Woot Woot Shutterfly! Holiday Expressions & More

As we expect our first baby this winter we have plenty of cards and announcements to be sending out soon. We are so looking forward to using Shutterfly for our holiday cards, announcements and creating fun gifts for family next year! The holiday card option we like best is http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/pictures-in-red-christmas-card-5x7-flat?fg=384&sortType=1&fa=8&storeNode=93496&fe=1&fb=1&fc=1
This format allows us to show pictures from our maternity shoot, newborn pictures and us as a new family of three all on one card which is great. People love to put pictures like these on their refrigerators and having to send three separate ones can make things crowded. This way we can send all three memories on one card which makes it easier for our loved ones and cheaper on us buying fewer stamps! The different size options for the individual pictures are good so we can easily highlight certain pictures more than others. Definitely want to be able to have many shots of baby boy’s cute little fingers and toes! Next year we can use Shutterfly to send out http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/baby-cards-stationery/baby-boys-1st-birthday-invitations. Plus we can create http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars/wall-calendars as gifts this year. Many family and friends live out of state so Shutterfly is a great opportunity for everyone to stay connected through our on-line albums and be able to print their own favorite pictures of our growing family.

7 months & a Birth Plan

Hard to believe but I am 7 months today! It is certainly going fast! I unveiled my birth plan (well the condensed, bullet-point version) to my Dr today & thank God he was totally cool with it :) Here's the bullet-point version for your "reading pleasure" ~

Labor
• I would like to be free to walk around & change my positions throughout labor.
• I would like to be able to have fluids & other nurishment by mouth throughout labor.
• I do not want an IV unless I become dehydrated but I will accept a heparine/saline lock for potential IV purposes.
Monitoring
• I would prefer intermittent to continuous monitoring.
Labor Augmentation/Induction
• I would prefer to be allowed to try changing position and other natural methods (walking, nipple stimulation) before considering medical induction including membrane rupture.
Episiotomy
• I am hoping to protect the perineum by using perineal massage to avoid an episiotomy.
• I would appreciate guidance in when to push so the perineum can stretch.
Delivery & Immediately Following
• I would like to be allowed to choose the position in which I give birth.
• Even if I am fully dilated, and assuming My Son is not in distress, I would like to try to wait until I feel the urge to push before beginning the pushing phase.
• I would like to have My Son placed on my stomach/chest immediately after delivery.
• I would prefer that the umbilical cord stop pulsating before it is cut.
• I plan to keep My Son near me following birth and would appreciate if the evaluation of My Son can be done with him on my abdomen, with both of us covered by a warm blanket, including the need for heat lamps, unless there is an unusual situation.
• I would like to delay the eye medication for My Son until a couple hours after birth.
• The Hep B vaccine will not be administered to My Son.
• After the birth, I would prefer to be given time to urinate on my own.
• My plan is to initiate breast feeding immediately after birth.
Postpartum
• Unless required for health reasons, I do not wish to be separated from my baby.
Breastfeeding
• I do not want My Son to be given a pacifier or any bottles.

We are still unsure which vaccines we will decide to do but we do know we aren't going to be following "protocol". God-willing we will be lead to a pediatrician who will allow us to spread them out & choose the ones we feel comfortable with our son having. I am baffled how big a controversy vaccinations are now! Then again I suppose everything regarding pregnancy & child-rearing are whether it's based on "fact" or simply people's passionate opinions. I'm gradually beginning to not care what others think as long as Jon & I agree on what we choose which I suppose really is the most important thing! We are still interviewing doula's. We have one we like but her schedule may make it difficult to guarantee she will be there. She has a back up which is good but if we can find one who can 100% no doubt be in attendance regardless of when I go into labor that would be the ideal choice. We will keep you posted :)

More Baby Connor Maag

We had a second round of ultrasound pics done because the first time they thought they saw some issues. It wasn't anything too extreme, they were fine waiting a month before another round so we weren't worried either. Second round was great, the tech didn't see anything that looked awry, placenta is right where it should be so yay :) And by the time I saw my Dr they hadn't passed anything on to him of concern either. While we were there, however, reps were doing a demo of a new 3D ultrasound machine! So they offered for us to do some on that one (which of course we definitely agreed to) and although Connor wasn't being overly cooperative at all that day we did get a couple good ones of his little face, hand & foot :)

New Ultrasound=New Bedding, New Name

We are now going with a nautical theme
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3070550
For Connor David's room :)

Whoops!

Well this is what we get for being impatient. Turns out baby girl is actually baby BOY :p So we will be redecorating a bit, needless to say haha Next time we'll wait for the official test for sure!!

So far so good though. Plugging along at 23 weeks & feeling great aside from being kind of tired & starting to feel cumbersome at times. I know this will only get worse! Enjoying baby boy's kicks & twists!

It's a Girl!

We are officially having a girl!



This is the link to her bedding :)
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3540575

I've been super blessed so far. Not much in the way of morning sickness, a few random cravings like left-over spaghetti, nacho cheese doritos, yes pickles lol, Taco Bell, Long John Silvers (which is extremely random), Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookies & egg nog... Yeah the latter craving was pretty tricky to indulge! At this point I am 18 weeks along & am slowing going from looking a little pudgy to actually looking pregnant! I'll post a preggo bump pic soon. The last one we took doesn't really show much tummy :) The nursery has begun to be painted & planned. We hope to have it done in a few weeks so we can have the dressers moved in (we already have those) & have somewhere to put the baby things we'll get from the upcoming showers!

10 Things of Me

I'm doing this because a fellow blogger friend nominated me to do so (Momma Amma) and being as that was weeks ago I thought I'd finally follow through and stop being a bum. The idea is to tell 10 things you all might not know about me. That should be relatively easy as there aren't *that* many of you but a few of you may know some of these anyway. I'm not always that creative when these things come along but I'll try :)

1. I detest and I do mean detest flying insects, bugs, whatever. I really do lose it around them especially moths. I don't know why but they creep me out. My husband of course finds this both ridiculous and hilarious.

2. I was born with jet black hair. My current auburn shade came in at 3 months ~ Apparently my black hair gradually fell out and red came in. I think as a parent I'd freak out if my newborn was losing hair like that but Mom never mentioned it if she did.

3. I wanted to be an Olympic ice skater or gymnast when I was little. Part of me still wishes I had been. I think ultimately I preferred having a life instead.

4. I do my best cleaning of the house while blasting old-school music like Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, etc. I dance while I clean~It makes the process more fun.

5. My brother wanted to "send me back" when I was six. He's 10 years older and while he wanted a sister when he was 10 he didn't count on me being liked by his friends/girlfriends & getting in the way later. ha!

6. When I was little I didn't want any of my food touching. At all. My parents were annoyed & I was grossed out when my Dad stirred his corn into his mashed potatoes.

7. My Mom didn't buy *anything with artificial anything* - sweetener, flavors, colorings. IE: I didn't have fruit roll-ups. I had "fruit leather" from the health food store. When I got to college I went to Wal-Mart and stocked up on every unhealthy junky thing of which she "deprived" me.

8. When I get *really* excited about nearly anything my laugh/voice turns into squeaking. I try to talk & I'm squeaking while I talk. A mutual friend informed me only dogs can hear me at that point...

9. I'm already planning on saving up for a "mommy-makeover" when we're done having kids so I can have everything put back to its original location hahaha

10. When I was little I hated how I stood out with my red hair. I would have done *anything* to be blonde. Now I still think I stand out but at some point in high school it became ok & I began to appreciate my *natural* shade more.

There ~ Now you know a little more randomness about me. I'd LOVE if those of you who actually read this little blog of ours would post in return because I think this type of thing is fun but I understand everyone is busy and pressed for time. It took ME weeks and that's really just because I was lazy.

Momma Amma you get out of it cuz you were the one to tag me. Although I love you for thinking of me & wanting to know more about the randomness that is me.

Madness of Ms Katherine I think you should do this in return if for no other reason than in honor of all the talks we have shared over the sorority years.

Chronicles of Family Barr You fascinate me so! I know there are many things I do not know about you & much I could learn!

The Fulkersons I know there is plenty that I didn't learn about you in our short time together in church youth group!

Clare's Contemplations I adore your blog & love hearing about your kids. Therefore I know I'd love learning more about you dear friend. You have inspired me many a time!

For those that read this & I don't realize, thank you!! I have not purposefully left you out but instead focused on those who have commented and therefore occasionally read my rantings. Please participate in all this fun if you'd like I'd love to read it!

Tick Tock Baby!

It is official ~ Baby is due December 29th! We saw the little heart beat flicker today... Most surreal thing ever.... at least so far :o)

Graduation!!

Thursday April 8th, 2010 Jon officially became a policeman and therefore I became a policeman's wife. The ceremony was really nice. I got to go on stage with his grandfather (a retired officer from KC) and put Jon's badge on him. I was *so* nervous I was going to drop it but it actually got in his shirt really easily, yay! Tomorrow we'll have a party at his parents house and I'll post pictures from that. Jon will officially start his job, and our new life, on Monday. I'm very proud, very excited but admittedly the whole thing hasn't quite sunken in. I'll let you know when it does haha For now just keep him and us in your prayers!

43 Million Minus One

My friend from junior high and her husband are adopting a boy from Ethiopia. This is the link to their page:
http://markandbeckyk.blogspot.com/2009/10/one-hundred-forty-three-million-minus.html
They are slowly earning their way through all the bills for the process by selling reusable bags they have designed~Please visit the link and support them if possible.
:o)

The Top 10 Do and Do Not's of the ER by Yours Truly

If, by such poor luck, you have to visit an ER I beg of you to keep these things in mind. Also as you read this list remember each of these things are due to experiences I've had with patients personally and quite recently.

DO
1. Bathe
2. Put on clean clothes
3. If not both 2 & 3 at least one of the two...
4. Listen for your name to be called
5. Listen to what you are being told to do so as not to have to ask repetitive questions bordering on stupid. (ie, when I say "sign, date, and print" you sign, date and print. Not just sign. Not just print. All 3. And don't ask me where do I sign/date/print when not only did I just point them out, they are not only labeled but highlighted. HIGHLIGHTED.)
6. Be aware that antics will only get you put further down on the list not higher. If you're being disrespectful and/or putting on an Academy-award-winning performance in the waiting room of how tragic your situation is we'll likely just leave you waiting as long as possible because you're pissing us off.
7. Be aware, we have security on stand by. Therefore rolling around on the ground, cussing us out or causing other such inappropriate commotion will only get you tossed into our specials ward where you don't have TV to watch and still won't necessarily get you seen any faster.
8. Be respectful of the people trying to help you. When asked for your information please be polite, we are only trying to help. Help us help you.
9. Understand that those around you who are doubled over in pain are going to be in higher priority than you who are chowing down on a big mac with no pause.
10. Be prepared to provide the same information to many people within a short period of time. There is no kind of verbal or technological communication going between what the front desk does and what registration does or information either knows. Sorry.

DO NOT
1. Eat while being registered ie Digging in your McDonald's bag for more fries or continuing that sausage mcmuffin you just got
2. Dig into those twizzlers in your purse. They can wait 5 minutes. I promise.
3. Ask the registration personnel how long you will have to wait. We don't know.
4. Complain about how long you're going to have to wait when you came in for a cough or a sore throat and yet have not coughed once in my booth and are talking just fine. If you come in with chest pain and we prove on an EKG you need treated, you're going to come back before the cold symptoms will. Just a fact.
5. Trash-talk the hospital while still being registered. Not only are you trashing the facility who I am employed by but you are trashing the only hospital in town that will not only take you without insurance but set you up with a discount program.
6. Talk about how much better the other hospitals are in town-if they're so great, GO THERE. Wait, you don't have insurance... Be grateful for what you have.
7. Over-dramatize your symptoms or pain level. Staff can usually tell and it just annoys us.
8. Think that we won't call security. We have and we will. (see # 7 in the "Do's")
9. Talk so fast when we ask for things like your SSN that we can't register it quick enough to type it. We ask for a reason and we have to be able to understand what you're saying.
10. Forget what mommy taught you when you were little. Cover your mouth/nose when you cough/sneeze, use the tissues that are readily available, as well as the hand sanitizer, and please don't cough/sneeze directly into the same hand you're going to use to hold the pen I give you to sign your paperwork. Speaking of paperwork please be sure to review #5 of the "DO's".

That is all. Thank you kindly for your time and attention. Next patient please.

The 2000's

Everyone seems to be doing a look back over the past 9 years. I've always been a sucker for peer pressure so here it goes :o) It amazes me how much has happened, changed, and begun anew in the past 9 years.

2000 I was graduating high school, starting at the community college for some core classes and trying to figure out what to do with myself in the semi-real world.

2001 I was leaving for school when a plane hit the first of the towers on 9/11. On the way to school I heard the other one had hit. At school there were tv's everywhere and we all huddled around them in between classes. We were right next to a major Air Force base and, I don't remember why, but mid-morning we were evacuated. There were enough "military brats" on campus that day to be freaked about what this meant for our families. We had no idea how much this would impact the next decade and beyond.

2002 I decided it was time to spread my wings, persay, and I moved to Missouri to attend William Jewell College. It was also the year that my now husband would graduate and head toward the same college. Our paths would not cross for some time but it's always interesting to me to look back and realize how much is going on that we don't know about and yet will impact our lives forever. I tried out for and got a lead in the play that first semester "Street Car Named Desire". I was so excited!

2003 I joined Alpha Delta Pi and gained a sisterhood I will always have and always cherish. Many of my closest friends today are from that sorority. It was also the semester a tornado would hit campus and finals were canceled for most of the students. YAY! That was a day I will not soon forget though. Watching a tornado touch down in town I felt like I was in the movie "Twister" which is not a movie you want to partake in. I was shaken quite a bit I'll admit. My dad flew out to drive back home with me and boy was I glad to see him! Living in CO I'd never experienced so much as a tornado watch muchless the real thing!

2004 I was entering my senior year and was given the responsibility and role of Formal Recruitment Chair for the sorority recruitment that fall. The girls did amazing things and we achieved our biggest class in the previous 7 years! My wonderful diamond and bridesmaid came from this class and now I have an awesome group of girls in my 'diamond family'. At the end of that year Jon and I would cross paths in a whole new way. A simple conversation in a common area on campus became a date to Starbucks and several late night walks around campus. Next thing we both knew we were having our last first date and last first kiss. It wasn't long after that we knew we would get married!

2005 I graduated from college! This was both exciting and scary as I didn't have any job prospects at that time. I went back to CO for a while for some friend's weddings and to have time with my parents. I moved back to MO permanently and stayed in my aunt and uncle's basement while I looked for a job. We never thought I'd be there for a year but I was. Job market was tough! That summer we got engaged and began looking toward a whole new life together.

2006 I got a full time job, we bought a house and got married - talk about big changes! After getting back from our honeymoon we settled in and realized wow, this whole marriage thing is way tougher than we thought LOL

2007 We got a puppy! I never thought I'd have one but we got a sweet lab we named Layla. We celebrated our one-year anniversary and slowly the steps of house-breaking our little addition and living through her teething process. Definitely not something we want to experience again! But she's worth it-can't imagine life without her now. I also started back to school for nursing at the end of this year making a new path for myself in life.

2008 Jon started the process of applying to the KC police academy. Little did we know this process would take more than a year and be a true test of our patience and faith. I was engrossed in classes and work every semester. The year went by fast although the days themselves were long.

2009 The year started fairly well but within a month of the new year I was laid off unexpectedly. It would take 8 months living on unemployment and countless hours applying for jobs for me to finally get one. During this time Jon went through the final stages of his application process and we would receive word he was accepted! Many weeks later we were told there was actually a start date (even more exciting!) and Sept 21st he embarked on his own new journey for both our lives. So far, neither of us have looked back.

As we end the year he is half way through his training and I'm enjoying my new job. I will start classes back up in 2010 and Jon will graduate and enter the streets as a police officer. Who knows what else the year might bring!

~Jess~

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