Look at the cute baby!!!

23 days old

Such a cute Daddy

Uncle Max

Already annoyed with Mommy

Gamma KJ covered in pee and spit up :)

Harper loves trips in the BMW

Chuck is very protective of his little brother

I love him so much

Grandpa Quan and Grammie Catherine

Grandpa Quan is jealous of Harper's hair

Mommy, Grandpa Jim and Grandma Dena checking him out :)

Harper giving Grandma Dena a high five!

So perfect

Checking out Grandpa Jim

Uncle Brian loves him too

Grandpa Dave loves his new grandbaby!

Harper working on giving Aunt Nancy baby fever! :)

Between feedings, diapers, breast pumping, trying to sleep, eating, etc....it's very hard for me to send out individual updates, so here are some pictures to show everyone that we are doing well! Harper is now about 6 and a half pounds, and he's 19.5 inches long! He changes everyday, and I love being his Mommy so much!

He's Here!!!!!! The Birth Story of Harper James

At 8pm on Tuesday, January 6th, Harper James entered our lives, and became our World.

He weighed in at exactly 5lbs, he was 18 inches, and neither me nor Tuli has ever been so in love. We are in awe that we created a human being...and such a perfect one at that.

Here is the story of how it alllllll started. It wasn't the birth experience that we planned...but then again, nothing that has happened in our lives in the last year has exactly been "our plan." God works in mysterious ways.

On New Years Eve, I woke up at 4am feeling like death. My belly was extremely sensitive to the touch, I felt like I couldn't breathe, my chest was on fire, and I had severe back pain. I thought it was my blood pressure, and that maybe I was just uncomfortable in our bed. I went to the couch as I normally do when I can't get comfy in bed. I layed there for awhile, but I wasn't feeling any better. So I tried walking around our apartment - that didn't work. I felt like I was suffocating, and my anxiety was starting to get the best of me. I kneeled over the chair in the living room, trying to relieve some of my back and belly pain, trying to calm my anxiety, and doing a little praying that everything was alright. Nothing was working.

Finally, at about 6am, I went and woke up Tuli. At this point, I was crying hysterically, and I just couldn't calm down. Tuli called our midwife Colleen, and she came right over. She took my vitals, etc., and she tested my urine, which tested high for protien (a big problem which can come from high blood pressure).

After she made her assessment, she told me and Tuli to pack a bag...and to bring baby stuff because we most likely would not be coming home without a baby. Wow. We knew Harper would most likely be coming earlier than our due date of January 29th...but now? We didn't even have a carseat!

Tuli and I quickly threw a bag together and we left for the hospital. When we arrived, my blood pressure was through the roof. They told me that they would be keeping me overnight for observation.

What was originally going to be an overnight stay, ended up being a 10 day stay.

For a hospital birth, it was an awesome experience. Besides our creepy pediatrician that we got stuck with, I can't say enough good things about our nurses and Dr. Katz. Colleen visited everyday, and she assisted in the birth as well.

Dr. Katz knew of my original plan for a homebirth. He was so understanding and patient with me and Tuli. He knew my greatest fear was a c-section...the recovery from it, and having to take narcotics to heal from surgery. Because I was only 36 weeks, he really had his work cut out to try to get me the vaginal delivery I wanted and planned for.

To get the vaginal birth I wanted, Dr. Katz had me on a 4 day induction. It started on Saturday, and Harper finally came Tuesday night. I would estimate that REALLY active labor started around 11am on Tuesday the 6th, and I vaginally delivered Harper 9 hours later - without the use of any narcotics!!! It was the most amazing experience of my life. The delivery got a little scary at the end, when Harper's heart rate started to drop...Dr. Katz and Colleen knew I could push him out, and I did. If I had to push for a couple of more minutes, a c-section most likely would have been the result. I am so proud of myself.

Tuli got to cut the cord, and he was the first one to hold our son. He is such a good daddy!!

We are extremely sleep-deprived, but filled with so much love for this little boy. We finally got to go home from the hospital on Friday night, and we are THRILLED to be here. When Colleen came to check on us tonight, Harper had gained 3oz. since we got home from the hospital! We are so happy that all of our hard work is paying off to get this boy chubby!

We are so lucky, and we are so in love.

Dear God, It's Me, Shannon...and I am losing my mind.

I need to vent. If I don't, I'm going to seriously start throwing things, breaking things and swearing at people. Here is everything I need to complain about.

#1 - I would really like to get paid. I haven't been paid since October 1st. I have been SUPPOSED to be getting short term disability for the past 3 months, but every time I talk to these IDIOTS, they have another hoop for me to jump through. First, they were contacting the wrong doctor (even though I gave them the CORRECT information). Then because my primary care doctor and Colleen referred me to a specialist (Dr. Katz), they had to start a NEW CLAIM. Each time they start a new claim, you have to go unpaid for the first 40 hours. Which I guess doesn't even matter at this point because I haven't received ANY money regardless. Then they told me that because the medical reason I was out was due to "high blood pressure," that they would need to be receiving updates each time they took my blood pressure before my claim would be approved. It REALLY PISSES ME OFF that the Disability company feels like it is THEIR position to determine if I REALLY have a blood pressure problem or not. I HAVE 4 DOCTORS TELLING ME THAT I DO, AND I HAVE 4 DOCTORS TELLING ME THAT IT IS MEDICALLY NECESSARY TO BE OFF OF WORK. So, this means that I have to call all these doctors for the billionth time, and give them all of DMA (disability management alternatives) information and ask them to call into this god awful 1-800 number for the 20th time, which will probably do no good anyways, because they will find another eason to delay my claim. And all of THIS is just for claim #2. Claim #1 has been sitting in denied status because THEY were contacting the wrong doctor. It will remain in denied status until it goes through the appeal process, which was supposed to happen 2 weeks ago. When I call these idiots, I get so overwhelmed with all of the dumb details. Then I get really angry, and then I end up crying. The last time I talked to them, I told them that on top of pregnancy, that THEY ARE THE REASON THAT MY BLOOD PRESSURE IS SO DAMN HIGH. People just can't go 3 months without receiving a paycheck when it is PART OF THEIR BENEFITS, and they have counted on this money, and planned their money around it.

Thank God Tuli makes enough money to help me squeek by, but having to ask your partner for money all the time is humiliating, especially when I already feel pretty worthless sitting on my pregnant butt all day long. Tuli said he would take over the following up with DMA because I honestly can't handle it anymore. If I have to give them the same information I've given 8 other people there one more time, I'm going to start using a lot of profanity, and my blood pressure will probably kill me, if I don't kill someone else first.

Second, I would love, love, LOVE for the baby room to be ready to go. I can work on it for about an hour before I want to take a nap, or my back starts spasming, or I start having contractions, or I start crying because there is still so much to do. The changing table (Tuli's desk) has zero room for any baby stuff, his closet is still full of boxes, I have loads of laundry of baby clothes to wash, dry, fold (how do you fold such tiny clothes?), and organize by size. Then try to fit it all into a dresser that is still not completely empty. If Harper were to arrive today, we'd be up a creek. We don't have the diapering supplies we need, no carseat, no stroller, no swing, no breast pump, no bottles. I am happy for the stuff we DO have - more clothes than needed, our crib and crib set, a carrier, a bassinet and some pacifiers. I am just so overwhelmed.

Third, I do NOT want to be pregnant anymore. I am sooooo uncomfortable I want to scream. I am getting about 4 hours of sleep a night because my belly and back hurt SO bad. Actually, my back hurts ALL the time, and my belly does too. My hips and pelvis constantly are throbbing. It hurts to drive because when I have to move my left foot off of the clutch, my whole abdomen/crotch area tenses up and screams in agony. I walk around the apartment holding my stomach up, or holding my crotch because I feel like it helps alleviate some of the pressure. I'm miserable and I can't fake it anymore - I want this baby OUT. Like, yesterday. I'm tired of having high blood pressure - my body can never fully relax, and it's really starting to take a toll on my body. I'm losing my mind. Nothing is enjoyable. Not even acupuncture - I can't lay on my back, and even after a damn appointment with acupuncture, my blood pressure is STILL high. My pulse is always just fine, so it's very obvious that this is not caused by me "not being able to relax and not stress out." It's out of my hands.

I'm turning into a giant ball of rage.

GIVE ME MY BABY GOD....PLEEEEEEEASE GIVE ME MY BABY SOON.

Holly Jolly Christmas...and oh yeah, High Blood Pressure...blah.

Well, Harper James won't have the same birthday as Jesus OR Chuck...we made it to 35 weeks! yay!!!

We spend Christmas Eve with my Dad, Dena, Missy, tons of Aunts and Uncles, 2 cousins, 3 cats, and 5 dogs :) A picture of Tokyo, the dog that my Dad and Dena are fostering right now is below. It was a house full! We ate really yummy food and had a great time just relaxing in my Dad's newly remodeled house. They also threw me a mini-baby shower that night, so we got lots of great baby items. We got tons of adorable outfits, a few new blankets, and hook-on high chair, and a few little toys.


Oh, and I should definitely mention that right before we left for my Dad's house on Xmas Eve, a package from the great Aunt Missy arrived - our crib set!!!! It's adorable - brown with teddy bears...the exact one we wanted :)

Before we left my Dad's house, we made sure to take some funny pictures in front of one of their FOUR Christmas trees :P

Missy feeling jolly

Missy and I at our finest

White Trash Couple of the Year!

We went to my Mom and Quan's house on Christmas Day, and later in the day, my grandma and grandpa (Gma and Gpa) came for dinner and presents. We had more yummy food, and it was a very relaxing, nice day!

This is the White Elephant gift that my Mom wound up with...isn't she one sexy Grandma???

Missy and Tuli letting their food digest


Gma and Missy

Quan and I - my belly is bigger than his now, thanks to the baby in MY belly, and Quan's dieting and eating healthy...

Missy relaxing with Chuck

My belly is 97324917 times bigger than hers...

Tomorrow is the baby shower that Missy is throwing me in Albany. I can't wait to see everyone!

I am ready to have this baby....blood pressure is still high, and I am really starting to notice how worn out and tense it makes my body feel. My body hasn't been able to relax in a couple of months now, and it's starting to take a toll on my mental state as well...I know that Harper is better off inside of me, and I feel guilty for even mentioning my wanting him to come early...but honestly, I'm at the point where whenever he wants to make his appearance, I'm definitely OK with it...as long as it's not another whole month! :(

Happy Holidays to everyone...we love all of you, and we're thankful for having such great family and awesome friends!!!

2008 in Review

Boredom will make you post surveys that are clearly written by high schoolers...

♥2008 ♥

JANUARY

Where did u go on new year' s?
Nowhere - Tuli, Max and I played Skipbo all night

Who kissed you on new year' s?
Tuli and Chuck


Did you have a New Year' s Resolution this year?
N0t on January 1st, but I got one on January 27th

Does it snow where you live?
Lately, yes! :)

Do you like hot chocolate?
Sure

Have you ever been to Times Square to watch the ball drop?
No...I think all the people and the crowd would freak me out...


FEBRUARY
Who was your Valentine?
Tuli


When you were little did you buy Valentine' s for the whole class?
Well, I'm sure my parents actually bought them, but I handed them out to the whole class


Do you care if the groundhog sees its shadow or not?
No

What did you receive for valentine' s day?
Pretty flowers :)

What did you give for Valentine' s Day?
A card

MARCH
Are you irish ?
Half of me is

Do you like corned beef and cabbage?
Nope


What did you do for St. Patrick' s Day?
Nothing exciting because I don't remember...

Are you happy when winter is pretty much over?
No, not really, it means the end of snowboarding

APRIL
Do you like the rain?
I don't mind it, and I love sleeping to the sound of it


Did you play an April fool' s joke on anyone this year?
Nah

Do you get tons of candy for Easter?
Not anymore - being a grown up sucks sometimes haha

What is exciting about April?
Well, my Mom and G-ma's birthday, and this year, Harper was conceived


MAY
What is your favorite flower?
Yellow roses and Gerber daisies

Do you celebrate May 16th: National Piercing Day?
Um no.


Is May anything special to you?
This May, I found out I would be a mother :) That's pretty darn special I think...

Anything cool happen this month?
Ummm....yes!!!!! I met Michael Franti, and he rubbed my belly!!!!!!

JUNE
What year did/ will you graduate?
HS - 1998
College - 2002

Did you do anything fun during this Month ?
Missy and I got to spend Father's Day with my Dad together, which was nice - we went to a butterfly farm

Have a favorite baseball team?
Baseball bores me


JULY --

What did you do on the 4th of July?
Tuli and I set off some fireworks at the park down the street from our old house, and made out like high schoolers :)

Did you go to the fireworks?
Not the big ones


Did you blast the A/C all day?
We didn't have A/C


AUGUS T

Did you have a sunburn?
No, I don't think so....

Did you go to the pool a lot?
No, we were in Alaska for half of the month haha


SEPTEMBER

Are you attending college/ school?
Nope

Do you like fall better than summer?
Fall is my favorite

What happened this month ?
Spearhead concert in Portland


OCTOBER

Whats your favorite candy ?
Reeses

What was your favorite thing ( s) about this month ?
Feeling Harper move around inside of me

What were you for Halloween?
A big emotional, crying blob who cried to her Mom all night lol.


NOVEMBER
Whose house do you go to for Thanksgiving?
Stop #1 - My step-sister, Amy's house
Stop #2 - My Aunt Kim and Uncle Mike's house

Next year - Wisconsin!!!!!

What are you thankful for?
My family, Tuli, Harper, all my friends, Barack Obama


Do you love stuffing?
Yep

Anything exciting happen this month?
Only the MOST historical day of my lifetime...when Barack Obama won the election!!!!


DECEMBER
Do you celebrate Christmas?
Yes indeedy

Have you ever been kissed under the mistle toe?
Not that I remember

Get anything special last year?
My favorite gift was a custom calendar that Tuli had made for me :) I'm keeping it even when 2008 is over!!

What do you want this year?
a healthy baby more than anything

What do you love most about December?
My sister is always home for the holidays - I love me some sister time

34 Weeks...Keep on cookin', Harper!!!

We realized we forgot to take a 34 week picture, so this one is actually 34 weeks, 5 days :) It was first thing in the morning, so I look a *little* sleepy :P Look how cute our little fake tree is!

Soooooo Relieved!!!!

We had another Dr.'s appointment yesterday, and they told us that Harper is nearly 5 pounds now!!! SUCH a big improvement from last week!!! He's measuring in about the 33rd percentile, which is also a LOT better than the 20th, which was what they told us last week.

We are 2 relieved soon-to-be-parents!!!!

Our midwife had kind of prepared us for our appointment yesterday. She told us that if Harper had fallen below the 20th percentile, then they would most likely have me stay in the hospital to be monitored, or to be induced. On Wednesday night, Tuli and I went out to dinner, in case it was our last night. All day yesterday before the appointment, we were both so anxious...we both kept wondering if we were going to have a baby before Christmas!

The Dr. doesn't need to see us until January 5th now, unless I start having symptoms of toxemia (sudden severe swelling, a headache that affects my vision, protein in my urine). We are THRILLED that Harper gets to cook in my oven for at least 2 more weeks - to get even chubbier, and cuter for us :) He's kicking me as I type this :)

My Dad came with us to the appointment yesterday, so it was nice that he could meet Colleen and the doctor. Even though he says that "grandpa" makes him feel old, I have a feeling he's going to love it...haha :P

In other news, it has been snowing off and on for the last 5 days or so, so Tuli has been getting to work from home a lot. It's been nice having some company during the day. With everything that has been going on with Harper, we have done ZERO Christmas shopping, so hopefully we can get that started and done this weekend. My sister is flying into Portland tomorrow, and I am soooo excited to see her!!!!