Introducing Roman Cole

This post is way overdue!

Roman Cole was welcomed into the world February 15th at 7:41 pm.  He weighed 8 lbs 7 oz and was 21" long.  His daddy and I couldn't be happier to finally have him here!!  We've been adjusting to life with a newborn and learning to function on less sleep :)

Roman is now 6 weeks old (as of tomorrow) and has grown so much already.  He now weighs 11.5 lbs and is still 21" long.  He is very strong and already holds his head up pretty well.  He loves bath time.  He also loves to eat and keeps us busy feeding him frequently!  He's starting to smile at us when we interact with him which just melts my heart :)  We have started going to baby play group which I seem to enjoy more than him right now but hopefully that will soon change.  I can't believe how much he's changed in the short time since his birth!!

Daddy and I love you baby boy!

Just waiting.....

This past Thursday was our weekly midwife appointment.  I am 39 weeks and was dialated to 3cm and still 80% effaced so we're making some progress.  My midwife said it could be any time now!!  I've also had contractions for the past few days although they aren't regular just yet.  It seems every time we start to get excited, my contractions stop.  I must admit, it's becoming very frustrating although I am trying my best to enjoy the last days of pregnancy.

I'm starting to get nervous about the delivery.  The planner in me is becoming anxious with the "unknowns" that are about to happen.  Our goal is still for a natural delivery without pain meds but I am open to the idea that that plan may change.

Our bags are packed and we're both ready to meet our baby.  I'm quickly learning that babies operate on their own schedules and ours just isn't quite ready to make his/her grand appearance.  When "it" finally does, both mommy and daddy will be waiting with open arms :)  Until then, we'll just keep waiting.....

Proposal, wedding, and dialation....all within 1 week!

Just a quick update:

This past Sunday (Jan. 17th), Chris completely surprised me by proposing in front of his whole family.  Although we have discussed marriage many times, I was still not expecting it....especially right now!!  I don't remember his exact words but he was very sweet and I'm so excited about our future together!  We will be exchanging vows this Sunday (Jan. 24th) in front of Matt and Amanda Balga who introduced us almost 2 years ago.  It's such a whirlwind but it's the best thing for us!  Eventually, we plan to have a ceremony with family and friends to celebrate.

We also had another check-up with our midwife Gretchen.  I still have an excess of protein in my urine but my blood pressure was perfect, which was great news!  The best part of our appointment was that she checked me and I'm already 1cm dialated and 80% effaced.  I had started to feel some mild cramping the day before our appointment but wasn't really thinking it would mean much....guess I was wrong!  It seems that this baby will be coming sooner rather than later :)  Technically, I still have 3 weeks before my due date.  I just wonder if I'll make it that long!

We have a semi-busy weekend ahead.  Tomorrow we will attend an Infant CPR class and then I plan to finish packing our hospital bags.  I'm also hoping to get a pedicure and brow wax before tying a few more loose ends in anticipation that we'll soon be meeting baby Miller!

Midwife appts., baby shower, and such....

Since the last post, we've seen our midwife twice for routine check-ups.  Both visits have ended with a trip to the lab for blood work and a few hours spent in Triage at the hospital for monitoring.  I spent a day on strict bedrest which I quickly discovered was not as much fun as I had once thought.  The concern is my blood pressure being slightly elevated at times, continued protein in my urine, and swelling in my legs and feet.  The initial concern is preeclampsia but, after being monitored both times, we were sent home with no real issues.  The only conclusion is that this baby likes to keep us on edge!!

Last Saturday was our Seattle baby shower hosted by Vicki, Pat, and Mary (Chris' sister, mom, and step-mom).  They did an amazing job with every aspect of it and we were so spoiled by all of our family and friends.  I spent that evening organizing all of our gifts and making a list of the few necessities we still needed and then went back to Babies R Us on Sunday to shop.  I, of course, had a blast getting all of those items and feel relieved that we're almost ready to bring this baby home!

Chris and I have also been busy taking all of our classes.  So far, we've completed the newborn care and childbirth classes.  Tonight we have our car seat class and after that, only 4 more to go.  We're not sure how much we'll remember from these classes but hopefully something from each will be useful.

Tomorrow I will be 36 weeks along.  We need to make it one more week to be considered full-term.  After that, this baby can be born at any time and we're very much looking forward to it!!!  I am feeling alot more movement lately and definitely stronger kicks which still amazes me but it will be so great to finally meet our baby face to face!

Happy New Year!

It's hard to believe that today is the beginning of a new year and a whole new decade!

2009 was an incredible year for both Chris and I.  A year that completely changed our lives forever!!  I am so grateful for the challenges and blessings that this past year has brought us.

For me, the year brought a tremendous amount of change as I adjusted to life so far away from everything I've ever known.  I started a new job in a field that I knew nothing about and learned to adapt to a long commute on a bus to get to work everyday...something I said I would NEVER do.  I learned just how strong I really am and exactly what is important in life.  I have loved more than I could've ever imagined and been loved more than I could have ever dreamed of.  I have discovered how great it feels to truly forgive but recognize the impossibility of forgetting.  I have experienced the incredible gift of being able to carry a healthy baby and share this amazing journey with the love of my life.....a man that loves me just as I am and loves our baby more than words can explain.

I can honestly say that 2009 has been the best year of my life!  I would have never predicted it to turn out this way but I am so thankful it did :)  I look forward to all that is to come in 2010!

Cheers to a New Year!

Busy, busy, busy!

This time of year of course is busy for everyone but this year, it is exceptionally busy for us as we prepare for the arrival of Baby Miller in only 7 more weeks!!  It's hard to believe we'll soon be meeting our baby face to face :)

So much has happened since the last post.  We spent a week in Ohio visiting family for Thanksgiving.  It was great to spend time with both sides of the family and catch up with everyone as well as show off the baby bump.  While we were there, both families surprised us with baby showers.  We were spoiled with gifts and gift cards and are truly grateful for all of the generosity!  We look forward to planning a visit after the baby is born to introduce he or she to everyone!

The nursery has finally come together.  The gift cards we received at our showers paid for a large portion of our nursery furniture which was much appreciated.  The past few weekends have been spent arranging and organizing the baby's room and it's finally almost done.  The clothes have been washed and are all put away.  I can't wait to finally get to use them!!  Chris and I both have a hard time imagining a baby wearing these teeny tiny outfits but we're both looking forward to it.

We've also started our classes as the countdown  to delivery continues.  I'm hoping we get a lot of useful information out of them!  

Our last appointment with our midwife went really well.  I actually did not gain a single pound for the first time since I became pregnant.  The midwife was really happy about this as she had recommended me cutting sugar out of my diet in an attempt to limit the baby's weight gain as we near delivery.  Hopefully I can continue to successfully monitor my diet and both the baby and I will be healthier for it. 

Chris and I celebrated our 2nd Christmas together on Friday.  Of course, this year was different as we look forward to welcoming a new baby soon.  We can already tell that this baby will be spoiled based on the amount gifts that he/she received for Christmas.   We both kept thinking ahead to what next year will be like with a 10 month old at Christmastime.  I'm sure it will be exciting!!

Our next midwife appointment is next Thursday (Jan. 7th) and I plan to update following that appointment.

Wishing everyone a very happy and blessed New Year!!

Appointments and first plane trip

I'm now 27 weeks along and getting bigger by the second it feels!  We had another check-up with our midwife this past Monday.  Things are progressing along as they should be and we couldn't be more excited to know that.  My belly now measures 29.5 cm.....a little bigger than "normal" which leaves me to believe that this baby is going to be big and strong just like daddy.

Last Saturday I had a follow-up kidney/bladder ultrasound to recheck some kidney issues I was having.  We did learn that my right kidney is even more enlarged that it was 6 weeks ago.  My urologist has ordered another ultrasound in 8 weeks to get another look at it.  During the ultrasound, Chris talked the technician into letting us watch the baby some and get some updated pictures.  I don't think either one of us will ever be tired of watching our baby kick around!  The pictures prove just how fast our baby is growing!!  Baby definitely has daddy's turtle lip :)

This week I also failed my 1 hour glucose test and had to do the 3 hour fasting test.  With as many times as I've been poked with needles already, I think my fear of them is finally fading.  The good news is, I passed the 3 hour test and officially do not have gestational diabetes!  Woo hoo!!!!

Today, the baby took it's first airplane trip!  Chris and I boarded a plane this morning headed to Ohio to visit both families for Thanksgiving.  We're excited to catch up and spend time with everyone.  I'm also excited to show everyone my belly!  I'll also get to meet the Miller side of the family for the first time.

Hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving!