Mommy to be...Daddy to be... Big Brother "Louie"....

How it all began...

Nate and I met 10 years ago when we were still sophmores in high school. We didn't start dating until the last week of high school. We've been together ever since! We were married in 2005 and had a beautiful wedding with all our family and friends. We always new that we both wanted to have children right away. We started trying for a baby right away. Well...all that "trying" didn't get us pregnant and finally we decided to just let it happen when it was going to happen. We got pregnant in June of 2006. We were so excited and nervous! Unfortunately, at my 16 week checkup they could not find a heartbeat. (We had heard it previously at our 12 week visit). It turned out I had a partial molar pregnancy. There was a baby but there was also a large mass of abnormal cells and my placenta was very enlarged. I had a D&C my 17th week of pregnancy. We were devastated. We never imagined that something like that would happen to us. On top of the miscarriage, I was faced with the possibility that the partial molar pregnancy could be cancerous (which can happen in rare cases). I had to have my hormones checked every week for two months and then every month for 9 months after that. On top of both of those, I found out that I was probably exposed to the baby's blood and had become Rh sensitized (I have negative blood and my husband has positive blood). The doctors informed me that this would effect all future pregnancies with positive blood type babies). I had to be on birth control to make sure that I didn't get pregnant during the time they were checking my hormones. Which actually was probably a good thing because it gave us time to greive and recover from the loss we had suffered. Luckily, Nate and I have a great support group and our friends and family were always there for us. In May of 2007, I was told I didn't need to come back anymore for blood tests and I didn't need to worry about cancer! I was SO relieved. Nate wanted to try to start getting pregnant again right away. I was very hesitant. I had just started a new job and I was so worried of what to expect in the next pregnancy...miscarriages, partial molar pegnancies, being Rh sensitized....I just didn't know what to expect and wasn't sure I was ready for the stress of high risk pregnancy.

Well...in the beginning of August of 2007 I hadn't gotten my period when I was supposed to (mine always came like clockwork). I right away thought there might be a chance that I was pregnant. I decided to take a pregnancy test after I got home from work...sure enough it said "Pregnant." I brought the test out and showed Nate. He said "Really??" and I was like "I know, can you believe it? Do you think I should take another one?" I honestly just could not believe I was pregnant again. We weren't even really trying and I didn't think we had done anything during the time I thought I would be ovulating...I seriously just could not believe it. Well, I took a test the next day just to convince myself this was real. ..... I was absolutely terrified and wasn't sure if I could let myself be excited because I was afraid of getting my hopes up again. Nate said he felt the same way, but that we needed to stay positive.

We went to our checkup at 8 weeks and they explained the complications of a pregnancy where you are Rh sensitized. They told us we would eventually need to go see a specialist. Everything was going fine and they weren't worried about another partial molar pregnancy. So...at 12 weeks we saw a specialist who suggested we have an amnio at 16-18 weeks so they could determine what the baby's blood type was. Nate and I had debated the idea of having an amnio for weeks and by the time we got to the appointment date, I had decided I DID NOT want amnio. I was terrified that something might happen and regardless if the baby was positive or negative I couldn't stand making a decision that could hurt him or her.

At that appointment we had our first u/s. At the moment I saw the baby I fell in love. At the appointment they told us that we were having...a girl!!! Up to that point we thought we were having a boy...I couldn't have been more excited. I laid there as I saw my little girl kick and squirm and move her arms all around. From that moment on I couldn't believe that Nate and I were going to have a little daughter of our very own. Since we decided not to do amnio they said we would have to come back everyweek for an u/s to montior our little girl for anemia (caused by the Rh sensitization). Each week we get to see our little baby grow and get to see her move all around. Right after Thanksgiving I felt our little girl kick for the first time. I couldn't believe that I was actually feeling a baby kick inside me. I was elated! In December we finally decided on a name. I didn't want to keep referring to her as "the baby" or "her." We decided on Josephine (Nate calls her Joey). The weekend before Christmas, Nate got to feel Joey kick for the first time. I think he couldn't believe he could actually feel her. I was so excited for him because up to that point he kept saying he was so jealous because I got to feel her.

So....the month of January brought lots more great pictures of our little daughter and stronger kicks and punches to my tummy. You can actually see my tummy moving as she moves about! Other than the Rh sensitization, it has been a very easy pregnancy. I haven't had morning sickness...just the horrible constant heartburn and stuffy nose (which Nate hates because I have gone from "cute snoring" to "obnoxious-keeping-your-husband-up-at-night-snoring."

We are in week 30 now! I can't believe it. I feel so relieved we've gotten to this point and I actually feel like this is all going to happen. In just weeks we are going to have a little baby girl of our very own. I sit and think all the time.."what is she going to look like, what is she going to smell like, what's her cry going to sound like, what's her little fingers going to look like..." I just can't wait to meet her. My love for her grows every minutes and I can't imagine my heart could get any fuller than it is right now. We are working on the nursery and with each addition it makes me want her here even more. I know that Nathan will be the best daddy a little girl could ask for. He is already so proud of her and so excited for her to be here. God has blessed us with the most beautfiul gift any two people could ask for....

Thank you to everyone that has been there for us and for our little Josephine...we all can't wait to meet her! Only 9 more weeks to go before we can see our little angel!

Week 31

We had our first doctors appointment since we transferred our care completely to Maternal-Fetal Medicine (Specialist for high-risk pregnancies). It was the usual weekly ultrasound and an OB visit. We saw a different doctor, which I was very nervous about since I really like my usual doctor. The appointment went well. No significant increases in anemia but they did talk again about the possiblity of early delivery. Next time we go to that location (on the 26th) it will be a 3 hour appointment. They set up a meeting with us and the NICU unit. We will get a tour of NICU and they will also talk to us about premature delivery and what to expect. It had me a little freaked out..still am...but that's okay because everything is going to be just fine! We have another doctor's appointment this coming Tuesday back at the usual place with my regular doctor. I'm anxious for that appointment as I want to get through weeks 32 and 33 with no problems! :) I did find out yesterday that our baby furniture is in and so we get that delivered next Wednesday!! I'm soo excited...now just need to get hubby to finish painting!!!

Monday, 18 Feb

Tuesday, 19 Feb

Week 33

Wednesday, 27 Feb

Saturday, 1 Mar

We had our 2nd appointment of the week today. Another U/S. Joey was VERY active today! I think she was making up for Tuesday `s appointment. Off to week 34 this weekend! How exciting!

Week 34

Tuesday, 4 Mar

We had our 34 week checkup today! It went very well. Her levels were really good--a lot lower actually so that is great news! So again, no talk of any type of transfusions at this point! :) She weighed in at 4lb 14oz! She `s getting so big! She was very squirmy during her appointment and wasn `t very cooperative! Right at the end she got the hiccups so we got to see her hiccuping! Cute! When they did hte 4D scan she stuck her tongue out at us! We got a cute picture of it--Nate of course thought it was very funny. She has VERY chubby cheeks--which Nate said she gets from me-and my nose too.So we go back on Friday for another check (YUK). Today was our last appointment in Edina, and now all our appointments will be in Mpls where we will be delivering...which is sad because I will miss meeting with my doctor and nurses there--I `ve seen them every week since the first week of November and like them very much!

Friday, 7 Mar

We had our 2nd 34 week checkup today. Joey was sleeping during the ultrasound and only scored a 5 out of 8 on her biophysical...AGAIN! This time she didn't make enough "Big" movements...but she was practice breathing and making small movements....so we had to do the NST again....I was very nervous we were going to have to get admitted again, but she woke up right away when we started the NST...I might have cheated a little. We watched the beginning of our Birthing Videos (bought that b/c we couldn't do the actual classes--but its still neat because its divided into 6 40 min classes anyways) and she told us about a breathing technique used during labor that can also be used to help stimulate the baby...basically picking a focal point and breathing in and out over and over--which delivers more oxygen to the baby--and usually will get them to wake up a bit...so I did that and she definitely WOKE UP! Pounding on my bladder like crazy! So, everything was fine and we got to go home....off to week 35!

Week 35

Tuesday, 11 Mar

Had our week 35 u/s & OB visit. Went very well and NO NST this time! YAY! She was very active during the ultrasound and was practice breathing too! Very glad! Did not want to have to do the NST again. Joey was VERY active right away this morning--kicking her mama like crazy! But can't complain! I like it when she's moving around--makes me smile and laugh! Gained 4 lbs since my last OB visit 2 weeks ago...depressing...but almost done. I have 2 showers this weekend and cannot wait! I'm SO excited for them! I went and bought an outfit yesterday--had every intention of getting a cute dress but when I saw my calves and my knees I decided pants were the way to go...I know I'd be paranoid about my legs the whole time so I decided to go with what made me feel cute & pretty! :) Felt dumb buying clothes at this point since were almost to the end...but nothing fits!

Friday, 14 Mar

Had our 2nd u/s of the week. Joey was sound asleep! She had her hand over her face and was making sucking motions--just totally passed out. I had to keep going from laying on my side to my back to wake her up. She finally did wake up (a little not much)--she moved her hands and feet around. She was grabbing at her feet. So no NST--doctor didn't even come in--just said we were free to go. Thank goodness! We are headed off to week 36!! So excited that the showers are this weekend! Can't wait! Oh, I wore my new jeans today and LOVED it! Missed wearing jeans---they are soo comfortable! Just wish I could I wear them everyday!

....Only 3 more weeks!!....

Week 36

Sunday, 16 Mar

We had a GREAT weekend!! We had two baby showers!! My mom/sister hosted the first and our good friends hosted the second one. My family shower was on Saturday and was a brunch (YUM!) We got a ton of wonderful things! Lots of cute clothes, a beautiful scrapbook, a car seat, some decor for the nursery....all great stuff!! My Aunt and little Cousin surprised me by coming in for it (all the way from Chicago!) That was a awesome surprise!! My grandpa in Texas also made a cradle and sent it up by Greyhound. It is gorgeous! It was a long party--from 10:30 until about 4 or so. Was definitely ready for a nap after all the fun! Sunday we had the shower with our friends. It was great to see everyone since we don't get to see them very often. We also got more great stuff!! A cute little chair, clothes, blankets and some fun toys!! Our friend Jake also brought his daughter who I haven't seen in about a year! She is getting SOO big--literally--she is really tall and seriously one of the smartest 3 1/2 year olds I've ever seen! She talks better than most adults I know! She kept asking me "Where is the baby? Can I see her?" So cute! Well...we have our next doctor appointment tomorrow...Week 36! Weird!! I'm really getting ready for this to be done and for Joey to be here already! Very uncomfortable and my feet are swollen and painful--not to mention my back....Can't believe we have three more weeks of this...we should find out tomorrow when we are going to be inducing! My mom is going to be gone the last week of March/first week of April...so HOPEFULLY its not that week b/c Joey can't come while grandma is out of town!!!!

Wed, 19 Mar

We had our 36 week checkup yesterday. They scheduled our induction date as April 7th!! Yay!! So now the countdown is on! Only 19 days to go!! That's so exciting!! And I think we are ready for her to come!! The good thing is that the induction is scheduled after my mom is supposed to get back into town--I can't even imagine having her while she is out of town!! Would be horrible! I had to do the Strep B test yesterday--so hopefully that comes back negative--I don't want to have to worry about anything else! Everything looked good at the appointment though and Joey is really getting big--I think my stomach grew over the weekend and you can see her moving now (big time!)! My stomach will get a bulge on the side that she's on and ripples when she moves--its really funny to watch! We go back to the doctor on Thursday (they are closed this Friday)...and then we will be off to week 37!! How weird is that?!

Week 37!

Mon, 24 Mar

I can't believe we are to week 37!! That's amazing! I never thought we'd get this far! Only 2 weeks left! We are scheduled for induction April 7th at 8:00 a.m.! I can't believe we have less than 2 weeks before we get to meet our little daughter Josephine! I can't wait to see her and hold her! We have our next doctors appointment tomorrow. We are getting down to the end--only like 4 more appointments! Can't wait for that! Sick of those dumb appointments for sure!

Tues, 25 Mar

Well we had our appt today! Everything went great and little Josephine is 6 lbs!! She is doing awesome and we only have three more visits before we finally get to see her!! I can't wait. Its hard to imagine we've come this far and we are down to such few appts.

Fri, 28 Mar

Today we had our 2nd doctor appointment of the week. I had stayed home today because I have been very sick--sore throat, coughing, etc. I can't wait to start feeling better--this is awful!! :( Our doctor appointment went extremely well. She was very active during the entire appointment, but took some time to show us her practice breathing. The doctor cancelled our appointment on Tuesday and is not having us come back until next Friday...weird...that means we only have one appointment left before little Joey comes!! I guess her doppler must have looked really good, otherwise I don't think they would have decided to cancel an appointment. Maybe this baby has O- blood! That would be a nice relief after she's born!

Week 38!

Sun, 30 Mar

We are in week 38! How weird is that!? I thought 37 sounded good, but 38 sounds amazing. Only one more week!! I can't believe it! I think we are pretty much ready for Joey to come--I can't think of anything else we could possibly need for her to come home. Grandma and Grandpa brought over the cradle and swing. The swing we got is awesome! It lights up and in the dark puts stars and moons all over the wall. Very neat! We still have a laundry list of other things we need to get done this week and Grandma Vaughan is going to be out of town all week so Joey has to wait until next weekend to come :) I can't wait to finally see her...I can't even sleep--and I still have 7 more days to go! Lastnight and the night before I slept for only 4 -5 hours because I'm so excited, I need to stop that so I can sleep because after this week I won't have any control over my sleeping habits anymore!

Thur, 3 Apr

It has been an interesting and exhausting week so far! I got a fever Monday afternoon and after calling the hospital I was told I would need to go in for observation. It was snowing really bad and so it took us FOREVER to get there. We were there for about 2 1/2 hours -which during that time my fever did go down. I found out I was having contractions as well and was 1 cm dilated already (which is very good news for the upcoming induction!). So we were sent home. Tuesday morning I woke up with a fever again and had to go back to the hospital. Again, the fever went down and after another 2 1/2 hours we went home again. Lucikly no fever again yesterday! I'm feeling a little bit better today and am back at work. Only one more day of work and one more doctor appointment tomorrow! How exciting! I can't believe its really a matter of DAYS not WEEKS before we see Joey. That's so exciting!!! I'm planning on getting the rest of my cleaning done this weekend and a pedicure--and then just get the bags packed. Mom came back from Indiana today, so really Joey can come anytime now and I don't have to worry about Mom missing anything! Thank goodness! I wouldn't mind if Joey decided to come early :) Like this weekend.... :) Its going to be the most exciting and crazy week of our lives next week and I can't wait...not sure how to sleep this weekend....I just can't wait to finally meet Josephine.

Fri, 4 Apr

Today was our LAST appointment! How exciting! I still remember the first appointment we had with the specialist in October. I remember driving back to work after the appointment and crying the whole time while talking to my mom. I had felt so scared and hopeless that something was going to happy to our little baby and just not not knowing what to expect. And he we are at the end of 38 weeks....strange how fast but slow the time had gone and how each week we didn't know what to expect. Now we are down to just a couple days...and now not worried that anything will be wrong, just worried about the actual Labor part!! I can't wait to finally see Joey's little face and kiss her and tell her how much we love her!