Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Amy Lue

2004 was one of the best and worst years of my life. I meet my amazing husband and I lost my dear sweet grandmother. She passed away in December just days before Nicholas was coming to meet my family for the first time. He never had a chance to meet my grandmother but he knows the influence she has had on me.

I can contribute about 98% of my personality to her. She was strong, independent, never afraid to speak her mind, and most importantly loving. She loved to work and loved her career. But more than anything she loved her family. You could always count on her to gush and brag about us to anyone that would listen. She never missed any of my dance performances and would always tell me I was the best out there. She also gave me her expensive taste! She loved to shop and always knew what was in styles. She had the most beautiful singing voice (one trait I missed out on). I treasure all the little songs she would sing us and plan on singing them to Baines, even though it won’t sound as beautiful.

One of my most treasured memories comes from one of the worst memories of my life. I had to go to jail here in California (totally unrelated story) and my grandmother told me to call her collect so we could talk until my dad posted bail. I was there for almost three days and spoke with my grandmother the whole time. She was always so accepting and understanding of every mistake I made. I don’t even remember what we spoke about but I just remember feeling so loved. I didn’t know at the time how sick she was because she didn’t want us to know. This was in September and she passed away in December.

She also loved make up and hated leaving the house without any, as do I. When we arrived at her viewing before the funeral, I noticed that her eyebrows hadn’t been colored in. This is another trail I picked up form her; I have the lightest eye brows and have to color them in everyday. It might sound weird or creepy to some people but I got an eyebrow pencil and filled them in before everyone arrived. (PS I’m crying as I type this) It was an amazing opportunity that I know my grandmother truly appreciated. I’m so glad I got to do that one last thing for her.

When we found out we were having a girl, I knew her middle name would be Amy Lue after my grandmother. I miss her everyday and she’ll always be in my heart. I can’t wait to share stories with Baines about her great grandmother. I only wish she was here to share in my joy.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Busy, Busy, Busy

Last week was really crazy, we were out of town working and of course we were both exhausted once we returned. My flight was delayed 3 hours so I didn’t get home till 3 am then had to work the next day. It was a drag and a bad way to end a crappy sales trip.

The inspector came by the house, and really put a cramp in our style. We have to dig our foundation another 6 inches, change some bolts, move the plumbing and gas for our laundry in the garage (so I wont have a washer or dryer for a couple of weeks). Since I’m really no help with physical labor now, it’s really frustrating. Nicholas and his dad worked like crazy this weekend to get everything fixed. Basically it’s like starting from ground zero! Such a bummer but there is nothing we can do about it.

We are really looking forward to my parents, grandparent, and Dustin coming to town on Sunday to help for 2 weeks. We could really use them and are so appreciative that they would even offer. Plus it’s an extra perk that we get to hang out with them in California. They haven’t all been here since our wedding in 2006.

It will be great for me to have my mom and grandmother here to help get ready for Baby B. I have been feeling nauseas again since Saturday so I wasn’t able to get all my cleaning done. I’ve also been really tired; I slept almost all day yesterday. I’m hoping its just residuals from traveling last week and I’ll get my energy back again. I have heard that some people get their first trimester symptoms back in their third… I really really really hope not!

Sunday, May 16, 2010

28 Weeks

This is my first week of my THIRD TRIMESTER! Its super exciting and really nerve racking. I cant believe how fast this pregnancy has gone. I feel so unprepared and we don't have much time to get ready. I'm trying to take it one day at a time. I know Baines is not going to arrive and demand that everything be perfect.

We had our follow up doctors appt Friday, after my blood work and ultrasound. My placenta has moved so now we can have a natural birth. So we really need to get signed up for birth classes. I don't have gestational diabetes, which is great news. Not that I thought I did but my coworker got it when she was pregnant and it really seemed like a pain. My Iron was low but its really common in pregnancy so I started taking iron supplements. My Doctor said its really important since I'll loose a lot of blood during delivery. She also prescribed me a new daily Asthma medication to take the rest of my pregnancy. She doesn't want me to have any more attacks. So hopefully it will do the trick.

My belly is growing like crazy, luckily most of my other body parts have stayed the same. All the girls in the office think its funny because my legs haven't gained any weight. They look so tiny under my belly.


I'm really starting to feel uncomfortable towards the end of the day. My legs are swelling up so I have to elevate them as much as possible. I went to a birthday party today in some cute gladiator sandals (see picture above). When I got home my feet were so swollen, I didn't think I could get them off! It was really sad. I had to take a picture of the marks the shoes left. I think those sandals will have to go into retirement for now.

This next week is going to be CRAZY. Tomorrow, I am leaving at 5:00am for Texas, its my last road trip (thank heavens). My co worker Veronica is coming with me but I know its going to be a challenge. Already its getting hard doing my daily routine, so showing sample on the road will be a difficult. Veronica will be the Hulk and lift everything but I'll still have to bend down to show samples. Also Nicholas leaves tomorrow for North Caroline again. It works out nice that we're both out of town at the same time but it puts a cramp in our schedule with the house construction. Larry, my father-in-law will be meeting with inspector so we can hopefully pour cement next weekend. Everyone cross your fingers!!!

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Baby B is Beautiful!

We had another Ultrasound today to check if my placenta had moved. The ultrasound tech said it had but I’ll wait till Friday to hear what my OB has to say. So right now it looks like a natural birth is possible. I better get signed up for birth classes ASAP! We have been putting it off because Nicholas said “why waist the time if we have to have a c-section”.

We are defiantly still having a girl! She was really camera shy and had her arms crossed over her face so it was hard to get a good picture. She was also moving around a bunch and wouldn’t hold still. We got to see her little feet and she curled her toes. Also she has some hair growing on her head. Nicholas and I were both born with full heads of hair so I’m hoping she will too! I still think her lips are huge, just like Nicholas’. Already she looks so beautiful. She's put on weight since our last ultrasound so she looked more like a baby than Skeletor.

Side View
Length of her body

Her face, for some reason it looks better upside down

Here it is right side up

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Emergency

Last week I came down with a cold and had to miss three days of work. By Friday I was feeling much better and over the weekend I was still resting but doing well. Yesterday, I was coughing more than usual. Around noon it was uncontrollable. I was using my inhaler but couldn’t get relief. I thought eating lunch would help. I had a hard to breathing so I couldn’t really eat. I was also having pains in my abdomen and back. I was worried for the baby so I called my OB. She said I needed to go to the emergency room, UGH! I didn’t want to go to the emergency room so I tried Urgent Care first. They couldn’t admit me because I am 27 weeks pregnant and didn’t have monitors for the baby. I then went to the emergency room and they took me straight to Labor and Delivery because I was having pains and shortness of breath.

They hooked me and Baines up to the monitors. My heart rate was 120+ and Baines was 160+, they said it was probably because of all the steroids from my inhaler. I was only getting about 75% oxygen because my lungs weren’t opening to capacity. Long story short, I was admitted at 4:00pm and wasn’t released until 10:00pm. I had 2 breathing treatments, hooked to oxygen to up my levels, and a chest x-ray. They concluded that I had an upper respiratory infection that turned into a sever Asthma attack.

It was really scary and completely overwhelming to be in Labor and Delivery. Everything turned out to be fine but it was a bad way to start my week. Hopefully I can control my asthma for the rest of the pregnancy because I don’t want to go back until Baines is ready to be born.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Mothers Day!

My mother has always been a source of strength, inspiration, companionship, support, comfort, and love. She always stands by my side so effortlessly (even when I made it difficult for her) I didn’t truly understand what that meant. Now that I am expecting my own little girl already I feel the joy and heartache that comes with motherhood. I have grown such admiration for my mother. I look forward to everything she can teach me as a grandmother.

I am so lucky to have so many inspirational women in my life. I know they are going to be a great source of help once the baby is born. I hope you all have an amazing Mothers Day!

Monday, May 3, 2010

Cool

We spent the weekend in Cool, CA for a 24 mountain bike race that Nicholas and some friends rode as a 4 person team. I was really skeptical about going because the drive was 6 ½ hours! I didn’t think I would be able to make it being 6 months prego. I really wanted to go support Nicholas since it was his birthday on Friday. Plus it was his little vacation away from home construction. We made a game of taking pictures of all the places I stopped to pee. I was surprised I didn’t have to stop more!

Pee Stop #1
Pee Stop #2
Pee Stop #3

Pee Stop #4 though.....


I am really happy that I went, it was so beautiful and I had a good time. Here are some pictures from the trip.


The view on the drive in

The Dudes

Nicholas in action

Nicholas Rockin it

Covered in mud after a lap

watching the race from our trailer

The whole crew

And the best part, the boys got SECOND PLACE!!!! They did awesome and I am super proud of Nicholas.


This dude was AWESOME. He rode the race solo for all 24 hours. On his final lap he took his two Chi-Wienners along for the ride. Is hard to see but the dogs are wearing matching jerseys and Doggles!