It's our Anniversary

Wow, time flies when you are having fun. We have been married three years today already. It seems just like yesterday we started dating almost five years ago, we got married, and now we are looking forward to our first child.

I am so blessed to have you in my life. I definitely look forward to sharing more wonderful years with you Terrance!

Love ya


To My Dear and Loving Husband

by Anne Bradstreet

If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were loved by wife, then thee;
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me ye women if you can.
I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold,
Or all the riches that the East doth hold.
My love is such that rivers cannot quench,
Nor ought but love from thee give recompense.
Thy love is such I can no way repay;
The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray.
Then while we live, in love let's so persevere,
That when we live no more we may live ever.

Last Prepared Childbirth class

Thursday, 06/22/06 was our last class. I was surprised by the amount of emotion I was feeling about class being over. For one, the class was fun and very informative. Two, the end of class put things into perspective for how close we are to actually trying our parenting skills.

I am not sure if the last class was as fun for Terrance as it was for me. Our Nurse Educator had the guys pretend to be in labor and birth a baby. I wish I would have bought the camera with me (it was priceless). More great memories for us to grow old with.

8th Prenatal visit

Baby update : As of 06/16/06 baby Carson is 30 weeks and 2 days. The baby's heart rate is very strong, and movements are very strong and frequent. The baby now seems to get hiccups quite frequently that last for about 10 minutes (excellent for lung development).

Daddy update : Anxiety struck when the doctor told us we had six more weeks until the baby would be full term and possibly ready for delivery. Still very excited, but concerned about not being prepared for the baby.

Mommy update : I am now 7.5 months. My joints are all aching and, the itching skin has cleared up. It is getting harder to move around. Had Braxton Hicks contractions everyday last week, but doctor says everything is fine that those contractions are good practice. I almost panicked when the doctor told me I had about six more weeks to go.

Prepared Childbirth classes

We have been attending these classes now for two weeks. Tonight will be our third class. This class comes highly recommended from us for both first timers and others. Trends and technology change so much in between children even second or third timers can learn something new. Besides you can take advantage of all of the massages you will receive from your partner ladies.

I already consider us a couple that is very close and communicates well, but there is something about these classes that has drawn us even closer than we thought we could be. Watching Terrance make it through the birthing movie was priceless. He made it all the way without looking away once. We have also enjoyed many a good laugh and learned some precious relaxation techniques that a medical professional has recommended practicing at home for at least ten minutes everyday. See ladies another plus!

7th Prenatal visit

Baby update: As of 5/31/06 the baby is 28 weeks. The baby can now open and close it's eyes and respond to different light intensities. Now the baby is packing on weight and waiting for it's birthday.

Daddy update: Full of smiles, belly rubs, and extremely helpful. Fusses at mommy to make sure she is not over exerting herself. Attending all doctor visits and having fun learning with mommy in various prenatal classes.

Mommy update: Just started the third trimester (5/31/06-7 months). Recently took glucose test to test for gestational diabetes. Results were excellent. Also took a Fetal Alpha Protein test to test for premature labor. The test had to be repeated due to the doctor's office using an expired test. Should have the results of the new test midweek sometime.

Physically I am experiencing a lot of pelvic pain, and quit a few irregular contractions. My tummy seems to be getting bigger by the day. Other than that just taking it easy and attending prenatal classes with hubby.

Jalan's Birthday Party

Baby Registry

For those inquiring minds that want to know, the little one is registered at:

Baby Depot
http://www.burlingtoncoatfactory.com/Registry/Home.process

Target
http://www.target.com/gp/registry/babyreg.html

Babies 'R' Us
http://amazon.com/gp/registry/babyreg

Happy Mother's Day

6th Prenatal visit

Baby update: As of 5/4/06 the baby is 24 weeks and 1 day. The baby is now a foot or more and weighs close to two pounds. This little one is very very active kicking anything that exerts pressure on my tummy. The doctor thinks the baby's activity is the reason for my irritable uterus. It took the nurses about fifteen minutes of chasing the baby around my tummy in order to measure the heartrate.

Daddy update: Very excited that the baby is alright after our scare on 5/2/06 (see Contractions post below for details). Persuading Mommy not to do anything, and let him handle things.

Mommy update: Uncomfortable!

Dermatologist update

My skin is looking better by the day, and my itch fits are more bearable now. Now the doctor has me back on a topical steroid. We pray for continued healing!

Contractions???

Well, Tuesday turned out to be an eventful day. That morning I woke up not feeling the greatest, but thought after being up and moving around I would shake the feeling. I did not feel sick just real uncomfortable. By noontime I was still feeling miserable, like there was something bound around my stomach and abdomen area constricting it. So intuition kicked in and I called my OB's office.

Later, as I am standing in line at Wal-mart one of the nurses returned my call. She says, "You need to be observed at the hospital." My heart jumped into my throat. The nurse then goes on to tell me that the feeling I was having was more than likely contractions.

So I make it to the hospital, and they keep me for about four hours. Sure enough I was having contractions, due to an irritable uterus. I was given Ambien to help me relax, sent home, put on bedrest for two days, and told to return if I get too uncomfortable again. I am still uncomfortable, but the baby is doing just fine. The baby seemed to be having a good time hiding from the monitors and kicking them.

A day at the racetrack

5th Prenatal visit

Baby update: 20 weeks on 4/5/06. The baby is now 6 inches in length, and weighs 12 ounces (same as a 12 ounce soda). The baby is very quick and hard to take pictures of. At night time the aby moves so much that my stomach feels like it has a fish inside flipping around.

Daddy update: He seems to have gotten his energy back! He has been a great help reorganizing cabinets, cleaning up outside, and just getting prepared for baby. I know that the mom usually experiences a strong sense to prepare the nest for the baby, but it came as a shock to me to see my husband jumping in also. It is really sweet to see.

Mommy update: I am feeling better now since being back on the Prednisone. This medication is supposed to lower my immune system so my body will stop trying to attack whatever it is it thinks it is allergic to. So now I have to be very careful about being around sick people, due to my lowered immune system. I still have a few itch fits, but not near as bad. I follow-up with the Dermatologist 5/3/06. Hopefully he can pinpoint my allergy. The steroid has definitely increased my appetite. I do not feel like I have anymore room to grow. My ribs are aching and are now the cause of sleepless nights. No position is comfortable for too long.

A doctor that finally listened, and took action

Hopefully soon I will be experiencing relief again. For those of you that do not know I have been suffering from severe dermatitis due to some unknown allergen since I have been pregnant. It has covered my feet, ankles, legs, hands, arms, and chest. The dermatologist that I saw today finally realized when he saw the rash with his own eyes, that I am not just pregnant and uncomfortable. He realized the severity of my problem, and did not blow me off by telling me I'm pregnant so I have to deal with it.

The past week has been almost unbearable for me. I have had itch fits so bad that I could not sleep, and I was scratching until I drew blood. Terrance has told me that he has seen me scratching for at least an hour at times (like a mad woman). My skin is a mess, but it will heal with time. This wonderful doctor has put me back on a steroid, that has been the only thing to give me some relief.

Most importantly, the baby is doing wonderful. The kicks are getting stronger and stronger by the day. Last night the baby kicked so hard we saw my whole abdomen/stomach area move. Now that I am feeling better I will get the updates up from our last prenatal visit. Please keep us in prayer.

Weekend fishing trip

We did not catch anything, but we sure had a lot of fun! 

Feeling better now

The Boys are over their colds finally. They were sneezing and not very playful for a week after we returned from our trip. They are back in full force now. 

Such a hard worker

Terrance did a good job mowing our jungle that had grown up while we were away. Most of the yardwork has been left for him to do since I have been pregnant. I help pull weeds and plant some flowers here and there.

San Antonio, Texas trip

4th Prenatal visit

Baby update: 18 weeks on 03/22/06. The baby is about 5 inches, and weighs about 4 ounces. The baby has been moving around now for about 3 weeks. Movement is mostly during late afternoon and nighttime, and can be felt through Mommy's tummy now.

Daddy update: Felt his first baby movement 03/21/06. Felt strange to him, but was a very exciting moment. The baby usually hides from Daddy's touch on Mommy's belly. Daddy is doing all of the sleeping for Mommy. He's always napping or needing a nap poor thing.

Mommy update: Feeling good except for skin discomfort. Still can not stop itching. Went through another allergic reaction, due to Vicks Vapor Rub on nose and chest. Will see a new Dermatologist next month. Doctor thinks I need to see a doctor that is not afraid to treat a pregnant woman. Doctor says belly growth is right on target, and he was surprised that I am feeling so much movement from the baby already. Still not sleeping or eating much. I do eat when hungry, but that is not often. Our male doctor says that is fine even though I have only gained 4lbs. so far since becoming pregnant. I tend to agree with him since I take my vitamins faithfully, I am not sick, and the baby is just fine. On the other hand, our female doctor stays on me more about my weight. Differing opinions I guess. Different bodies need different things.

Baby bumps

Last night for the first time Terrance had the chance to experience his baby moving in my tummy. He seemed kind of shocked at first, but excited. I have been trying to let him experience the movement since I started feeling it, but as soon as he touches my tummy the baby stops.

I think Terrance thought the feeling was strange. He said it seemed like something was going to burst out of my stomach. I enjoy feeling the baby move. It helps to reassure me that the baby is okay. When I do not feel movement in a while I tap my tummy.

As I am typing now the baby is moving around a lot! I think we have a night owl in the making.