Baby Mack's Room! {the debut}

I am really proud of the nursery we've made for Mack. I did not want to invest a lot of money into a full bedding set like we had for Rhyan because I've found out that I just dont use it. But i like for stuff to match, so I had a delimma. I couldnt find stuff that went well together (bedskirt, curtains and changing table cover) so I ended up doing the only thing I could think to do... the UNTHINKABLE!... I made it myself.

You should 1st off know that I am very open about the fact that i'm NOT creative nor am I "crafty". I hate scrapbooking with a passion (which is why i love that i'm able to keep up with this blog and turn it into a book!) and pretty much think its worth the money to pay for already done projects. I just couldnt find anything that suited me this time!

So off to hobby lobby I went in search of 2 things: 1. Fabric and 2. Wall art.

I also decided a while ago that I wanted to decorate his room in "Ford" like stuff (aka: old truck's and antique ford pics). While at hobby lobby, I found these great truck picture frames and instantly LOVED them! There's one on each side of the bay window...I also loved this wooden car and knew the perfect place for it!

And finally, I found these cool letters that made a great way to decorate his room with his name!

(ps. in this pic there is a bumper pad that a sweet friend GAVE me... but its a pain in the toosh taking the mattress in and out w/ it in there so i've removed it since this pic... plus, sids hazard and all... I think we may just go without permanently.)

But I couldnt find any "Ford" items. Everything was Chevrolet, which doesnt really go seeing as how our last name IS Ford :-)

And then I remembered something: My Uncle Bobby has an old Ford truck that he's taken fabulous care of over the years. I knew then that it would be even more special if I could get some good pics of his truck, frame them and use it as the Ford art work i had been wanting!

So, you have to live and learn, youknow... I love this collection but I think i want to redo a couple of the pics so that I can have a little better lighting (with less glare) and possibly zoomed in a little less on the front of the truck. But overall, i'm loving this! The pics and the frames cost about $35 total! Not bad!

And as shown in proof above, I did sew Mack's curtains, bedskirt AND changing table cover :-) They are NOT perfect and I wouldnt want an inspection from a seamstress, but overall, they work. And the material cost me about $50 (well, my checkbook says otherwise but thats only b/c i bought WAY too much fabric... $50 worth would have easily have been enough!)

We also wanted to re-use the dry sink that Jeff''s grandfather made for a changing table (we did this with Rhyan as well, until she outgrew it). But we needed a chest of drawers for his clothes... so we refinished one that his grandfather had also made and I think it turned out beautifully!

Lastly, my cousin, Lindy, gave me this frame for an ultrasound back at Christmas. I put Mack's 12 week ultrasound in it because we couldnt get a profile pic from his 20 week (boo). Along with a cross our Pastor and his wife gave us, I think it makes a great way to come into his room!

Hope you enjoyed the tour! I have ONE collage frame I'm still on the hunt for that matches one that Rhyan has in her room for his newborn pics, but thats just going to have to wait. I'm pretty sure he's not going to notice ;-)

38 Weeks

My appointment for my 38 week check up fell on 38weeks and 2 days b/c of Memorial day.

This weekend was FILLED with great stuff (Kunis wedding rehersal, wedding, memorial day...) and I'm hoping to get that stuff posted (along with a post of McKinnon's room!) this weekend before he comes! For now, i'll update you on the baby news :-)

Total Weight Gain: 29lbs
My BP: 98/60
Baby Heart Rate: 145bpm
Fundal Height: 42cm (4cm "big")
Estimated Baby Weight: 8.5lbs (ahhhhhhhhh!)
Cervical Changes: 1.5cm dialated
50% effaced
Baby Position: Head down and "as low as he can get" :-)

Well, lets just all hope that Dr Pohl's statement last week that "the estimated baby weight can be off by up to a pound" is correct. Otherwise, we're going to be looking at a 9 pounder! Hmmm... I'm praying for closer to 8 :-)

Dr Pohl scheduled our induction for Monday, June 6th at 9pm at Gwinnett Medical.

Youknow, when we scheduled the induction with Rhyan, I felt nervous about taking care of a baby but I wasnt really nervous about labor and delivery. In fact, I felt kind of excited to experience it (does this sound crazy?). Having a baby is a part of life I wanted to experience and felt like it was kind of a rite of passage of sorts.

This time, I feel sick at my stomach when I think about giving birth again. People can say that you forget the pain, but I dont agree. I think the pain was worth it in order to have Rhyan in our lives, but I have not forgotten the pain. I know that it is short lived and that I will heal quickly and thats the part I try to focus on, but I'm not looking forward to the delivery part :-)

I AM looking forward to having pictures of Mckinnon this go round (with Rhyan, i have very few pics of her right after birth... Jeff and I were both a little freaked out and forgot to take many PLUS our family didnt take any! So I dont have any of her getting her 1st bath, being weighed, etc..). This time, my fabulous sister in law, Liz, has agreed to come in the delivery room as soon as he's born to take pics. I'm VERY grateful for that! Part of me doesnt like the idea of ANYONE being in there b/c i know its a not so flattering time for me, but I also know that my regret of not having pics of Rhyan outweighs my desire to not have anyone in there. And she'll do a great job! So, again, i'm grateful. She even already took the day off for it! HOW SWEET!

I'm also looking forward to trying to nurse again. I'm really praying it'll work this go round. That my body will make enough milk and that I'll have learned from my experience with Rhyan and not repeat the same mistakes.

I've really enjoyed today with Rhyan. She's recouping from her double ear infection and along with the infection leaving her body, the demons have as well. HA! I'm kidding (sort of). The ear infection made her soooooo disobedient and cranky and whiny. Part of me wonders if she's more whiny (in general) around me b/c she senses something is up or if i'm looking for an excuse for her? She's great around everyone else but as soon as she sees me she starts whining! So annoying. But i'm trying to be patient and lovingly remind her to use her words. But today was GREAT! We had two little incidents right when she got up from nap, but other than that, it was the best day the two of us have had alone in a while.

I cut the backyard tonight :-) I love a freshly cut yard! Rhyan played in her water table and with her gardening tools for a long time. And we treated ourselves to D.Q. for dinner since Jeff was coaching summer ball in Athens. He has 2 games tomorrow and then none Sunday (yay!). He's promised to help me tomorrow morning get the floors mopped one last time and get the carseat in place, the pack and play set up and the swing brought upstairs. THEN, i'll feel "ready".

Anyways... I'm excited to be on maternity leave and am very much looking forward to the next 10 weeks with my family!

37 Weeks

Total Weight Gain: 28lbs
My BP: 100/70
Baby Heart Rate: 145
Fundal Height: 40cm (3cm "big")
Estimated Baby Weight: 7.5lbs

1st off, I didnt have anything "checked" today. I forgot that Dr Pohl skips this week. According to him, if you havent had cervical changes on week 36, its unlikely to have any at week 37 if all else remains the same (bp, no protein in urine, etc...). So yay for not being violated!

He also said to keep in mind in regards to the baby's weight that the guesstimates can be off by up to a pound in either direction, but that they are usually pretty close. He's thinking about an 8.5lb baby will be delivered for us at week 39 due to induction. He doesnt really expect me to go into labor on my own. This, of course, makes Jeff happy since he's all about his "perfect attendance" at school this year and apparently refuses to miss a day, even for the birth of his child. GOOBER!

Ok, the 37 week pic. I know its a miracle to carry life and I really am grateful, but oh my... i will be so glad to be able to stand up straight again w/o a humongo belly. That junk hurts my back!
The only ?'s i had this week were:

1. Should I pre-register at the hospital?
- It wouldnt hurt! So I got the papers and sent them in today :-)

2. What are the rules for siblings visiting?
- Siblings are always allowed. The restrictions they have put on kids visiting in the past were more of a result of flu season, which we're not in right now, and specifically related to the H1N1 flu issues. They do still restrict kids who visit to being over 12 years old (with the exception of siblings) but honestly, i dont think that rule is strictly enforced. He just said that kids who visit (and really ANYONE who visits) needs to wash their hands before coming in the room since the baby's immune system is non-existent. Pretty much knew that, already :-)

I signed my consent forms at this visit. Basically, I may end up incontinent or die as a result of delivery. I told him i'm pretty sure i'm already on my way to incontinence and that i'm quite positive I'll die if i DONT get the baby out :-) So I signed the form and made 2 requests

1. Dont let me or the baby die :-) haha...
2. Keep me out of pain :-)

He said he'd do his best! hehe!

That was about it! Easy checkup! The baby continues to move ALOT! Jeff actually sat and kept his hand on my belly while he rolled and moved for a couple of minutes tonight. Mack was VERY active (a leg or arm, i think... on my left side... i think he's turned over. Still head down but i think the back/appendages are switching sides from time to time... makes me hopeful he wont have torticollis since he seems to have room to move!?!). That was pretty cool b/c he usually feels him for a second, responds with "Gross" and wont touch my belly again :-) Again, GOOBER!

I'd like to take a poll. What name do you prefer? Mckinnon or Mack? I find myself unsure of what to call him. I tend to like "Mckinnon" for an adult b/c it feels like a grown up name and "Mack" or "baby Mack" for him while he's a baby. But i dont want him to never be called Mckinnon, either?!

What do you think? (if you made it to the end of my long post and will take time to give your 2 cents, thats awesome! thanks!) OH, unless you dont like either name, in which you can NOT leave your 2 cents. :-P

Can you tell from the tone of this post that I'm getting EXCITED to meet this baby?! Giddy!

Baby Shower #4: Family Shower

Hosted By: Mama and Mommie
Held At: Mommie's Home
When: Saturday, May 14th
Time: 2pm
In Attendance: Brooks Family Women, My Family ladies, Ronni and Dorothy

How very sweet of our family to throw a shower for baby Mack?! It was so great to see some of the family who live far away (in state, but not "close"). My Mom and Mommie worked so hard to put the shower together and did a GREAT job!

How cute is this cake?!
It says "Hello Mommy, Goodbye Tummy. Welcome, Mack!"

Shlaine and Marsha (w/o the flash so Shlaine wouldnt blink! haha)

Playing games! Baby Bingo with beans was a fun one!

And Oh, Lorddy... the "how much toilet paper does it take to go around Kelly's humongo belly" game! :-) (it took 11 squares and it was QUITE offensive that some chose 15-16! haha)

The winner! I always knew she was my favorite for a reason! lol

Cant wait to see Mckinnon in these cute outfits!

Jeff brought Rhyan when she got up from nap... she was LOVING the cake! (smart girl!)

We had a great time and got some great things to help get Ready for Mack!

Baby Shower #3: Church Shower

Hosted By: Oak Hill Ladies
Held At: Beverly Martin's Home (um, mansion)
When: Sunday, May 1st
Time: 1pm (or was it 12:30... it was pretty much right after church)
In Attendance: Oak Hill Ladies, Mommie and Mama

What a sweet, sweet blessing our church ladies are to me! I've known Beverly Martin (the whole Martin Family, actually) since I graduated high school. Thats been 12ish years, people! The Martins have always been a huge blessing to Jeff and I and this shower was no exception!

Unfortunately, i have NO pics of my own and had to copy these from my friend's facebook page, which was a super weird process now that the pics show up in a different format. So some are big and some are small. SORRY!

34/36 week checkup's

I'm having to combine into one post both of my appointments because I've just been too busy to post! Life has been so full of so many good things that have kept us on the go, go, go!

So, at my 34 week checkup, I had a pretty long appointment that I found to be pretty helpful. Stats first!
Weight gain total: 26lbs
My BP: ? Cant remember, but it was normal
Baby Heart Rate: 145
Fundal Height: 37cm (should be equal to the # of weeks preggo, so i'm measuring "big" by 3cm)
Estimated Baby Weight: 6lbs

I asked Dr Pohl at this appointment about the link to Rhyan's torticollis to my being made to wait to push for over an hour after reaching 10cm. I think I offended him :-(

Basically, this is what he said:
1. Whatever Dr ever suggested that this part of the labor could have caused Rhyan's torticollis didnt know what he was talking about (it was Rhyan's surgeon who suggested labor can be related to torticollis, not her pediatrician). Torticollis, according to Dr. Pohl, is caused largely by the positioning of the baby in the last trimester. It takes a couple of months for a muscle to form and it is in this time frame that the baby's head/neck is "stuck" in one position causing the muscle to form short (which is torticollis, or "twisted neck"). Makes total sense and I agree with Dr Pohl.

2. According to Dr P, Vaginal birth babies vs C-section babies experience similar occurrence rates of torticollis, therefore confirming that the labor process has very little if anything to do with it.

3. The reason I did not start pushing w/ Rhyan at 10 cm is because reaching 10cm is only part of the equation. The baby must also be in the correct "station" (far enough down in the pelvic bones) to come out before you push. The wait time between reaching 10cm and starting to push is called "laboring down". This is something that they allow so that it gives your uterus a chance to do the majority of the work for you, getting the baby into proper station before pushing, therefore allowing for the shortest pushing time (hopefully). I pushed with Rhyan for less than an hour which is considered very good for 1st time moms so I guess it was an effective method. Basically, you can let your uterus do the work for you or you can push a couple extra hours. Again, this makes total sense. I just wish someone would have said that while I was sitting there wanting to push (of course, i could have asked what the holdup was...).

4. "Laboring Down" doesnt happen the second go round so it is a non-issue. Babies come much faster (generally speaking) and Dr Pohl estimated that after I reach 10cm this go round, the baby will be born within about 20-30min. YAY! You know i'm hoping that estimate is accurate!

I'm a girl who likes information so while for a lot of women who are in labor hold to the idea that "less is more" in regards to info, I'm just the opposite. I like to know the "why" to each decision being made. This conversation with Dr Pohl was VERY helpful in reminding me that i have a very good dr who is always aware of his patients situations :-)

I felt, however, that I had made him feel like I thought he had done something to cause Rhyan's issue so at this past visit, I cleared it up by letting him know that I thought the nurses were not keeping him informed and that I know he's always taken good care of all of his patients (which is why all of us continue to refer friends!) including Me! So i feel better. (and yes, i'm aware that he probably hadnt thought another thing about it, but i'm hormonal and a girl and i worry!).

Ok, so that was week 34. At week 36 my stats:
Total Weight Gain: 27lbs
My BP: 85/55
Baby's Heart Rate: 145
Fundal Height: 39 (3 weeks "big)
Estimated Baby Weight: 7lbs
Cervical Changes: NONE! :-(

Dr Pohl was running behind so I didnt want to hold him up with any questions but I have a few I want to keep in mind for this coming Monday's appointment:

1. What kind of circumcision do you do? I've been told "plastibell" is the best and requires the least maintenance? I'm sure this is what he does b/c he's told us the only thing we'll have to do is keep vaseline on it to keep the diaper from sticking to it until it heals. No cleaning necessary. But I'd still like to check to see the technical term for what he does.

2. Do I need to Pre-Register at the hospital?

3. Can Rhyan come to the hospital? Who do I contact to get the rules?

4. IF I go into labor, what symptoms do I need to have in order to call him and go to the hospital? (I'll be more concerned w/ knowing this if I show cervical changes next visit, which I dont really anticipate... I think we'll be looking at a 39 week induction labor...)

So, the baby is growing and we're looking forward to meeting him! Although, Jeff has given me strict instructions that I cant have the baby before the end of his school year. HA! He clearly doesnt understand how uncomfortable the last few weeks of pregnancy are or he wouldnt DARE suggest that I stay pregnant one second longer than I have to be! MEN! :-)

I've got some posts to catch up on, so stay tuned! I'll try to get them done this week!

Baby Shower #2

Hosted By: girls at my office (Kerri, Sherri, Shelly, Shawnda, Melissa)

When: Friday, April 29th
Time: 1:30pm
Location: Kerri's home in Loganville, GA

In Attendance: girls from work, Mommie and Mama

The girls were super sweet to do this shower for little Mack!

Awesome HOMEMADE Cake by Kerri!

Kerri and Sherri

Melissa and her sweet baby girl, Emily!

Mommie and Mama

The flash didnt work :-( But i had to post it anyways...

The group (Shelly and Shawnda had to leave early)

I cant say enough how kind it is of these girls to show some love for baby #2. I am one blessed girl, for sure!

Baby Shower #1

Hosted By: Liz Ford (my wonderful Sister-In-Law)

When: Sunday, April 17th
Time: 1pm
Location: Olive Garden, mall of ga

In attendance: family and a few friends

Theme: storybook themed (too cute!)

Enjoy the pics! Jennifer and I

Awesome diaper cake made by Lori

Lori, myself and Liz

Ronni and I

Melissa and I

Mama, me and Mommie

*blessed*

Isnt this cake the BOMB?!

A few pics of the opening of the gifts (there are about 80 pics... so this is just a taste!)

Liz gave me a baby carriage charm for my pandora bracelet! SO sweet!

I totally missed taking a picture with Lindsay! :-( I was so sad to realize that!

We enjoyed a great lunch, had fun chatting and I feel super blessed!