Two Weeks

Today my precious angel is two weeks old. It's hard to believe how big she has gotten! I'm doing my best to keep her little as long as possible, but nothing seems to be working! She's only two weeks old and is already outgrowing her newborn clothes! What is that? Isn't she supposed to wear her newborn clothes for at least a month? I mean, she's still a newborn! But lo and behold, I don't think my precious baby girl is going to be in her newborn clothes very long. 

We had her 2 week check up this morning, and Baby Girl is a chunk! If you recall, her birth weight was 8 lbs 2 oz. Then, at her check up 4 days after she was born, she dropped to 7 lbs 12.5 oz. Well, we went to weigh her today and she now weighs a whopping 9 lbs 1 ounce! She gained over a pound in a week and a half! Who does that? And no wonder she won't be fitting into her newborn clothes for very long. At least she's a cute little chunk. 

I'm obsessed with her little hands!

Such a sweet little sleeper...when she wants to be.

Exhausted after our first Sunday at church. Everyone was so excited to meet Baby Girl!

We survived our first bad weather here in Georgia. I hate tornadoes, but they didn't seem to bother Baby Girl at all. We just hung out listening for the sirens and when they went off we headed to the basement where we hung out there for an hour watching tv on my computer.

"This is my grumpy face."

She had her first bath this past week as well. You can't tell from this picture, but she was actually quite content. I think the warm water soothed her. She just sat back and enjoyed it. And let me tell you, our bath that we use for her...It's amazing! It's the Fisher-Price Calming Waters Vibrating Tub and it she fits in it perfectly. 

These past couple of weeks have been an adventure. She's been happy and content one day and then the next she doesn't want to be put down. But never-the-less, I love being a mommy. It's a great adventure and I'm so glad to be on it!

One Week

It's hard to believe that my baby girl is already a week old. It doesn't seem possible! (Sorry for a repeat of pictures for those of you who follow me on instagram)

Weight: Most likely you're back up to birth weight. At least that's my guess. You're such a chunk! We went to your pediatrician on Monday and you had dropped just a little bit - 7 lbs 12.5 oz. But I'm sure you have gained those ounces back. You're such a little piggy when it comes to eating.

Health: You seem to be very healthy and very content. Your umbilical cord fell off at six days. I admit, I may have cried a little bit. I'm not ready for you to start growing up! We were a little worried about jaundice because your skin was just a touch yellow, but your pediatrician wasn't concerned at all. Now, I'm happy to say that your coloring looks really good.

Sleep: Baby Girl, you are spoiling us! I'm getting 3-4 hour snatches of sleep in between feedings. It's been so nice. We've been dressing you in a sleeper sac and you just love it. I woke up a few days ago to feed you  only to find your sleeves empty. You had learned to take your arms out of your sleeves and pull them up to your face through the top of your sleeper. Now, when we dress you for bed, I don't even bother to put your arms through your sleeves. If you want them through, you put them through. It's pretty cute.

Diet: You are strictly on breast milk, and you enjoy every bit of it! You are such a little porker. It's precious. We go about 2-3 hours during the day between feedings and 3-4 hours at night. 

Clothes: You're still in your newborn clothes, and they seem to fit you just right. This is perfectly fine with me. I'm content with keeping you little forever.

Crying: Right now you really only cry when you're starting to get hungry. You let little whimpers out when you're sleeping. It's cute to watch you dream. 

Baby Likes: You love your swing and your rock'n'play. You're currently sleeping in your rock'n'play at night and you just love it. Also, we have a teddy bear outfit that we dress you up in to take you out and you just love it! The instant you're in there, you fall asleep. It's adorable!

Postpartum: This week hasn't been too bad. I tore a little at birth so I had to get stitches. That has probably been the biggest problem. They are very uncomfortable, to say the least. It took me a while to get the hang of sitting and walking with the pain, but now the pain is pretty much gone and I'm starting to feel a relative sense of normal. Or rather, a new normal. Now, I'm having to get used to carrying to milk jugs on my chest.

Baby Girl, we are absolutely smitten with you. I mean really. Your Bibi has been here all week helping me, while your daddy goes back to work. We were lucky to get 5 days (thanks MLK holiday) with him before he had to get back to work. We're adjusting to life right now as a family of three, and let me just tell you that it's been wonderful. I wouldn't trade any of it for the world. You are beautiful, my darling daughter, and I am just so in love with you!

Happy 1 Week, my darling. Mommy loves you!

Welcome to the world

Johanna Mary 

Born 17 January 2013 at 8:31 pm

8 lbs 2 oz 20 in 

 ^"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights"

- James 1:17

Still Pregnant...

This photo was taken yesterday. 

And nothing has changed. 

I'm still pregnant.

I did have a doctor's appointment yesterday though. I sat strapped to a monitor for at least an hour as they monitored Baby Girl's heartbeat and how she was responded to contractions - if I had any. I ended up falling asleep while they were monitored me. Oops. I couldn't help myself. This whole being pregnant thing is exhausting. And Baby Girl was being difficult as well. She didn't want to stay still and have her heartbeat listened to. She kept moving. Anyway, turns out I am having contractions (I knew that) and the baby is doing great (I hoped that was true). They finally checked me and I'm at 2 centimeters and they stripped my membranes. Ever since then, I've been cramping and contracting...as long as I'm moving. I don't feel a thing when I'm sleeping. Is that normal? 

The doctors said they'll induce me if she doesn't come by Sunday on her own. I, of course, said that was fine as long as it was after the football game (GO FALCONS!). They also scheduled me for an ultrasound and stress test tomorrow. I'm hoping to not make it to the appointment. But who knows what'll happen. I'm still contracting. But nothing I can't handle right now. I'm going by the rule that if I can't talk through or walk through then I'll go to the hospital. So far I've been able to walk and talk through every one.

As of right now, I'm having contractions and Baby Girl has hiccups. An interesting combination.

Oh! And doctor said yesterday that she's predicting a big baby...How big you ask? She could be 9 pounds or over. Of course I take that with a grain of salt, but I guess we'll see tomorrow how big she really is at the ultrasound tomorrow.

Here's hoping that the next time you hear from me, I'll be announcing the birth of my beautiful baby girl!

Also! My bump pictures were featured over on Spearmint Baby! Go check them out here!

Happy Due Date To Me!

Today I am 40 weeks pregnant.

I can't believe today is Baby Girl's due date! Now if only she'd listen and come on out. I'm so ready to see her and hold her and love on her! 

Pregnancy Woes

I would wait until I'm 9 months pregnant (just 3 days until my due date) to get sick. Spending the day tomorrow in pajamas watching hulu. 

I have a cold. And a cough. Sometimes I cough so hard it hurts my belly. I will definitely be making a call to the doctor tomorrow to find something I can take. Oi. I made it so far without getting sick! Oh well. Hopefully it won't last too terribly long. I'm staying hydrated with water. In fact, ice water is the only thing that feels good on my throat. I think ice cream would be good too. Yay for pregnancy cravings.

Any tips for a quicker recovery? I would hate to be sick when I go into labor.

39 Weeks!!

I am 39 weeks pregnant. That means just one more week until d-day. Well, her predicted d-day. I personally think she'll be here later next week. We'll see though. Whatever day she decides to come will be the perfect day. (Hopefully I'll get a 39 week picture up asap)

These past two weeks, the hubs and I have had off work. It was so nice to be able to just spend the time with each other. One last holiday season before our little one gets here. It was bittersweet. I am just so incredibly thankful that we got this time together. We've spent three Christmas holidays together as a family of two, and two of those holidays in our own house. We're ready to move to the next step. Next holiday season we will be a family of three, and we are both so incredibly excited!

Today I went back to work after the holiday break. Everyone seemed shocked to see me there. It just made me laugh. I felt like I needed a sign around my neck saying "Yes, I'm back. Don't worry though, I'm fine." Then they'd ask me what my due date was again. It felt weird saying "Monday." That's less than a week away. Um. What?! Less than a week until my due date. Of course, I still stand by the fact that I think she'll be late. But people still think I'll pop at any second. It goes along with how I feel...I feel like a ticking time bomb, liable to go off at any minute. 

Anyway, work. I made it through the day. I only had to walk up the steps twice, so that worked in my favor. I tried to balance my walking around with time with my feet up. I never realized how hard it is to sit in those chairs with a large pregnant belly. I thought it was difficult to sit down before Christmas, who knew it was only going to get harder...Oh wait, everyone told me that it would. 

I go to the doctor tomorrow. My one questions: how long will they let me go past my due date without inducing me? I'm all for letting her go as long as she needs to go, as long as she's healthy and doing just fine. Of course I say that now, I'm sure next week I'll be singing a different tune. We'll see though. She might come before. As long as when she comes doesn't interfere with my football watching on Sunday (GO FALCONS!)(just kidding...or am I?). What can I say? I'm a southern girl who loves her football. I'm secretly hoping she'll come before the game so her first football game will be the Falcons stomping the Seahawks. Just saying...

After work today, the hubs's school through us a baby shower. Our baby girl is so incredibly loved and blessed already! I can't wait for her to get here so we can just shower her with kisses and hugs and love. It'll be sooner than later! That's at least what I'm telling myself.

For your viewing pleasure

Here's something that will hopefully help start your week off with a laugh...

You're welcome.

38 Weeks and a birthday!

Sorry this is late. It's been a crazy week with birthday and holidays and I'm taking as much time as I can to relax before Baby Girl gets here.

This picture was taken on my birthday :)

How far along: 38 weeks!

Trimester: Third and final trimester!!!!! 

Baby size: Watermelon - somewhere between 19 and 22 inches and somewhere around 7.5 lbs

Toes: What toes? I have toes?!

Gender: BABY GIRL!

Movement: Her movement is beginning to shift. I can tell there's not much room for her in there and it's reflected in the way she's moving.

Cravings: Anything sweet and peppermint, but I guess it has to do with the season

Aversions: I tried chicken again...I nearly threw up. It was horrible. No thank you.

Nausea/Morning sickness: Still no nausea or morning sickness, now just massive back pain (yay pre-labor symptoms) and Braxton Hicks. 

Maternity clothes: I live in sweats and the hubs's pajama pants and shirts. Nothing fits me anymore. I'm not sure what I'm going to do when I have to go back to work next week.

Best moment of the week: My birthday was on Tuesday and so we just had a relaxing day watching football (GO DAWGS!) and hanging out with family.

What I'm looking forward to: This girl getting here! I'm ready to meet her and have some quality snuggle time with her!!

Can I just say that I love my doctors? I really do. I had my 38 week appointment yesterday and they talked about checking me to see if I had progressed any. My doctor started off by asking me, "What's your plan?" and my instant response was "To have a baby." She just laughed and told me it was a good plan. I went in depth and told her I really just wanted to go with the flow and see what happens. I wasn't concerned about knowing if I was in fact dilating or if I was still just hanging. In fact, I think I would be more anxious knowing how far along I actually was than I am not knowing how I've progressed. She agreed with me and told me that we'll just let nature run it's course and not bother checking. I love that! I love that I can just let my body do what it needs to do without the added pressure from the doctors. They seemed real easy with just letting it happen too. I've had a "go-with-the-flow" attitude this entire pregnancy. As long as baby and I are healthy, I'm not worried, and I'm thankful to see that my doctors are of the same mindset as me.