RSV

Gage has RSV. Thankfully he is getting better, for a few days there he would hardly eat. I am grateful for doctors, that Gage didn't have to be hospitalized, for the suction clinic, for nebulizers... I am looking forward to both my kids being completely well- Avi still has a runny nose and a cough.
The other day I was stretching my legs as I was laying in the bed next to Gage. I had put my legs up in the air and was rolling my ankles when I looked over and saw a huge grin on Gage's face. I moved my feet around- he loved it! Today I counted to five with my fingers, and when I reached five I would tickle Gage and Avi as they were lying next to each other. Gage was so cute- he would laugh when I was counting!
Waiting for Gunnar to get home. It is funny but I have a mixture of feelings. I am very excited to have him home, but I am also fighting that internal habit I have formed to convince myself I don't really want him home. I am finding out that it was probably not the best tactic to consoling myself in his absence...

Gage is Three Months Old!

Gage is measuring about 15 pounds!! He is a sweet patient baby. If you put your finger along the base of his toes, he will curl his toes around it- it is so cute! He has been sick lately- no fun!

Avi's climb

Avi learned to climb out of the pack n' play today... I can't believe it, she just pulls herself up and over... comes and knocks on the door to be let out, so she didn't have a nap. I tried to get her to sleep on the couch and in bed with me, no luck, finally tonight, I pulled down the mattress to the twin bed in her room onto to the floor. I wonder if she is sleeping on it...

Back to Idaho for minute

We are back up to Idaho. Gage holds himself up on his forearms very well when he does tummy time. He is over three months old! I can't believe how time is passing. Gage is a social little guy, he will smile if you just give him attention- poor guy needs all he can get, with a princess older sister. Avi likes to tickle him, say hi, give monster hugs, kiss him, and point out his cheeks, nose, and especially his eyes. She will sing to him with me.
We have all been sick since Thursday. Avi has been the worse off, poor kid. I have been thankful for Liz to help at night, when Gage is crying, she will take Avi so I can take care him, and she even lets me sleep in the mornings when I am up with Avi!
We are all getting better, the weather has been lovely, maybe a bit hot, but it has been so nice to go outside. We played with bubbles, went on the swings, jumped a bit in puddles from the irrigation.
I took some three months pictures of Gage today- I will have to post them some day... my camera is broken, so I borrowed Micheal's, Gunnar's dad. I missed mine, but I was happy to take some pictures.
I have been trying recipes from ourbestbites.com- oh my word! I love them! I have yet to find a recipe i do not love. Their seven layer Greek dip- great party hit, the Thai chicken noodle salad- I could eat every day! we just had the beans and rice with apple salsa- yum, Brazilian limeades- fun summer drink, their stir fry was nice... I can't wait to keep trying their recipes!
I found a really fantastic Indian Shepards pie in my Kiwi magazine, and yummy breakfast cookie in the Parents magazine- Yes, my life consists, of kids, cleaning, and cooking right now...
I did just finish the last book of Fablehaven- finally finished. It is a fun series.
I have loved the exercise classes available at the church in Utah. It is so nice to get out, make friends, have Avi play with other kids, and I have even been feeling stronger!
I was able to go over to girl's house- I had known in high school. It turns out her husband is in the military and she has a friend, who is pregnant, has an 18 month old and her husband just got to Afghanistan- sounds familiar! Her friend came over and we all cried a little. It was nice to be able to talk to others that know what you are going through.

may

Avi can now say "strawberry" . It is so sweet. She says diaper-"diapo". When I am putting her down at night, she says, "seat, seat, seat." so I will sit down with her as I prayer and sing with to her. She is getting better at folding her arms and saying "amen."
Today we went to get pupusas with Jennica, it was Jenn's first time. Avi loved the Loroco?(the little flower) kind. She loves cheese! I have been giving it to her a little bit each day, and have not seen a difference in her bowels, so hopefully she'll be okay...
Gage is 13 lbs 12 oz, 23 inches- he had his two month appointment a little late (last week) and since he was a premie a nurse came to check on him today. He is doing well :). He is beginning to laugh, yesterday, I got him to really laugh- it was soooo cute!! He loves it when I say "hi".
Emily got married on Saturday. The ceremony was lovely, Avi and Gage looked adorable dressed up. I am hoping the days settle down soon...
Right now the truck is in the shop, I got hit in the parking lot, while we were in the building, no note left...

Avi fun!!

Some General conference fun with cousins and Uncle Anders

The other day I was changing Gage. He had pooped out, so he got stripped down. Avi decided it a great time to attack, so she gets up on the bed and gives him a big hug as I turn to grab another new diaper (he has a knack of pooping onto the diaper I plan to change him into.) I rescued him from his loving sister, but then I think he was so startled by the strangling hug, he wet the bed. Avi said, "uh-oh..towel, towel, towel..." and ran over to the night stand to get a tissue, and ran back to wipe up where Gage had wet with the tissue.
Avi climbed Grandpa's eight-foot ladder the other day, as well as today. She loves to climb. One good thing from the climb up Grandpa's ladder, she was willing to learn to climb down, I have been struggling to teach her how to climb down in on the ladder in the play house.
Avi loves to go see the fish in Grandma and Grandpa's green house. She does the cutest fishy lips- she has started even being able to suck in her cheeks a bit.
She calls the cats her babies and kisses them- to my distress... what is a mom to do??
She loves to pick up rocks around the yard, or drive way, scatter them, or put them down her shirt. She is becoming somewhat a dare devill on the swings. She likes to lean back, the other day she learned to flip off, the first time she landed gently, the second time, not so much, so I hope that deters her till she is a little bit bigger.
Avi made her first piece of toast this week, she even buttered it. She helped me make pancakes about two weeks ago, grabbed the dry ingredients to sample- her face was covered in flour. This week she helped me make banana bread. She really enjoyed smashing the bananas- not all of the bananas made it into the bread, and she also liked stirring. And eating the mini muffins we made with the left over batter.
I have been reading FableHaven I highly recomend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy- as the back of some the books say- right up there with Harry Potter :).
We went to all three hours of church on Sunday. The first time for me in... about six months. Gage did so well- it was his first time going to church. I nursed him during Sunday school, but other than that he hardly stirred- though he sweetly cooed through Relief Society. I had a sister or two come up after to say they enjoyed hearing his sweet baby noises.

Avi does so well in nursery. It was my first time taking her to it. It was hard for me, but she is a pro by now. What a cutie!

goodnight kiss

Last night, after family prayer, Grandpa asked Avi for a goodnight kiss. Avi then proceeded to kiss everyone else goodnight, several times, finally turning to Grandpa and said, "bye bye!", with a cute little wave.
What a character! She did end up giving him a goodnight kiss.

Idaho

ha ha ha.. I am getting really bad at writing.. We are living with Gunnar's family right now. I feel it is similar to living at my mom's because everyone is gone during the day.
Avi loves to "jump"- she says 'jump' and tries to get off the ground. She has located grandma's and grandpa's shoes under their bed and loves to sneak them out. She also, so my shock enjoys going into their bathroom to go into the shower- shocking because she does not like showers. The other day she had very unpleasant one because she opened the lavender oil while I was changing her diaper and dropped some into her eye- poor kid!
Gage is getting so big! I am finding it more of a challenge to hold him as I nurse. I got on the scale with him the other day, and with clothes/diaper on he is eleven pounds!! What a man!
Sleep has ever been an adventure. The other night Avi was up from 11 pm to about what was it 4 am?? I don't know, but I would get her to settle, then I would hear Gage and go to take care of him, and there would go Avi, finally thankfully Teresja was visiting, and she came up to help out with Gage as I was with Avi. We were all so tired- the next day I found two new teeth coming in.
Avi loves to swing. She'll swing around twenty minutes. Avi has really enjoyed playing with her cousin Lilly- when she is around. Avi has the cutest garbally tongued way of saying Lilly. She is liking to find drinks in odd places- the water in the bowl from rinsing the grapes, or the water in the dishwasher after it has been run, or on the swing after it has rained- right next to the bird poop- is has been an adventure to keep her safe. She also picked up a little bit of poo out of the dirt filled wheel barrow out front... She has become familiar with the "choo choo's" that pass rather often, and enjoys seeing the horses at the neighbor's.
Gage is becoming a bit particular- he usually starts to complain when I turn out the lights- he also likes to sleep with me, but mostly he is very chill and rarely cries.
I am reading the Fable Haven series. It is fun to be reading. I also have recently finished Change Your Questions, Change Your Life by Sis. Nelson. I really enjoyed and would love to work through it some more. It has some great tips and ideas.
We went to Pocatello today to look for outfits to wear to Emily's wedding. We were able to find a sweet dress for Avi, but no luck for Gage or me. Avi loved the play ground at the mall. She was quite the climber up 'the mountain' that was steps on one side and slide down the others. She really does enjoy being out. Grandma took her on one those mechanical vehicles that move when you put a quarter in. Avi really liked being in it, till it turned on :). She jumped out into Grandma's arms- and a little girl that was in the area hoped on to enjoy the ride.
I am getting anxious for Gunnar's return, maybe it is not a good thing it is getting closer... ha ha ha, but I am trying to stay relaxed it is still months off...

My little ones

one month old cutest bumble bee

Today was one of those days Gage just mostly slept in his crib. I think he might being going through a growth spurt, because he has slept most of the last two days, and he had just started being up more. I miss my little man, but when I would go to get him to hold him, he would be sleeping so peacefully- so I just let him be.
We went to the pediatrician on Tuesday. Gage weighed in a whopping 8 pounds 12 ounces and had grown an inch so he is 19.5". I am very proud of my growing boy. Avi has a latex sensitivity- really I am amazed at all the allergies this little girl has! I put a band-aid on her last week and she still is red from where it was, I have been putting hydrocortisone cream on and waiting for it to improve. Still working through reoccurring diaper rash and dia a few times a week... she got her blood drawn to test for celiacs on Wednesday- I think I was more traumatized... she got to have a whole sucker after. Poor girl is a little bruised. I thought I would handle it better after watching Gage go through all his IV's but no, I wanted to cry with her.
 Avi loves non-dairy quiche- ya for something that she will eat and contains vegetables. I really enjoyed the french onion soup I made- I promised myself I would learn to make it on our honeymoon (we had it in Epcot) and finally I have made it!
Avi and I have been loving the sunshine. We have gone out the last couple of days to kick  and throw the ball, go down the slide, look at the flowers, hid and seek around the trees, learn to pretend to be an airplane or a bird, chase the cat, look at the flowers, and try to be gentle with them... When Avi hears the birds she says, "tweet, tweet, tweet" and signs 'bird'- though she signs it backwards. She has also recently learned to sign "grandma" and 'beautiful"- she says "pretty pretty" for beautiful.
Gage is a spitter- poor boy it is even through his nose! thankfully is usually not in huge volumes and not projectile, but it is often. We do lots of laundry.
I have learned some things-
-You never know how much a mess cotton balls can be till they get in the hands of your 19 month old.
-My worst postpartum hits about one month in- the exhaustion from the last month culminates, and I get down, and wonder why in the world am I allowed to have children.
-How fussy the oldest child can become in the adjusting time
-cat food can be thought tasty by a toddler
-straws can entertain for a good 20 min.
-relearned, I love the crock pot
-how exhausting it can be to go out with two children- we went in to get Gage put into DEERS for insurance, and took Avi to get her blood drawn the same day- I thought I was going to die after, it took a day and half to recover... may I plead I was on bed rest for 3.5 months??
-How much love you can have for two children!!
-How to make home made baby wipes (shorter cut paper towels are a must!)
-How messy rice can be- and that plain uncooked rice A. can be found delicious by toddler B. will go straight through
-You can never set your heart on going to bed when you plan- it usually ends up two hours later, and count on a crazy middle of the night.

-try to go bed by 8 pm ('try' is the key word), it is a life saver, and I love that I can give Gage 'tummy time' as he lies on me and I take a nap while he and Avi sleep.
-How reasonable it seems to fly over to Afghanistan to swap Gunnar jobs- I have tons of pumped milk in freezer...

Pictures

So today is Gage's due date, so in honor the day I decided to put pictures on the blog.
This morning Gage wanted to feed more often and be held. I am wondering if he starting a growth spurt. He was more settled in the afternoon. He got a bath today- he is soo cute all bundled in his towel! When he was cold as I was getting him dressed he cried a little- he has saddest sounding cry. He is such a sweet baby. I hardly cries, some days go by without hearing him cry. He looks so much like his dad. I have notice his nose is growing to look more like his dad's, he has the tiniest bit of cleft to his chin like his dad... and he is a sweet heart- just like his dad.

Avi looks so funny in this picture- but the others Gunnar looked strange so I chose poor Avi to suffer... Gunnar got in about 10 pm on Feb 6. We took some family photos and talked, went to bed around midnight, and to the hospital around 2- I had started labor about 1:30 am ish.

I made it so the doctor I did want to deliver was off, and my doctor was in the office! I was glad to have a 'longer' labor. My contractions were never really regular, but I progressed and obviously gave birth. They did break my water and a few hours after that I delivered. I felt excited and mostly comfortable with the epidural, but about and hour or so of transitional labor- I was nauseated- I threw up a bit, even after the anti-nauseous medication, and felt faint. When the pushing contractions his, Gunnar and I sang the chorus to the song "under pressure". I pushed for about five minutes- I felt like giving up before the last push it really felt like he wasn't going to come out! He did have the cord around his neck once- loosely.

Our handsome little Gage Delivered Feb 7- 10:42 am, 6 lbs 10 oz, 18.5". I was so glad he came out crying. I was afraid since he was 36 weeks, he would have serious lung problems. The briefly put him on my stomach to clean him off, then whisked him to the respiratory team to checked out. They took him down to the nursery because he would stop breathing every couple of breaths. I so missed having him with me. I had to wait an hour to go see him.

 

Gunnar went down to the nursery with Gage and took this picture, came back up to the room to show me- my heart dropped to see him. Standard procedure is to do C-pap for about an hour to see how they do after that- then they gave surfactant then...

They put him on the ventilator to be ready to transport to the NICU.

Saying good bye. Thankfully the doctor discharged me quickly. Gage left in the afternoon, and I was discharged around 6 pm- though I got off a bit later because I had a panic/anxiety attack... it was a crazy day with no sleep....

Gage at the NICU. When we got there that night it felt so good to be there. I really believe there is a special spirit there. The nurses and doctors are so well trained. I felt relieved to have my baby in good care. We slept in recliners at Gage's bed side. He was so exhausted he 'rode the ventilator' (he would stop breathing and let the machines breath for him) much through the night.

Sonja brought beautiful tulips to celebrate Gage's birth. Avi was so cute smelling them.

A few days later we got to hold him! We had to be very careful- he had an umbilical arterial line in.

Avi and Daren- a year apart and almost the same size!

Gage in Dad's arms.

  

Hearing test.

Getting ready to go home! Sunday, 12 days after being born. He flew through his care and learning to nurse.

Night before Gunnar left- Tuesday.

Avi's tantrum- I think they are hilarious- she lies down on her stomach and kicks her legs.

Avi always wants to hold Gage.

Hi

I have not written for a while... someday I might fill in what I have written down in a notebook.
Today- I ventured to make my first dinner in three weeks... It was a simple Pad Thai. I thought it was tasty- though it needed more sauce, bean sprouts, and some meat, but Avi ate some- so can I really complain? I plan on making it again.
Mom and I also make an avocado shake- yum yum! I got on at the Banana Leaf in Provo, and have been wanting one ever since, I tried making one for Avi last week (she had liked the one at the restaurant)  but she just dumped it, I think I will try again. They are so good.
Avi followed the cat around with her water bowl today, then she got into the cat food- she had done this the other day- trying to feed the cat- picking some up and trying to have the cat eat it out her hand- well, today she went to the next level.. she tried it.. and said- "yum yum yumm"- uh oh! not what a mother wants to hear.
Gage is turning into a cuddle bug. I have been wrapping him to me, and he drifts off to sleep every time. He is spitter- not in huge volume, but it quite a bit- so between him and Avi's messes we produce  a lot of laundry.

Gunnar's traveling

My sweet little Avi in the last week has started to pronounce words more clearly- "baby", "shoes", "tutu","book" -"thank you" is getting better- "bye" has always been pretty clear. The last two or three mornings she has woken up and gets up and points to where her books are and says "books". It is rather adorable, so we start the day with reading a book.
Yesterday I read that Gunnar had left me a message on Facebook that he was trying get on a plane to come home the day before. I was so excited! I got a call this morning from him to find out he had spent the last two days waiting in a terminal waiting for the weather to clear to get out. I was so sad today- two days I had thought he was getting closer. I just want him here so badly for when this little boy comes. Every backache I am scared is a contraction. I have had intestinal issues today- miserable especially when pregnant, and scared perhaps the pains mean more. I am so tired of being down, feeling selfish for wanting to be up, wanting Gunnar to be here for the delivery, wanting to take care of myself and Avi, get things ready for the baby, hoping baby will be okay when he gets here- I am 36 weeks today-, wondering how to have Avi not do the things she knows she is not suppose to do (she says "no, no" and does them...), and in the meanwhile I am lying on the couch- but 36 I should be off- but I want to make to 37 just in case, and I don't want to have Gunnar miss this- But I so planned on being off at 36 I feel like going crazy! Guilty to be staying down- because I have to have help, but feeling guilty to want to be up, because it could be detrimental to the baby.
Checked facebook again- Gunnar is on his way! few more days he'll be in the States- not sure when he'll be home- hopefully soon!

OB 35 weeks

My 35 week OB visit- up to 139 now and 4 cm dilated same effacement. Even with moderate bed rest, I am up another cm- the doctor said it was a definite 4, no stretching to get there. She said if I have any contractions, even if they are irregular to go into labor and delivery. She hopes I can make it to 37 weeks, let alone to my visit next week.  I told her last time I was at a four and the next week I was about a 6- she said a six when you just went to your OB visit?? I responded yes, she says if I am there next week, she'll probably admit me the hospital. Hoping this little guy will stay in- A. because he is a boy, and boys especially need all the womb time they can get, B. I really want Gunnar to be here.
He called on my way home from the visit- it was cute because he said he had been waiting for it to be time to call me- I had let him know when my visit was going to be. He is going to talk to his command and make his way out here. He said the travel plans he had right now, it takes 4-5 days to travel out here (getting him here the 14 or 15th) I just hope he gets here in time, but I am hoping he can get on a plane in a day or two, and get here faster... Thinking this little guy is going to be here next week... I am afraid, things are not going to be very well prepared for him. Just hoping he'll be okay.
I was commenting on my dysfunctional body- and Gunnar responded that I did not have one- I said- three and half months months bed rest! It may not be as dysfunctional as others, but it is dysfunctional.
Three days in a row- Avi has not been wetting her pants as much- usually only two or three barely wet diapers with two poopy ones for the day- okay big poop out today, but the last two days have been more solid. She is not stellar at drinking, but she takes sips through out the day, I always try to have a water cup around, and she does drink...

Some names and NST

We were able to skype with Gunnar for over an hour yesterday, but I don't quite know how much of that time was actually spent skyping, because we kept loosing connection, but Gunnar read through names and suggested some

• Bastion, Damitrios, Gavin, Gideon, Olin, Micah, Paxton, and Horatio
• He was also thinking of middle names, Maddox, and Dale, to connect him to his mother's line
  
  Though I was able to see Gunnar, I was extremely depressed yesterday. Mom was so sweet when she came home, I was in my room, she came in and asked if there was anything she could do. She took out my trash and she and Em took Avi shopping. It was just what I needed- some time to just be depressed, I was feeling better after a while just lying there.
  Today I had a non-stress test. I had come contractions, which I was feeling, but they were irregular and not too bad, so they sent me home, and said to watch for if they got bigger and and regular. I had them for a few more hours, but thankfully they stopped. I am curious to see if I dilated...
  Avi made friends with the sister that came to help out today. At first Avi cried and cried to have a stranger here again, but then she had some lunch and the sister gave her cheerios, and after that, best buds. I had to leave to my appointment before Avi went down for her nap. It was hard for me to leave her in a 'stranger's' hands, but the sister said she went down well! The sister was able to stay for when she woke up- and Avi was happy to have her get her out of bed and to show the sister how she can dance, a little.

Avi's Schedule

So realizing the baby might come soon, and there is a possibility that a family member would not be able to take Avi when I go to the hospital I wrote up her schedule...

Avi dressed for the outdoors, for some reason, she believes the strap for her hat belongs in her mouth...

 
Avi's Schedule

Avi is Lactose Intolerant- DO NOT give her regular milk or cheese!!! (yogurt is okay)

Somewhere from 7:30- 8:30  she wakes up
Diaper change
short morning prayer
Breakfast-
mix granola with 1/4-1/2 banana, whole Lactase milk and heat in glass bowl (in large cupboard by sink)  for 1 min 30 secs- pull out, stir, move to little plastic bowl.- make sure cereal has cooled properly.
There should be a sippy cup with milk in the fridge, if not offer water sippy cup.
*can mix in yogurt, berries, &/or cheerios (located above the cupboards, to the left of the stove) into granola mix
**Bibs and Paper towels are on the counter by the fridge, wet towel with warm water, and good luck getting her cleaned off :)
***clean high chair tray so it will be ready for later
**** I like to read her a few verses of scripture while she eats
***** She will sometimes fold her arms for a second to say a prayer for a meal, but it does not last, just say it :).

Her toothbrush should be on the bathroom counter, it is blue and white with a suction bottom. Her tooth paste is in a travel toothpaste container- Kid's Crest- use small amount, she does not know how to spit yet. She likes to brush her own teeth, but hates to have hers brushes, just let her do her own.

first door on the left up stairs, is our room. Just in side is a three drawer tupperware container that has her clothes. Top drawer= Tops, middle drawer= pants, bottom drawer= socks, etc.

10:30 or 11 Snack- Choose one-
-some orange slices (peeled & cut in half)
-piece of wheat bread with peanut butter (use creamy peanut butter)
-yogurt (the YOBABY green containers) *I like to add rice cereal to thicken- put half  of yogurt in a plastic add abt 2 TBLSP and mix
-baby meat sticks ( give her one at a time)
-banana *can have it with peanut butter
-humus with chips
-apple cut and peeled, softened in microwave 30 sec-1 min
-applesauce *I like to add rice cereal to this as well

12:30 Lunch
-She LOVES eggs- we usually do a little omelet- finely chopped veggies (no tomatoes), with two eggs *do not mix in regular milk or cheese.
-If there is left over pasta and sauce
-there are sweet potato fries in the freezer *they do not take the recommended 20 mins
- lunch meat (heat for about 30 sec in microwave and cut up) and a grain and fruit
-any snack ideas

1:00 Nap
make sure she has a clean diaper
with lights out, sing her two songs, put her in her bed
* she will not let you put a blanket over her usually, and she will cry. Leave the room, close the door and be quiet. She will settle down.
** if she stirs before 2:30 don't get her unless she cries for more than 5 minutes

2:30-3:30 Wake up
-change diaper
-offer small snack

5:30 Dinner
- make some ham fried rice (add ham and rice to the omelet)
- any of the above snack or meal ideas, if she has not had yogurt and supplements yet- then add pro-biotic capsule (Culturelle in box) to tsp of yogurt, feed it to her, then rest of container, 1 DROP flouride, 1 ml vitamins

6:30 Bed time
- brush teeth, I have to pin her down... *I have found the trick! I let her brush my teeth while I brush hers, we also use a flosser to floss her teeth, since they are rather tight esp. on the bottom.
- diaper change
- pajamas are in the three tupperware container in the closet, bottom drawer
- read 2-3 books
- say a prayer
- tell short scripture story
- turn out lights, sing 2-3 songs, put into bed *she will cry, leave, close the door, turn off lights up stairs, be quiet, she will settle down.

*we try to keep a sippy cup of water available for her at all times
** I do not give her sugar- so no fruit snacks, syrup, and all other obvious sugary treats
***If weather permitting, she LOVES to go outside. Her coat is in the coat closet- it is a dark pink with hearts, her boots (which are black) are also in there, or she has pink and white sneakers. There are hats in the red basket by the love seat. You will have a hard time getting her coat and hat off when you come back in. Mittens if not in coat pockets are dirty- use a pair of socks to cover her hands.
****Of course check diaper more than indicated on schedule :)

Aaahhh pregnancy

Non-stress today- the baby didn't have a heart acceleration as high as they would like, but the doctor reviewed it, and said it was okay. Cord still around the neck.
So TMI- yesterday I had an increase in discharge and it seemed really watery. I forgot to tell the doctor about it, so when I called to reschedule an appointment, I left  a message, just in case. The nurse called me today and said, either I peed without knowing it- thank you pregnancy- or my amniotic fluid is leaking and after 24 hours my baby is at risk for infection. I have been nervously smelling my pants trying to figure out if it is pee or not... but I have not discharged like I did yesterday, so I think it is okay. Probably just pregnancy discharge fun.
I asked the nurse what my effacement was- 80%. Wow. Thankfully Gunnar called today and I asked him how quickly he could get home. I am guessing if bed rest does the trick to get us through this next week, I am thinking this baby will come within the two weeks after. - hopefully in three weeks- let's get to 37 weeks- full term! He said he would get to work on his paper work and talk to the people over leave, hopefully he can come soon. It would be nice to have him here for the birth.
Today Sonja came to help. She is so nice to help out! She took Avi outside to play- happy day! To get her ready she got some socks to put on and Avi would not let her put them on her feet. She wanted them on her hands. Sonja was telling her that it was a silly of her to want her socks on her hands- since they go on your feet, but I had to interrupt to let Sonja know- that when we can't find Avi's mittens, we put socks on her hands. It was rather cute of Avi. She had her socks and mittens on to go outside today, and was reluctant to have them taken off when she came back in- it is always hard to get her to remove her coat and hat... she loves to go out.
The star  stacker toy and the exercise ball have been the hit toys of the day- what wild bouncing times Avi had with her Aunt Sonja!!

OB 34= back to bed rest

So, being off bed rest was very fun- I got the laundry caught up, went outside with Avi, cleaned the grout in my mom's bathroom- by the way- best way ever to clean grout- is baking soda and peroxide- I wish I had taken before and after pictures- it was amazing, and hardly had to scrub, this morning I did salt and peroxide to clean the toilet bowl- since Avi dumped out the baking soda yesterday... and it worked as well as any toilet bowl cleaner I have ever used- minus the horrible chemical smell of a regular toilet bowl cleaner! gave Avi a bath, danced with her, let her sleep in my bed, carried her around a little bit, washed her hands, chased her around, it was such fun!
But I guess I was having too much fun... I had my 34 week OB appointment today. I have been debating this week if I should ask for a cervical check and I realized yesterday it would be a good idea, since if there was anything of note I could tell Gunnar to hopefully try to come home earlier-he is so convinced that I am going to make it at least to 39 weeks... so I asked, and they said that would be fine, since it was the strep B test today anyway... Well, checked I am about 3 cm dilated and cervix around 1 cm (how does a doctor tell that?)... anyway back on bed rest to try to get this baby past 36 weeks. HUMPH! I hope we make it. I really do not want have him end up  in the NICU- I just want a healthy strong baby to take home after delivery.
Well, no doubt about it, this is two for two- I am on bed rest, my cervix holds perfectly, I get off bed rest and it changes. Where are those doctors who do the bed rest studies and say it doesn't make a difference?? I hope a cerclage will make a difference in the next pregnancy-a.k.a no bed rest... not being able to take care of your children for a couple of months is unacceptable. If this keeps up our family size is limited.
Gunnar actually left me a Facebook message! this is third he has left me in the time he has been gone..(about four months since the last message left). It was very sweet and good of him. I have been hounding him for months now to write me letter, I am getting desperate for some hubby love- so I resorted to say- just leave me a note of Facebook, or shoot me an e-mail- I sometimes need more than an hour total of my husband per week.  Is it bad, though he is very sweet and loving in his message, that I almost take it all with a grain of salt-- ya sure you love me oh so very much, but you can't write me a stupid letter???...even when I am stuck on bed rest??! ah, maybe we will have some issues to work through... well, throw them onto the pile- it is going to be party when he gets back.

Gunnar lost his ring!

Erin made me baked hot chocolate to celebrate being off bed rest!! Oh, wow!! it is just sooo good!
I took Avi out for a few minutes today. It was so cute to take her out. She was so happy. She is so good at kicking around ball. She went the slide several times, ran around adventuring, and eventually face planting into the mud- so we came in and she took a bath.
Emily tried on my wedding dress. She looked beautiful, but needed some major adjustments, and she already had her heart set on a dress at Alysse's, so tonight she went and picked it up!! Ah! My little sister!!
Gunnar called today! He informed me he lost his wedding ring!! ah! He was throwing snowballs... he has hope of finding it, but I feel more pessimistic.
So yesterday I did my hair from a way I learned on line, and well, it looked fantastic this morning too, a bit of a brush and tease, and I was amazed. I did put it half up, because I wanted to try out a different style, it didn't look as amazing, but I am still amazed by the curl holding- I have such straight hair..
Avi and chased each other around today- it was so fun and cute, but I feel like with all we did together- I feel like a did too much today...
Avi had a poop out, but it was her only poop for the day, but very loose. She also has a reduced appetite- she had the HUGE breakfast on Saturday and hasn't eaten very much since- well, tonight I tried feeding her again, with more success with cheerios and yogurt with rice cereal- she had seconds!- the seconds I did the lactose free milk and added rice cereal.

Sunday- 34 weeks

Mom made german pancakes this morning- oh I am so loved! they are sooo good. I think if I had my way I would have them everyday this week!
I showered, got ready for church, got Avi ready for church and amazing was still feeling okay(given I had over three hours to do so- ya for 11:30 church)! I thought maybe I might be able to stay for all of church, but then we got to church. I was exhausted by the walk to the chapel. Then came the sitting in the bench. I felt sick and uncomfortable. I was a little scared I was going to get more sick and end up like I did with Avi- the whole fainting and throwing up disaster, but it didn't get too bad. Avi is such a busy child- mom earns like 50 points for taking her to church by herself the last few weeks!!
I came home after sacrament and fell asleep on the couch. to my shock- I had slept two hours! I had been exhausted. So I didn't have to wait long for the family to get back. Avi was so tired, she had a snack and didn't cry when I put her down. She woke up with a wailing cry not very long after I put her down. I went in to see if I held her if she would go back to sleep. We sat in the glider and she laid her head on my not so little belly. We sat for a bit and she just laid there, but didn't go back to sleep, so we got up and had dinner.
Oh, Avi still loves humus. It has been a long time since we had some, and I forgot that she liked it, but it was a great snack for her today.
Avi has taken up twirling. She likes to spin around and around till she gets dizzy and falls down, then she gets back up and tries to spin some more. She also getting to know songs better. I was singing "Popcorn Popping" and she was slightly doing the actions with me, and she knew to point to her nose after I 'made' my 'popcorn ball'- that would smell so sweet... Tonight when I was reading her books for bed time, there was a jungle book- she was asking what the different animals were on the picture (it is so cute because she slurs together "What is that?" into one word). When I responded one was a spider- she started doing the motion for the "Itsy Bitsy Spider"- which now also her 'sign' for singing a song.

First day off bed rest

First day off of bed rest. I got Avi out of bed! It is amazing how lovely it feels to hold Avi in my arms. I swept the floor, and helped get some breakfast- and that exhausted me for the rest of the morning...
Avi loves to climb up on chairs! I have kept my laptop on chair by the couch to work on it, but Avi recently has taken to trying to remove it so she can sit on the chair, so I am keeping the laptop under the couch, when not in use and on my lap when using it.
Mom Emily and the girls went wedding dress shopping for Emily!! What madness! Jenn sent me a picture on the phone- Emily looked beautiful! I can't believe this is really happening.
I did some laundry, made lunch and dinner- big day for me!
I talked to Gunnar today. I told him that mom had made pancakes this morning, and that Avi ate more than I did (almost double!!). He asked if I put buttermilk syrup on them for her. What a silly guy! I asked if he remembered who I was, that I like to have a healthy child, and when would I have made it?? She had peanut butter, apple sauce, and some peaches with her pancakes. Silly man! and the poor kid is dealing with a lactose intolerance anyway... it made me nervous for when he comes back... is he going to fill my poor baby with sweets and dairy?? What is he going to do our schedule? I usually miss him so much, but there are times when the thought of him coming home makes me nervous.

Last day of bed rest!!!!

The last day of bed rest. Wow. I will be 34 weeks tomorrow. Gunnar called me today and asked me what I was going to do to celebrate getting off- if I would go out to eat... I laughed a little and said I was going to lift Avi out of bed, etc... That the thought of going out to eat sounded crazy- maybe in two weeks. Let's get to 36 weeks before going really crazy.
I was thinking about what bed rest has produced this time around-
approximately 39 crocheted hats (lets see-
2 bear-slightly altered pattern,
4 bear ear-slightly altered pattern,
3 shelled- altered pattern,
1 bee-made pattern,
3 owl- made pattern,
1 cable owl- made pattern,
1 cable whale- made pattern,
1 news boy,
1 long tailed or elf,
13 simple beard- made pattern,
4 puffy beard- made pattern,
4 plain,
1 dino...have I forgotten any??) -,

4-5  finished baby cocoons-had made pattern,
3 crochet headband ear warmers- slightly altered pattern,
1 mermaid tail with sea shells top- made pattern- and  I am super proud,
1 tooshie cover- made pattern
1 turtle shell-made pattern,
1  turtle toy (from my first attempt of making the photo prop shell)- slightly altered pattern,
I learned how to knit (the magic was solved)- and I made a knitted headband- though it does keep magically stretching on me... but it was my first completed knitted projected ever!!!
(learned -magic circle, half double decrease, crocodile, cable, puff, knit, purl- increases and decreases)

I have read
4  of the  the Work and the Glory- started the 5th
Secret Life of Bees
The Giver
Christmas Carol
Goose Girl
Enchantment
The Doctrine and Covenants
Half of The Book of Mormon
and...Oh, goodness I am pretty sure I am forgetting one...or two

My back hurts, I have no muscle, I easily get sick. I am hoping to get stronger by the end of my pregnancy- kind of funny- I thought it was suppose to get harder at the end :).
I had a non-stess today, some difficulty in always picking up the heart beat and I had some small contractions, but nothing to worry about. I finished the turtle toy- and Avi loves it- it got lots of hugs today. It is pretty quirky looking, but hey- it is my first time adventuring into crochet toy land- so it can hopefully be forgiven. I was thinking it would be cute in the picture with the baby in his shell. I will have to add pictures, this sounds odd without pictures.
A favorite game with Avi has been to sit on the floor, throw my arms up in the air and excitedly call for Avi- she runs to me and I give her a big hug!! and then send her away, after she has gone a few feet- I tell her turn around and come back- again throw my arms in the air.... we do this again and again and I love it!
I miss Gunnar.  

Edmund

I had a non-stress today. Apparently this little guy enjoyed the french toast breakfast- he was so busy! The doctor commented that I was getting 'beat up'. So happy day for things to be looking well.
Mom brought home some Play Dough the other day. Avi is in love! She played with it four times today, and normally fusses when it is time to put it away. She is so cute sitting at the table- she likes to swing her legs around in the big kitchen chair- swishing them back and forth.
Sonja helped out today. Lucky Avi got to go outside twice with her! Of course as she was out she mostly just chased the cat around.
Today Avi has really mastered walking up the stairs. She did it with no problem twice as we went up for bed- yes, we had to go up twice :). She is just looking older. I think her legs are longer, the seem to reach better on her scoot and ride toy.
This evening we had fun pounding on mom's exercise ball and peering at each other through it and around it. Then we played with the blanket- rolling her in it to make a bundle and then laying it out, putting balls on it and flapping them off. Her favorite books right now are a Peek-a-boo baby book, the Little Biddle books, and The Little Fat Policeman- she now likes to hold her hand up to say 'stop' to the cars in the book like the police man. She is sometimes able to answer that a dog says "ruff". She can flap her arms and look up when told. She is pro at signing "Thank you", but "love" is basically impossible to decipher from her arms being folded for prayer- so sometimes I say an extra prayer, and sometimes maybe I have missed some...
She loves yogurt- we mix it with rice cereal to give it some more bulk. She likes those little baby meat sticks, fruit- even dates! and of course bread!! She only likes to drink water.
Gunnar suggested a name for the baby!! I was shocked and pleasantly surprised that he was able to come up with a name. He has been reading The Count of Monte Crisco so he suggested the name, Edmund. I told him I was glad he suggested a name... somehow he picked up that I was not a fan of the name, but I was just so glad he even suggested one.
Trying to learn how to knit today- I learned in college, but right now it feels like a magic trick. It was not suppose to be this difficult to relearn it.
Three days of bed rest to go.

Aunt help

The non stress test went well on Friday. Teresja came over to help. She was great! She did laundry, dishes, brought the movie "The Help" (I was a horrible person to watch it with- the whole time I was commenting how it was similar or different from the book, but I really enjoyed watching it). She took Avi outside! and trouble- introduced me to a Koren romantic comedy- and I only have one more week of bed rest left! :) I was a little nervous to leave Avi with Teresja because Avi has had such a difficult time with the sisters from the ward, but thankfully, Avi remembered her well enough that they had fun when I left for my appointment.
Avi found the great game of throwing her links down the stairs- she thought it was very exciting! She also is loving it when I, or she is druming my lips- if I speed it up and raise the pitch- she thinks it is hilarious. She seems constantly hungry today- I hope she is having a growth spurt.
I am sick every morning- I thought it was just a matter of being up more- I found out today, that being up makes it worse, but I think it is just a pregnancy thing.. I am just lucky it is not too bad. so far. Today it lasted longer. It has been most the day, maybe it was too many sweets yesterday.

OB appointment 32

Yes, I have three appointments this week. I had my second today- OB/GYN. I have gained about a pound. I am now about 135. My belly is 32 inches-right on- but I swear they are measuring incorrectly, it feels like it is much bigger :)!! My little guy's heart beat was good. The doctor encouraged me to slowly but surely increase my activity level.
Avi's two favorite new activities- one is to get a tissue and blow her nose, I have to watch her- A. to keep her from using all the tissue, and B. she usually ends up tearing up and eating the current tissue- thankfully she at least comes to me and sticks out her tongue to get the tissue out. Her second activity started by her getting a baby wipe and wiping her hands with it, and then now she loves to get them or towels and wipe the table, chair, or floor. She it rather cute while doing it, but it really makes me cringe when she changes from rubbing the floor with a cloth and pops it over her head to play peek-a-boo.
We had our second sister from the ward come help today with lunch and nap time. Our ward has such nice women in it! Avi again did not handle being picked up by a stranger well... Thankfully family can help out for the rest of bed rest.

Perinatalogy week 32

Went to the perinatologist today. So the cord IS wrapped around the neck- the last appointment, the ultrasound machine they used is not as good as the one they used today- maybe it unwrapped and wrapped again, but I doubt it. His right kidney is showing dilation again. But he is measuring ahead! He is over four pounds. His head is measuring 35-35 weeks- big head! Cervix is looking awesome- 2.5-3ish. So back to non-stress tests twice a week, but things are looking good.
Had a sister from the ward come help out with lunch, nap time, and to be in the house as I was at my appointment- she was so sweet, but Avi was not happy to be held by a stranger...

Not much

Humm... What to write about? Erin came by to help out today, it was fun to chat and to have Avi and Jaxon play together.
As for me, I feel like crochet and pinterest could sum up my last few days- seriously addicted! I am bent on learning how to knit- I think for the most part knit can produce more beautiful things...
So perhaps Gunnar's rate on paying me a compliment came out- and well, he is doing much better- and I am- embarrassed, but loving. He very nicely told me he thought me beautiful a few days ago- and well, I have been much happier with my marriage for the last few days... I mean sometimes I don't really believe what he says- sometimes he'll say a cute or sweet thing, but I know it perhaps not fully the case... but hey! He loves me! Jump for joy!
My little sister is engaged- holy cow! Who lets these things happen? When did they start letting babies (aka 19 year olds) get married?
So two more weeks of bed rest left. I am looking forward to holding Avi, going outside, doing my laundry, showering at least every other day- and in four weeks- I'll risk a bath! Maybe I'll even get to do one of the many sewing projects I have found on Pinterest...
I am so weak. I am bit nervous about getting off. This morning we had the delight of finding one of the straps on Avi's diapers was undone and she had wet and poop leaked down into one of her footsies of her pajamas. Emily had gotten up to pick her up out of her bed to hand her to me, and then had gone back to bed. I cleaned her up and got the bath running, and had to get Emily again to put her in... anyway, it kind of kept going like that- I made Avi's breakfast and gave it to her, got mine... well by the time Emily left, and Avi and I were fed and Avi dressed (I didn't get done till this evening...) well, I felt sick and exhausted- and I never even lifted Avi. I am nervous when I get off I'll be taking care of Avi and end up fainting and throwing up like I did last time I got off...

Unwrapped!!

Gunnar's mom came with me to my non-stress test today. It was fun for her to see baby boy, and nice to chat. The perinatalogist came in after, and did a bit more ultra-sound- to show that prayers answered, the cord has unwrapped!! Two more weeks of bed rest left and a no cord around the neck- things are looking up. Something else that I love- is the perinatalogist was telling me she and 11 or 12 other specialist across the nation are doing a big study on cervical changes/lengths... since there really isn't much research on it.It is about time!!
We talked about the stats- really there is a two out of three chance that I would just make it to full term okay- but I am sorry I hate the one out of three chance that I would not- so I would rather make sure my babies make it here safe and sound- no matter the sacrifice. It is crazy to me that some doctors would rather have you take the risk- sorry, loosing your baby or having them end up with complications that could affect the rest of their and your life- really- a couple of weeks in bed- though extremely painful, I think is totally worth it.
Today I turned on toddler radio on Pandora- and Avi and I danced- you can imagine it was really cool- from crawling around and laying down kicking our legs around. Avi also got her baby doll out and danced around with her- it was so cute!
I couldn't believe it- today Gunnar called! We got to skype yesterday and talk today!! Wow! so much communication with my hub. Have I mentioned he should never be allowed to travel without me again....
I made a shell hat for Avi to go with her adorable skirts and accessories that Alicia made- Avi does not keep a head band on- the hats inside are not the best either, but better than headbands, so I made the hat so she can wear the cute flower accessories- now I just need to figure out a top for her to complete the outfit- and have my camera- it went to Florida with Jennica (Jen, did leave me hers, but it only holds charge in its battery for a day, and well, Em I think went to go plug it in, and I don't know what has happened since...-seems to be the story of my bed rest life)
I put my wedding ring back on today. It seems to fit a bit better- maybe- it fell off once while I was playing with Avi. I guess I need to be pregnant longer so my fingers can get bigger. te he he...

Gunnar and 2 Grandmas day

Avi head butted me last night- I usually lay with her for while I sing some lullaby's to her- and now I looked like a battered woman- lucky for Gunnar he is in Afghanistan- or else he might be investigated for domestic violence. 
Liz came down for a visit. She very nicely praised my crochet work and brought us some Christmas presents! What spoilment! some more maternity clothes for me! YA! I have to admit sometimes laundry gets lost-- I have not seen two of the tops they gave me in and maybe some pants... sometimes it is hard to not be able to take care of yourself! but ya! for new clothes to hopefully not get lost in the laundry... and that will actually fit around this HUGE belly!! since more and more nothing is long enough!
Avi got some clothes, some really cute wheely animals- animals on wheels- genius! and a fun book. It was so nice of them!
I think Avi really enjoyed having her grandma here, and was happy to see Grandma Dorsey home too! What a lucky girl two grandmas in one day!!
Avi got to go outside twice today!! Oh, happy day! Emily took her, and then Liz. I love it when she gets out. I think it is important especially for kids to get out- and maybe I was a little jealous!
We got to talk to Gunnar today!! Skype!! woo hoo! He had the day off- I think it was his first. He was working on getting a book or two onto the Kindle. We got to show him Avi can slightly do the motions to "Itsy Bisty Spider", answer her age- a cute little one finger, find her nose, toes, mouth, belly, sometimes cheeks and chin- those get confused, as well as ears and eyes. We made faces and went 'roar' together... What a fun baby I have!

Some Christmas photos

Grandkids with Grandma

Cousins with Uncle Warren

Jaxon and Aliea with Avi and me.

Avi got some great books from Grandma Dorsey

Family picture

Serious Family

Avi got new purse.

A present!

super exciting picture- but it had Avi!

Avi with her present from the Carbajals

Avi's favorite thing about her purse- the change holder

The girls in the scarfs that Gunnar sent.

Opening a present.