Surprise Chat!

Today I received a surprise phone call from Betsy the women that was in our child birthing class with us. When Mike and I took our child birthing class back in October there was only one other couple in there with us.. it was SO nice to have a small class. We all got to know each other really well! Of course the men talked hunting every chance they got and the ladies discussed .... well you can only imagine the range of topics! HA

Here we are about to go tour the OR... *excuse the blurry picture!

She called to tell us that they had had their sweet little boy last Tuesday and wanted to share some helpful advice and tips with me! I was thrilled to hear all about her experience at the hospital we will be delivering at and all the little things to expect.

I feel well prepared after taking the class and talking to her!

Knowing her will really come in handy in a few days too because she is a Nurse Practitioner for a Pediatrician in Conway!

We wish them the best of luck with their new little guy!

Hopefully we can get our little ones together in a few months for a play date!

Full Term!!

Can you believe it? I am full term!!

I am SO thankful I have made it this far.

37 weeks 4 days pregnant!

We went to the doctor today and I am dilated 1 cm and 50% thinned! So I am making a little progress... not too much longer and we will meet our daughter! Such an AMAZING feeling!

I get a little overwhelmed thinking about it all actually... Just hoping and praying for a safe delivery with a healthy baby! It's all in God's hands and we are trusting in Him.

Our bags are packed!

I feel as ready as ready can be... Every night before we go to bed I go around making sure everything is picked up and ready, just incase we have to make a mad dash in the middle of the night to the hospital! ha.... It's funny because I am worried about the house being clean and Mike is worried about my water braking in bed! HA... I am surprised he doesn't have me sleeping in a trash bag! HA!

I am still feeling GREAT! It's hard to get around but I am just waddling away!

I have had a WONDERFUL pregnancy and am truly going to miss being pregnant.

I'm so thankful I have been able to experience this and can't wait to go through it all again... of course in a few years hopefully!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 37 Weeks 4 days

Total Weight Gain/Loss: up 44lbs

Maternity Clothes: All maternity clothes and those hardly cover the belly!

Best Moment this week: Finding out I'm dilated 1 cm & 50% thinned

Gender: IT'S A GIRL!!! Emily Ann

Movement: She moves often, especially when I am sitting still or laying down! It's the best feeling EVER!

Food Craving: Anything really! I have been waking up starving!

What I miss: Sleeping through the night and sleeping on my belly! Bending over and moving at normal speed! HA

Sleep: Getting use to not sleeping much... I sleep about 4 hours a night mostly sitting up.

What I am looking forward to: Meeting our sweet daughter!

Belly Button: It's flat, smooth and not very attractive.

Stretch Marks: A few faint ones... She is leaving her mark on Mommy's belly! I prayed for these during our struggle and it's not the end of the world if more come.
Symptoms: swelling and blurry vision

Make Way for Baby!

Mike and I have several baby items put together and in position around the house.

We are SO ready to welcome this child of ours and we get the BIGGEST smile when we walk by her stuff!

Several people have asked what products we are going to use. So here are some of the things we have. Before registering or buying any of these products we did read reviews, checked for recalls and simply asked the opinions from experienced Mommies! Feel free to leave a comment if you have used one of these items... I would love to know if & what worked for you.

First up is the Pack n' Play!

We chose the Graco Pack n' Play with the changing and napper station.. since she will be in our bedroom for the first few months! Mike was disappointed that I didn't pick a pink one but I'm Anal Annie and had to have something that matched the room! HA... I love that it has the napper station that plays music, has a night light and vibrates! The only negative thing I have found so far is the small accessory holder on the side... hints why there is a 3 tier basket beside it that will hold diapers, wipes, a few blankets, burp clothes, etc.. so we aren't tracking across the house in the dark at night!

The Bright Starts -Comfort & Harmony Cradling Bouncer

It reclines and plays 7 calming melodies plus soothing vibrations.

I plan on her really using this when I am getting ready in the mornings or something to take along with us when we go to the grandparents house and such!

The Fisher-Price Zen Collection Adjustable High Chair!

I love that it adjusts for every age, the padding is wipeable and machine washable and it folds flat for storage.

Once again I had to have something that matched the house and was gender neutral for future use!

The MamaRoo"It moves like you do"!

( I feel like I could do a commercial for this thing)HA!

I love it but more importantly I HOPE she really does!

It is a one of a kind product made by 4Moms.

Watch the video and you will see how neat it is!

We went with the pink and brown one... yes Mike won the battle.HA.... you can buy other covers and change them out though.

The Bright Stars Pretty in Pink Play Gym

This will be great for tummy time or laying under for entertainment.

It plays music and has several attachable toys. It folds flat and has a storage bag... gotta love it!

Those are just a few of the things we will be using frequently I'm sure!

Not too much longer and we will be able to see how well she likes all of things we picked for her!

Can't believe we are 4 weeks away!!

I Couldn't Ask For More!!

We are so in love with this little girl!!

She has brought us closer together!

We are so ready to be a family of three!

Blessed beyond measure!

Baby Shower #2

A sweet group of friends helped host our 2nd baby shower this past Saturday.

It turned out so cute and I am very thankful for their helping hands during this special time!

Just enjoying a little visiting and eating.

Sweet gifts for little Miss Emily Ann!

Now that the showers are over, I have begun and almost finished washing all of her newborn clothes and mailing thank you cards. It feels so good to get a few things marked off my to-do list!

Her nursery should be done in about a week.. we are waiting on the bedding, curtains, canvases to get finished and for her night stand to arrive. I will feel RELIEVED when it's complete.

I have had SO many people ask to see her nursery and I feel so unprepared since it's not done... but what can you really do about it when your hands are tied because you are waiting on ordered things to get done.

I will post pictures as soon as we get everything finished! Stay tuned...

Maternity Session

To always remember this wonderful time in our lives we decided to have maternity pictures taken!

This past Sunday we drove up to Mountain Home and had John Blair from Blair Photography take our pictures. He took our engagement pictures and wedding pictures a few years ago and did a great job. So we knew he would be the guy we would use to help capture this moment.

He is such a sweet guy and excellent photographer.

It was a beautiful day that day thank-goodness because I really wanted outdoor pictures.

We haven't seen them all yet but here is a sneak peak... more to come soon!

I am 32 weeks 3 days pregnant here!

Loving EVERY minute and wouldn't trade it for the world!

Thanks John & Trisha!

Showered with Love!

This past Saturday we had our first baby shower!

It was adorable and I couldn't of asked for anything more.

Thanks to all of the sweet ladies that helped make that day so special!

I am still in shock that this is all really happening!... We are REALLY having a baby and this shower was for us?!?! I have dreamed of these moments and they are all happening, right here, right now!

The cake was adorable and delicious!

My sweet Mother-In-Law surprised me with a piece of Emily Ann's bedding!

I just LOVE the fabric that we picked! It will grow with her and we will enjoy it for several years to come I'm sure!

Adorable decor!

Picture with the hostesses

We got several things and are so thankful to those who took the time to come.

I feel a little more prepared and we just hope and pray Emily Ann stays put for a little longer so we can get a few more things squared away!

Stay tuned for baby shower #2 which is this coming Saturday!