Asher Update

So we were supposed to be discharged from the hospital today, but it was a no-go and so I'm still writing this from good ol' room 301 at Centerpoint Hospital.

Asher's blood glucose levels dropped again so the pediatrician wanted to keep him overnight just to make sure they maintained a good level. They think they were probably just low because he got circumcised this morning and they are very lethargic for about 6-8 hrs afterwards and don't eat much.

His levels are good right now, but he's still having to get pricked before and after every feeding. Not too much fun... His little heels are really getting the treatment, but he's a trooper. He is now weighing in at 7lbs 2 oz, but is a great eater! : )

He is also a little jaundiced so at least instead of having to come back up for our 8:15 appt to get his bilirubin checked tomorrow, we'll still be here and can get it all done at once. Hopefully he won't need the bili-blanket like Aubrey did.

Steve is at home with Aubrey tonight, so I'm staying in the hospital with Asher even though they had to discharge me. They are letting me stay on hospitality status.

Hopefully, all will go as planned tomorrow and I'll be taking little Asher home as a 27th birthday present to me! I couldn't think of a nicer birthday present. : )

He's Here!

We are so happy to welcome little ASHER MAX REDD into our family!

(After all, Asher means fortunate, blessed, and happy : )

We arrived at the hospital on Saturday at 12:05 and he born by 1:11 pm! He weighed 7lbs. 12 oz. and was 19" long.

He is a handsome little guy and very content so far : ) Aubrey is in love with her new baby brother and so are we! Here are some pictures....

Asher just relaxin'

Just born...

Mommy, Daddy and Asher

Our new family of four

Big Sister taking care of things

Sweet kisses...

( Asher has a question) : )

Grandma and Papa Kent met us at the hospital and watched Aubrey during the delivery. Thank you sooo much!

3rd Grandchild

Dr. Lemberger, an angry Asher, and our nurse Janine

Hopefully that will satisfy the picture-hungry for now... there will be plenty more to come I'm sure. But right now we're going to work on getting a little more of this!

Go ahead....make a mess!

So there are days it seems I work all day just to keep the living room presentable and feverishly labor over dishes, laundry, and washing off the occasional Picasso from my living room wall.

But today was not one of those days.

Today Aubrey and I made messes....big, fun, sloppy messes.

We ate breakfast in the living room...

we built towers with blocks we never put away...

we dug in wet spring dirt...

we touched new flowers blooming...

we threw mulch in leftover rainwater...

we sang songs and danced...

we colored with markers and threw crayons as "confetti"...

we both did our hair in ponytails...

we got our shoes muddy and our shirts dirty...

we didn't cook dinner, but took Daddy out to eat pizza instead...

we explored Home Depot...

we splashed too much water out of the bathtub...

and we had a fantastic day!

So I'm giving you permission, go ahead, get a little dirty, make a big mess you have no intention of cleaning up, don't even think about cooking for dinner, just go out and have a wonderfully messy day! Trust me...you'll love it. : )

Prego Update- 37 weeks

So here is my prego update: I'm 37 weeks now ( officially full-term and more pregnant than I've ever been!)

I am now at 4 cm and 80% effaced, so time will tell. I have a lot of pressure now too and am starting the pregnant "waddle" : ) . My OB thinks I'll be in to see her again very soon, but I'm trying not to think about it too much. You can drive yourself crazy with wondering when!

So I'm back into my "zen" of just enjoying my last few days/weeks of just being with Aubrey and feeling good. The sun was shining today and we played outside and had a good time together. ( Did I mention it snowed 8" the first day of Spring?!) The snow is almost gone now just as quick as it came though. It was hard to believe it was going to snow when the day before we were outside with short sleeves on enjoying our sunny weather!

Anyway, that is my update. We'll keep you posted! : )

Baby Shower

35 weeks

Aubrey enjoying the aftermath : ) I'm pretty sure for Christmas she's getting just a big package of tissue paper. She had a great time throwing it all around!

Here is a post I started a couple of weeks ago, but never finished, so I decided to cross off my list tonight. :

I recently went on the hospital tour at Centerpoint Hospital in Independence. I was late (of course) but was able to be there for 3/4 of it. Pretty much standard fare it seemed, I just wanted to get a good look at their facilities before the big day. The labor/delivery rooms were really nice, but I wasn't as impressed with the postpartum rooms. They were small and definitely felt a lot more sterile. Unfortunately, that is where you spend most of your hospital stay, but hey, I'm there to have a baby not a vacation, so whatever they have will be fine. : )

Guess what? I came home to a sleeping child!!! Yes, you read that right. My lovely daughter who as many of you know, no longer naps, is NAPPING! She went to bed late last night and we got her up early for church this morning and have been running non-stop all day. Now, if we could only make this a habit I would be in heaven! For now, I'll just take the few blissful moments I'm alloted.

We had a busy day yesterday as well. We spent the morning crash-cleaning the house ( uh, I mean lightly putting the finishing touches on my mostly pristine house) to get ready for baby boy's baby shower in the afternoon. My SIL Crystal and my mom threw it for us. It was a lot of fun and they put a lot of work into it. Thanks again guys! : ) We were spoiled and got a few things we were in real need of.

Steve took Aubrey to Home Depot with Papa while we had the shower. She had a great time and loved playing with the balloons and helping herself to a cupcake when she returned. She's pretty sure it was a party just for her...who else? We had a great time. : )

Prenatal Visit- Week 36

I had the first of my weekly doctor visits today and here are the stats:

Weight gained: 20lbs

(Doc says I was underweight to start though so I still can go up to 35 if I want...and who knows, that just might happen : ), but probably not since I haven't gained anymore weight the past two visits... but it's just nice to have the option, right? )

Measuring: 36 weeks on the button

Dilated: 3 cm ( hooray!)

( So I was 3-4cm when I came in with Aubrey, but I was also contracting. I have had my last progesterone shot however and she was surprised I was dilated like that already and said she wasn't sure I'd be making it to my due date, which is fine by me! Problem is, some people walk around for weeks that way, so we'll see...)

I had Aubrey with me and she was in true form. She said hi to everyone from the elevator to the office. She kept saying, "Mommy, look at my bum bum" and sticking it out at me while they were doing my exam. There's a memory to scrapbook : )

She also insisted that we "follow the leader" and march out of the office and proceeded to introduce herself as Aubrey and say "this is my mommy" to anyone who even glanced at her. The nurse listened to her heartbeat, she ate WAY too may teddy grahams, and had a fabulous time at the doctor's office. Good thing we get to go back next Monday too!

35 plus 5

So today marks the day in pregnancy that I had my dear sweet Aubrey. What a surprise and wonderful blessing she was and is! I kept thinking how funny it would be if our little man decided to arrive on the same day, but I sure hope he doesn't. I'm still way to disorganized and unprepared for him to make his entrance just yet.

I just need a bit more time, but not too long... I'm feeling more and more ready physically, but not so much in other respects. Can you be ready and still not ready at the same time?

It will be interesting to see when he makes his grand entrance. I kind of see myself going all the way, but I definitely wouldn't mind getting a few weeks knocked off for good behavior! : )

RIght Place, Right Time

I saw a few tips in a magazine I get about when the best time to buy/do different things are. Thought it was interesting and so I decided to share:

The best time to get...

GAS: Gas stations tend to change their prices late morning. Get your gas before 10am if prices are on the rise, and after 12pm if they're falling.

CLOTHES ONLINE: Wednesdays and Thursdays by a savings of 42% on average! In-store sales are usually on the weekends, so to be competitive, online shopping sites start their sales earlier in the week.

The best time to go...

TO THE BATHROOM AT THE MOVIES: Don't want to miss anything? Check up runpee.com. It actually lists current movies with time recommendations for running to the bathroom without missing much.

*( A pregnant woman's friend to be sure! Now, I just have to make it actually out to the movies...)

TO THEME PARKS: September

TO THE MALL: Least crowded=When they first open or right before closing.

Lightest traffic= Mondays and Tuesdays

Most selection= When inventory first hits for a new season ( Spring in Jan,

Summer in March, Fall in July, and winter in Sept.)

TO THE GROCERY STORE: Wednesday, shelves are stocked and weekend sales are still on.