Sunday, May 31, 2009

Family

Our first family picture...

Friday, May 29, 2009

We are home...


Simply irresistible!

Our gift

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Evan Samuel...

Welcome to the world Evan Samuel
  • Born May 27, 2009
  • 2:02 pm
  • 8 lbs. 2 oz.
  • 21.5 inches long
We are falling more in love with each minute that passes. He is a gift from God. Heather has more pics too, so head on over there!

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

He's here...

May 27th






Forever changed all because of Evan Samuel...he is perfect!

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Tomorrow...

we'll finally be able to put a picture of you in this frame! :)

Tomorrow...

is our induction date!!! Evan is too happy in there, so tomorrow at 6 am we will start to induce! We are really nervous and excited! :) We can't wait to meet Evan!

Monday, May 25, 2009

Due Date

Today is Evan's "due date" but he's not here yet! :) Thought I'd let ya know what I look like at 40 weeks pregnant! He'll be here soon and we are SO excited to meet him!

40 week belly shot

Due Date...

Dear Evan,
Today is your due date and your daddy and I are very anxious to meet you! We hope you come soon!
Love, Mommy

40 weeks

Your pregnancy: 40 weeks


How your baby's growing:

It's hard to say for sure how big your baby will be, but the average newborn weighs about 7 1/2 pounds (a small pumpkin) and is about 20 inches long. His skull bones are not yet fused, which allows them to overlap a bit if it's a snug fit through the birth canal during labor. This so-called "molding" is the reason your baby's noggin may look a little conehead-ish after birth. Rest assured — it's normal and temporary.

See what your baby looks like this week.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

After months of anticipation, your due date rolls around, and... you're still pregnant. It's a frustrating, but common, situation in which to find yourself. You may not be as late as you think, especially if you're relying solely on a due date calculated from the day of your last period because sometimes women ovulate later than expected. Even with reliable dating, some women have prolonged pregnancies for no apparent reason.

You still have a couple of weeks before you'll be considered "post-term." But to be sure your baby is still thriving, your practitioner will schedule you for testing to keep an eye on her if your pregnancy continues.

You may have a biophysical profile (BPP), which consists of an ultrasound to look at your baby's overall movements, breathing movements (movement of her chest muscles and diaphragm), and muscle tone (whether she opens and closes her hand or extends and then flexes her limbs), as well as the amount of amniotic fluid that surrounds her (important because it's a reflection of how well the placenta is supporting your baby).

Fetal heart rate monitoring (called a nonstress test or NST) will generally be done as well — by itself or as part of the BPP. Or, you may have what's known as a modified BPP, which consists of an NST and an ultrasound to assess the amount of amniotic fluid.

If the fetal testing isn't reassuring — the amniotic fluid level is too low, for example — you'll be induced. If there's a serious, urgent problem, you may have an immediate c-section.

Your practitioner will also check your cervix to see if it's "ripening." Its position, how soft it is, how effaced (thinned out) it is, and how dilated (open) it is can all affect when and how your labor is induced. If you don't go into labor on your own, you'll be induced, usually sometime between 41 and 42 weeks.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Slip n Slide part 2

A couple of years ago we made a mega slip n slide while the Indy Laughlins were in town. We had such a great time playing outside and hanging out with our nieces. We were also glad the Morrison's could come because they had just recently moved to Missouri. We were hoping Evan would be here this weekend, but he's not here yet, but we have had a great Memorial Day weekend! The kids had a blast doing the slip n slide, playing with the neighborhood dogs, fishing/casting with the fake fish, making up games, etc. The adults had fun sitting outside watching them and chatting. The guys played a basketball game or two and it was just a nice relaxing day. Heather and Amanda came over to see Evan's room and Heather took some pictures of Mike and I with my big ol' belly and Evan's room. We are so excited to meet him! I can't wait to see the pics! We had one minor mishap with a flat tire on our car, but the guys took care of that...thanks Dan for running Mike to get that taken care of! The below pics are too cute! The first one is of Mal waiting for Savannah and Sawyer to get there! She was bummed they weren't there yet...she couldn't wait to play!

This is the picture that Madison drew of me with baby Evan in my tummy! :)
Maddy and Mallory hula-hooping it up!
Everyone having a great time!
Sawyer and Mallory were pretty cute throughout the day...Mal showed Sawyer how to cast a fishing pole and by the end of the day they were both old pros! Hope you are having a great Memorial Day weekend!!! Hopefully I can update soon about Evan!!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Birthday thoughts

Today is my 30th birthday! As I sit here and reflect over the past 30 years I am so grateful and thankful for everything and everyone in my life. People I've met, choices I've made whether they've been right or wrong, and decisions I've made have brought me to this point in my life and I'm so blessed. I've learned so many things over the years and so many wonderful memories come to mind about my childhood, teen years, college years, and life since college. I'm truly amazed at the great life I have, even the ups and downs, happy and sad, good and bad times has blessed my life. Now as my husband and I prepare to welcome our son to the world I've realized that the only thing I need in this world is love. Mike and I can't wait to meet Evan whenever he decides to arrive! As this new chapter of my life starts it is a new beginning, a new chance to learn about myself growing older and becoming a mom, to care more about others, to laugh more, to accomplish more and to be more than I was yesterday. To my own mom, thank you so much for going through your long labor to let me enter the world, thank you for everything you've done for me growing up and even now! I am so thankful for you and Dad and so blessed to have grown up in a great family with great parents and pretty terrific siblings! Happy 30th birthday to me!!!! I can't wait to see what the next year holds for me and my family!

30 reasons I am thankful

  1. Having a great family (my side and Mike's side!)
  2. Being able to stay at home next year with Evan
  3. Great memories growing up playing soccer with my friends
  4. Such an amazing husband
  5. The best dog ever, Jack
  6. College friends whom I love dearly and wish lived closer!
  7. My health...even after 10 surgeries!
  8. My blog friends, some who I have met and others who I haven't...yet!
  9. For having a smooth pregnancy and loving every minute...yes, even getting sick!
  10. My love of reading
  11. Scrapbooking and turning my pictures into memories forever
  12. Having great teachers who influenced me to become a teacher
  13. Getting my masters ELL grant and not paying for my masters degree
  14. My dad for making me work so hard at soccer growing up so I could get a full ride to FIU
  15. My mom for showing me that hard work pays off and how to give to others
  16. Starting a blog to help me remember all the great memories throughout the year!
  17. My sister for sharing a room with me and teaching me the alphabetical order States song
  18. My brother for always keeping me on my toes and throwing cheese into the fan when we were younger! ;)
  19. Being able to visit most of the US states with my family for soccer tournaments, such great memories!
  20. American Idol. Lost. Scrubs. Grey's Anatomy. Biggest Loser. The Office.
  21. A great backyard to eventually put up a swing set! :0)
  22. Wonderful friends...way too many to count!
  23. A great marriage and a hubby who loves to travel!
  24. Surprises and birthdays....my favorites!
  25. Being able to teach students...my first class is graduating high school this year! gah!
  26. God and the lessons he has taught me
  27. My adorable nieces who make me smile! :) They are both amazing!
  28. Living in the Midwest to experience ALL 4 beautiful seasons
  29. The small daily happenings that make life worth living
  30. Love and being able to celebrate my 30th!
As I turn 30 today I look back at everyone who has influenced my life and I am eternally grateful. From my parents, grandparents, siblings, family members, teachers, sports coaches, friends, and acquaintances I am forever thankful to you! Thank you for a great 30 years!

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Love this pic! :)

Happy 30th Birthday Eve to me!!!!!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Field Trip

Today I went to meet my class for our 5th grade field trip. I didn't tell them I was coming just in case Evan decided to come early. I had a doctor appointment this morning and Evan is still cooking away! His heart rate was good, 147 beats per minute, and it looks like he will be born around his due date, the 25th. We won't talk about inducing until after the 25th so we'll see. After the appointment I met my class for lunch and they were really surprised! :) It was great to see them and I got to walk around for 2 hours...needless to say I was completely wiped out and headed home early. They earned this field trip all year for Reading Club Day at Mizzou. They got to hear some great authors and storytellers...I definitely missed the last 4 hours...I probably would have passed out from all the walking! It was great to be able to see them!

2 of my favorite boys...

This first photo seriously cracks me up! I caught Jack in mid-lick and it makes me laugh everytime I see it! :)
They are so stinkin' adorable and I'm glad I caught this quality time with pics! :)

Monday, May 18, 2009

39 week belly shot

39 weeks

Your pregnancy: 39 weeks


How your baby's growing:

Your baby's waiting to greet the world! He continues to build a layer of fat to help control his body temperature after birth, but it's likely he already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds, a mini watermelon. (Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.) The outer layers of his skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath.

See what your baby looks like this week.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

At each of your now-weekly visits, your caregiver will do an abdominal exam to check your baby's growth and position. She might also do an internal exam to see whether your cervix has started ripening: softening, effacing (thinning out), and dilating (opening). But even armed with this information, there's still no way for your caregiver to predict exactly when your baby is coming. If you go past your due date, your caregiver will schedule you for fetal testing (usually a sonogram) after 40 weeks to ensure that it's safe to continue the pregnancy. If you don't go into labor on your own, most practitioners will induce labor when you're between one and two weeks overdue — or sooner if there's an indication that the risk of waiting is greater than the risks of delivering your baby without further delay.

While you're waiting, it's important to continue to pay attention to your baby's movements and let your caregiver know right away if they seem to decrease. Your baby should remain active right up to delivery, and a noticeable slowdown in activity could be a sign of a problem. Also call if you think your water may have broken. Membranes rupture before the beginning of labor in about 8 percent of term pregnancies. Sometimes there's a big gush of fluid, but sometimes there's only a small gush or a slow leak. (Don't try to make the diagnosis yourself. Call even if you only suspect you have a leak.) If you rupture your membranes and don't start contractions on your own, you'll be induced.

Friday, May 15, 2009

It's guessing time!!!

head on over to guess when Evan will make his arrival!!!


ExpectNet Guess

head on over to guess when Evan will arrive!!!

Thursday, May 14, 2009

25

Wow!!! Today my little brother is 25 years old! I can not believe how fast time flies...I am so proud of him and wish him a very happy birthday today!! Love you Brad!!!