Tigercation

Well, sweet Tiger you are still up to your tricks again!  Tiger's most recent tricks are causing me more contractions ON the meds that should stop them.  These being said I kind of had a small melt down moment about this sweet baby coming.  Thankfully I have an amazing family and sister who talked me off the ledge.

All the fun began on Saturday when I was feeling contractions even after taking my morning medicine. Sad thing is I can only take this medicine every 6 hours so I have to wait it out until I can re dose.  Of course I was trying to ignore the issue at hand and just rest.  Thankfully it was the weekend and Miss H had her sweet daddy to play with.  I spent the morning in bed just hanging out drinking my water and such.  Come the afternoon I finally could redoes myself and did quickly!  That helped for about 3 hours then the contractions began again.  Of course they were not "unbearable" as the past 2 pre labor times!  

Of course after chatting with my sister I placed a call to the after hour doctor…we had a small discussion and came to the normal conclusion more than 6 "unbearable" contractions in an hour go in to the hospital.  Thankfully they stopped at about 4, or so I counted anyways.

Needless to say after all the fun my sweet sister offered to take Miss H for the week so that I could truly be on bed rest hoping to keep the contractions down.  I of course hate to send Miss H away because I will miss her and don't want her to feel ditched before the baby.  Also I feel bad for my sister who has 4 kiddos on her own (11,7,2, and 5 months) in a small living space (they are renting as they build).  But I do want sweet Tiger to cook as long as possible since I am only 36 weeks.  37 weeks is so much better than 36 and that is the main goal healthy baby!!

Therefore Sunday Chris and I loaded Miss H up and met my sister at our 1/2 way spot.  H was so excited about going to play with her cousins she couldn't stand it.  She pretty much gave Chris and I a hug and kiss then kicked us out of the door :-)  I am so thankful she is excited and that my sweet sister is willing to add to her crazy life.  This week Tiger and I have just been laying in bed everyday!

road tripping like a pro

oh the happiness

Tia will be a favorite always for this kind of fun

face timing this morning, showing off her nails

just having a blast! 

Let me tell ya laying in bed isn't that easy all day everyday!  I have caught up on most of my shows and now am catching up on blog life…ha  So until Friday my goal is keeping tiger in while Miss H is out enjoying her Tigercation at Queen Tia's house! Here's to 2 more days of hoping Tiger stays in and feeling much better about his/her arrival after that.  Plus my sweet mom is coming to help out for the next week :-) love my family

New hobby for Miss H!!

Miss H and I have done music together classes for 2 years now and she loves it! She loves going to music, seeing her friends, singing and dancing the whole shebang.  However, this semester our sweet friends schedule didn't really meet up with ours.  When I told H that her 2 favorite friends wouldn't be in class she was a little sad.  That is when we began discussing new activities and hobbies to do.  I listed off a whole bunch of new idea such as soccer, t-ball, gymnastics, and more.  She was pretty intrigued to hear more.

I told her I would do some research and then we could may try something new this semester instead of music.  After much research and discussion Miss H chose gymnastics as her new thing.  I found a gym close by that had hours that would work once Tiger arrived too.  The gym even has a trail class you can do prior to committing.  So we loaded up and went for our trial class!!  

H had the best time at gymnastics.  She loved getting to jump on the big long trampoline.  They even have a fun castle that you can jump out of into a foam pit.  She tried it once and that was about all she wanted of that!!  Needless to say she was hooked after one class and we now have been to 2 classes!  I love watching her try new things.  She is pretty funny though because if she isn't sure about the safety of the event she sits back and waits her turn, my little observer girl!  

Yeee-haw

Sweet Miss H loves January for many reasons 1) her birthday 2) The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo comes to town.  Seriously she loves the stock show, like loves it!  Last year was her first year to head on over to the stock show and she has been hooked every since.  Something about the animals, food, and rides that makes her so excited.  They have been airing the commercials on tv for a bit and every time one comes on she yells with excitement about going!

Of course the stock show always begins the weekend of her birthday so we have to plan accordingly.  In the past Chris and his family have gone while they are in town, but with this new "don't do anything" life style I have to lead we didn't make it on birthday weekend.  Miss H's party day was about all I could handle and not go into labor.  No worries though she did get to the stock show!

Chris and I analyzed what day would be the nicest weather wise…because who wants to be cold right?  Once we set on a date we discussed with Miss H the important things she wanted to do there at the stock show.  Since I am only suppose to be out for 2 hours we needed to use our time wisely!  Here were her must do items:

1) Eat a corn dog
2) see the baby animals (bunnies, chicks, goats, pigs, and such)
3) Ride on Pokey (the pony she rode last year)
4) Pet the animals
5) Go to the rodeo
6) Ride some rides

So of her 6 must do items we were able to accomplish all but number 5.  We didn't make it to the rodeo this year.  She was a little bummed but she totally gets it!  I mean after all she got to do so many other fun things.  Needless to say Miss H had the best time and we love her joy for the stock show.  Of course she is already counting down till next year (even though it isn't over..ends in Feb)  Normally we would go a couple of times (we get in free because of our amazing museum membership) but not this year, next year!

The proof is in the pics:

Welcome to the Safari watch out for the animals

Her adorable invites that everyone got! 

Happy 3rd Birthday to our Sweet Miss H!!  This year we went with a Safari themed party because she is such an animal lover! Sadly I didn't get all the pictures I would have normally liked to have taken!  Mostly because a) my prego brain can't remember anything b) I am suppose to be sitting and not doing much for this sweet Tiger!

I am so thankful for great family!  My wonderful mom and dad came up 4 days early to help me get this  party set up and going!  Seriously without their help it would have never happened or I would have given birth :-)  This year I had to give up some things as far as party planing and such….one of them was painting the town building.  Yes we have a building in town that everyone paints for their birthdays and such.  It is a fun tradition and I am sad I couldn't do it this year.  Instead I settled on making her a cute sign at the house.  Actually I did non of it, because I can't, but my mom and dad did it all.  Mom even let harper help paint her sign and she was super excited about it.   She put all the "dots" on the adorable giraffe.

Seriously how freaking adorable did her sign turn out!  My mom is like wonder woman I love her so much for this! She too was sad we couldn't do the building, but this is way cutter! 

Here is our set up inside!!  I had a craft station which I think was a hit…it may have taken a little more help from the mommy's than planned but the kids loved it.  We made rain sticks that they could take home! 

 They had their choice of rice or beans or both inside the stick…then they added some fun with all the duck tape and stickers on the outside!  The kiddos really did have fun making them. 

Here is our birthday table set up…where I should have taken better pics!! We have our table cloth that we use each year.  Everyone leaves a little message for the birthday girl and we trace her hand! I love this my sister started it when my niece 11 years ago…its such a great memory!   Then for snacks we had zebra cakes, sticks (pretzels), elephant food (peanuts), animal cookies, and then her birthday cookies! We also had the watering hole which held little water bottles and juices for all. 

Are these not the cutest cookies ever!! 

 Here is our photo booth zone! We tried to get each kiddo in the jeep for a quick picture.  I think we got more than 1/2 the kids so I consider that pretty successful.  They will get a photo in their thank you card from Miss H. 

 Goodie bags…what party wouldn't be complete without goodie bags.  They each got to take a stuffed animal that was through out the party!  I let them chose one then in the bag were the following: binoculars (from Chick-Fil-A…they gave these out this summer, yes that is when I begin my party planning), a cute cup that gives you an animal nose when you drink (you can see them here), some animal print frame stickers for home, and some animals to grow at home (those capsules you put in water and they make a sponge animal) 

Here is the front of the house as the kiddos arrived!  Miss H still has her birthday sign outside because she doesn't want it come down!  We will give her the month I guess :-) 

 Party fun in action..all the mommies helping make rain sticks!!  

 The birthday girl with a quick fly by as she took a break from the bounce house fun!  We had a bounce house out back that stayed pretty busy!!

 Sweet Miss H with her friend C driving the safari jeep around, or so they thought!   Of course she had to take a ride with her cousin G too! They were so cute in this little jeep. 

Finally it was time for the presents!  Miss H is so funny she loves to open them and then really check each gift out before moving on.  

 All and all this little 3 year old had an amazing party thanks to all her friends and family! Our Safari was a great adventure now on to plan next years! :-) 

Keeping life interesting

Sweet Tiger I do adore you…however you are making life very interesting!  After my last post about preterm labor what happens….we headed off to the hospital again for some more fun! Seems you are very eager to get out and meet your Big Sister Miss H, mommy, daddy, and Winston!  However, we are not ready for you…you need to COOK LONGER!!!

Yep Jan 8th we got to take another family trip to labor and deliver for some fun.  I was having contractions again and this time it wasn't due to over working or not enough water! Simply just having contractions because Tiger is so busy I guess.  We headed into the hospital around 8 which.  Miss H fell fast asleep in route and stayed that way for most of our visit.  Of course when you walk into the ER all big and fat and prego…they fear out and ship you off asap!  We were in a room and getting checked out with in 30 minutes of arrival which is good because those dang contractions were getting stronger.

Since I did this pre labor party in A town I was more prepared for what to expect.  Chris and I were joking on the way in about having to answer the domestic questions.  They take me aside and ask 2 questions 1) Are my living conditions stable and habitable? 2) Does my husband hurt or abuse me verbally or physically?  Of course these questions are NO's in our house but I do think it is interesting that at every hospital those are the first things discussed before proceeding on with anything else!  Once we get all that cleared up its on to the fun!

You know checking the baby, getting monitors on, and much more!  Sweet Miss H is just snoozing it up in her stroller like a good girl!  Chris sitting and wishing he too was snoozing it up but being as patient as can be….we should have packed him snacks lol!  (he got to skip the Atown trip b/c I had my mom and sister and he was a little under the weather)  After about 4 hours a round of terbutaline and baby monitoring we are free to leave!  Thankful that these terbutaline shots keep stopping my contractions since I am only 33 weeks along.   They also told me to follow up with my dr in the am!  Of course in last 30 minutes Miss H woke up but she enjoyed checking it all out, hearing baby tiger on the monitor, and looking at the babies in the nursery!  Once again Tiger is keeping us on our toes!

Friday I followed up and that is when the real fun began!  I got put on new medicine to take daily morning and night to keep these darn contractions at bay.  Also told to pretty much limit my life to doing nothing!!  Um I don't do nothing well people.  Also we have a 3 year old birthday to get ready for!  Non the less I will try but still it wont be easy till the end of February.

OH TIGER!!

Sweet Tiger gave us a little scare the day after Christmas!!  Okay so I probably could have done something sooner but I am not a normal pregnant person, lol.  I mean yes I have had a baby, however I never went into labor with my child!  When we had Miss H I was induced the day after my due date..for 2 days they did everything to make my labor go!  Needless to say I never dilated really so I never felt true contractions and such.  The only real reason Miss H was take out was because she did break my water early on day 2 of induction.  Now on to TIGER!!

Tiger has been a handful from the beginning!  From the fact that I lost 18 lbs in the first few weeks to needing meds to just eat a simple sandwich.  Well Tiger has now officially given me the true feelings of LABOR!  The day after Christmas is always fun for us girls in the family.  We all load up and head out to hit up the post Christmas sales.  As we were shopping I noticed some cramping in my stomach but nothing too bad.  I put it off to typical pregnancy issues, gas etc.  As the morning progressed the pain came and went.  Then come lunch time I was rushing around to get ready for a little high school get together and was feeling more pain.  Again I just figured I was hungry needed some lunch and all would be grand!  

After lunch and heading out to meet up with friends I really began to hurt.  Not only was my stomach cramping but my back too.  I was trying to ignore it and just keep on doing stuff but it was bad.  Chris finally looked at me and asked me what was wrong.  Keep in mind it was about 5 pm by this time! 

After explaining my issues to the family my sister suggest a nice tub and relaxing.  After enjoying a nice tub and trying to lay down I  still felt awful.  By this point I also wasn't really feeling Tiger move around much which always worries one.  However, around 7 pm I was now in the bathroom getting sick!  It was at this point I was forced by my mom and sister to call the dr number!  My sweet sister who has had 4 kids with some labor was like I think you are in labor!  I couldn't even believe it because no I don't do that!  I just have c-section babies!   After explaining my issues to the on call nurse she said we should head to the er!  UGH!!  

My sweet mom took me, I didn't want Miss H up around all the germs plus it was now like 10 pm so she was snoozing it up.  I also didn't want Chris up there because he himself was kind of fighting a cold and if H woke up she would for sure freak out if we were both gone.   Mom and I arrived to the er where the guy looked at me like I had some crazy disease or something!  He said you are pregnant  I said yes, he said are you in labor?  I said well I don't know but I am in pain! Quickly he rushed me up to L&D!!  It was kind of funny how they acted as if I was going to just drop a baby out right there.  

Once in L&D they got me all hooked up.  I explained my issues and no more than had I finish the gal said um yes we are going to get you a shot! I was impressed that within 5 minutes I was already getting meds….well that would be because my contractions were 1-2 minutes apart!  YIKES!!!  I said man is that why my back is killing me so dang bad! I was relieved once we got the monitors on Tiger to hear that heart going strong! After spending about 4 hours in L&D and getting 2 shots of terbutaline we were thankfully sent home.  Thanks to my sweet mom and sister for spending their night up there!  

Honestly family is the best for things like this.  Now its a matter of drinking tons of water, being less active (which is so hard for me), and relaxing to keep this Tiger in!  Nothing like a little Preterm Labor to get you going!!!  Tiger you are full of many surprises and we hope that no more are seen until your deliver day Feb. 26th!! 

Of course as we checked out of the hospital they handed me brochures and follow up info!  Ha ha ha if I had read that preterm labor one prior to this I would have totally been in the ER sooner, but I had no idea!  Lessons learned the hard way! Thank heavens I don't dilate because I think that is our saving grace as to why Tiger is staying put!