Still counting....

So I think the midwife got us a little excited at our Wednesday, Dec. 23rd appointment letting us know that I was 3 cm dilated, 70% effaced and that labor would most likely start within 48 - 72 hours after the natural induction process. Apparently this birthing process can't be predicted or relied upon because we're still waiting! ARGH!

I did make a typical first-time parent mistake yesterday and jumped the gun making Lucas take me to the hospital....against his wishes. Since Wednesday I have lost my mucus plug (I know gross...I'm sorry) and thought I was started to leak amniotic fluid which can be really dangerous for the baby since it can lead to infection. I called the Labor & Delivery nurse and the midwife who recommended I come in just to check it out and see if I was indeed leaking. After about an hour it was determined that I wasn't leaking and the machines detected NO contractions at all. The nurse measured my progress and she said 3 cm still and only 50% effaced....which is a step back from what the midwife said last Wednesday. So we were sent home. I don't feel stupid or regret going to the hospital. It's better to be safe than sorry and now we'll know the routine next time, the real time! Gotta love a first-time mother!

So I guess some of the good things about this waiting period have been: getting to spend a lot of time with my parents and getting a lot finalized/prepared at the house including setting up a tv stand in the new gameroom area and setting up the pack 'n play in our room.

We missed Christmas morning at my Grandmother's because we were snowed in! We got about 2 inches here in the Denton area and the roads just weren't safe that morning....iced over. We did go over there Christmas night for dinner and really enjoyed the time with family. Overall though, I think next Christmas will be a little more fun with a 1 year old baby girl to enjoy the holidays!

Will keep everyone posted. Looks like we'll have a new baby a lot closer to the actual due date, closer to our birthdays, and to the New Year!

72 hours and counting!

We went to the dr. yesterday at 38 weeks and 2 days. I was dilated to 3 cm and was 70% effaced. The dr. "swept my membranes" which is supposed to release a hormone that naturally induces labor - within 48 to 72 hours. So far it's been a little less than 24 hours and there's nothing happening - no contractions and water's still in tact. I was hoping to have Lila before or on Christmas because I just think that would be more fun for someone than having a birthday after (I'm pretty familiar with the after Christmas birthday). It's hard to let go and remember that this isn't under my control - God and Baby Lila are in CONTROL!

On a positive note my cold is going away. I felt pretty miserable yesterday so I'm glad to breathe again :)

We're still hoping for a Christmas baby but we'll take a healthy baby and a quick labor/delivery (pretty please) any day!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

37 Weeks...and counting!

Here's a pic of me at 37 weeks! It's apparent that all fashion has gone out the window. Now it's about comfort :)

Also, some updated nursery pictures.

Already Dilated!

So we went to the doctor yesterday and also got a sonogram. The baby is in head down position and I'm already dilated to 1 cm. This doesn't mean the baby's gonna come tomorrow but it does mean it may be sooner than January 4th and that things are already progressing naturally on their own!

The sonographer estimated the baby to be around 6 lbs and here's the bad news: apparently Lila has her daddy's hair already....which means not much! The sonographer said she has "peach fuzz" so no luck on the head of black hair like I had when I was born :(

I'm finally EXCITED rather than anxious, scared, and nervous. It's so close now!

Maternity Pictures

We had maternity pictures taken November 15th at Prairie Creek Park in Richardson by Lindsey Murphy (from Van Alstyne). Check out her website: www.lindseymurphyphotography.com. Click on the pictures below to see a larger version.

Major Room Progress

We're almost completely done with the nursery and with buying things....thanks to the help of amazing family who provided some manual labor for the project and to the generosity of those who have gifted us and our Little Lila!

Some Room Progress