Round Two

Some have asked me to keep the baby news going...so, here is the latest.

I went in for my glucose testing yesterday, got the results today as expected.

Apparently, I'm "severely" anemic, and I failed my glucose test. Which, in short means not to be surprised if come my next round of tests this weekend, to be diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Which, I didn't have with Leena. Anemia caused massive problems during delivery, needing blood transfusions,toxemia, the works.

I will be honest, both pregnancies have been more rough than people really seem to realize. Early labor, everything that isn't good, has just about happened.

I wish I was one of those people that didn't have the compliations that I have managed to have, both times.

I hear all these women say "Oh, I didn't have morning sickness! Everything is perfect!"

Yeah, bite me! I'll trade ya. My girlfriend and I joke that only real women get morning sickness, because she and I have had the same trials.

I'm just hoping everything goes ok, I'm rather worried to be frank.

Lastly, We finally scheduled the C-section for Oct 22nd, at 5:30pm! Yay!

My sweet little "bunny", Leena!

I finally got to have Leena this weekend! She's usually in between 4+ households. It has been that way since she was 2, and she's so used to it, she actually rather enjoys the variety.

In order to get to the Daniels home, you can either spend the $25 bucks in gas, and drive teh 80 miles "around" the puget sound water, or pay $14.45 a vehicle, and $6.70 a passenger, and take the ferry. Jeff and I invested in a ferry pass some months ago, and when the rates jumped from $11.45 a fare, to $14.45 a fare in the summer, we've ended up saving alot of money! The ferry ride, one way, is about 56-58 minutes, just barely shy of an hour. Leena was looking forward to taking "the boat" to moms house. I guess if you're 6, and such an outdoorsy girl like she is, it's perfect! Jeff and I made the trek over to Redmond somewhat early on saturday morning, being jeff had to work the next day. We went and picked her up, and took her bowling. Leena aboslutely LOVES bowling, and so does Jeff. Heck- he eve has his own ball! With my center of gravity, and lack of any coordination, I took a raincheck and decided not to play this time around. They put the bumpers up for Leena, and obviously none for Jeff. After about 3 games, our fee that we paid had finally ended. Leena was happy that she beat Jeff on alot of frames, despite how exceedingly good he is at bowling in general.

We then all 3 of us, got in the car and raced to the ferry terminal to catch the next ferry out of downtown Seattle. (Luckily no train or Mariners traffic, WOOHOOO for once! Those both will make you miss your ferry and you're stuck waiting for at least an hour, maybe 3! It's so awful!)She wandered around and watch us pass all the islands we go past when going to our destination; Bremerton. She really enjoyed the ride and talked alot during it. We got home and made dinner, watched a movie, and i started to doze off around 9pm. I'm such a wuss! I remember when I used to stay awake til 5am! I guess those are called past times for a reason.

The one downfall was, we are in a 3 bedroom house, the other 2 rooms are occupied, for now. (long story short was, I was living outside of Seattle, and did not get along with a roommate by any means, Jeff and I got engaged and I coverted over to 'this side' of the water in feb. Jeff had a lease with 2 other people, which is up next month, I've put my foot down and said they had to go come Oct...at least 1, because he's refusing to move again, when we have to in Jan. Doesn't add up.)So we blew up the air mattress for Leena, which she was excited about! It felt like camping to her, so we had her just sleep in our room. Poor thing couldn't sleep for a while. So, Jeff broke out the "Lappy" (nickname for laptop) and they played games together on msn. She then started to fall asleep, and Jeff moved her to her own little campground she had, to the right of us.

Jeff woke up at 530 to go to work, I saw him hug her goodbye and he left for a 24 hour shift. Leena and I were due for an appearance at a wedding on Sunday, for one of my close girlfriends. It was fun, and all of "the girls" were there, which is always nice. We've all been friends since 10th grade, some before hand. A friends mom was saying how she admired us for all still staying in close contact, all of them are Leenas unbiological "aunties", they were in the waiting room when she was born. I can't find the pictures, so I'll have to dig some up, but they're too cute of Leena! All in all, she had a good time with mommy.

We got on the ferry back, and Jeff had called my dad to warn them, (we walked on vs driving this time) that we'd be in downtown Seattle at 7:40pm. So, 7:10 rolls around, and I warm my mom that they needed to leave soon to meet me at the ferry terminal so I don't miss my next ride home. I called my dad and talked to him. A half hour rolls by, Leena were eating a snack on the ferry as we were pulling up to the dock in downtown. I call my dad on his cell phone to see where he is.....he says "well, we are JUST leaving home, we'll be there in a while". WHAT!!?? I was so infuriated, they live about 25 minutes from downtown, so it's not far but if they hit traffic, they were out of luck, and I was doomed to miss my ferry and wait 2 hours for the next one, then in fot the hour ride home, and not even get home until 11pm. Well, Leena picked up on how i was upset. She's so sweet she goes "It's ok mommy, if they're late, that just means you get to stay with me more!" Oh, so true, and so sweet. My dad called about 15 minutes later, He'd actually drove over the speed limit and hauled chicken butt to get to the ferry terminal cause he knows how time consuming it is for us to go back and forth across the water. I stood outside of the ferry terminal and directed them on my cell phone as to where I was. My dad was on a weird street, but I could see him. He got lucky, hit a red light for oncoming traffic and made a heck of a U-turn. As Leena was waiting for him, she gave me a hug and patted my pregnant tummy and goes "I love you mommy, and Landon too". that ook away any ounce of anger or fear of missing a boat, that I had in me at that time. I gave her a hug and a kiss, and my mom ran out of the car, hugged me, and I put Leena in her car seat and off they went.

I miss her! We had fun, she helped me pick out my jewelry for the wedding as well as my dress I was going to wear. I love that little girl! I just wish she was here more often.

Which bring me to my last thing, I'm really contimplating going on a long leave of absence for my job. Ever since I've been put into Nextel Worldwide and Corporate Care, it seems more stressful, maybe because I have alot more riding on the line. A friend sent me a message the other day, not realizing that I work full time and was stunned that I wasn't staying home. That was one thing Leena mentioned, she said she wanted to be here with me all the time, but wanted me to be home when she got home from school. I'd be getting off the same time she got out of school. The original plan was to dock my hours to part time, and when Jeff got home from work, I'd go into my job for a little while, when he watched the kids...But, after what Leena said, I don't think it's worth while. I'm so used to having to "report" to a job, and it's always been something in an area tha I excelled at. We'll see. I'm tired of working, tired of dealing with idiots, and tired of missing out on my little girl grow. I've had to work full time now for about..almost 5 years. It's a way of life, thena gain was supposed to be temporary. And with doctors labelling me high risk, I don't know how much my health is going to cost if I over wear myself. And, it's the last thing I want to do to Landon either. Only time will tell.

More pictures

I forgot that I hadn't really uploaded any of my pictures off of my camera. So, while I wait for someone to come by to the house and pick up some stuff, might as well post them! Sorry they are so massively huge, but at this rate, how the site wasn't wanting to upload ANYTHING, I said screw it. Big pictures show more detail!


Leena and "Daddy Jeff" playing, he was so sick, but he still love playing with her. Despite his condition then.



Leena playing "crack the egg" with the neighbor boy, it was like 100 that day.


Yup - she's still my little princess!


That would be my monkey husband Jeff, hacking at teh never ending "shedding" pine tree to teh left part of our driveway. He had TOO much fun up there! Even was cutting things off with a hatchet, left handed, oooooo!


I though that was the most precious thing!! Leena drew a picture for Landons room (we decided instead of buying artwork, we're going to put Leenas art up in it) It's her and her little brother, Landon, when he is a little toddler. It's so sweet!


You wouldn't see this and think - "He's sick!?" He has a good smile :) ANd, I think it's only a matter of time before his lip ring comes out....if I am only so lucky ot have it my way. (bet half of you are just now noticing that huh!?)


Leena. patiently, and contently, waiting her turn for the slip-n-slide. She LOVES that thing!


Jeff thinking about maybe doing the slip-n-slide, he is under the weight requirement...haha.


How killer is that?! Downfall was tis was taken at 4am when I couldn't sleep. Our from window overlooks the ocean...err "Puget Sound" (it's salt water)


House across the way is almost done with construction...you can kinda see it.


Around 4:25am, you can finally see Mt.Baker!

"It's Wayuh!"

My little niece cracks me up!

I am unlike most people I know, I don't have 6 or 7 nieces of nephews, I have 1. (with the exception of the 5 I just inherited from Jeffs family) And, I think she's the cutest little thing there is. She really is a loving kid. She turned 5 this past February. (a day before Seth and Cody's birthday.)

Well, Leena a few months ago, got her own email account. Her Papa Alan (Eli's dad) set it up for her, and next thing I know, I'm emailing my 6 year old....WOW! Anyhow, Leena took the time (and alot of help from me) to email her "Auntie Kelle" in Canada, but she mainly addressed it to her cousin, Maleah. Auntie Kelles little girl.

I guess that started a want for her own email address, in Maleah. So, Mikelle sent out an email that our cute little "Mouse", had followed in Leena's footsteps,and they set up her own email address for her!

So, Leena and I sat down and we both emailed her. Leena was pretty psyched she could email her cousin. I will say this, it's cute to see what a 5 and 6 year old talk about. Leena talks all about her animals, Mouse talks about how she misses Leena, awww.

Anyway, I got a response to my email too. Here is the actual text.

Dear Auntie Heid,

I sure do miss you. I think it's cool you're having a baby. I wish you were having a girl baby, cause you're having a boy. I hope you are having a good summer with Leena.

I love you,

Maleah

I laughed incredibly hard at the having a boy part. Everyone has been thrilled that we're having a boy, but apparently not Maleah! I showed this to Jeff and then went to Mikelles facebook and told her to apologize on my behalf to Maleah that I'm having a boy, haha. It didn't offend me at all, if anything it was a good laugh!

Ahhh, I love my little Wayuh! (Anytime she'd call us when she was about 2 or so, she'd go "hi!! It's wayuh!!" she couldn't fully say her name, it was so cute!)

My husband, is kinda rad.

I am sure anyone that knows Jeff and I, knows very well that we are not big people at all. He is maybe an inch taller than me. Anyway, he will never have to be pregnant, that's my job! Anyway, we're still due for a little boy which will now be here mid-October.

And, because of my petite size, this comes with many perks, and not so perkish things. Yesterday morning around 4am, I shot up like a bullet because of the horrendous pains in my lower abdomen. I woke up Jeff to tell him. Poor guy, he was so groggy. Now, I also leep like a rock, so being that I woke up out of my sleep to such intense pain, was not good. In short, I stayed home from work, and when it started progressing, called Jeff home after talking to my nurse and telling me to go and get looked at, just to play it safe.(Luckily he had finally given me his office # on base so I could actually call him!) So, Jeff and I got in the car, and made the very short drive to the small town of Silverdale. Where the closest non-military hospital is. Once I told them what was going on, they immediately rushed me uptairs. (Oh, and my doctor labeled me a high risk pregnancy as well this last week)

Poor Jeff, gets in there. And he is absolutely freezing. I was in the hospital bed just watching the monitors and things that they had me hooked up to. While Jeff continued to freeze, I mentioned how my feet were really cold. He immediately climbs on the bed, sitcks my sheet covered feet inbetween his lower thighs trying to warm them up, he even blew hot air on them, hoping that would work. Haha. He did what he could to make sure I was comfortable. Even offering to make a trip to Spiros to save me from hospital food. We came home, and it took me a while to feel better. I think he was scared, just was trying not to show it too much, in my favor.

I'm just happy he ws so quick in response to my calling him at work, and he was home so fast. And when we came home, he was the one outside grilling up dinner while I lazily laid on the couch. He's just awesome in so many aspects. He was so quick to get me anything I needed when I spent what seemed like endless hours hurling my guts out with this kiddo at the beginning. I feel blessed to have someone who cares that much about not only about me, but about my daughter too. And, now our son. Who only responds to Jeff's voice mainly. It's too funny! Think when I say my prayers next, I'll have to add a thank you for Jeff.

More to blog about

I haven't done this in a long time, so might as well since I have not only a day off but the time to as well.

We had a good 4th of July, Jeff and I made the ferry trek over to my folks house for the weekend. We had alot of fun with Leena. Who has taken a strong liking to fireworks, imagine that. She must have the Elledge pyromaniac genes in her somewhere. She loves to do snakes, and this year it was roman candles. She's now to the age where we take her to the firework stand with us, so she can pick out some cool "pretty" ones. All in all, it was a good weekend, nice to have Jeff home too for it!

Speaking of which, things are going good on that front. He's had some medical issues come up lately, that even the doctors don't know what's going on. He was told everything from a flu to appendicitas. Too bad, none of them were correct, the next time he is incorrectly diagnosed, here is no way we are sticking around those military doctors. I personally do not feel that they are adaquate and really know what the heck they're talking about. Hence why I've stayed at my job for the insurance benefits, so I don't have to deal with the irresponsible Navy doctors. I know that's just my opinion, but when they keep messing up with Jeff. It gets more personal.

We have 3 and a half months until we bring baby Landon home. We're excited, still holding off on getting more baby essentials. Just because we find out where Jeff will be stationed next, in September. So, if we have to move then, doesn't make sense to have to move everything when we can wait to go and get it. Baby is well so far! He has his awake days and his sleeping days. I really did get a little flustered the other night when it was 1am, and he was having a grand ol' time kicking me to death! It's cute, but at the same time, I really wanted some sleep! I think he wore himself out, because within 15 min or so, he settled down, and didn't budge for a good 24 hours or so. Which, I guess was a nice temporary change. Jeffs excited, whole heartedly. We're planning on a mid-october c-section. Just because Jeff will be out to sea (AGAIN!) come September. So if we schedule a c-secion, they'll be more willing to give him leave because they know his wife is having a baby on a specific day. I think we're aiming for the week of the 21st, or 22nd. We want to avoid the 24th, because that is Leena's 7th birhday, and she's made it rather clear that she wants to have a brother, but not share a birthday with him! haha. We'll see!

It's....a...

I went to the Dr on th 16th, had my ultrasound, and it's a...

BOY!!

My sister Hillary said repeatedly, "I just know it's a boy". Ok...riiiiight! Well, anytime She's said that, she's never been wrong, she called it!

He looks great over all, they said his kidneys were a little small, but apparently that's common for boys. So, they're giving me til 32 weeks for his kidneys to get bigger. I got back in September to find out if they're bigger. Other than that, based on what the ultrasound shows, he looks soooo much like Jeff! So crazy how genetics work! Neither of my chidlren look like me, but that's ok. They're cute anyway!

Leena and Jeff had decided to personalize his room as far as artwork goes. So, Leena drew a picture of her and her new little brother as a toddler, and I guess it's framed, it's that good! I'm so anxious to see it!

We're 90% sure we're going to name him Landon Brady. We both really liked Landon from the get go, and then Brady came from looking in a baby name book (and I had an old friend named Brady, I always liked the name itself) adn we both really liked that one as well.

I left the next day to San Diego, Jeff was thrilled to see me :) Which, it seemed surreal for about 3.5 seconds because I hadn't seen him in so long! But it was nice, just too short of a trip, but he'll be home soon. He's so excited about being a dad, but also is thrilled at the fact that he gets his little boy that he wanted :)

Here's just one, but if you look hard enough, you can see his face, which looks like Jeffs! I'll scan the rest later so they aren't so hard to tell.