30 weeks

Yesterday marked 30 weeks!!! I don't know why, but it just seems so much farther along than 29 weeks. Bed rest is coming along. I am so thankful for my close family. I don't know how I could do it without them! Baby Boy Riggs is moving like crazy in my belly and Caitlyn is moving like crazy outside of it. Ash's parent's kept Caitlyn at their house this past weekend and I swear she grew a ton just over those few days. It was so nice being able to spend the day with her... or watching from the couch as my mom spent the day with her. Today was the 1st day Ash spent a full day at work... I counted down the minutes until he got home... I definitely have 'enhanced closeness' to him (that's what the pregnancy books call it). Tomorrow, I'll try to shoot some pictures from my view... whether it be the couch or bed! Stay tuned...

My New Job

I returned home from the hospital yesterday afternoon and I have assumed my new job as

BAKER OF BABY BOY IN MY BELLY!

At first, I was totally devastated when they gave me a sheet of paper describing the strictness of my bed rest, but after the doctor explained to me that normally only one dose of all the drugs they gave me would have stopped my preterm contractions and the fact that my contractions were still very stong after the maximum doses and three other drugs, they then explained to me my risks and informed me that a transfer to TG (where the good NICU is) might be beneficial... I realized that it is not about me and whether I'm allowed to go up and down our one flight of stairs in our home and that I can't take anymore showers (just baths) and that (even though it breaks my heart and I have cried a number of times about it) it doesn't entirely matter that I can't pick up and love on my daughter...
I HAVE TO REST and be a good home for my son now so that he won't want to come out again anytime soon. My doctor said that chances of delivering a week after preterm contractions start are very high. She is hoping that I can keep him in for 5 weeks... I am shooting for 10 more weeks myself! Thank you to everyone for all the love and prayers sent our way.
I could tell from reading Ash's post that he was really worried about me, but now I ask everyone to send prayers his way too cause dealing with a bed (and pelvic) rest Erin will be a tough tough job! And say some prayers for Baby Boy Riggs too! I'll continue to keep everyone posted as Ash has set the laptop up nicely next to my bed. Bless him!

Hospital

At the request of Erin I am making a post on her behalf.

Last night at about 8:45 PM Erin started having strong contractions every 2 minutes, consistently. Keep in mind we are only 29 weeks along in our pregnancy. After about 90 minutes of continued contractions and lots of stress Erin called the on-call doctor. Of course, the doctor wanted Erin and I to get to the ER as soon as possible.

We got to the hospital about 10:30 PM and went straight up to labor and delivery. Erin was given lots of drugs; some taken by shots, some pills and the rest through an IV. Most of the drugs Erin was given took a pretty good toll on her body so she didn't get much sleep last night. This morning Erin didn't show any strong signs of pre-labor so she continues to rest, drink lots of water, eat regularly and stay on her 4-hour cycle of medication.

I came home tonight to do a post, catch up on some work and then get some sleep so I can go back into work tomorrow. Caitlyn has been spending some time with her Babcia and Grandma these last 24-hours and probably will through tomorrow night too.

Please say a prayer for a tired and sore Erin. Erin is expected back home tomorrow afternoon where I am sure she will have more to say.

Back in Business

For the past week or so Ashley and I have been rearranging rooms in our home to make room for Baby Boy Riggs!!! Well, the process is almost near completion. Sunday we painted our new game room slash study and put it all back together so that it is a functional play room for Caitlyn and the soon to be Baby Boy! In the corner of the room is a small beautiful white desk that Ash and his Dad made (from scratch) that now has our computer set up on it... so I am able to be back in the blogging world!
So here's to all my blogging buddies... sorry I haven't been there to comment:
Beth- Happy Valentine's Day to you too!
Cara- The Oregon Zoo seemed like a lot of fun, I can't wait for your computer problems to be fixed so that you can share some pictures.
Dad- I've missed your cupid calls by just minutes. We'll all be home today a little after 7pm, if you want to call again. I miss you and I hope that your Valentine's Day was lovely... thanks for being the 'Working Man'!
Jodi- Sophie is getting so big and I LOVE the pictures of her at Red Robin drinking the milkshake and her hair is absolutely precious!
Nadine- My thoughts and prayers continue to go out to you and your family... God has a plan for everything.
Sara- I was crying when I read the pink blanket post... Caitlyn is totally attached to a green one that is currently falling apart and I just bought some thread to try to sew it. I have already been to the store that I bought it from to try and get a back up but they didn't have it... of course! I hope your daughter is adjusting okay... and Beau and is swifter broom was hilarious. Great post!
Sarah Goetsch- I hope that your trip is going well and that your mom is recovering well.
Sara Mo- I can't believe Matthew is old enough to go roller skating! Also, I enjoyed your picture and can't wait to see what other cool things you can do from that web site.
Steve- Thanks for all your help with the desk... you know what they say about a man that is good with wood ;)
Terisha- We're going to the game against the Phoenix Suns, I think it's on March 26th!
and last but certainly not least...
Tiffany Jeanne- You and little Jax and now Avery too have been in my prayers. I hope that today everyone woke up and is starting to feel better. If you need ANYTHING AT ALL I'm just a phone call away. I love you guys!
Oh... it feels good to be back! I hope everyone had a great 'Day of Love'. Ash and I never really do much to celebrate since our anniversary is right around the corner, but this year Caitlyn thought it was a good idea to surprise me at work holding a few long stemmed roses for me and my friends and when I got home there was the rest of the two dozen flowers in a vase on my night stand...She's so thoughtful (like her Daddy)!!!

18 Months

I can hardly believe that my little Miss Caitlyn Leigh is already 1 and a half years old. She is growing so incredibly fast... and when I say fast... I mean it. We had her feet sized during Christmas time and she was a size 4 and we went again last week and she is now a size 6. Her 12-month onsies all of a sudden all became real tight against her shoulders and became dificult to snap. The 18 month pants still are a little big in the waist and the 12 month pants are still way too short... she's growing like a little weed. She now has 6 teeth (remember when I was worried that I'd have to get her fitted for baby dentures) and lots of little blonde curls! She absolutely adores her baby dolls and her teddy bear. She can't sleep without her sage green blanket and loves to take turns giving her mom and dad tons of kisses and big squeezes for hugs. She can't go a day without watching her nursery rhyme shows on on demand and watching everyone she loves pass by on our digital picture frame. She enjoys brushing her teeth in the tub and when asked if she knows where mommy's baby is... she lifts up my shirt and blows raspberries on my belly. She can point to every single body part (including her tush, where she kind of smacks her bum and smiles). Her newest and most favorite thing to sign is 'bird' and she loves making the noise for doggy and cat (the way she says 'meow' in her little baby voice is to die for). She had her 18 month check-up last week and the doc says that she is growing very well... high on the charts for length and low on the charts for her weight and right in the middle for her head circumference.
I speak for both Ashley and I when I say that she is the light of our lives and each month we grow with her gets better and better. She is a wonderful daughter will be an amazing older sister. Thanks little Caitlyn for adding so much to our lives!

2nd Trimester Favorites

Top 10 Things

I Couldn't Live Without

10. Homemade stove top popcorn... still

9. Long relaxing showers

8. Finishing the Harry Potter books and watching the Harry Potter Movie-a-thon with Sandy (each movie had it's own assortment of accompanying junk food)

7. Wagon rides with Caitlyn

6. Meeting baby Jackson Newgard and play dates with Miss Avery

5. Twilight (books 1, 2, and half of 3)... I LOVE Edward!

4. Grape or strawberry soda

3. Peanut Butter anything... especially peanut butter cup perfection from cold stone or Reese's peanut butter puff cereal or bananas and apples with peanut butter.

2. The steelers winning the Superbowl!!!

1. Hugs and kisses from Caitlyn and Ashley!

Top 5 Things

I Could've Lived With OUT

5. Sleepless nights

4. Caitlyn's 1st stomach bug :(

3. Losing my breath while climbing up and down the stairs or chasing after Caitlyn...or simply walking from one nurse's station to the other

2. An 11 pound weight gain between weeks 20 & 24... I love the holidays!

1. The quirks of pregnancy: some funky ileosacral inflammation that makes me occasionally limp or waddle after I move from sitting to standing position, starting to stumble in the morning while I attempt to put on my panties, socks or pants while standing up, a crazy abdominal rash that lasted for about a week which I'm sure made me irresistible for my hubby!

Only 12 weeks to go! I am so excited to meet our new addition and for Caitlyn to become a big sister! Hopefully my 3rd trimester goes as smoothly as the first two!

Steelers 6 Pack

I have never been so into a game before in my entire life!!! There were seriously times during the game I felt my heart skip a beat or times where it was pounding against my ribs and even times I had to remind myself to breath. What an exciting SuperBowl!!!
Way to go Pittsburgh Steelers, Super Bowl Champions of the World!!!
I don't even know how many times we danced the Steelers Polka after they won... but it was a lot :)

Proud Moment

I just had to post a little tid bit about our dinner out...
So, usually a dinner out for Ash and I means that one of us eats as the other attempts to feed Caitlyn while she squirms outta her highchair and then ends up chasing her all around the restaurant because she HATES sitting in and eating... then we switch while the other one of us eats our cold dinner and the other plays chase! Well, tonight we went to Black Angus for Ash's Uncle's B-Day (not the best food) and Little Miss Caitlyn ate a whole roll of bread (while in her high chair), then she ate salad croutons, carrots, and baked potato soup (all while still in her high chair) and then for her main course she had orange slices, macaroni and cheese and fries (still seated). For dessert, she ate icecream with sprinkles... and she did all of this while sitting in her highchair!!! I know this sounds silly to blog about but it made a world of difference on how our night turned out. She is now peacefully in bed and I am SO HAPPY AND PROUD!!!
Thanks, Caitlyn, for having such good manners tonight!

Early Nesting?!?

The arrival of my BFF's son, Jackson, has put me into baby preparation mode! Although I am only 26 weeks along in my pregnancy with Baby Boy Riggs, I have felt the need to get his room all ready. The room is complete with a fresh coat of paint, new furniture, and bedding (all which arrived early-when does that ever happen?!?!). Baby Boy Riggs also has his own diapers (compliments of Gram and Pap) and his own softer-than-ever baby blue blanket (compliments of Babcia and Cocia Hana). He also has (on display of course) a cute hat with matching booties that his Dad bought him for Christmas... so I don't know if this counts as early nesting or what... but I'm ready! Just a few pieces of wall art and room decorations will finish off his oh-so-blue room! I am not sure but after this post, I might pack my hospital bag...Jk!

Here's Caitlyn wondering if it's dry enough to be outside.

It seems as though we are having the never ending winter! I know...it's still January, but I'm kinda ready for some sunshine! It snowed again last night and all last week gloomy fog stuck around 24/7. There were only one or two days that Caitlyn and I went outside and didn't come back all dewy. Maybe I just want it to be Spring because with Spring comes warmth, flowers, Easter, and our 2nd child. I'm going to try not to wish my life away though:) I'll also try and post some room pictures as soon as the decorations are complete.

And here she is warning me that the clouds are changing and it looks as if we only have minutes before it starts to snow or rain again.

(Thanks Grandma, Pappy, Babcia, Cocia Hana, Ash, and Caitlyn for all your help)

Pittsburgh's Goin' to the Superbowl!!!

Here We Go...

Here We Go...

Here We Go... Steelers,

Here We Go...

Pittsburgh's Goin' to the SuperBowl!!!

Just got home from an amazing AFC Playoff Party hosted by cousin Brian (from PA) and my Cocia Pola flew in (also from PA) which made cheering for our team so much more fun!!! Way to go Steelers for an amazing 23-14 point victory over the Ravens! We sure missed my Mom and Dad at the party... but I know they'll both be here for the SUPERBOWL XLIII!

GO STEELERS!

Some of these pics are left over from previous games this year... I was dying to be able to use them for something... YAY!

Welcome Jackson!

My BFF, Tiffany and her family welcomed thier newest addition... Jackson Jonathon Newgard this morning at 6:24am! He weighed in at 7 pounds 9 ounces and is 19 inches long! So far it looks as if he has blonde maybe curly hair. Tiffany and Jackson are very healthy and happy! Congratulations to the Newgards!

Updates

Me: I don't need to rest anymore... for those of you who were concerned. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. I'll probably still try my hardest to take it easy though (very difficult with a 17 month old). I just finished the whole Harry Potter series (I know I'm a little behind), I loved every single page of it. I read every second that Caitlyn was resting. Ash says that Harry Potter consumed my life for the the past few months... Well, sweetie... I'm back!!! Today, when Caitlyn went down for nap, I kinda didn't know what to do with my free time, so I started cleaning my much neglected house. My friend Sandy was reading the books along side me and we finished the exact same day. We have a Harry Potter Movie-a-thon planned to start on Wednesday and plan on seeing the 6th movie together, (which comes out on July 17th & I already have a babysitter lined up for what will then be my 2 kiddos). I'm 24 weeks along with Baby Boy Riggs and I still feel good... other than being really tired and I am constantly trying to catch my breath...probably from running after speedy Caitlyn.

Ash: He's a saint... really! He's been neglected since I started to read and has put up with the occasional mood swings pregnancy and lack of sleep has brought on. He is skipping this soccer season (each season only lasts a couple of months), but is picking up 2 games tonight. He's working hard to get the house ready for baby number 2, along with putting in some extra time in at work. I love him!!!

Caitlyn: Loves life and we love having her in ours! She is such a little blessing. Not talking a whole lot but makes up her own words and movements for things so it is getting easier to understand and communicate with her. She loves to dance and watch nursery rhymes (she's even learning to do the hand motions to some of the songs). Believe it or not... we've began potty training. Really, we're just introducing her to the 'potty'. She is absolutely adorable sitting on it. She is able to let us know when she has done 'something' in her diaper so we ask her, "do you need to go potty?" She usually runs straight to the bathroom and sits on the little potty. Recently, she sat there for a while... then ran to the kitchen, peed on the floor... then ran back to the potty and sat down! She'll learn in time, it really is amazing watching her learn and grow! Caitlyn is looking forward (with her friend, Avery) to being a big sister!
That's all for now! Thanks for reading!

Doctor's Orders

Recently, I was ordered by my doctor to take it easy... So today, I swept, mopped, vacuumed, dusted, windexed, and Caitlyn was like, "Mom, your doc said take it easy... let me finish the housework!" So I let her... and now I am going to lie down and try to finish book 6 of Harry Potter!What a little helper!

Final Christmas

Aah... Our final Christmas celebrations are finished. I actually forgot to take pictures at the Christmas dinner last night but to recap, there was a lot of chanting (mostly for food and gifts), there definitely was not enough 7 layer salad, the ham and gravy were especially tasty, one person opened her gift a few times in a row without noticing that it was the same bottle of wine coming out of the bag over and over again, hannah montana's 16 month calendar was gifted, there was a ton of laughter (sometimes the laughter was so hard that no noise was coming out), girls beat the boys... AGAIN in games, football was watched including the OT, lots of love was shared!

Then there was the Christmas with my family... it was fun, gifts were shared, food was eaten and football was watched. We sure are lucky to have so much family close!

Happy New Year!!!

We brought in 2009 at Jon & Mandy's

6th Annual Cocktail New Year's Party...

Caitlyn looked absolutely stunning in her pretty dress with matching hair accessories (made by Tiffany Jeanne).
The highlight of the night (for me) was definitely the ball drop that the boys made. We had our own special countdown in North Tacoma that definitely put Seattle's Space Needle to shame. I went to bed shortly after all the new years kisses were given and had a bit of a dificult time getting to sleep with only handful of drunken disturbances. After only a couple of hours of sleep... I found myself driving to work at 6 in the morning. I wouldn't have changed a thing about how the night went... cause I was able to spend it with the people I love most. Hope everyone had a wonderful and safe New Year... bring it on 2009!!!