And...She's Here!

I'd like to introduce you all, my dear sweet friends, to someone very, very special.

She's also extremely cute!

Matt and I welcomed our sweet daughter into the world on Saturday morning at 3:02 am.  I labored at home for most of my labor so when we got to the hospital I was already 7 cm!  That left us a relatively quick delivery, allowing us to meet her within about 4 hours of arriving at the hospital.  And she's completely perfect.

We came home yesterday and are currently pooped...so I'll leave you now with this gorgeous photo of our girl with her daddy.  Who, FYI, is completely amazing with her.  He blows me away.

So...are you wondering if she ever got a name??

Well, she did.

I'm so thrilled to introduce you to Miss Natalie June.  7 lbs. 13 oz.... 19 1/2 inches long.  Otherwise known as the love of our lives.

I'll be back soon with her complete birth story.  Thank you so much for all the love and support!!  We appreciate it so much!

A Tour of the Nursery!

Alright friends.  You've waited long enough.  Plus, this is probably as good as it's going to get before our little girl arrives.

So prepare yourself for the big nursery reveal!!!

After picking out her bedding and furniture, I knew I wanted to go with something on the walls besides pink.  Yellow is what I came up with and I think it turned out just perfectly.  Here's a shot of her crib and glider.  And see where that little Sleep Sheep is on the nightstand?  I just ordered a little lamp to go there with pretty pink daisies on it so I can feed and read to our little girl at night without turning on all the lights.

Here's another shot of her crib with the bouncer all assembled and waiting for her.  Let me tell you, behind the stroller...that thing was a PAIN to put together.  Who knew something so small could be so difficult?

These are the curtains I picked out for our little one.  I have a support that needs to go in the middle because I feel as if they are sagging a little bit there...but that's a man's job.

Here's her dresser/changing table.  All the drawer are already full.  And just of things that she'll need or fit into right away.  Girl is spoiled...  Also, in the corner, pay attention to the wooden crib.  That was mine when I was a little girl.  I used it to play with all of my dolls.  My grandma (who has since passed away) forced my grandpa to save it for me all these years so I could give it to my little girl.  Well, I picked it up over Thanksgiving and that's exactly what I'm going to do!

Here's a little closer shot at the bedding in the crib.  And don't worry, I'm removing those beautiful bumpers before I put her in there.  I just wanted to see how they looked before I was forced to take them out.  Why do stores even sell them if you shouldn't use them??  Ludicrous.  

And most importantly, the view from her window.  So serene! 

 

I'm planning on putting one of those wall decals over her crib with a bible verse I have chosen once we narrow down her name.  And I have ordered several other wall decorations.  So this is very much a starting point...but I thought I'd share what I've done so far.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Thursday!!!

To Strip or Not to Strip

Remember when I talked last week about getting my membranes stripped...and everyone has like, "Yep it hurts like a no one's business but you'll totally have your baby over the weekend!"??  Well I have been on a total roller coaster ever since. 

I ended up deciding against doing it last Friday.  I honestly felt a little rushed seeing as we had plans that weekend to go to Babies R Us for things we still needed before the baby was born.  And I selfishly wanted just one more weekend home just the hubs and me.  Plus, putting off the inevitable pain seemed like a good idea.  So I told my doc and we were all prepared to do it yesterday.

Until I got there and she wasn't in the office.

Seriously?

I had psyched myself up the entire car ride there.  I still wasn't looking forward to it, per say, but I was ready.  Well, as ready as I was going to be.  And now what was a girl to do?

I'm sure I could've had the procedure done by another doctor if I really wanted to.  But I didn't even bring it up.  I would rather have my own doctor do it, and if I went into labor very soon...my doc clearly was no where in site to deliver my baby...which I also was not crazy about.

So looks like it's Friday!  I'll be 39 weeks.  I'm in no rush to have our little girl so I'm not super bummed about not having the procedure done yet...I just feel like it's been hanging over my head.  It'll be nice to get it out of the way and hopefully get this show on the road!

Christmas in January!

Prepare yourself for the lamest post of all time.

I'm going to be posting pictures of our house all decorated for Christmas.  I know.  It's January the freaking 10th.  And believe it or not, I took all of this down last Friday.  But better late than never, right?  Just give me a pass people...38 weeks remember? 

Most of my decor focuses on the family room.  It's where we spend the majority of our time so it makes sense for it to the be happiest and jolliest place in the house.

 

 

 

 

Evidence that my hospital bag is indeed packed...

 

 I'm a real tree kind of girl.  Always have been, always will be.  Our ceilings in this room are lower than in our last house so our tree had to be downsized (much to my dismay) but I think this one was pretty perfect.  Super full, branches held up really well, and it smelled heavenly!

And as you may recall, we had our whole family up this year for the holidays.  It was my first chance to play hostess and use our new dining room table!  And of course our wedding china from 3 years ago.  Ha!

I didn't take any pictures of the table all set, or all of the sweet goodies I made...but trust me, it was insane.  I'm definitely going to cut back next year.  For a pregnant lady with gestational diabetes, it was pretty much my personal hell.

But I did have a chance to snap some pics of these cute little cake balls my sister brought.  How adorable are they??

Overall, we had a pretty fantastic Christmas.  I'm super sad to see it come to an end...as my house looks entirely too empty and boring after all of the decorations have come down.  But I'm pretty sure we'll have our hands full with excitement all over again very, very soon.

38 Weeks...last belly pic?

Dear Baby Girl,

Please don't give Mama crap about not having a name like everyone else, okay?  Blame your father.

Last week you hit full term!  Can you believe we made it?  You and me little one, we've shared so much together these 9 months.  Not all of the moments have been easy, but they have all been magical.   How you can bond with someone who is not even born yet I will never know....but I feel like we already know each other so well. 

And now, in maybe just a few short days...I'll be able to hold you in my arms and see you move instead of watching you move like a crazy alien in my belly.  Although Mama is super anxious about this whole giving birth process, I could not be more thrilled to finally see your little face.  I wonder if you'll look like me?  Or your daddy?  Will you have our height?  My ability to be completely immature and silly?  Or your daddy's calm and cool nature?

The only thing I'm sure of is that we both love you so much already.  It is hard to imagine being a family of three, but we are so excited for the changes you are going to bring to our lives.  We promise you we're going to do everything we can to keep you safe and warm every single day. 

Love you baby girl and I cannot wait to meet you!

Your Mama (AKA:  The lady whose bladder you keep dancing on...)

Starting to Get Real

Look what came out of my washing machine this morning.

I am in love.

FYI:  I give myself one week before I lose a sock.

And Update from the Womb

I feel like my family and friends are on baby watch!  Although my due date isn't until the 21st...ever since I found out I was at all dilated...everyday someone asks me if I'd had the baby yet!  It's so funny!

So as not to keep you in suspense...

No.

I have not had the baby.

She's still all snug and warm in my belly kicking up a storm.  It's amazing how different the sensations have become since she's grown.  Before her kicks were so sweet and innocent.  Now I feel like she is intentionally trying to hurt me as a joke.  And she's doing a good job!  Girl packs a powerful punch!

My last appointment was yesterday and I am still at 4 cm.  I'm going to go ahead and have my membranes stripped on Friday (I'll be 38 weeks) and we'll see what happens.  Apparently if I'm meant to go into labor soon...it will speed up the process.  If not, it really won't do a thing. 

So this whole membrane stripping business...have any of you had that done?  Boy, it does not sound pleasant.  I mean, why do they have to call it stripping?  Ouch.  So tell me it's not so bad, okay?  Go.

In preparation for our little one's arrival, I have spent this week finishing her room!  She officially has a painted and furnished nursery.  I've also made a list of meals to freeze for when she's born and I'd rather sleep and/or snuggle with her than cook :)  I'm headed to the grocery store now to get started on that task...and finish up her laundry so she has something cute to wear when she comes home.

We're making our final run to Babies R Us this weekend (if, you know, I'm not in labor) to pick up a few last minute things we know we'll need right away.  Dude.  It could literally be days before I have to raise a CHILD.  I'm going to be a PARENT.  Whoa.

I'm feeling good about the progress we've made in preparing for our little girl.  I have a list (shocking) of the things we have left and I'm slowly chipping away at it.  By the "stripping" I should be all set for her to come whenever she wants to. 

Except, you know, for picking out a name.

Talk about the most indecisive couple you have ever met.  But don't worry.  She won't be Baby Girl for long.  We have a list.  A short list.  I promise.

So soon you will receive all sorts of things...nursery pics, baby name decisions, and BABY PICTURES!