Noody's Room

Here is a some updated pics of Noody's room! It finally looks like a baby room! Just need a matress and a diaper pail and its totally ready!

Merry Christmas!!!

After all the shopping, decorating, parties, wrapping, eating, spending time with friends and family, Christmas has finally arrived. The kids are so excited to have Santa coming tonight, but also, that Noodle will be making his appearance very soon. Since we kept saying that Noodle will be here after Christmas, Nathan was sure that Noodle would be arriving the day after Christmas! So, we have to keep reminding him that he will be here SOMETIME after Christmas, not December 26th LOL

To your family from ours, we wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

36 weeks & new picture

Here is a new pic-Noodle will be 36 weeks tomorrow which is now considered FULL TERM and if we go into labor they will not stop us and let us go ahead and go. We are seeing more signs that he is on his way, so its just a matter of time before he arrives. I am washing his clothes today, I am starting to pack up the bag, and making a list of what we need to get from the store. The batteries are charging and now we just wait! If you scroll down you can see from our Family Christmas photo and my 35 week photo that he has definately dropped some more. Keep checking back for updates!!!

Honey...Its About that Time...I THINK???

What an eventful night!

I was miserable at work last night. Hitting all the floors to get charts was miserable, I have never felt so "waddly" in my life. I just felt like I couldnt go on. Had a few easy, simple contractions at work, nothing painful, just there.

I got off of work bout 1:15a and got home got in bed, and as soon as I got in bed I had a contraction. OUCH. Where did that come from? The first one was pretty strong, then I dozed off and got woke back up from 2 more before 2am. I was so tired, but every time I tried to doze off, I would be woken up by a contraction. Do I wake up Adam and tell him its time? I am still considered "pre-term", Im just a few days shy of 36 weeks which is full term. Would they try to stop them if I went in? Would they say, its a go, and let me go home and labor at home for awhile? I wasnt sure what to do.

I got up, tried to move around, I felt freezing, shaking and all, which I am NEVER EVER cold so I got on my robe and paced the floor. They moved to about every 4 mins. After quite a few of those, that I would probably rate at a hard 2 or 3, I figured I better go get in the tub. If I had went to the hospital that is what they would have me do, is get in the tub. So, bout 2:20 I got in the tub, all the while DH was snoring fast asleep and would not get up. He had taken cold nighttime pills and was not budging out of that bed. I climbed in the tub for about 10 mins and then got back out because I was just not comfy in there and felt like a beached whale, it just wasnt a pretty sight. I got back in bed, still was having them, tossed and turned, tried to get comfy, got back up, went to look thru noodle's closet for him something to wear in case we did have to go in, (I Have yet to pack my bag, guess i'll be doing that today), and came downstairs to try to figure out if i should go in or not.

I did this til about 4am, which at this point I had been laboring for 2 1/2 hours. They did seem to slow down and not be as strong after the tubby, so I went up back to bed, put in my ear plugs to block out dh's snoring, and finally fell asleep after 4, so im assuming they either stopped or were light enough for me to finally sleep.

I called the office to let them know this morning, and actually have had a few here this morning, so I guess i'll watch them today and maybe go in and get seen in the office today if need be. I was just pacing last night, Im not ready, he's not ready, my house isnt ready, my bag isnt packed, my batteries arent charged, I dont have everything i need, do I call my mom and have her come sit w/ kids, etc. I wasnt sure what to do.

Check back often for updates! It could be any day now!!

35 week Dr. Appt!

Well we went to the doctors today and noods is getting ready to make his appearance. My blood pressure was up a bit today, my tootsies have been swollen, and she wants me to go on a modified bedrest. Try to take it easy, rest as much as possible and just let him "cook". She said if we can hold out for another week to a week and a half, he will be full term and will let me go. He is definately head down and has dropped, he is right there she said. I am already 1 cm, not quite 2cm yet. Once I get to 4-5cm I usually go quite fast, so at least now we know that once we start contracting good, its best to go so we arent stuck at home delivering a baby. I have also lost 3 lbs this past two weeks, and we start going every week now. Our next appt is the day after Christmas.

Its now time to get the finishing touches in order, get his mattress and changing table pad, pick up some more diapers, and pack my bag!! Cant wait to meet noodle!

Two Preggos in a Pod

We had our family Christmas party last night and finally got a photo of my niece and I together! She is due the end of February. Here we are!!






FYI I'm the big one on the right!! LOL

New 35 week photo!!

Here is a new photo of Noodle. Can we say HUGE, MASSIVE, EXPLOSIVE, BEACH BALL, no way he is waiting 5 weeks! And this is wearing a loose shirt! I'll have to take another photo later with my tighter shirts like I usually wear for the "full effect". Boy if you cant get the "full effect" from this photo, there's a problem. LOL

35 WEEKS!!

Congratulations! You’re now carrying nearly 6 lbs of baby not counting their amniotic fluid, the umbilical cord, or the placenta itself. We’re impressed because that’s a LOT of work non-stop. Are you feeling proud of yourself yet? Well, get to it—you’ve done an amazing job! At this point, your little grower is almost busting out of the womb size-wise, which make their restricted attempts to move much challenging. Of course, your stubborn little sucker is still trying to move around as if they weren’t in a cramped space. And the accumulationg baby fat deposits are starting to level off so your little butter ball will be padded and warm when they head out of their super snug little home.

And how's mom doing?

We’re sure you’ve noted that the contractions are picking up and despite the obvious appeal of getting the pregnancy over with at this point, try not to jump the gun too soon by declaring actual labor. Of course, if it’s getting to the point where you’re having contractions continuously— you’re in The pain experienced depends on several things including your own natural pain threshold, medication, birthing position, fetal position, previous births, your general health and the actual birthing environment labor and yes, it’s time for the "grab your bags we’re gonna have a baby" rush. For the rest of you not yet in labor, your watermelon-betwixt-my-legs waddle is as charming as ever, not to mention the glorious ongoing back pain and fatigue. Hang in there! Once you’ve got your miracle baby on the outside, this will all be a dim memory. So, catch the cat naps whenever possible and keep yourself hydrated with water and try to imagine how all of this will (hopefully) be much funnier in hindsight.
Your doctor or midwife should soon start monitoring cervical effacement (thinning of the cervix) and dilation in order to predict labor. If your cervix is already dilated labor is probably not far away—although there are some moms who walk around with a dilated cervix for a couple of days prior to labor. And if you haven’t heard about the joys of discharging the mucus plug (which protects the uterus from infection) along with some spotting, commonly called “bloody show”—both are signs that labor is around the corner. Should you discharge anything unusual in consistency and/or coloration, don’t hesitate to call you health care providor, it’s probably nothing, but you certainly don’t need the extra stress right now.
Let’s talk about pain. Reports on the intensity of pain experienced during labor and childbirth are widely varied from woman to woman. The pain experienced depends on several things including your own natural pain threshold, medication, birthing position, fetal position, previous births, your general health and the actual birthing environment. Of course, there are natural births, cesarean deliveries, spinals, IV’s and other pain medications, all of which also play into how you experience pain during child birth.
Ideally, you should attempt to be as relaxed as possible and willing to accept the pain as part of the birthing process. In reality, your experience of the birthing process is unique to your body and how you choose to respond to it. Pain is a two part process: the first part is the physical experience of the pain and the second is your emotional reaction to your experience—and that is the part you have the most control over. Choosing to accept and endure the pain of child-birth (with or without medication) can be an empowering experience for any woman, as well as making the birthing process notably easier for those assisting you.

The diet has begun....

Well I did it. I bit the bullet, and started my MSPI diet.

For those of you who dont know, our second and third child had MSPI (milk soy protien intolerance) to where they were intolerant to all milk and soy products. They were on special prescription formula that we had to get from the pharmacy after they ordered a stock of it for us. One standard can of formula ran us $50 a can, which only lasts a few days. Our second child, Molly, was the most severe since we breastfed at the beginning and the milk and soy that I ingested ruined her stomach. She ended up having multiple hospital stays, 31 days being the longest stretch in a row. She had a feeding tube in her nose for 6 mos, and a sleep monitor for a year. They only see a case as severe as her's maybe once a year. She ended up seeing a world renowned pediatric GI specialist in Omaha. It was quite an experience that we had to deal with. So, with that said, I am bound and determined to breastfeed noodle this time around. For multiple reasons, 1. It is so much better for them in the long run (if done correctly in our case) 2. It will be MUCH cheaper for us because of the cost of the formula that they need to be on 3. The connection between mother and child is wonderful.

In order to do so I have to stop all milk and soy products. I have quite a list of things I cannot have, ex. textured vegetable protien, milk, soy, soy flour, casinate, etc. I have found a special cookbook/guidebook to help me with my journey. So needless to say I am already craving a big ol' bowl of cereal or mac and cheese. But, I can do it. I had a bowl of fruit for breakfast, and chicken salad with crackers for lunch. Its alot of reading, but, I was amazed that mayo does not have anything in it that I cannot have, nor does club crackers. I will be taking my prenatals to help with needing the calcium vitamins.

Im sure after a while there will be nothing to it when it comes to finding things to eat, until then, if you see a pregnant lady standing in the isle with a confused look on her face and reading a ingredients list on a box of something or nother that is me. And when you drive thru your local DQ for a malt, grab an extra for me and suck it down with pride! :)

34 weeks!

We have finally hit the 34 week mark! I took new pics today, and I am convinced that someone has sabotaged my camera, as my pictures look like Noodle has turned into a missle. I looked thru my camera, but cant seem to find a setting for missle shaped belly, or stretch, or whatever it would be under. It all looks ok to me, but, my pictures not so much. So, I thought I would post them anyway to give you all a good laugh. :)

Julie did have her baby, Friday afternoon. I cannot wait to go snuggle! The weather is to be bad again this week, so I am hoping to get up there later this week sometime.

Our next appt is set for the 18th, and then we will start our weekly appts. I still feel as if I am in a daze and that this whole pregnancy thing is just a figment of my imagination. I guess it wont actually sink in til he is here. I am going to be a mother of 4! Shocking!

Our crib pieces are finally here, so we will get the crib finished tonight! I will post more room pics as soon as we get everything in order!

Here is the missle....I mean noodle!

The waiting game.....

I never realized how agonizing it is to WAIT for a baby to get here! My friend Julie was due last Saturday and bless her heart, the lil one never showed. She was scheduled for her induction on Friday (today) at 7am and I have yet to hear any news! I am trying to refrain from going insane (not that it would take much). I have checked her blog a millon times today, expecting a lil news....but nada. I am on pins and needles waiting and its not even my own baby!

Noodle is excited for his lil playmate to arrive, he has been quite rowdy today. Noodle will be 34 wks tomorrow (sat) and could officially be here in 2 wks! If you go into labor at 36 wks they will not stop you, and let you deliver. We could have our lil "noods" here in 2 wks, unbelieveable! We have had the typical pregnancy complaints lately, exhaustion, swollen feet and fingers, lots and lots of movement/pushing, and contractions.

Everyone I see lately looks at me, shakes their head, and says, "there is no way he is waiting til the middle of Jan". I have been accused of having more than one, if not 3 in there, been told I look like I measure 8 wks ahead, instead of 1 week, and been told I need to get a sling to put my belly in before I tip over. I guess I wont be making any trips to a bowling alley in the near future in fear of being accused of smuggling out a bowling ball.

I have 17 days left before I must be done w/ my shopping for Christmas. Yeah right. Not to mention the parties we must attend in the next 2 wks. I do not see how I am going to be ready for Christmas or Noodles arrival. We have yet to go make the trip thru the tree farm to find the "perfect tree". I am wondering if I cant sucker Adam into taking the kids to go find the tree and let me stay home to "get things ready" so I dont have to go trapes thru unsteady snow to look for it. I have one thing for Adam, and one thing for each of the kids. That's it. For Noodle I still need a contour changing table pad, the diaper champ, diapers, some curtains, and a matress.

Ok Julie still waiting to hear, dont keep me in suspense for very much longer, I cant handle the stress!!! :)

33.5 week appt

We made the trek to the dr again yesterday, not too many of those left to venture to. I turned in my short term disability papers (funny they think being pregnant is a disability LOL) and in return I received my pre-registration papers and my "what to pack for the hospital" list. Its beginning to seem so real now! The noods is still measuring a week ahead. He has begun to "corkscrew" down is what the dr told us, he could especially tell this because his heart rate was found way down in the pelvis, and mama can tell this by the massive pressure in my hooha. He is head down, ready to take the plunge. His tushy is on the right side of my belly, his back towards my right side, and that I should be feeling most of my kicks on the left (which we do). He made our next appt for in 2 wks since we are right in between the times that they usually switch to once a week appts and everything has been so uneventful so far. We were told to watch the contractions, and when we get to 36 wks, they will let us go, if we go into labor. That is in 2 1/2 weeks! Molly and Nate have their big sibling class today, they are really excited!

Things are starting to fly by now. I have yet to really start my shopping for Christmas...Oh Boy. We have 4 christmas partys to attend in the next 3 wks, not to mention finish up things for noodle, and getting the house ready for his arrival.

My friend Julie is already 3 days over due (poor thing) and of course Noodle and I are keeping tabs on her for his playmate to come out and play. Needless to say he will have to wait for Noodle to get here for us to start our playdates.

Just a warning.....Watch Out Starbucks....you will be getting 2 new customers in the near future!!

Progress made on Noodles Room

Finally, we have started on the "noods" room. Thanks to my wonderful father in law he has painted the room, so poor noodle does not need to sleep in a purple room. I was getting worried that my poor boy would have to grow up in a "girly" room and form some type of complex. But, the room is painted, the crib is semi put together, the floor is swept, and windows have been windexed. Some of his clothes have been hung up or put in the drawers, just so we can see what we all have for this lil noodle. I will have to go back and take everything out to wash it, but, at least we are making some type of progress. I have to purchase some curtains, which I think will be in a deep blue, to add some color to the room. I will post more pics as we get farther along in the room. Stay tuned!