Another update

Sorry this post is quite jumbled, It has been 2 weeks since I updated on the baby.

So since my last post about non-stress testing. We've had a bunch more appointments. Usually seeing 2 different doctors every week. It's a lot of time spent at appointments, but it's what we have to do for baby boy.

My last 2 non-stress tests have gone well. The one last week, just lasted a bit longer than we had hoped for. The nurse was kind of stupid though. I have a non-stress test scheduled for every Friday until baby is here, so as of now 5 more.

As of last Friday when we had our ultrasound baby boy is measuring about 4 pounds 4 ounces, so he's a bit on the small side, but we are ok with that. My fluid level is also up to around 18cm. The specialist that went over our ultrasound with us, seemed a bit cocky and like he knew it all. He even bet us a dollar that he was right. He seems to think that the babies kidney isn't Multicystic displastic, but non-existent, or shrunken.

I met with a pediatric urologist last week to discuss a plan for babies kidney after he is born. We are to have an ultrasound on his left kidney within his first two weeks of life. And then have what is known as a function test, and also a dye test that checks for back flow into his kidneys within the first month. Then we will meet withe the urologist again to discuss all the tests.

My regular OB is happy with my progress, and excited to still see me pregnant. We met with him yesterday and he said he'd be fine if baby came any time now, even though he'd like at least 2 more weeks. I'm dilated to a 2 and 70% effaced.

In other news I made it to 35 weeks, yahoo! Chase finally finished his associates degree, it's been a long process. His plan now is to get another associates in Visual Arts with a photography emphasis. We already have him registered for classes in the Fall and he's quite excited to start them. Since school has been out, we've had more time to go through things in the basement, and get things ready for Chase to have a studio here at home, and the baby to have a bedroom.
Somewhere in there we also celebrated my 27th birthday, we went and got pizza, and then came home so I could go back to bed.
Hopefully soon I'll feel like I have something important to write about. Hope everyone is enjoying their spring.

The next big thing

I don't know how many readers know that Chase has decided to become a professional photographer, and with that decision, we are proud to announce that his new photography website is finally up and running. It's been a long time coming. We would love for you to check it out (the link is below), and feel free to give critiques or raves. Or if you need photos taken, please don't hesitate to have Chase do them.

Chase Lester Photography

Non-stress testing

Some people have been wondering what a non-stress test is. So I had Chase snap a picture of me with the monitors on. To start the test they do an ultrasound just to check the fluid levels around the baby, they were at about a 14cm. Then they check my blood pressure. And then I get to have these fun monitors hooked to my belly. The monitor on the pink band measures contractions, and the monitor on the blue band monitors the babies heart rate. The colors coordinate to the lines that show up on the screen, which is what I was looking at. Watching and hearing the babies heart makes me so happy.
My blood pressure wasn't high today. The babies heart rate was great. I was having a few contractions, but couldn't feel them so the nurse wasn't concerned at all. I'll still go in weekly for testing, and I hope they go this well every time.

It's about Love

My awesome big sister Brena and her family have been approved for their second adoption. If anyone hears of a possible adoption situation please keep them in mind, and pass on their profile.

Their profile can be viewed HERE .

We've made it to 32 weeks

I just wanted to give everyone a quick update on what is going on with the pregnancy. Chase and I met with the specialist on Friday, he was very upbeat about the baby. He said that baby was growing as he should be, and is approximately 3 pounds 14 ounces. My fluid level is almost at 13cm, which was a shock to the doctor also. If I hadn't had so many problems in the beginning of my pregnancy the doctor said he would think I was normal.

While at the specialist I also had to start my weekly non-stress testing. I didn't do so well on this. I was already anxious about it. We sat in the waiting room for almost an hour(The longest we have ever sat in the waiting room at the specialist), I hadn't had any lunch, and I had no clue what a non-stress test entailed. The test itself isn't bad, they just hook 2 monitors to my belly and watch the baby's heart rate, and contractions. They also check my blood pressure. (I'll try and remember to have Chase take a picture of me with all the monitors at our next test) The babies heart rate was right where it needed to be, but I was having too many contractions, and my blood pressure was a little high. I was told to come home and do nothing but lay down and relax. So back on full bed rest. Thankfully I have a great husband and parents who can help me all the time.

We only have 3 more weeks before we are to our goal of 35 weeks. I'm excited I've made it this far, and that I haven't had to spend any time in the hospital yet.

A funny picture Chase wanted to do. This was last Saturday April 3, 2010. I was 31 weeks pregnant.
Don't forget to vote on the sidebar for the best name for baby!

The showering of baby

A few Saturdays ago, my two awesome sisters that live here in Utah (I have 3 more sisters that live out of state), and my mom hosted a baby shower for me. I know it was quite early, but they are still worried that I'll end up in the hospital, and that we'll have baby boy early. It was great to see so many family members that I haven't seen in a while, and visit with friends. Baby boy is sure loved, and will be super stylish in all his new clothes! (Most of which had a puppy theme)

Thanks to everyone that took the time to come out in the snow storm, and even more thanks to my sisters and mom for all that they do for Chase and I.

The super cute invitation that Brena designed. Of course the huge black boxes weren't on the ones that were sent out.

The adorable jammies that Camden picked out for her new cousin, she loves puppies right now. And most of the time even pretends she is a puppy herself. She was the big helper of the day.

Yes we got hangers, this is kind of an inside family joke.
This little book, and the 2 others that were with it have finger puppets in the middle for the heads of the animals. I think these will be a big hit with baby.
Mothers of little boys...work from son up til son down. I love this picture and it will look so cute in babies room for now.

Closet organizers that my aunt made. Seriously so cute.

This little jacket has ears

Tiny baby flip flops, can't wait for him to wear these to the lake.

And the winner is...

Random number 18.
And comment 18 was left by Alicia. Congratulations Alicia! (I'll be in contact soon, so I can get your prize in the mail.)

Thanks to all of you who entered, it was fun to see which aprons were the most popular!

The 100th post

Even if you don't know me, feel free to enter.
Since it's my 100th post, and that doesn't happen very often. I thought it would be fun to do a giveaway, for one of my awesome handmade aprons.

The giveaway will close, next Saturday March 27, 2010 at 10pm.

So here's how to enter:

Pick one of the following 5 aprons that is your favorite.

Leave me a comment with the name of your favorite (names are below the pictures), and a way to contact you for your address if you are the winner.

That's it!

After the close of the giveaway. Random.org will choose a number. If your comment coincides with that number, you are the winner. I'll ship or drop off your new apron a few days later!

Zebras safari

Watermelon dream

Pops of Paisley

Flirty FlowersAhoy Matie

On a side note, even if you don't know me. Please feel free to enter.

Recent projects

As some of you may already know my bed rest restrictions have been lifted slightly. I'm still supposed to be down most of the day, but am allowed to do a few things here and there if I feel like it. We saw my regular doctor last Monday. He told me to keep doing whatever it was that I was doing, because it was working. He is so amazed at what has happened with this pregnancy, and agrees with us that this baby is a miracle. He told us that his goal is for me to make it to at least 35 weeks, that gets us out of the scary preemie stage. We'll meet with the specialist this coming Friday, for another ultrasound. I can't wait to see how much the baby has grown since our last appointment three weeks ago.

When I do feel like being up, I have been spending a lot of my time sewing things for the baby. I'm getting so excited for him, and doing things for him makes him that much more real to me. Here are some of the projects that I've been working on.

I made this flannel blanket with a golf theme, It's a pretty big blanket, it's folded in half in the picture. It was really easy. All you do is cut a bunch of squares, sew them with all the seams on the top. Then go through and clip all the seam allowance, put it through the washer and it comes out fuzzy and cute. I think I had to empty the lint trap in the dryer like 5-6 times.

The cute fabric of the blanket.

Car seat canopy. I had made one before but didn't love how the corners were done. So I made this one differently. I think it turned out so cute, and I'm so happy I did the corners differently.

Just a heads up. My next post will be the big 100, and I have something very fun planned. Keep an eye open, because you won't want to miss it.

My second love

As most of you know I adore our dog Augusta. He really is a smart dog. He loves destuffing toys, going on walks with my parents, playing with Dakota and Tiger, chasing kitties, and eating treats.
Any time I leave the room he is usually right at my heels following me where I'm going. Today I had to go into the basement to take a picture of our rocking chair (post about that later), and Gus was right there with me. When I went in our room to get my camera Gus wanted to go under the blankets, I told him no and this is the look he gave me.