Birth class #3

Last night we had our 3rd birth class. They spent most of the time talking about immunizations. On of the Midwifes is a chiropractor with her husband and they gave a really great presentation. They didn't try to sway us from them or towards them. The main purpose of this class was to educate us on doing the research ourselves. I learned some really crazy things last night. Alot has changed since we were kids, now I think there are about 100 immunizations. Anyway, just to keep a few of you at peace...Blake and I as of now still plan on immunizing our children. We are planning on researching and will do what we feel is best for our family.

This pregnancy has opened my eyes so much! Our bodies are amazing and capable of doing many things on its own. Heavenly father created us so perfectly. I am so thankful for my health and the easy pregnancy I have been having. I look forward to the near future when Parker arrives. Can't wait to see how everything unfolds!

Baby Shower #2

Big THANKS to Amanda and Alycia for throwing such a wonderful baby shower. I am truly blessed to have two of the best friends ever. We had a wonderful turn out and the food was to die for. Thanks so much.

Also, Thanks for coming everyone. Everyone was so giving and we are very grateful to have so many friends that love us! I love all of my gifts! Many of my gifts were made with love...check out the pics to see what I got! Thanks for all the hard work in preparing my gifts!

Oh yeah ignore the crooked smile, I guess this is what I do when I am happy!



Love this picture of my mom and I!
**notice the cute boppy!**





LOVE FROGS!



33 weeks and counting

I can't believe I am going to be a mom in about 2 months! We are so excited!

I had a doctors appointment today and everything went well. My belly is measuring 34cm. Good heart beat, I cant remember how many beats per min. I had protein in my urine, so that just means I need to eat more protein. I need to start eating more eggs during the week and more greens. I though I was doing pretty good but its easy to get overwhelmed with this whole eating right stuff. Overall Donnellynn was impressed at how well I was doing on my food journal and told me to keep up the good work. Go me! I haven't gained anymore weight so that's good. I am still just 157. I have another appointment in two weeks and then I will go every week. I have my 2nd baby shower tomorrow that my good friends from church are throwing. I can't wait for it, but most of all I am super excited about the food. I get to eat sweets! I gave my midwife the heads up. I can taste the sugar now!

Birth class #2

We went to our 2nd birth class last night. We learned about labor and delivery, saw some horrible pictures! Blake already planned on staying by my head the whole time but after seeing the pictures he is 100% sure he will stay by my head regardless. We went over everything we need to have ready to take with us when I go into labor. I cant wait to decide what Parker will wear on his way home! We practiced more on relaxing and that's about it. Not to much to report. I have a follow up appointment with my midwife this Friday. I hope to have a more interesting post next time!

Birth Class #1

Last night Blake and I attended our first Birth class. It was Blake's first time to see the birthing center. He had a similar reaction to the house as I did before he walked in. I think he even said " this is in the ghetto", but I can assure you its not!

We arrived maybe 10 minutes early and Donnellynn (my midwife) gave Blake a tour. He didn't say much the entire time really. We were sitting on the couch waiting for class to start and he turns to me and said " I don't feel well, I think I am going to be sick". I first was thinking did we eat something bad. Then I said " are you nervous". That's exactly what it was. Last night this whole pregnancy/baby thing became real for him. He said seeing the place Parker would be born and everything made it more real than ever. Aw poor Blakey boy may pass out while I am in labor! Shortly after he realized it was just his nerves he calmed down. I was worried at first he was pale, shaking and sweating.

The class was great, we started out by introducing ourselves and announcing our due dates. I found out that one couple is due 2 days before me and and one is due two days after me. We may all be in labor together. It could get interesting!
We went over the basics of pregnancy and the different stages of labor. We learned about water birthing which was great since I didin' know much. I am really considering having my own water birth now!We practiced some relaxation techniques and then we were done for the night. Next week its actual labor and delivery. Blake already said he is closing his eyes when we watch the birthing video. stay tuned!

We have a stroller!

Yay! We finally got our stroller! My awesome brother and soon to be sister in law got us the stroller we registered for. It felt like I was waiting forever for it to get here and it was only a week. Thanks so much Andrew and Patrica! Now we have a car seat to bring Parker home in!

Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Renfrew

Our cousin Tiffany married Steve on September 4,2010. Congratulations! We wish you guys a lifetime of happiness!

looking gorgeous!

Gangs all here!

This is so Ashley!

Precious!

more pictures from my shower

yum cake!

chug..chug..chug

First Baby Shower!

Thanks for all the wonderful gifts everyone! I got a ton of stuff and LOVE it all. Blake and I are so blessed to have such giving friends and family! I can't wait to dress Parker in all his new clothes.

THANKS for throwing a great shower Heather and Rachel!

We missed everyone who couldn't make it.

1st appointment with my midwife

Today I had my first appointment with Donnellynn. She spent 2 hours with me just like she said she would. She went through my medical history and my families. She did a physical exam, measured my belly, and listened to Parker's heart beat. I think my belly is measuring 33 cm...not 100% sure. Heart beat sounded good it was 160. He was excited! She asked about my diet..yikes. She told me no more chocolate,white flour, and white sugar. I am just glad I only have 10 more weeks b.c this is going to be REALLY difficult. I will start this on Monday since I have my baby shower tomorrow, and I want cake! I have to keep a record of everything that goes in my mouth for the next two weeks to show her at my next appointment. She has also started me on chlorophyll supplements. It's like a cleanse, helps with my digestive system. I am to take 2 a day with an orange until I go into labor. She is slowly giving me new things to do so I don't get overwhelmed.

I start my childbirth classes on Tuesday. They will be held at the birthing center in Argyle at 7:00 pm. I am excited to learn about everything they will be teaching! I also have a home birth prep class to go to on October 2nd, which I really should have taken when I was in my first trimester but like they say better late than never!

Stay posted for all my fun shower gifts!

Parkers room...

Our Aunt Karen started on Parker's room this weekend. Just a few more things and its done. We were all worried about how bright the yellow looked at first but after we put the chair rail border and the curtains up it toned it down. It's simple and I love it! Thanks Karen and Deanna for decorating Parker's room.

Lexi had to be in the picture...what will she do when the baby gets here and she is no longer the center of attention.

All About Babies Midwifery & Birth Center

Today started off really bad for me but ended way better! First I get to work and find and email from my maternity leave replacement saying she got another opportunity. She wants to try to make both jobs work if she can work part time but I have a feeling Dr. Brodows isn't going to like that. Dr. B is in Mexico right now so I guess by next Tuesday I will know if I have to start interviewing again.

2nd I had a doctors appointment. I am going every two weeks now, which is a pain but I can manage. I called early this morning to see if I could pick up a copy of my medical records since I was planning on meeting with a Midwife tonight. I was told I had to fill out a form first which could be done when I got to the office. I walk in as for the form and the snotty insurance girl behind the desk says "you have to pay $25 for them and we faxed your records to the midwife center on the 9th of August". Why they didn't tell me this when I called in the morning is beyond my understanding I guess. Well anyway the midwife center they sent them to I decided not to use after they didn't call to schedule my appt once my records were received. I sound really picky and I am usually not. This birth thing is really important to me and I want to feel very comfortable with the people/facility I will be dealing with. I blow it off and have a seat in the lobby to wait for the nurse to call me back.
I  gave a urine sample they took my weight( gained 3 pounds in 2 weeks) and I went to the room to wait for the doctor. I hear a knock at the door and the nurse comes in and ask " are you going to talk to Dr about transferring over to midwife center b.c you cant keep seeing both of us". I let her know I never got a chance to go to midwife center b.c I had no clue they had my records. She got snotty with me and said well we cant keep transferring your records everywhere b.c we have to pay for them. At that point I was angry and just said that's fine I will just pay to have them released so I can see another Dr. The doctor finally came in listened to the babies heart beat and measured my belly. Everything sounded good so she sent me on my way.

After my horrible Dr's appt I needed ice cream! Then I went and bought two new shirts and some yarn to start a blanket for my baby boy! I came home and got ready for a cooking class at the birthing center I was going to look into. My friend Amanda kindly volunteered to go with me. The birthing center is in Argyle about  10-15 minutes away from my cousin Heathers house. At first we pull up and its this little blue house and at that point I got nervous. I went in anyway and it was amazing! It was beautifully decorated and the whole atmosphere was so relaxing. We were kindly greeted by Donnellyn and Christy the midwifes I met at a birth fair. My favorite part was the birthing room and the jacuzzi bathtub! I got to ask all the question I wanted and they gave me all the answers I needed to hear. My fees will be much less than what I would pay at a hospital which is a huge plus in my book. I feel very confident in using them and now I can relax and hope for the best! My first appointment with Donnellyn is on 9/14/2010 and it will be about 2 hrs long. sounds long but I am so glad that she is taking the time to actually get to know me and help me prepare for the natural childbirth I want! I am so excited now and I cant wait for my last 10 weeks to be over!

Sorry for the long post...I had to much going on.

2 + 1 = 3 Congrats Bowen Family!

Congratulations Burke and Brianne! Brianne gave birth to Katelyn Nicole Bowen on August 29th at 10 pm. She weighed 8 pounds 14 ounces. You guys are going to make wonderful parents! We are so happy for you. We cant wait to start planning vacations with you so our kids can grow up to be soul mates! That would be so fun! 1st step...move back to Texas!