I love watching Adam interact with our niece, Addy. She's two. He is always nervous and unsure around babies, but once they get a little older, he's completely comfortable, and natural. After seeing him follow her around most of the night at my sister-in-law's wedding, and after us watching her overnight on their wedding night, I started wondering: What part of having this baby is he most looking forward to? So we were laying in bed the other night, and I asked him, "After spending all that time with Addy, what are you most looking forward to with your own daughter?"
His answer was simple and pretty much covered it all, "Being able to bring her home."
Quite frankly, I had to agree.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Gestational Diabetes Test
Why is it that the day I have the gestational diabetes test, I crave sweets, and forget that I have the test? This morning during PAWS (kind of like homeroom, but after 2nd hour), I craved chocolate, so dug out a fun-sized Kit Kat bar. Later, when I was checking my mail, I saw cookies sitting out, so I grabbed one and halfway though remembered my sugar levels were being tested today. And since drinking my normal Nalgene full of ice water makes me feel sick, I've been drinking Crystal Light all day.
I left work right at the end of the school day, so I could drink the glucose, meet Adam at home, and head out. Today, we saw the nurse practitioner, Aimee Neumann. I asked her about a spot of pain that I have on my tummy when I am feeling the baby. She said it's fairly normal, and it may be that I have a bruise there. She measured my tummy, and felt for the baby. She said that it felt like she was head down with her little butt up on my left side. Then she listened to the heart rate: 140 bpm. Before she sent us on our way, she handed me my next "pampered pregnancy" gift: a free 1/2 hour massage at their clinic! I'd been thinking about how nice it would be to have one, but am worried about spending the money on one, if I don't have a job next year. So this will be a nice treat! We didn't have any other questions, so she sent us out to the lobby to wait to be called back for the gestational diabetes test.
We were called rather quickly (as it hard pretty much already been 1 hour since I drank the orange glucose). This time it was only a finger prick, and I was able to sit in a chair without passing out! I thought they would have to send out my blood and get back to me, but the nurse assistance said it only takes a couple seconds. We watched her put the slides with my blood into a machine, and waited for the quick results. She said, "95, you passed." I asked her what the highest you could get and still pass, and she said 140. Holy buckets! I was worried about eating that sugar for nothing! She also checked my hemoglobin levels, which I guess were also normal (I think an 11.9).
I left work right at the end of the school day, so I could drink the glucose, meet Adam at home, and head out. Today, we saw the nurse practitioner, Aimee Neumann. I asked her about a spot of pain that I have on my tummy when I am feeling the baby. She said it's fairly normal, and it may be that I have a bruise there. She measured my tummy, and felt for the baby. She said that it felt like she was head down with her little butt up on my left side. Then she listened to the heart rate: 140 bpm. Before she sent us on our way, she handed me my next "pampered pregnancy" gift: a free 1/2 hour massage at their clinic! I'd been thinking about how nice it would be to have one, but am worried about spending the money on one, if I don't have a job next year. So this will be a nice treat! We didn't have any other questions, so she sent us out to the lobby to wait to be called back for the gestational diabetes test.
We were called rather quickly (as it hard pretty much already been 1 hour since I drank the orange glucose). This time it was only a finger prick, and I was able to sit in a chair without passing out! I thought they would have to send out my blood and get back to me, but the nurse assistance said it only takes a couple seconds. We watched her put the slides with my blood into a machine, and waited for the quick results. She said, "95, you passed." I asked her what the highest you could get and still pass, and she said 140. Holy buckets! I was worried about eating that sugar for nothing! She also checked my hemoglobin levels, which I guess were also normal (I think an 11.9).
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Belly Pictures!
We've been so crazy-busy the past couple weeks (and will be for another week), that we haven't taken as many belly pictures as I would like... and I haven't gotten the ones posted that we have taken. So here's what we've got...
21 Weeks
21 Weeks, 4 Days
23 Weeks, 3 Days
Dressed up for Charles & Kitty's Wedding
23 Weeks, 4 Days
24 Weeks, 6 Days
Dressed up for Laura & Steve's Wedding
26 Weeks
27 Weeks, 1 Day
26 Weeks
27 Weeks, 1 Day
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Danni's First Birthday Party
We had Danni's first birthday party yesterday. The plan was to meet at the cemetery at 3pm and make cards or write notes to her, tie them to balloons, and send them to her, then head over to my parent's house for a grill-out, and maybe even a bonfire. But rain and cold weather decided otherwise.
We sent everyone a message in the morning telling them to just meet at my parent's around 4pm instead. I was rather disappointed all morning, because without going to the cemetery and sending her balloons, it didn't feel like a birthday party for her. Adam suggested we just send her balloons from mom & dad's, then people don't have to be outside in the cold quite as long, and it would still have the same meaning. So he went and picked up the helium tank for the balloons, but it still didn't quite seem right to have her party, but not visit the place where she is buried.
As we were leaving the house, Adam asked if we should bring the one of the pictures we have sitting out of her, and the book I made of her, then he thought the sign he made her would go well too. He said we could have a little "shrine" for her since we weren't going to see her. So we grabbed all that, and I grabbed her heart beat bear too, and he set it all up on a table at mom and dad's. My cousin, Linda, had her mom make a flower arrangement to bring to her grave, but since we weren't going we put them on her "shrine" too.
Once most of the people were there, we grilled burgers & brats and ate. Once the rest of our nieces & nephews showed up, we had everyone make cards or pictures or write notes to Danni. Her cousins drew her some lovely pictures, and one even made an orange snowflake for her. Many of the aunts and uncles and grandparents wrote little notes to her.
Then Linda, and my friend, Melissa, helped fill the balloons with helium and tie the string on. We found out, though, that one helium-filled balloon wasn't enough to lift our messages off the ground. So most people needed two balloons, someone even needed three!
With all of the pictures and messages, we included a little note card that said...
We sent everyone a message in the morning telling them to just meet at my parent's around 4pm instead. I was rather disappointed all morning, because without going to the cemetery and sending her balloons, it didn't feel like a birthday party for her. Adam suggested we just send her balloons from mom & dad's, then people don't have to be outside in the cold quite as long, and it would still have the same meaning. So he went and picked up the helium tank for the balloons, but it still didn't quite seem right to have her party, but not visit the place where she is buried.
As we were leaving the house, Adam asked if we should bring the one of the pictures we have sitting out of her, and the book I made of her, then he thought the sign he made her would go well too. He said we could have a little "shrine" for her since we weren't going to see her. So we grabbed all that, and I grabbed her heart beat bear too, and he set it all up on a table at mom and dad's. My cousin, Linda, had her mom make a flower arrangement to bring to her grave, but since we weren't going we put them on her "shrine" too.
Danni's "Shrine"
Once most of the people were there, we grilled burgers & brats and ate. Once the rest of our nieces & nephews showed up, we had everyone make cards or pictures or write notes to Danni. Her cousins drew her some lovely pictures, and one even made an orange snowflake for her. Many of the aunts and uncles and grandparents wrote little notes to her.
Coloring pictures for Danni
Then Linda, and my friend, Melissa, helped fill the balloons with helium and tie the string on. We found out, though, that one helium-filled balloon wasn't enough to lift our messages off the ground. So most people needed two balloons, someone even needed three!
With all of the pictures and messages, we included a little note card that said...
"This balloon was released in memory of Danielle Joann Gibson.
Danni was born May 17, 2010 with a defect called heterotaxy. She was with us for two short days, and then went to heaven.
For her birthday, we sent her messages to heaven attached to balloons. We would love to hear where her messages traveled and who received them. Please write us a short note on the back of this card, and send it back.
Thanks, Sarah and Adam Gibson & family"
On the back we had our address. We'll see if we get any back, and where they went!
While everyone was getting their pictures or letters and balloons ready, I was running back and forth making sure everyone had everything they needed and helping out where I could. I didn't even think about writing a note to Danni myself, but then Adam came into the living room to get his balloons for his message to Danni. I asked if I could read it. He, of course, said no, then handed it to me. It was really, really sweet and straight from his heart (not something I see from him very often!). It made me get all teary-eyed. Then he told me that he got to read mine. So I went and wrote one to her myself. It wasn't nearly as sweet or as heart-filled as his, but I let him read it.
Once everyone had their messages attached to balloons (we ran out of helium, so some people shared balloons, mom put hers in with mine), we went outside to the front yard, where it was tree-free. Beth, Adam's mom, started singing happy birthday, and everyone joined in. Then we released our balloons.
Sending our balloons!
Away they go!
Once we watched the balloons all disappear into the sky, we went in for some birthday cake (made and decorated by Danni's mommy!) What would a birthday party be without birthday cake?!
Mommy & Daddy with Danni's cake
Some people had to leave before we had cake, but shortly after we finished our cake, everyone had to leave.
Adam and his brother, Jon, wanted to go see a movie, and Adam wanted me to go too. But it was already 9pm, and the movie wouldn't be over with until 11:30pm. So, even though I would have much rather had Adam stay home with me, I said he could go have a date night with his brother (he hasn't had that for a while). I thought I would try to stay up until he got home, but I couldn't even stay awake to start writing this blog post. So I went to bed.
When Adam got home, he crawled into bed, and asked me to cuddle with him (normally I want to cuddle and he just wants to roll over and go to sleep!). But I had already been asleep for probably an hour, and grunted out a "no." (I think he was a little surprised!) It was an emotional day, so we did talk a little, but we both quickly dozed off to sleep.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
The Indecisive Belly Button
Last night, Adam and I were laying in bed reading, when I felt something weird on my tummy, on my belly button. I moved my book and my belly button, which had popped around 12 weeks this time, was slowly sinking inwards. Then, all of a sudden, it popped back out! And slowly started to sink inwards again, but from the side this time. Adam poked my belly button a couple times, and said, "There's something there!" No sooner had he poked it, my whole belly jumped. He poked it again and said, "Hey there little missy," and she jumped again. We watched her for a couple minutes pushing my belly button out, then letting it sink back in.
In the morning, Adam had his hand resting on the side of my tummy. She was kicking all around, but not near his hand where he could feel her. But she got there eventually and kicked him, and in his half-awake state he chuckled a little, and moved his hand to feel her better. With the icky weather, it was a good day to lay in bed and feel our youngest daughter letting us know she was there too!
In the morning, Adam had his hand resting on the side of my tummy. She was kicking all around, but not near his hand where he could feel her. But she got there eventually and kicked him, and in his half-awake state he chuckled a little, and moved his hand to feel her better. With the icky weather, it was a good day to lay in bed and feel our youngest daughter letting us know she was there too!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
A Letter to My Husband
May 9, 2011: Our Second Anniversary
What a first two years we have had together! "...to have and to hold... for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer..." While I never would have imagined that we would see the worst, we would be scrambling to stay out of the poorer, or anything of the sort, I know I wouldn't ever want anyone else by my side throughout all of it. While you have been my shoulder to cry on, far too many times, I know that you will always be there when I need you to catch more tears. I know you will always be there to make me smile and laugh again. That is why I married you. You bring joy into my life each day. You are my strength, and I could not have ever imagined walking the road we have walked with anyone other than you by my side.
I love you, Adam Gibson, until death do us part... and even then I'll still keep loving you!
What a first two years we have had together! "...to have and to hold... for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer..." While I never would have imagined that we would see the worst, we would be scrambling to stay out of the poorer, or anything of the sort, I know I wouldn't ever want anyone else by my side throughout all of it. While you have been my shoulder to cry on, far too many times, I know that you will always be there when I need you to catch more tears. I know you will always be there to make me smile and laugh again. That is why I married you. You bring joy into my life each day. You are my strength, and I could not have ever imagined walking the road we have walked with anyone other than you by my side.
I love you, Adam Gibson, until death do us part... and even then I'll still keep loving you!
Second Child, Mother's Day, & Anniversary
One year ago today, I was pregnant with our first child, celebrated my first mother's day, and our first anniversary! This year, I am pregnant with our second child, celebrating my second mother's day, and tomorrow will be our second anniversary! While I will be very excited next year to celebrate our third anniversary & my third mother's day, the first mother's day where I will actually be able to hold our child in my arms, I am sure hoping that the tally mark won't yet go up on the number of children we have. I don't think my body will be ready to take this all on again. But in time, I sure it will be!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
My Appointment, His Walk-in Visit
This pregnancy seems so uneventful... not that I'm complaining at all, but it's not what I'm used to! We had our appointment today. I guess I still had some records to transfer from Abbott and Perinatal, so I had two forms to fill out. They wanted a urine sample, I guess that happens at every visit. But I didn't realize it, since it was only once in a while with Danni, so I had gone before we left home. Oops.
Dr. Daphne Tumaneng talked to me about getting in within three weeks for the glucose test. Apparently they are one of the first in the area to use the new test. You have to fast for 8 hours, come in and get a finger prick, drink the "delicious" stuff, get pricked an hour later, and then again another hour later. I told her there was no way I would be able to do that test. I would have to do it in the morning (try telling a pregnant lady not to eat all day... plus, my guess would be that then they'd yell at me for not gaining enough weight or eating or something...). And I can't take off anymore work to sit in an office for 2 hours playing the waiting game. So she signed off on letting me take the old test and gave me a bottle of the stuff to drink before I come in. That should make the appointment go a little quicker. I remember with Danielle, I went in and drank the stuff before the ultrasound, then I think I only had to wait like another 15-20 minutes for the blood draw. But these appointment are so much quicker...
After she talked about the glucose test and we quickly got that figured out, she measured my uterus, and listened to the baby's heart (150 bpm). Then that was it... we were on our way!
Oh I guess I forgot to mention that they started this new program called "Pampered Pregnancy." So at every appointment they will have a little gift for me. This time it was stretch mark cream. It smells really good, but I haven't used it yet. I didn't get any last time, and I'm hoping I won't this time either!
Well, now I guess you're wondering about the "His Walk-in Visit" part of the title. I included Adam's doctor visit in my prenatal visit post, only because his was slightly more interesting...
We went to my parent's house for dinner after my appointment, because it was their anniversary. As we were sitting at the dinner table, my mom asked Adam what was on his arm. Adam had thought it was a zit or something, I had thought it might be a spider bit, but then decided to agree with Adam, but I didn't really look that hard at it, because at the time we were in the car on the way to my appointment. Adam pulled up his sleeve a little, so that everyone could see it a little better. Dad said, "That looks like the "bullseye," you should have that looked at." So we decided that we'd run into urgent care after dinner (but before dessert), to have it looked at. The nurse and the doctor agreed. So the doc gave him a prescription for something, and sent him to the lab for the Lyme's Disease test. He said we should find out in a few days if he really does have it, but they wanted to start him on meds, just in case.
The strange part is we haven't really been in the "outdoors" where you would typically think of getting a tick. And Adam doesn't remember ever seeing a deer tick or anything on him. So we're really not sure where he could have gotten it. But I guess we'll find out in a few days if he really does have it...
Dr. Daphne Tumaneng talked to me about getting in within three weeks for the glucose test. Apparently they are one of the first in the area to use the new test. You have to fast for 8 hours, come in and get a finger prick, drink the "delicious" stuff, get pricked an hour later, and then again another hour later. I told her there was no way I would be able to do that test. I would have to do it in the morning (try telling a pregnant lady not to eat all day... plus, my guess would be that then they'd yell at me for not gaining enough weight or eating or something...). And I can't take off anymore work to sit in an office for 2 hours playing the waiting game. So she signed off on letting me take the old test and gave me a bottle of the stuff to drink before I come in. That should make the appointment go a little quicker. I remember with Danielle, I went in and drank the stuff before the ultrasound, then I think I only had to wait like another 15-20 minutes for the blood draw. But these appointment are so much quicker...
After she talked about the glucose test and we quickly got that figured out, she measured my uterus, and listened to the baby's heart (150 bpm). Then that was it... we were on our way!
Oh I guess I forgot to mention that they started this new program called "Pampered Pregnancy." So at every appointment they will have a little gift for me. This time it was stretch mark cream. It smells really good, but I haven't used it yet. I didn't get any last time, and I'm hoping I won't this time either!
Well, now I guess you're wondering about the "His Walk-in Visit" part of the title. I included Adam's doctor visit in my prenatal visit post, only because his was slightly more interesting...
We went to my parent's house for dinner after my appointment, because it was their anniversary. As we were sitting at the dinner table, my mom asked Adam what was on his arm. Adam had thought it was a zit or something, I had thought it might be a spider bit, but then decided to agree with Adam, but I didn't really look that hard at it, because at the time we were in the car on the way to my appointment. Adam pulled up his sleeve a little, so that everyone could see it a little better. Dad said, "That looks like the "bullseye," you should have that looked at." So we decided that we'd run into urgent care after dinner (but before dessert), to have it looked at. The nurse and the doctor agreed. So the doc gave him a prescription for something, and sent him to the lab for the Lyme's Disease test. He said we should find out in a few days if he really does have it, but they wanted to start him on meds, just in case.
The strange part is we haven't really been in the "outdoors" where you would typically think of getting a tick. And Adam doesn't remember ever seeing a deer tick or anything on him. So we're really not sure where he could have gotten it. But I guess we'll find out in a few days if he really does have it...
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Weddings & Babies
We went to Adam's cousin's wedding last night, and it was a wonderful event! We both had a great time. I really enjoyed watching Adam most of the night, while he enjoyed running around with our niece, Addy. I can tell, just by watching him, that he is wishing he could be doing this with our daughter. He was always volunteering to walk around with her and keep her occupied. (Her mom, Adam's sister, was a bridesmaid in the wedding, so was preoccupied with all-things-wedding-related most of the night. And I think her dad didn't mind having some time to dance with his girl!) Danni would be at the age where Adam wouldn't be so nervous around her (I don't think he knows exactly what to do with an infant, but once he can start interacting & playing with them, then he gets excited.) Of course, while he was chasing her around, I was watching him, while holding Daniel, Adam's cousin, who is about a month old now. I asked him if he wanted to hold him, but he really didn't. Though he did try tickling him to get him to wake up.
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