Smiles

Hey everyone! Sean is hanging out with his Granda Jim for now so I have a few minutes to update this blog. I'm sure most of you have stopped checking it all together now as I haven't had much on here since the baby has been born but I'll post just in case. :) As you may have already noticed there are no commas in this post. There was a bit of an incident with John changing Sean's nappy and the keyboard lying too close by and the comma key was the victim.
Ah!!! He's starting to fuss already so I'll just say he is growing a lot looking forward to seeing everyone at Christmas and laughing a little bit now. Here's the latest video. Enjoy!

Our baby

Hey everyone! Finally a minute in my new mommyhood to put up a post! Maybe in the coming months I'll get more of these moments? Don't burst my bubble.
We are having a great time getting used to our new little man. Yes, after nearly 7 weeks we are STILL getting used to him. Funny how every little thing he does is worthy of an Olympic gold medal in our eyes. Still, every time he smiles, bops himself in the face with one of his little fists, or fills his diaper, anything he does, we're right there with the camera. You'd think we had never seen a baby before, but it's different when it's your own.
Anyhoo...I've heard that some of you are missing his little sounds, so I'm posting a video for you to see him in action. Please ignore the bit in the middle where he fills his diaper and the part at the end where he spits up (it's hard to get a good clip of him without some bodily function included. You were just lucky enough to get two in this one. hehehe).
Hope everyone is well at home. We can't wait to see you at Christmas!!

Pictures

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100981085942769.3157954.6819118&l=25244b6fed&type=1..

Hope this works! Thanks for the tip, Mols!

Pics

Hey! Just wanted to let you know I haven't forgotten. I know I said I would put some pics up on here, but for some reason I am having trouble getting them on here from my snapfish account. I've tried twice now, but no luck. For those of you without facebook, I suppose you could ask someone who has it to show them to you on there (Jennifer, this means you! Mom and Dad would like to see them). For now, here's a cute one to hold you over :)

Due date + 9

Hey everyone! I know you are all waiting to hear the exciting news, but it looks like this litte one is going to keep us waiting a bit longer. I was at the doctor again today. Things have progressed a bit, but not a lot. They have me scheduled to go in for an induction Thursday evening, but I asked if this could be postponed as it is only 11 days past my due date and a pregnancy is still considered normal up to 42 weeks. So I will still be going in on Thursday, getting the baby monitored and scanned, and as long as everything still looks good, we can wait a bit longer. Yeah! I'm a bit nervous about being induced and want to put it off as long as is safe for the baby. So, raspberry tea, spicy foods, long walks, funny looking exercises, etc, etc, etc. I think I'm done taking photographs, so you'll just have to wait til the baby comes to see something else on here. Hopefully you will all hear something soon :)

Due Date + 3

Well, I was at the doc yesterday, but unfortunately, no progress made. The baby is just very comfy in there I guess. In case I haven't gone by next Thursday, the 22nd, I have been scheduled to go to the hospital for an induction. After begging and pleading, this is the lastest day she would give me as the baby has put on so much weight and hasn't made a move yet. Please pray for us that it comes on it's own. I have heard so many times that it is harder if you are induced and that you are more likely to have a c-section and both of these things scare the life out of me. After getting home yesterday, I walked in gail force winds and I've been out walking in the rain today, anything to try to get this baby moving naturally.

10 September 2011

One day left, right? I don't think so!!!! I still feel the same, the baby's still pretty high up, and it's the product of John and I, so it's definately making a late entrance. The doc said last week that she would try to get things moving on Tuesday when I go in if I want her to, but I said no and I'm sticking to it. I'll only be one day overdue by then, and what's the rush? The baby is going to come when it feels like it (even though John is hoping it feels like it on a weekend). I'll let you know how it goes on Tuesday. :)

Hi!

Hello everyone!! Last week, I sent many of you readers individual messages and I haven't heard back from a LOT of you. I went to the doc today and have another update, but I am NOT sharing it on here. If you want to hear how it went, schedule a time to skype with me or send me a message through email. I know this may seem a bit cheeky, but I have the right, I am a hormonal, grumpy, pregnant woman!

Ante-natal Appointment

Hello everyone! Just got home from another visit to Daisy Hill Hospital and everything is going smoothly. The baby has stayed in the head down position and has started moving further and further down. I'm just over 38 weeks today. The doctor did another scan (the norm over here is to have a scan each visit from now on) and measured the baby's head. It's measuring at 34 cm around (yikes!) and about 7 lbs 10 oz. I know these measurements aren't always that accurate, but my goodness!!! I still have another 2-4 weeks left! He also said the baby has a mop of hair which, according to the wive's tale, is why I've been dealing with heartburn whenever I eat a meal. :) He also asked me if I wanted to know the sex of the baby, and being the good wife that I am, I said no. I should get a medal for that or something! John wasn't even at this appointment, and I had the opportunity to find out and I resisted!!!! I did take a peak down there though, and I have my guess. The doc was also able to use a doppler to measure the flow of blood going through the umbilical cord to the baby and was pleased with the results. So all in all, everything is good. The baby continues to kick and is taking up LOTS of space now, but it's healthy and going in the right direction, so we are very happy. :)

Getting closer

Does this mean the house or the baby? Both!! The house is really coming along and I will get some more pictures posted, but with only 2.5 weeks (17 days!!!) left 'till the baby's due date, it has definately been on my mind a lot more. I can't wait to post the first pic of the baby on here, and I'm sure you'll probably find it more interesting than pictures of a house anyway. Until then, you'll just have to make due with pics of the growing belly.

We went to Daisy Hill, the hospital we are having the baby at, yesterday for a tour. I'm not gonna lie; seeing all the equipment and gear has made me a bit nervous. I just assumed it had this effect on everyone, but when I asked John if he was feeling nervous, he said "No, I don't have to do anything but be there with you." It just made it all so real. Thank goodness there were no women in actual labour while we were there or John would have found me hiding on the floor of the car, legs pinned together, crying and wondering how I was gonna get out of this one.

40 - 36 = 4 weeks!!!!!!

I cannot believe we've only got four weeks left, well, that's if the baby decides to come on time. It may only have ONE SPEED (Dad), and not come out 'till it absolutely has to. :) I had another check up today and the consultant says everything is looking great (besides the cracked ribs I have suffered from all the kicking). John's sister says the baby is just getting it's footing as a push-off point. With the measurements she took from the scan today, she says the baby is weighing in around 6 pounds. If it gains a half pound every week, like the books say it will, that means......well, let's just not get into it. I prefer to stick to my theory that it's going to be a slight tummy ache and then the baby will just be here. I turned my head when she took the measurements of the baby's head; why torture myself with worry?

I finally just told John I couldn't stick it any longer. I had to buy some things for the baby. I was very good and only bought essentials (mostly). Diapers, cream, nail clippers, nose bulb syringe (aka torture device), those sorts of things, and a few things for myself (not fun things). And I bought a diaper bag today to put it all into :) We have to have all these things when the baby is born as the hospital doesn't supply anything (no diapers, wipes, creams, sleepers, hats). This seems strange to me as all the appointments and scans and any medication one might need, etc are totally free, but better this way than the opposite.

So, now all we have to do is wait. John is working away like a madman and still doing bits and pieces to the house. We would really like to have all that done before the baby comes, but I suppose that's not really up to us anymore as the baby could come anytime, but we are trying. I'm still working at the ice cream cafe 3 nights a week and sorting out all the paperwork for my maternity allowance and getting all the other stuff lined up for after the baby is born. We still haven't gotten word on how my visa application is coming on, but we are hoping for it to be returned in a timely manner so we can register the baby and make our plans to come home for Christmas.

Everything is going well over here, and since my pleading post, I have heard from you guys over there a lot more. Thanks and please keep it up. I love hearing from you. Here's another pic of the bump. It's hard to tell from the picture, but along with growing out towards the front, I am now also growing out width-wise!

6 weeks left!

We had another scan today - a placental recheck scan- as my last scan showed the placenta lying really low. They told me at the time that it wasn't too much of a concern as it usually grows upward as the baby and uteras grow (sorry if this is too much information?), but that it would have to be re-checked at 34 weeks. So off Mary and I went this morning as John had to work. The doctor said everything looked great, it was right where it should be at this time and that the baby is measuring just right for my dates. The little one was waving away and moving it's tiny little lips too. So cute. I caught the measurment the doctor did on the scan of the baby's head, he never brought it to my attention, but I was watching very closely. 13 cm. www.freakingout.com!!!!!!

Three Quarters!

Okay, so I came over to Jim and Mary's today to update this post with more info on the house, and I can do that, but I realized as I signed in that I haven't taken any new pictures. So you get an update but no photos to show exactly how great it looks. Oops!!
We got the third side of the house plastered and only have one side left. YEAH!!! As soon as John moves the scaffolding around to the front, he will be able to scratch it himself. You probably all know this routine by heart now, as well as I do, cuz I think I go through it every time, but it helps me get things in order and keep John motivated. (He sometimes refers to me by a very cruel name that I will not mention here because he says I am always pushing him to do more and do it faster.) But anyway, once he has the front scratched the plasterer will come for a few hours one day to put the bands around the windows. When these have time to dry, he will come back again and put on the dash. As soon as the dash is finished, we have a man coming to finish the stonework on the porch. When that's done, we will hire a digger to come and clean up around the property. Guess what's next?! FOR SALE!!!!!!!
We are planning to put it up for sale with a few different places hoping it will catch someone's eye. Without bragging, I must say it is in a really good location with some great views and the family to live there will be really lucky. If it were possible, or should I say feasible, we would move the whole thing to Indiana and live in it ourselves. I don't know how I could ever keep it clean though. I think we are going to stick to something small whenever we do get there. Bigger isn't always better.

Step by step (5 photos), by Hillary Marlatt

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2 outta 4

We have gotten the second side of the house plastered and dashed, moved the scaffolding around to the other side, and John has scratched it so it is ready for the plasterer again. Ordinarily, the plasterer does the scratching as well as the dashing, however, John discovered as we waited and waited for the plasterer the last time, that he's actually pretty good at doing it himself. (The plasterer has lots of work on at the minute, and is finding it difficult to find time to come out to our house, but he is scheduled to come out this weekend.) Hopefully, by the beginning of next week, I will have yet another update with pictures, and a title something like "3 out of 4."
Getting a bit ahead of myself, we will then move the scaffolding around to the front. John can scratch it, paint the toes (this USED to be my job), and get the dormer windows ready. Then the plasterer comes back out and the stone mason finsihes the work on the porch. Who knows, by the time it's finished, John could have picked up these skills too and can do that part himself too. Haha :) Keep us in your prayers (St. Jude is my man), we are really pushing forward and would like to keep this up.

31weeks.

We seem to be in the final stretch of this pregnancy at 31, almost 32 weeks. John and I are getting very excited. In just about 2 months time we will have a little baby here! It's hard to believe; I thought at the beginning of this pregnancy it would seem like ages before the baby was born, but it seems to be flying in. Now that I say that, though, it could be the last two months seem to drag by, but I'm gonna do my best to enjoy them. I've begun to feel very full all the time and a bit uncomfortable inside my own body as much of it is being occupied by another human being right now, but I love the kicks and flips and hiccups that come with it. I am really anticipating seeing the baby for the first time. Will it look like John? like me? like an alien? (okay, some people may think this is an awful comment to make, but just understand that I have always had the opinion that all babies look a little alien-like when they are first born. That being said, I'm sure I will think mine is the cutest looking alien baby, so don't hold it against me. ) We haven't got a single item of clothing that we can bring the baby home in or any furniture, diapers, bottles, or anything else baby-related. Some Irish are very superstitious and believe bringing anything into the house before the baby is born is like counting your chickens before they hatch. My husband is one of the said Irish. He won't even let me get one boy outfit and one girl outfit to bring the little thing home in. He says he will get it while I am in the hospital. I'm not too worried at the minute, though many of my dreams include bringing a very naked baby home, but this could change as the date gets nearer. Maybe I could buy a few things and store them at Jim and Mary's???? (P.S. - I really thought my hair looked nicer than it does in the photo. Good thing I looked at this before we leave for our evening out!)

Thanks!

Hey everyone!!! Just wanted to say thanks for all the emails and phone calls I got since my down-beat post and whiny email. It was really nice hearing from so many of you. Now, keep it up!! :)

Time's flying!

John and I had another appointment with our midwife last week. I had my (hopefully) final injection of Anti-D (because my blood type may be different than the baby's - called RhoGam at home). We went over our birth plan and got her approval for everything we requested. Yeah! She then measured my belly. I was at 29 weeks last week and only measured at 27, so she asked if we minded having another ultrasound done just to check on the baby. We said okay and got to see our little baby in there again!!! :) And we got to hear the heartbeat too. I just love seeing it in there. We could even tell in the photograph that the baby has a full set of teeth just waiting to come through it's gums whenever the time is right. She said everything looked great, the baby was still in a head up position which could have been the reason the measurement was a bit off. They aren't too concerned about the baby being head down until around the 34th week and after, but it can move around all the way up to the birth, so she was very happy with our progress. If she would have measured my ankles, thighs, and upper arms, she would have seen that I have put on enough weight in other places to make up for the belly! Haha. John says I've swollen up everywhere except for my head and look a bit odd. MEN!!! How do they always know the right things to say?!?! Lol

If you are reading this, contact me.

Hey everyone, just wanted to send out a quick message. I'm feeling a bit down as I haven't been hearing from anyone lately. I put posts up to keep you all updated on what is going on over here, but I haven't gotten any updates from you. I know your lives are busy and that phone calls are expensive, believe me I know, but even a quick email would be great. I love you guys and I really miss being over there and hearing from you really gives me a boost. Thanks!

No hiding it now!

At 27 weeks, the bump has definately become more prominent. Why doesn't anyone mention that all the stretching, and growing, and expanding is kind of painful? Definately worth it though. Even when the kicks hit in a certain place that is a bit uncomfortable, I still love to feel them. I'm really enjoying this experience and can't wait to meet our little baby. :) P.S. - Thanks for the top, Molly, it's so comfy!!

Moving Along

Though we started tiling the conservatory roof together, John has put the finishing touches on by himself this week. After completing that, he and Jim moved the scaffolding around from the back of the house to the side as the plasterer has finished the back. Hopefully the side in the photo will be finished this weekend. :) (Click on the link from the last post as I have added the new photos to that album.)

Recent House Photos

http://www2.snapfish.co.uk/snapfishuk/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=7445601013/a=121115201_121115201/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfishuk/

Studying

I was busy busy busy last week gathering all the information and supporting documents for my visa to remain here (my two year period from the last one is ending in July), John's visa to move to the states (has to be filed before the baby is born or all the info we have so far is invalid and will have to go through an entirely different process), and the birth registration, social security number request, and passport for our little baby (has to be completed before the baby enters the U.S. if we want the baby to have American citizenship). Mine has to be done before John's can be filed but not until 28 days before my present visa expires, John's has to be done before the baby arrives or all the forms we have started are invalid, and the baby's has to be done before we can come home for Christmas. Hopefully luck is on our side as we try to get each one finished and all the documents back (passports, birth and marriage certificates, etc) in time to start the next and all them all done in time that we can get back for Christmas. Whew!!! It's not an easy task, let me tell you and I'm sure there will be some stressful moments while waiting and wondering how much longer it is going to take. Not to mention the cost.
Let me just give you a rough idea. The visa I had to apply for when John and I intended to marry and live here for the following two years: $850. In order to apply for this new visa so that we can stay here to have the baby and finish the house up, I have to first take a test showing I have significant knowledge of life in the UK, I must take a test: $75. After passing the test, I must then apply for the new visa which allows me to stay indefinately: $1,500. With this completed, I must then move on to John's visa for the U.S. I must first prove to the U.S. that I am truly an American citizen by sending my b.c. and passport along with $420 to the U.S. embassy in London, and by doing this ask for permission to invite John to live with me in the states. If they rule that I am, in fact, an American citizen, John can begin his visa application: $350. If this goes smoothly and we get all our info back along with John's visa, we can then register the baby's birth here in the U.K. $12 and apply for an Irish passport: $75. Then we must register the baby's birth at the US Embassy in Belfast: $100. A social security number: $?? And finally an American passport: $105. Wowser!!! The cost, although creeping higher and higher, is not the main concern. You all know how long all this paperwork and government documentation takes, and with each application dependent on receiving the one before, we're gonna be mighty lucky if all are completed in the space of time we have alloted. Prayers are always welcome!
That's why I have started all this now, so without further postponement, I must get back to the books and study for my "Life in the United Kingdom" test.

Missing everyone at home so so much!!!

As of today, I am 6 months pregnant. I have 16 weeks left and am really enjoying this time and reading about all the developments the baby is accomplishing. I can feel it kick a LOT now. Up until Friday night, John kind of felt it move but wasn't very sure of it. I read in one of my books that it is possible to hear the baby's heartbeat if you put your ear to your stomach. As I am unable to bend that way, I asked John to listen. Just as he put his ear to my stomach, the baby gave a big sharp kick. He's definately felt it now!!! I'm posting a pic for all of you who have been asking for one of this pregnant belly. Up til now, I could have worn a hoody and hidden it, but it's starting to stick out a bit more these days. Within the last two weeks, we saw a friend of John's at the shop and he asked us when we were going to start having kids. John said we were actually due to have a baby in September and I said couldn't you tell, Brian? He said, "Well, I just thought you were getting fat, but it wouldn't be nice to say that." I also have a new nickname with John's family, Fatty. I can laugh at that now, but I'm wondering how long it will be funny to my rapidly changing hormones...

March 2011 USA (70 photos), by Hillary Marlatt

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Miss Jenna Mae Busald becomes Mrs. Jenna Schwering!

Coming home in March was wonderful. Jenna and Adam's wedding was beautiful, and the bride was absolutely gorgeous!!! All the planning and stress that Jenna laboured through for months really showed when everything came together perfectly. I would like to say I had more to do with just how well it turned out, but truly Jenna was (and is) amazing. Thanks for giving us something great to celebrate! I wish them all the best.
The rest of our time in the states was spent with friends and family, and although it's never enough time, it gives me strength to last over here for a few more months. :) Here are some photos of the time we spent there. (Not very many, I am getting worse instead of better at taking photos. I used to have so many, now I come back and think I definately should have had my camera out more.)

January 2011 (62 photos), by Hillary Marlatt

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
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Mom, Dad, and Kevin come visit :)

Okay, I have been really behind, but as I am not working as much right now, I am going to try to keep this blog updated a little better. As you know, Mom, Dad, and Kevin visited in January of this year. It was so great to have them over after spending my first Christmas away from home. Although, I must say, Christmas away from home was made so special for me even though I was away with all the wonderful gifts that were so full of thought and emotion. Thanks so much everyone!!! In January, although cold, it wasn't too rainy while the gang was over and we got to see lots of sights. And I mean LOTS!! I hope they had as much fun as John and I did traveling all around the north and south of Ireland (even though we were sardined into our tiny little Nissan Almira). Some of the many things we saw included the Blarney Castle, the Cliffs of Moher, the Ulster American Folk Park, tombs and megaliths, and so much more!