GO GATORS!
Sweet Boy!!
Showing posts with label Thanksgiving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thanksgiving. Show all posts
December 3, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
We're so happy it's finally Turkey day!!! (Mom here with the latest.....) That means we are that much closer to our little guy making his debut into the world. We're trying not to get too anxious, but we're very excited!! Weeks 34 & 35 were busy for us all because we had SO MUCH going on and LOTS of family in town. It was a short work week for Mom & Dad - just working Monday, Tuesday and 1/2 a day Wednesday - and it was awesome!! Gamma, Gaga, Auntie Carol and Oakley came to visit and we had SO much fun!!! Everyone arrived on Tuesday and it was unpack-then-chill-out-time.... Ah....vacation had begun!!! On Wednesday afternoon, we all met for lunch at Burger King and then Gamma & Auntie Carol went with us (Mom & Dad) to our dr's appointment. (Gaga was waiting in the van listing to Rush Limbaugh!!! hehe) We had an appointment that day for an ultrasound and a visit with Dr. Lipsitz. That was lots of fun because not only did everyone get to meet our dr that will deliver our baby, but they were able to be there for the ultrasound as well. They were able to see him rolling, moving, squirming and in general just having a good time in his little confined apartment. Gamma & Auntie Carol were just too cute with their "Ooohs", "Ahhhs" and general "Too Cool" comments... We were so glad that they could be part of that!! Dr. Lipsitz again said that everything is progressing normally. Blood pressure and blood sugars look good, weight is good, amniotic fluid is good (a little higher than normal, but with the gestational diabetes, higher IS normal) and the little guy is still growing very well - not too big or too small. That's always good to hear!! We're still on for January 5, but we're taking it week by week to see how it goes. YEA!! After our dr's appointment, we all (including Gaga) loaded up and headed over to Gaylord Opryland to go to the ICE! exhibit. This year it was a new theme "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and Mom has been antsy to get over there to see it!! We only waited in line about 15 minutes and then we were "in" and yes I'm sure I'm biased, but it was FAN-FLIPPIN-TASTIC!!! There was even a slide made entirely of ice - Dad, Gaga & Auntie Carol rode it and they giggled like 5 year-olds!!!!The entire Charlie Brown Christmas story sculpted in ice.. it was only 9 degrees and it was so great... (I promise to get pictures posted as soon as I can.) At the end of the exhibit is a Nativity scene sculpted from ice also and it was just gorgeous... it sparkled like glass and was so beautiful!!
(Auntie Carol was taking the picture!!)
After ICE! we walked over to the Opryland Hotel and walked for a while looking at all the spectacular lights. Waaaaaay too many to try to count!!! But it really puts you in the Christmas spirit to see them all. "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you goooooooo".... hehehe...... We left Opryland Hotel and drove to Longhorn for dinner and had a yummy meal, then headed home to get some rest... we were pooped from all of our activities of the day, but it was soooo worth it!! Fun exhaustion is the best!! =o)
Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, was awesome because the house smelled like FOOD all day long!! Gaga cooked a turkey and we had ham, green beans, sweet potatoes, mac-n-cheese, and rolls.... I know we had more, but I guess I'm still "turkey drunk" and can't remember... hahaha. Oh and pies - Apple and Pumpkin Pies.... YUM!! To say we ate like kings would be an understatement!! hahaha...
Friday morning (Black Friday) was NOT an early one in our house. We had planned to do a little shopping, but I wasn't going to be able to be one of those "at the stores at 3 am waiting in line" folks this year. I HAD to get some sleep after spending all day eating the day before! haha. Gamma, Auntie Carol and I did venture out later on though, probably around 1 or 2, and we were back by 5 (I think). We hit about 4 or 5 stores, but after being out in the crowds and traffic, it just takes too much out of you, energy-wise, so we decided to call it a day... We had gotten some pretty darn good bargains too, so it was a very productive trip! =o)
The rest of the weekend was spent watching LOTS of football, and finishing up the leftovers! What's so nice about the long Thanksgiving weekend is you have two days to eat and go-go-go, then you still have the actual weekend to lay around and be lazy and recover!!! Plus it helps to have a houseful to help clean out the fridge!! hehe.
Monday the 30th we had to head back to work (boo!) and Gamma, Gaga, Auntie Carol and Oakley had to head home. We were sad to see them go because we love having them come visit. Maybe sometime soon we'll have more comfortable furniture that doesn't swallow each person when they sit down on it!! hahaha. Gamma needed just as much help getting up off the couch and I did!! haha. Plus it was so nice to have Oakley there - there's nothing like Puppy Lovin'!!
Tuesday, the 1st we had another NST scheduled and everything went great. We started week 35 that day and we were anxious to hear our little guy moving around. He had had a very active few days prior, so we were curious if he would be that active at the dr's office too. His heart rate was holding steady around 146-156 bpm, and he was just kicking away. He loves to kick/punch/grab at the monitors and make the loud knocking sounds. Terri, the tech who does our testing, says that sometimes to the little ones, that monitor is like cat nip and they just reach out at it!! It was too cute!!
Tuesday night was our next-to-last Childbirth Class at Baptist and we really had a good time (as usual). We got a chance to tour the maternity area, including getting to visit and actual Labor and Delivery Room. We also had a chance to tour the nursery area, and see the lactation boutique, which is where you can go with any questions about breastfeeding or get any supplies you might need. It was awesome to see where our little man will make his debut to the world!! Also, seeing where we would be helped get rid of some of the the nervousness of the unknown when it comes "GO TIME"!! We stayed after class a little later with some other couples to practice our breathing and pushing techniques. We really like our instructor Ms. Geri, and she makes our classes so fun!!
We had a GREAT day on Wednesday the 2nd. I had a baby shower at work, and it was so completely overwhelming!!! (Yes, I cried!!! hahaha) We received so many wonderful things from so many thoughtful and gracious friends that we've worked with over the last several years!! We received LOTS of homemade gifts like burp cloths, and blankets and quilts. We also received LOTS of things we had registered for like our potty training potty, receiving blankets, sleeping wedges, and bottles. My group also gave us our travel system which includes the stroller AND the car seat!!! I couldn't believe it!!! It was so generous of them to do that and I was just overwhelmed with emotion.. it meant so much to me (and Dad of course) for them to be so thoughtful and giving!! Words just can't say how appreciative we are!! Truly blessed, just truly, truly blessed!!! =o)
We had another dr's appointment on Friday the 4th for a BPP to measure the little guy, and a follow up with Dr. Rossell. She's one of the dr's that we haven't met in the practice yet. The BPP went really well and the little guy wasn't as active that day which was kind of nice because usually he's all over the place!! hahaha. I like to think he gets excited knowing that we're going to see him!! Looks like he's still measuring a little ahead of his due date and is around 6lbs or so (WOW!!!) He had a restful day that day, so he was very "chill"... He was our Mellow Fellow that day!!
Our SOS softball team Christmas party was Friday night and the whole team (minus a few that had prior commitments) went to Brad's house. As usual, the food & company were great!! There were a few guys and wives that we hadn't seen in quite a while! Some because we hadn't seen them since the end of ball season in August. Some because we go to services at church at different times and just miss one another. We ate some awesome food catered by Black Eyed Pea (love that place!!) and of course they had banana pudding, YUM!!! Then we played Dirty Santa and of course Scott had to put a picture of himself in the mix... He's just not right, bless his heart!! hahaha.. but you've gotta know Scott... to know him is to love him.. I think!! hahaha... =o)
On Saturday the 5th we woke up early and headed down to Atlanta to see Uncle Danny & Aunt Holly for the SEC championship game of Florida vs. Alabama. Our road trip started out a little, well, difficult because it had snowed some south of Nashville and we got sort of stuck in "snow traffic" on the way down - took about 3 hours to get to Monteagle.... NOT a fun part of the trip!! But once we were past Manchester, it was smooth sailing - COLD but smooth!! hahaha.
We finally made it into Atlanta about 2 hours before game time. We had plenty of time to park (about 300 yards away) & walk to the Georgia Dome and get a late lunch before the game started. It did not end well for the Gators (we lost 32-13 to a VERY GOOD Alabama team), so I don't really have alot to say about the game. We were sad. It was hard to watch at times. It stung, ALOT! ... but the company was great & it was awesome to see Uncle Danny & Aunt Holly one last time before the little man arrives. We spent the night in Atlanta (love, love, love the Embassy Suites) and then headed home Sunday at noon listening to the Jags and Houston play...
HOLY COW - we'll be 36 weeks along on Tuesday!!! WOW!! God is so good!!
As far as development, week 34 he continues to put on "baby" fat and fill out. He "should" be weighing in at about 4 3/4 lbs (the size of a cantaloupe) and is about 18 inches long. His skin is getting smoother and his central nervous system is maturing. His lungs are also maturing which is awesome. If he's born between now and 37 weeks, his lungs are developed enough that he shouldn't have any issues. This is a likeness of what he may look like at 34 weeks.
By Week 35, he's running out of room in there!!! Rolling around and moving is getting a little more difficult for him. He should be tipping the scales at around 5 1/4 lbs ( the size of a honeydew melon) and a little over 18 inches. He's kicking up a storm, but the somersaults aren't as frequent because the space is limited. His kidneys are fully developed now and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete!! Now we just wait, pray and wonder!! This is a likeness of what he might look like at 35 weeks. 
Time is getting short.... He'll be here before we know it!! God is Great and we can't thank HIM enough for the wonderful opportunity to be parents. Not a day goes by that I'm not reminded of how great He is and how blessed WE are!!!
Until next time.... Love, love, love,
Mommy
November 23, 2009
Cason's on his way....
....and he'll be here soon!! Mom here this time....We're so excited, happy, blessed and overjoyed with our little man on the way..... We've only got a few weeks left to prepare for his arrival!!
Weeks 32 and 33 were so awesome!!
We've been steadily going to our childbirth classes at Baptist (our 3rd class) and we've had our EPT classes at church (ok well just one EPT class, and it was mainly just chatting with Dr. Johnson, but it still counts!!!) Our classes at Baptist are so much fun! During our 3rd class we learned about anesthesia, and breathing and relaxation techniques. We saw an actual epidural being administered and I have to say, I didn't freak out!! I was a little nervous about the epidural because I watched a video of one VERY early on in my pregnancy and that was just enough to make me panic.... but I got past it, after some scolding from dad, of course!! =o)
We also learned different methods of breathing and relaxation; breathing through contractions, breathing to relax, breathing to keep from freaking out that this child has to come out of you somehow!!! hahaha. Dad also learned how to massage and keep mom mellow, well, as mellow as possible.
Our 4th class was interesting because we watched a cesarean birth, but it was NOT what you think... they showed the prep for it, but not the actual surgery. The surgical part was more of a high-school-science-lab-type video; it was animated, but not cartoony... if that makes sense. VERY informative.... So needless to say, I'm not so much scared about that part of it either now. Which is a very good thing!! We learned more about contractions, and breathing, and what to expect when/if your water breaks and when labor starts. I really like Ms. Geri, our Nurse teaching the class. She makes you feel so comfortable and asking questions is easy because she doesn't make you feel "small" for things that you don't know.... She's awesome!
We have preregistered at the hospital, so that's one thing "done and out of the way"... hehe (Luv you Aunt Cindy). We've also registered for (but not sure if we'll get it) one of the premium birthing suites. They're crazy awesome, and mom and dad get swanky meals delivered and all sorts of perks... the down side is there are only 3 in the hospital and they're first come, first served. Plus they're an extra $$$ per night, that insurance does NOT pay for... but then again, it might be worth it to make the birth experience over-the-top! We'll just have to wait and see.
On November 12 (also Grampa Jerry's b-day) Daddy's group at work had a HUGE baby shower for him!! It was just too cute (we'll post pictures soon). We received TONS of gifts from all the special people that Daddy works with. The cake was so cute I could scream!!! It was a duck in a UF jersey with an alligator to the side - so adorable!!! Oh and Daddy also had a "corsage" he had to wear... it was a white hat that said "Lil Duck's Dad" with socks and a rattle attached.... so precious.... Just gotta love "the Judy's" and that whole group!!!
We received a bathtub, a bottle warmer, LOTS of clothes, a cute Gator jogging suit that he'll be able to wear soon, hats, shoes, socks, LOTS of handmade blankets and burp cloths and diapers. And of course, we received a biggie - our Carseat!! We love that thing!! Thank you so much to everyone for the gifts. You really mean so much to us and it warms our hearts to know that you care enough to shower us with such wonderful gifts!! Thank you!! 
We started our twice weekly Non-Stress Tests (fetal monitoring), BPP (ultrasounds) and dr visits during week 32 also. We've been going to monitor the little guy to make sure he's progressing normally and to get measurements to make sure he's not too big, or too much amniotic fluid. He's been a champ!! At week 32 he was doing great, and heart and lungs looked awesome.. At 33 weeks he was doing fantastic also. He was swallowing and waving at us like he knew we were there!! We were able to get a few more 3D pictures also, so we hope you all enjoy.......So special!! God is so good!! 
Week 32 was a big "growing" week for us... The little guy weighs about 3.75 pounds and is about 16.7 inches long. He is certainly trying to find more room in the womb!!! I gained a pound this week which is great because I had been losing or maintaining my weight. About half of what I gain goes right to the little guy! In fact, he'll gain a third to half of his birth weight during the next 7 weeks as he "fattens up" for his time outside. He now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz) and his skin is becoming soft and smooth as he plumps up!! Here's a picture (estimate) of him at 32 weeks.
Week 33 was another progressive week for Cason. He's a little over 4lbs now (about 4lbs 12 oz, give or take 6 oz according to Rachel, the ultrasound tech!) and he's almost 17 inches long!! No wonder I feel his kicks all over now... hehehe. His skeleton is hardening, and he's getting really plump. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and overlap, to make it easier to fit through the birth canal. Those bones won't entirely fuse until early adulthood to make room for his growing brain & tissues. Here's an "estimate" picture of him at 33 weeks (but not nearly as cute as the real thing!!! hehe).
We are so blessed, and are overwhelmed at times with the love that everyone has shown and the support that everyone has given us!! We are truly lucky to have so many wonderful people in our lives!! Thank you so much.
Be sure to check back soon... we're getting close to our special day and can't wait for the holidays!!
Love, love, love,
Mommy
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