Weekend Update

Joe's parents came down this weekend to help us out while I'm on bed rest. Grandma brought a whole slew of Super Suppers dinners with her, and those are always good. We had the Oven baked Parmesan Chicken and a Pork Tenderloin...both were very good. If you haven't used Super Suppers before, it is a really nice convenience. Everything is ready-made and just needs to be thrown in the oven or a pot! It was a nice relief, and Trey always loves having Grandma and Papa here to play with. Grandma lended her sewing expertise to fix Trey's curtains that were too short. They turned out really cute! This morning we had some of Grandma's homemade french toast, yummy yummy! We were sad to see them go, but are looking forward to seeing them when Emery makes her arrival. We also love going to Wylie to visit, so I'm sure I'll be making that trip sometime this fall!

We have a Dr.'s appointment this Wednesday...another ultrasound, another non-stress test, and a Group B Strep Test. Woo hoo! Can you sense the excitement? I always look forward to the ultrasound, because it's nice to see how big she is getting. Wednesday will be 35 weeks, so that just means one more week after that and we will probably induce. I would like to go to 37, but that is up to the Doctor. We shall see if I pass all of my tests! Hope everyone has a great July 4th weekend...I will be watching fireworks on TV I suppose! :)

IT'S DONE!

Emery's room is finished! Woo hoo! Here are some pics...forgive the lighting, the window makes it hard. The top is khaki and the bottom is chocolate brown...white chair rail and furniture and light pink accessories. I LOVE it, and that's all that matters, right? :)

I made her letters, to try and match the swirl in the bedding...
The quote on the wall says, "Such a big miracle, for such a little girl"
It's a wall transfer from Hobby Lobby, thanks Grandma!

I made this canvas, after I found one I liked online and someone was charging $50!! :)

Hallelujah!

Another good day at the Dr.! Don't jump to conclusions though, I'm still on bed rest! :) However, the Dr. was very pleased with all of the tests yesterday, so we need to continue what we're doing for 2 more weeks and then we'll induce. The only way to get rid of this preeclampsia stuff is to deliver, so regardless of how well I'm doing at 36 weeks, she wants to nip it in the bud. We had another ultrasound yesterday, and Emery was sticking her tongue out at us, it was way cute. Probably a sign of what's to come with her attitude. ha. I also had to do a NST (Non-stress test). They just hook up the 'belly bands' that take the babies heart rate, and I had to click a button everytime she moved, and the test measures her heart rate when she moves...and it should go up. She passed that test with flying colors. As far as the rest is concerned, I had no protein yesterday (woo hoo!) and my blood pressure was in the 130's/80's range....much better! I felt like I had aced my final exam!!! I go back in another week, for the same tests, so say a little prayer! :)

This bed rest stuff is hard to get used to, especially when you feel okay. I really wanted to get some more shopping done before Emery comes! grrr. I hear Hobby Lobby calling my name, am craving one heck of a Chinese buffet, and would love to do a lap at the mall....at this point i would take the "hall" in Nacogdoches. For all of you non-SFA'ers...the "hall" is Nacogdoches sad excuse for a mall that is outfitted with a Belk, Beall's, JcPenney, Radio Shack, and Bath & Body Works. Okay, you can stop laughing now.

I'm writing this at 7:15 a.m. and Trey is settling in to his new routine. Daddy has left for morning workouts at school, and Trey knows to come find me in bed and we watch Disney until Mimi comes over. Can we just say about 10 Thank-You's to my mom right now. First off, let me say this...I'm not the neatest. I'm not an absolute slob, but when I have a choice between playing with Trey and doing a load of laundry, you can guess who wins. So, for the first time in who knows how long, my laundry is caught up! My house is dusted. The dishes are clean. Pantry is organized. Some people may not recognize my house! :) Trey is also very excited because Grandma and Papa are coming Thursday night. Hopefully we will have Emery's room all done by the time they leave. We just have to paint under the chair rail and get some stuff on the walls (hence the reason Hobby Lobby is calling my name!)

I'll post pictures of her room, and some of Trey as soon as I get my camera out of Joe's truck. It's in my hospital bag, and we are to the point where that goes with us to the Dr., just in case! Well, stay tuned...hopefully I'll get some pictures in the next couple of days! :)

Digital Scrapbooking Jackpot...

Okay, so I claim to be a PhotoShop guru. Heck, it's what I teach, so I have to be semi-smarter than the kids! :) Lately, as I've become obsessed with blogs, I've noticed all of these moms have these way cute headers, etc...that look like a real-live scrapbooks. It stumped me for a while, until I hit the jackpot...there's tons of free stuff out there to use to make your stuff look like a scrapbook. I love to do real scrapbooking, but let's face it...a 2-year old, and a coaching husband doesn't allow time for that, not even in the summer. I am much faster on the computer. So, this was my attempt today at my first digital scrapbooking page. I like it, and I guess I can only get better as I do more. The cool thing is, I think that I can send this to my favorite book-making sight, and it will look really cool. I use Blurb to make my books, so easy...and they make great gifts. That will be my next experiment! Anywho, here's my first attempt!

Yes, I'm Getting Bored...

Hence, the new layout and header! Enjoy! :)

Dr. Update

We had a good day at the doctor yesterday, if you don't count being there for 2 1/2 hours! Apparently, 2 of the Dr.'s in the group had deliveries in the morning, and it threw them all way behind. I wasn't quite as annoyed as Joe! Anyway, the ultrasound was first...and they were doing the bio-physical profile that measures everything and look at how she is breathing in there. Everything looked great. Emery is still happy being inside, so she will get to stay for now! :) The machine was also estimating that she weighs about 5 pounds. When you think that I should have 7 more weeks to go (even though we won't go that long), that is pretty large. But, I know from Trey that they tend to over-estimate, so she probably is somewhere in the 4 pound category. The Dr. was really pleased with that, and she said that going 36/37 weeks will probably be a good thing, since she looks so big this early. The other good news was that there was no protein in my sample yesterday, which was a good sign. Doesn't necessarily mean, that I don't have preeclampsia, but just shows that it is a mild case. Even though the report was good, and put alot of my fears to rest...I am still on bed rest. Yes, I was pretty worried going in yesterday, and had even packed a bag. Silly, I know...but my mind is infamous for running wild. I drive Joe nuts! :) Well, that's the latest update. We are excited because Joe's parents are coming next weekend. That will be a big help, plus we always like when they come! Trey especially looks forward to Grandma and Papa coming to visit! We go back Tuesday for another ultrasound and a non-stress test, which measures Emery's movement and heart rate. Check back for more updates and have a good weekend!

P.S. A special thanks to my mom and Joe for picking up the slack. FYI...it really isn't that fun not being able to do the everyday mom kind of stuff...My mom has been coming over and getting loads of laundry started and cooking. Joe made a special trip to IKEA (with Trey in tow) to get Trey his own chest of drawers because we were still using the drawers that came with his changing table (that needs to go in Emery's room). He then spent last night putting it together, only 2 find out that 2 pieces were missing!!! That required a special trip BACK to IKEA this morning to get the pieces that were SUPPOSED to be in there in the first place....no, we weren't annoyed at all! :) It just required reciting the Serenity prayer a few times! :) Thanks Daddy for putting that together.

Bed Rest it is...

So, today is the day. I am now officially on strict bed rest until Miss Emery decides to make her appearance, or the Dr. says it is time. It was confirmed today at my appt. that I have mild preeclampsia. I have no other signs of the preec., only high blood pressure and protein. Joe and I both were completely caught off guard with this diagnosis, because I have no swelling, no headaches, no nothing. I feel fine, other than when they get me worried at the Dr.'s office with my high BP. When the Dr. walked in she said, "so are you on bed rest yet?", and I said, "nope"...and her response was, "well, you are now!" The orders are: no cleaning, no laundry, no nothing, other than laying in bed and only getting up to go to the bathroom, to eat something, and to move to the recliner. (Ok, English teachers, I know my use of commas is excessive...but oh well!) :) I am at 33 weeks now, so the prognosis still looks good, Emery may just be petite! We go in Friday for an ultrasound to see just how ready Emery is and we will go from there. The Dr. said, sooner rather than later. Please keep us in your prayers, I would like to at least make it to 36 weeks, it just depends on how my body cooperates. Well, that is the newest update...feel free to send me an e-mail, because I have a sneaking suspicion that this lap top is going to become a good friend over the next week or so!!

Father's Day

As I lay here in bed (no, thank goodness, I am not on bed rest...yet). I thought this would be a good place to brag on one of the best Dad's around...Joe. I am so lucky to have such a strong, hard-working, Christian by my side to raise our kids. Joe is the kind of dad that rules with an iron fist, but 10 minutes later will be having a pillow fight with Trey and loving every minute of it. His heart melts when Trey goes sprinting thru the kitchen to meet him at the back door. Joe does things that most guys won't admit to helping their wife do. He will help me clean, do laundry, unload/load the dish washer, change diapers, give baths...just to name a few. That is on top of taking care of the dogs and keeping up with the yard...Oh yeah, and volunteering most weekends at church. I'm so thankful to Billie and Joe (Joe's parents) for raising such an awesome son. He has truly made me want to be a better wife, mother, and friend. Happy Father's Day, Joe (aka Daddy)...We love you.

Quick Update...

Whoa, 9 days since my last post. One would think that I have been busy! I guess so...Well, on Wednesday I went back to the Dr. for my weekly check up, and you guessed it...more high blood pressure. Oh, and I lost 3 pounds in one week...I asked her if that was a bad sign, other than the fact that I needed to lose weight in the first place. I liked her answer, "Nothing is wrong with that because she is measuring fine, some women are just fortunate to have their stomachs pushed up into their rib cage, so you can't eat alot!" . She (the new Dr.), did decide that she wanted me to take the fun experiment again to test for preeclampsia/toxemia...if you've done this before, you know what I'm talking about. I hope to find out the results tomorrow, I don't think I have it because I am not swollen like a balloon, yet. However, I asked her what her forecast is since we obviously have an issue with my blood pressure. Her statement sent me in to a little bit of a frenzy. She says, "I am getting you to 36 weeks and we are going to most likely induce." Let me tell you that 8 weeks shrinking to 4 weeks, when you have absolutely nothing done in the baby's room and a 2 year old to boot, is a little nerve racking. My mom's conclusion was, "I'll be over in the morning..." So, you ask why 9 days since your last post? There's your answer. So 36 weeks will be July 14...start the count down!

What a Difference a Year Makes!

Well, we are back from the beach...I don't know about Trey, but I am pooped! I'm sure Mimi is too, she was a great relief to have at the beach to help out! Can we say life saver? Anyway, I was a little weary of taking Trey because of our experience from last year. Trey wouldnt let go of Daddy last year! This year, was a whole new ball game!!! After 5 minutes of hesitation, he was off and running! He got to the point, he didn't even want to hold our hands in the water! It was a very proud moment! Here are a few pics...

"Over there Mommy!"

We had to clean our hands off!

A very brave moment...

Mimi and Trey


Can we say 2 going on 10? Does anyone else notice him puffing out his chest?

Needless to say, we had a great time with the Brewer clan...always do. Unfortunately, Daddy didn't get to join us this trip...we are hoping we can make one last day trip down to Surfside before Miss Emery arrives, so that Daddy can witness Trey's bravery. Hope you enjoy the pics! Until next time!

Our First Week Off

Summer is here!!! Daddy is getting all of his professional development out of the way this week. Of course we have been visiting the Brewer pool on a regular basis! Trey is doing pretty well floating around with his vest and a noodle. He just kicks his legs and goes wherever he wants to go. For whatever reason (maybe some "daddy-dunking") he takes a few minutes to warm up to being by himself on the noodle. It's a pretty funny sight, I need to get my camera going for the summer. Monday night we got to hang out in labor & delivery for a few hours. *Everything is ok*, but I had a massive headache that wouldn't go away. Let me back up a second...my Dr. is convinced I have gestational hypertension, even though I have yet to have high BP anywhere else but his office! He is also keeping a close eye on any development of preec./toxemia. So, when I called in at 2:45 to see if it was just a headache or whatever, he wanted me to come in right away. Joe wasn't to fond of the idea of getting up at 3 a.m.! :) We got there and the BP was normal, her heartrate was good, and the bloodwork came back normal....diagnosis=just a headache! :) Trey got dropped off at Mimi's house on the way, and he was a little concerned. My mom said, that he came in her room with big tears and just laid in bed and stared at the ceiling for about an hour. Daddy had told Trey that Mommy was going to the hospital, and this 2 year old knows what that means. Trey got to come with Mimi to come get me from the hospital (Joe had to go to his class), and when I got in the car he said "Mommy all better?" :) Such a sweet boy!

So, on for the fun part of the week! Trey, Mommy, and Mimi are going with the Brewer's to the beach!! We are going to Surfside, which is always fun because that is the beach I grew up going to. Brings back lots of good memories! Trey seems excited, but we shall see...last Summer at the beach, he wasn't quite sure of it. We are staying overnight at a beach house and will head home Thursday afternoon. I will definitely post lots of pics, so stay tuned.

Friday I have a Dr.'s appointment where I meet my new Dr. (refer to old post where I talk about my OB/GYN leaving for Dallas one month before I am due)...the new doc has big shoes to fill, so it should be interesting! :) After that, Joe and I get an afternoon/evening away to celebrate our 5 year anniversary! We can't really travel, so we are going to check out what the real Houston has to offer...the real Houston is outside of our Cypress zip code! :)

We hope everyone is enjoying their week, and check back soon for some pics!