WEEK 34

A lot has happened since last week. We've gone to 3 Dr's appt's, had 4 sonograms, and had 2 baby showers. I'll first just say, Zion is doing great. I'll have to explain the need for the numerous sonograms with more posts and pics, but basically, we had a sonogram done that revealed that Zion has a little fluid in his right lung cavity. It shouldn't be there, so the doc is watching him closely now, which means weekly sonograms with biophysical tests. The biophysical test is a measurement of the amt of amniotic fluid present, checking to see that Zion is moving around, checking to see that he's practicing breathing, and one other thing that I can't remember. Good news is, Zion passed his first biophysical test today! He's not doing gymnastics anymore, but it feels like he's switched to yoga.
OH, and he's estimated to weigh about 6 pounds. Oh, and somehow, I gained 4 pounds since my appt just 1 week ago. I'm trying to figure out how I gained that much in 7 days.................

I THINK THIS MIGHT BE THE ANSWER.

"It's a dude" is Jeremy's answer when people ask if we have a boy or girl. So, when I found this onesie at Old Navy, I knew this was
THE outfit to take him home in.









I think Jeremy is just a little excited about introducing Zion to climbing. We found these baby shoe size Merrell "climbing shoes" at an outdoor gear store in Oregon. Grumpa Gary actually sponsored Zion's upcoming adventures in rock climbing by buying these!



Hey everyone, this is my friend Carissa! Carissa is also pregnant, and (forgive me Carissa, I've forgotten again how many weeks along you are now!) she's just now getting a little bit rounder of a belly--so cute!
This picture was taken at Jan and Mike's house last Saturday. They hosted a baby shower for us--our first one for Baby Z. I have to say, it was the most creative and fun baby shower I've
ever attended! I was having such a great time, but I forgot to
take more pictures. So, these are a few of what I did get.

Mike sort of got in the picture on the right. He was hoisting up candy filled pacifier pinatas, for the kids at the shower to take turns swinging at. Maya is holding up the first of the pacifier pinatas. The picture on the left is of Blaise, swinging with everything in him to bust the candy out. Georgia and Macy Anne are
anxiously waiting for the loot.

33 weeks!!
As foretold, there is now carpet and an assembled crib in Zion's nursery
Jeremy whipped this crib together in less than an hour--I didn't know he had such assembly skills.

Digital cameras rock! As in this picture, with my FALSELY elongated torso and small belly. HA!

Okay, so this is totally boring, but I can't help but share how excited I am about his cute little room...

...and his changing table!

32 WEEKS, OKAY 8 months, whatever! Zion is wild. He must know that he's running out of tumbling space with each passing day. Yet, he still manages to pull off some fancy gymnastics--at least it feels that way.








Yep, another side shot. We'll try to be more creative with future poses. Well, at least the wall behind us will be a mural next week, courtesy of daddyjer. That's part of the plan for baby Zion's room. Hopefully, I can post some pics of his new room at it's completion set for next week?

31 weeks from Dad:
Tricia is tired and in bed, so I decided I would blog tonight for her. She's a tired momma. We just returned from our second "baby preperation" class which is...well, pretty boring
; but I guess we are learning something. We knew a couple people in class, and tonight there was a fantastic thunderstorm going on in the background while "Ann" taught us about cervixes, ambiotic fluids, and other lovely things.



Here's Little Z-man at 31 weeks hanging out at the fountain in Mill Creek Park where Tricia does all her walking. I would have taken the time to shoot something better, but there was a homeless dude picking through the trash, throwing things at us, and grunting like an orangutang...so we hightailed it out of there. Zion sure gets his share of culture in our neighborhood....













Here is my lovely chick getting ready for a dinner at Cheescake Factory. I treated her to her favorite "Luau Salad" last night and then a new cheescake on the menu. I can't remember the name, but it was long and complicated...and yummy. Zion also experienced his first movie this week: "Mission Impossible III". He was very active during and after the movie, much like I usually am. We both really liked it. Tricia liked the scene where Ethan Hunts wife had to kill him to be able to bring him back to life. Not sure what I think about that.





Last weekend some of our closest friends came to spend time with us. The Roddas live on the side of a mountain in Evergreen, Colorado. Here is Tricia and Zion with Kym and Stella. Stella was very excited about the pink italian soda that dad Ben ordered...thus dad didn't get to drink much of it. Not sure what I think of that either...

Her little sister Savannah is just out of this picture, and if she plays her cards right, maybe she and Zion will meet soon.
We miss you guys a lot...


Welp, time for dad to catch some Z's.
Have you noticed that Zion backwards or upside down spells "NOIZ".
Not sure what I think of that either.

Thirty weeks!
Baby Z is busting out!

So here's little Zion at 28 weeks. (Okay, he's really 28 weeks and 5 days old). According to pregnancy info web sites, he probably weighs a little over 2 pounds now. My wrinkled up maternity tank top is evidence he's still got lots of room to grow. I'm hoping he'll stretch it out front instead of sideways!







This pic, taken the same day, looks so different to me than the first one! I'm convinced Zion curled up into a tight ball for this shot.

This morning Jeremy and I went to Smith Rock State Park in Terrebone Oregon. It is so beautiful, and I enjoyed watching the sun rise and make the shadows and shapes across the canyon floor morph and change. It was really challenging not being able to climb, as the rock was very unique and enticing, but I sure got a lot of strange looks from other climbers as I walked around with Zibaby in my belly.




Here Jeremy is helping his dad on his second climb ever! He did much better than he did on his fiftieth birthday in Arizona. We were all very proud of him. Maybe he will climb El Capitan in Yosemite with Jeremy next time...or maybe not.


Jeremy climbing a "stemming corner", one of his favorite types of climbs. Just out of frame above him is his friend Calvin from Bend filming his climb. Hopefully we can get that footage on here some day soon...



Here is Zion at the end of the day, chilling out at the rim of the canyon, enjoying the sun. I can't wait to come back when I am back in climbing shape.




You never know what you are going to get when Jeremy comes out of the shower...

We finally made it to Bend, Oregon on Monday afternoon. We've been hiking, sightseeing, shopping, and trying out all the local eats. This pic is of Jeremy and I standing on a bridge over the Deschutes River in downtown Bend.

Me, Zion, Jeremy, Humongo Jonathan, Sandy, and Mom and Dad Collins on a bridge at Mill Creek.

A less posed shot...

The boys hanging at Benham Falls before Jonathan and Jeremy went for a run through the woods. Zion has his work cut out for him...hope he likes the woods....

This is a picture of me and my friend Sara. Sara is 23 weeks prego and I'm exactly 27 weeks pregnant. This is the first time we have seen each other since finding out about each other's pregnancies.






Here we are with our hubbies, Dave and Jeremy. Dave and Sara live in Salem, Oregon. They met us at our hotel, outside of Portland where we stayed last night, before heading to Bend, Oregon to see Jonathan and Sandy(Jeremy's brother and sister in law).








Good to see you Sara! Hope to see you in K.C.

And this is my belly at 24 weeks.

Here is a pic of me at 23 weeks.

Yes, this is my third post in one night, but I am EXCITED to get started!!

This is Zion at 22 weeks-Doesn't he look like his dad?

This is my very first pregnancy photo at 16 weeks. As you can see, there wasn't much change in my belly before this point.

This is my first post. Hopefully it will get easier as I learn how to use everything. In fact, I'm not even typing this...Jeremy is! This will be my blog to chronicle I and our baby Zion's adventures in being born. The above photo is by my friend Amy Berg. I am 18 weeks pregnant here. Amy is learning to use her new camera and starting a home photography business. Lucky for me, she has been practicing on me and my ever growing belly! I will post more of her pictures soon. Well since this is my first post, and it's not even me typing, I better keep it short.