Is this the end of the countdown?

We had our "last" appointment with Dr. DLG this morning. I seem to still be progressing. She started off saying I was at 2 centimeters, but she stretched me to 3-4. That was fun....NOT. I'm about 80% effaced as well. She said she thinks Lyla will come this week. We will see what happens.

We did discuss what happens if Lyla doesn't come by Sunday (her due date). We went ahead and scheduled an appointment for Monday. If we make it to the appointment, we will have a sonogram to check fluid amount and Lyla's size. After that we will determine whether I can go another week and let things happen naturally or if we should enduce. Dr. DLG says it really depends on how big Lyla is. If she is too big then enducing might be the best option.

I have been very sore and in some pain since the appointment. Those of you who have been through this know what I'm talking about. We are kind of hoping that the "stretching" will put me into labor, but we shall see. Now it is just day to day. Luckily I'm getting everything squared away at work to prepare for me to not be here.

Andy is very ready for Lyla. Ever since our appointment, he keeps staring at me. He says he's waiting for me to say I'm in labor. He's so cute. At least we had a very relaxing weekend. I took full advantage of the fact that it might be my last weekend without children. I took in some sun on Saturday and Sunday, and got lots of rest.

I took the final picture for my progression photo on Friday. Yvonne, my wonderful photographer just sent me the proofs. I can't believe how big my belly has grown. Not to mention my face and arms. What's interesting is I can also see how my hair color and style has changed over the past 9 months.

You can't tell in any of these pictures, but in the last pose, I couldn't button the shirt all the way. My recommendation to anyone how does this progression, wear a stretchy shirt, or buy a shirt in two sizes to wear as you grow!

This one has always been Andy's favorite.


This one is Yvonne, my photographer's favorite.



Looking for a photographer in the area. Yvonne Robles is awesome. She has done all of my maternity pictures. www.yvonnerobles.com.

More Maternity Pictures

Here are some more pictures from Andy's and my pictures this past weekend.


This is probably my favorite of just me.

I love these of Andy. Is he not a dad that is already so in love with his daughter?






It was so neat to take pictures in Lyla's nursery and around the house. It made everything so much more natural than doing pictures in the studio. Yvonne was so kind to come out to the house and capture some sweet moments.

The Countdown still continues...

I am 38 weeks as of yesterday. I just saw my doctor this morning. I am 1-2 cent. dialated and about 75% thinned. Still not feeling any contractions. Lyla is still pretty high. Dr. DLG said she hasn't "locked in" to my pelvis yet. I think she is going to hang on until her due date, but we will see. What should be my last appointment is next Monday. I'm hoping to at least hang on through Friday for dance team tryouts. After that, she is free to come join us all in the world.

I have decided that Lyla does not like these doctor visits. She doesn't like being shaken around and prodded in the head. She has been pushing and squirming ever since. This makes mommy very uncomfortable!

Busy Weekend

Andy and I had a very busy weekend. Friday was my dad's 50th birthday. I went over to the house to visit with him and my mom (and my waiting husband) following cheerleader tryouts. Saturday, we had a huge party for my dad at my parent's house. It was a blast. So many people turned out to celebrate with us. We had old friends there that we hadn't seen in over 13 years! I think my dad enjoyed every minute of turning 50.

Sunday Andy and I had our couple maternity pictures. Our wonderful photographer, Yvonne Robles, came out to the house and took some great pictures. Below are a few of the proofs she sent me last night. I will have more by the end of the week.

I can't believe I am only two weeks away from my due date. At this point, I still think Lyla is going to hold on until then. That's my girl, following the plan! We have our doctor's appointment today. I will keep you posted on the status.

Pictures: So far this first one is my favorite!

Baby Shower

Sunday I had my last baby shower. My sweet friends Victoria and Tessa threw me an absolutely beautiful shower. I was so blessed to have so many friends come to celebrate my pregnancy and my sweet baby girl. I received so many great gifts. I came home feeling very prepared for Lyla's arrival...at least as far as baby items are concerned. Below are some pictures from the shower.




The Grandmothers....they were already planning on how to get Lyla overnight. My mom has nursery set up at her house and Grandma (Rachel) decided she could go stay in my mom's spare room. We are going to have to keep a close eye on Lyla or we might find her missing...


My hostesses, Tessa and Victoria. Thank you for a great shower!


My friend Missy's daughter Mia was a huge helper. She would hand me gifts and throw away the trash. She was so much fun to have around, cheering at each gift!


I love the dance slippers!!



My fabulous friend Tessa made the diaper cake and wreath. Aren't they fabulous. Since she didn't plug herself, I will. She sells them. You can find her at www.tmariesdiaperwreaths.com.

The Count down continues

Well, I am 37 weeks! We had our doctor's appointment earlier this afternoon. Everything was going good and then.... As our doctor is feeling around for Lyla's head, she says, "Oh yeah, her head is still real high." She then has Andy come over so he can feel it. As he is walking over Dr. DeLaGarza checks up high and thinks she might feel Lyla's head by my ribs. AHHHHH!! She looks at me and then looks at Andy. She tells Andy to "feel the difference." I said, "are you saying she might be breech? She has been head down in every sonogram picture from the beginning." So DeLaGarza goes to get her traveling sono machine and Andy and I hold our breath. I just kept thinking, "don't cry, don't cry." Lyla is a mover and a shaker, but I didn't think she had turned. DeLaGarza comes in and does the sono, we all breathe a sigh of relief. Lyla's head is down! She just has a big butt like her mama!

What a way to start a Monday! Thankfully all was well. DeLaGarza thinks I'm about 1 cent. dilated and about 25% effaced. The NP last week thought I was 50% effaced, but since I know this isn't an exact science, I'm not going to fight the issue. I also believe my doctor has done this a long more. She still thinks we are on target for the due date! Let's just hope Lyla stays put.

Andy and I are very ready to meet our sweet girl, but we know the importance of her staying where she is for 3 more weeks. Not to mention I still have a very full schedule until the 28th. She is welcome to arrive after that... :)

The count down begins

I had my 36 week appointment yesterday. I am now in the phase of weekly appointments where I get checked "internally". As of yesterday I have no dilation and am about 50% thinned out or effaced. Our nurse practitioner, who we met with yesterday, said I'm still on target for my due date of April 5th. She did follow that statement with, "but anything can happen." She said she's told other patients the same thing and then they've gone into labor that same day. She did tell us we needed to get our car seat installed and I needed to pack my hospital bag. Andy was beaming when this was announced, because he's been on my for a week to pack a bag and I've been putting it off. So, I had to tell him the dreaded, "You were right!" Man I hate having to say that.

Anyways, we start our child birthing classes this week. I'm looking forward to the hospital tour and some more information on what to expect and how to prepare for labor. Andy isn't looking forward to two 3.5 hour classes, but he'll manage. Both of us are really starting to feel the "realness" of Lyla coming. For me, the pregnancy has always been real, but I guess it never really hit me that there will be a little one in the house. Now knowing that we are less than 4 weeks away from having her, it's really starting to set in. This is real!!!

Speaking of Lyla. She is doing great. She had a strong heartbeat. The NP could feel her head, but she hasn't completely dropped. We are still at zero station (for those of you who have been there and know what that means). I thought, "I could have told you that, her feet are still attacking my ribs." Lyla is moving ALL THE TIME!! I am starting to believe we will not have a good sleeper on our hands. She parties like a rock star all day long. I don't even really do my kick counts because she is so active it would be easier to count when she isn't moving.

On a side note, my girls came back from Florida last night. I met them at the school and they were all happy to see me, as I was to see them. A few brought me and Lyla gifts (love that). They did really well at contest and had a blast. It was so good to see them all and be showered with hugs from my girls!

Well, off to work out and then get a much needed pedicure!

Sad Day

Sorry I haven't blogged in a while, but there hasn't been too much going on. We hosted a major competition at the school last weekend, so that pretty much consumed my life last week. I must tell you that I still have the most wonderful husband. He was here at the school with me on Friday until 10:00PM and back up here Saturday from 6:00AM to 9:30PM helping make sure that everything was running smoothly, and that I was not over doing it. The event was a huge success. The team profited about $14,000.00.

Today is a sad day for me. I just put my dance team on a bus to send them on their way to the airport for their Florida trip. We've known all a long that I couldn't go with them, and I have cried over it many times. I did do better than I thought I would. I only teared up a little as the bus drove away. Again, Andy was here to stand beside me as we waved goodbye to our girls. (Andy is such a huge part of my job that he feels the same about the team as I do. In fact last night he said he was sad that they were going without us.) When I first told the team I was pregnant, I allowed them to vote whether to go on the trip without me or go somewhere else earlier so I could go with them. I had been promising them Florida for two years and didn't feel that it was fair to take that away from them just because I was making a personal change (how dare a director have a personal life). The vote was 37-4, they said they would miss me, but wanted to go to Florida. I have a wonderful assistant director and friend who was and is willing to take them in my place. I have to tell you it is so hard to plan a trip that I know I am not going on. It is even harder to send my girls to Nationals and know they will be dancing without me there. This will be the last time that they dance as a team, and I will miss it. I am very sadden by this thought. I know they will do great, and I know the reward of Lyla coming will far out weigh missing this trip, but today, none of that matters. My girls, the people my life has revolved around for 4 years are leaving to dance at their last competition without me. So I just thought I would share with my family and friends my thoughts and feelings. I will be okay. I am looking forward to a relaxing spring break which brings mybest friend Tessa for a 4 day stay. Her arrival next Thursday is what is keeping me going today.

I hope today brings you all joy and happiness!