*Our Last Baby Appointment-36 weeks

Aaron & I had our Last baby appointment this afternoon. We met with Dr. Rosado. It was a great last appointment. My blood pressure was fantastic-112/64-yay! My sugar levels have been good, a little higher but this is probably due to being on bed rest & not getting the exercise I had been. I am between 1-2 cm dilated-yay! Baby Liam's heart rate was good-b/w 140-149. Dr. Rosado walked us through the induction process & we asked a few questions. We discussed my most recent protein results, 281, compared to the previous one which was 348. Dr. Rosado explained that the lower, more recent results would not warrant me to be on bed rest, but with my past history and the gestational diabetes, she & I both feel more comfortable with me remaining on bed rest for the next week.

We are scheduled for our last non-stress test on Saturday at 2pm. I will have bloodwork drawn & have completed a 24 hour urine collection at this time as well. We have our last sonogram on Monday at 3pm. Dr. Rosado gave us the 'ok' to go out for a dinner date before Liam arrives, so we going to attempt this on Tuesday evening. Very much looking forward to a date night. We are still scheduled for induction on Wednesday evening at 7pm & hopefully baby Liam's arrival on Thursday! We are more & more anxious for Liam's Arrival in just a week!

* 36 Weeks

Baby Liam David-

Daddy & Mommy finally named you! As you may have noticed with being able to hear Mommy while you've been in my belly & you will soon find out, I am very indecisive, so that is why we just named you. We chose to go with another 'L' name & loved Liam. Your middle name, David, is after your Great-Grandfather, Pappy & Uncle David.

Mommy & You completed another week-yea! At 36 weeks your "rapid growth" period approaches an end, you will top 19 inches and almost reach 6 pounds. Mommy & Daddy have another sonogram scheduled for 5/3, in addition to being able to see you and receive more pictures, we'll also have a better feel for your size. You will continue to add weight in the form of extra fat until your delivery. Your nails are so long, in fact, that you might even scratch yourself in utero. The only organ that isn't fully mature yet is your lungs. Which is one of our concerns with knowing that we will have you at 37 weeks & 4 days, unless you decide to come sooner.

You continue to kick/turn/move as if you have a lot more room in Mommy's belly than what you actually have!! You are very active....Mommy loves feeling you move! Mommy has been feeling good, with having all of the rest from bed rest. When Mommy saw Dr. Rosado last week, she came into the examine room, and said "Laura, you have ankles!" haha Mommy's ankles have been swollen for awhile now with you, but now that Mommy's on bed rest, the swelling has gone away & Mommy has ankle bones again-yea!!

Mommy's belly is continuing to grow and drop, so Mommy does not fit very well in her t-shirts, so Mommy has begun wearing Daddy's t-shirts.

I have been craving fruits and frozen yogurt, but nothing strange yet. Mommy has been sleeping rather well lately, only waking up a few times to go to the bathroom & then falling back to sleep. I do miss being able to sleep on my belly or my right side...but only a week & 3 days left of that-yea!

Mommy & Daddy are very excited to finally meet you! Landon is anxiously awaiting your arrival as well. He talks about you all of the time. For instance, during dinner this evening, he asked 'will my baby like carrots?' 'will my baby like animal crackers?'. He is very excited to teach you all that he knows, the good and bad. He is going to be a great big brother!

Hang in there little guy-soon you will be able to stretch out and can kick and kick and kick, without hitting Mommy's ribs or other organs!

Love you-

Mommy

* 4th Non-Stress Test

Aaron & I went to the hospital for our 4th Non-stress test Sunday afternoon. I was once again hooked up to everything...so neat to lie there & listen to our little guy's heart beat!!


I was given the 'clicker' to begin pressing with every movement I felt. When the nurse came in to check on us the first time, she said that I no longer needed to use the clicker since our little guy was doing so well & they had what they needed.



Our little guy had shown the nurse one 'peak' (this occurs when he moves and his heart rate goes up & comes back down again) within the first few minutes! He was reactive and passed the test within the 20 minutes, Mommy & Daddy however had to wait for Mommy to have blood drawn, for preeclampic bloodwork.

The results from the bloodwork and urine collection I had completed, came back normal. My blood pressure was taken numerous times-it was high the first time it was taken but gradually went down. By the time we left it was 115/73. Our next appointment is Thursday afternoon. We have another non-stress test scheduled for Saturday, May 1st.

*Landon's THREE

Landon,

You're THREE today!! Wow-where did the past year go!

What have you been up too?

You are wearing size 4T & 5T clothing. You are wearing big boy pants all day and pull-ups at night. You are still taking an afternoon nap-yea!

You still enjoy reading books, playing with your tractors, trucks and cars, cooking in your kitchen and Daddy's kitchen-you love cracking eggs! You LOVE playing outside! You love playing basketball and baseball. You enjoy playing catch with your new glove and hitting balls, with and without your tee-set. You enjoy throwing football and wearing your Redskin's helmet and uniform. You enjoy taking walks, but prefer to walk with Mommy & Daddy rather than being in a stroller.

You love eating! You eat just about anything we give you but love to eat fruits, pizza, hot dogs, salads, animal crackers and raisins. You are very excited to grill with Daddy and are excited for corn to be in season soon!

You continue to amaze Mommy & Daddy with what you understand, what you can do by yourself and what comes out of your mouth! You say the cutest things!

You continue to enjoy going to Debbie & Pappy's everyday, but also enjoy being home with Mommy & Daddy on the weekends. You enjoy coloring while at Debbie's and bring home beautiful pictures almost everyday. You enjoy playing ball and playing outside at Debbie's. You enjoy your friends, Luke, Jared, and Zion.

You are so full of energy from the time you wake up until around 7:00, when you begin to have melt-downs and upset very easily. Mommy & Daddy can plan on this every evening & try to have you inside and ready for your bath by 7:15pm. You love being around people & interacting with others. You love babies, especially your cousin Mason. We are all very anxious for you to meet your little brother-very soon!

Mommy & Daddy love you so much! You are such a blessing in our lives!
Love you!

Landon's Third Birthday Party!

Landon-

On Your Special Day, we began by singing Happy Birthday to You! You were very excited for your big day & kept trying to hold up 3 fingers!We had your Third Birthday Party at our home on your birthday, today, April 24th.

Who Attended: Daddy, Mommy, Pappy, Grammy, Pappy, Nana, Nanny, Uncle Davey, Hannah, Aunt Betsy, cousin Mason, Jessica, Zech & Carissa. We had invited some of your friends, but with Mommy being on bed rest, we decided to change the plans for your party and just keep it family.

The theme of your party was John Deere.

Once everyone arrived, we ate dinner. Mommy & Daddy are blessed to have such an amazing family-everyone brought a dish so that Mommy didn't have to worry about the food! Everyone ate and visited with one another.

We then began to watch you tear through all of your gifts! You received SO many great gifts!! You are one little loved & blessed little man! You received a fishing pole, clothes, books, a farm set, tractors, coloring books, new shocks, a bag full of Cars things, money, and etc.

After opening your gifts, we sang Happy Birthday to You! You even had your own special cake! You ate some of it, mostly icing, but wanted to play with your new toys so you didn't eat much or sit still for very long.

You had a wonderful birthday party, enjoyed your time with your family & received many, many great gifts! Hope you enjoyed your special day as much as Mommy & Daddy did!

We Love You! Happy Third Birthday Landon!

* 35 Week Baby Appointment

We met this afternoon with Dr. Rosado for our 35 week baby appointment. We had a really good appointment. My blood pressure was higher than it has been-132/82. Dr. R said that she is not worried about it at this point since I am already on bed rest. She explained, had I not been placed on bed rest on Monday, that my numbers would've been even higher, so it is def a blessing that I was placed on bed rest when I was. My sugar levels have been great, so no insulin for this girl-yea! My weight was good, lost another pound-yea! We heard the heart beat-my favorite part of an appointment & it was good, ranged from 148-156. I am half a centimeter dilated-yea! Was hoping for more, but we'll take it.
If all goes as planned-which we all know it normally doesn't-this is what lies ahead for the remainder of the pregnancy-
*Continued bed rest
*Non-stress test Sunday afternoon (4/25), as well as having blood drawn & will have completed a 24-hour urine collection (to check the protein levels in my blood again).
*Baby appointment with Dr. R on Thursday afternoon (4/29)
*Non-stress test Saturday (5/1)
*Sonogram on Monday (5/3)
*Go to the hospital on Wednesday (5/5) at 7:00pm to begin the induction process :-)
*Delivery on Thursday (5/6) & we'll have our baby boy!!!!

Aaron & I are becoming more & more excited to finally have our little guy & to be able to hold him!

*3 Years Ago Today

Three Years Ago Today when I was 36 weeks pregnant with Landon, I went to my OB's office for what I thought was just a routine blood pressure check....little did I know that Landon Aaron Feather would be born the next day!

I remember the doctor taking my blood pressure, a few times, but the outcome was the same everytime-HIGH. I remember her telling me that I would need to report to the hospital as soon as possible for a 24-hour monitoring in an observation room. I then asked her, 'so I'll be able to return to work the following day, right?' Wrong! She informed me that depending on the results of the monitoring, I would either be sent home on bed rest or would be induced & we'd have a baby!! I left the office, in tears & feeling overwhelmed, calling my Mom, who immediately left work to come pick me up at our house & trying to call Aaron, who was up in a tree & didn't get my one million messages for a few hours!!! hehe I went to work, it was on my way home, & broke the news to the EI program specialist-who was amazing & helped hold me together & my supervisor-who rolled her eyes & seemed irritated-she no longer works for the county-thank goodness!

After leaving the office, going home & packing my bag-that's right, hadn't even packed my bag yet- my Mom took me into the hospital. In the meantime, myself, my Mom, my Aunt & I'm sure there were others, were trying to call Aaron! Once I arrived at the hospital, I was set up in an observation room, hooked up to everything & began a 24-hour urine collection. They did a sonogram, to see how Landon was moving around and how active he was. They told me at that point that he weighed around 6 pounds. When one of the nurses came in to examine me, she asked how I was feeling & told me that I was having contractions! Huh-so that is what I was feeling!! No matter how people try to describe contractions, no one call truely explain what they actually feel like! I was then moved into a regular room and was admitted. Aaron arrived at this point. We had many visitors throughout the day.

The following day, April 24th, I had completed the 24-hour urine collection and anxiously awaited the results. I remember one of the nurses and the doctor coming in & telling me that my protein levels were extremely ellevated and I would be induced due to developing preeclampsia. I was induced, water broken & started on an epidural around lunchtime. From there I slowly progressed....around 9pm, Dr. Rosado came in to examine me & informed us that if I didn't progress much in the next hour, we would be going in for a c-section. Apparently Landon heard her loud & clear & I progressed to 10 cm the next time she came in to examine me.

It was Go Time-yea! I began pushing around 10:15 & Landon Aaron was born on April 24th at 11:59pm, weighing 7 pounds & 7.5 ounces!!!! (def not 6 pounds)

*35 Weeks

We've made it another week little guy! Mommy is now 35 weeks-which means you are now more than 5 pounds, you may be more than 18 inches long and you are seriously competing for space in Mommy's belly. Your behavior is becoming increasingly structured, with definite sleep-and-wake cycles. Your periods of increased movement may last as long as 20 minutes. You continue to be most active in the evenings.






I love feeling your kicks and punches, although they are more intense now. It is amazing to feel you moving around in my belly.









Mommy has been placed on bed rest, so I will be spending all of my time in bed or in the recliner. I've set up my little area-lap top, magazines, books, a notebook to jot down things in, thank you cards to write, bills to be paid, my cell, the tv remote & my water bottle. Dr. Rosado told Mommy yesterday that they will not allow Mommy to go past 37 weeks, which means we only have 2 more weeks until we finally meet you!! Hope your as ready as we are for you to be born into our Family! Everyone is excited to meet you. You don't know it, but you already have an amazing

family, including Mommy & Daddy's great friends! You may not be born

yet, but you are already very blessed.

Cannot wait to finally meet you little guy!

Love you-

Mommy

Bed Rest

Just an update on our pregnancy-

I'm 35 weeks today. I completed a 24 hour urine collection this morning & took in to the lab. One of my doctors called @10:45am and told me that she had received the results from the lab, my protein levels were a little elevated. My results showed 348 & it should be below 300. Dr. Rosado explained that she was putting me on bed rest effective immediately. So, I am now on bed rest. Dr. Rosado explained that if the baby & I make it through the next 2 weeks, she will induce me & will not allow me to go any further than 37 weeks. Taking it one day at a time & hoping for the best. We have an appointment on Friday to see Dr. Rosado & will know more at that point.
Please keep the baby, Aaron, myself & Landon all in your prayers, as they will be much needed over the next few weeks.

*3rd Non-Stress Test

I went to the hospital for my third non-stress test last evening. When I first arrived, my blood pressure was a little high the first few times, so while the little guy was being monitored the nurse called & spoke to the doctor, who ordered blood work to deteremine if my levels were high. In the meantime, during the 20 minutes I was being monitored, my blood pressure did go down, the last time it was taken it was 123/68, but just as precaution I stayed to have the blood work drawn. At this point, I was finished with the non-stress test, he passed again & was very reactive the entire time. So I waited & I waited & I waited....very anxiously & nervously. I hadn't taken a book or magazine becaues the last two times I've gone, I've been in & out very quickly. My blood was drawn & taken to the lab to be tested & then I waited & waited & waited. The results came back normal. As a precaution, I am doing another 24 hour urine sample, which I will take to the lab Monday morning, where they will look for high levels of protein in my urine (which would indicate preeclampsia). So we are again praying for those results to come back normal. Scheduled for another non-stress test next Sunday, April 25th @2:00pm.

Baby Appointment-34 weeks

We had our little munchkin's baby appointment this morning. Aaron went with me today. We met with Dr. Rosado-our favorite. My blood pressure was great-112/64-yea!! Dr. Rosado was pleased with my sugar levels, blood pressure and weight. We discussed what will occur during my next few visits, concerns/questions about c-sections, and our long lists of other questions. I am going to see Dr. Rosado weekly now. I am now measuring at 35 weeks, which I will be on Monday, so it's a blessing that I am not measuring 2 weeks ahead any longer. His heartbeat was good today-ranging from 144-149.
Aaron & I feel very blessed that the pregnancy is going so well! Thank you for all of the thoughts and prayers, please keep them coming! Counting down the weeks until we meet our little guy-so excited!

*34 Weeks

Baby Feather -34 weeks:

Most of the weight you are gaining now is stored as fat, which will help insulate you against the chilly world when your born. You have nearly run out of room to move in there! That doesn't mean that you'll stop moving, but Mommy has noticed a change in the way you bump and thump against me. You began placing your feet in my ribs & we can def see & feel your knees and little butt now! At times, my belly is even lops-sided from how you are lying & scrunched up in there! By now your closing your eyes when you're asleep and keeping them open when you're awake. You have learned to blink.
At this point your brain is so well developed that you have the ability to see, hear, learn, and remember. You are your own person -- and very soon now, Mommy & Daddy will have the pleasure of meeting you face-to-face.

At 34 weeks, you are about 19.5-20 inches long, weigh about 5 pounds and you are about the size of a Medium pumpkin! Mommy & Daddy see Dr. Rosado on Thursday for our next baby appointment for you. We are very anxious!! From then on, Mommy will have an appointment once a week until you arrive!

Hang in there little guy-only a few more weeks until you make your debut! We are so excited to meet you!!

Love you-
Mommy

*Second Non-stress Test*

Well-I had my second non-stress test last evening. He was very active the entire time. He again passed within the first 10 minutes, he was considered reactive, but I remained hooked up to everything for the 20 minutes. I go back to the hospital next Saturday to do it all again & hoping that he'll be active again!!

Baby Feather-33 Weeks

Baby Feather-

You are now 33 weeks gestation-Yea-we made it another week! During these final weeks of Mommy's pregnancy, you are entering your "finishing period." This is exactly what it sounds like: Your organs, skeleton, and body are well formed, but you need a little more time to finish getting ready to take on the world.

By now we know that you weigh a good 4-1/2 pounds. You should be measuring around 17 inches long-pushing the height of Mommy's uterus nearly to my rib cage. Your toenails have completely grown in, as has any hair on your head. You continue to kick/punch Mommy throughout the day-they are becoming more and more painful. At times, I feel like you are preparing for a kick boxing contest! Mommy has begun to wake up several times at night, although I feel exhausted, I am wide awake. I believe my body is preparing for the many night time feedings I have ahead of me.
Mommy's amniotic fluid level is at its highest about now. The placenta is still providing oxygen to you through the umbilical cord, but you are is practicing your breathing regularly, swallowing amniotic fluid as you open and close your mouth and exercising your diaphragm muscle. You continue to store iron in your liver, and the connections between your brain cells keep spreading like tiny tree branches. Neurons and synapses are developing between those brain cells, forming connections so that you'll have the skills to thrive as an infant. You are a busy little guy!
Can't wait to meet you-only 7 weeks!

Love you, Mommy

Easter

Our Easter morning began around 7am when Aaron & I woke Landon (I know-it was about as painful as it sounds to wake a sleeping toddler). When we told him the Easter bunny had come, his face lit up. The Easter bunny had made a trail of eggs out to our family room, where he had hidden more eggs and Landon's basket. Landon immediately discovered all of his eggs & his basket. He was so excited about his basket-he received candy, money, a new ball glove, a pair of sneakers & two pair of Crocs. He said over & over again "Daddy, I have a ball glove like your's". So cute! He was very excited to find that the Easter bunny had left him money in some of his eggs, so he enjoyed putting the money in his piggy bank-which is getting very full!
We went to 8:15 service at church-Landon did fairly well, made it until communion before having to go out. After church, we came home, tried to take a few pictures outside & then Landon & Daddy played baseball while Mommy made the pineapple casseroles for our lunch with the family.

We went to spend the day at Nana & Pappy's. Landon was very excited to spend the day w/ his Nana, Pappy, Uncle Davey, Hannah, Nanny, Great-Great Pap Glessner, Great Uncle Jeff, Great Aunt Connie, Jess, Grady, & Zech. We had a very filling meal & an egg hunt-even the older kids too!! We enjoyed a day of visiting with family. Landon received 3 other Easter baskets-lots of candy, a soccer ball, 2 Thomas DVD's, animals, a sand bucket/shovel, books, and etc. We are very blessed!!

First Non-Stress Test

I went in to the hospital, to the maternity floor, for my first non-stress test for the little guy this evening. I was taken to one of the observation rooms & two belts, with ultrasound transducers, were strapped around my belly. I was told to relax & press the button every time I felt the little guy move. Through the test, the baby's heart rate was measured as a response to his own movements (the heartbeat usually speeds up when the baby moves). The nurse came in after the 20 minutes and said that the little guy's results were considered normal, or "reactive," which means his fetal heart rate accelerated normally in response to his movement. (A "non-reactive" test means that the heart rate does not respond as expected.) She said that he actually passed with flying colors long before the 20-minute mark, but they keep all women there at least 20 minutes. I was in and out of the hospital within 30 minutes. I go back next Saturday evening for the next one & will go back every week until I deliver. It's my Mommy's Night Out-woo-hoo! haha
After receiving good news at the hospital, I came home to Landon already in bed. I went in to say good night & give him a hug & kiss and he asked 'Mommy, how's the baby?' w/ his eyes half open, in his tired voice. So cute!

*85 Percentile*

So we had our baby appointment today. I am 32 weeks & 4 days....however the little man is measuring to be 34 weeks! From the results of the sonogram we had on 3-25-2010, he is about 4 pounds & 5 ounces...which makes him in the 85 percentile! If I were to go full term & he gains the typical 1/2 pound a week, we are easily looking at an 8 pound & 5 ounce-or more-baby boy! Apparently Aaron & I make big babies-Landon was 4 weeks early & weighed 7 pounds & 7.5 ounces.

My blood pressure was great-the best it's been. My sugar levels are good-remaining consistent, so at this point, I'm not looking at meds or insulin. I lost 2 pounds since my last appointment-yea! We are scheduled for our next baby appointment on April 15th & from there we'll be going once a week until the big baby boy debut!