The Christmas Before Baby

Happy Holidays!!

It is hard to believe that Christmas is less than 2 weeks away. We were torn with what we wanted to do for gifts this year. In anticipation of the baby coming, there are a lot of things that we both have wanted to run out and buy. In an effort to not go crazy, we have come up with a small tradition that we hope to carry on for years to come. Over the past few years, there have been 2 stockings hanging in our living room. . . .this year we added a third one for the baby. We made a deal with one another that we would spend $20 to fill each others stocking, and then an additional $20 to get some goodies for Tootsie's stocking! The last few weeks have been a lot of fun as we sneak gifts in the house, get them wrapped, and shove them in the stockings. Both Pat and I are so anxious to rip those gifts open when we celebrate as our little family next week.

We also came to a very scary realization when looking at our Christmas tree this year. We have TONS of gifts under the tree already, how will we fit all the gifts we buy for the baby next year?? But, no need to worry, I will FIND a way to make them all fit!

Pat and I are looking forward to celebrating Christmas with our family and friends this year. We wish everyone a safe and wonderful holiday season!

Jamie & Pat

December Dr Updates

We are blessed with another round of positive Doctor Appointments this week! On Wednesday, we had an appointment with our OB and got to hear the baby’s heartbeat- 150bpm. Like last time, the baby was a little stinker and decided to show off for Dr Duffy by doing summersaults and kicking the wand. She also took some measurements of my belly and all is well!
Yesterday we had our appointment with our specialist Dr K. Our appointment started off with a wonderful ultrasound. The baby was very active which made it hard to take measurements and pictures! Since the baby is growing so much, only one part of the body can fit on the screen at a time! It is hard to believe that at 12 weeks the baby looked like a peanut on the ultrasound screen! The ultrasound tech was taking pictures of the head when we got a BIG YAWN on the screen. (see attached picture – tilt your head to get a better view) She was able to snap the picture in time to see the mouth and one eye open – simply amazing! Pat and I decided to behave and turn our heads while she was measuring the legs. We have waited 6 months, and there is no reason we can’t continue to wait! Our little Tootsie is tipping the scales at 2lbs 2ozs right now – right where he/she should be!
I was eager for our appointment because I have been having problems with my daily injections. It is getting harder and harder to get the needle in my belly, and when I do, I end up bleeding quite a bit! The Dr put my mind at ease that I have nothing to worry about, and increased the area on my belly that I can poke! The poor area right around my belly button can now have a break from the needles! Also, we were told that we will be getting induced on February 20th which is 38 weeks. Obviously a lot can change from now to then, but if the baby is ready to come out, that will be the magical induction date.

This week was a busy “baby week” for us as we put a deposit down on a daycare, taped off the floors of the nursery to ensure the furniture would fit, and finally got the furniture on order!

Next on the agenda –
*Buying Paint for Nursery
*Narrowing Down Baby Names – these are a secret!

I don’t think there could possibly by anything else I could update you on right now! We hope that everyone has a great weekend!
Love,
Jamie

The Nursery

Well, it is hard to believe that we are a few short days away from entering the third trimester. I have been feeling great lately. I never felt that I was able to gain my energy back during the second trimester, but thats alright. . . .I cant complain! Some of the easiest things I would do on a daily/weekly basis are starting to get a little more difficult for me. I have to continue to remind myself that it's ok to ask for help instead of trying to everything on my own!

Each and every day brings us closer to the day that this baby will enter our lives. In an effort to get ready for that day, we have officially started the transition of the nursery. Our 3rd bedroom in our home has always been our workout room. After tonight, it is now an empty room ready to be painted . . . .thanks to our friends Mark and Tim for their muscles! :) After everyone left tonight, Pat and I stood in the empty room picturing how we want everything to layout. I am anxious to get the walls painted, the furniture moved in, and the decorations hung!!

Pat and I are looking forward to a long holiday weekend with family and friends. We wish all of you a blessed Thanksgiving. We have even more to be thankful for this year!

Love,
Jamie

24 Week Belly

It is hard to believe that we are already getting close to the end of our 24th week. It is even harder to believe that come Thanksgiving we will be finishing our 6th month and starting the third and final trimester. HOLY COW!

Tootsie is getting very active. I had a very proud dad moment just last week. I had to travel for work and was gone Wednesday night. Jamie said that the baby wasn’t moving around as much as the day before. I kept telling Jamie it was because Tootsie missed their Daddy. When I came home Thursday night before we went to bed I read Tootsie’s book out loud to Jamie’s belly. Once I finished and set the book down it looked like Jamie ate a stick of dynamite. Boom Boom Boom! Tootsie was pushing and prodding at the inside of Mom’s belly. I was so happy that Tootsie became so active after hearing the book I read. It made me feel like Tootsie really did miss me. I can’t wait till the day where I do have to go away for a night for work and come home to a rambunctious kid that is more excited to see me than anything else. It pulled at the heartstrings.

I keep trying to get a video tape of Tootsie pounding on Mom’s belly. I will hopefully capture it soon. Then you can all see the excitement. Until next time…

~DAD~

November Check Up

Well, we just finished up our monthly round of Dr. Appointments! Wednesday night we had an appointment with our OB in Menomonee Falls. We took measurements of my belly and got to hear the heartbeat. To hear the heartbeat, the Dr has a handheld Doppler with a small wand that she places on my belly. As soon as I laid down and pulled my shirt up, the baby started kicking! We were hearing the heartbeat - **Whish-Whish-Whish- THUD!** The baby kicked the Doppler wand! We were all laughing because it happened about 3 times total! Sounds like we have a little stinker on our hands!
Yesterday morning we had our appointment at Children’s Hospital with the Blood Doctor. We got yet another ultrasound, but that is fine by me, I love them!!! The ultrasound tech made sure to take the leg measurements quickly incase our little one decided to go spread eagle on us and expose his/her parts! J The highlight of the ultrasound was watching the baby suck their thumb, then pull the thumb out and let out a big yawn!!! We could even see the tongue stick out while the baby was yawing, simply amazing!!!!! After the giant yawn, the baby stuck their thumb back in the mouth and rolled over on it’s side. It is hard to believe that all of that happened right before our eyes. When the ultrasound was done, we were told the heartbeat was 148, and that the baby is measuring at 1 lb 2 oz! Everything is going great, we couldn’t ask for it to go any better!
Pat and I are pretty sure we have the nursery figured out – FINALLY! J We have been clearing out the closet in there to make room for all the baby stuff we have been getting. Thank you to all of our friends and family for the support, we really appreciate it!

Have a great weekend!

Jamie

22 Week Belly

I'm inching out closer to my big debut! :)
I have been kicking and karate chopping trying to get out of here but I must not be strong enough just yet. Tonight I was able to show Mom and Dad just how close I am to getting out of here and join everyone. They were watching Mommy's tummy and I gave a big Ha-Yah and they saw Mommy's tummy bulge out. It was a great moment for all of us.
Tomorrow and Thursday we have Dr Appts . . . .I cant wait to hear how big I am getting! I am sure that mom and dad will have plenty to talk about after we visit with our team of doctors!

Thinking Back

Over the last several weeks I have been on the road traveling quite a bit. I have had the pleasure and curse of thinking a lot as I drove around the state by myself for work. So I had the opportunity to think back on when this exciting new life started.

My beautiful bride has blessed my life with memories that will last me a lifetime. I think about the trips we have taken and the vacations we have been on. We have done a lot together in a short period. And now we have a new trip to go on together. Parenthood!

My beautiful bride has transformed into a beautiful glowing pregnant Mom-to-be. That description has been repeated by friends and strangers alike. It is amazing to see how well she is adapting to her new role and the baby isn't even here yet. Although I must say I have probably had a big hand in helping her get ready. I’m not saying I did anything but I know she has had to take care of me ever since we said I do. So she is used to taking care of challenging "kids". So I am positive she is going to be the best Mom in the world. She is caring, patient, kind, enthusiastic, positive, loving, sympathetic, empathetic, and more excited today than I have ever seen her.

I am more excited each and every day to see our new bundle of joy. I am even more excited to see my beautiful bride with my baby! She is going to be great and I can’t wait to see her with Tootsie in her arms.

I love you baby!