March 24th

So, my last post's title was "When Will Her Birthday Be?"....well, I can officially say tomorrow March 24th at around 7:30 am.
We went to the doctor today and got an ultrasound, just to check everything because she's a week late. Everything looked great....her heartbeat, her practice breathing, her measurements (which now say she's going to weigh 8 lbs 10 oz...Holy cow!), etc... Everything except for the fact that she's Breech. My doctor then laid out the options. Option 1: We can go in tomorrow morning at 5:30 am and have a C-Section at 7:30 am or Option 2: We can go in tomorrow and he can give me an epidural and try to move her in to the correct position from the outside and then induce labor. He said the problem with Option 2 is that it can put a lot of strain on Lyla, the cord could get all wrapped around her (which he said, "could be lethal"), and it could end in a C-Section anyway. So, with all that to consider we decided to go with the C-Section. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared to death or that I didn't cry the whole way home from the doctor's office. It's all so surreal. A C-Section is not quite how I pictured this happening. Don't get me wrong, I am so excited about meeting her tomorrow (wow, that's weird to say), but I just want everything to go okay. My doctor of course spoke to us in "medical" terms and informed us that both options have risks, blah, blah, blah. Needless to say he's not that great at comforting a scared, pregnant woman. All I know is the recovery time is longer and it breaks my heart to know that it may take me awhile before I can bend down, pick her up from her crib, and comfort her without having assistance from someone. I just want her to be safe and if the only way to ensure her safety is by having a C-Section, well then that's what we'll do.
Anywho, so that's the gist of it. Tomorrow I will be a mother. I have waited so long to meet her and to know that tomorrow morning I will get to see her and hold her is just amazing. Please pray for Lyla and I and if anybody has had a C-Section, words of encouragement would be lovely! =) Oh, and of course I will post pictures as soon as we are home and settled! I can't believe tomorrow's the day I have been dreaming about for so long! =)

When will her birthday be?

Hmm, let's see...where to start. Well first off, I'm still pregnant. 2 days past Lyla's due date to be more specific. I just keep trying to guess when her birthday will be. I just wanna know when I'm going to meet my Lyla is all! My mom and Charlie had a bet going between them. My mom says today (sorry mom, I think you lost) and Charlie says Sunday at 4 pm (ha ha...who knows where the 4 pm came from)! The winner has to cook and do dishes for like...ever or something, I think. =) I walked alot last night mom, but still no Lyla yet today! Here's a cute little poem my mom reminded me about, it's about the days of the week babies are born on:

Monday's child is fair of face,

Tuesday's child is full of grace,

Wednesday's child is full of woe,

Thursday's child has far to go,

Friday's child is loving and giving,

Saturday's child must work for a living,

But the child that's born on the Sabbath day

Is fair and wise and good and gay.

Anywho, I have felt some cramping and such but nothing that has stopped me dead in my tracks like that pain I felt last Saturday morning. I have been waiting and waiting for something to hit me, but I have been waiting in vain. I was watching A Baby Story this morning while getting ready for work and the woman on there said (with her first pregnancy mind you) that she didn't even know she was in labor until she went to the hospital and they told her she was having contractions that were 5 minutes apart!!! I so want to be like that, where I feel no pain. More wishful thinking I suppose.

Oh but such good news, today was my last day of work for 3 whole months! YAY! I was going to try and keep working until I went into labor, but this past week my body has just been so physically tired. I was just dragging through the days....so I decided that this week would be it. Plus, I made it past my due date so I'm proud of that! Monday I go to the doctor (if I don't have her this weekend that is) and we're going to discuss inducing. I'm scared of getting induced because I have heard it makes the labor pains harder and more painful, but you know what...I don't care anymore! They can pencil me in Monday afternoon after my doctor's appointment! I am just ready/desperate for her to come out!! My mom was so cute. She said "She needs to hurry up and come! I'm ready to be a grandma"! =) I know, and I'm ready to be a mother.

Here's a pic of me 40 weeks and 2 days...I don't think too much has changed. I do feel bigger I suppose, but mostly like she is just absolutely crammed in there!

Progress!!!

I just had a Dr's appointment and I am so excited! She has officially dropped and I am 1 cm dilated! Whoo hoo! It's weird, but I cannot wait for this labor process to begin! I am beyond ready to meet her. I am scared about the pain that comes with labor, but gosh, the reward!! You can't beat that! She is the light at the end of my tunnel! My doctor said that if I'm still here in a week then we'll discuss induction, but he'd rather me go natural (that doesn't mean no epidural FYI) as would I. Soooo, Wednesday is her official due date so we shall see! =)

Nope, no baby yet...

Butttttttt, I did have a couple false contractions this weekend! Oh, that was fun and exciting! Mostly exciting and not fun! I woke up Saturday morning with extreme pain in my lower back and I tried to time it, but it passed a minute and I was getting worried like maybe this isn't a labor or pre labor contraction, but something else....something wrong. But eventually it faded away, but man it hurt. I'm such a dork, while the pain was occurring, I just stood there (because I couldn't really move) and told Rhett to call the doctor because I did not expect for the pain to be in my lower back like that. He did and the on call doctor said it was a contraction and to time them, but it didn't happen again after that so I guess it was false labor....but hey, it's something! I just couldn't help but think what real labor feels like if this is only the beginning stages! I called my mom to tell her the good news, that I finally felt something! She told me that she had back labor with both Jesse and I because we were both facing out when we were born, with our spines to her spine. That's how Lyla is now, my doc told me last visit that her chest was facing out. Soooo, I guess I'm in for a lot of back pain (which I got a taste of) but I am so excited!! It's crazy, the whole weekend I was waiting and anxious to feel that pain again, but basically I just felt alot of menstrual-like cramps...so we shall see! Ohhh, I hope she's coming out reaaaaaaal soon! =)

Patience Please

Basically, patience is what I am in major need of right now. I am so so so anxious and ready! I had another Dr's appointment today and my doc said everything is pretty much still the same....ughhh! He said she may have dropped a little more than last week, but everything else is exactly the same as it was at my last Dr's appointment. My doc then said I have about a 50/50 chance of delivering by my due date. Hmm, those odds sound okay. Except of course if I fall into 50% chance of having her after my due date!! I know, I know....1st pregnancies are often times late. But man, this waiting around stuff is for the birds! Anywho, here's a pic of me 38 weeks and 5 days. Wednesday will be 39 weeks and then next Wednesday will be my due date!!! Hopefully something will happen before my Dr's appointment next Monday. =) Just a little wishful thinking!

Come on down!

I had yet another Dr's appointment today. My doc told me better news this week than last, but it still wasn't quite what I wanted to hear. He said she has dropped some (yay!), but that my cervix is "still pretty much the same". Boo. That stinks. This may be TMI, but he felt her head! Isn't that cool? Anywho, I asked him how big he thought she would be at birth and he estimated that she will be approximately between 6 lbs 12 oz and 7 lbs 3 oz....sooo, we shall see. Of course I know that those guesstimations are not always accurate. I then told my doctor that my husband was 9 lbs 10 oz when he was born and my doc said that I'd probably much rather give birth to a 7 lb baby than a 10 lb baby. I could not disagree with that. Anywho, that's the update until I go into labor or my doctor's appointment next week!! Whichever comes first. =)

Here's me and my little love...I'm 37 weeks and 4 days in the pic. Kristi is helping to hold up Lyla....

Itchy Belly!

Holy moley! My belly itches like no other! This is a recent occurrence and definitely an annoying one! Oh but good news (well, at least for me I suppose), because of my incredibly itchy abdomen I've been using Palmer's Anti Itch Oil and it's definitely helping with the stretch marks! Sweet! It helps with the itch AND helps to fade out my stretch marks?! Hallelujah! Anywho, just thought I'd share should anyone else come across this oh so fun symptom of pregnancy. =)

She's in position...

now all she needs to do is drop! I had another Dr's appointment today and he "checked" me. Yayyyy, that was fun. Um, he said she's head first, but that she hasn't dropped yet. I can't imagine that feeling, because it already feels like I have immense pressure on my pelvic region. He also said that my cervix is still pretty thick so the process hasn't started yet. Darn it! I was hoping I'd go in and he'd say "Heather, you're 1 cm dilated and you can expect to go into labor THIS week"! Yehhh, I don't think that's going to happen. But the cool thing is Wednesday I'll be 37 weeks which is considered full term so it will be perfectly safe for her to come anytime after that!!! I just keep telling her to drop and let's get this show on the road!

Less than a month to go (hopefully)!!

Here I am, 8 months down and almost full term...less than a month from my due date! I've been making checklists and trying to think of absolutely anything and everything that we may have forgotten to get, which I am sure there is something. Last minute stuff that I've remembered: Bottle warmer-check, Infant medicine-check, nightgown for after labor- check, insurance mess straightened out- check, packed bag for her- check, packed bag for me- uh-oh, I gotta get on that. I just can't exactly pack my toothbrush right now. =) I am just so anxious and I'm awaiting any strange feeling I may have that could possibly indicate approaching labor.

Here's a pic of me at 36 weeks and 1 day...3 weeks and 6 days to go (possibly longer, but hopefully shorter)! And yes, I am definitely having trouble finding shirts that completely cover my belly! =)
Oh, and something so very cute...at least to me. She has been having the hiccups like mad. Sometimes she has them a few times a day and sometimes they last for several minutes. It's such a cute feeling and yet, kind of sad as well because I want so badly to pat her back and comfort her. Soon enough I shall!

Dr's Appointment! **UPDATED**

So I had a doctor's appointment today and I was really nervous because I thought my doc was going to start checking my cervix (which I heard kind of hurts). However, the nurse said that they usually start checking at 36 weeks (I'm 2 days from 36 weeks) and then she asked me if I've had any contractions and I said that I had not (that I know of...I suppose I would know). So they are going to start checking next Monday!!! That's right, Dr's appointments are now on a weekly basis which means it's getting closer and closer to my due date! YAY! Anywho, the rest of the Dr's appointment was fine. Blood pressure and pee all fine. My doc also measured my stomach from top to bottom stating that it measured 35 and 1/2 centimeters, which is right because I'm 35 and 1/2 weeks!! It's so weird how it always works out like that. Hmm, lets see...my weight gain has seemed to peak. It's weird because supposedly you're suppose to gain half your weight the 1st and 2nd trimester and then the other half the last trimester. Well, I've barely gained any weight the last trimester which is good because Lord knows if I were to double my 1st and 2nd trimester weight, I'd probably be unable to walk. =) I've pretty much weighed 155 for the past few weeks which means I've gained about 35 pounds this whole pregnancy. That's cool. I'm just not happy about the unsightly stretch marks, but Rhett and my little BFF Kristi keep telling me they'll fade. I hope so otherwise no one will ever see my butt in a bathing suit again! =D

Speaking of little Kristi, here we are celebrating Valentine's Day (our husbands were there too of course!) at Yamatos! She loves just rubbin' on the belly!

***Also, I forgot to mention this, but if you're a mom or soon-to-be-mom and you live in the Pensacola area then you might want to go to the Mom2Mom sale! It's a huge sale of gentle used baby items at the Pensacola Fairgrounds. It's March 13-14th! Check out the site for more info! If I have not gone into labor by then, then I am definitely heading out there!

http://www.mom2momsale.net/

Just a little rambling

My countdown thing says 4 weeks and 6 days to go! I am so ready! I have been thinking alot about the labor process, and yes I am scared...but more than that, I am so excited! I can't even imagine what I will be feeling (emotionally I mean, I'll probably be in alot of physical pain) on our way to the hospital. Knowing that we're on our way to meet our daughter. It's a crazy thought and one that I cannot wait to become reality. Soon, very soon, Rhett and I will be holding our little Lyla.
We've been discussing all the arrangements, like who we want in the room during labor (I say Rhett and only Rhett), how long we want to wait before everyone can meet her (long enough for us to bond with her and for her to breastfeed), and who's insurance to put her on (that has been such a hassle!!)...and let me just say it's all been rather stressful. When we first started this journey to a family of three (well, six if you count Mimi, Libby, and Aubbie) I had no idea some of the situations and decisions we would have to make and how stressful it would become. I suppose this is just the tip of the iceberg to what we have to expect about parenting.
On my way home from work I just got to thinking about my mom and dad and how a long long long time ago :) they were where I am right at this very moment, no children and no huge responsibilities. Then Jesse came and then me and BAM! their lives no longer revolved around "hmm, what am I going to do today" or "where am I going to eat lunch today" (okay, maybe the lunch thing is just me). But really, it's a gigantic change. It's hard for me to picture who my parents were before me and Jesse, because of course I've only ever known them to be mom and dad. And soon, Rhett and I will be a mom and a dad and no longer will our world revolve around us. No more being selfish, it's going to be about giving her the best life possible. So much responsibility, but such a huge reward and blessing. I can not wait. So enough with my rambling...here's a pic of me 35 weeks and 1 day!

Something's about to change...

My cute little animals can't quite figure out what that change may be! Lyla's nursery is my favorite room in the house and apparently, is their new favorite room too! They just don't know what's in store for them...a new little sister!

They just love to sit in her room...
Mimi checking things out...

I don't know if Libby's ready to share all the attention that she gets...we shall see!

Why is time dragging by now?!

Seriously, it seems my whole pregnancy has absolutely flown by...until now. Now time is going by at a snail's pace. Figures. I just want March to get here already. I like February and all, but come on!!! =)
I'm super excited about this Thursday because we're scheduled to tour Sacred Heart and see where the fun labor process will occur. I can't wait to see it all! Everything is falling into place and we're getting ready for her grand entrance in to our lives! Speaking of the labor process, I was told recently by my cousin that if I wanted an epidural then I had to watch an epidural video. Umm, I had not been informed of this and I checked into it and sure enough, I have to watch a video in order to get an epidural. I was just thinking, what would have happened if I had gone into labor, was ready for my epidural, and was told that I couldn't have it because I didn't watch some stupid video?! I think I would have killed someone (not really...)! But geez, my doctor so did not tell me about that. I have an appointment Monday and I think I might just ask him about it...
Anywho, my comfort level is definitely decreasing. I have a pain in my right side all the time. I guess that's just her favorite spot, I don't really know. I don't really feel kicks anymore, it's more like she's kneeing and elbowing me now that she doesn't have that much room. But it's so cool because Rhett and I just love to sit and stare at my belly and watch her move. She really does respond to our voices too, it's pretty neat. I was thinking recently how the whole "having a living thing moving around inside you" doesn't feel as weird as it sounds. I don't know how to explain it, but when Rhett sees my stomach bulge from her moving, his eyes get reaaaal wide and he asks if it hurts. And I always say no, because it really doesn't at all. It could definitely hurt and feel a lot weirder than it does. Hmm, just something I was thinking about recently.
Well, that's all for now. Ohhhh, wait!! Tomorrow I can officially say that I am due next month! That's so awesome!

Okay, now that we have a place to rock little Lyla to sleep, her room is completely done! For real this time.

All ready for our baby girl!

Finally, her room is complete!! Her crib came yesterday and I was surpised that it really wasn't that difficult to put together! Of course, I was just watching Rhett do it...but it didn't seem hard. Anywho, she's ready to come home!! That is whenever she's ready to come out! =)

Maternity Photos!

Click on the link to check them out!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2053398&l=59d02&id=50101047

Thank you so much Ruco! We love them!!!! =)

8 months!

Soooo....basically I have about 8 more weeks until I see my baby girl! I'm really praying that she comes early, but I know that's probably not going to happen and she's probably going to be late. I read that first pregnancies are often late, so that makes me sad....but I suppose I'll see her soon enough.

Anywho, I had a Dr.'s appointment Monday and everything is looking great. I pottied in a cup and they sad that my sugar levels or whatever looked good (I've been trying to cut back on sugar...trying...), her heartbeat was strong, and I measured at exactly where I should be! My doc measured from the bottom of my stomach to the top of my stomach and said it was 31 and 1/2 centimeters long, which is right because I was 31 and 1/2 weeks along! I thought that was strange and I wondered if it always equaled out to be like that. Anywho, I asked him how big she was and he said she was probably about 3 and 1/2 to 4 pounds and that I can expect for her to double in size before she comes out! Oh shoot! I was very happy to hear that I only gained a pound since my last appointment. I don't know how that's possible since my stomach has obviously gotten bigger, but hey...I don't really feel like adding to my already 35 plus weight gain. I still have 8 weeks to go for crying out loud! I also thought it was funny because my work asked me to get a "Statement of Pregnancy" from my doctor for my maternity leave file! My doctor seriously gave me a paper that said something like "Heather Summerford is pregnant and her expected due date is March 18th"! Sooo, just in case there were any doubts, I now have a note from my doctor...

Hmm, let's see, what else...sleeping has become incredibly difficult. I never get a good nights rest anymore...so I suppose that's out the window for the next few years. I toss and turn from one side to the other all night long. It's a pain in my side, literally. Not to mention I have to get up and pee about 3-4 times a night. I've been getting some major charlie horses here lately which I thought I wasn't going to get since I hadn't yet in my pregnancy. Whoa, do those suckers hurt!! My calf muscle is still sore from the one I had a couple nights ago! Oh and yes, stretch marks! Lovely stretch marks. I had just gotten out of the shower one day and saw them on my hips and I said "Rhett, what's that?!" and he so lovingly replied, "those are stretch marks Heather"! Of course I have had stretch marks before but these looked more like bruises. Oh well, Lyla's soooooooo worth it!

Even with all those "complaints" (they're pretty much just the facts of pregnancy), I can honestly say that I have loved every moment of being pregnant. I especially love that she is everywhere I go. At work while I'm typing she'll twirl a little in my stomach to let me know she's there with me. I cannot wait until the day I get to see her face, but I can see how I will be sad not to be pregnant anymore. Ohhh, but then I think instead of in my belly, she'll be in my arms and I can finally love on her! Here's a pic of me and Lyla at 32 weeks!

Lyla's Nursery...so far...

Here are some pics of Lyla's nursery (enjoy Mom)...almost done!! Crib comes at the end of this week/beginning of next week and then, it shall be done!!!

31 weeks and 4 days!! Her due date is 2 months from today!
Her dresser/changing table

Her closet/place where we store all of her stuff for right now!

Looking into her room from the doorway

A cute storage bin area for all her stuff...PS, I saw that Princess Castle at Hobby Lobby and I could not resist!!!!! Rhett likes it too.

Her light switch, which I decorated a little. Yet another thing I couldn't resist doing.

The wall that her crib is going to go on whenever it gets here!! We can't wait!!!

Soooo....if you haven't noticed, it's reaaaaal pink! Rhett likes the pink too. =)

Diapers!?

Hi to all the moms out there! I need a little advice about which diapers are the best and why. I want to stock up on some before Lyla gets here, but I don't know which kind to get. I've been told to wait until she's here because certain diapers might fit her better than others. However, I want to have alot of diapers available when we first bring her home because we're going to be reaaaaal broke while I'm on maternity leave and I just want to go ahead and get some of those expensive purchases out of the way while we have the $$!! Anywho, that's all! Any advice is surley appreciated! =)

Baby Shower Numero Deux

My mother-in-law's sweet good friend threw me a baby shower this past Saturday. This one was mainly for family and family friends, and it just turned out so very nice! Here are some pics:

I just like this picture because it has my Grammy in it....and a cute little stuffed bear that's reaaaaaaaal soft! If Lyla is anything like her mom, she's going to LOVE stuffed animals!
This is pretty much a family pic, mostly Rhett's side of the family...and then my Grammy.

Diane and I, she's the one who threw me the shower! It was so sweet and thoughtful of her.

The adorable cake!! "& Lyla Makes 3"!! I loved it! =)

Yehh, this was just funny...everytime I said "cute" or "adorable" I got a little baby sock pinned to me...I lost this game!!! But Lyla got a lot of socks!

My cute MIL got a little gift too!! She is so excited to be a Grandmother!!!

This outfit was soooooo cute! It has lady bugs all over the oufit and bib and as you can see, Lyla's name or intials are on both!! I love this!! I can see me taking many a picture of her in this! =)

I think I am in full mode nesting as well. All I can seem to think about is what we have to do before Lyla gets here, what we still need to get for her, how much time we have before we can do what we need before she gets here, and so on. I think about all that stuff before I go to bed and when I wake up! I am so excited for her to get here!

Not too too much longer!

I just had a doctor's appointment today and it went really well. I recently had a blood glucose test done mid December and the results came back fine! Yay! No gestational diabetes for me! My doctor did say that my urine sample today tested high for sugar so he asked me what I had for lunch earlier. I told him Chicken Tenders from O'Charley's (yummm) and then he asked me what I had to drink and I said, "ohhhhh, Sweet Tea". Oops. I'm a bad girl. He suggested that I keep the sugar intake to a minimum. I knew that, I just like Sweet Tea is all. Anywho, he said she's head first as of right now and that my doctor's appointments are going to be at 2 week intervals and then every week the last month! Oh shoot, it's getting down to the wire! Whoo hoo!!
I definitely feel her alot now-a-days. Her movements are alot stronger and alot more frequent. I've been trying to keep track of her awake times, but it just seems so sporadic. My mom felt her several times while we were visiting her. She certainly loves her Mimi! =)
Lyla's nursery is coming along slowly but surely. We finally finished painting and we put up her red curtains. Rhett's parent's got us her dresser (which has yet to be put together) and my mom and Charlie are ordering the crib which should here be real soon. Soooo, once all that stuff is here we can really start putting things in order. Right now it's kind of chaotic, unorganized, and messy which is driving me nuts!! So, I can't wait until it's all finally done and ready for her.
Well, that's about it. I'm just getting so anxious and excited for her arrival.

Here's a picture of a Lyla's cute Moses Basket I bought for her for my birthday! The little hanging thing plays Twinkle Twinkle Little Star! I love it! Rhett said, "we should bring her home in this"....

Here's a pic of me at 29 weeks and 5 days! She's getting so much bigger already, I can't imagine how big my belly will be by the end of this! Hmmm... it's kind of hard to see against the dark brown wall, oh well. You get the picture!