I'm a little late with the post, but YES, Connor is here!

...and 3 months old now.  I know I slacked BIG time.  But I'll be better now.  I'm not a huge writer (numbers are my thing, obvi) so I've been avoiding this because I have A LOT of blogs to write.  As you can see from the header above, Connor was born on June 16th.  So I'll write a few blogs to catch you all up, starting with his birthday!  Well I was SEVENTEEN days late and I was NOT happy about it.  Wow, is it discouraging when you wake up every day and are not in labor.  Even harder without Greg around.  Luckily our families & friends occupied my time and put up with my "emotions" for the wait.  I was WAY too prepared, that was the problem.  My bag was packed from like May 25th.  Carseat installed May 20th...oh and I even ordered annoucement envelopes and labeled & stamped them!  But he wasn't budging.  I had an appointment that afternoon to schedule my induction (either that afternoon or next AM I assumed) but I woke up at 5am with contractions.  Went downstairs and Dad was on his way out the door for work and I told him "today's the day".  Went to the hospital around 10ish and they were 3 minutes apart and I am a wimp when it comes to pain so I thought it was awful.  I was 5cm.  At 1pm I was still there so they gave me the epidural and pitocin to speed things up & take away the pain...which was awesome!  Greg called WHILE the needle was going in my back, great timing, he had no idea what an epidural was- he was all gitty & wanting to chat it up.  He called 6 more times throughout the day:) 

They broke my water at 4:30pm and I was around 8 cms.  By this point I had Mom, Dad, Glenna, Ann, Allison, Bev, Judy & Betsey at the hospital and then later Dave, Katie, John, Brian and Tyler joined our crowd.  Belvoir is small, I was the ONLY one in labor so my 13 visitors & cheerleaders took over my room & the waiting room watching So You Thing You Can Dance while eating pizza.  Around 8/9pm I got to 9 cms.  At 10:30 I told them I was getting a push feeling and could feel the pressure of my contractions and when they checked they said I was back to 8 cms and had to get the more experienced Doctor (aka old man Doc).  I knew it...he was coming to tell me I needed a C-Section.  I was very upset, started crying, then got freaked out at the thought of surgery and started shaking.  Then I calmed down and accepted it and asked "can we get this done by midnight so I can have him the same day I started labor?"...but what I really meant was "today is the 16th and I don't like odd numbers so can we get the party started before it's the 17th".  Plus 16 is the #8 twice.  Yes, this was seriously on my mind.

They were quick, but only by 19 minutes!  At 11:41pm the Doctor goes "we've gotta niner".  Mom & I look at eachother (can't see past the blue sheet) and say "niner?"  She stands up, and looks at me and says "you have a 9 pound baby".  WHAT?  Three doctors, THAT DAY, all guessed 7, 7.5 and 7lb11oz.  They were way off.  He started screaming, mom went to cut the cord & take a few photos, then Greg called within 2 minutes of him being born!  I put it on speaker so he could hear and they brought Connor over to my side so I could see him.  It was great having Greg on the phone since he couldn't be there in person.  It was an amazing feeling to see him and I couldn't wait to hold him.  I actually didn't get to for another 2 hours but when I did I was so in love with our little-big man.  Here was his first picture of our "family"...Greg being my cell phone.  Then the 1st pic of Connor, then the moment I first held him:)

Well I'll be sure to post a few more things that have happened the last few months later but I wanted to at least get this started.  And he's starting to squirm so this is all I've got for now!

6 weeks left. WOW.

Oops it's been quite some time huh?  I'll be better once he comes...in 6 weeks-ish.  At 34 weeks he's about 4.5lbs and 18 inches long...and he feels about that big in there.  I had an appointment this past week and he's in the head down position:)  I can't tell which body part is which but my doc kind of showed me.  He's moving a lot and all over the place so it's hard to tell- but now that he's like 18 inches I guess his legs and arms are long enough to reach to different areas. 

The nursery is getting there- I just did 4 loads of baby laundry this weekend!  Who knew it'd be so fun:)  I know, I know I won't be saying that for long.  I ironed the cribskirt & curtains & sheets (ya I know I'll never do that again) and I put all the clothes away in the dresser & closet.  Organizing a baby closest is difficult!  Especially when I still have a few showers to come.  My closet- easy- tanks by color, shortsleve by color, longsleve by color, etc.  But I am 1 size!  So do I do winter by sizes, summer by sizes, do I put the 12+ stuff away for now?  Decisions decisions!  But at least I finally decided on my chair- I got the Little Castle rocker/glider w/ ottoman in white...and yes...slipcovers.  It'll come while I'm in NOVA but someone will let them in for me.  I can't wait!  Other than that- I'm slacking on the wall decor big time.  Amber's going to paint a blue elephant above the crib, but other than that I need some wall decor stat!  Guess I better start looking since I'm heading to VA in less than 2 weeks.

If you didn't know- I'm going to VA the month of May to deliver at Fort Belvoir and then heading back to NC about 2 weeks later.. in time for summer, to get into the grove of things at our house and be here in time for Amber & Bobby's baby girl.  I'm partial to this plan but in the end it'll be best to be surrounded by family & friends who are close by...and I'll be closer to Leah's wedding.  So other than nursery nesting- I've also been house-preping.  Setting up all those spring time things that need to be taken care of and preparing the house to be ready & clean when we get back.  My parents & Glenna are coming to get me- poor Andy- I have a list for him! 

Here are a few pics from my recent progress and recent fun weekend activities:

(Leah's Bachy in C-ville)

(Kibler fam shower)

(MeMa's quilt...and J&B got me the BOB!)

(Cousins at shower...and McSweem fam at Easter/Ann's Bday)

These were from 2 weeks ago- so I'm a little bigger now but the only pics I have are in a swim suit... and no thanks I won't be posting those!  Funny thing- tanned out back yesterday- and clearly my stomach is a little closer to the sun than the rest of me- didn't think it'd be THAT different.  Luckily I put sunscreen on before I got too red and it's faded today- but it looked hilarious yesterday! 

Hopefully sometime in the next 3 weekends of SHOWERS:) I'll get another post in here!  Excited to be busy busy busy! 

Week 29

So it's been awhile since my last post but there hasn't been much development...on my end that is.  Getting bigger of course, but nothing new now that I'm in the third trimester.  I have been going to bed early but haven't really been "tired" or in need of a nap.  Tired of working, that's for sure! 

McBaby (another nickname we like) is now about 2.5 lbs and 15-17 inches long.  I feel him move around a lot- pretty much all the time.  Haven't felt (or I haven't recognized) any hiccups yet.  I'm starting to notice that my belly is in the way more...like when putting on socks or shoes- kinda hard!  I have another appt and my glucose testing in a few days.  Should be interesting because I am a candy & sweets freak.  I seriously need to be on the show "Intervention" but for candy.  My desk drawer is FILLED and I have a HUGE bag at home- people love giving pregnant women candy!  No insane cravings other than my love for fruit, candy & dessert.  Emotions are kinda kicking in- which is normal since things are a little emotional lately- but I even started tearing up in a Criminal Minds show!  And that's happened in CSIs too- whenever the victim's families find closure- I get all choked up...then I laugh at myself.

It's hard to think I'm less than 3 months away.  Hopefully the time goes by fast (but not fast enough for me to get a tan first).  Weather has been nice lately which just puts me in a better mood.  Did some yard work today and I'll probably do a little tomorrow since I probably won't be able to in a couple weeks. 

Here are a few pics (including the new belly/heart one at the top) that our friend Nikki took.  She's a great photographer and she came and took some pics for us a couple weeks ago.  Normally people do these when they're a little bigger but we don't have that option.  Here are a couple that I love:

I'll post some more belly pics next weekend.  It really has grown & I am enjoying it:)  As long as it goes back down fast!  Happy St. Patty's Day everyone- please drink some green beer for me!

Valentine's Weekend

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!  I love that it was on a weekend- a nice excuse to actually do something "lovey" on this hallmark holiday.  Greg and I relaxed all weekend and it was fabulous.  Greg put the crib & dresser together last week and the nursery is starting to come together nicely.  Putney must know something strange is going on and she's probably starting to get jealous...of what...she doesn't know...she just knows she doesn't have her own room (not that she'd want to be isolated from us anyways).

We did some baby-prep things but mostly just spent some nice QT together.  It snowed Friday night about 5 inches which NEVER happens here so we pretended like we were "snowed in" even though the streets were melted and dry by noon...

Valentine's day was the 25 week mark.  The baby is the size of an eggplant- about 13.5 inches and about 1.5 lbs.  We had an ultrasound the 10th and everything looked nice & normal!  He's kicking like CRAZY and it's so nice to have Greg here to feel all his movement:)  It's hilarious that we can now see my stomach move when he kicks or punches.  Here's the newest belly shots- both taken on Vday...

I know I know...the pink shirt REALLY shows off the bump!  We went to Wilmington and walked down by water before dinner.  We ate at this Thai/Vietnamese restaurant called "Indochine", it was great.  Then we went to see Valentine's Day which was such a cute movie. 

Looking forward to next weeknd in NOVA!

Week 21

Baby McSween is the size of a banana (isn't a cantaloupe bigger than a banana though?) or 10.5 inches long, weighing about 12.7ounces.  Nothing new really other than more movement.  It's very soft still, he's not too strong yet, but I can still feel him kicking randomly.  I mostly notice at night when I lay down since I'm still & quiet. 

Glenna came to visit for the long weekend!  We did some shopping Friday & Saturday and watched some football & relaxed yesterday.  It was nice all weekend- 65 degrees, love it.  While shopping I got a couple shirts that are normal that will fit great with a belly too...speaking of belly- there's no hiding it now!  I feel like it doubled from last week.  Saturday it was huge...then yesterday it looked smaller, but still showing.  Pics below...

Glenna brought some of the bedding we picked out from PBK.  I need to match a couple fabrics so mom can make the bumper cover & curtains.  We also went by some baby boutiques in Wilmington.  I saw the upholstered chair I want- Little Castle glider.  Still haven't decided on the color or chair model but I'm pretty sure I'll be ordering a LC chair.  Also tried on some Citizen maternity jeans- I didn't like the color but I know my size and I'll be ordering some this week!  I totally deserve to treat myself- I have to look big for a few months so I want to look big in style.  Justified.

Til next week...

21 Weeks

To reference...not pregs (2wks)

First post!

It's taken quite some time to start this blog but I'm starting to get the hang of it!  Clearly I need my first post to make the blog a little less naked, even though I still have 20 weeks to go until Baby McSween is here.  I actually do have some news to share!  Last night I felt lots of kicks!  I thought I felt movement a couple days ago but it was quick and I wasn't sure.  Last night- no doubt he was wiggling around in there.  It was such a great feeling.  It lasted for about 30 minutes (which is when I stopped paying attention and fell asleep).  I could even feel the bumps from the outside which I didn't know I'd feel right away.  I cannot wait until Greg's back to feel it.  It was so amazing but I know it'll be even better once I can share the moments with him.

Baby Mac (I need a new nickname but this is all I've got for now) is about the size of a small cantaloupe, about 6.5 inches long and just over 10 oz. 

That's all for now!  Feel free to suggest how I can add to this blog!