Newest Update

So its been a big week. It started off awesome when baby Claire Carter Wade came into the world. I know her Momma had been waiting (amazingly more patient than I would have been) for her arrival and I was so blessed to have been able to be there while we waited and when she arrived. She's just beautiful and perfect and Ev and Nick did so great. They're great examples for me and already wonderful parents and I am so lucky to be a part of this little angel's life. 

That brings me to the crazy reality that I am next. Of all the friends having babies (we were all about 4 weeks apart) Evelyn was right before me. So now Miss Eva has friends waiting on her, as is her Mom. The Lord timing is perfect and I know she'll be here soon. However, according to my appt this morning, she's most likely coming in the next 2-3 weeks. I am dilated 1 cm and the doctor could already feel the top of her head! She's in position. But with work being so crazy, and Jon traveling, here's where I really get to learn now to lean on the Lord to give us rest and calm our hearts. We have a pretty big two weeks ahead of us so I was instructed to being taking it easy, cut back to 8 hr work days (yes, I had to finally have a doctor tell me that) and get ready. Then when Jon gets home on the 26th we can let her come when its time. I am done guessing, I decided I am done trying to think I can control when she's coming and trust that she definitely is coming - one way or another. So now here I wait patiently, with bags packed, checking things off my list and daydreaming about this new chapter of our lives.

TracyLocke Rocks! - Sept 27, 2008

The wonderful group of people I work with were sweet enough to throw me and Eva a shower after work. Everyone was so thoughtful and really made it a special night for us. The girls were clear that there should be a "practical theme" since they knew how many wonderful clothes she'd already gotten. So the adorable swing, onesies, pacifiers, receiving blankets, bottles and such definitely fit the bill. She will be smarter with her new books, cute in her new socks, and most of all will be able to save for college with her new elephant bank none other than from Tiffanys. Every girl needs her own blue box, right. Thats as practical as its gets to me :-).

It goes without saying, this girl is set but more than anything, I was reminded how I work with some of the nicest people in the whole world. Being away for 12 weeks sounds wonderful but I will actually miss being there! Thanks Heather, Jess and Christy for all your hardwork to make it so cute and yummy! (and by yummy I am referring to the homemade cheesecakes!)

Exit Strategy

Well, well, well... we have a prompt baby on our hands. So I went in for my 36 week appt this morning not expecting a thing but hopeful that all was underway. I did the usual weight thing (always depressing) then blood pressure with a finger prick to check my iron for bonus today. Went back in the dr office waiting on one of very fav doctor's, Dr. Hix for what felt like an hour (probably only 10 mins). He is so wonderful and asked how everything was going, lets me listen to her heartbeat longer than any other doctor does which is always amazing and then explains he's going to check my progress "down there" but not to get my hopes up.

Sure enough, he said Eva has already dropped and is very low. Which then explains how I have already started opening. He said he'd say I was 1/2 cm which doesn't sound like much but this early was a good sign she is on her way out. Not tomorrow by any means but he said he felt confident she'll be an October baby! 

So my drive to work afterward was surreal. I just kept thinking that I am having a baby THIS month! I have friends who had, and unfortunately have, less progress than me nearing their due dates and her I am still supposed to have 4 more weeks! What a crazy process pregnancy is. I admit, I kind of panicked and started thinking of everything else I need to do before she arrives and decided to take a deep breath and realize she has everything she "needs" but still some things I'd like to have and do. So I updated my to do list tonight, had dinner with Renee and Miss Sallie which of course made me really ok with Eva coming soon. I'll enjoy this weekend with friends and family and what is my last Razorback football football game of the year and then have a wonderful time at my shower Sunday. 

I'll go back to the doctor next Friday for another update to see how she's coming along... stay tuned...

Work in Progress

OK well I think there has been enough progress now (thank goodness since we're 5 1/2 weeks out) on Eva's room that I thought I would post some more pictures. I still need to finish out the walls, hang the mirror and find a lamp for the table but all in all I am really happy with where it's come. I have been told by people who have seen it in person that the first pictures didn't do the bedding justice so hoping the lighting is better this time. If not, guess you'll have to come see it for yourself :-) Would love the company!

Dont think she needs any more clothes! But boy do they look cute all hung in the closet. Yes, Jon I organized them by size like you asked so you dont get confused.

Her pink rug is super soft but super pink! To think, I was worried it wasn't girly enough. That thought went out the door when it came in yesterday!

I am thinking I need something tall behind the chair. Ideas?

I love the metal bookcase I found. I pulled some stuff and now waiting on pictures for the frames and other sweet things for the shelves. 

(G, I do think its the same as Abby's once I got it in her room!)

 

Other views of the room so you can see the cool curtains and bedding.

View of Miss Eva at 31 weeks

Eva was being a little difficult at our ultrasound appointment last Friday, 9/5 so these shots arent the best but they're still pretty sweet. Its amazing how much you could see once they turned on the 4D capability. Better than seeing her (which was pretty awesome) is that after 12 weeks of progress her little kidney had gone down and is the perfect size. Everything else checked out and she is right on scehdule to the day! I love my prompt little girl. :-) Her head is already down so they said she'd most likely stay that way which was good news as well - and explains the wild kicks into my ribs up top! We now go for appts every 2 weeks, 2 more times (then weekly! agh!) so i'll have another update soon.

Eva's First Baby Shower, September 6, 2008

So last Saturday was my first baby shower for Eva in Little Rock. Jill, Gerritt and Lauren really out did themselves with the most beautiful details, wonderful choice of food (I love Trios!) and yummy cupcakes and cookies!! Of course in my emotional state I teared up the moment I saw everything but then was completely humbled by all the family & friends who came. It was so nice to see the people who mean the most to me all in one room celebrating the most wonderful event in Jon & I's lives. So by the end of the shower a few things were determined:

1. Eva will be VERY well dressed (I think she got a total of 33 adorable outfits)

2. I have the most thoughtful friends & family

3. Gerritt is all about artistic photography!

I cant wait to see Eva in all her cute clothes, wrapped up in her very own "Nini" and with us in only 8 weeks. Thank you all for making it such a special day!

The hostesses - Aunt Jill, Aunt Gerritt and Aunt Lauren

Sister and I before the shower began

The most yummy strawberry cupcakes with sweet little flags! 

There were even perfectly pink menus to add to the decor- these girls think of everything!

Prepared Childbirth Graduation

After 4 Thursday nights from 6-9, two coaches, 3 videos and lots of breathing, we have officially graduated from Prepared Childbirth Class. Our hospital- Willow Creek Women's Hospital- hosts these classes that really do go through everything to prepare you for this little one. The first 3 weeks focused on pregnancy and labor and then the 4th was more on once you bring the baby home. My coach, Allyn, was there through for the first 2 and loved it more than I did, I think. We are now pros at breathing techniques, which I actually hope I dont need thanks to the miracle of modern medicine. We watched the wonderful labor video which was interesting. Why do they always pick women who are super dramatic and have a million stretch marks to be our examples??

We've really enjoyed these classes and have had a good time. Rich and Renee Morris were in our class for 2 of them until Miss Sallie arrived (guess she passed automatically). An old friend Bryan Smith and his wife are due 10 days before us and were in our group. Plus, between Allyn and I we always had snacks and we pretty much always late. I have yet to be able to do the breathing exercises with a straight face and without cracking up. Then tonight Jon decided to make swaddling a race and brags he can swaddle faster than me. Seriously, does it matter?

All in all, I would highly recommend these classes. Especially for someone like me who wants to be prepared for anything and everything. I was pretty scared of the actual labor but am somewhat calmed now. Still anxious because there is no way to know how it'll go but I at least I have done all I can do and have people around me who heard the same thing. 

Now I have a separate infant CPR class and breastfeeding class to attend and i'll be ready to get the show on the road :-) Ha! If only thats all it took.