Having 3 Nonstress Test in one week...really not that stressfull

Well, Josh is about to finish is first week back at school with students and he is definitely ready for a weekend. It is always interesting to find the balance between school, calling and home, but it will work out fine. Josh's new calling (Executive Secretary in the ward) is keeping him occupied during some of his down time and we are able to catch up on watching some of our instant play list on NetFlix. Lately we've been watching "Pushing Daisies" which only lasted for two seasons but is one of my favorites shows.

This week I had three (that's right 3) Nonstress Tests because of the two vessel chord. On Monday afternoon we went in for our normal weekly appointment and everything went well. I received a call from my doctor's office Tuesday afternoon: the "on call" doctor wanted me to go in for another NST. Since we didn't get there until 5 we ended up going to Labor and Delivery for the test. At first, the nurse said that the doctor "wasn't pleased" with the results of the test but after we had the test and the doctor looked at it, the LD nurse told us the doctor did not feel comfortable signing off on a test done the day before (apparently they didn't get the NST results from Monday until Tuesday afternoon). But, everything went well. The doctor then said they want me to come in twice a week until I deliver for NSTs so I set up another appointment for yesterday (Thursday). Everything went well yet again and they even did a different test called a "biophysical profile" where they watch the baby using an ultrasound and monitor/count her movements. She passed with flying colors (they even gave me a picture of one of her ears...good to know she has at least one of those:)).

My doctor said that if I haven't delivered by my appointment on Monday we will set up a day for induction...but I hope my body can do this on its own.

I have to admit that I am a little apprehensive about the whole labor and deliver process, mostly because of the "unknowns." My biggest concern is whether or not my body really knows what to do and will go into labor on its own (which I hope it will). These next few days will be interesting. It will be a new experience unique to me, but I know it will be amazing at the same time. I know those of you who have gone through it know what I'm talking about. The unique "creative" ability of women is such an incredible thing and I feel blessed to be a part of it.

4 weeks left!

36 weeks and counting...

Josh started work this week--he is doing a training to learn a new program that tests the writing ability of the students. It's been a long week as he has tried to get used to getting up early a few days in a row. I think it's good practice for him.

The 9th month of pregnancy has brought on more excitement, more tiredness, lower backaches and more swelling in my feet. Last night we were laughing about how my calf muscles seem to go straight down my leg, flow through my ankles and move all the way down to my toes. I have been working long days for two days now and have been getting home around 10 at night--my feet show us what a long day I have had. But, it's all good! I was trying to figure out a creative name to call the swelling and it's affect on my legs at night by combining calf-ankle-feet: cankles, feenankles, cankfees...it's a work in progress.

We started Non-Stress Tests three weeks ago and they are going well. It requires me to sit on a comfortable reclined chair, drink juice and relax with two monitors on my belly, one for baby's heart rate/movement and one for contractions. At the beginning of each test they perform an ultrasound to measure the amniotic fluid which fluctuates each time we go in--each time it has been within the normal range--and it has been fun to see baby girl every week, or at least see as much as you can on an ultrasound. The first week the technician showed us her little face for a couple of minutes as she was facing out toward the sonogram. So cute! Every time we have gone in baby girl gets sleepy and does not move too much at the beginning of testing (one of the purposes of the test is to monitor her movements--they want at least 2 big movements to measure her heart rate). As a result of her sleepiness the technicians have different ways to "wake her up" and get her moving. Josh's favorite technique is what they call "the buzzer"--it is a little device that vibrates and makes a noise that they baby can hear inside the womb when it is pushed onto my belly. The first week they hit the button and baby girl went "bazerk" and moved for 5 minutes straight. It was funny to watch my belly move around and the monitors on my belly bump up and down. We'll be doing Non-Stress Tests every Monday until I deliver.

We have painted the baby's room and put up bead board to add some texture to the room. I think it looks fantastic! I'll post some pictures of it later so that you can see how it all turned out. We are starting to get things that we need for her little by little and everything is going well.

We are getting very excited for our new arrival. I have been preparing myself as best as I can for the things that I will be required to do (taking classes, reading up on things, talking to some friends) though I feel that nothing can really prepare me for what it will be like for me--but at least I have some idea. Josh is very supportive and just as excited to be a new father.

THE James Taylor and MISS Carole King--A-MAZ-ING!

For my birthday I got two tickets to see James Taylor (thank you Wallace's!) and the concert was last night. I cannot blame my tearing up 4 times to my pregger hormones because it was absolutely A-MAZ-ING and I would have cried anyway. Carole King sang some of my favorite songs of hers: Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow, You've Got to Get Up Me Tomorrow, You've Got to Get up Every Morning and Far Away. I had two JT songs in mind that I really, really wanted to hear and he sang both of them! Secret of Life and Close Your Eyes. Close Your Eyes was the last song they sang during their encore and the harmony was A-MAZ-ING. Could I say amazing any more? A-MAZ-ING!

Adventures of Independence Day

We had a very busy July 4th weekend...but we had a blast. Saturday we went up to Heber where we swam in the pool at my sisters condo complex, went to the Zermat Resort where we listened to a bluegrass band then watched fireworks from my uncle's house. It was fun.


Parker (nephew) is in the back and in the front, Lucas (nephew) is covering his eyes because he's crying. he cried the entire first ride because he didn't want to sit on an animal but a bench (seen below) which he rode on during the second ride.



Nick and Parker on the Carousel at the Zermat Resort in Heber. And, Josh and Lucas chill-laxing listening to the bluegrass band.







Here are some pics of the Annual Post Family Water Fight to the Death (but not literally)!!!!

All's Well...

I finished Spring Term with flying colors! 4.0! I loved my classes and I am excited to get a break from school for a little while. I have been working these past couple of weeks and I will continue to work off and on during the summer whenever I am needed. Josh is enjoy his summer and is already getting a head start on next school year (I told him that he needed to get the first two weeks so that he can be available for the arrival of our little one). On the days that I don't work, we have been going to the mountains and keeping active. I'll post some pictures below of our adventures.

We had our follow-up ultrasound last Friday to measure baby girl's growth and the amniotic fluid: she is growing fantastically--right on track!--and the fluid is in the normal range (the high end of normal, but not too concerning--they will check the fluid again when I get closer to the due date). It was fun getting to see her again. The doctor showed us her face then moved to measure the fluid and when she went back to her face, baby girl (womb child as Josh said) was covering her face with her arms...no pictures, please! We are getting excited. Only 9 weeks left!

We registered for baby stuff a couple of weeks ago and we cannot believe we will have a little girl in our home soon.


Here are some of our pictures from our day-trip to Silver Lake by Brighton ski resort:




Yes, friends, that is snow! Cool...literally.


We babysat our nephews the other day and here are some pictures from that:

Lucas did want to wear his "leash" so Josh put it on and had Lucas hold on to him.


Left to right: Lucas (3), Parker (7) and Nick (12)

Is claustrophobia a side effect of pregnancy?

So, my family (Post) have been planning on going to Lehman Caves since Katie was a baby...that is a long time my friends. So...here are some images from the long-awaited trip!









This weekend we went to Lehman Caves in Great Basin National Park, Nevada. It was cold (32 degrees), it rained and we had a blast! Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure...

Above is the sunset that welcomed us into Nevada.

Above left is a cave shield. They don't know what forms these disc-like stalactite-wearing formations, but there pretty awesome!




Here are Katie and Annie coming through one of the claustrophobic spaces during the tour of the caves. I admit, I got really nervous and dizzy when I was walking through here...mostly because the line of people stopped when I was in the middle of it. Very nervous making!


Josh is making kissy faces. Mmwha!

After the ranger took notice of Parker and listened to one of his comments, Parker followed him around in this cavern for five minutes.

Below, there is a stalactite that had fallen and now looks like a creature...can you find the alligator?









(Below )The girls...minus the top half of Sissy's (Melissa) face.







Not the best picture, but this is called "cave bacon"...any ideas why?







Here's Josh next to a stream that ran along the "kitchen station" of the camp. There were no mosquito (thank goodness) but there were a lot of mice and voles--little fat mice with short tails (Josh's mom would have loved that!). There is one said mouse in this picture...can you find it? The best part of this moment was as Josh watched this mouse another mouse scurried up and between Josh's legs. Good times.






Hashbrowns anyone?!? Here's Katie cookin' up breakfast in the rain Saturday morning.








This is the most famous cave shield in the cave. Amber lighting for dramatic effect...check!!

Who needs more sleep when pregnant?

I had my 28 week check up today, glucose test and all! The glucose part was not as bad as everyone made it out to be. Who knew?

Everything is going great. I am measuring "big" for the first time (meaning uterus-wise), baby girl is growing well and I did gain some weight this month (4 pounds) so I have gained only 9 pounds total this entire pregnancy. I have a pulled muscle on the bottom of my ribcage that is making some of my movements interesting--in other words a little painful, but other than that baby girl and I are fantastic!

I set up an appointment for a followup ultrasound (June 25) to make sure that the baby is growing well and two weeks after that I will start getting natal stress tests to make sure that all is going well.

I have been looking at various names just for fun. Some I like, some I don't, and some I don't know if Josh will like. We'll see.

Peace!