Waiting for Owen

A Daddy gift!

So often during a pregnancy, the mom gets all the attention. Mom's even get "mommy gifts" for carrying the child and being the one to actually labor. I think there should always be a "daddy gift." Baker has been unbelievable during this pregnancy! He has endured morning sickness, aches and pains, cravings weight gain, lack of attention, trips to the doctor and hospital, worry, stress, excitement, curiosity, and so much more! I went ahead and gave him his daddy gift this past weekend. I have been planning this ever since I saw the original photo. When we found out we were having a boy and talked about a fly fishing nursery I was so excited! The gift is a portrait of Baker fly fishing in Montana several years ago. He and his dad take a trip out west to fish each year. I sent the photo to an artist in South Carolina who has done some artwork for us before. She is so very talented! I can't believe she was able to take a photo and paint such an amazing piece of artwork She did a fantastic job! I wouldn't be where I am now without Baker. I already know he is going to be an amazing father!

Mixed Emotions

This afternoon I am filled with mixed emotions. I had a scheduled test for baby today, and had pretty noticeable contractions last night, but the test showed only that...contractions. Owen is doing fantastic!! We had an ultrasound Wed (pics to come...gotta scan them) and he passed his tests at 100% and was about 5lbs 11oz. They checked me today and I am still 2cm, same effacement. I am pretty anxious and uncomfortable, not to mention in pain at times, and it looks like I will remain like this until active labor begins which could be days or even weeks. Good news is that Owen is doing so well- that is what is most important. However, I am pushing miserable at times! I want him to be born for obvious reasons, as well as because I am "over" being pregnant. At the same it's better for him to hang out in my belly for as long as he can. so, for my son who I already love more than I can explain, I will endure bed rest for another week or so, and the contractions and ongoing early phase of labor until 3 more weeks when we will induce if he hasn't come on his own. It's like I am so glad he is OK, but so ready to deliver (for selfish reasons). I am also full of emotion and cry in an instant at just about ANYTHING...that's normal right? I am nesting can't act on it (having to be off my feet really sucks!) I am reading a lot, including great new cookbooks I got for Christmas, but I am not allowed to be up cooking. Baker's birthday was yesterday and I felt so bad because I always cook him one of his favorite meals, but his year he had to prepare dinner. I did manage to get instant brownies in the oven. Oh well, this too shall pass. In the meantime, I will keep praying for more patience and thanking God as often as I can for all of the MANY blessing I have, especially Owen:)

Doing whatever it takes for your kids and the power of PRAYER!

Bed rest...yuck!!! But a very small price to pay for your baby! I am learning now more than ever about the power of prayer. God has blessed Baker and I in so many ways and prayers continue to be heard and answered as we wait for Owen. Despite pre-term labor stress, medications, etc, Owen is doing great and so am I. Let me back up a bit...

I was put in the hospital on the 17th due to pre-term labor. I have gestational diabetes so we have been going to for weekly non-stress tests and ultrasounds since Christmas. On Friday the 14th, I had a routine test and learned my discomfort that day was in fact contractions. So they gave me a shot to stop them , told me I was 1cm (if that) and send me home to rest for the weekend. Late Sunday night (the 16th) I had some bad contractions so Baker took me in and they tried to stop them but were unsuccessful with the first try, so they admitted me. Over the next couple of days they tried a few other meds which calmed down the contractions (didn't stop them) and totally threw off my blood sugars! They did give me 2 doses of steroids for the baby but after 34 weeks they say it's not necessary to speed up development. When my sugar was under control this past Thursday, they sent me home on bed rest, insulin and medicine to keep the contractions at bay (they are irregular). when I left I was 2cm and 70% effaced. I am on bed rest for 2 weeks, after that if Owen hasn't arrived, I can resume normal activity and let nature take it's course. Should I make it to 38 weeks, we will likely induce (mostly because of the diabetes). At this point, if Owen decides he's ready to come, they wouldn't take any aggressive measures to stop it. We go back to the doctor tomorrow (23rd) and will have a pretty detailed ultrasound and know lots more then. Owen has been just perfect through all of this! He has showed no adverse reactions to any of the treatments. His heart rate has been perfect! I do think he dropped Sunday...that's comfortable!!!!

So in the meantime my days are filled with reading, TV, email, projects I can do from the couch. I am doing my best to stay off my feet but it's hard! Everyone has been so nice and so generous to us. We are getting meals, friends are bringing me things to do, and we appreciate all the calls and prayers so much!!! We are so blessed to have such great friends and family! I also believe I have the best husband in the world! I can't even put into words how great Baker has been to me, as this also takes a toll on him! He is my strength!!

I will keep you all posted! Thanks again to everyone for the love and support!

Here we go 2008!

Welcome to 2008! The new year finds Baker and I very anxious for what is ahead. We can't wait to meet Owen! We are in week 33 and doing well! ( just a bit uncomfortable and TIRED!!!) I see the doctor weekly now for tests for me and the baby. We have a weekly ultrasound and a weekly non-stress test (all protocol for gestational diabetics). Owen is GREAT and is really growing. Looks like he will be, as the doctors said, an "above average sized baby boy" so we could be looking at induction around week 38 or 39, but we will see. He is "practice breathing" regularly, so he knows what to do there and he's already head down and will stay that way...thank goodness!! I can feel EVERY SINGLE MOVE he makes as he is running out of room to play:) Last night, he moved around from 3:30 until 6:30 this morning...keeping me awake, of course. I don't mind, I love knowing he's active!

We had a great Christmas and I had a great 30th birthday! We celebrated in Rome with Baker's family. It was restful and relaxing! We returned to Tallahassee on the 28th and Baker took a hunting trip to Mississippi and I rested! Other than getting the rest of the baby furniture squared away, I brought new meaning to "doing nothing" and loved every minute of it! I was treated to a fantastic baby shower by my good friends here in Tallahassee on this past Sunday which was so much fun! Owen has really been "showered" with generosity by our friends and family and we are so grateful!!

It seems babies are everywhere! My friend Heather in NC had her precious son, Holden, on Dec 30th and my best friend Maridith is in labor NOW with her son. I can't wait to meet these boys! In them meantime, Baker and I get lots of practice with Bradford, our neighbor's 13 week-old son who is going to be Owen's best buddy!!
The nursery is starting to look great as well! Baker and I both spend free time in there...I can't get enough of it! I included a Christmas photo of Baker and I as well as a pic of the girls who hoseted the baby shower on Sunday. Stay tuned....