Getting Ready For Christmas!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!! well almost. Liza had her first visit with Santa! Although it was a bit scary she came out unscathed and we got some good pictures. The photographers were great with their timing, Liza only put her thumb in her mouth for a moment and they got the only moment when she wasn't screaming!
More to come when Christmas really gets here...
Until then, may you and your cocoa be warm
CJ

A Scarecrow and a First Thanksgiving

Liza turnid 7 months old on November 13th. She has two teeth, can blow kisses and makes the cutest Yoda Face. I don't know where she got this squinched up face...but she does it all the time, and it's adorable. She is starting to crawl and she can pull herself up to standing, if she has the patience to fall down a few times before getting her footing just right.
It is amazing to watch her grow and change every day.
For Liza's first Halloween Allen found the cutest scarecrow costume. We gor her all dressed up for a Church halloween festival and everyone thought she was teh cutest of all the babies. We agree.
She loved to watch the big kids jump and play but she HATED the baby sized ball bin.

Other than that little "oops" Liza had a great time being a cute little scarecrow. She didn't get much candy though...oh well, maybe next year.
Thanksgiving was another fun filled day. We started out at Grandpa and Granny Barb's house for lunch, then to Oma's for dinner. It is so fun to see Liza and Tripp grow up side by side. They are so different and they have so much fun together...I am looking forward to see how their friendship develops.
On December 1s Allen ran in teh Memphis marathon to support St. Jude Children's Hospital. We had a great trip and even got to visit Graceland. Liza, we quickly learned, LOVES Elvis! she was so cute. We were touring the mansion and as we walked into a room that was playing a video of a concert, Liza began to dance, wiggle, giggle and clap. Unfortunately video equipment was not allowed or I would have a great videp clip for you to see. So this picture will have to do.

Milestones and other cute stories.

As most of you know, we moved back to STL in the middle of July. I love being here, we are close to family - Oma lives about 30 minutes away, and Grandpa and Barb live only 25 minutes away. We get to see them often - and Liza gets spoiled every time we visit. Allen's parents live in Topeka, just 5 hours West on 70 and we are there. How great it is to be able to see Grandparents whenever we want! and how great for the Grandparents to be able to see Liza!

On Tuesday morning, July 17th, I woke to find Liza on her back (we put her to sleep on her belly). I excitedly called Allen over to her crib to show him our big girl rolled over all on her own! How cool. Now the problem becomes our baby who once slept through the night now wakes herself up because she rolls over. Fortunately for us she didn't wake herself up often, and if she did, all we had to do was roll her back on her belly and she would fall right to sleep again.

Then on the morning of her 5th month birthday (September 13th) after her breakfast, we put her on her back in her crib so she could watch her mobile while I get dressed. I returned to her room to find her on her belly. Well I asked Allen if he out her down that way, "no" he replied. Well our big girl can now roll any direction at her hearts desire.


Finally, on Tuesday September 18th, Oma came for dinner and was feeding Liza her evening bottle, Liza was playing with the bottle instead of drinking. Oma mentioned that she might be ready for real food. So I got out some Gerbers Applesauce and handed it to Oma with a baby spoon, and told her to give it a try. This was Liza's first spoon food. At first I though it was a cool idea, but as I watched my mom feed my baby her first spoon food, I began to realize that my baby was getting big. I cried, I felt like I was loosing my baby. Now don't get me wrong, I know that I don't want a baby forever, but I just wasn't ready to have her be big just yet.
We are better about it now. She eats peas, carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, bananas and applesauce and anything else Gerbers makes for little ones who aren't too big yet.

Liza wiggles and can get from one end of the crib to the other in no time. She loves to bounce in her Jumparoo, and can entertain herself there for 20 or 30 minutes. Her laugh is so sweet, and I know just where her most ticklish spots are - fun for both of us. Allen and I love being parents!

We are both working, and while I took a job that assured me they had care available for Liza, as I started, the care became unavailable, so Liza attends her own day care and seems to have a good time. I still really don't like the idea of having someone else take care of her, I miss so much, but it is what our family needs right now. I pray that the situation at my work will change and soon I will be able to bring Liza with me. (prayers in that area would be appreciated).
Love to you all.
CJ Allen and Liza

My how she's changed

I hope this posting is finding you all well. Liza is growing and changing every day. It is a wonderful blessing to see the chenges, to watch her grow, and to know that I get to be a part of it every day.
Liza laughed today. A real belly laugh. It was her first laugh. SHe had a litle giggle last tuesday (10 or so days ago) but nothing else since until this morning. She and I came into church and she was ready for a diaper change, so with her belly exposed I blew a zerbet right smack on her belly button, she gave me a big smile, so I did it again...this time she laughed. We played this game for several minutes. It was beautiful.
Liza has also found her thumb, so now she can suck her thumb to self soothe. She isn't good at it if she is on her back, her arms still flop around a bit too much for her. But she sleeps on her belly and is good at the thumb sucking then. She can finally self soothe, we have been waiting for that for a long time.
She will be 11 weeks old tomorrow (Friday. It is hard to believe it is only 11 weeks. It feels like I have had her for a lifetime, then again, I recall her first few days like they were yesterday. a strange sensation.
A few weeks ago we were able to go to St. Louis for a visit, here are some pictures, she is with her cousin Tripp on a blanket made by my grandmother in one pic, and Oma (my mom) is holding them in the other. Tripp was born 30 days before Liza, I hope they will grow to be great friends.



Love to you all
CJ

Introducing Elizabeth McLean Nash

Known to those who love her as "Liza".

On Wedensday April 11th Allen and I went into the hospital to get checked in - we were scheduled to induce Thursday morning. At about 10am Thursday morning my water was broken, the pitocin drip was started and labor pains began to kick in - "Owch" to say the least. Labor progressed slowly - later in the afternoon I was only at 3cm and the contractions were 2-4 minutes apart - I decided that an epidural was going to be a good idea. With the epidural inplace I was able to get some rest and let labor do its thing. at about 7pm the baby's heart rate dropped considerably and caused a bit of concern for the staff. I was rolled from side to side to see if we could get baby comfortable - the left side was the only place baby would let me be. The pitocin drip was stopped and my contractions subsided. Baby's heartbeat returend to normal. The doctor decided to try again, the pitocin was turned back on, contractions increased and again baby's heart rate dropped. This cycle continued until about midnight. Meanwhile, since I was on my left side all of the pain medication pooled on my left and drained from my right. I was feeling fulll contractions on my right side - yuck.

After 1am the doctors decided the only safe way to bring this baby into the worls was to have a c-section. certainly not my first choice - but a necessary one. I was quickly prep'd and rolled into the OR. One more round of pain meds - a Spinal this time - and I was ready to go. (I'll edit out the details of the section. At 2:23am after what were mearly minutes, yet felt like an hour, I heard the doctor say - here's a big baby, a big girl baby. Wow! A girl, my own baby girl. I couldn't believe it, she was here. Allen was there right by my side watching the whole thing, the doctor handed the baby to Allen and they went into another room to weigh and clean the baby. moments later Allen came around the curtain and I got to see the most beautiful little baby I had ever set my eyes upon. I gave her a kiss and she and Allen were off to the nursery for a few tests and her first shot.
As it turned out, Liza was quite stuck. Her head had tucked under (picture chin to chest) causing the back of her neck to present before the top of her head - no wonder she was stressed out with every contraction. The doctors even had a tough time backing her out to bring her through my tummy.
Now worries though - she is tough and strong - and very healthy.


Thanks to you all for your thoughts, prayers and blessings.
We hope to be coming to STL for Memorial Day Weekend to see family and friends.


See you soon
CJ and Liza.

Here comes Baby

Good afternoon family,
On April 1st, yes April Fools Day, little Baby Nash decided to play a nasty trick on mommy and daddy - we went into labor, or so we thought. Contractions were about 6 minutes apart and the doctor said to come to the hospital. Once there we were put on a monitor and indeed the doctor confirmed we were in labor. WOW! How exciting! We called our parents and I called my job to let everyone know that the baby is on his/her way. My mom took the first flight to Houston that she could get on and my Dad got his ticket ready for a few days down the road. Well a few hours later the contractions slowed down and the doctor said to go home, it might be a day or two. MOnday the second we walked all over Houston trying to get this baby to come. Needless to say it is now the 10th and still no baby. False Labor - nasty little trick. We put Mom back on a plane to STL and will wait until baby time to have her come back down.
I did stop working, however, and have had time to really get the house ready. Cleaning/organizing and resting have been the focus of these past days.
I went to the doctor for a check up today and I have been contracting for about 28 hours - all mild and far apart, only one or two an hour.
10 days have gone by and tomorrow evening I will go into the hospital - If all goes well and according to plan, we will induce on the morning of the 12th. So by the end of the week I should have a litte baby to hold in my arms. Mom will be here Thursday morning and Dad will come on Sunday. It will be nice to have my family here to welcome little Baby Nash to the world. Allen's family will come shortly after mine leave - so I will have no lack of help around the house while I am recooperating and getting used to the idea of being "Mommy".

That's all the news for now. Needless to say it might be a while before I get back to the computer to post a baby picture, but I am sure you all will be patient with me and understand my delay. I will get to it as soon as I can.
Thanks and Blessings to you all.
CJ, Allen and Little Baby Nash

37 weeks

Well, I am considered Full Term now, the baby can come any day. Baby has dropped, which makes breathing a little easier, but I go to the bathroom once an hour or so - thus making sleep difficult. It is rare that I get 2 consecutive hours of sleep in a night, so in an 8 hour night I might get 4 hours of somthing that resembles sleep.
Allen took me to the beach the weekend before last and I dug a hole in the sand, a nice big round one, put my towel down over it and plopped right down with my tummy in the hole - PERFECT! I actually slept pain free for a good hour and a half. Not a long sleep, but a great one! Every pregnant mother should have a beach near by. It was incredible.
I had a Doctors appointment yesterday and everything looks fine. The contractions have started, but only about one a day...Dr. Promecene says that I need to have more than one contraction a day to make the baby come :) I know, I know.
Allen and I have completed our birthing class series and now we are fully prepared to have a baby...right. Um, I'm still a little scared about the "making it to the hospital on time" part, a little insecure about the "being a mommy" part, and only slightly terrified about the "pain and pushing" part. Other than that we're good. I can change a diaper, clean a nose, and change baby clothes without popping off the head. I'd say I'm set. But somehow, I don't think a 6 hour class can fully prepare anyone for a full time baby. I am guessing there are a few things Nurse Laura failed to warn us about...But I am sure we can figure them out as they come along.
More to come
Blessings
CJ

33 Weeks

Well folks we are getting closer. This once little gummybear of a baby is now taking up all my space. I can eat 3 bites of food before I start to feel full, I can take a small short breath before my lungs have no more room, and I can sit in a chair for about 20 seconds before one of us gets uncomfortable - and I still have a little more than 8 weeks to go.
I had an ultrasound appointment last Monday and it went quite well. Everything looks good, bones are growing as they should, all the organs and arteries are functioning properly, I even saw the little one take a breath and change facial expressions - super cool. Everything is just as it should be. Baby is about 4.5 lbs (about two weeks bigger than the average gestational age) - so as I have said before we are not going to have a small baby. Here is a profile of baby's face and hand and a picture of baby looking into the "camera".


Baby's head is down and the fanny and feet are tucked under my ribs. My rib cage has expanded to make room for the baby which makes it hard to lean forward in a chair or slouch even the slightest bit.
This morning, as we were waking up the baby was starting to wiggle, and the little feet were strumming my rib cage, it actually tickled to the point of making me laugh. I never thought that I was ticklish from the inside - I learned something new about myself this morning. It was a crazy strange feeling - one I hope to experience again.
Watching my tummy move when the baby rolls over or stretches is a cool thing to see. Unfortunately it is over so fast I cant get Allen's attention quickly enough to show him. It definitely looks like something has possessed my belly.
I will try to write more frequently as things are going to start happening more quickly now.
Blessings
CJ

A South Padre Getaway - Not quite what we expected

Allen and I decided to take a weekend getaway to South Padre Island - Allen had a Soccer conference to attend and I decided to tag along, doing my own thing (sunning on hte beach, playing in the water, relaxing with a good book) while he was in the meetings. We each took a half a day on Friday and drove down to SPI, its only about a 6 hour drive. The weather man said there was a 10% chance of rain Saturday but it should be nice most of the time...WRONG! I was awakened Saturday morning by big claps of thunder, when I looked outside the parking lot was flooded, people were walking through ankle deep waters to get to their car, the palm trees were bending in the wind - 10% chance just turned into a huge storm system. I went to the dining room to get breakfast - they extended breakfast hours to accomodate the weather, how nice. the buffet was good - a little pricey, but its a hotel dining room.

After cleaning up and searching for something to do, I decided to go take the free shuttle to the lighthouse and museum. The rain had calmed down to a sprinkle and I had several hours to kill. So I grabbed one of those tourist map/shuttle route pamphlets and found the times for my shuttle. 9 and 39 past the hour...OK great I had 15 minutes. I asked the concierge what was good to see, and I was told that because it is off season, everything is closed except the lighthouse, museums and the mall. Well, I didn't need to go to the mall, so off to the lighthouse and museums it was. I gathered my things and waited at the front door (the schedule said the bus comes to the front door). at precicely 9 past the hour the bus drove through the parking lot and out again. Hmmm, it didn't stop at the front door, it didn't even come close to the front door. A little annoyed I retured to the front desk and asked why the bus didn't stop...well, it doesn't come to the front door, it comes to the parking lot, I would have to wait out in the middle of the now small lake that was once the parkinglot and flag down the driver to let him know I wanted on...oi.
I decided to stick around the hotel and wait for Allen to get out for lunch so we could eat together. We had really good burgers at a place called Black Beard's, and at 1pm we returned to the hotel. I got on the 1:39 bus and went to the Lighthouse and museum, the lighthouse was closed but the museums were cool - nothing fancy, but neat stuff to see.

While in the conference Allen found another friend from Houston so we all went out for dinner that night at a place called AmberJack's. The food was well priced and quite good. We reutrned to the hotel bar and were social until abut 10pm when I was tired and ready for bed.
On Sunday we had brunch with our Houston friends and headed out toward home.
All in all the weekend was nice. We got away from Houston and housework and got to relax for a while before the baby comes. Hopefully we can go back someday soon and really experience what the island has to offer.
That's all for now, an ultrasound update is on the way.
Blessings.

I am HUGE and I am HOT!!

And by hot I mean I am experiencing my own personal summer. While people in my office are bringing in space heaters and never taking off their coats, I am trying to think of an excuse that will allow me to wear my bathing suit to the office. I am so hot...Is this what menopause is going to be like? Oi.
One funny thing that is happening while I am so hot is I am drinking lots of very cold water. Well - ya know when you first take a sip of cold water you can feel the cold go down to your stomach...well I can feel it and so can the baby, every time I take a big drink of cold water a second or two later the baby jumps around, like to get away from the cold spot! what a riot! It reminds me of being a little girl and my daddy would come wake me up by putting his cold hands on my back, I would jump with a startle...that's what it feels like my baby is doing. I'm getting quite a kick out of it (pun intended).
I had a doctor's appointment today, and she confirmed - I am still pregnant dispite the nightmares that I was just putting on a fantastically huge pot belly. My belly measures 31cm - just right for 30 weeks. The Doctor said I was on track to have a 8.5-9.5lb baby...kind of what I expected seeing as Allen and I weren't what one might call small babies.
We are scheduled for our next Ultrasound on Monday 2/12/07 so be on the look out for more pictures.
Allen and I are going to South Padre Island next weekend so I will have a few pictures from our trip as well as from the ultrasound; I will write more then too.
Blessings.

204 days down 76 to go - give or take

Sorry folks for the long delay in blogging. I have simply forgotten about it until now. As you can see, I am even bigger still. The Baby moves, kicks, stretches and wiggles almost 24/7. There is no schedule for morning or nighttime - baby just moves all the time. While this means little sleep for me, Allen gets as much as he needs. Maybe Allen will take the majority of the midnight wake-up calls to make up for it...but then again, I am the food source so I will likely get up then too.

Christmas was wonderful. We went to St. Louis to visit friends and family from Saturday 12/23 through Wednesday morning 12/27. Then we drove to Topeka KS to visit with Allen's side of the family for the rest of the holiday week. Allen's birthday was Friday 12/29 - it was nice to spend his 30th birthday with his family. Although I was in bed with the stomach flu most of the time in Topeka, it was a good week.

The doctor sees me every 2 weeks now instead of every 4...we are getting close to baby day! I have one more ultrasound in 3 weeks - yes I will post the pictures then too. The baby at the moment is a little large for his/her gestational age, but so were Allen and I. We certainly aren't expecting a small baby.
Noah's Ark will be the theme of our nursery, although we have a long way to go before the nursery is ready for a baby, but no worries.


That's all for today, I will do my best to post more frequently.
Blessings