Introducing Reese Kendrick Garvin

Reese Kendrick Garvin arrived yesterday at 4:42pm, weighing in at 7lbs 14ozs and 20 inches long. Mom and Baby (and Daddy) are doing great! More to come...

Cameron's Project

Cameron has a little wooden rocking horse that was in his room as a little boy. It was in pretty bad shape. The pieces were falling apart and it needed painting. So, Cameron slapped on his handyman hat and took the whole thing apart and back together. He sanded and painted the horse to match Reese's nursery. It turned out very cute...I'm so proud of my handy husband!

Before

The front panel

The back panel

After

The front panel

The back

And just for fun...one final round of belly pictures! 'Scuse the face!

On a side note, congrats to my good friend Faris and her husband, Caleb, on the birth of their new daughter, Kathryn Ryals Connor, born in the wee hours of the morning today. Faris was not actually due until October 15th, but she always has to do things before me (kidding!), so the baby came early. Baby Ryals is healthy and both she and mommy are well! Hopefully my next post will be about me having a baby!

40 Weeks

Well, I am officially overdue! Yesterday marked my completion of 40 weeks of pregnancy. I went back to the doctor today and saw a different one since mine is on vacation. The ultrasound looked good, but I'm still not dilated and he said my cervix was sitting really high. So, we're just gonna let me go a few more days and see what happens. I'm scheduled to be induced on the evening of the 27th if it doesn't happen naturally before then.

On the illness front, I feel much better. I've been resting pretty much constantly and I think that's helped. So, I think I'm almost well. I'll keep everyone posted on my progress (or lack thereof).

This Little Piggy Went to the Hospital

Okay, so that little piggy sent this little preggy to the hospital. And I do not mean Reese, although he is a chubster. I'm talking the dreaded Swine Flu. Here's how it played out (it's probably gonna be kinda long...sorry).

Tuesday
Woke up feeling fairly normal except for a sore-ish throat. Thought maybe I'd just slept with my mouth open and my throat was dry. As the day progressed my head started hurting and my chest was tight and hurt when I coughed. Around 3:30, the nurse from the OB's office called to tell me that the ultrasound tech that performed my ultrasound the day before, and consequently, the week before had been diagnosed with Swine Flu. I didn't feel like I had a fever or anything more than just allergies, so I was just kinda like, whatever. Around 1am I got up for a potty trip and was shivering violently...it was the first time I had been cold in about two months. My first thought, "oh great...I have a fever." So, I took my temp and I had a slight fever. I woke Cameron up and then started trying to get Reese to move around. He was not really wanting to co-operate, which to be honest kinda freaked me out. So, after some debate I called the doctor's office and was told to head to the hospital for observation. Oh, and we got pulled over for speeding in Byron on the way. He was nice though and let us go.

Once we got the hospital they put me in an observation room and got me hooked up to the fetal monitor. Reese's heart rate was very high (mid 180s), as was mine (130s). They said this was due to the fever. After a couple of hours everything stabilized and they sent me home. We got in about 5:45am with orders for me to call the doctor's office first thing to get in to be seen.

Wednesday
Got the doctor around 10:30 in the morning. They took me back to an empty room so I wouldn't breath on everyone. I pretty much felt like death warmed over and must have looked like it, too. I had a headache, chills, aches, fever, sore throat, etc. This was the beginning of 48+ hours of mask wearing. Dr. Paul decided I had the flu and should be admitted to the hospital to make sure I could get well quickly before Reese makes his appearance and so they could make sure they were close by if I got worse. We got down the room around 12:30 and I was hooked up to the IV (ouch!). I ran a fever for the next 24 hours.

Thursday
Felt much, much better! They had done something called a nasal swab to test for Influenza A and B and that test came back negative. However, after I got all excited thinking I didn't have the flu, the internist came in and said the test is only 50% accurate. So he said with my symptoms, he was saying I had the flu, probably Swine Flu because they had not really been seeing seasonal flu yet. Basically what he said was "if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck..." So, my diagnosis, with no further tests, was Swine Flu.

Friday
Most everything had moved to my head and my nose was much more stuffed up and runny. It dawned on me that I hadn't taken my allergy meds since Tuesday, so that might have something to with it being in my head now. The doctors, both the internist and the OB on call, gave me the clear about mid-morning. Annoyingly enough I was not actually discharged until about 3 this afternoon. So after 48 hours in the hospital, on the maternity floor, two days before my due date, I got to go home...without a baby.

They monitored the baby pretty much the whole time I was in there and he was fine...in absolutely no distress at all. We are actually kind of hoping now that Reese stays put for a few more days to make sure I'm well and that my body has built up enough antibodies to pass on to him. This is not something I was expecting to deal with the week before my due date, but it is what it is and it was dealt with. I do think if I had not been admitted to the hospital and pumped full of fluids for a day and a half, it would have been much worse. I'm not blaming anything on the ultrasound tech, either. I'm just grateful that I was far enough along in this pregnancy for there not to be any real danger to the baby. I've had it so easy up to this point, something was bound to happen sooner or later! I'm just glad it was to me and did not really affect the baby. I feel much better since I got home and took a shower and put on my own pjs. I'm very tired because I've gotten maybe a total of 12-14 hours of sleep since Tuesday night. But, hopefully I'll have plenty of time to get uninterrupted sleep this weekend. Well, uninterrupted except for potty breaks! Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers. Hopefully next time I grace the maternity floor, I'll get to leave with Reese on the outside of my body!

No Progress...Reese Likes Living Inside My Belly

Well, I am 39 weeks and 1 day today. My due date in in 6 days. Things have really changed since I quit working. Meaning my blood pressure has continued to be lower than it was and I'm resting a little better. I'm still getting up several times a night, mind you, but I get to sleep later. So overall, I think I'm a happier pregnant lady. I'm still trying to get out and do something at least once a day even if it's just running to CVS or the grocery store. It kinda helps keep my mind off things.

I went to the doctor today. Still no progress. No dilation, no contractions, nothing. I'm trying not to get frustrated, but it's kinda hard not to. I realize I still have a week, but I'm ready, dang it! I guess I've just made too good a home for Reese in my belly. Dr. Paul wants to see me back in a week, so I go back on Monday. Oh, and he'll be on vacation...awesome! He won't be back till Sunday night the 27th. Which, he'll then proceed to induce my labor if I haven't had the baby by then. Did I mention he is going to be on vacation next week? I guess it's not really that big of a deal, since I haven't had a difficult pregnancy, but it would be nice to have my doctor actually deliver the baby. The ultrasound showed everything was still great with Reese. He is doing fine and in no distress at all. There is still plenty of amniotic fluid, he is moving like crazy, and is practicing his breathing movements. I'll try to keep everyone up to speed as things develop. We may have a stubborn child on our hands!

39 Weeks...couldn't do the face this week...just too yuck!

Adventures in Nurseryland, Part 3 - All We Need is Reese!

We are pretty much finished with the nursery! I really wish I could get some better pictures that really do it justice cuz it's just so dang cute. We got our letters that my Mom made put up, our painting of the animals up, and on the wall above the changing table is two pictures each of Cameron and me around an empty frame waiting for a picture of Reese. Enjoy the pictures!

The view from the door

From the other corner...the thing above the letters is a tin sign that says "BABY"

'Scuse the flash in the glass...this is the painting we had done of the animals

This is on the wall between the door (when opened) and the closet. The picture was something that hung in my Dad's nursery and eventually hung in my childhood bedroom (but not my nursery). The cross says "I am wonderfully made" from the Psalms.

With everything in place, we pretty much just need Reese! Maybe soon...

38 Weeks and Still Cooking

Okay, I know I said I wasn't going to post after every doctor's visit, but this one was good, so I thought I'd update. It was good because my blood pressure is lower. It was only 136/88 so that's the first time in two weeks both numbers have been below the "cause for concern" number (which is 140/90). So instead of going back in two days, he doesn't want to see me back until Monday (which, by the way, is 6 days from now and 6 days before I'm due). Maybe I'm more relaxed because I've quit working. Cameron seems to think I'm resting better because of that. The one downside of my appointment is that I'm still not showing any progression as far as dilation. Dr. Paul and I both are not interested in doing an early induction unless I'm favorable, which I'm not right now. He said it would make for a long, hard labor. So, we're just biding our time and letting nature take it's course. If I reach and/or pass my due date, then we'll talk induction. The ultrasound showed Reese to be thriving in my belly (maybe it's too comfortable?!). He is doing great practicing his breathing movements and his heart was just going to town (138 BPM). The tech said he weighed in at about 7lbs 9oz, which is somewhat of a relief cuz I was expecting at least 8lbs by this point. She said if she had to put money on it, she say he was going to be about 8 1/2 lbs. So, maybe he won't be a 10 pounder! I am very blessed to have had it so easy thus far and just pray it continues through L & D. I need to just be patient and know that he'll come when he's ready and I need to just not worry about it! Easier said than done! I'm posting the 38 week pictures, which don't really look too different from the previous ones. But, I've included my face since I caught some flack for not doing so last time (Meaghan!).

Cameron, bless his heart, was like "that one's good!" Thanks, honey!

Close-up...looks like my belly is about to fall off!

Oops!

Here's an interesting conversation that took place between my father and me yesterday while I was at their house.

Dad: Come outside, please.

Me: Why?

Dad: Because I just backed into your car!

Me: Are you kidding me?

Dad: No, I'm not kidding you.

Me: Well, is it hurt?

Dad: Yes, it's hurt! Come out and look.

So, basically what happened is that my car was parked well out of the way and Dad was not paying attention to what he was doing and he just smacked into it backing out of the garage. Fortunately for him, it was not in his brand new truck, and he did not damage the Volvo. Just my car. So, this is not exactly what I was hoping to deal with right before the baby is born, but hopefully we'll get it fixed before then. Never a dull moment at the Mathews' house!!

Quick Update

Went and saw Dr. Paul this morning. By the way...his name is not actually Dr. Paul...it's Dr. Paul Roddenberry but he, his twin brother Eric, and their dad are all in the same practice so it can get kind of confusing! Anyway...my ultrasound looked good again today. Cameron was not able to go with me because he just couldn't take off work (I mean, I am going twice a week, so it is a little unreasonable for him to come with me every time), so my mom went with me. The ultrasound is for something called a biophysical profile of the baby to make sure the baby is not under any kind of stresss and is developing and thriving. In order for everything to be considered normal, you have to get 6 out of 8 points. The past two times we've gotten 8 out of 8, so everything is great with Reese. I did get to see a 3D of his sweet little face and let me tell you...it is not so little! He has the most pinchable, kissable cheeks! My mom asked Dr. Paul if I was going to be able to deliver a 10 lb baby...his response? (Laughing) "We'll find out!" Gee, thanks Dr. Paul! My BP was pretty good today at 136/92. It has kind of stabalized. Also, my urinalysis came back fine. He said the number (for whatever it is they are measuring) that would be cause for concern is anything above 300. Mine was 116, so that's well within normal. So, since I do not have any significant traces of protein in my urine the diagnosis stands at pregnancy induced hypertension. Basically we're gonna keep trucking and continue to monitor me twice a week. I probably won't update everytime unless something comes up.

Oh, today was my last afternoon as "Dr. Katie" until Januaury! YAY!!!