35 Weeks Pregnant and BIG!!!!!

I thought I would share my big belly pictures! I can't believe how huge I look! I didn't think I was that big! But I guess I am. Baby Lawson still does not have a name, he is still kicking me ever second he gets, and I'm so tired now that at about 230 in afternoon I seriously want to just pack up my stuff up at work and say "See ya tomorrow" I seriously forget why I'm talking to my co-workers that I just walk way. But one positive thing is I'm sleeping all night long! I hope you enjoy these pictures!

Look What the Mailman Brought Us!!!

Tuesday when we got home from birthing class there on our door step was a box. I love getting stuff in the mail. Mark brought it in and I opened it immediately. We knew we were getting somthing from Susie and Lee. She did tell us it was a book. I was thinking it was a book about pregnancy or breastfeeding. I was wrong!! Baby Lawson got some books. Here's a picture of the lovely books. Thanks Susie, Lee and the kids :) I know Baby Lawson will enjoy them! We love and miss you guys :)

Doctor's Appointment Update

We went to the doctor's on Feb. 5th. Ok we went to two doctor's appointments on February 5th. First we saw the specialist about Baby Lawson's heart and she is confident that it will close. It is there, but it is very small. She said if the other doctor was not concerned then we shouldn't be either. She said that when he is born they will listen to his heart and if they hear a murmur then they will do a ultrasound to check out the heart. He weighs 4lbs and his heart beat was 155. He is already head down. Best part of the doctor's appointment is his placenta has pulled up. It is 3CM above my cervix and the doctors said anything 2.5Cm or less is a reason for a c-section. They yes it is close, but there is no reason for me not to be able to have a natural birth. Mark and I are relieved, b/c I just not sure about a c-section. I've been through one surgery and it wasn't fun. Of course if a life and death situation arised yes I'll have a c-section

For me I have now gained 31.4 lbs. I asked the doctor is she is concerned and she said not at all. She said to continue to watch what I eat. My ankles are starting to swell. I really watch everything I eat.

I think that is it about the doctor's appointments.

6 to 8 weeks

I can not believe that in 6 to 8 weeks Baby Lawson will be here. Time has gone by quickly, but slowly. Mark and I can't wait to meet him. Mark will talk and kiss my belly and you will see Baby Lawson kick at him. Its so cute and funny. Its like Baby Lawson knows what Mark is saying. For some reason Baby Lawson likes to sit on my right side. I have to push at him to get him to move. It doesn't work because with in 10 minutes he is right back there. Mark and I really need to decide on a name for Baby Lawson, but we just can't decide. We like all 3 names we have picked out. We just can't make a decision. Here are my favorite things about being pregnant.

1. feeling the baby move
2. seeing Mark smile and talk to Baby Lawson
3. back and leg rubs
4. shopping for baby clothes
5. decorating the nursery
6. Mark reading all the parenting books
7. birthing class
8. Ultrasounds, I love seeing the baby

Super Bowl

Well who would have thought that the NY Giants would have beaten the Patroits! All I want to say is that last nights game was a very exciting game. The commericals weren't that great. Congrats to the NY Giants. :)

Baby Shower

This past Saturday my friend Katie threw Mark and I Baby Shower. We got very nice presents. I can't thank Katie enough. She is my closest friend up here in WI. It was such a nice time. We played a few games, ate some great food, and open presents. The cake was soooo yummy! Here are a few pictures from the Baby Shower. One is of Mark and I, few of me opening presents for Baby Lawson, and one of me with Katie.

7 Random Things

My cousin tagged my blog for 7 random things. Here are my 7 random things that you may or may not know about me.

1. I have lived in 4 different states in 6 years. Indiana, Missouri, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. Its not that I love to move, its about the job. I wouldn't change it for anything. Some of these locations brought me sad times and happy times. Plus if I've never moved to TN I wouldn't have met my wonderful husband :) Out of these 4 states I would say TN is my favorite b/c of the weather and the mountains, but Indy, IN was my favorite, b/c I love Circle City (Colts, Pacers, Indy 500, Brickyard, the Z00, the Circle Center Mall, downtown is clean and very safe) and I learned to believe in myself and not to take crap from people! I would move back to INDY in a heartbeat if I could find a job! If Mark and I did live in INDY we would be 2.5 hours away from my dad and 8 hours away from Mark's family. I see this could be a win-win situation, but right now is not the correct time to move.

2. I can tell you everything you want to know about moving consumer goods around this nation. Regardless if it is moving via train, plane, or truck. I guess working at FedEx and in Kimberly-Clark Transportation department has it's benefits.

3. My dream job would be a nurse. This Corporate America gig is starting to take a toll on me. I know nursing isn't a piece cake either, but I really would like to help people and babies. If I could be any type of nurse it would be a labor and delivery nurse. I believe that the birthing process is a miracle!

4. My dream for this world is everyone be nice to everyone, especially kids. Parents need to teach their kids to be respectful and thoughtful to all man kind, no matter how different each and everyone of us are.

5. One thing I have learned through life experiences is, your family will always be there for you not matter how big or small your crisis maybe.

6. I was raised by my father. In my eyes he is the best father anyone could ask for. I think I was about 22 years old when I realized that. My dad and I are very close and I wouldn't change that for anything. Next to my husband my dad is my rock!

7. My brother is the best thing next to slice bread! Greg and I have gone through a lot together. I think the best story about how close Greg and I are, is when Greg broke his arm. My dad called me at work and told me Greg broke his arm and I said I'll meet you at the hospital. By the time Greg and dad arrived I had Greg pretty much checked in. I knew everything about Greg, except is SSN and my dad's SSN b/c the health insurance was under my dad. The hospital asked me if I was Greg's mom and I said, No I'm only 19 years old, he is my brother! I love you Gregadore!!!

Doctor's Appointment

We went to our doctor's appointment on Thursday morning and everything is fine. I have gained 30 pounds so far and the doctor told me not to stress about my weight as I look very healthy and that the 25-35 weight gain is an average. I have been watching everything I eat since Christmas. I eat fresh fruit or granola bar for a snack at work. For lunch I chicken or hamburger without a bun ( do not care for Bread), but I do crave toast in the morning with my oatmeal. I don't drink pop and if I do its Sprite zero (no sugar, no caffeine). I drink water all the time. I actually crave water now. I can't sit and worry about my weight, need to make sure baby Lawson is getting what he needs. His heart beat was 144 and he thinks he is a soccer player, just like his daddy. My blood pressure is prefect. I guess because I didn't have morning sickness or heartburn, I'm getting the swollen ankles :(. We went and bought me support hose and I put a trash can under my desk at work to elevated my feet, and now my ankles look normal again. Next doctor appointment is February 5th and that is with the Perinatologist and then we see or normal OB doctor. After February 5th appointment we start seeing our OB doctor every two weeks. Which doesn't seem any different then what we have been doing all long. Last thing is on February 5th appointment we are going to check to see if baby Lawson's placenta has pulled up, if not then we will check again at 36 weeks. If it doesn't pull up we will schedule a c-section, if it does pull up we will try to have a natural birth.

Birthing classes are coming along very nicely. Mark and I are hiring a Doula to have support during labor and delivery. Mark saw the birthing video and said to me "That looks very painful" I said back "You think?" He decided with our families and friends be so far we needed the extra support. I totally agree with him. Plus Mark and I really do not want people there while we are in labor. We feel this is a very special and private moment for Mark and I and we do not need extra people stressing us out. We going through enough that we do not need everyone's opinion on what to do and when (that's the nurses and doctor's jobs). I'll have the most important person with me and that is Mark. Sorry if we hurt anyone's feelings.

Gestational Diabetes

I got the test results yesterday for my gestational diabetes and I do not have diabetes. :) I'm so happy! We go to the doctors tomorrow and I'll post an update of what the doctor says about little man.

What's Going

I just realized I only blog once last week. Let me give an update on me and Mark.

Birthing Classes
We started our birthing classes last Tuesday Night. Very interesting and amazing. We have a birth plan that we need to fill out, but first I need to make a copy for my Aunt Bernie, in case she wants to use it for her practice :). It had many questions on it that I didn't even think about.

Odd Phone Calls
You every got a phone call from someone that you love and talk to regularly, of course you have. We my wonderful Aunt Bernie called and asked me two questions and said she had to go.
She knows I'm not good with surprises. All I know is she is up to something and its killing me.

3 Hour Glucose Test
I found out on Thursday that I could have Gestational Diabetes, so the doctor wanted me to do the 3 hour test. The test wasn't that bad, it was after the test that sucked. I was so hungry that I started to sweat and get the shakes. I was so thirsty. Thank goodness we were at Perkins when this started happening so I could get something to eat and drink. I'm so over going to specialists and doing all the testing. I hope I'm not diabetic, but if I am I'll be fine. I'm ready for little guy to come b/c of all the appointments, not because I'm miserable. I'm not miserable at all. I actually feel great!


Babies R Us
Saturday my friends Katie and I went to Babies R Us, because they were have a event all about Baby Showers. Katie is throwing me a Baby Shower up here in WI. She truly is a great friend. Katie and I met in Knoxville while we both worked in KC Transportation Department. She moved up to WI in September and I'm so happy she did. While at Babies R Us I received 4 $1.00 off coupon for Huggies, won a lullaby CD, won a bottle of Huggies Body wash, and won a bottle.

Sunday
Went to church then went to Wal-Mart and the grocery store. Came home and did a few scrapbook pages. I'll post pictures soon. I made Chicken Pot Pie for dinner, and I may say it was the bomb good!

This upcoming week is going to be busy. Monday night our friend Amy is in town for work so we are going out to dinner Monday night. Tuesday we have our birthing class. Wednesday night Mark, me, my dad, and Nancy are going to see Broadway show The Wedding Singer at the Performing Arts Center here in Appleton. Can't wait to see it.

I hope to be able to find a little time to post the scrapbook pages. Have a great week!

Scrapbooking

Yesterday I was able to work on my scrapbook pages. I got all 3 ultrasound pages finished. Now all I need to do is work on my pregnancy pages. I'm not sure if I want to do an individual page for each week I have pictures for or do a page for each trimester. I have to do some thinking about it. Here are a few pictures of the pages I finished.

This past weekend was very nice. On Saturday afternoon my friend Katie and I went to see the movie P.S. I Love. It was a very good love story. I cried, not a shocker. I would have to say it's almost as good a The Notebook. Then Saturday evening Mark and I had friends over for game night. We played Apples to Apples and Cranium. It was a fun time. Of course Boo and Sly showed off for everyone, and Puddin and Annie watched from a distance.

Sunday we ran errands and I made Swished Meatballs and did my scrapbook pages. It was very enjoyable weekend.

Tomorrow we start our Child Birthing Classes. Its a 4 week class held at the hospital (Theda-Clark) that baby Lawson will born. We are excited about starting them.

Our next doctor appointment is January 17th and it is with our normal OB doctors. We do have to do a follow up visit with the perinatologist to check the heart again. They want to do the first week in February. I'm feeling great.

Pediatric Cardiologist Visit

A few weeks ago I wrote and told everyone that the doctor indeed said that our little baby did in fact have ASD (hole in heart). Today we went to see another specialist, a Pediatric Cardiologist about the ASD and what we need to do once he is born. The doctor today said that she did not see any concern with the baby's heart. I'm not sure how to explain it, but the doctor said that what she believes the other doctors are seeing is an area that should be 4mm or less, and our little guys is 5mm. She believes the other doctors were taking that to be a hole. This doctor said there are no concerns or worries. In a nut shell he is fine.

Mark and I are very happy and relieved, but we are still a little cautious since two other doctors saw a hole and this doctor said no hole. We have told ourselves that when he is born is when we will find out for sure.

Thanks for all the prayers and concerns.

Raisin Filled Cookies

Over Christmas Mark and I went to TN. It was such a great time! We got see Mark's Grandparents in Virginia and all of our neices and nephews. Let me say the 2 year old and 3 year old are just wildmen! They are so cute and fun, but they never stop for 1 second.

Mark's dad and I made these wonderful cookies called Raisin Filled Cookies. Pops can I give the recipe out? If you like raisins you'll love these cookies. I add the recipe if Pops says its OK. I'm not sure if it's a family recipe or not.

On our way home from TN Mark and I stopped in Michigan City to do Christmas on 12/29. It was fun. Christmas was at my brother's house and we had Prime Rib and Lobster tails for dinner. That was Greg's present to everyone. I think it was an AWESOME present since I love Prime Rib and Lobster tail.

I might also say I do not think being pregnant during the holidays is the the brightest thing. I ate so much and I couldn't help it. Over all Christmas was wonderful.

First Scrapbooking Pages

For Christmas I asked for scrapbooking tools and supply to start scrapbooking. I got what I asked for, so tonight I put together two pages of my cats. I think they turned out great for my first time. I'm sure there are rules and proper ways to put the pages together, but I thinking using my imagination worked just fine. :) Here are a few pictures of my first pages. Next scapbooking projects are the ultrasound pictures and my pregnancy pictures. I may need to think these out a little bit more. Enjoy!

Merry Christmas

Mark and I wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! We are in Tennessee and it's absolutely beautiful out about 45 degrees :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Love

Mark and Beth

25 Weeks

Yesterday we for our level two ultrasound. Doctor has confirmed that the baby does have a hole in his upper chambers or ASD. Its a smaller hole so that is a plus and the baby will not need any surgery right away. On January 2, 2008 we go and she a Pediatric Cardiologist to see what our game plan will be once the little guy arrives. Doctor said the little guy weighs 1 LBS and 13 OZ. All I know he is a kicker :) We received a few ultrasound pictures. Doctor gave me blackmail picture of him. I'm sure he'll appreciate that when he is older :) Hope you enjoy them.

To Uncle Butch

Aunt Bernie make sure Uncle Butch sees these pictures of my little Maine Coon. My Aunt and Uncle have a Maine Coon named Buster. I told them I would get a few pictures of mine Maine Coon Annie. She is very pretty and as you can tell from the pictures she is a Princess!

By the way Uncle Butch, it is 245 miles from your house to my house. :)

Love ya,

Sissy

Christmas Cookies

This weekend I went to my Aunt Bernie's house to make Christmas Cookies. We made traditional cut out sugar cookies. We also watched the the movie The Notebook. I still cry while watching this movie, even though I have seen it quite a few times. On Sunday morning we went to church and out to breakfast with my Aunt's friend Mary Ann. It was such a great time. I hope my Aunt and I can do it again. Maybe next time we can not slave over cookies :) Aunt Bernie remember it was FUN and it's about the TOGETHERNESS :) Here are a few pictures of our hard work.

Budget

Mark and I have put ourselves on a budget. We figure we might as well get use to living on a budget prior to the baby arriving. Here are some of the things we have done.

1. Cut coupons on the items we use, which I like cutting coupons. If a manufacturer wants to give 25 cents I'm all for it.
2. Move money into our savings account prior to spending
3. Use our pig points from Piggy Wiggly. We have received up to 54 cents off a gallon of gas. You can get up to 15 gallons at the reduced priced. We figured at least once a month we can get savings on gas.
4. Make dinner menu prior to going to the grocery store and sticking to the list.
5. Buy generics and compare prices between grocery stores.
6. Only buy things that are on sale, is the item a want or a need.
7. Make dinner at least 3 nights a week, left overs for the other evenings.
8. Only go out to dinner once a week
9. Make coffee in the morning, do not stop at the gas station or buy coffee from work.
10. Reduced the heat in the house from 73 to 70. I can use a blanket if I am cold.

No we are not in any money crisis's, but we thought we should start getting used to living a little tighter and not be such compulsive shoppers. Some of the above items are very easy to do, but others are harder to do. I have a hard time asking myself if it is a want or a need. I have gone for so long without worrying about anyone else, that I just bought something if I wanted to. Target and Kohl's are my weakness.

Only time will tell if I can stick to these rules, but some of it has become a game for me. The Pig Points! I love to see how much I save between Pig points, coupons, and stores sales. Last weekend I saved $21.00 and the week before that I saved $14.00.

Mark thinks I'm crazy and out of control with the whole coupon/Pig points, but then I show him my savings and he just smiles.

Christmas at the Lawson's

Mark and I decorated and put up our Christmas Tree last weekend. Here are some pictures that I thought I would share with everyone. I actually figured out how to do self portraits on my new digital camera. :) Of course Boo and Sly enjoy sleeping under the tree.

I hope you enjoy!