My Bellies Going to get Big

My Birth Story and last entry

2005-06-17T15:13:00.000-07:00

It's absolutely amazing how much ones life can change in a very short amount of time. For anyone who's interested here's my birth story.

On May 13th shortly after midnight Adam and I headed to bed. I was telling Adam before I dosed off of all the things I planned to do the next morning. Oh I wanted to dust the house, vacuum through, complete the laundry, go grocery shopping and visit the girl's at the daycare. Looking back now it's obvious I was having my nesting instinct but I was too tired to care. At 2:15am I woke up out of a deep sleep with what felt like a really bad menstrual cramp that cover my entire belly reign. At first sleepy me doesn't have a clue what's going on. When the pain was tolerable it dawns on me I must be having a contraction. I had remember reading that if your contraction happen at night time that you should try and go back to sleep. Because being that it's your first pregnancy it would average that you wouldn't be holding your baby in your arms for at least 20 to 24 hours. So I tried just that, but the next pain came 10 minutes later, then 8 minutes, then 6 minutes and by 4:30am I couldn't take it anymore. The contractions were becoming erratically some were 8 minutes apart where others were 5 minutes and the contractions were lasting longer. I started to get scared....I finally woke Adam up. I had held off as long as I possible could to wake Adam up because I knew as soon as I did "it" would become all too real...and it did. As soon as I told Adam I was experiencing pain he jumped out of bed, starting running things out to the car and somehow managed to eat a bowl of cereal really fast. The whole time I was in bed trying to accept the fact and muster up the courage that I did indeed have to go to the hospital NOW!! It was quite comical..here I am saying to Adam "no, no, no we don't need to go yet" in the middle of a contractions, well Adam fights to put my pants on for me. So by 5am we're out the door and on are way to St Joe's Hospital. Adam helps me waddle into the hospital and two personnel smile at us and point us in the right direction without any words spoken everyone knows why am obviously here. As Adam is filling out all the ridiculous paper work I've decided that I've had enough and I'm going to find myself some help. They took us to this room and hooked me up to a machine to see how all my vitals were. Then the nurse left us there for a half hour. She didn't say when she'd be back and the last thing I wanted to do was lay down and wait for her(so uncomfortable I wanted to be up and around). Since this is your first pregnancy you have know idea the magnitude of pain your feeling right now could possible be any worse and yet it does just that. The lady finally comes back and says "yep were going to go ahead and admit ya....your in active labour" and am thinking you're sure as hell right your admitting me I didn't even think at that point sending me home was an option. So now am laying in the Birth Room bed and the contractions are causing me to loose all focus. Am having a really difficult time answering questions. An the nurse suggests that I take a soak in the whirl pool tub. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a very private person. But when your faced with an unimaginable kind of pain you loose all self respect for yourself or at least I did for a short period of time. Adam is trying to fetch me my bathing suit and am swatting at him to leave me alone as I waddle off to the bathroom completely nude and slid into the tub. Amazing how soothing water can be. It only lasted 2 hours though and then I thought I was going to bawl because the pain was so great. The nurse then checks me and am 7 centimeters dilated so I still have a ways to go. For about an hour and a half concentrating on my breathing really seemed to help me. And then again I started to feel like I was going to actually loose it, I felt like I couldn't cope anymore I started to rock back and forth, back and forth and so on. The nurse re-checks me and states that am now 9 centimeters dilated. Then she tells me this is going to be my absolutely last chance to get an edpidural. She goes on to say that the baby is turned upside down ( making in a back labour so the baby is going to be harder to push out), that they suspect the baby is even larger then they had originally suspected and that the contractions are now going to be on top of each other now and they won't be any breaks inbetween. Currently my contractions were a minute apart. So with all that being said I panicked and eagerly accepted drugs of any kind now. The anestioligst asks me if I want to take a 1 in 10,000 chance that the drug might actually kill me, as am currently in the peaking point of a contractions I say "YES" without any hesitation at all. An man when those drugs took affect I was an entirely different person. I was sitting up in bed laughing and talking away to everyone, it was great. The nurse keep telling me that I could have more drugs but I wanted to feel some pain so that I would know when my baby wanted me to push her out. I had this in controllable urge to push Mackenzie out at 9:30am but the Doctors were all busy and said to up my dosage of meds. At 10:30am it seemed as though my body was going to push the baby out on it's very own. The Doctor checked me and said the baby was still turned the wrong way and that he wanted me to hold off as long as I possible could to give her a chance to turn the right way. At 11:30am I could no long hold off even if my very life depend on it. Mackenzie didn't care that the labour was going to be harder on us both because she wouldn't turn...she was coming out anyways. They convinced me to touch Mackenzie's head as I was pushing her out...man that was crazy it was spongy feeling. At one point I looked up so see 7 pairs of eyeballs starting at me crouch reign....what's a girl to do. I just had to put it out of my mind and focus at the task at hand. After an hour of pushing the doctor tells me that with one snip the baby would be in my arms with the next push. Or he didn't have to cut me just yet and we could see how things progressed. He wanted to know what I wanted to do "GET HER OUT!!!" I say. The doctor smiled and just as he had said after that next push she was here at 12:31pm. I could see only her feet and then they rushed her over to the observation table. She didn't make a sound and she looked blue. I just laid there trying to will her to make her first sound so that I could breathe myself. I then I heard the nurse say "were calling ICU" my heart was in my throat. And just then when I felt like my world was caving in I heard my most favorite sound in the world ever....Mackenzie sneezed. So all is well now right?! Wrong...just then it comes to may attention that the doctor has shoved the med student out of the way who was working on me. The doctor is telling the nurse to bring him all of these things and there is urgency in his voice as he says it. He then stands up and a see his gloves covered with blood and it dripping of his elbows. I start to feel fuzzy ( that's the best way I can describe it). An then suddenly everyone calms down instantly and the nurse says to me that I lost close to 2 liters of blood. My uterus wasn't contracting the way that it should have been and apparently am a bleeder. It scary to think but in the old days I would have hemorrhaged to death.

OK on a much happier note they finally brought Mackenzie over to me and she was all bright eyed and alert and sooooo cubby ( 9lbs 10 oz). I remember looking at her for the first time thinking she doesn't look like anyone I know. An then it dawns on my that's because we've never met before and that she looks like herself, Mackenzie.

We Have a Name!!

2005-05-15T01:01:00.000-07:00

Daddy's entry:

Mackenzie Lynn Nicole Rice

I ran home early Sunday morning 4:00 am to get some sleep. Trish had been up for almost 72+ hours so Tammy (Trisha's mom) came in at 11:00pm to stay with Mackenzie till 6:00am so Trish could sleep (thanks for all the help Grandma)

The only reason I logged on to post instead of hitting the bed was to share the nick name her soon to be Uncle Trever called her, "Big-Mac", we had quite a chuckle (she is almost 10 pounds).

I think she might be the most well behaved baby ever. She slept for 3 hours before we had to wake her up at 3:00 to feed. Well I'm going to stop writing now before Trish gets mad at me for sharing all the big updates.

It's a Girl!, And what a Girl

2005-05-14T07:19:00.000-07:00

Hello Bloggers this is Adam wresting on behalf of Trish who is still at the hospital. I'm on my way back to the hospital right now but I had to come home to empty the camera so I thought I would give a quick update. I'm sure a thorough post involving a description of pain I cannot imagine is to follow. We had the baby on May 13th 9 pounds 10 onz, earning her the nick name chub-a-lub. It's a big baby but the good news is she has already lost a pound.... of poop. (man that kid can go). She is very cute, quiet and I love her to pieces. I have posted a couple pictures on the GD photo archive.

Thanks to everyone who came to visit

Trish has to stay in the hospital till Sunday and on Monday she has a meeting with the people from Guinness (can you belive 9 pounds 10 onz.) but we should be home Sunday morning were the real adventure begins.

41 1/2 weeks

2005-05-12T15:30:00.000-07:00

I had my doctor visit today. The doctor set the date for induction, May 18th ( Adam's happy because that means he can still watch Star Wars III ). Although the doctor feels strongly that am NOT going to be pregnant for much longer because am already 4 centimeters dilated. Which really surprised me because I haven't experienced any pain yet ( I know it's coming though :). The DR also said since I was already dilated that much I've saved myself 12 hours or so of hard labour. When I heard that I felt like I won the lottery. So hopefully by this weekend there be a new little Rice girl in town.

Baby you're due!!

2005-05-09T00:25:00.000-07:00

So here it is the big day has arrived. My actual due date for baby to be here. But someone forgot to tell the most important person of all ....BABY! Maybe am partly to blame....you see I've made it too comfortable in there and she sees no reason to come out.

The terrible head cold I had is now gone. So yesterday I officially started my "Get out baby regimen". It consists of long walks, jumping up and down, taking evening prime rose vitamins three times a day, foot rubs and love'n from Adam. If by Friday she hasn't packed her bags yet I have offers from friends to go horse back riding and off road driving. Sometimes you got do what you gotta do. Surely baby has to get the hint eventually.

Sooooo uncomfortable doesn't even come close to describing the way I feel anymore. I think that if you make it to the 40 th week of pregnancy and beyond...there should be some freak'in medal for this.

Beginning of 40th week

2005-05-04T09:20:00.000-07:00

Well I've got a full blown cold that am fighting right now. I got it Sunday night and I've been fighting it ever since. An when you can't take any drugs to relieve your cold symptoms, it's a whole new experience. Last week I was bagging baby to come out and this week am pleading with her to stay put until I make a full recovery. Do you suppose God would be so cruel to throw me into labour right now ?! Just when I thought I couldn't possible be anymore uncomfortable (end of pregnancy discomforts) I go and get a cold that proves, things can always be worse. So needless to say I haven't been enjoying the start of my maternity leave yet. I feel as if am on some sort of sick leave from work instead.

Tomorrow is my doctors appointment. Am excited to hear if I've dilated anymore. It's funny because this is what I life for right now; to hear word that baby will soon be here.

39 weeks

2005-05-01T10:00:00.000-07:00

9 more days until the expected day where I should be holding my baby daughter :)

My last day of work was on Friday. It's going to be weird when I wake up Monday morning and have no where to go. I predict it won't take me too long at all to become stir crazy if baby decides to take her sweet time getting here.

Last week at my doctors visit I was 1 centimeters dilated. It doesn't mean anything though apparently. My doctor said he could see me in labour as early as that very evening or in three week when he induces me. I finally got up the nerve to ask my doctor how big he thought my baby girl was going to weigh when she is born. He predicted that she's already 9 pounds!! GET OUT BABY!! I can't say I was surprised though I've had a feeling for a very long time that she was going to be a BIG chub-a-lub :) I was doing some research an found out that baby is all developed now and can come out at anytime. That all she's doing in there right now if fattening up, as much as a 1/2 pound a week. So I figure she should come out NOW, she can just as easily get all nice and rolly polly out here in the outside world.

Last Friday Adam's co-workers threw him a surprise Baby Shower. Adam's co-workers were telling me how excited Adam is about the new baby coming and how he talks about her all the time. It was strange meeting these people for the very first time and them knowing too much about me. They knew that I was a centimeter dilated, that I couldn't hoist myself out of bed that very morning without Adam's help, that I was so upset the day before because I found another stretch mark and so on and so on.

So that's about all for now. I'll try and keep you all posted more frequently now, especially if anything exciting happens.

37 1/2 weeks

2005-04-17T12:05:00.000-07:00

They say the last month of pregnancy is the longest month. Now I know why this is sooooo true. Am so ready to be done with this pregnancy thing. All the aches and pains, anticipation, lack of social life (don’t imagine to get this back anytime soon), new stretch marks appearing daily it seems, aching pelvis bone, never ending trips to the bathroom, wobbling here there and everywhere and having nothing to wear that fits me anymore but my BIG clown capri pants L I am done, don’t want to do it anymore, count me out!!

Last week Adam and I went to a breast feeding class. The two of us looked ridiculous walking into class. Here am me wobbling as Adam helps me along with a stuffed Elmo doll tucked under his arm that I will soon pretend to breast feed. They told me something during class that really hit me hard. It’s not that I didn’t know this information before but now it hit as a reality. A newborn baby needs to eat every 2 to 3 hours and will feed for 45 to 60 minutes at each feeding. So when you do the quick math that’s anywhere from 8 to 10 hours a day where this baby will be attached to my breast. All be perfectly honest here, when I heard that I just about cried. I think if I would have blinked tears would have started to fall. I left that class in such a melancholy mood and guilty for feeling that way. An Adam didn’t help matters much when he turned to me and said “no T.V.” Okay I should back up a bit so you all understand this. Adam doesn’t want the baby to be exposed to any TV. what so ever. He read a new study that said it might cause attention deficit disorder in young children. So we’re not allowed to watch TV. in the baby’s presence. An for me that loves TV. and will soon have 8 to 10 hours a day to kill, what am I suppose to do?!

People have been asking me lately if am scared about giving birth. An it’s strange you know because am not. I really thought that I would be freaking out by now. But I have this strange calmness, I think because I don’t see the reason in worrying about; it’s just something you have to go through. I guess I’ve just accepted my fate. Although am sure when the time comes all be pleading and bargaining with god to make it stop J I’ve been doing a lot of research on the pros and cons of labour and delivery and I’ve come to the decision that I want to try and do this naturally without drugs ( as Adam says “good luck to ya girl” )

Am trying to get prepared as much as I possible can before the baby arrives. But how do you really prepare for something that you can’t even fully imagine.

36 1/2 weeks "my BIG nose"

2005-04-09T23:30:00.000-07:00

So here I am now just counting away the last remaining days until baby is here. I've had my baby shower (got everything I needed) my hospital bag is pretty much packed an waiting by the door, I am all finish my prenatal classes, read all of my 4 pregnancy books from front to back and filled all the pre-admission paper work out at the hospital. I've got nothing more to do to prepare for baby's arrival. So now I just wait!!

It's funny how people try and make you feel better but only end up making you feel worse. The other day a friend was trying to tell me that she thought I looked really good and that I didn't look like I put on much weight, then she says "until I saw a picture of you taken last Sept, boy do you ever look different. Your face has gotten rounder even your nose has gotten bigger!!" Then the next day one of my new friends (we meet this January) says " I saw your wedding picture and I had no idea that you USE to be hot! " Well if that wasn't a back handed compliment I don't know what is. An a couple of days after that this lady I bearly know asks me how much I've gained. An since am not shy about it ( why should I be ) I tell her 43 pounds. Well she goes on and on about how obviously I haven't gained it all in the belly because she can clearly see that. You know I wasn't going to say it before, because I am not mean like that. But seriously what made that pleasantly plumb short lady think she had the right to say that to me. At least am pregnant what was her excuse.

People have been predicting that am going to have this baby early. An I think that too, but only because baby has always been a week or two ahead in the weight gain and measure department. Also my doctor is on holidays the last two weeks of April and Adam is out of town April 28th. So I am thinking with my luck she'll decided end of April is as good a time as any to make her BIG debut. My due date is May 9th if anyone is trying to recall.

So three more weeks left of work and then am on maternity leave for 6 months. I can hardly wait to hangout with my little baby. On the other hand however I am going to miss my dream job. I am a Nanny for a little one year old named Sierra and she's such a doll. When watching Sierra successful accomplish each milestone I think to myself, in exactly one year from now my little girl is going to be doing this too ( walking, talking, showing me attitude) I can hardly wait for all the good and bad.

35 weeks

2005-03-29T20:12:00.000-08:00

We bought a house for are baby yesterday!! It's all very exciting and equally scary at the same time. Nothing like making your biggest purchase in life 5 weeks before your done work for 6 months (and I have no job to go back too). I personally think were in over are heads on this one. Yet Adam the die hard optimist between the two of us is confident everything will be just fine. Are new house should be built and ready to move into by the end of August. Today baby is busy pounding on my ribs trying to make some more room for herself in there, good luck with that baby :)

34 1/2 weeks

2005-03-25T15:40:00.000-08:00

The routine doctor visit went well yesterday. The routine every two weeks goes something like this. I sit in the waiting room anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half. Then I give a sample of urine, jump on the scale, take my blood pressure, DR asks me how am feeling "fine" I always say, he measures my belly, listens to baby's heart beat and the doctor asks me if I have any questions. An this pretty much eats up my entire morning. An starting next week I get to go for weekly visit until baby arrives ("yaaah" I say sarcastically). Yes am kind of getting bored with this whole pregnancy thing. I want to be done with it and move on to doing the mommy thing instead.

Right now baby is putting on fat and getting cubby cheeks ( both kinds). She's gaining about half a pound each week, bringing her to between 4.5 and 6 pounds. Books say that by how active your baby is now -- and how she responds to light, sound, and movement -- is a part of her personality. If there is any truth to that then our baby is going to be lazy, shy and possibly deaf. Soooo I choose not to believe any of this rubbish. I do how ever have this feeling that she's going to be a relaxed and easy going baby. There I said it, now she'll prove me wrong just to spite me :)

31 weeks

2005-03-10T18:29:00.000-08:00

Today the baby had a doctors visit. Everything was as it should be. She's presenting herself in the head down position already. She has a strong heart beat of 150 beats per minute. The baby weighs 4 pounds where I've gained an unfair total of 36 pounds. She said hello twice by kicking her doctor with her leg when he was pushing on her head.

At night am starting to feel very uncomfortable. As my pelvis bone is starting to separate to make room for the baby to come out . So if you see me at the end of the night am already wobbling around because this for some reason makes it feel less painful. When I talked to my doctor about it he said it was normal and quite common. But was kind of concerned that I was feeling this pain so strongly already because the pain only intensifies by the day until you deliver your baby. One of my previously pregnant friends also had this problem during her pregnancy and said that she was hardly able to walk the last month of her pregnancy because the pain was too great. PLEASE don't let that happen to me, I've been so lucky so far. Oh and of course Adam just thinks it's the cutest thing seeing me wobbling/hobbling around the place.

People keep asking me if Adam and I have picked a name for are little girl. We haven't narrowed it down to just one name yet. I feel like I have to see her first before I can make a decision like that. The girl names were toying around with right now are:

Jayke (family & friends don't love this name yet and are compromising by calling her Jayke-Lynn)
Ava (this name Adam & I are off again and on again with)
Mackenzie ( I love this name but fear it to be too popular)

(the only thing were certain on is that the middle name will be Lynn Nicole no matter what name we chose). I wish I could come up with more names that I like to chose from, I never thought it would be this hard.

To tell me your toughs on the name choices just click on "comments" and then click on "post a comment" to tell me what you think. It's easy!

31 weeks, 10 more to go!

2005-03-01T16:39:00.000-08:00

Time flies, like it always does. It crazy to think in about 10 weeks Adam and I will be fully responsible for another human life.

Lately I've been having wild dreams. I dream so much during the night that some mornings I wake up even more tired then I was when I went to bed. The funniest dream I had was about a chocolate cake. I was swim in this big ocean and I could see the big chocolately delicious cake sitting on a table right near the waters edge. An I was so upset because I could see that the oceans tide was going to eat my cake before I could save it. Lucky I made it to the cake before the ocean swallowed it whole. Then I loss all self control and starting eating the entire cake while dancing all over it. An I remember the cake tasting heavenly and sitting there eating every last crumble and licking my fingers. Absolutely bizarre this dream was!! ( I wonder if Andrew has ever had a dream like that ) I've only had a few dreams about the baby one was I went to Zehrs in Strathroy and ordered my baby and paid for it at checkout ( if only it were that simple). The other was this little baby girl talking to me as an adult would. I don't remember what we were talking about just that I was thinking the whole time "what a smart baby I have".

I had a doctor visit last Thursday and all went well. The baby and I are measuring and weighing in at an impressive rate, were ahead of schedule. I was concerned about how much weight I've put on already (35pounds) but my doctor was really pleased. He pointed out that I was a little on the under weight side before I got pregnant and he suspect that am retaining a lot of water ( I can't even wear my wedding rings anymore). I know that am not over eating in anyway. I follow the Canadian food guide strictly an most days just hit the minimum of what's require. An I only splurge on the weekends with a little piece of something sinful. My mom as well as others have been kind enough to point out that they only gained 15 or 20 pounds when they were pregnant. For myself I know this never would have been possible, not even if I starved myself. I surrendered my body along time ago over to my baby, it's no longer my own.

As for baby this week she's very busy building her brain. Makes my week look pretty lame in comparison.

29 1/2 weeks

2005-02-19T17:58:00.000-08:00

We went for are hospital tour last week. They tried to show us the birthing rooms but there was so many babies being born that night all the rooms were in use. So the tour went something like this. "Here's the admitted desk and here's the waiting room and this is the surgical room". The surgical room, you know the scary room they take you too if there's sudden complications with your birth. Then are tour guide says "thanks for coming and I hope we've answered all your questions and alleviated any of your concerns". Ahh no now I have new things to dread, like it's enviable that I'm going to have an episiotomy, am lucky if my birth lasts no longer then 24 hours or I now just realized I have a 1 in 5 chance of having a cesarean birth. So I didn't care for the hospital tour but that's just me. Am realizing more then ever that am one of those people that's like "let's just do this already and get it over with" that's how I deal. Am nothing like "let's talk about it, drag this out forever and pick it apart".

Original I had planned to work right up until the day I popped. But after taking to many other moms I've decided my last day of work will be April 28th ( Adam's birthday ) These women pointed out that it was important I take some me time before the baby arrives, because every mother knows they'll be no more of that once the baby's here :)

Adam and I today finished up registering for baby stuff. It was fun and a reminder that baby will so be here. Adam picked the theme for the baby room "BUGS". He's reason is that he sees are baby as are little bug in this big world (cute :). In the babyroom he wants to paint big blades of grass on the wall and make it look like scene from "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" ( I actually love that idea). You have to understand this is a compromise for Adam and I. I had to talks him out of wanting to do a "world map", "solar system" or "science" themes for are babyroom.

The baby moves around a lot. The other day I sat a remote control on my belly and watched the baby make it dance for me.

Start of 3rd trimester (28 wks)

2005-02-13T18:30:00.000-08:00

12 more weeks to go!

Adam and I started are pre-natal classes last week. The one thing that stuck with me from that class was the teachers question; "on a scale of 1 to a 100, how much do you think child birth is going to hurt?" Am sitting there wonder how they tested this out to come up with a correct answer. Nobody in the class had any idea what the correct answer was but we were thinking it was quite a high number no doubt. The answer "150 it will be more painful then anything you can ever imagine". My first respond to this, I laughed out loud and said right to the class " that's encouraging". Every pregnant women knows that labor isn't going to tickle that were going to have to endure this pain no matter what. But seriously I don't see the point at all in scaring the HELL out of us! Then they show you the famous live birth video. My whole life I have purposely avoided ever seeing a baby being born. People have wanted to show me their graphic video footage of their child coming into the world "no thanks that's ok" I would say. And don't get me wrong I love watching the tv show "Baby Story" because they keep the cameras where it should be, away from the women's private parts. But nooooooo for some reason to others it was very important that I see this particular live birth video, so I have more of an understanding. Well I am angry now that I have the image forever burned in my mind of a women's cervix expanding to the size of a DVD with a human head feverishly pushing to come out. I don't care what anyone says it's just not right. I don't want to see my baby coming out of me, touch it's head when it's crowning or pull it out of me. Just give me my baby. Ok enough about that. Those are just my thoughts and I realize I am the minority on how I feel about this particular subject.

Yesterday for the very first time baby had the hiccups. I woke up from a deep sleep early in the morning to feeling my tummy rythmaticly bouncing. It was the coolest thing ever. So cool that I woke Adam up too so that he could partake in the excitement. Of course Adam's first thought was "does it hurt the baby" and "is there anyway you can make it shop" because it might be annoying his baby and he didn't want that. Or Adam thought it was something that I ate the night before that was giving his baby hiccups. Maybe it was the potato chips I indulged the night before. Yes that must be it "no more potato chips" says Adam. "Go back to sleep!! So I can enjoy this" says irritated Trish to over protective soon-to-be daddy Adam. It occurred to me just the other day when I was talking to a girlfriend that if Adam is this over protective now he's going to be 10 times more so when the baby's here. I feel sorry for me, but even more so for baby.

I am feeling great if anyone was wondering. It is the number one question I am asked lately. The second and third most asked question right now is "when are you going to be done working?" and "when is your baby shower?" too both of those "I don't know yet".

My rapid weight gain has subsided I little for now anyways. I've gained a total of 28 pounds so far. For the last few weeks I've been gaining a pound or a half pound every week. As for the baby, her eyelids can open again, after being fused shut for more then four months. She can't make out objects yet, but she sees light and shadows. It's weird to think that their is eyeballs right now looking around in my belly.

It's a GIRL!! 27 weeks

2005-02-06T16:33:00.000-08:00

IT'S A GIRL !!

Huzzah for little girls
for little girls get bigger every day!

Thank heaven for little girls
they grow up in the most delightful way!

Those little eyes so helpless and appealing
one day will flash and send you crashin' thru the ceilin'

Thank heaven for little girls
thank heaven for them all,
no matter where no matter who
for without them, what would little boys do?

Thank heaven... thank heaven...
Thank heaven for little girls!

- This was our friend Andrew's responds by e-mail when he heard the great news.

everytime i hear this stuff or go see taya, i get this little itch in the back of my mind. but then i remember its just my head lice.

- scott robertson's respond

Congrats You Two! A while ago I saw a doctor on Daily Planet theorize that the gender of a child could be determined by which parent is dominant in the relationship at the time of conception (i.e. if the female is the dominate figure, then there is a higher chance that the baby will be a girl and vice versa). Of course, this was just a theory and I'm really not sure how true this is but, if it is, it would seem that Adam is your lil bitch Trish. If so, nice werk! ;)

- Scott Stanley's responds

yeah!! Shopping for little girls is so much fun. Congrats guys

- Robyn MacLean May's responds

Congratulations! That's fabulous! I read on your website you are hoping to be able to stay home with the baby. If you can, do it!

- Christine Myren's responds

why did you have to be a girl?! you were suppose to be a boy. we already have a girl, Taya.

- Sean Robertson's responds

When we told are parents the news that we were expecting a girl they were in disbelief. Adam's mom was kind of hoping for a little girl ( understandable since she's the mother of 3 boys). My mom for sure thought it was a boy, just because the Fentie Family hasn't had a girl in 20 years. And as for Adam and I were both very excited. Adam had a feeling for quite sometime that it was a girl. He would greet me all the time by saying "how's my girls" and pat my belly. As for me I had absolutely no idea what sex my baby was and I was completely shocked to hear it was a girl. I really didn't think Adam could make girls because of his families strong male gene. So I just wouldn't allow myself to day dream about a girl. And now I can't stop myself from thinking about; pink, pig tales, dresses, pierced ears and nail polish and so on and so on. It's going to be soooooo much fun!

Second UltraSound and all is well

2005-01-26T19:25:00.000-08:00

We got to see our baby again today!! The doctor said the baby is healthy and normal and no further testing is required. Although there is still a bright spot in the same area of the heart (whatever that means) they’re no longer concerned. It’s just one of those things some babies have but it does not mean there is any thing wrong with the heart. So I’ve been instructed to enjoy the rest of my pregnancy worry free. Today was Adam’s first time seeing “jelly bean”. Adam was the cutest, he grabbed my hand and looked awe struck by the imagine of his baby moving around on the screen. I am not sure who was more fun to watch the baby wiggling around or Adam’s big smile of pride.

After the ultrasound we decided to have an all out baby sort of day. We went and registered at “Babies R Us” (I know it’s early but I was so just so excited). Then we went to the mall and picked out individual gifts we wanted to give our baby. It was a very fun day!

The baby weighted in at 2.1 pounds which is on the heavy side for a 25 week old fetus. The doctor and Adam were pleased with the fact that the baby was already bigger then average. Easy for them to say they don’t have to push the sucker out of them. Oh and I’ve gained a whooping 26 pounds so far to date. Am telling ya am going to get HUGE and my baby is going to come out looking like a toddler J Although it’s all good as long as the baby is a healthy “little thing” or should I say “BIG thing”.

25 weeks

2005-01-24T22:11:00.000-08:00

This week has been a little harder then most. I've gained 6 pounds in one week. I have now idea what happened I eat really healthy foods and I don't over eat. But somehow I put a pound on each day this week. And now none of my pregers pants feel comfortable anymore. I can't beleive I have pregancy clothes that don't fit me anymore. Am going to have to break down and buy those ugly pants that go up and over your entire belly. Am getting a little nervous here guys I still have 15 weeks to go and if I keep this up I won't be able to fit throw doorways for much longer.

24 weeks

2005-01-19T17:03:00.000-08:00

Well myself and strangers have realized am pregnant.

Last week I decided to take Sierra for a walk. I got all turned around and completely of course that my walk ended up being an hour and 20 minutes long. If that wasn't discouraging enough it started to rain when I was at least 30 minutes from home. So I protected Sierra from the rain and started to run for home ( in high heels I might add). Which resulted in huge blisters to both feet and too many sore muscle to name. Later on that day I fell down some stairs and ended up on all fours on the not so forgiving pavement ( not to worry jelly bean was protected ). It must of been quite a sight to see. For I was wobbling down the steps do to my blisters and stupid chunky healed shoes that I lost my balance. I threw everything from my hands, cell phone, car keys and my very expensive digital camera but who cares because all I could think about was "baby!!" It was then more then ever that I realized to smarten up and surcome to the fact that I am pregnant. I no longer can do all of the things I use to do so easily.

Am loving it that complete strangers now are asking me when am due. I've graduating finally from looking fat to now obviously pregnant. The other day while I was waiting in the grocery store check out line this lady commended me for eating so healthy while pregnant. I couldn't help but feel proud of myself. I felt like she was patting me on the back for doing a good job.

The baby now weighs 1.5 pounds ( I've gained 18 pounds ) and my uterus is the size of a soccer ball.

Forced To Grow Up - By Adam

2005-01-16T11:27:00.000-08:00

Well the Baby is only 4 months away now, and I'm starting to see some of the changes we are going to have to cope with already. Money being the biggest one. I haven't eaten out for 2 weeks,(beefaroni for lunch every day) I haven't gotten any new clothes or movies since before X-Mas (anyone who knows me, knows what a big movie fan I am). I'm also realizing that I'm far to protective.. To the point of being an ass hole, and its subconscious I cant even control it. Lets review
-I wont allow Trish to be on the same balcony as people who are smoking
-I wont let Trish Dance (jump up and down)
-I wont let her drink Soda (obviously alcohol and drugs are out)
-Last night we went to McDonalds and hearing her eat her greasy greasy happy meal made me sick to my stomach. That's right I won't even let her eat MacDonalds.

I can feel myself turning into my dad, since I got my promotion at work I'm now a work aholic but if I stop drinking workahol we can't afford to have Trish stay at home after her maternity leave is up. I'm being pulled in 2 different directions and either way I get screwed. 1 money for family, not a big enough part of family, 2. Big part of family but not enough money to live.

We Have an ultra sound scheduled for Jan 26th so hopefully we'll have a new picture to post and I will finally get to see the baby and not just wait in the waiting room for 2 hours then go home with Trish. Also Trish has convinced me to find out what the sex is (even though I was opposed)
here comes the cliche, as long as it's healthy then I will be happy.

Every morning I look at Trish's belly and try to work up the nerve to sing "you are my sunshine" to my jelly bean but I can't get up the nerve. The baby can hear now and Trish read that if you sing to the belly before the bays is born singing that same song after will calm it down. I'm going to start this week mark my words. If anyone knows any good songs add them as a comment to Trishers blog.

Any way I should get back to work, nothing like 8-8 on a Sunday to make you hate your life.

Well now I did it - By Adam

2005-01-09T16:49:00.000-08:00

Adam - Well I let the baby down today for the first time. I have been upgrading my computer at home and in the process I lost all Trisha's emails and email addresses, she was saving peoples emails about the baby to put in a baby book. (so if Trish doesn't email you for a wile its probably because she lost your address). We are past the half way mark now and I'm starting to realize that we cant afford a baby, So I came up with the idea of auctioning the chance to name our baby on eBay. Put the starting bid at 200,000$ worst case scenario is we get a big house and our kids name is ass-hat (thanks to Jaime for the name) I'm still trying to convince Trish to let me do it but I'm not holding my breath. Craig is moving back to Vancouver to get his life plan back on track. I wish him all the best but that means Uncle Craig wont be around when the baby is born. I want my brothers to be a big part of the baby's life but it's going to be a little hard when one of them is on the other side of Canada. Well Simpsons is almost on so peace out yall.

22 weeks "it's a banana"

2005-01-02T12:34:00.000-08:00

The specialist appointment went VERY well last Wednesday. Dr. Gagnon said that the echogentic focus that was picked up on the ultrasound was nothing more then a calcium build up around the left ventricle of the baby's heart. They don't know why this happens in 1 out of every 100 babies. They're going to keep and eye on it though ( I go in for another ultrasound Jan 27th ) just to make sure everything is ok. Although most babies just out grow the calcium build up by the time their born. Also at the visit the doctor checked the baby's heart beat ( he found it immediately ) and discovery it was very strong.

I now don't fit into any of my pants an the only shirts that fit me are BIG sweater. Thankfully Adam took me on another shopping spree for new pregger clothes, so I'd quit my whining :) I've gained a total of 16 pounds so far in this pregnancy ( just yesterday I tipped the scale to my heaviest weight ever in my life ). Although I know there's a baby growing inside of me am still struggling with the idea of putting on all this weight.

Well enough about me! The baby is moving around a bunch now. I think that during the day mostly it sleeps an then when I just get comfortable and ready to drift off to sleep "you know who" thinks it's time to play :). The baby weighs 1 pound and is as big as a banana.

20 1/2 weeks

2004-12-23T13:11:00.000-08:00

Just to update everyone my specialist appointment is Dec 29th. So I won't know any new info until then. Am kind of angry with how long it's taken to finally get this appointment. You wouldn't believe what they put me through to get it. A Radiologist was the first one to notice a concern with the baby's heart on Dec 6th and I should of been seen by a specialist that week. But the hospital report got lost in the shuffle, my family doctor wasn't notified of the concern for a week, then my doctor was off work for a week with the flu, then the doctors receptions didn't make the referral to the specialist office until yesterday morning because she forgot (idiot). An the whole time I seem like a hysterical stressed out pregnant lady because I've been calling every other day to find out what the HELL is going on. So Dr. Gagon called me yesterday to make an appointment with me the first day he opens back up after the holidays (because their closed now). He wanted to make sure I was doing ok ( he saw that the discovery was made Dec6th and wondered why he was just hearing about it on Dec 22nd ). He wanted to reassure me that he isn't concerned with my report that he's seen this sort of thing many of times. So that was VERY comforting to hear as I enter into the holiday season.

What I've learned from this experience. I am getting a feel of what maternal love feels like. Don't mess with my cub or all come after ya :)

20 weeks, again!

2004-12-17T16:04:00.000-08:00

I had a visit with the doctor today to review the information I received on Monday. The ultrasound results showed that I am exactly 20 weeks as of today, so am half way though this pregnancy :) During the ultrasound, a small echogenic focus was identified in the fetal cardiac left ventricle. This has a very weak association with Down's syndrome. An that an obstetrical opinion is needed. So sometime next week I have an appointment with Dr. Gannon a specialist here in London. An after I meet with him we'll have a better idea on what all this really means. In family history we have septal defects ( holes in the heart ). I myself have a dyspneic defect in the right ventricle of my heart ( just a fancy word for "heart murmur"). An am hoping that is all this turns out to be, nothing more then a murmur.

For the first time today Adam got to hear "little buddy's" heart. He said it sounded as if the baby lived inside a wind tunnel. I think it sounds like the baby is doing his laundry. Either way it's my new favorite sound right now!

High's & Low's / 20 weeks

2004-12-14T21:12:00.000-08:00

The results for the baby's ultrasound came in yesterday. The baby has all ten fingers and toes and looks perfect. Although when a Radiology technician examined the ultrasound further they found a small weak area in the baby's heart. The absolute worst scenario is that the baby will have a heart defect or a very slight possibility of down syndrome. The doctors are just trying to cover all bases. On the positive side the baby is still young and has a LOT of growing to do yet. So the baby's heart has a possibility of strengthening well it grows more an correcting the weak area. Although the news was upsetting at first to hear am just so thankful they caught this early so we can move on to the next step whatever that might be. To be safe and smart my doctor has referred me over to a specialist here in London for the remainder of this pregnancy.

Okay now for exciting/happy news :) I thinking am feeling the baby move inside me!! The first day I noticed it was on Sunday, December 12 at the "Johnson Family Christmas Party". I was making myself breakfast when I felt something that was like a charlie horse from the inside. I yelped and grabbed my stomach ( it didn't hurt at all it just scared me). Adam happened to be beside me at the time an asked "What, you ok!?" I said "I think I felt the baby move, it scared me". He's responds was "scared you! you knew this was going to happen right?" Of course I knew it was going to happen, but how could I ever imagine what it would feel like.

First Picture - By Adam

2004-12-05T15:16:00.000-08:00

Here's the first Picture of my little buddy

only 5 months to go and then I'll be able to post a picture were you can't see the baby's spine.
Trish wanted me write a little blurb (mainly because she didn't know how to post the picture)

As every one knows Andrew is moving out so Trish and I are scrambling to find a place to live. And by scrambling I mean doing nothing but knowing that something is going to have to be done soon. I am starting to shift into father mode, I feel like I'm getting way to protective of Trisha's belly. We went to a wedding yesterday and when she was dancing all I could think about is that poor baby bouncing off the walls of that tiny tiny uterus. When I brought it to Trisha's attention that she was jumping up and down she said "what now I can't dance?" then she spit on her hand and slapped me across the face. (every thing but the slap was true)

At the wedding I was sitting with Nathan, the 2 year old ring bearer. I couldn't keep my eyes of him all night. He had just learned to clap so Andrew and I taught him the next step, how to raise the roof. At a couple points the party was so hopping I thought the roof was going to come down but then I remembered that than was there to prop it back up.. WHOOT WHOOT.

Work is going well all I have to do is make it through Dec and then It's smooth sailing, and just think if I get confirmed as a manager at bell I'll get a raise just in time for Trish to get a pay cut from going on maternity leave. Isn't that great? Just when life shuts a door it opens a window then a foot comes through that window and kicks you in the crotch. But I digress.

So here is the check list for the next 5 month

1. Make it through Dec at work.
2. Find a place for us to live.
3. Get confirmed at work so I can make enough money to pay for said place to live.
4. Watch Star Wars Episode III The revenge of the Sith.
5. Have a Beautiful baby and live happily ever after.

18 weeks

2004-12-02T16:02:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is the BIG ultra sound and testing day! I'm excited and scared at the exact same time ( much like the feeling when I found out I was pregnant ). Adam can't get anymore time of work so my mom is coming with me to the ultra sound. When I called to tell mom Adam couldn't come with me she cut me off and said "YES I can come !!!" So I gather she's pretty excited. I think about the baby non stop, I might even be obsessed. I'm constantly wondering if the baby is health & comfortable. I worry that am not eating enough, getting adequate sleep, drinking enough water, taking the best vitamins, eating the healthiest foods and so on and so on. The books say that the fetus is the size of your hand spread open ( that's pretty big I think ). Adam is having fun with his unborn child already. I told Adam that the baby can now hear. So the other day he was scanning the internet for music the baby might like. He was playing Mozart or something like that and asked me "is this the baby's favorite music?" Adam hugs my tummy ( he thinks he's hugging the baby ) and calls the baby "little buddy". An nothing can wipe the smile of his face when he sees my ever expanding tummy ( he's so proud of it ).

15 1/2 weeks

2004-11-12T20:44:00.000-08:00

Well today I had one of my routine doctor visits. The visited didn't go as well as was hoped. First the doctor tells me am not immune to Rubella so if I come into contact with someone with this illness it could be deadly to my unborn child. Then my doctor couldn't find the baby's heart beat, still. Then she took notice that my weight hadn't increased since my last doctor visit a month ago. I am suppose to be gaining an pound or two each week now. Then she started to feel around on my tummy an thought that I wasn't as big as I should be. So after all of this my doctor concluded that she wants me to go in for an early ultra sound just to make sure everything is ok. She also wants me to do some more blood work and some other tests. She figured after the ultra sound we'd know more. She thinks that maybe am not as far a long as we had originally thought. But am certain that I am exactly 15 1/2 weeks along. I know the exact day that I conceived so the due date has to be May 9th. But then again am not a doctor. An since the government only allows one ultra sound an my doctor wants me to do mine now. It will be too soon to determine the sex of our baby. Adam and I were hoping to find out the sex of the baby early but it's not to be. So the stubborn baby gets to keep it's secret. But on the upside of things I get to see the baby early. And tomorrow I'm leaving on a trip to Las Vegas :) Baby's first airplane ride!

13 weeks / start of second trimester

2004-11-04T15:43:00.000-08:00

Well I've POPPED, so to speak! To the untrained eye or a stranger I look the same. But to all of you am clearly pregnant or letting myself go. The first trimester was a breeze and very uneventful an for that I'm truly thankful ( I've heard horror stories ). Although the one symptom that keeps creeping up and I find it difficult to controls is my emotions. Last week I thought I had the right to tell Adam that he wasn't being supportive. An he pointed out that he had just done all of my laundry, order Chinese food ( my favorite ), cleaned the house and decorated for Halloween ( all while I say on the couch wishing I had the energy to move ). Man I sure don't know when to pick a fight, thanks for nothing raging pregnancy hormones. There are days when am soooo moody and sad and I don't feel like me anymore. An it's irritating because rationally I know that things are the greatest they've ever been in my life, so why can't I be happy all of the time?!
I told my new employers that am expecting ( I was really nervous too ). They were honestly excited for me, had lots of questions and have been very supportive. All that worrying for nothing :)
Today was the first day that I had the energy to do whatever I wanted. It felt great to be so active again. I was so excited to feel energetic again that I scrubbed the stove and fridge, did two loads of dishes, 5 loads of laundry, cooked a gourmet meal and did a months worth of grocery shopping all after completing a full day of work. And am sitting here wondering what to do next.

11 1/2 weeks

2004-10-22T15:47:00.000-07:00

So today was the BIG doctor visit. They asked me almost ever personal question I think they could think up. Then I had to do a bunch of tests and they took 7 vials of my blood. Your suppose to be able to hear the fetuses heart beat by now. So the doctor listened for it on a Doppler but big surprise the babe didn't want to co-operate ( I wonder who he gets that from?) So I go back November 12 for more tests and if they don't hear the heart beat in three weeks from now the doctor will be concerned. But am just thinking here that this baby it just showing of that he truly is a Rice ( never on time for anything :) I finally have the actual due date for this little one MAY 9 ( which is the day after Adam and I first wedding anniversary ) Now honestly could you think of a better present ?!

11th week - it's a lime !

2004-10-16T20:17:00.000-07:00

Well I finally found a doctor for my baby and me. I go for my first prenatal visit on October 22nd. They told me to bring Adam along because we might be able to hear the baby's heart beat ( if the baby co-operates ). Well I have my first pregnancy symptom and it started about a week ago, I have morning sickness but a very mild form of it. Every morning when I get up now am soooo hungry I feel nauseous but as soon as I eat breakfast I feel fine by the time I head out the door to work. So really I can't complain because I know that's nothing am very lucky so far. I haven't gained a pound yet and I haven't started showing yet. So am really anxious to see my doctor so that she can confirm that their really is a baby in there. I was talking to a girl today that is due the same day I am and she was already showing so much that she was wearing maternity clothes ( where's my belly ? ) I guess I should be careful what I wish for am sure it will come soon enough. Am in my 11th week now and you might find it interesting to know that my babe is the size of a lime right now ( crazy !!! ) My Aunt Sugar and friend Jen Wenz-Miller think that am having a little girl. That would be so exciting if that were true ( but I don't think Adam is capable of making girls :) Either way though all be happy as long as it's healthy and adorable.

2004-10-02T19:08:00.000-07:00

My husband Adam and I were throwing caution to the wind and fooling around with the idea making a baby. On August 24 I quit my disrespectful, over-demanding and stressful job. And we decided to put having a baby on the back burner for awhile while I tried to find a new job and figure out what my new career path would be. I remember saying to friends that "if I become pregnant right now, wouldn't that be a kicker!?" Well on August 26th (the very day I should start you know what) I took a pregnancy test that clearly showed I was pregnant. They say pregnancy happens when you least expect it and in my cause it was no different.

When I found out that I was expecting I was excited and scared. I also had a hard time at first believing it was true and took two more test just to be certain. As for Adam one test was all he needed to high five me and strut around the place.

So I've enter into my 9th week and am still pregnancy symptom free to date. Which drives a lot of my previously pregnant friends and family to be bitterly jealous of me :)

The Husband Starts Everything - By Adam

2004-10-02T19:03:00.000-07:00

Hi My name is Adam. I recently knocked my wife up and she has been doing a lot of resource regarding our little jelly bean (it is the size of the Jelly bean right now). I just thought this would be a unique way to help her through her Pregnacy and keep track of the ups and downs that I am sure we will be facing. Know I hope this isn't going to be the last post but I tried my hardest to get it started. If it did get started and this is my little boy or girl reading this then I love you very much. Or moderately I haven't really met you yet.

now without further adu