08.31.08
What I witnessed last night was a good Alabama team and an unprepared Clemson team which isn't surprising at this point from TB. My analysis of TB will remained unchanged until he actually changes something - He is a college president's dream - Christian, clean program, players graduate, recruiter BUT a fan's nightmare - terrible motivator and game day coach, doesn't win the big games except when his back is against the wall - somewhat of a magician.
Sorry, you're not hear to read about Clemson football and their struggles.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Should Have Gone To ATL
08.30.08
7:45pm
Ok, put me down for husband of the year - I stayed at home with my wife even though I could make it back in plenty of time for her to have our baby...especially since she's not having it until LABOR day. To all my friends that are in Atlanta right now - I wish I was with you! Thanks for staying behind and supporting me but as long as you are there give the 'bama fans a little 1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4-C-L-E-M-S-O-N-T-I-G-E-R-S.
7:45pm
Ok, put me down for husband of the year - I stayed at home with my wife even though I could make it back in plenty of time for her to have our baby...especially since she's not having it until LABOR day. To all my friends that are in Atlanta right now - I wish I was with you! Thanks for staying behind and supporting me but as long as you are there give the 'bama fans a little 1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4-C-L-E-M-S-O-N-T-I-G-E-R-S.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Week 38
08.27.08
38 Weeks
Before I start with the doctor's appointment yesterday, I looked back over the blog and noticed that I had mentioned that LA and I were getting together with her brothers for a party/family get together but had not mentioned anything else about it in the blog. We had a great night at Waylon and Amy's in St. George. It was good to get together and laugh. Mike you can fry me anything you want - If it's got grease, flour and a surprise inside you can't go wrong and you're talking my language. Anyway, LA's brothers and their families gave us a pack-n-play that has a changing table/bassinet that Baby Carter will be sleeping in when he/she comes home from the hospital. It should fit perfectly on LA's side of the bed. We have assembled it and I am not sure how quickly it will disassemble but if assembly was any indication...unassembling the crib might be faster. When you read the words pack-n play to me it just implies push a button and your ready to pack it in the car. I will let you know exactly how long it takes and if it will ever fit back into the carry case (I might have to call Marty and Danielle to figure it out. I know they are experts with them.) That was super nice of them to do something for us.
Fast forward...
We had our weekly Doctor's visit today. We started off the visit with an ultrasound to determine the sex of the baby...I mean to make sure the baby was not breech. The ultrasound tech was super nice and after making sure the baby was not breech - the head is down. She let us look at the monitor and see the baby's face. I have attached the pictures below. If you have trouble determining what you are looking at don't feel bad it took me awhile also. I felt pretty silly. It was almost like looking at one of those hidden pictures where you have to un-focus your eyes to see the hidden picture. I'll give you some help the first three pictures are of the babies face looking at you. The last picture is a profile picture of the baby looking up....good luck. She checked out the baby's heartbeat and we looked at it - 125 bpm. She told us to turn away while she checked out the rest of the baby. I covered LA's eyes but I sneaked a peak...just kidding or did I - I told Heather last night what we were having. Heather, if I am right won't you wonder, if I really did find out. Just think Heather and I know what were having but do you believe/trust it. So for everyone else, we still don't know...
We had a good visit with the PA today. She repeated the good news about the baby not being breech and told us that we weren't going to be having a baby in the next seven days. The baby is still pretty high and all the baby signs of impending birth were not present. We went over a couple of "what ifs" - How long will they let LA go past the due date? - A. At 40 weeks they will do another ultrasound (to confirm what Heather and I know were having) to make sure the baby has enough fluid, if no they will start the delivery process (natural or c section, depending on her Bishop score - she has to meet with the Bishop to see what he thinks, see below) - if yes (fluid and baby is not in danger) they will let her go to 41 weeks. That is the maximum they will require her to go but if the baby is still healthy and has enough fluid then we could decided to go 42 weeks. At 42 weeks the baby is coming out one way or the other. The PA is not concerned at this point. We still have two weeks. If we were at 40 weeks and LA was where she is today, she would be more concerned. She assured us that LA's body and the baby will know when it is time. For me it seems like we are so close, let's just get it over with (I don't know how much longer I can stand my back hurting from doing all the work around the house.) When the PA measured LA she thought she noticed the baby was lower than the previous week, maybe it is starting to move down. She talked to us about the Bishop scale that is used to score whether you will deliver naturally or c-section. If LA's water was to break today, she would be looking at a c-section.
LA's feet are still not swelling as a result of blood pressure or proteins and her and the baby are not in any danger. It is still a direct result of being pregnant. The PA gave LA an option that would help- she could assign her to bed rest. LA determined she wasn't to that point. It's all about the number of hours on her feet vs number of hours with her feet above her head and sleeping doesn't count - that's only neutral.
So a few take aways from today's office visit:
*Patience
*Doctor K is cautious (that's good...that's what I'm telling myself)
*Clemson game is still a possibility
*LA need to relax and stay off her feet
*The blog will continue for one more week (ya'll are so lucky)
*Heather and I know what were having
Sorry about the posting being one long continuous post and having to scroll...I didn't really think I would have done much more than a few weeks before quiting with it. If I have time, I might try to reorganize the posts. That sounds like a lot of work so don't expect it but maybe.
I just wanted everyone to know that Greg H and I will begin working on a guide book shortly after baby carter is born that will be focused on the pregnancy and delivery for the male. It is going to be good - NY Times bestseller.
PS - I am still hoping for a delivery on Monday, September 1, 2008 - LABOR DAY. If that isn't a day for having a baby, I can't think of one. I made a joke about having a baby on Labor Day at a counselor party for Mike and Deann and for all these years I have been ridiculed and picked on for it but everyone knows it was funny! I still laugh at it today as I am typing. I was even semi-redeemed when LA read the same joke on a Laffy Taffy and it was MY Labor Day joke. So if there is such a thing as victory, LA is going to have the baby on Monday. It is meant to be. I know the doctors said "not this week" but I believe that it's going to happen so I can have the last laugh.
38 Weeks
Before I start with the doctor's appointment yesterday, I looked back over the blog and noticed that I had mentioned that LA and I were getting together with her brothers for a party/family get together but had not mentioned anything else about it in the blog. We had a great night at Waylon and Amy's in St. George. It was good to get together and laugh. Mike you can fry me anything you want - If it's got grease, flour and a surprise inside you can't go wrong and you're talking my language. Anyway, LA's brothers and their families gave us a pack-n-play that has a changing table/bassinet that Baby Carter will be sleeping in when he/she comes home from the hospital. It should fit perfectly on LA's side of the bed. We have assembled it and I am not sure how quickly it will disassemble but if assembly was any indication...unassembling the crib might be faster. When you read the words pack-n play to me it just implies push a button and your ready to pack it in the car. I will let you know exactly how long it takes and if it will ever fit back into the carry case (I might have to call Marty and Danielle to figure it out. I know they are experts with them.) That was super nice of them to do something for us.
Fast forward...
We had our weekly Doctor's visit today. We started off the visit with an ultrasound to determine the sex of the baby...I mean to make sure the baby was not breech. The ultrasound tech was super nice and after making sure the baby was not breech - the head is down. She let us look at the monitor and see the baby's face. I have attached the pictures below. If you have trouble determining what you are looking at don't feel bad it took me awhile also. I felt pretty silly. It was almost like looking at one of those hidden pictures where you have to un-focus your eyes to see the hidden picture. I'll give you some help the first three pictures are of the babies face looking at you. The last picture is a profile picture of the baby looking up....good luck. She checked out the baby's heartbeat and we looked at it - 125 bpm. She told us to turn away while she checked out the rest of the baby. I covered LA's eyes but I sneaked a peak...just kidding or did I - I told Heather last night what we were having. Heather, if I am right won't you wonder, if I really did find out. Just think Heather and I know what were having but do you believe/trust it. So for everyone else, we still don't know...
We had a good visit with the PA today. She repeated the good news about the baby not being breech and told us that we weren't going to be having a baby in the next seven days. The baby is still pretty high and all the baby signs of impending birth were not present. We went over a couple of "what ifs" - How long will they let LA go past the due date? - A. At 40 weeks they will do another ultrasound (to confirm what Heather and I know were having) to make sure the baby has enough fluid, if no they will start the delivery process (natural or c section, depending on her Bishop score - she has to meet with the Bishop to see what he thinks, see below) - if yes (fluid and baby is not in danger) they will let her go to 41 weeks. That is the maximum they will require her to go but if the baby is still healthy and has enough fluid then we could decided to go 42 weeks. At 42 weeks the baby is coming out one way or the other. The PA is not concerned at this point. We still have two weeks. If we were at 40 weeks and LA was where she is today, she would be more concerned. She assured us that LA's body and the baby will know when it is time. For me it seems like we are so close, let's just get it over with (I don't know how much longer I can stand my back hurting from doing all the work around the house.) When the PA measured LA she thought she noticed the baby was lower than the previous week, maybe it is starting to move down. She talked to us about the Bishop scale that is used to score whether you will deliver naturally or c-section. If LA's water was to break today, she would be looking at a c-section.
LA's feet are still not swelling as a result of blood pressure or proteins and her and the baby are not in any danger. It is still a direct result of being pregnant. The PA gave LA an option that would help- she could assign her to bed rest. LA determined she wasn't to that point. It's all about the number of hours on her feet vs number of hours with her feet above her head and sleeping doesn't count - that's only neutral.
So a few take aways from today's office visit:
*Patience
*Doctor K is cautious (that's good...that's what I'm telling myself)
*Clemson game is still a possibility
*LA need to relax and stay off her feet
*The blog will continue for one more week (ya'll are so lucky)
*Heather and I know what were having
Sorry about the posting being one long continuous post and having to scroll...I didn't really think I would have done much more than a few weeks before quiting with it. If I have time, I might try to reorganize the posts. That sounds like a lot of work so don't expect it but maybe.
I just wanted everyone to know that Greg H and I will begin working on a guide book shortly after baby carter is born that will be focused on the pregnancy and delivery for the male. It is going to be good - NY Times bestseller.
PS - I am still hoping for a delivery on Monday, September 1, 2008 - LABOR DAY. If that isn't a day for having a baby, I can't think of one. I made a joke about having a baby on Labor Day at a counselor party for Mike and Deann and for all these years I have been ridiculed and picked on for it but everyone knows it was funny! I still laugh at it today as I am typing. I was even semi-redeemed when LA read the same joke on a Laffy Taffy and it was MY Labor Day joke. So if there is such a thing as victory, LA is going to have the baby on Monday. It is meant to be. I know the doctors said "not this week" but I believe that it's going to happen so I can have the last laugh.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
City vs Country
08.24.08
Sunday morning was interesting for LA and I . I don't know why or how it got started but we had some good and funny conversations about LA being a rockstar which you've got to ask her about to get the rest of the story...which was followed by my decision to not raise our child in "the city". The country would be much better place for the baby and for our schedules. It's looking like this baby is going to be a little demanding from everything we here, so we decided that we are taking the baby to Lodge and let our family down there keep the baby during the week. We're going to look at buying a pop-out, pull behind, 5th wheel or RV and we would visit on the weekends (when it didn't interfere with our "city schedules"). We were hoping one of the boys would take the baby since they have done so good so far. We figure it's easier to be successful when you have more than one child. You know the experience and learning from your mistakes - everything we do is going to be a mistake. There is no need to put the baby through all that stress. The baby would be the youngest in all of their families and everyone knows the youngest gets everything and is spoiled rotten (look at LA and I, ooh, maybe that's our problem). It seems like a win, win for everyone...We had other conversations but that was the one we felt we should share with everyone.
Just so everyone's up to date and you won't have to keep on asking - LA's feet are swollen and unfortunately are going to be swollen until baby Carter arrives (if there's going to be number 2 child, were planning for months 5-9 to be between Oct and April). Some days are better than others but you can assume that until baby Carter arrives - she's miserable. We've talked about poking a hole in one of them and seeing if that would help. LA is not so sure but I am pretty sure if that we stick the needle deep enough that something will give.
Sunday morning was interesting for LA and I . I don't know why or how it got started but we had some good and funny conversations about LA being a rockstar which you've got to ask her about to get the rest of the story...which was followed by my decision to not raise our child in "the city". The country would be much better place for the baby and for our schedules. It's looking like this baby is going to be a little demanding from everything we here, so we decided that we are taking the baby to Lodge and let our family down there keep the baby during the week. We're going to look at buying a pop-out, pull behind, 5th wheel or RV and we would visit on the weekends (when it didn't interfere with our "city schedules"). We were hoping one of the boys would take the baby since they have done so good so far. We figure it's easier to be successful when you have more than one child. You know the experience and learning from your mistakes - everything we do is going to be a mistake. There is no need to put the baby through all that stress. The baby would be the youngest in all of their families and everyone knows the youngest gets everything and is spoiled rotten (look at LA and I, ooh, maybe that's our problem). It seems like a win, win for everyone...We had other conversations but that was the one we felt we should share with everyone.
Just so everyone's up to date and you won't have to keep on asking - LA's feet are swollen and unfortunately are going to be swollen until baby Carter arrives (if there's going to be number 2 child, were planning for months 5-9 to be between Oct and April). Some days are better than others but you can assume that until baby Carter arrives - she's miserable. We've talked about poking a hole in one of them and seeing if that would help. LA is not so sure but I am pretty sure if that we stick the needle deep enough that something will give.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Voting Results - Preliminary
08.22.08
A couple of bits of information:
*The boy/girl poll is just about 50/50 - imagine that
*The poll to guess the gender, birth day, time, weight, length, etc is going to shut down on August 31st or sooner if LA goes into labor. At least humor us and take a guess. Click here to guess.
*Does anybody read this except - Parents (all of them), Luke and Karissa. Karissa walled me on facebook today about the update not being posted? (I told you it would be on Thursday or Friday going forward - impatience is not a quality Baby Carter needs to get)
A couple of bits of information:
*The boy/girl poll is just about 50/50 - imagine that
*The poll to guess the gender, birth day, time, weight, length, etc is going to shut down on August 31st or sooner if LA goes into labor. At least humor us and take a guess. Click here to guess.
*Does anybody read this except - Parents (all of them), Luke and Karissa. Karissa walled me on facebook today about the update not being posted? (I told you it would be on Thursday or Friday going forward - impatience is not a quality Baby Carter needs to get)
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Calm Before The Storm
08.21.08
What’s been going the past few days? Not a whole lot on the baby front. Seems to be “the calm before the storm”. We went to Babies R Us over the weekend and picked up all the essentials (or what we think were the essentials) we had not got yet. Baby Carter should be just fine when he/she comes home and after all, I am pretty sure he/she is not going to care too much about the crib, dresser, stroller, pack-n-play…etc. One thing we did need for LA to feed and rock the baby – a glider is on its way to the house. It looks like it will be here before Baby Carter, we didn’t think it was going to make it.
LA is being a trooper. Her feet are still so swollen – can’t describe them, words can’t do them justice. (I did think of something - elephantiasis) The good news is that I don’t think they can get any bigger. It hasn’t helped that she has been busy the past 3 days busting her butt to get ready for school (yes, I have been helping her). I was pretty sure Monday evening that I was the worst husband in the world for not letting my wife take a “part-time” position with Minde or letting her not work. Fortunately for me, I was able to get that thought out of my mind pretty quick. That was going to be a tough one to live with long term. Anyway, I am over it and the school year is under way today – march on soldier, look forward not back, whatever doesn't kill you - makes you stronger. I was pretty sure that I was going to get a phone call today that it was time with all the long hours leading up to the first day, not getting enough sleep and stress,…etc but it didn’t happen.
We did have a doctor’s appointment today. We had a first. I have closed down a number of establishments in my years (most of them in the early hours of the morning) but I have never closed down a doctor’s office. Our appointment was at 3:15 and we had to unlock the door to leave at 5:05pm – that’s right almost 2 hours. We probably should have just asked for a key or just moved in - at least we wouldn't have to wait to see the doctor. I would love to be able to say something positive but I can’t. The only thing different was that LA was dying this time. She had volleyball practice at 4:00pm – she was just a little late. I’ve already commented on this subject and I am still waiting on a solution – anybody. We had Dr. K today, the newer doctor to the practice. It was better but we just don’t know. LA measured 38cm and the baby’s heartbeat per minute was in the 140s. The doctor checked LA out – “still closed for business”, “the baby is way up there” and “where’s the head?” were her comments. The last two times we have seen her she has wondered where the head was. However, Dr. McC had said last week the head was down and everything was fine but since Dr. K wasn’t sure where the head was we’re going to find out. We are going next Wednesday for an ultrasound to find out where the head is and for our weekly visit. Were not too concerned, it seems to us that she is being overly cautious. Dr. McC and the PA haven’t been concerned during any of our visits with them the prior two weeks. Since we’re having an ultrasound this late in the pregnancy, we are just going to go ahead and find out what were having. It wouldn’t be much different than finding out who won an event in the Olympics on the internet or Sports Center before it airs on NBC. It will only be 14 days next week anyway…almost forgot to tell you that we decided to keep it a secret and not to tell anyone until baby Carter arrives…this is going to be so much fun, actually knowing but not telling anyone!! Probably will be more exciting than not finding out the past 7 months. We're excited- only 6 days until WE know what we are having.
Looks like it will be at least another week...We are hoping for 3 and I am hoping for at least 2. My road trip to ATL for the Clemson game is looking up. Next Wednesday will be decision time. The big M has scheduled a meeting next weekend in ATL and I am going to have to attend. You can’t explain the corporate world and why they do things to keep the little man down. But I will try to make the best of it. Maybe, I can find a ticket and make it to the game…anybody going? Talk about divine intervention…prayers do come true. I knew the man upstairs was a CLEMSON Tiger fan. C-L-E-M-S-O-N.
By the way we are looking for some babysitters for September,October and November. Clemson has four home games in a row in Sept and we would hate to miss them. We will worry about October and November after babysitter tryouts in September. We would prefer someone with newborn/infant experience but probably would consider anybody that has a pulse. You don’t think were going to miss the games just because we had a baby. What kind of fans would that make us?
What’s been going the past few days? Not a whole lot on the baby front. Seems to be “the calm before the storm”. We went to Babies R Us over the weekend and picked up all the essentials (or what we think were the essentials) we had not got yet. Baby Carter should be just fine when he/she comes home and after all, I am pretty sure he/she is not going to care too much about the crib, dresser, stroller, pack-n-play…etc. One thing we did need for LA to feed and rock the baby – a glider is on its way to the house. It looks like it will be here before Baby Carter, we didn’t think it was going to make it.
LA is being a trooper. Her feet are still so swollen – can’t describe them, words can’t do them justice. (I did think of something - elephantiasis) The good news is that I don’t think they can get any bigger. It hasn’t helped that she has been busy the past 3 days busting her butt to get ready for school (yes, I have been helping her). I was pretty sure Monday evening that I was the worst husband in the world for not letting my wife take a “part-time” position with Minde or letting her not work. Fortunately for me, I was able to get that thought out of my mind pretty quick. That was going to be a tough one to live with long term. Anyway, I am over it and the school year is under way today – march on soldier, look forward not back, whatever doesn't kill you - makes you stronger. I was pretty sure that I was going to get a phone call today that it was time with all the long hours leading up to the first day, not getting enough sleep and stress,…etc but it didn’t happen.
We did have a doctor’s appointment today. We had a first. I have closed down a number of establishments in my years (most of them in the early hours of the morning) but I have never closed down a doctor’s office. Our appointment was at 3:15 and we had to unlock the door to leave at 5:05pm – that’s right almost 2 hours. We probably should have just asked for a key or just moved in - at least we wouldn't have to wait to see the doctor. I would love to be able to say something positive but I can’t. The only thing different was that LA was dying this time. She had volleyball practice at 4:00pm – she was just a little late. I’ve already commented on this subject and I am still waiting on a solution – anybody. We had Dr. K today, the newer doctor to the practice. It was better but we just don’t know. LA measured 38cm and the baby’s heartbeat per minute was in the 140s. The doctor checked LA out – “still closed for business”, “the baby is way up there” and “where’s the head?” were her comments. The last two times we have seen her she has wondered where the head was. However, Dr. McC had said last week the head was down and everything was fine but since Dr. K wasn’t sure where the head was we’re going to find out. We are going next Wednesday for an ultrasound to find out where the head is and for our weekly visit. Were not too concerned, it seems to us that she is being overly cautious. Dr. McC and the PA haven’t been concerned during any of our visits with them the prior two weeks. Since we’re having an ultrasound this late in the pregnancy, we are just going to go ahead and find out what were having. It wouldn’t be much different than finding out who won an event in the Olympics on the internet or Sports Center before it airs on NBC. It will only be 14 days next week anyway…almost forgot to tell you that we decided to keep it a secret and not to tell anyone until baby Carter arrives…this is going to be so much fun, actually knowing but not telling anyone!! Probably will be more exciting than not finding out the past 7 months. We're excited- only 6 days until WE know what we are having.
Looks like it will be at least another week...We are hoping for 3 and I am hoping for at least 2. My road trip to ATL for the Clemson game is looking up. Next Wednesday will be decision time. The big M has scheduled a meeting next weekend in ATL and I am going to have to attend. You can’t explain the corporate world and why they do things to keep the little man down. But I will try to make the best of it. Maybe, I can find a ticket and make it to the game…anybody going? Talk about divine intervention…prayers do come true. I knew the man upstairs was a CLEMSON Tiger fan. C-L-E-M-S-O-N.
By the way we are looking for some babysitters for September,October and November. Clemson has four home games in a row in Sept and we would hate to miss them. We will worry about October and November after babysitter tryouts in September. We would prefer someone with newborn/infant experience but probably would consider anybody that has a pulse. You don’t think were going to miss the games just because we had a baby. What kind of fans would that make us?
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Baby Shower
08.14.08
Here's an update of the past three days...LA has been sick the past 4 or 5 days with a sinus infection. She has lots of congestion in her nasal cavity. I know she's she struggling breathing because she started snoring or as some people call it "breathing heavy". Hopefully, she is on the downside of it.
We got surprised last night (Wed) at the weekly movie night for the Youth. Ross and others planned a surprise baby(diaper) shower for LA and I. It was nice of them to bring us our first diapers. We hadn't bought the first one yet. We have enough to get us started now. They filled up the middle seating area of my Yukon XL. I am pretty sure that will last about one week based on the 8/day estimate we've been given. I'm just going ahead and letting everyone know we will only be using 4/wk. We're cutting the diaper expense in half - tight times, haven't you been reading the paper and watching FOX/MSNBC about the economy. We might have to wash a few extra sheets but we will still save $$$. If you don't change them so often they won't learn to accept that you'll take care of it when it happens and they'll want to be potty trained quicker - watch and learn people, this is going to be revolutionary and you read it here first. Back to the shower, we had pizza and a nice cake. Thanks to everyone for being so generous and thoughtful. Our friend Clark Williams hooked us up with a hand made onesy. You need to check back to see the pictures of it that I am going to post. It's funny. Thanks, Clark! I guess we can say we are unofficially ready - we have diapers, some clothes, a crib and a car seat.
No baby this week...We went to the doctor today for our weekly visit. The wait time was acceptable but we still had to wait and we had the first appointment time after lunch. It's still a mystery to me. I'm running out time to figure it out. We had a good visit with Dr. McCusker, today. She has great people skills and is always asking LA about how she is doing and how's school. She wants to talk to you about whatever while asking the same questions about baby movement, contractions,...etc. It's more informal and she still gets all the info she needs. We like her. LA is right on schedule - 37cm and the baby's heartbeat is 132 bpm. Her cervix is about a finger tip (maybe 1-1.5cm dilated by my estimation) and she is about 50% effaced. Just in case you need some education about those terms-click here for a refresher on dilation and effacement. As confident as the doctor was about "no baby this week, right on schedule", I couldn't help but remember that Minde was 2cm dilated and 50% effaced and was assured "no baby this week, right on schedule" and within 24 hours she went into labor.
Upcoming events this week:
LA has a girls shower tonight with the ladies from work (teachers) and the women's bible study. We are getting together Friday night with LA's brothers and their wives for a party at Waylon and Amy's in St. George. On Saturday, we have a baptism class to attend with Dr. Howell. We figured we would go ahead and get the class over with so we wouldn't have to wait for the next class.
LA has been coaching volleyball the past two weeks and starts school on Monday with teacher work days and the students on Thursday. Hopefully, she will get 2+ weeks of teaching before getting her 12 week vacation. So she has been off roughly 8 weeks, will teach 2-3 weeks, get 12 weeks off, teach 3-4 weeks, and get two weeks off to finish 2008. So from basically June to December it will be 22 weeks vacation and 5 weeks of work. You add the vacation to the new wardrobe, her husband taking constant care of her every need (foot, massages...etc) and all the other little perks of being pregnant and she's going to want to have kids all the time.
I am planning to just update the blog weekly for now on Thursday or Friday unless Baby Carter comes sooner...Don't forget to get your guesses submitted (see the link on the upper right or click this link - baby guess).
Here's an update of the past three days...LA has been sick the past 4 or 5 days with a sinus infection. She has lots of congestion in her nasal cavity. I know she's she struggling breathing because she started snoring or as some people call it "breathing heavy". Hopefully, she is on the downside of it.
We got surprised last night (Wed) at the weekly movie night for the Youth. Ross and others planned a surprise baby(diaper) shower for LA and I. It was nice of them to bring us our first diapers. We hadn't bought the first one yet. We have enough to get us started now. They filled up the middle seating area of my Yukon XL. I am pretty sure that will last about one week based on the 8/day estimate we've been given. I'm just going ahead and letting everyone know we will only be using 4/wk. We're cutting the diaper expense in half - tight times, haven't you been reading the paper and watching FOX/MSNBC about the economy. We might have to wash a few extra sheets but we will still save $$$. If you don't change them so often they won't learn to accept that you'll take care of it when it happens and they'll want to be potty trained quicker - watch and learn people, this is going to be revolutionary and you read it here first. Back to the shower, we had pizza and a nice cake. Thanks to everyone for being so generous and thoughtful. Our friend Clark Williams hooked us up with a hand made onesy. You need to check back to see the pictures of it that I am going to post. It's funny. Thanks, Clark! I guess we can say we are unofficially ready - we have diapers, some clothes, a crib and a car seat.
No baby this week...We went to the doctor today for our weekly visit. The wait time was acceptable but we still had to wait and we had the first appointment time after lunch. It's still a mystery to me. I'm running out time to figure it out. We had a good visit with Dr. McCusker, today. She has great people skills and is always asking LA about how she is doing and how's school. She wants to talk to you about whatever while asking the same questions about baby movement, contractions,...etc. It's more informal and she still gets all the info she needs. We like her. LA is right on schedule - 37cm and the baby's heartbeat is 132 bpm. Her cervix is about a finger tip (maybe 1-1.5cm dilated by my estimation) and she is about 50% effaced. Just in case you need some education about those terms-click here for a refresher on dilation and effacement. As confident as the doctor was about "no baby this week, right on schedule", I couldn't help but remember that Minde was 2cm dilated and 50% effaced and was assured "no baby this week, right on schedule" and within 24 hours she went into labor.
Upcoming events this week:
LA has a girls shower tonight with the ladies from work (teachers) and the women's bible study. We are getting together Friday night with LA's brothers and their wives for a party at Waylon and Amy's in St. George. On Saturday, we have a baptism class to attend with Dr. Howell. We figured we would go ahead and get the class over with so we wouldn't have to wait for the next class.
LA has been coaching volleyball the past two weeks and starts school on Monday with teacher work days and the students on Thursday. Hopefully, she will get 2+ weeks of teaching before getting her 12 week vacation. So she has been off roughly 8 weeks, will teach 2-3 weeks, get 12 weeks off, teach 3-4 weeks, and get two weeks off to finish 2008. So from basically June to December it will be 22 weeks vacation and 5 weeks of work. You add the vacation to the new wardrobe, her husband taking constant care of her every need (foot, massages...etc) and all the other little perks of being pregnant and she's going to want to have kids all the time.
I am planning to just update the blog weekly for now on Thursday or Friday unless Baby Carter comes sooner...Don't forget to get your guesses submitted (see the link on the upper right or click this link - baby guess).
Monday, August 11, 2008
Olympic Training
08.11.08
We had a pretty laid back weekend. On Friday, we went to the Baby Depot and purchased a dresser. It is the one that matches our crib. It was simple, quick and functional. On Saturday, we went to a wedding and LA was a trooper but I paid for it on Sunday with foot rubs. I decided that I would suck as a massage therapist. My hands aren't cut out for that line of work. I am going to cheat from here on out by using a hand massager. I am sure the baby is wondering what in the world is going on.
I went home today for some lunch and LA happened to be at home also because she was in between practices (Volleyball at SHS). We were watching the Olympics and LA has decided that she could win the gold in badminton. When it was about to start she had that look on her face of "you're kidding me right - this is a medal sport?" I must agree that it seems a little silly but I want to take her up on the challenge. I am going to support her quest for the Gold medal in the 2012 Olympics in London - Good Luck, LA!
Because I am going to save this for our baby, I want him/her to ask me about the 2008 Men's 4x100 freestyle relay and how the USA smashed the world record by 4.3 seconds and how the French team before the race said "that's what we have come here for- to smash the Americans" and how for some reason right now I can't hear the French team...a great moment in Olympic and American sports...hope you got to see it!
Baby Carter and Leigh-Ann are currently training for the Olympics. In 2024 - LA will be 43 and will be participating her 4th Olympics (becoming the oldest badminton/US athlete to participate, becoming the next Dana Torres), Baby Carter will be 16 (probably participating in the women's hammer throw, women's weightlifting or men's sync swimming or men's badminton), and I will be participating in the Sr. Olympics, hopefully (lets not assume to much here or buy me any green bananas for training).
We had a pretty laid back weekend. On Friday, we went to the Baby Depot and purchased a dresser. It is the one that matches our crib. It was simple, quick and functional. On Saturday, we went to a wedding and LA was a trooper but I paid for it on Sunday with foot rubs. I decided that I would suck as a massage therapist. My hands aren't cut out for that line of work. I am going to cheat from here on out by using a hand massager. I am sure the baby is wondering what in the world is going on.
I went home today for some lunch and LA happened to be at home also because she was in between practices (Volleyball at SHS). We were watching the Olympics and LA has decided that she could win the gold in badminton. When it was about to start she had that look on her face of "you're kidding me right - this is a medal sport?" I must agree that it seems a little silly but I want to take her up on the challenge. I am going to support her quest for the Gold medal in the 2012 Olympics in London - Good Luck, LA!
Because I am going to save this for our baby, I want him/her to ask me about the 2008 Men's 4x100 freestyle relay and how the USA smashed the world record by 4.3 seconds and how the French team before the race said "that's what we have come here for- to smash the Americans" and how for some reason right now I can't hear the French team...a great moment in Olympic and American sports...hope you got to see it!
Baby Carter and Leigh-Ann are currently training for the Olympics. In 2024 - LA will be 43 and will be participating her 4th Olympics (becoming the oldest badminton/US athlete to participate, becoming the next Dana Torres), Baby Carter will be 16 (probably participating in the women's hammer throw, women's weightlifting or men's sync swimming or men's badminton), and I will be participating in the Sr. Olympics, hopefully (lets not assume to much here or buy me any green bananas for training).
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Doctor's Visit
08/07/08
We went to the doctors office today and wholly crap it was crowded. I just don't understand why it has to be so crowded. I still really believe they teach this in medical school...somebody tell me I'm wrong. One reason it was crowded today was because all three doctors were in the office but still it shouldn't take over an hour for an office visit. When they called LA's name, I asked her to check and see if this was the fake call back where they take your weight, blood pressure...etc and then send you back to the waiting room or a real call back were the do the same thing except put you in a room. It was a real call back. I got a little excited when I got to the room because it was the ultrasound room but that was quickly dashed. We passed the time by trying to figure out how to turn on the ultrasound machine, playing with the keys and trying to figure out how to get the leg rest out on the table/bed LA was on. They also had a swivel stool that kept me occupied while waiting. It was a little hot in the room so I plugged in a fan that was in the room for LA. Oh, I almost forgot, it is serious business from here on out. When LA came into the room she got the waist down orders and a piece of paper which she couldn't figure out exactly how you were supposed to wear it/drape it. When she sat down somehow it turned into a shredded mess. It looked like a grass skirt. I tried to find another one in the room but they only thing in the room was paper towel sized and that wouldn't work without some duct tape. It was funny.
Good news on the swelling is that LA is healthy (blood pressure is good and no protein in her urine) The swelling is just from being pregnant, it's summer and 100+ outside and the humidity is a little high. Anybody else noticed that recently? The doctor wished her good luck but told her it would get worse before it got better...That's exciting and something for LA to look forward to. The baby's heart rate was 142 bpm and LA measured 35cm which is right on target.
We got to ask some questions about going into labor over the next 2 to 5 weeks. Unless her water breaks they will do everything to stop the labor until 37 weeks. If her water breaks then it's welcome to the world baby Carter. 35% of the baby's development happens in the final 6 weeks so the closer she carries the baby to term the better off the baby will be. We talked about possible reasons for c-section and what they would do if the baby is facing the wrong way (face to the front - can be delivered that way but a little more painful for mommy - babies skull on mommies tail bone) LA was tested for something (three letters) and if she has that she has to have antibiotics before delivery. It is no big deal to humans but a big deal to a baby. The doctor checked her cervix and everything is good there - still closed for business. However, the baby is getting ready as the head is beginning to head south. We go every week now until Baby Carter arrives, so we are living seven days at a time or as Kenny Chesney would say we are "living fast forward".
We went to the doctors office today and wholly crap it was crowded. I just don't understand why it has to be so crowded. I still really believe they teach this in medical school...somebody tell me I'm wrong. One reason it was crowded today was because all three doctors were in the office but still it shouldn't take over an hour for an office visit. When they called LA's name, I asked her to check and see if this was the fake call back where they take your weight, blood pressure...etc and then send you back to the waiting room or a real call back were the do the same thing except put you in a room. It was a real call back. I got a little excited when I got to the room because it was the ultrasound room but that was quickly dashed. We passed the time by trying to figure out how to turn on the ultrasound machine, playing with the keys and trying to figure out how to get the leg rest out on the table/bed LA was on. They also had a swivel stool that kept me occupied while waiting. It was a little hot in the room so I plugged in a fan that was in the room for LA. Oh, I almost forgot, it is serious business from here on out. When LA came into the room she got the waist down orders and a piece of paper which she couldn't figure out exactly how you were supposed to wear it/drape it. When she sat down somehow it turned into a shredded mess. It looked like a grass skirt. I tried to find another one in the room but they only thing in the room was paper towel sized and that wouldn't work without some duct tape. It was funny.
Good news on the swelling is that LA is healthy (blood pressure is good and no protein in her urine) The swelling is just from being pregnant, it's summer and 100+ outside and the humidity is a little high. Anybody else noticed that recently? The doctor wished her good luck but told her it would get worse before it got better...That's exciting and something for LA to look forward to. The baby's heart rate was 142 bpm and LA measured 35cm which is right on target.
We got to ask some questions about going into labor over the next 2 to 5 weeks. Unless her water breaks they will do everything to stop the labor until 37 weeks. If her water breaks then it's welcome to the world baby Carter. 35% of the baby's development happens in the final 6 weeks so the closer she carries the baby to term the better off the baby will be. We talked about possible reasons for c-section and what they would do if the baby is facing the wrong way (face to the front - can be delivered that way but a little more painful for mommy - babies skull on mommies tail bone) LA was tested for something (three letters) and if she has that she has to have antibiotics before delivery. It is no big deal to humans but a big deal to a baby. The doctor checked her cervix and everything is good there - still closed for business. However, the baby is getting ready as the head is beginning to head south. We go every week now until Baby Carter arrives, so we are living seven days at a time or as Kenny Chesney would say we are "living fast forward".
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Guess Day, Time, Weigh, Sex...Win Prizes
08/06/08
I found a site that will let everyone guess the sex, day, time, weight and length of baby Carter. Each category carries a point value. The winner is the person with the fewest points. The point deductions are as follows:
Wrong gender: 400 points ~ Birth date: 5 points/hour
Weight: 5 points/ounce ~ Length: 10 points / inch
For example, if you pick the gender wrong you have 400 points and if you pick it right you have 0 points. Again, the winner is the person with the fewest points. You should be able to click the box near the top of the blog on the right and it will take you right to it. If that doesn't work then the link is http://www.expectnet.com/index.php. The game name is ourfirstbaby-kcandla. The only thing missing is a prize. I wish there was a way to collect money for each guess. In lieu of a cash prize, the winner gets to keep baby Carter for the weekend of our choice. Now that's a prize! Just think you can experience the excitement of having a child in your house without actually having to get pregnant. This is perfect for those that are thinking about having children. For those that already have children, this is a perfect chance to relive the joy of having an infant around the house. It could also be helpful for those that are on the fence about having another child (Baby Carter could use a few good playmates). Good Luck! This is exciting!
PS - I have added everyone that guessed at the shower. However, they did not guess the actual time. If you guessed at the baby shower, you can guess again and I will delete your first guess.
PPS - Here are some statistics for the math nerds(just kidding...its a joke) to help everyone make an educated guess. Going back to our parents family (I think that's two generation), on the Carter side we have 4 males and 7 females - 1:1.75 male to female ratio; Ulmer/Murdock side we have 15 males and 5 females (that's a lot of testostrone) - 3:1 male to female ratio; So the total is 19 males to 12 females - 1.59:1 male to female. What does all this mean? Our chances of having a male is almost doubled (if you allow for rounding). These statistics could be supported by the fact that the last two babies born were a boy and a girl which means based on the statistics a male would be next. So the math says were having a boy but I guess it really back to what I told you earlier the best odds Vegas would give us is a fifty-fifty shot at having a male or female. Good luck guessing...
I found a site that will let everyone guess the sex, day, time, weight and length of baby Carter. Each category carries a point value. The winner is the person with the fewest points. The point deductions are as follows:
Wrong gender: 400 points ~ Birth date: 5 points/hour
Weight: 5 points/ounce ~ Length: 10 points / inch
For example, if you pick the gender wrong you have 400 points and if you pick it right you have 0 points. Again, the winner is the person with the fewest points. You should be able to click the box near the top of the blog on the right and it will take you right to it. If that doesn't work then the link is http://www.expectnet.com/index.php. The game name is ourfirstbaby-kcandla. The only thing missing is a prize. I wish there was a way to collect money for each guess. In lieu of a cash prize, the winner gets to keep baby Carter for the weekend of our choice. Now that's a prize! Just think you can experience the excitement of having a child in your house without actually having to get pregnant. This is perfect for those that are thinking about having children. For those that already have children, this is a perfect chance to relive the joy of having an infant around the house. It could also be helpful for those that are on the fence about having another child (Baby Carter could use a few good playmates). Good Luck! This is exciting!
PS - I have added everyone that guessed at the shower. However, they did not guess the actual time. If you guessed at the baby shower, you can guess again and I will delete your first guess.
PPS - Here are some statistics for the math nerds(just kidding...its a joke) to help everyone make an educated guess. Going back to our parents family (I think that's two generation), on the Carter side we have 4 males and 7 females - 1:1.75 male to female ratio; Ulmer/Murdock side we have 15 males and 5 females (that's a lot of testostrone) - 3:1 male to female ratio; So the total is 19 males to 12 females - 1.59:1 male to female. What does all this mean? Our chances of having a male is almost doubled (if you allow for rounding). These statistics could be supported by the fact that the last two babies born were a boy and a girl which means based on the statistics a male would be next. So the math says were having a boy but I guess it really back to what I told you earlier the best odds Vegas would give us is a fifty-fifty shot at having a male or female. Good luck guessing...
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Our Baby Is Going To Be How Small?
08.05.08
LA washed all the unisex clothing we have already purchased or received from others. I helped put them from the washer into the dryer. I would shake them out and hold them up as I put them into the dryer and think to myself "no way our baby is fitting into something that small". It is very had to imagine that we are getting ready to have something so small. I still think we are having a baby that is potty trained, walking and talking on day one. That dream is going to end real quick.
We go to the Doctor on Thursday and from then until the baby arrives it will be every week. It is getting close...
LA washed all the unisex clothing we have already purchased or received from others. I helped put them from the washer into the dryer. I would shake them out and hold them up as I put them into the dryer and think to myself "no way our baby is fitting into something that small". It is very had to imagine that we are getting ready to have something so small. I still think we are having a baby that is potty trained, walking and talking on day one. That dream is going to end real quick.
We go to the Doctor on Thursday and from then until the baby arrives it will be every week. It is getting close...
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Baby Shower
08.03.08
LA had her first baby shower. I guess it's really "baby carter or we had our first shower" but I was excluded from this all girl's affair. The girls in the Ulmer family - Karissa, Heather, Marsha, and Amy hosted a shower at Marsha's house in Lodge. The boys (Scott, Waylon and Mike) took me and the kids (Hayes, Emmy, Madison and Caleb) for an afternoon of riding four wheelers. Everyone got to have a good time - girls doing girl things and guys doing guy stuff. We have some guesses on the birth date, weight and size - I am hoping to figure out a way to post those guesses and for everyone to participate in guessing the birth date on the blog...be on the lookout for that update. I don't know everything that went on...maybe I can get LA to post about the shower. However, I do know that Baby Carter got a bunch of very nice presents because I loaded (w/ Mike's help) and unloaded them. I am not going to list everything but we did get two very important gifts - a Diaper Genie II to secure the toxic waste (sorry to all of those reading this that only have a Diaper Genie...ours is new and improved) and most importantly a car seat. People really seem to freak out about a car seat these days - what's the big deal? The child can just sit in mommy or daddy's lap and use their seat belt (I'm just kidding! I know the baby can't sit in the drivers lap.) Anyway, at least we we will not be like some of our friends who will be unmentioned (unless you ask us in person, then, we will probably tell you) that didn't know you had to have a car seat to leave the hospital or the couple that had a car seat but couldn't figure out how to get it installed in the car at the hospital. We will go ahead and practice the installation part so we are ready to leave when they cut us loose. We are very thankful for EVERYTHING that was given to us - Baby Carter got hooked up! I will try to post some pictures from the shower and the gifts in the coming days.
LA had her first baby shower. I guess it's really "baby carter or we had our first shower" but I was excluded from this all girl's affair. The girls in the Ulmer family - Karissa, Heather, Marsha, and Amy hosted a shower at Marsha's house in Lodge. The boys (Scott, Waylon and Mike) took me and the kids (Hayes, Emmy, Madison and Caleb) for an afternoon of riding four wheelers. Everyone got to have a good time - girls doing girl things and guys doing guy stuff. We have some guesses on the birth date, weight and size - I am hoping to figure out a way to post those guesses and for everyone to participate in guessing the birth date on the blog...be on the lookout for that update. I don't know everything that went on...maybe I can get LA to post about the shower. However, I do know that Baby Carter got a bunch of very nice presents because I loaded (w/ Mike's help) and unloaded them. I am not going to list everything but we did get two very important gifts - a Diaper Genie II to secure the toxic waste (sorry to all of those reading this that only have a Diaper Genie...ours is new and improved) and most importantly a car seat. People really seem to freak out about a car seat these days - what's the big deal? The child can just sit in mommy or daddy's lap and use their seat belt (I'm just kidding! I know the baby can't sit in the drivers lap.) Anyway, at least we we will not be like some of our friends who will be unmentioned (unless you ask us in person, then, we will probably tell you) that didn't know you had to have a car seat to leave the hospital or the couple that had a car seat but couldn't figure out how to get it installed in the car at the hospital. We will go ahead and practice the installation part so we are ready to leave when they cut us loose. We are very thankful for EVERYTHING that was given to us - Baby Carter got hooked up! I will try to post some pictures from the shower and the gifts in the coming days.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Last Ride
08.01.08
LA wanted to go for a ride in the Jeep tonight. She was able to take the big step into the Jeep; however, this was probably the last ride unless we need to take drastic measures to induce labor. I am pretty sure that you feel every pebble you ride over in your backside. Between the rumbly in the tummy from the Mexican dinner and the baby expressing some displeasure in riding in the Jeep, LA was done by the time it was time to start heading home. So it looks like I will be riding solo in the Jeep for a few weeks.
LA wanted to go for a ride in the Jeep tonight. She was able to take the big step into the Jeep; however, this was probably the last ride unless we need to take drastic measures to induce labor. I am pretty sure that you feel every pebble you ride over in your backside. Between the rumbly in the tummy from the Mexican dinner and the baby expressing some displeasure in riding in the Jeep, LA was done by the time it was time to start heading home. So it looks like I will be riding solo in the Jeep for a few weeks.
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