Joel and Auntie Kati

There are times when you have a special bond with a kid…well Joel is one of those kids!  We just have an understanding….it may that we are first born kids…but we get each other…case and point. 

He makes me happy!

Auntie Keri and the boys are here!

Thank goodness for Keri!  She was able to stay with me the first two nights of being home from the hospital.  My mom watched Joel and Jackson and they were such big kids!  They wanted to be with their mom but understood that Auntie Kati needed their mom.  Keri helped me so much!  Her and Kaylene set up my nursery…see you do not need to have it set up before you leave for the hospital if you have sisters!  Brendan and Keri were busy putting cribs, chairs, etc together and determining what we should keep and what we should return.

I love this picture...every time I look at it it brings a tear to my eye.  How blessed is Bridget to have an auntie love her this much.

The boys were awesome with Bridget.  Jackson wanted to pet and kiss the baby.  He was the first kid to hold Pixie!  Joel in his own way loved her.  He was not really sure what he thought at the time.  He would look at her and then when he would leave he would give her a high five.

Here is a picture of Jack, Joel and Pixie...the loves of my life! 

While Keri was here she took some shots of Pixie....although I am bias...I think she is really cute!  Keri put together announcements (that we ended up not using because it took me too long to get them out!)

Welcome Bridget Harlow O'Brien!

Bridget came to us on Saturday 11.12.11 at 7:20p via C-section; weighing in at 9 pounds, 11 ounces and 20.5 inches.  She was Pixie in the hospital until we were discharging.  Brendan and I had been having a very hard time with a name.  Finally, as they were getting the wheelchair for me to leave the hospital Brendan and I laid Pixie down and started to call her different names…she was making a little fussy noise when we laid her down and then when we called her Bridget she stopped fussing.  That was when we knew she was Bridget. Harlow is Brendan's mom's maiden name.  With that said we still call her Pixie!

The short of it is that I labored at home starting on Friday after we got the call that I was schedule for a C-section and continued to do so until about 5:30p when Brendan said that we were going to the hospital.  When I got there I was dilated to a 6 and 100% effaced.  When they told me that I felt so validated that the pain was not just in my head and that I was not a wimp! From the moment we reached the hospital everything became very rushed.  I remember the lady who took me from the ER to the birth center kept saying do not bear down…and I just remember thinking, lady I have no desire to do so but I am not going to tell you that because I want to be admitted.  As we got into the room they were giving Brendan scrubs to change into and I was off to surgery.   Within minutes Pixie was born! 

Due to a ton of fluid I was carrying and that Pixie was born via C-section,  she did not transition very well (from womb to outside life).  We both had a bit of a fever so on Sunday they put an IV in her and gave her antibiotics.  Then on Monday night Bridget was really fussy and I could not console her.  The nurse took her to the nursery to give her another round of antibiotics and noticed that she was having dusky spells (not breathing right) and they heard a heart murmur.  She was then taken down to NICU.  This was not a fun experience but I was so glad I had decided to deliver at TG!  She was in the NICU for a little over 24 hours.  Poor Brendan had to take care of me and Pixie while we were on two different floors.  Billie and Pat came over a ton during this time to take care of us.  Brendan had to be the person to stop all visitors because we were in no state for it.  

Pixie ended up being discharged before me!  We went to our pediatrician and everything seems to check out great. We have a follow up appointment with the NICU cardiologist in a couple of weeks so I will keep you posted.  Due to everything going on, we did not take many pictures!  But here are some so you can see how stinking cute she is!

Dad and Bridget!  Dad did all of the heavy lifting since mom could not really get out of bed.  He did all of the diaper changes and lifted her to me everytime we had to feed.

Bridget taking a nap on mom's bed after feeding.

Homeward Bound! The white outfit is what Brendan and Connor went home in.  She does not look like a newborn in this picture...it cracks me up!



I know this is a boring video...but she is just so alert and ready to take on the world...that I had to post it. This was taken when she came back from the NICU.

Really a c-section?

It has been a quiet week for the O’Brien’s.  Brendan and I did not get out of our PJs Sunday…it was most delightful!  When I came to work on Monday I walked in to this happy bunny from “Grandma” Jane and “Auntie” Quinn…it was so fun because when people walked in to my office you could see their mood lift and just be super happy.   Every time I looked at it I wanted to take a nap…so Laurel took it to my car on Tuesday.  This will be the perfect chair do to the monthly pictures of Pixie to show how much she has grown!  I am so excited!

As you can tell from the pictures…I am trying to stick it out but I am definitely tired and ready for decisions to be made. Wednesday we had our doctor’s appointment and this is where we are at….we had to schedule an ultrasound for Thursday to see how big Pixie is getting. I am not sure who I have mentioned this to but last week I was told to prepare for a c-section. I have been trying so hard to be a come what may person...but c-section was not in my plan. Don't get me wrong I am in a loose loose situation...I really do not want to go through either process...I want to twinkle my nose and magically have her in my arms...All of that said, I have come to terms with the possibility of a c-section and we are now at the mantra of healthy baby- healthy mom. On Friday, I got the call from my doctors office that we are scheduled for a c-section on Tuesday at 8a! Ready or not we are having a baby!

 

Thursday was a very happy day!  We got to celebrate Judy’s 73^rd birthday!  Jude is a kick…some of my favorite things that come out of her mouth are:  “shut up you’re not special”, “God Kid”, and then the profanities that she can string in one sentence is AMAZING.  Most of all she is one of the most supportive women you will find.  She does not coddle unless you need it…rather she gives you practical advice on how to move forward.  For example, buy a plastic bat and beat the hell out of a tree if you are so frustrated you can barely take it.  I will say…it works!  Happy Birthday Jude!!

The gang is all here to celebrate Jude's birthday!  Front Row from Left to Right:  Janice, Jude, me, Bobbi Jo, Michelle.  Back Row from Left to Right:  Bob, Quinn, Jane, Rick, Deb, Marc

Toot, Toot!

Yes, that is the sound of my own horn. Actually the way I am feeling I feel like it should be more of an ooga, ooga (HA!).   I stood in the pouring, and I mean pouring, rain last night for 99 minutes (90 minutes of regular + 9 minutes of added time) to support our Seattle Sounders and watch Casey Keller play his last game in Seattle.  Although, we did not win because Real Salt Lake and the referee were total dork-faces…it was a valiant effort and work the freezing feet!

We had our doctor’s appointment on Wednesday and there is no progress…but we still have a couple of weeks.  We are now at our weekly appointments so I might know more next week.   At this point, the doctor is recognizing that Pixie is a LARGE girl and is monitoring her size closely.   More to come on this.

I had the opportunity to meet with Cailyn, Jocelyn (AKA Joc) and Ang Ladenburg (ok it is really Angela Lindquist now…but that will never be her name to me) at one of my favorite places in Tacoma---the Rosewood Cafe.   These are friends that are always so supporting, encouraging and just flat out fun!  We are so different in personality, views on life and how we handle things yet we are the same at the core and value each other’s thoughts and perspectives.   I am not really sure how the 4 of us came together as a group…I mean, we worked together,  but we have maintained this cherished friendship for years and have not worked together for YEARS!  It is always fun when we get together (because we see each other quarterly at best) we just picked up as if we saw each other last week…it is not strange that we do not know every detail of everyone’s life.  It is just accepted that those details don’t matter and what matters is that we are here and love each other!  I always leave refreshed and ready to take on anything that comes my way.   At this get together, I was so encouraged about the birthing process and afterwards.  Joc, Cailyn and Ang have all had such different experiences and were so gracious enough to share what they really went through and how they felt…basically telling me that if I do not feel a particular way that people are expecting me to feel that it is ok and I am not a crazy person!  I just love these ladies and am so blessed to have them in my life! I could go on and on so I will stop…   Sorry I did not take a picture of this group…but I will when they meet Pixie and post it for you!

Random things:

Ok you know---these boys are the love of my life---This is Joel (Obi Wan) and Jackson (Chewbacca) on Halloween...Can you really look at this without smiling?  They come home in less than 14 days!!

I had to go in for another glucose test (if you have never had one before,  it is like simple syrup with lemon lime flavor, it is pretty much horrible).  When I got to my office,  this was waiting for me...How sweet is Michelle.  She knew I needed a pick me up. 

I had pitting edema (where you swell so much it leaves indents)  on Thursday night so on Friday Pat and Olivia (AKA Oli) came over in the morning to make sure I was elevating my feet and to visit.  So super fun!!

Rough day today with lab tests and kind of feeling done....but we took the weekly pictures...be kind!

Until next week! XOXO

Should they really tell you?....

So we are in the safe zone.  At any time I can go into labor and it will be safe for both Pixie and me.   We had our ultrasound today…First I will just say our ultrasound tech rocks!  She loves her job and it is clear she loves babies! 

Brendan and I had so much fun looking at sleeping (and maybe a bit grumpy) Pixie.   I was wondering if we were even going to get good shots because Pixie sleeps in and our appointment today was at 8:30a….Pixie usually starts her wakeup procedures around 10:00a.   I am so glad we went in when we did because she moves a ton in her sleep…so it worked out great!  

Going into this appointment I really wanted validation that Pixie was long.  I had felt her leg bone and thought holy crap that is huge!....well I was validated and then some.   Our daughter is off the charts huge!  Her head size is large, her stomach is large,  her legs are long and she has hair!   She is very healthy! With the disclaimer from our ultrasound tech that because all of the measurements (head, stomach and leg) were so large she thinks that she is only 15% accurate on predicting the weight and the weight can be 1.5 pounds off plus or minus….Pixie is weighing in at 9 pounds today! So for every week I go she is predicted to gain ½ pound.  May I remind you that I still have 3 weeks to go!

During this pregnancy I feel that I have been for the most part chill….but now that I know there is the potential of a 9 pound baby in me….I want her out!  9 pounds was my threshold….I did not want anything bigger (not that I get a say in the matter but SERIOUSLY!).   I almost wonder if you are having something bigger than an 8 pound baby if they should really tell you….it does no good for me….except make me cross my legs and thank GOD for an epidural drip!   Yes, yes, I will survive this but I really wanted a 7 pound baby dang it!  Oh wells who cares!  She is so cute!

I have my appointment next Wednesday where they start to check me weekly to see if I am dilated…here is hoping progress so that I do not end up with a 15 pound baby!

Here are some pictures from today's adventure...sorry about the glare and that I have no idea how to rotate the picture...so tilt your head to the right....

So chin is on the left side and top of head on right side...

This is when I think she got a little grumpy because her next move was to put her hands up and move.

 

Since it is not live....it is harder to see but she is sticking out her bottom lip in a pout!

 

Clearly this is not a 3D one...but I like it....the top of her head in on the bottom of the picture, her chin is in the middle on the left,...she is facing the top of the picture...this is a profile.

Here are the standard weekly pictures!

 Oh...I am still growing!

Friend Baby Shower and Pink Hair!

We are into Week 35!  Can you believe it?!  We only have 4 weeks (30 Days) to go.   Keri and the boys fly in in 28 days.  The reality of having a baby has still not sunk in and I am at the point where I think I am a lost cause.  I think I will have to hold her and bring her home to fully understand that I have a baby.  I have to admit that I am starting to get the twinge, late at night, that I am done being pregnant.  I am not miserable or anything but I would like my stomach to stop feeling like it is under attack.    Really,  I am not asking for my body back because I know that after birth comes the feeling of being a milking cow…but honestly if I could just have a solid hour when I get home of non-assault- stomach time I would be so pleased!  I have not dropped yet so according to Jane I have a couple of weeks…which makes everyone at work breathe a little easier.

PINK HAIR:

So a long time ago…when I worked at Northwest Kinetics…a group of my friends would sit around and talk about how we would tell each other we were pregnant.   I should say that this all stemmed because we had 3 friends get knocked up all at the same time.   So my friend Janice Wiggins decided that she would bring in Rainbow chip cupcakes with Rainbow chip frosting (later this seemed to be a bad idea because we could not have it at parties because this was the signature pregnant move!) and I decided that I was going to have peek-a-boo pink highlights because when you are pregnant no-one says anything to you about what you look like…it is an excuse to wear PJs to work!

All of this said,  when I found out I was pregnant I wanted to dye my hair pink but I had conferences and weddings that I just did not feel were appropriate to go to with pink hair.   Well folks….I went and got pink extensions in my hair last week and I love it.  The best part of this is that I do not have a picture to show you…because I keep forgetting to take one and my hair is up today….so I promise you next week you can see my pink hair!  It really is not that dramatic but it is fun!

Friend Shower: I had my friend baby shower and all I can say is that I am blessed.   I have amazing friends and their support is encouraging!  The planning that Pat and Tori did for this shower was amazing!  The food was a work of art and the way they decorated was perfect and not “baby themed”!  There were no games just good fellowship and a perfect time for all of my friends to meet one another.   I had the opportunity to introduce each person at the shower which was a ton of fun and I started to laugh when I was introducing Tori’s mom.  I realized that it really did take a village to raise me!  I have so many “moms” and “aunts” that it really struck me when introducing Mrs. Vantramp (Charlie) that I have been so blessed to have such diverse and strong women in my life shape who I am!   As I looked at all of my friends and family at the table (and picturing the ones that were not there) it made me so excited for Pixie because if she is anything like me it will take the village/community Brendan and I have created to raise her and mold her into the woman she is called to be.  

 How beautiful is this!!

After I opened a gift from someone, they had to come to my chair and snap a picture with me!  This is Elece (of the Bryce/ Elece, Gregg/ Beth Ann combo, think Sounder Game Stories)   

You know Lauren by now!  Which by the way she is on the market for a man so if you know anyone!!!

Pat's mom, Anita, knitted this for me....I was super hoping I would get one of her amazing blankets!  I am always jealous of Pat's blankets!

 And you know Laurel...

 This is Emily, she transfered to Geneva with me and we have the same wedding anniversary!

This is Jamie and Aspen (the baby).  They belong to Brian P Moore, Brendan's BFF. They are so happy! 

This is Coreen.  She has Jace and Cali.  We worked together at CRL for 9 years before I jumped ship! 

 This is Beth Ann (of Gregg and Beth Ann). Gregg is Brendan's boyfriend.

 Mom (Charlie AKA Tori's mom), me and Tori

Gen, me and Gail-  We work at Geneva and previously at CRL together.  Gen was my office mate and makes one of the best travel partners.  Gail's wedding was the very first wedding I ever help plan!  

Tori, me, Pat-  The ladies that are amazing.  Tori and I have been BFFs since 9th grade and Pat and I have been inseparable since PLU!  Thank God for these ladies...I know Brendan thinks that every day!  I would be a mess without them!

I was also blessed to have Jocelyn come to the shower.  She belongs to the group of Cailyn,  Ang Ladenburg and me.  She could not stay for the entire shower--he husband was watching the kiddos when he should have been sleeping! (He works nights) Thanks David! Oh..from the back of the table it is Laurel and then Jocelyn....it was the only picture I had of her! 

If you put one side of the table in, it is only fair to put the other in.  

Pixie is the size of a Honeydew Melon.   We have our ultrasound next week so I will post some pictures of her when we get them! 

This is week 34 pictures!



Here are week 35! (Below)