4 weeks old

Claire is now 4 weeks old and we can't believe how fast the time has gone by and how much she's changed! It's been quite a new lifestyle for Ryan and I to get used to. It's amazing how much control 8 odd pounds can command of your life.

In terms of Claire's development, she's put on the weight she lost while in the hospital and seems to be gaining at a good pace. We'll have our 1 month doctor's appointment this week to see how much she's put on, but she's starting to fill out some of the clothes in her ever expanding wardrobe. Her closet is rapidly filling up as people keep buying her adorable outfits! Other things that Claire has experienced include a cold (snotty nose and sneezes), lots of hiccups, and gas...which makes her angry and uncomfortable. Poor thing. She's incredibly strong and likes to launch herself around when we're holding her...she's also incredibly good at getting herself unswaddled and kicking her blankets off of her. Neck and head control are a work in progress. I know I'm biased, but I think she gets more beautiful every single day. Her eye color is still being determined; some days they look brown...other days gray. Her hair is just as black as it was when she was born and probably the coolest thing about her is that she has a mohawk.

She's a pretty good baby in terms of sleeping and eating. It was really hard getting used to getting up in the middle of the night to feed her but we're settling into a patterns now. It has been a big adjustment going from having help to just being Ryan and I taking care of her but day by day we're getting more comfortable being parents.

We've started taking her out with us on short errands but we haven't made any long trips yet. It's a terrifying thing to have her in the car; I'm such a paranoid driver to begin with. But she seems to enjoy car rides and falls asleep easily.
Friday night Claire experienced her first hockey game. She and I went to watch Ryan officiate a SNC hockey game. I had a great time. She slept through it. Sunday we went to get our first Christmas tree and we bundled Claire up in her snowsuit for the occasion. It was so much fun for us. She slept through it.

Getting ready to go get an XMas tree

Notice a pattern? Hahah...she sleeps a lot, (her favorite spot seems to be on Ryan's chest)

but every day she is becoming more and more alert and starting to notice things around her. It's hilarious when she tries to look at things because she gets cross-eyed when trying to focus on things in front of her. The other night she was sitting in her little vibrating chair near the Christmas tree looking at it; we think she likes the lights and colors. We hoped she'd get to see all of the snow we got over the last 30 hours or so (over 12"), but she didn't seem too interested and preferred to sleep instead. Her brief experience with snow is limited to our trip to Walmart from the time it took to get from in the car to inside the store. She didn't enjoy it blowing in her face.

She's very popular...even if only 4 weeks old. Even in these last few weeks, she's had plenty of visitors...they can't get enough of her...we know why. Below are photos of our friends and family who've been able to see her.

Grandma Penny

Grandpa John

Aunt Ashley

Great Grandma Joan

Grandma Maureen & Uncle Colin

Grandpa Jim

Great Grandma Betty, Grandma Mo & Mom...4 generations

Week 39...Surprise! Happy Birthday Claire!

On Sunday, November 8, 2009, our little angel, Claire Ashley, made her grand appearance...a whole week early.

Saturday November 7, 2009 started like any other Saturday. It was a beautiful day; the weather was great--a perfect day for a wedding. My cousin Maria was getting married and I spent the early part of the day cleaning up the house for my mom, dad, and brother who were coming into town for the day. Around noon I started getting myself ready for the wedding and by 2:00 p.m., we were at the church in Howard with our extended family. After the service my aunts, uncles, cousins, parents, brother, and I went over to my Grandma's apartment to relax until the reception. Ryan had to head out of town to referee a hockey game at UW-Stevens Pointe. We were a little nervous with him heading out of town knowing that I could be due at any time, but my wise physician father assured me (along with my doctor earlier that week) that the baby wasn't ready to make an appearance that night. She was still up high and I hadn't shown any signs of going into labor.

For a few hours my family enjoyed hanging out together catching up before the reception. Around 4:45 my parents drove me back to our house--I hadn't planned on going to the reception given my stamina level and general hugeness--before heading over to dinner. After getting into the house, I unwrapped a baby gift from one of my aunts. As I bent over to pick up some stray wrapping paper that had fallen to the ground, I felt a great popping sensation...as though I had a balloon in my belly punctured, followed by a whoosh of fluid! After uttering a choice explitive, I rushed to the bathroom to hyperventilate for about 30 seconds. After composing myself, I called my parents on their cellphone to deliver the news that my water had broken. My mother, in a panicked voice, assured me that they would be there as soon as they delivered my grandma, who was in the car with them, to the wedding. Having secured a ride, I calmed myself down before calling Ryan who, at that time (5:38), was just pulling in to Stevens Pointe. Knowing he'd be in a panic, I calmly assured him that everything was going to be fine. I could almost hear the wheels in his head spinning as he tried to figure out his next move. When we hung up, he was making his way to the ice arena to inform the rink authorities that he needed to leave and calling his officiating buddies to find a last minute replacement.

As I waited for my parents to arrive, I spent the time trying to figure out what the hell to pack for the hospital. I'd already packed a bag somewhat, but I figured I had more more time to make sure I had everything. About a half hour after my parents arrived, we decided to start heading to the hospital. We arrived at the hospital about 7:25 p.m...and waiting there for us was Ryan who had made record time from Stevens Pointe. All settled in our birthing suite, the waiting game began. My contractions had started about 7:00 p.m.Surprisingly, time passed fairly quickly. Before I knew it it was 9:45, then midnight, and so on. My contractions started to get really strong and painful in the early hours of Nov. 8. Early on at the hospital, it looked as though my contractions were going great...the baby's heartbeat was strong, and all looked well. However, after several hours, I was not progressing very well and I was put on petocin to encourage dilation and my contractions. However, my contractions, while getting stronger, were not consistent at all. I'd go from contractions from 8 minutes apart to 3 to 4 minutes apart, to contractions that would last from 2 to 5 minutes long. Needless to say, it was frustrating. Around 4 in the morning, after 9 hours of inconsistent and painful labor, I decided to get an epidural. I was frustrated with myself for 'giving in', but I couldn't take the pain anymore. The epidural was not fun and kind of scary for me...especially since I wasn't supposed to move at all as they put in the catheter...while experiencing contractions! Yuck.

By 5 a.m., I was feeling no pain and Ryan and I were about to get about 2 hours of sleep. Around 7:30 a.m. the nurse came in to check again to see how I had progressed. I was 7cm dialated. The nurse, however, had a surprise for us. She looked at me as she was checking and said...'I'll have to get someone else's opinion...but I don't think I feel a head...I think I feel butt cheeks!' Another came it to confirm and then an ultrasound was performed and indeed, Claire was breech with her butt down. Our doctor, Dr. Tammela, came into the room to view the ultrasound and discuss our options. At her encouragement and given the extent to which I was dialated, we decided that the C-section was our best option. It was around 8:00 a.m. By 8:15, I was being wheeled into the operating room.

I was so nervous. I was really hoping to avoid a C-section; the thought of surgery and something going wrong was terrifying. The medication they gave me made me shake uncontrollably also, which was terrible. It seemed like forever before Ryan was able to come into the room with me; he looked so cute in his paper scrubs & hat. It seemed like forever before they were ready to start the surgery, but all of a sudden, at 8:57, I heard her cry and the tears just poured down my face. Ryan got to see everything happen and got to see the nurses clean her up as the doctors stitched me up. Ryan then brought her over to me and they laid her on my chest. I was so happy. Because she was breech, she was folded in half...so the nurses swaddled her up to be comfortable...bent in half with her feet up next to her hands and face. I had to go to recovery for about 2 hours where I, still shaking uncontrollably, slept off some of the medication. Groggy and sleepy, I was eventually wheeled back into my room to wait for someone to bring Claire to me. By this time, my in-laws (who had driven over that night upon hearing of my labor), sister in law, brother and mother had seen her in the nursery; my dad had just stepped off the elevator to find that he was a grandpa. After a few minutes, I heard the sound of a cart rolling down the hall and Ryan, with a huge smile on his face, entered the room pushing her bassinet. Most of the rest of the day was a blur. I know I slept a lot and eventually was encouraged to get up out of bed.

The next few days were spent in the hospital. Poor Ryan got a really bad cough and cold combo and by Tuesday night had to go home to sleep. We had several visitors in the hospital and eventually got used to a long day of feedings, changings, and hospital food (which was pretty good surprisingly). I was very uncomfortable because of my incision and had to get up and walk around which was not fun. When I had time I was emailing my coworkers and students to make sure that my classes (and exams that were scheduled for that week) were taken care of. By Tuesday, taking a shower and brushing my teeth to feel normal was like a Godsend. By Wednesday I was so ready to go home I could barely stand it. Had it not been for all of the company and fantastic nurses, I would have gone crazy in there.

On Wednesday Nov. 11 we took Claire home. It was the scariest car ride of my life and one of the most stressful days. My mom came to stay with us for a few days and then John and Penny came that weekend to help us out. It's been a pretty stressful period since then...with a new baby, a sick husband, and no clue what we're doing...we've had a lot of help though. We're starting to get the hang of it and Claire has been a good girl in terms of being pretty regular in terms of sleeping and eating. It's been just over two weeks since she's been home. Aside from lack of sleep and still not really know what we're doing, we're very very happy. She's been to the doctor and seems in good health. She may have to get some more tests done to check her hips because she was born breech, but the doctors seem pretty confident that she'll be just fine.

Today is Thanksgiving and we are truly thankful. We're thankful for our family who has been so helpful; we're thankful for the hospital staff and our physicians for being so good to us. But most of all, we're thankful that we have a healthy and happy beautiful baby girl to love. We can't wait to show her off to all of our family and friends and for them to meet our girl. Until that time, we hope you keep checking in to see her grow and to hear more about her developments.

Hoping you enjoy a happy and safe Thanksgiving...

Love,

Katie, Ryan and Claire

Week 38

Wow this baby is becoming a pain in the ass. Literally. On Tuesday I had a shooting pain through my lower back and left side of my butt. Awesome. I could barely walk around. The day before I went home from work early because I was having some extreme back pain and some tightening in my abdomen. It went away when I laid down, but I was afraid that I was in early labor.

I went to the doctor's today for what should be my second to last doctor's appointment. Since last week I gained 9, yes 9, pounds. Hello water weight. See the most recent disgusting picture of of my feet. My ankles have rolls. I feel like the state puff marshmallow man.
The flip flops I have on in this picture barely fit on my feet and leave sweet indentations on my skin. It's like clay...if you push down on the tissue, you can leave indentations. hahaha...swelling sucks.

Week 37...the countdown begins

Well, it's official...we are technically 'full term' and could go any day now. Holy crap.

It's a beautiful day here in De Pere; truly the nicest day we've had in about two weeks. The sun is shining, the leaves are beautiful, the weather is mild. I'm staring out of my work office window not really working despite the desperate need to get as much done as possible in the next week. I'm chalking up my inability to focus on the inability to get more than 2 hours of sleep at a time at night. I literally got up 5 times last night and 'getting up' is no small feat. I literally have to launch myself over onto my side or use the blankets on the bed as leverage to pull myself from a lying position. I feel like a turtle stuck on my back; it's not a pretty or graceful picture. Poor Ryan doesn't get much sleep either since it's such a production for me to get in and out of bed.

While I am trying to enjoy the last few (hopefully) weeks of pregnancy, I do have a growing list of complaints against the institution including an incredibly aching lower back, and my swollen feet/legs. I am almost out of clothes that fit and have resigned myself to wearing a short rotation of smock-like dresses with leggings that make me feel like either a kindergarten teacher or nun. Once I'm home from work, it's right into a pair of Ryan's old sweatpants and an oversized t-shirt.

In baby news...according to babycenter.com, I am sporting a watermelon under my smock-dresses these days and Wombat is tipping the scales around 6 pounds and likely is between 18-20".

Our good friends Scottie & Lisa were blessed this morning with a 8# baby boy; they're two weeks ahead of us. Ryan's cousins Dan & Kelly were induced 4 weeks early with a 7# 6 oz baby boy Nathan...mind you, 4 weeks early! I hope that Wombat is not going to be a gargantuan monster. Ryan thinks that the baby has 'dropped', but I'm not quite sure.

We've been busy putting the finishing touches on the nursery.

On Sunday we hung a wallpaper border in the nursery to match the crib bedding. Despite the pain in the you know what that it was to do, it came out very nicely. We also hit the baby store here in town to pick out a lightweight stroller and a very 'daddy-friendly' diaper bag.

Sunday we installed some red lightbulbs outside and hung spiderwebs in preparation for Halloween. It looks very creepy and cool at night. We carved pumpkins last night, including a little one for Wombat. We live in a pretty busy neighborhood and are doubtful as to whether we purchased enough candy for Trick-or-Treating on Saturday. I am so excited for Halloween; this the first time we've lived somewhere where kids actually are around. I just pray that timing takes us closer to 'baby's first Thanksgiving' and we don't end up celebrating 'baby's first Halloween' just yet. Pray for me!

I'll put some more pictures up in a bit; hopefully this isn't the last post before the big day!

Love,
Katie & Ryan

Week 35

Whew. Where to begin? The last time I posted, I had just had a beautiful baby shower and some good friends were planning another for me which took place this past weekend. This past weekend, some of my best friends from college came in from out of town; it was so great to see them. It's amazing how busy everyone gets and how nice it is to have a chance to get together to catch up.Our nursery is starting to fill up...and I was worried that it'd look empty! Two weeks ago we repainted it to brighten it up and we will hang the wallpaper border next weekend. We got a great glider for...well, gliding I guess once the baby gets here. It's so nice and comfortable that it's currently occupying our living room-we'll move it into baby's room eventually. Now as soon as I get everything organized, I might start to feel like I am somewhat prepared for Wombat's arrival. 4 weeks and 2 days...sigh.

Baby O is around 18 inches long and the size of a honeydew melon...about 5 pounds. Is it me or is that a HUGE honeydew melon? I am measuring right on track, and have had no problem putting on the pounds in the last few weeks. And...the stretch marks have finally appeared...on my FEET! That's right, I have avoided the dreaded belly stretch marks, but within the last week, I have developed edema, swollen extremities...especially in my calves, ankles, and feet. All of a sudden this past Friday night, my legs blew up! It's disgusting and painful. Generally, women get it bad at the end of the day, but some mornings I wake up with swollen feet. It's of concern if you have high blood pressure, but my BP is fine, so I just get to have this be an annoying side effect of pregnancy. I literally can wear two pairs of shoes...both of which are Croc maryjanes...and those even leave indentations in my fluid-filled feet tissue! My doctor was shocked when she saw my feet yesterday. Now I got a prescription to pick up these super compression maternity socks like the ones they give geriatric patients who suffer from strokes. Awesome. Now when I get home, I have to elevate my feet above my hear to get my circulation going...my mom even suggested that I put my feet up while I teach. I'm not sure how that'd look. Hmmm. See the attached gross pictures...enjoy the left foot/ankle. I look like an elephant. FYI, the right foot/ankle/leg is also swollen. Not sure getting that pedicure was even worth it.

In other pregnancy news, the belly is huge and very sore from me constantly bumping into things. It's especially difficult when I am in class trying to grade and have to sit in the little desks or lean over the computer console. My belly button is fully 'out' too. I can tell that this baby is getting cramped in there...he or she is currently having trouble stretching out. When he/she does, you can literally see my whole stomach contort from the change in its position. Sometimes it feels like he/she is doing the worm the way my belly ripples. My ribs have been really sore lately too due to its tendency to get 'stuck' under them. A full nights sleep is a thing of the past. Every few hours I'm up either to go to the bathroom or to readjust my position because I'm uncomfortable. Sometimes I just wake up and then can't get back to sleep. At least it's getting me prepared to get up every few hours once Wombat gets here.

Speaking of sleepless nights, this morning was a doozey. A few weeks ago I was home by myself while Ryan was at grad class. I heard a scratching sound in the wall behind my head. Holy crap, I thought, we have a mouse and Ryan is going to flip. Although I told him about it, we didn't hear a peep for weeks. Then last week, I heard it again...once again while I was alone. I started to think I was going crazy hearing things...maybe some kind of crazy pregnancy-induced hallucinations. Two nights ago, the scratching sound woke me up! Last night, around 2 a.m., it happened again, coming from our bedroom closet. I woke up Ryan so he could confirm that I wasn't crazy. We believe that the mouse (hopefully not mice) is trying to get through into the house from the attic by scratching through where our celing-mounted light fixtures are. After some banging on the walls, to no avail, and a 3:30 tv watching session, Ryan headed off to Walmart at 4:30 this morning for mouse traps. He got up into the attic spaces and set a few traps and lo and behold, we heard a definitive 'snap!' around 6 a.m. right after we finished our breakfast. Sure enough, dead mouse in the trap. We're keeping our fingers crossed that the mouse was acting alone and doesn't have a mouse family inhabiting our home...this house is only big enough for one family. If anything, we can thank the mouse for the chance for an uncustomary breakfast together...despite the wake up call 3 hours early. Thanks a lot mouse.

Other than that news, we're just in count-down mode. We're going to the doctor's office weekly from here on out and all looks good in terms of timing. We're both scrambling? to get our school stuff ready, but I think we'll be okay. I give exams next week and then should have time to get one more exams' worth of content covered before I go. We have (or it seems) a ton of stuff to get done before the baby comes, but little by little, we're chipping away at our laundry list of stuff. I think we'll be okay. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Till next time,

Katie & Ryan

Week 33

Some days I feel like I actually am carrying around a wombat. Have you ever seen what a wombat looks like?! It's no small thing! I don't think my stomach can get much bigger. Clearly there's not much room in there for the baby, because s/he is actually starting to hurt me when s/he moves in certain ways. It's elbows, knees, feet or some extremity and s/he likes to drag said extremit(ies) across the left side of my abdomen. Additionally, I have never been closer to peeing my pants as I have been in the last few weeks. I swear sometimes when the baby moves suddenly...well, you get it.

Thursday is October 1. Ashley was kind enough to call me to let me know that in approximately 6 weeks, my life will be unrecognizable. Okay, she didn't call to say that, but she did remind me how little time we have left to get ready for this incredibly life altering event. Holy cow. However, we are much closer to being ready thanks to the wonderful baby shower that Ryan's aunt Candy threw for me two weekends ago. Thanks to all those who came and especially to all those who helped make it such a beautiful day. The weekend after this coming weekend, my good friends Ellen and Jackie are having another shower for me here in Green Bay and I'm really looking forward to seeing some old friends. For most of them, it'll be either the first time seeing me pregnant or showing any signs of being pregnant. I'm sure they'll be pretty surprised!

In other news, we finished up lamaze class and are ready to breathe properly when the time comes. All in all, I'm glad that we did the class and I do feel better prepared for the birth process. More terrified to be sure, but in a prepared sort of way. Tomorrow I am meeting with a potential pediatrician and I feel like such an idiot. How do you interview a doctor? Since when is 'shopping' for health care common? I guess since this is the first time I'm doing it, it seems weird. What's stranger yet is that I have never even been able to stay with a hair stylist, and now I am trying to pick out a very important service provider...and I feel like I'm picking out of a hat! Thursday I head back to the doctor for another appointment; my appointments are now every two weeks and in three weeks or so, I'll be going every week.

That's all for now. More to come.

Love,

Katie & Ryan

Week 31

Hi all,

New news on Wombat...16 1/2 inches long and approximately 3.5 lbs. Lots of movement including some fun new types of movement that feel like big bubbles popping. Weird.

After my last post I went in to get my glucose screening to test for gestational diabetes. The morning of, like an idiot, I drank a glass of orange juice, ate a nectarine, and had two s'mores poptarts. Think I had a high glucose level? Yup. Failed big time. So...subsequently I had to go back to the doctors for a 3 hour follow up appointment where I had to fast prior and have my blood drawn 4 times. Word to the wise to any ladies planning on having babies in the future...be smarter than me on your glucose screening day.

In other baby news we started lamaze class and as predicted, no potential friends in that bunch. The best...or maybe worst? part of the class are these few guys that admitted that they'd been dragged there by their pregnant counterparts and were annoyed that they were missing the preseason Packer game that was on at the time. Wow. I am so glad that Ryan is behind me 100%. The classes take me back to being a student and I hate to admit, I feel for my students...I hope I am more entertaining and less boring as a teacher than the sweet old lady running the class. Ryan and I are like the bad kids in class who pass notes and giggle through the exercises. Well, we're not the only ones, but I still feel kinda bad. I also have some other prenatal classes happening this week: breastfeeding and infant care.

Things haven't slowed down at all...in fact, they seem to be speeding up. We're both heading into our third week of school and have had busy weekends. Two weeks ago we celebrated Labor Day up in Merrill with the Schooley family for our annual Ourada/Schooley yard game extravaganza. This past weekend we participated in the Awareness walk at Aspiro with the extended Ourada clan. Next weekend Ryan's aunt Candy is throwing me a baby shower.

In house news, it's pretty much put together, unpacked, and decorated. We had an informal housewarming party when the Ourada family came over after the Awareness walk. We'll probably have another get together later this fall for more people to come over and see the place. We really love it though. Two Fridays ago we walked from our house over to the West De Pere High football game. Ryan got the baby's room all set up including the crib and our new baby stroller. I picked up the baby's bedding and we just need to swap out the border and it'll be ready for baby. It's so cute. I love it.

The closing comments I will leave are in regard to my enormous belly. It's so big and it looks like I am trying to smuggle a watermelon under my shirt. It's so tight too...my skin feels like it's stretched over a canvas...all my veins show and my belly button is almost completely out. I've included a belly exposed shot for your...enjoyment? disgust? Either way, have a laugh at my expense.

Love,

Katie and Ryan

Week 29

Ryan and I are homeowners! Whew! What a long two weeks!

On August 20th, we closed on our home in West De Pere, WI. The same afternoon, we moved a large load to our house and set off to work cleaning the new place. For a solid seven hours we cleaned before crashing on our makeshift bedroom (a mattress set up in the living room). The next day, Friday, Ashley and JJ came over to help us move all our crap our of our apartment. Thank God we had their help cause Ryan would have been hurting trying to move all that heavy stuff by himself. JJ also was invaluable in his installation of our new water heater. Saturday took Ryan up to Minocqua with his dad to pick up furniture from my parents house.

After attending a wedding with Penny and JJ (Ashley was standing up in it), the whole gang (plus some of Ashley's friends) were our first house guests...good thing the guys got that water heater working :) Early Sunday morning took Ryan away again, this time to Wisconsin Rapids to run a hockey seminar thing; John & Penny stayed for a while to help assemble furniture, kill the weeds in our driveway, put stuff away, and carry heavy stuff I couldn't lift. I am so useless!

Alas, that was not the end of the new house saga. Tuesday morning I headed over to the apartment where I was later joined by my mom and Ryan to get the dump cleaned up. After a long, long day of cleaning the apartment, we were finally rid of apartment life. We celebrated my mom's birthday...yes, she cleaned our old apartment on her birthday, by going out to a nice dinner. By this point, we hadn't cooked a meal in about a week and a half...living on take-out is no glamourous thing. Not very nutritous for Wombat either. Wednesday and Thursday meant more unpacking and cleaning (with Mom's help again) and finally Friday afternoon we headed up to Merrill to celebrate Penny's birthday.

Saturday was spent in Minocqua where Ryan ran a seminar and I worked on getting my classes finalized. Sunday (yesterday), we drove back to De Pere where I attended the Mass of the Holy Spirit @ Old St. Joes...the start of the SNC semester. Then this morning, I headed back to work for the first day of classes at SNC. Ryan goes back to school tomorrow, but instead of relaxing, like a normal person, he cut the grass, recaulked the patio door, painted the hall closet, hung pictures, pulled weeds, reorganized the garage, etc., etc.

In baby news, I feel huge! My stomach has never stuck out so much or been so incredibly rigid. It's definitely starting to get tight and uncomfortable. Let's just say that it's hard to shave my legs and it won't be long till I need help tying my shoes. Anyone who didn't know I was pregnant definitely knows now. There was that period of time where people at work gave me a once over...they obviously were wondering but didn't want to say anything for fear I wasn't actually pregnant, but that is no longer the case. I met two new colleagues today and they flat out asked when I was due. My students got a kick out of the annoucement today that they have, potentially, winter break coming a few weeks early for them depending on when Wombat decides to make an appearance.

There's a lot of movement, but it's much different than those first intense exciting kicks. Now it's as though the baby is stretching out and I can feel limbs dragging along the inside of my belly. Sounds creepy and kind of gross to anyone who doesn't know what I'm talking about, but it's still pretty cool. Heartburn sucks and my feel KILL, but other than that, I feel pretty good. Very hungry most of the time.

Thursday I head to the doctor's for my glucose screening and the same night Ryan and I start lamaze. Hopefully there aren't a bunch of weirdos in the class...all my friends have horror stories about their lamaze experiences.

That's all for now; I am absolutely wiped from work today. More to report very soon.

Love, Katie & Ryan

Week 27

Aaaaaaarrrrgghhh. That pretty much sums up the last week for Ryan and I as we prepare to move from our apartment to our first home. Why is it that when you want time to slow down it speeds up and when you want it to speed up, it moves like molasses in January? Next week, when we're finally moved in, unpacked, and settled, I'll be in a much better mood.

Wombat is the size of a head of cauliflower...and now blinks. That's the big developmental feat accomplished this week. I'm definitely going to have to get weekly updates once this baby is born so that I know what is and isn't normal. At the last doctor's appt., Wombat's heartbeat was nice and strong. His/her movements, while still strong, are becoming less frequent as space continues to get tighter and tighter. Next week we go in for the glucose test to check for gestational diabetes.

We're officially in trimester 3. T-minus 13 weeks, (+/-) 2 weeks. If we're lucky, I might almost make it to the end of the fall semester. I have at least one more week of prep time before classes begin, so I am really working hard to get everything ready on the work side of things. Ryan too is preparing to head back to school so we can hit the ground running. We still need to get all the nursery, prenatal classes, and house-prep ready for this kid.

Heartburn, sleeplessness, and backaches continue to plague...poor Ryan is suffering sleeplessness with me. The last week was extremely hot and humid, so that was pretty miserable--thank God the rest of the summer has been so mild. The belly is getting bigger and bigger, as I found out when looking for bridesmaids dresses with Ashley last weekend. I literally got stuck in a dress. It was good for a laugh though!

We'll post some more pictures soon once we're in the house; then you'll see our new place and how big we're getting!

Lots of love,

Katie & Ryan

Week 25

There's no hiding it now. The 'bump' is more like a mountain than a mere 'bump'.

Last week baby Wombat was about the size of an ear of corn; this week...a rutabaga. I wish I knew who picked the comparison fruit/vegetables. I have no idea what a rutabaga looks like. Whatever it is, it must be big because I swear when this kid turns over, it feels like someone is inflating a balloon inside my stomach.

Speaking of movement, the baby's movement is visible from outside the belly. It's fun to wake up in the morning and wait to see if we'll see movement. Aunt Ashley has seen it and felt it move and last weekend Grandma Penny got to feel it as well. Nighttime brings a lot of moving around too...especially as I am ready to relax. Go figure. Nights are starting to get a little difficult. Between multiple trips to the bathroom and having to sleep on my side, I feel like I'm not getting quite as much sleep and thus, feel more tired than usual. My back is also starting to get sore from my belly pulling my hips forward and standing for long stretches gets uncomfortable as well. Heartburn is also a new development in the last few weeks as space is tighter and tighter in my belly. However, as any of my good friends will tell you, heartburn is an old friend and I have been known to carry tums/rolaids/pepto bismal around with me everywhere for years and years.

Two weekends ago we took the baby to its first concert when we went to see Coldplay at Alpine Valley. While we had a great time, it was such a long day! Standing on the hill at Alpine definitely gave my legs a workout too. I finished up summer school this last week and we enjoyed the weekend with family. Thursday night a big group of us on the Ourada side met up for dinner in St. Anna with the guys returning from the Brewer game. On Saturday the Ourada side got together again to celebrate the Rabideau family visiting from Texas. It was a blast, especially since I had my pregnant girls Kelly and Linsdey to be sober with :)

Today, our first full day off together for the summer, we took tremendous steps toward packing up our apartment. In less than three weeks, we'll be in our first home. We can't wait to have somewhere to bring home baby! This week we're heading up north for what we expect to be our final hurrah for the summer. We'll hopefully have nice weather to enjoy some biking and boating with my parents for a few days. After this weekend we're going to crank it into high gear in terms of packing and prepping for school. I can't believe the summer has gone by so fast. I suppose when you have something every weekend, time tends to get away from you. Tomorrow we head back to the doctors for our monthly appointment. We'll have more to report soon.

Love,

Katie & Ryan

Week 23

Here's the status on Wombat. Baby wombat is about 11 inches long and is about the size of a mango. I swear it must really be the size of a cantaloupe because I've been having really bad heartburn this last week as the baby pushes against my digestive system. Yuck. The baby is very active around 9 or 10 p.m., just as I am ready to settle down for the night. Go figure. Let's just hope it's not a sign of things to come once the baby's born. Ryan gets a kick out of feeling it kick the hell out of me. Now I'm just waiting till I can see it move through the skin...that'll be really freaky.

Two Saturdays ago, baby Wombat went to its first Brewer game. It was a good game, especially since they beat the Dodgers. We got to see Uncle Colin, our friend Chris, and our friends Scottie & Lisa (who are also expecting).

This past weekend I had fun registering for baby stuff. After Ryan and I made an effort to register for a few things on our own, his cousin's wife Kelly took me to BabiesRUs and was able to explain what stuff is, how much you need, and so on since we really have no clue when it comes to baby gear. On Saturday, our good friends Mark & E were passing through Wisconsin on their way back to Indiana from Minnesota. We got to spend the night with them and their baby Grace who, incidentally, was born a year to the date prior to Wombat's due date (Nov. 14). We took them to the Lincoln Co fair for some good ol' authentic Wisconsin deep fried cheese curds. Mmmm. Next weekend we're heading to Alpine Valley with Melparr and David and a whole crew of other people to see Coldplay. Should be a great time.

Other than that, we just continue to enjoy our laid-back summer. We go on a lot of walks or bike rides in the afternoons, hit the farmer's market on Wednesdays, and just spend a lot of time together. It's been great. We have a couple more relaxed weeks before we move into the house and have to prepare to head back to school.

Till next time...thanks for visiting!

Love,
Katie & Ryan

Week 21

Holy cats! What a week!

I'm exhausted after this last week. Sunday I got to have brunch with my best friend Ellen and her husband Greg in from NY. I began my first week of summer school last Monday and by Thursday I had already run out of steam...thank God for the 4th of July! We headed up to Minocqua Thursday afternoon where we had dinner with my parents, grandparents and extended family from Ohio. It was really nice catching up with them.

Thursday night through Sunday was spend carousing with our friends, for the most part, on Lake Minocqua. Also got to see Amy & Brea which was a nice surprise! It was a great weekend for being on the lake. All that sun really took it out of me though. I hit Minocqua bars one night (Thursday) and danced (sober mind you) my socks off! Saturday night we went out to enjoy the fireworks by boat. Baby's first fireworks! Beautiful. Our friends took it upon themselves to give the baby a name while in the womb...Wombat. I fear the kid won't escape the name now. Thanks Chris. Better than calling it monster?

On Sunday the 5th Ryan and I enjoyed our first wedding anniversary. We visited with Ryan's parents and good friends the Schooley before driving back to Green Bay. We celebrated our anniversary with chinese food and non-alcoholic champagne...and of course, our fabulous wedding cake top! Mmmm...there's still some in the fridge, but not for long. Last night we celebrated 'officially' by having a great dinner @ the Black & Tan.

The most exciting thing by far is that the baby now seems to be practicing martial arts in my belly. The kicks/movements are very noticeable now. Ryan could actually feel him/her kicking which I didn't expect for some time. I think that has been the best moment we've experienced so far. Having him able to feel what I feel is too great for words.

Today we went for our second ultrasound. It was incredible. The baby is so big compared to how he/she was in the first ultrasound. Everything looks good...brain, heart, stomach, spine, feet, arms, legs, and....hahaha...just kidding. We're waiting to find out if it is a he or a she, so no news on those other parts. In the pictures bones are clearly visible and I am sorry to say that our face pictures resemble Skeletor from the He-Man cartoon. Wombat is definitely a better name than Skeletor. Baby weighs 15 oz which Aunt Ashley was quick to point out is like a pound of hamburger! Hahaha. No hiding the belly now.

In other news, we're preparing for our move into our house in August. We've purchased some furniture for it, including baby Wombat's crib! Time as always is flying by and soon we'll be in the house preparing for his/her arrival. That's all for now. More to come soon.

Love, Ryan & Katie

Week 20

We've half-way there. It is amazing, and yet somewhat terrifying, that in only a few months time, baby O will be here. I feel utterly unprepared!

We celebrated our first 'unofficial' father's day two weekends ago. I surprised Ryan with a Wii, which we have both been enjoying immensely. I already know he's going to be a fantastic dad. I just wish the baby were here cause I know he can't wait. He's been so supportive and helpful with everything...he's such a gem.

We've been pretty busy and have been having a lot of baby's first ______. I suppose it doesn't count until the baby actually gets here, but we like to think of the baby doing stuff with us as we do things. For example, we had baby's first boat ride two weekends ago when we were up in Minocqua visiting my parents. The baby has also been to several movies and bike rides. [A funny side note is that I can't wear my padded bike shorts (I know...padded spandex is sooo sexy to begin with) because they're too tight over the 'bump'...hence, my ass always hurts real bad the next day.] The baby has already been to the first Ourada family get-together last weekend at Chickenfest in Darboy at Kelly & Dan's house. Me and Kelly (who's also pregnant) got crazy with an O'Douls. We're hoping in two weekends to have baby's first camping trip up in Door County. We'll have to get a site near the bathrooms since I constantly have to pee!

We're heading back up to Minocqua this weekend to celebrate the Fourth of July with friends & family, and incidentally, our first wedding anniversary. Already have a bottle of NA champagne chilling in the fridge for Sunday! I tell you...my friends are seriously cashing in on having a DD all the time.

In development news...here's the fruit update. The baby is about the size of a banana and is practicing learning how to swallow. My belly is starting to look and feel like I have half a basketball under my skin. I am definitely filling out now. In a week we'll go in for our next ultrasound so we'll have more pictures and news on our little one. Can't wait!

Love, Katie & Ryan

Week 18

Here's an update on our developments. Ryan and I went to our monthly checkup two Fridays ago and were able to hear the baby's heartbeat for the first time. I've never seen Ryan smile so big!

I have a clearly definable "baby bump" now and went out to buy a maternity swimsuit which I'm finally starting to fill out. We hit the pool yesterday cause of the great weather--good thing they make cute maternity swimwear. The rest of my maternity clothes are still too big and I can still, thank God, fit in my pre-pregnancy pants!

The biggest change, however, is that I have finally felt the baby move! It's a really faint tapping sensation in my lower abdomen. I've felt in now twice and I get a really overwhelming feeling when it happens. Wait...just happened again. Make that 3 times.

We've also been picking out baby furniture; my mom came down to look at furniture with me the other day. I wish we were in the new house already so we could start getting stuff organized. I feel restless without having something to do. I'm supposed to be getting everything prepared for next semester, but it's proving to be more difficult to focus than I had expected. Communication doesn't seem all that exciting all of a sudden...I'll have to get my butt in gear because summer school starts soon and after that, I'll be working against a swiftly ticking clock as summer winds down.

As for summer, the weekends continue to fill up with plans; it seems like once the summer begins, it's already half-way gone. Here's hoping that your summer is enjoyable and that we'll get to see you during some of these quickly disappearing weekends!

Love,

Katie & Ryan

Week 15

Hi all,

We have officially hit the four month mark. Morning sickness (or late afternoon sickness in my case) has officially passed on and my appetite has returned with a vengeance. Now that school at SNC has come to an end, I have officially become a slug...my average duration of sleep is around 10 hours. I am so tired. However, it gives me a lot of time to exercise and do relaxing things too. It'll be nice when Ryan finishes up with school as well and then we'll be able to do these things together. We (baby included) are having a lot of nice "family time." I couldn't be more grateful for that.

Along with regular medical appointments to keep track of baby's (or monster as I like to call it :) ) development, we have been doing our research on the baby. An interesting tid-bit is that by the 13th week, it can grimace and urinate. Sounds gross, but Ryan and I just laugh when we think about our baby (who now has bones forming, eyelashes, fingernails, etc.), making faces as it does its "business"! We're reading "What to expect when you're expecting" and to be honest, it has some information that is freaky and I would rather not know. If you like both humor and horror, pick it up at the library at your earliest convenience for some summer reading material!

Our first ultrasound photo is above. If you can't tell, the baby is facing forward and you can see its arms, head and torso. It does indeed look like an alien...don't worry if that's what you think...we totally say it looks like an alien baby! But it's our little alien baby! Hopefully our kid won't have a complex since I call it a monster and an alien. Also,when I talked to the doctor about my concern that I hadn't gained any weight, our doctor assured me that the baby would be fine and essentially compared it to a parasite because it "steals" all it needs from me!

That's all for now. Another appointment today, so look for more soon.

Love, Katie & Ryan

Surprise!

Dear friends--Surprise!

We're pregnant! If you're surprised, it's ok...so were we. We're very excited to share our news with you. We hope you'll enjoy this blog as a way to keep up with our progress and as we count-down to November. Yes...November, around deer hunting/Thanksgiving. Sorry Ryan!

It's been a whirlwind for us finding out this big news. On top of that, we decided to buy a house in West De Pere, where we're currently living. It should be a very busy summer. We hope all is well with you all and look forward to talking/visiting with you hopefully soon.

Love,
Ryan & Katie


Baby's first Crazylegs! (At least one of us was nice and warm that day!)