36 Weeks!

Week 36

We had our 36 week appointment with the OB on Thursday, January 28. Once again, everything looked great, thankfully! My blood pressure was 110/68; I lost a pound- bringing the total to 23 pounds (not to harp on the last visit, but do we really think I gained 5 pounds in 2 weeks, & then lost a pound in a week?); Lily is still head down (I'm afraid she's going to flip or something); & her heart rate was good, even though I don't know exactly what it was since I was busy asking the doctor questions. I measured at 37 weeks, which was about right because on the day of the visit, I was 36 weeks & 5 days.

I had my Group B Strep test, which I'll get the results on this next visit (Tuesday, February 2). Group B Strep is an organism that women can be a carrier of; for us, it's not harmful. However, if a woman is a carrier & doesn't know it, & the organism gets passed on to the baby, the baby can have very severe consequences. The doctor explained to us that in the thousands of births that he's seen, 4 babies were infected, & of those 4, 3 died & one had severe neurological deficits (not to scare anyone). The good news is that if I am a carrier, then the only thing they need to do is administer Penicillin every 4 hours during my labor & delivery; this helps protect the baby.

For those of you wondering, no internal exam yet- this doctor said that he normally doesn't start those until 38 or 39 weeks, & I wasn't going to push him for anything. If in the future other doctors want to start internal exams, then so be it. I think that if we did find out I was dilated even a little bit, it would drive us absolutely crazy wondering when she would be coming! So, for right now, I'm still guessing that Lily will come around her due date or late; Jeff, on the other hand, is ready for her NOW.

Until next time!

Love, Ashlee, Jeff, & Lily

NC Shower

On Sunday, January 24, Lily had her second shower, this time in NC. Laura & her mom Wanda threw it for us. (Not all gifts were photographed, so don't be upset if yours didn't make it.)

A picture of the spread- notice the cake, there will be close-ups...

The cake- homemade by Laura herself!

Another view

Me & the cake!

Michelle, Aunt Tara, Aunt Beth, & Nana Dee

Lauren, Amanda, & Tiffany Y

Raegan & Stacy (due on March 17!)

Me & Tiffany R (Remember, she's due at the same time I am? She looks so tiny compared to me!)

Kelly & Leslie

The diaper wreath Tiffany R made!

Lauren, Me, Andrea, & Tiffany Y

Aunt Tara, Aunt Beth, Amanda, & Nana Dee

Danielle, Kelly, Leslie, & Peggy

Me, Maddie, & Amanda (They surprised me & came up from FL with Beth!)

Maddie helps me with the gifts- her regular job!

She's such a good helper!

A growth chart from Andrea

A basket of goodies from Michelle

A "Lilly Pulitzer" outfit from Laura & Wanda

Lily's diaper bag from Laura & Wanda (excuse my face- I had no warning :)

A PB onesie with monogrammed "Lily" from Amanda & Maddie

Lavendar polka dot sheet from Maddie & Amanda (to add more lavendar into her room)

From Tiffany Y...

A basket of goodies!

A basket of goodies from Peggy & Raegan...

Including a giraffe stuffed animal...

... and a bear that plays soothing sounds

From Kelly- washcloths...

... and a rubber ducky that tells you if the water is too hot

Towels to match her bathroom from Leslie

Onesies from Danielle

A sweet dress from Lauren...

... along with her St. Patrick's Day onesie...

... and Boppy cover...

... and Boppy!

Rug from Tiffany R...

... and a Bug Pod- a scoop that collects bath toys, & drains them while it hangs in the bath for storage

A basket of goodies from Aunt Tara, including Desitin- she deemed it VERY necessary

Pack-N-Play from Stacy

A close-up of the diaper wreath

Belly bumps!

As you can see, once again Lily was spoiled beyond words! I was just so excited that I got to see so many friends in one place- it's been a while since I've seen some of them since I'm not much of a party animal these days!

We are blessed in so many ways, & cannot express enough gratitude to those who have gifted Lily with so many wonderful things. We love all of you!

Love, Ashlee, Jeff, & Lily

34 Weeks!

Week 34!

Now, I know that some of you won't be able to tell, but I had to go ahead & post my week 34 picture before getting the update from the doctor on Tuesday, because in the last week, I (or should I say Lily?) have started to drop!

I woke up one morning (Thursday, I think) & when I took a look in the mirror, she was noticeably sitting lower in my belly! I thought it was a wishful thinking thing on my part, but the girls at work & Jeff all said that it was noticeable to them as well.

So, I'll post an update after our doctor's appointment on Tuesday, but I just wanted to share the excitement we had for now!

Love, Ashlee, Jeff, & Lily

Addition from doctor's appointment on January 12:

Another good doctor's appointment! Except for the fact that their scale said that I had gained 5 POUNDS IN 2 WEEKS!!! I have never gained that much in all the appointments I've had, so imagine my surprise (& astonishment!). I hadn't changed my eating habits, I wasn't swollen... Hmm, another strange thing was that all 4 scales at my work indicated that I hadn't gained any weight since my last appointment. OK, I'll stop focusing on that, except to say that one of the books I read stated that during week 34, my blood supply will increase in preparation for labor, & I could gain between 2-4 pounds. So I'll chalk up 4 pounds to new blood, & one pound to Lily. :)

My blood pressure was 118/78, I was measuring right at 34 weeks, & Lily's heart rate was between 130s-140s. I'll have my Group B Strep test at my next appointment, which checks me to see if I'm a carrier for this organism. If so, all they do is administer Penicillin during the labor & delivery to protect Lily. If not, I'm off the hook! The doctor also said that they will probably do an internal exam because I am more on my feet than other women due to my job. The appointment is on January 28.

That's really all for now! Just pressing along, same old same old, trying to be patient. Such an exciting time!

Love, Ashlee, Jeff, & Lily

32 Weeks!

32 weeks!

(guest photographer: Laura Herbert, who told me to lift up my shirt so you could "really see how big my belly is" :)

On December 30, we had my 32 week checkup with the OB. Again, a pretty boring checkup, but I guess that's what we're looking for, right? My blood pressure was 114/66, I had gained another pound in the last two weeks (total so far: + 19 pounds), Lily's heartrate was in the 140s-low 150s, & I was measuring at 33 weeks!

The pregnancy has gone so well, I really couldn't ask for more. It hasn't been easy-breezy, but pretty close! I just relax knowing that I've been able to stay healthy & keep living life. So exciting to know that we'll be meeting her in the upcoming weeks!

The next doctor's appointment is on January 12- stay tuned!

Love, Ashlee, Jeff, & Lily