New Blog

I know, I know. How many blogs do I have to have? This one is strictly for the baby and any baby specific news. I started this one so my co-workers can see what's going on while I'm on leave over the summer. This blog is supposed to be for family and close friends, however, here is the address for the baby blog:

http://members.babiesonline.com/home/slaterfamily/

Please feel free to check on it. There probably won't be a whole lot posted until after the baby is born (and once I get some time to work on it!). There is a place for pictures, movies, milestones and a guestbook. Have fun keeping up with the new blog!

Appointment

We went to the doctor today. Everything is fine and the heartbeat was 150. Last night the baby kicked so hard it moved the laptop! Jason's mom said that Jason used to kick really hard too. It's already taking after him! We go back again in two weeks.

Getting Closer

The baby's room is starting to shape up. We've gotten most of the stuff that doesn't need to be in there out. The clothes and bedding are all put away. We still need to put together the crib and changing table. Jason did get the bassinet put together today. It's a step.

We've also been dealing with a lot of people who are sick at work. I was the only full-time person in the dish room for most of the week. There was one point that I was the only person in the dish room because the students were sick. Strep throat is going around CyRide. We've been lucky enough to not catch anything. We've been trying to get enough sleep. I've been having some trouble with not sleeping well, but it's all worth it.

We have about two months left to go, but plenty to do to get ready. I've started making a list of food to try to freeze so we won't have to cook quite as much.

Our Spring Break

Last night, Jason and I had our last childbirth education class. We learned about the different medications and got to see a tour of the labor rooms. I'm not sure if we're prepared, but we're as ready as we're going to be.

We also saw the doctor today. Everything is going well and the baby's heartbeat was 144. We go back again on the 30th. The baby is moving up a storm most days. Jason has only felt it kick once, but he keeps trying. He thinks the baby is shy with him around. I'm still having back pain, but with physical therapy, it seems to be getting better.

We are getting a little of the baby's room done. I've sorted through most of our stuff to get an idea if we need anything else and to start putting the room in a little semblance of order. Here are some pictures of the room before we really started making an effort to get it in order:




As you can see, we have our work cut out for us!

Shower

It was quite a busy weekend. I had Friday off and spent most of the afternoon running errands which included renewing my driver's license. I did a little work around the house, but not too much.

Saturday I picked up Grandma Peterson and we headed off to eastern Iowa to go to my baby shower. We had a lot of fun and received many gifts that we greatly appreciate! It was great to see everyone who showed up. After the shower, Grandma went with Ann to her house and I went to Mom and Dad's. We got pizza and spent the night talking.

I went to church with Mom and Dad on Sunday. Afterwards, I headed to Olin to go to Audrey's first birthday party. I didn't get to stay for very long. I had a carload of stuff that we needed to get unpacked. Jason and I got it all in the house and went out to supper with some friends.

Jason did get some work done on the baby room. Our friends Adam and Tabitha came up to keep Jason company. We both have this weekend off again, so hopefully we'll be able to get a lot more done on the room.

Thank you again to all who attended the shower and for all the wonderful gifts we received!

Busy Days

We had our second childbirth class tonight. We went through the different stages of labor and some breathing techniques. We did practice some of the breathing. It is also snowing....again. The rumor was 4 to 8 inches overnight. I'm hoping that most of it will melt than stick.

This weekend we went to Olin to help Jason's parents celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary. We sang at church as a family and had lunch together. Jason and I spent some time playing with Ethan and Audrey. Jennifer gave us her bassinet for the baby. We saw a lot of Jason's family and had a good time.

This weekend, I travel to eastern Iowa for a baby shower. Weather depending, Jason is staying home to work on the baby room. Hopefully he can get the crib and changing table put together.

Doctor Appointment

We went to the doctor again today. I had the glucose test (tasted like Sprite syrup) which they also tested for if there were antibodies against the baby and if I was anemic. The tests came back normal (yay!)and the heartbeat was 134. I also talked to the doctor about my back pain and she recommended I go to physical therapy. They were able to get me in today and the therapist recommended to get a different belly band, stop using stairs, twist my whole body and not my torso, keep walking - especially in a pool. I have a few exercises I'm supposed to do, along with the ones from our childbirth class. They are not worried about pre-eclampsia at this point either. My blood pressure was good.

We are still working on moving stuff around the house. I've taken some stuff upstairs to start making space for baby stuff. Nothing too heavy though. Hopefully Jason and I will be able to start spending more time on it in the next week or so.

Class

Tonight was our first night of childbirth education class. We talked about the differences between false labor and true labor, when to go to the hospital and different relaxation techniques. We did some of the relaxation techniques and also went over some massaging methods. The instructor said our homework was to practice these techniques as well as some stretching exercises. We watched a video of some relaxation techniques a couple used during birth. We have two more sessions for this class, then in April we are taking a parenting class.