My Little Bear

Folks, this is only the beginnings of the now hundreds of pictures I have taken of my little bear! He is the sweetest thing! I love being a mom. Believe it or not, this guy belongs to us! It is amazing to see him grow. I feel so blessed. He is eating well, sleeping well, pooping with the grunts and still peeing on me! He has a fire hose out to get anyone who changes his diaper!!
So I tried to take pictures of him to avoid going to get them done professionally..... My best friend is coming into town Friday... she makes everything beautiful.. maybe I can get her to take some good ones and add to my pod of pics.

Isaac says, " Wuz up Guys, Wuz up!"

Isaac Inouye Cavanaugh was born March 9, 2010 at 6:55 pm at Great Expectations Birthing Center. He was 5 pounds and 15 ounces and was 18 1/2 inches long. We did a water birth, and no Jake did not bring his snorkel gear!! It was the neatest experience. In all, I was in active labor from about 1pm to his birth. I birthed the majority of it in a cool Korean tub that holds about 100 gallons of water. Jake was my doula, and Rebecca Williams was my midwife.
At about 3 am on the 9th, I had, what I know now, were contractions. I was thinking that they were brackston hicks. We called our midwife, she said if I couldn't talk through them, that I should come in. At this point, Jake was debating whether to go in to work. We had carpenters downstairs that were constantly knocking at our door. Jake finally broke down and told them that his wife was in labor, and not to disturb us..... hahahaha..... we finally headed to the birthing center. At this point, I thought my midwife would say, "Denae, you are a whimp. Go home and come back when you are really in labor." But to my surprise, I was in active labor and had a baby 5 hours later. It is such a blur in my mind now, but all I know is that I have a new found respect for any woman that goes natural!! Holy Cow Ladies... we are amazing!
So now Jake, Isaac and I are one big happy family. We feel so blessed to have a healthy son. WE ARE PARENTS PEOPLE! We love him so much. Jake has been so good with him, and to me. I feel just so grateful and lucky!
Thanks to everyone that was so supportive during this time with phone calls, texts, emails, dinners and love. Thanks to the Cavanaugh family for cleaning my entire house! And a special shout out to my best friend for coming from Idaho and spending 4 days with me. You are amazing girl!!!

I love my birthdays, every one!

So the Gabrielsen clan decided to have cake and ice cream on my birthday to celebrate my big 27! This year, to be honest, I was anticipating my birthday because it made me closer to my due date. It was a really relaxing day! Jake gave me the most thoughtful gifts. He gave me a new robe, a gift certificate to Carter's, and a jogging stroller. Yes, the BOB folks. I miss running! Jake is really so sweet to me. We were talking about how much we enjoy one anothers' company. There is nothing better than coming home from a hard days work and hanging out with the spouse :) He also took me to Olive Garden for one of my favorite meals.... Ravioli Portibello yum yum with salad and breadsticks. Then up to my parents for fudge cake and vanilla ice cream and more thoughtful gifts... I got a Martinelli bottle... "the bubbly" and peachies. Oh and my mom gave me a jetted tub for my downstairs...Moms are the best! Thanks fam and friends for making my birthday special... I love my birthdays, every one of them!!

Expiration Dates

Well, I am officially the last Gabrielsen girl of the four who were pregnant together, to have a baby. Whitney, Sam's wife, had little Preslie Jo on February 9th. So Adorable!! So as the time is winding down for me... only 3 weeks left ladies... I am having only one request... can my baby look just like my hubby! I just want a little boy that is just like him! So little man... listen up and do as you are told :) So March 18th is 40 weeks. My mom said she was two days over for her first.. Saren was 12 days over.... We will have to see. I am so excited to meet this little guy. As I am looking at expiration dates now... like eggs, milk, sour cream... they are surpassing my due date. Very very awesome folks! And a big THANK YOU for all the support in baby showers, gifts and love! We appreciate it so much! Smooches!
Oh and maybe one other request... Can I be as skinny as Saren after I have our little one.... mind you I am only asking for 20 pounds under my pre-pregnancy weight... not a lot to ask right?!!

Will I be pregnant forever??

This is me around 30 weeks.... Hanna got this cute jacket for Christmas.. I almost stole it until I tried it on and found that no it does not fit.. ha ha.
We went to Idaho this weekend with Kylee. It was so fun to see family and friends. We ate a lot of food and played a lot of BONANZA. In fact.. Jake and I have played it every night before going to bed since then. We were talking about our favorite beans... who does that? We do!! and were having the best time!!! We are still looking forward to having Isaac in our lives. Jake always comments that it still hasn't hit him yet... well it has hit me. My ribs are killing right now!! I asked Jake last night if a knife was stuck in one of my ribs... not fun :) But Bonanza, a diet coke, a heating pad and Jake to make me laugh helps the time pass. Will I be pregnant forever????

It's All Good Baby

I took this picture for Kristie since she hasn't seen me since I started "poking out." Pregnancy has been one of the weirdest things for me. Now people will ask what I'm having and when I am due... telling the boss was so fun, as well, I might add. He called me into his office and started out like this.... no joking... "Um, I don't usually ask women this but....... are you pregnant???" I said, "yes." He said, " Oh good because if you weren't, that is really embarrassing!" Ha, Ha... so I've put on a little weight. Moke told me the other day my butt and my arms are fat. I was dying laughing... little kids just tell it how it is!!! We cannot wait for our little man to be here. His latest thing is trying to bust out of my stomach with the head butt ninja kick. It hurts!!!
We just finished our Hypnobabies class. It was a six week long program that was awesome. I learned so much about my body, and how amazing the whole pregnancy/birthing experience is. Jake and I liked the class, as well, because it is super bonding. The class ended this past Monday and Jake declared it as, "The Best Christmas Present Ever." Ha ha!! Even though it was an exceptional class... Jake and 3 hours of talking about babies\birthing got very interesting. He brought up all sort of different topics to circumcision to perineal massage to lactation. Jake and the instructor made such good friends, that she is framing him a Hypnobabies Certificate for graduating the class.
Today I just entered into my third trimester! It is so weird because looking back, I can say that I could do this again, but while I was in my first trimester, Jake and I were contemplating having only one child :) I feel so blessed to be able to pregnant, even with all of its trials.

It's a Boy!!

We went to Fetal Fotos over the weekend, and had a really good experience. We found out that we are having a baby boy, and that everything looks super healthy! We went to my midwife this afternoon for my regular check up, and had her inspect the pictures. She said they looked great. It is so fun to see how fast he is growing. My midwife said that it is usually longer for first time moms to feel the baby move because we chalk it up to gas or cramps. I thought that was funny. So if I start complaining of those symptoms maybe just suggest to me it is my baby moving:) I honestly thought I was having a girl, but I did dream about having a boy...... I am just super happy that we are having a healthy baby, and Jake got the boy he wanted. He did call it from day one:) He said he wants a boy so he can build forts and play sports with?? Ha Ha