Nursery Update

Madelyn's dresser finally arrived! We have everything in its place, with a few minor finishing touches left to complete. We are so pleased with the way it all turned out and we think Madelyn will enjoy it as well!

There a many items that I thought I'd point out because they are very special to us...

This pink Packers helmet was given to us at Madelyn's first (surprise) shower in Green Bay. All the relatives who were there signed it! How cool is that!?!?

This adorable blanket was handmade by my Godmother, Darlene. It is the sweetest thing! We can't wait to wrap Madelyn up in it!

For Christmas this year, Grandma and Papa R. bought Madelyn this little rocking chair that matches the rest of the furniture in the room. She will love it, I am certain!

I have added a few more pictures to the gallery...click here to see them (it may take a minute or so to load depending on your connection). If you didn't have a chance to see the whole process, click this link to the main gallery page.

Second 4D Ultrasound

Below you will find a clip of Madelyn’s most recent ultrasound. We always look forward to seeing her, and were a little sad to know this would be the last time we’d get a sneak-peek before she’s born. She has filled out a little bit since the last ultrasound; still has the same chubby cheeks and pouty lips.

She was still quite camera shy during this visit. We had to wiggle her around a bit to get her to move her arm. She likes to have it right up next to her head. She likes to have her foot there, too. You will notice her big toe floating around near her face for most of this video. You will also get to see her suck on her wrist and even flash us her tiny smile. That one brought tears to our eyes.

The holidays seem to be flying right by us. We spent Christmas morning at my sister, Kristin’s house. This year we decided to focus on the kids. The adults adopted a family in need instead of buying each other gifts. I have to say it was the most rewarding Christmas for us…and a lot less stressful! Madelyn made out like a bandit. Chris and I laughed because she’s not even here yet, and she still managed to rake in the gifts! :)

We hope everyone had a great holiday. Relax and stay safe into the New Year! I will write more soon with an update on the nursery…it is finally complete, and it’s adorable!

Madelyn's 4D Ultrasound (Click the Play button.)

OB Childbirth Prep Course – Part IV

Last night Chris and I attended our last childbirth prep course. It was nice to wrap up this series of learning, but we did enjoy the class.

As soon as all the couple arrived to class, we headed off for our hospital tour. I was honestly surprised to see how many rooms a person must experience during labor and delivery. We started at the triage desk, where we will check-in when we think we’ve gone into labor. Once checked in here, they will take us to a small "closet", also known as the check-up room. Here a nurse will do an exam to be sure we are in active labor. If not, the road stops there and they will send us home. If so, we will complete the registration process and get checked into a Labor & Delivery room. This was our next stop. I was impressed with the size of the room; although I’m sure they are not all like that. I wondered to myself if it was like buying a timeshare…they show you the best room to pull you in, and then end up giving you the tiniest room for your dollar. We’ll see. We were touring the new maternity wing, so I think that's where we want to be…not that we’ll have a choice. If we do end up in a room similar to the one we visited, I will be happy.

Let’s just start with the bed. Wow. It didn’t really look comfortable at all, but I couldn't believe all the different things it did. That was one techie bed! As our instructor showed us some of the positions you could put the bed in, she also pointed out the “gooey bucket.” We all laughed out loud. They actually have a bucket thing under the bed…I won’t go into details about it for those of you who may never have to experience it…but I’m sure you get the picture just by the name itself. :)

Afterwards we headed toward the nursery. There was only one little baby there, but his dad was proud to show him off to all of us on the other side of the glass. I was happy to hear that this hospital also has a high level NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). Not that I want to use it, but I was glad to hear they are only a teeny tiny step away from the top of the line NICU across the state. You never know what can happen, and I was relieved to know that they could care for Baby Madelyn no matter what (minus one or two rare things).

Then we headed over to the post-op rooms. This is where visitors can come see Madelyn for the first time. Again these rooms were not too bad. They weren’t huge, but they seemed nice, and all of them were private. I liked that. I also liked that Madelyn will be able to be in the room for the whole time if there are no complications. There seem to be some pretty strict requirements about who can/should visit the baby, so we’ll see how that goes. Apparently, kids under 10 should not come to the hospital unless they are siblings. I need to read the actual rules more carefully in the book they gave us, but they are most worried about little ones bringing in more germs then the average adult.

After our tour we headed back downstairs and finished up the course with information on baby care and breastfeeding. Baby Care proved to be interesting for Chris. We learned how to swaddle a newborn (or as Chris likes to say, “It’s a Baby Burrito!”). That seemed fairly simple, but I think everything is simplified when you’re working with a doll. ;) She also taught us how to give a sponge bath. That’s all we can give until the umbilical cord falls out (1-2 weeks). I let Chris practice that, and he did a nice job. :)

Lastly, we learned about breastfeeding. I enjoyed this topic, probably because I knew the least about this than any other. Our instructor gave us some good tips. She recommended that instead of buying an expensive pump, rent one for one month so you can make sure everything works out the way you plan. If everything works out well, then buy a real good pump. I hadn’t thought of doing that, so that’s our new plan of action. She also recommended that we meet with the lactation consultant while we’re in the hospital, even if things are going well, because it’s FREE. Once we leave the hospital it can be up to $150 an hour for a consultation. No, thank you.

Anyway…we are feeling good about everything. Tomorrow is my last day of work before Christmas Break! I am really looking forward to catching up on some rest and relaxation. Chris and I have a few things we’d like to accomplish during these two weeks, including: writing a birth plan, getting the hospital bags started, and filing some important insurance paperwork. We are also planning to travel to Tucson to tour the Cord Blood Registry banking facility. This facility is apparently the largest in the United States. We have researched several large companies and feel confident going with this one. We’ll update you on this after our tour on the 28th.

In the meantime, we wish everyone a safe and happy holiday!

OB Childbirth Prep Course – Part III

Kelly - 30 Weeks
This week marked our third childbirth preparation class. We discussed many things, and watch several videos, as usual. Our first discussion was about having a birth plan. Most of us wondered exactly what that was. Apparently it’s important to put your wishes for your labor and delivery in writing in case you are too delirious to tell the hospital staff. So here’s my birth plan: 1) Get to the hospital, 2) Get drugs, 3) Pop little Madelyn out. Well, okay, so that’s not really a birth plan, but I’m working on it. :)

Our next topic, which coincidentally falls right into my current birth plan, was interventions for pain. We learned about the types of drugs that are administered if we have to be induced, as well as medications that help speed up labor if things aren’t progressing as they should be. We also talked about analgesics, which help comfort you, but don’t completely take your pain away. Some of these included Demerol, Stadol, and Morphine. Then came the good stuff…epidurals. We discussed the pros and cons of getting an epidural, and we also got to watch an actual epidural being performed. Although this video made some people squirm (mostly boys…sorry guys, but some of you really are whimpy---thank God Chris is not!), I was excited to see it. I have been planning for an epidural since the day I found out I was pregnant, so it was interesting to see the actual process. And honestly, it doesn’t look so bad…10 minutes or so of pain and then some relaxation. Sign me up!

We talked a little bit about Cesarean Sections, and got to watch a video on that, too. Hopefully we won’t have to go that route.

Next week, during our last childbirth class, we are taking a tour of the hospital. Our instructor told us to wear comfortable shoes because we would be walking for most of the class. I am curious to see how they will fit all of the class participants in some of the areas we’re visiting, but I suppose they are accustomed to making it work. We’re looking forward to seeing the facilities…it’s hard to believe we’re only 9 weeks away! Time has been flying right on by…

I am counting the days to Winter Break…as of the end of the day today, only 7 days to go. I am looking forward to being at home, relaxing. Chris and I plan to do as much of that as possible. He is taking some time off, too, so it will be nice to be at home together. Hopefully we’ll put the final touches on the nursery. We are waiting for the last piece of furniture, the dresser, which should arrive next week sometime. It will be nice to have it all put together. I have added a few more pictures of the progress. Click here to see some new pictures (this is a link to page two of the album).

Upcoming Events:
Appointment with Dr. Tom, Thursday, December 20th
3D/4D Ultrasound, Saturday, December 22nd

OB Childbirth Prep Course – Part II

Last night we went to our second childbirth class. Again, we found ourselves learning some new things. It was fun to hear things that we already knew because it made us feel smart….and somewhat prepared.

Highlight of the evening: Beanbag Babies. These were beanbags that had a picture of what the baby looks like at the many stages of pregnancy, and the best part was that they were weighted to be the same during that stage. So, for example, a baby at 40 weeks weighed 7 pounds. The boys found this especially intriguing. As the beanbags went around the room, gradually getting heavier and heavier, you could hear each of them oooh and ahhhh over them. And then there was the choir of pregnant woman who giggled as these boys got a feel (minus all the back and bladder pain) for exactly what it is we’ve been carrying around. I loved it! :)

Madelyn decided to join the party last night. She was the most active she’s been yet! For nearly two straight hours she wiggled and kicked all around, I think trying to add her own little opinion to the class. This was fun for Chris since he hasn’t really felt too much. Up until last night, Madi would stop her movements every time he would put his hand on my belly. But last night was a real treat. At the beginning of the class, I whispered to him to put his hand on my belly, and then I put my hands over his to keep it there (he tends to get a little impatient). It didn’t take long for his eyes to pop out of his head when she continued to move around. He was surprised at how active she was all class. I was, too, actually. I wondered if it could have been the Cherry Limeade I was drinking. That has been my sweet treat for the last few weeks now. I love it (and apparently so did Madelyn)!