The Labor, and boy was it!

So here is the labor story. It was pretty dramatic, but now that it's been a few days, it's hard for me to remember how bad it was while it was happening. So, I will try to recapture how I felt, but it may be a little lacking!

TUESDAY, DEC 1st, ABOUT 1pm

Since I thought I might be having the baby soon, I thought I should go pick up the last few things that I needed for the baby. Heather came with me, and we got everything I needed. I was having mild contractions during the shopping, but towards the end they started to get really bad. I was standing in line at the checkout, and all of a sudden I thought I was going to pass out from the pain! I mean, literally pass out. My vision started to get all black, and I had to sit down on the floor immediately. Jack (Heather's 2.5 year old) was very confused and kept trying to talk to me. I felt bad for not answering him, but I guess he's probably over it!
So anyway, I decide that this is the real deal, and I call Jason to pick me up. I had driven to the store, but didn't feel like I could drive at all. Jason was on his way to doing some hunting, and I felt bad that I had to call him. He stopped by the house to grab the hospital bag (which I had only packed the night before) and it took him probably 20 minutes to get to me. In the meantime, my contractions are getting pretty brutal. I couldn't stand up straight, and I was all moany, even though I was trying really hard not to be, since Heather and Jack were waiting with me. Heather gave me a bottle of water, which really helped a ton, and I chugged it down. It felt like an ETERNITY until Jason got there!
Finally, Jason arrives, and we get into the car. I am in so much pain, I am getting nauseated. I mention it, and Jason pulls out a bag, just in case. I didn't think I would really throw up, but I DID! Twice. And because I had had so much water, it spewed everywhere, all down my shirt and my pants. I was very upset, and just kept thinking- "I can't believe I am going to have to go into the hospital with puke all over myself! How nasty!" My contractions kept getting worse and worse, and I was starting to think that we might be having a baby in the car! I mean, puking is a sign of late labor!
We get to the hospital (after a few bad choices as far as what road to take), but we haven't had a tour or anything, and we don't know where to go. So, we decide to go in the main entrance, and they can tell us where to go. Jason pushed me in a wheelchair to the Labor and Delivery unit, which felt like about 2 miles. Later I found out it is less than one minute's walk, but you know how that goes.
I get to the right section, and they immediately take me into a room and check me, because it looks like the baby may be right on its way! Now, remember, at my doctor's appointment on the previous day I was a 5 and 90% effaced. They check me and..... I am a 5. And 75% effaced. WHAT?!?!?!? HOW CAN I HAVE GONE THROUGH THIS AND NOT CHANGED AT ALL!! At this point, I am saying to everyone- "I want an epidural! I can't do this!!" But they can't give one until I am admitted, and they are trying to get ahold of the midwife. So I lay down on the bed, and am still feeling just awful. I flip on my side, and start to feel a little bit better. Five minutes later, I am having no contractions. None. At all. However, the midwife says that she is going to give me an hour to see if I change, since she doesn't really want to send me home at a 5. So I sit in the hospital bed for two hours. Not one single contraction. Not even a tiny one. I am sure they are going to send me home, and I am SOOOO frustrated! WHAT THE HECK! I was in such bad labor pains, and now I just have to go home?? Grrr! They come back in to check me, though, and I have dilated to a 6. Everyone is so confused! How did I dilate without having a single contraction? It's just weird. The midwife doesn't know what to do with me. She thinks maybe they should send me home, but the nurses don't agree. They decide to hang onto me for a little while longer, and they are going to let me walk for an hour to see if I start having more contractions. So we start walking around the hospital, which was really boring. I start to get some contractions, but they are SUPER mild, and as soon as I lay down again they go away.
So we do the walking thing for about three hours. Eventually, they find out I am at a 7. I am baffling everyone! I am feeling pretty much nothing- I mean cramps are WAY worse than my contractions, and I am happy and smiling! They can't believe it, because other women at a 7 are usually screaming their guts out. I am stuck at a 7 for about 4 hours. Still no major contractions.
They decide to admit me, because in all likelihood I will go really fast when my labor kicks in. I am jumping off the ceiling with joy, because I just KNOW that if they break my water I am going to go in about a half hour! YES! I am not getting sent home! So they send me walking again while we wait for the midwife to come and break my water. She comes, and they break my water, and I go walking again, and I just cannot wait to get that baby out!
THREE HOURS LATER I am STILL at a 7!! I can't believe it! Breaking my water was supposed to make everything happen! Not fair! At this point I am thinking that I have NO good labor genes at all! I thought I was going to have a quick labor, but it has now been like 10 hours, and nothing is happening. I have been stuck at a 7 for about 8 hours, and it just sucks. So they decide to put me on Pitocin. Which means no more walking. And my contractions are still stopping everytime I lay down. But I am hoping that the Pitocin will work to get them started.
But the Pitocin is NOT WORKING! Grrr!! I am so frustrated! They keep upping my dose until I am at the highest level. Then I start having regular contractions, but they are SOOO mild! Here is a reference point- they want your contractions to be over 120 mvus, and mine were in the 40s, and only about every 5 minutes. However, they think that maybe the contraction monitor may just not be picking them up like it should, so they decide to do an inter-uterine monitor to measure them more accurately. It goes up past the baby's head. So the nurse is trying to insert it, and she CANNOT get it in! Let me tell you- it hurt SOOO bad! I was crying and being a total wimp. She feels around and realizes that when they broke my water, the baby's head came down and plugged it back up, and the head is stuck behind the membrane. So they have to come and break my water again, and then they will try to insert the monitor again.
Now, all that messing around and digging and pain made me start having NASTY contractions again. I threw up another three times. It was awful! But I was thinking- Hey, at least I will be dilating again, right?
WRONG! They check me after about an hour, and I am only a 7.5. So I decide to get an epidural. I mean, I had been in the hospital for a long time, I was tired, I was in a ton of pain, and I wasn't dilating! If I had been a nine, I would have just done it naturally, but there was no way I was going to be in this much pain for the next 10 hours!
The epidural was WAY better than I expected, and it was really funny to have numb legs! I thought that my right leg was propped up with the knee bent, and I kept making Jason come over and check that it was still laying down like it was supposed to be.
A few hours later, I was complete, but my epidural was wearing off. I was okay with that, though, because it meant that I could feel when to push, which would make the whole process more effective.
So I start pushing at about 8:50 in the morning on Wednesday. That is 18 hours after I arrived at the hospital. My epidural is really wearing off though, and I consider getting a boost. But the nurse said it would make me go longer, so I decided to just go for it. She told me that most first time moms push for about 2 hours. After an hour of pushing, they decide to call the midwife to come in, but I can't push anymore until she gets there. She was at the other hospital. That was SOOOO hard! It hurts way worse to not push than it does to push, although pushing was way more work than I expected.
The midwife gets there, and about 10 minutes later, out pops a baby! She was just about to tell me to stop pushing, but he just POPPED out. I literally heard a pop! He was posterior (which means his face was facing up at the ceiling instead of at the floor) which is really hard to deliver. They were all really impressed that I got him out in just an hour and a half, because it's not uncommon for moms to push for more than six hours with a posterior baby.
I was just so glad to have him, and so relieved that labor was over! It took SOOOO long! I think that he was just stuck for a long time, partially because he was posterior, and partially because he got hung up in the amniotic sac. I am really lucky that he was so tiny, because if he had been full term I would have had to have a C-Section. So PHEW! Also after finding out that he was posterior, I think I probably do have some good labor genes. Although next time I think I might end up with a baby in the car, because I don't think I will go in as early in the hope that I won't have to be in the hospital for SO LONG!

Here are some photos, and I look awful. I know. But Labor is really hard, so I don't want to hear any judgements, okay? :)
This is one of the last photos of me pregnant. I am stuck at a 7 here, and obviously doing just fine!!
Another picture of me being too happy for how I was doing. I think I would have rather had a faster, harder labor.
This is a LOVELY picture of me waiting for the midwife and trying not to push. I didn't even know Jason had taken this pictures. I am not sure why he did, since I look like I am dying, but I guess it's good to document, right?
This is RIGHT after I had Finn. Before I got to hold him, while they were weighing him. I look really puffy from all the fluid and Pitocin they pumped into me.
Me holding Finn for the first time. He is so cute, huh?
Again, a first time holding picture. And puffy tired face.
A cute picture of Finn to have some attractive pictures in here!

Isn't he too cute? I love the spit up in his mouth! I am so glad I had him, and he was worth every minute!

Welcome, Finn!

IT'S A BOY!!!

We are so excited to have a new addition to our family! Finley Jason Klimek (aka Finn) was born on Wednesday, December 2nd at 10:36am. He was 3 weeks and 1 day early, so it was a fun surprise! He weighed 5 lbs and 10 oz and was 18 and 3/4 inches long. We think he is about the cutest baby ever born, but maybe we are a little biased! :)

He has an amazing temperament, and hardly ever cries. In fact, he didn't cry at all during his shots, and we had to take him in to have blood drawn this morning, and he slept through the whole thing! He has high levels of bilirubin, so he has had to be under a phototherapy light for a while. He seems to really enjoy it, as you can see from the photos. And no, NONE of them were posed. He just loves to stretch out!

We love him to death, and are so excited to have him here! Birth story to follow in a little while, and it's dramatic, so STAY TUNED!!

A crazy surprise!

Yesterday morning, at 36.5 weeks, I had a doctor's appointment. I was planning on being induced on the 17th, and they told me that they would only consider inducing me a week early if my cervix was softened. I guess your body has to be ready or something like that. They could give me drugs for it, but won't. So, I was going to be checked, and I was hoping and praying that my cervix would be softish. Maybe not soft enough to induce yet, but soft enough that they would consider inducing me in a few weeks.
The midwife is checking me, and she gets this really weird look on her face. Immediately, I am paranoid and thinking "Oh no! What's wrong!" Then she says she is going to have to check me again, so she does so. "Well, induction is certainly an option!" she says. Then she tells me that I am dilated to a FIVE and 90% effaced. I am sure my face was in total shock! I mean, keep in mind that I am still 3 days away from being full term. She was also in shock! She told me that most women don't reach a five until they are in hard labor, and here I am, clueless, with no contractions at all! She also told me that I will likely go really quickly, and probably soon. The baby was at a -2 station, so it didn't necessarily mean any day now, but she kept saying "If you're pregnant next week..."
I had contractions (very very mild ones) for about 7 hours on Sunday, and I think that is why I was dilated so far. But then last night I had some more, for about five hours. I called the midwife on call to see if I should go in, but she didn't seem concerned, so we decided to just wait it out. They ended up ebbing off, and we went to bed. Nevertheless, I don't think it will be long at all before this baby arrives. Maybe today will be the big day!

35 Weeks Today!

First off, no I don't have a recent photo. You will have to wait until Saturday or Sunday when Jason comes home. Sorry. I can't take photos of myself from that angle. If you still want a photo taken by me, it will be of my eye. I have those ones down! :)

I cannot believe that I am 35 weeks already! It is so crazy! Everyone says that time goes so slow when you are pregnant, but for me it has just flown by! Nine months seems like such a long time, but it never seems as long as it should be. I have just four weeks to go, tops. The doctor said she would induce me a week early (probably because no one wants to work on Christmas Eve. Not that I am complaining!) which would be on the 17th. So the countdown is started!
I am a compulsive list maker. I am not sure who all knows this, and it may surprise you, since I am SOOO organized and all! :) But anyway, I have been making tons of lists this week. I have, so far:
Things I Need to Buy for the Baby
Things I Need to Buy Before the Baby Gets Here
Things I Need to Get Done Before the Baby Gets Here
What to Pack in my Hospital Bag
What Baby Things my Mom Has

And I have reorganized them all a few times. I am starting to freak out a little that I won't get everything done. But I guess some people have babies without knowing they were pregnant and survive. I am sure I will be fine. I would just rather be all ready! :) I think my next list step will probably be things to do in every week, or possibly by specific dates. My mom finds it hilarious that I make lists, by the way. We were not the list-making types growing up.

Anyway. I am just excited to meet this baby, and can't wait for it to get here!

Baby Shower #2 and #3

On Saturday I had two baby showers! (How did I get so lucky?) The first one was at 10am, and Faith was a fantastic hostess! (She didn't get in any of the photos, because she was in charge of the camera. I should have noticed and fixed that, but wasn't thinking. All the blood is going to the uterus, you know!) We played a game where you melt candy bars in diapers and try to guess what they are, and also a game where no one can say "baby" or "cute". Basically, we all had five clothespins, and if someone caught you saying the taboo word they got to take one. I lost horribly! :) Lauren won it by about 7 pins or so.

It was crazy! Then we opened gifts.
Lauren made me a teddy bear! Isn't it cute?
Melanie got me a gift card.
Britney also got me a gift card. Also, I have to say that this was the first time I had seen Britney in at least 6 years, so it was so fun having her there!

Heather got me a goodie bag full of all sorts of fun things! It had some white onesies, diapers, a pack of gum, a cute birthday banner that she made, a really soft blanket with polka dots, some shower gel and a loofah, some toys, and I think that was it. Sorry, Heather if I have forgotten something. I appreciate it nonetheless! Also, her Jason always writes Roses are Red poems in cards and he wrote:
Roses are Red
Oceans are Blue
Babies look funny
There's nothing you can do!
But don't worry, they usually grow out of it. .......usually.
We all had a good laugh!

Kaylee got me a cute set of pajamas with duckies on the feet.

Faith went in on a group gift, and got me a travel system! Yay for that!

The second baby shower was at 1pm. It was at the church, and the theme was "What will it "bee"?" There was a really cute cake that Krystal Walch made me that looked like a beehive and had bees on it made with twix bars and marshmallows. It was really adorable! I don't have any photos because I was dumb and forgot my camera. (Ditto on the blood thing again) Devera made me a cute quilt that was yellow and black striped and we tied it during the shower with black ribbon. Her girls, Sheralyn and Madelyn made me a soft yellow fleece blanket with a Winnie-the-Pooh border. We played a guessing game, to see how many of certain types of snacks were in a baby bottle. Shockingly, I won the one with the cheerios in it! I have always been awful at those. Although I was still over 150 off. Oh well! :) They also had a pinata that I had to break. It was hilarious! It took me probably a good ten minutes to break it open, and some of that was without a blindfold! And I had a BASEBALL BAT! It was very well reinforced!

Then we opened gifts!
Carrie Garner and Amy Peterson got me some Dreft (which is sensitive detergent just for babies) and some handmade burp cloths.
Marilyn, Celeste, Natalia and Tatiana Hernandez got me a reall cute Arthur book (that we read out loud, and all had a good laugh about), some cute puppy pajamas that are really soft, and a cute and soft teddy bear.
Dardree and Jessica McClellan got me a cute purple sweater with a bunny on it, some PJs with pink and purple flowers, and a pair of booties in yellow. The shoes are SO tiny!
Alison Pack got me a check, which is always nice!
Krytal Walch got me some Infant Tylenol, a medicine syringe, Bordeaux's Butt Paste, and Vaseline.
Devera, Sheralyn and Madelyn got me the aforementioned blankets. And also they were in charge of the shower. It was loads of fun!

A Surprise Baby Shower!

Last night I had no idea what we were doing for Mutual. None of the people at church on Sunday knew either, as the main players were out of town. Needless to say, I was confused, but willing to roll with the punches. Our planned class activity wasn't going to work out, so I was prepared to make something up on the spot if necessary.
Imagine my surprise when I get there, and it's a surprise baby shower for ME! I was SOOO surprised! I was even more surprised later, because I found out Jason knew about it. I don't know how he didn't say anything. I would have at least been tempted to say "I know something you don't know!" or something equally elementary school. But he didn't breathe a word, and I was floored!
First, we played a fun memory game where you match a pregnancy word with a type of candy. For example; Epidural and Life Savers or Preemie and Runts. Some of the pairs were hard to guess- especially dirty diapers. There are just too many candy bars that look or sound like they might be a poopy diaper! But it was really fun, and really made me think outside of the box. Then we played a game where there are assorted baby items in paper bags, and you have to feel them to find out what they are. It was also fun! (As a side note, I want to point out that I have never been to a baby shower before, so I am pretty excited that my first three will all be for me! It's got to be better when you get the presents, right?)
We had a fruit and vegetable tray, and chips and salsa. There was caramel dip too, so that is always a hit. And no, I didn't get to eat any of it. But it sure looked and smelled delicious! Afterwards, I realized that I could have eaten some vegetables. Oh well.
Then I opened presents. Each class got me a gift, and they were so cute! I didn't bring my camera, but I did take pictures of the gifts, and here they are!




The Beehives (my class) got me a bath set! There was a really cute hooded towel and some washcloths, some baby wash, and baby lotion. All super useful, and cute to boot!


The MiaMaids got me a package of diapers (who doesn't need those?) and a $10 gift card to Target. I am looking forward to spending it!




The Laurels gave me a handmade car seat blanket. Amy Peterson, the YW President made it and she is just a crazy sewing machine! It is super cute! You put the straps through and you can wrap it around your baby. I had never heard of one before, and I am surprised I haven't seen one in a store. It seems so practical! It is cute too, with owls.

I just love all the Young Women and the leaders! They are just too sweet! And I can't wait for this baby to get here!

The greatest pictures! (If we are talking mass..)

Here are the latest belly pictures! Taken just today! And I am over the swine flu, so I look pretty decent in them. I want to point out my lack of make-up, and that I am still looking smokin' hot. I am 32.5 weeks, and I have tops, 6.5 weeks to go. The doctor said she will induce me a week early if I need it, thank goodness! It's coming on so quickly! I had an appointment today, and the baby is head down. I was pretty worried about that, as the little sucker does cartwheels all the time. I was worried it would eventually run out of room and be stuck in some weird position that would require a C-Section. Luckily, it looks like I am all lined up for the normal kind! Phew!
Also, I have been walking around the neighborhood for exercise, and have been given quite the surprise! Every time I walk for more than, say, five minutes, I have contractions. Not the real kind, just Braxton Hicks. I figure this means two things- One) I will probably be able to jump start my labor pretty quickly by going for walks and Two) I need to find a new kind of exercise. It's not too bad, kind of like walking when you have a stitch in your side, but it's not very comfortable either. I asked the doctor today what other kinds of exercise I can try, and she was like "Walking is very mild..." Jason laughed really hard. I mean, I know walking is not intense exercise, but I was just hoping. However, it looks like I am stuck with it. But I guess if I go into labor early (but not in the next 3.5 weeks) that is just dandy with me!

Some NOT so exciting news...

So, I had a doctor's appointment today, and I found out I have Gestational Diabetes. I failed my one hour glucose test, and had to go in for a three hour glucose test last Thursday. (Which was a nightmare, let me tell you!) To be diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes, 2 out of 4 blood draws have to show high blood sugar levels. All four of my blood draws were high, so I definitely have it.
What is it? 4% of women develop Gestational Diabetes. Basically, the placenta interferes with your body's ability to absorb insulin. Once you are no longer pregnant, you no longer have the problem, so that is good news. It can cause the baby to produce extra insulin, since insulin does not cross the placenta, but high blood sugar does, which is why it's so important to monitor it.
What does this mean? Well, for me, I have to do the prick test for blood sugar levels 4 times a day. I will have to strictly monitor my diet, and I'm not sure how to do that yet. I will have appointments with a Diabetic Counselor at the hospital, and I will have to report to them weekly. They will help me set up a diet and exercise plan. So far, I know I can't have any sweets, juice, sugary fruits, rice, and most likely pasta. Luckily, there is no real risk to me. There is an increased risk of pre-eclampsia, but we'll take that when we get to it. For the baby, it's still very low risk- especially if I monitor myself like I should, but there are some possible complications. G.D. can result in very high birth weight babies, or very low. It can also result in large amounts of amniotic fluid. The placenta sometimes becomes "old" or less effective much more quickly, and the baby's lungs don't mature as quickly. I am a little concerned about this, as I am terrified to deliver a 10 pounder or worse. They did say they would induce me if my baby is looking particularly large, but because the lungs take longer to mature, there is more risk with that.
In the long run, I am at a much higher risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes with in the next five years, and 2 out of 3 women who have had G.D. get it again on their next pregnancy. If it's not monitored, the baby will be producing extra insulin, which can cause obesity later in life. Basically, the doctor told me that I should just adopt the diet I am given forever, to decrease my odds of getting Diabetes later. Also, I am at a higher risk because I have PCOS (Poly-cystic Ovarian Syndrome), and they are sister diseases. One almost always gets the other.
Overall, everything should be fine. It is the most common pregnancy problem, and very easily treated. There is a possibility that I will have to take an oral medication to help, or even insulin shots, but most cases are easily monitored through diet. Most of the risks are during the pregnancy, and the baby should be just fine. I am thinking positive, and it's looking like I won't have to have a Christmas baby after all, which is certainly a good thing! Plus, a little diet and exercise never hurt anyone!

Pregnancy Preconceptions

I decided I need to blog more often about being pregnant. After all, I only have 8.5 weeks left, which isn't very long at all! And if I continue posting like I have been, I will only get about 2 more posts before I have the baby. And there are just so many funny things about being pregnant that I would like to remember. Or maybe just use to persuade the rest of you to stick with your birth control! :) Just kidding.

Here are some of the things about being pregnant that have really surprised me. (And don't worry, I am keeping it PG and not too gross, so don't run away screaming just yet!)
1. I find myself looking at my bare belly in the mirror and thinking that I don't look pregnant at all, just fat. And then I cover it with a shirt and it's cute! I am not sure how this works, but I find it somewhat annoying.
2. It takes me FOREVER to roll over in bed. And I have to do it about every hour. It's funny that the belly makes me so unwieldy!
3. My joints are SO loose! If I don't have my knee or ankle propped up, it hurts like someone is sitting on my calf or foot, making my joint bend the wrong way. It's so weird!
4. I feel full all the time. Like I have just gorged myself on Thanksgiving, and there is no way I could eat another bite. Plus, maybe feeling like I need to unbutton my pants. You know the feeling. And yet, I haven't eaten in hours.
5. It astounds me how big my belly looks from the side versus the top! I look at the top of my belly all the time, and while it definitely sticks out, and Jason laughs at how far away on the floor things have to be for me to see them, it doesn't look that big. And then I see a picture. HOLY COW! I look like a walrus! Is my belly really that big? Yes. Unfortunately! :)
6. One of the funniest things to me is how much I love this little sucker already! I feel it kick, even when it's uncomfortable, and I get this goofy grin on my face and just think- "Oh, baby! How I love you!" It kindof reminds me of being a newlywed, but a different kind of love.

I just really love being pregnant! Sure, it's uncomfortable and I try in vain to convince myself that I look pregnant, not fat, and that it's GOOD that I have gained 20 pounds, but it is so awesome! I love feeling the baby kick, and I love knowing that I have a baby inside me, that I have created and given life! I love thinking about if it will be a boy or a girl, and who it will look like. I love that I have no idea how much my tummy sticks out and I am always bumping into things. It is just too cool, and I am so glad that I get the chance to be a mom! I can't wait to start the next chapter of this adventure!

Our New Survey!

I just learned that you can add a poll to your blog! So I have added one! You all get to guess if you think we will be having a boy or a girl. Also, I would love if you would leave what you voted in a comment as well, since I am curious to know what everyone thinks! Also, you don't have to have a blogger account to vote, so please PLEASE do so! :)

The latest pregnancy photos!

Well, I have had quite the adventurous week. Jason and I both have the swine flu, which is really no fun at all. Luckily, we are both getting somewhat better, albeit slowly. I am hoping we will be back to normal on Sunday, but we'll just have to see, I guess. So, keep that in mind when you look at these photos. I have the swine flu, even though I didn't know it, and that's why I look so yucky.
On the pregnancy front, I am hoping to be delivering a baby in exactly ten weeks. Ten weeks is not too much time, and I am looking forward to that! Things are going well, and I am still feeling lots of movement. Enjoy!

The Belly is Growing!

So, I am now 22.5 weeks, and thought I needed to post some more belly photos. I am getting so big!! I don't feel so big, until I see the photos, and then I am really surprised!
The baby is kicking me all the time. It's really kindof annoying, honestly. Sometimes it's really cool, but usually it is just weird and keeps me awake and uncomfortable. I can't imagine it will get much better in the time to come, though!!

This one is one that Jason wanted, so he could have a cool picture to put on his facebook. I have to say, it does make my legs look really thin!

Ultrasound Pictures!

So, I had my 20 week ultrasound today! It was incredibly cool! I will admit, I woke up in the middle of the night, and I was just sure the baby had a major problem. Namely, I was thinking that since Jason and I wanted a surprise, we would have a hermaphroditic baby, and they wouldn't tell us about it. Not the kind of surprise we were thinking! Luckily, everything is going well. Good on all counts, which is a relief. No twins though. I think Jason is pretty disappointed. Oh well.
The baby was moving around like nuts. The tech was laughing about it, because she'd be looking at it and it would just start to flail around. A couple of times when she took a screenshot to measure things, an arm or leg would end up in the shot and she had to try again. I figure we are in for a workout come December!
This is the profile of the head. The head on the left. This shot took us a long time, partially because the baby was breech, but also because it moved around a lot, and seemed to like facing the wand.
This is also the head. Head on the left. We can't figure out if it's another profile, that's just not as good, or if it's a face shot. Harder to tell on the computer, but in the actual printout, it looks like there might be eyes, a nose and a mouth. Or it could be grey blobs. Not like I am good at reading these things!!
This is a good shot of a leg. You can also see where the feet are almost touching. No, you can't tell the gender from that angle. You will just have to wait in suspense! You can also see where the cord comes in, just to the right of the knee and thigh.
This is Jason's favorite shot. This is a disembodied arm and leg. The arm to the left and the leg to the right. He thinks it looks like the MotherBrain from Metroid...
I can see the similarities. Sadly. Luckily, our baby will not be made out of brain. Right?

Wyoming and Other Activities

I recently got back from a trip to Wyoming, which was somewhat crazy, but somehow fun. I got to see my cousin Mariah. Not for very long, but I hadn't seen her since before I was engaged. So, it's been a while. She is married and has an adorable little girl! Jason and I slept in my Grandfather Cook's sheep wagon, which is super cool, in every sense of the word! I should have taken some pictures of it, but I didn't get around to it. Maybe I'll dig some up in the not-too-distant future.

On the way home, we decided to take it a little slow and go through Yellowstone National Park and make it a two short days trip, instead of a one long day trip. Here are some cool photos.
This is a warning illustration depicting why you should stay on the wooden trails near the thermal areas. We thought the kids expression was pretty good!
This is called "Dragon's Breath" and was super cool! You could hear water bubbling around in that cave. The whole thing was boiling. It was really neat.
This is a not-so-attractive picture of me outside the "Mud Volcano." It's really gray water/mud and it was also cool.
I can't remember exactly what this is called. Sulfur Springs, maybe? Also cool. Very blue, no?
This buffalo caused the most excitement/frustration of the trip through Yellowstone. It was just off the side of the road when we first saw it. The whole road was blocked off with everyone stopping and getting out of their cars (all of which is stupid) to take pictures. We saw it charge a few people, but no one got hurt. Then the buffalo decided to take a leisurely stroll down the middle of the road. The worst part about that was the RV in the front, although they had been there when the buffalo charged would not pass it, even when it was on the other side. It just stopped and stared. Very annoying. But cool. Jason was pumped to see it charge. Random Fact: Buffalo make the most injuries and deaths of anything else in the park.

Once we got out of the park, we decided to stop at Bear World, just outside of Rexburg. We were disappointed that we only saw a few buffalo in Yellowstone, and Jason really wanted to see a bear. It was expensive ($16.50 each) but soooooo cool! We loved it!
This is a black bear. Note, most of the photos aren't so great because you're not allowed to roll down your windows. Most of the bears were really close!
This is a pair of Grizzlies. They were really cool looking up close. Definitely not as cute as the Black bears. Much more menacing.
This is a white wolf. We almost didn't see it. The bottom left corner is part of the road. It was SO CLOSE!
This is another wolf, taking a snooze.
Right by the end of the park there were probably about eight bears. These two were hanging out in the middle of the road. It was neat!
This is us driving by the two in the middle of the road. It looks like they are farther than they were. Our mirror ruffled the left one's fur.
This is in their petting zoo. This fawn was only a month old. It was surprisingly soft!
Me with an older fawn. I am just not as photogenic as Jason...
Here's Jason with the older fawn. It's actually licking his fingers. I got it to lick mine too, which was pretty wild. Felt like a velvety dog-ish kind of tongue.
This was my favorite entry in the petting zoo. We almost didn't see this pig. It was sleeping, and everytime you touched it, it would let out a soft grunting noise. Too cool! Plus, it had bristles for hair, that were spaced out quite a bit. It's ears were really leathery too.

We stayed in Idaho Springs and got a nice hotel room. It had a second floor that was just an ENORMOUS tub! Seriously, I am sure we could have fit at least six people in it. We decided that since our five year anniversary is coming up on the 24th, and we have nothing planned, we might as well do the nice hotel thing a little early. We'll probably do dinner or something on our anniversary (or more likely near it) but at least this was something bigger.

And, for the end of a too-long post, I though I would post some belly photos. I am 20 weeks tomorrow, which is all coming a little quickly for me. I can feel the baby move now, in a weird round-a-bout way. I can't feel it if I am looking for it, but I can always tell where the baby is, so I must be feeling it somehow.

My ultrasound is next Monday, so you can all look forward to photos from that! And, in case you are wondering, Yes- we are still planning the surprise! I am getting too much enjoyment out of guessing to give it up.