Baby T and me

Baby T at 33 weeks. She is getting so big!
Good news first.... Baby T is great! After having some trouble this past week with my blood pressure being higher than my doctor, or I, would like, I had some tests done on Thursday just to make sure everything is okay. My blood work came back perfect, protein levels are right on target....so, my doctor requested some more tests to check on Baby T. We had another ultrasound (she is still camera shy) and she is growing within the average range and weight is good, and we were hooked up to monitors to see if I am having contractions and how she responds to the stress of the contractions. I did have some, I didn't even feel them, and she reacted as she should (moving a bit and heart rate increasing slightly). So, overall we found out that Baby T is fine, but I am having some odd/unexplainable peaks in blood pressure. Doctor's recommendations...stop working and rest. I am not on bed rest, but he does think that the stress of driving an hour to and from work and the stress of work is contributing to the rise in blood pressure. I don't think my boss was thrilled by any means to hear this news, but he has been very understanding and is working very hard at finding my sub. I am adjusting to the new schedule and finding already it weird not to be running around, but I will do anything to make sure Baby T is given the time she needs to continue developing and growing. I will continue to keep you posted on how both of us are doing.

Brad quote of the week: "I've never met someone so fun that I haven't met yet!"

Update on Baby T

This week has been an interesting one already and it is only Wednesday! For the most part, this pregnancy has been uneventful-the baby is doing well, we are gaining weight...everything has been textbook. However, I recently started to have hot flashes that last 20-45 minutes and cause me to look as if I am completely embarrassed (red cheeks and ears!). It turns out that it is me reacting to a peak in my blood pressure. After talking to my doctor about it yesterday, my blood pressure is elevated, but not enough for him to be extremely concerned and admitting me to the hospital. But, he doesn't like it that it is 10 points higher in both directions either. So...today I got to stay home from school on bed rest and tomorrow morning I have to go in for a blood work panel just to check everything. He thinks everything should be fine and I can continue going about business as usual, but he wanted me to take a day off and rest. I will keep you all posted as to what we find out--which hopefully will be that everything is fine.

On a happier note, work to the house is going well. We are 95% done with the bathroom and laundry room redue projects and if the other projects for downstairs stay on track, we will be able to move in February 1. We have started to redue the upstairs bath, a project that was originally going to wait until later down the road, but it should be completed by the end of the month as well. I haven't been much help, I have stripped the wallpaper boarder along the stairs and spackled in a few rooms, but my job is mostly to dictate and make decisions--which isn't too bad. Thankfully, we have wonderful family that comes and helps often to make sure that projects are getting completed! I know that without help, Brad and I would not be able to move in until maybe June! Or we would be paying the carpenter and his buddies a lot more! I still haven't brought my camera over recently, but I will post pictures of the house soon. Maybe while we have the camera handy I can have Brad take a new picture of Baby T too ;-)

Happy New Year!

I want to begin by wishing all of you a Happy New Year...2008 is sure to be a great one! Not only are Brad and I expecting Baby T's arrival, but we also bought a very large present for ourselves a couple days after Christmas...a house! We have been renting a house for the last 6 months while I found a job and we decided where exactly we wanted to settle. We weren't looking yet, but we stumbled upon a house that we both fell in love with. It is 10 minutes north of where we are now and is a 2 story craftsman home built in 1909. It needs some work, but nothing we can't handle--or that a few hired men can't fix. We hope to have it ready to move into by February 1, but we shall see.

I had a wonderful visit in Chicago over my break--I had time with my family which was very much needed, and it was great to see everyone at the Casey shower. We are so fortunate to have so many people in our lives that care for us. Baby T can't begin to image how lucky she is! Once home in Gentryville, the Tempel's had a shower for me as well since Ashley Beth was in town for her break. Again, Brad and I can't thank all of you enough for your generousity and love! Now we are just trying to figure out where all the goodies will go in the new house, what to pack up now and what to display, and get the last things together before Baby T comes. We started "Baby" class last night and it will continue for the rest of this month, so hopefully we will be prepared and Brad will know what he is to do as "Coach." I think he will be fine. That's about it for now, so until next time...Have a great day!

Mom, Godmama Erin and I at the Casey shower (Baby T is now 30 weeks!)
Dad trying out the "Daddy Diaper Duty" kit for Brad
Baby T's very own Diaper Cake! Thanks Karen!

Baby T wishes you all a very Merry Christmas!

‘Twas days before Christmas and all through the house
Everyone was stirring, even a mouse.
The stockings were hung in the living room with care
In hopes that Santa would soon be there.
I have been battling a cold in the head,
While wishing there were meds I could take instead.
Brad is busy working at the mine,
But the thoughts of Baby T always make him shine.
Nimbus and Pooka are both doing well
Hyper with excitement from what we can tell.
Baby T’s also ready for this holiday season
And is looking forward to meeting all of you for good reason.
Our last doctor’s visit was without any worry
Baby T is growing great, but in no hurry.
With flying colors I passed my glucose test
This is great news due to the sweets in our nest!
We have finally sent cards out and decorated our Christmas tree
And it is the first real one for me.
The ornaments are on and the lights are hung
And Christmas music is all that is sung.
I look forward to seeing many of you soon
I just hope my flight is not delayed passed noon.
So that is our update for this week
I am sure there will be more info you will seek.
Last, but not least, Merry Christmas to you
And your families too!

Merry Christmas from Brad, Ashley, and Baby T!

Me with my very first real tree as we were making sure it was standing straight.
Nimbus after a long day's work of sleeping and helping to decorate the house.
Pooka is also enjoying the festive tree. She has even been helping clean up the needles!

Thanksgiving pics

As promised, there is a picture taken from Thanksgiving. Better late than never, right?

Happy Belated Thanksgiving!

I am still waiting for some pictures to be sent my way from Thanksgiving, but I do have some to share. Whether Baby T's taste buds were developed or not, she had a wonderful meal. Brad and I shared the holiday with my parents, who drove down from Chicago, and Brad's family. It was wonderful to see my family and I think they were surprised to see me in person (even though they have had warning of the ever growing belly!). At least I only have to wait another month to see them again! I am sure that will be an adventure all its own because I will be flying (and it will be a solo trip because Brad has to work).
Now 27 weeks, Baby T continues to grow, kick, and entertain us. She is pushing against ribs more, which isn't the most comfortable feeling, but I can only believe she doesn't mean to. She is even giving us a show now during church. Last week, while singing, I noticed that my book was moving and I wasn't moving it! She is pushing against it hard enough to make it move away from my belly! Then it was just entertaining to see if Brad and I could watch her kicks and not just feel them. We have another appointment next week (the last of our monthly visits before going to every 2 weeks!) where we hope to hear that everything is right on target. We will keep you posted!

Baby T is 6 months! (in the making)

Baby T at 24 weeks! We are growing every day it seems!

This Friday, 11/16/07, is the 6 month mark for Baby T! We can't believe that it has been that long already, and that there are only about 3 1/2 months till she is here! Baby T and I have a check up tomorrow; where we hope all is well. I am still feeling great, with the exception on some back pain. The baby's room is coming along, my belly is getting bigger, and the anticipation is getting greater. Brad has been doing a bunch of reading now too, and knows exactly what I should expect while expecting. He is very excited and loves to listen to the bed time story I read to Baby T every night, and talks out his daydreams about what she will look like, what she will be like, and what he will teach her.
Other fun happenings....she loves music and dancing! Brad and I went to the So You Think You Can Dance Tour show last weekend with her. I can't say whether she liked it or not, but she was kicking and dancing throughout the entire show! I think the only time she stopped was when the music stopped during intermission! It was funny to feel her being so active for so long. Usually her movements are sporadic and brief, but this was craziness! Now that there is no booming bass or loud music playing, she is back to her normal self and moving and kicking a few times an hour. It really is too bad that there aren't any Irish Dancing schools around here because I think she would be the youngest prebeginner to do it! Ballet will have to do.

Brad's quote most recently: "She is so lucky! She is developing taste buds just in time for Thanksgiving!"