Bed Rest...

...Husband Ordered!

Here we go again. Some of you may remember that at the end of the pregnancy with Tucker, my BP was all over the place because I didn't have the patience to sit still long enough for my body to rest. Well, here I go again. Except this time I have a toddler that requires a lot of attention and energy. So, David has decided that since my BP is consistently around 124/90, I need to really take it easy as a precautionary measure. This started last Monday, the 18th, because I got so swollen that weekend that it hurt to walk. David has been AMAZING during all of this. On top of working full time during the day, when he gets home he cooks dinner, does the laundry, goes grocery shopping, takes care of Tucker and practically goes hoarse telling me to sit down and relax if I get up to do anything. Last week I wasn't allowed to do much of anything and it has helped a TON for my body to recoup. So, yesterday my cleaning bug bit hard though, so I cheated and cleaned up the kitchen. David was not upset, only because my BP was still OK. Last Saturday we took a trip to Babies-R-Us to buy some last minute needed things before the little Princess makes her arrival. I have NEVER been so excited to get out of the house. It was glorious! I felt like a kid in a candy store. Then Sunday, to beat to "heat", we spent the afternoon at David's parent’s house. It was so nice to get out of the house again. :)

 

My most recent appointment was an interesting one. I went and saw the nurse on the 20th and my BP was still high, which was a bummer, but the worst part was that Bailey's heart rate was extremely elevated. They were checking her while I was lying on my back, which I had been doing for a few minutes. A normal heart rate for her would be between 145 and 156, but she was at 180, which meant she was not happy. So they decided to do a stress test to make sure she was ok. The elevated me slightly because I told them I was having a hard time breathing. Her HR dropped from 180 to the 160's, but she was still not doing what they needed her to do. A little while later they asked if I wanted to sit up more and I said yes. Almost immediately after they sat me up her heart rate went to where it needed to be. However, she still wasn't elevating at the increments she was supposed to so the nurse used a little zapper tool to get her moving. HOLY MOLY! I thought she was going to leap right through my skin. It scared her to pieces, but got her moving and doing what she needed to do. So, we learned that day that she has NO use for me laying on my back, and NO tolerance for it.

My next appointment is on the 5th. It should be an interesting one. David will be in Vegas for work from the 1st to the 5th. So his awesome parents are taking Tucker the 1st to the 4th, and then my friend Krista will watch him on the 4th. David wants to take ALL precautions for my BP to not be elevated AT ALL, especially for an appointment. So, we'll see how it goes. It's hard for me to have someone else be with Tucker all day while I am just at home. However, it makes it easier that for most of it he will be with Grandma and Papa, whom he has SO much fin with, and then while he is at Krista's I know she'll take good care of him and his best friend Shelby will be there also. So I know he'll be in good hands.

I can't believe I only have 3 more appointments until she is born. SO CRAZY! I have felt like since the day I got pregnant, I would go into labor or at least dilate to the point that I would have her sooner than my scheduled date. So we'll see. I think the important appointment will be on the 18th (my last appointment). Either my BP will be so high that the Dr. will decide to do it sooner, or I'll be dilated and he'll do it. Either way, we'll have to wait and see on the 18th. :) We'll keep ya'll posted!

5-Years…

…and still going strong! :)

I can’t believe that David and I have been married for 5-years. It is CRAZY how time has flown by so quickly. However, it is so fun to look back and see all of the fun times we have had. I love thinking back to our very first year of marriage in our first apartment. We thought we were living the good life (without a washer and dryer but we survived). Then we moved to the Family Housing at OSU, and we truly realized how nice our first apartment was. However, we both often look back on our 2nd year of marriage with fond memories. We lived in a ghetto 2-bedroom apartment, but we both had decent jobs, we had a lot of friends that lived right near us, and we were seeing the light at the end of the school tunnel. Our 3rd year of marriage brought with it our wonderful Tucker. It was quite a learning year for all of us, because along with Tucker came the real world with a real job for David. However, we seemed to manage and came out on top. Year 4 was a little more on the relaxed side. We moved into our first house (where we still are today) and learned what it was like to deal with the stress of possible job loss and eventually the Lord blessing us with an amazing job. And now, year 5. Oh the things that are in store for us. David has his first annual review with his new company, Bailey will be here before we know it, and Tucker will continue to grow and become smarter and smarter. I am SO anxious for what the future has to hold and yet SO excited at the same time. I will try to do a better job of sharing our adventures here on our blog with you.

Happy Anniversary David! I LOVE YOU!

My how 2 people can change in 5-years! :)

 

Portland Zoo

Since we had AMAZING weather this last weekend, we decided that we would take advantage and go to the Portland Zoo. It was a warm 83*, but we had so much fun. I was a little worried that it would really do me in with all of the heat and the walking, but I did pretty well. Once we got home I noticed that I was swollen, but it was pretty much par for the course. :)

Tucker was SO much fun to watch. He loved seeing all of the animals. He patiently waited in his stroller while we were in line to get tickets. I was so worried that the line was going to be a mile long because it was the first really nice day. But I was pleasantly surprised to see short lines. Tucker really didn’t have much of a clue as to what was going on… …until we walked into the park and were greeted by a few of these at the first exhibit.    I got so wrapped up in how close the bears were to us as we went along, that I was an idiot and didn’t take very many pictures. The picture below though makes me laugh because Tucker would stick his hand through and growl like a bear as if he were talking to them. He’s such a funny kid. :)

These pictures didn’t turn out so great, but we were able to see a beautiful eagle. Tucker wasn’t really able to see him because he was blending too much into his surroundings.

We were also fortunate enough to come across Benny the Beaver (OSU Mascot, for those of you who don’t know). David made sure to tell Tucker that the Beaver’s name was Benny. In the first picture you can kind of see that Tucker was clapping because he was seeing Benny. :) I’m not sure who was more excited though, me or Tucker. I had never seen a beaver before, and I couldn’t get over the size of this guy. He was HUGE!

  Now, let me tell you a little story. That morning Tucker was in the shower with me so we could save time. We were talking about the different animals we would see at the zoo. I went through the basics; tigers, bears, birds, elephant, etc. Then, Tucker says, “Cow, mooooo.” I laughed and said, “I don’t think there will be a cow there, but maybe.” So, you can imagine my surprise when we walk out of one of the tunnels and come across a farm-type section. There were cows, chickens, goats and a pigs. Tucker was SO excited to see a cow, as you can see in this picture. He looks weird but he had just finished clapping and was saying, “Cow!”

Another exciting thing for our little Bubba was this guy that we came across…

   I didn’t see it right away, but all I heard was Tucker growling up a storm. So when I realized what was going on, we had to get a picture. This was the first time has has smiled for a picture in a long time. Silly little boy! :)

We ended our day with a ride on the train. This was Tucker’s very first time on a train, and I was AMAZED at how well he sat. He had his own little seat and sat like such a big boy. I couldn’t help but watch him and think about how quickly he is growing up. I just kept thinking how much he looked like a little boy on the school bus for his first day of kindergarten.    Along our train ride we saw a couple of bald eagles in their cages, a family of elephants (So cute), and a whole bunch of dinosaurs from the special attraction at the zoo right now. We had such a GREAT time at the zoo. In addition to the animals mentioned above we saw Monkey’s, a Tiger, a TON of fish (which, by the way, Tucker surprised us by knowing what a turtle is right away), HUGE Polar Bears and other various animals. We were only able to see half of the zoo because of a tired Momma and a nap-deprived toddler. But, since we live so close, we figure it will make for a fun day to go back again soon and see the other animals. We are hoping to take advantage of the next 2 1/2 months before the baby comes, and take Tucker to a bunch of the fun attractions so he can really enjoy them. Although, I don’t know who has more fun, Tucker being a kid, or David and I watching him. I’m pretty sure it’s a draw! :)

LOT’S of CATCH UP

Alright, I realize that it has been WAY to long since I have posted. It’s amazing how busy 1 toddler can keep a person. We have had lot’s of fun this past month or so, and now it’s time to share it! So read on to each of the posts, there will be quite a few, so if you don’t make it through all of them, then come back later! :)

Guess What We Don’t Have Anymore!

That’s right, we are a binki free family now! All it took was a weekend at Grandma and Grandpas without Mommy and Daddy. Over the weekend that he stayed there, Grandma said she forgot to give it to him Friday night and he never asked for it. So, they just didn’t really offer it the rest of the weekend and he was fine. I told them that next time he is there we expect him to give up diapers. :) Wouldn’t that be nice. I am proud to say though that he is still binki free, and we aren’t even looking back.

Now don’t get me wrong, I am STOKED that we no longer have the binki, but it makes me a little sad as well. That binki kept Tucker looking like a toddler, and now without it he looks like such a big boy to me. It’s inevitable that he’s going to grow up, I just wish sometimes I could pause time and enjoy him where he’s at. I love my little bubba! :)

I was anxious to leave Tucker for a whole weekend because it was the longest I had been away from him. But, Grandma and Grandpa said that he did so well, they would even do it again sometime. I wonder if they’ll still think that when we have 2? ;) They said he did great at bedtime and was a good listener and LOVED playing outside. I am SO glad that he was such a good boy, and had SO much fun with Grandma and Grandpa.

The BIG 3-0

That’s right, this year was a big birthday for me! I have officially left my 20’s and am now seeing what my 30’s are going to offer. :) David was in Arizona from Monday, the 16th, until late at night evening of my birthday, the 19th. So that morning I got up and took my time getting ready. Tucker was a good boy and let me take a nice long shower, and he was even good while I was on the phone all morning with friends and family. We met up with a group of friends ay 9:00 for breakfast at Shari’s. I absolutely love going out to breakfast, so I was glad to hit up Shari’s. That afternoon I had a work meeting, and then that evening I had a Relief Society Visiting Teaching meeting. After the meeting I was just going to head home, but then it hit me that it was my birthday and I am going home to an empty house. So, instead I stopped by my friend Renae’s house. Her husband works out of town, and doesn’t usually get home until late on Thursdays so I knew she would be awake, as well as her daughter Shelby, Tucker’s friend, so we could chat for awhile. It was nice not to have to come home right away to an empty house. Thanks Renae for letting me impose on your quiet evening. ;)

Once I got home Tucker went down for bed like a champ. Which was nice because he hadn’t been so wonderful the previous nights. Then I climbed into bed and watched some shows on tv while waiting for David to get home. He came in around 10:30 and had a cute birthday card for me and beautiful flowers. I felt so spoiled because Renae had brought me flowers, diet coke and 2 symphony bars earlier in the day, and then David brought me flowers. It was AWESOME because I love flowers. Even though David wasn’t able to be home with me, my friends and family sure did make me feel special and loved. Thank you everyone for your phone calls, love and birthday wishes.

To make up for not being home on my birthday, David planned for Tucker to stay at his parents house that following weekend so we could have a staycation here at home. It was WONDERFUL! We dropped Tucker off Friday evening, and to start our “staycation” weekend we met up with Renae and Caleb and did a session at the Temple, and then went and had dinner. It was so nice to go to the Temple. It had been awhile since David and I had been because work had been so busy, but we both decided that we need to make it more of a priority. Saturday morning we slept in and went to a movie around 1:00. We went and saw Bridesmaids… funny movie. Then we came home and hung out for a bit, and then went and saw Arthur at the cheap seats. Again, cute movie. Sunday morning we pretty much were lazy and stayed in bed until noon. We got up and got ready and started up to my in-laws around 2:00. We stopped and got some lunch at Chipotle on our way and then made it to Tigard about 3:00. David’s Sister Angie was there with her family, including their new baby, Caleb, who we got to meet for the first time. He is a dang cutie. David’s parents didn’t get home from church until 5:00, and we were SO excited to see Tucker. I missed him SO much, but heard he was a very good boy. :) It was adorable to see how gentle Tucker would be with Caleb. He loved to give him kisses on his head. Let’s hope he continues to be that gentle when Bailey comes.

My Beautiful Birthday Bouquets

The flowers on the left are from David, and on the right are from Renae.

Both Bouquets have bloomed even more since then and are amazingly beautiful! :)