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

So as for September

Now let me take some time to catch you up on September so far...


Labor Day weekend- We made a trip down to Birmingham to visit family. It was nice to be back in Alabama and see everyone! A highlight of the weekend was celebrating Steven's grandfather's 90th birthday...what a milestone!


Steven and his grandparents (soon our girl's great-grandparents!)

They'll probably be mad for me posting this, but it cracks me up! This is how it usually goes when trying to take a picture with my side of the family...chaos!

Baby Update- This month Steven and I have made a few trips to the hospital for some parenting classes. We learned oh so much about breastfeeding, basic baby care, and infant CPR. We still have a class or two to go, and we hope to be futher enlightened on all kinds of parenting stuff. Lately people have been asking, "Are you ready?" referring to the baby's arrival and becoming a parent. Doesn't everyone know that the answer is and will always be "No!" (ha ha!) Really though, we are super excited about our family growing and becoming a mommy and daddy to our little girl!

Baby Shower- This past weekend we made another trip to Birmingham (our last until Christmas) for a baby shower hosted by my sweetest, dearest friends. It was a quick trip, but we enjoyed every minute of seeing family and friends. We are so thankful for everyone's love and support!!

hostesses: Cathy (Leah's wonderful mom), Leah (bestest friend), Shelley (funnest college rommie), Melissa (sweet sister-in-law)

Beautiful table and yummy food!

soon-to-be- mother with soon-to-be-grandmothers

Mommy and Daddy-to-be!

Birthdays- My side of the family was fortunate to have everyone get together this weekend for an early celebration of my mom's- let's just say "milestone birthday!" We went to The Club on Red Mountain for dinner and enjoyed the evening together.

Happy Birthday to Mom!

The Stanford Clan (Steven behind the camera!)

Dad & Mom

Holly, Drew, Bethany, & Alison

Our growing family: Steven, Alison, and Baby Hyde

And yesterday Steven and I celebrated my birthday with my very own cheesecake! (I guess I'll share it with him, after all, he is my baby's daddy!) Lately when it comes to food I love, I get a little protective. It's like "People step away- I'm a pregnant woman with my own cheesecake...I have a fork and I'm not afraid to use it!" (ha ha!)




Until next time...

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