Day 1...Warning long post

Well we made it to week 28 with out any major interventions with me and Nolan. On August 18th we were told by my regular Dr. (Dr. H) that Nolan's legs and head are measuring right on track but his tummy was measuring small and she wanted me to go see a specialist to have him looked over. Dr. H also ordered some blood work be done (18 vials to be exact) just to rule out everything possible. Needless to say the devil had me scared out of my mind at first but I gave everything over to God and felt a complete peace over everything.

On August 25th we got up early and went and had a 3D ultrasound. That was so neat to see him moving around. He kept his hand by his face through most of the session and I told my dad that was the Fisher part of him because anytime you want to take a picture of my aunts or my Mimi they always put their hands in front of their face! lol Later on that day we had our 1st appointment with the specialist (Dr. B). At this appointment we discovered why his belly was small...your placenta is supposed to grow flat like a pancake against your uterus with the umbilical cord in the middle and mine decided to grow up around Nolan's umbilical cord causing the blood vessels from his umbilical cord to his tummy not to function properly. The blood vessels going to his head and legs seem to be functioning just fine because they are right on target. He is developing just great other than being skinny.

Dr. B decided she wanted to see us every week for the next 10 weeks and she would probably have him delivered around 37 to 38 weeks so that meant the beginning of November verses the end. So we saw Dr. B on September 1st and everything looked the same which was good but my blood pressure was a little elevated and I had been swelling quite a bit lately. Dr. B told me that she wanted me to have my blood pressure checked at a local pharmacy a couple times a week just try and stay on top of it. My blood test came back also that day and I had two minor issues come up:: 1) is that my body doesn't process folic acid like it should so she put me on a new prenatal vitamin 2) I have a blood clotting issue...now there are two types of this A and C...C is a scary one...but I have A so she just told me to take a baby aspirin a day and it will be fine.

I have always known that God has been in this pregnancy from the beginning and after the blood test results were back it was just confirmed even more. Because my body doesn't process folic acid right Nolan could have had spinal deformities but God is AWESOME and Nolan is completely normal and healthy!

On Wednesday September 2 I went to the pharmacy to pick up my new prenatal vitamins and check my blood pressure. Well the blood pressure was 139/82 and I had been told to be watching for 140/90. So the next morning I called the nurses line at Dr. H's office and she wanted me to go have it checked again...it came back as 143/91. So after talking to the nurse again it was decided for me to come in a see the Physicians assistant to make sure everything was ok. I met with the PA and went over everything then she decided she needed to talk to someone...a few minutes later Dr. H came in asked how I was doing and then she informed me that she thought I needed to be admitted in to the hospital so that they could keep a better eye on Nolan's issues and my blood pressure. So as of right now we are in St. John's just hanging out and waiting to see what happens. I did have my 1st normal blood pressure this morning (Sept. 4th) it was 119/77!!

So stay tuned for more updates as they are to come!

Love always,
Brandi

Meet Nolan James...

Update:: I meant to post this back in July but never got around to putting his original ultrasounds on my laptop...so now you all can see his 3D pics...

I am now 22 weeks pregnant and still feeling great! We found out Tuesday that we are expecting a baby boy this November! We have decided to name him Nolan James. Just wanted to give you all a quick update!

Dear baby...

Today you are 8 weeks 3 days old. I am so excited every time I think about this Thanksgiving. We don't know for sure if you will be here by that exact day but some time around then. So far I haven't been sick at all. Just really tired everyday. Your daddy is so understanding with me in all my moodiness and taking over our bed with all my pillows just trying to comfortable. Your daddy is so excited he keeps asking when we can go register for stuff and I have to remind him that we should probably wait till we find out if you are a boy or a girl. lol He also wants to buy a "Baby on Board" sign for the new mini van. He is so funny. Just wait he will have you laughing in no time. You already have so many people that love you and can't wait to meet you! Your daddy and me have wanted and prayed for you for many years and are just so excited to meet you and watch you grow!

7 months seems like a long time but I know it will pass by before I know it!

Can't wait to meet you!
Love always and forever,
Your Mommy

God is so good all the time!!!

Its hard to believe that JD and I have been married for 5 1/2 years and have been together almost 8 years. When I look back at what all has happened I can't imagine going through it all with any one else. I read a quote on someonelses blog that said "We may not be perfect but we are perfect for each other." That is us to the end. I just wanted to give you all a little back ground on our family.


JD and I were married on September 13, 2003. We had a great time. We knew we wanted kids but wanted to wait a little while. In early 2004 I went to a gynecologist appointment and was told at 21 years old that I had the hormone imbalance that leads to PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome) and that I would likely have to under go fertility treatments. Needless to say I was devastated but I prayed and put into God's hands. After a year we decided to try and become pregnant. After a year of trying we stopped for a while and shortly after we stopped some of our best friends found out they were pregnant. I was devastated again. The why me and why not me's started. Even though I was so excited for them I was so upset for JD and I. I went on and got my baby fix by working a daycare for 3 years. I learned allot about myself and was blessed my many families at the center. The moms all saw my struggle and longing for a child of own and they always offered encouraging words and books. You all don't know how much you and your children helped me through some of the roughest times in my young married life. Thanks.

So then we just decided that we didn't care what any doctor said and we gave to God again! In April 2008 I went in for my yearly exam and was told again that is was going to take fertility drugs to give the child I wanted so badly. It upset me but then I decided from that point on that I was going to lose weight and eat right and do this my self. I did great I have lost 40 lbs. to date. In October 2008 I received a phone call from the oldest of my younger brothers stating that they had little to no food in the house and the gas has been off for 30 days or more. So we took them all in. So I went from no kids to three kids over night. In January 2009 we (My husband, my sister, and I) were granted full guardianship of the two youngest. The oldest younger brother turned 18 in December but he still lives with us.

So a week or so ago I started getting extremely tired and my breast were tender and swollen both of which are very abnormal for me. So I let the thought creep in that there maybe a possibility that I was pregnant. I asked JD what he thought but he said he didn't want to say anything and get hopes up because of negatives we have had in the past (we are home pregnancy test poor people!) haha. So I told him thats ok but if these symptoms don't pass by Friday I am going to take a test. Well Thursday afternoon I had off to take the 18 year old to doctor appointments so I swung my Walmart and grabbed a two pack of digital test. Later on we were wasting time between appointments and went to Woodland Hills mall so I grabbed one and stuck it in my purse. I was thinking well I got a two pack it won't hurt to take one now and if its negative then I can take the other one in the morning. So I there I am in the Woodland Hills bathroom waiting for the results. I felt a little silly to the least. And the results...

That's right PREGNANT!! I started to hyperventilate a little and then hurried up grabbed the test washed my hands and went to show Uncle Ryan the results. He was excited. I stared to walk in circles trying to figure out how to tell my husband that he was going to be a daddy. Ryan asked if I was going to stop walking in circles anytime soon I told him "Shut up I'm pregnant Leave me alone!" lol I was a little overwhelmed at that moment. So I decided to buy a card that had something to do with a baby and write Congratulations Daddy! love always Brandi and Baby C. Then I go and find him on his route, he is a mail man, and give him the card. He doesn't get it so I show him the test. He is so excited that he doesn't know what to say! Later on that night after we have told just about everyone he asked me if I can take the other test that I bought. I am a little confused at first as if he doesn't believe that I am pregnant but I agree and take the test any way. So while its still processing I tell him to come into the bathroom and while we wait he explains that he has never seen one turn positive and that's why he wanted me to take the other test. When it came up pregnant he jump up hugged me and said yeah!! He was too cute for words!

So like my title says God is so good all the time! This blog is now a blog for my tiny baby growing in me as we speak! I go to the doctor on April 3rd to find out just how far along we are! Will give an update soon!

Love always,

Brandi

TA DA!!

So I haven't had a new hair cut and color since June...so I had finally had enough!!

Here is a kinda before picture it was taken back in October before a friends wedding...








And here is after! I LOVE IT!! It is so easy to fix!


My girl Jaycee with Mather hair design is amazing! Let me know if you want her number!

Tag im it!!

Ok Fether tagged me...So if I go to the 4th picture in the 4th folder on my computer it is...

This is me and my sister Heather being goofy at Woodard park. This was taken back in 2001! One of my very best friends took this for us!

Ok I tag Heather, Paisley, and Mallory...Let's see what you got!

Love always,

Brandi

Some pictures and a court update...

Here are some of the family pictures we took this fall. There are quite a few so I hope you enjoy!

This is Ryan. I can't believe he is a senior.

This is Little man Jason. Love him to pieces!

This one we call the more bars in more places! lol

This is just a fun family pic of all of us and my two other sisters.

This is Miss Megan(sorry its sideways couldn't get it to rotate)



This is me and JD. Aren't we cute!?


Me, Cheri, and Heather (my dad's girls)

This is all my mom's kids including my hubby.

This was our Christmas card this year.

We are the guardians of my three youngest siblings!! Went to court yesterday afternoon and we were all prepared to have to get up and testify against my mother. Well God was definitely looking out for us in that my mother agreed to undergo a drug and alcohol assessment and a domestic violence assessment. Then we go back to court on February 6 to see what the assessments say she needs to do to get the kids back. Not only does she have to do this so does her current husband. They both have to do the assessments and follow the recommendations in order to have the kids returned. The kids dad was there with us to testify against her if we needed. GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!!!!

Thanks for all the love and support!

Love always,

Brandi