Who REALLY needs a TiVo??
Topic: Weirdness
Imagine. . .a post not regarding the boys!

Remember when the whole TiVo craze started?? I do. And I was like, "Why in the WORLD would you need to record a show or pause live tv. That's just so freaking lazy. Just shove a tape in the VCR and hit record." I would totally ignore those people that talked non-stop about it. And then. . .it hits Chris.

This is like 2 months ago ok? Just two months ago before Chris starts looking into this. And it's only because the cable company has come out with their own version and, ya know, "It's only $5 more per month than we're already paying." (he makes statements like this A LOT) So we drive to the cable place and get the digital dvr cable box.

Fast forward to today. HOW IN THE WORLD DID I LIVE WITH OUT THAT THING?!?!? Seriously!! Now I know what all the hype is about! It's seriously freaking AWESOME! (Do you not see all the CAPS in this post. This means I'm serious!) I fear the day that we don't have the "recorder box thingy" (that's the technical name for it). It records nasty things that I don't care to watch like, "The History of the Revolver from the Civil War" but also records things that I do like ie. Big Brother 6 and chick flicks!! Cale also enjoys watching recorded episodes of Maisy on it, and ironically, Maisy just never seems to be there during football or on Sundays! (Aren't we awful!?!)

Needless to say. . .I GET THE TiVo CRAZE! I apologize for all of the hideous things I said and thought about those that were near marriage with their recorders. You're right. . .I should go propose right now!

Grow baby grow!
Topic: Pruitt
My little kissy baby (aka Biggie Smalls) is three weeks old today. I told my mom last night that he was WAY heavier and that I wanted to know what he weighed. So at the doctor's office they weighed him today.

Birth weight - 9lbs 15.3 oz

One week old - 9lbs 5oz

Two weeks old - 9lbs 13oz

Today at three weeks old - 10lbs 11oz!!!!!!

The doctor congratulated me! LOL Then he said, "Babies should gain 25grams per day. . .he's gaining 60!"

Momma's milk - it does a body good ;)

Brotherly Love
The night that Pruitt was born, I was most excited to get to introduce him to Cale. I just had a feeling that Cale would adore him. . .and boy was I right. I remember being in the hospital bed when Cale came in and he automatically asked where the baby was. He kissed me and Chris brought Pruitt over. The gleam in his eye was that of a new mother, not a brother. My heart lept and I just sat there and cried. It was one of the most beautiful things I've seen.

Now, Cale does act out. He's shown his hiney on numerous occassions, but this is to be expected and we're handling it. And what makes it easier to handle are moments like this one. We've let him be very hands on with Pruitt and I hope that this will help culminate a close and loving relationship between the two.

Drumroll please. . . .
Topic: Pruitt
I am so excited to announce the arrival of Mr. Pruitt Oliver Brian Nard. Born August 8, 2005 at 7:00pm measuring 21 1/2" long and weighing a nice 9lbs 15 ounces.

Here is a pic of a very drugged momma (from the emergency c-section thanks to a cord around the neck) and a wide awake Pruitt (thanks to Daddy flashing the camera in his face).

I'll post more pictures and the full birth story at a later date.

La la la la
Topic: Me!
A weird thing has happened with the end of the pregnancy nearing. I have developed an intense love for doing laundry. Laundry was always my "thing" to do when I lived at home, but I have been notorious for letting all three of us run out of clean underwear. I have gotten the cleaning bug too, but not near like my love of doing laundry.

This morning, I even yelled at Chris for not putting his dirty shorts in to be washed. He stopped, turned around and said, "YOU'VE WASHED THEM ALL!!!" I guess I have. I've also been guilty of taking the clothes off of his back before the day ends so that I can wash them. What can I say. . .maybe it's something my body is trying to clean before Pruitt comes.

And now it's like 11 pm and I'm doing laundry while my husband moans and groans in pain while watching the lovely "male" show MXC. So much for any help!! Next thing you know I'll be emptying drawers of clean clothes just to have something to do!! To each his/her own I suppose! LOL

Yep, I'm still here!
Topic: Pruitt
I'm 37 weeks 2 days pregnant with Mr. Pruitt. And yes, to answer everyone's question, I'm still here. My mom calls numerous times a day when I'm not stuck at her house with her, and people keep calling like we're leaving them out. Do they not realize that I don't enjoy being reminded that I'm still VERY VERY pregnant?? This goes on my list of THINGS NOT TO DO TO OTHERS.

I was rather disappointed on Monday after my appointment. I had so hoped he'd go ahead and induce me this week, but he WILL NOT. I lost it after he left the room, and he knew I was upset. When I asked him how big he thought this one would be, he replied, "BIG." That was all I could ask. I just couldn't maintain my composure. But, with the help of some friends, I'm turning my attitude around and trying to see the positive. The longer I wait, the more likely we are to bring him home with us. And you know what, in the large scope of things, this really isn't in my hands. God has control and I need to let him take control. This is a concept that I'm currently working on.

We do have a tentative induction date - inducement date is what my dad calls it. It's set for Monday, Aug 8. Here's why this sucks. I'm literally on call, as is everyone else having to deal with this. We will not know for certain if we have a room until the morning of the 8th. How awful is that??? This is another reason that I'm hoping to go into labor on my own. For over a week I had contractions ranging from 15 minutes apart down to 3 minutes, now NOTHING. Maybe this is a good sign?? LOL But I do tell everyone I know, if you know some voodoo magic, do it and send it my way. Let's get this kid out!! And NO I WILL NOT DRINK CASTOR OIL!!!!! I think we've tried pretty much everything else. LOL

There's the update. Hopefully by this time next week I will have successfully given birth to a LARGE baby :) But I'll be happy with successfully delivering a 7 1/2lber too!

Are we there yet??
Topic: Pruitt
I should have posted this back on Monday but I think I've been pretty much in shock/denial and being watched like I'm on the verge of exploding!

I went to my u/s on Monday. As I was laying down on the table, the tech asked if we were there to determine a size. We all (me, Bubba & Mom) said yes, that I'm running a bit big. She non-chalantly says, "Oh, I can tell you're BIG!!!" I should have known by that comment that this was going to be just the beginning! So she starts the u/s and it was amazing. He's so much bigger now and so much so that she couldn't get all of his head in the screen! Now please keep in mind that on Monday, I was 36 weeks pregnant. Technically I've got 4 weeks left until I'm due. She measured his head first - 41 weeks. Measured his body next - 41 weeks. By now I'm gasping for air!! Found his legs - 36 weeks. Great, another Chris!! LOL Chris asked her to verify that he is indeed a boy. Yes, he is STILL a boy :) Thank God with being that big, but the kicker of it all. . . .estimated weight size on Monday, July 25, 2005, 8 1/2lbs!!!!!!!!!! I'M GROWING A TODDLER NOT A BABY!!!! I just looked at her and she thought I was going to hit her, but I was in too much shock. She gave us pictures of a foot, a profile, scrotum and the cutest of them all, his smashed little face!!

Next we went to see the doctor. He checked me and I was 2 cm dialated and almost fully thinned out. While he was there performing his lovely exam, he stripped my membranes. This, surprisingly, did not hurt, however the after effects DID HURT. We discussed size, maturity, induction and c-sections. He went ahead and put us on stand-by for Aug 8 and Aug 9. Great, 2 more weeks for him to grow to almost 10lbs. JUST WHAT EVERY WOMAN WANTS TO BIRTH!!!!! But he doesn't think I'll make it until induction date. I was almost in tears when he left. It was so not what I wanted to hear, but I know he's just looking after Pruitt's health and I'll live through whatever should happen.

Now, remember my dad's plans to go to Jackson again?? Well, after hearing my update, he didn't mention it. On Tuesday, my mom had me come over so that she could help me with Cale and I found out that at the last minute on Tuesday morning, dad canceled his trip. He just couldn't do it. Now I'm being watched. . .I mean really watched. I feel like I'm on display!! LOL I've been having tons of contractions and tons of cramping and pressure and even lost my plug today, so PLEASE send me all of the COME ON LABOR VIBES you can gather up.

Now we wait. . .isn't waiting fun???? I just LOVE waiting. . .and waiting. . .and being watched!! I'll keep you all updated on it all. Hopefully the next entry will be from the hospital!!

YIKES!!!
Topic: Pruitt
It honestly feels like yesterday, in the midst of sorrow and heartbreak over losing Grandpa, that I saw that big fat positive pregnancy test. . .all 3 of them! Now, I sit here a little over 35 weeks pregnant and on Monday, July 25, 2005, I will have an ultra-sound to determine a "guesstimate" on Mr. Pruitt's weight. The dr is a bit worried that he's too big and can't move down. I know he's big, shoot, he's measured big since my 6 week ultra-sound, but I know he'll fit.

My dad and Chris are happy though, they know that on Monday, July 25, 2005, the doctor will set a date for induction. I'll be 36 weeks and no, I have NO clue when I'll be induced. My blood pressure is still a little elevated, but nothing to be too scared about yet. My worst fear is that Pruitt will be born and we won't be able to take him home. I just don't know how I'll react to that.

Now for the irony of it all. With Cale, I went to the dr and my blood pressure was WAY too high. He wanted to induce me then and there, but dad was on a plane to Jackson, MS while I was in my appointment. I talked him into waiting 2 days and inducing on Thursday so my dad could try and make it back. This time around, my u/s is on Monday and guess who leaves for Jackson on Tuesday????? Yep. . . .dad!!! He started laughing yesterday when I called and gave him my appointment update. I may have successfully gotten him out of TWO trips to Jackson!! But at least he won't be on a plane when we get the news so he and I will both have less stress. I honestly believe he'll accompany me to my u/s on Monday. . .we'll see. :)

Now the reality of it all sets in. Within two weeks, I'll be a mother of two. Two little boys. Two gorgeous children that have my heart in the palm of their hands, their big Chris-looking hands. :) I'm blessed. God has blessed me with two of the most incredible miracles ever and boy. . .am I ever grateful.

The lifting of the weight
Topic: Pruitt
I am so excited. . .if only I weren't so tired you'd hear me screaming and hollering! :) Here I sit at 33 weeks pregnant and Pruitt's room not done. We were starting to get a bit stressed out by this fact, but when talking to Gretchen. . .and as she so beautifully states in her blog today, he won't even be sleeping in there, so why should I be stressed??

I guess I'm an anal planner, ok, no guessing about it, this is a matter of fact statement. I wish I could be more like crazy hippy Gretchen (LOTS O LOVE MAMA!!) and co-sleep with the boys. But Christopher refuses. . .it's not even up for discussion. One morning last week Cale woke up to the storms and came into our room at about 5. He's never done this and I was taken aback as he crawled over my belly and sleepily stated, "I wanna sleep with you." My instinct was to grab him and never let go, but daddy patted him on the back and quietly said, "It's night night time buddy, we need to go back to your room." Cale kissed me gently and said, "Oh, ok, night night momma" and my heart just melted. I miss having him right up against me and smelling his hair. Ahhhhh . . . .that's what mothers love. But soon enough, Mr. Pruitt will be lying beside me in our bed. . .at least until daddy puts him in his bassinett. I do get a wee bit of satisfaction out of the fact that he'll be less than a foot away from my bed during the night. And probably will be up until about 9 months old.

Although I can't get Chris to co-sleep, I have sold him on breastfeeding past 3 months and babywearing. I keep crossing my fingers that the breastfeeding will pan out and I'm not hooked up to the milk machine for another 11 months. And I love the feeling of having the baby right there and not keeping them at a huge distance all the time. I even went and got another really awesome sling from a woman that happens to live in Tulsa! Cool huh?? :)

So, without further ado, here are the pics of the walls that Jason Memoli (my hunk of meat brother-in-law) painted yesterday. Mr. Muralist rocks and had this done in approx 4 1/2 hours! Oh to have his talent!!

I failed to capture the SMILING fish behind the door. Yes, he looks like a giant red goldfish cracker smiling at you! It cracked me up, but the whole story includes an OU on its body. Not sure what reaction that would have gotten, but I do like the goldfish-cracker-wannabe. I will post these on my site soon, along with finished nursery pics. I still have a ton to do, but this is one GREAT BIG HUGE weight lifted off of my shoulders. . .my big broad fat pregnant shoulders ;)

Don't do as I do!
Topic: Me!
What a great weekend we had!! My shower was on Saturday afternoon and we got quite a few things and are so very thankful for what we did get. It will help out tremendously. Romy, the hostess, did a SUPERB job at hostessing and I had a great time!!!

Then Sunday was Father's Day. My grandmas came over to mom and dad's condo and we had food prepared by Carly (who knew!?!). We knew it was especially hard on dad and Grandma with Grandpa gone this year. My dad had told me a few weeks ago that there was nothing to celebrate. We then informed him that he is still OUR dad and we would be celebrating. We also took Cale swimming and boy is he brave!! I still need to download the pics, but mom bought him SUGAR BABIES floaties (where does she find this stuff?) and an inflatable kick board and that child was all over the pool!! It really impressed us.

Now, onto what NOT to do. Monday night we were at Chris' grandparent's house and work called. We had to go up there so Chris could do something to the computer system. He told me it would take awhile, why don't I go hang out with mom and dad until he's ready to be picked up. Cool. No problem. So we go over there, Cale and I, and I was getting Cale out of the car and, seriously, DO NOT ask me what happened exactly, but I started to fall. THREE times I thought I had recovered, until I noticed my head heading downhill and BAM on the street. I'm not one to fall or even lose my balance. You hear of pregnant women falling all the time, but I've never been one of them. Not even with Cale. So my first instinct was, roll over and get off my belly so I popped myself up on my butt in the street. Cale watched the entire thing and continued to say, "What happened momma? What happened momma??" I wanted to scream but figured that would scare him so I picked my stuff up, grunted and groaned as I hefted myself off the street. Poor Cale jumped out of the car and started helping me to the door, patting me and saying, "It's ok momma. You're all better now." So sweet!!

Well, an hour later I was being wheeled to labor and delivery with contractions every 5 minutes. We thought they'd monitor me for an hour until the contractions stopped, but no, they kept me overnight!! What a long night. I finally sent Chris home about 2 so he could get a few hours sleep because I knew I wasn't going to be able to sleep and boy was I right. Pruitt would move and the monitors would lose him. At one point, it took them two nurses and one full hour to find him again. They actually had to pull out the u/s machine so I did get to see him. In all irony, the kid waved! But they said that he was back forward and wasn't curled up, he was actually laid out on my spine which is why they couldn't get his heartbeat. Intersting :) So once they found his heartbeat, they told me not to move. Have you ever been in a very uncomfortable position with a child kicking you for over 2 hours without being allowed to move?? IT'S TORTURE!! And another wild point, the nurse that I had from 11-7 was the same woman that checked me into the hospital when I was induced with Cale and then came back for the delivery as a cheerleader since her shift had started again! How crazy is that??

But here I am now, after sleeping all day yesterday, I'm sore, but Pruitt is fine and I'm fine and the street is even fine. AND NO SMART COMMENTS ABOUT HOW YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO FALL WHEN YOU ARE PREGNANT! THEY'RE NOT FUNNY COMMENTS. Have a great week!!