Bed Rest...day 3

Well, I just decided this would be a good way to journal my thoughts and feelings for the last 11 weeks of my pregnancy. I got the idea from my friend Martha, who has one of these lovely blog "thingys" too. Everything I read online tells me that it's healthy to keep a journal when you're on bedrest. "They" (whoever that may be) say that your child will enjoy reading it one day...not sure she's really going to care what TV shows I watched or which magazines I read...but whatever, I'll give it a try. At least it gives me one more thing to do everyday right?! Don't feel bad if you start to read this and then never want to return for an update, I wouldn't either, trust me! :0)

So...I got a call from my OB's nurse on Friday (Sept. 28th) and she told me that I was to go on bedrest....until delivery. Yuck! I have low amniotic fluid, and it has been fluxuating for 3 weeks now...unstable, up and down, so they decided it was safest for me just to sit in my bed day and night. I am allowed one shower a day, to go to the bathroom (gee, thanks!), and to make myself a sandwhich if I'm home by myself. Friday was terrible, but I decided there really wasn't anything else to do but suck it up, so that's what I did. I think it's going to take lincoln a lot longer to adjust to the idea than it has me. My mother has been AWESOME this weekend getting me all set up and taking care of Hunter.

Here's the list of things that I'm already depressed about missing out on:

1. Watching the fall leaves change colors and getting to drive down toward Meremec Springs and look at all the pretty colors
2. Taking Hunter to the Halloween party that my friends are having.
3. Going to the pumpkin patch
4. Taking Hunter Trick-or-Treating
5. Christmas shopping at the pretty decorated malls
6. Helping to prepare Thanksgiving dinner

Of course there's teaching at The Dance Studio, Color Guard, going to MOPS, Bible Study, Church...all the daily / weekly things that I enjoyed doing so much.

I'm doing pretty well as far as my emotional state is going thus far...it's not been too bad yet actually, but I think in 3 weeks I might be going crazy...I am just remembering the 10 days in the hospital before Hunter was born, and it was pretty bad.

Well, I guess I'm going to start my "in bed scrapbooking adventure". I've got about 2.5 hours hours before my boys get home...so I'm going to try to pass the time! :0)

Ash

March of Dimes Walk

Hello everyone!

I wanted to let you all know that Hunter and I will be doing the March of Dimes Walk in Rolla this upcoming Sunday, May 6th. I feel very connected to this organization because of their mission to help premature babies. I’ve done a lot of research on the March of Dimes organization since Claire was born, and I am a firm believer in their work.

I also believe that it is very important to get Hunter involved in giving to charities and helping others in any way that he can early on. Thus far it's just been giving to the Bell Ringers at Christmas time, etc., but this will be his first charity walk! He and I are both very excited about it! We want him to develop a life long habit of helping others!

I have created a personal fund raising website off of the March of Dimes homepage. If you feel led to donate to this organization, but would not like to donate online, I am more than willing to pick up cash or a check from you sometime before the walk on Sunday. I promise that you will be helping families just like mine who have suffered the loss of a child.

Thank you and God Bless,
Ashley and Hunter

What a guy!

I just wanted to let everyone know that Lincoln is the best husband EVER! :0) I had a TERRIBLE day on Saturday and when I got home he surprised me with a hot bath with candles and brought me in my favorite ice cream! It just doesn't get a lot better. It meant so much to me that he took into consideration how stressed I was and wanted to do something to make it better! What a guy!

Claire's Birthday

Well, Saturday (the 10th) is Claire's birthday. It's amazing to think that my little girl would be a year old already! With her birthday coming up, I have really done some soul searching...it's been very good for me.

I try to stop for a few minutes every day and remember all the blessings that God has given me. It's absolutely amazing. I have a wonderful husband, a perfect (okay in my eyes he's perfect) 2.5 year old son, two children waiting for me in Heaven, we have stable jobs, own our own home, and have huge supportive families. Life really couldn't get a lot better! I think everyone should try to take a few minutes everyday to thank God for everything He's given them.

I hope that in whatever situation you may find yourself, you are able to find the good in it. Know that God is working for a bigger picture. Our family picture!

Disc Golf Road Trip

Lincoln left tonight for a 4 day road trip disc golfing with his brothers. He's only been gone 1.5 hours, but I already miss him. Funny how you take things for granted when they're right here with you, but I was thinking about what would happen if he were to pass away in a car accident or something while he was gone. What would Hunter and I do...how would we go on? Makes me realize what a big responsibility having a child is! It also made me realize that although I complain sometimes, he really is the best husband anyone could ask for, and he helps me so much, whether it's literally helping me like around the house or with Hunter, or if it's helping me mentally work through issues, or just keeping me company and making me a better person.

I guess it all boils down the fact that:

I am so in love with my husband, and it feels good to be able to honestly say that after being together for over 5 years!

I miss you honey, and although you probably won't read this until you get back...have a safe trip and come back to your family safe and sound! :0)

No Motivation

I just wanted to let you all know that I'm sitting here at my desk with absolutely NO motivation to do ANYTHING. I have work that needs to be done, and I'm thinking about all the CRAP I have to do when I get home tonight. Cook dinner, start packing our house, etc...and I just don't want to do any of it. :0( If anyone has any suggestions as to how to get me motivated, please share!

New House!

Lincoln, Hunter, and I are buying a new house! I'm so very excited! It's absolutely beautiful inside! We have my dream fireplace in the living room, and HUGE eat in kitchen, and a spare bedroom that we're for now making into an office / playroom. (Also a dream of mine to be able to shut the door on Hunter's toys!) One of my favorite aspects (besides all that...) is that our walk in closet is in our bathroom, so I dont' have to leave the warm bathroom after my shower to get dressed. It also saves me from having to keep my closet so nice. (I always feel like I can't show people our bedroom because our closet is so messy!)

hee hee, anyway, I'm just pumped! It's big enough to have Bible Study at (and all be able to eat at the kitchen table) and Guard Parties! I can't wait to take our picture around the Christmas Tree! Yippy!

We close on October 20th, so anyone who wants to come and help move...come on!!! :0)

I'll put a photo up tomorrow (Kara, Mom, Lincoln, Carl, Hunter, and I going tonight to take them and get measurements of windows, etc.)

PS - Hunter already knows that his new bedroom is going to be green and that we're going to live next to the pony and G.G.!!

Kara's Gone to College...

Well, today is day 6 since Kara's been gone to college. I'm sitting here in the lovely tech office wishing that she would pop her head in to see me! I wish I could type a paper for her, or go get her lunch!

Life is different now, not bad...but different. I'm so proud of her going to college, getting out of STJ, exploring life on her own. She's going to do amazing, I know, but it doesn't make the adjustment period any easier. I think by this time next week we'll be making all the adjustments and life will be easier on everyone, but for now I'm sitting here missing her, wondering how her classes are going, wishing I could see her room with the decorations all up (I wonder if the velcro worked...)

I'd better get back to work, I just wanted to let everyone know how proud I am of her...and that I'm msising her...

CAN'T WAIT TILL FRIDAY! :0)