Updates - Cloth Diapers, Freezer Cooking, and Life

Let me share some of the new things in my life that bring a smile to my face. I love cloth diapers and freezer cooking. I love couponing and I love being a mom.

Cloth Diapers
After much research I discovered Cloth Diapers and all the benefits that come along with such an old technique. I always pictured Cloth Diapers (CD) as those white towel-thingy's that you fold with a safety pin and then cover with some plastic bloomers...but that is not what they are anymore. They are these adorable fabric prints with snaps or Velcro. Even though they look so cute and accentuate the bummie...I was still very hesitant to try them. A friend of mine made this post Going With Cloth and she made me think "maybe this isn't such a difficult and gross thing after all" and that was really the beginning. I searched for good deals because Cloth Diapers are quite the investment. I found this company - Just Simply Baby - and decided it was time to give it a try. They have the best prices around and their prints are so much cuter than the boring basic colors that some big name companies are doing and they are very similar to the brand BumGenius that I was looking into getting. This company also gives you a 30day Money Back Guarantee JUST IN CASE the CD stuff is not for everyone...although, from what I have read and who I know that uses CD's, if you have tried them, you love them and it then becomes really hard to go back to Disposable Diapers.

For our little family, it isn't much work and doesn't take much time. I will say that I was having a rough time a couple weeks ago with not being able to get all the smell out, but after switching up the Laundry Day Routine I have finally found what works and they no longer stink!! YAY!!!! I was about ready to give up but just the thought of having to go buy disposables at Walmart or Target, or wherever, and spending that extra money made me sick to my stomach. I am NOT doing CD's as a "way to go green" or any of that stuff...I am doing it because of the money saver.

I feel like I just dumped all my thoughts on you about Cloth Diapers...so if you have any questions...message me on FB or at NikDawnaBerry@gmail.com.

Freezer Cooking
Back in December I found a Pin on Pinterest that gave some recipes to make up and put in your freezer for later use. I talked my cousin, Arianna, into doing this with me and we had fun. The recipes were a flop but the concept was something we both loved. So, I hunted down some websites and found two awesome places...Once a Month Mom and What's Cooking, Chicago?

They have some amazing recipes and they are so simple. Arianna and I have been doing this for just over a month now and we see the benefits. Go check out my other blog DawnaDinners and you can read the full story and get some of the recipes that I have tried and loved.

Over the weekend Nik bought me my Valentines Gift/Tax Return Celebration/Smart Buy....my Chest Freezer. We got it at Costco because that was the best deal in town. I am so excited to fill it with frugal finds....i.e. Milk when it is on sale, bread when on sale, Home Cooked Freezer Dinners, Tatum's home made baby food, and so much more. It just made sense to get it and savet that money in the long run.

Nikolas
Nik got a new job with GoDaddy and was able to quit his old job at QBE/BofA and Domino's. GoDaddy is a company he has wanted to work with for a while. He got the job 4 weeks ago and it is so nice to have him come home happy instead of grumpy. Nik does so much for our family because he loves us and he has always wanted me to be able to stay home with our children. He was working 3 jobs at one point for a few weeks and then dropped down to 2 jobs until last week and now just has 1 job and school.

Me
I have picked up the new hobby/talent of Freezer Cooking. It sure is a lot of work for one day buy definitely pays off in the days that follow. I enjoy staying home with Tatum and I have many friends that come visit us. I have picked back up Couponing and love the savings! Arianna comes over and coupons with me and then we shop together and find the best deals. We are such a good team!

Tatum
Tatum is 8.5 months old and has 6 pearly whites. She just barely started Army Crawling this last week and I'm sure she will be up on her knees in no time. She loves all her Veggies and her Fruits. She loves to play with other babies but sometimes she scares them because she gets so excited and shrieks. hahaha. She gives kisses on command and we are trying to teach her how to wave. She definitely lights up our world. I can't believe where I was 1 year ago and where I am now. Nik and I are so happy with our little family.

Tatum's Story

Let's get one thing clear:

Due Date: June 24, 2011

Birthday: May 25, 2011

Big Surprise

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

It started on May 24th. I was getting ready to go grocery shopping and was just about to head out the door when I decided to check Facebook real quick. My friend, Nichole Q, said she needed a babysitter for the afternoon so she could run some errands. I decided it would be a good way to earn a few bucks and then I could go grocery shopping after. Funny thing is Nichole asked me how long I could stay and I responded with "All day. Heck, all I gotta do nowadays is bake this baby." (oh gosh, shouldn't have said that.) So I headed on over there at 11:45am. I needed to stop at our storage unit on my way to grab a few things. I got there at 12:15pm and grabbed my items. The manager came out to talk with me and made a comment about how big I was. I told him I wasn't due for another month. His eyes got big and he told me good luck. I finished lifting the boxes back into the unit and left for Nichole's house.

I got to Nichole's around 12:30pm and she gave me the low down on when the other kids were going to be home and what the little one was up to. She finally left the house around 12:40pm. I sat at the computer with the little one as she played some computer games. I decided I was thirsty so I got up to get a drink and...that's when it happened...my water broke!! I freaked out. Weird feeling! I ran softly to my purse to grab my phone and call Nichole. She wasn't even gone 10 minutes when I was crying and telling her to come get me. She rushed back home, took her daughter to the neighbor, and then took me to Banner Gateway. I called Nik but he didn't answer (I figured as much because he was at work) and then I called my mom.

I was so scared. She was only 35weeks and 4days along. She was not suppose to arrive for another month! I didn't have anything ready. No bags packed. No crib set up. No maternity pictures taken or labor/delivery classes attended. Nothing.

Nichole stayed with me while I was getting admitted until Nik showed up. I had sent him a few texts to let him know my water broke, that we were having this baby now, and that he needed to get down here as soon as possible. He got to the hospital faster than I thought and at that time Nichole left to go back home. My grandma and grandpa showed up, as they live half a mile from the hospital, and gave me words of encouragement as I was still kind of freaking out. They are awesome.

I was then taken into my delivery room where they checked me and I was only dilated to 1cm and 0% effaced. They gave me some medication to soften things up and get things going but no Pitocin to induce labor. The nurses wanted to me try on my own and then after 18 hours if nothing had progressed they would induce my labor.

Family stopped by to see me. All my family and Nik’s family were so supportive and loving. Amy played some Blokus with me to try and get my mind distracted from the pain. Other family watched my favorite movies on TV with me and Nik was a great husband rubbing my back when I was having contractions.

By 8pm I couldn’t take the pain any longer. The contractions were getting stronger but I didn’t want an epidural just yet. I was not ready to give up my mobility when sitting on the bouncy ball was the most comfortable position for me. I don’t remember what the nurses gave me…but it was a miracle worker for a while. I remember the nurse screwing the medicine tube onto my IV and injecting it but then I conked out right away. I don’t even remember her unscrewing the tube. I was asleep! It was marvelous! I no longer was thinking about the pain or my hunger. (Heck, I hadn’t eaten since 10am that morning! I was starving!)

At 10pm I had had enough with the contractions and that previous medication wasn’t working anymore. I had everyone go home and then I received my epidural. That thing was nice…for a little bit and then the pain was coming back even harder. I was still dilated to a 1cm and decided to get some sleep because she obviously wasn’t going to come for a while.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Nik laid on the little sofa sleeper and I was curled up in a ball in my bed. Hours went by and I tried to tolerate the pain. The nurse came in at 1am to see if I had made any progress. I was dilated to 2cm at that point. I went back to sleep for a few more hours. Nik’s snoring wass comforting as I slept and then to hear my baby’s heartbeat on the monitor…that just made my night. It was so nice hearing both of them and knowing what a happy family we were about to become.

At 3am the nurse came in again to give me more medication and checked if I was progressing any more. I was then at a 4cm. The pain was getting worse and worse and I couldn’t lay there alone while Nik was across the room. I had him sit in the rocker next to me and hold my hand. That worked for a little bit and I got some more rest.

Two more hours had passed and 5am arrived. I called the nurse in for more medication because the pain became so intense I was in tears. She checked and said “It makes sense, you are at a 10. You are ready to push.” Nik popped straight up and was wide awake. I was freaking out because, well, I had never done this before. I was about to have our baby. Nik texted our immediate family to let them know so they could come down to the waiting room until she had arrived. The nurse called Dr. Beck and then I started pushing. Dr. Beck showed up about 20 minutes later for a brief second. He left the room as the nurse kept helping me. Nik was a trooper staying right there holding my hand and brushing my hair and giving me words of encouragement. He was great!

Around 5:40am Dr. Beck showed back up and helped with the last couple pushes.

She arrived at 5:48am on May 25th weighing in at 6lbs and 19.5inches long. Nik cut her cord and she was swept away to get cleaned up.

Now because she was a month early her little lungs were not up to par. They were still wet and she had a hard time keeping them inflated while grunting and trying to use her stomach muscles, which is not what she was suppose to be doing. They brought her over to me for some loving in hopes that would help her calm down but after 10 minutes there was still no change. The nurses took her to the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and that was the last I saw of her until that evening. I was the only one that was able to hold her and because it was so brief, it all felt like a dream.

While I was laboring I kept thinking about names. I really really really liked the name Ayrika since I was in Jr High and always wanted to name my first daughter Ayrika Genette (Genette is my middle name), but for some reason Tatum just kept popping up. I couldn’t think about Ayrika long enough to even spell it in my head without the name Tatum creeping in. I would try to think of other names that Nik and I agreed on but Tatum was the only one that would linger. Once she was born I told Nik this and we agreed her name should be Tatum Genette Berry. It just felt so right and we were so happy. We know she will always have to spell her name because it is different, but Nikolas and I both had to our whole lives and you know what, it made for great conversations sometimes. So either way with Ayrika (Erika) or Tatum she would have to spell it. Makes life fun, right?!

That night I was able to walk down to the NICU and see her. She had machines on her and all I could do was touch her. It was difficult to see her in that state but I must say that we were blessed that all we had to worry about were her lungs developing and nothing worse.

Our families had come back that evening to see how we were doing. We were able to take them in to see Tatum just one at a time. Definitely not how I had imagined my hospital stay with our baby. I had always dreamed of having visitors and friends come by and see us. I had a few friends ask if they could but since all I wanted was sleep and they couldn’t even see Tatum, I declined the offers, as generous as they were.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Dr. Beck came in to check on me and then I went to check on Tatum. She had made a little progress with her C-Pap machine but she still had to wear it to help her breathe and keep the right amount of oxygen in her blood. She also had an IV with antibiotics. In an x-ray they found a fuzzy spot in her right lung that looked like it could be pneumonia but they weren’t sure because all other signs that would point towards pneumonia were not present, but to be on the safe side they gave her the antibiotics anyways. I was fine with that, better safe than sorry. She was to be on the meds for 7 days…which meant she wouldn’t be coming home until after she finished the 7 days. That was a little hard for me to handle but the nurses were kind and made me feel more comfortable. Nobody plans on seeing the inside of a NICU. It was rough. I shed a few tears because that wasn’t how I wanted to see my baby. I wanted to see her in a cradle next to my bed. I wanted to see her pretty little face without the mask. But nevertheless, this is the hand we were dealt and I was glad it wasn’t worse.

Family stopped by here and there. My mom came over to keep me company because Nik went back to work that day. So when she wasn’t with me I was either sleeping or eating the wonderful feast from the cafeteria…and no, there is not sarcasm in that sentence. I loved the food and miss it dearly. Have you tried their carrot cake?! I’m not the biggest fan but theirs is the best I have ever had. Do you think they will do my birthday cake for me in September? I should start asking now and plant some catering seeds in their head, right?! I’d say so!

Friday, May 27, 2011

Dr. Beck showed up first thing in the morning again to see how I was doing. I was actually doing very well…as long as I had my medication nearby. I went and checked on Tatum after I ate my breakfast feast. She was off the C-Pap machine and now just on the oxygen tubes that were connected to the wall. She made a great improvement over night and I was so happy! Tatum’s nurse, Denise, said that we could have some Kangaroo Time (skin-to-skin) at 2pm. I was so excited! Studies have shown that babies that have skin-to-skin time with their mothers have a shorter stay in the NICU. It helps out the baby and the mother.

At 2pm I showed up for her feeding and for the Kangaroo Time. It was wonderful to hold her again! I laid in the chair with her on my chest and we both fell asleep until 5pm. I felt so much better about the whole situation because I knew it was benefiting the both of us.

I was discharged that night after her 8pm feeding. Nik was able to help with that, holding her for the first time since she was born. He changed her diaper, fed and burped her the best he could. I say the best he could because she kept falling asleep in his arms. Don’t blame her, he is one heck of a cuddler. Leaving the hospital that night without her was rough. I cried for a good portion of the night while Nik held me close. He was such a big help and comforted me through all my tears.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

I went down to the hospital at 11am for that feeding. She had jaundice and needed a Bili-light but I still changed her diaper, fed and burped her and then I went to my grandparent’s house for my lunch. Grandma was nice and made me lunch every day that I showed up. At 2pm I went back for her feeding and Kangaroo Time. We napped together under the Bili-light until her 5pm feeding and after I helped with that feeding I left to go home. Man, being under that light was so hot, but I got a nice tan! NOT!

"My future is so bright I gotta wear my shades!"

Sunday, May 29, 2011

When I arrived at the hospital Tatum had shown some big signs of improvement but still needed a little bit of oxygen to help her out. Her nurse, Denise, was hoping that during Kangaroo Time that day we could wean her off the oxygen. At 2pm we did our Kangaroo Time and when I woke up at 5pm Denise had told me they cut off the oxygen at 3:45pm while we were asleep and that she has been breathing on her own ever since. Tears came from my eyes as I saw a light at the end of the tunnel! I was skipping for joy as I left the hospital because all that needed to happen now was for Tatum to finish off the 7 days of antibiotics and then she could be discharged Wednesday, June 1^st. I was excited!

 Before

 After

Monday, May 30, 2011

Nik and I headed down to the hospital at 11am for her feeding and then for my Kangaroo Time with Tatum. Nik dropped me off and he hung out at my grandparent’s house until 2pm when it was time to pick me up. We tried breastfeeding for the first time and she did great! We couldn’t do it before because of her oxygen tubes. Kangaroo Time was awesome and then it was time to go to lunch. Nik picked me up and we headed back to my grandparent’s house for lunch. At 5pm we were able to go back to the hospital for Nik to have some Kangaroo Time with Tatum. He sat in one chair while I sat in another chair. He loved it and I loved it too. It was so sweet to see him holding her and to see her so comfortable in his arms. My heart just melted.

Then after their Kangaroo Time was up the Doctor came in to give us an update on how Tatum was doing. Last night was her first night without the oxygen and she ended up having another little bump in the road. She had a little Apnea issue where her heart rate slowed way down and her oxygen level had dropped. Because a nurse had to go in and stimulate her heart back up to normal they had to count that and keep her for another 5 days. It broke my heart. If she had brought her heart rate back to normal on her own they wouldn’t have dinged her but because she didn’t and she needed the help of a nurse they wanted to keep her a little longer to make sure it didn’t happen again. Of course I was sad but I was also glad that it happened while she was there and being monitored instead of happening at home and not knowing what the outcome would have been. Again, so blessed for modern medicine and being able to catch this early. So now, instead of our wishful discharge day of Wednesday…it then became Saturday. Yes, more time to prepare for her at home but definitely not the pretty picture I had always dreamed of.

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

No big changes here because all that is left is finishing off the antibiotics and then waiting out the extra 5 days until she can come home.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Tatum is now a week old and finally free of all machinery and tubes! I arrived at the hospital and was smiling from ear to ear. This was going to be a wonderful day. I stayed for her feeding and Kangaroo Time and then left for home. I was able to give her a bath while there and put her in some clothes. She still had monitors hooked up to her but no IV or breathing tubes.

Let's jump to

Saturday June 4, 2011

I only jump ahead because the previous 2 days were the same story. Because there is nothing to improve on and we just have to wait, there isn’t much of a story.

Anyways…Saturday morning rolled around I called the NICU as soon as I woke up at 6am. I needed to make sure that nothing happened over night to keep her any longer. They said she was good to go and that she would be sent home as soon as the Doctor made her rounds and cleared her. So I went back to be, although I couldn’t sleep that well, and got up at 8am to get ready. Nik and I left for the hospital around 11am to make her last feeding. Up to this point whenever I have been there for her feeding we have been able to breastfeed and she is a champ! People say that once they have a bottle nipple they have nipple confusion and can’t breastfeed. Not the case over with this Berry family! We are troopers!!

 This was her outfit to go home in.

Her Auntie Carrot made it for her.

So Nik and I sat around for another hour after her feeding waiting for the Doctor to arrive. As soon as we heard the Doctor we ripped open our curtains to make sure she knew we were there waiting! She came over and took off her monitors, gave us some advice, and then said we could take her home! Denise, her nurse that has been with her all but 2 days, gave us our discharge instructions, I signed some papers, and then we put her in her car seat and left the building! It was so wonderful to walk out of the door with Nik carrying Tatum in her car seat in one hand and my hand in the other! This is the way life is supposed to be. I couldn’t have been any happier in that moment.

 Grabbing a picture with her awesome nurse, Denise, before we left!

We took her to the families to visit and then we went home. It was quite the day and we were all exhausted.
Tatum did a pretty decent job at home in her cradle that first night…considering the fact her environment was completely different that was she was used to. In the NICU it was constant lights and noise and here in our room it was silence and darkness. She was up and fussy and crying for a good portion of the night but that was all to be expected. This is all new for us as we get into a better routine.

Monday, June 6, 2011 

Tatum saw her Pediatrician and she said that Tatum looks great for her being a preemie. Tatum is in the 10th percentile for her height and weight, but that was to be expected. We have another follow-up appointment for next Tuesday.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Tatum was given her first bath at home. She wasn't a happy camper but we had to do it anyways. Hopefully she will warm up to it and like it in the future. But goodness...she was awful cute wrapped up in that little towel.

The days that followed have been wonderful. I am trying to do better with Becoming Baby Wise. It sure is a difficult one but I’m trying to be confident it will pay off in a few short weeks. Nik is awesome at being supportive and helpful when I need it most. And Tatum is great at making us smile.

A Kid at Heart

Dads are fun, right?!

They like to make their children laugh and giggle.

They like to play around with their children and let that kid in their heart loose.

Well, although Nik hasn't been able to hold his daughter in his arms just yet

Or been able to look at her pretty face

He sure has begun this Fatherly Love.

Saturday morning I was laying in bed just after waking up

And Nik thought it would be funny to play around with his little girl.

See, most times when I feel her kick and tell Nik to get his hand over to feel her

She stops!

He doesn't find that to be very cool.

But she, nonetheless, is like her Father...

...not wanting to put on a show.

If Nik does something or says something funny

And you ask him to do it again for laughs,

He won't.

And guess what...

She does the same thing.

Only some of our family has been able to feel her kick and move

Because of this.

Oh well, only 9.5 weeks and then they can all hold her and feel her kick!

 

Geez, guess I really went off on a tangent there.

Back on topic!

So, Nik wanted to play around with her.

He decided to lean over to the right side of my belly and blow a nice big Raspberry.

After about 2 seconds

I get this nasty big push on my left side,

Exactly opposite from where Nik is making noise.

I take it she didn't like that

And wanted to get as far away from that obnoxious sound as possible.

Man, she pushed as hard as she could.

It WAS kinda funny,

But can you imagine what that could possibly sound like in that big ocean she lives in??

SCARY!

So I push him away as he laughs and we promise not to do it ever again.

Don't wanna scare her before she gets here.

Nik is adorable to her already.

He is so gentle to me and makes sure that I am comfortable

Knowing that she is with me at all times.

He is going to make a great Father.

I am so excited to see him in action!

That little kid in his heart is gonna bust out and go crazy!!

Water. Water. Water.

Wow.

The last 2 weeks have been crazy

From losing our dog

To my sister surprising us from Utah

To being in and out of the hospital

To my parents getting another dog

To me getting the 24hr Flu bug

To having Strep Throat
And now just a horrible feeling like I got hit by a truck.

AGGGGHHH!!!!

How about I start where my last post left off.

Carrot came in from Utah Thursday night and snuck into the house.

Everyone woke up Friday morning and got ready as usual.

I hadn't ventured past the bathroom while getting ready so I hadn't made any sort of discovery yet.

As I walked from my bedroom to the bathroom I heard the piano playing.

It was a beautiful song.

A song I recognized.

A song that my 8 or 12 year old sisters could not be playing.

I stood at the door of the bathroom for a few seconds as I tried to process this information.

I was beginning to think my mom was taking piano lessons again...

but that didn't seem right,

So I walked into the living room and VOILA!

There was Carrot.

I screamed "WHAT THE FLIP!?!"

and then she stopped and gave me a big hug!

What a surprise.

That goofus made us all think she wouldn't be down until after the baby got here.

Silly silly.

So we spent the day together and had a great weekend as well.

We all miss her very much but know she is where she needs to be at this time.

Utah has been good to her.

She gave me and Nik some really cute Onesies she made.

I love to look at them but still can't believe I will soon put my daughter in them.

=]

So that happened Friday through Sunday.

But on Saturday I was having contractions.

I had had some Braxton Hicks contractions here and there...

But never 7 in 30 minutes.

So I called my doctor and she told me to go to Banner Gateway L&D.

Went there and was admitted.

They did some tests and everything was fine.

The baby was still stuck inside and growing beautifully.

What they discovered was that I was very dehydrated.

Dehydrated?!?

Have you SEEN how much water I have been drinking??

I have given up soda and have been drinking my 64+ounces of water each day.

Well apparently I have to double that...and then some!

The nurses gave me a shot to relax my belly and then made me drink water there

Until my body started relaxing.

After being there for a few hours Nik and I were able to go.

But I must say it was pretty cool listening to our Little Girl's heartbeat.

She would even kick the monitor every once in a while because it was cramping her style.

haha

I love her personality and being able to get to know her better every day.

My parents got a new dog.

She is a Sheltie-Pomeranian mix.

She will be a cute and happy addition to the family.

Carrot left for Utah Sunday night 

And then the next day I was down with the Flu.

Tuesday I was feeling LOADS better so I went about my normal day.

Then I woke up this morning with what felt like Strep.

So I went down to the doctor and he said he sees the same thing

And gave me some meds.

YAY!

My throat can start feeling better.

Let's just cut straight to the fun stuff....

THE BABY!

I love it.

I have loved this pregnancy.

Other than the minor side-effects of sleepless nights and 

The inability to tie my own shoes,

This has been fun.

She is getting more and more active. 

When I fold my arms and rest them on my "new shelf"

She likes to kick me all along my forearms,

Asking me KINDLY to move.

It makes me laugh because I will move

and then put my arms back after a few minutes and she will do it again.

One time, just the other day, she was pushing so hard 

I could make the out the outline of her precious little foot.

It melted my little heart!

These next 10 weeks will be fun!

No stretch marks yet (and hopefully never ever)

And I've only gained 16 pounds.

YESSS!!!

I've been going on daily walks with my sisters to their school.

This has just been a wonderful time in my life.

Next week I will be making some things for our Little Jewel.

I will definitely be posting them up here.

I am so excited/nervous/anxious about it all.

And pictures will come

When I can stop being sick.

YUCKERS!

Chocolate, Cheese, and Cherished Memories!

Last Saturday (February 5th) Nik and I had our Valentines Date.
Yes, a little early...but it was cheaper that way.
We had a coupon* and some gift certificates to this lovely little place we call...

...THE MELTING POT!

Oh how we love that place.

When we got there there was a little 2-seater booth available for us
Curtains
Candles
And lots of Romance.
It was perfect.

It was nice have that curtain so we weren't distracted by all the people outside.
Just me.
Just Nik.
Just love.
Just Us!

Well...we went about the cheese entree and then the salad...
...and then as we were waiting for the main course,
the most beautiful thing happened....

...Nik felt our little Baby Girl kick!

I hadn't really been able to feel her kicking while I was sitting up, but just that day she started to get stronger.
She was loving the food and decided to make her presence known.
So after a few strong kicks I had Nik reach over and put his hand on my belly...
...and he felt her!
It was now even more real to him.
The expression on his face was priceless.
I had tears in my eyes.
It was beautiful.

THAT was OUR Girl saying Hello!

We had our main course and then the chocolate...
...but the best part of the evening was Nik connecting with his Baby Girl.
Gosh!
I can't get over how sweet he is and how much of a great Father he will be.
I love him so much!

Now wait...it gets better!

Just last night he and I were laying down watching our movie.

She was moving around a TON!

I wanted Nik to feel but she was being so jumpy.

She would bump over on my left side

and then down

and then to my ribs

and then to the right.

Just a bump here and there.

So I didn't have him waiting to feel a little bump.

Figured he wouldn't feel much, if anything at all.

But he wanted to try.

So he placed his hand on my belly button...

...and the coolest thing happened!

She started kicking so hard...RIGHT THERE!

She was giving her strongest movements right where his hand was.

His eyes would get so big with every little move.

And she was doing it one right after the other.

She was saying Hello to her Daddy.

After about 2 minutes of that, he took his hand away.

She then started kicking randomly like earlier.

He waited about 10 minutes and then wanted to see if she would do it again.

And.

She did!

It was so cute!

Her strongest kicks were all in a row, right where he waited.

It was so awesome and beautiful and amazing!

I can't wait to play with her in my arms.

And to see her daddy squeeze her so tight with all his love!

(sidenote: she is about 10inches from head to toe.

so big in there!)

This is becoming more and more real to me everyday.

Sometimes I forget I am pregnant,

I just feel like I am getting huge,

Until I feel her moving.

I have yet to feel and understand her hiccups...

...and for that day, I can't wait!

She is so sweet already!

She is OUR little Baby Girl.

I love her so much!

21weeks 0days

Running out of shirts to wear.

Don't wanna get Maternity shirts yet,

Cuz, well, I am not THAT big just yet.

Probably in a month or so.

Trying to make what I have work!

 

This is the only picture I have for this whole post

:(

We pulled out our camera...

...and it was dead!

Shouldn't have been,

But oh well.

We have the memories in our hearts.

Dear Baby Berry,

Your Mommy and Daddy love you so much!

We are so excited to bring you to this earth.

To be a family.

To be friends.

To be together for Eternity!

We have enjoyed every little kick and little bump.

Yes, sometimes I hurt from all the changes, 

But I just remind myself that you are healthy

And that this will all be worth it...

...to be your Mom.

Can't wait to see you.

If all goes well we will see you in 18 weeks and 5 days!

Yes, June 22nd.

Let's make that happen!

Unless you have a different plan,

and that is okay.

Whenever you are ready!

We love you!

Love,

Mommy and Daddy Berry

 

 

 

*Courtesy of Entertainment Coupon Book,

HALF WAY!

...Well it's all down hill from here!!!

YAY!

This is what TheBump.com says about Little Miss Berry this week...

Your Baby: Week 20

Baby's digestive system is busy creating meconium ??? (a tarry black substance made of swallowed amniotic fluid, digestive secretion and dead cells), Yum! How bout I just feed you cookies instead! Good idea? I'd say so! which will fill the first diaper after birth. Nobody told me about THIS! Thought it was just labor and delivery for that day. Joy! (but really I AM excited!!!!) And, speaking of the diaper situation... baby's genitals are now fully formed!

Isn't this all exciting!

It still amazes me that there is a little baby growing inside me...

...a real little baby.

A baby that kicks, moves, dances, has hiccups, and sucks on her thumbs.

How crazy, cool, amazing, and beautiful is that?!?!

It just keeps amazing me!

After yesterday and her little Dance Session, I can't help but live for those moments.

She was moving around yesterday morning for over an hour.

Big dance moves too.

It was so cool to lay there and know she is living and having fun.

I didn't want to move or even breathe, 

in fear I would miss something.

She is amazing!

Well as I was laying in bed listening to the radio...

...I heard this!

"Legislative panel approves abortion ultrasound mandate"

You can click on the link for the article from KTAR.

It made me happy.

I'm not going to get all political here, just sharing my brief opinion that I like this.

It just breaks my heart to think about ending my little baby's life.

I love her too much already.

I have loved her from the day I read the 'stick' telling me I am pregnant.

I have loved this whole experience and can only imagine it getting BETTER from here!

For the rest of my life!

So...being half way makes my baby about the size of a canteloupe!

(6.5 inches, 10.6 ounces)

How fun is that!?!

Just another melon before the Big Watermelon I will give birth to!

Ahhh...I could go on forever...but I will stop for now. =]

NO MORE TEEN WEEKS!!! EEPS!

It's A Girl!

Yesterday was QUITE THE DAY! Let me tell you a little story, k?

December 20th was a day of GREAT IMPATIENCE. Nik and I heard about this little urine kit that would be able to determine the gender of the baby after 10 weeks. Well, I was past that at 13 weeks and figured it would be a little more accurate being farther along and caved into the idea.
I mean, wouldn't it be fun to find out a little earlier what the baby is going to be?
So I took the test and it was suppose to read the level of testosterone or estrogen in my urine as I am supposedly passing the baby's urine as well. The test came back CLEARLY a BOY.

Yep, a boy! 

I had a feeling it would be a boy and when looking back through Nik's line, there is a majority in boys. So, I was going to have a boy. FUN! Totally new to me but a piece of cake for Nik. I only know girls....that's all I have, 3 little sisters and 0 little brothers. And majority of my cousins (that I know) on both sides are girls. But a boy would be fun.
Nik and I both talked about how this test could be wrong and that we weren't going to plan plan plan for a boy until the doctor confirmed it. It was fun talking about boy names and passing on the Berry name. Fun seeing all my friends that have boys and to wonder how mine was going to be. 

Well, my mom, so anxiously excited to be a grandma, started in on a quilt a little early. Just 3 weeks too soon. See, we had told a few people about the urine test we took but we also made it clear that the test wasn't 100% positive...that this is just a good starting point but that was it.
Back to grandma...she started on the cutest little green and brown owl quilt for Baby Berry. It was and still is adorable! I feel in love with the collection from Scrapbooks Etc and she ran with it. Oh, it was so fun planning the placements of the patterns and the little elephant she sewed on the front. So adorable.

Yesterday comes along and she has me come with her to pick out the backing for the quilt. She had just completed the whole top the night before. So down to Scrapbooks Etc we went and picked out the last of the fabric. I left her there for her quilting class and I went to my doctor's appointment.
My dad was the only one of both families that didn't have work and I wanted someone with me when we found out the gender. Nik couldn't get work off, my mom had her class, my father-in-law was in California, and my mother-in-law had work as well. So my dad came with me to the appointment and I was excited and nervous, still thinking it was a boy, but knowing this appointment could change everything.
I even called my cousin, Eden, the hour before the appointment and told her how nervous I was, that she could end up being a girl...which would be exciting, SO EXCITING, but a complete 180 from what I've been thinking.
Anywho, we get in the room with Dr. Beck and he checks around.
THERE IS A BABY IN THERE! It was amazing! I mean, of course there is but the last time I had an ultrasound, the baby was still a peanut.

I mean, of course that's a baby, but that was all I had seen since November...and my belly has ever so slowly grown, making it feel like "am I really pregnant?"

Ok ok, back to this wonderful ultrasound. Dr Beck checked and the baby has all 4 limbs moving like they should, the brain looks properly developed, and there is not cleft palate...the baby looks great!
Then he looks for the gender. He keeps moving the little instrument all over my belly just looking and looking and looking some more....then he says
"Well, looks like we have a girl."
Now I swore to myself that I wouldn't say what I was about to say...but it just fell out. In shock I asked "ARE you SURE?"
Gosh, I felt so dumb! OF COURSE he is sure...he's the doctor, been doing this for over 22 years! Duh, Dawna.
I started to cry...little tears of joy. I looked over at my dad and he had little tears of happiness in his eyes too. It was such a special moment.
NIK AND I ARE HAVING A GIRL!!!! A GIRL!
I kinda felt silly for doing that little urine test and getting my hopes up so high on a boy but a girl is just as great and something I am a little more comfortable with anyways. I don't want her to ever feel that she was not wanted because we thought a boy for so long, because that just is not true. We are so excited to have her in our family an can't wait to meet her.
Yes, it is fun saying HER and SHE. Oh, so surreal. This is REALLY happening!

 I won't add the picture that proves she's a girl...because heck,

I can't even tell that well.

So we'll just take Dr Becks word on it.

She was moving around so much during the ultrasound. Her hands were up to her head and then down to her feet and then back up again...like she was having her own little dance party in there. Then the cutest thing happened...she gave this GIANT YAWN. It was so precious. I couldn't believe it. All of a sudden we could see her jaw bones open so wide in a nice long yawn. She's real. She is really there, growing and moving around. Oh, how wonderful that appointment was. I wish I could have gotten that on dvd but maybe Dr Beck doesn't do that or maybe he does it later on. I am not too sure but how real that moment was to me.

I am in love. Ya know the feeling? I haven't even met her in person yet and I love her so much. I didn't understand and couldn't comprehend how possible that was. How was I going to find room in my heart that Nik as already filled up? How was I ever going to make room or feel that real love for anyone else? Well, it's happening. It's real. Nik and I have this little family. We are her parents. She is here because of our love, our love that will last through the eternities. She is ours and we are so excited to meet her.

Well, I finished up my appointment and went to tell the families. Hannah came with but I made her stay in the lobby because this was a special moment of my first baby and just wanted it to be me and my dad. But as soon as I got out to the lobby you could tell she was just DYING to find out what the baby is...and so I told her and showed her the pictures. Her eyes got so big and she jumped up and down. Hannah does this really cute thing when she gets really excited, she folds her arms so tight almost as if she is going to burst from excitement. She did just that and I could tell she was happy to have a little niece to play with even though I know she would have been just as happy with a nephew.

I called my mom as she was still in her quilting class and told her that that quilt was going to have to sit in Grandma's Quilt Stash a little longer. lol. She screamed and laughed all at the same time "IT'S A GIRL?!?!" It was such a funny moment and one that will go down in history. So, onto picking another collection for another quilt! Then I texted my sister in Utah and I could tell she was screaming cuz her texts came back in all caps. haha. I let my Aunt Lisa and Uncle Colby (my dad's siblings, Allreds) know and Lisa replied "Girls are all we know to make ;-)" and Colby said he called it, which he did.
See, on the Allred side my grandpa is the only boy with 4 sisters. Then there is my dad who has 1 sister and 1 brother and then for grandchildren there are 10 girls and 2 boys. Let's add in the babies of that generation and so far there have been 2 girls and then my girl to add to that. So, girls are the majority of what us Allred's know how to make.

We waited to tell Nik's family until they all got back in town or off work and then we met up last night. I showed the pictures to my mother- and sister-in-law, Randee and Amy, and they tried to guess what it was. They guessed a boy cuz heck, how are we suppose to read these grainy little pictures? We aren't doctors. haha. So then I told them it was a girl and everyone screamed. It was so fun! Nik keeps telling me she can be a girl but only as long as she knows how to hunt and camp and play sports. I just laugh and tell him that is fine because that is just what the Berry's do! It is going to be so fun!

 Here I am the day we found out.

January 17, 2011

17weeks 3days

So, that is our wonderful story of finding out the gender of our little baby.
IT'S A GIRL! YAY!
In the poll I posted, there were 12 Girl votes to 9 Boy votes.
Next time we'll just go off the votes rather than a urine test.
lol. 

Dear Baby Berry,

We are so excited to have you in our future,

and right now as you play around in mamma's belly.

Being a girl is so much fun!

Your daddy is so excited and has already been plotting

his threats to any boys who do you wrong.

You are going to be so pretty and have lots of pretty girl things

but daddy wants to make sure you know how to hunt and camp

and do all the Berry stuff...cuz after all, you ARE a Berry now.

Don't worry...you can still look cute while you do that, it's okay.

And mamma is excited to pass on her middle name to you.

This has been a tradition for 3, going on 4, generations.

You are so loved and we are excited to meet you

and your sweet personality.

I sit here waiting for you to make some sort of movement

that I can make out is you, but I will wait as long as it takes.

I've heard you can be pretty forceful in there as you run out of room,

so take your time making your stay known.

Just about 5 more sweet months until you are in our arms...

and can we please talk about the 22nd of June?

It would be pretty rad if you could be born on that day.

Just letting you know.

I'll explain when you get here.

Can't wait til you come out!

Love,

Your Mamma

Boy or Girl?

MONDAY JANUARY 17th.
The day is FAST approaching!
I can't believe it is right around the corner.
SOOOO excited!
So....in the top left corner of the blog is a poll...go cast your vote of what you think we are having.
=]
Wow! This day is almost here.
          [p.s. don't forget to vote before 1/18 in the top left corner
           on what you think we are having! fun stuff!] 

Dear Baby Berry,

I hope you cooperate so we can start the planning!

If you are a girl I am so excited to dress you in the cutest dresses

and the cutest little hair bows

with the most adorable little flowers and bracelets and shoes.

To see your Dad wrapped around your little finger

because YOU are his Princess.

And if you are a boy to pass on the Berry name,

I am so excited to dress you in cute sweater vests for church

and little polos for the playground

and spike your hairs in little fauxhawks.

To picture you out in the yard throwing a football with your Dad

and him teaching you all you need to know about camping and hunting.

But mostly I am just so excited to be a mommy and hold you

and kiss you and cuddle you

and to know that you are the next step and continuation of an Eternal Berry Family.

We have been waiting for you and long for the day you are here in our arms.

Your Mom and Dad love you so much already.

Love,

Mommy and Daddy Berry

Coming Soon to a Couple Near You - June 24 2011

Yep, this is REALLY happening!

We are going to be parents around June 24th, 2011

(although I want to have it on the 22nd)

All the families know and are excited.

My mom and dad teared up,

My Mother-In-Law almost fainted,

And all my sisters screamed, Amy included!

Oh, and can't forget our brother, Sam,

who is excited to be Uncle Sam soon.

It was a shock to everyone but we are Soooo Happy!

=]

Let The Games Begin - 9 weeks

NAUSEA: a stomach distress with distaste for food and an urge to vomit.

Do you know what is causing said Nausea right now?

This little RASPBERRY in my belly!

Well that raspberry is graduating to a green olive (which REALLY makes me vomit) this coming week.

It just amazes me that something so small and so wonderful can be so painful and life changing…

and it hasn’t even shown itself to the world.

Nik is so wonderful and he is trying his best everyday to make me comfortable. I appreciate the fact that he does NOT say “I know how you feel” because he doesn’t. He just tries to make things better for me…running and getting me my crackers or a fresh glass of water and then rubbing my back. I am so blessed to have him with me on this journey.

My doctor gave me some meds that are suppose to help ease the nausea.

Getting that prescription filled as I type!

Oh, and it was the most precious thing, yesterday, to see Lil Berry’s heart beating. How crazy is it that a little being about 1inch in length has a little heart and it BEATS?!?! Seriously!

And people say it isn't a human yet!?! Now, THAT is sick!

The sound of the 160 beats per minute is just breath-taking…to know that some little human is growing inside me and I am responsible for him/her right now BEFORE s/he is even born by eating right and getting good rest and taking the proper vitamins. This is all just so amazing to me. I still lie awake at night and can’t believe this is possible.

The doctor said Lil Berry has a very strong heart beat and that the chances for miscarriage right now are about 2-3%. This is one thing that has been stressing me – hoping it doesn’t happen. Yes, if it happened it was meant to be, but I have seen friends go through those struggles and I can’t imagine the pain.

We are so excited to tell our friends and families next month.
It sure has been hard keeping it a secret and having to fib when people ask.

(It's funny to think I am blogging all about this and it is JUST for me right now,

but I type it as though you are following along right now.

A little therapy, you could call it.) 

I am 9 weeks right now and in my 3^rd month. That is so weird to think about.

Well, that is what is new with us. Nik keeps telling me that because of all the pain I am having now, this child is going to be an angel. I sure hope so! ;-)

(P.S.Sorry if this is so scatter-brained...

I am having a hard time thinking straight right now.

Lil Berry's brain is growing right now, stealing mine.

Plus, Fatigue, Nausea, and early mornings are rough.)

The Beginning of Our Lives Changing Forever

Tuesday October 19, 2010

My friend, Catharine, sent me a text that she was pregnant. I was so excited I HAD to call her and get the details. We talked for a bit about how she was feeling and how things were going. She told me how she announced it to her husband, Kirk, and just all the joys she has felt the last couple days since finding out. She had told me that before she found out she was pregnant she was going to the bathroom ALL THE TIME. She had no idea what was wrong with her but things were different.

The whole time on the phone I was thinking about the changes in myself….I was going to the bathroom all the time, I was cramping (which I thought was for my period that was due the Friday before and was just late), my top was so sore that Nik couldn’t even hug me, and I was physically hot to the touch like a temperature but not really (which was extremely backwards in our relationship. Nik was always the hot one and I was always cold).

After getting off the phone with Catharine to head to lunch, I decided to text her and ask her if she was feeling the same things – cramping, sore top, and hot to the touch. She said YES.

EEK!

What did that mean for me?!

I thought I wanted to wait til the next week to take a test…JUST IN CASE I was just really late…but while I was getting my lunch I decided to grab a test at CVS. I HAD to go to the bathroom anyways when I got back to the office…so it was perfect.

When I arrived at the office, I headed straight to the bathroom. The test laid on the floor as it was working up the results. As I headed out of the bathroom I looked down at the test

PREGNANT.

PREGNANT?

PREGNANT!

I bent down real slow JUST so I didn’t fall over from shock. I read correctly. Luckily it was the Clear Blue test that actually said the word instead of the stupid lines…I definitely wasn’t reading this one wrong. No way possible.

I walked out of the bathroom…as white as a ghost. I couldn’t believe it. That word meant my life was going to change, along with Nik’s, FOREVER. But this is everything we wanted….so I was happy, just in shock. I left the bathroom and walked to Wendy’s desk and stood in front of it, just staring at her, IN COMPLETE SHOCK.

I just stared.

And stared some more.

She looked at me and asked what was wrong. I told her what just happened in the bathroom. She jumped up and gave me a huge hug and started crying. She was so excited for me.

Yes, she was the first to know. I thought I was gonna faint…I had to tell someone.

I sat in my seat, as she ate my lunch, and we talked about how we should tell Nik. It was 2pm and I had 3.5 hours left of work. I wanted to tell him right then, but over the phone is not cool. I wanted to always see his face with this news. After many ideas I decided I was go to Target and get a onsie that says “I love Daddy” on my way home.

5:30 did NOT come soon enought, but when it did I left work and headed to Target. I was so nervous. I was afraid it was a fluke so I took another test at Target before I made my purchase JUST to make sure I was pregnant.

Yep.

Same results.

Nothing changed.

So off to the baby section I went.

Not sure if it is a boy or girl (obviously) I just bought the cheapest onsie that said “I love Daddy” on it. Turned out it was grey and blue for a boy because all the girl ones said Mommy. I just left it in the Target bag cuz I didn’t have any special wrapping already handy.

When I got home I told him to come and look at what I got at Target. I told him that it was cheap and I just had to have it now even though we won’t need it until the Summer. He was pretty excited to see what I got because I have been pretty good at getting good deals, he wanted to see what it was this time. As he stood in front me I opened the Target shopping bag and he looked down and saw the onsie folded up and the part showing was DADDY.
He looked up me.

“You’re pregnant?! REALLY!! YOU’RE PREGNANT! We're having a BABY!!!”

I kept nodding my head in agreement and we both started crying. He gently picked me as if I was a porcelain doll, ever so gentle not to ruin anything. He was so sweet. We had our moments of laughing and crying tears of joy and happiness.  He kept staring at me like he was unable to fully comprehend what was happening.

Our lives are going to change forever the summer of 2011.

After my own calculations I estimated my due date to be June 24, 2011.

(It would be awesome if I could have the baby on the 22^nd. If you know the story behind the 22^nd, you get it).

My first OB appt is November 18^th. We shall see what happens.

In the mean time, we both want this to stay under wraps until the 2^nd trimester has begun. 

This blog is going to go through my life and I am going to try to keep up on it a little better. I will keep posting but it will not be visible to the public until my 2nd trimester has begun.