Getting Ready

Well, about three weeks to go until Baby Girl Hyde joins the family! Yes, I said three! I'm still trying to process that! So what have we been up to? Getting ready for her of course!

The other day I gathered up all of the baby clothes, linens, and blankets and did some laundry. How fun! Sitting on the couch folding baby clothes was surreal because I just couldn't make the connection with whose clothes they were! Then into drawers it all went, so at least she'll have clean laundry! I still have fun little crafty projects I want to do for her room; perhaps later this week I'll get around to that. But as far as the basics- cradle and crib- check! changing table with diapers and wipes- check! clean clothes and blankets- check! Now, I still haven't packed the hospital bag or diaper bag...again, I'll get around to it! My days consist of eating, watching Baby Story and Bringing Home Baby on TLC, eating, running errands, eating, going to doctor's appointments, eating, and doing some things from the "to do" list. (Did I mention eating?)

So what has Steven been up to? For many weeks he was studying for a pharmacy board exam. But now that it's over, I'm ready to put him to work! We'll be attempting to install the car seat this weekend and put some baby gear items together. That should be fun!
He and I attended a Labor and Delivery class at the hospital last week. All I know is that I was not ready for the reality of the video we saw! I mean, there came a point where he and I had to look away...eww! I'll spare the details but I definitely wasn't ready for what I saw! Something about thinking that I was going to do that just didn't sit well with me. But, I got over it and am ready for her to be here (however that happens!)

On Monday of this week I went to the doctor for my 36/37 week appointment (it fell in between.) My weight and blood pressure was good and I'm feeling good! Because my belly measured a little small according to the magic tape measure, we did an ultrasound to check baby's weight. She's doing wonderfully! The tech said that her heart looked really good and she was doing breathing exercises with her lungs which is great. The various measurements taken put her at about 6lbs. 14oz. that day and I was told she could gain about another pound or pound and a half. So we could have an 8lb.+ baby! She is already head down, way down as a matter of fact! The tech had a hard time getting head measurements! I haven't had any contractions, and the doctor said I haven't dialated any, so that's good at this point. Steven and I will go back next week for the 38 week appointment and see if there are any changes!

Here are some pictures from the ultrasound:

her left side profile and an arm...

her face (a little squished thanks to the probe!)...

and Mommy at 36 weeks...

Lil' Pumpkin

Steven and I are so fortunate to be surrounded with wonderful friends from our Adult Bible Fellowship class at Highview Baptist Church. On Sunday, October 5 the sweet women of the class and I gathered together for a baby shower to celebrate Baby Hyde. They were so generous in showering our little one with gifts!

Being that it's fall, Stephanie (a.k.a. "Mrs. Southern Living"), decorated with pumpkins! (I feel like I have one in my belly!)

The "H" pumpkin now sits on our front porch!

The food the ladies brought for lunch was so yummy!

table center piece (so creative!)

The note reads "Joyfully Celebrating the Hyde's Lil' Pumpkin"

I am so thankful to have friendships with Christian women who are encouraging and supportive. They are each a blessing! Thanks again ladies!

Also, a belly picture update...34 weeks

Where Did August Go?

I know I have the tendancy to put things off, but a month and a half with no new posts?! Seriously?! I'm sorry! How can you know "what's happening with the Hydes" if we don't tell you?! So, we've got some catching up to do! Since our last post and the rest of August...

We started working on our little girl's room. First of all, someone had the genius idea to get a set of nail guns, you know, for "all those around the house projects we may do one day." So that we could use the gun we decided to install a chair rail in the baby's room. That meant hauling home 12 foot long pieces of rail, cutting them, painting them, and then hanging them. I was really afraid of the compressor and nail gun; things like that seem super dangerous to me! But it was quite easy and not a big deal! Steven did a fabulous job with that project!

I actually tried using the nail gun myself when building a dresser topper. I saw in a baby furniture magazine dressers being used as a changing table with a "topper" piece for the pad and supplies. The ones I saw were over $100 and we custom made one for less than $20!

My parents had recently passed down an old family bedroom set that Steven and I refinished. We're using the dresser and chest of drawers in her room; the twin beds will have to wait! Steven's parents handed down some comfy recliners, so one made it's home in her room. I'm sure we'll spend some time in that! Lastly, we found a crib and Steven did such a great job of putting it together!

I hung some panels on the window and realized they were a bit see through. The sun shines right in that window every morning. Not only is it bright, it can get a little warm in there. So, we employed a grandmother-to-be to use her skills and back the panels with blackout material. I enjoyed learning about sewing (and playing on her machine) and the panels look great!


Also in August I went to the doctor for my 28 week appointment. The glucose test was a little yucky but the results were good- no problems. Baby and I both had good reports! She started moving around like crazy last month and Steven and I enjoy feeling her do whatever it is she's doing in there!

mommy-to-be at 30 weeks

3 To Go

Well, today is August 6 and my due date is November 6...so if my math skills serve me right, that means roughly 3 months to go! If you noticed the baby counter, we're under the 100 day mark!
For whatever reason it's at this point of the pregnancy that reality is setting in and we're realizing that Baby will be here before we know it! I think we'll finally get serious about setting up her room, working on registries, and I guess we'll try to get some names on the list (and we don't plan on telling!) Steven and I just like to be laid back and take things one step at a time (ok, some call that procrastinating!) It'll all come together soon enough!
Next month we'll attend some classes at the hospital and I'm sure that will be another reality check! I'll let you know how those go. I'll admit it- there are some days I sit around and day dream about Baby being here and there are some days I panic because I feel really clueless and unprepared. But I'd like to think that is normal, especially for first time parents.
Just a little update on how things are going with the pregnant lady of the house. The question most people ask is "How are you feeling?" You really want to know? Here are my answers: "I feel really good! I feel fortunate that my pregnancy has been a breeze so far. I feel like I could eat all day long. I feel like my belly is starting to get in my way when trying to bend over. I feel like I don't sleep as well lately because I can't get comfortable or I'm headed to the potty. I feel like I love fruits, red meat, and sweets, but not chicken breasts or BBQ sauce. I feel like I can't go much longer without indulging in a Coke. I feel like I can't find anything to wear these days. Despite some of these things, I feel like I am enjoying being pregnant. I feel good, happy, and blessed!"
That's the 6 month update! On to the 3rd (and last) trimester!

26 weeks!

23 Weeks

"Every good and perfect gift is from above."

James 1:17

This, among others, is a verse we have kept in mind during my pregnancy. It was particularly helpful at our last appointment in June. At that appointment we found out we are having a girl - what a good a perfect gift! It was a bittersweet appointment though because at that appointment the doctor dropped a bit of not so expected news. She said that according to the ultrasound done that day (the one where we found out the sex) it appeared that there could be a slight abnormality with the placenta and umbilical cord. There was a chance that the cord didn't quite implant into the placenta correctly, that it was sort of partially implanted. What?!

Again telling us she wasn't even sure if this was the case, she needed to go ahead and explain further just so we were aware of the potential situation. If there was an abnomrality with the cord insertion, she explained, pregnancy would be normal, baby and I would be healthy, there would be no problems...until labor rolled around. She said the problem would be that when my water broke, there would be the chance that the cord would break away from the placenta before baby was out. And that could turn into an urgent and scary problem.

The doctor left us with reassurance that she wasn't even sure I had this abnormality, not to worry, and that we'd do another ultrasound at the next appointment to check it out for sure. Now, of course I was sitting there wide eyed, hearing all of this and wondering "Is she looking at the right chart and ultrasound?" I was so thankful that Steven was with me that day, because it was a bit surreal.

So, where did we go from there? To the Father of course! Our Creator- the one who created me, Steven, and our baby. We recalled James 1:17 and knew that no matter what happened with that next ultrasound and with the birth of our child, she is and will be a good and perfect gift from above!

"And this is the confidence we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him." 1 John 5:14-15

Everyday we prayed about the situation. We prayed ultimately for God's will in this, asked that there would not be any problems found on the next ultrasound, and prayed that we'd be faithful and trust in Him, knowing that God will take care of us.

So, on July 11 I went for my 24 week appointment (but scheduling around doctor vacation, it was really 23 weeks for me.) I can honestly say that I was not nervous or anxious; I was actually quite at peace. I knew Steven and I had prayed faithfully, that God is sovereign, and that the situation was out of my control.

As I had the ultrasound done I was laughing the whole time! Baby girl decided to be more active than she ever had been up to that point and I was loving it! The technician was frustrated with all of the movement because she couldn't get a good look at the cord and placenta due to little one kicking all over the place. She thought is was cute though and was laughing and talking to the baby trying to get her to be still. There came a point where I was like "Ok little girl, sit still because this ultrasound is really important...you can play later!" Apparently the tech got the pictures she needed so it was off to see the doctor.

That wait seemed like forever, but soon enough in she came. She said "We did a placenta check today and after looking over the pictures, I don't see any problems with the placenta or cord." I was thinking "Can you say that again? Are you sure that's my chart?" I asked her if she was sure about her conclusion and she said yes! She said that the cord is attached to the placenta as it should be, but just a little off center (center is apparently where most are) so that's why the ultrasound from last time looked a little questionable. Right there in the doctor's office I was like "Praise the Lord!!" I knew He was at work!

Steven and I were so excited to get the good news from the doctor, but even more excited about the way the Lord answered our prayers!! We knew that His will would be done no matter what the outcome, and were thankful that He made everything alright. "Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God..." Deuteronomy 7:9

So, after that long drawn out story...everything is fine with me and baby and we are moving right along!

Baby Girl at 23 weeks

Mommy-to-be at 23 weeks

(Again, so behind on posts. Here I am writing about 23 weeks when I'm just about 26!)

Week of Firsts

1. I have officially bought baby girl clothes! Last Saturday I went to a neighborhood garage sale and had fun. The lady had a big box of little girl clothes to dig through and she only charged a quarter per piece! It was a shopper's dream! I purcahsed some other baby things and felt like I was robbing the people outright. I tell you what- garage/yard sales are the way to go! I'm going to another one tomorrow! Then of course, a store I went into the other day had a little sleeper I just loved for half price, so I gave in and it came home with me! I'm still not totally in to all this baby shopping stuff, but I can see how it can get out of hand very quickly!!!


2. We have movement! Tuesday morning I was laying in the bed, delaying getting up of course. I had my arm laying across my tummy when all of a sudden my arm felt a strange throb coming from inside my tummy. I knew immediately what it was! I pressed down with my hand and felt three little movements. I immediately called Steven over to feel, but not in time. I haven't felt anything since, but I'm sure there is more to come!


3. I wore maternity pants for the first time this week. We went to dinner for our anniversary (more on that later!) and I needed something to wear! I've been getting away with gym shorts and t-shirts around the house and unbuttoning regular shorts for when I go places, but there is nothing in the closet when it comes to dressier clothes. I got a steal of a deal on a pair of black dress pants the other day and was proud to sport them to dinner. Hello comfort! Who wants to go back to button flies and zippers?!

And for the latest belly pic....

21 weeks and counting (that's over half way!)

18 weeks

For the past two or three weeks I've had some random "feelings" in my lower belly area. (I guess you could say I'm pretty in tune with myself.) I know the sensations could be muscles, ligaments, and of course air bubbles, but I just can't help but wonder when I'll feel fetal movement! I'll be sure to let you know!

Everyday since I've known I was pregnant, I'd check myself out in the mirror for any signs of growth and Steven would burst my bubble by saying "No, not yet!" I woke up the other day and sure enough, out of no where, was this sign of a little bump. Finally Steven agreed "Yep, it's there!" So, this is my belly picture at the 18 week mark.

Next week we'll find out if we'll be having a boy or a girl! Stay tuned!!

16 Week Appointment

In mid May I returned to the docotor's office for a 16 week check up. This appointment was a breeze! No waiting around forever and no lovely gown; pretty much in and out! My blood pressure was great and weight looked good. (For you who want the details, I had gained about 3 pounds at 12 weeks and 3 more at 16 weeks.) The doctor and I had a quick Q & A session and then listened to the baby's heart beat. She said it's BPM was around 160 (I think that's what she said.) Regardless, she said it was good! It was so exciting to hear our baby's heart beat. Yet again, another vivid reminder of the miracle of life God has created!

This is me at the 16 week mark. Only for the sake of documenting my belly would I ever post a bathing suit picture!

(I wanted to wear a sign that read "I know it looks like I need to do some crunches, but I'm 16 weeks pregnant!) Just kidding!

The First Appointment

I don't know about you, but I am a people watcher, especially in waiting rooms. At the OBGYN office I always admired the cute pregnant women and their belly bumps. I'd wonder what it was like to be pregnant and to prepare for a little one on the way. Finally I was not just a patient, but a pregnant patient! And I'd soon be finding out for myself what that would be like!

The first visit (8 weeks along) was nothing like I expected. I didn't see the doctor; I saw a nurse in her office. For about 40 mintues she overloaded me with all sorts of information, instructions, and brochures. Towards the end she said something about " ...and then when you deliver..." and I was like, "Uh, hello!? I just did a test 4 weeks ago! T.M.I!!" After the chat session, it was off to the lab for some blood work. That was it for the first appointment.

Then for what I considered the first "real" appointment. On April 22 I went for my 12 week visit. It consisted of an ultrasound and an exam by the doctor. (I'll spare you the exam part, but tell you about the ultrasound!) All I know is, when the pictures popped up on the screen I was thinking "is THAT really in THERE?" Oh yes, indeed! That whole day (and everyday since) I think about what a miracle this little baby is and that it is a truly wonderful gift grom God!

The technician gave me a few pictures to take home, so here you go...Baby Hyde at 12 weeks!

That's what baby was looking like at 12 weeks, and here's the mom-to-be!

(At this time Steven assured me I didn't look pregnant.

All I know is my whole abdomen area felt swollen!)