Fall Fun
6 years ago
Thursday, December 31, 2009
8:55 am update
Well, it's induction day. I'm all hooked up to my IV for fluids and
antibiotics. Will have water broken around noon. All for now.
antibiotics. Will have water broken around noon. All for now.
Love to all,
~Jenn
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Induction
Well, test results show that there's a 90% chance that Casey is ready
to be here, so we were given the option of going ahead with the
induction tomorrow or waiting and testing again next Monday. We
decided that if the doc is comfortable moving forward with the
induction then we are too. So at 7:30am tomorrow (Thursday) I'll be
heading in to the birth center to start the long induction process
(including 3-4 hours of antibiotics before inducing). Will explain the
antibiotics later...
to be here, so we were given the option of going ahead with the
induction tomorrow or waiting and testing again next Monday. We
decided that if the doc is comfortable moving forward with the
induction then we are too. So at 7:30am tomorrow (Thursday) I'll be
heading in to the birth center to start the long induction process
(including 3-4 hours of antibiotics before inducing). Will explain the
antibiotics later...
Pray all goes well, please and that we made a good decision. Thx
Love to all...
~Jenn
Anxious & Exhausted
As always, I've waited WAY too long between my last blog post and now and I'll be honest that I don't have any pics to share today, or at least am too lazy to upload any for now (some are on my phone and some are on my camera... not many have been transferred to the computer lately), sorry.
This morning I had an amniocentesis to test the lung maturity of Miss Casey. The preliminary results came back inconclusive or as they say "equivocal". So, a sample has been sent off to the U of M for further testing. I have an appointment for induction set up for tomorrow morning but if the test shows that C isn't ready, then we'll have to reschedule it (tentatively) for next week and do another amnio next Monday. Needless to say I'm beyond anxious to find out the results and get things rolling with meeting my sweet girl.
Tegan is in the throws of another phase of the terrible 2's... I don't know if it's because he is almost 3 and needs to go out [of the 2's] with a bang (as they say), or senses my stress, or if it's just an age appropriate phase, or if he's going through a growth spurt or what, but it's AWFUL! It's probably a combination of the above and more. Regardless, the kid can scream and yell and throw a tantrum like no other. It's beyond exhausting to not only witness these episodes but also try and get him to settle down. We are back to the point of putting him in his room and holding the door closed (as opposed to just time-out in the corner or something like that) - only to then listen to him scream (with a horrible rage and anger in his voice) and bang on the door. I try to keep my cool and not raise my voice and I do everything I can not to respond by yelling myself - but the truth is that I do sometimes get to the point of raising my voice. I haven't yelled or cried in front of him, so I think that's good, right? When he calms down he can always tell me why he had to go to his room and what he needs to do to not have it happen again, but I guess he's just not to the age/maturity of following through on putting that knowledge into action.
Any and all suggestions on how to deal with the anxiety of waiting are welcomed (I already went grocery shopping with the anticipation of cooking some meals to freeze, but haven't gotten to the cooking part yet). Same thing goes with getting T to behave/listen better... or at least minimize the tantrums.
Not sure what I'm gonna do now, but need to do something... I'm due to blog about Thanksgiving and Christmas (we were horrible parents, by the way - hardly took any pictures of gift opening and such. I guess we were just too caught up in taking in the experience ourselves and enjoying the moment).
For more up-to-the-minute info on the status of Casey's impending arrival, you can check facebook (if you're on there). We learned this morning that for some reason I can't blog from my iPhone, so we'll do our best to email, text and facebook any updates.
Love to all!
~j
This morning I had an amniocentesis to test the lung maturity of Miss Casey. The preliminary results came back inconclusive or as they say "equivocal". So, a sample has been sent off to the U of M for further testing. I have an appointment for induction set up for tomorrow morning but if the test shows that C isn't ready, then we'll have to reschedule it (tentatively) for next week and do another amnio next Monday. Needless to say I'm beyond anxious to find out the results and get things rolling with meeting my sweet girl.
Tegan is in the throws of another phase of the terrible 2's... I don't know if it's because he is almost 3 and needs to go out [of the 2's] with a bang (as they say), or senses my stress, or if it's just an age appropriate phase, or if he's going through a growth spurt or what, but it's AWFUL! It's probably a combination of the above and more. Regardless, the kid can scream and yell and throw a tantrum like no other. It's beyond exhausting to not only witness these episodes but also try and get him to settle down. We are back to the point of putting him in his room and holding the door closed (as opposed to just time-out in the corner or something like that) - only to then listen to him scream (with a horrible rage and anger in his voice) and bang on the door. I try to keep my cool and not raise my voice and I do everything I can not to respond by yelling myself - but the truth is that I do sometimes get to the point of raising my voice. I haven't yelled or cried in front of him, so I think that's good, right? When he calms down he can always tell me why he had to go to his room and what he needs to do to not have it happen again, but I guess he's just not to the age/maturity of following through on putting that knowledge into action.
Any and all suggestions on how to deal with the anxiety of waiting are welcomed (I already went grocery shopping with the anticipation of cooking some meals to freeze, but haven't gotten to the cooking part yet). Same thing goes with getting T to behave/listen better... or at least minimize the tantrums.
Not sure what I'm gonna do now, but need to do something... I'm due to blog about Thanksgiving and Christmas (we were horrible parents, by the way - hardly took any pictures of gift opening and such. I guess we were just too caught up in taking in the experience ourselves and enjoying the moment).
For more up-to-the-minute info on the status of Casey's impending arrival, you can check facebook (if you're on there). We learned this morning that for some reason I can't blog from my iPhone, so we'll do our best to email, text and facebook any updates.
Love to all!
~j
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Thumb Sucker
SO going to plug that mouth with a nuk immediately after birth! ;)
(yes, I know I'm WAY overdue for a post... just been crazy busy with the holidays and conferences and all that... soon, I promise!)
Love to all!
~j
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Quick Update
I know it's been nearly 2 weeks and I"m due for an update. I've got 2 more min left of my lunch break and just wanted to update everyone on Miss C. This morning was my last growth ultrasound and she is tipping the scales at approx. 4 lbs 3 oz (based on measurements of her thigh & humerus bones and the circumference of her head and abdomen).
Lots of typos in there, I know, sorry. Gotta go get my kiddos :) Love to all!
~j
Lots of typos in there, I know, sorry. Gotta go get my kiddos :) Love to all!
~j
Monday, November 23, 2009
31 Weeks
Here's a quick pic of me (and Miss Casey in belly) at 31 weeks pregnant. The shirt makes me look like I'm carrying her much higher than I feel like I am... it's just a really long shirt :) The little stinker will NOT leave my right hip alone, I think she thinks that her shoulder or arms or something belong in it and against it ALL the time. HA! 
More updates to come on the Big T - so many sayings and stories lately... he is one bundle of love, energy and lots, lots more!
Love to all!!!
~j
More updates to come on the Big T - so many sayings and stories lately... he is one bundle of love, energy and lots, lots more!Love to all!!!
~j
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Button Nose and Hair
Tonight I had my first Biophysical Profile (BPP). Casey did perfect and scored 8 out of 8. She was doing nice practice breathing movements (they watch for her to do them consistently over a 30 second time period). She did one big movement during the u/s (and of course is doing them repeatedly as I sit here now) and even "waved" for the "camera" as she opened and closed one of her hands a few times. I also got to see her yawn or swallow a few times (can't really tell the difference) so that was cool. Ty did that once during the last u/s I had with him while he was alive.
In other Casey news, she has flipped and is now head down, so the above image is actually upside-down. Based on my memory from Tegan and Ty's pregnancies she will probably stay that way now (head down, that is). I want to say Ty was head down at 30 weeks and the midwife at that appointment said by that point they usually don't flip back once they've gone head down... I'll keep my fingers crossed. That explains all the big movements I've felt over the past week - her flipping and having her feet up in my ribs as opposed to her head.
Speaking of her head, I also learned that my little C has hair - enough to be detected by ultrasound at least. You can see it in the image below - it's the spiky stuff near the "hair" label. I wonder what color it is and if it'll be straight like my and Tegan's hair or curly/wavy like Brendan and Ty's... hmmm :)
Well, that's all for now. I've got another BPP scheduled for next Wednesday, so I'll probably have another pic or 2 for ya then. Got a whole bunch tonight, but the others are the profile (which I just got a pic of last week) and then her arms and a foot.
Praying all is well with you and your loved ones! Love to all!
~j
Check out this cute 3D image - my little girl has a sweet little button nose...
now we just gotta get her to smile for the camera :)
now we just gotta get her to smile for the camera :)
In other Casey news, she has flipped and is now head down, so the above image is actually upside-down. Based on my memory from Tegan and Ty's pregnancies she will probably stay that way now (head down, that is). I want to say Ty was head down at 30 weeks and the midwife at that appointment said by that point they usually don't flip back once they've gone head down... I'll keep my fingers crossed. That explains all the big movements I've felt over the past week - her flipping and having her feet up in my ribs as opposed to her head.
Speaking of her head, I also learned that my little C has hair - enough to be detected by ultrasound at least. You can see it in the image below - it's the spiky stuff near the "hair" label. I wonder what color it is and if it'll be straight like my and Tegan's hair or curly/wavy like Brendan and Ty's... hmmm :)
Well, that's all for now. I've got another BPP scheduled for next Wednesday, so I'll probably have another pic or 2 for ya then. Got a whole bunch tonight, but the others are the profile (which I just got a pic of last week) and then her arms and a foot.Praying all is well with you and your loved ones! Love to all!
~j
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Published
So I got a message from a friend last night that she saw a picture of me in the Eden Prairie magazine while she was at the dentist's office. After looking through the magazine website I remembered it was probably a picture from when Tegan and I went to the Tuesday morning music at the park this summer - we went ONCE and our picture made it into the EP Magazine. HA! Anyway, here it is. 
I'll have to see if I can get a copy of the magazine so that I can keep it as a keepsake for Tegan. :)
Love to all!
~j
I'll have to see if I can get a copy of the magazine so that I can keep it as a keepsake for Tegan. :)Love to all!
~j
Friday, November 06, 2009
28 Week Ultrasound
Well, today was my 28 week ultrasound. Casey looked great, as always, and even cooperated and slept through the u/s with just a short bout of the hiccups (of course during the time they were trying to record the heartbeat and the blood flow through the cord). :) She is measuring a little small, but within 5 days of her due date so totally "normal" I'm told. At this point in pregnancy babies are truly beginning to be individual and unique in their size, so I'm just thinking we might have a little pipsqueak on our hands. Her weight estimate is 2 lbs 7oz, so right on target for what all my books and such tell me for what a 28 week old baby in belly weighs.
As far as position, she's still got her little face nuzzled in the placenta and her butt is down (so she's breech) but the perinatologist wasn't worried as there's still plenty of time and room for her to turn. I was a bit bummed - only got 2 u/s images to take home and the 3D image u/s machine wasn't cooperating, so no 3D images of her face. I do go back for another growth assessment ultrasound in 4 weeks, though, so maybe we'll get one then. Based on the below image, though, it looks like she's got a pretty cute nose... just like her brothers, Ty especially - I was/am in love with how cute his nose was!
Take care and love to all!
~jenn
As far as position, she's still got her little face nuzzled in the placenta and her butt is down (so she's breech) but the perinatologist wasn't worried as there's still plenty of time and room for her to turn. I was a bit bummed - only got 2 u/s images to take home and the 3D image u/s machine wasn't cooperating, so no 3D images of her face. I do go back for another growth assessment ultrasound in 4 weeks, though, so maybe we'll get one then. Based on the below image, though, it looks like she's got a pretty cute nose... just like her brothers, Ty especially - I was/am in love with how cute his nose was!
Take care and love to all!
~jenn
Monday, November 02, 2009
What Can I Say???
So I was in tucking Tegan in for the 2nd time tonight and I noticed him poking at (almost picking, but not quite) his nose. Here's our brief conversation:
Me/Mommy: "Tegan, do you need me to get a tissue? We don't pick our noses, that's yucky."
Tegan: said as seriously and innocently as can be said, "No, Mommy, my finger works good."
How do you not laugh at that?! I just quickly and quietly kissed him goodnight and left the room to laugh. HA!
Me/Mommy: "Tegan, do you need me to get a tissue? We don't pick our noses, that's yucky."
Tegan: said as seriously and innocently as can be said, "No, Mommy, my finger works good."
How do you not laugh at that?! I just quickly and quietly kissed him goodnight and left the room to laugh. HA!
Arrrr, Matey!
Well, here are the best pics from Halloween. Our little pirate was just too busy to pose for many and too fast to take any "action" shots. HA! (that and action shots in the dark don't really come out well)
Checking out the blinky necklace
(well, blinky ring we attached to a necklace because it was too big for his finger).
Gram'ma Moore, "Tegan, what does a pirate say?"
Tegan, "Arrrr, Matey!"
Tegan's typical eyes closed smile :)
Tegan, "Arrrr, Matey!"
Tegan's typical eyes closed smile :)
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Update on Tegan & Me
Well - after much deliberation I decided to call Tegan's pediatrician's office and see if I could have him tested for H1N1. I figured if he was positive I'd take the Tamiflu, if he was negative I wouldn't. I explained the situation (that I'm pregnant and want to avoid taking Tamiflu if I can and I'd like to have him tested) and the doc was happy to do so. The test was simple, just a nasal swab and 10 min later we knew that he DOES NOT have H1N1! YAY! What a relief that was and is!
Today the little guy is still "off". He slept most of the night, only up 2x with some grunts which often are predecessors of a bad dream/night terror (so I went in to comfort him before they escalated) and he was up right around his normal time at 7:15 (a little later than normal, but no much). His cough is still pretty yucky, but it's nice and productive (phlegmy for those of you who like specifics) and he's not running a temp. He still doesn't have his appetite back, but who would when you had yuck (a.k.a. boogers/snot/mucus/phlegm/etc) running down your throat into your tummy all night? My mom is home with him (typical Thursday daycare routine - my parents spend Thursdays and Fridays with him at our house) and reports that he's drinking plenty of juice, so he IS at least getting some healthy calories (and I buy the Bolthouse Farms juice/smoothies, so they are loaded with 100% real fruit and tons of vitamins and antioxidants).
OK - time for Casey and I to eat :)
OH, before I forget - I think I updated you all on here, but if not I was unofficially diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes for this pregnancy. I had passed my first 1 hour glucose tolerance test at 20 weeks (with a "score" of 93... not sure on the units) but at my 26 week test my "score" was 193 after just an hour which is quite high and would have generally required a follow-up 3 hour fasting glucose tolerance test. Being that I've already had GD (with Tegan's pregnancy) I had the option to just assume that I had GD and to move forward OR take the 3-hour test. To make things easiest on everyone we/I decided to just assume that I have GD and move forward with testing and restricting my carbohydrate intake. Things are going great with that and with my testing. My glucose readings are right where they should be (staying under 120) and I'm not overly hungry at all :) YAY!
OK, now it's really time to eat.
Love to all!
~j
Today the little guy is still "off". He slept most of the night, only up 2x with some grunts which often are predecessors of a bad dream/night terror (so I went in to comfort him before they escalated) and he was up right around his normal time at 7:15 (a little later than normal, but no much). His cough is still pretty yucky, but it's nice and productive (phlegmy for those of you who like specifics) and he's not running a temp. He still doesn't have his appetite back, but who would when you had yuck (a.k.a. boogers/snot/mucus/phlegm/etc) running down your throat into your tummy all night? My mom is home with him (typical Thursday daycare routine - my parents spend Thursdays and Fridays with him at our house) and reports that he's drinking plenty of juice, so he IS at least getting some healthy calories (and I buy the Bolthouse Farms juice/smoothies, so they are loaded with 100% real fruit and tons of vitamins and antioxidants).
OK - time for Casey and I to eat :)
OH, before I forget - I think I updated you all on here, but if not I was unofficially diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes for this pregnancy. I had passed my first 1 hour glucose tolerance test at 20 weeks (with a "score" of 93... not sure on the units) but at my 26 week test my "score" was 193 after just an hour which is quite high and would have generally required a follow-up 3 hour fasting glucose tolerance test. Being that I've already had GD (with Tegan's pregnancy) I had the option to just assume that I had GD and to move forward OR take the 3-hour test. To make things easiest on everyone we/I decided to just assume that I have GD and move forward with testing and restricting my carbohydrate intake. Things are going great with that and with my testing. My glucose readings are right where they should be (staying under 120) and I'm not overly hungry at all :) YAY!
OK, now it's really time to eat.
Love to all!
~j
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
H1N1 Hits Home: Updated
Brendan took Tegan into the peds office today. The kid slept until 9:30 this morning and when he did wake up his eyes were all crusty - again. Didn't we just deal with pink eye 2 weeks ago?! Maybe it was 3 - regardless, recently. Well, since he's been running a fever and had a cough they wanted to see him to rule out an ear infection. The ear infection was ruled out, but this was then added "he probably has a mild case of H1N1". The doc explained that right now everyone they see who is sick is exhibiting the H1N1 symptoms and he (the doc) also speculated that when Brendan was sick a few weeks ago with aches and nasty cough/sore throat he probably had H1N1 as well.
I called my midwife's office and explained the situation and they want me to start taking Tamiflu for 10 days as a preventative measure as there are such great risks to the babies/fetuses of pregnant women that it's much safer to just take the Tamiflu. In one respect I'm hesitant given our history (stillbirth) and the fact that there hasn't been an official diagnosis of Tegan or Brendan of actually having H1N1... but the last thing I want to do is follow in the footsteps of my husband and son and get sick and risk getting Casey sick and the horrible results that could have. I just keep going back and forth on what I should do, especially since I have had exposure to H1N1 at school (just not as direct as the exposure I have had at home if T or Brendan really do/did have H1N1). I ask that you pray that I am able to decide what is best for me and Casey and that whatever decision I make truly is the one that is best for us both. Thank you!
Love to all!
~j
I called my midwife's office and explained the situation and they want me to start taking Tamiflu for 10 days as a preventative measure as there are such great risks to the babies/fetuses of pregnant women that it's much safer to just take the Tamiflu. In one respect I'm hesitant given our history (stillbirth) and the fact that there hasn't been an official diagnosis of Tegan or Brendan of actually having H1N1... but the last thing I want to do is follow in the footsteps of my husband and son and get sick and risk getting Casey sick and the horrible results that could have. I just keep going back and forth on what I should do, especially since I have had exposure to H1N1 at school (just not as direct as the exposure I have had at home if T or Brendan really do/did have H1N1). I ask that you pray that I am able to decide what is best for me and Casey and that whatever decision I make truly is the one that is best for us both. Thank you!
Love to all!
~j
Photo Update
Well - Casey and I are officially 27 weeks along today... my weekly update tells me that she is approx 15 in head to heel and weighs just over 2 pounds. At this point she is about 1/2 the weight of Ty when he was born and only 3 inches or so shorter. WOW! Crazy to realize how far along we really are. We could potentially be meeting this little girl in 9 weeks! I'm SO very excited.
I thought I was looking OK, but I guess the face is finally filling out like the belly. BOO!
Oh well, part of pregnancy, I guess. Otherwise, though, I'm feelin' good and Casey is one busy little girl - doing her best to keep up with the activity level of her brothers (sorry Brendan, I guess girls don't necessarily make for calmer babies). HA! Most of her strong kicks and movements are during the day, so hopefully that's a good sign that she'll be a great night time sleeper! (One can hope, right?!)
Tegan is officially not feeling well. It's 7:45am and I just snapped this pic.
Doesn't he look peaceful? Too bad he's usually awake by 6:45 begging to watch cartoons and play legos and choo-choos. Poor guy had a temp of 102.9 (ear thermometer) when he got home from daycare yesterday. Our daycare provider took his temp (under arm) earlier in the day and it was 100.8, so she kept him until I got off work. She said that he laid of the floor all afternoon and didn't want to play - as you know, that's NOT what my child is normally like. He nearly fell asleep on the 10 min drive home, too. Hopefully it's just a 24 hour thing and he's back to himself today. Thanks to Brendan for staying home with him today so that I didn't have to go in and make sub plans and such... such a hassle, especially if the sub doesn't do anything I leave for him/her, which usually happens unless it's one of my few reliable subs.
Gotta head to work. Love to all!
~j
I thought I was looking OK, but I guess the face is finally filling out like the belly. BOO!
Oh well, part of pregnancy, I guess. Otherwise, though, I'm feelin' good and Casey is one busy little girl - doing her best to keep up with the activity level of her brothers (sorry Brendan, I guess girls don't necessarily make for calmer babies). HA! Most of her strong kicks and movements are during the day, so hopefully that's a good sign that she'll be a great night time sleeper! (One can hope, right?!)Tegan is officially not feeling well. It's 7:45am and I just snapped this pic.
Doesn't he look peaceful? Too bad he's usually awake by 6:45 begging to watch cartoons and play legos and choo-choos. Poor guy had a temp of 102.9 (ear thermometer) when he got home from daycare yesterday. Our daycare provider took his temp (under arm) earlier in the day and it was 100.8, so she kept him until I got off work. She said that he laid of the floor all afternoon and didn't want to play - as you know, that's NOT what my child is normally like. He nearly fell asleep on the 10 min drive home, too. Hopefully it's just a 24 hour thing and he's back to himself today. Thanks to Brendan for staying home with him today so that I didn't have to go in and make sub plans and such... such a hassle, especially if the sub doesn't do anything I leave for him/her, which usually happens unless it's one of my few reliable subs.Gotta head to work. Love to all!
~j
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
BOOO!
Nope, it's not a ghost scaring you - it's me whining. I got the call today that I failed my 1 hour glucose tolerance test - MISERABLY! My blood glucose was at 193 - CRAZY high! So, I had 2 options - go in for the 3 hour fasting test OR just assume I've got it and meet with the diabetes nurse and get my testing supplies. I knew immediately what my decision was - that 3 hour test is a killer, so we're just going to assume I've got GD again and move on from there. It's just a bummer because the season of eating is just starting (Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas). Oh well - I'm just happy that my sweet Casey is still doing well :)
I should have known it was coming when I've been craving baked goods like crazy the past few weeks...
Love to all!
~j
I should have known it was coming when I've been craving baked goods like crazy the past few weeks...
Love to all!
~j
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Already Spoiled!
My sweet little girl isn't even born yet and she's got a closet full of clothes... don't worry, they are in multiple sizes - mostly newborn and 0-3 months with a few 3-6 mo. They are already so cute, I can't even begin to imagine how much cuter they'll be on my baby girl :)
Casey, you are SO loved!!! OH, and don't think T got the shaft, he got some new "train conductor" pants (as we call them) from the Gap, too (on ultra clearance of course - you know me).
I'll finish with a cute story - last night we had friends over for dinner and afterward we were sitting on the couch talking (B & I, our friends Josh and his girlfriend Erika, and Tegan). Josh and Erika asked Tegan if he has a girlfriend yet and he quickly replied with "Yeah!" When asked who she is, T then replied with something along the lines of, "It's Casey, my sister. She's growing in my mommy's tummy." We all had a good laugh :)
Take care and love to all!
~j
(this first pic is of the comforter for her crib set, a super soft blanket and a bunny rattle... not clothes, obviously)
Casey, you are SO loved!!! OH, and don't think T got the shaft, he got some new "train conductor" pants (as we call them) from the Gap, too (on ultra clearance of course - you know me).
I'll finish with a cute story - last night we had friends over for dinner and afterward we were sitting on the couch talking (B & I, our friends Josh and his girlfriend Erika, and Tegan). Josh and Erika asked Tegan if he has a girlfriend yet and he quickly replied with "Yeah!" When asked who she is, T then replied with something along the lines of, "It's Casey, my sister. She's growing in my mommy's tummy." We all had a good laugh :)
Take care and love to all!
~j
Friday, October 16, 2009
... In the Whole Wide World
Yes, T's been using that phrase a lot lately. On Monday he announced (very excitedly in the car on the way to daycare), "Daddy is my favorite daddy in the whole wide world!" (Apparently T has several daddies of his own?). Yesterday while helping me bake muffins I was "the nicest most nice mommy in the whole wide world." And today fruit snacks are his "most favoritest food in the whole wide world." Love my boy! I'll post some pics of T from the past month or so... none really apply to any of the following stories, but thought you'd all enjoy seeing our little 'punkin! :)
I know it's been 2 weeks since I last really posted but I'm seriously at a loss for what to say... T's arm is 95% healed based on the x-rays at his follow-up appointment with the orthopedist on Wednesday - YAY! He still calls his right arm his "owie arm" and tries to get out of stuff at home (like cleaning up his toys) by using the "owie arm" as an excuse - doesn't work with me, though... now we just have to make sure he takes it "easy" on the arm for another 3 weeks while the last 5% of the healing occurs. Specifically, no bikes, parks/play-sets, high speed running, etc. Thank GOD it's fall and been really cold outside or else that'd be much harder to stick to!
Tegan is the best big brother to Casey already - it's truly SO sweet to watch him! He remembers to say hi to her daily - does so by lifting up my shirt, talking at my belly while "holding her" (my belly really) and then tells her to "have fun in Mommy's tummy!" and quickly pulls my shirt back down. Some days he just wants to sit and "hold her" (like I said, just put his arms around the sticking out part of my belly). I even caught him whispering to her one day to, "hurry up and come out soon!" Really?!
How did I get such a loving child? I mean, he does drive me nuts a lot (like today when it took nearly an hour to get him down for nap and yesterday when it was tantrum after tantrum over crazy stuff - he was SO upset that I wouldn't let him have marshmallows and chips for breakfast) but he's still my sweet little boy. At our staff development workshop on Wednesday we had to make a "Decalogue" of someone we love (basically a list of 10 things/qualities that describe them most in our mind). I chose Tegan and only made it to 3 things before I had to leave the room in tears - he just fills my heart that much that I become overwhelmed emotionally... mostly because I hurt so badly that he didn't get to carry out his excitement for being Ty's big brother beyond talking about it before Ty was born... and now the love that he already expresses for his sister is just amazing and mature beyond words! WOW!
I recently rented a fetal heart rate monitor to help calm/ease my fears whenever I am worried that Casey isn't moving enough or when I just want to listen to her body/heart working. Every day, when we get home from school/daycare, Tegan remembers that we need to "listen to Casey" and he promptly takes me to the kitchen where we keep the monitor. Maybe it's just because he loves pushing the power button for me, but regardless of his motivation, the sight of his eyes lighting up when her heartbeat begins to pulse from the speaker is indescribable.
Finally, I'd like to thank everyone that lit a candle in Ty's honor yesterday (October 15 - Miscarriage, Stillbirth and Infant Loss awareness day). The pic below is of the one our neighbor lit for Ty and posted on her facebook account :)
I kept candles burning at our house all day and evening and several of you sent me notes that you had one lit for him as well. Even though it wasn't the anniversary of anything it still was a bit of an emotional day thinking about not only Ty but all the children/babies lost to these "causes" and their families... It's hard to believe that it's been nearly 9 months since I last heard my baby boy's heart beating. The healing, support and comfort that God has provided me in that time is amazing!
Take care & love to all!!!
~j
I know it's been 2 weeks since I last really posted but I'm seriously at a loss for what to say... T's arm is 95% healed based on the x-rays at his follow-up appointment with the orthopedist on Wednesday - YAY! He still calls his right arm his "owie arm" and tries to get out of stuff at home (like cleaning up his toys) by using the "owie arm" as an excuse - doesn't work with me, though... now we just have to make sure he takes it "easy" on the arm for another 3 weeks while the last 5% of the healing occurs. Specifically, no bikes, parks/play-sets, high speed running, etc. Thank GOD it's fall and been really cold outside or else that'd be much harder to stick to!
Tegan is the best big brother to Casey already - it's truly SO sweet to watch him! He remembers to say hi to her daily - does so by lifting up my shirt, talking at my belly while "holding her" (my belly really) and then tells her to "have fun in Mommy's tummy!" and quickly pulls my shirt back down. Some days he just wants to sit and "hold her" (like I said, just put his arms around the sticking out part of my belly). I even caught him whispering to her one day to, "hurry up and come out soon!" Really?!
How did I get such a loving child? I mean, he does drive me nuts a lot (like today when it took nearly an hour to get him down for nap and yesterday when it was tantrum after tantrum over crazy stuff - he was SO upset that I wouldn't let him have marshmallows and chips for breakfast) but he's still my sweet little boy. At our staff development workshop on Wednesday we had to make a "Decalogue" of someone we love (basically a list of 10 things/qualities that describe them most in our mind). I chose Tegan and only made it to 3 things before I had to leave the room in tears - he just fills my heart that much that I become overwhelmed emotionally... mostly because I hurt so badly that he didn't get to carry out his excitement for being Ty's big brother beyond talking about it before Ty was born... and now the love that he already expresses for his sister is just amazing and mature beyond words! WOW!
I recently rented a fetal heart rate monitor to help calm/ease my fears whenever I am worried that Casey isn't moving enough or when I just want to listen to her body/heart working. Every day, when we get home from school/daycare, Tegan remembers that we need to "listen to Casey" and he promptly takes me to the kitchen where we keep the monitor. Maybe it's just because he loves pushing the power button for me, but regardless of his motivation, the sight of his eyes lighting up when her heartbeat begins to pulse from the speaker is indescribable.
Finally, I'd like to thank everyone that lit a candle in Ty's honor yesterday (October 15 - Miscarriage, Stillbirth and Infant Loss awareness day). The pic below is of the one our neighbor lit for Ty and posted on her facebook account :)
I kept candles burning at our house all day and evening and several of you sent me notes that you had one lit for him as well. Even though it wasn't the anniversary of anything it still was a bit of an emotional day thinking about not only Ty but all the children/babies lost to these "causes" and their families... It's hard to believe that it's been nearly 9 months since I last heard my baby boy's heart beating. The healing, support and comfort that God has provided me in that time is amazing!Take care & love to all!!!
~j
Mr. Personality
Just a quick update for now - the plan is to do a "real" update during nap-time today... I know you're itchin' for some good T stories. I'll give you one to tide you over.
The only thing that would make this story better would be to have a picture to go with it, unfortunately there wasn't a camera near Brendan when it happened... OK - to preface this you must know that Tegan is not much of a fan of any sort of nudity. Every once in a while he'll want to get naked... even not having his shirt on is not something he enjoys. Strange for a toddler, I know. Well, my sister was over last night and she and I were talking while T went between talking with us, playing on the floor and watching his new "Harold and the Purple Crayon and other stories" video. Suddenly, he stood up and announced that he wanted to take his shirt off and "be like Daddy" (which was funny because Brendan doesn't normally walk around w/o a shirt unless he's just finished a workout or it's near bedtime and he's in his "pj's"). I gladly helped Tegan take off his shirt and he was SO excited to be "naked Tegan". HA!
Now that alone is a cute story, but there's more. I invited T to go downstairs to the bike room and show Daddy/Brendan how he was dressed like him. A few minutes later Brendan came up the stairs laughing and shared that Tegan had put on one of his [Brendan's] medals from a bike race and stood up, looked at the medal and pretended to read "To George, the first space monkey" (the last line of one of his favorite books - have I mentioned he LOVES Curious George?!). So just picture a shirtless Tegan with a bike medal around his neck reciting a line from a Curious George book. It was just too cute! Like I said, the only thing that would make the story better would be a picture of T with no shirt and the medal... I may just have to recreate the situation today just to get a picture ;)
More later... love to all!
~j
The only thing that would make this story better would be to have a picture to go with it, unfortunately there wasn't a camera near Brendan when it happened... OK - to preface this you must know that Tegan is not much of a fan of any sort of nudity. Every once in a while he'll want to get naked... even not having his shirt on is not something he enjoys. Strange for a toddler, I know. Well, my sister was over last night and she and I were talking while T went between talking with us, playing on the floor and watching his new "Harold and the Purple Crayon and other stories" video. Suddenly, he stood up and announced that he wanted to take his shirt off and "be like Daddy" (which was funny because Brendan doesn't normally walk around w/o a shirt unless he's just finished a workout or it's near bedtime and he's in his "pj's"). I gladly helped Tegan take off his shirt and he was SO excited to be "naked Tegan". HA!
Now that alone is a cute story, but there's more. I invited T to go downstairs to the bike room and show Daddy/Brendan how he was dressed like him. A few minutes later Brendan came up the stairs laughing and shared that Tegan had put on one of his [Brendan's] medals from a bike race and stood up, looked at the medal and pretended to read "To George, the first space monkey" (the last line of one of his favorite books - have I mentioned he LOVES Curious George?!). So just picture a shirtless Tegan with a bike medal around his neck reciting a line from a Curious George book. It was just too cute! Like I said, the only thing that would make the story better would be a picture of T with no shirt and the medal... I may just have to recreate the situation today just to get a picture ;)
More later... love to all!
~j
Saturday, October 03, 2009
My Little Brendan...
So when T woke up from his nap... OK, I should rephrase that, after I woke T up from his closing in on 3 hour nap, he was not too happy. What did the boy ask for me to turn on the TV for him to watch? Sponge Bob? Thomas? Nemo? Nope, the kid asked for football. REALLY?! So he is now sprawled out on the family room floor 1/2 watching the Wake Forest v. Notre Dame game and 1/2 playing with the array of toys he's got on the floor with him.
... like father like son :)
Love to all...
~j
... like father like son :)
Love to all...
~j
Friday, September 25, 2009
As Promised
Here you go, belly update at 22 weeks. She's growing quickly. Compared to just 4 weeks ago I feel like the belly has gotten a lot bigger! Enjoy!
Love to all!
~j
Love to all!
~j
Trusting a 2 Year-Old
Why did we trust a 2 year-old on where his arm hurt when we took him into the ER on Tuesday? That's a good question! Given the area around his elbow (where he was complaining of pain) was the bruised and somewhat swollen area, but still... As it turns out, Tegan DID break his arm... but not by his elbow - by his shoulder. Therefore, the X-ray take on Tuesday didn't cover the shoulder and thus didn't show the "very clean" break that is straight across his 'Proximal Humerus' (or upper arm).
After a very quiet day at daycare on Wednesday and still not using his arm and crying every time he did tried to use it Brendan an I knew that something still wasn't right. We call the Twin Cities Orthopedic Specialists (the number the ER gave us in case T was still in severe pain after 24 hours) and spoke with a very nice doctor (who was on call, given it was nearly 8pm) who told us that there was no need to go back into the ER that night but to call the office again in the morning and they'd get T in first thing. So, that's what we (well Brendan, since I was working) did and the doc saw him at 9:45 yesterday (Thursday) morning. After a few x-rays the break was confirmed and we had to laugh because the orthopedist thought we already knew about it given we'd been to the ER. Brendan explained the situation and an hour or so later I got a text from B that the arm IS broken and that T's been put in a sling (the smallest they could find) and then wrapped with an ace bandage to keep the sling close to his body to prevent movement. For being such a good boy (T didn't want to LEAVE the doctors office, ha!) the docs gave him a sucker and Brendan and T stopped for a sprinkle donut (T's new favorite) on the way home.
So - here is is, our bandaged but now happy and comfortable big-little boy!
After a very quiet day at daycare on Wednesday and still not using his arm and crying every time he did tried to use it Brendan an I knew that something still wasn't right. We call the Twin Cities Orthopedic Specialists (the number the ER gave us in case T was still in severe pain after 24 hours) and spoke with a very nice doctor (who was on call, given it was nearly 8pm) who told us that there was no need to go back into the ER that night but to call the office again in the morning and they'd get T in first thing. So, that's what we (well Brendan, since I was working) did and the doc saw him at 9:45 yesterday (Thursday) morning. After a few x-rays the break was confirmed and we had to laugh because the orthopedist thought we already knew about it given we'd been to the ER. Brendan explained the situation and an hour or so later I got a text from B that the arm IS broken and that T's been put in a sling (the smallest they could find) and then wrapped with an ace bandage to keep the sling close to his body to prevent movement. For being such a good boy (T didn't want to LEAVE the doctors office, ha!) the docs gave him a sucker and Brendan and T stopped for a sprinkle donut (T's new favorite) on the way home.
So - here is is, our bandaged but now happy and comfortable big-little boy!
Take care and love to all!!!
~jenn :)
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Playset Ladd & the ER
Well, he did it. T made his first injury ER visit last night - I'm sure it was just the first of many knowing him and his adventurous personality. I was inside putting laundry away and when I went outside I found Brendan carrying a very upset Tegan. Apparently he fell backwards off the ladder to our play set (about a 4-foot fall, Brendan said) and after landing he didn't want anyone to touch his right arm nor would he really use it... thankfully there was no sign of a head injury, so that was my main concern. When a bruise near his elbow began to form right away we knew it was time to go in.
Upon arriving Tegan announced that he didn't want to see the doctors and that he didn't want them to make his arm better... poor guy. We assured him that all they would do was give him some medicine (like Tylenol, which he likes), take some special pictures of his arm, and if it was really hurt, he'd get a fancy "band-aid" (aka cast). He was still nervous, but with Daddy carrying him he settled down a bit. We thankfully were seen right away (I guess because of T's lack of wanting to use his arm). We learned our big boy is now approx. 36 pounds (WHOA! What a strong dude!). When the nurses asked him where his owie was he promptly told and pointed to his elbow and when they asked if it was on his hand or shoulder he answered with a "No, here" and pointed again to his elbow. What a cooperative little guy!
Well, thankfully the x-ray showed no sign of break or dislocation (and they even had a pediatric radiologist take a look at it over at another hospital) so after some Tylenol laced Vicadin and an orange popsicle, we made our way home. The whole ordeal took less than 2 hours, so that was nice, too. The funniest part, I think, was when it was time to leave to come back home Tegan got upset again and announced that he wanted to say the night at the hospitals. HA! The nurse, Jen, explained that she had a special treat for him, but he could only have it if he came home with Brendan and I... upon learning it was a popsicle Tegan promptly decided he wanted to come home. ;)
OK, time to get ready for work... sorry there were no pics, we didn't have the camera with us and we also knew that if we did pull out our phones and use them to take a pic T would throw a fit (since he was already so upset... though I bet he would have cooperated when he had his popsicle).
Love to all...
~j
Upon arriving Tegan announced that he didn't want to see the doctors and that he didn't want them to make his arm better... poor guy. We assured him that all they would do was give him some medicine (like Tylenol, which he likes), take some special pictures of his arm, and if it was really hurt, he'd get a fancy "band-aid" (aka cast). He was still nervous, but with Daddy carrying him he settled down a bit. We thankfully were seen right away (I guess because of T's lack of wanting to use his arm). We learned our big boy is now approx. 36 pounds (WHOA! What a strong dude!). When the nurses asked him where his owie was he promptly told and pointed to his elbow and when they asked if it was on his hand or shoulder he answered with a "No, here" and pointed again to his elbow. What a cooperative little guy!
Well, thankfully the x-ray showed no sign of break or dislocation (and they even had a pediatric radiologist take a look at it over at another hospital) so after some Tylenol laced Vicadin and an orange popsicle, we made our way home. The whole ordeal took less than 2 hours, so that was nice, too. The funniest part, I think, was when it was time to leave to come back home Tegan got upset again and announced that he wanted to say the night at the hospitals. HA! The nurse, Jen, explained that she had a special treat for him, but he could only have it if he came home with Brendan and I... upon learning it was a popsicle Tegan promptly decided he wanted to come home. ;)
OK, time to get ready for work... sorry there were no pics, we didn't have the camera with us and we also knew that if we did pull out our phones and use them to take a pic T would throw a fit (since he was already so upset... though I bet he would have cooperated when he had his popsicle).
Love to all...
~j
Friday, September 18, 2009
Quick Updates
I am now officially 21 weeks and a few days pregnant with little..... Casey. Yes, we've named out little girl. Casey Devin Moore :) Things continue to go well - I'm tired all the time (but that's to be expected) but Casey is following in the "footsteps" of her brothers and is an active baby in belly. I am SO thankful that I'm able to feel so much movement despite having an anterior placenta (where it's on the front of my uterus) which can often limit maternal sensation of fetal movement (to put it in more technical terms). I have been having a lot of headaches again, which is frustrating to say the least, but am glad that they are not due to elevated levels of blood glucose - Yes, my first glucose tolerance test came back normal (92), so as of now there's no sign of Gestational Diabetes. My hemoglobin test also came back normal (12.1) so I'm glad that's not why I'm getting tired, either.
OK - for the fun stuff. At this week's check-up Casey decided that she didn't want Dawn (my midwife) to find her heart rate. We had no problems getting her heartbeat, but she was so active and was kicking at the doppler probe/wand that it was tough to get the rate... she/it sounded great, though!
I found some bedding I really liked for her, too. The nursery is already a light blue with red curtains (from our preparations for Ty) and we don't want to paint and get new curtains (again) so I have been searching for girl bedding that I like that has those 2 colors in it but is also at a great price. I knew it'd be hard to find something at the price I got Ty's bedding at (if you remember, it was $20). Well, as I said, I found a bedding set I really like but it was still over $100... then when I went to order it (because I decided just to bite the bullet) it had dropped to $82 but was then out of stock. SO bummed! Well, this morning I got an email from the company that it was back in stock AND it was still on extra sale for $82 (it originally retailed for $135+). So I decided to just order it. An extra bonus is that shipping is just $1! Woohoo! Here's a pic for ya.
That's it for now. Casey is not happy with the computer on my lap invading her space and I've gotta get ready for work - already running late. I'll get a belly pic soon to share as well as updates on our favorite little 2 1/2 year-old dude, Tegan. Take care & love to all!
~j
OK - for the fun stuff. At this week's check-up Casey decided that she didn't want Dawn (my midwife) to find her heart rate. We had no problems getting her heartbeat, but she was so active and was kicking at the doppler probe/wand that it was tough to get the rate... she/it sounded great, though!
I found some bedding I really liked for her, too. The nursery is already a light blue with red curtains (from our preparations for Ty) and we don't want to paint and get new curtains (again) so I have been searching for girl bedding that I like that has those 2 colors in it but is also at a great price. I knew it'd be hard to find something at the price I got Ty's bedding at (if you remember, it was $20). Well, as I said, I found a bedding set I really like but it was still over $100... then when I went to order it (because I decided just to bite the bullet) it had dropped to $82 but was then out of stock. SO bummed! Well, this morning I got an email from the company that it was back in stock AND it was still on extra sale for $82 (it originally retailed for $135+). So I decided to just order it. An extra bonus is that shipping is just $1! Woohoo! Here's a pic for ya.
That's it for now. Casey is not happy with the computer on my lap invading her space and I've gotta get ready for work - already running late. I'll get a belly pic soon to share as well as updates on our favorite little 2 1/2 year-old dude, Tegan. Take care & love to all!
~j
Friday, September 04, 2009
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Our Little Girl (a peak)
I'll post more images once I'm home, but got these scanned in yesterday so thought I'd post one... this is a 3D image. My latest little sweet is facing the left with her hand up by her face. 
It's not a super great image as at just shy of 19 weeks Babe is mostly skin, bones and organs but we'll have more at 28 weeks, so they should be more accurate as far as what she'll look like.
It's not a super great image as at just shy of 19 weeks Babe is mostly skin, bones and organs but we'll have more at 28 weeks, so they should be more accurate as far as what she'll look like.Love to all!
~j
Friday, August 28, 2009
Time to Go Shopping!
That's right, ladies and gentlemen, we are having a GIRL (or as Tegan say "grill"). HA! This morning we got to see just about as much of our baby as one can see via ultrasound at this point... and all looks fabulous. What an answer to prayers! Yes, I'm elated to be having a little girl to dress and pretty-up and stuff, but we were most concerned that all was physically well with our latest "addition" so we are singing praises to God that all is well. Based on measurements our little princess is approx. 8 oz (or half a pound) and measuring a day smaller than what the due date is. Isn't it amazing how they can tell all this?!
One bummer is that the placenta has "decided" to grow on the front wall of my uterus, which makes it much more difficult for me to feel her movement, which will cause further worry down the road I'm sure, since that's what clued me in that something wasn't right with Ty. I have still been feeling movement, but not as much as I did a few weeks ago, so I should have figured that this was the case. I may just have to convince Brendan that we need to rent a fetal heart monitor for the last few months of pregnancy just to help ease my mind on days that I don't feel as much movement. We'll see...
All along when we ask Tegan if he's having a sister or brother he'll immediately respond with "sister." When I told Tegan today that there's a little girl in Mommy's tummy he said, "No Mommy, it's a boy. I'm having a sister." HA! I won't go into detail, but we then had a short discussion about how girls have different parts than boys and the new little baby will have different parts than him [Tegan] which is what makes her a girl... Maybe my mom should bring the girl baby doll down next time so that T can take a look (he already disrobes our boy baby doll to check out his parts whenever he has the chance). ;)
OK - I'll do my best to scan in the U/S pics, but that won't get done until next week when I'm back at work and have access to the scanner there.
Love to all!
~jenn
One bummer is that the placenta has "decided" to grow on the front wall of my uterus, which makes it much more difficult for me to feel her movement, which will cause further worry down the road I'm sure, since that's what clued me in that something wasn't right with Ty. I have still been feeling movement, but not as much as I did a few weeks ago, so I should have figured that this was the case. I may just have to convince Brendan that we need to rent a fetal heart monitor for the last few months of pregnancy just to help ease my mind on days that I don't feel as much movement. We'll see...
All along when we ask Tegan if he's having a sister or brother he'll immediately respond with "sister." When I told Tegan today that there's a little girl in Mommy's tummy he said, "No Mommy, it's a boy. I'm having a sister." HA! I won't go into detail, but we then had a short discussion about how girls have different parts than boys and the new little baby will have different parts than him [Tegan] which is what makes her a girl... Maybe my mom should bring the girl baby doll down next time so that T can take a look (he already disrobes our boy baby doll to check out his parts whenever he has the chance). ;)
OK - I'll do my best to scan in the U/S pics, but that won't get done until next week when I'm back at work and have access to the scanner there.
Love to all!
~jenn
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Poll & Pics
First off - on the right you will see a poll. Please vote, but only ONCE. What do you think, boy or girl for this next babe in my belly? "The Ultrasound" is on Friday at 10:30, so I'll update the blog and facebook as soon as I'm able to (facebook first since I know how to do that from my cell). Voting ends at noon Friday.
2nd, a few people have requested belly pics... I'm pretty proud of myself as I'm right on track for weight gain based on my "normal" pre-pregnancy weight (not the 8-10 lbs I was above it when we found out I was pregnant again). This equates to only a 4 or 5 pound weight gain so far for this pregnancy. YAY! Enjoy the pics:
4 weeks (just found out)
6 weeks
12 weeks
18 weeks
Love to all!
~j
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