Chasing Life

Just wanted to get out a quick email to everyone announcing the birth of our son, Kade Isaac Nystrom. He was born on Sunday, 11/20 (four days early) at 10:05am at the Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, VA. He weighed 8 lbs. 5 oz. and was 21 inches long. We had a natural, vaginal delivery with no complications and were able to come home this afternoon, only 26 hours after Kade was born. Although we are all a bit tired, we're doing great! Hopefully many of you will get a chance to see him in person.

Hello again! Well, I'm under a month now until this baby is due. I don't think my belly can get any bigger without popping! Paul and I went to a birthing class last weekend, and also met with a doula (birthing coach) a few days ago to talk about natural childbirth. I'm going to try to have this baby without using any medication or drugs (which should be no surprise for those of you who know me fairly well). Paul has been telling me from day one to take the drugs, but I think this week I have finally won him over to my side. He said he will support my desire to deliver as natural as possible. I am feeling very good for being as pregnant as I am. My main complaints are heartburn (which Paul talked me into taking medication for) and hip pain from only being able to lay on my sides (I can't wait to sleep on my stomach again!). I'm still working out 5 days a week (which also shouldn't surprise those who know me), but I have had to cut down on a few things (no more ru

Hello once again. Paul and I just got back from our four day camping/hiking/canoeing trip to western VA. We had a blast. Here are some of the highlights: 1) Our first and last hike were the hardest, straight up small steep mountain trails with me gasping for air the entire time (the lungs and heart have to work a lot harder during pregnancy). About 3/4 of the way up my legs felt like jello and Paul I'm sure was tired of hearing me whine! Once we got to the top though, we had incredible views. On a good day you can see for 50 miles (although it was cloudy when we were up there). 2) We spent five hours of one day on the James river canoeing Class I and II rapids every 1/4 mile or so. It was just enough to keep from being boring but not enough to tip us over (Thank God!). We also got the chance to see where we missed the sunscreen...little bright red spots here and there. 3) After canoeing we decided to make two last hikes to some waterfalls before setting up camp for the night (we ca

Hello all. Just wanted to give you all a little update on how our first couple of weeks in VA have been. We are all moved in and unpacked in our new house in Suffolk, VA. We are about 10 miles (15 min) from the Naval Hospital where Paul will be working. I might try to find a part-time job until the baby is born (around Thanksgiving). Although we are loving our new house, we are already getting homesick for our friends and family. Hopefully we will start meeting some people around here soon! I had my first pregnancy visit just before we moved. For those of you who have been asking, I am feeling much better (no more queasy stomach), and I have not gained any weight yet so I can't send any pictures of my big fat belly since I don't have one yet! The weather here has been very inconsistent so far. It was rainy and cold, then sunny and 75, then rainy and humid, and now it's hot (close to 90) and humid. I guess that's pretty typical for this area. Paul and I attempted to go s