1 week under our belts...

Tomorrow marks our first week home from the hospital. We have had a great week. Izzy is good eater and sleeper. We are up usually at 2ish and 5ish in the morning, but she goes right back to sleep. We are so in love with her it is insane. I would hear all the time pre Izzy how crazy in love parents become with their babies. It is so true. With all of this love comes a ton of emotions. I'm on cloud nine at times and then crying for no reason. It is uncontrollable. I think I cry because I have so much love for Izzy and an even deeper love for Justin. My emotions have been taken to a whole new level. I still can't believe this is my life now. It seems so surreal that Izzy was inside of me for nine months and now she is living and breathing outside of me. I just adore her. Both of my sisters were in town last weekend to meet Izzy. It was really nice having them here. I miss them a ton. They both were amazing with Izzy. It was neat to see them interact with her. It has also been nice having my mom so close to us now (.5 miles away). Izzy had two projectile vomits yesterday, which I balled my eyes out and she was totally fine. I called up mom and she was over so fast to comfort her grown daughter! We always need our moms right? Justin has been fantastic with Izzy. He is an amazing father! I'm excited to watch their relationship grow. For now however, I'm focusing on being in the present and soaking in every bit of Isabella!

Coming home...in Seahawk attire of course!Proud PapaAuntie SarahAuntie Tala

Our little burrito!

Isabella Rae Andrews

My two girls...

(posted by Juice Juicerson)

Today, I am the happiest and proudest daddy/husband in the world! I have a beautiful perfect baby girl and the most amazing wife (and warrior) in the world. Yesterday was a different story.

The night before, we stayed up kind of late watching a movie. We didn't get to sleep until about 1:00 AM. At 2:45, Jess's water broke. We grabbed our stuff (Jess was packed--I was not). We arrived at Evergreen about 3:10 AM. Jess was dilated about 4 cm.

Aside from our doctor and team of nurses, we also had our team of friends and family here supporting us. At any given time there were no less than a dozen people here (we tend to roll with big crowds). For whatever reason, we were all given the idea that we would be delivering at about noon.

By around 10 AM, she was fully ready. At that time we began pushing--several hours hours later and zero progress, we elected to go with plan B.

At about 4:30 PM after 6 1/2 long hours of intense pushing, gnarly contractions, and everything else we arrived at the ER for a C section. There was some trouble with the anesthesia and Jess was administered a general--completely knocking here out. I wish I could say that I felt confident and comfortable with everything, but that was not the case. To be honest, I don't think I have ever been so scared in my life. It is very hard watching someone you care so much about go through something like that and not having any ability to help. All I could do was hold her hand. And then...

At 6:17 PM Izzy was taken out and handed to a team of NICU doctors. I stayed with mom as long I could. After several minutes the doctors asked me if I wanted to hold my daughter. I reluctantly agreed. I admittedly was a little torn between mom and baby. It took all about 5 seconds, once I looked that little girl in the face, I was done. She was mine and I hers.

Mom was sewn up nicely and returned back to our room about an hour and a half later. Fortunately, everything went well. Baby and mom are both healthy. Mom is recovering and Izzy is absolutely perfect in every way (yes, she's already got me wrapped). I guess all's well that ends well...

Thanks to everyone for your prayers and well wishes. We all appreciate you love and support.

Final Stats

Name: Isabella Rae Andrews

Sex: Female

DOB: June 24, 2009

Time of birth: 6:17 PM

Length: 21.65 inches

Weight: 9.5 pounds (yes she's a biggin)

-Juice

Busy month...no baby yet.

We have had quite the month...baseball, my brother's high school graduation and getting things ready for the baby.

Tyson and Justin's team came in first place for the playoffs for Kirkland American Little League Major's! It was very exciting and a huge accomplishment for both. We then went on to play for the Kirkland City Championship against Kirkland National Little League, but unfortunately we did not win this game. So, baseball is officially over for the regular season. My boys however love baseball so much! Justin is coaching the All Star team and Tyson is playing on it. Practices start today and the tournaments start mid July. Along with All Star games, Tyson plays for the Kirkland Knights (select team in the summer). They have a tournament coming up in Moses Lake soon, but Justin and I will not be going since we will have newborn. As much as I dislike how time consuming baseball is for my family, I absolutely love watching Tyson play and Justin coach. Justin is an amazing coach. He really connects to the boys and inspires them to be great ball players and people. It is cool to see the kids look up to him.

Ty graduated high school last Saturday! I can't believe he is done with high school. We are SO proud of him. He has really busted his buns the last couple of years to graduate on time. He is so grown up and has turned into a gentleman! I can't wait to see what he does in the future with his life. He has a very talented entrepreneur mind. Way to go Ty!

Tyson also had his 6th grade promotion. He is now moving on to Kirkland Junior High! Cannot believe how fast time has gone. He was just starting first grade when I met him. His teacher for the past two years have been Brady Howden. Tyson has been so fortunate to have a teacher like Mr. Howden. We have seen Tyson soar to success in his class!

We also celebrated Tala's 27th birthday and gave Isaiah a mullet! Just kidding...we took pictures partway through the hair cut. He now has a buzz cut and looks adorable!

As far as baby news...there is none! I'm so bummed. I was hoping to have Izzy by now. Sarah and Tala are both coming up this weekend and it would be nice to have Izzy. Otherwise I don't know when Sarah will be back up to visit. I've been trying everything in the book for inducing labor naturally! Any ideas for me moms out there? I've tried walking, bouncing on an exercise ball, reflexology, pedicures, red leaf tea, spicy foods, and the act that got us here in the first place! I'm dilated to a 1 on the inside of my cervix and a 2 on the outside. SLOWLY getting there. My cervix is still high and set back. :( If I don't deliver by next Monday, we will have the conversation about inducing within 1-1 1/2 weeks. I asked if we could induce on Monday, but my doc advised against it since most first time moms who do elective inductions end up with a c-section. Send positive thoughts my way!!!!

She doesn't even look pregnant when she stands next to gigantic ME!

Heat Stroke?

It is so hot today. It has to be in the 90's. I am busy working away on my Professional Certification that ends Thursday...thank God! I am so over heated my hands and feet are so swollen they are unrecognizable and I've changed my clothes three times! My first outfit was capri jeans, tank and cute shirt over that. Outfit number 2...I swapped the capri jeans for my husbands basketball shorts. Outfit number 3... bikini top and skirt. HA! So attractive when your 9 months pregnant right? Hope everyone else is staying cool! After I'm done with all of this Pro Cert stuff I'll be hanging out at the Thurik's were there is Air Conditioning!!!!! :)

What we have been up to...

It has been a whirlwind of a month! I had my girlfriends shower hosted by Trina and Katie and we had a co-ed shower hosted by Katie & Jerame and Beth & Jason. They both were a blast. We have the greatest friends. The co-ed shower was fun to see how the guys reacted to baby stuff! They were all pretty cute about it. Justin was excited that he had the chance to open some of our gifts! Here are some fun pictures from the showers.

Cheers to K & J!

Katie made this adorable diaper cake for my girlfriends shower! We didn't have any posed group picture shots...too busy chatting!

More to come on our busy month of May!

36 Week Update

I had my 36 week checkup today. I am dilated to 1cm and Izzy is dropping. I've had terrible cramping down low all day. The Dr. says it is Braxton Hicks. I didn't think they could be so low and uncomfortable. Things are moving along! I can't wait to hold Izzy! I have Izzy's bag packed for the hospital and the car seat in the car ready for a baby...now I just need to get my bag packed. If I could just be done with my Professional Certification!!!! Just one more week...I can do it! Right?
Here is the belly shot. So BIG!!! I'm so stretched you can see my veins. Yes...those are my husbands pants. I love wearing his clothes right now. They are the only thing comfortable.


I've had an amazing couple of weekends filled with showers, Justin and Isaiah's birthdays, baseball tournament, and the dog park! I will post pictures and details soon.

Life update

I've been so awful about keeping up on the blog due to the many balls I'm juggling in my life right now. The biggest stress is that my Professional Certification for teaching is wrapping up. For those who don't know what I'm talking about, it is basically proving that I'm eligible to continue teaching by meeting the state standards. So complicated and I don't want to bore you, but it has been consuming my thoughts which is so sad because Izzy should be consuming my thoughts. I finish with my Professional Certification on June 4th, but I present on May 28th to a group of principals, my instructor, and some classmates...Yikes! I keep telling myself that everything will get done just like it always does. Hopefully Isabella stays content until the 5th of June. Then we can go into labor! Everyone seems to think that I will go early. My official due date from the Doctor is June 22nd, but my 32 week appointment I was measuring a week ahead (just like I always thought). Then I had my 34 week appointment yesterday and she said I'm measuring on track!? I don't know. I guess time will tell. I have been so uncomfortable lately. Feet and hands get swollen all the time. I'm no longer able to wear my wedding rings. Justin had to pry them off the other day. I feel like I'm a house and my best friend is the porcelain goddess. On a better note, my kindergarten team gave a shower for me and my other team member Kirsten on Friday. We had a great time. Diane and Lori know how to throw a party. They are masters! On Saturday was my family shower thrown by my mom, sisters, and aunts. It also turned out so cute. It was a jungle theme to go along with our monkey hanging in our nursery and some of the things we registered for. Both of my sisters were up for the weekend. We also had a ton of fun. It was so nice to be together. Next time they see me Izzy will be here! Mother's day was nice. We spent the morning helping my mom move just down the street from me! I am super excited that she is so close. Later in the evening, we had Justin's family and mine over for dinner. It was such a great weekend and now we are back to the grind. I am very excited for this weekend. Our very close friends Jason and Beth and Jerame and Katie are throwing us a couples shower on Saturday. Should be a blast. Justin is VERY excited! It so cute! All of his best buddies will be there. Then on Sunday, my best friends Katie and Trina are hosting my girlfriends shower! Isabella is SPOILED already! Here are some pictures of last weekend...

Kindergarten Team: Lori, Kirsten, Me, Diane

Grandma's to be

Sarah, mom, Tala, Me, Farrah, Jaymee, Camille, Aunt Michelle

Aunt Sandy, Grandma, mom, me, Sarah, Tala, Alli, Aunt Polly

To Be Mamas...Tala (18weeks) and Me (34weeks)

Mom and all her kids...we look so tired from moving earlier in the day.

Roy, me, Justin

Roy rolled in the pollen and petals...I'm glad he is black so I can tell just how dirty he is!