Great early Christmas present!

I can't believe that in 3 days my baby will be a month old! Time really flies! He is such a cutie and a pretty good baby. He sleeps well (once we actually get him down) and I really don't have many complaints! Just this week he has started getting more interactive and then this morning I caught his first couple of real smiles! SO CUTE! He is growing so fast.....I need him to slow down a little! We have a doc appt on Monday, so I'm curious about his growth percentages. It will be his first appt since two days old, so it should be interesting! Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!!

some more pics

He's Here!

Jack Theodore Turley was born last week on the 25th just before 10 pm (one day late). It was an absolutley crazy experience! Ike was training at the gym and I started having a few contractions (luckily my mom was here already). I didn't think much of it until they kept coming, so I started timing them. My last labor was about 11 hours, so I figured I would have a few hours at home before going to the hospital. Jack had other plans, though! The contractions started about 6:45 pm and an hour later I was ready to go to the hospital because the pain was progressing fast! When we got there I was already in transition and dilated to a 7! (This was sometime between 8 and 8:30). I immediatly started freaking out because they told me I would be having that baby soon and I didn't really have time for an epidural (something I had planned on all along). Ike was telling me I could do it and it would be really fast and overwith soon and the nurses were saying if they broke my water it would go even faster, so I decided to do it and they gave me some IV drugs to take the edge off the contractions, which did help enough to get through them. I never thought those silly breathing techniques really worked, but when you are in that much pain late in labor....they really do help you get through it. When I told them I felt like I needed to push they said go for it and about 10 pushes later and some agonizing pain and screaming (not kidding), Jack was born (after a total of 3 hours start to finish). The icing on the cake was that he came out 9lbs 14 oz!!!! The doc thought he would be average....well that shows how much they know! I never thought I would be able to do something like that, but it is truly amazing what the human body can do. Ike was amazing and really helped me...I couldn't have done it without him! I now know what it feels like to have a baby naturally and I do NOT advise it, especially if you have a low pain tolerance! If we have another one, I will be going to the hospital right when I start having regular contractions. I really don't think I could do that again! But now we have a beautiful,healthy baby boy and you really do forget some of the pain ....... I said SOME! Here are a few pics of the first week home...the hospital pics are on our other computer so I will post them later!

The last week...

Nope, nothing yet and we are down to the last week. I really don't want to be overdue and I really don't want to be in the hospital for Thanksgiving. So, everyone think thoughts of labor for me! Next doc appt is tomorrow, so maybe there will be good news?!

And October Ends!

Just thought I'd put up a few photos from this month since I won't have much to post until the baby comes in a few weeks (he will be here before we know it)! There is one from our ward trunk or treat last night and then a few from our last Disneyland trip a few weeks ago. My sister-in-law, Mandi, and I decided that from here on out we will just be doing whatever we can to speed up the labor process and we will see if the boys inside us agree that it's time. So there's going to be a lot of walking (and other stuff) the next few weeks since after Tues the babies will be considered "fully cooked"! Mandi should be ready to go this week or next week (if not, then I pray for her with that large baby!) But I'm sure it will still be at least 2-3 weeks for me, but can't hurt tryin' right!

It's getting close!

Had my 36 week check up today and they usually don't do an internal exam, but did for me anyway and not much is happening yet....I figured that much. Head is low, though, and after next week I will be ready anytime....so think thoughts of labor! My guess is the second week of Nov sometime, but who knows!

In the mean time, we had Mandi's baby shower (my sister in law), and it was really fun. I have always wanted to make one of those decorative diaper cakes, so I tried it and it think it turned out pretty good. I may have some craftiness in me after all...not too much though! We took a fun belly pic...that will be a good one to look back on later!

34 weeks down, 6 (or hopefully less) to go!

In another week we will hit the 8 month mark, and have one month to go. These pictures make me feel VERY big! I don't notice it as much when I see myself in the mirror or just look down, but when I see the pictures it looks HUGE! I had to ask Ike if I really am that big....and he says YES you ARE, which is funny because my weight gain hasn't improved as much as you would think for the size of my belly! Maybe that means this big boy is slowing down a little to help his momma out! (Wishful thinking) So, here are the pictures of my progression over that last 4 weeks!

Here's the last one I posted at 30 weeks.

And here's 34 weeks. I really don't know if I can get much bigger. The tight shirts don't help, either, but what else to I have...they are all getting tight! I only have a few that fit at this point!

Another angle...this one makes me look a little smaller....it just jets out pretty far in front! I think I am almost past basketball size! Yikes!

This one is 4 years ago when I was 8 months with Dane....BIG DIFFERENCE, I know! It's a baggier shirt than the white one I'm wearing this time, but I just tried it on again and it is definitely tighter than it looks in this old pic. I took this about 4 weeks before I had Dane I think because it is the last one I have besides pics in the hospital!

A bitter-sweet weekend!

Last weekend we went back to Vegas for the first time since moving for a funeral for Ike's Uncle Paul. He died of a heart attack at work and it is very sad because he is only in his 50s. The funeral was beautiful and it was great to see family and friends and support Aunt Annie and her kids. Even thought there were sad parts to the weekend, we also had a lot of fun, which is what Paul would have wanted. Ike's family is a lot like my family and when they get all together it gets exciting! Some of the great grandkids even performed some dances to some kids bop music...we were all laughing because it was all girls and then Duke (Dane's cousin that lives in Vegas). Reminded me of my sisters and cousin, Amy, singing and dancing with Rusty when we were little! Anyway, it was the first time in a while that all Ike's siblings were together with their families, too! Don't know when that will happen again! Here are a few pics.

Baby looks good

We saw the perinatologist today and found out there's nothing wrong with the baby. I figured this was the case, but it's always nice to hear it. He will probably just be big. Oh, and I don't have to do anymore stress tests either. The overall weight estimate based on the ultrasound was about 3lbs 14oz, so this almost 4 pounder (at 30 weeks) may grow to be quite big over the next two months! Hopefully I can handle it. That's what the drugs are for, right??? Relief! I think they will do another ultrasound closer to my due date to estimate weight again and to be prepared for what may come during labor. It will all unfold here in a matter of weeks now. My due date is Nov. 24th, but my guess(or my hope) is that he will come closer to the middle of the month. I definitely don't want to be eating my Thanksgiving Feast in the hospital! Anyone else wanna take a guess?

Baby update....four weeks later....

Baby update.....

Had the 3rd ultrasound to check the baby's growth patterns over the last month, and nothing had really changed. Leg still measuring a little small, and head/abdomen both measuring pretty large around 98-99th percentile. So what does it mean?? Doc is sending us to a perinatologist (sp?) to do an in depth scan of the baby to make sure there is nothing wrong with the head specifically. We were reassured that the last two ultrasounds didn't present anything, but because of the baby's size the doc want's to check it out further. He said he didn't think it was anything except just a large baby, but they need to do the extra scan to rule out the very slight possibility of any rare disorders that might be present. He also is ordering a baby stress test every week unless the perinatologist says it is not necessary. I will have one on tues and then I will find out at my next scan on Wed whether or not I need to keep doing the stress tests. (They will just hook me up to the baby monitors for about 30 min or so just like they do when in labor to check for signs of stress in the baby).

I really think everything is okay, but I'm glad they are taking precautions. Near the end of my pregnancy with Dane, I remember being sent for a detailed scan for the opposite reason...because he wasn't growing anymore, but everything turned out to be fine and he was born like a week later in good health. I'm just hoping this larger baby means he might want to come a little earlier than expected.....hint hint little one!

So, I will post again next week after my scan on Wed.

Here are a few pics in the mean time...I wanted to do them now because next week will be pretty crazy with all the doc appts.

First, here's a reminder of me at 26 weeks (I wore the same shirt to try to get a good comparison)...


Now, here's 4 weeks later at almost 30 weeks! The front view looks good...just poppin' out forward.......


...But the side view looks SO big to me. Guess it doesn't help to be wearing a super tight shirt!! Check out the next pic for a comparison to my last pregnancy.

This was when I was 7 months pregnant with Dane! Not sure the exact # of weeks but it was probably pretty close to where I am now....but the size is definitely different!

Emma's Birthday

Dane's cousins from Vegas came into town this weekend and we celebrated Emma's 9th birthday at the American Girl Store/Cafe at the Grove in L.A. It was really fun. I have never been there before (I have all boys now), but we sat down to eat and they gave little Waimea a doll to borrow during the lunch (Emma brought hers). They even give the dolls a seat that attaches to the table and a tea cup. The food was pretty good and they gave Emma a cute pink/white birthday cake that they served with peppermint icecream in little garden cups with a fake flower coming out of it. Too cute. Then we let Emma pick out her birthday presents at the store (accessories for her and her doll) and we left after doing a little more shopping at some other stores.

I must say that even though we had a blast with our girls day (plus Dane) at the doll shop/cafe, I am still really glad that I am having another boy. People go all out on that American Girl stuff......and it doesn't come cheap! I can't say that in the future I might wish for a little of that, but for now I am happy with doing all the fun (and cheap) boy stuff that they enjoy. And I don't mind the extra laundry from dirty clothes everyday...I can deal with that!

The effects of the fires

I took this pic yesterday at sunset. You can really see some of the effects of the fire.....makes a beautiful sunset, but you can see how much junk it has been putting into our air. We hear the smoke has blown up to the Salt Lake area and even as far as Denver. Luckily the fire should be contained soon and it is now on the back side of the mountain. Since we live southeast of the area, it hasn't blown the smoke our way (thank heavens), so we just watch it from afar! Crazy, though!

Another Ultrasound????

So, I'm having ANOTHER ultrasound in 4 weeks. After meeting with my doc today, he said baby looked good....organs healthy, etc, but he said the baby's body was measuring differently in different parts. The head/abdomen were measuring a few weeks ahead and the femur was measuring small.......so what does that mean??? Nothing right now except I may be loading up on drugs for this child's big head to come out in a few months!! :) Seriously though...the doc just wants to see if he "evens out" in the next few weeks and then we will go from there! I just think of it as another chance to get a look at my growing boy, so that will be fun.

What a difference 6 weeks makes!

Ok, here we go....this was around 4th of July right before my ultrasound when I was about 20 weeks.......

......and BAM!!! This is 6 weeks later at 26 weeks (or just over 6 months). Crazy how much growth I've had lately. My total weight gain is just about 20 lbs and I still have 14 weeks to go! Last time I grew the most between months 5-8 and didn't really grow much or gain weight in the last month. Let's hope that is the case again....we will see!

The doctor wanted another ultrasound because they couldn't see the kidneys and a few other things last time, so I went in for another one this past week. Thank goodness it was a MUCH BETTER experience than last time and it only lasted about 20 minutes. Since I was a month further along, the pictures of the baby were really clear and it was so fun to look at him. Here are a few of my favorites. This first one is his little (or not so little) foot!

His profile...check out how clearly you can see his brain.....crazy!


Here's his face and abdomen. His hands are crossed up above his head. It was so cute to watch him squirm around!

Just a few fun beach pics from this week!

I just love living near the beach again. Even though it is still a short drive, it is where I belong! There has been beauty in all the places we have lived, but there's just something about being near open water that makes you feel more free. I have loved this summer being able to get out of the heat of Riverside and head to the beach (or a very short drive to grandma's pool). It has made the summer so much fun and less stressfull with all the changes that have been happening and the preparations for the gym and Ike to start school again, etc. Dane and I have had a lot of time to hang out and I think we have become closer....he is such a sweet boy and I'm glad I will have even more time with him now that I'm not going back to work. I can't wait until the beginning of August for our two week beach vacation...it will be so much fun with all the family there. Dane can't wait to spend time with his cousins, too. It's also really nice to have people to go with whenever...Thanks Mandi and little Waimea for always being ready to go!

Dane and cousin, Waimea, having fun in the sand!


Jack is at the top of our name list for baby #2, so we have been trying it out lately.


My #1 boy!

It's Baby Blue again!

We found out yesterday we are having another boy! We both kinda had that instict it would be, but now we know for sure! It wasn't a great experience for me, though. The Ultrasound took forever because the baby was moving and not very cooperative... hopefully not an indication of the future :)! I don't know how experienced the tech was either??? The tech had me moving all around standing up, sitting down, lowering my head below my feet, and anthing to get the baby to move at the very end of our session. By this time (after about an hour), my back was starting to hurt. The tech went to get someone else to try to get the last two pictures they needed and the lady that came in was torture (nice lady, but all about business). She was pressing so hard to get the shots she needed (luckily the baby did turn), but by the end of it my insides felt like they were all twisted up and I had the worst pain in my side and back. I had to lay on the bed a little while longer when it was done until the pain went away, then I got up, got my pictures, and went home. The rest of the day I was all crampy and sore.....NOT FUN! Ultrasounds are supposed to be easy and short and sweet (my last one with Dane certainly was)! At least it is over now and we know it's a boy so we can plan for the next few months! I kept everything from when Dane was little, so luckily we have a lot of supplies and clothes already! Now it is just a waiting game for the next 4 months!

4th of July and 5 month pics

Here are a few pics from our 4th of July weekend...it has been a lot of fun! I wish I had a few more. We went to the Angels game Friday night and they had a big fireworks show afterward. They lost, but that's ok...it was still fun! Sat we went to a pool party for lunch at our step-sister's house, then went to Kathy and Dave's for dinner and a movie on the lawn. Ike rigged our projector outside in his mom's yard and we watched Independence Day. Since she lives high up on the hill, we could also see the firework shows from around the valley...it was pretty cool.
The last few pics are 5 month pregnancy update pics....the one of me in red is now and the one of me with the purple pants was when I was pregnant with Dane! It's fun to compare.....needless to say, I'm a little bigger with this one! I don't remember what my weight gain was last time when I was half way through, but so far I have gained about 8-10 pounds, depending on what time of day I weigh myself.

What we've been up to...

I know it has been about a month since I updated, but we have sure been busy. Here are a few pics of what we have been doing...

The first week we dedicated to moving into our new humble abode. The house is small, but the land is mighty! We updated the inside with new paint and carpet and it is pretty cozy now. It is a work in progress, and there is still some internal organizing to do, but the biggest thing we are working on now is the outside. We are watering to bring back all the foliage around. We seeded the little lawn area in front of the porch and in the picture you can see the grass buds forming on the left side. We have a lemon tree that has been bursting with lemons (almost ripe), a peach tree that still needs some tlc, and a pomegranite (sp???) tree that is showing a few fruit buds.



Here's a pic of our view from the front porch. It's so nice to have more outdoor space, and being where we are, we get a good amount of shade and cool nights.


This is the road that leads down the hill from the house where we go walking most nights after dinner. Many mornings Dane and I will take Bo out and walk the property for a little morning exercise. Yes, coming back up is a workout....don't know if I'll be able to do it in a few months! When I want to get a good workout, I just take Bo back into the hilly neighborhood behind us and walk around.....it is so tiring...guess I have to watch it now that I'm getting bigger.


This is down the hill. It is mostly dirt trails with trees and plants mixed in. The boys love it!! Dane loves riding Uncle Jim's 4-wheeler with dad around the property.

This is down the hill from Uncle Jim's house next door...it connects with the picture above. I wanted to get a better picture of the grassy area, but I saw a coyote race off to my right and decided I didn't want to stay very long. I'm sure he was way more afraid of me, but that was the first time I saw one, so I was anxious to get back to the house! At the back of the picture is the neighbor's pond that Bo love to jump in after he's been running around...this is a lab's paradise! There is also a chicken coup up and to the left of this picture. Dane love feeding the chickens!


Here's our living room and Ike and Dane doing what they do best in the summer (and I was sitting right beside them a few minutes ago). It's nice for Ike to have a break, because he really hasn't stopped working on either the house or getting things ready for the gym to open since we've been here.

Since we live in a more rural area of town, we have been advised that cats help out with all the little pesky critters that may be roaming around near the house, so we went to the shelter and adopted two kittens. We felt bad getting just one to fend for himself, so we got two. Dane named them Tom (grey) and Jerry (white). Since the are still young, we are keeping them in the laundry room which is just off the side porch. When they get a little older, they will get to roam the property and do their job, but they are fun to hold and play with while they are still so young!

And here's what we do in our spare time...play! I don't know how Ike powers that bike up and down the hill while pulling Dane...but he does it...he has been getting a lot of exercise since moving here....we all have!