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My last day =(

Today is my last day home with Makenzie. I start working full time at the office again on Monday. I have mixed emotions about it. Part of me is ready. I'm ready to get things back to normal around here. I can't live in this little fairy tale world where I'm a SAHM forever. Everyone kind of needs to get on a schedule and get used to how things are going to be. And part of me is actually ready to get back to my job, although I know I'll regret saying that by 10:00 on Monday.

And the other part of me is hurting so badly. My heart is just breaking to leave my little girl. I've enjoyed my time with her so much and I'm really going to miss it. I'm going to miss cuddling with her in my bed in the morning and taking our 2:00 nap together. I'm going to miss playing with her all day and just seeing her smiling face all day long. I'm just going to miss everything about her! I was telling Art lastnight that I remember my first week home alone with her and how the days used to go so slow. I used to count down the minutes for him to get home. Now the days go so fast! He comes home and I can't believe it's 6:00 already!

Thankfully she doesn't start at the babysitters until January 5th. My office is closed Thursday and Friday for the next two weeks so I'm only working 2 1/2 days and my Mom and Art have taken the rest of the days off to stay with her. I think if I had to deal with starting work and having her start at the babysitters on Monday I'd be a total wreck right now!!!

But like I said, it's time! I've been home for almost 5 months and I am just so thankful that I was able to take this much time off with her. She must have known it was our last week home together because Wednesday she gave me a little surprise and rolled onto her side. She's so darn cute!

On a side note, yesterday was one year since we found out we were expecting! How different your life can be in 1 year!

Makenzie's Christening

Last Sunday, 11/16, was Makenzie's Christening. Everything was great and our little girl had such a nice day. Her uncle Rod and cousin Ariana came in from Florida for the weekend and finally got to meet her. We had a nice weekend with them. Saturday we took Ariana to the mall to take a picture with Santa. My sister-in-law says the Santa's in Florida look horrible! Ariana went up to Santa and talked to him but when it was time to sit on his lap she started crying so that never happened. Kenzie got her picture taken though! She just woke up so she wasn't smiling but she always looks cute =)

Sunday everything went nicely. Art and I took Makenzie upstairs and got her dressed. She wore the Christening gown that I wore. My Grandmother made it out of my Mother's wedding dress so it was very very special. It was a little cold so we didn't get to walk down to the church like I wanted but that's ok, we were running a little late anyway. The ceremony was very nice and the priest was great! My in-laws loved him because he's Irish...LOL! Art's sister Karen was nice enough to host the party afterwards at her and John's house. She put on a great spread as usual and Art & I were very greatful! It would have been crazy trying to get the house ready for the party on top of everything else. Everyone was so very generous and once again we were reminded on how lucky we are to be surrounded by such loving friends and family.

Makenzie is doing great! She's getting bigger and bigger every day. She's being VERY good to Mommy and sleeping 9 to 5:30-6 every night. She's been doing that for the last few weeks. After she gets up and takes her bottle she's not quite ready to go back to bed yet so she lays in her cradle and "talks" like a mad woman! Then she gets tired so she lays in bed with me and we sleep for about an hour more. It's great! I love snuggling with her.

She got her first cold. When Ariana was here she had a bad cold. Turns out she has pneumonia! Well the Thursday after they left Makenzie started to get a stuffy nose. By Friday she was real congested so I called the doctor. He said to just use a humidifier at night, an aspirator and saline drops if she needs it. If she gets a fever or a cough to call him again. Well Sunday she had a really bad day! She developed such a bad cough. My poor little girl was so congested she couldn't sleep and she was only eating half of her bottles so she was probably hungry and tired. There is nothing worse than seeing your little helpless child sick and there's nothing you can do for them! It broke my heart to see her like that. I took her to the doctor on Monday and he said it was an upper respiratory infection and to just do what we're doing. She'll have the cough for a week or a little more but she'll be fine. She's doing MUCH better now.

She's started to laugh so much! The other day she actually laughed out loud! It was the cutest thing ever!!! We're trying to give her enough time on her playmat so she can learn to roll over but we're not there yet.

We also celebrated Makenzie's first Thanksgiving this past Thursday. We had a very nice day. We usually host Thanksgiving but I thought it would be too much this year so my in-law's had it. It was a nice day as usual.

Yesterday she was 3 months old! I can't believe how much she's changed already in just 3 months. I started to pack up her newborn clothes today. That made me sad. It feels like just yesterday she fit into them. Anyway, I'm packing them away just in case baby #2 is a girl too.

Well I think that brings everything up to date. I will try to post more often but I can't promise anything. Once a month is good right???

2 month check up!

We just got back from Makenzie's 2 month check up. She's doing great!!! At her last visit (2 weeks old) she was 7lbs 7oz and 19in. Today she's 11lbs 8 oz and 22 1/4in!!! My little girl is getting soooo big! She got 4 shots today and she did really good. She cried (and broke Mommy's heart) but by the time I was done getting her dressed she was smiling and cooing again. The doctor says she's doing wonderful and whatever Art & I are doing, keep it up! That made me feel good since this is our first time at this parenting thing =)

Now we're just going to relax until it's time to go to her first Halloween party at 4:00. I'll be sure to post lots of pics tomorrow. Here's her two month shot:

8 Weeks!!!

Today Makenzie is 8 weeks! 8 weeks?!?!?! I can't believe my little girl is almost 2 months. The time is going so fast. Today is my last day of disability which means if I wasn't going to start working from home I'd have to go back to work on Monday! I can't even imagine. She's still so young but she's getting bigger every day. She's holding up her head so well and her legs are getting stronger every day. I try to put her down for tummy time but she really hates it. She'll only last about 2-5 minutes. She stays awake longer now and is really alert! She's "talking" up a storm and smiles all day long. It melts my heart when I look at her and say hello and she just smiles and laughs. God I love her so much!!!

I'm actually looking forward to start working a little from home on Monday. It'll keep me busy. Not that she doesn't keep me busy but this will get me away from the TV! I watch every reality and talk show there is! It's gotten so bad I DVR The People's Court. Can you believe that????

We're also getting ready for her Christening on November 16th. My brother and Ariana are coming up from Florida and I'm so excited for it! My brother hasn't met his Goddaughter yet and he tells me everyday that he can't wait to see her. I can't wait to see Makenzie and Ariana together! There will be some pretty cute pictures to take =)

I'm so blessed!

I haven't been able to write in a while. Miss Makenzie is keeping me busy! I'm typing this as she is sound asleep on my chest. I promise to try to post more often about how she's doing and how she's changed!

I have been a little emotional in the last few days/weeks so brace yourselves because this may end up being a mushy post...LOL! Having Makenzie has really made me look around at what I have in my life and appreciate everything and everyone around me so much more. My Husband, my Mother, my Friends and Family, I've honestly seen everyone in a different light.

As I've already stated numerous times, my husband is an amazing man and I am damn lucky to have met him. After 9 years together I love him more at this moment in my life than I ever have. To see him as a Father and to watch him with Makenzie honestly brings tears to my eyes. The way he plays with her, the way he holds her, the way she instantly falls asleep when she puts her head on his chest. Probably because she feels safe and loved just the way I do when I'm in his arms. It's beautiful to see a grown man absolutely melt at the sight of his daughter. I could watch the two of them for hours. He's also been so amazing to me. I can't believe how much he has changed. He's doing so much more for me since I'm busy with Makenzie. The other day he scrubbed the bathroom for me, even the toilet! Now that's love...LOL!!! Most of all he's been extra loving and caring to me, which at some points I really need because I get overwhelmed and get very emotional. I honestly don't know what I'd do without him. The other night when we were on our date he gave me a necklace with a pendant. It's a square with Makenzie's birthstone and a diamond on top of it. I love it! It's beautiful and it meant so much to me!

I also couldn't do this without my Mother. Wow, she been amazing to both me and Arthur. She is so much more than my Mother, she's my best friend, my rock. She gets me through a lot and helps us so much. Art always makes comments about how much he appreciates having my Mother around. I only wish I can be to Makenzie what she is to me. She is truly inspiring to me.

And my friends. I have to say I've fallen in love with each of them all over again, especially Alli & Jill. The way they are there for me and the way they love my daughter is beautiful. I cherish them all so much and am so happy that, after all these years, they are still in my life.

And of course my in-laws. They have always been great to me but to see them react to Makenzie is so sweet. I love to see my father-in-law with her. He just can't get enough of her and if he could he'd hold her 24 hours a day. Karen has been wonderful and is always coming over to see her! Even Sweetie Pie is fascinated with her! But I'll never forget the way Patrick reacted to her the first time he saw her in the hospital. It's a side I never thought I'd see from him.

It is so amazing to see how one little girl can bring so much happiness to so many people. I feel so blessed every day that I get to wake up every day (and every night!) to her beautiful, smiling face. She will only be 7 weeks tomorrow and I feel like she's grown so much. Her personality is starting to come out now and it's so fun to see. She is a true miracle, an absolute angel! I have a love in my heart for her that I can never explain. Arthur & I were sitting on the couch the other night with Makenzie and I looked at them both and said "I have never been as happy as I am at this moment in my life!" It just can't get any better than this!

It's been a while!

Makenzie and I are doing great! The end of last week she started getting real gassy and she looked so uncomfortable. I tried Mylicon drops and they helped a little but she still looked like she was in so much pain when she tried to pass gas. So on Saturday I decided to switch her formula. I was reading reviews of the Enfamil Lipil and a lot of people said it made their child gassy because of the amount of iron in it. So we switched her to Similac and over the last few days you can tell she's been better. She's been sleeping pretty good. She has her longest stretch of sleep at night. She'll take a bottle at about 8 and when she falls asleep she won't wake up until 1 or 2 a.m. After that she's up every 3 hours which isn't bad at all. She isn't sleeping much during the day though. She'll fall asleep on me and when I try to move her to her pack n play, her swing or her bouncy seat she'll either sleep for only 30 minutes or she'll wake up right away so it's been tough trying to get things done around the house with her not sleeping. BUT there is hope! I just got the Moby wrap and it's wonderful. I can carry her around and still have both my hands. What a wonderful invention!!

Art & I are doing good. I must admit the beginning was tough. It took us a while to adjust and get into a routine with the two of us but I think we got a handle on it now. We're going on a date next Saturday! Art says it's important that we have some alone time and not neglect our relationship so Nana is going to watch the baby and he's taking me out! How cute is he?

Sunday my little girl will be a month already! I just can't believe it! I know they say it goes quick but my God that was too fast! She's becoming so alert! When we put her in her swing and put her mobile on with the twinkling lights she looks up at the lights. She's smiling like crazy and she's starting to make little coo noises. She's doing great with her head too. She can hold it up for just a little while. We've been putting her on her tummy time mat so she can practice and get stronger. She looks so much like her father though! I couldn't see it at first but I see it now! It's so funny, she's totally a mini-Arthur...LOL!

Being a Mother is such a wonderful thing! It is one of the most rewarding gifts! I sometimes just sit and stare at her and try to take it all in and it amazes me. I'm amazed that she's my daughter and that I'm a Mother and I'm amazed that my Husband and I created such a perfect little girl. I'm so incredibly happy and in love right now!!!

We did lots this week!

Monday was our first trip out of the house. Makenzie had her first doctor appointment so Art & I got her all bundled up, put her in the car seat and went on our way. Everything went great! Makenzie gained 9 ounces and is back up to her birth weight (she was 6lbs 14oz when we left the hospital). Doctor says she looks good so I guess Art & I are doing something right as parents! Now we won't have to go back until she's 2 months.

Tuesday my Mom and I took her out on her first walk in her carriage. It was really nice to get out of the house, walk a little and get some fresh air. And Makenzie seemed to like it too.

Makenzie is doing great! She is such a good baby. The only time she'll cry is if she's hungry or needs to be changed. Other than that she sleeps, eats & poops! I love it when she's wide awake. She'll just lay there in my arms and look around for an hour. It's the cutest thing. The nights aren't that bad. She'll sleep anywhere between 3-5 hours. I'll feed her and then she'll go right back to bed. She doesn't sleep too long in her bassinet so I'll just pick her up and let her sleep on me. I'm just so happy she's doing so well!

Daddy & I are getting used to having a baby in the house now. It's such a huge adjustment but we're working together to get into a routine. Arthur is so good with Makenzie. He's such a proud father and it's so beautiful to see.

Today I had a my post labor doctor appointment so they can check my incision. The doctor was a little concerned because it's a little red & swollen so she's putting me on antibiotics. If it doesn't start to get better in 3 days I have to go back to the doctor next week. So we'll see what happens. After the doctor we went to visit Daddy at work so he can show her off to all his co-workers. Then we went to Mommy's work to show her off there. It was real nice to get out of the house and see everyone.

Monday my Mom goes back to work. I don't know what I'm going to do without her here. I'm actually a little scared to do this all on my own. I just hope I'll do ok. It's not like I haven't been home alone with the baby, I have. But it's so great having my Mom here to help out. I may just have to have her retire and hire her as a permanent nanny!!!

One Week Old!

I can't believe Makenzie is a week old already! The first few days have been hectic to say the least. The first day was good. Makenzie was eating and taking her naps like a good little girl. Then the night came! I don't think she likes her bassinet too much. Every time we put her down she'll stay asleep for about an hour and then wake up. The only way I can get her to stay asleep is if I have her sleep on me.



Breastfeeding is hard! Maybe more frustrating than hard. Like I said, the first day was good, she was eating and sleeping good. But then she started wanting to eat about every 1 1/2 hours. By the second day she wasn't napping either. So obviously she wasn't getting fed enough and was hungry and tired. The second night I think we both slept about 2 hours. The third night started the same, she went to bed at about 10 and woke up at 11. She would not latch on at all and was crying. So I grabbed a bottle (Yes, a bottle. I'm a bad Mother already!) and fed her and she fell asleep right away. I took her into the bed and had her sleep on my chest (I wasn't risking waking her up by putting her in her bassinet). She slept good and woke up about 1:30 so I fed her again. She fell asleep and didn't wake up until 5:30! I was so happy!!! 1) Because my little girl was fed and nice and rested. 2) Because I got more than an hour sleep...LOL!!! Today is going much better! I woke up and nursed her and she did good. She then napped for about 2 hours. While she slept, I pumped. So I'm going to try that for now.

I'm feeling good though. I'm still recovering from the c-section. Art went back to work on Wednesday and Thursday but is off Friday and Monday. My Mom has been here with me helping out. She's been great! I can actually stay off my feet while she's here which is helping my recovery a lot! Plus, I don't think she minds the Nana-Makenzie time. She's off the whole next week too so she'll be here helping. I don't know what I'm going to do when she goes back to work though! I may cry hysterical since my hormones have been CRAZY lately!!!

She's finally here!!!

I can't believe I'm finally going to post this but I'm finally a Mommy!!!! Makenzie Ellen Crist was born via c-section on August 28, 2008 at 5:39 p.m. She was 7 pounds 7 ounces and 19 inches long. She is just absolutely beautiful. She has this beautiful full head of brown and blond hair (yes, my daughter was born with what looks like highlights) and the blondest eyebrows AND what looks like light eyes, maybe even blue!!! She's making her Daddy very proud! Arthur & I are completely in love with her. We just stare at her amazed that she is ours and even more amazed that we created her. It is the craziest feeling in the world! I think what I'm enjoying almost as much as my daughter is seeing my husband with her. He has been so wonderful! I knew when she arrived Art would be good with her but he has been beyond words. Since I had a c-section I wasn't able to do a lot in the first day or two and he completely stepped up and has taken control. It is simply beautiful to see him hold her in his arms and smile at her and kiss her. I fall in love with them both all over again.

My labor wasn't the easiest labor. It was long and at parts painful (what labor isn't) but I got through it with the help of my two WONDERFUL coaches, Arthur and my Mother. I honestly don't know what I would have done without either of them. And, to be honest, I don't know what they would have done without each other. Each one of them played such an important part and was there by my side holding my hand (and my legs...LOL). They are two amazing people and I'm so lucky to have them in my life. So here is my birth story. It starts on Wednesday afternoon, after my last post on this blog.

So after my doctor appointment they called me and told me I was scheduled to come into the hospital on Tuesday September 2nd for an induction. Not the ideal plan for Arthur & I but at this point we'll take what we can get. The whole afternoon I was cramping. Like the cramps I started getting in the morning so I was anxious to see if the contractions would start up again. Arthur came home around 5 and we ate dinner as usual. At around 7 p.m. the contractions started. They were spread out in the beginning ranging anywhere from 30-40 minutes apart. Then they got to about 15 minutes apart. They stayed like that for a few hours. At 11 Art & I decided to go up to bed. I didn't sleep much considering I was still having contractions and they continued to wake me up but I slept here and there. All of a sudden, at about 12:45 a really strong contraction woke me up. I looked at the clock and the next one came 6 minutes later. I told Art I was going to go downstairs to lay on the couch. If they continued to stay this far apart I'd wake him up. Well, from 1 to 2 they ranged between 3 and 6 minutes apart. I ran upstairs, woke Art up and called the doctor. She told me to get to the hospital. Art and I showered, packed up the last minute items in our bag and headed to the hospital. The whole way there we were both kind of shocked that "it" was finally happening. So many times we drove down this road and we would always say "One day it will be for real" and that moment had finally arrived. So we got to the hospital at about 3 and was all checked in and showed to our room by 3:30. They hooked me up to the monitors and did an internal. I was already 4 cm dilated. So they told me I was staying and that the doctor would be in in about a half hour to check me. She finally arrived about an hour later and I was already 5 cm. The doctor and nurse said I was progressing nicely so we decided to get the epi now instead of waiting until it was too late. So they gave me the epi. Not the most enjoyable procedure I've ever been through but I'll tell ya, TOTALLY worth it!!! It is a complete miracle drug! From that point I didn't feel ANYTHING! I got some sleep and relaxed as much as I could for the rest of my labor. At about 7 a.m. the doctor came back in and I hadn't progressed at all so she broke my water. From that point to about 9:00 I still had no progress so the doctor started the pitocin. From there it was just a waiting game. Like I said, I was very comfortable and actually got to sleep a lot of the time. At about 12 the doctor came in to check me again and I was 8-9 cm. FINALLY! She told me to lay on my side for a while to help me progress. Well I don't know what laying on my side did but I was on my right side and my left leg started killing me. It's like the epi stopped working and I felt every contraction just in that leg. It was the craziest thing. I was in so much pain for that hour. I tried moving around, getting up, stretching, breathing...nothing worked. Finally, after an hour of complaining, they gave me another shot and the pain stopped. Why they didn't do that sooner I'll never know!!! So now it's 1:00 and I'm fully dilated. The doctor said the baby was still a little high but it was time to start pushing. Pushing is no joke! I put everything I had into every pushing. I pushed on my back, on my left side, on my right side and my baby girl just wouldn't budge! She just wouldn't come down. 2:00 came and went and still nothing. Finally at about 2:30 the doctor inserted a monitor of some sort (not sure what it was called) to better watch the baby's heartbeat. She said if the baby was fine than she had no problem letting me push for 2 hours if that's what it took (I cried when she said that) but if she sees there's a problem with the baby she's going to recommend a c-section. Well the baby wasn't in distress but her heartbeat was dropping after every contraction. She said that, combined with the fact that she was still so high and it took me so long to progress from 5 to 10 cm, she was recommending a c-section. It's not the way I wanted to go but I wanted what was best for the baby and I honestly didn't have it in me to push for another two hours so we agreed. They started prepping me and Art for the c-section. My Mom went out to tell my friends who were in the waiting room what was going on. I must admit I was scared. I just wanted this part over. I wanted to know my baby was going to be alright. I wanted to hear her little cry and see her little face. They brought me into the operating room and got me all hooked up. Finally, they brought Art in and they started. I just laid there holding Art's hand, squeezing the hell out of Art's hand, and anxiously awaiting that little cry. Finally I heard them say "She's out" and the doctor lifted her up above the wall and said "Katie, here's your daughter!" It was only for a brief second but I saw her and she was unbelievable! She was finally here! She was right there in that room with us. I heard Art saying "Oh My God" over and over again. The only thing that took away from that moment was that I couldn't hold her. I told Art to go over and see her and take a picture to show me. He didn't want to leave my side but I made him. He came back with a bunch of pictures and a video and showed me. But I still didn't hear her cry. She let out a few little cries but that was it. All I kept saying was "Why isn't she crying?"
Art then had to leave to go with Makenzie to the nursery while they stitched me up. I gave him a huge kiss and told him to watch out for our girl and I'd see him later. They then took him to "ring the bell." At St. Clare's whenever a child is born they tell the father to ring a bell and a lullaby rings throughout the whole hospital. While he was doing that I was being "put back together." That hurt so much more than I expected it too. Wow! That was the worst part out of the whole process.

Next thing I remember I was in recover and Art was there. They had to keep me there for a little while and then they started to bring me back to the room. I couldn't wait because I still hadn't seen my little girl or held her. We finally arrived back in the room and my Mom and best friends Jill and Alli came in. Talk about wonderful friends, they waited there the whole time so they could see me and Makenzie (well, mostly Makenzie but I think they wanted to see me too). And finally, my husband came walking in rolling my daughter in her little crib. He picked her up and handed her to me and I just cried. I couldn't believe I was finally holding her. This perfect little human being, our daughter, was finally in my arms. She looks gorgeous. The perfect little face, little hands and feet and toes and fingers. Everything about her was just perfect. It was the most memorable moment in my entire life. The rest of the night was spent with our family and friends meeting Makenzie. Art's family came up and everyone just fell in love with her. Uncle Patrick even cried when he held his niece for the first time. It was a beautiful, special night and I'm so glad so many people were there to share it with us. Everyone finally left and Arthur & I decided to send Makenzie to the nursery for the night since I was in a lot of pain and couldn't get out of bed. But we got her back first thing the next morning.

I had to spend the next few days in the hospital. Four nights to be exact. I'm actually being released tomorrow. The last couple of days have been good. Between me trying to recover and trying to get to know Makenzie it's been busy but we're all getting the hang of it. I'm feeling much better. I was up and walking around today. Doing laps around the maternity ward. I'm breastfeeding Makenzie and so far it's going pretty good. She's latching on just fine. My only problem is getting her to stay awake during her feedings. But we're all learning and with time we'll all get the hang of things.

Arthur is absolutely amazing with Makenzie. I love watching him lay on the couch with her on his chest. They both fall asleep and it's just so beautiful. I just can't get enough of them. It's the most beautiful thing.

Anyway, that is my story. Like I said, we're going home tomorrow so I'm sure I'll have lots of stories to share. Wish us luck!!!

PS-Saturday my friend Alicia (who did my Maternity pics) came to the hospital to take some newborn pics of Makenzie. Of course she did an amazing job! Here are a few:

http://www.aliciagouldphotography.com/blog/

Happy Due Date to me!!!

So today is my due date! I'm officially 40 weeks. I had my 40 week doctor appointment today and it went GREAT!!! I'm just about 3 cm dilated & 50% effaced!!! WOOOOHOOOO!!! My doctor says they're going to schedule an induction but hopefully she'll come on her own since she made so much progress in 1 week. I will get a call today with the date. My blood pressure was a little high today so I have to watch out for that. Oh, and I lost 2 1/2 pounds. Other than that it was a VERY good doctor appointment!

They also signed my disability papers so today is my last day of working from home. Not that it makes that much of a difference LOL!

I started having contractions this morning. At 2 a.m. I woke up for my regular potty break and when I went back to bed I started cramping real bad. They would come and go so I just went back to bed. Then at about 5:30 I got my first real contraction. I always worried that I wouldn't know the difference between braxton hicks contractions and the real thing and everyone told me "You'll just know" and boy were they right! There is definitely NO mistaking real contractions! If what I had is considered mild than I don't even want to know what it's like to go through labor without an epidural!!! Anyway, they continued on but in no sort of time order, 30 minutes apart, 40 minutes apart. It continued like that until about 6:30. Then they came about every 15 minutes apart for a little more than an hour. The whole time I was just laying in bed. I didn't want to wake Art up because he looks so cute and peaceful sleeping. I was just staring at him thinking how our lives were about to change if this was the real thing. The alarm went off at 6:45 and I told him I was having contractions. He smiled and asked if this was it and I said I'm not sure. We'll see what happens. He then went downstairs to do a load of laundry so he can pack his hospital bag when he gets home from work. Nothing like waiting until the last minute! Anyway, like I said, they continued to be about 15 minutes apart for about an hour. Then I got up to take a shower an they stopped. Hopefully they'll start up again and we can get this labor thing started!

For now I'm just sitting at home waiting for them to call me with a date. I'm getting so excited knowing that it's so close. I could possibly have my daughter in my arms by the end of this weekend! I really really hope so!!!

I'll update when I know when we're going in!

No progress =(

I went to my doctor appointment this morning and she said I'm still only 1cm dilated. So at my appointment next Wednesday, if Little C doesn't come on her own, we'll schedule an induction date for the following Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. If Art & I have our choice we'd like to go into the hospital on Monday, September 1st, which happens to be Labor Day! How cute that I'll be induced on Labor Day right?!?! Also, Art has said from the very beginning that Little C's Birthday was going to be September 2nd. We were having breakfast at IHOP one day and we were talking about the baby and that date just popped into his head. From that day on he's said the baby was going to be born on September 2nd. Would it be crazy if she actually is born on that day!

So whether Little C comes on her own or I do end up being induced I will be a Mother in 2 weeks. OMG!!!!! I can't wait =)

Getting very anxious!!!

We're getting down to the last few weeks of this pregnancy and I have to admit I'm getting VERY anxious! Every little thing I feel I think "Can this be it?" Some people were hoping that the full moon this weekend would bring labor on but as you can see, I'm still here and still pregnant. I had a very weird day Friday and Saturday. I was just so very emotional. I cried at everything on Friday. It was so bad I cried at the friggin Olympics! Yes, that's right, I cried watching gymnastics. Then Saturday I got up because I was suppose to go to Alli's to go swimming. I took a shower, sat in bed and just didn't want to move. So I told Alli I couldn't come and I went back to bed until Art came home from work at 12:30. Then I was emotional again. Art could see I was on the verge of a breakdown so he made me go get dressed. We went for a walk, then he took me to TGI's for dinner and then to A&P to get stuff to make an ice cream sundae. The man sure does know the way to my heart!!!


By Sunday I was better. I invited my Mom over for dinner and she confirmed my thoughts, my little girl has finally dropped! Her butt is no longer up by my boobs! But I'm peeing a lot more and she's putting a LOT of pressure on my pelvis area. I feel like a lot has been "going on" this weekend. Like I'm closer to labor. Yes, I know I actually AM closer but I've been feeling almost like my body is actually getting ready for it now. I know it sounds weird but it's just a feeling. I was cramping a lot today and had some sharp pains. Tomorrow is my doctor appointment so we'll see if I actually made any progress or if all this stuff is just in my head...Wish full thinking???

Well, I've gotta go get some work done. I'll post tomorrow when I get back from the doctor!

Arthur had his first shower!

Yesterday Art's work threw him a shower! They gave us so many cute clothes, more bibs, socks, hats, wash cloths and another diaper cake. It was so cute!

I also got a visitor yesterday! My friend Kim came over and spent about two hours here with me. It was nice to have someone here with me to talk to instead of talking to my computer and watching tv...LOL! I can't wait for Little C to get here so I'll have company allll day =)

And a very big Happy Birthday to my puppy Marino!!! He's 11 years old today!

Lots of appointments!!!

So between yesterday and today I had some appointments. Most important was my doctor appointment. Babies heartbeat was 160 which is very good. She's still in the right position, head down, AND I'm 1cm dilated! Nothing too crazy to brag about but at least I'm making progress!
After that I went to get my last haircut before baby gets here!

We also went to meet with two in-home daycare providers. Arthur & I went to meet with one yesterday and my Mother came with me to meet one today. Arthur couldn't get out of work so she was nice enough to come with me. We all really liked both of them and felt very comfortable with both of them BUT the one from today was amazing! She was so calm and I felt like I could sit there and talk to her for hours. I would feel absolutely comfortable leaving Little C with either of these two women but the lady today just impressed me so much more. I'm going to take Arthur there next week so he can meet her also but I think this is where Little C will end up and I'm actually really really excited about it!!!

This is my first week working from home and I'm really enjoying it. It's really nice to not have to wake up early, get ready for work and then sit in my uncomfortable chair all day long. I just feel SO much better. I've actually started cooking for my husband again. Can you believe it?!?!?!

Done with work!!!

God I am SOOO happy I don't have to go into work anymore! Now I can just relax at home and take it easy. The people I work with are so awesome though. Thursday the girls from HR took me out to lunch and gave me a gift certificate to the spa! They said everything from the shower was for Little C and this was something for Mommy. I'm going to save it for after the baby gets here. I'm sure I'll need it! Friday we had dunkin donuts for breakfast and one of my co-workers made me pink and white cupcakes. Yummy! Then my department took me out to lunch. It was a really nice day. VERY busy but I finally got everything done and left the office until December!

Today Art & I have to go to the Police Department to get our car seats inspected. We'll see how well Art did with installing them...LOL! Tomorrow we're going shopping to get my little Ariana a birthday gift. I can't believe she's going to be 2! Other than that I'll just be relaxing at home. It's beautiful out today and is suppose to be this way all weekend. I'm gonna open all the windows to get some fresh air in the house and maybe even sit outside on the deck for a little while. Something I haven't done all summer!!! Enjoy!

I'm Full Term!!!

I'm 37 weeks today which means I'm Full Term! My ticker says I have 21 days left. YIPPY!!!

Oh, and this is my last week of work!!!!! Friday is my last day of coming in to the office. After that I can sit on my couch or on my deck with my lap top and work from there. I can't friggin wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another Dr. appointment

This morning I had a dr's appointment and I had no idea! I thought it was tomorrow at 10 so I went into work, got my bagel & coffee and sat at my desk to get started. I looked at my calendar & it said my dr's appointment was today at 8:45. I ran out of here like a mad woman.

Anyway, everything is good. Not much change since Thursday except I lost 2 pounds so I'm down to 18 pounds total. Not too bad! I also asked her how long after my due date do they like to wait to induce you, if it comes to that. She said they only like to wait a week. Sooo the latest I'll be induced is September 3rd! That's less than a month from now! Holy Crap!!!!!

Just sitting around on the weekend

It's Sunday morning and it's Beautiful out! There's a nice breeze and it's not too hot out. Art is outside mowing the lawn and then we're going to go take Marino for a walk with the stroller. Last time I took it out he was afraid of it. We want him to get used to walking with it since I'll be taking him and baby out for walks when I'm home.

The weekend was good. Friday my feet were so swollen they were throbbing! Art soaked two rags in a bowl of ice water and wrapped each foot. It felt SOOO much better! Saturday I was suppose to go swimming at Auntie Alli's house but it was crappy out so we decided to reschedule. My Mom came over instead to help me clean up the house a little bit. Then we just hung out for a while. I tell ya, I don't know what I'd do without my Mom and Art. They both take such good care of me and make sure I have everything I need. It's nice to know I'm surrounded by such loving people!

Later that night Art's parents called and said they wanted to stop by and bring Chinese over for dinner. So at about 7 they showed up with dinner and stayed until about 9:30. They got to see the finished nursery and loved it! They don't come over to the house too often so it was a nice surprise.

We also got a few things checked off the baby to do list. Art put the car seat in, my hospital bag is pretty much packed and the nursery is finally done! I posted some pics below. Now all we have to do is wait for our daughter to arrive!


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My Baby Girl is in position!!!!

I had my 36 week appointment this morning. My baby girl is in position!!! I had a feeling she was because I felt this big lump on the top of my stomach and I thought it was her butt and back. I guess Art was right, Little C's gonna have a big butt like her Mommy! Anyway, I had my first internal today! This is something every woman should look forward to...LOL! Just the sound of it makes me cringe, internal. Oye! The best part is I get to have one every week until the baby is born! So baby is measuring right on schedule but my cervix is still closed. She said that's pretty normal for 36 weeks. I'm officially up 20 pounds, 4 of those pounds I gained in 1 week! Dr says it's fine. It's from all the swelling and all the water I'm retaining (which has gotten worse in the last week). I told her I had some cramping on Monday night. She said what I thought she'd say, it's my body getting ready for the real thing. She told me some things to look out for that would be signs of labor that may happen in the next couple of days/weeks. I'm getting SOOO excited!

So overall a very good doctor appointment! I go back on Tuesday so we'll see if there's any progress between now and then. Probably not! I have a feeling Little C is VERY comfy in there and has no intentions of coming out any time soon =)