It's a GIRL...for sure!!

That's right....Cate will have a little sister!!! We had our 20 week ultrasound (yes, I'm two weeks late in posting this...I know...) and the Dr. and ultrasound tech were both right in their guesses... GIRL!!

And here we are at 20 weeks...it's much bigger now I promise, 

and I'm pretty sure this purple shirt won't make it until the next pic...

Bernie has been real lovey lately...

maybe he is excited it's another little girl?!?

A little more glamorous belly shot from our Plantation visit in NOLA...

We've been super busy around here lately...thus being two weeks late for the 20 week update...We had our anniversary trip to NOLA, someone is now POTTY TRAINED...WOOOOO!!!!...and there was turkey day and traveling...So hopefully I will get caught up soon! 

At 20 weeks:

~baby girl is about the length of a banana and about 10.5oz

~baby girl is kicking like CRAZY! She is moving around so much. Matt finally got to feel her move/kick while we were in NOLA, which was at 20 weeks, which is right around the same time he could feel Cate kick in my tummy. I thought Cate was pretty active and had some powerful punches, but this baby girl, she is even stronger.. I can only imagine how the next 18 weeks will be...

~we can even see movement outside of my belly, which I don't remember this early with Cate, but maybe there was. 

~Cate loves to tell the baby hi, and good morning, and kiss my belly

~gained 8 lbs so far, feels like way more, but it's way less than I had gained with Cate at this point...so woo!

~I really don't remember what things were like two weeks ago, because it's been a whirlwind of a two weeks...so I guess that's it=) 

Since we know baby K2 is for sure a girl, we have been dabbling with names...but have nothing...absolutely nothing. Cate was the only girl name we had and liked and agreed on for a baby girl, and we've used that...so suggestions are welcome=) 

Hopefully this wasn't too much of a hodge podge of a post, I feel it was, but oh well, it's all my brain has for now as I catch up!

Good morning!

Just telling her baby sibling good morning...

Cate will have a little...

SISTER!!
We asked if she wanted some balloons, and she requested purple, so we got her a purple balloon;) She then said it was her birthday and she requested cupcakes!!! Oh that girl!!
The appointment went well today. We saw a perfect heartbeat and sweet baby moving around. She wasn't in the best position, but the dr is fairly confident that we have a baby girl. It was much clearer with Cate, but like I said, the dr said he was pretty sure. Matt believes him, for some reason I'm still a little doubtful, but we will have 100% confirmation at the next sonogram at 20 weeks!

16 weeks

Now that I'm feeling better, I feel like this pregnancy is flying by. I'm so thankful to have my energy back this past month and feel like a normal mama!


And no my belly hasn't shrunk since last week. That pic was just taken at the end of the day, after a weekends worth of food and bloatedness;)

This week:
•Baby is the size of an avocado! Matt said, "That's a pretty good size!"
I'd have to agree and I think that's what it looks like I've eaten;)
•Gained 3-4lbs so far
•I started feeling definite movement and more heavier thuds, and sometimes my belly gets crooked on one side if the baby is lying or moving there. I remember it did that with Cate for a short while and it's such a strange sight, and weird feeling.
•Cate thinks there is a baby in my belly button, she said there is one in Daddy's too;)
•I had one glorious night of full sleep for the first time this pregnancy, but that was the only one and none since...:/ oh well
•We may be able to find out the gender today!!!!

That's all for now, stay tuned to find our pink or blue, and maybe a more glamorous belly shot!

It happened...

15 weeks and the belly has popped...


Yes?
I've also been feeling thuds and movement. I thought I was last week but it was so borderline between movements or just tummy gurgling, but now I know it's baby movement!! As of now the only time I only feel it is when I'm sitting still, (and with a two year old thats a rarity), so the times I've felt movement is when I'm lying in bed, or driving/sitting in the car at a red light!;) Ha!
We should find out boy or girl next week...any guesses?;)

12 weeks

Just thought I would share a few sono pics and give a little update on this pregnancy.  I started this post last week, but now, a week later, I am finally getting around to finishing it. HA! It's probably safe to say that these pregnancy updates won't be as detailed as they were with Cate, but I will try! It's hard to find the time, and the mental capacity=) Anyways, here is our sweet little baby at 12 weeks...

Baby (we don't really have a nickname for this little one yet) was on his/her side, facing away from us during this whole sono, which made it difficult for measurements, and to just see a clear picture. With Cate, she was just laying down on her back the whole time and started moving right at the end. When we looked at the screen I knew it looked completely opposite than it did with Cate at the 12 week sono, so I was a little worried at first, but the sonographer just said baby was on it's side, and facing away from us...being difficult..=)

Here's a close up..

even though baby was being difficult, we did manage to get a little wave=)

Everything is looking great with this sweet little baby, and now that I'm past the 12 week mark, I feel things are looking great for me too. Let's just say the first couple months were a little rough. Like from week four, until last week. Thankfully I haven't had a bad day since last week so things are looking up!

I feel like I am already starting to show, especially after eating a meal/at the end of the day. Everyone says you show quicker with your second, so we will see. I didn't show until like 20-24 weeks with Cate, so hopefully it's a bit sooner than that...it's fun to have a bump! 

My waist has definitely expanded though I haven't gained any weight, so we will see. I know one morning I will wake up and it will have just pop out. I feel WAY more pregnant this time. I just feel bigger, feel different, feel like I am 20 weeks instead of 13. I don't really know how to describe it other than I just feel more pregnant!

And here's an un-glamourous belly shot at 12 weeks...

We go back to the dr in three weeks for the 16 week check up, where they may/probably will be able to tell us the gender...any guesses?!?! We can't wait to find out! 

Cate has an announcement...

Yep. She's going to be a big sister! We are all thrilled. I am 12 weeks along, due date is April 3, 2013. 

Cate Elisabeth's Birth Story

It all started Thursday night, July 15th. Matt and I took Bernie for his and our usual walk around 8 that evening. We walk about 6 blocks or so in our neighborhood totaling about 25-30 minutes, depending on what new interesting smells there are...=) We were on the home stretch, two blocks from our house, and it just started getting really hard to go any further. I was tired, not in any pain, cramping or anything, but it just felt like I couldn't go any more. Matt offered to go get the car and come pick me up, but since I could see our house already, I figured I could just push myself to keep going. We got home and I went to take a shower, still felt same as usual. Then I sat with Matt on the couch like we had been doing most evenings and the Braxton hicks started, again, that was normal for the past how many weeks now. Not long after those started, I noticed there was more pressure in my lower back and hip area with them. They were somewhat continuous, so I decided to watch the clock and see about how many I had in 30 minutes. Well, they seemed to be just one after another. I then decided it was time to bust out the handy iphone contraction counter app. They were timing to be lasting 35-50 seconds, and anywhere from 2-3 minutes apart. My Dr.’s office said to call in when contractions were 5-1-1, five contractions lasting one minute or longer, in one hour. So I was a little confused on this. By this time it was around midnight and they weren’t backing down, but I wasn’t in “knock you to the floor” pain either. I thought I might as well call the on call dr. since I couldn’t get comfortable anyways, and they hadn’t slowed down, to see what he said. He asked if they were intensifying, I said, well, a little bit, but they aren’t that severe. I told him I didn’t want to get down to the hospital and then get sent home in the middle of the night. He said that if I decided to come in, and I had progressed since my appointment the day before, they would more than likely admit me, and if I hadn’t, they would keep me overnight for observation. I told him I would wait one more hour and monitor the duration to see if that would change, and also see if they would intensify. Meanwhile, Matt thought it would be a good idea for him to take a nap during this hour just in case we were about to be on our way to labor. Sure enough, the contractions started getting a little bit longer, anywhere from 50 seconds to just over a minute and still about 2-3 minutes apart. After an hour, I called the Dr. back and told him we wanted to come get checked out. We packed up a few last minute things and left for the hospital at 2am Friday morning. When we arrived, we were checked in to a triage room where they asked us a BOATLOAD of questions, some I had to answer, (thank goodness I wasn’t in too much pain!) I changed into a gown, they hooked up the heart rate monitors, and waited for the dr. to come in and check me. Apparently a lot of women went into labor that night because the dr. was super busy and just before he was going come in to check me, he was called to go deliver a baby. So the nurse checked and said that I was at a 3. YAY!!! FINALLY some PROGRESS!!! She said she had to get the orders from the dr., but since I had progressed from my appointment the day before, and my contractions were SO regular, (and intensifying !!!) they would more than likely keep me. After waiting a little while, we got word we were going to be moved into an L&D room!!! This was it! We were going to have a baby!!!! Meanwhile, my contractions were getting stronger, but to me, they weren’t so much painful, as it was hard to breath. I thought they were pretty manageable if it were just easier to breathe thru them. The nurse asked me if I was going to have an epidural and when would I be ready for it, I asked her how long would it be before I got it and it to take effect, she said around 45 minutes and they would have to get me in the other room first. Without hesitation, I said “YES”! and “As soon as possible!” We were then moved into the L&D room, and they began prepping me for the epidural. Yes, the contractions were intensifying and I was really hoping that the epidural was on its way, very soon. By this time it was around 4-5am and we had called our parents to tell them that we were in the hospital, and they were on their way. The anesthesiologist came in, gave me the epidural, and all was good! REALLY GOOD! I heard the epidural was painful, so I wasn’t sure to what to expect. To me, it didn’t hurt bad at all, it was uncomfortable, yes, but a few years ago, I had a bout of food poisoning upon return from a lovely vacation from Cabo, was so bad I had to go the ER, they gave me a shot, that they said rated probably number 2 on the list of most painful shots, and that shot was WAY worse than the epi. Anyways, once the epi started flowing, I was ready to rest, relax and hopefully get a little nap in before this show really got on the road. Around 7 am or so, the nurse checked again to see how far I was and said my water had broken on its own and I was at a 6 or so. Our parents arrived shortly thereafter and we visited for a little while. I really wanted to take a nap, so around 8am our parents stepped out and I called the nurse to see if she could come in, help me switch sides I was laying on and I wanted to try to take a nap. She came in, we were just about to turn me over, and she gave me this look and said, “Let me go ahead and check you again before you get comfy since you have progressed so fast.” I said ok, really thinking and hoping I was maybe at the most a 7 or 8. She then checked to see if I had dilated any further, she looked up at me with an “Oh, wow” look on her face, and said “well, you’re at a 10, no nap for you honey, it’s time to start pushing!” I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT!!! She said she was going to let my dr. know, (who we found out while I was laboring was actually off that day, but he just so happened to be in making a few rounds, and would be able to deliver Cate! We were so happy!) and get a few more things prepped, and be back to go over instructions on how things were going to go with pushing. I started pushing around 9:15, and she was here at 9:52! The nurses couldn’t believe how fast the whole labor progressed, AND I only had to push for about 40 min, they said most women with their first baby push about 2-3 HOURS! REALLY?!?! I couldn’t imagine pushing for that long! They said I was just made to have babies=) Heh. So after a night of no sleep, and 10 short and fast hours after having the first initial contractions, Cate Elisabeth was finally here at 9:52am on Friday, July 16th, 2010, weighing in at a perfect 7lbs, 5oz, and 20in long. We couldn't be more blessed and are in total awe by this little miracle, and are ecstatic about our new life with her!










And here's a preview from our newborn shoot...more to come, I can't wait to see the rest!

D-day is in sight!

Well, after our weekly checkup yesterday, we now know, for sure, that D-day is near, and I won't be pregnant forever. Since I am now past my original due date, the nurse and dr. did a quick sonogram, checked her heart rate, good at 144, checked fluid levels, good. My BP was normal this week, (after being a little higher last week). Then he checked to see if I was any more dilated... NO, still at a 1! I have now been at a 1 for over a month! So I will just lightly say that he tried to speed that up, then we talked about a plan. If Cate is not here by Sunday evening at 5pm, we are to go check into the hospital and they will start inducing, which will mean having this child by MONDAY!!!
Matt and I both agreed this plan was good for us. I'm still feeling great, can't really complain, and told my dr. I am not miserable, so we were fine with giving her a few more days to come on her own. So let's get this show on the road baby girl! You are VERY popular already and there are so many people that can't wait to meet you!=)

Excited, Nervous and Anxious..

Pretty much describes how I have been feeling the past couple of days. I just CAN NOT believe I am 40+ weeks pregnant! That just sounds SO crazy to me! We go to the Dr this afternoon, and have been waiting for this day since last Wednesday. Although Matt and I decided this past weekend, amusingly, in the midst of me watching THREE lifetime movies Saturday afternoon and TWO other movies Sunday afternoon, (talk about L-A-Z-Y weekend!!) that we were OK if she wanted to wait until mid-late week to make her appearance. That way I could get my hair done one more time, get a pedi, make some cupcakes for some thank-yous, and he could conduct some interviews at work. Well, check those things off the list. She can come now, we are ready=) I pretty much got NO sleep last night. Major insomnia. But luckily for this girl, I am good with 5-6 hours of sleep, unlike Matt, who needs what seems like 9-10! You name it, I think about it. I lay in bed and my mind just goes, I think, and pray and think and pray, and eventually fall asleep, only to wake up a couple hours later. We've been in this waiting period for what seems like forever now, and the fact that the time is actually here, (and after this afternoon we will know more of approximate timeline, we hope), is just UNreal. I can't wait to hold her in my arms, see Matt hold her in his arms, and embrace the reality of becoming parents!

Seriously...40 weeks!?!?!?!

Well, we're still here. I really did not think that we would make it to 40 weeks, but we have! We had a dr. appt. yesterday, and you guessed it, still at a 1. There was some progress though, the NP said that she can tell that I am effacing.. but just still at a 1. So, we wait, and wait some more. Since my dr. is out this week, they said we'll keep our scheduled appointment for next Wednesday, and if she hasn't made her appearance by then, then she, and I quote, "will have to come out! She is fully baked in there!" When we went into the exam room, the sonogram machine was on, so I asked the sweet nurse if we could look at her on there instead of just listening to the heartbeat monitor. She said. "why sure!" She said that it probably wouldn't be very clear and hard to see her because she is so big/to term. I lifted up my shirt and the nurse was in shock at how hard my belly was at that time. (having a mild BH) She put both her hands on my belly and was like, "Oh my goodness honey, she is fully baked in there, I can feel her silhouette!", she then happily gooped up my belly and we got to see her! Nurse P was right though, she is large, don't have an estimate other than between 7-8 pounds, and she had to zoom out twice to try and get her on the screen! Uh, that makes me a lil nervous...=) But they said she looks great, I look great, (uh gee thanks!) and to just hang in there. It will be very soon! She just wants to have a little more time to get beautified in there! I still can't really complain. I feel great, sleeping pretty well, it's hard to fall asleep, averaging around 1-2 am, and then waking up a few times thereafter, but no trouble getting comfortable or anything like that, which is amazing. I am still mobile, getting around fine, not waddling, but do notice it's a little harder to bend over, Hey! I'm 40 weeks people, that lil blog ticker says 2 days to go!!! We have been very blessed and so thankful this has been a great pregnancy! Thanks to so many of you for your love, prayers, support, words of encouragement, advice, texts, emails, etc. We will keep you posted as much as we can the next week, and thereafter of course!
So, there is finally the end in sight. If not before, by the end of next week, we will meet our baby girl. Until then, just enjoying these definite last few days, of freedom and peace, rest, waiting patiently, and still excited knowing that it could happen any moment! That's probably been my favorite part, just knowing at any moment my water could break, and that it's, TIME. TO. GO! That, AND the fact that I can FINALLY rest a small plate/bowl on this beach ball belly!

Enjoy the pics=) Didn't think we were going to have 40 week ones:)

Nope...

Well, yesterday has come and gone, and the suspense of wondering if Cate wanted a June birthday is now gone. We were still at a 1 yesterday, so just patiently waiting. Matt has a 4 day weekend this weekend, so think we will take advantage of possibly, yet again, our last free weekend just the 3 of us=)
It may be a good thing though, as my dr will be out of town now for a week. I think Cate wants him to deliver her as much as I do. So we'll keep our fingers crossed for that=) Other than that, been having some BH contractions fairly regurlary. My tummy just tightens up oh so tight, and she looks so crooked in there, then it relaxes. Not painful by any means. Just preppin I suppose. Knock on wood, I have been sleeping better these past few weeks, more so than a month ago. Still wake up a couple of times, but can actually get comfortable enough to fall asleep. We'll take it! I have to go pee now all the time. Which I know is normal, but just frustrating, I can go before I leave the house, and the minute I get somewhere, I head straight to the ladies room. Oh public bathrooms... enough said. So, we are just patiently waiting, on this little girl to make her grand entrance!

Will it be...

tomorrow?!?!?! For those who don't know, well I guess most of you don't know, we have a thing for double birthdays on my mom's side of the family, and also June b-days. There are 6 of us that have b-days in June, I share June 6th with one of my Aunts, and I have a cousin that shares with my Grandma (although they share May 15th) I was suppose to be in May, but chose June=) So, the question is, will Cate want to share with her Gigi?!?! My mom's b-day is tomorrow, the 30th. Or will she do her own thing and be the only one in July?!?!? Guess we will know soon. I kinda thought she would have like to make her appearance by now, definitely by tomorrow. We go to the Dr. tomorrow afternoon, and I feel like there may be some progress. Last night I had a lot of pressure in my lower back, and the girl was moving around like CRAZY! I seriously thought she was going to bust out of my belly! I thought she has moved a lot thus far, but nothing compared to last night. Made me think the storm we had and the hurricane remnants that are coming might kick start the labor?!?! We shall see I guess;) We are so ready to meet you sweet girl!

Side note, I am still feeling great at 38 weeks=)

No changes...yet

We had our 37 week checkup yesterday, all was well! Still at a 1, which is what I figured because I am still feeling the same, no contractions or anything like that yet. She is still so active! I keep thinking, "ok, is she going to punch thru and break my water?!?!?!" Heh. So, still just ready and waiting. I am making some meals to freeze, and doing a little fun sewing while I have the time. I found a rug yesterday for her room, actually my friend Ashley who was in town for a couple of days picked it out, and I think it's absolutely PERFECT! I am going today to see if I can find some ivory trim to add just a little personal touch to it=) Ashley also brought her bow holder, so I will post some additional pics of those! Until then, stay tuned!

Ready. Set. and Waiting!

Well, here we are at 37 weeks, and are ready, set and just waiting! Yes, for those who were wondering, my bag is now packed, car seat is in, and we are ready to go. I am actually loving the suspense and excitement of waiting and wondering, could it be today??? We are all ready for her, and can't wait for her arrival! It's all up to you sweet girl!

Father's Day

For Father's day we had family come up and went to the Oasis! It was an enjoyable evening, and was probably the last time it will be just 5 of us!!!! So Super excited!




Auntie Ash is super excited for Cate to come so she can sing to her!

Cate's nursery is completed!

Finally, after finishing all the little details, Here are the nursery pics...
Some of before:
Furniture here, walls khaki

Walls butter cream:





My pink wall shelf project:





And the finish product!!!

I'm sorry, but I am in LOVE with her pink diaper champ. I didn't even know they made them in pink, but found this one at babies r us and had to buy it! The blue one would have been such an eyesore in her room, don't ya think? I almost wasn't going to get one because of that...=)

Her shelf that will soon hold a newborn pic of her where the wreath is, and can interchange all the nick knack things on it as she grows!



Her outfit in the crib is her coming home attire!

A HUGE thanks to my Mom for sewing all of the bedding, curtains, making the pillow for her rocker, and helping me with all the little details I wanted for this room. Believe it or not, I really didn't want any sort of pink in the nursery, I am more of a blue person, but once I found the floral fabric, and knew that was it, I couldn't help it!! There was no stoppin it!=) Also special thanks to Matt for putting all the furniture together, moving it around several times since I kept thinking of more painting and projects I wanted to do=) and helping me construct her shelf. I am so thankful that mom and Matt can execute the plentiful ideas I have going on in my designing head and make them happen like I want! I really appreciate it and can't wait to spend more time in there rocking her in the rocker and enjoying every moment!

Whoo Hoo!

So we had our 36 week appointment Thursday, (although I am really almost 37 weeks), and it went FABULOUS!!! I/we. could. not. believe. it. After the appointment I felt almost as excited and giddy as the first couple of appointments. The reason why? She has turned folks! That's right, she is head down, so pray she stays that way!=) Her heart rate was 138, she is measuring at an estimated 6lbs, 4oz, in the 75th percentile!! The sonographer said her legs were measuring 39 weeks...whoa, we have a long legged lady on our hands! The most exciting part...??? I am dilated 1cm!!! Dr. C. did the check, and said "well, there's her head, and you're dilated to a one!, go ahead and pack your bag!" So I guess technically we could meet her any day now, or 2 weeks from now=) Dr. even said that we could easily have a June baby! I know, I know, you can be at a 1 forever, but hey, I know many women who are crossing their fingers, legs and toes, that they are dilated at their 37 week appt. So oh happy day. That was just a lot of progress we weren't expecting at this appointment, but very excited to hear. So for all of you wondering, yes my bag will be packed by the end of the weekend and the car seat in!
I have been feeling great, no issues to complain about really. She is still mostly on my right side, curled up like a C, so my ribs and hip are feelin that, but otherwise, pretty good for 36 to 37 weeks prego.
Here is a 36 week / 9 month shot!!

Stay tuned...

for some updates. There have been lots of things going on around here to get things ready for Cate's arrival. Nursery should be absolutely complete in the next couple of days. FINALLY will have pics to post. My mom was up here the past couple of days getting the final things sewn, and helping me get all my little details and accessories complete. She also helped tremendously on getting the nursery together/organized. I told her, believe it or not, I have spent a lot of time up there, "getting things ready," which I now realize was just really putting things in places, not really organizing to where things make sense. They did to me at the time!?!?! Matt compared the nursery to my baking cabinet before my mom went at it, things placed in a place, but not necessarily organized, but I knew where everything was and where it went!=) Now I am just looking for a double rod for the curtain, and hopefully I can find one today!
In other news, Cate is still breech. I know she could turn at any moment, but just don't think she is going to. She seems to be VERY content with her booty way up by my right rib, and her head down by my left hip, which seems to me she could be close to turning. She was kicking/twinging her little feet out my right side this past weekend, sometimes it hurt quite a bit, and thought well maybe she was going to turn, no. I keep telling her that both she and I would be much more comfy if she would turn just a little, but oh well=) Other than that I have been feeling great still, so can't complain. Sometimes are more uncomfortable than others, some nights I sleep horribly, other nights like last night I slept great!! Anyways, we go to the dr. for our 36 week appt tomorrow and they will make the call.
I had SEVEN people/strangers ask me when am I due while mom and I were out and about shopping yesterday. Much of their responses were, "wow, not long!." It was just funny to me that all of a sudden I am getting that stranger question at almost 37 weeks. I did have on a shirt that did accentuate the belly, so I guess it's just definitely to the point where it's absolutely for sure without a doubt I AM in fact prego. At least people weren't asking me at 6 or 7 months?!?!=) I mean, it looks to me like there is a basketball in there...and it sure does feel good to say only 3 more weeks!

35 week update

Well, here we are at 35 weeks, less than 30 DAYS to go!!! I was suppose to have my 34week checkup last Thursday, but they had to reschedule, so I had it yesterday. Pretty plain and simple, urine, weight, blood pressure, and heartbeat. Everything looks to be right on track, except she is still breech...=/ Next Thursday is our 36 week checkup and they will do a long sonogram, estimate how big she is, and if she is still breech then, more than likely schedule C section.
She has still been VERY active, moving around tons in there.. so I feel like she could turn, but is just being stubborn??? I tried doing a few rocking exercises to get her to turn and those made me SICK to my stomach, so I am just leaving it up to her! She was moving around so much memorial day weekend, I was pretty much nauseous and felt blah most of the weekend, and after all that, no turning? Since then she's still been kickin' away in there, and I've felt great, just taking things slow=) I can't believe that she is supposedly over 5 pounds!! I feel like my belly is big, but not THAT big to be holding a 5+ lb baby! CRAZY!!
Matt and I both are just ready to meet her! This whole 4 week waiting period is for the birds.. but believe me, we are making the most of it, our last few weeks/days just a family of 3=) I think Bernie is ready too. He loves spending time with me in Cate's room, playing with some of her toys, rocking in her rocker, and I think he knows something is coming. Sunday he was acting VERY strange, he was very antsy, and made me think for a minute, does he know something we don't.. could Cate be on her way???? But that wasn't the case, yet anyways. Soon enough!=)



Next week we will get to see her sweet face again! YAY!