Newest Addition

She's finally here. Aubreigh Grace made her debut into the world on March 21, 2009 at 2:16pm. She was 7 lbs 13 oz and 20 inches long.

Birthing story: I was having contractions starting at 4 am and waited to call the doc at around 5:15am when I knew the contractions were regular around 6-8 minutes apart and coming on strong. Doc instructed us to go to the hospital so they could check to see if we were in active labor or not. Upon our arrival, the doc was busy trying to deliver 3 other babies so the nurse took us to triage and did an exam. No dilation, but contracting regularly and blood pressure pretty high 149/86 (if I can remember correctly). She said to wait and the doc ordered blood work. Blood work came back fine, no toxemia going on, whew that's a blessing. So while the initial doc on call that night was busy the other doc who was on duty for the 21st came in and checked us again for dilation (2 and half to 3 hours later) still no progression. So he went through my file and saw the latest ultrasound that was done, Thursday 19 of March. Noticed that Aubreigh was weighing in at 4000 grams (equals 8lbs 13 oz). So he was a bit concerned about how big she might have become in just two short days. As he explained to us, you have to give or take away 500 grams. Seeing how she was already late they expected her to have gained 500 grams which puts here at 4500 grams (equals 9lbs 14 oz) which is big for someone like me to have to push out. He was afraid that I would have problems since this was baby number 1. So Richard and I discussed what we should do. We both thought it would be better if they take her instead of going through the whole labor process and her get stuck and have complications. We headed off to the OR at around 2pm, Richard met in there since I was already strapped down to the OR table. I asked Richard to say a prayer before they started to keep my mind occupied because I was scared to feel something, pain. But I couldn't feel a thing, other than poking, pulling, and some pressure but not much. At 2:16pm we heard our baby girl cry. She was the most beautiful little thing I've ever seen, alittle bias since she's mine. But finally getting to meet her for the first time was such an emotional event for me. I had Richard wipe away my tears from my eyes b/c I couldn't due to being strapped down.

Richard did well, I tried to get him to watch them pull her out but he said "I would like to keep my lunch down." It was kind of funny. Then once she came out Richard just wanted to stay next to me but I said go take pictures of her everyone is going to want to see them. So he did, didn't take many as he was anxious to get back to comforting me. He's such a great husband and I couldn't have asked for a better one. The nurses finally asked Richard if he wanted to hold her and that's when it hit him. She's mine I really don't have a choice. So he held her and showed her to me and then was instructed to leave the OR with baby girl and the nurses. I would be meeting them in the room shortly the docs needed to finish up stitching me together. While in triage we had 2 other ladies come in, one with twins she was 33 weeks along and her water broke. Another lady came in and was in active labor they took her straight to a laboring room. So that's 3 more babies for the day puting us at 6 we knew about before Aubreigh joined the crowd. So our doc delivered 8 babies that day and he was exhausted. He came in the next day and looked like he was ready to drop dead due to no sleep it seems. But overall everything went well. No complications Aubreigh and I are doing well still.

Overdue and Overcooked

Stick a fork in me and call me done... I'm overdue by a day now and well to be honest with you I had the gut feeling she would take her time. But it could be for a good reason and only the Lord knows why. So I'm trying to take it a day at a time for now until she arrives. We have tried quite a few things to help get dilation started, I have walked for an hour a day since last Friday and tried raspberry tea.

We have a doc apt tomorrow for a non-stress test and an ultrasound to make sure the placenta is holding up for its job and to make sure the baby is not stressed out for whatever reason. So we will be there for sometime tomorrow. Pray that this will help figure out why she's not here yet and that everything looks good. She's like her mama already, stubborn and will do things the way she wants them done.. Most are probably agreeing with this statement, I know my family would be. OK that's it for now.. I'll keep posting updates when I can.

Less than a week to go...

Ok so just got back from the doc apt and well not much to update on. Blood pressure normal 120/70 total weight gain is now 32 lbs, i know I can't believe it myself either.. Doc checked to see if I've started to dilate yet, and NO we haven't. Said the cervix was softening and the baby's head was right behind that so.. what does all this mean.. THAT I STILL HAVE TO WAIT!! Now I feel like I'm just complaining. But we will see when she decides to make her special appearance. Next doc apt is March 17, yes my due date, at 940 am.

Ok enough of me complaining.. Hope you all enjoy your day!!

Ready to POP!!!

What can I say, I'm ready to have this baby. I think pregnancy shouldn't be 9 months long and perhaps almost 10 months for some people. Don't get me wrong I've enjoyed being pregnant for the most part, but these last few weeks have been kind of hard. From not being comfortable throughout the entire day, to have lost the ability to stay focus on anything longer than an hour (especially for work purposes), to just ready to be back in normal clothes. I know I shouldn't rush this whole process, but I'm sure there are many of ladies who would agree with me on this when you're ready you're ready.

I have a week until baby's due date, but I've had this feeling from day one that she would be taking her time and will be late. Richard and my mom on the other had thought she would come early. I talk to the baby nightly telling her, we've waited long enough and we're ready to meet her and love her and just enjoy her as a new addition to the family. While talking she moves and kicks, especially in the ribs, but that's about it. I think she's nice a cozy in there and doesn't want to face the world just yet. OK I'm done moaning and groaning for the day. Have doc apt tomorrow and hopefully they can tell if I've even dilated any or not, so we'll see..

36 weeks and counting

This week is our 36th week of the pregnancy and well I'm ready to have this girl. Nothing new to really update on; last appointment went well which was on the 6th of Feb. Blood pressure normal, didn't gain a single pound.. go me.. Next appointment is Feb 23.

I have started to feel her move down getting in place to make her special appearance. Also started to hurt more, not sure if they are braxton-hicks but i haven't seen my stomach tighten which is how they describe braxton-hicks. So we'll see. But everything else is going pretty much the way it has been. Good and still can not complain about anything. Just trying to sleep when I can since I won't be sleeping much when Aubreigh gets here.

Sorry really boring this time around. Will try to have pictures put up soon.

What a blessing

No words can express how blessed I feel each and everyday, but today was more of a blessing than I could handle. The ladies from the church threw me a baby shower. I was surprised by a good friend, Lisa S. to come make a special appearance just for me. She drove 3 hours down from NH. She had a wonderful heart felt devotion/thoughts on motherhood. Thank you so much for that I really appreciate it.

These ladies really know how to make you feel special. I can't thank them all enough for the gifts and most of all the memories from that night. Sharon T. especially with her advice on children. lol. You know what I'm talking about if you made it that night. We received tons of gifts for baby Aubreigh and will get lots of use out of them.

Thanks again.. You are all a Blessing to me.

8 Weeks Left!!

I'm getting HUGE!!! Picture taken at 31-32 weeks.Well it seems that way to me anyway.

Ok time for an update here. It's been about 4 weeks since the last post and well again not much has gone on here with baby and I. We've started our 2 week appointments at the beginning of the month. We had a little scare for a moment. Before the Christmas holiday I took the 1 hour glucose testing. In return the results were high, 130 is the mark for having to test again, mine came back at 149. According to the doctor there wasn't anything to be worried about as most who end up with diabetes their test come back much higher than mine did. So the docs sent me in for a 3 hour glucose testing, can I say that was really hard to do. Getting up, not being able to eat anything, and having to sit around the hospital for 3 hours and get stuck 4 times, not fun in my book but it had to be done. Praise the Lord the test came back normal. woohoo.. No diabetes for this chick.. Pray that baby girl doesn't get it either as diabetes run pretty big on both sides of our families.

First visit at the beginning of Jan went well. Lost a pound, woohoo.. ok not really woohoo but it was nice to hear that I didn't gain another 5+ pounds. Blood pressure coming back up a little from the last visit 110/64 which is still good. So that appointment lasted about 10 minutes total. Baby heart beat still sounds good and clear, not worries there. Second appointment, which took place this past Monday went well good. Blood pressure about the same, baby heart beat good. And the most shocking thing I've heard all this time was I needed to WATCH my weight... ahh!!! Never thought I'd hear those words come from the docs mouth, they were just telling me I could use the weight now they say watch it.. Can you make up your minds PLEASE!! So I gained 5 pounds in 2 weeks but remember I lost a pound in the previous visit so technically I only gained 4 which now puts me at a total of 23 lbs.. not too shabby I guess. But they really don't want me to gain any more than 35 so I'm gonna try my best to stick to that. Not that I'm eating a ton or anything but I must say my appetite has begun to increase. Also, not getting much sleep these days. Guess its the bodies way of getting me ready to not get sleep when she arrives. Just having back problems at night, weird thing is that it's not the lower back, but the middle of my back going up to my neck. Looking into seeing a chiropractor to help with that, depends on the cost. I've dealt with it this far what's another 8 weeks right? Other than the back hurting not much else I can complain about yet!! YET is the key word here...lol..

Are we ready.. people keep asking us. I tell them I'm as ready as I can be. Then I say I'm ready but not ready for the pain to start. Labor and Delivery.. scary two words these days. I've been talking to a lot of the wonderful church ladies who've had kids and hear about their stories or how can I better prepare for the pain. And then my lovely sister. So far they all say the pain is worth every minute once you see her little face. So I'm going with it. I can do this for her and well for Richard as well. He's been waiting for kids for sometime now. Just wanted to make sure that we are both ready when it did happen. But I know baby girl will be a blessing to us and to everyone else as well..

So we have finished the nursery.. woohoo.. but a little bit of an expensive thing to do. No one ever said kids where going to be inexpensive right!?!?! But Richard and I have enjoyed putting her room together. We used the pattern called Malawi by Kidsline. It's a neutral pattern but I got a really good deal on it from a lady at work. So I'm not complaining. I have pictures of her room all ready to go. So when she decides to make her appearance she won't have to sleep on the floor...lol.. just kidding I wouldn't let her do that anyway. Just a few pictures of her nursery. The middle one really shows the colors and animals. Richard really liked it when I brought it home. Not too girly for him or me. If you know me I'm not about the girly stuff. I'm not one for the color pink either but for some reason pink isn't that bad of a color if you have another color with it. Yes, I'll admit it, I have bought something pink for her. The outfit I want to bring her home in is grey and pink plaid. So.. You never thought that would happen right.

Not much else going on here. Next update will be in about 2 weeks after the next doc appointment.

12 weeks and counting

Quick update on baby and me. Went to the docs on Monday this week. Everything is going well, thank the Lord for that. They didn't have my results of the glucose testing and other blood work they did on me the week prior so I'm hoping and praying that I don't have gestational diabetes. My blood pressure was alittle low again for me, but higher than the last doc visit four weeks ago. 108/70. I keep asking if that is OK. I guess it's better to be lower than higher right? Again, I'm still in denial about the weight gainage, is that even a word? I gained another 5 lbs, which now has put me at at total weight gain of 19 lbs. ugh!! Please let me lose this all.. ahh!! Richard however is loving the fact that I'm gaining weight. He has always thought I needed to weigh just a little more than I did.

Richard and I keep telling ourselves, we need to do everything we want to before baby makes her presence with us. After she's born its no longer about us but about her. I keep telling myself wow, I'm going to be a mama in just a few short weeks. This is crazy. How can this be. Well the Lord blesses even when we're not expecting it right. I do pray daily that we have no complications at all throughout the labor and delivery process, which by the way I'm not looking forward to. Well that's pretty much an update about us at the moment.

We are off to CA come Sunday to see the Flanagan side of the family.. Hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New year!!

Random updates

Well it's time to update this page with everything that has been going on here. Things with baby are going well. Growing like a weed and not getting much sleep, but I'm sure that's going to help out when she finally arrives, right? Last Dr apt went well nothing has changed other than when I was weighed it seemed like I gained 9 lbs in just 4 short weeks. I was like this is not right, but I guess I can't complain right? They think I've gained 15 lbs so far but in reality I've only gained 10, believe me I weigh myself daily. OK maybe I'm in a little bit of denial about gaining 9lbs in 4 weeks. The one thing I was concerned with was my blood pressure it was lower than normal for me even before baby. It was 105/62, it's normally 110/70, but they let me know everything is going well. In this picture I'm 25 weeks along.

Since the last post we've had so much going on. My father in law, Rick, came into town to help out the church with the tile. He's so good at his job we couldn't resist in asking for his professional help. It's funny though because everything he comes to visit we always seem to get him to work on something while here. I did reassure him that it's not my fault this time for him having to work... So he spent quite a bit of time with Richard at the church, while I was working hard in the office at my job. We did see each other for a little time and it was great seeing him again. He's such a hard worker and never makes time for himself it seems. But he was glad to see that we are doing well and that his wish finally has come true. Getting his grandbaby he's asked about for 5 years now annually. We took some pics while he was here, Richard of course was behind them all so. But Rick and I sat next to each other and wanted to see who's belly was bigger. I believe I won. It was funny but here's a picture of us.

Other things happening around our crazy house. We had our lovely roommate come visit us all the way from San Diego, CA.. Brandan, yes this is spelled correctly, we all went to NYC just the other day and had a great time. We did lots of walking which is good for me but needed to take a break while Brandan and Richard walked the shops at Bryant Park. We started off with lunch at a Bistro which was really good. Then it was off to see the NYC Christmas tree. Richard and I have never see this other than on TV. The tree is gorgeous!! So big and just having lights on it with no ornaments other than the huge Swarovsky crystal star on top.. Which has lots of crystals on it. But it was an enjoyable time there. We didn't do all that much but just getting out of the house and doing something was great. Here are a few pictures of that as well.

So one more thing. I was sitting on the couch watching TV and was eating some cashews and didn't realize what I had done. I sat the can on top of my belly and was eating with one had and had the remote control in the other had, so the can was resting all by itself on the belly and Richard just started laughing hysterically. He had to get a picture of it. But it was funny I have to admit. He's so funny with all of this pregnancy going on. He just keeps saying how awesome the process is when having a baby. He is just amazed at how I have a living creature inside of me right now. He loves to just touch her and call her name. He can't wait until she arrives. I know he really wanted a boy, but he made a comment the other day saying how excited he is just to know his dream is coming true of being a father. I really can't wait to see his face when she arrives and see him hold her for the first time. It's going to be a moment I won't forget. But that's about it for us at the moment. Here's the last picture..

CoCo and Foster

So here we've adopted a new baby to the family. His name is Foster. He's a 2 year old male chihuahua and was not treated very well from his previous owners. A co-worker of Richard's was getting rid of their dog because they were moving to VA. The place they are renting doesn't allow for pets, so they say. But we think they just didn't want to deal with him at all. He reminds me alot of my moms dog Peanut back in Tx. He's cute but still much in the puppy phase. He was left in his kennel for 14+ so he really doesn't know how to act when outside of the kennel. We're slowly working on him. He's come a ways even for the short time we've had him. So everyone here's a pic of our 4 legged babies.
Most of you know Coco. She's been with us for 5 years now. I must say she's my favorite probably because we've had her for so long and as always been the only one. She's not as tiny as Foster but they love to play with each other. So I'm posting a pic of her too. She's the dark chocolate colored one and Foster is the cream colored one.

22 Weeks

OK, so its that time to update everyone on how things are going. They are going well to be honest with you. On Oct. 29 we found out that we're having a baby GIRL!! We already have a name picked out for her it will be Aubreigh Grace. We've let most of everyone who reads this know already and sorry for just now letting everyone else know. The docs said she looks beautiful on paper, that is our last ultrasound we had, they can't wait to see her in person.

As far as how I'm doing or feeling, well pretty good most of the time. My blood pressure is still normal 110/70 and nothing else to worry about. The docs are little concerned that I haven't gained much weight and I need to start eating. I tell them I eat ALL the time. I did let them know that I've had a hard time gaining weight even before getting pregnant. Other than that things have been going pretty good.

Richard's reaction to baby girl!! His words, "Uh oh I'm in trouble." But he's enjoying it even though he would have preferred a boy. Since we've found out that we're having a girl everyday, sometime during the day, he comes up to my stomach and says "Aubreigh." She moves around like crazy. I know they really can't hear at this point but I think it's the vibrations that startles her and she moves. It's really awesome to see him want to interact with her. The other night laying in bed I kept still and felt this little bump on the side of my stomach. At first I thought it was my stomach growling or something but then it happened again. I burst out laughing and Richard was like what. So I took his hand and stuck it under mine on the side of the belly. I said be quite and keep still. He felt her bump up. I guess she had the hiccups who knows but when he felt it he started laughing also. Overall things are good. I'm still having trouble getting to sleep anytime earlier than midnight these days. It seems I must be extremely tired before I can lay down and rest. I hear it only gets worse the further along I get. Oh well. Just getting me ready for when she arrives I suppose.

Picture shown is me at 21 weeks. Half way there!!

18 Weeks and counting

Ok so I'm 18 weeks along and already to have this baby. Crazy right? I have such a long ways to go. We are due for a doc appt this friday coming up and well hopefully be able to find out if a sonogram is coming our way or not. Richard and I are both anxious to find out what we'll be having. But as for the way things are going, they are much better. I haven't been sick since about a month ago. Woohoo.. this is really a bonus for me. I've been able to wear contacts again since I talked to the eye doc. She gave me my old prescription for contacts and haven't had a headache since then. Again another blessing in disguise, nothing major to worry about. Other than that not much else going on with me and the little one. Just taking it one day at a time. I know that March will be here before we know it. I mean come on Christmas is just right around the corner. Ok update again after the doc appt on friday.

5 Years already

Well it's hard to believe that I've been away from my family for 5 years now. Richard and I just celebrated our 5th year anniversary, crazy to think that it happened that long ago. I know to some people it's not long but now adays that's not long at all. Well, due to Richard being in the lovely Navy we were once again not able to celebrate it together. He had to work that night as I work during the day. He did however make me breakfast and give me some flowers with a lovely little message on the card. Here I'll show you how sappy he can be message states "Out of all the thing's I've done wrong, I've must have done something right for God to give me you." Ahh. I love these little things. I'd rather have a sentimental gift like this than any material thing in the world. As for me, I'm not sappy and most guys don't like sappy gifts. I got him his Wii game he wanted. But it put a smile on his face and made his day. He's not one for cards for himself they just go in the trash... but I guess most guys are that way huh? Ok not much else happened for us on this day.

Mumbles? What?

Well Richard and I have been battling it out with the sex of the baby. He comes in daily and says "How's Junior?" I made the comment what if it's a girl, she can't be called Junior that might give her a complex. So he asked what should we call the baby then. I said "Mumbles." You're probably thinking where in the world did I come up with that right? I've been on a Happy Feet movie streak. I've been watching it more than normal not sure why other than it makes me laugh. So that's how I got the name. It's cute but then it's weird to say it.

I'm at 16 weeks today and things have been looking up. I have been off medication since Sept 12. Woohoo.. and I've only had 1 incident since then. My appeptite has definitely kicked in, but not as much as it might later on. I eat what seems to be every 2 hours. I've learned that wearing contacts has caused me to have headaches. I tested this theory out myself. I worn my glasses Sept 19-Sept 21, no headache. Put my contacts in for work on the following Monday and well I came home with a pounding headache. So this last appt I had, which was on Friday, Sept 26. I let the doctor know and well he kind of snickered at me and said I've never heard anyone say that. It was then I realized that my glasses perscription was weaker than my contacts. I was picking up new contacts and asked the doctor there if she knew of the cause. She looked at my glasses and then my current perscripition and said well that could be a reason. So I have a test pair of contacts that are the same as the glasses. Will try them out this week.

What else has been happening with baby. Heartbeat is now 145 so it's lower than last month but they say its normal. Had blood work done to test for down syndrome and few other things. Not sure if we'll get another sonogram to find out the sex of the baby but we'll see. No cravings, just trouble sleeping at nights. Well that's the update for now. More to come in a few weeks.

Dominican Trip

Hola!! This was one of the famous words we heard all week long, no matter what we were doing. The resort we stayed at was pretty nice. We plan to visit again within the next couple of years. This was our honeymoon since we never got to take one seeing how Richard is in the Navy. Anywho. Our trip went really well considering we almost had 2 hurricanes hit our area. But weeks before we left I kept praying and asking for just 3-4 days of sunshine. Man, the Lord answered that prayer. We were able to get 3 days of good sunshine while there. Richard got burnt but it was gone before we came back to the states. We watched the local show every night, not movie theater show, but live show. Dancing, acting, and game playing at night. Over all the trip was just for us to relax and enjoy spending time with each other. This is exactly what we did. 8 Days was a long time and both of us were ready to go home by friday or saturday. Well that's it really. Not much else to say other than it was a great time to relax and that's exactly what we did.

Oh on a side note.. Americans need to realize how spoiled we are here. People there had a smile on there face no matter what conditions they were in. The poverty here was really bad, all Richard and I could say is, wow.. can you imagine having to live in these conditions. Connecticut isn't so bad afterall..

We want to thank all of those who were praying for us during our trip. We had many people concerned about our safety and lots of phone calls making sure we arrived back in the states safely. Thanks again..

Bye Bye Chow Chow... the other famous phrase heard all week..