Baby Tad

"It" has finally arrived. I have to say I was leaning towards a girl, but could not be happier with a perfect baby boy. I was tired of being prego and the doctor said we could be induced Friday night at midnight so that technically I'd be 41 weeks. Her nurse called later Thursday afternoon to say they moved it up to THAT NIGHT!!!! because it was the doctor's husband's birthday on Saturday and she wouldn't be available. We spent the evening doing last minute cleaning around the house and relaxed a little.

Unfortunately our nosey little neighbor noticed that our car wasn't home at midnight and sent a message to Fred's mom on Facebook. We're still peeved .... (Yes, the same friendly neighbors that trapped our cat.) We can't wait to move!!!! Our families were both fantastic with letting us have time to ourselves & we've REALLY appreciated the meals they've brought.

So, into the hospital we went at midnight. They started IVs around 2am, broke my water at 3am, I gave into the pain around 5am and asked for the epidural. I would have been able to sleep great after that if it weren't for the nurses coming in to check every 30 minutes!

Finally around 1pm it was time to start pushing. Definitely not bad with an epidural. Tad was born at 3:27pm. At a perfectly healthy 8lbs 8oz & 20.5" long. He has pretty dark brown hair and according to all the doctors "big hands & feet". He looks EXACTLY like Fred's baby picture. We have yet to find something about him that looks like me. :{

They did a lot of the checkups in the same room I was in so Fred was able to be by Tad & I was able to see both of them. I'm also very grateful for one of the nurses that offered to take pictures during the delivery for us. Overall, it was not a bad experience at all.

The worst part has got to be the recovery, once again nurses bugging me every 30mins to run vitals on me or the baby. I was super excited to leave the hospital.
We're doing pretty good and hopefully will be able to have an outing to the county fair this weekend!

Of course the blog wouldn't be complete without a few more pictures!

What's more stressful than going past your due date?

Here’s a little quiz of what can stress you in the last month of pregnancy:

a) Your camera is in the shop to be fixed and they’re not sure when it will be back.
b) Your doctor goes out of town on a fishing trip.
c) Your husband has Swine Flu.

The correct answer is…..
a) Happened 4 weeks ago- the camera is back and working properly.
b) Happened 2 weeks ago- obviously the baby didn’t come while she was gone.
c) Currently happening at the Drysdale house.

Poor Fred. He was exposed Friday evening to it while shadowing a doctor in the Instacare- the last patient of the day had it. He came home, got right in the shower & put his clothes in the washer. Sunday he started to get a cough. By the next morning he had all the symptoms. A quick visit back to Instacare (this time as the patient--- and they put him in the same room as he was in when he was exposed to it.)
We’re both on the Tamiflu – which is expensive even with insurance! He gets a double dose, I get a single dose. Fred wears a mask while I’m at home and stays in the other room as much as possible.
Now--- I know you’re all surprised to hear this from a past due person, but we’re hoping the baby doesn’t come for a few more days until Fred’s better & to make sure I don’t get it.

Doesn't look like a hospital to me....

This is where we spent our Due Date. Thank heavens for a husband that is good at finding distractions for a past due wife!
Fred heard on the radio that Raspberry Days was going on at Bear Lake, so Saturday after a couple of errands, we drove to Bear Lake. We ate some burgers then walked around their booths with our fresh Raspberry Shakes. It wasn’t a very long trip but a good way to pass our due date.

(Is it just me or does the bear on the baby count down even look sad that it's past due!?!)

No baby yet?!!!!

That's right! 5 days to go and not even close! We went to the doctor on Thursday and the baby is gaining a bunch of weight (12 ounces in 4 days!), luckily I've stopped gaining. (Yipee!) It's up to 7 lbs 13 oz., has a little bit of hair and they chubbiest cheeks ever.
We spent our long Pioneer Day weekend bottling apples. We made delicious apple pie filling, applesauce, apple juice, peacotts & peacott jam. After a few hours of hanging out in the hot kitchen I finally started having a few contractions!
Friday afternoon Fred & I went to IKEA for the first time. What a trip! I can't say we'll be headed back anytime soon. They have some cool / cheap stuff, but it is an insane store. We met Fred's family that night for the Days of '47 Rodeo. It was fun to see President Monson & his family there in a more casual setting.
Saturday we bottled more fruit. Sunday we relaxed a little and walked a mile to my mom's house. The contractions have continued off and on, but nothing worth timing.
Today it was back to work- how depressing! I'm starting to look forward to my time at home for a couple of months but it seems like it's never going to get here. What could the baby possibly be waiting for!!!!

Long post while we continue to wait....

Yes, that's right, still no baby yet. 13 days to go and not a single sign that we're getting closer.

We had a great weekend though.

Friday night we had a doctor's appointment. We were her last appointment of the day and ended up waiting over an hour.... but it paid off because she rewarded us with extra pictures on the 4-D machine. Of course the baby had it's hand in front of it's face again! What a stubborn / shy child! We did finally get a couple of pictures of the face. (No, they won't be posted.) Our baby weighs about 7 lbs 1 oz and has a chubby little face. The doctor claims that she hasn't peeked at the gender yet either, that she likes to be surprised too. I'm not sure about that, but at least she hasn't slipped and told us!

We met Fred's parents for dinner at McGrath's - it was great to catch up with them and it's always nice to see Fred chat with his dad about tools. After dinner Fred & I went on a bit of a shopping spree! Actually we had a few duplicate items to return from the baby showers and then used our giftcards we received to get everything we still needed.

Saturday we had saved for our "Last Childless Date Day". Fred made pancakes for breakfast and we went to Ogden for a tractor show (I agreed to go as bribery for him to go to the spa with me later). We stopped at Babies R'us to finish a little shopping- it finally feels like our shopping is done---- at least of what we can think of that we'll need. I took a quick nap & Fred researched cloth diapers. :} Next was a couples massage at the spa! It was very relaxing and fun to have Fred with me. We went to see "The Proposal", tried a new restaurant, and relaxed at home.

Finally- I'm also posting a picture of our cradle! Fred's dad built it when Fred's oldest sister was born. I made the new bedding a couple of weeks ago. We can't wait to use it..... but I guess we have to keep waiting. Cross your fingers that the baby comes by July 31st! :}

Mr. Domestic

Okay, so I'm usually so opposed to people saying how they have the best husband in the world, but....

Last night I had to stay late at work. I text Fred to tell him I hadn't left yet, to which he responded "But whyyyyyyyyyyy" :}

I told him he could bribe me home faster if he made dinner! I left work and called to check on my dinner. He said it was in the oven. I always question when I hear noises in the background like he's still doing something in the kitchen. He said he was cooking. "I thought you said dinner was in the oven?" Finally I got him to confess that dinner was baking and he was making a second batch to put in the freezer for after the baby comes. Seriously?

Domestic and thoughtful? Amazing!

What will "it" look like?

First of all- I know it seems harsh to call our baby "it" but, since we don't know.... for 5 more weeks!

With all the doctor appointments we're starting to have, we've been able to see a partial face. (No, I still won't post a picture.) Our child is determined that we not really see it's face until it's here - we usually end up with an elbow on one side and a hand on the other. Last time we saw it's little rounded nose and the doctor was trying to guess who's nose it was, mine or Fred's. So, I thought I'd put up both of our baby pictures and let people try to guess what features our baby will get from each of us.

I have to say that neither of us had features that really stood out as a baby. Maybe that's a good thing for the baby!

Not finished, not ready... but getting closer.

Yeah! Less than 10 weeks left!!!!!!

So the nursery is finally at a happy place.... We're definitely not ready for the baby to come yet, but the nursery is. This weekend Fred hung shelves & I finished the crib bumper. I think the only thing I have left to do in the room is finish the mobile - which I have to say was my killer find. I wanted a mobile, but not bad enough to spend any kind of money on. We were in the D.I. looking for a stool & I found a crib mobile for $3. It was pink, but a little spray paint & leftover fabric it matches perfectly. I made a star & moon to hang from it and found a tiny stuffed lamb, I need one more thing for the last side. Fred insists we need to put a cow on it. :}

Fred's been a really good sport. He recovered the rocking chair for me, hung shelves, and even helped fold the new baby clothes after we washed them. It was very entertaining for me to watch him try to fold tiny outfits. Watching him be a dad is going to be as much fun as the past 9 years with him- an adventure every day! He's going to be great, as long I can get him to not spoil the baby too much.

Soccer Player in our future?

I’ve been able to feel the baby kick a lot more this week. It is a REALLY good kicker! I felt it kick my hand the other morning and tried to let Fred feel it, of course it stopped. I still think the baby has a better bond with Fred than it does with me though- at night it always sleeps to the right side (the same side Fred is on). I tried to let Fred feel the baby kick that night and it felt like it kicked it’s entire leg against his hand. Fred asked “Was that a hiccup?” Nope, that’s your kid. :}

Baby's first pair of boots...

That’s right! Our little unborn critter already has their first pair of boots!

I spent the weekend at a 4-H conference in Brigham City and found them at the silent auction. Of course I had to bid on them and won! They’re crocheted so they’ll be perfect during the baby stage until we buy real ones for learning to walk in. :}
I love little conferences- depending on what the workshops are. First I went to a workshop on how to make a Toothbrush rug with Nashaela & Lauralee. It was fun to spend a little time bonding with them and the rugs are cheap to make (Walmart sheets- $5 & a whittled toothbrush).
The 2nd day I gave a workshop on Diversity – if anyone needs activities to teach kids about accepting others I have a big file.

I also took 2 workshops on Royal Icing Flowers. It was fun, but I am definitely not an expert … yet! Here are my first attempts.

The other workshop that I was interested in was on Quilling (I’m adding a Quilling tool to my “Craft Tool Wish List”.) Overall, an entertaining 2 days off of work learning new fun things.

Nursery plans & 4 month picture

I made Fred spend almost a whole day helping me pick out material for the crib set. I say “made” but really, he was pretty opinionated! (And helpful! He was the one that found the blue moon & star print that matches perfectly!) I had bought the top piece of material with the moon and sheep a few years ago and was debating whether I really wanted it as the main print- Fred asked what was wrong with it? (I don’t know whether that was to get me to stop taking him into fabric stores or because he really likes it.)
After picking out the matching fabrics I’m really excited to get started! I decided I’d rather make my own crib set to save a little money and because I didn’t think I’d be able to find a set that matched my moon & star theme I wanted.
We’re painting the bottom ½ of the room blue, the top ½ a light yellow, with a medium blue chair rail. I’m stenciling darker yellow stars around the top border- if I’m really motivated I want to paint words to a song Fred started singing to me when we first started dating. “I see the moon, the moon sees me, the moon sees somebody I want to see…” We’ll see if I’m that motivated! Years ago (yes, I’ve known forever how I wanted to do a nursery) I even found this great mirror with a moon face as the frame! And a good friend gave us a giant – super soft – stuffed bear for the baby too- I can’t wait to put all the finishing touches on the room….. I should get started!

I've felt like I've been showing for months, I feel really "thick". :} And I swear maternity shirts add 10 lbs when you wear them! In the picture you can barely tell, but the baby is definitely growing. (18 weeks)

We had a dr. visit last night - I was afraid the baby would be a flasher when we're trying NOT to find out what we're having. Lucky for us the baby must've been sleeping - it was laying on it's belly facing my back and wouldn't even look at us! :} It's about 1/2 lb, strong heartbeat and everything looks good.

Scan guns are a boys best friend

We finally did it- we went and braved the Baby registry. Luckily they give you a list of recommended items to walk around with. Fred was in charge of the scan gun. I love that he’s fun whatever we’re doing! After about an hour of registering I was ready to be done and we were only half way around the store. I told Fred to just hold the trigger and wave it around to see what we get – I started walking down the isle and Fred says, “It doesn’t work, nothing scanned.” :}
There are definitely a bunch of things we need to add and a few things we need to take off – but it was a good start. He wants to read the consumer reports on car seats, strollers & highchairs before we register for any- but just looking in the store it seems we agree on the same style and for the same reasons. He’s quite the opinionated baby supply shopper, I’m glad to see him so excited about picking stuff out.
My favorite moment while registering was when we were in the bath isle. He picked up a bottle of Head to Toe Baby Wash and said “Sounds like you’re washing a car, where’s the wax?”

Baby Shopping

Going on week 14 and I’m still feeling pukey!
We did a little shopping for the baby and it’s starting to sink in a little more. Not much, I’m still irritated that I’m sick everyday.
Last Saturday we went looking for a baby snow suit…. We could only find girl suits, but for $10 instead of $45 we figured it was worth the investment (and they ended up being buy one get one free! So we got 2 sizes).
During the week someone suggested KSL for cribs. (I know we don’t need it for a few months after the baby gets here- we’re just hoping to spread out our expenses a little, and the sooner we get everything done, the sooner I’ll be able to relax.) We had looked at RC Willey and a few other places and didn’t like any- they looked too cheap. I found one I liked on KSL for a reasonable price and emailed about it. It was still available so we went Wednesday night to look at it.
It’s a little bit lighter wood than I was hoping for, but it’s good quality and matches the dresser we already have. The set was only $300 – of course I had to look online to make sure we’d gotten a good deal. The cheapest Pali brand crib I could find was $269.00.

5 Worst things about being pregnant...

I've decided that being pregnant is someone's idea of a sick joke!
1) It makes me sick to eat, but if I don't eat I'm sick.
2) When I'm cold my tummy tenses, making me a little sick, but the heater on makes me completely nauseous.
3) I like to cuddle to watch movies or TV, but having Fred near me makes me claustrophobic.
4) They tell you to get plenty of sleep, then you have to pee at least twice during the night. (It's almost impossible for me to fall back to sleep at 3:30am- at least Fred has started waking up with me to at least aknowledge my discomfort.)
5) People who never talked to you before go out of their way to ask you how you're feeling. I know you've all experienced/ noticed this in church or neighborhoods, as soon as you have a kid it's like you're welcomed into "the group". You didn't talk to me before, don't talk to me now! :}