Erin and Ron plus 1

WOW, it's been way too long

2009-10-25T12:05:00.000-07:00

I am the worst blogger in the world! Brody is almost a year and a half and I haven't blogged anything about it! I apologize for that..

So on to Brody.
Wow has he grown this year!
In celebration of him being 17 months, here are 17 things about him:

~He is 17 months old
~He is wearing 18-24 month clothing
~He is walking up a storm
~He tries to run, not to fast
~He pees and poos in the potty some days, others nope
~He goes to "school" on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the library
~He use to eat anything, now we are lucky is he eats 1 full meal
~He just learned how to BOOOOOOOOO like a cow and woof like a dog
~Other words he says: Momma, Daddeeeee,og for dog, and tells us no
~He sleeps through the night and wakes up anytime between 8:30 and 10 am
~He loves being outside and taking rides in his push car
~Likes to wear funny thing on his. Pots, Lego covers, robes, headbands
~He copies everything. he copies Ron when he does his work out. He copies me when I brush my hair
~ He is a ladies man!!! He will turn as far around as he would to look at a ladies walk by. He kisses girls at the library...
~ He has become quite the climber! He can get in to his rocking chair, the couch, the dining room chairs, and the stairs.. He is my little monkey
~ We are working on cleaning up. weather it is cleaning up all the food,pots, pans, plates he took out of the cabinets or picking up his million toys that he has. He helps and gets so excited about it!
~ He signs for please and thank you. They happen to be the same signs..

That is just a few things he is doing! He has the best laugh and the cutest smile. We are so proud to have him... It is amazing that 17 months ago he was being born....

Brody Reid One Year!!!

2009-05-17T09:04:00.000-07:00

Brody's First Year

7 Months Today!

2008-12-17T13:14:00.000-08:00

Can you believe it! Brody is 7 months! It is weird to think this time last year I was pregnant with him.... I am so exicted to see him next week opening his christmas gifts...

I havent taken his " I am 7 months" picture yet. but I did get a pretty great picture of him on his hands and knees!! Go Brody!!!

Brody has been a little pickle today. i am thinking he is over tired from the lack of sleep last night. I decided to try pumpkin on him. He ate it and than a few hours later i went in to check him after many little crys and he had pooed him self... it wasent a lot but i could tell my little man was in gas hell... So he slept with us last night. I how ever did not get any sleep because between Ron, Brody and Victoria hogged the bed.

Tonight will be a better night... I hope!

6 month Photo!

2008-12-14T17:05:00.000-08:00

O no!

2008-12-14T16:19:00.000-08:00

We have a little man that is starting to slowly get up on his knees!!! yeah Brody! i cant wait to see him try to take him first crawl!!! He is getting so big! I am just in love with him more and more every day!

What a week!

2008-12-06T07:33:00.000-08:00

Brody has had a busy week.
He had his 6 month appt on Wednesday. He is a big guy!!!
20lbs (80%)
27 inches (55%)
head is 17 1/2 I don't remember the %

The Dr said he is very strong and can see him crawling soon. I better get a jump on baby proofing, just in case.
He received 4 shots and did great. He cried for a few minutes but I think that was due to it being past his nap time.
Now the suckie part of Brody's wee. During his appt I spoke to the Dr regarding a concern I had with Brody. He has hair down there. So I asked her about and she was like "o Erin it is probably just peach fuzz". Then she opened his diaper and was like wow! So she sent us to go get blood drawn to check his hormone levels.
so off to the hospital we go...
Brody do as well as he could getting his blood drawn. They had 2 techs in there one to hold his arm down and the other to draw. It took a good 5 minutes to find a vein. Brody started to get cranky, he holding his and someone else holding his arm down, he was getting down right pissed. Finally they found a vein and Brody started to cry, they hadn't even poked him yet, than they did and he went ballistic! Crying screaming, but no tears, than his eyes rolled back and he was quite! I freaked out, then after what felt like forever he woke back up and screamed again. I thought they were done when they took the needle out, so I picked him up and they were like, "we didn't get enough, we need more"..! What! are you kidding me! So on to the next arm. Brody did not like this and instantly the big crocodile tears shot out from his eyes and he turned beat red.......after digging around in his arm for what again felt like for ever they finally found the vein and started the blood draw again. With in a few seconds Brody again went quite and eyes went back in his head. With in a few seconds he woke and started screaming again... My poor baby, did he pass out 2 times during this whole ordeal? I feel so helpless. Finally they were done with the draw and I picked him up and he looked at the nurse and smiled at her, cocked his head and than proceeded to puke on her! LOL that's my boy....

We are awaiting the results!

On a good note Brody saw Santa yesterday!! He did awesome!

The Many Faces of Brody

2008-12-02T17:58:00.000-08:00

So it has been a long time!

2008-12-01T12:28:00.000-08:00

It has been so long since I have done this! Well Brody is 6 months old! Can you believe it? HE is sitting all by him self.. no sign of rolling yet but he is a big guy so it might take a bit longer for him.

Well we did have to get a scan on his little head, we thought he might have needed a helmet for a flat spot. Well nope no helmet for Brody!!!

He is eating solids like a champ! We are acutally doing cherrios in the am! he tries to get them from his hand to his mouth, it is so funny!

He decided today that he likes to go backwards! so backwards he goes! it is cute he can turn him self in circles and than go backwards to where he wants to go! o man!!!! well that is all i can think of for now! on to the pics!

Gulch X mas

2008-11-25T18:44:00.001-08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

catching up

2008-09-21T16:50:00.000-07:00

ok i have beenbad at blogging. our computer dies so i havnt posted brodys 4 month pics yet. give me a few days!

Hormonal

2008-09-13T15:12:00.000-07:00

I am totally hormonal today! Brody spent the night at my parents last night! it was great. i got to sleep, play on the computer for a few. slept all night! it was awesome! so today i was at work excited to see the little bugger when i get home. well my parents asked if they could keep him another night.. i decided to let them since they don't see him often. i am sitting here wanting to cry! i miss him sooo much! it is great to have another night with just Ron and i but i miss my baby.
it amazes me how much you can love something so small. i worry he wont remember me when he sees me. i know he will but i worry he misses me and i am not there.
i just miss my little man.

3 months

2008-08-25T16:29:00.001-07:00

Wow Brody is 3 months old! I cant believe it! It has been a great month,very busy! Brody had his first Bug rode trip. We went up north to the up. to republic island. the drive was 10 hours, he did amazing. He slept very well up there, had his first dip in the river, well his toes. He didn't like it very much. He didn't like the drive home very much. I cant wait until next year when he can actually enjoy his time up there.

The weekend we got home Brody decided to sleep through the night (8-2-08) he did it 2nights in a row! I was so excited thinking it would last.........nope it didn't :( o well. He is smiling a ton and laughing and talking so much! I am so enjoying watching him grow up, but I am so sad to see him getting bigger. I want him to stay small........

Brodys First Big Trip

2008-07-25T19:15:00.000-07:00

Were leave on sunday to go up north to Republic Island! 8 hours away! we will see how little mr man does with the long ride! I will defanitly have lots of pictures to post when we get back!
A little baby booty

Brodys life in progress

2008-07-19T21:25:00.000-07:00

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Up Do Pics

2008-07-19T18:26:00.000-07:00

I have had many Brides intrested in my services so I decided to place a blog of up do I have done!! Enjoy If you are intrested in Hair services feel free to contact me at egulch@netzero.net

2 months wow

2008-07-19T16:07:00.000-07:00

Our baby is 2 months!

Weight 12 lbs 13 oz (75%)
Height 23 inches (50%)
head 15 1/4 (25%)

Shot went OK. He got a deep shade of red and let out the most heartbreaking cry I have ever heard. Slept most of the day and night. I think he did very well for his first set of shots!

I can not believe how fast it has gone. I suck at this whole blogging thing. Must blog more often.
Brody is doing amazing. Started smiling a little bit at 8 weeks, starting to talk more which is awesome to hear. Last night (7-18-08) he slept 6 hours!! It was awesome. He is having his first sleep over at grandmas (My Parents) tonight. We will see how he does. Me on the other hand didn't take it very well. I cried!!!! I know I know I am a dork!

Brody had his first wedding last weekend (7-12-08) and first time in a hotel. He did very well. Might I also add Ron did awesome taking care of him all weekend when I had to do my bridesmaid duties! I love each and every moment I have with him!

Next big hurdle I will have is going back to work August 6th.

1 month old

2008-06-18T07:20:00.001-07:00

Brody turned 1 month yesterday! can you believe it 1 month all ready. It has gone by so fast. I still am trying to get use to the fact that no one is going to come get him and that he is really mine and I get to keep him.... He is staying awake more and more and sleeping ok some nights and not so good others. I am hopeing he gets use to sleeping through the night soon. 1 month of no solid sleep is starting to wear on me..... But it is all so worth it. Watching him nursing at night is defanitly a special time. So peaceful.. I cant wait to see what the the next month brings!!!

Getting Big

2008-06-12T12:44:00.000-07:00

He is over 8 lbs so far!!! He is amazing.

Brodys Tanning Bed

2008-05-20T17:32:00.000-07:00

So motherhood so far has been full of hormones! We had a Dr. appoitment today and found that Brodys Billierubin levels have increased so we started him on treatment for jaundice. He gets to lay on this fun blue light as much as possible so help the levels go down. so not only do i have a yellow child, he glows blue! I am over whelmed with everything. He has lost a little bit of weight, which i know if normal, but the dr dosent want hm to lose anymore so we are on a schdule of every 2 hours to breastfeed 20 mins each side than 1 oz of formula untill we see weight gain or untill i can prove he is getting enough breastmilk. other than that i am so in love!

He's Here!

2008-05-18T17:58:00.000-07:00

Baby Brody is here! 3 weeks early! here is his story!

well it started with my water breaking at 10 in the morning yesterday. i was thirsty and ready to get up and go for a walk before i had to go to work, well i got my drink and suddenly felt like i had to puke, so i dry heaved and Ron came out to see if i was OK, and suddenly i felt a pop and GUSH!!! water came out every where, i am not kidding it was a massive amount! so after freaking out for a second i called my Dr and they told me to ge to the hospital. well a hr later we left. i had to clean the floor and pack a bag because i wasn't ready at all!!!! than Ron had to use the bathroom and brush his teeth. lol so off we go and alli could think of was, i have to get a hold of someone from the baby board to post that my water broke, lol so i called Liz!

we got to the hospital and another huge gush of water came out as we were walking in to the er, got registered and up to l&d. the resident went to check me and didn't even have to do the test because i was leaking so bad, i was 4 cm and 60 %. so off we go to our room. they got me hooked up to the monitor and wouldn't let me walk around until he showed some movement that he was moving down. so at 2 pm they told me i could walk until 2 30. so around the halls we went and around and around. 2 30 we went back and checked me again still 4 cm 70%, that is when they told me they wanted to start pictocin since we didn't have a whole lot of time to let my body do it its self. so they started it. things were good, could breath through it fine, o lets up it ok getting stronger pain still good. and they upped it again!that's when it started to get painful,that was from 4 to 7 pm. still only 4 cm. grrrrrr. so i finally said i would like the epi. got it, the darn Dr that did it was trying to ask me all these questions right in the middle of contractions!! i was so mad i wanted to tell him to shut the f up!!! so they started the epi and i was able to rest for a while at 8 i think they checked me and i was 7 cm and petty much 100% she could stretch it around the head if she wanted to. asked if i wanted to do some practice pushes, we decided to let me go another hr on my own since progress was being made. so at 10 it was time to start pushing!!! couldn't feel anything really because of the epi so i was doing great. he was progressing down. than 2 hours in to pushing i head beep beep beep, my epi ran out!!!! so for the last hour i was pushing with no meds!!! as much as it sucked it really helped because i could really feel what was going on. so i pushed and pushed and finally i hear OK stop pusking and give little grunts and pushes. his head was right there, but they wanted to let the skin stretch more so it wouldn't tear. it was the longest 5 mons of my life, but finally i felt relief and his head was out and one more push he was out!!! at 1 38 am!!
they took him over to the warmer right away due to breathing issues but a few mins later they put him on m chest and i am in love!!! they took him back over a few mins later because his temp was really high.
i did tear a little bit so they sewed me up.

so here we are now. Bordy was born at 1 38 pm 6 lbs 9 oz 20 inches. his poor head is a little bruised, but looking great! he is however having problems eating. he cant seem to get the sucking motion down so we are having problems trying to breast feed, we try every 3 house with a shield but doesn't work, so i have been pumping to at least get the colostrum out to he cant try with a bottle. he is slowly very slowly getting the hang of the bottle but ends up spitting more than half back out. they are talking about a tube if he doesn't get enough... he hasn't pooped yet and only a few wet diapers. i am trying to be strong but i cant help but cry because i feel bad he isn't getting food right now. tomorrow a special Dr is going to come and do something, like massage his skull or something. when i find out what exactly what she will be doing i will update, but it is suppose to help baby's that might have been stuck in the birth canal to long. looks like i will be here until Monday, i thought my ins only covered 24 hrs but it is 48. so that is good it will give Brody more time to learn how to suck and me time to heal!
thanks you everyone for your wished and prayers. and when i get my cord to transfer pics from my camera to computer i will post pics. if anyone wants to visit us at metro feel free!!!!!

My work in progress

2008-05-10T19:04:00.000-07:00

My Montage 5/10/08

He Did It!!!!!!!!!!

2008-05-10T18:57:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my amazing husband graduated from Lansing Community College with his Associate Degree in Surgical Technology!!!

After a year and a half of hard work, lots of ups and downs, tears ( on my part), long nights at the table studying, he finished!! I am so proud of him!! I am amazed by his strength, drive, and determination to handle such a task! I love this man!!

6 lbs and some OZ

2008-05-06T09:26:00.000-07:00

I got to see our little guy today again! my how me has changed in just a few weeks! I cant wait to meet him! He is measuring roughly 6 lbs and some oz's. a few day ahead. we were able to get some great 3d pic of him!

5 weeks to go!!!

6 weeks and freaking~

2008-04-26T06:55:00.000-07:00

So last night Ron and I went to dinner and poor guy had to deal with me freaking out about the up coming birth of Brody!

Darn hormones the are getting bad, just thinking about it makes me start to cry. I honestly and so scared to bring this little guy in to the world. No just because it changes life as we know it but I don't have anything ready! Really it is true! room not painted, crib not up, changing table not together, we haven't bought our travel system yet! I am just overwhelmed and not sure what to do or how to go about doing it. Heck when I nannied for the triplets and Natalie and Justin it seemed so easy. lol well having Sheri there to guide me helped a ton!
I also realized that i am going to need someone to watch Bordy after I go back to work. Yeah that slipped my mind somehow. So is it a day care center or do I hire someone to come here to watch him? And if I do that how much do I pay with out going broke? I don't want to work just to pay for childcare...

One worry that has been taken care of is RON GOT THE JOB! He will be a Surgical Tech at Blodgett Hospital in East Grand Rapids. He starts May 27th! I am just so proud of him and I am amazed by him each and everyday on his determination and drive...

I am however so excited to go on maternity leave!!! 8 weeks of no salon!!! I love my job i do, there is just so many politics with in the salon it is so silly! I have been told i cant due certain things due to being pregnant, ummm how is that, my Dr. didn't give me any restrictions. O well 6 more weeks of it, them I am off for 8 weeks, than back to kicking booty at work!!!

Will it ever stop!?

2008-04-06T18:11:00.000-07:00

30 weeks 6 day, that was yesterday! I feel like my belly is never going to stop growing! I even found 2 stretch marks! I am really ready to have this little guy.

I had my 30 week appt on Tuesday and my stomach or fundus is measuring 35 weeks!!! So that means my uterus is measuring a month a head of schedule. We are going to do a growth ultrasound at 36 weeks to see how big our little guy is so far!

9 weeks to go!

Feeling AMAZING!!!

2008-04-02T15:04:00.000-07:00

Through out the pregnancy I havent been feeling the greatest about my body. The changes and all, But after yesterdays maternity picture session with the amazing Amy Carroll of Amy Carroll Photography i feel like a hottie!!!!! I cant wait to see the rest!

2 am, do you know where my sleep is??

2008-03-30T23:14:00.000-07:00

I am beginning to really dislike this whole cant sleep thing! I went to bed at 10:30. got up at 11:45 to pee, 12:30 to pee, 1 am, 1:15, 1:30, and now it is 2 am and I am so itchy, hungry
( had a pancake with peanut butter on it), and just awake! I think it is time to talk to the Dr about what I can take to sleep. The only thing is I am afraid if I take something I will be so knocked out I wont get up to pee and i am not about to pee the bed! can you tell I usually don't take sleep aids, but darn it I need sleep....

By the way if you are interested Brody has had hiccups for the last 5 mins and I feel them in my crotch, that's a new interesting sensation.

I am SOOOOO Tired

2008-03-29T16:25:00.000-07:00

That is all I have to say at the moment!!! The last 2 days straight of work with out a break in between clients has really taken a toll on me this week........Just want to sleep!

Progression of the bump!

2008-03-23T06:15:00.000-07:00

Ahhh yes the growing belly
So the pics are in the order if 8 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, 18 weeks, 19 weeks, 23 weeks, 26 weeks, and 29 weeks!!! Wow I still have 11 weeks to go and I am lookin pretty big!!!

you know you are getting big when.....

2008-03-22T16:58:00.000-07:00

-it is getting though to wipe after going to the bathroom!

-sitting up gets you out of breath!

-you have to physically sit up to roll over in bed!

-when you get stuck between the wall and bathroom door at work....

And yes these have all happened to me in the last few days!!!

no way that is gross!!!

2008-03-18T13:21:00.000-07:00

So this whole pregnancy thing is still new to me, lol 28 weeks in to it. lol i am amazed everyday with some new thing that happens while you are preg. my new thing, major leakage!!! yes i said it leakage! from my chest!!! i woke up last night with a huge wet spot, I'm talking 3 in wide, on my shirt!!! and no i didn't drool. i was totally grossed out! All Ron could do was laugh about it this morning!

O and lets talk about cravings. I haven't had many but today i had a bad one that i had to fulfill. I wanted a banana split! BAD! Since I was driving i went to steak and shake and got a sip able banana split!! I wanted it so bad that i couldn't even wait to drive away from the window before i started drinking it!! The lady at the window was like " you have been wanting that all day huh" mouth full me, "mmmhummmm"

Here We Go

2008-03-16T18:09:00.000-07:00

So we found out about 7 months ago we were going to be parents!!! I should have started this back than, but didn't even think about it. SO here i am starting with 84 days to go. I am kind of excited to blog about this, i have had a bit of anxiety about becoming a mom. Me Erin a mom. wow how am I going to teach my little guy about life when I feel I haven't yet begun to navigate through it yet. Good thing Ron has a good head on his shoulders to help me with this big new task....

So how have I been doing so far? Great. First trimester wasn't bad at all. No morning sickness at all..... tired all the time yes! But no throwing up!! I hate throwing up.
2nd trimester went just as smooth, lots of energy, feeling great. Started feeling our little guy at about 19 weeks... it is the most amazing feeling in the world to feel you child moving and kicking inside of you. i love it.... at 19 weeks we found out we are having a ....... BOY!!!! i wanted a girl so bad but i am now so happy to be having a little guy!

and as of this week i am in the 3rd trimester!!!!! I swear the exhaustion hit right at 27 weeks!!! i have been so tired. my weekends consist of me sleeping most of the time.

My body has changed! I have this belly that stick out I swear foot in front of me. I hit it on everything, good thing baby Brody is well protected. Yes we have decided to name our little one Brody Reed! I hope he likes his name!
My body has decided to get mad at me for growing, my ribs have decided that they want to spread and cause a constant pain! Darn small ribcage! 12 weeks and it will be all over and i will be holding our little guy!

Ron has been amazing through this whole process!!! He picked colors for Brody's room (Michigan colors) and is just being very caring, and making sure I am OK like 100 times a day. He is going to be a amazing father and I cant wait to see him with out little guy...
Wow OK I am tired just from typing this so I am going to go to bed!!!
Good Night!!! More tomorrow!!!!