Cheyenne & Brodee

Jeremy & Elizabeth came through town and I finally had a chance to meet Brodee.

Brodee is 7 weeks old.

Cheyenne's Hospital Pictures

Here is the link

Our First Night Home

Cheyenne did well for her first night home. She's on a 3 hour schedule. She sleeps for 3 hours and then feeds. Now I need to get on her schedule and try to sleep when she does.

Trey and Cheyenne watching football together on the recliner

What is she thinking?

This was her going home outfit. I took several outfits to the hospital, but none of them fit her except for this premie dress that Trey's mom got her.

Okay, it's official, she looks like Trey.

Cheyenne's Homecoming

We're finally home! We were discharged from the hosptial this afternoon. It feels so good to have Cheyenne home. No more visitiation hours.






















We haven't had a chance to thank everyone, but Trey and I truly appreciate the thoughts and prayers.


Well, I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. We obviously spent ours at the hospital, but we have so much to be thankful for. Trey's parents and brother came into town for a few hours to see Cheyenne. I'm glad they came into town because otherwise it would've been a lonely day. This year was the first year, I have ever ate out on Thanksgiving. We went to Boston Market, where they were serving turkey. And later that evening, my boss brought us leftovers. So, just like everyone else we got our turkey too.

3rd Day in NICU

Cheyenne's jaundice has dropped from a level 12 to a 7. So, the lamp helped and she's now considered to be at low risk.


Tomorrow, we'll get official word from the doctor, but it looks like we may be admitted tomorrow night to the hospital and get to spend a full night with her before she's discharged to come home Friday.

Today, we were able to hold her as long and as often as we wanted to and I got more skin to skin contact, which made my day.

The Earliest She'll Get to Come Home is Friday

We finally talked with the doctor. The echocardiogram results cleared and Cheyenne's oxygen level has remained at a safe level, since she was admitted to NICU. She has to remain at the hospital now because her jaundice rose from a 5 to 12 overnight. Now she's being monitored until we can get the jaundice under control. The earliest their anticipating her making it home is Friday. So, it looks like Cheyenne's first Thanksgiving will be spent at the hospital :(

We've been spending most of our time with her, but the hospital has limited hours, even for parents.

A lot of these pictures look like she's in rough condition, but she's doing great, considering the situation. Trey and I joke saying she's sun bathing and thinks she's on vacation.

It's so warm under the lights.

Her weight is currently at 6 lbs. 8 oz. She's almost back to her original birth weight.

Waiting For 8 am to Roll Around

We have to wait until 8 am before we can go to see Cheyenne. I called NICU to see how she was doing and they said she slept and ate well. She has a good appetite, but apparently has lost a little bit of weight. Her birth weight was 6 lbs. 9 oz. and now she's 6 lbs. 5 oz.


It was really hard when I came home yesterday without her. I didn't prepare myself for that. I walked through the door and everywhere I looked I saw baby stuff. Everyone told me I needed to get some rest, so that's what I did. Initially, I had a difficult time falling asleep, but Trey managed to sleep 9 hours. He needed it too. I didn't sleep the whole night through. I had to wake several times in order to pump. Overall, I feel well rest.

Cheyenne is in NICU

The last 24 hours have been hard. Yesterday evening, Cheyenne was turning blue and her oxygen level dipped down to 60 which alarmed everyone. At 12 am she was then transfered from Baylor Southwest to Baylor All Saints NICU.

Meanwhile, I had to wait the next morning to be discharged from the hospital. It was the hardest thing being away from her. I took Ambient to get through the night. Poor Trey didn't get much sleep since he followed her over. This morning I made my way to Baylor All Saints.

She is currently doing well. I spent the entire day with her in NICU. We're still waiting on further test results and for her to finish her antibiotics, but she should be cleared to come home tomorrow.

During her stay, I had several opportunities to have direct skin to skin contact with her, which I feel like helped me more than her. I was afraid that I would not be able to breast feed her, but that hasn't been a problem. I honestly believe everything will be fine and that all these drastic steps were taken as precautious measures. I just want my baby girl home. Tomorrow I will try to drop a line and give an update.

This picture was taken while Cheyenne was in NICU.

She's a Cowboys Fan

Guess who dressed Cheyenne? And guess what she was doing this afternoon?


She had a chance to watch her first Dallas Cowboys game with her Daddy.


A picture from yesterday, right after birth


Another picture from yesterday. She looks mad.


This is the picture we shared with our church family.

Beautiful Baby

Cheyenne Sierra was born at 5:08 pm weighing 6 lbs 9 oz. and 18 inches. She is healthy and beautiful. Fingers and toes are accounted for. At the moment, she appears to have red hair, but only time will tell.

The labor and delivery was amazing. No complications.

Weekend Baby! Cheyenne Is Almost Here!

After talking it over with my doctor and Trey we all agreed on the elective induction, which will be tomorrow at 5 am.

Please keep us in your prayers and pray for a speedy delivery and a healthy girl. Trey and I are so ready for this or Are We? I will try my best to stay posted in the next few days. I know everyone who will not be in Ft. Worth to visit will want to see pictures. Don't worry, there shouldn't be any shortage of pictures.

Since I know she's coming soon, this will allow me to tie up loose ends around the house. On todays agenda.
1. Do all loads of laundry
2. Install car seat
3. Put up the Christmas Tree
4. Double check our hospital bags
5. And finally, REST. REST. REST.

No running or walking tonight. It's probably best to conserve my energy for tomorrow.

5 miles, Produces Mild Contractions

Yesterday, I treated myself to dinner at Central Market. The main purpose for going was to purchase more Raspberry Leaf tea. It’s a tea Elizabeth introduced me to. It helps tone the uterus and ultimately, help with labor (I'll find out soon enough).

So, after dinner and drinking tea, not to mention, indulging in M&M’s, I jumped on the treadmill. I never thought I’d still be able to run this far along in pregnancy, but I managed to go for 1 mile, at a moderate pace. The remaining workout was a brisk walk.

About an hour later, I felt mild contractions. It was very exciting! They were a little painful, but I laughed through them. Trey encouraged me to get a good nights rest, just in case I was about to go into true labor. I agreed and slept through the night, not feeling anymore pain. I’m just praying my water breaks on its own, so there will be no question as to when it’s time to make my way to the hospital, but I hear only 15% of women’s water will break naturally.

Today, I plan on working on a video project, logging at least 2 miles, tidying up the house, and who knows maybe I can squeeze giving birth in my schedule too. It would be nice to have a weekend baby. I know a few people in the family who would love that. I'm doing my part to work on it, Cheyenne has to meet me the rest of the way.

The Small Things

A few things I’m looking forward to - post-partum:
-Sleeping on my stomach
-Sleeping on my back
-Folgers French Vanilla Coffee with Nestle's Coffee Matte Vanilla creamer and sugar (Can I be anymore specific?)
-Running 3 miles under 30 minutes or just running in general
-Being able to button up my jacket
-Wearing normal clothes again, especially jeans
-Not having to bathe myself habitually in cocoa butter lotion
-Not having sock lines on my ankles

The few things I will miss
-Having Cheyenne with me every where I go
-Feeling her move in my stomach
-Using my stomach as an arm rest and table

Decorating Should Count as Nesting

I'd like to think that decorating early for Christmas, counts as nesting. Don't you think?


This is our tree in the living room. I threw some lights on it to give it that holiday flair. I've been begging Trey to bring home his tall ladder, so he can get our Christmas tree out of the attic. I want all the Christmas decor out and up before Cheyenne gets here.
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Nothing new to report on the pregnancy. I actually feel great today. It's crazy that the doctor told me a few months ago that this was my due date. I wish that was the case. Instead, I'm still living life the same and it's starting to annoy me when co-workers repeatedly ask, "You're still here?" or "You haven't had that baby yet?" Obviously not.

Well, last night, I logged 3 miles on the treadmill and everything seemed normal, if you consider needing to stop 3 times to use the bathroom, normal. After my workout and dinner, I had this overwhelming craving for chocolate, so Trey and I went to the pharmacy down the street to pick up candy and extra strength Tums. Hopefully, after I deliver, I can say bye to this heartburn.

Pregnancy Snapshot at 38 Weeks

So, I have 11 more days until my official due date. I thought that maybe Cheyenne had dropped, so Trey took a picture so we could compare.

October 21.........................November 17

It looks like my stomach is sticking out more, but not much dropping going on. This picture here is also from today.

I'm trying to speed things along by walking. Last week, I logged 12 miles on the treadmill and plan on the same amount, or more this week. I even ran 3 quarters of a mile, hoping that would do something, but apparently, I'm still here. I've tried nesting, packing my hospital bag, and even pleading with her. So, I've concluded, that no matter what I do to try to speed the process up, she will come when she's good and ready.

Trinity Railroad Express

Last night I spent the evening with the youth group, while Trey went to a high school football game.


We rode the TRE from Ft. Worth to Dallas. The next time Trey and I have an event to go to in Dallas, I want to take the train, instead of driving because by the time you drive there and pay for parking it would be best to have taken the train.

Me and my water...can't leave home without it.


Dave & Heather


Downtown Dallas

Considered Full Term & University Club

According to my doctor, I've dilated an impressive 1 cm (sarcasm at its best), my blood pressure is great, and there has been no weight gain or loss. Since, I'm 38 weeks, the doctor said Cheyenne is considered "full term."

The nurse informed me that if I went directly off of the time of my last menstrual cycle, I should go into labor this weekend. I don't think that'll happen, but it gives me hope. I think Cheyenne heard the doctor the first time when he said after Thanksgiving.

So that's what's happening with the pregnancy. I was planning on working from home after the appointment, but I had a photo shoot, on campus. The event was at The University Club. I snapped a few photos of the place.

I've been meaning to eat there, maybe next week I'll make plans to go.

I had to get a picture of this beautiful wall of glass. Isn't it amazing?


Outside Courtyard

On Tonight's Agenda, Working From Home

I brought work home with me tonight. It was unavoidable. Apparently, students are counting on this DVD Video Lecture and I got to get it done. It's nothing I procrastinated on, it was a technical problem with our DVD Hard Drive. So, now I'm sitting in the kitchen with the laptop encoding this DVD in the background.

I'm also working on my desktop computer, from home, even though my desktop is technically at work---all the way in Arlington. I set-up my laptop to where I can be anywhere and have remote desktop/screen sharing to my desktop/work computer and also directly connect to it. This evening was the first time I had a chance to really put it to use and I have to say it makes my job a little easier, since I technically have two computers working simultaneously. Double Duty.

So, I'm encoding on my laptop and encoding on my desktop. Every hour I log in to check on the status and so far it seems to be making progress. I just don't want to wake up tomorrow morning and have to re-encode.

Fresh Produce is Here

Remember way back when, I mentioned supporting local farmers through a Co-op program in my neighborhood. Well, they finally called me to pick up my order. I thought it was going to have to take the sample box, which would be more like a surprise box, but instead owner let me request specific produce. I got a variety of fresh apples, grapes, bananas, tomatoes, zucchini, potatoes, spinach etc. I even got some fresh eggs and their huge!

Trey is the one who picked up the order. Apparently, the pickup location is at this ladies house a few miles from our house, kind of in the country.

Out of all the food I purchased, just about the only thing Trey will eat is the potatoes and eggs and maybe the apples and bananas. So, it looks like, I'll be eating a lot of produce in the week to come. Last night, I made a taco salad and loaded it with mixed greens. Yummy. And this morning I had a fruit salad and it was delicious.

Several Projects Going on Simultaneously

Things at work are busy. Today, I spent most of the day editing a video of a guest lecturer for Community Health. I'm still waiting on a script for another project, before I can start editing that.

In the meantime, I found a great intro song for the RN-BSN Pinning video, yes another project I need to complete before I have Cheyenne. So, including this project, that would make it 3 total. Perhaps, my co-workers are forgetting I'm about to give birth and editing video takes time. I can already imagine having Cheyenne home from the hospital and 2 weeks later, I'm working from home doing last minute editing, while trying to take care of her. That should be interesting.

Well, back to the song: Every semester, I try to find a pop song that is catchy and positive and then incorporate it to their Pinning video. I really like this one. It's TI featuring Rihanna.
Source:T.I. feat. Rihanna - Live Your Life

Aside from work, I had a chance to hang out with a group of girlfriends. We had girls night out tonight. It was great. We played rock star, a Wii Game. I sang Weezer's "Say It Ain't So." It was terrible, well, the song was great, my singing was terrible, but who cares, I had a wonderful time.

Starting to Nest. Maybe the End is Near

This weekend Trey and I spent time hanging out with friends, just watching football and visiting. And for the first time Saturday, I felt like nesting. I swept and mopped the entire house and nearly wore myself out.

Sunday, we went to an outdoor Barbecue event at church and was entertained with a live bluegrass band. When we got home, instead of resting, Trey and I decided to rearrange our bedroom. The main reason was because I was getting tired of seeing the treadmill in the dinning room. So, we moved furniture and rolled the treadmill away and I think it looks much better in the bedroom than in the main eating area.

Another thing we managed to do was finally add hardware to the cabinets.

Before Adding the Hardware

After Adding the Hardware

A Dark Finish

Texture

The Latest from the Doctors Office

Nothing really new to report. No dilation and it looks like I'm right on schedule for a Thanksgiving baby. Great, 3 more weeks carrying this bowling ball.

To me, she hasn't dropped much, but the doctor said she has moved down since last week, but obviously still needs to move down more. I didn't lose or gain any weight, which is a big change from my 4 lb. gain in one week (during my last weigh-in).

Well, Trey is finally back in town. I really missed him too. Last night, I checkout a few DVD's from the public library, so we spent the evening snuggled on the couch watching Perfect Stranger. I wanted to go out for dinner, but Trey was so sick of eating out, so I made him one of his favorites, burritos.

Orginally, I was going to talk him into taking me to the House of Blues to see the Umbrellas, a band I really like, but he was exhausted after working so hard. I've seen the band perform in LA at The Knitting Factory, so I figured I'd just catch them the next time they pass through Dallas.

Today, we made lunch plans to go out and I have a date this morning with the treadmill. Other than that no big plans.

Gravity Mocks Me

Yesterday, Trey called me mid-morning and said he had a job to do out of town and wouldn’t be back for a few days. It’s kind of boring not having him here. I didn’t know what to do so, for dinner I made homemade tortillas, well they were semi-homemade. I had to mix and roll them so that should count for something. I made them because I knew it would take a good 30 minutes from prep to cook time and knew it would keep me busy.

While he’s been gone, I’ve been feeling fatigued one moment and the next I’ll get a surge of energy. I can’t explain it. I’ve also been feeling my uterus tighten and loosen especially in the evenings. It feels like contractions or at least what I think are contractions. My next doctors appointment is Friday and I’m anxious to hear if I’m starting to progress.

I feel like I’m really in tune with my body and my internal clock tells me I’ll go into labor in 2 weeks. Not sure if my internal clock is ahead or I’m just getting impatient. Today, I’m feeling impatient because every time I get up from my desk, I feel like gravity is mocking me. I’m not uncomfortable sitting, but when I stand up, instantly I feel the weight. From last week to this week, I gained 4lbs and I feel every bit of it.

Well, Trey is betting I’ll go past my due date and deliver in early December. DECEMBER?! That’s craziness!

That's It, I'm Walking

Alright, I'm done writing thank you notes. I like to write them right away before I forget. I've also noticed the longer I wait the easier it becomes to put them off.

Other than writing notes, I had a chance to workout on the treadmill. I love it, but it's getting harder and harder each day to keep my energy level up. I feel so heavy and I can feel the pressure of carrying a baby.

It really frustrates me when I get on and I have to pause several times to run to the bathroom. I've also noticed that I've been sweating more than usual, during workouts. I managed to run for .5 miles (I'm sure I looked hilarious) and afterwards my face was drenched with sweat. And it was an easy run. I wasn't even exerting myself 100%. After that, I said, "Forget this! I'm tired, I'm wet, I feel uncomfortable... I'm walking!"

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Here is my mom with her Birthday cake. Her actual birthday was last week, but we were able to celebrate it with her yesterday. Happy birthday Mom!


We got her cake at a local Swiss Pastry Shop. It's my absolute favorite bakery.

The Last Baby Shower. Now She Can Come.

I can't believe it, four baby showers!

Today was the last one at my home church.

A group of friends hosted this shower for Erin and I. Erin's baby girl is due about 2 weeks after Cheyenne.

Sarah and I






Without going into much detail, my body is definitely showing signs that the end is near. At times I'm ready and then at other times I think okay, I still have some projects at work that I need to wrap up, "Cheyenne, can you stay put? Give me at least 2 weeks?"

I have two video projects that I have to get done. I'm talking pre production, script writing, production time, and post production. I'm confident I can get it done before thanksgiving, but I don't know if Cheyenne will hold out that long. I guess if she comes, she comes and I'll have to figure out the work situation later.