Labor & Delivery

I'm writing this post so that I will have it written down before I forget. You may or may not be interested in reading about my labor and Brantley Rae's delivery, but here it goes.

Wednesday night, Chase and I had gone to eat dinner with his parents. I had been having contractions on and off for a few days by then but they started to get stronger. We left his parents house and headed to Target and the mall to walk. Once we got to Target I had a feeling that my water had broken a little bit. I was slowly leaking fluid of some sort. After walking at the mall for about an hour and timing my contractions. They were 5 minutes apart and I decided it was time to call the doctor and ask him about the possibility of my water being broken. So the doctor finally called me back and told me that we needed to head to the hospital so that they could check me. We finished packing our bags and headed to Labor & Delivery at the hospital.

Once at the hospital they put the monitors on my belly and started to measure my contractions. They were still every 5 minutes apart and the nurse said that she thought I was in Early Labor. Yay! My water had not broken but I was maybe 2cm and since I was in Early Labor they let me stay the night and see how I had progressed in the morning. The nurse gave me a shot of morphine for pain and an Ambien to help me sleep and then I tried to rest for the night. Surprisingly, I didn't get much sleep but I was feeling pretty loopy. Ha!

Thursday morning at about 6:30 or 7:00am, the nurse checked me and I was almost 3cm. Yay! I had made progress so that meant I was really in labor and they weren't going to send me home. I was so relieved!!

At about 8:30am, my doctor came in a confirmed that I was 3cm dilated and told me that he would come back in an hour or so to break my water and really get things going.

Around 10:00, Dr. S came in and broke my water and they started me on Pitocin. My contractions started to pick up and get stronger quickly. Once I reached 4cm, I asked for my Epidural. By the time the anesthesiologist came in to give me the Epidural I was in more pain than I could have imagined. It was horrible!! Kudos to women who are about to have natural childbirth. I don't know how you could take it.

After my Epidural, I progressed from 4cm to 7cm in an hour. I had the most wonderful nurse EVER and she put me in her special "Fulmer Pretzel" position (Fulmer is her last name) and it helped my pelvis open, which helped my cervix dilate so quickly. I then dilated from 7cm to 10cm in 45 minutes. FAST!! I was SO glad I had the Epidural!! I actually slept a lot of my labor because my Epidural made me sleepy and I hadn't slept much that night. A little after 1:00, Dr. S came in and told me I was 10cm and it was time to start pushing so I had to make myself wake up. It was a very surreal moment. The time had actually come and I was gonna get to meet my baby girl very soon.

I started to push and couldn't feel ANYTHING because my Epidural had made me so very numb. So I had them turn it off so that it would start to ware off and I would be able to feel how to push. I ended up pushing for 30 minutes and then the nurse told me to stop pushing because I had figured out how to push and BR was really close to crowning. It was time to deliver BR and Dr. S was called back to the room. Once he got all geared up and ready I pushed for another 10-15 minutes and she was finally here. When she came out, Dr. S gave her a big "War Eagle, Brantley!!!" It was SO cool!!
I of course cried like a baby because I was so happy that she was finally out of me and I could hold her. They dried her off and put her straight on my chest for Skin-to-Skin time. She was very alert!! Her eyes were wide open and she was really calm. I loved every second of it!!!

Another nurse came in and weighed, cleaned Brantley up and gave her back to me. She was so beautiful!! Chase and I were SOOO happy to finally see her little face and have her here with us instead of inside me.
After an hour, I got to head up to our postpartum room and that is when our parents and Chase's grandparent finally got to come in and meet her. It was a great hour!!

Overall, the labor and delivery was a quick and easy experience for me. I will hopefully get to do it again in a few years. I love being a Mommy and Chase is loving being a Daddy.

Brantley Rae is waking up from her nap and ready to eat so that's all for now.

False Alarm

ARG! I'm so frustrated with my body right now, it's bringing me to tears. I know it's just hormonal/emotional overload but I want to have BR so bad it's killing me. Sunday night on our anniversary I started having consistent contraction but they weren't getting closer together or stronger so I tried not to get my hopes up. Monday I made some more progress and contractions continued. By Monday night I was having pretty bad cramps too so I thought that my contractions were intensifying and maybe things were kicking in. Yesterday I woke up and thought that I was see my "show" and I was having consistent contractions all morning and afternoon. I called my doctors nurse because I really thought something was starting. Well she talked me into going into my doctors office to let him check me and it turns out I wasn't having my "show" and I'm only 1cm. That is progress because on Friday he said my cervix was still closed, but that I wasn't in labor quite yet and I still may have a few more days of waiting. I know a few days doesn't sound like that much but to me it's forever. I'm not in any physical pain, I'm just VERY uncomfortable and VERY ready to meet our daughter. I just want to see her sweet face!!

If you could please pray for me as I have to force myself to wait on the Lord and BR's timing. I so wish there was an easy button but unfortunately there isn't and I have to be patient. ARG! I know crying and getting myself all upset over this isn't helping me go into labor so I'm constantly praying for strength as I wait. Thank you to everyone who is praying for us. We'll let everyone know when she's finally born.

Thanks again and I hope you're all having a good day!

Belly Post - 38 Weeks

Another week has passed and I'm still pregnant. Ahh! I'm so ready but Brantley Rae has another plan. ha! I got a good report at the doctor today so I'm pleased. He said that I am 80% effaced but that my cervix still hasn't changed from 1/2cm dilated. BR is head down and facing the right way now, thankfully!! He said that he thinks she will be a 7 1/2lb baby if I go full term. Sounds good to me! I'm just hoping that she doesn't get any bigger than that while she's still in my belly. ha!

So, we're doing well and just waiting it out. My patience is running so thin because I'm more than ready to have her at home with us but I guess I'll just have to tough it out and keep waiting as much as I don't want to wait. I know that God has a plan for her and only he knows when she is truly ready to be born, so I'll wait on his timing because I know it is best. Thanks to everyone who has been praying for us. We are so thankful for the love and support we've received from all of our friends and family during the pregnancy.

I'm not going to complain about how increasingly uncomfortable I'm becoming, but I guess I just did, haha! Anyways, Chase and I are just really really ready to meet our sweet little girl but we'll keep waiting for the right time, her time! I'll let you all know when she comes if it's before next weeks Belly Post, if not, then I'll post a 39 week post next Friday after my doctors appointment.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!

Belly Post - 37 Weeks

Holy Belly, Batman!!

Wow! Seriously, look at how big BR is getting!! She/we are now considered full term, meaning that she is fully developed and ready to be born whenever she decides she's ready to come into this world. I hope it's really soon because I'm SOOO tired of being pregnant!! haha!

Inside my belly this week...

Brantley Rae is now full term, which means that if she arrives anytime from now on her lungs should be fully mature and ready to adjust to life outside the womb. Yay! She weighs around 6 1/3 pounds and is around 19 inches long. She might even have a full head of hair now, that is if she has any hair at all. :0)

How am I feeling at this point...READY!!

I now have stretch marks on my belly and they itch like CRAZY!! I put lotion on them and it doesn't help very much. Boo!! My nesting instincts have been kicking in a little bit today. I've washed more dishes than usual, done lots of laundry, and wiped down all of our kitchen cabinets. Hmm? Maybe she'll be coming soon?!! I doubt it but that would be TOTALLY awesome if she came soon!!

I think I've started to feel some Braxton Hicks this week but nothing painful, thankfully. I guess when the real contractions kick in I'll definitely know it. I hope! I'm gonna be doing LOTS of walking from this point on to try and get her to move down and get this show on the road. Stay tuned for the next 3 weeks, since we'll be having a birth sometime in that time frame. YAY!!

Brantley Rae,

Hey, Baby girl!! How are you? Are you ready to come out yet? I hope you're getting ready because Mommy and Daddy are REALLY ready to meet you!

So...The glidder finally came in this week on Wednesday. It's all set up and it looks great! I've even been sitting in it and rocking you while I play on my computer. It's pretty comfortable and that's a good thing since we'll be spending lots of time in your room sitting in that glidder. Oh I have a request...I need you to turn around and face my back so that your exit from my belly will be much easier for both of us. Please and thank you!! ha!

I love you, baby girl!!

~Mommy~
This is the glidder!! Yay!

Thanks, Nana and PopPop!!!

Belly Post - 36 Weeks

Wow! Can you believe it, I'm in my 9th month of pregnancy?!!! Only 4 more weeks to go. Maybe less but hopefully not more. Ha!

Inside my belly this week...

Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. Most likely she's in a head-down position. But if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying she'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.

How am I feeling...

**Thankfully, Brantley Rae IS head down and has started to DROP into my pelvis so we should be in good shape unless she decides to turn over, heaven forbid. She is quickly running out of room in my belly and her head is pushing on my bladder constantly and her legs are kicking my ribs, which is extremely uncomfortable. Ouch!! Last night I actually slept pretty well and I only had to get up 3-4 times instead of 15 times. It was nice! My hips are really starting to hurt at night which also makes it harder and harder to stay comfortable at night. I just keep telling myself that I only have 4 more weeks (or less) and then she will be here and I'll partially have my body back to myself. :o) Anyways, I've reached my goal weight gain and I'm hoping I don't gain anymore. My doctor and I are happy with it so I'm satisfied! On Tuesday, I went to the doctor for my 36 week visit. BR's heart rate was about 137 bpm, I think, and Dr. S said that was great. I'm still measuring just right for how far along I am. They haven't told me how big they think she is yet, I'm guessing they'll do that in the next few visits. I was surprisingly 50% thinned out and 1/2 centimeter dilated. I really didn't think I would have made ANY progress but I guess my body is getting started. I haven't started having any Braxton Hicks contractions or not that I know of. Maybe I have but I just don't know it. Honestly, all I feel is a very active little girl growing inside my belly and pushing on my bladder and ribs. She and I are doing great!!**

Brantley Rae,

Today we were suppose to have a snow day. Schools were closed and everyone was preparing for white weather, but alas that didn't really happen. It DID snow at our house and around town but not much of it stuck and it was too warm today for it to stay. So it's pretty much all melted and everything is just wet now. The temperature is dropping, which means the roads are probably going to get icy during the night. I'm telling you all of this because you need to just stay put until it's a bit warmer outside and the roads aren't icy.

**FYI...I'm not showing signs of labor I'm just saying.**

So tonight Daddy and I are going over to Bebe and Granddaddy's house to watch the National Championship game. The University of Alabama is playing Texas this year in Pasadena which is really exciting for the SEC and for the Tide. Daddy and I don't normally pull for the Tide but tonight we will be because we want the SEC team to win. So for one night only I'll type RTR and pull for the Crimson Tide!! You're Granddaddy is a Bama fan so you'll probably hear him get excited tonight!

Anyways, we're still waiting on the glider to show up at our house. Nana ordered it last week and Babies 'R Us said it would be here between the 7th and the 13th, so hopefully it will show up by next Wednesday. I can't wait!!

Well, Daddy is ready to head on over to Bebe and Granddaddy's so I guess I've got to go. Keep growing and try not to hurt my bladder so much please!! Thank you!!

I love you!

Mommy

(Daddy loves you too!)

Belly Post - 35 Weeks

Wow! I totally can't believe I am 35 almost 36 weeks now. The time is starting to fly by and the excitment is starting to grow at our house. Little Brantley Rae will be here in 4-5 weeks!! Yay!!

Inside my belly this week...

This week Babycenter.com says BR is starting to run out of room and let me tell you, that's the truth! It also guesses that she is about 18 inches long and around 5 1/4 pounds. She won't be doing as many flips anymore. Now she's just jabbing me with her knees and elbows. Ouch!

Also, her kidneys are fully developed and her liver is starting t oprocess some waste. The website also says that most of her basic physical development is now complete- she just has to keep packing on the weight now.

Brantley Rae,

I wish I could explain to you how excited I'm getting about you being born. Not only I'm a ready to see your sweet little face but I can't wait for you to be out of my belly. I, by no means, want you to come before you are ready but I really can't wait for that life changing day to come! Mommy and Daddy are gearing up and getting ready more and more everyday so that we can be prepared for whenever you decide you're ready to come into this world. I'm going to start packing my bag this week, even though I don't think I'll need it for a few more weeks. It will make me feel better to know that it's started.

Nana ordered our glider today and it should be here in a week or so. I really can't wait for it to come in so I can sit in the nursery and rock with you and read you stories and stuff! It's going to be so relaxing! I'm hoping we have better luck with Babies R Us than we did with Wal-Mart. Hopefully this one will actually come. Fingers crossed!

This is what it will look like...

It will look great in your room! We are so thankful for this Christmas present because it will complete your nursery. Oh and guess what...Bebe made you the most adorable quilts this weekend and yesterday! I can't wait to show them off. One of them has a B on it and just totoally adorable and the other one is made of fabrics with pretty pastel pinks, greens, yellows and cream. You're Bebe is very talented and I can't wait for you to use them. Yay!!

Well, since you and I just had a snack and it's 4:45 in the morning, I guess I'll go get back in the bed and see if we can get some more rest. Please be still and sleep for me! Thank you sweet girl!

I love you more than you know, probably more than I even know,

Mommy (Daddy loves you so much too!!)

Christmas Day and Belly Post - 34 weeks

On Christmas day, Chase and I went out to my Aunt and Uncle's house for our family get-together. We had such a great time visiting with everyone. The house was filled to the max with adults and kiddos...it was WONDERFUL!!

I'm using this picture as my 34 week belly picture because it's the only one we took together on Thursday. Brantley Rae is really growing and starting to stick out big time. I can't wait for her to get here. I went to the doctor yesterday and she gave me a good report. BR's heart rate was 147bpm, which Dr. S said was perfect. I had an ultrasound to see what position she was in because Dr. S was having trouble figuring it out just by looking at my belly. Thankfully, BR is head down but she's facing the wrong way. Please pray with us that she stays head down but turns so that she's facing my back. (This will make her exit much easier on us both.)

I start my weekly visits this coming Tuesday since I will be almost 36 weeks. Ahh!! It's getting SO close, Chase and I can hardly stand it!!!

This is my most wonderful cousin, Andrea that lives in PA with her sweet little family. She and her husband, Jeremy have 2 boys, Judah(3) and Elijah(10 months). The boys are totally adorable and I can't wait for their little family to continue to grow even more one day!! This is their sweet Judah. It's he adorable!! He had hurt his elbow and wasn't feeling all that great but check out this sweet smile he gave Chase for this picture. So adorable!!
Brantley Rae got the activity mat, Bumbo seat/tray and AUBURN piggy bank for Christmas from her Granddaddy & Bebe. They also gave us diapers, which we are VERY thankful for as well. The cute little socks were given to her by my cousin, Leigh Ann and my Aunt Brenda. We love it all and are very thankful for every thing we received this year for Christmas.

Just to document (not that anyone else cares to know):
Chase got a new truck, yes we traded the Jeep so now he has a manly/Daddy vehicle. Yay!! It's a white Nissan Titan. Just call us the White Nissan family. hehe! He also got a new head shaver, Frogg Toggs, and lots of dress shirts he can wear to church. He really needed new shirts so we are very thankful for all of them. Oh and he got about 4-5 different flashlights. Haha! We'll be prepared if the power goes out now. :o)

I got a new laptop! It's awesome!! Now when Brantley Rae gets here and I start making videos of her with our new video camera I'll be able to upload and post them with my new computer since the last one wouldn't work. Yay!! I also got a pair of skinny jeans and Ugg boots, Microsoft Office to go with my laptop, nursing PJ's, maternity clothes, slippers and a few other things. Oh, my parents bought us our glider but it hasn't been delivered yet. Hopefully, it will come be here in the next week or so.


We had a wonderful Christmas this year and are very thankful for everything we were given. We are also thankful to God that he sent down his son to live and die for our sins. What an amazing gift that we were given so long ago. Thank you Lord for your everlasting love!


We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas as well.

Belly Post - 33 Weeks

Inside my belly this week...

This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. She's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and her skeleton is hardening. The bones in her skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for her to fit through the birth canal. These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as her brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

Belly Post - 32 Weeks

Brantley Rae,

Last week, Mommy's friend, Miss Brittany came in town to take pictures of Daddy, you and I. This is the only picture I have so far but they are all really cute. You are growing really fast now!! I feel you kicking and stretching out all the time. Daddy and I only have 8 more weeks to be babyless so we're trying to make the most of them before you come into our lives. We are very anxious for your arrival!!

Keep growing and stay in there for a few more weeks. We love you!!

-Mommy and Daddy

Nursery Update

This afternoon and tonight, Chase, my Dad and I worked on getting BR's room in order.

Chase finally hung her Butterfly canvas on the wall and I had put up her name a few days ago.

Tonight, my Dad brought over the book shelf he made for BR and hung it under the window. It looks so great and I'm so happy with it!!

See look how great it is. Eventually it will hold a lot more books and such but for now this is all we had to put in/on it.

I bought a set of ABC blocks last night. Today I painted them so that the colors would look good. Before they were only navy, red and green. They're much cuter now!! Don't cha think?!
This is her tall dresser.
We were given this Blessing Ring from a blogger friend of mine, Beth, for Brantley's cards that we have been given. I love it! Thank you Beth!!
I've stocked her changing table basket with all her necessities. I know it's early but I didn't want to leave it sitting empty.
I finished making this wreath for BR today and I think it turned out pretty cute. The wreath is from our wedding and I just spray painted it pink. I Mod Podged and painted ornaments and then tied them all to the wreath. It's going to hang on our front door once we come home from the hospital. What do you think?!
For now, I've hung it over BR's changing table/dresser because we haven't found any shelves to put there yet. Also, once we get our glider, hopefully for Christmas, it's going to replace the swing. The swing will move to the den where the Christmas tree is now.
Her crib is ready for her! Don't you just love that Boppy cover? I do!!

See the wreath will look great on our front door.

Anyways, I know today I was suppose to post my 32 week belly post but I didn't take any pictures today. Actually, tomorrow my friend Brittany with BG Photography, is coming into town to take my Maternity pictures. I'm very excited and I'll use them to post my 32 week Belly post once I get them back from her.

I hope you all have a wonderful Friday and I happy weekend. Chase and I are going to try and enjoy this weekend before Brantley Rae arrives. We only have 8 (or less) left.

Night Night!!

Belly Post - 31 Weeks

This picture was taken Tuesday night at our last Childbirth class. I wasn't quite 31 weeks yet but I wanted to share these pictures with everyone because I think they're GREAT!!

Look at those belly's!!

Chase got to wear the Empathy belly for a few minutes at the beginning of class the Tuesday night. It was pretty funny! He actually did "feel my pain" a little bit because it was so heavy in the front. Of course, he thought that having boobs for a few minutes was also pretty cool. haha! All the dads in the class liked the boob part. :o)

Proud Daddy-to-be!!

Anyways,on to my normal belly post format...

Inside my belly this week...

This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. She weighs about 3.3 pounds and is heading into a growth spurt. She can turn her head from side to side, and her arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath her skin. She's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

Brantley Rae,

Girl, you are becoming quite the mover and shaker these days!! You have really started to kick my ribs and push your feet, knees and/or hands out on my belly like crazy. You are getting SO strong!

Mommy has been experiencing some MAJOR back pain today so that's why I've been yelling a lot tonight. I keep getting stuck in places because I can't put my left foot down on the floor or move my leg for a few minutes. (Note: I'm suffering from extreme Sciatic nerve pain) Daddy has been very supportive and has been trying to help me when I get stuck. I'm hoping to go to the doctor on Monday. Hopefully she can give me some relief or refer me to someone who can.

We love you, Brantley Rae!!

-Mommy

Okay well I'm gonna go so I can spend some time with my wonderful husband.

Ta-Ta for now!!

Belly Post - 30 Weeks

Inside my belly this week...

Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

Brantley Rae,

We had a great Thanksgiving this year, despite the fact that I was really tired. We got to spend time with Daddy's family in Prattville and it was great to see them all. I can't wait for you to meet them. They are all pretty excited about you! Daddy and I went to his Aunt Christy's house and got you some new clothes that are totally adorable. I can't wait to see you in them.

Speaking of new clothes...yesterday was a rainy yucky day so I stayed in and made you an extremely adorable dress and a couple pairs of cute pants. I'm really enjoying making clothes for you. I just hope they all fit you in the appropriate season.

Anyways, we go to the doctor again today so hopefully we'll get a good report from Dr. S. Also tonight is Mommy and Daddy's last childbirth class. We have really learned a lot in this class! We're going to be totally ready for your arrival after tonight, maybe, I think we're ready!?!

We love you and can't wait to meet you!!

Keep growing in there!!

I love you baby girl,

Mommy

Update...

I got a good report at my doctors appointment this afternoon. BR's heart rate was 150bpm and she is measuring 31cm, which is prefect because I'm 2 days away from being 31 weeks. Yay! Dr. S said that she thinks I'm doing great and that BR is doing great as well. It's been such a relief to hear her say that every time I've gone to the doctor. I've been very blessed to have such a good pregnancy. I know I've complained about the sleeping or lack there of for that matter, but overall, my pregnancy has been a breeze compared to horror stories I've heard. Thank you, Lord, for that!!

Well, I'm going to head to bed to get some much needed rest.

Nighty, Night!!

Belly Post - 29 Weeks

Inside my belly this week...

Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. Her muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and her head is growing bigger to make room for her developing brain. To meet her increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because her bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

Brantley Rae,

This week has flown by and you have really been moving and rolling around in my belly. I've been having trouble sleeping but it's not all your fault. I can tell that you must be growing quickly because everyday it gets harder for me to breathe. I have to stand up and take deep breaths to try to get you to move around a little bit. I know this is going to get worse as you continue to get bigger, but that's okay, I want you to be healthy.

On a lighter note, we had our 3rd baby shower on Sunday and got lots of really great things. You got so many cute outfits. I'm going to share more about the shower in my next post.

Daddy and I have already decorated for Christmas! We love this time of year and I was anxious to get our tree up so Daddy got it out of storage Sunday night. Yay! I'll post pictures of that soon as well.

Tonight, Daddy and I have our second Childbirth class. We're learning what to expect during your delivery so that we can get you here as safely and quickly as possible. We love you very much and can't wait to meet you in February.

Love you,

Mommy

4D Ultrasound

Belly Post - 28 Weeks

This week marks the start of my third trimester. Only 84 more days!!

Inside my belly this week...
By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

Brantley Rae,

Wow! You are growing so much these days. I know I say that every week but seriously, I actually feel much bigger this week. You're really getting stronger! You kick pretty hard now! Daddy got to feel your little hand or foot pushing on my tummy yesterday and the day before. You are turning into a little gymnast already!!
We've been given so many great things for you at our showers. Mommy can't wait to see you in all the adorable little outfits and take you for a ride in your car seat and stroller. The stroller was delivered today! Yay! We have all the really big things except the rocking chair/glider and I hope to buy that soon if we don't get it at our last shower. I'm really wanting to sit in your nursery in the glider and rock and read you books. I think it would be a good bonding time for us. I love you little girl!!
I bought you an adorable AUBURN outfit today at Target. It was on sale so I just couldn't resist!! You have lots of really cute clothes. I'm hoping to make you some more dresses in the next few weeks, so hopefully I'll get around to that.
You only have 3 months or less really to be in my belly and I can hardly stand it. Daddy says that I'm impatient but really I'm just so overly excited about meeting you that it seems like I'm being impatient. I think?! I by no means what you to come before you're ready so just stay in there and keep growing. You've got to put on lots of weight which sadly means, so does Mommy. Oh well, I'll deal with it and put on the weight just for you.
Well baby girl, I guess that's all I have to say for right now. Daddy and I love you so much already and are praying for you everyday. We are so thankful for you and you're such a blessing to our family.
I love you!
-Mommy

Belly Post - 27 Weeks

Inside my belly this week...
This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

Belly Post - 26 Weeks

Inside my belly this week...

The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. She may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. She's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of her lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when she's born and takes that first gulp of air. And she's continuing to put on baby fat. She now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel.

- From Babycenter.com

Brantley Rae,

Today is Halloween! Last night, I talked Daddy into painting this pumpkin on my shirt and it turned out pretty good! Daddy can be so artsy when he wants to be. hehe! We won't be dressing up and going to any Halloween parties because we don't want to and I don't want to get sick.

Tomorrow is our first Baby Shower. I'm so excited! Bebe and her mom, Miss Bobbie, are hosting the shower for all our family in the Montgomery/Prattville area. I can't wait to see all the wonderful gifts that we'll get tomorrow. It's going to be great!!

I'm so amazed at how big you're getting so quickly! Over a pound and longer than a foot. Crazy and Awesome!! We only have about 14 more weeks to go and then you will get to come out and meet Mommy and Daddy for real and all the other people that love you so much. We are all very anxious to meet you, little girl!

We love you very much, sweet girl!!

Love,

Mommy (and Daddy)

Belly Post - 25 Weeks

Inside my belly this week...
Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

Brantley Rae,

This weekend has been really great at our house. Yesterday, I made you a totally cute pink dress that you are going to look really cute in! You won't get to wear it until this time next year but I'm going to make you some smaller ones soon.
Tonight, Daddy and I went over to Nona and PopPop's house and picked up the dressers for your bedroom. Yay!! Now Mommy gets to start decorating and putting things in their place. We still have to attach the doors and all the hardware but at least they are here and in your room. I'm so happy!!
You've been going through spurts of being awake and asleep daily now. You're really starting to get bigger and stronger. Last night was also the first night that you kept me awake with all you kicking and such. I wasn't very happy about it at the time because Mommy was so tired but it also makes me happy because I know you're growing.
This week I'm going to work in your nursery, putting a things in place and making it look better, instead of so cluttered. I'm also hoping to make you another dress or two. Mommy is really excited about sewing dresses for you! Maybe one day I'll try something a little harder but for now I'm sticking with the easy pattern.
Well sweet girl, your Daddy and I love you very much and pray for you everyday, that you are growing into a healthy and happy baby girl. Only about 15 more weeks in my tummy and then we will get to meet you. We can't wait!!!
We love you, Brantley Rae!
-Mommy

Belly Post - 24 Weeks

Inside my belly this week...
Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts her at just over a pound. Since she's almost a foot long, she cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but her body is filling out proportionally and she'll soon start to plump up. Her brain is also growing quickly now, and her taste buds are continuing to develop. Her lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help her air sacs inflate once she hits the outside world. Her skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.
-From Babycenter.com

Brantley Rae,

This has been Mommy's first week as a SAH wife and mom. What did you think? I enjoyed it quite a lot and you seemed just fine with it. On Tuesday, you were very active pretty much all day. It was a wonderful feeling for me!
I pray everyday that you're growing into a healthy little girl and that God is protecting you from any harmful things that Mommy may come in contact with. I helped PopPop paint your furniture this week and it looks great! We kept fans on in the basement so hopefully you didn't notice the paint. Mommy loves you very much and wants you to be safe always!
Daddy's, Aunt Della finished your bumpers for your crib and I put them in there yesterday afternoon. They're SO adorable! I hope you end up liking them as much as Daddy and I do. We picked out the fabric a long time ago and I'm happy to see it in your room finally. Thanks, Aunt Della!
Mommy has a big birthday coming up this weekend...I'm going to be 25! Yikes! Daddy and I are getting to do something special but I'll fill everyone else in on that later. We're going to have a great time!
Anyways, it's pretty early and I'm getting sleepy again. I think I'll go crawl back in bed and try to catch some more Z's. Please don't kick me and keep me awake any longer. Please rest so I can!
We love you, little girl!!
~Mommy and Daddy

Nursery Update - Oct. 11th

I made this Butterfly picture out of colored buttons last night. I'm not sure where we're going to hang it in the room yet, but I think it turned out pretty cute!!
I got my inspiration from Pottery Barn. I actually like mine much more and it didn't cost me $100. :0)

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I made this Butterfly picture out of colored buttons last night. I'm not sure where we're going to hang it in the room yet, but I think it turned out pretty cute!!

These are the adorable valances that Chase's, Aunt Della, made for Brantley Rae's nursery. They turned out SOOO cute!!!!
Thank you Della!!

They are so cute!!
This is what the bumper pads look like. Some adjustments are being made on the side bumpers so for now I only have the ends. They are so CUTE! I love them!!

Hopefully, Chase is going to get to pick up the side bumpers from Aunt Della later this week. I can't wait to get it all put together and the furniture in the room. It's going to be great!!!