6 1/2 weeks to go!!

The end is near, only a month and a half until the baby's scheduled arrival!! I am currently 31 1/2 weeks along in my pregnancy and I'm predicting a 10lb baby at this point. My belly is huge (and we've already discussed my boobs, guess it's a package deal!). I have a dr. appt. on Wednesday, where we'll schedule my c/section. It's so strange to know the date of the birth and have everything so planned, but in a way it's great. Katelyn's due date came and went, so did her date to be induced, and there was sooooo much waiting and not knowing. This time around we're able to schedule Katelyn's care, Bryan's work, visitors, etc. Last time I had no idea what to expect, in terms of labor and delivery (only our childbirth teacher told us to expect contractions to feel like "diarrhea cramps" and I have to say that was the biggest lie ever told!!) and ignorance was bliss. I'm happy to skip the contractions and pushing, but am dreading the actual c-section (for those who have not experienced one: very odd sensation to be awake and completely aware of what's happening while they are cutting. As they pull the baby out, they say to expect to feel some pressure, which means feeling like a grown man is standing on your lower abs. They hold the baby up so you can catch a glimpse, then the baby is taken to a nearby isolette for vitals, etc. Once the baby is checked out and wrapped, they bring the baby over to you, but you can't hold the baby because your arms are pretty weak from all the anesthesia. They do press the baby's cheek against yours, and it's a sweet moment). The actual c/s isn't too bad, but it's the aftermath that's the hard part. Last time, we were in an emergency situation, where everything happened quickly and it was a bit of a blur. Katelyn was whisked off to the nursery for observation (Bryan was able to go with her) and it took about a half hour for the dr. to sew me back up and get me back to my room, where I was monitored closely for an hour to make sure I didn't lose too much blood or have a reaction to all the meds. Bryan was able to come in, but no other visitors and they kept Katelyn in the nursery. Once I was cleared, they finally brought Katelyn to me and I was able to hold her for the first time and nurse her. I know I watch a lot of "Baby Story" and "Birth Story" and "Baby Diaries," etc., but I do miss that moment of the dr. putting the baby directly on my chest and I'm able to hold her/him right away. I hate waiting all that time! That's the worst part to me, well that, and the first trip to the bathroom. This may be just TMI, but the first time standing up (about 3-4 hours after the surgery) is excruicating. You feel like your stomach is torn in half and the amount of blood that gushes out of your body is a bit alarming. It takes a while for the nurses to assist you the bathroom and for you to shuffle back with their help and that walk seems like it's a marathon!! I have nothing to compare this to, this may be how it is for vaginal deliveries as well. I heard these idiot guys on the radio the other day saying women don't have to worry about anything except giving birth, and then men never hear the end of it. I was so aggrivated...if men had to go through pregnancy and birth, do you think we'd EVER hear the end of it????

I didn't mean for this post to be a rant, and honestly, I'm looking so forward to the day this baby comes. I can't wait to know if we have a son or a daughter, can't wait to name him/her, and hold him/her. That day will be here soon!!

Memorial Day Weekend

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.....

We started the long weekend off on a bad foot. I picked K up from preschool and her teacher told me K was complaining of pain in her right ear. I said I'd keep an eye on her and didn't think too much of it. She had just gotten over a cold, so I thought maybe her sinuses were clogged, but she'd be okay. During our 10 minute ride home, she was grabbing at her ear and crying, and as soon as we walked in the door, she told me "no story today. I'm going to bed." and she put herself down for a nap. Never seen that before!! Nap time is usually a battle, so I knew something was definately wrong. I called the pediatrician while she was napping and got a recording that they were at lunch until 1:30. Kept getting the same message until 2:30 when someone finally answered the phone (I was a bit annoyed). When I explained our situation, the receptionist told me they were actually closed for the day (now I'm very annoyed...closed at 2:3o on a Wednesday afternoon???). She recommended motrin and a warm face cloth on her ear, see how she does, then call in the morning. After I hung up, K was up from her nap, but still groggy, refusing a snack (also never happens) and in pain. I knew we were in for it that night if I didn't get her to see a dr. soon, so I took her to Afterhours Pediatrics. They open at 5pm and we were one of the first patients to be seen. Sure enough, she had an ear infection, so they gave us some antibiotics, ear drops for pain, and we were on our way. I thought we were in the clear and caught it in time, but that night I went to check on her and I swear my hand felt like it touched fire when I pressed it against her cheek. I took her temp....104.3. I gave her motrin and she went right back to sleep. Next morning was more of the same, 104 fever, no appetite, extremely lethargic. Bryan came home from work early and couldn't get over how out of it she was. She'd fall asleep on the couch, in a chair, etc. Day 3 and the fever continues...the dr. recommended alternating tylenol and motrin every 3 hrs. to get the fever under control, but it didn't work at all. K vomits all over the couch (still can't get the stench out...). Refusing to drink now and hasn't urinated in 7 hours, so I call the dr. again and they tell me if I don't get her to pee and/or her temp. down within an hour, I have to take her to the ER. I strip her down, get her in a cool tub (want to talk about screaming bloody murder!!), force gatorade down her throat with a syringe every few minutes and get her to pee. Her temp. goes down to 102, so we don't have to go to the ER...but it took until Sunday for her fever to break...4 days of hell for all of us. The amazing thing is once her temp. was back to normal, so was she! Like nothing had happened! Since she recovered, we took her to Cocoa beach with some friends and had a great day at the beach! You couldn't ask for better weather and it really wasn't too crowded. The water was nice and cool, but currents were extremely strong, so I didn't last long in the water.

On Monday, we took Katelyn to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Two VERY cool parks and K was allowed to go on just about everything. They were pretty strict about me going on rides, but that was fine. We had a blast!!

So the weekend started off on a bad note, but we ended up having a great weekend together. I've attached some pics of us at Universal (highly recommend it!!).

Baby Shower

Friends from our playgroup in Gainesville were so sweet and gave us a baby shower on Saturday, May 17th. We were so excited to see everyone and were amazed at how much the kids have grown and changed. Our friend Kelly hosted the shower at her new home (so beautiful!!) and we were treated to lunch, cake, and lots of adorable baby gifts. It was a special day for many reasons, but above all, this was a day we really celebrated our new addition and the pregnancy felt real. I can't speak for Bryan, but for me, I've kind of put up a wall and distanced myself a bit from this pregnancy, vowing not to get as hurt if something happened to this baby. We've been so lucky and everything has been going well this time around, but we still haven't bought anything new for the baby, prepared the nursery, etc. During this shower, it was surreal to know the gifts were for our baby and our friends were celebrating our new baby. I got teary at one point with my friend Monica...tears of joy! The baby's dresser is now full of new toys, towels, clothes, etc. I can't wait to get everything organized and ready...I think that is the fun part!! I'd like to skip the c-section please :-)

So, to all of our dear friends in Gainesville, a HUGE thank you for making this such a special day for us!! We had a wonderful time and appreciate all the baby gifts. Your friendship means so much to us and we still miss you terribly!!

Izzy B, the Busy Bee

Izzy B, the Busy Bee has been one of Katelyn's many nicknames for years now (Izzy is from her middle name, Isabelle). It has certainly held true! This child is non-stop!! And when it is time to stop (time for bed, time to leave somewhere, etc.) this where we have our meltdowns. Especially when someone is leaving or she has to leave someone's house. Every other Monday evening our church group meets and we alternate houses where we meet. Of course everyone else's house has cooler toys and most of them have stairs, which according to Katelyn is "so cool." You always want what you do not have!! At the end of every meeting, Katelyn falls apart, not wanting to leave. For the past several meetings I've had to carry her out, screaming her head off. She loves the company, the new toys, etc. and we've really been struggling with things having to end. I give her time and warnings (we're leaving in 10 minutes, etc.) and she's fine until it's time to go. It's almost like separation anxiety all over again!!

Top picture is of Katelyn dressed up as a pirate. Interesting!

Every Thurday morning, we meet her best buddy DJ at a local park where they have a free splash pad for the kids to run around. I like this one because it's fenced in and not nearly as slippery as most (word of warning: stay away from the splash pad at Downtown Disney....way to crowded, too open, and it's like a slip and slide!). Katelyn and DJ have a blast running around the water and it wears them out :-) Yes!

I need to take a belly picture and post it. I am getting big!! I'm carrying totally different than with K and am mostly out front and high. Sleeping continues to be a challenge. I know it's our body's way of preparing us for the interrupted sleep we get once the baby arrives, but we should really be rested and ready for our newborns...not starting out tired!! I'm experiencing "pregnancy insomnia" as my book labels it...I can't either fall asleep or stay asleep. Most of the time it is because of my need to use the bathroom, but then my mind starts racing and I feel the baby start kicking and I have so much trouble falling back asleep. I've gotten out of bed and done some work on the computer at 3am, or watched tv, I've moved to the guest bed....if Bryan was out of town yesterday and not sleeping so soundly at 2:45, I would've seriously cleaned out my closet, as that was all I could think about!! By noon, I'm a zombie and counting the minutes until K's nap. This is all so new to me...I slept soundly until I was 38 weeks with Katelyn. I'm so jealous of my younger self :-)

Mama Nana and Mama Koo-koos Visit

Two weekends ago, Bryan's mom and grandma (known as "Mama Nana" and "Mama Koo-koos" came to visit us. It was great to see them and Katelyn had a blast with her grandmother and great-grandmother. They play with her, do projects with her, bath her, put her to bed, etc and she loves every minute! It's also nice for Bryan and I to have a little break. Bryan's mom watched Katelyn on Friday afternoon while I went over to the convention center to set up for a scrapbooking event (an 11 hour crop the next day with 1500 other scrapbookers!). This was the first year doing it without Katelyn running wild, grabbing things off the table, etc. It was wonderful! When I got home around 5, Bryan was right behind me and dinner was ready, which was delicious.

On Saturday, Linda and I drove over to the convention center early and met up with my mom, sister Michelle, and best friend Alissa to crop alongside 1500 other women. We got a lot done!! Bryan had his grandma and Katelyn at home and kept them busy running errands and taking them bowling and out to dinner. We actually beat them home at 8:30.

We spent Sunday at Disney...a fun, and tiring day. I was pleasantly surprised that Katelyn made it through the whole day without a meltdown. It was pretty crowded at the Magic Kingdom, so we rode the rides we wanted and left at 6pm. We all had a good time.

On Monday morning, we did a shopping trip to Target and headed over to the airport. It was a very quick visit!!