Pregnancy Misc- Belly Pics, Delivery Plans, and Swollen Feet!

I have been meaning to share this picture montage as well of my enormous belly as the pregnancy has progressed.  I will take another hopeful "final" picture next weekend, but this is it for the growth chart.

Also important to note is that I have again changed my mind on allowing the doctor to perform a scheduled c-section.  I really think he tried to scare me into one and I don't agree.  I am listening to my intuition on this and feel much better with the decision to try for vaginal.  It may end up that labor does not progress as we hope, but we are going to try.  The size estimates are almost always inaccurate as well and it is likely that Cameron is not as big as expected.  I am going to trust my body and hope and pray that all goes smoothly.  Between now and when we hope to be induced I will keep up with the walking, drinking water, and more.  ;)  Tomorrow is my appointment with my doctor and I am a little nervous that he will not be as understanding, but I hope he will.  I told Frank we have to stand firm... no folding like a cheap tent this time.  We love Cameron and can't wait to meet him and want to keep him safe.  I think the best way to bring him in to the world is to try for vaginal...  I really hope we can be successful, but if not I will know we tried.  And that means a lot to me as well.

Other pregnancy fun I wanted to share are some pics of my feet last Thursday... man they were in bad shape!  I feel this weekend I did a great job with managing the swelling so I will try to keep it under control this week at work! 

The Calm Before The...

We had a really great weekend mostly doing relaxing things, or things that make me super happy... like shopping!  :)

It occured to me that this will likely be the next to last weekend for us before Cameron arrives... and next weekend might be a tad busier so we enjoyed it being just the three of us.  Saturday we went to the mall so Frank could get a fancy schmancy new iPad.  Of course, it is not just Frank's... it is community property! Ha ha... I think I will steal it away from him pretty often. :)  While there I did some shopping for some NON MATERNITY clothes too!  I may not look too fantastic in those clothes right away, but I know I will get there.  Until then I can enjoy looking at them hanging in my closet.  And I'm not going to lie... we were only at the mall for 2 hours and I was exhausted and ready to get home... you know I am tired when that is the case. 

After Emerson's nap we went to the pond in our neighborhood so she could have a snack and watch the ducks.  She loves doing that and we enjoyed it. 

Sunday we went to have breakfast at the country club because I was thinking it would be a while before we did that again as a family too, or possibly so, and ran into some friends.  And then we took Emerson to some swing sets.  And tonight we went on a fairly long walk around the neighborhood... I am going to keep trying to do that!

All in all it was a great weekend... I am glad to have the special time with Emerson too. :)

Surprise!

Today at work my coworkers surprised me with lunch at Spring Creek BBQ and when we returned to the office they surprised me again with cupcakes and goodies for Cameron!  It is so sweet of them to do this!  I have not felt as good this week due to allergies that have developed into a cold it seems and just can't get rid of it yet.  This morning I was a bit cranky when I got to work, which was later than normal because I was just dragging.  Things turned for the better though because not long after I got in I got some good news that I didn't have to be on the conference call that was scheduled from 12-2.  Yay!  I could go to lunch with Amy. I did think that my coworkers acted a little different when they told me, but I really didn't think too much of it.  I was seriously just happy to not have to be on that long conference call!  So when it was time for lunch Amy and I left and I guessed that we were going to Spring Creek because she said she had talked to Walt and asked him for suggestions of where she and I could go to lunch.  I figured that was his suggestion because I have tried to arrange lunch there a few times unsuccessfully.  But still, I thought she was just trying to have fun with where we were going since she asked me a few times before to suggest a place and I hadn't.  After Amy and I arrived we walked in around the food and to the back and ...Surprise!... all of my coworkers except poor Mark were there.  (Mark stayed behind for the conference call- thank you to Mark! ) I really was surprised because I was not expecting anyone to be there.  I really enjoyed lunch... I got the sausage plate like I always do because it is GOOD STUFF.  And I of course got some extra rolls...  man those are good.  :)  It was a great!  When we finished lunch I thought it was really nice and was thinking "ok, let's see what all I can get done this afternoon" because I really do need to get some more things finished and I was feeling pretty jolly.  That is what was on my mind as I am walking in.  I am always having to use the restroom so I did that and when I walk back in to my desk I see everyone is gathered around our celebration area by my desk.  These people had cupcakes of every flavor imaginable and some gifts for Cameron!  I ate a chocolate chunk cupcake, which was delicious.  And then I opened the gifts to find all kinds of fun stuff from my registry and some other goodies.   I was so surprised and really appreciate everyone celebrating our little guy!  I work with some really great people!  Here are a couple of pictures, plus a picture of the calendar where everyone is guessing a date if Cameron comes early.  I am not counting on this happening, but who knows!  :)

Me right after realizing they had the cupcakes and everything too!

Delicious cupcakes and goodies for Cameron!

Everyone's guess for when Cameron will be arriving!

Cameron at 37 weeks!

As promised, here is my update about our 37 week appointment and how Cameron is growing! Our big boy has of course continued to get bigger from the last check at 32 weeks. Then he was 5 lbs 7 oz, and now they estimate 8 lbs 11 oz. So in 5 weeks he has gained a little over 3 pounds. The doctor said he is likely to gain another pound or so in the next 2 weeks so we think he will be around 9.5 pounds to 10 pounds. He had great flow again through the umbilical cord and the cord was not wrapped around his neck. He is still head down and that is the most sensitive area on my huge belly. The doctor was moving the sensor around and it was so painful when he pushed right there!! As far as measurements he measures 39w 3d, which is the 90th percentile. We got this sweet picture of his profile (below)... he has such a cute profile I think, but I am of course biased. :)


After the sono we went to see Dr. Kaye. I asked Dr. Kaye about trying to deliver Cameron vaginally and he was still very apprehensive about recommending that because he is worried about his size. This is one of those situations where if we had a crystal ball that would tell me if things would go ok then I could feel good about going for it. But because he has concerns and I also err on the side of caution we will plan on a c-section. :( This is of course not ideal, but I do not want the added stress of worrying about him getting stuck on my mind. What if something happened during the delivery? Even though things would be out of my control, I would think I should have had a c-section. So sigh... that is what we will do. Our "delivery" date (aka when they will go get him out or as Frank says extract him!) will hopefully be May 1st (39 weeks)... surely we can at least get that locked in! I really will get to where I am ok with this... It is just hard for me to be completely ok with it as I have been remembering how amazing it was with Emerson. I was thankful before, but now that I know I won't have that again I feel even more so glad that I was able to.


I am also thankful that Cameron is healthy... I probably sound so grumpy and negative. I am overjoyed to meet Cameron. The most important thing is he is healthy and I want to keep him as safe as possible. Since we are doing a c-section I really, really hope their size estimates are correct. He may not even need newborn diapers or not for long at all, but I will be glad for a healthy chunky baby. :)

Cameron's profile at 37 weeks. I'll be loving all over that little guy soon!

We are ready! :)

Finishing my to-do list!

Well, I had several things that remained on my to-do list before Cameron arrives and I am happy to say that we are pretty much ready to go! The only thing left that is really important to me is that Frank and I need to write our letters for his time capsule, but I am pretty sure we have plenty of time to do that since I am not quite 37 weeks!

This weekend Dorthy and Frank came in and helped us with some more prepping for Cameron. We went shopping for some final items on my registry, which included buying our double stroller! We are now the excited owners of the Baby Jogger City Mini GT double stroller! Before deciding to go ahead and get that stroller we looked at several other brands... with double strollers you either get side-by-side, or the kind that sort of stack on each other. In general the strollers that stack on each other do not allow for both children to be able to fully recline back. They also do not offer the amount of sun coverage that our stroller offers and are not as easy to open when you need to use it. The City Mini collapses by grabbing the straps in the seat of the stroller and it basically folds in half. To reopen you just pull it open... it is the absolute easiest stroller out there! The other double strollers have all these things you have to pull and push to collapse and you have to remove parts of it and that is just one big hassle... and one of the poor kiddos is stuck sitting right behind their other sibling starring at the back of their head. We are really happy with the side-by-side... and were even more pleased when we saw that it does indeed fit easily through the front door. :)

One other time consuming task was boiling/sanitizing bottles and pacifiers so they are available if/when needed and also organized in the cabinet. I am going to try to breastfeed, but if that doesn't work out I will be ready with the bottles! Some of what I got out was the Medela stuff for pumping as well... it brought back memories looking at all those tubes!

Lots and lots of bottles and pumping accessories!

Our super cool double stroller! :)

Emerson's gift- Shhhhh....

Another exciting purchase this weekend was our gift to Emerson for when Cameron arrives. I know there will be a lot going on and I hope that getting her own new baby doll will be fun for her. She has always taken an interest in trying to push around the stroller so when I saw this I thought it was perfect. It is just the right size for her and we also bought a diaper bag for her that has super cute things like magic bottles, a diaper, changing pad, cell phone, and a wipes container. Maybe she can take care of this baby while we take care of Cameron. :) We also have a couple of Big Sister books since she loves books too!

Isn't this the cutest thing ever??!

Final, Final Pictures of Cameron's Nursery

I posted pictures of Cameron's nursery on Facebook a while back, but I have finished up some final touches including this little chair that I LOVE. :) This weekend I put a few more things away, Frank and his dad hung the little shelf, and things were straightened up. It will be a little while before he actually uses the nursery as his room, but I am so glad it is ready to go. We really enjoy going in there and imagining our little guy in there with us.

We love the new shelf that is holding the fun beach bag, hats, and sunglasses... he is ready for the beach! (Maybe next summer!!)

Not much has changed here...

The view from the hallway... I am so happy with it!

I finished the weekend with an absolutely wonderful manicure and pedicure. It felt so good to have my sore feet soaking in the jets and to have the foot massage. I of course told them to rub away... but I don't think it made anything happen as far as going in to labor. :)

Tomorrow I have my 37 week appointment, which includes a sono for a size measurement. I am both excited and nervous to see how much he has grown. I know everything will be ok regardless of whether or not I deliver via c-section or like normal, but I am hoping to be able to try. I also am going to talk to my doctor about bed rest... I have been really pooped with work... and I am terribly uncomfortable. I don't like the idea of taking time off to have to sit around without getting to meet Cameron, but I need to take care of myself. I will have to wait and see what happens!

Our Growing Baby and more!

I created this montage for Cameron's scrapbook and wanted to share it on our blog. It is hard to believe that the time is near for us to meet out little guy. What started out as a microscopic bundle of cells has grown into a big baby boy! I have gotten to see Cameron so many times as he has developed, and I am so glad. I was having lunch with some pregnant ladies the other day and we discussed how many sonograms we had during the pregnancy, and I am pretty confident I had the most! Everyone has different needs and experiences and I am thankful that I was able to monitor things as closely as I was... it helped greatly with my sanity! And how fun to have this montage. :) I hope the image is not too blurry.

In other news, we had our 36 week appointment this week and the doctor discussed the possibility of my needing a c-section. This is really upsetting for me as I do not want to have to do that unless it is truly necessary. I need to feel good about the decision if that is what we decide to do and for now I definitely don't. My next appointment is Monday for my 37 week check (it will be one day early) and we will have another sono to check Cameron's size. I was induced with Emerson and thankfully everything went very smoothly and she was 7 lbs 13 oz. It seems like my body could handle an even bigger baby, but I don't know about an 11 or 12 pound baby. I am hoping that the sono shows Cameron weighs around 7 pounds now or even 8. If so maybe the doctor and I (and Frank) can feel good about inducing at 39 weeks for a normal delivery. I really want to avoid a c-section. Between now and then I will continue doing some research so I will be prepared to talk to my doctor.

Easter 2012 Festivities!

Easter season this year has been filled with lots of activities! I remember last year this season was busy as well because Emerson was baptized on Palm Sunday, and we of course celebrated Easter had an Easter basket for her. The big difference this year is she is walking, talking, and is so darn smart now! :) It was easier to get pictures last year as well because she was not on the move and all we had to do was get her to laugh. But it has been so much fun watching her enjoy and explore every chance she gets. The way her face lights up with the simple joys like running in the park, making us laugh (which she knows how to do quite easily), and pointing and saying everything she recognizes brings us such happiness. Every day we find ourselves laughing and even more in love with this amazing little girl.

CUMC Egg Hunt

This year we enjoyed an Easter Egg Hunt and sort of a carnival at our church where our friends Ashley, Wade, and Nora came to join us. The weather lately has been so nice and it was a sunny and warm day for the festivities. This was Emerson's first time to see the Easter Bunny and she actually was happy to see him when she walked up to him, but getting on his lap was another thing. As you can see with her facial expression she was wondering why she was up there. :) The church also had an egg hunt, which we were a tad late for but caught the end and Frank helped her reach for a few eggs. Emerson also got to ride a little train in the parking lot, which was her first train ride. :) Since it would have been a challenge for me to get in the train car Frank rode with Emerson and Ashley rode with Nora. They both had a blast.

Emerson: "What is going on here?"

Nora and Emerson patiently waiting for their train ride.

Yay! It's time for a ride!

Preston Lakes HOA Egg Hunt

Our second fun adventure this Easter was the Egg Hunt sponsored by our HOA. They always have several activities planned during the year and we don't always participate... but we were not going to miss this one! The weather was absolutely gorgeous Saturday and made for a perfect egg hunt! We joined our sweet neighbors Ron and Francis, and others to watch the neighborhood kids go wild looking for eggs. They of course let the younger kids have a head start and Frank once again helped Emerson hunt for her eggs. It's funny because Emerson would prefer to keep her basket clean of any debris, including eggs. As soon as they stopped moving to pick up a few eggs Emerson would crouch down and take them out one by one. She is pretty particular I guess! We also took the time to take a few pictures since she looked so cute in her dress and the scenery was so pleasant. After all her hard work walking and looking for eggs we let her have a sugar cookie, which she really enjoyed!

Look Emerson! There is an egg!

Our sweetie pie in front of the pond.

Family picture... and my big 36 week egg shaped belly! :)

Easter Sunday!

It was a really wonderful Easter Day this year. My family came up to join us at our church (CUMC Plano) for a great church service. As we were listening to the sermon I was reminded of how much I enjoy our pastor's sermons, but Frank and I don't make enough effort to attend church more regularly. This is something we need to work on. I was multi tasking of course... listening while keeping Emerson entertained. Our kiddo is not the screaming "get me out of here" kind when it comes to church, but rather the "I want to talk the whole time" kind. I would quickly distract her, but I know her sweet little voice traveled far in the sanctuary. I'd like to think that people were not so much annoyed by this, but maybe a little distracted. :) I had to laugh when Emerson grabbed my cell phone and held it in front of her saying "cheese" like I do since I am always taking pictures of her. She picks up on everything!! It was so funny. At the end of the service we all sang a song that means a lot to me, The Hymn of Promise:

Hymn Of Promise Hymn

In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;
In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;
There’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;
In our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity,
In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

It always hits me emotionally because it reminds me of a time when I was going through a difficult time and I needed to be reminded that good things would come in God's timing. It's probably a little hormonal related as well since I am more easily moved it seems these days, but I found myself tearing up as we sang the song. I was very glad we were able to go to the service. Afterwards we returned to our house where we worked on getting the food ready for lunch and then had an Easter Egg Hunt for Emerson. I was glad the weather cooperated well for us to have the egg hunt. Emerson had a great time too grabbing each egg one by one to put in the basket. This time she did it on her own... she has it figured out now! We joked that next year she will be a real pro and will be leading the charge to get the eggs. :) She can help Cameron next year... it is crazy to think that we will have an almost 12 month old and an almost 3 year old kiddo!

Emerson before heading to church.

Chandler Family picture... want a photo tip on how to get a toddler to look the direction of the camera? Just set off your car alarm so she will look. :)

Emerson always gets lots of goodies. She especially loves all those books! Thank you to our wonderful families for everything. She is so loved by all!

Emerson during the egg hunt in our yard.

Emerson in action filling her basket with eggs!

As you can see it was a truly wonderful Easter season. In addition to having fun with family and friends we are thankful for the blessing of Jesus and celebrating that He is Risen. I hope everyone enjoyed their Easter celebrations.

This weekend also marks the end of the special activities we have planned this Spring, aside from welcoming our baby boy of course! :) It is time for me to really make sure we have things as ready as possible for the little guy and I need to stay off my achy swollen feet! I will post soon with an update on the baby prep and some remarks about the pregnancy. I am glad to be in the home stretch... which is an interesting choice of words actually! How much more of that can my body take? :)