Something New

I have created a new blog... so check it out! Although, you should give me a little time to add a few posts, pictures, etc.

New Blog: Carolina Mom Creations

Welcome To Our World!

McPhearson Grey Bailey. Born September 18, 2010. 7 lbs, 20.5 inches long! Welcome to our world beautiful baby girl!

Friday morning I went to see my OB/GYN doc because I was 4 days overdue and we needed to check and see how things were progressing with baby M. When the nurse weighed me in at a whopping 140 pounds (total gain of 30!) I told her the previous week my doc had mentioned we may have to induce and that McPhearson could possibly be getting an eviction notice. Then she took my blood pressure and did a urinalysis test and said she thought baby M would be getting the eviction notice right then and there. My doc came and said yep, gonna send you over to labor and delivery. Reality set in and my eyes probably grew as wide as the ocean! Then, waves of excitement (and a little bit of fear, not gonna lie) came crashing over me. I called Matt at work and told him I was coming to get him because it was time... and I teared up a little. Then I called my mom. She said she was leaving work and would meet us at the hospital. Picked up the hubby. Went home to grab the hospital bag, etc. And off we went. Excited. Nervous. Scared. Laughing. Shed a few tears too.

We arrived at the hospital around noon and checked in/registered. Matt was a bundle of nerves, as well was I. Then we were escorted to our labor/delivery room. Room Number Ten. Perfect ten for a perfect baby and delivery! Mom showed up. She felt bad for bringing lunch with her, especially since I hadn't had lunch and was then not allowed to eat anything at all. It didn't phase me. Nurses came in and it took them 3 tries to get my IV hooked up. Ouch! Drew blood for tests. Ouch. Hooked up the fetal monitor, etc to my belly. We were all set and ready to go.

The doc came in at 2:00 pm and broke my water. It was time to get things moving. Goosh! Totally gross! I eventually started feeling the contractions. My pain level reached 6-7/10 when I finally asked for the epidural. This was around 6:00 pm. Good thing I asked because the anesthesiologist was about to go into surgery and wouldn't have been available for a while. I couldn't imagine having to tolerate more than what I was feeling. Let me just say that the anesthesiologist was my new best friend. That epidural took the edge completely off! Thanks big E... I am forever in your debt.

Around 2:00 am I started feeling the contractions again, so my new best friend came back in and hooked me up, again knocked the edge off. My right leg was completely numb. I would ask Matt to squeeze my toes from time to time just so I could feel something... left side never went completely numb. And that's the side I could feel the contractions on.

At 4:00 am the doc came in to take a look at things (he'd already done this several times previously). He and the nurse wanted me to try a couple of practice pushes because I was finally fully dilated! When I pushed, baby M crowned. He said he was going to go get his team ready and he'd be right back! I couldn't believe it was finally time... and again I got a little scared.

I am amazed at how easy the delivery was! I pushed a set of 3, then a set of 2 and another set of 2, and a final set of three and baby M was pulled up right before my very eyes. I couldn't believe how big she was... I thought she'd be teeny-tiny! I started laughing and crying at the same time. McPhearson was (and is) the most beautiful little thing I've ever seen, and I couldn't believe Matt and I made her! She took my breath away. I thought I'd be trying to push her out for 15 to 20 minutes, but it only took maybe five! Again, love the big E! I could sense the pressure of her little body... but felt no pain. I also thought I would feel her head and then her shoulders, etc as she made her way into this world, but again, I didn't feel any of that.

She was weighed. She was measured. And when all was said and done, she added up. They placed her in my arms, skin-to-skin, and I instantly fell in love. I knew her. And now I could actually see her for the very first time.

Well, that's it for tonight. Will post more later. Just glad to say my baby girl is finally here. Matt and I are two of the happiest parents in the whole wide world! Now I just need to post some pics...

40 Weeks And 1 Day

Hello all!

Yesterday was our due date, and as you can see we are now one day past due and still no baby. I think Baby B is taking after me... she's taking her sweet time getting here. And that's okay with me. I'm not uncomfortable at all, and I just want her to be as healthy as can be. The doc did say they don't typically let pregnancies go past 41 weeks, so if she doesn't decide to get a move on she may end up getting a little push from him. So looking forward for what is to come within the next few weeks! I can't wait to start to get to know our little one! What an adventure we are going to have!

This has been a short post from Ticking-Time-Bomb. Stay tuned for more updates on Baby B making her entrance into this world! Yay!

39 Weeks

Baby B is preparing to meet us soon! 6 days and counting to reach her due date (give or take a few!) September 13th is right around the corner. WOW!

At 39 weeks pregnant she is still building a layer of fat to help regulate her body temperature when she ventures out into the world. Also, Baby B's skin is sloughing off as new layers of skin develop underneath the old layers.

I feel like a ticking time bomb and wonder when I'm gonna pop? Still have a few last minute things to do to get ready for her arrival, so I won't be terribly disappointed if she takes her time getting here. At the same time, I can't wait to meet her! I can't wait to look into her eyes... admire her chubby cheeks and button nose! And I can't wait for her to grab my fingers and hold on! What an adventure we are about to have! Love you kiddo! Looking forward to holding you in my arms!

37 Weeks

Hi all! Sorry I have been out of touch for so long. It's been tough living out of a suitcase and not having internet access from the home computer.

Well, we are now at the 37 week mark... 2 weeks and 5 days to go! Approximately. I cannot believe our little girl will be here so soon. 9 months felt like forever in the beginning and now her arrival is right around the corner! Doc says everything looks good. Not expecting anything major to happen just yet. All is well, just gives me more time to finish unpacking boxes and getting the baby room/rest of the house organized before she makes her debut! Had a couple of baby showers recently. Need to get pics posted... and of course when our little one enters this world, we will have many more pics for you to see!

Cooked an amazing dinner tonight! Honey-Rosemary Stuffed Pork Chops. Check out the recipe on MyRecipe.Com. All I can say is WOW!

It's late and I'm pooped. Postings will probably continue to be short for the next month or so until I get used to life with baby... and finish getting my house in order. Thanks for your patience!

Good night all!

Still Here...

Hi everyone! Sorry we haven't posted in a while. Moving from one coast to another and not having computer access has been a little hectic. Still not quite out of the woods yet in that department. Have a week and a half to go before we get our furniture (and beloved computer back up and running). So stay with us. Once we get unpacked and settled, I'll be sure to give you a good update. (Did manage to find a computer and a few spare minutes to post this message... definitely more to follow at a later date!)

29 Weeks

29 weeks preggo! Baby should now weigh around 2.5 pounds and measure 15 inches in length. Major developments... baby' head is growing bigger to accomidate for growing brain. It' great that baby' head is growing, I just don't want to have to think about it leaving my body! Baby is getting more active and muscles are getting stronger. It's very important that I make sure I'm getting all the nutrients needed for baby's ever growing process.

In other news, the movers came and packed up our house on Friday. Everything is in boxes and we are currently living out of suitcases. Agh! Movers come back tomorrow to load up the truck. Thursday morning we hope to be getting on the road.

Well, I am texting all of this on Matt's tiny little cell phone (as the computer has been packed) and it' rather annoying, so that's all for now!

9 Days And Counting...

Much more enthusiastic about one of our count-downs. In 9 days we hope to be moving back east. Checked a lot of items off of my To-Do List today and am feeling very happy about that! Still have a few hectic hurdles to jump, but it's all down hill from here, baby! Feeling some of that stress, but know it's all going to be worth it in the end!

Hello 3rd Trimester!

I am now in my 3rd trimester! Celebrated by eating yummy, yummy chicken wings, roasted potatoes and corn on the cob... all cooked by very dear friends! I'm stuffed. Baby is stuffed. And I'm pretty sure my 2nd and 3rd (future) children are stuffed too!

28 weeks. 12 more to go. WOW! Baby Girl Bailey should now weigh around 2 pounds and a quarter and should measure around 14.8 inches in length. She can blink her eyes and now has eyelashes. Baby B's eyesight is developing and she may be able to sense light filtering through the womb. Building billions of neurons in her brain and continuing to add on the baby fat! So exciting!

Celebrated Father's Day on Sunday. Made a card for Matt and took him out to lunch. He also says celebrating parental holidays will not feel official until our baby girl actually enters this world and he is holding her in his arms. We also went to the Hospitality House Sunday night for another baby shower/going away party.


We are going to miss seeing our Hospitality House family every week, but are so glad we are able to spend a little bit more time with them before we go! Well, down to the last stretch... our lives are changing forever and for the better!

And I Cried...

Yesterday at lunch, Matt told us one of his stories about working on the internal medicine ward at a hospital. He said that one of the patients, a little old man, had been in a coma for a while, opened his eyes while Matt was sitting with him, let out a big sigh, closed his eyes and then passed. As Matt was getting toward the end of his story, I could sense what was coming and said, "Matt, you're gonna make me cry." And by the time he finished I was bawling my eyes out! One of my supervisors sitting across from me just kind of looked at me with a "what just happened?" expression... so I simply sobbed out "hormones." Yep, just one more thing for me to cry over. And it happens so easily now. I suggested to Matt that he should probably choose his stories a little more carefully over the next few months as I now cry at the drop of a hat! (Of course, that story gets me every time... just never quite as quickly before.)

Great night at the Hospitality House tonight! Praise and worship songs were awesome! Teared up a little while singing. Bible study/video on point. Good message about communication in marriage (which can also be applied to relationships in general): The human tongue can be a dangerous weapon and thus one should be mindful of what one says and how he says it to another.

End Of The Second Chapter

Well folks, I am in the last week of my 2nd trimester. Now 27 weeks along with 13 weeks to go. I can't believe it! 13 just seems like such a small number compared to 40. Time is just moving right along. Baby Girl Bailey will be here before we know it! Then there will be no more count down... we'll be counting up!

Major developments this week: Baby B should now measure around 14.5 inches long and weigh around 2 pounds! She should be sleeping/waking at regular intervals, opening/closing her eyes and may even be sucking on her fingers. More brain tissue is developing and is more active. Lungs are still immature, but if the baby were to be born early she could survive with medical assistance. Also, I think our little girl is starting to get more hiccups.

In other news, Matt and I are still busy going through the house trying to get rid of stuff we just don't use anymore. We've also been doing a lot of cleaning in preparation for our upcoming move. It's such a hassle, this task of preparing to move, but it definitely needs to be done! Nothing like lightening the load before you relocate cross-country. It's almost behind us. Yes, it is almost behind us!

The Belly, 26 Weeks & 4 Days

Just a couple of belly pics from last night, post baby shower. I am 26 weeks and 4 days preggo. I just love my little bump!

Baby Shower, Part Two

Friday, June 11, 2010
5:00 - 10:00 pm
Baby Shower/Going Away

The Gifts...
Some of the crowd starting to come in with a snack-attack! Pre-dinner munching at it's finest!
Let the games begin!
Guess what's in the poopy diaper?
I think this one was a mashed Cheeto.
Now guess the circumference of my belly. I suggested a pillow for more accurate estimation.
Was the suggestion helpful?
Yes! Our winner!
Time for gifts!
Cards...
More gifts.
A combo party... baby shower/going away. Remembering good times with co-workers.
The end of the evening.

What a great party! We took 340 pictures last night. I just chose a few to share. So many people came out to celebrate... good times had by all. Thanks everyone for such a fun and festive event!

Baby Shower, Part One

Friday, June 11, 2010
5:00 - 10:00 pm
Baby Shower/Going Away

Co-workers had a combo baby shower/going away party for me and a few other co-workers tonight. We had loads of fun! Good food, good company, baby shower games and minute-to-win-it challenges. And we took tons of pictures! There were a few tears, followed by a lot of laughter. Memories and "most memorable moments" of individuals were shared. Transitions are always bittersweet. Sometimes you don't want to have to say goodbye, yet you look forward to moving on. All I can say is thank goodness for technology because cell phones and internet make it so much easier to keep in touch with friends!

I will post pictures of the party sometime this weekend, so check back in a day or two for updates.

Quick, Hand Me An Umbrella

I need an umbrella! Today has been a terribly upsetting day and it feels like dark clouds from above opened directly over me to dump torrential rains a-top my head. Downpour is easing up, but showers are expected through tomorrow evening. The SHOWERs tomorrow will be much more pleasant than the downpour today because my co-works are giving me a BABY SHOWER! It's also a going-away party for myself and a few other co-workers. I expect to see clear skies tomorrow night, as much joy will hopefully have ventured back into my world.

I don't really wish to go into details about the stormy weather today. I am, however, looking forward to tomorrow. Updates tomorrow, and a new weather forecast to follow...

Oh, one last note: A friend posted the following on her Facebook, and it did help me feel a little better...

"I used to think that God's gifts were on shelves one above the other and that the taller we grew in Christian character, the more easily we should reach them. I find now that God's gifts are on shelves one beneath the other and that it is not a question of growing taller, but of stooping lower and that we have to go down, always down to get his best ones." ~ Frederick Brotherton (F.B.) Meyer

As I have felt that the world cut me in-half today, it almost makes me happy because they did me a favor and brought me closer to God's grace. And although sometimes it feels as if I am struggling alone, the above posting reminded me that I am certainly not.

Quick Baby Update

Just a quick little update on all-things-baby. Matt said that last night while I was sleeping, curled around him, the baby was kicking him in the back! Too cute! And by-the-way, he's okay. No pain inflicted.

Check

Got a few things checked off of my To-Do List today and I am feeling so much better about it! Also, it pays to know people in the right places! So thankful for friends helping me out so that I'm not sitting around waiting. They will help in preparation for our move in a huge way! Thanks guys! You've taken some of my stress away! 22 more days and then we head back to the east coast!

In A Snap

Caught a cute pic of Takota the other day and thought I would share:Good thing I had the camera handy! Isn't he just the sweetest?

26 Weeks

26 weeks pregnant and getting close to the end of my 2nd trimester. Our baby should now measure around 14 inches long and weigh around 1 pound and 2/3s. Nerves in ears are more developed and Baby B is starting to inhale small amounts of amniotic fluid to prepare lungs for breathing in air. Also, still putting on the baby fat.

On a short little stay-cation. However, it's a working stay-cation. Trying to get everything ready for the move back east. Starting to get a little overwhelmed with all that has to be done. Wish I was decorating a nursery instead of cleaning out clutter and getting ready to pack boxes. So much to do, so little time. It will all be worth it once we get there. Just a few more weeks! Then there will be lots of unpacking... ugh. After that however... a little R&R! And with the move behind us... joy. And then a little bundle of joy! I think I'd feel a little better tonight if I had more accomplished towards prep for the move. Just have to knock things off of the list one at a time. (I never was really great at the whole being patient thing...)

Give The Girl A Set Of Headphones!

A few nights ago, Matt plopped down on the sofa with me and placed his head in my lap. He had his headphones on, and was listening to music. I guess our baby girl could hear the tunes because she started squirming and wiggling and kicking and rolling across my stomach. I think she loved listening to all the different beats! She kept bopping Matt upside his head in rhythm. Too cute!