37 WEEK APPOINTMENT & CHRISTMAS

One of the maternity photos taken by Jasmin Roth

Another one by Jasmin Roth

A few of the girls! (35 weeks prego)

Sam's Parents

"Fink Girls" (Karen, Michelle, Emily, Sam)

Sam & Gabe

Well, I had my 37 week appointment today. My strep B test from last week came back positive so I will have to be treated with antibiotics during labor. No big deal. 30%-40% of pregnant women are carriers of Strep B. I measured right at 37 weeks and the heart rate was 137. baby B is looking very healthy. We couldn't get a good face picture because he is still sticking his hands in front of his face. We discussed induction. Dr. Hier-Duffin will check me at 38 weeks and will induce at 39. We haven't set a day yet, but either way we have about 3 weeks left until we get to meet baby B! I am getting anxious to meet him! We got the car seat installed. I really need to pack my bags just in case, but can't seem to surrender my favorite sweatpants to a suitcase just yet :) We are all ready as soon as he is ready to join us. For Christmas we got a pack and play from G-ma and G-pa Fink so we have that set up as well as the bassinet set up ready to use! I have my next appointment next Monday afternoon.

We had a great Christmas! We were able to see everyone even though we couldn't travel. Gabe's mom had Christmas in town at her house since we couldn't make it to Norfolk this year. I uploaded a few pictures. I added a picture of my parents just because it is impossible to ever get a good picture of them and I finally accomplished it ;)

MATERNITY PHOTOS!

We had a family friend take some maternity photos. She is starting her own photography business and we were lucky enough to have her in town to take pictures when I was 35 weeks pregnant. Feel free to check them out at www.whiteacorn.zenfolio.com the password is samanthab

36 WEEK APPT

Yesterday we had our 36 week appointment. We met with a midwife because one of the doctors from my office is on bed rest and the other one just left and moved to California so they have a heavy load. It was a great visit! We spent some good time asking questions. I had my Strep B test. We will have the results next week. My belly measured 38cm and Baby B's head is fully engaged. She said even though I am measuring big she thinks he will be a small baby, about 7 pounds at delivery. This is of course just an estimate. My sister said I am now jinxed and will have a HUGE baby! As long as we get him here safe and sound I don't care either way. His heartbeat was around 120bpm which is much lower than it has been, but they assured me it was fine. We are now having weekly visits. I will see my regular doctor again next Monday and hopefully she will check me to see if I have made any progress. I am feeling great with the exception of being a little sluggish. I have completed all my coursework for graduation, so now I can just relax and wait for Baby B to make his arrival!

This past week Gabe's grandpa also had a small stroke. We are still waiting to learn more about how it will affect him, but he seems to be ok. Thank the Lord! Still, we can definitely use your prayers. I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

NEW PICTURES!

Dana & Me (34 weeks) @ The Yelkin's Party

My sister Emma & Me @ Yelkins

Opening Gifts with Mom, Pat & Gabe watching intently :)

The GINOURMOUS cake! It was amazing!

My mother-in-law Pat & Me (33 weeks)

Gabe & Me

Carving pumpkins for Halloween (26 weeks)

I finally have a few pictures to upload from the shower last weekend! Very exciting stuff! I also added a few pictures from a Christmas Party this weekend and one from carving pumpkins around Halloween time. (We carve pumpkins every year. it is a big tradition with Gabe and I.) Gabe's work party was this weekend. We are so grateful for the wonderful party they put on every year. We are also incredible thankful for Gabe to have such a secure job the way the economy is right now! Thanks Glass Edge and Dave (Gabe's boss) The party was a hoot as always! After the work party was over we stopped by our friends, the Yelkin's annual Christmas party! We got there pretty late, but it was still great to see everyone! I also completed me first 1/2 day back at work on Friday. I was like a kid on the first day of school! I was so excited just to be there and to be interacting with people again! I am really looking forward to the next few weeks of working again before Baby B makes his arrival!

BACK TO WORK!

I saw Dr. Hier-Duffin today. She checked me and since I am not dilated she is letting me return to work part time! She was reluctant to allow me to work at all, but my goal is to make it back for 30 calender days before delivery! We finally agreed on 1/2 days and I must remain on bed rest when I am not at work. I am excited to be able to get out of the house for even a few hours a day! She said Baby B is looking great and weighing about 4 1/2 pounds! My blood pressure and weight are within normal ranges, so all and all the visit went very well. I did get a flu shot so my arm is a little sore, but it was not as bad as I expected! I have always heard horror stories of how painful they can be. My next visit is December 22nd. If I make it another two weeks they will let me deliver if I go into active labor! How exciting!

DRUM ROLL PLEASE...

34 Weeks

For those of you that have waited SO patiently for the past 34 weeks. We can FINALLY announce the sex of the baby to the public! ITS A BOY! We found out at 14 weeks and keeping it a secret was not always an easy task, but it was very fun to announce at the baby showers! I will upload pictures as soon as possible from the shower. Thanks so much to my mother-in-law Pat and my (HOPEFULLY-boys take a hint!) soon to be sister-in-laws Jessica Blair and Mary Vu for helping to put a wonderful shower together! The shower was amazing! We are so grateful for everyone who could make it. We are so blessed to be surrounded with such wonderful family and friends!

One more makes SEVEN!

I have learned I have another friend who is expecting! Congrats to Heather!!! Seriously...Beware of the water around here!

TRIMMING THE TREE

Gabe topping the tree!

Sam making very important ornament decisions :)

Starting the tree assembly with a BIG belly!

Every year Gabe and I have a tradition of putting the tree up together (Sam 33 weeks prego!). Each Christmas we buy an ornament that reminds of the events that have taken place then when we put up the tree we reminisce about the years past. This year is extra special as it will be the last year we put up the tree by ourselves. Next year we will have a very special helper! Here are a few picture of us putting up the tree. We got the stocking hung, the nativity scene put up and even a few lights outside. We said we went going to do much this year as Baby B could arrive anytime, but I am a sucker for the Holiday Season! We want to wish everyone a safe and Happy Holiday!

BEWARE OF THE WATER!!!

There must be something in the water these days! I started bed rest without any of my friends pregnant. I now have 6 friends expecting!!! I am so excited for everyone! I am excited that baby b will have lots of little playmates running around too! Congrats to everyone!

Kren S. due beginning of June
Tara L. due beginning June (I think boy!)
Jen H. due end of April (Girl)
Lacy S. due middle of May (I think girl..but we'll see!)
Dani H. due beginning of June
Jill B. due the end of June (I think boy, but we'll see!)

It is going to be a FUN coupe of months! I just wanted to warn those of you not looking for a baby to steer clear of the water :)

As for me, I am approaching the 33 weeks mark! I am still feeling great for the most part aside from a little morning sickness every now and then. I also, of course, get lots of kicks in odd places as Baby B is taking up more room. I am hoping I get to go back to work on Dec 11th! Keep your fingers crossed for me! I will hopefully finish up my degree in Human Relations in the next few weeks, then I can really focus on getting everything ready for the baby! We will announce the sex publicly after the last shower on Sunday! I can't wait to be able to say he or she! We are keeping the name a secret until Gabe comes out of the delivery room and announces it despite my sisters best efforts to lure it out of me! I am getting really excited to see what the next few weeks will bring. I never thought I would be so anxious for January!

32 WEEK DOCTOR APPOINTMENT

We had our 32 week doctor appointment today! The sex of the baby was definitely confirmed. For the first time I could actually see what she was talking about instead of just taking her word for it! I was hoping I would be released to go back to work on Monday, but that is not going to happen just yet. She said we are going to have to wait until my next visit on December 10th and re-evaluate. I need to take it a little easier than I have been. The babies heart rate was SO strong and loud! Right at 138 bmp. I also measured right on at 32 weeks. Everything seems to be going great except my having contractions and starting to thin out. Hopefully I will be able to return to work on Dec 11th! We got some great pictures of Baby B's feet today THEY ARE HUGE! So adorable! I can't wait to hug and kiss them! We have decided we are going to deliver at Bryan LGH. I want to wish everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving. We are sure giving thanks at our house that baby B has remainded in my belly this long! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

BABY SHOWER-31 weeks!

Me & Krystal

Me trying to explain that my belly "is not THAT big..." during
the guess the size of mom's belly game

My sister Emily and Me

Gabe giving his best belly shot!

The love of my life Gabe!

Me and my old roommate Emily!

Gabe insisted we show the frontal view of how big the belly actually is!

31 weeks

We had a baby shower on Saturday. It was SOOO much fun for me to see all of our friends! I had a had a great time and I am pretty sure Baby B did too because the baby didn't stop wiggling the whole day or night! We announced the sex of the baby to our anxious friends! We have one more baby shower to go until we can post the sex of the baby for everyone to see! I actually slipped up at the shower and used a gender specific word so i let the cat out of the bag a few minutes before I had planned! OPPS! We got some great stuff! It seems like everything is getting more and more real with each shower! Gabe and I just sat down after the shower last night and it seemed like it hit us both at the same time that we are going to have a child in 8-9 weeks. What a wonderful blessing! we really want to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts that attended the shower. It meant more to us than you know to be surrounded by friends! I really want to thank the girls who helped with food and my sister for throwing the shower. It was a blast! After the shower everyone hung around and we played some cards and had some laughs... apparently the assembly of a diaper genie looks easier than it really is! HA! I posted a bunch of pictures from the shower! I also had to post Gabe's impersonation of my belly pics. So cute! Thanks again! Love you all!

HICCUPS!

Hey all! Finally we are into the single digit week countdown. I am still on bed rest, but making the best of it. I am really ready to go back to work. I should find out on our next doctor appointment whether I will be able to return to work or if it will be prolonged until Christmas Day (36 weeks). The past few weeks have been filled with some ups and downs. I have noticed serious mood swings and have been a little more emotional. I think it is partly because of the pregnancy and partly from being cut off from everyone for 10 weeks. Bed rest can really start to take a toll. We have a baby shower tomorrow and am so excited to see all of my friends! We will be announcing the sex to them. It has been such a blast listening to every ones predictions...only time will tell! I can't believe we haev been able to hold the secret in for so long! The past few weeks has also had many high points. The baby is hiccuping like CRAZY! I thought it was cute at first, but after the first few hours I just felt bad. Poor baby! They lasted off and on all of yesterday morning. I have had trouble sleeping because Baby B is such a maniac as soon as I lay down. However, I am blessed that the baby can give me those little (HUGE) kicks and let me know it is doing alright. I will post some pictures after the shower tomorrow.

**We also have a close family friend in the hospital battling cancer and some heart problems so please keep him and his family in your prayers.

UPDATED BELLY PIC

Almost 30 weeks

I decided it was time for some updated belly pictures! The baby is definitely making use of my entire belly these days! I can feel him/her under my ribs a lot of the time. My skin feels like it can't possibly stretch any bigger, but I know it will continue to grow and grow over the next 10 weeks! I have started to feel a little sluggish again, but overall I am still feeling great. I have a doctor appointment on Thursday. I am anxious to see what she has to say about the size of Baby B and the effectiveness of bed rest. I had a moment of reality setting in last night when i realized we have just over 9 weeks until the baby arrives. I was suddenly thinking about all the things that need done before Baby B enters the world... Perhaps I should remind myself that if all goes as planned, I still have over 2 months to accomplish everything :) Daddy (Gabe) is also starting to get very anxious! From this point on the baby will be gaining 1/2 pound a week! Grow baby Grow!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

I want to give a huge thank you to everyone who pitched in to get us our stroller and car seat, especially my sister Emily for organizing everything. It arrived today. I LOVE IT! I can't wait for Gabe to see it, I know he is going to love it as much as I do! I assembled it all by myself! (Ok, it wasn't hard, but still I feel a sense of accomplishment!) Having our stroller and car seal makes it seem so real! I feel like Baby B's birthday is so close and yet, still so far away! I just wanted to post a few pictures of the travel system. I tested out my mommy skills by strapping the teddy bear in the seat. It really made my day to have a package arrive so soon. I didn't think we would see it for several more weeks. I am feeling much more prepared now! Everything else has been going pretty well. I am anxious for my next doctor visit on November 13th to see how the baby is doing and hopefully get the ok to return to work on Dec 1st! I have been having a lot less contractions in the past few weeks, which is very encouraging! I feel great other than the normal third trimester tiredness and shortness of breath. Morning sickness has also been plaging me a little, but it is nothing like the first trimester. We are just getting so anxious to meet our new addition...Is it January yet???

THIRD TRIMESTER...LET THE COUNTDOWN BEGIN!

The "Little Stinker" Elijah and Me

The roundness of the 8-ball-hard to capture on film

7 months prego Halloween costume- An 8-ball

Oh third trimester...I can't believe we are already here! My belly has been growing like crazy! Morning sickness has also decided to show it's ugly head again. It is NOTHING like I had in the first trimester, but still not fun. Other than that I am feeling pretty good! We weren't able to do much for Halloween because of being on bed rest, but we still entertained ourselves. We just ordered some pizza and handed out candy to all the adorable kiddos! We don't get many kids at our house, so we went to Gabe's parents. My favorite trick or treater was my God son Elijah! He was a skunk..."little stinker!" He was the cutest skunk ever! I dressed up as ab 8-ball. It was hard to capture in any pictures, but the 8 on my tummy was really round. It was comfy and I still felt like I was in the Halloween spirit, so it worked. :) Here are a few pictures!

BABY SHOWER

All my nieces and nephews (bribed w/cheese!)

Opening Gifts

Mom and Me

We had our first baby shower this weekend. It was nice to be off of my couch for the first time in five weeks and onto my parents couch. I want to thank my sisters and my mom for throwing such an amazing shower! I also want to thank everyone who made it to the shower! It meant so much to me and Gabe that everyone could be there. We announced the sex of the baby for the first time to those who were in attendance. The rest of you will still have to wait. :) Our last shower is December 6th. After that shower we will announce the sex to everyone else. It has been so fun for Gabe and I to have our little secret for a few months. Baby Buresh got some great gifts at the shower and I will definitely have fun playing with them for the next few weeks until the baby gets here! We got an exersaucer which daddy has already successfully assembled even though we won't be using it for several months! It made the whole experience very real. On our car ride home Gabe and I just looked at the gifts and then looked at each other thinking...this is really happening!!! We are both getting very anxious and excited! Baby B and I have a doctor appointment this afternoon. We will find out how much bed rest has been helping. The contractions seemed to have slowed significantly in the past week and a half, so I am hoping for a good report. Aunt Emily is going to come to the appointment today too! We are excited to share the experience with her! I will update after the appointment. For the mean time, I have added some pictures from the wonderful shower. I also want to thank my 3 1/2 year old niece Kierra for doing my hair for the shower...it was beautiful! Thanks again for all the love and support we got. We love you all!

26 WEEK BELLY PICTURES!

26 weeks!

4 weeks

I just wanted to mention how much Gabe LOVES taking my belly pictures....ok...maybe not! I had to throw the first one on the website just because out cat Stormy made the photo shoot. HA! It is funny to look back at previous belly pictures when I thought I was so big and compare them to now. I know I still have a long ways to go. I am sure before I know it I will be looking back at these pictures longing to have this size belly again! I added our very first belly picture from when I was 4 weeks prego for comparison. As of today I do have to look over my belly to see my toes!

26 WEEKS!

Well, I have made it to 26 weeks! That means we have less than 100 days left until the arrival of Baby B. He/she has been growing so much over the past two weeks! I can't wait until our next doctors appointment. I am still on bed rest and will be for several more weeks. I am anxious to see if bed rest has stopped the shortening on my cervix. I have good days and bad days, but more good than bad. I take everyday that baby B stays in my belly as a blessing. I know baby B is growing stronger everyday. The next big milestone we are trying to reach is 28 weeks. The survival rate for a pre-term baby goes up much higher and the development of the baby changes quite dramatically! I am still trying to work hard on school projects as much as I can with the help of my great professors at Doane. We are still looking at a degree completion date of December 2008. Please keep us in your prayers as we work through the challenges that are handed to us. I have actually started to take bed rest as a belssing as I realize I never spent time to enjoy my pregnancy before I was forced to. Now I can really bond with the baby, read to it, sing to it (I am sure that is the babies favorite part of the day! HA!). I have also been enjoying all the movement that has been happeing in my belly. It gets more pronounced and harder each day. I have caught a few of the kicks on tape which has been exciting for Gabe so he can share in the excitement. I am trying to stay positive as we move through the next several crutial weeks. I welcome anyone visitors to stop by as the days can get pretty long and lonely on the couch. :) I will try to have Gabe take some good belly pictures tonight so you can see just how big I am getting!

6 MONTHS

We are finally to the 6 month mark! Here is a picture from a few days ago. It is amazing how big of a difference a few days can make on my ever growing belly! I am trying to survive bed rest. Gabe has been so great so far making sure I am always taken care of. Between him and my mom I am surrounded by the Bed Rest Nazi's! This is probably a good thing, because as hard as I try, it is a challenge to stay down. I am so grateful for my great family and friends who have volunteered to keep me company, cook a few meals and help with household chores. I could never get through this without you! The hardest part of bed rest thus far is just getting lonely at home all day by myself. So visitors are ALWAYS welcome! So far we are getting along great and bed rest seems to be doing it's job! Hopefully we can keep baby Buresh cooking for at least 8 more weeks! Thanks for all your support and prayers during this time!

Bed Rest it is...

Well, Here is the scoop. Baby Buresh is not listening! I had a doctor appointment today to see if my contractions were getting any better. I thought we were doing pretty good and ready to go back to work, but Dr. Hier-Duffin has different ideas. She checked and my cervix is still tightly closed, but I seemed to have thinned out a little from last week. My cervix is not quite as long as it should be. She ordered bed rest throught the end of November. Please pray for Baby B to stay in there as long as possible, he/she means the world to us and the longer baby B stays put the better off we will all be. Also please pray for my sanity through the next couple of weeks. I welcome all visitors, although I can't guarantee the conditions of my house as I can't get up to clean it. Please just send your prayers our way as we embark on this amazing and crazy journey.

23 WEEKS!

I am just a few days shy of 23 weeks. Being on bed rest has been a challenge for me as I am so used to being on the go all the time. I have had to find lots of new things to keep me occupied without leaving the couch. Gabe has been great to spend his Saturday night playing rummy, go fish, and war with me. The baby has become substantially more active this week as well which has provided a few hours of entertainment for me. We also got a baby heart monitor so we can hear the baby's kicks and heartbeat. It was only $20 from Target, so it was definitely worth it to keep me busy and entertained. I decided to day that it was time for a few new belly pictures. I took them in the mirror, so they didn't turn out the best, but Baby B is definitely there and growing more everyday!

BABY B...it's not time yet!!!

Well, last night I started to have some cramping in my back and abdomen. I was a little worried so I called the doctor. She advised that I go get checked out at labor and delivery, but I thought perhaps I just overdid it so I asked if I could just try the couch for a little while. The cramps seemed to calm down through the night. Then today at work I went for a walk during lunch and the cramping resumed. I called the doctor and made a quick appointment to see her. She checked and my cervix is still closed and Baby B is doing great, just anxious to meet the world! I was having some contractions. The doctor is putting me on some medicine to stop the contractions and a week of bed rest. I am also starting some antibiotics just in case the contractions are being caused from a bladder or kidney infection. So everything looks like it will be ok, but Baby B is making mommy take it easy for a while.

21 WEEKS!!!

We had our 21 week doctor appointment today. Baby Buresh is measuring a week ahead! He/She is a BIG baby! It is already weighing 1 pound and measuring at 22 weeks. My new estimated due date is Jan 16th, but because it is within a week we will keep that same date of Jan 23rd. The babies heartbeat was at 130, but since mommies resting heart rate is 55 I guess that shouldn't surprise me! grandpa Fink came to the appointment with us this time. I think he had a good time, but with boys you can never tell. The baby appears to have mommies hands. We got so many good shots this week, but I am just uploading a few of my favorites! We had a hard time confirming the sex again because the babies parts were hidden under my belly button. We had to wiggle the baby around a little to get any good shots. The doctor is pretty convinced of the sex this week though, so I guess it is time to shop! We will be announcing the sex at the first baby shower, I can hardly wait! Daddy was impressed by Baby B's growth over the past 4 weeks. He was pretty proud of the babies spine, nose and hands! SO CUTE! I can't wait to hold and kiss them!

HUSKER GAME WEEKEND!

Gabe and I were able to hang out with my godparents this weekend! They were incredibly generous and gave us tickets to go to the Husker home game with them! It was Baby B's first football game! He/She loved every second of it! The baby did however discover mommy's sciatic nerve on Saturday during the game. The baby seems to love laying right on it and shooting pains down my leg. I guess the baby was just trying to express his/her excitement about the Husker victory and wanted to make sure I was paying attention! :) We are both doing great though and can't wait for the ultrasound this Thursday! I also attended a bridal shower for my good friend Gina! What a HOOT! I added a picture of Gina impersonating what I will look like at her wedding reception. The reception in January 17th, just a few days before my due date! Overall we had a very fun and exciting weekend! Daddy is doing great and taking pride in the expansion of my belly over the past few weeks!

20 WEEKS!

We are finally halfway to meeting baby Buresh. The past few weeks have been filled with exciting moments and stress. I began my senior seminar for school which is my senior thesis project. It is the last major hurdle before completing my degree in December. We have also had some name drama. We had a name picked out, but are now in the process of changing the name! Mommy and Daddy have very different tastes! Opposites attract right?? I have felt a few flutters, but no big movements from baby Buresh. As week 20 begins I am really looking forward to feeling the baby move around. I have been playing some music for the baby during my walks. When I get a song I really like on my ipod I hold the headphones up to my belly to share the song with the baby! He/She is loving Marvin Gaye and Frank Sinatra just like Mommy!! (At least that is what I tell myself!) I also took a 19 week 5 day picture. My belly has grown so much in the past few weeks! We have a doctor appointment next Thursday and we are hoping to get 100% confirmation on the sex! We do believe we know the sex, but I want the doctor to say she is 100% (or as 100% as she can be from an ultrasound!) As most of you know we aren't sharing the sex of the baby until the first baby shower. We won't be revealing a name until baby Buresh is born. :)

GABE'S 25TH BIRTHDAY PARTY

GABE & HIS BROTHERS

18 WEEKS 3 DAYS

SURPRISE GABE!!!

I threw a surprise birthday party for Gabe on Saturday! It was a hit, he never saw it coming! Here are a few pictures of Gabe and his three brothers being goofy as always. His brother Matt is home from Arizona for a few weeks so he was able to make it to the party. It was really fun to see all of the get to spend time together. I also took a few belly pictures. It is amazing how much my belly changes from morning to night and from day to day. This week we also go the results back from our quad 4 testing which tests for abnormalities in the baby such as downs syndrome and spina bifida. We are so grateful that the tests all came back looking 100% normal! We pray to God everyday for a healthy and happy baby!