Me and My New Tooth

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

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!!!

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

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

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!

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

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.