The Writing Life

Happy Valentine's Day!

2012-02-15T14:33:00.000-06:00

Valentine's Day

2012-02-07T13:11:00.001-06:00

I heart Valentine's Day.

Valentine's Day Subway Art

Valentine Chair Envelope - PBK Knockoff

Heart-Covered Cookie Wrapper

Printable Valentine card and coupon freebie

Brownie Bites

Cross-Stitch Pillow

Change

2012-01-10T22:17:00.000-06:00

Well, today is my first official day as a stay-at-home mom. The overnight transition from working to staying home was anti-climactic, but this day has been a good day. I was able to enjoy my time with Asher and not be stressed about work I needed to get done. We threw the ball, played with trains, and read lots of books. And I had time during his nap to do some guilt-free-because-I-don't-need-to-be-working organizing. Plus, I was able to enjoy the beautiful bouquet that Michael and Asher sent me on my last day of work.

Ammans' Summer Fun

2011-10-25T12:05:00.002-05:00

I'm only a few months late on these. Oops. Here and now I vow to blog more regularly.

Promise. Well, until I get too swamped again.

Our trip to Sioux City in June.

Farmer's market with Theresa and Belle.

Visit to Sisseton to see grandparents.

Asher's family birthday party.

Our last night at home.

Michael's surprise bday party:

Quick trip to Ocean Grove, NJ:

Asher's Pennsylvania birthday party:

The Granola Initiative

2011-08-07T18:23:00.000-05:00

I thought I might give an update on my own personal granola initiative.

Asher is still in cloth diapers. And we're still loving it. I think we buy fewer disposables than ever before...pretty much just for when we're out of town. Still making his food, which is getting easier as he's taking more and more table food. Can't wait until he's eating all of our meals. He still gets Vitamin D and probiotics in the milk, which is raw whole milk, in his sippy cup.

We're greatly enjoying the produce we receive from our CSA each week. On top of that, we've been going to the farmer's market more regularly to supplement the CSA.

I bought a big bag of soap nuts when they were half off, and I'm still using them for all of our laundry, except Asher's diapers, for which I use Green Mountain, another natural detergent. Also, I'm using solely Seventh Generation dish soap for our dishes. And we use Tom's of Maine's brand for deodorant.

I have not pursued becoming vegetarian. I think I may someday. But it's a few years off, I'm pretty sure.

A few things I still want to change. I'd like to move over 100% to natural home cleaners. I'd also like to use Tom's of Maine toothpaste and Dr. Bronner's soap for bathing. But darn it, the sales on run of the mill toothpastes and soaps are too good for me to pass up!

Issues

2011-07-19T20:57:00.000-05:00

I have issues. Well, lots of them. But there's one in particular:

Have you tried the Archer Farms brand of chocolate cookie mix? THEY ARE DELICIOUS.

I like to eat too much. Like way too much. Like the cookies you see in the picture above will be gone by tomorrow.

I hate to exercise. That's a big problem. Well, that combined with enjoying eating a little too much. I tried running for a while. And I built up to about 30 minutes straight, which is pretty good for me. And I joined weight watchers for a few months earlier this year and got down to (well, below for a little while) my pre-pregnancy weight. I'm hovering there still, but would like to get to where I was a few years ago, which means some more poundage to go.

Anyway, I think I'm done running. I.H.A.T.E.I.T. I tried to like it. I really really did. But I'm over it. And my knees are over it. Especially my right knee that cracks 5 times with every step up or down stairs.

So I decided that I'd walk for 30 minutes a day. On the treadmill or outside with Asher. That went well for two days. But I took today off. The third day I took off. Ugh. I'm not sure that an exercise program exists out there that I am able to stick to.

Maybe I'll pick walking back up tomorrow?

Day 30

2011-07-15T09:49:00.000-05:00

Does not (and will not) exist.

Why? You may ask...

Because I said so. (I'm practicing for the very near future.)

Also, because, while I picked out 30 items, I officially only used 29. So THERE. Here's what didn't make it in any of the outfit photos:

I had intended to wear these. But it didn't happen.

Actually (don't tell anyone), but I DID wear them once during the ~30 days. Along with a blue dress that wasn't in my 30 picks! Yes, I broke the rules. But it was for my sister-in-law's wedding. So deal with it. And earlier that day I DID follow the rules and wear an outfit from my 30 29.

I learned a couple things during this process:

1. I obviously love stripes.

2. Evidently, I love Loft.

3. I hate being confined.

4. I get bored.

5. I don't accessorize as well as I thought.

6. It's hard to look cute at the end of the day when you have an almost-one-year-old, especially when you have to run through a downpour.

7. I can blog somewhat regularly. I'll try to keep this up.

Day 29

2011-07-15T09:36:00.000-05:00

Top: J. Crew, Cardigan: NY&Co.,

Belt: H&M, Jeans: Loft, Gladiators: Bonton

Day 28

2011-07-12T17:18:00.001-05:00

Tank: Target, Cardigan: Banana Republic,

Jeans: Loft, Flats: Aerosoles

Day 27

2011-07-12T17:16:00.002-05:00

Tank: J. Crew, Belt: NY&Co.,

Skirt: Old Navy, Flats: Target

Day 26

2011-07-12T17:15:00.000-05:00

Top: Gap Outlet, Scarf: Lands End Canvas,

Capris: Loft, Gladiators: Bonton

Day 25

2011-07-12T17:14:00.002-05:00

Reason #2 for taking photo at the BEGINNING of the day: You may (literally) run through a torrential downpour and be stuck outside the car trying to fold up your newly described MASSIVELY-TOO-LARGE-AND-COMPLICATED stroller to fit into the trunk while your baby sits cozy in the car and you're getting soaked to the bone and your once-cute hair begins to resemble dog's fur, both in look and smell.

Top: Limited, Capris: Loft,

Sandals: Newport News

Day 24

2011-07-12T17:09:00.001-05:00

Tank: Target, Skirt: Wet Seal

Wedges: NY&Co.

Day 23

2011-07-12T17:07:00.000-05:00

Scarf: gift, Tank: Forever 21,

Shorts: Gap Outlet, Flats: Aerosoles

Birthday Breakfast for MJ

2011-07-05T14:17:00.000-05:00

A red, white, and blue one at that (appropriately)!

MJ ≠ Michael Jackson.

MJ = the other Michael in my life.

Day 22

2011-07-05T14:07:00.000-05:00

Patriotic me.

Tank: Banana Republic, Capris: Loft,

Sandals: Newport News, Necklace: Gift

Birds

2011-07-04T13:45:00.000-05:00

New addition to Asher's bedroom. Bought the fabric months ago,

finished the project up weeks ago, and finally hung it.

Day 21

2011-07-04T13:41:00.000-05:00

What was I thinking wearing this to an outdoor wedding on July 3rd? Dunno is the answer. At least my clothes matched? Oh, and the wedding was fun. :)

Dress: Loft (hand me down), Cardigan: NY&Co.,

Sandals: Newport News, Belt: Banana Rep Outlet

Day 20

2011-07-02T21:48:00.000-05:00

Top: Banana Republic, Jeans: Loft,

Gladiators: ???

Day 19

2011-07-01T21:29:00.000-05:00

Tank: Forever 21, Cardigan: Ann Taylor Outlet,

Jeans: Loft, Gladiators: ???

Day 18

2011-06-30T22:06:00.000-05:00

A Day at the Office

Tank: Banana Republic Outlet, Jacket: NY&Co.,

Pants: NY&Co., Wedges: NY&Co.

Day 17

2011-06-29T20:37:00.000-05:00

Another pool day. Yay for summertime!

Top: Limited, Skirt: Old Navy,
Sandals: Newport News

Day 16

2011-06-28T19:01:00.000-05:00

While there's not a whole lot going on here, it is quite a feat for me to get dressed in an actual outfit. My typical attire when I'm at home are sweats. So, victory?

Top: Gap Outlet, Scarf: Gift, Jeans: Loft,

Flats: Aerosoles

Day 15

2011-06-27T16:09:00.000-05:00

It was pool day, and I stayed within the guidelines.

So don't judge me. (Or my outfit.)

Top: J. Crew, Shorts: Gap Outlet, Sandals: Newport News,

Bag: Old Navy

Day 14

2011-06-26T21:30:00.000-05:00

Top: Gap, Scarf: H&M, Skirt: Old Navy,

Sandals: Newport News

Day 13

2011-06-25T22:45:00.000-05:00

Home

Top: Forever 21, Cardigan: Banana Republic,

Scarf: Loft, Jeans, Loft, Shoes: Aerosoles

Day 12

2011-06-24T22:12:00.002-05:00

On the road again.

Tank: Banana Republic, Cardigan: NY&Co.,

Jeans: Loft, Sandals: Newport News,

Purse: Traded Hand-Me-Down*

*I received a gently used brown leather purse from my sister at Christmastime. My mom received a yellow one from her. Yesterday we decided to trade until December.

Day 11

2011-06-23T23:19:00.000-05:00

Top: J. Crew, Cardigan: Ann Taylor Outlet,

Capris: Loft, Flats: Target

Day 10

2011-06-22T23:09:00.000-05:00

Tank: Banana Republic, Scarf: H&M,

Jeans: Loft, Flats: Aerosoles

Day 9

2011-06-21T22:33:00.000-05:00

Tank: Banana Republic, Jacket: JCPenney,

Capris: Loft, Sandals: Newport News

Day 8

2011-06-20T22:01:00.000-05:00

Happy early birthday to Asher. A festive dress for a festive party.

Dress: Loft, Cardigan: Banana Republic,

Wedges: NY&Co.

Day 7

2011-06-19T22:27:00.000-05:00

A New York kind of day.

Top: Banana Republic, Cardigan: NY&Co.,

Pants: NY&Co., Wedges: NY&Co.

Fun Together

2011-06-18T23:10:00.000-05:00

Day 6

2011-06-18T23:08:00.000-05:00

Top: Gap?, Jacket: NY&Co.,

Scarf: gift, Jeans: Loft,

Sandals: Newport News

Day 5

2011-06-17T23:16:00.000-05:00

UGH. Not loving this. Whatevs. At least it doesn't have Asher leftovers on it.

Top: J. Crew, Skirt: Old Navy,

Scarf: Lands End Canvas, Gladiators: ???

Day 4

2011-06-16T21:11:00.001-05:00

Asher peed on me immediately prior to this picture being taken. I think I need to start doing the photos earlier in the day. Less chance of food, spit up, waste, or drool ending up on me.

Top: Limited, Cardigan: NY&Co.,

Skirt: Wet Seal (forever ago), Wedges: NY&Co.

Day 3

2011-06-15T22:21:00.000-05:00

Don't look to closely. Because, yes, those are blotches on my white capris from Asher spitting apple-blueberry baby food all over me. That's the bad news. Good news: I added this scarf mid-way through the day and boosted this outfit by about 1000%.

Top: Forever 21, Capris: Loft,

Scarf: gift, Gladiators: ???

Day 2

2011-06-14T22:25:00.000-05:00

I like these shoes, I've decided. I haven't worn them a ton, but they're so fun. Same with the scarf. It does a little bit for my plain gray v-neck anyway.

Top: Gap Outlet, Jeans: Loft (hand-

me-down from sister), Flats: Target,

Scarf: gift)

Day 1 of 30 for 30

2011-06-13T22:49:00.001-05:00

30 items of clothing/shoes (no more) to be mixed and matched over 30 days. Sounds like fun, right? No? Well, at this very minute it's not sounding that way to me either. But a week ago it did. So I joined the summer edition of the 30 for 30 Remix.

Here's my first day's outfit. Don't have to count the hat, thankfully. Nor jewelry. Oh, and ignore my weird pose. Was avoiding a photo of the face today.

Cardigan: Ann Taylor Factory Store,

Tank: Banana Republic Factory Store,

Jeans: Loft, Sandals: Uh, dunno.

Will find out. Hat: Banana Republic,

Necklace: Charlotte Russe

What's Been Going On

2011-06-13T13:54:00.000-05:00

Here's what we've been up to over the past few months in a nutshell. Haven't updated in a while, so thought I'd share some photos (NOT in order). Enjoy!

In May we had a surprise party for Amy's 30th birthday party. Look how fun it was!!!

Found Asher napping like this one day. Man that boy's flexible.

Had a wine and cheese party the other night. Have been wanting to do that for a couple of years around my birthday. Finally made it happen!

Have you had cake jars yet? They're SO fun!

The whole group. Don't worry, baby girl didn't partake.

Easter!

New outfit from Grandma and Grandpa!

"Uh, I don't know about this!"

Our trip to DC a couple of months ago. We went to Georgetown Cupcakes.

With our gracious hosts, Chris and Mindy.

Mother's Day

A day at the park!

Asher fell asleep on me a few weeks ago. That hadn't happened in MONTHS!

"I'm cruising now!"

We had some special visitors in May - my Uncle Kerry and Aunt Kathie showed up at church one Sunday morning. A total shock! They joined us for the church picnic.

A Day in My Life

2011-04-19T14:10:00.000-05:00

Most days I wake up around 7:30 or 8:00 in the morning. I talk for a little while so Mommy and Daddy can slowly wake up. When they come into my room, they crawl over to the crib to chat for a little while. It's a fun way to start the day. They always say how amazing it is that I have so much energy in the mornings. I guess that changes when you get older.

Some mornings they bring me into their big bed to hang out for a little while. I always grab Mommy's glasses off of her face, and I try to crawl down off the bed. But Mommy or Daddy pull me back to the middle all the time. I've never quite gotten over the edge to see what's down below.

I'm usually famished in the morning, with all the sleeping, talking, and playing when I wake up.

After my bottle, I get breakfast. My favorite meal of the day!!!

I do NOT like getting my face wiped off.

Then it's playtime.

Then naptime. I like to sleep on my tummy with my eyes halfway open.

When I wake up, I start talking again. I'm really working on words. But right now I sound a lot like "ba ba ba...da da da". Mommy and Daddy fight over who gets to my bed first.

I'm practicing standing nowadays.

We have fun during diaper changes! Mommy and Daddy make me laugh a lot.

Lunchtime!!!

More napping.

And I'm awake again!

Some more playtime in the big bed!

And more playtime on the floor in my room.

Some playtime in my exersaucer after my afternoon bottle.

I like to look at the pictures in my books when Mommy and Daddy read the words.

After my dinner Daddy gives me a bath. It's way more fun now that I'm in the big bath - lots of room to splash!

I get Mommy and Daddy all to myself after bathtime. We crawl around on the floor in my room.

I get one more bottle before I go to sleep.

I like to have Mommy brush my teeth! It feels good on my gums.

And that's all that I accomplish in a day! My life is AWESOME!

I'm doing it - for realsies

2011-04-18T09:46:00.002-05:00

What am I doing? Well, I'm becoming a bit granola. It's snuck up on me, little by little. But at this point, I might as well claim it.

It started out with taking Bradley Classes for what we hoped to be a natural childbirth for Asher. That's kind of granola, right? No epidural, no drugs. It didn't quite turn out that way, but it was the goal.

Asher uses cloth diapers (FuzziBunz, which we love), and when he started solids, he ate Earth's Best organic baby food, which he still does when we're out and about. When we're home, he eats organic food that I've cooked, frozen into cubes, and later thawed for meals. Not sure if it's cheaper. Maybe not cheaper than regular baby food, but definitely less expensive that the EB jars. Asher also gets Vitamin D3 and Probiotics everyday.

We joined a CSA for the summer. This is a new(ish) concept to me, but I'm very excited to participate. After getting a friend's recommendation, we decided to do a 1/2 share. Hopefully starting next month we'll be getting a variety of local, fresh produce weekly!

I tried making my own detergent (from a recipe here), though I don't love it and it's not super cost effective. I've tried soap nuts, which are a very interesting way of cleaning your laundry. Evidently they're the most sustainable type of detergent you can use. I think I'll buys some more (here); I started with a sample pack, and was pleased with how they cleaned our clothing.

I've begun cleaning the house with kitchen products, such as white vinegar, lemons, etc. I hate cleaning, so enough about that.

I've cut back drastically on how often I wash my hair with shampoo. It seems gross, I know, but it's working for me. I learned about it here.

This isn't granola so much, but I'm very excited to get glasses from Warby Parker this year. I haven't gotten new glasses in a while, and this awesome company donates a pair of glasses when you buy a pair (much like Tom's shoes). And the cost is only $95!!!!! My glasses have always cost much more than that, as my vision is so incredibly poor, and I need special lenses.

Finally, on another food related note. I'm considering becoming a vegetarian. Maybe I shouldn't say it quite that way. I likely won't eat vegetarian 100% of the time, but I want to move in that direction. I'm reading a fascinating book called The Beauty Detox Solution. (Fascinating to me in part because I hated science in school and didn't pay much attention.) I've checked in on Kimberly Snyder's blog every once in a while, and have incorporated some things into my diet that she recommends, such as dulse flakes. But I want to be healthier, and I'm going to give it a go.

So there you have it. Ways that I, Summer Amman, am becoming granola.

Oh, and for your viewing pleasure:

8 Months!

2011-04-12T15:03:00.000-05:00

Seven Months!

2011-03-22T17:33:00.000-05:00

Our Little 6-Month Old!!!

2011-01-28T21:43:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas!!!

2010-12-25T08:53:00.000-06:00

3 Month Pictures

2010-12-13T21:49:00.000-06:00

Realized I hadn't posted these pictures of Asher. These were taken almost two months ago!

Ashman's Nursery

2010-10-27T20:06:00.003-05:00

So, now that the Ashman's room is finished (finally!), I thought I'd take you on a little tour. We'll start with the door. After years of making door signs for my friends' babies, it was my turn at last!

A sweet little door hanging from my friend Theresa.

Changing table. Given to us from a co-worker.

Notice the cloth diaper paraphernalia on the second shelf!

Our beautiful crib - a gift from my parents. Notice the bedskirt. Homemade. :)

Above the crib hang several pictures we had taken when Asher was 1 month.

Some shelving in the corner, with my favorite toy when I was a baby sitting on top. Sandy's her name - you can probably tell she's a little worn.

Little cubbie storage for books and toys and safety supplies, blankets, etc.

Here's a close up of the vase on top of the cubbies. It was a gift from a friend in college, and I'm so glad I kept it, because it matches the room perfectly. In it I decided to tuck some keepsakes from the hospital. Including Asher's little booties and hat, and our wrist/ankle bands.

In another corner hangs a mural I painted on canvases, along with a wooden cloud painting we picked up at our favorite Farmer's Market.

A matching dresser to our crib, given to us by Michael's parents. Among the items on top is a baby book I made for Asher, and a cute little Asher train, a gift from Debbie.

And here is the absolute, hands down BEST part of the nursery.

We survived

2010-10-21T19:33:00.000-05:00

My first day back at work. It's over. We made it. To make my first full day away EXTRA long, I went to a Christmas card making party that happened to fall on the same day - obviously wasn't my first choice! But Michael was sweet to text me pictures of what Asher was up to throughout the day.

8:37 a.m.

9:16 a.m.

2:20 p.m.

3:49 p.m.

8:08 p.m.

1 Month Pictures

2010-09-29T21:04:00.000-05:00

Still the most adorable little boy in the universe!!!

Newborn Pictures

2010-09-29T20:59:00.000-05:00

Isn't he the sweetest thing?!

Birth Story

2010-09-21T18:26:00.000-05:00

Soooooooo, this little story was written over the course of about 6 weeks. And it's not so little, actually. But I didn't want to forget anything from Asher's eventful entrance into this world!

Monday rolled around and I found myself in the same old routine, going back to work after the weekend. But this wasn’t just any normal Monday blues I was feeling. I had fully anticipated that I would go into labor and have this baby by Monday! But, of course, nothing. Few, if any, contractions. Still moving like normal. No baby dropage.

So I headed to work. In maternity clothes that still fit me. And I did my thing there. Which of late had consisted of lots of talking with coworkers. After another one of the longest days of my life, I headed home.

I made meatloaf and we settled in to eat and watch some show online. There were still things on my to-do list that I wanted to get done before baby arrived, so I picked up my lazy-extra-40-pound-body off the couch and got to it.

On my way to bring the dishes from dinner to the kitchen, I felt a little trickle. I walked a few more steps, and another trickle, heavier than the first. Without a moment to lose, I rushed to the bathroom - much faster than I thought possible - just in case the unexpected was really happening. I got to the toilet and sat down. I really had to pee, but I was doing my best to hold it in so that I wouldn’t miss the water breakage, if in fact it was about to take place.

All of a sudden it felt like I was vomiting out the other end. Literally, the sensation was like vomiting. Uncontrollable, disgusting, yet relieving somehow. And it just kept coming. I yelled for MIchael. He came in pretty quickly, maybe in anticipation? I said to him, “I think my water’s breaking!” I don’t know if he believed me at first, but he looked excited. After the gush subsided, we examined the results. It was yellowish - kind of surprising - and stringy a little bit. I was glad to see there was no meconium in the fluid.

I got up and ran around the apartment trying to tidy up a bit, so we wouldn’t have to come home to an uber-messy home. I instructed Michael to do all the dirty dishes, while I made the bed and finished packing my hospital bag. It took me three times as long as it should have - I kept walking through all the rooms, I think in disbelief that within the next 24 hours, we would get to meet our baby boy! I was SO excited and SO terrified.

At some point during one of my laps I called the doctor. Taverna-Miller was on call. My contractions were around 5-6 minutes at that point - still relatively pain-free. Dr. Miller asked about my progress as of my last appointment - 3cm. She said to come in to the hospital.

So off we went, once the house was picked up and our bags packed, of course. We called our parents during the 35 minute drive to the hospital. Called my brother and sister and texted some friends. After finding a parking spot in the near-vacant lot at the Priscilla Payne Hurd Pavilion, we arrived at 10:40pm to the door of the hospital where our son would be born! It was locked. So off to the emergency room entrance we walked. (It was next door.) I checked in and within a few minutes, the nurses checked me over. They led me to a wheelchair to ride in, and instructed us to wait to be taken to Labor and Delivery. We waited and waited and waited. Probably for about 30 minutes. Finally a cute brunette female nurse came and wheeled me through a maze of hallways, doors, and elevators to the Labor & Delivery floor, with Michael following with all of our stuff (one big suitcase, a bag of books, pillow, diaper bag, and laptop bag). The girl dropped us off at the front desk and we checked in. I got a wristband, and we were directed to the triage room, of which I was very familiar from my pre-term labor scares.

We got settled in for our brief visit to triage and I changed into my gown and paper underwear. I laid on the bed and the nurse hooked me up to the external fetal heart rate monitor and contraction monitor. A few minutes after laying down, the other half of my water gushed out of me. I was left sitting in a puddle. Pretty disgusting.

Dr. Stone - the Resident on call, came in and wanted to do an internal exam. The nurse indicated that it was clear that my water had broken, evidenced by the enormous lake I was hanging out in. But Dr. Stone was persistent and began to pull on gloves. Thankfully, the nurse was even more persistent. And while Dr. Stone’s back was turned, she dipped the PH stick in the ocean underneath me - success! It turned whatever color it needed to, indicating that my water had indeed broken. Well duh. It’s not like I pee when I’m just hanging out not on the toilet. Dr. Stone then checked my progress - 4cm and 70% effaced!

We were told we could walk around while the cleaning staff readied our labor and delivery room. We took a quick lap around the floor and then moved our stuff over. We sat in there for quite a while before anyone got there. I took advantage of the unsupervised time by eating some snacks we had brought. And I filled the pockets of my robe with some of the rice cakes. No nurse was going to tell me I couldn’t eat!

The cleaning lady came back. Evidently she wasn’t finished cleaning the room. We waited and watched as she finished. Out she went and in came Dr. Taverna-Miller. At first it was all pleasantries. And then she got right down to it. “If you haven’t progressed far enough in 6 hours - about a centimeter an hour - I’m going to give you pitocin.” Of course, we kind of took it as a threat. It sure sounded like one. But really we had no reason to think I would progress much slower than that. Though we had heard of the natural alignment plateau in our Bradley classes. But still, this would be a battle we’d fight later, if needed.

Our nurse Kelly came in - a sweet girl who looked to be in high school. She put in a saline lock since I didn’t want to have an IV in. Kelly proceeded to tell me that I would need to be in the bed to be monitored for thirty minutes of every hour. I didn’t ask, but I assumed it was because of my water having broken. So around 1am she hooked me up to the fetal and contraction monitors for the first - of MANY - times.

As I lay in bed being monitored, I decided it might be a good time for us to try to get some sleep, being as my contractions were still relatively pain-free. So for about the next hour and a half, we got a bit of sleep off and on. After the next monitoring session, we decided to walk around the halls. We were just too excited to sleep. How could we?! This was the moment we’d been preparing for with prayer and Bradley classes. Sometime in the next day we would meet our baby!

The next few hours went pretty quickly. We were back and forth and back and forth - walking the halls and back to bed to be monitored. My contractions were increasing in intensity, and I began to get hints of back labor, which I was trying to not let concern me.

At one point during that early morning stretch I got to go in the jacuzzi, which provided some decent pain relief. Kelly came with us. I loved that I had my nurse all to myself. Was wonderful to have such focused care.

Michael left at one point to call Marlene, our Bradley Method instructor, to find out if she had had any suggestions. It seemed like he was gone forever. When he relayed their discussion to me, she had indicated that baby was likely posterior, and to do pelvic rocks to help him turn.

At 6am, Dr. Stone came in to check my progress. 5cm and 70%. Only a one centimeter increase! At this rate I wouldn’t have Baby Amman until Wednesday night! We were so thankful it wasn’t Dr. Miller checking us and pushing pitocin again.

At 7am, Hilary came on as our nurse, and we said goodbye to Kelly. We kept trudging along, back to our routine of walking around and being monitored. In the course of the monitoring, we found out that Hilary lives in East Bangor. And goes to the Mt. Bethel Church. And knows many of the leadership of Hopesprings. She was so sweet to us.

At 9am, Dr. Miller came back in to check me. 7cm!!! And 80% effaced! When she told us, we all cheered. I was progressing! Finally! Then she went on...”You should progress now at a centimeter an hour. You should be pushing by noon. Actually, you should have this baby before noon. If you don’t then we’re going to look at giving you pitocin.” UGH!!! So frustrating! Did she even read our birth plan?! This time I spoke up. “We really want to avoid the use of pitocin,” I said. “Can’t we just continue on naturally?”

“You should have had this baby by now,” She replied. “You’re lucky I haven’t been in here more often - the woman pushing next door has been distracting me. If it were up to me you would have gotten pitocin a long time ago.” Okay. Well, that was that.

It was around this time that the pain really intensified. We continued to walk around between being monitored. When a contraction would come, I shut down completely. The pain was completely overwhelming. It radiated from my lower back and went in every direction to totally overtake my body. It was like my body was as stiff as a board, and shaking incredibly violently at the same time. The pain overtook absolutely everything, including my mind. My brain hurt. Back in the room during my monitoring I was doing pelvic rocks to try to get the baby to turn - we were convinced he was posterior. I pelvic rocked on a birthing ball on the floor. I rocked it on the ball on the bed! ANYTHING to help the pain and get this baby to move.

Much of this time I don’t remember. I was giving one-word answers to questions. I really had to focus on relaxing. It was so incredibly difficult. Late morning we heard the lady next door pushing. She was SCREAMING. I heard that she was going natural too. In the midst of my pain, I managed to complain to Hilary that the lady was already pushing and I wasn’t. Dr. Taverna-Miller came back in around 1:00 pm. I was at 8 cm, and the contractions at this point were ranging between 4-7 minutes apart. This time she wasn’t pushing pitocin, she was pushing antibiotics - due to my water having broken and baby not yet making an appearance. We went back and forth on this too. Finally I agreed to the antibiotics in exchange for going in the jacuzzi again. I got hooked up to the IV, then we ventured back over to the jacuzzi room. This time the heat and water pressure didn’t provide much relief at all. Between contractions I asked Hilary about Dr. Episcopio’s (who we learned was coming on call next) C-Section history, in anticipation of not being able to vaginally deliver our little boy. Hilary informed us that Dr. Episcopio was in her second year out of residency. OH MY GOODNESS! She’s so new, is what I was thinking. But Hilary assured us that she had done many surgeries. I didn’t feel much better, but I just hoped that it wouldn’t come to that.

Back in our room a bit later, Hilary informed us that she requested to stay on as our nurse until 7pm. We loved her. How many nurses do that for their patients?!?! I started considering an epidural, but I didn’t dare verbalize it. I knew that once I said it out loud, I’d likely go through with it. So, instead, I kept pushing through. Around 3:30 (about an hour later) I just couldn’t handle it anymore. So I told Michael and Hilary that I would probably need the epidural. Michael said to me, “I know you’d want me to ask you this, so I’m just going to ask - are you sure that you want to do this?” I was. “Will you regret it later?” Nope. It was time. So Hilary summoned the anesthesiologist. In the meantime, she let us know that she wasn’t going to be able to stay on. I begged her to hook us up with a really good nurse, and she promised she’d deliver. At 4 she was preparing to leave and she filled in our new nurse Mel with everything that was going on. She came over to say goodbye, and, sensing our disappointment of her leaving, she asked if we’d like her to pray for us. Of course! She prayed over us and our baby, gave me a hug and kiss, and was off. Now it was Mel’s turn to be our support.

The anesthesiologist finally arrived and started preparing us for the epidural. I asked him right before he administered it about possible side effects. He didn’t really go into much, which was annoying. But I still signed the consent and got into position. I obviously did not look at the needle, or any other items he would be using. The worst part of getting the epidural was enduring mind-numbingly painful contractions and staying still. But I made it! The needle was in and the medicine was pumping through me. The doctor said that it would take some time for the medication to take effect. I suddenly wondered if my scoliosis would have any affect, so I asked. “Well,” the doctor replied, “it might cause only one side of your body to feel numb.” WHAT?!?!?! You mean to tell me that when I was bent over and my spine was protruding, you couldn’t see that it was in an obvious “S” shape???? And you couldn’t have said something?!?! “What can we do?” I asked. He said that we’d see how the contractions feel after a bit. If I still felt them on one side, they’d have me turn to that side and have the medicine drain towards it. If that didn’t help, he could redo the epidural. To say I was upset is an incredible understatement. I finally caved to the epidural, and now it might not even do its job?!?!

About 15 minutes later during a contraction, I realized that I felt nothing on my right side. At the same moment, I realized the excruciating pain was still radiating in my left lower back. UGH. I told the anesthesiologist, and Mel helped me roll onto my left side. A few contractions later..... BLISS. Some pressure, of course. But pressure I could handle, no problem.

Shortly after 5:00, Dr. Episcopio came in. She said she’d been briefed by Dr. Taverna-Miller, and that she did agree with her about the pitocin. Michael and I discussed this with her for a bit, and decided to do it. Dr. Episcopio guaranteed I would get just the minimum amount initially, to see how baby would handle it. This was reassuring to me, as that was one of my main concerns. The other main concern was out the window at this point, as I knew I wouldn’t feel the telltale increase in pain due to the pitocin kicking my contractions up a notch.

So they hooked me up. And we waited. And waited. And waited. We were going on a full day in labor at this point. And we were feeling it. We were going on 24 hours - the magic number after water breaking. It was occurring more often that baby’s heartbeat would go down, and Mel would come in quickly to have me shift - thinking that baby was sitting on his cord. It got more and more difficult to deal with this as it had been going on for hours now and baby hadn’t emerged. Though neither of us were saying it, both Michael and I were terrified that our baby wasn’t going to be okay.

Around 6:30, Dr. Episcopio stopped back to check my progress. 9 cm dilated and 90% effaced!!! The pitocin was working!!! My contractions were getting a little closer together, around 3-4 minutes. She said she’d give it a couple more hours and be back to check my progress again.

At 7, Mel left, and Angie arrived. She was kind of gruff. Abrasive. All business. At first anyway. But she was still caring. She helped me move into whatever position I requested. And answered questions that I had. We kept waiting and asking when Dr. Episcopio would be back to check me. And she was supposedly coming. Everytime we asked. Somewhere in that time, the pitocin was turned off, since baby wasn’t doing so hot with his heartbeat. Angie rushed in even more times than Mel to have me move around to help his heartrate increase again. Our fear grew, silently.

Michael began to complain about a headache (which I already knew was there) and nausea. He was attempting to sleep in the recliner next to me, but it just wasn’t working. He got up to use the bathroom and stayed in there for a while vomiting. When he emerged, he asked Angie about getting an IV hooked up. He knew he was dehydrated - he’d hardly eaten or drank anything all of Tuesday. Unfortunately, they couldn’t do anything for him on the labor and delivery floor, and we were afraid to send him down to the Emergency Room for fear that he would be down there for hours. I was terrified. I was already afraid of losing our baby. Now I might have to go through the rest of my labor on my own while Michael recuperated two floors down and one building over? This isn’t the way it was supposed to happen!!! Angie started asking around to other nurses and residents about what they could do for him. Around that time, Dr. Episcopio came back in to check me out. I was still at 9 cm, but 100% effaced now. And +2 station. At that moment, an awesome resident called down to the ER to tell them the situation and that Michael would be coming down - and that he’d need to be in and out since I’d be pushing shortly.

Before I knew it, Michael was out the door on his was to the ER, and Dr. Episcopio was getting me ready to push. By myself. Without my coach. Without my husband. I was looking quite pale, according to Angie, so she put an oxygen mask over my nose and mouth. And they expected me to push with this thing on my face?! That stupid oxygen mask kept getting in my way, so I kept tearing it off, and Angie kept putting it on. I was surprised Dr. Episcopio had me pushing even though I was only 9 cm. She assured me there was plenty of room for him to come through. I took a few deep breaths as instructed by Angie, and puusssshhheddddd for a count of 10 seconds. Then ppuuussssshhhheddddd again for 10. Then again. Then I could relax. Fifteen minutes and several contractions later, Michael strolled in as if he felt like a million bucks. I couldn’t believe the change. He’d later describe the experience in the ER like a NASCAR pit stop. He went down and gave them his name, and all these people swooped in to take care of him. We were so thankful that he was able to get back so quickly. His headache remained, but the nausea was gone. He was there as I continued pushing during contractions for another 30 minutes.

At that point, Dr. Episcopio seemed frustrated, and slightly confused. She even said she didn’t understand why baby wasn’t coming. There was plenty of room for him to come out. When I pushed, his head came down, she said. But then it would go right back up to where it had been. As she said this, I knew the inevitable was coming. I think I knew it for hours. She said to Michael and me, at this point, “I think we need to consider either giving more pitocin to help you dilate all the way or a C-Section.” “Is there anyway I can go without the pitocin, and see if my body will finish dilating on its own?” I asked. Dr. Episcopio answered, “You could do that, but it might just delay things - and actually baby wasn’t doing so well with the pitocin.” Michael and I looked at each other. “Well, we’ve done all we can,” Michael said. And I agreed. It was time for baby to be born. We informed the doctor that we would go forward with the Cesarean. “You’ve done a ton of these, right?” I asked her. “Yes,” she replied with a smile. And Michael asked, “You’re going to do the best job you’ve ever done, right?” “Of course,” she answered. “How do I know that I’m not going to feel it?” I asked. Dr. Episcopio informed me that they do a test to see if I feel anything before cutting me open. All of a sudden there were a bunch of nurses and residents getting things ready, calling the anesthesiologist, etc. This was the very last place we wanted to be with baby’s birth. Disappointment doesn’t even come close. Though at this point, after nearly 25 hours of labor, he needed to be born. Especially with the heartrate issues.

Before I knew it, they were wheeling me to the OR, with Michael by my side. It was quite surreal. We arrived at the operating room and I realized we forgot the camera! “We forgot the camera!” I exclaimed. “Michael, go get it! Hurry!” He didn’t hesitate. He turned around and ran back to the room to retrieve our little point and shoot. There was no way we were going to miss out on pictures of our freshly born little boy! As we entered the room I said, “I’m not meaning to be vain, just wondering. Do you lose more weight by giving birth vaginally or by Cesarean?” That got a laugh. Someone in the room said she thought it would be about the same. They began prepping me. The sheet went up beneath my arms, and the anesthesiologist was near my head, filling my body with the drugs I’d need to not feel the pain I was secretly afraid of feeling. Michael was back at my side with a white jumpsuit, cap, and mask on.

We were just waiting, and all of a sudden I felt some type of movement on my abdomen. “Did you already open me up?” I asked. Indeed they had. (I later learned that before the incision, they used some forceps or something to pinch my skin and see if I’d react. I obviously didn’t because I couldn’t feel it.) An insane amount of pressure at the top of my abdomen caught me off guard, and I couldn’t help but release this unnatural, guttural noise that lasted as long as the pressure. I knew that I sounded like a crazy animal, but it was not something I could control. When it was over, we heard a little cry, and I couldn’t hold it together anymore. At 10:25pm, and after 25 hours of labor, our son was here, and I couldn’t do anything but cry tears of joy and relief. Simultaneously I heard a muffled gasp from some of the nurses. “What’s going on,” I asked? Dr. Episcopio said that the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck, stomach, and through his legs. No wonder this little guy wasn’t coming out earlier!

They carefully unraveled him, and one of the nurses rushed him back to the baby station to suction him and make sure he was good. “Gimme a second,” she said to Michael. Once the preliminary stuff was done, she called Michael back, and he cut the cord. Our little boy was wrapped in a blanket and topped with a little hat.

Finally, Michael brought him out to meet me. He gave him to me to hold, and I couldn’t hold back my surprise. “You’re so cute!” I exclaimed. “I love you so much.” This little baby was so precious. So perfect. Such a wonderful gift from God.

Michael accompanied little man up to the nursery, where they weighed (7 lb 14 oz) and measured (20.5 in) and took apgar scores. In the meantime, I was being stitched up. Our nurse Angie told me later that I was snoring as they fixed me up! I woke up in the recovery room with Angie by my side, monitoring my vitals. She told me I could go to our final room once I could move my feet. I was trying soooo hard, but it just wasn’t happening yet. Michael showed up and I asked him to bring in baby as soon as he could. He went back to the nursery and came back with our son. Finally, I got to spend some more time with this little guy who I had carried around for 9 months. What a miracle. It didn’t make sense to me how something so wonderful could happen to me.

Angie freaked out a little bit later as my blood pressure dropped significantly. I had to give up baby boy for a bit while she laid me back down to recover. After a little while of resting and focusing, my blood pressure was back to normal, and I was finally able to move my feet. We rolled over to our room where we’d be for the next few days and settled in. Michael and I ogled over our baby some more and I attempted feeding him for the first time. At 2:00am, after being awake for the majority of the previous 44 hours, we reluctantly released our son into the nursery and got some long-awaited and well-deserved sleep.

Two days later, after much thought, we named our little boy Asher Michael. “Asher” because we were so very happy and blessed - “How happy I am! The women will call me happy.” - Genesis 30:13. And “Michael” after his dad, meaning “Who is like the Lord”.

Dave Matthews Concert

2010-07-25T09:48:00.004-05:00

Baby stayed put long enough for us to go to the Amos Lee and Dave Matthews concert a couple weeks ago. I'm so glad we got to go. These guys are just amazing. Thankfully it was a cool night, though we did have to walk about a mile from our car to our seats. It was worth it!

Baby Shower #2

2010-07-25T09:01:00.005-05:00

My mom and sister threw a beautiful shower for me back home in Iowa when we were there for my brother's wedding in early June.

Sweet devotion given by Theresa

Evidently, Grandma thought I was a lot bigger than I was!

Diaper cake from Theresa!

My mom made a quilt for baby :)

A book given to me when I was born!

Yummy cake from Deana

Week 39

2010-07-25T08:39:00.004-05:00

Lots of contractions this week!

Michael has been talking to the baby, encouraging it to get moving!

Still feeling great during the day, aside from the big ankles.

Trying to continue with work until my due date, if baby hasn't come yet.

Wonder if I'll make it to my scheduled mani/pedi on Wednesday.

Week 38

2010-07-18T21:19:00.003-05:00

Been feeling baby hiccups once in a while.

Wonder what baby thought about Dave Matthews. Sure didn't seem too interested.

Glad to have pretty much everything ready. Yay.

Don't know if there's a point in even trying for a full night's sleep.

Working on a mural type project for the nursery.

Week 37

2010-07-09T19:18:00.003-05:00

Swollen ankles are starting to bother me.

Sleep is getting less and less comfortable.

But still only up once a night (usually) to go to the bathroom.

Thinking its funny that, besides the belly bump and swollen ankles, Michael seems to have all the pregnancy symptoms...indigestion, nesting, strange dreams...

Really tired of random people commenting on my body. One of these times I'm just going to repeat back what they say and see how they like it. "You're not due for another three weeks?!?! You look like you're ready to pop any day!" "Really? You kind of look like you're ready to pop too!" (of course, I would never actually do this. I don't think. I wouldn't test me on it.)

Happy Birthday Michael!!!

2010-07-04T21:37:00.002-05:00

We celebrated Michael's birthday all day today. After church we went to On the Border for lunch. Yum!!! Then we hit up the movie theater for The Last Airbender. We arrived super early, which is very unlike us (me). So we had some time to kill.

And some Terminators:

Michael sporting his new Tom's shoes:

Waiting for the previews to start:

Michael jamming out to music while holding his (and my) Rita's treats:

It was a really fun day. And we finished it off with some buffalo chicken dip. :) Thanks for being born, Michael. I love you!!!

Week 36

2010-07-04T21:09:00.003-05:00

Can't believe how fast the time is going!

Finished our Bradley Method classes.

Belly button is popping out (more).

Happy with the progress we've made in preparing for our little one.

Tired of being crabby and short-tempered - working on changing that.

Shocked to find out at my dr. appt. that I'm starting to dilate!

Week 35

2010-06-27T21:00:00.002-05:00

Turned 30 during my 35th week. :)

Hating this hot, humid weather.

Noticing my feet and ankles swelling a bit - more during the weekdays.

Thinking about packing my hospital bag and washing baby clothes.

Hoping baby waits a few weeks to make its grand entrance.

Week 34

2010-06-20T19:50:00.004-05:00

Nursery is painted!!!

Mattress is purchased. :)

Very happy to be checking things off my list (though it continues to grow and grow)

Hating the hot weather. I'm done with summer this year.

Very thankful for Michael always, and especially today!!!! Happy Father's Day, Michael!

Week 33

2010-06-13T19:04:00.003-05:00

Baby weighed in at 4 pounds 12 ounces on Tuesday (according to the ultrasound measurements!)

Got a nice start on the nursery - feeling like it's actually doable.

Up until this week was feeling really good; now just feeling pretty good.

Quality of sleep is going downhill fast.

Thankful that our lives have slowed down a little bit!

Week 32

2010-06-07T17:48:00.002-05:00

Had a wonderful and eventful week in Iowa for my shower and brother's wedding.

Overwhelmed - I mean REALLY overwhelmed - with all I have to do before baby comes.

About to get a better start on the nursery.

Hoping to pick out a glider/rocker in the near future. Any suggestions?

Wondering what position the baby is in right now - I feel kicks and punches from every direction!

Week 31

2010-05-31T22:50:00.004-05:00

Enjoyed another wonderful baby shower - in Sioux City with family and friends (pictures soon)

Can't believe how much the little one is kicking and punching!

Noticing myself needing to concentrate on breathing at times

Baby went crazy on the ascents and descents of our flights to IA

Feeling more and more tired as I get further along

Baby Shower!!!

2010-05-29T14:21:00.005-05:00

Here are some pictures from my baby shower that friends Amy, Mindy, and Rachel threw for me at Wilsons' barn last Saturday. Look how cute everything is! Love all the details and colors and the food was so awesome. Can you believe all the gifts?!

Thank you, girls, for such a wonderful shower, and to everyone for coming!!!

Week 30

2010-05-23T20:48:00.003-05:00

Had a wonderful shower in Bangor on Saturday - pictures to come. (Gifts laid out above!)

Sleeping too little

Staying too busy

Enjoying getting to know when baby is awake and asleep

Amazed that I'm already in the last quarter of this pregnancy!

Week 29

2010-05-16T21:54:00.003-05:00

Feeling generally really good.

Sleeping wonderfully - don't know what changed exactly.

Had another visit to the hospital (as the dr was slightly concerned of preterm labor). But it wasn't.

Eating lots.

A little nervous what the dr will say on Friday about my weight gain.

Talking about names more with Michael.

Looking forward to my shower next Saturday!

Some pictures from our visit to NYC on Saturday:

Went to a show: The Screwtape Letters

Enjoyed cotton candy - yum!

Had a nice ferry ride back to NJ

Started a delicious cupcake on the way home - from Dylan's Candy Store

Finished about 10 minutes into the drive

Week 28

2010-05-09T21:00:00.002-05:00

Enjoying the flowers I received for Mother's Day :) [I also received a spa gift card to look forward to using!]

Not doing so well at eating healthy

Getting used to Braxton Hicks contractions everyday

Glad we started our birth classes

Trying to understand my limitations and not exceed them

Wishing we weren't so busy for the next three weeks

Week 27 picture

2010-05-03T16:02:00.002-05:00

Sorry - not the best. But at least you get a peek.

Week 27

2010-05-02T21:13:00.005-05:00

**I forgot to take a picture before I got in my jammies to eat and watch tv in the hotel. (Traveling for work.) Will post soon, or it'll be next week's photo!**

Carpal tunnel acting up again.
Still loving to watch my stomach move when baby moves.
Pretty sure baby (and I) grew a bunch between Wednesday and Thursday.
Feeling super tired again. Was hoping the iron supplement would help some. But nope.
Finding it more difficult than I expected to let other people carry/pick up/move stuff for me.
Something like a pinched nerve is going on in my lower back. Hits me quickly and sporadically, and I actually make an audible noise of being in pain.

Week 26

2010-04-25T20:39:00.004-05:00

Had follow-up ultrasound: as expected, it was confirmed that the umbilical cord is attached perfectly! Saw our beautiful baby - pictures to come.

Passed the glucose test! And found out I'm a little anemic.

Wondering how much weight I'll gain with the pregnancy.

Starting to get used to less sleep.

Already bored by my maternity wardrobe.

Enjoying watching my belly shift and move in the evening after dinner.

Picked up the crib from Babies R Us!

Week 25

2010-04-18T19:37:00.003-05:00

Feeling my stomach streeeeetching

Noticed some new painful varicose veins on my legs

Set up stroller with Michael

Began cleaning out second bedroom to make room for baby

Looking forward to ultrasound this week

Beginning to work on a will

Back to Lucky Charms

Feeling like there's not enough time to get done all I want to

Week 24

2010-04-11T20:31:00.004-05:00

Had a little scare on Monday and was in the hospital for most of the day

BUT everything turned out to be just fine, and in fact...

We found out that the umbilical cord is okay! Attached just fine!!!!!

The other night Michael was singing up close to the baby. He said, kick once if you like my singing. And baby kicked twice. Then he said, kick twice if you want me to keep going. And baby kicked once. :)

Purchased first decorative item for baby's room

Enjoyed a trip to Babies R Us with the new Grandparents (Michael's parents) for goodies for baby

Cleaned out closet of clothes that no longer that fit and swapped for maternity clothes

Week 23

2010-04-03T14:44:00.004-05:00

Baby and I are still loving Root Beer

Experiencing some serious pregnancy side effects like waking up with leg cramps. Also found out I have carpal tunnel - that same day I went out and got a wrist brace - CARPAL TUNNEL = TERRIBLE PAIN.

Had one good night of sleep this last week

Baby's room is filling up with stuff (not all of it for him or her, I must admit)

Really anxious to get to the next ultrasound, proud of myself for being patient so far

While gardening on Saturday, my assignment was rock removal on the tractor - think Baby liked the movement!

Week 22

2010-03-26T17:20:00.003-05:00

Noticed I'm getting dressed differently, as well as changing the way I get in and out of the car.

Realized that some serious moodiness has come out. (maybe not so much realized it, as had it pointed out to me.)

Round ligament pain = actual pain! (not just cute little twinges)

Reading up on vaccinations.

Pleasantly surprised by the outcome of my online Old Navy maternity purchases.

Wore my first piece of maternity clothing (a camisole).

Week 21

2010-03-21T16:13:00.003-05:00

Baby popped out this week!

Sleeping better, thank goodness.

Starting to think about the nursery.

Will get to the nursery after I get to the taxes.

Still avoiding maternity clothes. Barely.

Feeling baby move everyday!

Michael has been able to feel kicks as well!

Week 20

2010-03-13T13:37:00.003-06:00

Back hurting from sleeping on my side. Every morning.

Realizing that I'm totally a stomach sleeper.

More people asking/assuming I'm pregnant.

Happy to see baby at 20 week appt and find out all anatomy was wonderful!

Loving feeling the baby kick more.

Praying that everything with the umbilical cord is just fine.

Collecting/buying more things for baby.

Enjoying the flowers Michael gave me celebrating the halfway mark!

20 Week Appointment

2010-03-13T12:51:00.003-06:00

To answer the first question right off the bat - NO, we did NOT find out the gender. :)

Was so good to see our baby on the screen, seeing he or she just lounging and hanging out. Baby is right on track - 12 oz right now! Anatomy was perfect, doctor said. Heartbeat was 141. The doctor has us coming back in 6 weeks to take another look at the umbilical cord - he couldn't quite tell where it was attached (it attaches to the placenta 99% of the time). Baby was laying right alongside placenta, so no good views of insertion. We're trusting and believing that the cord is attached correctly, and trying not to worry - please join us in prayer for that!

Would you like to see a few pictures? :)

Beautiful profile

Cute little butt and legs!

Feet! Just over an inch long!

And a 3D picture of the face :)

Want a good laugh?

2010-03-07T19:09:00.004-06:00

Check this out. A picture of me and a coworker, Jamie, on Friday. Yes, we are dressed eerily identically, and no, it was not planned AT ALL. Believe me, I'm past calling up a girlfriend to see what she's wearing for the day so I can wear the exact same thing. By the way, only the pink shirt was the same (from The Loft).

Here I am again, this time with Mindy on Saturday, trying to keep the matchy-match going.

Week 19

2010-03-07T18:59:00.003-06:00

So, here's me this week:

- feeling a baby bump in the mornings...not so much after I get up.

- wondering if I've felt Baby - don't think so.

- loving root beer floats right now.

- trying not to stress at work for Baby's sake.

- starting to buy a few things for the little one - sure do love Ikea.

- still eating ALL THE TIME.

- not sleeping so well.

- continuing to debate with Michael on the gender reveal/wait.

- looking forward to seeing Baby on Thursday!

Week 18

2010-02-25T18:56:00.003-06:00

Thought I'd start providing some updates and pictures (copying Michelle's idea here). Nothing to see yet, but I've got to start somewhere!

waiting...waiting...waiting to see a bump

ordered some maternity clothes online - great sale at Old Navy

wondering when I'll actually need maternity clothes

fighting a cold

hoping to feel flutters soon

still scared I'm going to miscarry again

sleeping A LOT

eating A TON

wondering if I'll have any cravings

trying to distract myself until the next dr. appt.

noticed my nails are growing quite quickly

wondering if it will be a boy or girl

trying to get Michael fully on board with me about not finding out the gender

so happy to hear a heartbeat (of 150 beats/minute!)

I miss them

2010-02-20T19:17:00.005-06:00

My dad's birthday party weekend is going on right now. Wish I was there to dress up in a sparkly dress and wig with them!

Snow Day

2010-02-11T10:03:00.003-06:00

It's been crazy blizzardy weather here the last couple days! So bad that three different flights I had down to Florida were all cancelled. UGH. I have some work down there for a few days. At this point I think I'm finally getting out tomorrow at 6am.

We got to have some fun in the snow last night. It was soooo pretty - we haven't had a snowstorm like this in years. So we took advantage.

Hello cars: took us about 45 minutes to dig these beauties out:

Michael throwing shovelfuls of snow at me.

VIP

2010-01-26T17:12:00.004-06:00

I'd heard about this particular person just over 3 months ago. And since then I have been wanting to meet them. To be honest, I don't know them very well, but I can't stop thinking about this lovely person! Depending on what their schedule is like, I'll get to meet them probably in July or August. What I do know about this person is that:

1. They're very cool.

2. They're quite stubborn.

3. They like to dance.

4. They're around 3 inches long.

5. And the cutest thing I've ever seen.

2010

2010-01-03T17:13:00.003-06:00

It's a new year. Yay. I'm not getting a huge kick out of it. Didn't even stay up till midnight on January 1. Went to bed at 10:30 - we counted down then. Hence, I have no pictures to share.

Last year we (Michael and me) prepared some goals for the year. We actually accomplished quite a few of them. Michael just informed me that we're going to be discussing this for 2010 later this week. In the meantime, I've thought of a couple things I want to do this year... 1. Try again with Project 365 (a picture everyday). 2. Scrapbook more often - I already have finished one page this year! 3. Spend less wasted time on the computer.

That's about all I've got so far. And 2/3 of my goals have no deadline and are not measurable. Eh. We'll see what happens. I'm just counting on this year being much better than last.

Celebrate Me Home

2009-12-24T08:06:00.002-06:00

Home for the holidays
I believe I’ve missed each and every face
Come on and play my music
Let’s turn on the love light in the place
It’s time I found myself totally surrounded in your circles
Oh, my friends

Please, celebrate me home
Give me a number
Please, celebrate me home
Play me one more song that I’ll always remember
That I can recall whenever I find myself too all alone
I can sing me home.

My Crazy Family

2009-12-23T09:48:00.009-06:00

This is our attempt at a Christmas picture. I set the camera on automatic, and it didn't stop at one picture, it took a string of them. I think the two funniest things, besides Sparky jumping down, are my dad and Michael in the back as the pictures progress, and Jesse not moving a muscle through the whole series.

Isabelle

2009-11-25T13:41:00.004-06:00

I got to meet Isabelle Hagey, daughter of my close friend Theresa. FINALLY! She is eight months, and so adorable. We had such a fun time together reading, eating, playing.

On our way

2009-11-20T08:37:00.001-06:00

To Iowa, that is, to see family and friends and celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas all at the same time. Can't wait to be home!

Fun on Vacation

2009-09-27T15:00:00.005-05:00

King Neptune

The beach at night

A sunset

Dinner at the Cheesecake Factory - yum!

And ice cream!!!

A little disc golf

Our last night

Love this

2009-09-24T21:22:00.001-05:00

As Callie said, it totally reminds me of our family reunions at the farm!!!

Vacation

2009-09-08T21:09:00.002-05:00

What's Lost is Found

2009-08-15T10:02:00.004-05:00

Good news. The golf course that Michael golfed at when we visited Plymouth last month found our camera! They sent it back to us last week - what a relief! As proof, here is the one picture we had of us together at Plymouth - from that camera. :)