WOW! We've Got Some Catching Up To Do!!!

In May, I was still so early in the pregnancy that we didn't know much! Let me catch you up on some things:

July 2nd- We learned we were having a baby girl. We chose the name Henley Rose. Henley after my English roots (plus we just liked it!) and Rose after myself and my grandmother.

I had a lot of doctors appointments, blood tests, non-stress tests, etc. I was at the doctors 2-3 times per week!!!

October 7th- I was on my way out of my bi-weekly non-stress test when my OB called and told me my liver enzymes came back elevated in my last blood test and that I needed to go to the hospital to have it re-drawn. They kept me overnight. They also kept me the following night, and gave me a shot of celestone (a steroid to help Henley's lungs develop quicker). The 9th, I was transported to Loma Linda University Medical Center because they have a good NICU, so when the baby came we would not be separated.
Here, they gave me another shot of celestone. I was hospitalized there for 3 days with hourly blood testing, a tree of IV's, and labs galore when at 6am on October 12th, the doctors came in and said between my blood pressures, liver enzymes and drop in platelet levels, I would be delivering that day. I was only 32 weeks and 4 days pregnant when this happened. I was terrified. I send Justin a message that said "You should come down here, we're having a baby today". I couldn't form the words. It was still 8 weeks until my due date. She still had a lot of cooking to do, but at least I was in a great hospital. The process began slowly. VERY slowly. I first had to take pills to soften my cervix. When they finally started me on Pitocin, I was miserable from all of the other meds they were giving me.
The contractions were honestly not that bad. I'd say the pain level was about a 7 and I could handle that. ... Until it hit 10. I was then ready for my epidural. After the epidural I was great! Henley, however, was not so great. Her heart rate was dropping with the Pitocin, and I was not dilating past 4cm. They finally told me that we were going to do a c-section. I was exhausted at this point. I just went with it. It wasn't part of my birth plan, but if it's safest for my baby, go ahead and do it! So at 3:18am on October 14th, we welcomed our daughter. Henley Rose came into the world at 5lbs 4oz, 17 1/2 in. She had a slightly low blood sugar (from me) but took a bottle right away. It corrected and hasn't been a problem since. Thanks to the celestone, she has been on room air since birth, but because of her gestational age, she was rushed off to the NICU as soon as she came out. I didn't even hear her cry until the next day.
Henley spent the next two weeks of her life in the NICU. The first few were under the bilirubin lights (jaundice). She had a feeding tube in her nose for when she couldn't finish a meal, but other than that our baby girl has thrived! She's very mature for her age, and we are so proud of her!!!
On November 1st, we FINALLY got to bring her home! It was incredible, though Justin didn't get a whole lot of sleep that night. It's so good to have her here with us, for good!

Baby-Watch 2010

Today I had an appointment with a diabetes educator. For those who don't know, I've been diabetic for 14 1/2 years now. I think I know what I'm doing. I put in a lot of time and work on getting my levels perfect before even trying to conceive, but thankfully this lady noticed that and wont make me come back unless it's voluntary.
After the appointment I stopped by my lovely mother's house. She looked at my rapidly expanding belly and said "Oh Manda, you're going to get huge!" This prompted me to come home, hop on the treadmill with hand weights and then finish with some prenatal yoga.
Still in my first trimester I've been feeling nauseated all day, and this workout didn't help. Now my back is killing me and I've got no stomach for dinner.
I'm going to lay down on my living room floor now.
The End.

I can't wrap my head around it...

It seems like days ago that we decided it was finally time to start a family. Within 2 months, (April 1, 2010) we found out that I was pregnant. Up until this past Friday, it didn't seem real. Then Justin and I went to the doctors, where we had the first ultrasound done. I heard the baby's heartbeat. It all became so real at that very moment. Right when I was about to get teary-eyed, the heartbeat got a little funky, and I couldn't help but laugh! (Let's face it, my kid's got great rhythm!)
December 4th, 2010 is the expected due date of baby Vining. Will it be a boy, or a girl? Will it have my eyes and Justin's hair? Will it be tall or short? I have a baby book that has questions for you to fill in your answers. One of those questions is "What dreams do you have for your child?" Personally I think that's one of the most asinine questions you could ever ask. But here's my answer.

I want my child to be born healthy, raised in a happy, loving home, and never have to endure anything that will make it hurt. I also want my child to make it's own decisions, be an individual, and most of all, not EVER live through anyone else's dreams. Be yourself, baby! Be yourself!

Love, Mom.

Work Work Work...

All of our lives we're told how important it is to have a good work ethic. Here it is, a Sunday afternoon, and I just took a break from some work I brought home, and Justin just got back from a quick trip in to the office. I ask you, is it ALWAYS important to have a strong work ethic... that is, even on weekends?
I'm just going to throw it out there, I miss being lazy, and I miss my family!
Then again, money is awesome. I like money.

Happy 29th Justin!

Justin and I met on July 4th, 2003. He was 22, and I was 21. My friends were going with their friends on another friend's boat. I was not thrilled to spend my holiday on Lake Elsinore. Another girl that was there told me "It's okay, the guy with the boat is really hot! He's tall and has tattoos!" I grudgingly obliged after commenting that "Elsinore hot, is NOT good looking!"

We walked out onto the dock and up pulls a boat I like to call the SS Minnow. He reached out his hand to help me aboard. I saw a tall, lanky boy with a hat, sunglasses and his mouth hanging open. Great. After spending the entire day together, ignoring our friends, I thought to myself, "... I guess I can get his number and call him if I get bored!". I got bored.

Taking a boy home to meet my parents when he has visible tattoos was never on my agenda. Dad hates it! But I talked to him anyway, and after finding out that our dads held the same occupation, I knew they couldn't say no! The rest is dating history!

Here we are in 2010! Tomorrow is Justin's 29th birthday. I have watched him go from a guy with a truck that doesn't run, living with his parents, making just over minimum wage, and he could care less, to the man who has supported me, loved me and continued to inspire me day after day. In the past 7 years he has worked hard to get where he is. He has a great job that he loves, and does well, he bought us a beautiful home, and his truck always runs now! He is driven, intelligent, and I am so grateful he is mine!

Justin Robert, you are the light of my life. You are my best friend, and I can't wait for the next chapter of our life to begin. I thank God every day that he brought you and I together. Through ups and downs, ins and outs, you are my rock. "I love thee!" XoXoXo

Wow! Look At Me, I'm Blogging!!!

I can't believe it has taken this long for me to get a blog up and running! For anyone who has been hiding under a rock for the past few years, let me catch you up to speed!

• November 2, 2007 - We got engaged!!

• October 25, 2008 - We got married!!!

and then honeymooned in Jamaica!!

• March 2, 2009 - We bought our first house!!

• July 18, 2009 - We made our first addition to the Vining family, Holly Golightly!

We have had a lot of ups and downs through these past two years with jobs and the economy, but we've kept our heads up, and life has been good!! So keep checking in for more updates on our lives! XoXo J&M