a BIG day!!

I seem to have fallen a little behind in the blog updating.... my apologizes!

Today was a VERY BIG day. This morning we had our 3D/4D ultrasound appointment- which was nearly a bust! We were able to get two photos of Brooks without his arm and/or hand in his face. Who knew this little guy liked his arms so much. We tried everything from me changing positions, poking him, playing him his favorite music (Johnny Cash, Jimi Hendrix, Ben Harper and Cat Stevens) but nothing could get him to change positions!

The good news though, he is back into the head-down position-- as of 2 days ago he was back to breech. I am crossing my fingers that this time he will remain in the correct position.

The owner of InVision Ultrasound was very nice and re-scheduled us for 5/13/11 (yes, Friday the 13th) for another attempt at images. At that point Brooks will nearly be here- but any chance to see his little face will be worth it!

At 3pm we had our baby shower hosted by Danielle Rios. She did an AMAZING job!! We are so lucky to have her and Mike in our lives. The shower was attended by: Krystle Sheehan (Auntie), Heather Goodell, Jennifer Montgomery, Kisa Smalls, Kim Johnson and Jen Thompson.
                                                            

b  r  o  o  k  s  

tasty treats!

the wonderful host- Danielle Rios

Auntie Krystle and Jen

Heather!

Jenn T, Kisa, Mommy, Heather, Kim, Auntie, Jen M and Danielle

Make a Onesie for Brooks

Little Noodle!

and the besdrest continues....

This morning we had our bi-weekly Antepartum Testing at Kaiser Point West.
They measured our fluid levels: 13.6 (normal 10-25) and monitored Brooks' heart rate: 130-160's.
He is doing just perfect- except for the fact that he refuses to stay still during monitoring and is STILL breech! We still have time for him to flip- 28 weeks 2 days today- but the sooner the better!!
For now nothing has changed, my midwife had said that if my blood pressure was doing well I could move around a bit more this week. But my blood pressure was 149/73 today (crazy high for bedrest!)

This afternoon was pretty exciting and packed with friends!!
Ellen brought over a delicious lunch from Orphan and then the 3 of us (Miles, Ellen and myself) caught up on some very interesting Law and Order SUV re-runs.
Heather came over and brought delicious frozen yogurt and an iced tea (and the Law and Order SVU continued) and we talked until she had school..... Bedrest with awesome friends may turn into the need for fat camp one day!

And then to end the day, Jen and Stella stopped by with some goodies for Brooks. Stella is getting so big and is ADORABLE!! I think her little visit has helped me with learning what areas of our home need some baby proofing- haha!  Thank you again Jenn for the awesome baby stuff!!!!!

week 2 of bed rest

Today I was supposed to have Jury Duty- along with Doug and our friend Jamie.
I was actually VERY excited about the prospect of serving- but apparently our little guy has other ideas.
Being that I am on bed rest I can't actually go to Jury Duty- which worked out because Jamie re-scheduled hers and Doug doesn't have to go....
I called the phone number listed online for those who "fail to report" and spoke to a very nice woman (note the sarcasm in my voice). She informed me that I was "To be here right now". I explained our situation and she ever so nicely rescheduled me for JUNE 20th! I explained my situation AGAIN- and a little slower- including the fact that I am DUE June 26th! She replied "Well then you will need to call then and provide a doctors note". You've got to be kidding me?!?

Krystle came by today and brought Jacks salad (my current obsession: Romaine, Vinegarette, Apples, Carrots, Cucumbers, Feta, nuts and VERY tiny chopped chicken).
We hung out in bed and caught up on some very interesting TV- ha!

I continue to feel guilty for all that Doug is doing right now-- work, house remodel, cleaning and laundry. I thought that maybe I could try and help out a little....
I found out what happens when I try to do a "few small things" around the house-- I end up flat on my back, pounding headache and feeling my heart beat in every part of my body-- including my fingers!!
I guess I've learned my lesson and will be keeping my tush firmly planted in bed or on the couch.

day six

This morning Krystle drove me to my Antepartum Testing appointment- all is well with baby Brooks!!
My blood pressure is "better" although high 140's isn't exactly great ....

The two of us had bedrest in the sun and then when we got too warm headed inside for a little Sex and the City. Meanwhile, Doug worked on the house (such a great husband!!).

This evening we went to our annual Cattleman's dinner in remembrance of our Dad-- with approval from my OB for a "short dinner out".
Margaret and Don even joined us!! I couldn't help myself and had a little too much to eat- oh boy!

The weather these last couple days has been AMAZING and I hope it keeps up!

a missing part of my life

April 1st 2008 was the day my world changed forever. 

The day my Dad died was a day I will never forget, both for the good and the bad.

My father was the best man I will ever know! He taught me to love unconditionally, to be the best person I can be and to always tell those I love how much they mean to me.

I have so many memories of time we spent together- working in the garage, home improvement projects, fishing, crabbing, Sears, driving around in the truck with Johnny Cash as loud as it would play and every little girls favorite time-- weekends on the drilling rig.

There was never anything my father wanted more for me than to be happy. His death spurred a lot of changes in my life- many for the good (and at the time some not the best). But the changes I made in my life led me to where I am today. After his death I decided that it was time to make the changes in my life that I wasn't happy with. It was hard, and it was painful. But it was all for the best.

Today I can look at my life and know that my father would be so proud of me.

Not having him on my wedding day to walk me down the aisle broke my heart- but knowing that he would have LOVED Doug makes me so happy. I wish that they would have had the time to know each other (Doug may be the only guy who could actually take my Dad's jokes and maybe even throw some one-liners back his way!). 

There have been many emotions I have felt during this pregnancy- happiness, fear, joy and sadness. My Dad was so excited for the day that I would someday become a mother and it kills me to know that he will not be present to share in our joy. The day we welcome Brooks into our life will be the happiest day ever- but there will be one person missing. The small amount of time my nephews Seth and Blake spent with "Grandpa Cliff" was awesome. I hate that they are so young that they will likely forget these memories over time, but we will be here to remind them.... 

Clifford John Sheehan, Jr. (11.20.1943 - 04.01.2008) you will never be forgotten. 

I love you Dad!!