1 month old!

Lily's Birth Story

Lily Katherine Hale

Born: October 18, 2013

9:07pm

7pounds, 18 inches

Scott and White Memorial Hospital in Temple, TX

Friday, October 18^th

41 weeks and one day pregnant. We had heard three due dates from medical professionals: October 7, 9, and 10^th. I had chosen to wait for her to come on her own rather than having a medical induction. It was so hard, but SO worth it to let her come on God’s timing and not mine. At 2:30am I woke up feeling stronger contractions and knew today was Lily’s birthday! I knew it would be a while before we would try to go to the hospital, though since the contractions were not extremely strong, long, or close together. Sean teaches one choir class at Salado High School, and is off at Salado Methodist Church on Fridays so he went to go teach from about 7:30am-9am. I enjoyed lying on the couch watching the Project Runway Season Finale where Dom won!

Sean came home, changed clothes, and we went on a walk. We walked our usual route- DeGrummond. We saw deer and enjoyed the beautiful weather. When we got about half a mile away (to the pond) I needed to turn around and go back because I was feeling some more intense contractions. YAY! We walked slowly back to the house enjoying talking to each other about becoming a family. When we got home I sent Sean to Brookshire Brothers (across the street) to go get stuff for BLT’s. I thought we could have those for dinner that night. When he got home from the store I told him we should make them for lunch instead since I was predicting we would eat dinner at the hospital. We ate YUMMY BLT’s for lunch and then took about an hour nap. When we got up we spent about an hour last-minute cleaning the house, sending last minute e-mails, and getting our stuff ready for the hospital. The entire morning was beautiful and calm.

It was time. We had everything ready to go! Sean and I walked out and as we put our things in the trunk I started crying. Sean suggested we go back inside for a second. We sat on the couch, hugged, and reminded each other that we were going into the hospital a couple and going to leave as a family. Sean prayed over us for strength to get through labor. We loaded the car and drove about 25 minutes North to the Hospital. The car ride was quiet. Our spirits were calm and our minds were racing.

When we got to the hospital, we parked pretty far away from the door. I was ok with this because I knew a little walking would do me good! We got up to the 3^rd floor of the South Tower of the Hospital. We had to wait about 2 minutes for someone to come to the desk. “May I help you?” She asked. I calmly responded, “I think I’m in labor…at least at 41 weeks pregnant I hope I am”. She gave me some paperwork to fill out and had me take a seat in the waiting room. I couldn’t fill it out because I couldn’t think of what day it was or what insurance we had or anything…shortly after a nurse came and took me to a triage room.  We sat and waited a while. A male medical student who told us he had no idea what he was doing came in and attempted to hook me up to the fetal heart monitor and contraction monitor. I helped him out since we had been to labor and delivery before. I feel for the male med students in their OB/GYN rotation because that is the scariest rotation for the guys, but this guy was totally CLUELESS!

The room was really hot. I asked for cooler air or ice or something. We got ice water but no one knew how to turn down the air. For some reason there was a tray in there that looked like a tray nachos at the ballpark would be served on…Sean got it and just started fanning me with it! Haha! A female doctor in her residency checked my cervix. Unfortunately I was only 3 cm dialated and needed to be 4 to be admitted. We were turned away. She left the room and I got dressed. The chief resident came in and said we needed to do a sonogram to check the level of amniotic fluid since I was 41 weeks along…so we got to SEE Lily! Her little hand was covering her eyes. The chief medical resident suggested stripping my membranes to help move labor along…google it if you really want to know…it felt like crazy poking all over my insides. THEN my water broke! Sean said he heard a pop when it happened! YAY- we were taken to Labor and Delivery! I told them I could walk, but they didn’t want me dripping all the way there, so they wheeled me back.

As the nurses were getting me ready, Sean walked our to the car to get our bags and call our families. They measured my vitals and I had a bit of fever. I told them to go down to triage and feel how hot it was in there. Sure enough they took it again in a few minutes and I had cooled down. I was hooked up to an IV with a steady drip of fluids. No meds, just water. I requested a telemetry machine to record the fetal monitoring so I could move around. I let them know I did not want any epidural or other pain medicine. I was prepared and determined to have an all-natural childbirth. Why? To reduce the risk of a c-section, so Lily could be more alert, and so that breastfeeding would come more easily immediately after birth. Yes- I did a lot of thought, research, asking friends, and prayer on all-natural childbirth. Sean and I took an at-home birth bootcamp series of classes to prepare us together. We felt extremely ready. BUT- thankfully I have not experienced much physical pain in my life so I didn’t know what my real pain tolerance was…so an epidural was in the back of my mind for sure…

Contractions started to become more intense, longer, and closer together. I chose to take my IV pole and go on a walk around the hallways of the unit. We walked SLOWLY in a rectangle shape for about 30-40 minutes, stopping occasionally so I could wait out each contraction. Nurses that passed by continually encouraged me and made sure we were doing ok. Sean walked with me every step of the way reminding me during each contraction “You only have to get through this one. This is one day of your life and pretty soon we’ll be sitting at home with Lily enjoying a glass of wine and holding her.” He is the best birth coach. I love him so much.

As we passed our room, I decided to go in and sit down a minute. I tried to sit on the birthing ball, but sitting didn’t feel good so I stood and leaned on the bed. Between contractions I sat and bounced on the ball. A nurse came in and raised the bed so I could stand and lay my head on a pillow during contractions. This felt good. I wanted ice on my neck. The air was turned down to 68 degrees, but I was so hot! She suggested standing and swaying back and forth. I SO wanted to keep all my weight on my right side. Sean got behind me and was massaging in a downward motion on my back and was coaching me to shift my weight every so often. It was so hard. I asked for more ice. I buried my face in it. OH I was so hot! Then the nurse suggested getting in the shower may help ease the pain. Even though I was hot, I thought it was worth a try. She suggested I sit next to the running water and put a towel over the baby monitors on my belly. When a contraction came along, Sean was supposed to fill a little pitcher with hot shower water and pour it over my belly. Sean had his shoes off and pants rolled up and had to constantly reach over me to get the water in the pitcher. I also wanted ice on my back and ice water to drink. Somehow he helped me with all of these things at once! At one point I asked for my cold water to drink. I told him to pour water on me because a contraction was coming on. He thought I meant the cold water so he started to pour it on my head! Hahaha! He is so supportive and was doing everything I asked. It was a very athletic event for both of us!

The contractions started to get very intense. I wanted to stand and sit at the same time. I wanted to feel the hot water with my arms and pour it on my face and also feel the ice on my back. The hot water and the cold ice helped distract me from the pain of the contractions. The contractions got SO painful I didn’t think I could take it any more. I had read in my birth books that at that point I was almost done…but I didn’t think I was because it didn’t seem like it had been that long. From the time my water broke until the time I was in the shower was maybe about 4 hours…Sean just kept saying “you just have to get through this one. This is only one day of your life. Pretty soon we’ll be having a glass of wine and holding Lily”. This got me through.

All the sudden my body started involuntarily pushing. All I could do was yell and grunt. (I was hoarse for a few days just because of this!). I told Sean “It’s time”. He said he would press the nurse button and I told him he needed to just run outside and get the doctor right away. He was barefoot with wet feet sliding all around on a slick floor! He was able to get some nurses to come in and they asked if I could make it over to the bed. Slowly, I was able to walk over and lay on the bed so they could check me and see how far along I was. When I laid down I realized the pain had gotten much better. From what I read in birthing books, I knew by that it was almost time to push!

They checked me and I was fully dilated and effaced. They mentioned they would call my doctor (who was at home with her kids) and she would be there in about 15 minutes. Another doctor came in and was on standby in case our OB was unable to make it. She started heating some essential oils in the room for relaxation. I could not smell it and was totally unaware they were there, but Sean said it helped him to relax. I was asked how I planned to deliver- did I want to stand, squat, kneel, lay, etc…I knew all of these options beforehand, but I could not get off the bed. I was SO tired! It probably would have gone a bit faster if I could have stood because gravity would have helped.

Dr. Pilkington rushed to the hospital with her kids and got there JUST in time to start pushing. I could hear her kids running around in the hallway. Pushing took about 40 minutes but it seemed like forever to me! It was a really hard work out and I was so anxious to meet Lily! Sean was on my left side, a nurse was on my right holding my legs, and Dr. P and the rest of the team were all around me. When I would push, I was told to push with my legs, then Sean and the nurse would push back to resist against me. What a work-out for Sean! This went on a while with the team cheering me on. With each contraction I had to push to the count of 10 while holding my breath. I did this for three repetitions each contraction. Dr. P. noticed my leg holders (Sean and the nurse) were tired, so they set up foot stools near the bed for me to push against.

Dr. P. recommended tying a knot in the end of a towel and having me pull one side while a nurse pulled the other. A tug-of-war that would happen during each contraction. This seemed to work really well and was getting Lily closer and closer. I was asked to look up at the reflection on the celling to see the top of Lily’s head. I could see it but she still seemed so far away- I was the most tired I have EVER been and I still had a lot of hard pushing to do!

At this time, Lily’s heart-rate started to drop, but luckily it went back up each time Dr. P. would tickle Lily’s head with her fingers. Between contractions, I could hear Dr. P’s kids running up and down the hallways in the delivery floor. She had to go out and check on them at least once! The nurses would sit around and chat as if on a break-room at a normal office. It was so funny to me how casual it was for them to be doing what they were doing. Finally, I had a really good tug-of-war session with the nurse. The team cheered me on and counted really loud “One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, TEN!”. All I could hear was Sean’s voice counting. All of the sudden I felt Lily literally wiggle her way out. I could feel it in my entire body. A feeling I will never forget. At 9:07pm she was brought earth-side! Immediately she let out a LOUD cry! Sean looked at me and told me that was our baby. She was immediately placed on my chest (my current facebook profile picture) and we had our first moment as mommy, daddy, and baby. The nurses took her to do some testing. I was dead to the world. I could not open my eyes. All I remember at this point was what I heard.

Lily was busy crying and Sean started talking to her. Immediately she stopped and looked his direction. She knew Daddy’s voice. She always knew him in the womb, too. She would kick when his hand was there and would go crazy when he would sing! Now she got to meet him! Daddy. Just a few minutes later, our families (who had just gotten to town) were able to come in and see her for the first time! Lily had a great birthday. I still can’t believe it happened: A healthy 10 month pregnancy, medicine free delivery, and a healthy baby! I would experience it all again in a heartbeat. It was so wonderful and makes me feel like I can do anything! I am definitely a stronger woman because of this. Waiting for her arrival and working hard to get her here without any numbing medication was a wonderful reminder that God is in control and I am not. She is God’s child and came on His timing. Our hearts are full to have Lily Katherine Hale in our lives.

Check Back Later

I'll post on here with Lily updates sometime soon, but in the meantime I will just be posting short updates on her Facebook group page (which is private). Let me know if you want to be a part of that group!

I plan on updating once per month and sharing the update via Facebook :)

We are SO happy Lily is here!

Survey Results RE-POST

Here are the survey results again. So far no one guessed the date. Nikki (one of my college roomies) and Pam's dates have not passed yet. I don't think Dr. P will let me make it until Halloween haha! October 18th might work, though. There is a Full moon October 19th. Sean and his sister were both born on full moons...Also our NICU doctor friend said Labor and Delivery gets crazy busy during full moons or cold fronts. 

We also will have to see about the baby sizes, hair/eye color! 

last minute doc appointment today

I was able to get a last-minute check-up since I am choosing not to induce today! 

Quick updates:

• Lily is still estimated to be around 7 pounds
• Head has descended and is "as low as I've seen a head pre-labor"...according to Dr. P
• about 3 cm dilated and 90% effaced
• great heartbeat
• "-1 Station" (see picture below)

It still means she could come now or in a week or so...who knows! We'll wait it out! At least I have shown progress each week. I have another appointment scheduled with Dr. P. next Tuesday for another check-up and some testing to see if an induction will be medically necessary. Lets hope she comes before that! Maybe the cold front will help!

The "About-to-have-a-baby-feeling"

Sean and I have sort of a term we use around the house. The "about to go to work feeling". It is when you have to go to work in like 30 min. or an hour and you are sort of anxiously looking at the clock and don't really feel like you can get stuff done around the house because you're about to leave for work...you know that feeling? 

Well the "about to have a baby feeling" is very similar...except for some people it lasts for a lot longer...for me it has lasted since I was full-term and not working...which has been almost a MONTH! Its hard to plan anything like dinners for the week, social outings, errands, or anything...I just feel like I shouldn't be to far away from home so at any moment I can grab my last minute hospital things, shower, turn up the AC...you know...do all the stuff you need to do before leaving the house for possibly a few days. So it's kind of like the "about to go to work feeling" except the moment that is coming is the most monumental, special, and important day of my whole life...so- it leaves me a little anxious. 

I can't really complain, though. I feel wonderful, physically. I haven't been put on bed rest, the doc is not worried about me for any reason, Lily is moving around like a healthy, crazy baby...things are great-it's just a waiting game. 

I decided not to do an induction (unless the doc deems it medically necessary) and let nature take its course. I just have to keep telling myself- "she's not late, there is a reason she is still in there, it will be worth the wait"

Due dates just make people nervous. Especially a type-A personality, like me. BUT we all have to just remember God is in control- not us. I wish I could tell my Salado community about that sometimes...I feel so bad for Sean going to church every day and getting the worried eyes and comments "NO BABY YET?". Oh, but I get it too- on the phone, email, Facebook, grocery store, restaurants, while I'm out walking...that is exactly why I have been hiding out in my house the last month. I am feeling the "NO BABY YET?" feeling every morning when I wake up...but I just have to calm down and remember that God's timing is perfect and she'll be here exactly when she needs to be here. 

due date #3

For those of you who don't know, we have had 3 due dates given to us. October 7, 9, and 10th.

It will be weird to see today's date come and go, but she still has time to come today! I think 10/10 would be a pretty cool B-day. Tomorrow, 10/11/13 is the anniversary of Sean and my first date- Homecoming at AHS in 2000! That means we've been a couple for THIRTEEN years! So tomorrow would be a great day for a baby, too!

A few questions I've been getting asked every day:

"How are you feeling?" or "You must be miserable"...nope. Feeling great! I feel like I could run a marathon! Lots of energy and feeling great!

"When is the baby coming?"...simple answer- I don't know. sorry, guys. The more I think about it the more I don't want to induce unless it is deemed medically necessary. She'll come when she comes.

In the next few moments/days before Lily gets here, I am just planning on continuing to rest, exercise, trying to eat well, and keep up on chores.

Due Date #2

For those of you who don't know, we have had 3 due dates given to us. October 7, 9, and 10th.

Today, October 9th was actually the first due date we heard from a financial secretary at Scott and White. She pulled out a little wheel thing and bam- we heard our first estimated due date!

One of my HS friends is having her baby today! How exciting! Maybe we will too.

I tried labor-inducing tricks all day yesterday. As you can see it did nothing, but it kept me busy and was kind of fun :)

It has been neat to look back on the blog from the whole journey. I have a tab on the blog that shows a quick little timeline of what happened when. (click on the word "timeline" to see...)

Also, It is pretty neat to look back on Lily's growth so far!

Hopefully she comes soon!

Progress report #4

Well- Lily is not here yet. We had our last doctor's appointment yesterday. Here is the scoop:

• Dr. P's guess is that Lily is just under 7 pounds
• I am still around 1cm dilated but am 80-90% effaced! 
• If I am still pregnant next week I chose to schedule a non-drug induced induction (Foley Bulb) October 15th very late in the evening. If that doesn't work, they might do a medical induction the next day...I really am not in favor of this, so I may change my mind about it when the time comes and just give her some more time. BUT I am pretty determined to try and get her out before the 15th! 

Soooo...I am going to try any old wives tale in the book-home remedies for inducing labor. Here are a few-Pineapple (couldn't find fresh), red raspberry tea, evening primrose oil, egg plant, and my shoe is for walking! haha! There are a few others I will try too :) Why not?! 

Since Lily didn't come before last night, we were able to be there for Salado High School's first EVER choir concert!!! It is only one choir that sang one song, but our friends at Belton HS let us tag on to their Fall concert! It was great for the Salado kids to see what a choir concert is like. The parents and students at Belton were SO supportive of our kids in Salado. They did really well and got a huge applause at the end. There is a video of the performance on facebook. They sang "Seasons of Love" from RENT. 

I am so proud of Sean! He is totally a super dad! Just yesterday he went from working with these kiddos to his church job to Lily's doctor appointment to picking up something for dinner to the concert and then came home to watch the end of a football game to make sure his fantasy football team was doing ok. (I don't think the football worked out so well...). He is just so great and I am so glad we both got to be there for the Salado HS concert!

40 weeks!

Hopefully this is the last weekly picture!

Click HERE to see my belly growth through the whole pregnancy! 

Due date #1

Here is a picture of Lily at 9 weeks in utero. This was probably the happiest moment in pregnancy for Sean and I. She waved at us and had a very healthy heartbeat. Look at that peanut!

Advanced medical technology has made it to where they can look at measurements of the baby and guess the due date based on the sonogram. When we had this sonogram done in March, it calculated her estimated due date to be TODAY! October 7!

We'll see if Lily agrees with this. 

The other 2 due dates given to us by staff members at Scott and White were October 9th and 10th. Both of those due dates were calculated by a wheel calendar similar to this:

getting closer...

This is my 40th week of pregnancy! We have heard 3 estimated due dates from medical professionals (October 7,9, and 10). Lily is so big, strong, and healthy. She is having way too much fun in my tummy!

Sean's prediction of coming yesterday during the ASU game was not right...oh well. I was sure she would already be here by now, but I also KNEW she was a boy! haha! Shows how much control I have over this whole baby thing. 

Salado HS's first ever choir concert is tomorrow night. They are only doing one song, but I kind of hope Sean gets to be there to conduct it. If not, oh well. There is a backup plan. 

Tomorrow afternoon we have an appointment which is exciting, but still won't tell us when she's coming...unless I am already in labor at that point and don't realize it. 

I just can't believe I am about to go through the most life-changing, wonderful, scary, meaningful, athletic, emotional day of my whole life! We are very excited! 

Super powers

At 39 weeks pregnant, I am JUST NOW starting to realize a very pregnant woman has some super powers:

The power to get rumors started- Starting last week and following through today, we've been hearing a few "congratulations"! Sorry- she's not here yet! Gotta love a small town and how quickly word spreads on FB!

The power to make everyone's head turn and stare- I've noticed for a few months that babies and little kids love to stare at my belly. They know what is in there and they want to play. Well now I've gotten so large that adults-even strangers-don't even hide the stare. Eyes will follow me down the street, all the way down a grocery store isle, from the minute I walk into a room until I sit down...its pretty funny. *see why I'm not at church the last week or two?!*

The power to make people really nervous- I've only had one person tell me it makes them nervous to be around a pregnant woman, but I can totally sense it in other people, too! I don't think people like it when they're in an elevator with me. haha. It might get stuck. Also, if I have to go up or down stairs or even just walking down the street people will tell me "be careful!"

Nervous energy.

The power to get out of a ticket-This has NOT happened, but if anyone is driving with me in the car and you get pulled over, you're pretty lucky. Just say we're on the way to the hospital and I'll start acting like I'm in pain. There is no easier way to get out of a ticket!

I got a really nice pedicure today and tried to 'take-it-all-in' knowing I won't be pampering myself much more in the next several years :) It will totally be worth it, though!

Smells like autumn in the kitchen!

I have some whole wheat pumpkin bread and acorn squash in the oven getting ready for dinner tonight.-Just trying to keep myself busy waiting on Lily :)
Happy Fall!

Yes- I realize it is only 2pm, but all I will have to do later is heat it up :)

Tomorrow I'll be getting a pedicure and maybe some more baking...who knows! Maybe I won't...maybe I'll be having a baby!

Progress report #3

Today was our 3rd weekly appointment with our OB. We only have one more weekly appointment scheduled...if we need it!

Lily is still lying head-down (which is optimal!). Dr. P. was able to poke Lily's head during the exam and she kicked my ribs! haha! She is very responsive! 

I am "1+cm dilated and 50-75% effaced" which is "Great progress for a first-time mom". Unfortunately, this still doesn't give us a timetable for when Lily's birthday will be. It could be in several hours, or still a few more weeks...I just need some strong contractions and she'll be here. 

Unless I have a SUPER fast labor that starts right now, it looks like we'll have an October baby! yay!

Not sure about the weight- she didn't say anything and we forgot to ask, but Sean says whatever she weighs will be perfect.

Sean is still thinking the birthday will be this Saturday, October 5th (during the ASU vs. Notre Dame game that has been on our calendar for more than TWO YEARS!)

39!

39 weeks! Today we have a Dr's appointment so we may find out some more details! If you are following the belly growth page on the blog, you might agree with me that it looks like she has "dropped"- who knows? I am walking just fine, though!

If you have an iPhone and have installed the new iOS-7 you may have noticed the new panorama picture option for the camera. Pretty cool! Here are 2 panorama shots of her nursery :)

A student and her parents came by yesterday to drop off a very special gift. We have a ton of baby blankets and at least 10 of them have been hand made, but this one is pretty special. My student recently sang the Lara Story song "Blessings" in church. It meant so much to her that she and her family had this quilt made for Lily and named it the Blessings quilt. The grey squares are made from t-shirts that her family was selling to help raise money to build a well in Africa. How cool?! 

Here is the chorus from the song "Blessings":

I don't feel like the lyrics totally fit through my current season in life, but I have a feeling the 'thousand sleepless nights' are coming soon. I just hope so much that I look at it all in a positive light and continuously see the blessings every day. 

Front porch sitting

For some reason I wasn't so sure I would get to my 39th week of pregnancy. I have no idea why. Most healthy, first time moms carry to 40 weeks.

I am not happy about still being pregnant because:

• I'm impatiently ready to meet her!
• I'm ready to loose weight instead of gain weight
• ready to not hear the question "Are you in labor, yet?"
• Scared she is getting really big...who knows!

I am happy about still being pregnant because:

• our OB is coming back in town today and will for sure be around!
• Lily's brain, muscles, and vital organs are still rapidly developing at this stage in utero
• Less chance for jaundice and infection 
• Better chance for easier breast feeding
• for some weird reason, I just really want her to be born in October. 

All in all, I am so happy to have had a healthy pregnancy! This morning I am enjoying sitting on my porch in my hospital scrubs. I kept one pair of scrubs from when I worked at the hospital in Pampa. I wish all jobs could wear scrubs every day- they are the best...except they are getting a little tight! 

Echoed Prayer

Here is a FB status of a good friend of mine from HS. He and his wife will have their baby today! I want to post it to echo this prayer for them and also for us (when the time comes)

watching the clock

We have so many people excited for Lily's arrival! In the last week or so we have gotten calls and visits from family, texts and emails from friends, gifts arriving daily, excitement from Sean's HS students, church member questions galore,hugs and smiles from local neighbors in Salado that I don't even know their names...haha! I am so thankful for the support and love for Lily. Every morning I've seen some of the same neighbors on my jogging/walking path and I can just tell they've been eagerly staring at my belly for months wondering when she's going to be here! Even the bambis just stand there and stare :) It is not uncommon for me to be outside checking the mail or on a walk and for someone to stop, roll the window down and just ask "how much longer?!"...This morning I got that question from a NICU doctor on her way to work at Scott and White!

One of my student's moms said something to me that has just stuck in my head. She said she doesn't even remember the few weeks before her twins were born. I wonder if I will remember this time or how I will look back on it. The entire pregnancy has gone by SO FAST! Sean and I have really been trying to enjoy every moment of it and celebrate a lot along the way...from surprising our families in Arlington with the news, to the gender reveal party to weekly belly pictures, to blogging my journey, to baby showers to decorating the nursery, etc. All that is left to do is wait, but we're trying to make the waiting a special time.

All this to say- no baby yet, but you'll know! So many people want to be updated so our plan is to tell Sean's work people, our parents, and then post it on facebook.

Is it Friday, yet?

It is funny to look forward to the weekend when you're not working:)

Sean has been SO busy with his jobs and trying to get ahead for when Lily comes, so I am very much looking forward to spending some good quality time with him this weekend. Plus- it is supposed to rain- that should be relaxing and fun!

Lily is getting taller and even more wiggly, if that is even possible! When she kicks, I feel it way up into my ribcage all the way down my abdomen...she may not even need contractions to come out! haha! just kidding.

Sean and I have realized how much of planners we are. It is hard to wrap our minds around the fact that she could be here in 3 hours, 3 days, or 3 weeks...who knows!...but sometime very soon!

Fall morning

Nesting Fun...

I tried to post this last week...oops!

Fall decorations...

Laundry has never been so cute!

late night ramblings...

In the last few days I have felt more calm and ready. I think being out of work and getting all my 'ducks in a row' before Lily arrives has helped. 

This morning-at 3:30am-I can't stop wondering...will it be today or will it still be another week or two? 

I went and sat in the nursery because that somehow makes me feel closer to her, but my eyes just wanted to close and go back to sleep. haha! 

Sean and I got our flu shot yesterday which means Lily is covered, too :) During this cold and flu season I am so glad to know that through nursing I will continuously pass on antibodies to keep her well. Luckily I haven't really been sick in I don't know how long :) 

Yesterday, I got out of the house, went to church for lunch, and helped Sean clean and organize his office. YES- he asked for my help- I wasn't just using my annoying nesting energy :) haha! He doesn't have an office at his HS teaching job, so we're making his church office work for both. I think they gave him 2 cabinets at the school, though.

At lunch, someone told us their niece was just surprised to have a boy instead of a girl last week. A lot of stuff we have is gender neutral, but her closet is sickeningly pink! We're ready for whatever, though :)

I am getting more and more phone calls, texts, emails, etc. "Is she here, yet?" Nope. Glad you guys are excited for us, though!! 

Storage

I guess this is a suitable storage place for Fall Ale... :)

Daddy's choice- can't wait to try it in a few weeks!

Progress report #2

Yesterday was my 2nd weekly appointment with the doc. Here are some things we learned:

• Lily is now estimated to be just under 6 pounds! That means she gained almost a pound in a week! Dr. P. Predicted this would happen and states it is great news. I remember it took about 20 weeks for her to gain pound number one, so one pound in one week is a LOT! 
• Lily has moved down and is still head down...both good things! Since she has moved down, I can tell my heartburn is not so bad :) 
• Contractions have slowed down the last few days. Dr. P. says that is totally normal and that it is the "calm before the storm"...
• I am at about 2 cm dilated which means I'm progressing, but it could happen today or in a few weeks...who knows! 
• Dr. P. Will be out of town Wednesday-Sunday morning...That makes me think Lily will come when she's gone, but Dr. P. seemed pretty sure she would see us at our appointment on Monday...who knows! I would love for her to be there, but I have faith that it will be fine with or without Dr. P. 
• All my vitals (blood pressure, weight, urine, etc...) are looking good and baby Lily's heartbeat is also great!

All of my questions for the doc have been hand-written on this note pad from a brewery/hotel we stayed at last year in New Braunfels. I thought that was funny :)

ps- I really recommend the Faust Hotel!

38!

Click here to see my belly grow!

Happy Fall

This morning I am at home in my PJ's feeling our crazy baby wiggle around in my tummy! The windows are open and the cool breeze is blowing throughout the house! I enjoyed my walk this morning and am planning on decorating a pumpkin for Lily today :) 

I am so thankful for Sean as he is keeping very busy working 2 jobs!! He plans on taking some time off work when Lily comes, but for now he is busy busy and on speed dial, of course! 

Tomorrow is our next Dr. appointment! We'll see what she says...it could be like all the others: wonderful reports, stress free, quick and easy...or we could be sent straight from her office to labor and delivery if she thinks baby Lily is on her way. We'll see!

Baking

Today, I am  in the kitchen putting things into the freezer for after Miss Baby comes!

What all am I making?

1) homemade nana ice cream
-blend 5-6 bananas with a few squeezes of honey, pour into tupperware and you're done!
-I added a few swirls of peanut butter into mine before it went into the freezer. mmmmm!

2) semi-healthy banana bread
This is the reason I am blogging today. This bread is for real. mmmmm!

3) mommy cookies (they are supposed to help increase milk supply!)

Progress Report

We will have doc appointments once per week until she comes!

All of our appointments have been really GREAT!

Today we learned:

• she is approximately 5 pounds but could gain up to another pound or two in the next few weeks...(from a guess from the doc)
• her head is still facing down
• the amount of amniotic fluid around her is great
• I am starting the labor process a little...next week doc thinks she should be able to touch  Lily's head?!?! crazy! Dr. P. Doesn't think I'll go into labor in the next week, but you never  know!
• healthy heartbeat! Lily was moving around like CRAZY just to show off at the appointment. 

I've been calling her "Loco Lily" since she has been moving around so much! 

She officially has a few Halloween outfits and costumes, a thanksgiving bib, one Christmas outfit...and probably a stocking pretty soon. We're excited about the holidays this year more than ever! 

37 weeks (out of 40)

Did you know pregnancy is calculated to last TEN months?

At 37 weeks pregnant, Lily could come any minute and not be a preemie :) 

Here are pictures from this morning's photo shoot!

The regular pose(plus our pumpkin!):

The "Hey, I'm not ready pose":

The "Act as happy as you can pose":

And Sean's favorite- the "Act as pregnant as you can" pose

Click here to see my belly grow!

Lily moved a TON at the Friday night Salado HS football game when we walked right next to the drum line!

She also moved a lot this morning when Sean sang the call to prayer :) Recognized his voice!

This morning was our last week in a series Sunday School class we've been attending based on the book "Grace based parenting". We didn't have a lot to input, but we sure got a lot out of the class! The class was taught by a friend's mom. Our friend Liz was one of the first people we met in Salado- we jogged together, went to church together, and was one of my guitar students for  a little while. She and her sons passed away tragically last Summer in an auto accident. The book Grace Based Parenting was one of the books she lived by and was even handed out at their service! I grabbed the book at the service, but it was good to finally read it over the last few months and get some feedback from Liz's mom on what the book meant to Liz. I am SO glad I got to finish the study before Lily got here :) Lots of great advice was taken from the class for sure!

Busy Weekend

Last night Sean sang at the SHS football game. We made an appearance, then had some yummy dinner and went home :)

We have 2 Fall-Kickoff rehearsals this weekend, last day of work on Monday, then I feel like I'll be free for Miss Lily to come any time!

We'll have a doc appointment Monday to determine if I've started the Labor progress yet. ahh! Doctor's appointments will be weekly from Monday-on.

I went ahead and purchased the rest of the things on our registry that I really wanted. Lots of things have arrived and the rest will be here soon!

We are ready logistically, at least :)

"Take it easy"

"Take it easy"

This is something I hear from people several times per day, every day. I am sure any pregnant woman can relate.

BUT There are a small handful of people (my doctor included) that have told me- Just go, go, go! If you feel active- stay active. Exercise. Get things done. Keep working...

I just wonder where the mentality to 'take it easy' during pregnancy came from. I think I have had such an easy pregnancy without excessive weight gain and swelling because I have stayed active and busy! I'm not sick, just pregnant :) Of course there are up and down days, but I'm going to try not to stay on the couch too much these last few weeks (or days!)

Survey- REPOST

In case you've forgotten what your original guesses were:
(click on the picture to make it larger)

9 months!!

WOW! The home-stretch is finally here! I am NINE months pregnant!!! There are differentiations between doctors and blogs, but according to my doctor, I am full term! Lily could come any minute!

I am still active- walked a mile and a half this morning. It was SO beautiful! Deer and fog!
According to Dr. P. the easiest labor and delivery she was a part of came from a woman who ran 3 miles the day before she delivered! WOW! That is my inspiration to keep going!

Click here to see my belly grow!

On Saturday, our church choir hosted a wonderful baby shower for Lily!So many people were there, delicious cakes were eaten, and good times were had.

For me, it went by SO fast! We opened so many generous gifts! More than 70 thank-you cards are in the mail!

First United Methodist Choir in Arlington sent an abundance of diapers and gifts as well! They are VERY excited for Grammy and Grandpa (not sure if that is right) Hale!

Lily is spoiled and loved. We are so thankful for everybody's support, excitement, and encouragement of our growing family!!!

4:30am update

Can't sleep, so might as well do a blog posting, right?

Dr.'s appointment update:
-Lily's head is facing down (which is PERFECT)
-heartbeat was around 150-160, which is healthy-a little fast, but she was moving around while getting it done! haha!
-We both got the TdaP shot to protect against the whooping cough. PLEASE get one of these if you plan to be around an infant!
-Next appointment is in a little more than a week. At that appointment, we'll start checking for signs of labor and continue with weekly appointments until she is here! AHH! She is coming so soon!

If I could have it my way, she can come anytime after September 16th. Before this, we have a few important rehearsals, work, a baby shower, etc... BUT it's not about me. Most 1st time mamas carry at least until their due date...but everyone is different.

There is a lady that works behind a desk at the hospital that we've seen a few times. She has crazy hair! I know it is crazy, because Sean points it out and he does not really notice stuff like that. Now, we will look for her every week. Here was Sean's description of her yesterday, "Its like parted in 3 sections, really really stiff, with a huge curl in each section". I promptly google-imaged "Oompa Loompa".
Sean says "YES! just like that!"...so while looking at this picture, we had a really good laugh before the doctor came in!