Flippin' Sweet!

We went to the hospital this morning for the doctor to perform the external cephalic version described in the previous post to flip our tiny tot into the correct position. Dr. Parker put some immense pressure on my abdomen, and at first,the baby moved about 90 degrees, but his heart slowed way down. They could see the cord around his neck, which is okay as long as it isn't too tight, but they weren't sure, so they stopped at that point. I was given some medication that helped relax my muscles, and the doctor tried again about 30 minutes later. He got to the 90 degree mark again, with the baby transverse across my abdomen (not the most comfy I've ever been), and with one last intense push, the baby flipped right into the head down position! I was so grateful and relieved, both physically and emotionally. After the first failed attempt, I had worried that a C-section was eminent. But Dr. Parker is The Man- he has a lot of experience and did a wonderful job, and will be the recipient of my delicious brownies tomorrow! We are so grateful for the fasting, prayers, and well-wishes that made this possible. It feels weird to have him in the right place. I am used to him kicking down low. Anyway, the doctor felt comfortable sending us home to go into labor naturally. If I had been at all dilated, we may have decided to be induced. However, without being dilated, induction increases the risk of needing a C-section, and avoiding that outcome was the whole purpose of the version. I am really excited that if all continues to go well, we will be able to proceed with a natural labor and childbirth. So keep checking back often in the next week or two for the good news!

Baby Turning Update

We met with the doctor today to discuss our options for delivering this breech baby, and have decided to have the doctor attempt to turn him to the correct position next Thursday morning. This is called an external cephalic version, and involves twisting my abdomen to try to get the baby to somersault or backflip in to a head-first position. Looks and sounds like fun for me, right?! Good thing I'm so buff and tough. I'm even going to try it without any anesthesia, although I may wuss out and take it, if needed. The other option is to wait and see if he does it on his own, which is not very likely, or to do a c-section. If the version attempt works and the baby is doing great on the monitors, we will likely go home until he is ready for delivery. If it doesn't work, we may have a c-section then, or wait it out and see if he turns on his own before natural labor starts. If he doesn't turn before natural labor, it will require a c-section. There is a slight chance of emergency c-section if he doesn't look great on the monitors after the version attempt. There is also the chance that they will induce me if he turns. We were planning to have this baby as naturally as possible, but you never know what is in store. Basically, anything could happen next Thursday--we might end up with a baby that day, or it might be another week or more. We will just monitor how the baby is doing and decide from there. So, since next Sunday is fast Sunday, if any of you would like to include in your prayers the desire for this baby to turn correctly and for all to go perfectly for his upcoming delivery, we would be so grateful. Thank you so much. We'll keep you posted.

Feliz Cumpleaños to Corey

Today Corey turns the big 32, so I get to brag about what a wonderful person he is and how grateful I am that he was born. Corey came into the world breech, as our son is trying to emulate. (As a side note, there is research that shows that if one parent was born breech, that their firstborn offspring is twice as likely to be born breech. Thanks a lot, Corey!) I don’t know a lot about his childhood, except that he ate sugar by the spoonful and loved his dog, Charlie. I guess the events in Corey’s life aren’t nearly as important to me as are the character traits that make him who he is. Corey has the most genuine, humble personality of anyone I know. He never tries to steal the limelight or draw too much attention to himself. He is a loyal friend and companion. He is so thoughtful of others. I can seldom think of a time when he has spoken negatively about anyone. Children are naturally drawn to him. He is going to be the world’s best dad. All our nieces and nephews already flock to him due to his playful, caring nature. I adore him and am honored that he is my eternal sweetheart. Have a good one, Sweetie!

Turn Baby, Turn

Our little one is being a bit rebellious by hanging out right side up instead of upside down, as he should be. It is four weeks before his due date, and if he doesn’t turn around, there is a good chance he will have to be delivered by Cesarean section. I’m not so fond of that idea. We really want to have a normal, natural birth. So we’re trying to enlist as many friends and family as possible to pray with us that he will turn to the correct position before his delivery to help ensure a safer, more predictable situation for both Mom and Baby. Thanks!!

Take a Hike

Corey and I are not huge hikers, but we did go on a huge hike with my sister Natalie and her husband Ryan this winter. In February 2008, we hiked 23 miles in two days over the sea cliffs of the amazing Kalalau Trail in northern Kauai. It was the most awe-inspiring and difficult physical feat I have endured thus far in my life. Most of the trail is very narrow and steep, traversing large changes in elevation over jagged cliffs with the angry sea crashing hundreds of feet below. Most of the foliage we saw was a stunning tropical rainforest, replete with melodious birds singing us along our way. We also passed by several lovely waterfalls and streams. However, there were a few miles of winding through dry, dusty lava rock on an 8-12 inch wide path that I like to refer to as Hell. We encountered this stretch after I had taken a nasty spill forehead-first with my 20-plus pound pack pummeling me into the dirt. (Luckily, this happened at one of the rare wide spots in the trail rather than off a cliff!) I was ready to turn back, but luckily, my courageous Eagle Scout husband treated my wound, took my pack off for a few minutes while I rested, and then encouraged me to go on. I honestly don’t know how I managed it, because at this point, I was quite dizzy and scared that I would trip again and go sliding off the cliffs and into the ocean. I fantasized about throwing the heavy trail mix and tent poles I was carrying into the sea below to lighten my load. (I did end up leaving a pair of pants and my airplane pillow behind at the campsite for future hikers or the resident hippies to use, which I’m sure lightened my load by about 6 ounces!) Toward the end of the journey, we were entertained by numerous mountain goats that distracted me from the difficulty. At last, a few miles in the distance, we could see the pristine beach that was to be our final destination. We arrived just as the sun was setting and cooked our delicious Camp Chef meals on the beach, just as a giant cruise ship passed by. I stared at the passengers enviously, but realized that while they travelled there in luxury and were likely dining on steak and lobster as they viewed the beach from afar, the pasta that we cooked over our portable stove tasted even sweeter because of the travails we had gone through in arriving at our destination. Besides, they could only admire this beauty from the distance of the boat while we were privileged to feel the soft sand and bubbly waves beneath our weary feet. The biggest regret I have is not planning to make the expedition over three days instead of two, because knowing we had eleven miles to traverse beginning at dawn without having even a few hours of sunlight in which to enjoy this paradise was very disheartening. Hiking the Kalalau Trail was an amazing experience, and left a memorable impression on me that often the most pristine beauty can only truly be enjoyed after conquering great difficulties firsthand.

I Does What I Likes, and I Likes What I Do

I never thought I would be a dentist. My heart was set on medicine, but after working at both a hospital and dental office after college graduation, I realized that I hated the stress and irregular hours characteristic of medicine. On the other hand, I became surprisingly enthralled with teeth. The dental lifestyle was a good fit also--no nights or weekends and only four years of school.
I currently work in a community health center.

We see all kinds of patients, but more than 80% of mine are living below the poverty level. My patients come from all around the world. Most are of Latino origin, but some are also from Mongolia, Russia, and other obscure places. I love that I get to see such variety every day. I have learned quite a bit of Spanish. I also have had the opportunity to perform many difficult procedures that I would likely refer to a specialist if I were in private practice. If I do not perform these services on my patients, they will likely go without treatment and end up with severe problems. Many of my patients have never been to the dentist before—you can imagine what an adventure it is when I say, “Open wide!”

My favorite procedures involve oral surgery. I love a good set of wisdom teeth to begin the day. You can’t say I’m not domestically inclined, because I love to sew—just not with the usual materials you would make a quilt from. I also enjoy cosmetic fillings on the front teeth—a mini extreme makeover for my patients. Most of my patients are both very humble and very grateful for the services they receive. My least favorite days are filled with arduous root canals and screeching, biting children (and adults).

I am very grateful that I was able to get my education in a great field doing something I enjoy that both provides well for my family and allows me to use my knowledge and skills to help those in need.

Chim-Chim Charoo!

(In case you didn't catch the Mary Poppins inspired title)

Not perfect yet, but better, right?

Sorry about the gore, but. . . awesome!

28 Pounds

I don't know which Corey is prouder of: his 28 pound salmon that he caught in Alaska earlier this summer, or the extra 28 pounds I am now carrying. He is pretty excited to have a fishing buddy. When he tried on our Baby Bjorn carrier, he said, "This is perfect- he'll fit right in my waders!" I'm hoping he'll wait til the baby has outgrown the Baby Bjorn to take him fishing.

We've got 6 weeks and some change until D-Day on November 13th. I think he'll come pretty close to on time like all my mom's kids did. I am planning on about a 12 week maternity leave, then my sister Melissa will be his Mary Poppins when I go back to work. We'll see how it all works out, I guess. I am hoping to paint and decorate his nursery in the next few weeks. It's been hard to find any cute baby boy bedding. I'm not so in to the sports or trucks or Whinnie the Pooh themes. Maybe I'll have to make my own.

We're still absolutely unsure about a name. We're not too worried about it, except subconsciously I must be, because I had a dream last week that we were at the baby's blessing and Corey named him after one of the dental products I use. Of course, every night my dreams have been like an acid trip throughout this pregnancy, so it was pretty normal. So maybe he'll be Little Gunther, or maybe Little Septocaine. We'll just have to see what he looks like. . .

Baby Wilhelmsen- The Thinker?

So, obviously, our baby on the way is the most excitement we've had in our 9 years of marriage. We are both ecstatically awaiting his arrival. The pregnancy has been fun and interesting. I have luckily been healthy and pretty comfortable, although I am starting to feel more and more bovine each day as I balloon even wider. The baby is starting to kick my patients in the head at work. Corey has been a saint, never complaining that I get him up at 3 am to fetch me some cereal or milk (although he has suggested we get a mini fridge for our bedroom!). Disposable utensils and dishes have been a staple for me as doing dishes repulses me- in fact, I think it always has, even before pregnancy. Anyways, we can't wait to meet this little guy, and we feel extremely blessed that he will be part of our family.

The Story of Us

Corey and I were high school sweethearts in Idaho Falls, ID. We were married in the Salt Lake Temple in 1999 after I had graduated from BYU and Corey had served a Spanish speaking mission in Fresno, CA. We lived in Columbus, OH, while we both attended the Ohio State University and were rigorously schooled in the fine arts of Dentistry, Biology, and National Championship Buckeye Football. After I finished dental school, we returned to Utah Valley where Corey finished his BS in Biology at UVSC and I began working as a general dentist at a community health center. Corey now helps manage the camping department at Cabela's while I still work at Mountainlands CHC. We currently live in the shadows of Mount Timpanogos, where our home sits on the edge of a lovely deer and pheasant filled orchard that overlooks the stunning Utah Valley and Utah Lake. Our favorite thing to do together is travel- preferably to a tropical locale where we can soak up the sun and enjoy the waves. We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our firstborn son in November 2008.