First Family Picnic

Our good friends, Emily & Jeff, sent us a edible creations bouquet yesterday. It had tons of beautiful, fresh fruit. We decided that we should have a picnic and eat our goodies. Mimi & Deda had bought us a new table and chairs set for our outside patio and we were anxious to try it out! It was a beautiful day - a nice 65 degrees. A wonderful first family picnic.

Pictures

Life Has Changed!!!

It has been a while since we have posted and I have some big updates. So here is the catch-up to present day:

After being put on official bedrest, Deda brought Mimi to come stay with me. She and mom helped organize and clean my house to get ready for Ashlyn's arrival. On Thursday (3/11), I went in for a check-up. I was beginning to experience the early signs of labor and having some major swelling and high blood pressure. I told my doctor that I was so ready to have the baby and tried to talk him into delivering Ashlyn the next day. He told me that we were still going to hold off until the next Wednesday. I jokingly told him that I was going to time my labor for Saturday night at 7pm right when he was leaving to go on a date with his wife. He told me that he was on call anyway and would be at the hospital all weekend.

On Friday Mimi and Abby Grace left to go stay at Mom's house to give Justin and I some time together before the baby. Justin and I planned a date for Saturday afternoon. I was feeling very tired and decided to take a nap and so we pushed the date back to that night. We left around 5:30pm to go eat dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and then had plans to go see a 8pm movie. We arrived at Cheesecake Factory a little before 6pm and Justin put our name on the list. In the meantime, I had gone to the restroom and thought my water had broke. Unfortunately, my placenta had ruptured and it was quite scary. Justin drove us straight to the hospital.

Once we arrived at the hospital, things moved very quickly. We arrived around 6:30pm and were informed that as soon as the doctor arrived that we would go straight to the OR for an emergency c-section. The doctor arrived right after 7pm just like I had told him. Mom and Dad made it soon after we arrived and were there for the delivery. Ashlyn Rose was born at 7:39pm. She weighed 7 lbs 2 oz and was 19 1/2 inches. Abby Grace and Mimi came to meet Ashlyn soon after she was born. Abby Grace was so excited to hold her sister.

We spent the next three days in the hospital. Mamaw drove in to take care of Abby Grace. Mom, Dad and Mimi spent most of the time at the hospital holding Ashlyn and taking care of me. I felt pretty sick for several days. We spent the first night at home just our little family. The next few nights we called in reinforcements (Mimi & Mom). Justin was my HERO staying up at night to help feed and rock Ashlyn. It took her several nights to get her days/nights straight.

So that is the latest. We are enjoying our time as a family and adjusting to a new baby after five years. I will keep updating!!

Two Weeks Left & Bed Rest

I went to the doctor for my check-up on Wednesday. I got to have an ultrasound and see Ashlyn. Justin and I both guessed at her approximate weight...he guessed 5lbs 6oz and I guessed 6lbs 6oz. She weighs 6lbs 5oz. I WIN!!!! I had been having major pain under my ribcage on my left side for a few days. The ultrasound showed that she was head down and butt up. Her rear was sticking into my ribcage and everytime I pushed her down...she pushed back! The doctor said that she is VERY smushed in my belly against my uterus.

The doctor did put me on bedrest for the next two weeks. He is determined for us to make it to the 18th of March. So, I am home and keeping my feet up. Justin and Mom have been a big help. Gosh, we will have a baby here less than 13 days! :)

I have RED hair and DIDN"T get a massage!

So, here is what has been going on lately around our house.

Last weekend I decided to dye my hair before the baby gets here. Abby Grace and I went to Walmart and checked out all the colors. We go with the dark brown with a hint of auburn since I always like a little red. Well, as I was working on it...it was looking very pink. I knew once I washed it out it would probably be okay...but NO! It was soooo red! I am not the smartest girl on the block and now I know that the hormones you produce during pregnancy can affect the coloring when you do your hair. So my advice is: Gray is okay!!!...better than RED!

I also thought I had food poisoning from some pot roast last weekend. Since it lingered a little too long, I went to the doc on Tuesday afternoon. Turns out that I had a stomach virus. Baby was doing great and set an appointment for a week out.

Lately, I have been having some major trouble sleeping and my shoulder has been hurting which makes it even harder. Justin made me a prenatal massage appointment for today. I drove all the way to town, filled out the paperwork....and then was informed that no one was available for a prenatal massage. Justin had told the guy that I am 37 weeks when he booked the appointment and I put it on all the paperwork. UGH!!! I got in the car and just started to cry! Everywhere else was either booked or closed on Sundays.

Due Date/ Abby Grace's School Theory

Last week I went to my weekly doctor visit. He said that I should make it to my due date... another four weeks. I am scheduled for Thursday, March 18th at 7:30am. Twenty five days to go!!!

Abby Grace came up with her own theory last week about me being pregnant and her having to attend school. We were in the car and she explained her thoughts. "Mommy, I was going to school three days a week. When you got pregnant with Ashlyn, I only had to go two days a week. If you get pregnant again, I can go to school one day a week. If you have another one, I won't have to go to school at all. Then you will have four kids." I informed her that although that was smart thinking on her part, but mommy will not have anymore children and she will go to school five days a week starting in August.

Justin wanted his turn in the snow

On Friday all the schools and most businesses were closed, but not the Town of Flower Mound. Justin drove all the way into town the the heavy snow. Once he got there, he realized that the power was out so he had to turn around and drive all the way back! :(

He and Abby Grace got to play all afternoon in the snow. Later we left for a movie and dinner. Abby Grace got Mommy her favorite candle for Valentine's Day and Daddy got Mommy the new Michael Buble CD and tickets to his show in Dallas for July! What a great celebration we had as a family.

Today Justin and Abby Grace are going on their special Valentine's Day date. They played her new WII game all morning and they are leaving for an afternoon movie. I love when they get to hang out together...they are starting a new tradition with a Daddy/Daughter Valentine's Date Day!