Baby Kaitlyn is Here

So..... I know this is a bit late, but baby Kaitlyn is finally here. I'll post the full birth story later, but here is her sweet picture and birth facts.

Kaitlyn Louise Murphree arrived April 12, 2012 @ 3:32 pm. She weighed 8lbs 9 ounces and was 21 inches long.

We are feeling beyond blessed and will update soon!

Sleeping with her Sister

Leaving the Hospital

Sleeping on Daddy

First Hospital Pic

One of her Newborn shots

Wide-Eyed

We are so in love!

Lauren

38 Weeks

We have been so busy getting ready for our precious new addition. We have been showered with beautiful things 3 TIMES! We feel so blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful friends and family during this special time in our family's life. We have gotten almost everything we need for the nursery including the things not purchased on our registry, which we picked up last weekend. We have also finished the nursery and cleaned the house. This weekend is reserved for relaxing and finishing up a few last minute things (like mowing) that we would like to get done in case Kaitlyn decides to come early... I suppose I also need to pack that hospital bag too (haha). I think I am still in denial that she will be here in just a couple short weeks. We are so excited and overwhelmed all at the same time. I am just ready to see what this next phase in our lives will be like. And now for the baby update:

38 WEEKS

Here is a picture of me at 38.5 weeks:

Size of Baby: A WATERMELON?! (that is huge)... We had an ultrasound last Thursday to check the position of baby Kaitlyn and learned she is in the 76 percentile for her size. She was already 7 lbs 5 ounces and is expected to grow another 1/2lb a week until we deliver. I guess here is to big babies?

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I am still holding around 27lbs weight gain. I am pretty happy with that considering we are so close to the end!

Maternity Clothes:  I can only wear maternity right now. I still only have one pair of work pants that are maternity so it is getting a little interesting. I wear them several days a week, but I have also added leggings and dresses to my work attire. My other problem is the weather. I have obviously not really purchased any warm weather clothes because it was winter when I started my maternity wardrobe, and now I am too far along to justify buying anything else, so I guess we are just hoping she makes her appearance soon :).

Gender: BABY GIRL - Kaitlyn Louise Murphree

Movement:  She still isn't very active, but certainly lets her momma know on a daily basis that she is there :). She gets the hiccups several times a day, so that is always fun to watch. 

Sleep: I still sleep pretty well, as long as I can manage the itching (see below)...

  What I miss: A few weeks ago, my feet started to itch. I thought it was the same psoriasis type thing I get on my fingers. Evidently not, and I was feeding a fungus?! Yeah, it sucks to be 9 months pregnant and have a rash/really itchy bumps all over my feet. It keeps me up at night and is miserable. I have been to a dermatologist, but I am beginning to wonder if it will ever go away. So, I guess I miss pedicures and normal feet that are itch free. Well that and green beer on Saint Patty's day :).

What I am looking forward to: I am starting to get to that point when I am looking forward to being normal again. I am super excited to be pregnant and wouldn't change anything, but I am ready to meet her and be able to see my feet. I'm ready to wake up refreshed (though I know that won't happen for months), not have any back pain, and get my body back!

Cravings/Aversions: I definitely crave anything sweet and anything cheesy. I still love mac and cheese and grilled cheeses :)  

Symptoms: Although we have been relatively symptom free, there are some unavoidable symptoms you get at the end. I am generally uncomfortable, and ready for my body back. I am also very tired of two special feet that are still crammed in my ribs. It hurts and I will be VERY excited when she drops into the birth canal and out of my ribs. There is also the obvious back pain and swelling that comes with the territory.

Best Moment This Week/Month: Going to our doctor's appointment and learning Kaitlyn is head down and facing the right direction (we were afraid she was breech). She is a little big, but those are just estimates. We also learned I am 1.5cm dilated and 75 % effaced. So basically, we are on track with our healthy baby girl and that is great news! Our third anniversary was also this week. We both took the day off and enjoyed eachother's company. I am also super excited about my new necklace Wes gave me to commemerate baby Kaitlyn's debute.

Weekly Wisdom: You can only control that which you can control. Do your research and know what you are up against, but don't freak out. You are in good hands and nature already knows what to do.... Sit back and let it happen.

Here are some of our maternity pictures from 36 weeks......

So I guess that about sums it up for now. Kaitlyn is still cooking and we will let everyone know when she gets here!

Lauren

29 Weeks and Counting!!!

Size of Baby: A squash (that seems huge!)...according to The Bump, baby is about 15 - 16 inches long and weighs about 3 pounds..... WOW!

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I think I am up around 20 pounds..... I had only gained 15 at my last appointment, but I think I gained a few before I started going to the OBGYN, so I guess I should claim them too.

Maternity Clothes: I wear mostly maternity with the exception of work clothes. I have been very successful in getting lots of cute things to go with jeans and leggings, but work pants are another story. I never found anything I really liked or wanted to spend the money on, so I still wear the belle band and a few maternity shirts or shirts I can still swing with the belly :). I am too close to the end now to buy anymore, so I guess it will just have to work :).

Gender: We found out around 20 weeks that our precious baby is a GIRL! Her name will be Kaitlyn Louise Murphree. Despite popular belief, it really isn't that weird of a spelling and I have been in love with the name ever since I had baby dolls when I was a young girl. Louise is after my mother, sister, and grandmother who all carried the name in some fashion.

Movement: She doesn't move around nearly as much as I thought she would and it isn't very hard. I don't know if this is because of her position or if she is saving it all for the last couple months... However, I certainly know she is there and I am looking forward to Wes being able to feel her move. We have tried a couple times, but haven't gotten lucky yet...

Sleep: In the second trimester, I bought a bobby body pillow that supports the belly and it has been a life saver for traveling and at home. As long as I have lots of pillows, I still sleep like a baby (and all through the night!), although a certain someone claims that I started snoring (haha).

  What I miss: In the last couple weeks, the middle of my back and the top right section of my ribs have gotten achy. It doesn't really hurt, but it is uncomfortable. I think it is because I am carrying so high... So, I guess I miss being comfortable while sitting at my desk at work!

What I am looking forward to: We got our furniture in last week (one month early!) and I can't wait to pick it up this weekend and get it assembled. I am super excited to see a crib at my house!

Cravings/Aversions: I don't really have any new aversions, but I still crave anything sweet and anything cheesy. It is not uncommon for me to eat a grilled cheese and mac and cheese for dinner (haha)

Symptoms: I am sooooooo lucky.... I don't really have much on the symptom front, but if I am on my feet too long or in heels, my feet will swell. Other than that, my headaches have really subsided in the later months and I don't even waddle yet. I did take and pass the glucose test, but discovered I have become anemic so I am on supplements for that. Other than that, just a little achy in the back and upper right rib section. I would still say I am a pretty lucky girl!

Best Moment This Week: Going to the beach and relaxing last weekend! It was so nice to see everyone and get some time to do nothing!!!!

Weekly Wisdom: The more you freak out..... the less you get done. Only tackle what you can, and the rest will fall into place. If it doesn't, you really didn't need it in the first place!

Here is a picture of me at 29 weeks (excuse the work bathroom setting):

Here is Kaitlyn at 28 weeks (at her 4D ultrasound):

And here is the nursery paint scheme (Wes and I are so excited about it!):  

I am going to try and post a few more things on here about the last couple months, but who knows..... I haven't been nearly as diligent as I was hoping about blogging. I am going to really try and do better!

Lauren