Its a GIRL!

Macy Claire

7 lbs 11 ozs of absolute perfection! The entire experience was so incredible that I'm still in awe that it actually happened. It was so much better than I could have ever imagined and way easier than they make it look on TV.

We are at home now and getting settled into our new late night schedules. The Big Sisters are so wonderful with her and have already been so much help to us.

I can't wait to share the whole story with you soon, but right now I have to go squeeze on these cheeks!

Last day before the baby

Get a good look at the basketball for the last time! It is hard to believe that tomorrow morning we'll be on our way to meet this little one. As much as it is wiggling around in there, I'm ready for him/her to debut these killer dance moves in the outside world.

I slept till 8:00 this morning and enjoyed every minute of it! I realize that won't be happening again for a while. I got up and had a leisurely breakfast with Husband while we made a list of the last minute things that needed to be done today. One of the things to make the list was nursery photos for you. Afterall, I did promise you curtains!

I'm so excited about how they turned out...and they definitely help to brighten up the room!

Now the nursery is officially complete!

Sweet Husband gets an award for all his help today. Not only did he fix the vacuum cleaner, but he also vacuumed the entire house....including those pesky baseboards that have been bugging me. He also had the car serviced, fixed the garage door at the old house, made a Wal-Mart, and came home with a Sonic Float!

Thank you all for your calls, texts, emails, prayers and other forms of well-wishes for tomorrow. We will keep you posted on little Crumb as soon as possible!

Maternity Leave

Friday was my final doctor's appointment. Baby and I both got a good report and I had not progressed any further from the week before. This was also the appointment where we were making our final decision about being induced. After confirming with Doc that the baby is fully 'baked' and that my body is showing the proper signs of being delivery-ready, we decided on February 22nd. ....at 4am! I did ask him if he remembered that I live an hour away from the hospital, and he just laughed! So early, EARLY Wednesday morning it shall be. Unless Crumb has other plans for us between now and then...

My only other concern at this appointment was that I hadn't felt the baby move all morning, and this is a very active baby. Doc decided to do an ultrasound to check things out and to help ease my mind. However, at 38 weeks, everything is so crammed in there that I couldn't even tell that we were looking at a baby...its really just one lumpy blob. He pointed out the chest cavity, which was making breathing movements, and I could tell what it was. How cool that the baby is practicing breathing even though there's no air in there?! Doc says that was a great sign of a healthy baby and that the lack of movement was due to the fact that it was probably just resting. So, he stuck a stimulation machine to the side of my stomach, and woke him/her up! Crumb was not a fan of this machine and began kicking like crazy, which made me feel much better! About that time, a nurse came in so Doc handed Husband the ultrasound wand and told him to drive for a little bit while he talked to her. I think he liked moving the wand all around my (humongous) belly and guessing at what we were looking at...because neither of us could tell!

Going back to work after just scheduling an induction date was insane. I was so excited and nervous and every other emotion in between that I was too distracted to really focus on anything. With that in mind, I knew that the next week would be way worse! So, I talked to the powers that be and we went ahead and scheduled my temporary replacement and, just like that, I was about to be off for the next 12 weeks! I didn't go in that morning with the intentions of it being my last day, so Friday afternoon was another flurry of emotions. I wrapped everything up and left a zillion post-its for my temp and was off! I'm so thankful for the time that I'll get to take off with Crumb and I know it is going to fly by. I'm going to do my best to cherish this time off...even when I'm too tired to see straight and can't remember the last time I brushed my teeth. As soon as we get settled back at home, I'll do my best to keep you posted here too. Thanks for the prayers and well wishes. I'll be back soon with a Crumb!

Valentine's Dinner 2012

It is hard to believe that this time last year we were having our first meal at our new house. We had no furniture, besides the tiny table and chairs that we brought in for the occasion...no stained glass in the doors...no pictures hung...and everything still smelled of fresh paint and drywall. We spent that meal imagining where things should go and discussing how to decorate our new rooms. That was also the night that Louie the cat decided to claim us as his family. My how so many things have changed in a year!

This year we had our last Valentine's Dinner as a family of four. When we arrived at home, Husband hand delivered invitations to the evening that awaited.  Pardon the iPhone pictures, as my camera cords are packed in the hospital bag already.

As always the menu sounded scrumptious! Husband always goes all out for this meal and we ladies have been drooling over the potential menu for days!

While we were getting ready for dinner, the appetizers were delivered along with a signature cocktail! (...sprite with heart-shaped ice cubes made of sunny delight.)

 Dinner was just as delicious as we'd imagined and, for the 5th year in a row, Husband was awarded the Best Husband/Dad/Chef award. The exciting bonus to this year's meal was that we were able to dine at our new dining room table!

It was even decided that future boyfriends will have to come get lessons from Dad on how to make Valentine's day so special! (Which, according to Dad, will be in approximately 20 years.)

 

In a world where there is not enough emphasis placed on the commitment of marriage, I'm thankful to have a husband who daily shows our girls how committed he is to our marriage and our family. I hope they always remember our special Valentine's Dinners and maybe they'll even continue the tradition when they have their own family. (In the distant future, that is!)

Time for an iPhone photo dump

Week 37....taken one day last week and then immediately forgotten about.

Sweet bonnet that was given to me at our church shower.

Oh, but wait till you read what the back of the bonnet box said. So sweet!

Last but not least... my latest craving. Ice! 

Especially "Sonic Ice" please.

Blessed beyond measure---Sunday

On Sunday the 29th, this wonderful group of women hosted a shower for us at our church.

I really am blessed to have found such a wonderful church family so far away from my own hometown. This is the church that Husband grew up in and they have embraced me as if I grew up there too!

Aunt Nellie Sue did the most touching devotion with some baby gifts....noting both their physical uses for the baby and what they can remind us of spiritually for the baby.

Here are some of the baby items that she used....blanket, onesies, socks, plug protectors, rattle, baby's first hymns, photo album, and a Bible...

The girls were even able to attend and I believe they had just as much fun as I did! They are getting really anxious to meet their new little sister or brother!

Aunt Nanie

The Grandmothers

We really have the sweetest church family to help us to prepare for Crumb's physical arrival and I am certain they will each play a huge role in his/her spiritual growth as well!!! We truly are blessed beyond measure!