Christmas!

Hello!

Well..we had a wonderful christmas! It all started Christmas eve morning-we got ready and headed to Kirsten's home for a visit with her, her mom Cheri, dad Jim and the doggies! We opened presents and had a wonderful time! Next, Kirsten rode with us to Bayside Church for their noon family service. We met Lorilee, CK, Sierra and Natalie there as well and all sat together. It was a great fun kid service. After, we drove Kirsten back home and we went home to get a little rest before heading over to Aimee and Matt's at 4 for the big celebration dinner! Alyson wasn't the best this evening-don't know if she was just overloaded already and tired...but the next day (Christmas) she was back to her normal self and very pleasant!

After we got back from Aimee's around 8:30 and made the Santa cookies and then put Alyson and MOlly to bed (around 9:30), Vincie's friend John helped Mike with the new kitchen! They started at 9:45 and finished at 12:45! WHEW! I went to bed at 12:30 and MIke said that he came to bed about 1:15 after John left to go home. 3 hours! The next morning, I woke up to Molly on the monitor around 5:45 a.m. I got up and as I was opening my bedroom door, there was a light on and then I heard a scuffle. I thought for sure Alyson was already in the loot! I walked out and she was standing in the kitchen looking so innocent. She said, "Hi, mama! There's a KITCHEN and it's MINE!!! It has a stove and everything!!". So CUTE!! She went upstairs with me to get Molly and wake up Nona sleeping on our purple couch. Then, she woke up Mike. Once coffee was brewing, we sat down to open presents. She was THRILLED when she saw that Santa brought her a scooter and dollhouse-both of which she asked for. Morning was great. Mike made breakfast after presents and then we started getting the house ready for his sister, Laura and family. We made an Apple Walnut stuffed pork roast. It a great evening and by the time everyone left-we were EXHAUSTED! I fell asleep at about 10 on the couch.

Oh...one more exciting note-I am no longer working! I resigned from County Bank so that I can be a stay at home mommy! We thought long and hard about this decision and feel it is the right one for our family. :)

We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!! Here is a link to the pics!

http://adobe.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=hdc0iwz.bx9ap3vf&x=0&y=fte6rc&localeid=en_US

Pre-Christmas Blog!

Hi!

We are all ready to go for Christmas! All the presents are bought, wrapped and under the tree! Yeah!! Very excited about Christmas this year-Alyson is really into it now. Santa is bringing her a scooter and she's getting a dollhouse from Gma Patt and Gpa Joe! She's going to be thrilled. And, she's wanted a kitchen for a long time and Gma Vincie got that! What wonderful surprises! Those are the big items and we got her a bunch of other stuff-probably too much, but hey-she's a kid! :) Over-indulge during the holidays is my motto! :)

Molly won't get as much...she's only 4 months old-what does she really need anyway! New clothes, couple new baby toys. Now next year she might get some cool stuff from santa, but this year it's very basic! She had her 4 month doctor visit on the 16th. She is 15 lbs. 1.5 oz. and 25 3/4" long. Doc said her motor skills are that of a 6-8 month old (already trying to get those knees and hands up to a crawling position) and she's been rolling over both ways for some time now. She scoots herself on her tummy around the floor-it's pretty cute. She's a generally happy child, sleeping through the night now (7 p.m.-6 a.m.). She's only a grouch when she wants to nurse! I can't give it to her quick enough! She's grabbing at toys now and putting them in her mouth-her bottom two teeth are going to pop out any time now I predict (and so did doctor) which is early. We have given her rice cereal just a couple times and smooshed up banana-she LOVES the banana!!! She's really growing and doing so much now each day!

I am doing well. Weight loss wise, stayed the same but haven't really been focused on it. Too busy taking care of the kiddies! I asked Mike if I could re-join CA Family fitness after the holidays and he said if we can afford it, he's all for it. I really would like to get back to the gym. I could go M/W mornings after I drop off Alyson at school and Molly can go into the childcare there at the gym when she is 6 months old. I'm looking forward to that.

Exciting news on the work front. I am scheduled to go back on January 5th, however after much discussion and working out the numbers with daycare and such, it doesn't make sense-so I am resigning from my position in a couple of days. I am really excited because I really wanted to stay home when Alyson was a baby but since we had the house then, there was no way financially for us to do that. But, this time, we live in a great rental and Mike is now making enough with his trainor position to make up for my income-so we can make it work. The only suckey thing is Mike is gone all week and we only see him 1 day (Saturdays). But, our goal is to get all of our credit debt paid down (only a year and half to go for it to be paid off!!) and then he can stop working so hard. We see the light!

We hope everyone has a wonderful holiday! We are headed to Aimee and Matt's Christmas eve and then having a nice dinner with Mike's sister, Laura and her family on Christmas day. My mom, Vincie, is coming as well and will be here with us. Will post after Christmas with pics!

Oh! If you haven't gotten your Christmas card from us yet-don't fret-I haven't sent ANY out yet. They are all ready to go but I just need to get to the post office, which I plan to do tomorrow (Monday). :)

Here is a link to random pictures from this past month!

Love,
Angel :)
http://adobe.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=hdc0iwz.atbw7y8b&x=0&y=-cnwqsj&localeid=en_US

November 2008!!!

Hello!

Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving! Alyson, Molly and I drove to Fresno to stay with Mom, Hank, Raf, Murphy Dog and Kitty. We had a great time and it was very relaxing! Molly did great on the drive-stopped once in Modesto to feed her and change her diaper-big blowout!! That was a bit tough because I didn't know she had a blow out and it was pouring rain-I had to run outside with her half naked to the car to get another outfit and then run back into Starbucks. Challenges of being by myself. Alyson was great-she was very helpful on the road and at Nona's house! Molly slept most of the car ride there and back! WOOHOO!!

Molly is almost 4 months old now and weighs 15 lbs!!! She has her appointment next week so I'll get all the official stats! She is already rolling over both ways (tummy to back and back to tummy) and she is teething. Baby Orajel works like magic! Alyson is doing great-she still loves preschool. She is excited about Santa this year and actually sat on his lap! First year we could get her to do it (other than when she was 3 months old and didn't have a clue what was going on). She told Santa she wanted a dollhouse and a scooter-both of which she is getting. Patt asked Rob to make her a dollhouse, which is already finished. Aunt Aimee is getting some dollhouse furniture. We ordered her the scooter, which just arrived to Aimee's house so I can keep it top secret! I need to go through upstairs and purge things to make room for all the new fun things she will get! :)

Christmas shopping is almost done! YAY! I did brave the Black friday but not at the early morning hours...nothing really that spectacular for me this year to get up at 3 a.m.!

Mike is still gone a lot. He's actually looking for another job-tired of the trainor position that almost got him killed the other day. His trainnee almost rolled the truck taking an off ramp at 50 when the posted sign was 20 (for cars by the way-trucks should go even slower) in the bay area. Anyway, he is looking around and hopefully might find something more local so he can get home more. I hope so. He misses his ladies and we miss him.

Here is a link to pictures! Yay! Shelbie took some great picks of us too which I'm attaching that link as well. We used a couple for our Christmas cards this year!

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AZM27Ni5Zt3Qw

http://adobe.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=hdc0iwz.97iw7ctn&x=0&y=-1f0300&localeid=en_US

Happy December!
Love,
Angel, Mike, Alyson and Molly
(and Ginger the Cat and fishies, Momasnaka-alyson named the big fish-and the Ploclaustamases-probably spelled wrong)

Hello November!

Hello! We are all doing well here in the Heath Household! Mike is working hard still and we see him only on Saturday and half of Sunday..sometimes once during the week too but no guarantees. I am doing a lot better now that Molly is getting a little bit into a sleeping routine and Alyson is getting used to her sister being around.

Alyson still loves preschool. We did a field trip to a fire station (pictures in the link below)-had a great time! She has a friend she talks about all the time-Isabella...it's cute she's making little friends! Our good friend Shelbie is watching Molly on Friday mornings for me so that I can work in the preschool.

Molly is getting big! She's 3 months old and about 13 lbs. now. She did roll over once by herself (stomach to back) but hasn't done it since. She loves when I say Scooby Doobie Dooooooo and when her sister sings to her or dances. Her exersaucer is the favorite place to be these days! And, she's really starting to grab at things and makes the funniest face looking at the thing she's trying to grab-cracks me up!

As we approach Thanksgiving and the holidays-I would just like to say that I am so thankful for my family and friends for helping me during a really rough time after Molly-I don't know what I would have done without the love and support. I probably would still be struggling (not that I don't have days still here and there) and crying all the time like I was. Thank you to those of you that really were there for me!

Enjoy life!

Angel :)

http://adobe.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=hdc0iwz.9k565m9v&x=0&y=-1t18b1&localeid=en_US

It's Halloween Time!!!!

Hello!

We had a great Halloween! We were a family of black CATS! :) Molly is almost 3 months old now and is doing great! She's starting to (not every night yet) sleeping through the night which makes me a more functioning Mama! Alyson is doing good as well and enjoying her preschool classes three times a week. Mike was able to get home on Halloween night and go trick or treating with us! We were down in Elk Grove at my cousin, Nicole's...she had a great party!

Here are links to a couple photo albums. Hope all is well!

Angel :)

http://adobe.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=hdc0iwz.cq1cackj&x=0&y=-ri91pq&localeid=en_US

http://adobe.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=hdc0iwz.5xiu9d9f&x=0&y=-lkbdsz&localeid=en_US

http://adobe.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=hdc0iwz.7skd9oj7&x=0&y=-318cxb&localeid=en_US

2 Months!!

Hi! Molly is 2 months old now! She is doing great! Her doc said that she is the size of a 4 month old (height and weight proportionate though) and is doing things that 3 and 4 month old babies do (like her neck control and cooing noises and putting lots of weight on her legs when stood up). She's recently discovered she has hands...last night it was the funniest thing..she just sat in the boppy bouncer chair for about 30 minutes staring at her hands. :) She is now 12 lbs. 14 oz. (3 lbs. over her birth weight) and 24 inches long. 2 feet!! haha :)

Alyson is doing great, too. She started preschool on M-W-F mornings. I go on Fridays and work in the class as it is a parent participation school. They do all kinds of crafts and songs and play..it's fun! And, I take Molly and so far, she just sleeps in the Baby Bjorn the whole time. :) Here is a little video of Molly...so funny!

Here is the web address to some new pics...I couldn't get the blogger to make it a link for you so you just have to copy this and paste it in your web address area. Sorry!
http://adobe.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=hdc0iwz.cq1cackj&x=0&y=-ri91pq&localeid=en_US

Love, Angel :)

Lovely......:)

Just a short post to give the link to the professional pictures our friend, Shelbie, did for us! She did a pregnancy shoot about 2 weeks before my due date and then a newborn shoot. I picked out 25 of my favorites!

We are all doing well. Molly goes for her 2 month appointment next week and I'm sure she will pass with flying colors as far as growth! :) She's doing great!

Alyson started preschool! So far, so good!! :)

That's all for now!

http://adobe.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=hdc0iwz.ast4wsub&x=0&y=-skvriw&localeid=en_US

Angel :)

Where has the time gone???

Hello!
Well...let's see, it's the end of September and Molly is almost 2 months old now! She is doing great and really filling out..must be because she eats all the time!!! I can't say she's in a routine yet, but I do see some patterns. She'll take a nap in the morning, again in afternoon...really fussy in the evening...around 7:30ish she'll be in a great mood and smile and "talk" to me..then I'll feed her again around 8:30 or so and she's out until about 1:30! That's her longest stretch. Once I get her down again around 1:45ish or 2...she'll wake again almost at 5 and then I just bring her in bed with me. She still is in the bassinet in our room. I haven't made the transition yet to her room-that's coming! Probably next week, I'll have Mike carry the rocking chair up to her room and start putting her to bed there.

Alyson is doing a lot better. She's had a hard time adjusting and takes it out on me mostly and Molly sometimes. But, there's been less time outs and more listening and following directions. I think she just needed to get used to having some other being in the house that takes attention away. She turned 3 this month! I'm getting ready to put her into preschool 3 mornings a week. It's a parent participation school, so I work in the class one day a week. :) I think it will be good for her and good for me, too. I've had extended baby blues and saw a psychologist for it a couple weeks ago. She said I'm having a lot of anxiety..not so much depression. She said I could take some anxiety medicine if I wanted to...but I prefer not to take any drugs. Alyson had her 3 year doc appointment and she is as tall as a 4 1/2 year old they said! WOW!! She had a shot and was very brave!

Mike is gone again...he leaves on Sundays and gets back home the following Friday night late. I really miss him. And, this past weekend, I had an unexpected visit to the ER which took up most of my one day I get to see him. :( He is going to try to take 2 days off here this week if he can.

My C-section incision has an infection. It busted open a little in two places and started bleeding and oozing again. It's really red and yucky. I'm on an antibiotic now so hopefully that clears it up. I think I'm still doing too much. It's hard not to with two kids! My weight loss has slowed. I was 290 when I went into the hospital. I'm now down to 248. I was 240 when I learned I was pregnant with Molly, so only 8 lbs. from that point. I was still trying to lose weight before getting pregnant from my pregnancy with Alyson. My goal is 185...I will get there some day but right now, I'm not too concerned about it. My job is to take care of my kiddies and the full time nursing should help (as long as I keep my eating in check!) with shedding some more lbs.

Here is a link to some new pics. :) Some are from Alyson's 3rd birthday. Hope anyone who reads this is well!!

http://adobe.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=hdc0iwz.844rzbhv&x=0&y=7bpejq&localeid=en_US

Angel :)

"Mommy...you sleep a lot"....HA!

So, every afternoon, the ladies of the Heath household take a nap! Alyson comes downstairs after she wakes up and stands at the side of the bed...I wake up and she says, "Mommy..you sleep a lot"...HAHAH!! That's the biggest laugh ever! No...I just try to get sleep whenever I can! The truth is, I'm only getting about 4 hours total on average at night...interrupted...so my hour in the afternoon is to get me through the rest of the day!

Molly is growing well! We had her 3 week doc appt. this morning. She has gained weight and is almost 10 lbs. now! So, the breastmilk is doing the trick! Good stuff! She feeds ALL THE TIME! She is in the 85th percentile with her weight and head circumference. That's normal. Doc said she is tongue tied...which means that her tongue is more connected underneath than it should be I think. She did some tests in the office and said that she is fine and shouldn't need any intervention when she gets older...I guess in some cases, they have to snip part of the area under the tongue and it can affect verbal development. But, Molly was able to stick out her tongue and she's breastfeeding just fine so she said it's not anything to be concerned with. YEAH!!

Alyson is so sweet to her sister...loves on her and is concerned when she cries, wants to hold her...but she hasn't been too nice to me. She's begun hitting me and just acting out in general. Each day, I don't know what it will bring. I"ve been having some depression because of it...I cry a lot because in some way, I feel I'm not giving enough to Alyson, because I have to give SO MUCH to Molly right now since she is so little....I know it will pass and everything will be o.k. I just get overwhelmed, which the doctor said is normal. Other than that, Alyson is doing well and she will be 3 next month!!!

Mike had to go to Phoenix, AZ this past week...he's been gone since Tuesday early morning. This has been a challenge for me, but I made it!! He's coming home today!! He did his training to be a trainor with Swift and they already have a trainee for him! He trains someone for 6 weeks and then that person goes out on their own. But, good for him (and our family)...whatever miles that trainee drives for an entire year, Mike will get paid some amount per mile for every mile! And, that's for as many trainees as he can do...pretty cool! So, we are excited about that...he won't be home every night like now, but he will be home weekly and it is good for our family. :)

As for me...other than some blues, I'm doing good. Planning Alyson's birthday party...trying to pick out birth announcements for Molly..I think I have them narrowed down! My recovery is going well...my C-section incision is still itchy..so it's still healing. I take Ibuprofen still daily.....I'm driving now..so we get out of the house as often as possible!! I'm keeping our new house up with laundry and dishes and things...feels good. My weight loss has slowed. It's 3 weeks since delivery and I lost 40 lbs. :) PRETTY GOOD! I'm happy with that because it's only 10 lbs. to where I was when I got pregnant. I will continue to breastfeed as long as Molly wants to and that will help with losing more weight, too.

Bye for now! Hope anyone that reads this is doing well!

Link to new pictures!
http://adobe.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=hdc0iwz.8u9t7uez&x=0&y=ybl9lq&localeid=en_US


Love,
Angel :)

11 Days Old Now!

Hello!

Well...we are settling in nicely at home. I had a couple breakdowns and have felt some "baby blues" during the first week home, but now I'm better getting into some type of routine. I think it was just hard for me because I was in pain and just couldn't do everything that I'm used to doing. Especially where Alyson is concerned...I felt like I was losing some of my bond with her since I'm spending so much time with the baby...but I'm not. I think it will make our bond more special and she is a great helper! When Molly cries, she jumps up and says, "Mommy...go get her!! She wants the BOOB!" She's so funny! She will turn 3 next month and I have some fun classes arranged for her so we can all get out of the house and she can get some activity since I am limited right now. :)

Molly is doing great! She nurses all the time during the day, but I'm kind of getting her into a routine at night I think where she is sleeping for about 3 hour increments. She HATES having her diaper changed, but what are you going to do? I have to change it...can't let her sit in a wet or poopy diaper!

She sees the doc again at the end of August and next week, I'm busting out of the house and driving again!!! I am off of the pain medicine (ran out) and just on Ibuprofen now.

The dinners that people have been bringing have been so yummy and much appreciated! And, I've had visitors helping me mostly with Alyson and house things....it's been wonderful. Mike went back to work, but he's been home in the morning time for a few hours before heading out so that's nice.

Again, not that I'm watching my weight (well, I kind of am I guess, but not stressed about it), as of this morning, I've lost 31 pounds! Every couple of days I'm down another few pounds....which is great!

More to come in the weeks ahead! Here is a link to more pictures!!!

http://adobe.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=hdc0iwz.928hah8b&x=0&y=y85on5&localeid=en_US

Love,
Angel :)

Molly has arrived!!!

The day finally came! I had a doctor appointment on my due date (August 7th) and during that appointment, they decided to send me over to Labor and Delivery for monitoring as my blood pressure was way too high (152/93). The BP only came down a little in hours I was monitored...time to make a choice! Did I want to be induced (when I was only at 1 cm dilated and 20% effaced) and possibly have 2 days of labor or go for a repeat C-section. After much discussion with Mike and my sister Aimee and Kirsten, I decided on the C-section. This was about 7 p.m. The doctor thought that was the best decision and so did I. I walked into the operating room at 1:30, got my spinal to numb my lower body and laid down. Right away, I started to get a really bad neck spasm that didn't go away...I was wriggling all over the place, which wasn't good for the surgeons. The anestesiologist gave me a shot of Demerol to relax me and WOW, it did!! I was so loopy and I think I dozed off at one point.
Then, it was time to lift her out! Daddy was excited and had the camera ready!!

Molly Addison Heath
Born August 8, 2008 2:03 a.m.
9 lbs. 6.8 oz. and 21" long

After, they wheeled me into recovery and I got to hold my baby. She latched on to my breast right away, which I was so thrilled about! Then, we were taken to our room....where I shared it with 3 other mommies and their babies. Boy...was I not expecting that! With Alyson, because I had a C-section, I got my own room with a chair that pulled out for Mike to sleep and my own bathroom. At Kaiser-Morse Ave., it's all about sharing...it was awful. When I got Molly to sleep, another baby would start wailing or the nurses would come in. We made it through, though and the one thing I can say is that the nurses were AMAZING! Very attentive and so nice. I didn't have a grouchy one (except for one nurse I called the breastfeeding nazi!!). We checked out on Sunday afternoon and headed home!

Molly had her 4 day old appointment at the doctor on Tuesday. She did great and gained back some weight (she had lost about a pound, which is normal for newborns). She is a little jaundiced, but not terribly that the doctor was concerned enough about. My milk has come in and Molly and I are establishing our routines. Last night was actually a pretty good night (waking about 4 times to feed) and I am getting used to the lack of sleep. I'm actually seeing a pattern to her feedings and sleeping right now I think!

Alyson stayed at my sister, Aimee's during the hospital stay. She returned home to us on Monday. It's an adjustment...for her and us..and I think she'll ease into it more and more each day. She's not used to Mommy always being with another child or resting because I am still recovering. I think she is handling it quite well though..

Mike has to go back to work on Thursday. I'm not looking forward to that...we'll see how it goes. I'm still not recovered and still taking Vicodin for pain...and I can't drive anywhere for another few weeks...so I think it will be challenging, but we'll get through it!

Below is a link to a bunch of pictures! I'd love visitors, so if you'd like to come over, please email or call me! angel.heath@comcast.net or 916-568-9377. :)

Here is the link to photos!!
http://adobe.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=hdc0iwz.4lkkhekb&x=0&y=p6mmgq&localeid=en_US
Bye for now,
The Heath Family
Mike, Angel, Alyson and MOLLY!!

8 days to go...NO PROGRESS YET!

Well, after lots of aches and pains this past week...thinking that I had to be making SOME progress....nothing. I visited the doctor today for my 38 1/2 week check up. Molly's heart beat sounds great, my blood pressure is excellent...he "checked" me for dilation and effacement...nothing. While he was doing that, he was concerned that she turned around from head down to possibly side lying or breech...so he got the ultrasound machine in and we got a glimpse of her! She is head down, but hasn't dropped (geez!! With all the pressure and pains I feel 'down below' I thought she did...but I guess not!)...she has a big head. He measured me at 40 weeks, which indicates that she is a BIG BABY!!!

Here are a couple of pictures. I'm taking each day as they come...some are better than others. I'm not able to sleep very well at all. I am wired until about 11 p.m., then lay down and shift back and forth all night long.

My birthday is this weekend...Mike is going to make me something special for dinner and I think I'll have a few visitors come see me...don't feel like going out anywhere in my condition! We are very excited to meet Molly...Mike is getting anxious for her to be here! The port a crib is all set up in our room and her room is all ready to go. Just a waiting game now!

Till next time!
Angel :)

Ouch!!!!

Well...almost 38 weeks now..starting to have more and more Braxton Hicks. Today was awful and I think things are getting started! I officially have 15 days until the due date. I'm not a happy camper today...having strong contractions off and on all day, probably about 3 or so per hour.

Here's a pic of me last week...getting big!! We are all ready. I am still packing the hospital bags though and Mike needs to install the new car seat but I have to clean out the car first!! haha

More to come!
Angel :/

Added at 11:15 p.m.....so to top off my already painful and uncomfortable day, I fell in the kitchen! My butt and knee is hurting now. OUCH OUCH!! I was taking the lid off of the steamer and of course, clumsey me-I dropped it. I took a step toward it to pick it up, not knowing that on the way down, the lid had dropped water, and there I go! One leg in front...the other bent in back and on my bootie....I need a do-over today. :(

36 Weeks!!! Almost there!!!

Whew! Well....first of all, we moved and it was successful!! Still unpacking, but getting more and more organized!! Molly's room is coming together, as is Alyson's!! The girls are both upstairs, and the loft is their playroom....it's so fun!!

Me....well, had my 36 week appt. I have officially gained 40 lbs. But, it's ALL BELLY!!!! (And, maybe a little water retention with the heat)...I found out I'm anemic...so I need to take a yucky iron pill every day. I took one that day and spent my last day at work throwing up. Not fun! Another thing I learned is that my blood pressure is a bit high...so they want me to come in every 5 days to monitor that. Other than that, Molly is growing and moving all around inside this big belly! She's head down now and I think she's dropping! Very heavy!

So, as the days go by, things get more and more ready. We are very excited and Alyson has been helping me get things in order. Mike started working more to bring in more money while I am out of work. I will get disability pay that will kick in soon, but it's 2/3 of what I normally get.

Hope all is well with everyone that might read this! I would have a picture, but I forgot to ask Mike to take one this morning!! I'll post pictures later in the week of Molly's room and me!

Angel :)

34 Weeks.......

Hello! Just a quick post to say hello!! I'm getting bigger and bigger, although maintaining my weight which is good! I've already gained enough (33 lbs.)....starting to have Braxton Hicks Contractions off and on. I didn't realize HOW BIG the belly was getting until this week when Mike took my picture (above)...whew!!

Almost off work!! 8...no 7 more working days!! WOOHOO!!

We move this weekend! Yeah!! We are very excited and I will post pics of our new place once we're in! It's super nice and now I can set up Molly's room!

If you haven't already, go post your guess on our baby pool!
www.expectnet.com, Game Name: Heathprincess2 We already have about 19 guesses on there!! I want more!! See who comes close!

To another week!
Angel :)

32 weeks!!!

32 weeks pregnant this week! Whew! My body is starting to hurt pretty badly. This belly is getting BIG BIG BIG!!! My test results all came back normal...no diabetes or anemia. I've gained a couple more pounds...so I'm up now to 32 lbs. gained total which I still think is good for me! Had my 32 week doc appointment yesterday..he signed me out of work officially on July 9th...yuck! I wanted it to be NOW! It's hard to go to work every day with my body feeling the way it does. I can make it!

My sister threw me a little baby shower last Sunday. It was fabulous!!! It was nice and small...only about 15-20 people invited that I see or talk to every day....since it is my 2nd baby, it was nice to have a smaller more intimate shower...We received many nice gifts for Molly and her new room! We still need a few things, but do have most of what we need! If I had the baby now, we would still need diapers, wipes and a bassinet....I think that's it for now! :)

Irritant of the month: NESTING!! I'm getting into that nesting mode...however I CAN'T!!! We want to move because the rent on our townhome is going up substantially at the end of our lease in a couple of months. We were on a mission last weekend to find a new place and hopefully try to move before Molly arrives-we found a place!! I turned in the application yesterday and we should hear back this morning. Fingers crossed!!! It's off of Madison and Hackberry...huge brand new condos with a backyard/patio area. We LOVED them and Mike adored the kitchen! They were built like custom condos to sell..but then the market turned so the owners have now turned them into rentals for at least a few years until the market picks back up. If we are approved, we can move as early as this weekend!!! Woohoo!!

Must be going...off to work in the Gas Guzzler...yes, I am driving a 2008 Chevy Tahoe right now (my rental vehicle) because the Kia is in the shop getting it's repairs from the car accident I was in a couple months ago. $40 in gas and it didn't even fill it to 1/2....geez!! I asked for a small SUV and this is what I got!

Till next time!

Angel :)

Molly Addison Heath.........:)

Hello!

Well..as the title of this blog states, we have picked a name! Molly Addison Heath. :) We love it and it's so cute when Alyson says it.

Things are going well with the pregnancy. It's been about a month since my car accident. I've had 3 physical therapy appointments for my neck and it's gotten better...I won't have to go back now unless it flares up again.

Today, I had a slew of things to do at the doctor. I had to do my diabetes test..which you have to drink this awful soda stuff..yuck! Then, they draw your blood after an hour. I passed the 12 week one so I'm hopeful for this one to turn out well! (5/21-I just learned I passed!!) Then, I had to go to the doc for my 28 week check-up. I am still measuring at about 29-30 weeks...I believe that Molly is going to be pretty big...I'm attaching a picture of me at 26-27 weeks...I'm getting bigger by the day! After my appointment, I went back to the lab to get the blood drawn and then back to the office to get the Rogam shot in my bootie! Ouch! I am RH-...which basically means that if my blood gets mixed with the baby's blood, it could cause a lot of problems.

I've gained too much weight...according to the doctor. I've gained 29 lbs. and according to the guidelines, they only wanted me to gain 20-25 lbs. total...HA! I pack it on and I"m eating well and drinking my water, but my body just likes to hold on to it. Even if I gain another 20 lbs. in the last 2 1/2 months that are left, I'll still be 30 lbs. LESS than I was when I went into labor with Alyson. So, I'm not really concerned about it...my blood pressure is fine and Molly is growing properly. What this will mean, however, is that if Molly is going to be as big or bigger than Alyson...it looks like I'm headed down the C-section path again-which I was trying to avoid..I really wanted to try for the VBAC....but the ultimate result is to have a healthy baby and mama...:)

This weekend, we are taking a family trip!!! We are leaving tomorrow morning for Lake Tahoe and staying until Sunday!! We can't wait! Probably our last relaxing weekend for awhile before Molly arrives. (5/21-We had an amazing time!!!)

Hope all is well!
~Angel~

Ouch!!!

Well..some updates....Baby is doing great! She's kicking like crazy these days! We still don't have a name picked out, but we have a list going of ones we like. As my belly gets bigger, I think Alyson is starting to "get it" that there is a baby in there! She's so very cute sometimes with the whole thing. Yesterday, as I was driving to work, I was on the freeway stopped in traffic and this lady behind me decided to rear end me! She wasn't paying attention to traffic and crashed into me going about 20 mph. I braced for the impact (which your not supposed to do, but all I could think about was my baby) because I saw it coming in the rear view mirror and I couldn't go anywhere...CRASH! My neck and lower back hurt really bad immediately. We got the CHP and he took the report..then I was on my way to Labor & Delivery to get checked out. I was at the hospital for about 3 1/2 hours while they kept me on the monitor, drew blood and did an exam...geez I was uncomfortable! Mostly because of my back and the only drugs I can take is Tylenol...that SUCKS! However, this morning, I am feeling a bit better..Whew! And...baby is A...O.K.!!! Double Whew! It was a scary thing and I'm glad it was over and everything is fine. It could have been worse. Such nice weather these days! I'm looking forward to it heating up just a little more so I can get in the pool! I'm starting to plan the BBQ get together for my "un-baby shower"..haha! I just want to get everyone together to celebrate our new arrival and visit. So, I thought a fun BBQ at a park would be appropriate with kids and men and everyone. I've attached a picture of me now at 24 weeks. And, a little video of Alyson from last week that is pretty cute! Angel :)

It's a GIRL!

It's been about a month since my last post. I've fallen behind...just a lot going on in March! I had some really bad back pain going on...but it got better. I "popped" out as they say and you can really tell now that I am pregnant and not just getting a beer gut! On March 13th, we had the 20 week ultrasound. Mike, Alyson, Aimee and my Mom all attended in Roseville. The ultrasound tech was not so nice and didn't allow Aimee and Mom in until the very end. And, she determined...it's a GIRL!! So, now we are thinking of names for our new little princess! In the last week, baby girl has been very very active! I am almost 22 weeks prego now. We are having some financial trouble (again). We can never catch a break, huh? Just when we were starting to recover from losing our house....Mike's work is cutting back and has cut a certain portion of the drivers pay called "extra pay". They get paid about $40 extra pay that is included in their compensation for each run. He does about 3 runs a day x 6 days a week...they cut this extra pay down $10 per run...that's $180 a week...almost $800/month! They just made it effective and I'm afraid for when it shows up on the check next week. I don't know what we are going to do with a loss of $800/month. He's looking at finding another job. But, that might mean he has to do long haul trucking and will be gone a lot. hmm....like my mom says...it will all work out, right? Here are a couple of pictures! And a little video of Alyson talking to her baby sister through my belly! She thinks the baby is IN my belly button...it's very cute. Happy April! Angel :)

E?????

Good Morning! Just a few updates. I am feeling good...having growing pains here and there and then my leg is twitching weird sometimes...but other than that, I am good. 16 weeks now and I have felt the baby a few times. They say you can feel the baby earlier in your 2nd pregnancy (and beyond) since your stomach muscles are already stretched out and thinner...great...haha

I went over to Motherhood Maternity to get fitted for a bra because my cheapy Target bra is just not cutting it. When my milk came in with Alyson, so at my biggest, I was a 42DD. I am only 4 months prego and I am a 42E! I just can't imagine what I'll be when I grow some more. On that note, I do get boob pains because of the growth and the beginning of production.

I've gained about 3 lbs. since my last post...so that's good. I hadn't been gaining anything really. I think I started at 239 and now I'm at 247. Not bad...I'm defintly not gaining at the rate I did with little Alyson! I started with her at 215 and a day before I went into the hospital, I tipped the scales at 310! I lost 45 lbs. 2 weeks after giving birth to her, but I was huge! I'm hoping that I won't gain more than another 10-15 lbs. with this baby. We'll see!

The 20 week ultrasound is March 13th..I'll probably post again then! We are excited about seeing the little pea in the pod and maybe finding out if it's a boy or another girl! Once we find out, then the shopping will begin!! I think we are having a 2nd baby shower to celebrate this baby...but nothing formal. I'd like a co-ed with kids...more like a big BBQ get together party. I think that will be fun!

Angel :)

Updates.....:)

Hi! It's been about a month almost since I've written my last blog. I had my 12 week appointment and everything went fine. Baby's heart beat was very strong! Today, I am in my 14th week of pregnancy. And...I keep feeling the baby kick me!!! I know that sounds crazy...but they told me that you can feel the baby earlier than your 1st pregnancy and I swear, after the first one which I thought maybe was gas...it is definetly a little *kick*!!! :) I'm wearing prego clothes now...I haven't taken a picture in awhile. I will soon!

So, Alyson said the cutest thing yesterday.
Alyson: "Mama, your belly getting big!"
Angel: "Yes, sweetie...mama has a baby growing inside her belly"
Alyson: "My brother or sister!!"
SO CUTE! She's really starting to catch on to what is happening with my body.

Work is fine. I'm frustrated right now because I'm not being able to do my own job. I'm still pulled in the branch quite a bit lately and I still have demands with my own work. I have a meeting this morning and I'm not ready for it. I told her yesterday that I doubt I will be ready. I am only one person and can only do what I can do. I am really good at multitasking and being efficient, but lately it's kickin' my bootie!

School.....I haven't done anything with this new semester. I started reading my book in one class...but that's it. I have no idea what I'm going to do about this semester. I'm thinking of dropping all together. By the time I get Alyson to bed, I am dog-tired! I pass out on the couch pretty quickly. Last night, I fell asleep at 7:45. Maybe this weekend (3 day weekend) I can catch up.

That's it for now! I'll post more pictures soon!!

Angel :)

Nosebleeds!

This past week, we have been very busy! On Saturday, the 12th, we attended the funeral service of my birth grandmother...she was 96...then that evening we all had a wonderful dinner at Fulton's of Old Sac. It was a fun time to see everyone again and Alyson got to meet her cousin, C.J. from Hawaii (and so did I!!).

Monday night, Alyson woke up and threw up on me all night...I didn't get to sleep until almost 6 a.m. and I had to go to work-which I was late. Poor thing....she still doesn't want to eat and she's thrown up again on Tuesday night and Wednesday night.....but not last night so hopefully she is on the road to recovery!! She doesn't have a fever or act differently...well, a little moody. Then, on Wednesday morning....I am in the bathroom throwing up...not a pretty sight let me tell you!! Wednesday night, Mike gets home...he's throwing up. We are a sad sad family around here this week! But, as of today, I think we are all on the road to recovery!!

I do have a Prego-update.....I have a new symptom....NOSEBLEEDS! Well, it's only happened once so far (yesterday) and hopefully it won't happen again....I was standing at the kitchen counter and all of a sudden....gushing blood out of my nose...and it was bleeding for like 10 minutes. It freaked me out a little, but Mike looked it up on the computer and it's normal for pregnant women to get them. WHEW!!

Weekend is here....:) Tomorrow, I am taking Kirsten for her birthday to get mani's and pedi's in the morning at the spa. Monday is a holiday and I'm taking Alyson to her first Little Gym class to see if she likes it. If so, a new 20-week semester is starting so it's perfect timing! I took her when she was a bit younger, but she wasn't ready.

xooxox
Angel

I'm NORMAL!!!!

Hello! I am now week 10 of my pregnancy and MAN am I tired!! I actually had a mini-breakdown this morning while in the car in the garage. I started crying because I was just so exhuasted. And, I'm getting plenty of sleep! I guess my body is just makin' the babe!

I'm having a weird symptom, however. I wasn't sure if this was normal...but doing some online research...IT IS!! I am having very vivid dreams about ex-lovers! It's very strange and I'm waking up with such a sense of betrayal to Mike and guilt! But, they are just dreams and I really have no control over them. And, from what I've found on the internet, it is mother natures way of clearing the subconcious of the male energies in the deep parts of my mind to make way for the deeper love that I am creating in my body. A way of cleansing old stuff I guess.

Top 6 dreams, according to Parents Magazine:
1. Giving Birth to an animal
2. Giving Birth to an alien
3. Taking the baby out of your uterus
4. Swimming, drowning, standing in the ocean
5. Cheating spouse
6. Re-appearing ex-lovers (WHEW! My dream made the top 6!).

So...although I feel funny about the dreams I'm having, I have to realize they are normal. I haven't talked about them with Mike yet...I don't think I will go in detail however when I do mention it to him. Some websites say it's good to keep a journal next to your bed and jot them down when you wake...HAHHHAHAHAHAHAHA No way in HELL I'm writing down the things that I'm dreaming....are they crazy???

Another thing I'm facing is that I'm just not hungry. With Alyson...I could pile it in! But, with this baby, I'm not hungry and when I do have to eat, I can't eat a lot. I mean, not every time...sometimes I can eat an entire dish...but it's rare! It's good...but just different. Maybe it's a BOY! hmmmm.....they say every pregnancy is different. I'm breaking out on my face a lot! That's irritating. And, then there's the bathroom issues that I won't go in to...let's just say if it's not one thing, it's another.

No pictures today. I'll take a pic at my 12 week doc appointment (Jan. 22nd). I'm popping out a little..but I had some belly roll already, so it looks like just bloating. My pants are starting to get tighter around the belly and I'm starting to wear prego shirts because I just can't hold my fat in any longer! I was really good about sucking it in on a regular basis...not now! I've only gained 5 pounds in 2 months, so I think that's pretty good. My goal, since I was overweight when I got prego, it to try to keep the weight gain down to about 20 lbs. I've read that that is a good goal. We'll see! :)

Angel and "Pea in the Pod"