Without further adue....
Friday, August 26, 2011
Pictures!
Finally we are posting some pics to the blog! For all of those on Facebook, you've luckily gotten to see some pics, but now we will get some pics to family and friends following the blog. We are all doing well and adjusting to becoming new parents! Hopefully we'll become more regular with posting to the blog so that all of our family and friends far away can follow the adventures of Baby Jasper!
Without further adue....
Without further adue....
Friday, August 12, 2011
It's our due date and we're ready and waiting...
Just thought I'd give a quick update about our progress! I had a Doctor's appointment on Wednesday and he said I was about 2cm dialated and progressing well. Yesterday I had random contractions all morning and my hips ached pretty badly while I was out walking around... This led to a drop in the baby's position, or at least I think so since it feels like I have more room in my chest and less in my pelvis, lol!
Today we're going to start our natural induction methods...lots to choose from and since he's making progress anyway and has made it the full 40 weeks, I am excited about helping him come into the world. I'll be walking the stairs in our house, doing pelvic tilts to keep my lower back as loose as possible, squatting to open the pelvis, taylor sitting to open the pelvis, and massaging my ankles hoping to hit a chinese medicine pressure point to help induce labor. You wouldn't believe all the different natural ways you can induce labor, what great alternatives to Pitocin, which we are going to avoid as much as possible!
Our next Doctor's appointment is Monday for an NST and an amniotic fluid check, so I'm hoping to not have to go to that appointment. The NST is to check the baby's heart rate and movements and my contractions, and they check fluid levels to make sure the baby is not at risk. Sometimes though this can lead to misguided scare tactics since amniotic fluid levels decrease at this stage of pregnancy anyway. So we'll go with the flow and hope that we have a baby by then...if not, we'll make sure he's doing all right and continue to try to naturally induce. I have a feeling my Doctor won't let me go much further than a week over since he seems to think the baby is big. I have to say, I agree that I think the baby is big too!
No pictures today, we'll post some 38 week belly shots once I get them from Kristy, my sis-in-law. I'll also have Kent take a couple today since we're officially at 40 weeks, maybe we can see the drop if we compare? We'll have to wait and see!
Today we're going to start our natural induction methods...lots to choose from and since he's making progress anyway and has made it the full 40 weeks, I am excited about helping him come into the world. I'll be walking the stairs in our house, doing pelvic tilts to keep my lower back as loose as possible, squatting to open the pelvis, taylor sitting to open the pelvis, and massaging my ankles hoping to hit a chinese medicine pressure point to help induce labor. You wouldn't believe all the different natural ways you can induce labor, what great alternatives to Pitocin, which we are going to avoid as much as possible!
Our next Doctor's appointment is Monday for an NST and an amniotic fluid check, so I'm hoping to not have to go to that appointment. The NST is to check the baby's heart rate and movements and my contractions, and they check fluid levels to make sure the baby is not at risk. Sometimes though this can lead to misguided scare tactics since amniotic fluid levels decrease at this stage of pregnancy anyway. So we'll go with the flow and hope that we have a baby by then...if not, we'll make sure he's doing all right and continue to try to naturally induce. I have a feeling my Doctor won't let me go much further than a week over since he seems to think the baby is big. I have to say, I agree that I think the baby is big too!
No pictures today, we'll post some 38 week belly shots once I get them from Kristy, my sis-in-law. I'll also have Kent take a couple today since we're officially at 40 weeks, maybe we can see the drop if we compare? We'll have to wait and see!
Sunday, July 24, 2011
It's 4AM and I'm up again, lol...
So this is what it's like to get up in the middle of the night consistently! I think I've gotten to the point that I don't mind the very quiet of this time in the morning. As long as I get a nap, that is!
It has been way too long since I've posted anything and I know everyone is patiently waiting for my next round of belly pictures! I will have to make sure we post a few this week because I know he's rounded out significantly over the past 2 days and I've officially achieved weeble-wobble status. Kristy (Kent's sister) will be here this week to take some belly shots with her amazing camera. I finally found a picture I like that I want to replicate that doesn't show too much of the rest of my large status except for my belly.
I think this baby is going to be LONG! His butt is sitting slightly to the left of my belly button below my breast and his feet are usually kicking me close to my spine on the right side...I'm very lopsided and you can feel his little feet lumped over there especially in the morning when he's all curled up!
As for being "ready" for him to come, I think we're as ready as we'll ever be. His room is finished, our bags are packed, we did our last Bradley Method class and Kent has installed the car seat bases in both cars. If he decided to come tomorrow we'd be "ready." I say this in quotes on purpose because who's really ready for a new baby, especially your first? We have no idea what we're in for until he's here. I'm sure my awake by 4AM status is part of preparation, but I've been one of the lucky ones in pregnancy that hasn't lost too much sleep to discomfort or heartburn until now. My major negative pregnancy symptom has been swelling in my legs and feet and that is completely normal and almost a given since the temperatures outside have been so HOT! Other than that, I've been very happily pregnant. It's also amazing how little I remember now of being nauseous or throwing up during the first trimester. That seems like a long time ago and now that he's almost here, not that big of a deal! Funny how your perception changes through this journey.
Anyway, I'm sure you're patiently waiting for pictures, so here we go! First set is from the baby shower in Texas -- my Mom did such a nice job and it was really great to spend some time there in May!
I can't believe that was 2 months ago! I thought I was big then, haha! Next up is the shower in Pawleys. Stefeny totally outdid herself putting it all together. It was absolutely perfect! Thanks to Kristy for taking so many great pictures, how did we not get one of the two of us? We'll have to fix that!
So now on to more fun stuff with Daddy! Kent finished putting the decal up in Peanut's room and made it look so easy! He's a pro and I knew it would look fantastic but it turned out even better than expected! Both of us keep imagining how Peanut will lay in his crib and talk to his animal friends on the wall!
It has been way too long since I've posted anything and I know everyone is patiently waiting for my next round of belly pictures! I will have to make sure we post a few this week because I know he's rounded out significantly over the past 2 days and I've officially achieved weeble-wobble status. Kristy (Kent's sister) will be here this week to take some belly shots with her amazing camera. I finally found a picture I like that I want to replicate that doesn't show too much of the rest of my large status except for my belly.
I think this baby is going to be LONG! His butt is sitting slightly to the left of my belly button below my breast and his feet are usually kicking me close to my spine on the right side...I'm very lopsided and you can feel his little feet lumped over there especially in the morning when he's all curled up!
As for being "ready" for him to come, I think we're as ready as we'll ever be. His room is finished, our bags are packed, we did our last Bradley Method class and Kent has installed the car seat bases in both cars. If he decided to come tomorrow we'd be "ready." I say this in quotes on purpose because who's really ready for a new baby, especially your first? We have no idea what we're in for until he's here. I'm sure my awake by 4AM status is part of preparation, but I've been one of the lucky ones in pregnancy that hasn't lost too much sleep to discomfort or heartburn until now. My major negative pregnancy symptom has been swelling in my legs and feet and that is completely normal and almost a given since the temperatures outside have been so HOT! Other than that, I've been very happily pregnant. It's also amazing how little I remember now of being nauseous or throwing up during the first trimester. That seems like a long time ago and now that he's almost here, not that big of a deal! Funny how your perception changes through this journey.
Anyway, I'm sure you're patiently waiting for pictures, so here we go! First set is from the baby shower in Texas -- my Mom did such a nice job and it was really great to spend some time there in May!
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| Aunt Carmen and I found these adorable plates at the party store! Whoo Loves You, Baby? |
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| Close-up! |
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| A new Momma can never have enough thermometers! |
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| Eating Mexican afterward, I think I ate Mexican for almost every single meal while I was there! The baby definitely liked it as long as it wasn't too spicy! |
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| Beautiful display but wait until you see the details! |
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| Momma, Daddy and Baby Bird! |
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| Baby bird! |
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| Look at these adorable cupcakes! Stefeny planned this back in April to be able to get the eggs during the Easter candy season! |
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| Cupcake close-up! |
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| Another angle of the display! Stefeny's MIL Janet helped immensely, and I'm so greatful! |
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| Beautful Stefeny getting some of Donna Wilson's famous cheese ball! George would have been so proud. I tried to download my favorite pic of Stef from FB but it won't do it for some reason. You should have seen her shoes! |
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| Love this picture with my girls! More tiny babies on the way! |
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Devon and I! She just had her newest addition this week, another baby boy and our Peanut's soon to be best friend! |
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| Owl Burp cloth made by Devon! Is that the cutest thing you've ever seen? |
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| Outfit from Janet Wackerly, love this picture! |
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| Silverware set from Dad and Barb, so sweet! |
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| Yogi people! Emily, Megan, and Brittany! Did I mention that Megan knitted baby boy a sweet little hat and booties! He will wear them in his newborn photos for sure! |
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| The pattern kind of hides the belly but I love this pic. |
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| There's a baby growing big in there! Can't believe this was a month ago at 33 weeks! |
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| Kent taping everything up for placement before the actual application. |
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| He's all ready to start! |
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| Concentration... my belly pretty much just got in the way so this was all Kent! |
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| Squirrel in the tree |
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| Hedgehog on the floor |
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| Squirrel in the branch about to jump to the tree |
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| Proud Daddy with his work of art! |
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| The big picture! |
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| Big tree close-up |
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| Branch! Thanks to Stefeny for the mobile, it's a perfect fit! |
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| From the other side! |
More pictures to come of this week's belly shots...I'm at 37 weeks as of this past Friday. Here's a quick pic from my phone of my 36 week picture, you won't believe how different my belly looks in a week!
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| 36 weeks from my phone! Not a bad pic! |
Sunday, June 12, 2011
A confession from the Mama-to-be...
I am obsessed with my Baby registry. There, I said it. I check it every day to make sure I have everything on it that I think I might need ever... For me it serves more as a "To Do" list than a place for others who are kind enough to consider buying this child a gift to do their shopping. It makes me feel relatively well prepared although in reality these are things that are not owned by me and may not ever be! This whole nesting/baby prep thing is a very interesting psychological journey!
We are at 31 weeks as of Friday and only have one tiny thing left to do in the nursery -- put up the decal. I ordered it today and then we'll be completely finished! I'm definitely getting to the point where I want to have everything in order as soon as possible. At this point we have our co-sleeper, a car seat, clothes and diapers so we have everything we need to bring him home just in case he decides to come early! I really would like to make it all the way to 40 weeks though, will work out the best with my maternity leave for sure! So on to what we've been up to this month -- has it really already been a month?!
We celebrated our 1st anniversary on May 12th by going to Charleston for the weekend. We were supposed to go on a sailing cruise of Charleston Harbor but it was cancelled due to the weather. So we had a nice dinner sitting on Shem Creek and then headed to our hotel with a view of the water. From our balcony we got to see a full double rainbow...I'd say a good omen for our celebration! The next day we went downtown and walked around and also did a little shopping. Stopped at Boone Hall Farms for strawberries and lunch on the way home - YUMMY!
The next week we headed to Washington, DC for a business meeting for me and a long weekend. While I was working in Reston, Kent spent some time at the Air and Space Museum extension in Chantilly. We also had a rare opportunity to meet some of my co-workers in person which was so enjoyable. On Saturday morning, we moved to the Ritz-Carlton in Pentagon City, my old grad school stomping ground, and spent the afternoon on the National Mall. The next day we went shopping in Pentagon City (in the air conditioning) and then spent some time in the pool!
3 days after coming home I headed out to Texas for Memorial Day for the baby shower my Mom threw for me! She had just returned home from her cruise in the Med, which sounded so awesome. Kent and I won't miss something like that again, that's for sure! I had a wonderful weekend seeing all our Texas family and friends. Peanut is a lucky boy to have so many who love him so much already.
When I finally got home on Monday, I was ready to stop traveling for good until Peanut is here. It's totally exhausting and a bit worrisome to try to keep from swelling on the plane. So now we're back to focusing on preparing for our baby boy to get here and having family come here to visit! We had lots of Kent's family here this weekend for JD's 3rd birthday, Mom will be here next weekend, and Dad and Barb will be here the weekend after!
I'll post pictures of the Texas shower when Mom is here next weekend, since they're on her camera, but for now here's a bunch from the last few weeks!
We are at 31 weeks as of Friday and only have one tiny thing left to do in the nursery -- put up the decal. I ordered it today and then we'll be completely finished! I'm definitely getting to the point where I want to have everything in order as soon as possible. At this point we have our co-sleeper, a car seat, clothes and diapers so we have everything we need to bring him home just in case he decides to come early! I really would like to make it all the way to 40 weeks though, will work out the best with my maternity leave for sure! So on to what we've been up to this month -- has it really already been a month?!
We celebrated our 1st anniversary on May 12th by going to Charleston for the weekend. We were supposed to go on a sailing cruise of Charleston Harbor but it was cancelled due to the weather. So we had a nice dinner sitting on Shem Creek and then headed to our hotel with a view of the water. From our balcony we got to see a full double rainbow...I'd say a good omen for our celebration! The next day we went downtown and walked around and also did a little shopping. Stopped at Boone Hall Farms for strawberries and lunch on the way home - YUMMY!
The next week we headed to Washington, DC for a business meeting for me and a long weekend. While I was working in Reston, Kent spent some time at the Air and Space Museum extension in Chantilly. We also had a rare opportunity to meet some of my co-workers in person which was so enjoyable. On Saturday morning, we moved to the Ritz-Carlton in Pentagon City, my old grad school stomping ground, and spent the afternoon on the National Mall. The next day we went shopping in Pentagon City (in the air conditioning) and then spent some time in the pool!
3 days after coming home I headed out to Texas for Memorial Day for the baby shower my Mom threw for me! She had just returned home from her cruise in the Med, which sounded so awesome. Kent and I won't miss something like that again, that's for sure! I had a wonderful weekend seeing all our Texas family and friends. Peanut is a lucky boy to have so many who love him so much already.
When I finally got home on Monday, I was ready to stop traveling for good until Peanut is here. It's totally exhausting and a bit worrisome to try to keep from swelling on the plane. So now we're back to focusing on preparing for our baby boy to get here and having family come here to visit! We had lots of Kent's family here this weekend for JD's 3rd birthday, Mom will be here next weekend, and Dad and Barb will be here the weekend after!
I'll post pictures of the Texas shower when Mom is here next weekend, since they're on her camera, but for now here's a bunch from the last few weeks!
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My Mother's Day Double Knock-out Roses that Kent planted for me!
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| Finally, a picture of our nursery chair! |
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Another view, love this chair!
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Our car seat to bring sweet boy home!
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| Cake top from our Anniversary I finally got to taste my own wedding cake this year because I can eat Gluten because of the baby. |
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| Kent definitely enjoyed the cake more than I did, I only had one piece and he ate the rest. He is a sweet monster for sure! |
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| Kent got me these beautiful flowers for our Anniversary! |
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| View from our hotel room for our Anniversary in Charleston |
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| Right side of the rainbow - can't see both but they're there. |
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| Left side of the rainbow - again there really are 2! |
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| Checking out the boats |
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| At dinner in Reston, VA before we went to see Pirates of the Caribbean |
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| Kent with a dinosaur at the Natural History Museum |
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| Me at the Smithsonian Castle garden with some gorgeous long-stem roses behind me |
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