LCBride2007

I am 4 years older than Paul!

Quote: Originally Posted by amyrak Quick question on the percentage of weight loss?? how does that work?? I'm just wondering for someone tall like me 5'11" and lets say I weigh 160 lbs which is good for my height but say someone 5'5" is the same weight. It will obviously be much easier for her to lose weight than me because she is more overweight. Just wondering since we didn't do BMI's or tell our heights how this works?? Quote: Originally Posted by lucy106 I believe we are doing it just like the biggest loser show which they did not factor in height or BMI or anything. Thats why most of the guys were at an advantage because they had more to lose and all. Am I correct Ann or Christine, or anyone? Quote: Originally Posted by Opice34 Amy - it all evens out okay. For example, if a 200 pound person lost 10 pounds, that would be a 5% weight loss. (10/200=.05) But if a 120 pound person lost 10 pounds, that would be an 8.3% weight loss. (10/120=.083) So a 200 pound person would have to lose 16.6 pounds to match the 10 pound weight loss of the 120 pound person at a rate of 8.3%. (x/200 = .083; x=16.6; to check --> 16.6/200=.083) Does that make sense? But no, I guess height really isn't taken into account... Yep - that's how it works. It's strictly by % pounds lost compared to where you started. For the next season we could take into account height and BMI and stuff - it's not a bad idea.

thanks everyone! oh, and i have to share this too ... we found this "California Girl" onesie at the store today... we HAD to get it! they also have a ton of other cute stuff. California Baby Onesie

Quote: Originally Posted by cheese_diva Aw.. I could seriously watch her for hours! me too! lol it's hard now, because they don't want her off of the lights for too long at a time. so basically we go in and have about 30-45 minutes with her and typically i try to breastfeed for about 25 minues, then hand her to paul to bottle feed while i pump. so all of the time i get with her is "working" - i can't wait to just hang out with her! and because every time i am holding her my boobs are all hanging out, that's why i don't have any pics with her! but i made paul take some this time after i pulled my shirt up. you can see the straps are still off! lol she had just finished the bottle here - paul let me feed her so i could relax with her a little since breastfeeding didn't go well this afternoon. she's a little milk drunk!

Ok, let me see if this link works. I keep adding pictures to this Shutterfly album so I won't overwhelm you all with them ... you can browse as you wish! Gwendolyn Ann ~ Shutterfly Album Also, I uploaded another video of her under her lights "tanning" - and she was a little fussy too. If you listen carefully you can kind of hear her kitten like cry when she's fussing in the middle of the video clip. Gwen "Tanning" and Fussy

~ WEEKLY RESULTS: WEEK 2! ~ Congratulations to ... Nrvsbride (Glenda)-2.207% can't wait! (Karla)-1.712% Saraha-1.389% lauren c.-1.385% Robyn Mumford-1.303% nueland (Nicole)-0.918% Sblake (Sarah)-0.719% Maura-0.702% dancingdolphin (Laurine)-0.673% Yari-0.483% Denise40-0.460% amyrak (Amy)-0.301% Opice34 (Shannon)-0.294% Sandra E. (Sandra)0.000% xandrafaye (Alex)0.000% TA Jill0.183% cessyboston (Erica)0.723% froggie1013 (Kristy)0.775% JessicaM0.777% Janet0.833% lucy106 (Stephanie)0.849% babyg (Terri)0.943% DanielleNDerek0.990% alyssa1.227% ErinB<didn't receive anything> LadyCheese (Jessica)<didn't receive anything> msam007562 (MarieSam)<didn't receive anything> twinkletoes (Christina)<didn't receive anything> ButlerGirl08 (Alex)<didn't receive anything>

I'm obsessed! And I think our little girl is a daddy's girl .. a quicke little video ... Gwendolyn Ann 2008.05.21

Quote: Originally Posted by Alyssa Oh Ann, she is so cute!!!!!! Did you and Paul find suitable housing close by? we're going to stay in a hotel for the ngiht, and possibly a couple nights. and tonight we're going to look at an apartment/condo that's available for the month for rent. i think we found it on craig's list. then there are some marriott options as well - they're a little more spendy but would be pretty convenient. so we have options - it's just a matter of finding the best one. paul is packing hte car up as we speak, and i've signed all of my discharge forums ... it will be so hard to leave her, even though i will be here often.

ladies and gents - i have received the gift and you have no idea how blown away by your thoughtfulness and generosity. i plan on posting and doing something more "official" when i get a moment, but i just had to pop in here and say something. i am truely honored to call all of you friends, and hope that I can repay you all somehow! paul and i are going to stay at a hotel tonight, and maybe tomorrow. we're looking at a couple of corporate/extended stay type places in the next day or so in hopes of getting something like that secured. we'll also probably look at a short term lease for a car. not idea - but all worth it for a new little girl! again, thank you all ... from the bottom of my heart. your gift, and more importantly the thoughts and wishes behind it is amazing.

Quote: Originally Posted by amym567 Ann~ She is beautiful!!! And I must say, I'm so jealous that you're wearing your wedding ring! Can't wait until mine fits again!!! Amy I had planned on taking it off since it was a little snug after I was on bedrest and getting all of those fluids pumped into me. But I never did, and they never made me! But yea - that's one plus to giving birth 2 months early ... I never got HUGE! lol

I'm getting discharged today - it's going to be so hard to leave her! But we will be back here so often, it won't be too bad. She's testing clear of any infection, so she's off of her antibiotics, which is good. The nurse said she thought she looked a little yellow, so she'll probbaly end up under the lights for a couple days. Not great news, but really no big deal - it's so common, I am not worried. Actually, as I was typing this the doctor stopped in - said her levels aren't even that high, and in most cases they wouldn't even do anything about it. He said bilirubin levels of under 20 they don't normally treat, and hers are about 9. But because she has a few "special" conditions, they are going to put her under the lights for a little while. I guess when mom has blood sugar issues, or when baby is a premie, or when you're breastfeeding they are a little more aggressive with the treatment. Since Gwen has all 3 strikes ... she's going under the lights. Paul and I have each got to change a diaper, which is fun ... the trick is navigating around all of the cords! That's the hardest part really, I just want to be able to hold her without needing the cords, and monitors! We are taking so many pics, ladies - that I could go on and on! I keep adding them to the same Shutterfly album, so I am going to try just posting the link here in case anyone wants to check in as they wish. Here are a few of my recent favs too ... The "Gwendolyn Album" (not sure if this will work) http://www.shutterfly.com/view/pictu...shutterfly.com

Ok, I have to share this - my mom just sent them to me. They are pictures of me when I was just born, and then one of my grandmother (her mom) holding me ... this is my grandmother, also named Gwendolyn Ann! The pics aren't great, but I personally can see a little resemblance! My dad and I My mom and I My grandma, Gwendolyn Ann!

well, I can't offer any personal advice since all I had with me was my clothes for work and the weekend! but, the hotel gave me a couple nice pillows, which was awesome. and they gave me a robe - that has been handy too, since the hospital here didn't provide anything like that. there are lots of things I wish i had! but one more would be slippers, or something comfy to slip on and walk around in. there's the obvious stuff (toiletries, etc.) but i'm trying to think of other things i wish i had. since i am pumping, some pumping gear would have been nice, or at least something to cover up with since this room seems to have a revolving door - there's always someone walking in. but i guess if you're nursing baby, some nursing tops if you think you might wear them - but i've been wearing a hospital robe the whole time.

just got back from seeing Gwen - i know i am biased, but i just think she's too cute. i can say that, right? lol they took out her tube again this morning while we were there - so she's not even on that anymore. we took a couple more pics - i'll have to upload those today. we saw the doc. and he said she's doing well. he said her blood sugars are stablized so they're giving her less sugars in her IV and more fluids. they want me to try to continue to pump to get breastmile a.s.a.p. so they can start giving her some of that. i'm trying! Quote: Originally Posted by Sarah I'm so glad Gwendolyn isn't a wimpy white boy! lol Ann, she's just gorgeous. She looks so much like you She sure is a lucky (and smart) girl to come out when she did. It's so great to have you back with us. We've missed you... give miss Gwen a kiss for me i was talking with a nurse here about how you had mentioned the whimpy white boy thing - she totally agreed! it was funny - she said they always hope it's a little black girl - they do the best. Quote: Originally Posted by leigh miller awesome ann! i was going to call you today, i just got back to the us, but after getting pauls email this morning figured you probably had better things to do than talk to me! so glad to hear things are progressing and going so well. i have a wedding up that way at the end of june but sounds like you may be gone by then. if so i will fly up one day to hang out and see baby gwendolyn if you have time for me. you must have named her after me right? my mom has always called me gwen. not sure where or why that came about but she just does! anyway now that i see you are back on the computer i will shoot you an email. congrats again!!! when i come should i bring my camera? LEIGH! How was Cabo? DO I even need to ask - I am sure it was fabulous. You have so many names Leigh - I can't keep up! lol I've been very bad about getting back to people via email and phone - so I apologize to everyone out there! I am reading emails and listening to messages though, and I appreciate all of the support. I am discharged from the hospital tomorrow, so Paul and I are focused on finding our temp. home today. I am pretty sure we can bring visitors into the NICU to see Gwendolyn - not sure if it's limited to family or not, but we can check. I was talking to Paul ... and you have no idea how excited I would be to get pictures of Gwen by you, Leigh - how cool would that be!!?? We don't expect to still be here at the end of June, but you never know (I've learned that lesson!). Maybe there would be another time that would work - I wonder if they'd let you come in and take pics. Maybe there will be a good weekend to come visit - we definitely need to discuss. We could do lunch or something, and see if we can see Gwen that day. Paul and I plan on being here multiple times a day, so we will get teh scoop. Maybe if she's doing well enough we could even get rid of some of the cords and tubing for some "freedom" pics! Quote: Originally Posted by TammyB I'll answer for Ann and the rest of BDW forum.. YES BRING YOUR CAMERA. :-) Ann I'm so happy for you and Paul, I'm not able to view your pictures at work, but luckly your awesome husband sent me an email yesterday with some, and she's very cute. Hopefully Gwen (gosh it's going to be so hard getting used to calling "nugget" by her real name now) will progress better then expected and you will be able to come home sooner. Congrats again to the both of you and I'm happy that your mom was able to fly out. It's funny - we're still calling her Nugget here and there. We (and some of the nurses) have also started calling her "Cali girl" or some variation. She's got a lot of nicknames for someone who has been alive less than 48 hours!!

I can't remember what I've posted where, or what updates have already been made. So I thought I'd take the time to post it all in one thread - along with some pictures! I know this was long, but it was nice to write it all out in one place. In summary, my "Nugget" is now also called Gwendolyn Ann! For those that don't know, I was on the road (in CA) for work this past week. I flew from MN to CA for work on Sunday evening (the 11th), was scheduled to fly from CA to AZ Thurs. (the 15th) and then home to MN on the 18th. On Wed. evening when I wasn't feeling well and hadn't been all week, I decided to go into the Emergency Room in the middle of the night on Wed. night. I was 31 weeks and 3 days pregnant. In summary, they checked me out, decided I was in labor and having frequent contractions. At first we thought they could stop the labor and send me home. But upon further examination, they saw that my membranes had ruptured and that I had a "leak" in my water. This means I was VERY open to infection, and not only could I not go home but they weren't letting me leave the hospital, OR the bed! I was put on immediate bed rest and told that I’d be delivering my baby in CA in the foreseeable future. WOW! I quickly made some phone calls, most importantly to Paul, who was in FL for the weekend on a golf trip. He was able to join me in the hospital the next day, so I only spent one night alone. After meeting with various specialists to discuss what is happening, and what the risks and possibilities are it was determined that we'd try to hold me from delivering for at least the next 48 hours (hence the bed rest), and keep a close eye on me for signs of any distress or infection. The 48 hours allowed for 2 steroid shots to take affect, these helped the baby's lungs mature faster which was crucial to success of a premature delivery. They also out me on meds to prevent me from going into labor any further. I continued to have contractions, but they never really intensified or progressed. If they could get me to hold off for 48 hours, then they'd consider that a huge milestone. However, they also said they wouldn’t let me go past 34 weeks pregnant, just because of the infection risk – so I was either going to deliver that day, or by June 2, which was my 34 week marker. The next milestone was to make it to 32 weeks, which is today! After 4 days on bed-rest I was holding strong but not really progressing. Sunday morning they saw some signs of distress with the baby, and some more frequent contractions so they moved me to labor and delivery early in the morning. There I sat. They wouldn't let me eat since they thought I might be delivering, so I was starving, which I think made me nauseous so they gave me meds for that and let me contract away. I really think there was a debate between various doctors; on one hand the longer I waited to deliver, the better the chances for the baby. Every day counts! On the other hand, there was risk for infection, and I was obviously in labor and suffering. Around 10:30 pm I had been having enough serious and regular contractions that they finally decided to help me along. I was so relieved, I can’t lie. Of course I wanted the best chance for my baby, but I had this fear of being in labor for 2 weeks! So they started some pitocin and my epidural around 10:30 pm. I immediately felt better, and actually decided to catch a nap. Paul and I dozed off for a little while, and nurses were checking on me constantly. Around 12:30 am I called the nurse in to tell her I felt a “different†pressure down by my tailbone. She checked me out and said the baby’s head was “right there†and that we needed to call the doctors in. From there it all happened kind of fast! Once they prepped the Operating Room, and called all of the necessary docs and specialists (routine for a premature birth, prior to 32 weeks) they wheeled me in and instructed me how to push. I started pushing a little after 1am, and Gwendolyn Ann was born at 1:53 am! She was 5lbs even, and about 18 inches long. Not a bad size for a 8 week early baby! She had her cord wrapped around her neck twice, AND a knot in her cord. Crazy. My doctor said she was a smart baby to come early because those 2 things could have been serious if left alone. All of the NICU docs took her away and looked her over. We were warned this would happen right away, regardless. They thought she’d need immediate help breathing, but turns out she didn’t! They put her on oxygen, but just for about 30 secs until they saw she was fine. She’s been on room air ever since. Paul got to go with her while I was tended to after the delivery (2nd degree laceration – OUCH!). After I was done, we got to go see Gwendolyn in the NICU – and my mom got to come too. She is beautiful, if I do say so myself! She’s very alert and doing especially well for her gestational age. We’re not out of the clear yet, but we’re very hopeful, as are all of the doctors. We were told that they hold all premie babies until 36 weeks – so we’re assuming that at best, we can take her home on June 16th. This will depend on any complications or issues they find with her. And then there is the issue of flying, and if she’s safe for that, so it might be longer. I’ve started pumping, since she’s so young she isn’t quite up to breastfeeding yet. Though they’ve had me try to put her on the breast a couple times now and each time she actually grabs right on. She doesn’t do much after that, and I am not realy producing anything to speak of – so ti’s not too productive, but it’s a very good sign. We can go see her and hold her anytime we want, so we do that frequently. I will be in the hospital until Wed. (2 more nights) and then Paul and I are homeless! We plan on finding a hotel close by, most likely an extended stay or something. We’re somewhat familiar with the area since we’ve worked here off and on for a few years so it shouldn’t be an issue. There is also a social worker who will meet with us to give us some options too – at least a hospital discount at some of the hotels. Not an expense or situation we’re excited about – but well worth it to be close to Gwendolyn! There is a Ronald McDonald House in San Fran but it’s so far away, I don’t think we’ll do that. That’s our job tomorrow – to fund a home for the next 1+ month! I want to say a sincere thank you to everyone on here that kept Nugget (now known as Gwendolyn Ann!) and I in their thoughts. We truly, truly appreciate everything you all have done. I don’t know that I could have made it though this without some of you. I mean that. Both Paul and I feel so blessed that we have all of you, and the rest of our family and friends who continue to support us during these crazy times.

Quote: Originally Posted by Maura ann - i offered to christine if you end up needing to quit hosting biggest loser for a little bit while you take care of gwen and recover, that when christine delivers and if you are not up to it, i would be happy to take over for you gals. just let me know I may take you up on that, Maura. Right now I have a little spare time because Gwen is in the NICU and we can't take her home. But once we do ,I might be ready to hand this over!

well, we'll see how i feel. i am still pretty sore, and tired! but since we cant take gwen home yet, and we'll be in a hotel for at least a month - i may need some distractions!

Well Paul and I are going to find a hotel, and while we will be in the hospital a lot visiting, we'll have some time on our hands. I may also work some since I can't have her "home" with me.

cool - thanks, Christine! if it turns out that I can't handle it I may ask for your help ... but your hands will be busy soon too! but since Gwen will be in the NICU for observation for a while, I will actually have some time on my hands.

Ok, sorry for the delay ... but here are the weekly results from the first week weigh in .... CONGRATULATIONS to ... Opice34 (Shannon) -4.895% Sblake (Sarah)-3.472% lucy106 (Stephanie)-2.786% xandrafaye (Alex)-2.286% dancingdolphin (Laurine)-1.980% DanielleNDerek-1.623% froggie1013 (Kristy)-1.401% nueland (Nicole)-1.255% Denise40-1.138% Nrvsbride (Glenda)-0.956% Janet-0.826% TA Jill-0.818% amyrak (Amy)-0.599% JessicaM-0.387% msam007562 (MarieSam)-0.367% Robyn Mumford-0.100% alyssa0.000% babyg (Terri)0.000% can't wait! (Karla)0.000% cessyboston (Erica)0.000% Maura0.000% Yari0.000% LadyCheese (Jessica)0.483% lauren c.1.089% ButlerGirl08 (Alex) <never received anything> ErinB<never received anything> jkcz0702 (Jen)<never received anything> Saraha<never received anything> sodria (Sandra)<never received anything> twinkletoes (Christina) <never received anything>

I'm back, and unless you're attached to this, Christine - I can pick it back up!

Quote: Originally Posted by Nrvsbride Just a little side note: For those of you that may or may not know our wonderful host Ann is in the hospital in California. She was away on a business trip for work and she wasn't feeling right so she went to the hospital to get checked out. It turns out that she went into preterm labor and was admitted. Tammy (the host) is visiting her as we speak. So while we're exercising and eating healthy let's keep a prayer going for Ann & little Nugget so that everything will be okay. Let's send her those good BDW vibes we are good at sending!!! Quote: Originally Posted by Christine ladies just a reminder in case you haven't seen this http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t21248 please pm me your initial weight and your week 1 weight. I'm back! Barely missed a beat ... I am missing some weights from last week, but maybe they went to Christine? I see there is another thread, so I will check that out. If everyone wants, we can get back on a regular schedule and I can contine to host this whole process. I am a new mommy (YAY!) but since baby is a premie she'll be in the hospital so I will have some time on my hands. Stay tuned and I will post last week's winners (if Christne didn't already, I will check out that other thread).

Ok, I am still waiting for weights from the following people ... ButlerGirl08 (Alex) ErinB jkcz0702 (Jen) nueland (Nicole) Saraha sodria (Sandra) twinkletoes (Christina)

Well it's been dang warm here in Walnut Creek, CA - but not sure what it's like at home (Minneapolis, MN) - but I heard it's nice. And I am visiting mom this weekend in Phoenix ... warm there too!

she actually already got her money back!