It's Been Awhile and Much Has Happened

So, what do you guys want to hear about? Do you want the "birth story"? or mainly just pictures? or do you want me to brag about how awesome Abigail is...?

hmmm. think about it and let me know in the comments!

Ugly Comparison

So, I was at recess today and was convinced to play four-square with the kids.  I dominate at four-square. Dominate.  It is a speciality.  Of course, within a few minutes, I was at the king position and I held up the basketball.  I turned and showed my profile to my students and held the basketball to the left of my belly at my waist. I asked the kids if they could see the basketball.  They couldn't.

Please, baby, I'm glad you are fully cooked and in there practicing your baby things. But, Mama isn't too excited about being bigger than a basketball at this point. Just letting you know.

The Baby Daddy

I am clearly at the point where it is very obvious that I am "with child."  Anyone walking by me at the store or in the parking lot (I would say on the street, but I actually don't walk by people on streets too often, it turns out) probably think to themselves, "That girl is pregnant."  That's it, "that girl is pregnant."  I'm guilty of this too-- the not-much-attention paid to the baby itself or the family behind that baby, that girl.

Here's what I would like for people to see when they see this particular pregnant belly:

The incredible father of this child.  The father who says goodbye to the baby every morning and goodnight to the baby every night.  The father who eagerly puts together all the baby's furniture.  The father who gets choked up at the thought of the enormous love that is coming.

The husband of this girl.  The husband who believes me beautiful despite all the reasons to not think so right now.  The husband who is proud of this girl and without a doubt trusts this girl to be the mother of his child. The husband who is patient. The husband who works hard without complaints.

Ultimately, this baby and this girl are propelled forward by the love of a sweet man, what a wonderful behind-the-scenes thing to have on our side.

Our Little Girl!

We had an ultrasound this afternoon to check the position of the baby, and to make sure her growth is on track. The last time we saw her was at 18 weeks and you could see her entire little body at once. We are now at 35 weeks, and she is quite a bit bigger! They estimated her weight at around 5 pounds 6 ounces. She is breathing, sucking on her fingers, tapping her fingers across her face, and her little heart is beating strong. So wonderful and relieving to see her doing so well!

Below are several images that we got from the ultrasound- these are pictures of pictures, but I think you can get the idea of how she looks right about now! One month until we get to hold the little sucker!

Here she is sucking her finger- which she pretty much did during the entire ultrasound.

Look at that nose!

Lips

Hands

Girl!

Just like Mama and Dad!

9 weeks (give or take) to go....

Well, I (think) have had just about the easiest pregnancy that one could imagine.  Monday morning came as a bit surprise, then, when around 8:45, I had the school nurse take my blood pressure and it was high.  I called Patrick, who was able to get in touch with my doctor- she advised me to come to the L&D floor to have some tests run and to have Abigail monitored. 

What?! You want me to go where?!  

I pretty much looked like this, but pregnanter. 

After checking in at the nurses station, they sent Patrick and me to a room. A delivery room. Gulp.  I was  given an impossible crazy gown to put on (took three of us to get it on correctly- certainly doesn't bode well for our ability to dress a child, does it?) and they strapped up monitors to my belly and a blood pressure cuff to my arm.  And that was the excitement for the next hour and half or so. 

Oh, and while we were waiting for the labs to come back, Patrick and I heard a lady loudly go into labor, push, and a release a baby.  That was a little too much reality for me.  

Patrick was with me the whole time, everything came back normal, and Abigail enjoyed showing off her strong heartbeat for over an hour.  

Before leaving the hospital, our nurse gave us a tour of the floor, which is newly renovated.  It is family centered- so there is no nursery and the rooms are large so that the parents and baby can spend time together while in the hospital.   This type of set-up encourages skin-to-skin contact to help regulate the temperature of the baby (our body temperature will rise to compensate for the baby's)- a concept that I think is amazing. 

Next week, baby shower in Atlanta- can't wait!!

Abigail Update!

Well, I had started a different blog to devote solely to this baby-on-the-way.  But, something about it didn't seem right- when, after all, I already had this blog titled "This Happy Happy Life."  So, we are back over  here and here we will stay! 

I am now 29 weeks along, and can't believe this little chimp is going to be here in a few short months.  I find myself looking forward to so much- springtime, flip-flops, longer days, blooms, and Abigail. The image below sums up my feelings pretty accurately:  

 I know these warms thoughts will help get me through February, my least favorite season. 

Patrick and I have had fun putting together Abigail's room. All of her furniture has arrived and is assembled.  It is great to walk by her room and see its existence- helps us to understand that this is really happening!  Below are a few pictures of what is completed so far! 

Crib and three signs that say : laugh, wish, fly

In the corner is an awesome playmat from Bubbe!

The bookcase has a few books for Abigail, and one that is titled "HELP!" for me

Dresser/Changer  Thank you, Nana for the diaper pen- let's hope it is too big to actually use on Abigail....

Already has her robe on a hook-a sweet gift from Sam :)

                                   

 

I'm getting bigger, but know that even bigger is on its way!  Abigail moves quite a bit and seems to love to dance....I'm pretty sure she is already an expert at the Macarena (and if she is like her mama, she is always at least half a beat off). 

I wear the workout pants to make myself feel more accomplished. 

Life

My husband is a 2nd-year resident in Oral Surgery. I am always very proud of him, but sometimes the day-to-day of "not knowing when he is going to be home" can cloud the pride.

Recently, we went to dinner to see the wife of one of his patient's sing. Because of the types of surgeries he does, I normally do not have the opportunity to meet anyone he has helped, so I was excited to meet this couple.

After performing, the patient's wife came straight over to our table. She gave my husband such a loving hug (her husband, the patient, had been standing by husband with his hand on his shoulder).

Then she turned to me, looked me right in the eyes and said, "Your husband saved my husband's life."

Such selfishness I felt for being irritated when he is running late. I will hold onto this statement, close, to keep the cloud away.