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Hello there. My name is Jen. I met my hubby while I was living in IL and Carter was living in Denver. We met through the internet in 1998. We were just chatting away in a room and pretty soon it was just he and I. After months of talking and emailing, we decided to take a chance and meet. He flew to St. Louis and we met. Well, it was pretty much done that we were going to be together after that first meeting. He flew to St. Louis every month to see me and I finally flew to Denver in May 1999. That was the last trip that I would be taking with us being apart. The next month, he came to my town and I moved out to Denver to be with him. I loved it in Denver. I did miss my family and friends, but soon became very acustomed to the beauty and fun Denver had to offer.

We lived together for a year and we finally decided to take the plunge. In July of 2000, we were on our way to Kauai, Hawaii for the wedding of a lifetime. We were married on the shores of Hanalei Bay in Princeville, HI on July 21, 2000. We stayed at 8 glorious days at the Princeville Resort on the North Shore. I did not want to leave that fairy tale place. It was like a dream. Waking up to sunrise and waterfalls every morning.

We had always talked about having a child together. I have 1 from my previous marriage and Carter has 2 from previous relationships. It just never happened for us in Denver. I don't know, maybe it was the altitude..lol. In 2005, we had to make a tough decision and move back to IL to be with my family. My father has been up and down with his heart and my family needed me. Thankfully, he is still with us and I sure do hope he gets to see this baby! I am glad I am here for family as my brother has 3 babies, Nick who is 3, Zach is 2 and Mia is 8 months. He also has a a 17 year old! Talk about diversity. I do miss Denver and my husband really does. He has never really lived anywhere else buy Oakland, CA where he was born and Denver. It has been a big adjustment for him. All we have here is corn! No mountains for sure!

So, the 2005 and 2006 years went by. In early February 2007, I just felt funny. I know my body pretty well and I knew for certain I was pregnant. I went and got the EPT tests (2 of them). It was positive! I was so excited. My husband and my son were in shock! I don't think Carter believed it until I went to the dr. and they confirmed the pregnancy. Unfortuantely, I never got to my first pre-natal appointment. I suffered a miscarriage a day before I was to go the my obstetrician. It was very hard for us to accept. It hurt like hell and hurt worse emotionally. I did not think I would get pregnant again. Boy, was I wrong! My dr. said that you are most fertile the next 3 cycles after a miscarriage. On the 3rd cycle in July (July 4th to be exact) I conceived. I knew it the day it happened! Sure enough, I took a test at the end of the month and it was positive! I prayed I would make it through that magic number of week 12!

October 11th-2007-Finally, we are in the 2nd trimester! We are very excited about our expected arrival. We are hoping it is a girl as I have a son who is 16 and my husband has 2 boys! Time for some estrogen balance in this home! Hopefully we will know soon the sex, only a few more weeks until my next appointment and we'll probably know.

October 12, 2007-I went and got unisex onsies at a garage sale today! I could not resist. I also found an adorable blanket and bumper with jungle animals all over it. It is just too cute. This could be for a boy or a girl. I will take pictures when I start the nursery here soon to show.

October 18, 2007- Well, I have called my Dr. office asking for a level 2 ultrasound. My husband and I have opted not to do the amnio test nor the AFP or triple screen. However, I would like to have the ultrasound done to prepare us if anything is wrong with our baby. I sure hope not, but in the event there is, we would like to be prepared. I also asked them when I am in there at my Oct 29 appt, if I could find out the sex. We would like to know as my father has been very ill and I have no idea how his health will hold up. My mom said that it would be nice for Dad to know in case. I think so too. So, we are going to find out the sex of our baby at my appointment and I am so excited. I did not get that chance with my first son. They would not do an ultrasound for that purpose (insurance reasons). Will I be buying pink or blue?? hmm...we'll see!

October 31, 2007 - Its a girl!!! Boy, what a day the 30th was. It started off great, then I got a HUGE scare. I went to the bathroom and there was pindrop or two of blood. I did not know where it was coming from. I was so scared. I called my husband and he said call the Dr. I called them and they said to come in earlier than I was scheduled that day. I picked up my husband and off we went to the OB. I was called back by the nurse. I always give my urine to check for protein. While doing that, I had what looked like little pieces of blood when I went to the bathroom. I showed the nurse. She said Dr. will examine me. I just was sick with worry as my husband was too. Dr. came in and checked me. No blood in vaginal area and cervix completely closed! Thank God! He thinks I have a bladder infection or UTI. We were sooo happy. So, Dr. wanted us to have sonogram anyway to check baby and we get to find out gender! My husband asked me "are you ready". I said hell yes!!! The sonographer had a really hard time getting the baby to cooperate. She was jiggling my belly all over the place, having me turn on my left side, nothing would make baby open its legs! Finally, she caught a glimpse of 3 lines between the legs. She said she was 90% sure it was a girl! She stated that she should have seen something of evidence for a boy like a penis or scrotum and she couldn't see that. She showed us the 3 little lines. We were so excited, but yet still numb from what we had just went through with the blood. I don't think either of us were right until we went to lunch at Subway after the Dr. appt. It finally sank in that night after telling our parents, my brother and sister-in-law and my aunt. We are so happy and hope the sonographer was right!!! Yipee...

November 4, 2007- Well, I went out and bought my first baby outfits brand new. I have gotten so many clothes at garage sales and from my sister-in-law so far. I just wanted to go buy new things now that we know it is a girl. We got onesies. They are purple and 1 has polka dots and says "Butterfly kisses". I got them at the JC Penney sale today. The cutest thing I got though were the baby booties. They are for 0-3 months and they are sooo little!! They are purple with little flowers on the top of the bootie. Sooo cute! My husband said "honey, these are so little". I said yes, honey, we forget how little a baby is!!! My mom is so excited. She is waiting and going to buy us the going home outfit. I can't wait to see what we pick out! I know one thing, it will be very frilly! My sister-in-law has so much for me. It is perfect timing as her baby Mia is 8 months old. Our baby will get a lot of what Mia has outgrown. She is giving me a swing, a car seat (Mia did not like that car seat for some reason), a bouncy chair..We are so fortunate to have a sister with a baby and at that a baby girl! I have so much right now, I am holding off on buying anything else for clothes. They outgrow them soo fast and I know I'll get quite a bit at the baby shower.

December 16, 2007-I have not updated my page in awhile, so thought I needed to do this! Since November, things have been going pretty well. We got to see our baby again November 27th and wow, what a change! She has grown so much. She is all legs like her mommy. I am now 26.5 weeks. I have my sugar test on Wed. Ugh! I hope everything is ok. I hate needles, so this is not going to be fun. But, you have to do what you have to do. Anything for my baby. I am starting to bud out in my belly! I think I still look pudgy instead of looking pregnant. My mom said yesterday that I look more pregnant now than a couple of weeks ago. I am 6'1 and I carry more like a watermelon than anything. Olivia Kathryn has decided to camp out transverse in my belly. (thats her name) Lord, I pray that she turns head down soon! She has been transverse since the 1st day we saw her on ultrasound! She likes kicking back in my belly and taking it easy in there~ Hee Hee. In 2 weeks, we get our 3D ultrasound. They will chart the growth and make sure baby is doing good. My hubby is becoming more and more excited about the pregnancy every day. We went and bought a beautiful baby bed. We went to a second hand shop that has things that look brand new. It is a gorgeous cherry bed. The whole baby room is in cherry. I am decorating in pinks, purples, yellows. I think Olivia's room will be sooo pretty when its done! Well, thats about it for now. I will update when I get my sugar test results back! Adios!

January 3rd, 2008-Happy New Year to everyone! Well, my blood sugar was perfect. 96! I could have up to 130, so I was really relieved. We went yesterday to our 3D ultrasound scan. The good news is all of the parts seems to be in place on baby and doing fine. The bad news is we did not see her pretty little face! She was hiding from us. Her face was pointed at my spine. We tried to get her to move, but she just would not budge. Then, my Dr. came in and did the scan for his viewing and to make sure everything looked good. He tried to get her to move and she just would not. Then her knees and hands were covering her face. So, we are going to try and get her in 2 weeks. I hope she has moved by then! I am feeling pretty good, aside from being tired and somewhat dizzy at times. Dr. is going to keep an eye on this for high BP signs. I am on Aldomet and this seems to be working pretty well. My pressure ws 146/82 on the 2nd, so we'll see in a couple of weeks if this is holding or going up. They were not concerned with that number right now. If the bottom number goes above 90, then they worry. So, if they are not concerned, I am not going to be either. Anyway, I will update in a couple of weeks when I go to visit Dr. again!

January 19th, 2008-Ok, where do I start from? I guess I'll start with here I am in week 31 and closing in down the home stretch. I cannot believe in just weeks, our baby girl will be here with us. We went to the Dr. this past Tuesday for my check up. I am going every 2 weeks but after this next visit on Jan 29th, it will be every week for me. This last visit was a good one. The baby is growing as expected and everything is looking good at this point. On the 29th, we get to see baby again. Let's hope we get to see her face this time! She is being a stinker! hee hee. My BP is 136/84, so holding its own. Hurrah! I am really starting to bloom out now. I bet she is 4 lbs when I go back. She was 3lbs 1 oz on the 2nd of Jan. I am having my shower this coming Sunday, the 27th. I am very excited. It should be a lot of fun! I have changed the nursery from the original plan. I went with a beautiful theme of butterflies, flowers and dragonflyus. It came from Babies R US. That store has such cute things! I am registered there as well as Wal Mart to give my gift givers a little choice. The nursery is coming together very nicely. I need a changing table still and a few pictures, but I hope I get this with my shower! The curtains went up last week. My mom and I went shopping and she bought the curtains that match the bed set at Babies R US. I am resting up a whole lot right now. I figure I am not going to get much of this when little Olivia arrives in this world. I am really trying to take good care of myself especially in these last weeks. My husband is so sweet. He tells me to not do anything and just make this baby. He is a doll. I don't know what I would do without him. We are going to be great parents to her. This will enrich and be such a blessing in our family. My son is getting excited (even though this teenager would not come out and say it!). I know he is looking forward to having a sibling in the house! Our house will certainly be busy after she comes. Even more so than it is already! My Dad is hanging in there. I pray he will see my baby girl and get to hold her. It is a very exciting but scary time right now. I am just thrilled to being a mom again, but at the same time feeling like Gee, I hope I am half as patient and good as I was with my son, Seth. I have so many emotions about the whole thing. My husband does too. I know both of us will shower her with love and affection, but we do realize there will be up and down days. Just like anything we enounter now~ It is overwhelming to think a little girl is going to be totally dependent on us just like when we had our kids so long ago. I hope that God blesses us with a healthy, beautiful baby girl. I so love her, I can't even put it into words. I think about kissing her little forehead and her little hands and feet. Tickling her little belly and guiding her into this world. What will she look like? Who will she become? What surprises do we have in store for us? All of these questions will be answered all in good time. Well, going to go for now. Have a blessed Sunday.

February 1, 2008-First day of February and that much closer to my baby girl coming into the world! Snowed in today. We got 12 inches of snow overnight, so my son is home. My hubby is home too as he has the flu..no fun allowed with that! I feel for him. I just pray I don't get it. We both had our flu shot, but if it is a different strain, you have chance of getting it anyway. We went to my appt on January 29th. All looking good so far. A sonogram was done. She is growing properly. The femur scared me and my husband a little bit. It is measuring 31 weeks while the abdomen and head are at 32 weeks. I was told there is nothing to be concerned about since measurements at this stage can be off as much as 3 weeks. They said as long as I am in the week range, it is considered normal. Yeah, try telling that to me. I am such a worry wart. I called the Dr. office back after a couple of days after my appointment to get exact measurements again. See, I am a worry wart! Anyway, she gave them to me and said that this is ok. Don't worry. She said that early on like in the 15 weeks sonogram, that is more accurate. I was measuring within 3 days there on everything. The one on January 2nd was within a week and this one was within a week for the femur. If they are not concerned, then I should not be. BUT, I am going to ask Dr. G. at my next appt on 2/12 if he suspects ANYTHING is wrong that he can see. Surely he would say something, right? He was not concerned and he said my baby is just fine. I can't wait until this is over and I have her safely in my arms. These last weeks are a killer for nerves! We got a 3D shot of her profile. She has a rather small nose, so thinking she has my nose. It sure looks like my nose. She was sucking her hand in the sonogram! It was sooo damn cute. The profile has her hand in her mouth. She sure likes to use her hands a lot. She is a wiggle worm!

I had my shower on January 27th. It was so neat. Everyone got Olivia such nice things to wear and play with. She got the cutest book called "The Quietest Cricket" and it chirps in the book. Too neat! Her clothes situation is out of control. She has SO much to wear, I hope we can fit it all in for her to wear. It is all too cute for her not too! Watch, I'll have 3 outfits a day on her..and that is without spitting up! That is why it is so great to have a girl. Mommy and Daddy can play dress up on her!! Seth seems to be getting more and more excited. As the nursery is almost complete and things are getting down to the wire, he is seeing this baby as a reality. That he is really going to have a sibling! It will be a neat thing for him to experience and I think our family will really form an even stronger bond. Well, bye for now and I am going to post pics of the nursery and my fat belly soon! Love and hugs to all! Jenny

2/14/08-Happy Valentines Day everyone! Well, my Dr. appointment went good. We discussed the timeframe for having Olivia if I went over my due date. The Dr. said he would like to deliver her around 39 weeks if I want to. That would be 3/19/07! I really want it to happen naturally but I am not ruling an induction out. I went a week over with my son but Dr. says that since it has been so long since I had him, it really would not apply in this case. He said he will check me next time and from now on. Dr. G says that he can tell me how I am progressing in my cervix and if I will make it to the due date or not. I hope my cervix changes a lot in the coming weeks and she comes before my due date! I really don't want the induction due to the fact you have to stay in bed. I would like the option of a birthing ball, the whirlpool tub in the room and walking! I think it will help my labor progress better and be better for baby. I know it is going to be painful, so I am not ruling out an epidural when the needs comes. We discussed the baby aspirin I am on each day. We will continue with that for a little while longer. I am taking this for high blood pressure risk and miscarriage. Apparently, research has shown to help with pre-eclampsia risk and miscarriage. I am in the last stages of preparation for our little bundle of joy! Things left I need are a diaper genie, a changing table and bottles! I plan to get those here in the next week or 2. As far as clothes, supplies, we are good! I have her things packed in my bag for coming home. I have 3 outfits picked out (1 in case she messes, 1 in case the others don't fit and 1 extra for safety. I have headbands, booties, socks, diapers, wipes, caps. I think we are good on bringing her home! Now, I just need to put my stuff in there. I am rounding up things like pads, things I want for the hospital like magazines, hard candy/lollipops on a stick. I say the hard candy on a stick b/c our hospital asks that we have candy in the forms of lollipops, etc. That will reduce the choking hazard. I can totally understand that one! We are getting so excited to see our little girl! I need to enjoy these last weeks and rest plenty! I will need it since I am breastfeeding! One thing I am doing is renting a breast pump from Walgreen's. It is a good deal. $30 per month. I plan on breastfeeding for a couple to 3 months. I plan to pump so my hubby can feed her too! Then after a few months, I will change to formula. We'll see how it goes. I may just keep breastfeeding! It is SO good for baby! I am having really vivid dreams. Some of them are VERY scary. I don't like them at all! Well, I go back to Dr. on Tuesday the 19th and every week therafter. I need to mentally prepare myself for the internal exams! Ugh! Me no likes those! They hurt! I just need to relax and breathe, just like labor! Everyone have a great night. Jenny

March 2, 2008- Hi everyone! It's getting down to the nitty gritty now! Only about 3 weeks to go until my due date. I do believe I will go early but what do I know? The Dr. said he would induce me at 39 weeks if I wanted him to. We'll see how I am progressing at my next visit this Tuesday. I am 1cm dilated right now (per my last visit on Tues). I am not effaced so maybe this exam I will have made some more changes. My Dr. said he can only predict within 7 days if I will most likely go into labor. My husband is really getting excited. Now that the time is counting down he is just all about the baby! I think he is nervous too. Who wouldn't be?? :) Olivia is growing. We have not had a measurement on her since 32 weeks but I can tell. Her movements are much bigger and I can feel her body parts more. I actually felt a little foot the other day! It was soooo awesome! Carter and I are imagining what she will look like. Will she have Daddy's dark hair, my green eyes?? It is just so exciting to know she is going to be here soon. She is being a real wiggle worm today. She is poking my groin on the right side and it hurts!!! It is almost surreal to me that I am going to have this baby in less than a month. A little tiny being is going to be in our house, part of us...it is just so overwhelming at times. In a good way I must say!! I can't wait to hold her and kiss her little face. My husband is just so anxious to hold her and get her to smile soon! He is all about the smiles! He does have a way with babies. Babies know if you like them or not, you know what I mean??

I had a scare on Thursday. I ate dinner on Wed night and I did NOT feel good at all. I felt dizzy and had been that way most of the day. I just felt weird. I passed it off as best as I could. I took an allergy pill because I had a nasty cold and was just getting over that. I thought it might have something to do with that. The next day I still did not feel good. I decided to call the Dr. I had my upper lip twitching, dizzy and just plain felt bad. The Dr. wanted me to go to L&D right away. So, my Carter came home and got me and off we went. They were looking for signs of pre-eclampsia. Naturally, blood had to be drawn. Ugh! I have to say I was a brave girl that day. I knew it had to be done and I just could not get excited about it. Well, she believed me when I told her I had crappy veins. She took the blood by syringe which is a more accurate way to get it out of those whose veins roll, etc. I was put on the monitor for my BP and baby HB. The baby's heartbeat was sooo cool. It ranged anywhere from 120-170. When she moved is when it went up. It was pretty neat to see it. Anyway, my liver enzymes and platelets were just fine. Whew! I was allowed to go home. I am to rest as much as I can until I see my Dr. on Tuesday. They think that it is because I am nearing my due date it is causing my BP to go up at certain times but, not pre-eclamptic. It is coming down to the wire and my body is just undergoing a lot of physical stress. I have not had swelling or anything so I am lucky thus far. I am going to ask Dr. if he thinks I could have a touch of Bell's Palsy. With it comes twitching in the face and dizziness. It happens with coming off a cold and the risk is increased due to pregnancy. I really think this is what I have. It is benign but scary!! We'll see what my Dr. says on Tuesday. I hope I have made changes in my cervix!

Oh, 1 more thing. I bought the changing table and I think we will really love it. It comes in about 7 days! It is cherry and has a drawer with 2 shelves. I am excited to get it up. This is the final touch before the baby comes! I am so excited and yet full of anxiety about how the birth will go. I just want to be ok along with my baby. I hope everyone is doing ok. Have a great Sunday. Jennifer

March 17th, 2008-Well, here I sit and no baby girl yet! We just got home from my husband's birthday dinner. Oh, it was so good. We went to Outback and had a killer filet mignon! For dessert (of course the most fun of the dinner) was a chocolate thunder dessert! Oh too good! It is kind of neat having his birthday on St. Patrick's Day. He never needs to look for a party! Although, there has not been too much partying this year but, that is for a very, very special reason! Next year...we will go to our city parade and have a good ole time!!!!

We have everything done. The nursery is ready to go. The changing table looks so good in there. It is made really well and we will get much use out of it even after Olivia grows out of her diapers. Secretly, I don't want her to though~! That means my baby is getting big and I want her to stay little and innocent for as long as possible! My little girl....awww..I think I'm gonna cry now! I am so anxious about the labor and delivery part. I just want everything to go okay and for her to be okay. My fears have been many this pregnancy. God has blessed me with a very good pregnancy considering my AMA status..(LOL)! I think of everything that could have went wrong and I really was blessed. I hope that continues for the remainder of how long I am pregnant and beyond delivery! I am so excited to see her. She has been hiding for all the pregnancy with us only catching a glimpse of her profile on a 3D scan. She looks like she has a perfect little nose! Carter says she will have a bunny nose like mine.

I go for my 39 weeks check up tomorrow. Don't know what will happen?! I think my Dr. will want me to bail out of the pregnancy if my BP is up. I don't think he wants to chance me developing any issues. Who knows? I guess I'll find out soon enough. We are going to discuss the way I have been feeling. Not good in the last week. I have had such heartburn. It has hurt so bad. I've developed a cough from the GERD. Not a good thing. Don't get me wrong. I am not complaining! If this is all I have had to deal with, then so be it..but nonetheless, it is painful! I still eat..I have to. I need to be strong for the labor and baby Olivia needs to put on her finishing touches!

We are so excited to meet her. I just keep picturing her in my mind and it is hard to wrap my head around it. MY baby, OUR baby will be here in our life. I just never thought that I would be a mother again. I am so thankful to have that chance again. I have been blessed with a beautiful boy who has grown into a fine, fine young man. Now, I have the chance to mold a daugther into a strong, young woman. I just cannot believe sometimes that we are actually doing this! My hubby says "Well, get used to it honey, she is here to stay"!! I think he is just beaming over with excitement and pride. I know he is going to be a wonderful Daddy again. He just loves children so much. I am so very fortunate to have him in my life. We have been through some very, very dark times together in the last 5 years. We have been together for almost 9 but the last 5 have been incredibly tough. I do hope that when our daughter comes she will shed an even brighter light on our lives! Isn't that any families wish with a new child? It seems sooo very surreal that she is going to be in our home crying, laughing, pooping, sleeping...you get the picture! We have not had a baby in our life in so long I am just in disbelief sometimes! Is this REALLY happening to us?? Does anyone else ever feel this way?

Well, now that I have bored everyone to tears with my rambling, I'm going to go. I will update tomorrow! Hugs, Jenny