"Tryin' to Catch Me Ridin' Ghetto!"

Jordan and I were super lucky to have inherited a gorgeous framed artwork of Michaelangelo's "The Creation of Adam" several months ago, when Jordan's Aunt moved out. It's rather large and we never had room for it in our apartment, so Jordan kept it at work; which may have been a worse offense than his BYU allegiance since his bosses are die hard Utes fans! 

Well, now that we're getting all moved in to our new house we thought we'd find a home for it here. Last night after dinner we stopped by his work to pick it up and were really hoping it'd fit in the trunk with the seats down. No luck! I noticed that Jordan had some wire in his trunk and thought, 'we can make this work!' So while I stepped into the office to go to the bathroom [for like the third time that night!] Jordan tied the painting to the top of the car with three separate pieces of electrical wire. Perfect! Only problem... he tied it all through the windows and I was not yet in the car. Jord said he'd just untie the one side so I could get in, but I ain't no sad pregnant lady-- I can still do some things I used to be able to! I was convinced I could just climb through the window into my seat. With a little bit of help, I easily made it trough the window, like one of those popular teen girls on every cliche 80's flick hopping into her boyfriends convertible as he honks outside school for her. 

In actuality, I probably looked a lot more like THIS!

[I seriously hope you watched that video because it was hilarious!] 

Our drive home was about a half an hour on the highway and we didn't have too much faith in the short wiring even with Jordan's master Eagle Scout knots; so we drove in the slow lane with our hands out the window holding the frame in place so the wind wouldn't catch underneath it. It was a very cold night out last night, but before our little fingers froze completely we remembered Jordan had a pair of gloves we could share. 

We made it home! 

Didn't take us much longer than usual, but now we're not even sure we have a good place for it... of course! 

The First Part Last

37.5 weeks! 

Here is the last part first  --Spoiler Alert!--  Baby and I are fine. 

Now you can read the following story without anxiety! 

........

 When I woke up Monday morning my biggest concern was that the doctor was going to check my cervix at my 37 week appointment. Yuck. Sorry, but I just don't love the idea of someone grabbing all up in me!  Bleh! Little did I know how my morning would turn out... 

Jordan and I went to our appointment and my weight was great, Baby's heartbeat was right on target, my blood pressure was in range, my belly was growing accordingly, but then the doctor said, "There's protein in your urine..." 

AND?? 

That is a big indicator of a condition called preeclampsia. I tried not to freak, but I've heard of preeclampsia before. A professor of mine back in college had a pretty severe case with both her boys. She had shared her experiences with the class because we were reading a book, The First Part Last, in which a teen mother goes un-diagnosed of preeclampsia and bleeds out and dies after giving birth! Yikes, right!? So this is what's in my mind when my doctor says the "P" word.

Our doctor tells us I'll have to do a 24 hour urine catch so a larger sum of my urine can be tested for protein to confirm or deny his suspicions. This is Monday. We get the jug to fill from the hospital, will return it Tuesday after work, it'll be tested Wednesday with results to the doctor Thursday morning. If they come back positive, he says "You're coming down right away and we're delivering your baby Thursday night!" 

YIKES! 

In the meantime, I've got from Monday to Thursday to really freak out. Though I'm trying not to because the stress wont do any good for Baby or me, I know. However, you know I can't help but get on Web MD right when Jordan and I leave the doctors office! What would you do! It seems like all the questions never come to your mind while you're at your appointment, you only think of them once you've left and have nowhere else to turn but the all knowing internet. We're driving home and I'm crying because of all the possibilities of things that can go wrong if I have this condition. Jordan finally says he's going to take his phone away if I don't get off the internet because we don't know anything yet and it's all just freaking me out too much. 

Monday I was really a wreck. But by Tuesday I had settled down a little, I was still concerned, but had some weight lifted off my shoulders after learning that preeclampsia is something that happens in 5% of first pregnancies. The stroke and seizures I was on the lookout for are only a big concern if it goes undetected for a long period of the pregnancy and since we had the jump on figuring out what was up with my body-- we are in a much safer place to detect and treat right away. 

Thursday morning I called the doctor because I couldn't wait for him to call me. His nurses said I was at a 249 ml protein content, 150 is normal for regular non-pregnant people, 300 is high-normal for pregnancy; but they wouldn't induce unless I were in the 1,000's. So I am in the higher pregnancy range, but still fairly normal. My blood work also came back fine and my blood pressure has remained in a healthy range. [I told Jordan we could go to Wal*Mart to check my pressure on our own, since we can't schedule doctors appointments everyday! "If it puts your mind at ease, babe."]

We had our follow-up appointment yesterday and our doctor said it was no longer something he was majorly concerned with, but we should still keep an eye out for lingering headaches as they are an indicator of rising blood pressure and I could still develop the condition; it just may have been to early too detect this week. 

Scary, I know, but Baby is almost 38 weeks which is great because he could be delivered and be just healthy and fine! Fully developed! He is moving about a storm still. All I can do now is pray, listen to my body and trust myself. I believe our bodies work with us and I'm just being extra careful to note any  differences I may feel and not feel embarrassed if I'm that girl who is calling the nurses everyday! 

Better safe than sorry. 

.....

I'm done with work and here I am smiling again! 

Good thing I decided to take Maternity Leave a week earlier than originally desired. I'd thought I'd try to work right up until the week before due date, but as things got closer [and I got less mobile!] I began to think a little extra time might be needed. After all, I've worked really hard and I deserve the extra break, especially with the new house to get in order! So I've got [HOPEFULLY] two more weeks until Baby comes and plenty to keep me busy; though I promise I'll relax and take it easy!  

A magician never reveals her secret!

I came home yesterday afternoon and as I walked up the stairs I heard the classic splash of the turtles frantically freaking out and jumping from their sunning rock back into the water in attempt to burrow in the tiny rocks and hide in fear from the big humans. I laughed and went over to feed them a snack and call them "little pansies" or "scaredy cat-turtles" as I always do because they do the same nose dive routine every single time either Jordan or I step foot in the room. After I put down my groceries and went to give them a treat I noticed only ONE turtle. We have TWO-- Magic Man and Esther [who do you think named who?] I pulled out the floating sunning rock and looked around and still only found Magic Man, I mean-- it's not a very large tank, only 10 gallons, so Esther can't have actually found a hiding spot.

She had escaped.

 AGAIN!

See, we came home from church on Sunday afternoon and were walking upstairs to change and get some lunch. Jordan went toward the bedroom to change and I, of course, went directly to the kitchen [yum!] Suddenly I hear Jordan call from the hallway, "Honey..? Come see this..." I look down the hallway and see Esther in the corner of the doorway to our bedroom-- a good 20 feet from her tank. She had escaped while we were gone and was out exploring for who knows how long!? Jordan and I were bewildered at how she had possibly managed to get out of the tank as the difference from the top of the rock to the top of the tank is taller than she is, but she must have used the heating lamp as a lift and then once up to the lip of the tank, just let herself free fall to the carpet below. All I could think was, 'Thank Heavens she didn't hurl herself down the stairs!'

So back to yesterday-- I get home from grocery shopping and notice she's missing. I do a good once over of the hallway and all attached bedrooms and when I don't find her I call Jordan to see if he has any thoughts on where she might be. He tells me to check under the fridge and oven because she loves dark cozy places. I search high and low... mostly low because I mean, come on- after all, she is just a tiny baby turtle and even though she has proven she is a master Houdini when it comes to escape-- how high could she really have gotten. I find a head flashlight [yes, like miners wear, we got them in our stockings this year from Jordan's parents. They have actually come in particularly handy on more than this occasion.] So I am crawling around the kitchen all commando-style-- 9 months pregnant, mind you. I don't see her under the fridge or oven, didn't get into the pantry under the door... I start to freak out because it's been at least 20 minutes of this search and rescue mission with zero results.

I break down and start crying [remember, I am 9 months pregnant and if I can't take care of a turtle, how can I be expected to take care of a human baby?] I get to my knees and pray that God will help me have a clear mind to think of where she could be and find her safely before she dries out and dies. I am sure I am overreacting about the dying part, but I don't know how long she's been missing since I can't be sure if she was even in the tank when I fed them in the morning because I didn't know I needed to be taking tabs. Crying only makes things worse because now I can't see anything through my tears.

I tell myself she'll be fine, that even if I can't find her before I have to leave for my appointment Jordan will find her when we get home. Telling myself things will be fine has never been an easy task-- as I am not very convincing. You really have to know me to know all the scenarios that were playing out in my head... She somehow managed to fling herself down two flights of stairs and is in the basement curled up under something awaiting her inevitable and ever impending death-- where would I go if I were a hurt turtle preparing to meet my maker? Or she's gotten INTO one of the pillows on the floor through the pillow case opening and is now suffocating to death and I'm like Liam Neeson on a strict time limit to find my turtle daughter before it's too late.

This is my mind. Ask Jordan. I really think these things can happen. I seriously checked the basement, I'm not kidding. Two separate flights of stairs and 3 levels below where her tank is. But if she got out of her tank-- there's no telling what she's capable of!

After about a half an hour of tearing the house apart, I throw in the towel and get ready for my doctors appointment. I called Jordan to let him know I've had no luck and we'd have to worry about her later. I'm on the phone with him -- when -- I hear scratching coming from somewhere near me... 

"I've got to go, I'll call you back. I hear Esther!" and just hang up on him.

I am gently searching through all the pillows and blankets on the floor, again. See I knew I wasn't crazy! Nope not there.

"Esther?? Esther?? Make noise for mommy, where are you?"

I check the laundry baskets even though they were on top of the dresser and there is literally NO WAY, Houdini or not, that she could have gotten in there. Nope. 

I hear a little more scratching and now I wont give up until I find her. It's coming from the dresser! But how? it is flush to the floor and I've searched behind it twice. Again with the tiny scratching of my baby attempting escape, but this time not so smart as her previous tank escapes. I figure she's gotten under it somehow. I have to carefully tilt it upward to see underneath and still don't see her, but I'm sure she's under there so I lift it completely on one side and THERE SHE IS in the very front corner! 

*Sigh of relief.*

She looks fine, only a little dry on her bottom shell. When I plop her back into her tank she swims around with ease and looks un-phased.

I removed the sunning rock until I am able to readjust it so it's at a much lower level. I called Jordan to tell him of my triumphant rescue and say, "Magic Man ain't so magic. How did Esther escape twice and not him? I'm going to rename her Magic Woman!"

Jordan still insists Magic Man is deserving of his name because what if he actually had escaped along with Esther, but magically transported himself back into the tank when he heard me coming up the stairs? One way or the other-- at least one of our turtles is a magician and one of them is a jerk for abandoning the other either when Esther left the tank or when MM didn't transport her back with him!

Turn the other cheek, caballo!

Had our apartment check-out on Friday and we'll see how much of our deposit the greedy property management company tries to keep-- but we're already out three of four bucks...

The week prior, we had packed up the storage unit [each apartment unit has a little closet unit in the laundry room] because we needed the lock for the trailer. We left only our laundry detergent, fabric softener and half a roll of quarters in case we needed any undies during the week. Upon return last Friday to meet with management and get the last few things we'd left in storage, I found our quarters were missing! The funny thing is they were in a plastic bag, in the powdered detergent box with the lid on, behind the closed [but no longer locked] storage closet door-- for less than a week. I mean, come on people! The annoying thing is that someone was looking for anything of value because they didn't even give it a few days without a lock before snooping in our closet. Just obnoxious. 

So I left an equally obnoxious note... 

My Spanish is a little rusty-- but they'll get the point! 

   

Babies First Flu

Someone gave me the FLU! 

INFLUENZA. 

Which I never thought would have been such a big deal, but man does it suck!  

We got home late Sunday night after a horrendous 11 hours stuck in the car from California back home to Utah and I felt fine Sunday night into Monday. Monday night, however, was a different story. I woke up in the middle of the night with a 100 degree temperature and mad cold sweats. I used a cold compress on my head and cover baby bump to bring his temp. down too. I was so cold and only slept on and off for the rest of the night. My temp went down under 100 so we decided it was just a head cold and no need to see the doctor if my temperature was dropping.  

My whole body was still aching from the fever and I couldn't imagine going into work, so I called out for Tuesday and Wednesday too just to play it safe. Good thing I played it safe-- because Wednesday afternoon my temp was back up to 100 and I decided that after 2 days of whatever this was that I should see a doctor. 

My OB requested I see the onsite doctor at Emergency Labor & Delivery, who said I was dehydrated and have influenza.

"That's just the flu?" I asked

"Well, not JUST 'the flu.'" 

Fever, Cold Sweats, All-over Body Aches, Headaches, Runny & Stuffy Nose, Non-stop tears, Wet Coughs... and nothing helps! 

Doctor says it just has to run it's course-- which is about 7 days. 

 Baby was hooked up to fetal monitoring to keep an eye on his heart rate.
He was a little high, but only because the fever had raised both out heartbeats.
My main concern was and is our little man, so hearing his heartbeat was reassuring.  

Leaving the ER after 3 hours! 

Not JUST 'the flu' is right! 

I've been basically bed-ridden since Tuesday and the doctor says I should stay home through the weekend. My fever has pretty much dropped, the head congestion is constant, but at least the aches are gone with the fever. My eyes are welled half shut and I'm just leaking tears all day long, so I write this from my sick bed-- bored out of my mind. One can only watch so may movies on Netflix and sleep so many hours of the day. 

Praying we're better soon! 

Hometown Baby Shower

Last week I flew out to California to attend my hometown Baby Shower and spend time with my family. No one in my family, aside from my Aunt Cindy & Uncle Mark who visited a few weeks ago, have seen me since I've been pregnant and it is great to get a chance for them to share in the BUMP with me!

Here are an abundance of pictures from the party!

[All photos courtesy of my wonderfully talented best friend, 

Sara, at Sara Young Photography!]

Only 7 more weeks until we expect to see his beautiful little face! 

Grandma Johnson

 My sister, Nicole 

Am-Bam & Smashley

My other-mamma, Cheryl

Friends I've know foooorrrrrrever. 

Melissa, Sara & Keely. 

Aunt Cindy & Aunt Nancy. 

My brother Matt asked my mom if, when, Nancy was pregnant they called her "Preg Nancy" -- she didn't get it. 

Just a few of the Riewer Girls! 

Baby wasn't being very active during the party [he's a nocturnal little owl], the family thought if they sang to him they could wake him. He sleeps through Mama scurrying about on her feet all day at work, so their lullabies were more soothing than awakening.  

Jeanette tried to coax out some wiggles with some kisses, but still sound asleep. 

And then THIS happened... AGAIN... 

"Natalie Hughes!!" 

My Mother in Law is forever copying my style! 

Do I look like an old lady or is she just an uber-chic Grandma?? 

GAME TIME!

We played the clothespin game where nobody could say the word, "baby," a little trickier than you'd think. Although there's nothing I'm more sick of hearing than "What are you going to name him?" -- because we just don't know yet. 

PRESENT TIME! 

We are so SPOILED and I just can't believe how much great stuff we got for Baby! Feeling totally blessed and loved. We seriously have just about everything we need to welcome Baby into the world... but stay in there little guy-- Mama's not ready just yet! 

Love these crib sheets! 

Nothing but the best literature for Baby Boy. 

Hopefully he will have a passion for reading like both his mommy and daddy do! 

Mom explaining a birthday ritual idea Papa came up with all on his own.

Hmm.. a new family tradition maybe?? 

Thanks to everyone who came and shared in the love and those who weren't able to make it and sent such beautiful well-wishes our way! 

Jordan and I are so excited that Baby is almost here and we feel so blessed to be bringing him into a large loving circle of family and close friends. We seriously have been gifted almost everything you could think of that new parents need and are feeling very prepared. I cannot believe how quickly the time has flown by and wish I had more time to savor each little minute of this wonderful pregnancy-- sickness and all. Baby will be here soon and life will never be the same! Couldn't feel happier though!