Baby Shower #3 - July 26, 2011

My work gave me a baby shower for Miss Abbygale.  It was on Tuesday, July 26, 2011 and turned out great!  We had cake, sodas, and just a good time.  I work with a great group of people who are all so thoughtful to think of us during this exciting time in our lives.  Abby is going to be here in a few short weeks and now I am even more prepared than I was.

Most people contributed to a gift card for Miss Abby (Janet Holland, Janice Walsh, David Tropea, Ray Faught, Julie Rogers, Wilson Ritchie, Nicole Bailey, Craig Sloan, Sean Taylor, Kevin Hutchinson, Diane Slusher, Janet Melvin, Pam Wooten, Sandra Valdez, Kathy Carrigier, Everlyn Walker, John Duran, and Barbara Zhang).  I can't wait to go shopping and get her some of the last things we need before her arrival.  Thank you all!  Abby also got:

Sarah Bombick - bows and socks
Debbie Pawlik - bathtub ducks, pacifiers, and a gift card
Sharon Adcock - onesie
Mary Etter - onesie, pants, and hat
Amber Culp - diapers, wipes, and cute outfits
Gina Duong - onesies, bib, and a blanket
Sarah Shaw - hand stitched quilt
Payroll (Tracy, Sheila, Denise, and Krag) - bouncie
Rupal Shah - adorable outfit with a coat
Jacque King - soft book and pig hot/cold pad
Dee Dee Peddy- precious country dress and shoes

Wow - Abby is already spoiled rotten!!  I LOVE it!!  I can't express to everyone how thankful we are. The shower was so much fun and I am so thankful for everything!!

July 26, 2011 - Week 34

We are 8 ½ months in the pregnancy with 6 weeks left.  Abby could be close to 5 pounds by now and 20 inches tall.  Her fingernails have probably reached the end of her fingers this week so she can officially start scratching herself!  She is continuing to grow and gain fat which will help her temperature stay in a normal range when she is outside of the womb!  
 

Bryan and I are getting very excited since we will be meeting Miss Abby very soon.  On Saturday, July 23, 2011 we took a tour of the labor and delivery unit at the hospital.  It was very informative and we learned the basics: where to park, where to check in, and kind of what to expect on the ‘big day.’  They also gave us helpful hints on what to pack (boppy pillow for nursing, baby book for footprints, etc).  Since everything is really uncertain and you really can’t plan for the delivery it made us planners feel a little bit better knowing a little more now than we did before Saturday.

We also started packing for the hospital a little.  Abbygale is packed and I am partly packed with nightgowns, clothes to wear home, etc.  We also packed Abby’s diaper bag – I hope I have what I need in it.  Her diaper bag is packed full of stuff – it is already busting at the seams!  I over pack everything!

Mom, Mawmaw, got to feel Abby kick for the first time on Friday, July 22, 2011.  She felt a little kick! 

I felt Abby have the hiccups for the first time on Sunday, July 24, 2011.  It felt pretty neat – my stomach would continuously bounce a little and I felt a quick flinch.  It lasted a few minutes and was a cool feeling.  Any of Abby’s movements are cool to me because I know she is moving around and doing good.

I am getting more and more tired again, like in the first trimester.  My feet swell by the end of the day and look like a big marshmallow in Bryan’s words.  My ankles are pretty much gone at this point too!  I also just don’t have the energy to dress myself up anymore and would rather just through my hair up, no makeup on, and some comfy clothes and go.  I know this is not a very good look but I’m comfy!!  I’m pregnant; I have an excuse at the moment.  What was my excuse before I was pregnant?

My stomach is just growing and growing.  I put tummy butter on it every evening and still have no stretch marks at this point.  I pray this continues but I hear stories of people getting them at the very end of their pregnancy.

Bryan has been very helpful since he knows I get exhausted by the end of each day.  He has been helping out with laundry, vacuuming, and doing some odds and ends for me.  He tries so hard which means so much to me even though sometimes I feel like I can still do this stuff.  He puts me on ‘bed rest’ from time to time when he thinks I have done too much.  He makes me rest for 30 minutes before I can continue on.  Abby- Daddy is so sweet to Mommy even though Mommy doesn’t seem to like it all the time!!

I plan on getting the remainder of the stuff I need for Abbygale by the end of July (the weekend of July 30^th and 31^st) so in August we can just try and relax and spend some time together before Abby comes.  We can also work on her baby book some in August and really just try to rest as much as possible!  I can't believe the countdown is really on!!

July 19, 2011 - Week 33

48 more days to go!!  Wowzers!!  Abby should weigh about 4.25 pounds and is about the size of a pineapple.  Each week from here on out (or for a good couple of weeks) she should put about a half pound on per week. 

Abbygale is still moving around!  She has such a small area to move in because I am so short that she is always squishing my insides (or so it feels like).  I have gotten to watch my belly wiggle when she is moving a bunch which is pretty cool!

We are organized for Miss Abbygale!  I spent one day this weekend organizing the house, including all of her stuff, and one day cleaning the house.  I am hoping we can keep it pretty clean and will just have to maintain it from here on out.  Fingers crossed because I am so big it is really hard for me to clean-clean anymore!  I got so exhausted this past weekend but the work had to be done!

I am feeling pretty good.  I am still tired and still have heartburn but the Zantac seems to help somewhat.  I’ve learned if I make myself completely exhausted I sleep better at night even though I have to wake up numerous times to use the rest room.  The dogs and Bryan don’t even wake up anymore when I get up throughout the night – they sleep straight through all my night adventures!  I have gained a bad pregnancy symptom though – it is the pregnancy snore and I am driving my husband nuts!  Part of the snoring is I am a little stopped up (I’ve must have gotten a minor summer cold).  I am ready for this to clear up so hopefully the snoring diminishes too!  Poor Bryan has threaten numerous times to move out of the master bedroom L

I had another check-up on Tuesday, July 19, with the Nurse Practitioner, Mariann Nielsen.  Abby’s heartbeat was about 160 and everything looked good and in the normal range.  I do now have swelling of the feet – they told me I know longer have ankles J They also said they thought Abby is head down already so she is slowly looking for her exit!!  I go back in two weeks and meet with Dr. Smith.

Here are Week 33 pictures! I can't believe only a few more weeks of pictures and then we can start taking pictures of Miss Abby!!

 

Preparing for Abby

Besides having the three perfect baby showers with family and friends, we have received many best wishes cards and gifts through the mail or other places besides at the baby showers, including:

1)      Granbette – tons of outfits (dresses, onesies, sleepers), a blanket that we monogrammed with “Abbygale,” and a lamb security blanket.

2)      Grandma and Grandpa Helford and Aunt Kristen – over the many months have given Abby so much including tons of Carter clothes, burp cloths, bibs, and the first year picture memory frame.  Plus Abby gets to borrow many of Colton’s baby things as well including bases, Baby Bijorne, and baby care timer.

3)      Rikki – Since finding out we were pregnant she has been sending presents down and in the mail constantly.  She has gotten Abby a little bit of everything as well as has let Abby borrow so much from Preston.  She also got Abby’s baby book, highchair cover, lots of clothes, lots of toys, and has sent all the necessities we will need with a new baby.  Thanks Sister!!

4)       Melinda – has let us borrow so much from Daxton that we are very thankful!!  Some items that come to mind even though there are so many is the swing, boppy pillow, and UT nightgown and socks.  Plus Melinda has let me use all of her maternity clothes as well!

5)      Mom and Dad – have given us so much since we found out we are pregnant that it is so hard to keep up with.  We wouldn’t be where we are today without them!  You’ll never know how thankful we are!!

6)      John and Jennifer Castle – crib sheets, bath toy bag, pacifiers, and the Baby Einstein caterpillar neck support.

7)      Marvin and Mary Helford – gift card

8)      Amanda Shavers – Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Decorated Bottle Starter Set                    
9)   Charles and Cheryl Adams - 3 cute outfits, 2 pairs of shoes, baby socks, a blanket, and two 
       animals (a bear and a sheep)

We are so grateful for all of our family and friends who have helped us get ready for the arrival of Miss Abby!  Words cannot express are gratitude and appreciation.  Thank you so very much!!

July 12, 2011 - Week 32

We hit the 8th month mark!!  Abbygale should weigh close to 4 pounds and could be up to 19 inches long (head to toe length).  Abby should gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next seven weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb.  Abby now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least peach fuzz).  Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth. 
  

On Monday, July 11, I was able to press my fingers around my belly button and feel Miss Abby’s heartbeat.  It was a really cool moment that I will remember forever.  She is still just a moving and kicking.  At night she loves to sit on my bladder and make me get up numerous times throughout the night (up to 5-7 times is normal)!!

Bryan was able to feel Abby move on Thursday, July 14, 2011.  I think it freaked him out just a bit – he thought it was weird feeling!  He hasn’t tried to feel her move again!!  J  I am so glad he finally was able to feel her.  She is moving around a bunch now and is either on my bladder or in my ribs!!  Bryan says she feels like a little alien inside of my stomach (he means that sweet though)!!

I’m feeling pretty good.  It really is the same stuff to report this week just like in prior weeks: I’m tired and I have heartburn.  The only new thing, which is not a good thing is, I have been waking up in the middle of the night gagging.  It’s really disgusting and hurts my throat usually for a few days (I guess the acid).

After our baby showers, my sister really helped me get everything washed and put away.  I would still be so overwhelmed if it wasn’t for her help.  Her and my mom also put together some of the items Abby got and did all kinds of baby odds and ends for me (make the crib, get the changing table all set up, get stuff in the attic to store until she is a little older, etc).  Now I am hoping to have enough energy this week in the evenings and this weekend to clean my house (inside and outside) and organize everything so it is just the way it needs to be when Miss Abbygale arrives.  I also need to start on thank-you cards and her baby book.  Let’s hope I have a very productive rest of the week and weekend!  I’m sure some of this will carry on into next week but hopefully I will get it all crossed off my list by mid next week.

I’m getting so excited for Abby’s arrival.  With all the celebrations it really is starting to sink in just how close we are to meeting Miss Abbygale Kate Helford!  I’ve got to hurry to finish up the last few things before she comes!

I started sterilizing bottles, nipples, and pacifiers.  Guess who wanted to help me sterilize the baby items?

George and Matty!!

 Side Note: These pacifiers aren't going to be used by Abby so stop freaking out!!!

Here are the week 32 or 8 month pictures!!!  I can't believe we are already in the 8th month!!

Head Shot (the sun must have been in my face because I'm not smiling in any of these photos)!!

 Tummy at 32 Weeks

 Belly at 8 months!

 Big Belly - 32 Weeks!

 I not only feel huge - I AM HUGE!!

 Do you think I'm big enough?!?

 32 Weeks (8 Months)

 Miss Abbygale

 Abby Kate!