Welcome Little One...

It's officially our due date..August 3rd (well...actually...since I didn't get this completed yesterday as planned it's technically the 4th and one day past our due date). As much as I had planned that this day would come and go...all while impatiently waiting for baby girl to arrive...I am thrilled to say we got to spend the day with the newest member of our family.

Akayla Joy arrived on Sunday, July 28th at 11:37am...6 days early. She weighed 7lb 8oz and was 20.5 inches long.

Here are how things unfolded...

Friday, July 26th: Had my weekly doctors appt. My doctor, who I must say has been absolutely amazing, did an exam and confirmed that my cervix was still closed and I wasn't dilated. I wasn't disappointed by this news...we still another 8 days until my due date and I think the statistics say that most first time moms are late. I mentally had already begun preparing myself that I wouldn't deliver by my due date. I did, however, have an agreement with my doctor not to go past August 9th.

Saturday, July 27th: After a rather long and unusual night. I think I had gotten up at least 5 times to go to the bathroom and each time I woke up I noticed cramps that were getting progressively worse. I didn't think to much of it until I woke at 5:30am. I thought to myself...is this the start of something?? Could this possibly be it?? For the past month, I had been telling Mr. every time I felt something "new" or "different" which, on multiple occasions, resulted in me saying to him "this might be it!". Most times he wouldn't believe me or would say "this baby isn't coming anytime soon...she's going to be late...probably will be the 9th".

Once I got downstairs I started thinking of all the things I needed to get done...I'm not sure if this is considered nesting or a last minute scramble. My bags were half packed...I had some things together but not everything. I needed to wash baby clothes..especially baby's coming home outfit. My mother in law was coming into town from out of state in the evening. In my mind, and in recent discussions with her, we had talked about all the things we would do together before the baby arrived. I would officially be on leave from work and looked forward to having her here to help me finish getting the baby things together...washing the baby clothes and getting the house ready. Her flight had been booked months ago...and now I began to think she may get here just in time for the birth. I spent the morning doing laundry and packing the hospital bags. As much as I wanted to run in and tell Mr. that I thought it WAS REALLY HAPPENING, I knew he was going to need his sleep. When he finally got up I told him...and of course, he had a lot of doubt. It didn't take too long for him to see that it really was looking like labor. I probably over did it a little during our time at home but I just couldn't sit still. I was full of emotions...excited, scared, nervous, anxious. Finally, after tracking and timing the contractions for a few hours Mr. called the nurse line at the hospital. They told us to wait until the labor pains were intense and less than 5 minutes apart.

I must admit, I am a baby when it comes to pain. My pain tolerance is low...very low. So we waited...and waited at home as long as I could. At 3:30pm I told Mr. I was ready. We really didn't want to get the hospital and be told we needed to leave and come back but at this point I was ready to take that risk just to get there. The car ride seemed long and uncomfortable. While I would love to share the highs and lows of the whole labor I don't want to cross the line of sharing TMI so I will keep it simple...we were admitted and after a LOOONNNNGGGG sleepless night with little progress I finally had little baby girl at 11:37am...just over 30 hours of labor. While the labor and delivery did not come easy I can say it was all so worth it...and truly the best day of my life.

Mr. with his bundle of joy

My mother-in-law (aka Yaya) who arrived in plenty of time for the arrival

Enjoying every minute with the newest (and most beautiful!) member of our family

On a side note, I must apologize that we didn't get to take one final maternity/belly picture before she arrived. We had planned to take a 39 week picture on Saturday or Sunday (but, of course, because I went into labor we didn't get a chance to).

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37 Weeks...

How far along? 37 weeks

Date picture was taken: Sunday, July 14th

Total weight gain/loss: I think I was up another 2-3 lbs at my appt on July 11th but I am so done looking at the scale...I didn't have the heart to ask what my weight was the last time I was there.

Maternity clothes? Yes, but most of those aren't very comfy anyone. I look forward to being off work so I don't have to worry about what I wear anymore.

Stretch marks? Thank goodness still none...I hope I can make it these next few weeks without any.

Sleep: Not too bad...Thank you Danielle for suggesting I get a body pillow! It's been a life saver the past few weeks.

Best moment this week: Well...I guess I would have to say the best moment of the week was going on the hospital tour last weekend.

Miss Anything? Yes, my wardrobe and cute shoes! I look forward to buying some new "non maternity" clothes as soon as I can.

Movement: Yes, she's been putting a lot of pressure on my bladder and also kicking by ribs still.

Food cravings: Cereal and milk

Anything making you queasy or sick: No, although I did feel a little nausea this past week but it quickly passed. I'm not sure what caused it.

Have you started to show yet: Yes, yes, yes of course.

Gender: Girl

Labor Signs: Nothing major...a little more pressure and I continue to have Braxton Hick's.

Belly Button in or out? I guess it's out but it basically looks flat.

Wedding rings on or off? Officially off. I've been able to wear the beautiful heirloom ring that my grandmother gave me in it's place though. :)

Feeling: Emotional and anxious

Looking forward to: The big day! Now that baby is full term...I am ready!

Next Appt: July 22nd

Baby is the Size of a: Winter melon...although I have no idea what a winter melon is.

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35 Weeks...

How far along? 35 weeks...and boy is it crazy to think we only have 5 weeks left. I had hoped to post a picture at 34 weeks but have been so busy!

Date picture was taken: Sunday, June 30th

Total weight gain/loss: I didn't gain any additional weight at my June 12th appt! I was up about 2.5 lbs at my Doctor's appt on June 28th.

Maternity clothes? Of course and unfortunately some of those barely fit anymore.

Stretch marks? I'm still good...but my stomach starting itching last week...I hope that isn't a sign that stretch marks are in the future.

Sleep: Last week bad...this week better thanks to my new heartburn medicine. Seriously...life is better!

Best moment this week: Since I am a little late getting this posted these are my best moments of the past few weeks. Getting the "projects" done around the house. New carpet and paint...and a few other minor updates. I also had my work shower on June 14th. That was a blast!

Miss Anything? Being able to get comfortable

Movement: Yes, more movement at night than during the day now...I think she is starting to run out of room though...the movements aren't as frequent as they were a few weeks ago. She gets the hiccups almost every day too.

Food cravings: Lemon cake and chocolate milk...not together of course.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really...if I eat too much I sometimes feel a little sick though.

Have you started to show yet: Do I really need to answer this question at this point :)

Gender: Girl

Labor Signs: No, other than the occasional Braxton Hick's but those typically don't last too long.

Belly Button in or out? Still flat...I don't know if mine will become a full "outie".

Wedding rings on or off? On, most of the time...until this week. My fingers have been too swollen the past two days to get my ring on.

Feeling: Moody! I must give Mr. the most credit. I've been a real grouchy grouch and bossy boss the past few weeks. I feel awful that I've been acting like this. I've also been a little short with others...I apologize!

Looking forward to: Meeting this baby! I am anxious, excited, nervous and just so ready for the big day!

Next Appt: July 11th...we have an ultrasound at this appt too...definitely looking forward to that.

Baby is the Size of a: Coconut

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Mary Birth Hospital

Since telling friends and family that I am pregnant, I've had a few people ask me where I will be delivering the baby. I decided it would be fun to do a short post about the hospital. To be honest, I haven't been to the hospital yet, although I know a number of moms that have delivered here. We will be attending our childbirth prep classes in early July so we will get a tour and become familiar with the hospital then.

According to there website, www.sharp.com/mary-birch, more than 8,400 babies are born at Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women & Newborns each year, more than any other hospital in California. Located in San Diego, Sharp Mary Birch is nationally recognized for its care of expectant mothers and for delivering babies, as well as for its level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Here are a few pictures:   

 

The hospital is about 12 miles south of our house...and is almost straight highway.

   
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It's crazy to think we'll be here soon...less than 7 weeks to go now! Pin It

32 Weeks...

How far along? 32 weeks

Date picture was taken: Sunday, June 9th

Total weight gain/loss: Only 1 lb gained at my appt on May 30th. Yay!

Maternity clothes? Yes but unfortunately those aren't even working out so well these days. Getting dressed has now become the worst part of my day. It's very difficult at this point to find anything that looks flattering.

Stretch marks? I'm still good...

Sleep: Is getting a little more tricky. I am so tired that I literally fall asleep the second my head hits the pillow but when I wake up to the go to the bathroom...anytime between midnight and 3am...I can't seem to fall back asleep. It's almost as though I have insomnia...it doesn't help that I really cannot get comfortable most nights either.

Best moment this week: Finally getting the nursery bedding...so exciting to finally get to see it in person.

Miss Anything?Being able to get comfortable.

Movement: Tons! And unfortunately in the past two weeks she continuously has her foot in my ribs...it makes for a very unpleasant pain on my right side...

Food cravings: Donuts...boy do I miss Max's Donuts...anyone from my home town knows about this place! I'm also having cravings for pita and hummus and, as usual, burgers!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Well...the heartburn and sour stomach sometimes make me feel a little sick.

Have you started to show yet: Of course...there is no hiding this stomach!

Gender: Girl

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button in or out? Flat and a little sore...is that normal?!?

Wedding rings on or off? On but I have had a tiny bit of swelling in my hands and feet and noticed my rings were a little snug a few times this week.

Feeling: Tired. I also think I had a growth spurt this week...which resulted in a sore stomach and other strange pains and overall discomfort.

Looking forward to: Next doctors appt on June 12th and my work shower!

Next Appt: June 12th

Baby is the Size of a: Squash

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Shower Time

I'm sorry it's taken me a few weeks to actually get this post published. I had tons of pictures to sort through from my trip and had such a hard time deciding which ones to post on the blog. Most of the pictures are of friends and family and since I haven't asked anyone if they give me permission to post them on the blog, I've decided I shouldn't post any of those. To my friends and family, please email me or add a comment if you would like me to send you more pictures. :)

While I was home I had such a great time with family...I was able to see my niece's pre-school graduation...I got to see where my sister-in-law works (which is also where my oldest niece goes to school...it was so exciting to see her classroom)...and I also saw my 10 month old niece that I've only met once before this. I also got to see my mom who graciously flew back to Michigan from Africa...Lesotho to be exact...where she currently serves in the Peace Corp. Since I am only able to get back to Michigan about once a year I enjoy every minute I get to spend with my friends and family. I miss them all so much!

Here are pictures from the shower Mr's family hosted for me on Saturday:

Mr.'s family put so much thought into all of the details...the beautiful cake was made by a family friend...we used elegant china...had a tea station...and lots of other cute decorations and yummy food.

I must also give Casey credit for taking some of these pictures. She is so talented. Thank you girl!!

           


Here are a few pictures from the shower my dad's family hosted for me on Sunday:

 

Aren't the decorations so cute?!?! We had great food, yummy cake and a beautiful view at my aunt's house.

Three generations...soon to be four :)

Worlds biggest thank you to all who could attend and for all of the amazing, thoughtful gifts! I have never felt so blessed & thankful in my entire life... I can't wait for little baby girl to get lots of use out of all the goodies we received! We must also give our families a huge thank you for hosting two of the most amazing baby showers! I know a lot of thought and time went into each of them and I really can't say thank you enough for making them both so memorable and special for me.

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And the Winner is...

When thinking about this post, I had thought I would title this "But I never win anything...". After thinking a bit more I realize that I have won contests...and prizes...in the past.

When I was about thirteen or fourteen I won a contest through a teen magazine. I would have to ask my mom if she can remember the details more clearly but I believe this is how it played out:

• I entered a random contest through a teen magazine.
• I got a call weeks, possibly months, later from a women saying that I had won the Wild America contest. Apparently Wild America was a Jonathan Taylor Thomas movie...at that time he was my TV crush...although I don't think I actually ever saw the movie. When she called, she didn't tell me what I had won. She just needed to verify my address. 
• I should have thought to ask her what I had won. I believe I was able to dig up the magazine and learned that the grand prize was a trip to Canada. I was really excited! 
• A few weeks later a package arrived. I opened it eagerly and was quickly disappointed to learn that I hadn't won the grand prize. It must have been third prize or some other random consolation prize because it was a Caboodle and a Wild America poster. What a disappointment! 

More recently I won a wonderful prize. In 2006, during Mr's first deployment in the Navy, they raffled off a few "First Kisses". This was a great prize...it meant your spouse/significant other would be the first one off the ship when they returned home from a 6+ month deployment. You also got to be escorted on the pier to greet them and give the "first" kisses. They typically show the "first kisses" on the local news. It also really saves a lot of time because the ship has over 1,500 people...it can take awhile to wait for everyone to come off and it's time consuming searching for your spouse in a mass of people that are all dressed the same.

This "first kiss" raffle was done at one of the monthly wives meeting. I didn't attend these meetings regularly but I had heard they would be raffling off a "first kiss" so I made sure to attend. You had to purchase the raffles tickets...but I didn't mind. After buying roughly $20 worth of raffle tickets I thought I might have a good chance because there weren't more than 30-40 people there. At the end of the meeting they drew the winning raffle ticket and it was mine! I was so excited and so was Mr.

So onward to the real reason for this post. I am excited to report that I have won another raffle! This was through a local boutique called Baby Vie. They have some really cute women's and baby clothes and accessories and they are literally right across the street from my house so I make frequent stops to browse. I started following this store on Facebook to see when they would have sales. I saw a post saying they were conducting a raffle of a few items as a way to solicit clothing donations for a local shelter. I had a few items in the closet that I was willing to donate so I decided to drop them off, knowing that it was a good cause. A few days later I got an email saying I had won a Blue Petunia Pickle Bottom Cake diaper bag!

I couldn't believe it. I actually already have an amazing diaper bag that I received as a gift from my girl friend Rebecca...Thank you girl!...so I'm not in need of a diaper bag but it was still exciting to win. I now have two gorgeous diaper bags...what more could a mom-to-be ask for?!?!

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