Day #7; One Week Down!

Had another appointment this morning...things are still the same. YEAH!!! That also means one more week of bed rest. I can handle that- things to look forward to. Conference & Easter weekend, lunch-in with girlfriends and girls-night-in with my mom and sister for Priesthood Session of General Conference. The great news is, if I can make it through next week, week 34 a lot of the problems with the babies lung development are resolved. Feeling good and very optimistic! Here we go baby boy- keep up the good work!

Bed Rest Day #6

This isn't SO bad. Yesterday I had quite a few friends call and come and visit. I felt like I was on the phone for a majority of the day. I was really productive sitting on my sofa :). I've come to the realization that the only thing I have control over any more is my attitude. I am going to be happy and upbeat about this situation and it makes it go by that much faster.

I do have to relate a story however. Like I've said before Rob has been incredible about cleaning and taking care of Jack and things around the house, but last night was a little OVERWHELMING for him. Jack didn't have a nap yesterday which isn't entirely abnormal, but he was pretty wired and a little naughty last night. I don't blame Jack, his little world has been shaken upside down. I think he is being a little trooper. Our friends came over to bring us dinner and then help Rob with a little home-repair-project. Of course it just so happens that the second I have to stay at home things around the house start breaking. Rob and Barrett were working on a little toilet repair, things went pretty fast as far as that goes. Our friends left and Rob was in the bathroom cleaning and putting things back together when I hear this BIG CRASH! Next thing I know Jack was saying to Rob, "Dad, that really scared me". I try to hop-up to see what happened and Rob is telling me as lovingly as he can to stay down, he doesn't need me going into labor tonight as well. So...as Rob was putting some stuff back, a shelf in our bathroom fell over and hit our vanity and broke the mirror. Of course- when it rains it pours! We can laugh about it now, but why oh why do home repairs bring out the worst in us?

Way to go Rob & Barrett for fixing the toilet so I don't have to go down the stairs each time I have to use it...which is a LOT lately. Thank you Becca for taking such good care of me and Jack yesterday. Thank you to Grandpa and Grandma Gonzalez for having Jack yesterday while Rob was at work and Thank you little baby boy for staying in one more day!

BEDREST- the new four letter word!

So I went to one of my prenatal appointments last week, things were looking good and then I got checked- dilated and thinning...BEDREST it is! I know there are so many women who get to do this for a lot longer than I will have to, but at that moment when the Dr. told me, one I thought "Oh CRAP!" and then two the tears started rolling. I am not an overly emotional person- tears aren't something that come that easily out of my eyes. Maybe it's the hormones, or maybe it was because I felt defeated. We have done everything in this pregnancy to keep me from going into another Pre-term labor. I thought things were going really well despite the contractions that I've been having, but at 32 weeks and as far along as I am- this is where I need to be at home in bed.

Here's the skinny, I'm hanging out at home- trying to keep myself entertained. Rob has been an AMAZING husband, totally stepping it up and rising to the challenge of single-parenthood, house wife, maid and caregiver. My family and friends have totally rallied as well and are helping me by taking care of Jack and bringing me meals, diet coke, cookies and visits!

I am now on my fifth day of bestrest- medication to slow down and or stop contractions have helped. I really have to stay on top of it though...every 12 hours or I feel the contractions coming. I am reading a lot of books, doing my nails, catching-up on blogging and doing things on the computer that I've wanted to but not had time to do.

I am learning new things about myself however. I know I've said this before in this blog forum, but I don't like to sit at home. I am learning to enjoy sitting at home and having time to myself. I like to have things done my way, especially when it comes to cleaning and cooking in my home. I have had to learn, and am still learning to just let it go- it's not important how the dishwasher gets loaded and how the laundry gets done. The important thing is I have a husband, family & friends who will come in and do those for me. The other thing I've learned about myself is, I am not great at accepting service. I am trying to be gracious, but this is a hard thing for me. I am used to being able to do things for myself and others around me.

Since I've got plenty of time on my hands I'll be keeping a daily update. But I am so incredibly grateful for the chance to have this baby and that is what is most important right now. Trying to do EVERYTHING possible to keep him in so he can come out and be healthy! Thank you to all the help that's been given and will be given to me and my little family. It is truly appreciated!

Shout-Out to Rob!

I just wanted to give a little shout-out to my wonderful husband Rob. He has been such a joy in my life- and lately he is even more. Rob is such a hard worker at the office and at home. He works to provide a great living for our family and he also works hard at his relationships. He is an amazing father and husband. He takes time out of his busy work schedule to meet Jack and I for lunch- and when he comes home in the evenings he is ours. He spends hours playing with Jack and helping him to learn all the "guy stuff" that I don't do.

I have to admit that this pregnancy has brought out a side of Rob that I haven't seen before. During pregnancy #1 Rob was my Fish and Soft Cheese police...he would make sure I wasn't eating anything I wasn't suppose to. He was a great support. This time around he is WAY more protective and concerned about how I am feeling. He won't let me do a lot of things like lifting or carrying Jack for any period of time, he makes me take naps and put my feet up. He is so concerned about how difficult this is on my body and truly has deep sympathy for me. I find this new side of Rob so endearing.

Rob and I have been ward missionaries for some time now, but this last month we have been teaching a Sunday School class together on Gospel Principles. This isn't the first time that we have taught together, but I am learning so much about him as we discuss and prepare gospel lessons each week. I am one LUCKY lady.

Thank you Rob for your sympathy, support and letting me get to know you even better this last little while. My love for you continues to grow and I am eternally grateful for you!

Dollar Store Finds

I am a bargain shopper I'll admit it, I LOVE a great deal! There are some things that I feel are worth paying full-price for and then there are all those other things that I need that barging brands and or DOLLAR STORE finds work just fine. I will pay full-price for shoes, especially hiking boots, running shoes and clogs (dansko brand, thank you!). Then there is all the gear that Rob and I have acquired for camping and sports- those things I feel are worth full-price. When it comes to buying shaving cream and hand sanitizer and even some shower gel, that's when I LOVE the dollar store. Not to mention all the great candy and potty-training-bribery toys they have there. I also think the dollar store has some of the cutest gift bags. Bargain's can be found there! Happy Dollar Store shopping!!

Baby Updates

This pregnancy I am a LOT more prepared than I was last time. I am two weeks away from where I was when I delivered Jack. Not that I'm expecting to go that early with this one, but let's just say things are ready if I did. That is such a GREAT feeling. This time around I don't have sheet rock mess in my house. I have clothes and blankets and whatnot for the baby...feeling good.

THINGS DONE- CHECK
Just finished putting the newborn clothes into the new dresser we bought for the boys room this weekend.
Crib is up and bedding is so neatly put on.
The Nursery is finished except for painting some letters (of baby boy's name to be) and hanging them on the wall over the crib.
Baby's bag for the hospital is packed and ready.

THINGS STILL NEED TO BE DONE-
Pack my bag for the hospital.
House projects (finish play room, Rob's list of honey-do's)
4 more Progesterone shots

Sure there are many more things that I would like to have done, but not a NECESSITY for this baby to come. Can I just give a huge sigh of relief. Now I can just enjoy the last haul and try and focus on keeping this baby in utero for a couple more weeks... so we can get past the scary part. Our whole family is getting excited for baby boy #2 to come. Jack has been a big helper putting clothes away and putting-up his brothers bed. He keeps asking when the baby will come. Feeling good about the things that are crossed off the list and can't wait to meet this little one!

Pink Lemonade Cupcakes

Recipe taken from "101 Gourmet Cupcakes in 10 Minutes" -Wendy Paul (Love this cookbook BTW)

PINK LEMONADE CUPCAKES
1 Box White Cake Mix
1/3 C. Pink Lemonade Concentrate
1/2 C. Buttermilk
3 Eggs
2-3 Drops Red Food Coloring

Mix together all ingredients until smooth. Pour batter into paper liners and fill 3/4 way full. Bake 15-18 minutes at 350 degrees until cake springs back when lightly touched. Cool completely before frosting.

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. butter, softened
3 3/4 c. powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract