He's Here :)

Our wonderful, perfect, precious baby boy arrived Tuesday, March 22, 2011 @ 7:23pm. He is albs 4 oz and 21 inches long. We love him so much! Pics & details to follow soon!

Baby Update

I thought the 'super moon' may bring him on out, but no such luck. I did have some contractions last night for about 6 hours or so. They ranged from 4 - 14 minutes and by around 2am they had slowed to a stop.  I've tried spicy food, pineapple, walking, etc and he hasn't even dropped so...

At the doctor this morning we decided/found out I'll be induced in the morning!  I was 2cm and 60% today and the doctor is worried he is getting big.  She feels he is already 8-9 pounds and tomorrow I'll be 5 days overdue. So... while she didn't want to push me into it or anything, she offered tomorrow or Friday for induction.  We decided to go ahead with tomorrow.

Anyway, I'm nervous about how all of this is going to play out tomorrow.  I'm mostly scared to death about the pain.  I've heard the pitocin stories.  Yikes. ... hopefully he'll be ready to come out tomorrow!  We are certainly ready to meet him!

Nursery Pictures

So there are tons of pics but here are just 10 of them but I think you can get the 'feel' of the room from them.  We had SUCH FUN creating this room for our baby boy.  Everything from online shopping, multiple Pott.ery Bar.n Outlet trips, and homemade items from loving friends and family went into completing the room.  We love it and hope he does too!

View from door

This piggy bank was the 'guest book' from our first baby shower

Closer view of his bookcase complete with cool alphabet blocks, books,  toys (in the candy jars), and blankets down on the bottom.  The white frame holds an et.sy find and the red magnet board is also a chalkboard.

This alphabet was one of my husbands finds.  We wanted a 'vintage' alphabet and he found these with the tools on them and had to have them!  Also, this glider was a gift from my mom and stepdad and it is simply amazing!  So comfy!

Close up of one of the bookshelves (I can't seem to get blogger to let me reorder these pics!).  Anyway, there is Sophie driving the bulldozer to knock down the alphabet letter/ word/ picture blocks. :)

A favorite stuffed animal of mine already.  SO SOFT!  And he's holding a camera (Dane's first of many cameras we're sure since my husband is a photographer!)

These number hooks are on his closet door.  I want to hang something in the panel above.. maybe his birth announcement...

The 'rocket' art work was one of the first things we found for the nursery.  It says at the top "Conquer the Moon".  I loved that.  Oh, and, yes, there's a fireplace in his room (we have 4 in our house) but this one is a non-working one and it's sealed off.  Its an old coal burning fireplace (our house was built in 1927)

Little piggy banks and other knick-knacks. :)  I like his name hanging on the twine...each letter is a different pattern & color (plaid, stripe, etc)

One last one of his crib.  To the left is one of his 3D ultrasound pics and a maternity pic under it.  On the floor over there is the 'bop.py collection' and his toy bucket.

Hope you enjoyed the nursery tour!  It makes me happy every time I walk by his room :)

Due Date but no Baby Dane yet!

Happy Due Date and St. Patrick's Day to my baby Dane still cozy in my belly!                                                                   Hope everyone has had a great day!  I'm feeling good and just eagerly anticipating the arrival of my little guy.  :)  I slept a bunch today and it felt good.  I know I should have been out walking and probably doing other stuff to help move things along, but I've been doing that since Saturday and today I just felt like I needed a break.  :)                                                    The picture is not great, but Z was at work and I wanted to make sure I had a picture of what 40 weeks looks like!  haha!  Just be glad I didn't show you my belly stretch marks!                              So here goes the 'stats' and whatnot for 40 weeks... hopefully this will be the last time I do one of these!  fingers crossed! :)

WEIGHT: +25 pounds.  hopefully that's as high as I go!

SLEEP: not too bad (especially since I'm not getting up early for work anymore!!!).  I definitely get up all night and take tums around the 2am mark.  I had a L&D dream the other night.  Dane had light brown hair and blue-gray eyes.  He was perfect.  :)

CRAVINGS: not much of anything actually.  Not much room for food I suppose!  I always want milk in the morning and yesterday I got some yummy strawberry/cream cheese crossiants from the Farmer's Market.  That made for a sweet breakfast today!

MATERNITY CLOTHES: well, technically, yes of course!  However, most of my maternity stuff was more for work and not sitting around my house so I've kinda gone back to my gym shorts and Z's t-shirts (b/c I'm busting out of mine as you can see in the picture!)

MOOD: I'm really feeling pretty good!  I am getting frustrated with the amount of effort it takes to climb stairs and get in and out of the bed/car/couch/etc.  haha!  I also find myself accidentally bumping into stuff- my balance is definitely off!  I do better during the day when I'm busy and distracted.  Nighttime has proven to be harder (and more emotional) for me.  I'm scared of my water breaking, contractions, and a middle of the night hospital admittance.  I don't know why.  Everything just seems more 'safe' and 'happy' during the light of day.

GENDER: Boy!  Dane Harrison

BABY: baby.center says he is the size of a small pumpkin.  the way my belly looks I'm going with watermelon!

MOVEMENT: yep!  he certainly has his favorite times of the day but he still moves alot considering how tight he is packed in there!  There have been some times when I cry out when he kicks my ribs!  haha!  And when he's kicking AND punching- watch out!

NURSERY: done!  Z is taking pictures as I type this.  I'll post them tomorrow!  I love his room :)

MILESTONES: 40 weeks!!!  We made it ALL THE WAY to the due date!  I'm kinda sad we won't have a St. Patrick's Day baby, but it's ok!  I have been blessed with a great pregnancy and I'm happy to keep carrying him around until he's ready (or next week when the doctor induces me!)

OTHER: I brought our hospital bag back in tonight.  The weather has done a 360 on me! It was 75 today and will get up to 82 this weekend!  I have velour sweatpants and a long sleeve shirt in there to wear home at the moment and thought I better re-think that!

How 'late' were you?  Any suggestions for 'moving things along'?  (and even if it works, I've already decided I can not drink Castrol Oil.  It makes me want to gag thinking about it!)

Progress

Ok, so here we are at 39 weeks 5 days.  I'm still 1cm but now 60% effaced!  Dr. says things are happening perfectly.  He says that I want to efface before contractions start the dilation process.

Of course I naively ask, "so no contractions before I'm 100% effaced?!?" and he laughs and says I won't make it to 100% before contractions start.  But that it's good this way- more comfortable for me.  So then I look over at Z and we ask "so no baby today?" and Dr says well maybe tonight!

TONIGHT!

What!?!?  My water may break today and we can start this show tonight!?!  WHOA!  It's getting real!!!

Maybe we'll have baby Dane by St. Patrick's Day after all!

Just Waiting

So work is officially behind me and now I want nothing more than for Baby Dane to make his appearance (though I'm still a bit scared about how all that's gonna go down!!!).

My last day at school was Friday; and while it was hectic with last minute stuff (esp parent emails and grades b/c they were due Friday also) the day was good and the kids were sweet.  My parapro had a surprise 'baby party' for me complete with a gift and pettifors for the kids.  They loved it.  They also asked a lot of questions- which I did my best to answer!  (you can imagine!)  It felt oddly refreshing to close my classroom door and leave school.  Such a mixture of emotions.  But overall glad that it worked out the way I had 'planned'.

Saturday we had a busy day.  We started with breakfast at one of our local haunts followed by a playdate for our Sadie pup and then I accompanied Z on a 2 year old baby photo shoot for some of our friends at Stone Mtn. Park. It was beautiful weather outside and we ended up making a whole afternoon of it!  Photos, playground, lunch, and a sweet treat from the yogurt shop before going home.

YUMMY!  Patrick ate his plus some of his mommy's!  :)

After saying bye to our friends, we headed home, freshened up, gathered up Sadie, and headed up to my sister and her husbands house for their 2nd Annual St. Patty's Beer Fest.  As usual, my awesome hostess of a sister had a yummy spread of food, fun games, and (for the drinkers) a great selection of beer.  It was fun to hang out with all the girls.  Dane was in major kicking form and my feet were mega swollen so I had to sit most of the time, but it was fun regardless.  2 other pregnant friends were there and we swapped stories and the latest dr appt news, too.

All boys!  Preston will be here late April/ Early May; Brady will be here in 2 weeks; and Dane (should!) be here any day now!  :)

Teresa, Mary, my sis Kelly with me & Dane.  Love these girls!!!

I had to have picture proof that I was at a party 39.5 weeks pregnant!  hahaha!  :)

Sunday we were mega lazy.  And it was pretty great!  haha!  We laid around and watched movies, hung out, did laundry, and enjoyed (and spicy!) thai dinner.  I heart low-key Sundays!  I'm going to spend some time with my mom today so I don't go crazy sitting here home alone wondering if my water is going to break!  My next dr appt is tomorrow morning.  I still can't believe how close we are to the due date!

The Hospital Bag

So there it sits.  My Ver.a Brad.ley large duffel bag.  It sits empty in the corner of the closet where it has sat for the past month.  I know it should be packed by now.  All the books and websites say so- and the many threads on Baby.center about what to pack and all that.  

But I can't seem to pack the bag.  It's freaking me out!  Z keeps telling me (reminding me, really) to do it and it's not a big deal- just extra clothes, toiletries, etc... and he's right.  The items that go in it aren't a big deal- neither is the act of packing it-  it's the reason for packing it that is freaking me out. It makes it all SO real, I guess.  I've been doing ok.  Not too nervous about how it's all going to happen and getting excited about holding Dane for the first time.  But packing this bag is so hard for me.   Silly, huh?  

And funny how getting the car seat installed yesterday didn't make me panic at all!  I couldn't WAIT to get it in the car and it's been fun riding around with it in the backseat!  :)

Almost 38 Weeks!

weight: +24

sleep: definitely harder these days!  I must sleep with the humidifier next to the bed to help with congestion and I wake up sweaty and having to use the bathroom every 2 hours on the dot!  I miss tummy sleeping!

cravings: milk, girl scout cookies, fruit cups

maternity clothes: yep!  My kindergartners keep telling me how big the baby is getting and that he is 'busting out of my shirts!" And my poor swollen feet are making shoes difficult!  I actually wore my rainbow flip flops today- thank goodness the weather has gotten a bit warmer (even though 65 degrees is not quite flip flop weather!)

mood: feeling pretty good.  Stressed and kinda irritable at work b/c I feel like I have so much to do to wrap up my classroom and testing and paperwork etc before I leave for the rest of the year!  (My last day is March 11)

gender: BOY!  Dane Harrison

baby: size of a watermelon!   He is head down and ready to go!  Oh, and as of today, I am 1cm dilated and that is all.  I think we might make it to the due date after all!   

movement: Yes and it's awesome!  I love feeling him move and I love even more how he responds to Z's voice.  It's so cute!  He seems to really like car rides- I feel him move tons when I'm driving and a lot after dinner and again around bedtime.  And it seems that I feel him moving when I get up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night but maybe I'm imagining that one!

nursery:  Pretty much ready to go!!!  We picked up the glider Saturday (it is SO COMFY!) and hung up most of the art work.  Now it's really just putting some things away.  

milestones: 1 cm dilated and we picked a pediatrician!  We ended up going to 3 open houses and we decided on the last one (that we met last night).  The doctors and staff are super friendly and 'non-threatening' (if that makes sense).  The office is clean and organized and has an overall comfortable feeling about it.  And, best of all, its in our neighborhood!  It's like a mile or two away.  We could literally put Dane in the stroller and walk over!  woohoo!

other:  We've been busy on the weekends hanging out with friends and family and it's been lots of fun.  We took the above pics this past weekend and I'm so glad we did!  It had been on my list of things I wanted to do but it's hard when your husband is the photographer and the daddy-to-be!  :)  I am so glad we were able to capture some pictures of this belly before Dane gets here!  We still need to get the car seat installed and plan to do that this weekend.  We just need to call around to find a fire station that does it / is certified.  I also still need to pack our hospital bags.  I've been terrible about procrastinating on that one.  I've got Dane's clothes washed and ready but I am so confused about which nursing bras to buy/keep/wear that, of all things, nursing bras are holding up the whole packing process!  Ridiculous!  :)

So what's in your hospital bag?  And did you pack a separate bag for baby?

The 'normal' fears of impending "D" day

I feel perfectly ok about labor and delivery and our fast-approaching due date until someone (usually a stranger) looks at my belly and says 'congrats! how much longer?' THEN they make that face (you know the one) and they say 'ohhhh I don't think you're gonna make it!'.  That's when I freak out!  Maybe I'm not as 'ok' as I think!!?!

Now I've been to the childbirth class (yes, I cried during the L&D part of the video), I have friends that have done this and gotten out alive, I've seen movies, and read books, etc, etc, etc... but some days I do worry about 'THE' day.  Now, it's not even so much the big day, but the other days leading up to it.  The constant TP checking, wondering about the mucus plug, wondering if every feeling of leakage is my water breaking, wondering if every pang I feel is a sign contractions are coming.  Whew!

I feel more or less ready.  Here's what's done:

• lesson plans for work.  all that's left is printing them and meeting with my substitute to fill her in on the little things
• baby showers are over and we have returned duplicates and picked up most of what we needed and hadn't gotten
• the crib is set up and ready to go; same with changing table
• newborn and 0-3 month size clothes are washed and ready
• OB appts are set up every week from now until the week after his due date
• all testing at OB's office is done and results are in and we're good to go!

Here's what's left to do:

• have the car seat installed at the fire station (we'll do that this weekend)
• pick up the glider for the nursery (yay!  I can't wait!)
• pack hospital bags (I still need to get 'nursing essentials' - I have a couple of n bras from target but need a nightgown or PJ's or something)
• hang art work in the nursery
• pick out birth announcements (or at least narrow it down to a few favs)
• pre-cook and freeze some meals?  (did you guys do that?)
• finish writing 'thank-you' cards for baby showers 

So, that's where we stand. I think.  I'm certainly enjoying President's Day off today!  A great opportunity to prop up my swollen feet/calves and rest this belly (which has gotten heavy and finally sports stretch marks. boo), and probably nap (the 'on the dot' every 2 hour bathroom breaks at night really cut into precious sleep time!

Childbirth Class

So we attended an 'all day' childbirth class yesterday at our hospital.  Wow what a lot of info!  We were very glad to get it and even happier when we realized we already knew some of the info!  WOOHOO!  :)  I will say that regardless of the fact that I cried 'scared tears' during the delivery portion of the birthing video, I feel MUCH better about what all is going to be happening in less than 6 weeks!

Oh, and we also took the hospital tour of L&D.  While walking the hall toward the nursery, we ran into a friends husband!  Her water broke and they had just arrived to have their little girl!  So cool!

Is it weird..

that as i'm driving home in the freezing rain being uplifted by my baby boy kicking away in my belly and listening to my fav 80's station that I immediately think of Dane's future girlfriend as I sing along to Hall & Oates 'Man Eater'!?!?!?  I mean, really!?!?  Oh and don't think that thinking of his future girlfriend didn't lead my thoughts down the aisle at his WEDDING!  OMG!  hahahahaha!

Our First Shower (picture post)

Ladies, I am so late in posting this.  Baby Boy Dane had his first celebration last Saturday (Jan. 15) and it was wonderful!  It was a luncheon hosted by my Mother-in-Law's friends.  Everything was so nice, relaxing, creative, and yummy!  We received many great things for Dane's arrival and felt so thankful.

 the tables were decorated so cute with origami sailboats and candy pacifiers

 the dessert table was adorable with different candies in glass jars and also hot chocolate, coffee, and toppings.  and everything had these cute labels to go with them!

 my 2 most favorite desserts were homemade by one of the hostesses-- cheesecake and creme brule.  yum-o

 the soups and salads were so perfect for our snowy shower day!

 look at all that yummy stuff!

 yes, i may not have finished all my soup, but i sure finished BOTH desserts!  :)

 this blue hat was tied on to the gift from my MIL.  it is Z's hat from when he was a little boy- hand made by his grandmother.  now dane can get some use out of it!

 instead of cards, everyone brought their favorite children's book to help stock dane's library!  we got some wonderful ones (and many of my favorites!)

 the clothes. oh...the clothes!  this little boy is going to look so cute every day!  he got some amazing 'etsy style' outfits and onesies.  

 more books and gifts and yay- our swing!  check out that beautiful backdrop.  looks fake to see that much snow in GA!  We got 6 inches!

 as a 'guest book' everyone signed this cuteness ceramic piggy bank!

girl pic!  from L-R: my sister, my mom, me (and dane), my MIL, my SIL

Like I said, it was a really fun day and we were so blessed to have so many people to share it with!  Oh, and these are 12 of 100+ pictures so you can imagine the fun details we got on camera!  :)

Nesting!

My goodness my little man has a lot of stuff already!  But we all know what I shopper I am!  haha!  I have 2 laundry baskets full of clean clothes, blankets, etc... to find a place for in his dresser and closet. Not to mention the books I've collected for him already.  It's awesome.  I love it.  :)  Here are pictures of some of the stuff I'm putting away today.

 This was his first gift.  We got it back in October. One of Z's best friends' moms sent it to Dane.  Lots of sleep sacks, bibs, and 2 homemade blankets!

Two of the cool onesies we got when we were in NYC before Christmas.  We had such a hard time  choosing and have been on the websites of the sellers looking at more stuff from them already!  The blue one has a cool image of a building in Brooklyn and then the Alien bird is sitting on the street light post that says 5th Ave. The shark one we thought would be fun for the beach this summer.

My husband is a photographer, hence all the camera-related stuff!  

One of the shelves on the bookcase.  I have a ton of books for him already!  I'm on the hunt now for some baskets to put on the shelf under this for the smaller board books and also some 'regular' size books.  And I know it's not a clear picture, but that little cream/blue stuffed animal there is a Jelly.cat giraffe!!!!  It is the softest, most wonderful little thing!  I LOVE giraffes and had been looking at the various Jelly.cat animals (b/c they are amazing!) and had never seen this one before.  My mom found it and gave it to Dane for Christmas this year!  Let me tell you, our little Sadie girl sat in front of that shelf for like 2 hours whining for it. Poor thing.  It's hard for her to know what toys are puppy toys for her and which are things for Dane!

Magnetic Chalkboard from pbk, classic Melissa.and.Doug toy (love their stuff!) and cool letters from my mom to spell out his name!  I have had these letters for ages and was going to use them to announce his name, but never did.  :(  Anyway, I put magnet strips on the back of the letters and voila!  :)

The 'overflow' books I have yet to find a home for.

'Sprout gown and hat'.  We have a beehive store nearby where et.sy sellers sell their stuff.  LOVE. IT!  My mom got this for me there.  I am thinking it could be his 'coming home' outfit...

newborn blue knit beanie from my friend Naylene.  She is a total et.sy shopper!

Dwell.Studio from Tar.get.  Love it.  Their stuff is so graphic but clean lines and bright colors.  I found these 2 little guys on the clearance rack Saturday.  The robot one even has a hoodie!  :)

FOOTIES!  My sister gave Dane the 2 classic polo outfits and I got the striped one at baby g.a.p.  The polos will be great for the fall/winter!

Speaking of winter, I stocked up on stuff at pbk for Dane's first Christmas!  

So anyway, that's what's going on today, on my snow day!  I need to be working on my maternity leave lesson plans, but I keep putting them off even though it is stressing me out beyond belief.  For now, I'm just going to enjoy putting up Dane's clothes and washing his bedding so I can get that put on (we don't have the bumper yet- still being sewed).  It's coming together!

Baby Dane in 3D! :)

We had a 3D sonogram done yesterday.  It was so cool!  Here are some of our favorite pictures of little Dane.  He was wiggling around good, his heartbeat sounded strong, and he still loves to keep his hands up by his face!  It was also neat to know that all the 'kicks' I thought I was feeling are probably 'punches'!  haha!

Nursery Idea Board

So here's the breakdown:

Furniture: purchased and will be delivered before Christmas!  Woohoo!  

Bedding: brown / cream gingham.  Love that I can do pretty much anything with it.  Will probably get some fun printed crib sheets to use with it so it's not so 'gingham-y'. 

Rug: It's the p.b.k rugby rug.  Love it.  Don't have it yet.

Book Rack: LOVE that it is open-faced!  And it mounts on the wall so it saves floor space.  We got an awesome little bench at an antique store (will have to take a pic of it) to go under it. 

Toy Box: another p.b.k find.  I realize it's a bit early to have a toy box in the room and we may not buy it now, but I included it b/c its so cute and different looking!

Initial Wall Decals: I guess they speak for themselves!  Can't decide which to use (if any) but liked the idea for somewhere in the room

Dog Art: cuteness, right!  Gonna keep looking around but I like them so far.  We have a black lab so I do kinda wish I could find one that looks more like her. However, with my husband being a photographer, there will be plenty of photographs of her around!  :)

Storage Bins: again with my p.b.k. obsession!  I actually got the big green/tan and the little blue/tan one at the outlet last week!  Score!

Vintage signs: these are smaller scale and can be purchased individually or as a group.  I can't decide!

Rocket Poster:  Love it and will have to get it soon.  This is actually the only thing on this page that Z picked out on his own so it's a must-have.  And I do love the top 'conquer the moon'.  adorable.

What we still need to think about or decide on:

Paint color (I can't choose one!)

Chair (I really want an upholstered rocker/glider/swivel club chair but they're so expensive!)

Curtains (I'm thinking navy/brown/cream pinstripe but I don't know!)

Bookcase (or something like that to display stuff on and but storage bins on maybe???)

So there you have it!  My work in progress idea board!  Hope you like it! :)