We're Ready!

Her room is done!!!!! Now let the countdown begin. Here are some pictures and a video so you guys can see the end result, just click on the image to see the enlarged version. We're very happy with the way it turned out and now the only thing that's missing is the baby to enjoy it all. Let us know what you think!

Slightly Overdue

I named this post slightly overdue because it is just that, I've been saying for the past several days that I would post an entry but never got around to it until now. But I'm sure the lack of having anything to say contributed to my lack of posting. Our lives have been pretty uneventful these past several weeks and I have really just immersed myself in finishing the Y's room (which is actually done, I just need to go clean up my mess). When I'm completely done I will definitely post pictures. The other night I discovered B sitting in her room rocking in the chair, probably imagining what it'll be like once she arrives. I must admit that I have done this myself.

As for doctor appointments, they've been going well for the most part. We have done the NSTs for the past 3 weeks and she only really cooperated for the first one. I told my doctor that was because he was on vacation that week and we saw another doctor. The only thing is that when she doesn't cooperate I end up having to sit there for an hour or so before the doctor gives up and has to do an ultrasound where he has to watch her do certain specific movements, which can take a while as well. The good thing is that every week he does a fluid scan to monitor my amniotic fluid so I get to see her each week. Other than that, there's not much else to tell.

Introducing Gabrielle Alana-Mari:

Here's my new niece! Born Saturday, July 19th at 7:47pm. 7lbs 5½oz; 20 inches long

Welcome to the world, Gabby!


Big Brother & Lil' Sister



Mommy & Gabby


James (my Brother) & Gabby



Grandma & Gabby

Rambling Thoughts

Yesterday while setting up Y's room I couldn't help but think of how happy I am to not only be becoming a mother but also how happy I am that it is at this time in my life. We are very fortunate to have all the blessings that we have. We always talked about having children before we were married, we agreed that we wanted to have 4 and that we wanted to wait until we had been married at least 2 years. This 2 years was our 'get to know you' period and by far the smartest decision that we ever made. I mean, I look at ahead to the early morning and late night feedings, B being at work all day, me having night classes four nights a week, and just taking inventory of how much time we may have to spend together and after taking all these things into consideration I am so happy that we waited those 2 years before even trying. We know each other so well, we've been able to do things that we couldn't have if we had've had the physical, mental and financial responsibility of a child and now that we've done those things we're finally ready for this next step. We have been given so much and now we can't wait to share that with our daughter. We also have been blessed with great families who support us and help us in any way that they can. Not to forget all of our great friends and the strength that they are. We just feel extremely loved and blessed through everything. It definitely has not been easy (marriage or pregnancy) but both have been so extremely fulfilling and rewarding and after all is said and done, we're just glad that we got to experience both together!

Partially Complete

I just couldn't wait to post the pictures of Y's room so I'm posting a couple of what has been done thus far. I'm excited!!!!!!! The changing table/dresser combo as well as the mattress are in, we just need to go pick them up. So sometime next week it should all be done!

This is a before picture, she already has a ton of stuff and as I said some of it's not even here yet!

Classes

Last night we attended out breastfeeding class. I don't know if I've ever felt so overwhelmed by anything before. There are so many details, so much to learn and read and know. B wanted to go with me and I'm glad he did (even though he accounted for half of the guys there). I am pretty sure that it's not going to be possible to remember everything, in fact I'm beyond sure of that. I guess it'll have to be one of those things that I learn as I go.

On the other hand, we had our first prenatal class (there are 4 in the series) last Wednesday and that was awesome. With the exception of watching THE video! I was perfectly happy just knowing what was going to happen, I did not need to see it too. Now I'll probably be replaying that video in my head during my own labor. Other than that the class was great, with the exception of B telling me that since I'll probably be in labor such a long time that he would bring the PlayStation to hook up to the television. I promptly told him that he must have a death wish. I'm sure he was only joking anyway. Tomorrow we get to learn and practice 2 types of massage techniques to aid in relaxation during labor...I'm looking forward to that!!

Settling In, Calming Worries and NSTs

Where should I start?!?! I guess by saying it's been a long week but everything has successfully been put in its place with the exception of a few pictures that I still need to hang. I am really actually looking forward to getting all those things hung because after that I will start on Y's room. All of the larger furniture items have officially been purchased and with the exception of the mattress and changing table combo, which is due to arrive at the beginning of next week, everything else is piled in her room waiting for me to attack it and start working on it. We are really settling in quite nicely in the new apartment and liking it a lot, especially all the extra room.

On to other topics...I've had numerous people tell me that I do not look as far along as I am (32 weeks). I frequently get asked if the baby is really small and once I was even asked if I had miscarried. So I am going to take this opportunity to calm all worries. No, our baby is not small, according to the doctor she is the right size for her gestational age. This is a huge relief to us considering gestational diabetics can have abnormally large babies. As for me not looking like I'm 32 weeks pregnant: at today's doctor appointment I asked the doctor if I was measuring small and in fact I am measuring at 33 weeks instead of 32 weeks. All I know to tell you is that I'm a tall girl and not small by any means, so maybe that affects how big my bump appears to everyone else. As for me and B, we get to see all the details, and take our word for it, I'm HUGE!!! haha

Today, I sat through my first NST (non-stress test). Basically they strap these two elastic, Velcro belts to me. One around the abdomen and another just below the boobs. Each belt has a monitor attached, the lower monitor measures the fetal heart rate while the upper monitor measures the contractions. Basically they want to see how the baby's heart rate reacts to her movements. She should have a higher heart rate when she is moving and a lower heart rate when she is resting. They monitor the baby for about 30 minutes and I'll be doing this every week up until I deliver. As of today everything looked fine and we're just hoping it stays that way!

I Survived!

Well, we survived moving and a weekend without internet! Now the fun of putting everything in it's place which will begin promptly so this will be a short post. We accomplished a lot this weekend and learned that we have a lot more stuff than we thought. We were also able to go and buy Y's crib, playard, car seat, stroller, swing and a couple other items so aside from her changing table/dresser combo and her mattress we have purchased all of the big necessary items. When I get everything ready I'll take some pictures for everyone to see but as for now...I got a lot of work to do!

Motivation...

I have NONE!!! Today is Thursday, we move on Saturday, and I feel as if I've accomplished nothing. This shouldn't be hard, I mean really it's only a matter of packing the living room, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and a storage closet. When you think about it, it's really not that much in comparison to packing up a whole house or something. But I am amazed at the amount of stuff that I have been able to fit in such small quarters - it took 4 big boxes and 2 medium sized boxes just for me to get most of the living room done - and I still haven't started taking things off the wall yet! In case I haven't said this before...I really hate packing!