Gianna Parker!

Gianna did not come as fast or as easy as Madeleine did but she did finally make her appearance. She has light red-ish brown hair so we are anxious to see what it is going to end up being! Gianna so far seems like a very easy going and relaxed baby! Here are some of the pictures.

She's Here!

Gianna Parker Braquet arrived at 1:04AM. She weighed 6 lb 15.4 oz at 18 inches long. We'll post pics in the morning.

In Labor

We got to the hospital around 5:30 and I was 4 to 7 cm. (I was 4 but stretching to7) And 90% efaced. I got my epidual around 7:15 which slowed down my contractions. They broke my water at 6cm and started pitocin so now we are just waiting.

Dr. Appointment

I had my 38 week appointment this morning and I am now 3 cm. Dr.Klein was measuring my belly and said, "Ok, kid it is time to make your appearance." Yes, Yes it is! Then when he checked me and said I had progressed said she was just going to fall out! Thanks Doctor! We went ahead and talked about an induction, I figure if I plan for it she will come sooner. Especially since everything I have expected so far has not happened...she is doing everything on her own terms! I have been having irregular contractions so hopefully they will become regular soon!
Side note-I had signed up for all these sample again and had not received any. I have only received coupons so I thought it was because this is the second baby. Wanting to be prepared, I went and bought a can of formula. Well today, I received formula from the doctor and 2 cans in the mail! And we were told we should get some from the hospital. I guess that is what I get for trying to be proactive.

Keeping up with Madeleine

We have had to start watching what we say around Madeleine because she is a little sponge and a record player. There are some things that she comes up with on her own which just makes us laugh also, like the I just need to cry. So here are a few.
Last week after about the 3rd day of Madeleine waking up way too early, I asked her why she woke up so early and she started into this whole story, I couldn't understand most of it! Then a dog barked outside and she said, "The dog woke me up!" I said, "Oh that loud dog woke you up?" She said yes. Now every time I go in her room to get her she tells me, "The dog woke me up!" (We don't hear the dog that often)
I have pretty much everything set for Gianna's arrival. I brought down the swing the other day and Maddie is pretty interested in it. She swings it gently most of the time and tells me that it is Gianna's swing. We recently told Maddie that Gianna was going to come out soon and kinda went into details. She knows she is in my tummy but we wanted to make sure she knew she had to come out! Well, now she tells us Gianna needs to come out soon, or Mommy is going to the the hospital for Gianna. Yesterday she was pushing the swing and turned to me and said, "I NEED to see Gianna!" (Awwwww!)
We had to go to Kimmie's work to get the Blood Pressure Cuff. I am having extreme swelling and numbness in my hands and feet so I have to watch my blood pressure now. We got to Kimmie's work and Madeleine wanted to go upstairs but I explained that Kimmie was coming out. Kimmie came and was leaving and Madeleine did her about to cry face that would break anyone's heart! I told her is was ok and we would see Kimmie either later today or tomorrow. As we were driving away Maddie said, "Apple Juice Slush would make me feel better." LOL! Opps, sometimes when she does that face I ask if something like candy would make her feel better. I know it is a terrible habit but if you saw this face you would want to give her everything also. But we will need to get out of that habit ASAP!
Lastly, not really a story, but Maddie has been so good about being gentle with Gianna's things or leaving them alone all together. Well, the boxes of diapers and wipes has been driving her crazy! She has been climbing on them every chance she gets. I emptied the boxes and before I could get them in the garage she got a hold of them! She puts her toys in it and she climbs in and out of it.

Madeleine...

You always hear that Kids say the funnest things...so true! The other day Madeleine was crying because we weren't going to Kimmie's house. Well, I told her that was no reason to cry and she told me she just needed to cry. I said ok, well sometimes we just need to cry but you don't need to cry because you didn't get your way. About five minutes later she said, "Mommy, I just need to cry." Trying not to laugh, I said ok and she let out about a 2 second Waaaaa and was finished! It was taking everything I had not to laugh. About ten minutes later she did that again. It was sooo funny!
Last night I had opened all of the gifts from the shower, washed and somewhat organized them but they were all still downstairs. When I brought Madeleine down this morning she was in shock and walked to the couch to check everything out. I told her that is Gianna's Stuff. She seemed fine with it and would pick up things and say, "This is Gianna's." I told her that all of her things were over there (pointing to her toys) and if she wanted to play she needed to play with her toys. She didn't like that too much. We had breakfast and then I was cleaning the kitchen and sterilizing all the bottles and pacifers. Madeleine brought me the rubber duck faucet cover, I told her that was actually for both of them but she needed to go put it back. She went back into the living room and I continued cleaning. Madeleine got really quite so I came to check on her this is what I found.


She had turned the TV on and covered up with Gianna's Blanket! I knew she was going to like that blanket, I just did not know that she was going to take it for the bottom of the stack and use it. She has been carrying around all day. I think Gianna lost that blanket. :-) That is ok, since Gianna will be using a good bit of Maddie's things.

Baby Shower

Saturday morning was my Baby Shower and it was wonderful! I was expecting a small little shower but there were quite a few wonderful ladies there! We received tons of cute things and everything we still needed! We feel so special and loved! I have everything washed, sterilized and ready to go! I just need to finish putting everything up...I am still trying to figure out the best places to put things because we will need burp towels and diapers and stuff both up and down stairs. I am very anxious and can't wait to meet little Gianna!

Mom and Me

Mom, Natalie and Me

3 Generations (4 if you count Gianna)

Both Grandmothers, Great Grandmother and Aunt

The Hostesses

Dr. Appt

This morning I got a call asking if I could come to the Clear Lake office instead of the Pearland office because Klein was delivering a baby. I was a little worried about taking Maddie because I knew there was a good chance I was going to have to wait. It never fails that when I don't line up a sitter and say, "Oh it will be fine!" Something happens. The whole office just loved Maddie and I only had to get onto her a couple of times in the room when we were waiting alone. So Klein finally got there after about a hour. My blood pressure looks good but I am pretty swollen. Gianna's heart rate sounds great. She did have her knee or elbow or whatever it is pushing out and Dr.Klein got to play with her a little bit. It is funny but it is so painful now! I am still 2cm but I am more effaced and I am negative for Group B. Last time my results had not come in yet so Maddie had to get antibiotics just in case, Gianna won't have to. So everything looks good and we are just taking it day by day. Dr. Klein did mention that if I was just completely miserable and ready to give up her would induce. I said Ok...and then he threw in at 39 weeks! Maybe he should start off saying 39 weeks instead of that long pause! :-D I am getting excited about my shower and just hope that she will stay put until Saturday afternoon.

Here is the Belly Shot (36w5d)

Our Weekend

Jada called Saturday Morning and asked if she could take Madeleine to the museum. Of course we said yes but then that opened up our Saturday. We dropped Maddie off and ran an errand. Then we met up at a friends house and headed to Olive Garden, I ate so much but it was so good! Then we went back for a nice nap, picked up Maddie and headed home. A nice relaxing but productive Saturday.

Mom and Dad are on their "bike" trip in California and seem to be having a great time. They did leave Tsunami at home but I saw a solution yesterday.

Yep it is a side car and there is a dog in there.

The dog is wearing goggles!!! So cute!!!

Astros Game and Dr. Appt

Jahno and I went to the Astros game last night. To start with, the National Anthem always chokes me up, no matter what I get teary eyes! Well, last night a soldier sang it was even more powerful! Then a Marine who had to have both legs amputated threw the first pitch! Talk about the water works!!! The game started and our fielding was great but our hitting was pathetic! A good thing about the game being so boring was Jahno and I got to chit chat which we don't do that nearly as often as I would like. Anyways towards the beginning of the game Hunter made a mistake and the Braves got a run. We got to the bottom of the ninth still down by one we got a base hit, and another and then the chickens walked Lee! So the bases are loaded and Tejada (however you spell it) is up to bat. He hit it right in the in the hole and we got 2 runs in!!! YAY!!! Talk about a frustrating game but hey we pulled it off!

This morning I had a Dr. appt. Klein called it my 36 week appt so we had the Group B test and he checked me. I am 2 cm and Gianna is head down and right there. Everything looks good. Jahno is trying to bargain with Gianna, but as with Maddie Gianna will be here when she wants to be here. I am ready because the not fun symptoms are here but I feel like my house isn't ready (once again). Not to mention I am hoping she will wait until after my shower but who knows. :-)

Annoyance

I know I had a pretty easy labor and delivery with Madeleine but it drives me crazy when women decide they are going to go "all natural" and then scream and whine and holler like crazy maniacs! Seriously, screaming does nothing for you, you aren't breathing and it is taking more energy screaming like a cheesy horror movie than anything else! Get a dumb Epidural and shut up!!! And it is ok to change your birth plan, the people around you aren't against you for doing so. If you are acting that ridiculous the people might not only beg you to get the drugs they probably are wanting some of their own. And you are not a victim when you are in labor, everyone is trying to help you and make you comfortable so quit with the pitty party, sit back and deal! Labor and Delivery is going to hurt and you can't have everything the second you want it!

I really should stop watching these dumb Baby Shows...about half of them have me wanting to yell at the TV!

I am done ranting...for now. :-D

Labor Day Weekend

On Friday we packed up and headed to the in-laws new property. I was extremely nervous about this because it was 3 to 5 hours way (depending on who you ask) and there weren't really set plans. The house is not in any sort of living condition so we were staying a Huxley Bay Marina (a hole in the wall) with no phones or cell service. The nearest hospital with women's health was 44 miles away. See my concerns? We left about 1:30 which was way later than expected and it took 4 and a half hours to get there. We got to the place we were staying and it was...well, a hole in the wall. The only description on the website was 2 full beds and satellite TV. Well,our room had 1 queen, 1 full and 1 twin bed and our TV a color TV for maybe the 70's and only had 2 channels, TBS and Animal Planet. As soon as you walked into the room the bathroom was straight ahead with a toilet in the plan view. We could not help but laugh! We got everything put in the room and headed to get dinner. We went to a little hole in the wall restaurant with all you can eat seafood right inside LA. It was really good I have to say and I ate so much I was absolutely miserable! After eating we headed back to TX, that sounds funny, and called it a night. Maddie stayed with Jahno's parents so that was nice. I had to try to stretch the food down and use the heating pad for my back but after several movies on TBS I was out for the night! The next morning we went and had breakfast at the Marina and it was AMAZING!!! I ordered a side of bacon and 2 biscuits...the waitress asked if I was sure, I said uh yes. The biscuits were the size of softballs and they were the good old fashion from scratch biscuits. I ate all but 1 half and again I was miserable...Do you see a pattern? We finished breakfast and headed out the the property. It was only 5 miles away but took quite a while because most of the way is a bumpy dirt road and we were following a civic going 3 mph. I thought I was going to die and Gianna was pushing in every direction, I think she was afraid of flying out my nose. We finally got there and it was nothing like we had expected. This place was awful to start with and we were told they were going to try and salvage everything. Luckily the gutted everything and are basically starting over which is what Jahno was telling them needed to be down. There is a huge pond with fish in it that looks great also! All of the contractors were there and we did a walk through to get all the ideas and plans set...that was the real reason for having us go was to get Jahno's opinion and advice. It sounds like it is going to be amazing if all goes as planned (well the plans that were said when we were there) When the breeze was blowing it felt amazing but it was pretty hot when it wasn't. I had to go get my comfy chair and sit down but it was nice to just take it all in. Jada's (Jahno's Mom) co-worker/friend/basically family had come also and he brought this family. They have a little girl and Madeleine and her played and played. They caught Butterflies and dug in the dirty and played with their little toys. We had hot dogs for lunch. After staying out there for a while we headed to some other property to check it out. I was really getting uncomfortable and swelling by now. Madeleine crashed in Jada's arm and then Lupita (Jada's co-workers wife) held her after that. We headed back to the Marina and relaxed for a while before heading back to the all you can eat restaurant in LA. Got back to the Marina, watched a movie on TBS and crashed. Sunday we got up, had breakfast at the Marina again, packed up and headed to one other property. It was nice also. They had a hammock that the girls loved, I was so nervous but didn't want to be the over protective mommy. They did fine until the very end and Maddie did flip out. She was fine but it did scare her and of course scared me. Daddy and Maddie spent some time calming down and relaxing in the hammock. We stayed longer than we expected but it was nice. All and all it was a very good trip, hot and interesting but good!

Madeleine at the All you can eat seafood place.

Madeleine took this picture, it is Harvey at breakfast.

Everyone walking back to their rooms after breakfast.

Our Room from the road.

Papa Bear, Mama Bear and Baby Bear's Beds, view from the door and the angle makes the beds look the same size but they weren't.

From the door looking straight into the room...yep the toilet.

Madeleine and Harvey in our room...notice the TV.

The group walking up after playing.

Madeleine and Jahno's aunt looking at the pond.

Madeleine getting ready to drive Poppi's Car.

Random Thoughts

Just a few things on my mind...

You always hear everything is bigger in Texas...So true. Sunday I was driving to Church and saw something huge on the side of the road, from a distance I thought it was a couch. It was not a couch it was a COW!!! Yes, even our road kill is Bigger in Texas!

Madeleine has been a little bossy lately and we are trying to take care of that. She wants to tell us what she will or won't do. "I not going to sleep", "I not eating", ect. Well, when her telling us what she is or isn't going to do doesn't work she tries to pull a cute card. She will rub her eyes and say, "I tired" and lay her head down. Or if we are eating and that card doesn't work she will look at me and say, "Mommy, I don't like it." This is humorous because it is stuff she eats almost everyday or something she has asked for.

Madeleine is also very into affection right now. She always wants to hold someones hand, or hug someone, or kiss someone. It is very sweet. If I can't do one of the 3 at any time she has a stuff animal until I am free. She also wants to hold all of her stuffed animals and take them everywhere. Our last trip to Grand Dads so attempted to take 5 animals...I convinced her to take just one but that was a lot of work. ;-)

Other cute little sayings from Madeleine. Madeleine will randomly start laughing and then tell me Maddie is funny! She also tells me that Maddie is sooooo cute! She told me that Zoe went Poopoo in the potty so she could have Princess Panties. I asked well what about Maddie is she ready for Princess Panties, "Nope, I like diapers!" Well at least she knows the prizes! Madeleine always points out Gianna's Room or Gianna's Bed or Gianna's Bath stuff etc when we come cross it. She also has been saying that Gianna is sleeping in my tummy for quite sometime. Natalie and I moved Gianna's room around so we could see her better on the camera. After we moved the room around and Maddie played with some of the baby stuff I told her that Gianna was going to come out of Mommy's tummy in just a little bit. So now she touches my stomach and say Gianna is sleeping but she is coming out soon! Smart little girl or broken record.Lastly for now, We call her Maddie Moo sometimes and today we were getting ready to do something and I said, Ok Maddie Moo and she came right back with OK Mommy Moo! I could help but laugh.

I know I have been bad about taking pictures but I will work on it...here are a couple.
Madeleine Cheesing

Madeleine and and her cousin Emmy (They are 6 months apart)

It is instinctive

Madeleine found some clothes that she wanted to put on. She was having some problems getting her legs in, she kept putting them in the same pant leg. I showed her the problem, she took the pants all the way off so she could do it herself. She gets the legs right and stands up to pull them up...here is the instinctive part. She can't get them over her diaper and begins to jump up and down trying to pull them up! I began laughing and a huge montage of women jumping up and down to get their pants over their hip/butts starts playing in my head! She was just looking at me like I was crazy but she did get the pants on! Next time I will try to get a picture! :-D