Belly Unvailing

After our little false alarm yesterday it hit me that I am not going to be pregnant much longer. While we do hope to have additional children in the future, you never know what God has in store for you so I have decided to be brave and document "the belly..." all 23 lbs. of it. No, my mother will not be blowing it up and hanging it in her bedroom (Keeping up with the Kardashians...anyone?), but they are nice to have I guess. So here goes nothing: (and if you get the urge to make fun of me, remember your own mother looked like this at one point and it was your fault so no teasing aloud.)

Trial Run Take 2

For the second time this week, Tim and I visited the hospital today. No, it's not that I think the hospital gown is fashionable nor do I get a rush each time we check into labor and delivery it's just how the week has gone. Today around 11 am I started having cramping (kinda like a period), but they were consistently 2 minutes apart. We wavered back and forth wondering if it was labor or not because it really wasn't what we expected so we agreed to call the doctor and do what he advised. He said better go get checked so that's we did. I hope that you have figured out by now that since I am typing a blog it was a false alarm and we are home yet again with no baby. When I got there they hooked me up and said that yes, in fact I was having contractions consistently 2-4 minutes apart lasting 50-60 seconds each. Now any of you that have read a pregnancy book lately know that this is by the book when they tell you to go in so while I feel silly that I cried wolf, I am very confused. We waited and waited hour after hour for them to tell me if I was staying or going. The doctor even came to the hospital which was neat because usually you just get the nurse until it's time to push, but our doctors are awesome:) He basically said that my cervix isn't changing fast enough so the baby isn't coming. However I was very open endedly left with, "she could come any time starting tonight all the way until the due date." wow thanks for narrowing that down for me.

Also, an update on my fall. All this time I have been thinking I strained muscles and have been hoping for a quick recovery. I sadly report that it is still very painful and have been told by my doctor that he believes I actually separated the pelvic bone. It really requires an MRI or xray, but since I can't do that he check my pelvis himself and says that my symptoms and the areas where I'm sensitive all point to a disconnected bone. We will worry about treatment later because labor will only make it worse. Sometimes the problem can resolve on it's own with rest, other times you might need crutches or a wheelchair to give your body time to heal and in the most extreme cases they actually do surgery to implant a plate into your pelvis. Hopefully I am one of the lucky ones. Let me remind you flip flops + rain = bad idea!!!

So here we sit yet again just waiting for baby. Hopefully there will be no more false alarms. Happy New Year!

Full Term!

Since today is our anniversary, I thought I'd start out by giving Tim a shout out. He has been such a loving, patient, and helpful husband throughout this pregnancy and I am just so grateful to have him in my life. Hannah is so lucky to have him for a daddy as I know he will be wonderful with her as well. He already has so many ideas of fun things to do with her, teach her, and show her.

Tim has been especially amazing these last few days since my fall. I have had to rely on him completely and he has stepped up to the plate. As for the update on me, thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers for a quick recovery. It was quite scary for Tim and I, but I am slowly making progress. I can now walk on my own, slowly, but still on my own. I can also go up and down stairs. When I am sitting I am not in pain. It is still really difficult for me to do things that require a lot of inner thigh/groin muscles such as lifting my legs to put on pants, climbing into a shower, or getting in and out of a car. Hopefully I will have a little more time to heal before I need those muscles to push out the baby. But if not, Tim reminds me that with the epidural I won't feel anything anyway.

Now for the Hannah update! Not only did she get spoiled with a delicious Ruth's Chris steak dinner tonight, but she is officially FULL TERM. That is right, 37-40 weeks is considered full term and she is 37 weeks. It's basically over and now we patiently wait. We are so excited and absolutely dying to see what she looks like. We had our appointment today and she is looking good. They had me on the heart monitor for 30 minutes and checked the amniotic fluid which is still looking good. Today's ultrasound measurement came in at 7 lbs. 2 oz. He said that her femur bone is really long so he thinks she is just tall not chunky. Sounds like she has some Tatum height (good for a ballerina or a basketball player) either of which I'm okay with, but you all know what I'm rooting for:) Could be any day now, the wait continues....

Consider it a Trial Run

Merry Christmas! Hope everyone had a wonderful day full of love, good food, and laughter. This Christmas was a strange one for Tim and I as we made the decision not to travel as it was too close to our due date. We enjoyed a nice quiet morning, made some breakfast, went to church, opened gifts and then went to the movies (which surprisingly was a packed theater). Tim had been eagerly looking forward to watching the laker game at 2. Unfortunately there was a different plan in store for us and he sadly missed the whole thing. As we left the movie theater is was pouring rain and due to the fact that I can no longer reach my feet I was stupidly wearing flip flops. My hands were full and I was trying to walk quickly to the car. That is when I slipped and fell flat on my tail bone/back in the middle of the road. Cars thankfully stopped for me because I couldn't get up and they must of felt bad. I imagine it looked like one of those youtube videos people later laugh at: a nine month pregnant lady, in the pouring rain, laying in a puddle of water in the middle of the road. Once I got assisted into the car I called my doctor because despite my pain all I cared about was possible damage to the baby. He said that usually unless you fall onto your abdomen the baby is fine, but he recommended we go to the nearest hospital for monitoring. So that we did. It was kinda funny because since I can't walk well I had to go really slow and hold onto Tim and the rail which made everyone at the hospital think I was in labor. That's why I call it our trial run because in just a few short weeks we really will be going to give birth. The hospital had much confusion over whether I was supposed to go to the ER or labor and delivery, but finally they worked everything out and I was wheeled to labor and delivery. The nurse we had was so nice. I hope we get one as nice as her for the real deal. I was hooked up to heart monitor for 2 hours. Great news is baby is still looking great (thank God for amniotic fluid). Bad news is I'm sitting here on the couch alternating ice and heat in hopes that I can soon be mobile again without needing assistance from Tim. Two trial runs today I guess...the first being wheeled into labor and delivery and the second Tim preparing for his life 50 years from now when he has to help me dress, get up and down from the toilet, etc... All in all God is good and our baby is healthy. That's all I care about. I was advised, to check into ER after I was released from labor and delivery to have myself checked out, but I declined. I will be fine, nothing a little time won't cure!

Four More

Just think, any day now you could sign into this blog and see a picture of Hannah…crazy I know. Today we have reached 36 weeks, 4 to go, but the doctor said it could really be anytime within the next month. Results from the blog poll were interesting. It looks like everyone who voted thinks she will be early. The two main dates were our anniversary (12/28) or (1/11). Stay tuned to see who was closest.

Today we had our weekly appointment and it was one of the most comprehensive yet. First I was hooked up to the fetal heart monitor for 15 minutes. He said I will do this every week because it really helps them determine how the baby is doing. The heart rate should be between 120-160 the whole time. Hannah’s seemed to range from 120-130 which he said was normal. He then checked the amniotic fluid and said there was still plenty which means my ‘aging’ placenta is still doing well. I also had to do this swab test to check for bacteria. I will get those results next week. The ultrasound revealed that she is 6 lbs. 10 oz. (give or take a few either way). She is still head first and doing well. My total weight gain so far is 21 pounds. I am hanging in there and just enjoying the last few weeks of being pregnant and being able to experience the miracle of growing a baby inside of myself. The backaches, heartburn, and lack of sleep are getting worse, but the pros are so much greater. He talked to us a lot about what to expect and one point that stuck with me was that he says labor is 70% mental toughness. There are so many strong women in my life that I will be thinking of when the time comes to help give me strength:)

Bump Watch Month 9: 36 Weeks (if you’re wondering why I’m in a tank top when it’s December, rainy, and cold, it’s because I’m hot all hours of the day.

So Blessed

Christmas is already such a generous time of year. A time when people think of others first and truly enjoy receiving a card from a friend, sending a surprise package in the mail or baking cookies for people at work. Tim and I love the holiday season. We look forward to getting the tree, listening to carols, drinking hot chocolate and seeing all the stores decorated. Most of all I love how it's impossible not to stop and pause from your busy life and just feel blessed. This year I have been particularly touched by how generous people have been to Hannah. I can't help but get emotional when I think of how loved she already is. I have also learned that the saying "a girl can never have enough closet space" applies even before birth. Hannah's wardrobe these days is really something. She has far more closet space than Tim and she's starting to give me a run for my money. Today Tim and I went to a shower thrown by the other psychologists in my district. It was a low key gathering after work at one of their homes and Tim's first official baby shower. All the excitement is really making us anxious to meet her. Also, I've always said I wanted both genders (and I still do), but I can't help but think I really need to have another girl someday or a lot of nieces because there is just so much cute stuff I want to be able to pass on to someone. But, before I get ahead of myself with baby #2, we are really trying to take this time to enjoy the last 33 days (who's counting?). Please keep us in your prayers as we inch closer daily and we promise to text at the first sight of any action!

For starters, I tried to add a poll up top and I'm not sure why the title got cut off, but it's supposed to say, "What day is closest to Hannah's Birthday." I've never put one on a blog before so not sure if it will work, but give it a try. I think anyone can vote, you don't need a google account like you do to make a comment.

Sorry my camera was not charged for my work baby shower so I only have one picture to share, but the yearbook girl taking pictures said she would email me more.


Also the office aides decorated and I thought it was cute that on my office door they put a stocking for baby too.

Many Random Thoughts

I thought I'd update you on a variety of topics none of which really go together. For starters, we went for our weekly appointment on Tuesday and all is looking well. I didn't blog immediately because there wasn't really anything new to report. The baby is doing good and the doctor continues to tell us he expects a typical delivery. He assured me that he only has a patient deliver in the car on the way to the hospital once every 10 years. It's going to be kinda sad not seeing the office staff and doctor as much as we do these days because they are so nice and friendly. The doctor also signed off on all of my disability forms for work so I officially have 6 work days left.

Speaking of work, the psych that retired last year has agreed to cover for me when I'm gone. I am so happy because she is amazing and knows a heck of a lot more than I do so I know everything will be covered perfectly and I won't be walking back into a mess when I return. Also one of my schools is throwing me a baby shower tomorrow which is nice. My coworkers have all commented on the fact that I must have the best family and friends in the world because the registry is picked over. They are right:)

Tim and I are happy the holiday season has arrived. Last weekend we shopped and bought/decorated our tree. And as Ashlee knows, Hannah and I have really been enjoying Starbucks Peppermint Hot Chocolate! Baby Luke and Hannah already have something in common... they must be destined to be husband and wife (okay I'm getting ahead of myself, but it's fun to pretend).

Final thought for the day is that I am officially feeling Braxton Hicks contractions. Last time on the ultrasound the doctor said he could see a contraction, but I didn't feel it at the time. Now I feel them about five times per day. There is no pain and they are random. The uterus just gets really tight for about 15 seconds and then relaxes. I'm told it's normal to be feeling this at my point, it's just the body practicing for the real deal. Tim gets a little nervous when I tell him I'm having one, but if labor is anything like I'm expecting it will be, he will know the difference.

Thank you for all your prayers as we get even closer to the end. I just can't believe it's here. We wish we were with all of you for the holidays, but know that we think of you daily.

I'm a Royal and a Comet and soon to be Mom!

I think all of my readers know that this year has been super busy at work. I went from having one high school to two. That's 4,000 kids (national ratio is one psych for every 1000). Don't worry this blog is not to complain, I love my job. The people I work with are great and I feel so blessed to be employed. However, today I reached that point where I realized I'm about to fall asleep mid meeting and it hit me that the time has come. Maternity leave time! The awesome 3 months I get to spend being a mom at home and get paid for it:) Sleep has been pretty much non existent lately so needless to say I am dragging at work. Best part is though that I only have 10 work days left which means my answer to just about any question coming from a lawyer, advocate, probation officer, or crazy parent is "With finals here, it's really best we wait to address that concern at the beginning of the year." Sure, there are parts I will miss, but it's such a relief to know that in two weeks I will have one less thing to stress about and can fully focus on Baby Hannah. (Well, baby Hannah and all the Christmas shopping I have yet to start on).

Last Two Weeks in a Nut Shell

Life these past two weeks has been so busy, but fun at the same time. Two weeks ago Tim and I flew to Orange County for my mom's wedding. It was a beautiful day! We also got to see my dad and complete our pre baptism class at St. Johns. By the way, so excited that my mom saved my baptism gown. She gave it to me for Hannah to wear at her 'dunking' as my dad likes to call it. For Thanksgiving we completed an eight hour car ride to Bishop to be with the Tatum Family. Despite being worth it once we were there, eight hours in a car is uncomfortable for anyone, but try it 8 months pregnant. Now that these two big events are over, it has really hit me that the birth is basically here. Leaving family and knowing that the next time I see them I will have Hannah in my arms is just too weird. Where has the time gone. I sure hope it slows down once she is here because I already feel like she is growing up too fast. Not only did I post my 8 month bump watch pic, but since the blog is titled "family" and not just "The life of Hannah" I posted some other pictures as well. Enjoy!

Week 33: Only 7 to go! (Month 8 bump watch pic)


Mom's Wedding: Congrats:)


Tatum Family Thanksgiving




Cutest Nephews Ever

Super Sized

Today Tim and I had our 32 week appointment. I want to thank all of the kind individuals who have built my self esteem throughout the pregnancy by telling me I "look small." Now perhaps you all were just trying to be nice, but if what you said is true, we learned today that "looking small" does not run in the family. I had a minor panic attack in the office today when the ultrasound measurement came in at 34 weeks. That's two whole weeks bigger than she should be. The doctor continued measuring her head, stomach, leg & arm bones and concluded that she currently weighs 5 lbs. 4 oz. I am still in complete shock that I have two months to go and she already weighs what our nephew weighed at birth. He tried to get an accurate length for us, but she is so smooched that the best he could say is "she looks very long." He also said she will be at least 8 lbs. if she makes it full term.

At this point he became more of a therapist and tried to assure me that it doesn't mean she will be a freakishly large individual and that 8 is the new 7 in terms of baby weight. He also assured me that my body can push out a large baby, followed by "her head is big, but it is so soft it will just form a cone and she will slide out." Slide out my butt, clearly he may be good at delivering babies, but had never pushed one out of his body. Tim was also kind and reminded me that big means healthy and it would be worse to hear the opposite. Aren't these men concerned that I have a closet full of cute newborn clothes that she may not fit into?

The doctor also did an internal exam because he knew I was traveling for Thanksgiving. Not only is she large, but she is already head down and "very low down." The cervix isn't dilated at all yet though so he said it's safe to go. Poor thing is crammed in so tight I think she is sending the message that she wants out. I hope she holds on though as her lungs and brain still require more developing.

I have gained a total of 17 lbs. and plan on that number growing rapidly with Thanksgiving in two days. Speaking of holidays I asked for an ultrasound pic so I could share with the family, but after 5 minutes of trying he gave up. Every angel just looks like random shapes and you can't tell what you are looking at. So readers, I apologize, I tried, but the space is just too confined now for those cute baby profile pics.

All in all I am so happy she is healthy and every week that goes by I feel blessed that she has lasted this long. I must say though that I am seriously convinced she is coming early and my hospital bag will be packed once I return from Bishop. Better safe than sorry. I hope I don't sound too negative talking about her size, because I will love her big or small, just fearful of labor. Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy your holiday meal, after all we know Hannah will!

"I welcome each contraction by saying Hello."

Tim and I had a nice long 4 day weekend for Veteran's day. On Saturday and Sunday we attended an all day labor/birthing preparation class. The first day was spent discussing 'natural' (aka no medical intervention) births. This day was a hoot. I'm pretty sure Tim and I laughed more than practiced, but laughter is good and hopefully we can do the same once I'm really in labor. The teacher was a nice self proclaimed hippie who is trained as a doula and a "Happiest Baby on the Block" educator. I give women who chose natural birth a lot of credit and I don't mean to make fun of it because by all means those are stong courageous women, it was just the things the teacher was saying like repeat to yourself "I welcome each contraction by saying Hello" or "embrace your primal instinct." We watched videos on water births, births by women who chose to squat as someone caught the baby, and were even provided information about a place in Palo Alto that will dry your placenta and turn it into pill form if you chose to digest it later on. Apparently it prevents post pardum depression, but so does Prozac so I'll take my chances. Today was much more my style and we found it very informative. We talked about timing contractions, when to go to the hospital, dilation, various pain med options, breastfeeding, c-sections, etc. Both days we enjoyed learning and practicing massage and breathing techniques. It was a great opportunity for us to communicate openly about our expectations for the birth and what we would like/need from one another in terms of support. Tim is a great 'Doula Dad' and worked hard to learn and practice all the techniques. We have agreed on what our best case scenario 'birth plan' would be, but are very open minded to the fact that sometimes plans change and we are willing to accept and embrace whatever our doctor recommends for the health of our baby. This weekend we were also pre registered by the hospital so that no forms need to be completed one I'm in labor and we can just go straight to labor and delivery. I think we both left today thinking that we are as ready as we're going to be. We've read books, watched movies, talked to loved ones, gone to classes, practiced pushing, and even know what to do in the case of an unlikely emergency home birth in which Tim would deliver Hannah on our bathroom floor. It's probably all more than we will ever need to know, so yes, I think we are ready. Ready to embrace the fear and pain in order to meet our miracle and look back at these nine months knowing it was all worth it.

Christmas Came Early!

To most this will probably be a boring post, but I'm just so excited I had to share. Today Tim and I took the plunge and purchased two key items for baby Hannah that I have really been wanting. After all, memories are important. It's the same reason my dad and mom, and I'm sure yours as well, carried around those huge video cameras on their shoulders... we want to make sure we can preserve our children's happy times. So thanks mom and dad for sacrificing your backs as I do love watching old family video and flipping through my beautiful scrapbooks. Today we joined the fancy camera club and purchased an SLR camera. After much contemplation, we went with Cannon's new model Rebel T2I and I already love it! We also got a camcorder for family videos. Hate to rub it in mom and dad, but it fits in our palm and weighs about 1 lb. So yes, we spoiled ourselves today, but that's okay, Hannah can't be the only one to get new toys:)

I Can Count on My Fingers

10 weeks left! Today I have reached 30 weeks and had another doctor's appointment. Things are progressing well and Hannah is getting bigger and stronger each day. I have gained a total of 13 lbs. and Hannah weighs about 3 lbs. Length is around 17 inches. I think she is already crammed because I feel pretty swift jabs to the rib cage a few times a day. These final 10 weeks are key to brain development. All the connections are forming and she can now process information from all 5 senses. Lately Tim and I refer to her as alien baby because you can sit back and watch my stomach move on it's own. Kinda creepy, but reassuring at the same time that she is doing well. I now see the doctor every 2 weeks. Today he cleared me for airplane travel next weekend and I have to go in two days before Thanksgiving for a full internal scan for Thanksgiving travel clearance. I also learned that he will be "on Holiday" (as he says in his Swedish accident) from the end of December through January 1st so she better hold on. Maybe I'm reading too much into the questions, but I feel like he subconsciously thinks she is coming early. For example, today he casually asked, "Were you a big baby?" "Did your mom have fast labors?" etc... Happy to have a good check up and even happier to leave the office for once without a prescription note for blood work (surprising...) Tim and I are both getting very excited and doing well for the most part. I miss the days of good sleep, but figure it's the body's way of preparing me for middle of the night feedings.

The Camera Adds 10 Pounds Right?

Bump Watch: Month 7, Week 29
Shout out to Auntie Laura for letting me borrow so many of her maternity clothes:) Thanks!

Lucky 10%!

Good news is, I'm not going to starve to death. On Saturday Tim and I sat at Quest Diagnostics for 3 1/2 hours. As previously mentioned I had to get four blood draws taken at specific time intervals following the consumption of a very sugary drink. You had to sit at the lab because they don't want you walking around, but rather they are measuring how your body in it's normal state absorbs and uses sugar. It was a long Saturday, and after four pokes my arm is very bruised, but Tim was nice enough to go with me and we played cards while we waited. Well the results came in today and I do NOT have Gestational Diabetes. They said that the screener (the one I failed) is correct in 90% of the cases so I am one of the lucky ones. I am so happy, this means I can once again consume all the delicious treats and carbs I want. It's still good to watch what I eat of course, but I won't be reading labels anymore. Diabetes is confirmed if 2 or more of your 4 blood draws are in abnormal range. All four of mine were average:)

That was the first good news of the day. Tonight Tim and I went on our hospital tour. We really enjoyed it and feel like we can rest a bit easier. It's all the little things like where to park, what to bring, where to eat, etc. The labor rooms seemed comfortable enough. Every woman gets her own room and stays in the same room for her entire stay. It has it's own bathroom, TV, bed for Tim, and Baby bassinet. To my fellow ex LuHigh Cheerleaders I totally thought of cheer camp when I had the broken leg and had to sit on a stool in the shower because the shower has a built in stool. I also liked that they said the first thing they do is put an ID bracelet on the baby's ankle. This I knew, but what I didn't know is that it is security activated so if the baby gets too close to an elevator or exit door the alarm goes off. I thought that was funny, but happy to know Hannah will not be snatched up by any weirdos. We learned that she stays with us 100% of the time, unless we desire otherwise and the night before we leave we get a 'special' birthday dinner which includes champagne for Dad and apple cider for mom. All in all we were glad we went and I think it will be a good hospital. It is all starting to feel so real. Can't wait!!!

"Pour Some Sugar on Me..." or not

Sugar and spice and everything nice, that's what little girls are made of. Nice saying, but not true for my little girl. From now on she is being made from protein and vegetables only. Last weekend I did the gestational diabetes screening which looks at how your body breaks down and uses sugar. I was worried about this test because I have a history of having abnormal insulin levels. I recently got the results back and was in the abnormal range. The test I did is only a screener, so it doesn't mean 100% that I have gestational diabetes. Now I have to go back and complete the diagnostic test for official results. This consists of fasting for 12 hours and drawing blood. Then I have to drink the same sugary drink as last time which tastes somewhat like Sunkist. After that I have to sit at Quest Diagnostics for 3 hours and get three more blood draws (one every hour). I plan on going a week from today. If these results come back abnormal than I will get the diagnosis of gestational diabetes. The doctor has already put me on extra iron pills as well as he indicated that sometimes that alone can help.

Gestational diabetes basically means that you have too much blood sugar because your body isn't appropriately absorbing the sugar you eat. Possible complications to the baby can include large birth weight, delivery complications, breathing problems, low blood sugar and jaundice. Both mother and baby have a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Good news is most women can keep it under control with diet and exercise. If not they may have to give themselves insulin shots. Basically I'm supposed to exercise daily, no sugar or fruit juice, minimal carbs, milk and fruit. Most meals are to be made of protein and vegetables. An example of breakfast was 20 almonds and a glass of soy milk to which Tim literally laughed out loud because that is a far cry from what I normally eat. I have been trying to be really good, but it's harder than I thought. Everything has sugar. I have learned that Raisin Bran has more sugar than Frosted Flakes and one class of Apple Juice is worse than three oreo cookies. Not that I can eat any of the items mentioned, but it has been interesting reading labels.

I know I have been really lucky because I feel good, but emotionally Tim and I are tired of this roller coaster. First we dealt with the bleeding scare. Then we were told about the aging placenta in which I was told to lay on the couch and that I was at risk of having a small baby. Now I'm dealing with gestational diabetes to which I'm being told to exercise daily and that I am at risk for having a large baby. This is crazy. Enough with my rant as ultimately I know how truly lucky I am as there are many woman who can't get pregnant who would gladly eat protein and veges all day everyday, but it sure is a wild ride. And baby girl better recognize that the Queen of McDonalds giving up all things yummy truly is unconditional love.

I will keep you posted on the outcome of the official test. There is a chance it could come back okay so I will keep my fingers crossed and hope this long winded blog post was pointless. And while we wait, don't fret, Hannah has proven she is strong and this is really not that uncommon of a thing to deal with.

Home Stretch

Hard to believe I know, but I have reached the third trimester. In 3 short months you will see Hannah’s sweet little face on the blog instead of my protruding stomach. Speaking of which, the 6 month bump watch pic is posted below. The stomach has really come out of nowhere, along with the stretch marks unfortunately. I have gained a total of 9 lbs. and seem to be consistently gaining one pound per week. I’m still feeling really good, more uncomfortable at night, but that is no big deal I guess. She is moving more and more each day and her kicks are getting stronger. Can't believe how fast the time goes.

All We're Missing is Baby

They call it 'nesting.' It's the time every mother and father spends creating the perfect little home for baby to come home to. For the last two days I have been been cleaning, building, hanging, moving, decorating, etc. It amazes me how many baby things require assembly and if you know Tim well, you know assembly is not his area of expertise. I was so proud of him for helping with the furniture and hanging her name above her bed. It's a bit crooked, but hung with love and that's all that matters to a little one. So after working pretty much non stop for two days I started to wonder just how long does nesting take. The nerdy side of me looked up the Wikipedia answer and learned that some birds build nests in 2-4 weeks while others complete their nests in 2-3 days. The later must be those Type A birds like myself who don't like piles of things in their living room. I would love to paint her walls, but other than that I am so happy with the way it came out. We are ready with our diaper station, feeding station, bathing station, clothes organized by size and type, toys with batteries installed ready to light up and play music for her arrival and of course a comfy bed made and stuffed friends waiting. I love to go in her room and think of how she will be here soon enjoying the many things people have blessed her with. While there are still a few more items that need to be purchased, for the most part all we're missing is baby. Lots of pictures, enjoy...

And we're off...


Taking a break


The final product...Welcome to the room of:

Doctors VIsit

After rushing out of work early, Tim and I drove our now 45 minute drive to the doctor today for our appointment only to hear that he was an hour behind schedule due to delivering twins. While slightly inconvenienced, when it's my turn I'm sure I won't be too worried about the patients in the waiting room. Finally he arrived and we had a good appointment. Everything is perfect! This is our last four week stretch between appointments. Starting in November I will get an ultrasound every other week to check on the 'aging' placenta and in December I will go every week. This weekend I have my diabetes test. This consists of drinking a very sugary drink and then having my blood drawn to see how my body reacts to sugar. Hopefully it comes out good because I will be really sad if I have to give up sugar. I also learned at my appointment that there is a heredity component to labor which means I may be early. Then again, Tim and I have learned there is no planning with Hannah, she is in God's hands and will most likely do the opposite of what we think. Hannah is now 2 pounds and is more than a foot long. She seems to like when her daddy plays her music on his phone as she starts to move around. Her hearing and taste buds are at this point strong. Eyes can now open, but eyesight is weak. As for me, I am looking forward to putting away her many generous gifts this weekend and preparing her special room.

Showered with Love

This past weekend Tim and I drove the long drive to Southern California to celebrate baby Hannah. Turnaround trips are always difficult because there is simply so little time and we don't get to see everyone we would like, but this trip was well worth it. My wonderful friends Amee, Ashlee, and Madeline and my beautiful sister in law Laura put together the most perfect baby shower. It was fun and classy with tons of great food, the cutest decorations, and lots of pink! I can't express enough how blessed I am to have so many loved ones supporting me and anxiously awaiting Hannah's arrival. I can only hope that as Hannah grows she is surrounded by as many strong and inspiring women as I have in my life. Thank you to all who helped celebrate. I feel completely spoiled. If any of you have pictures please please please email me because her baby book has been officially started and as you see below I have very few.

Pickles Really?

One fun thing about being pregnant is that other people's stories come out as they reminisce about their pregnancies. Whether from close friends and family or random people at work, I love to hear about their journeys. One frequently discussed topic is pickles. Now, I hate pickles, always have and apparently always will. Why is that food so commonly someones craving? I mean I've heard pickles and ice cream, pickles with peanut butter and even pickles dipped in orange juice. I simply can't relate. I still find myself ordering burgers with no pickles. Nothing about them sounds appetizing. As you know I am a junk food junkie so one of the biggest challenges with pregnancy has been forcing myself to eat healthy (or at least healthier). I think women who crave pickles are lucky. At least they are somewhat nutritious. All I crave are pancakes, waffles, donuts, cakes, etc. I mean lets be honest this isn't new, I've always craved these things. Like mother like daughter I guess. I like to think that I now have an excuse to eat whatever I want, but last week I learned a lesson...one piece of cake is enough. Tim is not a cake person, so he was no help. I was left to eat an entire German Chocolate Cake by myself. Needless to say I had my weekly weigh in today and it was my biggest week of weight gain yet. Total weight gain so far= 7 lbs. Now don't get me wrong I'm not one of those weight obsessed women, in fact I know it's good for me (and baby) to see scale numbers I never thought possible, but is it too much to ask to crave broccoli, tomatoes, bananas, or heck even pickles? It sure would make life easier.

Hannah's First Home

These pictures are long overdue of our new apartment. It's a two bedroom/1 bath in San Jose and we have really enjoyed it so far. The nursery is still a work in progress so those pictures will come once it's complete. It's nothing thrilling, but at least you can get a feel for where we live and where Hannah will spend at least her first few months of life.

Nothing but the Best for Baby

Being away from family and friends has been so difficult for Tim and I. We love and miss everyone so much. Having our little girl on the way only makes us miss loved ones even more. We know that it may be too difficult for people to join us for the birth so I want you to know when the big day comes we will be in good hands. Sequoia Hospital was voted 2010's "Best Birth Center" and "Best Hospital" in the bay area by Parent Magazine.

With that said, let the countdown begin....

Bump...

I have been taking a bump watch picture once a month which I will continue, but today you get a sneak peak early. Today one of my Assistant Principals decided to start her own bump watch and made me pose in the hallway. So here I am at 23 weeks. Month 6 is underway! This past week things have gone better which is a blessing and we haven't had any more problems (cross your fingers). We are feeling her kick and get more excited for her arrival daily. Lately Tim and I have been relearning nursery rhymes and practicing children's songs. It's been funny because the songs end up getting stuck in my head and I walk around work singing them to myself. And I assure you some of these are ridiculous. It doesn't look good when the Psychologist is singing "I'm a little frog and my mommy loves me" to herself. I'll probably get referred to therapy soon. Also this week, Babies R Us came to our apartment and fixed our dresser which made me so happy. With every new thing we receive for Hannah we just feel more and more excited. I can't thank you all enough for your love, thoughts, prayers, phone calls, gifts, letters, etc. Hannah is so lucky to be loved already. I know she will love each of you as well!

'He's got the whole world in his hands...'

This is your warning that this post may have TMI for some readers. Stop now if you prefer not facing the tough experiences that sometimes come with pregnancy. For the rest of you who enjoy all the details, Tim and I had a scare on Friday. I know it sounds weird because on Thursday we had our appointment and all was great, but on Friday I woke up to a great deal of pressure in my stomach. I went to work, but for the first four hours I was very uncomfortable and spent most of the time in the staff bathroom thinking about how I was going to get through the day. Finally by about noon, the pain stopped and I figured it was just stretching of the uterus which is normal. However, later that night (TMI alert) I went to the bathroom to find blood. Now many of you know that I experienced this for about three weeks early in pregnancy, but haven't for months now. My heart dropped. I thought back to earlier that day and wondered if it was related to the pain I had. After freaking out, and of course tears, I pulled myself together to call my doctor. Why do all emergencies seem to happen on Friday night? I felt so bad calling. I pictured him at home watching TV, but I called anyway. He was so nice and calmed Tim and I down. I had to lay on my back for two hours and then call him back. Today (Saturday), he met Tim and I at the office in the morning to check things out. It was really nice of him as he could have told us to go to the ER, but he always gives personal attention. There in an empty medical office, in his regular street clothes, he did multiple assessments and confirmed that our baby girl is just fine. Her heart was strong, and the cervix and placenta were good. He saw no problems so contributed it to 'unexplained circumstances.' We have to see him again in a week just to make sure, but things have already improved so I think it was just a scare. She's in there happy as a clam, floating around, probably listening to Tim and I crying thinking her parents are nuts. I am bias, but I think she is already so strong. He also said that due to the position of my placenta being in the front near my belly button, I can't feel her as often which in turn may make me worried, but it doesn't mean she's not moving. We felt so much better after seeing our doctor and I feel so blessed to have doctors who are willing to help in that way. In the end, all is well. He did say however that from here on out I really need to change my activity level and should be laying with my feet up anytime I am not at work. In his words no shopping, cleaning, or hiking. Hiking? really? who do you think I am? Hope I didn't scare anyone, I just want to fill you in as my loyal followers do deserve to know the good, the bad, and the ugly.

She's Still a Girl

The next time you are at the market, swing by the fruit section, stop at the cantaloupe and think to yourself...that's how big Hannah is. I'm not sure why baby's size is constantly compared to food items, but it helps us visualize I guess. It feels like yesterday we were coming home from our first appointment and Tim took a grain of rice and placed it on our coffee table. That's how big she was at the time. I am currently 21 1/2 weeks and we had another appointment today. The placenta issue is looking okay at the moment, but he said we won't really know until 32 weeks. One good thing about having this issue is that we get lots of ultrasounds and I love seeing her. Today she was a stinker and decided to sleep face down the whole time. We are still being told she's a girl and the proof is below. Total weight gain so far is only 2 lbs, but I've definitely added more than two inches to my waist. I feel really good and am enjoying every minute. I also love our doctors. They are both kind, patient, and spend a great deal of time with us every visit. One is from Sweeden and one is from Africa. We feel so confident in their abilities as their speciality is high risk pregnancies and they are just so nice. I must say though I think the advantage to a female doctor is that they probably capture better ultrasound pictures. Not sure men know how important these are for the scrapbook. The one's below are not great, but still special to us.


*This is the proof that she is a girl. Below the tiny arrow is her foot print.


*She was sleeping on her stomach the whole time so this is a picture of her spine and rib cage. Not sure why he cut her head off in the picture.

Furniture is Here

Obviously the baby's room is not decorated at all yet, but I wanted to post the furniture we picked out. The dresser still needs to be replaced because the one they delivered has a broken door. I love it all and can't wait until we can put it to use.

Hard to Believe We are Half Way There

I truly can't believe that today marks the half way point (20 weeks). It feels like just yesterday we were praying to be blessed with a little one. I am so excited for her to arrive, but part of me is sad that the pregnancy is already 1/2 way over. You only feel this way a few times in life and it goes so fast. A lot has been going on since I last wrote, and I will try to keep it brief....

1. First, as I said today is a milestone, the half way point (see bump watch pic below 20weeks)

2. The last few weeks I have been feeling her move around which is awesome. She is very active and usually I feel it on the lower left side. To me it feels like bubbles. I can't wait until Tim can feel her too.

3. This last weekend we moved to San Jose. Moving is such a nightmare, but with the help of Nana and Gramps who last minute decided to come to our rescue we made it through. We are taking it slow unpacking boxes, but enjoying the much larger space.

4. Since Nana and Gramps were here to help and we already had a U-Haul, we decided to pick up our baby furniture. I absolutely love the crib. Unfortunately the dresser/changer door doesn't close right so I am in the process of getting Babies R Us to replace it. They have already ordered me a new one, but getting a huge piece of furniture there is problematic and I think they need to come move it for me. It is a beautiful piece so hopefully it will all be taken care of soon. I will post pics of the furniture and room soon.

5. I've been back to work now for 3 weeks. Things are going well and everyone has been supportive about the pregnancy. Yesterday I had my first stranger at work ask me if I was pregnant. I was surprised someone would ask that this early without knowing me, but I guess I'm looking big.

Pillow Sheet

I know my family recognizes the title of this post, but for the rest of you, let me explain. "Pillow Sheet Robbins"...It's only the greatest name ever given to a childhood pet. Personally I think it shows my creative side. I had a knack for selecting names from the very beginning. Pillow Sheet is one of a kind yet pronounceable. If it wasn't for such a name I don't think that Rabbit would have ever been remembered. Think of all the things you name throughout your life- dolls, stuffed animals, pets, fantasy football teams, companies, and heck even our cars. There are 1,000's of names out there. What makes one so special? After buying books and reading through list after list, contemplating everything from Ava to Zoey, it's funny that we ultimately kept coming back to the one name we have always loved. It's like "Pillow Sheet" when you know you know. Tim and I have decided that our 'Tater Tot' is now Hannah. We have always loved the name, especially Tim. I think it's sweet and girly. It works for a little one and an adult. We appreciate all of your suggestions and hope you like our final choice. Our precious 2 year old nephew Zane said on the phone the other day "I love Hannah." It just feels right and I hope she likes it.

Some fun facts:
1. According to the social security department Hannah was the 23rd most popular girls name in the US in 2009.
2. It's origin is Hebrew
3. It means 'grace' which ironically is our current front runner for a middle name
4. Hannah is a palindrome (same forwards as backwards)

Hot Cakes

If you have seen the movie Elf with Will Ferrell you may remember the line "We elves like to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corn, and syrup." Lately I've been thinking of Elf because I've been experiencing my first craving...pancakes! Yum, they are so good and the more syrup the better. Thank goodness for those ready mixes. My appetite has really grown and so has the belly (bump watch pic to come soon). On a different note, this has been my first week back at work. Tim is now in Cupertino and enjoying it so far. He is at two elementary schools and one middle. It is a very high performing district. I am still at Overfelt High School and have now added a second high school. In total I have 3500 students (thank you California budget). It is crazy that I cover two high schools and I am trying to embrace the challenge, but all I keep thinking is thank God for maternity leave. On a positive note, I've been told the staff is great and the principal there recently won San Jose Chamber of Commerce's Principal of the Year. Thankful that we both have jobs and even more thankful for our precious baby.

Fun Fact

This post is more of a FYI for any friends out there planning on becoming pregnant in the future. Suggestion: Stay away from lakes, campgrounds, bbqs or anywhere else mosquitoes hang out. This past summer Tim and I were in Bishop for a few weeks and frequented Mammoth and other local lakes. Over the course of the trip I probably had anywhere from 20-30 mosquito bites. And let me remind you I couldn't use any anti itch medicine in fear that it may soak into the skin and hurt the baby. I couldn't figure out why I was such a target because I haven't had this problem any other time we've visited. Finally, a few days ago, I came across the answer. In one of my pregnancy books there was a section entitled "pregnant woman are delicious.' It was all about how pregnant woman are far more likely to be a mosquito target because their bodies release large amounts of carbon dioxide which is like candy to a mosquito. They can reportedly smell this from 55 yards away making pregnant women easy prey. I learned my lesson the hard way, so I hope this helps some future mommy's. As for me, the next time I go fishing baby Tatum will be right there with me:)

Prayer for my Placenta

I have never prayed for a placenta before and yes it sounds odd, but I'm sure God has heard stranger. I had another appointment today and it was the first time I wasn't told that everything was perfect. I will start by saying the baby and I are fine so don't fret. Basically the doctor said that my latest blood results came back and there was one hormone in the abnormal range. This impacts the placenta. My understanding is that the placenta is what connects the mother to the baby. It allows for nutrient exchange, waste elimination, and blood flow. The doctor told me that everyones placenta ages throughout pregnancy, but mine seems to be getting old too quickly. He said it's considered an insufficient placenta placing me back into the high risk category. If your placenta ages too quickly, there is a chance that it would completely die off and prevent the baby from getting the things it needs. Now with that said before I worry everyone he indicated that for every 50 woman that have this elevated hormone, it really only becomes an issue for 1. He assured me that it will not hurt the baby in anyway because all it means is that they will have to monitor me more closely and if it looks like it's starting to fail or the baby isn't gaining weight, worst case scenario would mean they would make the decision to deliver early. As I said before however, in most cases this is not needed and woman go on to full term. He also said I might not be able to go home for Christmas. This does not impact future pregnancies and I was told over and over not to worry, so I will say the same to you. We do ask however that you keep us in your prayers so that she can grow strong.

Anatomy 101

Today Tim and I went to our Level 2 Anatomy ultrasound. It was at a special doctor's office and looked specifically at the major organs and bone structures. We were told that the heart, brain, liver, kidneys, spinal cord, etc. all look great. They also counted 10 fingers and 10 toes. We had confirmation that baby tater tot is officially a GIRL, or in the words of the doctor "Looks like we have a Philly." She was moving around so much and I can't help but cry when I watch the screen. She is just such a precious miracle. I wish I could video the monitor because the pictures just don't do her justice. We saw little footprints, her yawn really big, and grab her feet with her hands. She is now the size and weight of a chicken breast. Sometimes I think I feel movement, but I'm not quite sure. I love having the technology to see our baby. It is crazy to me that when I was born my parents didn't get to see me. 9 months must have been much more suspenseful back then. I feel so blessed to have a healthy baby. There is really nothing more you could ask for.

Human Pin Cushion

Lately I've been thinking back on my childhood and the days of having to be dragged to the doctor's office. I absolutely hated getting shots and would cry, play dead, argue, anything I had to do to get out of the horrible pain. I remember my mom telling me how she didn't like getting shots as a little girl either. Then she would say, once you have a baby you are no longer scared because you just get used to it. Well, mom you were half right. I still dislike going and I still close my eyes, but I no longer cry so that's a good thing. It really is amazing how much blood work they do when you are pregnant. I went again this morning for yet another panel and the woman at Quest Diagnostics now knows me by name and we chat about life. I feel like a human pin cushion/heroine addict (from the bruised veins). Everything keeps coming back fine, and I just keep on going as instructed. I guess it's all preparation for the biggy...the epidural. On a happy note, Tim and I started a registry at Babies R Us. It was so fun shopping around and it made me want to meet our little one even more. As we walked out of the store though it did cross my mind that our 'girl verdict' was only 80% chance. If our 'she' is really a 'he' I don't think he'd be happy with the hot pink bouncy car Tim picked out. On Tuesday we will have full confirmation.

Thank You Avid Follows (all 5 of you lol...)

Lately I have been told by a few friends and family to keep blogging as much as possible because they enjoy the updates. So to those of you reading this, we thank you for your loyalty:) For the most part things are progressing smoothly and as planned. I am eating normally (no weird cravings yet) and have almost put the 10 lbs back on that I originally lost. Last week, Tim, my mom and I went to Babies R Us to start getting some ideas of what we may need/want. Wow, can you say overwhelming. Fun, but overwhelming. Disregard all that talk in the last post about moving to get extra space. Once baby tot gets all of her things moved in, we will be just as crammed as ever. However, it's all so cute it's worth it! At first, my plan was to get mostly gender neutral big items so that if we someday have a boy it could all be reused. But, in true Debby fashion she convinced Tim and I to throw all rational thinking out the window and splurge on all pink items. After all, she is right, this may be our only girl to spoil or we may have all girls and then they are stuck with neutrals. So I think my mom is right. You can't live your life on 'what ifs...' all we know for now is that we are having a girl so she should be treated like one! As for the rest of the trip, Tim and I learned that we have a lot to learn. It took us about 20 minutes and finally assistance from the store worker to figure out how to work a stroller, YIKES. It's all a learning process and we are loving everyday. Glad you can experience the journey with us.

PS. This last weekend I was honored to be in one of my best friend's weddings. Melissa was a beautiful bride and selflessly even thought to bring the baby a gift on the morning of her BIG day. I hope tot realizes some day just how lucky she is to be surrounded by so much love. Here is a bump watch pic from the wedding (15.4 weeks)

Congrats Tim

The same day we got the good news of having a girl, Tim got more good news....a job offer! We wish it was back home, but thrilled that he will be working for a great district. The district is Cupertino which is a nice area near San Jose. I am so proud of him. The job market sucks as most of you know and he had a lot of competition. After much contemplation and weighing the pros and cons, we have decided to move yet again. This will be our third move in 1 1/2 years of marriage. I'm dreading the stress that comes with packing and moving and unpacking etc... but Tim has been great and says he will take care of it all, I just have to take care of the baby. While our crazy, always uncertain life continues, the good news is 1. we will be closer to work (I can take side streets the whole way!) and 2. Out little girl gets her own room. I was okay making due in a one bedroom apartment and had already thought of ways to make room for the little one's arrival, but I am sooooo happy that she will have her own space. We move the end of August and I will post pics once were settled.

Think PINK!

It's a GIRL!!!! Wow still in shock, and soooo happy. Today we are 14.1 weeks which is early to learn about the gender, but our doctor said he is 80% confident it's a girl. I have said girl from day one so maybe there is something to a mother's instinct, although I will admit there were plenty of times I would think boy. I really wouldn't have cared either way because both bring such different and special moments to your life, but when he said that I started crying. Our Dr. told Tim that he has two daughters and loves it. Everything is looking good and we are very pleased at how the pregnancy is progressing. We are just so happy to know our little precious princess is healthy. It's scary how quick your mind starts to think of the future. I've only known for about 3 hours and I've already pictured her dancing around in a tutu, bringing a boyfriend home for the first time, and Tim walking her down the aisle. Life moves too fast as is, so I need to just take the current moment in and know that our home is about to get a lot more pink!!! We go in for a detailed anatomy ultrasound in 3 weeks which they will then be able to confirm 100%. In the picture below you can see the little profile with her hand up by her forehead. You can also see the brain (the lighter region) which I think is cool.

Big Baby, Good Genes

Today I went to a Genetics Center to get a detailed prenatal screening to rule in/out any serious genetic problems. It's a fairly new process that includes blood work and a special ultrasound. Prior to going to the appointment I felt confident everything would be fine since we have no family history of problems and I'm young. However, once I got there, I started getting very nervous. The waiting room was full of young children with severe disabilities and it made me very sad. I couldn't help but think that those mothers once sat where I was with hopes of a healthy baby. First I met with a counselor who went over a full family history. Then I had an ultrasound. Tot was not cooperative and decided to show us his or her back the whole time. The tech made me jump up and down, pretend to hula dance, and cough in hopes of waking the baby up because she needed a very specific view to calculate the odds of a problem. After much song and dance the tech got what she needed, but sadly the pictures I got aren't very good (clearly tot doesn't realize how important scrap booking is to mommy). Good news is, they gave me the results right then and there. Tot was negative for Down Syndrome, negative for Trisomy 18 and negative for Cystic Fibrosis :) So happy every thing is okay and thanks mom and dad for healthy genes. The other info I received was that tot is measuring 5 days longer than expected. I guess with a 6'6'' daddy this shouldn't surprise me. So my brother will be happy that I think tot has the Tatum height and he is one step closer to getting that 'athletic' nephew he's been hoping for. Next appointment is one week from Wednesday.

Tot Makes a Showing

Today I have officially completed 13 weeks which is the end of the 1st trimester. I am feeling much better and starting to eat again (thank goodness). Much to my surprise, the baby is already making a showing. Okay, your average person on the street wouldn't be able to tell yet, but I can. Here is the first bump watch picture...

10 Weeks Down, 30 to Go...

Today Tim and I had our 3rd ultrasound and the tot finally looks like a little baby. The doctor said everything looks perfect, exactly what he would want to see at this point. The heart was strong and the little arms and legs were moving. He said we were lucky to see movement this early because during the first trimester the baby sleeps the majority of the time. All of my blood work came back normal as well so we are off to a great start. We love having appointments because it is so neat to see how our baby grows. Today the baby measured 1 1/2 inches (10 weeks and 3 days). We love the little profile pic we got today. I think it has my big head (lol) and we like how it looks like it has hair (ps. it's not hair, it's the baby's arm reaching up on the other side). Thank you for all your prayers. I've had so much anxiety and now that we've reached 11 weeks with a perfect baby I just want to relax and enjoy. Our next appointment is in 4 weeks and we look forward to hearing the heart beat. We can find out the gender in about 7 more weeks... stay tuned

It's All Worth It

Now that I've shared the joys of being pregnant, I figured I should do at least one post on some of the tough realities that come with this little blessing. While it is all completely worth it, there have been some tough days/weeks. I'm officially starting the 10th week and while you may be wondering if I'm showing at all, I've actually lost 3 lbs. The sight, thought, smell, and taste of food is not enjoyable. Due to this, I've had trouble eating. It makes me nervous that the baby isn't getting enough nutrients, but I've been assured that this is normal. And I'm not the only one who has suffered due to morning/afternoon/night sickness...Tim jokes that he has reverted back to bachelorhood because I don't cook and keep very little food around so he is left scrounging up things to eat. In addition to nausea, there's the walking up in the middle of the night to use the restroom, and other body changes that will be left unsaid. While I don't feel my best, I know women who have felt worse. They made it, and so will I because in the end it is completely worth it. I watch my mother and mother in law everyday make sacrifices for their children and I think the little speed bumps in pregnancy is God's way of teaching us early on that as a mother there is nothing you wouldn't do for your child.

There's a Tater Tot in the Oven

Tim and I had our first appointment at 6 weeks. It was so amazing to hear confirmation from the doctor that everything looks good. For the first time, I think my eyes actually witnessed a miracle. There on the screen, we saw the baby's heart beat. The baby was only the size of a grain of rice at this point, not even visible on the ultrasound, but the heart lit up like a little firefly flashing on and off. The doctor said it was beating 120 beats per minute which was a strong, fast heart rate for this early, which is a good thing. We also learned our due date, January 18, 2011. We really couldn't be happier to have witnessed our precious miracle.

Two Become Three

I think back on our wedding day and remember how amazed I was that I could feel so many different emotions in one day. I never thought that would be possible again...I was wrong. On May, 7 2010, I got the results I have dreamed about...I'm pregnant! I stood there in complete shock, crying from the overwhelming joy. I couldn't wait to tell Tim, but had to wait all day until after work to tell him the great news. He too, was thrilled, shocked, scared, and overwhelmingly happy. We feel so blessed and truly believe that God has a special and perfect plan for our family and little baby.

*Just to make sure:)