Claire's sick

We took Claire into the dr. on Thursday because we were making sure she hadn't contracted impetigo from her cousin Justin! She didn't have it and while there, Neil had Dr. Gulde check her ears, lungs and throat since she has had a cough and congestion for about 2 weeks now. Everything checked out fine.... well, Claire got a fever Sat. morning and it got up to 103 on Sunday. She was so lethargic and got sick a couple times too. With all this she really hasn't slept well (or us!) for the past 2 nights. Neil's mom and dad took her back to Dr. Gulde's office this morning. He thought she had strep b/c her throat was so red and irritated but the test came back negative. Her flu test also came back negative so he is treating her for a sinus infection. My poor baby! My mom is also sick but with something GI related - hope you feel better soon mom!

This certainly doesn't make things easier when I can't have moms and kids over to help us out in fear of getting them sick. Thank GOD Elaine and Gene, Neil's parents, are off all week and have been so generous with their time. They have been so helpful during the days with Claire- thank you so much!

Really funny!

OK - I just got done playing "school" with Claire. She was the teacher; a stuffed monkey, baby doll and mini Barbie were the students and I was the mama that they would come home to. Claire taught them the alphabet, numbers, about babies and eventually about mamas... Well, when mini Barbie asked Teacher Claire "What do mamas do?" She replied "lay on the couch" - I laughed so hard and loud!! When asked what else they do, she said "sit" and apparently they don't do anything else.... even though it was funny it did make me kind of sad to think she doesn't remember all the other good things I do for her.

Also, earlier this week when she came to wake me up she crawled in our bed, patted my tummy and said "Eden still in there?" and when I said yes she of course wondered "why?"

This girl is definitely feeling the change - every time she wakes up from her nap she asks "Someone coming to my house?" She's getting so used to having people here that it disappoints her when I tell her it's just her and me. She's going to be in shock a few weeks after Eden is born and we aren't having company all the time!

34th Week Dr.'s Appt.

Lots of blog posts - I am just catching up so read below (there are four below if you are interested)...

I had a doctor’s appointment this morning and it went well. A huge thank you to Jenny, Ayden and Colby for keeping Claire occupied and my dad cleaning out our refrigerator! Also thank you to Elaine for taking me to the dr. and mom for bringing me home. As you can see, I couldn’t do all this alone! Anyway, Dr. Gallagher said I’ve progressed to a definite 2 (she always thought I still had a little room) still 75% but now my cervix is no longer posterior, the back of my cervix is open and she could feel Eden’s head – YIKES!! She said Eden is probably going to stay in this position which is good because I don’t have to worry about her being breech. She said to keep doing what I’m doing and to stop my medication Monday. As she was leaving she said "I’ll see you next week and hopefully here!" That makes me a little nervous… I was also test again for the fetal fibronectin and the protein was not detected so that means we are safe for 2 more weeks. It’s not a guarantee but it does give us a bit more peace of mind!

This past Thursday and Friday I felt like my contractions were diminishing but THEN Sat, Sun, Monday I had a ton of contractions anytime I was up. Last night I woke up because I had such a strong one and that scared me a bit! I haven’t had such an uncomfortable one before or since so please continue to pray for things to be prolonged.

Also please pray for my patience and attitude! I’ve felt so good the whole time but yesterday was a really hard day for some reason… I’m just feeling cooped up and got a little down. The thought of me being on bed rest for 3 more weeks was daunting. Today is much better but I want to always remember that the situation could be 100 X worse and to take advantage of my down time. I also need to have a huge amount of patience and understanding with Neil and Claire as I know they have had to make huge adjustments!

Chili Cook Off

Claire and Daddy Getting Ready for the Chili Cook Off

Our little Picasso (make that our little Jackson Pollock)


The Sesame Street Gang

We were the "Letters and Numbers of the Day"
For the past two weeks Claire has not wanted her picture taken...here she is sulking in her brand new favorite pajamas.

Her Imagination

Things to remember:

- Claire loves to talk to all sorts of inanimate objects and toys...she usually gets a response when Daddy's around.

- Goo Goo, Gee Gee and Gi Gi – Elmo and Angela book

- “That’s ok?”

- “That’s ok, mama…” when she’s reassuring me that what she is doing is fine even when it’s not! I wish I could record the look on her face.

- Her obsession with purses and bags

- "Whatstheirnames?" - Always wondering people's names (well, anything's names)

- Claire has learned the art of bargaining and she learned it from us! When we eat we usually have to tell her to eat 2 bites of this before she can have bread or whatever we are having. So the past few weeks she’s turned the tables on us. The other week she was asked to take 3 more bites and she said “two?” – what a smarty pants! Then at Costco the other day she asked daddy “If I eat my hotdog, I have ice cream?” It’s pretty funny!

- Her constant need to pretend something or hear a story! She recently likes to tell us (usually daddy) that she is someone or something and we are someone else. Her favorites right now are Bert and Ernie, Mama and Baby, Arthur and DW
Here is a story she made up as we went along:

Claire: sitting at the kitchen table before bed “Mama, I wanna talk”

Mama: “What do you want to talk about?”

C: “Animals?”
M: “Ok what animals?”
C: “Lions and tigers… I met a lion.”
M: “Really? Where did you meet him?”
C: “At Sea World I was walking in the forest.”
M: “What was his name?”
C: “Choo Choo!”
M: “Wow! Was he a big lion or a small lion?”
C: “Small…. He was tiny” she put her fingers together to show tiny and holds it up to her eye
M: “Did he have a little roar or a big roar?”
C: “A little roar… he was tiny.”

Isn’t that cute? I just love this age!

Ode to a wonderful husband

I’m so overwhelmed by how much Neil has graciously stepped up to everything since I’ve been on bed rest. I know this hasn’t been easy on him but I haven’t heard one complaint. He likes to tell me that every husband would be doing what he is but in my eyes, he’s gone above and beyond. He does the dishes, laundry, vacuuming, wake up early with Claire, everything for Claire when he’s here, all the projects I previously signed us up for, taking care of Rollo the crazy cat and so much more – I could go on and on!

Neil, thank you so much for being so selfless and loving us so much! You are such an example to me and I thank God for leading us to on another almost 7 years ago. I couldn’t do this with anyone else. You are my everything… I love you with all that I am!

Bed Rest Top Ten's

Why bed rest isn’t so bad…
1).We’ve been showered with such love from our friends and family
2). I feel more rested since I can remember
3). I’ve been able to do things like read and cross stitch
4). When have I ever had so much down time and when will I ever again?!
5). I can have people over and not feel bad about the house not looking perfect
6). I’ve watched a ton of Jane Austen movies that I wouldn’t have watched otherwise!
7). Claire is getting more used to not getting 100% attention from me which I’m hoping will help when Eden gets here!
8). Eden is growing stronger and healthier every minute and every day she stays in there!
9). Not having to think about what I’m making for dinner
10). “Be still and know that I am God”

Why bed rest isn’t so good…
1).My compression hose/socks – I sweat just putting them on!
2). I’m not able to finish the semester with my voice students and had to cancel my recital =(
3). Feeling helpless and having to restrain from doing too much
4). Neil and I haven’t been able to get out on a date – hopefully we’ll get one in before Eden arrives!
5). Playing with Claire - I miss going on walks and being outside with Claire since the weather is so nice now
6). Waking up at 12:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. (if not already awake) to take my medicine
7). Missing church, life group and the chili cook-off
8). Not being able to be active and being hungry isn’t a good mix =)
9). Always wondering when Eden is coming
10). Not being able to drive! I love to drive!