Happy Birthday Braden Michael Grindel December 3, 2009 4:13pm

Today was the most amazing and wonderful day in our lives. Braden Michael Grindel became apart of our family... finally. Today started just like any other day. I woke up and went to work. I was having a very relaxing day at work until around 11:30..... then my water broke!! Yeah that was an interesting experience. My heart was racing and all I could think about was..... I can't believe today is THE DAY!! We have waited and anticipated this moment for so long now. I called Ben and told him to grab our bag and meet my mom and I at the hospital. I think apart of him thought I was joking at first. At the hospital it was determined by ultrasound that Braden was breech, which we didn't know. Since my water already broke I needed a c-section. A little scared of surgery, but my heart told me this is what was best for Braden and that is all that mattered. The c-section went great and at 4:13 pm we became parents to the most precious boy on earth!

37 weeks- Thanksgiving

So as of today our little one is 37 weeks 6 days or 265 days old. I now have been pregnant for 9 1/4 months and 95% complete with the pregnancy. But, who is counting right? Now it is just a waiting game with me having no control over when our little one will arrive. I guess we know who is the boss already!

Every day seems to be going by in slow motion. I am amazed how functional I can be with such little sleep. I got 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep the other night and was the happiest person in the world. Normally I sleep for about an hour at a time before I make a trip to the bathroom and need to change positions in bed. My feet are very sore by the end of the day. I am grateful that Ben gives very good foot massages. I have 2 fingers on my right hand that are numb and tingly all the time. I've gotten used to it by now and hope it resolves once all the swelling goes away. I wake up everyday wondering if today is the day that I will need that bag I packed weeks ago for the hospital.

Thanksgiving was great. I ended up getting cancelled from work and was able to celebrate with Ben. It was a nice relaxing day. I had my mom, grandpa, and uncle over on Friday for a ham dinner. Although very tiring, I was thankful we were all able to get together. I love this time of year. It's the only time I can get away with eating pumpkin pie for breakfast. It's just an added bonus being pregnant this time of year because nobody is about to judge me on the amount of food I am eating.

The next doctor's appointment is on monday so more updates then.

36 weeks

I had a friend take some pregnancy pictures of me and Ben this past week. I think they turned out amazing!!! What a great everlasting gift she gave us. I will have to think of something creative to do with the pictures.

Now that "the day" is becoming closer, every little thing makes me wonder if today is the day. So one night after my midnight snack of some Tums, I got up and went to the bathroom as usual. Once getting back in bed, I believe I felt a small contraction. Then the adrenaline rushed through my body like lightening. I found myself watching the clock and waiting for another one. Is this it? After an hour of not having another one, I realized I was now just loosing out on precious sleep. Unfortunately, going back to sleep didn't happen until many hours later. I now just have to be as patient as possible until our little one is ready to meet us. But that doesn't mean that I am not going to try and help speed up the process. I have been walking the dogs on a nightly basis and not holding back with activity at work, my motto is....... bring it on!!!

There were no changes with the doctor's visit this week. Although completely irrational, I was secretly hoping he would tell Ben and I to go home, grab our bags, and head to the hospital. No such luck. Next appointment is on Nov 30th. So once again, I am secretly hoping that I don't make it to the next appointment, and instead am a new mommy!! Only time will tell us.

35 weeks

The PICU gang

The fabulous hostesses

The Jen's

I work with the most amazing people. You can't beat the PICU gang, we are one of a kind. They were kind enough to throw me a shower. It was fabulous..... I am truly grateful to have each and everyone of them in my life. I can't wait for all of them to finally meet our little one...... (that is of course after respiratory season is over!)

This week I also attempted to install the car seat into my car. Did you notice the word "attempted"? I really didn't think it would be that difficult, but it's definitely harder than it looks. I know it just takes time and practice. I think that goes with everything we will be experiencing with a baby right?

I also started weekly doctor's appointments. I can't say enough nice things about my doctor. He just makes Ben and I so comfortable, and blessed to have him as our doctor. I am 1 cm dilated! He says he thinks our little one might come just a little earlier than expected. I personally think that he tells all his patients this just to get them to survive the last month. We will see if there is an progress with my next visit, keep your fingers crossed!!!

34 weeks

The baby and I went to our first Cardinal's football game this week. We went with some friends and had a blast! I had another doctor's appointment this week. He is pretty sure the head is down and said everything is going well. He would like me to stop working and take it easy, but I am stubborn and want to take the full 12 weeks off once the baby has arrived. Hopefully I will get my way. I now have to go see the doctor weekly until delivery. I can't believe being pregnant is almost over. I remember in the beginning, I thought it would take forever to get here. Now that it is here, I want more time to prepare. Crazy what your mind puts you through. I find myself spending a lot of time in the baby's room. I either am organizing everything for the hundredth time or just sitting in the rocking chair imaging holding our little one. I am just in complete "awe" as I think about how much our lives are going to be enriched with our little one in just only a few short weeks.

33 weeks- Sedona getaway

My mother and I went to Sedona for a 2 night retreat. It was so nice to just get away and relax. We went on an easy hike the day we got there along the creek. It was a sight to behold.... us crossing the creek in certain areas.... not the most elegant hikers! We saw the changing colors of the leaves, brought back some happy memories of my childhood. Although it was an easy hike, I was completely tired afterwards. Something that was so easy before being pregnant was now a challenge. The next day we ate breakfast at Wildflower Bread Co. We split french toast that was stuffed with whipped cream cheese and a side of wild blueberry jam. I have only one word..... AMAZING! We walked around some shops, too expensive to buy anything, but nice to just window shop. We then went on another short hike and then back to the hotel to soak my tired feet in the nice warm spa. The clouds started getting darker and then came the snow! What a great memory of our trip. We don't see a whole lot of snow living in Phoenix. Sedona is just such an amazing place, can't wait to experience it with our little one.

32 weeks

yes I am getting enormous! Enough said....

How many Grindel's does it take to put together a crib?

Answer: 5.... 4 to complete the manual labor and 1 prego to supervise

finished crib

the room is finally looking like a nursery

It's been a busy week. We finally stopped procrastinating and bought the furniture for the nursery. Ben and his family spent the day putting the crib together and arranging the room. I then spent the day putting all the stuff we got from the baby shower in the room. Wow! Now I go in the nursery a couple times a day and image our little one in there and all the memories soon to be made.

I also had a Dr.'s appointment this past week. Everything is still going well. He is unsure if the baby is head down or not. About 80% are head down by now, so hopefully our little one won't be too stubborn and get into the right position before delivery.

My favorite past time lately (besides sleeping) is just watching by belly move. It still completely amazes me that the little baby inside my belly growing and preparing itself for the outside world. What a miracle pregnancy is!!!!!!

31 weeks- Shower time!

the proud grandmas-to-be

Just wanted to say thank you to all my family and friends for such an amazing baby shower! All of you are so special to me and couldn't have gone though this experience without all of your love and support. I can't wait for all of you to meet our little one.

30 weeks

first baby gift! Aren't the ducks so cute......

the top even says squeeze me!!!!

another gift from a friend. She couldn't resist the

bear hoodie and booties, and it's so soft,

can't wait to see our little one in these!!!!

I can't believe it's almost over!! Less than 10 weeks to go until we finally get to be parents. I had a Dr.'s appointment this week. The visit was short and sweet. Everything is going well. Still hate stepping on that dumb scale though!! I just keep telling myself that if I am gaining weight so is our little one and that's the most important thing. The little one has had the bouts of hiccups this past week, having several episodes a day, so cute! I have also been experiencing braxton hicks contractions lately. My stomach feels like a rock when they occur, kinda freaks Ben out. The trips to the bathroom have increased again, especially during the night. I don't think our peanut knows I like my sleep. I also need the relief of tums in the middle of the night. I cannot wait until the heartburn goes away! Been getting tired again. Definitely not as bad as the first trimester but needing my afternoon naps again. Just trying to catch up on sleep while I can. Ben had the flu this past week, so I have been staying as far away as I can. We both got our flu shot, I guess my immunity is just better than his (no competition though). Been a little worried about this flu season, so I have just been bathing in purell. I had a dream this past week that we had a baby girl........ so we will have to see if my dream is right.............

28 weeks

7 months!!! Can't believe it, where has the time gone? Count down is on! Ben and I celebrated our 2 year wedding anniversary this week. I can't believe how time flies. It seems like just yesterday that we were saying "I Do" to each-other and planning our life together as husband and wife. Now we are planning our life as parents!! Exciting and terrifying all at the same time. How will we be as parents? Where is the manual for the do's and don't of raising children?

For our anniversary, we went to dinner at a steak house. I have eaten steak a couple of times at home, but never at a restaurant. A new experience for me. I had no clue how I liked my steak seasoned or cooked. But let me say...... it tasted amazing!!! I don't know if my taste buds will ever convert back to preferring chicken over red meat once the baby comes. We also got a laugh as I was getting ready for dinner. First, my inny has now become an outy! Not the prettiest site I've seen. Second, I was unable to put the strap on my heals. I couldn't bend down and reach them, so Ben had to strap them around my kankles and they would barely fasten! Weird to ask for help with the simplest of things. We enjoyed the night and reminisced on our last amazing 2 years together and are looking forward to many more amazing years together!!!

27 weeks

side profile.... kinda hard to see

The head is on the right looking up,

(just in case you needed help figuring out what you are looking at)

giving us the thumbs up!

(how cute is that?)

3D pic of our little one's face.

Was difficult to get since the face was trying to hide in the uterine wall.

Just a little camera shy today.

So the right upper part of the face didn't turn out well.

I think our peanut has Ben's nose and lips.

So this is the start of the 3rd and final trimester! Yeah!!! The countdown is on. Less than 3 months/13 weeks to go. Getting a little anxious knowing there's not too much time left to prepare us as we are going to be starting our journey into parenthood. We just need to take some deep breaths and breathe. We had another ultrasound completed today to check the growth of our peanut. Good news...... our little one is in the 51st percentile for growth, right on track. Heart rate is 130. So of course Ben is deciding we are having a boy based on that info. I guess we will see if he is right soon enough. Our peanut is getting bigger at 2 lbs 5 ounces. It's just amazing how much detail an ultrasound can give us. I also had to complete a glucose test, which tests for gestational diabetes. Drinking the orange flavored drink wasn't bad, it was just getting my blood drawn I didn't like. I think nurses make the worst patients. I can't watch myself getting poked with a needle, but can poke other's without blinking.... yes I know it's weird. Anyways, the results should be back in a week or two. Ankles are getting more swollen by the end of the day. I am sure it doesn't help that salt tastes so good right now! Which I am pretty certain is contributing to my lovely weight gain. Just keeping my fingers crossed the weight will just fall off after the baby is born. Have another Dr.'s appointment in 3 weeks, so more updates then.

26 weeks

So the belly is definitely getting a lot bigger, and I really don't know how many more bare belly shots I will post. Starting to see my belly move every now and then. I think it's a foot that keeps kicking me on the right side, but who knows. We've started looking at all the stuff we still need to get before our little one arrives. Kinda makes our heads hurt. There's just so many different things and so many options. The heartburn is actually a little better that last couple weeks, but still take my daily cocktail of antacids. Overall been feeling pretty good, ready for some cooler weather. Getting really excited for our ultrasound on Tues. Will post some pics then.

24 weeks - 6 months!!

Only 4 months left in counting.......

Had a Dr.'s appointment this week. Was a quick appointment, everything is looking good. The next appointment I get another ultrasound to evaluate the growth of our little one. Can't wait to see how our little one has developed. The swelling as started, especially in my ankles. Work days are hard since I am on my feet all day. Can't wait until my feet start looking like Fred Flintstone. Still don't have a strong feeling if our little one is a boy or girl. Seems like it changes on a weekly basis. Only 4 more months until we know!!!!

23 weeks

So back to reality after a week of paradise, always a hard adjustment. Wouldn't it be nice to just move to Hawaii? The kicks and punches are getting stronger everyday. I've stopped counting the number of times I wake up during the night to use the bathroom. I think my bladder must only hold a teaspoon at a time. Starting to wonder if I'm carrying twins if not triplets with how big my belly is getting!!

22 weeks

What a great week!! Ben's mother treated the whole family to a week in Kauai. What an amazing island. I would have to say that this would be the most gorgeous out of all the hawaiian islands. Although a hurricane was threatening the week, we were fortunate that it only was a tropical depression. The week was packed full of activities from snorkeling, exploring waterfalls, eating snow cones, relaxing on the beach, to a luau. By the end of the week I was definitely tired. I didn't realize how tiring even walking on the beach could be with this extra weight. I can feel the pregnancy waddle starting. I have also starting buying economy size tums and zantac from Costco, gotta love heartburn!!!! I would have to say the best thing about this week is that Ben was finally able to feel the movement of our little one!

20 weeks

Big week this week! The half way mark!!! Overall I've been feeling more like myself the last couple weeks. I even was able to clean the majority of the house and do the laundry all in one day, haven't done that for ever it seems. We have started getting the baby's room ready. Right now it is a guest room with the a junk closet. What a project that turned out to be. The Good Will got the majority of the stuff in the closet.

Some more big news......

I finally felt the gymnastic tricks going on inside my belly. I wasn't sure at first if thats what I was feeling but pretty sure it is. The last two nights the baby has been really active late at night. And by late night, I mean after 9:00 p.m. I guess I am just getting prepared for nights of little sleep. Never know when I am going to feel our little one say hello but excited for when I do. Looking forward to when Ben can feel our little peanut!

19 weeks

look at this precious little foot!

our little one's side profile! You can even see the chambers of the heart!!!

So we had the BIG ultrasound this week! Let me just say that it was the most nerve wrecking experience we've been through so far. We held our breath during the scan while all the measurements and checking of the organ systems were completed.... and then the wonderful news..... everything looks PERFECT!!! Finally we can breath again! We were asked if we wanted to know the sex of our little one. Ben was trying to convince me to find out, but I held my ground and stayed strong for the both of us. He was looking really close during the ultrasound to see the baby's "goods" but I made sure he turned his head! Our little peanut is 9 ounces with a heartrate of 130. It is still the most amazing feeling to hear the hearbeat!! Our doctor said everything is going well, but then he also said that I looked more pregnant than I am due to my frame (so I really think he was calling me fat in the nicest way possible!). So I will probably be as big as a house by the end of this pregnancy. Almost half way there. Still haven't felt any movement but know it is just around the corner.

18 weeks- San Diego trip

We took an impromptu trip to San Diego for the weekend to get out of the heat in Phoenix. The weather was amazing, mid 70's! Not missing the 115 degrees back home one bit! We decided to take the dogs with us which made the trip that more interesting. We really didn't think about how we couldn't leave the dogs in the room without us, so we went EVERYWHERE with us.... We ended up spending most of our time at the dog beach which was an entertaining place to be. We walked around mission beach and La Jolla. I kept having to remind Ben that it took me just a little bit longer to do things due to the extra 12 lbs I am carrying! And not to mention the frequent trips to the bathroom. As soon as we got back and experienced the AZ heat, made us want to go back! What an amazing getaway weekend!

17 weeks

So the bump is now turning into a belly.

15 weeks

So here is the baby bump!

13 weeks

The big news is out!!!!!

So now the world knows of our news, or at least the majority of it knows. It feels more official now. We have wanted to tell our family in person our big news but with everybody's busy schedule it has been hard, so some still don't know, but we have plans on sharing it with them.

I am off to work at a diabetic camp in Prescott for the week. This is my 6th year going and this camp holds a special place in my heart. I am wondering if I will survive the long exhausting week of 200 hyper kids. Up until this point I have been sleeping every opportunity I can get. No morning sickness, guess I am extremely lucky from what I hear. I just need to eat anything I can get my hands on, especially cheese. Camp will be a challenge, but I know this will be the last year I can go for probably a very long time, so I am going to make the best of it. I am starting to get a little belly making it hard to fit into anything comfortable. Good thing people know I am expecting and not just becoming chubby.

10 weeks

2nd doctor's appointment. At this point we are still in a little shock that we will be parents by the end of this year but also getting a little excited too. Our doctor attempted to doppler a heartbeat, but was not able to. I never thought I would be so stressed out about all of this. He again, reassured the both of us that this was completely normal this early on. He wanted me to get another ultrasound. Apart of me was excited to see the growth of our little one and the other part of me was so nervous. Of course the doctor was right and the ultrasound verified that everything was going just fine. Again, words cannot describe our emotions as we looked at our little one on the ultrasound. On the last ultrasound all we could see was a grey area that they labeled as a baby. Now just 4 weeks later, the ultrasound shows us a baby with hands and feet. Heartbeat of 167 bmp. The doctor guesses it's a girl (but then I remember he guessed it was a boy the first visit. Once bringing this to his attention, he says now he can't be wrong. The lighting of the ultrasound makes our little one appear to have very large lips. I say, just bigger lips to kiss one day. They say at this week, the baby is no bigger than a lime. Then the ultrasound tech switched to 3D ultrasound. WOW!! Now we can't wait until our next ultrasound, should be even more exciting.

Happy Mother's Day- May 10th, 2009

9 weeks

Today was the day that we decided to share our wonderful news with our mothers. We wanted them to be the first ones to know that they soon would be grandmothers for the first time. It has been extremely hard not telling a sole about our news for the past 5 weeks. We thought mother's day would be a perfect day to share our news. We put the picture of the ultrasound in a baby frame and wrapped it for them. Both mother's were ecstatic about our news! We still wanted to keep our news relatively quiet for the next couple weeks.

6 weeks!!!

April 22, 2009

The first doctor's appointment. We had to wait 2 weeks after finding out I was pregnant to see the doctor. What a long 2 weeks that was. At this point we had no idea how fall along I was. Ben went with for the first appointment. I must admit that he looked extremely uncomfortable sitting in the exam room waiting to see the doctor. I think he was traumatized by the stir-ups. Finally..... the doctor. He had the biggest smile on his face, congratulated us, and gave us both a very big hug. What an amazing doctor, couldn't ask for better. He attempted to doppler a heartbeat but was unsuccessful. He explained it was very difficult to hear a heartbeat early in the pregnancy and that I needed an ultrasound to tell how far along I was. Now the fun part, seeing the baby for the first time! What an amazing experience that was. The ultrasound measured the length of the baby and dated me at 6 weeks and 3 days, putting my due date December 13th! Seems like forever but will probably sneak up on us and we will be wondering where the time went.