Baby Visions Dancing In My Head ...

Pre-baby, I did a WHOLE lot of daydreaming. She was such a mystery to me, and I couldn't quite wrap my mind around this little person who would look like either me, my husband, some other relative, or some random mixture of features. Based on my and Hubby's features, I imagined that my baby would look something like the little ones pictured below ...

She, of course, has her own unique look, which I love a thousand times more than I could have ever imagined :) The real deal is pictured below:

Pretty cute, don't you agree?

The Birth Story (Also Known As How I Confirmed the Friday the 13th Jinx)

My anniversary was April 8th. Hubby and I celebrated our first full year of marriage. Our little one was due on April 26th, so we figured that we may have just about a week or so before we could go on the official baby watch. So, on Friday, April 13th, we decided to go out and enjoy ourselves. Around 5 PM, Hubby, my mom, and I went to a Chinese buffet. I ate lots of crawfish, stir fried green beans, and a huge plate of fresh fruit. After we ate, we dropped my mom off at her home and went home to get ready for our night out.

I did my makeup, wrapped my hair with a cute headwrap, and got dressed to go out. Hubby wore a nice dress shirt, slacks and slicked his hair back (one of my favorite looks on him :) We went to a local martini lounge, where one of my favorite live bands was scheduled to perform. Unfortunately, the lounge's website is outdated, so there was another band performing this night. The band at the lounge on this particular night was mediocre, so we ended up watching pro basketball and sipping drinks (he had a gin and tonic, I enjoyed a club soda.) Around halftime, we decided to head back to the house and chill out. I went to the bathroom then came back to the bar while I waited to see a couple of basketball clips before we left. I felt like I needed to check myself again, so I went to the bathroom again, where my water promptly broke LOL!

I washed my hands, tied my jacket around my waist, and left the bathroom, then told my husband that my water broke. The video below picks up after we went back to the house to gather just a couple of things before heading to the hospital.

She's Here!

The baby was born on April 15th. I "enjoyed" 24 hours of labor before I ended up needing a c-section. Here are a few exclusive pictures of the munchkin :) By the way, the birth story will be up very soon.

Hope you enjoy the pics of the little one! More posts coming soon :)

Word of the Day: Bras

While waiting for my little bundle o'joy, I have been slowly acquiring little things that I need to help make a comfortable transition to motherhood. Along with baby books, convenient gadgets, and countless paint for the nursery, I found that I had to indulge in something I never would have given a second thought: new bras. I knew that my breasts would probably grow, but I still didn't make the mental connection: I had to buy more bras, because I could not wear my old ones any longer. I went up both a cup and a band size (Hubby is ecstatic; I'm only mildly enthused.) So I bought two regular bras (in a larger size) and two nursing bras. Along with the two regular bras, I've been wearing a few stretchy sports bras, because those are flexibly sized and still fit comfortably.

I will get some more bras once the little one gets here. For now though, I'm still reeling over the fact that I had to buy the 4 new bras. Bras are expensive! Thank goodness for all the gift cards I've gotten: those helped keep me from having to spend cash for my new gear.

Word of the Day: Dilation

I've been at 1 cm for the past week. So, it's now official: the baby has gotten too comfy. I figure that once the door is cracked, baby should be trying to bust her way out of here. Unfortunately, she didn't get that memo.

My poor sister-in-law made it to 41 weeks before her little bundle decided to exit. In fact, she's in labor now. My new nephew will be here in a few hours (hopefully!) While I would love to be absorbed in what's happening in my uterus, my mind continues to go to her and what she's going through. Praying for her & the little one's safety :)

A Letter to My Unborn Child

Dear  Munchkin,

Though I talk to you every day, I figured I'd write you a letter. I know you're not due until April 26th, but I just figured I'd let you know that I am ready for your arrival. You don't have to stay in there any longer. I don't know if you heard the doctor a couple of days ago, but she said that you are full term, so that means you can come on out! Don't stay in too long: you don't really want to be a May baby. Remember, we agreed that diamond is a great birthstone to have. Quite a few awesome people are born in April-early April, that is. I know your Aunty Jess is born on April 26th, but let her have her day to herself, ok? No need for you two to share a birthday. See if you can make your debut before your aunty turns 25 again LOL

Come on out: the weather has been pretty warm, and I have a bunch of adorable clothes for you to wear, a pretty bassinet for you to sleep in, and a nice baby tub so we can practice your beauty rituals :) I've got some great organic baby products for you, not to mention the fact that I'm using up all my perfumed stuff so that I can get on the unscented bandwagon once you arrive. Oh yeah, I found some great hypoallergenic detergent to wash your clothes in-all you have to do is arrive, so we can get you in your freshly washed clothes.

I've completed my birth plan along with reviewing it with my obstetrician, made photocopies of my preregistration forms, I even made copies of my license and insurance card, just so that I can keep all that stuff together. I lined up your pediatrician, and I'm making the call to my insurance tomorrow so that we will be ready for you as soon as you get here. I've been stretching, learning breathing exercises, and eating super-healthy, just so that I'll be in top condition when you decide to come on out.

I'm getting used to drinking lots of water, so whenever you want to nurse, I'll be ready. I got some Enfamil and glass bottles (easier to sterilize) so even if you get a little hungry inbetween feeding sessions, there will always be something for you to eat. I know you're awfully cramped in there: that would be why you constantly toss and turn, trying to find a comfortable spot. Your bassinet has lots of space for you to stretch your legs. Your crib will have a lot of space, too. As you can see, we got food, comfortable living conditions, and scenery: what more could you want?

I don't mind the stretch marks, achy back, constant eating, and lack of sleep: I figure these are all a part of the journey. But since all the major damage is done, I'm thinking that you don't need to stay in any more. You can join us on the outside now.


Love you always,

Your slightly impatient mother

Almost 37 weeks ...

To say that I'm ready to have this baby would be an understatement. Here's how I'm looking (this was taken two days ago, when I was 36 weeks and 4 days):

The faint smirk on my face was just for my husband's amusement LOL! We were at Babies R Us, trying to pick up some little odds and ends before the little one gets here. Now, we wait ...

But don't worry-I'll still be doing posts, because I have lots to talk about, as I think of all of the last-minute details I've handled in the past couple of weeks :)