So We Had A Bit Of A Scare Yesterday.....

I had been having braxton hicks contractions for a while now & thought nothing about it but on Thursday I was feeling them a bit more often so I started to get a bit worried but Brayden was moving as normal so I just figured that I would rest on Thursday night & feel better Friday morning....well I couldn't sleep on Friday night because I couldn't get comfortable & I was worried about Brayden & the damn braxton hicks contractions. So, I woke up at 3 on Friday morning & just decided to get ready & go into work....I hadn't really felt much movement & was still having what I thought were braxton hicks contractions pretty often but drank some water & seemed to feel better! As the day went on I was getting more & more worried so I called the doctor & they said that I should come in just to be on the safe side but they thought that everything was going to be fine. I got to the doctor's office & did the normal pee in a cup routine & then waited so very impatiently for the nurse to call me back. Once she did she did the normal weight, blood pressure & temp & then I was getting ready to follow her to a room BUT she said "come over here & lets hook you up & monitor that baby boy of yours" so my stomach dropped a bit & I got really nervous but she hooked me up to this machine that monitored Brayden's heartbeat & any contractions that I might have as well & then I had to click this button to do my fetal kick counts.....IT WAS SUCH A RELIEF TO HERE HIS HEARTBEAT!! His heartbeat was normal & was the best sound I had ever heard but I was having REAL contractions not braxton hicks so after being monitored for about 45 minutes the doctor came in & said that we needed to check my cervix & see if I am in pre-term labor. My thoughts & mind went crazy....was this really happening?? Was Brayden going to be born 8.5 weeks premature?? Was he going to alright if he really was coming right then?? I manage to walk into the room & get undressed & just sat there waiting for the doctor for what seemed like an hour but she came in & checked & I was not dilated at all & he was at -3 station so everything was good with him & he was NOT going to be born yesterday. The doctor wanted to give me a shot to stop the contractions & I was hooked back up to the monitor to make sure that they really did stop. THANK GOD they did stop & we are doing better today......NO CONTRACTIONS at all last night or today! The doctor is running some tests to see what the issue is but says that it could have been all because I was dehydrated.....how the hell am I dehydrated?? All I drink is water & milk & I drink a ton of it every single day!!

Anyway, we are fine & that is all that matters....our baby boy is healthy!! Thank you god for watching our us yesterday....thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Only 2 More Months.....

We have so much to do & I now feel like so little time to get it done in! We are waiting to buy a bunch of stuff that we still need until after the couples shower that my boss is throwing for us on June 27th...but it is really getting hard to wait!! I want to get our stroller & car seat so that I can get it in the car & checked by the fire department; I want to get some more of our bedding but we have registered for that as well.....I know that it is best to wait so that we can spend the money on the things that we really need but it is getting harder & harder to do so.

In non-Brayden related news - I am so happy that it is Friday; it has only been a 4 day work week but it has been a long one. I am finding that it is harder to concentrate at work & I really need to buckle down because I have to get everything ready to go for while I am out on maternity leave. I have to type out every singe thing that I do & as I am starting to do it I am realizing how much I really do & how I haven't received a raise in 2 years because of the economic issues (that's another post for another day though!!)! We did meet yesterday to talk about having daycare here at the office which would be very ideal for Lance & I since Lance doesn't want the baby in a "real" daycare until he is older..........SO if the at work daycare doesn't work out then I have to talk to my bosses about them letting me work from home until Brayden gets older & I just hope that they go for it because if they don't I will have to resign & I don't want that as I am sure they don't either!! I have a ton of research to do this weekend about at work day care (if anyone knows anything about this your help & input would be very appreciated) not to mention the fact that my weekends have become very busy in general trying to get everything ready for Brayden's arrival so looks like I am going to have another busy & tiring weekend. Thank god that Brayden is in there kicking the crap out of me reminding that everything that I am doing is COMPLETELY WORTH IT!!

Pasta Is The Devil.....

I brought pasta for lunch today & it was so yummy but I have been so sleepy since I ate it!! WTF was I thinking eating something that I know is going to make me sleepy when I am already soooo tired?? I will not repeat this mistake again!!

Brayden's Dresser Is In Stock......

it has been ordered & should be shipped to us within 2 days!! I hope that this one arrives with no issues or damage...but the UPS lady is mad at us so we will have to call the office again to double check that nothing happens to the dresser because of her. I had previously posted that the UPS lady that dropped the damaged dresser off (we think that she damaged it because she could not lift it off her truck) at our house left a note on our door requesting that we be there when she comes to pick it up because she needed our help getting it back on her truck.....1st of all that is not our responsibility to help her do her job, 2nd we work between the hours of 11-3 & 3rd if she can not lift heavy packages with out damaging them the why is she working for UPS?? Anyway, we left the damaged dresser on the porch as the note said to do & Lance had already called the UPS office & told them that we would not be there so please make sure that the person coming to pick it up knew that & brought help.....she apparently did not get the message or if she did disregarded our attempt to warn her because we had a note on our door from her that said "THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE & FOR YOUR HELP!!!".....we were pissed off to say the least about this nasty note so again we had to call UPS & they are going to talk to her about it; BUT as I am sure anyone would be, we are afraid that she will mess up the dresser that we just re ordered this morning!! I am keeping my fingers crossed that it arrives with no damage & that she has help that day on her delivery route!

It is sad that we have to worry like this especially since all we are asking of the UPS delivery service is for them to do there job!!

Memorial Day Weekend Review....

Our weekend was nice but not really that eventful.....Friday night I got home & was so sleepy so I just relaxed & did some laundry while I waited for Lance to get home & then he had to work on Saturday as usual so I did the normal stuff; cleaned the house (which seems to take forever now because I have to deep clean everything & I mean everything) & I also ran errands so by the time I was done it was about 5 in the evening so I jumped in the shower & when Lance got home we went to dinner.....Kani House!! All I can say about this place is yummy; it is the best Japanese hibachi place that we have found!! Then we went home & watched the UFC fights on pay per view; these fights are brutal but we love it & WOO HOO Matt Hughes won!!! Anyway so we watched that & then I fell asleep on the sofa & Lance left me there because he said that I looked comfy....not the case at all I woke up at 3 (on a Sunday no less) with a crick in my neck & my back killing me so needless to say I was up for the day. I started to watch the weather channel hoping that Sunday would be beautiful & we could get out on the lake but it was saying that there were going to be thunderstorms all day so we decide that we will drive up to Helen that afternoon & see Lance's dad & step mom & have dinner with them.....on the drive up at about 12:30 the sun was shining & we were pissed!!

Let me back track a bit to Sunday mornings incident; I woke up early & wasn't in the best of moods but I was also having a really emotional morning as well & then while I was making breakfast Lance said something about the eggs that I was cooking & I just lost it! I had to walk away from him & go & take a bath to try to calm down....I was crying that hard! Lance is a wonderful husband & there is no way that he could help the fact that he had to work a lot of late nights last week, but I felt lonely, ugly, sad....& whatever else you can think of, so when he turned his nose up at my eggs it just all came out. I stormed off & he stormed out of the house so then I cried even more it was crazy. When he got back to the house he didn't really say much to me he just started shaving & getting ready so that we could get on the road to Helen....I didn't even want to go at that point so I just sat on the sofa & watched TV. He came out from getting ready & sat beside me & just held me & said he was sorry....he just held me & I just cried & cried & told him everything I was feeling & to actually get all my stresses & fears out was really great & I felt a lot better; I just can't believe that it all came out like that! Anyway after my breakdown we make sexy time & all was good; especially since it had been sooooo long!!

So we had dinner with his dad, step mom, sister & her family & while we were driving home we started talking about needing more room that my 4 Runner had to offer. We have 2 dogs that need a bunch of room & then Brayden & all of his stuff.....we just needed a bigger vehicle so we started going over our options. We talked about a Tahoe, expedition, mini van (BOO), & the Flex. I decided to go with the Flex because the other cars are like driving tanks to me. I do have to say it is awesome having family in the car business because we got the Ford Flex on Monday & I love it!!

We got up Monday morning & again checked the weather & it said it was going to be a crappy day again (& it was actually raining outside so we thought NO LAKE) so Lance went to work for his Monday morning meeting & I got in the shower so we could go test drive some cars. We decided to go to Ford & see his mom & dad & see what was available & of course about an hour after we are there the sun starts to shine & it turns out to be a really beautiful day.....damn weather!! Anyway, I drove the flex & fell in love with it but of course buying a car isn't that easy so then it was the decision of what features do we want...what color outside & inside should we choose..BLAH, BLAH, BLAH. We finally made our decision & they found a one that we loved & just had to go pick it up so here it is.....

It has everything that I could ever want in it!! leather, sync, the back opens with the touch of a button (so I can just throw the stroller in it & go), 3 rows of seating, heated seats.....it is so awesome & I love it, love it, love it!!!

31 Weeks Along.....

Holy Cow only 9 more weeks until our expected due date.....I think I just had a panic attack!!

All About Baby Brayden This Week.....
Baby Brayden now weighs approximately 3.5 pounds, measures just over 16 inches from head to heel, and is getting used to the world of light and dark by opening and closing his eyes. Hiss facial muscles continue to strengthen, and Brayden can make different expressions. His lungs are nearly mature; however, these last few weeks are crucial to healthy and complete lung development. Some of the amniotic fluid has to be removed at this point to make room for the growing baby so in essence that would mean you have about half as much fluid as you did about a month ago. Less fluid means less cushion and so you are likely to feel Brayden’s kicks and movements more intensely. However Brayden’s movements are going to be less drastic and dramatic from this point on. Brayden is rehearsing at intervals by breathing in amniotic fluid and expelling it. You can tell that bones and muscles are continuing to grow along with his organs and brain. If you haven't already been talking to your baby, now is the time to start. Until now, he interpreted sounds as vibrations. But this week he can hear actual sounds and will begin to recognize your voice or the music you play.

How far along? 31 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: gained 27 lbs
Maternity clothes? is there anything else at this point?
Stretch marks? none yet & I am keeping my fingers crossed that none pop up!
Sleep: I am having such a hard time getting a good nights sleep; i have tried different sleep positions & even tried to sleep on the sofa but no matter where I am I can't sleep more than 3-4 hours & then I am wide awake!!
Best moment this week: Filling out our pre-admission forms for the hospital....he is going to be here so soon!!
Movement: I feel him so often & his movements are getting stronger!
Food cravings: chocolate...chocolate...chocolate.
Gender: BOY
Labor Signs: braxton hicks
Belly Button in or out? half out - half in..the weirdest thing to look at!
What I miss: sleep
What I am looking forward to: picking up my new mommy mobile on Wednesday!!
Weekly Wisdom: Don't wish away the moments you have with your baby right now....they are so precious!
Milestones: buying a new family car with enough room for Brayden & the pups!

Why Am I Awake At 5:30 On A Sunday Morning???

That would be because I woke up thirsty as hell.....we went to dinner last night & had Japanese hibachi which is so good but loaded with salt & I am paying for it now. We are supposed to head up to the lake today if the weather is nice so I need to guzzle some water & hope this swelling goes down a bit!! What was I thinking??

30 Weeks Appt. Today

Today Brayden & I had our 30 week check up & I didn't realize that it was such a big appointment; there was no ultrasound & we didn't find anything major out but we got all kinds of paperwork to fill out & go over for his impending birth & that made me so happy. I have filled out our Pre-Admission Form for the hospital & faxed it over to them so I should be receiving a letter in the mail soon letting me know that we are all set & then my mid-wife let me know that it is not time to bring in our birth plan so that we can go over it in great detail & make sure that everyone is on the same page & so that they can get it over to the hospital as well. Today was a very wonderful appointment for me & it just made me feel very comfortable & safe with my midwife & the hospital; it was all just very exciting & oh my goodness Brayden will be here soon & we are not ready at all......my weekend to do list just got even longer. I did get to hear his little heartbeat & I have to say that it is such a wonderful sound....it makes me cry every time!!

Here are pictures of me from today....we are having the slowest day at work & I got bored!!

Thank God It Is Friday.....

I am feeling better today but that is only because I went home early from work yesterday & actually rested, but now I feel like I have wasted so much time.....I mean I could have been cleaning & doing laundry NOT just laying around being lazy. I never really get sick & am an "on the go" woman so not doing something productive really drives me crazy. The good thing is that we have a 3 day weekend so I have plenty of time to get home today & make up for my "sick" time. I know that we are going to head up to the lake on Sunday & Monday if the weather permits us too so that just leaves me tonight & tomorrow to get my whole To Do List done; I know that it can be done but I don't want to push myself & start feeling bad again.........I guess I am going to have to learn to slow down one of these days; maybe next week I will learn that lesson!

****REAL QUICK VENT**** When I got home yesterday afternoon I noticed that there was a UPS sticker on the door & I was happy about that because that ment we would know when they would come back again to pick up the damaged dresser they delivered the other day from BRU. I took the sticker off the door & walked into the house & then noticed there was a note on it saying "someone needs to be here at the next attempt to help put box back on truck"....ARE THEY KIDDING ME?? First of all they got it off the truck just fine & they are going to get it back on the truck without the help of Lance or I. How ballsy of them to request something like that; not to mention we both have to work & if I was there I couldn't help lift a damn heavy box anyway & also, it is not our fault that they (UPS) damaged the damn thing in the first place. All I have to say is they are coming next Tuesday to pick it up & it will be sitting on our front porch where they left it before & they better take it even though we aren't there!!

Brayden & I have our 30 week check up today (Lance has to work so he can't make the appointment) & I can't wait to hear his heartbeat; I was sitting in his room talking to him last night & he was kicking & moving around in there like he understood me. It was a wonderful moment!! Anyway, I have a ton of questions for the doctor today since we are getting closer & also because I have been under the weather. I have written them down so I don't forget anything but lets hope that I don't forget the list on my desk when I leave to go!! Brayden doesn't even know how I worry about him & I hope that when he finally arrives that I can hide that from him just a bit because I am sure that I will NEVER stop worrying about our precious little miracle!!

My Summer Cold.....

So, I went to the doctor yesterday afternoon (my regular doctor) to get my throat & ear looked at and thankfully it is just a summer cold that has made my throat & ear sore & ache, both hurt pretty badly this morning but will hopefully start feeling better now that i have my "Magic Mouthwash". That's right I was given a prescription for "Magic Mouthwash" & it is supposed to help with the pain & kill the bacteria/germs that are in my throat making it sore. It has a really nasty taste & makes me almost throw up but it is all that I can have to help so I am gargling with it 4-6 times a day & am praying that I feel better before the 3 days weekend arrives.

What I Love About Southern Women....

I am not feeling well today (started yesterday with a sore throat & ear ache & was worse when I woke up this morning) so I called the advise nurse at Kaiser just to be on the safe side & see if they thought I needed to come in & the nurse that called me back was so sweet!! She was "sweetie" this & "honey" that & "baby doll I think that it would be best for you & that precious little one if you come in today ...just to be on the safe side"; she made me want to just find her & have her take care of me today :) Anyway I have to go in this afternoon for them to check & make sure that it is just a cold & not something more; hopefully the prescription will just be rest & sleep....which I would love to do right now!!

DAMN, DAMN, DAMN.....

Lance got home & started to take open the box the dresser was in & he said that he had a feeling it was going to be messed up & GUESS WHAT.......it is!! So we called customer service & they have to schedule UPS to come pick up this huge box in my living room (& they don't know when that will be) & then it has to be reordered....& guess what it is not in stock again so lord knows how long it will take to get here this time!! This is so frustrating; I guess the good thing is that I got Brayden's room cleaned up & as organized as I could while I was waiting for Lance to get home last night so he could put it in there; I just hope it doesn't take another 2 months to get here!!

It's Here, It's Here.....

It is finally here!! I was pulling in our driveway this evening & noticed a big box sitting by or front door...it is Brayden's dresser; after 2 months it is finally here & I am so excited. I tried to see if I could scoot it in the house but it was a no go, so I text Lance to let him know that it was here & he calls me right away & says "Mitzi, I know that you are NOT going to try to move it right??". He knows me so well!! I have just finished cleaning up the whole room & now I am just wait for Lance to get home so that he can bring it in!!! I am so excited that it is finally here & his bedroom suite is finally complete....now we can really get down to business & finish decorating!!

I Love My Husband SO Much.....

Every week I send Lance (as well as the rest of the family) the update on Baby Brayden via email so that they know what is new for the upcoming week & this is the email that Lance sent back to Brayden & I. It brought tears to my eyes!!

This is what I sent to everyone......Brayden now weighs around 3 pounds and is about 16 inches from head to heel. An ultrasound image may show Brayden yawning or even sucking his thumb, and you may also notice that Brayden does not move at all during your Braxton Hicks contractions. This is because your muscles tighten and constrict his movement. By now Brayden is probably more used to Braxton Hicks than you are! Your little one is starting to look more like a chubby little baby, growing plumper and cuter every day. His hair is growing thicker on the scalp, and those lashes are lengthening. The hands and feet are now fully formed and baby's head and body are closer to normal proportions. Overall, Brayden is beginning to look similar to how he will look at birth--just tinier. To prepare for his big entrance, Brayden is now starting to control his own body temperature! Brayden's eyelids are now open; its eyelashes and eyebrows are visible as well.

This is Lance's response............
That made a tear come to my eye knowing that you are growing so rapidly and ready to come home. Buddy have mommy read this to you its from Daddy. Mommy really enjoyed me writing her stuff so this is what I am feeling in my heart at this moment. We both can't wait to meet you.

I am not going to be the best,
I am not going to be the worst.
I'll love you even after my time is up,
I will look upon you and your mother with God.
I'll always try to block the pain and sorrow this
ole world can bear. I'll be both your and your mothers protector and provider.
When its your time to become that man, I'll teach you all I know and learned.
We will even learn new things together. This I promise to you Brayden.
I am not going to be the best,I am not going to be the worst.
But I will be the best friend you'll ever know.

I can't wait to meet you son I love you.

Dad

I love you baby doll I will call u in a bit.

Love,
Me

30 Weeks Along......DAMN!!

I am getting more & more excited/nervous with each day that passes & with each woman on the Bump that goes into labor, makes it to their scheduled c-section date or gets induced. It is so amazing to be able to be apart of so many new little lives being brought into the world. Well today I am 30 weeks along & I feel as though Brayden is growing by the minute & I LOVE IT!!

All About Baby Brayden This Week.....
Brayden now weighs around 3 pounds and is about 16 inches from head to heel. An ultrasound image may show Brayden yawning or even sucking his thumb, and you may also notice that Brayden does not move at all during your Braxton Hicks contractions. This is because your muscles tighten and constrict his movement. By now Brayden is probably more used to Braxton Hicks than you are! Your little one is starting to look more like a chubby little baby, growing plumper and cuter every day. His hair is growing thicker on the scalp, and those lashes are lengthening. The hands and feet are now fully formed and baby's head and body are closer to normal proportions. Overall, Brayden is beginning to look similar to how he will look at birth--just tinier. To prepare for his big entrance, Brayden is now starting to control his own body temperature! Brayden's eyelids are now open; its eyelashes and eyebrows are visible as well.

How far along? 30 weeks today
Total weight gain/loss: I have gained 23 lbs
Maternity clothes? yep
Stretch marks? none yet
Sleep: I am sleeping less & less the bigger I get
Best moment this week: We picked out Brayden's bedding & can't wait to see his room come together
Movement: all the time
Food cravings: they have kind of gone away.....I just want to eat whatever is in front of my face
Gender: BOY
Labor Signs: braxton hicks
Belly Button in or out? half in & half poking out
What I miss: sex with my wonderful husband
What I am looking forward to: I have a doctors appt. this Friday & am excited to hear Brayden's heartbeat!!
Weekly Wisdom: take everything one day at a time.....everything will come together so there is no need to stress
Milestones: picking out Brayden's bedding....it took us forever to decide what we were going to do in the nursery