Sunday, November 29, 2009

Thanksgiving

My last weekend to travel was this weekend, although I had to get special permission from my doctor due to the ICP diagnosis earlier in the week. We went up to McLeansboro, Illinois to meet up with my parents for Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, my sis-in-law got the flu so her and my brother were unable to make it (they were missed), but we still ended up having a good time. We had a YUMMY Thanksgiving lunch and got to rest and relax a bunch - a much needed break for me. Jesse and Dad watched a lot of football and I took a lot of naps. I am thankful for so many things, but this trip was nice and relaxing for us all and I am thankful for that due to what is to come in the next few weeks!
YUMMY Thanksgiving Meal!

Cholestasis

About 3 weeks ago, I started itching more than the usual pregnancy belly - the palms of my hands and feet drove me nuts! Then, my legs and inner arms started itching as well. So, I mentioned it to my doctor at my 34 week check up and she decided to draw some blood and do some tests. Come to find out, I have Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP) which means elevated bile levels in my liver. The extra bile salts are accumlating in my skin and cause the crazy itching. ICP has pretty much guaranteed me to have Ellie early, either on my own or by induction. I got this news on Tuesday and it really upset me. It's crazy - I never have health problems so to hear that an organ in my body wasn't working quite right and could be a danger to the baby really took me off guard. It will all go away after I give birth, but it still was shocking to hear something was wrong. Because of this diagnosis, I am having to have a Nonstress Test (NST) test done two times a week as well as a check-up with my doctor every week until Ellie arrives. At 36 weeks, I am already 1 cm dilated but I've been told that doesn't mean a bunch right now. My doctor wants to try to get me to 38 weeks and then if I haven't gone on my own, then she will induce, but I would much rather go on my own. The only catch with that is that I have 2 more weeks of work left and it would mean I would have her before I technically resigned from Austin Peay -EAK! Also, it means she would be here sooner than I expected and as a future new mom, it freaks me out a bit. Not only do I have to give labor to a baby for the first time, but I will also be a parent! The reality of the situation has really started to sink in to Jesse and I. So, I ask you to please pray for mine and Ellie's health and for a safe, happy labor whenever that might be. We will keep everyone posted as much as we can!

Mercy Me Concert

Jesse and I took our last trip over to Knoxville two weekends ago to do an early Thanksgiving with his immediate family since we all had other places to be for this past weekend. It also ended up being the weekend Mercy Me came in to town for a concert so of course we had to go! They had 2 openers, one of which was 10th Avenue North, who was very good live. Mercy Me did a great job as usual! We asked Becca and Steve Denny to join us so it was a great time sharing this concert with them. Afterwards, we were able to visit with Mike (lead guitarist for Mercy Me who is from my hometown) and catch up with him and his little family. It was a great concert and I highly recommend anyone who reads this to try to catch them the next time they are anywhere close to you for one of their concerts - Bart really has a way of leading worship instead of it being all about the band and their songs.
(Our friend Mike Scheuchzer is the one in the plaid shirt with the hat on below)

Nesting

So after I had four fabulous baby showers that have provided me many things I didn't have to raise a baby girl, the "nesting" instinct kicked in full gear. I even got Jesse to help me for my sanity so that I felt more prepared. I'm sure any of you that read this are cracking up because no one is truly prepared for having their first child, but since I've been working full-time, I've had NO TIME to even get her nursery ready, much less go through all the gifts to see what is left to buy. So, Jesse and I took on this task. We also freaked out our cat with all the changes and new purchases. As soon as I have the nursery completely done, I will be sure to post some pictures, but here are a few to see what we have been up to the last few weeks.
My Handy Man!

Poor Callie!

Ft Campbell Baby Shower

A few weeks ago, my wonderful friend Claire Teter threw me my last baby shower here at Ft. Campbell. She threw a FABULOUS party full of incredible food, games and presents. I definitely felt loved and supported from family and friends after that party. Some of Jesse's family were able to make it (Jana, Linda, Nana and Jamie) and my mom and sis-in-law (Jennifer) made it as well. A few girls from our Bible Study on post also came. All-in-all, it was a great shower and I really appreciated everyone who came and helped make it so special!
Thanks, Claire!

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Knoxville Baby Shower

This past weekend, Becca (my best friend from FL that lives in Knoxville) with the help of Jesse's mom and sisters threw me a baby shower. It was a great opportunity for me to introduce her to many of my friends and family. It was bizarre having so many of them in the same room, but it was great to see everyone. We had YUMMY food including a famous Publix cake (nice touch Becca) and she had some cute games for us to play. Thanks to everyone for coming - it meant a lot to me!

Ellie's Party

My co-workers and students at Austin Peay threw me a baby shower last week but they called it "Ellie's Party"! It was great - good food, cute cake, sweet presents and fun times with the people there. Thanks to Alexandra, Carrie, Brianna, Jonell and Teanna for all they did to make it a special day! Here are some pictures from the event:
Student Life & Leadership Staff

Sunday, November 1, 2009

A Taste of the Busiest Week of My Career

So this past week was the busiest week of my entire career - Homecoming at Austin Peay State University! Since we are still without a Director in our office, the entire week has been coordinated by me. I didn't do every event during the week due to some other offices helping out, but I definitely did the big stuff. Monday, I was in charge of our annual Step Off, where organizations compete against each other in step routines (http://www.theleafchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009910270322). Tuesday, we had a Bonfire (minus the fire due to rain) to announce the Homecoming Court and have a pep rally for the football team. Wednesday was the AP Apollo, the annual talent show put on by my students in the Govs Programming Council. We actually went over capacity of the auditorium and had to kick people out (who we saw watching from the windows)! Thursday, was the largest event - LADY ANTEBELLUM!! This event took the most planning and was the peak of my week. Catherine Raney, Tim McGraw's cousin, was the opener and she did a great job. I met Tim's mom and she was so sweet. Lady Antebellum did a great job and really enjoyed the students. We had over 1,000 come to the concert and everything went without a hitch. Friday was my catch-up day that other department did events and then the week finished with Saturday's parade and half-time Queen/King announcement that I had to organize. I'm so glad the week is done - it wore me out and it definitely didn't help that I was 8 months pregnant doing it all! Now, I am enjoying my day of rest. Enjoy the pictures of the concert!

Catherine Raney (Opener)

Ellie

Lilypie Third Birthday tickers