What a day!

I was half looking forward to my Dr. appt today/ half dreading it. I wanted to know if there was any progress, but was scared he would tell me there wasn't and I would have to fling myself from a cliff. Low and behold, no change. I told him that was impossible, but he assured me that, no it was possible, and it was true. I basically burst into tears and told him I couldn't even walk! It hurts so bad to change from sitting to standing to walking that I'm going to give it up. He told me not to rush things and that I could actually go until Jan 11th. To which I told him he was evil and that I was none to fond of him (I think I said hate, whoops...) and he just laughed patted my back and said I would be okay. The poor nurse (who is fabulous by the way) patted my arm and said to relax and just take it easy and they left Rob and I in the room. We scheduled my appt. for next week, still in tears, and left with our heads hanging. I came home and cried and cried and then took like a four hour nap while Rob rubbed my back and bought some benadryl (sp?) to help me sleep tonight. After I woke up we decided to get dressed and go to dinner to cheer ourselves up and then out to a movie. As I was putting my make up on the nurse called and told me Dr. Cravy has changed his mind, and if I don't go before then, I'm am scheduled to be induced on Thursday January 3rd at 3 am! I told her how in love with her I was and Rob and I left for a celebration dinner instead. (We skipped the movie though, it's still painful to sit for a long time)
So, long story short, Baby Henry will make his debut no later than January 3rd!

Oh Henry!

Well after a long 24 hour period, I went to the labor and delivery unit to be checked out. The contractions are real folks. They have spring boarded me from a two to a three. I had to lay in a hospital bed hooked to a blood pressure cuff, a fetal heartbeat tracker, and a contractions monitor in a gown for an hour. I had a feeling that it wasn't the big one. The contractions weren't painful, just uncomfortable! I heard Henry's heartbeat for a solid hour. It makes me want to cry now. I haven't heard his little heartbeat for longer than 15 seconds through this entire pregnancy! It is such a sweet sound. I have been more than anxious about the next phase of all of this. How will I be able to care for this kid? How will this affect mine and Rob's relationship? What if he screams all the time and I can't handle it? There have been so many questions in me lately, but laying there listening to him and feeling him move around made me feel like it's not going to be so rough. Rob and I can handle this. God gave us this precious boy and He wouldn't give us more than we could handle, and I highly doubt that He would put this sweet boy with us if He thought Henry would be in harm's way. I love this baby so much. I can't wait to meet him and see his tiny hands and face and feet! I am so looking forward to watching my precious husband love on his son and teach him to be a strong, intelligent man. I hope baby Henry is healthy and happy, and is here soon... : )

Full moon tonight

I'm not usually a superstitous person, but I'm willing to make an exception for tonight if it will bring Henry out of hiding! Today we walked the mile to Wingstop for lunch and then walked the mile back. And now I'm feeling the burn! It hurts to walk across the room now! Where the leg bone meets the pelvic bone in a pregnant woman becomes really strechy in the last little bit to help with labor, and I've been dealing with this for a few weeks. When I hop (yeah, not so much of a hop as roll and groan) out of bed in the morning I have to brace myself or I will fall on my face. After today's little adventure the slightest movement makes me wobbly!
But back to the moon... With a good bout of excersize, hot wing lunch, and full moonness (not to mention a lot of prayer and repeatedly telling him to get out) I am hoping something will happen, and now!

Who's doing it?

Someone out there is not crossing their fingers....
I know it. It's less than two weeks before my due date, but Dr. is already saying 8 lbs. and Henry is supposed to grow a lbs a week. That's 10. 10 lbs. Come on! Cross your fingers already!
Today is my Grandma's Christmas in Ft. Worth, which we were told not to go to, b/c of the whole 9 month pregnant thing, and then Dr. skips town and will be back on Wed. nightish. Double standards... : )
Henry's doing really well, or so I'm lead to believe. I can't imagine what life is going to be like with him here. I rearranged out room yesterday so that all of his stuff is spread out by his closet and all of our stuff is by our closet. I had that reversed first, but I felt like he needed a bigger chunk of space, and not to be shoved in a corner. It kept bringing up Dirty Dancing references (Nobody puts Baby in a corner...) in my mind so I changed it. I like it alot better, but on my umpteenth time to go pee last night I kept having to walk by his bed and the overwhelming thoughts of "There is going to be a baby there soon, and I'm supposed to be responsible for it" came flooding in. I'm barely responsible for the dog!
Too late to turn back now, so cross those fingers... everyone this time.....

iDos!

That is two in Spanish. Well, I don't know if that's how you spell it, but that's what I am!! 2 cm dialated, 70% effaced, and looking at delivering at least an 8 lb-er! These are all good numbers in my book. They really don't mean a whole lot. I could walk around like this for another two weeks, or I could be in the delivery room in a few hours. Who knows?!
I keep trying to entice him to come out with his new toys and outfits and all the fun we'll have, but right now i'm eating a Chick-fil-a sandwich and i know he's smart enough to realize that once he's out he won't get that anymore for a long time, so I think I'm being counterproductive!
Keep those fingers crossed chickens!

cross your fingers!

I have my second appointment with the Dr. this week in about 2 hours. The past couple of days my body has acted so wierd. I hope he will give me some hope that things are continuing to progress! My last appt. was kind of a bummer, because I was 'about the same' as the week before. I know that there are only 2 weeks and 1 day until Henry's due date, but every passing day is more and more uncomfortable and BORING! And i can hear you out there shaking your head thinking I should soak up the quiet, but I have... since October.... I'm tired of being huge and heavy and tired!

Braxton Hicks are not my friend

I have had BH contractions for weeks now. No biggie. Yesterday, they started getting closer and closer. At one point they were 10-12 minutes apart for about 4 hours! I called the Dr. and was told to drink a bunch of water and lay down. They stopped, but now... they are back, and they suck! I have hit the 37 week point, also known as full term, so I'm hoping that if they stick around they'll actually start working in my favor!!
Attention Henry: GET OUT.

Drop and give me one!

Okay now nine more!
I went to the Dr. today and that's where we stand. One cm dialated at 36 weeks! He seemed optimistic that this whole pregnancy thing may not end up lasting forever, so that's a big bonus for me! And any old-pro mom will tell you that women can walk around dialated to a three for weeks, but to heck with that logic! I'm turning up my iPod and dancing this little booger out! Last week the Dr said I was doing nothing and that my due date could actually extend to Jan. 11th, and this week I think I suprised him! Wahoo, wahoo!
Come one Baby Henry!! Let's go Baby Henry!!

Tomorrow!!

Tomorrow is my birthday! I'm so excited. Rob got me a presesnt and it's in a big box and I don't know what it is! I love presents!!
My parents, sister, and Maelie are coming in this weekend. We're getting the apartment ready for the big visit. Not that it's a big place or takes alot of prep, but I want it to look nice.
So much to do!

Fix Freeze Feast

That's the title to a book i just bought. I was on the babycenter website talking to experienced moms that were all in discussions about what they have premade and have stored in the freezer for the days/weeks following the birth. I was baffled. I knew I would be tired, but I hadn't thought 'If I don't have something ready it will be fast food and pizza for that time frame.' and I have to get some weight off pretty quick for some family pictures! So I bought the book on Sunday and went shopping on Monday (purchasing $130 in food and $30 in supplies; I also bought 15lbs of chicken breast!) and today I set to making the dishes. I've gotten through two recipies that have yielded 6 meals and I have 4 recipies to go. It was actually alot of fun today. There is a Sweet Asian Chicken marinade that would blow your mind. I could just sit and eat it by itself, it's that good.
Anyway, here's hoping that this will all work!

An extra week for bad behavior...

I went to the Dr. today and he informed me that my January 4th due date from the ultrasound could go as far as the January 11th due date from Dr. Clark's mathmatic skills. Not to knock Dr. Clark, because I liked him very much, but the 11th is just crazy. I'm starting to feel like this is never going to happen. I'm going to have to return to school from the begining because I have a five year old inside of me. It might get awkward when he gets to HS and wants to start dating...
Don't get me wrong. I want him to be safe. I want him to be healthy. But I also want him out. The joy of pregnancy is losing it's magic on me as the days go by. And the more I learn abut how disgusting labor and childbirth can be in the last few weeks, I'm almost okay with letting him set up residency in there.....
5 more weeks. 5 more weeks. 5 more weeks.

Mute School?

*Disclaimer* Not a good day.

Do you ever wonder why you talk to anyone? I do. Today is one of those days. Why talk to anyone, because almost everyone in the world sucks and is horrible. I'm thinking about calling it quits. No more talking to anyone. I'll send up a bat signal when the baby is born, and those that see it can come or stay or do as they like. I don't even care. I just want to sit with Henry and Rob and watch movies while he naps in our arms. Anything other than that, don't care. Anybody that wants to cause me grief, or be a jerk can stay far, far away.

GRRRRR. }: (

Hello.. My name is Kasey...

and i'm addicted to babycenter.com January 2008 comment boards.
I have diagnosed myself. I can't get off this stinkin' website for more than like 30 minutes at a time. I would say that I need to find a support group, but this IS a support group! I am constantly reading the threads about everything from contractions to post-p nastiness. And let me also say, what terrible friends and big sister I have for not filling me in on the aftermath! I'll spare the details, but I was almost in tears over my new found information yesterday. It does not sound pleasant. I just keep looking at Rob thinking 'Oh buddy. You are so carrying the next one.' I think my eyes are going to fall out from all the reading, but I keep going back for more.
AHH! it's been ten minutes... time for my next fix....

over the hill....

I am old. I mean it. I am really old. next week is my 23rd birthday, but I am still old. I woke up this morning thinking abut the coupons I can use before the end of the week. I just put on my jammies and realized it was 8:30. My purchases today consisted of groceries because we were running low on cereal. I am old. So I thought, why not list all of the things I've doe in almost 23 years...
went to kindergarten
met the Dilleys...
was there when my brother was born
had a Mickey Mouse head lunch box
went to Colorado
finished elementary
played b team volleyball (yes i was cool)
joined NRHBC youth
initially met Rob
met Allison, Juls, Johnny, Greg, & Aaron
the Julie and Johnny saga began
went to Florida
finished middle school
cheered for two years
learned to drive
got a jeep
had some hair trouble
got a sunfire
graduated high school
the Julie Johnny saga continued
was accepted into the U of Bama
was accepted into Tarleton
was accepted into A&M CC
went to Tarleton for a semester
got engaged
went to tcc for a semester (with all the cool kids)
went to the virgin islands
got married (to Rob)
moved to San Antonio
was a librarian at a high school
went to Mexico
was there when my niece was born
moved to California
was a librarian at an elementary school
became a contractor for the army
met my nemesis
met a mormon (not the nemesis)
got pregnant (by Rob)
went to Hawaii
survived California
moved back to Texas
I think the Julie Johnny thing is still going
am awaiting the birth of my son (with Rob)
am already thinking of how we are going to get to MD (our next assignment)

Alright, so it's not so bad to be old. I've done alot. I've been incredibly blessed! I have amazing friends that have been with me for years and are still here, as well as new friends that feel like family. I have a wonderful growing family that includes the cutest little girl in the world. And I have an amazing husband that loves me unconditionally. He has seen me in my most shining moments and in my darkest hours and has never given me anything but love and support (unless I'm throwing up. He doesn't do throw up). And now he has given me the chance to be a mom, and better yet, the mom to his little boy. I am completely honored to be his wife. Everyday I watch him put on his uniform and go out to keep the world safe, and everyday I realize again how lucky I am. Our life isn't perfect. We will have to move every few years and there is always work to be done, but it's a great life. I've even grown fond of the moves.

I'm a good blogger

So that seasame seed is not 34 weeks and 5 days along and kicking my butt! He (yeah, it's a boy) is so big and heavy!!! We go to the Dr. on Monday and I hope that we will have a better idea of his actual size. I am terrified that he's going to be 20 lbs!

We have done alot since my last post. Rob graduated from his course in Cali. We moved (temporarily) back to TX and are within 6 weeks of the big day! Rob's currently in a new class that has some pretty great hours. My Dr. is a nutball, but I really like him. And sweet Henry makes his presence known 24 hours a day! I get worried when I haven't felt him every hour!

We are so excited to meet him! That is possibly the biggest understatement I'll make this year. We are SO excited. He isn't even here, but it feels like he's always been with us. I told Rob 'I don't remember not being pregnant.' And I don't! I know at one point I wasn't, but that seems like such a long time ago. I can only imagine what being his mommy in a few weeks is going to be like! I've been 'nesting' like crazy lately. I had the stove apart last night to clean the drip pans and rearranged our 'dining room' as much as I could. We also put our tree up and decorated it last night! As a reformed slob, I can honestly say that being a slob is much easier! Our apartment is so tiny that even the smallest thing on the floor makes the whole place look disgusting. Poor Rob didn't see this coming!

Anyway, this is the boy when he was 27 weeks:

Hi Guys! (are there cuter hands on the planet??)

Sweet Boy!

It's not a secret anymore!

I have waited until I was able to talk to my mom before saying anything, but...
I'm pregnant! Rob and I are thrilled to say that we are expecting our first baby in January!
It doesn't seem like it's really happening, but it is! We feel incredibly blessed and were so excited to get to go home (last weekend) and share our news with our family. Our first real prenatal exam is June 5th, right after we get back from Hawaii. We've known for almost two weeks now, and it still seems unbelievable. According to the all-knowing, powers that be (aka the internet) I am finishing my fifth week. The baby is the size of a sesame seed!
What's been really fun, and somewhat overwhelming, is the congratulations we've recieved! People we haven't spoken to in a long time have reached out with such sweet words. We are so appreciative of all of the congrats and well wishes for this tiny little guy (or girl)!
I'll be using this blog as a means to keep friends and family up to date, so check back in in a few weeks!

How great is our God?

Last week (well actually the past 2 months) was dedicated to our Easter event on Saturday. My partner in crime, Arlena, was away on a TDY assignment to Orlando for the past week. I should probably mention that I work in an office where people like to stress out. I don't actually know if they like to, but they do a lot! All week long I was also in charge of getting three of her four babies to there designated places. Call it a crash course in motherhood! Needless to say, my plate was very full. By the grace of God, I was actually feeling pretty good about everything until Friday when a very upset Arlena called and said 'I missed my connecting flight.' So instead of being in Monterey at 10 pm she would be in San Fran at midight! Then she had a two hour drive to get home! I was feeling the stress for her! I made it to the Chapel at 4:50 a.m. on Saturday to start setting up with Rob, she joined us at 5:30 after only 2 hours of sleep. The weatherman had said it was going to be '40% chance of light showers' but we put our trust in God, said a quick prayer, and went a head with our plans to set up outside. Boy did God answer! We had one of the nicest days in Monterey that I have seen so far! With that came 410 people! We both smiled and hugged and praised the Lord for such an amazing turn out. It brings tears to my eyes now to think back on what a blessing this event was!
Sunday, I was back at the Chapel at 6:15 a.m. to help set up for our Sunrise service. I thought I would surely pass out during CH Minjares' sermon. Not because he didn't do a great job, but I was beat! After lunch we went home and I took a nap and slept for about 3 hours before George was terrorizing the back door. There is no sleep to be had if George hasn't sanctioned it! Rob and I finally climbed into bed around 10:30 to be up at 5:45 this morning. I thought for sure I would be dragging in today after such an insane weekend, but I'm not. I feel like the little bit of sleep in comparison to the lotta bit of activity was for me like the loaves and the fishes. How great is our God that He would bless us so richly this weekend, and still let us wake up renewed?!

See spot run!

I'm a little nervous, and a bit hacked off at the moment. There has been a spot on my hip, a bit smaller than a pencil eraser, for something like a year. No big deal, little pink spot. Until I saw it a few days ago... same size, but darker. Call me a hypo, but I'm not one to play games with skin care issuses. If you had ever seen my grandfather's nose, or his father's, you would understand. So now the hacked off part, I call TriCare West (military insurance company) and say 'I need a dermo that you guys have sanctioned' them' there is only one in a 30 mile radius' me 'Goody. Can I have the number?' them ' Hang on......... You need to see Dr. Clark first for a referral.' me 'Not good. It's impossible to get him unless I'm dying.' them ' You should practice your cough...'
Why is it that we have to jump through ten hoops before we are allowed to maybe see a dr.? I don't even know if this lady is going to see me, but I have to go to Dr. Clark, get a referral, wait a week to see if TriCare will accept the referral, and then make an appointment with the derm. That just seems like too much. I feel if you are a dermo and I have a dermo problem, I should just be able to look you up and give you a ring. Like the dentist. Some people don't like the dentist, but I do. You find a dentist that accepts your insurance (which is next to nil in the military scene for some unknown reason) and call them. They schedule you and your done. I like that system. Anyway, my initial consultation with Dr. Clark is at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow. I guess my cough was better than I thought...

Get your praise on

I'm really excited about this weekend. My Dilley twin friends are coming in for a few days begining Saturday. But Friday, I'm going with a group of women from the Chapel to Beth Moore in San Fran. I'm really excited to hear her in person. Her books are so moving, so I hope that hearing her voice makes it all the better.

long days go on forever

I guess the old saying 'time flies when you're having fun' is true. today has been long and tediously boring. i have planned out what i'm going to do tonight though; go home, pick up fromt porch, take down red screen, put away laundry, fold more laundry, make dinner, work on quilt, fold more laundry, go to bed. what, that doesn't sound like fun?! that's because it's not. oh well, maybe tomorrow something exciting will happen and i'll be able to rush into the weekend!... it's only 1:24... good grief.

Lights, cameras,...

Tomorrow night I am hosting my first 'FLAME' party (stupid name, i know) which is basically a group of women from chapel that get together once a month and play games and eat and such. My theme is 'Oscar' so I have 'tented' our dining room with black, red, and sparkly stars. It's going to be alot of fun. I don't know how many people are going to be here. I bought a new formal dress at Ross that has an incredible likeness to my wedding dress, for $20. It almost makes me sad that I paid much more for my actual wedding dress. Ouch. Anyway, I have to go roll out the red carpet!

aaaallooooohaaaaa

The plane tickets are booked, the hotel is booked, and I wish I was packing my bags as we speak! It's cold and gray in Monterey, go figure. I asked Chaplain yesterday 'Can I take a week off in May? Like a full week, not a weekend?' and he said 'Don't ask questions you don't want to know the answer to.' But then he laughed, looked at the calendar and approved it, and about ten seconds later I booked it! 9 days, 8 nights on beautiful Waikiki beach! I could not be more excited about something. I'm thinking about making a paper chain to hang in my office to count down the days!

long time gone

it's been almost two months since my last post. That's crazy. So very much, and so very little has happened since then. We went home for Christmas, which was great, we went to the Westin for New Years, which was great, and we went to OK to see extended fam, which was great. Overall this was a total blast. We've also gone to Tahoe, and I have been back home since that blog!
And just this minute I thought, I should retitle this blog to "the military is the coolest thing in the whole world, ever!" because I just got off a website and am booking a 9 day, 8 night super sweet trip to Hawaii for Rob's class break, and because we are military, we get to stay in a military hotel (which is very clean and nice) right on Waikiki beach for less than $100 a night! Go USA! As much as this job can suck (moving to SA, moving to Cali, living in Cali, working in, you guessed it, Cali, and never knowing where 'home' is going to be next, ect) there are total perks! And let me go ahead and tell you sisterhons, I am a perk kinda gal. Tell me that I have to stand outside all day for a community garage sale, and i'll tell you to where to stuff it, but tell me that I'll make a couple of bucks, get a tan, and get rid of some crap in the garage, and I am the first one there! So I don't get a gown when I go to the girl dr (emily), it is free, and it's not like that paper gown is covering so much by the end of the visit anyway! "Please feel free to look at my boobs, tummy, and bajingo, but I'll freak if you can see my arm!"
ALOHA!