Emery is ONE Month Old!

Today my little girl is one month old. I can't believe it has been a month already! She is getting to be such a big girl. I am truly blessed!

Milestones Emery has hit so far!
- lifting her head, she has had amazing neck control since she was born!
- focusing her eyes on objects far away
- eye tracking when you walk or move around her
- grasping things with her hands
- smiling (real ones!)

EMERY IS HERE!

Emery Isabel was born on November 15th at 9:41 am, 8 pounds 7 ounces 21 inches long, and just BEAUTIFUL! I am just so delighted to finally have her here with us. She is the most incredible blessing GOD could have ever given us.

So my little girl came 5 days past her due date, leaving me very anxious for her arrival by then! I started going into labor in the very early morning of the 15th. I started feeling contractions around 1:00-1:30 in the morning and they came on strong right away. I always heard about women getting them an hour, 45 min or a half hour apart. NEVER had that. They were starting at 3 min apart within about a half hour they quickly became 1 min apart. We rushed off to the hospital. Thank GOD there is no traffic so early in the morning. We arrived at the hospital around 3 and they immediately admitted me. Within about 20 min my water broke and I was dilated about 3 cm. They rolled me off to my delivery room and I quickly hit 5 cm. The contractions were still coming on strong but by then the dilating progressed a little slower. I ended up getting the epidural, even though I had planned on not getting it. Boy am I so glad that I did though. They came in to do an ultrasound to guesstimate how big she was and it showed she was 8 pounds 13 oz, pretty close! Little did I know what her size would lead to later on. It also showed that she was transverse so they had me lay on my side to get her to turn head down. They ordered me to rest and the nurse came in every now and then to check on my progress. After awhile she came back in and said the baby's heart rate was escalating a bit because she didn't like me being on my side so I flipped on to my back again. Well not so easily, I couldn't feel a thing from the waist down so the nurse had to assist since my legs felt like jelly to me! I went back to sleep and at 9 am they came in to check for dilation and I was at 10 cm, baby had already descended into the birth canal and everything after that happened so fast! I pushed about 3 times and my little angel was born. I ended up with a 4th degree tear due to her size and quick labor which led to a 3 day hospital stay. The staff was so amazing to me and made our stay there great. We came home yesterday and everything has just been great. I'm so blessed and happy to be Emery's mommy.

TODAY IS MY DUE DATE!!

All is very exciting for me as this day has finally come but at the same time I am feeling very discouraged! I don't think my little girl is going to make her debut today but she could very well surprise me! I am so excited for her arrival and can't wait to see her little face.

20% OFF at Bed Bath & Beyond!


One of my favorite places to shop is Bed Bath & Beyond! If you subscribe to their newsletters at the following link, they'll email you a coupon that you can print out and it gives you 20% OFF any one item (there are some exclusions)! After that you may be sent more coupons. This is great because as an expecting mother to be, I can also redeem the coupon at Buy Buy Baby since they are the same company! I've gotten so many great deals from there so I definitely felt the need to share this coupon for those who don't know about it!

(subscribe link here)

8 Ways to Manage Labor Pain

Shared from Parents.com
(View full article here)

They don't call it labor for nothing. Having a baby is hard work, and part of that work is getting through the pain. But don't panic. There are more ways than ever to manage that pain, and you don't have to choose just one. "The trick is to have as many tools in your bag as possible," says Kim Hildebrand Cardoso, a certified nurse-midwife in Berkeley, California, and a mother of two. "You don't know what's going to work until you're in it, and what helps a woman at one point can change five minutes later." That's why it's important to keep an open mind and do your research. So take a deep breath (good practice for later) and prepare to enter the wide world of pain management.

Without Medication

Relaxation
"The most important thing you can relax during labor is your mind," says Stacey Rees, a certified nurse-midwife at Clementine Midwifery, in Brooklyn, New York. The idea is simple -- when you fear pain, you tense up, which makes the pain worse, which makes you tense up more. Cardoso had back labor for 21 hours with her first baby and says her saving grace was enjoying the time between contractions. "I tried to stay in the moment and not spend the precious pain-free minutes stressing about the pain I just had and what was to come. The result was ecstasy -- I felt like I was on really good mind-altering drugs."

Breathing
To stay relaxed, it's crucial to pay attention to your breathing, the same way you do when you're lifting weights. Whether you're hee-ing or haa-ing, panting or deep inhaling, as long as you're focusing on your breath and releasing it, you'll find some relief. "I tell women their breath is the path through the contraction," Rees says, "and to just keep following that path until the sensation starts to fade."


And don't feel inhibited about making strange loud noises. Rees recommends strong low-pitched moans rather than high-pitched horror-movie screams, which tend to make the throat tight and tense, but she admits it isn't always possible. "With my second baby, I was able to make those low guttural sounds, somewhere between a Gregorian chant and a large animal near death," Cardoso remembers. "But with my first baby, I just ended up screaming a lot."

My Baby Loves...

I came across these cd sets on Amazon awhile back and think they are just too sweet! I love the classic lullaby with a contemporary twist! I especially can't wait to play my baby the 80's and Christmas themed ones.

To have an epidural or not...?

I want to try to have this baby natural without any drugs for the pain. This is a decision I made long before I ever got pregnant. I know some will say, you wouldn't have a tooth pulled without novocaine would you? And you know what? That's true.

I don't exactly know why I am so adamant about having this baby natural but I am. Everyone woman in my family has done so and I just want to try. I am also aware that some women have had side effects due to the epidural. Regardless of that, I just hope that things are smooth and that I can be as alert and aware of everything as much as possible while giving birth. Now don't get me wrong... if for whatever reason while I am in labor I feel that the pain is too much to handle, I am absolutely open to getting an epidural. Hopefully things goes smooth and the labor process is quick. I wish! Ha!

Predicting Baby's Eye Color

What color will baby's eyes be?

My husband has brown eyes and I have hazel. Most of us on my side have hazel eyes, mine being the "darkest". So I'm interested to see how this little one's turn out.



This is obviously something hard to predict but it's all in good fun!
If you're interested in trying this out, here is the link.

Annoyed with Cord Blood Registry & the Like

These people are beginning to get on my last nerve. As if that is hard to do at this stage of my pregnancy, but really.... Years ago I signed up for information on them. I had considered banking my baby's cord blood when I first heard about it. I have done some research over the years and now that I am actually pregnant, have decided on delayed clamping so that they will cut the cord after it has stopped pulsating. I want her to receive all nutrients from the cord and I am happy with my decision. But it seems that ever since I've signed up from CBR that it just doesn't end! Every "sponsor" from all my favorite baby websites send emails from them and I just can't escape! When I signed up I was living in Canada. I have never updated them with my new house address or phone number here in the US, but they have somehow gotten that. I receive pamphlets in the mail and phone calls repeatedly. I've told them I am no longer interested but they are adamant on getting me to bank my baby's cord blood.

Don't get me wrong, I think it is a wonderful idea for those who are choosing to do it, I have just made the decision not to and wish that these companies would respect that and leave me alone.

Snail Mail Spam

I don't know if anyone else deals with this, but it seems that as soon as I pee'd on that pregnancy test and it came out positive that I've started getting all sorts of spam and junk in the mail regarding baby and what not. Why am I suddenly getting all these offers in the mail for things I don't need. I'm sorry that I don't want to become a member at your church just to have my child baptized... etc! Where do these people get our information from, it's so irritating!

Baby's First Postcard


Greetings from Florida!

I was just doing some thinking and realized this little one is one of the only ones in my family to be born in Florida! So I decided to just post up some random facts about the state of Florida, home to baby Emery and many more!

Florida was admitted to United States as a State on March 3, 1845 (27th State)
Governor - Charlie Crist
Capital - Tallahassee
Nickname - Sunshine State
State Flower - Orange Blossom
State Motto - "In God we trust."
State Song - "Swanee River"
Number of Counties in Florida - 67
State Sales Tax - 6%

Number of people who move to Florida each day - 1,000
Number of major commercial airports - 19
Number of international airports - 12
Number of deepwater ports - 14
Miles of sand beaches - 1,200
Miles of coastline - 1,800

Diaper Bag Woes

Choosing the right diaper bag is a big deal for most of us new moms! Parents are some of the busiest people on earth! Having to feed, clothe, and take care of their children everywhere you go can be tough without having all the necessities on hand. With every venture out, the last thing you want is to forget something while lugging every other item you don't need! With that comes the right bag! Is it just me or is it harder finding the right diaper bag than picking baby's name?! Maybe I am just super particular about what I want in a diaper bag, but I cannot find anything I like! First of all, I want it to not LOOK like the typical diaper bag. I know... but I want something a little fashionable yet practical without having to spend $300! Something not too big or too small with the right amount of pockets and compartments for everything needed. A good diaper bag will hold far more than diapers. Will some designer out there realize that some of us are not only looking for convenience, but a stylish alternative. Oy this is tough!

One alternative I've come across is a diaper bag insert/organizer. Basically it's just an insert with all the pockets and you can place it inside any bag of your choice. Seems to be that most purses now a days are on the large side, so that may work for me! Decisions decisions!

Creating a Birth Plan


photo from sheknows.com

I've been contemplating the idea of creating a birth plan. My original plan was not to plan at all. But now I'm trying to find out whether I really NEED one or not. Some say, don't waste your time, once you go into labor you forget all that and just go as things come. Others will say the opposite and tell you to come up with one so that things go your way. I am feeling overwhelmed with this because I can't come up with what I really want. I guess writing a birth plan is a great way to at least have some guidelines for what the expectant mother finds very important to her during this time and having a sense of control when she may not feel her strongest.

Part of some expectant mother's concern is how do you create one, where do you even begin? I've seen some great guidelines and samples on various baby websites. If I decide to create one, I suppose I could use one of those. A lot of us first time mom's to be just simply think go in the hospital, have a healthy baby, and that's it. But there are so many more things to consider other than going natural versus having an epidural. There's also whether you have strong feelings about nurses giving your baby formula if you are adamant about breastfeeding or whether they give your baby a pacifier. I have a lot to consider....

Creating a Baby Registry is Hard Work!

It sure is tough getting a baby registry in order! I'm not even having a shower so really I am only doing some of the "necessities" and small items people may like to purchase. We really aren't expecting anything but it's great to have it ready for those who have asked.

We decided not to have a shower even though everyone keeps asking about it simply because we haven't been living here that long and well... we just don't know very many people. We've been buying everything on our own and have been grateful for those who have asked us about a registry. It's nice to know that there are still people thinking of us and we appreciate that so much. I guess it's just a bit overwhelming trying to find items I don't feel so guilty "asking" for. For those who have taken a look at our registry, we really appreciate it and are so grateful for your kind generosity!

Top 12 Pregnancy Fears (and Why You Shouldn't Worry)

Shared from Parents.com
(View full article here)

1. I'll have a miscarriage.

THE FACTS: It's unlikely. Most pregnancies result in healthy babies (less than 20 percent end in miscarriage), says Karyn Morse, MD, an ob-gyn at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. "Remember also that most miscarriages also happen within the first few weeks of pregnancy, when many women typically don't realize they're expecting and wouldn't know if they did miscarry.

2. My morning sickness is terrible! My baby isn't getting enough to eat.

THE FACTS: Pardon the comparison, but babies are very good parasites, says Dr. Morse. "They'll absorb all of the nutrition from the foods you do give them -- so even if you're living on only crackers and juice, you don't need to worry," says Dr. Morse. Dr. Ashton agrees: "Unless you're sick to the point that you become severely dehydrated -- and if you were you'd feel so lousy that you'd call your doctor anyway -- morning sickness isn't going to cause any nutritional imbalance or affect the fetus." Just be sure to take your prenatal vitamins and do the best you can, otherwise. "Eat small, frequent meals," adds Dr. Morse.

3. I'll eat or drink the wrong thing -- and harm my baby.

THE FACTS: Women today feel a lot of pressure to do all the "right things" when they're expecting, says Dr. Morse. Beyond the basics like eating healthy and taking prenatal vitamins, pregnant gals today worry about every little "Is it safe?" question. But agonizing over every decision will drive you crazy -- and there's no need for it.

4. I'm too stressed out -- and it's hurting the baby.

THE FACTS: Between those crazy hormones, the sheer exhaustion, and everything else going on these days, it would be weird if you didn't feel a bit on edge every now and then. But stressing over your stress is useless, says Dr. Morse -- especially because a super-taxing day or week at work is not going to harm your baby. Most research shows that intermittent stress (the kind your body gets used to over time) has minimal impact on an unborn baby.

5. My baby will have a birth defect.

THE FACTS: Like many moms-to-be, you hold your breath during every single prenatal test, hoping the results will prove your baby is healthy and developing on track. And it's overwhelmingly likely that she is. The risk of your baby having any birth defect is only 4 percent -- and that includes serious ones, like Down syndrome, as well as all of the thousands of other identified abnormalities, many of which are small and insignificant, like a problem with a toenail, or a tiny heart defect that goes away soon after birth without causing any health issues.

6. I'll go into labor too early.

THE FACTS: This one might be on your worry radar because the rate of premature births has been steadily increasing (it's just shy of 13 percent). But more than 70 percent of these babies are born between 34 and 36 weeks -- far enough along in the pregnancy that the risk of serious complications or developmental issues, while not nil, is much lower.

7. I'll never lose all this baby weight.

THE FACTS: Every giant-bellied gal on the planet worries about getting her pre-baby body back. And it doesn't help to see celeb after celeb snap back to their skinny selves the instant they're wheeled out of the delivery room. Truth is, research shows that 14 to 20 percent of women do keep on at least some of their pregnancy weight, but there are ways to boost your odds of shedding every last pound.

8. I'll have complications like preeclampsia or gestational diabetes.

THE FACTS: The risk of developing dangerously high blood pressure (preeclampsia) is just between 5 and 8 percent. It's more common in women under 18 or over age 35 -- as well as in women who have borderline high blood pressure going into their pregnancy.

9. Sex will never be the same again.

THE FACTS: After baby makes her way out, it's hard to imagine how everything down there will get back to the way it was. But it will! You just need to give your body a little time to heal, and your libido a chance to fire back up again (breastfeeding may dampen your sex drive at first).

10. Labor will be too tough or painful -- I'll never make it through.

THE FACTS: It's easy to get so wrapped up in your pregnancy -- all the week-by-week developments, picking out baby names, decorating the nursery -- that it doesn't dawn on you until those last few weeks that your baby actually needs an exit strategy. So you start worrying about all the different things that can happen: How much will it hurt? How long will it last? First, take a step back and realize that women have been doing this since the dawn of time (so yes, you can handle it too) -- and these days, there's plenty you can do about pain.

11. What if something really gross or embarrassing will happen during delivery?

THE FACTS: You've likely heard all sorts of delivery room stories -- say, about the woman who pooped on the table, or threw up all over her doctor...or cursed her husband for "doing this to me" in front of everyone present. And yes, you will wind up with a team of doctors and nurses staring expectantly at your vagina for a loooong time -- and by your side for every grunt and groan. But you know what? They do this like five times a day and whatever happens, they've seen before

12. I'll need an emergency c-section.

THE FACTS: A third of all babies are born by c-section, but many of these surgeries are known in advance -- not the scary last-minute, rush-into-the-OR kind, says Dr. Morse. A c-section might be planned, for example, if the baby is breech or very large, if there are problems with the placenta, or if the mom has had a previous c-section.

Milestone: 31 weeks!

I am officially now in my 8th month! I hit 31 weeks yesterday and had an appointment today and it is suddenly hitting me that I will have a baby very soon!

Dr. gave me my registration papers for the hospital and everything is all filled out and complete! Now I'm a big mix of emotions, anxious for baby and a little scared! lol. Being in the "30's" has now got me thinking about this entire pregnancy and how it's gone so far and I can't even begin to feel so appreciative of how great it's been for me. I haven't really had any morning sickness, no complications... just a pure sweet peaceful baby who has made my life complete! I've enjoyed every kick and turn that she does with every move she makes. I don't think I could have asked for a better pregnancy. I'm hoping it continues to be this way!

Week 31
Will it be baby blues or a brown-eye girl? Your baby's iris color begins to appear around the thirty-first week. Most babies are born with dark blueish-brown or bluish-gray eyes, but this shade almost always changes after birth. True eye color won't be apparent for six to nine months -- final formation of eye pigmentation happens in response to exposure to the strong light of the outside world.

In the meantime, the fetus's eyes are being readied for life after birth. Pupils begin to dilate in response to the soft, pinkish-red light that filters into the uterus. Eyes are usually open during alert times and closed during sleep.

Paint Swatches

I haven't started Emery's nursery yet, simply because she will be co-sleeping with us for the first few months and well her room is being used for storage right now, ha! But I definitely have all my ideas set and can't wait to get things done. I realize it will be a bit more tough with a baby to take care of, but we'll make it happen! Lately I have been checking out paint swatches for her room and I think I may have found some contenders.

Awaiting Baby, Patience is a Virtue

I am getting so terribly anxious awaiting for baby's arrival. I have 10 weeks left until my due date and it seems to be getting longer and longer right now. I just want to hold my little girl and have her with me already! I'm seeing less and less pregnant women out there and more and more moms with their babies and I just wish I had that. I don't want her to come now, who would WANT their baby to be premature.

Don't get me wrong, I am completely and fully appreciative of every minute she's in there baking. I'm just hoping time goes by faster so she can be here with us!

3D Ultrasound

Today we went in for a 3D ultrasound and it was such a crazy experience! Our little girl was SO UNCOOPERATIVE!! She kept hiding her face and stayed in a position where there wasn't enough fluid around her face to get some good detail. We came out with 2 pictures, but they were enough for me. She is the most precious little girl! I am in LOVE with her cheeks! I can't wait to just kiss them and nibble on them lol! They said we can come back and try again so we will go back in a few weeks and hopefully get some better shots! That's her knee by her face btw!

Umm... It's a GIRL!!

It’s a GIRL!

Boy was today a whirlwind of emotions! No pun intended. We had gone in today for our complete anatomy ultrasound only to find out our little BOY had turned into a GIRL! The tech asked us if we wanted to know the gender once she got to that part and we had told her we already knew it was a boy. So she’s going over everything and gets the money shot and corrects us saying it’s a GIRL. We were like… are you SURE?!!!! She said I’ve been doing this for 15 years and laughed! It was as clear as can be, this girl had no problems showing us the goods in there! LOL

Nevertheless we are excited and very happy to have her be a part of our lives. It’s going to take some time to get used to the shock of having a girl now, but I am happy regardless, as long as this baby is healthy!

It's a BOY!

It’s a BOY!

We just got home from our elective ultrasound and are so happy to finally know the gender! I drank lots of orange juice to get baby moving during the ultrasound. Unfortunately I think that may have worked TOO well! He wouldn’t stay still! The tech had a hard time getting the butt shot and they finally got it after a few tries, but we saw it and it’s definitely a BOY!

You’re my beautiful little BOY!
We’re so happy to welcome this baby BOY into our lives.

Dear Baby...

Dear Baby,
How lucky am I to have you? I’ve been blessed and am so lucky in love. Ever since I found out about you on the day of … my life has changed so much. I’ve been inspired to be a much better person and all things that I do, for me, you, and our family. When I first heard your little heartbeat, my own fluttered with joy. After seeing you for the first time on the ultrasound I grew more and more in love and grew the urge to do the best for you. Everything suddenly became so real. Apparently 5 pregnancy test wasn’t real enough! It is now 3 weeks later and in a few hours I will know if you are a boy or a girl! Although both mommy and daddy think you’re a boy, we’ll see! We’re so excited to finally be able to put a name to Baby E in my tummy! All of our daydreaming will be no more and we can continue to call you by your name.

That is of course, if you do cooperate! On the last ultrasound all you wanted to do was sleep with your hands up by your face and have your legs closed! : ) We can’t wait to see you today. You’re our little blessing from god, our reason to live. This is just one of the first milestones of many to come for our family. We have yet to feel you really move in there and there is so much more to learn about you. Thank you for being such a nice baby to mommy. You’ve made this such an easy pregnancy for me to endure. I’m looking forward to watching you grow and move ferociously! Every little thing makes my day worthwhile. Everything that brings me to that wonderful day in November that you will be in my arms and our life will continue together. I can’t wait to look into your eyes and tell you how much I love you.

Today is such an exciting day for us and I can no longer contain my feelings. I am ecstatic to see you in a few hours and put a name to my little one.

I love you so much and can’t wait to meet you out here in the real world!
Love Mommy!