The final stretch!

I've made it to 34 weeks this first week of July.  Because of my age, my Dr.'s are requiring two Non-Stress-Tests (NST) and one Obstetrical visit each week until I deliver

I have the NST's done at my Perinatologists office on Tuesday and Fridays.  They hook two monitors up to my belly: one is to hear and record the baby's heart rate and the other one is to capture any contractions.  When the baby moves, I click a button.  They're looking for they baby's heart beat to increase with fetal activity.  This lets them know that he still has room to move around and isn't "stressed."

The OB visit each week is continued checking on me.  They will continue to monitor my weight, blood pressure, urine culture.  At some point, they will check my cervix to see if it's thinning (effacing) and/or dilating in preparation for birth!

Baby Showers

We were blessed with FOUR baby showers!  The first was given by my Mom and Sister up in NY.  I was overwhelmed with the first gifts to our baby boy and grateful for all the friends who came to see and support me.

The second one was given by my friend and neighbor Marti Yarber.  Several of our neighbors came bearing gifts for their newest neighbor.  Also in attendance was my Mother-in-law who drove in from Florida, my Sister-in-law flew in from Chicago and Chaz's Aunt Sue and Cousin Susie flew in from Maryland.  We had a great time and again, blessed with so many wonderful gifts for our baby.

The third shower was given to me from my wonderful co-workers.  We met at the Olive Garden near our work; about 12 people from my work place came.  It was so nice to sit and visit with my co-workers while enjoying a great meal, opening presents for the baby and enjoying a delicious Publix cake for dessert!  Baby I. was given books, clothes, a bumbo seat, bibs, etc.  All the the nurses in the OR went in together and gave Chaz and I a baby monitor.  I have the nicest co-workers :-) 

Our fourth shower was given to us by my family on Saturday, June 25th during our annual Dotson Reunion in Tennessee.  My cousin's Christine and Rhonda were the hosts of this very special event.  The majority of my Aunts, Uncles, Cousin's, my Mom, Dad, little sister and nephew were there.  Ginny, one of my cousins, presented a very sentimental gift to us:  It was the lighting of a candle with blessings to Chaz and I for the upcoming birth of our son.  My Aunt Margaret painted dragonfly's on votive candles and each family member took one, lighted it and said a blessing to us.  I couldn't find enough Kleenex!  Everyone's words to us were so special.  When I go into labor, we will send an e-mail to my family and they will again light their candles and say a prayer for us.  I know this will get me through labor!  I have the most loving family in the world!  Thank you all for being there, for the wonderful gifts and the powerful words.  I love you all!

Mom's crocheting a baby blanket.  It has teddy bears on it!

 Dragonfly Decorations and treat bags for the kids.

There were Dragonfly decorations everywhere!  I'm actually making a crib mobile with this one.

One of the food stations.  This one had fruit and the best tasting cheese quiche I've ever had!  I had three pieces - and two more for breakfast the next morning :-)

This cake was delicious and had Dragonfly's all over it.  So cute.

Christine and Rhonda made "Thank You" baskets for each guest that contained homemade dragonfly cookies by Christine (YUM), candy, kleenex (we needed it) and bath salts.

Another food station.  This one was a hash brown bar.  We took a martini glass, filled it  with hash brown potatoes and then added toppings like cheese, sour cream, tomatoes, onions, salsa.  Steve was out on the deck making belgian waffles to order - Yum!!

The gift table.  Some of the most awesome gifts yet - many of my family members gave us DIAPERS!!!!  Chaz was very happy :-)  Notice the adorable dragonfly balloon.

This is the view from Rhonda and Steve's Deck.  It's breathtaking!

Me and my Cousin Christine! 

We've made it safely to 32 weeks!

Chaz and I visited Dr. Nathan this morning for a "wellness" ultrasound.  The baby looks great and his weight is 4 lbs. 4 oz.  Dr. Nathan says he's normal size and still on target for an August arrival.  I will start seeing my Dr.'s twice a week starting July 3rd for fetal heart monitoring (non-stress testing) due to my age :-)  Here is a cute picture of his little hand.  You should see his thumb and fingers, palm facing us.

Daddy and Mommy hear the heartbeat!

The Nursery

I painted the nursery and bathroom last week! We're not a fan of pastel colors or anything that looks too "babyish."  We wanted to create a room that our little boy can grow into.  We chose a neutral color for the walls and the fabric has a mix of colors (gold, green, brick red, chocolate brown).  My cousin Christine and I went to a fabric warehouse last month and found some great patterns of fabric that really work together.  Chaz's co-worker is making the baby's curtains from the stripes, crib skirt in the polka dot and the dragonfly/plaid combo will be used in his bathroom as a shower curtain valence.  I'll use the remaining fabric to make other odds and ends.

There isn't a real "theme" but I'm using dragonflys as decorations.  I just love them and they're a sign of good luck, prosperity, strength, peace, harmony and purity and CHANGE (and boy are we going to have a change around here!).  They are a reminder to live life in the moment and to the fullest.

We're using my old dresser as a changing table/dresser combination since it has so many drawers in it for storage.  We found the crib to match and just love it!  We've ordered a beautiful glider and it should be in at the end of May.  The closet is pretty spacious, so I'm organizing that with baskets, shelves and cubicles that will hold all the the things that won't fit in the dresser.  The nursery is a work in progress!

6/20//2011:  Today, Chaz's friend Marguerite gave us the best gift yet... She MADE us our curtains, shower valence, bedskirt, pillows for the recliner and basket liner... THEY ARE BEAUTILFUL!  See for yourself :-) Now the final decorating can begin.  My cousin Christine is an awesome decorator and has helped me with the nursery to date.  Now that the curtains and other staples are up, the final touches will finish the job!

The changing table.  Red squares to the right will have his name on them once we decide on one and reveal it!

Isn't that a lovely mobile?  I made it myself :-) 

21 weeks...Belly Pictures!

Several people have asked for "belly pictures."  I came down the stairs ready for bed last night and Chaz just had to take some pictures of the big belly :-)

It's a BOY!!!!

Chaz and I had an appointment this morning at Atlanta Perinatal consultants.  Dr. Nelson said everything looks great and there was no mistaking it.... It's a Boy and we're thrilled!!!