Baby shower!

Boy am I exhausted! Today has been one awesome and crazy day! My Mom put together and hosted my baby shower this afternoon and it was so much fun that I've tuckered myself out!

Can I just start by saying how grateful I am for baby showers? I have been stressing out the last couple of weeks trying to figure out how I was going to get everything this baby girl needs and what I will need and when I'll be able to get it, but I decided that I should wait to really buy anything until after this baby shower. I never realized how much stuff is required to create comfortable living standards for a baby! This shower and everyone who attended made me feel so blessed and so special! Thank you, thank you, thank you to all who were able to come!


My cousins little girl had fun helping me open all the gifts and if there were clothes in there, she would take them out and give them to her mom! So cute!
I'm not sure what it is about living in Utah, but it seems like handmade items are the way to go here and I LOVE it! My grandma made this blessing blanket for her and I should probably get a closer photo of it because it's so detailed and beautiful! There were several handmade things and I love them all so so much!
Speaking of blessings, my Mom and I had tons of fun going through her cedar chest last night going through some of my old baby stuff (and my mom's high school prom dress!) and we found my blessing dress! If my baby girl will fit into it, I'd like to use it for her blessing.

The whole party was so much fun and I loved everything! My Mom did a Disney theme so we had princess and fairy plates and napkins for the food and I wore the minnie mouse shirt Bryant bought me that says "I love my curves!" My Mom really went above and beyond for this so Thank you mom! You're the best!

We wore ourselves out (even though I didn't do much in the way of cleaning or getting things set up, but Sage zonked as everyone left)

I also got a call from my sweet mother-in-law today who said she is sending us a play yard, which will be so nice for when we are traveling and visiting grandparents! So thank you Robyn! We can't wait to see you guys next month!

I can't wait until Bryant comes home to see all of this. He's been in San Diego all weekend with his two brothers, my sister-in-law and niece, and my Father-in-law to watch the BYU vs SDSU game. Bryant tried to convince me to come but I really didn't think I could sit in a car for 11 hours. Heck, I can't even sit on the couch for more than an hour without needing to get up and get my hips moving.

I really miss him though. I realized I missed him badly when I sat down and ate dinner by myself, watched our late-night shows by myself and crawled into bed and wasn't being pestered or cuddled. I'm glad it's a short trip and he will be home tomorrow.


He's kept in touch though and seems to be having tons of fun! I'm glad he was able to go do this before we buckle down and become parents.

(the San Diego Temple!)

I have to say that I am pretty jealous that he spent the afternoon at the beach though... But this sweet little note made up for me not being there.

Well, I'd call today a great day! I'm glad that I've got almost everything I need for this baby! Now I just need to finish her room, get a few more little essentials and it's smooth sailing here on out! (hopefully!)

(don't mind my Shrek-sized face here. It's water weight I tell you!)

Because here I sit at 35 weeks which means she will be here in just over a month! And that's if she comes on time! You never know, all my Mom's babies were early. But then again, this baby could be stubborn and late (but lets keep our fingers crossed she won't be late... for my hips and back's sake..)

A tale of bowling and epidurals

Today, Bryant and I both had the whole day off, which is becoming more and more rare, so we took the opportunity to sleep in, go to Parkers for lunch (mmmm... onion rings! Cheap onion rings!) and hit up the bowling alley!

We decided to just go to Jack and Jills bowling, but that was a bit of a mistake because it was a lot more expensive and it was waaay crowded.


We had to wait about 20 minutes for a lane, but we kept ourselves busy playing air hockey.

(I'm going to say that my face looks fat due to water weight... At least that's what I'm hoping it is)

It was nice to actually get out and do something rather than just going out to eat for a date. I have to say though, that after holding and 8lb ball, I've decided that I don't want this baby to get to be more than 8lbs! It's not too heavy to carry in your arms, but carrying that in my belly would be so uncomfortable! I have a whole new respect for those moms with 8,9, 10 lb babies. Sheesh!

Speaking of babies, we had our 2nd prenatal class tonight. I really like these classes but they are way too long to have pregnant women sitting in a hard chair. By the end, we are all hunched over with our husbands rubbing our backs. (I should point out that Bryant actually got up and stood behind my chair to give me a really good back and neck massage. Thanks babe!)

This class, the nurse brought a bucket full of things that you might see during your labor, like a hospital gown, forceps, a vacuum, monitors, different types of needles or swabs, and, well, I got the razor... And we all had to guess what they were and what they would be used for.

We also went over cessarian sections (C-sections) and different reasons why you may need one, took a "virtual" tour of the triage room, labor suite, mother's room and nursery and all the rules and procedures associated with them.

We also watched a C-section video and a vaginal birth video. These videos really didn't bother me. Bryant kept asking if I was ok and if they were just making me nervous, but to be honest, I just found them interesting.

But remember that girl I mentioned from my post about our first class that was asking weird questions, like what it smelled like during labor? She got up and left during both videos and looked like she was either going to pass out or cry. I felt really bad, I hope she does ok. She also seemed really concerned after the nurse said that after you deliver, they like you to feed the baby within the first hour. She kept asking repeatedly what would happen if the lactation consultant didn't show up to help her and what if the baby wouldn't latch. The nurse had to reassure her that they would make sure a lactation consultant would be there and everything would be fine.

After the class, I noticed the nurse took her aside and told her that she really didn't need to be so anxious and that she needed to remember that birth was a normal and natural thing. She told her that the more she was stressed, the harder labor was going to be for her. I really hope she does ok, for her sake and the baby's.

The only thing so far that has really freaked me out, was looking at how HUGE the epidural needle was! Seriously, it's like 6 inches long! Thankfully, the nurse said you don't feel that needle (but you do feel the needle that numbs your back up first) and that only a small part of the epidural needle actually goes in. It's big because they feed the catheter through it.

I'm actually really looking foreword to next weeks class. Mostly because they are going over basic parenting techniques, such as diapers, bathing, feeding, that kind of stuff, and I'm interested to see how Bryant does. And well, lets face it, it's been a loooong time since I've made a bottle...

Nesting

So I always thought it was funny when I would mention to someone that I cleaned my apartment, and they would ask if it was because I was "nesting". Then I would picture a great big nest in the nursery and me in a big bird outfit squatting on a giant egg.

But you know what? I now understand what it means to be in "nesting mode".

Ever since my last doctors appointment, I've come to realize that this baby is coming soon. Like, really soon. And I started to panic that I don't have absolutely everything ready. I instantly went into nesting mode. I met my mom at Babies R Us last night and we put together a registry, which was a lot of fun. Then, at about 9:30 last night I had this crazy urge to get the crib set up. I felt like I needed it done right then or I would start to panic again. So I cleaned it up and put Bryant to work figuring out how to stick it together.

This is my aunt's crib. She is letting us borrow it which is saving us a lot of money.



Unfortunately, I still have this ridiculous cold and I was feeling pretty crummy after I cleaned up the crib so I went and lied down on the couch while Bryant did all the work.


Ta Da! The finished product! Bryant is the best! He worked hard to get this thing figured out, all while I was being a sicky on the couch. Between the crib and the registry, I feel like I'm finally getting a few things done. I'm fully immersed in this "nesting process". I still feel like there is a lot to be done. Put together a shower, get the cradle from my cousins, get rid of our huge computer desk and getting a smaller one to make more room in the nursery, finish my online classes, go to the car seat class and get a car seat and several other little details. Ah! So much to do!

I'm starting to think this nesting thing would just be easier if all I had to do was build a nest and sit on an egg...

Valentines Day and Baby Update!

Yesterday was Valentines Day. I was really excited and I had some fun things planned that I wanted to do, but unfortunately, I'm still sick. Bleh.

I did however, get to go to a romantic lunch with Bryant. He was able to get off work a little early and he called me and had me meet him down at the Chefs Table in Orem.

Sooo yummy!

We had a gift card there that Bryant won a few months ago from work, and we didn't use the whole thing so this was the perfect day to use the rest up!

(yuck, I'm really starting to look bloated aren't I?)

I had the chicken salad sandwich with a salad and Bryant had the fillet minion (spelling on that?) which I stole a few bites of...


Afterwords, Bryant wanted to take me to a movie or bowling, but I was starting to lose energy fast and my nose was blocked like the hoover dam so we headed home and I took a long nap.

Then, we headed off to our first prenatal class! A few of my friends have told me not to waste my time there, that I would know exactly what to do when the time came, but honestly, I'm so happy I went! I learned a lot and I'm looking foreword to next weeks class!

We learned about warning signs to look for, the different stages of labor and delivery, and then learned some breathing and relaxation techniques (which Bryant just sat there and giggled because I couldn't breath at ALL through my nose!). Bryant was a good sport and really supportive the whole time. It feels good to know that he's going to be a good "birthing coach".

The lady who teaches the class did a really good job. She's been a labor and delivery nurse for 13 years and is pregnant with her 7th baby (I'd say she's well qualified to teach the class at this point...) And she answered everyone's questions, no matter how odd they were, like the one girl who asked if she would shake uncontrollably after she delivered or what it would smell like during labor and delivery and if there was any particular smell to be worried about (obviously, she's been reading too many weird things on the internet and is getting a bit anxious or paranoid. Really? What does it smell like when you deliver a baby? That was not even at the very bottom of my list of concerns...)

As for Baby Stokes...

I had another appointment today and, once again, she's super healthy and everything in looking great! I'm still gaining weight right on track (a pound a week! Sounds like a lot, but the doc said that's what he wants me to gain) my blood pressure is normal, her heart rate is normal and her head is nice and low (which means her feet are still always in my right rib cage) and she's growing perfectly.

I go in again in another 2 weeks, then we start weekly appointments to be checked for dilation and all that fun stuff. It's crazy to think that here I am, almost 34 weeks, and she could (safely) come anytime after 37 weeks. Which means she could come in 3 1/2 weeks if she was ready. (I think with how well she's been doing so far, she will come pretty close to her due date though)

So there you have it! My valentines day and a Baby update! I'm off to go clean up the crib we just got from my aunt!

Pretty sure I was sick last valentines day too...

(my "sick" survival kit. Water, tums, tissues, puke bowl, throat lozenges, my nook, and cold medicine)

All weekend long I've been sick. This is probably my 3rd or 4th time being sick while pregnant. You see, when I was 19, I caught a bad case of pneumonia that had me literally drowning in my own body. I was in the hospital for a week and then at home in bed with a PIC line hanging out my arm and a stash full of IV's in the fridge for a month. Afterwords, the pulmonologist told me she thought I wasn't going to make it and was happy to see I was perking up.

She also told me that the pneumonia had wrecked havoc on my immune system, and that it would take years before it got back to normal, meaning I would get sick often. Then, as most anyone who has been pregnant knows, when you are preggo, your body shuts its immune system down, this is to prevent your body from seeing your baby as a foreign object (it is a parasite after all...) and ejecting it.

So what little immunity towards diseases I was slowly gaining with each cold, got tossed out the window when I became pregnant.

Anyways, I was feeling better Saturday, just a little stuffy, but the "Phantom of the Opera" was playing at my old high school and I really wanted to go. My brother told me that people were already lining up at 10:00 for the 2:00 matinee, so we rushed on down there. The line started inside, but one guy told us there was no more room (even though there was plenty) and that we needed to stand outside. In the cold. Obviously, there was no sympathy for a pregnant, sick woman and her little brother. So we waited outside, in the cold, for 2 1/2 hours to get tickets. (oh the lengths I go through to get a little culture in this town!) From the time I got there to the time the play was over, I was there for 6 hours! And thats when I began to really feel crummy.

But the play was really good!

Sunday morning arrived and I was so sore, so achy, so mucus filled and gross that I was not going to be able to make it into work. I called everyone and everyone was busy (but I can't blame them, it was short notice, and everyone hates working Sundays.) I was going to have to go in... But thankfully, one of my co-workers called me back! We agreed to switch shifts and I went back to bed and slept until almost 1 in the afternoon! I spent most of the day reading the Girl Who Played With Fire (highly recommend that series! Amazing!) and trying to eat since I had no appetite. But as the saying goes "sweat a fever, feed a cold".

Then, that afternoon, my parents invited us up for dinner. They had invited 2 other families in our neighborhood and we enjoyed enchilada casserole and chocolate fondue!



We had tons of fun, but I ate way too much and I was sick to my stomach the rest of the night. I guess that happens when your stomach is being squished and pushed by a little girl...



Bryant was having way too much fun teasing our neighbors kids. The youngest would just run up to him and start giggling like crazy! I was having a blast watching them. I can't WAIT until our baby is here to watch Bryant play with her!


This is the devastation of the fondue table after the kids attacked it. It was super yummy!

Today, I'm feeling slightly better. I actually just got a text from Bryant asking me to go out to lunch with him on his break and I think I'll be OK to go. Tonight, we start our prenatal class at the hospital, so I need to be feeling better by tonight for sure!

I'm pretty sure I was sick on Valentines day last year too because my cousins baby was born a few days later and I was just getting over it.

Stupid colds..

Happy Valentines day everyone! I'll write another post soon on how mine went!

Superbowl!

I don't watch football
(note: football is always on here in the Stokes' home, but am I ever watching it? Nope, I'm spacing off or reading or doing homework. Sorry Bryant)
But every year, I make sure I request Super Bowl Sunday off from work.

Most years, we go to my Uncle's house for a super bowl party. The last couple we have gone to my grandparents. This year we were thinking of just staying home and having a few friends over, but, we don't have too many friends and couldn't find anyone who wanted to come over last minute.

Bryant's Brother Tyler wanted to come watch it with us so we decided that since it was just the 3 of us, we should head on over to my uncles.


Other than being really squished on the couch (poor Tyler had to deal with my brother and cousins wrestling and fighting while he was trying to enjoy the game) we had a lot of fun.


Baby River was getting upset when the Steelers started closing the gap (actually, he just saw his sister Macy and really wanted her to pick him up)

Overall, it was a great night.


So I apologize for the lack of blog posts lately. My life has consisted of work and homework and not much else. And frankly, these days I don't feel like doing much of anything. That "uncomfortable" stage in pregnancy has finally arrived. A month ago, when everyone asked "how are you feeling" I could honestly answer that I was feeling great! Now, I just reply "oh you know, uncomfortable, sore, tired..."

Because that's how I feel.

The biggest problem is sleep. I never get it anymore. I'm in bed most nights by 10:00 (and you're talking to the girl who was a night owl pre-pregnancy!) but around 11:00, baby starts kicking. These days, her feet are always in my right ribcage. Ouch! Then I sleep from midnight until 3. Then it's bathroom run, a glass of milk and more kicking. Then I sleep from 4:30 to 6 when the leg cramps begin. Then it's up to use the bathroom, a quick walk around the apartment, another glass of milk and a tylenol, and more kicking. Then it's toss and turn until I need to get up for work at 7:45.

But it's all worth it.

Another problem these days is the stress and anxiety that something could go wrong. Some days, it's all I can think of. Thankfully, my doctors are great and I always feel reassured when I go to my appointments. Every time I go in, everything looks perfect. I'm gaining weight right on the money, She's growing right on track, my glucose test came back perfect, my blood pressure is good, her heartbeat is right where it should be, etc...

The only things that are cause for concern are my iron levels, which are just slightly low (which is higher than it has been in the past) so they stuck me on iron supplements, just to make sure I'm where I should be. And I tested positive for group B strep. At first, hearing this made me extremely worried. A bacteria? what? But the doctor almost shrugged it off as no big deal. He said that It's pretty common and that all they have to do is give me an antibiotic every 4 hours during labor. And it seems like most people I talk to had group B strep during at least 1 of their pregnancies and never had any problems at all.

Other than that, Baby and momma are perfectly healthy and that makes me feel more excited for the labor and delivery process than worried.

I just have to tough out these next 7 1/2 weeks!

Lots of naps, lots of naps, lots of naps...

I can do it!