Month: August 2015

Update – 37 Weeks

We had our last ultrasound on Tuesday.  I am happy to report that she is looking good and growing well!  It was actually a pretty fun appointment.  She is totally smashed in there, but we did get a look at her face, and she already has what appear to be chubby cheeks, and a lot of hair – according to the tech.  I know I mentioned the hair last time, but the tech got a good look at the front and back of the head and confirmed it.  Below are two shots of her face.  I am pointing to her puffy eye in the top one, and you can see a chubby cheek in the bottom picture.

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Isn’t she sweet?  🙂  Based on her measurements, she is currently 6lbs 4oz, so she should be a nice, healthy weight by the time she decides to come out.  We also got to see her little lungs working on breathing – a good sign – so that was special.

Another exciting thing that happened Tuesday – a tour of the labor and delivery unit!  We met with a nurse, got registered, talked about a birth plan, and walked around the unit.  We saw a delivery room, a postpartum room, the NICU, (just in case)…and we got to watch a birth!  Okay – not that last part.  Can you imagine?  But seriously, I have to say, I was impressed.  I delivered Eli at this hospital before they built this unit, and it is SO different.  It seems like they have somewhat of a natural approach to things, yet you still have the comfort of delivering in a hospital, should something go wrong.  They are supportive of a natural birth, they are ALL about mom and baby bonding time, and they don’t even have a regular nursery because all of the babies stay with mom after birth, (as long as they are healthy).  Some moms might be a little bummed about that, and want to be able to send baby to the nursery so they can rest, but not me.  I never had the immediate bonding time with Eli, because he was in the NICU, so this time I REALLY hope to get that.  All fingers crossed we don’t need the NICU, but each baby has a private room, with a place for mom to sleep.  When Eli was there, it was just one big room, with all of the babies, and nowhere for mom or dad to stay…or even sit, really.  Huge improvement there.  Whether we need it or not, it’s nice to see that hospitals are making things more comfortable for the parents who are already dealing with so much.

Seeing her, and touring the hospital, definitely makes things a lot more real.  I finished setting up her room, got all of her clothes and things put away, I talk about her all the time…but it all sort of feels more like a dream most of the time.  She is always moving and definitely on my mind – but without her here, and so many unknowns, it’s hard to truly imagine how life will be.  It’s amazing how you can feel so incredibly excited, and terrified at the same time.

Anyway, here are a few pictures of the baby’s room.  Simple, I know, but that is sort of our style.  Gold polka dots on walls that were already red, and some IKEA furniture – which I usually like putting together, but doing it eight months pregnant was a little…different.  The last picture was taken before I finished the walls.

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Three more weeks until my due date.  Three. More. Weeks….

Summit of Hope

Every year The Arc of Jefferson, Clear Creek and Gilpin Counties holds their annual Summit of Hope luncheon, an event that I never miss.  In fact, I am usually a table captain, and fill one or two tables with my family, friends and acquaintances.  It’s a FREE one-hour lunch where people are educated about what The Arc does.  That might sound boring, but it’s not.  It is actually a very emotionally powerful hour.  You can see for yourself – here are some clips from last year’s event. This non-profit means a lot to me, so I do my best to support them, and spread the word about them in any way I can.

For those of you that think I am talking about Arc Thrift, I am not.  They are two different organizations.  Here is a link to get an explanation on how the two are connected – Arc Thrift connection

This year, because of the timing of the event and when baby is due, I am not sure that I will be able to attend.  If she is healthy, and doing well, then I can probably swing it, (that’s what we are all hoping for, right?).  But, sadly, I am not able to put nearly as much into it as I normally do, which is why I have decided to write about it.  This is an organization that is not well known in our Jeffco community, unless you have a child with special needs, and I want MORE people to know just what they do.  So, this is my open invitation to anyone and everyone reading this.  If you would like to attend this event, that is sure to make you laugh, cry, and feel inspired, please contact me, (or RSVP to Genni at genni@arcjc.org, and let her know that you are part of my group).  I will have a table or two of “my people” that are representing me in my (possible) absence.  This is a charity event, so you will be asked to give money at the end of the lunch, but there is no minimum, maximum, or expected amount.  If you are a local business owner, this is also an opportunity to become a sponsor – get your name out there and support a great cause.  If that is something you would like more information about, let me know and I can email you a sponsorship packet.

I don’t normally go around asking people to give money – it’s very much out of my comfort zone – but this is my one exception.  That is how much The Arc means to me.

Here is the invitation (front and back) with event information.

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back

You’ll learn all you need to know at the luncheon, but here is some info from The Arc’s website about what they do:

The Arc – Jefferson, Clear Creek & Gilpin Counties empowers individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to achieve full and satisfying lives through awareness of their rights, responsibility, and opportunities. The advocacy team provides empowerment through:

Individual Advocacy for individuals and families who need individual support and information.

Classes and Training to provide group educational opportunities.

Legislative and Systemic Advocacy to help shape or change policies and procedures that affect people with I/DD.

They truly do empower people.  I first went to The Arc for a training called Mobilizing Families.  It’s a series of classes for parents/caregivers that have a child with a disability, and it changed my life.  I met some really great parents, some that I am still close with, and I learned SO much about how to advocate for Eli.  It can be scary and intimidating when you have a child in a special school program, on an IEP, (Individualized Education Program), but I feel confident about it now.  Part of that confidence comes from knowing that I can go to them ANY time, and get help with whatever I need.  I have already had to do this several times over the last few years, and that’s with a GOOD school team working with Eli.  Advocating for school-aged kids is only part of what they do – as you saw above – but that is where we are now.  I am comforted by the fact that they will be there to help us in the future, as well.  Knowing that we will be having another child with a disability makes my love and appreciation for The Arc even stronger.  We NEED them.

I hope you will consider attending, to help ensure that The Arc will be here for us, and families like ours, forever and always.

Baby Shower

Yesterday was my baby shower.  I normally wouldn’t agree with having a big shower for a second child, but not only has it been 9 1/2 years since we had Eli, we also got rid of all of our baby items over the last several years.  So, baby #2 is like starting from scratch for us.  I was excited about the party, but also a little anxious about being the center of attention – something I am not usually a fan of.  I have to say, though, it ended up being a great day.  I have some REALLY amazing friends and family, and I was feeling overwhelmed with gratitude all day.  I have actually been feeling that way a lot over the last few months.  All of the support and kindness – we really couldn’t ask for more.  Josh and I are so lucky to be surrounded by such people.  And the gifts yesterday?!  Good gravy this little girl is already spoiled, and she isn’t even out of the womb.  It was just too much.  Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone that came or sent a gift from afar.  Those of you that couldn’t make it – I missed your faces! 🙂

I would also like to say a BIG thank you to my mom.  What would I do without a mom like her?  I have no clue.  She planned, she opened her home, served lunch and cake, and overall worked really hard to make it a successful and pleasant event.  What a wonderful woman she is.  And thank you to Diane and Paul for helping prepare and clean, to Krista for ALL that she contributed, and to my in-laws that stuck around to help clean up.  I love you all!

Here are a bunch of party pics!

The people:

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My view from the gift opening chair:

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Cake time:

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I was a hot mess after most people had left, so it was fan time…

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