Happy Birthday Ashlyn Elizabeth!

She has arrived!!!!! It took us a little longer than we thought, but she is finally here! Here stats are 7-6 and 20 inches long! She put her brother to shame in that department! I forgot the camera cord (which will make sense at the end of this blog) in all of the craziness so I just have the picture from my phone. I promise better ones to come.

So...yesterday I came up to the hospital and went into their evaluation area. I was evaluated and despite contractions (and painful ones at that) I was not dilated any further than I had been on Monday. After talking to the doctor on call (not MY doctor) they decided to send me home. I was irritated and a little embarrassed. I had been sure that this was it and labor had begun (for the record, I was right). Anyways so we came home and I had a second night of constant contractions. When morning came around I was in so much pain with the constant contractions that I was pretty grumpy. Because of what had happened the day before, I hesitated and didn't want come in again and be sent home. I second guessed myself and spent all morning in terrible pain under the impression that I was just a big baby. By 10:30am my attitude was screw the nurses and that I was going to the hospital and not coming home no matter what they said. (Foe those of you that don't know, the hospital is an hour away so these drives are not easy to make under normal circumstances!) I called Pete to come home and had him call my doctor and speak with his nurse. She recommended that I go straight to the hospital. It's about and hour drive and by the time Pete was home and I was able to get dressed, I was literally crawling on the floor because the contractions were so constant. The drive to the hospital was awful and with about 15 minutes to go, I realized that it was time to push. This baby was ready to come and I rolled over (I was in the very back with my sister) ready to go. Lynne and Pete both panicked and begged me to hold on. We finally arrived at the ER and Lynne ran in to get someone. The next part is straight out of a terrible movie comedy with me barely being able to sit in the wheel chair having to explain to the VERY slow receptionist that I was in labor and about to deliver the baby right there in the lobby. After some yelling on my part the ding dong lady finally realized that I needed to get upstairs right then and there. She wheeled me upstairs and instead of labor and delivery took me to the evaluation area. I was really screaming at this point as I knew my water had broken and could feel the baby's head between my legs. As luck would have it, my OB was having lunch there with some of the nurses and heard me screaming. He came over a little shocked at how forceful I was being and told the nurses that he would do my evaluation. He again was shocked to discover that I was fully dilated and the baby was coming. In between telling Pete that I was just too tired to push and actually pushing, I had my beautiful baby girl out in about two minutes! I never even made it into Labor and Delivery!

Ashlyn was born in the teeny tiny evaluation room. After she was out, the nurses from the day before all came in to see me and were shocked at how fast the whole process was. The receptionist from L&D that was so irritated that she had to do my paperwork twice actually came in and apologized for saying anything. The long and short of it was that they should have kept me yesterday and monitored me for longer. If they had, then they would have noticed that I was indeed in full blown labor not in pre-labor. My OB was quite irritated with the process but was glad that it all worked out. He even joked that now he gets to sleep in tomorrow morning because I was his first patient of the day!

Preston came up to see his sister and was so sweet with her. He kept saying, my sisti" and telling us all to "ssshh the baby is sweeping". I can't wait to upload the pictures.

I would like to say a BIG thank you first to my sister. She sat in the back of the car with me while I was having the single most uncomfortable car ride of my life and simply sat with me so that I did not feel alone. The second BIG thank you I have is for my mom. My mom has Preston and he is happy as can be having his cousin Dyer and his "Mawm Mawm" with him. That was my biggest worry about giving birth and knowing that Pres is in such good hands really is a huge help. I know that I will come home to a happy Peanut, a clean house, and lots of love. That is priceless.

Here is a picture of Ashlyn and I taken from my phone. I'm pretty tired looking after two nights of no sleep!




My baby girl peacefully sleeping!



Daddy and Ashlyn!

Labor has begun...

Here we go! I am so glad that it is happening on its own and that I will not have to be induced. I'm still at home now just riding out the storm so to speak! I've been having contractions for a few days and today they really started to go. Right now, I'm about every 10 minutes and have been for the past hour or so. I'm waiting until they are about 6 or 7 minutes for a constant hour until I go to the hospital as per the instructions of my OB's nurse. She told me to take some extra strength Tylenol and try to rest at home until I come in...yeah right...the Tylenol did not help at all so I'm up walking around just killing time and having fun with the contraction counter!

The last "pre-baby" baby update!

I went in to the doctor today and was happy to know that I am finally starting to show some progress! I am at 3 cm. They scheduled the induction for 5 am Friday morning at the Southeast Alabama Medical Center. I will be at 42 weeks then and my doctor thinks that its the safest thing for me and baby to go ahead and induce. Apparentely, I'm not so good at "doing my part" and starting this labor process on my own. My OB today did some stretching to hopefully speed up the natural process and I am going back on Thursday for more of the same with the OB and then on to handle to induction paperwork. They are really hoping that I just naturally go into active labor before Friday.

I am SO over being pregnant at this point and am seeing that the medical necessity of the early delivery last time had some positives to it! I have no room in my belly at all and bending down is basically impossible at this point. Ashlyn has had a huge growth spurt in the last week and my doc informed me that she was going to be a big girl. Yikes...Pres had a huge head but was only 6 pounds 8 ounces...let us just hope that she does not end up with the Dean head like her daddy and brother have...if so...I will deserve a medal for delivering her naturally!!!!!

Preston is starting to notice that something is going on. He is constantly asking me if I am okay and is being very sweet with me. I am moving around slowly these days and he seems to not care at all that I am sitting down when we play outside. He happily rides his bike in circles around me and giggles when I get him with my feet. I couldn't ask for a sweeter boy and between he and Pete, I am being quite spoiled right now. Preston has even taken to rubbing my toes when Pete rubs my feet! My boys rock and poor Ashlyn will be spoiled rotten between the two of them!

The next update will be from the hospital! Whoo-hoo!!!!!!!

What feels like the millionth baby update!!!!

I went to the OB today. Everything is still great (fluid and heart rate) so it is just a waiting game now. I did test positive for the strep thing so I will have to receive antibiotics during labor, but that is pretty common. I really enjoyed the description of the virus I got from the doc. It goes like this and remember that he has a British/South African accent..."you know how the British colonized the Americas? They didn't really belong there, but they took it anyways. That is what this step B is, it doesn't belong there but has colonized your vagina." Oh my! He cracks me up. I didn't know that my vagina could be colonized! I bet his nurses could write a whole book about his funny descriptions. He also said to me today that he is "just waiting for me to do my part and go into labor." HA! If only I could snap my fingers and get this process started. I told him that I was working on it!

On a more serious note, for any of you that are new to the Wiregrass area and in need of a good OB/GYN, I would highly recommend the Women's Medical Center. All of the doctors and nurses are just fantastic and they run a tight ship. They are also connected to the Southeast Alabama Medical Center, and the Women's Center there is just awesome (hello-jacuzzi tub in your LDR room!)

Baby Update

Last Friday Pete and I had the big OB appointment. We were all ready to go just in case and had all of our bags and stuff with us. To our amazement, everything was perfect. I've lost no more fluid and my heart rate was right where they want it to be!!!!! I think all parties involved were shocked!!! I was so excited! This means that for now, I am able to be normal. They have scheduled an inducement, but not until after 40 weeks. YEAH!!!!! I get to have the experience of going into labor on my own!!!!! This is what we have been praying for all along and God has been so gracious to allow us this wonderful blessing. They are still checking me at the cardiologist and OB each week and reserve the right to induce me, but much of the concern is gone! If Ashlyn comes now, she will be perfectly healthy! I didn't make it this far with my last pregnancy, so I am in new and uncharted territory as far as how big and uncomfortable I am and I couldn't be happier about it. Thank you to you all that have been praying with us on this crazy journey. We'll keep the blog updated with information and hopefully soon our new addition will be here. Pete bought me a wonderful new camera and laptop to take with me to the hospital so I will be able to put up pictures pretty quickly!

Florida

Preston and I snuck down to Florida for about a week. When I say snuck, I mean with a capital "S" because my doctors would be none too happy to have me far away. Oh well...Pete was leaving, I needed to try out my new meds and couldn't be alone...after all, I am supposed to be resting. I didn't really have any other options. Luckily my mom came and drove me down and then will be driving me back on the 7th.

Here are some updates:

Tried the new heart meds and did not tolerate them AT ALL! I was stumbling around like an old drunk man! I went back down to my old dose and am doing okay. I'm having some uncomfortable tachy moments, but nothing too severe.

Pete is in SERE school. We miss him-especially Pres. My little guy is having MAJOR separation anxiety and won't let me out of his sight right now. He asks for daddy as soon as he wakes up from nap and bedtime and it gets a little hairy as I remind him that daddy is away at school but will be home soon. I hope this will taper off in a week or so as he gets used to the routine again with just me. Sneaking to Florida has helped as my dad is helping with lots of snuggles for Pres. This means that either myself or my dad has Pres nipping at our heels all day long. As for myself, it sucks being 9 months preggo (tomorrow!)without the hubby.

Chrissy and Asher are coming to visit!!!!!! I am so excited! For the last 10 days that Pete is gone my BFF is going to come and be with me! Woo-hoo!!!!! If I can't have Pete with me then Chrissy is the only person that can come close 2nd(sorry Chrissy...I think Pete is cuter or you'd probably be my number 1!) I also get to meet that beautiful baby boy of hers and I CAN NOT WAIT! She will come and boss me and make me rest and that is why I love her! Not too many people have the balls to put me in my place but Chrissy is one of them!

Please pray for a family member. They are not doing well and it looks as if they won't be with us for much longer.

Last and certainly not least, Ashlyn is coming soon! I can't wait to meet her and I also can't wait to not be pregnant! I look forward to the days when I have two beautiful children, normal size hands, feet, and face and no more porn star boobs...oh and a heart that beats like a normal persons!

OB Update

Yesterday was yet another check up with the OB. I was able to get a little redemption from my last visit. You see, every time the cardiologist increases my meds, I spend about a week swelling up like a balloon. I have explained this side effect again and again to my OB but each and every time I just get a look. A look that says, "suuuure...you are just a fat pig." It is super annoying and I have finally reached a point where they can just kiss my swollen Macy's balloon tushy! Anyways...I digress...so I go to the check up yesterday and surprise surprise I have actually lost weight from my last visit. My OB looks at me and says that I must be having some issues with swelling. In my head all kinds of sarcastic and mean things are going on so I just looked at him and said nothing. His response was that I was sitting there looking at him like he was an alien (I am such a terrible liar that even when I say nothing, my face gives it all away!). At that statement I again said nothing. I just couldn't for the life of me think of something nice to say. I think all of this time stuck at home is really beginning to get to me! I did manage to change the subject and was so proud of myself for finally just letting him know how aggravated I am that he and my cardiologist seem to have some sort of pissing contest as to who's time is more valuable. Seriously can't they just put ego aside and finally come up with a delivery plan for me or what?! (They can't decide on a date to meet and the cardiologist did not like the date the OB picked out and it goes on and on!) Luckily for me, my OB agreed that they needed to put their information together. Hopefully something will finally come from that, but if not, I will just have to keep being bold with these doctors.

I'll end this post as well with some pictures of Pres.

The first one is for Gramma Susan. I want for her to see all of Pres' curls.


The next one is of us having fun with shaving cream. My mom is here to help out right now and we played in the back yard. Please ignore my swollen feet and face!

Cardio Update

So...I went to the cardiologist yesterday and got the same news I get every time. My heart is tachycardic. I really would like to tell them, "DUH"...I mean isn't that why I keep having to go to the cardiologist?! Can you tell I am really starting to get tired of having to go to the doctor? The long and short of it is that they want to increase my meds (same as last time) and this time I am going to be a good patient and do what they say. I have a month left until my big OB appointment and I am only 50mg away from the max dose. I am praying that this dose will put my heart rate at what the docs want so that I can have some sort of peace and be able to deliver naturally and when Ashlyn is ready to come.

Pete was able to come with me to this visit, so he was able to share the annoyingness of the whole thing with me. I met with the PA and she talks super fast and is very perky. She really needs pom-poms in her hands as she meets with you! I thought Pete was going to throw his phone at her. Instead he made gestures behind her back and was able to make the appointment go by much faster for me than it usually does! Thank you hubby!!!!!!

This afternoon is my OB appointment so I will have some new ultrasound pics tomorrow!

I'll end this post with a picture of Preston because his silly self always makes me feel better! He's become really interested in my slippers lately and walks around the house in them. This particular picture was taken when I was trying to get him dressed for the day. All I got was his jammie shorts off before he went and got the slippers and a couple of hats. I couldn't be mad because he was just too darn cute! It never fails to make me laugh to see him clomping along, tripping over his own feet!

The question about a baby shower...

After I just got what feels like my millionth question about whether or not I am having a baby shower, I am just going to answer it here so everyone can know and quit asking me. I feel terrible having to disappoint but I am NOT having a baby shower. I'm sorry because I know some of you were hoping, but I just have no desire to do it again. I did it with my pregnancy with Preston and had a very nice one. I loved my fancy tea and all of the elaborate decorations (really people you outdid yourselves!); however, I did not like having everyone staring at me as I opened presents-not my idea of a good time. This time around I am being really stubborn (and selfish) and just don't want to do it. I'm sorry. I don't really enjoy baby showers much as I'm just not a big baby person...GASP...I know...what is wrong with me?! HA! I love children and enjoy being a mother more than anything, but I still would not classify myself as a baby person.

So there you have it, the whole ugly truth. Besides all of that, I really have everything that I need and with the economy the way it is I just don't feel right about asking people to spend their money.

If after all of this, you still must send something then be practical. Diapers (we use pampers), wipes, and onesies are always used.

OB Update and some Pres pics

Okay my friends! I went to the OB on Friday and got the news that I always like to hear...despite whatever my crazy heart is doing, it is having no effect at all on the baby! Ashlyn is absolutely perfect! I was able to have an ultrasound and see her! She had big eyes and chubby cheeks just like Preston did! Her nose is completely different though. Here are some pictures. They are kind of hard to see as I had to scan them. (This new place isn't as high tech as my doc in Florida!) I did get a DVD so Pete was able to watch the ultrasound with me when I got home but it is too big to upload. For now, enjoy these!

Here is her hand!


Her profile (or what she would give us, she's a shy picture taker!)



Here is a confirmation that she is indeed a girl.



Thank you all for your prayers. I can take whatever is thrown at me health wise as long as I know that this beautiful baby is okay.

*********************************************************************************

Onto a new topic, Pres and I experienced our first tornado sirens this week. It was scary for me but Pres thought eating breakfast in the bathroom was tons of fun! The sirens went off right after I gave him his breakfast so I just picked him up, highchair and all and rushed into the bathroom. (Thank you Megan for the call to let me know...I was all prepared in case we needed to go in there!) Here are two pictures of him enjoying Dora and breakfast in the bathroom during on of the nasty storms!

One week doc update and Mary Kay

So I went to the cardiologist again this week and got the following updates:

-Blood work came back normal
-Echo cardiogram was normal
-Heart rate still too high
-Increase in meds by 25 mg (which I refused because it's not working and the side effects are awful!)
-Go back in two weeks and check it out again to re-evaluate my doses and dangers.

There you go. It's similar as my last pregnancy where they could never give me a good answer as to why my heart rate is so high and they just are trying to keep it manageable. The echo is to make sure that there is no long term damage caused by the high heart rate such as an enlarged heart. So far, so good. The medicine this time around is causing me to be super nauseous. I'm not sure why and was told to just make sure I eat before I take it (which I do).

Besides all of that I will admit that I am becoming pretty cranky. I hate going to the doctor and now having to go to the cardiologist and OB almost every week is wearing me thin. As everyone (and I mean everyone) keeps telling me, they are just trying to stay on top of it. HA! Personally I think that since they really have NO clue they are just trying to save their own behinds (but again...that is the cranky part of me). The normal side of me is thankful for the wonderful care that I am receiving in order to ensure that myself and Ashlyn are okay.

***On a funny note Pete is about to go and have a full physical...I am glad for him to be the one for a change that has strange people touching him in places that are all kinds of uncomfortable!***

Now onto something fun. Last night I took Megan to a Mary Kay party. It was the first one for one of the wives in Pete's flight school class so I wanted to go and meet her and show her some support. She was super cute and very nice and if you need Mary Kay you can check out her site here BUT... the lady that is her "mentor" or whatever they are called was certifiably C-R-A-Z-Y! Everything from waaaay too much make-up to fishnet stockings (and let's not forget to super fake boobs!)! It was such a big contrast to the wife we went to support who was in a super cute professional top with a trendy skinny belt.

As Megan and I dutifully took off our make-up and tried all kinds of cremes, we were able to laugh and have a good time! My friend Jeanne Anne was there as well and since Jeanne Anne seemed to have been on the bad side of fake boobs, it was all the more fun! I believe the highlight of the evening for me was when we were all pitched about the wonders of selling Mary Kay and fake boobs passed around her pay stub and told us how many cars she had been given. (I thought this was super tacky, but Chrissy tells me this is what they always do). I did end up buying some stuff because I really do like the Mary Kay products (the cotton lotion smells SOOO good!). In all it was a good evening and Megan, Jeanne Anne, and I certainly made some fun new memories together!

Pregnancy Update (not a good one)

Today I visited my cardiologist for the first time here in Alabama. I will admit that I have been really putting this off because I have felt great and honestly thought that I was getting better. Needless to say, I thought wrong. The news was not good and today has been a tough emotional day for Pete and I. I've been beating myself up for letting this slide and poor Pete is trying to be my rock when I know that he is worried as well. I had to go for some tests today and we should get the results soon. They are again going through the process of eliminating other causes for the trouble. They want to make sure that it is just the pregnancy and nothing else. I would like to really say a quick nice word about the SAMC in Dothan. The lab was quick and the people were wonderful with me considering I was a blubbering idiot the whole time I was there.

They have increased my heart medication in the hopes that it will lower my heart rate as much as they need it to be. (So if my post is loopy, I started the new dose and it always makes me feel funny for a few days! I can't drive again...yuck!) They are going to monitor me weekly to make sure that the medication is doing what it is supposed to do. Apparently my body has adapted to the high heart rate so I don't feel any symptoms from the racing heart. (Which is why I thought I was getting better). My body being used to the racing heart can be a little dangerous as I am not feeling the signs that your body typically gives you when something is wrong. The good news is that the doctor can do it for me and the bad news is that I am stuck going to the OB and cardiologist each week. (It's almost an hour drive each way.)

Monday I go back and they are hoping that a week on the higher medication will do the trick. If not, they will bump me up again and that is as high as they can go while I am pregnant. (Let's not even think about what happens after that) I also am going to have another echocardiogram and a diagnostic ultrasound for the baby to make sure that my heart is healthy and that the baby is not feeling the effects from what has been going on. Please join us in prayer that none of this has had any effect on my sweet baby girl.

We are headed to Florida this weekend for a quick trip to be around people that love us. It will be good for Pres with all of the doom and gloom in our house right now to see his beloved Grandpa!

I would like to thank my FF gals-Chrissy, Abs, and Jax who rallied around me with just a simple text message. I love you three dearly and would not be able to do this without you! Chrissy...thank you for talking to me so that I could come home and be mommy this afternoon!

Belly Pictures

My view now...I have to bend over slightly to see my toes!




The natural view...even though this is baby #2, I still can't believe my body does this! It's a little gross and beautiful at the same time!

Pete's 32nd B-Day!

We had a fun-filled weekend for Pete's birthday. Pete was able to take the motorcycle safety course on post and had a good time with a lot of his WOC class buddies hanging out and riding motorcycles!

Here at home, we had cupcakes to decorate and as requested homemade chicken wings plus beer for a snack! Here are some pics.

Decorating the cupcakes:








The finished product of lemon cupcakes with lemon frosting...YUM!




On his actual birthday Pres and I blew up balloons for him to come home to! We hung some at the mailbox and the rest were waiting inside. These were such a big hit-not only with Pete but with Pres as well. He had a blast playing in them!







My chicken wings turned out great and I found a new sauce to make that Pete loved. Here they are along with the funniest shot of Pete eating them! I'll call this eating shot a little birthday hazing (sorry babe...I couldn't resist!).




Ashlyn and I were there-I promise! I was in charge of the pictures and the food so not much time to pose in front of the camera. Here's a somewhat fuzzy bathroom pic of the growing belly taken on Pete's birthday.

Doc update

Today I went to the OB here in Enterprise, AL for the first time. He came highly recommended from just about any woman I had talked with as well as the pastor at our new church. He was nice and his office was nice as well. He didn't have my medical records yet so we'll have to go into more specifics after he gets them. I will say that after talking with him, I am really torn. I'm sure he is a good doctor, but he in NO way comes close to the caliber of care I was receiving in Florida. Frankly if he stepped foot into either one of the doc offices that I have in Orlando I'm sure he would feel extremely inadequate.

I left his office not really knowing what to do. Pete and I are going to go ahead and do the hospital tour in the area. If the hospital and the nursing staff instill some confidence, then we will go ahead and do the delivery here. After all, the nurses really end up the ones being there for you in the long run. If not, I'm sticking with what I know and will head to Florida to give birth. We'll keep you all updated. It's hard to make these decisions when I am feeling a bit hormonal and therefore am extremely judgemental on everything about this small southern town.

As far as the Ashlyn goes, her heartbeat was very strong! That's what we want to hear with the medication I am on. It is not having any effect on her at all!!!!

Next up...the local cardiologist. Yikes! I have my doubts about a specialist in a small town (see the judgemental thing again) but hopefully I will be proven wrong!

We're having a...........................

GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I told Pete the news today during his promotion ceremony so now I can share with everyone. Pete, Pres and I will be welcoming Ashlyn Elizabeth Dean in less than 5 months!!!!!! Megan came and took some pictures for us of the graduation and she was able to get the exact moment I told Pete on camera. His face was priceless. I'll share more about that and the pics later on. It's been a busy week with lots of visitors and fun with our new friends. My feet are swollen and I am exhausted!

I found out, I found out!!!!!

This morning after having Honey Nut Cheerios for breakfast and drinking a whole 8 oz bottle of Welch's Fruit Punch, I had my ultrasound. Two things happened: 1. I had to pee the whole time and was afraid I was going to burst and 2. Baby Dean #2 was active and awake on a sugar high and spread open the legs to give us a very quick and fleeting peek at what was between them!

I haven't told Pete yet so I'm going to leave it a little guessing game for a bit longer. I will however post the picture from the ultrasound that shows what it is and you are more than welcome to guess! I had to cut a little out of the picture because the tech wrote on there what it was.

Here you go with arrows and all! Can any of you pro moms tell what it is?????

I finally look pregnant...not like I had too many cheeseburgers!!!

I've been stuck in that horrible phase where I just look a little plump in the mid section rather than pregnant. Most people I've met here haven't really even known and me in all of my vain glory have hated that they might think I am fat. (I know...it is not an attractive quality at all!)

A couple of factors keep me small in the beginning but the biggest one is my heart rate. It's so fast that I am constantly in aerobic state. Now that my meds are finally settled and my heart rate is back at 100 BPM, I am finally starting to show! YEAH!!!!

Let me just give a quick shout out to my new cleavage...HEL-LO and thank you baby # 2 for once again giving me Baywatch boobs!


Hey...where did the baby go?! See in this pic, I just look a little fat. While my tummy has been small, my hips sure have been in preparation for birth (as if I needed ANY more size in the hip area LOL!)




Perhaps I should have cleaned all of the stuff off of my sink before I took the pictures! This is Pres' new activity...to take everything out from underneath the sink and put it on top. When Pete comes home one of his first tasks is to baby proof the bathroom cupboards!

Still in Florida...updates from the sunshine state

So we came here for a visit on Thanksgiving week and we are still here! Pres ended up with a nasty ear infection and I am waiting to head home until the pediatrician gives him the all clear here. She will see him on Monday so hopefully the antibiotics cleared it right up.

I had my doc appointments here this past week and all went well. My cardiologist doubled my medication. I'm not too happy by this, but it was what I expected with some of the problems breathing I had been having.

I saw the high risk OB and everything with the baby is perfect!!!! The new Bean was all snuggled up not wanting to wake up for us. The Bean did (after much prompting from the tech who nearly made me wet myself in her enthusiasm for getting the baby to move) give us a little wave. The stubborn Bean would not uncross its legs to let us tell if I should buy pink or blue. The first week in January I have another ultrasound so hopefully we will be able to tell then. If not, I am going to be dying with anticipation. Here's some pics from the ultrasound this week. If you notice you can only see one leg because the other leg is tightly crossed behind it.




Preston has had a lot of changes the past two weeks. He is talking up a storm and is starting to put three and four words together. This morning he looked at my parent's Christmas tree and said "I like it". It sounded more like "I ike wit." but it was cute none the less. My parent's have their tree on a remote control and Pres figured out how to turn the tree on and off. This occupies him for quite some time and I let him do it becuase it distracts him from taking the ornaments off of the tree!

As for a Pete update, he is doing well at Warrant Officer School. He's passed his PT test and his first school test. He emailed me yesterday that he was, "losing weight but still had his mind!" I hope to be able to talk to him on Sunday. He is expecting to meet me at the church on post (we can go to church together) but I will still be here because of Pres' ear infection. Hopefully he doesn't think we forgot about him!

Introducing...Baby Dean #2!!!!!!!!

So my high risk appointment went beautifully!!!! I had to have a vaginal ultrasound because I am still so early along, but the baby has a strong heart beat and seems to be moving along really well!!!! FINALLY! A doc appointment that I didn't leave in tears! The due date is going to be like last time (for those of you who remember). My medication slows down the growth of the baby a little so it is hard to pinpoint an exact date. The growth of the baby is showing at 8 weeks but my last period says it would be about 11 or 12 weeks. The doctor jokingly said to me that he could narrow it down to the end of May or the beginning of June and that doesn't take into account the C-section option! That's fine by me as I could care less as long as the baby is healthy and developing like it should. Here are some pictures from the ultrasound today.










The heart rate of the baby is super strong and steady at 140! This was a concern as the Lopressor I am on to slow my heart rate can also slow down the baby's heart rate. It hasn't and I am so happy I just can't even put it into words. Those pictures are why I restrict myself, take this horrible medication, and put up with the constant worry. At the end of all of this is another beautiful baby that I have the privilege to be it's mommy!

I am way overdo for a Preston update and have some pictures from this cute Fall Festival we went to this past weekend. I'll post them this evening!

Thank you all for your prayers and support!