Newborn Photoshoot

Keira and I spent 5 hours taking photos, here are some of my favorites!

Introducing Keira Kennedy

10 weeks of bed rest..

Yes, you read that correctly.  I'm going on 10 weeks of bed rest.  Its crazy!  It will officially be 10 weeks tomorrow.  I'm really hoping that Dr will either let me off bed rest or induce me.  After doing the 24hour urine, the results came back below preeclampsia levels.  As of right now I'm not sure what that means, since I'm still having high blood pressure & the occasional headache.  But I have an appointment tomorrow and then I'll have a better idea.

36-weeks!!

Yippee I made it to 36-weeks!  I went in for my apt on Tuesday and ended up in L&D with high Blood Pressure.  Boo.  Dr. Hunt let me off bed rest for preterm labor, and threw me back on for the high pressure.  *cries*  Its only for 1 week, but I really had lots I needed to get finished before the Nugget shows!  Since my Tuesday apt, I have been in L&D twice.  Both times for high BP.  130/100 at the office, but it eventually drops and I get sent home.  Today I got the fun task of 24 hour urine.  If you dont know what it is, Im not going to tell you, google it.  Its not that fun.

Nuggets Baby Pool

Original post aug 18th:  
Since Everyone knows my EDD is October 8th.  I've decided in my boredom to start a baby pool!  I want to see what you people are saying.  I have my date all picked out in my mind & it's not a secret!  Originally, I was thinking just the date, but thats not any fun!  So we will add weight and length as well!  Maybe even a time if two people pick the same day!  

This Momma is saying September 18th - 7 lbs 2 oz & 22"  

At my 32 week apt, she was 4 pounds 10 oz.  

Happy Picking!

All Entries must be in by 9/12 @ Midnight!!

So here is the breakdown:

Stan:  September 12, 2:00 p.m. 6 lb. 11 oz.
Carol:  September 13th, 5:00 p.m.......6 lb. 9 oz.
Sarah:  Sept. 13th. 7 lbs. 2 oz. 21 inches.
Emily:  Sept 16  - 21 inches 6 lbs 14 oz
Papa:  September 17th--6 lbs 12oz & 21""

Holly:  September 18th  7 lbs 2 oz & 22"  4:13pm
Chris:  Sept 23, 7 lbs 20.5 inches.
Gamma:  Sept 25, 8lbs2oz, 21"
Daddy: Sept. 25th at 3:00 PM - 7 lbs. 3 oz
Brett:   September 28th.  7 pounds.  19"

The world According to Carter...

All Mommy has to do is walk to the park, we will take the stroller, Nugget will fall out, then we will put her in the stroller, take her home and put her in the baby bed in her room! Quite a conversation!

4 days and counting

Yes, I realized I never wrote about week 7... it's probably because I was screaming inside and didn't want to frighten anyone.  With only 4 days left of my confinement, I am really excited.  But knowing how much my back hurts and how exhausted I get after doing the littlest of things, i'm not sure I'm looking forward to my freedom.  Currently, I am 34 weeks & 5 days.  And yes, Im TOTALLY ready for our little kangaroo!  I am super excited to meet her, though I am enjoying the fact that I sleep at night, even just a 2 minute bathroom trip.  Neither Mike or I are sure we are ready for the up all night feedings.  Guess we're just going to have to live with it.  Unless we can talk Carter into it!

Her room

We've slowly been working on getting her room ready.  There are still a few things missing, but since we aren't sharing her name until she is born, it's not above her crib yet.  We decided to go with a woodland theme, including of course, OWLS!  My favorite!  

Week 6 of 8.....*sigh*

SO far so good, I'm 34-weeks now!  Which means miss Kangaroo has a chance of being okay if she comes out now. So far, my cervix, uterus, and baby are all behaving themselves.  Just two more weeks of bed rest!!

I've been rotating the same two pathetic maternity pants with various tank tops since the beginning.  My mom gave me some magazines to pick out some "after baby" clothes for me, but for some reason, I'm not interested in buying stuff for myself. However, I've found that I am glued to buying everything baby online.  My husband will probably wonder why the credit card bill has been so much higher even though i'm not going anywhere!   

Surviving Week 5

You'd think that being on a modified bed rest that I would start to feel better and my back would hurt less.  But in all reality, that is far from the truth.  Just because I've been switched to a modified bed rest, my wardens still make me spend most of the day with my bum planted on the couch.  I do get out and walk to the mailbox, those 200 steps are my lifesaver!  I can get my own meals and love getting up and moving around more.  But since I've done nothing but sit for the past 4 weeks, the walking that I do still makes my back hurt.  Plus, I'm too exhausted to do much.  :(

The worst of it is when you rest all day, you can't sleep at night. Then you go to bed late and begin a vicious cycle, which I'm currently caught in. I cannot take a nap during the day, fearing I won't sleep at night. But then, I never fall asleep before 1am anyway.

Step right up, pick a date!

Since Everyone knows my EDD is October 8th.  I've decided in my boredom to start a baby pool!  I want to see what you people are saying.  I have my date all picked out in my mind & it's not a secret!  Originally, I was thinking just the date, but thats not any fun!  So we will add weight and length as well!  Maybe even a time if two people pick the same day!  

This Momma is saying September 18th - 7 lbs 2 oz & 22"  

At my 32 week apt, she was 4 pounds 10 oz.  

Happy Picking!

All Entries must be in by 9/12 @ Midnight!!

I'm making WAFFLES!

This morning I was brushing my teeth and Carter came upstairs with the PB jar and a spoon.  I said, "What have you been doing?"  He responded "I made you breakfast Momma. & now I'm eating PB out of the Jar!" I got a little worried and asked him what he made for me.  He said "I made waffles, I put them in the toaster and pressed the red button to pop them up.  I also put Peanut Butter on them for you and gave you my Curious George plate."

While I was very happy he'd made me breakfast, I was a little worried and told him that unless someone is downstairs to watch him, he is not allowed to use the toaster alone.  

32-Weeks!

Well I made it to 32-weeks!  That was my very first goal according to Dr. Hunt.  Now I just have to get to 34 & 36 weeks

Week 4 - Bed Rest

My bladder is not a trampoline!  People wonder why I gave her the nickname Kangaroo, well, there you have it!  Between the barrel rolls, the massive kicks that shake my entire belly, and the pushing on my bladder, it totally fits her.

The full on back pain has hit this week too.  Sure, I had it last week, but it seems to me 1000000x worse this week.  My tailbone hurts, my right hip hurts, but its my left one that is killer.  I've been icing and enjoying my Tylonel & Tylonel PM, but nothing helps.  Laying on my right side makes the inhabitant get angry, and laying on my left side just sends pain shooting down your leg and up your back.  Yea, sounds like fun doesn't it!  I'll trade you!

BUT, when I went to the doctor today she switched me from full bed rest to "modified" bed rest.  I've never been so happy!  I'm still on bed rest, but I'm allowed to do things like get up walk around more, make my own lunch, get in the pool, drive, among others. I just can't do any heavy lifting, vacuuming, and I still need to plant my bum on the couch and relax. Woot woot!!

Also, for those of you following my adventure, here is a few photos taken for 32-weeks

 Maybe after she's born, I'll share the real photo with her name on those blocks.  BUT, at this time, no one gets to know!

Week 3....*muffled screams*

My friend was right, 3-weeks. It only took me 3-weeks to feel stir-crazy. There may have been some rule breaking this week. I will neither confirm nor deny. It's like dealing with this is not unlike going through the five stages of craziness, denial, or grief, it really depends on the day!

I mean, who can complain about being on doctor's orders to stay in a comfortable, relaxed position while allowing others to take care of me as much as possible? Definitely not my lazy ass. It hasn't been easy, though.

The boy loves Dogs

Our dear sweet Dakota passed away and if we didn't have access to my moms dog Sadie, I think the boy might go through withdrawal.  I know I am!

Pool time at Gamma's

We spent the weekend up at my moms house and enjoyed some time floating in the pool.  Of course, the boy would not give me a smile, even though he was having tons of fun!  

I just love this video of him talking about his sister

Week 2

t's great having visitors, but I often feel guilty because all hostess behavior is out of the question. And though I have housekeeping help, everything is out of place!  Anything that has a home in my office, is just pilling up in my office because I cannot exactly put into words where it is supposed to go.  I feel like an invitation to my place reads something like this: "You are cordially invited to sit in a dirty house with a pregnant shut-in whose hair is a disaster and roots are growing in at an alarming rate."  Speaking of beauty rituals, you'd think with all this down time, I'd have flawless looking skin, but my beauty habits seem to have dropped off the face of the earth along with showering!


But all in all, this isn't so terrible. I've got my laptop and can work from bed, I've got my phone to play endless games.  I go through my address book and catch up with old friends. But a day of reckoning is coming. "I give you three weeks," says one friend. "By then, you'll start to go insane."

Just what I needed.

I have been utterly tired all day. One would wonder why, since all
I've done is sit my bum on the couch, watch olympics, eat, and work on the laptop. But I zonked out for about an hour, woke up even more tired than before I fell asleep! So this evening I decided I needed a break. I drew a warm bath, loaded it with some lavendar, epsom salts, coconut bubble bath and climbed in. I may fall asleep right here! I've been neglecting my beauty habits too. So I decided I should throw on my green mask as well, sure wish I had some cucumbers! The only bad part is eventually I'll have to get out of the tub. But for right now, it feels like pure heaven!

Night time is not party time!

I do not know why miss kangaroo feels the need to throw a party in my tummy when I go lay down at night. I mean, I spend all day lounging on the couch in various positions. Party then! But now, she likes to wait until I'm all comfy in bed and drifting. Then she starts the full on crazy kicks that rock my belly. It is sleepy time, do you want me to sing? I doubt it!

Surviving Bed Rest....not a simple task!

Bed rest, it sounds like SO much fun doesn't it! You're pregnant, you're tired, laying in bed or on the couch all day sounds like a dream. I mean, really, how many of us have negative associations with lounging in bed? You always want a nap when you're pregnant!

Week 1

I'm working from home, so I've ordered a new laptop, the one I have is barely able to log-in to the internet. I have tons of images to edit and photo-books to make, I should be able to get it all accomplished. In the meantime, I'm carefully considering the 600 channels we pay for each month. But, there is nothing worth watching -- I have lots of movies and an entire season of Vampire Diaries to watch. I have plenty of books to finish, you know the kind, you start one, read a few chapters, decide it's not what you're in the mood for and put it down. Yes, I have 4 of those. I get all caught up on the emails sitting in my inbox, call all my friends, leave messages, tell everyone that this isn't so bad...yet, after all, this is only week 1!

My doctor said I'm not allowed to cook. clean, take care of my 3 year old, stand up too long, sit upright, do the ditty, basically, my bum has to be in bed or on the couch. The only thing I'm really allowed to do is go to the bathroom. Makes me wish my bathroom was on the opposite side of the house, not 10 steps from the couch. Sometimes, I cheat and walk around the kitchen before going to the loo. But the wardens here always tell me to get back to my perch! The meanest warden is the 3-year old! "Momma, you're not supposed to be standing, you're on bed rest!"

29-week Bump

Here I am, 29-weeks along, still enjoying my bed rest, but I just can't stop the belly photos!  

GO away Sinus Infections

I had to go to my GP today, because I have had a nasty sinus infection for almost a month now.  It is my 7th, since being pregnant.  I mean, really, 7 sinus infections?  Isn't that a bit overkill?  Normally, I could put up with a sinus infection, but this one has caused my ear canal to swell, therefore blocking it. Which means I can't really hear out of my left ear.  It feels almost like there is something just hanging out in there and I could just reach in and pull it out.  Going to the doctor today, Carter told everyone that I was on bed rest & he wouldn't let me out of his sight, he had to make sure I wasn't being a "naughty mommy".  So not only do I have my mom and my hubby on my case, I now have a 3-year old!

Can't I catch a break? :)

Working on Baby Kangaroo's Room

I asked hubby to hang up the curtain rod in Baby Kangaroo's room so we could start getting some of it ready.  I had found these curtains at Target and I LOVE them!  I cannot wait to reveal her room, but it's not even close to being done.  This is just the beginning.  Thankfully, we already had the room painted Pink and brown JUST in case

Well it has started

As I lay here on the couch, I realize that I have as problem.  My pants are all too tight.  You know, my comfy workout shorts, my lounging PJs, all too tight.  It's only going to get worse over the next 8 weeks.  Since I'm not exercising, I'm only eating.  I had to ask my Mom to go pick me up some larger pants *cries*  This makes me want to schedule a Maternity photo session ASAP!  and I found some photos of one that I love & she was on bed rest too.  I'm hoping with a little makeup and some cute clothes I'll be able to pull it off too!

http://www.carmanandpugh.com/blog/2012/03/18/beautiful-inhome-maternity-session-akron-portrait-photographers/

A little Wii

There was a 50/50 Chance...

That I'd end up on Bed rest with #2, well guess what... that day has come! My 50/50 chance has now been shot to a 100% chance of Yes. On 7/17, I went to the doctor for my normal every two week cervix check, I've been going every two weeks since the end of June. In June my dear cervix was 3.9cm, & on 7/17, it was 2.9cm, naughty cervix!!. Here's a bit of info for you, your cervix is where the uterus (womb) opens into your lady parts (I'll spare you the technical words or something that might make you giggle. The cervix during pregnancy should be in the range of 3-5 cm. Obviously, 2.9cm isn't much less than 3, but in the last 5 weeks mine keeps decreasing in length, and it will probably continue to do so! Since we went through this same thing with Carter, I knew it could happen. Only difference was, I was 32 weeks when I went on bed rest with him and I'm 28 weeks now. 4 extra weeks of bed rest! Killer!! But I have goals! Sadly, my first goal is still 4 weeks away, but after yesterday, I know this girl and I can do it!

Lets go back to the 17th. I got sent over to L&D for monitoring and those lovely Betamethasone (steroid) shot to mature baby's lungs, I remember them from CK too. I don't like needles, and I especially don't like these, the Betamethasone burns as it finds it's way into your body. But it's all worth it! Steroids help speed up the development of your baby's lungs and some other organs, which greatly increases her chances of survival. And being only 28 weeks, I'm going to need all the help I can get. She needs to grow more! To make me even more happy to be in there, they gave me a shot of Terbutaline, which is used to delay preterm labor for 48 hours to allow for fetal lung maturity through steroid injections. This is not something I'd wish on my worst enemy! Basically for the next 90 minutes you feel like a crack whore. I'm sure if I'd had the time to research it, I'd have said no thanks, considering the manufacturers urge you not to use it for preterm labor. But who has time to do these things when you're having contractions 7 minutes apart at 28 weeks. Thankfully, my contractions stopped and I was finally allowed to go home, promising that I'd be back the next day for round two of the Betamethasone shot & some more monitoring! Lucky me! When I went back the next day, everything was good, no contractions! The worst part about me saying no contractions is that unless I'm hooked up to that machine, I'd never know I was having a contraction anyway! I just can't feel them! Couldn't with Carter, still can't! That is probably the scariest part of this entire thing.


Back to the goals,my first goal is 32 weeks. If I make it there, it will be 34, then she's free to come anytime after 36 weeks. Only downside is I'm 45 minutes from my doctors hospital, one of the best in the state and they have an awesome NICU. Plus both baby and I could be there, unlike if I had to go to one of the hospitals out by me, baby would be transferred and I'd have to stay. So I'm hoping all goes well.  I know what you're all thinking after reading that I'm 45 minutes away from my hospital, I've gotta be crazy not to pick a different/closer doctor, but I LOVE my OB!!  She is awesome.  Then, the rest of you are thinking, 45 minutes is PLENTY of time to get to the hospital, but let me tell you, if my water breaks at home, you'll be seeing my face on the 6:00 news as to WHY there was so much traffic on the 101, because some lady was having a baby.  I will not make it.  I will spare you the time on my last labor, I do not want hate mail.


Bed rest sucks, this is my 3rd day? I'm trying to find things to keep me occupied, sadly, all the things I want to do I cannot! I must either be in bed, or on the couch. Not fully sitting upright, but not flat on my back. I can lay on my sides, or sit reclined. I'm AM enjoying the fact that I can get up and pee, but that's all I get to do, and it's a struggle having a 3 year old. But with both my mom and my MIL living in the same town as me, it makes it so much easier. Basically whoever doesn't have CK, has me. lol

I'm a slacker...

Its been over a year since I've posted on here.  You never know how busy life gets when you have kids!  As the grow older, you think, "I'll have more time", thats a lie, you have less!

It's common knowledge that I am again pregnant!  We are due October, 8, 2012 & are having a little girl!!  I'll go ahead and catch everyone up on the belly progressions as well as show you a photo of our Little Kangaroo.  Carter likes to call her Nugget.