Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Our house

I have finally slowed down enough to blog for a bit. We got to Sheppard AFB on Saturday, the 14th and moved into our house on the 17th. I am loving our neighborhood, not so much the weather. It has been in the 100s since we got here. It was 108 on Monday. MISERABLE, especially if pregnant ;)

Our house is spacious. 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, a big back yard with a privacy fence that opens into a big park, and on a quiet street.

The front of our house

The back


right out of our fence


><>

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

The move to Texas

Even though we have made this drive numerous times, this time it seems to take forever. Of course, John and CJ were in the Penske truck that would only go 65-70mph tops and the girls and I followed them the entire way!
Ready to go
My view for many long hours
The sunset somewhere in Louisiana

My view the next day...somewhere in Texas

It is REALLY flat out here (in between Ft Worth and Wichita Falls)

We made it!

Friday, August 13, 2010

Today is the day

It is currently 615am and in approx 5 hours, we will be saying goodbye to Florida as our home. I am filled with mixed emotions this morning. Excitement for our new adventure in Texas, nervousness about the move, sadness for leaving our great friends behind, and impatience (I am ready to get in the truck and go)... more to come later

Saturday, August 7, 2010

6 days and counting

It is hard to believe we will no longer be living in Florida. It is 730am and I am sitting on the balcony, enjoying the beautiful site of the Gulf, and thinking how lucky I am to have lived in such a beautiful place. I have been here over 8 years, but all things must end. We will be starting our drive to Texas, our new home, in 6 days. I really am excited, but it is bittersweet.

Friday, August 6, 2010

update..

Where do I begin...

Approximately 3 weeks ago we got order to PCS to Sheppard AFB (Wichita Falls, Texas) That is when the madness began..From that point on, John had briefings for this, that, and the other. I started my part with trying to find a new OB in Texas, get Ahna's school records, start looking for a new car, etc... Fast forward 3 weeks, all of our household goods are in a Penske truck (John will be driving it) and we are staying in a condo on the beach :)

In the process of this PCS, Christian developed a horrible ear infection tht would not cleared up. He had surgery on Thursday and had the tube removed from his left ear. Seems to bed doing much better now :)

I am currently 23 weeks pregnant and all is great with me. Baby Rylan is growing well and very active. Will post pics soon :)

Ahna and Mackenzie are ready to move. Actually, we all are!

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Craziness

When I get about 15 free minutes I will sit down and type the long post of the happenings of the Collins' household that has been going on for the past couple of weeks. Be ready for a book!

Friday, July 23, 2010

Happy Birthday, Ahna!

It is hard to believe it has been 7 years since we welcom Ahna Grace into the world. Where has the time gone? She is becoming such a beautiful young lady. We love you Ahna!

Friday, July 16, 2010

20 weeks...Half way there!

Wow!!! It is hard to believe that I am half way to my due date. It is exciting :)

How baby's growing:
Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, he's measured from head to toe.)

He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).

How Mom's life is changing:
Congratulations! You've hit the halfway mark in your pregnancy. The top of your uterus is about level with your belly button, and you've likely gained around 10 pounds. Expect to gain another pound or so each week from now on.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Birthday

Today is my 33rd birthday. When did I get this old?

John got up to go to the gym this morning, and my thoughts were "I'll sleep in just a bit longer until the kids woke up" However, that wasn't the case. Baby Rylan decided he wanted to be VERY active this morning until Mommy got up and had some breakfast. I did get to enjoy some quiet time before the other 3 got up and around. Ahna made me a card (very sweet) and was hiding it behind her back, Mackenzie gave me BIG hugs and kisses, and Christian snuggled with me for a little bit..

We took John to work and off for the dreaded commissary trip. I dispise the commissary! Much to my surprise, the kids were EXCELLENT and we were in and out without any disruptions.

Later today, the kids are going to make me a birthday cake :) Of course, under my supervision. Pics to follow

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

We are PCSing

We are PCSing very SOON! John got selected for an EOD instructor position at Sheppard AFB, Texas. We will be a hour or so away from his family. The kids are excited and I am too. Now the fun part of trying to get all of our duck in a row and try to get moved by mid August....

More to come on this soon...

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Results and other things...

Great news...
I had my AFB drawn on June 21. It is to check for neural tube defects such as spinal bifida, Down's, etc...At my appt last week, my results could not be found. UGH!! Not a big surprise with this hospital. This morning, I got a called from the nurse. The results are NORMAL!!! Such great news!

For the not so great news...
I am starting to have more and more contractions. Even with me being on the 17P injections weekly. I was told that if they continue like they are now, or my cervix is making ANY change at my appt next week, I will be placed on bedrest :( How in the world would I manage bedrest? I hate bedrest! However, I will do what has to be done for the well being of our baby boy.

other news...
Little Rylan is going to be fiesty, I think. I feel him moving around A LOT now. Love that feeling<3 Of course, his favorite time is when mommy is trying to fall asleep. Right now, as I am typing, he is squirming around :)
We have our big anatomy scan next Friday and then a follow up with my perinatologist the following week.. Can't wait to see our little guy on ultrasound again!

Friday, July 9, 2010

19 weeks

Time seems to be flying by... I am almost half way to my due date. I am feeling Rylan move more and more everyday. His most active time is when I go to bed. Sleep is becoming harder for me due to not being able to get comfortable and my back hurts.. :( My solution to that is...

The Boppy Total Boday Pillow!!! I want one SO bad :)

We have other BIG news, but I am waiting to share that info for a bit...

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

How your life's changing:
Think you're big now? You'll start growing even faster in the weeks to come. As a result, you may notice some achiness in your lower abdomen or even an occasional brief, stabbing pain on one or both sides — especially when you shift position or at the end of an active day. Most likely, this is round ligament pain. The ligaments that support your uterus are stretching to accommodate its increasing weight. This is nothing to be alarmed about, but call your practitioner if the pain continues even when you're resting or becomes severe.

You may be noticing some skin changes, too. Are the palms of your hands red? Nothing to worry about — it's from the extra estrogen. You may also have patches of darkened skin caused by a temporary increase in pigment. When these darker patches appear on your upper lip, cheeks, and forehead, they're called chloasma, or the "mask of pregnancy."

These darkened spots will probably fade shortly after delivery. In the meantime, protect yourself from the sun, which intensifies the pigment changes. Cover up, wear a brimmed hat, and use sunscreen when you're outdoors. And if you're self-conscious about your "mask," a little concealing makeup can work wonders.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

a bad evening...

Yesterday I noticed a little cramping and chalked it up to being overtired and a little dehydrated. So I tried to rest (as much as possible with 3 children in the house) and drink a lot of water. By the evening, we took the kids swimming, and I was having contractions, not painful, but enough to cause John and myself a little concern. We came home and I relaxed for the rest of the night. This morning I feel TONS better. Let's hope it stays that way.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Appt update

I just got home from my 18 week OB appt. Not completely happy, but what's new with the Eglin Hospital. Seems like my lab work that I had drawn 2 weeks ago is still in shipping. It was a test that had to be done around 16 weeks to check for neural tube defects (spinal bifada, etc..) Well results not back, still hasn't been tested, and too late to have it redrawn. :(

On a happier note, Baby Rylan's heartbeat was nice and strong. He did not like being poked and proded though. He seems a little fiesty! LOL On ultrasound, my cervix measured 4.67cm (it was 6.4cm last visit). Dr. Tobin says not to worry until it gets around 2.5cm. So far, so good.

I am starting to have more contractions. But not worried unless they become very regular or painful. My cervix is still closed.. YAY!! I am to drink more fluids (water), limit caffeine (1 a day), no heavy strenous activity. Also, my doc says I need a spa day. LOL!! (maybe because I had Ahna, Mackenzie, and Christian with me)

All in all, not a bad visit. I go back in 2 weeks, have my 20 week fetal assessment ultrasound on the 23rd, and see my perinatologist on the 28th. Busy end of month.

Friday, July 2, 2010

18 weeks

A little blurry...pic taken by Mackenzie :)

It is hard to believe that I am 18 weeks pregnant today! Time is flying by so fast. I am feeling pretty well and have a definite baby bump :) Baby Rylan is getting more active all of the time and I am loving it. We have started picking out stuff for his nursery and I cannot wait to start on it :)

I am still seeing my OB every 2 weeks and getting my 17P injections every Monday morning. Those are both going very well and hopefully will remain so.

How your baby's growing:
Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.


What is going on with Mom...
Hungry? An increase in appetite is pretty common about now. Make it count by choosing meals and snacks that are rich in nutrients instead of empty calories (chips, French fries, candy, and other sweets). Bigger, more comfortable clothes are a must now as your appetite and waistline grow.

Your cardiovascular system is undergoing dramatic changes, and during this trimester your blood pressure will probably be lower than usual. Don't spring up too fast from a lying or sitting position or you might feel a little dizzy.

From now on, when you do lie down, it's best to lie on your side — or at least partly tilted to one side. (When you lie flat on your back, your uterus can compress a major vein, leading to decreased blood return to your heart.) Try placing a pillow behind you or under your hip or upper leg for comfort.

If you haven't already had a second-trimester ultrasound, you'll probably have one soon. This painless procedure helps your practitioner check how your baby's growing, screen for certain birth defects, check the placenta and umbilical cord, determine whether the due date you're working with is accurate, and see how many babies you're carrying. During the exam, you might see your baby moving around or sucking his thumb. Bring your partner along, and be sure to ask for a printout for your baby's first photo album

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Trip to Texas

...the short version...
We returned from an awesome trip to Texas today. We had so much fun! We were able to bring Mackenzie back with us for the summer, but could not bring Hayden due to a dental procedure he is having done next week (that I guess could not be changed)

While in Texas, John and I were able to get out and about a couple of days. We went to some of his favorite places -we have been trying to go to on every trip. We went down to the Stockyards (had lots of fun). We enjoyed time with our neice and nephews. It was a wonderful trip :)

Monday, June 21, 2010

Appt and 17P

Dr. appointment went well today. All of my lab work I had done came back normal. Baby Rylan is doing well and very active. I got to see him on ultrasound again today... very sweet.

So the journey begins with the 17P injections. I received my first injection tonight (given by my husband- he did an excellent job). I will continue weekly injections for the duration of this pregnancy in hopes to make it full term.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Way to go, Christian!

Christian is usually terrified of the big pool (will only sit on the step). Today we put his floaties on and within 5 minutes he was calmed down. He realized that he could swim and had tons of fun with me, John, and Ahna. He kept swimming from one end of the pool to the other. We are very proud of his accomplishment..

Friday, June 18, 2010

Its a BOY!!!

There is NO mistaking that we are having a baby boy! We are super excited to be welcoming another son, Rylan Gabriel. Our ultrasound was AMAZING! Baby was super active and using my placenta like a recliner :) It was fun to see.
 
Profile at 16 weeks

It is definetly a BOY!

His foot

Legs stretched out...using my placenta as a recliner

hand up near his face

16 weeks

It is an exciting day in the Collins' house.. In a couple of hours we are scheduled for our ultrasound to find out the gender of our baby. We are thinking pink. However, last night I had recurring dreams of having a boy. I feel like I have been waiting for this for so long and the day is finally here!

Here is what is going on with baby...
Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.


The top of your uterus is about halfway between your pubic bone and your navel, and the round ligaments that support it are thickening and stretching as it grows. You're probably feeling a whole lot better as you settle into pregnancy, too. Less nausea, fewer mood swings, and "glowing" skin contribute to an overall sense of well-being.


Soon you'll experience one of the most wonderful moments of pregnancy — feeling your baby move. While some women notice "quickening" as early as 16 weeks, many don't feel their baby move until about 18 weeks or more. (And if this is your first baby, don't be too impatient — you may not be aware of your baby's movements until 20 weeks or so.) The earliest movements may feel like little flutters, gas bubbles, or even like popcorn popping. Over the following weeks they'll grow stronger and you'll be able to feel them much more frequently.