12 Days Until June 5th - Who's counting? This girl!

Less than 2 weeks until AG's expected arrival date!

I am honestly starting to rollercoaster downhill.  I'm not much of a complainer (or at least I try to keep it to a minimum), but after an increase of X pounds to carry around, heat indexes of 100 degrees, still working out in the heat and driving all.day.long...this girl is worn out. 

Not much to tell from today's doctor's appointment.  Before she started the physical exam, she had already mentioned the possibility of being induced next week as an option.  My BP was actually a lot better than it had been and my swelling wasn't too horrible today for the 1st day all week.  After the progress check, though, we discovered my cervix hasn't changed at all.  I am still 1 cm and 50% effaced.  Since it isn't "medically necessary" to induce this early, plus she said induction is much harder without being further along in the progression, I'm going to hold off on scheduling anything. Hopefully, Avery decides to arrive on her own sooner rather than later, because I honestly don't want to make this decision. Dr. J did say that she wants to get a "game plan" together for L&D at my appointment next week, so that might be what we are faced with next week. This practice doesn't let you get to 42 weeks, so either way, I may have to be induced, but I REALLY want things to happen naturally.  But, I also don't want a 12 pounder or get to a point that I require a C-Section :) 

I'm taking tomorrow off since I am beyond exhausted, it's a holiday and our 3 year anniversary is next week!!!  I am excited and feel blessed Josh and I have gotten to spend some real quality time together over the past few months.  Sometimes when times seem tough, you don't see the silver lining, but we've definitely enjoyed it and made the most of it being just the two of us.  And although we are both anxiously awaiting the arrival of our daughter, we are committed to getting a lot of rest, continuing to get ready for her to be here and just enjoying each other's company.

If you need us this weekend, you can find us near the closest air conditioner...or swimming in DeDe's pool :)  Have a great Memorial Day!

-J, K & Baby A

P.S.  Avery wants to wish her Uncle Hunter a very HAPPY 26th Birthday!  Have fun in FL!

Me and Baby Brother (wayyyy pre-pregnancy, obviously)

... And AG is full term! The waiting begins!

Here we are at 37 weeks, 3 days!
Memphis was awesome!  We got there Friday night in time for dinner with Mom & Terry, and of course, the graduate himself.  Hunter's graduation on Saturday wasn't until later in the day, so we slept in and then all ate lunch at The BBQ Shop (BBQ spaghetti=AMAZING).  His graduation was a proud moment for the family and a fabulous Mother's Day gift for Mom - what an accomplishment!

(Cell phone pic - better quality pic to come)

My 1st Mother's Day was Sunday, according to my sweet husband.  His comment: "You have carried Avery for the last 9 months.  It is absolutely your 1st Mother's Day."

He's amazing.  This was completely unexpected. Yes, I cried.

We had another good report at the doctor yesterday...the progress continues!  I am dilated 1 cm and 50% effaced.  Of course, when the inevitable "How much longer?!" came out of J's mouth, there is no clear-cut way of knowing.  Sure, there are other pre-labor signs, some of which I have also experienced, but only time will really tell.  I watched one of the baby reality shows this week and a girl went into labor a day after finding out she was also dilated 1 cm and was 70% effaced (a little further than me, but not too much).  On the other hand, I have friends that walked around dilated to a 3 and had effaced some for weeks and still were induced on or after their due date. I'm just comfortable knowing God has her plan and I'm just staying comfortable, getting plenty of rest and rely on the fact she'll come when it's time.

I have wall decor coming for the nursery:

Clearly, it will have "avery" rather than "sarah," and I have given her my nursery colors.  I looked at it and thought "Hey, I could do that myself!"  but then reality kicked me and said "Yes, in all of your spare time." HA!

Not too much longer!  17 days. My doc said she'd be surprised if I went past my due date, but if I do, it'll be close.  I asked if she'd induce past the June 5th and she said things would have to be perfect in order for that to happen (and even so, it would be a week at most).  My BP has continued to creep up but it's only been high for me, not according to guidelines.  There are no other signs of preeclampsia or any other gestational issue (no true hypertension).  Just something they've been keeping an eye on for 3 weeks or so.

I hope everyone has a great week!  I can't help but wonder...will this one be her birthday?  :)

-J, K & A

Another Fun Weekend Ahead!

Josh and I are leaving this afternoon to celebrate Hunter's graduation from law school in Memphis!  We are so proud of all of his hard work and are keeping our fingers crossed that everything pans out in the next several months - preparing and taking the bar and of course, to find that great job!  He deserves it.

I went to my 36 week appointment yesterday - more progress!  I've almost dilated a cm and she is still head down!  She's also began to drop, which I can tell through how my belly looks (even Josh and my Mom mentioned it) but also because I'm feeling lighter up top, but more pressure below in my lower back and pelvis.  Don't worry- I did get permission from my OB to travel to Memphis this weekend, especially after I told her we were only staying a night.  Still, we have hospital bags packed and her car seat in place, just in case.

Speaking of "nesting," we are in full force.  I have washed all of her newborn to 3-month clothes, her socks, swaddle me's, gowns, towels, wash cloths and receiving blankets and put them away.  We have her nursery ready to go with everything orgranized that we will need when she first arrives: diapers, wipes, accessories (which this child definitely has), shoes, nursing gear, etc.  Plus, like I said, we are packed and ready to go for the hospital. 

I had 2 reality checks yesterday: the first after I saw that my sorority sister had her baby on Tuesday night...and she was due only 2 days before me; the second when my doctor said, "We won't stop labor is she decides it's time." YAYYYYY!

I know I've said this 100 times, but we cannot wait to meet her!  I will definitely miss being pregnant (no, seriously, I will) but we can't wait to have her here.

Have a great weekend - J, K & Baby A

Welcome, Month #9!!

36 weeks tomorrow - WOW.

Everything has still been going well!  My 35 week appointment was last Wednesday and although I haven't dilated at all, she said my cervix definitely thinning and softening (effacing) and that she thinks I'm about 30%!  I'm happy with any kind of progress - hopefully we'll keep it up!  The only SLIGHT concern from both my physician at the 34 week appointment and the other MD I saw this past week (I've seen all the doctors in the practice during my pregnancy) was an elevated blood pressure, and it was only considered high for me compared to other appointments.  I haven't been having headaches, eyesight issues, severe swelling, protein in my urine or reflex issues, so they aren't overly concerned about preeclampsia.  Hopefully, though, it will be lower on Thursday at my appointment.

We have continued to prepare for AG's arrival over the last several weeks.  Her curtains, pillow and dust ruffle are still with the seamstress and I don't have a lot of wall decor, but we love her nursery thus far.  I have been washing her teeny tiny wardrobe (cutest.things.ever) and Josh put all of her big stuff together.  He also converted the guest bedroom into our new office and it looks awesome.

I'm now just tying up loose ends at work (and finishing up her to-do list as well).  I meet with my manager on Thursday to go over plans while I'm on leave.  I'm really trying to get all of our ducks in the row in the next week, as that's 37 weeks aka FULL TERM (they wouldn't stop labor).  We are also packing for the hospital!  I cannot believe how close we are to being parents!

On another note, we've decided to keep the hospital trip (as in Avery Grace's big arrival) to only immediate family (us, our parents, siblings and grandparents).  We decided to keep things as intimate as possible, giving our close family a few days of solo bonding with Avery.  Plus, we have so many family, friends and family friends, it would just be too wild for a couple of days at the hospital.  So, we're asking for everyone to come visit us once we're home and we can enjoy visiting a little more (unless you or your kids/fam are sick, ha!).

I'll update everyone on the doctor's visit later this week :-)

Here are a couple of pics from the last week:

Another pic from our session with Cortney Smith Photography

Josh and Layla relaxing at DeDe's pool

The pool is the perfect place for the preggo and the lab :)

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!

-J, K & A

Sneak Peek from Maternity Pics

Here is our very first maternity pic - 

love it and cannot wait to see the rest!!!

Our Cup Runneth Over...

Josh and I have the BEST family and friends.  We have had 3 baby showers for Avery Grace over the last two weekends and they all were wonderful.  The generosity of our loved ones has been so greatly appreciated and we have knocked out a ton of "must-haves" for her and the rest should be covered by gift cards (have I mentioned just how much I love gift cards?!).  We are beyond blessed to have SO many people anxiously awaiting her arrival. 

I have spent today after church organizing clothes, blankets, toys, pacifiers, bathing supplies, bibs, books, etc. while Josh put together the stroller, car seat, swing, pack-n-play and bouncer.  We absolutely put a dent in the work, but there is still plenty to be done!

Another big event taking place this Thursday: The last of my 2-week doctor's appointments!  Which means, YES, next Wednesday begins my weekly visits!  It is unbelievable how fast the time has flown.  We are beyond ready to have her here!  I told Josh this morning: "At the earliest, she'll be here in 3 weeks and at the most, only 6." (<---Yes, positive thinking goes a long way, ha!)  It's just mind-boggling to believe we will be parents in no time!

Other than that, I'm trying to wrap up all work's loose ends before taking a few weeks off for maternity leave.  At my company, we get the usual paid 6-8 weeks (depending on C-section) then FMLA (up to 16 weeks in Tennessee) if we new moms so-choose.  I've pretty well decided (90% sure) that I'm breaking that time up, since you have up until 12 months after birth to take the family leave.  So, I'll take the initial 6-8 weeks, then go back on leave either late 2012 or early 2013.  Until then, I'm planning on working up until her big debut, unless my doctor disagrees with that plan.  I think it will be fine, minus driving 2+ hours from Murfreesboro after the beginning of May and that I don't have any issues in the upcoming weeks. So far so good!

I'll be posting pics of both the nursery (and showers) once I get them all ready.  The nursery is painted, thanks to Josh's wonderful grandfather, and we got the fabric we were hoping for, which is now with the seamstress for curtains, a pillow and a dust ruffle.  Once it's all put together and furniture is in it's final resting place, I'll post the pictures.

HAVE A BLESSED WEEK!
xoxo.
J, K & Baby A

Project Nursery/Office/Guest Room Switch-a-roo

After several minor set-backs over the last couple, we are finally tackling the room and nursery project.  All I can say is luckily we aren't really utilizing our formal dining area AND we can close it off because right now it is storing baby furniture and gifts, all of my marketing materials for work and other odds&ends that are being transferred from room-to-room.  Again, we are converting the office into AG's nursery and turning the guest bedroom into the office.  We really thought long-term planning through when we moved in, clearly...ha! 

Many of you have asked about nursery colors and I know we have been pretty vague.  There were several ideas that I liked but overall, we have been pretty set on neutral colors and having a classic and simple theme.  I didn't want to do animals and anything too crazy, color-wise. 

Mom and I went fabric shopping in Chattanooga yesterday while Josh got the nursery cleaned up.  This was the fabric that had the biggest impression on me and they are checking to see if they can get enough to do two sets of curtains and a pillow for the chair.  Josh went to Lowe's this morning to compare paint samples since our wall color now has too much of a yellow undertone in the beige.

Our current wall color is on the left, Josh's match is on the right.

Also, here is the Dutailier Reclining Glider and Ottoman I found at a catalog return outlet - it was exactly what I wanted and we found a fabulous deal!

I am spending today painting a bookshelf and end table that will match the dresser/changing table.  That will make all the nursery furniture antique white and the crib (and wood on the glider/ottoman) espresso. As far as decor, here are just a couple of ideas for inspiration (see Pinterest for the whole nine yards):

Monogram and Antique window (something I've had and onto for years!)

Simple, elegant decor on the wall

Ordered this in her colors!

And I'd like to dedicate it to Hunter, for his childhood love for The Wizard of Oz

I am also planning to buy a small chandelier to take the place of the current light fixture in the room.

I am very excited that all the plans are falling into place.  We are on track to accomplish theme of the clean, classic simplicity of a sweet nursery we were going for from Day 1, though I am as shocked as you are that the one "color" we have to offset the neutral color scheme is light pink.  It will be gorgeous, though!  ...if they can get the fabric :)

Have a blessed weekend!  And Happy Easter
...He is risen, indeed!