A Good Day for Basketball

Ab and I were able to get out of the house today and get a little break from the kids (thanks Kristen!) before baby J is born.  We ventured out in the beautiful (above freezing) weather and went to the Hilton to watch our Cyclones play some basketball.  It was a good game even though we lost.  We really enjoy watching the Cyclones and should probably consider getting season tickets next year!!

Spa anyone?

I just had the most delightful morning!! 7:30am found me receiving a massage, which lasted around an hour. One very cool thing about this particular massage was the fact that I got to lay on my belly, with the "bump" hanging through a hole in the massage table! After the rub-down, I had a pedicure followed by a manicure...complete with polish! I walked out of the salon 3 hours after arriving, feeling absolutely wonderful. I highly recommend such an experience to everyone!!! I have Matt to thank for my blissful spa-day. (what a great gift, huh?)

Goody Bags

The goody bags are nearly complete...aren't these little felt bags adorable? ($1 find at Target) All I need to do is run their "big sister" shirts through the wash once and add them to the bags. They are filled with gifts for the girls from their baby brother...a little treat to help them feel special on Baby J's B-day.

36 weeks according to babycenter.com

How your baby's growing:
Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely she's in a head-down position. But if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying she'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.

How your life's changing:
Now that your baby is taking up so much room, you may have trouble eating a normal-size meal. Smaller, more frequent meals are often easier to handle at this point. On the other hand, you may have less heartburn and have an easier time breathing when your baby starts to "drop" down into your pelvis. This process — called lightening — often happens a few weeks before labor if this is your first baby. (If you've given birth before, it probably won't happen before labor starts.) If your baby drops, you may also feel increased pressure in your lower abdomen, which may make walking increasingly uncomfortable, and you'll probably find that you have to pee even more frequently. If your baby is very low, you may feel lots of vaginal pressure and discomfort as well. Some women say it feels as though they're carrying a bowling ball between their legs!

You might also notice that your Braxton Hicks contractions are more frequent now. Be sure to review the signs of labor with your practitioner and find out when she wants to hear from you. As a general rule, if you're full-term, your pregnancy is uncomplicated, and your water hasn't broken, she'll probably have you wait to come in until you've been having contractions that last for about a minute each, coming every five minutes for an hour. Of course, you'll want to call right away if you notice a decrease in your baby's activity or think you're leaking amniotic fluid, or if you have any vaginal bleeding, fever, a severe or persistent headache, constant abdominal pain, or vision changes.

Good Report

This morning got off to an interesting start with Sylvia fighting everything-didn't want to wear the adorable puffer vest, declined having her hair brushed, and fought the pony-tail as if I had asked her to eat worms! It was a quiet house after Matt got the girls out the door. I was able to finish up my "to do" list from yesterday, eat breakfast as I watched the morning news, and shower and get ready at a leisurely pace. I can really appreciate these peaceful mornings once in awhile!

My doctor's appointment was on time and uneventful-what an absolute blessing!! I was even cleared to work some light-duty type, abbreviated shifts in the ICCU. I tested it out following my appointment, working from around 10:30 am-3:00 pm today. Everyone was glad to see me looking well again. I even got a hug from 'da boss:) I couldn't have been happier to be at work.

Matt has his teacher's circle tonight, so us girls are staying in for a light supper and movies. Good thing I don't have to go to work till 7:00am tomorrow because Matt always has many interesting things to say about his evening spent with the other local math instructors. They usually have some very difficult, complex proof or equation that they work on. Matt loves to outdo himself by "dominating" the problem! Now I just wait for him to arrive home and tell me all about it.

Fun Monday

Sylvia had received some new slippers for Christmas, but they were too small. G-ma sent a replacement pair and we received them in the mail today. In the words of Olivia, "we got a delivery". (she loves deliveries-how cute, huh?) The new slippers fit great and Sylvia insisted on wearing them right away! Thanks G-ma!!

Olivia came home with more artwork today, so we took a picture of her with her "dinosaur" painting. PS, I got this idea from a parenting article...so I won't feel as guilty about throwing it away someday. Oh come on, we can't keep everything she makes!

The Good Samaritan

God was looking out for me today when he sent me dear Brooke, aka total stranger before today. Brooke's and my paths crossed outside Olivia's preschool, as I stood outside our running van, realizing that all the doors were locked! All I could say, over and over, was "oh Olivia, this bad...very bad". Sweet Brooke happened to be buckling her son into his seat at this very dismal moment in my day and noticed my distress. My mind was completely blank, as I had absolutely NO solution in mind! Brooke asked what she could do to help and I honestly couldn't think of a thing. Thankfully, she read the dumbfounded look on my face and began suggesting solutions. We decided it would be best if she gave us a ride back home so that we could get the spare keys, after all, Brooke and Brayden had nothing else to do this afternoon-so she claimed. Once we got home, all the way across town, I ran inside and began madly rummaging through the junk drawer...no keys-aaaaaahhhhhhh! After humbly getting back into Brooke's car, I borrowed her phone and called Matt. Yes, he had two sets of spare keys on his lanyard, which was in his possession...in Mingo. Ugh...we decided that we'd wait for him to rescue us at Pam's, where Sylvia was waiting for Mommy to pick her up. Conveniently, Brooke lived near Pam's house, so that part of the trip wasn't a total waste for her. I hope Brooke knows what a lifesaver she was to Olivia and I today! Anyone got any grand ideas (I'm thinking something unique and creative) on how I can thank her? Sooooo, Matt picked us up from daycare and dropped me back off at preschool, where I was able to unlock the van and drive away in a warm and toasty vehicle. We were all home in time for dinner together, as if nothing ever happened:)

Go Bulldogs!

Olivia got to sport some authentic Bulldog gear today...thanks Logan or Lucas for the hand-me-downs! We had to blog about this because of it's great significance to Uncle Seth mostly.

Story: Matt and I both grew up in LeMars, Iowa, home of the Bulldogs. We know that the Ruden household had some "Bulldog" inhabitants of their own, but the mania probably never took hold like it did with the Fitch's. Dad was the high-school Chemistry teacher, so of course he frequently donned his Bulldog polo or sweatshirt. Besides church, school activities were our other main entertainment, so we became huge Bulldog fans too. As he grew up, my brother Seth turned into quite the jock...and the Bulldog madness ensued. Jen was telling us just last weekend, when her and Seth were back from Chicago, that she caught Seth wearing an all-Bulldog-outfit only a few weeks back. She said it was hilarious especially because both the shirt and shorts may have been considered obscene (due to the tiny fit) if they were to be worn in public. Like the rest of us, Seth has filled out a bit since graduation...9 years ago. Apparently, his LCHS Bulldog obsession continues today. Seth, isn't it cool seeing your little niece in black and red?

Exiled

Since I have soooooooo much time on my hands now, I'm back to posting on our blog. I feel a bit foreign here, but I know you'll all welcome me back with open arms...or eyes.

Above, you'll see some things, besides my beautiful girls, that I'm gazing at to cheer myself up. Mom Fitch sent me the cute balloon attached to a bag of cinnamon bears...yummy-no pic of the candies because they were gone before I even left the hospital. Mom and Dad Ruden sent me the cheerful bouquet of flowers. The snap-dragons and tulips are the most gorgeous and remind of warmer, spring days to come. I love daydreaming about spring because I know Baby J will be here with us then and I will no longer be a prisoner in my own recliner! Why is it that last week, I would have given anything to just sit here doing nothing, but since I've been told I HAVE to lay around, all I want to do is be up and around? I know I need a major attitude adjustment right now and that things could be much worse. I need to concentrate on all that I have to be thankful for. I'm struggling...

On a lighter note...anyone recognize this little ham?

Restored

I know I go on and on about Jeremy Camp but I think his music and message are so powerful.  I was listening to him on my way to school today and the song "Restored" came on.  This was the first Jeremy Camp song that I ever heard, which was shortly after renewing my faith in Christ.  The words to the song were very indicative of my feelings at the time and every time I hear it I truly feel "restored." Whenever I feel stressed out, tired, or overwhelmed by things these words remind me of the restoring power of Christ.  I've included the words to song and put the song back on the playlist if you want to take a listen.

All this time I've wandered around searching for the things I'll never know 
I've been searching for this answer that only will be found in your love 
And I feel it 
My heart is being mended by your touch 
And I hear it 
Your voice that's shown my purpose in this world 

[Chorus]
You have restored me from my feeble and broken soul 
You have restored me 

I've only come to realize my strength will be made perfect at your throne 
Laying all reflections down to see the precious beauty that you've shown 
And I feel it 
My heart is being mended by your touch 
And I hear it 
Your voice thats shown my purpose in this world. 

[Chorus]

Laying all these questions down you've answered what I need 
You've given more than I deserve you're making me complete 
You give me all these open doors I'm humbled at your feet 
To show me what you've done for me. 

[Chorus]

All this time I've wandered around searching for the things I'll never know.

Update

We are finally home!! Well, it was only 29 hours but it seemed like much more!  Here is the status. Ab's blood pressure has normalized and they found no protein.  The only area of concern is her platelet count.  It is lower than previous check-ups and is called thrombocytopenia (click for info).  She will need to have frequent check-ups in order to monitor her levels.  This is only a concern if the levels continue to drop.  The doctor has ordered her to discontinue work (bummer!) until the delivery.  

Thank you for all of your prayers and offers to help out the last couple days.  We are very blessed to have so many people to care for us.

An Unexpected Hospital Visit

Abbey wasn't feeling well at work this morning and decided to check her blood pressure. It was pretty high so she decided to come home. We visited the clinic later in the morning so they could run some tests. The doctor was concerned about some of the results of her lab work and decided it would be best if Ab spent the next 24 hours in the hospital for observation. We will know more tomorrow when they run additional tests. Ab is feeling fine, just a little swollen! Little J is ok too, there were no indications that he was under any stress. Hopefully we will be bringing her home tomorrow afternoon so she can spend the rest of her pregnancy resting! Little J still needs to bake a couple weeks longer! Please add Abbey and baby J to your prayers and we will keep you posted.

It's lonely here at the hospital, but I have Cy to keep me company!

Wedding Plans & Birthday Celebrations

This weekend we were visited by the Fitch fam. Lola, Seth, and Jen were in town to make more wedding plans and to celebrate the girls' birthdays. It's always so nice to have family visit (it gives an excuse to cook more!) Ab cooked up her very delicious bruschetta steaks for supper Saturday night and they were FAN-TASTE-IC!! : ) The girls were much more excited for their birthday Dora cupcakes. Overall, the weekend was filled with good family, good food, and good wine...what more could you ask??

Click here to check out some pics from the weekend.

A Night Out with the Girls

We had the fortune of scoring some really great tickets to last night's mens basketball game against Nebraska (Thanks Corey and Amy!). We were able to get four tickets so the whole family braved the sub-zero temperatures to catch some Hilton Magic (we couldn't pass this up!). 

The girls had an absolute ball!  They loved the whole experience.  For Olivia, this was her second trip to the Hilton but her first men's game.  For Sylvia, this was a first and she did much better than Olivia's first trip!  Olivia was SO excited to see Cy again.  She promised that she was going to hug and kiss him this time.  The whole game she was keeping track of Cy, always wondering where he was and asking when she could hug him.  Finally we had an opportunity to go down and get a picture with Cy, Olivia backed out.  Maybe next time!

Since we were behind the courtside broadcasters, I could see the TV feed from the game.  I just happened to look down at it and saw someone that looked ALOT like Olivia. Wait...it was! And there's ME!  We're on TV! All four of us were on TV for what seemed like forever!! How cool! We got several calls and text messages soon after from friends and family that were watching the game.  Cool cool.

After the game we made the long cold trek back to our van.  We were sitting in it waiting for it warm up and for traffic to clear when we noticed a woman standing outside her vehicle.  She was waiting for the person with the keys to show up so we let her hang out in our van to get out of the cold.  It was none other than Cy's mom!  So Olivia got to meet Cy's mom instead of Cy!

Oh, and the Cyclones won the game too.

View from our seats right by ISU President Geoffroy!

Getting some eats at Subway before the game.

Go CYCLONES!

Lookin' good Lil Cyclones!

We are ex-CY-ted!

Cool Chicks

I snapped a couple pics of the girls in their "shades" today.  Aren't they cool?

There Will Be A Day

Today I was checking out Jeremy Camp's website and ran across this devotional of his.  It is the inspiration for the song "There Will Be A Day" that you may have heard on our playlist.  We love this song and the message that it brings.  Check out Jeremy's devotional and just listen to the song again with his message in mind.  

Back to "Normal"

This week marked the end of my Christmas break and the return to "normal" for everyone.  It was actually kind of nice to get back to school again.  I think the girls were happy to get out of the house again too.  Olivia was excited to return to pre-school and Sylvia always enjoys going to the babysitter (so many kids to play with!).

In other news, Sylvia has gone cold-turkey with her nuk again.  We are trying to eliminate it before the baby is born.  Overall she has been doing well and the only time she has trouble is sleep time.  

I hope everyone is having a great new year so far and you are keeping true to any resolutions you may have made! (Let the diets begin!)

Also could you could add a teacher friend of mine to your prayers.  He received some concerning news about his health and needs to have further testing.