Friday, September 26, 2014

Getting Ready for Baby Hadley: Big Shopping Trip

Tonight Tal and I completed our big Walmart shopping trip before Hadley is born. Over the last five months, we have saved $200 on a Walmart gift card to pay for last-minute baby-related items.

Tonight we bought newborn diapers, formula, pacifiers, etc. that we didn't receive from baby showers, family, or friends. We also stocked up on snacks, sandwich items, and ingredients for several meals for us to eat after Hadley is born. Even if we don't have time to make some freezer meals before Hadley arrives, at least our fridge and pantry will be full of food when we come home from the hospital.

Tal and I were very thankful for our baby fund to offset some of the necessary expenses to prepare for Hadley's arrival!

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Diaper Shower

This afternoon my school colleagues threw me a 
diaper shower to celebrate Hadley's upcoming birth!

The shower was extra special because Big Sister Savannah 
was able to come to the shower (since she attends Kindergarten at my school):

The shower was a black and yellow bee theme:



The chocolate cake was yummy!


We greatly appreciate all of the diapers and wipes, 
as well as baby shampoo, lotion, and body wash.
We also received some butt paste and gift cards that will come in handy: 
  
37 weeks pregnant! 
We can't wait to meet our baby girl in less than 3 weeks!

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

37 Weeks!

I'm 37 weeks and officially full-term! Tal and I got a great report when we went to the OB today. We're thankful that everything was healthy and normal with me and Hadley.

First, I had a growth ultrasound to check Hadley's weight in order to ensure that she isn't too big for a natural delivery due to my gestational diabetes. Thankfully, Hadley's weight was perfectly normal and not big at all for 37 weeks. She currently weighs 6 lbs. 15 oz, which is in the 58% percentile.

For the third time, the ultrasound tech confirmed that Hadley is still a girl, which is great news since we've announced Hadley's name and finished her nursery. :-) Hadley's heartbeat was healthy in the 140's. Her head was down and ready for delivery. Everything looked great with Hadley's body parts and organs, as well as with the placenta, umbilical cord, and amniotic fluid. Just like past ultrasounds, Hadley was camera shy today and kept most of her face hidden from the ultrasound tech. Hadley loved sleeping with her arm across her eyes and forehead.

After the ultrasound, I met with my OB. My blood pressure and weight were normal. I've gained 3 lbs. over the last 9 months. Also, for the first time in 3 months, my iron levels were normal, which was a relief. I got a flu shot and had the Group B Strep test done.

At this point, my OB doesn't want to induce me because Hadley's weight is average, and I've done a good job of controlling my gestational diabetes with my diet.

I'm 70% effaced and 1 cm dilated. My OB predicted that I won't make it to my October 15 due date, but we'll see what happens.

Tal and I are officially on baby watch for the next three weeks. My maternity leave sub plans are on my desk at school...just in case I have to leave school suddenly because my water breaks or I start having contractions or I go into labor during the night.

My next OB appointment is next Thursday, October 2!

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Grandma Barbara's Birthday!

Today our family celebrated Grandma Barbara's birthday at Hill Ridge Farms!

Today was Teacher Appreciation weekend at the pumpkin farm.
Since Grandma and I are both teachers, all 7 of us got free admission to Hill Ridge Farms!

Grandma Barbara, along with Benny, EJ, and Harper, 
drove 3 hours to visit a pumpkin farm near our house:

Grandma and Savannah

Savannah and Harper loved riding on the ponies:

Benny and Harper played in the corn bin:

Everyone loved sliding down the giant slide!

Benny and Harper

Savannah

Tal 

EJ and Harper


We took a hay ride to the pumpkin patch:

Savannah and Grandma Barbara
 

EJ and Harper

Benny, EJ, and Harper 

Savannah and Harper

At the pumpkin patch, we each picked out a free pumpkin to take home:

Savannah's Pumpkin

36.5 weeks pregnant!


Harper liked hugging the spider display:

Before we headed home, our family stopped in the general store, 
where Savannah had a grand ol' time wearing the pig nose below:

Today was a beautiful and warm day to celebrate Grandma Barbara's birthday
and to spend the day together doing some fall family-friendly activities. 
It meant a lot to Grandma Barbara to spend her birthday 
with her two sons and two granddaughters! 


Friday, September 19, 2014

School Lunch

Savannah earned 20 stickers for good behavior this week. 
As a reward, yesterday I brought Savannah Chick-fil-a for lunch at school, 
and we ate together in the cafeteria.We ate at a special table for guests, 
and Savannah chose two friends to eat with us. Savannah felt so special and excited! 

Monday, September 15, 2014

35 Weeks!

Hadley's due date is one month from today! I don't know if it's obvious in the photos below, but I feel like Hadley has dropped into position for delivery. My belly feels tight and heavy. Over the last week, I've felt more pain, pressure, and discomfort in my belly and pelvis as my body enters the last few weeks of pregnancy. Thankfully, Hadley remains very active in my belly...despite the limited space. 

Next Monday, September 22, I'll have an ultrasound to check Hadley's weight. Based on the results, my OB will schedule my induction at 39 or 40 weeks (October 8-15) to ensure that Hadley doesn't get too big for a natural birth due to my gestational diabetes.




  


Saturday, September 13, 2014

Pumpkin Farm

Today Savannah and I visited the local pumpkin farm:

It was Teacher Appreciation Weekend, so everything was free!

Savannah and I met up with my friend Emily and her family:
Xavier, Felix, David, and Emily

Savannah spent three hours jumping in the bouncy house, 
sliding down the giant slide, and swinging on the playground: 


Savannah stands in front of this sign every year, 
 so we can measure how much she's grown over the past year:


 I love this girl's smile, freckles, and dimple!

Savannah enjoyed going on a pony ride:




Before heading home, all of us took a hay ride...
Savannah and Xavier


Felix


Felix and David

 ...to the pumpkin patch...

...where we all picked out a pumpkin to take home:  



My baby belly is bigger than my pumpkin!

 Going to the pumpkin farm is one of our favorite ways to kick off fall!