Harrison's Here

It's been 8 days since our precious baby boy was born...I can't believe he's already a week old.  I have a ton of updating to do for this blog, but I'm not motivated to do it just yet. 

Stats:
Harrison was born on July 23, 2010 at Winter Park Memorial Hospital at 6:53 am.  He weighed 7 lbs. 6 oz., and was 20 inches long.

Until I get back in the swing of blogging, here are a few pictures of our adorable munchkin!!!

He's so tiny, this little outfit was a tad big

This is one of my favorites...he looks like a gangster with the hat pulled so low

Another fave...he's saying, "look at these guns"

Peacefully sleeping on daddy's chest...priceless!!

Our first family photo...the first of many if I have my way!!

I'll be back to my regular updates soon.  Have a blessed upcoming week!!

Update

I had my 39 week check-up earlier this morning.  I'm dilated to 3 cm, Harrison's heartbeat was 140, and I'm measuring right at 40 weeks.

Dr. Snook stripped my membranes during my visit, so it is possible that Harrison will be here in the next 24 hours or so.  If he doesn't come on his own by Thursday, I will be induced!  I'm super excited, and it's nice to know that the wait is almost over, and he will be here no later than Thursday/Friday of this week!!!  Can't wait to meet our little guy!

More updates to follow, but there might be a short hiatus since I'll be delivering a baby and getting adjusted to being a new mommy!!

Check back soon...

Celebrating 2 Wonderful Years Together

Today, Jeff and I celebrate two wonderful years of marriage.  Time has flown by...it seems like just yesterday, Jeff took me to dinner at Lake Eola and "popped the question" with Marlee by his side.  That was August 4, 2007, and the following 11 months and two weeks flew by.  I had always said that I didn't want to have a year long engagement, but man did I need it!  July 19, 2008 was upon us in no time!

I am so blessed to have Jeff in my life...he is God's perfect match for me, an answer to my prayers, and everything I always said I wanted in a husband!

Here are a few pictures of us over the past two years...

Wedding Rehearsal, July 18, 2008

Wedding Day, July 19, 2008

Wedding Reception, July 19, 2008

Last dance of the night, July 19, 2008

Honeymoon in Lake Tahoe, CA (July 22-25, 2008)

Hiking in Lake Tahoe

More hiking in Lake Tahoe

Our first Christmas as husband and wife

Halloween 2008

One Year Anniversary trip to Chicago

One Year Anniversary dinner in Chicago

Easter 2010

Momma's 50th birthday, May, 2010

Date night painting Harrison's piggy bank, July 9, 2010

Self portrait before 2nd Anniversary dinner, July 18, 2010

Happy Anniversary Jeff.  I love you sooooo much and can't wait to celebrate 100 more anniversaries with you!

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.

Date Night

Jeff and I had a fun date night last night...we went to All Fired Up in Winter Park and painted a piggy bank for Harrison.  It was an idea that popped into my head last week, and Jeff was totally up for it (surprised me because I thought he might be opposed to painting pottery; you know, it's not a very manly thing to do).

Anyway, we arrived at the pottery shop around 8:30 pm and picked out our project...a rather large piggy bank.  We were anxious to get the pottery painting party started...

We decided to paint the little guy blue, even though pigs are really supposed to be pink.  We set off on a sponging misson to cover that little pig with our carefully selected blue paint.  It took about four or five coats to be sure we had the whole thing covered.  Here we are just getting started with our first coat...

Much to my surprise, Jeff really got into painting this pig and was very serious about making sure the colors didn't overlap and every inch of this pig was covered.  It was adorable to see him taking so much time and effort to make this be perfect...he was focused!

We decided that the pigs inner ears needed to be a lighter shade of blue, so I set off on a misson to paint the inside of his ears...not easy!!  I am anxious to see how "jacked" up his little ears are going to be because I just don't think my hand was steady enough for that job.

By about 11:45 pm, we were finally finshed with all the painting and just had one final touch to add...Harrison's initials.  I wish were able to find a bigger stencil to use because I feel like his initials are a little small for the size of the pig, but oh well, it still looked ok.

We get to pick up the finished product next Friday, and I can hardly wait.  It will be much darker after it goes through the firing process, and we feel like it's going to look great.  I always get nervous, though, because I have an idea in my head of what I want it to look like, and 99% of the time, it doesn't look as good as I want it to.  However, no matter what, this is going to be an adorable little gift of love to our soon to be here precious baby boy!!

I'll post pictures of the end result once I get it next week.

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!!

What a Day!!

Yesterday started out as a normal day for me.  I woke up at 5:30 am and did some laundry, ate breakfast, read a book to my sweet baby boy, showered and dried my hair, and by then it was 7:00 am.  I had a few minutes before I needed to wake Jeff and finish getting myself ready, so I laid down on the couch for 10 minutes.

At 7:10 am, I jumped up (I didn't really jump because I'm 9 months preggers, but whatever, I got up) and went to wake Jeff.  I had a terrible case of dizziness when I got up, so I quickly laid back down.  It just went downhill from there though.  I started sweating profusely and was so dizzy that I could not even open my eyes.  Then, I started vomitting...it was horrible.  It hit me so all of a sudden and like a ton of bricks. 

I called the doctor because I was so worried that something was terrbily wrong...I've not had an ounce of sickness throughout my entire pregnancy, so I knew something wasn't right.  I had a scheduled doctor's appointment anyway, so Jeff managed to get me there, but not before I was sick a few more times.  I'm so thankful he was home and able to call in to work and get off for the day. 

Dr. K checked the baby's heartbeat (it was perfectly fine at 142 bpm), and sent me on to the hospital so they could hook me up to the monitor and do blood work and see what was wrong with me.  It was so bad...I could not open my eyes, and the light was not helping, so I was wearing my sunglasses and falling all over the place.  I felt like a drunk pregnant woman...looking back now, it's pretty funny to think about me wobbling around.

Anyway, we arrived at the hospital around 10:00 am and after a few rounds of basic questions, they got me hooked up to the fetal/contraction monitor and an IV and gave me two fairly large bags of fluids.  They drew blood and ran a full sweep of tests, and thankfully everything was normal.  I was slightly dehydrated, so the fluids helped with that.  It was really neat to listen to little Harrison's heartbeat throughout the day.  I was having contractions; some of them I could feel, but they were mild and didn't hurt.  After about an hour or so, I started feeling better, and by the end of the day, I was back to my old self again. 

We arrived home around 5:00 pm, and I slept pretty well last night.  I woke up today feeling better, but not yet 100%.  I had to work today and feel like I've extended myself a little farther than I should have, so tonight, we're taking it easy!

I'm really looking forward to Harrison's arrival...hopefully we won't have to wait a full four weeks.  By this weekend, he'll be considered full term, and naturally, we're super excited for his arrival.

My husband is the best husband in the world...he takes such good care of me, and I know he was worried about me yesterday.  Thank you honey for being so good to me!!  I love you!

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!  :-)

Note to my Hubby

Just a little note to my hubby, I love you!  I enjoy our time together and cherish every minute that I have with you!!  Too bad you beat me in Black Jack last night...next time, I'm winning!  :-)

Love you...ATW!!!

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!!