What do babies need?

Well, as I mentioned earlier, we bought a crib last week. Yea! Now it is time for everything else (car seat, stroller, pack and play, bottles, etc.).

I bought the book, "Baby Bargains" and have really enjoyed reading it, but I would love to hear what real people think. Does anyone have any favorites items they used with their baby (grandbaby, niece, nephew, friend's baby). Also, is there anything you think is a waste of money? Please post something in the comments or shoot me an email if you have any thoughts.

Life in the Fast Lane

I feel like we have been going and going non-stop. Just when I think things are going to slow down they get faster. Let's start with today and work back our way backwards.

Today, Brad and I were in Birmingham. Brad was attending and speaking at a pharmacy meeting. While he worked, I shopped. I had a great time running errands (Sam's, Target), eating at Jason's Deli, and shopping at the Galleria. After Brad was done we came on down to Montgomery and met Brad's parents. We had a yummy dinner at Jim and Nick's - I love their cheesy rolls!

Yesterday I had a doctor's appointment. Nothing much to report. Baby girls' heartbeat was 152 and I was measuring normal (whatever "normal" is). We talked about how much she is moving around. It is so neat! She is definitely a mover. One day last week she was having an all day party. I guess that is better than an all night party. A couple of people asked me if I had seen an elbow pop out or anything like that. To be honest, I hadn't even thought about looking, but since they mentioned I thought I would take a look. Sure enough, I could see my body move while she was moving. It was truly amazing!!

Wednesday Brad got to go to juvinile court. Back in July one of the neighborhood kids thought it would be fun to drive a golf cart around and bash in mailboxes, 36 of them to be exact. This was the 2nd time in a month this had happened to us in a month and needless to say we were not that happy. The boy never apologized so us and some other neighbors filed charges. From what we understood this was not the first offense for this boy and we both felt pressing charges would do him some good. Get this - the boy pleaded not guilty even after he put an apology note in our mailbox (this was back at the beginning of October - a little late for an apology if you don't want charges against you). Anyway, he got a year's probation. The other neighbor's didn't that was long enough, but we just wanted something done so this works for us.

Wednesday I also finished a really big project at work. I volunteered to work on one of the hydropower financial statements. I did this last year and didn't have to work any extra. Not so much this year. This week I worked 8 hours at work Sunday, then 3 more at home, and I stayed until 7 Monday and Tuesday. Last week wasn't quite this bad, but it was working Sunday and staying late 3 nights. I am so glad the statements are done and I can start November off right. I told myself that I would not have to work any extra in October and I was wrong - I don't think I will have to do any extra in November; let's hope I'm right.

Saturday we bought a crib!! We knew what crib we wanted (make/model) but we didn't know what color we wanted. So, we drove to Pensacola and 3 hours later we left with a crib and mattress, along with a dresser on order. We spent 2 and 1/2 hours in the store going back and forth trying to decide between the white and the dark (cherry, java, espresso, whatever). We walked back and forth between these cribs with 2 different beddings and couldn't decide what we wanted. Finally, after a drink break, we decided on white. Now on to bedding...anyone have some favorite places to look?

I guess that is about it for now. I have some pictures I want to post but I don't have them with me. Until next time...hopefully sooner than later!

Good for now

The appointment with Dr. Doback went very well yesterday. Turns out my levels are right on the border between needing the extra medicine and not needing the extra medicine. He told me that my regular doctor just wanted him to take a look since the levels were a little above/below (I am not really sure which way you look at it; I think it depends on what you are testing) the normal levels.

While I was there I had an ultrasound with over 60 pictures taken. The techinician did this and then the doctor came in and measured blood flow around the heart and around the umbilical cord. According to him everything looks good and it looks like our little girl is healthy.

I had some more blood drawn and he said if the it comes back at a certain level (or exceeds that level) then I will start the new medicine. He it could take up to a week or 2 to get the results back and that if I did not hear from him then there were no abnormalities. He also said that if everything came back normal this would be my only appointment but I was welcome to come see them anytime, do not hesitate to call.

While waiting my turn I got to see how compassionate this doctor is. A couple a came into the waiting room with their baby. They asked if they could see Dr. Doback and next thing you know he is out in the waiting room visiting with this family. He greeted the mom with a hug and the dad with a handshake. Then he actually sat down and talked to them about how things were going with their new little one. This poor little baby was on oxygen, had a heart problem that may heal itself but they won't know until January, and a retina problem that is working on healing itself (I learned all of this while sitting in the waiting room). The couple was so grateful for all that Dr. Doback had done and Dr. Doback was truly interested in how they were doing. I knew then, even before meeting the doctor, that was a special office and that they would take care of me and our little baby girl.

With all this being said, I am continuely amazed at how God works and puts these awesome people in our life. If I do have to go back to this doctor's office I know I will be in great hands.

Updates

We have had a lot going on these past couple of days.

Sunday and Monday were filled with functions for my grandfather. Sunday night was the visitation in Huntsville. It was so sweet to see the older people come out to pay their respects. One lady drove from Madison with a fractured foot in the cold rain just to stop in for a few minutes; they played dominos together. My grandfather also was part of a group of retired/former Navy veterans. Several members of the group came and it was special to hear what my grandfather meant to them.

Monday we attended the burial service in Chattanooga. This service was so special. There was an Honor Guard who served as pall bearers, the chaplin who spoke was the Navy chaplin, there was a gun salute, Taps was played, and an American flag was presented to the family. I felt the service was very appropriate for my grandfather and it is a great way to remember him; he would have been proud.

Yesterday was my mother-in-law's, Pam, birthday! Happy belated Birthday!! We wish we could have been there to celebrate with you.

I also found out yesterday that I may have a blood clotting disorder. My dad has the disorder and it is genetic. When we got pregnant we talked to our doctor about this as I could not remember if I had been tested and if so what the results were. So, she had me tested once in the first trimester and again at this last appointment. I don't quite understand it all but my levels came back indicating that I may have the disorder. My doctor has now recommended that I see a specialist. I am going tomorrow for the appointment. I am very eager and anxious to find out what is going on and what I can do the prevent blood clots. This subject is very personal to me because it is a blood clotting disorder that my friend, Rebecca, has. As I find out more I will keep the blog updated.

And the Winner is...

GIRL!!!! We are having a girl!! It is going to be so much fun! (a boy would have been fun too.) Now we can start the real planning like picking out a name, decorating the nursery, and shopping for clothes; I can't wait! Poor Brad will now be completely, and I mean completely out numbered and probably completely broke - ha!

The over all appointment went really good. The ultrasound technician spent over 30 minutes with us getting lots of neat pictures. I thought I started feeling baby girl move about a week or so ago. The technician confirmed that this morning by showing me where her little feet are - sure enough, right where I have been feeling the movement. Apparently she is an active little one too; she moved throughout the entire session. At one point she had one leg above her head and the other bent up indian-style (I guess half indian-style). We got to see her little hands and feet and at one point she started sucking her thumb. As I am rambling through this, you can tell this is our first child. I feel like I could talk about our baby girl all day long!

Our next appointment is at the end of October and I can hardly wait!

Daddy Noel

For those of you who don't know, Daddy Noel is my grandfather, my dad's dad. Today he got to meet our Lord and Savior. What a true blessing for him! The passing of a loved one is never easy, but it is comforting to know that he is Heaven with Jesus and with my grandmother, Momma Dot. I can just imagine the reunion they had today!

I will always remember him as man of honor. He proudly served our country during World War II in the navy, he was submarine guy. I think it is so neat that he was able to go on one of the Honor Flights from Huntsville to see the World War II Memorial in DC.

Please keep our family in your prayers. Brad and I will be travelling to Huntsville for the visitation and on to Chattanooga for the burial service.

Daddy Noel, we love you and will miss you so much!!