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