Claire's Many Faces

Claire is officially 8 weeks old today!  I thought I would share some of her classic faces.

Having fun or screaming

About to spit up

Fist pumping

attempt at duck face?

Clean diaper

thpthhhhh

watching t.v.

play time

Celebrating the 4th of July

about to chew on mom's hand

bored

apathetic

Passing gas

happy

Claire's Checklist

OK, so Claire doesn't really have a checklist but if she did these might be on it.

Places Claire has been fed: Wal-Mart parking lot (twice now); side of the road next to a river in the middle of nowhere; and an overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  She had a diaper change at the last two.

Claire has been to Mount Mitchell.  We didn't take her all the way to the top because it was very cold and windy.  (FYI - if it's 80 degrees, you will still need a jacket at Mount Mitchell.)

It is hard to believe she is 3 weeks old.  I am excited because I am having her pictures taken tomorrow.  Her umbilical stump fell off yesterday (thank goodness), but now her little face is broken out. 

Pictures will be posted sometime soon!  She is changing every day!

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One Week

One week ago at 11:00pm my contractions began.  After a couple of hours, they became regular at 4 minutes apart.  We called the doctor and were off to the hospital. 

We arrived sometime close to 3am.  I don't really remember because my back labor was pretty intense.  The first nurse would keep me calm and talk me through them.  They wheeled me upstairs to the labor and delivery room where they had already ordered an epidural for me.  What a relief that was!

Matthew and mom began contacting everyone around 6am Wednesday morning.  They broke my water around 8:30am.  I was checked throughout the day and was not making progress.  Dr. Simmons checked me around 1pm and said I haven't made any more progress.  After adjusting medicine and waiting two more hours of no progress, we decided it was time for baby so I was prepped for a c-section. 

I couldn't believe I was going to have a baby!  Matthew was able to come in when I was finished being prepped.  He held my hand while a very sweet nurse talked me through the whole process. 

At 4:28pm the room was filled with the sound of our daughter's screams.  It was a great sound because she is what they call a meconium baby meaning she had pooped while in the womb.  They like for them to scream because it means they most likely don't have it in their lungs.  I watched them clean her on tv screen while the doctor finished with me.

My sister, Michelle, was able to come back to recovery with me.  She is a labor and delivery nurse in Gastonia and had to go to work that night.  The grandmas were the only other ones at the hospital with us.  The nurses let them come back since it was getting so late in the evening. 

After making sure my vitals were good and baby looked good we were moved to our room.  Claire had her first bath, and we began our first night as a family.  

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End of the Ticker Tape

Well here we are.  According to my duck on the ticker tape, I am 40 weeks and 0 days pregnant.  Guess what?  I am still pregnant.  Monday I didn't feel very good all day.  I did a lot of just sitting around.  My back and lower abdomen was hurting.  Hopefully this is a sign of things progressing.

Mom and dad arrived Monday evening.  Tuesday morning I felt better, so Mom and I went shopping.  We did a short trip to Belk's, had lunch, and then did some grocery shopping.  It made me feel better just to get out. 

Today (Wednesday/Due Date), I almost feel like I did on Monday.  All three days this week I think I've had Braxton Hicks like crazy. 

Tomorrow I have an ultra sound at 8:00am, and I see the doctor at 8:30.  I don't think the baby has dropped yet.  We want the baby to come on her own, but if I go all next week I will be induced. 

Thanks to all my friends who check on me!  I will keep you updated. :) 

One more week

Happy Birthday, mom/Nannie!

After visiting last weekend, mom and dad decided to come back.  I asked mom, "You're going to come back on your birthday?"  She replied, "That's my birthday?"  Haha!  

The hanging twirly is mom's present!

Matthew grilled, and mom and I made a Three Berry Trifle.  Yum!  I had to put her birthday candles in it. :)

Before my parents arrived, I had a little pamper time since I was a week away from the due date!  Here are my swollen feet with pretty toes!

My first pedicure!

Monday began my first day of maternity leave.  I have made a point to get out of the house at least once a day, and I am glad I did.  It has made this week fly by!  I can't believe I can now say that I have 5 days until my due date.

I went to the doctor today, and mom got to go with me.  Well, so far baby girl is not ready.  The doctor guesses she weighs about 7.5 lbs.  He wants to see me next week and do an ultra sound to check amniotic fluid.  He doesn't want to induce unless I go way over my due date.

Mom and dad left this afternoon.  They were a HUGE help because they cleaned floors, bathrooms, and some laundry.  They are going to come back in a few days or maybe sooner if baby comes!  There is a HUGE full moon on for tomorrow night plus storm conditions.  LOL!?

Meanwhile, I hope I can have some energy to keep cleaning the clutter that has accumulated around the house.  I still need to pack away winter clothes!  I am a lucky girl in that I have had several friends call, text, &/or Facebook message to ask how I am doing and are excited about baby's arrival.  Thanks you guys! 

In the home stretch...

Here I am.  Not too glamorous, but I guess that's OK.  I am posting this anyway.

I am 38 weeks in this picture.  Baby girl is growing, but she is not ready to enter the outside world.  I had not made any progress at my last doctor's visit.  She isn't even dropping into position yet.  I have been joking that she might be a procrastinator like her momma and wait until the last minute.  She will drop, I will dilate, and she'll be here.  (It can be that simple, right?  Wishful thinking, I know.)

Friday was my last day at school and a day of mixed emotions.  I have the sweetest, most thoughtful students.  Even a few of my graduated students have come back to give our baby presents!  One students knitted a blanket and crocheted three little hats. It was mostly hard for me to hug my seniors and my student going to NCSSM next year since I won't see them for a long time.  One young lady had tears in her eyes and said, "Thank you for everything you have done for me" and handed me a letter.  Needless to say I couldn't read it right then because I was tearing up with her. 

One of my seniors told me I was her favorite teacher of all time and thank you for always listening and offering advice.  She is a special young lady who despite going through A LOT is one of the most genuine, kindest people I know.

Another senior had to come hug me after every class and at the end of the day.  He is such a good person.

I will also miss seeing my colleagues at school, but I know I will have the opportunity to see them over the summer.  I have great support circle of friends.  :) 

Meanwhile, I am very excited to get to stay home the week before the pending arrival of baby girl.  Matthew's mom helped last weekend with getting the nursery started, and mom and dad are coming today to help with cleaning and maybe finishing up the nursery. 

Only a week and a half until due date!!!!

March into April

Whew! What a whirlwind the last couple of months have been. Let's start with the finishing of the basement.

The spare bedroom has been finished, but now the bed is set up.


We put a bathroom downstairs, too.


And there was much tile, painting, and trim to be done.


The main priority for all of this was to finish a small room which has become Matthew's new office. His desk, printer, and computer have all been moved into this room now.

This is the spare bedroom right now. It is holding ALL the baby stuff I have received so far... actually, there is more because this was before my school shower. Baby girl is already spoiled!

One clean corner of the basement is all I will show you. The basement looks really good. We have a ceiling as of this past week except for the bathroom, but the electrical is all finished.

The nursery is still a work in progress but at least there is a crib! OK. So, we don't have a mattress, but the crib is assembled. :) I will post more pics when the nursery is assembled.