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Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Progress??

Thursday - September 24th
Contractions every 5 minutes for over an hour. Visited the hospital. Was monitored for 45 minutes. Checked after a while and nothing was happening - nurse couldn't find my cervix. Was sent home and told to rest.

Thursday - October 1st
Contractions haven't let up much, but they're tolerable. Still working. Dr. Visit after work. Cervix is closed but "very thin".

Monday - October 5th
Contractions very strong - every 4 minutes for over an hour - super painful. Took a shower and used all our hot water in 15 minutes...apparently the heat helped manage the pain. Called the dr. and it was recommended that I get checked. Went to L&D...put on the monitor for 20 minutes. Checked. Cervix high and hiding. Told to walk the halls for 2 hours. At 11pm was put back on the monitor for 30 minutes. Checked again. Cervix still closed, 80% effaced, baby's head at station -1. Given the option to stay in hospital overnight for monitoring or go home. Chose home. Got very little sleep. Encouraged to be active to keep things moving along.

Tuesday - October 6th
Took the day off work - contractions continued very regularly through the day, lots of pelvic pressure (TMI?) - guessing that her head is dropping more :)

Took a nice walk around the block, and then a trip to the grocery store with Reece.

Stronger contractions this evening, but not super reliable...I know I don't really have a choice, but I don't "plan" on carrying this little munchkin to term! :P If things keep progressing as they have been since 9/24, I will be too exhausted to push her out two weeks from now!

Back to work tomorrow...maybe.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Showers of Blessings

My wonderful friends in Mt. Shasta had a baby shower for us this past weekend. My mom, sister, and mother-in-law were able to make it up for the festivities. If we weren't ready for little Reaghan's arrival before, we sure are now!! Thank you, ladies, for spoiling us!

The food was DELICIOUS!


Ok, so this pic is not incredibly flattering, but my vain self has had to deal with the fact that my face, arms, fingers, legs, and feet are all pregnant right along with my belly. 36 weeks...



Little Reaghan will be a snug little bug this winter. So many talented ladies gave us beautiful handmade blankets!


Pictured below is our wonderful realtor - Brett - and her daughters (the oldest is in my homeroom class). I highly recommend her to anyone looking to purchase a home in Mt. Shasta :)

House update (most of our readers are aware that we are in the process of buying a house...if this is new news - surprise!)...originally we were shocked because upon the acceptance of our offer and meeting with our mortgage broker, it looked like we were going to be able to close escrow in 15 days - which would have made our move-in date around last weekend...obviously, we're not moved in yet. After completing the initial home inspections, mold was discovered in the attic. We decided to hire a specialist to test the mold to determine if it was toxic or non. The results came back that it was toxic. From here, everything came to a halt. We were going back and forth with the sellers regarding who is going to pay to clean up the problem and are thankful that the sellers viewed it as "their" problem (the house has been sitting vacant for a little over 2 years). There will be a few "fix-up" things we have to do to prevent the problem in the future, but the clean up expense was going to be out of our means. The current status is that we've extended our rate lock and are waiting for the clean-up work to be finished, the house to be re-tested, and if all is clear, then we'll close and move in. We're praying this is all complete within the next 7 days, but are also relying on God for wisdom should the tests come back negative. At this point, I am not really involved in what's been going on - teaching and being pregnant are enough to keep me busy, while Reece, on the other hand, has been running all over the place taking care of what needs to be done with the house while still trying to get 40 hours a week in at work! Thanks for your prayers for us in this regard.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

35 weeks and counting...

...counting down to the day when I will no longer have a lump under my ribs. I am truly amazed with how quickly sweet baby Reaghan has been filling up her limited amount of space inside of me lately. And with her growth, I grow more and more uncomfortable. I fear she's gonna be a hefty little one! :P

I had my 35 week appointment today and everything is going as it should. Baby's head is low where it should be and I'm not dilated at all. I've started experiencing "warm-up" contractions, but they're not painful, just a lot of pressure, so I'll keep working as long as I can.

On September 29th, my wonderful sister coordinated a beautiful baby shower for us. It was such a blessing! Here are a few fun pics from the day:













































































In addition to the shower, Julie managed to squeeze us in for a maternity photo shoot knowing I'd probably not make it down to the Bay Area again before little one's arrival!



Sunday, September 6, 2009

34 weeks...


you know you're getting bigger when...

* the maternity shirts that once looked like tents barely fit over your belly - in fact, some have already been phased out because your belly peeks out of them

* you have to roll over from your back to your side and push up with your arms to get out of bed, or off the couch

* your husband has to help you tie your shoes - if they fit over your chubby feet - otherwise it's a long process of grunting and squeezing to get them on yourself

* flip flops have become the norm, no matter the weather or outfit - and people at your job just have to understand

* you have to trade out your wedding rings for a larger, fake band due to the sausages that are attached to your hand (once known as fingers)

* you have a wonderful friend who gives you a pedicure when she comes to visit

* you begin wondering how it could be possible for your stomach to stretch any more

* you have to sleep surrounded by pillows because letting your heavy belly sag is much too painful/uncomfortable

* the meals are becoming smaller and smaller because there is less and less room for them to fit - even though you're starving all the time

* you squat down to get something out of a lower cabinet and get stuck

* your ribs ache regularly due to the rapidly increasing size of your stomach

But through it all, you feel wonderful and treasure every minute of it, eagerly awaiting the day when you get to meet the cause of these temporary ailments!

I am in disbelief that we have only about 6 weeks to go!

Thursday, July 30, 2009

His way is perfect...

even though we may not always understand...

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” - Matt. 11:28

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Dear Praying Friends,

The passage above is actually on a good friend's facebook page but I have been meditating on in since I found out some terrible news (I hope you don't mind me sharing, Marjy). She and I have only ever met in person once, but since then have been wonderful "pen pals" and sharing in the joys, ups, and downs of our pregnancies together. We had great intentions of our babies meeting and growing up to be good friends. I found out Tuesday morning that she lost her precious son, Elijah, at 36 weeks. My heart aches for them as they were so eagerly anticipating getting to meet their little boy. Thank you for joining me in prayer for Aj & Marjana Lloyd - that God would comfort them during this extremely difficult time.

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"As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer, and sets me on my high places." Psalm 18:30-33

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Nursery Progress

I keep getting asked about the progress of our nursery, so I thought I'd post a visual for all to see how well it's going (*or not*)!! (but I'm not worried, I still have time!)

The Future Nursery of
Reaghan Denae Miller


In this photo:

* A crib that we got for $40 from Reece's co-worker's daughter - praise the Lord!!

* 4 boxes of 0-6 month baby clothes, bottles, and feeding accessories from Reaghan's 1 year old cousin, Jordyn

* A "Travel System" - Jogging Stroller and Car Seat - early shower gift from Grandma & Grandpa Miller

* Quilts and blankets that were saved from Reece & Katie's childhood

* A beautiful, handmade dress from Marjana Lloyd

* Baby Einstein Activity Center & an adorable spring dress from the Winniford Family

* Baby's First Year Calendar from Julie Adams

* A bunch of outfits and sleepwear from Grandma Fowler

* A "Mount Shasta" Onesie from Mary Alice Haistings

* A 4th of July Outfit for Daddy's little Sparkler - (his Father's day present this year - I can't wait to do a photoshoot with it next summer! Being a "Mount Shasta Fireworks Pyrotechnic Operator" 's daughter, she had to have a festive outfit!)

* A new crib mattress - they were 50% off at WalMart two weeks ago!

* Reaghan's "baby book/scrapbook" that I got at Michael's last weekend...I couldn't help but want to start the layouts already! Perhaps I should finish our wedding album first while I have the time!!

Thank you to all who have already begun to help us prepare for the arrival of our baby girl! We are so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

The 4th of July...

is always a big occasion when you have a pyrotechnic operator for a husband!

June was an incredibly busy month for us! I did not spend a single weekend at home, but it was a great way to start off summer vacation.

* June 5-7 we visited Reece's family and brought my little brother home to stay with us for a week
* June 12-18 I visited my family and grandparents
* June 18-20 I helped kidnap a friend for her surprise 30th birthday camping trip (don't worry, I used an air mattress!)
* June 25 I had my 'Week 23' appointment and diabetes test - all is well!
* June 26-28 I attended a Beth Moore conference with my mother-in-law while Reece's brother stayed up in Shasta to help with the firework preparations.

I returned home on June 30 to help with meals for the crew and run any last minute errands needed by my hard working hubby. The fireworks display at Lake Siskiyou was fabulous this year, as always. I was probably not such a good girl and sat way too close to the 'noise', but I wrapped my tummy in efforts to muffle some of the explosions. As a pyro's daughter, she'll have to get used to it one way or another :P


We're now at 25 weeks and she seems to be a pretty active girl - of course I have nothing to compare it to though. I can count on feeling her right on schedule at 9:30am, 12ish, 3, and 10pm - and lately, it's almost painful depending on where she is pounding. My "favorite" is when she flips around and has her backside sticking out - feels like a bowling ball in my gut! We still have quite a ways to go so perhaps she'll be a good listener when mommy tells her it hurts. As of now I can give her little nudges and she'll eventually move around a bit.


I can't believe it's already July 7th! I have 8 friends that are expecting new additions to their families between now and November and it's so exciting to be having a little one around the same time. For the next several weeks I will be working hard at de-junking our home in efforts to make room for our sweet daughter and all the "stuff" that comes with having a baby!