Maternity Photos

Mother Nature has not cooperated with this mother-to-be where maternity photos are concerned.
Jeff and I had planned an excursion to the Birmingham Botanical Garden several weeks ago, where we were to meet our photographers. The tulips are blooming at the Garden and we thought it would be a great place to take some pretty pictures. Well, we were rained out. I think even the meteorologists were surprised that weekend by how much rain fell. Instead of traipsing through muddy grass and soggy tulips, we decided to re-schedule.
This time, our photographers were able to stop at our house on a return trip from Nashville, saving us the drive to Birmingham. The good news is we didn't have to worry about rain. Instead, Jack Frost was our enemy. It was SO cold! We took the first batch at a playground for some childlike shots. None of us lasted very long but I guess we'll have some funny stories to tell Abby Kate about the day. We took some cute poses with a Scrabble board/tiles as well as with a Sesame Street book featuring the character, Abby. Jeff returned to work after about 30 minutes on the playground and I came home for another session in the nursery. I wanted to get some tummy shots and it was clearly not a good idea to go bare belly in 45-degree weather.
We got some REALLY great pictures here at the house. Our photographers have such a great eye for what makes a good photo and I can't wait for y'all to see them! I will post some on the blog when we get them.

2 Showers, 10 Loads and 5 Weeks

I've enjoyed 2 baby showers over the past 2 weeks.
I've washed 10 loads of laundry in the past 4 days.
I've got 5 weeks to go until Abby Kate arrives!
Pictures from both baby showers are posted on my other blog at www.julie-and-jeff.blogspot.com so be sure to check those out.
I'll have to snap some shots of Abby Kate's closet and drawers to show you all the stuff I've washed for her: clothes, burp cloths, blankets, washcloths, towels. It's been a busy few days!
We went to the doctor Friday for what turned out to be a very quick visit. Abby Kate is still head down. Her heart rate was 160. We start our weekly visits next Friday and the doctor will check to see if I'm dilated at all. That's what is really bringing this home for me... I still can't believe we are so close to having a little girl in our lives.

Doctor's Visit

Abby Kate and I returned to the doctor Friday for our 32-week check-up. I'm happy to report that she is doing great! Her heart rate was 135; the doctor says she is measuring perfectly.
The visit took a lot longer than I expected because the doctor was running behind. Normally I'm an "easy like Sunday morning" kind of gal but waiting an extra hour at lunchtime was brutal! Abby Kate and I felt famished by the time my 11:20 appointment was over at 1:00. Hello, Chick-Fil-A! :)
I talked to the doctor about travel and she said I'm OK to travel up until 38 weeks if my pregnancy continues on its current track. She considers Birmingham or Nashville to be "safe" distances. Right now I don't have any plans to take trips but it's nice to know I'm clear for take-off, so to speak, if I want to visit my mom once again before the baby's born.
Sunday I'll enjoy a baby shower at my home church with "old" friends and family. Next weekend my friend Lee is hosting one in our honor and I'm excited to spend time with my TV family. With all this showering we feel blessed and loved, that's for sure!

Baby Updates

Rain washed out our plans for maternity pictures at the Botanical Garden in Birmingham on Sunday.
And rain hasn't been the only thing falling around our house. My emotions have kicked it up a notch - for no reason other than being pregnant. Jeff has been a trooper dealing with sudden tears!
I can't believe how well I'm sleeping at night. I still make 2 or 3 bathroom trips but have no trouble getting comfortable and falling asleep once I'm back in bed. I am, however, now in my 8th month of pregnancy and I've been told these last weeks will be the most uncomfortable ones. Something to "look forward to,"right?
Abby Kate has been extremely active over the last few days. She likes to play with daddy just as we lay down to sleep or right before we have to get up. And by "play" I mean kick him. I'll lay with my stomach to his back and he can feel her bounce around. Saturday morning he told me he is sure she stretched all four limbs at the same time because he felt it. He joked that she must have been telling him to get out of bed and fix breakfast.
We go back to the doctor Friday for our 32 week check-up. Jeff hasn't been able to make it to the last couple of appointments but he's hoping to join me for this one.

Showered At Church

Jeff & I enjoyed our second of five scheduled showers on Sunday; this one at our church.
Abby Kate received several gifts and we had a fun time in fellowship with friends.

Abby Kate in 4D

Jeff & I got to see our daughter up close and personal this morning... in 4D! I don't think there was ever any question that we'd have the 4D photos done, despite the fact that insurance doesn't cover it. We just figured if Abby Kate didn't cooperate, she could repay us the money out of her allowance some day. Ha Ha...
Her arm was covering her face at first so we were a little concerned we wouldn't get any good pictures. The technician joked that Abby Kate was being either shy or stubborn. I told her my bet was on stubborn because we don't have any shy family members. Stubborn could come from her Poppa or Bidee or Uncle Jeremy. I think Uncle Chad is the only one in my immediate family who she wouldn't get that from.
She is quite the contortionist! For a long time she had her hands beside her face and her feet touching her forehead, as you see below. We figure if she's not an Olympic gymnast she could always be an acrobat in the circus...
We watched her for about 45 minutes and came away with tons of photos on CD and paper as well as a videotape of the whole thing.
Here's a shot of her hand and foot.
The coolest part was feeling her and seeing her at the same time. I told Jeff recently that I wish I could see what she's doing when she moves and today I did.
I think she looks like her daddy but we'll see for sure in about 11 weeks!
I posted different photos on my other blog. You can check them out at http://www.julie-and-jeff.blogspot.com/

Baby Birthing 101

Jeff & I have attended child birth classes the past 2 Thursday nights and I've just got to wonder: Haven't there been ANY baby delivery movies made since 1978?
There are 3 other couples in our class. I'm glad there aren't more than that because I really don't think we'd get through the lesson each week within the 2 1/2 hour time period. You heard me right. 2 1/2 hours. My TV news producing background has kicked in as I consider ways the instructor could shave at least 30 minutes off the course. For example, everyone of the women in our class is in her third trimester. So why did we spend 20 minutes watching a video on nutrition? Perhaps it's a required topic. In my opinion, it's wasted time.
Don't get me wrong; the class has helped us get a better understanding of what to expect during labor although I have a feeling labor is something you can't really understand until you're actually going through it.
My favorite moment thus far has been the after-class question by an adorably young mother-to-be who wanted to know if it was OK for her to use self-tanning lotion so that her legs wouldn't be so white. I guess she's expecting an audience in her delivery room. As my friend Lee so poignantly pointed out: the young lady will be lucky if she can shave her legs at that point.
Next week's class should be better because we will get the hospital tour and what I consider "news we can use."
One more note: my dear Jeff has already mastered the relaxation techniques, as his eyes were closed pretty much the whole time that video was playing. Ha!

Drum Roll, Please...

Jeff & I have officially settled on a name for Baby Scrabble. Some of you already know the name we've been leaning toward. Now, I've got 75 baby shower invitations on my kitchen table to make it official. Baby Scrabble's name will be Abby Kate Reyburn, and we will call her Abby Kate.
I must admit I still have a great affection for her nickname Baby Scrabble so you'll probably still hear me using it intermittently in conversation and on the blog.

28 Week Check-up

Baby Scrabble and I returned to the doctor on Tuesday for our 28 week checkup. It was a pretty uneventful visit. I heard her heartbeat, which was 150. She's been between 145 and 160 the whole time. Jeff didn't make this visit, in part because we knew the lab work might be lengthy.
I had to endure the glucose drink/blood test. I'd heard horror stories about how awful the drink would be but it was not bad. To me it tasted like flavored water with a little too much sugar. 30 minutes or so after drinking it I really wanted something salty to counteract all that sweet but overall it was quite tolerable. The doctor told me they would only call if I failed the test, and if I passed we'd talk about it at my next appointment. Late Wednesday afternoon, I had a message from the nurse on my voicemail and panicked momentarily. She actually called to say I had passed and that I could call them if I wanted specific numbers.
Our doctor visits will now be every 2 weeks because we are in the final trimester. Can you believe it?! Jeff & I still have SO much to do to get ready for the baby. An acquaintance of Jeff's who also sees our doctor delivered at 27 weeks not long ago. Praise God the baby is doing great... it just serves as a reminder to me that we just don't know when Baby Scrabble will get here and right now, we have nowhere to put her!

Scrabble's First Baby Shower

Jeff & I enjoyed the first baby shower in our honor last week. His company invited us for cake and presents.
We received Baby Scrabble's bathtub and a pack of washcloths, a Fisher Price toy, a first-aid kit, 3 outfits and a very generous gift card/cash combo.
I couldn't take any pictures there but snapped this shot at our home to show off Baby Scrabble's loot.

Baby Scrabble's Pal

Baby Scrabble will have a buddy waiting for her just as soon as she is born.
Jeff & I are blessed to be sharing our pregnancy experience with a wonderful couple from our church. We enjoyed dinner with them Monday night. Their son "Little Bit" is due in March but could, quite frankly, decide he's ready to enter the world any day now.
It occurred to me we didn't have any photos of Baby Scrabble and Little Bit "together" so we snapped this shot for the scrapbook.

Working The List

Jeff & I are slowly - but surely! - working our way down the list of things to do in order to get ready for Baby Scrabble.
The bedding arrived last Monday. We purchased a crib and armoire on Saturday. There is one more piece we want to buy but the store didn't have it in stock so that remains on the list. We've picked out paint samples and will decide on a color this week so Jeff can take advantage of a discount he has for Lowe's.
We registered at Babies R Us last week and will register at Target this week. A BIG thanks to everyone who contributed to my "Help/Advice" email. You made it a lot easier for us to scoot through Babies R Us. We are by no means done with this process but at least we're on the way.
Our first baby shower is scheduled for this week. Jeff's office is hosting and we are excited!

25 Weeks Pregnant

I have not done a good job of preserving my pregnancy in pictures. I think I've only taken two shots of my belly- one at 16 weeks and this one, which is 25 weeks. I had every intention to take pregnancy photos every 4 weeks and it just hasn't happened. Oh, well.
I am still feeling really good, though I have experienced some back pain in recent days. Nothing a heating pad can't help! I got frustrated last night because I couldn't get comfortable in bed. I moved to the couch and within minutes was sound asleep. I don't like the idea of sleeping on the couch for the next 3 months so hopefully the back pain will subside or I'll be able to soothe it somehow. Maybe new mattresses are in order...

... The Mouths of Babes

Jeff & I get a lot of joy from teaching 1st graders in Sunday School. We've been teaching for three years and feel like they are "our" kids.
Sunday's lesson was about good news and how God sent Jesus to spread the good news. We each took turns sharing good news and, of course, Jeff & I shared with the kids that we are going to have a baby. They all wanted to know if it was a boy or girl but that was about the end of their interest.
Just before the parents arrived to collect the kids, one of the boys looked at me and said "How are you going to have a baby? You're not fat!"
Maybe I should wear that dress every day...
I thanked him for his nice words but assured him the baby still had lots of growing to do. We'll see what he thinks of me come April...

Pattycake With Daddy

We have had lots of fun with Baby Scrabble this week.
Jeff returned from a business trip Thursday night and was very anxious to touch my tummy after being gone for 3 days. The baby started moving just before we went to sleep. Jeff put his hand on the left side of my stomach and she gave a good kick. He decided to see if she was up for a game of "pattycake" so he tapped four times and within 2 seconds she tapped back! They played about 4 rounds and I laughed the whole time. It's as if she was saying "Yes, daddy. I'm still here!"
Tuesday I was sitting on the couch when I felt her moving and when I looked down, I could see my stomach expand with each kick. I felt a little bit like I was starring in an alien movie with this living being inside me, but it was very neat.

Baby Ins and Outs

Baby Scrabble is moving a lot more these days and she is moving earlier and earlier in the morning. She seems to have found my bladder and has decided it is her personal LaZBoy recliner!
Jeff & I attempted to look for baby furniture Sunday but the store we thought was open was actually closed. We are making some progress on cleaning out Baby Scrabble's room. It's slow going because we are running out of places to put things. We have a lot of stuff but I guess that's to be expected since we both lived on our own for so long before we married.
We go back to the doctor Friday. We will have another ultrasound and are excited about seeing the baby again. My mom will be with us on this visit; she & I are going to shop for bedding once we leave the doctor's office. I'm anxious to decide on bedding so we can pick a wall color and paint the room. We've got 3-4 months before the baby is due but everyone tells me the last trimester flies by. Times a-wastin'!
I tapped into the expertise of my family and girlfriends last week to get advice on what to register for. Thanks to everyone who responded! We got great feedback and don't feel nearly as overwhelmed. Lots of you have asked where we are registered & I will let you know via the blog once we get it done.

Baby Scrabble's Christmas Photos

Well, she's not exactly sitting on Santa Claus' knee but here are two of Baby Scrabble's Christmas photos from 2008. These were taken at the doctor's office on December 23rd.
If you look closely, you can see she is sucking her thumb in the first one. Here's hoping she breaks that habit sooner than her mommy did. I kept it up 'til around age 7 and as a result wore braces for 2 1/2 years. Here's another of my favorite photos. I think she was getting ready to wave to us. Our doctor told us the images aren't as clear as she would like them to be. Apparently they'd had some maintenance done to the ultrasound machine and it was for worse, not better. She has scheduled another ultrasound for our next visit, which is in 2 weeks. We have several other ultrasound photos: an arm, a foot, her spine, and her "girl parts." I posted these 2 because they are my favorites.

So Much To Do, So Little Energy

The past few days I've experienced first trimester tiredness all over again. What's up with that?! I'm not complaining so much as I am explaining (to myself more than anyone) why there are still so many odds-and-ends Christmas gifts/decorations laying around our house & why I never feel like making up our bed in the morning.
Maybe it's normal to start feeling drained again but I don't have time to be tired. We still have to clean out the room that will be Baby Scrabble's. Up until now it was my make-shift home office/storage room. Jeff moved my desk and computer into his home office so that definitely helps. But there's still so much STUFF in the baby's room-to-be. I will have to take "before and after" photos: before meaning how it looks now and after being once it's all ready for our little girl. I'm too embarrassed to post a "before" photo now 'cause then you'll think the rest of our house is equally messy!
Mom is going to visit later this month so we can start shopping for nursery bedding. (Jeff has very little interest in picking out bumper pads and curtains.) I haven't seen any bedding I like yet but I did find some material at Hobby Lobby that was pretty. Maybe Bidee will make the bedding for Baby Scrabble.
For the most part it seems there's plenty of time to get ready and no real need to stress, other times May 10th seems like it will be here tomorrow.

The Name Game

As much fun as we've had with the name "Baby Scrabble" it is time for us to really consider what we will write on our little one's birth certificate.
Because we are having a girl, Jeff wants to choose an 'A' name. His sisters both had girls first and selected 'A' names and he wants to do the same.
'A' names we have ruled out (because we have cousins/nieces by those names) are: Alicia, Amanda, Amber, Ashley, Avery.
Jeff & I have almost settled on a name, but we're curious to see what suggestions our friends and family have. So leave us a comment on this blog or send us an email to let us know what 'A' name you like!