A Tribute to Lucy and Rowdy

We are on day 6 of bed rest.  I bow down to the women that are on bed rest for months at a time.  I am constantly going back and forth between boredom and anxiousness. 

I have been to see the doctor a couple of times and here are the high points:

• Reagan is looking good- the sonogram technician says she weighs about 6 pounds 14 oz.  That day Reagan was exactly 37 weeks old. 
• My blood pressure has improved.  Dr. Glenn said it's on the high side of normal
• I am continuing bed rest
• My swelling has gone down

Enough about that, this post is a tribute to Lucy and Rowdy.  Yes, I am doing a tribute to my dogs...don't judge me :)

Let me first begin with Lucy.  Lucy has never been the snugly type- unless there is a thunder storm or it's REALLY cold outside.  In fact, I have what I fondly refer to as, "Mandatory Cuddle Time."  This is usually a daily ritual where I make allow Lucy to get on the couch and I hug her for 1-5 minutes.  She has learned over the years not to fight it, but to embrace the love.  < 3

I have often questioned how Lucy will react to Reagan.  I think that she will appear indifferent, but will be protective from a distance.  Meaning she will always be within eye sight or ear shot of Reagan.  However, when Reagan begins eating food, Lucy will have new best friend.  Everyone knows the way to Lucy's heart is through food. 

Ever since I have been on bed rest, Lucy has been very supportive in her own way.  She checks on me several times throughout the night.  She never did this before.  She'll walk over to my side of the bed and stick her nose my face until I give a couple of pats on the head.  After that she returns to her bed.  She also always stays in the same room as me.  Maybe I'm reading too much into this.... maybe I'm going a little crazy... but I really think she knows something is going on. 

 

My girl Loo-

Then there's Rowdy Hank. 

As you may know, Rowdy is the opposite of Lucy.  He LOVES to be loved.  He wants to be close- sometimes too close.  No need for "Mandatory Cuddle Time" for this little guy.  Rowdy far exceeds the daily 1-5 minutes of snuggling. 

I think Rowdy will be very curious about Reagan.  He will want to constantly be part of the action.  If she cries he will be right there trying to figure out what is going on.  As Reagan gets older, I think Rowdy and Reagan are going to best friends.  I have already given him a special spot in Reagan's room that's close enough to see what's going on, but far enough away to not be annoying. 

Rowdy has also been very supportive in my bed rest.   Wherever I go- he goes.  He's never more than 10 feet away from me.  Occasionally, he will even gently lay his head on my belly.  Even when he is outside, he stays by the door and watches me.  This could be just Rowdy being Rowdy, but I really think he knows something is up. 

 

My pal keeping me company while I blog:

 

And there you have it a tribute to the best dogs in the entire world (I'm bit biased).  I love them both very much and can't wait for them to meet Reagan.  

 

 

Do not get me wrong-

We know and are aware that things are different (not good/ not bad- just different) once a baby comes into the picture.  Additionally, Jerry and I will both be on high alert when Reagan is around the dogs.  

We are in your birth month!

Well Reagan, May has arrived!  Your due date is May 21, however all signs are pointing to an early arrival. 

Every little thing that happens, I'll think, "Okay, is this it??"  I have been given strict instructions to only call your Dad in emergencies.  I have a tendency to call and shoot the breeze.   Each time I call your Dad, he thinks it's time to go to the hospital.  I think he's a bit nervous ;)

I'm so ready for you to be here.  I can't wait to hold you and hear you cry for the first time.  Who will you look like?  Will you have hair?  What will your personality be like?  How big will you be?  The sonogram technician said you weighed about 6 pounds 14 oz.  That day you were exactly 37 weeks old.  I guess only time will tell.  No matter what, I know you will be perfect!

Until you decide to make your arrival, I will be anxiously over thinking every little movement and cramp.  Thankfully, I have your trusty best friends (Lucy and Rowdy) to keep me company and your Aunt Lauren and Nonnie to answer any questions. 

Adventures of Bed Resting

Well... I got put on bed rest on Thursday afternoon.  So I'll start from the beginning:

The past week or so my mom has been encouraging me to get my blood pressure checked.  She had noticed that I was swelling pretty badly in my face and that I was out of breath when I talked.  I kind of dismissed it, but finally went to the nurse on Wednesday to get it checked.  It was a bit high so I decided I would go home that day and rest.  I got my school nurse to check it the next morning and it went up a little bit more.  We decided to call the doctor and the doctor had me go in that afternoon. 

At this point I was trying not to freak out, but was freaking out.  However, I did not cry once :).  I was pretty proud of my self for keeping it together. 

My mom met me at the doctor and they strapped this thing around my belly to monitor Reagan's heart rate and my contractions.  Dr. Glenn said Reagan looked good, but she was concerned with my high blood pressure.  She put me on bed rest until further notice, said to cut out all salt, scheduled a sonogram and a couple other test for Monday, and scheduled another appointment for Tuesday.  She mentioned that if my blood pressure did not go down,  we might look into inducing.  That would not be her preference, however it was a possibility. 

I went home that night and slept from 7pm to 6:30 am.  I guess I was a bit tired.   ;)

Jerry was off on Friday so he made it his mission to keep me resting on the couch.  I struggled with this... I'm more of a do it yourself kind of person.  Jerry was a little mother hen that nagged encouraged me to ask him to do things. 

He was a busy little bee and said he was doing the nesting for both of us.  He put the car seat and hospital bags into the car, washed all the bottles, took Rowdy to the vet (just a check up), made lunch, and cleaned the house from top to bottom.   Meanwhile, I snuggled with Rowdy on the couch.  I think Jerry and I are both a big ball of nervous and excited emotions.  We both just want Reagan to be here- safe, happy, and healthy. 

Here's Jerry installing the car seat base.  I took this picture and was promptly instructed to go back to the couch.

Rowdy decided he was on bed rest as well

On Saturday, I encouraged Jerry to go hangout with his friends.  He went to Ranger's Food Truck Mania with Rustin and Kody.  Later that day my friends came over to visit.  It was a pretty low key day.

Now it's Sunday and I'm still hanging low.  I'm praying my appointment will bring good news tomorrow.  We shall see!  I will keep you posted! 

School Shower!

On Wednesday, my team threw me a beautiful shower at school. 

 

I LOVE working at Bryant.  I love my students, my coworkers, and the atmosphere.  Everyone I work with truly enjoys their job and it is obvious they love working with children.  I'm so thankful to be surrounded by such great people! 

 

Here are some pictures from the shower:

 

Super cute table decor:

 

 

 The lovely diaper cake:

 

 The beautiful, yummy, and homemade cake:

 

 The beautiful head table:

 

 

My team bought us the Pack n Play.  We set it up that night!  This is will be Reagan's bed for the first couple of months:

 

Thank you again to all of my coworkers for the beautiful shower and the gifts for Reagan!  Throwing a shower is alot of hard work and we are so thankful!  Thank you again!

 

Baby Shower!

This past Saturday, Jane and Ann threw me a beautiful shower at Jane and Glenn's house.  It was wonderful!  Jane and Ann worked so hard and it was perfect!  Thank you so much for a wonderful shower! 

Here are some pictures!

The Hostesses:

 

 GiGi and her new bassinet from Deanie:

 Katie, Anissa, and Baby Paisley:

 

Precious Decor:

Yummy food:

 

 

Thank you so much for the wonderful shower!  So many people traveled such a long way to celebrate Reagan and we are so grateful.  Reagan is surrounded by so many amazing people!  Thank you again and again!

 

Also, congratulations to Sarah and David on their new son, Arden.  We are so happy for you! 

 

 

33-35

Well, we are almost there!  Exactly 1 month away from her due date- May 21.  I'm not sure, but I'm thinking she will be here before then.  I'm still thinking May 10, but I've heard some predictions as early as April 30.  Who knows?!

 

Reagan is growing like a weed!  Dr. Glenn says she's measuring about 2 weeks ahead.  According to my What to Expect app she's around 6 pounds and 19-22 inches long.  It seems like she's starting to run out of room in there.  She's still pretty active in the afternoon and night.  Feeling her move around is the most amazing feeling.  I can't wait to meet her! 

 

 

 

 

 

Sleep: For some reason, I've developed the lovely habit of waking up at 3 AM on the dot.  Not sure what this is about.  Sometimes I'm able to go back to sleep and other times I can't.  Everyone says that's God's way of preparing me for a newborn ;)

Missing anything:  Energy.  I'm pretty tired these days. 

 

Food Cravings: None that I can think of

Exercise:  Sadly, the exercising has come to a halt.  My feet have started swelling at the end of the day.  I've found the best thing is to come home and prop those babies up.  However, as soon I get the green light to exercise after I have Reagan- watch out!   

 

Food Aversions: none really

 

Symptoms:  Swelling in my face, fingers, and feet

 

Happy or Moody:  Happy!

 

Looking forward to: Meeting Reagan!  The bags are packed and we are ready to go! 

 

 

 

 

 

Baby Shower!

This Saturday, my friends, mom and sister threw me a beautiful shower!  I'm so grateful to have such amazing women in my life.  I hope Reagan is lucky to enough to have friends and family as wonderful as mine! 

Here are some pictures:

Look at those precious outfits! Reagan is going to be looking super cool!

 

 Love the puff balls and Reagan sign!

 Kristen's masterpiece!

 Not only was this cake beautiful, it tasted amazing!!!

 

Yummy food! 

 

 Cute party favors!

My mom, sister, and I:

 

 Dave and Claire Bear.  Claire kept saying, "It's Reagan's birthday!"  I love that little girl!

 

The fabulous hostesses:

 This was so cute!  Everyone got a quilt square and wrote message to Reagan on it.  My mom is going to sew it together!

 

 Stacey, Meggie, and Cindy:

 

Jenny and I-  We are due within days of each other!  Bradley and Reagan are going to be best buds!  

 



 

Jane aka GiGi and I:

 I forgot to take pictures of everyone once the shower started :/  Thank you so much to everyone for coming and showering Reagan with goodies!  We are so blessed to have you as friends!