dimples

This video was shot right when the brought Asher to me. If you look closely in the video you can see Asher's adorable dimples.

Also, here are a few of my favorite photos from today.Getting ready for his sponge bath

I just love this look

Check out his mullet!

Can you tell Quinn was having fun dressing him up?Daddy and Asher getting in some bonding time before Quinn had to leave for San Fran.

27 hours give or take

Thursday March 19th

7:30 pm: Check into hospital, we are moved upstairs where I'm hooked up to monitors etc... and then given the Cervidil to try and get things started. They monitored me all night and I had contractions ranging from 3 to 7 minutes apart. They weren't that bad at all and I was able to sleep through most of them.

Important to note (at least it was to me) that I was not allowed any food from this point on or any liquids after midnight.

Friday March 20th

7:00 am: Moved down to Labor and Delivery and started on the drip to get things going even more.

8:30 am: My doctor comes in and checks me. She has a very discouraged look on her face and tells me it is going to be a long day as I'm only at a 2 (which I've been at since 35 weeks). They turn the drip up.

10:00 am: My mom arrives with McDonald's for Quinn for breakfast. It looks delicious.

11:30 am: Doctor returns to check me. 3. Not much progress. She "breaks" my water. This really really hurt. I'm having contractions but they aren't very strong.

1:00 pm: I start to have more intense contractions especially back labor which is not so enjoyable.

1:30 pm: Quite a bit of pain and I decide to bring on the epidural. Anesthesiologist comes in. He was extremely funny and we spend most of the time discussing March Madness and Pres. Obama. At this point Quinn is out picking up some food for him and my Mom. I was pleasantly surprised at how not painful the epidural. To me the nurses attempt at getting my first IV in the night before hurt much more than this did.

2:00 pm: Starting to feel much better. Quinn and Mom eat Subway. Dr. comes and checks me a 4. She says she can still feel the membranes so breaks my water again, basically meaning she didn't get it the first time. I felt a gush this time where as I felt nothing the first time. We are hopeful that this will really get things started.

4:00 pm: Dr. returns. Still a 4. She is starting to get concerned. She says she will come back in two hours or so and if I'm not at least at a 6 we will have to discuss our options (i.e. cesarean).

6:30 pm: She comes back and checks me. I hear her tell the nurse it is a miracle and I'm at a nine. I start to get excited because I really didn't want to have to do a c-section.

7:30 pm: I can start to feel the epidural wear off on my right side. We try to fix it by changing positions but the baby doesn't do well unless I'm on my left side.

8:00 pm: We start pushing. I had a great nurse who really helped me through it. We pushed for maybe 40 minutes or so before she brought in the doctor.

8:40 pm: The doctor comes in and everything starts moving. I keep pushing. I can feel him moving down the birth canal and it is pretty painful if I don't push through it.

9:11 pm: Asher is finally born! We stay in labor and delivery for a while while they finish everything up.

10:30 pm: We are taken up to our room and Asher goes to the nursery for a check-up and a bath.

11:00 pm: I am finally able to eat something. They brought me which I'm sure was a secretly disgusting turkey sandwich but it tasted like heaven to me along with some fruit and cottage cheese.

1:00 am: They bring us our most precious little boy all washed and clean. I had never seen anything more beautiful!

P.S. For a much more peaceful delivery of which I am very jealous check out my cousin Lacy's blog who had a beautiful little girl Lucy Marie on Sunday morning. A special shout out to Lacy for holding off until Asher was born or I might have had a complete breakdown since Lacy was also due after me.

here he is

Asher Quinn DelHoyo
Born: March 20, 2009 at 9:11 pm

7 lbs 14 oz and 21 inches long

induction

I went in early this morning for another ultrasound with the doctor. She said my fluid is lower than it was on Tuesday and just barely above the mark they would use anyway for induction so she feels good about inducing me tonight, said she probably would want to anyway even if I hadn't asked. So I'm suppose to report to the hospital tonight at 7:30. I'm off to take a nap now as I have a feeling it will be a long night and morning!

swollen

It's official. My hands and feet are officially swollen. I'm just glad it took this long to get to this point. I'd been having a bit of swelling at the end of the day for the last week or so, but yesterday it pretty much stayed that way all day and today looks to be about the same. I'm not complaining and it isn't really even that bad. It just looks like I have fat fingers and I can't wear my wedding ring anymore.

appointment update

We just got back from the doctor. It was pretty disappointing. Still no change. Nothing. Zero. Which means I've pretty much been at a two for about 4+ weeks. They did an ultrasound to make sure the baby wasn't getting too big. She said right now he looks to be about 7 1/2 pounds so they aren't worried about him getting too big. She said they would induce on Monday. I very politely asked if there was anyway they could do it earlier since my husband is suppose to go out of town Tuesday night. She was really sweet about it which is good because I was nervous, I didn't want to come across selfish. So she stripped my membranes (ouch!) then told me to come in on Thursday morning for a quick ultrasound to come up with a reason to induce (since it would be before the official 41 weeks) and hopefully induce Thursday night. So things are looking up. I really hope Thursday works as that would allow Quinn to be there for the first few days and still get to SF. Who knows maybe my water will break tonight! That would be even better.

the mall

We spent 4 hours today at the mall. My mom got in yesterday so she, Quinn and I headed to the Galleria today. With his birthday money and 30% off at Gap and Old Navy (thanks Mallory!) Quinn pretty much made off with a whole new summer wardrobe. Then we walked a lot, had lunch at The Grand Lux Cafe, and walked some more. Hopefully, it will help. After the mall, we headed over to Sprinkles to pick up some cupcakes for my mom to try, then back home for a rest. I'm feeling good but tired and just wishing for some baby action sometime soon.

28

Today Quinn turns 28. He is my best friend and an even better partner in life. He will watch cheezy chick flicks with me, he'll watch TV shows like AI and The Bachelor with me even though I know he would rather poke his own eyes out. He calls me at least once a day while at work to check on me and tell me he loves me. He would do whatever I ask of him to make sure I'm comfortable. He makes me laugh all the time. He tells me I'm a great wife even when I don't make dinner or haven't cleaned the house. He is great with kids and teenagers and I can't wait to see him with our own son. I could go on and on...but it boils down to this...I love him and I'm so grateful to have him as my husband. Happy Birthday Quinn!!!!

PS. Just a small blurb about the pregnancy, I went to the Dr. yesterday and there is still really no progress. I'm learning patience.

sunday

Quinn spoke in church today. He gave a really great talk on the importance of knowing who we are as sons and daughters of God and how that will help us make the correct choices in our lives. The chapel was a sauna. When I walked in I knew I was going to be miserable. Before church started, I was chatting with the Bishop and casually mentioned how hot it was in the building. He said that the heat was on when he got there this morning. Keep in mind it has been in the 80's lately. I seriously thought I might pass out from the heat in the chapel.

Now we are home and Quinn and I are going to go out for a walk. I'm trying to stay somewhat active even though all I really want to do is sleep.

My sister Stacey's SIL had her baby this morning. I was ticked as she was due a few days after me. My nephew Jaxson kept telling me that her baby was going to "pop out" and is now wondering when mine is going to "pop out." I'm wondering that myself.

In other happier news, it was finalized yesterday that Danny, Stacey and Jaxson will be moving to the Dallas area for April through Aug/Sept. I'm so excited. They were either going to Seattle or Dallas. My preference was obvious. I'm so excited to have family close by even if it is only for four months.

advantage

One advantage of still being pregnant is that I am free to enjoy--guilt free--the four boxes of these that Quinn brought home last night.
Yummy!

Although I do think Quinn was slightly frightened by my enthusiasm for this cookie when I found out that one of his coworkers daughters was selling Girl Scout Cookies.

anticipation

It's killing me. I don't think I was done any favors by having early contractions at week 31 and 36 that had to be stop. False starts get your mind going and now that I'm 38 weeks and they would let me just go...of course nothing. I know I shouldn't complain, it's not like I'm overdue or anything, but nonetheless I'm just so anxious and so on edge all the time.

Quinn told me to go to Barnes & Noble to get a book to occupy my time. I want a serious page turner, nothing to serious, just more fluff. Btw, I really should bite the bullet and get a library card. Oh well, that is for another time.

i caved

I just had to turn on the air conditioner. It is in the low 80's here today. I had all the windows open and the fans going but still found myself wiping sweat off my brow while just sitting at the computer. I just couldn't take it anymore...and it is suppose to be even warmer tomorrow.

i finally got it

My sweet sister Stacey gave me a gift card to Williams Sonoma along with a Barefoot Contessa cookbook for Christmas. I've had my eye on the Cuisinart ice cream maker for quite a while. I've only heard fabulous things about it from everyone who has one. So today I finally went and picked one up using the gift card. I'm so excited. I have the bowl in the freezer and I'm eagerly anticipating being able to make some delicious home-made ice cream tomorrow after church. Quinn wants the first batch to be mint chip. I hope it is delicious and delightful as everyone says it is.

3 things

There are three things I can't live without right now.

1. Tums
I don't dig on the taste, but they are a necessary evil right now and one that I'm glad exists because without them I would have an even harder time sleeping.

2. Heating padThis is a new addition to my comfort seeking but it really seems to be helping to keep my back muscles loose and not hurting so much.

3. QuinnHe has been spectacular throughout this whole pregnancy, from the beginning when he would hold my hair back while I was throwing up all the food he had just gone out to get me...to now, when he massages my back or calves or whatever part of my body is aching. And he doesn't complain when I am too tired to make him dinner. I love you sweetie!

nursery

The nursery is finally all put together...or as much as it is going to be before the baby comes. So many friends and family contributed to the nursery and we thank you so much for all the very generous gifts that have made it all possible.

Here it is:View from the door way...crib and changing dresser

Dresser/changing station

Close up of my favorite part

The rocking corner

a first

I've never actually done a tag before, usually I just ignore people when they tag me, but this one I'll do because I like talking about Quinn and if I don't do this all I have to blog about is how uncomfortable I am and how bad I want to have this baby already!

Husband Tag

1. Where did you meet your husband? At the townhouse I was living in. He was trying to work his magic with a girl who was staying there for a few weeks before she left for Paris.
2. How long did you date before you got married? That is a tough one...we were so on and off that I couldn't really say but I knew him for 18 months before we got married.
3. How long have you been married? It will be 3 years in May
4. What does he do that surprises you? He is a baby talker...this really surprised me when we first got married. It use to drive me crazy but now I kind of like it.
5. What is your favorite feature of his? His hands.
6. What is his best quality? wow, he has a lot, but one of my favs is that he will pretty much do anything I ask him to do and he pretty much never complains about anything.
7. Does he have a nickname for you? Bunny
8. What is his favorite food? hmm...he has many but I would go with the Thai noodles that I make.
9. What is his favorite sport? Football
10. When and where did you first kiss? In his apartment after watching Remember the Titans.
11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? my favorite thing is just having a lazy Saturday morning with him.
12. Do you have any children? almost
13. Does he have any hidden talents? This is not so hidden, but he can master any video game like nobodies business. In fact, just the other day someone at his work asked him if he had special forces training because of the way he was playing and dominating the game.
14. How old is he? 27
15. Who said 'I love you' first? I think he did, to be honest I don't really remember.
16. What is his favorite music? DJ Tiesto type stuff
17. What do you admire most about him? It takes A LOT to make him mad. He is extremely patient. I am the exact opposite.
18. What is his favorite color? Blue
19. Will he read this? Eventually, he checks the blog every so often.
20. Who do you tag? I take Kim P. because she hasn't blogged in forever.

34 weeks

Today is such a beautiful day....65 degrees and sunny. I just had my 34 week appointment. All is going well. She said he is a good size baby and that "my weight is fantastic!" She said he has turned and dropped which I was glad to hear since this last week it has really started to feel like I was squishing something every time I sat down. So now it is basically just a waiting game. I can't wait! in other news, I received in the mail today the crib bedding that my mom made and I'm so excited to get it all set up so stay tuned for pictures of that.

And only because my friend Kim asked I'm posting a picture of me in all my 34 weeks and 2 days glory. This is a self-portrait because if I wait for Quinn to come home I will forget...so this is for you Kim. Enjoy!

finally finished

Yesterday I finally finished the afghan I had been working on for Asher. I bought the yarn just a few days after we found out we were having a boy. I worked on it quite a bit at first and then it sort of slipped through the cracks. Once I only had 8 weeks left to go I felt a little bit of pressure and picked up the pace. Here are the results. I'm actually quite pleased with how it turned out.

The nursery isn't put together yet but I did make progress today by buying a mattress...it was the last real necessity we needed before he gets here.

a visit

This last week my mother-in-law Vicky was in town. Quinn and I had so much fun having her stay with us. We worried that we might bore her too much since we lead a pretty low key life, but I think/hope she enjoyed herself. She got to experience the extremes of Dallas weather from 80 degrees to an ice storm all within 6 days. Got to love it. She and I went up to Mckinney and had fun browsing through all the antique shops. We stopped at the outlet stores on the way home and bought Asher way too much clothing, but it was fun and I couldn't help myself. We watched movies...Pride & Prejudice, Pirates of the Great Salt Lake and The Lakehouse and played a couple fun games of Trivial Pursuit. We had big plans of sewing a couple of baby blankets but when I took my sewing machine out of the box that it has been sitting in for the past year since I got it, it was missing the foot pedal. Oh, well. She helped me pin the blankets and now I'm just hoping I don't ruin them too much in my attempt to sew them. She left this morning and we miss her already. Thank you so much for visiting us!!!

congrats!

Quinn just called me this morning to tell me some great news. Some of you may remember his final team game project that he produced at The Guildhall, The Color of Doom. Well, it was entered in the student showcase category for the 2009 Independent Games Festival (IGF). Out of 145 entries they picked 10 winners who will be featured at Game Developers Conference (big deal in gaming world) this March with one grand prize to be determined. Obviously, his game is one of the finalist. Check out the article here.

Congrats, Quinn & co!

32 weeks

Just got back from my 32 week appointment. Nothing too exciting to report. I was down 1 pound from last appt which means that over my last 4 appointments (the last two plus months) I have not gained any weight. This makes me very happy. However, it has not slowed down Asher at all who the doctor informed me probably weighs about 4 1/2 lbs right now so I'm probably looking at an 8 lb-er. This scares me. The doctor I saw today (back up for my usual doctor) is big on drinking 96 oz of water a day. He harps on this every time I see him. I just want to ask, is that even possible for a pregnant lady to drink that much?...I really think you would never be able to leave your house or the vicinity of a bathroom as a pregnant lady if you drank that much water.

In Quinn news, he went rock climbing last night with some guys from work. They have recruited him to start going twice a week with them. He told me earlier today that his hands are paying the price...that it hurts to even use a mouse at work.

official announcement

This is what I made today. I think it turned out well, especially since I do not have the crafting gene. Now I just need to get a shelf to put above his crib so we can display this.

I'm getting really anxious for his arrival. We are making good progress on the nursery and I can't wait to have it all put together. And for those of you who don't know, this post will serve as the official announcement that we are naming him...

Asher Quinn DelHoyo

curious

Friday night Quinn and I went to see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button with some friends. Overall, I really enjoyed the movie. It is long at just under 3 hours, but it never felt long to me. Since seeing it, I've been wanting to read the short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. So this morning I googled it and found it here. I was really surprised at how different the story and the movie are from each other. They have virtually nothing in common except for the title and the basic premise of being born old and aging backwards. The story is interesting, but the movie is much much better.

30 weeks

I went to my 30 week appointment today. Pretty much just business as usual. However, the other night I was reading in my pregnancy book and realized that they had never given me the Rhophylac shot at 28 weeks for being RH negative. So I brought it up today at the appointment at which point the Dr. thanked me for reminding her. No problem, although I probably shouldn't be the one doing the reminding. So I had to go have more blood work done and then come back and get a nice shot in the back side. It hurt. But I now feel better at least knowing that the injection was given and that hopefully there won't be any problems due to the RH factor.

we are back

We just got back from two weeks in Virginia for the holidays. We had such a great time. Here are a few highlights.

Quinn and his Dad had fun at a Redskins game.





We had a wonderful time visiting and spending time with family. We ate lots of delicious food.



Quinn was the donkey in the nativity.



We were fortunate enough to be in town for our niece Chloe's blessing day.



We spent a day downtown and I got to go to my favorite--the National Gallery of Art.



We had hoped to escape the Christmas sickness this year but both Quinn and I got sick. We are now home and ready to get ready for the arrival of our little boy.

ice

Quinn and I wanted to do something Christmasy in Dallas before we left for Virginia on Saturday. So tonight we headed out to ICE! at the Gaylord Texan.
It was a virtual winter/christmas wonderland. We loved it. They have this huge tent that they keep at 9 degrees. They hand out parkas to everyone so they can withstand the cold. I was pretty warm except for my nose and at the very end when I was trying to take pictures my hands got really cold. Next time I'll remember to bring gloves. Here are some pics from the exhibit.











Our little family with Santa




This picture does not do the Nativity justice...it was so beautiful.





The lobby of the Gaylord Texan


The life size gingerbread house

i love this time of year

I love when oranges, grapefruit and other citrus delights come into season. I went to the store on Monday and picked up some delicious Texas grapefruit and some yummy navel oranges. I've been enjoying them all week. Of course, it doesn't hurt that I've loved everything citrus even more since I've been pregnant. But seriously, I just love this time of year!!

did i mention

It was 76 degrees in Dallas yesterday. I was sweltering. Had to have windows and doors open all day and I was still hot. And now, today, at 1 pm, it is a balmy 28 degrees, with wind chill it is 16 degrees. Brrr. I hope I can find a coat that I can still button up.

i hate cats

I really do. I don't even feel bad about it. They make my life miserable. We went to Quinn's Christmas party last night. It was at the owners house. He had a cat. I wanted to die. Even the next morning, I still can't breathe, have itchy eyes, and a massive headache.

The party was very interesting. Highlights include having some of the best Mexican I've had since I've moved to Texas. I have been less then impressed with the Mexican food scene here. Its all this Tex-Mex stuff that I just don't care for. That pretty much sums up the highlights. By the time dinner was over, I was really starting to get sick due to the cats.

There was a gift exchange. You were suppose to stick with a $50 budget. We did. We gave the Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker. 50 bucks on the dot. Let's just say some people were big spenders. I think there were about 3 or 4 iPod Nano's and a digital camera in the mix. Who are these people?

The company gave out gifts too. Poor Quinn, his number was the absolutely last one drawn so we ended up with $300 worth of video games. Just what we need. Yeah, right. Luckily, they told us we can have the receipt and take them back to Best Buy. This makes me happy. I'm hoping we can pick up a camcorder so we can record the little rugrat when he arrives.

We got home around 1 am. I was miserable and did not sleep well. I'm still miserable but hopefully the cat attack will start wearing off soon.

fatherly

During Monday Night Football last night, Quinn decided to break open the stroller/car seat box and work his magic.



I had to snap a pic because he looked so Dad-ish doing it. I can't wait to see him for the first time with the baby. I'm getting very excited!

baby update

Just got back from my OBGYN appointment. I had to do the gestational diabetes test. That was DISGUSTING! So gross. I am not good at swallowing things that I don't like the taste off, hence no matter how sick I get I never take cough medicine because I can never get it down.

But besides all that everything was good with baby. The doctor said he is a big boy as I'm measuring at 27 weeks and the heartbeat was good. He gave me a good swift kick as the doctor was listening to the heartbeat and I think he even startled the doctor a bit.

Now I'm home and eating cheese as fast as I can to counter act the disgusting glucose drink I had to ingest. I really have to pray hard and long that this test is fine so I don't have to go and do the other one which sounds even more horrific.

retail therapy

Quinn and I have not had the best day today. Bad news keeps pouring in about our car. It looks now like they are going to call it a total loss. So now we are all kinds of stressed about what to do. So after freaking out all day I told Quinn I wanted to go to Babies R Us and go shopping.

My Grandma Mortensen has made a tradition out of giving glider/rockers to her grand-daughters when they have babies. So whilst in Utah she gave me an extremely generous amount of money with which to do that. So off we went. With her money and a gift card we were able to walk away with these items.





Quinn and I had a little debate regarding the travel system. We had choices of red, sahara, and green. The green trimmed system also has a metallic hexagon trim. Quinn insisted that hexagons are the shape of the future. So the green trim it is.

Now we are home and I'm making hot cocoa and about to watch The Office. I'm feeling much better now.

recap of our thanks

We got back late last night from Utah. We had a really nice time visiting with family and friends. Here is a little recap:

Baby Shower

My dearest friend/cousin Lindsay was so kind as to throw me a baby shower while I was in town. I had so much fun seeing family and friends and everyone was so generous to the little man. Here are a few pics of all the attendees (btw, I'm posting these against my own better judgement since I look ginormous in these pics.)


Me, Quinn's Grma Fry, Aunt Michelle and Casey


Mortensen Clan


My old roomie Kaelyn with her little girl Rachel


Kim and Cami, friends from high school


Sisters

Stomach Flu
After the shower I got ridiculously sick with the stomach flu. Not fun and it knocked me out for quite a few days and took all the fun out of eating, even on Thanksgiving.

Halo Fun
About 5 minutes after Quinn arrived, his friends swooped in and picked him up for a Halo reunion. He and about 11 of his closest friends got together for a reunion of sorts and played until the wee hours of the morning. He said it was so good to see people he hasn't seen in forever.

Thanksgiving
My mom made a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. I was able to eat some of it. Later that evening mass quantities of Arnett's came over for dessert and much Wii playing.

Friends On top of everyone I was able to visit with at the shower, I was also able to meet Kristen for dinner, Kim and Cami for lunch, Quinn and I had dinner with Chris and Mandy and were able to catch Kurt and Ashley for a visit as well. It is always nice to see friends after it has been a while.