The Weekend Before NIkko

So I am finally blogging about Nikko coming into our world :)

The weekend of November 8th, my appetite pretty much completely disappeared. My Mom arrived on November 7th! Through out the weekend, my Mom cooked and I really felt like eating NOTHING. I remember telling Paabs that with no appetite, I figured that I would go into labor within the next couple of days.

Sunday night - 11.09.08
I kept waking up to contractions about every hour. They were not very painful, just enough pain to wake me up. I was also leaking some fluid, but not very much. I called the Dr and they suggested that I go to Labor and Delivery to make sure it was not amniotic fluid.

Monday - 11.10.08
I went with my sister and mom to Labor and Delivery around noon - everything checked out okay and I was discharged and was dilated to 1.5cm.
So we continued on our day - got some lunch and did a little shopping. When we came home, we all went for a quick walk. Then it was time for dinner - and again, I had no desire to eat anything. Later that night my Mom, Paabs, and I were watching TV. Around 8:30pm I started to have contractions about six minutes apart. Again, they were not painful. Around 11:30pm, they were still 5-6 minutes apart, but the pain was progressing!
I woke up Pablo and my Mom and we headed to St. Mary's. They checked me in - got me situated in the room. They checked me and again I was still only dilated to 1.5-2.0cm. After two hours - and painful contractions, they sent me home with an Ambien to try and sleep.
Ambien may help people to sleep, but not when you are having painful contractions every 4 minutes!! Not to mention that I could barely walk to the car - every time I had a contraction, I had to stop walking. They told me that if the contractions got more painful or if my water broke to come back - All I kept thinking was - THEY ARE GOING TO GET WORSE???

Tuesday - 11.11.08
Since I was not dilated very far - and this was my first baby - The hospital must have thought I would take awhile to dilate - Doctors can be WRONG!!!

Dr. Update - 11.07.08

So we went to the doctor today...and no big changes. Pretty much 2cm, 50% thinned, and he is sitting at a -1. I was hoping to have a BIG change, but my contractions haven't changed much so I figured we would be about the same. I have 11 days until our due date. I am hoping that Nikko will make it into the world by then.

The doc did say my cervix was pushed way back and she tried pulling it forward a little today. I am told to take lots of WALKS!! So I will definitly be walking my legs off.

I have heard all the wives tales - definitly more than once:
Jump up and down
Take a hot bath
Nipple stimulation
Have sex
Eat spicy food
Go for a bumpy car ride
Drink castor oil

Just funny - how everyone swears - one of these worked for them.

I am now just hoping that he isn't late. My doc usually doesn't let people go past 41 weeks. Next week we can discuss our options if Nikko decides to stay cozy in my womb!!

Working and Pregnancy

I think that the last two weeks before your due date should be paid time off! Mine brain isn't really working all that great, so honestly, I do not think I am contributing much to work these days - besides maybe helping train the people that will be covering my work while I am out.

All I think about at work is taking a NAP! Anyway~just thought I would do a quick post since my brain isn't really working today...hehe

Let's all hope that Nikko comes soon! My Mom arrives Friday at 11:00am - and she would really like to be here. So let's all hope I go into labor Friday afternoon :)

Dr. Update

So I went to the doctor on Thurday:

I am dilated to a 2 and 50% of my lining has thinned. He dropped down two positions since the week before :)

So like they said last week...could be any day to a couple of weeks. My Mom will be arriving on the 7th and Kirstin will be home on the 9th from work so...they of course want me to wait until then. Everyone at work picked the day they think Nikko will arrive - I had a couple guesses last week...but no one picked a day the first week in November. The most popular date was NOVEMBER 14th!! Paabs keeps saying the 12th. As for me, I know he will come when he is ready...I would just like it to be sooner than later. AND HOPEFULLY NOT PAST MY DUE DATE - hehe.

My contractions have been pretty much the same for the past couple of weeks. I have noticed a little less movement from Nikko - although his hiccups are like clockwork - 8:30pm and some time between 9:30 and 10:00pm. He is definitly running out of room in my tummy.

We will keep everyone updated!! Our next appt is Friday!

Any guesses on the day Nikko will arrive??????

The Little Man in My Tummy

So I went to the doctor Friday and the doctor said that I was starting to dilate and that the baby's head was down in position. So basically I could go into labor today or it could be a couple of weeks...I guess when Nikko is ready.

I am sure ready - I have been have Braxton Hicks contractions all day today along with a few real contractions (I think). I have never had them, so it is hard to say if they are a contraction or not. How will I really know when they are REAL contractions. Guess we will just wait and see.

I finally got most of the Nursery organized from all of the gifts everyone gave us. I have everything ready to put in my bag to take to the hospital...just need to update my ipod with some new music I downloaded.

Paabs put together the play pen and all that is left for him to do is to assemble the cradle that my Dad made us when it arrives and to put the car seat in my car.

I know that Nikko will come when he is ready...I am 37 weeks - so I am hoping sooner than later - everyone says the last few weeks are the hardest. I even had to have my sister paint my toenails on Saturday - What a WONDERFUL sister :) I figure my toes should at least be pretty.

We will keep you posted and let you know how are progress is!!

Nikko's Baby Shower 09.27.08

We had Nikko's baby shower last Saturday...We have to give a big shout out to all my sisters, my brother-in-law, Sarah and my parents for putting together a wonderful day! We also want to thank all of our friends for sharing this special day with us.

Kirstin and Ross' house was the best setting and was full of love for me, Paabs, and Nikko. We were surrounded by our friends and family. I was very happy that the Benson's were able to come down from Boise to share this day too!

Nikko is loaded with presents - And I am sure there are many many more to follow. Here is a slide show of the big event!

There are also a few pictures of the start of Nikko's Room...More to come soon!!

STROLLER!!!

So we got our stroller today! Very exciting...I did so much research on strollers and asked about a million people about their stroller and what they thought of their stroller. In the end, for all of my endless walking I hope to do we ended up with a Bob Revolution. I have only heard great things! I will keep you posted when I actually put it to use :)

A Dream to Laugh At...

So last week I had a dream...

I woke up in my Mom's house in the spare bedroom upstairs. It was dark and I called for my Mom. She came in and I asked her what happened? She told me that I had the baby. With no baby in sight, I asked where he was and she said he was sleeping in the other room with Pablo.

I told her I didn't recall any of the labor. She told me I had been out of it for a couple days. When I asked why, she replied with "Well, the baby was big...he was 16 pounds!"

I guess I had to have a c-section. Later in the dream I was holding him and saying that he didn't feel that big...my Mom said that he weighed in at 16 pounds, 2 ounces!! I just thought that was CRAZY. In my dream, I was definitely happy I didn't recall any of the labor.

Once I woke, up I had to laugh. Hopefully that will not be the case. I think that I am just starting to think about the labor process and all of the possibilities of what can happen before I meet my son, Nikko.

I know in my heart that everything will be okay...just normal anxiety for any new Mom, not knowing what to expect. I will soon find out :)

~Nikko Kale Estrada~

So we have finally decided on a name!!

NIKKO KALE ESTRADA

I am so excited to be able to start calling him by his name and it really fits well. He definitely has been a morning person lately...waking me up usually by 7:00ish. I love to lay in bed and feel him move around. Paabs has been able to feel him a few times, but usually he decides to be still when Dad puts his hands on my belly. I think it is because Paabs calms him :) I can't wait to meet him in our world. His personality is starting to come out. I think he will be a lot like his Daddy!!

We bought a baby heart monitor yesterday that is suppose to allow you to be able to hear and record Nikko's heartbeat during the third trimester. Yesterday we had no luck, but I just started my third trimester. I will keep you posted and hopefully soon, I can post his heartbeat.

I am going to be painting the nursery the next couple of weekends. Getting sort of a late start, but I need to reorganize the house first.

Our backyard is almost complete...Stay tuned for pictures!!

it's already been 25 weeks since my little pr seed started growing. i felt him move the other day it was very exciting for me because i never have experience a new life before. i think it really still has not registered in my head that my lil boy is almost here, but honestly i can't wait for him to come out and be with us. so for now i have to play as much call of duty as i can because we all know when my boy comes the controllers wi get a lil dusty from not playing lol. but i do need someone to play with so he will be a perfect candidate lol. we still have not found a name yet it's very frustrating all the names i can think of are to long or doesn't fit him kari keeps saying add it to the list booo. lol i thought of one today nikko estrada sounds good to me. anyways i will keep brain storming on names one will fit our lil man. we have the baby shower coming up yeah lots of presents less stuff we have to buy for him lol just kidding. we will get him wat ever he wants cuz thats my boy. he will be here soon 3 more months can't wait to see you nikko lol see i like that name,love paabs

A Belly Pic...Finally

Yesterday was our friend's son's 3rd birthday...

They had a person putting on fake tattoos, so they finally talked me into putting one on my belly. Not really something I wanted to do. Baby Boy Estrada, got his first tatoo! And now I have some belly shots for you. This is me at 25 weeks. I will take have Paabs take some more pics...

Thanks for the pictures Shannon.

Everything else has been going well. I feel him a lot these days...mostly in the evenings. We have our normal doctor's appt this Tuesday. Still thinking of names...I have decided I need to start saying them out loud! I am hoping to have narrowed it down to a few names by the time we have the baby shower.

Kick, Punch, Jump!

So Baby Estrada is moving a lot. I am sure kicking, punching, jumping, and of course BOUNCING!! Paabs felt the baby for the first time two nights ago. I thought that was pretty exciting, seeing how I have been able to feel the baby for weeks. He is really active late at night and early in the morning :) I am just happy Paabs can start to feel him!!!!

We are still thinking of names...we like a couple but are still brainstorming. Thank you all for your suggestions. Hopefully soon, I will actually post some belly pictures. Everyone keeps asking, so I guess I should produce. Just don't like photos when I am feeling HUGE!! I guess I will have Paabs take one this weekend.

We are start our backyard this weekend!! I am very excited. All be thinking of Pablo while he is hard at work. I will post some pics when we are finished. It will be nice to have a yard when Baby Estrada arrives. My other project is to start painting the nursery and planning how we want to decorate it. We have the colors picked out for the walls but are not sure about the decor. I am going to have to do some research on that one.

Until next time...

It is a BOY...

So our ultrasound was June 23, 2008. Sorry it has taken me a little while to post. I had to get the pictures scanned. I posted the pictures - One is of his face, one with his legs crossed, and the third is the BOY picture.
Paabs and I are very excited. It was very neat to see all the parts of our baby. He was very active - and only uncrossed his legs for a few minutes so we could see that he was a BOY :) We have both been thinking of names...so far nothing fits yet. It will come though. We are taking suggestions!!!
I feel Baby Boy Estrada move a few times a day now. I try to pay close attention at night when I am relaxing. I can't wait for Paabs to feel him too. I am feeling much better - only real craving I have as of yet is Root Beer. Weird - but that is what he likes.
I do have to complain a little about maternity clothes...maybe I should become a designer. The clothes are either super ugly or are made for short people. Just because when you are pregnant and you gain weight, that doesn't mean you shrink. Pants are so hard for me to find...they are all too short. If I do find ones that are long - they are high end brands and cost a FORTUNE. Not to mention that nothing really fits my boobs. They are huge already!
I have had to do lots of baby shopping lately for others...all girls though. Hopefully soon, I will get to dive into boy stuff. I am going to start on the nursery soon and take Paabs shopping so we can pick out furniture we like :)
I am off to eat...as I am always hungry these days. I think Baby Boy Estrada is going through a GROWTH spurt.

5 MORE DAYS...

Okay...so this week is taking FOREVER. I have been feeling the baby move from time to time. Our ultrasound is Monday at 3:00pm...

Dr. Appt 06.11.08

So we headed to the doctor's today...everything went good! I LOVE hearing the heartbeat. In two weeks, we shall find out if Baby Estrada is a boy or a girl...so far, everyone is telling us that it is a BOY. Our appt should be on or around June 23rd. We will keep you posted and let you know the verdict!! Can't wait to see the baby again!!

I am feeling much much better these days. The baby and I are getting adapted to each other. I am eating most of the foods I did before except for a few selections. It is sort of like liquor - Once you have had a bad experience throwing a certain flavor up, you usually do not drink it again. I am doing my best to eat healthy, but I have to throw some ice cream in on occasion.

Soon, I should be able to feel the baby move!!! Very excited about that. I will keep you all posted on that. I am very excited to feel the first movement :)

No names as of yet...I have flipped through the name book over and over again. It is Paab's turn to start brainstorming. Any of you out there have ideas??

Last night I started to read to the baby...Kirstin and Ross gave me a good book - Goodnight Moon :)

I Have Been a Blog Slacker...

Sorry for the NO updates lately. My sister and a few others are starting to complain. I will be better...I promise. I have just really not been on my computer at home at all. So now I am at work and decided to take a break from my WORK, to update you all :)

My parents were here at the end of April. They were in SHOCK...at least Walt was-his mouth dropped. They both got big grins on their faces for their new grand baby. They are already planning their annual fall hunting trip around the due date. Both my sisters from Alaska are also planning on visiting after the baby is born.

On my birthday, May 14, we got the best present - we got to hear the heartbeat for the first time. The baby had a strong heart beat of 162 beats per minute, although the nurse had a hard time because the baby kept bouncing around. Must get that from me and maybe some influence from Uncle Ross.

As for me, I have been doing a lot of reading about pregnancy and looking at names. Pablo and I watched In the Womb last week. It was neat to see all the stages of the baby and how quickly they develop everything. My morning (or all day) sickness is getting better each day. They say after 16 weeks I should feel great. I have been doing Qi Gong and trying to walk the past week or so. Although the rain hasn't been helping. So hopefully I will start walking more!! Plus my dogs will LOVE ME!

Our next appointment is June 11th and I will find out the date for our next ultrasound then. That will be the date when we find out the sex of the baby...Any guesses as to what baby estrada might be???

Amy and Larisa(my sisters) are coming down from Alaska next week to do a race here in Reno. I am very excited to see them. Although I will not be in the race with them, I will be cheering everyone on.

I will get Paabs to write and update on his perspective too!

Until next time...I will hopefully feel the baby soon. I will keep you posted!!

Our Little PR Jumping Bean

I meant to write this sooner, but haven't had a whole lot of time...or should I say I would rather SLEEP! Last week we had our first appointment and our first ultrasound of baby estrada. It was so EXCITING to see the heart beating and the baby bouncing all around. Baby estrada must get it's bouncing from me, with some influence from Uncle Ross..hehe. So for now, I am calling the baby our puerto rican jumping bean :) It was AMAZING seeing our baby for the first time and it was a feeling I have never had before.

As for me, I have been feeling a little better. I tend to get sick right around 6:00-7:00pm every night. We are making do though and hopefully we will only have a few more weeks of this! I am pretty much eating what I want and watching my portions. That includes ice cream! The baby LOVES ice cream. I have noticed that I am much more irritable that ever before and I cry at movies I probably wouldn't have before. Just so weird how your emotions change.

On Friday, my parents will be arriving so we will finally get to tell them that they will be grandparents again!!! I am really excited for them to find out. It hasn't been easy keeping it a secret from them, although it will be more fun to tell them face to face. Stay tuned for details :)

~The Doctor's office gave us a new due date of: NOVEMBER 19, 2008~

Toilet and Bread...

Okay...I know I haven't written in awhile and you will soon find out why.

I found my new best friends...the toilet and bread! If I could eat bread with melted cheese for every meal, I would. In fact, I do have that at least once a day - Pretzels with cheese are my favorite. A few things I can't eat...Meat, with the exception of chicken and anything that I think is too salty or too sweet. I don't even like toast, because I have thrown that up twice. The bathroom has become a very familiar place both at work and at home. I think I know the pattern on the floor by heart! Even though hanging over the toilet is not fun, I now that it will all be worth the reward at the end. I have quit taking my prenatals and switched to flinstone vitamins and am going to get some folic acid today. When I see my doctor next week, I will see about getting on different vitamins that don't require 10 horse pills in a day. They can make birth control pills so tiny, but never vitamins. Right now the baby is very picky, so I am listening to my body so we can make it through this. Poor Pablo never has any dinner when he gets home because the mear thought of cooking certain foods makes me throw up. The past few days have been better though and I was introduced to Preggie Pops...suckers made with ginger oil in them. This helps a little with the nausea and the sugar wakes me up a little. Hopefully each week will get better. I am looking forward to sleep, sleep, and more sleep this weekend...when really I should clean! Oh yeah, and I have a pedicure schedule for Saturday afternoon so that should be HEAVEN!!

the day has finally come!

the day has finally came for kari and i we have been trying for almost two years and we our having a baby.i'm very excited and can't wait until he or she is born.i wish my mom could be here when the baby is born because this is her dream come true for us i know she is still with us and blessed us with our baby xoxo i love you mom.i am the last one to have a baby in our family and it feels special and great to us it still has not hit me but i know its coming and we are ready for the great experience to come.no more spending money on parlay cards now it will be money towards jordans or coach purses lol either way it's gonna be worth the wait and can't wait to love my child as much as i love my wife kari she has changed my life around and i love her for that xoxo i love you honey.

Nap Policy

So I think that corporate america should adopt a NAP POLICY. Every pregnant woman should have the option of a two hour lunch to nap if necessary - which we all NEED! The books don't lie when they say you will experience FATIGUE - more like you will fall into deep sleeps often...

By 3:30, I no longer want to read my computer screen, I can't stop yawning and all I want to do is curl up with my dogs and SLEEP! So they say exercise should help this...I am going to start talking walks on my lunch - I will keep you posted on that one!

Sweet Dreams to Kari - Good news for Paabs though - he has MUCH more PS3 time...hehe :)

WE ARE PREGNANT!!!

We are new to this blogging thing...so bare with us.

So some very exciting news for Pablo and I. On March 15, 2008 we took (or I should say I) a home pregnancy test that came back with "PREGNANT"! We are super excited, especially since it has taken us awhile to conceive. The following Monday I went to get a blood test to confirm and we are currently 6 weeks pregnant. I wanted to start our blog page to keep our family and friends informed and for Paabs and I to express our adventures of our first pregnancy.

Our due date is: NOVEMBER 17, 2008