Kiddos

After spending a few days with Grandparents, Dallas was a little exhausted. This was taken on Saturday mid-morning after Doug's parents had headed home. Needless to say, we were all a little tired. It is nice to know that Dallas still likes to cuddle for a nap...It reminded me of this photo. Dallas was a couple months old here...

Miss Reba had a little bit of jaundice when we left the hospital, so she enjoyed sunbathing over the weekend to help break down the bilirubin in her system.

Dallas had to get his close up! Never mind the cut down his chin...he just ran into Gram Bergman's ring.

Miss Reba

Trying to get the two of them together...

We are off to Indiana tomorrow for Thanksgiving vaca. I'll post some photos when we return home and get settled back into the routine!

Until next time...

Baby Poll Winners and Reba's Birth Story

I will first start with the "winners" of the baby poll...that way, you can stop reading if you have no interest in the details of Reba's birth.

Winners of Date of Arrival: (they all guessed the 17th)
GG (Great-Granny)
Aunt Katie
Christine Manges
Aunt Carol Shaw

Winner of Weight:
Molly Smiley ~ she guessed 7 lb 5 oz (Reba was 7 lb 4 oz)

Winners of Length: (they both guessed 20 inches)
Aunt Lisa
Jennifer Foxx

Winners of Sex:
Jennifer Foxx
Aunt Katie
Christine Manges
Stacia Luh
Aunt Josie
Molly Smiley

Thanks again to all who played!

Now for Reba's birth story...

First, I will back up to the 6th of November. At that appointment with Dr. Smollen, I had began dilating some. Dr. Smollen said that if I made progress by the next Wednesday, she would be able to induce me on Friday the 13th. When I went for my appointment on the 11th, I was still only dilated at 1. She suggested I move my next appointment from the 18th to the 16th because she would be at the hospital on the 17th...if I made progress by the 16th - she would be able to induce me on the 17th!

Doug and I had already decided that if given the chance to be induced early, we would take it giving us the better chance of making it to Indiana for Thanksgiving. When I went to my appointment on the 16th, I had in fact made progress and Dr. Smollen gave us the go for induction.

We arrived at the hospital at 8 am on Tuesday, November 17th. After getting signed in and changed, Dr. Smollen came in to strip my membranes and to break my water. I was dilated to a 3 at that point and about 80% effaced. Contractions started right away! They were about 5 minutes apart, and pretty bearable. By 11:30 a.m. Dr. Smollen wanted the contractions to be closer together, so they started me on a small amount of Pitocin. The contractions slowly got to 2-3 minutes apart.

Dr. Smollen checked me at 4 p.m., and I was dilated to a 4 and 100% effaced and baby had moved down the birth canal greatly. I decided at that point to get some Nubain to help with the contractions. I was then able to sleep for about an hour. When I woke at a little after 5 p.m., I decided I wanted an epidural. The anesthesiologist got to the room around 5:30, and the epidural was in place around 6 p.m. As soon as Dr. Thomas (the drug lady) left the room, my contractions got dramatically stronger and longer! I was like, "I thought the epidural was to take care of this!" The nurses said it would take about 20 minutes to take full effect.

Doug helped me breathe through those 20 minutes, but the pain was still very intense. I then had Doug get the nurse again, and she called Dr. Thomas back. It took 20 minutes before Dr. Thomas got back to the room. Thankfully, Doug was still there helping me breathe through those contractions. She asked the nurse if I had been checked recently. The nurse said no, and proceded to check me. It was 6:45 p.m. and I was dilated to a 9! Dr. Smollen came in at 7 p.m., and I was dilated to a 10 and ready to push. Dr. Smollen left to scrub, dress, and call in the other nurses. We had to have extra on hand since I was delivering vaginally after a previous c-section.

I was able to start pushing about 7:05 p.m., and Reba was born at 7:19 p.m.! I did tear some during the birth and therefore have a few stitches, but all in all things went very smoothly and I have recovered very well.

Hopefully, I haven't turned away too many readers with my story.

Until next time...

A Little Lovin'

Dallas is adjusting very well to his new role of big brother...
I think he loves her already...

Until next time...

The Naked Farmer

We were in the middle of getting Dallas ready for bed the other night when he decided he wasn't done farming for the evening!

Until next time...

Big Brother Meets Baby Sister

We made it home from the hospital yesterday! Here is a short video of Dallas meeting Reba for the very first time. Dallas did such a great job of being gentle and nice. He has quickly learned who Reba is when we say her name. Let's hope he continues to be this excited about his little sister.


Here is Miss Reba dressed and waiting for Mama and Daddy to get finished packing to go home.
We had to do some major readjusting on the straps of the carseat. They were still set for Dallas when he was just under a year old!
Dallas waiting for Daddy to uncover baby sister.

Mama has room on her lap again for Dallas to sit!

Until next time...

Grandparents Come to Visit

Can you believe I have more pictures of this beautiful little girl?
The grandparents all made it to the hospital today to meet their granddaughter. I was able to capture a few pictures.

Grandma Robertson

Grandpa Robertson

Grandpa Bergman

Gram Bergman

Sorry I don't have any pictures of Reba with big brother Dallas. He isn't allow to visit at the hospital because of flu season (the hospital is not allowing visitors under 18)...so he will have to wait and meet baby sister when we get home.

Until next time...

More Pictures of Reba

"Where am I?!?!"
Weighing in at 7 lb 4 oz

All stretched out to her 20 inches!

Our sweet (screaming) little girl

I think she has as much hair as her big brother!

We are all doing very well. Grandma and Grandpa Robertson have already stopped at the hospital for a visit, and Grandpa and Gram Bergman are on their way. Miss Reba is sleeping peacefully right now.

Until next time...

Introducing Reba Elizabeth Bergman

Here she is, the newest addition to the family. Reba was born around 7:20p.m. She weighed in at 7lbs. 4oz. and 20in. long. The parents are very excited as you can imagine and are very grateful to God that she is healthy! More pictures to come as Rajean takes back the reigns of the blog postings.

Men At Work

Tonight, we got the "new" crib put together. Doug even had a little helper.

After getting the crib together, we decided to make it Baby Gertie's bed. We had orignally planned on moving Dallas into this room, but we have now changed out minds. This crib doesn't set as low as the one Dallas is currently in, and we are afraid that he will be able to climb out. Plus, there is a shelf of tractors over the crib that he would be able to get his hands on very easily!

Until next time...

Baby Gertie Check-up

This morning, I had a check-up with Dr. Smollen for Baby Gertie. Things are progressing...I am dilated to a 2 and 80% effaced. Baby Gertie's heartrate was at 150 beats/min. And, Dr. Smollen assured me that Baby Gertie is head down. It is just a waiting game now!

This weekend Doug and I worked more on Dallas' new room. I cleaned out the junk in the closet, removed my clothes and put Dallas' in. I was also able to get the storage totes of clothes Dallas has outgrown in the closet. I put plastic on the windows to help cut down on the draft, and I hung new curtains in the room as well. Tonight after work, Doug is getting the 2nd crib from a friend. Hopefully, we will get it put together tonight as well, and Dallas can start sleeping in his new room.

Until next time...

Post #400...Enter to Win

I might as well go ahead and make it a good one!

I occasionally check out this blog from a mom of quads. She also has a review blog found here.

Suz recently did a review on a new Samsung Washer and Dryer..."top-o-the-line" as she states in the review. In addition to the review, Suz, is giving away a $200 gift card to Best Buy! I have put in my entry...and you should do the same too. Simply click here to be redirected to the blog review!

Best of luck. Contest ends 11-15-09...

Until next time...

Week 39!

Another week closer to due date.
I'm still feeling well, just getting anxious for Baby Gertie's arrival. I forgot to mention in my doctor appointment update post that we learned Dallas will not be able to meet Baby Gertie in the hospital...he will have to wait for us to bring her/him home to meet. The hospital is not allowing any visitors under the age of 18 during the flu season. Doug and I are really bumbed about this, but we also understand the precautions the hospital is taking. I learned from a friend in Kentucky, that is due in December, that her hospital is not allowing any visitors in the maternity area besides the father! Thankfully, my hospital is allowing adult visitors, but that is limited to 2 at a time.

Until next time...

Dallas - 20 Months!

My little boy is 20 months old today! It's hard to believe he will be a big brother before too much longer. I was able to capture a couple pictures of him today in between playing...

Enjoying a sucker from his Halloween candy...
He stills loves the new combine!

Here's the little man dancing to the music on the TV today (sorry you can't hear the music)...

Baby Gertie Update

I had a check-up for Baby Gertie today. Things are pretty much the same as they were on Friday. I'm still at a 1 and about 50% effaced, although Dr. Smollen did comment that the head was nice and low. She didn't say that last week. My blood pressure was back up slightly - 128/82, but the nurse was not concerned at all. She actually said it was really good. My weight was also the same as last week...probably all that walking kept off the pounds! The heartbeat was back up to 150 today. So, all in all, everything was good.

Dr. Smollen did bump up my next appointment from Wednesday to Monday. Let's hope I make some progress!

Until next time...

Pictures from the weekend

We had a very full and exciting weekend, and I think Dallas and I are finally caught up on our sleep! Friday started with a Baby Gertie check-up (which I already posted about). Thankfully, Doug was able to take the day off and go to the appointment with Dallas and I. After the appointment, we headed to Dyersville, IA, for the National Toy Farmer Show. It was a gorgeous day to be outside looking at toy tractors. We met up with Doug's mom and dad Friday afternoon and finished seeing the "outside" show.

Saturday, Dallas stayed with Gram at the house while Doug, his dad and I went back to the show. It was another beautiful day, so Dallas and Gram had lots of fun planning outside. At the show, we were able to start some Christmas shopping, as well as do a little purchasing for ourselves!

We bought Dallas a combine for his carpet farming operation (the child absolutely loves combines right now)
Can you tell he was very excited about his new combine?

Sunday started with church, followed by breakfast, and then it was back outside once again for another nice afternoon. Luckily, the Colts game wasn't being shown here so it was easier to get outside and not spend the day watching football! Doug borrowed the neighbor's ladder to clean out the gutters. I casually mentioned we hang the Christmas lights since it was so nice - and Doug agreed! Especially since he already had the ladder out.

We did turn them on for a short time Sunday evening to see how they looked, but I promise I will not turn them back on until after Thanksgiving!

To finish off the weekend, Doug got the Oliver out for a ride. Dallas was thrilled - especially when Grandpa and Gram hopped on for a ride too.

That's our weekend in a nutshell! I go tomorrow (Wednesday) for another Baby Gertie check-up, as well as an eye doctor appointment. I started wearing contacts again a couple weeks ago, and I have to do a follow-up to make sure the prescription is good and the fit is comfortable.

Until next time...

Update...

...Finally

I'm sorry for taking a couple days to get the update from my doctor's appointment. No, we don't have a new baby...I'm still very much pregnant!

My appointment went just fine on Friday. My blood pressure was back to normal - 122/78...I'm almost over this cough. My weight was only up a little - making me up 24 pounds since my first prenatal appointment. Baby Gertie's heartbeat was a little slower this week - around 140 beats/min. Last, but not least, my ankles still look great - as stated once again by Dr. Smollen!

Dr. Smollen did check me, and I was dilated to 1 cm. Starting to make a little progress, but not much. I go back on Wednesday for my next check-up.

I did a LOT of walking this weekend, so let's hope that helped things along. After my appointment on Friday, we (Doug, Dallas, and I) went to Dyersville, for the National Toy Farmer Show. We met up with Doug's parents and spent all day walking around looking at toy tractors and such. Then, Doug, his dad, and I went back on Saturday while Doug's mom stayed home and played with Dallas.

Other than that, we have enjoyed some GREAT weather this weekend. I'll tell more about it all in another post...as for now, I'm heading to bed - I'm one tired preggo.

Until next time...

Week 38!

Don't forget the baby pole...click here to submit your guesses!

Baby Gertie and I go to see Dr. Smollen tomorrow! I will let you know how that goes, but as for now, I'm doing well. I'm really starting to get to the uncomfortable stage. Not much longer until Baby Gertie will be here...so it is all worth it!

Until next time...