40 Weeks + 4 Days

Hey guys! So if you read this blog then you are probably up to speed on the fact that Bailey has not been born yet! The official due date was January 24, 2013.  Ashby and I loaded up the car and went to the hospital for a normal weekly checkup that day. I had thoroughly convinced myself that my doctor would just keep me and go ahead and induce that day. Turns out, after having an ultra sound and non stress test that Bailey is quite content in my belly, totally healthy, giving my doctor no reason to induce.  I was super upset to say the least.  I think the real problem for me was the fact that I had not dilated at all since my last appointment and I really felt like I had.  So after a traumatic morning/afternoon I finally calmed down and tried to look at the positive.  We are so blessed that we have a happy, healthy baby who just wants to cook a little bit longer, where others struggle to conceive in the first place.  So without getting too heavy or into too  much detail, I am scheduled for an induction on Wednesday (January 30th) if she doesn't come sooner.

We have been having crazy weather, which makes me believe she is a warm weather girl. Check out the forecast for this week, specifically on Wednesday (the day she'll most likely be born).


70 Degrees, granted it's rainy, but I'm thinking the girl doesn't really dig snow and cold weather! Just like her mama : )

Something interesting we also learned about Bailey is that she loves the sound of Ashby's voice. During the non stress test (this is where they keep track of her heartbeat and contractions), when Ashby would talk her heartbeat would go through the roof. When I would talk it would remain the same level.  I think we have a daddy's girl on her hands. Awesome!


We have enjoyed the extra time together, just Ashby and I, that she has allowed us to have.  All in all, it's comforting to know that the end is near and that in a few short days we will finally get to meet our little girl!

Since I have been working from home I have really been getting dressed up, leggings and Ashby's shirts are my typical uniform which is why I don't have any real bump pictures to share with you except for this one...

Sidenote, that onsie is from one of our college friends Derco.  His dad is actually our pediatrician, I'm going to make it my mission to ensure she has this on when we take her to a checkup appointment. I think he'll really appreciate it!

The nursery is about 90 percent complete. We still have some artwork and pictures to hang but we can't do that until we have pictures of her! Bambi came over last weekend and installed the crib skirt, which is awesome.  It really makes the entire room.  Here are some pics, and I apologize but the room is small anyway, and I was working around a pac n play in the middle of the room!

I'm not going to go a real update, I'll just give you the following tidbits:
-I can't put boots on, Ashby has to assist
-Heartburn in the worst, especially in the middle of the night
-I wake up 2-3 times out of the week at about 3-4am and I can't fall back asleep
-My stomach feels so tight it makes sitting on the couch uncomfy
-All I want to eat are sweet treats
-My feet and hands are starting to swell. Feet in the AM, hands in the PM


I have made two batches of these in the last two weeks and they are AMAZING. I may be making some more today!

So the next time I post, plan on seeing some baby pics! Wish us luck : )

Bump Report: 38 Weeks

Happy Friday! The two week countdown has begun and I'm freaking out! Ok, not really, I'm so excited to see her and the anticipation is killing me but at the same time I'm just trying to enjoy the days that Ashby and I have together before Miss Bailey makes her debut.

I had a Doctors appointment on Thursday, so no progress but Bailey is pretty low.  She also kicked when the doctor was examining me, which is a good thing.  Apparently, they tickle the babies heads during labor sometimes to get their heart rate up, so it was a good sign that she did that already.  Dr. Tate and I discussed the plan for if we get to the 24th and still haven't had her. I'm scheduled for an ultrasound, non stress test and an exam on the 24th and then we will take it from there. Dr. Tate did tell me she doesn't want me to go more than a few days over the due date, and that hopefully by making the extra ultrasound and non stress test appointment I won't really need them, because I will have already had her! I also got the TDap shot while I was there, to prevent whooping cough.  I got it in my left arm, thinking because I'm left handed that I'd use that arm more and it wouldn't hurt as much, it still hurts : (

At about 1:00pm for the past two days I've been having, what I think are minor contractions, nothing serious, no labor, but it helps me to keep a positive attitude that she may be here before the 24th!

The hospital bag is packed, the nursery is put together, we've got diaper and wipes.  Fingers crossed everyone : )

This past week I finally finished the tshirt quilt.  Never again will I ever make another one.  I think it's the hardest project I've ever taken on, but I'm glad I did it.  It's very warm, with a flannel backing and I know we will love it forever.

Bump picture:

oh yeah, I also got a mom haircut today! Not sure if you can really tell that she has dropped in this picture, but I can certainly tell just looking in the mirror.

How far along? 38 Weeks

Total weight gain: 27lbs thus far.

Maternity clothes?  Yes. 

Stretch marks? None. 

Sleep:  Tired during the days, still falling asleep super early at night. 

Best moment this week: Hearing that she is low, establishing a plan for if she goes over. Oh yeah and finishing that stupid quilt

Miss Anything?  No.

Food cravings: Sweets.

Anything making you queasy or sick: nope. 

Labor Signs: Minor contractions : ) Obviously I wouldn't be smiling if they were intense!

Symptoms:  She continues to move around tons, she has to be cramped in there.  

Belly Button in or out? In 

Wedding rings on or off? on. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: So excited : )

Looking forward to: Meeting our daughter

The baby is the size of:   A leek.   Weighing about 6.8-7 lbs and about 19.5 inches long. 

Hope ya'll have a great weekend!

Bump Report: 37 Weeks

Happy Friday and Happy New Year! Hope you all had a fabulous New Years Eve! We hung out at my sister in law's house with a bunch of kiddos and then came home. I was asleep on the couch, Ashby woke me up for the countdown and then I went back to sleep.  We've never really been big New Years Eve peeps anyway, so this was pretty typical regardless of me being pregnant : )

The big news this week is that I'm 37 weeks which is considered full term, meaning if Miss Bailey decides to make her debut she'd be good to go.  I had a doctors appointment on Thursday, no progress has been made but she still remains head down which is positive.  I've started walking everyday to help the process move along! I really just can't get past that she will be here so soon. I'm so excited to meet her and love her more than I already do!


Here is a list of general things that have been going on or that we are planning to do:
- Started packing the hospital bag
- Put the car seat in the car
- Hang pictures and art on the walls in the nursery
- Take down Christmas
- Maybe go to the movies this weekend
- Finish the stupid tshirt quilt (I'm so close to having it done)

Bump picture:

How far along? 37 Weeks

Total weight gain: 25lbs thus far.

Maternity clothes?  Yes. I'm so looking forward to packing them away and getting back to my normal clothes. I know it won't be immediate but it's sooner than it was before.

Stretch marks? None. The nurse commented on the fact that I have no stretch marks and that it looks like I've been using lotion. I said thank you while laying there awkwardly. 

Sleep:  Very sporadic. I'll wake up at 4:30 and can't fall asleep so I'll just get up. Other mornings (like today) I'll sleep until 7:30 then I'm forced to get up because Ashby is awake.  

Best moment this week: Bailey's glider being delivered. Starting to walk everyday. 

Miss Anything?  No.

Food cravings: Peppermint oreos are the death of me.  

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not one thing.  I'll wake up in the mornings feeling a little queasy but I'm fine as soon as I eat. 

Labor Signs: Nope.  She is content continuing to cook.  

Symptoms:  She continues to move around tons, she has to be cramped in there.  

Belly Button in or out? In 

Wedding rings on or off? on. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: So excited : )

Looking forward to: Putting the finishing touches on the nursery and just waiting for her to get here.

The baby is the size of:   A watermelon.   (I don't even know what this is), weighing about 6 lbs and about 19 inches long.  

Hope ya'll have a great weekend!

Bump Report: 36 Weeks

Hello! Hope everyone had a very merry Christmas! We sure did! We started our holiday off with a Christmas dinner at Hollis' house with Ashby's family. Best steak ever. My family got into town last Saturday and we hung out, watched Christmas movies, baked cookies and other Christmas type food! We headed over to Bambi's on Christmas Eve for a little chili dinner. We also did an ornament exchange while Bambi read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.  Everyone brought an ornament and passed to the left or to the right while she was reading the poem based on her que.  It was really fun and new ornaments, that's what I'm talking about! Christmas morning came early for Ashby and I since we both have been battling a cold.  We threw in the towel at 4:30 and went down to man cave to watch a movie until everyone else woke up.  I managed to walk past the santa presents without peaking! Once everyone was up, we ate our first round of monkey bread, opened presents and then headed over to Hollis' for more breakfast and present opening.  It was sad to see my parents leave and not be able to spend Christmas in Pittsburgh with my family but we made the best of it! We just hung out at home for the rest of the day, and I made a small Christmas dinner for us that night.

The rest of the week I've been working at my alternate work location (my kitchen) sporadically and have mixed in at least one shopping adventure to the Williamsburg outlets already.

Today I've got a doctors appointment and then I'm heading to short pump before the craziness of the weekend ensues.  My plan is to bunker down this weekend and stay home, maybe work on this t-shirt quilt.  I heard we might get light snow flurries, I wouldn't mind it, as long as they were light!


Bump picture:

How far along? 36 Weeks

Total weight gain: 24lbs thus far.

Maternity clothes?  Yes. Except for the pants I'm wearing today which are stretchy!

Stretch marks? None. 

Sleep:  Haven't been getting much sleep due to the cold and just plain discomfort.  

Best moment this week: Christmas and spending time with family

Miss Anything?  No.

Food cravings: I'm on the sweet train, these cookies have to get out of my house asap, or else I'm going to turn into a cookie

Anything making you queasy or sick: Just coffee

Labor Signs: No. As of last week there were no signs of progress!

Symptoms:  I'm not really sure if this qualifies as a symptom but sometimes Bailey will move around and I will get this shooting pain in my right hip flexor.  Maybe she hits a nerve, I'm not really sure, but the pain brings me to my knees.  Maybe I've reported this already, I don't really remember!

Belly Button in or out? In 

Wedding rings on or off? on. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy and excited that we have less than a month to go!

Looking forward to: The nursery glider being delivered and finishing up the final touches in the nursery

The baby is the size of:   A crenshaw melon (I don't even know what this is), weighing about 6 lbs and about 18.5 inches long.  All of her organs are pretty much set to go, her lungs are still growing.  

Happy Weekend!

Bump Report: 35 Weeks

So today is my last day in the office until little Bailey is here! I sucked up by bringing in oreo rice krispie treats. I think it worked because I got taken out to Panera for lunch. Sweet! I can't believe how fast it has gone.

Last night Ashby and I went to an infant CPR class.  I'd never taken a CPR class before, he has on many occasions. I'm so glad we went, I feel prepared if heaven forbid we ever have to use our new skills.  I also whacked the baby doll's head against the table and everyone stared at me. It was awkward.

Tomorrow I've got a doctors appointments, they are now weekly. Lucky me. I only have five more scheduled though until the due date. How crazy is that : )

My family comes in on Saturday, so I just have a few things to do to prepare and some last minute gifts to purchase.  I'm so excited to have Christmas at our house this year!

I have a major cough going on.  I'm fine during the day and then get cough attacks at night.  Wednesday night, Ashby got out of bed to bring me cough syrup and a cough drop so that I would stop coughing, so that he could sleep : (

Here is a bump picture. I'd just like to point out the fact that the pants I'm wearing in the picture below are non maternity.  I found them hiding in my closet, they were always too big for me, and decided to try them on this am when getting ready.

"oh hey girl, where did that bump come from?"

How far along? 35 Weeks

Total weight gain: 24lbs thus far.

Maternity clothes?  Yes. Except for the pants I'm wearing today.

Stretch marks? None. 

Sleep:  My standard bedtime is 8-8:30. 

Best moment this week: Last day of commuting into work!

Miss Anything?  No.

Food cravings: Christmas sweet treats. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: No more coffee. Coffee= Acid reflux

Labor Signs: No

Symptoms:  No, she is just moving around a ton.

Belly Button in or out? In 

Wedding rings on or off? on. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy

Looking forward to: Christmas and spending time with our families

The baby is the size of:   A honeydew melon, weighing about 5 lbs and about 18 inches long.  

Enjoy your days leading up to Christmas and Merry Christmas!

Bump Report: 34 Weeks

Heeellloo! Well today has been about the longest day ever, at least that's what it feels like to me! It's pretty bad when you feel like you've reached the end of the internet and have nothing else to look at.  You can also do only so much online shopping before your card is hot to the touch! I'm also feeling like I'm coming down with a cold : (

So this past Saturday was the baby shower, and it was a blast! It was so fun to see friends and family who had traveled to be there. Awesome food. Awesome people. Awesome decorations. It was a definite success. Thank you to Hollis and my mom!

Here are just a few pics off of my phone and stolen from facebook!

Truly, thank you to everyone who came, and for all of the sweet presents you showered Bailey with.  She is one lucky little girl to have all you amazing people in her life!

When I got home from the shower, we all watched Home Alone and then Elf while my Aunt Marfi and I went through all of the presents and sorted everything out.  Bailey also received some hand me down clothes from Brooklyn (a friend she hasn't met yet!) and Lloyd freaked out on the clothes. He was rubbing his head against everything, especially this one pair of orange bloomers. It was hysterical, and therefore I had to capture the moment...

Everything is all put away in Bailey's room for the most part now.  Perhaps when I have more energy this weekend, I'll take some pics of her new wardrobe and other items now in her room! Seeing her room starting to fill with the essentials (diapers, wipes, baby wash) really made things real for me. Only six more weeks and this little girl will be here : )


Here is a bump picture.  Sidenote: I'm pretty sure my nose has changed shapes throughout this pregnancy. Apparently that happens to some people, lucky me.

How far along? 34 Weeks

Total weight gain: On track.  

Maternity clothes?  Yes. 

Stretch marks? No. My belly button is getting bigger though. It will never be an outtie but it's strange how big it's gotten. I hope it shrinks back to normal or else I'm going to have a permanent large belly button that is out of proportion with my short torso. 

Sleep:  So tired. All. The. Time.

Best moment this week: Putting Bailey's clothes in her closet. I also have another appointment tomorrow. Hearing her heartbeat is always awesome. 

Miss Anything?  Having energy. 

Food cravings: Nope. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Coffee has been sort of an issue this week. I think it gives me bad acid reflux, so I've laid off of it this week.

Labor Signs: No

Symptoms:  Some braxton hicks this week.  Yesterday she was quite the mover and managed to make her way, or some part of her, up into my rib cage. I was walking around/driving with my hands in the air just trying to make as much possible room in there for her. 

Belly Button in or out? In but again it's huge! Gross, I know.

Wedding rings on or off? on. They are starting to swell at night though. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy

Looking forward to: Hanging out all weekend and doing nothing. Won't have many more of those weekends pretty soon, so we've got to live them up while we can!

The baby is the size of:   A cantaloupe, weighing about 4.5 lbs and about 18 inches long.  She is just working on getting fat right now!    

Have a great weekend!

Bump Report: 33 Weeks

Happy Thursday! This is really my Friday so I'm pretty pumped for the day to be over with! Tomorrow my sister and Aunt Marfi fly in and on Saturday my parents will be in RVA, along with friends from NOVA for the baby shower! Ahhhh I'm so excited to see everyone.

This past week Ashby and I went on a tour of the hospital where I'll be delivering.  It was nice to know where exactly I'd go and what everything looks like.  They had just renovated the labor and delivery wing and everything was super nice.  Once we got up to the third floor to see everything, I felt a little freaked out. I can't believe that I'm due next month. It has flown by!

Over the weekend we added a dresser into BK's room. Here is a picture update...

I'm still debating on some artwork for over the crib. Haven't decided what exactly I want to do yet. Something with elephants or a monogram? I came across a few watercolor paintings on Etsy, but I'm thinking maybe BK's talented Bebe can hook her up with some artwork?!? Ashby spray painted a mirror to hang over the dresser, just waiting for it to dry.


The house is fully decked out and we are ready for Christmas....

Notice the stars. I found a place for them ; )

Here is bump picture. It is pure coincidence I am wearing the same shirt as last week's post, clearly it's my favorite pregnant shirt! Check out my DIY scarf though. It turned out nice and I love it....

How far along? 33 Weeks

Total weight gain: On track.  

Maternity clothes?  Yes. 

Stretch marks? No. I picked up new tummy butter. I went the palmers route this time and now I'm regretting not just using this from the beginning. 

Sleep:  Tiredness is back full swing. Passing out on the couch at 7:30-8:00 is uncontrollable.  

Best moment this week: Getting to see family and friends!

Miss Anything?  Having energy and being able to walk up and down the stairs without feeling winded.  

Food cravings: None this week. However, white chocolate covered oreos are money.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.

Labor Signs: No

Symptoms:  Some braxton hicks this week.  She is continuing to move around a TON.  If you see me with my arms over my head, don't be alarmed, I wear deodorant, and it's just so that I can get a little more room in my abdomen so she'll get out of my ribs.  

Belly Button in or out? In 

Wedding rings on or off? on. They are starting to swell at night though. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy

Looking forward to: Baby Shower on Saturday!

The baby is the size of:   A pineapple and she weights about 4lbs.    

I'm back to some more online browsing/shopping.  Enjoy your thirsty Thursday!