Homeless in our home town

I write this from the Westminster, CO La Quinta Inn (which has free wireless Internet) because we are having our hardwood floors refinished. During our final warranty walk with Neumann Homes Melissa convinced them that our hardwood floor needed to be refinished. They arrived today at noon to fill cracks, sand, and apply a new finish to the floor. We can't be on it for 24hrs so we're staying at the La Quinta which was one of the few hotels in the area that takes dogs and has a pool. Frank and Liz came over this evening with Sarah so Sydney had a buddy to swim with. We ordered pizza together and relaxed in the room.

Melissa is still on bedrest but she got in the pool to relax a bit. Jayne is coming tomorrow at 3 for the entire week so we'll have a lot more help. Of course the Denver Broncos AFC championship game starts at 1 so her timing isn't exactly perfect. Just kidding Jayne! Having her here will allow me to work full days next week and make up the time I took off this week. Melissa's dad will be here Tuesday through Thursday so we'll have lots of help this week.

We were at 35 weeks this past Friday and we have two more weeks to go! Stay tuned!

Sydney and the Monkey

IMG_3856.JPG, originally uploaded by jason_m_thomas.

I took Sydney to the Denver Zoo Saturday to give Melissa a break since she's on bed rest. Our friends Tyler and Heather came over with their son Cody but Sydney didn't want to go to the zoo without me. I was hoping to get some things done around the house during the zoo trip but I had fun taking her. She loved seeing the monkeys and especially liked the gorillas because one had a baby. One little girl about her age walked up to her and she said, "See that one has a baby." The little girl got excited and said, "That's my baby!" Sydney got all in her face with attitude and said, "That's not your baby! That's the momma's baby!" She also loved the polar bear because he was really active and playing with his ball. Check out our flickr photos to see the rest.

Bed Rest and meeting with Doctor Austin

Today we met with our doctor, Doctor Austin. He did an exam and just offhand said, "We'll see if your membranes have broke because if so we'll probably just send you up to the delivery room." We were both shocked because neither one of us had even considered that Melissa would have to deliver right away. Then he had us to another ultrasound and measured the amniotic fluid just to make sure. Luckily everything came back ok and we're to continue with the bed rest for 2 1/2 more weeks. Basically until Super Bowl XL. He said Melissa can go to every 6 hours on the tributiline (sp?) which stops contractions. He also said we're at -1 station. The range is -5 to +5 which basically means the kid is out. We both thought he said +2 last week but he said he actually meant -2.

I stayed home the rest of the day and tried to do a little work at home. Tomorrow we have Tonya taking Sydney after library story time in the morning. A group lunch with Katie and Aiden and then Bray and Parrish coming over after nap. Thursday is music class, preschool, lunch, nap, and then Kristin, Jaden, and Jacob may come over. Friday Sydney may go to Jill, Meredith, and Maggie's house if they are all well or I'll probably stay home in the morning again. Melissa's mom may be coming next week so that would really help out.

Anyway, thanks for all the meals, company, and prayers. We've got 4 days down and about 18 to go until we're 37 weeks. That's when Doctor Austin says we can go off the tributiline and have the baby whenever its ready. We'll keep you posted.

Melissa's contractions

Well today was definitely a Friday the 13th for us. Melissa starting feeling contractions all day and decided to go to the doctor. They ran a test for a particular hormone that is supposed to indicate labor within the next two weeks. Guess what? They found it! So she was prescribed Tributiline and bed rest for the next two weeks. We are at 34 weeks today and they say 36 weeks is a full term baby so that's what we're shooting for. Of course bed rest is a little difficult with a 2 1/2 year old running around but we'll make it work. We have plenty of friends signing up to help and I have already warned my work about taking time off. Please keep Melissa and the baby in your prayers so we can wait as long as possible before labor. Each day the baby stays in is very beneficial for its health and ability to come right home with us. We'll keep you posted as things progress.

Maksim

My friend Craig Ortner has recently helped me to discover the artist Maksim. His website is definitely worth a look see because he has free MP3 downloads of some of his latest music. He also has an album on iTunes. Sydney loves listening to his music and wants us to play the Bumblebee song all the time. She calls him "the piano guy" and is obsessed with his "crazy hair." I must say I'd much rather have her request "the piano guy" than some of the other music she likes listening to over and over like nursery rhymes and a certain VeggieTales sing along.

Colorado Mammoth Lacrosse

Saturday night we attended a Colorado Mammoth lacrosse game with our friends Paul and Jill Olson. We were using another friend's season tickets which happen to be on the 3rd row in the corner of the pepsi center. They also happened to be next to the Mammoth hot tub which holds four bikini-clad women. I was close enough to put my hand in the water so I definitely enjoyed the game. If you've never had the chance to see a lacrosse game I'd recommend it. It's basically hockey on turf without the annoying icing and blue line rules. The one-on-one breakaways due to a full length pass were probably the most exciting parts of the game. If you have a National Lacrosse League team nearby I'd definitely recommend checking them out.

Sydney enjoyed playing the night away with Paul and Jill's girls Meredith and Maggie. They all watched The March of the Penguins which we have seen and enjoyed. She actually went right to bed when we got home so that was nice.

Aiden, Sydney, and Ian

IMG_3823.JPG, originally uploaded by jason_m_thomas.

The kids all managed to stay up until midnight to welcome 2006. About 10pm we were all wondering if they would make it but they caught a second wind and partied the night away. Our family room was turned into a small disaster area but was quickly picked up before everyone left.

The guys had a pretty good poker game (which Glen won) while the women talked about babies and all the bodily problems associated with having them. Thanks to everyone for a great New Year's Eve!

Oma and Opa with Sydney

IMG_3813.JPG, originally uploaded by jason_m_thomas.

Jason's parents drove out on Dec 27 and stayed until Dec 30. They are known to Sydney as Oma and Opa which is German for Grandma and Grandpa. Sydney was excited to get an art easel from them which I know will get plenty of use. She had a lot of fun with her Opa watching movies like Nemo and Veggie Tales. She still tells us how she watched Nemo with Opa.

During movie time with Opa, Oma was put to work in the baby's room with Jayne painting. With Jason, Melissa, Pat, and Jayne all painting we made quick work of it and I think it turned out pretty good. One quick tip to someone doing remodeling: don't spill the chalk if you're doing a chalk line because it stains!

Thanks for all the help and Christmas presents. Jason now has a table saw, compond miter saw, and router so I guess it's time to start making doll furniture or something. :-)

We can't wait to see you in March after the baby comes!

Sydney and Grandma Jayne

IMG_3790.JPG, originally uploaded by jason_m_thomas.

Jayne arrived from Saint James, MN on Christmas Day and flew back on the 29th. We all loved having her here to celebrate Christmas. Sydney has been playing every day in the Discovery Toys tent that Jayne got her for Christmas. She's constantly asking us, "You wanna play in my tent with me?"

Of course whenever Jayne comes we put her to work and this time was no different. Melissa had her making a valance for Sydney's room which turned out great. She also helped paint the baby's room once I finished putting up the wainscoating.

Jayne, thanks for everything and we'll see you in February when the baby comes!

Sydney, Kozmo, and Zoey

IMG_3728.JPG, originally uploaded by jason_m_thomas.

We managed to get Sydney, Kozmo, and Zoey to all stand in front of the Christmas tree for a picture. The dogs were pretty hesitant but eventually cooperated. Check out our flickr site to see the rest of our Christmas photos.