....and we have molars

3 of them - all at once they broke through. The misery is over for at least a little while. Only 9 more teeth to go....

Yes, another C-Section, but not tonight please.

I initially hadn't planned to see the lovely new Kaiser Labor and Delivery establishment until our PLANNED hospital tour in a couple weeks. Well, as we know, you can't plan everything. And as it turns out, I spent four hours "touring" the Labor and Delivery Facility very early this morning. So that's what pre-term labor is all about! I could have done without that experience.

Around 10:00 last night, I began to experience what I knew to be harmless Braxton Hicks contractions. About 30 minutes later, I realized that even though I had never "labored" with Aiden, I knew enough to know that these contractions were coming way too often (about every 2 minutes or so). After speaking to the nurse around 11:00, I (she) decided that I needed to come in. We woke Aiden up, and headed to the hospital.

Sure enough, when we got there, and they put that monitor on, it confirmed that my contractions were coming every minute. They started to ask if my water had broke, who my OBGYN was, what my birth plan consisted of, etc....I wasn't too nervous initially, but this made my internal panic button flash, let me tell you. Hello, I'm only 31 weeks along, this baby needs to cook for AT LEAST 6 more weeks!

Anyway, long story short, the initial plan was to slow the contractions by hydrating me. After the dreaded "internal" exam (to make sure I wasn't dilating), I immediately drank 2 large pitchers of water - and waited (2 hours or so). No luck. In fact, the contractions continued and became increasingly uncomfortable. (Again confirming my desire for a repeat C-section). Seeing that this was not doing the trick, they decided that the would give me a Tributaline injection. After about 30 minutes my contractions slowed, and it was time for another "internal" exam (joy).

My cervix was still closed, so we were free to go. They figured that the main reason this had occurred, was due to dehydration. This doesn't make sense to me, since at work alone, I drink 96 ounces of water per day. But after 4 hours of this, I was done, glad that Harper was going to stay in her little home for awhile longer, and was ready to get me and my family to bed. Once we got home, I laid on the couch praying for sleep, but was reminded by my pounding heart, that one of the side effects of the injection, was increased heart rate. So I laid there, wondering how I was going to make it through today. But look, I'm still alive. Tired, but still alive.

Here's The Boss this morning, in my bed before I left for work. He was such a little trooper. Oh and daddy did an OK job too.

Harper's Baby Shower

On Saturday my mom threw a beautiful shower for Harper and I. There are no words to express how truly thankful I am for all of my friends and family. Even though I am not able to see everyone as often as I would like, every time I do get time with them, it feels like we pick up right where we left off. Thanks to each and every one of you who have always been there for me and my family. You mean the world to me.

Sicky Poo

Today was not a fun day for little man. He was sick all day with the flu. No fever, but was throwing up and very lethargic. After the doctor, we cuddled all day while watching cartoons, and he proceeded to puke on me numerous times. The poor thing was so miserable, but by this evening, he was eating again. We will keep our fingers crossed that he will be better in the morning.


Bless his heart, after the first time he puked, he looked up at me and said "Oh, man." Talk about tugging on your heart strings.

New Words

I have to post these so I can look back. Here are the latest and greatest from the Little Lemon.

Before bed. Aiden where's your binkie?: "Bee Bee?"

Aiden, time to eat dinner. What should we watch?: "Wub Wub?" (translation: Wow, Wow, Wubsy) Yes, I let him watch TV during dinner. This is one thing I told myself I would never do. Ha! If I had a quarter for every time I said that!

If he drops a toy, if I take my cell phone from him, or he turns the TV off by accident with the remote: "Oh man!"

Aiden, you have a poop? OR You wanna brush your teeth? "Oh yeah!"

What does the dragon say? "Rahhh!" Puppy?: "Ruff!" Birdie?: "Teet!"

Aiden, (you have to sing this part) 'Who lives in a pineapple, under the sea?': "Bob Bob!" (translation - Sponge Bob)

Every night when dad gets home, or first thing in the morning when he sees him: (in a very high pitch, like he hasn't seen him in days) "HIIII DAT!!"

Bikini Season!

It finally stopped raining, and the weather was gorgeous this weekend! It feels like summer actually is going to get here after all. Jeff had to work on Saturday, so The Boss and I decided to get out of the house and do some shopping (his idea, not mine). Among other things, we found Harper's first bikini. Hey if I can't wear one this summer, at least someone can.

TWENTY-NINE WEEKS

Well, the torpedo belly has started to form. I know this for 2 reasons. One, is the picture above, and two, is because my husband follows me around the house making torpedo noises. You see him with black eyes, you now know why.


I am carrying so much wider this time, which is easier to see from the front angle.

-How far along? 29 weeks.

-How big is baby? 3 pounds, and about 15 inches long.

-Weight gain: 15 lbs.

-Stretch marks? No, but I had a dream I got them on my face.

-Sleep? I'm sorry, I've forgotten what that word means.
::runs for the dictionary::

-Best moment this week? when Aiden lifts up my shirt and lays his head on my belly. He does this daily. I don't know if he knows, or really understands, but it's so lovely.

-Movement? TONS

-Food cravings? none - one of the best parts of pregnancy and I am being deprived of it.

-Gender? GIRL.

-Labor signs? nope.

-What I miss? getting out of bed without the excruciating neck pain.

-What I am looking forward to? going to Arizona weekend after next.

With my doctor's approval, I have made the decision to start seeing a Chiropractor. This, along with Tylenol and icing my neck about 5 times per day, has given me some relief which I am grateful for. I really like the Chiropractor that I have been going to. When he cracked my neck this last time his immediate response was "UNBELIEVABLE!". I didn't ask him to elaborate on what this comment meant, but instead just lay there and let him continue to adjust my back, neck and hips. It did make me silently chuckle though.

The only downfall to this is that our insurance does not cover Chiropractic care, so it is all out of pocket. This is even more reason why I need to heal fast. Thanks to everyone for the comments and suggestions via email on what has worked for them. I am looking forward to posting the news that I am back to normal. Whatever that is....(wink, wink).

Go Devils!

Thanks Grandpa Kevin and Grandma Paula!


...and here is Miss Harpers.

Furniture...CHECK!

Realizing that we really only have about 10 more weeks left, and Harper's nursery only has paint, we decided to take the next step and order the furniture.


Once this arrives, I can start contemplating rugs, lighting, and other random decor.

Pain In The Neck

I would like to apologize in advance for my lack of blog enthusiasm lately, and possibly in the near future. I have been battling a severely sore neck for the past 2 weeks or so. I wish I could tell you what happened, but nothing really did. I woke up one morning and it was very stiff, from there it pretty much progressed into a lot of nerve pain and inflammation. Most mornings it is a challenge to do much of anything with my right arm. I have tried Tylenol, heating pad, ice pack, massages, stretching, hot showers, changing sleeping positions (ha, like there are many options at this point) - literally, I have tried everything. Let me also tell you that I am no wuss, but this HURTS. Like tear-inducing hurts.

At my most recent pre-natal appointment I brought it up to my doctor and he chalked it up to being pregnant and explained how the hormones effect your muscles, and ligaments. I think I gave him a blank stare like, "OK great, so what now?" I have since then seen a physical therapist. She checked me out and told me that everything that she would normally do, she can't since I am pregnant. Anti-Inflammatorys - NO, Electric Muscle Stimulation - NO, Traction - NO. She was feeling around my spine and kept making noises like "oh", "yep", "hmmmm.." Out of frustration, I finally said "OK, can you stop making those noises, and tell me what options I do have?" She kindly advised that I can stretch, watch my posture, and ice. So yeah, I'm thrilled to say the least and my attitude often sucks.

First Real Egg Hunt

Our community puts on a huge Easter Egg hunt for the kids each year. Last year, Aiden was so little, he could barely pick up an egg. This year he really got the hang of it. It was a little chilly, and Aiden is currently cutting about 3 molars so it was a little bit of a rough day. Looking back through the pictures, it doesn't really look like he had fun, but I swear he did!











I have video that I will post this evening. Oh, and I promise I didn't MAKE him carry his own basket - he insisted. Note to self: get the poor thing a smaller basket next year.

Aiden wants....

....to wish you all very a Happy Easter weekend!

And yes, he now insists, this hat is part of his daily wardrobe.