The Cutest Lamp & Mobile EVER!!!

So its official. The Eddie Bauer Little Builder set is the theme for my sons room! I just got the bed set (which I have yet to wash), lamp, mobile, extra sheets and hamper in the mail!!!! Thank you Mom, and thank you Bill for these WONDERFUL gifts. I truly appreciate your kindness!

Once I get the bed set washed and put in the crib I will take more pictures!!!!!

6 more weeks until my little builder arrives!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Selfish, Prudish, Egotistical

Ok, so today I am going to vent...

I am sure we all know people who should walk around with a tattoo of the above picture on there forehead...

Well- I am sick and tired of people having this type of attitude. I am sick and tired of people acting PRUDISH and SELFISH. I have come to the realization that some people only care about themselves, are very picky, and dont care about what other people think and feel. I AM TIRED OF THESE PEOPLE...

I go out of my way to please people. I try to make people happy and I try to accomodate people to much. Then all they do is think about themselves. They dont have any consideration on what it does to the other party.

God does NOT want us to be self-centered. Especially PRUDE. I try my HARDEST to treat people with love and respect, but you can only take so much of the selfishness. I have a feeling that some of these people who act this way are influenced by others, but it is the people who are influencing them who look selfish and prude themselves.

I am tired of accomidating people, and making plans around other people, and then they back out for there own selfish reasons. I am NO LONGER going to do this- people just take adavantage, and quit frankly- dont care about the effects they have on other people. I am tired of pleasing people just so they take advantage.

No MORE. I prayed this morning for God to give me that strength to understand and accept these people for who they are, but at the same time, I do not want to be walked all over.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the COURAGE TO CHANGE THE THINGS I CAN, and wisdom to know the difference. Amen.

Happy Birthday Zachary Chavez!

I can not believe he is 13 years old. My oldest nephew... I was his age when he was born. I was in the eighth grade... and I remember my best friend, Kelly Rhodes, and I rushed to the hospital with my Mom when he was born. I was soooooo excited to finally meet my very first nephew! He was the cutest little baby.

As he got older and started to walk he was chubby, with a big head and bright blonde hair. Then before I knew it he was starting kindergarten. Then before I knew it he was playing soccer and baseball. Then before I knew it he was going to middle school.

When I was thirteen I thought I knew everything. I was just discovering boys and puberty. I was no longer into cartoons are coloring. I was now into sports, boys, and makeup. I loved to take me newborn nephew everywhere. When he was two years old his mom disappeared off the face of this earth (not literally). My brother was a single father and still is to this day. I now have 2 other nephews!

Growing up Zachary was more like a little brother then nephew. We fought like siblings, and he taught me a lot about being an adult. Because my brother was 18 when he had him, I helped my brother raise him as much as I could. I would babysit him, feed him, bath him etc. Then he got to the age where he didn't want to be seen naked. So he started bathing himself etc. Now it is so hard to believe. His voice changes an octave with every word. Donovan and I where talking about him and we realized that when Donovan and I first started dating Zachary was only 3 years old. I even have pictures of Donovan and I going to prom with Zachary in the photo in his full body pajamas (GI Joe). Donovan mentioned how crazy it was to see him grow up so fast, and I said, just imagine him going from diapers to puberty. That is what it feels like for me.

It is just crazy to me to think that I was his age when he was born. I remember thinking I new everything I needed to know. My goodness, what I know now does not even compare to what I knew when I was 13.

I love you Zachary. Happy Birthday my first born nephew!

10 out of 10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Like I mentioned previously, because I have been diagnosed with gestational hypertension when I ws 30 weeks pregnant, I have to see my doctor weekly until delivery. Part of these weekly visits include an ultrasound- level 2. They call this WEEKLY ultrasound a biophysical profile. It is an overall profile of the baby's health and how my high blood pressure is effecting him.

With the BPP (biophysical profile) there is a score system. The score is anywhere from 1 to 10. 1 being really bad, meaning the baby is at GREAT risk and immediate delivery is mandatory, and 10 being excellent, that the baby's health is great!!!!!!!!!!!!! 8 of those 10 points the sonographer assigns. The remaining 2 points the doctor assigns (based on a weekly non-stress test (NST) and blood pressure screening). Well- the sonographer gave me 8 points and the doctor gave me 2!!!!!!!!!!! Praise the Lord!

Keep in mind- the baby's health could change on a day to day basis- exactly the reason why I need these weekly. Because my blood pressure is high without medication I still need to be induced NO LATER then 39 weeks. If I keep getting 10 out of 10 each week I can carry until 39 weeks at which point I will be induced (gestational hypertension Mommies can not carry to 40 weeks because of the huge risks it poses to baby). So please keep praying that I get 10 out of 10 for the next 7 weeks. If so- then I will be induced around March 12th.

Being induced is scary. They give you pitocin, which forces your body into labor. Because they are risks from the pitocin to the baby, Mom is monitored every second. Mom can NOT get out of bed or walk around while in labor. For a normal labor, Mom would do most of the labor at home... and then when contractions progress (usually after 5-8 hours) you go to hospital. So with natural labor, Mom can be in the comfort of her own home. This isn't the case with induced Mommies... They have to be admitted into the hospital to be induced, once induced they must remain bed ridden until delivery. Labor is also MUCH MORE intense then it already is, when a Mommy is induced- so labor is much hard (praise the Lord for Doulas!!!! Don and I ARE geting a doula now that I am going to be induced). One positive note is that when you are induced it is "scheduled". Just like any other Dr. appt. What this means is that my Dr. will be present for my labor and delivery, not whoever is on call!!!! So one positive thing to keep in mind is that I will have MY Dr. present and not a stranger!

Please keep Liam and I in your prayers that we keep getting 10 out of 10 every week and that I can carry him until 39 weeks!

God Bless!

Friends

Today I decided to post about something that makes me happy!!!! Friends.

Prov 18:24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who
sticks closer than a brother.

Throughout my life friends have come and gone. But it is the friends who are still around who are true. I thank God every day for my GOOD friends. I dont know where I would be without them! My dearest friends below have been with me through the good and the bad times, and I know I can count on them! I love you all!!!

First, I want to start with my VERY BEST FRIEND, my Husband of 4 years!


Kelly is a friend who I have been really good friends since the 7th grade! She has a 1yr old daughter and is expecting her 2nd daughter March 9th!


Next is my Best Friend/Cousin Brianna. Her and I have been through so much together! I love you Bri!


Some many memories have been created with Brande. I love to look back and reminice.
All the crazy road trips we have taken, places we have gone, and FUNNY encounters we have had!


Nate and Luke- through Donovan, I have had the pleasure of having these two guys in my life. Many great times and experiences with them! Donovan and I have been so blessed to know you both!


And many, many others...





If I did not mention your name in this post please forgive me, but trust me, I do recognice how important you are to me. I love all my friends and I pray every day that your lives are fullfilling!

God bless you all!

Gestational Hypertension

154/96= my blood pressure today.

The doctor diagnosed me with gestational hypertension. If you read the post about preeclampsia, originally, when I started having high blood pressure they check for preeclampsia. With my blood tests and urine tests confirming it was not preeclampsia and the slow, persistant rise in my blood pressure I have been diagnosed with gestational hypertenstion. Needless to say I will be delivering my baby BY March 19th if I have not delivered already. Below is what gestational hypertention is. Please keep me and my baby in your prayers. I know that I can depend on God to see me throught this!

If a person develops high blood pressure after 20 weeks of pregnancy but doesnt have protein in their urine, you'll be diagnosed with gestational hypertension, sometimes called pregnancy-induced hypertension. Women who develop high blood pressure after midpregnancy and have protein in their urine (which I did NOT have) have a complex disorder called preeclampsia.

High blood pressure is generally defined as a reading of 140/90 or higher, even if only one of the numbers is elevated. It doesn't usually cause any noticeable symptoms unless it's really high.

The more severe your hypertension and the earlier in pregnancy it appears, the greater your risk for problems. The good news is that most women who get gestational hypertension have only a mild form of the condition and don't develop it until near term (37 weeks or later, I am 31 weeks today). If you're in this category, you still have a somewhat higher risk of being induced or having a c-section, but other than that, you and your baby are likely to do as well as you would if you had normal blood pressure. (I am considered to be mild at this point, but it could change)

However, about 1 in 4 women with gestational hypertension go on to develop preeclampsia during pregnancy or labor, or soon after giving birth. And your chances of getting preeclampsia are 1 in 2 if you develop gestational hypertension before 30 weeks. Having gestational hypertension also puts you at increased risk for a number of other pregnancy complications, including intrauterine growth restriction, preterm birth, placental abruption, and stillbirth. Because of these risks, your caregiver will monitor you and your baby carefully. Because high blood pressure can affect blood flow to the placenta, if you're diagnosed with gestational hypertension, your caregiver will order an ultrasound to be sure that your baby has been growing well and to see if you have a normal amount of amniotic fluid. You may also have a biophysical profile (BPP) done at the same time to check on your baby's well-being. And in certain cases, you'll have a Doppler ultrasound to check blood flow to your baby.

If you develop mild gestational hypertension at 37 weeks or later, you'll probably be induced right away (or delivered by c-section if your baby can't tolerate labor or there are other reasons you can't have a vaginal birth.) If you haven't yet reached 37 weeks but your condition is mild, you may be hospitalized for a few days of monitoring. After that, if you and your baby are doing well, you may be sent home to take it easy or possibly put on some degree of bedrest. (lets all pray that this isnt me)

I have to see my Doctor weekly so he can monitor my blood pressure, check my urine for protein, and watch for changes in my condition. My baby will be closely monitored as well with weekly or biweekly nonstress tests (NST). I will also have ultrasounds every week (I think)or so to keep an eye on my baby's growth.

If there are any signs of problems with me or my baby, I'll probably be hospitalized and may need to deliver.

If my condition is getting worse or my baby isn't thriving inside my womb, I'll be induced or delivered by c-section (depending on the situation), even though my baby is still premature. If I don't need to deliver right away, I'll remain in the hospital so both me and my baby can be monitored very closely while my baby has more time to mature.

Child Birthing Class

So I was given the idea by my wonderful cousin and best friend Brianna to post about the child birth class that Donovan and I have been taking. Let me start by saying that I recommend ANY first time parents to take a class like this before labor and delivery. The particular course we are taking is four weeks long, once a week. I have learned so much from this class so far.

Night one- we discussed the labor and birthing process and what actually happens during delivery. We also learned several breathing techniques depending on which part of labor you are in. These different techniques help make Mom more comfortable during contractions. I must say, Donovan has become very good at knowing the different types of breaths and when they should be done! As the hospital would "officially" name Donovan- "Support Person". Way to go Support Person!!!!

Night two- we had the "wonderful" opportunity to watch a actual birth (via DVD, not literally). While it was very informative, it made me more scared of delivery then I ever have been. The whole process is scary. A women (USUALLY) goes through the "early" part of labor anywhere from 3-8 hours (this is where contractions last about 30 seconds and come every ten minutes. You only dilate to about 3-5 cm. During early labor, your cervix gradually effaces (thins out) and dilates (opens). Then there is the "active" part of labor. This is where your contractions last anywhere from 30-90 seconds and come every 5 minutes. This part lasts about 2-5 hours. During active labor, your cervix begins to dilate more rapidly (3-8cm)and contractions are longer, stronger, and closer together. They tell you NOT to go to the hospital until you are in the "active" part, which means you could have up to 8 hours of labor at home. They suggest during the "early" phase of labor that you go walking somewhere, like the mall, park or around the block. They say to not stay at home... Then there is the "transition" stage of labor. The transition stage is when your cervix dilates from 8 to a full 10 centimeters. This is the most intense part of labor. Contractions are usually very strong, coming every two and a half to three minutes or so and lasting a minute or more, and you may start shaking and shivering. By the time your cervix is fully dilated and transition is over, your baby has usually descended somewhat into your pelvis. This is when you PUSH!!!! Pushing can be anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours...

Along with all that information (now that you are fully informed on the labor and delivery process) we also learned about interventions. Some interventions include medication, I.V.'s (epidural and I.V. lock), Doula's etc.

I must say, my mind is set on a epidural. I have also decided that I am going to go as long as I possibly can without one but once it gets to the point where I just dont want pain anymore I am requesting an I.V. I also made up my mind that I want a Doula. Here at Presbyterian, not for a private Doula but for the one that is on call, the charge is $250. From what I have heard (from Moms who have had Doula's) and all the reading and "doula chats" I have attended, Doula's are known to be life savers. They comfort you throughout labor, comfor the father, make sure your birth plan is followed (as much as it can be) among MANY other things.

Doula's can provide MUCH needed support to the Mommy and Daddy, and they can provide many comforting techniques and help ease labor and make it a more enjoyable experience. Some people refer to a Doula just like a concierge at a hotel- your experience is that much more enjoyable at a hotel with concierge service. My heart goes out to ALL Doula's!!!! They seem wonderful!

Night three (we have not attended night 3 yet)- this includes a tour of the hospital. We tour the Triage (which I have already been to if you read my past posts), delivery rooms (which I heard are SUPER nice with a jacuzzi and showers)and the post partum floor which is where Mommy and baby go for recovery. So I am SUPER excited about this night because I have yet to see what Presbyterian offers.

I am not sure what night four is about yet, however going to these classes has been VERY informative. The last 20 minutes of the class Dad is required to massage Mom from head to toe (we bring pillows and blankets to each class). So needless to say, I get pampered on top of all the learning. We have also met a lot of other pregnant couples or Moms, and two couples are due the day before we are!

So that is my experience so far with the birthing class, and know you are educated on the labor and delivery process!

84.6

84.6- the score on my blood tests!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

0-300 normal range
300-4000 preeclampsia
4000+ severe preelcampsia, possible eclampsia.

Praise God! Thank you for all your prayers!

However, they are going to continue testing me every 2 weeks until birth, because it could always come with high blood pressure. I have to test my blood pressure regularly. How the heck I am going to do that, I dont know, but somehow. I am going to call walgreens and see if they have a way I can check it on my own (I remember when I was little they had a machine that you could sit down at and check it) but I dont think they have those anymore.

Anyway- Thank you Jesus for all your blessings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Preeclampsia

So I had my monthly prenatal checkup yesterday. It did NOT go well at all. The first two things the nurse does is have you urinate into a cup and check your blood pressure. Once I did both, she had a concerned look on her face. I asked her what was wrong. She said my blood pressure is 154/84, EXTREMELY high for a pregnant women. For the past 7 months my blood pressure was about 132/80. The top number is what she was so concerned about. At that point she told me to lay down on my left side and relax and she would be back in 20 minutes. I did as told, and she returned to retake my blood pressure. The second time it was 156/86 (even higher then the first). This is when she mentioned preeclampsia and told me the doctor would be in ASAP. This worried me for several reasons. 1- preeclampsia is a rapidly progressive condition characterized by high blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine. If preeclampsia is diagnosed I would have to be put on bed rest until delivery. If severe preeclampsia is diagnosed I would have to be admitted into the hospital for monitoring until birth. 2- Globally, preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are a leading cause of maternal and infant illness and death. By conservative estimates, these disorders are responsible for 76,000 maternal and 500,000 infant deaths each year.

The only way to diagnose preeclampsia is to have blood tests done and a 24 hour urine screen. My doctor also had me do a non-stress test (NST) there in his office before I left. This test involves hooking me up to several different machines to monitor the babies heart rate and my contractions for 30 minutes. So we sat there, as I tried to relax on a lazy boy recliner, and did the NST. When that was complete the doctor looked at the results and said everything looked good, which means the baby is NOT stressed (whewwww). Another plus is that he asked the nurse to re-take my blood pressure one more time (because I had a chance to relax) and when she did it was 136/82 (back to normal, which is good, but does not mean a whole lot, the fact that it was soooo high to begin with is what is concerning)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Once my appointment was over he sent me immediately down to have my blood drawn. I did that and they gave me a bottle to do the 24 hour urine scree (this involves peeing in a jug for 24 hours straight and turning it back into the lab. You can not miss a urine in this jug once the 24 hours is started or you have to start all over). It is NOT the funnest thing to have to urinate into a jug every time I need the bathroom. Anything for the health of my baby and me I will do, no questions asked.

As of now, 1:20pm on 1-9-09 I have not got the results back on my blood tests. Please keep Liam and I in your prayers, as preeclampisa is a serious disorder. As soon as I get results back (if they are good) I will update you. If they are not good results then my update will not be as prompt.

I know that God has reasons for everything and I have to trust in Him. He will guide me and protect me and my unborn son.

God Bless!

Time Travelers

My goodness how time flies... It is crazy to think that it is already 2009. One more year and it will be my 10 year high school reunion... WOW!

Every year, month, and week I always think- When is Christ returning? I came across this cartoon and thought I would post about it. We never know what is going to happen in the years to come. Christians always anticipate Christs' return, and we try to prepare to the best of our abilities. While anticipating Christs' return I am also anticipating the birth of my son.

I can NOT wait until I can hold my first born in my arms. As the days go on, and my belly gets bigger, I get more anxious. I ask myself... Will Christ return before my baby is born? We will never know the answers to these questions, but either way, I wait in EXTREME anticipation for both. I had a friend make a comment to me the other day and she said "it seems like your pregnancy has gone by so fast. It seems like yesterday you where telling me you where pregnant". However, being the pregnant one, it definitely doesn't seem so fast. 7 months ago seems like sooooo long. Every day that passes it is harder to do thinks like tie my shoes, pick up clothes off the floor and get up from my couch. All the while, I am still anticipating His and Liam's coming! I can not wait!

Please pray that my pregnancy, labor and birth go perfect. Please pray that my son and I are healthy and remain healthy. As the days pass, I get more nervous... Its just the nature of the beast I guess.

Who knows what 2009 will bring. Maybe the return of Christ. If so, are you ready? One thing I know 2009 will bring is my son, and I can NOT wait. I fill like the kid in the car above, saying the exact same thing. Donovan and I are both very excited and blessed to be parents and can not wait to meet Liam. I love my husband dearly and I know he will be a great father!

May God bless you and your family in 2009!