Thoughtful Tuesday

It is amazing how fast life can change, and what a difference a day can make!  We are so happy to be home, and enjoying our time growing and learning as a family of four.  People keep asking how we are adjusting to being a family of four now.  I don't know how much we've noticed a difference between being a family of four, and just having a little one home again.  We are getting use to the nights of not sleeping, and Brandon is starting to adjust to what life will look like for him now.  I think the hardest part for him has been that mommy can't pick him up or get on the floor and play with him.

Hospital

I always forget how uncomfortable the hospital truly is. Hence the reason Friday night I asked my nurse what the chances were we would get to go home on Saturday. She kind of looked at me like I was crazy, but said it really depended on what the pediatrician said. Natalie was born with a lot of bruising which can turn to jaundice, so she may make us stay another day.

Really, it also depended on what my doctor said too, but I figured I could work that one out. Really resting at home is the same as at the hospital, right?

So Saturday morning Tyler and I got up around 6 and we both went ahead and took our showers. I feel so much better after I take a shower.

The pediatrician came in around 7:30 and told us Natalie looked great, hadn't lost too much weight, and she could go home. We kind of did a happy dance around my room then. Now all we had to do was wait.

Thankfully we didn't have to wait very long, and watching a movie on the hospital TV helped the time to go quickly. My doctor said I could go home so then we were really on our way!!

We packed all of our stuff up, or I should say, Tyler packed all our stuff up, and we were on our way home!!

It felt so nice to be able to come home, but I'm sure I should have stayed another day. When I got home I took some more Motrin, ate a little, and then took a long nap. Followed by dinner, and another nap. Followed by walking Natalie around the living room, and then going to bed.

Either way, we are so grateful to be home!!

Friday Five

1. Natalie Grace decided to join our family a few days early, and came yesterday!!

2. My class had a baby shower for me on Wednesday, and they made cute cards for me!

3. Tyler and I were able to enjoy a final meal out together Wednesday night!

4. Natalie's first visitor was her big brother!!

5. Aunt Chelsea, Aunt Allison and Uncle Ben also came to see Natalie hours after she was born.

Natalie Grace

Our sweet baby girl is going to make her own rules in life we found out today. My last day of work was yesterday, and I planned to use today to relax, get a pedicure and take care of some last minute things. Instead Natalie decided around midnight that I should start having contractions, and by noon I was told to go to the hospital. After an hour of monitoring, so at 2:30 we determined I was in labor, and needed an IV!!

Tyler getting ready to go

Things moved fast from there, and by 3:45 Brandon and grandparents were at the hospital to wish us luck and await Natalie!! Natalie was born at 4:19!! She was the same height as Brandon, 20.5 inches, but 3 ounces more, coming in at 6 lbs, 15.5 ounces.

We love her already, and can't wait to see what a joy she is going to bring to our lives!!

Hospital

We're just hanging out at the hospital today!! Waiting to hear if we get to have a baby today!!

Thoughtful Tuesday

Why do kids grow up so fast??

38 weeks . . .

Date:  April 20

How far along:  38 weeks

Maternity Clothes:  All the time!  Love them.  I have started to go through them to send them to Nicole!

Sleep:  Better this week, now that I am feeling better.

Stretch Marks:  Of course

Best Moment of the Week:  We were able to take Brandon to the park twice this week to play!  That was a lot of fun!  We also took Brandon to the zoo today!!

Miss anything:  Being able to eat whatever I want and not worrying about it!

Movement:  Not as much, since she is running out of room. She likes to kick her feet up into my ribs though, and that kind of hurts.

Food Cravings:  Not really

Anything make you queasy or sick:  Not this week

Have you started to show yet:  Oh, yes

Gender:  Baby girl!

Labor Signs:  During monitoring on Thursday I thought I was having contractions, but they told me no.  My uterus was just doing weird stuff.  This baby girl is ready!

Belly Button in or out?:  Flat

Ring on or off?:  Off

Happy or moody?:  Depends who you ask.  :)

Looking forward to:  My last day of work is going to be Wednesday! I am looking forward to a day of rest on Thursday and Friday!

Friday Five

1. I love my school and the people I work with! They make going to work every day fun!

Our night at the auction!

2. I love that some of my students like to come back and visit me!!

Our last day all together!

3. I love that parents at my school are so supportive, and appreciate the time and effort I put in.

4. I'm really going to miss certain people when they leave me next year, but I know God has much bigger plans for them.

5. I can't wait to use our auction prizes!!

Fabulous auction prizes!  Thank you Eileen and Kathy for an awesome night!!

Thoughtful Tuesday

My kid needs a haircut!!

Baby Bumps . . .

Comparing the bumps . . .

Maternity pics with Brandon, July 2011

32 weeks, 6 days

Last picture before Brandon was born

36 weeks!!

37 weeks . . .

Date:  April 13

How far along:  37 weeks!!  (Didn't make it this far last time!)

Weight gain:  Nothing in the past week.  This baby is going to be tiny!

Maternity Clothes:  Yes, and yes!  Thank you for stretchy material!

Sleep:  Not so much this week.  I got sick, so it has been hard to come by.

Stretch Marks:  Of course

Best moment of the week:  Talking to Brandon last night, and him getting up to kiss the computer!!  We celebrated Tyler's birthday on Thursday too, and that was fun to hang out with all of our friends!  Tyler's class had a birthday party / baby shower for him on Thursday too, so we got lots of great goodies for Natalie!!  Can't wait to put her in all of these adorable outfits we keep getting!

Miss Anything:  A drink . . .  a nice cold drink!

Movement:  ALL THE TIME!!  This girl is ready to come out!

Food Cravings:  Just something cold and delicious

Anything make you queasy or sick:  Not really, but I didn't eat much this week.

Have you started to show yet:  Yes, but I am still not as big as I was with Brandon

Gender:  Girl!!  Check out all of this pink stuff to prove it!!

Thank you Jon and Nicole for our gifts!!

Labor Signs:  I thought I was having contractions this week, even while I was being monitored, but they didn't say anything about it.  Dr. didn't check me on Thursday to see if I was dilated or anything either.

Belly button in or out:  Flat

Wedding rings on or off:  Off

Happy or moody:  Sick and tired  :(

Looking forward to:  Seeing Beauty and the Beast today with the hubby and my parents.  We bought these tickets last summer, and we're glad that we get to go!!  Natalie can come after the show according to my mom!

Friday Five

1.  Our new pinterest recipe this week I made for my bible study group Monday night, and we all loved it!!

Delicious recipe and photo credit

2.  I love, love, LOVE our maternity photos!!  Big shout out to Georgia, who is amazing!!  She is still in high school and this is her work!  I can't wait to see what she does as she continues to grow!

Inspiration found on Pinterest

3.  I have had an off week, and have been feeling crummy since Wednesday.  Went to a doctor today, and found out I have an outer ear infection, IN BOTH EARS!!  At least I got some antibiotics to help take care of it.

4.  Our hospital bag is packed, and we are ready for this bundle of joy to come home and stay!!  Mommy is getting tired of her being inside.  Really, just tired of not feeling well, and ready to meet my Natalie Grace!!

5.  We went to the pizza farm on a field trip yesterday, and the kids had a blast!!  Everyone should check it out in the fall, when they are open to the public for pumpkins and such!!

Check this place out!!

Maternity Photos

We are so thankful to have such an awesome photographer!  Georgia took our Christmas pictures, so I asked her to take our maternity pictures too!  I am so happy with how they turned out, and I can't wait to put some up around our home!!

Hope you all enjoy them as well!

Thoughtful Tuesday

At least maybe this time we'll be a little more prepared for our blessing!! I love all the pink in there!!

36 weeks . . .

Date:  April 6

How far along?  36 weeks!!

Maternity clothes:  Yes, and yes!  I am getting away with wearing some non maternity things still, such as tank tops, but all pants have to be maternity, unless they are stretchy!!

Sleep:  Hoping I get some before she comes!

Stretch Marks:  What mom doesn't have them!?

Best moment of the week:  Taking maternity pictures this morning!  Thank you Georgia!

Miss anything:  Not being so tired, and being able to get more done.  There is too much to do, and I am running out of time!

Movement:  ALL THE TIME!  Except for when they want to monitor, and then they have to zap my tummy to wake her up!

Food Cravings:  I still really want some Chinese food!

Anything make you queasy or sick:  Not really, but getting tired of eating the same thing all the time.

Have you started to show yet:  Yes, but not as big as I was with Brandon.

Gender:  Baby girl!

Labor Signs:  Starting to have contractions.  Hoping I don't have these for the next three weeks!

Belly button in or out:  Flat

Wedding rings on or off:  Off

Happy or moody:  Tyler would probably say moody.  Brandon isn't feeling well again, so it makes for longer days.

Looking forward to: Road tripping to Prescott tomorrow to drop of Brandon.  Chelsea is going with me!  We are going to have a fun drive.  Also looking forward to seeing the amazing photos that Georgia took this morning!

Friday Five

1. Excited for a quiet Friday night home. Just finished watching part of The Fox and the Hound with my cuddle bug!!

2. Feeling lots of movement from miss Natalie this week. Glad she's doing well, but hoping for some progress next week!!

3. I love the public library!! Great books for school, and awesome books to borrow for my phone too! Keeps me busy while I'm being monitored.

4. My kids at school keep me entertained with their questions about Natalie. This week they asked if she was a bouncy ball or a watermelon.

5. I love my friends!! Even though we don't all live close together, and soon more are moving away, they are amazing and I don't know what I would do without them!!

Chelsea and I, Teacher's Conference in Vegas! November 2012

Nicole and I, both preggo!  December 2012 

Bree and I, enjoying our Hawaii vacation!  July 2012

Thoughtful Tuesday

Checking out Natalie's heart rate!!