Medical Leave

So, I went to the doctor this week on Wednesday. I am 34 1/2 weeks (ish) and my blood pressure has been consistently rising over the last several weeks. My blood pressure at my appointment was 152/80, and so my doctor said - NO MORE WORK and LOTS OF BED REST or baby was going to come super early. So, I am now trying to figure out how I am going o keep myself busy yet get plenty of rest and take care of me and baby for the next few weeks. We actually went to the hospital last night, because my blood pressure was 140/92 and the baby's heart rate was in the 180s (110-160 is normal baby heart rate). They monitored us for a few hours and thankfully everything gradually went back to normal. That's the latest news on Marisa and Maddox. My next appointment is next Thursday. She'll start checking to see if I'm dialated with this appointment; so I will keep you updated on the progress. It's so unbelievable how close we are!!

Nursery Update

My mom and dad brought over the letters for the wall today. They look so adoreable!!! Here's a couple of pictures. Isn't it cute???

Birthing Class: Week 5

Tonight was "Baby Basics" at our childbirth classes. It was hilarious!! They had the coaches handling the pretend baby. We learned how to bathe baby, change baby, swaddle baby, etc. I got some great pictures of Donald handling fake baby Maddox. He was a trooper. He actually got an "A" on his diaper changing skills. The instructor used our baby to model the correct way to diaper. YAY DADDY!! (Good to know he's going to be good at that - he can be in charge of diaper changing!!) Just kidding... hehe :-) Enjoy the pictures from tonight.

Jada's First Haircut

We took Jada to PETCO for her first grooming today. She looks so cute! They put her bow in the middle of her forehead, which is funny. She smells like cotton candy. She's too cute! I took some pictures of her last night because she was so cute laying on this pillow. But most pictures are of her today with her new haircut. My pretty girl.

Birthing Class: Week 4

I almost forgot! We attended our childbirth class last night. We watched a video about C-Sections and then spent most of the class discussing postpardum care. WOW is all I can say. All of the things they DON'T tell you about labor and birth will never cease to amaze me. It's not pretty. Next week is "Baby Basics" which I'm excited about. I am the oldest child in my family; so I have some recollection of baby stuff with my little brother (7 years yonger than me) but it's been SO long that I'll gladly welcome the refresher. They'll go over all the basics - diapering, cord care, feeding, etc. If nothing else - it will be good for Daddy to know how to change a diaper! :-) WE LOVE YOU DADDY!!!!!

Nursery Almost Complete!

We've added quite a bit to the nursery since I last posted pictures; so I wanted to update everyone. We actually purchased a stroller and car seat (applause!!) The one we have comes with a base; so Daddy doesn't have to have a car seat in his vehicle all the time - just a small base. Now we just have to install it correctly, and we'll be set! The nursery is nearly complete! I just need a few more things, and we'll be all ready for the little guy.

Enjoy!

Jada Bug

Poor Jada wasn't feeling well this week. We took her to the doctor today, and she had worms. Her shot record wasn't very reliable, and I should have had her checked out when we FIRST got her, but she's all vaccinated and ready to go now. It was so pitiful - all the shots and they had to take blood. She cried and just clung to me. I told my mom: I'm not going to make it with Maddox. I teared up watching my PUPPY get shots. How am I going to be when my baby boy is getting them??? Here are some pictures. One is of her big band aid on her leg from where they drew blood. The other is her laying next to me because she's not feeling too good after all that poking and proding. My poor baby.

Pregnancy: 32 Weeks (8 Months)

Yeah, yeah, yeah....it's time for the belly picture. I know! I know! :-)

Mr. Maddox weight almost 4 pounds now. He's a growing boy! It seems like I get bigger and bigger EVERY day. As you can imagine, sleep and I do not get along. Between frequent bathroom trips, being uncomfortable, being hot or cold, and my wonderful husband snoring - I wake up often. Just a little longer and maybe I'll actually get to sleep 3 hours straight! :-) I won't hold my breathe. I keep thinking this sleep schedule is just preparing me for those every 2 hours feeding. Maybe I'll be lucky and he'll sleep 3-4 hours between each meal. Hmmmm. :-)

Enjoy the picture. I swear - this blog will be blackmail someday. Ha!

Goodbye Jax

It was a sad day. I took Jaxie to live with my aunt and uncle in Arkansas. Don and I have been discussing our pet situation with a new baby coming and decided it was best that we find Jax a good family to go live with. He is just such a hyper little puppy and loves to play (and gets jealous of anyone else that gets my attention) that I was worried how he would react to baby Maddox. I don't think I could put Maddox on the couch and look away without the worry that Jax would jump on the couch and on top of the baby before I know. He would not mean to hurt the baby - just play, but I didn't want to chance it. We still have Jada. She's so calm and small. She can't even jump on the couch because she's so little. My aunt and uncle are big dog lovers and its nice to know I can keep tabs on Jax and see him occassionally. It was hard to say goodbye to him today. He's such a sweetheart and been a big part of our lives for the last year. I will miss him a ton. I know it was for the best, but it was hard on me. We know he will be loved and get a lot of attention with his new family. My two cousins will spoil him rotten. I know they'll love him as much as everyone else has. Here's to Jax...

Birthing Class: Week 3

Tuesday's class was crazy. We talked about the hospital experience. The instructor went over everyone and everything we'll see in the hospital (including internal heart monitors, contraction detectors and the epidural needle!). We also got to tour the hospital, which was unreal. We got to see the labor/delivery room, the post-delivery room; the NICU and the baby nursery. There was a nurse inside and she held up a little baby boy, and my heart seriously skipped a beat. It made everything SO real. The classes are great. We were told to go ahead and buy a carseat, just in case we go into pre-term labor. So, we did. We're ALMOST ready for the little guy. Just hopes he gives me the 8 weeks I'm expecting before he decided to say hello! :)

4th of July in Ohio

We spent the 4th of July with DT and LaDonna in Ohio. It was fun. I think I held up pretty well for 8 months pregnant and a 12 hour vehicle ride! :) Thanks to Matt and Cara for putting up with me and my need for air. We spent the 4th at a friend's house. It was great food and great company. Next time I see them, they will be Aund LD and Uncle Honey :)

Baby Shower

My mom hosted a baby shower this past weekend (with the help of family and friends) Thanks to everyone who helped put this shower together. It was amazing! I have the best friends and family a person could ask for. The diaper cake (pictured below) was from the Glissons. It's now a decoration on Maddox's changing table. The actual cake was from my mother-in-law, and it was seriously one of the best strawberry cakes I've ever had. The punch was very yummy (yay Bets!!) The games were so fun (thanks Aunt Nita and Aunt Carla!) The funniest thing was when my sister-in-law, Cara, opened the "dirty diaper" - her face was priceless. I was so glad Rena and Alicia made the trip from Arkansas to share in the day. My aunts and grandma also made a long trip to get here. It wouldn't have been the same without ya'll! The gifts were great!! I don't have enough space to mention all of them (thank you cards are coming in the mail), but Rena outdid herself with monograming. I have a blanket, bath towel set and little hats that have Maddox's name monogrammed on them. She's incredible. I can't wait until little Maddox gets here to use and wear all of the new stuff. My real live doll to dress up :)

Here are some pics from the fun day.