Austin's Birthday

Austin's birthday was an amazing day. Thinking back to Monday, March 15, 2010 it's hard to believe how much our lives changed in just one day.
As I mentioned before, Kris and I checked in Sunday night to get things started. My doctor was on-call on Sunday and Monday so she was there the entire time for us. Kris and I slept really well (considering the beds) on Sunday night, which was great! That was probably my last uninterrupted 8-hour night's rest for a long while. My labor went well on Monday for both Austin and I. It took all day or rather 20 minutes, depending on how you look at it, and he was here!
It was the most surreal experience of my life. I couldn't believe it was all happening. I remember my doctor calmly asking if I was ready and then... he was here. Was I ready? Was I ready? Yes, I was ready for the most amazing life changing experience.
I had reminded Kris several times in the last month, that before we were married (and possibly before we were engaged - I can't remember when exactly), that I had a dream about this day. For those of you who don't know about me and my dreams, I have the most intense and vivid dreams and often remember all the details of my dream. My dream was of me giving birth and Kris was right there holding my hand. It was after that dream (and many other good signs) that I knew he was the one. My dream had come true.

That evening was blissful and a little unnerving. We had a little time with Austin before the nurses took back to the nursery. He was having a little difficulty breathing at first. Nearly four hours later, the nurses brought him back to Kris and I. It seemed like forever. My parents and Kris' mom got to meet Austin briefly before his trip to the nursery but the rest of the family had to wait until Tuesday. Kris and I met with neonatologist at 11:00 pm that night to assure us that all was well with Austin. We could finally rest easy... or so we thought!

The Curtain Call

The show must go on... whether Austin wants it to or not! Kris and I are "checking in" to the hospital tonight. It sounds like we are checking in to the Four Seasons but I don't think that Overland Park Regional Medical Center's bath products will compare! My doctor is on-call tonight and tomorrow so the plan is to get this party started tonight around 6 and then... wait and see!
Austin's Aunt Kim is rooting for a birth today so he'll be a math genius as he'll be born on Pi Day. (that's Pi not Pie for those that think like me) But there is always the Ides of March tomorrow. Either way 3/14/2010 or 3/15/2010 sound great to me!
I have nested and rested as much as I can. My parents, or Austin's MG and MiMi, arrived Thursday evening. My Grandparents (Gramma & Grunny) and my Aunt Teri will arrive in about one hour from now. Austin has know idea about the size of the crowd his show is attracting! His Grandma Barb has been here for almost a week and a half trying to convince him to hurry up. Of course, his Great-Grandparents (Grandma and Grandpa Jones) are here all the time. His Uncle Kenny (Koo-Koo Kenny) and Aunt Andrea will be here on Thursday sometime. I think I have tracked all the comings and goings correctly - but at this point I have to stop thinking about all that because I am going to be a little busy with the star of the show: Austin Joseph Shuman.
We'll keep you posted on the Shuman Show as there is news to report.

Baby watch continues...

I have been saying for two weeks that he'll be here any day now! Well, here we are two weeks later and still no Baby Austin. I guess this is just another reminder that I am not in control here. (I know I never have been!) I had hoped he would have come on my birthday last Friday and been the ultimate "birth"day present but alas, I'm another year older and still pregnant.
A recap of the long weekend, really starts last Thursday night. Last Thursday night Kris and I went to a Campaign Event for TCU on the Plaza.
It was great fun! It was a good reason to get dressed up and talk about why TCU is so great. The TCU Jazz Band played the Fight Song and other great jazz songs. Baby Austin danced all around in my belly! I imagined him doing Rif Ram in my belly. I am counting that as Austin's second concert. His first concert was Pat Green and Cory Morrow at the end of January.
Can you tell it's way past my bedtime in this picture? Being the good parents that we are... we are trying to expose Austin to all kinds of music.
I took Friday off to rest and celebrate my birthday. It was a great day! I spent most of the day shopping with Kris and his mom. On our shopping trip to Nebraska Furniture Mart, we finally found our chair for the nursery. We have gone and back forth and whether or not to get one AND then back and forth on which one to get. We are very happy with our new chair.
After chair shopping I went to a fantastic Texas Independence Day party. This was my second year to attend this great event. It's all women from the KC area but you must be from Texas. Not just from Texas but born in Texas. No exceptions. The hostesses serve only Texas' finest: Shiner Bock Beer, Dr. Pepper, Texas wines, Railhead BBQ, Nieman Marcus cookies and more!
This picture is not from the party... but these boots were a recent shower gift from a friend at work! How cute are they?
I finished my birthday off by sharing Chinese take-out with Kris and opening birthday cards and presents. So much for resting on my day off!
Kris and I tried to get some rest on Saturday and Sunday. Both of us realized that this was our last weekend that we would just be "Brooke and Kris." We know we are only improving our situation by adding little Austin to our home but life will be different. So we tried to harvest our hours of sleep this weekend and get ready for another week of Baby Watch!

The Countdown Continues

Another week... and I'm still pregnant! I guess this shouldn't be a surprise but for some reason I had talked myself into delivering Austin early - as in this week. But alas, after my doctor appointment this morning it seems that everything is good and on track for his due date: March 12th. We are progressing but we're not exactly running to the hospital yet. I guess I should be glad and relieved that we are both doing so well but I guess I am a little tired of "pacing" myself and "taking it easy." I look around and see so much to do but I can't will myself and this belly to go-go-go.

So here is the latest picture of our countdown sign in the kitchen. I have it already for tomorrow - Tuesday, March 2nd - Texas Independence Day. Along with the sign you'll see my handy work (and Kris') from tonight. Cranberry Banana Bread! Yum! I guess my nesting instinct is kicking in but sans the energy spurt. I made the bread BUT not without the help of my wonderful husband. I don't have the energy to stand in the kitchen and bake so I sat at the breakfast table and sweetly asked for the ingredients to be measured and delivered to me. Such a great husband I have! But we both win with this bread... it's amazing. And we'll both be greatly blessed within the next 11 days.

Nursery Pictures

Here are a few pictures of Austin's room. It is pretty much ready after this weekend. There are still few things I want to do with wall decor but we are ready for him either way!

Let's give this a try & Weekend Update

So I have decided to give this blog thing a try. I have great intentions but we'll see. I hope to use the blog to let everyone know what's going with us and more importantly (and clearly more exciting) Baby Austin!

I am now at 37 weeks (and a few days)! It's hard to believe that the big day is almost here. There are some days it seems like I have been pregnant forever... and then other days that I feel like it is still sinking in that this is really happening. Kris and I are both super excited for this next chapter in our lives... but I don't think either of us really know how this is going to change our lives.

On Thursday I met with another doctor in the practice for my weekly check-up. Kris and I really like my doctor a lot. She is young and smart and she keeps me grounded with my crazy questions. My doctor really wants me to meet all the other doctors in the practice just in case she won't be able to be to deliver Austin. At first, I thought this was crazy. Really? My doctor's life doesn't revolve around me going into labor!! :) After my appointment on Thursday, I am warming up to the idea. He was great doctor and very attentive. Although, I really liked him, one of his comments did confuse me a bit... "I bet you likely be back in our office for appointment next week." WHAT???!!! What does that mean? So you are saying there's a chance I won't make until week? Or maybe I will? WHAT? WHAT? WHAT? Thanks for clearing that up, Doc. So when I got home, I told Kris about 30 times, "We're having a baby! No, really. We are really having a baby... like soon." He, like a good hubby, responded, "Yes, Brooke, I know."

I meet yet another doctor Monday afternoon which will be good because I feel like a lot has changed over the weekend. I had my Mom, Gramma and Aunt here this weekend. It was a great weekend! I took Friday afternoon off from work... so we shopped and I stopped and we shopped and I stopped. It was pretty funny. I tried to keep up but wheww! This belly is slowing me down. Last night as I went to bed I felt like we had tried to "walk him out of me" yesterday.

So with just 19 days to go until the D-Day… I am trying to enjoy these final days of pregnancy, finish up all the last minute things ready for his arrival at home, get things wrapped up at work… oh, and REST!