Merry Christmas (a week early)

I just had to share Abby's Christmas picture. I just love it! She's constantly sticking out her tongue. Last night we had a blast playing with her. Her and Jordan were "talking" and she was copying his facial expressions and smiling at the things he was doing, she even laughed for him!

Back to work...

Monday was my first day back to work... yes, I cried. I got teary eyed when I left her, and when I got in the car, I called Jordan and started crying. It was a little harder than I thought it would be. The day went by fairly quickly and she did great. The babysitter updates me through emails throughout the day and I only called once. When I got her home and opened her BundleMe she smiled at me! I loved it, of course. Everyday it's getting a little easier.

Next week Aunt Allison is going to stay with us Monday and Tuesday, so that will make coming back much easier. And, Wednesday a friend is going to watch her. Then Jordan and I will get to be with her for a long weekend. I think I chose the right time to come back... ease into it!

This weekend is Christmas with Jordan's family, so hopefully I'll have pictures up next week!

Such a good girl...

I had to update quick. Abby slept in her crib for the first time last night (12-10) and she did fantastic! She slept for about 5.5 hours and did great with "self soothing". My little baby's getting so big ~ I'm so glad she's doing so well! I go back to work on Monday and it's a huge relief to have her doing so well. She's taking a bottle like a champ and has just been such a great baby. We had lunch today and did some shopping with my friend Bethany and her son Brodie. We had a really good day. It was great to get out and get the remaining things we needed for day care.

I'm working on a project for my mom and Allison Christmas that has required me to look back at old pictures of myself (Jordan, too) and I thought I would share a couple... it's crazy how much Abby looks like me (Jordan, too in some of them).

JordanAshleyAbigail

Sick baby, sick cat... it's been a loong day!

My sweet little girl is sick. She's had a stuffy nose for awhile, but last night she started coughing and this morning the cough was getting out of control (just coughing a lot and it was a hacking cough). SO we went to the walk-in clinc at our pediatrician's office. Luckily the congestion hasn't settled in her chest yet. I have to give her nasal drops (lots of fun) and she has to sleep in her car seat (so she's upright and not laying flat). Poor thing ~ she sounds awful.

Last weekend, while we were traveling for Thanksgiving, Kudos got out of the house and got hit by a car. She seemed to be doing fine, but when we took her to the vet (because she hadn't used her litter box yet) we found out that her tail is paralyzed (the bones separated). Not only that but she hadn't gone #1 or #2 at all. SO they had to do some things to get the urine and feces out and Kudos stayed overnight until yesterday. We brought her home last night and she was acting great! Well, she still hadn't peed this morning, so we went back to the vet (before the pediatrician) and they used a needle to draw out her urine (for the third time) and gave us a prescription for a muscle relaxer... to relax her bladder so she can hopefully go on her own.

So yeah, I ran all over town today (we had to pick up Kudos' prescription at a pharmacy) and I'm exhausted! Jordan has drill this weekend, so of course that's when we have a million things to do! Okay, I'm done complaining now... I just hate hearing Abby's cough... it makes me so sad.

Thanksgiving Weekend...

We had a really busy Thanksgiving weekend, but it was great! We visited family in MO and NE and Abby got to meet her cousin for the first time! and lots of other family and friends. Jordan and I went to the Husker game Friday afternoon, it was his first Husker game. We had a blast and it was a really great game. Overall it was a great weekend, but we were definitely glad to get back home. Sunday night and Monday were a little rough for Abby ~ she was so used to being held! She's doing much better now and we're looking forward to the weekend! Once I get pictures from my parents I'll post more (she had a VERY cute fall bow and a lot of fun smiling/playing with Grandpa).













Smilin' Away














With cousin Mason

Playin' with Grannie Annie

My baby is one month old...

Today is Abby's one month birthday... it's really hard to believe she's a month old already! The time has really flown by and I honestly think she gets bigger everyday. She is constantly trying to stand on you when you hold her and she "scoots" when left on her tummy, too. She holds her head up and likes to look at the animals on the mobile on her swing, on her pack 'n play and the animal paintings on the wall above her changing table. She'll smile at you every now and then, although I'm sure she doesn't know what she's doing. It's fun to watch her sleep, too... you can tell she's dreaming sometimes and I really wonder what about (what do infants have to dream about? milk?). She has really filled our lives with so much joy already and as much as I want her to stay little I can't wait to see what the next month brings!!

My beautiful baby girl!!

My friend Jessica was here this weekend while her husband interviewed for dental school residency in NY. She is a budding photographer, so I asked her to do some pictures of Abby, and they turned out amazing ~ I love them all, I think!! You can find her photography blog here. Here's a few of the pictures she took...

Joe and Anne's wedding

Last weekend we had our first overnight stay away from home. Oh wow! I didn't realize how much it took to stay overnight somewhere with a newborn. I don't think we'll be going on trips that take more than a day unless absolutely necessary for quite some time! The car was packed down! and we were only staying for two nights. We had to take the pack 'n play (naturally, she needed someplace to sleep, right?), then there were clothes, for her and us (which I found out I packed just enough for her ~ next time, I'm doubling what I bring ~ one more accident and she'd been naked!) and of course toys (why? she doesn't play with them, but just-in-case, I told myself) and diapers... we underestimated how many diapers we needed, too. We ended up making a trip to WalMart to get more diapers! Wow!!

Okay, but the wedding was beautiful and Abigail did great ~ not one peep out of her during the entire ceremony. Here's the only picture I have on our computer from the wedding (there are more on my camera) ~ this is from Jordan's friend Nick!

BloomingBows

I've been searching forever for a place to buy cute hairbows for babies (that don't cost a fortune). I made a couple that turned out okay, then one of my friends told me about this website for baby hair bows ~ www.bloomingbows.com. It's great! They have free shipping and all of the bows are really cute. I just ordered three, hopefully they come soon and look as great in person as they do online! I'll keep you updated.

Visit from Aunt Allison and Grandma

Last weekend ~ November 1st ~ my mom and Allison came to visit. Jordan had drill, so they came to stay with me, or really to visit Abigail. We had a great weekend and Abby was such a good baby! I don't think she cried more than a half hour total, all weekend... that could be because someone was constantly holding her, but still... :) We went shopping and to lunch, took a bath (her first "total submersion" bath) and watched the Huskers get beat.

Here are a few pictures from our weekend...

Getting pampered after her bath

Hanging out with Aunt Allison!

Sleeping...

Just looking cute!

Ready to shop!

Happy Halloween!!

LOVE this outfit!!

We've had a big week ~ my Grandma and Grandpa McLellan came to visit yesterday and we went to dinner (Abby's first outing!) and she did great! Abby had her two week checkup today and is doing fantastic!! She weighs 8lbs 6oz and is now 20in long. Her cord fell off yesterday, but looks good. After her checkup we went to visit both my office and Jordan's old office (the ME). She did great everywhere we were... opened her eyes and smiled at people and only got fussy once (she was hungry!). We have truely been blessed with such an angel!


Halloween!! We bought a lobster costume for her (before she was born) and it is way to big for her (maybe next year). Luckily Wayne gave her a cute onesie with a glow-in-the dark skeleton on it and we made a cute bow with a bone on it. So, Abby's a skeleton for Halloween!

GROSGRAIN MINI STORE OPENING NOVEMBER 6!!!!! AND BIG PREVIEW GIVEAWAY!!!!

I found this website and really love the creativity!! I wish I could make clothes and things like this!

GROSGRAIN MINI STORE OPENING NOVEMBER 6!!!!! AND BIG PREVIEW GIVEAWAY!!!!

Our first 4 days...

She has finally arrived!!

We just got home from Abby's first doctor's appointment and she is doing fantastic! The doctor was very happy with her weight gain/loss and how well she is doing overall.

Back to Monday (we'll make the labor story short and sweet)... basically they started me on pitocin at 0800 and they broke my water about 1115. I was only dilated to 1.5 or 2 (I don't remember) when they did this, but it helped move things along. After breaking my water I lasted about an hour and a half before I couldn't take the pain of the contractions any longer and needed an epidural (they were coming about every 1 1/2 - 2 minutes). We started pushing just before 1800 and Abigail was born at 1820! I didn't push long, but her heart rate was dropping, so things had to move quickly or we were going to end up with a c-section. They had to use the vacuum to help her out, but overall she did great! I definitely couldn't have made it through without Jordan's help ~ he was a great coach and really helped keep me going!

Hospital Day

Last night I began having some contractions and thought "Alright! Baby has decided to come on his/her own terms!" I was up and down all night and finally settled into sleeping on the couch. Well morning came and nothing more than a few contractions. Tonight at 8 we go to the hospital anyway to begin the induction. Maybe baby will decide to come before then, but if nothing else, today is Hospital Day and we will have a baby (hopefully!) by tomorrow night!

Come... and gone...

So my due date has officially come and gone now and still no baby. Yesterday I was having "contractions" (I put that in quotes b/c I don't know that they're actually real ~ they aren't painful) about every 45min to an hour. I woke up about 4:45 this morning to "contractions" that were about 6 minutes apart. I watched the clock till 6ish and they were coming every 3-15 minutes. Again, still not painful, but coming more regularly. I'm supposed to have a Doctor's appointment at 1630, but I called this morning and moved my appointment to 1300. I have a feeling my Doctor is going to say, you're still not dilated, and that everything has just been Braxton Hicks. I know, very pesimistic, right? I'm just trying not to get my hopes up!

Update ~ I just got back from the Doctor's Office (about an hour ago) and no changes! Everything still looks good, as far as my blood pressure, baby's heart rate, etc. I'm just not dilated. She did say that just because I'm not dilated (I think her exact words were that I'm "sealed shut"), doesn't mean that I'm not having real contractions and doesn't mean that we'll end up having to induce Monday. Things can change quickly...

Feeling Better!

Yesterday at work I started to freak out about the house... I need to vacuum, I have clean clothes to put away, and the list goes on and on. Today Amber came over and we went to lunch. After lunch she stayed and helped me scrub the floors (she did this, I couldn't sit on my knees), vacuum and put so much stuff away! I seriously have the greatest friends and I feel so much better about having the baby now... it can come any time!!

Still Waiting...

We're still waiting and I'm growing impatient! This weekend maybe?? At Tuesday's appointment I was 80% effaced, but still not dilated.


These are my parent's puppies (and their dog Max). I just wanted to share because I think they're adorable!!

No changes...

We had our weekly Dr's appt yesterday and... no changes! My feet are now swelling like crazy and I can barely make fists in the morning b/c my hands are so swollen, but that usually passes by 8 or 9. Jordan was referring to me a Fiona (from Shrek) yesterday in the Dr's office. I think that was the first time he realized how badly swollen my feet get sometimes, although, that could have been the worst swollen I've been, too. We went ahead and scheduled the induction for a week after my due date, so just in case I don't go before that we have our "no later than" date, but I'm hoping we don't have to wait that long!!

Another Dr. Appt

Yesterday I had another Doctor's appointment and... I'm dilated to nothing (go figure) but 50% effaced. That's something, I suppose, but not much. Neither Jordan, nor I figured I would be dilated at all. My Dr. said that this is not going to be a September baby (dang! I wanted the "good" birthstone!). We discussed inductions, because I'm afraid of the baby getting too big and me having to have a c-section (that's what happened to my mom with me ~ I was 9lbs 11oz). She said that right now she would guestimate the baby to be high 6 pounds and that if I go into labor around my due date he or she will probably be 8 pounds something (I think that's what they told my mom, too...). Anyways, she said that she won't induce before 39 weeks, unless medically necessary, and that she won't let me go longer than two weeks after my due date. Basically, when I am dilated to 3cm she will induce if we want to (as long as the date is in that range). I think Jordan and I both decided we're going to give the baby about a week after my due date before we seek intervention, so long as I'm still feeling good! :)

I'm how big?!? (36weeks)

This is actually a picture from my shower on August 23rd.



Last week was a big baby week for us. We met with the Maternity Care Coordinator at the hospital to fill out all of the "pre-paperwork" and let them know our wishes, as far as drugs, rooms, etc goes. Then we interviewed the pediatrician. Everything went great and I think Jordan and I are really happy with our choice of hospital and pediatrician. We also started interviewing babysitters. Oh my! Who knew that finding the right person would be so difficult!?! I wish we lived back home sometimes, so Janet could babysit, or that Betty (who babysat me) lived closer! This is the only thing that I'm concerned and stressing about, hopefully things work themselves out...

I started my weekly Dr. appointments last week also. Yesterday at our appointment I got my medical history to pack in my bag (which isn't packed yet), which kinda made the whole thing seem a little more "real". I am measuring at 35cm and the baby's heart rate was in the 140's, which is pretty much where it's been holding at lately. Last week I learned (per my friend Jill, whose in her 4th year of med school, also) that the baby's head is down (but not "engaged")... that wasn't much of a surprise, b/c since our ultrasound I've thought it's been down (it was then and most of the time I think it's butt has been in my rib cage).

I think the baby "dropped" Sunday night (whatever "dropping" means exactly). I've been having to go to the bathroom more often and I can breathe fairly normally now. I asked my Dr. what that meant (as far as when will we have the baby) and she said "Nothing really, it's just one step closer". She explained that with first time moms it can mean 2-4 weeks out (which is kind of a "duh" thing, since my due date is less than 4 weeks away), but that some moms go into labor without ever dropping. Jordan and I both said quite some time ago that we don't think the baby will come early (watch, I just jinxed myself), and that it just seems really content in there. Next week I will start getting checked for dialation and effacement, which will tell us more. Till then...

Our Nephew Mason (8-17-08)

We got to visit our nephew Mason in August. He was born 5 weeks premature on July 30, 2008. Megan and Zach are mommy and daddy... isn't he cute?!

Maternity Pictures!!

Jordan and I had these taken Friday, August 15, so I was at 31 1/2 weeks (about). Katie McGill took them and they turned out so great!! I love them!

Baby Moon

I'm a little slow...

The weekend of August 8th Joran and I took a "baby moon" and went to Branson. Friday night we stayed in this really cute cabin near Silver Dollar City and Saturday night Jordan got us a super nice room at the Chateau on the Lake.

Friday we went to some caves and the Butterfly Palace and had dinner at Lamberts Cafe, which, if you haven't heard of it is an amazing resturant where they throw rolls. They have the greatest food and we had a lot of fun! Then, Saturday we spent some time at Silver Dollar City and had dinner at Branson Landing where we wandered around for awhile. Sunday Jordan had arranged for me to get a "Mommy-to-be" massage, which was just what I needed!

Baby classes and blackmail!

We started our childbirthing class last Monday (it is every Monday for 5 weeks for 2 hours)... Jordan was a little hesitant at first, because he thought, and I agreed, that it might be really boring. We've both been proven wrong, however ~ our instructor is great and she's really honest about most everything! This Monday the dads got to wear the "sympathy belly" and I told Jordan I was going to post just one picture as a little blackmail...

Baby's Room

We finally got a dresser (okay it's been a couple weeks), but I finally got a couple pictures onto the computer and here they are!

ExpectNet

I just wanted to let everybody know that we're doing a babypool... if you go to "Expectnet.com" you can enter your guess ~ our game name is "PeanutClark". You want the LEAST amount of points in the end... if you get the sex wrong you get 50 points, for every hour you're off you get 5, I think and for every oz it's 5, but for every inch it's 10... guess carefully :)

Apache

Posing with Daddy's helicopter. This is even the one that Jordan flys!!

Saturday (7-12-08) during drill Jordan had a family picnic, so I went up and got to meet all of the people in his unit that I hadn't previously met. We had a good time. Afterwards we "snuck" in and took some pictures with the Apache.

Crazy Movements!

Peanut has been moving like crazy lately... big crazy movements, too! You can now see the movements from the outside. In fact I'm pretty sure Peanut has the hiccups as I'm typing this and last night it seemed like he/she was turning summersaults in there!

Arts & Crafts

Jordan and I had "Arts and Crafts Night" and finished up the paintings for Peanut's room...

Pregnant Tummys...

Jordan and I went to his parents' house this weekend, and for those of you who don't know Megan, his sister, is also pregnant. She's about 5 weeks ahead of us and due September 7th. We took a couple pictures of our tummys :)