Baby time

Today was my last doctors appointment for this pregnancy, whew. Its not so bad at the start to go once a month, but the every 7-10 days stuff seems to come around pretty quick! I went to the doctor this past Monday as well. Brice took a picture of the "freaking huge" belly (his words), but I'll post it another time. I was hoping I wouldn't be returning home pregnant (since our due date was last Sunday). Fortunately or unfortunatly the appointment went fine and the doctor decided to wait and touch base with us today. Now the plan is for us to be induced Sunday evening and (hopefully) have a baby on Monday! A few people commented today that I didn't seem very excited. I am, but I think I had myself prepared to have this happen earlier this week and at this point I'm just feeling tired and ready to meet this little one :-) I was glad to have plenty to do at work this week and have been busy at home cleaning, getting baby clothes ready, mowing lawn, gardening, etc, so the time has passed quickly. Last week and this week went fast as well since Brice's sister was home. Her visit went too fast...Gabbie has been asking the past couple of days "where's Gretchen?"

It was an odd feeling when I left work this afternoon. First of all, its odd for me to be mostly caught up, which I figured I would need to be since a substitute comes on Monday. It was mostly strange to think our routine will be changing again and I wouldn't be returning next week. I enjoy working for the most part and will miss the staff and residents. Not that I am not excited to have a baby! I will be off of my full time job for 12 weeks. I will stay home for 2 weeks before returning to my 'PRN' jobs of home health and 1 day a week at another nursing home.

Here was the more concerning part of our morning. We are (again) having trouble getting Gabbie's bowels on track. We seem to do well for awhile, then she will go 5-6 days without a bowel movement. Today was our 3rd trip to the doctor in 10 months to try to figure this out. Everytime we go we get the speech about using MiraLax, Milk of Magnesia, enemas, etc. However we do all of that and its hard on Gabbie and on us. Her behavior when she hasn't been 'regular' is horrible and at times embarrasing. The past month has been particularily trying and after she was up crying during the night saying "my tummy hurts" I decided she needed to be seen again. She had to have blood drawn-her first time having it drawn from a vein instead of a finger prick. Then an x-ray. I was so thankful Brice came with me today as I could not have held her down for either test. All I was responsible for was holding her arm during the blood draw and I felt like she was stronger than me for that! The doctor was testing for a potential thyroid problem, which we should hear back about next week. The x-ray showed a 'ball', likely of stool. Hard to believe anything was in there after a week of enemas and laxatives. He also suggested a barium enema study. The person that does that in the Carroll hospital said he would not do that to a 2 1/2 year old as it would be too difficult. So in mid-September we are headed to Des Moines to a pediatric GI specialist. When I thought about it, Gabbie has had occasional problems with this since she was 6-8 weeks old. I am curious what we will find out, and what we will be able to do to help her. Doctor wasn't sure we wanted to tackle this so close to delivery, but I would have taken her to Des Moines today if it would help her. When she feels good she is full of energy, kisses and hugs, and just wants to play outside and is a fairly decent listener. When she feels crappy she just wants to lay on the couch and watch television, doesn't eat well, and has tantrum after tantrum.

That's the update for today. This weekend I am excited for my 30th Birthday tomorrow, golfing with family, a wedding, and a birthday party for a friend! Heading to the hospital on Sunday night might feel like a bit of a vacation!

August visitors

We enjoyed company from Oregon for a week in August! Brice's cousin, Heidi, her husband Norm, and children Simone and Luca came to visit. Also joining was his aunt Joyce, aunt and uncle Carol and Gary, aunt and uncle Marjorie and Lynn, and aunt and uncle Phyllis and Paul. It was a great time, but it went too fast!

Having some muffins after church: Luca, Gabbie, and Simone.

Everyone got together for supper Sunday night.

I thought this was a funny picture of Gabbie!

Monday night Joyce was surprized for her birthday at Pizza Ranch. It was quite a crowd!

Had to wear off some pizza by going to the pool.

We joined the crew for a day at the State Fair, then they went back for a second day.

Heidi and Simone riding the pink tractor!

Gary said "I came all the way across the country to get my political views across". So he had to shake Newt's hand. We knew several of the republican candidates were going to be at the fair; I was looking for funnel cakes and gyros and didn't realize we were 10 feet from the famous Newt.

Brice asked the president "Please sir, can I have some more?" The folks in the Democratic booth enjoyed his humor. He then promised Michelle he would watch his diet and not eat greasy cheeseburgers.

The end of the day. Brice stuck with his yearly tradition and went and had a plate of nachos before we left. Gabbie had ice cream.

After the fair we went to the hotel to say fairwell to the Oregon visitors. Here is Simone, Gabbie, and Luca. I should have just kept my camera on the motion setting the whole week, as it was impossible to get a clear picture of the 3 of them otherwise since they were always on the move!

Cousins Heidi and Brice!

Random picture. Gabbie had just sat on the potty and got off of it on her own, but didn't let me pull her pants up for some reason. I had a rice pack on my neck as it felt stiff, so Gabbie felt she needed to take that off of me and re-warm it in the microwave first.

August has been flying by! My Mom helped me with some salsa canning this week and this weekend's projects included pickled beets and freezing peppers. We also now have our bathroom tile in place and painting done. Last night Gabbie participated in the Kiddie Parade at the Farm Festival, stopped at the petting zoo, and got to ride 1 ride before her behavior had tested my patience to the max and it was time to leave. She has been asleep for nearly 12 hours since we got home last night. Maybe its time for a 'fun free' weekend to get caught up on some rest!

We are of course also still waiting for the baby to decide when its time to make an appearance! I realized we hadn't taken a 'profile' picture in awhile. After having 2 random women approach me at the grocery store last week and say "you look like you are due any day" I have decided those words can speak for themselves. I can not complain as I am pretty comfortable other than an increase in swelling in my hands and feet the past couple of days and just a feeling of general fatigue (along with what I call the 'end of pregnancy lack of patience'...its my excuse for being okay with feeling extremely annoyed everytime someone says "haven't you had that baby yet!?!") I  have a sort of nervous feeling, all the worries of will the baby be okay, how will Gabbie act, how good will hospital food be? :-) I do know I will be happy when I don't have to stand sideways to do dishes anymore!

Lisa's Wedding

Seems like there has been something going on everyday this summer! The big event of July was my sister Lisa's wedding. I'm behind on updating...we turned the computer off before we left for the wedding and didn't turn it back on until today, so thought I'd better get to downloading some photos!!

Lisa and Jon had a beautiful wedding. The day was sunny, the decorations were beautiful, the bride looked like she was cut from a magazine, and everything seemed to run flawlessly (other than a glitch with the flowers...thank goodness even that worked out great!) Here are some pictures:

Rehearsal...Gabbie was more interested in the colorful bouquet!

The reception hall tables

The Bride and Groom at rehearsal dinner at the park.

Gabbie's hair looked great for about 10 minutes...

The Bride and Flowergirls. My other sister Mindy made the flower girl baskets and ring bearer pillows

First dance

Gift opening-I saw a few things that I could have taken home with me!

I took over 200 pictures, unfortunately none are of the actual ceremony since I was in it. My goal was to get a picture of everyone that came to the wedding. After I get the photo book put together we'll have to see if I managed to do that or not.

Okay, hopefully more to post tomorrow. Brice's family was here from Oregon, Texas, and Northeast Iowa last week and this week we are enjoying a visit from his sister, so plenty more pictures to come including a birthday party, swimming, and a trip to the Iowa State Fair. Gee...I wonder why its been so hard to get Gabbie up and going in the morning?! Too much fun!