Little Toes

Last week I was inspired by a Facebook post to try and create a heart shape out of stamps from Elliana's feet.  Cute idea, right?  Well.. the execution is problematic.  First, you have to have a sleeping baby. No, a coma-like sleeping baby.  Second, you need 3 hands; one to hold the foot, one to hold the paper, and another to make sure the toes are flat.  I don't know about you, but I only have 2 hands. 

After several trial runs, many false wakings, and some help from Grandma, we were able to get this:

The criss-crossed image above is close to a heart shape, right?  Well... Happy Valentines Day :) The true success from this excersize are the cute toe pictures:

And a few messy index cards to send to family:

Oh - I've had some requests for pictures with Grandma, I just happen to have one of those!

Her shirt says "I heart MUSICIANS". 

5 Weeks & Travelling

Grandma, momma, and baby are all doing great.  All three of us ventured to the Kenai Penninsula last week for an overnight tour.   The drive from Anchorage to Soldotna was beautiful, with temperatures above 35 degrees, most of the roads were wet pavement.  The mountains had been dumped on with fresh snow the weekend before - everything was a beautiful white with the bright blue sky framing it.

 

While in Soldotna/Kenai we stayed busy enjoying the local cuisine (kind of a joke if you're local to the area) and visited all of the fabric/quilt stores in the area.  Let's just say we spent more in fabric than in gas and food for the trip :)   Grandma was thrilled to see the moose walking the streets in Soldotna, we also saw a wolf on the lake North of Cooper Landing (not sure which one it was) and lots of eagles.  The picture below is where we stopped at Beluga Point on the way back to capture the sunset.

After our trip, we've been busy building an Irish Chain quilt pattern between feeding, burping, and soothing Elliana.  I'm quickly realizing that stay at home mommy work is the real deal.  There is barely any time that the baby is not occupying your hands and/or attention.  The few moments that you have free are spent changing over laundry and rinsing dishes.  The only reason I have any time to write today is because there are TWO of us taking care of the baby during the day. 

That being said, we did leave Elliana home with Dad/Husband for one night to see the local symphony accompany a traveling cover band for Queen.  It was awesome.  While downtown Anchorage, we enjoyed the melting ice sculptures and the fine dining while away from spit & poo for a few hours.  Here's proof that mothers do get out of their pajamas in the first year after childirth:

Okay - FINE!  I know that you're here to see more pictures of Elliana... so here's some of the cute ones from the past two weeks: (Notice that all the happy pictures are while she's sleeping!)

3 Weeks

This last week has been super busy, between getting the old house ready for closing and keeping up with the demands of my family.  When I say demands - I should clarify that baby Elliana is THE most demanding little girl in the family.  Even the dog is more patient than she is.  :)  I'm convinced that her temper is from husband's side of the family ;)

The good news is that my mom is still here, helping to keep up with all of the things that I don't make a priority - which is AWESOME!!!  I am so blessed to have all the help with cooking and keeping up with the house messes.  Husband has also been great, learning how to cope with Elli's demands for attention, and the small noises that she makes through the night.

Elli has gained at least a pound since she was born 3 weeks ago.  There are several outfits that don't fit her anymore!  We are frantically changing outfits several times a day just so we can say that she has worn them all!  The picture below is of an adorable snow suit that has bear ears and feet.  It's still a little too big, and she wasn't too happy when we put her in it!

While working on the old house - baby Elliana was being entertained by big Sista "T"!

Newest Moments - 15 Days Old

It seems like a century ago that I was laboring through Elliana's arrival.  I remember screaming, "WHY would anyone do THIS (labor) more than once?"  Well, it's only been 15 days, and I can tell you that I've almost forgotten about the pain of labor, it's been replaced by a precious little girl that makes me tear up when I think about how much I love her.

Here's one of those sweet moments:


In the past week, we've been at home learning all the basics; how often to change her diaper, how often she thinks she should be eating vs how often I think she should be eating, what is comfortable for sleeping, how to get rid of air bubbles, etc...  It's an adventure caring for a little one, I'm so thankful for all of the friends and family AND Google searches that have helped us with tips and tricks.  I mean, how did we have children before Google? 

Here are some more pictures to share, play time with Dad:

We're still growing!  We weighed in yesterday at 7lbs 10 oz!  Almost a pound heavier in 2 weeks :)

Elliana Noanne is HERE!

Our lovely daughter, Elliana Noanne (El-ee-ah-nu  Noh-an), arrived Monday morning, January 9th at 12:48AM.  She was an itty bitty 6 lbs 12 oz at 19 inches long.  Thank God! 

Her arrival happened faster than anyone had expected, labor didn't last more than 5 hours from the very first contraction!  Everything went so quickly, we didn't make it to Anchorage as planned AND I wasn't able to get any assistance from an epidural.  I think I'm glad for no pain interventions, although it wasn't really my choice ;) 

 

What's really important is that I'm recovering quickly and Elliana is amazing, and perfectly healthy.  J  Elliana means “the Lord has answered” -  which is truly what this pregnancy and delivery has been all about – answered prayers.     

Here are some pictures from Elliana's first bath today!

 

Almost 39 Weeks

Husband and I have been VERY busy with Christmas, New Years, family time, baby preparations, and house selling!  I cannot believe that 2012 is already here!!! Really!  2012!

My pregnancy has been moving along faster than I would have ever dreamed.  It has been such a blessing to have limited complications and very little discomfort.  That being said, I was sent home for bed rest last week due to high blood pressure.  Luckily, the rest and ability to nap frequently has brought my blood pressure back into acceptable ranges! 

My last visit with my doctor was on Tuesday (2 days ago).  Let's just say, things are opening like they should be, and the baby is in a good position for delivery!  As a woman, I'm always sceptical when it comes to how "normal" my body actually is, and I always wonder if it'll perform how everyone else's does.  It's so reassuring to see progress in the baby's growth, stability in my hormones, and everything within working in some sort of harmony as designed by God to do; week after week.  :) 

Chances are, if you're reading this, you're a family member or a close friend.  Thank you everyone for all the support and wonderful gifts that have filled our home!  We've received some adorable gifts; itty-bitty clothes, bassinets, swings, bedding, bottles, books, and so much more - husband and I are gushing with all the love sent from our friends & family.  THANK YOU!

SO - that being said - ONLY because of the multiple requests, and the abundant support from our friends & family, I will share one last belly picture that will shame me for the rest of my life!  At least I can say that my current dunlop is pregnancy related ;)  

We had a great feast at the house last night with good friends, followed by belly paint and guitar picking!  Enjoy God's creation adorned with the beautiful artwork by Kristine.

Little One, aka: Izzy or Little Puke should be here within the next week!  My doctor doesn't want me to go over 40 weeks due to my blood pressure issues.  Husband and I will be sure to let everyone know when the unnamed little girl makes her appearance in the world.  Stay tuned, we'll post baby pictures on this blog when we get home from the hospital!

Baby Shower

If there were ever a time to be reminded that there are SO many wonderful women in Alaska!  The baby shower was such a great time to be reminded how many great hearts surround me all the time.  There was lots of work behind the scenes to make such a lovely event, thank you everyone and especially Bonnie for hosting!

Here is my friend Melinda and Kristine helping to re-tie all the ribbons on the party favors:

Our theme for the nursery is more or less country homemade ABCs.  How is that for simple?!?!?!  With that little bit of information, Melinda imagined up this beautiful cake!

One of these days I'll figure out how to make a fancy blog with pictures decorating my page, but for now, here are some more pictures from the shower. 

7 Months - It's A XXXXXXX

Am I the BIGGEST blog slacker or WHAT???? Can you believe that I am now 7 months along.... that's 28 weeks.  In the grand scheme of everything, there are 12 weeks remaining, a whopping 84 days!  Yep, you just read that right, less than 3 months, and our little one will be popping out.

I haven't written in so long, I don't even know where to start!  Let's begin with last month, when husband and I finally opened the envelope to find a little note - It's a Girl!  Husband dropped to his knees in shock :)  I think the whole "I'm going to be a dad" thing finally caught up to him.   We're both very excited to welcome a baby girl into the family, now if only we could agree on a name!

Uggg!  I can't believe I'm doing this, but here is my 7 month bump:

18 Weeks

It's been way too long since my last post - mostly because nothing earth shattering has happened.  In the last few weeks, we've officially moved into the Second Trimester, and I've started to show.  I really mean that I'm showing, not a pancake gut.  :)  This week has been full of good news, starting with Tuesday's Dr. visit.  On average, your belly should grow 1 cm every week, I'm 18 weeks and measuring 18 cm, right on track!  I won't comment on my weight gain - for my own self esteem.  Let's just say, I should cut back a few of those ice cream dinners :)  I heard the heartbeat, and all of my vitals checked out - yay!

I'm starting to feel Ziggy wiggle around.  At first, I'd feel little bubbles and wonder if I was gassy.  For about 5 days, I wasn't really sure what I was imagining, or if it was something really baby related.  This past week though, from time to time I can feel s/he squirming around, and occassionally jab/kick.  It's nothing regular, or even steady - I'm told that in the next few weeks, I might be able to feel things consistently.  It's still reassuring to have that little movement, just to know that all is trucking along inside, just as planned.

Oh!  Yesterday was my birthday!  It was awesome, I love how my family cheerily calls and sings happy birthday horribly, every year.  Naturally, we return the favor on their special days, it's the least that we can do.  I always end my birthday feeling extra loved with all the personal attention.  Thank you!

Today husband and I had another ultrasound, mostly checking on Ziggy's development.  All things are pointing to A-Okay.  Most of the books that I'm reading say that the baby weighs about 5-6 oz.  Ziggy is a whopping 8oz today!  The ultrasound tech was extra careful to make us look away at key moments, even though Ziggy was being difficult, so we have NO idea what the gender is.  Well, Jason thinks that the u/s tech slipped in the end with a comment - he interpretted that to mean it's a girl, I interpretted it to mean it's a boy.  So really, I'll say it again, we have NO idea.

BUT!!!!!!!!! The official results are sealed in an envelope trusted in Jason's care.   We all know that I'd prematurely peak inside, I'm not certain about Jason.  :)  Just kidding, we have plans to deliver the envelope to our dear friend, and have friends & family over for a gender reveal BBQ in late September.  UGGGGG!  We have to wait 6 more weeks to find out!  The baby shower is scheduled for mid October, it will be nice to know before the shower. 

Nursery Ideas

I should start by saying I don't want to go overboard on nursery decorating.  But my lovely husband insists that we have to set up a nursery, fully painted, decorated, adorned, etc...  I've been lurking at many different websites, finally coming to the conclusion that I'm too creative to just buy a kit that already has the parts & pieces.  In the end - I went back to my trusted stash of unfinished projects and realized that I really like the Be Attitudes.  Think gender nuetral:



What do you think?  It kinda goes along with a set that I saw online (CoCaLo ABCs), so you can get the overall feel of what I'm trying to do.


The challenging part about all of this is actually finishing these quilted pieces! I'm notorious for starting projects and not finishing them.  In this case, I started these blocks 2 years ago!  I think that will be the difference, I'm actually finishing a project instead of starting one! lol Actually, the big difference is that my darling husband is willing to help out.  :)  I'm not ratting him out, and I should be clear that his willingness to help is a testament to his dedication to me and our unborn child.  Last night we spend hours of quality time together tracing & cutting out all the letters. His OCD-like standards of perfection made it so our letter production count was 2 to 1: I traced & cut two letters for each of his cut letter.  Nevertheless, I'm so thankful for his help.  It makes the project much more fun!

12 weeks

Since my last post, we've managed to spread the word to most everyone that we're expecting.  I'm sure that there are a few people in the building that don't know yet - but it'll be days before the news is wide spread.  I've yet to announce on FB... I'm not sure why I haven't posted it yet, I'm sure it'll come soon.

We had our 12 week ultrasound and NT scan today.  I can't remember what NT stands for, it's basically an early indicator for down syndrom.  There are several levels to the test, the first being an ultrasound, which is why we did the test.  Okay - maybe not the best reason to have a test, but I just wanted to see Ziggy on the big screen one more time before I can actually feel s/he kickin around inside.  All signs are pointing to A-Okay... :)  Good news is GREAT news for me these days.  Here's some updated shots of Ziggy:



Can you see the all the parts that proves that it's going to be human???  My husband and I were both taken away with how much s/he moves, wiggles, kicks, turns, and swirls about.  At one point he said - "You can't feel that?"  Nope, I'm sorry, all just a big bloated belly right now. 

All this excitement and I'm still feeling pretty good.  I'm so thankful that I don't have these overwhelming symptoms that make this experience horrible.  Ummm, so there are mood swings (just a bit), and strange food cravings, and the slow inner workings, and the stomach muscle aches/pains, and the exhaustion, and the tender...  Oh!  I almost forgot!  The second best news of this week is the discovery that my office has a "Nappery" ... oh yeah, you know you're jealous.  There is a room in this building just designed for expecting mothers and nursing mothers to have a private space.  Built with chairs, blankets, pillows, and a sink.  No more wishing that I could just nap in the bathroom stall, now I have a place to take an afternoon nap.  *huge grins*

Let the cat out of the bag.

We spilled the beans this weekend - pretty much to the entire planet I think.  Husband started the weekend by telling his best buddies (most of which were at our wedding) while camping out on their anual "men only" weekend.  Here's the story that I got from him: They were just arriving at camp, unloading car when one of the guys asks, "How's Jenn?".  Husband answers, "She's fine, but she's getting fat."  His buddy looks at him oddly and says, "What did you say?" ... "I said she's fine, but she's getting fat... you know, because she's pregnant."

I guess I'll never really understand how men think - but it's a funny story.  Then on Sunday, while I was downstairs setting up for lunch, I hear this loud applause of excitement from upstairs.  Do you ever have one of those moments that you just know that something isn't quite right?  I asked the other women that were helping - do you know what's going on?  Is there a baptism today?  They all said, no, not that they knew of.  Minutes later, my husband comes downstairs, gives me a big hug, and says, "Well, they all know now."  :)  He just announced in front of the entire congregation that we're expecting!  No more secrets in the Gardner's house. 

It's fun having everyone in on the secret.  Everyone was really excited and supportive.  It was very encouraging to talk to all the new & old moms, get good advice, and hear all the wives tales.  The best one I heard was if you don't have a lot of morning sickness, it's going to be a boy.  Hmmm... Chinese gender chart (claims 70% accuracy) predicts that I will have a girl and the morning sickness theory claims that I will have a boy.  So really, we don't have any idea.  All signs point to - we're clueless. 

9 1/2 Weeks

I had my first OB appointment this week.  I'm pretty sure that I've never given so many personal samples; urine, blood, PAP smear, etc.  Between the samples and the endless questioning of family history - I officially have no secrets.  Just ask my doctor, she knows it all now. 

While at the doctor's office, we tried to hear the baby's heartbeat on the doppler with no luck.  She quickly shrugged and said that this early, the baby has to positioned perfectly to hear the heartbeat on the doppler.  Then she said if I had any apprehension from not hearing the heartbeat, she'd be more than willing to order another ultrasound, just to check things out.  Oh yeah!  I'm not going to say no for another chance to check out Ziggy's growth! 

I’m a little excited this week to share the updated ultrasound pictures!  Ziggy has grown from blob like features to little arms & legs sticking out. It’s all starting to feel so real, especially with my belly starting stick out!  (Okay – it’s more from the ice cream than the baby) 

Husband and I literally put our heads together last night while laying on the floor & went A-Z for potential girls names… no new front runners.  I suppose we have lots of time to figure it out.  Now, if only I can talk him out of Sue (for a boy’s name).

1st Confession

I titled this "1st Confession" because I'm certain that I will have a need in the future to confess more pregnant-lady misbehaviors.  I call them misbehaviors; it's more like the silly things that I rationalize as okay because I'm pregnant, right? 

Alright, here goes, this isn't easy to admit... I have already bought two pairs of maternity pants, and fully intend to start wearing them this week.  *big grins*  I've never been a skinny lady, just before getting pregnant I had successfully lost 35 pounds and was feeling like a rock star.  The reality of the situation is that I was able to lose enough weight to go from "obese" to "overweight" on the government's BMI chart.  I'm still pretty heavy, and have a not-so-sexy gut.  Within 2 weeks of discovering that I was pregnant, I gained 5 pounds.  Now, at the 9 1/2 week mark, I'm 9 lbs past my starting weight.  I would like to justify this exessive weight gain on the baby - but it's mostly the huge swing in diet - going from a very strict 1400 calories a day, to not counting calories and eating whatever my little brain justifies as a pregnancy craving. 

Did you catch that?  I justify all my desires as pregnancy cravings, that includes ice cream, macaroni & cheese, scalloped potaotes, peanut butter, 2% milk (instead of skinny), and much much more.  Tonight's addition to the gut: blueberry muffins.  OMG they were so good, I highly recommend this cake-like recipe: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Blueberry-Cream-Muffins/Detail.aspx. 

I'm sure that my husband will end up gaining some simpathy lbs, merely from the change in my cooking style. 

I read in an article that children often like the food that they were fed while in the womb.  Ummm... My child is going to LOVE cheeseburgers, yogurt, string cheese, and mangos.  I'm going to try and step up the veggies this week ... I don't want to spent the next 20 years fighting to get the veggies eaten!

9 weeks

Have I mentioned that I LOVE being pregnant!?!?!? So far, besides the incredible exhaustion, my first trimester symptoms have been totally tolerable!  I read daily online about horror stories of other women going through horrible morning sickness, heart burn, back aches, spotting, etc... I have no idea why I get to be one of the lucky ones (so far), but I'm very thankful. 

It's very exciting in my local congregation there are 3 women that are due within the next three weeks, one actually overdue by a day right now.  Everyone is buzzing with baby talk & it's fun to watch these ladies on their final stretch - knowing that I'll be there very soon.  :)  Also, an announcement was also made that the wife of one of our missionaries is newly pregnant!  I'm excited to get to share this experience with her at the same time.

As the days are passing, I'm reading lots of pages on fetal development.  It all makes me ball like a little girl as I watch the miracle of life.  This whole experience continues to strengthen my faith - there is no way that all of this (life) has developed on accident.  

http://www.ehd.org/movies.php?mov_id=35  (Click on the arrows to see several days/weeks of development)

8 Weeks

I'm officially 8 weeks pregnant today.  It's funny how the medical world counts those 8 weeks.  You start counting from the first day of your last menstrual cycle.  Ovulation occurs roughly 2 weeks after that, and implantation (when the sperm & egg are fertilized they travel down the fallopean tubes & attach to your uterine lining) happens a few days later.  So technically your are labelled as 3 weeks pregnant before the little thing even exists.  By the time you get a double line on the test strip, you're already 4 weeks pregnant.  Go figure.  Medicine at it's best.

So I'm 8 full weeks pregnant, and I'm totally feeling it.  Yesterday morning I was thinking to myself, I feel totally normal, I hope that's not a bad thing.  Then last night I got home and it hit me like a ton of bricks.  I was passed out on the couch for nearly two hours after a brief visit to the porcelain depository.  When I woke up, I was ravenous, searching for anything that could satisfy my bottomless preggo belly.  I cooked up the most beautiful marinated steaks, took one bite, and ran back to visit my porcelain friend.  Is this really happening?  I'm was so hungry I could eat a cow, but one wiff of that juicy, tender piece of meat and I realized that there was no chance that I would be able to keep this down.  There is something very wrong with this situation.  I had to settle for a box of macaroni and a can of ginger ale.  Bummer, now my husband will reap the benefits of getting to eat both steaks.

I get a weekly update from the Baby Center on Ziggy's development - he/she has almost outgrown their tale (also called a fetal pole).  Check it out!

http://www.babycenter.com/fetal-development-images-8-weeks

Secret Keeper

Let's be real, if anyone had a secret that needed to stay a secret - they didn't tell me.  I totally have baby on the brain.  I want to tell EVERYONE!  It doesn't matter if they are my friend, my coworker, my family, or a complete stranger; I want to scream it at the top of my lungs.  I want to whisper it into people's ears and slip tiny hints into conversation until their eyes get big with realization.   Is this fixation with telling a secret even normal?  I have no idea, but I think about it all the time.

This website was posted on another blog that I follow - check it out!
http://www.msichicago.org/whats-here/exhibits/you/the-exhibit/your-beginning/make-room-for-baby/interactive/

Seven weeks & going strong

I have a new found respect for mothers that can keep their mouth shut & not tell this wonderful secret until 12 weeks.  My husband and I have been cautious, not wanting to tell anyone about Ziggy until the 2nd trimester.  I guess it's that fear of having to un-tell people that drives you to keep things buttoned up.  Alas - we have not been successful! In the last week, we've told our parents & immediate family.  I've averaged about one person a day.  I was actually proud of myself for making it through a complete 24 hour period without telling a new person!  I'm not really sure how long we'll be able to keep it from extended family, friends at church and work.  We're still trying to hold this monster secret in for 5 more weeks. 

The catch is that anyone that knows me, or pays the slightest bit of attention to me, would totally be able to call me out.  My belly has gone from this cute little 'I need to lose 20 more lbs budda' to 'OMG lay off the beer gut'.  The mushroom cap billowing from the top of my favorite jeans is driving me crazy.  This is all driven from the fact that there isn't a buffet in the state of Alaska that is safe from an aggressive attack of the bottomless preggo belly.  The side effect of this growing belly & appetite is the exhaustion - it has driven me to nap daily after work.  I haven't had any major morning sickness yet - but I typically feel dizzy and queezy after I eat.  Jason just laughs at me as I flop on the bed, always saying, "This is going to be a long 9 months."

The more exciting news is that we had our 7 week ultrasound yesterday.  Jason sat in on the session - quiet as ever.  I think it's a little early for him, there isn't a hand to catch a football yet.  All looks well, everything measuring out to where it's supposed to be. 

I've officially graduated from 'trying to get pregnant' to 'pregnant', getting to move on my from my fertility specialist to an OB.  Now to make those decisions - who will be my OB?  Midwife or Doctor?  Natural birth?  Aaaah... I'm not ready!

Ziggy's first showing

I'm so excited to announce that my first ultrasound turned out great.  I'm right on track, officially measuring at 5w 6d, where I really think I'm really at 6w even!  That still puts my due date on January 13th, 2012.  ***huge grins*** It is so hard to grasp that thought - I'm going to be a mom in 2012!

You can see in the picture above that there's a little something, or actually, my little Ziggy taking his/her first picture ever.  :)  Is it weird to show the world your uterus?  Ohwell - moms have no shame.  Ha ha! The ultrasound technician said it's still very early, but a heart beat can be detected (I saw it flickering on the screen), it was 97bpm.   A heart beat already!

New HCG Levels

My RE called today, and blurted out as soon as I answered the phone, "How do you feel about more than one?"  I kinda stumbled in shock and asked about my latest test results.  She said my latest HCG level is 11,767 on 25 DPO. Then she commented on how she thinks there's probably more than one in there...  I did have two beautiful follicles this month.  There was a chance for two!  (See the average HCG chart & how I'm not in that range in week 5)

It's all so hard to beleive, the previous month, I had four follicles and no success.  Go figure - just another reminder that this is not my timing - it's all in God's timing. 

I texted my husband - "Your mom is evil... my HCG levels are off the charts."  My husband's mother is one of the most faithful Christian women that I know, and she's been praying for twins.  Chances are - I'm having twins!  Leave it to a faithful Mother In Law to bring double to joy into our lives.  Ha Ha.

This suspician will all be confirmed on Friday.  Just a few more days & I'll get to see Ziggy and maybe a second little one without a name!