The LAST day of May...

UPDATE on the latest NST...and shower stuff!!!

All is going well. We had an interesting appt. today. I was hooked up to the monitor and our boy was moving all around. I thought we were set, but evidently he was not being reactive (he was borderline as the nurse said) meaning his heart was not reacting to his movement. So in the meantime, as we were waiting, My OB Dr. came to the hospital to see me. He wanted to know how I was feeling with my fun lil PUPPPs rash and wanted to know my blood pressure. It was high again so we wants to see me tomorrow. He is a pretty cool Dr. and it makes me feel good to be getting such amazing care. He left and the nurse buzzed my belly to wake our boy up...his heart rate sped right up and it made me giggle. So cute. Can you imagine how I will handle his first word?! After that, he must have been ticked off, heehee he was so excited for the next hour, we could not leave till he settled down. Normally we are there for like 40 min max...but we were there for 2 hrs. Our feisty little monkey. I just love him.

And in the midst of my itching, I never told y'all about another shower I had! It was May 22nd. It was awesome! My Godmother Aunt Sandy, My sister Alexis, and my amazing friend (and Jordan's girlfriend) Megan threw it for me. I got there and getting out of the car I had a mild contraction which threw me in a giggle fit for some reason...and Tim was panicking that something was or was not wrong, which made me laugh more. Anyway, I took so long to enter the house, that everyone who was waiting was not sure when I was coming in. As I walked in...everyone looked at me ... paused...then said SURPRISE...it was funny. Only I would throw everyone off, right? So I got to sit in the comfy chair and I opened so many presents. My family and friends are so generous. I can't believe how much we got! Our swing, a photography gift certificate for a whole year, homemade blankets from Ms. Pauline, My Aunt Carole, and Dawn, childrens books, clothes, toys, high chair, gift certificates, Tim's sisters spoiled us with tons of gifts...We are so prepared. At least not needing anthing, parenting is another story..heehee
My Aunt made so much amazing food...Chicken Caesar Salad, Beef Tenderloin, Quiche, Chicken Salad, etc. Megan brought an adorable cake, so many deserts...Alexis, Megan and my Mom made the cutest favors. It was so nice. We are really loved, huh...My Aunt Marge and cousin Erin throwing me one in April and all my friends coming and giving me generous and adorable gifts and then Tim's Shower at work where they spoiled us, to this amazing shower...I am really blessed. Thank you everyone for loving us so much. What a beautiful welcoming for our son.

I also have to say thank you to my Mom, Dad, Timmy and sis Alexis for helping me organize. They came over Sat. and we washed all the baby clothes, My Mom and Tim organized the baby's closet and Tim set up the pack n play as a changer till we get the convertible crib and dresser/changer (a gift from my parents). Thank you so much for making things easier for me. MWAH!

K-so I wrote a book...heehee Maybe I am nesting in words...heehee

Love to all!

MWAH!
C

Feeling much better!

I am still itchy, but NOTHING like it was...I still have to endure my cold showers...but I am used to them now heehee. Love to my Timmy for putting up with me and taking such good care of me.

Well..one more day till JUNE! 25 days till my due date!

I have felt a couple contractions...but nothing realy painful. More crampy than anything.

I have wicked heartburn...heard the old wives tale that it might mean that our boy will have lots of hair. I was BALD...not sure about Timmy. My brother and sister were born with lots of hair. Hmmm...whattya'll think?

I still feel the little ones kicks, but now there is a lot of squirming as he is running out of room. Tim and I have a blast watching his little show. It is wild to see your whole belly move on its own and realize it is a little person, with a cute little heart inside. I am so in love already. I can't imagine holding him in my arms.

(Mom, thank you for what you wrote. I love you so much)

Alrighty...

Love to all...
C

A beautiful congrats to Dave and Theresa with the birth of their little girl Talia Marie and also to Dal and Suzanne with the birth of their little girl Kayli Lyric.

Lions and Tigers and Bears Oh My...

Don't know why that's the subject, but what can ya do?

Can's family came over today and helped us sort through the 5 million things we got at our showers. We got so much stuff its crazy. We need to build another house just to store the baby's stuff. He is SO loved. Thank you everyone.

I put the pack and play together today and the room is almost finished except for furniture that should be here in a couple weeks hopefully. Can't wait to see the finished product???? Neither can I!!!!! It's going to look so awesome, I can't wait.

Can's mom washed all the baby clothes today in Dreft and folded and sorted everything into bins. This child has more clothes than I do! But I bet that he throws up on his more than I do! ha ha. Wondering why all babies smell good (and sorta all the same?) Go to the grocery store and open a bottle of Dreft and you'll see why! That stuff ROCKS!

Can's rash is pretty bad still. Nothing is working. We spent Thursday night in the Prenatal ER again because of her BP and rash (I may have blogged that already, but I'm not sure). They gave her a shot of Benedryl and it did absolutely nothing at all. So they prescribed a steroid that I ended up going out and getting in the middle of the night. Hopefully that will work. I feel so bad for her, but I can't do much to help other than to be patient and loving (and scratching. ha ha.)

Love you Can!

Daddy T OUT!

Sleeps not happening...

Well, I am going crazy. My PUPPPs rash is spreading and I am a mess. How many cold showers can one take? So it is 2:30 am and my poor sweet husband is going to the 24 hr pharmacy to get me relief. Pray this new prescription works. So right now, as I am crying in dispair, I am so blessed to have such a loving man love me so much. What a wonderful daddy he will be.
C

I want a good night sleep so bad!!!

Well...Tim and I spent the evening in L&D...and not for the good reason. NO BABY YET...Although I am so ready, he is still cooking. My Blood Pressure was a little high, but it went down with rest. The other reason was my PUPPPs as Tim has explained previous. This rash is awful and itchy! It was so bad, they tried to give me an IV drip of Benedryl...DIDN'T work!!! I was not even sleepy and the baby was moving all around! So they are giving me an oral steroid, but if that does not work...then I just suffer more. A cool thing was I had a contraction...and it measured on the monitor. Was not big or anything, but nonetheless, EXCITING! In one hour I will offically be 36 weeks DOWN!!!! 28 days to go too!

Here is what will be happening this coming week.

Your Baby Week 37
Your baby is now considered full term. He weighs approximately 6.5 lbs (2950g) and his total length is about 21 inches (47cm). Your baby's crown to rump measurement is about 14 inches (35cm).
By now, your baby's head may have engaged into your pelvis. (I feel this...OUCH!)
You may feel that your baby occasionally has hiccups from its "practice breathing". (This makes me smile)
Though your baby is considered full term, he is still growing and developing both his body and his brain.
He is still laying down fat at a rate of more than half an ounce every day.

Love to all and esp. Daddy T!!!

Cand

scratch scratch scratch

Poor Candace, she has a case of the PUPPS. Yeeeeup, you read it correctly, PUPPS. Not sure what it stands for, but it means that you break out into a bad rash all over your body and it drives you crazy cause it ITCHES!!! When she called me the other day telling me she had PUPPS, I thought to myself, "self, my girl is cracking up cause I KNOW we have 3 dogs..." but when I got home and saw the rash I felt bad. The only thing I can do is lay in bed and scratch and rub her back to help her try and feel just a little better. The Dr. gave her a prescription but it hasn't kicked in yet. It's supposed to remove the bile from the area of the rash and help her stop itching. They said that if it doesn't work that they will have to do an Amnio and make sure the baby's lungs are developed and then maybe induce labor. So we have our fingers crossed and we've been praying like crazy, so we'll see what happens. We are hoping that a rough pregnancy means that the baby will be a complete ANGEL when it gets here. Ya know, kinda like pay me now or pay me later. Can has been paying for the last 8+ months so we are hoping the next 8+ will be smoothing sailing.... :)

I've finished up the molding and am now painting the nail holes to cover them up. I put up the drape, but have to hang the curtains this weekend. I'll post pics when I'm done. That's if it doesn't rain all weekend because I'd like to have the pictures look a little sunny instead of gloomy from being cloudy outside.

All of our friends are having their baby's!!! Soon it will be our turn.

Stay Tuned...

Love you Can!

Daddy T

35 weeks down, 35 days till my due date...

I have a beautiful case of INSOMNIA! I have been so tired all day...and here I am at 1 am...WIDE AWAKE...AHHHH! The joys of pregnancy. heehee I have to be up at 6:45 to get ready and eat protein for my NST at 8 am! I need sleep...I have tried many relaxation techniques...NONE WORKED... I was laying there, watching Tim, feeling jealous and then thought...awwww he slept like an angel at the same time. I wish him a good night sleep...Pleasant Dreams...you are lovely Timmy, but I am still jealous. ;)

Might as well tell you what is going on this week...35 weeks DOWN! 35 days till my due date!
Here is what is going on with our boy this next week...(WEEK 36)

Your Baby Week 36
Your baby weighs about 6 lbs (2750g) (3 weeks ago our boy was 5 lbs 1 oz...I'd guess he's about 6.5 now...)and measures about 20.7 inches (46cm) in length. Crown to rump measurement is about 13.5 inches (34cm).
Your baby now feels lower in your pelvis.
Your baby continues to grow, kick, and move about.
Your baby's face has filled out and the cheeks now look plump and full. Fat baby cheeks are caused by fat deposits, but also by powerful sucking muscles which your baby has been honing by sucking her thumb.
Your baby's skull is firm, but it is not hard as it needs to give a little when it is passing through the birth canal.
Your baby's head is probably down by now, but about three percent of babies present in a breech (bottom down) position. Your doctor may try to turn your baby around if it is in a breech position by putting pressure on your abdomen. This is called external cephalic version (ECV) and is effective in about 50% of cases. If your baby is in a breech position, ask your doctor about what your options are for the birth. You may or may not require a cesarean delivery.

Alrighty...Hope all of you are sleeping as peacefully as Timmy is at the moment. MWAH!

Love,

Candace

Yah Daddy!

Tim finished the room last night! It looks soooo wonderful. He worked so hard. It is warm and loving. Such a precious little boy room! I can't wait for you all to see it! My Mom has an amazing eye for design. It looks like the room stepped out of a design show. I can't wait to get the furniture in place and everything. I LOVE it!!! So much love went into doing this room.

Nothing new today. Just about 35 weeks. I have 36 days till my due date! WHOO HOO! The baby is running out of room...

The baby's room....

is coming along nicely. Almost finished. Candace just called. Her parents bought us a CRIB and Dresser/Changing Table. How incredibly awesome and sweet is THAT!?!?! Wow. I was very surprised and I can't wait til it is delivered!! WOW! I'm speechless. Kinda in shock.

Can had another NST today. She was there for about an hour and a half. She said that the baby wouldn't relax, he was moving and kicking and jumping and squirming and they couldn't get an accurate read on him for a while. But I guess he finally calmed down a bit and everything checked out fine and Can's BP is still down, so that is good. So she is on her way back home to crawl back into bed cause she is still on bed rest. But she has a dr. appt. tonight, so we'll be heading up to BelAir later this evening for that.

Can, I love you! I can't wait to see the crib and dresser.

Daddy T

So close...and still SOOOO far away!

Hello, Hello! Well...38 days till my due date! I can't wait...It feels like time is standing still. I have a busy day today...NST at 10 and my weekly Dr. appt. tonite. I cannot believe how big my belly has gotten...I can't imagine or even remember how it used to be. I have come up with this oh so beautiful heat rash on my belly that won't go away. The air conditioning is full blast, I can't even use covers, and poor Tim sleeps like he is going to brave the worst blizzard ever. How many layers honey?
I can't remember what a good night sleep feels like. One day...I guess when our boy is 18. heehee
Last night the baby was moving all around and poking my upper belly with his knees...I guess it was his knee, maybe his foot..and Tim got to feel it. It was quite strange, but beautiful. I still can't believe there is a little man growing inside me...so close to my heart already... :)

Love,

Cand

Sunday Sunday....again... :)

Well I got all the wallpaper hung in the baby's room today. Tomorrow night I'll be putting the molding up around the middle stripe and then I'll post some pictures of the entire process. I have also been working on the video to get it put online and am looking into the streaming process. Check back later in the week for that and for the pics of the baby room.

Can still has pains and her high blood pressure, but I've been trying to take as much of the burden off of her as possible. Hopefully my helping her out throughout the day is making her life a "little" easier. I feel so bad that I can't do much more for her other than offer massages, rub her little feet and fix her some tasty food. But we are getting by and we'll get through this and our little one will be here soon enough!!!

Then I'll be massaging his back, rubbing his feet and fixing HIM some tasty food!!!! hee hee...

Daddy T, OUTTIE!!!

34 weeks down!!! 6 till my due date!

Hello...It's Saturday Morning...Tim just made me and the baby breakfast. He makes the best eggs. I have always been so picky about my eggs...He has got the skill down. He is taking such good care of lil ol bedrest me! heehee Poor thing is gonna do the food shopping soon, and he is gonna finish wallpapering the baby's room. PHEW! AND ME! I just lay here and keep the baby growing safely. Everyone tells me to enjoy this, but it is so HARD! I want to do so much. Not too much longer...

We had another fantastic NST yesterday. We get to see our boy everytime because they do an ultrasound ot measure the amniotic fluid. YUP...still a BOY! We go every Tues and Fri. for the Non-Stress Tests...I can't wait until we bring him safely into the world.

We finished our last childbirth class on Wed. We knew a lot of stuff already, but the teacher answered a lot of questions and she was great. So much energy she had. We learn a lot of relaxation and breathing techniques. Cand got herself LOTS of massages in that class. heehee I hope I can relax when the real labor comes! The fear of the unknown.
I think our boy dropped because I have so much pain a pressure down low. I have carried him low this whole pregnancy, but it feels different. We had a tour of the hospital last night too. It was neat. As we were walking down the hall, a nurse we walked past said "I will see all of you soon"...looked at me and said "I will see you REAL soon"...Me and my sexy waddle.

34 weeks and 1 day! 41 days till my due date!

Here is whats going on with our boy this week!

Your Baby Week 35
Your baby now measures about 20.25 inches (45cm) in total length and weighs around 5.5 lbs (2550g). Crown to rump measurement is about 13.2 inches (33cm).
He continues to grow and fatten up, especially in the shoulder area, and kicks regularly.
The fine lanugo hair that covered your baby is shedding, though some may still be present when your baby is born.
Your baby's eyes are blue, though this may change soon after birth or much later after birth.
Your baby's fingernails are growing. They already reach the tips of his fingers and they may even look quite long and pointy by the time he is born. Your baby may even have some scratch marks from scratching his face with his fingernails.
Your baby is probably feeling quite cramped right now and his movements are restricted by his growing size.

Love to all, especially Timmy!

What a wonderful surprise!

The people at my work (Candace knew about it and didn't tell me) just completely shocked me with a surprise baby shower. I was so CLOSE to crying it was unbelievable. It meant so much to me and I am still in shock. I got so many gifts and a $150.00 gift certificate to Baby's R Us! How awesome is that? Wow. I'm still sorta speechless. I was taken downstairs to a room and told that I should go in there because they are discussing the parking at work, so I naively go in and BANG! Camera flashes, "SURPRISE" and I'm speechless and expressionless because I was in such shock.

Wow...

Today has just gotten better...

I love you Candace!

Daddy T

Drumroll please...

Our sweet little boy weighs 5 lbs 1 oz as of Friday's ultrasound. He is in the 70th percentile (50 is average) So he is above average already. I am so excited! They were worried about his growth because of my blood pressure and a few weeks ago it seemed as though he was not growing. I guess this bedrest is really helping a lot! Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers!

Wednesday, Wednesday...

Can goes to the doctor today at 12ish. I think we find out how big the baby is today. We'll post that info when we find it out.

The baby's room is coming along great with the help and guidance of Can's mom. She should be an interior decorator, I tell ya. I have been hanging wallpaper with her help and last night I put 4 pieces up by myself and I must say, I think I've got the hang of it. Yeeeupity yeeup. I've been taking pictures during the entire process, so as I've said before, I'll post them when the room is finished.

This weekend I'm also gonna put up video of the 3D ultrasound. The only problem is that you have to download the entire video because I haven't figured out how to stream it. If anyone knows, holla at me so I can get this shiznit posted!

Much love to Candace who has had a tough journey the past 8 months. Poor thing is still on bedrest because of her high blood pressure. However, the journey is almost coming to completion and we'll get to meet the fruit of our (Can's) labor very very soon. Say a prayer for us and stay tuned...

Daddy T, OUT!

33 weeks down! 7 more to go...maybe!

Had the sonogram today. 33 weeks DOWN :) (49 days till my due date) The tech said he looks like he is measuring right on...so that it good. She is gonna put all the info in the computer and it will tell her approx. his size and weight. I will find out the info at my next appt. on Wed. We got cute little profile picts. Poor child must feel like the papparazzi is following him. 4 Ultrasounds and 1 3D Ultrasound! His is a little star already!

Here is what will be happening this next week...
Your Baby Week 34
Your baby weighs almost 5 lbs (2250 g) and is 12.8 inches (32cm) from crown to rump and about 19.8 inches (44cm) long.
If your baby were born now, he would be considered "pre-term" rather than premature. This distinction is based on fetal maturity, particularly the maturity of the fetal lungs. A pre-term baby, unlike a premature baby, is likely to have well-developed lungs and is less likely to need intensive care.
Your baby is surrounded by a red glow when sunlight shines on your belly and may be aware of this as he is able to differentiate between light and dark.
Your baby's hair is getting thicker, though it may be a different color when he is older.
He is currently shedding his lanugo, the fine downy hair that previously covered his body.
More vernix, the waxy coating that protects your baby's skin while submerged in amniotic fluid, is building up.
Your baby's adrenal glands are producing more steroid hormone, the androgen-like hormone that indirectly aids your milk production. Your baby is currently producing ten times more of this hormone than a normal adult and the adrenal glands are currently the same size as those of an adolescent. They will shrink after birth.
Your baby is laying down bone. To do this, he will draw calcium from you.
Your baby has taste buds and it has been suggested that she can taste and develop tastes for flavors found in the amniotic fluid, particularly flavors that you eat on a regular basis.

Love to all, esp. daddy T!

Happy ANNIVERSARY to GiGi (tenative title :) )and Poppy!!!

Cand

Today went well :)

Had our first Non-Stress Test for our little one today. It went well. I was monitored for the baby's heartbeat, movement, and if I had any contractions. I was hooked up for about 45 minutes. The nurse said everything looked great! So far, so good! I also had a small ultrasound to check the amount of amniotic fluid in the uterus. He has plenty so that is good as well. I have to have a Non-Stress Test (NST) 2x a week until we deliver.

We have another ultrasound tomorrow to check his measurements.

Tim and I figured we should pack a bag "just in case" . If the tests showed signs of distress, then they would do an emergency C-section...maybe being prepared would help slow down the arrival...cause things usually happen when you least expect it :) I washed a bunch of his little clothes, his onsies, and socks, his 'lil prince outfit', his rockstar onesie. heehee I bought a couple nightgowns for me in the hospital and we will be READY! Can you believe that Tim and I will be parents in less than 2 months! (50 days till my due date, if I make it that long...BP pending...heehee)

Thanks for everyone's thoughts and prayers!

Hanging in here...

Well, another week is almost over...Thank God. 33 weeks just about down...not sure how many I have left to go. According to the Dr. we are buying time. He said hopefully we can keep our son growing for another month. I have Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH) or very close to Preeclampsia. If my BP keeps going up, then they need to re-evaluate things. If it got too high, there is a risk for me and our boy. I could have a stroke or a seizure.
I have been on bedrest (modified-meaning I can work a couple hrs. a day). I go tomorrow for the babies 1st non-stress test that I will have to do twice a week, and Friday we have to have another ultrasound to measure our little one to make sure he is growing. I have been a little afraid, scared I did something wrong to cause this...but I didn't. Like my Mom said, it is the pregnancy I am supposed to have, and that God does not give you more than you can handle. I am happy the Dr. is watching my lil one and my health so closely.

Please keep us in your prayers.

I have the itch to start organizing things...and i have to lay on the couch. Tim, feel like cleaning out my closet?

Tim has been great taking care of me. Such an amazing man.

I will post the next weeks events soon! Let you know how tomorrow goes.

Monday Monday...

Well not much going on in the Minnicks camp other than a lot of uncomfortable sleepless nights and some stress trying to get the baby's room completed before he gets here. I can tell that Candace is getting more and more uncomfortable and I feel so bad for her. It's getting worse and worse and I think we are both looking forward to getting this baby here healthy, happy and NOW!!! ha ha. Ok, not really now cause he would have to stay in the NICU, but you know what I mean. It stinks because Can is up all night and finally settles into a sound sleep around 5-6am. Just in time for me to wake her up when I'm leaving for work. She's a trooper though and has her chin up and is taking it all in stride.

We started birthing classes. They are pretty cool so far. I've learned pressure points and where to massage Can when she is in labor to take any stress and anxiety away from her. Did you know the hand is the best place to massage to get someone's thoughts off of what is going on? Yeeeup! Something like 10,000 messages sent to the brain when someone massages your hand. Crazy stuff, huh? We take a tour of the OBTLC in 3 weeks. I can't wait for that. It's gonna be cool seeing where you go and the room and stuff and where to hook up my XBOX. Just kidding about the XBOX of course. (luckily we are 2 minutes away from the hospital so I can run home and play in between contractions!) Ok, seriously I'm just playing. ha ha. I'm just going crazy waiting to meet our little boy and now even though there are only 2 months left it seems like forever. MAN I've gotta get this room done!

I'll be posting pics of the baby's room soon and I'll also be posting video that I've been editing of the 3D ultrasound, hopefully by the end of the week.

I love you Can!

T