Kathryn (Katie)

So we finally gave our little girl a name. She is Kathryn, but we will most likely call her Katie for short.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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."

A little scare leads to elevators and more orange juice

I love Anne and Patti (my OB and her nurse). In fact, I got to see them yesterday.

Yesterday morning, I did my normal routine of eating breakfast in bed, listening with Bryan to our morning radio, showering, and driving 8 minutes to work.

The stairs did it to me...after climbing 3 flights of stairs (as usual), I got really REALLY hot and had to sit down. I felt dizzy--like I was going to pass out--so I put my head down on my desk. After a few minutes I felt better, but not 100%; I called the OB office, and Patti advised me to come in that day for my bi-monthly appt.

Blood pressure was low: 100/60. And this was after I felt better!
Baby's heartbeat is fine.

Anne contributed the drop in blood pressure due to the weather shift (change in barometric pressure), climbing 3 flights of stairs, and not getting enough sugary-liquid. She thinks we're fine...no need for concern.

33 Weeks

Here is Ashley on Wednesday...33 weeks along. As of tomorrow (Sunday), she will hit the 34 week mark. We hit some yard sales this morning. Ashley bought a pair of maternity shorts and a tank top. Bryan bought a yellow sleep sack for our angel. Shadow stayed by dad and watched the birds.

31 weeks--we're almost there!

Sorry it has been so long since we've updated pictures. Here are Ashley and the Little Swimmer. As you can see in the background, we were watching American Idol last night. I'm glad Brooke staying another week.

24 weeks

Ashley had her monthly visit with Dr. Martinelli. Everything is proceeding as normal, but Ashley was quite shocked to hear that she gained 10 pounds over the last 4 weeks! Fortunately, this is a good weight gain since she's only gained 18 total pounds and the pregnancy is more than halfway through.

The baby's heartbeat is still coming in strong at 142.

23 weeks

Here are Ashley and Baby Girl Bell at 23 weeks.

3AM Hunger Pains

I'm 22 weeks into my first pregnancy, and I had an insatiable hunger at 3am this morning! Could our swimmer be eating more than usual? We had a filling dinner last night (tuna melts and salad), and I was really full...my then this morning I was so hungry that I contemplated getting out of bed to have my morning bowl of cereal. I didn't leave the bed, though...I was cozy-warm. But I did toss and turn until our 6:30 alarm went off. Then I had my whole-grain flakes & granola cereal.

20 weeks

Pictures of Ashley at 20 weeks along.