I'm not sure who is more excited the kids are back in school - Heidi and Connor or myself!! :)
Heidi and Connor started 7th and 6th grade on August 18th at Pioneer Ridge Middle School. Both kids seem to be making many friends and enjoying the "middle school life" very much! Connor has struggled with his locker a little as it's a new process for him, but I'm confidant with more practice he'll get it figured out in no time!
The homework has already started to trickle in for both of them, but thankfully it's been manageable in the evenings and Connor actually enjoyed doing one of his assignments typing a "report" on the computer!
The kids joined the before and after-school club programs known as "Latitude". This opportunity gives them time before school starts to spend time with friends not in their regular classes and participate in fun, miscellaneous activities. Their after-school clubs include 3 days of "Homework Zone" so they can receive assistance with their daily homework from an adult besides Brett I making the evenings more enjoyable! Connor is looking forward to participating in other clubs such as Drumline, Robotics, and Wii Fit while Heidi is anxious to start cooking in her club and creating art projects not part of the regular curriculum for art. Overall, we're off to a good start with middle school!
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Practice run!
Friday night, baby Stephen decided to make a practice run for what labor will look like! With painful contractions coming between 3-6 minutes apart for over 1 1/2 hours, Brett and I decided to make a trip to the hospital.
By 10:00pm, we were hooked up to all the monitors confirming Stephen's heart rate was healthy, but spiking as each contraction came as close to 2 minutes apart, so the doctor was called in to check me. Thankfully Stephen was still "playing games" as there was no dilation and an ultrasound showed while he is finally in HEAD DOWN position, he is very healthy at 33 weeks and having fun just riding out the contractions!
After 2 hours of being pumped with fluids through the iv, the contractions slowed to be only 16 minutes apart. Since no dilation had occurred, we were discharged and allowed to come home to sleep in our own beds - finally being able to fall asleep by 3:00am! Strict instructions were given to rest, rest and rest as well as drink plenty of water and take magnesium oxide as I had been beginning at 22 weeks. If the contractions come back to 5 minutes apart, it'll be back to the hospital we go!
Saturday proved to be thankfully uneventful with the exception of only a handful of painful contractions, a 3 hour nap, and being so sore from all the activity that I felt like I'd been hit by a train! With a guesstimated weight of just under 4 pounds, the ultimate goal is to keep our little guy snug and as comfortable as possible for at least another week if not longer! He is expected to make his biggest growth spurt this week which will absolutely help his development and weight, so following doctor's orders is all that is important on the agenda for the rest of the week!
Daddy got the test run for what labor will look like! His little "dances" to the sound of Stephen's heartbeat may have helped ease his nerves, but didn't help me get through the contractions any easier! :) We both quickly found out the benefit of taking our own pillows when the actual time comes, as well as Advil for Daddy and Tums for me! Now our hope is that we'll be even more prepared than we were Friday night when Stephen decides he's done riding the contractions and would rather be in our arms - hopefully after gaining another pound or 2 before he makes that decision!
By 10:00pm, we were hooked up to all the monitors confirming Stephen's heart rate was healthy, but spiking as each contraction came as close to 2 minutes apart, so the doctor was called in to check me. Thankfully Stephen was still "playing games" as there was no dilation and an ultrasound showed while he is finally in HEAD DOWN position, he is very healthy at 33 weeks and having fun just riding out the contractions!
After 2 hours of being pumped with fluids through the iv, the contractions slowed to be only 16 minutes apart. Since no dilation had occurred, we were discharged and allowed to come home to sleep in our own beds - finally being able to fall asleep by 3:00am! Strict instructions were given to rest, rest and rest as well as drink plenty of water and take magnesium oxide as I had been beginning at 22 weeks. If the contractions come back to 5 minutes apart, it'll be back to the hospital we go!
Saturday proved to be thankfully uneventful with the exception of only a handful of painful contractions, a 3 hour nap, and being so sore from all the activity that I felt like I'd been hit by a train! With a guesstimated weight of just under 4 pounds, the ultimate goal is to keep our little guy snug and as comfortable as possible for at least another week if not longer! He is expected to make his biggest growth spurt this week which will absolutely help his development and weight, so following doctor's orders is all that is important on the agenda for the rest of the week!
Daddy got the test run for what labor will look like! His little "dances" to the sound of Stephen's heartbeat may have helped ease his nerves, but didn't help me get through the contractions any easier! :) We both quickly found out the benefit of taking our own pillows when the actual time comes, as well as Advil for Daddy and Tums for me! Now our hope is that we'll be even more prepared than we were Friday night when Stephen decides he's done riding the contractions and would rather be in our arms - hopefully after gaining another pound or 2 before he makes that decision!
Friday, July 30, 2010
The nursery is complete!
After numerous delays, the crib and glider were FINALLY delivered so I could complete Stephen's room! The original delivery date of July 12th was pushed back due to the manufacture not having it to Nebraska Furniture Mart yet, then July 28th didn't work because a main piece to the crib was BROKEN! Yesterday the new one finally arrived and after a few contractions and lots of braxton hicks, his room is now ready!!!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
31+ weeks and counting
As August approaches, Stephen is getting very anxious to join our family - but thankfully we've got him snug....for now!
I've been on partial bed rest since 22 weeks - but that turned to "absolute" bed rest last week due to contractions coming at intervals up to 8 minutes apart for 3 days in a row. A visit to the ob yesterday resulted on being able to go back to merely partial bed rest as long as the contractions stay at bay!
Stephen measured right at 32 weeks yesterday, but with only a 1 pound weight gain over the past 2 weeks, the doctor insists I eat more calories to help him gain the weight and growth he's been so accustomed to since conception! The short-term goal is to reach the 34 week mark before we even think about letting Steve join the outside world, so the bigger he is, the better he'll be when he does arrive.
As he's already proven, he's a stubborn little guy! He has found comfort in sitting breach and thus far has not shown any reason to flip down for us! There appears to be plenty of wiggle room still, so we are all hopeful that within the next couple of weeks he'll make that acrobatic move to flip down, but until then, we'll deal with his side-to-side pushing and kicking!
I've been on partial bed rest since 22 weeks - but that turned to "absolute" bed rest last week due to contractions coming at intervals up to 8 minutes apart for 3 days in a row. A visit to the ob yesterday resulted on being able to go back to merely partial bed rest as long as the contractions stay at bay!
Stephen measured right at 32 weeks yesterday, but with only a 1 pound weight gain over the past 2 weeks, the doctor insists I eat more calories to help him gain the weight and growth he's been so accustomed to since conception! The short-term goal is to reach the 34 week mark before we even think about letting Steve join the outside world, so the bigger he is, the better he'll be when he does arrive.
As he's already proven, he's a stubborn little guy! He has found comfort in sitting breach and thus far has not shown any reason to flip down for us! There appears to be plenty of wiggle room still, so we are all hopeful that within the next couple of weeks he'll make that acrobatic move to flip down, but until then, we'll deal with his side-to-side pushing and kicking!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Welcome to our blog!
In the world of technology, what better way to stay connected and follow our family as we grow, learn, and enjoy life!?
Our family was united as 4 on September 6, 2009. Sandi and Brett exchanged wedding vows with Heidi and Connor by our sides. It was a beautiful day from beginning to end! Heidi and Connor have welcomed "Dad" and love him as any other preteen loves their father!
Heidi is now 12 1/2 years old and is looking forward to 7th grade. She bagan her middle school endeavor at Sunny Vale Middle School in the Blue Springs School District, only to transfer to Bingham Middle School in the Independence School District prior to winter break. She has had many challenges face her this past year mainly surrounding a disgnosis of having myasthenia gravis, a life-long, autoimmune neuromuscular disorder. The weakness and numbness she experiences daily in her legs and arms resulted in being required to take a break from her love of dancing. Heidi is seeing improvement with the help of her neurologist and daily medication and looks forward to being able to be active like every other preteen.
Connor isnow 11 1/2 years old and is excited to begin his middle school journey by entering the 6th grade in the Independence School District. Attending summer school this past month has allowed him the opportunity to get a feel for what middle school will be like, and has given him the confidance he needs to be successful. As Connor puts it, "I'll love middle school because I'm popular now!"
We received official word in January, 2010 that our new family would be growing! Heidi and Connor are very excited to welcome a new baby brother - Stephen Douglas. Stephen has clearly shown he is a "fighter" as the pregnancy has had its own challenges including fibroids, cysts, and contractions beginning at 22 weeks! Bed rest has helped those contractions lessen and allowed Stephen to grow - and GROW he has! From the very first ultrasound, he has surpassed the "normal" growth for that expected time-frame of the pregnancy and generally measures or weighs a full week (or more!) ahead! His official due date is September 25th (Heidi's 13th birthday), however the doctor expects him to make his arrival much sooner! At 27 weeks, the doctor shared he is prepared for Stephen to be "done cooking" as early as the beginning of August. Stephen already has a mind of his own, and has the kicks of a soccer player, and will undoubtedly decide on his own when he's ready to come play with Heidi and Connor in person!
Our family was united as 4 on September 6, 2009. Sandi and Brett exchanged wedding vows with Heidi and Connor by our sides. It was a beautiful day from beginning to end! Heidi and Connor have welcomed "Dad" and love him as any other preteen loves their father!
Heidi is now 12 1/2 years old and is looking forward to 7th grade. She bagan her middle school endeavor at Sunny Vale Middle School in the Blue Springs School District, only to transfer to Bingham Middle School in the Independence School District prior to winter break. She has had many challenges face her this past year mainly surrounding a disgnosis of having myasthenia gravis, a life-long, autoimmune neuromuscular disorder. The weakness and numbness she experiences daily in her legs and arms resulted in being required to take a break from her love of dancing. Heidi is seeing improvement with the help of her neurologist and daily medication and looks forward to being able to be active like every other preteen.
Connor isnow 11 1/2 years old and is excited to begin his middle school journey by entering the 6th grade in the Independence School District. Attending summer school this past month has allowed him the opportunity to get a feel for what middle school will be like, and has given him the confidance he needs to be successful. As Connor puts it, "I'll love middle school because I'm popular now!"
We received official word in January, 2010 that our new family would be growing! Heidi and Connor are very excited to welcome a new baby brother - Stephen Douglas. Stephen has clearly shown he is a "fighter" as the pregnancy has had its own challenges including fibroids, cysts, and contractions beginning at 22 weeks! Bed rest has helped those contractions lessen and allowed Stephen to grow - and GROW he has! From the very first ultrasound, he has surpassed the "normal" growth for that expected time-frame of the pregnancy and generally measures or weighs a full week (or more!) ahead! His official due date is September 25th (Heidi's 13th birthday), however the doctor expects him to make his arrival much sooner! At 27 weeks, the doctor shared he is prepared for Stephen to be "done cooking" as early as the beginning of August. Stephen already has a mind of his own, and has the kicks of a soccer player, and will undoubtedly decide on his own when he's ready to come play with Heidi and Connor in person!
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