The Fanning Four

For as long as I can remember, my dad has started his morning with a cup of microwaved, instant coffee. To be honest, for most of my life I didn't really know there was anything different. In my little world, coffee came from a jar and was stirred in, a couple teaspoons at a time, to a microwaved mug of water. Just a minute and it's ready to go- kick starting my dad's morning. But then came Starbucks, and all of a sudden, I found out what "real" coffee was. Starbucks patrons are passionate about their coffee and would be appalled to know that my dad still drinks the instant stuff. Why in the world would someone settle for the instant stuff when they can have the heaven that is a cup of Starbucks coffee? Well, let me take a stab at that question. The instant stuff- it's quick, it's cheap and it's got caffeine. Starbucks on the other hand is expensive, time consuming, and just way more work. So, what's the point Katie? Well, let me tell you. First of...

Hey all!! We're doing very well over her in the Fanning household. Thanks to the help of Gramma, Grandpa, Nana, and Granddaddy, the first week was manageable. Cooking, laundry, yardwork, etc. were all taken care of. We couldn't be more grateful!! And because Bethany's mommy is not a homebody, we've already been out to eat, to the store, and to church. That's in addition to the pediatrician, cardiologist, and mommy's doctor visit. Are we crazy?!?! Maybe, but these outings are helping us all keep our sanity. Bethany is eating well and sleeping well....and of course pooping well! :) She couldn't be more perfect and we are totally in love with her. And even if it's just gas, we love her cute little smile. So, as promised, here's a link to the slew of pictures from the first week. http://www2.snapfish.com/share/p=138101218405990621/l=410536712/g=40844521/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB

Well folks, she's here!!!! Tom and Katie proudly introduce Miss Bethany Grace Fanning! Born Thursday, July 31, 2008 weighing in at a petite 6lbs. 12 oz and 19 inches long. We went to the doctor on Wednesday and had another non stress test and ultrasound and Bethany looked great! But my blood pressure was pretty high so my doctor decided to send me to the hospital to be induced. We weren't too sure about that decision because my body still wasn't prepared enough for labor (still only 1cm dialated and 50-60% effaced). With that little progress, inductions are often unsuccessful. But the doctor said it was too risky to not induce so we headed on over to the hospital. Thank goodness I had already packed all of our stuff in the car so we were ready to go. Here's me at the entrance to the maternity wing. We settled in for the day and they gave me medicine to try and help my body progress to be ready for the induction. So we just hung out on Wednesday- ate Olive Garden and Fi...

I have a confession to make..... I am really over this whole pregnancy thing. What's funny is that for as long as I can remember I have looked forward to being pregnant. Most of my life I obviously wasn't ready to actually be pregnant; but I always looked at pregnant women with admiration. They're so beautiful and they get to experience something so special. And in the end they get a beautiful new baby! What could be better?!?! But as I grew up and learned more about pregnancy and the whole labor/delivery process I began to realize that I would probably not love pregnancy as much as I once thought I would. And that is oh so very, very true. Now, don't get me wrong. There are so many things I love about being pregnant (ask me in a few weeks and maybe I'll be able to remember what they are). But at this moment in time, being pregnant feels so overrated! I'm tired but can't sleep, uncomfortable, huge, bored, anxious and to top it all off my feet are swollen! No...

Well, it's set. Miss Bethany will definitely make her appearance by 8-8-08 unless I have a REALLY long labor and she's not born until the 9th. Since the docs won't let us go past our due date, we figured there was no better day than 8-8-08. So we'll go in at 6am that morning to be induced, unless of course she comes on her own before then (which is totally fine with me by the way!!). We'll keep you posted! Oh, and be thinking of ideas for what we can do on 9-9-09!!! 7-7-07: Tom and Katie are married 8-8-08: Tom and Katie Become Parents 9-9-09: ?????

Well, as I posted earlier, yesterday I had a great appointment in the morning. But then I developed a bad headache that wouldn't go away. Despite my headache we decided to go to our small group last night. But in the middle of the lesson I decided we should leave- we were close to the hospital so we decided to stop at the CVS close to there to check my BP since it would take an hour roundtrip to get home and back if we needed to . Well, sure enough it was 150/100 so off to labor and delivery we went. Needless to say I was very scared that they would make me have an emergency C-Section! Aaaah! Thankfully, that didn't happen. They monitored me and Bethany for a while and my blood pressure went down. Bethany was perfectly fine. So they released me a few hours later. What a relief but it was exhausting just waiting to hear what the doctor would say. So I figure that's our trial run to the hospital- next time hopefully we'll come out with a nice healthy baby girl! And I lear...

Well folks- in less that 18 days she will be here!!! We've talked to the doctor about the whole induction thing and decided that it is best if we don't let her go past the due date, but that we would rather not induce early unless it becomes medically necessary. So we are hoping to schedule an induction for 8-8-08. Oh yes!! The much hoped for birthdate! But I really would prefer that we not have to be induced. So hopefully, Bethany will make an appearance all on her own in the next two weeks. Or even better, I will go into labor on my own on the 7th and deliver on the 8th! I have started making some progress towards being in labor. I am 1cm dialated and 60% effaced for any of you that know what that means and are curious. And she has started to drop. So, things are definitely progressing. Tom installed the carseat this past weekend and we got it checked out at the fire station and it's safe. Good job Tom! Her room is ready- this afternoon we're going to put up the valan...