NICU Watch Day 3

Accomplishments of the day: Ben has now become a pro at changing diapers! Sam was able to hold Noah for the first time. And Noah tried his first ever bottle.

Ben is quite a natural at the diaper duty.

(I'm sure one day Noah will be upset with me for posting this on the internet, but for now, well, he can't do much about it.)

I finally got to hold my son!

Our sweet little boy trying to take a bottle - we love Emily (the nurse) for trying!

NICU Watch Day 2

This morning was the first time that I was able to actually see Noah with my own eyes (minus the couple of kisses I was able to give him before they whisked him away). Ben would go down and take pictures and videos and bring them back to the room to show me, but seeing him for myself was what I really wanted. It was so hard to go into the NICU and see him simply laying there in his little incubator bed, breathing tube in, and me being unable to hold him. After spending a few moments in the NICU, our nurse took us over to our new room in postpartum.

Noah under the Bili lights (for jaundice) and before the breathing tube was removed.

Accomplishments of the day: Sam was able to get out of bed with help and Noah had his breathing tube removed.

And, Happy Birthday Jessie! Sorry he wouldn't wait one more day like you kept telling him to do!

Welcome to the World Noah!

This morning at about five o'clock, when I was getting back in bed from my hourly bathroom break, my water broke. Now, I've always heard stories about how women sometimes, umm, pee on themselves when pregnant, so my first thought was not "MY WATER BROKE!", but "Oh my gosh. I just peed the bed!" I spent nearly an hour of hopping in and out of bed and I finally realized that this might just be it. After talking with Ben and calling my mom too, I called my OB who told me to go immediately to the hospital. So, we got ready, loaded up the newly completed hospital bags (good job Ben!), and headed out in LA's rush hour traffic to Santa Monica/UCLA Medical Center. By the time we got there, I has having contractions and was convinced that Noah would be born today.

At 11:36am Noah Eugene was born via c-section due to him still being breech. He was 10lbs 11ozs and 21 in long. Because he was born slightly early, he was having some breathing problems. After getting him all cleaned up and allowing Ben to cut the cord, the nurses took him to the NICU for monitoring and eventually to intibate him to help him breathe.

He has already stolen our hearts.

The Master To Do List

Today Ben and I worked on getting a few things done around the house in preperation for Noah's arrival - here's our "Master To Do List"... we've got a bunch of things to do this week!!

One more trip to San Diego

I love San Diego - it's by far my most favorite destination city CONUS. Knowing that it might be our last chance to go down there without taking a baby along, Greg and Angie came over and picked up Ben and I and we headed out. Of course, our main reason for going was to eat at the Gaslamp Strip Club (oohh... just thinking about that steak makes me hungry again!). But, what is a trip to San Diego without a stop at the Package Store (Navy version of the Class Six... or the liquor store for non-military folk) and the bowling alley? The boys were pretty bummed out that there wasn't that much on sale at the Package Store, but they still managed to find a few things for themselves (and for others)! And, once we got back to LA, we had to play a little Euchre too. I love spending the day with friends, eating good food, and playing games!

Ben and I at the Gaslamp Strip Club!

Just another reason why I hate UPS....

We've had tons of problems already with FedEx (not including the fact that I fell while I was trying to get to the door!), and UPS has always been a thorn in my side too. This is because they have (REPEATEDLY) thrown packages over onto our patio. The last straw for me with FedEx was when they tossed a package over the patio wall (which is about six feet tall and has a hedge on the outside, so the FedEx/UPS guys can't see where it is going to land), breaking one of my flower pots. Grr. I wrote a nasty letter to both the local FedEx delivery and to corporate and have not had any problems with FedEx since.

Fastforward to today: a package from Ben's Grandma Lucy was delivered and tossed onto the patio. The fragile cookie jar inside was broken. Just another reason why now I hate UPS too.

Not just another grocery shopping trip

Yesterday I went to the commissary and bought most (minus the perishables like veggies, milk, bread, etc.) of our groceries for the next TWO months! Crazy, I know. But when you have a little one on the way and you are in a nesting mode, who wants to deal with making sure that you have a kitchen pantry (and bathroom storage, in our case) full of groceries? I for one, do not! We got all the cold stuff put away last night, but there was no way that I was going to be able to bend over or sit down and organize the extra storage - so, look what Ben did! Nice work honey! And now, when my chefs get here (Mom, BB and Jessie!), they'll have everything they need at their disposal!

I've even got a little bit (not much though) of room left to make a few frozen dinners for Ben and I!!

No more TDYs!!

No more TDYs!! Well, at least not until long after Noah gets here! Ben came home today (early!!) from a TDY to Vandenburg AFB - I'm SO glad to have him home already!

Oh! And I'm 35 weeks today!! Three more to go, though I'm hoping for a lot less!

When You're a Parent with Diabetes

A couple of weeks ago, I found a recommendation for this book, "When You're a Parent with Diabetes" on another type 1 diabetic's blog. I've been wanting something like this to read my entire pregnancy and finally, now that we're at the end of it, I've got one!

I love this book already and I'm only about half-way through it. I think I like it so much because (obviously!) I can completely relate to what the author has to say. She and her husband are both type 1 and have two, very healthy (non-diabetic mind you!) boys. I literally laughed out loud because I could totally relate when she wrote about how others would comment on the size of her babies and how it must be because she is diabetic - I had a nurse in the hospital over the weekend say, "You know that diabetics tend to have bigger babies, right?" What on earth?! Of course I knew that! And, of course, I know that my management of my diabetes has not contributed to Noah's size, just like Kathryn (the author of the book) knew the same thing of her sons. I guess it's just hard to explain this to people who have little to no education on real life with type 1 diabetes - it's completely different from type 2 and gestational diabetes!

As for an update on Noah - he's still doing great! I went in for my weekly NST today and he's just so happy to be head up still! Keep praying that he'll turn...

Christmas Packages

We're almost ready to mail out our Christmas presents! I'm SO glad to have them almost done and cannot wait until everything is mailed out - what a load off our shoulders it will be!

Taking the Shoeboxes to be mailed

Today we took the Operation Shoebox shoeboxes out to Saddleback... we were planning on going to the church service and then also Class 401, but after the couple of days that we had had, we decided that it would be better for us to simply watch the service online, not go to Class 401 (we were really bummed about this one!), and just take the boxes out at our leisure. And that was a very good decision!

Discharged and Tired

**Ben has the camera with the pictures on it... I'll post them when he returns!**

We (well, I was) were discharged from the hospital around 8:30 this morning and luckily, everything is completely fine with Noah. But poor Ben - he says that he's bringing his air mattress when Noah actually makes his appearance!

We were suppose to have a small Christmas party with some of our friends tonight at our place, but since we were expecting to not be released from the hospital until 2 in the afternoon we had canceled it the day before (Dr. Bickman had wanted me to stay 24 hours, but when she came by at 8am, she said we could go ahead and go home).

Because I had already made so much of the food for our party and our small group Christmas party was pushed back a week, we didn't know what to do with all the extra food. Instead of making a big deal out of it and calling everyone again, Ben just went ahead invited a few people over to watch the Big XII Championship game with us. It was a easy, relaxing evening and since everything had really already been done, I didn't do much but sit and watch the game! And yippee!! Oklahoma won and is going to the Fiesta Bowl!

A trip... and a trip to L&D

*** PLEASE NOTE: NOAH AND I ARE FINE!! ***

Today started out normal enough - I sent Ben off to work, did a few things around the house, and even went back to sleep for a little while. After I woke back up and got myself ready, I started getting my things together to leave the apartment to go scrapbook for the day with some of my girlfriends at a local scrapbooking store. I was on the second or third step of the stairs (inside the house!) when the doorbell rang. I quickly (probably too quickly) turned around and started back down the steps to answer the door. Somehow, I lost my footing and fell. First on my elbow and knee (I was trying to protect the belly with the other hand) and then on my very round belly. I screamed - not in pain (I wasn't hurt, really), but in fear: I've worked so hard to keep this little one safe and healthy! In tears, I open the door to the FedEx guy (the one that, ironically, I despise... long story there too) and say, "I'm 34 weeks pregnant and I just fell! I need to call my husband!" He just stands there like an idiot. Thank goodness for the lovely lady who lives just diagonal from us. She just happend to be walking by and heard me scream and heard the tears. She asked the FedEx guy if I was okay and when he didn't respond, she "pushed" him out of the way and asked me - of course I just responded with more tears. She asked him if I needed to sign for the package, and he said no and handed it to me. Thank goodness for Jennifer is all I can say! She came in and went and got my phone. We called Ben and then called my OB who told me to immediately go to Labor and Delivery... that they would be expecting me. So, we went.

By the time Ben and I got to the hospital, my stomach wasn't quite as tight feeling as it had been, but we were still a little worried... I'd only felt him kick twice since I had fell. The wonderful nurses hooked me up to the NST (non-stress test) machine and immediately we heard the most wonderful sound in the world: Noah's heartbeat. Unfortunately however, I started having mild contractions. So, I was given a shot of terbutaline (an anti-contraction medication) and after about three hours of waiting, Dr. Bickman came by to do an ultrasound. Everything with Noah looked (and is) great she said. We thought that we were going to be able to go home after she did the ultrasound, but, since I was still having contractions and had fallen directly on my belly, she wanted me stay overnight. Two doses of oral terbutaline and a second shot later, the contractions finally stopped.

Ben took this picture of me while I was in the "recovery" room before we found out we'd have to stay the night. I wasn't going to post it, but he said if I didn't, he would. And he meant it.

Let's just say I won't be answering the door for the FedEx guy for quite a while!

(And please, no comments on how I need to be more careful - I already feel bad enough and I will delete them.)

I caved.

Some of you know that it took us (well, me) a while to actually get pregnant. To help us along with the journey, I joined a website that helps track all your "information". Once I became pregnant with Noah, I continued to use the pregnancy side of the website. The ladies that use the site who are due in January also have been so much fun to "talk" with these past seven/eight months - we're all going through the same things and dealing with some of the same issues at the same time! One of the girls put together a "FF (the website) Shower" for everyone who wanted to participate. I've been DYING to open the present that Ashley (she's having a boy too!) sent me since it arrived.... Ben even tempted me the other night, but I resisted. However, today, while I was cleaning up and organizing my scrapbook room, I caved! We're suppose to open them tomorrow, so I guess one day isn't too horrible - isn't it Friday somewhere? :) Here's what I received - isn't it PERFECT?! I love it and can't wait for Ben to hang up the clock!

This is the back of the sleep and play! SO cute! It'll match his quilt perfectly!

And here's what I sent to my FF Shower Friend, Cassie. She's having a little girl....

Of course, I made the blanket and the butterfly wings are movable - she's doing the baby's room in butterflies, so I had to get a butterfly outfit for her too! I love my online friends! :)

34 Weeks.... 4 more (or less!) to go

Here's my 34 week belly shot!

And BB, this picture is just for you.... I don't know if you can see the outie belly button or not, but it's there! :)

At yesterday's appointment, Dr. Bickman went ahead and scheduled me for a c-section. :( I'm not happy about it, but since he's still breech and it's easier to schedule one now than at the last minute, we went ahead and put it down in her schedule. There's still plenty of time for him to turn, but I'm coming to terms with the fact that he might have to be a c-section baby.

Operation Shoebox

Tonight at small group we put together five boxes for Operation Shoebox through Samaritan's Purse. We made three girl boxes and two boy boxes and I wish we could have done even more!

Ben and I are taking them to our church on Sunday and they will be mailed off to some very deserving children around the world.

And, I couldn't resist adding this picture of Isabella that Ben took... just before she "turned" herself into Dizzy Izzy!

A Day "Off"

Ben took the day off work today so that we could recoup after the weekend of shopping and get a few things done around the house... and even though it was his day off from office work, it wasn't really a day off. We got so much done today! We finished decorating the house for Christmas - our new little tree is just perfect! Not all of our ornaments fit, but our favorite ones do, so that's all that matters. We even set up our nativity set! Ben also hung up some of the things in the baby room and put together one of my Christmas presents: a desk and shelf for my scrapbook closet! I'm SO excited about it and can't wait to finish organizing everything in there so that I can use the desk!

And, for the record, every picture today was taken by Ben on his new camera!

A Free and New Camera

This morning, Ben and I camped out at the BX for three hours to get two more free $20 gift cards to use on our new camera! Now, before everyone gets worried, yes, our Canon 20D is still doing well, we still love it, and will still be our primary camera. However, there have been so many times (like Ben's recent trip to Colorado), where we wished we had a smaller, more convenient (digital) camera to send with him, or to take with us when we are just out and about. (Or for times like yesterday when I forget mine....) One of the best things about the camera is that it takes videos too!!

We love it! We used the gift cards that we had acquired over the past three days, making the camera FREE! We love free! And, thanks to a Circuit City gift card that we received for a purchase that they didn't have when we went to pick up, we even got a free SD card for it too! Hopefully all of tomorrow's pictures will be taken with the new camera! We're SO excited about it!

First Time....

It's my first time to have forgotten my CAMERA!! Can you believe it? Okay, so it's not my first time to forget the camera, but it is my first time to forget it since we've had this blog. I was SO upset with myself!

This morning, after Ben and I got back from the base to get our FREE $20 AAFES gift cards (gift cards to use at the BX only), I went to Joann's. They were having a big sale and there were a few things that I needed to finish a couple of current projects.... including FIVE bags of poly-fill! And, I'm scared that five bags won't be enough!

Then comes the part where I forgot my camera. And OF COURSE, it presented a PERFECT photo opportunity! Ben and I went over to Evelyn's house (Evelyn is Ben's Grandma Lucy's sister-in-law) for a post-Thanksgiving meal. It was so fun to show up and have Evelyn be the only person who knew that I was pregnant - I wish I would have had my camera just for the look on Beth's face! The photo opportunity that I really wish I would have caught was Ben getting to go for a ride in Faye's (Evelyn's husband) 1926 Ford Model A! Faye and his son Danny had worked on it and the last time that it was in working order was about 11 years ago, just before Faye passed away. It was the coolest thing in the world! Hopefully George will email me some of his pictures soon and I can add them (even though I didn't take them!), so that everyone can see it.

Oh! And YIPPEE!!!! OU beat OSU and are the Big XII South Champs!!

Black Friday

It's a tradition in my family to go shopping at the butt-crack-of-dawn on Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving for those of you who may not know!). And even though it's just the two of us out here in LaLa Land, it's a tradition that we are keeping alive! We cleaned up the house last night after everyone left and pulled out the sale ads one more time to go through them and make our shopping plans. This year, we were a little smarter in that we checked each store online to see if we could just order the items and pick them up or have them shipped for the same price. At one store I was able to get the items cheaper online than if I had waited in line - shipping included!! We got up at 3:45ish and got ready. Being only the two of us, we had to split up to get all the items on our list, but by 9 o'clock we were both back home, McDonald's sausage biscuits in hand, looking over our purchases and feeling quite pleased with ourselves! And, by 9:30, Ben was already back asleep! I can't wait until he wakes up and we put together our new tree!