39 Weeks Pregnant!

Yesterday I reached week 39! Today I had my 39th week doctor's appointment! It went very well. My BP and urine were both normal! I did however gain 6 more pounds- to which I could not believe. Sheron, the lab tech said it was because of all the fluid that I was retaining- yes, I'm beginning to really swell in my ankles. This is from standing all day while teaching. It goes away when I wake up in the mornings but not totally. I mentioned this to Dr. Giudice today and he told me that this was normal and that I shouldn't be worried. I just have the swelling in my ankles but not my hands or face- I'm still glad to be able to wear my rings!

I've made some progress toward delievery but not much- I'm effaced 75% now and am still 1 cm dilated. Dr. Giudice said that they wanted me to have natural labor so things will go more smoothly but if I reach a week past my due date then they'll do some things to help me speed things along (induce), but that would not likely happen since most babies come a few days after their due date. All in all I'm doing very well (41 pounds total weight gain- and I'm proud to say that I'm in the same size maternity clothes since it all begin!!)

Sam and I have had a very busy week with getting all of Missy Moo's things ready- washing clothes, packing her bag for the hospital (and mine), shopping for those last few needed baby items, etc. Last night we went clothes shopping for her and we picked out the most adorable outfits- they are so cutie! I can't wait to see her in them! We are in still need of a cradle mattress but hopefully Babies R Us will have a shipment in tomorrow!


Today we had her car seat base professionally installed by a certified car seat technician! This was pretty neat to see and it only took five minutes! The only thing to it was attaching our car's latch system to the base and making sure that there was no more than an inch wiggle room- no seat belt required! Our base has leveling guides to ensure that it is properly installed- all these new gizmo's and gadgets sure do come in handy and make life so much easier! When we got back from having it installed- Sam assembled the stroller- it's cute too and I can't wait to use it!


Tomorrow is my last day at work... I'm going to miss all of Leviner's Lambs but they will be in good hands with Ms. Smith- my long term substitute. I've been notified that the children are planning something special for me and Caroline tomorrow afternoon and I'm excited! They have been just the sweetest bunch of children and I'm going to miss them dearly. I promised them that when Caroline was a few weeks old we'd be paying them a visit!



Oh, also, I'm realizing that pregnancy has caused me to somehow lose my ability to spell- I'm generally a very good speller and don't mind bragging about this (I seldom brag on myself about things)! So if I happen to misspell words forgive me- it'll all resolve soon enough!

Big Day!

Shower for Baby Caroline!

Today was another fun baby day! My friends Michelle and Fran hosted a baby shower for me and Caroline! Caroline received a lot of nice things- changing pad cushion, clothes, books, bibs, bottles, pacifier clips, bath towels, washcloths, baby wash, sleepers, boppy essentials, car seat toys, Dr. Seuss books, lotion, onesies, tummy time mat, burp cloths, and lots more. It was so much fun getting together with family and friends to share this special time! Caroline even got her very own smocked Gamecock dress!

Joining LBC!

Not only was today Caroline's baby shower but the day that we joined Lexington Baptist Chruch! We have been visiting LBC for 2.5 years and we are excited that we joined today. Sam and I have very strong ties to our home churches in Orangeburg- Sam's grandfather was a preacher at the church in which Sam grew up in so this was a very big decision to make not only for us but also for Caroline!

After attending worship services at different times in the morning (LBC has 3 morning services), visiting several Sunday School classes, and touring the children's department (which by the way is awesome, brand new, and very modern) we were ready to join. We have been ready to join for some time except that when we got ready to become members the preacher announced that there'd be a class required for all new member prospects! We took the class with many other families for four weeks. Afterwards we felt the class was very informative on how the church operates and about the Baptist Denomination in general. After our last class we felt assured that this was the place for our little family! We thoroughly enjoy our SS class and have met many new friends! We are now looking forward to continuing to serve Him in places of ministry within the church! Another decision that we'll make is to when we'll be baptised (I was sprinkled when I was a baby in the Presbyterian Church)- I wanted to already be but because of our timing with joining and me being very pregnant I'm unable. Sam wants to be baptized in June when the church offers the baptism at a local lake and he wants me to do it with him but we'll see- I'm not to fond of water that I can't see through.

Today was an awesome day and we feel very blessed! On another note, Caroline's due in ten days! Friday and Saturday I had for the first time Braxton-Hicks contractions- I told Sam that these aren't anything that's like what's to come and they are very painful; however they don't last long and for this I am thankful- I've been stopped dead in my tracks more than once!

We'll keep you posted!

Week 38!

Today I had my 38th week appointment! Caroline is measuring 38 weeks- the last two weeks the measuring showed that she was one week behind- as the Dr. put it- she has caught up! Everything was normal for the visit- BP- great, weight- gained 2.5 pounds (for a total of 37.5 pounds- I blamed today's visit on the baby- Dr. Salley did say that she was going to be at least 7 to 8 pounds at birth!!)- urine- excellent, swelling questions- very minimal and it just comes with being this far into the pregnancy (I'm thankful for no stretch marks and the fact that I can still wear my rings!!), Exam- HORRIBLE... yes I did say that today's examination was horrible however it wasn't due to the pressure I've been feeling lately but to the doctor doing the exam (won't mention any names here). I haven't seen this Dr. at all during my prenatal visits and wasn't supposed to see him today but the doctor that I was scheduled to see was in surgery. Don't get me wrong he was very nice, answered all of my questions, and was very friendly to me but the actual exam to see effacement and dilation was non too comfortable- Sam couldn't go with me so I squeezed the nurse's arm instead- I think he was a little too rough and from what I've been told it just hasn't happened to me- so I'm not a weenie! As I toddled out of the office almost in tears I thought to myself if labor is anything like what I just experienced I'm in Big-Big-Big trouble- the receptionist said that if I could handle that then labor will be a breeze- I tried to make myself think more positively about labor but I'm think I'm setting myself up!! We'll see....keep praying!!

After my appointment my friend, Michelle, called to see if I wanted to go to a local consignment sale that's only twice a year here in Lexington- It's called Bells and Beaus! I was very excited about going and found cute, cute, cute, things for Caroline- one of them being a precious Gamecock smocked dress! This was my find for the day and I can't wait to see our Missy Moo in it! It was an experience- looking through racks and racks of clothes- it reminded me of going to TJ Max or Ross, where you have to search for the goodies- but it was extremely organized so the searching wasn't that bad after all.

After coming home from the consignment sale Sam and I went to Babies R Us to get some needed items for Caroline- her traveling system, changing pad cushion, crib mattress, cradle mattress (which was not available- Yikes), and some other items. My sister Rhonda is coming on Saturday to help me with whatever else that I might need for Caroline and for my hospital stay! I'm very excited about our outing!

We had a very busy day today and I'm tired. Here's some pics of me at week 38- I'm one big mama but I love being pregnant- I'm going to miss her being in my tummy when she's born. Here's also her name above her crib- Sam did a great job of putting them up. The nursery is coming along nicely we still have some things to do so when it's all finished I'll post those as well!

Sam and I spent this past weekend in Orangeburg. We had a wedding to attend on Saturday- Congratulations Timmy and Jessica- and we were given a baby shower on Sunday at Sam's church. We had so much fun at both the wedding and our shower! Caroline received so many wonderful things at the shower! It was nice seeing and visiting with friends at both! It was also nice to hear compliments on my pregnancy- some couldn't believe that I only had 2 weeks to go! I have been very blessed with my pregnancy and I'm thankful that all has gone well- normal blood pressure, appropriate weight gain, carrying through to the third trimester, etc, etc! I am thankful to the Lord for all of these things including wonderful supportive family and friends!

So tomorrow makes week 38! Just this past weekend I've noticed definite swelling in my ankles. I don't know if it's because I was busy over the weekend, lack of sleep, or just being plain pregnant! Today after recess I noticed it more so I went to the school nurse to check my blood pressure- it was normal. Then I e-mailed pics to my oldest sister- who is also a nurse and she thought that I needed to go ahead and make the phone call to my OB's office. Tammy, Dr. Holladay's nurse said it was normal and to not worry- I was nearing the end and swelling comes with it! I came home after school today- I felt like I was on vacation because usually I stay so late and I was home in time to watch shows before the news came on! I propped my feet up, watched tv, wrote thank you notes, and dozed off! It was nice! The swelling- I was told would be normal if it were in my lower extremities- I can still wear my rings, etc! My legs, feet, and ankles do not hurt so I'm not going to worry too much. I never understood until now why expecting mothers would say "I'm ready"! I LOVE being pregnant but Caroline- I feel is getting bigger by the day and more cramped, I'm waking up a lot more during the night and I'm uncomfortable in lots of places and I'm so tired, so I hope this doesn't sound selfish to say that "I'm Ready" to meet my baby girl! I go back to the OB on Thursday! We'll keep you posted!

Here's some pics of the shower in O'burg! Before the shower we watched our niece and nephew (Samantha and Christian) in a children's church program!

Week 37!

Today makes 37 weeks! According to the book "What to Expect When You're Expecting" Caroline is full term today! I had my doctor's appointment also today and I saw Dr. Holladay, my regular OB- I was very excited that he was in the OB suite this afternoon! Everything again checked out to be great news! BP- normal, urine- normal, weight- gained 3.5 pounds (not so bad- Sam's been fixing these yummy cinnamon streusel muffins and they're very addictive- I ate three in one day)! So total weight gain 35 pounds.

We got the results from last week's B strep test and I'm negative for this type of strep- so no antibiotics for me prelabor nor during labor- I was very pleased about this too! Dr. Holladay measured me and I'm measuring 36 weeks- still a week behind but again nothing to worry about.

I had a few questions for him that involve- LABOR- this word tends to make me nervous and cringe but it's going to happen! I received some handouts from last week's visit- came home, read them, and then afterwards had a host of questions. My first question- okay- really how do we know when to "make the call"? Dr. Holladay told me that my contractions need to be five minutes apart for one hour, I needed to be huffing and puffing with the contractions, and I need to be thinking to myself I can't take this anymore- these are signs that I need to "make the call"! I said okay, GOT IT! I'm trying to have all this planned in my head- I live 30 minutes from Baptist- so thirty minutes into the contractions- I'll make the call!!! I know, I know- things don't always go as planned no matter if you're the best planner in the world- but at least I can say I have a plan!

Oh, Dr. Holladay told me that I was also 50% effaced but no show no signs of dilation yet! I said, "oh that's good"! He told me that no I want to be dilating because then when its time to deliver I wouldn't have to work so hard- in other words if I wasn't dilated at all I would have to labor for a long time even if I were to be induced- so dilating at this point is what I want!

I'm getting anxious as I prepare my children for my leave- I've had some parents during our parent/teacher conferences last week to tell me that their child is very upset that I won't be back. I'm sad about this too and it was heartbreaking to see them so sad as I was telling them again that Mrs. Leviner won't be returning. It's really a lot of preparation in getting things organized for someone else to teach your classroom. I love my long term sub- Shirley Smith- she's done several long term sub positions for my team and I even told my team that I'm jealous that they get to work with her and I don't- she's such a Godly woman and Leviner's Lambs are going to love her- so I don't have anything at all to worry about! As of now I've gotten my maternity binder, filled with all kinds of information, ready. I've worked on getting end of the year permanent records, language arts folders (for when they go to second grade), testing samples placed in the ELA folders, summer reading packets, etc, etc. I'm now going to tackle 3rd nine weeks report cards, and getting my room ready for Ms. Smith. I'm going to have to come back when school's out to pack my room up for the summer- I may try to put some things away before I leave- but we'll see about that! Being a teacher is the best job in the world but it keeps me very busy- its a 7am to 6pm job! However, when school starts again in the fall I'll be leaving ASAP to get Missy Moo so I can spend that precious time with her- I'll never get the missed time back and I want to enjoy all of her firsts! I love her so much already but I just won't really know how much until she's born and I'm holding her for the very first time!!

Also, today I requested the doctor's on call schedule for the rest of March. It looks like Dr. Holladay won't be delivering me but I've seen most doctors in my practice and I'm okay with that- they're all WONDERFUL. I'm guessing- from the schedule that it could be either Dr. Salley or Dr. Stands- but we'll see!

I'll keep you posted!

Snow Day but without the Snow!

Today was a snow day but we didn't have snow! The weather forecasters called for one to two inches of snow in the Columbia/Lexington area but it never came! Since school was already canceled Sunday afternoon for Monday it was too late to change any district's plans- so it was a snow day but without the snow! I needed this day! I spent all day washing Caroline's clothes, bedding, etc! I did five loads of laundry and got most of her things folded or on hangers and put away. I can't still can't believe that I'm going to have something so small- so I took a picture of one of her onesies- it's so cute patootie. Sam has put together all of Missy Moo's furniture! Her room is coming together nicely! We still have some accessories to hang and some items to purchase but we're on our way to having her nursery ready! Wednesday I go for my 37 week appointment! I'll post then with any news.

I haven't blogged in a while but here's the latest!
On Sunday, February 22nd my very best friends Raven and Heather hosted a baby shower for me! It was so much fun and Caroline received so many cute, wonderful, and much needed baby items such as adorable clothes, books, mittens, socks, hats, bathtub, diaper genie, boppy, umbrella stroller, blankets, stuffed baby animals, changing pad cover, sleep positioner, pink and white polka dotted rubber ducky (it's just so cute- I've included a picture), towels, washcloths, letters for her name and much more ! It was also very nice to just get together with family and friends to celebrate this very special time in my life! Here's some photos! Doesn't the food look yummy! Raven even made homemade chicken salad and it was out of this world! Thanks girls!

Week 36!

On Wednesday, February 25th I had my 36 week appointment. This was the first time that I would be checked for any signs of progression- dilation or effacing. As usual, Sheron took my vitals- BP- normal, urine- normal, weight- stayed the same- I couldn't believe that I didn't gain any weight this time. I am eating less in my opinion, though not on purpose but I'm just not that hungry. So after my visit with Sheron it was time to get "checked". I saw Dr. Salley this time and he like all the other doctors in the practice was fabulous! When he first walked in and made introductions I felt like I already knew him (he took very good care of my friend Heather during her pregnancy even though she delivered at 25 weeks gestation- Morgan Kate, her daughter is now 6 months old and thriving). He first asked me if I had any labor questions. I told him that we'd just completed the birthing class (the one offered at the practice) and he said great! He then handed me information on labor-guidelines for when to know if you're in labor- and another on being induced. He said the practice does not believe in inducing women just because they're tired of being pregnant but they do induce if you're over your due date of course and for other health related issues! For an induction to take place you have to be "favorable"- showing some signs of progression. I thought this information was pertinent and even further believed that this practice believes in being very professional and medically sound when making decisions about their patients. After all of this it was time to get "checked". I was dreading it a little because I'd heard stories of how uncomfortable it was to be checked while pregnant, but it didn't bother me a bit. I was also swabbed for B strep, (normal procedures for being 36 weeks) and we'll get the results when I go this Wednesday for my 37 week appointment- this too didn't bother me. I asked Dr. Salley how much he thought she would weigh at birth and if she was head first. He told me that indeed she was head first and that she would weigh between 7 and 8 pounds at birth (he assured me though that the weight was a guess since she wasn't on a scale- funny). I measured at 35 weeks and questioned this because if I'm 36 weeks I should be measuring 36. He said this was fine and that he'd rather see me measuring a little small than big- he commented that there are too many big babies being born. I took a sigh of relief because I was beginning to worry that something could be wrong. After he wrote down the notes in my chart he commented that I had only one page of notes in my chart and that was good (meaning I was in good health) because some patients have lots of pages with lots of notes. This got me thinking and praising the Lord that I've had a great pregnancy and that my body has handled these new changes very well. I'll be going back on this Wednesday- so I'll post more then!

Caroline's first Build-A-Bear!

Finally, my coworker and friend, Lynn, and I went to make our Build-A-Bears for our babies on Friday, February 27, 2009! This was so much fun! We got their heartbeats recorded on special Build-A-Sound devices at one of our doctor's appointments. Today we took the devices to Build-A-Bear where we picked out the bears and then had the sound devices inserted inside of the bears so that when we mashed the paw we can hear their heartbeats! We had a lot of fun making the bears- naming them was the hardest. We called our husbands for "cute" bear names but they couldn't think of any. After some thought we came up with "Moo" for Caroline's bear and "Huggs" for Matalyn's bear! I've started to give Caroline the nickname of Missy Moo so this is why I chose it for her bear! I'm sure the nickname won't stick but the name will still be cute for the bear although she'll name it what she wants I'm sure! Lynn treated me with Caroline's bear and that was so sweet of her! We had a lot of fun and we recommend it for any expecting parents!

Baby shower at WKE!

Today, my school gave me a baby shower! We had such a great time! My team did an awesome job preparing for my special day! I had several friends that I use to work with but are now in other schools in my district come to the shower and it was so nice to see them- thanks Jenna and Kelly! Caroline got so many things like onesies, sleepers, clothes, diaper warmer, toys, receiving blankets, socks, baby legs (Heather I'm so excited about these baby legs), hamper, wipes, handmade monogrammed diaper bag with matching monogrammed changing pad, tummy time boppy mat, gift cards, books, bibs, etc, etc. I am so appreciative of all the things we got today. I can't wait to organize all these new baby things in Caroline's closet!

Today was some kinda day- let's call it bittersweet. It all began when I woke up at 5 am with a yucky stomach bug. It was also Sam's 32nd birthday! I stayed home from work and he decided to stay home and take care of me (he's such a sweetie). After watching Madagascar 2 (again) and getting some rest I decided that at 3:00 I needed to meander out of bed. By 4 I felt like a human again and decided that I was going to try and make it our first lamaze class! This class was very interesting- Tammy- my OB's nurse led the session and gave us along with a room full of other expecting parents very good information on how this whole birthing process WILL WORK. I was a teensy bit nervous seeing diagrams, (especially when she first walked in the door and asked "Whose doing natural birth"- not a girl in the room raised her hand), pictures, brochures, and handouts on how my body will somehow birth a baby but afterward I thought that it was useful- after all I might just somehow remember this one session when I'm in the second stage of labor and remembering how Tammy taught me to breathe through a 90 second contraction- just think 2 commercials! Tammy was wonderful in her presentation and left no one in the dark so to speak about what would happen in each stage and phase of labor- somethings however were very interesting like: most women will only be in labor 15 hours (I'm thinking false I know people that have labored nearly 2 days), some women come into the doctor's office needing/wanting to be checked and they'll say "If I take my pants off I'll have to push", you'll get a second dose of an epidural after your baby's head and shoulders have entered the birth canal (we'll turn down the first epidural so you can feel when you have to push), husbands- don't let your wife hold your hand just make a fist and tell her to clench it, and so on and so on. After the posters were shown and presentation made some dad's to be looked white as ghosts- I'm sure they were thinking about the part when Tammy said some dad's- the biggest ones- just pass right out after seeing their wives give birth.
Seriously, it was a very good session and we have one more next Tuesday where we'll learn about c-sections, more breathing techniques, and tour the hospital. It just seemed like what she explained in an hour an a half- all the stages and phases of labor/birth would take a woman in labor forever to accomplish- but I keep reminding myself that God made our bodies so that we could do this miraculous thing- give birth.
Tomorrow makes five weeks from our due date- Tammy mentioned that most women give birth seven days before their actual due date- again interesting! Sam and I have bets as to when Caroline will be born and how much she'll weigh, etc. We are just so excited to be going through this experience and think that its the most wonderful thing ever.
I'll be posting more later!

Happy 32nd Birthday Sam!

Tomorrow Sam turns 32! So let's all sing to him:

H-B-T-Y

H-B-T-Y

H-B-D-S

H-B-T-Y!

We went out to eat tonight with our neighbors to celebrate Sam's birthday early because tomorrow night we have our very first lamaze class! We are very excited about the class! After Wednesday we have five weeks to go! According to this man at church when told that I was having a baby in five weeks he commented that I needed to grow! As you can see from the photos- the new one at the top (Raven- he, he) I have certainly grown! These past eight months have gone by pretty fast! I hear however that the last month is the hardest! Caroline is so busy now- yesterday was the first time that we actually saw the outline of her body parts through my stomach- I think it was her elbow- this was very painful but funny to watch! Sam was so amazed! He says that she's getting anxious to meet us as we are her!

This past weekend was a treat! This weekend we kept our 15 year old niece Courtney! Sam had 2.5 dates all day long for Valentine's! We had so much fun together! For our valentine's dinner Sam cooked us steaks and the fixings!

34 and Still Growing!

Today makes week 34! I had my 34th week appointment today and everything is still looking great! This includes blood pressure, weight, and measurement! Yes, this time I did say weight- I only gained 1/2 pound! I was so happy when Sheron told me this bit of news! Today ends my two week appointments- I do go back in two weeks for my 36th week appointment but then after that I'll be going weekly until Caroline's born!
On rotation today was Dr. Stands- next to Dr. Holladay he hangs the moon! He's so nice and will spend as much time with you as you need him to! I had two concerns/questions today for him. One, I'm so thirsty all the time- just like I was in the first trimester- he said I could be dehydrated- I don't see how this could be for someone that drinks over 60 oz. of water a day but we'll increase the water intake! Two, could he tell already what position she was in. After checking her heart rate he said he found it on my left side so that means she's getting into "the position" so he felt around my belly and noted that he didn't feel anything hard at the top of my belly (her head) but thought that she was in the transverse position- head on one side of my body feet on the other. He told me that she had plenty of time to move into the birthing position! I was happy to hear the latter.
We begin our birthing class on Sam's 32nd birthday- Feb. 17th! We're very excited about taking the class and I'm sure we'll be loaded with lots of information from general hospital info to relaxation techniques (hopefully for the both of us!!).Here's also a picture of the polka dots! They are finished and Sam's so proud!