The Marshalls

Me No Like

2011-09-16T07:45:00.001-07:00

Guess who just got diagnosed with gestational diabetes? That's right, me. I just barely failed the tests, but I still failed. I get to do the whole diabetic education stuff and LEARN ME how to take my blood sugar, lol. Like I've never done this before being a nurse and all! Oh well. It sounds like I will be able to control the diabetes with a change in my diet. This means minimal carbs and simple sugars. Goodbye pastas and lots of breads :o(.

Women with multiples is 2-3 times more likely to develop GD. Ugh! Just one more thing to add to the list of how hard it is to have twins. Women who go through IVF also tend to have more problems. And maybe being 4 ft 11 inches adds to the stress.

Maybe I've said this before but I loved being pregnant with Ethan. This pregnancy, not so much and I can't wait until these babies arrive (of course when they are full term). The only thing I really enjoy is feeling those babies move!

Until next time...

It Is Possible to Crash a Mac Computer

2011-09-13T09:54:00.000-07:00

Nope, I'm not able to post any pictures today. You'll have to wait. Why? Because I managed to crash our macintosh laptop. Most of our stuff was backed up except for Ethan's first year of video. The laptop was in the process of backing that up when it crashed. Thankfully, I married a computer guy who is working on getting the information from the old hard drive onto the new one. Whew! I thought about crying because I was so upset, but Jordan came to my rescue!

Last week was kind of a whirlwind. I ended up in the hospital Thursday night for lots of contractions that were really getting uncomfortable. They put me on IV medication to help stop that. I was suppose to go to the hospital this week anyway for a bunch of stuff so it worked out in the end. The babies are still doing great and are as active as ever. After a few tests were completed, I am not expected to go into labor for at least another 2 weeks. I am currently 28 weeks pregnant and chugging right along. I'm starting to feel like a beached whale. The beach is the couch, the whale is me.

Ethan is doing great. He has adjusted well to me being on bedrest. Jordan has done so well to step up as the mom and dad role. I love that man :o) Finally, Ethan is talking more and more. I thought he was going to be stuck saying the same 15 words forever. But with him only knowing a few words, he is still able to put words together. He amazes me every day, like when he manages to take ALL of the child-proof plugs out of the outlets, or get batteries out of toy that is suppose to be child-proof. Last night, I found that he took apart the telephone jack box apart, but was not so successful at putting it back together.

Our old house is all packed up thanks to Jordan and others who have helped. Jordan gets a little break and will be busy packing up our current house at the end of the month. We close on our new house in T minus 16 days!

Sell a House, Buy a House

2011-09-07T16:25:00.000-07:00

How crazy are our lives? Crazy enough that we sold our house and bought another one within a few days while I am on bedrest expecting twins just one month after we move in. Whew! We close on the house we are selling on September 26th and then close on the house we are buying on the 30th. Hopefully, I won't be on bedrest in the hospital at that point! The biggest thing we love about our new house is the huge fenced in back yard that is nicely landscaped. A fence is something we weren't allowed to have at our other house. The house is also just a block away from one of the best elementary schools. It's a pre-existing house built in the late 1960s. Some of the house needs a little renovation down the road but it still is a beautiful house! We are so excited.

What can I say about Ethan other than he is almost 2 years old. He has reached that 2 year old stage and wow is he a handful. Well, he always has been but you add a little age to that and watch out! Although he always has been a stubborn but he also is becoming defiant. Two great qualities to have to drive your parents nutty.

I had a doctor appointment yesterday and the babies look fabulous! They both are measuring well and moving lots. Heart beats are normal. I will be 28 weeks on Saturday and that is a great hurdle to get over. Now we must make it another month to improve the chances of having healthy little babies. Every day is a blessing!

So here are some pictures of the babies. Baby A is the little boy. Baby B is the little girl!

Belly Pictures

2011-08-23T21:07:00.000-07:00

I haven't shared any of my twin belly pictures on here. Now you can see the evolving belly!

But first a quick update. My appointment on Monday (and every Monday from now until these babies arrive) went well. The babies continue to flip around into crazy positions. They are growing right on track! And I will remain on bedrest.

A few things to keep in mind:

1). I am currently 25 weeks pregnant. My belly is 44 inches around.
2). I do not know how much longer I will be able to drive since the steering wheel is starting to get in the way.
3). There are only 2 or 3 maternity shirts that I can fit into now. You will commonly see me in my night shirts or Jordan's t-shirts.
4). I feel like a beached whale as I roll out of bed or off the couch, literally!
5). These babies move like crazy and I don't get how they have room to completely flip around in 24 hours!
6). We definitely are done having kids after this!

10 Weeks Pregnant

12 Weeks Pregnant

14.5 Weeks Pregnant

21 Weeks Pregnant

25 Weeks Pregnant

Ultrasound Photos!

2011-08-19T12:39:00.001-07:00

I have an ultrasound every week I go to the doctor, but the picture quality doesn't compare to the newest ultrasound technology that is available. Fortunately, I get to have 3D/4D ultrasounds every 4 weeks to watch the growth of the babies. So, here are the ultrasound pictures from 19 weeks and from today. During the first ultrasound, the little girl was not cooperating so we only got a few pictures of her. Today, the little boy was not cooperating. I am 25 weeks tomorrow!

19 Weeks, Baby Girl's Legs

19 Weeks, Lots of Legs and Feet

19 Weeks, Baby Boy

19 Weeks, Baby Boy's Profile

Almost 25 Weeks, Baby Girl

Almost 25 Weeks, Baby Boy's Profile

Almost 25 Weeks, Three Legs and One Arm

Almost 25 Weeks, Baby Girl's Profile

We Are Back!

2011-08-17T14:54:00.001-07:00

Yes, we are still alive! Our lives have changed drastically in the last few months. So let me get you up to speed on what's happening around here!

If you don't already know, I AM PREGNANT--------> WITH TWINS! We are expecting one boy and one girl that are due December 3rd and I am currently 24 weeks pregnant. We are hoping to make it past November 12. Due to our high risk pregnancy, I have been on bedrest since last week (23 weeks). This means Jordan has taken over most of the duties in the house, including being the primary caretaker for Ethan.

Ethan is doing very well despite my bedrest. He likes to sit by me and play. But, it lasts for just moments until he is off and running to do other things. I wish I had as much energy as him. He is growing like a weed! He loves to run, jump, and play with trucks and balls like a typical boy. I can't believe that he isn't a baby anymore!

We also moved out of our beautiful house and into a temporary house (formerly our rental house) so we can sell our house. We decided to downsize and move a more friendly neighborhood. We LOVE living on the west side of Rapid City! It seems we all are happier living here, too! As soon as our house sells, we will start hunting for a new house. This will give us more room to buy a boat/camper and take nice family vacations down the road. Anyone want to buy a nice house on a golf course?

Well, there is our life in a nutshell. Since I am now on bed rest, I will have time to update frequently. Until then, here are pictures of Ethan from June and July. And yes, he is obsessed with his golf clubs.

What do you think we are having?

2011-06-28T08:22:00.001-07:00

I had an appointment yesterday and all looks great so far! I am measuring 25 weeks but am 17 weeks along! We get our big fancy 3D/4D anatomical ultrasound in two weeks!

So what do you think we are having?
1). two boys
2). two girls
3). one boy and one girl

Homemade slushies

2011-06-11T12:15:00.000-07:00

Just to show you all that we still exist, I am going to post a real simple summer slushy recipe. I have been craving slushies. This is a super cheap way to make them at home!

Homemade Slushies

1 pack of unsweetened kool-aid, any flavor
2 cups of water
1/2-3/4 cup of sugar
4 cups of cubed ice

Mix ingredients and blend. But I add a little more water and cubed ice because I like a lighter taste. It is pretty strong as this recipe is written. Also, I dissolve the sugar in the water. To add a little extra kick, decrease the amount of water and sugar, and add some 7-up or ginger ale!

It makes 4-6 glasses.

Cost is less than 20 cents for all the ingredients!

Enjoy!

Let's Talk About Infertility

2011-03-18T21:47:00.000-07:00

Infertility. It still is a subject that can bring an elephant into a room, though it has gotten better in the last 10 years (I think). Each couple, each person reacts to the diagnosis of infertility differently. Most people don't like to talk about it because infertility is such a personal problem. And you would not believe the comments that come out of peoples' mouths. So here I am to educate you a little bit about infertility.

Definition of infertility: unable to conceive; woman unable to get or keep a pregnancy; man unable to impregnate

Approximately 2 out of 10 (or 20%) of couples are unable to conceive within one year. Chances are, you know someone who has or is going through this problem. You may, or may not, know about it. Of the 20%, 10% will get pregnant either naturally or with medical help after one year. Male and female issues are equally responsible for the infertility at 40% each. The remaining 20% are unknown/undiagnosed issues.

So imagine trying month after month after month, then year after year to have a baby. It truly is an emotional rollercoaster. There is constant disappointment, constant wondering what is wrong, and a feeling of utter failure. Each month, you start fresh and get excited only to feel totally devastated later. And then you start all over again.

After over 4 years of devastation, disappointment, anger, and sadness, we finally were able to get pregnant and stay pregnant (we miscarried twins prior to this). We were not able to do it the au natural way. Fortunately, there have been huge medical advances to give couples like us a chance to have a family. Because of that, we met our beautiful baby boy on Nov 3, 2009. We are fortunate enough to be able to afford the medical interventions--it's not cheap--unlike so many couples. Only 13 states cover all or part of infertility issues.

So a few things I ask of you when you are dealing with a couple who are having trouble conceiving...

1). Initially, don't be too nosey. They will talk about it when they are ready. But do ask how they are feeling because it is such an emotional subject.

2). Watch what you say... Please DO NOT say stuff like this
- "Why don't you just adopt?" Personal choice and not something for you to bring up. They've probably already thought about it. And adopting is actually more expensive than most infertility treatments.
- "Whenever I look at my husband, I get pregnant." Makes them feel even worse and like they are failures, doesn't help out how they feel at all!
- "If I have twins, I'll give you one." Really? You really would? Don't lie.
- "Just relax and it will happen." If I charge everyone $1 for how many times I heard this, I would be rich. The majority of couples who have been trying for over a year actually have something medically wrong with him/her. You saying it doesn't make relaxing any easier.
- "Are you doing it right?" Oh I love this one.

3). Don't give out advice like this:
- "Are you putting your hips up after?"
- "Have you tried standing on your head?"
- "Hop backwards seven times."

Yes, I personally was told all of these comments. Some of you may not see why this is a big deal. But unless you've been in shoes that go through infertility, you won't understand. And I hope none of you have to understand.

So why am I writing about infertility? Chances are that there is someone out there who is going through it. I've had the privilege to help others out in the last few years with infertility that have come to me personally about questions and concerns. I've enjoyed helping them so much. It brings a smile to my face. And of the 4 people who have contacted me, I'm happy to announce all of them have either given birth or are currently pregnant.

As for citing any references, the information you see here is pretty much the general statement in most articles or on most internet sites. I had a couple years to do research and gather information. I almost feel like an expert. In fact, I know more about the male and female reproductive system than human should have to know. :o) :o) :o)

Amazing Story, Amazing People

2011-03-02T08:23:00.000-08:00

I needed to share this amazing story about our friends. This was the friend who became paralyzed after a dirtbiking accident in August 2009. It was really neat to see this in the newspaper today. Jordan was with Thore when the accident happened. I called Justine to tell her the news and picked her up to take her to the hospital. It was an unforgettable evening with a family who's lives changed forever in an instant. Don't forget to hug your loved ones every day.

http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/news/article_babae50c-4477-11e0-8199-001cc4c03286.html

(you will have to copy and paste because adding the link does not seem to work)

Grab a box of kleenex...

No Time for Anything.

2011-02-20T16:23:00.001-08:00

Originally, I started out writing this post yesterday. As you can see, I am now finishing the post today.

I have been getting some pokes that I haven't updated the blog lately. Just a few days ago, I realized it has been over a month since my last post! In fact, there was still Christmas music playing. So, here it goes.

January was filled with lots of action! Jordan's family was here from England. Then, we had Cindy (Jordan's mom) stay with us until she left for Liberia, Africa to continue doing missions. Jordan has been sick a lot with the random flu or cold. And Ethan mostly has been able stay healthy.

In the coming months, there will be a lot going on in and around the Marshall household. One of the biggest things we are looking forward to is SPRING! We all are getting that spring fever and sick of being cooped up in the house with so little to do. In the summer, so many of the tourist stuff is open and we have several options of what to do. But during the winter, it is either go to the mall or go to the family swim center. And it doesn't help I have an appropriate "mommy" swimsuit to wear anymore. So a new swimsuit is on the list of items to buy.

As I write this, I look outside at the 8+ inches of snow that have fallen in the last 24 hours. Boo. At least we can go play outside in the snow. If it ever warms up...

Ethan, Ethan, Ethan. He still is our bundle of energy who refuses to sit still. He loves to climb on things. He loves to jump. He loves to dance. He LOVES, LOVES, LOVES to watch Phineas and Ferb on television. Oh, and he loves to scream and throw tantrums. He is quite determined and hard-headed (like his dad). Here is a funny story. When Ethan starts throwing his tantrum, I put him in his room and tell him he can come out when he is ready, and I partially close his door. But, Ethan found a way to show he is displeased. He slams the door shut. LOL. How does a 15 month old learn that?

Because of my lack of blogging, I will keep you posted a little better in the coming months!

He LOVES daddy's bike and didn't want to get off.

Found HIS baby bouncer and watching Phineas and Ferb

Still an obsession.

Unwrap Those Presents!

2011-01-16T17:38:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas (belated), Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year!

Even though the Holiday season can be so crazy and sometimes stressful, it still is my favorite time of year. The presents under the tree, the music playing in the background, the big snowflakes falling from the sky...it all is wonderful. But we also remember what Christmas is about. Jesus is the reason for the season. And the quality time with family is treasured.

For those who are not able to celebrate with us here on earth, we hope that you were still able to share each moment with us.

We are so thankful for all we have. And we thank all of you, our friends and family, for all you've done for us.

P.S. Now, Ethan has learned how to ride his battery-operated 4-wheeler squatting, standing on his seat, standing on the foot rest, laying on the seat, or sitting backwards. Maybe we should get a smaller deductible on our health insurance...

Pre-Christmas

2011-01-16T17:23:00.000-08:00

The computer has been on the back burner for awhile. I didn't do well with keeping up with e-mails, checking facebook, or looking at blogs. And I admit it has been pretty nice! We have been able to spend lots of quality time together.

So it is time to update you on the happenings of the Marshall family starting from pre-Christmas!

I worked way too many hours prior to Christmas. So it was wonderful to have a whole week off. I was able to put the tree up just a few days before Christmas.

Pre-Ethan Christmas Tree

Ethan Discovering the Christmas Tree

Post-Ethan Christmas Tree

We managed to block the tree off and have minimal tree catastrophes!

Oh how I love this time of year!

I Heart Christmas Season

2010-12-05T11:35:00.000-08:00

I felt the need to change the blog a bit. As I read others' blogs, I realized that I am so busy, I just put information and some pictures. Now I plan on adding a little more thought as to what I write. We will see how this works.

While the three of us snotty-nosed Marshalls fight a cold, it doesn't change the fact that it is that time of year. December. Christmas.

Those around me know how much I love Christmas. I love making the house smell like apples and cinnamon, with a cup of hot cocoa or hot apple cider while sitting on the couch staring at a tree that sparkles so beautifully. Then there are the additional Christmas decorations that make the house feel like home. Since we got our first dog, we have not put any presents under the tree due to a previous experience, which I miss doing dearly. Thank goodness our puppy at the time, Trooper, did not eat the whole DVD and we could salvage the DVD for ourselves.

Now that we have a very active child, I am debating when we should put the tree up. Not only is Ethan active, but he is a persistent little fella'. You tell him no, and he grins with his little "no means do it again" smirk while you stare at him with a displeasing look. But without the tree, it just does not feel like Christmas. I don't get the feeling of curling up in a blanket and wanting to fall asleep on the couch next to the Christmas tree while it snows large Charlie Brown flakes outside.

So how do all of you deal with having small children and having a Christmas tree?

Almost all the presents are bought and wrapped. The last of the Christmas shopping has to be done this week so I can send off all the presents. There aren't many who get to send presents one way to Alaska and the other direction to Norway. We are so fortunate to have family, but I often miss them. It is especially hard for me during the holidays. One holiday season, we all will be able to get together.

Here is to one year ago, when Ethan got to experience his first Christmas. He was our little Christmas 2009 miracle.

And I love those little quirks of personality that Ethan has, like the one where he likes his legs pretzeled up so his feet can rest against the high chair.

More Pictures from November

2010-11-28T10:40:00.000-08:00

Our house use to be pretty darn clean. Now, it looks like this on an average day with a 12 month old. Notice the diaper cream on the bench, the baby spoon and sippy cup full of water on the floor, a full grocery bag on the table, and our stools laying on their sides. Seriously, does anyone else's house look like this??? Ah, the joys of toddlerhood.

Here is a visit from Grandpa Greg. Telling time is a hard thing to do.

It's his Ninja Duck outfit!

So Big!

Do you like his handprint on his face? He sleeps on his face with his butt in the air. Well, his forehead was resting on his hands. This is the end result.

Ethan's first time being IN the snow. I had to pick him up and set him in the snow. He didn't move for about 5 minutes. Now, he loves being in it!

Changes

2010-11-28T10:16:00.000-08:00

First of all, I cannot express all the things I am thankful for. I have a wonderful family and many awesome friends, a great job that I love (most of the time), yummy food on the table or the ability to go out to eat once in awhile, and we live in a beautiful house. My life is filled with love and happiness. I can't really ask for much more (well, I would like more children). During this holiday season, and the other 11 months of the year, I am thankful for all I have.

As for changes, I am going to change the blog a bit. It will be more than just pictures and updates of Ethan. So I hope you enjoy the new change, which will start in December.

Until then, we will post pics of our outdoor activities! He got a sled for his birthday from Gramma Norma and Grampa Charlie!

Ethan's Outdoor Outfit

I LOVE His Smile

His New Sled He Won't Willingly Get Out Of

He Suckers Us To Do Hard Labor

Happy 1st Birthday!

2010-11-12T10:49:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Ethan!

It's amazing that in one year, you have gone from this...

To this.

In one year, you have become such a big boy. It only seems like yesterday (though daddy would disagree) you came into our lives as the 7 lb, 8.9 oz baby. We got through your colic and your reflux. Now, you are a 20 lb, 3 oz healthy boy who won't stop moving. The first word you said, and knew what it meant, was very appropriate. "GO"! And then you tear off from the kitchen to the living room to the stairs. Our gates to the stairs have been opened for 2-3 weeks now. All our bathroom doors remain shut since the tub and toilet are your new toy collectors. You are Mr. Adventure and you are willing to try anything. Vegetables are your favorite to eat (especially, peas, green beans, and green peppers) and fruits are great for feeding the dogs. There are always a few minutes to read books... even an hour for that matter. And you always make a little time to cuddle with mom and dad (which we never thought was possible).

I loved cuddling and hugging you when you were just a tiny baby, so it makes me kind of sad that you are growing up. But it sure has been a pleasure to see you grow, to watch you learn so many new things (the newest would be picking your nose), and know that you are on the path to becoming a man. We hope that we can be good parents and provide you the tools (with the help of God) to become a strong, mature, and responsible gentleman who can one day experience what your dad and I have been able to so far. Here are to years to come. And when you are 60 years old, you will remain our baby.

With love,
Mom and Dad

Best Pic We Could Get!

Opening Gifts

My New Trike From Grandma Cindy!

Yum, Cake!

Dad and Me

My Sickly Lion

2010-11-08T20:31:00.001-08:00

Here is my little lion. He was sick over Halloween weekend with high fevers. But with a little Tylenol and Ibuprofen, he was rearing to go.

The first time he had it on, he hated it. The second time he had it on, he cried when we took it off.

I'm a lion. Here me roar!

(Imagine that... He has a pacifier in his mouth and in his hand.)

Outside Pics For Now

2010-11-07T14:40:00.001-08:00

But birthday pictures will be up soon (since I am at work and forgot the camera at home). And look for a new change within a few weeks.

He LOVES being outside!

Even if it is only 40 degrees, 30 mile-an-hour winds, and he has to wear a hat.

Mom Puts Me to Work

2010-11-07T14:34:00.000-08:00

and I run around with no pants on all the time.

Long Day of Playing

2010-11-07T14:28:00.001-08:00

After such a long day of playing, it's time to rest.

But this is what he does as soon as he realizes he is getting his picture taken.

A Sneak Peak of Ethan's One Year Photos

2010-10-07T12:15:00.001-07:00

http://www.imagedesignphotography.com/blog/2010/10/06/ethan-aka-cutie-pie/

I can't seem to get the "link" feature to work so you will have to copy and paste the website into your browser. We will get the full gallery sometime today. I'm so excited!

I may have to register Ethan for Regis and Kelly's Cutest Baby Contest in 2011!!!

Deserving of It's Own Post

2010-09-12T17:41:00.000-07:00

This is a picture from the night before his haircut, when we realized that he really needs one.

And I think it is my favorite picture of him....EVER.

First Haircut

2010-09-12T16:48:00.000-07:00

Here are pictures during and after his first haircut! He was sooo cute and was such a good little boy! Ethan just giggled and laughed the whole haircut. He was so ticklish! Jordan used a clippers while I was on standby so he wouldn't fall off while he was on top of the bathroom sink. And I think it turned out very well!

P.S. Don't let him fool you. He smiles EVERY TIME the camera is pulled out. He is such a cheeser for the camera. He generally is a happy baby but I guarantee he gets cranky...even if the pictures don't show it!

Whatever Disease It May Be

2010-09-12T16:33:00.000-07:00

Our poor little Ethan had some sort of viral disease last week. Thankfully, he is over it except for the runny nose. Whether it was Fifth Disease, Sixth Disease, or Measles, they all are treated the same. If you click on the pictures, you'll be able to see his poor little body. And these pictures do not show the rash at it's worst! I'm not ashamed to say that our little boy ran around the house stark naked OR with just a diaper on for several days. He loved it. And we had no accidents on the carpet, whew! I do have to share this story though.

When Ethan was stark naked one evening, he stood up and started peeing. Well, I had to laugh when he tried catching his pee. Every time he attempted to "catch the stream", he would stop peeing. The look on his face was a very confused one! I didn't have enough time to grab my camera, but this story is definitely going into his baby book!

Yes, my child will be embarrassed some day.

More Pics From the Summer

2010-08-31T15:11:00.000-07:00

It Got Awfully Quiet

2010-08-31T15:08:00.000-07:00

I wonder why...

Problem or Addiction?

2010-08-24T09:53:00.000-07:00

Ok, so it may not be a problem now.

As parents, we probably feed the need for pacifiers. At night, we throw all the pacifiers into his crib. Every time we (well, actually just I) check on him, he is in a different position with a different pacifier in his mouth. So if this is the temporary fix to him sleeping through the night, we are all for it.

We eventually will transition away from the pacifier. For now, it makes us all happy!

Speaking of checking on him, am I the only freak of a mom who STILL checks on him at least once before I go to bed and when I wake up before him? Habits are hard to break.

But if I hadn't checked on him this morning, I wouldn't have gotten this adorable picture. And yes, he slept right through the flash.

Speaking of Water

2010-08-22T18:26:00.000-07:00

1. 2. 3.

2010-08-22T17:42:00.000-07:00

This is how many steps Ethan took without falling all by himself yesterday! Look out world!

Have I mentioned how much he loves water? Maybe once or twice.

You should hear him attempt to say "uh-oh." It is quite an effort. We must get video of it!

The next adventure...Ethan needs a hair cut. Standby.

Friends!

2010-08-22T17:12:00.000-07:00

Meet Payson Holmes. He is 8 days younger than Ethan. The boys had the same due date, but Ethan beat him to the finish line in that department.

We are good friends with Payson's parents, Nick and Leah, and we use to be neighbors in Phoenix. But they insisted on moving away because of the military. And we wish we could be neighbors forever. They moved back to Phoenix since then (they are using the military excuse again), but will be moving to Las Vegas so Nick can be a Thunderbird...#4 to be exact. We keep telling them there is an air force base here. I guess flying jets is more exciting than flying bombers.

Payson and Leah were able to make a quick trip to Rapid City because they have family here. It was so nice to see them. And I think the boys had fun playing. As usual, Ethan was busy cheesing for the camera.

Nice to Meet You!

Attempting to Share

Umm, Let Go of My Hand Ethan

Getting Ready to Go

Nick and Leah, New Years Eve 2004

9 Months Old

2010-08-05T13:18:00.001-07:00

Yes, 9 months old. We can hardly believe it. He is becoming a little man. He had his 9 month baby checkup yesterday. His head circumference remains at the 25%. Length is now 60% (woohoo) at 28.5 inches long. And his weight has dropped to the low end at 20% or 18 lb, 6 oz. But, the pediatrician was not worried. Because he is above average for his motor skills, she thinks he is just more active at an earlier age so he's losing his so-called baby fat to burn off sooner. His milestones in chronological order...

-- inchworm crawling at 7.5 months (drug himself on his belly everywhere)
-- pulling up on furniture just 3 days after inchworm crawling
-- opening cupboards and drawers at 7.5 months
-- clapping at 8 months
-- actual crawling at 8.5 months
-- pulling himself into the bathtub head first at 8.5 months
-- walks with push toys on his own
-- says woh woh when he is mad something got taken away
-- going up a whole flight of stairs at 8.5 months
-- waves buh-bye a week ago
-- now says no no instead of woh woh
-- standing on his own 5 days ago at almost 9 months

Ethan is a high energy child who knows no such thing as sitting still unless he is sleeping. Cars are so bad, they are worth screaming in while in them. The new backpack carrier is awesome. Toys continue to get louder and more exciting. People say that he gets all that energy from me. I don't know what they are talking about because I can't wait to crawl into bed every night.

He now gets to eat almost whatever table food he wants, excluding the high allergen foods. He loves that food over baby food any day. In fact, he ate mac and cheese, 3/4 of a hot dog, and a half an avocado for lunch. For any ideas on how to put a little extra weight on our kid, please don't hesitate to contact us.

We love out little E-Man , a.k.a Etan (at the babysitter's), a.k.a Efan (cousin Sadie).

What Mommy Enjoys

2010-07-25T22:13:00.000-07:00

Mommy enjoys this...

And this...

And this...

And on some days, especially this!

Grandmas and Great Grandmas

2010-07-25T22:01:00.000-07:00

Nothing is better than being with family!

Aunt Andrea, Cousin Oliver, and Grandma Gloria at Mount Rushmore

Reading Time With Great Grandma Gloria-And Still My Favorite Book

Great Grandma Gloria and Me

Grandma Norma and Me

More June Pics

2010-07-24T11:35:00.000-07:00

I'm very behind on the blog. But, we just can't pass up summer! There's soooo much to do and soooo little time! We are trying to make the most of it all while we can. It's already the end of July. Before we know it, winter will be upon us and we'll be cooped up inside while it blizzards outside.

Ok, enough of those thoughts...

I'll try and update the blog along with pics in the next few days. To not overload you, here is where we left off.

Lobster This!

Love the Water

7 Months Old

All Grins!

Great Magazine!

What Happens to Ethan When Mom Isn't Home???

2010-06-13T16:00:00.000-07:00

What We Do Without the Wee One

2010-06-13T15:43:00.000-07:00

Jordan's Enduro Competition

Kim's Day At Work (A Couple Cobras and Hueys...and Our Mechanic, Randy)

Pics and Updates!

2010-06-13T15:16:00.001-07:00

Yay, Ethan is 7 months old already! He has had many milestones in the last month. He can crawl in a circle like crazy, but he can't crawl forward. He can pull himself up to stand for a minute or two. And, he can sit from the crawling position. It won't be long before he has his two bottom teeth!

He had his first real fever a couple weeks ago. He now has a little cold. But does that stop him from doing anything? Nope! Ethan is still our hyper, cannot sit still, must be close to mom or dad, will tell you when he's not happy, and funny little spitfire!

My Funny Face

My Paci

Almost Naked Except For My Fishing Hat

Dad Did It

Playing

Play Until I Sleep...LITERALLY!

Facebook!

2010-05-15T11:07:00.000-07:00

I seem to be having problems with the picture part of the blog. So, all the pictures are on Facebook under "March-April". Just look there. If you are not on Facebook, please just give me your e-mail address and I can send you pictures. Hopefully, I'll get it all to work soon.

Our basement is finished and just needs a good cleaning. I'll take some pictures when I'm done cleaning.

Jordan has his first enduro (dirtbike racing) of the season tomorrow. Pics to come!

We are getting Ethan's 6 month pics done in the next 1-2 weeks.

In other words, look out for new pictures... at least when I figure out how to get it to work.

:o) :o) :o) :o)

Still Not Seeing Pics?

2010-05-11T21:46:00.000-07:00

So I was informed that people are still unable to see the pictures that I just posted under "6 Months Old". However, I'm able to see them. So, can you please tell me if they are visible to you (again)?

Thanks!

6 Months Old!

2010-05-11T15:10:00.000-07:00

So our little boy is becoming a BIG BOY! He was 6 months old last week. And he had his 6 month checkup.

He is:
Weight- 16 lb, 10 oz (45%)
Height- 26.5 inches (50%)
Head- 20%

Yes, he still has a little peanut head. But, he did so well with his shots. Just a cry for a few seconds and then he gave the nurse a look of disgust. He looked at me and smiled...my heart melted! What a sweet little boy.

He is rolling all over the place and he is now eating solid food consistently. Who knew that his two only foods he likes is peas and prunes?! He LOVES to eat though.

On a side note, we finished our basement off and it should be completely done this week! We finished 2 bedrooms and a bathroom. Now, we finally have a place for guests to sleep again. It's very nice. We also started baby-proofing the house by putting the television on the wall and moving the other electronics out of reach for small children. Woohoo!

And the best news for Jordan and I... Ethan is sleeping through the night in his crib! YAY! It is wonderful. It's actually pretty funny. We put 6 or so pacifiers in his crib at night because he is a paci-holic. One night I went to check on him before I went to bed, he had one in each hand, one by his face that he started off with, and one in his mouth. I should have taken a picture.

Here are the pics that weren't showing up before.

Have a great week!

Having Trouble Seeing Pics?

2010-05-06T05:56:00.000-07:00

Anyone else having trouble seeing the newest pictures? If so, please tell me and I will repost them.

2010-05-01T04:32:00.000-07:00

So here I am at almost 6 am on Saturday morning wondering what in the heck is wrong with me. I laid in bed until I couldn't take it any longer...until 3:30 am. I should be sleeping and enjoying my wonderful pillow and bed. Today is going to be interesting to say the least.

And of course, I was crazy sick prior to this, running a fever for 8-9 days straight with all the signs and symptoms of meningitis. After an initial trip to urgent care for some antibiotics for an ear infection and for no answers to why I was so sick, I bought myself a lovely trip to the ER. I was cleared of that, thank goodness. Nonetheless, I still felt horrible. It was like influenza on crack, except I didn't have influenza either. So whatever I had, I hope none of you get it.

And now I sit here with my ear still aching and I may have gotten pink eye. And I'm still on antibiotics, go figure.

Work is going well. I'm working too much and had been working 50-90 hours a week up until my illness. I think I'll stick with just working my usual 48 hours/week for awhile (that is until the Sturgis Rally rolls around and we are mandated to work extra due to having an extra helicopter). At least I like my job! And when we drop patients off in the Twin Cities (which seems to be often right now), we fly right over those of you who still live in Litchfield, so I waive down to y'all (when it's not 2 am).

Jordan is doing well and he managed to take care of Ethan, the house, and me while I was sick. I think he was a weeeee bit stressed though. Otherwise, work is going very well for him. He is still at Black Hills Corp and seems to enjoy it there. He's more excited about the dirt biking season this summer. I pray that he stays in one piece...

Ethan is growing up before our eyes! He has his 6 month appointment next week. But he also bought himself a trip to the doctor's office yesterday because he's had a cold and started pulling on his ears a few days ago. They found he has Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease. This is a common (and contagious) viral illness that they just need to get over. We are hoping Ethan gets over it quickly and is on the mend.

Otherwise, he is sitting on his own except when he gets too excited and starts flailing his arms around like he's going to fly. He also loves to eat! We started him on some rice cereal, peas, and sweet potatoes. He's not really a sweet potatoes kind of guy but he especially loves his rice cereal! He loves bath time. For the first few months, he hated them.

I don't think it'll be long before he starts crawling. I'm really enjoying that "just sit there and stay" stage. Can we just extend it for another.....1-2 years? I do want him to crawl but it's nice to not have to worry about him getting in to anything and he can just play happily on the floor. It really won't be long before he's moving all over the place.

Ethan has quite the funny personality and he loves to smile, giggle, laugh, and pull hair (debating if I should cut my hair just because of that). I love when he laughs. It is just one of those pure, innocent, sweet laughs. He always wants the things he can't have, like a knife, a soap bottle, or food that we are eating. When we go out and about, he usually is in the baby bjorn and he smiles at EVERYONE! Now, he gets so so excited at other people that he flails his arms. The response from strangers...they waive at him!

I will update you next week after Ethan's appointment! Until then, have a great weekend!

4 Months Old!

2010-03-04T12:59:00.000-08:00

Wow, Ethan is getting old (which I say on every post). Not only is he 4 months old, he's 1/3 of a year old! And he's adorable as always with his toothless little grin.

Yesterday was his 4 month check-up. He is 14 lb, 8 oz, right at the 50%. It's hard to believe he had doubled his weight already. He is 25 inches long (50%) and his head circumference is still in the 25%. If I haven't done so previously, I apologize to you, Ethan, for your small and round head. You definitely don't get that trait from your dad.

As most parents do, I was dreading the shots. He got two this time. He cried right before he got stuck and was done crying by the time the nurse was done! When I picked him up to give him a big hug, he was smiling. What a little champ he is! Like last time, he was cranky last night (but certainly better than our previous experience). Best of all, Ethan slept for 8.5 hours straight last night!

Today has been a little rough though. He was running a small fever this morning and his belly was bothering him. So, Ethan was incredibly cranky. It was nothing a little nap, some Tylenol, and some good food doesn't fix. By this afternoon, he is doing just fine and we went for a walk on this beautiful sunny 50 degree day. Does that mean spring is approaching or is mother nature teasing us? Jordan is taking advantage of the gorgeous day by taking off of work early and going for a dirt bike ride in the hills with his brother.

My great friend from college came to visit for a couple days this week and it was soooo nice to see her. We went out on Tuesday night for some delicious food and to the Rush Hockey game (thanks Jordan for watching Ethan while I had an adult night out). It was a great game. But I know I'm getting old when I get home at 9:45 pm and am ready to jump into bed.

That's the update. Here are a few pics for you to enjoy!

Surprise Visit to Mommy's Work!

Sleep???

My New Baseball Sleeper

Dear Illness Fairy...

2010-02-18T16:55:00.000-08:00

Dear Illness Fairy,

Thank you so much for visiting our house. Your stay here was unappreciated to start out with, but I believe you've gone beyond wearing out your welcome here. So, I am forcefully giving you the boot!

Yes, Ethan is getting better after having RSV and an ear infection. Luckily, the doctor could put him on antibiotics. We just BARELY managed to keep him out of the hospital. But you just couldn't help it, could you?! You had to take that extra step to make me sick, too! Thanks to you, I will be visiting the doctor tomorrow because my ears are killing me.

And can I say that your timing is impeccable Illness Fairy? You just had to choose a time when Jordan is out of town for work. He is in the Twin Cities working hard. And I'm just trying to survive with myself being horribly sick and trying to take care of a snot-nosed baby with a cough. You enjoy taking advantage of the whole situation.

Next time you decide to visit (and it better be a long time before that happens), please keep your stay to a maximum of 24 hours. You must leave pronto, or else! We expect you to cooperate and would like an apology.

Sincerely,
Kim

P.S. And please slam the door on your way out so we know you have left!

Totally Worth It

2010-02-11T08:26:00.000-08:00

This swing that you see... totally worth it! They are not cheap swings. In fact, they are overpriced "baby" tagged items. So, we never wanted to spend the money to get it. That is until we found out how much he loved this type of swing! Our babysitter has one and she tells me stories of how he takes naps for hours in it. Now, that's hard for me to believe, until I saw it one day with my own eyes. He's a cat napper kind of guy.

We have another swing but Ethan hates it.

So, I was on the hunt for a used one of these swings. After checking craigslist and the paper, I was having no luck. After all, who really wants to spend $150 for a freaking swing???!!! But to my eyes did appear, a swing for sale at Babies R Us (online)! So, it still was not cheap. We paid $90 for it.

And now that we have it, we would have paid $500.

It's still on sale for all of you folks who are expecting in the near future! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this swing!

Just to update you on Ethan's probably RSV, he is doing ok. He had a low-grade temp last night but he is much better today. He's not eating as much so I'll have to keep my eye on that. His cough is actually a little better today and he didn't cough much at all last night. Spoke with the pediatric office yesterday and they just said that I'm looking out for the right things and if anything gets worse to bring him in.

**Update** We are going to the doctor in just a few hours. Ethan is fussy and rubbing his ears. So we'll know for sure if he has RSV... and if he has ear infections. Poor little guy.

Icky Germs

2010-02-10T10:11:00.000-08:00

Ethan is 3 months old, yay! But, we think he caught RSV, boo!

I got a call last week from Ethan's babysitter. Her son was just diagnosed with RSV. I thought we were in the clear but that just wasn't the plan for Mr. RSV! Ethan started coughing on Monday and today his cough is worse. So, the crazy mom and nurse in me checked his lungs and they are clear. His respiration rate is normal. We are suctioning his nose and using saline drops all the time. He is still eating well, sleeping well, and overall a happy little guy. I decided not to bring him into the doctor unless he starts running temps or becomes very fussy. We're just "assuming" he has RSV. Upon doing some reading and research, some babies just get a cough, sneeze, or runny nose. The doctor won't do anything for him unless his lungs are wheezy, having trouble breathing, or getting dehydrated. I'd rather just keep him home than to take him to the clinic that is currently under fire with those icky germs.

Other than the sickness visiting our house, things are going fine. It sure is busy though! I feel like I work non-stop. Doing 48 hours a week is no easy task. I think I've finally learned how to juggle work, cooking, cleaning, and taking care of Ethan. Thank goodness I have a few days off here and there to take a nap with Ethan! In fact, I'm doing a little work from home and decided to take a break to update all of you.

And did I mention that I weighed and measured Ethan last week? He is over 13 lbs and about 24 inches long. What a little porker! Carrying a car seat with Ethan in it is becoming quite heavy!

Other things Ethan is doing... He continues to strive to become a professional drooler. He rolls from his tummy to his back. He grabs onto things but hates the taste of everything except his hands and his favorite toy. He pushes things away if he doesn't want them. He angrily grunts when he is unhappy about something. And the list goes on!

I can't wait until he can sit up on his own!

Playing With My Fav Toy - Thanks Uncle Andy, Aunt Hege, and Cousin Magnus from Norway!

Yes, I Know I'm Cute!

I Can't Wait to be Mobile!!!

Hey!

My New Shirt from London - Thanks Uncle Nate, Aunt Charity, and Peanut!

Big Foot

2010-01-28T09:23:00.000-08:00

Ethan has "found his feet." He outgrew his newborn socks before he was born. But, they still worked. I finally bought some new socks that are size 6-12 month. They fit perfectly. And I highly recommend the Hanes socks that have the size written on the bottom made of the grippy stuff. I bought them at Target. Having a hyper and spastic child, he hasn't managed to kick these off, yet!

Sorry there is no video of him... I have to ask Jordan how to do that.

He will be 3 months next week. And he will forever be a Rapid City Rush Hockey fan!!!

What are these monstrous things?

Too interested in the camera to smile

Back at Work...

2010-01-25T10:14:00.000-08:00

Last week was my first week back at work. And it surely was not easy, but I survived. Like they say, it's usually harder on mom than it is the child. But I still missed Ethan dearly and I would much rather stay at home and take care of him than work. But, work is calling me back. When we have more kids, I hope to be only part-time instead of full-time.

I managed to get a few flights under my belt and all went well. I'll start some of my clinical rotations this week. The Same Day Surgery Center is my first stop to place breathing tubes (a.k.a intubations) in people. My other clinicals include: adult intensive care, emergency dept, neonatal intensive care, labor and delivery, pediatrics, pediatric intensive care, and a day riding along with Rapid City paramedics. Plus, I have 9 more flights (minimum) to complete before I'm let loose. Oh, and don't forget the ton of other skills test stuff that need to be complete.

Jordan's highlight of the week was his first indoor enduro! Yes, he survived. And he did pretty good. He was so worried about not crashing on the course that he kind of forgot to race...LOL! But, I was a nervous wreck watching him! I'll include the link to the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lME6SjTdbc8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtvnSkyss4M

And we can't forget about Ethan! He can roll from his belly to his back!!! GOOO Ethan! He is getting so big. Soon, he'll be reading "War and Peace." Don't forget that he'll be able to change his own diaper soon, too! He has also become a master of drooling and sucking on his hands. Yes, we have video of him, too. I don't think we've downloaded it onto the computer. We will include that with the next post.

8 Weeks Old

9 Weeks Old

11 Weeks Old

Ethan's 2 Month Appointment

2010-01-08T12:34:00.000-08:00

Ethan is getting sooo big! Everything went well except for the shots. I didn't cry but came close. Poor Ethan did and I felt so bad for him. I just wanted to hug him and hold him and rock him. He got special attention for the next 24 hours.

Anywho, he is growing like a weed. He is 11 lbs, 6 oz (50%), 22.5 inches long (40%), and his little head is in the 25th percentile. When he was born, he was in the 25th percentile across the board. Woohoo! That's our boy! And since we switched to straight formula, his colic almost completely disappeared within 24 hours! So I don't think he was tolerating breast milk very well. I wish I would have done that a month ago. Plus, he inhales his formula most of the time.

Otherwise, we continue on with day-to-day activities. We sing, play, and read. Sometimes, we watch television. By the way, Ethan likes to watch football. He is getting much better at napping. Sleeping at nights is starting to improve, though he still wakes up 2x every night. Hey, at least it's not 3-4 like it use to be.

We love our little E-Man!

2010??? Happy New Year!

2010-01-03T18:47:00.000-08:00

Happy 2010!

2009 was full of action. The pendulum had swung both ways. The top of the list includes Ethan's arrival into the world and Jordan's father, Larry, passing away. When you deal with a death and a birth, the rest seems quite miniscule. Though I don't know how much can beat the birth of a child, here's to an even better year ahead!

Here are some pictures for you from Christmas and New Years.

Ethan has his 8 week appointment tomorrow (even though he's already almost 9 weeks old), so I'll update you of his progress after that!

Mad!!!

Funny face

Sneezing

Smiles that melt the heart

Feeding the little man

Happy New Year!

Father-son time

Smile!!!

2009-12-17T12:37:00.001-08:00

Here are a couple more pics. The first one is a big huge smile! He smiles a lot and we love it! He's just so darn cute! Since people have already commented on his ears, we are well aware that his ears are big. He doesn't have good genes to choose from in that department. I have big ears and Jordan had surgery on his ears when he was little because they stuck out so far.

The second picture is of his ginormous feet! These newborn socks barely fit when he was born. As you can see where the heel is suppose to be, they aren't even close to fitting anymore. He definitely has dad's feet!

Quick Post with Pics!

2009-12-16T13:31:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone!

Well, the days have become a little easier. Ethan is doing much better on the reflux medication. He is still colicky in the evening but it's not as bad as it use to be. At least he continues to grow like a weed and I can't believe how big he is getting! He was 6 weeks old yesterday!

I've decided to go back to work full time. I start January 18th and I'm so sad. It's really neat to fly in helicopters and airplanes, and to save lives for a living. After all, it was my dream job since junior high. But, I'd rather stay at home with my baby. Ready or not, here I come Black Hills Life Flight. I can tell you I'm not ready at all, but at least it's only two days a week. I'll be working a week day and a weekend day (24 hour shifts). Fortunately, we have a good friend who will be watching Ethan one day a week. They have a little boy who is just four months older than Ethan, it will just be the two of them, and they live just down the road from us.

That's the quick update. I need to get ready to go for an appointment.

Yay... for sleep (and for being 4 weeks old)

Totally out (5 weeks old)

Getting ready to go (6 weeks old)

Who turned out the lights?

Another pic of me (6 weeks old)

Pictures!

2009-12-09T13:10:00.001-08:00

Here are some pictures for you of Ethan. He is doing great! We found out he probably has reflux, hence the screaming during the day sometimes and even in the middle of the night. He still has colic every evening anywhere from 6 pm-midnight but he will eventually grow out of that... we hope. At least we hope the medication they put him on will help with the reflux. He is growing like a weed though! His weight is 9 lbs, 14 oz!

And Christmas is really sneaking up on us. With being gone for a week over Thanksgiving and brand new baby with reflux and colic, things just get put aside! The Christmas tree still needs to be put up! Whew...

My first wedding the week before Thanksgiving

Looking like an old man

I'm willing to eat anything

I'm pooping or peeing

My first bath, and every single picture I have this silly face... not a fan of baths

Whew, What a Day!

2009-12-03T15:59:00.000-08:00

So I've heard that colic can develop at about 4-6 weeks or so. Guess what? It's arrived! Ethan has been very fussy every evening for over a week now. So, I hear it's normal. Well, today was ALL DAY! He would fuss, then cry, then fuss, then fall asleep for 10 minutes, wake up, and do it all over again! I feel so bad for him and wish I knew what was wrong. Feeding-check! Diaper-check! Rocking, swinging, swaying, walking, bouncing-check! Too hot or too cold-check! Gas, give some anti-gas medicine-check! And still, he fusses or cries! I hope it doesn't last too long. He has been asleep for 15 minutes now...the longest he has slept since we woke up this morning.

Other than today, Ethan has been great during the day! He usually just coos and grunts and that's about it. So, this is quite the change. I guess as long as it gets better, it will be ok.

I'm exhausted since he continues to wake up every 2-3 hours to eat. And because I've had to pump instead of breastfeed, it takes additional time. So getting more than 1 or 2 hours of sleep at a time is unlikely at night. Jordan has been wonderful at coming home and letting me sleep for about 3 or so hours while he does daddy duty.

Minnesota went great though! Ethan was a real trooper and he was such a good traveler! I'm glad we did it then instead of now, yikes! We had so much fun at the wedding (and my dress was too big by then) and the baby shower went great. I'm still working on the thank you notes though...they will get sent out. It was much easier doing them when I was pregnant. Plus, we had a ton of fun eating good food during Thanksgiving!

The house is a disaster, I haven't cooked a meal in weeks, and our animals have been deprived of attention. But, we absolutely love Ethan! It is worth it all in the end. And yes, I'm ready to do this again! Can't wait for baby #2!!! Yes, I know I'm crazy.

We will post pictures this week.

We Are SOOOO Blessed!

2009-11-16T12:22:00.001-08:00

Ethan is an absolutely wonderful baby! He rarely complains and is a happy little guy. He is still working on not being a night owl but it is getting better. I think we are finally getting into a routine.

Each and every day I count the blessings that have been given to us. I have an absolutely wonderful husband who does everything he can to help and is so supportive. He takes Ethan after he gets home from work so I can rest. And then I have this little angel sent from above that I cannot take my eyes off of. I'm in awe each and every moment I look at him. He is absolutely precious... he is perfect in my eyes.

The other thing that gets me is how in the world he fit in my belly! I set him on my belly and it just doesn't seem feasible.

Anywho, we are looking forward to Ethan's first bath tonight and he finally has his newborn pictures tomorrow night. We had to wait for the photographer to get back from a business trip so we couldn't get them right away, but that's ok.

We will be heading to Minnesota this weekend for a wedding and to spend Thanksgiving with my side of the family. We haven't had a holiday with them for some time so we thought this was a great time to go! Ethan is small enough that traveling long distances in a car is easier than a year from now. But wish us luck anyway! Fortunately, Ethan loves his car seat and the car.

That's our update. I'm sure we'll have more pics to come soon!

God bless!

More Pictures of Ethan

2009-11-09T14:19:00.000-08:00

It's amazing how Ethan changes every day. He has several different facial expressions. Here are just a few of them.

Sleepy Time

Having Gas While Sleeping...or Maybe a Good Dream

One of My "I Need to Poop" Looks

I'm Waking Up and Loving my Pacifier

Me and My Crackberry - Daddy is Proud

Ethan Larry Marshall

2009-11-07T11:42:00.000-08:00

Ethan Larry Marshall was born on November 3, 2009 at 11:57 am! He weighed in at 7 lbs, 8.9 oz and is 19 (and 1/4) inches long. Along with the pregnancy, the birth of little Ethan was no easy task either.

Due to me having some pregnancy induced hypertension, my OB decided it was best to induce me. So, we went in on Tuesday morning at 5 am to get the process started. Never mind that Jordan and I barely slept that night and woke up at 1:30 am, got ready, laid around, and then went to Perkins for breakfast (we were the only ones there most of the time) before going to the hospital.

Once we got to the hospital, they hooked me up to all the monitors. I was having contractions every 2-4 minutes apart, which I had for several days but they were never painful. My only problem with many of the contractions is I had trouble breathing. I even went in to the hospital on Sunday, Nov 1st because of it. Nobody seemed too concerned about it and it was a very unusual thing, so I was sent home.

Anywho, I got started on Pitocin close to 7 am to hopefully improve those contractions since Mr. Marshall was still very high and there had been no changes to bring me closer to labor. The pitocin did make my contractions stronger, but I still never had any pain with them. However, I had an increased shortness of breath and my heart rate would increase with each and every contraction. The OB thought it was a pain response and tried some pain medications. After that didn't help, they tried an epidural in hopes of relaxing some of my muscles in my abdomen and chest. It helped for about an hour or so. My blood pressure remained high through all of this.

Soon, everything really got intense. My heart rate started racing in the 160s beats per minute with each contraction. My difficulty breathing continued to get worse. And then I started having a "vasovagal" response where my heart rate and my blood pressure would suddenly drop with each contraction. Jordan told me one of my blood pressures was 90/18. I started passing out (or close to it) with each contraction. They continued to have me smell those nasty sniffers to keep me awake.

All of this started happening around 11 am. My OB, Dr Mike (Christensian), decided to stop the pitocin and schedule a c-section for noon. But, I continued to have problems and ended up getting rushed prior to noon to have an emergency c-section. Jordan told me they taped those sniffers to their scrubs as they took me to the operating room. They also started more IVs and gave me a bunch of IV fluids to try and help my blood pressure. Even though I had an epidural, they almost put me under because I was so unstable. Thankfully, I had an epidural in even before I had an labor pains because they were able to keep me awake during the c-section. Otherwise, they would have put me to sleep.

And what about little Ethan? He never decompensated throughout the whole ordeal and was a little champ in there! Despite the craziness, Jordan was also able to be by my side the whole time (if I was put under, he wouldn't have been able to be there) and to witness the birth of his son.

Fortunately, I don't remember a lot of what happened during my episodes of passing out. Things are even a little vague from the operating room. But, I do remember hearing the first cry of our little Ethan and that he for sure was a boy. And I remember Jordan bringing him over to let me see Ethan for the first time. Those will never be forgotten.

I asked Dr Mike the next day what in the world happened. He said he thought that Ethan was just too big. Ethan was pushing up on my diaphragm which was also pushing on my heart and my major blood vessels in my chest, abdomen, and pelvis that it was just too much.

Here we are almost a week later with our precious little angel. He is such a good baby (so far). He does have his nights and days mixed up but that has improved and we hope that he will continue to sleep better at night and stay awake more during the day. Ethan is absolutely perfect in every way. We couldn't ask for a bigger or better blessing. He truly is a gift from above, and we know that he is being protected by all our loved ones up there!

The Night Before the Big Day

**Happy Birthday Ethan Larry!!!**

Tomorrow is the BIG DAY!

2009-11-02T14:01:00.001-08:00

Yes, I'm aware of writing in the blog... or the lack there of. I have pics from the last few weeks but they haven't made it on here, or even onto the computer. And at this time, it kind of seems like a moot point to show them. Or maybe not. I'm sure we'll take a pic before we go to the hospital. Yes, to the hospital.

I'M GETTING INDUCED TOMORROW!

It's really coming! I've been diagnosed with gestational hypertension, or pregnancy induced high blood pressure. I've had it for the last few weeks and it's really starting to get high so they've decided it's best I deliver sooner than later. We are so excited, terrified, nervous, apprehensive, etc., etc., etc...

Plus, I've been contracting for the last 24 hours, though the contractions have finally calmed down a bit this afternoon. They were never painful, but definitely there and uncomfortable. Plus, they had pretty much been every 2-4 minutes apart since they started at 4 pm yesterday. I think they're finally about 5-10 minutes apart. Stupid braxton-hicks contractions. Sleep was almost non-existent last night for me, and Jordan slept like a baby.

That is the update! We will try and keep you informed of everything.

Please send lots of thoughts and prayers our way. I have a feeling it's going to be a very long haul!

Yes, I Need to Update!

2009-10-27T14:33:00.000-07:00

I realize that it's been about 2 weeks since I have updated. Well, you're out of luck because I can't do it right now. Hopefully, I will get to it tomorrow. Don't fret! I'll get it done very soon!

Maternity Pictures

2009-10-12T14:42:00.000-07:00

Here are a few maternity pictures that Amy, of Legacy Photo and Design, put on her blog. She does excellent work and though I've mentioned her website before, here it is again! The session was fun and slightly frightening at the same time. It's like saying "Here, take a picture of my ginormous gut!" We will get the proofs in a week or two.

www.legacyphotoanddesign.com

It's Overinflated!

2009-10-12T14:08:00.000-07:00

So my abdomen feels quite...expanded (or large, stretched, gigantic, augmented, etc). I've lost sight of my feet weeks ago and I only see my knees when I'm sitting down. Someday, my belly will pop. I'm starting to get convinced this little guy will be a toddler before he ever comes out. I ache all over, sometimes to the point where I can't get up or walk. All my joints hurt like I have arthritis, especially in my hands and wrists. It's probably from the swelling. It's not a lot of fun, but I don't mind even though I gripe about it to Jordan. Jordan has been a champ and never says anything back to me. He just listens and tries to comfort me when he can, even if that means he has to put on my socks or my shoes. And we're about as prepared as we can be, whatever that may be. Yesterday, we put in a nice closet organizer. Wow, we have so much storage, I may want to do that in every closet!

The OB appointment went well last week, I think. I had to see the nurse practitioner since my OB was not able to see me. The NP was very concerned that this baby is getting quite big. She guestimated him to be 5+ pounds at 34 weeks along, yikes! Plus, he was in a diagonal position. At my next appointment, which is next week, she told me that the doctor will probably do an ultrasound to see just how big this baby is. And if he's as big as she thinks he is, then there is a chance I will be induced early. No complaints here as long as Mr. Marshall is happy and healthy! Plus, I have symptoms that indicates I have a large baby in there.

Larry's funeral was on Sat. Oct 3. It was beautiful and so neat to see so many people there. The whole family continues to hear other peoples' reactions and they all have been very positive. It's amazing to see that Larry continues to touch peoples' lives even today! One of his relatives has committed to doing some missions work. And there are so many others, including myself, that look at what they want to do in the future and how they can accomplish it. Larry and Cindy's impact on others has truly been a gift from God.

Oh, and just a snippet of info...Thursday, October 15th, there is a benefit for Thore and Justine Jenshus. Dinner Theatre sneak preview of Dracula at the Firehouse at 7:30 but be there by 7 pm. Suggested minimum donation $35/person which includes appetizers and cash bar. 100% of all the proceeds goes towards the Jenshus Family!

Life is returning back to normal around here...at least for the time being...until our little bundy of joy arrives!

(34 weeks)

(35 weeks)

Good Times Despite Tough Times

2009-10-02T08:50:00.000-07:00

Today is the day of the wake for Larry, followed by the funeral tomorrow. We continue to ask so many questions of: Why. Nobody really knows. Our plan is so much different that what God has/had planned. The one thing we can be sure of is that Larry continues to have a huge celebration where he's at. He is jubilant, as are so many of the people he is surrounded by. And I know that he wants us to celebrate his life here on earth as well as his eternal life, and not mourn is death. He is finally Home. It is a tough time for the whole Marshall family...tears of laughter and tears of sadness. But, we will make it through the days ahead.

On a lighter note, I'm 33 weeks along. Things have been quite crazy to say the least but our little man is quite the trooper in there. He only complains some with an occasional swift kick or good elbow jab. Otherwise, he seems content despite his mom's crazy emotions and hormones.

After some nudging (or insisting) from Jordan, I finally packed my hospital bag. Just a few last minute things and we'll be ready to head out the door in a hurry if need be! And the "nesting" has finally started to kick in a little bit. The nursery is starting to get organized. I still don't know exactly how it's going to be arranged, yet. We need something on the walls and curtains on the window. After this week is over, we'll be able to focus on the baby room some more.

Oh, and my shower! The baby shower was great last Saturday! Many of my co-workers came as did my sister in-laws, and we had fun just hanging out and talking. Mr. Marshall and mommy got a lot of great gifts! We are so excited to use them...well I'm excited. I think Mr. Marshall is perfectly content on spitting up or drueling on much of it. If you are one of my co-workers reading this, thanks so much! I know some of you couldn't get here because you were working, but no worries!

Here are the pictures so many of you have patiently waited to see. May you all have a blessed weekend!

Though We Mourn The Loss, We Celebrate Life

2009-09-24T11:31:00.000-07:00

It has been a week of difficult times. Jordan's father, Larry, passed away yesterday in Denver. He has been fighting to stay alive since June 8th, the day of his accident. It has been miraculous to see him fight for the last 4 months. Though it isn't the outcome we want here, it is ultimately the outcome that God had planned. He has touched so many lives and continued to do so with his battle this summer. We appreciate the time we got to spend with him. Jordan and I went to Denver to visit him last weekend and I'm so happy we went. There was such pulling feeling on my heart that we needed to go. And now I know why. Larry is celebrating with family and friends and now can walk with the Lord. His body is healed...he can walk, talk, and move about as he pleases. He will always be missed and loved. And we know he will be watching over us. For those of you who never met him, I wish you could have. He was an amazing man and I feel so privileged to have known him and to have married his son.

To change the subject, I had an OB appointment today. Mr. Marshall continues to grow at a rampant pace and is still one week ahead of schedule. This is good, but I'm getting a little more nervous as each week passes. We are at 32 (and a half) weeks! The baby room is slowly getting put together.

Speaking of baby...I should pack my hospital bag. And, I don't know how to put the car seat in the car...does Jordan?

No Time to Slow Down!

2009-09-14T11:23:00.000-07:00

Sorry that I didn't post last week. We have been SOOOO busy! In fact, I think I've done too much and really have to watch myself. So after this week, I'm going to relax.

We have reached 31 weeks and time is flying by. I just had a doctor's appointment today and all is still right on track! I can't believe that we only have 2 months left...pretty darn exciting! I am sure that it will get harder to move around within the next few weeks. And I think my driving status is nearing the end since I can barely reach the pedals. Hopefully, I can continue driving until the end of September. Even though I'm getting more uncomfortable as each day passes, I take it all in and cherish every moment of it.

So what is taking up all my time? We have a rental property and we have been busy doing finishing touches on it and showing it to potential renters. The most frustrating thing is when people make appointments and then don't show up. But, we've finally got it rented, yay!!! Plus, they want to move in this week. So we're happy to not have to worry about that anymore.

My dad visited last week for a few days and that was really nice. I don't see my side of the family very often so it's always exciting to see them.

Oh, and we have added an addition to the nursery. We got the crib bedding! I needed to get something to match colors for curtains and just to start decorating. Nope, not nesting yet...just forcing myself to do get things ready. And I finally picked a mattress so we'll get that this week.

I can't believe I'm adding this bit to the blog. Yesterday, someone rang the doorbell and I went to the door. It was a teenager selling something, which I'm assuming was a fundraiser. She looked at me and said, "Hi, is your mom or dad here?" I just looked at her and said, "No" and she left. Do I look 15 years old and pregnant? If you ask me that, you won't be getting any of my business because I guarantee my parents do not live here.

Here are the pictures from both 30 weeks and 31 weeks. I'm starting to feel VERY pregnant!

(30 Weeks)

(31 Weeks)

Time is Flying By

2009-09-01T08:02:00.000-07:00

The bun has been in the oven for 29 weeks now! So, we're starting to head into the last corner preparing for that home straightaway! It's exciting. And I'm still content how things are. Really, who needs a mattress for the crib anyway? It's time to force myself to get ready for the baby even if my mind says I don't have to. Each and every step continues to be so surreal.

The rental property is almost complete so we can concentrate on our house a little bit. We need to get our carpets cleaned. Eventually, we will finish the 2 bedrooms and 1 bath in the basement. No rush though. That would be a good winter project.

All our friends are doing well. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers through these difficult times. Our friend who was in the dirt biking accident is preparing to go to rehab on the same campus where Jordan's dad is at. They on do rehab for spinal cord injuries and head injuries...an amazing place called Craig Hospital.

May you all have a great week! Stay safe, play safe, and enjoy every moment you have!

Thoughts and Prayers Needed

2009-08-29T13:53:00.000-07:00

Nothing can prepare a person for losses. But we can thank God for life. And we've experienced this more than once this week. It makes us appreciate what we do have, for the life we live, and what can be taken away. Jordan and I have been reminded many times this week of what we can appreciate.

The OB appointment went very well and we continue to have a healthy baby and the pregnancy is going very well. Even though I have a cold, it's pretty minute compared to other situations around us.

On Thursday evening, Jordan went dirt biking with a bunch of guys and one of them was in an accident. Jordan called me right away and I was able to contact Life Flight to launch to the site. Then, I called his wife and brought her to the hospital. These are friends of ours. He was life flighted to Rapid City Regional Hospital and has sustained C-4 (the neck part of the spine) fracture with a spinal cord injury. He has no feeling or movement from the nipple line and below. As of now, he cannot grasp anything with his hands but it is still way too early to tell of his prognosis. We are praying for his health, recovery, and for the rest of his family. We ask that you do the same for you prayer warriors. They just adopted a little girl from China in December. To keep up with his status, please visit:

www.caringbridge.com/visit/thorejenshus

Then, I found out that my friend and her fiance's house burned down. She is getting married and I'm in her wedding in November. They were able to escape with the clothes on their back, their cat, and their wedding rings. Please also pray for them as they have to rebuild.

And finally, we found out a family friend's little baby girl, who was born with a heart defect, had to be life flighted to Omaha for complications. She is doing better now and they are hoping to prepare her for a second surgery for her heart defect. Her caringbridge website is:

www.caringbridge.com/visit/gabriellehoyt

Needless to say, we are so thankful for all of our blessings. And we are thankful that through all these tragedies, their lives were spared and any of these could have led to dire consequences. It makes me take the time to pet my dogs or cat for a little longer, rub my belly a little more, listen to the birds sing, see the colors of the scenery, or appreciate the extra 5 seconds of a hug my husband gives me. May you remember to appreciate all those large and small things in life, too.

Nesting?

2009-08-24T10:52:00.000-07:00

Most women are suppose to get this nesting instinct. Mine must be hiding under a rock. I'm feeling content even though we don't have the nursery done or even a place for the baby to sleep. So if you find my nest, please return it ASAP!

So I was hoping I was going to be one of those women who would look all nice and not have my face look all puffy. Well, so much for that as I'm either gaining weight in my face or gaining fluid in my face. All those experts talk about where you gain weight: uterus, baby, amniotic fluid, breasts...there is nothing in there about gaining weight in your face! As if my face isn't already round enough!

Yesterday after church, we walked out of a restaurant and these people passed us. Jordan happened to hear the comment, "she looks too young to be pregnant." I think that's kind of funny. What, do I look 16 to you? Well, I will take it as a compliment even though it wasn't referred to as a good thing.

Jordan's home, whoopie! I was so excited to see him after him being gone for almost 2 weeks. His travels are all done for the rest of the year, with the exception of another dirtbiking trip or touring motorcycle trip. I can't take those away from him or he'll be one grouchy daddy! I'm glad he has lots of hobbies to allow him to have a little fun, even if they are expensive hobbies.

Oh, and I just found out what my brother and sister in-law are having! They are expecting a little baby a month before us. But, I don't want to spill the beans since it's their news so you'll have to ask them! How fun!

I have an OB appointment on Thursday and I get to do the glucose screening test. Yuck, the stuff I have to drink looks terrible! Wish me luck and that I don't get sick from all that sugar! I will update you all after the appointment.

84 days and counting down! I'm 28 weeks today!

My Blanket Creations

2009-08-23T06:32:00.000-07:00

Here are pics of the finished products. So if you're expecting a baby anytime soon, you should expect a blanket! Well, only if you want one.

The blue one is my first one and though it has issues, it's not a bad looking blanket. The pictures don't show the pattern very well. And the pink one turned out very, very nice! You can click on the pictures to make them bigger.

Charging Into the Third Trimester

2009-08-17T15:46:00.000-07:00

Yup, we are officially in the third trimester! I'm 27 weeks today and we continue to grow. Our next appointment isn't until next week. And supposedly I should be getting that nesting feeling. Nope, I have no nesting instincts right now. Maybe tomorrow...or next week...or next month.

So I got this terrible rash. It's on my arms silly. I think I've somehow become allergic to latex. I cleaned and used some latex cleaning gloves that I've always worn. The next day, I broke out in a rash ONLY where my gloves touch my skin. I'm not sure if it is the latex, the PUPPP flaring up, or a combination of both. Whatever it is, I'm glad it's only on my arms and the itchiness seems to be subsiding finally.

Jordan got back from Denver on Friday. He left for California yesterday. I'm a bachelorette once again for the week. At least this is his last out of state trip for awhile. I told him he needed to get all his traveling done by the end of September if possible. I know, I'm being bossy.

No other major news going on. I guess I'll continue my knitting quest. I'm almost finished with my second blanket. Pictures will be posted of the blankets soon.

Cheers for entering the third trimester!

Me and My New Tooth

2009-08-11T09:34:00.000-07:00

After dealing with a problematic tooth (thanks to a dentist for screwing it up) for about 20 years, I finally got my crown. The last year and a half has been spent getting a bone graft and then an implant, and the last step of getting a crown. We're hoping this will be the last of my tooth trouble for at least another 20 years!

Jordan is in Denver seeing his dad. There is also a part of Black Hills Corp, where Jordan works, in Denver so he can work from there, too. Larry is doing remarkably well and it awesome to hear of all the encouraging updates.

As for the pregnancy, everything seems to be right on target as far as I know. We haven't done anything else to the baby's room. We put all the bedding on my registry I just need to buy a piece so I can start matching colors.

Everyone does keep asking about names and we have a list but we have not decided on just one, yet. Every name we think of seems to be taken by close family/friends. I was just thinking the other day how we had 6 months to come up with a name. Now we are down to 3 months, yikes! And I already know that I'm going to miss the little guy moving around and kicking me. I love feeling him and knowing he's in there.

I'm trying really hard to not gain too much weight. I'm hoping that most of this weight is just baby because the pounds just keep coming on. Yes, I know...the weight is more than baby but I can hope, right? Here is the 26 week picture!

Welcome to the Childbirth Class

2009-08-03T14:25:00.000-07:00

We had our childbirth class on Saturday. I don't know if I learned too much new stuff except for breathing techniques and that the first thing you shouldn't grab is your shop vac if my water breaks. But, it was still interesting. Jordan wasn't too ecstatic about seeing a birth video. But, he did survive and was a good sport about it all.

Yesterday, I took a fantastic basic photography class. Maybe now I can really start learning how to use my DSLR camera that I bought last summer. The auto setting is not a must anymore. So, maybe I can take pictures like I really want to! Thanks Amy for a great job! I'll be working on the stuff you taught us. I HIGHLY recommend her. Check out Amy's work at www.legacyphotoanddesign.com

And while I was away for my class, Jordan moved all the guest furniture out of the nursery. He also put the new baby furniture together and it looks fantastic. We don't have any of the decorations or bedding but in due time, we will get it all finished up. I wasn't expecting the furniture for the nursery to be put together for another month or two. So kuddos to Jordan!

My father in-law Larry was finally life flighted to Denver on Saturday morning. He was suppose to go on Friday but it got delayed due to bad weather in/around Denver. In the end, he arrived and I hear they are taking great care of him.

Speaking of life flight, I'm missing my job right now quite a bit. I am a morbid person...I am willing to admit it. I love working during the Sturgis Rally! I enjoy the challenges of trauma both from an emergency and an intensive care standpoint. So what am I doing instead? I'm knitting.

Here is my 25 week picture. I'm kind of bloated in the picture. At this point, I don't think it matters anymore. Mr. Marshall and I have had a rapid growth spurt in the last week. Driving is getting more difficult since I can barely reach the pedals without my belly hitting the stearing wheel. But, it is all good!

Look Mom, I'm Still a Week Ahead!!!

2009-07-29T08:09:00.000-07:00

All went very well at our appointment yesterday. And Mr. Marshall is still measuring a week ahead of schedule! No concerns until he starts growing over two weeks ahead of schedule. I only have one more monthly appointment and then I'll be going in every two weeks! Kind of scary.

We picked up our baby furniture from JCPenney yesterday and we haven't pulled any of it out of the boxes. Hopefully none of it is damaged. There is no place to put the furniture until we move our guest bedroom furniture out. But, it sure is exciting to have it! I think Jordan might pee his pants by the time this is all said and done.

It sounds like Jordan's dad will be transferring to Denver the end of this week! We're so happy as we've been waiting for this step for weeks now! Thank you for all the CONTINUED support and prayers and please keep them coming. If he leaves the end of the week, I will probably meet up with my mother in-law on Monday. Jordan and I have our childbirth class on Saturday that we should go to since there is a limited amount in each class and we signed up for it months ago!

May you all have a happy hump day and rest of the week/weekend!

It's Not an Alien

2009-07-27T08:02:00.000-07:00

Now that Jordan can feel the baby and my belly bounces around, he becomes more assured that there is an alien inside of me. This claw-like thing is going to tear out of my belly with five heads and attack us all. Yes, this is what I get to deal with. And the ultrasound pictures just can't convince him that Mr. Marshall IS a baby with only one head, ten fingers, and ten toes. The tongue is not that of a snake's. Maybe you can try and talk with him...

We went to Sioux Falls over the weekend where we got to see my brother and his family who are from Alaska. We had lots of fun and I'm so glad that I got to see our niece and nephew! They are getting so big! Hannah just turned 8 and Sam is 5 and ready to start school this year. I'm feeling a little old. It may be awhile before we get to see them again. Hopefully, it will be sooner rather than later. Plus, Jordan picked up his new, but used, motorcycle. He's quite excited about it.

Otherwise, I'm doing fine. I've been getting headaches for the last week and today I have a nice throbbing one. Plus, I've been seeing bright lights float past my eyes. I'm hoping that I don't have pre-eclampsia but knowing my luck, I'll probably get it. I have an OB appointment tomorrow so I'll bring it up with him. Until then, I'll just take it easy. I do have some other signs of preeclampsia but it is hard to distinguish because many of the signs/symptoms can also be just plain old pregnancy.

The stroller has been put together and we are picking up our furniture from JCPenney today! It will have to stored in the garage until we can move things around and wash the carpets though. Hopefully, we'll get that all done in September.

Here is the 24 week picture! I'm not looking any bigger but I'm feeling bigger! I don't think I'll be able to keep my inney belly button. And I think those capri pants make my butt look bigger, LOL!

Our Little Wiggle Worm

2009-07-24T15:49:00.000-07:00

It's crazy to think that our little guy is quite the mover and shaker! At 23 weeks, you can already see my belly bouncing around all over the place. I love watching him muscle around inside of me. He's so active that I often wake up in the middle of the night to Mr. Marshall kicking me hard or kicking me in the bladder.

Jordan is coming home tonight from San Francisco! I miss him lots but the week has gone by quite fast. Tomorrow, we are heading to Sioux Falls to see my brother and his family that are from Alaska. It may be awhile before we get to see all of them again. It's just a short weekend trip but I'm excited!

And finally, we got our stroller/car seat combo today! I can't get it out of the box because it is too heavy and packed tightly in the box. Plus, our furniture has arrived at JCPenney and we just need to pick it up! Maybe we should start planning the baby room and move the guest furniture out one of these days. Plus, my friend sent me the first baby present. As for my own project, I'm making my first baby blanket. It's turning out pretty good so far but not even close to finished yet. Yes, my knitting skills that I learned while on bedrest is coming in handy.

All of this is starting to make things much more real. I can't believe our dream of having a family is so close! I won't be completely relieved until Mr. Marshall is actually in our arms. We are over half way there!

Registered at Target...Check!

2009-07-21T14:47:00.000-07:00

Whew, it's been a busy week already. You'd think I would be sitting on my butt watching tv all day, but there just is no time!

For the past two days, I've had to visit the dentist. As some of you know, the dentist and I are not the best of friends. But, I'm finally able to get my permanent crown on the front tooth that has always been a problem since I had a dentist screw it up almost 20 years ago. Yes, I'm still dealing with it and I can see the finish line! I've had a bone graft and a prosthetic placed. They just had to get an impression to get my permanent crown yesterday. But last night, my temporary crown came loose. If it wasn't for my front tooth turning sideways, I probably wouldn't have cared too much. Sexy, huh?

As for the itching, I finally broke down after two weeks of intolerable itching and lack of sleep and started taking zyrtec. Yes, Grandpa's Pine Tar Soap helped but it just wasn't enough. For any of you who have had PUPPP or chiggers or poison ivy in the past, you can relate. The zyrtec has made a world of a difference!!! I gave all my effort of trying to deal with it a natural way, but it just wasn't enough. And then the thought of dealing with it for 4 months...yikes!

So the big news is that we finally registered for baby stuff! Yay! However, I admit it was quite overwhelming. Honestly, how do you pick out a baby bottle when there are about 30 different kinds taking up a whole isle of a store?! And we've figured out there are only a few necessities in the beginning. I am registered at Target. If you are online, you can just type in the name of the mother or father and the state is South Dakota. That will get you to our registry. And for the many of you who are already moms, please tell me if there is something I should absolutely have that isn't on the list. Oh, and I did not put any clothing on there as I figured you can choose whatever is cute and as long as it's not pink. :o)

We did buy a whole set of baby furniture for the room. It's pretty plain but it is a very nice set from JC Penney. We got a dresser, a smaller dresser that we can put a changing pad on top of, and a crib that converts to a toddler/full sized bed. However, the baby room has not even been started yet. All the guest furniture remains for now. Due to all the events going on, it's been difficult to find time to get that done. Plus, Jordan is working on our rental property. But we do have a few more months. Oh, and we bought the stroller/car seat combo. That is a must from the day Mr. Marshall gets out of the hospital.

Jordan is in San Francisco for work related training. So I'm on my own this week. He gets back Saturday afternoon and then we're heading to Sioux Falls to see my brother and his family who live in Alaska.

The picture is just shy of 23 weeks. There isn't much of a change though. One more week down!

P.S. How do you like the snippet of the cat's tail in the picture?

Grandpa's Pine Tar Soap

2009-07-13T07:23:00.000-07:00

At 22 weeks, I'm just one big itchy mess. If it weren't for that, I'd be enjoying the pregnancy a lot more! Other than that, everything else is going really well.

So what do you do about the itch? A LOT of research online. And what did I come up with? "Grandpa's Pine Tar Soap". Though it has a nice manly outdoorsy scent, it really does help with the itching. I suds up with the soap and let it sit for about a minute before rinsing it off. This is now my routine at least twice a day. So the next time you decide to go hiking through the land of poison ivy, be sure to pick up some Grandpa's Pine Tar Soap. I got mine at a local natural food and health store, but you can also find it at GNC or online. And the nice grizzly scent is not so bad when you feel the relief from the itching.

Despite the itchiness, I love feeling the baby move around and kick. It is just so precious! In fact, I'm letting the baby listen to a little music right now. I'm not sure if Mr. Marshall is liking it though since he is kicking me nonstop. He's currently listening to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. Maybe the song isn't manly enough for him.

The 22 week picture shows that I'm a little bigger but no real big change...or at I don't think so. But at this point, I can't really tell anymore. I just see a big belly and no feet.

Call Me the 1% or Less

2009-07-06T20:46:00.000-07:00

21 weeks! Woohoo! We are getting excited and I will start feeling a little more relieved each week from now on since we are approaching a "viable" pregnancy (one that the baby can survive outside the womb)!

So my new less than 1% chance of getting something is that I now have PUPPP, or "Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy." It's a terribly itchy rash that forms on the belly. The cause: pregnancy. The cure: birth. It most commonly occurs in the last part of the third trimester, or around 34-36 weeks. I got it at 20 weeks. Great, huh? Another interesting fact about PUPPP is that they found in studies fetal male DNA on the surface of the women's skin. And women who are pregnant with little baby boys are more 3 times more likely to get it than if they had little girls. So yes, we have a little boy troublemaker on our hands already!

We found out today that my father in-law Larry will be transferring to Denver unofficially. We're waiting for the "official" acceptance from the receiving doctor. So, I will be down there for a week or so just to help my mother in-law Cindy out. Larry is doing better and he is trying to get out of bed. You can read all about his daily progress at the caringbridge website.

Other than all the hiccups of the pregnancy, I'm loving it! Feeling the baby move and kick is wonderful! I already know I will miss that when the baby arrives. I guess I can stop calling him "the baby." We have some names in mind but it's not set in stone yet. You'll just have to wait to find out his name for now. Until then, I'll call him Mr. Marshall.

Here is my 21 week picture. And have a wonderful week!

Ultrasound Pictures!

2009-07-02T21:22:00.000-07:00

Profile of Head

Left Foot

Here I Am!

A Little Smile :o)

Getting Grumpy

Now I Am Mad!

Yes, I Like This Position

Sleepy Time

Those Aren't Girl Parts.

2009-07-02T21:06:00.000-07:00

I thought I said this but Jordan informed me I was just thinking it and never really said it out loud. That's right, IT'S A BOY!!! So if you are wondering, I was absolutely 100% convinced it was a girl from the beginning, but was I wrong or what?! Jordan didn't know...he always said it's a 50/50 chance. But just to spite me, he said boy. And boy was he right! Of course, the crotch shot only lasted about 5 seconds before our little boy was sick of that. He not only closed his legs, but also crossed them for the rest of the ultrasound, too! I have provided the ultrasound and 3D pics above for you to look at. And so far, everything looks great! In fact, the little guy is measuring about a week ahead of schedule and 1 pound already!

As for names, we think we have one picked out but it's not set in stone yet.

Today, I had my OB appointment and the doctor said he was very happy and satisfied with how everything looks. I do remain on the same medications and restrictions. I don't mind. Plus, it's nice that I'm able to be at the hospital every day for Larry, my father in-law.

Below are pictures at 20 weeks. Go little guy! P.S. Can you please stop kicking my bladder?

I Will Post More Soon!

2009-07-01T16:51:00.000-07:00

I know, I'm behind on my blogging once again. I do have 20 week pictures to post and some ultrasound pictures! Everything looks really good and the baby is measuring almost 1 week ahead of schedule! And yes we know what we are having but I will wait to post that until I've told my family. I know, it's torture for you. As soon as the appropriate people know, I will tell everyone.

Week 19 and Charging Right Along

2009-06-22T15:42:00.000-07:00

Baby Marshall continues to grow and I'm feeling the stretching every day. Can you believe we're are almost half way done with the pregnancy?! In fact, only 9 more days until we get the big ultrasound. I'm so excited! We can't wait to see the baby again! And maybe, just maybe we'll get to find out if Baby Marshall is a miss or a mister.

It is crazy how fast the last two weeks have gone. It already has been 2 weeks since the accident and my father in-law Larry remains in critical condition in the intensive care unit. I think, how could the days of sitting in the ICU waiting room have possibly gone by so fast when at the time, it seemed so slow? There have been many ups and downs. I try not to stress myself and the baby out but some days have proven difficult. But I've managed to go home and relax or take naps most of the time. Plus, everyone reminds me (or makes me) to take a break so I've gotten more rest than anyone. I won't go too much more into Larry's condition since that's why we have the caringbridge website up. Here is the link, again.

www.caringbridge.org/visit/larrymarshall

Belly butter is my new friend and a little of an enemy at the same time. It's fun to massage it on my belly and to make my skin nice and soft. Though a lot of research states it does not help with stretch marks, it doesn't hurt, right? But it is kind of greasy and all my shirts stick to it, which annoys me a little. However, I would much rather deal with the greased pig belly (as Jordan calls it, lol) than to not be pregnant at all. And my other friend that has been around for some time would be a mirror. I'm one of those freaks that can spend several minutes just staring at my belly. Does/did anyone else do this???

The gut isn't getting a whole lot bigger but it is rounding out quite a bit. It's nice we take pictures every week to see the difference since you can't see the difference staring into a mirror every day...or 5 times a day.

Prayers for Larry

2009-06-17T15:15:00.000-07:00

On Monday, June 9th, my father in-law Larry was in a severe work accident. It left him with life-threatening injuries. The accident left him with a bruised heart and lungs, several broken ribs, the sternum tore away from his ribs on both sides, and he has a liver injury that is a grade 5 (the worst on a 1-5 scale). Also, his right forearm is broken in several places and he'll need surgery to repair it. Due to all his injuries, he also went into acute kidney failure. Larry remains in the intensive care unit here in Rapid City, and he is still in critical condition. The Marshall family has received so much help and prayers from around the world. Keep them coming.

Please visit his caringbridge website to stay updated and to understand what happened. www.caringbridge.org/visit/larrymarshall

Sorry that I haven't kept up with my own blog. We spent almost every waking minute at the hospital and I've been helping keep the caringbridge website up to date, too. Plus, almost all of Jordan's family came into town last week/weekend. I hope you all understand. To all my devoted followers, thank you so much for continuing to check in.

I'm happy to be off bedrest. All is going well on the baby front. Nothing new to report other than I'm getting bigger and I feel the baby moving more often, even if it is just a handful or more times a day. It's nice that I can move around and go to the hospital to visit Larry. And for those of you who keep asking...yes, I'm taking it easy and taking care of both myself and the baby. I have plenty of people who make sure of that.

Oh yeah, and we have a new addition to the family! We have another Corgi dog! Jordan's brother and his wife are in the military and are getting relocated to England. It is too expensive to bring their dogs over. So we got little Nala. She is a sweetheart. Our other dog Copper is still pouting a bit but they are starting to play more and more. We're still waiting for the "big fight" to see which will be the dominant one. Our cat doesn't seem to mind having another dog either since they even play once in awhile. Jordan always said that I could get another dog if we couldn't have children. Somehow, I managed to get another Corgi and I am pregnant. :o) :o) :o)

Here is the 18 weeks (technically 18 weeks, 1 day) picture. Enjoy!

Maternity Clothes Shopping is Hard

2009-06-08T11:49:00.000-07:00

17 weeks today, yippie! One more week down and one week closer to getting towards our goal of having a little one tucked in our arms.

Yesterday, I finally got the chance to go maternity shopping since I only have few shorts/pants left to wear, most that shouldn't be seen in public. And it is very hard to find anything that really fits me well. But, I found a pair of capris that need to be hemmed a bit as most capris are too long but also look like high-water pants. Oh, and I bought a pair of sweatpant capris that should fit very soon. I found those in the kids plus section...lol.

My brother and his wife, Andy and Hege, are coming to visit today! I'm so excited. They are also expecting and are a month ahead of us. They live in Norway so this might be the last visit for quite some time. It's a short trip but I'm just happy that they were able to come visit since I'm not able to travel. They will return to Minnesota tomorrow where most of our family and their friends live.

Oh, and I have to tell this story since it is so funny. We celebrated our niece's 1st birthday yesterday evening. Well, her big brother was helping open presents. All the clothes went flying out of the way as he dug to the bottom. As he was opening the last set of clothes, the top of the dress was thrown over his shoulder and the little bottoms went straight to his face and he wiped his nose on them. That was classic :o)

Here is my picture at 17 weeks. I'm continuing to feel the oddest twinges here and there. Plus, I've been able to feel the baby kick for almost 2 weeks but it is becoming much more often and pronounced. Go baby!

Another Two Thumbs Up!

2009-06-04T12:00:00.000-07:00

Jordan and I went to my OB appointment today and very good news! No, we didn't find out the sex of the baby and I bet most of you think that's what the news was about. I didn't have an ultrasound (boooo). That'll have to wait another month when I get a 3D ultrasound done on July 1st. The good news is...I'm Off Bedrest! Ok, so it's mostly good news for myself, but still good news. I still have restrictions of no bending, lifting, or carrying anything. But I can walk and do some light cleaning. The hardest thing for me will be not to overdo it.

Also, we found out that I'm already measuring big. This means that the baby is growing at a faster rate than expected, which is probably due to me being on bedrest. It is a much better scenario than if the baby was measuring smaller than expected, that's for sure. You all just wait and see...I'm gonna end up having a 10 lb baby or something like that. Of course, because things can't be normal and average for us!

That's all the news I have. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! There is rain and thunderstorms in the forecast for us.

Pictures

2009-06-02T11:41:00.001-07:00

Here are a few pictures we took this morning of my growing belly in real clothes! And hey, the crazy hair look is in, right?

Boring is Good

2009-06-01T09:33:00.000-07:00

Boring is good, or no news is good news! At least that's what I always told patients and their families who were sick in the intensive care unit. I now truly know what these statements mean. It's one step farther and one day closer to having our little bundle of joy in our arms.

Jordan had to leave town again. His grandpa (grandpa Marshall) died Friday evening and the funeral is today in Huron, SD. I had to stay home because a 4 1/2 hour trip is too long for me in the car and I'm still on bedrest. I feel terrible that I can't be there supporting Jordan and his family during this time. Hopefully, everyone understands. I am still with them in mind and spirit and apologize for my absence. May grandpa Marshall be in a better place and not suffering anymore.

I am officially 16 weeks today and have an OB appointment on Thursday. So we'll see how everything looks. The gut is getting bigger by the day, or at least that's how I feel. And the neatest thing is that I'm starting to feel the baby kick! It's only occasionally right now, mostly at night when I'm laying on the couch or in bed. But I love it and can't wait until Jordan can feel the baby kick!

There have been many of you who have asked. Yes, we will find out the sex of the baby before birth. In fact, we should be finding out within a month or so! No baby names have been picked out though. And I am very curious about who voted for what. So far, the girls are winning!

Here is the newest picture of my belly. It is starting to round out a bit, which means that Jordan is winning in our bet so far. Enjoy!

Happy Memorial Day!

2009-05-25T19:09:00.000-07:00

I hope that everyone is having a safe and happy Memorial Day! Please remember what this day really stands for. I thank all the troops that have sacrificed so much and provided us with the freedom we have.

Can I get a woot?! (or a cheer for those of you who are wondering what that means) I'm 15 weeks today! How exciting!

Jordan and his brother Aaron left yesterday for their annual dirtbiking trip. They decided to try Wyoming for the first time and it sounds like they are having a blast. Yes, I'm bored without him here but I'm so happy that he is out having fun and doing something he loves with his brother. Now that he got to go on his trip, I'm thinking hmmmmm I wonder what I could sucker....I mean could get him to do for me? Just kidding.

Today, I went next door to the other Marshalls' house. Jordan's parents, Larry and Cindy, came over to grill and make lunch. It was delicious and 7 hours later, I still feel like I'm going to explode.

That's the extent of my news. I'm otherwise glued on the couch in my usual spot. Here is my picture that was taken a little shy of 15 weeks. We're both still growing!

The Cat Still Lives

2009-05-21T10:09:00.000-07:00

Sassy, our cat, is still alive after she thoroughly killed my Locks of Love hair. It now sits murdered on my kitchen table as I try to salvage at least some of it to give to Locks of Love. The hair is suppose to be in a pony tail and a pile of hair is not accepted. Since I have a some time on my hands, I am trying to put it back together. But I threatened to kill the cat...not that I would actually do it, but I would find someone or something else to do the dirty work. For example, if I let the cat outside (she's been an indoor cat since we got her as a kitten) without front claws, the coyotes would get to her and I'd never know about it! Of course now that I've cooled down, I can't think of doing anything to her. She is one of my fur babies after all! She has survived another day under the wrath of Kim (and maybe some of Kim's hormones).

And lots of excitement here this morning! I had my sister-in-law come over from next door to help me kill this spider which was unusual looking...key word: was. It was black and white striped and green/blue eyes. We eventually killed it after it fell into my purse! Yes, this is the extent of my excitement from day-to-day!

Jordan took a picture of me last night with clothes on that weren't either scrubs or my pajamas. So, here it is.

And we hope you all have a wonderful and safe Memorial Day Weekend!

Second Trimester, Here I Come!

2009-05-18T11:18:00.000-07:00

It's a beautiful day here. Suppose to be 90 and just a small breeze with not a cloud in the sky! So I'm sitting outside on my lounge chair enjoying it. Sorry to those of you who are suffering in the cold or rain right now.

At 14 weeks, I can't believe the second trimester has made it's way here! I've read that the second trimester is at the end of the 12th week, but other sources say it starts at the end of the 13th week. So, I went with the longer wait and lengthier scenario, the cup has to be half empty.

The new hairdo is great! I don't even have to brush my hair if I don't want to! During a shower, I don't have to put a huge glob of shampoo and conditioner in my palm, and then it dries so fast! The wet crazy, didn't brush the hair after showering is kind of a cute look, too! But I have no styling gel to keep it that way. It's great and I should have cut my hair sooner!

We sold my dirtbike last week. I was sad, as it was my first one and it's what I learned to ride on. But since I wasn't going to use it this year, and the bike doesn't keep up with me anymore, it was time to sell it. I will get a more powerful bike with better suspension next year. I included a picture below of Jordan and me in Grand Junction, CO with our dirtbikes. It was taken a few years ago already, but it is by far my favorite picture of all our dirtbiking pictures!

Jordan is also selling his dirtbike. He got to buy a new bike last fall. Anyone want a monster of a bike? It's a 2001 Kawasaki KX 500...2 stroke, a.k.a. The Widow Maker. Sounds like fun, huh?

On Saturday I got to go on an "outing." We went to Denny's to have breakfast. Who get's excited about a car ride and food at Denny's? ME!!!! It was so much fun and almost depressing when we got back. But, I got to sit outside on the lounge chair all weekend and spend some time with family. Jordan's brother, who lives next door, had a birthday on Saturday. Aaron is 33...old fart! The carrot cake was excellent, thanks!

Well, I don't think my belly is bloated this week. I had a lot of cramping and stretching Thursday night and I woke up with a belly that was far bigger than it was the day before! The belly hasn't gotten any smaller. I guess I'm really starting to "pop out", which is how so many people describe it. I keep telling Jordan that I'm awfully big for being only 14 weeks, but he keeps reminding me the average woman isn't short and petite. At this rate, Jordan will be rolling me down the hall before I even reach my third trimester! Grow little baby!

The Hair is Gone

2009-05-13T07:51:00.000-07:00

14 inches of hair now sit in a ponytail holder waiting to dry and be sent off to Locks of Love. The pictures are not great. The first one is a picture of me right before I got my hair cut. The second one is of me about 5 hours afterward. I'm not feeling good at all in the second picture with a headache, neck ache, and nausea. We didn't do any styling to my hair either. Quick, someone glue it back together! Just kidding. Hope you like it.

I did forget to tell you in my previous post that I am officially off all of my supplemental hormones. I think I'm more emotional off the hormones than I was on them! How does that work? The nausea and headaches have gotten worse in the last week, too! I thought as you entered your 2nd trimester, all of this was suppose to get better. Oh well, I'm still pregnant and that's all that really counts.

Have a great day everyone!

P.S. Thanks so much Amanda for the Trader Joe pickles! They are my mostest favoritest pickles in the world. Believe it or not, I couldn't eat pickles (my favorite snack) for weeks. But once I saw those pickles, my anti-pickle time was up!

Time to Chop My Hair

2009-05-12T09:49:00.000-07:00

I know I know, I'm lagging behind on the blogging. I wasn't feeling the greatest yesterday and staring at the computer was not helping my headache. So, I talked on the phone a lot to start sharing the news with all of the extended family on my side. Jordan is responsible for telling his side of the family.

Oh yeah, I'm 13 weeks as of yesterday. YAY!

My OB appointment went well yesterday. No ultrasound this time, which I was hoping for. I shouldn't complain, right? Most women get one or two during the whole pregnancy. The baby's heart rate is a normal 160 beats per minute and my uterus is starting to grow...all very good signs. However, I will remain on bedrest until my next appointment, a whole month away! The doctor said he'll take it month by month. Another month on bedrest at minimum *sigh*. I'm hoping at some point, I'll be able to enjoy a little more of the pregnancy. It's just not the same looking at baby stuff on the internet as seeing it all in person.

Yes, I'm chopping my hair off. Every so often, I grow my hair out just enough to give it the a non-profit organization named "Locks of Love." They make wigs for financially disadvantaged children going through medical conditions or treatment that cause hair loss, such as cancer or alopecia areata (hair loss). And I feel privileged to be doing something to help a child out who needs something much more than I do. My hair grows back quite fast, and some childrens' hair never grows back.

I've been saying that I am going to cut my hair off for months now. Now that my hair is almost down to my butt and since it is constantly getting snarly from being on bedrest, it is definitely time. So my friend Justine, who also happens to be my hair dresser, is making a special house call for me this afternoon...bless her heart! I'll post pictures of a before and after later today or tomorrow. Woohoo, I'm so excited!

To change the subject, some bragging needs to be done. I have the absolute best boss and co-workers in the world! They have been wonderful to me. I spoke with one of my co-workers on the phone and knitting was brought up as a possible past-time. Except, I don't know how to knit. A babysitter did teach me how to crochet when I was really young, but I don't remember how to do that now. Anyway, Jordan refused to get me knitting stuff because he doesn't want to be seen in the knitting stuff. Plus, he thinks that knitting reminds him of old people (no offense to anyone who can knit whether you are younger or older). A few days later, my boss and another co-worker came bearing gifts - a knitting kit! Now, I'm slowly teaching myself how to knit. If whatever I make looks acceptable, I will put a picture of it online...maybe a pot holder or a scarf? And if anyone who lives near me knows how to knit, you're welcome to come over and show me a few pointers, like how to fix when I miss a loop or make a mistake!!!

Then I spoke with another co-worker a couple days later. Him and his wife want to get me a magazine subscription. I tried to turn that down but he just told me too bad and that I better pick one. I truly don't know how I'll repay all the generosity they have given to me!

Finally, my co-workers greet me almost every day. It's not the usual phone call or stopping over. Instead, they do a fly-over of my house in the helicopter! My house is called "checkpoint kilo-mike" (or KM for Kim Marshall if you don't know what that means). Since our house is between the hospital and the airport, it is easy for them to fly over. Sometimes they circle, or they fly quite low. I'm waiting for them to hover or land on the golf course behind our house one of these days. And get this, they sometimes even text me hi as they are going over. If you are a neighbor, too bad and you'll just have to deal with it for several months!

So to my co-workers, thank you so much for all that you have done for me and for the friendly greetings. I do appreciate it from the bottom of my heart.

Plus, there have been family and friends stopping by to keep me company. So thank you for that, too!

Now that I've been talking about knitting, I do have to bring this up. A good friend of mine that I met on an infertility network is currently selling beautifully knitted baby blankets to raise money to adopt a little boy from South Korea. As all of you know, little adopted children are near and dear to my heart (especially Korean children) since I, too, am an adoptee from Korea. She already received her referral, is waiting for paperwork to be done, and is doing all sorts of projects to afford the adoption and time off. So please check out her blog to find out about her adorable little boy with fluffy hair and about her baby blankets. I know I will be getting one for our little boy or girl. www.bringchuckhome.blogspot.com

Oh, this got long! I suppose I need to write more than one post a week! To wrap it up, here is my 13 week picture. My jeans and half of my scrub pants don't fit anymore. That's a good thing, right?

12 Weeks Today, YAY!

2009-05-04T11:54:00.000-07:00

Another week has gone by and we are at the 12 week mark! As each day and each week goes by, it's another milestone that we have hit! And we are so excited! We know things could still go wrong, as we found out earlier in the pregnancy. But, we continue to hope and pray for the best.

No doctor appointments this week, but we got to move the OB appointment to next Monday (3 days earlier, woohoo!). So, Jordan and I continue on with the same regimen.

I have two new battles going on now. First, the cat. Yes, our cat Sassy. I manage to mosey to the bathroom as minimal as possible, about 2-4 trips depending on the night and how long I sleep. Well, Sassy has decided that the new body pillow is now hers. So, we fight over this pillow the majority of the time when I get back into bed. I throw her off the bed, she comes back to claim her throne. And the battle continues...

The second battle is the constipation. Probably not something most of you want to hear, but it really is a problem. You better stop reading here and skip to the next paragraph if it makes you uncomfortable. I'm on strict bedrest, taking iron pills, being given extra hormones, and I'm pregnant! Just one of these things alone can give you constipation, let alone all of them together! I've eaten enough fruit and veggies to turn me into them, been drinking more than enough fluids, and I'm taking stool softeners. None of it seems to be helping. So I guess fiber bars are my next step!

It is sometimes hard for me (I don't know if Jordan feels the same way) to not have a "normal" pregnancy. We've had a long and hard walk down the infertility road, and then we've had to deal with the loss of two babies. So I was hoping that I could have a nice relaxing, nothing goes wrong pregnancy. Of course I'm elated that at least we are pregnant! I try and enjoy this pregnancy as much as I can, but it is in the confines of my own home and on the couch. And enjoying it all is in between hoping that any spotting I have is not a sign of losing another baby. So I admit that I am a little jealous of those who have uneventful and easy pregnancies.

In the end, I know that what Jordan and I have been through will be worth it and a million times over. We will absolutely cherish and love our babies with our struggles and heartbreak behind us. And to our two little babies in heaven, you will never be forgotten...you are always loved and we think about you every day.

Here is my 12 week picture. I'm skinnier than the 11 week picture, so I'm assuming I was just bloated, again. The slightest angle change of my body also makes quite a difference. The pooch is slightly bigger though. This is the week where the uterus pops out of the pelvis and over the pelvic bone. Grow little baby, grow!

Ideas to Prevent Insanity Greatly Appreciated

2009-05-01T15:03:00.000-07:00

The last two days have been a little difficult, as I am somewhat stir-crazy. Of course I like my days of laziness, but my days of doing ten things at once are being sorely missed right now.

I try and clean the house every week, or at least have it picked up. Never can I clean one room at once or have just one thing to do. I usually end up doing laundry, cleaning bathrooms, mopping the floors, and even cleaning walls all at the same time. By the time Jordan gets home, the house is in shambles as everything is not in their places and there are piles of 'organized' stuff everywhere. Now I just stare at my house wondering what I can clean when I'm off bed rest. Hmmmm...the old dead fly that sits atop the windowsill on our light dormer window is the first on the list. And since I feel so bad because Jordan has already inherited doing everything around here, I never mention to him that it's there.

Another thought came to me today, which I shared with Jordan and am sadly going to share with you. As I was waiting for any sign of life outside our house, it occurred to me that I feel like a dog waiting for the sound of a car or the garage door opening. When any of those magical sounds appear, I perk my ears and listen intently, though I don't bark and go skidding across the floor to get to the door. Instead of wagging my tail, I'm grinning from ear-to-ear and giddy that Jordan is home! So this is how our dog must feel every day. Poor guy. Our cat could really care less.

Not much else going on , except that it's Friday. Jordan FINALLY gets to go dirtbiking tomorrow since the weather is starting to cooperate. I'm glad he gets to have some fun time instead of sitting around the house with his practically bed-stricken wifey. And now maybe I can have a day of him not telling me that he's going to sell all the dirtbikes because he can't even ride them.

I hope everyone has a great weekend with beautiful weather, and be safe!

The Prescription of Bed Rest Continues...

2009-04-27T09:18:00.000-07:00

I'm 11 weeks today, what a major milestone for us! We're starting to close in on the first trimester. And it sure does feel good.

I had my OB appointment today. All looks well. We had our 8th ultrasound. The baby is busy kicking and getting strong, though I can't feel any of it yet. The subchorionic hematoma is slightly smaller. The doctor said this can only go two ways; it gets better or it gets worse. So my bedrest continues for the next few weeks at the least. I don't go back to the OB for another 2 weeks and 3 days, but who's counting? Until then, I remain on the couch or in bed.

The other highlight of the week, other than seeing the baby, was that Jordan took me to McDonalds for breakfast! I know that's very sad. But when you get to stare at only half the walls in your own house for almost 2 weeks straight, just getting out of the house is a major event! And it will be my only outing for another 2 weeks until my next appointment.

On a sad note, our brand new cheap television that we bought already died. Luckily, it was still within the warranty of the store so we could get our money back without any hassle. But some more exciting news is we bought a new laptop. Our old laptop still kind of works but the screen is about ready to fall off and some plastic just kind of hangs there. It was the one that we had from college so it got great use, and maybe some abuse through it's lifespan of over 6 years. Plus, it went around the world with us more than once. So our new laptop is a macbook and I really like it. It does so many neat things and is so easy to navigate through. My laptop is now my saving grace to keep me sane and updated with the outside world. Again, very sad.

Here are the pictures from the last 2 weeks. I look a bit better in the first picture at 10 weeks but wow do I look fat at 11 weeks! I think this is finally me popping out and not just my swollen bowels. Plus, I'm on bed rest so everything goes downhill a lot quicker. Isn't that something to look forward to?

P.S. Nevermind my red plaid pajama pants that I've had since high school :o)

Bedrest is Exhausting

2009-04-24T18:22:00.000-07:00

It's officially been a week since I've been on bedrest. And wow am I exhausted! It's almost like this vicious cycle. I wake up and try to stay awake (but not always successful) laying on the couch either watching television, playing on the computer, or reading. Then I have to try and go to sleep laying on our bed at night. This doesn't even include the multiple potty breaks throughout the night. It's not as easy of a task than you think. Sure, the first day wasn't so bad but after a couple of days it is quite a task. Imagine going to some meeting you have to sit through all day and then having to sit through that same meeting day after day after day.

My whole meaning for this post was because I realized I haven't told you my due date. In fact, it kept me up last night while I was trying to go to sleep. I am officially due on November 16th, 2009. So this makes me 10 weeks, 4 days pregnant.

The bleeding has stopped though I still occasionally have spotting, but no complaining here! I continue on my extra hormones until I'm through my 1st trimester. And THANK GOODNESS for my doppler. It has kept me sane throughout all of this and it reminds me just why we are doing all of this. In fact, it's amazing to hear the change in the heart beat. When we first got the doppler, the little heart beat sounded like a choo-choo train. It now is really sounding much more crisp with a distinct click, kind of like a horse running. Each and every day I look forward to hearing the most precious sound in the world, our baby's little heart beat.

And the most exciting news for the day, Jordan is coming home! He doesn't get in until late but I don't care. I'm just happy he'll be home. I miss him (and hope he misses me). He did have a good time in Chicago though. On Wednesday night, he got to to his old neighborhood and even see some family friends. It was quite a rough area when Jordan and his family use to live there, but it is starting the regentrification process. Still, it's not an area you would want to be at night or where you'd want to park your car any time of the day. I'm just glad he didn't get shot!!! Yeah, I'm not kidding about that statement. And then Jordan got to meet up with some friends who were visiting Chicago on Thursday night. Our great friends were actually our neighbors from when we lived in Phoenix. They were great neighbors and we still consider them great friends!

I think that's about it for now. I have another OB appointment on Monday so I can catch up with you then. May you all have a great weekend while it snows and rains here in Rapid City.

Happy Anniversary...But Not Quite as Planned!

2009-04-20T19:05:00.000-07:00

Today is Monday and I'm now 10 weeks! But whew, it's been a trying weekend for us. It was our seven year anniversary yesterday, April 19th. We had planned for a nice dinner out, but the plans drastically changed after last Friday.

*WARNING* STOP READING HERE IF NEED BE AS THINGS MAY GET SLIGHTLY GRAPHIC AND YOU MAY GET VERY SCARED OF ALL THIS INFORMATION!

Friday was a typical day of doing some light cleaning and all was fine. No worries and the spotting had finally stopped from earlier in the week. But crap hit the fan real fast when I started hemorrhaging lots and lots of bright red blood with a bunch of large clots. I couldn't even get off the toilet because the bleeding was so bad! Jordan was at work in a meeting so I had to send an emergency text message. The OB office said to go to the Emergency Dept immediately. I managed to drive myself there and broke down once I got there expecting once again the absolute worst! Jordan was able to meet me there. But low and behold, there was the little baby moving around with a heart beat! I was in such shock I barely even cried! It turns out I have a subchorionic hemorrhage or hematoma which affects 1% of pregnancies. Of course it would affect us as we can't seem to catch a break. I got put on strict bedrest and that is why our anniversary is one we are sure to never forget.

So fast-forward to Sunday and here I am on bedrest. Poor Jordan is now responsible for just about everything and I feel terrible. Plus our anniversary is not at all how we pictured it. It all turned out just fine. We ordered take-out from Olive Garden and we sat (I laid) on the couch eating our anniversary dinner. This is how memories are made, right?

Today I had another OB appointment. The subchorionic hematoma is still there and I'm still on strict bedrest for who knows how long. So exactly what is this? This is a condition where basically the placenta starts to tear away from the uterine wall and causes bleeding and/or blood clots. Now the clot sits there and until that area can heal itself, we're at a high risk for miscarriage due to the clot/bleed growing until it tears enough of the placenta away. It is especially dangerous as I could lose a lot of blood and will need blood transfusions, too! Also, I'm at high risk for the rest of the pregnancy for pre-term labor or for problems with the placenta during the third trimester. I will be closely watched. A weekly appointment with the OB is now a part of our routine...and the only outing I get!

It kind of stinks that Jordan had to leave on a business trip to Chicago this afternoon, but it was too late to try and reschedule everything. I can't complain too much though. He set me up with a new tv and dvd player in the living room upstairs, as the downstairs has no bathroom and I'd have to do stairs which isn't allowed. I have family bringing/making me food and helping with whatever I need all week. I feel like a helpless baby. At the same time, it's nice that there are so many people willing to help. It was fortunate that Jordan did manage to change his return flight to Friday instead of Sunday. I think he probably is much more stressed about leaving than I am. He was hoping to visit where he use to live and the church he attended when he was younger. But his wife knows how to create drama in his life and change all his plans :o)

This got very long-winded and I'm sorry for that. So much happened in a matter of days that I barely even knew where to start. No belly picture is going to be shown again. Jordan did get a picture of me before he left but I can't get to the picture since I'd have to find a USB cord downstairs and then hook stuff up. It's more than just me to think about now. This baby needs all the attention and care to help him or her stay alive. I'm willing to do just this...even if it means the possibility of being on bedrest for the next 6-7 months.

The Rollercoaster Ride

2009-04-16T13:57:00.000-07:00

If I could have a very boring pregnancy, I would be one happy camper! That just isn't an option for me right now. I went to the OB on Monday and all looked great! I had an ultrasound and got to see our precious little peanut. Woohoo! But the woohoo would only last for part of the day until I started spotting.

Spotting is very common (approximately 50%) during the first trimester of pregnancy. The majority of the time, there is nothing wrong. But there is always that small percentage where the spotting means something. When we were pregnant with the twins, the spotting was bad sign that we had miscarried them. This time, we just assumed the worst and thought we for sure had lost our little baby. It was a grueling night to wait to call the OB office the next morning. They got us in right away and I got yet another ultrasound and THERE WAS THE HEARTBEAT! Yup, I bawled and Jordan gave a big sigh of relief. I'm now on even more meds and am definately taking it easy! And work is becoming more iffy as it gets closer and as I continue to have bumps in the road.

From here on out, I would really appreciate having the most boring pregnancy ever. You can all pray for that. I would appreciate it.

To ease my mind, or maybe for more torture, we rented a little doppler. And we can already hear the heartbeat! It's difficult not to run and check for the heartbeat every hour, but I've managed to check it only once or twice a day. It is the MOST FASCINATING sound and I cherish every little beat I hear. I joke around telling Jordan that I'm going to tape it to my belly and walk around with it all day, so we better buy more batteries! I am kidding, kind of. Hopefully as time goes by and as I get more comfortable with this pregnancy, I will check it once every couple of days. Hearing the heartbeat is truly miraculous and only a gift from God.

All else is going well. Just this week I've been more nauseous than usual. The cat puked, and I just about did, too. Hearing and seeing it almost put me over the edge. Any smell that I don't thnk is pleasant causes me to dry heave. But I still can't complain as it only comes in waves, I can still eat okay, and it is nothing compared to other women!

Jordan insisted on taking a picture of me this week, but I'm too embarrassed to even put it up. He managed to take it right after we got done eating supper even though I wasn't too keen on it. I look very bloated. And as for the last picture, that is also bloating according to the OB, because I am on so many hormones that my bowels are "swollen" as he put it...lol. I guess I'm not looking pregnant just yet...just looking swollen and bloated!

Hopefully next week I'll have a little more courage to post a picture. Hope you all have a great weekend!

Big News!

2009-04-08T08:20:00.000-07:00

Hello to all our family and friends! Since so many of you live far away, we thought it would be nice for you to keep up with our lives once in awhile. And a blog seemed like the most logical thing to do.

First off, big news...We Are Pregnant! It wasn't through the most natural means but we don't seem to want to do things like everyone else. We've been dealing with infertility for almost 4 years and miscarried twins last year. So, it's kind of been a rough road so far. But, here we are now.

I'm 8 weeks and 2 days pregnant today with a singleton. We have the luxury of knowing EXACTLY when conception occurred and how far along I am. Everything looks good so far. All three (yes, three) of my previous ultrasounds look excellent. Seeing the baby often is again, another luxury we get. We don't consider ourselves out of the woods yet, but we are optimistic. We just look at each milestone and go from there, hence the website name.

I've been pretty lucky with minimal, if any, morning sickness. I do get tired and have to take a nap during the day or I don't make it past 5 pm well. The gag reflex is heightened as are smells. And I'm really picky with food. These are all things I can easily handle.

I had a little trouble in the beginning with being really, really sick with some sort of viral super cold that lasted for six weeks and I'm finally now just over it, though I gave it to Jordan (sorry honey) who is finally getting over it, too. I also had super terrible ear infections on both sides. Thank goodness that's all done with! Plus, I had some trouble with my heart beating 30-40 beats above normal at a resting state. It is normal for the heart to beat up to 20 beats above normal during pregnancy though. I'd seem to have times where it would race 140+. After seeing a cardiologist and with time, it has gotten much better. I still get winded just going up a flight of stairs or walking too fast but that is manageable. Because of all of this and the fact that I have an awesome boss, I am off work through 12 weeks. So I have another month off, which is nice and very comforting to me. After all we've gone through, I want to give this little one the best chance possible!

To bring you up to speed on other events of our daily lives, I can fill you in. Jordan has been working at Black Hills Corporation (an energy company) since July 2008 as a database administrator. You can ask him exactly what he does. He enjoys it so much more than his previous job at Regional Health and is very happy with what he does now. As for me, I also started working in July at Black Hills Life Flight as a flight nurse. This is my dream job and I love it. I just told my dad the other day I did a paper on flight nursing when I was a freshman and a speech when I was a sophmore in high school. Pretty crazy. There aren't many people who can say they truly miss working. I miss it quite a bit. We still have our Welsh Corgi names Copper and our black cat Sassy. They are our fur babies.

Here is a picture of my already ginormous belly taken yesterday. Now some of it is probably flab since I haven't been able to work out for the last two months. Some of it may also be because I'm only 4 ft 11 in and my frame is small. And we took this later in the day so the belly is probably exaggerated a bit. Hopefully, the weeks to come will be very interesting! And don't mind all the sticker marks on my belly. I'm still on supplemental hormones, one of which is a skin patch. Woohoo, go hormones!