Graduation!

Friday, May 11th was my college graduation! HURRAY!!! Noah was able to switch shifts with someone and be there, which meant a lot to me. (I cried). I was really happy that I finally acomplished this one thing....I got a little emotional during the ceremony too! The 13th was Mother's Day. Megan got me my very first Mother's Day card and Dad Jim got me the most beautiful necklace. Again, I got emotional.
I had visited the midwife earlier in the week and everything seems to be right on target. Alistair's heartrate was 150 this time, still right where it should be. We're almost to 26 weeks now and it's freakin unbelievable! Sometimes I panic, thinking there isn't enough time left, but that is par for the pregnancy course. Also, Noah and I had a day off together last week and cleaned out our apartment, got a bigger storage unit and made Alistair his own closet. (I was needing a place to stash the small items that were piling up in my dining room.)
There really isn't much going on now. I'm just relaxing, enjoying some time off and getting pretty excited to go to Ohio on Wednesday!!!! WOO HOO!!! Here are pictures from graduation night ("The Belly" at 24 weeks), and Alistair's closet begining to accumulate "stuff!"

Here are some funny words....

...SACROILIITIS, BOPPY, STRATIGRPAHIC CORRELATION, GRADUATION!

SACROILIITIS, It's inflamation in the Sacroiliac joint (where your spine meets your pelvis). I have this. It hurts. I partially dislocated this joint, it won't fix itself, and it's pinching a nerve. Unfortunately, during pregnancy, a woman's body releases a hormone called "relaxin" which relaxes (duh) the ligaments in her body. So, this sacro-whatever is not likely to get any better until after Alistair is born and my ligaments can return to normal. The UPSIDE: I've started getting massages! Not only is it WONDERFUL and relaxes the rest of me, it really helps ease the "pain in my butt."

BOPPY, yes, Boppy. If you haven't heard of it, come back to Earth. (J/K) The above mentioned ailment is compounded by the weight of the baby and the increased curvature of my spine, so I started looking at pregnancy pillows. I was on a mission to find one that wouldn't kick Noah out of the bed. (Believe me, those things are HUGE). When a lightbulb came on in my head: All I need is a boppy! I'll buy one now and use it as back support, then I'll already have it for Alistair when he gets here! DUH, PATRICIA! This thing is great! Let me tell you, I even have to compete for it when I want to use it:



STRATIGRPAHIC CORRELATION, It's geology. I had a HUGE project in Historical Geology this semester where I was given samples of rock formations, had to identify the rock type and the fossils in them, determine how old they are, correlate the three sections to eachother and write a geologic history of that region....based on rocks and fossils. Well, it was A LOT of work. I was so proud of it when it was complete that I took it to Kinko's to get it bound nicely. I got 100% on it! YAY! I've never done a project so big and so involved and am so proud that it turned out so well.

GRADUATION is this Friday! Finally, I have finished something! After all of the roadblocks that were put up for me during my pursuit of this Associate's degree, I couldn't be any happier! What perfect timing, too! Now I have the summer to get our life ready for Alistair!

P.S:
Thank you so much, Mom, for being there when I thought I was fed up with school. For helping me out when tuition was due and for being on the other end of the phone line when I needed to chat. You are always the best!

Thanks, Aunt Connie, for all of your support not just these past few years, but throughout my life! There is something you told me a few years ago, that has given me strength when ever I needed it, "Just keep pluggin away!" And I did!

Thank you, Mom Gail, for being so encouraging! And also, for buying all those books I needed. I love you!

Thanks, Dad Jim, for always having an encouraging word when I felt overwhelmed.

And, finally, the one who is here everyday pulling my head up out of my hands, giving up evenings together for me to work on group projects, driving me to Kinko's at midnight to finish projects, and cooking countless dinners while I did homework. Noah, I know our life it not like we planned it to be 4 years ago, but we have played the hand we were dealt, and played it well. This degree is something I never could have acheived without your constant love and support. I am so happy to be spending my life with you and am looking forward to the rest of my life and whatever may come our way! I love you, for serious!

Play the Baby Game!

Click on the game banner at the top of the page and take a guess on Alistair's birthday, time, height and weight!
The game will be open until the end and noone says you can't guess more than once! ;)
HAVE FUN!

Yes, we're having a boy! His name is Alistair! We had our ultrasound this morning and HE IS BEAUTIFUL! EVERYTHING looks VERY healthy and is going great. The appointment lasted for about 45 minutes and throughout the experience, we got to learn a little about him. He is stubborn and has an attitude, LOONNGGG arms and legs, and HUGE feet! In fact, he measured so big that they moved up our due date from September 8th to August 29!!! No wonder I've been feeling so many hard kicks! He is VERY active, he hardly ever sits still, so I suppose he takes after his daddy! (If only we could fit a bmx bike in there for him)

He weighs 15.5 oz and is 11.5 inches long! His heartrate is 153 bpm!

Here are some picture of the LITTLE DEVIL!!!!





Well, what we thought was a 20 week belly is now officially a 21 week and 4 day belly!

19 weeks and counting and counting and counting...

20 weeks can't come soon enough!!!!!!!!! This Friday (the 20th) is the official 20 week mark....HALF WAY TO BABY! It is also our ultrasound appointment!!! YAY! This is the LLOONNNGGGEEEESSSTTT week yet!

So, I've been meaning to post a sound clip of the heartbeat, but haven't figured out my new technology yet. (The school semester is almost over, then I will have more time to fiddle with it.) Anyway, I wanted to post this story with the heartbeat clip, but I just MUST post it along with my story from today!

So, I took the recording of the heartbeat to work with me the day after I got it. I have always heard people say that it sounds like a washing machine, but this astounded me!
My boss (Elizabeth) said to Annie (The 3 year old), "That's the baby! What do you think?"
To which Annie replied (and read this EXACTLY as I have it typed), "baby ridin horsy in Tricia belly!"
Sure enough, it sounds like a horse gallopping and that's what Annie says!!!

So, for today's story! Annie asks to "hold the baby" and I let her put her hands on my belly and pretend. Well, at chik-fil-a today she came and sat next to me after a fairly long run in the playland and she informed me, "I'm gon hold baby now, k?"
She put her hand on the belly and felt kicks. She asked me what it was and I told her that the baby kicked her hand! So, she pointed to my belly as if to scold it and said, "No, no! We don't kick! Not nice!" She looked up at me because at this point I was laughing at her! She said, "Tricia, baby needs time-out! He forgot his listening hears!" (May I remind you that ANnie thinks it's a baby boy in Tricia belly....we don't officially know yet)

Anyway, I just felt like I HAD to share that! Here's Annie:

HAPPY EASTER!

18 Weeks, Sleep and SNOW!

Yes, today is the 18 weeks mark! YAY! Every new week holds something new for Mommy and Baby. I didn't want to sleep last night because the baby was moving so much and it was so incredible to feel him (or her) (God, I can't wait to find out!) flipping around, kicking and punching. I was so exhausted, though, that I did fall asleep pretty fast. Noah just came off of midnight shifts and he was tired too. He and Frank slept in this morning!


I got off work early today and came home to play with Frank and Ralphy. Well, they were more interested in a stuffed sheep I got at Wendy's yesterday. (yes, I stopped to get fries!) Before I knew it, it had snowed in my living room!!!




CHECK OUT HOW BIG WE'RE GETTING!!!!! (Yep, I'm sporting my Bella Band)

My New Car!!!!

Here's my "Mom Car!" A 2007 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Special Edition Sedan. VERY COOL! This car is perfect! The gas and maintainance will cost FAR less than my truck ever did AND our payments are lower too!!!! HURRAY!!!

It was sad to say good-bye to the "BIG DOG," but this new car is more practical financially AND it's A LOT easier to get the kids (Annie and Kiki) into their carseats with my pregnant belly in the way!

And so begins the "saving for a house" phase of the Brackbill 2007!

Dogs are ALWAYS Babies!

Ralphy was getting very clingy today and wasn't letting me get anything done, so Noah suggested doing what I do with babies, "Strap 'em on!" So I did and we had a blast playing with this Chinese-style "Mei Tai" baby carrier!!!
Check the link the the left for more info on these amazing contraptions!

You can add Sushi to the list.....

....of things I can no longer eat. Thought it would make a nice lunch date with my husband on a very unexpected day off, but BABY had other plans and I ended up having water and mini pretzels from 7-11. However, Daddy got to eat his lunch AND mine, so at least he was full! :)

Also, THE ULTRASOUND is Friday, April 20th. Our appointment is for 9:15am and I will be returning to work afterward, so plan on an important post (with pictures) that evening!

I saw the midwife on Monday and she says, "I think you have a good one in there!" Growth and heartrate are right on target and everything looks GREAT! I had lost a pound between 8 and 12 weeks and still haven't gained any weight, so now I have permission to eat whatever I want, cuz when I see the Ms. Brown again on May 5th, I have to have some more weight on me. Which may not be so hard now that BABY'S growing so fast! (and it's still 5 weeks away!)

OH! And I have a recording of the BABY'S heartbeat, which I will post as soon as I get it onto my computer! So, check back soon!

Thanks for checking in and here's a side shot of the belly at 16 weeks (a weeks ago)!

Love, Patricia

French fries, Mexican Food and Chuck Norris!

We just passed the 16 week mark on Friday so we're getting well into our 2nd trimester now. French fries are my new favorite food!!!! I don't know if it's the salt or what, but Wendy's fries are enjoyed at anytime of any day! I'm not really craving fruit so much anymore, but my sweet tooth is BAD! I've been trying to eat fruit when I get a craving for sugar, but cream soda sounds sooooo good!!! YUM!

Mexican food no longer sits well with me. We went to our favorite Mexican place last night and I almost puked before we left.

Chuck Norris? Well, that's what I'm calling the baby today! I've been feeling little flutters and jabs for over a week now, but this morning I put my hand on the belly and could feel the kicks from the outside!!! I hurried up and put Noah's hand there and he jumped back (and almost as high as the ceiling) and screamed, "OH SHIT!" It was the weirdest thing to feel it so unmistakably, it REALLY IS like having an alien inside you! What an amazing moment!! I laughed for close to 30 minutes after that!

Aunt Trish, I'm sorry I've haven't posted in so long. I promise to post more often now that more is going on!!!!

Stay tuned, midwife appointment tomorrow and THE BIG ULTRASOUND in 2 or 3 weeks (depending on Noah's schedule)!!!

We're closing in on the halfway point and (obviously) baby's getting stronger!!!!

Love you all!!! Thank you so much for reading!!!

Oh, here's a cool shot of the 16 week belly getting wider and higher!!!!!

HEARTBEAT!

We visited the Midwife again yesterday and got to hear a heartbeat....FINALLY! I mean, it was exciting to see it 4 weeks ago, but this...oh, THIS WAS AMAZING!!!!! This new little life with a little teeny heart just beating away at 160 bpm! WHAT A MIRACLE!!!
There isn't much new news yet. I've been feeling GREAT and just trying to get through this semester of school in one piece. We go back to see the midwife in 4 weeks and will schedule the BIG ultrasound then! YAY!

Since we will know the sex of our baby in the next 6-8 weeks, any name suggestions are appreciated! There are just too many to choose from. We're lookng for something somewhat traditional with a good meaning, but not popular. So, help us out if you have a good one! THANKS!

Here's the 12 week belly starting to REALLY "pop" out!

Feeling Better!!!

So, I never threw up, but the nausea and food adversions were INSANE!!! But, it seems that we're out of the morning sickness woods! It's been over a week now since I've had even a twinge of nausea. Some smells make me want to vommit and some foods (mostly meats) make my tummy feel heavy, but I've been eating VERY WELL this week!

We had a little scare last Sunday and ended up in the ER, but they did and ultrasound and couldn't find anything wrong. The baby looks AMAZING! So, after I had a good long cry (my version of a sigh of relief these days), we ate a late dinner and the rest of the week was uneventful. PHEW! (We don't see the midwife again until February 23rd, so we'll get to see the booger again then.)

I celebrated 3 things this week: the return of my taste for coffee (YAY), the end of morning sickness, and my 23rd birthday!!! I had school all day on my birthday, but we went out to dinner with our closest friends, as always, and my brother and his other half. I had a GREAT time......even without tequila this year! I had a few Shirley Temples and enjoyed ACTING as drunk as the people around me!!!!

Ralphy has been a bit odd lately. You know how animals can "feel" a storm before it comes? Well, I think Ralphy can sense that something is different with mommy. He has been very clingy, lovey, kissy and nervous (more nervous than usual for those of you who know about Ralphy's nerves). My sweet boy, my 1st "baby," has to be reminded twice a day that I still love him and he's still my baby!!! :)

Well, enjoy these pictures of my Ralphy soaking up the winter sun and the little ones (Annie and Kiki) that keep me going everyday!!!

I just found these cartoons, thought they were funny and decided to share! ENJOY!!

Here's the BAY-BAY!!!!

Visited the midwife yesterday and got to see our little one!!!! Baby measured 2.11cm long (about 8/10 of an inch) and we could even see the little arm and leg flippers!!! The heartbeat was STRONG and everything with mom and baby looks good! What a beautiful thing!!
Here's the firt glimpse of Baby Brackbill and a shot of my 8 1/2 week belly!

P.S. The OB Clinic is located on Terrier Avenue!!!!! (HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE)

OB Intake/Orientation

Went to the Naval Hospital this morning. Had my general orientation to the DoD OB/GYN practice. IT TOOK ALL DAY! I went in not really knowing what I was going to be doing anyway, but after they make you fill out a MILLION forms, make you sit through a 90 minute class AND THEN interview you individually, they make you go to the lab to give blood for your initial labs! I was at the hospital from 10am until 2pm.....WHAT A WASTE OF A DAY! If I had known they were taking blood from me, I would have packed something to eat, but since I didn't, I went hungry almost all day! Not very pleasant when you have an appetite of a newly pregnant woman!

Anyway, the good news is that I DON'T have to drive all the way out to the hospital anymore! They let me sign up for the OB/GYN clinic at NAS Oceana (right by my house)!!!! The BETTER news is I get to see a nurse-midwife, not a doctor!!! I was s o excited to hear that the Military even offers that, but the clinic I will now go to is run completely my nurse-midwives!! ALL WOMEN! So, I am VERY excited about that and now I feel more comfortable!

Well, I go see the midwife for the first time on January 26th. I will be eight weeks along by then and we should be able to hear a heartbeat! YAY!!!

The BIG News

If you are reading this, you already know! We're having a baby! Our little angel is tentatively due September 8, 2007!
We will be keeping this site updated throughout to let everyone know how things are going!