Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Christmas 2010

A wonderful Christmas was had by all here in the Nies house. Because Elijah was getting over a cold and we would be out most of Christmas Day, we spent Christmas Eve at home together relaxing. Christmas morning Eric's mom and brother came over for brunch and gifts. We then went to Rapid City for the big family get together. Unfortunately my mom had to work and Les was sick so they missed it and were missed. Nonetheless we had a good time and Eli was great until he started getting tired. We managed to get home, bathe him, and have him in bed by his regular bedtime. Then Mom and Dad got to relax too!

Elijah and one of his favorite uncles

Christmas present from Uncle Jason

More interested in the bow than the present (of course)

Sitting at the "kids'" table

The "adults'" table

Cuddling with Mom

Checking out all his new stuff!

Trying out his walking toy from Grandmother and Granddad

Now riding the new toy

Hope everyone else had a wonderful Christmas as well! Enjoy what is left of 2010!

Monday, December 20, 2010

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Saturday Afternoon Naptime

I've said it several times but I am so happy that Elijah is napping. Today he was upset for less than 10 minutes before he was asleep. Plus last night he slept for 10 hours before waking up, nursing for 15 minutes, and then slept for another couple of hours. It took a couple more months, but I'm glad Eric convinced me to try letting Elijah cry it out. It has been a life saver for us.

I haven't posted pictures in quite some time so here are some new ones of the most popular member of our family.

Trying to decide what to play with first.


Hanging out with cousin Cole


Showing everyone how much he loves to walk


Here he is wearing the same shirt as Eric at the same age


Enjoying some carrots

I also wanted to mention that a good friend of ours has started a new blog, Obsessions of the Trophy Wife, where she will be discussing tons of interesting stuff from cloth diapers to co-sleeping. She is the mother of two and has a lot of experience with kids. I'm looking forward to seeing what she has to say and I hope you will check it out too!

Oh, and we're still waiting for the new Niesling. Hopefully he decides to come soon!

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Nies News

Here's just a couple updates with our family:

1. Thanksgiving went really well! It was wonderful to have the family to our new house. I'm already looking forward to more get togethers here. The ladies were wonderful and helped cook. I did realize however, how short stocked my kitchen is. I borrowed a roaster, serving dishes, silverware, table cloths, a coffee maker and other stuff. And luckily no one got sick. :)

2. Elijah is being a great little napper. He still cries before actually falling asleep but that is getting shorter everyday. Today he had such a busy morning with playing at nursery during my Bible study and then lunch with Daddy and Grandma Kris he was out after only 15 minutes of crying. And I can definitely tell a difference in him. He's even happier and smiles more than when he didn't nap. I hope we can keep this trend going. In attempts to do that, I'm not scheduling any appointments or outings during the afternoon until napping is so well established we can miss one day without if affecting him too much.

3. We're still waiting for the next Niesling to make his appearance. Eric's brother Jared and his wife Sarah are expecting with their due date being tomorrow. I think Sarah is as ready as I was (as ready as all women are at this point). Hopefully she doesn't have to wait as long after her due date though. It'll be great for Elijah to have a cousin so close to his age. I'm so excited for them!

4. I'm trying to get Elijah and I out of the house more. We go to Bible study every Thursday morning, and started attending the local library's storytime this last Tuesday, but I would like to find at least one more outing for us to do each week. Playdates are always great, but with winter here the park is pretty much out of the question. Anyone have suggestions for me?

That's about all that is new around here. I hope to have new pictures of Elijah and our house up soon!

Friday, November 19, 2010

Sickness in the House of Nies


November has been a tough month for the Nies family so far.

Elijah had his 6 month doctor appointment at the end of October and we discovered he had a slight ear infection in each ear. The doctor prescribed amoxicillin to clear it up. Eric and I both had a lot of ear infections as children (my mom says I had some really bad ones) so I thing Eli will get them too. The small of that pink bubble gum medicine brought back a lot of memories for me. Poor Elijah got some pretty bad diaper rash because of the amoxicillin. The rash was almost worse than the initial ear infection. So he was a pretty unhappy baby for two weeks. Then once he was better he had to get his six month and
flu shots. Thankfully those didn't upset him too bad. He is back to being healthy and happy, despite some congestion. Plus he even had a good day at Bible study yesterday! And one side benefit of him being sick is he is napping better than ever! Granted it's still happening on me or our bed, but at least he's doing it pretty consistently twice a day.

Eric and I had food poisoning earlier this month after I made spaghetti for lunch one Saturday. Thankfully Elijah was sleeping really well because he wasn't feeling well so the two of us could be sick all night long without having to worry about him too. I got over the sickness quicker than Eric, who still accuses me of trying to kill him.

With us hosting Thanksgiving at our new home and everyone feeling healthy again, the rest of November should be better!

Monday, October 11, 2010

Finally Settled

Last week Eric and I chose and bought living room furniture. With this purchase, we are fully moved in and set up. Or at least until we decide to finish the basement in a few years. While I was comfortable before, I now feel like we're really here. We don't have to lay in bed or go down to the basement to read. We can also entertain without forcing guests to sit on the floor! (We didn't really do that - just spent lots of time at the dining room table.) (Which is good because we're hosting Thanksgiving this year... Wish me luck with the turkey!) I'll try to get some pictures taken and up on the blog this week. I'm very pleased with our new chairs and look forward to lots of time spent on them.

In other news, my grandparents were here from Switzerland for the last two weeks to meet their first great-grandchild, oh and to see the rest of us too. Elijah was a little hesitant at first but by the end was letting great-grandma hold him without crying and tugging on great-grandpa's beard. (My grandfather looks like Santa Claus. Really. I'll get a picture of them up too.) It was wonderful to see them again. We're planning on going to Europe next year to see the rest of my family again and maybe do some traveling. But they, understandably, couldn't wait that long.

As far as our most recent baby issue, sleeping, is concerned it seems to be going better. He's slept through the night the last two nights (which I'm sure I have now jinxed for tonight by blogging about it) and takes cat naps on my lap when we're not running around. My plan is to try moving him to his crib for naps soon, but may just forgo the whole thing as it works alright for us right now.

Since sleeping is working out again, my biggest Elijah problem is separation anxiety. Since I'm a stay-at-home mom it's generally not an issue. The only people he has been alone with our my in-laws, but he has no problem with them. Where things are going wrong is for my Thursday morning Bible study. They have a nursery run by wonderful women, but Eli is just not comfortable there. I have gone five weeks and he has cried each time. Not necessarily for the entire two hours, but for quite a bit of it. I wasn't worried at first; I thought he merely needed some time to adjust. But it doesn't seem to be getting any better. And while I don't mind checking in with them and trying to soothe him, it's not worth it to me if I miss the group studying and lecture. I'm not giving up by any means, but am frustrated. Eli does need to overcome this fear but I'm sure we'll get there.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Another Post on Sleep

Throughout this napping crisis we've been having (okay, it's not really a crisis, but it feels like it sometimes) one good thing that has come from it is a bedtime routine.

Eric's involved in a play so he has practice each night. Originally I thought this was going to be a problem but it is good for me and Eli to set up this routine.

The times may vary slightly, but essentially what we have worked out as follows:

-Eric and I eat dinner
-Elijah gets dinner (rice cereal and veggies)
-Playtime
-Bathtime (which is a whole post on its own!)
-Nakey time
-Outside for a few minutes of fresh air
-Reading time
-Nursing
-Bed

It's been working great for the last couple weeks. I'm lucky that Elijah still falls asleep while nursing so I just rock him for a few more minutes and then transfer him to his crib. Occasionally he wakes up a couple hours later to nurse again, but other than that it's going well. I know eventually we will have to work on him soothing himself to sleep, but for now I'm sticking with what works.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Monday Monday

Today was another good day in the life of Elijah Nies. He got to see 3 of his 4 grandparents!

Eric and I have accepted that no one will come to visit us anymore; it's all about the baby. And rightfully so - he's such a cutie!

As such, my parents came to see Eli and brought us lunch as well. Aside from my mother trying to ply my little boy with pizza and soda it was a delightful visit. We chatted, ate, and then assembled the small portable grill my dad won at a golf tournament and thoughtfully gave to us. I'm guessing there will be grilling going on this Friday at the Nies household!

Then Eric's mom came over so the two of us could (finally!) watch the last episode of Top Chef. She also brought pizza and fed Eli his first serving of green beans - which did not go over well at all. We'll try them again tomorrow and if he still doesn't like them, well, we'll hold off for some time and then try again. He started getting a little fussy at the end, so Kris and I couldn't have our usual in depth discussion about the show (although we both approve of the winner).

My sweet baby is finally asleep in his crib (after 1.75 hours of nursing and 10 minutes of rocking) and I'm off to crash in bed. G'night all!

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Napping: Update

We're still working on napping. Friday was a set back for me when I realized that Elijah will scream anytime he is in his crib. The last two nights he has woken up at midnight and instead of going back to sleep like he was before, he immediately started crying. And then the same thing happened in the morning, when before his morning awakenings were gradual and I heard him chatting over the monitor not crying. So rather than have him totally resent his crib I'm going to start over. Or at least try something else. I'll work on getting him to sleep and then laying him on our bed and sleeping there. Eventually I'll get him moved to his crib and then start on falling asleep there.

On the recommendation of a couple people, I also requested the Elizabeth Pantley book "No-Cry Nap Solution" through the SD interlibrary loan. It'll be some time before I get it, but I'm hoping not too long.

Other than that, we had a great weekend! Friday was relaxing in the house with the bad weather. Saturday afternoon was spent with friends and an excellent pot of chicken and rice soup and today we got to see Eric's family.

Here's hoping napping goes well this week!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Napping: Day One

Today I decided it is time for me to take charge of Elijah's napping situation. Of course, I choose to start the day after he wakes at 3am, nurses, wakes again at 5:30 and we sleep in the recliner until 8. But there will always be something to stop me so I went ahead with it.

Well I noticed he was yawning and staring off at 9:15 so I tried to nurse him and when he didn't want any of that I rocked him for a bit and put him in his crib. He immediately started crying, but I walked out. I let him cry for 45 minutes during which I started a load of laundry, cleaned the litter box, and did my bible study work for the day. At that point I couldn't take the crying anymore so I went in and picked Eli up.

Then this afternoon he nursed from 1-2pm and fell asleep on my lap. I rocked him for a few more minutes and then put him in his crib. He slept for 15 minutes and then woke up crying. I let him cry again for 45 minutes and when I went in to pick him up he was still going pretty strong.

I'm not sure if this is the absolute best thing for my baby, but I have to try something. He needs to learn to fall asleep on his own and naps are so important for babies. Everything I have read says good day sleep equals good night sleep and that babies who nap are happier. I'll give this a try for a while and if I don't see any improvement I'll find something else.

One thing that will not help my plan but something I have to work around is a bible study I'm doing on Thursdays from 10am-noon. It is a great program and I'm looking forward to studying Revelation. They also have a children's program and a nursery for babies under 2. Unfortunately Elijah spent almost the whole time last week crying. Loudly. Even though the sweet ladies held him the whole time. However, this was the first time he has been separated from me and not been around someone else he knows (Eric, Grandma, or Grandpa) so that is most likely the problem. Hopefully he will adjust soon. It's wrenching to know he'll start crying as soon as I leave him but it will be good for him. Right?

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Update!

Wow, it seems like forever since I last posted. The last 4 and a half months have flown by. Things are going great with Elijah and the new house. We've had our ups and downs but I wouldn't change a thing.

Eli is the sweetest little boy. After some initial difficulties, breastfeeding is going great. I wasn't sure I'd survive the first 6 weeks but I survived the pain and it was completely worth it. Pumping is going well too so Eric can feed Elijah or I can take him out with a bottle and not have to worry about nursing. We actually just started feeding him rice cereal yesterday too. He is your typical baby with food all over his face but I think he likes it. He's been staring at me every time I eat for the last few weeks so it was time to start him. I think the next foods I try will be carrots and peaches, then move on to sweet potatoes and such. I'm hoping to make a lot of the food myself.

My baby has already almost doubled in weight (8 lbs 15 oz to 17 lbs 6 oz) and grown almost 5 inches in length. He can fit in some 3-6 months clothing but has moved up to 6-9 months mostly. I have to say my arms are much stronger for toting him around in his car seat. (And I'm 2 pounds away from my pre-baby weight!)

Our current down is Elijah's napping. He used to only nap on my lap after nursing and would wake up if I tried to move him to his crib (which is what I do at night and works great - for now). He doesn't even do that now though. Granted, I have not been consistent in his napping routine (first vacation and then out and about running around since) so that is most likely a big part of it. My goal is to start putting him down for naps at 9am and 2pm (ish) everyday and letting him cry it out to learn how to go to sleep. We'll see how that works out.

Hopefully I will have more time to update now that things are a little most settled. Once Elijah naps I'll have plenty of time!

Thursday, April 29, 2010

The Niesling Has Landed

Eli is here! I'm busy loving on him (and feeding him and soon to be changing him) so I will update with more details later. For a play-by-play on the delivery, pictures, and other updates, check out Eric's website.

Thank you to everyone for your amazing support and love! I don't know where we would be without our family and friends. Eli is a lucky little boy to have all of you in his life.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Today is THE day.

Since the Niesling hasn't come on his own, today I will be going to the hospital at noon to be induced. Hopefully just breaking my water will be enough to get labor started, especially since I have been experiencing some contractions on and off this morning.

Eric and I will be keeping you updated as things go!

Saturday, April 24, 2010

The Waiting Game

It's now four days past my due date and Eli is no closer to making his entrance into the world. I had some contractions on Monday night into part of Tuesday but they were irregular and never lasted very long. Since then I've been walking and resting preparing myself for when the big day actually comes.

We saw the doctor on Wednesday and she said I was dilated to 3 cm and the Niesling's head is down and in position. She scheduled me to be induced on Tuesday if nothing happens by then. She thinks that if she breaks my water that should be enough to start labor. I sincerely hope so, but if we need a little help, well, she is the doctor.

Like I said, nothing much has been happening here. I've tidied the house every morning and read several books over the last few days. I also try to keep people updated on our status through facebook, texting, and calls. I have also taken up actually cooking our lunches, which for anyone who knows me, that's a pretty big deal. I'm sure Eric will get used to it just as the Niesling shows up and he will no longer be getting homecooked meals. Or at least not for the foreseeable future.

Thanks to everyone for your support and interest! Hopefully we will all get to meet Eli even if it's not until Tuesday or Wednesday (but at least the end is in sight!).

Monday, April 19, 2010

Quick Update

Well, tomorrow is supposed to be the big day, but I think we'll be waiting longer than that. I have not had any contractions and what I have felt has either been my imagination or went away as soon as I switched positions. As much as everyone is ready (Eric is constantly asking where his baby is) I think Eli is going to hold out for a little while.

At my last doctor's appointment she said I was not quite 2cm dilated and she stripped my membranes (separating the amniotic sac from my cervix). That doesn't seem to have done much, but I have no way of checking to see where I'm dilated now. Our next appointment is Wednesday morning so we'll see what she has to say then. (As much as I want to not make that appointment because the Niesling is born I'm pretty sure we'll be seeing Dr. B in her office before we see her in the delivery room.) However, she did tell Eric last week that she would not let me go two weeks without inducing. Hopefully that means if we don't have the baby by Wednesday we can talk about when to induce at the appointment.

I'm off to rest and watch A Baby Story on TLC. Then I'll be taking at least one walk this afternoon in hopes of moving the Niesling along. I'll try to keep everyone updated either by phone call, facebook, or posting here!

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Ahh... Nine Days!

My first couple weeks as a stay at home mom have been going well. I rest as much as possible, do some cleaning, some packing, and some eating. I also have gotten into the TLC show A Baby Story. It follows families as they go through the birth of their children. I don't know if it was the smartest idea to start watching this show, but it gives me somewhat of an idea of what to expect. And since we're (gulp) nine days away from my due date now, the thought of what's going to happen has crossed my mind a few times.

Overall things are going very well for both the baby and I. The last two doctor's appointments have been quick and painless. Because I haven't had any contractions, Dr. B has not even checked for dilation or effacement. I don't think I've even had false labor or Braxton Hicks contractions. Occasionally I feel some tightening or slight cramps but it doesn't last longer that 15 seconds and there is never more than one in a row. I think the Niesling is going to stay where he is as long as possible.

Even if Eli chooses not to arrive until at least the 20th, Eric and I are both ready for him. His room is all set up and ready for him (aside from the completely necessary waterproof changing mattress cover I'll be picking up tomorrow) and my hospital bag is packed. We are also ready for him mentally and emotionally. While labor and delivery still freaks me out slightly (thank you to everyone for their reassuring words on that subject!) I'm ready to be a mom and hold my baby. And no one could say that Eric isn't totally pumped to become a dad. Even though neither of us has any experience with babies, especially newborns, we're up for the challenge and ready to meet little Niesling!

Oh and we've been bad about taking pictures lately. Suffice it to say, I'm big. And waddle a lot more now. And am ready to have this baby.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

It's Official...

...I'm a stay at home mom! Although the mom part is probably going to come in a couple more weeks.

After weeks of waiting and training my replacement, I'm finished with my old office job. It was a good job and I enjoyed it for the most part, but I'm glad I can stay home with the Niesling. It'll be interesting keeping myself occupied until he makes his appearance, but I think I'm off to a good start.

I couldn't sleep in this morning, even though I was laying awake in bed for two hours last night, and I never did get a nap in sadly. But I was very productive. I did one load of wash of our clothes, two loads of sheets, and a load of baby clothes. I also vacuumed our bedroom and the living room, as well as mopped the kitchen floor, and loaded, washed, and unloaded the dishwasher. Oh yeah, and I started thank you notes for the gifts we have received. All-in-all a productive and full day.

Tomorrow I will be going shopping with my mother-in-law for the last minute necessities for the baby (changing table, diaper bag, diapers, boppy pillow, etc) as well as finishing setting up his room. Hopefully we can get everything we need and coordinating his room. It'll be one more thing I can check off my to do list before he's here.

Earlier this week I had my doctor's appointment. My Group B strep test came back negative which is one less thing to worry about during labor. My weight went up slightly, but my blood pressure is still good. Dr. B did not check for dilation but she did say that my uterus is two inches smaller this week (down from 36 to 34 inches) so she thinks he has dropped into my pelvis. I have noticed that I can breathe easier now and I have the pregnancy waddle occasionally. Which means the Niesling could be arriving at any time, although I think it will be at least one or two more weeks. I have not had any Braxton Hicks contractions. Or at least not that I know of.

The next scheduled appointment is Tuesday the 6th. I'm guessing it'll just be a regular check up with possible checking for dilation and effacement.

Overall I've had a good week so far and am looking forward to spending Easter with family and relaxing. Not to mention watching the first baseball game of the season.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Beginning of the End

We are officially into our ninth month! Only a couple more weeks until we get to meet the Niesling!

I have to say I'm very excited to start this new phase in our lives, but at the same time, as it draws closer, I'm more and more nervous about the labor part. I know it'll all work out, but just the unknown and the pain factor is starting to set in. I'm holding off on being really scared mostly because I know it won't do any good at this point. (But it still sometimes keeps me up at night.)

We had another doctor's appointment last Tuesday the 23rd. It went very well. The usual pee in a cup, weigh in, and blood pressure check. Dr. B also did the Group B Strep test, which we will get the results for next week. She then checked if I was at all dilated. She said my cervix is softening, but no dilation or effacement. We will now have an appointment every week until birth. The next appointment is Tuesday the 30th.

I will also be finishing my last three days at my current job this week. After March 31st, I will be a professional stay at home mom, albeit without the baby at first. I'm going to use this time to finish organizing the baby's room and things, packing my bag for the hospital, resting up as much as possible, and just mentally preparing for the Niesling. I am very lucky to be in this position of staying home with Eli, which I realize is not an option for many women. I look forward to spending every day with my baby and not missing anything.

Last weekend, two of my dearest friends threw me a baby shower. Many of the women that are important to me were there from family to friends. There was good food, funny games, and amazing gifts. Eli is going to be so blessed to have all these women in his life, especially the women who hosted the party, Lexi and Ashley. The girls also have basically decorated the Niesling's nursery. I cannot thank these two enough for their generosity and friendship.

My mind seems crowded these days with thoughts and worries, none of which I can pin down now. I'll just say that not an hour goes by without me being amazed by this baby inside me and being anxious to meet him.

Week 34



(Yes, we did miss Week 35 pictures. I will tell you though that I haven't gained much if any weight in the last week or so. Also, we measured around my belly and it has increased about .5 inches in that same week.)

Week 36

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

What Happened in Weeks 32 & 33

Now that it has been almost two weeks since I last posted, I suppose I can update the blog again.

On March 3rd we had our last doctor's appointment. Dr. B actually had to go see another OB patient at the hospital so we met with her Nurse Practitioner Cathy. She is also a very nice woman. Everything was good at the appointment from my weight to the baby's heartbeat. Cathy, who is also a labor and delivery nurse as well as having taught years of Natural Childbirth classes, and having 10 kids of her own was a fount of knowledge. She showed me the pelvic thrust move (on your hands and knees moving your pelvis up and down to help shift the baby and stretch) which has been really helpful when the Niesling starts making me uncomfortable. She said if you do it before bed it helps most women sleep. I have been neglecting that pre-bedtime exercise and haven't been sleeping well, so I guess tonight I will start up again!

Our next appointment is not until the 23rd as Dr. B will be out during the week I should have had my two week appointment. After the next appointment, which is during week 36, I will be going in once a week for a check up until delivery.

Eric and I also decided that I will be done with work after the last week of March (barring any unforeseen complications). After that I can get everything ready, from washing baby clothes and setting up the baby's room to just resting up for labor and having the Niesling. Part of me is worried about keeping myself occupied for that time, but I'm sure it will fly by and no one actually knows when Eli will be making his grand entrance.

Last night I attended the local hospital's breastfeeding class. I already knew a majority of the information from reading books and attending the childbirth prep class, but I did learn a few new pieces. And yes, I will be breastfeeding Eli. It just seems like the natural choice, why wouldn't I choose to do so?

At the end of the class I got to tour the hospital's labor and delivery rooms. They have an excellent set up where you stay in the same room that you give birth in. They will only take you off the floor if you have to go downstairs to surgery for a c-section. The hospital also lets you keep the baby in-room as much as you like or you can choose to have them in the nursery while you rest and recover. The rooms also include cable TV, DVD/VCRs, wireless internet, and my favorite part, whirlpool tubs. I don't know how much distraction I will need during labor, but I will probably take advantage of the tub. According to the nurse, they want to monitor the baby for at least 20 minutes of every hour while you're laboring, but other than that you can be in the bath or up and walking.

Needless to say, I feel much better having seen the hospital and where we will be during delivery. Eric did not attend the class with me, but I hope to get him to the hospital soon just so he can get a tour as well so he knows where the heck he's going when the big time comes.

Other than those two exciting events, the last couple weeks have been relatively quiet. I'm so tired at the end of the day that I can't work up the energy to do much. We spend the majority of our time relaxing. There's still plenty of bathroom trips all day, as well as getting up at night because I can't sleep. I've been eating constantly as well (those three rounds of breakfast are great!).

The Niesling is running out of room to move now. When I'm sitting at work or home he's constantly moving and pushing my belly out. I've just reached the point where it's uncomfortable, but I'm fine with that. I can take a little less comfort as long as my baby is healthy and still doing well. He also usually has the hiccups at least once a day. This occurs after I've eaten and am relaxing on the couch or (of course) when I'm trying to sleep at night. Eric can feel the little movements with the hiccups and it makes him smile every time.

Like I said, everything is going great, we're just trying to survive the next 5-6 weeks before we get to meet our little man.

Week 32


Week 33

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Week 32 Update

We're officially starting the eighth month this week. Just a few more, okay 8, weeks to go! It honestly seems like we were just at Week 20 and halfway through this adventure.

I finally broke down and created an Amazon Baby Registry. It has all the gear I talked about in this post, plus other items I've thought we might need or others have suggested (three guesses on the only two items Eric has added to the registry). You can see what we've got on the list by clicking on the link above or going to Amazon.com and searching for either of our names on the Baby Registry list.

Within the last week I've been really tired all the time. I still get up for my two potty breaks per night, but now it's getting harder to get back to sleep. The smaller bladder and activity usually wakes the Niesling up so he starts moving or hiccuping and then I can't get back to sleep. Thank goodness for weekends and the time to take naps.

Here are pictures for the last two weeks, I'll hopefully have 32's up soon as well.

Week 30




Week 31

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Week 31 Doctor Appointment

This past Friday I had another doctor's appointment, and like most of the rest, there's not much to report.

I went in, peed in a cup, was weighed, and had my blood pressure taken. Nothing worrisome there. Then Dr. B came in and I got to meet her nurse practitioner who seems like a very nice woman as well. The doctor measured my uterus, 31 inches, and listened to the Niesling's heartbeat, 140 bpm. After that she asked if I had any questions and since I didn't, I was free to go. It took all of 30 minutes from check in to co-pay. Hopefully the next appointment, Wednesday March 3rd, goes as well.

Other than our ultrasound on Wednesday and this doctor's appointment, week 31 was rather uneventful. I ate a lot, peed a lot, and had trouble sleeping a lot. I'm sure that's how life will continue to be until the Niesling decides it is time to make his appearance.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Drumroll Please...

Well, we had another ultrasound today and Eric was right. We will be having a little Eli.

Or so we think.

While we saw parts today that definitely look more boy, you can never be 100% sure until the baby is actually born. But Eric and I feel like we can confidently say, based on what we saw and what we made of it, that we are having a boy.

We are both very excited about this, and while it wasn't as clear as some other ultrasounds we have seen (ahem), we can't wait to meet our little boy. And based on the kicking he's been doing lately, he's going to be a soccer player (I know all women say that and I'm mostly joking).

The Niesling was breathing quite heavily and moving a lot which is great. This will probably be the last ultrasound we do as we are in Week 31 and from now on there's not as much room for the baby to move around in.

As it is Week 31, we should probably get on putting the baby's room together (and clean all my stuff out of it) and I should maybe pack a hospital bag, huh? While anyone who knows me can attest, I am quite the procrastinator I think this is the best reason I'll ever have not to put it off and be ready for when Elijah Julian Nies arrives.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Childbirth Prep Class

Today for the next step in our journey towards parenthood, Eric and I went to a childbirth preparation class at Rapid City Regional. (They do not offer the class in our town.) It was very informative and Eric in particular felt he learned a lot. Some of the information covered was:

  • Discomforts of pregnancy and how to relieve them ,
  • Warning signs of labor,
  • Stages of labor,
  • Positions for labor,
  • Pain management, and
  • Delivery.
We also got a great booklet to read through that will help us.

The part I'm most concerned about at this point (once we get to the hospital) is the pain management. I can freely admit that I am a wimp and will need drugs. But other than that I'm trying to keep an open mind and just see how things proceed before deciding on what to go with. The idea of an epidural worries me a little, but I do feel better today after the class and seeing the small catheter they insert into a woman's back. And learning that it does not actually penetrate the spine.

As we were sitting in this class, Eric kept leaning over and whispering to me with an evil grin, "Are you ready for this?" (He also kept mentioning how glad he is that he's a man. Imagine that.) Well, it's a little late for second thoughts. I used to think I never wanted kids or wanted to adopt (which I would still like to do) because I couldn't handle childbirth. But really, what is there to worry about nowadays? Every person on Earth came into being from a woman. If they can do it, I can. While I am slightly scared and nervous, I know Eric will be with me and I have a great support system beyond him. Just the thought of all those people put me at ease. (But I still don't understand people who choose to give birth at home rather than a hospital. Why not take advantage of medical technology and be where they can take care of you and the baby if something happens?)

Due to weather, Eric and I did not go back to the class after lunch. The roads were not good coming home and we felt we had gotten our money's worth out of the class already. Plus they were doing the tour for half of the afternoon and as we will not be delivering at that hospital, we felt it was unnecessary. However, we can get a tour at the hospital where we will be delivering just about anytime we want.

In other news, we purchased our Pack 'N Play! So really we had two big steps today towards the Niesling. As I have mentioned before, this is what we will be using instead of a crib for the first few months (unless baby decides otherwise of course).

All in all, it was a very educational day and only makes me more excited to meet our baby.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Week 29 and Picture Comparison

Week 29 started with the Niesling and I still doing well. Eating every two hours (approximately) and going to the bathroom just about as often are still the norm for me.

Last Friday we also had a doctor's appointment. Eric missed out on talking with Dr. B because he had to go back to work. She measured my uterus (29 inches!) and listened to the baby's heartbeat (140 bpm!). We talked a little and she answered a couple questions I had, primarily about doctors in Spearfish (I think we'll stick with her for both the Niesling and myself) and putting together a birth plan. From what I've read, that's a big part of preparing nowadays, having a typed up birth plan to give the doctor and anyone else you may come into contact with on the big day. Dr. B said she doesn't find it necessary as we will discuss all of the issues before the Niesling makes his/her first appearance. I think I'll look over outlines on the Internet and in books just to give me and Eric ideas on what we will be facing and questions we need to think about.

I also had my glucose test at last week's appointment and we just received word today that my glucose levels are normal. Dr. B's nurse Anna did say my iron levels are a little low and so I need to be taking a supplement for it, but it is nothing to be concerned about. Whew! I was really worried I would be giving up sugar for the next 10 weeks. The next doctor's appointment is set for the 19th. We will be seeing her every two weeks until the end of March (week 36) then will be in to see her every week. It's getting so close!

Eric and I have also scheduled another ultrasound next Wednesday. We want to try to get the Niesling to loosen up a little and show us his/her goods. Also my parents will be there for this one so that will be exciting for all of us.

Today was exciting for me as well because the baby was continuously moving while I was sitting. Before there was movement when I was relaxing at night or in bed, but now the Niesling is making his/her presence known all the time. And you can see the bulges in my belly where a foot or elbow is pushing for more room.

I do have pictures for week 29, and for comparison purposes have included the very first pictures from week 8. You can definitely tell a difference now! Thankfully the difference is pretty much only in my belly and hair increases. I didn't realize how big I had gotten until I looked at these pictures side by side!

Week 8


Week 29

Friday, January 29, 2010

Week 28 Update

We are officially in the 28th week/seventh month/third trimester! It feels like we just found out I was pregnant and we're already two thirds of the way to a newborn. I hope these next couple months go by as fast as the rest have.

I know I said I was supposed to have a doctor's appointment this week, and we were, but we had to move it to next Friday, February 5th. Unfortunately I don't think I can avoid the glucose test any longer than that. But I would like to get it done and make sure all is well with me and the baby.

We would also like to do another ultrasound in the next couple weeks to see if we can identify gender. It is driving us both crazy. Ok, it is mostly driving Eric crazy. But I would like to know as well.

I've been feeling good lately. A little tired as I'm getting up at least once a night to use the bathroom and the Niesling has taken to waking me up at 5am with his/her movements and then I usually don't get back to sleep. Everyone says this is good preparation for having a newborn in the house, and I'm sure they're right, I just wish I could get in all the sleep I can these last three months. I've also been a bit emotional; either I can cry at the drop of a hat or I'm depressed and can't perk myself up. Luckily Eric has been great in helping me cope and do what he can to cheer me up.

I've been very lax in the picture posting arena lately, so below are weeks 22-28. You can definitely tell I am pregnant now. The maternity clothes and sweats are all I can fit in, but I don't need much else. Also, please excuse my hair and facial expressions. We usually take the photos after I get home from yoga when I want nothing more than to sit down and have something to eat. Now that I'm aware of it though, I will try to look happier from now on!

Week 22


Week 23

Week 24


Week 25


Week 26


Week 27


Week 28