Happy Birthday Gram

We want to wish Gram a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Today we went out to lunch to celebrate Gram's birthday. It was our first restaurant experience as a "Party of 4", along with Papa, Gram, Nana & Uncle Tony. Everything went really well. Of course Dean wanted to eat right along with everyone else, just when the food came out...ha. We went for Mexican and we even snapped some silly pics of Gram wearing the big sombrero hat. Since she might not want those particular pics on the blog, I'll post this one instead :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRAM! WE LOVE YOU!!

xoxoxo Chet, Janis, Ava Grace & Dean Douglas

Hospital Pics

Delivery Pics

First Check-up

Dean had his first Dr appt today. He weighed in at 7 lbs 9 oz, which is exactly where he should be, considering the normal 10% birth weight decrease. His little circumcision is healing nicely and everything else checked out great. He goes back next week for another weight check.

It's been a crazy, busy week of constant firsts. We are all doing really well and enjoying figuring out our new normal. Dean is such a little sweet pea. He didn't find his lungs for the first 24 hours that we brought him home and he slept right through the night on the first night. No, I'm not kidding! We think he's going to be a good sleeper like his big sissy. He doesn't cry much, except when his little tummy gets gassy. He is a stubborn little burper. He really makes you work for them and sometimes he just won't give them up!

Ava is loving being a big sister. She has moved her "hugs, kisses & noses" from my belly to her baby brother. She is a big help and wants to get diapers and pacifiers and burp cloths, etc. She has become even more of a mommy to her little dolls and we swaddle them and she burps them and gets their bottles ready. It's cute, she is adjusting really well which is wonderful.

My mom, "Mamaw", arrived on Wed and stayed with us until yesterday afternoon. She was such a huge help and we started missing her dearly the minute she left. She got us all organized and helped me out so much! We love you Mamaw and we can't wait to see you and Papaw in October!

Thank you to everyone for all of your support, help and well wishes!

5 Years

Today is Chet's and my 5th wedding anniversary.

It's hard to believe that five years ago today we were walking down the aisle and reciting our vows, surrounded by family and friends. We were blessed with a beautiful day to remember forever. We've grown and changed so much since that day. Two houses and now two beautiful children later...here we are.

I know how lucky I am to have Chet as my rock and partner in life. He has grown into a man that I respect, admire and cherish. He truly is a loving husband and an amazing father...and he always keeps me laughing.

Today we exchanged cards and gifts. It was funny because we each picked the same card for one another, which was kinda cool considering how many I read before I chose that one.

Anyway, it's a special day for us. Happy Anniversary, Hun. I love you! Cheers to a lifetime of memories together. xoxo

Baby Dean is here!

He finally arrived!! We couldn't be happier!

Dean Douglas

8/19/08

8 lbs 2 oz

20 inches

11:14 am

The Plan

What a day it's been so far!
This morning after Ava and I saw Daddy off to work, I noticed that the message light was blinking on the answering machine. It was my Dr's office, asking if we could move my appt today from 2:30 pm to 9:30 am. Yikes- that was in 30 minutes! So I called them and told them I could be there by 10 am. Fine.

Meanwhile- Ellen "Gram" had to be called because she was planning on watching Ava for us later in the day while I saw the Dr. As usual, she was wonderful and said to bring her right over. Thank goodness. Gram just started a new work schedule a few weeks ago where she has Mondays off, so it all worked out really well. Thank you Gram.

Anyway, so I jumped in the shower and got myself and Ava ready like lightning. On my way to Grams I called Chet and he told me that he was going to meet me at the Dr. I tried to tell him that he didn't need to do that, but he insisted. Fine. For my pregnancy with Ava, Chet went to every appt (I think anyway, he may have missed one, but I don't think so). Anyway- this pregnancy he has gone to the 3 ultrasounds, but that's it. Today he wanted to be there to help make this very important decision, which was nice.

We met with my Dr and went over all of the options. He gave me an exam and felt my tummy at length and listened to the heartbeat. He brought in pictures and diagrams and the whole bit. We talked a lot about Ava's delivery and all of the details surrounding her birth. Basically, he wanted to arm us with all of the information and answer all of our questions- but then leave the final decision up to us.

With Ava's delivery I was 11 days early, 1 cm dilated, 50 % effaced when my water broke.Tomorrow I will be 5 days early, 2 cm dilated, 80% effaced. My Dr wants to try and simulate and re-create my previous labor and delivery. That sounds wonderful to me because I was very happy with my last experience. So- I will go to the hospital tomorrow morning at 6am and my Dr will simply break my water. And wait.

Last time my water broke at 4:30 am and I got to the hospital by 7 am, no pain. They started me on pitocin and I had heavy, painful contractions for about 45 minutes and then I got my epidural. But then, no pain. Then I just progressed and progressed and eventually it was time to push and Ava was born. This time, they will break my water and hopefully a similar type of labor will ensue.

Of course anything could happen and go entirely different and I am well aware of that. I want to think positively. They say the biggest predictor of future events is past events, so I am going to count on that. I am very optimistic and feel very confident with our decision. I am also feeling very reassured that my "fave" Dr will deliver Dean and see me through whatever comes tomorrow. I really trust him and that goes a long way in my eyes and is very comforting to me.

So- that's the jist. I'm antsy and excited and frazzled and emotional. I can't think straight and the phone won't stop ringing. On a side note- I am having a ton of contractions so this could all still happen on its own- you never know! I will still be walking on the treadmill tonight, just like the past 3 nights. But- I have a ton to do. I need to get packing and prepared. Please send your positive thoughts our way for a safe delivery and a healthy baby boy. I can't wait!! xoxoxo

Bowl of Chance

We went out for breakfast this morning- Chet, Ava & I.

Chet and I both ordered coffee and water. Ava got white milk.

We were looking over the menu, trying to decide what we wanted.

The waitress came back with our drinks and told us she'd be right back to take our order.

We couldn't help but laugh out loud when we saw what was now sitting between us. On the table was a little white bowl filled with half & half creamer- the name "Dean" written on each and every one. Just a little sign of hope telling us to hold out a little bit longer.

I know, I know, silly stuff.

39 Weeks

Well, I'm still preggo.
39 weeks. 273 days. 9 3/4 months.
The full moon didn't "pull it's weight" in my case. Oh well.

I've walked on the treadmill for the past 2 nights in an attempt to shake the little booger up a bit. No avail. I've tried 2 of the pregnancy pressure points. No avail. I even tried howling at the moon...sorta.

On a side note, the sky has been gorgeous the last few nights. I can't get enough of the big, glorious moon in all of its grandeur. So peaceful.

I wonder if our little fella inherited the stubborn gene?

I guess all I can do is wait, relax and continue to make 5-point turns while rolling over in bed. Oh yeah, and remind myself that pregnancy is a miracle and a blessing and a gift. Seriously.

Full Moon

According to the lunar calendar, the moon will be FULL at 9:18 pm tonight.

Some folks believe that more women go into labor on a full moon. My jury is still out. Come on tides, gravitational pull, lunar happenings- whatever.... DO YOUR THING!

Hope Abides

I have news.
I left something out of my previous post about my Dr appt today. I was planning on asking my "fave" Dr some questions about being induced. Well, as you know, I didn't get to see him today. One of my biggest reasons for inquiring is because they keep saying that this baby is going to be bigger. That statement continues to make me nervous each and every time I hear it spoken. Ava was 6lb 14oz and that was big enough! To spare you the details- I will just say that I was healing for quite some time! Really.

When I was chatting with the Dr that I did see, I decided to ask her. She told me that she wouldn't personally do it and that I would have to ask my "fave" Dr. Did I mention how much I like her? Kidding. Anyway, she agreed to pass along the message to his nurse.

Well, at 5:15 pm I got a call from my Dr office. It was Margo, my "fave" Dr's nurse. She told me that my Dr wants to see me on Monday and that he would be willing to induce me on Tuesday at 6am. WHAT, you are kidding me! I am just excited that I have a slot in place in case we decide it is the right decision. I don't want my baby to get too big that I have to have a c-section. Saying that- I also don't want to get induced before my body is ready and have to have a c-section. So, I guess we'll see. In my book options are good....especially since the days continue to tick by and he's not getting any smaller in there!

Now again, I'm really hoping to go on my own some time this weekend! BUT, I have to tell you that I feel better knowing that Tuesday is an option for induction. I am also excited that I get to see my "fave" Dr on Monday and it sounds like he is most likely going to be the Dr to deliver our son...whether I go this weekend or Tuesday or whenever. Glum has been replaced by glee!

Technicals 3

Well, here I am...writing this post that I was hoping to avoid.
I went to the Dr this morning and the whole experience was very anti-climatic. Not much to report, very minimal change. I am now 2 cm dilated, still 75% effaced.

I had to wait a long time because my Dr got called away for a delivery while I was in the waiting room. I ended up seeing another Dr in the practice who is a bit lacking in the bedside manner department. No big deal really. I was just looking forward to meeting with my Dr who delivered Ava and picking his brain a bit. I like to kid around with him...he's good like that.

Oh well- I think the whole thing has me feeling a bit glum. I can kick it though, I just need to stop thinking that I am "overdue" compared with my last pregnancy. That's silly. Besides, Dean will come when he's good and ready and I just need to be patient!
...and swollen...and uncomfortable...and tired.
STOP IT!

There are a few positives to report. They scheduled my next appt for Tuesday instead of Thursday. I also found out that my "fave" Dr is on call all weekend, so that makes me very happy. Tick...tick...tick...

Today was THE DAY...

Today was the day that Ava was born. Kinda.

Speaking in terms of my own "personal pregnancy calendar" anyway.

I was due 3/28 and I had her 3/17.

11 days early.

I am due 8/24. I thought I might have Dean on 8/13.

11 days early.

That would be logical thinking. I think.

However, it's been whispered that I am starting to lose reason.

Tomorrow is uncharted pregnancy water for me.
I hope that full moon thing doesn't let me down!

Ava Grace- 1 day old

Ava Grace- 1 day old

Ava Grace- 2 days old- just home from the hospital

7 Day Forecast

So, I caught a glimpse of the 7-day forecast on the local news. Kinda mild and rainy for August...they say it's about 10 degrees below average for this time of year. Anyway, as you are brutally aware of already, everything I see or do brings me back to my current condition. 9.5 months preggo.

Will I give birth on one of these 7 days? How's the weather looking?
I'm thinking the weather on Friday is looking pretty nice. Saturday is going to be a full moon, they say lots of babies are born on full moons, right? Sounds good to me! Monday is 8-18-08. You know how I love the 8's. I think I can hold out that long.

Just PLEASE keep your fingers crossed that I don't have to look at the next 7 days!

Perspective

Apparently, Ava got a hold of my camera at some point. I went to look at some pics I had taken and instead found some of hers.
Funny to see what she thought was photo-worthy!