Four Generations

11 days old

I can not believe our little girl is almost two weeks old! Here are some pictures from Kevin's birthday, Uncle Dave's visit and Lea's 'new' belly button! :)

Having some cake on Kevin's birthday.

Uncle Dave holding Lea.

Our first walk outside (in our fabulous Toro stroller!).

She liked the ride!

Bailey and her new little 'sister'.

Check out my 'new' belly button!

My little chunky monkey!

5 Days Old

I've been wanting to write about little Lea and how we are all doing, but I just can't find the time! (go figure) We are doing great, though. Lea had her first appointment with the pediatrician yesterday morning and he was very impressed with how well she is doing... already gaining weight, very strong and healthy! Here are a few more pictures...

Mommy & Lea leaving the hospital.

Lea held mommy's finger (tight) the entire way home!

Welcome home!

Lea found her thumb!

When she was born, she weighed 8 lbs, 1 oz. When we left the hospital, she weighed 7 lbs, 7 oz and just two days later she was already up to 7 lbs, 11 1/2 oz. She's an eater!

Here's a video of our ride home from the hospital. She was an angel! (note the music in the background... Rockabye Baby Lullaby Renditions of the Smashing Pumpkins, "Today"... very fitting for the moment!)

Lea Calynn

Our baby girl is here!

Lea Calynn was born on September 19, 2009 at 10:54 am.

Long arms and legs!

Mommy & Lea getting some much needed rest!

Daddy handles the first diaper change like a champ.

She is perfection and mommy & daddy couldn't be happier!

She weighed in at a whopping 8 pounds and 1 ounce. She measued 21 inches long.

Lots of progress!

Yesterday was a good day!

Kevin went with me to what just may have been my last prenatal doctor's appointment yesterday morning. After a long wait (they are never on time!) the doctor finally came in. He said I was already 2 to 3 cm dilated and was thrilled with that progress since this is my first baby. He even said that I "made his day" and the baby and I look perfect. :)

Then, however, he said that he needed me to choose an induction date so they could schedule it at the hospital... just to be sure they have room for me if I needed to be induced. I was pretty uncomfortable with this but he said he would not allow me to go past 41 weeks (which will be Monday the 28th). So, Kevin and I decided to schedule the induction for Friday the 25th (Kevin's birthday and the day my brother arrives!). My next doctor's appointment is Tuesday the 22nd... If Lea hasn't arrived by then, we are going to ask to have the induction date changed to the 28th. I just do not want to be induced for no medically necessary reason. I figure, if we push back the induction date as far as possible (41 weeks, according to this doctor), that will give my body a few more days to go into labor on it's own. The doctor does think I will go into labor on my own and said I shouldn't worry. I am trying not to think about it, but now I have this 'induction date' hanging over my head! We'll see what happens.

After all that, I headed to work and Kevin headed home (to work from home). About noon, Kevin called with more good news... our Anka Sova crib and dresser had arrived! I hurried home after work and we immediately put the crib together. It looks fabulous and fits perfectly in Lea's room! (I'll take pics once the room is completely finished) We will work on putting the dresser together the next couple of nights.

To end the day yesterday, my parents and grandmother brought us dinner... Crab Legs! It was sooo yummy. We also had corn on the cob, homemade cole slaw and apple dumplings for dessert.

Now, I am off to another day at work. My team is still in Las Vegas at the ABC Kids Expo. From what I have heard, it is going well. I haven't seen any pics of our booth yet... hopefully I will soon. I put a lot of work into that and am dying to see how it turned out! As a matter of fact, we started working on the booth design in January. Which means, when I go back to work in January 2010, I'll probably begin working on the new booth design for next year! :) After today, I only have two more days in the office. Crazy!

39 weeks!

It's the final countdown... only 7 days to go until my due date! On average, babies are just over 7 pounds and 21 inches long these days. We will soon find out just how big Lea is! These days, we're just playing the waiting game! Last Friday, I was very uncomfortable and exhausted... I felt a little better on Saturday... and then Sunday I actually felt great. I spent the morning making some things to freeze (banana nut bread and french toast sticks). Kevin then helped with some marinated chicken and pork chops. After that, I ran some errands as I still had some energy and we ended the night with a short walk with Bailey. I guess all that activity helped because I actually slept OK last night. (notice, I said OK and not 'great'! I think my days of sleeping 'great' are far in my past!)

I am finishing up my last week at work. Things are quiet around here as almost everyone is in Las Vegas for the annual ABC Kids Expo. Part of me wishes I could have gone... it's so much fun to check out all the cool new baby and kids products... but, part of me is so glad I didn't have to go this year... it's a LOT of work to set up and run our 50'x50' booth!

Tomorrow, as long as everything is on schedule, our new Anka Sova crib and dresser should be delivered. I can not wait to see how it looks in Lea's room. We chose the beautiful whitewash finish. It should really pop against the dark brown walls.

While I haven't actually used these items yet, I have had a chance to handle them and learn about them. My favorite thing about the dresser is that the top, flat piece can be removed to reveal an integrated changing top. The crib is unique as it is designed to European standards so it's smaller than most cribs. While it still fits a standard size crib mattress, it is low to the ground, eliminating the need for a drop side. (The production of drop side cribs will soon end as there have been so many recalls because of children getting hurt or being killed from a defective drop side crib.) Here's a picture from our recent photo shoot of the collection.

Once we have the crib and dresser set up in the nursery, I will post new pics. And, once we actually have the opportunity to use the furniture, I will post a personal review on what I really think about it!

38 weeks!

Holy Cow... only 2 weeks (actually, 13 days...but, again, who's counting?!) until my due date!!!

By now, Lea should be completely ready for life in the 'real world'. She probably weighs about 7 pounds and all her organs are matured. I wonder every single moment of every single day what she looks like... does she have my nose and Kevin's lips? does she have any hair and if so, what color? does she have any birth marks? will I recognize her when she's born and will she recognize me??? We will soon....very soon... find out!!!

So, for the rest of my 'take it easy' weekend: Saturday we didn't exactly take it easy! We spent the day shopping, actually. We had lots of gift cards that were just burning holes in our wallets. Babies R Us, Belk, Wal-Mart, Target, Lowes Foods. I think we are totally set for Lea now (at least, we better be!!!). The last thing we need is our fabulous Anka by Svan crib and dresser. I just found out that it should be shipping any day now so we just might have it set up in her nursery before she arrives.

Kevin spent the entire day Sunday cleaning around the house. He was amazing... doing all the things that I wanted to do but just didn't have the energy to do so. Our house is spotless!!! I wonder what it will be like when Lea is here. We re such neat freaks... it will be hard to let dishes pile up in the sink, laundry fill the hamper and dust collect on the furniture. So, to all my fabulous friends and family out there: if you come visit us that first month or so that Lea is here and see that the house is a mess, don't just ignore it... please help us clean it up! We will NOT be offended, rather we will be so grateful for the help! :) That night, my parents and grandmother brought dinner over. (My mom decided to make us dinner twice a week this last month of my pregnancy and it has been such a huge help... thanks, Mom!)

Finally, on Monday, we DID take it easy! After breakfast at Dunkin' Doughnuts (which isn't nearly as good as Krispy Kreme... which isn't nearly as good as Britt's in Carolina Beach), we did some light yard work. I then took a much needed nap! I spent the rest of the day watching t.v. while Kevin played his new football video game.

Taking it easy....well, sort of!

I have been so extremely exhausted lately... maybe because I am not sleeping at all anymore and maybe because I am creating & growing a human being?! So, this Labor Day weekend I am taking a vow to SLOW DOWN. (we'll see how well that goes!)

Last night, Kevin came home and surprised me with a DVD... Labyrinth! I haven't seen that movie in probably about 15 to 20 years! So, between some laundry and making cup cakes, we watched The Labyrinth last night. (Was Jennifer Connelly about 12 years old when she did that movie!?!?) Not a terrible start to my "slow down weekend."

I woke up about four or five times last night... the last couple times were because of some strange cramping in my abdomen. It could have been Braxton Hicks contractions, but I don't think so because these cramps actually hurt. I remembered our instructor at the hospital telling us that early contractions can often be stopped if you change whatever position you're in and drink some water. So, I did just that. I got up and walked around the dark house for awhile and it indeed stopped. But, as soon as I got back in bed, in my side laying position, it started again. That's when I just grabbed my pillow & my glass of water and moved to the couch! I was able to get a little more comfortable out there and got in about three hours of interrupted sleep until Bailey jumped on me at about 7:45am.

Needless to say, I am pretty tired this morning (what's new?). Kevin has been working on the cars (changing the oil, washing and cleaning them) and I have been slowly straightening up around the house. Later today, perhaps after a nap, we're heading out for some last minute shopping with our gift cards.

When did that happen?

Ahhhh! We're down to the teens!? When did that happen??? Only 19 days until my due date. Time is seriously flying by fast these days. I don't think my pregnancy could have gone by any faster.

Got good news today... my brother bought his plain ticket and will be here on the 25th. Hopefully, his timing and Lea's timing will be just right because he can only stay a few days. See you soon, Dave!

37 weeks!!!

I'm 37 weeks pregnant today.... only 21 days to go until my due date! I can hardly believe it! Lea is now considered full term, so if she decides she wants to come a little early her lungs should be in good shape. (Mommy wouldn't mind too much, either!) She should be well over 6 pounds by now and about 19 inches long.
Kevin and I had a nice weekend. As always, we cleaned around the house some more. I actually had a chance to take it easy on Saturday while Kevin went to his friend's house for their Fantasy Football draft... but did I? NO! Of course not... I did laundry and vacuumed until I was exhausted. I seriously need to stop doing stuff and just relax these days!!!

Yesterday we enjoyed our last baby shower given by my mother-in-law and sister-in-law. We had a lot of fun and got a lot of great 'necessity items'... such as diapers, wipes, gas drops, baby bath, lotion, shampoo and a nifty health care kit (which has nail clippers, thermometer, etc). I think we are all set, now! Just need the baby!!! My niece, Lilly, was a great little helper. She opened all the cards for us. My favorite part was when she opened one, it fell to the floor, so I picked it up. She immediately snatched it from me... waited a second... then handed it to me very nicely. I am sure she was thinking, "Excuse me!? It is MY job to hand you the cards!". :)

(My mom and sister-in-law were the photographers at the shower, so as soon as I get the pics, I will post a few!)

36 weeks!

We're getting closer and closer! According to BabyCenter.com, at the end of this week, Lea will be considered full-term. It's also estimated that she weighs almost 6 pounds now and is well over 18 inches long.

My doctor has already confirmed (twice) that she is head down. It's very unlikely that she will turn upright in the next few weeks, so I don't have to worry about her being breech. Last week, I believe I had a few Braxton Hick's contractions. It was very strange. My entire abdomen (which is pretty big these days) got very tight... so tight that it felt like a brick wall to the touch. It didn't hurt, but was uncomfortable. I haven't felt them since then.

Besides being pretty tired all the time, a sore back and swollen feet/ankles, I am doing well. Kevin and I have been very busy cleaning around the house. Today, we (actually Kevin) cleaned behind the fridge, stove and washer & dryer. We have also cleaned the drapes and ceiling fans in each room. I am sure we'll find something that just HAS to be cleaned next weekend, too! We have one more childbirth class at the hospital. I am glad we signed up for the five week course. We have learned quite a bit, but most importantly we have more confidence now (even though we're both still pretty nervous!).

Last weekend we spent a couple nights at the beach with Kevin's parents, sister and neices & nephew. It was nice to get away and not have any plans for a change. The weather was perfect and the kids had a blast. They just wanted to stay in the water, which felt wonderful, however the waves were pretty rough. I got plenty of exercise helping to hold them up each time a 'big one' came!

Hospital bag?

It's no secret that my husband and I are serious planners. We are not spontaneous, 'fly by the seat of your pants' kind of people, but that's ok because it works great for us!

That being said, we make lists... lots and lots of lists. Lists for the grocery store, lists of baby things to get, lists of music we want to download, lists of chores, lists of how our money is spent, etc. If something needs to be done, we will have a list for it. Which brings me to a NEW list! We have decided that we are going to go ahead and pack a bag for my hospital stay. (I know we have 5 weeks and 4 days until my due date, however didn't I just tell you we are PLANNERS!?)

My question is, what do we need? Obviously, the basic essentials: tooth brush & paste, mouth wash, Chap Stick, socks, flip flops, lotion, comfy clothes there and to wear home (for myself and Lea)... but what else?

Please leave me a comment and let me know of anything that you wish you had, didn't end up needing or were so glad you took to the hospital.

Thanks for your help in our list making!

34 weeks and (still) counting!

Yowser! Only 6 more weeks to go! (give or take a few days, either way). I seriously can not believe how fast time is flying by!!!

Lea is probably close to 5 pounds now and she's really filling out these days (which was evident in our 3-D ultrasounds... she has adorable chubby cheeks and even a little double chin!). Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well.

(It certainly feels like there is a cantaloupe in my belly these days!!!)

I am becoming more and more tired lately... sleeping is very difficult as I just can't get comfortable and I have to get up about every three hours to use the restroom. Normal, everyday tasks (like walking across the room or carrying a load of laundry) makes me out of breath, too. Since we have finally gotten the house back in order (and it looks fabulous!), it is time for me to start taking it easy. I need to rest up for the big day ahead of us, which will be here before we know it!

My co-worker, Tess, took some great maternity shots of Kevin, Bailey and I Saturday morning. There are a couple in the right column of this blog. I can't wait to see the rest of them! Then, Saturday afternoon, we had our 3-D ultrasound! That was simply amazing. For any mamas out there thinking about doing this, DO IT! We actually watched Lea move in real time... she was touching her face, sticking out her tongue, grabbing her toes and making silly faces at us. As I said above, she has chubby little cheeks and a little double chin. It also looks like she will very closely resemble her mommy when she is born! We compared her picture to one of myself when I was born. The ultrasound tech also said it looks like she just has a little bit of peach fuzz on her head (so, she'll take after her daddy (who was born bald) in that department!). I can not wait to meet her!!!

I will post pictures soon!

33 weeks!

Another week has gone by! I can't believe I have only 7 weeks left until my due date! Lea is probably a little over 4 pounds by now.

I am getting bigger and bigger which in turn is making everyday tasks (such as putting on socks, picking something up off the floor, sleeping and even sitting) more and more difficult. I can physically feel my lungs getting compressed so breathing is becoming more difficult, too. Lea is still moving around all the time. I wonder if she is starting to turn head down? We will find out soon because we finally decided to schedule a 3D ultrasound! Our appointment is this Sat. afternoon. We are so excited, but nervous, too. From what I hear, people say that the pictures are pretty true to what their babies look like when born. Here are a couple examples of pictures that I found on-line...


I hope we can get a good picture! It will be so much fun to compare it to Lea when she is actually here. :)

Today we are visiting another pediatric office so that decision should be made soon. Our floors are finally getting finished today, too. Apparently the contractors laid the quarter round incorrectly so they are coming back to re-do it all today. Then, we can clean everything (there is still quite a bit of dust around) and put all of our furniture back into place. I told Kevin, once this is all done, we aren't doing anything for a long while!!! It's time for me to start taking it easy and really get prepared for Lea's arrival. Her nursery is still a bit of a mess and I want to start cooking some meals to freeze for the few months right after we bring her home.

New floors, baby shower and massage!

As promised, here are pics of the new floor!

Obviously, we still have a lot of work to do... cleaning and putting all the furniture back into place. Not to mention that the living room rug is now WAY too small for that space!

While the guys were working at the house on Saturday, I took a little getaway for my baby shower...

We had yummy food and delicious drinks!

I got to wear a "Mommy to Be" crown and corsage!

Admiring all the gifts (and wondering where everything will go!).

My sister-in-law, Jill and her daughter, Kristin.

The Grandma's!

Then, on Monday, I took another getaway for my prenatal massage (30th birthday gift from my fabulous hubby!). It was heavenly!!!! It only lasted an hour, but it was so wonderful. I could totally do that, at least, once a week until the baby arrives. Actually, I could do it once a week for the rest of my life if I had to! :)

Tonight we are visiting a local pediatric office, then we have out first Labor & Delivery Education class at the hospital. I'll let you know how everything goes!

Floors are done!

The floors were finally finished last night by about 7pm. Our work isn't done, though... everything you can image in our house is now covered in a thin film of dust! YUCK! So, we have a lot of cleaning to do. Not to mention that we still need to move all the furniture, pictures and lamps back into place. But...

The Floors Are Done!!! :)

While we were so busy this weekend, another week went by with my pregnancy. I am now in my 32nd week! Can you believe it? I will post about that, as well as photos of the new floor soon. (I promise!)

And the work begins...

Yesterday, Kevin was a rock star! With a little help from my dad, they were able to rip up all the old (nasty) carpet in the living room, dining room and entry foyer. They also removed the sink and toilet from the half bath and repaired some spots in the sub floor. Today, we'll finish moving all the furniture and paint the baseboards. Well, I say "WE" but I mean Kevin, his dad and my dad. I will be heading south for my second baby shower! :)

Here's a couple pics of what we're living in right now....


I just keep my eye on the prize.... we'll have beautiful, low maintenance, CLEAN floors by Monday afternoon!!!

31 weeks!

We've made it to another week! Lea is now measuring about 16 inches long and weighs over 3 pounds! I thought she had a recent growth spurt and it turns out she probably did as these days she is plumping up with much needed fat. She can now turn her head side to side, too!

She is still moving all the time. I often feel her kicks and jabs way over on my far right side (make me wonder how she's getting over there!). She is also hiccuping all the time and I feel that mostly on my left side. This leads me to believe her head is on my left side. I have a doctors appointment tomorrow morning so maybe I'll get some info. then. (at least, more exciting info. besides how much weight I've gained since the last visit!)

Saturday night Kevin took me out to dinner at the Red Room in downtown Raleigh. It was fabulous! We had delicious tapas for dinner, including 'Seared Scallops with chipotle-cauliflower puree & orange-sherry gastrique' and 'Grilled Steak Churrasco with chimichirri'. SO GOOD! I also had a Sparkling Orange/Peach Sangria (non-alcoholic, of course) and we ended the night with chocolate fondue. It really was a fabulous dinner.

Sunday, we installed a new ceiling fan in Lea's room and got a white bookcase for her. Then, we grilled out at my in-laws. My neices and nephew were there which is always fun because they get a kick out of the baby in my belly. Ross (who just started kindergarten last week) actually sang a song to Lea.... she loved it and was moving all around!

It was a really fun weekend. Here's a pic of Kevin and I on our way to dinner...

Do I look THIRTY???

30 weeks and 30 years!

The day has finally come... today I am officially 30 years old AND 30 weeks pregnant (well, technically I am 30 weeks and 4 days pregnant, but who's counting?!).

Friends keep asking me how I am handling turning 30 years old and to be honest, it's not that bad. I mean, I am about to have a BABY so I guess being 30 kinda comes with the territory. Not to mention that my mind is preoccupied with this pregnancy rather than the fact that I have been alive for THIRTY YEARS!

Kevin woke me up with a cupcake and a candle this morning. Then he said I would get my gift tonight... but to my surprise, when I checked my email this morning, I saw that I received a Prenatal Massage gift certificate from Kevin!!! YAY!!! That will be soooo wonderful! Thank you, Kevin!!!! Tomorrow night we're going out to dinner... not sure where as it's a surprise.

It should be a nice, relaxing weekend. Happy Birthday to me!!

Update

Just a quick update on my hip.... it seems to be getting better! I have actually been sleeping on the sofa for the past few nights, so maybe that has helped? I am off to my prenatal water aerobics class and I'm planning on taking it easy tonight. Let's hope I won't need to make that orthopedic appointment after all!