The Nursery Reveal

Finally, I have pictures of the nursery. I am still missing one curtain panel that should be back tomorrow, but you get the picture of what they will look like. The nursery was designed around the owl rug you see on the wall. I had an absolute ball putting this room together and sure hope baby Whax loves it. There is lots for him to see!

This is the view as you look at the whole room from the door. The rug looks like tree bark, the table in the corner is made out of twigs and the rocker is the most comfortable chair I have ever been in.
This picture is a view from the opposite corner from the one above. You can see the twig chandelier in this too.

This view looks at the crib and the tree over the crib from the door. My mom and I made the tree one weekend. It is made of real tree limbs, twig twine and the leaves are made from scrapbook paper double-sided and all different sizes and colors.

This is the changing table. I can't wait to get some photos in the picture frames on the wall!

This picture you can see the rug and the precious pillow in our rocker. Our graphic designer who works with us at the hospital, Meg Benkel, made this pillow for baby Whax and I absolutely love it!

The picture above is a better picture of the tree.

Finally, the picture above is a better look at the baby's bedding. Now all we need is baby Whax!

On another note, I went to the doctor and am making some progress. I am dilated to a 1 and 50 percent effaced. Now, we just need to pray that that progress does not continue too quickly so that I can get off these blood thinners in time to deliver with an epidural!

The plan is for me to go in next Tuesday night at 6 p.m. and start the induction process and stabilizing my blood levels. At 7 a.m. on Sept. 1, the nurses will begin the petocin, with hopes to have a baby by evening.

Max and I plan on spending some good quality time together this weekend - our last ever as a family of 2 and 2 puppies.

Anxiety and the Waiting Game!

We have a date, we are finished with the nursery and just waiting! Man, I hate to wait! Our little boy will be on his way in about a week, and I am telling you that I hate the waiting part of this! I can't wait to meet him and I also can't wait to have the delivery behind me!

Anxiety has been a normal feeling for me the past few weeks. We have had so many opinions about our care and the delivery process and I find myself just ready to tackle this giant! My sweet husband kindly reminded me today that worry and fear of the unknown is only sent from one place - not the Lord! He has been such a calming source of encouragement these past few weeks as I have really wrestled with feelings of worry and angst! Today, Max just told me that we have done all we can to prepare, have surrounded ourselves with the best doctors (which we have :)) and at this point the only thing that we can do is lay all of our unrest at the Lord's feet! Praise the Lord for such a precious and Godly husband!

So, as we prepare for our little one (who still does not have a name yet), I would ask that you all pray with us that the Lord would provide peace! I have 100 million things that still need to be done at work before I can be off for 12 weeks and I just really need calm and peace!

We see our amazing doctor tomorrow and will hopefully have more of a plan about next Tuesday, which is when I go in to prepare for the induction process. Hope to get a post up about the nursery this week!

We have a date!!!

We will be induced on September 1 with hopes that baby Whax will make his arrival that day. I will actually go in the night of the 31st to get some tests run and work-ups before induction! Max and I are so relieved after our appointment yesterday. Dr. Wiley put all of our fears in check, listened to our concerns and did her research so she could provide solutions. We will be able to get an epidural as long as I don't spontaneously labor before the 1st! Praise the Lord for this news!

Let the nesting begin as we prepare for baby Whax! And, will hopefully have pictures to come soon!

Happy Thursday!

Birthday Boy!

No, not the baby! But, my incredible husband celebrated another year of life yesterday! I want to take this moment to say how blessed I am to have such an amazing husband, partner and friend in life! Max, you are God's absolute best for me in every way! I can't wait to become parents together and embark on this new journey with you! Happy Birthday! May this be the best year ever! I love you!

Epidural or no epidural - that is the question?

Ok - not by choice! I am writing pleading for your prayers and good thoughts. Last Thursday, I went to see the high-risk doctor and he informed me that he did not think I was a candidate for an epidural since I have had to be on so many blood thinners. So, his recommendation - natural child birth and no epidural! For those of you who know me, this is funny! I do not do pain! I have not prepared myself to do natural childbirth nor do I want to prepare myself for this.

So, after much research this weekend with several anesthesiologists and some more questioning today, I have decided to punt to my OB and see what she can figure out as an alternative! And... we wait.

I see my OB on Wednesday and she said she would look into it for us. I just ask for your prayers that there is some alternative to natural childbirth. If there is not, we will need all the prayers we can get for me and really Max to get through natural childbirth. Ouch - can't think of anything worse!

We see the doc on Wednesday and hopefully we will have an induction date and an answer on the epidural by then. Until then...prayers please!!! :)

Heat=No Bueno and the Fly-In

Random, I know! But, have two things I want to share with you. First, the heat in Texas is not conducive to a comfortable summer while being pregnant. I have never had cankles before and let me tell you - the heat has made these puppies swell up! PRETTY!!! Can't wait for Fall and for the baby to be here! Sorry friends, no pictures until baby comes!

Also, my sister sent me the link from the photographer who took pictures at Jake's fly-in. I am posting the link for you to see! What amazing work! What warms my heart about these pictures is the expression on McCall's face when seeing her daddy! Hope you enjoy!

http://www.beauwomblephotographyplog.com/?p=785

Three-and-a-half weeks and counting

It has been a rough couple of weeks emotionally. Two fridays ago I got a call from my doctor saying she wanted to take the baby at 38-weeks. I don't know why I have had such a hard time with this, but I have. She informed me that I have some pretty significant risks with delivery and she is wanting to try and minimize my risks as much as possible.

I have really battled with feelings of guilt and frustration over the past two weeks. After all, I just wanted to carry my baby all the way to 40 weeks + and to not be able to do that for him has been devestating! I am still in negotiations with my doctor to see how long into my 38th week she will let me go. More to come on this.

As for some positive news, the baby weighs 5 pounds and is looking great! He is very healthy and the sonogram yesterday showed he is growing normally and has a big head (thanks dad!!). I am waiting on my curtains and then to put some finishing touches on the nursery and then I will do our final nursery diaries post.

In other great news, Jake, my brother-in-law, is back from Afghanistan! My sister had a video made of his fly-in and homecoming and as soon as I get it I will post for you all! McCall is so glad to see her daddy and we are all so relieved he is home! Welcome home, brother!

Hope you guys have a wonderful Friday and I will post more soon!