Almost there...

In just a few more days we go to Birmingham for Hunter's tests. Rick and I are so thankful for the support we have received from our friends and family. I'm not sure we could have made it through the last two weeks without it. Thank you!!

So, I though you might like an update on what Hunter does all day...

Eat. Sleep. Poop. Eat again. 

That's pretty much it. But he's so pretty while he's doing it. Here are a few shots...

More later.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

We hope that everyone is having a fabulous Thanksgiving! Here are a few pictures of our sweet boy from today!

Prayer request...

We went in yesterday for Hunter's two week post-partum appointment. There we were told that Hunter's newborn cystic fibrosis screening came back positive. Rick and I are, of course, very upset at the thought that our child could be afflicted with the incurable disease. The initial screening does not mean that he has CF. However, he was found to have a DeltaF508 mutation which means he is in fact a carrier of the disease. We go to Children's Hospital in Birmingham on December 12 for a sweat test for Hunter. Hopefully that will tell us whether or not he has CF. Rick and I will also be tested on that day to see which one of us has the gene mutation. Please pray that Hunter does not have CF. The hope of this initial test being a false positive has been ruled out. At the very least, he is a carrier. Please pray that is it.

Hunter Benjamin Swatloski's Arrival

Yes, Rick and I have a baby. He is two weeks and three days old today. Here's how it went down...

Friday, November 7, Rick and I checked into the hospital at 6:00 after enjoying a sandwich from Chick-fil-a (my last meal for a couple days). Once I slipped into my hospital gown, I was hooked up to a fetal monitor and the cervidil thingy was administered. Then, it was time to go to sleep (yeah right). Around 4:00 am Saturday morning, my contractions started to get stronger and closer together. Around 7:30 am, the nurse came to remove the cervidil thingy. At 9:00 they brought in the Pitocin which got me to 2 cm by 9:30 which was when they decided to give me an epidural (I didn't need it yet, but they gave it to me anyway...which was fine :) ). At 10:00, the doctor broke my water and there was no turning back. Everything was peachy-keen until sometime after 12:00 when I started to feel a bit more pressure. Hmm...I thought you didn't feel much with an epidural. What followed was about 6 hours of tortuous hell. The pain was indescribable. So, I won't go into it. I only got to 8 cm when the labor stalled. Much to my relief, my doctor then decided that he was not coming on his own so he said the magic hyphenated word...c-section. So, off to the operating room we went. They had redosed my epidural so many times during labor because it wasn't working so they could give me anymore for surgery so I had to be put under. That meant Rick couldn't be in the room until the baby was out. Which made me a bit sad. To make a long story short, Hunter Benjamin was born on Saturday, November 8 at 7:02 pm. He was 8 pounds and 3 ounces and was 21 1/2 inches long. Once the doctor cut me open he found that Hunter was too long to straighten out and come on his own. That's what I get for marrying someone who is a foot taller than me.

Hunter and I were released from the hospital on Tuesday. We got to leave a day early because I got out of bed so quickly on Sunday (the nurses said I should come back and teach a class on how to get up after a c-section). Since then, we have been enjoying the stew out of our little guy! My parents were in town for a week helping us out (thank God!!). We are so thankful that the baby is healthy and happy. He hardly cries unless he is hungry or wet. He is inquisitive and bright eyed. He is the joy of our lives.

Apple Jack has been a trooper. She is not totally sure if she is in love with Hunter, but she does come to get us when he cries. She's a good Big Sister.

Here are a few pictures from our little adventure.

About to head to the hospital.

Before I was reduced to screaming through my mother's
attempts to get me to do some Lamaze breathing.

Rick waiting to hear his son cry.


Father and son.


Already found his fingers.


Meeting Hunter for the first time.


Hunter, 4 days old.

This morning's findings...

Rick and I went back to the doctor this morning for our second non-stress test. Beebop continues to be handling his low fluid environment very well. The doctor said that if we wanted to, we could wait until next Monday, have another ultrasound, another non-stress test and go from there. He then added though that he was more inclined to go ahead and get Beeb out. So, we will be checking into the hospital Friday evening at 6:00, get the cervidil going, and then they will start a pitocin drip first thing Saturday morning. Rick and I will be parents, one way or another, by Saturday night!! It's definitely real now!! We can't wait to see our sweet boy's handsome face! And we can't wait to share him with all of you! Please keep our little family in your prayers over the weekend! See you on the flip side!

Making his debut this weekend?

We had our doctor's appointment last Friday and still...nothing. So, the doctor wanted us to come back Monday to get an ultrasound to see just how big this little guy is and to find out for certain if he is head down or not (I, of course, had no question that he was indeed head down). The ultrasound estimates that Beebop is around 8 pounds and 1 ounce. This could be off by at least 10 percent in either direction however. The ultrasound also found that Beebop is running low on amniotic fluid. So, the doctor did a non-stress test (they hooked me up to a fetal monitor for 20 minutes to see how his heart is reacting to his environment. This also told us when I was contracting and how he was handling the contractions.) to see if that fact had started to trouble Beebop just yet. Much to our satisfaction, our son is handling his low fluid very well. However, there is potential for the lack of fluid to cause problems. So, the plan is for us to be induced this weekend! Our doctor feels that we need to go ahead and get Beebop out before complications occur. We have another non-stress test to be certain that the baby can hold out until the weekend. If he can, then they will start me on cervidil (to help with dilation) on Friday night and then they will induce us on Saturday morning. YEA!! The baby is coming!! We'll keep everyone posted of course!

This weekend Beebop's Grammy took some naked pictures of us. Ok, well, Beebop is naked, I'm not. Here are my favorites:

And then there is the picture of me, ready to go to Alabama's Homecoming game, decked out in my Men's jersey, with a basketball under my shirt...

18 days?? Or maybe next week...please...next week...

So, our doctor's appointment last week didn't tell us too much. We have started the labor process, but we weren't fair enough along to set a date for when we are going to be "helped" along. We go back this Thursday to check again. It could still be next week...or the next...ugg. Stay tuned. Little Beebop and I are pretty ready to go!! My back is SUPER sore from holding up this little guy. I wish he would just get out and walk every now and then...

Here is our picture for this week.

That's all I have for now!

25 more days to go...maybe...

According to our due date, our bundle of joy has 25 days left. However, our bundle of joy may be coming (with some help) two weeks early. So, it is conceivable to say that we could have a little person in our lives in as little as 13 days! We have a doctors appointment this Friday which will hopefully give us a better idea of when to expect our little guy!

I finally have pictures of little Baby Joe Ewing! Joseph Henry Ewing, who was born October 4th and weighed in at 7 pounds 13 ounces, is as precious as his older brother. Congratulations Sarah and Matt!!

Rick is out of town on business this week. He is attending a Licensing Executive Society meeting and is having a ball learning new stuff! When he found out that he would be heading to this meeting in our 8th month, he arranged for a babysitter to come and stay with me...just in case. That babysitter (my daddy) and I have been doing lots of shopping and eating this week! I don't think my mom is ever going to let him come and play with me again! :) We are very fortunate that my dad, as an airline pilot, is able to work his schedule around us a little bit! Thanks Daddy!!

Here are our latest pictures. They are 35 and 36 weeks, respectively. I can't believe that we are already in the home stretch! This pregnancy has FLOWN by!! Yea!!

240 days down...40 to go!!

I realized today that we found out we were expecting when we were just 5 weeks pregnant and now...we have just over 5 weeks to go...craziness!

A very special delivery came this weekend! Joseph Henry Ewing was born on October 4 at 7:something in the morning (West Coast time). My BFF, Sarah called me at 5:30 Central time (3:30 her time) to tell me that her water had broken and that she and her husband, Matt were on their way to the hospital!! A very unfair 4 and a half hours later...including a whooping 20 or so minutes of pushing...Joe was born! When I get a picture from her, I will put it up here!

Tis the season for everyone to get sick...so the baby and I have been attempting to hold our breath. But then I realized...oxygen is pretty important to a growing fetus. So, I am taking my chances and breathing again. Everyone...GET WELL!!

We hit 33 weeks not so long ago. Here is our picture:

This past weekend was the Alabama v. Kentucky game. It was a doozie. I'm sure ole Nick had a lot to say to the boys in the locker room. But, alas, we did win the game. We are 6-0, we are still number 2 in the nation and we are...bowl eligible! Woohoo! :) We had some family join us for the game. My grandmother, Juanita; my Aunt Laurie and her husband Randall; and my cousin Karie and her sweet brand new baby girl Maerrick (aka Meri, Lulu, Peanut) all came up. Laurie and Randall went to the game with Rick and my dad and Grandmother, Karie, Lulu, mom and I stayed home. 85 degrees is pretty hot when you are nearly 8 months pregnant. So, we thought the comfort of our air conditioned living room was a great place to tune in to the game. Plus, mom is one of the sickies I mentioned earlier. She has been diagnosed with Pneumonia and spend Thursday night in the ER with a severely pulled muscle in her back from coughing. We're wondering if she has broken a rib as well. GET WELL MOM!!!

Here is a sweet shot of Little Lulu and her mommy at Newk's. The picture is dark because I didn't want to blind little Meri with the flash:

This weekend was also our fourth baby shower. This one was given by the ladies in our Wednesday night Bible study. It was very sweet of them to think of us! Here is a shot of a few of them:

And finally, we have our 34th week photo taken the morning of my shower. This time I got the Daddy in the shot!

We have a doctor's appointment this coming Thursday. After this one, we start going every week. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!?!?! You go every week when you only have a month left...holy cow.

Oh baby! 51 Days to go!

Rick and I (and the little person) had a doctor's appointment this morning. All is apparently well! My measurements are right on the money which means the little guy is growing just like he is supposed to! Our doctor said that we are in a perfect position in terms of due dates because all of the ones we have been given fall within the same week. So that is great news! We just can't wait to meet the little guy! Here is our 32 week photo. We are now almost through our 33rd week so...stay tuned for another photo!

Sarah should be having her baby at any moment really. She was already 2 or 3 cm dilated at her last appointment. They told her it could be this weekend or early next week! YEA!! Another Ewing will be in the world soon! We so excited for you, Sarah, Matt and Tyler!!

On a sad note, our small Bible study group at church (that meets every Wednesday night at my boss's house of all places) lost a member last Friday afternoon. Our friend, Jim Lynch, was outside mowing the grass when he started having some chest pain. He had a heart attack and was in full cardiac arrest by the time the ambulance got to him. Jim left this world an hour or so later. He left behind his wife, Anne, their son, Vaughn and daughter-in-law, Lee. We miss you Jim! Our prayers are with Anne, Vaughn and Lee and they try to make sense out of this sudden loss. Jim was only 62 years old.

The countdown has begun...

We now have only 57 days until we meet our little person!! That's less than 2 months...8 weeks...holy cow.

Here is what he looks now...

It's so vein-y isn't it??

He's a big boy! And a very active one as well!! I often wonder how many people can see him moving around under my shirt when I am in a meeting at work, or sitting at my desk talking to people...He's a funny little guy!

My sweet second-cousin Meri has been released for UAB!! YEA!! I haven't heard much news about her recently, but we are trying to let them get settled in before we bombard them with phone calls. We love you Meri! We are so proud of all the work you have done to convince them that you are ready to go home!

My dear friends Whitney Hough-Troutman and Tara Shinholster are throwing me baby shower number 3 this weekend! It will be a small, intimate gathering and I am SUPER excited about it!!

Here is our 31 week photo (even though we start week 32 on Sunday!):

But I like this one much better! :)

Behind once again...

The last couple of weeks have been a bit crazy...what's new.

My cousin Karie has had her baby girl, Merrick Lane Kilpatrick. Meri has had a rough start of it and was transfered from Flowers hospital in Dothan (South Alabama) to UAB's (University of Alabama at Birmingham) hospital. We are all praying for you sweet girl! Your whole family loves you very much!

Karie and Meri

Also, Rick's grandmother on his mom's side underwent hip replacement surgery a couple of weeks ago. Since then, she too has been having a tough time. She has gone back to the emergency room several times since her initial release. Our prayers and love are with you too Nana!

Alabama has won their first two football games this season! Woohoo!! The first one against Clemson was AMAZING!!! The second against Tulane....TULANE...wasn't as great. But hey...a win is a win!

We hit 29 weeks....which is dangerously close to bringing us to single digit weeks remaining...

Then, shortly after that (7 days to be exact) we hit 30 weeks...I'm getting pretty big eh?

We had a doctor's appointment on the 8th. It was the first of our "every two weeks" appointments. Other than the fact that I am taking on water (mostly in my legs and ankles) like the Titanic, everything looks good. Our doctor told me that he thinks the baby is already head down which means...he's getting ready!! Holy cow...there's no stopping him now!!

Also on the 8th, Heather threw me our second baby shower! This one was with my sweet colorguard girls at Brookwood! Here are a few snapshots!

I think that's about it for catching up.

Our second 3D/4D Ultrasound

Beebop was more cooperative today. He was still difficult...but it was better than last time! He really enjoys sucking on the back of his perfect hand so we had to contend with that being in the way today. But I think we were able to get some really beautiful shots of his little face! Here are a few of them!

Labeled for bearing purposes


His sweet profile


Playing with his hand


Sucking on his thumb

Roll Tide Roll!!

2 days and 9 hours and 16 minutes until ALABAMA FOOTBALL KICK-OFF!! We start the season out with Clemson at the Georgia Dome...and Gameday will be there...which is not usually a good thing of 'ole Alabama! But hopefully Saban and the boys will pull it out! Can't wait to see what our hunky coach does this season!! 'Rammer jammer, Yellow Hammer, Give 'em HELL ALABAMA!!!!

Roll Tide!!!!

Little "Who" Swatloski

We had another doctor's appointment today! This one was supposed to be fairly exciting...and in some cases it was...

So, I took the dreaded glucose test (a test where you have to drink this very, very, very sugary syrup and then get your finger pricked an hour later. This test is supposed to tell you if you are at risk for gestational diabetes. If you fail the one hour test, you have to come back and take the three hour version of the test...not fun I imagine!). You are supposed to get lower than a 140 to pass...I got a 121!!!! Yea!! I passed!! Rick asked our lovely nurse that we always see if she would give me a gold star. But...I guess she was out because I didn't get one. Oh well.

Our doctor was in unexpected surgery this morning so he didn't arrive until 10:00 for our 8:30 appointment. But not to worry. We had plenty of stuff to do while we were waiting including...

OUR 3D/4D ULTRASOUND!! Now...of course, this is Rick's child we are talking about here...stubborn as all get out! Just kidding honey! Our little guy was a bit camera shy this morning (I don't know how he is related to me!!) so we are going to try again on Friday to get a few better shots. But, I have included the ones we got today just so the suspense won't get too unbearable! :) You can see is right eye, his right cheek (which will of course appear on the left side of the picture :) ) and his forehead. His mouth is covered up by his umbilical cord. The umbilical cord is what got in our way the last time!! Stubborn little thing. His nose looks a little funny because it is squished up against me. To me...he looks a little like a Who. :) Isn't he a cutie!!

Here we are at 28 weeks! We are in the home stretch! We have been graduated to appointments every two weeks now instead of every 4 weeks!! Isn't that crazy?? We'll have a little person here soon!!