We’re in labor!!! Tuesday, Jul 29 2008

 I suppose I should have suspected that something was up…. on Thursday I had some cramping and contractions.  Nothing major, but enough to scare James into flying home early.  Over the weekend I was definitely “nesting.”  Got lots of shopping done and bought most of the rest of the stuff we “needed.”  Monday was eventful – woke up to some strong contractions that were about 10 minutes apart.  We thought we were in labor but as the day went on they got further and further apart until they went away altogether by the afternoon.  By that point I was pretty tired and REALLY grumpy.  I thought I was ready to have this baby and not be pregnant anymore!!

So, today I went to work.  Got a lot of work done, had some good meetings and so on.  And then drove home.  I stopped at the ATM on the way home to deposit some checks and then I felt….a gush.  And another one.  And I was like – hmmmm, that’s something new.  Sure enough – my water broke.  I’m 36.5 weeks- just shy of “full term” at 37 weeks.

I quickly called James and our families and we rushed home and finished packing our bag.  James loaded up the car and we got in and…..the car wouldn’t start – yes, like a scene from the movie.  He opens up the hood and starts messing with the battery.  After a minute or two I’m like, “Honey – JUST MOVE OUR STUFF TO THE OTHER CAR.”  LOL – so we moved everything to my car and headed off to the hospital.

I got checked in and I’m still only 1/2 cm dilated.  So, we’ve been walking to try to get the contractions really going and make some more progress, but it looks like it will be a long night. 

So – our son will be a July baby!! Never expected that.  Here is my last pregnant picture!

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Stay put EJ!! Thursday, Jul 24 2008

Last Tuesday (July 15) I had a growth ultrasound to see how big EJ was getting bc of my gestational diabetes.  They estimated he was about 5 lbs 11 oz, which is right on track for where I am in my pregnancy, so that was very good news.  This past Monday (July 21) I had another ultrasound for this research study that I am taking part of and he was up to 6 lbs 6 oz!!  So – he’s growing fast.

Here is the latest picture of our son

 

EJ at 34 weeks

I won’t go into the gory details, but the past few days I have been having some signs that labor might be starting sooner than we expected.  Of course nothing is certain.  This would probably be very exciting for me if James wasn’t in New Jersey until next Friday!!  He can obviously hop on the first plane home if things really get started, but needless to say we thought we had a bit more time and I’ve been getting a bit freaked out at the possibility of delivering early. 

So, if you are reading this, please say, “EJ, STAY PUT!” I’d like to make it to at least 37 weeks (Aug 2) (38 would be even better – Aug 9).  So, please keep us in your thoughts and help me remind EJ that it would be best for him to bake just a bit longer!

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Baby shower – 7-12-08 Tuesday, Jul 22 2008

Last weekend I had my baby shower with my friends.  My best friend and sisters hosted a wonderful shower for me and I was so thrilled to have so many people who mean so much to me come to celebrate the impending birth of my son!  Two friends even flew in, which was very special.  I really enjoyed seeing everyone and spending some time with them before EJ joins us and we move to NJ!

Anyway, here are a few pics from the shower, if you have more, please send them to me!!

Lots more pics can be found here!

My girls and I

 

My sisters

With some of my best friends from high school

 

With Jayna

 

Melissa, Heidi, me and Amber

 

With my mommy!

 

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Guess EJ’s birthday!! Saturday, Jul 19 2008

I’m a dork, but I thought this would be fun – take a guess at when EJ will join us! Let’s see who is the closest. I may even come up with a prize Just click on the graphic below to put in your guess!

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I’m an aunt…. again! Saturday, Jul 19 2008

While we were househunting in NJ, my sister was induced and brought my BEAUTIFUL nephew into this world.  Meet Wilburn Andrew Jackson, born July 1, 2008, 7 lbs 3 oz, 21 inches.

Wilburn "Will" Andrew Jackson, my nephew

 

I finally got home and got to hold him when he was 6 days old – he is SUCH a cutie!

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The nursery is almost done! Saturday, Jul 19 2008

3 showers down, 1 to go (yeah, we are spoiled and we know it).  I spent some time working on our temporary nursery today.  We are living in my parents basement right now, we moved here to help our house sell (and it worked!) and will live here until October when we officially move up to our new house in NJ.  So here are some pics of our interim nursery.  As you can see, there is a frog theme   (What?? You are SHOCKED??)

Crib and rocking chair

 

Changing table

Close up of the crib (don't worry, I'll take the bumpers off and stuffed animals out!)

 

Shelves with lots of goodies and supplies

This is what I have done so far – will continue with the nesting over the next few weeks before EJ arrives.

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We have a place to live!!!! Saturday, Jul 19 2008

So I just got back from a fun week and a half “up North” seeing our new home, taking a mini “babymoon” and going to James’ cousin’s wedding on Long Island, NY. 

I flew up on Thursday and James picked me up from the Newark airport and drove me down my first trip on the Turnpike.  I have to say, its not exactly the BEST first impression of New Jersey…. smoke stacks and factories and smoke and smells…..we drive the same way Tony Soprano does in the opening sequence.  However, the industry quickly gives way to greenery and by the time we get off the turnpike I see that New Jersey lives up to its title as the Garden State.

We spent a night in E. Brunswick and the next day got on the road and headed to the Joisey Sho-ah – Wildwood Crest.  Interestingly, this is RIGHT NEXT to Cape May, which is the site of my boot camp for the Coast Guard.  I hear Cape May is nice, but it gives me the heebie jeebies and makes me feel like I should be doing pushups or something.  But – Wildwood Crest was actually quite nice – reminded us a lot of Destin in many ways.  The beach wasn’t quite as white, but it was VERY LONG (as in distance from hotels to ocean, at least 3 times longer than the beaches in Florida.)  Lots of people.  There was a fun boardwalk which we strolled down and watched all the teenagers getting into and out of trouble.  Spent the day by the pool (the beach just wasn’t working for me and my poor back and tiny bladder at this point) but got some good relaxation in.  Before we knew it, it was Sunday and time to drive back to our soon-to-be home.

The next 3 days were a whirlwind of househunting.  New houses, old houses, big houses, small houses.  All in all we probably saw around 30 houses.  We finally narrowed it down to our top 4 and put an offer on the first – a very large house that was slightly out of our price range with “desperate” sellers.  Well we decided to test how desperate they were by putting in a SUPER low offer – hoping they would go for it.  Unfortunately, they weren’t as desperate as we had heard, so we went to our 2nd choice house.  However, this house, while a little smaller (though still quite big for us!) was in much better shape and was very cute.  It just needed a master bath put into it.  Well – after intense negotiations, we all agreed and we are under contract!!

Our new home in Sayreville, New Jersey

If you want to see more pics of our new home, click here.

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