Isn't she lovely?

Our baby girl got to come home from the hospital on Tuesday afternoon. She's been such a delight! I don't even mind the spit up and poopy diapers...yet ;)

Little Surprises

So, Tuesday night I awoke several times with contractions. Every time I thought to time them, I'd look at the clock...and then fall asleep. I had no idea what time the last one had been.

Wednesday morning Chip and I woke up. I told him about the contractions and we had a good laugh about it. Then we went into the bathroom and I noticed that my mucus plug had come out. CRAZY!!! Well, everything I've heard about the mucus plug says that it could be a couple of days or weeks before delivery, so I wasn't too concerned. However, I started having some pretty serious contractions and they seemed regular, although I never really timed them. Chip was supposed to go on a business trip that day. We finally decided he should stay home and we should go to the hospital.

But first, we had to get sis to school and buddy to Chip's parents. So we waited until about 8:30 to go in. I was nervous that the contractions were going to stop and they'd send us back home. We got to the hospital and got checked in. After getting in my lovely gown and onto the bed, my nurse checked me to see how far along I was. I was already at 5 centimeters. I was half way there! So, I got the epidural a bit later and then a little after that, she was here!!!

That's right, I had my baby girl 3 weeks and 2 days early. 6 lbs. 8 oz. and 18 inches long. She is so beautiful. I don't think she looks much like my other two babies. She has her own look. After she was born, they couldn't get her to cry she was moving and breathing but not crying or breathing deep enough. They got her cleaned up and handed her to me for a minute. Then Chip and my mother got a quick snuggle and she was off to the NICU. She's been there ever since.

Her white blood cell count is too high and she may have an infection. I said MAY. We have no idea as nothing is showing up on the other blood test that would show a definite infection. Basically she's in there just in case something is wrong. They are giving her antibiotics and drawing her blood every morning to see if her cells are normal or not. So, we are waiting for the dr to call us one morning and say "She's great! Take her home!" We thought we'd hear those words today, but that was not the case. I know she's where she should be. I would hate for something to flare up here at home and us not know anything until it was too late. It's still disappointing though to have to go visit her up at the hospital. We want her home with us :(

Welcome to the family, Baby Girl!!!

Great, Boring appointment today :)

Everything is looking good :) I was a little worried that this appointment would show high blood pressure and I'd be put on bed rest. That wasn't the case. HOORAY! My mom, sister, and I are going out this weekend and I was so worried I'd miss it.

Anyway, baby girl is measuring right on and her heart tones are good. She is moving almost constantly and I'm growing bigger every day. Sometimes it feels like she's going to come right out of my belly button! How can I possibly get any bigger? I honestly feel like there is no room left! I know every pregnant woman gets to this point. I guess I figured I'd get there a little later.

So, this weekend I'm also test driving a 2007 Kia Rondo. It has seats for 7, but is smaller than a van. It's also quite a bit cheaper. It will be the newest car we've ever gotten and only has 38,000 miles on it. We are so in love with this car, and we haven't even really seen it yet! I guess that's what we get for dreaming ;)

Christmas was wonderful. It was so nice to spend it with our families. We are so blessed.

Happy Holidays!

Oops, a little behind!

So, I've kinda forgot about my blog. It's not the only thing I've forgotten lately. This pregnancy brain has really got me going!

Anyway, for a quick medical update, our baby girl is doing great! She is always measuring right on. I feel her move almost constantly. She's about 5 pounds now. Can you believe it? I can't! If she comes when Sis made her appearance, that's in two weeks. If we can hold out for when Buddy came, that's four weeks. We would rather she didn't come too early. We went through two weeks with Sis in the NICU and I'd like to avoid that if at all possible.

Actually, it probably is possible. My blood pressure has been great throughout this pregnancy. I may have a slight case of white coat high blood pressure because my last one was a bit high. However, I had taken it the night before in the Shopko pharmacy and it was very normal.

In other news, we are way excited for Christmas around here. Buddy keeps asking if it's Christmas day yet. It must be so hard to be three and not really grasp the concept of time. Sis is able to use a calendar to count down with, so she is content.

We are also looking for a bigger car to fit our growing family. We've been hunting online mostly. We really should get out of the house and into dealerships in order to find what we want. We'll be able to do that soon. Likely January because I have no desire to pay registration every December. :)

That's a lotta love

I love coming on here Saturdays and seeing a new little pic of what my baby may look like now. I've been feeling her move several times a day now. It's such a sweet experience. Have I ever mentioned that I love the 2nd trimester?

Feeling so blessed

I can not believe the turn this year has taken. It started out so difficult in February with my miscarriage and then thinking this one would miscarry as well in June. I've been obsessed with having a baby for two years now. I feel so blessed that I don't worry about getting pregnant anymore. It's been very stressful.

Yesterday we went to the dr. for an appointment as well as our ultrasound. We decided to take Sis with us because we figured she could handle sitting quietly while watching. She did fantastic! Also, I think having her there really motivated the technician to find out the sex of our baby because she kept talking about how happy she would be to have a sister.

Well, Sis got her wish! We are having a baby girl. She is perfect as far as we can see and she's measuring right on for my due date. Her name will likely be Rosalie Joy because she has already filled our lives with so much joy. The pictures we got of her are so precious. She is so loved already.

I can't wait to meet her!

not much going on...YAY!

After going through such a CRAZY June, I'm happy to report that life is pretty boring at the moment. Sis is getting very excited to go to school next week. What is she most looking forward to? Eating lunch at school. LOL! Even trying new food. I read her the menu for September and she said she was fine with trying everything. I guess it's time for me to let go and let her decide what she'll eat for lunch. A couple of days being really hungry after not eating much may cure her of all sorts of pickyness ;)

Buddy is growing up so quickly. Today while he was chattering at me (you know how 3 year-olds are) I noticed that I could understand nearly everything he said very clearly. In fact, the times I don't understand him are because he's using either a made-up word or the wrong word and I haven't caught on yet.

Both kids have grown significantly in the last year. Sis has grown 2 inches since October and Buddy an inch since May. I am so blessed to have these children as mine to raise.

Chip and I have gone to marriage counseling. Ok, not what you think! It's a study at the local university and we decided it would be an easy $20 :) So, we each had to fill out a survey on our relationship. Not that it will surprise anyone here, but the girl in charge of our "case" was highly impressed that we work so well together. It was a little difficult to set goals for us to work on as we didn't have any weaknesses the survey is meant to uncover so they can be fixed. I am in no way saying we have the perfect relationship. I guess I'm saying we've decided what is important in our married life and have stuck to it. We have similar values and goals and that helps us get to where we want to be.

I am so blessed to be married to Chip. I really don't think I'm very easy to live with, but he insists he wouldn't have me any other way. What a guy! Especially to say that after the last three months I've put him through (aka. 1st trimester). He is an amazing husband and father. I don't know how I got him, but I'm so glad I did!