Sitting up, Rolling over, and Other Happenings

Ok, I'll do a little update....

Audrey Jo is 5mo. old! She's achieved some new things lately. You know about the rice cereal thing; that is still going well. A day shy of 5mo. Audrey officially sat alone for several mintues! Then one night later at some point she flipped from her back to her tummy in her crib. I found her in the morning on her tummy! It was hilarious! Now she does if often and really well. But not yet on the floor while she's playing, I guess she prefers her back when she's playing and her tummy when sleeping. Now when I put her in her crib, she grabs her little bunny blanket, turns on her left side, puts her left thumb in her mouth and the blanket to her cheek and shuts her eyes! It's so cute. I sucked my left thumb too. I'm not sure if this is good or bad, but what can I do about it?!

A 5 mo. old baby girl :)

Licking the bowl clean!

My first bath in the big person tub! Sitting up!

My first roll over to my tummy!

My Great Grandma Mary and Grandpa Gale went to Alaska and got me this cool hat! I love it!

So Audrey is just a blast. I love taking her to restaurants and watching her so interested in everything on the table. We tried her out in a high chair with a toy in front of her on the table, she did pretty good. She wants everyone's food! She's just a fun girl! She giggles more easily and "talks" a lot, especially for Chris. We just started noticing that she's kinda hitting things, like wacking toys and surfaces hard with her palm, haha, what a goof.

Well, I like talking about Audrey, but in terms of Chris and I, were are also just fine. We're both having jobs issues and would like new ones, but we shall wait and try to be patient and content for we know and trust the One who has a plan. We're having fun being parents and watching our beautiful daughter grow. We love sharing her with people and seeing how much she is loved. We so appreciate everyone who helps us with watching her and such, you know who you are! We joined a small group at church and that, so far, seems like quite a great thing. I'm also going to start going to MOPS (mother's of pre-schoolers). The moms meet together and there's child care for the "Moppets" as they're called. It's at my church, but not limited to members of our church, so we'll see how that goes tomorrow. Chris and I are also in a co-ed softball league. I have to miss a bunch of games, because of work, but I had a lot of fun in the ones I was in! It's fun to do something like that with Chris.

Ok, I better leave it at last before Audrey wakes up and you all get intimidated by the blog's length!

~Brianna

Baby Food!

Today it's recommended to start baby's on solid food, or rice cereal that is, inbetween 16-24 weeks of their lives. Audrey is 20 weeks, so she falls in that category. Here are some other signs your baby is ready to start eating a bit of cereal. They are interested in the food they see you eating-Audrey watches with great interest when we eat and tries to grab it from our silverware and put it in her mouth. They are at least double their birth weight-Audrey was 8lbs and now she's 17lbs. They are waking up at night and seem hungry when they were previously sleeping through the night-Audrey used to sleep through, now she wakes up. The baby can keep food in his/her mouth w/o pushing it right back out (this is a reflex that disappears with age).- Well I didn't know about this one until we tried feeding her. So yesterday we fed Audrey about 2 tsp of rice ceral mixed with a little formula to make to thin. She gobbled it up! Swalled it right down. I think we'll just do it once a day for now, like after her afternoon bottle. She still got up last night though, so I don't know why she's doing that. Anyhoo, here are some pics of Audrey's 1st bites ever!

Fun spoons we get to use now.

She liked to grab the spoon and help

Look at me guys, I'm a big girl!

Yum!

Happy Birthday Chris!

Today is my husband's 25th birthday! I love you sweetheart. I hope you have a wonderful day! I

am very very glad you were born! :)

A great husband!

A great new Daddy :)

Happy Birthday! xoxoxoxo!

14 Weeks

****I just put Audrey down for a nap, her morning one. Usually I take a nap too, but I actually didn't feel incredibly tired so I thought I'd stay up and do fun computer things. Also, I've been having such a hard time falling asleep at night, so maybe skippin' the nap will help.
****Audrey has been such a blast this week. I worked the weeked and Chris had her the whole time, overnight. At some point over the weekend, she gave him her first little giggle. Then yesterday my mom got her to giggle, and I got one outta her this morning! It's so fun to see her react that way. She's also now grabbing things. In her exersaucer she grabs the toys and if I put a toy on her tummy she picks it up and puts it in her mouth. She also reaches her arms straight up to reach for our faces when she's laying down. When I go to get her out of her crib she sees me and opens her mouth in a giant smile and wiggling her arms and legs like crazy. It's so fun to see her recognize us and get so excited about it! She has some new squeals and cooes as well. She grabs her feet sometimes and is not rolling over yet, but seems to try sometimes. She holds her head way up now and get her whole chest off the ground. She falling asleep for naps easier as well. Her new thing is that she's been sucking her thumb. I just put her down and she spit out her pacifier and put in her thumb! Also now it's harder to read to her cuz she grabs the pages! She's such a fun girl and we love her so much!
****Audrey has now decided that she doesn't want to nurse anymore. She only wants it from a bottle! What a stinker. Now I have to pump all the time cuz I really want her to have my milk. She gets my milk most of the day, but maybe 1-2 formula bottles as well. Sorry if you didn't want to know all this :) She's also drinking 6oz now! So, I went out yesterday and got a bunch of big bottles, now that we need more of them! It's quite a system pumping, washing bottles, filling bottes, washing bottles, and so on and so on. I think I've become quite efficient. Chris does it too (makes bottles and washes them, not pumps, hahahahahahahahahah).
****My mom and dad and Chris and Audrey went to down by the riverside to watch Gene's band play (a family friend). I guess when Audrey heard the loud music she grabbed onto Chris and buried her head down on his shirt :) She didn't cry, but just layed there, hanging on, as if to say, " Daddy, keep me safe, I'm not sure about this loud noise!" Then she took a nap on her Grandma and woke up and had lots of fun looking at all the people and the trees :) I wish I would have been there! (I was at work) Chris had a good weekend with her, I think. He had to get up once at 4am to feed her, but he said it wasn't bad. He is such a good Daddy and takes such good care of her.
****Our blogging/facebook stuff is being highly monitored now at work so I won't really talk about it, but I'd have 4 shifts back and it's been as good as expected. I'd rather be home, it's hard to leave Audrey, but it's been going fine. Both Great-Grandma's have had a turn at watching her before Chris gets home. We're so lucky to have so many wonderful family members in town! I'm so grateful to all of them and all their help! Grandma Mary also came over one day to watch Audrey while I had an appt for my gallbladder.
****So, I do have stones in my gallbladder due to pregnancy and that was the cause of my severe pain. I can't remember if I've talked about this before. I won't get into it, but let's just say worse pain of my life or maybe even with giving birth, thought I was dying, and turns out it's a gallstone. Wow, so much pain for such a little thing. So, I met with a surgeon and he says I can call him up when and if I want surgery to get the gallbladder out. I haven't had an attack in a while, so maybe it's over? Please!
****Oh what else...my friend Casey went back to Kansas (I miss you!) I'm glad I got to see her a few times this summer, although I wish it were more! My dear friend Cara is coming home from Ohio this week, for a few days! I'm so excited to see her! She was here when Audrey was like 3 weeks, so she'll be amazed at how big she's gotten!
****Yesterday was a lot of fun. My mom came over and we went to a Chinese buffet, Target and back to my place. Audrey was fun and giggled for her grandma. Mom bought Audrey a floating pool thing. Audrey can sit in it and float! It has a shade over it too :) I got her a suit and "lil swimmers" which are diapers for the water. We're going to camp this summer so I thought I'd try it out and see if she can handle the lake... Later we went to Tinns with Mom and Gavin and back to their house to play outside. Mom, Dad, Chris, Audrey, and I went on a walk to the Dietzman's house. Cheri, Kirk, Danae, her b/f Mike, and 2 of their little cousins were there, some swimming, some not. We chit-chatted for a bit and left before Audrey got hungry. Then Audrey went to bed at 10:30 and got up a little before 7:30 (almost 9 hours, I like it!)
Okay, I better add some pics and wrap this up!

Sittin' in the bumbo seat!

On my tummy, makin' spit bubbles

Playing and giggling with Daddy! (I threw up on his face this morning, haha!)

I grabbed my puppy and now I'm gonna eat him

My little swimmer

The bottle mania

Grabbin' another toy

My cool new glasses my uncle Jay got me (Gavin's good friend)

Hope you liked the update :)

Today I have to go back to work and this was my mom's blog...

To my sweet daughter Brianna
I know today will be hard for you as you return to work after having 3 months off. I have been praying that you will be able to adjust as you venture back to the workforce, and step away from your precious little girl. I'm glad you and Chris have set your priorities on what's best for Audrey and have chose to only have you work a few days a week.
Your children will thank you both for being there for them.
I hope all goes well on your first day back to work, I'll pray it does.



Last night when Audrey and I were snuggling she told me
a few things that I should mention in my blog... Here's what she said,

" Mommy, you take such good care of me and even though I will miss you a few nights a week, I feel especially blessed to get to spend time with my daddy...just me and him, it's all good.
So dont you worry about a thing, my daddy's got my back and all my friends and family will be happy to hangout with me every now and then until dad gets home from work.
I'm excited for Kellie to be with me today for a few hours until dad gets home. Then I get to see my Grandma at daddy's softball game, we will "chill" and watch daddy hit the ball hard.
Before you know it you'll be back home and checking on me as I sleep all cozy in my bed. Daddy will tuck me in and make me comfortable so I'll sleep the whole night through !
Be sure to give me a kiss on the cheek before you slip into bed with daddy. I hope you have a good night at work tonight mommy... Cant wait to see you in the morning, hugs and kisses
I love you", Audrey

Thanks Mama for helping me feel better about everything. I really appreciate knowing you're praying and thinking of me :) I love you!

It's Weird to Think I've Only Been a Mom for 12 Weeks :)

****I put Audrey down for a nap at 3:30. I did kickboxing for 30 mins in my living room to an on-demand-video my sister-in-law showed me that I have for free. Then I did some bible reading/praying for 30 mins. Then I thought about what make for supper and wondering what Chris was up to. Usually he's home by now. So, I thought I'd push my luck and write a quick blog while my sweet baby is sleeping. I hear her quick little breaths on the baby monitor :)
****Today I had lunch with my friend Casey. She is home from Garden City, Kansas where she is a teacher! She has to go back soon :( Casey is such a great listener. I find myself babbling and on because she listens so well :) She's always been one of those friends that you can talk to for hours :) Thanks for hangin' with me and Audrey and happily putting up with Audrey's mood swings.
****Audrey is 12 weeks now and she's one of the joys of my life. I adore being home with her and watching her learn and grow. There is nothing better! I love when we lock eyes and I talk to her and she makes cooing noises back to me and makes big eyes like she's excited that we're talking. I also love holding her my lap and reading to her. Sometimes she'll sit and stare for three or four books long, but then sometimes 1/2 a book is enough for her and she wants to wiggle on the floor. She can really hold her head plus her upper body up when she's on her tummy. Tomorrow we're getting her 3mo. picutres done at Target. She'll only be 3 days shy of 3 mo. I hope it goes well, this is our first time going to a studio with her. My goal is remain calm and enjoy the process even if she crys (I hope she doesn't!) I tried to plan it at a good time, but each day has its own good times and they're not always at the same time.
****I have to go to work on Monday, bah, let's not talk about that. I could blab on about all the things that bother me about that, but insted, here are the positive. I only have to work 2-3 evenings a week and every third weekend, I can help provide for our family, Chris gets to get to know Audrey better and to spend quality time with her by himself, I get to use my brain in a different way by critically thinking at work (I could do without this, haha), um, what else, hmm, other people get to spend time with her by watching her after I leave and before Chris gets home....Yeh there are good things, but I know I will be sitting at work thinking about what my sweethearts are doing at home and wishing I was there. I know Chris can do it! It will be fine :) Also, I can give glory to God by showing his love to my patients and caring for them and trying to be a positive co-worker. I'll do my bestest.
****Ok, I shall go! Audrey 's still sleeping and Chris is still gone. I hope he's not in the middle of some horribly stressful meeting or something! I'd like to have supper waiting, but I never know when he'll be home :)
****Hope you all have a wonderful rest of the week! I'm excited for Jenny's shower on Saturday (my future sister-in-law) at her mom's house.

See ya!

Audrey in her exersaucer, she likes it a lot!

Chris made this happen :)

Snuggling with my sleeping girl

All ready for church and getting Daddy kisses

11 Weeks Old

Audrey was 9 weeks when I blogged last and now she's well into her 11th week. I feel like she's changing a lot this week. I can't really put my finger on what it is exactly, but I think I can see her becoming more aware of herself, other people, and the world around her. She makes eye contact longer, smiles more, looks at her feet and hold her own hands. She grabs onto things, like shirts or the sides of her swing or car seat and she has a few new noises. No laughing yet, but some squeals and shrieks. She loves her swing, her mobiles, a mat she lays on with toys dangling above it, wiggling on the floor, "standing" on people's laps, and so on.

Within the past week or so she's been sleeping longer stretches, like 6 hours max. I was hesitant to call that sleeping through the night. However, on Tuesday night of this week she slept from 10p to 6a! 8 hours, so yes, sleeping through the night it was. Last night was 10:30 to 5a, so not qutie as well, but we're getting closer to being more consistant (I think) She is also taking longer and more consistent naps, which I LOVE. Her best nap as of this week is right now, from around 3-5:30! She went down at 3:30 today, it's 4:30 now and she's still sleepin'. She's also staying awake longer and stretching out the times inbetween eating.

A few days ago my friend Kelsey had Audrey and I ovet to her mom's pool. I ended up having Audrey in the water, she was so relaxed, she didn't mind it! She also had a fun day on the 4th with all her relatives. Grandma E. watched her so Chris and I could go to the fireworks, thanks Gran.

I feel like I have nothing else to talk about besides Audrey...I have to go back to work on the 20th. I'm trying to convince myself it's ok, but the thought of it pains me quite a bit. I disliked it before, but now I don't to miss any of Audrey's life. I am very thankful to go back 24 hours a week though thanks to my hard working husband :) Chris is at the big blue building in Rochester, I think everyone knows that by now. It's been a super busy week (quarter close) for Chris and the other financial peeps. He's at meetings (on the phone) and working on files and finding people who used to do the job he's doing to ask questions. It's a strange place. It's like here, do this job, the guy who used to do it moved to Antartica and he cannot help you. No one else knows how to do it, so you'll need to start from scratch or drive to Antartica to find the guy that knows how to do it. Oh wait, he forgot how or never did it in the first place, oh well, good luck, it's due by noon. Heehee, ok not quite that bad, but pretty much. This is not his dream job, but I know God has big plans for him someday, when, I dunno, in His timing I supppose.

I'm making tacos tonight, so I better get on that. It's so complicated. Put meat in pan, add water and seasoning, done! Yes! I love tacos.

I have more to say but I'll leave it for another blog before I lose your interest. Here are some pics for you as of this July!


She's such a big girl in this picture!

Grandma, we match and I am captivated by your shirt!

Oh uncle Gavin, you are hilarious!

Pool Time!

She put her own hand on the handle, haha.

Audrey Through The Weeks

Here is a brief summary of Audrey through these past 9 weeks! I won't comment much on the hospital stay and such cuz it will take too long. But everything went well and so many people came to see Audrey. She is so loved. She has been an absolute joy. I stare at her and cannot believe how beautiful she is. We love her so much and are so thankful to God for the blessing that she is. She makes everyone happy whereever she goes. She is surrounded by people that love her and I am so grateful for that. Sometimes it's hard, when she won't take naps and doesn't sleep well at night, but I know it will keep getting better. It's a bit exhausting at times to think about planning the day around her and the eating and such, but it's all worth it for her! She's so much fun to talk to now because she smiles and cooes at whooever is talking to her. She can really engage now and make eye contact for quite a while. Nothing is better than seeing her smile, she is just so precious :) Ok, here are the pics and such. It starts now at nine weeks and goes back to the beginning. PS: Last night I got to sleep from midnight to 5:45am, a new record!

Nine Weeks Old: Really tracking things and people with her eyes, watching her mobile and looking at everything. Moving hands everywhere and keeps hitting herself in the head. Lots of smiles and cooing when people talk to her!

Eight Weeks Old: Lots more looking around, sleeping longer, usually just get up once a night now, around 4 or 5 and then back to sleep. Love to sleep on people and not in the crib in the day, we're working on this, haha. I got a record 5 hours of sleep in a row.

Seven Weeks Old: Making spit bubbles now! Got vaccines and weights 12.2 lbs now.

Six Weeks Old: Many more smiles. Lots of eye contact and moving around. Love to look at the sky. Randomly turned over from belly to back, but haven't done it again since, just a fluke I guess. Still get up 2X a night to eat, but I love rocking her back to sleep afterwards.

Five Weeks Old: Chris was changing Audrey and she smiled at him. I rushed in and I got one little smile too! It was the best moment ever! I kept finding her in her crib lying on her side all curled up of with her legs stuck throught the crib rails. Making cooing noises and went to Ryan and Katie's wedding.

Four Weeks Old: Starting to look around and notice things, especially light out the window. Like to stare at the TV. Lifting neck a little more when lying on tummy.

Three Weeks Old: Baby dedication at church and Mother's Day!

Two Weeks Old: Started crying and not sleeping all day anymore. Started getting gas pains in the evening. Now 8lbs 12 oz.! Longest sleep I got was 4 hours in a row.

One Week Old: Sleeping randomly and a lot, we just do whatever she wants! 1st baby appt, she pooped 2X while we were there! Went on walks, garage saling, Culver's, Walmart. G+G Hemmer babysat her for the 1st time and Chris and I went to Mr. Pizza. 1st road trip to Adams, MN to see Great-Great Grandpa Neil

1st Day at Home: We brought Audrey home and layed her in her pack and play, where she did all her sleeping for the 1st 2 weeks. Then I finally felt comfortable enough for her to sleep in her crib.

Audrey Joanne Part 1

Hello all.

I have gotten several requests to blog, but I am finding it very very hard to do. I have too much to say and no time to say it. I can bearly focus on typing this as I am expecting a baby to cry any second...

So, anyways, you all know everything but just in case you wanna know again..

I had a baby! Audrey Joanne Lewis was born on April 19th 2009 at 5:17am. My water broke the evening before (after a 12 hour shift at work) at Whistle Binkies (akward). We finally got to the hosital an hour later and so labor began. At 4cm I had an epidural and less than 2 hours later I was 10cm and she was comin'. Labor was 7.5 hours and I only pushed for 35 mins. The pain was quite intense, I don't think the epidural did it's job towards the end, it hurt real bad, lemme tell ya.

All the sudden a screaming little baby entered the world. She cried for a few seconds and then before I knew it she was plopped in my arms. Chris and I stared at her in amazement and what do ya know, she stared right back for a very long time. She looked so tiny and perfect. Her face was delicate and petite, not all bloated and blotchy like I excpected it to be. We gave her lots of kisses and she was taken for a bit to get her hep B shot and some other things.

OK, she's crying now, so I guess that's all we're getting for now.........to be continued

Just got my gown on and I'm ready as I'll ever be to have a baby!

Audrey Joanne, on her birthday. 8lbs 4oz, 20 and 3/4 inches.

What a tiny little sweetheart. We love her more than we could describe.

A Big Belly and a Track Meet

Yikes, here are some belly pics. I hope they do not disturb you. Tomorrow I'm 39 Weeks!

32 Weeks

36 Weeks

38 Weeks (This one disturbs me)

I love my new lil' side table, it's perfect. Now, I just wait for the dresser/changing table that Grandpa E. is making us and the room is done!

Ok, so the due date is in 8 days and life changes forever! Or, it's in like 18 days if I have to wait a few more weeks and be induced, bah, let's hope not. Chris and I guessed the 24th, so I'll just hope for that, or any time sooner! I have to work this coming weekend, maybe the intensity of being there for 24 hours will bring about labor?! Right now Audrey is stretching up to my ribs and pushing! She's a good girl though, but she does love to wiggle. I did not sleep good last night. I woke up 3X to pee! A new record. But oh well, I'm sure I'm sleeping better now than I will be in a few weeks.

In other news, yesterday I went to Gavin's first home track meet. He's a thrower and out of 3 teams he got 1st in discus and had the 4th best throw in shot put. He was very unhappy with his discus throw, cuz he threw 10 feet further in practice, however, he still won :) It's fun to watch him throw, he's so smooth. Yesterday I also met Kelsey and Heather for lunch at Noodles and baby David of course. Kelsey's birthday was Monday, so it was sorta like a b-day lunch. It was lots of fun, David entertained us with his cute faces and noises, what a little sweetheart. Then we walked over to Cold Stone and had icecream. I realized that it's very hard to hold a baby while you pay for your ice cream and try to eat it. I was practicing multi-tasking and now my left bicep is killing me! Kels must have strong arms after these past 11months. David is getting super funny. Now when Kelsey pulls out her camera and points it at David, he stops everything he's doing and kinda poses for the camera, as still as can be. Then I got a call from Chris that someone was coming to look at our townhome (this is the 3rd time someone's looked) so I ran home quick and did some extra tidying and then went to Kelsey's house. We took David for a walk around her neighborhood. We thought maybe if I walked I would have the baby, no luck! Then we chit-chatted outside in the wonderful sun and watched David play in the grass for the first time. He really liked the twigs and sticks and of course, he tried to eat one. Mom and Dad came over last night and watched Idol with Chris and I. Adam was my fav of course. It was a very very fun day and it was so nice to be able to be outside.

I wonder if this'll be my last blog before the baby's born??? Ya never know.

So long!

I don't know why but this computer is making me blog under Brianna's thingy.
Any way I wish You all Happy Rabbit day.
Later Gator.

A Little Family

Audrey is due in.....18 days, 9 hours, and 24 minutes (my mom's blog has a countdown, I didn't acutally do the math here) So....we're excited! We realize she could come tomorrow, or in like 4-5 weeks, but whatever, we are, I think, as ready as any two people could be who've never had a baby before. Today we put the car seat in Chris' car, the other base is also ready in my car, so we're ready there, I guess the only thing I could do now is pack a little bag to take with us, I spose I should do that soon. We're excited to meet her, but it seems very unreal that we'll actually have a baby.

So, here is a sweet pic Mom took of our lil' family, heehee. We love each other so much and we're excited to give Audrey all the love we can :) So, pretty soon I'm sure my blog will be dominated even more by her :)

The Bestest Couple I Know!

Happy 27th Anniversary Mom and Dad! Love you both so much and I hope you have a fun day celebrating together!!!!!!!! xoxoxoxoxoxo.

Overnight Two of Two

Well at least it's the 2nd night so I can say it's over after this! It's 3:25, which means I have 3 hours and 35 minutes until the next nurse gets here. Then I have to give report to them, which will most likely take until 7:30. So, I'll be in my bed in about 4.5 hours. Hurry up!

I am very very sleepy! Tonight I have 2 totally different patients. Since I floated on Fri, I've managed to stay on my own unit for 2 shifts in a row! My peeps are sleeping through the night, which is very rare and odd. It's also a little unsettling, I'm not used to being out of their rooms for so long. So I sit here by the monitor and make sure they're doing well and peek in on them every hour at least.

I just got back from break. I had a little salad and a 100 cal pack and regular Sierra Mist and I read my book. Now I am covering for another nurse's break. His patient is not as stable as mine, so I'm keeping a close eye!

Today (well yesterday, Sunday) was fun. I went to bed right when I got home around 8:00a and slept until 1:30p. I just woke up and couldn't sleep no longer. Chris had just gotten home from chruch. So we just hung out, loungin on the couch. Oh yeh, we went on a walk, it was so pleasent outside! I loved it! I sorta felt like I got exercise, haha. Then around 5:00p we headed out to chuch for Dora's "Send me to the Czech" fundraiser spaghetti supper. It was so yummy! There was salad and garlic bread and little desserts too. Lots of peeps showed up, I hope she got a lot of donations! We sat with my parents and Brad and Julie, it was fun to hang out a while before work. Then I had to head out to 'the Mayo' and here I am.

I was hit hard when I got here, my patients were super busy at first complete with the overbearing family memebers. As one family member left, very reluctantly, at midnight, he made a great detailed speech about the location of the patient's water cup and how she may not be able to reach it and how I just might have to peek on her every so often and see if she needs water. I politely told him that I would be checking on her regardless and that I would certainly help her. As soon as he left, the patient was finally able to rest and has been sleeping pretty soundly since! The family member called me as soon as he got home to see how she was doing..... she's sleeping sir. Hahah, oh dear. It's hard to have patience, but I would certainly be concerned about any family member of mine.

When I was on break, Audrey was kicking like crazy, like a maniac, it made me laugh. I think she's confused as to why I'm awake. Heehee.

Welp, it's about time for 4:00 assessments and some meds and I think I hear an IV pump beeping. See y'alls later!

Overnight One of Two

Well here I am on my OWN unit, nice. I'm hoping I can get away with not floating tomorrow night either! However, get this, the med. ICU is full, so we're getting their overflow patients, so I am on my unit, but have 2 MICU patients, hilarious. Acutally it's fine, I'm just glad to be here. I'm on the small side of the unit. So, it's just me and one other nurse hanging out down here. It's pleasant!

I had a blah day, just ask Chris, I was sad and grumpy. I get very miserable on Saturdays when I have to work the overnight weekend. I try not to, but all I can seem to do is dwell on it and how much I hate it! It's never THAT bad when I'm here. Obviously I wish I was home right now, but it's ok. So, I did manage to take a nap from like 2:30-4:00, so that was nice. Chris told me I needed it, hahaha. He and I cleaned up the house (although it's already ridiculously clean) for the open house we had today. We have to keep it clean all the time because someone could come look at whenever. No one came to the open house, sad day. We ate outside at McDonalds today, although I had Wendy's. Chris had a random McDonalds craving. It was a joy to sit outside! Then we drove around and looked at open houses but didn't go in any, probably cuz I was no fun and just wanted to sit in the car, hahaha. Thanks for putting up with me Chris. Later we had tacos and got some groceries. Oh yeh, I bought the new People magazine for tonight, I should go get it! Or maybe I'll save it for my break at 3:00a.

Well, I guess that's all I have to say! I get a break in a 1/2 hour. Then when I come back I'll have 3 hours left, yes!!! It's going pretty fast. The hard part is just knowing I gotta come back later today.

See ya alls later!

Happy 1st Day of Spring

I should probably update.....

I am sitting here at work, floating to the Medical ICU, what's new and all is pretty well. They gave me 2 patients, one is confused, the other is angry, neither I feel comfortable leaving alone, so a PCA (patient care assistant) is sitting in the other room. The charge nurse realizes "this isn't ideal" but isn't changing it regardless. So, yeh, thanks for the friendly assignment! not.

I am so antsy to get home, I wanna go so bad! 2 hours left. So, I thought if I blogged it would take up some of the time....

We're getting excited about the baby. Since I last posted I've had 2 baby showers! The first was at church thrown by my aunties Julie and Susan. Lots of peeps came and lots of presents were opened! The next week My Gran E. and aunt Jodi threw me an "Erickson" side shower at Grandma's. I was so excited, everyone was there, even Jenny! It was so fun. We played games, ate the most delicious food ever, and opened more presents.

Baby Audrey has so much stuff! The once empty closet (after I cleaned our junk out) is now filling itself right up. I bought 80 baby clothes hangers from Target and they're all full and that doens't count the numerous outfits that came already with hangers. So, yeh, oh and then there are many many onsies in packages not hung up! There are about 8 or 9 blankets, many toys, bedding stuff, a pack n play, a boppy pillow, a bumbo seat, health care stuff, silverware, one bottle, pacifiers, books, dolls, shoes (3), hats, bibs, a swing, a monitor, a baby carrier, burp rags, and so on. I think I pretty much got what I need and then some. There are a few other things I'd like to have, but they're not completely necessary.

Yesterday I put together the swing (it was a beast to put together) although to give the company credit, they did recommend I put it together with another adult, hahaha, but I said no, I can do it. Then I put together and took apart the pack and play, it was easy! It's so cute, I got it with our Target gift cards and some money we got. It's not one of the super extravagant ones, but it's cute, sorta tan/brown with green and monkeys, haha. It's got an insertable bassinet thing so when she's little we can lay her in that and not have to bend way over. I also washed the crib stuff and put it all back on the mattress, so it's ready to go! Now I just need the baby! I read more from a good book I got about feeding/sleeping schedule stuff. It's a lot of common sense, but really good to read too. Some of it's different than what Mayo told us, but I feel like I agree more with the book. Haha, we'll see.

What else....I am feeling huge. It's hard to move and bend over and turn over. I am now taking prilosec and a bit of a higher dose and I have zero heartburn and I only have to take it once a day, sweeeeeeet. Audrey moves a lot and makes my belly move along with her, but that's fun. I'm 35 weeks, so it's gettin' closer!

Hopefully you're not all sick of my talking about baby stuff. What else, we have our 1st open house tomorrow, no body has come to look yet, well someone was gonna, long story with the lock box, and they didn't get in, but hopefully someone comes tomorrow, although we're not in some massive rush either. Who knows how the timing will all work out. I've done a lot of hanging out with Chris, going out to eat, just being togther, visiting my parents, going out to eat with them, haha. We went to Austin to take Linda out for lunch for her b-day, that was fun! We had a b-day party for Gavin turning 18 last week, that was also fun. I had lunch with Heather once at Noodles and Chris and I ate out with Kels, Jeff, and Davind another night. David is getting so funny! He's a hoot to watch and so cute too :) I think he will see Audrey and try to poke her, haha. One thing I haven't done in over a month, is go to a movie, I need to do that soon! Hint hint, anyone? Too bad I work all this weekend :(

Well, I'm sure there's more to say, but I'll end it at that. Thanks for all the guesses on Audrey's due date and such, I'll let y'all know who was closest!

~Brianna (see pics below! All are stolen from my mom, heehee)

Me and the "great-grandmothers" to be!

Susan and Julie threw me the shower!

A fun collage my mom did. I'm spoiled.

Shower #2 by Jodi and Gran E!

Cindy, Jodi, and Michelle, a bunch of wonderful aunts!

Alex, Jensen, Me, and Megan, my girl cuzzies!