A Blessed 2011

I can look back at every year and see so much to be thankful for, to see all the changes, and all the prayers that have been answered.  I can look over my life and see how much God has blessed me with, an amazing husband that loves and adores me, a best friend and an amazing father.  I have two beautiful kids.  A great family that loves and supports me.  Encouraging friendships with whom I can be honest and a church that has blessed us.

I just want to reflect on the heart sorrows of the year and the things that God has blessed us with.

• The year started with us going through tests to find out why I could not get pregnant
• In February Troy's Grandma Velda passed away
• Found out I was pregnant
• My friend from college son passed away in the worst possible of ways
• We found out that I was having a baby boy
• Troy and I celebrated 8 years together
• We welcomed my first niece Nora to the family
• My Grandma passed away - Thankful for the time I got to spend with her right before
• Gracie turned 3
• Last day of work
• Welcomed a healthy baby boy
• Found a name for our new baby boy, Nolan
• Being blessed and loved on by my parents
• Friends moving
• See my brother this Christmas

With the year ending and the New Year beginning God always brings about new things to come with challenges, changes, and excitement.  We are excited to see all that God does for our family.

OUR LITTLE BLESSINGS

Blessed

Today marks week 40, my due date.  I only thought it appropriate to post my thoughts.

This pregnancy has been so different for me emotionally.  Many know that I have had a very hard time this time around with my emotions.  This could be due to hormones and/or any other contributors but either way I struggled.  By the end of the pregnancy I just wanted the baby out and safe in my arms.  I know that sounds strange to think this world is safe but having something happen in the last week would just kill me and with all the stories right now I was a little stressed about this baby coming and wanting everything to be ok.  The post partum part of pregnancy with both Gracie and Nolan are hard on me.  My body is a mess.  My hormones are changing, I am tired, my body is losing weight and there are just so many changes that emotionally I feel all over the place but in this time comes a lot of reflection on so many areas of my life.

Tonight, the four of us went out for a walk and my mind jumped from thought to thought.  As I watched Troy run around with Gracie I thought I can't believe this is who I married, I can't believe I turned him down the first time he asked me out.  As I told Troy my thoughts I just could not believe how much has changed and how blessed I was to have him.  This evening consisted of a lot of thankful prayers of how blessed I was to have such a great husband who loves and cares for me even when I am crying for no reason.  I have two healthy kids, a great husband, a home and a loving family.  I remember all to well thinking about what my future would look like, who I would marry, what my kids and my life would look like.  God has blessed me beyond anything I could have ever dreamed of and I don't thank him enough for all that he has done for me and all the blessings he has given to me and continues to bestow upon me and my family.  I now just pray that he protects my family because there is only so much I can control and only so much I can see.

Nolan Alan Schenk

Our Story of Nolan Alan Schenk coming into our world...

Nolan Alan Schenk

7lbs 7oz 19 1/4" long

Born 11/10/11 at 12:15 am

Hospital measurement not accurate, at his 1 week he was 21" long.  

They checked twice and said the hospitals really don't worry about 

this being accurate at all and there is not way 

he got that much longer in a week;)

Wednesday started without a thought in my head that this may finally be the day.  Although I had been having contractions they were no different then the day before so I thought nothing of the ones I had.  Gracie and I had lunch together and then headed home for naps.  Naps are a must at this point in pregnancy but today I decided to try and finish a sewing project so I could get all my sewing stuff put away for awhile.  4pm rolled around and Gracie was up and around.  Something strange had happened I kept wetting my pants, so I thought, now at this point in pregnancy it is not normal for me to pee my pants but this pregnancy had been different so I thought maybe...  I went to the bathroom to see if maybe my water had broke like I have heard stories of but nothing.  Then it happened 3 more times and I thought well I will just call the doctor.  Once I talked to the nurse she touched based with the doctor and they wanted me to head for the hospital but not to rush.  I texted Troy and started doing a quick pick up around the house...just incase.  I went over the hospital list to make sure everything was by the door.  I then called Troy told him he needed to take me to the doctor.  At this point I knew he was at practice but was not sure where or at what point in practice.  My poor husband had to run up the practice field hill and all the way back to the sports complex where his car was parked.  At this point I called him again because at that point I had"peed my pants" a couple more times and was getting worried.  I called my mom to get her bags ready and I waited.  At this point I was having a couple hard contractions but not close enough together that I thought the hospital would keep me. Honestly I was all ready for them to send me back home.
By 5:30 I was checked in, in a hospital gown and answering questions.  As I sat there explaining that I was not 100% sure this was my water leaking a huge gush happened and my water did in fact break, ok now I was a believer.  From that point on the contractions started.  Nothing like the ones with Gracie this is what they called back labor.  I heard of it but never had the slightest clue what it meant or how bad it could hurt.  I was moved to my room and was ready for the epidural.  They had to try 3 times to get it in right.  I got the shakes so bad I could not sit still which made it a little hard for the anesthesiologist.  But finally it was in and a lot of the pain went down except for the baby pushing on my pelvic bone.  Each time a had a contraction we gently pushed his head away.  Thankfully after that point I did not feel much.  At 11pm the delivery nurse was concerned that the baby was turned face up and not face down so she shifted me on my side.  Then she shifted me completely on my left side and then the pain started like mad in my back.  Very quickly the pressure was there and we called my nurse Angie, who was awesome, that I thought I was ready.  She was given the go ahead for me to start pushing at midnight so I did a warm up push and then another and was told to hold on the baby is here, I could tell, but no one was doing anything.  I asked what was wrong and I looked at Troy and asked what is wrong with the baby.  Nothing his head was right their but we had to wait for the doctor to come in the room.  At which I responded who cares about the doctor.  All I could think is I am sure these nurses have done this a million times I am good, no worries lets just get this done.  Angie told me not to do anything crazy.
Two contractions later the doctor was ready to go and two more pushes at 12:15 out came a healthy baby boy.  There were some exchange of words from my doctor to Troy and I heard Troy say "its ok just cut it."  At the time I had no idea but later found out the cord was wrapped around the baby's head twice.  Troy said the doctor had to cut the cord it two different places.  I also had a fever at this point and so did the baby so I was administered antibiotics for the next 24 hours.
If you wondered when we decided on the name well as soon Doctor Jaggadish handed the baby to the nurse they asked what the baby's name was and I said Nolan without event thinking twice.  Troy loved this name as well and was excited to hear my answer.  For us it was perfect, Nolan Alan Schenk.

38 Weeks

Well, this will be my last pregnancy post for this little guy.  It has been an intersting journey this time around.  Although I like being pregnant this pregnancy was much hard on my body emotional and physically but every bit of it is worth having this little guy be apart of our world.

At 37 weeks I started having contractions on and off.  Nothing big but they were there.  This last appointment I went ahead and did what I dread and asked if they would check to see if there was any progress at all.  Knowing that Gracie was 2 days past her due date I was expecting a no.  My doctor checked me out and to my surprise I am 4 centimeters dilated and 90 effaced.  Wow, ok!  She said if I make it to next week they would want to induce me.  I am scheduled to see the doctor Wednesday & if there is still no baby they will induce me on Friday.  Troy is hoping I hold out till Friday and I am just hoping to get as many days with Gracie as I can.

So very soon life will be so different.

Crafts for the Little Man

Since I have gotten pregnant I have felt like my creative side just went dormant.  My thoughts on a boys room, nothing.  Thoughts on names, nothing.  Am I going to make him outfits, nothing.  NOTHING is the key word.  Nothing was being produced in my head, maybe it is because it is a boy.  I thought it was time to wake up my creative side!  I started with a couple of blankets, updated some plan burp clothes, added some cute fabric to some onesies, and followed a few tutorials from my pin interest board.  I even made Troy a Malone blanket for his away games.  Needless to say I got a bunch of stuff put together and figured out what I am hoping for in the babies room.  Just trying to get everything put together and ready.  Here are a couple pictures of the few things that I have made for my little man who remains nameless:)

This whole pile is for our upcoming arrival.

I have made a lot of capes this year but this one was not made for 

a kid but for my boss for Halloween.  I made 2 little hats for the
baby, a couple more blankets and a very cute ruffle butt onesie.
This is funny because my mom would have love to see Gracie in
one of these and I said no way.  Now, I think I would let a little
girl wear them because they are so darn cute but before I
was just against them.

36 Weeks

How Far Along: 36 weeks & 4 days

Names: Believe it or not we have a top 5 list and pretty sure on the top 3 we love.  I made a desperate plea to me girl friends who came through with some great ideas, this is where our top list came from.  Thanks ladies!

Waiting For: my mom to visit so I can get the baby's room finished, hopefully next weekend

Cravings: I have noticed that I crave milk a lot.  Which most would say it means I need more calcium but I get calcium in my prenatal vitamin each night and then I take 600 mg of calcium in the morning, so you would think I am getting enough.

Sleep Cycle: this changes all the time.  There are some nights I get what I call great sleep and then there are some nights in a row where I got terrible sleep.  The great sleep happens once I have had several nights of no sleep.  My body has to rest at some point.  Interestingly enough I always sleep well during naps, not sure why but my weekend naps are a must, not skipping those. 

Movement: constant, if I even worry a little about his lack of kicking and elbowing I just push on his backside and he will move right away.

Excited: to meet this little guy

What I miss:  holding Gracie and caring her as much as I want.  Now I do hold her but this little guy kicks and squirms the hole time like we are invading his space. 

A surprise:  It is official my belly button is protruding.  It may have fully popped by 40 weeks poor thing has been stretched to death.

Comparing:  when I was pregnant with Gracie I was very round but with this baby my poor belly is being stretch as for out as possible.  The swelling in my legs is out of control and no worries by the doctor because my blood pressure is great by body just likes to hold as much water as possible.

Life Change:  This week brought a very sad end to an amazing woman that I call grandma.  I do wish she would have gotten to hold her grandson.  


On Friday I had my 36 week appointment.  My blood pressure is good and weight is fine although I was not as excited about it.  My weight is always about 5 lbs more at the doctors but I still hate it.  The doctor said not to worry she said with the amount of swelling I already had by 8:30 she said I am holding a lot of water weight as well, we will see.  The baby's heart beat was around 140 bpm.  The doctor checked me and I am coming along.  As for an idea when this baby will come she says it is a guessing game.  I can have nothing happening in the am but by the night I could be in labor it is just up to my body.  I assume this baby will camp out until the end like Gracie but I would love to have this baby in October for sentimental reasons.


I was home this weekend by myself so I took a few pictures with the computer and camera.  More then you may want to see but I thought so me were pretty funny.  I have not seen myself in a picture for a while at least not from the side so I got a kick out of my stomach.

 side view #1

 half side

 side view #2

 Gracie was all dressed up in her Tinker Bell outfit.

She thought taking the pictures were a blast.

 I had to hold her in place she just wanted 

to keep running back to push the button

 some with my camera which is much harder 

when I can't see what I am doing until after

Gracie kissing my belly

(after shot)

Sprinkle

A couple weekends back my SIL Kristen threw me a little sprinkle.  She did a great job decorating and the ice cream bar was a big hit.  The girls night of chatting was a big hit.

34 weeks

It has been a little while and I have just forgotten about the blog world for a little bit, too much other stuff to do and just plan tired.  Not much has changed everything is pretty much the same since the 32 week post so I will make this a short update.

Goal: Our goal is to pick a name and get the baby's room set up between now and the end of October

Looking forward: to my last day of work

Names: Gracie did tell my friend Christina the baby's name was Noah but I think she was talking about a song she recently heard
Waiting For: my mom to visit so I can get the baby's room done
Nesting Stage:  I have finally jump started my creative side and made a few things for the baby.  In November I will start making freezer meals.

The doctor said everything was good.  My new favorite is the nausea that I am waking up with at night he said could be due to the back pain I am having.  Besides that the baby is good and active.

That's all!

32 Weeks

Cravings: peanut butter & jelly sandwich and no aversions to any specific food but after I have eaten something the smell of it later does make me feel queasy
Sleep Cycle: this sadly keeps getting worse.  I do sleep with a pillow but it does not do much good.  Plain and simple my back is a mess.  Unlike with Gracie a message would have cleared this right up but where my pain is in the center of my back it has nothing to do with the muscle.  My back situation was explained so well on baby center this week:
"Hormonal changes in pregnancy loosen your joints and the ligaments that attach your pelvic bones to your spine. This can make you feel less stable and cause pain when you walk, stand, sit for long periods, roll over in bed, get out of a low chair or the tub, bend, or lift things" 
This is exactly how it has been for some time and the doctor said it won't get better:(  I have had 2 nights of good sleep this week which is a record.  Most nights consist of a shower before bed and I wake up almost every hour or so to turn because of the pain in my back.  Around 4 or 5am I get up and take a hot bath and then get some much needed rest until about 6:30am.  My weekend naps are a must because for some reason this is when I get the best sleep.
Movement: this child never stops moving and it will be weird when he comes out and just wants to sleep, I am hoping;)
Names: nothing yet, we are waiting until the last minute;)
Excited For: this little man to come, the name to be decided, to see Troy holding his son for the first time, and to see Gracie holding her little brother, all the above
What I miss: sleep and throwing Gracie around.  She wants to wrestle so badly all the time.
A surprise: belly button is still holding strong.  Braxton Hicks all the time
Funny Moment:  Gracie loves to talk to her brother.  I asked her to say hi and she yelled hello into my belly button and then blew into it.  She always asks why he is not talking back.  I love it!  Gracie also keeps asking if the baby is coming yet.  I told Gracie no but said when he gets here she could hold him, kiss him, help feed him and even change his diaper with me, she was so excited.  she really wants him to take a bath with her.  I told her that won't be for a while but she could help give him a bath.  I think she is very excited to have a sibling. Just love this.
New/Best Moment:  Feeling his head at this appointment and knowing you are down and ready to go.
Nesting Stage:  I have made 2 peanut butter pies, lemon drop cookies, cake batter blondies, & peanut butter cups.  No, I did not eat all of these, they were either shared at work or at bible study.  I love baking whether I am pregnant or not but being pregnant does enhance this urge.


Sorry these pictures aren't very good.  I tried enhancing them but turns out I still look pregnant;)

Gracie really wanted to join in on the photo op

28 Weeks

My little man is very busy kicking and punching me all day. He is defiantly more active then Gracie ever was and he is also sitting much lower then Gracie ever did at least until the very end. I am often wearing my belly band just to help with the pressure. I am using lots of lotion because I am a little afraid this one may give me stretch marks and I really don't want those.
Today I had to chug down the glucose orange drink.  I have never thought it was that bad but I know the faster it goes down the sooner the time can start.  Doctor said all is well and we listened to the baby's heart beat, which I always love.  I am now at the point where I will be visiting the doctor every 2 weeks, wahoo I am getting closer. 

Cravings: nothing at this point and no aversions either
Sleep Cycle: always on my side with a pillow under my belly and my bathroom trips remain in the 2's and 3's area.  Except I have woken up the last couple of nights on my stomach not sure why or how this is possible but it keeps happening.
Movement: all day especially when I am pressing my stomach against my desk.  He does not like his space invaded.  In the evening you can watch my stomach jump and move all over the place.
Names: Troy has 1 and I have none.  There is a board at work with a list of names and people are voting on them.  I knocked off a couple for sure no's and there is actually 1 we added to our list.  Not sure Troy loves it but we need another contender.  For some reason boys names are so hard for me.
Excited For: the first football game
What to Expect: Per Baby Center my baby is the size of a Chinese Cabbage about 2 1/4 lbs
What I miss: not having pain in my back all the time, this pregnancy has been much hard on my body & mind this time around
A surprise: belly button might go but it is still holding strong....only time will tell
Funny Moment:  Went to the doctor at 26 weeks because of my back and during my appointment the doctor said that I needed to keep my bladder empty and stay hydrated:)
New/Best Moment:  Last Friday I went to the doctors for the second time in a month but to enjoy watching my little man in 3D.  Although this is not my first time seeing him in 3D, this time was better.  

A 3D View

Today was an exciting day.  I headed to the doctor's office with my mom, dad, mother-in-law and Troy for a 3D view of this little miracle that is kicking about in my tummy.  We got 30 to 45 minutes of viewing time.  Although he did not completely work with the camera we did get a couple great pictures and of course the grandparents loved it.  The first thing we asked for was confirmation that it was indeed a boy, Troy was still a little leary.  But we got the confirmation needed and Troy was again all smiles.  The nurse during the ultra sound said look at those cheeks.  I think this baby will look a lot like Gracie.

Here are a couple our favorites from the ultrasound.

2D of the little baby's face

For those that are familiar with ultrasounds you will quickly see the right side of the baby's face, right eye nose and mouth.  He seemed to be using the placenta like a pillow and did not move far from it. 

24 Weeks - Updated

My little man is very busy kicking me and punching all day.  He is defiantly more active then Gracie ever was and he is also sitting much lower then Gracie ever did at least until the very end.  I am often wearing my belly band just to help with the pressure.  I am using lots of lotion because I am a little afraid this one may give stretch marks and I really don't want those. 

Cravings: nothing at this point and no aversions either
Sleep Cycle: always on my side with a pillow under my belly and my bathroom trips remain in the 2's and 3 area.
Movement: as I mentioned above, all day but my little man has never woken me up, yet.
Names: Troy came up with one the other night that we both actually liked so right now we have one but still searching for others.
Excited For: my 3D ultra sound with my mom and MIL
What to Expect: Per BabyCenter my baby is the size of an ear of corn.
New Moment: Gracie asked to hug & kiss my belly before bed
What I miss: sleeping threw the night & not having pain in my back all the time
A surprise: I think this time the belly button might go....only time will tell

I went to the doctor's office yesterday.  My weight gain and blood pressure were very good.  My little man's heart rate was 150 and he was kicking like crazy.  I usually love my visits because my nurse practitioner sits in there forever letting listen to the heart beat and comment on where his head is and how he is laying.  I always love hearing all the little details but sadly today was a quick visit with my doctor, in and out.  I thought today was glucose drink day but I won't have to do that until August.

not the best picture but there you have it

Best Moment of the Week:  Last night I asked Gracie if she wanted to feel the baby kick and she said yes.  I put her hand on my stomach and made her push down a little.  I prayed for another kick, and there it was 2 kicks right into Gracie's little hand.  She looked at me and said "why baby kicking me"?  Then this morning while she was laying in bed with me she asked if she could feel the baby kick.  I absolutley love this!

Thoughts on My Little Man

Troy is very excited....I am a little nervous.  I have all brother's so I shouldn't be but I have gotten use to my girl.  I hope he is as laid back as Troy is, our prediction, this kid may not talk for a long time and then one day it will just be a full sentence.  We just think it would be comical.  But in all seriousness I am ready for a boy and so very excited for Troy.  There will be a 3 year gap between Gracie and our new little man.  Interesting enough that is the age difference between my brother Stephen and myself.  I can't say we never fought but we are close.  We talk all the time and I love him to death.  I loved having him and I have some of the best memories of him.  So why am I nervous, I am not sure but I just am.  I have a thousand girls names I can use and ones at the top of the list waiting to be chosen but for a boy I have nothing.  Our roles in this area have reversed.  Troy sits up on the computer at night going over names and going through the books, reading off ones that he likes and all I can say is no, no, no, no way.  I don't know why but when I try to think of a name, there is nothing.  OK well I did finally come up with one and there are about 100 reasons why we can't use it so the search continues. I have no thought on a letter, no nothing.  That has made it a little harder plus I have to decide where this baby is going to go and how to decorate.  During pregnancy #1 I knew how I wanted to decorate the room and what name would be if it was a boy but now 2 1/2 years later those things are no longer appealing to me and I am starting from scratch.  I am on a search for thoughts and ideas.  I love the people throwing names out there because it keeps me thinking otherwise I don't give it a thought during my day.  Even now as I sit here, nothing.  We had thought that we would give Gracie the name so she could practice saying it and to help for an attachment early but she too might be surprised.

More on the 4th

Just to give you a quick over view, Troy and Gracie got back from Kansas on Thursday night(I will put up pictures soon).  Friday we had our ultra sound and then enjoyed the day recoupeing from there trip.  Saturday we played and my parents came into town and helped us set up for our big Sunday party.  I wanted this to be simple laid back and well once we go going it was crazy.  I went a little over board on the details I think but it was so cute.  We had 44 people, yes that is right 44 people in our house and some how it worked and with the hot weather people wanted the cool air.  I am so thankful how well everything went.  The only thing I forgot was to video take the cutting of the cake.  The reaction was priceless!

one of the tables with the cake

our little reveal cake

red, white and blue theme

our 4th of July preztels

caramel apples with chocolate
these were suppose to be all chocolate

but we had issues with the white chocolate

chocolate covered popcorn

cute buckets a borrow from kristen

my favorite and the easiest was the layeres strawberries &

blue berriesthere were also strawberries covered in

white chocolate & blue sprinkled edges

my nephew Sawyer wearing Gracie's tutu

Gracie and Nina playing

all though these fans look cute I did not enjoy making

them & have marked them off the list for future parties.

Hosting does not allow for alot of mingling but I did get to enjoy some of our visitor's thanks to my mom monitoring the food area.  Troy and I were so grateful to all that came.  I never got pictures of our guests and I missed the reaction of everyone when we cut the cake.  I was so busy watching Troy's reaction but I guess all the guys were jumping around like crazy throwing up high fives.  Troy is very excited!

4th of July Reveal Party

I have always wanted to have a baby reveal party but with Baby #1 I wanted a boy so bad that I just needed to know up front and we did not really have family here so we decided not too.  But I always said with baby #2 I was having one and I pretty much planned the important details of how we would find out and tell.  I wanted something where everyone wanted to get together and hangout with a little added excitement and the 4th of July was just perfect.  Gracie actually picked the 4th for us.  I was at Khol's and she picked out this 4th of July dress and I thought when would she ever get to where that and then it hit me, great idea Gracie.

So Friday we went to the doctor and had out ultra sound.  She zoomed around the screen and from what I could see I thought GIRL.  I am obviously not trained but that's what I came up with.  We had the nurse write down the sex on a piece of paper put it in an envelope and seal it.  I then took the envelope to the store and had them make a little cake.  They had never heard of this and thought it was so much fun. On the 4th we cut the cake together...Troy was stalling...but finally we cut the cake and found out what baby #2 was......

BLUE!!!

 Troy's reaction

 saying he was excited would be an understatement

 the cake and the paper that confirmed the sex...

our little family, very exciting

I will post pictures of all the cute treats later.....