Harrison's Arrival Story

Although it has almost been three weeks since my little munchkin was born, I couldn't not post about his arrival.  So, here it goes...

On Tuesday, July 20th, I had my 39 week check-up.  I was beyond miserable and not getting any sleep and just really ready for the baby to be here.  So, Dr. Snook and I discussed some options and we decided to go forward with her stripping my membranes.  We scheduled an induction to take place on Thursday, July 22nd.  Dr. S told me that in about 50% of women, labor begins within 24 hours of stripping the membranes...I was hopeful.  I called Jeff and mama on the way home and told them to get ready...baby is on the way!!

Mama quickly wrapped up at work, gathered her things, and started on the six hour drive to Orlando...we didn't want to take any chances of labor beginning and her not being here.  Jeff and I both were in awe of the fact that our boy would be here within a matter of a few days, and we knew it for sure...no more speculating when it would happen.

To those who know me well, it's well known that I love Mexican food.  So, in hopes that some spicyness would move things along more quicklly, we went out for some Mexican food on Tuesday night.  Around 9:30 pm, I started having some mild contractions that were about 10-12 minutes apart.  They weren't very intense, but they were steadily coming every 10-12 minutes.  Mom and I were up most of the night...I think I got about 30 minutes of sleep between 1:00-1:30 am.  Around 3:00 am, the contractions started coming every 4-6 minutes; still not very intense, but coming more frequently.  So, around 5:00 am, we all piled in the car and off to the hospital we went.  I was exhausted, but hopeful that we'd meet our baby boy that day!!

Well, we weren't that lucky.  The triage nurse checked me upon arrival, and I was only 3 cm dilated.  They had me walk the halls for two hours only to return and be checked again and then sent home because while my contractions were regular and coming every 4-5 minutes, they weren't strong enough to cause my cervix to continue dilating.  We spent the rest of Wednesday afternoon trying to rest and get ready for the following day which was my scheduled induction.

Thursday morning rolls around, and I jump up at 4:00 am to get showered and ready to go to the hospital.  I called the nurses station at 5:00 am onlly to be told that they weren't ready for me and to call back at 7:30 am.  I was bummed, but tried to go back to sleep for a little while.  At 6:51 am, my phone rings...it's the hospital telling me they're ready for me.  My heart fluttered and I began getting nervous and anxious.  This was the day...I was going to meet my baby boy!!

We arrived at the hospital just before 8:00 am and were placed in Labor & Delivery room #13...lucky #13!!  My nurse was Tiffany, super nice girl who was also expecting her first baby...a boy, due in early September.  Tiffany got me hooked up to everything, the anesthesiologist got me connected to the IV, and off we were.  The pitocin drip started around 9:00 am, and then we waited, and waited, and waited, and waited some more.  I was so hungry as all I'd had to eat was some toast at 5:00 am.  Well, I was not allowed to eat anything except popcicles and ice chips...I ate about 5 popcicles and a ton of ice chips that day!!

Throughout the day, the nurses would check me only to find that I was not progressing at all...I was still 3 cm dilated.  Dr. S was slated to come by and break my water in the early afternoon, but low and behold, she wasn't needed...my water broke on its own at 2:30 pm.  That was the oddest sensation ever...I felt as if I needed to go to the bathroom, but I couldn't get up before the nurse checked me...I was not looking forward to her checking me, and then, shazaam....my water broke and labor officially began.  I should have put my name on the epidural list as soon as my water broke, but I didn't.  I waited and had to endure a little stint of "real" contractions (because what I'd been having up to that point was like a walk in the park comparitively speaking!).  Anyway, fortunately, I only had to endure serious pain for about two hours and then it was my turn for the needle.

Well, time came and went, and shift change was upon us.  I was so worried that I wouldn't get a good overnight nurse...the triage nurse from the day before was HORRIBLE, and I was terrified that I'd have her again.  Thank the good Lord, I got a super nice nurse instead of that bad one from the day before. 

Anyway, on with the story...I labored for the entire night with only slight progress...by 5:30 am when Dr. S came around, I was only dilated to 8 cm and still only about 80% effaced.  Time for intervention...the baby was stuck per Dr. S.  I have to admit that while I really wanted to deliver Harrison naturally, I was relieved when she said we had to do a C-section.  That had been the longest night of my life and the lives of my beloved husband, awesome mother, and sweet sister.  They were all such troopers...there wasn't enough places for everyone to sleep, so they all had to take turns sleeping on the pull out chair/bed and the floor...I felt so bad for them!!

Okay, so Jeff got suited up and the nurse got me prepped for surgery, and off I go.  I was wheeled into the OR at 6:31 am.  It was an odd feeling...I'd never been in the hospital before, much less had surgery.  The team of doctors and nurses got me all ready, they called Jeff to come back and be with me, and away they went with the C-section.  At 6:53 am, I heard the best noise in the world...my baby crying!!  My eyes filled up with tears, Jeff was grinning from ear to ear under his face mask, and I was just praying prayers of thanksgiving for the wonderful gift God had just given us!!  It was the most awesome feeling in the world!!

Harrison arrived weighing 7 lbs., 6 oz., and measured 20".  He was face up, so that's another reason I'm glad I had a C-section...his little face would have been badly bruised if I'd delivered him naturallly.  And, that explained the serious pain I felt in my lower back prior to the epidural and even after the epidural...his spine was bumping with mine, and it was not pleasant!!

After getting stitched back up, Jeff, Harrison, and I headed to recovery for an hour.  I was able to breastfeed my little guy immediately, and he was a natural...he knew exactly what to do.  God is so amazing...he forms us and gives us instincts we need for survival...why are we always so amazed at His work???

I guess it was around 10:00 am, we finally got to go to our home away from home for the next few days...room 1328.  Mama and Stephanie got to see us for the first time and see our precious baby...what a wonderful time.  Too bad Stephanie had to hurry off to get some rest before going to work later that night.

The next few days in the hospital are a bit of a blur to me...I was severely sleep deprived and on pain meds which made me be a crazy woman.  I could not/would not sleep...it was reallly crazy!

We were discharged from the hospital on Monday, July 26th.  We arrived home around 5:30 pm and officially started our journey as mommy and daddy.

I have to say a huge thank you to my mom...without here, I think that Jeff and I would have crapped out the first night home.  She did so much to help us get home from the hospital and get settled into our new lives as parents.  Jeff's mom came down on Wednesday, and we are super thankful to her as well.  God is so good and continues to provide for us and give us such precious gifts in our baby and our mothers.  We are blessed...too blessed to be stressed (a quote from my mama!!)

I'll have more updates in the coming days.  I think this post is long enough to last a few days.  :-)

39 Weeks

I think it's safe to say that we are getting really close to the arrival of our baby boy.  How close, well, that we can't be sure of yet, but as of today, we are only 7 days away from the due date.  The doctor said they won't let me go much past my due date, so I'm thinking 7-10 days max...and we'll get to finally meet Harrison!!!

There is seriously not much for Baby Center to report this week...
Your baby's waiting to greet the world! He continues to build a layer of fat to help control his body temperature after birth, but it's likely he already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds, about the size of a mini watermelon. (Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.) The outer layers of his skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath.

As for me, well, I'm gonna do it...I'm going to show you all (whoever reads this wonderful story of our lives) a picture of me, bare belly, at 39 weeks.  I have toyed with this for a few weeks now, and I'm finally going to do it...say what you will, judge me if you must...

I have really enjoyed being pregnant and while I'm much heavier than I was pre-baby (I obviously should be), I feel like my pregnant belly is absolutely beautiful!  I have enjoyed a wonderful pregnancy, free of any "typical" pregnancy issues like morning sickness, and with the exception of the last few weeks, I've not had any swelling in my feet or hands.

Harrison will soon be here and this pregnancy will come to an end.  I am so blessed and couldn't be happier. 

This just might be my last pregnancy post...and then we'll be on to baby posts.  Until next time...

The Finished Product

So here it is...Harrison's first piggy bank that Jeff and I painted during our date night last Friday. 

I named the big guy Wilbur.

Marlee had to inspect the guy...

She wasn't too sure about him...

38 Weeks

I guess it's safe to say that we're in the home stretch now, but how long is the home stretch gonna be??  I'm so impatient waiting for Harrison's arrival, but God is working on me and teaching me a very hard lesson in patience!!

There's not a lot to report this week regarding Harrison's development...

According to Babycenter.com, he has really plumped up. He weighs about 6.8 pounds and is over 19 1/2 inches long. He has a firm grasp, which I'll soon be able to test when I hold his hand for the first time! His organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.  (YAY!!!)  This is the picture of what he probably looks like this week all cramped in my belly.

As I said, I am so impatient waiting for his arrival.  Each day, I wake up thinking, "is today going to be the day??"  A friend of my sister's had her baby on Friday, and a friend of mine from church had her baby on Saturday.  I look at those pictures and just daydream of what my little guy is going to be like.  I get so giddy with excitement thinking of seeing him for the very first time...CAN'T WAIT!!

Well, this is a short post because there's just not much to report except that mommy here is very impatiently waiting Harrison's arrival.  Daddy to be keeps telling me that it's going to be another two weeks, but I'm hoping he's wrong.  I know that God's perfect plan is in place and when the time is right, our little guy will be in our arms...I just want that time to be now!!  :-)

One last thing, but certainly a very important thing...Jeff and I will celebrate our TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY in one little short week on July 19th.  It's very exciting celebrating another year of our love and lives together, but I think both of us are so caught up in anticipation of Harrison's arrival that our anniversary has really snuck up on us.  We're going to have a nice dinner out next Sunday evening to celebrate.  Who knows...Harrison might decide to join us for our anniversary...we'll soon see.

37 Weeks

We're now considered to be full term, but little Harrison isn't quite ready to make his grand entrance into this world.  I can tell you, though, I'm counting down!  As of today...22 days 'til the due date!!!

According to Baby Center, our baby is now considered "full term," even though the due date is three weeks away. If I go into labor now, his lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb. (Some babies need a bit more time, though).

Our baby probably weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel. Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long.  But he may sport only peach fuzz.  This is how crowded he probably is this week...it's become extremely cramped quarters in my belly lately!!

I'm happy to report that I've not had any more sickness since my horrible spell last Tuesday.  I am becomming more and more uncomfortable as each day passes, but it's totally worth it!  Harrison moves around in my belly a lot still, and I feel like he is still very high in my belly.  I keep waiting for the day that I wake up and think, "wow, my belly has dropped, finally."  I feel like I'm going to be pregnant forever, but I know that's not possible.  I just have to be patient.

My dad and step-mom came for a visit this weekend, and we had a nice time.  We didn't do much of anything except be lazy and just hang out at home.  We did venture out to Crane's Roost Park and Lake Lily in Maitland for a stroll, but that was about it.  It was nice to not have anything that we had to do!!

I guess that's all for now...HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!  I'm so thankful to all the men and women who serve our country and continue to protect our freedom!!

36 Weeks

Well, here we are starting month 9...I feel like it's going to be the longest month of my life!  I'm so impatient and ready to meet this baby boy!!

Here's the update from BabyCenter.com...Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. He now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. He's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered his body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected his skin during his nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of his first bowel movement.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely he's in a head-down position. But if he isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying she'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating him from the outside of your belly.  This is what he probably looks like this week.

As for me, well, I'm hanging in there.  My feet are swollen and fat, but it's worth it!  I've had some dizziness and pain over the last week, but according to my "What to Expect When You're Expecting" book (and Dr. K), those things are just part of the final part of pregnancy.

My check-up last week went well; got a good report.  Harrison's heartbeat was 145 bpm, and Dr. K guestimated that he probably weighs between 5.5 lbs. and 6 lbs.  I think that is more of a generalization rather than a guess specific to me, but whatever.  I go back tomorrow for another check-up, and he is going to check me to see if there are any signs of dialation.  I really enjoy going to the doctor because I get to hear Harrison's heartbeat, and that is just the best sound!  I can hardly wait for him to get here so I can hold him in my arms!

Here's a parting gift for those of you that read this blog...a picture of me at 36 weeks...big as a HOUSE and still carrying very high!  So, the chances of me having a baby in the next week are slim to none...he's still up in my business!  :-)

35 Weeks

Time is winding down...only 35 days to go to full term.  As I've said before, I'm so ready to meet this baby...I'm becomming more and more impatient.  However, I know that Harrison will come when the time is right, and that might mean another 5 or 6 weeks.  He is kicking me a lot, but I have begun to feel him lower in my abdomen than in previous weeks.  So, maybe that means that he has started to descend into the birth canal.

Here's the weekly update from Baby Center...Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.  This is what he likely looks like this week.

As for me, well, I'm just fat.  Not really fat, just big and pregnant, and uncomfortable most of the time.  I am really beginning to struggle to get comfortable, no matter where I'm at or what I'm doing.  I have begun to have some swelling in my hands and feet over the last week, but I believe it's because of the heat...I do live in sunny Orlando Florida!!  Anyway, overall, I'm doing great.  I have had a great pregnancy and have absolutely no room for complaining.  I am so blessed!

In other baby news, I went to my good friend Katee's baby shower on Saturday, and I must say, the hostesses did an amazing job!!!  Katee and her husband Kirk decided not to find out the gender of their little one, so the Circus themed shower was totally appropriate.  There was no detail left out...funnel cakes, make your own candy apples, hot dogs, circus peanuts, popcorn, chicken on a stick...the list just goes on and on!!  I can't say enough about how cool this baby shower was.  And, because we were there to celebrate Katee and Kirk's Baby Cooper, it was that much better!!  Katee is such a sweet soul, and I am so thankful to call her my friend!  I can't wait to meet Baby Cooper and share mommy stories with her...our due dates are only 6 days apart.

I go in tomorrow for my 34-35 week check up.  I'll post the update (if there is anything to report besides the beautiful sound of Harrison's heartbeat) later in the week.

Make it a great week!!

34 Weeks

Time seems to be creeping by for me these days...perhaps it's because I'm SO ready to meet our little guy.  I'm now into week 34, and one one hand, I'm hoping the next several weeks come and go quickly, but on the other, I'm trying to cherish the last few weeks that Jeff and I have alone.  We are so excited to meet our baby, but we are well aware that life as we know it will never be the same.  I always get pretty sentimental when I hear of or know of a couple that is getting ready to welcome their fist baby.  It's such a special time, but yet their lives change so rapidly in the blink of an eye.  One second, they're two people in love and living life together (just expecting a baby).  The next second, they parents, charged with an amazing task from God of raising that baby (or babies) up in His name.  It's very deep!

Anyway, on to this week's update.  Because we're so far along, there isn't as much going on except that little Harrison is just continuing to grow bigger and bigger.  According to Baby Center, he now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. His fat layers — which will help regulate his body temperature once he's born — are filling him out, making him rounder. His skin is also smoother than ever. His central nervous system is maturing and his lungs are continuing to mature as well. I'm happy to learn that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.  Even though I'm really anxious to meet him, I want him to stay in my belly for at least three more weeks...maybe four or five.  I would rather not go to 41 weeks, but if that's God's plan, then that's what we'll do!  This is likely what he looks like this week...getting very crowded in my belly!!!

In other news, we finished Harrison's room!!!  It looks so good, everything I wanted it to be!!!  It amazes me to see the before and after pictures of this little room.  It used to be so plain and boring with the almond colored walls, and now, it's the most adorable nursery I've ever seen (of course I'm partial)!  The paint job that Jeff did is phenominal, the bedding given to us by Jeff's mom is adorable (we picked it of course), and the wall appliques from Jeff's sister complete the room.  Everything turned out just so perfect.  Now we're just waiting for little man to arrive.  Here are a few pictures of the room, but it looks much better in person...just saying!  :-)

Well it's time to get another week started.  I'm excited to be helping out at Vacation Bible School in the evenings this week.  I will be the photographer, so let's hope I can capture some exciting memories for these young kids.  I loved VBS when I was a kid, and I hope that these kids will have similar memories to look back on when they're grown.  This year's theme, High Seas Expedition, is really fun; I can't wait to see how the kids react to all the fun activities that are in store!!

Make it a great week!!!

33 Weeks and Showers All Around

Wow...where do I even begin.  This past weekend was so amazing...I just don't know where to start.

I'll start with the little update from Baby Center...This week Harrison likely weighs a little over 4 pounds and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.  This is likely what he looks like this week.

As for me...I'm hanging in there.  I find myself getting winded a lot quicker than I'm used to.  It's really had to get comfortable, especially when sleeping.  Poor Jeff, I keep him from getting a good night's rest, so I think I'm just going to start sleeping in the office on the couch...I never have any trouble falling asleep there.

This past weekend, four of my amazing friends threw me two different showers...

On Saturday, June 5th, my awesome friends, Liz and Kelly, hosted an adorable frog themed shower just for me and Harrison.  It was really special.  I love frogs, and not until I started receiving gifts did I realize how many little frog things I had on the registry.  So, how appropriate that they used a frog theme for the shower.  The invitations they sent out a few weeks ago were "toadally" me and too adorable for me to even try to describe!  So many good friends came to celebrate Harrison's upcoming arrival, and it was just great.  My mom and mother-in-law were there which just topped off the day!!  Here are a few pictures from Saturday...

Liz & Kelly, my wonderful hostesses and best friends!

My Mother-in-Law and Mama - two AMAZING ladies!

A wonderful group of friends!

On Sunday, June 6th, my real estate mamas showered me, and totally surprised me by having Jeff arrive just in time to help open the gifts...of course, I cried when he arrived!  The day was filled with laughter, tears, and cutting-up..all that is our real estate family...awesome!! 

Kristin Mazza (Mama Mazz) started off the shower with the sweetest prayer just thanking our awesome Lord for the day, everyone in attendance, and especially for little Harrison.  A little later after we had all eaten and were beyond miserable from the wonderful spread of food, she started off the most special event I've ever seen or been privliged to be a part of.  She had a ball of yarn and started off by saying something like this..."I think we are all connected, as women, as mothers, and as family, and using this ball of yarn, we are going to create a web of  love explaining why and how we feel connected to you, Stacy."  Of course, the tears just started right then and there...the next 30 or so minutes were so special as that ball of yarn was passed around the room to all the different ladies and as they expressed how they felt connected to me.  Those ladies, and my mothers, said the most precious things about me and about Jeff and about my little Harrison.  I do not have the words to express how much that 30 minutes meant to me, and to my mom and Jeff's mom!!!  Here are some pictures from Sunday...

How adorable was the cake...with Harrison's name on it!

Me and the Proud Papa opening gifts

Mama Mazz and my Real Mama

Kristin & Patricia - amazing hostesses!

Me and My Wonderful Mothers!!

We, well Harrison really, got some great gifts.  Baby bedding, changing pads, diaper bag, bath essentials, a frog bathtub, bouncy seat, car seat, baby Bible, rattles, socks, bibs, clothes, clothes, and more clothes.  I was speechless seeing all the wonderful things we/Harrison received.  I'm super excited to report that Harrison's room is just about ready.  We have some small finishing touches, and then I'll be ready to post the final pictures.

I just can't find enough words to describe how thankful and blessed I feel.  God has given us such wonderful family and friends, and it meant so much to have everyone gather around us this past weekend and celebrate our little munchkin that will soon be arriving.  We are so thankful and hope that we can pass on the blessings we continue to receive each and every day!!

32 Weeks

I'm now into my eighth month, and it's getting pretty difficult to do some pretty basic things...like tying my shoes, painting my toenails, or even just getting out of a chair.  It's pretty funny, really.

Oh, yeah, and I can no longer wear my wedding rings.  Big sad face!!  :-(

This week, Harrison weighs about 3.75 pounds and is about 16.7 inches long...he's taking up a lot of space in my belly. I'm gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to the baby (this is according to babycenter.com). In fact, he'll gain a third to half of his birth weight during the next 7 weeks as he fattens up for survival outside the womb. He now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). His skin is becoming soft and smooth as he plumps up in preparation for birth.  This is what he looks like this week.

Yesterday, Jeff and I returned from a long weekend at the beach with our buddies Brett & Kelly and Craig & Liz.  We always enjoy our time with them, and this time was no exception.  We arrived to the beach on Friday night kind of late, but we managed to catch then end of the Magic game (too bad they couldn't pull together the win!).  Saturday and Sunday, we relaxed at the pool and beach, had dinner, got to visit with my sister, Stephanie, and just had a nice time!!

Check me out in my maternity swimwear...I thought the suit was cute!! 

Memorial Day, 2010 - Reddington Beach, FL

I had my 32 week check-up today and got another good report; thank you Lord!!  My blood pressure was fine as is my weight gain, and little Harrison's heartbeat was a strong 137 bpm.  I measured in right at 32 weeks which is exactly where I should be.  Dr. Snook said he probably weigs 3-4 lbs.  My next appointment is June 22 with Dr. K.

I'm super excited about the upcoming weekend...my mom, aunt, and mother-in-law are coming into town.  Kelly & Liz are hosting a baby shower for me on Saturday, and my real estate family is hosting a shower for me on Sunday.  I'm so excited to see my moms and have them meet all my friends and colleagues.

I guess that's all for now; have a great week!!

31 Weeks

Holy cow...time seems to be flying by on one hand, but on the other, I'm thinking it's going to be forever before we meet our baby!!!

This week, our baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's moving a lot, too, so I sometimes have trouble sleeping; the baby's kicks and somersaults keep me up from time to time...all this moving is a sign that our baby is active and healthy. This is what he likely looks like this week.

The update on me isn't much different than it has been...things are great, and I"m so thankful!!! I'm finding myself getting tired easier these last few days, but it's hard to tell if it's because I'm further along in the pregnancy or if it's just because I'm having some very busy (and long) days. The last two days, I've worked close to 12 hours, and by the time I get home, I'm POOPED!! However, I'm SO thankful for the work as it is much better than the alternative.

We're getting ready (and excited) to head to Reddington Beach with our friends Brett, Kelly, Craig, and Liz. Kelly's parents have a really nice condo there, and we're all going down on Friday and not coming back until Monday...CAN'T WAIT!! Marlee even gets to go. :-)

Some pictures before I go...Jeff and I went to see his family in Vero Beach a couple of weeks ago, and we were excited to see both of his grandmas. I really miss my grandmother (hard to believe it's almost been a year since she passed), so spending time with his grandmas was nice!!

Jeff and I with Grandma Hull

Our baby will be her 19th GREAT-grandchild!!

Jeff and I with Grandma Holmes

And last, but not least...Jeff and I. I thought this was a cute picture:

Dothan Baby Shower

On May 8, 2010, two of my wonderful sisters (Carman and Shay) hosted an awesome baby shower for me in Dothan. I was overwhelmed with emotions leading up to the shower...can't really explain why, but I was on the verge of tears for about an hour before the event.  It wasn't bad emotions, just emotions that made me want to cry.  These pregnancy hormones make me more of a cryer than I am normally.

My emotions finally subsided and we had a great time at the shower. Here are a few pictures:

The ADORABLE diaper cake!!

My AWESOME cake...it was so tasty...I had two pieces

I had no idea I'd be coordinated with the polka dot cake

The wonderful hostess!

Me and Miss Fabulous herself!!

The Girls

Mama was so happy!!

We got some amazing gifts at the shower, and I couldn't be more thankful!!!  There is no way that I could list everything out without forgetting something or someone, so I'm just going to say a BIG THANK YOU to everyone that gave us a gift to help welcome baby Harrison!!

30 Weeks

So, I'm a little late with this post, but better late than never, right?!?!?

My baby's about 15.7 inches long now and weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds him, but that volume will decrease as he gets bigger and takes up more room in my belly. His eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after he's born, he'll keep his eyes closed for a good part of the day. When he does open them, he'll respond to changes in light but will only have 20/400 vision — which means he will only be.able to make out objects a few inches from his face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20).  This is what he probably looks like this week.

As for me, well, I'm doing great.  I feel like I'm huge, but I can't count the number of people in the last week that have told me how small I am.  Most people find it hard to believe that I'm 7 1/2 months pregnant and due in just 2 months.  Anyway, everything is going great.  Harrison has been really active the last few days, but you won't hear any complaints from me...I love it when he moves around!

We had a check-up last Thursday and got a good report.  Harrison's heartbeat was 139 beats per minute, and I was measuring in at 29 weeks which is exactly where I should be!!  Even though the doctor didn't say anything about my weight gain, it's a little higher than I want it to be...I'm going to have a lot of work to do after baby arrives!!

I gotta run now...headed out the door for childbirth classes...we're learning pushing techniques tonight...should be fun (NOT!)

Until next time...

29 Weeks

My baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, I'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, I must drink my milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.  This is what he likely looks like this week.

Harrison is becomming more active.  I absolutely love feeling his movements, and it's starting to be a fun challenge to try to figure out what position he's in.  I feel a ton of movement on my left side, and some on my right side.  That makes me think he has his feet on the left side of my body, but I am not really sure.

I went to a breastfeeding class last night, and boy was that interesting.  They showed us different ways to position the baby and a lot more stuff that I otherwise would have never known.  I have to say that after last night's class, I'm a little intimidated by breastfeeding, but I'm determined to do it.  It will save us a TON of money, and it's the best for the baby.  I'm really looking forward to the "challenge."

I go tomorrow for my bi-weekly check-up.  I will meet with Dr. Snook for the first time, and I'm really looking forward to it.  My friend, Katee, sees her and just raves about her.  I'm anxious to start seeing her (and Dr. K) now that I'm into my bi-weekly visits/rotations.

Until the next update...

Kicking off the Third Trimester (28 Weeks)

Well, I guess I'm in the home stretch now.  Entering the third trimester this week is very exciting!!  Harrison's movements in my belly are stronger than ever, and I know they'll continue to get stronger as he continues to grow.

By now, he probably weighs 2 and a quarter pounds and is about 14.8 inches from head to toe.  He can blink his eyes now, and he's sporting eyelashes (I hope they're like his daddy's!).  With his eyesight developing, he might be able to sense light that filters through the womb. Billions of neurons are continuing to develop in his brain, and he's continuing to put on more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.  This is what he probably looks like this week.

As for me, things are still going great.  I feel great, my weight gain is on track, and my belly is just getting bigger each week like it's supposed to.

I had my monthly check-up this past Thursday (4/29) and got a good report.  Harrison's heartbeat was a strong 144 beats per minute, and the doc said I'm measuring in at 28 weeks which means that his growth is right on track!!  I was excited to get the news that I do not have gestational diabetes, and I'm not anemic.  I was a little worried that I might be anemic because before getting pregnant, I had some problems with anemia and took iron supplements to help correct it.  Anyway, that was the last of my monthly check-ups...I now start going every two weeks; I'll do this until week 36, at which point I'll go every week until delivery.  I will also start rotating between the other doctors in the practice now so that I can get familiar with them in case they are on call when I get ready to deliver.

We attended the first of our five childbirth classes this past Wednesday night.  The night started off on a rough foot because I had a VERY stressful day at work and was pretty emotional and we ended up going to the wrong hospital; however, we finally made it to the right place (Thanks Katee!!!) and the class was good.  The hospital that Jeff and I both have been thinking was Florida Hospital Winter Park is actually Florida Hospital Orlando...we totally went to the Orlando campus, but thank God I called Katee to ask where she parked because she helped us realize we were not even at the right place...LOL!

There are about 12 or 13 couples of first time parents in the class.  The class started off with introductions and men/women break-out groups to discuss the joys and challenges of pregnancy...that was fun!  The majority of the women in the class are having girls, a few are having boys, and two are waiting to find out until delivery; there is one couple that is having twins...they're both boys, and she said the doctor thinks they're identical.  We learned about the importance of health and nutrition as well as signs of pre-term labor and some breathing/relaxation techniques.  I'm looking forward to what we'll learn in the remainder of the classes and also looking forward to getting to know some other first time parents and hopefully make some lasting friendships.

We got our new camera yesterday, and I am SO excited.  We started looking at cameras a couple of weeks ago because for those of you that know me well, know that I LOVE taking pictures.  I do not claim to be great at it, but I love pictures.  Between boxes underneath my bed, in my closet, and pictures online at Shutterfly.com, I have more pictures that I could ever possibly count or know what to do with...on Shutterfly alone, I have over 1,000!  Anyway, the main reason we wanted to invest in a really good camera is because Harrison will be here soon.  We want to be able to start capturing memories starting with the moments immediately following his delivery, all of his movements, faces (clean/dirty, awake/asleep), and once he becomes more mobile and starts crawling and walking, and eventually playing sports, we want to have a good camera to capture all of that!!

Here is a picture of the camera...I can't wait to figure out all the nuts and bolts of it.  I've already mastered the basic shooting function, but I'm looking forward to understanding all the different shooting scenes and settings so I can start snapping pictures everywhere I go.  Thank you mama for helping us get such a great deal on the camera!!!

Harrison's room is finally complete (meaning the painting and arrangement of furniture).  Jeff worked so hard putting together the furniture, staining the rocking chair to match the furniture, and painting; and with the help of our friend Brett, he hung a chair rail, and the room looks great!!!  The only thing left for me to do is get the rocking chair cushions recovered.  Here are a couple pictures, but it just looks so much better in person!

On Thursday of this week, (5/6), mama will be turning the BIG 5-0!!!  She is so looking forward to the big day and the awesome birthday bash we have planned for her two days later on 5/8.  She is such an amazing person and so deserves a wonderful birthday.  We'll be driving up to Dothan on Thursday and will return on Sunday.  I'm excited that Jeff and I, Stephanie and Thomas, Carman and Shay and their families, and the rest of our family and mama's friends will all be able to get together to celebrate mama!!  I'll have all kinds of pictures when we return from the big weekend.

My post for next week will be delayed by a few days because we won't be back in town until late Sunday evening, and I have a big real estate certification class for short sales and distressed properties on Monday and Tuesday.

Wishing you all a fabulous week ahead!!!

27 Weeks

Well, we're almost out of the 2nd trimester...that's so hard to believe...time is going by so fast.  This little guy is going to be here before we know it!!!

This week, he likely weighs about 2 lbs. and is about 14 1/2 inches long (head to toe).  He's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing his eyes, and maybe even sucking his thumb (I wish so bad we could get an ultrasound of this!!!).  Since more brain tissue is developing, his brain is more active now.  While his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning - with a lot of medical help - if he were born now.  (We're super excited for him to arrive, but we want him to wait a little while longer and finish growing in my belly!)  The rhythmic movements I sometimes feel are baby hiccups, and they may be common from now on.  Each episode only lasts a few moments, so I find it hard to tell if he really has hiccups or if he's just doing hurdle jumps in there.  This is what he's looking like this week.

As for me, things are going great.  I had a slight bump in the pregnancy road this past week (see my previous Ups and Downs post if you're interested in knowing the details on that), but I'm over that and things are fabulous!!  I had my gestational diabetes test last week, and I'll get the results of that at my next appointment, this Thursday 4/29.  It's so hard to believe this will be my last monthly appointment...I start going every 2 weeks after this.

We start our childbirth education classes on Wednesday night...I'm excited and nervous all in the same breath, and I think Jeff's just nervous.  Next Sunday, we're going to the Grand Opening Celebration of The Dr. P. Phillips Baby Place at Winter Park Memorial Hospital.  We are super excited to see the place where we will get to welcome our baby into the world.  It's a brand new "boutique" facility at the hospital, and the event next Sunday is supposed to be a fun time.

In other news, I made a drastic change in my appearance this past Friday.  I have decided that I'm tired of having highlights/lowlights because it's just so much upkeep, and it gets expensive.  So, I had my stylist take me back to my natural color...only it's not my natural color.  I'm going back on Tuesday to get it fixed because it's just too dark and has too much deep red tone to it...not a good look for me.  I've got to get this fixed soon because I can't have pictures of me like this floating around...Harrison will be ashamed of me in years to come!!  :-)

Jeff has so diligently been working on the baby's room.  It's like 99% complete, and knowing him, it'll be finished tonight.  I'll post pictures once it's finished.

We got our first baby gift in the mail yesterday; we got some of the bottles we registered for...it was exciting to open the first gift.  We've been given a few things in the last several weeks, but for some reason, getting a gift in the mail felt different to me...???  Anyway, we are so thankful!!

Well, I better cut this off here.  We've been working on cleaning and preparing for the baby (I guess this is the beginning of the Nesting Phase for us), and I still have a ton of stuff to get done!!  Marlee is overseeing this whole project from the comfort of the back porch...

Have a blessed week!!

Ups and Downs

Being pregnant is and has been so far a great experience for me.  I have been so fortunate not to be burdened with morning (or afternoon or evening) sickness, and I've only had a small issue with sciatic nerve pain.  I feel so blessed!

Last night, however, was a bump in my pregnancy road.  I had a pretty serious meltdown because of all the anxiety I have about having this baby.  Looking back now, it's kind of funny, but it's not really.  I read somewhere once that there is usually an [emotional] incident or two in every woman's pregnancy where the man in her life wishes he could forget it or just remove himself from the situation...mine was last night.  Poor Jeff...he didn't know what to do with me because I was out of control crying and trying to talk, but you couldn't hardly understand a word I was saying.

Basically, this is what it boils down to...I am scared of the unexpected and unknown with regards to having the baby.  Obviously women have babies everyday and many do it with no pain mediciation and little or no child birth education.  Well, I am a worrier by nature (not a good quality, but it is what it is), and I have a ton of anxiety about haivng the baby.  We are set to start child birth classes in one week, and Jeff is less than thrilled about it because he's not sure how he's going to handle it.  He is such a strong person, I keep telling him he'll be fine.  But, like most men that are first time dads, he doesn't know what to expect either and is worried about passing out or getting sick or just not handling it well.  Having the conversation about the upcoming child birth classes just brought on the huge wave of mostly unpleasant emotions for me.

Anyway, this is probably something most, if not all, women go through during pregnancy, whether they talk about it and admit to it or not.  I sure hope that I got all of that out of my system last night, for Jeff's sake and mine.  This is a very exciting time for us, and we have so much to be thankful for, especially each other!!!

After my little breakdown, Jeff started painting in the baby's room again. I awoke to a beautiful surprise this morning...

Can you tell the daddy to be is super excited about the arrival of his baby boy??  I'll post "real" pictures when the room is complete.

Jeff is such a wonderful person, and I am so blessed and thankful for him.  I am an overly emotional person anyway, but he always knows just how to handle me (and if he doesn't know, I tell him...LOL!). 

God is so good; He is so good to me!!!!

26 Weeks

Well, I'm now to the 6 1/2 month mark and I have a belly to prove it!!

At this point in the pregnancy, the network of nerves in little Harrison's ears is more developed and sensitive than before.  He may now be able to hear Jeff and I talking to each other.  He is inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his little lungs.  These so-called breathing movements are good practice for when he arrives and takes his first gulp of air.  He is continuing to put on baby fat and is now up to about a pound and two-thirds and measures about 14 inches (I'm beginning to wonder if this is accurate because my "What to Expect When You're Expecting" book says he's just about 9 inches...hmmmm).  His little boy parts are beginning to descend which should take about 2-3 days.  This is what he probably looks like this week.

In other news, my hip/sciatic nerve pain has subsided for the most part.  It's so much better than it has been for the past two weeks.  Hopefully I won't have that anymore, but I'm guessing the chances of that are slim.  I'm feeling great and just trying to enjoy each day of the pregnancy and his little kicks and movements in my belly.  I find myself asking him to kick me all the time...when he's not moving, I try to move my belly to make him move.

I go for my gestational diabetes test tomorrow.  I'm not really looking forward to that because I'll have to drink this sugary liquid and then sit for an hour before they can draw the blood and do the test.  I'm worried that drinking the sugary liquid stuff is going to make me vomit...YUCK!  I'm sure the test will be fine and the results will be negative, and this will just be one more entry into my weekly log of the pregnancy.

Jeff has started painting the nursery...I can hardly wait for it to be finished; it's going to look great!  He and our good friend Brett put up a chair rail over the weekend, and that just makes the room!  I'll post pictures once he's finished painting.

Well, I guess that's all for now.  Make it a great week!!  :-)

25 Weeks

Head to heals, our little guy is about 13 1/2 inches and weighs about 1.5 lbs.  He is beginning to exchange his long and lean look for some baby fat, and as he does, his wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out, and he'll start to look more like a newborn.  He is also growing more hair, and if I could see inside my womb, I'd be able to know it's color and texture.  This is what he looks like this week.

As for me, I'm hanging in there.  I have been plagued with some pretty major hip/sciatic nerve pain over the last week.  Some days are better than others.  I've tried everything I can think of...heating pad, Icy/Hot Patches, stretching, walking, massage, tylenol, sleep, pillows...everything, and nothing seems to make it better.  I know that it's just the added weight I'm carrying around on top of the position of the baby, but it still is not pleasant.

My mother-in-law had surgery this past Friday to remove a brain aneurysm.  She is doing as well as is expected considering the severity of the surgery.  They actually found another small aneurysm once they were in the brain removing the one they went in there to get.  She was in ICU until Saturday afternoon when she was moved to a regular room.  She is on the road to recovery, and we are all so thankful!!  Thanks so much for all of your prayers and well wishes!!!

I'm learning to play golf with my three girlfriends, Liz, Kelly, and Courtney.  We had our fist lesson this past Saturday (sans Courtney because she was off in Puerto Rico getting engaged), and it was a lot of fun.  We learned how to hold the club, proper stance and putting techniques.  This upcoming week, we are supposed  to learn chipping and pitching (I think).  I'm sure to be the next Michelle Wie in no time!  ;-)

~Until next time~

6 Months (24 Weeks)

Wow, already to 6 months...it's odd because sometimes I feel like I've been pregnant forever, and other times I feel like I just found out.  And, I'm so excited to meet this little guy that I feel like the next 3 1/2 months are going to drag by.  However, I know time is going to fly and before I know it, I'll be holding my baby boy!

So this week, Baby Center says that the baby is growing steadily and has gained about 4 oz. since last week...not as much as I feel like I've gained...LOL!  He's just over a pound and about a foot long...when I read that, I started singing that silly Subway commercial..."$5.00, $5.00 foot longs..."  He's still pretty lean, but soon he will start to fill out and plump up.  His brain is growing quickly, and his taste buds are continuing to develop...I wonder what he thinks about the food I'm eating...hmmm.  His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world.  His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will change soon.

This is what he looks like this week.

As for the update on me, I'm doing okay.  I'm finding it harder and harder to sleep at night, and I know that will probably only get worse as I continue to get bigger.  I toss and turn so much through the night, and I'm getting up to go to the bathroom at least 2 times each night, and sometimes 3.  Anyway, I'm healthy and all is well.