Overall update

Baby girl is still doing wonderful! She has her moments of fussiness but giving her the Gripe Water (herbal supplement of ginger & fennel), she tends to quiet right down within 15-20 minutes. The Mylicon drops also work if it appears she's just gassy. So, all in all, she's doing great. More awake now than at first, throughout the day. Sleeping at night is improving depending on when we go to bed. Sometimes I'm only up with her 1 time and other times it's twice. I surely can't complain too much!

Today is the older girls last day of school for 2008! Tomorrow is professional development day for the teachers.

Joe is working 5-7 days a week, depending on the job. It's good to have him working but it would be nice to have him home a bit more for his family. I really can't knock it though.

I go back to work January 7 and am looking forward to getting back. Just need to have a little more routine in our day. Should be interesting for the first while.

My recovery is going alright. I'm a bit more sore today. I felt really good yesterday and may have over done it.

I've got about 1/2 of my Christmas cards written. Need to finish those up today if I can & then get more stamps. Christmas is creeping up on us. I will be more prepared next year - I started a Christmas Club and will start contributing in January.

Anyhow, that's the scoop from here. All is well. Take care!

1 Month Update!

Charlee is 4 wks old today! Wow, does time fly! We had a weight check appt and the dr. said she's just an angel! I knew that! lol But amazingly, our little girl, in 2 wks, gained 1 lb 12 oz!! She's up to 7 lbs 14.5 oz!!! Wowzers! She's had a gassy tummy and has been colicky, so I talked to the dr about that. She is having us switch to Similac Sensitive Formula and suggested colic tablets. Well, CVS didn't have the tablets, so I got Gripe Water instead...which is an herbal supplement to help with colic & hiccups. So, hopefully between the two, she'll get back to the laid back baby she's been up until the past week or so.

We also went and secured her spot at Country Mouse Child Care. It's 9 miles north and west of us. $175/wk for infant care. They had 2 spots open and the gals said it's rare that they have openings...so we were lucky! It was so clean and smelled so clean when we got there. The two ladies that work in the infant room have been there for a very long time and you know that if they have been there for years, then obviously, the care center is a good one! It's smaller and very very homey!

There's our update. Gonna go lay down for a bit to snooze while the princess is snoozing!

Veterans Day, Late Grandmother's Birthday and Charlee's Arrival!

So November 11th turned out to be quite a significant day for our family! Not only is it a national holiday - Veteran's Day - it was also the birthday of my late Grandma, Josephine. But this year, it turned into even more significant, as this is the day my little Charlee Lyn made her arrival!

I had been off of work since the Thursday before. Thursday I had the flu something horrible. I was supposed to have a dr. appt that morning but there was no way I could drive there with the flu going on...so I rescheduled to Friday. Friday I felt much better and went to my appt. My blood pressure has been up and down at other appointments, my ankles had swollen horribly and I had quite a weight increase at one of my appointments....all symptoms of preeclampsia...so the doctor had been monitoring me for that. Well, at the Friday appt, I had protein in my urine...yet another symptom. So, she had me go to the lab for bloodwork and I had to do a 24 hr urine collection Sunday morning to Monday morning and take it to the lab on Monday. I had another appt with the doc on Tuesday afternoon. Friday she told me I was not to return to work til I seen her on Tuesday. Friday afternoon she called to say the bloodwork was fine & we'd see what the urine collection showed. Tuesday when I seen her, my BP was up again. She had me do bloodwork yet again and my urine in the office was fine. Well, 4:45pm, after Joe had come home from work and the girls were home from school, she called & told me my liver enzymes were elevated and it was best if I go to the hospital to be induced. So, Joe got a shower, the girls got some things around to keep them occupied and all of us, including Joe's sister took off for the hospital. Jamie called their mom so she could head over too. About 9:30, after they had been giving me pitocin to start the contractions...not much was going on. The doc came in and said they were going to break my water & check me. Well, come to find out, the baby was breech! So, she recommended an emergency c-section. *sigh* So, of course, rather than risk the baby during a vaginal delivery, we agreed to the c-section. 9:57pm, Charlee Lyn was born weighing 6 lbs even and was 19 inches long. After she was back to our room, and so was I, we noticed she grunted a lot while breathing. So they took her to the Special Care Nursery to have her checked out. We found out she had underdeveloped lungs. So, they had to keep her in the SCN. She was given an IV, put on a monitor and a cpap machine. She was on this cpap machine for about 4 days I think it was. She then had a nasal canula. She had a feeding tube down her nose for 1 day after the cpap machine was taken away. Then they started her on a bottle. I was able to stay in the hospital for 4 days but then was discharged. It was horrible to have to leave my baby there and travel back & forth but we did it. Having a c-section has been one of the hardest things I've ever had to deal with. The incision has healed well, but my tummy muscles are still very sore after 3 1/2 wks. Anyhow, after 7 nights and 8 days in SCN, Charlee was discharged and we brought her home. We had her first pediatrician appt 2 days after she came home and her weight was the same at 5 lbs 11 oz. We had another weight check appt the next Tuesday (11/25) and she had gained 7.5 oz! She was at 6 lbs 2.5 oz. We were so pleased! She goes again for another weight check this coming Tuesday (12/9). Here are a couple pics of her first Thanksgiving. Enjoy!

10:59pm....My parents welcomed me into this world...

Happy Birthday to me! :)~

Appointment Update - 27 wks, 3 days

My bad! lol I forgot to post about my dr. appt this past Monday.

I met the male doctor in the office finally. There are 5 doctors total and you have to have at least 1 appt with each because you never know who will be on-call when the time comes to deliver. Anyway, Dr. Newman is a very nice doctor!

First off, I got weighed. I gained 4 lbs this past month, which is right on target for what they say they'd like you to gain. My blood pressure was good, 126/80. Then I got to sit and wait. After Dr. Newman came in, he measured my belly and said I was measuring on target. He listened to Charlee's heartbeat, which was about 130 he said. He then told me that my glucose test results were good and I asked about my thyroid re-check and he said that result was good also. I asked him about the heartburn I've been suffering with 24/7 and he prescribed Protonix for me. It's a lifesaver! I'm heartburn free now - YAY! He told me that I'd be coming back in 2 wks! So, now I'm on the downhill for sure. Appointments every 2 wks!

This next week, we'll get the crib and hopefully get that set up. I have a new glider rocker, thanks to my parents. I have a baby swing thanks to one of my online friends. I have a By Your Side infant seat too from another online friend. Also, baby clothes, and some other cool things from online friends.

So, everything is moving along and we are getting more and more excited. Yay!

My girls

Here is a picture of my girlies on their first day of school! They started a new school again this year, since we moved in June. I am hoping this proves to be a better school. I know from what I've read and heard, this is one of the best ones in the area. We are living out in the country, the school is not surrounded by city life, which I like...so I am hoping we made a good decision. I know it's a struggle all parents face when making decisions for their children - was it the right one or not?? We'll see. So far so good. The girls like their teachers and are making friends. K even says she has a boyfriend on day 3! lol


Here is a picture of Charlee's room. It turned out great. Joe and I are both so happy with it. I got it painted last weekend and he put the border up. In the next few weeks, we'll get the crib and get that set up and then some blinds/valances and all will be coming together in hopes it's part way done for the baby shower which is October 11. When you see this room, it just makes it so much more real that we are gonna have a baby! I'm almost 7 months along now and things have been going well. Tomorrow I have another appt, so I'll update after that.

Have a great Sunday!

23 wks, 3 days

Yesterday I had my dr. appt. I was 23 wks, 3 days along and all is well. The doctor said I measured good. The heartbeat was strong and easy to find. I gained a little bit more than I should have this month, but I've started walking 30 minutes a day and will make better food choices & control my portion size a bit better. My blood pressure was 114/80 and I was given orders to have my blood drawn for a re-check on my thyroid and also to have my 1 hr glucose test. The doctor said to do it in 2 wks so that will be on August 25th.

That's about it. Charlee is very active. There are times when she moves just right it makes me feel nauseous....but overall, it's a great feeling.

Joe has been working out of town for the past 3 wks. He comes home maybe 1-2 nights a week. It's been very lonely and very hard to cope with at times, but I'm getting through it. He needs to work while the opportunity is there.

The girls and I went school clothes shopping this past Sunday. Their first day is getting closer - 9/3.

That's all for now. :)

Charlee Lyn

Please welcome our newest little girl!! We had our ultrasound today and it was plain as day, as soon as the tech had her positioned right, that she is a SHE!! :) Joe, the girls and I are all very excited to have another girl. Believe me, SHE'LL be learning how to hunt & fish and be daddy's buddy! LOL

The technician did a lot of measuring of her and from all indications, she is right on target! We even got to see her drinking with the sucking motion. It was so neat. She was very active too. Her heartbeat was 146 and the tech said she weighs approximately 8 oz. After the ultrasound, I had my doctor appt and all is well there too. All the Downs Syndrome testing I had done came back negative. My weight is still not too bad. She told me what she'd like to see gained in a month's time and I think I can handle that. :) I measured right on target & she said the babys heartbeat was good! So, my next appt is August 11 - 4 wks from today. By the way, today I am 19 weeks, 3 days! December 5th is my due date.

So, there is the latest & greatest update!

Welcome Knox Leon & Vivienne Marcheline!

Congratulations to Brad & Angelina! No matter how many people dog these two, I think they are great together and have done amazing things for this world - the U.S. and other countries! How many women do you know that would travel to less than desirable parts of this world at 6 1/2 or 7 months pregnant to do their work?? I think she's an awesome roll model. It took her a while to find her nitch, but when she did....She's done it right! My congratulations to the entire Jolie-Pitt family!

Trevor - Rest In Peace

We got word last night that a friend of ours, Kim, lost her son last night to hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma. He was 22. Please pray for her and her family. It has been a rough 6 months for them.

Rest In Peace Trevor.

7-1-08

Wow, July 1st already. Where does the time go?? Today I am 17 wks, 4 days pregnant! In less than 2 weeks we find out if we are having a girl or a boy (as long as the baby cooperates!). We can't wait. About a week ago I was at WM and was needing to waste some time, so I walked over to the baby section. There was the cutest onesie in green. I showed Joe and he said, why don't you get it. I hesitated and then said, no...in a couple weeks, we'll find out what we are having and then we can shop. So, for now...I have to keep walking past all the baby stuff and just let it be til the 14th!

Today is my sister and brother in law's 13th wedding anniversary. Happy Anniversary to you two!

I went to the dentist yesterday for a cleaning. The previous cleaning - 6 months ago - I was 5 wks pregnant with the baby Joe and I lost. This time, I was 17 wks, 3 days. It was odd being there and having to say I lost my baby but I'm pregnant again, so you still can't take x-rays! lol But that morning, I got to thinking. Had the first pregnancy lasted, I would be about 6-7 wks away from the due date. I was due around August 18th. We would have been that close to having a baby in our arms. But it'll happen when it is supposed to and obviously, the good Lord gave us a second chance.

Well, I'm trying to think if there is anything else I'd like to share right now...but I'm drawing a blank. Must mean it's time to head upstairs to bed, to read.

Til next time...

Random stuff going on....

My appt on June 10 went well. My bloodwork came back good with the exception of my thyroid level being up a bit. The doctor said we'd just re-check it in the future. I believe my due date is December 5th. At least that is what she said. I have my BIG ultrasound scheduled now for July 14th at 8am and hopefully if the baby will cooperate, we can find out if it is a girl or a boy! After my ultrasound, I then have a 9:40am doctor appt.

On June 12th & 13th, we moved to our new house that I believe I had posted a picture previously for. Joe did all the heavy moving as his best friend was unavailable and his so-called friends were sleeping til noon! We still have a lot of unpacking to do, but the house is coming along and I'm so happy to be there now.

Also on June 13th, one of my very best girlfriends got married. I was so honored to be among her limited number of guests. I believe there may have been about 40 that attended. The wedding & reception were beautiful and you could just tell how very happy she and her new husband were. Their vows were written by them and I think choked up everyone in the room! It could not have been a better wedding to have gone to!

Joe started working with his buddy Matt again drywalling. He went to work with him this past Tuesday. Hopefully Matt will be able to keep Joe busy a couple days a week at minimum. The only downfall to it is that Joe has to drive 45 minutes to Matt's house and then if they are going to work for a few days, then Joe stays there so not to have the back & forth expense of gas. So far, this week, it worked out fine.

Since the girls are out of school, the living arrangements get a little switched around. They go stay with their dad during the week and I get them on weekends. So, today after work, I get to drive over an hour & half to go get them, but their dad has to come to our house to pick them up on Sunday. So, it'll work out...I just do not look forward to the drive. But I do look forward to spending time with the girls again. It was very quiet in the house this week with Joe and the girls both gone. Just me and the dogs.

So, there a bit of random things for you to ponder....or forget. lol

Have a great weekend!

I've been slacking on updates!

Ok, so I had my appt on May 15. The doc still says that I'm about 1 week later than I thought I was. She gave me a due date of 12/12. The baby is growing and I seen the heartbeat again. I decided that I wanted to have the First Trimester Screening to detect for Downs Syndrome as I'd have another U/S on a better machine & see if they measured the bean about the same as the doc. The doc also gave me a 1 hr glucose order to have done before my next appt which is actually today!



I had the First Trimester Screening done on May 29. The baby looked great and was moving around! Very exciting. The U/S tech let me hear the heartbeat and I had her measure it. It was at 154 that day. She measured the bean and told me that if it were her, she'd keep my due date where it was according to my LMP, which would be about 12/5. But she measured me at 12 wks, 5 days which makes my due date 12/6. lol I'm going with 12/6 for now until someone can convince me otherwise!

Yesterday I went and did the 1 hr glucose test. I am not sure they'd have results today when I go for my appt this afternoon, but at least it's done. Today I should be able to hear the heartbeat again and I'm not sure what else they'll do. I do get to meet one of the other doctors in the office though and probably ask any questions I might have.

So, that's the grand update.

Big News....

I guess it's time to break the big news to the public...

We are about 10 1/2 wks pregnant! I had my first appointment on May 1 in which I seen a heartbeat!! YAY! That means the world considering we lost our baby in January. So the doc's u/s machine is older and the picture is quite grainy...so she measured me at 8 wks and I figured I should be more like 9 wks. She said that when I come back in 2 wks we'll do another u/s and with the baby being bigger it'll be easier to measure. Right now, I'm going on what I think...and that would mean I'd be due around December 4th. My next appointment is this Thursday and I can't wait!

BIL and new house update

I guess it's high time I post again. Yeesh, where does the time go??

Update on my BIL: He got his trache removed on the 16th, I think it was. Hard to remember now. But he also got the results from the lymph nodes and unfortunately they showed Thyroid Cancer. But first things first, he had an appt with the radiation oncologist on the 24th and was told he needed to see their dentist before the radiation could begin to make sure that where the radiation was going to take place wouldn't affect his teeth. If it were to affect his teeth, it would also affect his jawbone and would cause enough damage to have the jawbone replaced. On the 28th, they went to see the dentist. He had teeth guards casted at that appt. On the 30th, he had a swallow study and follow up with his surgeon. The feed tube was removed! He's eating a soft diet now and doing well from what I'm told. He is healing amazingly well! Tomorrow, I believe, they are going again to the dentist to make sure the guards fit correctly and he is supposed to be fitted for the helmet for radiation and possibly a trial run of radiation. After this, then the date will be determined for him to begin the 6 wks of radiation treatment. He will be having treatments 5 days a week for 6 weeks. Someone has to stay with him during this time and he has to stay near the hospital, which by the way is 2 1/2 to 3 hrs from their home. Needless to say, my sister got right on it and found someone to stay with him the entire time. It won't be the same person but he will be watched after by her, his 2 sisters and also a family friend. Within the next year, he will have to have thyroid surgery though to have it removed due to the found cancer cells and will then be on thyroid meds for the rest of his life. While this all sounds pretty grim at times, he had such a boost when he passed the swallow study and was able to have his feed tube removed. He's very happy to be on a soft diet and he's getting stronger all the time. Thanks for all the thoughts & prayers...they've been appreciated!

Our move date has been decided. We plan to move on Saturday, June 14th. I wish it were sooner but we need to wait til the girls are out of school. It just gives us more time to get all the painting & fixing done beforehand.

I guess that's a good enough update for now. I'll try to post again soon! I know, promises, promises!

Our newly leased home and a few other things

The day after my last post, we signed a lease on this terrific 2,296 sq. ft. house on 2.1 acres in the country! It is absolutely huge and we can't wait to move in. It has 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a laundry room, kitchen and full basement. The basement is not finished, but will definitely serve it's purpose. There is also a 2 car garage, with a loft for Joe's workshop! We are currently painting and getting it ready to move in to. The girls will be leaving our current school when it's out in June and begin a new school in the fall. The elementary and intermediate schools are right down the road, not even a quarter mile. While they are a bit nervous about starting a new school again, I think this will be a great move for us. I like smaller schools, near the country, rather than big city schools. We have also heard from several people that the new school district is one of the best in Michigan. :) I plan to contact the school before this school year is over so they can expect our girls next fall. And I've also checked out their MEAP scores, so I've done a bit of research.

I also traded in my 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee and got a 2002 Jeep Liberty. The 97 was in need of some expensive repairs coming soon and has not been so reliable as of late. Therefore, the trade in. My Liberty is black and very nice!

My BIL has surgery on 4-3 to remove a cancerous spot in his mouth and also some of the lymph nodes in his neck. After 11 1/2 hrs of surgery, he was finally out, drain tubes and a trache attached. He has been doing very well and was able to go home a day earlier than what was expected. Today he was supposed to go for a check up and I have yet to hear how that went.
Hopefully he had the trache removed today!

So, that's been what's been going on around this neck of the woods. I will try to do better on posting, but we've been quite busy lately. Just about every room in the house is being painted so my weekends have been busy completing those tasks!

Take care - comment when you have time!

Lots going on

and I will update soon! Sorry it's been so long.

More to come....

Two weeks later...

And the doctor says all is well. I had my follow-up appt on Thursday (Happy Valentines Day) and the doctor says I've healed fine. She says to still wait a cycle or two before trying to get pregnant again. The pathology report does not indicate anything out of the ordinary in a miscarriage.

Today is Saturday and I got up, went and walked 17 minutes on the treadmill, 3 times I ran 1 minute, then used some of the upper body machines and finally rode 2.3 miles in 12 minutes on the stationary bike. I think a good way to get started. I treated myself to a Tall Non-Fat Mocha from McD's afterward and ran the rest of my errands. Now I'm home cleaning! I'm going to try to get back to WW routine. I would love to lose about 15 lbs before trying to get pregnant again. That is the goal anyway.

Joe had the first appt of the root canal process this morning. He was so nervous he ended up with hives before the appt. He goes on Wed for a cleaning and then I think the next step is the impression for the crown.

Kimberlee has to have a cavity filled on Monday afternoon and then at 6 I have my taxes done. I can't wait. I'm eager to see how much I'll have to pay in this year. I rolled my 401k from my old job into an IRA and then used it to pay off debts (which was a smart move in my opinion). Now the debts are gone and although I'm sure I'll have to pay in, it begins to build my credit again. We received an annual bonus at work, so I am saving that to pay whatever taxes I'll need to. Then the rest will be saved to use when we find a different place to rent. And I hope we do.

Guess I had better get back to cleaning. This was a nice break, but I have a lot to do while everyone is gone. The girls are at Joe's moms for the weekend and Joe is off ice fishing. The sun is shining and the motivation to get this done is here. Better use it!

After Surgery

Surgery went fine yesterday. The hardest part was the pre-op waiting. The morning seemed to drag on. The girls didn't have school due to the snowfall. I, luckily, had a friend from work that took the day off and she watched the girls while we went to the hospital. It actually was quite weird as the anesthia nurse told me she put something in my I.V. to put me out, I started to feel weird and the next thing I knew the doc was talking to me afterward, waking me up. I had to have her repeat some information she gave me cuz the first time she told me I wasn't totally with it. I experienced some burning afterward, which she gave me some ointment for. But I'm feeling better now.

Not overdoing it, I don't think. Sitting a lot, or laying. But still getting up and doing a little here and there. Joe tends to stay outside a lot, so I do fend for myself, although he tells me to call him if I need him.

So, that's where I'm at now. Relaxing and trying to stay sitting or laying. I go back to work Monday and life starts over again. :)

Tomorrow

Tomorrow I go in for my D & C. Surgery scheduled for 2:30. I know it's not a big deal, but it is. I've never experienced this before. And I tend to wonder why my body didn't do what it should have done when the baby didn't continue to progress. But it's out of my hands and I need to get this "surgery" over with and move on. I'm ready to get back to the gym to lose about 15 lbs and I'm ready to start over on my WW way of life. It'll be a fresh start after healing.

Please keep us in your thoughts tomorrow and know I treasure our friendships.

:)

Thank you

Thanks for all your sympathy wishes. They are truly appreciated. I have my "surgery" scheduled for next Friday the 1st. Then it'll be healing and waiting to start trying again. Next time hoping that GOD has it in his plan for us!

We leave in the morning for Traverse City. We are going to Grand Beach Resort Hotel for 2 days. It's about a 4 hr drive according to RandMcNally . Joe likes their directions best, so I just avoided yahoo and went there! lol His sister is coming to dog-sit and the girls are already with their dad. They don't have school tomorrow because it's Records Day.

I'll check back in after our trip and maybe post a pic or two.

Have a great weekend!

Confirmation & time to move ahead...

It was confirmed today, by a 2nd ultrasound and an actual doctor, that the baby has no heartbeat and is smaller than it was a week ago. While we are very sad over this happening, it apparently wasn't the right time for us to start on that journey. God apparently thought this was more than we could handle at this time because we all know he doesn't give us more than we can handle. I see my OB/GYN tomorrow and we'll see how she wants me to handle the rest of the situation.

Joe and I celebrate our 1st anniversary this coming Friday. We are going away for the weekend. I think this is coming at a good time. We need some time away from everything.

I hope we have good news again soon...