Month 2

Month 2 has been soooooooooooo much easier than the 1st month. I finally believe everyone when they say it gets easier! Bailey is no longer a little newborn, who stares blankly at us, and sleeps all day! Now, she is smiling non-stop, cooing, and moving her arms and legs all the time! She definitely knows her mommy and daddy, but loves new faces! We never dreamed we would have a red-head, but its looking that way!

The stats:
Weight: 12lbs, 12 ounces. (82 percentile)
Length: 23inches long. (86 percentile)

Sleep: 6-7 hours straight at night. One night she slept 8 hours!!!! She also is in her crib like a big girl!
Eats: 4-5 ounces; about 6-7 feedings a day

Loves:  Bath time, Dr. Seuss books, car rides (falls asleep every time!), lounging in the boppy watching TV, Holmes, the swing, lights, ceiling fans, and her nap nanny!

Hates: being hungry, being swaddled, a paci, wardrobe changes, nose drops, the hiccups, and being put on your shoulder.

Bailey can hold her head  up really good and she can hold her chest up when we do tummy time! Doc said she looks great.....Yes, she hated her shots, but she was a trooper! Screamed her little head off for a few minutes and then fell fast asleep!

Here is a look into our busy little day!

7:00 am Wakey, Wakey! We eat, play for a bit and asleep by 8am
8-10  Bailey sleeps, Mom exercises, eats and showers!
10:00 Bailey's Brunch...bottle, more playtime and nap
11:00- 1:00 Nap. Sometimes we run errands. Most of the time I catch up on laundry and clean!
1:00 Lunch for Bailey,  playtime, and back to sleep.
2:00- 4:00 Nap time for Bailey and mommy!
4:00 Snack time . Play, cook dinner and a short nap
5:30 Daddy comes home and takes over!
5:30 - 9:00 Gets crazy! No certain schedule and she starts grazing and random cat naps. We usually get a bath in there sometime and a last bottle before bed.
9:00- 3:00 am Sleep
3:00-3:30 Dream feed...About 2 oz and rocked back to sleep. (We are hoping to eliminate this feeding soon!!!)
7:00am  Our day starts over!

I didn't mean to be a "Babywise Mom", but we did get on that schedule naturally!



Some days, however, it seems nothing works and our little routine is thrown out the window! But those days are rare and Bailey is pretty much an easy, happy baby! Only time she is mad is when she realizes she was hungry 5 minutes ago and momma doesn't have the bottle ready!

                      We litterally tried everything! We both ended up asleep on the floor!

My new Friday night fun!

                                                      She loves her daddy!


As for Holmes.....
He loves her! We did put him on a diet! He isn't excited about his diet cat food. He also enjoys lounging in the boppy.

 

The 1st Month

Bailey is still breathing and growing....which means we survived the 1st month!!

I am not going to lie, being a mom is tough. Week 2 was the hardest week of my life. If it wasn't for my mother, I probably would have put a stamp on Bailey's booty and stuck her in the mailbox.  Crazy hormones mixed with lack of sleep is a dangerous combo. I started to understand why some mothers have done some of the crazy things they have done...of coarse, I would never hurt my child...I spent 9 months growing this little human, and I went through labor, so of coarse this stubborn momma was determined to conquer this motherhood thing.

My thoughts about the last 4 weeks:

A.  Its ok to have 2nd thoughts about being a mommy....However, when you get a glimpse of your child's smile.... It makes it all worth it. Even if the 1st month's smiles are involuntary...it still melts your heart every time.

B. You will go to Target and Babies R Us a thousand times and realize what you registered for was not what you really needed!

C. You will get excited about poopy diapers.

D. You can survive on 5 hours of interrupted sleep.

E.  Do not google things about your baby. My mom's best advice,  "Whatever Bailey does is normal because that is Bailey's way to do it!" 

F. I'm glad I married a man who can survive on very little sleep.

Everyday we learn something new, and everyday something changes. Something that worked on previous days, doesn't always work on other days, and things that didn't work on some days seem to work on other days.


As for Holmes....He is getting bigger. When we feed Bailey at night, he cries until we feed him. But he loves Bailey and is always near her.

Bailey's Birthday

First...there are many things people fail to tell you about labor, delivery, and the aftermath. I don't want to be the one to let the cat out of the bag and take away all the fun for anyone who plans on having a baby... I will keep this story G or PG rated.

Where to start..... O, I know.... It all began on Thursday, June 28 when it was an mere thousand degrees outside, and I decided to go running errands with my sister. First, stop was Old Time Pottery where my sister decided to go over EVERY speed bump in the parking lot which probably jump started this whole thing. I waddled  around that place. Next, she was very hungry, me not so much, but we decided to go to Newk's where I binged on the chicken salad...ate every last bite, not hungry mind you, but its a good thing I ate it all because this would be my last meal... (insert the "Dun, Dun, Dun" sound).... Finally, we finished our trip by getting Bailey a 4th of July outfit because I was "planning" on getting induced on Tuesday so she would need her 4th of July outfit for the hospital (little did I know)...
Fast forward to me NOT taking a nap when I got home (dumbest decision ever), and to when Stevie gets home and I started  having weird cramps. They were nothing like the braxton hicks contractions I had. Well, they got worse..nothing helped and slowly they started coming more frequently and wrapping around to my lower back. I had a feeling something wasn't right. I called my mom (twice), no answer, so I called my cousin Jen and Stevie's sister, and they suggested I called my doctor. I called and left a message. It is nothing like how contractions where suppose to feel, but I knew something was happening. Once they pains started coming every 5 minutes for almost an hour, and I could no longer talk or do anything when it happened, I told Stevie we needed to go to the hospital. Luckily, I took a shower before the pain got to bad.

I really don't remember the ride to the hospital. We got there at 9:00 pm and after a "check" I was admitted because I was already 4 cm. Luckily, I got my epidural fairly quickly and was relieved somewhat from the pain. However, I must say the epidural wasn't exactly the most pleasant experience for me,. I was really numb on the left side (ear to toe),but the right side I could feel most everything. But I knew the nurse who did my epidural which made it less scary, and he took good care of me!

If you want more details, I will share, but I don't need to tell the world!
Stevie was great. he kept my spirits lifted and coached me through it all. He officially knows more about my body than me!

Labor is kinda a blur. My cousin Jen was the first to come and check on me. She coached me while Stevie held my hand while I got my IV and bloodwork (which was my 2 biggest fears). My parents arrived next, followed by Stevie's parents. My orginal plan was to have no one except Stevie in the labor room, but everyone came by quickly to check on me. I did request my mom at times. I had an awesome nurse with me during my labor.

So, I kept making progress.... my water finally broke at 9 cm and at 3:30 I was ready to push. I pushed for 30  minutes and BOOM, she was here. Pushi9ng was the easiest part and it didn't hurt, just lots and lots of pressure in my booty! Way more to the story, but again I don't want to scare any pregnant ladies or anyone thinking about being a mommy. However, I survived!

Here is my baby girl! The first thing I noticed was her hands... they were exactly like mine but smaller! (Note" the lazy left eye...epidural caused it to almost swell completely shut!)

Welcome, Bailey Grace Embree to the world at 4:06 am, weighing 8lbs 4oz (my birth weight, too) and 2o inches!

Proud Papa!

Then, everyone left the room and I was alone for the first time in almost 40 weeks. I layed there in shock of what just happened....I must admit I was smirking a little because I was no longer pregnant!!!

Anyways, fast forward....the rest of the hospital stay is  fuzzy. We didn't sleep much at all. Everyday ran together, and I was barely able to carry on a conversation...majorly sleep deprived!

Family of 3...and Holmes at home

Aunt Shelby and cousin Mallory

Grumps and Grammy (yes, Bailey already is spoiled rotten by them )

Daddy's girl

Getting ready to go HOME!!!

I promise her neck isn't broken....focus on those FEET!!! Long and skinny like her mommy's!

39 weeks

39 weeks.....and the countdown to Bailey's arrival! This will be the last Wednesday I will be pregnant (hopefully).

Yes, I wear this dress alot...and it probably won't be the last time you see it either.

At my 39 week appointment, very little progress has been made....actually no progress. Still weigh the same, and all the other things they check were the same, too. However, she did say Bailey will probably be big! Really?!? A few weeks ago, we were scared because she was measuring small, well, I guess a diet of ice cream will do that! Have you seen her parents... Stevie and I are little people... I am blaming this one on the James side of the family...my dad IS a big guy. (love ya daddy!)

We decided to induce on our due date...unless she comes before then! Since I am the ultimate planner, it will be nice knowing when I am going to the hospital....doens't mean I will be mentally or emotinally prepared, but physically I will be! And yes, I will over pack.

As for the fun facts...let's see....

I am enjoying my last week to eat not-so-Neely food....real potatoe chips, ice cream, etc...and not feel bad about it!

Weight gain- 28 lbs (I really thought I would gain 60lbs)

I can't wait to burn store my maternity clothes.

Cravings- water, ice (I chomp the heck out of it), anything that keeps me cool in this heat.

Enjoyments- Having my family and friends calling and texting to check on us, and  the support from my hubby. Stevie has been a trooper through all this, and he really keeps my spirits lifted on days I need it the most!

Best Moment- Going to my last Dr.'s appointment for awhile! That place gives me anxiety and makes me nauseaous! No to mention, I don't have to deal with making anymore appointments for awhile! (honey, gorgeous, darling, sweetie-pie) If you go to WHS, you know what I am talking about!

Stretch Marks- I managed to not have any and boy have I stretched, but my right leg looks awful...so it evens out!

Rings- Just the wedding band these days...

Looking Forward to- meeting Bailey! It's weird having someone live in your body for 40 weeks and not knowing anything about her....except she doesn't like to sit still and she will kick you if you are in her personal space...hmmmmm....wonder where she gets that!

So as long as we all don't burst into flames during this heat wave, my next post should be all about Bailey's birthday!

WAIT......I forgot about Holmes........

Poor Holmes, he thinks I have quit work, and let myself go...he really is so stupid, but we love him and his crossed-eyes!

38 Weeks

38 weeks and 5 days...Will this be my last pregnant belly picture and update?!? Not likely.....

If you are thinking I look like I might fall over, you are right. This belly is heavy, and I feel HUGE!
Surprisingly, I don't have any stretch marks. However, I make up for it with ugly veins on my right leg and foot.

One more pound on the scale.....29 lbs so far. Since Bailey has dropped, I am finally able to eat like a normal person again. ....and BREATHE. Speaking of food... I have been craving banana pudding, so if anyone reading this wants to make me some, go right ahead!

I did have a dream about blueberry donuts the other night and woke up and HAD to have one. Since I didn't want to drive to Donut Country, I went to All American Cafe to get some because I heard they have donuts and they are just right down the street. For those who live in the Boro, you know the scary clown you see on my side of town riding a bike and flipping a sign telling you to eat at his restaurant...ya, that's where I went.... donuts were great, but the man from the clown suit served me which was scary!



Not much progress when I went to the doctor on Wednesday. She did give me some helpful hints on how to get things progressing. However, drinking pineapple juice backfired on me and gave me the WORST bellyache.

At my 39 week appointment next week, we are going to discuss inducing my labor if she still hasn't come. I am ready to meet this little girl! I cannot believe I am at the end of my pregnancy, but ready to move on to the next chapter of motherhood!

My dreams have gotten so strange. If I look at facebook before I go to bed, I usually end up dreaming about the most random person I saw on FB. I also dream about swimming alot...maybe because I am getting so freaking hot when I sleep?

Speaking of being hot....OMG. I have seriously gone from being so cold natured to extremely hot all the time. I went out running errands on Thursday, and I was dripping wet with sweat in places I did not know you could sweat. I think I am staying in the AC from  here on out! I am really too paranoid to be in public anyways bc I am scared my water is going to break.

Look at Bailey's newest friend...

How cute is he?!?

As for Holmes......

I am offically the fat one of the house

37 weeks

37 weeks.... 2 weeks and 3ish days to go, but who is counting....

We are beyond ready to meet our little girl. My fears of the IV, epidural, pushing this baby out, etc.  are outweighed by my lack of mobility, swollen feet, and being completely uncomfortable these days. As my college girlfriends and I use to say, "Let's just do the damn thing!"

I will continue to do my 2 mile walk  waddle, bounce around on the exercise ball, eat spicy food (even though it gives me heartburn) in hopes of something jump starting this whole motherhood thing. My BFF even shared a eggplant parmigiana recipe that has rumored to induce labor. Not even sure what eggplant is, but I am willing to try it. Here is the link to all the  babies that have been born shortly after eating this little dish.

http://www.scalinis.com/eggplant_parmigiana_babies.htm

Update (aka... TMI, so scroll down if you don't want to read)

weight gain- 28 pounds

cervix- 70% thinned

1 cm dilated and she is still head down!

I am not really sure what all the numbers mean that my doctor throws at me.... I usually smile, nod, and ask if she is coming tonight?

Other fun pregnancy facts from this week...

Rings- engagement ring is too small

dreams- WEIRD and WEIRD

movement- aggressive little kicker in there and these hiccups she has are brutal ....I mean cute?

No cravings this week....

Looking forward to-- meeting our daughter and seeing who she looks and acts like. I have a feeling she is going to have a "James" attitude and look like her daddy (hopefully, she will have daddy's dimples)

As for Holmes.....

His belly is looking pretty skinny.....

36 weeks done!

How far along? 36 weeks and 5 days in this picture

 

Total weight gain/loss: on Monday I was holding steady at 27 pounds...but I have retained a ton of water this week...so we will see what the scale says on Thursday!

However, my appetite has basically disappeared. Some days I have to make myself eat which sucks because the only thing a pregnant has to look forward to is eating!

Maternity clothes? the only thing not maternity is my socks and the way my feet have been swelling...I think I need maternity socks, too!

Sleep:  what sleep? With the crazy dreams and hourly trip to the bathroom, I don't get much sleep these days.

Best moment this week:  When I went to eat lunch with Stevie at Toot's last Wednesday, Bailey was dancing so much to the loud music. She even gave daddy a big kick when he tried to "calm" her.

We also have the nursery complete and the man room now has a mommy chair in it for me...along with a swing and a bouncy chair....not so manly these days...lol!

Miss Anything? mobility and doing things myself.

 

Enjoyments:  Trying to enjoy my last few weeks of being pregnant and eating whatever I want without feeling  any remorse...I seriously eat ice cream on a daily basis.

Movement: She has been moving and kicking alot. She also has had the hiccups several times this week (which is so much fun.....)

Food cravings: Chik-fil-a, ice cream, and sweet tea

Anything making you queasy or sick: ground beef,  pizza, and anything Italian

Have you started to show yet: Yes, my belly has really grown. I am now measuring a week ahead of what I really am...maybe she is coming early?!?

Belly Button: Way out!

Signs of labor: Not yet, but she has dropped and my cervix is still thinning, but not dilating yet! I keep having dreams my water is breaking and that I am in labor. Stevie has had a few dreams that I am in labor, too...yikes!

Wedding rings on or off? as long as it is not 1,000 degrees outside, I can still wear both of them.

Happy or Moody most of the time: 50/50

As for Holmes.....

He really likes the new oversized chair in the "man" room. He also got his new summer haircut this week!