Time has flown by!!!

Wow...Kenna is over 2 months old and I haven't written a post in here since the day before I had her!  So much has gone on since then I don't even know where to start!  She is currently asleep, snuggling with me on my chest :)  She is smiling more and more and her smiles are the best parts of my day.  She tries to "talk" to us when we are talking to her.  She has rolled from her tummy to her back twice (I don't think she was trying to, I believe it was by accident!)  Her Gran (my mom) makes her smile the most...I think it's because Mama is so loud and animated!  She discovered her right hand this week and now bats at things, especially her friend, Sally the frog that is on her carseat.  She sleeps through the night already, starting at around 6 weeks old!  I know we are very very lucky!  However, she isn't too fond of going down for naps.  That can be kind of tricky.  She prefers to nap with Mama or Daddy, not in her bassinet or crib.  She discovered Toby a week or 2 ago, and will follow him when he walks around her.  Speaking of Toby, he is jealous of her but really likes Kenna!  He gives her kisses and lays down beside her (see picture below). 
I am going back to work Monday, right before busy season kicks in!  I'm looking forward to using my mind and I really enjoy my job, I'm sure I'm going to miss my little girl during the day though!  Luckily Mama is going to keep her and I can have peace of mind with that.  We are staying with Mama now (starting last night).  We are putting our house on the market, and it will be much easier if once the house is clean and "staged", it will stay that way.  Plus, Toby won't be there to bark at everyone who comes to look at it!  It's going to be really helpful staying with her during busy season - if Kenna is asleep in the mornings when I leave, she can just stay asleep, my drive is shorter to work, Mama will cook, etc. 
I miss Daddy so much.  I really wish he could have met Kenna and held her.  He would have been the best Granddaddy that ever was.  I'm going to make sure Kenna knows how wonderful he was and how much he loved her Mama.  I hope Kenna has the same wonderful "Daddy's girl" relationship with Brian as I had with Daddy. 
That's all for now...I'm going to try and keep up with this better now!  Here are some pictures from the past few months :)

Still waiting on Kenna... :)

40 weeks and 1 day pregnant - October 30, 2009

So, another week has gone by, and today I am 41 weeks and 1 day pregnant. My doctor told me a few weeks ago that 95% of women go into labor by their 41st week. Guess I am not in the norm! ;)

Last Wednesday, October 28th, Dr. Draughn told me that I was dilated 1 centimeter and 60 to 70% effaced. He said "I bet this will be your last appointment!". I was so excited...then the weekend passed, and no Kenna. So, we went back to the doctor on Monday morning. Brian's mom came in town Sunday night (thinking Kenna would be here any day!), so she went to the doctor with us. I was STILL at 1 cm and 70% effaced. No change. We talked, said he wanted me to wait 3 or 4 more days and see if I go into labor by myself like most other women. So, I cried. I couldn't help it. I am so tired of being big! And being bored, and anxious, and wondering if EVERY little contraction was IT. That labor was actually starting. He wanted to do an ultrasound, to make sure that Kenna was still doing ok, so, we went across the hall. She scored an 8 out of 8 on her "test" for baby movement, ect. They also estimated her to weigh in at 8 pounds, 10 ounces! When Mama had me, I was 13 days overdue and they induced her. I ended up being too big and Mama had a c-section. I weighed 8 pounds, 12 ounces. Dr. said that you usually follow family history...guess that's true! Here are 2 of the pictures from her ultrasound. Look at those chubby cheeks!

We scheduled an appointment for Wednesday, to see if there had been any progress. They did a stress test, and Kenna looks "just perfect" on paper as the Dr. says. So, we had a talk about what to do. He is pretty confident that I'll end up delivering her via c-section, but I told him that I at least wanted to TRY having her vaginally. The hospital was booked until Saturday morning, so that's when we are going in! Tomorrow morning at 6am. I can't believe it's finally here. Well, I can, but then again I can't.

So, here I am, 41 weeks and 1 day pregnant. I NEVER thought it would go this far. My last day of work was October 23rd...I thought for sure that I would only have a few days off without her, and it's been 2 weeks! I told Brian I was not housewife material. I have had a few days where I was so bored! I have had to make up stuff to do. There is only so much TV you can watch or internet you can surf. Brian's mom has been here this whole week with me though, and we have spent time together and some time at Mama's with her and Christi. Today I am going to get my hair done (ahhhhhhhhh), a pedicure (gotta have cute feet pushing...if I get to do that...) and then on to a little shopping. Not much though, because I am soooo big at this point I mainly waddle. I feel like a beached whale!

Last night Brian and I ran out to Opry Mills for dinner and for him to make an exchange. It was the first time in weeks I just didn't feel good at all. So many people have asked me how I'm feeling, and usually I just say that I'm fine. Which, I have been. I mean, I'm big, uncomfortable, can't sleep all the way through the night (good morning is now usually 4am), but for the most part I have felt pretty good. Not last night though. I just felt BLAH. I wanted to shop for some more pj's since I'll probably be wearing just that for a few weeks, but just didn't have the energy to walk around. I got a good night's sleep last night though and I feel much better this morning. Hopefully I'll get some good "me time" in today!

However, now that I KNOW Kenna will be here in the next day, I am sooooooooooo nervous! I haven't been nervous about being a Mama until now. I was looking at her bathtub yesterday, just thinking about how I will have a wonderful, little person to take care of the rest of my life, and I got so excited and scared all at the same time. I'm sure Brian and I will be just fine, after all, we have God to help us through, and He can do anything.

Waiting on Kenna...

Yesterday was my first day of maternity leave. Not planning on going back until January 27th. That is a looooooooooong time! I just wish that I had a baby to be "maternal" for! Haha. My due date is 2 days away. I have been having contractions for about half a week now that can be painful, but nothing consistent. My doctor said that he would let me go a week over before he would induce me unless there was a medical reason. I really would like to go into labor naturally though, because I have heard (and my doctor said) that induced labors are harder, longer, have more risk of infection, and run a higher chance of ending up in a C-section. I know Kenna will come when she is ready, but I'M READY!

Yesterday was a good day. I was up at 6:30 (internal clock I guess), did some stuff around the house, took Toby on a long walk (trying to stir things up), then got ready for the day. I went to have lunch with Brian at O'Charley's - gotta love that! Then I did a little shopping and got a manicure. Last night we went over to Mama's and had supper then took some furniture that we are donating to a single mother in need over to our pastor's house. They are doing an extreme home makeover type thing for her on Friday. It felt really good to be a part of something that will greatly benefit someone else.

Today, so far, I actually slept in until 8:20. It's now 11:30 and I'm still in my pajamas, but it's a good day for it because it's rainy and blah outside. I plan on staying in my pajamas all day unless Kenna decides to "make a move", as Brian says! We have a doctor's appointment tomorrow morning at 8:30. Hopefully we'll get some good news (like I'm more dilated or something - I was 1 centimeter last Wednesday).

Brian and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary on October 18. We went to The Melting Pot for dinner, and it was fabulous! We chose The Melting Pot because we went there for one of our first "real" dates for my birthday a few years ago.

Hopefully my next blog entry will be our birth story! :)

Full Term!

I had a doctor's appointment this morning for my 37 week check up. I am not dilated AT ALL, but, she is head down. Her heart beat is still very strong and my blood pressure is awesome. He said that the 1st baby is usually stubborn...I just hope she comes sooner than later! We just can't wait to meet her! I go back next Wednesday (if she isn't here by then ;) ) to see if there is any more progress. I started having a few contractions yesterday, so hopefully those will get the ball rolling!

Other than that, Brian's Grandma Shoub passed away Saturday morning unexpectedly. They believe that she had a brain aneurysm - she would've been 80 on November 3rd. So, Saturday we made the 8 hour drive and came back last night after the funeral. Very long weekend and first of the week. She was a huge part of Brian's life, and we are all going to miss this very sweet lady. Here is a picture of us with her at our wedding last year:

We are STILL trying to close on Daddy's business. Hopefully that'll get done before I go into labor. Ugh. Yes, very big UGH.

As time draws nearer for Kenna to be here, I think more and more about how much I hate that Daddy isn't here to meet her...to hold her...he would have been the best Granddaddy. My heart hurts for him that he never got the opportunity to live it out. I will do my best to make sure Kenna and any of our other children know what a great man their Granddaddy was. I want to try my best for them to know him without ever meeting him. I hope that he shines through me.

I hope that everyone has a great rest of the week.

Just a little behind...

Well, August was a busy month! I didn't stick to my weekly blog writing as I had tried to commit to, so, I have some catching up to do!

I've had 2 baby showers since I last wrote. One was with family and long time friends. The other was mainly just girlfriends. Mama and Christi hosted the 1st one, and LeAnna hosted the 2nd. Both were great! Kenna got so much stuff. We're still trying to figure out where to put it all! haha Brett, Brian's brother, works for Closets By Design, and he is graciously doing Kenna's closet for us. Getting some extra shelving, drawers, and rods. I'll post pictures once it's done. It's going to give us so much more room! The past few nights Brian and I have worked on washing all her little clothes, getting them ready for her to wear! It's amazing how many baby clothes you can wash in just one load! :) Here's a picture from the family shower with my cake and flowers Christi got me:

2 Sundays ago we all went to Camp Cotham. We went to hang Daddy's "animals" that he had "gamed" and had stuffed. A lot of his good friends were there, including some family. We (well, I watched) hung 2 elk, 1 moose, 1 caribou, and 4 deer. The elk, moose, and caribou are from Alaska and New Mexico. Very neat to have up in Daddy's cabin that he was so proud of. Here are some pictures:

Last Thursday Brian and I graduated from our childbirth classes at Baptist. The week before we went to the nursery. Just seeing those babies made me tear up - I can't believe Kenna is going to be here so soon! We are so ready to meet her! Christi and Mama came to graduation night because it was also about newborn care and they wanted to hear all about that! Christi tried on the sympathy belly - here's a picture :) :

Last Saturday I went to my friend Kristin's baby shower. She is exactly 5 weeks ahead of me. Her little girl will be here any day now! Maybe our little girls will play softball together one day! Here is a picture of us...she's about 36 wks, 2 days, I'm 31 wks, 2 days:

We also had a family reunion last Saturday on my mom's side. We play some HORSE in the gym, and not to brag, but I was on FIRE. And pregnant. Oh yeah. :) Sunday LeAnna took some maternity pictures of us. I can't wait to see them and share them with everyone! That's all for now. I hope everyone is having a great week!

Overwhelmed

This week I am feeling very overwhelmed. I was talking to a partner in my firm yesterday about another big decision yet to make (move or not move right now) and he said "Are you sure you want to add another stressful even to your year?". He pointed out that most of the stressful things that happen to you I have covered in one year...here's a recap:

• July 2008 - Daddy had a stroke and we discovered he had cancer, became engaged
• September 2008 - moved into our current house
• October 2008 - got married to the love of my life
• November 2008 - my office moved
• January 2009 - was blessed with pregnancy
• March 2009 - my Daddy passed away
• June 2009 - began the sale process of Daddy's business
• July 2009 - Brian had shoulder surgery; a unforeseen lawsuit surfaced (too much to go into)

To come:

• October 2009 - our precious little one will be born
• October 2009 - hopefully documents to be signed selling the business (the process will go until July of 2010)
• Fall '09/Spring '10 - move???

Now, don't get me wrong. A lot of these things are wonderful blessings, and I wouldn't change it for anything. However, I am feeling very stressed out. I know that all these things are not happening to me right now...and now that new country song "Sounds Like Life" comes to mind. Yeah, it is life. But geez...I just want a break. I don't want to sound whiny, and I am very very strong. I can handle it. I know that God doesn't give us anything we can't handle and I trust Him. It's just hard sometimes...I'm sure we all feel that way.

We found out yesterday that our house is worth less than what we owe - which is the current situation for a lot of America, I'm sure. However, we were also given the news that it may not get better...it may get worse. We know we want to move in the next 2 years, but we're faced with should we do it now? Just cut the bleeding? I'd hate to leave Kenna's beautiful nursery before she even gets to use it! And on the other hand in my head I hear myself say "You should be thankful that you do have a home, a job, etc". Yes, I am thankful. I have a wonderful husband, amazing actually. A little girl on the way. I am so close to my mom and sister. I have a secure job. We are blessed in so many ways. So then I get frustrated at myself for being frustrated. I guess all I can do is pray.

On another note - my first baby shower is tomorrow and I am soooooooooo excited! Mama and Christi have worked so hard on it. It's going to be so fun to see all my family and friends :) Kenna is going to be one lucky (spoiled) little girl!

7 months ya'll!

Yesterday marked 28 weeks, so 7 months! I can't believe it. I don't understand though why they say you're pregnant for 9 months when it's really 10... We're getting really anxious to meet this little girl that does dance aerobics in my tummy almost all day long! Here are some recent belly pictures - the pink/purple dress is 26 weeks and the white pants, brown shirt is yesterday - 28 weeks!

We also have some new additions to her nursery. The glyder that mama got us for her room came in. We also got a white bookshelf and a new lamp. I love the lamp because it's a touch base, 3 settings. That'll come in handy in the middle of the night! Christi is working on doing a little painting on the wall too. The dashes represent where a little bee has been flying...she's going to do the bee hopefully sometime this week.

We went to visit Grandma about a week and a half ago. It was her birthday, so I took off work and me, Christi, & Mama went down and spent the night with her. The next day we took her out to lunch and did a little shopping. She has on her birthday present from me - a tshirt that says "I'm going to be a Great Grandma" :) My Grandma is the sweetest woman, and I hope that she'll be a big part of Kenna's life!

We've completed 3 of the 6 classes for Childbirth at Baptist Hospital. I really enjoy going to them. We have learned a lot, and I especially like how at the end of class we practice our "relaxation techniques" where she turns off the lights and Brian gets to massage me and help me feel relaxed! Last night we saw what an epidural looks like and watched one being given...doesn't look TOO bad...I think I'll try and wait for as long as I can before I get it. I don't want to be stuck in the bed for hours and hours. I think I'd like to be able to walk around. We'll just play it by ear :)

Tomorrow is our friends Todd & Nicole's little girls birthday. Izzy will be 2! I'm painting her some letters for her room like I did Kenna. I'm so excited about them!

That's about all that's going on for us right now...we love each other and our life together!