Christmas Lights

Well, just wanted to blog and post a few pictures of Mason that I took last night. New Years resolution - picture a day. I'm hoping to learn more about my camera, get better at taking pictures, and so forth. So let's just say I've started early.
And they won't all be pictures of Mason. Of course he is my world, so I'm sure the great majority of them will be of my little Tubs.
This was shot with f/5.6, exposure 1/25, and ISO 400.

Wonderful Christmas Time

Christmas was an eventful, but wonderful day this year. Mason slept in until 8 on Christmas morning, so that was definitely nice for me. We had our Christmas at the house, just me, Mr. H, and little guy. I made some breakfast casserole and sausage balls to take to my Mom's, so we loaded everything up and headed over there.
Mason got all kinds of goodies, including a gift card to Toys R Us, so we can get him a high chair! He got toys tons of toys and clothes, and an Exersaucer that I've been wanting to get him. He has lots of new things to stare at, scare himself with, and drool all over. The Mr. and I got way too much, but we are very appreciative of everything we got.
It was great to have all the screaming babies at my Mom's house. All the boys were excited (Mason, mainly from all the loud noises and so much going on).
We spent the rest of the afternoon going to the Mr's Dad's house, my grandmother's, and my Dad's. All in all it was a wonderful day, and I am glad I got to see all the family that I did.
Next Christmas will be a whole new experience, and I am definitely looking forward to that.
I have a fussy teething baby that I must get back to. Will post pictures later!

It's The Most Wonderful Time of The Year

Just a quick update.
Mason is doing great. He slept from 10pm until 9:30am. No 5am feeding! Very, very nice little guy. Mommy definitely appreciates that.
The Mr. and I are doing well. Getting a lot of Christmas shopping done, but still plenty left to do of course!
I love this time of year. I got Mason some gifts that I'll have to open for him. Yes, I know, I wrapped them and all. (For pictures sake, c'mon). And Santa will be visiting him this year. I don't care if the little guy will remember it or not. I will remember it, and that's all that matters.
I can't believe Christmas is just a little over a week away. It's my favorite time of the year. I love Christmas music, the cold weather, Christmas lights, being with family and friends, coffee and Bailey's, warm boots and cuddly babies.
It is our first Christmas as a family. The three of us. I'm going to try my best to make it a Christmas to remember.
Tonight, more Christmas shopping. Possibly taking Mason to have his picture made with Santa. We shall see how that goes.
We will pile on some more debt, but it's going to be a damn good Christmas.

Crafty Wreath

Well I worked on my wreath for about 6 hours yesterday, but finished in half the time I thought it would take! Here is what it started out looking like. I knew I was getting somewhere!
Almost halfway finished!

And the finished wreath! I love how it turned out!

I'll have to get Mr. H to hang it on our front door today. But I was very excited. Lots of work, but definitely paid off. I love the solid white. It's definitely something I could use as year-round decor. But I might, just might, actually make a red one next! Hopefully I'll have some time to do that.

3 Months Old!

Mason Jack turned 3 months old yesterday, so I set him up in his onesie and took a few snapshots.
His stats at the doctor's office at 3 months were...
Weight: 16.6 lbs
Length: 24 inches
He is getting so big! And here are a few of the things Mason has accomplished.
-sucking on his hands
-laughing like a little old man
-squeeling like a girl
-snorting when he laughs
-picking up whatever is next to him, blanket especially, and shoving it straight into his mouth
-can sit up (if propped of course) for awhile
-mastered holding his head up
He is getting to the point that he wants to roll over, but he just gets mad more than anything.
My little boy is growing up, and I love it. He just gets cuter everyday, and I can't help but want to squeeze the crap out of him.

And in honor of the three month mark, let's reflect back on three months ago.
1. Were you married at the time? Yes.

2. What was your reaction when you found out you were pregnant? "Holy crap, we just got married three months ago!"

3. How old were you? 23

4. How did you find out you were pregnant? I had a feeling the night before I tested. It was New Years Eve, I had half a beer, and it made me sick. I started putting two and two together, and woke up the next morning, booked it to CVS, came home, and three minutes later. BAM.

5. Who did you tell first? My sister in law. She told me first with her second (after he husband), and she got lucky, because she was the only person who answered the phone. Mr. H was a close last to finding out. I was struggling on how to tell him, and knew that calling him at work probably wasn't the best method.

6. Did you want to find out the sex? Oh of course! I couldn't wait to find out, and was so impatient that we had an ultrasound earlier to find out!

7. Due date? September 6, 2009.

8. Did you deliver early or late? 3 days early. He was born on September 3 at 7:47.

9. Did you have morning sickness? Not at all! There was the toothpaste incident. Could've been the toothbrush though...

10. What did you crave? Skittles, sweet tea, salads, milkshakes, and the big one...ice.

11. What irritated you the most? Being told "Oh my god, you are HUGE. When are you due?" When my due date was about 3 months away.

12. What was your first child’s sex? Boy

13. How many pounds did you gain throughout the pregnancy? 52 pounds! And I've lost it all. But still need to lose more weight just for the heck of it.

14. Did you have any complications during your pregnancy? No not really. We thought I may have had gestional diabetes (due to him measuring wayyy ahead), but turns out I didn't.

15. Where did you give birth? Floyd Hospital

16. How many hours were you in labor? About 22 and a half hours. Labor began around 9pm on the 2nd, and I had him the next evening.
17. Who drove you to the hospital? My madre and Stephanopolis
18 . Did you take medicine to ease the pain? Epidural, pain meds...you name it, I took it.

19 . How much did your child weigh? 8 lbs 13oz.

20 . What did you name him/her? Mason Jack

21 . How old is your first born today? 3 months and 1 day.

22. Who does your child look like? He looks like his daddy, but also like my baby pictures. Daddy's eyes, mommy's lips.

23. Did you get mad at your husband during labor? I slept the majority of my labor, and wasn't really in pain until the last hour or two. So no, I don't really remember him being there that much, let alone get mad at him.

Thankful

Thanksgiving was wonderful! So much has happened in the course of a week. Let's recap.
Good food, good company, an engagement proposal to my best friend, and fun with my little guy and Mr. H.
Thanksgiving day was hectic as always. This year my Step-Fathah deep fried a turkey, and it was wonderful! Mom made her award-winning dressing, with lots of wonderful side dishes, and I attempted to make my Mimi's bread pudding. I give myself an A+ and a pat on the back for that.
Here are a few pictures from the days festivities.
All tuckered out after his "Thanksgiving Dinner"

Nothing like some Mimosas to get the day started off right!

Mom and her wine

After dinner conversation

Feeding tubs

Old Chair, New Chair

Well since I am short on money these days, but really wanting to improve some things around the house (or update them), I decided to buy some cutesy tootsy fabric and reupholster the dining room chair cushions.
Here is before. Dark, dreary, and no fun cushions.

And the after! Bright, cheery, and fun :) I love how they turned out!

Permanent Solution, Temporary Problem

So I'm sure everyone has heard about the shootings in Rome. If not, you've been hiding under a rock.
Tim Spriggs, a former classmate of the Mr., shot and killed his ex-girlfriend's father. The father in this case, is Greg Davis, who I have known for about 9 years. Greg was Marla's brother, who has been a friend of the family for a long time, and who was also my co-worker at State Farm.
I can't imagine what Marla and her family is going through. I've been thinking of them a lot, and they are dealing with the loss of a life that should not have been taken.
It's strange to know both involved, the murderer and the victim.
I hope that Marla and her family will eventually be able to find peace again. Greg will be missed by many.
And Tim, well, his punishment is coming. But no punishment, no matter how horrible it may be, will bring back a man who deserved to live a long and wonderful life with his family.

So Far, So Good

Well I've been on Weight Watchers the past few weeks, and things are definitely going good there! I am down 52 pounds from my full term pregnancy weight, and only 2 pounds away from my pre-pregnancy weight!. Yes, if you are paying attention, that means I gained a whopping 54 pounds during the course of my pregnancy. I could have easily been mistaken for a beluga whale.
But my first week on Weight Watchers I lost 6.8 pounds. The second week was a bad one for me, and I gained like half of that back. However, the third week made up for the second week, and I lost another 6.8 pounds! Wahoo! I'm not going to go into detail about how much more weight I need to lose, until I reach my goal. But in 2006 I lost 60 pounds in the course of 5/6 months on Weight Watchers, so I know if I stick to it, I'll reach my goal in no time.
In baby news, the Mr. and I took Mason to Berry yesterday and had our first family portraits taken by the wonderful Mike Robertson! He has been our personal family photographer since shooting my bro's wedding, and has taken my engagement, bridal shots, and photographed our wedding (as well as many other family shots through the years).
So it was great to see him and his wife Tracey again yesterday, and we are looking forward to seeing how the pictures turn out! I will definitely post them as soon as we get them!
And Mason has had a good weekend. With the help of baby Zantac, we had a scream free weekend (well, he still had his moments). Saturday night he slept from around 9pm, and slept straight through the night until 7am Sunday morning.
Freebie of the day! VistaPrint is offering a free personalized wall or desk calendar! All you have to pay is shipping. Check it out at VistaPrint.com

Hurricane Makeover

And by hurricane, I mean the glass hurricane candle holder. No discussing Ida here people.
Anyway, I got a little craftsy yesterday and decided to take one of my glass hurricanes and give it a little makeover. I bought these hurricanes a few years back for our engagement party. They've come in handy ever since. I also used them for showers, my wedding, Christmas decor, and all year round use.
So I've got quite a few of these, and just got the urge to give it some oomph.
Tell me what ya think! It only took about 5 minutes to do, and I think it turned out great!
Here is the boring before...

And the fun and fresh after!

Crafty Christmas

A few blogs ago, I had mentioned that with the financial situation Adam and I are in, I will be making some Christmas gifts. Well, after seeing how well the beginning products turned out, I have decided that I am going to try and make some cash off of my craftsy gifts! I'm in the process of setting up an Etsy account, so that I can take requests on personalized, handmade items.
I'm hoping that in the next week or two I can actually buy some more supplies so that I can get this process moving too. I guess that's the biggest problem. You've gotta spend a little money to make a little money. But as far as the gifts go, I think that the recipients will thoroughly enjoy them, hopefully be as impressed with my talents as much as I was surprised with them, and consider them thoughtful and personal gifts.
I love the holidays! The fall begins the most favorite time of year for me, and I am so glad to have Mason in my life to enjoy it even more.
So, once Christmas has passed (so that way those of you who read my blog and will receive my wonderfully hand crafted gifts)I will post my Etsy store online! (That is if I can get my crap together and have it up and running by then!)

We've Reached a Milestone

Friday night, for the first time in his life, Mason slept through the night!
Of course any Mom is super thrilled about this milestone, so you can imagine my excitement. And the little guy did it again last night too! Friday night he slept from 9pm to 7am! Woah! And not only that, but when he woke up, he was a happy camper. All smiles! :) I was so excited!
In other news, last night was my first girls night out since my bachelorette party. Needless to say, us girls felt more like old women, and realized that the scene just wasn't for us anymore. Can't get any better than being at home with our favorite wine, playing for the Scrabble championship with the boys, and being able to love on my little man. Needless to say, after obtaining a lovely headache, spending money none of us really had, and missing Mason like crazy, we learned our lesson. We'll leave the "girls night out" for the girls, and the "ladies night in" for us.
And after ending our evening early to venture back home to my wonderful husband and son, the little man decided he would sleep straight through the night again. And instead of wanting to wake up at 6am this morning, he decided to sleep in until about 10. What an angel.

Time Flies When You Are Crazy

So Mason turned 9 weeks old yesterday. I can't believe it! The little guy is becoming a bigger little guy. He smiles and giggles all the time now. I love it.
He is liking his swing and his play mat a lot, but gets bored with them after about a half an hour. He also likes to sit in my lap and watch tv.
We had a great Halloween! My little baby deer (in 18 years he can thank Daddy for that one) was adorable, and we spent the evening over at his Mimi's and Pop's house. We had a lot of fun dressing him up, even though he hated it, and taking lots of pictures.
So our financial situation hasn't gotten any better. Why would it though? It's so hard once to get caught up once you get behind. I sat down today and figured out how much debt we are in, and the numbers literally brought me to tears. I thought about consolidating, but when you have little to no credit as I do, and loads of student loans past due, no one really wants to lend you the amount of money you are needing to cover all debt. So that's out the window. Mr. H and I have always been able to manage when we are down on our luck, so I hope that through the power of positive thinking, we'll be able to pull through this one too.
It's starting to make me feel like I am failing as a Mom. I can give Mason some of what he needs, but not as much as I'd like. It's a struggle just to make sure our power and water don't get turned off right now.
Needless to say, I feel like I'm losing my mind. I sit at home with Mason all day going stir crazy as it is, and to have this looming debt over my head to constantly think about doesn't make it any better. At least I can look at his sweet little smiles and it erases all my worries for awhile.
So Mason, put on a perma-grin. Mommy needs it.

Lovin' It

Being a mom, that is. I love it. It's the most stressful, amazing, wonderfully beautiful, tiring
titles I've ever had.
Mason is the the most wonderful little baby boy, and even though his crying and fussing can be beyond stressful at times, I wouldn't have it any other way.
I carved a pumpkin today and painted Mason a 'My 1st Halloween' pumpkin. He doesn't know the difference now, but hopefully he will look back on his childhood and appreciate my efforts! Once he wakes up from his nap I'm going to snap a few pictures of him an the pumpkin and will post those later.
With the holidays so swiftly approaching, I'm trying to save money making Christmas gifts. They are turning out great! I may even put them on etsy to try and make some extra cash. With the lack of sales at Mr. H's work, money has been slim to none. I've looked into credit counseling to help get some of my debt organized and easier to manage. Unfortunately it's probably not going to work out since they do include student loans. I think I may be looking into consolidating. We shall see. I'm going to be going back to school in January, but that doesn't give me an income as soon as I'd like. Instead it's just more money to dish out.
I just want to make sure than Mason has everything he needs. And luckily he doesn't require much now...but before too long he will.
Enough of that! It's a gorgeous day and I'd love
to take advantage of it! What to do, what to do.

Life With A 7 week Old

Mason turned 7 weeks yesterday. I can't believe it. The kid is growing like a weed, and time is flying by way to fast.
Things have been going good around here. I love being a Mom to my little man, and being a stay at home Mom is so trying, but so fulfilling at the same time.
Wednesday we took Mason to the pumpkin patch so we could get a pumpking to carve him for his first Halloween.
We are dressing him up this year, but the last time I checked, the kid has no teeth. So no trick-or-treating for him on his first Halloween, but he won't know the difference.
I'm trying to get accustomed to life with a baby still. I think it takes awhile. So many changes on a constant basis, but I'm adapting with him.
He stays awake most of the day now. He might sleep for a good hour or two, but thats about it. Hopefully this means that soon he will start sleeping through the night. We'll keep our fingers crossed on that for sure.
Mason and I miss Daddy a lot, since he works crazy hours. We definitely enjoy our time together.
Well, since Mason is napping (and not for long), I should probably start doing some house cleaning. It might be my only chance to do so without having to hold the little porker in the process.

5 Weeks and 5 Days Old

I couldn't imagine life without Mason. He is my main squeeze. Literally. He's so precious I can't help but squeeze his little fat legs sometimes.
Last night Mason slept for almost 7 hours! He then got up around 8 this morning, ate, and feel straight back to sleep around 8:30 and slept until noon! Needless to say, since it's such a rainy dreary day, and the Mister is off work today, we all stayed in the bed until Mason was ready to wake up.
He is starting to get so much more fun now that he is awake more during the day. I've been reading to him, laying him on his play mat and playing with him, putting him in the swing, singing to him, and whatever else I can come up with to keep him happy. He's such a happy baby most of the time. The only time he is ever really cranky is if he wants to fall asleep and is having a hard time, or if he is hungry. The kid is chunky. He's gotta have his food when he wants it and not a minute too late.
I love the way he smells too. I just have to pick him up and hold him sometimes just so I can take in his new baby smell. Unfortunately there are sometimes that the new baby smell is overpowered by the nasty baby smell. Mr. H has been hit pretty hard by those unexpected odors, to the point that he was teary-eyed, gagging, and holding Mason with outstretched arms. Gotta love it.
My little porker is growing like a weed. I tell Mr. H to hold him as much as possible, and love how little he his, because he won't be like this for long.
So I end with some pictures of my beautiful little man for your viewing pleasure. To all those that say that perfection is an impossibility...take a look at this little guy. He is the epitome of perfect.

Newness

So Mason is going to be 5 weeks old in three days, and time has flown by way to fast. It scares the heck out of me.
I miss the newness. It sounds crazy. But I miss those moments of not really knowing if I was correctly changing his diaper, feeding him, holding him, etc. I've only been a mom for 5 short weeks, but I've learned a heck of a lot. I love that I am needed around the clock. Sometimes it can be annoying when I'm the only one he wants, but most of the time, I love that.
I know he will continue to grow and change, but I still wish I could slow time down. He has just changed so much in such a short time, I guess that is what scares me.
I love to learn more about him as he changes.
But I do miss the newness.

One Month Checkup

So it's late and I'm still up. Mason fell asleep about five minutes ago. We shall see how long that lasts. His eating pattern is all out of wack, so he has been waking up every thirty minutes just to eat a tiny bit more. Oh ad it's only at night. So of course Mommy appreciates it very much.
Today was Mason's on month appointment and he is a big healthy boy. He weighs 11 pounds 10 ounces and is 22 inches long now. So he has done quite a bit of growing in the past month. And everything looks good! He's right on track in the 50th percentile, so he's an average baby! Always good to hear. I'm hoping that I'll be able to get som rest tonight but that is entirely up to him. We will be sleeping in the spare bedroom so I can try go get some sleep.
Oh sleep. How I miss it. Ive yet to sleep over 4 consecutive hours as a mom. And sleeping for four hours only happened all of two times. Let's just hope that Mason will at least sleep for two hours after this last feeding!

Beautiful Weather

So it has been gorgeous here for the past few days and I absolutely love it. What I love about this time of year...

The cool fall air
Football
Clothes
Little man. Because, of course, I love him all year round.
Sitting outside with a cup of coffee and a good book on a cool evening.
Walks
The fair. I don't really enjoy going but I think it's required to really make it feel like fall.
Listening to good music with the windows open while I clean house. (Weird how the weather puts me in the cleaning mood.)

There are many other things I love about fall, but these stick out the most.

Mason,

I hope to raise you to become a wonderful, genuine, amazing person.

I hope I raise you to know that you're family loves you more than anything, and we'll always be here for you.

I wish you could stay as innocent as you are now.

I love how you stare at me so intensely, and look for me when you hear my voice.

I love holding you in my arms, and wish I could forever.

I know that with every passing day I will just love you more and more than the day before.

I never knew it was possible to have so much love in my life.

I never knew how you would change so much for your Dad and I, and bring so much joy and love into our lives.

I love kissing your little toes and fingers, especially when it makes you smile.

I'm so glad that you are here, that you are ours, and you'll always be in our lives.

I never want you to hurt or feel alone. Your Dad and I will always try to make sure you are happy, and you will definitely be loved.

I never knew I would be scared to see you grow up...scared of missing how wonderful you are now. I know you'll become more and more wonderful, but sometimes I wish I could push the pause button on life right now.

I'll always love you. No matter what.
-Mom

Wedding Anniversary

Today is our one year wedding anniversary. So far, it has been wonderful! After taking care Mason half of the night, the Mr. took care of him this morning so I could sleep in. I didn't get out of bed until 12:30! It was so nice to catch up on some zzz's.
Then my wonderful Mom offered to come over and watch the little guy for us so we could get out of the house and be alone for a little while. We definitely enjoyed ourselves! We got out and had a late lunch at Chili's and went shopping around at the mall. I had some birthday money to spend, and some non-maternity clothes to buy! So it was the first time I had been "real" shopping in over 10 months! Of course I enjoyed it.
My husband on the other hand buys $9 worth of gummy candy, and $2 to experience what 78 mile per hour winds felt like inside of a plastic cage. What a big kid. (Love you sweetheart ;)
When Mason is older, they will have so much fun together.
Overall, it was a great anniversary! I'm hoping to spend the rest of the evening relaxing and being lazy. Let's home Mason wants to do the same!

Crazy Nights, Lazy Days

Life with a 2 week old is pretty hectic. I know that with time things will get easier. Compared to what I have heard with other babies his age, apparently we can't really complain too much.
He's getting into more of a routine, waking up every 3 hours to eat, then falling back to sleep shortly after. It's just draining to do this throughout the night alone. Mr. H works like a maniac, so I give him the nights to rest and relax since I can nap during the day and he can't. That's just the way it has to be. He helps out so much during the evenings after work and on his off days, but the nights are probably the hardest on me. Sometimes Mason fusses more at night, and just wants to be held until he falls asleep. He also dirties his diaper more during the night, so he isn't really sleeping for those 2 and a half hour stretches.
I know I'm new at this, and eventually will get a rhythm going. But unfortunately, I still haven't completely recovered from the delivery, and in combination with the lack of sleep, it takes a devestating toll on the body and mind. Yes, I am napping when Mason naps throughout the day, but I can only do that so much. Laundry still has to be done, food must be eaten, showers taken, and house cleaned. It's definitely hard to find time to do all these in such short intervals throughout the day. Just when you think you've got time to finish something, you just get started before you have to stop.
My family is my world. I know we are doing a great job being Mason's parents, but it certainly is exhausting. I'm thankful for my wonderful husband who has a good paying job that allows me to be at home with Mason, and who helps me as much as he can.
And Mason is doing great. We got to finally see his little belly button today, and he's a happy little man. Let's keep our fingers crossed that in the weeks to come, he will sleep more and more throughout the night!

Life With A One Week Old

Hectic, exhausting, messy, and perfect. I couldn't have imagined it any different honestly.

Just in the short week he has been in our lives, Mason went from being a fussy little man who wouldn't sleep at all during the night, to a happy, content baby that sleeps for 4 hour intervals now. Last night the Mr. and I got up around 4 to get him fed and changed, and he didn't wake up again until a little after 8 this morning.

Breastfeeding is a whole different story. The first day or two that Mason was home from the hospital, he didn't have many wet diapers. The day went on, and we started to get a little concerned. He was more fussy than anything, and as new parents, we just couldn't figure out why. So that evening we decided it was best to supplement with formula for the time being, and that was a good call. He has been such a happy camper since then, and of course, when Mason is happy, Mom and Dad are happy.

I can't get enough of him. When he sleeps during the day I miss him, even though he's right there. Of course I stare at him constantly, and want to hold him all the time.

As far as my recovery process goes, I am still pretty sore. It's really hard to take the time to take care of yourself when you have a little man that needs to be taken care of. His wants and needs will always come before mine, and I am very fine with that! I just need to take some relaxation time for myself, or the recovery process might be a little longer than it needs to be.

I love Mason so much, and the lack of sleep and sanity is completely worth it. Adam has been an amazing father and exceeded my expectations. I'm luckily to have two wonderful people to make up my family.

Mason's Birth Story

I'm going to do this as fast as I can, since Mason is in between feedings and Mr. H will need a break soon. So I may leave a few things out, but I'll try to get as much detail as possible.

Wednesday night we were admitted to Floyd at 6pm. I was set up very quickly, and was getting ready to start Cytotec (an inducting medication) later that evening. After a few hours of being monitored though, the nurses were surprised to see that I was having consistent contractions on my own that apparently I couldn't feel.

After talking to my doctor, they decided to skip the Cytotec and go straight to the Pitocin. I was pretty happy about this, because I know it would make things go a little quicker. So after being at the hospital for 2 hours, I was on the Pitocin drip to get things started.

I slept throughout the night, and sometime Thursday morning the doc came in to check my dilation. I was at 3 cm! Progress was happening. Of course I was on pain meds for the contractions, so I continued to sleep throughout the day. Sometime after a nap, the doctor said it was time to break my water. After that, the contractions started getting stronger, but still managable. After my pain medication had worn off, I paged the nurse to give me another boost. She suggested getting the epidural, but I was very hesitant to do so. After some convincing, I decided to go ahead and get it. Not as bad as I thought it would be.

Around 5pm the nurse checked my progress, and I was at 5cm. I heard the news, new it would still be awhile, and drifted off to sleep. I woke up to the doctor being in the room asking me when I was last checked. I told her I wasn't sure since I had been napping, so she decided to check me again. She laughed and announced "Well you are fully dilated and +1 station!". Mason was on the way! She wanted me to continue to labor some more, but I didn't think it would be for 2 more hours. I started to panic since Mr. H was sleeping, and Mom and Steph weren't in the room at the moment. So I hollered (yes, hollered) at Mr. H to run and get them, since I was thinking it was going to be any minute.

The nurse checked me one more time when I asked her if I could get a little more meds in my epidural. She literally told me not to cough or sneeze, as it could potentially make Mason come out on his own. She called the doctor, who was 10 minutes away, and said she would call as soon as she got to the hospital to have me start pushing. We got the phone call, and delivery began. I've heard horror stories of women having to push for 2+ hours. I pushed once and the nurses told me I had to stop and wait on the doctor to get there, since the baby would come in the next push or two. I was pretty amazed.

Two pushes later, and Mason was born at 7:47 pm on September 3, 2009, weighing 8lbs 13.6oz and measuring 19 inches long. Mr. H and Mom were in the delivery room with me and were very, very supportive. When I saw him for the first time, I cried. It was so wonderful to see my little man and hear his little donkey cry. (Yes, he sounded like a little donkey.) I never thought I could fall in love so quickly with someone. He is a beautiful little man who I love with all my heart. I've never in my life experienced something so wonderful.

As far as how life with a newborn has been going, I will post that later. It is tiring and wonderful at the same time. But I've got to get ready for Mason's first doctor's appointment today. So once I have some free time I can post how that went.

Thanks to everyone who has been so kind to help us out. From letting us shower or nap, to getting us the things we need but don't have time to get, to keeping us company from going stir crazy, we appreciate everything everyone has done. It means the world to us that we have such a wonderful support system of family and friends who will go out of their way for Mr. H, Mason, and myself. So a huge thanks to everyone from our new little family.

My Last Post As A Pregnant Person

It's official. 6pm tonight is the beginning of Mason's eviction. I just got back from my doctor's appointment, and made very little progress. 1cm dilated (better than nothing) and 50% effaced. Got my orders for the induction, and now I am at home freaking out.
There is a lot of things to do, and no time to do them in. So guess what? I'm not worried about it at all! I'm going to make sure my bag is packed up, then I'm going to get a great big meal, and head to the hospital.
Unfortunately Mr. H can't take me there, since he will still be working. So Mom is heading over shortly to be my driver.
Hard to believe that the next post I will officially be a Mom.
Mason, since you decided to be so stubborn, we are making you come out! I can't wait to meet you little handsome man. Let's just try to make this whole labor and delivery thing very, very easy on Mom. I'd appreciate it.

Won't You Come Out To Play

Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play
Dear Prudence, greet the brand new day
The sun is up, the sky is blue
It's beautiful and so are you
Dear Prudence won't you come out to play

Dear Prudence open up your eyes
Dear Prudence see the sunny skies
The wind is low the birds will sing
That you are part of everything
Dear Prudence won't you open up your eyes?

Look around round
Look around round round
Look around

Dear Prudence let me see you smile
Dear Prudence like a little child
The clouds will be a daisy chain
So let me see you smile again
Dear Prudence won't you let me see you smile?

Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play
Dear Prudence, greet the brand new day
The sun is up, the sky is blue
It's beautiful and so are you
Dear Prudence won't you come out to play

Eviction Date Has Been Set!

So after talking to Mr. H about his work schedule, we decided it was best to call the doctor's office this morning to see about scheduling an induction. It was to be scheduled regardless, but finding out today would have been better for us than waiting until Wednesday to find out. Finding out earlier made it easier for Mr. H to figure out when he could be off of work, instead of having the possibility of not being able to take off at all.
I called the doc's office, and they called me back to ask me if Wednesday night would work good for us. Of course! So Wednesday I will go to my regular appointment time to get checked, and that is when they will tell me exactly what time I need to be at the hospital that evening. They will admit me that night and start me on pitocin Thursday morning! So Mason's eviction date is set! :) Let's hope that the labor and delivery process goes smoothly, and we'll be able to meet our little man on Thursday!
As far as visitors go Thursday, I will take that as it comes. We'll keep everyone updated on what is going on throughout the day and what kind of progress I am making. You never know how the labor process will be, and I'd honestly rather not having visitors hanging around all day long if I am sick, tired, or in pain. So we will definitely keep everyone informed, and let everyone know when I'm ready for some visitors!

I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends

Since my pregnancy is inevitably drawing to a close, I thought it would be appropriate to give a thank you post. A thank you post to all of the people that have helped Mason and I throughout this pregnancy.

Mom and Phil, thanks so much for everything you've done. You've kept me sane on my crazy days when I've just needed to get out of the house. You've provided me with chocolate/caramel craving fixes from Phil's candy stash. You let me vent about how pregnancy sucks a lot of the times, and given me positive advice on how this will all be beautiful in the end. You have given Mason and I a lot of nice things that will be so very helpful and needed after his arrival. I can't complain about the foot massages either. I appreciate all the wonderful things you've done to support me being a big, fat, pregnant lady.

Steph, you rock. You are so excited about Mason's arrival, and it's nice to have someone I can sit and talk with about all of the wonderful things he will bring to my life. You too have kept me very sane throughout this pregnancy. From the moment I found out, when you rushed to my house with my very specific demand of Diet Coke WITH ice, you have been there every step of the way. You've let me bitch, whine, gripe, and complain. You and Mom hosted such a wonderful baby shower and I really appreciated that as well. And Mason will love his pack n' play too! It'll make my life so much easier, but he will be surrounded by people and love all the time.

Mr. H. "YOU DID THIS TO ME". Kidding. I'm not really sure how you handled the news of baby Mason, but thinking it was a cruel joke was pretty funny. You've helped me more than you know, but there is still a lot to be done to prepare for the munchkin. Thanks for all of the foot rubs, sweet messages, "you're beautiful"s, and dinner when I didn't feel like making it. Thanks for all the macho man stuff that I could no longer do, and doing the simple things, like getting me a glass of water just because you know it's easier for you to do than me. I'm so excited to meet our little man, and I know you are too. It won't be long!

To everyone else (because I could make this post a really long one if I continue)...thank you for the gifts, support, kind words, and encouragement throughout my entire pregancy. Mr, H. and I have a world full of so many wonderful people, and Mason will be a lucky little guy to have that world too.

From Mason and Mom, we both say Thank You.

39 Week Dr's Appointment - GOOD NEWS!

How far along? 39 weeks!
Total weight gain: 40 whopping pounds.
Maternity clothes? Nothing else.
Sleep: My sleep is coming much easier now. It's just having to get up 10+ times to go to the bathroom throughout the night, and trying to roll my big pregnant belly out of the bed just once is painful enough.
Best moment this week: My wonderful friend Steph bought Baby Mason a wonderful Pack N Play that was well needed, and very much appreciated!
Movement: He hasn't stopped. I had a cup of coffee this morning, and he has been rolling around like crazy.
Gender: Little Handsome.
Labor Signs: Contractions here and there. Around 10-15 minutes apart. Nothing that will lead up to anything.
Belly Button in or out? Halfway flat, halfway out.
What I miss: Patience.
What I am looking forward to: Having this child. My next doctor's appointment.
Weekly Wisdom: Enjoy being pregnant. It goes by way too fast. Blog the experience to look back on when your little one isn't so little anymore.
Milestones: Making progress! Made it to 39 weeks!

Okay, so now for my anticipated doctor's update. Blood pressure is back to normal! Yahooo! Also, Mason's heartbeat was good and strong, and she seems to think he'll be somewhere in between 8.5-9.5 pounds. I still have yet to dilate at all, but I am 50% effaced.
*For those of you who may not know what effacement is, it means that the cervix must thin out as well as dilate in order for you to begin the birthing process. So mine is halfway to where it needs to be, which is a good sign of progress!
She could definitely feel his head this time, so that's good that he is head down and engaged.
Here's the kicker. If I don't have Mason naturally by my next doctor's appointment, we will be scheduling an induction date. Being induced is not something that most people prefer to do. But my doctor knows what is best, and I know that I will probably not make any real progress (as far as dilation goes) on my own. So, we can expect to have Mason sometime between September 3rd to September 7th (Labor Day. Hmmm.)
Of course I will blog between now and my next appointment, but by next Wednesday, Mason's birthday will be set!

Check It Out

This guy has an amazing voice.
I'm in love.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FA5DkFUSxk

My Favs

Nothing beats riding in my car, with the sunroof open, the windows down, and my cd player blaring The Beatles. And what adds to it? The smell of fresh cut grass.
Never fails to put me in a good mood.
Love it.

I'm Still Pregnant

Reasons I am beyond ready to have Mason here now:
1). I want to meet him.
2). I want to hold him.
3). I want to sleep on my stomach.
4). I would really like for my hips to stop hurting. It's the newest and cruelest pain I have.
5). I'm ready to say hello to my regular feet again.
6). I'm ready to use all of the cute stuff we've spent money on.
7). I'm tired of people asking me every day when I'm due, or when I'm going to have this kid.
8). I'm sick of having contractions that don't turn into anything.
9). I hate waddling. It's not very flattering.
10). I would like a nice cold beer.
11). I would like to have two ice cold beers.

But mostly, I'm just ready to meet my son. The anticipation is really getting to me. It's frustrating at this point to know that he could come at any day, but to keep telling myself that I still have over a week until my due date. I know "he'll come when he's ready". I get sick of hearing that too. It's like people forget that I've been pregnant since December, and I don't know anything about this entire pregnancy process or how a child is born. C'mon. The majority of times, they do come when they are ready. However sometimes they do need a little assistance. Ya never know.

My next doctor's appointment is tomorrow morning. I'll get to find out if I've made any progress, and hopefully she'll be able to feel his head this time. If not, then I get to have another ultrasound to determine what exactly he is doing in there. I'm hoping my blood pressure isn't through the roof this time either. Last week it wasn't good, and I have been as much of a couch potato as I possible could this week. So I'm hoping the pure boredom I've experienced all week long will pay off.
I will definitely update tomorrow as soon as I know something. My appointment is the first of the day (7:50am, woohoo!).

My doctor's office is great. When you are this far along in your pregnancy they let you get first pick of appointment times, instead of just giving you random times throughout the day. The receptionist knows I like to be the first or second appointment each time, just so I can get in and out quickly. So it shouldn't be a long appointment. I'll keep my fingers crossed. They know that us full term pregnant ladies don't really want to be sitting for hours in a doctor's office for a 5-10 minute appointment. And everyone else should keep their fingers crossed that I either 1). Find out something good or 2). Have made some progress!

Rainy Day = Pedicure

Being on some sort of modified bed rest basically sucks. I'm already sick of being in the house constantly, but at least I had cleaning to do, laundry to do, and just randomness that needed to be taken care of around the house.

Now? I can't do any of that, and I absolutely hate watching television. May sound strange, but you should try being unemployed for 5 months and see if you ever want to watch television after just a few weeks of it.

So that means I resort to getting my piggies done. It got me out of the house for about an hour, and it was very enjoyable. Massage chairs are great, and having your fat, swollen, pregnant feet and ankles rubbed is even more enjoyable. I almost felt bad for the lady who had to give me the pedicure, since my pregnant feet are revolting. What the hell, it's her job, she gets paid.

I was clueless as to what I was missing out on this entire pregnancy. Now I know. Pedicures. Cute, painted, girly toes are all it takes to make you feel like a normal person again. Who would've thunk it?

So I leave you with a picture of my wonderfully painted and manicured tootsies, and to recommend any pregnant chick to indulge herself frequently in the simple bliss of a pedicure on a rainy day.

Doctor's Appointment

I just got in from my doctor's appointment, and no real news to report. Still no progress, and she actually couldn't feel the babies head. Does that mean he flipped? Not necessarily. But, it does mean that he might not be in the "right position" just yet, so if he is still not head down next week, then we get to have another ultrasound.
Mason's heartbeat was good, and my blood pressure was BAD. I've never had high blood pressure before, and she said it was common for it to go up slightly in the last few weeks of pregnancy. Since there was no signs of protein in my urine, I am not pre-eclamptic. However, if I don't watch my blood pressure, it could be that I do become pre-eclamptic. So, she wants me to be a "couch potato". This isn't really true bedrest, but she does want me to be off my feet as much as possible, and to avoid any strenuous activities period. So no more housecleaning, or nursery decorating, or anything like that.
Wonderful.
So that pretty much sums up my appointment. I'm so ready for Mason to get here, my doctor's appointments are more annoying than exciting. I feel like this last home stretch has lasted more than the entire length of my pregnancy. Yeah, not possible, but every day goes by slower and slower than the day before. Ugh. I think he's going to be a due date baby or even possibly afterwards. We shall see! My next appointment is a week from today. Maybe by then things will have changed.

Weekend Recap

Let's see, let's see. What did I do this weekend? Well, Friday night was the typical stay-at-home-and-do-nothing-evening. Typical, but enjoyable, as usual.
Saturday the gang ventured to Dalton to attend Uncle Frank's Tribute at the Blues Train. It was a lot of fun! Most of the bunch was amazed that a full-term pregnant lady would actually be in a bar, let alone travel out of town to sit around in a bar full of loud music and drunks. Drunks are funny when you're sober, so that was comedic, and the music was good. The food was awesome too!
It was great seeing Aunt Jean, Uncle Red, Cathy, Chuck, and the whole family. Mom and Phil had a good time. We celebrated Frank's life, and Phil's birthday! Even though we only stayed for about 2 and a half/3 hours, it was still a good time.
Sunday I did the usual Mom and Phil visit. It's always nice to get out of the house for a day, and spend time with them. Sippin' on coffee, chatting about Mason's upcoming arrival and such, and just good family time!
So my weekend went by fast, but it was rather enjoyable. Here are a few pictures from Saturday night!
Steph and I before we headed out

Ami, Cathy, and Mom - having wayyyy to much fun!

Mom and the Birthday Boy
I really don't think they were expecting me to take the picture. But I love it.

Naturally Inducing Labor

Here are some things that are supposed to naturally induce labor:

Castor oil
A glass of wine
Walking
Spicy Foods
House work
Eggplant Parmesean?
Pineapple
Massage
Yard Work

So here is what I've tried, and so far, no Mason yet.
A glass of wine: FAIL
Spicy foods: FAIL
House work: FAIL
Pineapple: FAIL

Massage? I give Mr. H back rubs all the time, but so far he hasn't returned the favor.
Yard work? I leave that to Mr. H.
Eggplant Parmesean? Pass.
Castor Oil? Gag. I'd rather not.

Looks like Mason will come when he is ready, or when the doctor says "Well, he looks mighty comfortable in there, I think we may have to induce."
Whatever. I'm SO over being pregnant.

Impending Labor Signs? Hmmm.

I woke up this morning at 8:30. Eventually I will see that as sleeping in, but right now, that is getting up at a pretty decent time for me. I ate some Pop Tarts (very nutritious breakfast, but hey, I'm pregnant) and got to cleaning. The kitchen has been cleaned top to bottom already, and I'm going to start on the living room next.
Keep in mind that I just did a big house cleaning not even a week ago. I'm sure it doesn't really need it that bad, but in my nesting mind, it's disgusting.
The laundry has been started and it's going through it's cycles. The trash has been taken out.
I think I've accomplished quite a lot for a 37 week pregnant person in the first three hours of my day.
More than anything, I just want the house to be clean when we come home from the hospital, so that I don't need an army of people to come over and lend a hand. It's one less thing to worry about.
Is nesting really a sign of impending labor? No. I've been nesting for quite awhile now. But I do think it's strange that pregnant women experience this weird, must-clean-everything attitude in the last few weeks of pregnancy. It's not that it "just needs to be done". It is more like preparation. You know every day brings something new, and that something new could be your screaming, crying, new baby. So time to get the house in ship-shape. Or something like that.
I also feel the need to be cleaned and showered at all times. Why? Because who wants to go to the hospital when you are dirty and in your pjs? I know I'll have time to do this, but I just have a feeling that when it is truly "go time", my mind won't be on if I've showered, fixed my hair, and applied makeup.
And lastly, I feel the urge to stay very close to home. My little bubble of a life does not reach far anyway, but I am afraid to venture out anywhere. When the time comes, everything I need is here at home. Very strange.
I don't think these really mean anything. I wish they did. I wish it meant that tomorrow would be the day. I wish that there was a definitive sign that us pregnant ladies get that says "Alright, it's real, it's time, go to the hospital idiot."
If only it was this simple.
Instead we sit and wait on our water to break (which could be one big gush or a constant leak), or contractions to start up. Are they Braxton Hicks or real contractions? Are they 3-4 minutes apart for more than an hour? Are they intensifying in strength and frequency? Who the hell knows.
I think they should just come up with a labor test. Just like the pregnancy test you start with. Within 2-3 minutes you'll know if you are in labor, and just like the first test, will know that your life is drastically about to change.

C'mon. Do It.

This is the diaper tote that I want. It is called the Skip Hop Studio Tote. It's kid friendly in it's size and compartments, and Mom friendly in it's chic, trendy, fashionista, way.
So buy it for me.
Right now.
Because I don't have $89.

Burp Cloths

A friend of mine had given me cloth diapers at my baby shower to use for burp cloths. So I decided to add some flair to them, and found a great tutorial on how to turn your plain, white, cloth diapers into cute burp cloths!

Mason Kicking

So I took a few videos on my cell phone of Mason rolling around in my belly. The second one is easier to see, since he was trying to knock the remote off of my belly. But if you watch closely in the first one, you can see just how hard he likes to push me around.

Weekend Recap

This weekend was pretty good! Friday night was uneventful. Everyone came over to the house that evening and just chilled out. That was about it.
Saturday I spent the day with Mom, and then we headed back to the house so Mr. H could cook hamburgers for us. Best hamburgers in town. Swear.
My jaw has been killing me all weekend long. Luckily it's gotten slightly better today, but I don't know what the deal is.
Today I am hanging out with Mom again, helping her tidy up her house a bit. Mr. H's Dad's birthday is today, and unfortunately I wasn't able to go to the shindig. I haven't been feeling to well, and I know the trip alone would wear me out.
No big news this weekend.
But in pregnancy news, I have had quite a few contractions since my doctor's appointment on Wednesday. Thursday evening they started out being 10 minutes apart and went down to 4 minutes. But after laying on my side and drinking a few glasses of water...they subsided. Since then I've had them off and on, so I'm sure the good ol' Doc will want to see if I've made any progress at my next appointment. Mason has also been kicking, punching, and rolling around like crazy lately. I think he's getting aggravated at the lack of room. Maybe it'll convince him into coming out in the next week or two.
Tomorrow will be a boring day for me. I'm sure I'll end up cleaning more of the house, and preparing for the little guy. But Tuesday morning I have my doctor's appointment bright and early, and then a trip to get my hair cut! Finally!
I haven't had it cut since February, and the time before that was in August to get it wedding-ready. So twice in a year. Sheesh. It's about time for a cut. At least I'll have something to do to fill some of the day on Tuesday. Being home 24/7 and in your last month of pregnancy makes time drag. It's a waiting game now.

Good Dr's Appointment!

We just got back from my 36 week checkup, and good news!
-Mason's heartbeat is 141. Good.
-After having the growth ultrasound we determined that he is HEAD DOWN! Extra good!
-He is actually measuring just a few days ahead, with a weight estimate of 6lbs 8oz. With him gaining around a half pound per week, that means he should be born aronud 8lbs 8oz. We'll see!
So good news all around! I'm very excited that I don't have to have a c-section because of his positioning, or an induction due to his "large" size. Now I just wait and see when he decides he's ready to make his arrival!
I know this means I could be pregnant for another month, but I'd rather be pregnant for another month than have to go through a major surgery and recovery. My fluid levels were a little increased (not much), and she said that I may have been measuring ahead due to that plus the position he was in.
Either way, I was so excited to hear that he's head down now! Definitely made my day!
Now it's time to start the walking, eating spicy foods, and all of the other natural ways to start labor. We'll see how that goes! Ha!
My next appointment is next Tuesday morning, so it will definitely make this week fly by fast.

Parker's Birthday Bash

Mr.H, the Grill Master

Parker, the Birthday Boy!

My Life in Picture

Laundry. Could it get any better?

Wow

Obviously I could have Mason any day now naturally, but with the thoughts of having to have a c-section since he may still be transverse, I'm even more anxious that he'll basically have an eviction date.
The latest that my doctor will schedule a c-section is 39 weeks. So I know I won't make it to my due date. Even if he were to come naturally, I don't think he would stick around until the beginning of September. 39 weeks is 3 weeks from now. If she decides that because he is measuring large, we could schedule the c-section earlier, then he could be here in as little as a week and a half.
It's pretty overwhelming to think that either way, I will have a child by the end of this month. Yesterday I spent the day nesting like crazy. I cleaned the heck out of the guest bedroom, mine and Mr. H's bedroom/bathroom, and even washed my car and vacuumed the inside of it. Probably because I realized things could be happening pretty quickly, and I don't need to be sitting around on my pregnant butt waiting for things to magically happen on their own.
The nursery is almost complete. There are a few things that I'd like to get done in there, but they can always wait until after Mason is born.
I'm so ready for this pregnancy to be over with. It's getting harder for me to move around/walk around, and my back is constantly in pain. I am super excited about my appointment tomorrow, so I am hoping that it will be some good news, and if anything, news at all.
Today I am going to be cleaning up the rest of the house, so hopefully I can stay on Mr. H about helping me keep it clean until the baby comes. That way I won't have to do this all over again in a week or two.

Weekend Recap

Friday was pure boredom. Luckily Allison and Steph came over that evening to entertain me! Mr. H decided he wanted to take a 3 hour nap that afternoon, and after spending an entire day at home alone, I was ready to get out of the house.
So Saturday Steph, Chad, Mr. H, and I all headed out to Bennett's for dinner and and then to the movies. We saw The Ugly Truth, and it was pretty hilarious. Good times had by all. It was so nice to get out of the house and do something different, so I really enjoyed myself.
Sunday was my Parker's (my nephew) 2nd birthday, so we went over to my father in law's house for the celebration. It was good seeing everyone, and nice to see my brother and sister in law again. That was the first time we'd seen them since the wedding. I took a few pictures, all of Parker of course, so I will post those later.
My mom is on a flight to Orlando this morning for a three day business trip and was scared of me going into labor while she was gone. It's still way to early for Mason to arrive, so I don't think that will be a problem at all.
And might I add, it was so nice to hear (from a mother of three yesterday) this comment. "You look great! You are carrying so well. Most mother's are so much bigger than you at this stage of pregnancy!".
That's a first. Most people forget that pregnant people are suppose to be big, and in turn comment on how large I am. Nice change from someone who actually knows!
My next appointment is day after tomorrow, where I will have a growth ultrasound and determine Mason's position. I don't think he's changed positions at all since my last appointment, so we'll see. I'm very curious to see what his estimated weight is going to be at 36 weeks.

35 Week Bump

Can't see my face in the picture, but it's better off that way eh?
Here is baby Mason in all of his glory. Hugeness.

20 Things You May Or May Not Know About Mr. H and I

1. We started dating when we were 16.
2. We love UGA football.
3. We went to a total of 4 proms.
4. On our honemyoon in Vegas, we pretty much stayed intoxicated 80% of the time. Free drinks? Who wouldn't.
5. We would choose to be at the beach in Gulf Shores than any other place in the world.
6. We've been to Gulf Shores 8 times together.
7. Mr. H is Hawaiian. I'm not.
8. In regards to why we may be having a large child, both Mr. H and I were over 9 pound babies.
9. Mr. H picked the name Mason, and I didn't like it to begin with.
10. Mr. H's favorite meal is meatloaf and mashed potatoes.
11. I couldn't tell you what my favorite is, because I'm not a picky eater at all.
12. Mr. H has two sisters and three brothers. I have one brother, two step-sisters, and two step-brothers.
13. 9 times out of ten, we can't watch a movie together because Mr. H falls asleep within the first ten minutes.
14. Now that I am pregnant, Mr. H is a bed hog, and has elbowed me in the face quite a few times in the past few weeks.
15. We love to be around family and friends, having a good time, all the time.
16. We broke up once, and it lasted for 3 days. We realized we couldn't move forward without each other no matter how tough things were.
17. It took Mr. H 5 and a half years of dating to propose, and we were engaged for almost a year and a half.
18. We definitely weren't trying to get pregnant 3 months after our wedding.
19. In high school I referred to Mr. H as "pookie" and he referred to me as "dessie bear" (and still does).
20. We're going to outlast every marriage known to man, because we rock.

35 Week Appointment-Transverse, Possibly Breech

Just returned from my doctor's appointment, and Mason is measuring even MORE ahead than he has been. At 35 weeks, I'm measuring 39 weeks. So he's still a big boy. The doc wanted to feel around to see if he felt big, which she said he did, and also to see if I was dilated any. No dilation yet! I didn't think there would be this early on though. I still have 5 weeks left!

She also said that she didn't think he was head down. She couldn't really tell what his position was, but she seems to think he is transverse. This makes sense to me, considering I can feel where his head is and his feet are. And he's basically lying sideways across my belly. Unfortunately, it's impossible to have a vaginal delivery this way, and there are two options.

1). Have a procedure done called "version", where I would go to the hospital, have an epidural, and my doctor would attempt to move Mason in the correct position. The success rate of this procedure is very low, and it is also a very painful procedure to go through. Most babies will move right back into the tranverse position, and therefore require a c-section in the end.
2). Schedule a c-section. And if I go into labor before that date, it would still result in a c-section. Obviously.

With the combination of the doc thinking he is tranverse, and that he is measuring so large, we scheduled an ultrasound next week (36 weeks) to more accurately determine his position and size. I know that babies have the tendency to flip/move on their own before labor, or even during labor. However, like the doc said, with him being a larger baby (and considering he's been in this position for awhile), he may not actually make a move from here on out.

I'm glad he's a big healthy boy, and his heart rate was good as well. My blood pressure was normal, and all that jazz. I had my Group B strep test (which was not bad at all), and will get the results back at next week's appointment.

That about sums up my appointment. Keep your fingers crossed and send some baby somersaulting dust my way.

35/35!

Here I am at the 35 week mark today, with 35 days until my due date! Wooohoo!
I'm getting ready for my doctor's appointment this morning, and I will definitely update with how that went when I get back.
Another milestone reached! I'm getting super excited that meeting Mason is getting closer!

Possibility of Induction?

As mentioned at the end of my previous post, I am going to discuss the possibility of induction for me at my appointment this week. I thought this would need some more explanation, so here it is.
Mr. H and I has been discussing the upcoming weeks, labor and delivery, and our thoughts and plans surrounding Mason's arrival. Unfortunately, will Mr. H's promotion, getting time off of work is not really an option. This is not because he works for a shabby company by any means either. They understand that having a child is as big of a deal as it should be, but it just might not be a possibility for him to have his route covered if I were to go naturally.
Let me give you a scenario to better help explain.
Let's just say that tonight I go into labor and we rush to the hospital. And tomorrow Mason arrives. If Mr. H is working a store and cannot find someone to cover for him, it may be awhile before he can leave and join me at the hospital. Also, if he cannot find someone to cover for him, he would have to leave the hospital at some point during the day to go back to work and finish his route. Either of which, I wouldn't be a happy camper.
Most would ask, "Why is it so difficult to get his route covered?". Well, there are two extras. One whose first day on the job is this morning - and who will be in training for 5-6 weeks, and the other, who covers the routes of those who are on vacation each week.
Another question, "Why not take FMLA?". Because we are two young people, one of which is unemployed, who are having a child. Financially speaking, we can't afford for Mr. H to take unpaid time off.
And lastly, "So how would being induced help the situation any?". Mr. H's employers have informed him that if we knew ahead of time, it would be easier for him to have his route covered. But for it to happen unexpectedly, well, it's up in the air on exactly how things would go down.
I definitely want my husband to be there, and I know he does too. So I am hoping that given the circumstances, as well as Mason measuring ahead of schedule, this is something that could work out for us. I don't really like the idea of making Mason come out for our convenience if he isn't ready, but I don't really like the idea of going through the birthing process without Mr. H there as well. And I guess I can be selfish.
Of course the Doc can say no, and of course she could also set an induction date for me and then Mason decides to come before it. I guess we'll just have to wait and see!

Weekend Recap

This is what went down this weekend for me.
Friday Mom and I ventured to Marietta for Frank's funeral, and it was a beautiful service. My wonderful, darling husband decided to give us some "easy directions" on how to get to the funeral home, in which we got lost. We made the best of it of course. Mom packed some Diet Coke's and all kinds of snacks, so it wasn't bad on this pregnant lady at all.
Frank's daughter, Frances, played the guitar and sang for him as well as the guests, and she did an amazing job. I don't see how such a young girl could have so much strength to do that in front of 300+ people. It's always good to see family again, but of course it would be better under different circumstances. It was bittersweet saying a final farewell to Frank, knowing that this phase of his life is over with, but the next has just begun.
We also went to Babies R Us, and got Mason some of the last minute things he needed. His changing table has been assembled and put into place (thanks to me, don't let Mr. H tell you he put it together). We also got some random things I'll need for him and for myself, which is always a relief since I seem so ill-prepared.
Saturday was spent lazying around the house until that evening, when we went to Tommy and Sandy's for a cookout. It's always good food and good company there, so we definitely had a great time. Plus it is a bonus for me to just get out of my house.
Yesterday Mr. H and I spent the day at Mom and Phil's, just chatting and relaxing. It was very enjoyable and Phil cooked us a great meal.
I'm hoping this week will fly by fast. I will be 35 weeks on Thursday, and will have my 35 week appointment. This is when I start going to the doctor every week! I can't believe it! I'll have my first internal (oh joy!) to see if I am making any early progress yet, as well as my last pregnancy test for Group B Strep. I'm going to talk to the Doc about induction possibilities, since it may be a small posibility for Mr. H to be present at the birth if I go naturally. That is a different blog in itself.
Hope everyone had a good weekend!

34 Weeks!

How far along? 34 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Not really sure.
Maternity clothes? What little of them still fit.
Sleep: Getting better with the help of some sleep aids. Bout time.
Best moment this week: Didn't really have anything exciting going on this week. Ordered the changing table!
Movement: Like crazy. Painful and constant!
Food cravings: Sweets still.
Gender: BOY!
Labor Signs: None.
Belly Button in or out? Flat
What I miss: Everything. What's not to miss when you're pregnant and can't have/do anything.
What I am looking forward to: Meeting Mason! My next doctor's appointment this upcoming Thursday.
Weekly Wisdom: Don't take life for granted. Each day is a gift to us, so don't hold back feelings. Make sure you tell those you love how you feel.
Milestones: No real milestone I guess. 6 weeks away from my due date now!

It's Official

I'm sick of being pregnant. Completely over it. Ready to be done.
I hate the fact that I am at home 100% of the time while everyone is working or doing their own thing. I don't have my own thing. My thing is to sit around and be pregnant. I absolutely hate being unemployed. I'd rather work than sit at home.
I'm sick of not being able to sleep like a normal person.
Mason kicks me almost aronud the clock now, and it's bypassed cuteness. It's annoying and painful. Especially when I'm trying to sleep.
My back hurts constantly, my legs are cramping 24/7, I'm bored out of my mind, and I hate my house at this point.
I hate maternity clothes. You're lucky to find some that are actually cute, and when you do, prepare to spend some cash. I'm glad I at least have clothes that fit me though. But I'm ready to shop in a normal store, and buy cute things once again.
I feel like I'm as big as a house, and I don't like feeling that I am completely out of control of my own body.
These are my complaints of being pregnant. Yes, it could be worse. I could have morning sickness, or a high risk pregnancy, or be on bed rest. So my complaints might seem trivial. But knowing that I have to put up with this for another 6 weeks is physically and emotionally draining. I now understand why pregnant women say that the last month or two are the worst. It's just annoying.

Frankie Moates

I find it's only appropriate to dedicate a blog post to my Uncle Frank. He's technically not my uncle. Actually, he's my second cousin. But he's known by everyone as Uncle Frank. And to me, distant relatives are just as important and significant in my life as immediate family members. And to me, he is my Uncle Frank.
Uncle Frank battled a long fight against cancer, and yesterday, the cancer won. Although I didn't get to know Uncle Frank as well as I would have liked, I was lucky to have known him period, and to have had in my life even if it was for a short time.
Frank is my mother's cousin, and she has shared with me some wonderful memories of the times she had growing up with him in her life. Frank was also one of the best guitar players I think I've ever had the pleasure of hearing. He played frequently at the Blues Train in Dalton, Georgia. I'll never forget when Phil wanted to surprise Mom with a marriage proposal, and Phil wanted Frank to be a part of it. So we loaded up and went to the Blues Train and listened to Frank play all evening. Frank tricked Mom into thinking she was selling his CD's to the crowd, and had her get up on stage. And that's when Phil surprised her with his proposal. It was a very memorable evening, and I'll never forget seeing Frank perform.
The man can play. And not only can he play, but he can play with his teeth. It was amazing.
So it was appropriate to have Frank play at my Mom and Phil's wedding. And again, he amazed us all. He wasn't just a guitar player, but he was a real performer. And in his day to day life, he showed the same exhuberance and vitality that he did when he played his guitar.
When we received the news that his health was declining, it was devestating. Mom and I made our trip to Austelle, knowing it would be the last time we saw Uncle Frank alive. And it was. He passed the day after our visit. He was loved by so many people and it was obvious why.
He has an amazing family who has supported him every step of the way during his fight. His wife and daughter seem to have the strength that we all wish we had.
Frank was a wonderful and amazing person and he will be missed by many.

100th Post! 4:04 A.M.

This post was going to be left for something worth a crap. It's my 100th blog post since I started this thing, and I wanted it to be something sentimental, or monumental, or just something.
But I've failed. Instead, I dedicate this post in remembrance of the Great Period of No Sleep.
I was told it would come. To prepare for it. To buy as many body pillows and Tylenol PM as I possibly could. Pregnant women should heed warning. It's the pregnacy woman's equivalent to the Y2K freak out. Prepare.
I prepared, I listened. I hoped that like many other of the pregnancy ailments (morning sickness, fatigue, etc)I would also miss out on the Great No Sleep. But here it is in all of it's horrible glory.
It's not the first night of the Great Period of No Sleep. It started weeks ago, and has continued to spiral deeper into a stream of pure sleep deprivation as the days pass.
And do not tell me this is my body's way of preparing for the baby. This is pure insomnia people. Mother's actually get sleep. What I'm getting is big fat NO sleep.
So here I sit, past 4 am, after hours of lying awake in the bed, with a cold bottle of water and some Tums for the heartburn. And all I can think is "Daylight. Hurry up daylight". I don't actually want to sleep at this point. I want daylight to come, and save me from the night and the wrath of the Great No Sleep.

32 week 6 day Doctor's Appointment

Just got back in from my doctor's appointment, and everything is looking relatively good. Mason is still measuring ahead (roughly 35 and a half weeks) and his heartbeat is strong. My blood pressure was normal, and I've gained WAY to much weight. Of course, I'm definitely not revealing the number for everyone to see. Tough cookies.

She also found sugar in my urine, which is a good indicator of gestational diabetes. She said that although my test results came back normal, with him measuring ahead and the sugar in my urine, she wants to look at it as if I may have GD and basically keep an eye on it.

I'll have my next appointment two weeks from tomorrow with my first internal to check for effacement and dilation as well as group B strep (my last "test"), and she wants to follow up with a growth ultrasound at either my 36 or 37 week appointment. We definitely don't want to have a big 10 pounder, so I'm hoping to avoid that at all costs.

That's pretty much all that went down at the doc's office! After my next appointment I'll be going weekly, so it's definitely going to make time fly by!

Changes

Looking back on the past few years of my life, so much has changed. More of it is for the better, and then some for the not-so-better.

I lived with my best friend for almost a year in the ghetto. We rocked it.
We spent most of this time working at Hooter's together and spending our off time parting way to hard. Just as any 21 year old should do. Like I said, we rocked it.

I was proposed to by my high school sweetheart at out favorite destination, Gulf Shores.

Just a few short months later, my best friend lost her grandmother, I lost my grandfather, and we lost a lifelong friend from high school.

A year and a half later, Mr. H and I married each other during a beautiful outside ceremony.

My best friend got married two months after our wedding.

Three weeks after her wedding, she lost her Dad to cancer.

4 months before our wedding, my Mom married the man of her dreams.

Mr. H and I had an amazing honeymoon in Las Vegas.

3 short months later, we found out we were expecting.

Shortly after that, we had another wonderful addition, my nephew Dexter, added to our family.

Changes. And so many to come.

Online Album 3D Pictures

If you'd like to see the rest of Mason's pictures, you can go to this website and view them!
http://tinyurl.com/myfcxv

3D Ultrasound Pictures!

The ultrasound was just as fun and exciting as I thought it would be. Mason is definitely going to be a porker of a baby. Even the ultrasound tech said he didn't look like he was only 32 weeks along. We'll see. But his chubbiness almost scares me.
So here is the first look at little Mr. Mason Jack.

Not sure if he was really yawning here or just making faces.

Mason smiling.

His serious face.

Today is the Day!

I get to see Mason's little face and what he's been up to for so long! I will post pictures when we get back!

Update on Randomness

How far along? 32 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 28 pounds
Maternity clothes? I have a few things that still fit me. A lot of my pregnancy shirts are a lot shorter now, so my belly tends to fall out of the bottom. Nice.
Stretch marks? Not a one. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will stay that way for the next 8 weeks!
Sleep: Pillows, pillows, and more pillows. Still have yet to have my Ambien filled. I don't think it'll be necessary unless I have another week of no sleep whatsoever.
Best moment this week: Hasn't happened yet, but the 3D ultrasound tomorrow will be it!
Movement: He's a dancing, kicking, rolling, machine.
Food cravings: I've really been craving a cinnamon roll.
Gender: Still a boy!
Labor Signs: Nope.
Belly Button in or out? Still in, but slowly getting flatter.
What I miss: Same things I've been missing. Beer, sleep, my feet, etc, etc.
What I am looking forward to: Seeing Mason's sweet face and holding him in my arms.
Weekly Wisdom: Get the car seat installed as soon as you get it. It's just something else you won't have to worry about.
Milestones: Being able to see him move around in my belly. It's very bizarre.