35 week checkup

Today was my 35 week checkup and things are going well. I have been having some rather strong Braxton Hicks contractions lately and so the doctor said that I shouldn't work much longer. That's good because my last day of work is Sept 14. Unless things progress a little quicker. I am not yet dilated, but am effaced. So it's only a matter of time now. I am getting nervous because I don't know when exactly Pete will be home, but it should be around the time I am done with work. I will be meeting with yet another doctor next week and will be with her the rest of the time. I am scheduled for a birthing center run-through on Sept 15, so that should be fun. I have already visited the center when I went to my birthing class a couple of weeks ago, but this will be an individual tour.

Hope all is well with everyone. Stay tuned for future updates as we get closer to our new arrival. Take care, Sara

Baby update

Hi everyone,

Well, time is ticking away rapidly now. I am 32 weeks and just had my latest ultrasound on Monday. Everything looked good. Jacob weighs about 4 lbs 3 oz. His head is now positioned downward, so that's good. It's only a matter of time when he is actually here. I am getting a little more scared, excited, anxious... for the big day. On Tuesday, I met with my new doctor. My other doctor decided to take a year off for some reason, leaving me to find a new one. I met her, Dr. Jennifer Thome, yesterday and I really like her. The only bad thing is she is only filling in for another doctor who is on maternity leave until mid-September or so. So, at least I will have her for the next month or so. She informed me that I wouldn't have to have any more lab work done, since everything looks good. So that's great. Next visit is Aug 28, and then they will be every week until I deliver. Oh yeah, and my due date changed. It's actually Oct. 1, not 2 as I originally was told. But apparently, all the documentation says the 1st, so a day earlier is good. So, Darci, I hope you don't mind sharing your due date with me:)

Pete went back to work on Aug 3. He is currently in Mobile, Alabama. The ship needed to do some maintenance work that can't be done when cargo is onboard. So they are at dry dock as they call it for about 2 weeks. This is where the boat is actually taken out of the water completely while they work on it. Where they will go after that is unknown at this time, but he should be home a couple weeks before Jacob arrives, but you never know. He is very active and I think he wants out. Pete will miss our 1 year anniversary by only a few days, so we will be able to celebrate that hopefully before the next big day.

Well, I hope all is well. Take care and talk to you all soon.

Baby Shower Pics

Hi everyone,

Thought I better post a few pics from the baby shower on July 1. It was a great day! I hope everyone who was able to attend, enjoyed themselves. We appreciate everything you all have done for us. Take care.




The one on the left is my sister Susan and cousin Angela.


This was a wreath of diapers, wipes, and various baby items, like a bottle, nail clippers, pacifier and more from my Aunt Deb.


This pic on the left is my friend Nancy, her mom Mary Jane, and Nancy's son Michael (who was in the wedding at about 7 months in-utero).



This pic is my friend Darci and her mom Chris. Darci is due the day before me, on Oct. 1. This is her second child.

This is a pic of one of my guests, Kathy James, that was picked to put a diaper on a doll as fast as she could. She did a great job.


This picture is of my mom as she is giving instruction on a game.












This is a pic of my cousin Angela, Aunt Vickie, and Aunt Deb socializing.













This is our friend Kellie, whom drove up from Jackson to be here and had to deal with an accident/detour and such to get here. What a trooper!!

Another place to view pics of Yooper life

Hi everyone who stumbles across our blog. I also have a photo gallery where you can view pics from us, is is located at http://gallery.pasty.com/ptorms You can view the pics, and add coments if you like. That is all for now.
Pete

A Post From Pete Holy Wuh!

Well I have been home since the middle of June and I have been busy. We have managed to make the downstairs part of the house look like a home. Upstairs is still a work in progress. I have tried to make our home somewhat comfy for Sara since I have to go away again soon. I will be going back to work around the 28th of July or so.

My most recent project involved seven cords or logs that needed to be cut into blocks for winter. I managed to stumble my way through the log pile and my dad lent me his wood spliter and himself so we split up all the wood in two days. I need to go to work just to have a vacation!

The log pile looks small but I was half way through it at this point. I should have taken a picture before I started.

I have also been out looking for copper in the Copper Country. I found a 130 pound chunk and my last big one was 63 pounds. I was able to get $3.00 per pound for the big one and $4.00 for the smaller one. I also have a bunch of smaller chunks to sell yet.

I still can't believe that the next time I come home we will be right on top of being parnets. The lil bugger is coming faster than one can imagine. I was able to go to Sara's most recent Dr's visti and hear the heart beat again. He has also been kicking up a storm. I think he will play for the Lions someday. Maybe then they will win. Well that is all for now. We are both doing fine, and the critters are as well, minus the dogs most recent breach of security. But they have been doing fine since. Talk to you all later.

Pete, Sara, Critters.

House Pics

Hello everyone,

I know it's been awhile. I even had to change our password because I couldn't remember the old one haha. I will blame it on pregtimers (alzheimers for pregnant folk). Anyway, here are a few shots of our house from the outside.

This is of course the front of the house.

Here is another front view.

This is a detached garage and workshop that sits just off the road and then to the left of the attached garage. The picture is taken facing the road. This is Pete's getaway spot. There is another out building that was once used for raising beagles, but I didn't include a picture. It sits on the other side of the horseshoe driveway.

This is the backside of the house and garage. You really can't see the back deck, but it's there. There is lots of potential with this house.

This is a picture of the backyard and the dog's huge kennel in the back. They seem to enjoy it.


Now, we finally are able to show you some of the inside. Not every room, but at least the living room, kitchen, front room/porch/foyer whatever you want to call it, and baby's room.

We had a problem in the front room with bats getting in, but Pete fixed that, so now we can leave it open for the cats. They love to sit in the windows and watch birds and such outside.

The living room is finally looking like a living room. It was filled with boxes, but Pete cleared them out. We finally have pictures on the wall too.

The kitchen is small but functional most of the time. The only problem we have currently is if we need something out of the drawer next to the stove, we have to open the stove and then the drawer. Silly me, didn't measure the depth of the stove when I bought it, and I don't want to crack the gas line behind. But, eventually we will remodel and it won't be a problem. Oh, see the fridge and dishwasher? Those are new too hehe. The fridge that was here was rusted to the old stove, yes rusted too it. Apparently no one knew that air needs to flow around the stove. The old dishwasher didn't seem to work, or was just corroded with old soap and was disgusting. The new one works wonderfully and quietly.

Now, this is the baby's room. Jackie loves this room. I often catch her in the rocking chair, but not today.

This is the stenciling I am doing on the wall. I only have a little bit to go on this wall, and then will do some on each side of the window and behind the door by the closet.

This is all the stuff we got from the baby shower July 1. It was such a wonderful time and was great to see so many people I haven't seen in a long time. There are also bags of stuff I found at garage sales, but no where to put it all yet. I am waiting to get the stenciling done. The crib is together but I didn't get a chance to add it this time.

Enjoy and we shall enter more soon. Take care.

Newest Baby Tormala Pics

Hello everyone,

Well, this past month has been not the easiest. My doctor informed me that my quad screen that they performed showed a high risk for Downs syndrome. So my doctor sent me to Green Bay to speak with a genetic counselor and have a more thorough ultrasound done. Nothing on the ultrasound showed and signs of Downs syndrome, which was very good news, but there is a slight risk still because of the abnormal blood test. Needless to say, we are quite relieved at this point. I am feeling good and the baby wouldn't stay still for his picture to be taken. He was enjoying showing off his male parts as well lol. We are very confident that he will be born healthy. I will have to have another ultrasound at 32 weeks to check fetal growth and I will also have to watch my blood pressure. Otherwise, things are great. All this happened while I was getting moved into our new house. It's a lot of work by myself, so I am leaving a lot of it for Pete when he gets home in June.

These pics are taken at 2o weeks 2 days. Take care. Love, Sara, Pete, & Baby Tormala