Manic Monday...

I am now going to Dr. Newman's office on Monday's and Thursday's until Nolan is born!  That was the recommendation from the high-risk dr. so that is what I am doing.  On Monday's I have an NST (non-stress test on Nolan) where I just lay in a recliner with a remote in hand (awesome) and they hook me up to machines and monitor Nolan's heart rate and movement for about 30 minutes.  This week was my 3rd time to do it so I know what to expect and hasn't been a big deal.  Every Thursday I have an ultrasound and see Dr. Newman just for a check-in really.

This was the first day of my spring break so I literally rolled out of bed, got a quick shower and headed to the office at 8 am.  I did eat in the car on the way but I hadn't paid much attention to Nolan's movements because I was in a hurry.  The nurse called me back, got my lazy-boy reclined and said she was having a hard time picking up his heartbeat.  After about 5 minutes she said she needed to go check in with the ultrasound tech and work me in with her so we could see the baby and make sure everything was alright.  (note:  panic mode starts here)

I told the nurse I was starting to freak out and she says, "don't worry yet, we'll tell you when it's time to worry."  Well, that didn't ease my mind too much.  I get set up in the ultrasound room and tech comes in and says, "so, you haven't been feeling your baby move this morning?"  I explained to her I rushed to the office and hadn't been paying attention.  Then she asked why I was having an NST done and I told her it was because of Nolan's 2 vessel-cord.  She started the ultrasound and started doing measurements on Nolan.  I waited about a minute and said, "Shelly, is my baby alive?"  Shelly says, "yes, here's his heartbeat right here" and she let me listen to it.  COME ON Shelly!!  Throw me a bone, that could've been discussed when she first started looking at him!  For the record, Shelly is my favorite there but I do think it could've been handled slightly better.  (The person's name is changed to protect the lady...I refuse to talk trash about an actual person...so I used a fake name = classy!)

Turns out, Nolan looked fine and was weighing in at 5 pounds, 5 ounces!  Next, Shelly sat me in a waiting area and I kept waiting.  About 20 minutes later another nurse walked by and I asked her if everything was ok, why was I waiting?  She said that Dr. Newman wanted to see me just to check in with me and let me know things were alright.  Granted, the nurse gave me no huge reason to panic....but I of course did!! Monday's are not my days to see Dr. Newman so I didn't understand why she would want to see me. unless she found something wrong.  I called Gray and he was on his way home from the gym.  I expressed my fears to Gray that things just didn't seem right so after a minute debate he decided to drive up to meet me (with gas prices at $3.50 a gallon, why wouldn't he?!) 

I got into a room and called Gray again to find out where he was and telling him I was starting to think a little more rationally and surely she wouldn't have me sit and wait if there was something really wrong.  Gray said he wasn't far away.  Dr. Newman came in and I immediately explained I may have had a small freak out and Gray was on his way so she would know he would be walking in soon.  Dr. Newman felt horrible and she assured me that Nolan was great, he was still breach which made it very difficult for the nurse to pick up his heartbeat on the NST.  She said if there was really something wrong she would've been there immediately and to not doubt that!  We discussed him being breach and she said she would like to go ahead and schedule a c-section so that I would be on her schedule and if he flips we won't worry about it but at least it would be in the works.  So, I officially have a c-section scheduled for Wednesday, May 4th!  Still not positive on how I feel about this but most importantly I want Nolan to be safe and healthy.  We talked about his 2 vessel-cord and how this may be his best position to get what he needs right now.  Unless Nolan makes a move...May 4th is his Birthday!!

Baby Shower - Part III

My 3rd baby shower was hosted by some wonderful ladies of a bible study I go to once a month, Behind the Bench.  The bible study is led by Dinna Spradlin, Dinna and her husband Greg are our region FCA leaders and since Gray and I lead FCA at the high school we have had the privilege of getting to know and love Greg and Dinna!  Behind the Bench is a bible study for coach's wives and it's fun to get together with women from around the area and encourage, laugh and pray together!  The shower was a diaper shower and once again, Gray and I were totally blown away and blessed by how much people are exciting for the arrival of our little Nolan!  I didn't get any pictures (total fail...) but trust me when I say we had a wonderful time, laughed and cried, it was just a sweet time! 
I have to give a small plug for Dinna, I just love her!  She is so great and spent countless hours with me after my dad passed away and just listened while I cried and tried to talk through my tears!  She was truly such an encouragement to me and has been over the past 3 years! I am so thankful for her and Greg and their ministry not only to students but their commitment to watching marriages and coach's grow in the Lord!  Thank you Dinna, I'm so thankful God placed you in my life!!  Love you!

Baby Shower - Part II

My awesome friends Emily, Melissa and Leah banned together to give Nolan and I such a sweet shower!  They out-did themselves with decor and food!  Emily had asked me about foods I would like and my only request was that we have regular size cups (I'm thirsty, people) and the more food the merrier...of course!  I was so blessed by all the people who came and are excited about Nolan's arrival.  On the way to the shower I was feeling so excited to see all the people that mean so much to Gray and I and have prayed diligently for us to have Nolan!  The morning started out hectic because someone wanted to see our house that day and there was just a lot to get done before the shower started.  As shower guests arrived I was so excited and there were so many people there (several traveled a long way to come) and I know I just didn't "work the room" well because there were quite a few people there!  After we all went through the food table people went around and said how they knew me.  I just began to cry!  I was surrounded by so many wonderful women who have walked the journey with me, this shower was more than about welcoming Nolan....it was about God answering our prayers to be parents!  Thank you to everyone who made this day SO SPECIAL for me! 

My other wonderful friend, Holly, offered to be the official photographer for the day!  I love how she captured so many of the details around Emily's house!

Me with the hostess' - Emily, Melissa and Leah

Diaper Wreath (I am going to bring this to the hospital to put on our room door!!) Such cute details - spoons, burp cloths, toys!

Chocolate Fountain = Awesome

They had a book for everyone to sign to Nolan, the book is On the Night You Were Born.  I can't wait to read it to Nolan when he comes!

The spread

How wonderful are people?! 

Kate, Mary, Margaret, Marcus (sleeping), Allison and I.  My FL cousins!!

My mom bought the whale pillow sham and sheet for Nolan's room!  Thanks, mom!

My Mother-In-Law and I

Dianne (Ringgold, GA mom and Ross Duke's GA Grandmommy), Holly, Debs

Me with the 2 soon-to-be Grandmas!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I can't say thank you enough to all the people who came to help us celebrate and welcome Nolan!  I love you ladies!! There are several other blogs dedicated to Nolan's shower too:  Tracy's, Emily's, and Holly's thanks for the blog-love! 

Cleaning and Cleaning...

I just have to say I have not updated the blog because things have been CRAZY at the Ange house.  Remember how we had NO ONE look at our house for 2 months?  Well, we are making up for lost time for sure!  In the past week and a half we have had 6 showings!  Gray and I have perfected the Lysol shuffle!  If only I didn't work full time, this is stressing me out people!  Poor Ross, keeps getting put in the car and driven around Ringgold when he doesn't go to Eric and Holly's!  Between the Kittles' and Holly's mom - Dianne, Ross has been well taken care of while so much is going on!

We did have someone make an offer last week.  We countered back and apparently our counter offer was too much for him because he didn't counter back.  We were kind of disappointed only because we were both hoping this grueling process would be over soon but we will keep vacuuming until the right person comes along!  

I'm still not caught up on my rest and those who know me well know I require A LOT (Debs, #8, Holly and probably lots of other people but these are the few I can think of off hand that have vocalized their awareness of the fact....)!!

p.s. those of you who are remembering this post are probably thinking, "is she dumb...she left her retainers and bra on the counter OF COURSE her house hasn't sold!"  I promise....that was a 1 time occurrence that will not be repeated!!

Baby Shower - Part 1

Over a 4 day time period, I had 3 showers for baby Nolan!! Yes, 3!!  It was so fun and people were gracious and generous beyond what Gray and I could have ever imagined!

Part 1 is dedicated to my work peeps who have been so wonderful to me!  They are SO excited for Nolan to come and have helped me in praying for him before he was ever conceived!  Gwen and her husband have specifically been praying for a "healthy, christian baby!"  (the Christian part started out as a joke but I think it's stuck!)  :)  There were so many wonderful people involved in making our school shower extra special:  Gwen, Terri, Jeana, Stacie, Alli, Cynthia, Leah....it was awesome! I can't even tell you how much I love the people we work with and how wonderful they have been to us!  They have seen me through a lot of tears and we are all just so excited to celebrate for Nolan's arrival!

To make things extra special for our day, we were able to plan it on the day my mom flew into Chattanooga so she was able to drive to LaFayette just in time to make it for the shower!  I am so thankful she was able to come and be apart of that with me!  When I walked outside to greet her, Debs was wearing a pin that said, "I'm the Grandma"  it was adorable!  This little guy is loved so much already, I can't even imagine when he comes!

A HUGE Thank You to all the great people we work with!  I hate that I didn't get a picture with the Guidance Ladies or my other "work peeps!"  Love you guys!!

Here are some pictures that Jeana took for me (thanks Jean!!):  Side note - it was St. Patrick's Day (why we're all in green!)

Diaper Cake made by Stacie and Leah.  Sign with Nolan's name made by Katie Quinn!:)

Me, Debs and G checking out the spread!

Me and Stacie....not our best pic but I love her!  She has been such a wonderful friend!

Gwen is behind me and Terri is beside me.  Terri made this amazing quilt for Nolan!  He is so loved already! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Excited!!

I have a big week this week and so much excitement, I can't even tell you!!  I am officially 32 weeks pregnant this week, 8 months pregnant!  When I was telling my mom this she said that couldn't be right because I have more than 4 weeks left of pregnancy.  Well, this is just a mean trick....you're really pregnant for 10 months not 9 people!  I thought I could blame it on Obama, but I heard this before he was President!  So, only 8 weeks to go, how weird/scary is that?  It is VERY exciting but the reality is pretty overwhelming, I still don't think I've come to terms with all the changes.  I know the changes are wonderful changes but it's going to be an adjustment.  An adjustment that I have prayed for and God has prepared me for but an adjustment none the less.  I can't wait to see Nolan and just hold him!

Last week we went back to the high risk dr's and saw the best dr. yet!  He was funny, intelligent and related well to us.  Obviously, I want a dr that is knowledgeable about what is going on with our baby but "bedside manner" is huge to me and this man had it all!  Basically, he said Nolan looked great and he didn't have any major concerns!  Awesome!  Nolan is weighing in at 3 lbs and 10 oz, growing like crazy!  He said if I wanted to continue to see him I could, but he was fine to release me to Dr. Newman that he has worked with her a lot and had full confidence in her.  I have no problem finishing out with Dr. Newman.  The only catch is that he said I will have to come in 2x per week until the end of the pregnancy to have a stress test done on Nolan just as a precaution.  Some babies with the 2 vessel cord decline in the final weeks so he wants to be sure we keep a close eye on him.  Again, he has no worries or concerns with Nolan specifically, just being cautious.  I am fine with cautious, it is going to pose a dilema with work because my school is a good 45 minute drive from the Dr's office but thankfully I work with great people and they will work with me however I need them to.  I am very fortunate!

My mom comes on Thursday and I can hardly wait! When I saw her at Christmas I was showing some but not really feeling Nolan move and she definitely couldn't feel him move.  I told her the other day I can't wait for her just to sit next to me and feel him moving!  We have a deal that the weekend will be titled:  ANAW!!  It stands for All Nolan All Weekend!! I told her to get ready, it's baby mode time!  Of course, she is just as excited as I am!  I will report about all of the events after the weekend wraps up! 

What is going to keep me from sleeping tonight is the outcome of our Maternity Pics that my awesome friend Holly finished and posted today!  They are SO AMAZING!  I just love them and can't quit looking at them!  A while back I had asked Holly to do the pics and she graciously agreed and I had mentioned I would love to have them taken on the Lee University campus since that's where "it all began."  I am so thrilled and just honored that Holly took the time to give us an amazing memory!  Thank you Holly, you're the best!!  (Click on her link to go directly to her blog to check out the pictures!)

Seriously.

Looking like a fool with your:

• dog in the chair
• retainers on the sink (x2 since we both listen to our orthodontist)
• dirty dishes in the kitchen
• bra in the bathroom
• carpets not vacumned
• stinky trash in the kitchen

Yep, this would sum up the house showing we had this week!!  I got a text at work at 2:07 that someone wanted to see our house between 2:30-3:30 that day.  I called the realtor's office freaking out because Ross was at home and I knew I left the house in NO shape for people to be viewing it.  I explained our situation to our realtor and she called the showing agent and of course "this is the only time they can come."  So, they come.  To my embarassment.  Really.

A few things to note:  Yes, I know we have a lock box on our door which lends our house to showings whenever.  It was POURING down rain all day, I just knew when I left the house no one in their right mind would be out looking at houses on a day like this one!  I worked until 6:30 the 2 nights before and the night before we went to an FCA banquet and I didn't get home until 9 because I went straight from work to the banquet.  I was exhausted and barely threw myself into bed the night before only to get up and do it all again the next day.  Have I given enough excuses why I should be ok with the list of mortifying things?

Gray and I pretty much know we sealed our fate on this one.  We haven't heard anything back (which isn't totally shocking or an indicator either way).  All I could do was laugh as I walked through the house and saw all that we had left out and not done.  On the other hand, every other showing we have busted our tails to have the perfect "no one really lives here house" and have seen no fruit from that.  I guess we showed them!  For real though, lesson learned....I will be putting my unmentionables away every morning before I leave for work! :)