Its a….GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!! What a miracle. March 28, 2008

After 10 long weeks of bedrest and many worried nights and days—–Beautiful Ms. Anna P made her grand entrance into the world on 03.20.08 at 3: 38 pm ( first day of spring). She weighed 7 pounds and was 20 inches long. She instantly won over her parents hearts.

She suffered a fractured collar bone on the weigh out ( poor little girl) and had some significant bruising to her head ( traumatic birth I guess) as well as a little round of jaundice–BUT otherwise is quite healthy and robust. We are loving having her here with us and are still shell shocked that she is ours!!! Mom and dad are of course busy as ever and are struggling to find time to rest. We hope to be updating this blog down the road and especially adding pictures are we go. Here are a few to start.

no more bedrest March 17, 2008

Happy St. Patricks Day!! Hope you all go have a green beer for me.

Friday I stopped bedrest! I have been slowly easing into things as I am finding that I tire out pretty quickly. Ryan and I went out to dinner friday night and I could hardly make it through ( i did however push myself to make it through desert). Sitting upright for that long was pure torture. I was sore, my back hurt, the baby keep kicking and I was having those darn “painless” contractions again. Saturday I went to get my hair done and barely made it through that as well. Today, I actually went to a job interview. I know I’m nuts. It was with the same company I currently work for–just a much closer location and a part time position. We”ll see how that went— I felt like a blubbering fool. There were 10 people interviewing me. I have not had to be “on my toes like” that or in a work environment for over 2.5 mos–i think my brain has turned to mush. I’m not sure I’ll get the job–oh well–what can I do???

funny sledding video March 14, 2008

leave it to those crazy canadians…

36 weeks!! Can you believe it? March 14, 2008

Yes the 36 week marker is here!!!!!!!! Today is the day we all have been waiting and praying for. What a relief/miracle/blessing. I hardly know what to do with myself. Now the next question is..when IS this baby going to come?? Soon? Or will he/she hold out to the very end???

So, I have this story that I think is very weird and even a little eerie. It is not made up and it happened last night. To start, on Feb. 3rd, 2008, my family back in Minnesota gathered around for a baby shower for both me and my cousin Alicia.

I was in the hospital and unable to make it. Someone, (i believe my cousin Kristina) bought this helium balloon that said: welcome baby p. that they had for the shower. After the shower, my mom shipped out some goodies for us here in Portland and in the box she placed the helium balloon. I took it out of the box and it was good as new and floated right up to the ceiling of my living room and has remained there ever since. I did have a baby shower here and for the afternoon the balloon was tied to a tree outside to greet everyone. After the party the balloon came back in and went right back to its corner in the living room. Yesterday it finally started showing signs that it was deflating–but only a little bit. Every time our heat would turn on the balloon would start to bob up and down. At that point, I for some reason, had this thought that when the balloon completely drops to the floor–that is when I’ll start labor. Crazy–I know but hey I’ve been laying in bed for 2.5 months-give me a break. So Ryan came home from work that night and I told him my thoughts regarding the balloon–he laughed a bit but obviously thought nothing of it.

Later, that we decided that tonight was the night we were going to return to sleeping in OUR bed which is located on the 2nd floor. Prior to last night we had been sleeping on the 1st floor in the spare bedroom so that I could avoid using the stairs. While we were laying in bed reading and enjoying being back in our big comfy bed, the balloon came bouncing into our room! It had come up the stairs and right into our room. Then it proceeded to bounce along the ceiling until it settled into position right above my head!!! It then began bobbing up and down again and at times was hitting me in the head! Ryan and I were laughing hysterically but we were also a little freaked out. The balloon would not leave me alone so I ended up having to tie it to the end of the bed where it remains. IS THAT WEIRD OR WHAT?????? I have to admit I am a bit superstious and do think this could perhaps be a sign of some kind. Either that or we have a friendly ghost who is cheering us on. None the less, it was a very strange event.

Now, on to a different topic. For those of you that are pregnant or with a little one already, you may be interested in this. I found these really cool diapers called g diapers. They are environmentally friendly as they are bio-degradeable and flushable. “The flushable refills contain tree farmed fluff pulp and Super absorber. These lock away cells hold up to 100 times their weight in liquid so your baby stays dry. The outer material of the flushable is all natural fiber and is 100% compostable.” They decompose in about 2 mos. Normal “disposable” diapers do not decompose for 500 HUNDRED years!! That is insane! Cloth diapers are an alternative but they too aren’t that eco-friendly in that it takes a lot of water and energy to clean them each time.

check out their website–they are really cool: gdiapers.com

ITS THE FINAL COUNT DOWN. March 13, 2008

At the present moment I have less than 24 hours left of bedrest!! Team P. is nearing the finish line. I get to stop the terbutaline. I will still need to take it easy for the next week or so, but I will be able to walk around the house, take care of my basic needs, even run some errands. We had a Doc’s appointment yesterday with the perinatologist. Everything checked out good; the baby’s heartbeat was normal at 144 bmp, weight gain was appropriate. Ryan and I are going out to dinner tomorrow night and I’m going to get my haircut! How exciting right?

Will keep ya posted on further news. In the meantime I may just continue to post videos/pictures that I find entertaining. (Too bad if you do not).

If you do have anything funny or of note to post please let me know.

One more thing, I found this cool website this morning called:

http://musicovery.com/

It is a music website/web radio that you can select what type of music to play based on your mood. check it out.

funny kiddo, kick who’s ask?? March 13, 2008

This might be wrong but how can you not laugh???

walking dog March 12, 2008

this dog is a bad ass. Just watch the first few minutes.

Doggie skateboarding March 12, 2008

I guess the theme for today is dogs.

This dog has mad skills.

wiener poopie? March 12, 2008

For those of you that have dogs and don’t pick up their pooh.

My friend Laura emailed this to me this morning. I thought it was pretty funny….

Books March 10, 2008

recent books I’ve read recently:

A New Earth, by Eckhart Tolle: http://eckharttolle.com/a_new_earth

Something Borrowed, Something Blue and Baby Proof, all by Emily Giffin:

http://www.emilygiffin.com/

Eat, Pray, Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert: http://www.elizabethgilbert.com/eatpraylove.htm

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, by Barabara Kingsolver: http://www.animalvegetablemiracle.com/

Lamb and Fluke: by: Christopher Moore

belly pic March 10, 2008

my mom requested an updated belly photo to be posted..here you go…getting bigger.

I was reading my friends blog, www.mrdiggles.com, and came across this funny video he had posted. Hope you enjoy too, it is these guys trying to pull a tree down using their truck. I would have thought the outcome would be quite obvious, apparently not to them.

DID SOMEONE SAY WALLETS?

Just wanted to give a plug to my friends billfolds/wallet company based here in Portland. They make terrificly fun an quality wallets. Their company started out by Garett making handmade wallets out of duct tape in his house. It has all grown from there. You can now find their wallets in all sorts of speciality stores, boutiques, as well as major department stores such as Nordstroms. To read more about their interesting story and to view their latest creations click: db clay

“who is dbclay?”

“Based in NE Portland, we create unique wallets called pocket art. Our newest collection of Designer wallets is titled Version 3. We have developed a proprietary printing process for transferring conceptual artwork and timeless photographs onto our custom textile (eco friendly Tope) prior to stitching our one-of-a-kind Tope fabric into a strong and beautiful billfold. Each piece tells a story, intends to spark human interaction and encourage meaningful conversation.”

In need of a photographer???????

ONE more plug: my friend is a photographer here in PDX and just got her website up and running. She takes amazing photos. If anyone is in the need to a great photograpger for an event I suggest you check her out. She has done a lot of different events from weddings, to birthday parties, pets, etc.. Check out her website too by clicking: juliana photography.

35 weeks today, 8.5 weeks of bedrest and 7 more days left March 7, 2008

Made it to 35 weeks!!!! Holy cow. This it the point I was hoping to get to 2 months ago when all this began. And now we are here. Its a party, time to celebrate! Max and I are going to do a little dance together now on the couch.

Just 7 more days left of bedrest, of not being able to take care of your self or to go outside and take a walk, to drive, to cook, etc. It is hard to be so dependent on other people for your basic needs. Thankfully, I have a truly wonderful husband who has been working his butt off. He has been working long hours at work, and then coming home to care/wait on me and Max. And he did it without hesitation nor complaining. Now that is not to say we didn’t have some rough spots and frustrating days-but all in all we did it together as a team. I think we are very lucky–I am very lucky.

The thing is, there are many other people out there who do not have such a great husband or family or friends; who maybe don’t have a date they are shooting towards when all their suffering or certain circumstance will be over and their lives will go back to normal. For some people, it goes on forever. They are the one’s that are truly inspiring.

Ryan and I both feel that although this has been a challenging experience (one of many more to come down the road) it has been a positive one on so many levels. It has helped us grow as individuals as well as a couple. It has taught us more about ourselves and allowed us to slow down and appreciate the small things in life. It has taught us to appreciate the value of ONE day–a single day. Not yesterday or tomorrow, but today. everyday we both wake up thankful for another day-for another day of this pregnancy and development for this little baby. That was all we had–just a day.

inspiration video that many of you have probably seen before-it is worth watching once again.

8 weeks of bedrest March 4, 2008

10 more days left of bedrest! Count down. I am excited and nervous all at once. Would like to feel like a normal person for at least a few days before the baby comes. (you know be able to like stand erect for more than 10 min, maybe take a short walk, go out to dinner etc) Don’t get me wrong though–I am thankful to be in the position we are today as opposed to 8 weeks ago. I feel so fortunate. It has been a great challenge–but one that is worth every second.

Just got the statement from the hospital–total charges for 5 weeks—any guesses…………83,000$. Nuts huh. Thankfully, we have good health insurance or we would be in big time trouble. I didnt even have any invasive tests or procedures, surgery etc..just basic care. I’m not sure how people without health insurance would even get by. Been thinking about how poor the quality of food is in the hospital too. It is much worse than the school lunches I remember as a kid. Here is a place that is suppose to be helping people get healthy and feel better, yet they are serving food that is awful. It seems like common sense..but apparently it is all about cost. Tell you what though, people would feel a lot better if they were eating GOOD food. Not the mushing, sorry veggies they try to give you, or the fruit out of can or weird meat that comes in a box?? It is totally absurd. Our country has some things very backwards.

Its also crazy that our country doesn’t seem to value families and new moms etc. We are like 1 of 3 industrialized countries that doesnt give adaquate time off from work OR paid leave for parents to care for their newborn children. Sure there is FMLA-however not everyone qualifies for that and it isnt for paid time off. Instead many families are forced to turn their babies over to the hands of a stranger at just 6 weeks old so mom and dad can rush back to work. No wonder so many people are stressed out and unhappy.

Sorry for the little rant–just some things that have been on my mind as I have been laying here for 8 weeks.

Zen habits March 3, 2008

“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them – that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” - Lao-Tzu

Ryan found this interesting blog over the weekend that I thought I’d share. The above quote was taken from that blog. This is a blog that would be interesting to those who find they are currently stressed out, not motivated, not as happy or healthy as they feel they should be etc.. I encourage you to spend some time browsing through the different catagories/posts on this blog as I found it to be very interesting and uplifting.

Let me know what you think.

www.zenhabits.net