What We've Been Up To!

It seems that Baby Knepp has taken over our blog the last few posts! I've been so tired I haven't taken the time to post much else, except what updates I know ya'll are just dying for, haha! j/k! We have been doing other fun stuff though. We haven't been AS BUSY the past couple of weeks, which has def. been on purpose. I've had to learn to say no, because I was running myself ragged! We have still had fun though! I already posted about our appointment with the perinatologist, so I will start with the day after that and do a quick (haha, hopefully) update. The next day (which was a Tuesday) Brycen just had soccer. I really need to get some pictures of him at practice b/c it's so cute! He loves it. On Wednesday I was off all day, but pretty confined to the house b/c the perinatologist wanted me to do a 24 hr. urine so he could get baseline numbers... all I can say is GROSS. I hope ya'll never have to do one of these and I hope I never have to do one again (but I'm not holding my breath!). Brycen and I just hung out at home that day... of course it seemed that I had to pee more than ever! haha. The next day, on Thursday I had to get labs done before I came to work. That evening we went to my in-law's for pizza and then I had a directory mtg. at church. We didn't get home until pretty late that night! That Friday night we went to the camper and so did John and Sonya and the kids. It was a fun evening. The kids got to play and we roasted hotdogs... the kids and I had smores too :) The next morning (saturday) I had to have more labs (blah blah blah) (within the past week I've had 14 tubes of blood drawn, luckily I'm an easy stick, but I joked at work and said I'm going to start looking like a needle junky soon.). Saturday afternoon my mom and I went to eat at Mason's and went to get pedicures and then to Wal-Mart. That night I got very very sick. I'm pretty sure I had food poisioning of some sort from our supper. yuck! Sunday evening we had a birthday party to go to. We went and had some yummy homemade butterfinger ice cream! This past Monday (the 3rd-- I can't believe it is August already) Sonya kept B for me because my mom had to go back to work. He loves going there to play with his cousins. After work I had a viewing to go to for a nice man... He was our county recorder, died at 45 of pancreatic cancer :( He has a daughter a year younger than me and a beautiful wife. Being at the church for that viewing was a little surreal, because that day also marked 6 months since Andon went to Heaven. I can't believe it's been that long. Tuesday the court house shut down for his funeral for a couple of hours. Then the power went out so we got to go home early! I had to take Brycen to his pre-school orientation at his new school. He seemed to like it okay, but played shy. If you know B, you know he is not shy! We got home and still had no power at our house... It was out until about 5:15 (had been out since about 1pm). It was raining all evening so Brycen's soccer practice was cancelled. I actually made a pretty big supper Tuesday night, which was a miracle, because I just have not felt like cooking much besides spaghetti lately! You've already heard about our day on Wednesday. Wednesday night Brycen stayed the night at Aunt Sonya's w/ Jayce and Hailey since he would be going there Thurs. morning anyway. Sounds like they had a lot of fun! Last night he was worn out from all that fun! We were just around the house last night. Ryan mowed and I did laundry, fun stuff, let me tell ya! Tonight we're going to Owensboro to pick up a dresser and two end tables that I have at a friends house. And we're going out to eat with them for supper. Should be a nice evening! I'll leave you with some pictures (although, they are all terrible quality, because they are off of mine and Sonya's phones).

Ryan and Brycen the first time he got to ride his four wheeler!

On the way to the camper the other night he said, "Hey momma look at my beard." lol

With his ice cream (cotten candy w/ choc. sprinkles) at cold stone.

Hailey Brooke and Brycen

Jayce, Brycen, John Mark, and Mya

Brycen, Jayce, and Hailey

Brycen worn out on his way home from Aunt Sonya's

10 weeks and 2 days

our sweet baby at 10 weeks and 2 days

So today I had a dr's appt. with the nurse practioner at Dr. R's office. Brycen went with me because it should of been a short appointment... well it wasn't. He did really well waiting though. She tried to find the heartbeat w/ the doppler... and couldn't. Um, yah. I actually felt peace about it. I didn't feel like anything was wrong... They did my labs and then I went and had an ultrasound and there was our sweet babies heart beating away (184, I believe she said). Whew, I was relieved. Even though I was peaceful about it, it was still a scare, a scare I didn't really need or want... but a reminder that life is so precious and you just never know. It was a neat u/s for Brycen to get to see. I'm glad he got to see. I'm sure it makes it a lot more real for him! The baby waved at us w/ it's little arms (that just developed in the last week b/c we didn't see them at the u/s last week) and he/she turned flips and wiggled around. He/She was very squirmy! Brycen said, "Yep, it's a boy, I can see it, it's a boy!" lol. He sure is hoping.

We had a fun day after my appointment... ran a couple errands. I had to get a baby shower gift at Babies R Us and a wedding gift at Target... then Brycen and I ate at Red Robin. Then we got ice cream at Cold Stone! Stopped by my Aunt Lisa's work on our way home to take her her order from my 31 party. Kayla's (her daughter in law) date to get her cervical stitches out is set for Sept. 29th I believe! I'm so excited to meet Kaydee Mae. She is at 29 weeks this week so they (and all of us) are breathing a little easier as each week comes and goes and Kaydee doesn't make an appearance.

Brycen starts his new school on Monday... He got a new backpack today. I hope the new school thing goes okay. I'm very nervous, but praying it will be fine.

Well, I need to get in bed. It's past my bedtime, but I wanted to update tonight on my appt. or I was afraid I wouldn't get it done.

We did 26 quarts of green beans tonight. I'm pooped!

9 weeks

This is our sweet baby at 9 weeks.

I had my appt. with the perinatologist today. He didn't say much we didn't already know. He does want me to start (and I have) taking an aspirin a day starting today. In some smaller studies this has shown to help women who might get pre-eclampsia. He said in larger studies it hasn't shown to help a lot with every patient, but he said it won't hurt to try. I also had a bunch more bloodwork... testing for a whole slew of other possible reasons I could be having the complications with each pregnancy. They drew 5 tubes of blood! At this point I'm showing, that's for sure... but no weight gain! I think I've been too sick and not craving sweets so that's probably why I haven't gained any, lol! Normally sweets are a regular part of my diet plan! :). He agreed with Dr. R that I won't go past 38 weeks they will for sure take me at that point if I make it to then. Dr. Fitzpatrick also said he was already familiar with my case b/c he had reviewed it for the hospital back in February... he told me I'm lucky to be alive. I know I've been told this before, but each time I hear it again, and especially from a high risk dr. totally removed from the emotions of the situation, it really hits home. I am very thankful to still be here for Brycen (and Ryan too, of course!). They did say my due date is March 1st, so that makes me 9 weeks today, which is a few days farther along than what I had originally thought. We were at the dr. pretty much all day. I don't have to go back to see him for another 9 weeks. That will put me at 18 weeks. I have a detailed anatomy u/s that day. I guess that's when we'll find out what the sex is, on September 28th. I do go back to see Dr. R next Wednesday.

weekend

I don't have anything to exciting... but I really want to do better about staying updated like I used to. Friday evening we went to my Granny's viewing all evening. It was a pleasant time, visiting w/ family who lives far away or we don't get to see often. Granny was ready to go... we will miss her, but we rejoice for her more than anything. My Papaw Shoultz (her husband) died in 2003, the spring of my junior year. We know she has really been ready to join him since that time. She looked just like herself laying there. It did sadden me a bit that Brycen didn't really know her. When her mind was still with her he was just a tiny baby and after that the alzehimers took over. But just like we talk about my Great Grandma Noland that passed away when B was only 2 months old, we will now talk about Granny Shoultz being in Heaven. His understanding of Heaven and death really just blows me away. He has had his fair share this year... more than any 4 year old really should, but he has taken it in stride. Lots of questions along the way, but we do our best to answer them. His faith makes me yearn to have that sort of faith. He talks almost every day about dying and going to Heaven to be with Andon. I think this sort of freaks some people out, but I just explain to him that we will die when God decides our time is up... and until then we still have work to do, telling people about Jesus so they can go to Heaven too. He really does seem to get that and I'm so glad. He's such a sweet little boy. I wish I could of protected him more from all this death that is around him, but it is just his reality and it has helped to shape his faith even more. I know he has concerns about the baby in my belly dying too. I can't really blame him- it's all he knows right now... he knew about my miscarriage and of course about Andon. He prays for the baby every night. I really hope God chooses for this baby come home to live with us and live a long happy life. Brycen is so compassionate and he will make a great big brother. Although at this point he won't even discuss the fact that the baby could be a girl... :) I guess I've gotten a little off course, didn't really have plans of talking about all this death... was just going to update on our weekend a bit.

Yesterday we got up and went to the funeral home for the funeral. The preacher was a little long winded and the kids got a little restless, but it was a nice service. Granny hadn't been able to go to church, but this preacher had been going to visit her in the nursing home. He said he could tell she loved it when he read scripture to her and also he has old gospel hymns on his phone and he would play those for her. It warms my heart to know that even when she didn't know much else about what was going on around her, she still knew Jesus' love for her. I really hope the service touched some of my family, some that still need a relationship with our Savior. After the service we went to the cemetary. Her and Papaw Shoultz are buried side by side now in this quaint cemetary in the middle of no where! It's peaceful and pretty. Brycen has a thing for looking at the "stones" as he calls the headstones. He wants to know who is on them... after the service family was talking and we were walking around looking at them and I was telling him people's names on them... I came across one and started reading... one couple had lost FIVE children. FIVE. I know it was the early 1900's and that was more common, but honestly, I'm sure that mother's heart broke just like mine did. I can't imagine burying five children. Another thing that got me was how if they were stillborn they didn't name them. That fact just really bothered me. I guess it was just common then... but I can't imagine just giving birth and then pretending it didn't really happen. Anyway, after we left there we went to my Papaw Ed's for lunch with some family. My Uncle (my mom's brother) has been working in PA a lot this past year so we haven't spent a whole lot of time with him so it was nice to hang out and visit with him. We got home and took a nap, which was much needed. I faired pretty well on feeling okay at least until we got home. We were just around the house last night thankfully.

Today our church was cancelled b/c of Anson Wagler's funeral. My heart really goes out to that sweet sweet family. Ryan went golfing w/ Rich Yoder and a couple guys this morning. B and I slept in and then just hung out most of the day. We went to my parents for awhile and then we all went into China Wok to eat supper. Probably not a good idea, Chinese doesn't settle well on a nauseated tummy! My Grandma is home from rehab for her knee so she got to go with us too. We're home now and I'm getting ready to hit the sack... ya know, go to bed! Tomorrow morning I have my appointment with the perinataloist. Ryan is going with me. My appointment is at 9 our time, they said to allow 2 hours. I don't think our appointment will take that long since it's mainly just a consult on the "what ifs", not a whole lot to check out right now. I'll let ya'll know how it goes and what he says. I hope he is nice. I'm glad Ryan is going along for this appointment. I'm not sure if I'll be getting and ultrasound or not. When they called to set up the appt. they said I would, but at my last appt. w/ Dr. R she seemed to think it was unneccessary at this point, so I guess we'll see. I wouldn't mind to see the little bean on the big screen again. I bet he/she has grown a lot in the past couple of weeks!

I can never think of a catchy title... :)

Well, the first couple pictures are from our 4th of July (just a little late!) lol. I didn't take them and had to steal them from Vanessa so that is why you are just now seeing them! Vanessa and little Tyler wanted to make Ryan a birthday cake so they did and the boys had fun singing happy birthday and blowing out the candles!

Boys! You can tell they are so thrilled to be having their picture taken! It made me laugh so I had to share it though :)

Friday everyone at work bought me a cookie cake and a plant for my birthday! It was Fri. since I left early on Thurs. I thought that was so sweet of them :) We all like to eat around here so we try to celebrate everyones birthdays (what a great excuse to eat cake!). We used to get DQ ice cream cakes for everyones birthdays... but since ours shut down we haven't been able to do that :(. BOO!

Friday night we had my birthday dinner at my parents. That went fine. Our good friends the Doerner's came for supper too. That was nice! Brycen got a four wheeler on Friday, but I don't have any pictures yet. The poor boy hasn't been able to ride it b/c a bolt was missing from the tire and we had to order it! BOO to that too!

Saturday I felt terrible all day and we were just around the house.

Sunday.... was really sick again all day. We did go to visit my Grandma a little piece that evening. I felt really bad b/c we hadn't been able to go visit her since the first night she has been at the nursing home for therapy for her knee replacement. She gets to come home this Saturday though.

Monday I worked and then we went over to my parents so Ryan could help my dad spread the new gravel they got. Brycen enjoyed a tractor ride :)
:)



We had BBQ from a new place in town. It was sooo good! YUM! We didn't get home until about 8:30 b/c they were working on the driveways.

Tuesday evening B had soccer practice. He just really loves it! He did pretty good (as well as a 4 year old can do!). Plus, he had a lot of fun, and that is what counts! He said "I wish I could stay at soccer for sixteen years!". haha :)

Yesterday we were home all day and it poured all day. We just layed around and watched movies in our pj's all day. When Ryan got home we got ready and went to Mason's for supper and then to Walmart... and of course had to have some Scoops before we came home!

My great granny Shoultz (my mom's dad's mom) passed away this morning about 4:30am. It is sad for another loss, but she hadn't been good for awhile. She had Alzheimers and didn't know a whole lot the past couple of years.

Today my mom and B came and got me for lunch and we went to eat at the mexican restuarant here in town. It's always nice to get to see B during the day for awhile! Next week is his last week to stay with my mom and then she goes back to work. She has to start back before the kids do. I really dread dropping him off at daycare every day again.

Our weekend plans have gotten changed and are now going to be spent doing funeral things. She was my last great grandparent living. I'm so thankful that I got to meet and spend time with so many of my GREAT grandparents even. Actually I knew all four of my Great Grandma's! And one of my Great Grandpas. That really is such a blessing.

anyway, I'm rambling, but I hope you all have a nice weekend.

My birthday brought good news!

I got this result on Father's Day... at only 3 1/2 wks pregnant! We were excited... but oh so nervous. I don't think Ryan nor I really believed it could be true. I've been through lots of blood work since then and already had numerous dr's appointments. Yesterday was my first u/s.

And I got to see Baby Knepp for the first time... AND HEAR the heartbeat. It was 144 bpm! It did bring us some relief to know that so far, so good. I'm also reluctant to be too excited b/c this time, I know there isn't a "safe" time to be pregnant. We already love this precious baby so much! It was the best birthday present ever to hear that sweet heartbeat.

We just told Brycen yesterday b/c we didn't want to tell him before we knew everything was going alright so far. He was excited! He also said he needs to teach this baby how to be a boy :) If anyone could do it, it's B!

I was 7 weeks yesterday. Last time they gave me a due date of March 4, but yesterday they said March 1st. She also said she isn't too worried about a due date b/c she will for sure take me 2 weeks early-- if I make it to then. I am seeing the perinatalogist on the 27th for my first appointment with him (Dr. Fitzpatrick at the Women's Hospital). I will see him along w/ Dr. Reisinger, my regular OB, throughout the whole pregnancy. I am considered high risk b/c of my past troubles and I do have a fifty percent chance of developing pre-eclampsia/HELLP again. With many more appointments, bloodwork, ultrasounds, and eyes watching me, they should be able to catch it early on though. I go back to Dr. R on the 3rd for my first regular OB appt. just to listen to the heartbeat on the doppler and all the "normal" things you talk about at an appt. I will see Dr. R on a pretty normal basis (i.e. week 10, 14, 18) until week 20 and then I believe she said I will start seeing her every two weeks, and then once I get to week 28 I will see her each week. Those aren't even counting the perinatalogist appointments inbetween! I'm not complaining. I think the more appointments and the more people checking me out the less likely of anything serious happening too quickly. The good thing is that PE and HELLP hardly ever show up until after wk 28. And since with B it happened at wk 38 and A at wk 34 they don't think mine will show up that early if it does decide to appear this time.

We ask for your continued prayers through this uncertain, nerve-wracking time for us. One day while waiting on lab results I was just a mess (oh yah, this is why my anxiety has been so high!) and anyway I was reading my devotions for the day and it hit right at home. It said something about how we just need to give our children over to the Lord b/c he cares about them and what happens to them, even more than we do. Um yah, thanks for the reminder, God, I needed it!

Hope you all have a great weekend... Tonight is my birthday dinner at my parents house! YUM! I have been very nauseated and not feeling well at all, so I'm hoping to feel like eating tonight!

Weekend, Shower, 31, and First Practice!

Well, I am trying to do a better job of staying updated on our day to day happenings. I used to do so good, lately-- not so much!! I haven't been feeling too hot lately so we haven't done too much. Friday evening we had that couples/family shower for our close family friends. That went really well and we got to visit with people who we don't see too often b/c they've moved so that was really nice. It was outside around their pool so it was very relaxed-- lots of good food (even a slushie machine, right up my ally!).

Saturday morning my mom had a jewelry party and I went to that. Then I came home and sat around with Ryan and B b/c it was such a rainy day. It did clear up later that afternoon and we all went swimming. Ryan and B went into town and rented us a couple of movies (well one for B and one for us). B loves going to the movie store and asks if we can go in about every time we go by there (which is a lot b/c it is on main street!). That night we just watched our movies and hung out.

Sunday morning we went to church and then to Ryan's parents for lunch (it was some of my favorites--meatballs!). Then my friend Chelsey picked me up at Ryan's parents so we could go to our friend Chanda's bridal shower. It was a very nice shower- for an even nicer girl!

Me, Brittany, Chanda (the bride-to-be), and Chelsey... we will all be old married women after Chan gets married ;)

Sunday when I got home from the shower Ryan and B were both napping. I crawled in bed and took a nap too! It was so nice to be able to do that. I needed it! We were supposed to go to my parents for my birthday dinner, but we didn't b/c they got caught in a huge storm on their motorcycle in Evansville! We ended up going to China Wok for supper(I highly recommend for the best Chinese food around and great very cheap prices!).

Yesterday was back to work- I was NOT ready! I just can't seem to catch up on my sleep. I worked all day and then last night just did laundry and light cleaning. Well, I did those things after Ryan, B, and I went swimming for awhile. I went to bed early last night!

Today was work again and then home to get ready for my 31 party that I had for my friend Melissa who just started selling it. It is really cute stuff! Brycen had his first soccer practice today. He was excited about going. Ryan took him since it was from 5:30-6:30 and my party started at 6:30. Ryan said he did really well about paying attention to his coach and everything. I'm sure it will be fun to watch them since they are so little. B had lots of stories to tell! Poor Ryan had to play "soccer mom" for me tonight ;).

B all decked out in his soccer gear before his very first practice!! I just think he looks way too old!

He wanted to take a "mean face" lol. Ryan said this is how he will intimidate the other team, haha! :)

I am really looking forward to my day off tomorrow and not doing much of anything! We will be sleeping in, hopefully swimming if the weather allows, and just laying around and playing. Sounds wonderful to me!! I hope you all have a great Wednesday!

Please let me know if there is any way in which I can encourage you or pray for you. I feel so blessed to have ya'll do the same for me and I want to make sure I'm giving as much as I'm getting. <3