By far the hardest thing I've EVER done...

... but the most amazing and rewarding experience too.

Pictures for now - my precious boy.

Isaac Allan Self
Born at 1:30 pm, Wednesday Aug 6, 2008.
21 3/4 inches long and 9 lbs, 7 oz.

Story to come later.
Please pray for me. I'm having a really tough recovery.

Getting ready for the party

First introduction

First family photo

Big boy!!

Proud Noni and perfect assistant coach with Isaac Daddy's future golferDr. Joe with Isaac
I can't believe he's ours! He's so perfect!

Mom & me with Isaac
Noni and Isaac

Going home!
first day home

After his first sponge bath

And We Have a Plan!

I just got the call! I'm scheduled to go in tomorrow night at 10 pm! Looks like Isaac's birthday may be August 6th! We shall see... Either way, it feels remarkably comforting to have something planned.

We appreciate your continued prayers! We'll be sure to keep you as updated as possible...

For You Eager Beavers... :)

I'm sorry I've been a little AWOL for the past week. I guess there was just nothing new or exciting to report (and I've been a little cranky and introverted)! But a lot of you have been waiting in anticipation, and I certainly appreciate your care and concern. I'm blessed to have so many eager friends checking in on me.

My due date came and went yesterday, and Isaac has not made his arrival yet. After my appointment this morning, we learned that I don't seem to have progressed too much since last week, still 90% effaced and maybe close to 3 cm, and somewhere between -2 and -1 station. So.... at my request I've been put on the induction list! This means that the office will call sometime between 3 and 5pm for the next day's availability, which is based on available beds. So I could get in as early as tomorrow (but I don't want to get my hopes up for that).

My mom is here now, which has been really nice. Kevin and Mom are real troopers... I have to confess that I haven't really been the most pleasant person to be around! But I'm working on my attitude and God has been helping me be little more patient. It's been tough.

Well, I guess that's it! If you think of it, please pray for little Isaac to come soon. I'd prefer that he come on his own, but I'm getting pretty desperate for induction at this point. And please pray for my attitude... I do want to be a pleasant and positive person to be with, especially since Kevin and Mom have been so good to me. Also I don't want to look back on these last days before Isaac and regret my attitude and/or wish I could have done things differently.

Thanks again for all of your attention and care. I am really thankful for all of your encouragement and prayers. I have great friends! :)

Still Pregnant

Throw a party, I've progressed to 2 cm! Slow but steady, I say. I had a conversation with Dr. Joe this morning about my strong desire to have this baby as soon as possible. "I'm not really interested in going past my due date... I think he's running out of room in there!"

"Well, good news is I think that's usually what causes them to come out," he replied, as he looked at me with amused eyes. You'd think by his expression that he has had this very conversation before.

Isn't that a relief. Is that supposed to make me feel better? I thought to myself as I smiled back at his dry humor. "Can you estimate how big you think he is?" I asked.

"I'd say high 7's, maybe low 8's," he answered.

"How can you tell?" I questioned out of curiosity.

"Experience." Again that amused smile.



Stick a fork in me...
I know I'm the typical 9-month pregnant woman who is simply DONE. I know, I know, you don't need to say it because I KNOW. I just have to be patient. It'll happen when it happens. There's nothing I can really do about it but let nature take its course. Enjoy these last days of rest. You don't believe it now, but you'll miss these days. Blah, blah, BLAH. Thank you, friends, I know you mean well. But at this point I don't really want to hear anymore of that. Instead I want your sympathy! I'm tired! I'm HUGE! I'm uncoordinated and clumsy! I'm hot and sticky - all the time. I want to be able to see my toes again... and wear all of those clothes I miss... and roll over in bed without having to "help" my belly over. I want heartburn to quit stalking me. And I want SUSHI!

Whew - good to get that out. I think I've done a pretty good job of handling this whole pregnanacy thing well so far, so it was bound to happen. I needed to whine... a little... okay a lot... so thanks for listening.

Those of you who know me well know that patience isn't my strongest attribute. I do have a measure of it, but not as much as I'd like. It's always an area of growth for me, so this whole waiting thing is taking its toll. However, I will do my best to bear through these remaining days as best as I can, and spare you of the complaining...

... I'll save that for Kevin.

Oh the Anticipation!!

Here I am ready to pop at 38 weeks after I got home from work today. This is Isaac's little take-home outfit. He's going to be so cute in it!

My super husband was at the mall yesterday while waiting for Sears to replace my car battery. He found these for Isaac, his first purchase for the babe. Isn't that cute?!

Oh the anticipation!!!

38 Week Update...

This is a couple of days overdue, but what the hey...

I had my weekly appointment on Monday and we learned that I'm now 90% effaced and 1 1/2 cm!! Can you believe that? My RN said that she wouldn't be surprised if we have a July baby! All I need to do is go mall-walking or Kevin and I can enjoy some... a-hem, you know, and that should do it! Basically, I could pretty much go at any time!

That all sounds great, and believe me, I'm glad for the progress... if only it were better timing. My Dr. is out on vacation until next week, Kevin has to go upstate this weekend, and Mom doesn't get here until the 1st! So perhaps this isn't a good week to have Isaac? I've been trying to take it easy this week, and I'm under strict instruction from Kevin that over the weekend I am not to do anything strenuous at all. I'm allowed to watch movies and take naps pretty much...

Don't worry, I won't be all alone. I'm going to be staying with Autumn and Krista. It'll be fun! Our last big hurrah together before Isaac comes. And Kevin will be no more than 3 1/2 hours away, so he's close enough to rush home if I call him with the "IT'S TIME" news.

To post a picture later... This may be the last one!

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Yesterday was our 4th anniversary! We can hardly believe it has already been four years... my how time has flown. And we are more in love today than we were even on that beautiful day we got married.

Kevin planned our night out, and he did a spectacular job! He surprised me with dinner at The Compass Room in downtown Phoenix. For those of you from Seattle, it's like Phoenix's version of the Space Needle. This round restaurant sits on top of the Hyatt in the middle of the city, and it rotates as you dine.

I was greeted by a beautiful bouquet at our table, comprised of one of my favorite flowers - the gerber daisy - and four red roses, symbolizing our four years together.

Next came the chocolate covered strawberries - yum!

The view was amazing! And as we turned, there were little engraved plates detailing different landmarks and places of interest in the distance so we knew what we were looking out on.

I was feeling pretty special!

My hot date!

There's Chase Field. We could spy a patch of green and the flashing screens of the game going on inside through the windows on the side.

"Uptown" Phoenix in the distance

The rotation was perfectly aligned with the sunset from where we were sitting. Gorgeous.

They wrote special messages on our desserts. We each got the same delicious treat, warm melting cake with some peppermint ice cream. Kevin's said Congratulations for our upcoming little boy, and mine said Happy Anniversary for the occasion.

It was such a special night. We enjoyed the evening together as if we didn't have a care in the world. We won't easily forget it!

Personal Apology and Some Special Attention!

I am a bad friend... how could I forget my best friend's anniversary in July too?? Erica, I'm so sorry!

So I am making a special post for my dear friends Erica and Kevin Rossi. Their anniversary is on July 29th, and I'm so glad they found each other. I can't believe they are already approaching their 2nd anniversary! Where does the time go?? They are a special couple, and Erica is a sister to me. She has always been the best friend anyone could ever ask for, and I love her very much.

Who Knew July was so Popular!

I haven't stopped to think about this in all of its fullness until now...

In addition to celebrating our country's independence, July is quite the month for both of our families, it would seem Isaac would fit right in having a July birthday. Let's see... there's Lisa & Nik's anniversary on the 4th, Karen & Steve's anniversary on the 11th, Rebecca's birthday on the 16th (Happy birthday, sweetie!), our anniversary on the 18th, Grandma and Seth's birthdays on the 24th, Nono's birthday which was on the 26th, and Lynn's birthday on the 29th... am I forgetting anyone? Then throw in our friends too: Ann's birthday on the 6th, Ashley's birthday on the 9th, Ann & Eric's anniversary on the 10th, and Carrie's birthday on the 25th.

Whew! That's a lot of celebration - almost like Christmas in July!

And then there's Julie, who hit the jackpot with having my due date as her birthday! So we'll see where Isaac fits in when he decides to come!

Poor Ankles and Maximum Capacity

Another week, another appointment. This time we met with one of the RN's because Dr. Lindstrom was out on call delivering a baby. Beth is a cool RN, so I never mind meeting with her too. In fact, this time was especially beneficial because she was able to actually answer my question about the sharp and sudden pang that I've been experiencing for the last couple of weeks. After describing it to her, she explained to me that this happens as I dilate. That makes sense! I was so thankful to get a woman's perspective... and one who has had three children and knows what it's like! In addition, Kevin and I were pleased to learn that I have progressed to 1 cm.

Here's lookin' at 37 weeks!

And 37 week ankles! My poor feet!

My last day of work is next Friday, the 25th, and I'm so excited! If Isaac is on time, I'll have that last week of July to rest and get ready for his arrival. It's going to be great. If he decides to come early, then, well I'll be thankful if it happens at home rather than the office.

I'll tell you one thing for sure. I am at maximum capacity... I don't know if I can fit any more baby in here!