Last Night Drive Through

Well, Brad and I officially had our first 100% complete false alarm. I started having some big contractions yesterday evening. We started counting them around 6:15pm. The began to come more frequent and the intensity was rising. We waited until they were about 4 minutes apart and decided we should load up the car and head over to get checked out. The nurse strapped 2 monitors on me, one for the contractions and one for the baby's heart. Jaxson was going strong and so were the contractions. Now they were between 3-4 minutes apart and lasting about 1 1/2 minutes. I wasn't dilated any more than my previous appointment but now I was 70% effaced and my bag of water was bulging out. The nurse also confirmed that Jax was still head down. Brad and I got to get up and walk around a while. When we came back the only change was now I was 90% effaced. They said it wasn't much to be concerned about however they wanted to monitor Jaxson's heart rate some more. Earlier it was around 130 bpm but now hovering the 104 range. Basically my lazy little boy was taking a nap....of course it was 1am and mom was getting kind of tired too. They said that little boys tend to decrease their heart rates anyways. So after they confirmed that nothing was to be worried about, they discharged us. That sucks...I really didn't want to be that pregnant girl that cried wolf. So here I sit at home...contracting and being uncomfortable. So I guess it is just another waiting game!

Update on EVERYTHING!!!

Hello out there...first of all I just want all you to hear me say it...I told you so. I told y'all that I wasn't super great on this whole updating thing ....but hear goes another attempt...

1. The Pregnancy: okay, so based on my little ticker I am 39 1/2 weeks pregnant. Christmas is almost here and so is this little boy. I have finally hit 9 out 9 pre-labor signs so that means that I could pop at any time. According to the books, it means anywhere from 24 hours or a few more days. Gotta love science. As of last week, I was almost 2cm dilated and 50% effaced and the doctor had her finger on my kid's head...weird! I am still doing things like normal, just waddling a little bit more often. Brad and I bowled with the Wii for about 4 hours last night. I don't know about the whole watermelon between my legs but it feels like I went on a 30 mile bike ride and the bike seat is still in my crotch. AWESOME!!! My doctor also set up a date for induction in case Jaxson decides to draw this whole birthing process out. If we go past our due date of Christmas, then she will induce me on the night of the 27th and Jaxson would be born on the 28th. Yeah, guaranteed tax deduction!! It is sooo weird to think that regardless, in one week, Brad and I will be parents!!!!

2. Work: Well I busted my hump this past week of work so that I made sure I left no open charts on my desk. I was able to sign all of the formal documents for the doctors & insurances and even wrote updates on all of my patients so that the person covering for me doesn't get too overwhelmed. I am really looking forward to a 12 week break from work. I know that I will still be busy but it is nice to change up things a bit.

3. Nesting: I guess you could call it that or just another Saturday and Sunday in the Felder House. =) Brad and I have just about got everything done...baseboards, blinds, vents, carpet cleaning, vacuuming the garage...etc. If you ever want your house to be completely clean, just have a kid!

4. Christmas: My house is beautifully decorated with a huge tree and lots of nick knacks. Presents (most of them) are wrapped and under the tree. I am still missing a few presents but if someone has a problem with that...then I am pretty sure I have a good excuse this year. =)

5. Baby Showers: A girlfriend of mine threw me a baby shower in Round Rock this past November. It was great. I got lots of stuff and the food and company was awesome!!! Round Rock Medical Center threw me a surprise shower my last weekend there. Only a few people were able to make it but it was such a treat!!! And then Georgetown Therapy threw me a surprise shower as well. It was awesome. I was shocked because they really tried waiting until the last possible moment. I have been blessed with so many gifts and toys for Little Jaxson. I can hardly wait to try it all out. My patients have been amazing too! I have received so many special handmade items for Jaxson.

Well that is about it. I will try to get Brad to take a picture of me as my final pregnancy photo. Hopefully my next post will display the newest addition to our family!!!

P.S. Merry Christmas!!!

36 1/2 Week Appointment

So, it looks like Brad and I are still right on target for Christmas Day. I am not dilating yet (doc says nearly there) but Jaxson is head down for sure. She ultrasounded him today and he was very proud of his bottom and his foot. He stuck both of them out at the doctor just for good measure. =) Everything is looking great....my blood pressure is still down and my weight gain is right on target for the recommended average. I have been retaining a little extra fluid but the doctor said that is normal at this point. I finally took off my wedding rings. Now I look like a knocked up 15 year old...great. =) Brad and I are getting excited. The doctor took a guess at his weight and she is predicting in the mid 7 pound range. She said that my stomach is small but that he is all baby and just has no where to go which is why he sticks out so far. We are scheduled for Lamaze this coming weekend...maybe I will let Brad bring his Nintendo DS to keep him entertained for 5 hours....who am I kidding??

Baby's Room (Almost done)

Here are some pictures of the baby's room. Brad and I are so excited about how it is turning out. Everything is just about done but I am missing some cushions and the ottoman to the glider. Brad painted the lettering on the wall and put up the chair rail and the blue paint. I painted the clouds free hand (twice - long story) and did the decorating. Of course there is also the toy box. We decided to leave it out in the open instead of hiding it in the closet since it turned out so good. The decision might be revisited though. =) So anyways..take a look at the pics. Let me know what y'all think.

And, of course the dogs wanted to help with everything....=)

32 Week Appointment

I went in for my 32 week appointment today (I am actually almost 33 weeks). Everything looks great. I have been pretty lucky because this has been such an easy pregnancy for the most part (minus the first 20 weeks of nausea). =) My blood pressure is doing good (110/71) and I have managed (somehow) to keep my weight down too (only 22 pounds total). He is still measuring slightly above average in regards to my stomach measurements. The doctor laughs every time she looks at my stomach because Jaxson is VERY active during the day. He was moving all over the place and kicking like crazy. He is also very proud of his bottom. He will stick it out at you and if you pat it, he sticks it out further. His heart beat sounds great and the doc has started discussing birthing options with me.....birthing options!!?!?!?! oh crap..it is almost here and definitely getting more and more real!

Bastrop Baby Shower 10-25-08

Here are some pics from my baby shower in Bastrop, Texas. It was awesome!! My sister and mother hosted it and it turned out beautifully. Erin had the cake designed and even diverted disaster with the name misspelled at first but then a minutes and a few toothpicks later, no one could tell. It looked awesome!!!She also spent a ton of time (so I hear) on the baby item cake. And in a matter of a few seconds, her daughter destroyed it but at least she was able to try out all the items. I now know that each pacifier has thoroughly passed all inspections by Miss Abigail Grace. Erin's closest friend from high school, Sarah, made this awesome quilt for me. It was beautiful!! And from what I hear, props to Erin and Abby for picking all the fabric.

Here pictures of some of the guests....Me and Grandma Nelson

....Me and Donna Fiebrich....

....Erin (Abby), Me, and Samantha....

....Erin (Abby), Mom, and Me....

....Debbi (Brad's Mom) and Me....

....And here is my car...completely loading with baby goodies. It was such a nice day!!! Thank you to everyone but especially to Erin and Mom!!!

Autumn's Baptism

We drove up to Little Rock, Arkansas this past weekend to visit Brad's brother and sister-in-law, Russ and Tammy, and their little girl, Autumn Grace. Brad was dubbed the Godfather at the baptism. The Godmother is Tammy's sister, Trae. It was so great to see everyone. Here are a few pictures from the weekend....

She did so good. About as behaved as you could ask an almost 2 year old to be....

A little over 29 weeks at the deer lease.

The Deer Lease

So Brad has been working around the clock to get a deer feeder and a deer stand set up prior to deer season. Well he of course priced everything out and decided that he could do a better job for a fraction of the cost. Below is the construction/monstrocity in the front yard that we of course got a letter from our HOA to please move NOW.

We went out to the lease (a little past Llano) a week or so ago and set it up. Well I say we but mostly I took pictures. Below is the stand (daddy's tree house) and the deer feeder.

Well a deer lease wouldn't be fun without a 6 speed four wheeler that Brad likes to do wheelies on or of course the oh so redneck handlebar beard. (God help him...I mean me).

And just so everyone is clear, when the guys say that they are going to go "rough it" at the deer lease, I get to say Bull S#@^! Look at this unbelievable place! The cabin is 3000+ square feet and it has five bedrooms. The two upstairs have 2 full/queen size beds each! The is a gorgeous fireplace and of course essential to deer/football season...satelite TV.

And here is some of the scenery:

28 weeks along

Here is an updated picture of me at 28 weeks.

26 week doctor appointment

Okay so here is an update. Basically my doctor said that Jaxson heart beat sounds like a horse. I mean I have heard all the stories of "oh my gosh! It is like a watermelon had to fit out of a lemon"....but seriously....A HORSE!!! I am screwed. =) okay, all exaggerating aside. Jaxson is measuring slightly above average. He kicks ALL DAY LONG but at least I have never felt anything at night (side note to Jaxson...keep this up after birth and there will be an extra bottle in it for you!) Also, aside from taking all my food and clearly all the room in my abdomen, the little guy is also taking my blood. I have a little bit on the low side of a blood count but no big deal, right? Just add a little constipation...I mean iron pill to your diet and everything will be great!!

Also, my sister bought us and sent the entire bedding collection for the kid's room. And my mom bought the crib, so of course I had to break everything out and decorate as much as I could. We finished painting the room but I still need to add some clouds to the blue sky and other decorative stuff. But here is a quick look at what we got so far. Also, as my gift to Jaxson, I bought a cedar chest for a toy box and painted on it to match the room. You can see the pics below.

Most recent picture of Jaxson

Well, I say most recent but really this was from week 18 and I am now 26 weeks along. At my last appointment, my doctor told me that he was now too big to get a decent picture. (I am totally screwed.) So enjoy this nice sweet pic because I am sure that the next pictures will show a little baby that looks like a troll doll after birth. Apparently all Felder babies are born with a head full of jet black hair before it all falls out to bleach blond.

My Very First Blog

Well, after continuous nagging from friends and family, I have decided to join the crowds of people and create a blog. There will be no promises made that I will be as religious about this like other people because it is yet one more thing to juggle in my busy life. But in the effort to update my friends and family on those oh so important moments...I will do my best.