Linked 52: Father

I met this man 10 years ago, 7 years ago I married him, 2.5 years ago he became a father for the first time, today he is waiting for the arrival of his second son.

He is the most AMAZING person you could ever meet.

Want to see more linked father posts? Check out these talented photographers and their blogs!

Stacey, Michelle, Heather, Tracey, Jenn, Jessica, Amanda, Kristin, Sara, Tracy, Lesli, Janet, Naomi, Rhonda, Rose, Carla, Heidi, Veronica, Amy, Liza, Heather, Jean & Kristi

If you haven't viewed the gender reveal post yet, I gave the gender away in the first sentence of this post, but it's still worth scrolling down...Promise.

18 Week Prenatal Appt.

A full Bee Report isn't due for another 2 weeks...so I will call this a tid-bid post.

I mainly am blogging following up the ultra sound we had on Tuesday.


Ultra sound results:

Current baby position: Breech---not a concern as of now, he has plenty of time to be head down (in fact he started out the ultra sound head down in only to turn breech during the monitoring).

Normal bone length: We choose not to do any testing for down syndrome, but the bone length on the ultra sound safely tells us that is not a concern at this time.

Weight: Current baby weight 8 ounces, that is in the 65 percentile. He is a growing boy!

Organs: kidneys, stomach, bladder, heart (all 4 chambers seen) all normal.

Bones: Long bones, spine normal.

Amniotic Fluid: Average

Overall results: Normal fetal anatomic survey. Single viable intrauterine gestation.


For my own health...my blood pressure falls within normal (no cause for concern for preaclampsia), no swelling and my pre-pregnancy tees and tanks are beginning to look like toddler tees on me.

In the last few days Miles has geared up his kicking. I feel those tiny feet ALL THE TIME. The doctor asked about movement today...I said, "I am pretty sure he didn't sleep yesterday." He also did his first complete turn in me the other day, I forgot that feeling. I can't wait for Harrison to feel his first kicks, if I sit still enough you can see those kicks just under my belly button. 

The only cause of concern I brought to the doctor's attention today was some pressure I have been feeling and a lot of pain in my legs, very similar to what I had with Harrison. I usually don't complain, but not saying anything last time and having pre-term labor 3 months too soon is enough for me to bring up anything and everything.

The doctor said this can be fairly common, especially in a second pregnancy. He would be more concerned if I didn't have a cerclage, especially with the past. At this point he would only be concerned if I started contracting with this pressure. My only concern following that is that I never felt contractions with Harrison. The hope is with this cerclage I might be able to feel the contractions, or I should feel them.

However if the pain/pressure continue further into pregnancy as it does now, he talked about me needing to take off of work. This would be ideal if I didn't already have a desk job a side from seeing some consumers for home visits. He still explained that it might be necessary for me to be in a reclining position to take away or lessen the pressure. The good news, we aren't there yet.

So far I stretch every morning and most nights to help ease the leg pain. There isn't anything I can do to lessen the feeling of the pressure.

Overall---I am right where I need to be in this pregnancy. Miles is right where he needs to be. We both are clearing red flags...though this pregnancy is high risk, both Miles are steering clear of red and doing well.

One of the first outfit purchases :) You can never have enough cute clothes.

I'm A Planner

I am a planner and can't help it. There should be a support group for people like me. I can't be the only one plagued with being a plannaholic.

I starting planning Miles (aka Baby Bee) nursery yesterday. The crib bedding is order, in fact it was shipped out today. Like Harrison, I am starting with the bedding and working the room colors/design around that. We finished Harrison's room at 26 weeks---just 3 weeks before his arrival. Most likely paint won't hit the walls for several more weeks here and I a doubting a room completion at 26 weeks this time...but I am excited for the transformation. I am actually losing my photography studio as Miles moves in, but I hope to regain that in a new home in the next year or two. Harrison also won't be moving rooms. He will be upgrading to a bigger, big boy bed, (a super fun modern set we picked out at IKEA).



I bought this binder months ago (before I knew to buy blue). It's been holding my insurance documents. I took out a whole additional plan knowing this is a high risk pregnancy....more of my plannaholic tendency.

Now the binder is stuffed with paint samples, bedding, room essentials among some other upgrades we need this time around, like a baby monitor (Harrison's broke at 6 months), double stroller and better infant carrier/sling. Those are just a few MUSTS.

Here are a few images I grabbed of the binder tonight with my phone---

Are you laughing at these images? Or are you too considering yourself a plannaholic?

WHAT WILL IT BEE?

Turning 28 today started out with 2.5 year old kisses, sunny skies and this...

and loving these 10 piggies!

I could look at these photos for hours. The one in the far left corner at the bottom Baby Bee has both arms behind the head, just relaxing. The 4D images were amazing, we didn't have these with Harrison. The still photos aren't the greatest because Bee was quite the wiggler, but in person, breathless.

Baby Bee's ultra sound was completely normal. I got a call from the clinic this afternoon with the results The heart rate was 132 and Bee weighs 8 oz. Our due date has been moved from November 13th to November 10th.

For those of you that have been following my Facebook updates, certainly you also know today we found out the gender of Bee and yes, Bee cooperated and yes, that will be shared in this post.

I am sure I will lose more than half of you and you quickly scroll down to our gender reveal, but make sure you scroll back up here when you get done.

My friend Jenna did our photo session today. She is the absolute greatest. Not knowing we would be welcoming Harrison so soon, she captured the last photos of our pregnancy just 4 hours before Harrison was born. Click HERE if you want a walk down memory lane.

Since then Jenna has captured several family sessions, and the most recent until today was our birth announcement in March.

A couple of weeks ago Jenna and I touched based on how we wanted to announce the gender of Baby Bee. I wanted balloons and to include something about Bee. The idea was brilliant, but I can't take full credit. Nope, this was a Pinterest find, but fit us and fit our family perfectly.

Somehow Jenna talked me (us) into waiting to find out the gender until we were out in front of the camera, so our true faces and happiness could be captured.

I (we) did it!!!!

How did we do it???

My friend Amanda is the most crafty person I know...and I take full advantage of her (wink, wink). Amanda put together two cards for me. One card said, "It's a Girl!" The other card said, "It's a Boy!" (the cards were adorable by the way, will post photos). The technicians needed to put the gender card in the envelope and seal it. Don't worry...Amanda knows me all to well, she put a liner in the envelope so I couldn't peek. The envelope was place in the glove box and we drove to the cities for our gender photo reveal session.

It was a LONG 2.5 + car ride... But believe it or not I still snuck in a 30 minute cat nap on the way up---only possible because I was up in the middle of the night filled with bursting excitement, numerous bathroom trips and anticipation.

When we got to Jenna's we handed her the envelope and we dumped her some 50 balloons and a giant box. Jenna filled the box and seal it. The with her near 3 year old and 8 month old, Doug and I and our 2.5 year ventured off to a beautiful location in Edin Prairie.

These images are just a peek at the before the reveal. (We don't know the gender yet).

Here is the surprise.....video from the reveal.

BOY!

We are so excited to welcome a BOY Miles Nelson in to our family. Boy or girl, didn't matter to us one bit. After our scare and near loss of baby Bee 7 weeks ago, to be where we are now is a miracle. Sometimes I feel as though we are hogging all the miracles at house. We are so blessed to have our sons Harrison and Miles.

Linked 52: Party

Oh how the ideas flowed for this week's post... cake, candles, ice cream, excitement, "It's My Party & I'll Cry If I Want Too," ribbon, balloons, streamers ---all of fun that goes into building a celebration.

I originally wanted to go with a pool party, but when I came home the other night, none of the neighborhood kids were around, so Harrison and improvised and brought the party inside. Instead of viewing pool side, you are viewing tub side.

Enjoy, another linked blast that included mopping the entire bathroom and wiping the mirrors. It got a little crazy, but totally worth it.

What else kind of partying is going on? Follow these links to the "Party."

Stacey, Michelle, Heather, Tracey, Jenn, Jessica, Amanda, Kristin, Sara, Tracy, Lesli, Janet, Naomi, Rhonda, Rose, Carla, Heidi, Veronica, Amy, Liza, Heather, Jean & Kristi

And there will certainly be more balloons and celebration next week as I turn another year older and we find out and reveal the gender of Baby Bee.

Have you voted yet for the gender? Scroll to the very bottom and cast your vote!

Professional Hair Cut #2

I'll start of by warning you this is another post with just words. I promise to upload some shots over the weekend of his new cool, real little boy hair cut/style.

Harrison's first hair cut didn't go well. I think it was back in November/December he got his first professional trim (I blogged about it, but can't find the link to attach). Saying it didn't go well is candy coating it. Since then I have been giving him "mom" hair cuts. I was pretty damaged from the event, I think even more so than Harrison.

I decided to give up the shears and hand them to a professional once again. Something had to have changed this kid in 6 months....right?

The start of his second hair cut was a repeat from beginning of his first. He moaned when he saw the stylist coming toward him. Mind this is after he agreed in the car he would be good and get his hair cut. I guess he changed his mind.

Thank goodness for train and car fruit snacks and M & Ms which I sincerely thank for helping calm him down and sit on my lap in the chair. His stuffed IKEA Beagle puppy watched nervously from the side lines.

After his left side was trimmed, a sense of calmness was felt and smooth sailing the rest of the cut went. We ended up covered in hair, because at no cost was he going to wear a cape. But in the end he thanked the stylist and came out an even more adorable spiked bondie that wasn't a "mom" hair cut.

Maybe next time he'll attempt the chair himself or at least the cape.

I am glad I have this little thing called a BLOG, it helps me remember all the BIG and little things in life, even a second professional hair cut.

Baby Names

A name, one of most important decisions you make in your child's life.

I have been thinking of baby names long before we knew were pregnant with Harrison and even longer before we found out we were expecting Bee. The list would grow, shrink, grow, shrink and hopeful names would crushed down by your significant other. If your a mother or expecting, you know this scenario all to well.

I am personally not a fan of "popular" names. "Popular" meaning the top 100 baby names. In 1984 when I was born my own name, "Amanda" was ranked number 4 out of 100 for popular baby names. No wonder growing up I would hear "Amanda" and turn around only to see that someone wasn't talking to me. In middle school and high school my best friend Amanda and I started going by our last names as our new first names. She became "Potter" and I became "Nelson." This continued through high school and in to college. Once Doug and I wedded I became Mrs. Kelley who I am known just as widely as I am known as Amanda. So I need to say no more, popular was definitely out naming Bee.

I am also not very traditional---keeping with family names, using relatives first names as middle names etc. Doug isn't either, so traditional kind of went to the side.

Unpopular. You got me now. In 2009 when we named Harrison his name ranked #242 for popularity. In 2011 ranked #197... Apparently I have a lot more followers of this blog than I thought with that popularity growing! Now quit stealing his name! On the bright side, the growth in popularity is spread out over almost 3 years...so we shouldn't have to worry about multiple Harrison's in his kindergarten class, so he can avoid his mom's dilemma. His middle name Emmett is even more unpopular ranking #332 in 2009 and ranked #222 in 2011.

Until now, Doug and I have kept quiet about names we have picked out for Bee. We decided on our boy name first about 2.5 months ago and our girl name about 2 months ago. Our boy middle name gave us a little more trouble, but FINALLY mutual agreement was met.

It's officially one week until we will know if we will be welcoming a baby boy or a baby girl into our family in November. We are so excited! At the ultra sound we are having the technician write the gender on a card and we are doing a family photo reveal session thanks to my good friend/photographer Jenna. I feel like a child waiting for Santa to arrive on Christmas Eve. Let the count down begin!

So with this said, we thought today would be a good day to share our Bee baby names. You can agree or disagree, doesn't matter to us...this is what we will be naming our baby boy or baby girl.

Boy: Miles Nelson
Girl: Violet Isabella

As much as we are not a traditionalist, Nelson was my maiden name...we really like how it went with Miles and there isn't a single thing I don't love about the name Violet Isabella.

Miles ranks #115 for US popularity in 2011
Violet ranks #101 for US popularity in 2011


Some other names we considered for first/middle:

Girl: Halle, Hadley, Nora, Brooklyn. Doug was insistent with the first name Ivy and a middle name Rose.
Boy: Grayson, Easton, Jude, Cade. Boys names came a little harder for us this time around again, but again was decided on first.

For the fun it, scroll down to the very bottom of the blog (it's a lot of scrolling) and vote on poll I set up---girl or boy. What do you think we are having?

Words can not express our happiness for either gender, we are so blessed to be on this road, bumpy as it maybe. There are so many people in this world that can't have children of their own and for God to have given us another opportunity to be parents again, we could never ask for more.

At the park

It's been WAY to long since we have had a Harrison and Mommy day. I've been on bed rest, with photo clients, surgery...Finally today came, a day of just me and this guy...

I had hoped to take a bunch of photos capping our excitement from today, but that fizzled...I was too busy being entertained by his giggles, humor, imagination and conversation.

I am so thankful for my four day work weeks...I look forward to these extra snuggles from Harrison and helping hands with house work. There is only 23 more of these days left until Harrison becomes a big brother and has to share his Fridays with Bee. I want him (and I) to soak up every single moment.

Here is another couple of shots from the day---I am loving the ketchup cheesy face.



Linked 52: Looking In

Mmmm... Cookies!

"Hurry up cookies, bake already!"

Another view from the inside...

Ending this post with crumbs...

More linking posts:

Stacey, Michelle, Heather, Tracey, Jenn, Jessica, Amanda, Kristin, Sara, Tracy, Lesli, Janet, Naomi, Rhonda, Rose, Carla, Heidi, Veronica, Amy, Liza, Heather, Jean & Kristi

Post-Opt

Today I had my follow up appointment with the doctor following surgery last week.

The appointment went well. The ultimate verdict via the doctor, "You should be outta the woods for any major complications from this surgery." I can continue walking as usual, but no lifting or hiking or anything else like that for another week. Doug and I are avid hikers, so we have wanted to do some hiking all spring, so I am excited for the first time in this pregnancy I won't have this restriction anymore. We bought our hiking pass last weekend, with the hope I would get the OK. Also with more exercise, I might have more endurance and not be so tired, my doctor agreed. So one more week and just maybe I won't be passed out on the couch at 6 PM. I also got the OK to go swimming in chlorinated water, but no rivers/lakes due to the incision/stitches and the risk of infection.

Overall the recovery process was fairly minimal. I spent the first two days in bed and the third day on the beach. I didn't have much pain after the first day of surgery. I suffered minimal complications, the more common ones such as light bleeding.

From a more medical stand point my blood pressure and Bees heart rate couldn't be any better. Crazy to say we will know Bees gender in less than two weeks, for some reason this suspense is driving me nuts! I can't remember being this off the wall about it with Harrison, but I am sure I was.We will be doing another fun photo session, this time for gender reveal, so it maybe a little longer until you know if we are having a boy/girl.

Thank you again to everyone who is showing support for Bee and our family. Certainly we still have a long road a head. With each piece of good news is like lifting a dark black cloud above us, soon sunshine will be beating down on us.

Have you checked out Bees latest bump update or Harrison's 30 month update? Scroll down, your in a treat for a bunch of cute photos.

Bee Report: Weeks 12-16

16 weeks is here!

size of baby: 12, weeks: plum, 13 weeks: peach, 14 weeks: lemon, 15 weeks: orange , 16 weeks: avocado. Hello second trimester! Baby is about 4.5 inches long and weighs about 3.5 oz. In the next few weeks Bee will double is size! This weeks bonus---baby Bee is starting to hear his/her first sounds thanks to tiny bones forming in the ears. Bee is also sprouting hair on his/her head eye brows and eye lashes.

cravings: Nothing crazy yet...I keep waiting, but I got nothing for you. The only thing is that Coke only tastes good in the morning. Yes, you can still have  a couple of Coke's a day, perfectly safe for mom and baby says every doctor/specialist I've seen.

what I love: The excitement of breaking the news to people who don't know we are expecting yet. And worth mentioning again...anytime you mention baby, Harrison smiles ear to ear.

what I am looking forward to the most: I would be lying if I didn't share the first thought that came to my mind when answering this question...I am looking forwarding to not being so scared. I am looking forward to a sense of calmness that I sure hope it finds me soon. I thought after the procedure last Friday I would find relief, but if anything I am more scared. I am scared of becoming connected to something we want and love so much and to have that taken away, I can not imagine. And it's totally obvious and clear we are already connected and are in love with Bee; so then why I am so scared? I have been avoided doing any shopping... (and that's not me). We are looking for a bassinet for the bedroom, found one I loved at a second hand store, I made 2 half hour trips to look at it again and decided not to buy it. I went back yesterday to purchase it and it had been sold. We also need a new baby monitor among a some other things, but I find it difficult to push myself to look. I am afraid I will by 37 weeks along and have not bought a single thing. I know we have time, but I am a planner. We had Harrison's nursery complete at 26 weeks.

worries: I worry about my job performance. I feel like I haven't been there for a couple of weeks, my mind is floating somewhere else. I worry about Bee, I worry about that I worry too much. I worry that I am not doing enough planning, I worry I have too much on my plate between work, photos, being a mom and a wife.

what's different this time around: Early movement. I felt Bee's first flutters at week 13. Those flutters feel more like a swimming gold fish now. I can't wait too feel strong regular kick, surely the best part of pregnancy.

symptoms: Bigger bras again this month. Yep, pretty certain if I didn't have this belly below this rack I could easily be up against those Victoria Secret Angel models. I am also a little more emotional, especially when it comes to Harrison's accomplishments. He has come so far.

maternity clothes: I have a few shirts, but most of my regular clothes still fit, but definitely more snug. I am excited to look some cute summer dresses, one specifically for our gender reveal photo session (in just a few weeks).

sleep: What's that? I haven't slept well in the past few weeks. I can sleep for as long as about 4-5 hours at a time max.

belly: Definitely growing! It's wider and softer than it was with Harrison's pregnancy. I never made an outty belly button with Harrison, but some days already it's showing it won't be long before Bee makes it certain that it will happen this pregnancy. I continue to use tons of cocoa butter, it helps against itching from skin stretching to accommodate Bee's growth.

movement: Yep, especially at night is when I feel those tiny kicks. I am usually glued to the lap top editing photos and then I feel those pokes. Bee is also active after I eat something he/she must really like.

boy/girl: My gut feeling is still a girl. Intelligender, the Chinese calender and Harrison say girl. Either boy or girl we will be over joyed! We find out two weeks from today!

milestones: Making it to the second trimester, it's been a bumpy road, but together Bee and I are a team and we have a whole team of support behind us.

comments from the general pubic: Your so small...Your going to have a beach ball. I had my first belly rub from a friend last week and she said, "whoa there really is bump there."

best moment of the month: Kicks, listening to Bee's tiny heart beat multiple times, the daily reminders from my i-Phone of pregnancy to dos. But best yet, the continued support from friends and family. I am always getting phone calls, texts, e-mails, and FB messages with supportive thoughts and prayers. This means the world to our family.


Now, the moment you have been waiting for...

I did a few shots in something with a little color, it makes my bump a little more, well bumpier.

 We even bought the "Bee Movie"

My favorite shot...told you he is so in love with Bee!

Are you still convinced there is no bump? Check out this comparison.

30 Months

30 months.

I know I posted this photo in my linked temptation post, but it's totally worth seeing again and perfect for this post.

At least 30 months isn't like turning 30... Not that 30 is a bad number, I am just not getting any older after I turn 29 next year.

Harrison is turning into a chatter box. No, your screen isn't broken and you are reading correctly. He's gaining confidence in talking and is able to attempt to repeat phrases and words that we say. Often he doesn't talk without prompts, but once prompted he can go, go go.

The other day he had his first, "I want to pick out what I am going to wear day." He went into his bedroom and pulled out his fleece Thomas the Train pajamas. Oh how I wanted to let him wear those pajamas, but fore casted for 80, fleece wouldn't cut it. After I put his pajamas back he threw himself on the floor in protest. He doesn't always like to be independent, so this burst of Independence was welcomed with open arms.

He does so many new things I wish I could post an entry everyday---trying to freeze everything in to my mind, especially with having a bad case of baby brain lately.

Since I don't have the time to post everyday, here are 30 things in the last 30 days all about 30 months.

1. Favorite animal: Elephant. He pretends to have the trunk and all.
2. FINALLY poops on the potty. He hasn't had a poop accident in more than two weeks. He is totally proud of himself.
3. Favorite foods: grapes, apples, cookies and fruit snacks
4. Using his plug less and less without our prompts
5. Likes to crawl around and pretend he is a dinosaur
6. More patience
7. Attempting to repeat everything you say
8. Will do practically anything for pretzels and fruit snacks
9. Daycare drop offs are no longer everyday melt downs
10. Same old, same old---still Mickey Mouse everything
11. Able to take off of his sandals with prompts
12. Giggles at television shows, sometimes it's more fun for me to watch him watch TV verses actually watching what is on.
13. Every time you ask him about Momma's baby he smiles and points to my belly. "Harrison boy or girl.?" "Girl," he says.
14. Favorite book: Currently Green Eggs & Ham followed my Curious George coming in second,
15. Gives Whitney Dog hugs unprompted and nice touches to the kitties. This is a huge relief for the animal members of the family.
16. Asked me to paint his toe nails the other night and I did. Purple.
17. Can count to 10 without assistance.
18. Struggles with identifying colors---a lot of green and purple everything,
19. Knows the morning routine well, if something changes he asks why.
20. Bed time has changed from 8:00 to 8:30 mainly because of it staying light so much longer, little hard tucking him into bed when the sun is shining.
21. Likes to shoot hoops in his basketball hoop and can actually make about half of his shots---huge improvement.
22. Obsessed with books---can sit still for 5 books or more.
23. Becoming more social...waves hi and bye rather than hiding.
24. Likes playing hide & seek
25. His Chore: Feeding Whitney Dog every evening
26. Does well when given choices
27. Gives the best kisses without having to beg him
28. Not scared of big storms/thunder lightening
29. Naps are getting shorter...about 2 hours (missed the 3 hr ones)
30. Sleeping in for Harrison is 6 am---we went backwards.

The beach

I wish I would have brought my big camera with... Shoulda, coulda, woulda---but it's a done deal.

Harrison and I took a trip to the beach last week. I even talked myself in to wearing a two piece suit. It wasn't my first choice, but I only own two piece suits so it was all or nothing. I braved it, even taking off my cover up. I am going to have to invest in a mom suit one of these days.

Harrison had a blast at the beach, so I need to post what few shots I got with instagram. And next time, yes the big camera will be lugged around. Lesson was learned.

This day was simply amazing---his giggles were contagious, he listen, played, splash laid out...I couldn't have asked for a more well behaved little boy, but then again I had water on my side, one of his greatest passions.

Enjoy a few peeks into what I experienced that day.

 Loving these splashes!

 Apparently rolling in the sand was a blast...It was an equal blast cleaning him off.

We are hoping to make it back to the beach Sunday.

Have a great memorial weekend!

The Procedure

I made it...well of coarse I did. I was going to post a fabulous photo of myself while my gown and cap, but come to find Doug isn't a instagram user and instead of saving the photos, he deleted them. Oh well, trust me, it wasn't too glamorous of a shot anyways.

Today was the procedure I dreaded...I dreaded it before I really knew if this was an option for us in preventing pre-term labor again.

I was checked in at 6:45 this morning. Since daycare doesn't open until 7...Harrison and daddy waited with me for a little bit until I needed to get hooked up and all that good stuff. I about lost it kissing Harrison good bye and he innocently ask, "Where momma going?" Doug arrived back to the hospital about 7:20. While waiting for Doug I got my gown on, which I usually wouldn't brag about, but honestly it was pretty awesome. The gown was called Bear Paws...it's hooked up to the wall and is filled with warm air. It was AMAZING. For someone who is always cold like I am....it was a little piece of heaven. Next the IV was started as the anesthesiologist came in and talked about the spinal I would be having. She also talked about giving me any drugs I might need to relax during the procedure, but saying baby would probably do better with the least amount of drugs. I didn't want/need any other drugs, I wanted to be alert and to know what was going on. By 7:30 Dr. Birdsall popped in and minutes later I was wheeled back to the OR.

In the OR I got some fancy compression boots on to help prevent blood clots. Next my spinal was started. I had a student start mine, so it took a little longer, but wasn't all that painful and I realize students need to learn, I was a student after all not all that long ago. It took about 10 to 15 minutes for the spinal to start working. I could still move my toes but that was about it.

Next, one important selection....Music. I learned my doctor isn't a country fan, but I am, so country is was. I made a couple of the nurses happy with that.

I needed to be hooked back up to heat because I started getting too cold of a body temp---yeah for more heat! I also had some O2 on, which is usually standard, especially if your pregnant. Next was more prep. I was completely numb by now, but it's one the most comfortable feeling in the world being spread Eagle with a room of 7-8 people, despite the fact I've already had a baby...still UNCOMFORTABLE. Enough said, you catch my drift.

I couldn't see a clock when the actual procedure started, but I think it was about 8:00. I felt nothing but a little pressure. The nurses and anesthesiologist were great throughout the procedure. The one nurse about halfway through the procedure asked me if I was a photographer because I looked familiar. Turns out I am friends with her sister in law who's little girl I have taken photos for. The anesthesiologist's husband just started getting into photography and it's driving her nuts with how many photos he's been taking. It was good taking a moment to take my mind off the procedure. The relief was short lived though, realizing where you are at the time. The scariest part of the procedure was the suctioning. Knowing your bleeding and pregnant is terrifying, no matter if it's expected or not.

The bleeding was brief and the doctor said once the sutures were tied off it stopped. I ended up getting two stitches. One stitch is higher in the cervix and there is another just below that. In a way it's double coverage. The procedure itself went well and ended at 8:24 am. Baby Bees heart rate was checked (and good in the 140s). I was wheeled back to recovery and hooked up to more heat. I was actually shaking without the heat from the OR to recovery, my hands a purple/blue. If anyone has had surgery before...ORs feel like you are being put on ice.

Doug was called back into see me at about 8:45. The doctor came back into see us. The procedure went as expected and he didn't anticipate I would have any complications. The cervix was still closed (which is only good news). I got a prescription for Tylenol #3 with codeine if I needed it. I will follow back up with the doctor Thursday. Until then no running, jumping, lifting, etc and for these next few days I need to limit activity.

The nurse came back in and said I need to stay in recovery until I could walk and pee again. Yep I give you all the details! I started to feel my legs well about a half hour into recovery, but feeling my hips and anything else--I was numbed out. I laid down and relaxed until about 10:30. I then was able to try standing and walking to the bathroom. The nurse asked me if I was dizzy or felt sick to my stomach. I lied and said no. I felt both, but I wanted outta there. I walked back to the room (with help) and baby Bees heart rate was checked again (all was well). After having my blood pressure checked and IV removed I was allow to get out of my heated gown. I got dressed, baby Bee was check a third and final time and we went over discharge papers. Doug pulled up the car and I had to be wheeled out (standard procedure) in a wheelchair to the car. I was still numb in my hips and honestly I couldn't tell if I was sitting or not...yep that numb. I was discharged at 11 am.

Perkins. The night before was Pizza Hut Cheesy bites for my last meal (no food after midnight the night before surgery). So by 11 I thought I would be starving, but turns out the spinal made me a little less hungry, but I figured maybe eating something would make me feel better. We stopped and dropped off my prescription on the way to Perkins for breakfast. I finally settled on potato pancakes as an important decision.

I forgot to mention I had a terrible headache. Turns out I found out a headache can be common after a spinal because the needle rubs up against your back bone. I ended up taking  Tylenol #3 when we got home and napped for 4 hrs. I can't say I felt like a million bucks waking up. No, actually I felt like I was hung over...probably a combination of the Tylenol and Spinal---which can last up to 8 hrs. The best part of waking up is that I had feeling in my hips again. Getting home this afternoon before the nap, I needed Doug to walk behind me getting up the stairs to our bedroom because my legs felt so heavy trying to take each step.

I sat outside and watched Harrison play for a little while tonight, but have been in bed since. I still don't feel 100% like me...I've watch a marathon of "I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant." I'm changing it up this evening. Doug picked up the "Vow," I have dying to see that movie!

As far as pain and bleeding...I don't have much. The doctor didn't anticipate much of either. The more my body gets used to the stitches the less cramping and burning I will have----just more of a waiting game now.

My husband has been amazing as always and thank you to my friends and family for all your support. Baby Bee has an amazing team behind him/her. Next week I get to show off my 16 week bump :)

Thank you, thank you for your support!

Linked 52: Temptation

Oh how I thought I would struggle on this week's theme, but a certain little boy made sure that wouldn't happen (well this week anyways).

I took Harrison to the beach for the first time of the year this last week. He loved it, absolutely loved it. I wish I would have lugged my giant camera around to catch all of his giggles and splashes.

I also had a busy week in the photography world, photographing three, 3 year olds last week. After photographing those kids... I thought to myself, "Why can't I photograph my own kid?" "I mean seriously what am I doing wrong?" After more than two months of not trying a single session, I was tempted to try again on Tuesday evening.

The session started out for linked 52: wanting to capture some temptation shots, because honestly after all these months of hiding from the camera I had practically given up on getting any framable photos.

Harrison loves water...I mean LOVES water! He loves to splash in it, throw rocks in it and worst of all he likes to drink any water (clean or not, yes I know it's gross). I gave him the choice between the water and bridge or the water and the sand, he chose the bridge. On our way to the water and the bridge I asked him, "Are you going to let Momma take your picture?" Silence.... Well I didn't know what to make of this because when I usually ask him that question his whines and says, "no." So, I guess silence was a OK thing?

Finally...we made it to the bridge. Are you still with me? I am awful wordy and I would apologize, but that's me. OK the bridge and water.


 This is a 2.5 year old's temptation...



To jump or not to jump...

He had a blast and a peek into his side smiles are probably some of my favorite photos of him. I can't believe how much he has changed, grown up to be such a handsome little man.


Unprompted he decided to get a little closer look at the water. He was dying to jump in... So I needed a diversion.

What parent is not tempted to bribe their children? I am firm believer in that when it comes to photos. If he would smile for Mommy we could go get Zesto Iceream....


Here we go...

Apparently it worked like a charm. Thank you Zesto twist cone.

The temptation for photos, the temptation of water and the temptation of bribery.


Do you need more temptation? Check out these other posts!

Stacey, Michelle, Heather, Tracey, Jenn, Jessica, Amanda, Kristin, Sara, Tracy, Lesli, Janet, Naomi, Rhonda, Rose, Carla, Heidi, Veronica, Amy, Liza, Heather, Jean & Kristi