Baby Bump Update

Here is the last baby bump update.  I am not allowing you to see me shrink my baby bump back in the same way I grew it... some things are not comparable - growing a life is beautiful, losing a belly may have questionable results :)  So, the last picture was December 22 (38 weeks, 4 days); these are on top.  The bottom pictures are from this morning, December 31 (39 weeks, 6 days) - one day shy of my estimated due date.  I don't know if I am actually bigger in the second picture or if it is just a little closer up... I am anxious to see how big this little one is: 

Last night before going to sleep we went on a hunt for a bathrobe for the hospital stay.  I know most people own one of these, but I do not.  Our first stop was Wal-mart.  When I asked a lady working there if they had robes, she laughed and said, "Probably none you would want"  To her credit, they were pretty ugly.  As we left Wal-mart, the greeter said,  "Go home and get some sleep.  You'll need it for tomorrow."  Jeremy and I just looked at each other.  I am sure she was talking about the big New Year's Eve celebration that most people will be going to, but it seemed like she knew what we were anticipating... a baby!  We ended up finding a robe that will be suitable at TJMaxx.

The baby was having a dance party last night at about 5am when Jeremy and I were both awake, talking.  He was restless in bed; I was having trouble breathing (darn cold!) and going to the bathroom all night.  We talked for awhile before falling back asleep.  He headed to the gym around 7am - good place to go to burn off some nervous energy.  I slept another hour before getting up to wash the sheets.  I am hoping this cold is gone by the time we return from the hospital and we'll want germ-free sheets :)

So, how are we feeling?  We are definitely excited to think that TODAY we will become parents; it is what we have been planning for during the last nine (ten) months.  But we are both a bit nervous about the arrival, too. I say I am not ready for this.  Jeremy then asks if I want to wait a few more days.  I just don't know what all is coming our way.  I mean, I know about babies, the classes made things seem pretty basic, and I have been in the hospital and held a baby there.  But I haven't had to care for an umbilical cord, or bathe a newborn, or wake up in the middle of the night (a couple times) to figure out this breastfeeding thing, or .... The list could go on and on and on.  I am sure like every first time parent, we will learn as we go and hopefully, pick up some good tips/experience at the hospital.  So, this afternoon and this weekend pray for us as we make this adjustment.  I will update the blog at some point.  Jeremy will hopefully be able to at least post a few pics, even if there isn't much commentary.  I hope everyone has a safe New Year's Eve.

Baby Update

So, we had our doctor's appointment on Monday.  Little Baby Yoh remains breech.  It must not like standing on it's head, and really, who can blame it.  On the other hand, it doesn't sound too comfortable to have your feet at your nose either. We will let you know when the little one arrives :)

Baby Shower

We had our last baby shower with the Bricker family on Saturday.  It was a good time to just enjoy one another again, but get to hear stories, too, of all the memories of pregnancy and baby raising.  I learned Jeremy weighed 9lbs 5oz!!!  What a huge baby... hopefully, ours will be a bit smaller, as I was only 7lbs 14oz.  (I hope I got all the ounces parts right.)  I also learned it is never a good idea to feed a baby too many prunes!  Here are some shots from the shower.  Top left: Jeremy and I with the baby Yoh stocking at my parents' house. Top right: Me and Grandma Yoh and Grandma Ediger.  Bottom left: The room of celebraion.  Bottom right: what boys do during showers (Jeremy was taking pictures and cleaning up dishes)

Christmas

On Christmas Eve, we went to Westerville Christian Church for the Christmas Eve service.  It was very nice.  We have not been in Columbus on Christmas Eve because we are usually back home with family.  We enjoyed the time to spend the time worshipping with our church family. 
Merry Christmas (late).  I realized that my last post was nothing about Christmas, and it has quickly come and gone.  This is how we spent our Christmas season:

On Christmas day, we packed up the car and headed out by about 7:30am.  We had wanted to get to Jeremy's parents' home by about 9am, so we could celebrate family Christmas before Maynard needed to go pick up Jeremy's aunt and cousins from the airport.  It was a rainy morning, but we decided it was better than ice.  When we got there, we waited (as we usually do) for Jennifer to get up and ready for the day before Christmas could begin.  (To her credit, she was up working on Christmas stuff til the wee hours of the morning.)  We had a great time opening gifts one by one.  I find this takes longer, but at least you get to enjoy the process of seeing what everyone thought to give.  Jason gave us a two CDs of group from a local Minneapolis church; they are kinda bluegrass-ish.  I liked what I heard.  He also gave us a calendar that the company he works for makes; he works for Studio on Fire in Minneapolis - click on the link if you want to learn what he makes or what letterpress means.  Jennifer made me a really cool mosaic bottomed serving tray.  I am so impressed by people that can craft something.  I suppose if I tried, I could to, but what a gift to want to do that.  Maynard and Gloria gave us (among other things) a Flip video camera to record our precious moments.  Be prepared... video clips may soon be coming to the blog!

We went to the big family Christmas around 4pm for dinner and celebrating.  It is always fun to hang out with the family.  It reminds me of when my extended family gets together - lots of laughter, much conversation, and a very loud volume!  We had ham, creamed chicken sandwiches, cheesy potatoes, corn, and various other dishes.  We had a best of 3 tournament of Catch Phrase.  And, of course, we opened gifts.  By the time the night was done, it was 10:30pm, and I was exhausted, but happy.

Good Things

On Tuesday, I headed out one more time to pick up a few last minute things.  I needed to get a new pair of running shoes - I know I can't run right now, all you jokesters!!  My old shoes will need to be replaced by the next time I really need them.  When we went out shopping about a month or so ago, the shoes I usually get were $89; I hate buying shoes because they are way to expensive.  I put it off and went Monday to Dick's to look again.  I was pretty excited because I saw the shoes were now "only" $79 (plus I had a $10 off coupon) because the new style had just come out; unfortunately, there were none my size.  I asked the shoe lady if she could call other stores, and basically she said it wouldn't help because there weren't many left - so long $69 for Dick's because of the unhelpful sales lady.  So, Tuesday, I went to Sports Authority where I have bought the shoes before.  I was super excited because I found the shoe there for $69 ANDin my size (only one pair left in my size).  I took it up to the counter and they gave me an additional $10 off from some coupon they had in the paper on Sunday.  Yea for Sports Authority!!!

Jeremy and I went out on a date.  It was our Christmas date, and it was good to get out together.  I feel like we have done a lot together, but it has all been baby focused and directed (classes, travel to showers, etc).  This was just about us.  We went to Brio for dinner; I had crab and shrimp cakes; Jeremy had artichoke crusted beef medallions.  Our food was delicious and the service was over the top!  Literally, the minute we got a crumb on the table, our waiter came to clear it - crazy!  We kept most of the conversation focused on reflection of the year and how we were doing, rather than baby, baby, baby.  It was nice.  We headed from there to the movie.  We watched Blind Side.  (If you don't know the movie, click on Blind Side to see the trailer.)  Although Jeremy is usually not so keen on sports movies (because they are "all the same"), he enjoyed this one.  I am always a sucker for sports movies, and this one did not disappoint.  I loved it.  If you have not seen it, we highly recommend it. 

Baby Bump Update

I am a few days behind on this one, so I apologize, but here it is.. My last picture was on December 14 (37 weeks, 3 days)

My next picture (with black shorts) is from December 22 (38 weeks, 4 days).  There is not a whole lot of visual change in the size of the bump, but there is a difference in my comfort level.  I am still getting around fairly well, but sleep is becoming more difficult.  My hips hurt by 3ish every morning.  It feels like when you are camping out or sleeping on the floor and they are just tender to lay on.  If anyone has a suggestion on how to fix this little problem, please let me know.  Otherwise, I think I would be sleeping pretty well. 

I had the doctor's appointment on Monday - my weekly check-in.  He let me know that I am still not dilated at all, but that is probably due to the fact that the baby was still breech.  He thinks that the baby is in a pike position (or Frank breech for those wanting a technical term) where the butt is down and feet are up at the head.  Jeremy says that at least we know our baby will be flexible :)  I could still start labor, or I could just hang out for a while.  If I start labor (or if I don't) and the baby is still breech, I will be having a cesearan birth.  I was having a very hard time emotionally with that thought/realization, but over the past few days, I have turned the disappointment and unrealistic expectations over to God.  It doesn't help to dwell on it.  He is providing me with healing from that, and I am anxiously waiting for the next appointment (Monday) when we will discuss the actual day of delivery if the baby remains breech.  In the meantime, I am looking forward to traveling to Bricker Christmas and enjoying more family time.

Ediger Christmas

My family does Christmas the weekend before Christmas every year.  It started when my brother's started getting involved with their girlfriend's/wive's families.  By doing it this way, we can enjoy a whole day (sometimes longer) of Christmas together without everyone rushing off to the in-laws' homes.  So, although it was a hard transition to begin with, it is a great thing now.  This Christmas was even a bit different because we are usually at my parents' home, but because of lots of things - dad's back surgery on Tuesday being the main thing - we had Christmas at my older brother's home in Ashland.  Here was our makeshift mantle so mom could hang all her hard handmade stockings:

Jeremy and I headed there on Friday night to join everyone except mom and dad and Luke (who had to work at the fire station).  We had been there about 15 minutes when Paxon (one of the nephews) puked on the carpet.  Well, he was pretty well quarentined after that for the remainder of the evening and the next day.  We and all the kids kept our distance.  It was nice to just hang out after all the little tykes went to bed that evening.  On Saturday, mom, dad, and Luke joined us around 10am, and the Christmas festivities began.  We read the Christmas story, passed out stockings, and let the little kids open gifts - one at a time, which is another tradition.  After the gifts had been opened, we had a lunch of stromboli, salad, chips, jello, and desserts before sending the kids off to bed.


While the little kids slept and the older ones played downstairs, we did adult gift time.  For mom and dad, we had designed 12 challenges in which they would compete against each other to unwrap gifts.  Things like: mold the best reindeer out of play-doh, build the tallest tower, make the most baskets, answer the most trivia questions, and catch the most fish to name a few.  You can see the concentration on their faces in the pictures.  It was an intense competition :)  In the end we had really given them cash to purchase a new couch for the living room.  Hopefully, they won't put off that shopping trip too long!  Mom and Dad had given us frames and pictures from the reunions this summer.  Additionally, dad presented us with money from Grandpa's (his dad's) inheritance.  In memory of Grandpa, he wants us to put some of it toward missions because that is who Grandpa was.  Jeremy and I are thinking about who/what may benefit from Grandpa's desire to be the hands and feet of Christ.


We had a delicious meal - vareniky casserole, fried potatoes, sausage, ham, salad, zweibach, and desserts.  I know some of you have no idea what those things are, but they are rich, delicious foods from my Russian Mennonite background.  Yum!  We headed home around 8ish that night.  We traveled slowly because the side roads were ICY!!  When we got onto 30 and then 71, the roads were good.


I hope everyone has a great Christmas in a few days time.  We are hoping to trek back to the Wayne County area to attend the Bricker side Christmas.  We'll see what the doctor says today and how baby Yoh is cooking!

Baby Bump Update

It has taken me longer than I thought to get this update up, but the wait is over.  Here was my big ole belly on December 1, 2009 (35 weeks, 4 days).

The next set of pictures were taken tonight, December 14, 2009 (37 weeks, 3 days).  Jeremy noted that my belly was very shiny.  I agree.  I assume that is because the skin is streeeeetched out so far.  There has been some growth in the last two weeks.  I find my shirts are tighter.  Some of my t-shirts that I bought about halfway through are almost too little.  I keep tugging at the bottom while teaching, so I don't flash my very sexy midriff :)  So, I had a weekly appointment this week.  It was exciting or lengthier than normal.  I talked to the doctor about our birth plan - which is just a list of things that I would like to happen, but understand that it is not always possible for things to go exactly as planned.  It was good to just have some talking points for once.  The doctor did an internal exam for the second week in a row.  I learned that I am still not dilated - good news for us.  I am hoping to make it through the Christmas weekend.  He checked to see if the head is down.  Because he couldn't tell, I went to the ultrasound room.  I reminded him that I didn't know the sex of the baby, so if he sees something to keep it quiet :)  Well, nothing was revealed anyway.  I did learn that my baby is NOT head down, but is breech right now.  So, it needs to work on turning itself around in the next few weeks.  For all those praying for baby Yoh, that can be in your prayers.  The baby is fine, but if it stays breech, I will for sure have to have a c-section, and I would like to have an experience of the other (or at least a chance).  Either way, I am still hoping for healthy :)  Okay, that was a long update, but since I actually learned something, I thought I would share.  Oh, and it was too rainy for the car seat install on Sunday; so, we'll do it later this week.  I was supposed to pack my bag tonight, but between taking cookies to neighbors, finishing laundry, and relaxing briefly on the couch, it just didn't happen.  Maybe by Wednesday.  Have a great week!

Progress and Updates

Today, we are official graduates of all of our child education classes - labor and delivery, breastfeeding, and taking baby home.  I think these classes have been helpful, but it has made for busy times.  Today we learned how to give a baby a sponge bath, diaper, swaddle, signs of sickness, and a variety of other things that we hope to remember.  Our baby job tomorrow is to install our car seat.  My job by Monday is to pack my overnight bag.  Jeremy says is stressed out because that is not done yet.  (I am hoping that the longer I put it off, the longer it will be until delivery day!)  Jeremy did some running around today - errands that needed to be done.  I balanced the checkbook and looked at how to include baby in our budget for 2010.  I also made supper; some may think this is no big deal - but if you ask my husband, you will realize this is a novelty nowadays!  I also worked on making some of the toffee bars that I will need for the cookie exchange with my co-workers on Monday - I need 99 toffee bars to pass out!!!  (That also means that I'll get 99 cookies from others... these will be given as gifts to those in my neighborhood; no need to eat them all myself!)


A few updates... our little Christmas tree and our nativity set are up and ready for the season. Our church had a live nativity on Friday night.  Jeremy was a shepherd with a little 6 year old (I think?) apprentice shepherd.  The church gym area was set up like a Bethlehem marketplace where people could draw water from a well, create clay pots, buy candy, weave headbands, and visit live animals (goats, miniature horses).  The shepherds were supposed to guide the people to the Christ child in another room of the church.  It was really neat, and the church was bustling.  It made me think about Mary traveling on a donkey when 40 weeks (more or less) pregnant.  I feel for her.  Although I am not extremely uncomfortable yet, I would not want to walk or ride a donkey for miles and miles and miles.  Just a new dimension to Christmas this year.


Jeremy put up the pack n play without any complications earlier this week.  It is in the living room ready to be used.  You can see the blanket hanging over the edge.  One of the women in the special ed department knit it for me.  It matches the colors of the nursery perfectly, and is a great larger size for laying out on the floor. 

Surviving

I will get a baby bump posted soon, but just thought I would send a general update.  Jeremy and I have been busy!  We managed to get some Christmas shopping done on Saturday - yeah!  It is crazy out there... especially the parking lots.  On Sunday, we got together with some of our good friends we hadn't seen for awhile.  They live "out in the country" and it felt good to get out of the city and with friends for an afternoon.  They have a little girl who is two and another little girl who is about 6 months.  The 2 year old, Olivia, is so talkative and fun to interact with!  I wonder what our little one will be like :)  We were able to put up Christmas decorations on Sunday night.  It is nothing elaborate, but at least we have our (tiny) tree up with lights.  We also put up the nativity set Jeremy's Grandma made for my Christmas gift last year - well, we put up part of it.. it is HUGE.  It is on our mantle and looks good.  i will try to post a picture of this as well.  Tonight I had Parent Teacher Conferences.  I only had a few, and they went well.  But the day is utterly exhausting!  I got there at 6:45am and left at 7:30pm.  I was thankful that my assistant principal gave me permission to leave a little early.  I am tired and fighting a cold; she was incredibly understanding.  Let's see... Thursday we meet my older brother for supper and Friday, Jeremy is a shepherd in the live nativity at our church.  We have our last baby class on Saturday; then, Sunday, we get a visit from Jeremy's Florida cousin.  I do believe that we have only one event on the calendar for next week though, and my plan is to keep it that way.  My doctor says - REST, and I am trying to get that accomplished.  I hope everyone has a great week.  Until my next post...

Baby Bump Update

So, here is the newest baby bump picture.  As always, last picture is compared with current picture..

The first pics were from  November 7, 2009 which was 32 weeks, 1 day.

The newest pictures are from yesterday - December 1, 2009.  That is 35 weeks, 4 days.  I am feeling lots of movement all the time.  Luckily, at night, the baby still continues to fall asleep with me instead of kicking me as I fall asleep.... will this be true when it comes out?  My doctor says all looks good.  My measurements still show that I am right on target.  I am feeling good overall, but can definitely tell which days I am on my feet a lot at school - tired back and sore feet.... and a huge desire to just lay on the couch when I get home!  We went tonight to take a tour of Grant Hospital.  It is a nice place, but I think our preference would be St. Ann's.   Why?  Well, it is closer (10 minutes compared to 20 minutes), it feels a bit smaller (don't know if it really is), and parking is free for all at St. Ann's.  Otherwise, they both seem like great places to have a baby.

I told Jeremy that I was driving home from school the other day and realized that if I go into labor before January 1st, I will be taken off guard.  Yeah, I know, that is just an estimated due date, but we continue to plan life as though nothing will happen til then.  And you know, maybe it won't.  But if it happens sooner, we should have the car seat in the car, a bag packed, and a peditrician picked... and be more serious with baby names than our latest favorite - Edgar Allen Yoh!  (Yes, we are totally kidding, and would never seriously saddle our child with such a ridiculous name, but why not have a little fun!)  We have a breastfeeding class tomorrow night, and I have a shower with my co-workers on Friday.  Then, the weekend is suddenly here, and we really need to get some Christmas shopping done.  I hope everyone is having a great start to December.  Until next time.