Before I had my ultrasound this morning, I went in for my twice weekly non-stress testing (NST).  Which monitors the baby's heart rate, movements, and contractions.  Then, the nurses test my amniotic fluid.  However, since I was seeing the hi-risk OB/GYN, they were going to let her measure the fluid.

So I waited patiently for the OB/GYN...an hour later!  Finally she came in and started the ultrasound.  Immediately the doctor said the baby's head is really, really, really low.  We tried taking pictures but no such luck since his head is very low.  Then, she went on to measure the fluid in the "4 pockets" which should add up to no less than 8.  However, we were having a difficult time getting to the magic number.  I was coming in at 7, which is a bit concerning.  The doctor said "it's black and white when it comes to fluid measurement.  If I'm at 5, they will immediately deliver the baby."  Having such low fluid is like the baby is living in the desert!  And I had already drank 40 oz. of water before the appointment...WOW!  

The doctor went on to see if I was dilated yet, but I wasn't.  Though when she was checking, she could feel the baby's head!  Oh my goodness, he is really that low!  But good news is, the doctor said my labor will be short.  Yeah!

The baby is weighing in at 5 pounds 14 ounces.  I asked if we should be concerned IF we delivered any time soon.  She said that because I have a smaller body frame, 6 pounds is fine.  Though the doctor did mention, IF we waited another 4 weeks the baby would be almost 8 pounds...and they won't wait that long.  So.......it looks like this baby will be early!

As for the growth of the baby, he is slightly under average.  I am measuring at a bit under 35 weeks, but I am supposed to be a bit over 36 weeks.  Nothing too concerning, as the doctor wasn't concerned at all.

The only concern the doctor has right now is my fluid.  As a result, I am going back tomorrow morning to re-measure.  The nurses and doctor's advice: DRINK FLUIDS!  So you can only guess, the bathroom has become my friend!

Unfortunately Eric was not able to come to the doctor's appointment today (he is busy getting ready for the big holiday weekend with work; this is the only appt. missed yet), so I called him once I was finished with the appointment.  I told him the news and he was silent.  Then, he said "tell me you're joking around, that you're not serious."  Sorry, but this is all real!  I think he took a big gulp and realization set in!  All Eric could say and think now is "we're not ready," or "we haven't done this," or "we haven't done that."  Eric has called me a few times today, thinking of stuff to do still.  I even called him just to ask a non-related question and he told me he jumps and his heart falls when he sees me calling because he thinks "this is it - the time is here."

At this point, all we can do now is prepare ourselves, the house and our baby!  I am very excited, yet nervous too.  But I know this Memorial Day weekend we'll be packing the hospital bag, installing the car seat, etc.

Even though we didn't really need to visit the Pediatrician until mid-June, we thought we'd make a quick visit to our new Pediatrician today.  This one is closer to home.  We wanted to see how we liked the Pediatrician and to see how Talon was doing, especially with weight gain and his jaundice.  The doctor quickly nailed as a cautious new parents but welcomed us.  Talon was weighed.  In 3 days he gained weight, almost back to his birth weight at 5 lbs. 11 oz.!  I suppose all those 2-hour feedings have helped!  As a matter of fact, Talon has been eating more than every 2 hours, occasionally.

I feed him all day long and through the late night, then Eric will take over in the early morning around 4 or 5am to feed him from a bottle.  We seemed to get ample amount of rest, though there are times throughout the day we take a quick cat nap.  Although it's difficult for a dad to do much in the first few weeks, Eric has been really great!  He helps with the feedings, does the laundry, changes the diapers and yet maintains to get in a few work emails and phone calls.  We have gotten somewhat of a routine down, which I think is helpful and important.

After many, many months of pondering the "perfect" name for our son, we have decided on a name.  The list, or should I say lists (with an "s") had a lot to choose from.  About a month ago, we narrowed the names down to 5: Dane, Talon, Kael, Cody and Gage.  First to go was Gage.  The second name to go was Kael.  I thought it was a different name but too many people knew it's a green, leafy vegetable.  Though perfect because I am a vegetarian, it didn't make the cut-off.  The third name crossed off was Dane.  Though we loved the name, it sounds very strong, it was too close to my brother's name, Shane.  And not to mention, it sounds like "dang!" or "pain."  So, the list then got down to Talon and Cody.  But of course I had to add another name...Kade.  Cody was then removed from the list and it was now down to the final two!  Sounds like a reality show, huh?  We would use the 2 names out loud, practice and see if the name resonated.  Finally, on an early morning walk, Eric and I decided "okay, we really need to pick a name...soon."  And with that we decided on:

Talon Brian Clark

That's it!  There is no significance of the name Talon, although it is different and we like that.  However, the middle name, Brian, has significance.  We decided long ago we would take the name of Eric's step brother who passed away when he was younger from a motorcycle accident.  If you recall, the "replica" of Brian's surfboard was painted on the wall in the baby's room.

I've got to admit, trying to come up with a name is quite difficult!

The Baby Shower that my mom and Vicki Walls held for me was absolutely amazing!  The weather was beautiful, the decorations were amazing and the company was even better!

The shower was held at the Balboa Bay Club.  I thought the location was perfect for the theme we wanted, ocean/under the sea theme, and not to mention it matches the baby's room.  In the center of the room (inside), a canopy was set up for gifts to be placed under.  In the center of the canopy was a chandelier from Vicki to match the baby's room -- very cute and added to the touch.  The gift area was beautifully set up!  As guests arrived, they were greeted with a light-up pacifier and a Hawaiian lei.  The pacifier was part of a game -- you couldn't say the word "baby" otherwise your pacifier gets taken away.  The person with the most pacifiers wins a prize.  The significance of the Hawaiian leis were because Eric proposed to me in Maui on top of Haliakala.  Other activities going as as people arrived were a fortune reader and handwriting analysis.  And of course the bar was open!  With "Dirty Mother" drinks served in a baby bottle, blue margaritas and other alcohol and beer.  An appetizer table and crab cakes served in miniature sailboats were being served.  After about an hour and a half after the shower began, lunch was served -- salad, mini burgers and ahi.  People were given "advice cards" to fill out for advice for Eric and I.  We have read the advice and think everyone's is great -- thank you!  The table setting was gorgeous too -- matching the colors of the ocean!  (By the way, I helped glue on the sea animals to all of those napkins!  Weren't they cute?!)  After lunch, I started opening the gifts.  As I did, people were playing gift bingo as well as munching on the dessert bar.  WOW, talk about being in heaven!  The dessert bar had creme brulee, fruit, choco-dipped strawberries, truffles, pastries and more!  Then, as a "take home" people could fill up candy bags with a bunch of different types of candy.  I had so much fun; I didn't want the day to end.  And like our wedding, the day goes by in a flash!  

Thank you to everyone for attending my beautiful shower.  Thank you for the gifts given to me.  (I think Eric is "nesting" because he has already set up all the gadgets and prepped the baby's room.)  And most of all, I want to thank my parents and Vicki for throwing such a wonderful, memorable baby shower.  What a way to welcome our lil' dude into the world!

This week has been full of baby stuff.  On Tuesday and Thursday, I had my non-stress testing (NST).  On Thursday evening, Eric and I attended Baby Care Basics.  And today, I had another ultrasound.

On Tuesday at the NST testing, I told the nurse I had a work function to attend immediately afterwards.  So she was trying to get a picture of the baby to show off.  The baby must of heard us because BOTH hands were criss-crossed over his face.  As if he was saying, "No paparrazi please.  No pictures!"  Then, he decided to show off by pulling his foot up to his mouth.  We could see him sucking on his toes!   Either that or he was hungry!

On Thursday, again at the NST testing, Eric decided to come with me to see what it's all about.  The baby must have been quite excited that daddy was there monitoring him because his heart rate was beating so fast!  I had to close my eyes to try to relax the two of us.  Finally, we got a baseline, as the nurses call it, when the heart slows down at a normal rate.  After the heart monitoring, we had the ultrasound to measure the amniotic fluid.  The baby was cooperating this time and we were able to see his face and other body parts.

Thursday evening after the NST testing, we had our second Baby Care Basics class.  The class is quite informative with videos and hands-on.  We learned how to swaddle, give baby a bath, change a diaper and baby item necessities.  I told Eric he will be a good swaddler since he knows how to wrap burritos!

Today (Friday), I had an ultrasound with the technician to make sure the growth of the baby is on track.  We won't get true results until next week when the OB/GYN sees the ultrasound.  However, we're not worried because the doctor has said our baby is on track for growth and all.  My mom was able to get a great peek of the baby.  We saw his face, heart beating, and other body parts.  

I am now 32 weeks and 3 days to be exact!  So I suppose the "real thing" will be happening quite soon!  I have had minor contractions, but nothing to worry about quite yet.  Not until the contractions are closer apart and major.  At first I thought I was just having some cramp issues.  But I learned those are contractions.  I was told to slow down (as always) and rest a bit when I experience the cramping (aka contractions).

Starting early May, I will be visiting the OB/GYN every week until I deliver.  Let the games begin!

I am on my second week of non-stress testing (NST).  The test is two-fold.  The first part is to monitor the baby's heart rate and see if I'm having any contractions.  The second part of the test is to check my amniotic fluid via ultrasound.  The reason for the NST testing is due to my high risk pregnancy of the 2-vessel umbilical cord.  I go in 2 times a week for the remaining pregnancy.  Although the testing is a bit cumbersome, at least I get to hear our baby's heartbeat, and I get to see him each time!

Last week, test #2, the nurse mentioned my amniotic fluid was low.  Therefore, I had to rest more and drink more.  No, not alcoholic beverages!   Eric immediately put me on "bed rest."  Meaning, I was not to go to the gym anymore, workout anymore, do anything strenuous nor be on my feet for long!  Of course, that didn't go over well with me...Ms. Workout-a-holic!  It has been quite difficult, especially for an active person like myself, but Eric has granted me permission to walk now.  I'm glad I actually listened to him this time because my third test showed my fluid had increased!

The nurse will allow me to take brisk walks, and if my fluid increases more, then perhaps a run one time a week.  (I was running up until week #30 of my pregnancy.  It's okay, the doctor says running/walking is actually really good for delivering.  And don't forget, I am a runner, so it's nothing new.)

My next NST test is this Thursday.  It's not as bad as I thought they would be.  I bring in work to do, or read a book and time passes quickly.  The test is about an hour long, depending on if the baby wants to cooperate.  Sometimes the nurses will have to wake him up by blowing a horn around my tummy!  Or I have to drink cold water.  That would wake you up, right?!

This morning we had another ultrasound, but this time with the hi-risk OB/GYN to check the growth of our baby.  It was quite exciting to actually see him again.  Gosh, it's been so long!  The best part of our visit today was we could see him in 3-D!  Kaiser has new ultrasound machines allowing the doctors to see in 2-D and 3-D.  In fact, the representative was in the room with us to instruct the doctor the use of the new machine.  We watched for about an hour.  It was so special, not to mention, amazing technology can "cut through" all the fluid, tissues, etc. to make the body parts clear.  We even saw the 4 chambers on the heart, kidneys, spine and ribs.  We heard the heartbeat too. 

The doctor told us the baby weighs 2lbs. 12oz., which is on track.  The biggest concern with a 2-vessel cord, like ours, is the growth.  But the growth is fine.  As of right now, the baby is healthy and looking good!  What a sigh of relief we had.

I go back for at least 2 more ultrasounds, basically 1 per month until I deliver.  I will also start antepartum testing, also known as non-stress tests.  These tests are to ensure the baby's well being by watching the heart rate, measuring the fluid surrounding the baby and make sure the placenta is working.  I start the non-stress tests (NST) early April and will go 2x a week.

As for me, I am feeling good.  Well, it's a bit difficult to sleep at night.  But I suppose it is "preparing" me for those restless nights when he comes!  I am also a bit sore and crampy.  I feel like an old lady when I get up from sitting for a while.  The beauty of being pregnant!

Eric and I went out to Phoenix to visit our new nephew, and of course Shane & Katie.  We arrived Friday night.  My parents, who had been in Phoenix for a week, picked us up and we went directly to the hospital so we could see Vaughn.  He was quite happy in his "bed" not making a peep.  All of us stood standing over him "oohhing" and "awing".  He is so precious.  We stayed for about 45 minutes since it was late.

On Saturday, Shane thought everyone was coming home so we stayed nearby the house Guy & Marcie are renting.  It's a big and beautiful home very close to where Shane & Katie live.  My parents, Eric and I took a nice stroll around the neighborhood.  Upon our return, my dad was beckoned to one of the Wienerschnitzel stores...employees not showing up amongst other issues.  So, my dad headed out to work while Eric, my mom and I rode our bikes in to the little village.  It was about lunchtime, so Eric suggested going to the golf course to drink beers and eat lunch.  Love the idea, except for the drinking part of course.  (Guy & Marcie's house is on the golf course, so the restaurant is only feet away.)  The 3 of us sat at the golf course restaurant for 3 hours!  It was nearly dinner time by the time we left.  We had a good ol' time chit-chatting, eating and drinking.  We were then told that Shane, Katie & Vaughn were not coming home...well they got released from the hospital around 11:30pm.

On Sunday morning, Guy, my dad and Eric played golf while my mom, Marcie and I visited Katie and Vaughn.  Shane was already back working the stores.  It was great to hold & see little Vaughn.  He was so good!  My parents, Eric and I left Phoenix around 2pm to go back home.  Nothing like being cramped in a car for 5 hours and being pregnant!  

Although it was a short trip, it was sweet!  I loved seeing our nephew.  Many more visits to come...