Where did November Go?

This isn't news to anyone but time really does fly by. I can't believe that November is already in the rear view mirror. So hear we are on the doorstep of December and there is still so much left to do. The good news is that I am used to being up against a deadline so we should be fine.

December is going to be a big month around our house. Karyn's birthday is the 7th. My sister, Alicia's birthday is the 11th. MaryAnn and the kids come into town on the 20th. I could go on an on. We obviously don't know when the little man will grace us with his entry into our world, but I'm not foreclosing on the possibility that it will also be in the month of December.

Before looking ahead too much I'd like to look back for just a bit. The last few weeks have been pretty hectic. Karyn is working a bunch and we've been busy at the firm. It's not surprising then that time has really flown by. Karyn, Eleanor and I had a great Thanksgiving yesterday. You can see from this photo that both of them pitched in around the kitchen. What you cannot see is that Eleanor was rewarded for her efforts with a Thanksgiving dinner of her own. This year we scaled back our cooking since we couldn't find a turkey smaller than 12 lbs. So we went with a small cornish game hen and a turkey breast roast. Of course we had potatoes, stuffing, gravy, creamed corn, rolls and pumpkin pie. Not surprisingly I barely managed to make it through the desert portion of the meal before taking a nap on the couch. Also not surprising was the fact that Eleanor decided to join nap time.

Plans for Christmas in Stoughton 2009 have ramped up in recent days. I am really looking forward to having the family together again this year. You never know, we may one more mouth to feed for Christmas. I just hope I get the nursery done before then...

32 Weeks

Happy Fall! We have been blessed with fantastic weather in November. We have had plenty of 50+ degree weather and in a state where it could easily be in the 20's by this time we are fully enjoying the "heat wave" Nate even got out and golfed on November 8th and it was in the 70's. I went up to Oshkosh that day and had lunch with a friend. And then we walked through the outlet mall. She is due at the beginning of December so it was the last time we'll get together before she becomes a mom! Eleanor has been enjoying taking walks (long ones since its not too cold) and playing outside as we FINALLY finished raking all of our leaves yesterday. It was another sunny and beautiful day.

Last weekend we were in St. Charles, IL for one of my best friends Wedding. It was a lot of fun to see some of the high school girls and spend some time on the dance floor. The wedding was beautiful. I slept like a rock that night! We had to get up early to get back and pick up our puppy from the kennel. It was her first time at a kennel. I could hardly stand dropping her off before we left town - How in the world will I be able to drop our little guy off when I have to work everyday??

On Nov. 19th, Nate celebrated his 31st birthday.... Where does the time go? We both had a busy day at work and instead of going out to dinner at the restaurant I picked, Nate decided on his favorite place: Buffalo Wild Wings. There was a football game on and David and one of his friends met us there. Needless to say, it was very laid back. I had to of course get his favorite cake: Dairy Queen ice cream cake. Now we just need to have some people over to help us eat it!!! I am hoping to go get his big birthday present today.

On Friday, Nov. 20th some of my work friends had a baby shower for me. It was so nice of them and they were very sneaky and pulled off interviewing Nate prior to the shower for one of the games we played. And the cake was delicious :)

Nate and I started our 6 week long Child Birth and Prep class 3 weeks ago. We both feel like the class could be done in less than an hour, but our instructor manages to fill 2.5+ hours!!!! It's not something I would ever do again. But, the last 3 classes cover more "baby" topics so Nate is hoping to get some helpful information. Today we are taking a tour of the hospital we will be having baby D at. This whole baby thing is getting more real as each week passes. I read last night in on of my baby books that our little guy is around 4 lbs and 18 inches! And IF he were to be born now, there is nearly 100% survival rate with a healthy life expectancy... So that helps me breathe a little easier :)

Our 32 week doctor visit was non eventful. I gained about 2 lbs since my 28 week appointment. My doctor said that for now my platelet level is stable so he is not too concerned as of right now. I will start seeing him every 2 weeks now, until 36 weeks, then appointments will be weekly.

I am starting to have swelling in my feet at the end of the day - I am sure it doesn't help that I rarely sit down during the day. But, I just hope it doesn't turn into cankles! :) I sleep well but have noticed I am getting up a few more times to use the bathroom. And I do feel a bit more tired the past few weeks. Our boy is most active in the evening, followed by the morning, followed by lunch time. He is fairly quiet during the other times. It will be interesting to see if this will be his schedule once out of the womb. Right now, he and Eli wake up at about the same time in the morning... pretty convenient if that continues :) All in all though, things seem to be going just fine!

32 weeks, 5 days: (11/22/09)

28-30 weeks

Hi Everyone!!! Happy Belated Halloween. I was thinking how much fun it will be next year to dress the little guy up in a costume! Well, it's been a couple weeks again already since I last wrote and quite a lot has been going on. Let's see where to start...

On Wednesday October 21st, I had my 28 week doctor visit. I gained about another 4 lbs. since last visit, bringing my grand total right around 12 lbs. The doctor said that my belly is measuring right around 28 weeks so the baby must be growing right on schedule. Which, during all my baby reading lately, the baby seems to certainly putting on inches and pounds!! There is one thing the doctor is somewhat concerned about - It appears that my platelet count is low. When I had my blood work done while they were screening for my blood glucose test apparently they found out my platelet count was about 120,000. During pregnancy it is normal to have lower platelet levels, but mine are low, even for the normal pregnancy range.

At my visit they drew my blood again and said my values are stable for now, but they will continue to monitor them for the rest of the pregnancy. And if I were to go to the hospital, they will have to draw my blood and get my platelet count before having any anesthesia - mainly epidural (to be certain I wouldn't bleed out) So, I will keep you posted. Hopefully I won't have anything to worry about. The doctor also told me I don't have to come back at 30 weeks for a visit. I don't see him again until 32 weeks. FYI: I have mixed emotions about this...

On Thursday October 22 (Jake's bday) my mom and Conner (nephew) flew in. They were unfortunately delayed 5 hours, but made it nonetheless. My sister Kalyn also arrived from college. We spent Friday doing some shopping (not baby shopping really, MOM shopping) Kalyn and I both had heels on - BIG mistake. Who knew mom was a shop til you drop type all of a sudden :)

On Saturday October 24 my family (Kate, Kalyn, Courtney, Ali and Mom) had a baby shower for me. It was perfect - not too big and with great food.... and my carrot cake from Carl's Cakes! YUM. I got to see some extended family, some friends and some co-workers too. However, I missed Leah, Meli and Emma who were unable to be there. I was overwhelmed by all the "baby gear" we got, and overwhelmed by everyones generosity!! This little boy is lucky to have so many people who already love him. We got so many books - I can't wait to read to the little man.

Nate continues to work on the nursery, but at his own pace. Which means we have a ways to go :) I am anxious to get the whole room put together but it looks like I have at le

ast a few weeks to wait. I am trying to be patient.... I said TRYING.

Our little boy continues to be very active. It is so much fun to watch my whole stomach move as he flips and turns around. I feel like we are both already starting to feel like we have no space left, which isn't a good sign since we have 10 weeks left. I wish I knew what body parts I was feeling because he is definitely able to be felt. Nate tells me to stop poking at him - I push on different parts of my stomach because he'll move away from me :)

Tonight we spent over an hour raking the leaves in the front of our house - not the sides or the backyard. Good exercise, but hard. Work is continuing to go well. My back is still sore at times, but nothing too severe. I haven't noticed any swelling in my feet yet. Sleep continues to be hit or miss. For about the past week I have had a bad cough. It makes sleep even more difficult. I hope it goes away soon or I may call the doctor just to be certain its not something more serious.

28 weeks, 1 day (10/21/09)

30 weeks, 5 days: (11/8/09)