Labor and Delivery Tips?

As Troy and I are getting closer and closer to experiencing labor for the first time, we could always use some helpful advice on how best to go about that momentous event. Robyn sent me a link to a blog that had some tips for expectant dads, so that gave me the idea to post this blog. If you have any tips for Troy and I on the big day, please let me know. I know every pregnancy is different, but there are some tips I'm sure can apply to almost every birth. Please do share them!

2nd Baby Shower

Troy and I had our 2nd baby shower on Saturday. This shower was for family and family friends. It turned out wonderful! We got some major items that we needed (Car seat/Stroller, Pack n' Play, Changing Table, Diaper Bag, Snuggly) and some really neat books (Curious George, Where the Wild Things Are, The Hungry Caterpillar, Winnie the Pooh, etc. We also scored on some cute clothes and some Target gift cards to purchase what we still need. Again, we were so blessed to have all these things given to us! Having a baby would be an extremely expensive endeavor if it weren't for these gifts!

Here are some of the evening's highlights:

Troy, playing the Diaper Game (its melted chocolate in the diaper)...I wonder if he will have the same look on his face when he comes across the real stuff!

Angie did a wonderful job on the cupcakes!
L-R: Jackson's Great Aunt, Aunt, Mommy, Great-Grandma, & GrandmaJackson's Grandpas!Troy, Me, David, & Robyn (Jackson's Uncle and Aunt)....Robyn, thanks for taking all the pictures!

Falling for Fall, Aching for Autumn

Oak Glen is calling my name. I hear its gentle whisper in the fall breeze! Troy and I have made it a tradition to go every year. We usually go to eat at Law's Cafe (they have great soup and pie there) , go to Riley's (the original farm...they don't charge for parking), visit Yodeling Merle, and pick up some sweet Spartan apples to make apple crisp. It is my favorite thing to do to welcome in the Fall. The unfortunate thing is that I can't walk around that much right now due to swelling. I must quiet that beckoning and wait until after Jackson is born to go! I'm sure Jackson will be thrilled to accompany his parents on a Autumn adventure! By the time we get to Oak Glen, though, I'm sure it will be very late in the season. Lets hope they don't run out of apples!

More Weird Dreams...

Last night I dreamed that Jackson looked like Carrot Top...it was a bit scary! He had all that hair at birth and the huge toothy smile too! Yikes! Of course, if for some reason Jackson came into this world looking like that, I would still love him...

Stay Puft...

I can honestly say I feel like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man from the Ghostbusters movies. My feet, ankles, legs, hands, and face swelled up quite a bit this week. I went in and got evaluated by the Labor and Delivery department, but they said that I was just fine except for being "extremely dehydrated." I feel like I drink all the time, so I guess its just not enough. The doctor told me to keep my feet up more (I know I haven't been doing enough of that!) and to drink a lot more water. I'm just glad its not Toxemia or anything like that! I must admit though, its soooo hard to stay off my feet when there is so much to do!

38 Days Left...

The time is flying! There are only 38 days left until Jackson is due! I worked really hard today and I got a lot done in our nursery. It is starting to look ready! I got a Disneyland Jungle Cruise picture framed for the nursery and that turned out wonderful. As you can see, Jackson already has some toys to play with. Due to the fact that we only have two bedrooms, this room is 1/2 office. We still have to conquer that part of it. We received wonderful news this morning concerning more bedrooms, though. Our landlord said that there may be a three bedroom apartment available in our complex in mid December. I was sooo thrilled to hear that. Another bedroom would be such a relief! Please keep us in your prayers concerning that situation. I have tried so hard to make enough room for little Jackson, but it still is a squeeze!

1st Baby Shower

Saturday was the first of three baby showers for Jackson. This shower was for the church ladies. Quite a few women showed up and I received quite a few necessities for Jackson! It was such a blessing! We had fun playing the classic baby food game and a few other games. The food was wonderful...
Chinese Chicken Salad...need I say more? The cupcakes had little frogs on top of them to match Jackson's jungle animals theme. Cute! Troy came and picked me up at the end of the shower in his parent's SUV (our cars were too small to fit all the gifts!). Troy's favorite gift was definitely a little soccer ball for Jackson. He was absolutely thrilled about that! Overall, the Lord has really, really blessed us and Jackson with the items we need. Just think...there are two more showers to go!