Trevor Kelly Hillins is Here

Sara and Brian are delighted to announce the birth of Trevor Kelly Hillins, born on Wednesday 11/25/2009 at 11:29 PM. After a long day of labor and 20 min of pushing, little Trevor showed signs that he wanted to come much quicker via C-section. Trevor was born weighing 8lbs 12oz and was 22inches in length. Mom and Trevor are doing well and we are looking forward to heading home on Saturday or Sunday.

Happy Late Thanksgiving Wishes from The Hillins Family!

Induction Scheduled

Just got back from our doctors appointment. Learned that fluid level looks good, heartbeat was strong, head is further down and we're more dilated and more effaced!! Induction is scheduled for Friday but we may go before then! EXCITING!!!!

Sara continues to do well with pregnancy. No real complaints these days except for the baby seems to be sitting on a nerve. She walks like a 90 year old! Maybe it's sympathy pains for Brian. Whatever it is, she's looking forward to the pain exiting soon. Sara is going to finish up work today and take a vacation day tomorrow prior to Thursday and Friday being holiday days. The plan is to rest and relax prior to Baby H's arrival!

Given today's news, we have determined that we will be unable to go to Grandma K's wake and funeral. This was a very tough decision for us. There is a chance that it will be videotaped, but if not we're sure there will be pictures. We know Grandma K understands why we can't be there and know that she wouldn't want us there given the risk of going into labor without a hospital nearby. Instead, we'll be sharing special prayers and memories between the three of us tonight and many thoughts and prayers will be said tomorrow while her funeral will be going on. We love you Grandma K and know you are with us on this special journey to bring Baby H into this world. You are his special angel!

I Love You

Those three special words will forever be a memory in our hearts as those were the last words we heard Grandma Kelly say to us on Saturday morning around 10:30am. And we know it wasn't an easy thing for her to muster the energy to say them given that she didn't talk much at all the night before or that day, but she did and it meant more to us than words could ever express. We know that she probably had a hard time letting go of the notion of not meeting her great-grandson given how excited she has been the past nine months sharing in Sara's pregnancy. She even tried to arrange being transferred to Abbott (where she knew Baby H would be born) instead of Sioux Falls, but family told her that she would be able to meet him before even Sara and Brian would and that she would be his special angel forever. We were able to share his name with her and we're glad to know she approved and liked it! She said "that's a nice name" after we told her and after she guessed his name would be Matthew.

Grandma Kelly joined our heavenly Father on Saturday at 1:08pm. She's is in a better place and somehow we feel more at peace knowing that she is now with us all of the time. One of the hardest parts in all of this was not being with her during her final hours. We know that she knew why we couldn't be there with her, but it didn't make it any easier. Hearing her say "I love you" so clearly and knowing that she heard us say it to her was one of our most precious lasting memories.

This has been hard on Mom and Dad Roslansky too...being down there and losing a parent while their daughter is pregnant and overdue and hurting for not being there with them. Thank goodness for cell phones and texting capabilities. They drove up to our house late yesterday afternoon so we could all see one another as well as celebrate Dad's 60th birthday (which was Sunday) and Annie's birthday which was Friday. We enjoyed pumpkin pie and brownie ice cream cake before they headed for home. We really appreciated them taking the extra time to see us. We needed each other and all of the hugs. They brought with them Grandma Kelly's shirt that she asked Sara's Mom to get from her apt. in Lakefield (possibly thinking she would wear it for a picture with Baby H) along with the hair brush that they had brought to the hospital. The shirt still smells like Grandma Kelly so after holding it tight for a while and wrapping it around Sara's belly to surround Baby H, we sealed it in a ziploc bag to hopefully forever maintain that smell.

The wake will be Tuesday evening and the funeral will be Wednesday evening. It is still up in the air whether we will be able to attend, but it is leaning towards not likely. We know she understands that it is simply too far for us to travel given recent developments that could mean impending labor and delivery and if we aren't able to participate we will drive down another time and have our own funeral.

There really is a circle of life. Not sure if we shared before but Brian's Grandma Stepien passed away the same time we found out we were pregnant. She actually told Brian's Mom before we did. Although she didn't mention it was Brian and Sara having a baby, she said "she's pregnant." Family thought it was another grand-daughter. Grandma Stepien also said "it's a boy." So special. Now at the end of our pregnancy heaven gained another angel in Grandma Kelly. We're sure that the two of them, along with Sara's other Grandma are chatting up there about our little boy and will be watching over us forever.

On Saturday night, in honor of Sara's Grandma we went out and bought a Fry Daddy and made donut holes. Sara and her Grandma would make these together as special treats when Sara visited. Sara could almost feel her Grandma's presence in making them, especially when she was getting frustrated because the donut holes weren't turning out as round as her Grandma's. She got the sudden idea to change the way she was using the two spoons and what do you know? The donut holes were now coming out circular! On Sunday, we made Grandma's homemade macaroni and cheese recipe and Jim, Annie, and Sam came over to indulge. We pretty much ate the whole batch the four of us!! Homemade macaroni and cheese will always remind us of Grandma Kelly.

Last but not least, we had to share this picture of Sam kissing his future cousin. Sara's Mom was holding him and slowly he just kept leaning over until he reached Sara's belly. Sam put his lips right on her and it really looked like he was content kissing Baby H. Eventually he turned his head and just kind of rested his head on her belly, like he was having a little conversation telling his cousin to come out and play! Life really is precious!

Sad Day

Today was a sad day. On Thursday night we received word that Sara's Grandma was in the hospital with a bowel blockage. We went to bed thinking all would be all right, it just needed some time. However, on Friday they moved her to a larger hospital in Sioux Falls and they did a cat scan. We learned that her bowel was perforated and surgery would be needed to fix it. This particular surgery would be tough for a 20-year old, nonetheless a 93-year old. Grandma decided to forgo the surgery, which is understandable given the care that would be needed after surgery, if she indeed even made it through surgery. She is on pain medicine and the doctors are giving her 24-48 hours to live.

Grandma Kelly has had a very rich life and we are all better people for knowing her. She is an amazing and special lady who will always be our angel watching over us. We have so many memories in our hearts, too many to write about but Brian will always remember her big smile, funny wit, and our Godfathers pizza outings among other things. Sara will remember the 'Grandma and me' slumber parties every summer, her yummy baking and homemade macaroni and cheese, girls-only vacations to Mexico, and so many more special times. Sara and her Grandma have a bond that is very rare so what is happening is especially tough for Sara.

The extremely hard part in all of this is knowing that our son and his Great-Grandma will never have the opportunity to meet. Tears start flowing just thinking about this. It's also hard knowing that we can't go to Sioux Falls to give her one last hug and say 'see you later' in person. Sioux Falls is simply too far away from our hospital here, but we have been able to talk to her a few times and we know that she knows how much we love her and how much we'll miss her. We love you Grandma K, we always will and we know you'll be watching over us from heaven.

These are two pictures she had hung on her fridge of us:

Procedure Complete

Sara had her membranes stripped this morning in an attempt to help speed Baby H's arrival up. People (including the doctor) warned her that it would hurt but she was surprised to find that it didn't hurt as bad as she thought it would. Disclaimer: don't get us wrong, it hurt, but that can't be anything compared to actual contractions and labor. The doctor who did it was the doctor who delivered our niece Brooke via c-section 22 months ago! They said if the procedure helped we would know something in 24-48 hours, so keep your fingers crossed!

One of the little weekly gifts we opened yesterday from Mom and Dad Roslansky was a bib that said "Baby's First Thanksgiving!" We are praying that he indeed is here by then to wear it!!

40 Week Birthday

As Brian was saying Happy Birthday to Baby H this morning, he pointed out that birthday technically means day of your birth....hint! hint!!

We learned at the doctors appointment this morning that progress is similar to last week, so we're going back in tomorrow to have Sara's membranes stripped. The doctor said it tends to induce labor in 50% of cases so it's worth a try! Our doctor is on call all weekend so we're hoping that the stars are aligned and Baby H comes sometime between tomorrow and Sunday night!

We partially wondered if the baby was waiting for Mommy's to do list to be complete before arriving, but that doesn't seem to be the case. On Tuesday night Sara finished her last scrapbook - one that included all of his ultrasound pictures and Sara's belly pictures - so literally the only thing left on Sara's to do list is "Have Baby" (yes, it's really on the list). Anytime Baby H or Mommy and Daddy will just keep poking you until you come out!

1 Day to Go - HA!

So Baby H has still not made his appearance. Not quite sure where he got this lackadaisical attitude - his Mommy is always on-time or early so maybe tonight or tomorrow will be the day!! Sara continues to feel great pregnancy-wise although she has a sinus infection that has her not feeling so hot. She worked from home yesterday and put in a half day at work today. It's hard feeling icky but not being able to take anything. Oh well, it's worth it in the end. We have a doctor's appointment tomorrow at 7:30 am so we'll keep you all updated on what the doctor has to say!

Mom and Dad Hillins came to town on Friday and we've been having fun spending time with them. On Monday they cooked a delicious meal - ham, scalloped potatoes, corn souffle, green beans, salad, bread, and red velvet cake. YUM!!! We feel like royalty with everyone waiting on us. Dawn even made one of her very yummy homemade lasagnas for us to freeze and eat when Baby H arrives....hopefully we'll be eating that soon!!

Baby H Still Cooking!

Just a quick note to let everyone know that Baby H continues to cook in Mommy. He must be content in there although there are a few things starting to happen that make us think that he might make his grand entrance soon! Sara's been diligent about walking, bouncing on a birth ball, eating spicy food and pineapple, getting a pedicure and just about anything else people say helps to bring on labor. Yesterday Sara's lower back started hurting and she's had some contractions/cramping in the front. Keep your fingers crossed!! We're ready to meet our little guy!

39 Weeks!

Happy Birthday Baby H! Here are pics from today, week 39:

Co-workers, friends, family, and strangers are convinced the baby will cook for a while longer given how "small" Sara is for having a due date next week, but we'll see!! Sara continues to feel great although her back is a tad sore by the end of the day. She continues to wear high heels and has yet to develop the pregnant waddle. We feel very blessed that pregnancy has been such a great experience!

Brian's back continues to get a little better every day. He's continued with the chiropractor appointments and they seem to be helping slowly but surely. He has another appointment tomorrow at 7am. That time will come awfully early given that some of his medicine causes insomnia and can't usually fall asleep until 1am, but we're reminded that it is just good practice for when Baby H does come!

8 or so Days and Counting!

Just returned from our 39 week appointment. Learned we have a little progress on the dilation front - now we're for sure 1 cm (last week it was 1/2 to one), Baby H has plenty of amniotic fluid, his heart looked great, and he's about 7 and a half pounds. Can't wait to meet the little guy whenever he decides to make his appearance.

Brian's back gets a little better every day. Still hard to sit or stand for long periods of time. His back is a bit stiff in the morning too. He's been sleeping on the downstairs bed because it is the hardest mattress which seems to help some. He had another chiropractor appointment this morning where he had a minor adjustment done. He may go back another time this afternoon and then he will go back both Thursday and Friday mornings. He went back to the regular doctor yesterday to get more anti-inflammatory medicine. Sara's ob-gyn also recommended that Brian see a physical therapist, so he'll make an appointment with that person for this week too. Lots of people want to see him heal quickly so that he can be active for Baby H's arrival! Sara dropped Brian off at work today (his first day since last week), we'll see how long he lasts there. We're hoping maybe until 1pm and then he can work from home where it is more comfortable.

Our chef, house cleaner, landscaper/trimmer, fertilizer, garbage man, errand runner, light bulb changer, Brian's chauffeur, Christmas light hanger-upper, overall handyman checked out of Casa Hillins last night after dinner. Sara's Dad has been here since Sunday night helping out and boy did he do a wonderful job. We really appreciated him being here, we couldn't have done it without him!