A Little Late Maternity

Well, baby girl decided to make a grand entrance 19 days early. We took family/maternity pictures a few days before she was born. I didn't even have time to post them. It now seems sort of silly to post the maternity pics now that Little Lucy is here but my sister took some really awesome pictures so I must share them :)

Our SEALIEST Day at the Zoo

April 11, 2014

I know. I know. This blog title is a terrible pun....so ZOO me ;)

We recently made a trip to the Hogle Zoo. It was Dean's first time to the zoo. We have been working on our animal sounds so, I was excited to show him the real live animals! Unfortunately a big portion of the zoo was still under construction so we weren't able to see his best animal noise--the king of the jungle, Mr. Lion. 

Besides the missing African animals, we had a blast! Grandma Kitty and ZZ joined us in our zoo adventure. It was a perfect day to be outside and talk with the animals. 

He insisted on pushing his stroller... 

He was really scared of the otter at first. It took some time to warm up to him but when he did... 

Otter got a smooch 

Dean's all time favorite animals were the sea lions and seals. 

I'm sure he could have spent HOURS staring into the water 

Reptile house with Da-Da. I took one step inside and immediately backed out. The smell is usually pretty strong but with my prego-sniffer, it was horrendous! 

Get it?? Cuz I'm big like an elephant... 

Perfect Zoo Day!

Take Two.

Whelp, we're at it again... Baby number two is on its way!

Our plan was to wait until after Dean turned 1 in January but I guess plans sometimes change :)

due July 20, 2014

November 22, 2013
I was more than a week late so I decided to take a test. Opening the brand new EPT box, I grabbed the first test and went to work. The little hour glass quickly turned into a book symbol... A book? What the? Apparently "book" means error. I decided I'd just wait until the next morning to take the second test.

I sent Calin a picture of the book test and he was disappointed. He wanted to know if I was pregnant too. He even thought I was just messing with him.

Well, being the impatient person I am, the next time I needed to relieve myself I grabbed the second pregnancy test. This time I was much more careful because I didn't want another stupid book to appear. Three LONG minutes later, Dean and I went back into the bathroom and saw the words "Pregnant"! Yipee! We danced around and took a few pictures.

I didn't tell Calin that I took the second test. I taped the positive test to the mirror in the bathroom. When Calin got home from work we hung out in Dean's room playing with him and just before we went out to eat Calin went into the bathroom. After shutting the door I heard, "YOU LIAR!!!" 

Technically I didn't lie, right?
I just didn't tell him about the second test :)

I think Calin was too shocked at first to be completely happy. He wasn't worried about money or more diaper changes. He was worried about my pregnancy. It was then I realized how truly awful my pregnancy with Dean was. This time around, I'd need to suffer through it all while taking care of Dean. This is going to be quite the adventure. 

We are so excited to add another little ball of energy to our family!

update:
January 18, 2014
14 weeks in and we're holding on strong. I take naps when Dean does, Calin changes all the poopy diapers when he's home and I've got my beautiful miracle nausea pills. I'm looking forward to a less fatigued and more active second trimester!

a Birth story

January 21, 2013

Induction day!

Zero nerves until 15 minutes to departure time.

I gave Bubba Bruce one last hug and kiss...laughing and crying at the same time.

8:20pm ~ arrive at U of U hospital

8:45pm ~ hospital gown, IV & ready for take off

9:31pm ~ induction officially started

4 hours later...

1:31am ~ dilated to a 3 & meds added to IV to get things going

got some sleep...

5:16am ~ got an epidural--ah relief!

5:45am ~ 7 centimeters

6:59am ~ paging Dr. Sok

7:30am ~ started pushing

8:29am ~ baby Dean arrives

So, you know how in movies the lady gets an epidural and then sneezes out her child...? Well, that is NOT how it happens. I was embarrassed the second Dean was born when I realized I had been screaming, "I CAN'T DO THIS!"

Standing next to me, was my biggest support system. Calin stayed calm through the entire delivery. Every time I would scream that I couldn't do this, he was the first to say, "Yes you can!" I remember looking at him just before Dean popped out and thinking, "wow, he is going to be a great dad" (and he is).

Holding my little man for the first time was beautiful. His tiny hands, bigfoot feet & button nose stole my heart. Instantly I was Mom.

While I'm still learning what being Mom really means, I am loving every sleepless second of it! Welcome to our family Dean Calin Hess. I love you now and forever.

First Picture taken

Daddy and Dean meeting

and Baby makes three

capturing the few moments he actually slept our first night

tiny hand

all bundled up and ready to come home

Fun story: the night we came home from the hospital was the same night as the ice storm. It wasn't too bad until 2 streets away from our house. Our car struggled inch by inch to make it up to David Blvd with only one street to go, we started up and the car slide back down. I was in the back seat crying (of course...) Such a traumatic way to come home, right?

We ended up having to leave our car and my mom came and got us in her 4-Wheel Drive car :)

Week 40

January 17, 2013

I am on strike! NO MORE WEEK PICTURES!

The last "week" picture I post will be me at the hospital before baby Dean is born. 

My last Dr. visit was quite discouraging. I have only thinned a little aka NO dilation. My body simply isn't ready.

My mind is ready.

Baby seems to be ready (8lbs--estimate from doc).

When will my body finally be ready?!?

I have an induction date for January 21st (Monday).

I have tried just about everything (natural) to induce labor at home:

1. Long walks. 

Starting at week 38 I started walking A TON.

Giving the dogs a walk (before it got so cold)

Finding excuses to walk around Costco (because outside was so cold)

Saturday gym sessions on the treadmill

2. Spicy Foods. 

I went to Taco Time and asked for a handful of their 5 Alarm Sauce. I've been using that and Habenero Tabasco on just about EVERYTHING. I haven't really tasted my food but, my nose is running and forehead sweating from all the "heat".

3. Red Leaf Raspberry Tea.

4. Acupressure.

I even checked out books from the library for this one :)

5. Sex. (nuff said...)

Guess we'll just keep on waitin'... If he doesn't come this week, at least I KNOW I'll be leaving the hospital with my baby next week :)

Week 39

January 9, 2013

Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband!! We were hoping for a baby boy to arrive and be the bestest birthday present ever but... we're still waiting :)

Been having more/longer contractions but I still haven't dilated any (as of Monday's dr. appointment)

I have been walking a ton everyday & eating as much spicy foods as I can (habenero Tabasco has been on my plate for almost every meal). The exercise ball has been a nice treat-- it helps my back, starts contractions & keeps turtle in a head-down position.

Calin's last birthday before he's a daddy :)