Week 38

Dear Lily Ann,

Wow! I didn't think I could possibly get any bigger but I just keep growing! And I feel you moving and squirming all the time! You are probably ready to ditch your cramped quarters and pay us a visit! We are definitely ready to meet you! Only one more week until we hold you in our arms.... and never let go. Okay - I promise I'll let go at some point before you hit your teen years... hopefully. What do you mean you don't want to take your Dad to Prom?

You now get the hiccups probably 3 times a day, on average. I worry about you, but they soon subside and you resume to happily practicing your kickboxing... which I absolutely love, even when it hurts. My most amusing activity is sitting still and watching my belly move up and down and side to side. This week I have felt lots of weird different cramping sensations, had some major swelling going on in my feet, lost quite a bit of sleep (partly because of this big belly and partly because the Australian Open is on all night long and I just can't seem to turn it off), and had one day suffering through a pretty bad headache. Any time I experience these symptoms I immediately wonder if you are making an early arrival. But I just hang on a bit longer and everything seems to pass. I have been happy, pain-free, and enjoying almost everything about this pregnancy. Thank you for being such a good girl and giving me such a wonderful pregnancy experience. Our time so close together is almost over. But I'm looking forward to growing closer to the baby, girl, and woman you will soon become.

Now, I have to spill all the details about my doctor's visit this morning:
I am 2.5 cm dilated and 60% effaced. That means you are well on your way to your birthday (February 4th.... if you make it)! My blood pressure has been high for the past three weeks and they are a little worried about it. I was hooked up to a monitor today and your Daddy and I got to hear your little heart beat for a solid 40 minutes or so. After observation, the doctor and nurses think you are looking good and not too concerned about my blood pressure. It should go back down after you are born.

We are keeping busy during our last week without you here. Tomorrow is my last day of work in the office and I stayed up until 1 in the morning putting together my new desk for working at home; we have plans to meet some friends for dinner tomorrow night; we are taking your grandparents and great grandparents out to eat on Saturday; I am getting my hair and nails done on Monday and Tuesday; on Wednesday your father and I are celebrating our 3 Year Anniversary; Thursday morning we'll wake up bright and early and head to the hospital!

See you in one week, baby girl!


We Love You,

Mommy

No baby yet....

Still here. No baby, yet. I've been pretty busy at work lately, trying to prepare for my short time off and my transition to working from home (for a while, anyway). There are many last minute preparations taking place before Lily Ann's arrival, including a class on breastfeeding last night. So, I'll leave you with an image of how I feel right about now....

Happy Tuesday!

Birthdays

We had two birthdays this week!

Monday, we celebrated my dad's birthday by eating some Mexican food! What better way to celebrate any occasion? He and Lucas participated in Happy Hour! I'm ready for Lily Ann to arrive so I can participate in the occasional Happy Hour, as well! He followed up dinner with a free birthday shot of tequila! Oh my goodness! Too much for my poor daddy I think!


I followed Monday's Mexican with leftovers for lunch on Tuesday and Mexican again on Wednesday night. Hey.... I'm pregnant. I can do what I want. ;)

Tuesday was our little Rafa's 2nd Birthday! He wasn't spoiled with a party all his own and doggy cupcakes like last year. Sorry, Rafa. Momma's been a little busy lately. But we did give him lots of loving, lots of cookies, and one of his favorite big bones which he scarfed down pretty quickly for such a small dog.


Birthdays are fun! And in less than 2 weeks ~ we'll have a big birthday to celebrate!

Week 37

Dear Lily Ann,

We are FULL TERM, baby girl! My heart feels happy and my worries seem to have for the most part lifted. We were able to see you today! I can't believe how grown you are. The tech estimated that you weigh about 6 pounds, 10 ounces. I can't believe I have a 6 pound, 10 ounce baby all squished up inside me. The best news we heard is that you are perfect ~ and we already knew that. Everything looks great and you are growing right on track, as you should be. You are perfectly positioned and making your way down for your arrival. I feel you drop, too. My belly has gone from way up high to sagging down lower and lower each day. And we learned how you are laying; so now I know where your butt is (in my face) and where your hands and feet are (both on my lower right-side, where I get all the kicks and punches). You are twisted around and running out of room. But don't worry. You don't have too much longer. The doctor has scheduled your induction for Thursday, February 4th (the day after Mommy and Daddy's 3rd Anniversary)! In exactly two weeks I will be holding you!

We have been working to get ready for your arrival during every spare moment. Still, I am glad to know I have a few more spare moments to get things ready ~ including all the 'important' stuff that needs to get done like my hair appointment and a mani/pedi. I definitely need that pedicure since I can no longer reach my toes!

Daddy and I are both so ready to meet you! Enjoy the last 2 weeks in your current home! We will be welcoming you into our world very soon!


We Love You,

Mommy

Loads of Laundry

I can't count how many loads of laundry I have done this weekend. But let me share with you this beautiful sight....


ALL of Lily's clothes for her first 3 months of life - washed, dried (almost, a few sweaters hanging in the back still drying), ironed, and folded. That includes socks, booties, hats, headbands, bibs, burp cloths, towels, blankets, etc. You name it - it's been through my wash. Now I just need to transport it all upstairs and back into her dresser and closet.

Before this weekend I brushed off all of the comments about how many clothes we had for her... especially from my husband. I thought we had a lot - but not excessive amounts. Well, after washing each piece I now agree: we have way too many clothes for one little girl. Oh, well! Better too many than too few!

It's almost time to bring her home and try on every single outfit! Don't worry ~ I think you'll see her picture at least once in each little outfit.

But those aren't all of her clothes. A few are already packed and ready to go!

Lily Ann's Hospital Bag(S)
...because what little girl can survive her first two days of life with only one bag? I have to teach her right from the beginning. :)

Look Who's Working With Me Now......

Get your own paper Conan here

Week 36

Dear Lily Ann,

We are so very close to welcoming you to this world. The realization that you are actually coming and how you are actually coming hit me this morning. I am worried that I won't have the strength or pain tolerance to go through it. But finally being able to hold you in my arms will be worth every ounce of pain and every second of worry. At 36 weeks, I am dilated 1 cm! I am still measuring about 2 weeks early. The doctor just says this means you are growing fast but won't necessarily come early (on your own, that is). Next week we'll get to see you in an ultrasound so that the doctor can determine how big you are. If you are already growing big and strong and fully developed, we may get to meet you a little earlier than expected. If not, plans are now to induce at around 39 weeks. Either way, you will be here in 3 weeks or less.

Last minute activities to prepare for your arrival are in full swing. Your dad and I went yesterday to have the car seat professionally installed. Your grandma and I went through your clothes last weekend to pick out what we are bringing to the hospital. I still need to wash your little clothes and pack a bag for your dad and I. Your papaw is refinishing your great mamaw's (Your namesake, great great grandmother Lillian, who passed away about 9 years ago - I'll tell you all about how wonderful she was) glider for your nursery. I am still trying to decide where I want everything to go in the room. Things are progressing quickly now but I think I need to hit the accelerate button to get everything done in time.


I can't wait to see you, to meet you, to hold you, to kiss you, to feel your breathe, to feel your skin, to look into your eyes.......... I can't wait to be your Mom.


We Love You,

Mommy

Bathroom Update

I know you are all dieing to know....

I took a shower in our master bathroom this morning!

The room is not complete but it is fully functioning. Only a few more finishing touches and it will be ready for its blog debut!

Necessity or Not?

Because I have no pictures of progress on the house to show you, I figured I'd throw this topic out for debate....

We have one last baby related shopping spree to go on to finish buying all the 'necessities' we need to bring Lily Ann home. I have a feeling that my husband defines 'necessities' differently than I do! There are two items on the list that I am having trouble with. Can you experienced mommas help me out?

The Baby Swing

I argue that this is a necessity to have when she comes home. I know that the rocking can soothe some babies who otherwise could be quite fussy. What if Lily Ann is fussy and the only thing that soothes her is the gentle rocking of a swing? I want to have this on hand just for that possibility. Lucas argues that she may not like the swing and it would be better to maybe test her out on our friend's swing before investing $150 in a big plastic contraption to set in our family room. But it might be a few weeks before we travel to their house to test it out. That is a few weeks that it could be needed. But we won't know if we don't have one. I want to go ahead and get it with our registry completion coupon (10% off ~ whenever BabiesRUs gets around to sending us the coupon). Lucas would rather spend the extra $15 later. Sigh. Such a life altering decision, I know.

Landon, our friend's baby, didn't like his swing for the first month or so but eventually grew to like it. Did your baby use his/her swing from Day 1 or did it take time for them to actually enjoy it? Do we need this when we come home from the hospital or should I wait a month or so? Or does she need it at all?

The Wipes Warmer

Our same non-swing loving baby friend loves his wipes warmer. I mean - who wouldn't? This is a fairly simple purchase that I would buy without thought except for one little problem: where do I put the thing? There is no extra room on the changing table; I don't have a table near the changing table; I really don't want to hang shelves on the wall to display ugly diaper paraphernalia. I am using the top drawer of the dresser to house all of her diapering needs. I thought about drilling a hole in the back of the dresser and setting the warmer in the drawer, but mom mentioned this might be a fire hazard I wouldn't want in the nursery.

So, do I really need the wipes warmer? Will it make the diaper changing process go smoother? Because I'm all for that. I want little Lily to be as happy as she can be. If I don't wipe her butt with a warm wipe am I a bad mother? (Okay, I know the answer to that but humor me.)


What else did you consider a 'necessity' in the first few days at home with your baby? I want to be fully prepared but feel I am falling somewhere short of that goal.

Alabama's Winter Wonderland

First of all, I have to say.....

ROLL TIDE!!!

2010 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

AND 4 IN A ROW for the BEST Conference in the Nation!



Now on to the other exciting event in Alabama.....

SNOW!!!!

On my way to work Thursday morning:

Playing with the puppy in the snow Thursday evening:

On my way to work this morning:

And flurries are falling! At 17 degrees with a windchill of 6 degrees, I'm sure it'll stick!

Schools are closed and some roads are shut down, but we're still working (which is good because I have quite a bit to get done). Hopefully I'll scoot out a little early so the roads won't be too bad.

I'm ready to get this weekend started! We are doing lots of fun stuff like more work on the bathroom and final baby preparations!!

P.S. Another bonus of pregnancy: I always have the upperhand in a snowball fight! I got the husband good, but he didn't return fire. Instead, he got the puppy good! Seeing an 8 pound dog get pelted by a snowball is quite hilarious! Poor puppy! Rafa didn't know what to do with the white stuff but he enjoyed chasing his tennis ball around in it!
P.P.S. I left my camera at work so these were taken on my iPhone... not the best quality but they get the job done.

P.P.P.S. Please ignore the Christmas decorations. They are coming down tomorrow, regardless of how cold it is.

Week 35

Dear Lily Ann,

35 weeks down, 5 weeks to go..... maybe! We'll know more next week! Today is a big day in Alabama. First of all, it's snowing! That is a rarity so we make a big deal out of it when it's here. I'm hoping we don't get snowed in at work today! Reports are coming in of road closings so you and I may be headed home soon. No one is here today anyway.

Despite all of the snow talk, the biggest news of the day has to be that Alabama will be playing for our 13th National Championship tonight! Roll Tide! We were planning on going over to your Uncle Rookie's house to watch but may be bundled up by the fire at home watching if the snow keeps falling.

Work is coming along on the house. Your nursery and our master bathroom are nearing completion. We are hoping to finish up the bathroom within the next week. Your nursery still has a few more pieces before it is complete. Uncle Rookie came over last night after we ate Mexican to see the transformation of his old room. Yes, your nursery used to be his guest room. He was impressed with how much it has changed. We can't wait to bring you home!

ROLL TIDE, Lily! Get ready to cheer tonight!


We Love You,

Mommy

Are you ready for some Christmas pictures?

I am usually a good picture taker and like to capture events that are taking place. But I've never been a good photographer at Christmas. I blame that mostly on the fact that I am a spoiled rotten little girl (I admit it) who spends most of Christmas opening presents and don't normally have the time to take the pictures myself. Now ~ that will all change next year as I'm sure I'll be snapping away as Lily Ann opens her presents. But I got to be the spoiled little girl for one last time this year. So mom had to send me all these pics she took from our Christmas events.

The 23rd

My mother's side of the family gathers every year on the 23rd for unbelievably good food and a fun game of (not too) dirty Santa.

Chaos at its best.

Watching people unwrap and steal presents from each other. Fun family times!

I'm pregnant. I finally get a chair!

Granddaddy (or I guess he is Papaw now but he'll always be my Granddaddy) enjoying the game while Jessica and Angie play with Karson

Lucas's drill bits that Dad won but Lucas eventually went home with.... in addition to the man purse. Dad, did you want the man purse?

Lily Ann's future playmates - Mimi, Will, and Karson

My grandmother's tree. I aspire to be her... mostly.

Christmas Morning

Every Christmas morning my Grandparents come over to my parent's house. We all open presents and then my dad makes the best pancakes ever. EVER. Seriously. Those are some good pancakes. I think they're even better on Christmas morning.... just because it's Christmas.

Digging through our stockings :)

Opening the rest of my stocking while wearing my cool new shades. I know. So attractive.

One of Lily's many presents... her bathtub! Yeah. It's super cool. You should get one... you know... if you have a baby. Thanks, Grandma and Granddaddy. :)

Daddy showing off his new Gargoyles... taking him back to his policing days.

One of my favorite presents for Lily Ann: a Cabbage Patch doll. Lily's Mamaw and Papaw 'adopted' her for Lily straight from the Cabbage Patch Hospital, one of our favorite places. Her name is Nicki Lynn (My granddaddy wanted to name me Nicki. Instead he got my middle name: Nicole. Lynn is my mother's middle name.) and she was 'born' on December 25, 2009!

My grandparents got me a Coach purse ~ yes, a real one!! I sort of, kind of already knew about it. But I also got a Coach change purse to go with it that was a complete surprise! I love my Coach purse! I haven't carried it yet, though. I am saving it as an extra special treat for myself once I become a Mommy. :)

A Flip camera from my parents! Believe me ~ once Lily Ann arrives, you will be seeing a lot of videos from this thing! P.S. We got my parents a Flip camera, too. Haha!


Christmas Night

Each year we celebrate Christmas with my dad's side of the family on Christmas night. This year, Lucas and I offered to host at our house. We grilled burgers, ate lots of cheese dip, and munched on some good desserts.

Some of the young ones. And an old one. Sorry, Dale.

Hiding Out Keeping Busy in the Kitchen

Darrell and his daughter, Kortney, playing shuffle board

The Hosts

Yep. That's my dog. I'm such a proud mom.

And yesterday I told you I didn't have a picture of the outside of my house. Well, turns out my mom took one. Not a very good one (sorry, Mom), but a picture none the less. You can see my awesome new reindeer ($5 from a yard sale) but can't really see my door garland, wreaths, or porch decorations. It is something, anyway. And like I said before - it is still up. Yes, now it is January 6th and the decorations are still up. Is it late enough that I can just leave them up until next year now? No? Well, that reasoning seems to work for some people.