Shower and Shopping

This past weekend, my mom, Harper, and I went to Norwalk to attend my BFF Ashley's baby shower. Ashley got a lot of great stuff for Jack who will be arriving sometime in November! This was Harper's first 'outing' and she did a great job - slept a lot! Everyone at the shower loved her ;)

Ashley, Harper and I

Ashley opening up her gifts

While we were in the Des Moines area we decided to do some shopping - Grandma is already teaching Harper how to shop! We stopped at the CUTEST shop called the Pink Hippo, which sells bows, headbands, shoes, leggings, photo shoot clothing ,etc for little girls. ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE! So of course Grandma bought Harper some bows to wear!

Uh-Oh - I'm already figuring out how to pull the bow off my head!

Take this off of me mom!

Tummy Time

Over here Harper

Hi big girl!

Chillin in my boppy pillow

Getting ready to watch football with Daddy - I was good luck for the Hawks again!

2 Week Check-Up

Can you believe that Harper is two weeks old today?! It feels like just yesterday she was born! We had a check-up today just to make sure she is gaining weight and she did great!

Birth: 7 lbs 6.5 oz
1 week: 7 lbs 7 oz
2 weeks: 7 lbs 15 oz

That's right - she gained 8 oz this week!!!! What a big girl! Now we don't have to go back to the doctor until she is 2 months old - thats when the shots start :( I'll probably cry more than her...

Adam is going back to work tonight so it'll be the first night that I'm on my own - kinda nervous! I hope she sleeps well - we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow! We (me, my mom, and Harper) are driving to Norwalk to attend Ashley's baby shower and then stopping in Des Moines to do some shopping! I hope she does well on her first 'outing.'

What's in a name?

Everyone has been asking us how we came up with the name 'Harper' so I thought I'd make a little blog about it. The first time we heard the name was while we were watching the movie 'Things We Lost in The Fire.' The little girl in the movie is named Harper and it grew on us as the movie went on. I was about 2 months pregnant at the time and we pretty much decided that we would name our girl Harper. Harper means "player of the harp" so maybe that will be her calling when she gets older.

It is such a pretty, classic and unique name, but it's not too weird. I was reading an article in Parents magazine a few weeks ago and Harper is predicted to be on the top 10 list of girls name in 2019. So she's already a little trend-setter ;)

Who needs a pillow

when you have a car seat?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!


We both agreed today that although our QUANTITY of sleep has decreased, the QUALITY has increased!!!! Having a newborn gives you the amazing ability to fall asleep at anytime or anyplace! I guess Adam asked me a question in the middle of the night last night and I started snoring 2 seconds after answering him! I haven't slept this sound since before being pregnant!

You know life is changing when...

You no longer have to set an alarm to make it to a 10:10 am doctor's appointment!

Sad, but 100%, absolutely true, before becoming a mother I would have had to set an alarm to make it to anything before noon!

Harper and I both had appointments this morning and we both are doing well. Harper now weighs 7 lbs and 7 oz, so she has gained 3 oz since coming home on Monday! Our Dr. told us as long as they are back to birth weight (7 lbs 6 oz) by two weeks of age, there is nothing to be concerned about feeding wise. So she's ahead of the game ;) She is around the 50th percentile for height, weight and head size. We're still working on the nursing thing...I think we both get a little lazy at times...

I'm doing surprisingly well - no pain! Getting along great. It feels awesome to lose 20 lbs in one week - now have 20 lbs to go! (well to get back to pre-pregnancy weight anyways)

We'll be having lots of visitors this weekend so we'll be busy! I think we're going to order taco pizza tonight and relax. Have a great weekend everyone!

...innocence...

I am fortunate enough to have an aunt that is an amazing photographer! While she was visiting us in the hospital she was able to get some great shots of Harper. All of the photos were taken on a pile of hospital blankets that were stacked on my bed...she really knows how to make the best out of every situation! The pics are absolutely breath-taking, they look like they were done in a professional studio, not a hospital room. Harper was only 2 days old when they were taken and I can't believe how much her cute little face has already changed. As soon as I saw these pictures I bawled my eyes out, I will cherish these photos for the rest of my life. What a great gift! Thank you so much Jodie! Enjoy everyone!

Labor continued...

This blog is a continuation of my labor story....

After laboring all morning and afternoon, my dr. checked me again around 8:00 pm and I was now 7 - 8 cm dilated and her head still hadn't dropped. The dr. said he wanted to let me labor for another hour or so and then he'd check me again to see if her head had dropped into the pelvis. If it hadn't, the plan was to possibly start me on pitocin to make my contractions stronger in hopes of bringing her down. He came back around 9:30 and I was 9 1/2 cm and her head still hadn't dropped. I was having intense contractions so he didn't think pitocin would help any at this point. I started pushing during my contractions in hopes of dilating the last 1/2 cm and to bring her down. After about 45 minutes of pushing, I made no progress at all. He could feel her head swelling to try to fit through my pelvis, but it wasn't budging at all. He gave me the option of pushing some more or to have a c-section. After weighing the options, we chose to have the c-section because it was the safest for her. Even if I would've chose to push - I probably would've ended up having a c-section anyways. The reason her head wouldn't drop is because she was 'sunny side up' which makes it more difficult for her head to mold and fit through the pelvis.

I wish I didn't have to have a c-section - but we are both healthy and recovering well, so I can't complain too much! She is perfect! She and daddy are taking a nap in the recliner right now and I think I'm gonna try to catch a nap too. Grandma Dawn had a mini photo-shoot with Harper this afternoon so I'll post those pictures later. Blogging is at the bottom of my list now! But I'll try to keep it up or I think I may have some upset family members ;)

Harper Marie Nerlien

We would like to PROUDLY introduce you to the new love in our lives...Harper Marie!

September 11, 2009

10:59 pm

7 lbs 6 oz

20 inches

More pictures and blog to follow - just got home from the hospital today - TIRED, TIRED, and more TIRED!!!

It's Baby Time

OMG! I'm sitting here in the hospital right now blogging - I'm pretty pathetic huh?! So here's the story so far: Woke up at 5:30 this morning to go to the bathroom - thought my water broke - called the hospital to see if I should come in just in case it was the real deal. They hooked me up to the monitors, YEP - I was having contractions and my water had indeed broke! The dr. checked me around 9:45 am and I was 3 cm dilated and 80% effaced. The contractions were coming stronger and stronger - VERY UNCOMFORTABLE! The dr. came back around 1:45 to check me again - 90% effaced and 4-5 cm - gave me the go ahead to get some pain meds!!! I originally wanted to try to have a natural childbirth - but I couldn't take the pain anymore - I gave in. Got the epidural and now life is GOOD! Gonna try to take a nap. I'm still contracting well - baby looks good - blood pressure is good - just waiting! The dr. is coming back to check me at 6 pm - pretty sure we're having a baby later tonite! A baby on 9/11 - how special! Just gotta get the baby's head through the pelvis - please pray that we have a safe and healthy pregnancy and baby! Check back tomorrow for an update! The grandmas are here keeping Adam and I company - wishing for a speedy delivery!

38 Weeks

Another week closer! We had another Dr. appt today and got the news that our little one will be entering the world sometime next week via 'induction!' My blood pressure was back up again, even after the past two weeks of modified bed rest, it was 160/96...YIKES! It's usually right around 120/80 - so this is very abnormal for me. I've also been having mild headaches since last Friday, which is also a sign of pre-eclampsia. I am not dilated at all and am showing no signs of labor yet, and the Dr. is worried that if we wait for me to go into labor on my own it could put the baby's health at risk. Trust me - I am not looking forward to getting induced because I know how hard, long and much more painful it can be when labor is 'forced.' But at this point, whatever it takes for a health baby! The doc also informed me that I have an 'unfavorable pelvis', meaning that it is narrow - GREAT! I was never nervous for labor until I heard those words!!! Wish me luck! I think I'm doomed because my mom needed forceps for me, the vacuum for my brother, and a C-section for my other brother! Thanks a lot mom! In other news, my Group-B Strep test came back negative - Yippee! Also, the heart rate was 148-155 today - we're beginning to think it's a girl!!!

Anyways, we go back to the doctor this Friday for a non-stress test to see if the baby is ready for labor. Then we go back next Tuesday to see how my blood pressure is and to see if I've dilated on my own yet. As of now, it looks like I'll be admitted to the hospital Tuesday night to try to get labor started using Cervidil. HOPEFULLY we'll have a healthy baby sometime on Wednesday without having to have a C-Section!

38 Weeks

Adam installing the car seat base in the truck...starting to get last minute things taken care of! We're trying to figure out the safest place for an infant car seat - I've been reading that the center is the safest. Cast your vote please!

Oh yeah - I forgot to blog about our 'new' truck, so I'll just combine it with this blog. A few weeks ago we got rid of the Monte Carlo and bought a silver 2005 Dodge Ram. We got a great deal on it - only has 34,000 miles - great condition- crew cab - Hemi motor - Adam has wanted a truck for quite some time now, and the price was finally right! We've had to borrow friends' trucks to pick up stuff at Menards, haul the golf cart, haul away branches, etc. It really has came in handy and I'm glad we bought it! I think it will be great this winter for when I have to travel out of town to sub and go to class (that's a whole different blog - going back to school part-time in January - I'll blog about it when the time comes).

Adam's new baby (for now!)

Good Morning!

Now this I what I like to see when I wake up in the morning! I have the greatest husband ever! I would take this over flowers any day!


I hope everyone is enjoying their 3-day weekend! Adam has had to work all weekend - so we've just been bumming around the house, watching movies, grilling, etc. We'll be home next weekend for a wedding and hopefully the following weekend we'll be in the hospital or home with a baby! So this could be our last weekend to just relax and enjoy each other! Kind of a bitter-sweet feeling for me - don't get me wrong, I'm super excited for the baby, but I'm also a little bit sad knowing that the days of just 'us' are coming to an end...

Mexican Lasagna

Here is a delicious twist on the traditional lasagna. It is delicious! Thanks Sue!

Mexican Lasagna

• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 3 oz can diced green chilies
• 1 C sour cream
• 1/4 C milk
• 1 small package flour tortillas
• 2 C chopped, cooked chicken
• 2 C shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

Tear tortillas into strips. Mix together soup, chilies, sour cream and milk. Begin layering in a 8 x 8 or 9 x 9 pan:

1. tortilla strips
2. chicken
3. sour cream mixture
4. shredded cheese

Continue layering, ending with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Doubles nicely - use 9 x 13 pan and bake for 45 minutes. (Do not bake before freezing)

***It's always trial and error the first time I attempt to follow a recipe - a few tips that I will remember next time are to be generous when layering the tortillas (I ended up with a few extra), and allow the lasagna to cool for a few minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken up a bit.

Secret Send-Off

On Wednesday Adam and I went to Des Moines to get a few last minute baby items (well nursing apparel for me), go to Camp Dodge so Adam could apply for tuition assistance for his classes this fall, and most importantly, to attend a surprise going away party for Aaron, Abby's boyfriend! Aaron is leaving Sunday morning for Iraq :( He is a firefighter with the Iowa Air Guard and will be stationed as a firefighter at one of the airports in Iraq. Abby planned a surprise party for him at Champs Sports Bar in West DSM - it was a very thoughtful idea on her part! Way to go Abby! You're starting off on the right foot as a military girlfriend already!

Adam and I with Abby

Awwww - Abby & Aaron! Best of luck to you Aaron! God speed!

37 Weeks

We are now going to the doctor every week - which makes time go by much faster! We had an appointment this morning and everything went well- much better than last time! My blood pressure was down, my swelling was down, and I didn't' gain any weight!!! The modified best rest seems to be working, so I am to continue with it until the baby is born. The baby's heart rate was in the upper 140's/lower 150's. The doctor performed the Group B Strep test, which I'll get my results back next week. Basically, everyone has a group B strep strain in them, for some it's just not active. If mine is active, the doctors will have to give me an antibiotic when my water breaks to make sure I don't transfer it to the baby. Since I haven't been having any contractions, the doctor will wait until next week to see if I have started dilating. As you know, we normally get ice cream after each visit, however our appointment was in the morning this time, so we settled for donuts instead!