Under Armour National Try out

Just a few weeks ago Gabe was invited to try out for the Under Armor National baseball team through Baseball Factory.  We were excited that he was invited to try out and we went as a whole family to watch. 

He was the only one there with a cheer squad so big.  Sometimes he gets embarrassed he has such an entourage but someday I think he'll look back on it and be happy he had the support.  

The try out was at the Chicago Cub's spring training facility, Sloan park.  It was cool being in the stadium with such a small number of people and thankfully the security team was gracious and let Madelyn and Isabelle run free and explore. 

Michael just happened to wear the right shirt that day.  

Gabe had to change into his tryout uniform, speak with the director first and then it was time to show them his skills.

See what I mean about the empty stadium, so cool to see if from a different perspective.

The boys got to warm up and even be in the dugout.  I could see Gabe thought it was so neat and I could almost see his future dreams playing through his mind.

Gabe taking the field.

Gabe's tryout was recorded and he had a chance to interview with the leaders.

Gabe tried out for catcher position as well as outfield.  Below he is in the catcher's position.

They had a series of tests the had to go through.  

Getting to play in the MLB is Gabe's true dream and we hope this experience will give him the drive to keep pushing for his dream. 

Jennings and Michael had fun too.  Jennings loves Michael and I think Michael adores him too.  Love this picture of big brother loving on little brother. 

See the girls running wild all by themselves?  Thankfully the security lady from Australia helped us out! 

The last part of the try out was batting, Gabe's favorite.  

Gabe ended up doing a great job at tryouts and we received a call last week that he was selected for the team.  From more than 3,000 players that try out, he will be one of 80 members invited to attend a 5 day intensive training program in Florida to train with college coaches and former MLB coaches.  He is absolutely thrilled and hopes he knows what an honor it is.  

So now we see what's next.  Looking forward to watching him grow and learn and work toward achieving his goals.

Until next time,

Angie

Weeks 33-36

Where have the weeks gone!  I am sitting here writing this tonight actually at 38 weeks and facing the reality that next week at this time I will be checked in to the hospital getting induced if nothing has happened before then.

Weeks 33-36 were filled with lots of emotions, some stress and the reality that just maybe we are going to get to bring home a baby in a few weeks.  Throughout this pregnancy I have been very mindful of not allowing myself to dream or get ahead of where we were each day.  That has been how I have savored and enjoyed each moment, but in the same hand this has also prevented me from picturing what life could be like with 5 children.

And here I am saying that just maybe we will get to raise and be a family of 7 here on earth?  Have I mentioned that 7 has always been my favorite number?

Here are some pictures and highlights from what weeks 33-36 brought.

First of all the scares... Since week 28 I have been very diligent about doing my count kicks.  I've been having lots of contractions and on the nifedipine I had noticed that the baby's movements were less than normal.  Perhaps it was because the nifedipine made me feel so yucky and maybe it made the baby feel yucky too.  Perhaps it was because I was having more contractions.  Or perhaps the baby was running out of room, but a few times during these weeks, I had a few scares when the baby just wasn't moving like normal.

I monitored my counts, would drink cold water, each something sugary and lay on my side.  Sometimes the baby would respond, but a few times the baby didn't.  Without wanting to risk it Jarrett always would tell me to just go to the hospital to be sure.  Thankfully each time things were okay but even the nurses there would say it was good I had come in.  The baby's heartbeat wasn't showing the accelerations and decelerations they often wanted to see, so they would have to "alarm" the baby to get he or she going.

Hearing the galloping noise of the baby's heartbeat was always the best noise to hear.

 Sitting in labor and delivery triage is always a nerve-wracking place to be.  Thank God everything was okay in the end, and I was thankful I had gone in.  Always better to be safe than to be at home filled with anxiety.

Growing....
In the weeks 33-36 baby did a lot of growing.  I think they say the baby can get up to a half of a pound each week.  At the 34 week ultrasound the baby was measured and they said the baby weighed 5 pound 4 oz.  Baby seems to be growing just fine!  As my stomach seems to reflect the growing as well!

 

Here are some of the ultrasound pictures, I come to love to see each week. 

In these pictures I really feel like I'm looking at Jarrett as a baby.  I see the Haskovec side so much.  And this time I feel like this baby looks different than Madelyn.  I sure wonder what this baby will be like.

And we even got a photo that looks like the baby is smiling! 

Doesn't the foot look big?

Also it seems in these pictures we can see that the baby is filing out.  Love to see that baby fill out!

Getting bigger!  Even my swimming suit was getting tight!

Here I am at 36 weeks and can barely fit into most of my clothes now.  Here are some comfy pj's my sister sent me. They have become my favorite go to clothes!

Also at 36 weeks we started monitoring the baby at weekly NST and BPP ultrasounds.  For the NST I am hooked up to a monitor and the baby's activity levels and heart rates are observed.  So far each time I've been monitored they've had to alarm the baby. 

Maybe this baby is just super mellow and doesn't get too excited about things.  I guess we'll have to see what their personality is like.

Then on Thursday's we get to meet with Marybeth for the ultrasound. The baby has to score 8 points based on movement, practice breathing, fluid levels and one other component I'm forgetting.  Thankfully the baby seems to do okay with these, only having to be alarmed on the times when I've gone to the hospital. 

Off restrictions: 

The greatest thing about getting to 36 weeks is that I was released from all restrictions and was able to stop taking the nifedipine.  Yay that was a happy day!  I was so excited.  The other thing Dr. A. told me is that I didn't have to get my last shot of progesterone.  That mean's baby could come at any time and I was so so so excited to see we had made it that far.  

In our 36 week ultrasound we got some great pictures of the baby.  I can't wait to meet he or she.  To me they look so precious and I can't wait to kiss those filled out cheeks.

 While I love to see the baby's face, I love just as much to see that healthy heartbeat too.

In this picture it looks to me that almost the baby is praying with their hands in front of their face.  

After a few moments, the baby put their hand up and said, Okay mom enough pictures.  You're just going to have to wait until I come out to see me more. 

 Now that we are at a point where the baby can come, I'm not going to lie, I am so so so excited to meet this baby in person.  I try to remind myself to be patient.  I know I am going to miss being pregnant.  It hasn't always been easy for me.  I don't trust my body and most of the time I am filled with more worry than confidence that things are going well. And yet I know I am going to miss this phase of my life.  I am never going to forget what a gift being pregnant is and how thankful I am that I've been able to experience it.

Each time I feel the baby move inside me I try to soak up the sensation and the movements as I know they are like sand grains falling through a hour glass.

Pregnancy has been such a blessing for us and I give thanks my body was able to carry this baby for 36 (actually 38) weeks.

So here's to weeks 32-36 and to getting close and close to the end.  

Boy am I thankful for this experience and boy am I excited for what comes next.

Until next time,

Angie