Welcome to the World!

On September 12, 2014, Andrew and I welcomed our baby boy; Luke Andrew, into the world at 2:10am.  He weighted 8 pounds, 3 ounces and is 21 1/4 inches long. 

The moment he was born and placed on my chest is a moment that I will never forget.  I do plan on writing a birth story on the whole experience for you all to read. I had typed out notes on my phone to help me remember all the details and then decided to update my iPhone's software to IOS 8.0 and in doing so, it made me do a recovery and complete wipe out on my phone...so it will take me some time to get that all situated in my brain while I am dealing with sleep deprivation. 

It's all good though, the sleep deprivation is worth it because I have this amazing little boy in my arms and still to this day, 10 days after his birth, can't believe that he is ours and that we get to keep him forever and ever!! 

Instagram is a great way to follow me if you don't already. You can find me at username: bettertogetherandforevee. Be prepared, it's baby photo filled!  I wouldn't have it any other way either! :)

Bump Date - 40 Weeks

How Far Along: 40 Weeks, my exact due date: 9/11/2014
Baby Size: a small pumpkin, around 7 1/2 pounds and about 20 inches long

Weight gain:  12 pounds total (I lost weight the last several weeks before my due date)

Stretch marks: on the bottom of my stomach and I love them!   Sleep: so so, just depends on the day (this never changes)   Gender: Baby BOY!!  

Movement: all the time

Best moment today: HAVING THIS BABY!

Looking forward to: HAVING THIS BABY!!

Food cravings: Taco Bell's Dr. Pepper Vanilla Float slushies and Qdoba Mexican grill (cheese quesadillas and chips and guacamole, queso and pico)   Anything making you queasy or sick: YES!  I am having "morning sickness" every morning now....I also got sick several times the morning of the induction     Labor Signs: yes, yes and yes   What I miss: my energy and having my own body to myself...READY TO GO!
Belly Button in or out? flat with my stomach (nothing new)

Wedding rings on or off? On!  

Mood: Excited and nervous to have this baby!

So very tired

The hardest part about blogging, the starting of a new blog post.  I always have a hard time coming up with a Title and really the content of the blog post for the day.  Maybe it's because I am due in 2 days.  Maybe it's because I have no desire to work.  Maybe it's because I am lazy.  Maybe it's a combo of all 3.  :)

• I really am tired of being pregnant.  I hate to say that because it's a miracle and I am carrying a life in me, however; I am so very tired.  My back aches, the constant punching in my lower region, the contractions that are not consistent, the constant questions from my co-workers, "So no baby yet?"  OBVIOUSLY SINCE I'M HERE!!  
• Today is hopefully my last day of work.  It was going to be tomorrow, Wednesday, but I've decided I cannot handle it any longer and would like a day off of work before my possible induction on Wednesday night/Thursday morning (midnight)
• Yes, you read that right, induction Wednesday night if I don't go into labor tonight.
• My doctor prefers to induce between 40 and 41 weeks, and I will be at 40 weeks on Thursday.
• I am tired of being pregnant, however; the thought of birth is starting to freak me out a bit....(where's the emoji's for blogger?)
• I know that Keeley and Smokey can sense that life will change here shortly.  I am hoping for a smooth transition.  We have a new toy waiting to give to Keeley the day we bring the baby home.  We will have Andy bring home 2 blankets, one for each animal, so that they can get use to baby boys smell.  I will make sure to walk into the house without the baby (that will be Andy's job) and to give lots of attention to both fur-babies.  
• Fall weather is coming and it looks like we will be taking a baby boy home in the Fall weather!  The weekends high is looking to be in the 60's!  
• Kind of a bummer about the fall weather because I would have liked to swim in the pools at least one more time....
• Last weekend we had a great weekend relaxing with friends.  It was so sweet of our friends to come in from Wisconsin once again and we also had our good friends and neighbors over for a BBQ.  

Here are photos from our weekend!

1. I forgot to mention that Thursday, Sept 4th was Keeley's Birthday.  She was spoiled by a special treat, 2 chicken nuggets and a couple french fries.  What a lucky duck!

2. and 3.  Smokey is a cuddle bug with his mama lately!

4.  My poor feet on Friday night were SO swollen!  It had to do with the extreme temps (100 degrees) and me walking around.

1.  Nick and Andy hanging out.  They have been best friends since childhood

2. Laura!  She is Nick's wife and an awesome friend!

3.  Nick and Laura's dogs, Mesha and Wrigley.  

4. Mesha is a big dog, but such a sweetheart

1.  Smokey and Keeley (Smokey is on my hospital bag)

2.  Sunday cuddles with my puppy

3.  Keeley was attached at my hip

4.  3 besties playing!

Bump Date - 39 Weeks

How far along: 39 Weeks!! Baby Size: The size of a small watermelon or small pumpkin, weighs around 7.25 pounds, and is around 20 inches long.
Weight gain:  12 pounds 
Maternity clothes: 95% maternity, anything comfy and free flowing (a dress for today because the high is around 100 degrees today)

Stretch marks: a few more at the bottom of my belly   Sleep: so so, just depends on the day (this never changes)   Gender: Baby BOY!!  I cannot wait to meet him and introduce him to you all

Movement: all the time
Best moment this week: 3 day weekend from Labor Day!  I was kinda hoping that I would have gone into labor by now....but it is what it is.   Looking forward to: HAVING THIS BABY!!

Food cravings: Taco Bell's Dr. Pepper Vanilla Float slushies.....bad addiction there     Anything making you queasy or sick: YES!  I am having "morning sickness" every morning now....in fact, I got sick this morning while feeding the cat....poor Smokey.  He lost his appetite.     Labor Signs: yes, yes and yes   What I miss: my energy and having my own body to myself...READY TO GO!   Nursery: DONE!!!!  Just waiting on little man to make his arrival so that we can actually use it
Belly Button in or out? flat with my stomach (nothing new)
Wedding rings on or off? On!  
Mood: cranky, sleepy, irritated, emotional, anxious, stick a fork in me, I am done being pregnant.....(nothing new)

• 7 days till the due date....THANK GOD! 
• Still ready to be done being pregnant....
• The doctor appointment didn't go how I would have liked it to yesterday (Wednesday).  He checked me and I am STILL 1.5 cm dilated and around 50% effaced....I've been this way for 3 weeks....
• When the doctor left the room I teared up a bit because I am frustrated that I haven't progressed much and that I am going back to work until this baby comes
• Come on water, just break for me!!
• My doctor and I discussed induction and I told him what my cut off date is and we both agreed that I will be induced on a certain date no matter if my cervix has changed or not
• I have been walking a LOT lately.  Trying to walk this baby out!
• I took a hot shower last night to try and relax my body ( I am willing to try anything at this point)
• Cut up a fresh pineapple Sunday and have been eating a bit of it each day
• My yoga ball is my best friend right now.  It's actually more comfortable than my desk chair
• Will I make it to 40 weeks??  We shall see!  

Labor Day Weekend Recap

I'm not going to lie, I REALLY thought that last Friday was going to be my last day of work, baby boy would be here and life would be completely different.  Well guess what, life is the same as it was last Tuesday....I'm crabby, i'm tired and I just want to meet my baby boy!  I really don't want to be at work for the fact that I'm going to have to hear my co-workers and their comments, thoughts and suggestions once again....UGH!

Friday was Andy's birthday.  That evening we went to dinner to Dewey's Pizza (his choice, of course).  I ordered 4 birthday cake ice cream sandwiches from Coldstone Creamery also, which Andy LOVED!  I wanted to walk around a mall, so we decided on one of the new outlet malls.  Andy picked out an adorable Puma outfit for little man and we picked up some special treats for Keeley.  Her birthday is on Thursday, so I had to get a special cookie for her!  :)  The evening was pretty low key and quiet, which was a nice change of pace.

Keeley's special treat

Baby boy's new Puma outfit picked out by his Daddy

Saturday our friend's from Wisconsin, Nick and Laura were in town.  We went to lunch to Buffalo Wild Wings with them and then just lied around the house.  It was really nice to spend some time with them and just hang out, rather than running all over the place.

Sunday I wanted some pool time.  I wanted to feel weightless and the pool was just the thing to make that happen.  We went over to my mom's house and spent some time in the pool.  It was nice and relaxing.  We then went walking around a local mall and picked up 3 new Disney books for baby boy (buy 2, get 1 free).  That night we met up with my family to go to dinner to celebrate Andy's birthday with him, Buffalo Wild Wings again (I am a good wife).  We had cake and ice cream too, which I was more than fine with.

Monday was another low key day but I had declared it in my mind, "Let's induce Labor Day"....LOL!  I ate fresh pineapple, I bounced on the yoga ball, we walked around another mall, and I ate chinese food.  I can tell that he is significantly lower this morning (Monday, so maybe the walking and yoga ball are working?)  That evening we BBQ'd with our neighbors and I spent the evening watching the first hour of the Lifetime movie, "The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell" movie.  I was too tired to watch the rest, so it's recorded.  :) 

This is what I wake up too every morning.  Andy is not a sleep in kind of person, so Keeley gladly takes his spot when he gets up.  She lies in bed with me until I get up.  Such a sweetheart.

Keeley is pooped after getting the squeaker out of her toy.  Such a rough life.

Inducing "Labor" Day....I tried!

This morning, I am tired.  I was up at 3am because the bladder just won't hold for all night long and my lower back was killing me. Walked back to bed and checked my phone real quick and I see like 7 tornado warnings that came through around 12am....so of course I unlock the phone and start to research to see if any tornado's touched down.  None, thankfully, but then to get me back to sleep was impossible.  It really was impossible because I have been up since 3am and I am tired and crabby now.  I am at work and I just don't want to be here.  

Coffee this morning...well needed.  Made me some pumpkin spiced coffee with sweet cream creamer.  YUM!

I just need to keep reminding myself that I can see the finish line....almost there and you will get to meet your baby boy!