A picture update of Phoebe!

1. A successful bottle feeding with Daddy! She's now taking breast milk from a bottle like a champ! Daddy loves this time too!
2. Hanging out with her cousin Linkoln! They are gonna be best buds!
3. Hanging out in Aunt Jami's Hoodie!
4. Trying to laugh at Mommy while being tickled!

Time Flies

Phoebe is six weeks old already! She is staying awake more during the day. She smiles at us and is starting to jabber. She loves to swing and watch the bees spin on the mobile above her. She prefers to be held upright so she can see the world. She is enjoying her carseat for car rides more and more, much to our delight. Daddy enjoys his moments of bottle feeding, too. She's growing up so fast.

She's here!

Phoebe arrived via scheduled c section on Feb 29! She weighed 7lbs 5oz and was 18.5 inches long. Surgery went well. The baby had to go to the nursery for a bottle and some breathing observation. Her blood sugar was a little low. After a bottle and a bath she was doing great. No breathing assistance needed. She hung out in the nursery longer than we would have liked due to my recovery issues. My blood pressure, which had been high for the last month of pregnancy, really spiked after surgery. The recovery nurse was great. David fed me ice chips and I worked on relaxing. My mom and dad came in for a bit too. After a while they brought Phoebe back to me. David got to hold her in the OR before they took her to the nursery. I held her for the first time in recovery. I don't remember anything after that. Eventually they wheeled me to a labor room so they could continue to monitor my blood pressure. I was pumped with lots of meds and was so out of it. Apparently our family came in and met Phoebe at this point. The next thing I remember it was midnight and the nurse was bringing Phoebe in for a feeding. She talked with me and helped me feed her. By the next feeding I was up and walking. We spent the next few days recovering and getting to know our baby girl. Some of the nursery nurses were concerned because she lost quite a bit of weight and was down to 6lbs 9oz when we left for home. They wanted me to supplement with formula in a bottle but I refused. The lactation consultants assured me that she would gain the weight back in time. She probably lost a lot of water weight as I did since I had been so swollen. We finally were releases on Sunday. My blood pressure continues to work toward normal and Phoebe is growing like a weed. She is now weighing 9lbs 8oz and is 20.5 inches long! So I was right not to give her the hospital bottle. See, mama knows best! ;). We are blessed with such a sweet baby!

Good report

So I saw the cardiologist like my OB wanted. He did and EKG and ordered an Echo. All this because my OB was concerned about my blood pressure and she thought she heard a murmur. So the EKG came back normal and the Echo showed a perfectly healthy heart. PTL! The cardiologist has discharged me back to my OB to finish out. The cardiologist feels that the high pressure is just a result of the pregnancy. The meds are controlling the pressure for now. I should be able to be weaned off of it soon after Phoebe makes her arrival! I'm so glad to hear that my heart is strong. The baby has performed beautifully on the non stress test. This shows that the high pressures are not affecting her at this point. Hoping to get a better idea of how and when this baby will be making her debut. I see the OB tomorrow. We'll see what she says! We are so looking forward to meeting our baby girl!

Curve Balls

Well, we've been thrown a couple of curve balls over the last week.  Here's an update:  My blood pressure was elevated at my regular appointment about two weeks ago.  My doc was concerned, but let me go since I hadn't had any high readings thus far.  I was to get my blood pressure read the following week and report the numbers to her office.  I did that and she made me come in immediately, as they were way elevated by this point.  I came in to the office and the nurses there took my pressure again and it was still pretty high.  My doc prescribed a blood pressure pill and ordered some immediate blood work.  She also told me that I would be off work until the baby comes.  I talked her in to reevaluating me to see if maybe I could squeeze in a couple more days of work, but ultimately she decided it wasn't a wise move.  I went straight over to get the blood work drawn.  I went back to the doctor the following day and hear the results of the blood work. Everything was fine  We also had an ultrasound done at that appointment.  It was fun to see the baby.  She was doing great.  She was evaluated on an 8 point test and she aced it!  She was taking practice breaths and her heart beat and cord were looking good.  She has a good amount of fluid in there too.  We did learn that she is in a complicated Frank Breech position.  She is butt down, head up.  She has one foot hugged to her face and the other foot is tucked under her butt.  We need her to flip over.  Anyway, my doc has me on the blood pressure meds, off work, and basically sitting around with my feet up.  I'm trying to take it easy, but its hard to do when there's plenty to be done around here!  So we are trying to take it all in stride as we adjust to these curve balls.  Ultimately, we know that God is in control and he will provide.  Moments like this make it really hard to look past the needs and realities of our natural life, and trust that God has the supernatural power to cover it all.  We are trusting that he will continue to take care of us and make himself real in this situation.  My official due date is March 11, but with these new findings, we won't be waiting that long.  The doctor is tentitively scheduling a c-section for the end of February to deliver this breech baby.  That's not a final decision, but I assume that even if she turns, we will probably be looking at inducing by the end of Feb anyway so we can get her here safely and calm my blood pressure.  David is so supportive and he's been great through all of this.  He even surprised me with flowers (can't remember the last time he ever gave me flowers).  God is good all the time!

Prep work

Washing some baby clothes, organizing hand me downs by size, starting to pack our bags, and generally getting excited! :)

SLEEP

I'm forgetting what its like to sleep through the night...and the baby isn't even here yet!  Maybe my body is prepping me for what's to come.  I wouldn't mind banking some solid hours before Phoebe arrives!  Oh well.  Life will go on.

Trying to be tall and other ramblings

So this baby girl is trying her best to stretch and be so tall.  I had to break it to her that she's not got much of a shot at being tall with these genes.  She keeps pushing up on my ribs like she's trying to see just how tall she can be.  Once again, I love her movements and I can't complain too much.  She's not kicking hard.  Their like slow stretching movements now.  Can't say I mind the fact that she hasn't been much of a kick boxer.  She's pretty gentle, even when she's moving a lot.
We're so ready to see this little girl.  I am totally ok with having a late Feb baby instead of an early March baby.  We'll see what she decides.  My little brother is coming up to spend some time with the fam right around her due date.  We are hoping she decides to arrive in time to meet her uncle and her two cousins who live out of state!  So much to look forward to.
Dave and I are planning what we need for my maternity pics next week and I got thinking about her newborn pics as well.  So much fun planning how we will show off our little princess in pictures.  I am already such a proud momma, and she's not even here yet.
Dave keeps saying, "I just love her so much and I've not even met her.  How does that work?"  He also told me last night that since I've gotten to hold her for 9 months, he gets to hold her exclusively for the next 9 months, then we get to trade off every other day!  He's so cute!  I asked if that meant he's gonna do diapers too.  He said no, because I've not had to change any yet, so we're starting out even on those! :)  Parenthood is already such a blessing.  So excited to see what she looks like, smells like, sounds like, and feels like!
The other day we were talking and I discovered that David already talks bout our Phoebe with his customers and other random people.  I love how proud he is! :)  I knew fatherhood would find him when the time was right!  He loves to share the name we've picked out.  And he'll talk to other pregnant women, like the cashier at Lowe's, about his baby coming, and then ask questions about their baby!  Its so sweet.  A much different side of the "I don't need any kids" man he tried to be.  So thankful for such an amazing hubby.

The new "US"

Phoebe's been lazy for the last two days, but she is making up for it today.  She has been crazy squirmy and I love it! :)  Last night as David and I laid in bed we were talking about life after Phoebe comes.  We were talking about CDYC, a summer youth event.  He was talking about going and helping with art again like last year, and I said I was planning to take Phoebe any way to visit my mom down there.  I said, "That would be cool.  You, me, and Phoebe can all go visit together."  He stopped me and said, "whoa, that's the first time I've thought about how 'us' will include Phoebe too".  It was a fun moment for him.  Its like it just hit him that we will take her with us everywhere.  That she is here to stay!  It was fun to think about.  We can't wait to meet this little punkin! :)  I love to watch her Daddy fall in love with her already.  I cannot wait to see him see her for the first time!

More Symptoms

So, I know its all normal, but the farther along I get, the more I experience those pregnancy symptoms I have always heard about.  I had it pretty easy peasy most of the way through, so I really can't complain.  My toughest symptoms right now are the pains in my hips and way low back.  I'm working on stretching, icing, moving around, and massages.  Its worst at night when I try to move around and get comfortable.  Thankfully it hasn't kept me up too much so far! :)  The newest development is the swelling feet/ankles.  Trying to keep them up as much as possible!  So thankful for a super supportive hubby.  He is a blessing and so helpful!  Can't wait to see the look on his face when he sees his baby girl for the first time! :)  Just 8 weeks (give or take) and our princess will be here.  I'm so excited to meet her. All I want to do it study her and memorize everything about her! :)  I love our little Phoebe Girl! :)

Alien Baby!

Phoebe's movements are, in my opinion, becoming more alien-like.  I've felt her kick and roll and squirm for quite some time, but usually only in one spot at a time.  Now her movements are not so jerky.  Its like she's stretching or sliding around.  I feel her in multiple locations at once.  It feels like there's an alien working to get out of my belly.  None of the movements (knock on wood) thus far have really been too painful.  According to my ultrasounds, she's been feet down most of the time so I feel her kicks really low.  She hasn't gotten in too many rib jabs.  I'm not complaining about any of this, its just not quite what I had in mind as far as preggo feelings.  I guess I was expecting more solid kicks and jabs.  I am liking the crazy squirely moves.  She does have something positioned near my ribs on the right side because she does create pressure there sometimes when I'm sitting up straight.  Anyway, all this to say, I love feeling my little girl move!  It makes this Mommy happy.  I can't wait to see her sweet little face and kiss her cheeks! :)  T - 2 months and counting!

First Baby Dream and Home Stretch

So I had my first baby dream last night.  I'm a little nervous that I was snuggling a baby boy in the dream.  But I'm not gonna be too concerned about that.  It was just a quick snippet of me snuggling a cute little baby!  So sweet. 
We're in the home stretch now... 10 weeks and counting.  I can't wait to meet our precious little Phoebe Girl! :)  Have I mentioned we are so excited!?! :) 

A little more real...

Today we went to the hospital and got our tour of Labor and Delivery.  We met with our "Welcome Baby" consultant.  She talked with us about what to expect through the process of welcoming Phoebe into our family.  She answered a lot of questions before I even asked them.  She was very knowledgeable and great to work with.  It makes it that much more real that we are talking about her birth.  David was asking some very protective questions.  He never wants Phoebe out of his sight while we are there.  The good news is, he can go everywhere she goes.  Its fun to watch him turn into Daddy already.
After that appointment we went down to the lab and I had to do my glucose test.  The sugary drink wasn't bad at all.  Not something I'd choose on a regular basis, but definitely not as bad as some people have made it out to be.  We sat and waited for an hour before they took my blood.  I handled it fine.  Phoebe on the other hand was literally bouncing off the walls.  My belly was jumping around like crazy at one point.  She definitely liked that sugar! :)  We're praying for normal results, we have no reason to suspect otherwise.  Just a formality to be sure everything is ok. 
I am seeing my doc every two weeks already.  Trimester 3 is already here.  This pregnancy is flying by.  I'm excited to meet our little girl, but not sure we're quite ready!  We're still working to find a place in this house for her nursery.  Or more accurately, we need to get our room done so we can move out of her nursery!

More Movements!

Phoebe's movements are getting stronger and more frequent.  I love it! (for now).  I did a lot of sitting this week for training.  It killed my back and hips, and it sure made Phoebe mad!  Every time I leaned toward to the table to type or take notes for any length of time, she would kick me till I sat back.  She did not like being squished.  Today she kicked right near my belly button so hard I could see it through my shirt!  Its not been that high in my belly, nor that strong before!  So exciting!  I love this little girl so much.  I just can't wait to meet her.  3 months till MARCH! :) 

Phoebe's Stash

Phoebe is beginning to collect a small stash of stuff.  The problem is we don't have a room for her nursery yet.  David has to do some work in the master suite before we can move in there, and until we're in there, we are stuck in the room that will be the nursery.  I am so ready to get moving so we can get the nursery ready.  I want it to look like we're getting ready to bring our little princess home.  Right now as I have collected stuff for her, its just sitting randomly around the house.  I want a home for her things...like a nursery.  Hopefully he will kick it into gear here soon so I can get working on setting up her things!  We finally found an outfit good enough to be her "first" outfit.  We bought a cute little shirt with a pink bow, a cream and brown bunny outfit and sleeper combo.  For some reason it was so hard to buy that first outfit...nothing was good enough!  Can't believe this little one is really coming!  So excited!

Thankful

I'm sitting here reflecting on all I have to be thankful for.  Here goes a list in no particular order...
my loving hubby
our precious Phoebe growing inside me
the opportunity to become parents
clean water to drink (all day long, even if it does make me pee like crazy)
Coke
Chocolate
my sister
my bed
Bobby the dog
my brother and his boys
great parents and in laws
David's great family, including new baby Linkoln
a free rental car while mine is in the shop
Heartland Church
my new job
Premier Designs
hostesses and customers who keep my business going.
fall leaves
so many great friends
coffee
sushi
bbq wings
food in general
a roof over my head
mylanta
Phoebe's little kicks and flutters
extended family
helping hands of others
my bible study girls
back massages from my hubby


to be con't

Is she riding a bicycle?

Phoebe has been moving like crazy today. Her newest move feels like she's pedaling a bike! Pretty crazy, but I love it! Hopefully she will let me sleep tonight, even with the bike riding!
Thanks for all the congrats and love you've posted on Facebook!
We are oh so excited about this baby girl!

Informational Ultrasound

So we had our ultrasound today.  They did an anatomy scan and took a lot of indecipherable photos so they could take measurements and see that our little one is healthy.  Everything looks good, so good that we've moved my due date up a whole month!  This baby is growing strong and healthy!
We also got to spend some time peeking at our little girl!!  She was a little bashful, she kept her hand in front of her mouth and wouldn't let us look at her whole face.  This little girl will even the grandkid score on David's side my sis in law just had a boy making it 2 boys and Phoebe will make 2 girls!  She will be the first girl on my side, my brother has 2 sweet boys.   I think Gramma and Pappy Gilbert can handle switching gears to include a sweet granddaughter.  :)
Daddy's so excited about his little girl.  And she already loves him.  Last night David spent about 5 minutes or so talking to the baby and she went CRAZY.  She was bouncing all over the place and he got to feel her move three times!  He was loving it! :)  We are so excited to prepare for her and meet her even earlier than expected!  We are already so in love!

Random

So I am craving sweets today. I haven't had any cravings that have been super intense, just things that sound really good at the moment. I have had a few aversions but mostly just stuff that sounds awful for that meal, not awful in general.... Although poop has been extra gross.
I can't wait to see this little one on Tuesday at our anatomy scan ultrasound. Hopefully the baby will be less than modest because I am so ready to know the gender and start calling this baby by name.
He/ she LOVES when David talks to my belly, especially when he uses a really deep voice. It's so cute to hear him talk to our little one!
This whole baby journey is so surreal but still so much fun. I can't wait to start buying baby stuff and making this house look like a baby lives here.
Still very frustrated that the new job is not taking off and keeping me busy just yet. I think it will be a great fit, but I need to get started. This baby needs two parents providing for his/her needs right now. We need this to get moving. We are trying to have patience and trusting that God will continue to provide. He hasn't failed me yet! Praising the Lord for a healthy pregnancy and strong baby! I am so in love!

Real Responses?

The baby seems to be starting to move in response to certain sounds... my voice talking to the baby, or GLEE Radio on Pandora.  I'm not sure if its just coincidence, or if the external stimuli is really making a difference.  According to my info, its totally possible for the baby's ears to be formed enough to hear.  I just don't know how well.  I had a LONG drive in the car yesterday.  On the way home I turned off the radio and just sat in silence for a while.  It was actually really nice.  After awhile I started talking to the baby.  Saying how I can't wait to find out if its a boy or girl and sharing his/her name choices with him/her.  I just kept talking and the baby would move and stop when I stopped.  It made me tear up a bit!  I'm so excited for this little booger! :)  This little one also seems to move when David reads to it at night.  We are so blessed by this little one!