in death there is life.....

Bittersweet times for Allen and I this week. Today we laid to rest Allen's beloved grandfather of 93 years and just two weeks shy of his 61st anniversary with Allen's grandmother June. Anyone who knows the Davis family knows they are quite close  and Frank Sr was clearly loved by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I wish I had known him more in his younger days as its my understanding he was quite the character and quite accomplished in life. I am thankful that Tyler has been blessed to know great-grandparents as mine passed long before I was born. 

And here we are now about to have this baby girl. Some might say is a shame that she'll never get to know him like her brother and cousins. I say, but she will. In life there is death, and in death also life. It is bittersweet that we say so long to one family member, however we are so blessed to welcome a new one. And she will know him. He will watch over her and protect her just as he will with the rest of the Davis family. For we shall all meet again in the afterlife with The Lord. 

Rest in peace Grandpa Davis. Forever loved, forever remembered. We love you!

ain't nobody got tiiiiime for that!

To sit around and wait for baby girl to come out that is!

Another check up last week Friday revealed that I have made progress since the previous week and both my doctor an I thought for sure I'd see her in the hospital this past weekend. Well.... that was big flop!

The previous Monday I had gone in to be triaged as I had been feeling SUPER nauseas for over 24 hours, very lethargic and hadn't felt baby move as much as normal. Here's hoping possibly early labor, but no, I wasn't anywhere! They gave me an anti nausea med and sent me home to rest. I stayed home the following day just in case it was a stomach bug however I still think it was REALLY early stages of labor. Any and all contractions I have had since have caused the same 'nausea'. I returned to work the rest of the week and left feeling like I would not be back. Baby had dropped way low and I was starting to have some contractions here and there *yay*.  At my appointment on Friday I was dilated to almost a 3, but baby hadn't quite dropped enough yet and my 'water' was still intact *boo!* I did everything I could think of over the weekend; walked, ate spicy food, sat on an exercise ball and just plain stayed active. Sunday morning I woke at 4am or so (after only 3 hours sleep) and thought this was it! My back was in excruciating pain, I was having contractions every 7-8 minutes (although not unbearable yet) and I also was sure I was leaking, thinking my water must have broke in my sleep so I called the nurse line. They sent me to triage where once again I was hooked up and checked and I did not even get a yellow light *sigh* Contractions had slowed to 13 min apart and even though was up to a full 3 at this point, my water had in fact not broken *boo again!* So back home I go where I decided to take it easy and rest hoping that relaxing rather than pushing it might be the key.

Well.....here I am day 2 at work this week and still don't feel any "active" labor. I figure coming to work is the best thing I can do for my sanity right now and I can get caught up and worry less while I am off. I have another check up tomorrow for 38 weeks, PLEASE say a prayer that we have made progress (AND that I go into labor any day but Saturday!)

In other news, Tyler is getting uber excited and quite impatient of when his "sissy" will be here! He cannot WAIT to meet her and give her the stuffy he made for her.  We've talked a lot about how he may wake up to a Grandparent or Aunt/Uncle as we may have to go to the hospital in the night. He seems to understand and keeps asking when he can have a sleep over with one of them :)

FINALLY, some progress has been made in the basement. It has been a long time coming, and for a cranky preggo, I think I have been very patient...... Well, my hubby is quite awesome (don't tell him I said that though - lol!) he managed to redo all the plumbing and gas piping in the basement in just TWO days! It took him all day and night and didn't even stop for lunch. It's quite amazing the difference in water you get from 60 year-old copper piping to brand new PVC - lol. It will be a process I am sure, but looking forward to the next step!

one day at a time....

CHECKUP #1:

This morning with Dr. Conner, Mommy is 36 weeks and 2 days and measuring at 33 weeks, no concern just basically mean I am ALL baby in the tummy. Weight gain is still minimal and good (likely due to the diabetic diet) and Baby D was very mellow today, hear tones just around 125. Not much action going on down below quite yet, only about a 1 and her head is not quite down there, so basically she has not fully dropped yet. The plan is still to induce at 39 weeks (yay!) however if I go into labor on my own, they will also not stop me (double yay!) In other news, apparently I'm looking well - haha - NOT! Even Dr. Conner can tell when she came in that I "wear the look of a pregnant woman that looks like she's reached then end and is done".

CHECKUP #2, ULTRASOUND:

They are VERY please with my sugars and Baby D's growth. She is currently about 6lbs 5oz and everything else is looking well. As our tech measured her bones, checked heart and lungs we actually got to see her kicking on screen! Was really amazing to be able to actually see her leg kicking AND watch my whole belly move at the same time! We had a hard time getting to see her face this time as it was all squished and the umbilical cord was in front of it :( we did however once again see those chubba cheeks, and boy does she ever have them! I can't wait to see them in person :)

CONGRATS TYLER

What a busy week we had! Tyler had TWO T-ball games this week and we had conferences as well. Tyler has improved tremendously receiving all 1's and one 2. I always knew he was smart but I absolutely LOVE that his teacher can tell me things that will surprise and impress me. All in all he is officially ready for Kindergarten!

I can't believe the school year is almost to an end and summer is almost here. And I can't believe that I will be home ALONE with a newborn and a 5 year old - cheers! Cuz I am sure a couple Summer Shandy's will be in order :)

can't...... stop...... nesting.....

Today I am officially 36 week along and even though it seems like I've been preggo FOREVER somehow I also can't believe I made it here. I've been busy 'putzing' around the house (really more like whirling around like a tornado) getting ready for baby girl's arrival. I have finally finished painting the furniture and I have to toot my own horn and say I'm pretty impressed with myself on how it turned out. Now if we only had a room (besides the living room) to put it in.

Our living room and Tyler's closet continue to fill up with lots of pink and it all becomes more real everyday. I've been quite anxious about going early - mostly since I was induced with Tyler I'm afraid I won't know when it's the right time to go. The plan is to induce a week early which gives me 3 weeks to get ready. I finally have diapers and wipes and I've got them all out away just on case.

I can't seem to stop 'nesting' as they call it. I've rearranged the whole kitchen and plan to organize and clean the bathroom this weekend. Then of course there is washing of the clothes, the packing and daily cleaning a shopping. I also hope to get a few freezer meals made up as well (yes I think I am slightly crazy) In addition I have what I'm sure is to be a lovely shower to look forward too and t-ball games, softball games and racing just add to the mix! Throw in one baby girl and you got a whole lot of chaos going on - lol!

Another check up and ultrasound are on the agenda for Friday and hopefully we will get some more information then. Hopefully all will be good and she can bake for at a minimum one more week. Course she is a girl and a Davis so she has a mind of her own......we shall see!

don't blink.......

Or you'll open your eyes and Baby Girl will be here! This past Friday I had my 34 week check up with Dr. Conner and everything is still looking good. Still measuring a little small (hey I am NOT complaining!) and only about 1.5lb gained since my last visit (again no complaints here!) and heart rate in the 130's this time (some one was taking her post-breakfast nap - lol) At my previous visit she had mentioned that with GD patients they like to induce at 39 weeks and it didn't even hit me she said that until I got home. So I decided to ask her about it at this visit, and sure enough I was told to go ahead an plan on it! Eek! No more moving at a glacier pace in this house, now she is coming a week early if not sooner. I am still checking my sugars daily then faxing in my numbers to the specialist weekly and even though I have had a few indulgences, they are pleased with my numbers and am told to just continue with my diet :) I go back to Dr. Conner in a couple weeks for a check up and also back to Dr. Zuidema's (the specialist)the same day for another ultrasound to check baby's size.

Tyler continues to be excited and he is SUCH a big helper around the house and for me in general. I am BEYOND thankful for the age gap, as I don't know what I would do without him! He will bring the laundry upstairs for me (he'd prolly change it around for me too if he could reach - hehe) he gets my sock, shoes and slippers for me and will even help take them on and off. Since he has been such a big helper and he's saving for a REAL car ya know, I have been giving him $1 here and there for helping (especially when it's without asking) He just thinks that is the coolest thing and could even tell you what the total is he has saved up. He as  grown up way too fast and is truly about to NOT be my baby anymore :( He has been so amazing understanding as best he can both about Allen working on the race car and me not able to do as much he will be getting a very special gift when he comes to the hospital to meet his new sister (shhhhhh - don't tell! It's a SURPRISE)

Allen is ALMOST don't with the race car (thank goodness last week got cancelled) and it really couldn't be better timing. Hoping with in a couple of weekends he can at the very least get the bedroom/living area done - here's hoping we will have lots of family and friends jumping in to help! Meanwhile, I have been busy doing my nesting thang - got all nursery furniture painted (all by myself thank you very much) minus the crib and have been cleaning and organizing my rear off! Beware kitchen and bathroom - you are next! Bahahahahaha!

kids say the darnedest things....

Tyler (age 5): Mom! Did you know you can get 'Ice Cream Magic'? You just poor in your favorite flavor, and shake for 3 minutes and you have your very own ice cream!

Me: Let me guess you saw this on a 'mershcal' (aka commercial)

Tyler: Yeah! And guess what? You can even add your favorite topping. I would add skittles cause we have skittles right? I really want that to make my very own ice cream.

Me: We'll see....

Tyler: Okay....

Guess I have something I need to add to someone's Big Brother kit eh?

sliding into home....

Friday I had a prenatal check up with my primary doctor. Turns out I am actually measuring small (haha to all you who say I look ready to pop!) and have been the last couple weeks? Better than measuring over! My weight gain is still good and her heart rate continues to stay in the 140's. We went over what the specialist and I talked about in regards to the GD, and between the two docs they are talking about inducing at 39 weeks! I am not getting my hopes up however, because this just might all turn out just fine and maybe she'll just come on her own.....we shall see!

It is becoming more and more real, and that reality is starting to sink in. And the more reality sinks in the more nervous and anxious this Mama becomes. Baby Girl may not yet have a room to herself (as there continues to be no work done in the basement) I did manage to get her cradle painted so with an addition of one pink sheet she will at least have a place to sleep. I also fixed our rocking chair, and looking around this house is looking more like a new babe will soon be with us.

While Allen continues to work on the race car (first practice is next week already! EEK!) the nesting continues for me. I figure the more I can do inside the home (organizing, cleaning, painting, laundry) the easier it will be to transition the rooms around as I suspect it will be last minute *sigh* This weekend's project (please let the weather be nice!) will be to work on getting the nursery furniture painted. This will not be super easy as I will need someone to get it out of the house for me, and get Ty's stuff out of it to do so, but I am determined to do as much as I can! Poor Tyler is just going to have to live with some girly furniture for a few weeks I guess - hehe!

I know we will get there, but I'd feel a lot more relaxed if we a bit more ready......

chubba cheeks....

I work for a doctor's office and every day at my job have to ask patients to plan on a 3 hour appointment for their first visit with us. Well, today I received  dose of my own medicine as I visited with a specialist on Maternal and Fetal Medicine to manage my Gestation Diabetes.

I first met with their on staff dietitian. She was super nice, very helpful with her explaining things and seemed confident that I would be able to control the GD with diet alone. I received a blood glucose meter and diet plan for counting my carbohydrates. I have to check my sugar 4 times a day, record them and fax to the specialist weekly. They will look at my numbers to make sure I am staying on track and don't need medication. They also checked my urine to be sure sugar wasn't spilling out into there (learn something new every day!) and then the bonus of all of this......ULTRASOUND! It's always such a joy to see our peanut on screen, and it will forever amaze me what they can see. My US tech was great, she told me everything she was taking pictures of and even was willing to double check the gender, ya know, just to be REALLY sure! And I could tell right away when they zeroed in on her face, she is looking a LOT like her big brother did - especially those CHUBBA CHEEKS!  Baby D is about 4 lbs, her heart rate was at 147 and she is measuring in the 43rd percentile for overall growth. All her parts look good and no abnormalities at this time. All in all she is very health and strong. I have another scheduled US in month to make sure she is still growing on track and ensure she is not growing too much too fast.

Tyler is still super excited and continues to ask when she's going to come out "cuz he just loves her so much!"  (his words not mine) This weekend we (and by we I mean me) got his old cradle painted so now at least if she does come early she will have a place to sleep.

Allen is coming along with the race car, which is good because believe it or not first practice is just ONE week from Saturday! Eek! He better get cracking. Although it is soon, I am excited, because it sure would be nice to have a finished bedroom (and living room!) in the basement before she comes! It's about to warm up here the next couple weeks, so we'll finally be able to start to get R dun! (and by we, I mean Allen)

As for me, I will just do what I am told by the docs, suffer through these 'awesome' allergies and try to patiently await my little ballerina's arrival. HAHA! It's starting to hit us all, the reality of expanding our family. I pray God will give me the strength to take it all on!

time flies.....

This past Friday, March 8 I had my 29 week check up with Dr Conner. For this appointment I had to complete the ever dreaded 1 hour glucose test. This involves mama-to-be drinking what most describe as "really sugary kool-aid" ever, when in fact it's actually it's more gross than that and you have to consume it in 5 minutes, and it's ORANGE (some people may like it, I am not a fan) Then 1 hour post drinking this oh so delicious stuff, your blood is drawn and send for testing to see how your body handles/breaks down sugar. The rest of my appointment merely involved the normal measuring, weighing and listen to the heart rate (always a blessing!) I am still measuring on target, weight gain is within the normal range and Baby D was all kinds of hyper after consuming so much sugar so early in the morning, her hear rate was into the 150's this time!

Monday, I got the call with my results.....epic fail. Sugar was about 180, meaning I would have to undergo the even MORE dreaded 3 hour glucose test *sigh* and I would have to do it ASAP, eh-hem, the very next morning. The 3 hour test involves drinking even more concentrated sugar drink (at least it was fruit punch this time) again within 5 minutes AND in addition to fasting for 12 hours! They drew my blood prior to drinking the even more oh so delicious drink, and then every hour for 3 hours after that. It really wasn't so bad except that I just worked a 14 hour day, I was drained, hungry, tired, weak, and trying to keep the drink down (bleh!) The next day I called the office for the results and just as I suspected, 2 our of 4 vials we abnormal, giving me diagnosis of Gestation Diabetes :(  Boo! I am now being referred to a specialist in Maternal-Fetal Medicine who will manage the GD for the rest of my pregnancy. I will being seeing them on the 26th where I get the pleasure of meeting with a Dietary Consultant and receive another ultrasound (okay so there is ONE plus side). In addition to now having high blood sugar, they checked my hemoglobin (iron levels) and have dropped a few points there as well. Boo again! I am now taking a supplement in addition to my prenatal vitamin to hopefully keep the levels up.

In TYLER NEWS, he is growing up WAY too fast for my liking. A couple weeks ago Allen signed him up for his very first season of t-ball! He will play in the Pinery Park league just like Daddy and I have never seen him so excited about something (well other than having a baby sister) He is looking forward to going shopping for baseball shoes with Allen and I just ordered him a special bag to keep his t-ball stuff in.

Last night, Mommy, had the pleasure of signing him up for......KINDERGARTEN!!! I just can't believe that in what will seem like a few short months my biggest guy will officially be an elementary school student. It saddens me and excited me at the same time, it's just hard to believe this day has come already. Before I know it we will be shopping for a new backpack, lunch box (man has he waited a LONG time for one of those!) and all kinds of school things he will need I'm sure.  Time flies when you're having fun.....so they say......

in the home stretch!

Officially 29 weeks preggo today! Bring on the big belly, the feet/ hand swelling the gas and indigestion! Somehow this time has gone by so fast yet taken forever at the same time. And even though this pregnancy has not been the easiest on me, I wouldn't trade it for the world! We have truly been blessed and each day I thank The Lord for his blessings 😊

Tyler continues to be excited and anxious for the arrival of baby sister (mom and dad are too!) Allen makes compete fun of me for being such a Twi-hard (aka obsessive Twilight fan) but I have to say the way he is attached to me and how much he says he loves her already its like she is his Renesme. I believe that he'd do anything for her and he'll protect her and be there for her as they continue to go together. I hope that rings true when she does make her arrival because I believe that he will make a wonderful big brother!

We are busy getting ready for baby girl. Allen is working hard to get race car done so he can spend the rest of time until delivery finishing Mommy and Daddy's new room in the basement 😄 as well as the nursery and Tyler's new big boy room too! Lots of changes at the Davis household - it's quite exhausting but all the excitement makes it worth it! And for those of you who are wondering.....we have a few names picked out but sorry not telling until we meet her first! Guess you'll just have to put you patient panties on and wait😘

kitchen graduate

Last night Tyler competed his final cooking class for this winter. He is already talking about singing up next time it comes around! Last night they made "Creep Crawly Bugs" which we basically just hot dogs rolled in crescents decorated with potato stix and ketchup or mustard. He had NO interested in eating them, and I couldn't just let them go to waste, so yes Mommy at them all! He got to take home a cookbook with all the recipes, pictures he drew and even pics of classmate and with Mommy.

Even though the things they were making were more fun and silly I do feel like it has made his love to be in the grow. I made some egg salad the other night, and he has NEVER had any desire to even try an egg, but he thought my egg slicer was the coolest thing since sliced bread. He was right there and wanted to put in the mayo, sour cream and stir it all up. Watched me peels the eggs and just curious as George the monkey. I hope he continues to want to learn in the kitchen as he would make some lucky lady VERY happy (she has to get through me first of course!)

Well I am now twenty-seven weeks (woo-hoo!) why that seems so much closer to me I don't know, but 90 days sounds even closer to meeting our sweet ballerina girl!

Over the weekend I dealt with quite a deal of pelvic and pubic bone pain, and let me just say you have NO idea exactly how painful it is unless you've dealt with it before. On Sunday I had it, and was so miserable I literally felt ill. I decide to give the join belt another try, and even thought I have not been up to doing my exercises I have had a TREMENDOUS amount of relief. I guess if this is what I have to do to get through the next three months, it's worth it to remain out of pain and wear something that is only slightly uncomfortable.

As racing has now resumed on our TV and he continues to work on the car, I can tell that Allen is really getting pumped for the upcoming season. People always ask me how I deal with it or how I CAN deal with it and it's like this: He has so much love and passion he puts into this sport, anyone who knows him knows he wants to go fast and when you see his face light up like a kid on Christmas - how can you ever take that away?

My world once again is about to turn upside down, this I am realizing. We have a lot to do, in order to prepare for it all, and hopefully with a helping hand from God we will make it!

i can't complain

This past Friday I had a check-up for Baby D. Mom is measuring right on target still and Dr Conner is very happy with my weight gain (as am I!) and sorry but no, I am not going to disclose that piece of information :) Heartbeat continues to stay around low 140's and she loves to show off just how strong she is by kicking the Doppler no matter where it goes. I am feeling MORE and MORE movement from her every week it seems. As a former dancer as a child for 7 years I have decided to dub her my "Ballerina Girl" as the movement is constant, strong and if you could see inside I bet you would see her practicing pirouettes and leaps abound in there! I am always thinking of how neat it would be to have a camera that could view inside and capture those precious first movements.......

I am still having quite a but of pelvic/pubic bone pain. Physical Therapy has helped some, but if you've ever been you know how costly and time consuming it is, so I am putting that on hold for now. They have had me purchase an SI Joint Lock Belt to help hold those joints together and allow for some support as my body does not seem able to support itself. However I can not complain as I have been blessed with this opportunity to have another child (and a girl at that!) and I know the end result will be SOOOOOO worth it!

Tyler has been getting over quite the virus that seems to be going around. Three days of a fever that I did EVERYTHING I know to do and could not break it! So lovely couple days off work and 5 day at home snuggling with my Monkey, he is more attached to me now than ever. Oh well! He is UBER excited about his baby sister and constantly hugging my belly, so maybe when she graces us with her presence he continue to hug "her" and not by belly - lol!

Meanwhile, Allen is getting to work on his car for racing season - he's got a pretty good head start and looking forward to see the new paint job he has in mind this year! Tyler has been so excited and just literally longing to pop rivet that body on for Daddy! In addition to prep for racing season he will be a big help in prepping for Baby D as he FINALLY finishes off the basement - woot woot! I am so thankful for him and all he has done to at least try and understand what I'm going thru (and supportive even if he doesn't!) and have full confidence that he will work splickity fast to get basement done in time. Three things I look forward to: Double sinks in the bathroom, bigger room, and doing laundry on one level!

don't knock it til you try it

Is what I should have told myself when my doc told me all she could do for my pelvic pain was refer me to physical therapy. Having been through PT several times for knee issues and wrist pain, I was skeptical thinking there's got to be something else. But after a phone call and visit to the office it was my only option. With the pain not improving, what the heck? It was worth a shot!

My first impression was not great as I waited almost 20 minutes just to be evaluated. However upon meeting my physical therapist and during evaluation my mind changed almost immediately. She was VERY kind and asked a lot of detailed questions really trying to figure out what the problem might be. Come to find out my pubic bone, tail bone AND my hip bone were ALL off! No wonder I was in pain and my belly was lopsided. Being more than halfway with my pregnancy, I obviously could not just be flipped and wrenched on until things were back in place. She did several different safe and gentle moves to help realign things and although not perfectly back where things belong it was much better. We also went over some exercises I could do at home to help strengthen and continue to correct things on my own.

I did NOT feel any relief right away (or within the next few hours) but after doing my at home exercises and a warm bath to help the muscles relax I noted my 'bump' had dropped! As I moved around more I noticed I was able to walk more normally then I had in the last 6 weeks. I was sore from the exercises but other than that I felt a bit better.

Now our baby girl (and my belly, consequently) will only continue to grow, so I don't expect 100% improvement. I do however hope that as I continue therapy and at home exercises for the next few weeks to make it tolerable.

chef tyler

Tyler has had a love for being in the kitchen for some time now. Whether I'm making dinner or baking up some banana bread he's almost always sure to be there practically begging to help. I've been waiting for an opportunity somewhere to get him in a kid oriented cooking class and finally found one through our local city parks and recreation. The class is called Tiny Chefs and geared for smaller children up to six, and includes parent involvement. In addition for Tyler's love of the kitchen I thought it might be a great opportunity to spend some quality Mommy/Tyler time before baby sister comes along.

At the beginning of class they went around and were asked why they signed up for cooking class and of course I'm partial but Tyler had the BEST answer: 'I joined cooking class because I love helping my mommy make dinner!' Isn't he sweet? So tonite they made 'ladybugs'. Crackers with cream cheese (that they got to spread on themselves) cherry tomatoes cut in half for the wings, black olives cut in quarters for the head, chives for the antenna, and black colored cream cheese for the dots on ladybug's back. So cute and even though he had NO desire to try them he enjoyed making them!

As for Baby D, we had a good check up this week. Mommy is measuring right I target. Baby girl's heart rate is around 150 and enjoys kicking the Doppler when placed on Mommy's belly! She also has made herself cozy in my hips causing some very unnecessary pain. I'm told its not going to get better so I was prescribed some pain medication (don't worry - safe for mom and baby) and a referral to physical therapy to help deal with it for the next 18 weeks. As for now Tylenol and warm baths will have to do (darn!). Everyone keeps saying time will fly but I am counting the weeks until we get to meet our precious baby girl!

19 weeks and counting......

This week I am officially 21 weeks along, so let the countdown begin! Ha ha it's going to be a long countdown, even though everyone tells me the second half will just fly by...... we shall see won't we?

Except for some pelvic pain (apparently my babies like to rest in my hips) I am feeling pretty good. Definitely looking preggo these days and not mention feeling it as well. Baby D is VERY active, usually when it's about mealtime or at night while Mommy is trying to rest (didn't waste any time training me on that did she?) I can see my belly "pop" with her little kicks and turns and Allen even felt her for the first time as well (or at least he says he did). I for one think it's AMAZING and quite frankly the best feeling in the world!

Even though Tyler would not drop getting a baby brother, he is SUPER excited and anxious to meet his baby sister! He says the cutest things like: "We have to be careful with your tummy because the baby is in there, and we don't want to hurt my baby sister" and "the baby can't understand what we are saying but she can hear our voices". I'd like to think he truly understands more than you think he would, and maybe he does.

After what seemed like the longest Christmas break EVER, Tyler is back to school and the rest of us back to routine. Tyler is truly a child of habit and requires that structure, so we are all MUCH happier people when he is occupied.

Another check up for this Mama on Monday, I just can't wait to hear Peanut's heartbeat again (best sound in the world!) until then.....

Hope you all had wonderful holidays!