More Christmas Celebrations!

We are still lucky enough to celebrate with both sides of our (my) family.  Here a just a few pictures from the festivities.

Little Kiyah playing so nicely all by herself.

Ronin making mom laugh because he was SO excited about every gift he opened.

Gram showing off the angel we got for her.

And the sweatshirt we got for her.   It fits...even though she said it wouldn't.

A self-portrait that actually turned out.

Dad showing off his finger puppets. 

Mom checking out her new watch.

Eric was pumped about his new coat.  So long Carhart.

The McElligott's enjoying some drinks and appetizers before the big meal.

Mom and Aunt Patti enjoying some wine.

We're not sure if it was the wine or not, but she needed shoes and Eric's size 14's were all she could find.

Preparing for Our Last Christmas Before Baby

This year, I told Eric that I didn't want to put up the Christmas tree.  I knew I would be really pregnant and the idea of hauling all that stuff out did not appeal to me.  Usually our house is a sea of glitter and lights with no room left untouched.  Not this year.   Eric convinced me to at least put up the tree because he knows how much I love it.  He agreed to do that hard part; put the individual branches on this old tree and I got to decorate.  I was so glad he talked me into it because it turned out to be my favorite tree yet!

This is what I did while Eric put up the tree.

He actually turned out to be a better "fluffer" than I am.

Putting up the twinkle lights.

My beautiful white and silver tree. 






Cooper napped with me too.  He finally woke up to see the finished product.



Laxton Family Christmas

Each year, we celebrate with the immediate Laxton family.  The day usually consists of lots of eating and tons of gifts..and this year there was lots of drinking. 

And so it begins.

Having a heart to heart.

Very excited kids opening their Kinnect.

The McLaxtons.

Showing off his annual underwear gift!

The original Laxton's...plus a little one.

Cookie Day 2010

While I have the time, I thought I'd post some pics from our holiday celebrations this year!  These pictures are from our annual cookie day at Grandma Peach's house.  Each year myself, my mom, and some cousins head over to Gram's the Sunday before Christmas and make a ton of Christmas cookies. Ironically, these cookies usually never make it to Christmas Eve because we all goes home with huge trays that day!

Gram shows Jen the proper way to make our cutouts.

Jen's first attempt at the cookie press.  Paul had to show her how to use it.

A broken spatula full of peanut butter came flying at me at some point during the day.

My favorite tray of the day.

Decorating the gingy's is always the most entertaining part of our day.

Me, Mom, Brandy, Jen and Gram on our favorite day of the year!

Every year a naughty cookie or two come out of cookie day.  This year Paul was our Target.

37 Weeks and 1 Day

Yep, I am still at home.   This whole thing is becoming quite comical.  I was completely prepared to go into the hospital on Thursday.  All the bags were packed including DVD's to entertain Eric and I, snacks for Eric, cameras, books, etc.  Hell, I even packed a bag for Cooper assuming that my parents would need to pick him up that night.    I told Eric how insane it was that I spent more time getting "dolled" up for this than I have for anything in recent months.  Legs needed to be shaved and lotioned, toes needed to be perfectly painted, hair dried and straightened and makeup applied.  All of this effort only for the nurses and doctors to see me in what I can assume will be my worse moments yet!  Eric reminded me that no one will be looking at my face!  Gross.

Anyways, so we go in to see the specialist which means I would be hooked up to the monitor to check the baby's movements and get my blood pressure taken even before seeing the doctor.   Well, my child decides to put on a show!  Never before has this kid bounced around like this while being monitored.  We usually have a to wait for a few twists and turns before they will take me off.  Not this time.  The nurse came over and started to laugh and how active the baby was.  I even got taken off the monitor early.  Then came the blood pressure.  My at home machine wasn't cooperating that morning so I had no idea what to expect.   The first time was typical, 141/83.  A big smile came across my face because I was sure this would put me right in the hospital.    I told the nurse I was ready to go!   But, she always takes it twice so I've had a chance to relax a little.  Result of BP number two, 128/76.  Are you freaking kidding me!?!  In the last four weeks of seeing this specialist, my BP has never been in the 120's.  Eric just started to laugh and laugh.  For the first time, I was actually ready to go and was relaxed about it.  I knew I should have eaten some salty chips or done some jumping jacks before going in. 

However, I still had a shot.  After all, Dr. Freakout has sent me to the hospital for lesser offenses (my protein levels were starting to creep up).   No such luck.  He came in, measured the baby (which currently stands at 6.13 pounds) and wished me luck for Monday's induction!  WTF.  I couldn't believe I was walking out of there. 

It actually works out better this way.  Eric won't have to take unpaid days off of work.  He'll get a little bit more rest.  This won't interfere with the precious Bears game.  I can work a little bit more from home.  My doctor who I've seen for years will be the on-call doctor on Monday.   The list goes on and on.  So fine, I can handle three more days.  At least I know there is no turning back on Monday. 

So for now, since everything is done and ready for this kid, I can just relax and really be on bed rest since I'll admit, there hasn't been much "rest" in the last three weeks.  I may even convince Eric to take me to the movies on Saturday night, though he's already warned me that I can't have a pretzel or popcorn.  Mean.

I guess I'll also take this time to figure out what this baby's name is going to be.   We are good on our boy name, but last week, I threw another option into the girl pool.  That leaves us with three options, which again, I don't think I will need.  Hopefully by Tuesday we'll have it all figured out!

Decision Made

It was decided by my doctors that I will not go past 37 weeks.   Tomorrow I will be 37 weeks.  

At my appointment on Monday, we decided to go ahead and schedule the induction for Monday (Jan. 24) night.  Actually, I take that back.  We originally scheduled it for about 5:00 Sunday evening, but apparently my doctor realized (as did Eric) that the Bears/Packers game wouldn't be over in time so we pushed it back a day.  Yes, my child's birth was determined by a Bears game.  Eric even said to me, "what's one more day?"  If he only knew.  Knowing that I also have an appointment with the specialist on Thursday (the 20th), my doctor told me I better have my bags packed to go on Thursday.  Luckily, if Dr. Freakout sends me then, I won't have to wait until Monday for the induction.  They'll do it right then.  So, in a perfect world, I'll have the baby late Friday or early Saturday and be released and home before the game starts on Sunday.  In a perfect world.  If there's anything this last month has taught me, is to expect the unexpected.  I have no idea how this whole thing will turn out.  All I know is that at least by this time next week, Lil' Lax will be here.

Seeing as though this may be my last night at home with just me, Eric and Coop, I started to think about how I really feel about all this.   I am not sure if this is normal or not, but I don't exactly feel excited yet.  I think it's because I know what I am going to go through before the baby gets here and that holds me back from getting too excited.   It's the unknown I don't like.  Out of the blue I started worrying that everything was ok with the baby.  Doctors assured me that 37 weeks was perfectly fine to deliver the baby, but I started to worry about other major issues.  I didn't worry about this for the entire pregnancy, even turned down genetic testing, but this is weighing heavily on my mind these days.  I am sure this is what all new mothers think so I am going to try not to dwell.

I am starting to feel really bad for Cooper now too.  Probably like most mom's feel about bringing home a second baby.  I want to be sure Coop doesn't feel neglected and I want to be sure I don't lose my patience with him...which has been known to happen.  I feel fairly confident that he will be great with a baby since every time there is one around he just stares and wags his tail.  I hope this trend continues when someone else is on my lap instead of him!

I asked Eric last week what we were in for.  I suddendly started to freak out that we would no longer be able to hop in the car and go somewhere when we felt like it.  We would always have to worry about a sitter.  We would never sleep again.   Then, I realized, we never just hop in the car and run anywhere.  We are homebodies who rarely go "out" and even if we decided to, we have a waiting list of people who want to take the baby.   I haven't sleep for three months, so there is nothing new there!

A month from now, I am sure I couldn't imagine my life pre-Lil' Lax but it is hard to think of right now.  In fact, this blog is going on and on because I know when I stop, I have to go to bed and my mind will start to race.   I just have to keep telling myself, like I do for tours at work or speeches in school, that it will all be over soon and I will have worried myself sick for no reason.

So, since Eric's alarm is going off in two hours, I better try to get some sleep just in case tomorrow is the big day.  My next blog will either announce Lil' Lax's arrival, be a complaint about still being on bed rest. 

Until next time....

I am NOT Going to Miss This

The list of things I am NOT going to miss is probably much longer than those I will, so I will just share a few here.

1) Heartburn and acid reflux.  Hopefully, like most women this goes away shortly after delivery. 

2) Pee Breaks.   All day and all night...even if there is nothing to come out.

3) Breathlessness.  I won't miss having to stop halfway up the stairs to catch my breath.   I won't miss just sitting on couch talking on the phone and being out of breath.

4) Fat Lady Syndrome.   When the phone rings, I still stupidly try to jump up and run into the kitchen.  When you are 8 months pregnant, there is no more jumping up.  It's more like rolling yourself off the couch and slowly getting into a standing position.  By the time you get to the phone, the machine has already answered for you.  Won't miss that.

5) Stretch marks.   Won't miss waking up to one or two new ugly red marks all over my belly.

6) Boob Patrol.  I won't miss having to eat with one hand trying to hold up my boobs so they don't rest on my belly, making it impossible to eat anything of substance.

7) Restricted Diet.  I want a hot dog and I want it now.  Obviously, all the typical no-no's are hard enough to handle, but my diet was even more restricted once I was diagnosed with preeclampsia.   No salt, no caffiene, no bread, nothing that comes in a can.  Sad.    However, maybe this is good practice for when I want to lose the preggo and pre-preggo weight since I can only eat fresh fruits and vegetables.  Good thing they now have a drink called the "skinny margarita".

I'm Going to Miss This

As the end of pregnancy approaches, I realized there are some things I am going to miss about this whole experience. 

1) I'll miss the excitement and the anticipation of it all.  I know this will be replaced by all new kinds of excitement, but I really enjoyed planning and preparing for this baby to arrive.  From working on the nursery, to registering (scary as it was), to coming up with names, to the growing belly (stretch marks not included), these are all things I will never experience for the first time again.

2) Maternity clothes.  Yes, I think I am in the minority here but I honestly think I found some really cute clothes, probably too many.  Luckily there are lots of maternity clothes available that don't make you look like a frump.  Best of all, these clothes were all really comfy.  I almost dread having to wear my pre-preggo clothes again.  In fact, I am hoping that I will just start a brand new wardrobe when the time comes. 

3) My belly.  For the first time in a really long time, I actually felt comfortable in my own skin.   I didn't wake up everyday thinking about how overweight I was or standing in my closet for a half hour trying to decide what would hold in my rolls the best.   I actually felt kind of cute.  I knew my belly was for a purpose and not just because I had too many burritos!  I am scared for the day when I no longer feel that sense of confidence showing off the bump. 

4) Kicks and Punches.  Sure, they can hurt and be really uncomfortable at times, but I will miss feeling those rolls, kicks, and hiccups.  I feel like it is my own special relationship I have with the baby and soon, I'll have to share it with everyone else. 

The Baby Shower That Almost Wasn't

As I mentioned before, there was a chance I was going to be let out of the hospital in time for my shower.  My doctor said the baby looked great on all the monitoring they did and if I "behaved" (aka blood pressure was down) and after an ultrasound in the morning, I would be free to go. 

I am pretty sure every single nurse in labor and delivery knew that my shower was that weekend and I swear they did everything in their power to get me out of there on time.  A few of them witnessed some hysterical crying moments and tried their best to calm me.  They even told me when Dr. Egan was coming in to check on me so I could put on my sad face! haha.   They let me lay on my side which always meant a lower blood pressure, they put me at the front of the line before other people to get ultrasounds that morning, and they put in a "stat" order to get me back to the room right after the ultrasound to await my discharge papers.   Having been in the hospital before, I knew discharge could take a while, but literally 10 minutes after the ultrasound I was getting the good news.

Of course, this didn't all go off without a hitch.  During the ultrasound, the tech was testing the blood flow to the cord, fluid levels and movement of the baby.  Of course, this troublemaker child was apparently asleep and in no mood to put on a show.  After I while, at least a half hour, I was starting to panic.  The tech told me that she wouldn't release me until she saw some movement.  Multiple times, I asked to turn on my side or for some water or juice because I knew that would do the trick.  She ignored my first few requests, but when it became clear to her that her lunch break was approaching, she gave in and brought me some juice.  Within two minutes, she got the movement she was looking for.  See, mother knows best already!

My dad was there waiting to whisk me away to the shower.   I got in a quick shower and headed straight to the restaurant.   I ended up being an hour late, which made for am embarrassing entrance when everyone clapped and cheered, but it does make for a funny story to tell.  I was SO glad to be able to make it and everyone was very generous with gifts.  We basically got everything on our registry and then some.  Eric and I feel so spoiled!   Here are some pictures from the big event.

Favors and dessert.  I ate five of those cupcakes the next day.

My Beatles onesie from Tom (aka Uncle Mike and Aunt Patti).

The belly!  Those steroid shots really worked.

Four generations

The Laxton Clan

The girls at work also threw me a baby shower a week after the family one.  Of course, this was up in the air until literally the day before since we didn't know if Dr. Freakout was going to throw me in the hospital again, but luckily, I was also able to make it to this one.  It's funny, you work with these people every day (unless you are on bedrest) and some you may talk to more than others, but it seems for the most part, everyone turns out for these occasions and becomes very generous.  Once again, we felt very spoiled.  Eric even walked it to pick me up, saw the load we had to put in the car and was shocked.  Everything from the games to the food to the decorations were great and I had a great time. 

Meg and Jen, the party planner.

L for Laxton...or Lil Lax.

So many gifts!

Eric sucked the helium out of these later that night!

Dr. Freakout

As I mentioned before, the specialist I was seeing is supposed to be overly concerned and over cautious.  This became apparent at my 35th week appointment, when, even after good blood work and lower protein levels, he decided it was better for me to spend the rest of my pregnancy in the hospital.  Shocker number two!

I was totally unprepared for this.  I couldn't imagine spending two or more weeks in the hospital.  Worst of all, this was two days before my shower.  This made me saddest of all.  I was devastated that I was missing my baby shower and that my mother, who had planned this and looked forward to her one and only baby shower to throw wouldn't have it turn out the way she wanted. 

The next few days I spent sitting in a room with the most uncomfortable bed, getting my blood pressure taken and having the baby monitored every four hours.  Luckily, while I was in the hospital, they did more blood work and it all came back ok so on Friday night, my doctor (not the specilalist) came in and said I would likley be able to go home the next morning in time for my baby shower!  I tried not to get too excited, but I secretly counted on it.

Easy Pregnancy Comes to a Screetching Halt

I'll admit, other than being sick in the beginning, this pregnancy was a pretty easy one.  I felt good most of the time, didn't gain a ton of weight (currently only gaining 16 pounds) and had no major problems.   That all changed at 32 weeks. 

I went in for a routine monthly visit.  When the doctor came in, he asked if I'd had a particularly stressful day.  I sort of laughed and said it had been a particularly stressful week.  After all, just a week before this appointment is when we lost Tom and dealt with everything that follows.   It turns out my blood pressure was a little on the high side   He didn't seem too concerned, but instead told me to come back in a week and try to meditate before I came in.   Sure, I'll try to relax when I fly out of work at 5:00 and fight traffic all the way in to Joliet to make my appointment.

The next week was more of the same, high blood pressure.  Another doctor had me lay on my side and took my blood pressure again which was lower this time.  He wasn't too concerened, but to be on the safe side, he ran a few tests which meant more blood work and peeing into a jug for 24 hours...a nightmare!  What happened at my next appointment was completely unexpected.  My doctor came into the room and announced that I was pre-eclamptic.   For future reference the Mayo Clinic describes preeclampsia as a condition of pregnancy marked by high blood pressure and excess protein in your urine after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Preeclampsia often causes only modest increases in blood pressure. Left untreated, however, preeclampsia can lead to serious — even fatal — complications for both you and your baby.   If you have preeclampsia, the only cure is delivery of your baby. If you're diagnosed with preeclampsia too early in your pregnancy for delivery to be an option, you and your doctor need to allow your baby more time to mature, without putting you or your baby at risk of serious complications. 



Cooper is really enjoying bed rest.

  This diagnosis also led to her telling me that I had to be on bed rest (at 34 weeks) and the goal was to get me to 36 weeks before they had to take the baby.  What a shocker!  A million thoughts ran through my head.  That's 6 weeks of income I had counted on that is gone.  That only gave me two weeks to get six weeks of things together to get ready for this baby.  I hadn't had my baby shower yet.  My dad was going out of town right around 36 weeks so he might miss this.   And on and on.  After a miserable night, I knew I had to gather my thoughts and figure out what to do about work.  I talked to my boss the next day and luckily I work for a really accomadating company and they were able to work with me about taking all this extra time off and allowed me to work from home since I was still feeling fine, but had to sit on the couch for weeks.

Another part of the diagnosis meant I had to see a fetal specialist each week, in addition to my weekly appointments with my regular doctor.  The specialist is there basically to run the same tests as my doctor but he is also a little more on the cautious side...which we found out about a week later.

So, while I was on bed rest, I had plenty of things to take care of at home.  I wanted to clean the house, get the baby's room a little more organized, the list goes on and on.  A few days in, I had a huge meltdown after an entire day on the couch.  I was bored.  I was tired of being told I couldn't get up and do certain things, even though I had SO MUCH to do.  After many tears I made myself get up and get in the shower and I felt much better.   It was from then on I decided that I would no longer sit in my pajama's all day long and sit in my own misery.  Every day, I would make a point to get up, shower, put some makeup and put in fresh clothes.  This proved to makes a work of difference.

Adventures at Babies R Us

For months, I looked forward to the day we got to register for baby gifts.   I even looked forward to being able to park in the "expectant mothers" spot right in front of the store!   I thought the whole process would be just as easy and just as fun as registering for wedding gifts.  Not the case.  If you register for the wrong spatula, no big deal, return it.   If you don't use some fancy vase, no big deal, save it for a special occasion.  But baby stuff?  This is on an entirely different level.

I knew I would need to do some research on the safety ratings, friends favorite things, etc.  I asked around to many of my friends who are mothers and got some great information.  I went in thinking I was totally prepared with all of my lists.   I even prepared Eric for the long haul by telling him this could take a few hours...never really expecting it would.  Within two minutes, it was obvious, I was not prepared.

I, along with about 20 other couples chose one Sunday afternoon (when the Bears weren't playing) to register.  In addition to my list, Babies R Us also gave us one of their own.  Obviously trying to sell us on superfluous items, but it confused me none the less.  The first aisle we attempted was safety kits (booger suckers, nail clippers, etc.)...and it turns out, they don't even sell neutral safety kits.  After ten minutes of standing there, I gave up and decided to come back to that aisle later.   We basically ended up just walking up and down the aisles and scanning things, all the while I was thinking I would have to go back and change it when I got home. 

Eric was quite the trooper.  Every time he saw me getting frustrated (which was often), he would tell me to relax, take my time, and not get worked up.  Then we would get back on track and start again.  I was surprised at how easy the big items were to pick out.  I thought we would stand there playing with a ton of high chairs, car seats, and strollers for long periods of time, but it turns out, those were the easy decisions. 

When I realized that all the couples who started out their registries at the same time as us, were all LONG gone, I started to give up too.   I left feeling like I didn't register for all the things I wanted because a) i ran out of patience or b) because it was all blue or pink.  Luckily, the internet saved the day and I was able to go on later and research and take the time out to really pick some things I wanted.  

I laugh now and what a spaz I was about the whole thing, but then again, I am like that with most big decisions.