okay......

So having a four week old is much like having a bad case of diarrhea in the respect that you have just enough time in between feedings to do absolutely nothing. Hence why there haven't been any updates from me as of late. But we are doing well. Noah is a great baby, he lets me sleep a few hours at night and is not really all that uoset about anything. He is a fairly content child. However that still makes me his slave for the next 18 years of life. It's worth it.

And for those of you out there, the saying, "It's different when it's your own child." is completely true. Midnight feedings are not as bad when you made the thing your feeding. Plus having a cute face doesn't hurt. Anyway. I'll leave you all with pictures as my head is slowly dropping and my face is falling off from a lack of sleep.
Noah and Aunty T

Noah and Opoo making faces

My bobble headed boy.

Catching up (part dou)

(WARNING: IF YOU HAVENT READ THE PREVIOUS BLOG "Catching up...but definitely not on sleep", THE JOKES CONTAINED HEREIN WILL BE SHALLOW AND STUPID. THAT BEING SAID, THE JOKES HEREIN WILL PROBABLY BE SHALLOW AND STUPID ANYWAY BUT FOR THOSE FEW PEOPLE WHO DO READ THIS AND CHUCKLE, A COMMENT WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED TO HELP MASSAGE THE EGO OF THIS BLOG WRITING AMATUER.)


The hospital room was bustling with testosterone and masculine pheromones for the new life that had emerged only moments before. Noah was chilling out in the baby incubator glass container posing for the next issue of GQ. The nurse called me over because she had heard me count from 1 to 10 for the last 2 hours and had me use my skills to verify digits of our little burrito. I was remotely disheartened to find that he didnt have his father's extra 11th finger but was relieved to see that he did get his mothers webbed toes. (Neither of the last two statements are true.) He was awake and staring down the nurse with her cold instruments poking and prodding him with a cynical and angry expression on his face. The next thing that happened will scare me for the rest of my life, he turned his wobbly head toward me and pointed his right index finger right at me and opened his eyes extra wide. The look he gave me was almost accusatory as if he was saying, "You just wait.....you'll get yours. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but one day you will be lying naked in a glass container with people snapping pictures of you, *snap*, mocking your cry and rubbing cold metal objects on your chest and I will just stand over you and laugh." I think he was just mad that I emasculated him by cutting his umbilical cord ( a very clean and easy process in all, not nearly as disgusting as I expected.)

I decided it was a good time to go check on the wife, so I left the quivering ball of skin and turned around to face a bowl full of vomit inducing unhappiness. (For those of you who are queasy, skip ahead.) Prior to the birth, I had told Crystal that the one thing I would least like to see is the placenta. The doctor decided that she wanted to leave it in a cereal bowl in the middle of a table as if saving it for later. Traci (the nurse) and I had joked around about religious beliefs and how they would coincide with this whole birth process. I told her we were of the religious perspective that feels it necessary to, (how to put this politely), indulge in the life giving sack that my wife had just passed. (Yes it is true that some people actually do eat the placenta). When the conversation was being had earlier in the day, I thought that I had made it very clear that we were joking, but looking at the veiny bloody matter, I feared that Traci would pull out a blender any moment and hit "puree". I simply lifted a hand and blocked the bowl from my view as I meandered around the bed to Crystal's side.

She was laying back smiling, enjoying our son's induction to the cold cruelness that is this world. We watched from a distance as Noah was moved from the incubator to the scale and roll from side to side trying his best to make things that much more difficult for the nurse. Eventually she put her hand on his side to hold him still and he saw his chance to spring free. He grabbed the edge of the scale and nearly rolled out. (Check out the picture : sdgphotography.blogspot.com) Im on my tip toes trying to watch the numbers go up when the doctors calls out "T.O.B. 22:03". I turn to Crys and I say, "Thats 10:03."
She turns to me incredulous and says, "TEN POUNDS?!!"
Me and the doctor laugh and I say, "No, his time of birth is 10:03....military time is 22:03." The doc says, "He weighs 7, 10." (Now, I was expecting my kid to come out wearing shoulder pads and screaming "send me in coach." Nearly 6 weeks earlier the ultrasound said that he was a VERY LARGE 5 and a half pounds. The pregnancy math says that for the last 5 weeks the kid will gain anywhere from half to a full pound per week. In other words, I got gipped! Crystal said that he was "big enough" and we have left it at that. The nurse inked up his feet for the birth certificate then had papa lean in with his scrubs on and stamp the chest pockets with his little imprint. I told Crys that I would run out and let the stalkers know that everything was ok and then I would be right back.

So Mama, Papa and Burrito were put together on the bed and we were given the opportunity for a little prayer time. The kid was calm and started flirting and cooing at anybody that would get near enough. The funny thing is that all this happened within the first 3 minutes of him being born. The doc smiles at us and says congratulations with that "You Owe Me $13,000" smile. The next thing we know the door has burst open and in floods a sea of tearful women. There are shrieks of glee, and awwwws and a plethora of shallow comments that one would hear whilst following a group of pre-teens through an Ambercrombie and Fitch store:
"Oh, he is so cute!"
"I want one."
"I just want to kiss his little face off."
"Is this sweater on clearance?" ( I couldnt help myself )
I get to sit back and watch them pass around my little midget as the men start coming in. My brother pats me on the back and me and my dad shake hands. "You're a father."
"The Ferrell name shall live on!"
People lingered for a bit and talked about this and that. I mostly just sat back and watched and waited patiently to pass out. Crystal has said that she would much rather be the one delivering the baby than the one who has to watch the spouse go through that pain. Well, I was dead tired just watching and she was dead tired for some other reason and so the fam started to head out due to prompting from the nurse. Crys and I had that cliche moment where we looked at each other and said, "Now what?" I prepped my pull out bed chair from Satan's home and shopping network and asked Crystal to pass me the phone so that I could call room service to scan her preferred card for a memory foam bed. (In all actuality, the bed wasnt that bad. It did pull out to a reasonable length for any 4 foot tall husband whom is used to sleeping on a file cabinet.) ***(Not my best description, but give me break, still trying to get back into the swing of things.)
Too our luck, our nurse had to change shifts again so we met the next wave of interesting people. By now it was about midnight and in walks the nurse to discuss Newton's 2nd law (an object at rest remains at rest, an object in motion.....constant velocity..unexpected force.. blah blah) with me. I politely explain that the door was shut and the lights were off for a reason. She gives Crystal another plastic bag full of water *click* and rolls Noah out of the room to get him tagged like a stranded whale.
I have to speak for a moment on the security precautions that Delnor takes to keep their babies safe. Crys and I both get a little piece of paper wrapped around our wrists that seem innocent enough, but oh no, thats how they trick you. Noah gets a plastic jaws of life clamp that attaches to him from a hoop around his foot. The hospital pays someone millions of dollars to sit in a room and just watch the little red dot being transmitted from our bands move around the hospital, if by chance, you get too close to a door exiting the ward, the man in the room will give you an electric shock of 10,000 volts. If you feel like trying your luck and just sprinting to a door and running out with a baby, the little clip detaches from around babies foot and acts as a hand grenade pin. You have approximately 8 seconds to return to the maternity ward or your wristband will detonate with the power of 2 bricks of C4 dynamite. (Now I know what you are thinking....how does the baby survive the blast? Thats the amazing part! The fluids and whatnot from the delivery actually act as a solvent that turn the fiery blast into a whisk of lavender and lilac scents that carry the baby gently to the ground. I didnt believe it either until I saw some overly excited father bringing his newborn out to the family car. Poor sap, didnt even know what hit him.) But seriously, the people there are very protective of parents walking near doorways. Skipping ahead for just a moment....Crystal had to have a test done that next Tuesday while in the post labor room so I thought instead of kicking all of the people out of the room to wait, I would bring Noah into the hallway. There was a posse of 6 of us standing around me holding him just outside our door. A little 4 foot tall nurse comes scampering over freaking out that I didnt have him in his crib.
"I dont mind holding him." I said.
"Well, Delnor doesnt allow newborns to carried outside of the room for fear that someone could come up, grab them and run off." (THIS IS COMPLETELY SERIOUS! ASK MY DAD)
"And you think it would be easier for that person to do so if the babies father is holding him surrounded by a group of people?"
"It isnt permitted. If you want to walk the halls, he will have to be in a crib."
Well excuse the heck out of me. I would think that crib theivery would be easier than getting in a fist fight with me and 6 other family members. Anyway, lets move on.

My cell phone clock says 1:02 am, Crystal and I are pretending to be asleep in hopes of fooling our brains that we actually got some rest. The nurse comes in again wheeling Noah back to us just to say that our credit card had been declined and that we would have to leave the room. I start hauling all of our stuff into our few bags and grab Noah's crib cart to wheel him out into the hallway. (I learned my lesson from the troll nurse) They decided we would like the view better at the front of the maternity ward to recoup from the long day. The receiving room was similar to the delivery room except it was a little longer, less doo dadds to play around with and sadly....no mirror. I asked our nurse if we could get one *clicked to our tab and she obviously didnt either understand the joke or think that I was even a little funny. So she stays just long enough to say, "the equation's solution to the polynomial can be found by getting the sum of the squares of both sides." Then she leaves. Why they felt that we should move to recoup at 1 in the morning beats me, I would have preferred to just sleep where I was without the interruptions.

So anyway, we get our stuff laid out for 3 seconds, climb into bed, kiss the midget goodnight and turn off the lights when another nurse slides in to ask Crystal what her level of pain is. I dont remember what exactly Crystal said to the nurse but I do remember watching the EMT's come in to escort the body of the beaten nurse to the O.R. (We just wanted to sleep!) The nursery had to come in and pull Noah out again to verify his x-ray vision and super sonic hearing. He passed with flying colors and they speculated that he would gain his super human strength sometime in his pre-pubescent years.

Crys and I slept for an hour or 2 and they wheeled him back in for a feeding. It was awkward to watch another man kiss on my wife like that but Crystal assured me that it was simply an innocent fling and that it wouldnt happen again. I fell back asleep and woke up again to the whine cry of Mr. Magoo (Crystal's nickname for him). We tried to employ some of the "Baby-Wise" book and let him release the energy to pass out again but I guess he was still hungry. He stole my wife again.

The nurse came in around 7 am to take Noah to get circumcised. I wasnt exactly giddy about the pain he would go through but I figured he would thank me one day. Mom was tearful for her baby boy so we just sat together and I held her. He came back in about 20 minutes later and was passed out. I joked with Crystal that the nurse told me he broke the knife but the timing wasnt right. (She laughs about it now)

The next day was similar to the previous except that the kid was out. People came in to visit, leave gifts, flowers, cards, all that hoopla. I tried telling Noah not to accept anything because these were all belated birthday gifts and that he should act angry and hold it over their heads for a REALLY GOOD GIFT but he seemed content with all the attention. The nurse popped her head back in, "Jewel Osco'd " some pills for the wife and tried to make more small talk. Papa jumped online and checked Rosie's blog and saw that she had ALREADY put up pictures from the previous night. Rosie, I hope you got a fat check from my family members to get those pics up that fast because that is just ridiculous. (Very much appreciated, but ridiculous) I went about emailing friends and family giving the scoop and then chilled out and read a book.

Crys and I slept intermittently throughout the day when we got a chance and weren't interrupted. The day didnt bring us anything too over the top, we just enjoyed the visits and rested up. Papa made a "special request" to the cafeteria for their "homemade milkshake" and was sadly disappointed. There was very little milk, even less shake and after killing off half of it, a light went on in my brain saying....."hmmmmm......you know what Jordan......this doesnt taste like a milkshake." I popped the cap on it and look down into a cup full of......pudding. Crystal enjoyed her grilled cheese, Noah got a good fill of milk and papa sat back and waited for his mama to bring some homemade mostacholi.

That night it snowed something fierce. We got something like 5 inches. They kept us overnight again and did the most wonderful thing in the world. The offered a "nursery night" for the kid wherein he got to be babysat all evening so Mama and Papa could get some sleep. Woot! We missed the kid by 6 a.m. so we got him back. That morning the nurse helped us scoot along and pack up to leave the hospital. Papa went outside in his slippers (cause he is a dork) and got the car seat into place, scraped ice off the windows and warmed up the car. The actual leaving wasnt anything too terribly special. I was actually expecting a little more. A small musical number with a parade of babies doing synchronized swimming movement in their cribs. We just got his jaws of death clamp removed from his foot, said "piece out" to the receptionist up front and got into the car to go home. You'll be glad to know that the wristbands that we were wearing as we left didnt explode but simply left a faint hint of urine and poopy butt......or maybe it was just the midget in the back seat.

Catching up....but definitely not on sleep.

OooooooooooooooK!. We get it, you want us to update. Sadly, Crystal is slightly preoccupied with our little burrito, so I will have to fill you in on the schpeel. Crystal's was sleeping rather uncomfortably early Monday morning when she began to feel cramping similar to those of the monthly visitor. She dismissed it as regular aches and pains and got up to go to the bathroom. I had already left for work at 5:45 and was a good 40 minutes away. (In an attempt to not be too graphic.....) things get wet from there. She claims that it "wasnt quite like going to the bathroom because there is a lack of control" but for you movie buffs out there, it certainly wasnt a re-creation of Jane Curtain's scene from Coneheads. Needless to say, she was shocked and excited and called me to ask, "How would you feel if you didn't go to work today?"
"Are you serious? I'm turning around right now."
She seemed reasonably calm and started making calls to people to let them know that everything was beginning to go down. I got home and she was prettying herself up for her long day. Check out some of the pictures from the other blogs (sdgphotography.blogspot.com, talithaamber.blogspot.com) she was a good looking delivering lady. Her mascara didnt even run the whole time. Anyway, we lingered around at home for a bit and left for the hospital at 7:30ish.
The whole process of getting in to our delivery room was extremely easy. It puts all those sitcoms with the pregnant couple trying to deal with the front desk and whatnot to shame. By the by, Crys and I were impressed with the room at Provena for Moriah and Josh but this room was very inviting. It was overly spacious, had a nice pull out bed from a chair, nice t.v. with cable, pretty much the works. The highlight of the whole room was the overbearing mirror that sat hanging from the ceiling parallel to the delivery bed. If you dont know what it is there for... ask your mother. Anyway, the first thing that Crys and I commented about the mirror is that the hospital had put a large picture on the front of the mirror, (in case the mother didn't want to watch), that looked eerily like a picture that Mo and Josh have at their house. Spooky no? One way to save the memories I guess.
We got "comfortable", popped in an episode of Friends and was rudely interrupted by a nurse who wanted to make sure that Crys had seriously dropped her water. Again, in another attempt to not be too graphic, she used a little strip of paper that changes color. Sadly, she wasnt happy with the dark blue that it turned into. She wanted a pitch black blue with little purple polka dots and smiley faces that sing songs to you and she wouldn't be content with a dark navy blue with elves that tell the whole Lord of the Rings story that Crystal had produced. (By the by, that was an exaggeration). She tried the test twice and finally decided to use a little cup that also changed colors. She told us that it would take 5 to 10 minutes. We waited in the room staring at the little cup waiting for the color change. We began to get annoyed at the fact that she was POSITIVE that her water had broke and she was certain that this nurse was simply being anal. She came back at 5 minutes and it still wasnt any better, but finally at 10 minutes she smiled and said, "Your pregnant!" Woot. What a relief Captain Obvious.
And so began our lovely long day. The nurse asked what her level of pain was on a scale of 1 to 10...1 being minor discomfort (like a dwarf calling you a bad name) and 10 being excruciating pain (like, and I quote, "Getting your arm torn off from a car door"). She said she as at a 2. The nurse adjusted some switches and then left. Crys' contractions came on pretty regularly, and thank God for the machine by the bed that helps track them. The worrying husband can hold his wife and give her a heads up on the intensity of contractions. According the level that Crys told the nurse, the contractions are monitored on a level of 1 to 14. When she is normal and just kind of chillin (still uncomfortable mind you) she is at a 2 (as per her earlier questioning). The contractions came on and by 10 am she was reaching a 6 every 4 minutes or so. The nurse would pop in, make some random comment about the density of a ping pong ball and then leave. The fam came in and out throughout the day and we played some uno just long enough to remember how to properly play when a doctor came in and wanted to see how Crys was progressing. Nearly 2 cm. It was almost noon and she was only getting more uncomfortable. The doc decided that she would finish breaking her water for her because it was a "high break". (Yeah, exactly, I have no idea what that means either but I just smiled and acted like if she needed me too I could scrub up and help her do brain surgery next door.) Up until here, Stal was handling it pretty well as it simply seemed like she had a bad tummy ache but watching this doctor tear the rest of her water bag was pretty rough, even for me. (Just saying "tear the water bag" kind of makes me want to cross my legs crawl into a heap and weep.)
We sampled the delicacy that is the Delnor cafeteria and found it to be just what we expected. They do have a "Garden room" which has a nicely stocked kitchen. They have jello, and chips and pudding and soda and jello and fruit and jello and some sandwiches. Papa partook on a semi-regular basis. Mama stuck to water and ice and downed some chicken broth for lunch...mmm mmmm. Our nurses changed over and we were introduced to Traci, the blunt yet personable queen of all things baby. She was very cool, nicely calm and collected and was willing to volunteer her advice and own personal experience to help Stal. It was about 3 pm and she was 5 cm dialated. Crystal had gone through some rough contractions, some reaching 10 on the monitor scale and they were coming more and more often.
Crys had gone into this planning on doing a "natural childbirth" (for those of you who dont know what that is, it is a form of dimensia a woman experiences wherein the husband literally poops himself watching his wife die slowly on a table) but Crys was really hurting bad. I had been a huge epidural supporter from week 2 of the pregnancy but Stal was adamant about trying. I have to say, she blew my mind enduring what she did and I love that woman more for even attempting it. Despite the 3 to 5K price tag associated with this little (ha ha) barrel full of fun, I COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY ADVISE ALL COUPLES TO JUST TAKE THE STINKING THING!!!!!!! Alright, the process of actually getting the epidural is not a happy one, but the effects were great. The guy came in, said his hellos and had Stal turn on her side. We had heard horror stories about actually getting this so I promised Stal that I would watch and keep her informed. The guy wiped some poo colored water on her back to sterilize. Then he pulled out something that will haunt me till the day I die. It was a rubber tube with a sharp tip. THIS THING WAS A TUBE! It was as round as a pencil and this wasnt the shot! Crys must have seen my expression cause she said that I got real pale, the doc said that there would be some "pressure" and then he pushed the tube in. Stal was in pain, alot of pain, honestly if the guy had moved any slower I would have kicked him in the kidney. He then got the actual shot and put it inside the guide cathidur (tube) . She felt the shot too, it was a huge long needle, like 8 inches long. (I can only assume that there are some bigger people that need to have those extra 5 inches to reach their spine but Crys doesnt have much to her at all.) Anyway, the doc starts making conversation now and Crys is still in pain. He's like, "Ok.......this is going to take just a little bit of time to kick in. Once you begin to feel it you will slowly lose feeling in your legs and the pain should subside. You will still feel "pressure" (These people have completely redefined the word for me) but pain should not be an issue." This whole time, im just watching him take his time slowly empty the thing but I am ready to hop over the bed and take that thing to his face for hurting the wife but then he said..." You should start to feel icy cold run down your lower back" and instantly Stal stopped crying.
"Ohhh, thats cold."
The pain didnt stop instantly, but it was very evident that it was beginning to subside for her. He put another tube into her back and attached it to a bag full of "happy juice" and taped it to her back with a block of styrofoam. (I know that I was extremely dramatic with that last bit of but the response was A....MAZE.....ING! I would sit over by the contraction tracker and watch it hit 12, 13 and Crys would be joking around with people in the room. She would later describe it to me, " I can feel the pressure of the contraction, but it doesn't hurt really. The pain is gone but I feel the pressure." (I know! At this point Im beginning to question whether or not the entire female species has been playing a huge practical joke on men since way back in Genesis. Pressure....pain....whatever, I still wouldn't want to do it.)
So its 4ish and she is almost 6 cm dilated. (Now let me state something that I found somewhat annoying about the whole ordeal. I would be sitting watching an episode of the Office and a nurse would come in with a computer on a tray and a scanner gun. I would soon come to find out that they were scanning in things that they were adding to the room, or giving to Crystal or whatnot. It was like watching a hotel add things to your room bill. She would whip out her scanner, tag Crystal's wristband (almost too similar to a Jewel Osco preferred card) and just start scanning. "Oh look, a bag full of water, *click*, oh, a roll of toilet paper, *click*, a lollipop that I found in my pocket, *click*." I could just picture the insurance company going through the bill and nit picking things out (part of my obsessive nature). I know that it isnt really like that but give me a break, its my wife and my kid.....anyway, I digress) They decide that oxytocin is in order. *click* (Its the drug to help progress you faster.) They added it to her iv and wouldnt you know it, an hour and a half later she was up to 8.5 cm. Woot!
Traci was in and out of the room pretty regularly now and Rosie (our photographer : SDGphtography.blogspot.com) had shown up and was snapping pictures *snap* of the room, the fam, the wife. We were all getting excited reaching the meat and potatoes of the whole day. Stal had been laboring for 14 hours and was and 9.5 cm. Traci had paged the doctor a few times but she was in the middle of watching a basketball game in Batavia. Traci to the rescue! She was just chilling out and commenting on how good my deodorant smelled (Old Spice Red Zone "Showtime") . Crys couldnt seem to get passed that last little half cm. So they decided to prop one leg pointing at Saturn and the other to remain positioned parallel to the equator. (Dont ask me why) Then Traci said that she should push through the contraction. (Cue the intimidating music) The time had come to push? Really? Ok. Crys would tuck her head to her chest, try to relax her face while she pushed and I would grab hold of her foot and prove to her that I could count to 10. She must not have believed that I counted correctly because for the next hour and a half I counted to 10 three times a minute. Traci decided to whip out the game of Twister to play midway through the pushing. She had Crystal put right hand on red and left foot on blue. Then vice versa on yellow and green. Eventually I found my wife gripping a towel draped over bar that protruded from the end of the bed with her feet pressing against these bars running perpendicular to the floor. It was time for the mirror to say hello. Crys had been going at it for nearly 2 hours and then the doctor strolls in to say "hey". Then she leaves. The nurse told me to go and get some sugar in me because I "look like Im going to pass out". I felt fine but I ran for the door. I nearly tripped going out because there was a woman on the floor and two at the door listening intently to what was going on inside. My sister, my sister in law, my mom and my mother in law were all inches from the door listening to me count for Crys and for her pushing. Im sprinting down the hall in my socks and sexy blue scrubs, running to the fridge, grabbing some pudding, popping the lid and chugging it down as I run past the girls back into the room. The doc decides that it may be a good time to come back in so she pushes by the ladies outside the room (ask the girls about that) and into the room. She tells Traci that they want to break the bed. The next thing I know, Crystal is horizontal tugging on her towel, Rosie is helping support her head, Im trying to push her foot back up behind her head and the end of the bed where Crystal's butt used to be is broken off and pulled away. I dont know how she was still sitting there in bed but the doctor came wheeling up on a stool and told Crys to give it all she had. Now, Stal had been pushing for 2 hours and me and Traci had been watching this little hairy headed little man make his way closer and closer (sorry for the graphic bit, it truly was amazing) and Crys is beyond tired. Im counting, she starts pushing and the next thing I know a little purple head jumps out and starts staring at the floor. Doc goes to town sucking out this squeezing out that and there is a little man yell. Crys falls back on her back and gets ready to keep pushing but the doc tells her to stop. My kid is halfway here and the docs want her to stop?! Give me a break. They tell her to wait for the next contraction to push and she is just in agony. 30 seconds later another one comes on and she bears down and plop, out shoots Mr. Magoo in all his glory. He looked ticked off but didnt really cry much. I later told Isaac that his head seriously looked like an apple with a tennis ball attached to the back side of it. Whatever, we can fix that later. Crys had done it. The kid was out and even though the placenta wasnt a treat to labor either she was done 3 minutes later. Noah Riley Ferrell was born at 10:03 pm, December 3 weighing 7 lbs 10 oz. and measuring 19 inches long. (What happened to my line -backer baby you may ask? Just ask Crystal how much weight he has gained since coming home. Hoo Boy, chunker city. On a nice note, he was also born with a full head of hair, which Crystal and I have quaffed into a fo-hawk. The pics look great and Rosie was a godsend of a cheerleader for the whole delivery. (Wow, long post and yet there is still so much more that happened right after he came, from crawling out of the scale machine, to hitting on nurses, to Papa and him trying to get past security.....but that is another story. I'll update or Crys will to let you know what the first 48 hours was like soon.)

How God is Timing This Event

I went to the doctor's on Friday and waited in the waiting area for almost an hour. The last time that happened our doctor got called away for a delivery and I had to see a nurse. I was kind of relieved at that thought because this was the day that the doctor determined (as well as Jordan and I) when Noah is to arrive. She was planning on inducing us this weekend. Needless to say, I was a little more than a little relieved to think that she wasn't there to make this decision yet. It's a scary thing to be induced....and to have a baby deadline.

So there I was, waiting. Then I hear those fateful words, "Crystal, the doctor will see you now." SHE WAS THERE! In fact my doctor was there covering for another doctor's patients....great. Now I am freaking out. I have to have a baby, like...right now!

So I go in and hoped that she might not remember me. She did. Fortunately though Delnor does not like to induce women unless it it medically necessary or past their due date. They gave my doctor a hard time and ultimately the soonest they could get me in to be induced is not until Thursday evening. Which, if you all know us enough, is Noah's due date anyway. So we won't have a baby this weekend unless God sees fit to grace us with Noah.

I was getting apprehensive about the whole process for a couple of reasons. One is because I want that excitement of not knowing when I'll go into labor, and that surprise phone call to Jordan to have him come home from work. The second is that it is supposed be really painful really fast. And lastly, because I wanted to know what it's like to go into labor naturally. I felt we were also just allowing a "rush" process to see Noah and if I know God the way i do, that's not how he works. I have to always be more patient than I hope.

God is dictating this whole thing no doubt. No matter how badly we wanted to see Noah this weekend, God has other plans and nothing we do can interfere. We should have known better. We can't rush God. We try every time and fail miserably.

So for everyone out there, we can (and probably will) go into labor at any moment. But for now we know that it's definitely going to happen on or by his due date. Not this weekend by choice of our doctor or us. God has a time frame in mind and we cannot change that.

IT'S JORDAN'S BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday dear Hubby

Happy birthday to you!!!!!!!!

Doctor Update and Answers:

I had another doctor appointment today with the last doctor in our practice. I have met the rest before. She examined us and found that I was effaced to 75% and dilated to a little over one. I know for those guys out there that means nothing or "eew" but oh well, this is news!


She also said that next week Friday if we haven't delivered by then we can talk about being induced! NEXT WEEKEND! WOOT!

So we won't have to wait until December 6th, poo gas on that date, how does December 1st or 2nd sound? =D

Now now....those of you who are anxiously awaiting this little one, we'll let you know what's happening soon enough, but just know that we are close and we are hopful for this week to go into labor.


Oh, also, for all the friends out there wanting to know, here is our requests as far as the labor, delivery, and recovery:

1. When we go into labor we are asking that only immediate family come to the hospital. Moms, Dads, Sisters and brothers. We can't have the staff all mad at us for clogging up the waiting area, and besides that only two people are allowed to see me when I am laboring. That's Jordan and one other person at a time. We'll call you all accordinly though so you know what's happening.

2. Once Noah is here and we are in our recovery suite we'll determine then how many people we can see. It's nothing personal, it's just that we'll have been through a lot at that point and seeing a bunch of faces all at once might wipe us out further. Plus we'll need time to bond with our new little man. He'll only be a few hours old at taht point and probably really scared and tired.

3. We'll have someone call all of you so that you know what's happening, we just request that you all aren't there in the waiting room while we are in labor and delivering.

Like I said, it's nothing personal, we just know how tired we'll be and how much security and tightness Delnor has about visitors and we don't want anyone disappointed. We love you all and are really excited to have to all see Noah, but for now, we have to be patient and see how we feel and how Noah is doing. Just know we want you all to meet our new munchkin soon and we love you all!

I'm Home

I cleared out my desk today. It was one of the hardest things I have had to do in a while. I kept my cool and just focused on getting my goal accomplished. It wasn't until Hannah gave me a hug outside to say goodbye that I started the water works. I have realized that I have not fully embraced becoming a mother. It's still a very new dream to me. I have been home the past few days feeling quite ill, but the fact of removing my things from my desk was a hard hit. I am so excited to become a mother, but the fact that I have to quite my job is still really hard to grasp. It's not that I am sad to be a mother, but I am sad to say goodbye to the "non mother" Crystal. I wasn't prepared for that good bye. Nor to say good bye to my Hannah Banana. She's been a big sister to me that I can't ever really say goodbye to in a good way. I know I'll still see her a lot, but it's not the same. = (

Once I got around the bend of route 31 I really started to cry. I had a trying day all in all. I also got the news recently of a family friend with cancer. I saw him today fro lunch and I wasn't prepared for the "kemo" look. Although the doctors are very optimistic, it's still very hard to see him without hair and not healthy looking. He means a lot to me and is like a father to me.

I am glad that Noah is shortly around the corner to brighten my life up. I had a dream of him today and it made me totally excited all over again to have him come soon. Pain isn't even a factor anymore, I am ready for it and willing, as long as it produces our baby.

So, for everyone out there, I am home now, and probably in need of a few friends to play with to keep my mind off being uncomfortable...



Needless to say, my emotions are exausted, as well am I.

I don’t mean to bore you all with my silly doctor updates, but this is what has been setting the tone for our lives recently so bear with us.

My doctor’s appointment this Wednesday turned up a few things. I still have high blood pressure. It was 140/84. For my nurse girls out there, you’ll know what that means. Basically my doctor isn’t concerned yet because although it’s high, it’s still on the “normal” end of high for third trimester women. Some women’s bodies just cope with pregnancy this way.

If it rises again, then they’ll be more concerned. But for now, I am to go home after work each day and take it easy. No running around and going out to places (Which, I’ll admit, hasn’t happened and I need to get better at resting). My edema is still here and not going away. It’s spread to my hands, but not as bad as it could be. The moment it spreads to my face or I get headaches, I have to call.

All this to say, I am fine. The doctors are keeping a close eye on my progression and know that I can turn the corner from fine to not so fine very quickly.

As far as Noah is concerned….he’s good. He dropped last weekend which is nice and bad at the same time. Nice that I can breathe a little easier and that I have a section of my torso not covered with baby. I call it my “skinny spot”. Bad because I am waddling when I walk because his head is fully engaged and really adding a lot of pressure to my day.

When they checked me last I was effaced 50% and dilated to 1. Or almost one. The nurse that checked me out was rather surprised at how far down his head was and how effaced I am. I told her I was having false labor a lot and she, for some reason, thought I was fibbing…….joke is on her! I love seeing the face of the doctors when my assumptions are correct and theirs were wrong. They sometimes think I am a worry wart or what have you, until they see me. Then they realize I don’t call for the heck of it, I call when I KNOW something is up. Like pitting edema and high blood pressure. Or lots of false labor.

Jordan has been great. Coming back from the doctor’s Wednesday I was so sore and had really bad pain from the exam. He bought us dinner and stayed with me all night, skipping Oasis. We felt bad, but the pain I was in required someone to stay with me. He rubbed my back and listened to me when I was in pain. I love him. He’s my night in shining armor! I can’t wait to see who Noah looks like. I hope he has a lot of Jordan in him, because he had the best funny faces ever!

And I think he’s cute. I wouldn’t mind having two handsome faces to look at every day.

Whoa! What was that?!?!

Saturday Jordan and I went downtown to see Dane Cook. I would have stayed home, but $200 of tickets were spent and a birthday wish to be had. So off we went. We had a good time. Around 9:45 he started to finish up his act ans we were leaving. My back was hurting pretty much the whole way there and now again as we were making our way to the car. I decided to let Jordan drive.

On the way home these lovely back aches started to generate contractions....timely contractions....every 9-13 minutes! We made it home, and they subsided. For a while. Then in the middle of the night I started to get them again... then they subsided. Then again Sunday morning....then subsided.

False labor is fun! = )

NOT! It like all the fireworks and no grand finale. Kinda depressing.

So I called the doctor and she said to call again when they get to 5-10 minutes apart. Especially since I am "risky" and far enough along, they are not going to stop me. In fact, Wednesday they might determine more progress is good. But that's wishful thinking now.

So thus far, no baby. I'll keep you posted. Needless to say, these extra days of vacation are turning out to be more than necessary. My next doctor's appointment is Wednesday and then they'll be able to tell me how "far along" dilated I am, if I don't go into labor before then. Noah also dropped, suddenly. Last night i was feeling my stomach and below my ribs is a big space of nothing now. Noah is ready and engaged.....any minute. 36 weeks and counting.....and praying that he comes soon.

Uh Oh...Again

pre·eclamp·sia:

Pronunciation: pre-i-klamp-see-uh

Function: noun

: a toxic condition developing in late pregnancy that is characterized by a sudden rise in blood pressure, excessive gain in weight, generalized edema, albuminuria, severe headache, and visual disturbances

pre-pre-eclamp-sia

: me.

Or so the doctor says. So I have to rest a lot. She might be taking me off of work next week depending on my progress when she sees me next week Wednesday for a check up. “We’re going to have to keep a close eye on you” is how she said.
My blood pressure was 140/84, which is high. It’s normally in the 120’s, which is still high, but I have always been higher than most. And I have edema in my hands, legs, and feet now, not just my feet.
Bottom line, this is not good, because I feel “fine” and a lot of pregnant women tend to fell “fine” and go about their usual activities. This is the trouble starter. They do their regular activities and strain their bodies even more. I fall into that category. So if/when she makes me stay home I’ll have to have a check in person to check on me to make sure I am not doing too much. Jordan is that person right now. So tomorrow and Monday I took off, and I am supposed to rest. Hopefully resting for a four day weekend will prove to be best and help my body out.
I am on the border of preeclampsia. I can either stay this way for the rest of the pregnancy or get worse, and right now we are in a holding pattern. They are going to monitor me closely and if anything changes then “we’ll have to talk”. What ever that means. She tends to say that a lot when she doesn’t want to divulge any information that could frighten me. So for now, I am just praying to God that he delivers Noah safe and sound and keeps us healthy.

Please be Patient!

I have to say this now, because I am looking at my schedule and I need you all to know that I am working on the thank you notes!

If you all remember last year for our wedding thank you's we ....ehem.....misplaced our list of who to thank in the garbage! But that is not the case this time. I am slowly but surely plowing through them and I just have a lot to be thankful for!

So please bear wih me as I try and get these finished here shortly. I have a very busy schedule and a lot of people to thank.

Another Silly Update....

19 days left of work (in the traditional sense of the word)

39 Days until Noah is due (I must have passed the 50 day mark when I wasn’t looking)

7 More Paychecks

5 more Saturdays to (hopefully) sleep in

1 last Aunty Talitha visit

By the by….where is Aunty Talitha lately? Clinicals and a boyfriend sure do take all her time….I haven’t heard from her on this blog since she started both....

Hmmmm is it more the clinicals or the boyfriend...I'm taking a pole.

First Ferrell Family Photos!!!!

All I have to say is that Rosie Siebenthal is amazing! If anyone is interested, her blog is http://www.sdgphotography.blogspot.com/ But here is our first family photos. They are soooooo cute!!!!!










This one is really funny, Jordan is doing his "Fine! I'll SMILE" face at my prompting him to smile better. He did! I love this one. It makes me laugh every time I see it.

Puffy McPufferson

So I went to the doctor’s office this week for a normal check up. I had concerns about how many braxton hicks contraction I am having and that my feet are so puffy.

The doctor told me that I have to keep my feet up while I am at work because my swelling is not normal. Also coupled with the fact that my blood pressure isn’t the best. So she threatened me with bed rest if I didn’t comply.

I wish my camera did break because I could show you how sad my feet are. I push in at the ankle and the indent stays for about 2 minutes. It’s gross but funny at the same time. Apparently I am the only one that thinks it’s funny though. Moriah and Jordan were grossed out by it. Granted the indents were like a half inch deep into my skin…I can’t say I blame them.

Also, the doctor was kind enough to mention that Noah is…huge. She felt his little leg and head and everything and thought it was funny. She hadn’t had a pregnant woman in a while that she could feel that much kid through the stomach. So we had fun poking him about.

The braxton hicks I am having are a lot for a pregnant woman too. But she mentioned that if I go into labor, they won’t try and stop me. Which is a good thing considering she mentioned his head is firmly planted down, I am having a lot of contractions and am 35 weeks.

So hopefully Noah will just come home early. I keep finding myself praying that I have high blood pressure like Lori Alexander and they have to induce me early. It’s a sad thing I know, but this kid is already probably about 6 to 7 pounds, and I have 5 weeks left!

Plus he seems to be ready. He is really active, very strong, and beautifully knit together. I just want to see him and kiss his little face. Noah, we’re ready when you are kid.

I’ll keep you all updated as to my progress, but just know from here on out, I can go at anytime and we’re all ready for it. The doctors also checked out my heart thing and nothing can be done about it all still. It is abnormal, but it’s not affecting anything so they’ll monitor it for a while.

All in all, a pretty good last couple of weeks.

God still amazes me...

We had our third ultrasound yesterday. It was one of those 3-D ultrasounds too! Noah was not very cooperative though. He liked to have his face smashed in my hip bone…but we got him!

We started out with the normal ultrasound. The technician measured him and got his little head and body. She showed us what his feet looked like now. He is such a cubby munchkin compared to last ultrasound! His third toe looked a little longer than his second toe, like mine! And he was breathing! It was amazing!

Then she zoomed into his face, he was frowning, then smiling, then numbing on his hands and feet. He then took his umbilical cord and started chewing on that too. He grabbed his feet and played with them, and shoved his finger in his nose.

He was so active. Jordan started to talk to Noah and Noah started to mouth back and move around at his Papa’s voice. She showed us his eyes, and tongue sticking out.

Then came the best part, the 3-D version of what we were seeing! He has the sweetest face ever! And cute pouty lips, my lips! Jordan’s nose. He opened his mouth and pretended like he was eating. I can’t say enough how much God has exceeded our expectations with Noah. He is beautiful!

I had the technician also double check his….downstairs area. With all the baby showers and needing to get prepared, we wanted to make certain he was a boy before we took the tags off anything…..YUP! DEFINITELY A BOY! AND WHAT A BOY! The technician said with all his measurements he is measuring a week older than we thought originally. She didn’t change my due date though, but if he comes early, we won’t be surprised. Jordan totally called it too. He might even have a betting pole going as to Noah’s birthday if anyone is interested.

Anyway, it was the best time I have had at the doctor’s office. Jordan was there holding my hand and I, of course, was crying. He is so beautiful and I can’t imagine how much more I could love this little guy. Jordan has given me the best gift ever. I could not ask for more. I have totally fallen in love…with my son.

So, without further ado….here’s Noah Riley Ferrell.

Silly Update

Just a little silly update, we have:

8 more Fridays for date nights
8 more Saturdays to sleep in
8 more Sundays to go to church

Because, in 57 days Noah is supposed to come into our lives and change it forever.

Results...

My echo came back normal, but I do have a heart murmur. They are still waiting on the results of my Holter Monitor to see why my heart is beating irregularly.

The doctor is not concerned as of right now though. He said a lot of women who didn’t know they had a heart murmur or arrhythmia find out during pregnancy from the extra stress on their hearts. Nothing too serious though. We’ll have to wait until next week to get the last of the results back.

But Noah is safe and sound thus far and I did have an episode on the monitor so it will be reviewed by the cardiologist.

The only reason they were really concerned was one episode lasted for an hour and a half. At hat point it’s not good to have that many irregular heart beats. But, like I said, we’ll know more next week. Till then we are anxiously waiting Thursday when we go for our 3-d Ultrasound to see Noah.

I can’t wait, maybe we’ll be nice and let you all see him too….or maybe you’ll have to wait until he’s here to catch a glimpse of him!

Eco, Lines, and Holters

I went to the doctor and spoke with my “high risk” physician. I explained my symptoms and what happens when I feel these weird heart flutters. I also tracked my pulse and wrote down all occurrences that this has happened in the last few days. He listened intently and asked if I ever have had these sensations before. I told him a few times in my life I have but not anything significant. Not like lately.

Well, its not blood pressure. It’s either an arrhythmia or a weird valve thing. The valve thing is of no consequence. Women with that typicaly deliver normal babies. Plus he said he doesn’t think that’s what it is because I have never been diagnosed before. Arrhythmia can be nothing as well, providing Noah is still getting all the oxygen and nutrients he needs.

So Thursday I am off to Delnor for an echocardiogram and a holter event monitor. The holter even monitor will be hooked up to me for at least 24 hours for observing these weird heart flutters. From these tests the doctors will examine what’s going on and see what the next step, if any, should be.

On a different note, I am getting a line down my belly! I thought ethnic women usually get these things! I guess it’s better than stretch marks, but equally as gross.

Anyway, Noah is still fine and I am fine. We are just now waiting until Thursday to see what’s going on.

Uh Oh...

So I went to the doctor’s today. I had a strange thing happen the past couple of days. It is a sensation that my heart is skipping beats and I get short of breath. I contributed this to Noah getting too big and putting pressure on my lungs and heart.

So when I brought this up to the doctor today I found out that is not the case. She asked how long it had been going on for, and I told her I have always had this sensation my whole life every once in a while, but last night it lasted for an hour and a half. I had a hard time catching my breath and my heart kept skipping beats. I was complaining that “Noah was in my lungs”.

She looked at me astonished and said, “Next time this happens you NEED to call us. And we’ll get you into the hospital”

I didn’t realize it was a big thing until she mentioned “go to the hospital” “blood pressure” in the same sentence. I instantly thought of our pastor’s wife, Lorie. She was induced to give birth to her son because her blood pressure was too high at eight months, and her son weighed five pounds. I am Eight months! Holy cow! This could be me!

Now I am scared. So I have a doctor’s appointment with the “high risk” doctor Monday to see what is causing the heart palpitations. As far as I know, it’s a weird fluke thing and nothing is going to come of it.

She also said a normal heart palpitations occur when the blood pressure changes and the heart rate increases to accommodate. But is should only last a few minutes. Not an hour and a half.

But on the bright side, Noah is now in the head down position and growing quite nicely, and I only gained a pound from my last visit, which is comforting to me since I have already gained now a total of 33.

So I’ll let you all know what happens come Monday. Or you’ll all know sooner if I get this thing to happen again.

P.S. I have a cute husband. He “operated” on my toe last night. I can’t see or reach it very well, so when I started having discomfort, he stepped in and helped me out. Apparently from then “Wow!” exclamation I heard, it was a big sliver of nail embedding itself in my toe. He’s my hero! He saved me toe from hurting anymore = )

Things Mom Forgot to Tell Me!

Two things that mothers forgot to tell me would happen.

#1 Braxton Hicks contractions
Wwoooooohhhhahhh. No one said they’d be like this! I get a funny feeling in my stomach that makes me feel like I am on a roller coaster falling down, then my abdomen gets all hard and it’s very uncomfortable. And it ends up with me inevitably having to rush to the bathroom and pee. Then Noah gets all freaked out and starts pounding his fists. It is getting more and more uncomfortable each time it happens.

Now, my mom told me these would happen, but she did not specify the severity of these little “fake” contractions. I can understand now how women might think they are in labor. I am only seven months along and I get it. I have to watch myself I guess that I am not crying wolf every time I get one when it gets closer to the time. I don’t want to be one of those women that runs to the hospital every time I get one, but seriously, three in a half hour yesterday! Granted, I am supposed to call the doctor if I exceed more than four in an hour, but…man! Wahoo! These are getting serious.

#2 Ligament Stretching
That’s the nice way of putting it. No, it’s more like, “Mama, I hate your pelvis so I am going to stretch it out to the point where you need to sit on an ice pack all day long.” Every day I wake up with the most painful ache in my groin area. I feel like there is a midget running around my house in the middle of the night kicking me in the junk. He is not a happy midget…he is an angry spiteful mean midget with a serious agenda to inflict the most amount of pain in my groin area possible. There are days when I don’t want to get out of my bed.

The only thing I can say is that its better to happen now then at the time of labor. I’d rather stretch it out gradually than while in that already very painful time.

Anyway….all this to say, I still love being pregnant. Jordan and I got to feel a little arm or leg yesterday. Noah was positioned in such a way that we could definitely make out a limb. It is so amazing being able to “hold” our child before he’s even here. Jordan was even amazed. It’s not just a bump, but an actual leg or arm….

3rd Trimester and a Rainbow of things...

We have about 11 weeks to go…..THAT’S IT!!!!

I have to say a few things being a mother now. It is amazing how much God grows your heart during a time like this. Jordan and I share stories of how we think we want play with Noah and cuddle with Noah. It just warms my heart to hear Jordan say he’s going to hog the baby and watch the “game with my boy”.

I could have not imagined how this could happen, but God grew my heart to love Jordan even more through this experience. If my love for Jordan were an array of bright colors, fatherhood with Jordan added a whole new set of colors. I get a whole new side of Jordan to respect and love him for. I can already see it.

I look at Jordan now and think how great of a father he is going to be. I am so lucky to have a great man in our child’s life that is far exceeding my expectations. He will be a better father than I will be a mother. I am convinced he will be the mediator between me and my son. When I simply can’t handle it anymore I know Jordan will step in and handle the situation. And every fear I have, Jordan has a strong arm to hold me up and encourage me in it.

God perfectly matched us together in every way possible. I have a great husband. He is kind and thoughtful and sweet.

I just wanted a brag moment here to say how much Noah has helped me to love my husband more and how great my husband is. God wonderfully and fearfully created the single greatest man in the world, just for me.

Noah has no idea yet, but he has the best dad ever.

Check Ups...

Poked, prodded, and branded. That’s how I felt leaving the doctor’s office yesterday. I am now ending my 28th week of pregnancy and that meant a glucose screening, Thyroid check, and RH blood shot. Bottom line, all I can say is that I have two areas of injections and they both hurt. So was my ego.

Here’s the funny story:

So I am sitting in the doctor’s office. I was given a bottle of orange sugar liquid to drink in under five minutes. I drank it like a pro! (or like a very hungry pregnant lady willing to eat anything by that time in the morning). Then they sent me out to the waiting area to fill up on the “Parenting” magazines and “People”. I got my dose of gossip for the day. I waited there for an hour then got called back into the office for a blood draw. I sat there and talked small talk with a very cheerful lady, too cheerful to be poking people all day. She took my blood, like a gallon of it and then took out the needle and started to wrap me up, only to find another note on my file about drawing blood for a second time, this time for more glucose and thyroid junk. Woot. Two needles, one hour, great.

Then they sent me back out to the waiting room. An hour later they called me in for my blood shot. I was nauseous, dizzy, hungry, and tired all at the same time. The nurse said, “Go ahead and have a seat in the chair where you got your blood drawn.” I sat down eager to get this over with, I hate shots. Then she came up to me and said, “Oh, wait, lets go to that chair over there (across the room) they need this chair for another patient.”

So I say in the second chair for another ten minutes. At this point I am looking at my poor arm, and thinking, “I’ll get the shot in my opposite arm to even out the bruises and pain.”

The nurse then came back again and said, “Okay, let’s go to room 6 just down the hall.” I was dumbfounded….but I went with it. Keep in mind, I am groggy and nauseous. So we get to the room and the nurse proceeds to gather all the necessities for the shot.

Meanwhile I am surveying my arms to where I think I want the next poke of a needle. “I have had enough in the left arm for one day, so let’s go with the right arm” and I keep going on and on about how I want to be able to use my left arm for lifting some things and such. The nurse just stood there with the shot in one hand, an alcohol swabs in the other, and a pleasant smile on her face.

“Now, you can stand, bend over, or lay on your side dear” she said to me….I didn’t get it.

“Oh, no I’ll just take it in my right arm. My left arm is too tired from the blood draw and-“

“No dear, you can stand, lie down, or bend over”.

“But, my right arm is right here……wait…..You have to put it in my butt!?!?!!”

“Yes dear.”

"Man! This stinks!" and then the pouting ensued, but only on the inside.

So I left with a sore arm, sick tummy, and really sore butt. Sad sad day. I was all geared up for a shot in the arm, only to feel very silly and quite childlike with a shot in my rear end and not even a lollipop to show for my good attitude…

At least I get a cute baby out of the deal.

Here I am!

I have been having a lot of requests for pictures of me and my belly. So here you go!

I have another Doctor appointment this coming Thursday and I have to get a shot! Bummer, I hate shots, but it to ensure that I don’t have a reaction to the baby. He could be lucky and have Jordan’s type O Positive blood type, which is bad for a type A Negative other. So off we go for a shot, and for a glucose test. Yeah!

But the highlight is that at the end we get to make the 32 week appointment. We get to do the 3-d ultrasound then!!! I can’t wait to see Noah’s little face. I am so lucky.

Also, I read my facebook file and DP wrote on my wall. He said he’d be back in town over winter break and really wants to meet Noah. I ABOUT DIED!!!! Noah will be here then!!!! He really will meet Noah. I’ll meet Noah! Only one more visit from Aunty Talitha before Noah is here! That’s how I’ve been counting my weeks, by Talitha visits.

Anyway, that’s what’s up. Nothing much else. I still have the best hubby ever (he rubs my feet at night, so sweet, and reads us books).

I truly believe Noah will like Jordan more than me. He only really gets excited when Jordan is in the room….Maybe midnight feedings won’t be so bad after all! Tehe!

FYI

my niece is a year old tomorrow!!! A whole year of her and I still can't believe how much I love that child. She was the inspiration for our little Noah to come so early in our lives. Jordan and I both agreed that if we fell this much in love with her, we could only imagine how much love we'd have for our own little one.

Ah, Auntyhood is great!

100 Days Again!

Noah is coming in 100 days from RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!

Can you believe it!

I am NOT too big....

All right! I have to put a stop to this. I keep having reoccurring dreams that everyone is yelling at me and telling me I need to loose weight because I am too big. This is actually affecting my sleep and dreams. Jordan was getting concerned about my confidence because of how I already feel, let alone what people say to me. So please pay close attention to this entry.

Lately the conversation about my belly and body has been as follows:

Person: (With grotesque look on face) “Oh my word! You are sooooo big! I can’t believe how big you are! I was never that big! Wow!”

Me: (With sheepish grin) “No, I don’t think I am, The doc-“

Person: (interrupting) “No way, you are big. I can tell. I wasn’t ever like that. Are you sure there’s only one?”

Me: (Looking sadly at my belly) “Well, the last time I was at the doct-“

Person: (interrupting again) “Well, I’d ask your doctor, cause wow. That’s all I can say, wow!”

Me: (Walking away) “I…um…. have to check on my husband”.

This is what it’s like being in my shoes. It’s not a matter of who says it; it’s a matter of how many people in one day say this type of thing to me. So, since I have everyone’s attention here is what I keep trying to tell you all.

I go to the doctor’s regularly. They measure my belly each time I go. There is a scale of measurements that a pregnant woman should stay within. They measure from the top of the uterus to the bottom. That measurement should be the same number as your week in pregnancy, give or take a few. I was 24 weeks pregnant and measuring 24. I am 100% normal! Not huge, not gigantic. Normal.

The only explanation I can give you all is that started out a thin person. So it may appear that I am large when you see where I started from. Also, for those of you who “never were this big” I’d beg to differ. If your uterus didn’t measure at least 24 or 25 your child would have been born under a pound. Since that’s not likely the case, perhaps you are mistaken or started out a different size than me. Because my uterus is taking over my whole belly, that’s what you see. Your uterus’ might not have had to come out as much as mine, but it did have to get as big as mine is.

Other girls show later when they have larger stomach cavities or wider hips and it appears that they were smaller, but when you have more hip space and room for the baby, it doesn’t come out as quick or as much. It just fills up the space you already have. I don’t have much space in there. Noah has no where else to go but out. Every woman’s uterus gets as big as an eight pound baby. So to say that you “never were that big” is a misjudgment.

All I ask is that you all are encouraging to me and Jordan. Like I said before, I am having nightmares about this. What pregnant woman do you all know likes to hear how big she is? Please have a little more heart and loving encouragement when you all speak with me about this. Wipe the grotesque look off your face and understand that I am a smaller person and my baby and I are just growing. Even if I were too big, what would it matter?

Understand that I am normal, Noah is doing great, and I am a pregnant lady you are speaking too with feelings. Albeit sometimes over emotional, but no one wants to hear how “big” they are.

Thank you to those of you who have been encouraging. Pregnant or not, everyone needs encouragement.

As far as an update on Noah, he’s doing great! The doctor’s ruled out a long time ago any heart defects, or down syndrome. And he is moving a lot! When he is active you can actually see him move from the outside. It’s like a little alien has invaded my belly. Or at least that’s what Jordan says it looks like. And Noah whole heartedly loves his daddy.

Whenever Jordan is around and talking Noah is awake and moving. When Jordan comes home and says, “Bobbid, I’m home” and starts talking, Noah instantly wakes up and moves around. He acknowledges when his daddy is home. I can sing and yell at the top of my lungs but nothing, it takes daddy’s voice to get him going. I love that though. He notices no one else in the world except his pappa. I love it.

Dad's Progress

As you all have probably heard, my father in law has had a heart attack this week thursday. He had an emergency operation to put a stent in his heart to reopen his artery Thursday. All went well and today he went in for the rest of the operation.

This operation included adding two more stents. His operation was at 11:00 today and all went well again. Dad is really a trooper. He is giving the nurses on the cardiac ward a run for their money and got them second guessing their career choices. I have to praise God for a moment here. He truly saw this whole event through to the end and saw that we as a family stuck together and got through this together.

But all in all, through your faithfulness and continued prayers our father is still here with us and in great spirits. I couldn't have asked for a better outcome. He will be coming home hopefully tomorrow and needs to take it easy for a few weeks. So, look forward to Rich's great return shortly!

100 Days....

So, Jordan and I have figured that it’s going to be hard for me to go back to work with a little one that is nursing. I might do some part time stuff when we need it, but for the most part, I am leaving the work force to be a mom to Noah.

So, I sat down with my calendar and figured out when I am to leave and how long it is until then. Today marks exactly 100 days until I leave my job for an indefinite amount of time. And although this is great, I am still saddened by change. I still try to avoid driving by our old apartment because I am still very much attached to it, and now it feels the same for work. I’ll miss having my mind sharpened and fun work days with Hannah. She makes any crummy day go by faster. So, I guess this is going to be harder than I thought. But I bet seeing Noah’s face for the first time will change my heart in an instant, and I’ll be thanking my lucky stars that God gave me a husband that is completely wiling to let me stay home with our children.

Speaking of a great husband, I have to give him some praise. He (along with many others!) was totally fabulous when it came to moving. I didn’t give him a chance to settle down at all from work. He went from work, to moving heavy furniture to sleep, and then back to work. He was amazing. I have to say, I love that man! He’s so good to me, and Noah.

But anyway. I really wanted to give you all some pictures of our new place, but #1 I can’t find where I packed my camera, #2 It’s still messy, #3 I am lazy and forgetful. I will get to it though. And, thanks to all of you who helped. We really couldn’t have done this without your help!

Stretch Marks and God's Blessing

This is our beautiful son, Noah Riley Ferrell. Everyone...meet Noah, Noah...meet everyone!

I might be an adoring mother, but he looks really cute! Even though its an ultrasound picture.

So, I have this picture posted on my computer desktop to remind myself of how cute he is, because last night Jordan finally noticed two (very small) stretch marks on my hips. I was really saddened by this new revelation. They are really small, but they are there! So today at lunch, I posted his picture to remind myself that these ugly little stretch marks are not for nothing, but a significant sign that God was gracious enough to chose me to be a mother to his new creation. Out of everyone he could have chosen to be this little boy’s mother, he chose me. He thought me fit enough to do this job.

So hopefully I can keep myself accountable to not be so vein and seek outside appearances, but to look inward and realize the gift I have been given is precious and not something everyone can do. I should be thankful for each stretch mark I get. That’s one more sign of how gracious God is to me. And, how abundantly he has blessed me and Jordan.

Besides, Jordan still thinks I am hot, and that’s all that matters!

Alright...................

So, first off, if you already didn't know, I didn't write the last entry. That was all Jordan and his vivid imagination. But at least it got you all wondering and laughing.

Anyway...we did infact find out the sex of our child. and it is.................................................



Drum roll please..................................................

















A BOY!


Noah Riley Ferrell is quickly on his way and we couldn't be happier. Thank you all for your patience, it meant a lot to Jordan and I to keep it to ourseles for a little bit. It made it special to us. So, ow you all know, and can celebrate with us. I am actually surprised no one went to Babies R US or Target to see what we registered for. That kinda gave it away......oh well! Ha ha!

Pictures of the ultrasound won't be posted because no offence, we don't want these sensitive pictures of our son's "junk" on the internet. Sorry.


Love you all!

We Found Out!!!!!

Today Jordan and I found out the sex of our baby! We have been very eager to know and have been anticipating this day for a long time. Even from last night, we both were tossing and turning in bed just out of the excitement we knew the following day would bring. Jordan had to go into work for the early morning because his work wouldnt let him have a full day off of vacation. So he still got up around 5:50ish and headed out to put in a couple hours before coming home. He kissed me goodbye and left me to go back to sleep. Unfortunately I wasnt able to! I just lay there on my side having a million and a half thoughts running through my head.... "I hope it's a boy, cause then the rest will have an older brother. Plus my mom just had Wyatt a few years ago so I kind of know what to expect......But it would be so great to have a girl. She would wrap Jordan around her little finger and dance around the house." I probably laid there for an hour and a half before deciding I should get up and have some breakfast, shower and prep up for the big day ahead. The ultrasound was scheduled at 10:30 with a regular checkup right there after at 11:45. Jordan and I were planning on getting our cars oil changed after that as well as beginning to pack up our apartment for our move. We are also signing the paperwork to purchase the apartment for a year lease later on tonight. It was going to be a very busy day. I had finished my morning routine and was sitting watching Oprah when I got a phone call from Jordan. "Hey babe, there's a little problem."
"What?" I asked assuming the worst.
"Ken wants me to drop off some prints on my way out of here so I might be just a little bit later than we had planned. I should still be able to pick you up and head over to the doctors in time for the ultrasound."
Originally I had assumed much worse but this was only a minor snag. I told him that we needed to be there by 10:25 at the latest and he assured me that we would make it. I sat around for another 25 minutes and then got another phone call from Jordan.
"Hey babe, another problem....I was heading down the Elgin Ohare expressway when a car hit its breaks really hard infront of me. I rear ended the guy and it looks like the car is going to have to be towed."
"Are you okay?! What happened?"
"Well, it was all really stupid, the ugly white Saturn SC2 jammed on his breaks for absolutely no reason and I was too close to come to a complete stop behind him. His car is completely wrecked with the exception of his engine. His engine still runs perfectly fine and he certainly didnt throw a rod or anything like that. But I cant really talk right now babe, I will get this thing taken care of over here and then get a taxi to get me over to the doctors."
"Are you sure you are okay?"
"Yeah, Im fine, just a stupid mistake."
"Ok honey, I will tell them to wait until you get there."
I then headed off to the doctors and proceeded to tell them the dilemma we were in. They told me that they were actually pretty booked up and would do the best that they could but if we wanted to, we could reschedule. I knew that Jordan would be upset if we didnt find out today so I decided that we could go through with it and he may just show up a little late into it. The whole process takes about 45 minutes to do so I assumed he would be there for a part of it.
Well, I was called in and they measured me and weighed me and all that hoopla and then they told me to go down to exam room 3. I walked down the hall and finally found exam room 3 but the door was closed. Normally the rooms that are available have the doors open, so I knocked twice and listened. Either someone was delivering a baby or two people were being inappropriate behind that door. I asked a nurse where I should go and she told me (after listening to the door herself) that exam room 4 was where I would be getting my ultrasound done.
I got inside the room and prepped myself for the viewing of the little miracle inside me and lay on my back. I wasnt even in the room 10 seconds when in walked a nurse dressed like a cowgirl. I thought that it was odd at first but then remembered that sometimes doctors come in from their day off or whatever. It wasnt until the nurse started to walk around that I realized she was wearing scuba diving flippers. Every step she took was a loud clap on the floor. I was obviously shocked.
"Um, Im sorry, but are you wearing flippers?" I asked.
"Oh, dont worry. I just use them in the rare case that your water breaks while performing the ultrasound."
She then proceeded to lather up my stomach with peanut butter and took the ultrasound lollipop and rub it all across my belly while watching Fraggle Rock on the monitor. I sat there horrified thinking that some lunatic must have come into the doctors office and taken one of the nurse's hostage. It wasnt until Jordan walked in that I truly knew something was wrong. He came in dressed in a full tuxedo carrying a tray with Jasmine tea and crumpets. The nurse turned to him and said, "Thank you Mr. Bananahammock. She took one of the crumpets dipped it in the peanut butter on my belly and took a bite. Jordan sipped his tea with his pinky raised and winked at the camera.
DOWN IN FRAGGLE ROCK...(BUM BUM) DOWN IN FRAGGLE ROCK!
A link to our ultrasound pictures can be found here.......

Stitches, Belly Buttons, and Giggles

Hello Everyone!

So Jordan’s surgery, though mild, is still very uncomfortable for him. For those of you who didn’t know, we found a few questionable spots on Jordan that needed to be removed and looked at. He had one removed on his back already and that came back negative for cancer. The one on his chest however, the doctor flat out told us, “Is bad news”. So under the knife he went on Monday. He now has a scar on his chest that is about 2 ½ to 3 inches long. And another one on his back about 2 inches long. He has internal and external stitches in both. So pray for us now that the lab results come back negative for cancer. Or that if it is God’s will, than a speedy recovery. We know that Jordan will probably have to go back for more surgery on the chest wound, but as of right now, he’s just in discomfort and safe.

Also, a milestone for us! Jordan finally felt the baby move! I was lying on the bed with my feet hanging off the side, so my belly was totally stretched out, I quick grabbed his hand, and then a few seconds later I hear, “Are you kidding? No seriously, is that the baby?!?” And a goofy grin ensued. It was great! I was smiling all night from it.

It’s funny; somehow Jordan feeling the baby kick makes me feel better. I felt like I had a few skeptical friends out there, but now, it’s like, “Ha! I told ya! Vindication at last.”

That and my belly button is not just almost gone, but pushing it’s way closer to the outside than the inside. “Eewwwww!”, was all I could muster when I finally realized how sad it was. Of course I was sitting down when I noticed it, which makes it look worse. But it’s pretty bad! I am not even 6 months yet and already it’s pushing out. I’ll have Mount Vesuvius instead of a belly button soon!

So that is our week thus far. We are eagerly awaiting the next ultrasound on July 19th to find out the sex of the baby! Knowing our luck though, baby Noli will have its legs crossed and too shy to show us anything. Eventually I’ll know though.

I can not believe how fast this pregnancy I going by. I am half way done! Oh…So sad. I want to hold onto these moments forever!

Anyway, please pray for my husband and what is happening in our family. We really could use extra support. And thank you all for your encouragement!

Update!

There really is nothing to update. I gained 9 pounds already! (Not in this trimester, altogether in the pregnancy for those of you who are gasping right now)Yeah for Mexican food!

And the baby is definitely kicking me. It feels like someone is poking me gently in the stomach. It’s really cute!

And I am just amazed that in a week and a few days we’ll know if Noli is Noah or Lily. Crazy, huh? Well, Jordan and I will know, you on the other hand…not so much.

The baby’s stats are as follows:

6 oz
5 ½ inches
Has eye brows, makes faces, and gets the hiccups.

I have to say, this is the fun part of being pregnant! The only thing that’s different is that I am noticing I can not lift heavy things anymore. Not that I was totally going against the doctor’s orders anyway, but I can’t lift things without feeling uncomfortably unsafe anymore.

But, it’s another excuse to sit back and enjoy my rumbling tummy I guess.

That’s all. Sorry to keep you all in suspense, but nothing is happening…..

Please keep praying that we find an apartment for our growing family. There are so many to choose from, but many are really run down, or in a bad part of town. Or simply just not big enough. Please pray God gives us wisdom in choosing and a happy heart in case we have to settle for something short of perfect.

Thank and I love you all.

"Flutterings"

Okay, sorry about the wait, I have to do the updates on my own time and not at work, so that’s why it takes so long.

So about “fluttering”. Apparently, my child is as graceful as I am. I have not felt the “flutter” sensation. I have felt the outright deliberate shoving movements of my child. There are no flutterings, or butterfly wings….rather a hard shove and a rolling baby.

Not enough for the outside people to feel, but I tell ya, when this kid moves, it lets me know! It moves as if to say, “Hey Lady!!!! I’m movin’ here! You mind!?!”

On another note, I have been having a lot of baby boy dreams. Hum….wonder what that could mean……

Jordan has been gone, and I tell you, I am a lost sad little person without him. I stay up too late, and eat bad junk food. He’s my rock and he’s not here. The baby misses him to. I can tell (yes I can tell…..it’s my baby).

But….oh yeah! New this week, the baby can make faces and suck its thumb. Its 5 inches long, and soon it will double its length. So in the next few weeks, be expecting a growth spurt. And it moves a lot around the 5:30 and 7:00 am morning times as well as 5:30 evening time.

I have my next two doctor appointments on July 5th and July 19th. Everyone, keep your fingers crossed that the baby cooperates on the 19th. That’s “THE” ultrasound! We are going to find out if it’s a boy or girl very, very, very soon! Hopefully it won’t have its legs crossed……

I am so psyched to find out. We might keep the rest of you in suspense for a while though (when you all get pregnant, you can pay us back for this mean trick). We told you all right away when we got pregnant, but now…we might want a little secret for just the three of us. We haven’t had one of those kind of family secrets yet. And no, we don’t, “have to at least tell the immediate family”. We don’t have to tell anyone. In fact, I really want to have this be just between Jordan and I for a little while. You all will eventually find out, but maybe for a few weeks, we just keep it to ourselves.

You all can wait until we want to share. So there. There are no laws stating otherwise. Call me mean, call me selfish, but this will be the first thing in this pregnancy for just Jordan and I.

But that’s all…nothing more to update, Perhaps once the 20th week rolls around we’ll have more exciting news, but for now, that’s it.

Love you all1