It's a...

On the evening of May 12, 2014 Chris and I were honored to meet our little one.  We also finally find out the gender of our offspring!  We are happy to announce it's a...GIRL! She arrived fashionably late (3 days past her due date)!  I will take the time later to write her birth story. For now, enjoy a little snapshot of her beauty!

Stats:
Born Monday May 12, 2014 at 7:19 pm
Weighed 7 lbs 14 oz
Measured 19.5 inches long
Beautiful (we could be biased, but I highly doubt it)!

Thoughts

As the time approaches for Baby Smith to enter this world it seems natural to be reflecting on the past nine months.  I started my maternity leave early in hopes to get some rest and relaxation in before our sweet little one arrives.  Of course, my first day off I had horrible allergies and was a bit miserable, but not as miserable if I were to have been at work.  Today, is much better.  I have spent time watching The Chew (my favorite daytime television show), reading, taking a nap, going to the grocery store, going for a nice walk around the little lake behind our place, and taking pictures.  I am trying to get use to all the gadgets on my beautiful camera my family got me for my birthday/Christmas.  I have a feeling it will being getting used a lot!

Looking back, Chris and I have had many changes since finding out we would be welcoming our first child into our lives.  The beginning started will torrential rain storms in September with the flooding of our basement.  We spent days trying to control the water levels.  And then the following days trying to dry everything out.  It was shortly after we decided to look into selling our home.  We then began the process of getting our home, for the past five years, ready for the market.  Come January, we were under contract looking for a new place.  We quickly (I mean quickly, we had 18 days to find a place and move) found a place and moved!  We have since settled in.  We have acquired the essentials for baby's arrival, gotten his/her room ready, and are now just patiently (well trying) awaiting arrival.

week 38

Pregnancy is nearing an end.  I had my 38 week appointment today.  Everything is moving in the right direction.  Baby is still growing (I can tell, I have my first marks of motherhood with my first stretchmarks!).  The doctor checked my cervix, I am 80% effaced and about 1 cm dilated.  This means nothing in regards to timing other than my body is doing what it is suppose to in order for Baby Smith to make his or her arrival.  The countdown to the end of work is now down to 5 days.  It is hard to believe an entire school year (well almost) has come and gone yet again.  I will only be missing the last 12 days of school, so I consider it another full year of teaching in the books!  Baby Smith will be here soon!

Nursery

The nursery is ready (well as ready as it will get)!  Chris put the crib together on his day off.  We then rearranged furniture for the perfect fit.  Although, we will not be using the crib in the first couple months, it is a sense of relief knowing we have one less thing to get done.  Once we find out Baby Smith's gender I can finish the nursery by hanging the chosen pictures!  We have a blooming cherry blossom painting if baby is a girl and some neat planes, trains, and automobile pictures if baby is a boy.

Family Heirloom

When I was born in 1984, my grandpa built a beautiful cradle for me to sleep in.  The cradle has since been slept in by many of my cousins and even their children.  Now, the cradle is set up in our room ready for Baby Smith to enjoy.  My grandpa passed away when I was 5 years old so it means the world to have a piece of him still with us.  It will be an honor to have our child's name added to the many others carved into the wood.

week 36

Another two weeks of Baby Smith busily growing.  I could have sworn my belly could not get any bigger, but mother nature is amazing and it continues to grow along with Baby Smith.  I had my 36 week appointment and can confirm baby is head down!  Doctors said baby will begin to descend in the coming weeks getting ready for delivery.  Chris and I also spent Sunday in a baby preparedness class.  We learned all about the stages of labor, best positions for easing contractions, and all about postpartum.  We have a few more little things to do around the house, put together the crib, final touches to baby's room, and packing the hospital bag.  We ordered a few last minute baby items and they should be arriving soon! I can officially say I am as prepared as I think I can be.

Maternity Photos

This past weekend Chris and I had the honor of getting our pictures taken by my dear friend, Jessica.  She is a woman of many talents!  Not only is she a great friend, but her photography skills are amazing.  She captured just the most beautiful and special photographs of myself, Chris and Baby Smith.