Easter

This last weekend was Easter and it was fun to celebrate and make Kodee a part of it...as much as we could.
First, last night we decorated eggs with the kiddos and they insisted I make one for Kodee! I thought it was so cute they already care so much for her.

































Second, today when the Easter bunny delivered the kiddos baskets, they were really upset he forgot about Kodee. I told them when she gets out of my belly, then she'll get a basket!
I also had some pretty hard contractions today. During one of them, I couldn't even walk. Luckily they did subside while we did the egg hunt at Dawn's house. It was fun to see all the kiddos get so excited, and weird for me to think in 1 year, Kodee will be joining in on the fun.

35 Weeks

Can you believe it....? Me either. Another 2 weeks have flown by once again. She'll be here in no time! The last 2 weeks have been pretty good. Kodee has had a lot of hiccups and continues to kick and move around hard at night. Therefore, I haven't had much sleep, but I know it's just getting me prepared for those first few weeks of sleepless nights.
A plus these last 2 weeks, is I have been able to feel a bit more energetic. Even yesterday the whole family, minus Dad and Kyle (cause they were working), took the Frontrunner down to SLC. We all took the kiddos to the Church's Museum to have them play at the new interactive scripture exhibit. Then we headed over to City Creek to see the new development. It was a lot of walking, running, and hauling strollers and kiddos and I was really glad to have J's help.
Today was my 35 week appointment and it's also spring break for the kiddos. J had the day off, but he was giving plasma and got home right as me and the kiddos were leaving. He decided to stay and take a little nap. When we got to the office, we checked in and were told Dr. Hall was running behind so we'd have a longer wait. I just thought how ironic cause I have all 3 kids with me. But surprisingly, they were amazing and quiet for the whole 45 minute wait. The waiting room was packed, so Rhett sat with me, Ry colored on the floor and Kenna sat in her own chair eating fruit loops and water.
When they finally called us back, they took my weight. I gained 1/2 pound. Then it was time for my blood pressure, 124/88. I left Rhett and Kenna in the room so I could do my urine sample. Ry said she wanted to go with me, but as soon as we got in the hall she fought with me which bathroom to go to. She is so demanding, but I didn't let her win. She sat in the hallway pouting while I went to the bathroom. My dr. just laughed and sat with her while I went. When we got back in the room, I put Ry in the chair for a time-out for not obeying. When my dr. came in, he saw her crying and said, "No sad kids in my office." Rhett then said, "She's in trouble for not listening." My dr. said he was so proud of me for taking action. I didn't think anything of it, but I guess it's a great compliment I used discipline when many others won't.
The kids said they wanted to see baby Kodee, so my dr. took us to the ultrasound room. He had me lay down and put the jelly on my tummy. The kids were so astonished, and said it looked like mustard! Then we got to see Kodee. He started with her head which is down in my pelvic region....and it looked huge magnified. Then he moved up to the left side of my stomach where her bum is and still confirmed it's a girl. Then he headed over to the right side where her knees, legs, and feet were. He pointed out her spine, perfect little hands, and toes. Then lastly he focused on her heartbeat and Rhett thought that was the coolest thing. He said she looks great and is right on track with her growing...about 4 pounds!
The visit did take a lot longer this time, but being able to see Kodee again makes it all worth it. Especially when the kiddos get so excited to see her and be a part of it. I am due back in the office in one week. Yup, down to weekly visits. I will be doing my culture next week, already! Where does the time go?

The day after my appointment, Dr. Hall called me with an update. He said my blood pressure had elevated a bit and they found protein in my urine again. I guess it's 2 signs toxemia may set in. He has asked me to be on bedrest again through the weekend until I go back in to be re-checked. This may be hard with my hubby working a lot of hours because Easter is on Sunday. I'll do my best, but I have to make sure my kiddos have a fun holiday....dying eggs, making jello eggs, wearing cute clothes, finding Easter baskets, and having an egg hunt!

On the Frontrunner...35 Weeks Along

33 Weeks

It's been a good couple of weeks, and they have flown by quickly! I have been feeling much better lately which has been a huge relief. It's been nice to be able to eat again without throwing everything up. And though we have been dealing with a lot of in-law family drama, J has taken care of it and been super supportive which has helped keep things less stressful. I have really been relishing spending time with my kiddos lately before Kodee comes. I know when she arrives, things will be a bit hectic. But the kiddos are so excited for her to come and help take care of her.
Today was my 33 week appointment and they usually go by pretty fast. I went in and only waited 10 min before I was called back to get my weight...I stayed the same. Then time for my blood pressure...112/70. Then I went to do my urine test. I came back in the office and waited for my dr. to come back in. When he came in, he had me lay down and measured my belly and listened to her heartbeat....everything is normal and right on track.
Then he gave me the results of my urine test. I have traces of protein again which can lead to toxemia. It is caused when the kidneys produce too much and therefore "leak" into your urine. So we have to keep an eye out and make sure it doesn't get too high. If so, we'll be delivering her early for safety sake. Guess we'll see in 2 weeks at my next appointment. After that one, I will be on weekly visits. I just can't believe she'll be here so soon. I am a little nervous but super excited to meet this sweet, acrobatic, little one!

After Rhett's Pack Meeting...33 Weeks Along

31 Weeks

The last 2 weeks have been a bit difficult, especially last week. Apparently, there is a hormone which softens the tissues and muscles in your pelvic and pubic area to prepare for labor. My body has been producing a lot of it lately which explained why I had a lot of pain from the weight of the baby. For a day and a half, I couldn't even walk. I was on bed rest for 2 days, and now I feel much better.
Today was my 31 week check-up. J was off, so he stayed home to take Ry to school and watch Kenna. It was weird to go somewhere alone, but it was pretty nice to enjoy the quiet. The waiting room was empty except me, and I waited 30 min. before I was called back. The nurse, who was training and explained the long wait, took my weight and I gained 1 1/2 pounds. At this rate, I'll probably gain all I lost which is making my Dr happy. Then she took me back to get my blood pressure, 110/72.
When my Dr came in, he informed me of my diabetes results from 2 weeks ago, negative. So far, good stats. Then he measured my belly and listened to the heartbeat. All sounded and looked great. He said I didn't have to be on continuous bed rest anymore...unless the cramping and pain acts up.
I then asked him if we could do another ultrasound because he usually doesn't do them this late in the pregnancy. I told him J really wanted to know for sure what the sex of the baby was because he's insistent it's a boy. We went to the ultrasound room and applied the warm jelly. After about a minute, I asked, "Can you see for sure?" He said nothing is 100%. But just to show him what's what, the baby flipped and BAM! There was no mistaking it now. 100%.....GIRL!!!
We are naming her Kodee Reyn which Ry picked out. Everyday she comes to my belly and talks to her. Either "Hi Kodee" or "You're such a good girl" or "I Love You Kodee" among all else she likes to say to her. The girls are so excited to have a baby in the house. Mostly to dress her up and feed her bottles. But let's face it, we are all pretty anxious to meet her and add her sweetness to our family!

On the left of the pic, is her head and her arm is bent in half...the white dots are her knuckles. On the right side of the pic, is her very prominent girl parts. J was a little sad he was wrong, but of course he will totally love her. As he said though, "I'm in deep trouble!"



















Me and the kiddos at Union Station...32 Weeks Along

29 Weeks

Well these past few days have been unusual for me. Especially yesterday, throughout the whole day, I contracted...which I have never done this early before. The only relief was of course lying down. The one fun thing about last night was baby got hiccups. I don't remember any of my other kiddos having them this clearly, but they were so obvious with this one. I just laid my hand on my stomach and felt them. She had them so long, J even got to feel them which he thought was so cool.
Today I woke up to get ready for my check-up. After I sent the kids off to school, I got Kenna up and ready, and then got ready myself. I had to drink the very sugary lemon-lime glucola drink (tastes like Sprite with about 100x more sugar) Since I had to fast for so long cause my appt wasn't till 1130am, I near threw it all up. As soon as Ry got home from school, we headed to the Dr.
The waiting room was packed, but luckily I was the only one to see Dr. Hall. The girls waited very quietly and patiently until we were called back. They took my weight, I gained 1 pound, and then my blood pressure, 128/64. All in all, everything stat wise was great.
I got my blood drawn for the diabetes test, which scared the girls because the nurse put the needle in my arm. When I told them it's just like when they pretend to give me shots at home with their dr. kit and it doesn't hurt, they were fine. I then headed to the bathroom for a urine sample. And of course as the saying goes, "All girls have to go to the bathroom together," is what happened because the girls just had to come with me. As soon as we were walking back to our room, Dr. Hall was waiting for us. He had me lay down to measure my belly and listen to her heart beat. Everything is right on track. Ry was so excited to hear the baby's heart beat again. I just love that she knows what's going on and understands most of it.
Just as I was about to get ready to leave, he asked me how my bed rest was going. I told him I do my best but it's hard some days. I told him how I have been contracting lately and he said, "Well that's why you're supposed to do what the Dr. says." He wanted to check me to make sure I wasn't dilated, so he went in the hall with the girls while I got undressed. I could hear him out in the hall talking with Ry. He even had a Monster app on his phone he was playing with them and sharing skittles with them. I tell ya, I have the best Doctor!
When he got back in the room, he took some swab samples and checked to see if I was dilated....and I wasn't, Yay! I had a huge relief come over me because I don't want to deliver this early. My Dr. gave me strict orders to be on bed rest to get these contractions under control and I promised I'd try harder.
All in all, it was a great appt and the girls were sooo well behaved. I got in and out of the office in 25 min. which is nice when it doesn't take too long. But it's hard to believe I am already to the point where I am going to my visits twice a month. I cannot believe how fast it came. It seems like yesterday I was talking with Mandee about her bi-monthly preggers visits and it seemed like I was so far away. I am just amazed and a little sad this pregnancy has flown by so quickly.

Me and my newest niece, Hadi-2 1/2 months...30 Weeks along. Her and Kodee will only be a few months apart.

27 Weeks

I had another appointment today, though it was just for a weight check. It was scheduled later in the morning so I took both girls with me. They were so behaved in the waiting room, but I think it's because the fish tank kept them occupied.
We got called back fairly quickly to get my weight and blood pressure, 118/82. So far so good. I had to give a urine test, and then we waited for my dr. to come in. When he did, he measured my belly which was normal. Then we listened for the heartbeat...it was healthy and strong. When the girls heard it, they were astounded. At first they thought it was mine, but when we told them it was the baby's, Ry said, "Aww how cute. I can hear my sister!"
As I was getting ready to leave, thinking everything was fine, my dr. looked at my chart. He said I was supposed to have gained weight which apparently I didn't. I lost 1/2 a pound. He wasn't sure why I haven't been able to gain weight. Not only that, but I have been cramping alot which feels alot like contractions, though it lasts a lot longer. So he prescribed me Zofran hoping it will work this time, because it hasn't worked with any other pregnancy I've had. He also put me on "limited" bed rest...so anytime I'm home, I'm supposed to be laying down and I am supposed to limit my outings. This may be hard with 3 kiddos, but I'll do my best. And hopefully it'll help me gain a little weight. Guess we'll see in 2 weeks when I go in for my next appointment.

25 Weeks

Today was my 25 week check-up. Last month when I went in at 1030am, it was so busy! So I prepared myself to wait awhile and got there 15 min early. But lo and behold, I walked in, and I was the only one in the office. (I think last month it was because everyone came right after the holidays) I was so glad I got in right away. They took my weight-lost another 1 1/2 pounds, and had my blood pressure taken-118/82....so far everything looked good.
This visit wasn't a huge one, which was ok. I gave my urine sample, and waited for my dr to come evaluate. It was time to listen to the heartbeat. It took a min for her to cooperate, but she finally came close enough for us to hear her strong, healthy heartbeat. Then he measured my belly, and everything was right on track for her growth.
As I was going to leave, he looked again at my chart and noticed I keep losing weight...down about 12 lbs. He's quite concerned, but I swear I try to eat as much as I can. It's amazing when I want to gain weight I can't and when I want to lose it....yeah let's just say that I'm usually not that successful. So needless to say, I am on orders to basically stuff my face so I can gain some weight, and he prescribed me more Phenergen. I have to go back to the dr in 2 weeks rather than 4 weeks to make sure I gain something. And as I was leaving, they did remember to give me the oh-so-yummy glucose drink for my visit in 4 weeks. I am just so excited for that test...yuck!
So still a good visit, baby is growing and doing well, and I was in and out of the office in 25 min. Success!