Induction Day

I went to Banner Desert medical Center to be induced at 10:00am on Tuesday June 22nd. Darren and I enjoyed Monday together cleaning and relaxing. On Tuesday morning we had our bags packed and headed to the hospital. When I went in I was 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced. After three rounds of gel and walking around the hospital they decided to break my water to see if it would help me progress and start contractions. Contractions started mild and by around 10:00pm I started really feeling the contractions, at around 11:00pm I asked for the epidural. I am glad I did because it helped me sleep as much as I could during the night and kept my energy up for pushing the next day. Unfortunately they had to keep flipping me from side to side and put an oxygen mask on me. The nurse did this because the baby's heart rate would drop after some contractions.
The picture is of Darren the morning of induction day, he had the history channel on and was cold in the room!

I'm Back!

For those avid readers out there that thought I would never return, have no fears, I'm back :)
I have had a very busy eight weeks as you know and I am ready to blog again. So follow along as I play some catch up and enjoy the cute photos of Brice William McCollem!

Congratulations Scott and Liz

A big congrats to Mr. and Mrs. Scott and Liz McCollem. They tied the knot on May 29^th. Darren and I wish we could have been there to celebrate with you. We miss and love you guys. Liz even though you have been with Scott for almost 10 years, we would like to officially welcome you to the family!

External Cephalic Version – May 27th, 2010

Who would have thought you could go from “boring” visits to the doctor, to a whirlwind of a week.

We went for an ultrasound last Tuesday May 25^th, because the Dr. wasn’t sure if the baby’s head was still down. We went in and the baby was breech, butt down. Then Darren asked if she could tell how big he was. She said she would do a rough estimate and the head was measuring at 39 weeks (I was at 36 weeks). So she called and got an order to do more measurements and he was running at 38 and ½ weeks, 8lbs has a big head and lots of hair! A reminder that a baby in the last month can grow a ½ pound to a pound a week!

So Doctor Alperin called me after the ultrasound and since the baby was breech they wanted to do an External Cephalic Version (flip the baby around manually) ASAP because the bigger the baby got the less likely chance the baby would flip around. That Thursday we went to triage at Banner Desert Medical Center for the “Flip” they prep you for a C-section because that is worst case scenario. So after an ultrasound confirming again he was still butt down, the Dr. came in and manually on the outside of your stomach tries and flip the baby so he is head down. Yes it is painful, but it was worth it because it worked (and I know no one nor does Darren that is has worked on)! The Dr. said he could still flip back, but because he is big the chance is less likely. Darren was telling me after that the Dr. was doing kungfo moves on me, because he hand was like 3 inches into my stomach trying to get the baby’s butt to move up.

Skip forward a week to my weekly doctors visit on June 2^nd and the Dr. said he was still head down, yeah! The new plan is at 39 weeks we will decide if I should be induced since the baby is big. The doctor already told me he will not let me go a week past my due date like they normally would. So the baby will definitely be here in a least a week and a half.

We are both looking forward to the baby arriving and are definitely ready for him (well as ready as we will ever be)! We at least know we are going to have a big healthy baby boy with lots of hair. Don’t worry Darren went out and bought a brush already :)

What a Busy Week

Ok here is an older post I wrote, but never posted, a lot has changed since this, more to come!

First Darren and I had our two week check-up on May 12th, another boring check-up and when I say boring I mean fantastic, because boring is good!

Then on Saturday May 15^th Darren’s work threw us a baby shower at the hospital. We got their and everyone had pitched in and made a dish, so I was well feed. Then we got spoiled with more gifts, clothes, bottles, diapers, bibs, books, too much to list. Everyone was again so generous and it was great meeting all the nurses Darren works with. That night we invited mom and dad over. Mom and I went shopping for organizational stuff for the baby’s room. The week before I got a ton of clothes washed and put away, but after a second shower I had round two to go and needed more shelves! Darren cooked up some burgers and steaks and had a nice Saturday evening with the folks.

Sunday was a full day, baby class day from 9-5. Although a very long day, it was very informative and the instructor was great. We learned a lot of what to expect, how to prepare, what to do to try and relax and of course got to watch the birthing video. Let’s see if I will remember it all once I go into labor!

Doctor's Appointment

We went to my Doctors appointment on April 28^th for my two week checkup, yup you read that right I am going every two weeks! Doctor said my blood pressure is good, weight gain is normal (eeek), I am measuring on track and the heartbeat sounds good. He also felt to see if the head was down, and it was. I am feeling the baby so much now, rolling and kicking, it is pretty cool.

As of Tuesday May 4^th I am 33 weeks, 8 months, that’s only 6-weeks to go! I am starting to feel the pressure of making sure everything ready for baby. Below are a few tips about how big the baby is!

• The baby is anywhere between 17 to 19 inches in length
• Weigh more than four and a half pounds and could grow a full inch more this week alone
• His eyes are closing during sleep and opening while awake
• He has developed his own immune system that will be able to provide protection from mild infections
• He is a Honeydew this month :)
  

Busy and Great Weekend – April 23rd – 25th

Wow what a busy and exciting weekend Darren and I had. On Friday after work we went to the Ford dealership to look at the Ford Escape. We went and looked the week before, but they didn’t have one for us to test drive. Of course we thought we were just going to test drive, but guess who walked out of the dealership with a new 2010 Ford XLT…yup the McCollems. We felt very good after some great wheeling and dealing and are very happy with the car.

On Saturday my family threw a surprise baby shower for me, it was so nice! The shower was at Belaros at the Seville Country club. They had a nice breakfast and all our friends and family were there. My sisters, Jake and Riley all drove in from California to be there, it was very special. Darren and I got so much stuff, from diapers to the highchair and everything in-between. We got so many cute clothes too, which I still need to wash and put away :) My favorite things were the handmade blankets. Grandma Englert made us a beautiful blue knit blanket with ribbons running through it and Darren’s Co-worker made us a very nice quilt with a construction design, both are very talented! My sisters had everyone play a few games one included a raffle, if you brought diapers! Darren and I kept talking about how generous and thoughtful everyone was, we appreciated everything!

After the shower Darren and I unloaded all our baby stuff at the house, then went over to my parents to BBQ with the family. I was great hanging out with everyone and the weather was beautiful. Riley definitely kept me entertained, she is just so cute!

On Sunday morning before everyone left Darren made breakfast for everyone. Including his delicious waffles, eggs and fried ham.

Like I said it was a very busy and exciting weekend!!!

Bridal Shower

I went back to MA a couple of weekends ago (April 9-12) for Scott and Liz’s surprise bridal shower. I took a red eye, thinking I could sleep on the plane, turns out when you’re pregnant, you don’t sleep on a plane. It was nice that I got their Friday morning and Russ and Ruth picked me up from the airport. I stayed with Russ and Lauren and got to get my baby Aiden fill. He is very cute and long. He was a good baby! I got to hang with the family all day Friday and got some sleep in (don’t worry Lauren had a snoogle pillow from her pregnancy, so I didn’t have to go without for the weekend)!

On Saturday Lauren and I went and picked up cupcakes (so delicious) and went early to decorate the country club for the bridal shower. Liz was surprised and we had a nice brunch and dove right into presents. Scott and Liz got a lot of great stuff including a patio set which was used later in the day. After the shower everyone went to Scott and Liz’s house and had a BBQ and hung out. The weather was really nice out, a little on the cold side, which was perfect for me since I am hot all the time!

Sunday the girls (Ruth, Lauren, Liz and Melissa) took me out for a pedicure, which was much needed and appreciated! We then went to delicious deserts and Liz ordered her wedding cake, a layer of chocolate cake and a layer of white cake and raspberry filling, we all got to sample the cake (yummy)! Even though I can’t go to the wedding, I can at least say I had some of the cake! Then the whole family went to Jimmy’s and had lunch, Aiden slept the whole lunch, I thought that was pretty good. After lunch Ruth and Russ went and picked up Grandpa McCollem so he could see me and the baby. It was very nice to talk with him. After we settled into Russ and Lauren’s house, the family had a baby shower for me complete with chocolate cake and milk. I got all sorts of clothes, books, bibs, pacifiers etc. It was very thoughtful of them, I definitely lucked out having great in-laws.

Even though the trip was short, I am glad I got to see everyone, the next time I see them the baby will be here!

Easter Weekend

Another beautiful Arizona weekend! Saturday, while Darren and my dad went for a hike at Pass Mountain, I stayed and did some spring cleaning since we were having Easter at our house again this year. Later that night Megan, Noah, Owen and myself got a bite to eat and went to Swirl It Frozen Yogurt, which just so happens to be right down the street from my house. As you can tell by an earlier blog, I am all about Frozen Yogurt and I am sure it will only get worse as the summer creeps in on us! We then went to Jenny and Steve’s house to see Peyton. He is so little and snuggly.

Sunday morning, Megan, Noah and Owen and I went to church. It was a nice service outside. The church is currently being built, so for Easter everyone brings a lawn chair and we sit outside on the land where the church is being built.

Later Darren and I prepared for everyone to come over for Easter. John, Katrina and Bear came over first and made some of Katrina’s famous potato salad. I would have really enjoyed it, but I don’t like Bacon (I know what’s wrong with me, I get asked that question all the time.. about bacon only). Next my Mom, Dad and Coop-de-jour (i.e Cooper) came by. My mom made a very cute Easter decorated carrot cake and cupcakes. Janie and Steve showed up with a cheese ball made to look like a rabbit accented with veggies (very creative), everyone ate around the bunny face, no one dare dig into the middle. Then Rob, Nikki, Reece and Alexa came (with very cute Easter dresses) and brought some yummy pastries drizzled in chocolate and wine. Following behind them was Bryan, Megan, Noah and Owen with beer and deviled eggs (always a favorite).

For dinner Darren made a great ham, and I made mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, caesar salad, and two loaves of bread (Buddy didn’t get a loaf this year, like he snuck one off the counter last year). It was so much fun having everyone over. Easter is one of my favorite holidays because the weather is beautiful and it is not all about gifts and rushing around.

Hope everyone had a Hoppy Easter!

“The resurrection gives my life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter what my circumstances.”

~Robert Flatt

Third Trimester – Tuesday, April 1, 2010

Wow, everything felt so slow until Tuesday when I realized I have hit my third trimester, my 7^th month mark, less than 85 days to go mark. After tonights doctor’s appointment, I start going every two weeks. We are very excited; it is definitely going to change everything we know!

Things are starting to pick up around the house as well. With all the homework Darren has on the weekends he has been fitting in a lot of time for the baby. He has sanded and painted the dresser, put in the ceiling fan in the baby’s room, patched up any holes in the room, Hung the new cordless blinds up, brought the bed down to the fitness room, which is now Ruth’s Suite (because she is coming for a month in July and will probably be the first guest to use it), he spray painted the headboard to the bed and help me move furniture around the room. He also put together the glider which just came in a few days ago, I love it, it is definitely going to get its use! So even though the room is empty with a glider, it is still a step forward to the room being complete! I am starting to feel organized around the house!

Darren has been great throughout my whole pregnancy. With everything on his plate he hasn’t forgotten how important family is. He is going to be a great dad!