It's a BOY!!!

Riley Maxwell Turpen

Born September 12,2008 @ 8:04 PM

4 lbs. 11.8 oz. & 17 1/2" long

We were blessed 4 weeks early with Riley who was healthy enough not to have to go to the NICU. After 2 days of labor I had to have an emergency C-section due to a large drop in Riley's heart rate. However, Riley is happy and healthy and continuing to grow and thrive. We are so very happy to finally have him in our arms!

Wonderful Hubby!

Don't tell Mark I put this picture on here!

I think if any of his buddies saw this he would be mortified. Oh well! I thought it was cute and such a special thing for him to do. It's not easy to have a pregnant wife, working every day in Seattle on the house all the while living with your in-laws!

Love you baby, you're the best!!!!

33.5 weeks

Here is what I look like as of August 26th. I only have a few more weeks to make it to 40. I sure am hoping to make it full term since we are not yet back in our own home. My parents have been putting up with Mark, Tucker and I for 4 months now! Yikes! I don't know what we would do without their gracious hospitality. What was supposed to only be 4 weeks has stretched out a bit further:) Thank you for family!!!!

At this point in the picture, I was only 4 days out of the hospital. I had a short 2 night visit the week prior due to my amniotic fluid being dangerously low. I went in for a simple ultrasound and ended up getting admitted an hour later to Swedish Hospital in Seattle. Not fun, but something that had to be done. The doctor said that if I were at 36 weeks they would have induced me with that fluid level. Luckily, I was able to get the fluid up enough in 2 days to go home Friday the 22nd. By Monday the 25th, an ultrasound determined my levels went up even more. However, the doctor has restricted me to 1/2 days at work and moderate bed rest. It is not my ideal situation but I am getting through it to keep this baby in for as long as I can. My job right now is to nurture this baby inside me to be strong and healthy.

We are getting very excited to meet our little one!!!

26.5 weeks

Here I am in my 26th week, this picture was taken on July 7th. Look how round my face is! Yikes! Maybe I should lay off the sweet stuff!!!

The week prior, I had my monthly Dr. visit and everything is going fine. I had another ultrasound and my amniotic fluid level has not decreased. Although, it has also not increased. I am still at 10.4 which is the low end of normal (10-20 is the range). But the doctor is still giving me the green light to work and exercise as normal. I also had my glucose screening test for gestational diabetes and the results were all good. Yeah! I don't know what I would have been able to do if I was not able to have my nightly dose of ice cream!!!

The 2nd trimester has been relatively smooth and comfortable. I am still able to get my treadmill walks in during my lunch break which is a good stress reliever. Yes, that's right, I have a bit of stress. Although the pregnancy is going well, there are a lot of other things going on. The house is still not at a point we can live in so we are still at my parents house. I am so grateful for them putting up with us and Tucker. They have been very gracious and we appreciate it so very much. We want to get out of their hair just as much as they want us too also! Only a few more weeks though, I hope! No, really, we are past the halfway point with the house so there is some relief in that.

Happy 4th of July!

We spent our 4th of July at Mark's parents cabin on the lake. We were joined there by Mark's parents and brother Dave with his wife and girls. We also enjoyed the company of Mitch, Erin and Drew and then Dean, Lucy and Gabriella. Needless to say, there was hardly a quiet moment.
The weather could have been better but at least it only rained 1 out of the 4 days we were there.

The picture of me here is at the cabin that weekend and I was feeling very huge. Can't you tell by the look on my face? At this point, Mark was definitely getting the fact that I am pregnant! Yep, that's right, I REALLY AM PREGNANT! :) For so many months prior to this point, you don't really look as pregnant as you feel. It's especially hard for men to make the connection until it's sticking out right in front of their face! Which my belly is now!!!!

We can't wait to meet you!

I had another ultrasound this week, yes, my 2nd one in less than 2 weeks. There were 2 reasons for this ultrasound. First, the baby was not in a good position to get all the pictures they wanted. Second, my amniotic fluid was on the low end of normal so they wanted to check that again.

The baby is still looking healthy and developing right on schedule. However, my fluid did not increase but also did not decrease. The range to be in is 10-20 and I am at a 10. I haven't heard from my Doctor yet about the results so I am assuming she is not worried yet. Worst case scenario is that I would have to be put on bed rest for a little while.

I am feeling very hopeful that I won't be on bed rest. I feel great and the baby is VERY active these days which is a good sign too!

Attack of the BELLY Monster!

My, oh, my! See how I have grown?

Here I am at 22 weeks. Every week is really pushing out that belly. The baby weighs about a pound now and will double it's size in the next 4 weeks!! That is a very rapid growth spurt compared to how long it's taken to get where it is so far.

Watch out MuuMuu, here I come!