Labor Mantra Book

I am feeling crafty- really, I am bored. I have been home for days minus a few small trips here and there. So, I have spent some good time in the scrapbook room. Last night, I used the scriptures you recommended on the blog and by email and made my labor mantra book.





It includes scriptures made to help me be strong, to remember Abby is His child, to keep Marcus and I focused on the gift she is, and to let others see His love through our experience.

It was super easy to make and it helped me to use up many of my random accessories and scrap paper.

Week 40: Yep, Still Pregnant

First I'm told pregnancy is 10 months and not nine and now you tell me that you can go beyond 40 weeks. To top it off, my little blog ticker on the right proclaims, "It's go time." Thanks little ticker, I HAD NO IDEA! Don't I look miserable! I went to the doctor this morning without any makeup or washing my hair hoping they would feel sorry for me. No such luck.

I have progressed to 2 cm dilated and stayed at 50% effaced. It looks like 12/29 is very likely. In some ways, it seems like forever from now and in other ways, I can't believe the baby we have dreamed off will be here in 5 days.

Here is a view of me standing up to show you my new shoes! ha! Marcus thought that would be funny. I am just happy I was able to wear shoes. I have only left the house once since Friday and it was for a pedicure, so I was in flip flops. My feet are puffy, but they do fit into shoes.

All was well at the doctor- good heartrate for baby and good blood pressure and weight for Mommy.

Abby Lu's First Piece of James Avery

Abby Lu receives the best mail! Marcus and I receive bills, insurance notifications, and catalogs wanting our money. She receives the most heartfelt of presents!

Today in the mail, she received her first piece of James Avery jewelry from my Aunt Vicki and cousin Keri. If you are not familiar with his work, it is my favorite and has been since I was a child. Mr. Avery is based out of Kerrville and specializes in sterling silver pieces, many of which are Christian based. My mother worked for him personally many years ago and my uncle works for him today. He is based in Kerrville, Texas, where my parents grew up. He also has many stores in Austin.

Abby Lu received a very small bracelet with angels framing her engraved name. It is simply beautiful and I love love it! Thank you Vicki and Keri for thinking of her and sending something so special to start her James Avery collection. I can't wait to see it on her sweet little wrists!

One of Abby Lu's Namesakes

Marcus and I received a box in the mail today that made us cry big 'ol alligator tears... it was filled with gifts, many homemade, from Marcus' Aunt Iva. Included in the box were items made from Marcus' grandmother's fabric collection. His grandmother, is the Lucille, in Abigayle Lucille and she passed in 2001. I only knew "Granny" for a short time and unfortunately, the time I knew her she was suffering from Alzheimer's. I never really knew the wonderful Christ-filled matriarch that she was for his mother's side of the family.

To have some of her fabric carried down to our daughter and a letter from Iva sharing what a wonderful woman she was means the world to Marcus and I. Knowing that Iva saved the fabric for a special occasion and deemed our daughter worthy of it is so touching. It reminds you why family names are so special. To top it all off, the items don't look like they came from an old stash of fabric- they are modern and funky and perfect!


Here is the laundry bag personalized just for her. The fabric, including the rick-rack, came from Granny. I wish I had known Granny and I shared a love of rick rack!






Here are a few of the other items made from new and old fabrics. The large white burp cloth says, "My Grammy Rocks" which is Marcus' Mom (Lucille's daughter's) grandname. The green and blue smaller cloths and sewn with an "A" and a ladybug. I love me some ladybugs! Finally, the pillows include a flower, letter A, "is for Abigayle" and a photo frame.

Iva, thank you so much for sharing Granny's fabric with us, for sharing your talents with us, and for welcoming our daughter into the family with a heritage she can be so very proud of. We love you!

The last few comments...

People, Please be aware that during this holiday season, we are at a baby threat level Red. This means that an imminent baby event is going to happen this holiday season. We recommend that all travelers have their personal luggage checked and rechecked in the event of a urgent situation. Remember, we can be ready, or we can be freaked right out.

So Anna has been the blog heavy one for a while, but I wanted to chip in some nuggets from the past few months.

Cold. So cold. Im wrapped in flannel and slippers under the comforter at night, and she is sweating with no covers. My deepest apologies to those that I have frozen out before.

She ate burgers and Chinese. let's see if that trend continues.

BTW people, burping, gas, and using the bathroom a bunch is pretty much a usual for guys. Sorry we can't have more sympathy for preggers people. Its just a daily thing for us.

I have complete sympathy for pregnancy brain. (not that Anna went loopy or anything, but there were a couple of "huh?" moments. I attribute it to the preggers brain.) Having something kick you and move all the time is freaky. I grew up watching the Alien movies. uh uh.

I'm not to freaked about those 'hanging out at 3am feedings". Mainly because some of the best raids happen at this time. Its also the easiest time to quest. You can also play WOW with one hand, and hold something in the other.

Fun times!

Week 39: Doctor Appt Update

Today's doctor's appointment went very well. I was told that my iron counts were almost normal and if I just keep taking my iron I should not need anything special at birth- yea! I also did not gain any weight since last week- yea! Abby Lu's heart rate and my blood pressure were all good. I am 50% effaced and 1.5 cm. dilated. It isn't a lot of progress, but it is progress!

The end is near- we were given the special paperwork for if/when I go into labor. It included who to call, what to eat, etc. We talked about the on call doctor for next week since mine has Christmas off. Luckily, I am really not that concerned about who catches my baby, as long as a doctor is there! We also scheduled a week 40 appointment for Christmas Eve and planned our induction. If Abby Lu stays warm and cozy inside me, I will check into the new birthing center at 8:00 PM on December 28th to begin the drugs. Marcus went over to the center and compared it to a nice Holiday Inn. How nice that we get to experience the new hospital!

Week 39: A Mini-Watermelon

It looks like I swallowed a watermelon! I remember when she was just a poppy seed and I was so excited to have a blueberry. Wow- a watermelon! We'll see if she makes it to week 40 and grows up to be a pumpkin.

Nothing new or exciting happening since my sonogram yesterday. Tomorrow is my last day of work and I see the doctor on Thursday. My calendar is clear and ready for her arrival!

from Baby Center:


Your baby's waiting to greet the world! He continues to build a layer of fat to help control his body temperature after birth, but it's likely he already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds, a mini watermelon. (Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.) The outer layers of his skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath.

Sonogram Results

We had our sonogram today and it was wonderful to see her (thank goodness Abby is still a girl!)and even more wonderful to hear all of the healthy statistics she currently bears. She is face down, looking back and has a little bit of hair. We were able to see her lungs moving showing breathing, her heart beating, and her fingers, toes, arms and legs all moving. Her organs were all in place and normal.

In terms of her size, Dr. Darby and the technician said around 8 pounds, maybe 8.5 pounds. They didn't see any medical reason for us to induce this week and recommended we await her arrival. As much as I want to control this, I am going to sit back and let God decide when our child will be born. It occurred to me that she is His child as well and if He wants to give her to us for Christmas, then we should not try to take that away from Him.

If she doesn't come on her own, we will go in on 12/29 and induce for safety reasons.

Labor Mantra

Please send me any scripture you think will help keep me focused during labor.

These currently mean the most to me and seem mighty relevant. I don't want to forget it isn't Dr. Vaughn or Dr. Neyman bringing this baby into the world- it is Him who made it all happen!

I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.- John 15:5

You alone created my inner being. You knitted me together inside my mother.- Psalm 139:13

Glory belongs to God, whose power is at work in us. By this power he can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. - Ephesians 3:20

Week 38: Dr Appt Update

Yea, uh, that is my big belly. When I first saw this picture this morning, I actually thought, my boobs look small. hehe!

We saw the doctor for our 38 week checkup and here is what she said:

* Blood Pressure is good at 114 over 76

* Weight gain is normal at 26 total pounds, 1 pound since last week

* Heart rate was excellent at 143

And, then Dr. Neyman came in and told me Abby Lu looks to be about 8 pounds. Excuse me, what? Baby Center says normal is around 7 pounds. 8 pounds with 17 days until induction makes we very nervous! At one pound per week normal baby weight gain at this point, I am looking at a baby over 10 pounds!

My body is not progressing toward labor at all, so she is not in favor of induction yet. I did convince her to let me do a sonogram on Monday morning so that Dr. Darby can tell me how big she looks. I don't know what I am hoping for- a small baby that will stay in me longer or confirmation she is big and an induction early next week.

At this point, I am back with Dr. Neyman on Thursday December 18th and we'll see how I have progressed. She does not go straight to c-section unless the sonogram shows a 10 pounder. Wow!

On another note, I was excited to pull out my Christmas shirt today. I think I outgrew it! It is pulling a little tight on my belly. Funny trick though- my shirt is magical because when I sit down, I can hide Santa's hat!

Week 38: Okay, Really, I am READY!

I am here! I am ready! Please let me meet my little girl soon. I don't want to wait until December 29th (induction) or even December 24th (due date)! At our appointment on Friday, I plan to beg my doctor to let me be induced next week. I really want her here for Christmas. We are full term, so her job inside me now is just to get bigger. Wait a minute.... I don't know that bigger is better! 6.8 pounds sounds reasonable!

Honestly, I am getting to the really uncomfortable stage. I am swelling, my joints hurt, I don't sleep and I think I now waddle. I stand up and have to pee. I sit down and have to pee. On the bright side, I am so grateful to be at 38 weeks with all of this complaining to do!

I started working PT this week and it has helped. I go in at 10:00 each day which allows me to lay in bed a little longer and eat a good breakfast at home. It seems to help me maintain energy longer during the day. My last day at work is next Wednesday. My leave is about 12 weeks. I am off completely for the first 6-7 and then will work as I wish from home via phone and email. I am very very blessed I have this opportunity. I realize not all employers are so understanding.

I am back at the doctor on Friday for a regular appointment and to check my iron levels. Please say a prayer all is still well, iron counts are normal, and my power of persuasion moves up my induction date!

from Baby Center:
Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)

Last Baby Shower

Marcus and I had our last (#5) baby shower this weekend with the friends from our Sunday School class. The families in that class and at the shower have enriched our marriage and our lives so much in the past 5 years. It was wonderful to celebrate the next chapter with them.




We were showered with lots of wonderful gifts- homemade treasures, practical goods from Moms with lots of experience and the occasional over-the-top outfit that I can't wait to dress her in.

Check out these ruffled fancy pants! Abby Lu will be so stylish! They will be cute with her little ballerina socks or her red glitter slippers handed down from our little friend Emily.






Here is another outfit that makes me smile- leopard print shirt and matching pants and sunglasses! I love Gymboree for their ability to make it all work together. I know I will be shopping there often.






These are just a few of the girls in attendance. The rest of them and the boys were upstairs watching the SEC game or manning the kids out in the backyard. It is such a blessing to be a part of this family of families. We have learned tremendously from each of them.

Shared Birthday

UPDATES: New days added!

I know a lot of people with December birthdays or anniversaries! I didn't realize how many until I mention Abby Lu's due date and hear, "she could be born on my birthday." So, I am trying to compile a list. If you have a December date, let me know and I'll add you to the list or correct me if I have your date wrong!

December 3- Mary (my co-worker)
December 5- Erica (my blogging friend)
December 9- Rowan (my college friend Sandee's daughter)
December 12- Ben and Kristi's Anniversary (my cousin)
December 14- Matt and Tabriah's Anniversary (childhood friend)
December 19- Cathy (my former KW boss and current friend!) and John and Jessica's Anniversary (my coworker)
December 20- Kiersten and Ava (friends daughter, about to turn one)
December 22- Reese and Debra (daughter of a Goddess Girl and KW friend) or Kelly (who I blog stalk from Arkansas!)
December 23- Cohen (my nephew)
December 30- Blythe (Natalie from church's sweet daughter)
December 31- Jacque (my step mom)

She'll be in great company on any of these days!

Marcus' Present

Last night at dinner I gave Marcus a thank you present for being such a wonderful husband throughout my pregnancy and for already being a wonderful father.

I found this website online and loved their products. Marcus' dog tag came in the mail yesterday and looks even better in person. They have a great line of women's products too and everything is reasonable priced.

Marcus' tag reads, "Abigayle Eph. 3:20" which states:

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. -NLT version

Week 37 Dr Appt

I am at weekly doctors appointments- yea! The time is near my friends!

My appointment today went well- my blood pressure was "excellent" to quote the medical assistant and Abby's heart rate was "perfect". Thank you God for those numeric blessings.

My weight gain was funny. I have been chugging along with a gain of 1-2 pounds every two weeks and all was well. I feel like my belly has exploded the past two weeks and my appetite has been strong. I have indulged in lots of hamburgers and BBQ for my iron count and ice cream for my sweet tooth. All of that adds up to 7 pounds gained in 2 weeks! Wow! Let's pray I don't do that again. Overall, I have gained 25 pounds, so we are fine.

I also learned that I am 1 cm dilated. In the grand scheme, it doesn't mean she is coming any quicker. But, it does make my happy to know my body is progressing toward something. My next appointment is on 12/12.

Two nights ago I woke up at 12:12 and immediately thought that will be my child's birthday. We'll see if that was wishful thinking! I do have 3 Christmas parties that night and 2 more that weekend! It is also the one year anniversary of our first IVF meeting. How special would that be!

Week 37: A Big Ol Baby Belly!

I bought this new pink shirt last week on clearance at Kohls. It says "expecting" across the chest. I think I am wearing it a little late. Marcus and I decided it should say something a little less obvious or say "expecting" and "duh"!

I feel like my waist has doubled in the last week and my body feels it. This is the part of pregnancy where God gets you ready to want labor to come. I'll take labor to get her off my bladder, to be able to get out of the bed or the couch on my own, to make the car ride home without stopping to go potty, and to have the energy to stand while blow drying my hair. Its the little things I miss. Don't get me wrong- I am so excited to be in this stage, I am just more excited for the next stage.

I am still working full time, trying to prepare for my leave and save up time for when the baby is here; however, it might become a lost cause. Sleep is not getting any better and my ability to be productive is dwindling. I sure hope nobody pops in our office unexpected. They will find me without makeup, jewelry or matching shoes. I am down to whatever takes the least amount of effort. I think flip flops are perfectly acceptable with a sweater and scarf. At least they are freshly pedicured toes in the flip flops!

Tomorrow is my 37 week appointment and breastfeeding classes. Let's hope the doctor tells me we have progress, approves a sonogram to see how big she is (I am just dying to know) and that class is comfortable for Marcus and I.

from Baby Center:
Congratulations — your baby is full term! This means that if your baby arrives now, his lungs should be fully mature and ready to adjust to life outside the womb, even though your due date is still three weeks away.Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

Neat Idea from Oprah

When I was home over Thanksgiving, I watched a couple of episodes of Oprah. Her favorite things was on Wednesday and focused in meaningful gifts you can give without spending a lot of money.

A mother of 4 gave me a great idea! She had file boxes made for each of her children (in college) and filled the boxes with all of the mementos she had saved from their childhood. This included report cards, carpet samples, school pictures, etc. I decided I should get a cute box and start now. I was wondering where to store all of the sweet cards I have received at my showers.

These file boxes are the cutest I have found- they are just $24.99 at Container Store and should hold a few years worth of special items. I can't wait to fill it up and then to share them with Abby when she is older. I'm thinking I need a pink and a green!

Nursery Painting Completed

When I mentioned I wanted to paint our nursery with something fun and different, Josette from my Sunday School class told me about Cheri from our church. I heard she had painted numerous nurseries of other church families and hired her without seeing any of her work. I am not normally so trusting as I have my own design ideas and worry others don't see my vision. I am glad I trusted Josette and Cheri and let her do her thing. She made my nursery even cuter and more whimsical than I could have even imagined. It has a hint of Mary Engelbreit whom I have always loved! Marcus wanted clouds and I wanted flowers and together they just worked out! I had the "You Are My Sunshine" sign made from an artist in Tyler that I met at the Leander HS craft fair. I think it is the perfect sunny combo to our clouds. Cheri painted that spot with my sign in mind.

Above her changing table, are the baby photos of Marcus and I framed and ready for Abby Lu's baby picture. I can't wait to see her chubby little cheeks in that frame!

Finally, above her bed, we placed another ledge to serve as a window box since I just couldn't find a clean white window box in any hardware store. It matches the other wall nicely and will have more usage in the future. The bunching of flowers above her bed makes for a great focal point.

I can totally understand all my friends who commented they just wanted to go and sit in their nurseries. I love the room and am so glad to have it almost ready to go! I just need remat the baby pictures with something more colorful and get her changing table pad and covers and the pretty stuff will be all set!

Pretty in Pink

This morning I went and got a pedicure and opted for a nice pink knowing it could be the last pedicure before my baby girl is here!

I took a picture of my feet to show everyone that at 37 weeks, they still look normal! All of my shoes fit just fine! My ankles also look normal, but are covered because of the inability to shave well!

He Went To Zales....

Tonight after dinner I received a very special present- blue topaz earrings in honor of Miss Abigayle's December birthday. Now, I just need to make it through a few more weeks of pregnancy and the birthing process to deserve these beautiful earrings.

Thank you Marcus for the present, but more than that for being the kind of man our daughter can look up to, learn from, and strive to find one day. I couldn't ask for more.