He's Here!

As most of you know, Gavin Reed Frost arrived early on 11/10 at 2:42pm. He arrived via c-section and weighed 7 lbs. 13 oz., 20 inches long. We are now at home resting after 4 days in the hospital. We are so blessed he is healthy and doing well! And, he is changing every day with his cheeks getting chubbier each day.

Thanks to everyone for your gifts and well wishes!

Induction Date Set

We are full term - here at 37 weeks! Yesterday when we went to the doctors, they confirmed I will be induced on Friday, November 14 if I do not go into labor before. We will go to the hospital at 6am and hopefully all will go well with a fast labor! The doctors do not want me to go past my original due date of 11/20 since I have high blood pressure. Other than that, Gavin is thriving and healthy!

I finished my last day at work today, so it will be interesting not going to work next week. I was surprised today with a wonderful shower just before I left, so I really appreciated the thought that went into it and my exit was very bittersweet!

Nights and mornings continue to be a struggle especially because my nausea has returned, which I read can be common in the third trimester. It is nothing like what I had in the first trimester, but it is back and I have to take it very easy in the mornings to avoid making it worse. And, now we wait these last 2 weeks...

Waiting...

I thought I'd add a picture of Riley and Hudson that I took a while back. They are waiting patiently for their new leader and best playmate to arrive.

I just returned from the doctors. At each appointment I get hooked up to a fetal monitor which monitors the baby's heartrate and my uterine contractions. I sit there for about 15-20 minutes to get readings and then I have an ultrasound to make sure my fluid levels are still normal. At this appointment, the doctor said Gavin is about 6 & 1/2 lbs, and he said by delivery he should be about 7 & 1/2 lbs. I was happy to hear this and hope he is right! I know it's hard to predict the weight, but I have been thinking all along he is going to be big. 7-8 lbs would be great! I will continue to go to my Monday/Thursday appointments and hope everything continues to go well. But, the nurse mentioned since I have hypertension, I probably will not go past my due date.

At our last birthing class, we learned about all the types of medical interventions and we had to do a short presentation on labor induction. At our next and final class, we'll go over massage techniques! But, at this point I am opting for the edipural. We learned our hospital has a new way of dispensing the epidural, and I'll have a button to press if/when I want more medicine. So, that eases my concern of it running out before the labor ends.

I have one more week of work then it's complete rest time. Although, if I have any energy, I'll probably try to freeze food or nest somehow. Less than a month to go!

Countdown to G-Day!

Well, here we are at almost 35 weeks. It has been quite an active week since we went to the doctor last Thursday. The doctor was a little concerned since I am swollen, have gained quite a lot of weight and have hypertension, so we went over to the hospital for bloodwork after. Thankfully, the test came back normal and everything is still progressing well! At that appointment, the doctor said Gavin is right around 5 & 1/2 pounds. We returned to the doctor this morning to be monitored and both appointments the doctor said we get a 10/10! So, we are very thankful everything is right on track, and he is still in the head-down position! To continue to make sure everything goes well, I now have to go to the doctor every Monday and Thursday until delivery!

I continue to have very restless nights and find it really hard to get a good nights sleep. Therefore, I am pretty cranky all the time and poor Patrick has to deal with my ups and downs! I believe I have started to feel slight contractions but not quite sure if that's what they are. The pain radiates from my lower back, so I am pretty sure that's what they are - I felt the first of these a few nights ago.

We go to our third birthing class this Wednesday night, and we get a tour of the hospital at this class and learn about the next stages of labor. Our last class was interesting and we learned about pain reduction techniques for early labor. We also learned how to time contractions and when to leave for the hospital.

The countdown begins!

Hiccups & Heartburn

Well, we're at 33 weeks and we've been quite active lately! Gavin has been moving/kicking a lot and he'll get (what I think are) the hiccups occassionally. We had a doctors appointment last week and he is still head-down and measuring well! We liked the doctor, and he was really young - only 29, but seems to know what he's doing.

We go back again next week, Oct. 9th for another routine 2-week check. We had our first birth class last night, and it was fun and informative. We go to these classes for 5 weeks and they are 2.5 hours each session, so we're hoping to learn a lot.

As for me, I am getting more and more out of breath and even walking is becoming harder and harder, but my horrible heartburn is under control with my lifesaver, daily prilosec. And, Patrick has been great about giving massages, which help a lot. Sleep has become a luxury, and I find it rare if I can get more than 4 hours of sleep a night. I think this is just a way of preparing me for what's to come.

7 weeks to go!

30 Weeks & Counting

We just had our 30-week appointment on Friday. The dr. checked my size and Gavin's heartbeat (152 bpm) and everything is still looking good. Gavin's head is positioned downward right now, but he will still move some between now and when he runs out of space. Hopefully he will not want to move out of this position though!

(This is a pic of us before we went to a wedding yesterday.)

I begin working 10am-2pm this week, and officially stop working for good on October 31st (if I make it that long). I definitely did not want to be at work with any chance of going into labor!

My next appointment is September 24th, and we meet the third (and last) doctor in the office. We begin our birth education classes on October 1, which run for 5 weeks in October. Then, we are pretty much all set for his arrival!

Welcome Third Trimester!

We had our 28-week appointment yesterday and were very happy to hear everything is healthy as can be! We got more ultrasound pics, but nothing compares to the 3-D pics! My chronic high blood pressure is not making its mark, so I will continue on the regular 2 week schedule from here until 36-weeks when I'll go every week. We saw one of the other doctors this time, and he had a completely different personality (complete opposite) of the doctor we had been going to since the beginning. He made jokes about everything and was really high-energy. We didn't mind his personality, just as long as I made sure everything was ok.

According to the doc, little Gavin weighs 2lbs., 13oz.! I read at this point, the average weight is about 2 & 1/4 lbs, so he is really growing in there. My gestational diabetes test went well two weeks ago, so no problems there. I am so grateful everything is going well and he is healthy, so all the aches, pains and extra weight are more than worth it! Gavin has been moving pretty much non-stop since Saturday, so he has gotten pretty active.

We finally finished assembling the dresser last night (we meaning Patrick) so now we just have to add the finishing touches and organize everything. Here are some pics of the nursery, and I'll try to post more pics when Patrick can take some.

We go back to the doctor on September 12 at 9:30am for another routine check. 12 weeks to go!

Amazing!

We had a 3-D ultrasound done this morning, and it was very worth it! Gavin decided to curl up and go to sleep during it, so we struggled to get these pictures. He did blink a few times and was busy sucking on his hands. He kept hiding his face with his arms and hands, but after some juice and chocolate, we were finally able to get some good shots. We got a lot of pictures and a short video clip, so here is a sampling. At this point he will start to gain baby fat and the ultrasound tech said he probably weighs about 1.75 pounds now.

The first and second shots are of his profile, and the third shot is a picture of him reclining with his hand behind his head and feet up. Hope you enjoyed this sneak peak!

Coming Along

Our 24 week appointment went well. We heard the heartbeat, and it was very strong and healthy at 155 bpm. I was given a glucose drink to take home and will have the gestational diabetes test done in a couple weeks. Other than that, it was a routine appointment. Patrick enjoys going to these appointments with me and hopes to continue to make all of them. The next appointment is scheduled for August 25, and we get another ultrasound! In the meantime, we are considering doing the 3-D ultrasound at an ultrasound center...

Gavin has been moving around a lot lately, and I feel him move throughout the day. Patrick hasn't been able to feel him move yet, but he should pretty soon. I continue to feel better, just struggling with all the extra weight. I have a feeling he is not going to be small!

Our nursery is coming together... we are keeping the green wall color and have our crib and glider (which is the most comfortable chair ever) and are working on setting up our dresser (waiting on a couple pieces). I really like how it looks so far with the dark furniture, and I want to keep it simple, no theme, but just green, blue and dark brown. We'll post pictures as soon as the dresser is set up.

It's a.....

BOY!!! We are very excited! He measured exactly at 20 weeks and the doctor said "we're at the top of our class." We got 5 ultrasound pictures, but this one has the clearest full-body picture. We get another ultrasound at 28 weeks, so we're excited to be able to see him again.

I also have been feeling him move more and more. It started off as a popcorn feeling, and now it is a mixture of that and a bubbly, pulsating feeling. It happens sporadically but it is reassuring to have the feeling now.

And, ready for more news... we are 98% sure his name will be Gavin Reed. Patrick and I both really like this name and have had it picked out for a while now. Reed is my mom's maiden name and my sister's middle name, and we thought it went well together. We were thinking Magnus or Sparticus, but changed our minds...

Love,
C & P

The Bump

Here I am at almost 18 weeks. The bump is officially here and is steadily growing. We'll take some more pictures hopefully soon but I thought I'd take a picture now before another week went by. I haven't really felt anything move yet, but should any day now. And, if I did feel something I'm not quite sure if it was the baby or food settling. I'm sure I'll be able to distinguish the difference very soon. More to come soon!

Well, we just had our 16 week appointment today and everything is going really well. No ultrasound this time, but we heard the heartbeat... a healthy, strong 150 bpm. The doctor said he felt the baby moving around a lot and everything is going well.

My nausea symptoms have really lessened this past week, which I am so happy about, but I still get occasional nausea here and there. The newest symptom to join the club is heartburn/acid reflux... as long as nausea stays away though, I am good. I have been gaining steady weight... especially because I eat all the time, but the doctor said I am on track. I still really don't have any cravings, but just foods I can tolerate. I have more food aversions than anything. One thing I do like lately though is tea.... hot tea, sweet tea and chai tea.

Our next appointment is the 20 week ultrasound to determine the sex and we can't wait! It is scheduled for July 3rd at 10:15am. We like to pick important dates for some reason to go to the doctors (Patrick's dad's birthday, my birthday and now my parent's anniversary). Stay tuned!

Second Trimester Here We Come!

We just returned from our 12 week appointment and didn't expect another picture, but here it is! Everything is coming along nicely and both Patrick and I swore we saw an arm and hand waving at us. At this point, the baby is a size of a plum, about 2 inches big, and it's pretty much developed. We found out I have chronic high blood pressure and it is only noticed because of the pregnancy. So, when I enter the third trimester, I'll have to go to the doctor once a week.

Patrick and I have been eating out a lot lately because of my continued nausea and inability to cook, but hopefully it will get better soon. This past week has been one of my worst weeks nausea-wise and I'm hoping it's kicking in just as a big farewell. Our next appointment is scheduled for Thursday, June 5th when I'll be 16 weeks. Two more months until we find out the sex!

We'll keep you updated soon!

To Be Expected...

Thought I’d write a little update on how everything’s going. I’m almost 10-weeks now, and as I posted previously, I had high hopes my symptoms were getting better, but they are not! I have a constant state of slight nausea, with worse waves throughout the day. I am not able to eat many foods, including chicken and the thought of many foods makes me so sick! For someone who is used to eating everything and anything, it is a struggle to be so picky. Patrick has been bringing me waffles in bed each morning so that has helped (waffles are a good thing right now). And, poor Patrick has to fend for himself as far as food goes because I cannot cook.

I’ve been working about 3 days a week for the past few weeks, and working only mornings has really helped me rest. I can’t imagine having a full time job being so sick & tired all the time, so I am really blessed to have this part-time job! The first few weeks were a real struggle, but I think I am now getting used to feeling bad, so it’s made it more tolerable.

I am really hoping for a miracle turn-around by Thursday because I was supposed to go to Vegas for Carrie’s 30th birthday this weekend, but it’s not looking good. But, it is all for the best!

We have cleared out the baby’s room and closet, and it is all ready. Right now it’s painted a light green, so we’ll see if that color stays. Not sure what I want to do with it yet! We don’t find out the sex until about 20-weeks, so that will be around the beginning of July.

Hope everyone is well! More to come soon…

First Appointment

We just got back from our first appointment and everything went great! The due date is November 20, 2008! We really liked the doctor and he put us at ease. The baby is 8 weeks now, and we saw a tiny heartbeat, beating at 160 beats/minute. It is just under 2 cm. about the size of a blueberry. Our next appointment is at 12 weeks, on my birthday, May 7th!

As for me, I have been pretty sick feeling the last couple weeks. I have been resting a lot and reminding myself to take it easy. It is very hard to find food that I don't have an aversion to, and I've been trying to eat almost constantly to prevent feeling worse. I feel a little better today, so I hope this is a sign the morning sickness is on it's way out, but who knows!

Love,
Patrick & Chrissie

Still early, but what a presence!

Hi everyone,

We just wanted to keep you updated on how everything is going with the pregnancy. We hope to update this site with new events or thoughts as they happen.

I am about 6 weeks now and really starting to feel the symptoms... achiness, tired and yes, the nausea feeling has started. Although I haven't gotten sick (and hopefully won't), I have my trusty sea-bands with me at all times and ginger-ale has also helped. Patrick and I have been going on walks in the evenings, and I try to rest as much as possible.

My first ob/gyn visit is Friday, April 11, and it can't come fast enough. We'll go together and they'll perform our first ultrasound. Although my doctor said not to spread the news until about 12 weeks (which I know is impossible), hopefully we can spread the news a little farther after this appointment!

We'll keep you posted!

Love,
Patrick & Chrissie