Hospital Time

So, we are at the hospital. Ashley called me around 5pm and we headed on over. Right now Ashley is just trying to relax as much as possible as the contractions get stronger. She is doing great though.

Contractions, cont.

I called the doctor's office, and they're having me come in to "check things out." No real progression in contractions....except they're there!

Labor Begins

3:20 this morning...contractions (lightly) started. Started timing contractions at 4:20, lasting anywhere from 15-45 seconds and coming randomly between 5 and 15 minutes. Bryan went to work; I'm staying home with Shadow.

Currently: contractions slightly more powerful and coming every 5-8 minutes; still lasting only about 30 seconds each. Shadow is still beside me; once they last longer (over a minute), I'll call the doctor's office and see when they want me.

41 Weeks Today!

I've never thought I would be 41 weeks pregnant. Wow. I'm huge. I have kankles. I will have Bryan take a picture of me today to post.

Today is a relaxing Sunday. Bryan and I ate buttermilk flaky biscuts for breakfast. Then we went to church where everyone was surprised to see us (again). After worship, Bryan and I spent 40 minutes in Home Depot trying to find the right size wing nut. Now Bryan is at his mom's house shovelling dirt. I'm blogging (obviously); but I do need to put away laundry, clear off the kitchen table, go to Pick-N-Save for groceries, vaccum the family room...and drop off some boy baby clothes at Becky Wolniakowski's house (they have a 2 week-old).

I should sweep the floors, too. Dave Ramsey's online streaming will keep me entertained.

Saturday morning surprise

Nope, no baby yet.

Bryan was tickled to death when I rolled over, looked deeply into his eyes, and said "let's go out for doughnuts."

He had a chocolate long john and a crawler. I ate a custard-filled chocolate doughnut and half of a raspberry-filled jelly doughnut.

We spent the rest of the morning going to rummage sales and the library.

No signs...but all in good time

We were a little disappointed that our anniversary dinner of spinich-artichoke dip appetizer, the thai-curry chicken pasta, and the triple chocolate layered mousse cake did not intice our little girl to come into the world. But we enjoyed our dinner at The Cheesecake Factory!

Bryan and I split the appetizer, pasta and cake and still managed to take home half the meal! You can imagine our awe when we watched a 10 year-old-boy at the next table finish his (adult) sized pasta dish and his own slice of strawberry cheesecake (washing it all down with soda).

In other blogging news--we *temporarily* have a wireless laptop (thank you, American Family Insurance), and I will be using this a bit from home during my maternity leave. We will be following the Schulz's example of blogging from the hospital whenever we go (and when the labor pains are not too intense). Keep watching!

Our 4th Year

Happy Anniversary, Bryan! These four years have gone by so quickly...from Memphis to Milwaukee. I only wish our daughter was here to help us celebrate. I'll pick you up at 6, and then we can head to The Cheesecake Factory for dinner. I'm sooooo craving chocolate mousse cheesecake!

Possible Names

In case anyone was wondering...we've narrowed the names down to our Top 4.

Natalie-Katie-Rachel-Gretchen

Feel free to "vote" for your favorite by leaving a comment! The middle name will be Elizabeth.

Week 40

Yesterday was the 40th week of pregnancy. I still have a very pregnant and uncomfortable wife. No contractions as of today. I still think see will be born on our anniversary. Lots of walking only seem to be making Shadow very happy and content. Spicy food only seems to make little swimmer dance around.

39th week appointment

Well things are slowly moving along. Ashley is dilated to 2cm or so. A good improvement from last week. Our doctor set up an appointment for induction. If our little swimmer doesn't come on her own, then July 2nd is the date we make her arrive. Although Dr. Martenelli thinks she will see us before that.

Father's Day

Today after church Shadow and I went over to my ma's house for the day. We helped her out doing some chores and cleaning out her garage. Once the work was done we went for a drive around Germantown to see the flooding. I got to use my new gift my ma got me. Now we have the ability to take video. Thanks ma for my gift, I will try and use it often to video our little swimmer.

Here are some photos of the flooding, which was already going down. These photos are of a golf course near Germantown HS. There usually is a small creek going through, not a small lake.

Summer Cut

After breaking 75 degrees for the first time today, we decided it was time to give Shadow her summer cut.

She will sleep well tonight after 45 minutes of torture.

Dinner with the Gullicksens

Yesterday, Friday the 13th, was Daryl's last day of work with Bryan at the Milwaukee office. Daryl is an Optician, and he accepted a position at a Waukesha location. To celebrate this milestone, we took Daryl and his wife Karen out for dinner at The Charcoal Grill in New Berlin.

Bryan, Karen, and Daryl all ate the fish fry. I (Ashley) had the crispy chicken salad. Gretchen/Natalie/Katie/Rachel enjoyed her dinner!

Lazy Wednesday

Here's a shot of Bryan and Shadow last Wednesday after Bryan's longest day of the week
(he works until 7pm). Shadow had a hard day, too.

38 Weeks Front Shot

View from the front--my co-workers say I don't look pregnant from this angle!

38 week appointment

Bryan and I visited Anne yesterday.

She gave us the discouraging news that our little swimmer hasn't made new progress. (We're still .5cm dilated; the cervix is 50% thinned out). Anne said something about discussing induction options next week--but I'm thinking no. I've heard the induction drug pitocin is absolutely awful!

We'll just wait as long as we can.

Anne also said our daughter seems "stubborn"...I guess she's going to be a daddy's girl!

38 weeks

Yesterday was the start of the 38th week of pregnancy. Our little swimmer is not in a hurry to make her entrance into the world yet. Although, Ashley certainly is ready for her to come.

The weekend in the hospital

Well, don't jump the gun. We were at the hospital for our weekend express birthing class. We were there with about 5 other couples learning about labor pains, how to breathe correctly, and some basic childcare info. In all, the tour of the hospital and rooms was the best part. Now if Ashley can only remember how to breathe correctly when our little swimmer finally makes a break for the world.

Once we were home on Saturday, we had to head down to the basement as the tornado sirens went off. We got to play the dice game as Shadow slept. Amazingly, after about 10 inches or more of rain we have no leaks in the basement, and our sump pump has not even turned on. I guess it is good to be a little higher elevation then every one else.

Ashley's new boss

As read on American Family's district communication...

Jim Pucci
District #44 Manager


We are very pleased to announce the appointment of Jim Pucci as the District 44 Manager in Wisconsin East.

Jim grew up with American Family in Racine, Wisconsin, where his father, uncle, and brother have been American Family Agents. Jim began his agency career with American Family in 1995 here in Wisconsin East. As an agent, he qualified for numerous District, State, and Company campaigns. In 2003, Jim became a company sales trainer in Oregon. Then, in 2005, he became the District 509 Manager in Oregon. District 509 achieved several All American and Life Diamond awards, led the State in Retention, and was the Regional All Lines Profit Leader. In addition, 28% of the District’s agents achieved the American Star Award.Jim and his wife, Jeannie, have a 7-month old daughter, Gianna. They are in the process of relocating and Jim’s office address will be 1011 N. Mayfair Road, S-205, Wauwatosa, WI 53226.

Please join us in welcoming Jim and Jeannie to our Wisconsin East Management Team and in wishing them the best of luck as they begin this new phase in their career with the American Family Insurance Group

37 Week Appointment

Here is a synopsis of what Bryan and I heard yesterday at our appointment:

"Dilation--maybe half a centimeter."

"That's one tall baby!"

Weight gain -- "healthy"

"It's my job to eat the twinkees!" (Bryan)

"Braxton Hicks need to start right about now...try eating spicy foods, eating pineapple, and walking quicker and longer each day."