Saturday, December 27, 2008

A few things I have learned...so far





We went to the dr. today for Leyton's 2 week checkup and he is doing great! He has already surpassed his birthweight and now weighs 8 lbs 13 oz. He has also grown an inch! The doc was surprised at how strong he was (especially how he picks up his head) and she said he was certainly "all boy".  She gave us a few tips to get him to sleep without being held so we will see how that goes. Right now, I am lucky to catch an hour at a time. 

I have made a list of a few things I have learned in my mere two weeks of motherhood. I'm sure this list will grow daily.

1. If it comes out of your kid it really isn't that gross
2. 92 diapers in two weeks isn't unrealistic
3. I really can stare at something for hours upon hours and not get sick of it
4. I can do most things with one hand, even some things with my toes
5. Everything they do is the cutest thing ever. ("look honey, did you see that face he just made?")
6. Something as small as 8 pounds can dictate my entire day.
7. Two hours of sleep a night is a small victory
8. I've finally learned what they mean when they say "a mother's love"
9. It is possible for a little boy to go through more outfits a day than Paris Hilton. A boy's wee wee stream is not to be taken lightly.
10. You can never have too many pictures
11. Leyton has the most incredible father ever (but I really already knew that)

Saturday, December 20, 2008

chubby cheeks

my boys

first family pic...I know, we are looking a little rough

first stroller ride- with my hat cocked to the side


a little grin!

We got to come home from the hospital today...again. Leyton did great during the surgery and he seems to be in no pain at all. He is finally opening his eyes really big for mommy and daddy. 

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Prayers please

We are taking Leyton in at 6am this morning for surgery on his hernia. This is fairly common in newborn boys, but it is still unnerving for mom and dad. The worst part is that I can't feed him for 6 hours before the surgery- so I don't know who will be squalling more, him or me. Hopefully it will be outpatient and they wont have to keep him overnight. I will keep you posted. Please keep us in your prayers.

Monday, December 15, 2008

A few more pics...






We finally got to go home today!!! Leyton's tests came back great and he doesn't have an infection (we had to stay a day longer because they were waiting on some blood test results.) He was a trooper through his circumcision and slept the whole way home. 

I never thought I could be so in love before. It is an indescribable feeling. Jeremy and I are beyond blessed with this child and amazing friends and family. Thank you for your prayers!

Saturday, December 13, 2008

"How Wonderful Life is Now You're in the World"






He's here!!! My little angel is finally here. He is GORGEOUS and more perfect than I ever dreamed he could be and I love him more than I thought possible. He weighed in at a whopping 8.5 lbs! And his little complexion was so smooth and pink. We have our computer at the hospital (dorks, I know) so I figured I would upload some photos while Leyton is having some bloodwork done. More to come later. 




Thursday, December 11, 2008

Last Belly Pic- Going to the hospital!

Keep us in your prayers! Hopefully the next blog post will have pics of the little guy!

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Due Date = "You're still here?"

Well, here we are. The infamous Due Day. This kid is not wanting to come out. I told Jeremy that too much CNN watching is to blame. I wouldn't want to come out during this crazy economic spiral either. Smart kid. 

The most common phrase that I hear multiple time a day is " Wow, you're still here?"   or  "No baby yet?" to which I would like to reply, "No Einstein, I just popped the thing out this morning and decided to come to work."  Instead I refrain to a polite response. I know it is just because people care and I would probably ask the same thing, but if I had a nickel for every time I heard it, I would be a baller. 

Anyhow, we went to the doctor yesterday and there has been no change. No dilation, no effacement, no contractions. We are however being induced Friday!!! I have to go in on Thursday night so they can "ripen my cervix." Doesn't that sound like a stellar time? I'm hoping for a fun ripening. 

But really, I can't wait to see my boy. I am so ready for him to be here!! It has been a long time coming. Please pray for for a safe delivery and a healthy baby!!!

Friday, November 28, 2008

Belly Progression



I have been trying to keep track of my bulging belly every week for my "Belly Book". Its funny how I "thought" there was a bump at 17 weeks, but in comparison to now, there was no bump. 

Baby Update- We went to see the "doc" on Wednesday and there has finally been some change! Things are progressing, but she said depending on how things look next week they may schedule and induction for the 12th or 13th. TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY!!!!

Sunday, November 23, 2008

38 weeks- an altered state of "ready"



I can't believe "D-day" is about 2 weeks away. Although, according to my recent dr.'s visits, it looks like Leyton is in for the duration. No change, no dilation, no Braxton-Hicks contractions, nothing, nada. Oh well, maybe that doesn't mean anything. The Dr. thinks he weighs around 6.5 pounds right now, so I'm guessing (hoping) he will be around 7-7.5 upon arrival. Jeremy keeps having dreams that he is going to be 7 lbs even so we will see. 

Since everything is pretty much done, Jeremy went and rented about 6 movies from Blockbuster for the next week so I don't go nuts on a 5 day vacation from work. We'll see how that pans out. I think he is liking my "nesting" phase because I have been cooking alot lately. It gives me something to do. And I can't wait until Thanksgiving! It will be nice and quiet this year as we are spending it with Jon and Jenna- the other preggo couple. And what Thanksgiving would be complete without Ging-Ging's cornbread dressing which I will be making along with sweet potato casserole and homemade cranberry sauce. Bring it on! 

Now for a few things that made my week:

1. I didn't gain any weight this week at my weekly appt. Finally! Maybe there is an end in sight. And not only that but due to the recent cold weather- I have ankles again! 

2. I have to share a recent discovery I made. I was going through a box of clothes that was given to us and ran across perhaps the most brilliant invention ever: "A Pee Pee TeePee for the Sprinkling Wee Wee." I'm not making this up. I love it. I will get back to you in a few months and let you know how it goes. 



3. Did you know that Mr. Cadbury makes his Cadbury mini-eggs at Christmas too?! What a genius. I love him.



4. I decided to stroll into "Linens-N-Things" today as they are having a going out of business sale. I purchased a $60 kneading shiatsu massager for a mere $19. It was the last one in the store and it feels like a million bucks. It works on hands, back, feet, neck, legs, you name it. To me- it feels better than the massage chairs, it can be taken just about anywhere, and it will give my poor husband's hands a break during these last few weeks. awesome. 


5. One of the best things about this time of year is that pomegranates are back in season. They are one of my most favorite things. Ever. I don't care that they take 30 minutes to peel, stain everything in site, or that it takes 2 days to eat one. I love, love, love them. And they are really good this year- I haven't had a bad one yet.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Dear Leyton,

A few things you should know...

• I really hope you are a boy. If not, you are stuck with alot of brown and blue little boy things.

• I am really, really ready to meet you and hold you in my arms.

• We are two of the luckiest people ever. I have the best husband in the world and you have the best daddy in the world.  He loves you so much already and his eyes light up when we talk about you. He has always dreamed about having a little boy and now he will. He loves talking to you inside my belly (sorry if he scares you when he does that). He has done so much to take care of us without one complaint. He picks things up when I drop them, goes with me to the dr., he has pretty much taken over laundry/vacuuming duty,he tells me everyday that I'm beautiful even though most days I feel like the starting linebacker for Team Marshmallow Puff, he rubs my feet (this is a big deal- he hates feet) and he even has to shave my legs for me. I can't wait to see you two together. You will love him. You are so blessed to have him as a father and I hope you never forget that. Even one day when you become an obnoxious teen and he has to discipline you, I hope you know it is out of love. 

• I want to protect you always. It is unexplainable how much I already love you. I know that right now inside of me, you are the safest you will ever be. You are about to enter a crazy world and I want to do everything I can to keep you warm, safe, and comforted, but I know at some point all of those things will be impossible. And I am already really mad at the first girl that will break your heart, and the first bully that picks on you. Remember that us girls are a little crazy, so don't get too attached to one until college maybe. 

• You are surrounded by people who love you. You have the best grandparents ever that already love you and can't wait to spoil you rotten. You also have many "aunts" and "uncles" that are anxiously awaiting your arrival. I also hope you never forget where you came from. Even though you are going to be born in a really cool place, your roots are nestled in the deep south. And don't let people make fun of you for it. 

• I have loved every minute of being able to have you grow inside of me. I love it when you kick and squirm around (watch the ribs though, ok?) You will be worth every pound, every bit of swollen feet and ankles, every bit of nausea I felt when walking into the kitchen during the first couple of months, every 2:00 and 5:00 am bathroom trip, and every bit of whatever I will go through in labor. 

• I hope you remember to always keep God first in your life. I know you will stumble, we all do, but I hope you never forget who your real creator is. Your daddy and I will do our best to lay a good foundation for you.

Love Always,
Mommy

"There is nothing like the blessing of a bouncing, baby boy. He will fill your home with energy And touch your heart with joy. He’ll hug you and bug you and try you, but within each precious memory you’ll treasure again and again." ~ Linda LaTourelle 

Sunday, November 9, 2008

9 months down- 1 more till D-Day



That's right- I'll be 9 months this week with one more to go. They don't tell you that you are actually pregnant for 10 months. I am getting to that point of just being ready. The nursery is done, the carseat is installed, the hospital bag is pretty much packed, the pediatrician has been chosen, Leyton's 0-3 month clothes have been washed, and I am about as prepared as I can be for labor (I'm sure all knowledge will fly out the window when the time approaches though). And I'm ready for my body to be somewhat back to normal. I want to walk like a normal person again, not an 80 year old who shuffles and waddles. 

Friday night after a fun double date with Jon & Jenna, we finally bought me a new pair of shoes! Goodbye, 6 year old flip flops from Old Navy!  Yesterday was also an exciting day, Kristen scored us some free tickets to the Southern vs UCF game. We tailgated with her and Jamie's family and got to see Southern beat up on UCF. It was great. AND I got a sno-cone! I have been craving one for months and there are NO snocone stands in Orlando. Thank you, UCF. I don't have any pics from the game, but I'm sure Kristen will post some later. I'm sure that will be my last big outing before Leyton's arrival. Now we will just wait...

Sunday, November 2, 2008

showers, pumkins, and pics

Well it has been a busy last couple of weeks for us. Last weekend, we made a quick trip home for a shower thrown for us by Jeremy's aunt Marla and his mom's friend, Shari. It was so nice and we got to see so many people that we miss. I wish it could have been for longer, but we will take what we can get. We are overwhelmed and blessed with how stuff much we have gotten for Leyton.

In honor of Halloween, Jenna I decided to be pumpkins. My mom also did this when she was pregnant with me so I thought it would be a good tradition to follow up on.

This weekend, Glynne, my lifelong bff and her new boyfriend, Nick, flew down from Nashville for a couple of days. Yesterday I had another baby shower thrown for me by my best friend, Kristen. It was the cutest thing ever and very "me". It was complete with elephants everywhere. So cute. Thanks, Kristen!!

Anyway, here are some pics of life in the past two weeks.

PS. No you aren't seeing double- I really am wearing the same dress a both showers. Fashion is somewhat limited in the third trimester.


Aunt Glynne & The Pumkin

Me & Jenna


The Great Pumpkin



Me & Mom

Me and my girls


The Noah's Ark Cake

Glynne & Nick at CityWalk

Me & Kristen

The Diaper Cake


Me & Jeremy at Downtown Disney

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

week 33- "my child attacks me and my feet are huge"


So reality is starting to set in that in a wee month and a half I will become a mother. I can't believe how fast it is coming.  I can't wait, yet so much has to be done beforehand. Jeremy went this morning to have our carseat inspected. I am getting to the point physically where I am ready. People at work are already making fun of my newfound "waddle" and my feet are swollen beyond recognition. Even one of our custodians at work stopped dead in her tracks to look at my feet. And it doesn't help that I can no longer paint my toenails, because I just know painted toenails would improve the appearance of my feet. Jeremy refuses to try and paint them for me. And to make matters worse, I only have two pair of shoes that even fit- they are both flip flops. I am so stylish these days...I just hope everything I wear goes with either black flip flops or green ones. 

My sweet little child is also becoming violent in utero. He kicked Jeremy in the face the other night when Jeremy was talking to him, he won't let me sleep on my right side, and he always attacks me in Target. When I went last weekend he kicked me so hard in the ribs I almost lost my breath in the cereal aisle. He did the same thing during my next two Target trips.  After he is born, he will stay at home with dad while I make Target runs. 

We are also going to be making a trip home this weekend for a baby shower that i being thrown for me. I am so excited about seeing family and friends even though it will be an extremely short trip. Mississippi, here we come!