CHRISTMAS

KARCH IS BORN!

Wednesday December 17th, our new names will be Mommy and Daddy!

After visiting with Dr. Garner today, we decided a c-section wasn’t necessary today. However, I will have one on Wednesday (12-17)! I am still shocked Jason and I will be parents in two days. Amazing. Dr. G doesn’t want me to go full term due to my thyroid. No matter what, we knew we would have Karch Christmas week or the week after. We discussed the week of Christmas, but I don’t want to be in a hospital on Christmas. The week after Dr. Garner is super duper busy (but he could fit us in) with people wanting their kiddos to be born before the New Year (tax deduction). He sent me up to Dr. Koster’s office for an amniotic fluid test to ensure Karch’s lungs are developed. She decided to check him out herself before doing the needle test. She said by his size he needs to be born by primary c-section therefore, no choice to have any other way. Plus, she didn’t think he could grow another week in my belly. By her sono Karch is showing 9 ½ lbs! To sum it all up, both doctors agreed Wednesday, December 17th, is the best date.

Baby Today?

At Friday’s weekly appointment Karch didn’t pass his test they do every week during sono. He wasn’t practicing his breathing. Doctor Garner told me to keep an eye on him over the weekend to make sure he was moving normally. If at any time over the weekend I felt lack of movement to phone him immediately. He wasn’t as active as he normally is, but I didn’t feel the need to phone him. I am going in again Monday (12-15) morning so they can do his weekly test again. If he isn’t practicing his breathing again, I will have a baby Monday (12-15) by c-section. Crazy!

Sleep?

Last night I made the switch from the bed to the club chair recliner. In the middle of the night I came to realize, no matter what way I tried to get comfortable it would not help me breathe. So, I tried the sleeping method others have used-sleeping up in a chair. Once I got used to it, I actually got a pretty goods nights rest.

Last night I started having contractions, not Braxton hicks.

Around 1:30am, I was awakened from excruciating pain, which lasted a full minute or so. Seriously, this was the type of pain that would make you slap your mother! I only experienced two or three of these contractions before they stopped. However, my Braxton hicks continued and I was uncomfortable the rest of the night. This morning I phoned Dr. G to make sure he didn’t need to see me or anything before Friday due to the contraction episode. He assured me they were pre-pains and they might come back-if they come back with avenges to phone him. I would love for Karch to come before Christmas so we can celebrate his first Christmas this year. The waiting game continues. My appointment last Friday (12/05) was interesting. Dr. G started checking for dilation. Nothing was going on, but that can change within hours. I did find out due to being high risk Dr. G will not allow me to go full term. He said we will have a birthday by 38-39 weeks for sure! Karch arriving early is OK because he is 7lbs and shows at 38 weeks by his size. Plus, during the weekly sonograms they have been testing his reaction times and breathing- his development looks great (always scores an 8). Depending on my dilation Dr. G will choose to induce or go with a c-section. BUT Karch decided being head down and ready to go wasn’t comfortable for him any longer, so he flipped to breach again. If the little man doesn’t flip back, I will have no choice but to schedule a c-section. I think we will know more by December 19th visit. Karch's chubby cheeks at 35 weeks. (I took this photo of the sono picutre with my phone, so the larger picture is a litte fuzzy.)

Thanksgiving 2008 Photos

Finally a new belly picture- 8 months.

We skipped the 7 month photo. I will hit the 9 month mark on December 10^th, so look for a new photo then. If you go to August 8^th post you will see all photos side by side.

8 month photos

November 1st-2008 Crib Building

November 1^st Karch’s grandparent’s drove down from OK City to deliver their baby gift (crib) and dresser (gift from great grandma). As always it was great visiting with them for the weekend. The nursery is still not 100% finished. I hope to have it done by next weekend; we are still waiting on one decoration to arrive. Once it is complete, I will share photos with everyone!

COUNTRY CAMPING POTATOES

If you were at the baby shower and tasted the yummy breakfast potato casserole, my bet is you have been asking for the recipe. Well, thanks to Holly, here it is just in time for the holidays! I know I will be making this soon. COUNTRY CAMPING POTATOES 2 lbs. frozen hash browns1 stick butter, melted1 can cream of chicken soup2 c. Sharp Cheddar cheese1/2 c. green onions, chopped1 (8 oz.) sour cram2 tbsp. butter, melted1 c. Corn Flakes, crushed Mix all ingredients except 2 tablespoons butter and 1 cup crushed Corn Flakes. Put into a buttered 9 x 13 inch pan. Top with mixed butter and Corn Flakes. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. **I usually add more cheese and more green onion…but it depends on each person.

31WK Check Up

Last Friday, I had my 31 week ultrasound. Karch was measured and now weights 4lbs 13oz, almost 5lbs. At this stage he should be pushing 4lbs. He is still in a funky position, the tech called him Yoga baby. I call it trying to kill mommy position seriously; he is all up in my chest. Everything else is good, he is developing perfectly. Thursday, I have an appointment with my endocrinologist. She will be checking to make sure I am not still producing Graves Disease because it can attack Karch’s thyroid. It’s not as bad as it sounds since I have great doctors keeping such a close eye on me and the baby. Tonight is our last night of Lamaze. I am really looking forward to this class because the previous class brings in their newborns and tells us about their experience!

Last Week's Visit (30 weeks)

Karch at 30 weeks two days

Sigh of relief…

Yippee Gestational Diabetes test number TWO came back negative! And...As promised, here are some photos from the shower.

Gestational Diabetes Test #2

Yesterday (10/22) I went in for my second gestational diabetes test (I failed my first one), which took three hours. I had to be pricked every hour. I will know my results tomorrow- 10/24. While I was there, I went ahead and had my weekly check up/sonogram. Karch is still growing rapidly, already at 4lbs, most babies are at 2 ½ lbs. If he keeps growing at this rate, I will defiantly have a c-section, no questions asked. My fluid is still high, but not at an amount to start worrying. Dr. Garner will just keep an eye on it each week during my sonograms.

Karch's first party!

What a fabulous weekend! I was surrounded by all of my favorite people Friday-Sunday! Thanks to Megan, Holly, and Ryan (also, Nancy and Claude for letting us invade their beautiful home)Jason and I had our first shower this weekend. It was a bit overwhelming how many goodies we received. I know we are in no need for clothes. HA! After we move, we will probably sort through the clothes and exchange a few things. The shower was so much fun and the thought that went into every detail was much appreciated. BIG THANKS to everyone’s help in preparing for our precious Karch! I promise, I will have photos uploaded soon- Jason and I are running around like chickens with our heads cut off. Give me until this weekend and I will have the photos posted on the blog. For now, I only have one picture.

Me and Miriam

28 Week Check-Up

As I mentioned on the October 6th blog, I will start seeing Dr. Garner every week until we have a birthday. Well, yesterday at our 28 week follow up, Jason and I found out each weekly appointment from here on out will be an ultra sound appointment! Dr. Garner wants to keep a closer eye on Karch due to my thyroid and his size. I had my gestational diabetes test yesterday too, and should find out the results in a few days…I am sure I am fine.

A few pictures from Harper's Shower 09/13/2008

Here are a few photos from Holly and Jeff’s shower for Harper. Jason and I had a good time at the shower even though Ike scared a lot of people into staying in doors that day. The entire set up of the shower was lovely. Also, Holly’s dad built Harper’s crib and dresser, which Jason and I thought was an amazing and beautiful gift- I don’t’ have photos, but it is gorgeous! And yes, since these photos I have purchased new make-up. With baby I have not been tanning and didn’t think about the make-up factor...Holy orangey red face! Also, my belly is huge compared to tiny Holly- she is about 10 weeks ahead of me.

First Night Of Lamaze

I know you will get a kick out of this… Last night Jas and I started Lamaze class, which was greatness and I look forward to going to for the next five weeks, our instructor Wendy is awesome! After introductions we started the second part of class doing breathing exercises. We (5 couples) were all laid out on these giant massage type tables with our five pillows helping us relax. Each couple had their own giant table. The exercise we were practicing daddy had to watch mommy breathe and count breaths normally. WELL, you know me I am lying there with my eyes closed, soft ocean tunes playing, and I could feel Jason’s eyes staring at me. I busted out laughing and could NOT stop- it was so embarrassing. The next step we had to do the same thing, but slow our breathing down…again, I busted out! UGH! THEN, I Jason had to be the breather and I had to count. Yes, again, I busted out laughing only this time my body decided to make other noises along with my laugh!! I was soooooooooooooooooo embarrassed and started cracking up even more. Eventually, I was able to relax and contain my laughter, but it took awhile. Jason and I were cracking up after class, and he told me, ‘you made us that couple!’ I don’t know about you, but I would rather be that couple then the lame couple any day.

Big Baby to come?

Karch’s movement decreased over the weekend. Saturday night I started to worry and by Sunday evening my mind was thinking the worst. Today, I stared at the clock until it hit 9am and I could phone the OB office. They got me in immediately. My mind was put at ease when I got to see him during an ultrasound (my next one isn’t until week 32-34) and hear his heartbeat (140). Dr. G assured me I am not crazy by telling me that I am not feeling him as much because I have too much Amniotic Fluid in the womb- Polyhydramnios. Therefore, he is floating in his Olympic size pool instead of a Regular size pool. Karch has turned Breach, which isn’t a big deal at this point in pregnancy, but also another reason his movement has changed. During the ultrasound it was determined Karch is already 2 pounds- 80 percentile range. After finding out how big he is and that I have Polyhydramnios, Dr. G wants to start seeing me every week until we have a birthday. Next Wednesday 10/15 is my gestational diabetes appt. By the size of the baby and the extra fluid Dr. Garner thinks my GB test will be positive. We shall see…