The Samuel Family

Before I start complaining, I should really state how grateful I am that I am still pregnant. I have never made it this far (35 weeks + 4 days) and really feel that I will be able to avoid the NICU with this baby, which was my goal all along. I am aiming to make it to 36 weeks, when I get to be off my Procardia and bed rest. Getting pregnant this time and knowing that my risk doubled for preterm labor, I did everything I could to make sure that didn't happen. Not only was I trying to avoid the NICU again, but also bed rest. The thought of having to be on bed rest with a toddler haunted me. How is that possible?

Well, it is. Thanks to my wonderful husband who has dropped everything to be a full time Daddy to Lucas, house cleaner, cook, driver, and who has waiting on me 24/7 since I went into preterm labor. I love you Kevin. You are truly amazing! I also wouldn't have been able to do this without my wonderful friends and family. Thanks to everyone who visited me and kept me company in the hospital. I loved having the one on one time with some of you that doesn't get to happen very often in our busy lives. And a big thanks to Meghan and Eric/Crystal for watching Lucas last week. You have no idea how much of a help that was to Kevin and I. We really are very blessed.

Ok, now can I complain just a little? Bed rest STINKS! I am so bored and it is much harder to do at home. In the hospital I couldn't wait to go home so I could be with my boys again. Well, as much as I love that, bed rest at home is so hard!! I am not one to sit still and trying to stay off my feet while I think about all the things I would like to do around the house is torture! Plus, I hate having to ask Kevin to do everything (especially make the bed because I am really the only person that can do it correctly). Ok, I am done venting....only 4 more days.

Kim comes today to help relieve Kevin of some of his duties. We are so excited for her to be here. She is going to be staying about a month and I hope she is still here when the baby is born! Thanks Kim :)

Dr. appointmnent today. Let's hope everything goes well and I am not sent back to the hospital again!

My wonderful friend Tabitha took some belly pictures of me after she gave me the most wonderful massage (she is a massage therapist, doula, and aspiring photographer). I have to say, I do love them. She is coming over to take more pictures on Monday, which will involve Lucas and I am so excited.

28 Weeks

What happened to January? This month has been such a busy and stressful month for me. I am so happy to see it come to an end. I have been on-call as a Doula for 4 clients this month. Two, as their primary Doula and the other two are as back up. So far, only one of those clients has had her baby. Both of my primary clients should be going into labor any day now. I am really looking forward to going to another birth. My last one was in November and I itching to see another baby brought into this world. I plan on taking a break in February and then March will be my last month taking on any new clients until this fall. With so many friends trying to get pregnant right now, I am hoping for lots of births this fall/winter! If I am lucky enough, I may even get to be a Doula for some of them:)

Dad moved into the farmhouse this month. He just came and picked up Riley. Riley (his dog) has been staying with us since Thanksgiving and I am sure they are both glad to be reunited again. Lucas, on the other hand, is going to miss having Riley around. He just loves her. We hope to make a trip over to Walla Walla in late March/early April. I am anxious to get over there and help decorate!

What a month! I don't remember a December going by as fast as this one did. It seemed like the moment we got our tree, lights on the house, stockings hung, and decorations put up, I was putting them all away. So sad to see it end. This Christmas was more exciting for Lucas. He loved Santa Clause, reindeer, snowmen, Christmas trees, and lights. When asked to say Merry Christmas, Lucas would say, "Merry Christmas Tree" every time. So stinkin' cute. He enjoyed opening up the presents, but I think it was a little overwhelming with all the new toys to play with. Still, it was super fun to experience Christmas through his eyes.

My Dad "officially" moved to Walla Walla, WA. He still comes back to Baker City to tend to his house that is for sale. Hopefully after this winter, he will sell it and really get to settle into his new home. As of now he is staying in a hotel until he can find a rental. Riley has been staying with us since Thanksgiving while he is transitioning over there. I think Riley will really be glad to get away from the toddler, but Lucas will be sad to see her leave. He absolutely loves her.

Kim is moving in two weeks to California. I am really bummed that she is leaving, but excited for her and her new adventures. She has been an enormous help with Lucas and I don't know what I am going to do without her here. Lucas is really going to miss his Aunt Kim too. She won't be back until the baby is born in May. It will be the longest we have gone without seeing each other. I guess it will be back to talking on the phone twice a day:)

Wow, the days sure are flying by. I still can't believe it is December, one of my favorite months of the year. I love everything about the Christmas season, so to make the most of the remaining days, I made sure to get our tree and decorations set up this weekend! Kim and I stayed up until almost midnight on Friday, going through all of the bins of decorations and ornaments. It was a lot of fun and am very pleased with the outcome.

Also this weekend we watched the Ducks beat the Beavers. Whoo Hoo!!! We sold our Subaru and we also got to take an early peak at the baby. Our friend was kind enough to give us an ultrasound to find out the baby's sex. And......we are having another BOY! I have to say that I was really hoping for a girl, but maybe this is just a sign that we are supposed to have three kids now:) We are very excited.

Samuel Clan by the tree

14 weeks today. Belly is starting to come out a little, which I love. I am really enjoying this pregnancy, but in a different way. Everything is happening earlier (unfortunately the heartburn too) and I know what to expect this time around. I talk to Lucas a lot about babies and that there is a baby inside me. I know he doesn't really get it, but maybe he will sort of understand when my belly is big and the baby moves. Counting down the days until we find out if we are having a boy or girl! Whoo Hoo!

14 Weeks

The first trimester is almost over. What happened to the last few months? Time sure does fly by. I saw Dr. Carlson today and got to see our little one dancing around in my belly. That never gets old. It was so fun to see. So far everything is going great. I had a little nausea in the beginning, but that went away around 9 weeks. Whoo Hoo! Besides feeling tired (nothing new), I feel really good and sometimes even forget I am pregnant. I talked to my Dr. a lot about avoiding pre-term labor. I have decided to take weekly progesterone shots starting at 16 weeks, which studies have shown to help women who have had pre-term labor previously go to full term. Crossing my fingers and toes that I get a "take home baby" this time around.

Here is another picture of the baby. Can't see much again, but "she" was sure moving around in there a lot.

I feel so bad that I don't have many pictures of Lucas these days. I still have not replaced my broken camera. Soon....Soon....I promise. He is talking so much and putting small sentences together. He is still kind of a Mama's boy and very tentative to be around people he doesn't know very well. I am hoping the "stranger danger" stage gets a little better soon. Baby steps I guess. He is a lot more work these days and Mommy gets exhausted pretty easily. Tantrums are in full force and he really wants a lot of interaction with who ever is around. I have found that since Dinosaurs are his new favorite thing, I can put on Ice Age - Dawn of the Dinosaurs and get some much needed quiet time. :)

Well, it is official, I am pregnant with baby #2! Kevin and I are very excited. I had a 7 week ultrasound and everything looked really good. I even got to see the heart beating. The Dr. said that once you see the heart beat, your risk of miscarriage goes way down. For the most part I am feeling great (apart from the bouts of nausea and feeling tired all the time). I am already looking forward to seeing my belly grow and feeling the baby move!

Well, we have just over a month and a half until my due date. The baby should be gaining up to 1/2 pound a week this month. I am expecting to get a little more uncomfortable as the days go by. The baby is still head down and likes to kick my right side and push his or her little butt up, which makes for a very lumpy tummy for me. I am enjoying all the movements and rolls. As much as we cannot wait to meet this baby, I am trying to enjoy these last days of being pregnant. It has been a really wonderful experience.