INTRODUCING.....

Bella Noelle Skinner!
Born May 27, 2009 at 7:39pm, weighing 6lb9oz and 18 3/4 inches long. We are sooooooo in love!

Last Doctor Appointment!

Yesterday we had our last doctor appointment before Bella gets here! First, I had my NST and all went good. After that I saw my nurse and had an ultrasound. The nurse called to set up my induction for next Tuesday (May 26th). If you are having a non-emergency induction the hospital will put you on the schedule, but not set up a time. I have to call that morning at 6am and they will tell me what time to come in. I guess if they are super busy it could be later that night or even the next day before I go in. Hopefully everything will go smooth. Say lots of prayers for us!!

36 Week Appointment

Had our weekly NST and dr. appointment today. Everything is looking really good. She estimates Bella to be around 5 lbs, 14 oz and about 18 inches long. I go back next Tuesday for another NST and I will have an appointment with her nurse (dr. is on vacation next week). Looks like we will be having a baby on the 26th of this month, which is the day after Memorial Day. Not sure what time I will go in yet, we will set that up on Tuesday because the hospital will only allow you to schedule inductions a week in advance. This Sunday will be my last day of my Lovenox injections (blood thinner). I am a little nervous to go off of it, but I guess I have to trust my dr. Other than this, I guess we will just be busy getting some last minute things done and getting the house cleaned. Fun times....

Only a few more weeks!

Seems like time is finally starting to fly by. Everything is going really well though. This has been a relatively easy pregnancy I think. Had some problems early in the beginning, but since then it's been smooth sailing. I've been feeling pretty good and hope that continues til the end!

Tuesday I had a Non-Stress Test (NST) to see how Bella reacts to movements. Her heartrate is supposted to increase when she moves...and it did. I will continue to have these tests until her birth. Next Tuesday I have the NST and then have my 36 week appointment.

So here are a few pictures. First, my 35 week belly shot:


This is my new play yard that my father-in-law, Wayne, bought us as a gift. It even comes with a remote control...how crazy is that??



This is a new picture of her bed with some things finally hung up. We are pretty much done with the nursery except adding a bookshelf (that we are picking up tonight) and putting a table beside my glider.



And lastly, this is a picture of me and my friend Shannon at her baby shower in March:

Shannon and I met when I lived in College Station and we worked together. Our desks faced each other and we became fast friends. We were both going through divorces at the time and had plenty to talk about, ha! We ended up moving next door to each other and spent many nights sitting out on the porch drinking cheap wine and staying up way too late talking. So much has changed now, but we've managed to stay close. I miss her tons. Yesterday I got the best gift ever from her...my very first Mother's Day card! I was so surprised and it meant so much to me. Thanks Shannon!!

So, I guess that is about all that is going on. We have a busy weekend and week coming up. Next weekend we are hoping to get things done around here because it may be our last weekend without Bella. Calvin's brother and sister-in-law are coming in from Colorado so we HAVE to get our guest bedroom ready and that will probably take up two days, yuk!

I'll update after my next appointment!

34 Week Appointment

Had my appointment yesterday. Joanna went with me, but we didn't have the best u/s and I didn't get any new pictures either. Oh well... Bella looked good though. she's gaining weight right on track and the doctor said all looks great. She is head down, but her head is not engaged yet, so she could still flip. Hope she is a good girl and stays down. I had my Group-B Strep test done, which looks for a bacteria that lots of people carry and if I do have it just means that I will need antibiotics during delivery so that Bella doesn't get it. Not sure when I will get those results back. She made me go ahead and schedule an appointment with her for the day after Memorial Day (before she gets booked up). At that appointment we will look at Bella's position and set up either an induction or c-section for that week, so I only have one month left!! Starting next Tuesday I will have weekly Non-Stress tests (NST) to look at Bella's heartrate for an hour and see if I am having any contractions. This test is normal for the end of pregnancy. I don't think I am having contractions (other than Braxton Hicks) but she said sometimes you don't feel them. I see her again 2 weeks from yesterday and then I will see her weekly for 2 weeks. So that's about it for the appointment... Afterwards Joanna and I went to Papasito's and pigged out on some yummy mexican food and then we went shopping. Calvin's dad is buying our pack-n-play so I was hoping to get it, but I couldn't find one in stock that I liked. I will most likely just order online.

This past Saturday we had our childbirth class. I didn't want to go at first, but I am glad we went (although it was a VERY long day). Calvin learned so much and I think it put both of our minds at ease about how things will go. Part of our class was touring the hospital so we got to see where Bella will be born and got to check out the room I will be staying in afterwards. Calvin also got to learn how to massage my back and how to help me relax during labor...fun! I was a little worried that he would be grossed out by the video of the birth but he did fine and is so excited. He's also super glad that men don't have to bear children!!

Just checking in...

I am tired! Seriously, it's finally getting to me. I can only do something for a little bit and then I have to rest. I am also getting out of breath really easily now. So fun!

This weekend we have our childbirth class. I hope it's not too boring. Maybe I will at least get some funny stories to share with you about it.

So, the nursery is still coming along..here are a couple of pictures of what we have so far:

Her bed and bedding..


And her glider, which is really light green, but for some reason it is looking tan in the picture..


Next appointment is on Monday and I will be 34 weeks. I think Joanna is going to this appointment with me. She's excited. I'll update next week, hopefully with some new pictures of Bella!

32 Weeks!

Had my 32 week check up today. Everything was good. She weighs 4lbs 1oz. Can't remember the length, but my dr. said she was on the shorter side. She was head down today, but not engaged and the dr. said she didn't trust that she would stay head down. We'll see. I go back in 2 weeks for another ultrasound. Speaking of, here's her pic from today. It's her side profile. Cute, right?



Here are a couple of belly pics too...





Other good news...I didn't gain ANY weight! yay!!