Another week flying by!!!

Wow! I'm so impressed w/myself for taking two whole weeks off of work!!! I would have never in a million years thought that my workaholic self could do that- but it was a much needed and wonderful break, let me tell you!!! Needless to say I miss everyone though and am looking forward to getting back into the swing of things!





Not to much else going on here. Slowly getting things ready for the May retreat... I can't wait- they're always so much fun! I always get a ton done and it's great seeing all the girls. Now to just get my butt in gear and get things going! :)





What else?? Ah, I can finally post some pictures of things I made for Kate's family! Here they are:

This was a picture frame that I found- like one of those for each year of a babys life? Too cute and I used Chatterbox papers to alter it. I believe the stamps were Heidi Grace, there are a few Primas and ribbons in there too. :)

This was a wood plaque that I found at Pat Catans. I painted it and modge podged on Basic Grey paper. A flourish stamp with staz on, and ribbons all around and it was done!

This is a picture of the whole basket! There's even a Domino dog, some page kits for Mom to get some scrapping done, a picture frame for a family picture, and an album that I made for baby. There is a space for a picture for each month of the first year- nice and easy and a great keepsake! I'm thinking of making another one of these for a cousin's baby soon too, but I have to find some cute boy papers. ;)

What else is going on?? We're gearing up for our next craft show at the fire department. (it's next Saturday) Ryan keeps telling me that he wants me to sell stuff there but I just never have the time to do anything like that. Maybe one of these days, right? ;)

I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that I can get some scrapping done tonight- I got a great new toy- an ATG gun! WOW. I can't believe that I ever scrapped without that thing! My pages seem like they are so much better now- like they aren't going to fall right apart. (I've been having problems w/older pages coming apart- darn adhesive just sucks!) I also have to get things ready for Ally's birthday party on Sunday. Lots of fun! :)

Anyways, that's about all from this neck of the woods!! Talk to you later! :)

Heya everyone!!

Well, it's been one whole week since I delivered baby Kate! It was such an amazing journey- and she is such a beautiful baby!!!

It was FREEZING out here on Friday morning and we had to leave out house a little before 7 to get to the hospital by 8. We dropped the kids at my moms and got to the hospital a few minutes late, but nothing major. Ryan dropped me off at the front door and I went to get registered- and I am constantly wondering if it's just Pittsburgh hospitals that can be so hard to navigate or ALL hospitals. *L* Ryan finally found me after a few minutes- although I thought it was going to be alot worse- there were so many turns to find admitting!!!

We got checked in and the sweetest nurse took us upstairs (I wish I could get ALL the sarcasm that I could into that sentence... what a trip that was. *L* Ryan and I were just looking at each other laughing - and once she found out that I was a surrogate she quit talking to us! *ROFL*)

So we got in the room, got situated, and the babys parents called- they were trying to find us- and a few minutes later they were there too! Everyone was so exited, it was just so neat!

They started the IV, gave me pitocin at about 10, and broke my water at 11:15. The contractions weren't so bad- I was breathing thru them pretty well until 1 or so. I finally took a shot for the pain (and at that point I was 7cm dialated) and wow. Let's talk about a bad Kennywood ride! The room was spinning for a good bit before it calmed down and I could open my eyes again.

I'm not sure of the rest of the times but at one point the contractions started to get pretty bad again- I was thinking that I could go for one more shot for the pain but it was too late- little Kate was on her way into the world! If I remember correctly I pushed thru about three contractions before she was born- and it was a good thing the room was so big cause there were a TON of people in there! *L* Ryan, Kate's parents, the doc and three nurses! *L*

Kate was a big girl- 8lb, 8oz and 20 inches long, born at 3:22 pm. Her dad got to cut the cord and everyone was crying- it was just an amazing time!!! Kate's Grandma was there, too, and got to see her right after she was born. It was just beautiful!

After things got wrapped up Kate and her parents got to stay in the room for a few hours while they got another room ready for them. It was just wonderful! Kate's parents and her Grandma kept coming back to check in on me- it was just so sweet of them! The time her Grandma came in she was telling me how nice I was to do this for them and how much it ment to the family- she totally had me in tears!!! I just can't get over how happy I am for them!!!!!

That night I had a bout of insomnia- I couldn't sleep for anything! I think I finally got to sleep about 1 or so- and then the nurse came in about 2 to take my vitals (isn't that how it usually is? *L* ) So I finally got a little bit of sleep but was up again about 6:30 or 7. After breakfast I took a shower, got dressed, and waited for Ryan, the kids, and my parents to get to the hospital. About 9 we walked down to the room Kate and her parents were in so that the kids could meet the baby that's they've been talking to. *L* We got to visit for a few minutes before the nurses took Kate to get her hearing test and stuff.

We headed back to my room cause the boys had to leave to go see the Monster truck show. (They had a great time BTW *L*) My mom and Ally stayed at the hospital with me while they went- it was nice! Ally curled up w/me on my bed and took a little nap- and then about 11 we walked back down to say goodbye to Kate and everyone. I got to hold her for about an hour, fed her her bottle, and we all just stood around and talked for a bit. After they left we headed back to our room and waited- my doc said he was releasing me about 4- which worked out well since that's about the time the guys would be done w/Monster Trucks! *L*

Anyways, we got home about 8 and I went to bed- and got a GREAT nights sleep! :) Ryan has been doing a great job of taking care of me and making sure I'm not doing too much (At least until I tell him to back off a bit *L* )

Well, I'm going to go now and grab a bite to eat... maybe even scrapbook a bit. :) Talk to you guys soon- and thanks for thinking of me and all the emails asking where the update was! *L*
And here is a pic of little baby Kate- about an hour or so after her birth! SEE???? Told you she was ADORABLE! :)

Take care!!!!!

Tomorrow is the big day!!!

Wow. I can NOT believe it! Tomorrow at 9am I'll be at the hospital being induced to bring baby Kate into the world!!! (unless, of course, she decides to come on her own tonight *L*) Her mom and dad are on their way here now- I can't wait to see them again! But really I can't wait to see them hold their baby for the first time.... amazing, just amazing.

Well, send me all the 'quick delivery vibes' that you can, please! I'll check in the next few days and let you know how it went! :)

*HUGS!*

Another Monday...

Just checking in here- I know a few people are stalking the blog looking for baby updates. ;)

Doc says I'm still at 3cm and we have plans to induce on Friday! I'm just amazed that this journey has seemed like such a short amount of time- though I know her parents have been waiting for this day for WAY too long!

So if I'm MIA for a bit you'll know why. ;)

I'll hopefully get some pictures and will share them when I get a chance!!!

Have a great week guys- be comfy and stay warm! (Cause it's like FREEZING here! Good lawd- it was 3 degrees BEFORE the windchill this am! YUCK!)

Later!!!

Hi! :)

Sorry I've been MIA- things have been just so crazy here! It's like nuts- some days I'm full of energy and others I'm SO tired! I wish I could make heads or tails of all this!

No baby yet, though. :) I think she wants to be born on Valentines Day- just for the novelty of it. *L* If not it looks like she'll be close as the doc wants to induce on the 15th! So little one will be making her way into the world here shortly!

Other than that I've been reorganizing the scrapping area and getting a few things done. Ryan and I went out and bought that Expedit shelfing unit from Ikea that I wanted and it's made a world of difference. I'll have to take pictures to share sometime soon- but it's still a mess and things aren't all the way where I want them yet. I've also been making page kits for after the baby is born- I'll be off work for a little bit and will be able to get some pages done. (And I also did 3 1 page LO's this weekend and 1 2 pagers- felt really good to get something accomplished!)

What else? Ah- the kids and their Christmas present. Dad and Ryan got them a dirt bike- cute little green thing, think it's a 50cc? Cody L.O.V.E.S the thing. They took the kids down to the school parking lot to try and get use to it a bit more and the boy just zips around on it like a nut! Ty is getting better at it- but he's not so daredevil like the other little guy is.

What else?? In the midst of putting together another retreat for May. I almost can't wait to get out of the house for a whole weekend and scrapbook, but we'll see. :) I'm excited to see the girls all again- since it's been forever since I've seen everyone!!

Anyways, I gotta get to work here now- see ya'll later! :)