Amazed

Every day I become more and more amazed watching my little girl. My favorite part of the day is waking up to her smiling face. She is full of smiles in the mornings. She is not an early riser (lucky me), but when she does get up she just smiles and talks. It breaks my heart to think I might have to miss or cut short this part of the day in a few weeks. Some of you know the struggle going back to work I am having. I did have a meeting with my boss today and the rest is in God's hands. Please be praying that God's will be done. I want to do what is best for my family.

Another thing I sit in amazement at is when I think back to a year ago. Every year Eric asks me what I want for Christmas. I have never been one to want presents. I enjoy giving much more than receiving. Last year the only thing I wanted was a baby. He would get so annoyed with me because I wouldn't tell him any material thing I wanted because I truly didn't want anything other than a child of my own. I dreamed and hoped to be pregnant by Christmas last year. I had these grand dreams of a special way I would tell the whole family Christmas morning. Several weeks before Christmas nature told me that dream would not come true. I was crushed and did my best to smile through Christmas when all I could think about was the Christmas I had planned wasn't going to happen. As I look back to a year ago I smile. God in is perfect timing did give me my Christmas wish I just didn't know it yet. Little Claire was conceived the week of Christmas (I'm sure you really wanted to know that, lol). God answered my prayer just not in the way I thought it should be answered. Now I am so thankful God answered my prayer the way he did. For so many reasons. Her birth was perfect timing. I may have been overdue and anxious, but God knew what he was doing. I feel so blessed this year. I don't want or need a single thing in the world. I have my perfect baby girl and look forward to sharing her first Christmas with her.

Her new favorite thing is to play in her jumperoo. She loves this thing and will jump and jump and the next thing I know she is asleep. She isn't quite long enough to touch the floor, but a pillow does the job nicely.

Almost 10 weeks!

Wow I cannot believe my pretty princess will be 10 weeks this week! It's breaking my heart how fast time is flying especially since I know I will have to go back to work soon. I am talking with work about taking off a few extra weeks and not going back until after the first of the year. Fingers are crossed they will let me. There is a lot going on at work and several people are out for various reasons. Also please be praying about work in general. It is getting harder and harder every day to think about leaving Claire. Eric and I are praying for an alternative. We know I have to bring in some income (thanks to our wonderful student loans, sure wish I had a crystal ball about the future when I took those out :-) we are trying to figure something out. We just want what is best for our family and both feel that Claire going to daycare full time is not what is best. I know the sitter we are planning on sending her to will treat her wonderfully, but it breaks our hearts to have someone spending more time with her than one of us. Please be praying for our little family.

Claire had her 2 month check up last week. She now weighs 10 pounds 7 ounces (50th percentile) and is 23.5 inches long (90th percentile, go figure she is taking after her Momma). Doctor said she is growing great!

We are heading home tomorrow morning for Thanksgiving! We are very excited to see our families and for Claire to meet everyone else. We are hoping she isn't getting sick. She has been really stuffy today and coughing. Praying she isn't coming down with something.

Here is our little bit hanging with her Daddy. She is pretty sure he is the funniest person she has ever met. Already a Daddy's girl!

Claire's First Halloween

Claire's first Halloween was lots of fun. At least for me, lol. She was a little grouchy and didn't mind telling me that she could care less about looking like a happy ladybug. Bekah and I made our girl's costumes and had tons of fun doing it. My Mom made all my costume's growing up and I would like to do the same for Claire. I think if I am going to continue the tradition I am going to have to learn how to use my sewing machine.

Claire and her BFF Molly the Bumblebee

Pretty Ladybug!

A very mad Ladbug!

Unfortunately Eric got sick over the weekend and it's killing him not to be able to hold his little girl. He is starting to feel better and I am praying Claire doesn't come down with anything. My parents came in for the weekend and Claire had a lot of fun playing with them. Boy she loves her "Papaw", at least that's what we are calling my Dad for now, lol.

Here are a few pics of the pretty ladybug.

Being a Mommy

Little bit is napping. I think I might be figuring out how to get her down for a nap in her crib without her falling asleep in my arms first. Thanks to my wonderful friend Bekah I have learned the fine art of swaddling works not only at night, but during the day too.

I am absolutely in love with our baby girl. Being a Mommy is everything I thought it would be and more. Yes there are many times that I am at my wits end of knowing what to do, but it has all been so worth the wait. There were many days before I got pregnant that I wasn't sure if I would ever get to experience the joy of becoming a mother. God in his perfect timing sent us a little girl that is so much more than I could have ever have wished for. Every day she smiles a little more and does something that melts my heart. I love each day is a new adventure and I am dreading the day when I don't get to spend all day with her. Slowly but surely I am figuring out what makes her happy and what doesn't.

Yesterday at church Claire wore a little dress that was mine as a little girl. After a small argument with Eric that it did not make her look like a pilgrim and that it was a "classic" dress not an old fashioned one she got to wear it. Dads are funny.

5 Weeks and flying by!

Wow how fast these past 5 weeks have flown by! My dear friend Andrea always told me that being pregnant and waiting on them to get her was the slowest part and that once they arrive time flies! Boy was she ever right. Claire is growing and doing great. God blessed us with a good sleeper. I wake her up every 4 hours to feed her, per the pediatrician's recommendation, but I am gradually extending the wake time a little every night. Much better to wake her up than for her to wake us up!

I am so thankful that I am going to be able to take longer than 6 weeks off work. I cannot imagine having to go back to work in a week. I am having so much fun with Claire and become more and more attached every day. It is going to be really hard when I do have to go back. I keep praying for a miracle that will allow me to stay home with her, but I have come to terms staying at him just isn't an option right now.

Claire is smiling more and more everyday and looks more and more like her Daddy everyday. I live for her smiles they are the most beautiful thing! Claire was diagnosed with reflux and is taking some medication 3x a day. I think she is getting a little relief from the meds and I hope they continue to help her feel better. Nights are always the worst with her reflux and we all 3 go to bed exhausted. I hate to see little princess crying in pain!

Here is a 5 week picture of Claire smiling at her Daddy! Please excuse the crooked hair bow. You know Dads are not concerned about hair bow position :-)

Birth Story

Little princess is napping so maybe I will have time to write Claire's birth story.

On Wednesday September 15, 2 days past my due date, I went to my weekly doctor's appointment. The Dr. Francis examined me and told me there had not been much progress since the prior week. I was only 1.5 centimeters dilated and 70% effaced. I was very disappointed and was having to come to the realization I may have to be induced. I really didn't want to be induced and wanted baby Claire to come on her own. Dr. Francis had at first thought she could get me admitted to the hospital that night to begin the induction as I had already come to terms with being induced. Unfortunately the hospital was completely booked and the only open date was Monday the 20th. I was disappointed that I was going to have to wait through the weekend, but kept reminding myself she would be born when God wanted her to be born and maybe she would still come on her own before Monday.

Before I left the office Bekah wanted to scan little Claire and see how big she was. Of course any chance to see my princess I was going to jump on plus I already knew she was going to be a big girl and I wanted to mentally prepare myself for her size, lol. Bekah estimated little Claire to be a little over 8 pounds. While scanning her Bekah determined little Claire was sunny side up, meaning instead of her head facing down and to my back her head was down, but facing up and out. Also since the car accident we have been watching the amniotic fluid since it was at one point low after the accident. Bad news, the fluid level was 5.4 which is considerably low. Dr. Francis had said previously that she did not want it going under 7 or she would induce. Bekah then notified Dr. Francis who then called the hospital because waiting to be induced was no longer an option. Full hospital or not it looked like baby Claire would be born Thursday after all. Dr. Francis told me to go home eat a good meal since it would be my last until little one was born, gather my stuff and head to the hospital.

Eric and I ran home ate, showered, gathered all the hospital bags and arrived at the hospital around 7:45. I was hooked up to all the monitors to monitor Claire and any contractions I was having as well as the dreaded IV. Around 10 they started me on Cervadil to help prepare my cervix more for labor and delivery. I tried to get some sleep, but in between the nurse coming in every 30 min or so and just being plain anxious I might have slept an hour. Eric on the other hand can sleep through a tornado and slept all night, lol. At 6 that morning the nurse came in an checked me. The Cervadil had done it's job and helped my cervix to soften a little more and dilate a little more. I was already contracting a little and then started on the Pitocin. Contractions starting to immediately become more regular and intense, but still manageable. Close to 8 Dr. Francis came in and broke what little water I had. Then the contractions really started coming about every 1.5-2 minutes. They were really starting to become intense. Next thing I know the nurse comes back in the room and says she is calling Dr. Francis back. Claire's heartbeat was dropping with every contraction. Dr. Francis came quickly back over to the hospital and decided that Claire was not handling the contractions well due to the water being broken. Dr. Francis then begin discussing the high possibility of C-Section. Dreaded words I did not want to hear. She said due to the position of Claire's head and how poorly she was handling the contractions that if her heartbeat did not improve I would have to have one. Dr. Francis said we could put water back in and see if her hearbeat would improve so they inserted a catheter that put water back in to act like the amniotic fluid. Success! The water helped Claire's heartbeat to stabilize during contractions. Dr. Francis said the possibility of a C-section was still 50/50 due to the position of Claire's head there was not a guarantee my pelvis could handle pushing her out that way. Luckily my body was laboring on it's own so the pitocin was turned off. It was only on for a little over an hour. So we continued to labor on. Boy o boy did those contractions become intense. They were right on top of each other without a break in between. Thank God for my wonderful husband and coach who helped me breath through them. I was super hot and shaking all over due to the intensity. I really didn't want an epidural, but finally gave in and asked for one. I was 6 centimeters at that point. The anesthesiologist could not get there fast enough. Finally he arrived and put the epidural in. It helped take the intensity off, but I still had to breath and concentrate through the contractions. The anesthesiologist said the epidural would take 15 or so minutes to really take effect. About 45 minutes after getting it the pain was still super bad so the nurse called back in the anesthesiologist. They upped the dose, but told me that due to the position of Claire's head he could only get my pain to a 4 or 5 on the scale of 1-10. This was about 11:15. The pain was manageable enough that I could have one person besides Eric in the room with me at a time. I felt bad because our parents had arrived around 9ish and I was in such pain I couldn't even say hello to them. Around noon Dr. Francis came in and checked me and I was at a 9 and Claire's head had turn to the side! Still not the perfect position, but it looked like I would be pushing within the hour! Oh how God answers prayers! Still not out of the woods, but it looked like I would avoid a C-section. Around 1 Dr. Francis came back and and said it was time to push! I pushed for less than 10 minutes and our perfect Claire was born at 1:08 weighing 8 pounds and 20 inches long! Dr. Francis said at the last minute Claire turned her head to face the back, but left her shoulders facing the other way so Dr. Francis had to turn her shoulders on the way out. Eric and I both immediately started crying and so did little Claire. Her cries were the most wonderful sound in the world. Eric even cut the cord, which he was initially against doing for fear he would pass out, lol.

All exams on Claire were perfect. I was so nervous about her still even after the accident. I asked God over and over after the accident to show me his reasons for allowing the accident to happen. While I may never know all the reasons for the accident I think I do know a few. The first thing that happened after the accident was Eric and his outlook towards Claire. He had always been very excited, but after the accident he became even closer to Claire and her well being. Probably the biggest thing the accident did was alert us to keep a close watch on Claire's amniotic fluid. Had the accident not happened we would have never thought to monitor her fluid level. Had we not checked her fluid level on Wednesday and waited until Monday to induce we would have run the high risk of her compressing her cord due to low fluid. I know there are probably other reasons and maybe even bigger reasons God allowed such a scary thing to happen, but I think I am finally at peace with it.

I know this has been super long, but it has been good for me to write about the birth experience. September 16, 2010 was by far the best day of my life. I have seen God at work through the entire pregnancy and birth. There have been so many miracles happen that without him never would have happened.

I leave you now with a picture! She is 1 week old today. I cannot believe how much she has changed in a week!

Claire Elizabeth Westerman has arrived!

The day we have so anxiously been waiting for finally arrived! We are head over heels in love with our precious girl! I promise I will post the birth story soon, but I figured everyone would at least like to see pictures. She was 8 pounds and 20 inches long and perfect!

Due date is here and quietly passing...

I think the title sums up today. The day we have anxiously awaited for has now gone by quietly. I guess little girl has other plans and would like to pick the day herself. As long as she is healthy that is ok with me. It's hard not to get down when I think about today being the day we have waited 9 months and then some for. I keep reminding myself there is not a magical day when she is supposed to arrive. It' s just a jumping off point for her estimated arrival. We are so anxious to meet her. When I think about the day I will meet her it is all I can do not to burst with joy. I can only imagine how I will feel when that day does arrive. I really hope and pray she decides to come on her own. Doctor will let me go 1 week over. I really hope she decides to come before we have to schedule a date. I have my usual doctors appointment Wednesday so I am guessing we will schedule a day if she isn't here by then.

In the meantime I am trying to sleep, haha yeah right. I think God prepares us for little sleep and being woke up often for when little one arrives. These last few weeks I can't get comfortable, then when I do get comfortable I have to pee. It's a vicious cycle that happens every 1-2 hours a night. For now I will work on my patience awaiting Claire's arrival.

2 Weeks and counting!

I cannot believe her due date is 2 weeks away! Every day we are getting more and more antsy to meet her. I like to tell myself it could be any day! It's hard to believe we are so close. Clothes are washed and put away, her bed is ready, the house is clean (at least for today), so come on little Claire!!

My wonderful friends at church gave a beautiful shower a few weeks ago! These are the wonderful hostesses!

Me and my Momma above. We the very yummy cake!

Went to the doctor last week and there was a little progress. I'll take a little progress over no progress any day. We are watching Claire's fluid. It is on the low side of normal and we don't want it to go any lower. Other than that everything is looking good!

35 Weeks down and 35 days to go!

I cannot believe how fast time has gone by! At times it feels like it is dragging, but when I look back time has really flown. Today marks 35/35! I cannot believe in 5 weeks or so I will meet my little girl. We are so excited!

We are at about 90% completion on Claire's room. I don't think it will ever be at 100%, but it's really getting close. I've got some more organization to go, but I think some of the organization won't happen until she actually gets here and I can determine what works best. Here are a few pics of her room.

had a fabulous shower given by 2 of my really good friends at work on 7/31. They really out did themselves! These are just a few of the many pics from the shower. We are so very blessed to have such loving and generous friends!

Shower time!

We had our first shower July 17 and it was fabulous and beautiful! Some wonderful family and friends threw it for us back home and we are truly blessed by everyone's generosity. Claire officially now has more clothes in her closet than her daddy, lol. She is going to be so stylish and I can't wait to play dress up with her!!! We have another shower this weekend given my some dear friend of mine from work. I am super excited.

Not much else going on which is a really good thing. My favorite thing is to remind Eric how close to due date we are getting. His face is always priceless. I think he tried to pay me back today. When I walked in the door from work he says "that dress makes you look bigger, haha I can say that now you are pregnant". He thinks he is funny. I think I need to remind him that statement is never appropriate. Here are some pictures from my shower the other weekend.

What a week

What should have been a normal "boring" (have I mentioned I love normal boring weeks) turned out to be the most stressful and insane week of my life. Wednesday afternoon was the day I had been waiting for, it was our growth ultrasound and best of all we were going to get 4/d pictures. Little Claire is growing right on schedule in the 65% percentile at 3 pounds 4 ounces and everything looked great. Our stubborn and sleepy girl (like her Daddy) refused to show us her pretty face during 4/d. She was knocked smooth out with her hands covering her face. I tried jumping up and down, eating strawberries, poking at her etc., but she refused to move her hands. My dear friend Bekah (who is also the sonographer) told me to come back on my lunch break on Thursday and we would try again. We left to go home for a brief break before we had to head back to the hospital to start our childbirth class. That is when the scariest moment of my life happened.

Eric and I were in our seperate vehicles since Eric met me at the appointment from work. On the way home Eric stopped at Sonic to get us a snack before we had to go to childbirth class and I continued on my way home. About 5 miles from our house a lady ran a redlight and t-boned my Jeep on the driver's side. As my car was flipping (or rolling or doing whatever it did) all I could do is cry out to God to please keep my baby girl safe. I know it was only a few seconds before my vehicle came to a stop, but it felt like it was in slow motion. Somehow my vehicle landed up right in the grassy area in front of a gas station. At that point people ran over to my vehicle to see if I was alright. I told them I was fine, but that I was 29 weeks pregnant and very concerned about my baby girl. I somehow located my phone in time to call Eric before he had a chance to drive up on the accident. He cancelled his Sonic order and came quickly (although at the time it seem to take ages). It then dawned on me that when all of this happened I was on the phone with my Mom! I quickly called her and told her I was in an accident (which she unfortunately heard happen) and I was ok that I would call her back as soon as I could. I then called Bekah and text Bekah that there was an emergency to call me. Bekah called back immediately, but by this time I was already talking to the office and the EMS. Bekah told Eric to get me to St. Luke's immediately. It was obvious immediately that God's hand was on the entire accident. The area where the accident happened was right in front of several of our dear friends' neighborhood including our pastor's neighborhood. Eric called our sweet friends Daniel and Emily and Emily was home and immediately came running. Bekah was standing within feet of my OB talking to Eric so my doctor knew immediately something had happened.

The ride to the hospital seemed to take forever. Thanks to Daniel and Emily following shortly to the hospital with Eric's truck, Eric was allowed to ride in the ambulance, but not in the back with me to the hospital. The ER doc examined me and I was fine other than a few ugly bruises and was able to get Claire's heartbeat on the doppler, the best sound in the world. Bekah was able to meet us shortly in the ER with my medical records and stood by me the majority of the evening which meant more to me than she will ever know. My doctor wanted to admit me for an overnight stay to monitor me and Claire. So I made my first trip to labor and delivery (much earlier than I ever wanted to). They hooked me and Claire up to the monitors and by a miracle from God Claire's heartbeat was excellent and she was active and moving. The bad thing was I was having several contractions and didn't realize it. The doctor said that it was most likely due to my uterus being irritated from the accident and by 9:00 they had stopped.

The next morning they hooked me and Claire back up to the monitors for a while. Claire looked great, but I did have a few more contractions (I did sorta feel one). They gave me a magic pill to settle my uterus down which worked perfectly. Later that morning they did an ultrasound on Claire and she looked beautiful and I was headed home! Thankfully my sweet mother in law and Dennis came down and Jena was able to help out with laundry and housework as I was quite sore from the accident. I had strict instructions from my doctor to take it easy until Tuesday.

I had a follow up appointment on Saturday morning to monitor Claire for a bit and make sure I wasn't contracting anymore as well as to repeat the ultrasound to double check on Claire. I knew something was up when the nurse asked me after the ultrasound had I been leaking any fluid, which to my knowledge I had not. Shortly thereafter I got the bad news that I had to stay in the hospital overnight again! The amniotic fluid had decreased 50% since Thursday! They wanted to monitor me and Claire continuously overnight and repeat the ultrasound in the morning to see if the fluid was increasing or decreasing. Luckily my parents had come in that morning because by this point I had remained surprisingly calm, but this news was just too much and I had a small breakdown. All I could to was continuously pray to God to take care of my little girl. I knew if she had to be delivered at this point she would be small, but she would most likely be ok. Even with this knowledge I begged God to keep her in my belly as close to term as possible.

God answered my prayers with a "yes". The next morning the fluid level had risen and I got to go home. Not quite the 4th of July I anticipated, but at this point I didn't care. I had the ultrasound repeated again on Tuesday and the fluid was back up to where it was prior to the accident and the doctor checked to make sure I wasn't leaking (which I wasn't).

I'm don't know what I would have done throughout all of this without my wonderful husband. I know he had several moments where he wanted to break down with me, but he remained my rock through it all. God has been at the center of this entire ordeal. We have so many wonderful friends and family who have continuously prayed for us and with us. Seeing the power of prayer in action how faithful God is has been utterly amazing. There are no words to describe it. We continue to pray for Claire to grow healthy and to thrive and to stay put for around 2 more months. I am praying that one day I may know the reason for this to have happened. It is so hard for me to comprehend. I know even if I don't ever know the reason that God allowed it to happen for his glory.

Thank you so much to everyone who has prayed with us and for us. We love you all.

It's been awhile!

Wow I cannot believe how long it's been since and update. Sorry! Things are going wonderful! Little Claire is quite active. Someone asked me the other day what makes her move the most and the answer isn't a specific food, but ALL food! She is not a picky girl at all! Finally got the phone call yesterday that the furniture is in! Thank goodness, now the fun decorating can begin. Eric is picking up the furniture tomorrow and then on Saturday the fun of putting it together begins. I may want to leave the house for a while I've heard, lol. Apparently putting together baby furniture is not always an easy task. I will be sure and post pictures as soon as we get it together. Mom finished her bedding so I am very excited to put it all together in the crib!

Another thing we learned this week was little baby socks and mittens and our washing machine are not friends. I started washing some of Claire's clothes and thought I was very successfull in doing so. Well the next load of our big people clothes didn't go so well. Halfway through it stopped full of dirty water and wouldn't spin or drain it just growled. Turns out the pump ate a baby mitten. Eric has become quite the handyman this year and managed to get instructions on how to get it out. Yay! Since he saved us $80 from having a repair man come out he wants to know when I am going to pay him. I told him the last 4 years of meals well compensates him, lol. Week 28 is nearing the end so I leave you with a picture from the first of the week 28 weeks=7 months!

Nursery!

The nursery is officially officially underway. Eric had done a little bit of painting, but this past weekend thanks to the help of a wonderful friend the nursery is looking beautiful. We did a wainscoting on the bottom. I will share pics as soon as Eric get's the bottom caulked and painted. I thought most of the work was putting up the woodwork, but apparently that is only half the battle. The prep work to paint is a lot more than I thought. Another note today is 24 weeks which marks when Claire is considered viable to live outsite of the womb. Of course we want the to wait until September, but it does make me feel better to know her chances of surviving are ok if for some awful reason she was born now. Here is my lovely haha 24 week picture.

Maybe this week Eric and I will spend more time together than last week. Every night last week we had something going on that kept us from seeing each other. Looking forward to our 4th anniversary on Thursday. I am waiting to see if Eric actually remembers. He hasn't said a word about it. No one better remind him either! Not that we will do anything or get each other anything, but just remembering the day is important.

Eric is playing softball tonight. I was going to go watch him play, but since he hurt himself last week playing he didn't know how much playing he would actually do and didn't want me sitting there bored. He thought last week that he was about 10 years younger and decided to slide into a base and hurt his ankle. He thinks I don't feel bad for him I really do feel bad, but he can be a little dramatic. When he called and told me he hurt himself he initially said "I broke my ankle". Knowing him like I do I knew he was exaggerating a little. A few seconds later he admitted he knows he didn't break it, but it really really hurt. Poor thing.

Ok off to get ready to watch the Bachelorette. I always say I won't get sucked in, but with all my shows ending I need something new to follow!

Baby and Vegas!

So much has gone on these past few weeks! Last week (May 6) we went for our routine Claire check up! We had an amazing ultrasound and got to see all 4 chambers of her heart, her little bones, bladder, kidneys and a bunch of other stuff. All I know is she is perfect! However we are going to have to have a talk with her when she is born. The entire ultrasound she proceeded to show us her girl parts and lift her legs over her head, lol. I would like to just think she was doing her daily yoga. We got some great pics with her legs over her head and then her yawning and rubbing her eyes at the end. She was a tired girl. Here is the pic of her little leg on top of her head, lol.

We left on Saturday May 8 and for Vegas and got back yesterday! We had an amazing time. I think we could have been anywhere and I would have had an amazing time. We got to relax and enjoy each other. Our last trip with just the two of us before Miss Claire. We really needed this trip. We bonded and laughed and walked a ton! Pic of me at our hotel. 22 Weeks!

Half Baked! 20/20

So today marks to halfway mark. Wahoo! Now I feel more on the countdown than the count up, lol. I have tried to stay away from the camera best I could, but I figure baby Claire might want to know what her Momma looked like pregnant with her so I present you with the fluffier side of me!

As Eric told me "you look like you might be pregnant". Thanks honey I might be.

We ordered baby Claire's furniture today! YAY! Now she won't have to sleep on the floor, lol. Unfortunatley it will be about 10 weeks before it comes in. The furniture is made in Chile and thanks to the earthquake it will be awhile. We figured for time's sake we better order it and not stress in the end. It also gives dear Eric sometime to get the room painted and ready. He has big ideas for our little girl's room. He makes me so proud wanting his daughter's room to be the best. Here is baby girl's crib! We also ordered the double dresser minus the hutch.

Dog Week

So this week has been dog week. I'm taking care of 4 extra dogs. Only one extra at my house and 3 at another. I love doggys they are babies too. The only bad thing about taking care of 4 extra dogs for an entire week is you start to get attached and you know when the week is over you won't get to love on them everyday. I stress about them like they are my own. Makes for an entertaining week, but nothing like 4 extra babies to be excited to see you at the end of a crappy day!

Baby Claire is moving and growing. How I love feeling her move. The movement isn't consistent yet, but every few days when I feel those little tap taps and pop corn feelings I give her little pep talks to keep doing it! Shamefully I admit I eat a lot of Jolly Ranchers because when I do I feel her for a little longer. She is going to be born addicted to sugar like her Momma!

Looonnnggg Weeeeekkk

I've been having some serious allergy sinus issues which has made for a very long week and it's only halfway over. Can't breathe, can't hear, can't stop sneezing ugh. I told Eric if I could just chop my head off I would feel fine. I'm thankful that I havn't gotten icky all over, but the head thing really stinks. Luckily it's getting better, but nothing sounds good to eat. Which for me is strange because I usually will eat anything put in front of me, lol. Do not fear however ice cream still tastes good, lol which should tell you I'm gonna live.

Another note in the strange happenings of our house the butter is missing! Neither of us can figure out where in the world it might have gone. I've checked the freezer, the pantry, and the trash. I have no idea where my pregnant brain might have put it!

Target

So Monday night we went and registered at Target. I know 17 weeks is still a little early, but I got a free $20 gift card for registering before the 15th. Those who know me know that I can't pass up free money! As many had predicted for us we were LOST at registering. Half of the stuff we had no idea if we needed it or what it was. We will register at Babies R Us at some point and that trip I will exempt Eric from and take some dear girlfriends who are Moms and can point me in the right direction. In the meantime I know the Target registry needs some major cleaning up! Especially since my husband when clicking crazy with the gun. Before we finished we needed to pick up a loaf of bread as we picked up the loaf of bread my dear Eric discovered his favorite BBQ sauce and decided he needed to register for 3 bottles of that. Lovely Eric just lovely.

I *think* I have felt Claire moving a few times! It happens so quickly and only feels like 2 or 3 popcorns have popped that I'm sometimes not sure if I imagined it. I'm pretty sure it's her because it usually happens after a little bit of sugar. I can't wait until I feel her all the time. More than that I can't wait until she is her to play and snuggle with!

The Ring Ceremony

As most of you know I have had a bit of belly bling since Spring Break Freshman year in college. After 8 years the beautiful bling had to come out. Someone should have told a crazy 19 year old that when you pierce your belly and later have a baby it leaves quite the ugly hole. Eric told me it was time to be a grown up and take it out. Claire agreed with her Daddy.

The maternity fairy came to visit yesterday! My sweet sweet friend brought me a truck load of maternity clothes to borrow. It truly was an answer to prayers. I had been starting to stress over all the expense that comes along with just being pregnant. I didn't want to spend a lot of money on clothes, which if you know me you know that is just a shocking statement! I had just decided to buy a couple of essential pieces and then make my current wardrobe work for as long as I could. My stress has now been lowered and my every growing waist is very thankful for being able to breathe!

I decided I wanted to share a couple of Claire's outfits I have already bought her as well as a few of some adorable gifts from some very dear friends!

Two of the outfits I have bought. Eric always said his child needed some Ralph Lauren Polo so of course she now has pink polo!

A precious giraffe from her Aunt Andrea

My sweet friend Melissa gave me these for baby Claire. Eric is now convinced that since A&M comes in pink that is how everything should be.

Fun Day!

Today was a fun day! Thanks to a very dear friend I got to play with Claire during my lunch hour. We got lots of great shots and cool videos. I think we've got a hyperactive little one. She is just precious and full of personality already. She was just hanging out at first then I think she realized she had an audience and put on quite a show! I definitely think we've have a thumb sucker on our hands she seemed to really like that thumb! We can't wait to meet her. Sure hope these next few months go by fast!

15 Weeks!

I've made it to 15 weeks! 25 more to go! Wow 25 more weeks can't come fast enough! We have sold the last piece of furniture in the office turned baby's room. The last piece will be picked up on Saturday. This makes me so excited since as soon as the room is cleared Eric can start painting and I can start decorating!

Visited my parents and my Grandma this past weekend. Also got to visit with family I don't see very often which was fun. The weekends always go by too quickly especially when we have limited time with people. Sunday afternoon before we traveled back to Houston Mom and I ordered Claire's fabric so Mom can get started on the bedding! Oh did I mention we have agreed on a name? Claire Elizabeth is our precious little one's name. It is so nice to have a name to call her besides "the baby". It really makes everything seem so much more real! I am so happy Mom is making her bedding. She will do a fabulous job and Claire will have the most meaningful bedding!

Another fun note, I ordered a cheapo at home doppler about 5 weeks ago. Several times a week I have tried in vain to find little one's heartbeat. She is still so low and my uterus is still tipped backwards I knew it would take a while to find her. Last night I decided to try again since it has been a few days. Lo and behold after about 5 minutes of searching there it was! Beating away so quick and strong! I went to bed with a smile on my face! I have heard her at the doctor's office, but there is someting so fun about being able to hear it anytime I want! I think the dub dub dub sound is my new favorite sound!

Okay more weekend laundry to get to. Eric is playing softball so I am enjoying a relaxing evening catching up on Project Runway and do laundry.

Entertaining myself

This weekend my car was in the shop and Eric was working. As stuck at home as I felt it is probably a very good thing I was afoot. This way I was forced to rest and not baby shop, lol. You should be very proud of me. Since we have learned we are having a baby girl I actually haven't bought anything! I've been more into saving to make the nursery fit for a princess. All the various projects and might I add ambitious ones I have informed Eric of are making him a bit nervous about the work that lies ahead. He has instead chosen to tell me of all the projects he would first like to accomplish. Such as re landscaping the yard. Yay for me. Today as I was going through the Sunday coupons in the paper I found myself looking for baby deals and clipping diaper coupons. I never thought clipping diaper coupons could be so exciting!

We had a good doctor visit on Friday. We got to hear little one's heartbeat with the doppler which I think was just as cool as seeing her on the ultrasound! We also scheduled my next 2 appointments. In April I go for another checkup and more blood work to make sure the baby's spinal cord is developing properly. Then May 6 we get to see baby Westerman again and do the big ultrasound where they measure and check out the baby to make sure she is growing properly etc. Doctor said to invite the family along for that one! We also had a fun short visit with my brother and Jessica. I wish they could have stayed longer, but my brother had to work today. Ok guess I better go figure out something for dinner. I am pretty sure she is having a growth spurt. These last 2 days I have been hungry every 30 minutes!

Big Week! And Baby Westerman is....

We have had quite an amazing week. We saw our little one last Monday. Everything looked perfect, my uterus is still turned backwards, but nothing to worry about at this point. It should turn on it's own. Little Westerman was wiggling around and had a finger or thumb or something in it's mouth. The NT scan went great we met with a genetic counselor afterwards who said the scan looked great and the bloodwork should confirm that the risk for Down's Syndrome or Trisomony something or other was very low. Also with this bloodwork comes the sex of Baby Westerman!!

I waited about an entire 2 days before I immediately starting calling the message line to get the results. Of course they were not up by then, but one can't help but try. On Friday I thought maybe just maybe they would be up. My Mom was coming to town and how perfect it would be to know the sex! I called at 10, nothing, at 2, nothing, at 4:15 I decided one more time couldn't hurt and to my shock I had a recording! I immediately hung up so Eric and I could hear the results together. I raced home as soon as the clock struck 5! Eric, Mom, and I got to hear the results together. The bloodwork confirmed that the rist for down's was great than 1 in 10,000 which the recording said was good results. The very last thing the 3 of us heard was...

Congratulations, you are having a little GIRL!!!


We were shocked and excited! Eric's jaw hit the floor he was convinced it was a boy. After the shock wore off excitement set in! I immediately called my Dad who said "I told you so". Dad had been saying all along it was a girl. Eric then called his Mom who also said "I knew it"! Those were the only 2 people who thought it was a girl. My brother claims he did too, but I think he just wanted to be different and guess girl!

All in all it was a very big week! We announced to the rest of the world that not only there was a baby on the way, but it was a GIRL! Wow! We are so very blessed with this miracle, our daughter!

Those of you who know me well know that I am already scheming on the nursery! Here is my "theme" for the room. Mom is going to make the bedding so we may make a few minor changes, but pink, black, and damask is what I love!

Demo!!! AAAHHH

So my dear husband has decided remodeling the spare bathroom is his new project. All I wanted was a new mirror and some paint, but he has decided to also put down new tile. As we speak pieces of old tile are flying everywhere. I told him he has 2 weeks to complete the project. We will see how it goes.

On another note I am so excited for Monday! We get to see Baby Westerman again! After that appointment we are planning on finally telling the rest of our families and friends!

Must step away from the baby boards!!!

In my quest to learn everything I can about my little one and what is going on in there I read a lot of message boards with women due around the same time as me. While these boards are supportive and informative I think they often instill more fear in me than calm. My heart breaks for those women who have lost their little ones and each day I praise God for letting me carry mine for another day. I can't imagine the pain of losing a child at any stage in their life and think these are some strong women.

2nd Ultrasound

We went back today for a second ultrasound to check on Baby Westerman and to make sure my subchorionic bleed was disappearing on it's own. The appointment went great! The bleed was barely visible which means my body is absorbing it as it should. Best of all Baby Westerman looked like, well a baby! As Eric put it "it has a huge dome" in other words a big head, lol. We got to see the little one wiggle it's arms and legs and I swear it waved at us! Now I can't stop watching my 3 second video just to see my little one wave. Oh how I already love that little one. We also got to hear the precious heartbeat beating away at 176 beats a minute!

Also in 3 weeks or so we get to go for genetic screening and for an early gender test! They are doing a high tech ultrasound to check for fluid and such which help tell them the risk of chromosomal abnormalities such as Down's Syndrome. Be praying that all looks well. They also we do blood work on me and somehow through my blood can tell us if it's a boy or a girl! We could care less either way, but I know some people already have their bets in, lol.

I also get to get off most my meds in 3 weeks. I have been on what seems like a pharmacy of medications (Progresterone, Estradiol, Metformin) some of which I take multiple times a day. These medications have been what is keeping me pregnant. I am nervous and happy to finally get off them. In 3 weeks or so the placenta will take over their jobs which is wonderful, but also makes me nervous that something might happen when I get off them. I know this is a silly fear as my doctor wouldn't put me or the baby in harms way and I know the placenta will do it's job.

Amazed

Every day I feel more amazed at the precious little one God has blessed us with. After months of trying and many tears that it might just never happen it finally did. Of course God being the great God that he is didn't just bless us with a child, but with one due the day after my birthday! I know as time passes I will continue to see God's plan for us and our little one unfold and I will continue to be even more amazed.

Currently I am praying for my job to work out when the little one arrives. At only 8 weeks pregnant I can't imagine having to put him or her in daycare full time. Financially at this point we don't have a choice, but for me to work full time. I truly feel God wants me to focus on being a wife and mother and not the career woman I always "knew" I would be. It's funny how God changes your heart. I know I have many months to sort it out and God knows best so in the meantime all I can do is pray for his will!

Oh My!

Wow the bloat has hit! My weight is down a little, but my pants barely button! Keeping this a secret is getting tougher every day. People at work notice I'm constantly in the bathroom and ask questions. I have to quickly change the subject, work is the last I want to know right now. I feel so blessed to be carrying this precious little one. I constantly pray to God for the little bean's health and thank God daily for blessing me with him/her. I really hope this 1st trimester goes by quickly, I can't wait to share the wonderful news with the world and to start shopping for baby stuff!

Best Day Ever!

So today ranks as probably the best day of my life! We got to see baby Westerman! Our little bean is measuring right on target 6 weeks and 2 days for a due date of September 13, 2010!!! Only 1 day after my birthday. We also got to see and hear the precious heartbeat beating away at 119 beats per minute! I get to go back for another ultrasound in 3 weeks. I have a small subchorionic hemmorage and they want to check to make sure it is going away. I was told it is nothing to worry about, but of course I am a worrier. I now present you with Baby Westerman's first picture!

We also finally told our parents this past weekend! It was truly perfect. It worked out well telling my parents as we were going in for both their birthdays so we already had gifts wrapped. We wrapped up their baby gift (which for both parents was a Grandybaby's book of first) and put cards in the box that said "Happy Birthday Grandma and Happy Birthday Grandpa" they were truly excited! We told Eric's Mom the next day and said we had a belated Christmas present and gave her her book. All the reactions were priceless! I forgot my camera when we told Eric's Mom, but haved a cute pic of my parents opening their baby present! Hopefully they will forgive me for posting a pic in their PJs.

About a week ago

A week or so ago, January 2, 2010 to be exact life in the Westerman house was forever changed. I might add it changed in the best way possible! I call it our miracle. After many tear filled and stressfull months God has blessed us with a child!

I woke up, took my temperature and discovered it was still high so I decided to take a test. I told myself not to be hopeful, but of course I couldn't help it and got my hopes up. I walked away to begin making Eric his birthday breakfast (a few days late, but better late than never). I came back and checked and omigosh I was confident I wasn't hallucinating and there really was a faint second line. With the digital test I had been hoarding in my cabinent for months I decided to confirm to make sure I really wasn't hallucinating. I walked away to check on the bacon and when I came back I saw the most beautiful word that so many people take forgranted, PREGNANT!!! Of course the tears started flowing and along with a happy dance I had a celebration in the bathroom.

About a year ago when we started the journey to have a baby I had it all planned out how I would tell Eric when I finally passed the test. I scoured the internet looking for a t-shirt for for my Cooper (who as most of you know is my child) to wear to tell Eric he is going to be a Daddy. I finally found the perfect one that said "I'm the big brother". After my bathroom celebration I quietly pulled Cooper out from under the covers, grabbed the tiny t-shirt hidden in the bottom of my dresser drawer, and took Cooper outside to relieve himself and to get dressed for the big moment.

I then took a very hesitant Cooper (I slightly underestimated Cooper's size and the t-shirt was more like a muscle tee), whispered in his ear to go wake Daddy and put him back in the bed. Of course my lazy dog nudged Eric and immediately starting nestling back under the covers. Luckily Eric did manage to open his eyes took one look at Cooper and said "why do you have him in that muscle tee it's too small to keep him warm"? Eric then proceeded to roll back over and go to sleep and Cooper wiggeled under the covers. A little exasperated I decided to go back to the kitchen and check on breakfast. Attempt number 2 I hopped back in the bed and shook Eric and drug cooper back out from the covers. Eric asked me what I was doing and I told him I was making him breakfast. All I had to say was "breakfast" and he was alert. He looked at Cooper again and made some comment about his small t-shirt. I then told Eric maybe he should read Cooper's shirt. He read the shirt, looked at me slightly confused, and said "does this mean what I think it does"? I smiled and said yes and then ran and grabbed the digital test to show him. We both smiled and hugged. It was quite possibly one of the happiest moments of my life.

I had bloodwork scheduled Tuesday anway to see if the Clomid and HCG shot had worked and to check and see if there was possibly a Baby Westerman brewing. I anxiously awaited the results of my Tuesday bloodwork dying for the bloodwork to confirm my at home test. The next day I got the results and it was officially confirmed. I had more bloodwork scheduled for Thursday to check and see if all my numbers were increasing as they should. Friday I got the results that my HCG had tripled (a good thing), but my Progesterone was a little low so I doubled my Progesterone dose. My first appointment and ultrasound is schedule for January 20 when I will be a few days past the 6 week mark.

Keeping this secret is a challenge. Of course we want to tell our parents in person so we have to wait until next weekend (2 full weeks after the positive test). I talk to my Mom everyday and she knows all about our baby journey so she is expecting news any minute. It's so hard not to slip up on the phone. I am so excited to tell both of our parents. Mine have been wanting grandbabies for a while now.

We have decided not to tell anyone besides our immediate family until after the 1st trimester. I am bursting at the seams to scream our happy news to the world, but don't want to have to untell people should the worst happen. I pray almost all day everday for the worst not to happen and for God to let us keep this miracle. This miracle is what I have been dreaming of for what seems like forever. It truly is love at first thought.