James and I began this blog at the very beginning of our pregnancy with Wyatt to share and update our new adventures as we became pregnant and start the new season of parenthood. Sixteen weeks into pregnancy, I had to go into surgery to ensure our son would not come too early and shortly after, we found out Wyatt has Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH). This is our humble attempt at being transparent and hopefully sharing the joys and love of Christ through this roller coaster ride we're on. And now to share even more with the new miracle on the way.

Monday, February 27, 2012

I'm officially out of bed...

Well, I guess technically I got out of bed on Saturday for the wedding but as soon as I got home I was on the couch for the night and most of Sunday was spent in bed as well.  But today, I only stayed there until lunch time and then the NESTING began!!!  

In the past, James and I have had some people live with us.  We really enjoy having people in our home, long or short term.  But with the baby on the way, we've got some rearranging to do upstairs.  The once nursery, then craft room needs to be turned into a nursery again.  The live in house mate's room will now become the craft/big open space room (It's a really large room) and our guest room will remain the same, minus a cleaned out closet!  I began today with cleaning out our son's nursery completely.  
Here is what it looks like after I cleaned it out:

Obviously, this room was for a sweet little girl at one point in time.  James and I will get new carpet upstairs, paint, cover the rocker and boy up this room!  We aren't totally sure just yet on what it will look like but I've some some ideas started.  

The next room I worked on is the "craft/big open space" room.  I think this room was originally a bonus room.  It is large, long and has 3 closets.  
Here is what we have right now:
I didn't take pictures of the entire room.  But the part I am standing in to take the picture is about the same size of the baby's room (see above pictures), then add what I am taking pictures of.  This room is right next door to the other one.  They share a bathroom and a living room.  The twin bed on the floor was given to us.  James is going to build a stand for it to sit on so that it is more like a day bed/couch.  I'll probably spend a lot of nights sleeping there for a while once the baby comes so James can get enough sleep.  I'll also get a new comforter, sheets, pillows and new curtains.  The 2 closets in the back hold a bunch a crap- some house decorations I still don't know where to hang, holiday decor and baby stuff my sister has given me.  The front closet was my real accomplishment today.  
Here it is:
The door is holding a bunch of embellishment  cards.  I guess that is what they are called.
This Ikea shelf holds all my folded fabric, yarn, a box of ribbon, and a box of random craft stuff.  I was the cover the boxes to make them cute. I also have gift bags and tissue paper hanging.
Here I bought a rod from Ikea and have wrapping paper hanging (thank you Pinterest!), gift wrapping ribbon, tape, scissors, ect.. In the wire shelves I have some of my paper- gift, Christmas, and various other types of paper.  

I have another Ikea rod with buckets of writing utensils in them hanging for quick access.  This will be good for when our nephew comes to visit.  
This picture is sideways but you can see what it is.  I have 2 of these with my scrap booking paper stored.  This is much more organized and easier to access than it being stacked on top of one another.  No more pulling out 16 different sheets of paper when I really only want one!


I'm still trying to figure out how to store all my stamps- for now they are in a bucket.
And another bucket with stickers.  Once I bring home my school stuff, I'll have a lot more and a bucket won't hold it all. 

I have some more paper in another closet that I still need to find a spot for in this one.  Once I've done that, ALL of my craft stuff will be in the same place.  I don't know if I will know what to do- it hasn't been that way since... well, ever!  Also, I did not purchase all this paper or fabric.  The paper comes from a friend's husband's client that filed for bankruptcy.  Instead of auctioning off everything, they just opened up the warehouse.  CRAZY!  I got probably thousands of dollars worth of paper (in retail cost) for FREE!!  It's note cards, Christmas cards, party invites, scrapbook paper, and more!  We hit the jackpot!  

Needless to say, I'm tired, James is super excited (he hates a mess, clutter or anything out of place) and I now am ready to begin our to do list for our baby boy.  

Here are some of the big things we've put on the list (in order so far):
1.  Get new flooring (downstairs- wood or tile that looks like wood & upstairs- new carpet). (We have to do it before our house goes on the market next spring/summer so why not do it now so we can enjoy it some.)
2. Air vents cleaned.
3.  House cleaned professionally by a maid service.
4.  Move couch upstairs and get a new one for downstairs that isn't a sectional and promotes more conversation and not TV watching.  

We have until July or so to figure all this stuff out.  We don't want to spend a lot so we're praying we can find some GOOD deals! 

A Season of Lent in Our Home (via The Village)

Saturday, February 25, 2012

17 Weeks

Thursday marked 17 weeks for our sweet little boy.  

I think I might make this little boy's crib sheets.  All the sets I've seen seem so lame, expensive and even a little tacky.  I don't really want a "themed" room.  I just want it all to mesh together and be fun.  Here is the only fabric I've found so far... 
I would play a lot off the blues and grays more than any of the greens.  James isn't a big fan of green.  I'm still look though.  Nothing is set in stone!  :-) 

It's been 4 days since my surgery and I got dressed and put make on for the first time since.  Yippie!  This was my goal.  A couple of friends of ours were married this morning and I really wanted to be there and we made it.  (The bride's cake was some of the best wedding cake I think I've ever had in my life!)  I'm not in any pain and I feel good.  I am tired though.  James took Ronix for a run, I'm updating the few of you that read my blog and then I'm off to lay down!  So, here's my 17 week bump picture and my questionnaire. 


This is what I wore to the wedding.  I stressed over finding something cute, comfy and made me look pregnant and not just chubby!  It's from H&M and was cheap!

How far along? 17 Weeks
Total weight gain: about 137- Yes, I do know I am not supposed to lose weight.  It was not intentional.  I think it is loss of muscle, from not working out and the fact that I literally laid in bed for 3 days and didn't eat as much as I normally do.  
Maternity clothes?  Some- jeans for sure.  The belly band is great.

Stretch marks? nope.  
Sleep: I still have to get up once a night for the restroom and I'm a little bit of a light sleeper now.
Best moment this week:  Feeling good enough to get out of the house for the Fowler Wedding
Miss Anything? There was a champagne toast and it was a little of a bummer to not have any of that.  I have always enjoyed a nice glass of bubbly.   
Movement:  I think I've felt him standing on my cervix because every now and then I'll feel a bit of pain in the area and it could be him putting some pressure in the wrong spot.
Food cravings: pizza and sonic breakfast burritos
Anything making you queasy or sick: Just me being sick- not queasy but really, a cold sickness.  I am coughing, sneezing and such.  Blah! 
Gender: A BOY!!!  We still don't have a name for him yet but we've thrown Wyatt (means strong & brave- same as my name) and Gabe (from Gabriel, means devoted to God) out on the table and neither of us have nixed them. (no opinions please, we want it to be our decision!)
Symptoms: tired and growing belly/boobs
Belly Button in or out? still in
Wedding rings on or off? on of course
Happy or Moody most of the time: I feel like I've been pretty even tempered.  
Looking forward to:  picking out a name for our son, planning the baby's room, ect... we finally get to move forward with everything.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Post Surgery

Well, it's done.  I had surgery.  Thank you to everyone that has prayed and encouraged James and me through this.  It was short and simple.  In and out.  Dr. Hickman said everything went well.  She told James that she was glad we went forward with the cervical cerclage.  Once she got in there, she said my vagina and cervix were the same length and one should be longer than the other.  That was kind of scary to hear but also knowing that we are doing what we need to is good.  But it did put in perspective how important this was and how is important it is for me to really, really watch how I take care of my body.  No working out beyond walking, no lifting heavy things and absolutely NO physical activity.... yup, you read that right.  The hubs and I must get creative.  Let the fun and games begin...But back to the surgery.  I feel good.  I'm still sore and have some discomfort at times.  I just try to readjust the way I am laying or sitting and hope that helps.  It also kind of hurts to use the restroom.  There some pressure pain in my cervical regions.  I'm going to call the doctor and ask about that tomorrow if it happens in the morning still.

Again, thank you so much for all your love and support.  We really felt everyone's prayers.

James said the funeral for his granddad went well today.  He is safe with Jesus now.  His pain has been removed and all is perfect in heaven.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

16 weeks


James and I come to you with joyful hearts and exciting news today.  On August 5, 2012 we are expecting a son.  That’s right, it’s a boy!  We are very excited and feel so blessed for our healthy baby boy to come.  We don’t have a name just yet but are in discussion and hope to figure that out sometime soon.  Thankfully, we've got some time, because it just might take us all of it.

At our 16 week appointment on Thursday, we also received some updates on the pregnancy and how it is going.  As many of you already know, I had a cone biopsy in 2008 where a cone shape was cut out of my cervix because of some pre-cancer cells that were present.  The surgery went perfectly as planned and I made a full recovery.  Moving into the present, my doctor, Dr. Watkins, asked that I come in every month for a sonogram to check my cervix to ensure its holding all baby and all parts in place where they should be.  Our doctor explained that it’s best for the cervix to be between 3 and 4 centimeters in length. She measured mine at 2.6 cm, which concerned her.  She recommended for us to see a high risk specialist for a second opinion.  They got us in right away.  The specialist, Dr. Hickman, gave us a very through sonogram, 4D images and all.  She recommended that we proceed with a surgical procedure called cervical cerclage.  This is where the doctor will go in and sew a circular stitch around the cervix to ensure that it remains closed through the entire duration of the pregnancy.  This is a preventative procedure to make sure that I don’t go into preterm labor, which could happen early enough that our sweet little boy wouldn’t be able to make it outside of the womb.  Dr. Watkins will remove the stitch at 37 weeks and let our pregnancy move forward naturally.  I will also be going in every 2 weeks for sonogram, continuing to check my cervix and our baby.  In addition to surgery and all the checkups, I’ll be taking a progesterone shot each week.  Through all this news, we still feel blessed and know the Lord is good, faithful and this is no surprise to Him.  He has prepared us and our hearts for this.  Not this situation specifically, but for there to be bumps in the road.  He would not give us anymore then we can handle.  We’re not going to lie and say that this is nothing and we aren’t scared or nervous at all because we are.  Again, God is good and faithful and we trust what He has in store for us. 

Details for surgery:
·        Pre-op appointment is Tuesday morning at both the doctor’s office and hospital.
·        Surgery is Wednesday at noon at Presby Plano.
·        Post-op appointment is the following Tuesday, where hopefully, I will be released to return to work. 

More Info:
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/cervicalcerclage.html



Regular Updates:

How far along? 16 1/2 weeks
Total weight gain: about 140ish
Maternity clothes?  Some- jeans for sure.  The belly band is great.
Stretch marks? nope.  
Sleep: I still have to get up once a night for the restroom and I'm a little bit of a light sleeper now.
Best moment this week: Finding out we are having a SON! 
Miss Anything? non-decaf coffee, still and weirdly- exercise!
Movement: not yet but I am hopeful it will be soon.
Food cravings: pizza and sonic breakfast burritos
Anything making you queasy or sick: Just me being sick- not queasy but really, a cold sickness.  I am coughing, sneezing and such.  Blah! 
Gender: A BOY!!!
Symptoms: tired and growing belly/boobs
Belly Button in or out? still in
Wedding rings on or off? on of course
Happy or Moody most of the time: I've been sick so probably a little needy and cranky.
Looking forward to:  picking out a name for our son, planning the baby's room, ect... we finally get to move forward with everything.