Rhett is Here!!!

Well, as most of you already know Rhett is here!!!!!! He is 3 weeks 2 days old today, and my how the time has flown. So his birth story was not exactly how we had planned but its like they say if you want to make God laugh tell him your plans! God definitley had a plan for our little family and his timing is perfect. So here is how it happened...
We got out of school for Thanksgiving break on Friday Nov. 18th, and I had worked a little late after school that day to get everything ready for the week after the break. I had some paper work to finish and plans and copies that I wanted to get done before I left for the break, which turns out to be a blessing since I would not be back. So I got everything ready to go, then went home. When I got home I decided to go ahead and pack my hospital bag since it was getting close to my due date. Kody had been on me to get it packed but I thought I had time since I had not even had any braxton hicks contractions. I just knew I would make it to my due date. But I was trying to be proactive and went ahead and packed my hospital bag. Saturday was a normal day, my friend Sarah had gone into labor the night before, so all day I was thinking about her. That night we went to my parents house to celebrate my brother's 30th birthday.My whole family was their and I felt fine. When we got home that night at around 10:30 I started to feel cramps, I didn't think anything of it until it just wouldn't go away. I was up all night! The doctor had told me some things to try to see if I was in false labor, so I drank lots of water, tried walking around the house, did laundry, but nothing was helping. I didn't want to go to the hospital if I was in false labor, I didn't want to be "that" girl. Kody was timing the contractions and researching all night on the internet. The next morning I decided to go with my mom and brother to see my brother's house he has been working on. I was still having contractions and by this point they were probably about 5 minutes apart. When I got home Kody and I went on a walk around the neighborhood, and by the time we got back to the house I decided that the contractions were real and they were not going away. They were getting closer and stronger so we decided to get dressed and make our way to the hospital. It was the longest drive to Rockwall that I have ever been on, and of course we got behind an older couple out for their Sunday drive.
When we got to the hospital Kody was so great  taking care of everything. There was no one at the front desk so we went on back to labor and delivery and found a nurse to help us. I was in pain but I was trying to stay strong, so when the nurse told us we had to walk back to the ER to check in I about fell out. I looked at Kody as if to say " Um, I am not walking another step further!" Kody quickly asked to get me a room. Once I was in the room they had to hook me up to machines to monitor the baby and my contractions. Kody and I wanted to keep things quiet from our family until we knew for sure that we were having the baby. Our parents knew I was having contractions but we didn't tell them we were at the hospital right away. The nurse had checked to see how far dialated  I was then talked to the doctor and they decided that they wanted to obseve me for a little while before they admitted me into the hospital, I guess to make sure I was really in labor. I could have told them at that point that I was in labor!!!! While they observed me they unhooked me from the machines so I could get out of the bed, which was helpful with the contractions. I think contractions were the worst pain I have ever been in. They really hurt bad! They are no joke!! By this time my mom had already made it to the hospital, and I think both sides of the family were on baby watch. When the nurse came back to check my progress they decided to admit me which ment I could get the epidural!! Which I was sooo ready for at this point. It didn't take to long for the anesthesiologist to get there to give me the epidural. Most people say how scary the epidural is and how big the needle is, well I was not worried about the needle at all. It could not have been any more painful than the contractions. I had to sit on the side of the bed bent over. I was squeezing Kody's hand so hard, but not because of the epidural because of the contractions. They were so strong and hurt so bad. It took a while for the doctor to find the right spot but once the epidural was in I could feel a complete difference. Then the nurse helped lay me back down in the bed. Once I was laying down the nurse was glued to the little monitor and she became really quiet. It seemed like all the other nurses in Labor and Delivery were suddenlyin my room all looking at the monitor. They were moving me around. and I was trying to get them to tell me what was going on. Finally they had told me that Rhett's heart rate had dropped when I layed down. This was super scary, but they assured me that his heart rate was back up and doing good but they wanted the doctor to come look. My doctor was not on call this weekend so I had a different doctor that I didn't know, but she was really nice. She came in and looked at the monitor and then looked at us and said that Rhett was doing fine now but she would like to do a c-section and get him out to be on the safe side. This news was shocking to say the least and not at all how Kody and I had envisioned the birth of our baby boy My whole pregnancy had gone really smooth without any complications or problems so this was very unexpected for us. We didn't hesitate to tell the doctor to do whatever is best for our baby. As soon as she told us that she was going to do a c-section, everyone seemed to be in such a hurry. They gave Kody scrubs to change into and wheeled me into the operating room. The operating room was a little intimidating. Everything was all white and sterile, and it just seemed like people were moving all around me. I was numb from about the armpits down, which is a really weird feeling. Kody sat by my head as the doctors worked on delivering Rhett. Once Rhett was out I couldn't hear him cry which scared me and the ugly cry made its appearance. Kody was watching the baby and I was watching Kody to see what was going on. It was an awful feeling not knowing if my baby was ok and no one would tell us what was going on and I couldn't move. I felt a little helpless. Finally they called Kody over to see Rhett and Kody brought him over so I could see him. He was absolutely perfect, and looked just like his daddy. My heart melted when I saw him for the first time. It was truly amazing to see this tiny human that just minutes before was living inside me. It is just so miraculous to think of how this llittle guy grew from cells into this perfect little baby, all inside my body. God is very good.
After they got Rhett all ready to go to the nursery they told Kody he could go with Rhett or stay with me while they put me back together, I told him to go with Rhett! I didn't want Rhett to go somewhere all alone. I know he probably wouldn't know but I just didn't want Rhett to be alone. It took the doctors about 30-45 minutes to close me up. The anesthesiologist was talking to me the whole time and he was soo sweet to me. He was very encouraging and positive and made me feel ok. So when I got back to the recovery room I thought I would be able to hold Rhett but the doctors wanted to watch him for a little bit to make sure his heart rate was still good. It seemed like ages before I finally got to hold him. Everyone would come into the room and tell me how cute he was, and I wanted so bad to see and hold him myself. When I finally got to hold him I felt on top of the world. He is absoutely the apple of my eye! It is amazing how I can love someone so much! As I was holdng Rhett for the first time the nurses brought me all kinds of papers to sign, so no telling what I signed in that moment all I wanted to do was hold and stare at my baby boy. I signed the papers while I held Rhett, I didn't waht to let him go.
So this is where our story begins!!!
Rhett is here and Kody and I are in love!!!!!

Contractions....enough said!

Dr. McDreamy!

This is the nurse wanting me to sign stuff while I hod Rhett for the first time!

Me and my son!

Our First family Picture!

Love!

Perfect!

37 weeks!

So 37 weeks is here, and it was one exhausting week, let me tell ya! The week before a holiday break is usually a little chaotic, but with trying to make sure I had everything in order in case Rhett decided to make an early appearance, taking care of lots of paper work for my kiddos, progress monitoring, and not to forget the teaching part of my job, it was a little more stressful this year. But I got it all taken care of and feel good about being gone My sub, Maci Drown has been to visit a few times and I feel so good about her coming in and taknig over for me while I am out. It has been so nice of her to come up and meet the kids and kind of see our routine in action. The kids think she is awesome so I feel very confident and not stressed at all about having her step in for me. She really has made me feel very comfortable and at ease. I am pretty lucky to have had Maci come up and be so eager and willing to help out! She is awesome and I cannot thank her enough!! It can be overwhelming having a sub for one day but for over 6 weeks is a lot for a teacher to handle. These kids become "mine" and I feel so responsible for them and want only the best for them academically and emotionally. I know Maci will do such a great job and I am very at ease with it. She has told me not to worry about anything while  I am out with my baby boy, which also makes me feel really good. She told me to just enjoy my time with him and that she will be able to hold down the fort while I am gone. These are the kind of things that make me so happy to have her as my sub. I am blessed!

My doctor appointment went good this week. Everytinng is still going good and I guess Rhett is just a baking away in there!They didn't measure me or anything they will start doing that next week at the 38 week appointment. My feet swelling is still in full effect and at the end of the day my feet and ankles look they should be in a cartoon or something. I am still  exercising but have cut back to one work out class a week and then walking the rest of the week. I am trying to drink a lot of water to help with the swelling and elevating my feet but that gets pretty uncomfortable after a while. But any day now we should see a little Rhett Avery Christensen making his debut and I just can't wait!!!

37 weeks!!!

36 Weeks!

We had our 36 week appointment yesterday and everything was still good. My blood pressure is good, and Rhett's heartbeat was 140. He has been pretty consistant with his heartbeat. He hasn't dropped  and I'm not dialated or anything yet, but the Dr. said that nothing will probably start happening until 38 weeks. She said she thought he was about 6.5 lbs. right now, and his head is down, which is good. So I'm ready whenever he is. I'm trying to be patient but I am just so excited to meet him. My mom and I worked on his room this weekend and I am pretty much done with his room now! I will post some picures of the nursery later. I am pretty happy with it and hope Rhett likes it too.

35 Weeks!

Ok so I am defiinitely swelling now. My ankles and feet are swollen all the time it seems, but by the end of the day when I get home from work they look unreal. And if it has been a really long day of being on my feet, I will get  little fluid bubbles on my toes..it loooks really wierd!! I am also getting really tired at work and by the time I get home I am exhausted. Other than being tired and swollen everything else is going pretty good. I will go to the dr. again next week, so I can give some baby details then.
My mom suprised me yesterday with my glider. She came over while I was at work and cleaned Rhett's room so there would be room for the glider. It was delivered last night and it is perfect. I love it! My dad has been working on lockers for me to put in Rhett's room and he finished those as well, so we got to put those in the room too!!!! His room is almost finished and I love it so far. I was worried that there might not be enough room for the lockers and the glider but it all fit perfectly and looks great. Those were two great presents we got last night, and I am so lucky to have such loving and caring parents to do that for me.

"Lil Pumpkin on the Way" Happy Halloween!!!

The Lockers and Glider!!!

35 weeks!

Christensen Family Trip to OSU!

This last weekend the Christensen family traveled to OSU to watch Kaylee, my sister-in-law, direct the OSU Band as the Band Major. This is a huge deal, and I am so proud of her to be able to lead so many of her peers in such a successful way. It was so neat to see her in that light and I felt so very happy, excited, proud, and awed by the woman she has grown to be. I have known her since she was 11 and to see her grow into what she has become is just amazing to me. Kody and I are so proud of her and we know she has a big future ahead of her!!

34 Weeks!

This pic was taken at 34 weeks and 2 days. It had been a busy couple of weeks so I am a little behind posting my 34 week picture. I wanted to make sure I posted about my showers last weekend and then I forgot to post about my weekly progress. Pregnancy brain!!! Well at least that is what I am going to blame it on while I can. I was so tired this week! Wednesday was my 34 week doctors appointment and after the appointment I came home took my shower and was going to just rest for a second before I made dinner . I laid down at 6:30 and didn't wake up until 6:00 the next morning!!! I guess I was a little tired! Anyway, I feel like I could sleep all day if I had the time! I don't have the time to be doing that though. His arrival is getting closer and closer every day and I am so excited and anxious to finally get to meet him but at the same time I feel a little stressed to get things done at work, and at home to prepare for when he gets here.
My doctors appoitnment went good. His Heartrate was 145 and he was pretty still this time. Usually the nurse has to chase him around my belly to get his heartrate, but this time she found it right off the bat and she didn't have to move it around. I wonder if its because he is running out of room to move around. He has been favoring my right side and I can feel him all around my ribs on that side It doesn't  hurt at all, it kind of tickles and my right side will be harder and bigger than my left side! It looks kind of weird. I go back to the doctor at 36 weeks then I will go every week until he gets here. God is very good!!!

34 Weeks!

Church Baby Shower

Sunday after church, some very special ladies at the Wylie Church of Christ threw Kody and I an awesome baby shower full of games, cake and lots of great visiting. Doris Dykes, Tami Sanders, Dee Ann Cummings, and Valarie Delgado hosted this shower and everything was adorable. It was a sports theme and was so cute. We got to play some games at this shower and one of them was where the guests had to guess how big my belly is by cutting off a piece of ribbon by just looking at me. Guess who won this game?.......My very attentive husband , Kody! I'm just glad he didn't guess way too much ribbon or it could have been a long ride home!!! J/k! I was very impressed with him. We got lots of cute clothes, bibs and blankets, and we are very thankful for all of it!!!

Mommies Little Pumpkin Shower

Last weekend was a very busy but super fun weekend. I had two baby showers and my birthday!!! Saturday I had a pumpkin themed baby shower given by both of my aunts, Angie, and Pam and my cousins Lynsey and Bella. It was super cute! They had made all kinds of differet pumpkin decorations and had thought of everything. The details were amazing and I am so lucky to have such a great family that cares so much about Kody and I. It really was a perfect shower and I can't believe all the love and support we have from family and friends. It truly is amazing. I have a couple of pictures of this shower but am waiting for my mom to give me the ones off of her camera. I will upload those when I get them!