Been a while!

Yea - so it's been a while since I've kept up with this blog. I thought about starting a new one, but this will have to do.

Most of you keep in touch with me via some other method, so you all know that Kaelyn Lisa Fai Lei Beidler was born on June 27, 2009 at 4:57pm. She weighed 7 lbs and .8 oz, and was 19 inches long.

She is now almost 15 months old, she's an absolute joy and has the sweetest demeanor and joy for life. Here is a recent video of her walking.

(I will try to keep up with this blog thing more often as a way to share updates, photos, and videos)

Late Check-Out

The baby decided she didn't want to come out on her due date or before, or even a little after. She is doing perfectly well though in my tummy, just seems to like it a whole lot. I had a doctor's appointment yesterday and she said the baby is doing really well, perfectly healthy; just taking her time. A true Hodges-girl. Here is my ultrasound picture from yesterday.

Love, Kara

Due date is here!!

Hello friends and family! well, today is the baby's due date and I am fully full term! I am feeling fantastic right now. Getting pretty excited. If she's not born this week, I will have an appointment with my doctor about inducing labor. I am hopeful that she will come on her own though.

We have all the baby stuff ready and waiting for our little one and we are all packed for the hospital, now we just wait for her to be ready. Keep up the good thoughts! (these pictures were taken just last night.)
Love, Kara

Update

Exciting news! We are at 38 1/2 weeks now! I had my doctor's appointment this morning. the baby is doing very well. Staying strong and healthy. I am 1 cm dilated, 9 more to go!! The doctor says she can be born at any time.

I had my baby shower in San Diego last Friday, my good friends, Callie and Dawn threw it for me. We had a really nice turnout and got some fun gifts. So thank you for everyone for coming! We are all set for baby, now we are just waiting for her to make her debut!
Love, Kara

35 week update!

Helloo friends and family!
We are at 35 weeks, with only 5 left to go!! I can't believe how fast it's going now. We pretty much have all the main items for the baby. As always, there is always more to get the little one. She is doing well, growing strong and healthy. Continuing to do kick boxing in my tummy; supposedly this is suppose to slow down soon as she runs out of room...but hasn't happened yet!

I am still walking and riding my bike. Now that the pool is heated, I have been swimming as well; which feels AWESOME!

I have my baby shower in San Diego scheduled for June 6, so if you are in the area, would love to have you join us!

Love, Kara

31 week update

I just wanted to give you an update on the progress with the baby. I had another doctor's appointment today. The baby is doing well, her growth rate is right on schedule and her heart beat is strong and perfect. The doctor says my weight gain is on schedule, just have to continue to eat the right foods. I am at 31 weeks, which is marking the end of my 7th month. Only 2 mths left! I can hardly believe it! I feel like it is going to fly by.
We recently went on a trip to West Virginia and Washington DC. We had a great time and a nice visit with family. We did a lot of walking and hiking, and thankfully I was able to do all of it...as long as I was careful not to overdo it.
I have been missing running, surfing, and playing volleyball. But I'll be excited to return to it in a few months. That's all for now!
Love, Kara

Baby Belly Pictures!

Due to popular demand...I am posting some pictures of my big pregnant belly. These were taken this afternoon (March 17, 2009) at 26 weeks.

Love, Kara

Kara's Pregnancy Do's and Don'ts

Ok, I decided to share this with the internet world, now that I am 6 months pregnant, I am well into the swing of this pregnancy and baby-making; and I have come to a few realizations that I thought I'd share my list of: KARA'S PREGNANCY DO'S AND DON'TS:

TUMMY TOUCHING:
I know that the round tummy is an automatic draw for hands to touch...but there is a boundary issue here...ask first! It's very unnerving to have people's hands reaching out to the tummy without permission. Also, realize that even though some days it might be ok, there are going to be other days that the tummy is off-limits.

TUMMY COMMENTS:
Don't worry, we know exactly (down to the pounds) how big we are getting. You definitely don't need to make comments about the weight gain. And if you must, do it with tact. Saying, "I'm not going to lie, you've gotten huge." (believe it or not, someone actually said this to me!) is very rude and insensative.
ADVICE:
I understand that as soon as someone sees the belly, it reminds them of a story or their own experience. But between the doctor, nurse, pregnancy books, mothers, mother-in-laws, and other family members; we are getting more than enough advice. Don't worry, I will ask your advice if I need it.

WAR STORIES:Having a baby the for the first time is an exciting and unnerving experience; filled with joys and fears. Please don't tell me all the scary stories, I've already thought about the possibilities and don't need to be reminded.

BABY NAMES:
This is an individual thing..but I'll share my position. Yes - we are having a girl. Yes - we have discussed names. But due to several different reasons, we are not going to announce her name until she's born.

Thanks for listening/reading! :)

25 week mark!

Hit another milestone today for 25 weeks. So far, our little girl is growing big and strong. She is about 1 1/2 lbs and almost 15 inches (head to heel). We are excited about her growth and movements. I have gotten use to the timing of her movements, usually she'll first move about an hour after I eat breakfast, as well as any other times I eat. She also will move at about 10-11pm as well as at about 4am. Both of these times have been interferring with sleep, but it's a good sign that she is so active. Shane has also been getting to use to sleeping with about 1 ft of room on the bed, thanks to all the extra pillows.
We have started our baby classes last week. One of the reasons we are taking them so early is because we have a trip planned in April to the east coast. We really like our instructor and most of the other couples in the class are having their first baby as well.
Love, Kara

It's a girl!

We had another ultrasound yesterday and found out that the baby is a girl!! We are really excited and happy to find out about our daughter. The most amazing thing was we were able to see her moving around. She is healthy and perfect. Her little legs and arms were moving around and she looks like a human now. Her heart rate is about 150bpm, so it is slowing down; which is normal as she gets bigger. If you can tell in this picture, she is on her side and she has her hands tucked under her head. SO CUTE! She is moving up a storm! :) Keep you posted!

Love, Kara

First Movement!

Last night I felt the baby move for the very first time! It was an amazing feeling, kind of like a flutter in my belly. Next week we find out the sex, so stay tuned!
Love, Kara

Almost 18 weeks!

We are now almost at 18 weeks into the pregnancy. I had another doctor's appointment today. She said the baby's heart beat is strong, at 159-160 bpm. My blood pressure is healthy. She also said my weight gain is right on schedule, although I am a little small. Surprising, considering how much I eat! :)
I feel great! We are way into the 2nd Trimester. I have more energy, still having some mood swings, etc. But I am feeling happy, healthy, and excited.
Our next appointment is on Jan. 26th when we will find the sex of the baby!! That will be a big one with lots of news!
Love, Kara

Doctor's Appointment

Just wanted to let you know that Shane and I went to our second doctor's appointment today. The doctor listened to the baby's heart beat, which continues to be strong and shows the baby is growing well. My weight gain is right on schedule. Shane got to hear the heart beat for the first time, which was really exciting for him!
We also met our doctor today, she is a wonderful doctor and we were very impressed with her.
Aloha, Kara

Baby Registry

Hi Friends and Family!
I just wanted to let you know that we have registered for the baby at Babies R Us. If you don't have a store in your area, you can also check it out at www.babiesrus.com . Just search the registry for Beidler, and our name should show up, e-mail me at karabeidler@gmail.com if you have any problems. This might be the best gift ideas for Christmas and my birthday. I will also be updating the Registry as we get closer to the due date.
In other news, I am feeling somewhat nauseous and sick lately. I have a little less than 2 more weeks until the end of the First Trimester, that is a little milestone for us! Overall, I am feeling well and have my next doctor's appointment on Dec. 17 and I'll let everyone know how that goes.
Love, Kara

Make your vote count!

I put up a poll for people to vote whether they think the baby is going to be a girl or a boy.  The poll ends the date I have my ultrasound that will show us the sex of the baby.  So, throw in your opinion!  Also, you can check if you think we're going to have TWINS!  

Love, Kara

First Baby Picture

Well, I had my first doctor's appointment this morning.  It was amazing to get to see the baby on the ultrasound and also to hear it's heart beat, which is about 160 BPM, which I was assured is in the normal range.  The baby's development is right on schedule.  Today was just to get a bunch of tests done and get a first look at the baby.

I am very pleased with the doctor and the facility, I am confident with their professionalism and the friendliness and competence of the staff.

I was also given a new due date for the baby, it is June 13, 2009.

Aloha!

8 weeks

We are now at 8 weeks into the pregnancy. According to my reading, that means the baby is about the size of a kidney bean. I have my first doctor's appointment on Monday, which hopefully I'll get my first baby picture.
I'm feeling all right, a little nauseous after I eat, but luckily that's just about it. I'm starting to gain a few pounds, and my belly is poking out slightly as my body adjusts to the changes. I'll let you know what happens after the appointment.
Aloha,
Kara

Baby!

Welcome!
I am very excited to be starting my blog and sharing with my friends and family my newest adventure in life.
First things first. Shane and I recently found out that we are expecting a baby! By our estimates the baby is about 6 1/2 weeks along and due around June 19, 2009.
I will be updating this blog with photos, news, and information as this little one progresses.
Love,
Kara