39th Week!!

I saw Dr. Hix today and he gave us some good news. I've dilated 2 centimeters!! Only 8 more to go!! He thinks that she will come on her due date, if not sooner. So, I guess this is going to happen pretty soon. Now, I'm REALLY nervous...this is becoming more of a reality as the hours go by!! My parents will be here next week. I hope that she doesn't come before they arrive. Not only do I really want them here for the big event, they will be on "doggy duty" while Galen and I are at the hospital. We packed our bag for the hospital last night. It's really embarrasing that we had to use a bigger bag than I wanted to...it looks like we're going to be moving in!! We have some more pictures to share with you. We wanted to have some pictures with Winston and me with my big belly and then after that we got out of control, as you will see...

It's hard to believe that the baby is probably the same size as Winston!!

Winston enjoyed trying out sister's bed for her...

and got very comfortable, but good things come to an end and he had to settle for curling up on the couch!!

Well, my ankles are swollen and my back is aching so I guess I bid you adieu for now. Just an ending note, Galen and I went tonight to see "Superman Returns" and we give it two thumbs up. I even cried, but of course I'm pretty emotional at this point anyway. We'll keep you posted as we anxiously await "D-Day" (delivery day)!!

Baby Nursery Ready!!

I wanted to let you see some pictures of our nursery that I believe is ready for the baby's arrival.

This is the crib along with Classic Pooh bedding, a Pooh mobile and a bear that simulates womb noises that's suppose to help the baby sleep. Of course, the first few months she won't enjoy the crib because she'll be sleeping in our bedroom in a bassinet. You can see her namesake above the crib. We are going with Caroline Grace.


Here is a picture of her bookcase with her Pooh lamp. You can see her diaper bag on the closet door (of course it's Pooh). Then, we have made her dresser into the changing table (this is Galen's old dresser). We also have her supplies easy at hand and have a hanging display for her first handprint and footprint (waiting for her).


We added some shelves to put her various trinkets on. She has her first Russian nesting dolls, a Precious Moments figurine along with a Pooh keepsake pillow waiting on all her birth information. We have included a picture frame with pictures of her entire family! She has her own TV (although, it's really for Galen and I during those late nights), but we'll just be playing her CD's on them right now. Beside the TV is her own Wake Forest cheerleader! The last picture is the crib along with her Pooh rug (Winston's favorite item in the room) along with my glider, which I'm sure will get a lot of use. I tried to get a picture of the window, but it didn't come out. She has a basket of her stuffed animals underneath the window. So, I think we're ready, I hope at least!

Again, we love the green walls and appreciate our friend Ron painting the room for us and putting up a new window blind. His thoughtfulness is always remembered everytime we enter the room! We're looking forward to using this room and making it a special retreat for our new daughter. We would also love for anyone who can come see the room in person along with our bundle of joy!!

Tomorrow will be the start of my final week. I go back to the doctor tomorrow, so I will add his report some time this weekend, so check back. Galen also wants to take some pictures of me and Winston, so I will try to do that and post them as well.

38th Week!!

We went to the doctor today for my 38th week update. I didn't gain any weight from last week. Dr. Gorman said her head has dropped even more and I was a little more effaced, but no dilation yet. He says for this being my first baby, I'm progressing very well and am still on schedule for my due date. We discussed our birth plan and he was very thorough. I'm so thankful that I am going to this office. All of the doctors are so great and take their time to answer all your questions. So, everything is going great...except for the added pain and discomfort! Galen and I are starting to get jolts of reality on a daily basis. It's hard to believe that after next week, my parents will be here and then the next week after that, the baby will be here (hopefully!!). I'm starting to get very anxious that I won't be prepared enough, no matter what!! We go back to the doctor on June 30th and I will see my regular OB doctor once again. We will add pictures of the nursery as soon as we can. I should also put some pictures of our bedroom on the blog. We have so many boxes for her high chair and swing and etc. that it looks like a Graco showroom!! Babies require too much stuff!!

Victory IS Sweet!!

CAROLINA HURRICANES WIN FIRST STANLEY CUP!!
I'm still on Cloud 9 (or higher) since the Carolina Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup on Monday night. My only regret is that I wasn't able to be there or to be present at the Championship Parade on Tuesday. This is great publicity for our home state, but it did get a little anoying when the announcers (Yankees and Canadians who don't know better!) kept saying "here in Carolina" and I kept adding "North" to the end of their statements. Then, we get no respect in the media either. I know they're all upset that a "hick" Southern state known for NASCAR beat an institution of a team like the Edmonton Oilers. Get over it and give us some credit!! I got so tired of hearing the NHL Finals as just afterthoughts on news shows when the NBA Finals got an entire hour or more of coverage. No respect!! Okay, let me come off my soapbox now. One tagline to the Hurricanes winning are two players I would like to highlight. Galen found an article on the Hurricanes website about the faith of two players, Glen Wesley and Cam Ward. Wesley is a seasoned veteran and Ward is the rookie goalie who won the Conn Smyth Trophy (MVP of the Finals). Both state in this article that they are Christians and how their faith has shaped their lives as well as their athletic talent. I enclose the link to the article if you'd like to read it for yourself (http://www.carolinahurricanes.com/custom/radA4BF3.asp). Now, on baby news...we are going back to the doctor today and I will add another blog soon about that visit. I will also put some pictures of our nursery which I think is ready. I would have done that today, but we had a little water problem last night and we had to have the water extracted from the carpet today and things are a little messed up right now. So, come back for more!

37th Week

Only 3 weeks to go!! The baby is considered full-term now and could come anytime with no problems. And of course, with the way I feel and the temperature outside rising, that would be fine with me! We went to the doctor last Wednesday. I gained 3 pounds, the most I've gained since the first trimester! Dr. Gorman said the baby's head is very low which means I hurt a lot and have to go to the bathroom quite frequently. He suggests walking to help get things started. He also thinks that since her head is so far down, I probably will have the baby close to my due date (July 7th). We will go back to see him on Thursday. I guess we'll see if the walking helps any. My parents will be coming here from North Carolina the week before the 7th and stay until the week after, so it would be great for her to be either early or on time so that they be able to spend some time with their newest granddaughter. We still have a few things left in the nursery to get ready and I'm in the process of getting my hospital bag packed. I will take pictures of the nursery when we're finished and post them as soon as possible. We'll let you know how our Thursday visit goes. Also, we wouldn't mind some comments from our family and friends out there, just to let us know how you like the blog and what you'd like to hear from us here in Arkansas. And on a personal note, I hope my time of mourning will pass tonight as we watch the Carolina Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup. I've been wearing black since Wednesday when they lost in overtime in Raleigh. I don't care now where they win the Cup, just that they win it!! GO 'CANES!!

More Winston Photos!!

I had to add some pictures of Winston for his fans across the country! Galen went to Idaho last week for a conference and went to Yellowstone National Park. He brought back a present for Winston that's true..."Bad to the Bone". I told Galen we need to get Winston a leather collar and a pair of sunglasses to finish the look.

We came into the bedroom this afternoon to find that Winston had discovered Mama's pregnancy pillow on the floor. He just made himself at home and enjoyed a little rest. He's too cute!! He just doesn't realize how his life is going to change in a few weeks. But, we are sure that he will be a great "big" brother!

Final Baby Shower!!

On Sunday, June 11th, we had our final baby shower at our church, Grace Cumberland Presbyterian Church. It was a beautiful shower and we were so blessed with lots of great gifts including much needed money and gift cards. Everyone at the church is so ready to see this new baby and so are we. I've included some pictures from the shower...

I am also including a picture for the end of my 8th month. I am standing by the crib in the nursery. We still have some things to do to make the nursery complete for our daughter's arrival. We have a little less than 4 weeks to go! The pressure to get everything ready is definitely on. With my ever-growing belly and the increasing uncomfortable conditions, I am more than ready to have her here (although that scares me a lot!). Well, more information will come after my doctor's appointment this Wednesday. And on a sports note, just finished watching my Hurricanes win tonight taking a 3-1 game lead. They can win the Stanley Cup in Raleigh on Wednesday!! GO 'CANES!!

End of 8th Month

Tomorrow will be the start of my ninth month, with four weeks left before my due date. I will have a picture on Sunday for the end of my eighth month. Galen is right now in Idaho and won't be back until late Friday, so we decided just to take a picture at our shower at the church, which will be on June 11. This will be our last (and sixth) shower. We're partied out!! I had a doctor's visit on Wednesday. Everything is going good. The baby's heartrate was 160 (good for a girl) and her head is down, way down. I haven't dilated yet, but my body is gearing up for the big day. I now will start going every week to the doctor's office until my due date. I have seen all the doctors in the office and am starting back with those I really like! The baby has started to kick me in my ribs, not a pleasant experience, but at least it's not all the time. She's still pretty active eventhough she's got to be running out of room in there! I didn't gain any weight over the two weeks since my last visit, so I'm still holding at 17 pounds total. I don't understand because I feel that I've doubled in size! Just as long as the baby's growing and everything is fine, I guess I shouldn't complain. It's getting harder to get around and get comfortable. I'm ready for her to get here. I started packing for my hospital bag. I still need a few items before I feel that we have everything we need before her arrival. We still need to finish some things in her room, but we're getting there. I washed up all her toys and stuffed animals today. Almost ready to bring her home. We're still wondering what Winston's going to do when she's actually here. He still likes to mess up her Pooh rug in her room. I guess I'm going to have to get his own rug!! Maybe he's just got a thing for Pooh!! On a non-baby note...Go Hurricanes!! I will be so excited when Carolina wins the Stanley Cup. They are up 2-0 and will play again in Edmonton on Saturday. It's okay if they lose one of their games in Edmonton, because I'd love to see them hoist the Cup in Raleigh!! But, if they win it in 4, I won't complain at all! Galen jokes that when I'm in labor, that will be my happy thought and my happy place will be the RBC Center holding the Cup at center ice. That will be a nice distraction!! Until Sunday...We love and miss all of you!