Baby Jaden & 32 Weeks

Congratulations to Jordan and Stephanie! Their baby boy Jaden Lee Seckinger was born at 5:20am on Wednesday 1/19/11 weighing 7lbs 8oz. Stephanie had a smooth labor and delivery and Jaden is absolutely perfect. That means we are Uncle Richard, Aunt Danelle, and Cousin Ava now... Somehow becoming an aunt was almost more surreal to me than becoming a mom was. I guess because Jordan is permanently in about 9th grade in my mind, hehe.

in the waiting room

Stephanie and Jaden

We were at the hospital all night (you never know how long things will take, so we just stayed). Ava did great playing for a good while and then sleeping about 4 hours in the family waiting area. A very nice perk to being there and getting to visit with Jordan and Stephanie during the labor (AFTER the epidural, hehe) and then after Jaden was born was that I got to see exactly where I will be going and how everything works at that hospital for when I go in to have Baby #2. It's a nice place and I feel good knowing what things are like there.

I had an OB appointment this morning and saw one of the nurse practitioners again. I have been having a lot of low back pain and pressure and more than usual Braxton Hicks contractions the last few days so I was anxious to be seen. She checked me and said my cervix is still closed and thick so that is very good. She also had me do a Non-Stress Test for about 20-30 minutes to monitor Baby's heartrate and any contractions and I only had one contraction during that time, which is also good. Baby's heartrate is in the the 140s, my blood pressure was 102/70, my belly is measuring on track, and I've gained about 22 lbs. So things are rolling along and I have my next appointment in 2 weeks and will be seeing one of the doctors I haven't seen yet (although I did meet her at the hospital Wednesday; she delivered Jaden).

Two big prayer requests: 1) that I stay on this okay track and don't go into preterm labor for any reason... and 2) that Richard will be here for the labor and delivery. Here's my 32 week picture:

Panties Only for Lil A!

Ava is officially wearing panties only (no pull-ups) day and night! She has been in panties during the day since she was 18 months old but we were still using pull-ups at night just in case. She's been staying dry through the night the majority of the time for the past couple months so for last 2 nights I had her wear panties and she had no problem. (Last night she slept from about 10pm to about 7:45am. Awesome!) This means I will be diaper/pull-up free for a good 2 months or so before Baby Girl #2 arrives! Woohoo!

Speaking of Baby Girl #2, we are still working on a name. We have a pretty good list compiled and are trying to narrow it down to a few favorites to choose from. Baby is super active and I am still feeling really good. Oh! I got a double jogging stroller on craigslist this past week. It was new, never used, and very reasonably priced. And it is one SwEeT ride. I'll be using it with just Ava for now but can't wait to add the other sweet girl!

30 Weeks!

10 weeks (give or take!) to go! I can't believe how fast this pregnancy has been flying by. I have been feeling great lately. My back is not hurting, I'm not overly tired, I don't have any swelling, etc. The only thing giving me any trouble is that one varicose vein in my right leg, but even that is only a bother if I stay on my feet ALL day. I have been pretty good about eating clean and balanced, walking some, doing strength training 2-3 days per week, and putting my feet up a few times throughout the day. Baby Girl is starting to encroach upon my rib space a little more now, especially on the right side. I feel like I've been carrying a little lower this pregnancy than last. By comparing pictures from this and last it looks like I cannot possibly get any bigger outwards, but I think I have still have room to expand upwards. I guess that's pretty much it for now. I'm just still praying every day that God's timing will include Richard being here for the birth of this sweet girl.

Holding my abs in as tight as I can

And relaxed... :)

I have an OB appointment on Friday. I'll update again then!

Pregnancy "Milestone"

Well I had my first "Charlie horse" early this morning while I was still trying to sleep a little before Ava woke up. It was the first one I've had this pregnancy and "Wow" is all I can say. My calf has been so sore today as though I did an intense workout yesterday using my right calf only. So, yeah, that's my new "milestone."

Here's my 29 week picture:

I can't believe I have so much more growing to do!

Ava's Birthday & 28 Weeks

Ava had a GrEaT second birthday. She had a wonderful day and got some fun new toys. Her favorites include a tent with a crawl through tunnel attached (she already slept in it last night), a train set, and some cars. She helped me make the same "Applesauce Healthy Cake" that I made last year for her birthday and it was quite delicious again. Along with this wonderful two year milestone, however, has come a "no" phase that is driving me crazy. Sweet little Ava is getting quite a few "booty pops" each day to help her adjust her attitude. She knows exactly what she's doing, understands exactly what I tell her, and is responding well to discipline. It's just exhausting to be calm and consistent all day every day. (I'm sure any good mom with a toddler can relate.) Sometimes I just wanna check out and say go ahead and throw yourself on the floor screaming no, I don't care. :)

I am 28 weeks pregnant today and had an OB appointment yesterday. Baby Girl sounds great on the doppler with a heartrate of about 150 bpm. She is moving all the time. My belly is measuring on track for the number of weeks along, my blood pressures are great (100/70), and I have gained about 20 pounds. I did my glucose test also and will be receiving the results in the mail. I am feeling really good aside from one varicose vein starting to come out on one leg. I didn't have any with Ava, so this is a new "problem," but it really only bothers me if I'm on my feet all day without resting and elevating my legs. I'm trying to exercise (walking and some light weights), drink tons of water, and put my feet up a few times per day. I've also been going to a chiropractor, which is so amazing and helpful, and makes me wish I had found a place in Kansas to go through my pregnancy with Ava. I've gone throughout my life but I think it's especially important to keep healthy and in proper alignment during the major body changes pregnancy brings.

Anyway, that's pretty much it I guess. I will try to post a couple Ava birthday pics later.

No Way

Ava is going to be 2 years old on Wednesday! What!? No way.

Big Girl, Ava!

Quick little update:

Ava has been staying dry through the night almost every night for about 2 weeks now. She has only had one accident in that time. We should be saying goodbye to the overnight pull-ups in the next month or so --- before the next baby arrives along with lots of tiny diapers! Woohoo!

Ava has also been pretty interested in babies lately. She has a little doll house with different furniture and people including a baby with a stroller and a crib. She pushes the baby all around in the stroller or she tucks the baby in the crib with a blanket and says "Shhh, baby's sleeping." (She's really learning how to pretend, it's so cute!) I got her a baby doll that has an extra change of clothes and a pacifier for Christmas. (I had her play with a few different ones at the store to help me make my choice.) We were watching TV yesterday and A Baby Story came on TLC. She was watching so intently and kept saying "baby!" every time they showed one. I know she's going to be awesome with Baby Girl #2 (whom we are working on naming, by the way).

I will probably post a new preggo picture tomorrow sometime.