*Welcome Baby*

The past few days have been the happiest, craziest, fastest 9 days of my life. I can't believe it was already over a week ago that our little miracle was born! He is so perfect in every way... Bobby & I are so incredibly *blessed* that we have been chosen to be parents to this little bundle of joy. Bobby is the best daddy in the world, it is so special to me just to watch the two of them interact and love eachother.

For those of you who haven't heard Mason's story about how he came into the world, here is a brief summary:

I had a doctor appt. on Friday at 2:30PM, Dr. Lachance looked me over and said that I was dialated almost to 3, and that she would see me next week, unless she saw me before. It was like 'famous last words' that are in the movies... So after my dr. appt, I had a visit to do for my work, and then I went to Bobby's office. I am so incredibly thankful that God had me stay in Grand Forks that day.

Bobby & I were getting ready to go to the Sioux/Denver hockey game, and while at his office, I started bleeding. I have never in my life been so scared. We immediately went to the ER and called the birthing center. They rushed us right in. It was such a whirlwind. I think we got to the hospital at about 5:45 PM, and at 6:00PM I was in the operating room getting a spinal and ready to have a c-section. I just remember asking over and over again if Mason was ok. I remember getting into the room and seeing like 25 different people all wearing blue gowns and caps. Bobby wasn't even allowed down there right away, but I remember asking for him 80 million times. I also remember the nurse who gave me my anestesia made me laugh by saying to me "has anyone ever told you that you look like Cameron Diaz?" I dont know if it was all the pain killers I was given but it made me laugh hysterically. I remember Bobby sitting right on my left side rubbing my face and telling me he loved me over and over agiain.

Then, I remember hearing Mason's cry. A million feelings all rushed over me at once. I have never been speechless before in my life, but literally no words would come out of my mouth. All I could do, and what I did was start screaming. I was so excited and happy. I looked over and watched Bobby cut Mason's cord while they finished stitching me up. We were officially parents.

Once Bobby, Mason & I got settled into our hospital room (room #426), Bobby gave me my "new mommy" present-- a new beautiful wrap for my wedding ring. He had been fooling me for months before, I was sooo positive I was getting a new computer.

Since then, our lives have been more incredible than I ever thought possible. Bobby has been not only the world's greatest dad, but also the world's best husband. He has been doing ALL of the cooking and cleaning, while me & Mason pretty much just hang out in our bedroom. We are slowly getting into a routine, and I am starting to get used to not getting any sleep and still being able to function.

We came home from the hospital on Monday, and this week at home has gone by so fast! It seems like I have gotten nothing done, yet the time has just flown by. Saturday was our fist outing-- we went to Fargo to size my wedding ring and met up for lunch with our friends Corey and Alicia. Then we took off for Grand Forks and spent the evening with our other great friends Matt & Delicia and their kids.

Wow! I think this is the longest post I have ever written- it has just been a very exciting week!

can this week go any slower?

This week has seemed to drag on and on and on already and it's only Wednesday! Last weekend we had Bobby's brother, sister and their famlies over to our house for a late Christmas-- it was the soonest time we could all get together after the busy holiday season. They all spent the night it was so great everyone got to spend so much time together, and we had 5 kids running around our house! It is crazy to think that next year Mason (who will be alomst 1 year old by then!) will be running around too!

Speaking of Mason (which is all I talk about lately!!!), I thoughtI was going to have to be induced yesterday! Part of me was very excited the other part very scared. My blood pressure has been kind of creeping up and up and yesterday it was 126/91, which is really high for me, usually it is like 100/60 or lower. So I called the clinic and they wanted me to come in to make sure I wasn't developing preeclamsia. So right away of course I look up everything I can on preeclamsia and after I read the symptoms, i am positive I have every single one of them. I called Bobby and he met me at the clinic... thankfully they did some tests and I dont have preeclamsia, just high blood pressure. The doctor I saw told me to go home and take a bath and take it easy, so that is my plan for the next few weeks, or however long until Mason decides to arrive, which any time is fine with me! :)

Bobby has been so great and patient with me these past few weeks (ok, past 9 months, and before then too!)- he has been doing pretty much all the cleaning around the house, making dinners, bringing me ginger ale, massaging my back, listening to my whining about every ache & pain, and Monday night he even painted my toes because I can't reach anymore!! (and he did a great job incase you were wondering!) so Bobby, if you are reading this, thanks honey- I love you.

the waiting game

I get emails from babycenter sent to me every week, and this is what the title was for this week, week 37. Baby Mason is now considered to be "full term" -- so technically he can arrive ANY DAY now, it is just to WAIT for him! At our doctor appointment Friday, Dr. Lachance told us we won't have to worry about him coming late, which I took as hinting (hoping) he is going to come early! I am so excited to meet him-- thinking about him, getting things ready around the house, cleaning his room everyday (even though no one even goes in there yet)... I think I am obsessed!!!! And as I sit here typing, pausing every few seconds to put my hands on my belly feeling him move, it is going to be so strange NOT to feel him kicking and rolling around throughout the day.

growing and growing!

These are pictures of me at 30 1/2 weeks, 33 1/2 weeks, and then last weekend, at 35 weeks. Only 5 more weeks to go! Sometimes I wonder how I will be able to get any bigger. I swear overnight I grew some more- I tried on a pair of pants today that fit me fine on Saturday, and now today I couldn't even get them up!



Last weekend we went with the Barkers to watch the Vikings game- it was such an AWESOME game, at least until 1/2 way through the 4th quarter. It was still so great to be able to say we went to a playoff game, and of course to get to hang out with Drew & Meg before our babies are born!

30 days and counting

WOW-- I cannot believe this is the last month Bobby & I are ever going to have without a baby Mason. Time since June has just absolutely FLOWN by. I know I have been complaining about my back hurting, being tired, being sick, having heartburn, and peeing all the time, but I am starting to get a little sad that in a month I won't be pregnant anymore! It is going to be so strange to not feel rolling around, pushing and kicking inside me. I think Bobby is going to miss it too- we have started a new morning routine- every morning when the alarm goes off, Mason starts kicking me over and over again on my left side. I'm not talking like 1 or 2 or even 10 kicks. This morning he literally kicked 32 (THIRTY TWO!!!) times after I started counting.

Bobby & I have so much going on this month- hopefully that helps the time FLY by-- we have been going to the doctor every week and still have 3 baby classes to go to! Craziness!

feeling antsy

I feel so antsy today! I dont know if it is because I am excited to go to our doctor's appointment today (we start going every week now!) or if it is because I am overly tired and haven't realized it yet. Our whole family was up at 4:30 this morning. I woke up to go to the bathroom, and then Bobby did, and then neither of us could fall asleep. Jefferson even woke up too, and Mason was kicking and wiggling around like CRAZY! I keep thinking about all of the things we need to still buy (like a car seat!!!) I am going shopping today though so hopefully that helps my anxieties a little. I got a 10% off coupon for all my registry items @ Target -- I just can't decide if I use it now or wait!

so cute!

I came across this super cute car seat cover online and had to share it. It just makes me laugh I love it so much! Poor Mason-- he is going to have to wear/use so much random stuff that makes his mom laugh. He is going to hate me when he looks back on some of his baby pictures I think! It is $90, so I am not going to buy it, but I think I might just ask my very talented mom to see if she can make something similar to it.