4 more years!

Well, we're in for another 4 years.  Dave reenlisted today.  So we wont see an opening to the civilian world again until 2012.  It is kind of a relief to know that its done.  Now we wait patiently until sept/oct to get orders! 
Speaking of waiting patiently, I went to the Dr. today.  He checked me and I am at 3cm now.  I am glad I didn't stay the same.  I am getting so anxious.  Monday will be here in a hot minute and I am nervous.  Ready for Nathan to come but nervous.
I took a photo of Dave's fish tank at work today. 

SNOW!

I have to hand it to the weather forecasters.  For once they got it right.  We were SLAMMED yesterday.  It snowed all day and we had really high winds.  When we woke up this morning we were shocked how much fell after we went to bed.  Yesterday 13 inches fell.  And I am pretty sure a good amount of snow has fallen today as well.  We are supposed to get more throughout the day.  Right now out the back windows there is the most wonderful blue sunny sky.  But out the front windows you can see more snow is coming.  I love winters here because it is the only time of year we get really blue sunny  skies.  Backyards!!!  Its gray and rainy and cloudy all summer and all winter we get these amazing sunny days.  I took a couple photos of the backyard and one of the front.  Dave spent over and hour shoveling this morning.  You can see the huge pile he made.   

Today at Dave's work they are having a going away lunch for Carter.  I am really happy for Carter because his wife and kids are still in the states and he is finished with his 2 years away from them.  He is a really great guy, we enjoyed having him over for Thanksgiving.  I made Cherry Cheese Pie to take.  I wonder if they will go crazy for it like they have Taco Salad.  

Yesterday I finished my 2006 scrapbook.  It is HUGE! I mean its actually 3 books.  Over one hundred pages.  We did so many things in 2006 because I quit my job and we could finally go out and see Japan.  I have all of the page layouts done I just have to do captions and journaling for about half of the pages.  I am really happy with how the layouts have turned out.  Once I am totally finished I might snap pics of my favorite layouts.     I am so glad I was able to finish 2006 before the baby arrives.  I think 2007 wont be as much because I really just have to scrapbook our trip to Tokyo and Michigan and a few holidays.  I hope I can eventually get caught up. Fat chance of that happening once the baby gets here.

 

2 cm

 

I went to my OB appointment today.  The doctor checked me to see if anything was happening down there with the baby yet.  I thought I wanted to know but now I'm not so sure.  She told me I am dilated to 2.  I know that is nothing to get excited about because you can be dilated for weeks before you go into labor.  But still just knowing things are starting to get ready makes me scared.  I'm especially anxious because I had a bunch of contractions the hour before my appointment. 

  I guess we are supposed have a blizzard like snowstorm tonight.    The doctor said her checking the cervix can sometimes cause labor to start... wouldn't that be terrible if I went into labor during a blizzard?

Oh I nearly forgot! When she went looked at my belly to measure it she saw that bump that makes my belly pointy and she was like 'Wait is he head down?'  So she checked and he is head down. I asked her if it is his butt and she said that is was his little behind making my belly so pointy!

We were looking for a good humidifier and found a company that makes cool mist humidifiers for kids rooms.  The reviews were actually really great so we purchased the cow.  It looks so cute in the baby's room with the Barnyard bedding.  Actually we will be using it in our room since the baby will sleep in our room for a few months.  I am sure it will be cute in with our decor too.  Haha

Okay Wait..

I couldn't compare them very well in the album, so I decided to put them up side by side.  Does it look like the baby has 'dropped' to you?

38 week belly pictures

   Two weeks left until my due date!  We took photos of my belly today.  I decided to take a picture from the front with all my stretchmarks because my girlfriend Amanda said she thought I was lucky to have hardly any when I posted the 36 week photos.  But really you just cant see them from the side very much.  Well anyhow, I took a photo and when Dave saw it he made an 'ugg' sound!  Can you believe that??   I guess the photo shows how bad they are if he has seen them in real life and still reacted to the photo.  Do you think the baby looks a little lower?  I will have to see when I compare it to the 36 week picture in the album.  hmmmm 

This week Dave has Monday off for MLK day.  Tuesday I have Breastfeeding Class.  Wednesday I have an OB appointment. Busy busy. 

We got the carseat in the car!

50 cent Saturday?

Today we went to main base to get some groceries and happened to drive by the Thrift Store and it was open.  They run the craziest hours, I swear every time I drive by its closed.  So we stopped in because we have heard that sometimes the BX takes clearance clothes that don't sell and donates them  there.  There were lots of people in there.  It took us a while to find the baby clothes and I was surprised we found a few things that are stain free and were only a dollar!  I picked out a hooded fleece lined vest that will be perfect next fall.  I also found a pair of 6-9 mo jeans, 3-6 mo khaki overalls with safari animals, a newborn sleeper with sweater sleeves that is SO cute, and 2 rompers.  The NB sleeper was in  the consignment section so i knew it was a little more... 2 bucks.  We went to the counter to pay and she told me that the consignment item was going to be 'normal price'.  I asked what she meant,  and she told me that today was 50 cent Saturday!  So all of the other clothes we picked up were only 50 cents instead of a dollar.  Holy Moly!  Pretty cool eh?! 

Yesterday we finished up our Childbirth Class.  I was really happy Dave was able to attend both days of class with me.  The first day was just  videos, and explanation from the nurse that teaches the new parent classes.  You know mucus plug, breaking water, dilation, epiosiotomy talk.  LOL There were 3 other couples taking the class.  The other women were all due after me.  I guess I was sort of cutting it close.  They were 30, 33, 34 weeks along but they all had larger bellys than I do.  He he.  During yesterday's class we watched a couple more videos then practiced breathing.  They had us sit on the floor with pillows and I was wishing I had done it a few weeks ago when I had a little more room in my belly.  I couldn't get a good breathe and the baby was jabbing me really hard to get me to give up more space.  LOL  We got another tour of L&D.  I was glad because even though we had been through before I had more questions. 

I got the DVD of my shower yesterday.  Dave and I had a good time watching it.  It was really neat. 

Only 2 weeks left!  Tomorrow is the beginning of my 38th week.  I will take and post pictures of my belly tomorrow.  Its funny to feel big bulges sticking out of my belly.  Last night after watching movies I got up from the sofa and looked down at my belly and it was FLAT on one side!  I was shocked!  It makes me laugh feeling little Nathan parts poking out here and there. I can't wait to meet him! 

We hope you all have a great weekend!

 

Oh I almost forgot.  When I have the baby we are planning to only phone our parents.  If anyone else wants a call let us know soon!  If we can't make it ourselves for some reason we will ask our nearest parent to phone you.  Does that make sense??  I am sure our parents will sort of spread the new anyways.  Just remember if you want us to phone that we are 14 hours ahead of you!!  Also, when Dave comes home to check  in on Wendy after the baby is born he will post info on our blog. So watch out!  I am sure he will upload photos(nothing graphic I promise, especially because I've made Dave swear he won't look 'down there' when the baby makes his exit), and fill everyone in on how my labor went and how big the baby is and all that fun stuff!

 

We're Ready Freddie

I think we are all ready for our little guy to arrive.  This past weekend we made space in our bedroom for the bassinet and it feels so strange to walk in our room now and see it there.  The baby's room is ready, his clothes and bedding are all washed, everything has been cleaned.  So I guess now we just wait.  I have the baby's bag packed and most of my bag packed.  We put a list on the door of last minute things that need to be tossed in my bag- camera, I-Pod, and toothbrush.  I can hardly wait!  Luckily I still feel pretty comfortable.  My ankles are swollen but usually not too terribly.  Last week I even had 2 days were my ankles weren't swollen at all!  It was so wonderful, I just kept looking at them and telling Dave to look at how skinny and normal they were.  It made me so happy. 

I put one of the over the door organizers in our room and I think  it will work out perfectly for diapering supplies. It makes me very excited. ( I am posting a photos in the Nathan album) 

Less than 3 weeks until my due date!

Baby Classes

We have been busy this week.  Tuesday we went to the Baby Care Basics class.  We were the only ones there so it was pretty relaxed.  The nurse seems like she has lots of experience in OB and we got to talk about a lot.  We got to ask lots of questions about taking care of the little boy penis after it gets clipped.  That is the thing we are most nervous about.  Silly I know.  We got to talk about breastfeeding, and she loaned us the video she shows at the breastfeeding class. She doesn't show the entire video at the class, but though we might benefit from watching the whole thing.  It was very informative and showed how to get a good latch.  I am really glad she lent us the DVD.  I am still going to attend the Breastfeeding Class though.  And next Thursday and Friday I have the Childbirth class to go to.

On Wednesday we went to the hospital for an Anesthesia meeting.  They showed an epidural being put in( in a video) and explained about what happens if we end up needing a c-section.  After the briefing we went down to Labor and Delivery and preregistered.  Man that paperwork was tricky.  I kept getting confused about which forms were for me or baby or for Dave's info.  CRAZY.  Glad I don't have to do that during contractions.  The L & D was quiet so the nurse took us on a tour.  We got to see the delivery room and he showed us what everything is and how it goes.  Then he showed us the post delivery rooms.  They are really nice.  They each  have two beds but he said they never have to double women up.   He said Dad can stay in the other bed.   That will be nice for Dave he can have a bed to sleep in.  I asked about keeping the baby in room and he said the nursery has been extinct for a while and they keep all the babies in room with mom.  I was really glad that we got to see around the place and got to ask questions.

Dave has been nominated for Instructor of the year.  He is going up against the entire Air Force though so he isn't confident he will come close to getting it.  But being nominated is fun.  Kudos to him for having the job for less than a year and being recognized for working his tail off!

Belly Pictures!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I realize my last post was a bit on the whiny side, but I have nothing to complain about today.

I took photos of my belly last night.  36 weeks!  Only 4 weeks left.  I was writing an email to someone this morning and my countdown ticker said .. 

Isn't that CRAZY!!  P.S. if you were wondering I am not tan, I am actually frighteningly pale so I changed the color in  the photos.   (please no comments about my stretchmarks.  I have them really bad, looks like tire  treads I swear, but the way I took the photos you  can only see a little bit of them.  Also, that isn't a brazier its a tank top. ) My belly is sill pointy isn't it!  Did I mention in my last post that the doc said the baby is for sure head down?  Well,  he is.  Thank goodness no worrying about a butt first baby.   I think it is too funny watching my belly when the baby is moving a foot or knee across it.  It looks like one of those massaging chairs (if its empty) you just see bumps moving back and forth. 

We put away all of the Christmas decorations yesterday.  We pulled the swing and bouncer out of the jam packed closet and put them in the living room.  It seems so strange.  This week we need to take out one of the nightstands to make room for the bassinet in our room.  We meant to practice putting the carseat in the car this past weekend but didn't get around to it.  We woke up early on Saturday to get to the commissary before the crowds.  Then we came home and cooked!  We have 12 meals in the freezer now!  It was super easy and FAST.  It took us less than 3 hours to get all of the meals made.  We were shocked.  I did most of the cooking and Dave did side jobs and dishes.  It went really smooth.  This is what we made.  (I know some say the soup and chili might bother the baby but I have talked to a bunch of people who didn't have any  trouble.  So we will see)

1. Vegetable Beef Soup
2. Chili  
3. Baked Ziti
4. Ravioli Bake
5. Shepherd's Pie
6. Aunt Weezie's Fun Buns 
7. Meat cooked for Tacos
8. Meat cooked and veggies chopped for Baked Chop Suey
9. Meatloaf. 

We also have stuff in  the freezer for 2 stir frys one beef and one chicken, and a box of perogies too.  Whenever I went to put something in the freezer the rail in the door kept flying off and everything on the shelf would fall out.  This has happened since we moved in and it drives me crazy.  Well Dave fixed it!     So now I don't have to worry about what will come flying out when I open the door.  I asked him  to fix the rail in the fridge too.  That one makes me upset also. I hope he does it this week. 

Well, that's it for now.  I am so happy today! It probably has something to do with the fact that I replaced our wallflower oil thingies last night with a spiced pumpkin scent and the entire house smells like something yummy is going to come out of the oven...Probably I will be hungry all day.  But it smells so nice.   

 

The run around

Okay so I am really frustrated with the OB clinic on this base.  It is so messed up!  To start with if you are having twins or have any risks they send you down to Okinawa to sit for a month in the 'stork's nest' which is just a wing of Billeting where they send women to wait to give birth.  If you do stay in Misawa because everything is 'normal' you still have to worry about going into preterm labor because they can't take care of you at the base hospital so you have to go to a Japanese hospital that is about 2 hours away and that means driving through the mountains every day to visit your baby. This time of year the mountains are seriously difficult to drive through especially in a small car- this has been a huge worry of mine... So I am feeling so much relief to know I am almost at that 36 week mark where I don't need to worry about PTL anymore.  

I have been feeling pretty uncomfortable during my Dr visits because they wont let me see the same doctor.  I told the woman that books appointments that I would feel much better if I could be scheduled with the same Dr.  She acted as if I was asking for the world!  She told me  they want me to see all of the doctors so that when I go into labor I will feel more 'comfortable' knowing which ever doctor happens to be in.  Well, I when I asked I had already seen all of the doctors so what would be the harm of seeing the same one for the last 5 months?  Plus, I am pretty sure no matter which doctor is down there catching I will feel the same amount of discomfort due to the fact that a baby  will be squeezing out of my you know what.   I haven't said anything about not seeing the same doctor since but that place is a mess and my appointment yesterday was a prime example!

I went to see Dr. B three weeks ago.  She answered my questions and checked the baby's heartbeat and measured me.  Then told me that I would come back in at 35 weeks for pelvic exam to check for Strep B.  She said they would see me every week after that until the baby comes!  I said OK.  So, yesterday I went to my 35 week appointment prepared for a pelvic exam ( I shaved my legs which was tricky with my belly- I even nicked my belly with the razor!( I was going from my leg to rinse the razor and bumped my belly and it got a cut!) )  SO i get in and I  have to see Dr. M  well, turns out he doesn't like to do the pelvic exam until 37 weeks!  He told me my next appointment will be in 2 weeks to have the strep B test done then I will start weekly appointments until the baby comes!!!!  Can you believe that? Its a small clinic don't you think the 3 doctors could get together to sync up their tests and appointment policies?  I mean HELLO!!  Here I had been really glad that weekly appointments were going to start this week because its hard having all these weird things happening to your body and not getting to ask you doctor until weeks later. But now I have to wait two weeks and that's forever when you have contractions and stuff going on!  So I spend those week thinking,  'gee I hope that is normal. Doesn't seem normal, but it will have to be until I get to see a Doctor.'  

I am so upset.  This is not the first time one doctor told me one thing and then the next tells me something totally different.  It makes me so mad.  I think about all those pregnant women that get to choose their doctors, and I understand sometimes at appointments they have to see a diff doc if theirs is in surgery or delivering a baby, but they got to choose!  That must feel nice. Even if I could just choose one of the three here at the base it would be so nice.  I could tell Dr. M hadn't even looked at my chart before seeing me because I was asking him a question and he was ignoring me because he was reading my chart!  It was obvious! 

Sorry I had to vent about this but it has been bothering me my entire pregnancy.