Greyson's Shower & Weeks 33 + 34

Week 33:

I'm so excited my baby book came in! When you're on bed rest you have
lots of time to search and shop the internet;) haha!
I read for a while about the best one, and fell in love with the Ruby Love
Modern Baby book off etsy. You get to customize the outside fabric
as well as the inside colors, I am SO pleased with it:)

I'm planning to change out the front window to have his initial-so it doesn't say that:)

Inside pages...I choose grey and orange:

Anyway...

After my first week and a half on bed rest, I was ready to get out of the house!

I am so grateful I am able to go to Dallas for Jennifer's shower and see family.

We left Friday after Jordan got off work, that night we had dinner

with my parents and played some games around the table:

Bella wanted to help Jordan keep score:

______________________________________________________________

The next morning was Greyson and Jennifer's Baby Shower!

It was held at the Chocolate Angel in Richardson. 

These are the invitations: (just FYI this is not their real address;)

That morning before the shower I had a hair appointment. I figured it

was the last time I would be able to get it done for a while...plus

I found out that Trudy (the lady that does my hair) is moving to

Colorado....this was sad news. Its hard to find people you like that do 

your hair -(ladies, you know what I mean!:)

I decided to get some low lights for fall coming up:

#33 Weeks

Alethea picked me up and we rode to the shower:

Beautiful flowers from Central Market and pretty vintage lace jars for decoration:

The shower favors had this cute little poem Jennifer sent me "from Greyson" that went

with mini jars of bath salts for the guests to take home (courtesy of Jennifer:)

The beautiful guest of honor:

with the hostesses of the shower:

(from left: Heather Fetty, Jennifer Kirby, Alethea Kirby and Me)

The food was so delicious. I still think about it;) lol.

2 Pregnant sisters!!! 

The 3 of us together, I love my sister in laws!! ;)

OK, gift time:

I love all the cute girl outfits!!!

bows bows bows

I like these:)

From us:

Super cute card, I love her reaction, haha:

the whole loot (before they loaded it up)

The shower was beautiful, Jenn got a lot of great stuff;) I wish I could have helped out more, 

but I was so glad to be able to be there.

Later that night, Jordan drove me to his parents house so we could

relax with them a little bit 

(since we probably won't see them again until the birth!)

 and to give Gabe his birthday present a little early.

We made s'mores around their fire pit, so yummy...I think I just

got a craving for s'mores while typing this...haha.

Anyway, I was exhausted after all the activity, 

so we couldn't stay long.

We left early the next morning to head back to Austin. 

It was not so fun to come home to a flat tire...

He's a good sport though:)

Yesterday, during the shower, Jordan drove with my brother, Josh

to pick up our glider that finally came in at Buy Buy Baby!!

He also was able to purchase our CityMini Baby Jogger stroller

that was on our registry. Both gifts from my parents, we were

very grateful and excited about!

I can't wait to go on walks again-but with Conrad!

He was so sweet to put it together as soon as we got home 

(he knew how excited I was to put up the final piece)

yay! I love the way it looks! I was kind of nervous when we ordered it

(back in May) when the nursery wasn't even completed. It's hard to custom order

colors when you can't see them all together. I'm so pleased with how it turned out, and

glad I can finally put out my little bird pillow from Land of Nod;)

Week 34:

My bed rest really hasn't been that bad at all because we have just had so

much going on, making the weeks go by quicker than expected;) 

On Tuesday, Josh and Jennifer came to Austin to stay at our house for 

their Maternity photo shoot on Wednesday. It was nice to have

company over and for them to see the nursery and everything.

Here is a sneak peek at how gorgeous her pictures turned out!

They left Wednesday night after their shoot. It was good to see them!

Sticker pics...growing growing!

#34 WEEKS!!

I can't wait to find out how big this boy is getting...

Thanks for reading!

Week 32 Bed Rest Dr. Appt.

Week 32:

At 32 Weeks Jordan started his Pediatric rotation at Dell Children's Hospital. 

(Finally! Surgery is over!;) He does Inpatient Pediatrics for 4 weeks (at Dell Children's), 

Newborn Nursery (at Brackenridge hospital) for 1 week and then finishes with 

Outpatient Pediatrics (at a private practice pediatric office in Round Rock) for 3 weeks.

So total, its 8 weeks of Peds, we'll see how he likes it! 

On Tuesday (August 28th) I had my 32 week appointment. Since Jordan

had just started his new rotation the day before and he didn't know is schedule until that day,
 I went alone to the appointment. I didn't think it was a big deal, I

just wanted to tell the Doctor about the increased swelling I've been having, the carpal tunnel,

and the upper right quadrant pain in my abdomen (in my rib area).

I've tried to remember to take a picture at every appointment;)

Once the nurse came in she took my blood pressure...it was high.

My entire pregnancy I have had really good low blood pressure, so she saw this as a concern.

They also took my weight, I had been gaining weight normally the entire time as well, but all of the sudden, in the last month I have had a ton of rapid weight gain (due to all the swelling), also she saw this as a concern. She told me to wait until the doctor came in so we could talk more about

these things. He came in and immediately saw my swelling. I told him I'd been having really

bad carpal tunnel as well. He asked me if I had been seeing stars ever- (which I had, but I 

totally thought I was crazy or just seeing things!) I told him yes, but that I didn't realize that

was associated to the blood pressure (nor did I know my blood pressure was high-because

I've never had a problem with it before). Then he asked me whether I had any pain in my upper

right rib area-I told him yes! I really wanted to discuss that with him because it was incredibly

painful and its making it hard for me to work and stuff....well, that's apparently my liver.

All of the (what I thought) random symptoms I had been having weren't random at all.

 He told me that this was very serious, especially this early (at 32 weeks) and that he wanted me

to go on bed rest. He didn't want me walking around (unless necessary at the house for 

bathroom, shower, letting dogs out when I'm alone, etc) or leaving the house. He also

ordered me to buy a blood pressure machine and check it at least 3 time a day and email

it to him to monitor. He then proceeded to talk to me about the diagnosis of 

pre-eclampsia and how I should be taking this very seriously so I don't develop HELLP syndrome. 

He said if I was further along he would "take the baby now", because that is the cure.
But since I'm only 32 weeks we need to be cautious and try to keep him in as long as possible.

He wanted me to get 2 steroid shots (betamethasone) for fetal lung development for

Conrad. I got the one shot that day and then was supposed to come back tomorrow for the

next shot. This is in case my symptoms worsen so quickly/badly they have to deliver me

pre-term. I also got blood work done and had my urine checked to see how my platelets, liver

and kidneys were functioning. (All tests they do for Pre-E and HELLP)

Well, as you can imagine, this was quite overwhelming for me! I had no idea there would

be a problem, let alone that I would be put on bed rest! The worst part was that

Jordan wasn't with me, so I had to relay all this information to him,  (when my head was kind of spinning with overload) and he wasn't able to be 

there to help in asking questions, explaining to me what was actually going on, etc. 

I was a little freaked out, especially since I wasn't quite familiar

pre-eclampsia, or Hellp, and, anytime someone says 

"I would deliver the baby now if I could" it kind of scares you. I called Jordan when I left the 

office and let him know. He left work early to come home and talk to me 

about what was going on, as well as help me set up my new "bed rest" station

in the bedroom. The doctor said I could sit at my desk to work some, but it would

be best if I was in the bed. 

Technology, technology, and more technology is what my bed rest setup consists of:)

...oh yea, and my cute lil pups there to keep me company...or should I say, "stare at me" lol:

It was kind of hard to get my mind back into working at that point. 

I felt like i had been overdoing it before, so I started to revamp everything

in case something happened and I couldn't work anymore.

I am very very grateful I have a job I can do in bed at home, or

anywhere really. That is certainly a blessing!

Jordan got to learn how to be a cook! haha. I sat in the kitchen and told

him everything to do to make us some food. It's pretty funny, he's doing a 

great job though!

The next day, I went back to the doctor to get my 2nd shot

of betamethasone. I look happy, that was before the shot-they hurt!;) haha

It just so happens that Jennifer's baby shower is next weekend! I am one of the hostesses

and so I was really sad if I wasn't be able to make it. I thought I would ask the doctor if

there's any way I could please go if I have someone drive me, and promise not to be 

up and around doing stuff-just go straight to the shower, and back. He said YES! (reluctantly though...

haha, he kind of gave me a 'look', but I just smiled and said pleeease;) The fact that I had

my blood pressure machine now made it easier to know what was going on and make sure

I'm not overdoing it. So I will be looking forward to that!

I also decided to take my 32 Week sticker pictures that day since

I was already dressed. lol.

he's definitely growing in there, so that is GOOD!:

That weekend was Labor Day, and since we couldn't do anything "special" I had put Jordan to 

work;) lol!

I wanted the bassinet put together just in case! I didn't like worrying about

that kind of stuff...Bella wanted to help! (and yes, that is MY

toolset I keep upstairs that apparently he wanted to use:)

Just being weird. 

(I'm trying to catch up on blogging!! :)

YAY! finished bassinet;) I love it!! (Its the Safety First Nod-A-Way Bassinet-

its a great price compared to the others with lots of great features-has a night light, sound,

vibration, storage underneath and the windows on either side) Which, I love the little

"window" so I can see in from the bedside! This made things feel

more real, although I know we still have over a month to go, it just 

was neat having this in the room to anticipate his coming!!

Hoping to make it to 37 weeks at least! Here we go;)

Weeks 30 + 31

Week 30:

I think pregnancy is starting to hit me this week....I really can see my belly 

growing, and not only that, I have started swelling REALLY bad.

I noticed it a little bit a couple weeks ago and thought I could get it to

go down, but now it seems to be getting worse. I'm also experiencing 

pregnancy induced carpal tunnel, its very painful and wakes me up at night!

 I had to cut off my pinky ring that I've worn since I was 16 when 

Jordan gave it to me. I had it made into a pinky ring after we got married

(and I had a wedding ring:) The swelling with this ring was just too unbearable and 

started to cut off my circulation so Jordan snipped it.

I'm sure it will be able to be put back together though...

The line is still on my finger where it was digging in my skin;(

This weekend our friends, Ted and Megan Smith, came to Austin for a friend of 

their's wedding.  We were so happy they stayed at our house-

we love having visitors !

They got here Friday night (08/17) and we got to grill some food and hang out for 

a little while.

Saturday, I had my newborn care class. I was pretty excited about this,

but bummed Jordan couldn't come along with me (he was on call at the hospital).

I learned a lot of great stuff and was able to show Jordan everything when he got home, haha;)

Week 31:

This is Jordan's last week of his surgery rotation!! YAY!!! The schedule

has been so rough, I am ready for it to be over with and on to something with more

normal hours...I think he is relieved as well. 

He was super sweet and surprised me with a prenatal massage

on Friday (while he's taking his surgery exam).

It felt so unbelievably good, it even helped with my swelling a little bit,

although that still seems to be getting worse. 

I made the final decision that my swelling was not going to go down

enough to get off my wedding band (yes I have tried EVERYTHING to get 

it off myself). I went to a jeweler and had them use one of those special

"ring cutters" to get it of..

Whew feeling much better now without that!

(and no, that's not a bruise, that's a tattoo I got in Hebrew that says Jordan's 

name..(he has a matching one with my name).

however, its really messed up looking now after all its been through;)

Saturday (08/25) morning Jordan went rock climbing with some of his

buddies from school...and this was actual rock climbing outside (yes I was nervous).

His family was on there way from Dallas to hang out with us for the weekend

since he was done with surgery and had some freetime;)

When he came home he was bleeding all over his leg and had a huge

burn/cut on his arm.....

Apparently they thought he was clipped in when he wasn't and he fell

about 10 feet and hit his shin on a rock! The hole was really gross,

open and deep-he definitely needed stitches. 

Do you think we went to the emergency room? No way. Not 

when Jordan just finished surgery and suturing was fresh on his mind;)

(I was not for this...btw...I wanted to go to the hospital)

Since he had a fresh, sterile suturing kit, and all the tools he decided 

to save the money and do it himself. (sounds like a guy right?)

I boiled the instruments and brought him the tools.

It was incredibly painful (I could tell...) so I left the room when he was

actually "stitching" and came back in to help cut the stitching.

Afterwards, it looked pretty good! 

(don't worry, he went and got a tetanus booster at Walgreens:)

I did the picture in black and white so it didn't look so gross:

It's healing pretty nicely.

However, the rope burn in his arm pit from the fall is pretty painful...

and also gross looking.

So after he was done stitching Jordan's family arrived! 

We hung out at the house a little bit and then went out to eat 

on Lake Travis at The Oasis restaurant:

Singing in the car: "Somebody that I used to know" :)

 Sunday morning we went to Einstein Brother's bagels before church at The Stone:

After church we were going to go kayaking, but since Jordan had a huge

nasty open wound on his leg and some pretty nasty arm burn, we thought it

best to just go see a movie;)

I was pretty swollen and tired anyway, so sitting in a dark, cold room with my

feet up for 2 hours sounded nice:)

We saw The Odd Life of Timothy Green, it was pretty good;)

Although the end made me cry, a lot.

After the movie we all went over to The Domain for some

California Pizza Kitchen!! I love that place so much. 

Then we ate so much we had to walk around the outdoor mall

area. My feet were hurting pretty bad after that, so I was happy to 

go home and rest. The Carl's left straight from the mall, we 

were sad to see them go!!

The next day Jordan started his Pediatrics rotation at Dell Children's Hospital.

I decided it was time to go to Costco and do my "postpartum stock up" on 

essentials (toothpaste, tp, shampoo, cleaning supplies, razors, etc)

I had a full car when it was over!!

I also went grocery shopping and got some more items...I was gone almost 

all day (I shop slow when I'm alone:) and then came home to unload/put away

everything. I was so incredibly swollen, my feet hurt and exhausted....

but I was really glad I got all that stuff done;) I feel much more prepared now.

I have the hospital bag ready, the diaper bag, his nursery is almost complete 

(just waiting on the rocker) and now the house is well stocked.

I know I have like 8-10 more weeks, I just like to plan ahead 

because you never know what might happen!! ;)

Thanks for reading!

2nd Baby Shower + 29 Weeks

 My 2nd Baby Shower for Conrad was actually a joint shower!

Jennifer, (my sister in law) and I share the virtually the same due date!

(she is due the 26th, me the 23rd!)

And my mom's church, (Our Savior Lutheran Church in Rockwall)

was gracious enough to throw us a fun double shower!

Josh and Jennifer also go to this church now, and I went here when I

lived at home, so I knew a lot of the ladies, and we visit here a lot when we are in town.

The morning before the shower Jennifer and I went to a water aerobics class
at Chandlers Landing (boy, was that fun!;) then we treated ourselves to
pedicures at the Harbor! It was fun to do some things together as preggo's!!

Group picture with the hostesses and moms:

She's having a girl, and I'm having a boy!!

It made the decorations look really fun;)

Cute cakes!

Our moms together-don't they look so happy? :)

My gift table (and cute nursery room sign:)

Jennifer's gift table (and cute nursery room sign)

with my momma!

Jenn and her momma!

Close ups:

I loved all the fun gift bags and wrapping:)

 

Gifts time!

So we just took turns because everyone brought 2 gifts, so I'd open

then she would open, it was so fun to see the "boy and girl versions" of all

the gifts;)

Loving all these tiny cute outfits!!

 

We got handmade blankets and burp cloths and knitted items-they were 

all so cute and beautiful.

 

Love this frame Jennifer got, and the wrapping on this gift:

 

Excited about getting to use this tummy time play mat!

These were the burp cloths I made for Greyson-(I didn't make the onesies)

coordinating burp cloths for Halloween!

Just some fun girly prints:

 

Tired after opening all those gifts;) What a blessing and joy that shower was!!

And such a neat thing to get to share with Jennifer, we had a lot of fun.

Afterwards we went out to eat:

Some of Jordan's favorites;)

Adorable knitted hat I will probably be using for his newborn pics:)

I got enough money in gift cards to get our car seat!

(We chose the Chicco Keyfit Romantic)

The stroller caddy I got from my first shower-so its all complete now;)

And yes, that is Bella in the bottom basket...yeesh.

When I got home that weekend I laid everything out so Jordan

could see everything from the shower!

Close up of everything in the crib:

Such a blessing to be so close to Dallas and have good family and friends that 

are supporting us and blessing us in a such a great way!! Conrad is already so loved:)

29.5 WEEKS:

Thanks for reading!!!