First Fever

Steven has his first fever on Friday night. He was up quite a bit and really, really fussy. At about 3 in the morning Mommy brought him into bed with her and Daddy went out to the couch because he didn't want to roll over on Steven.

Steven's temperature never got too high and by Sunday morning he was fine again. We have several theories on what is wrong...a little cold, teething, general winter blahs. Since he can't tell us we'll just hope he feels better!

Merry Christmas

Steven's first Christmas was really fun. We were in Arkansas for the holiday and got to see Granddad and Grandma, Uncle Charley, Aunt Heather, Ava, and Uncle John.

We went to church on Christmas Eve to listen to Granddad sing with the choir and then we came home to await Santa. Santa came in through the window in Mommy and Daddy's room and left me some new toys and books. Then we went downstairs to open all our family presents. We had a big dinner and played with all our new toys.

Christmas was really fun this year - we can't wait until next year when Steven will hopefully really enjoy opening presents!

Eventful Month

November has been a very eventful month! Mommy went back to work, Daddy took his teacher certification exam and I am growing big!

Going back to work has been tough. It has been a month of part-time work and I just now feel like I know what is going on with all my projects but that is far from being caught up. During the day I really miss being with Tommy and Steven, we were really spoiled to have had the opportunity to have maternity leave together. It is hard to imagine what it would have been like to do it alone.

Tommy took his Praxis or certification exam for History and Earth Science this month. He thinks he did pretty good and I hope he did because this is the first step to getting him into a teaching position. He is starting classes in January and we are looking forward to seeing how we'll manage night classes, work and Steven all at the same time!

The day before Thanksgiving Steven saw his first snow. It was only flurries and wasn't even that cold but we took a picture to remember the moment forever!

We have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. Our baby Steven has been quite a blessing and we are also thankful to have such a great extended family to share him with!

Happy Halloween

BOO!
Over the weekend Aunt Lori and Cousin Eleanor came to visit and we went to the Louisburg Cider Mill and Pumpkin Patch. Well, the pumpkin patch was actually empty so we just took pictures in the straw bales and decoration pumpkins but we drank hot cider and had fun!

Check out my pumpkin hat that Cousin Jen knitted for me!

Lots of Goings on!

October has been a very busy month so far!

First we had visitors from North Carolina! Aunt Tracy, Uncle Dave, Cousins Jack and Emily. Then Mommy's friend Sara from High School. And then the big road trip to Arkansas and Kansas!

Our road trip to Arkansas was really great. We arrived on Tuesday and Granddad Steve picked us up at Jean and CW's because our car can't make it up the mountain. Granddad is working on the bridges, though, and hopefully we'll get our car up there someday soon. Then we spent the next couple of days with Grandma and Granddad just relaxing. The Brown family came to visit and we had a great time catching up.

Friday morning we set out for Arkansas City, Kansas for Great Granddad Tommy's birthday party. It was a long drive (takes much longer now with all our stops) but it was great to see him. Saturday was his birthday party and he had a lot of visitors which was fun for us to show Steven off to everyone!

This week we hope to get out to the pumpkin patch for some Halloween pictures but only if the weather gets a little nicer!

Lots of Visitors

We've had lots of visitors in the last few days! First Cousin Jen came to visit for a couple of hours last Saturday. She was in town working at the Nascar Race, hopefully she thought visiting Steven was more fun than that. She brought a handknit pumpkin hat that Mommy can't wait to put on me at the pumpkin patch!

Over the weekend Uncle Charley, Aunt Heather and Cousin Ava and Uncle John came to visit. They were lots of fun! Cousin Ava has grown so tall! We got a great picture of the whole family on Sunday - we'll upload it soon!

Yesterday was our visit from Aunt Tracy, Uncle Dave and Cousins Emily and Jack. Since it was Jack's birthday we had a little celebration for him. It was really fun to have them visit. Cousin Emily got to hold Steven for quite awhile - she didn't want to give him up!

Can't wait for more visitors to come!

Two weeks!

Steven is two weeks old. We went to the doctor on Monday for a checkup and he is already 9 lbs 7.5 oz. 4 ounces bigger than birth - he likes to chow down!

Everything has been going pretty smoothly, we've had a few bumps but those are to be expected.

Today we had a pretty big outing. We ran to Target, the chiropractor and Daddy's home brew shoppe. Big Steve's Stout is going to be bottled in a few weeks!

After all of our errands we decided to go out to lunch. Steven decided he was hungry before we got to the restaurant so Mommy had a nursing in the parking lot adventure. We definitely need practice in the public nursing area! Steven did great though and wasn't too fussy in the restaurant - it was nice to get out and about!

Steven Thomas Clark is here!

Steven Thomas was born at 1:58am on September 11, 2007. He was 9lbs 4 oz and 21 inches long. What a joy he has been for the last few days!

We are getting to know one another and having a lot of fun doing it! He is changing everyday and we can't wait to see him grow and learn with us!

Thank you for all the well wishes - it is wonderful hearing from all of you. He surely is blessed to have so many family and friends who love him already!

Our birth story

:
Steven decided it was time to start to be born at 10:17pm on Sunday, September 9 when mommy's water broke. Since nothing was happening yet (no real strong or regular contractions) we decided to just rest at home and see where we would progress.

At about 7:00am we took a walk around the neighborhood because we learned that maybe that would get things going...well it didn't! We finally decided to call the doctor at 8:30 and he suggested that we start heading toward the hospital but there was no rush. So we took our time gathering some final items, loading the car seat, and getting Kira ready to go to her uncle's house. We finally got on the road, dropped Kira and arrived at the hospital around 11:30.

We headed up to Labor and Delivery - at the front desk they looked at us like we were in the wrong place since I was all smiles and walking easily. When the found out my water broke they sent us to a triage room to get my vitals and do their inital assessment. I was only 3 cm and 80% and it had been almost 12 hours since my water broke. However, we kind of lied to the hospital about the timing because I didn't want them to start the clock on us too early...keep that a secret!

A regular room finally opened up and we were moved to our LDR (Labor, Delivery, Recovery) room. We found out there that the Doctor wanted to get me started on a Pitocin drip to start progress - I was really disappointed at that because I wanted to do as much on my own as possible. However, at that point (it was almost 1pm) I was ready to get things moving along.

We started the drip, played yahtzee, sat on the birth ball, and finally discovered that laying on my side was the trick ... but in some ways it was too much the trick as my contractions eventually started to come so quickly that I couldn't use my relaxation techniques between them to relax. At this point I had only progressed to 4cm and still at 80%.

By this time, about 8pm, I was so tired but my body still kept going - this baby needed to get born! Eventually I progressed to 6cm and then stalled there for awhile. Finally, I got through transistion - I can remember my whole body shaking violently during contractions. Hopefully those memories will fade soon!

Finally at about midnight I had the urge push but our doctor hadn't arrived yet. The nurses tried to hold me off but I couldn't - finally, one of them said "we don't get paid for this but here we go!". And then like magic the doctor showed up. I pushed for about an hour and half during which the doctor tried to use the vacuum extractor twice. I distinctly remember at one point hearing a really loud pop - it was kind of scary especailly recognizing that the pop was it coming off my baby's head. At that time our doctor called in the obstrecian on duty to assist with the final attempt at suctioning the baby out before we would be taken for a cesearan. That was pretty scary - Tommy and I were really worried about the baby and making sure nothing was wrong but every one convinced us that one more shot at suction was going to be much better than surgery.

So we tried - I don't think I have ever screamed so loud in my life! I remember the nurse telling me - just get mad, get really really mad. I dd because after about six pushes and a lot of suction our baby was born! I remember looking up and seeing the doctors holding the baby by his right arm and leg trying to get the umbilical cord cut (Tommy didn't get to do it but in the end that was the least of his worries). The nurse kept asking "what is it - boy or girl?" and our doctor hurriedly looked down and said "Boy"!

At 1:58am on September 11 we had our little Steven and he was healthy. He did get quite a bruise and a bit of head trauma. He got his lungs cleared and a good prognosis from the nurses.

I finally got to hold him and love him and it was wonderful! It was a long 28 hours but in the end we had a healthy boy who we can't wait to see grow up!

One special note - Granddad Steve and Grandma Nancy arrived at the hospital around 6pm and waited the whole night in the family room. It was really special to have Granddad Steve be the first one to hold Steven (besides his mom and dad)!

Not yet...

Baby Clark isn't ready to come out yet despite Dad's wishes for an early delivery!

I think that we are going to be waiting at least to our due date however, I feel the baby in my hips A LOT now and if discomfort is a sign of anything I must have a big flashing light above my head. Nothing is too intolerable but I have my moments!

Last night we got our last Royals Bobble Head and watched a really poor showing by our local boys. Tommy was so proud of me for making it out the K one last time this year. It was actually a beautiful night and we've been able to keep the A/C off for most of the weekend. Amazing!

We'll see what the week brings us!

Another Baby Friend

We found out today that Anne and David had their baby on Thursday! Harrison Robert was born 6 weeks early but is happy and healthy - he'll be in the hospital a few days but it sounds like he is doing great!

Congratulations Falks! Baby Clark can't wait to come out and play!

It's not time yet!

Everyone keeps asking me, "are you ready?"

I think we are ready but I don't think its time! I haven't hit the "I've been pregnant enough, I want this baby now" wall. I am actually enjoying these last few weeks and think that this baby will tell me when its time and that won't happen for awhile. We'll see how my prediction goes! Tom is shooting for September 7. Don't ask me why that date!

Our friends Danny and Michelle announced their impending arrival of a second baby - congrats, Mia on becoming a big sister!

And our friends Stephanie and Robert had their baby last week - 2.5 weeks early! Congrats to them, too!

Looks like Pam, Anne and I are in a race for the next baby to come!

35 week appointment

Not much to report. Today was a pretty normal appointment, in and out in 10 minutes or less. And now we need to do this every week!

We also had our preadmission appointment at the hospital. The nurse was a motor mouth - I can hardly remember what she told us. But she gave us a copy of the important stuff so hopefully that is going to make things make sense.

For those of you hopefully for an early arrival - we aren't going into labor on Labor Day because our doctor told us we can't because he'll be in Tulsa that weekend. Bummer, I thought having the baby on Grandpa Gene's birthday might be fun!

Baby Shower

Yesterday Maria and Lideana hosted the baby's shower and we had a lot of fun!The game highlights were "measure the belly" and "who can drink from the bottle fastest" - Grandma Nancy is such a good sport!

The baby got a ton of presents and will be very happy as an infant and beyond! From books to blankets this baby is set! What a blessing to have such great friends that came out to celebrate Baby Clark!

Getting a Big Tummy!

The belly is getting big and unruly. I can't believe how hard it is for me to roll over in bed at night, thank goodness Tommy is a sound sleeper or he'd be woken up every 10 minutes!

By the way, his travel is OVER! No more trips to exotic places like Grand Island, Nebraska or Woodward, Oklahoma! I am so glad he'll be by my side everyday for the rest of the journey!

Yesterday my sisters got in to town for a long weekend. Unfortunately I am at work today but I am taking off early to spend the evening with them (and taking time to write in this journal - the attention span at work is quite limited). Tomorrow we are going to the Nelson Art Gallery and Sunday is the baby's shower. I can't wait to see everyone and introduce them to Baby Clark - well at least let them see Baby Clark in the belly!

We had our 33 week appointment last Monday and all was well. The appointments are so uneventful. Now I start going every 2 weeks, I hope they stay just as uneventful. We also have our pre-registration paperwork extravaganza at the hospital in a week and half. Others have said you sign as many forms as you would when you buy a house, I hope they are exaggerating!

29 weeks and How many days?

Today was our regularly scheduled doctors appointmentat 29 weeks. However, it seems like the nurse is calculating a little differently than we do - thank goodness we aren't getting our hearts set on any particular date for delivery because the estimation even seems to be ever-changing!

At our appointment I asked the doctor if he could tell what position the baby is in because I can feel a lot of kicks and tickles on the upper right side of my belly. As he was pusing on me he found the baby's head in the lower left and let me feel it, too. I actually think I could feel the features of the baby's face - it was really awesome! Tommy didn't want to feel it though, he thinks it isn't very nice to smush the baby!

This week we heard that our old family friends from Minnesota, Katie and Brandon, are parents again! They've adopted Ellie and she is very pretty! Looks like big brother Henry gets to be the protector now!

Visiting my Cousin

Since we had the day off for the Fourth of July, Tommy and I decided to visit Heather, Charley and Ava for the the day...little did we know that we would be visting most of southwestern Missouri on the way!

We started our trip in Lenexa after I went to the doctor for a quick check on a rash - ended up being nothing but I didn't want to be contagious. Turns out I am just hot and sweaty, big surprise.

So we went down US 69 for awhile and then cut over to US 71 on some backroads. As we got south of Butler, MO we were detoured because the Marais des Cynges river was flooding and there was water over the road. This was no easy detour - we went nearly 100 miles out of our way which made us arrive in Pea Ridge from the complete opposite direction as normal. Our easy 3 hour drive became a 6 hour epic journey!

It was really fun visiting them, though. Ava has grown so much and she fell asleep on my belly - I think she was bonding with her cousin already!

Our drive back was pretty uneventful, US 71 was open but as we got near the river crossing we were amazed at the quantity of water overflowing the river banks. Fields for miles were flooded. We are glad we live at the top of the hill!

Frustration!

Over the weekend we started painting the baby's room - velveteen green because I chickened out and couldn't go with my original color - orange.

So, last night we started pulling the blue tape off the trim (we are drippy painters) and half the paint got pulled up with the tape. I might have to lodge a complaint with my 3M connection (Ellen!). However, I actually think it is our dumb, non-standard house that is getting in the way. We found this sticky, plasticiky surface under the pulled up paint and have deduced that it is either wallpaper glue or there were cracks in the wall that someone sealed with caulk. So we caked on the Kilz last night and hopefully it will stick!

Other than that debacle ... we've only had one other serious setback in the baby room. Tommy tried to open one of the windows and the bottom piece of wood stuck to the bottom of the frame. So it looks like replacement windows are in order for that room.

So, this weekend we have windows on our mind! Replacement and Trimmings! Keep our sanity in your prayers!

It's moving!

This morning was pretty lazy. We laid in bed reading the newspaper and Tommy made french toast. While I was reading the paper, all of a sudden I noticed my belly jumping! It seems that the baby is now getting big enough to pack a good punch.

We also are working on the nursery. My parents brought the crib and dresser/changing table with them from Arizona and they are assembled and in the baby's room. They are great!

We've started our registry and are picking up essentials here and there. Boy these kids need all kinds of gadgets!

Kicks!

Friday night was the night for Tommy. Sitting on the couch he felt the baby for the first time! And over the weekend he's felt the baby several times - its great to see his face!

Slowing down

Had our 20 week appointment today and found out that I really need to cut back on the food intake or really ramp up the exercise. I didn't think that stepping on the scale and seeing the numbers I did would create the reaction in me that it has. I don't like big numbers. I'll be a lot more conscience in the next few weeks!

We also had lunch today with another pregnant couple. I met Stephanie and Robert through Centurions and it was really fun to talk to another couple experiencing the same things!

Tomorrow we leave for our Babymoon in Nashville. We can't wait for a few days of relaxation and country music fun!Check out the additions to the family album.

Sonogram

We had our first sonogram today at 18 weeks 6 days. It was awesome!

We got to see all four chambers of the heart, a great view of the spine, a full baby bladder (not just my bladder), and the baby tried to talk to us! Really the baby was just opening and closing its mouth but I like to think "hi, mom and dad" came out!

Our diagnosis was "WNL" or within normal limits for those of us not in the medical field. The measurements show that the baby weighs 11 ounces which calculates at the 89th %ile. Looks like we're on our way to a big baby! The heartbeat has slowed down to 146 beats per minute so the old wives tales have been thrown for a loop!

Our other great news is that the baby's cousin Ava was born on April 16! On Saturday we drove down to AR to meet her. She is very sweet and seems to be treating her mom and dad well.

16 weeks

I can't decide if I feel the baby or not. It seems like the little twinges I feel should be kicks but then again, I just don't for sure. Everyone thinks I am so "in tune" with my body but some days, I don't feel quite that connected! Hopefully I will soon be up to speed.

We got our first official baby gift this week from our friends Danny and Michelle and their baby girl Mia. They sent us a play gym that Tommy has already tried out. We'll post pictures soon. It is great and we can't wait for the baby to come and enjoy it.

Nothing too eventful has happened over the last few weeks. We went to the doctor on Tuesday and were in and out in record time! We are trying to decide what kind of birth classes to take so anyone with advice should share it!

Our sonogram is scheduled for April 23! Don't get your hopes up because there will be no reveal after the sonogram - we aren't finding out the sex of the baby!

160

Today was our 12 week appointment and it seems so much more real now. Not only could I not button my pants this morning (I blame that on them being in the dryer too long) but we got to hear the baby's heartbeat for the first time!

It is at 160 beats per minute.

Aunt Heather says that means we're having a girl but Auntie Lideana thinks it is going to be a boy because the candle on my birthday cake the night she found out was blue! So many signs!

No matter what the baby is (and we are NOT going to find out early) we'll be happy!

We are actually really excited about a lot of things right now. My best friend Anne from high school (they were our honor couple at our wedding) are going to have a baby just after us! I can't wait to plan future family vacations! And my friend Pam from grad school has our same due date! I can't wait to see our babies grow up together (even though there is a lot of distance between us)!

Airplane Travel

Well, I discovered this week that airplane travel is not for Baby Clark. I was called to duty in Austin, Texas on Monday and flew down there in the evening. The flights were really easy and hardly any turbulence despite the snowstorms throughout the midwest. However, the baby made my stomach toss and turn. I still haven't had to visit the porcelin gods but I kind of wanted to!

Overall, we are feeling much better but still really tired. Last night I feel asleep on the couch around 8:30 after watching our favorite show "Meerkat Manor" on Animal Planet and didn't roll out of bed this morning until 9:30. I have been having some sciatic and nerve tingling (this is not new for me) so I finally broke down and took tylenol - wow did that help! I didn't think a little pill would help me sleep for 12 plus hours!!

Last weekend we finally broke down and bought some baby things. Tommy picked out a hoodie bath towel that has a frog face on the hood. I picked out a toddler size wooden chair at an antique store. It won't be that useful for a few years but it is darn cute!

Our next appointment is March 5!

Our First OB AppointmentDate

Today is Sara's 30th Birthday and we went to our 8 week OB appointment. It was pretty uneventful. Baby Clark is too little even to hear the heartbeat so no big present for mommy today.Tommy took me to a B&B in Weston this weekend and we spent the whole time sleeping and eating. It was really nice to relax and eat good food.Overall, mom and baby are feeling fine. I am super tired and Lori told me it was okay to go to bed right when I get home from work so I may try that once or twice! I am not nauseated but generally a little icky. Hopefully it gets better soon!In other news, my cousin Ava and her mommy got in a fender bender yesterday. We were really nervous because Ava isn't born yet either but we're happy to report that everyone is doing fine!

Confirmation Visit

Today was our confirmation visit with Dr. Oliver. He asked me if I had taken and preganacy tests and I told him Tommy made me take four. He responded (sarcastically) "only four?!?!" He gave me a bunch of dos and don'ts and sent me on my way! We will have our first prenatal visit on February 5, my 30th birthday! What a great present!

Is it really true?

I couldn't have been so wrong. I was convinced that I had some really bad PMS but the sticks don't lie!