This week, I've been trying to cook more - for several reasons. The biggest reason is because I learned pretty quickly that not having something quick to heat up in the evenings while Danny is working is a big mistake. The first night Danny went back to work, Sophie and I were both hungry and cranky! I decided that I needed to take advantage of the time when he is home by preparing meals that I can just stick in the microwave to eat when I'm ready. This week, I made red beans and rice with sausage and buffalo chicken. Wednesday evening, one of my friends came by and we had breakfast for dinner (pancakes, eggs and sausage). I'm trying so hard not to go out to eat! I'm doing pretty well this week! I didn't have a clear plan for what to do with the buffalo chicken, but it just sounded so good! It was so easy, too!
Here's the recipe:
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 jar wing sauce
1/2 pkg dry ranch dressing mix
Place the chicken in the slow cooker. Sprinkly 1/2 pkg of dry ranch dressing mix over the chicken. Cover with wing sauce. Cook on low for 4 hours (give or take). I checked it after about 3 and a half hours - the chicken was so tender! I shredded the chicken and put it back in the slow cooker to continue to soak in the flavors! We had this for dinner tonight - served on toasted hoagie rolls with provolone cheese and a little bit of ranch dressing! Yummy! The original recipe called for a few tablespoons of butter to be added in at the end of the slow cooking process. I forgot to do that and we didn't miss it. Tomorrow, I'll take what's left of the chicken and make a buffalo chicken pizza. I'm already looking forward to it!
Friday, April 15, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
The boredom is setting in...
I know that I shouldn't complain. I cannot put into words how very grateful I am to have this time off work with my sweet girl. However, my days and nights are filled with feeding Sophie, trying to pump to have milk for her when I go back to work, doing laundry, sterilizing breast pump parts, trying to eat enough to continue to produce enough milk for my hungry girl, watching daytime TV, etc. We haven't had as many visitors over the past few weeks either and Danny has gone back to work. That leaves me with lots of hours to fill! It's nice to be able to nap when I want to, but there's a part of me that is just getting bored! Yesterday, I took a ton of pictures of Sophie - pretending like she was my little model! I'm glad I did because I got some really good shots!
Monday, April 4, 2011
Trip to meet Mamaw
We took Sophie on her first road trip to meet Mamaw this weekend. She did pretty well in the car, but did get fussy about 10 minutes away from Mamaw's house. I was so excited for Mamaw to finally meet Sophie! We were able to get a picture of me, Sophie, my mom and Mamaw - 4 generations!
Daddy and Sophie napping
Mamaw getting a good look at Sophie - who apparently gave her a great big smile!
watch me grow
I am totally stealing this idea from my friend, Jackie, but I just can't resist!! Jackie took monthly pictures of her little one next to a stuffed animal to show how much she grew each month. I loved watching Lucy "grow" through pictures, so we've decided to do the same with Sophie. We bought a stuffed monkey to use. Here she is for her 1 month photo shoot with the monkey!
We'll see how much she has grown next month!
We had her one month check up today! She now weighs 9 lbs 7 oz (60th percentile) and is 21 3/4 inches long (75th percentile). Everything was perfect! She's growing and healthy - what more can we ask for!?
We'll see how much she has grown next month!
We had her one month check up today! She now weighs 9 lbs 7 oz (60th percentile) and is 21 3/4 inches long (75th percentile). Everything was perfect! She's growing and healthy - what more can we ask for!?
First Night Out!
On Friday night, I went to see Widespread Panic with my sisters. Sophie stayed at home with Danny for the first time! I had a really hard time leaving them for the evening and sent tons of text messages to check in! Sophie was a good girl and was perfectly content by the time I got home.
We had a blast at the show. Vannah came with us for her first show, and really had a great time. One of her friends was there and they danced together the whole time! It was a lot of fun!
We had a blast at the show. Vannah came with us for her first show, and really had a great time. One of her friends was there and they danced together the whole time! It was a lot of fun!
Setlist:
Friday, March 18, 2011
I realized the other day that I don't really have any pictures of me and Sophie. Here's one that Danny took the other morning before going to my doctor's appointment.
Wednesday was a great day this week! I had a doctor's appointment and found out that I currently weigh 12 pounds less than I did at my first prenatal appointment last July. That means that since giving birth to little Sophie 2 weeks ago, I've lost 20+ pounds. Now, I have a long way to go to meet any weight loss goals, but it was exciting to see the scale dip a bit lower than it had in the past! Before having Sophie, I was looking forward to having the spring off - going on walks with Sophie everyday, maybe joining Weight Watchers - definitely trying to lose some weight. After having a c-section, my body aches. It's difficult to walk upstairs more than once or twice a day. I'm tired a lot. I'm not taking the strong pain killers anymore (I really wanted to be able to drive!), but I'm still on a high dose of ibuprofen just to feel well enough to walk around the house. I was encouraged that the breastfeeding is helping and the small amount of activity I can do is also contributing. We'll see how long this all lasts, but for now, I'm encouraged!
After returning from my doctor's appointment, Sophie's Grandma (Danny's mom) came by for a visit. That evening, several of our friends came over and we decided to cook out. We had a great time! It had been a long time since we'd had a group of people over, so it was really nice to not only see everyone, but to be able to look forward to this summer - nicer weather, cook outs, and great friends! I'm so excited for it! Sophie was a party animal! She was well behaved - when she was with me! She's become quite a mama's girl (which doesn't bother me one bit!) and loves to sleep on my chest. This morning has been difficult - my to-do list is growing so I decided to put her in her swing for her morning nap. She's done great! She's slept for about an hour and half, if not longer! Looks like we need to purchase some more batteries!
Today is pay day! Yay! Hopefully that means that we'll get out of the house for a bit - maybe a run to the grocery store, probably a run to Babies R Us. It doesn't matter to me where we go - I'm just excited to get out for a bit!
Wednesday was a great day this week! I had a doctor's appointment and found out that I currently weigh 12 pounds less than I did at my first prenatal appointment last July. That means that since giving birth to little Sophie 2 weeks ago, I've lost 20+ pounds. Now, I have a long way to go to meet any weight loss goals, but it was exciting to see the scale dip a bit lower than it had in the past! Before having Sophie, I was looking forward to having the spring off - going on walks with Sophie everyday, maybe joining Weight Watchers - definitely trying to lose some weight. After having a c-section, my body aches. It's difficult to walk upstairs more than once or twice a day. I'm tired a lot. I'm not taking the strong pain killers anymore (I really wanted to be able to drive!), but I'm still on a high dose of ibuprofen just to feel well enough to walk around the house. I was encouraged that the breastfeeding is helping and the small amount of activity I can do is also contributing. We'll see how long this all lasts, but for now, I'm encouraged!
After returning from my doctor's appointment, Sophie's Grandma (Danny's mom) came by for a visit. That evening, several of our friends came over and we decided to cook out. We had a great time! It had been a long time since we'd had a group of people over, so it was really nice to not only see everyone, but to be able to look forward to this summer - nicer weather, cook outs, and great friends! I'm so excited for it! Sophie was a party animal! She was well behaved - when she was with me! She's become quite a mama's girl (which doesn't bother me one bit!) and loves to sleep on my chest. This morning has been difficult - my to-do list is growing so I decided to put her in her swing for her morning nap. She's done great! She's slept for about an hour and half, if not longer! Looks like we need to purchase some more batteries!
Today is pay day! Yay! Hopefully that means that we'll get out of the house for a bit - maybe a run to the grocery store, probably a run to Babies R Us. It doesn't matter to me where we go - I'm just excited to get out for a bit!
Happy St. Patrick's Day
Here is Sophie on her first St. Patrick's Day! She's getting so big already!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Sophie Grace
It's hard to believe that Ms. Sophie is a week old today! What a week it has been! Last week, I blogged about getting ready for the baby to arrive and here we are a week later...in our home, with our baby, trying to figure all this out. Things did not go as I had anticipated last Wednesday. We checked in to the hospital around 6:30 a.m. We were taken to our room where the whole induction process was started. Silly me, I really thought that things would move pretty quickly. I was already 4 cm dilated. Everything was "favorable." We were ready. So, we waited. And we waited. And we waited. I had my water broken a little before noon - that was not a fun experience. Shortly after that, I asked for the epidural. The contractions were painful, but just not strong enough. I was so scared about getting an epidural - you know, having a needle stuck in your back is a little scary. It wasn't as awful as I thought it would be, and after the medicine kicked in, I was able to rest. I didn't feel the contractions anymore. I said several times that it's no wonder people get addicted to pain medicine - if that's what it feels like!
The nurse continued to check my progress every 2 hours. I was not progressing the way we had all hoped. At one point, probably around 6:30 or 7, I was dilated to about 7 cm and my nurse made a comment like, "It's not looking very good for a vaginal delivery." I was devastated. And scared. And worried. The last thing I wanted was to have a c-section. Then, the contractions became more painful and were spreading to my back. I was in tears with every contraction and there was nothing they could do for me. Around 8 p.m., my doctor came in and the decision was made to go ahead with a c-section. The baby hadn't "dropped" at all. I wasn't progressing and I was in pain. Everything happened so quickly after the decision was made. I received some more anesthesia, Danny dressed in his scrubs, and before I knew it, we were being rolled to the operating room. There was a moment when Vannah came in to my room and I could tell she had been crying. I know that everyone was trying to be strong for me, but I was scared. Seeing her sweet little face, reddened from crying was so touching and heartbreaking at the same time. She was so worried about me being taken in to surgery. We hugged and I tried to reassure her that everything would be fine, but at the same time, I was scared to death.
Once in the operating room, things moved right along. It was quite an experience - so strange and uncomfortable. I laid there for some time as they "prepared" me for the operation. Once Danny came into the room, I was so excited to see him, but also quite loopy and out of it from the pain medications. The procedure itself was uncomfortable, but thankfully I didn't experience a great deal of pain. As they pulled the baby out, I remember hearing my doctor say "This baby has A LOT of hair!" Then, the moment we had waited all that time for - they told us that we had a baby girl! It was a very sweet, tender moment between Danny and me as we relished in the moment. His excitement was evident from the very second we heard that it was a girl. As they started to clean her off, they called him over and he was able to hold her and be with her - as I laid on the table and was put back together. I remember that he came and showed her to me and I immediately fell in love. This sweet little bundle is all ours - forever.
Once we were taken to our room, Sophie was given her first bath and her footprints were taken for the hospital birth certificate. We were all exhausted. In the midst of everything, I started trying to nurse Sophie. We've had some bumps along the way with the nursing, but are now doing pretty well. We stayed in the hospital until Saturday afternoon. We had lots of visitors while we were there. Things went so much more smoothly than I had anticipated in the hospital. For that, I really am grateful!
Now that we are home, we are just trying to figure it all out. We've had lots of visitors since coming home. Friends and family have brought us meals (which has truly been a lifesaver - it's been hard enough to find time to shower, let alone cook a meal!). Sophie is a good eater and a good sleeper! We are really lucky. She slept last night for 5 hours straight! I could hardly believe it! We went to the pediatrician yesterday for her check up. When she was born, she weighed 7 lbs 7 oz. When we left the hospital, she was down to 6 lbs 11.5 oz. Yesterday, at the doctor's office, she was back up to 7 lbs! He was very impressed with her weight! He said that she is just doing great! We couldn't be happier!
I'm healing well from the c-section. I still wish that I didn't have to go through it, but here we are. We have Sophie at home with us and we are both healthy. We couldn't ask for much more! I know the recovery will be difficult. I'm trying to take it easy, but at the same time, I want to be active so that I can heal. Life is all about finding balance, so I'm trying to piece it together - doing just enough, but not too much.
The nurse continued to check my progress every 2 hours. I was not progressing the way we had all hoped. At one point, probably around 6:30 or 7, I was dilated to about 7 cm and my nurse made a comment like, "It's not looking very good for a vaginal delivery." I was devastated. And scared. And worried. The last thing I wanted was to have a c-section. Then, the contractions became more painful and were spreading to my back. I was in tears with every contraction and there was nothing they could do for me. Around 8 p.m., my doctor came in and the decision was made to go ahead with a c-section. The baby hadn't "dropped" at all. I wasn't progressing and I was in pain. Everything happened so quickly after the decision was made. I received some more anesthesia, Danny dressed in his scrubs, and before I knew it, we were being rolled to the operating room. There was a moment when Vannah came in to my room and I could tell she had been crying. I know that everyone was trying to be strong for me, but I was scared. Seeing her sweet little face, reddened from crying was so touching and heartbreaking at the same time. She was so worried about me being taken in to surgery. We hugged and I tried to reassure her that everything would be fine, but at the same time, I was scared to death.
Once in the operating room, things moved right along. It was quite an experience - so strange and uncomfortable. I laid there for some time as they "prepared" me for the operation. Once Danny came into the room, I was so excited to see him, but also quite loopy and out of it from the pain medications. The procedure itself was uncomfortable, but thankfully I didn't experience a great deal of pain. As they pulled the baby out, I remember hearing my doctor say "This baby has A LOT of hair!" Then, the moment we had waited all that time for - they told us that we had a baby girl! It was a very sweet, tender moment between Danny and me as we relished in the moment. His excitement was evident from the very second we heard that it was a girl. As they started to clean her off, they called him over and he was able to hold her and be with her - as I laid on the table and was put back together. I remember that he came and showed her to me and I immediately fell in love. This sweet little bundle is all ours - forever.
After the c-section, I was taken to the recovery area and had a few minutes by myself with Sophie. Danny had left to tell our families about our baby girl and I just sat in the recovery area, holding her and loving on her. I was completely overcome with emotions in the moment and just sat there and cried. It was just unreal to me that this little girl belonged to me. That Danny and I created her. What an amazing gift! Several times over the past week, we've looked at each other and said "We must've done something right." She's such a sweet blessing and is just perfect. It was so fun to see our families come into the recovery area and meet Sophie for the first time. As our parents and siblings all came back to meet Sophie, I couldn't help but feel a tinge of sadness, knowing how very excited my dad would have been to meet her. I am sad that she will not ever be able to meet her Gramps, but know that she has a guardian angel watching over her. He would have loved her so very much.
I'm healing well from the c-section. I still wish that I didn't have to go through it, but here we are. We have Sophie at home with us and we are both healthy. We couldn't ask for much more! I know the recovery will be difficult. I'm trying to take it easy, but at the same time, I want to be active so that I can heal. Life is all about finding balance, so I'm trying to piece it together - doing just enough, but not too much.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
The time has come...
I took the day off work today to prepare for tomorrow. At our doctor's appointment yesterday, we decided to go ahead and be induced tommorrow (March 2). Throughout my pregnancy, my blood pressure has been on the higher end. It hasn't been so high that I've been diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, but high enough that my doctor does watch it pretty closely. I've been thankful that it hasn't turned into pre-eclampsia and basically, my doctor feels like it's best to induce now while all conditions are "favorable" instead of waiting too long and taking the chance that I could develop pre-eclampsia. I was 4 cm dilated yesterday (I was checked twice - once by my doctor and once by a student, who once she was "settled," said "what am I feeling for?" Um....don't you think you should have asked that about 30 seconds ago!?!?). I've progressed some each week, so my doctor is going to take advantage of the progress we've made and we are set to induce tomorrow.
We are both so excited! It was awfully difficult for me to focus at work yesterday. I struggled to get much accomplished, but was able to contact the families of the kids I work with and say farewell to my girls. I've tried really hard to prepare them that this would be my last week, so it wasn't very dramatic. Last night, Danny and I just spent a quiet night at home. We ordered a pizza and quite frankly, we didn't even talk much with each other. I think we both just needed to sit and let things really sink in. Today, there are a few things on my to-do list, but mostly, I want to savor the quiet time in our pre-baby home. I need to finish packing my hospital bag, put some laundry away, do the dishes, and finish writing thank you notes. Danny is going to install the car seat. We may have dinner with my mom and sisters. Then, we'll try to head to bed early tonight. We'll call the hospital a little before 5 a.m. to see when they want us to come in. I'm trying to prepare myself that tomorrow will be a long day, but all I can think about is kissing the sweet little face of our baby. It will be weird not to have people asking me every day if it's a boy or a girl. Our little "Baby Minton" will finally have a name!
We are both so excited! It was awfully difficult for me to focus at work yesterday. I struggled to get much accomplished, but was able to contact the families of the kids I work with and say farewell to my girls. I've tried really hard to prepare them that this would be my last week, so it wasn't very dramatic. Last night, Danny and I just spent a quiet night at home. We ordered a pizza and quite frankly, we didn't even talk much with each other. I think we both just needed to sit and let things really sink in. Today, there are a few things on my to-do list, but mostly, I want to savor the quiet time in our pre-baby home. I need to finish packing my hospital bag, put some laundry away, do the dishes, and finish writing thank you notes. Danny is going to install the car seat. We may have dinner with my mom and sisters. Then, we'll try to head to bed early tonight. We'll call the hospital a little before 5 a.m. to see when they want us to come in. I'm trying to prepare myself that tomorrow will be a long day, but all I can think about is kissing the sweet little face of our baby. It will be weird not to have people asking me every day if it's a boy or a girl. Our little "Baby Minton" will finally have a name!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Almost there!
It's been a bit of an eventful week! Last weekend, I had two showers! They were both so nice! The first, on Saturday, was at the Louisville Boat Club with my father's side of the family. It was a pretty intimate gathering, but nice to see some aunts and cousins that I haven't seen in a while. I'm also thankful that my grandmother was able to be there as she's had multiple health issues over the past year. On Sunday, my sister-in-law and mother-in-law hosted a shower. Everything was so perfect! It was nice to see family from out of town, and family from in town that we don't see very often! It was a really great celebration! After the shower, we joined my dad's side of the family again for a birthday dinner to celebrate my grandmother's birthday. By 8 o'clock, I was completely exhausted!
I had a doctor's appointment on Monday morning. Danny wasn't able to come with me because he had his own doctor's appointment that morning. I wasn't overly concerned as the appointments have become pretty mundane at this point. Well - needless to say, lesson learned. I will not be going to the rest of my appointments (maybe just 1 more!) alone. I learned that I was between 3.5 and 4 cm dilated, so my body is continuing to prepare for the baby to make its entrance. When listening to the baby's heartbeat, the doctor became concerned because the heart beat would accelerate and then slow back down. My doctor told me that she would hook me up to a monitor and check on things, but if the heart rate didn't slow down, we'd be heading to the hospital to deliver the baby. WHAT!?!?! I was completely unprepared for that! Of course, she says "Don't worry, it will be fine," which only made me worry more. After a frustrating hour or so of trying to get a good reading on the fetal monitor, I was told that everything was fine and just to come back next week. I go back Monday morning, and this time, I'm planning on being more prepared in case my doctor wants to deliver the baby!
Danny and I went to pick up a few more "necessities" on Monday evening. Thankfully, I'd made a list and we were in and out of Babies R Us in no time. I was exhausted after the emotional doctor's appointment. Tuesday morning, I decided to send a very last minute plea to a few of my friends and sister, begging for some help with getting things ready around the house. Macy, Rebecca and my sister Ashley came and were absolutely amazing! They cleaned, organized, unpacked, washed, folded, put away, swept, mopped - they did it all! It was more than I had expected and I am so thankful for their help. I went to bed Tuesday night, finally feeling at ease and ready for baby to come.
So, now we wait. Things are ready. I am ready. I have been so blessed this entire pregnancy - no health problems, few complaints, etc. Now, I'm kind of done. I don't know what has changed over the past week, but I'm just ready for the baby to be here. I'm feeling bigger and bigger by the day. I'm struggling to find comfortable ways to sleep. Heartburn is keeping me up. I'm worn out by noon. I'm just ready! Tonight, I started to get my hospital bag together. This weekend, we'll install the car seat and put the bag next to the door. My co-workers don't think I'll make it through the week next week. I guess we'll see. I'm definitely ready to wrap things up there. There's going to be a baby here before we know it!
I had a doctor's appointment on Monday morning. Danny wasn't able to come with me because he had his own doctor's appointment that morning. I wasn't overly concerned as the appointments have become pretty mundane at this point. Well - needless to say, lesson learned. I will not be going to the rest of my appointments (maybe just 1 more!) alone. I learned that I was between 3.5 and 4 cm dilated, so my body is continuing to prepare for the baby to make its entrance. When listening to the baby's heartbeat, the doctor became concerned because the heart beat would accelerate and then slow back down. My doctor told me that she would hook me up to a monitor and check on things, but if the heart rate didn't slow down, we'd be heading to the hospital to deliver the baby. WHAT!?!?! I was completely unprepared for that! Of course, she says "Don't worry, it will be fine," which only made me worry more. After a frustrating hour or so of trying to get a good reading on the fetal monitor, I was told that everything was fine and just to come back next week. I go back Monday morning, and this time, I'm planning on being more prepared in case my doctor wants to deliver the baby!
Danny and I went to pick up a few more "necessities" on Monday evening. Thankfully, I'd made a list and we were in and out of Babies R Us in no time. I was exhausted after the emotional doctor's appointment. Tuesday morning, I decided to send a very last minute plea to a few of my friends and sister, begging for some help with getting things ready around the house. Macy, Rebecca and my sister Ashley came and were absolutely amazing! They cleaned, organized, unpacked, washed, folded, put away, swept, mopped - they did it all! It was more than I had expected and I am so thankful for their help. I went to bed Tuesday night, finally feeling at ease and ready for baby to come.
So, now we wait. Things are ready. I am ready. I have been so blessed this entire pregnancy - no health problems, few complaints, etc. Now, I'm kind of done. I don't know what has changed over the past week, but I'm just ready for the baby to be here. I'm feeling bigger and bigger by the day. I'm struggling to find comfortable ways to sleep. Heartburn is keeping me up. I'm worn out by noon. I'm just ready! Tonight, I started to get my hospital bag together. This weekend, we'll install the car seat and put the bag next to the door. My co-workers don't think I'll make it through the week next week. I guess we'll see. I'm definitely ready to wrap things up there. There's going to be a baby here before we know it!
Friday, February 18, 2011
Hoping for a better day...
Yesterday was a rough day. I don't know if it was the lack of sleep from the night before, the hormones from the pregnancy, or just the general state of "uncomfortable-ness" that I've come to live in, but it was just a rotten day. I was all over the board emotionally - from happy to sad, angry to elated, but mostly focused on the more negative emotions. I know that the biggest factor in all of this has been the stress of knowing that this baby can come any day now...seriously, any day! I feel so unprepared. My house is such a mess. All of the baby's clothes, sheets, towels, etc are still unwashed. My hospital bag isn't packed. I still have thank you notes to write and deliver from my work shower. And the list could go on and on. This morning, I thought that we should most definitely check the batteries in the fire detectors (after pointing out to Danny a couple of nights ago that the chandelier in the kitchen needs dusting). I'm so not used to asking for help from others, but there's so much that I just can't do anymore. Bending over has become increasingly difficult (putting on my shoes has become quite the feat each morning). I really wish that I had more paid time off so I could take the week off before the baby comes to prepare, but we just can't afford that right now if I want to be home with the baby for 10-12 weeks.
I need to not start today off complaining....I probably did enough of that yesterday. This weekend will be great, I'm sure of it. I have a slower day at work today, and got in extra early this morning (up before my alarm at 5:45 a.m.), so I'm hoping to sneak out a few minutes early this afternoon. I only have three therapy sessions, a little bit of paperwork, and a few phone calls standing between me and home this afternoon. Guess I'd better hop to it!
I need to not start today off complaining....I probably did enough of that yesterday. This weekend will be great, I'm sure of it. I have a slower day at work today, and got in extra early this morning (up before my alarm at 5:45 a.m.), so I'm hoping to sneak out a few minutes early this afternoon. I only have three therapy sessions, a little bit of paperwork, and a few phone calls standing between me and home this afternoon. Guess I'd better hop to it!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
37 weeks and counting!
We had another great doctor's appointment yesterday! Our little one is growing and active and we really feel blessed beyond measure. I had another ultrasound, as my doctor has wanted to check on the baby's growth. I love being able to see our little one. The ultrasound tech was wonderful again and switched the machine over to the 3D/4D setting! I love when she does that! She printed a few pics for us! Here's a sweet shot of baby's face:
As far as stats go, they think baby is weighing in at 6 lbs 7 oz....a little on the petite side, but my doctor was not concerned about that. She said the baby is in the 37th percentile - which is good because he/she is big enough to be healthy if born now but small enough for an "easier" delivery! Sounds great to me! Of course, ultrasounds are not perfect and the weight could be way off, so I'm trying not to get my hopes up too much. I'm dilated about 2.5 cm at this point, so not too much of a change from last week. The doctor talked to us about not wanting to go too far past my due date to wait for baby to come, and at this point Danny and I are fine with that. I've said that I would like the baby to come anytime after March 1. That's what I've had in my head for so long. I know it's not really up to me, and baby will come when baby is ready to come!
I am getting so excited, but more nervous and anxious as well. Life just hasn't slowed down at all and we've had some curveballs thrown our way over the past week or so. I'm so tired by the time I get home from work that I haven't done anything more to the baby's room. In fact, all of the gifts from my showers are still just kind of sitting around. I've got to get busy on unpacking, washing and organizing this weekend, but the schedule is jam packed. All I want is a nap! I am definitely looking forward to this weekend. Danny and I are both blessed with large families and we have two more baby showers this weekend! On Saturday, I'll be celebrating with dad's side of the family and on Sunday, Danny's sister and mom are hosting a shower for us. Sunday evening, we'll join my dad's side of the family again for dinner to celebrate my grandmother's birthday. I don't know how I'll ever make it to work on Monday!
Monday, February 7, 2011
Getting closer!
I've now started weekly appointments with the doctor. We are at 36 weeks today, and my doctor performed my first cervical check today (or whatever they call it....I'd call it torture). Apparently, I'm already 2 cm dilated and about 60% effaced. The doctor kept telling me that it doesn't really mean anything, just that my body is getting ready for the inevitable. It doesn't predict how quickly or when baby will come, but still. I freaked out a little! Words like dilated and effaced are meant to be used at the hospital when you're getting ready to have the baby, not 4 weeks before your due date! I know plenty of stories about people who go for weeks and aren't more dilated than they were before, but I think it was just another reality check for me. This baby is coming - and it will come when it's good and ready...be it 4 more weeks or 4 more days. My doctor reassured me that if I go into labor now, she wouldn't try to stop me (which I knew, but only reminds me of how much I should get done). I know that all will be fine. We have the necessities - a place for the baby to sleep, clothes for him or her to wear, diapers for his/her bottom.....we will be fine. Mentally, I don't know that it's fully hit me yet. I feel prepared to be a parent. I am pretty sure I know how to take care of a baby. I know that we will learn a lot of things by trial and error. And I also know that as soon as we have that sweet baby in our arms, we will know what to do.
We had a wonderful baby shower on January 29, hosted by my mom and sisters. It was so fun. All of our closest friends came, and it was great that Danny was there as well. We are blessed to have such amazing friends and to know that this baby is already so loved by so many. Today, the girls I work with threw a shower for me. It was really nice - we had a lunch time shower with yummy food and a delicious cake (most of which is sitting in the kitchen, tempting Danny). Again, I feel so blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful people who gave generously and helped to celebrate the baby!
As I'm nearing closer to my due date, I've been working on trying to make sure things are caught up at work (which is easier said than done). It's funny that my schedule seems to have been pretty open for so long and now it's jam packed with meetings, trainings and more until my due date. I'm working on ways to wrap up some things with the girls I work with and try to assure them that after my leave, I will be back (some will be happy to hear this, others may be disappointed).
All of this to say - it's getting closer! Let the countdown begin!!
We had a wonderful baby shower on January 29, hosted by my mom and sisters. It was so fun. All of our closest friends came, and it was great that Danny was there as well. We are blessed to have such amazing friends and to know that this baby is already so loved by so many. Today, the girls I work with threw a shower for me. It was really nice - we had a lunch time shower with yummy food and a delicious cake (most of which is sitting in the kitchen, tempting Danny). Again, I feel so blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful people who gave generously and helped to celebrate the baby!
As I'm nearing closer to my due date, I've been working on trying to make sure things are caught up at work (which is easier said than done). It's funny that my schedule seems to have been pretty open for so long and now it's jam packed with meetings, trainings and more until my due date. I'm working on ways to wrap up some things with the girls I work with and try to assure them that after my leave, I will be back (some will be happy to hear this, others may be disappointed).
All of this to say - it's getting closer! Let the countdown begin!!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Happy Birthday!
As hard as it is to believe, my baby girl is turning 15 years old today!
Vannah Grace - I love you more than you'll ever know! I feel more prepared than I ever would have imagined to become a mother because you have allowed me to be a mother to you. You have taught me so much about unconditional love and what it means to be a family. You are wise beyond your years. As much as you yearn for adulthood, I pray that you will take the time to slow things down and savor these last few years of being a teenager. Life has so much to offer you. Danny and I are both so incredibly blessed to have you in our lives. You bring so much joy and laughter to our home and for that, I am grateful. I hope you have a wonderful birthday and know how very much you are loved!
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