One wedding down, one to go

We had one of our weddings this past weekend. It was a pretty busy week last week. Since it was Garrett's brother I volunteered to help. It was an action packed week which meant that we actually had to get up and around to be places. That hasn't happened since a week or two before Conner was born. Let's just say we aren't in the swing of getting up early or having to be at a certain place that early either. So, the last two days we've been trying to sleep in. Sawyer and I got to sleep until about 9:15 yesterday and today I had to get up with Conner since Garrett had to go to work. But, Sawyer slept until 9:45. The stinker. He says that weddings make him tired. Well he better get used to it because we have another one this weekend that both him and Garrett are in. By the way, tux rentals are EXPENSIVE now. Or maybe it's just the ones that the people are picking out. But, over $300 for the both just for the day is expensive. We had two last year and thank goodness just one this year is having tuxes. But, the kids tuxes cost the same as adults now. Just a bit of info. for all those planning on getting hitched anytime soon.

Sawyer's Birthday

Sawyer's ice cream cake

Sawyer opening Grandma Dana and Papa John's present.


Opening Grandma and Papa Naughty's present.

Sawyer had a good birthday. He was very spoiled as always. Thank you to all of you that sent cards and presents. He's been playing with them all. Sawyer and I have a Mama and Sawyer day planned on Friday when we will go shopping for anything he wants with his money. He's very excited since it will just be me and him. Conner is suppose to bestaying with Garrett but, will probably end up with Grandma Dana. It's hard trying to get Daddy to spend a day with Conner yet. Hopefully that changes soon so Conner can get used to being with him since there are times when they still haven't "clicked". But, thanks again for all the great stuff!

The boy's collage

The boys got their pictures taken this past Friday. The photographer just emailed me a preview. I liked it.

Conner's Tummy Time

Somehow I don't think sleeping is considered a productive tummy time. The neck muscles are what we are going for, not eyelid ones. :)

Conner

Conner is rolling over at 41/2wks. Only from his belly to his back, but he's doing it. Man, that is way early. Garrett is my witness. He did it 3-4 times last night after we got home from grocery shopping. He also wants to move. We put him on his belly for "tummy time" and he moves his legs and tries to get his feet stuck on something to move. All he really needs is arm strength and a little more neck strength and I think we are in trouble. He holds his head pretty well already. It still bobs some but, he's been doing that since birth. He's only much better at it now. Man, do these boys ever quit growing fast.

Sawyer went to his dr. appt. for school. We have to go back for shots. He seems ok with it since Conner will get his shots too on the same day. We'll see how this goes. Maybe Garrett will have to go with me to help me consol. Lord knows he won't hold onto them when they get shots. He doesn't want to be the bad guy.

The boys also got their pictures taken yesterday. We went to a local photographer. She was very nice and very reasonable in price. Only $100 for all the pictures I got. She did a very nice job. I think we'll go back. Sawyer really liked her and I would spend that much if not more going to Penny's or Sears. She was much nicer and took almost 2hrs. taking shots, all of which were very nice. I had a hard time choosing. I'll let you know when she has them online to see. I should get the pictures back in a week or week and a half.

Great Wolf Lodge

We went to Great Wolf Lodge this past weekend. It was so much fun. Sawyer loved it! Papa Naughty and Grandma Naughty were able to come with us. Sawyer and Papa spent a lot of time together. We will be definately going back. Maybe at the end of summer or definately next year at some point. Both boys did great with the ride and staying. I was a little worried about Conner but, he did great too. He was too little to go into the water so Grandma and I took turns with Conner. I think everyone had a great time.

Favorite Sawyer and Conner picture so far.

Sawyer and Conner lounging.

This has to be one of my favorite pictures of the boys so far. I thought I'd share.

Conner's here!!!

Conner 4 days old

About 10mins. after Conner was born.

Conner 1 day old, proud big brother Sawyer.

Conner's here!! I've been super busy. He was born 1:55pm on May 12th!! He was 7lbs. 9oz. 20 inches long. If you want the details, ask. If not, I'll skip the details. Conner's wonderful. Already gaining wt. and Sawyer absolutely loves him. He's such a good helper boy. Conner isn't my baby, Sawyer says he's his. Hopefully this attitude stays. I'm sure when they get bigger, the sibling things will arise. So are all is well.

One appt. down another to go.

I just got back from my weekly dr. appt. and ultrasound. Conner is now between 7lbs. 2oz to 7lbs. 5oz. his heartbeat was 158. So, it was an all around good appt. We are still going day by day on the labor front. I go back at the beginning of next week for another appt. if nothing happens this week. We'll just have to wait and see I guess.

37wk. Dr. appt

I went for my ultrasound and everythings good. Conner weighed in at 6lbs. 15oz. and was facing up. I have to go back again next week now that I'm on weekly appts. and check his wt. again. The dr. said that he would definatly induce by 39wks. since Sawyer was so big. I was hoping he would choose to induce this week being he seems to be a great size but, he seems to think he'll have to be put on a vent. We'll have to see what next week brings. But, I guess at the latest he'll be here in two weeks.

Sawyer's new playhouse

Garrett's parents built a pirate ship for Sawyer and the new grandkids. Dana has wanted one for a very long time and they finally finished it this past weekend. Here are some pics. of Sawyer on it.

Getting closer

Well, this upcoming week is going to be my last week of work and school to have time to get things around before Conner gets here. So, it will be a busy week. I have to take a total of 3 tests, 2 drs. appts, work, school work and normal around the house things to get done. I'm sure this will cause the week to fly by. I've already completed all the homework to finish the semester since I'll be done 2 weeks before the offical ending of the semester. My two instructors are being nice enough to let me take my final tests early. It will be a great help. It will just have me hopping around at the end of this week and beginning of next. Oh well, I think it will be worth the extra time to rest and take my time to get the finishing touches done.

I'm getting closer to my due date and feeling that much more pregnant by the day. I feel like my belly has grown a lot the past week. Maybe it just struck me this week, I think Conner is going to be at least as big as Sawyer at his next weigh in at the next ultrasound. But, I'm always hoping for an actual newborn this time instead of a 3 month old right off the bat. I'll take whatever as long as he's healthy. Sawyer is anxious for him to get here. He asks when Conner is going to be here and I tell him and he always adds a week. Stinker! I think he'll be a good big brother and helper when Conner gets here. He does a really good job with his cousin Kaydense. I can just hope that he'll be the same with his brother.

34 wk. Appt

I had the appt. on Tues. Everything went well. I can't remember what I weighed at the appt. before so, I'm not too sure if or how much wt. I gained. Conner's heartbeat was in the 150s which is normal. He's usually in the 140s so that was alittle of a suprise. My belly is measuring small for the gestation I am. I measured 31wks. and at the time I was 34wks. 3 days. This puzzled the dr. He can't understand how I'm measuring small but, he's weighing and measuring big on ultrasound. I told him that I measured on time to just a tad small with Sawyer so, I'm not suprised. The drs. I had with Sawyer weren't sure where he fit in there. At my next appt. they will do the strep b test and start checking my cervix for any changes. The dr. said that he would like to see changes if we are going to induce on the 29th. Here's hoping! I don't know if I'm ready to be a mom of two, but I'm really ready to have Conner here.

Nothing New

I'm just getting stuff together for Conner's arrival, working, school and trying to spend as much one on one time with Sawyer before Conner gets here. I've already arranged to take my final tests early so I don't have to worry about having to go back to school after Conner arrives. So, I've been studying more when I can. Other than that I've been trying to rest. I'm still hoping to be induced/have a c-section early as this child won't be any tiny one this time either. We'll see. I plan on talking with the dr. a lot about my plans before then especially on my last u/s appt at the end of the month.

Butterflies!

Sawyer and I went to the butterfly exhibit at Fredrick Meijer Gardens last Friday. It was fun but, I think he's over the butterflies. He liked looking at them for a little bit but then just wanted to climb on things. Which, is what he does all the time. He's such a climber. We then went to lunch and shopping for some things at Target. He was such a good boy all day. Then, when we got home he got his tee out and hit some of his baseballs. He can really hit, albeit left handed. But, whatever works. I was suprised how well he could hit the ball. Hopefully next year he'll play t-ball if he wants.

Sibling Class

Sawyer and I went to sibling class last night. He had fun. He got a coloring book, drs. mask, drs. hat, and a hat for Conner. He was able to diaper the baby and swaddle the baby too. He did really well. We also toured where I'll be staying and he got to see a real newborn. He wasn't too intrested in that part because he's seen a newborn before. At least that's what he said. No new news on the Conner front. I don't have another appt. until next week.

Perineonatologist appt./Dr. appt.

I just got back from the peri. The placenta is a left transverse placenta. So, it's like a "c" around the left side of my uterus. It's well away from the cervix too. Conner measured great actually a little on the big side. So, now I'll be monitored for that. He weighs 4lbs. today. The plan is to go back to the once every two week appts. with the dr., no non stress tests anymore unless something comes up, and do an u/s on April 27th still with a possible amnio depending on his size. From there depending on his size and how favorable my cervix is we will induce on the 29th instead of a c-section. That's at this point anyway and if I don't go into labor before then. Also, I am lifted from any restrictions I had as well. So, that's nice too.

Same crap!

I'm still doing twice a week non stress tests. Everything is going well. Nothing new to report. I go into the dr. and stay hooked up to the machine for about an hour. The dr. looks at the strip of paper and I go. My c-section right now is on the books for the end of April unless we need to change it. We finally got the nursery done. Dana came over and did the stenciling on the wall. I was the holder of brushes and paint. It took all afternoon, but it's done. Today Garrett and Sawyer brought up the crib from the basement and I cleaned it up. It got upstairs and is all put together too and it's made! Pete came over and helped Garrett bring up the changing table/dresser up from the basement. I got that cleaned and put the clothes in it. We are leaving the changing table in our room for awhile. It will just be easier and after the c-section I don't think I'll be up to doing a lot of stairs. It will just be more convient to have it down here for awhile.

Sawyer says that he is moving his bed up into Conner's room when he moves into his crib. I told him that's fine we can do that. He told me that he'll call my name when Conner cries so I can get him. I told him that's fine too. He went to Seussical the Musical today with Dana. The community theater group is putting it on. He still isn't home so I think that might be a good sign that he's sitting through it. :) Hopefully he likes it. We'll see when he comes home.

Non stress tests

They have been going well so far. I go twice a week and sit for about an hour and get monitored. Everything seems to be going well so far. I have an u/s on Tues. just to make sure everything is still on track. This weekend I'm going to start cleaning bottles, packing my back, and getting the pump ready. I also need to study for a test in my computer lit. class. Nothing in there seems to be too stressful. Plus, we need to find another chair for the kitchen. Sawyer broke the back of it and it won't stay wood glued together. That's our projects for this weekend.

27 Week Dr. Appt.

My appt. went ok. I don't know too much more than I new before which is aggrivating (sp). My placenta did move but instead of the two lobes staying together they are in two different areas. One went anterior and one posterior. There is supposedly blood vessels connecting the two and they aren't sure where they are at. If they go underneath (by the cervix) or above or what. So, I have an appt. with a perinatologist on March 10 for another u/s to see where those are at and get his opinion on c-section/no c-section. If I don't they will still induce early and I'd be highly monitored and they could try and control where the placenta "ruptures" at. If they don't the dr. said Conner could bleed to death. Ok, that makes me a little nervous. But, if the peri. says stick with the c-section we will. They set me up for an amnio on April 27 and a c-section early April 29 (38wks gestation). After thinking about it, I think I'll see what the peri. says but still go with the c-section. I would feel better that way. If need be he can get Conner out faster and deal with the bleeders faster too. Instead of having an "oh, sh**" moment and having to wait for an emergance C-section, kwim? I'm sure the dr. will be ok with it.
The u/s went well. The u/s tech, whom I love, said that the reason I'm probably not feeling him too well is that he doesn't make to many grand motions, he just wiggles a bit a lot. I'll still be montioring his movements though, she just thought it would make me feel a little better. My bp was 110/68 which they said was good and I've gained 13lbs. so far. Oh, he weighed in at 2lbs. 9oz. today. Hopefully he doesn't get too huge by April. I want a baby not a toddler again. But, I'd still be ok with it as long as he's healthy. I think that's it. I go back again Friday for another non stress test. Nothing to big though.

Nothing new

There is nothing new here. We are going to start the nursery soon. I start my two a week non stress tests on the 17th. There are days I'm more uncomfortable, tired and cranky than others. But, that's what to expect at 26wks. I think. Only 10wks left and we'll be on Conner watch. I'll have more info. at my next appt on the 17th on what and how it's going to happen.

23wk. appt.

Today was my appt. It was a good one. Everything is fine. Conner's heartbeat today was 135. Nothing is really new in the baby department. I don't go again until the end of next month. Then, I'll start appts. every two weeks until we decide it's time to get him out. At my next appt. I'll have another u/s as well. The dr. wants to see if there is any change in the complete placenta previa. If there is no change we'll set up the u/s. I'll also start two a week non-stress tests. They will hook me up to the machine, watch his heartbeat and his movements. At my next appt. too I'll have to drink the orange drink for gestational diabetes testing. So, at the end of Feb. until he's here I'll be going to the dr. a lot. I don't really mind because I'll be able to hear him more and I'll know he's ok. It's just been such a long road and with everything happening I like to be on the safe side. Oh, the dr. did tell me that Conner is considered a "viable fetus" now. Meaning that if something did happen he would have a good probablity of surviving even though he would have to be at Butterworth for a while. That was nice to now. That is something with the placenta previa did come up he has a fighting chance. It's just after Julie and Danny's situation last time with Kinsley, it just makes me nervous and not able to quit worrying until he is really here. So, I guess it's another milestone reached.

We are looking into umbilical cord blood banking. I don't know if we'll d0 it because it's $2,000 to get if retrieved. But, after that it's only like $100 a year after that. It's just the inital money that's the issue. I'm looking into seeing if the insurance will cover it.

The nursery still needs to get done. I cleaned all the baby clothes I'll need until 3-6mos. and the toys/car seat/etc. that I'll need. Garrett just needs to get the painting done and bring up the crib and dresser. I told him in Feb. we'll really need to get that stuff done. We have time though. :)

My new niece!

My brother in law and his fiance' had their baby last night. Kaydense Danyel was born at 10:29pm last night and weighs 5lbs. 10oz. with a length of 20inches. She's a teeny tiny little thing, but oh so cute! Sawyer wasn't sure of her at first but, he warmed up to her. I think he thought she would be big enough to play with when she came out of Aunt Julie's belly. Like the size of him and Paige. But, he took to her well after a few mins. I think he was afraid of hurting her. He's never been around a baby before. Just toddlers. It was a good time to explain to him that, that is what Conner will be like when he comes out of my belly. She is so little you almost don't know what to do with her. I'm used to the 9lb. 24 3/4in. long ones. It just reminded me that Sawyer was never a "real" newborn. He was born fitting 3-6month cloths. Maybe Conner will cooperate and give me a newborn size for a little while.

I'm doing well. My next appt. is Tues. I need to ask some questions and maybe make my c-section appt. This appt. isn't nothing special. Just a normal 23-24wk. appt. Hopefully only 13 more weeks and Conner will be here.

Christmas

Sawyer had a good Christmas. He got a ton of stuff. It seemed like the first year he really understood what was happening. I don't know if he got the whole Santa thing but, I think he's starting too.

Conner seems to be doing great. No new news from the last appt. He's growing on schedule and is moving quite a bit. Sawyer's felt it already but Garrett hasn't. Usually he will quit moving when you put your hand on him to feel him. I'm almost 21wks. along now. It seems to have flown by. He'll be here before I know it. I did clean most of the baby stuff last weekend. Garrett needs to paint the room and put up the crib and changing table. Those need to be cleaned but all the other stuff is done! Sawyer helped me put together the bassinet so, we'll be ready even if Garrett can't seem to get the room done for the first little bit when Conner comes home. He should be able to get it done though. He as a few weeks left. :)