Too strange. It was weird enough having everyone see me so pregnant. I was able to visit with my cousin, Jennifer, who is also pregnant (6 weeks behind me). It's nice to have someone to commiserate with - pregnancy is no easy task! If you're fortunate enough to escape one symptom, you'll most likely be afflicted with something equally as uncomfortable. I'm sure it's all worth it... and more.

p.s. even my family was impressed with my huge boobage. thanks kathy :-)