Home at last!

Somehow the doctors let us go home yesterday to fend for ourselves without the nurses.  They must be crazy, but we are thankful to have her at home and begin our routine (or lack thereof).  We're pretty sure her days and nights are mixed up as she didn't sleep at all last night and she's snoozing right now.  So we're pretty beat, but it's so worth it!

It was 70 degrees and sunny outside today so we got some time outside which was great after a lousy night.  We'll try to get a video up sometime.  She has some great faces and noises you all have to see and hear.  

Thanks for all the emails and messages!

B&K

Ava Grace Drake

 3/15/09  4:37pm

8 lb. 14 oz., 21 inches

Kathryn and I were totally unprepared for the awe we felt after meeting our daughter today.  Ava is a whopping 8 lb, 14 oz., 21 inches, and Kathryn is officially my hero!  No one expected the baby to be that big.  Labor started at 2:30am on Sunday morning and 14 hours later, she delivered at 4:37pm (pushed for only 30 min).  Kathryn is recovering well and Ava is healthy... and I'm about to try my first diaper change.  We can't wait for you all to meet her!   Many more picture to come!

Blair

One week to go!  At my appointment today I was 2 cm dilated so everything is continuing to progress.  It could be any day now!  Two nights ago I was having mild contractions 10 min apart for about four hours, but they stopped around 8am and haven't started up again (regularly).  So we are still waiting!  I've been feeling more of the same, very sore in my back and hips and around the bottom of my belly, having a lot of Braxton Hicks contractions and mild cramping that comes and goes.  I had a very energetic weekend but that has since given way to a very tired Kathryn again.  We are both doing our best to sleep as much as we can each night (and I've been taking regular naps) in preparation.  We are SO thankful that given all of my health issues, this has been a very healthy pregnancy and so far my body is doing everything it's supposed to in preparation for labor and delivery.

Blair has a much easier schedule this week since the students are on spring break, so that has been a huge blessing and has allowed him more time to rest up and get some last minute things done around the house.  He installed the car seat yesterday and put up curtains in our bedroom to make it more conducive to daytime sleep.  Over the weekend my cousin Britt visited and helped put some finishing touches on the nursery.. it looks great!  Now just more waiting.  Possibly the next time we post will be when the little one arrives!  The anticipation is killing us and I'm beginning to think it'll never happen, but we know soon the waiting will be over...

Well, more exciting news!  The last few days I have been feeling very different, like she could come any day now, and like my body is gearing up for the big day.  At my appointment those feelings were confirmed!  The baby has moved farther down, her head is now at 0 station, and I am 1 cm dilated!  This could still mean she will come on or just before my due date (the 18th) but she also could come any day now.  Very exciting news for me as every day I am growing more sore and uncomfortable.  I'm still having a lot of Braxton Hicks contractions, mild cramping and all the usual signs that labor is near.  With her head so far down, I have a lot of pain in the tops of my legs and it's getting harder to move around.  Yesterday she lodged her foot behind my ribs--she's done this once before and I'm praying she removes it soon as it is very painful and making me go a little crazy!  I've also been even more exhausted than usual the last few days and feeling as though I've taken more than the recommended dose of Nyquil.  Needless to say... we are more than ready for this little one to arrive but so excited that my body is doing what it needs to do and is making progress toward her big debut.

More Nursery Photos

Here are a few new photos of the fairly completed nursery!  We are so thankful for all the gifts we've received, even the crib and glider chair.  It's wonderful for me having a chair in there now.. since there really is only so much I can rearrange, I love just sitting and looking at everything and giving our little girl a verbal tour of her room.  Now all we need is a baby!  More to come in the next day or so, tomorrow I have my 38 week appointment...

Today was my 37 week appointment... 3 more weeks to go!  Everything went fine, I am 70% effaced and the baby's head is at -2 station which means it has dropped into the pelvis.  All good news, and it looks like I'm on target for my due date.  I've had more Braxton-Hicks contractions this week and am very sore but it's good to know my body is doing what it's supposed to!  Every day I grow increasingly ready for her to come and now Blair is also ready to meet his daughter as soon as she decides it's time.  He's been spending more time talking to her and kissing my belly which is very cute to watch.  It's exciting to share in anticipation as we await her arrival together!  More to come next week...

We had my 36 week appointment today... 4 weeks to go!  They didn't "check" me (for those who were looking for the stats) since I don't have any signs that preterm labor is on the way, but everything went fine.  Again the doctor urged me to rest as much as possible and stay home... something I'm happy to do now that I'm starting to get much more uncomfortable!  I'm feeling relatively well considering my health history, but have been trying not to push too hard so that whenever this little babe decides to come I'll be somewhat well rested and feeling ok.  This Sunday & Monday I had a baby shower at my friend Ashleigh's and then we had friends over yesterday afternoon and evening--needless to say, today I'm VERY tired and sore!  It doesn't take much to wear me out these days.

I have much enjoyed washing, organizing and re-organizing all the shower gifts we've received, and finally feel somewhat ready for the baby to come.  If you click on the shower photo to the left it will take you to an album of shower photos thus far.  As many know, my first shower I didn't even go to, it was a surprise at Thanksgiving with Blair's family and I was sick!  So poor Blair was a great sport and opened all the gifts in front of the oohing and ahhing ladies.  Then the second shower was supposed to be two weekends ago at my sister's in Philly.  However, I was told by my doctor (and my husband) that traveling was not a good idea.  So, that had to be canceled but my mom brought up some gifts from family down there and my Dad is coming up next weekend to do the same.  Turned out to be a win-win for me, I get to see family, open presents and sit on my couch in my sweatpants!  This past weekend was a third shower (that I did actually attend) at my friend Ashleigh's.  It was beautiful, over the top and so much fun!  I felt so blessed to have such wonderful and caring friends and to be so pampered.  Blair and I are SO grateful for all the gifts we've received and for the wonderful family and friends we have in our lives!  We love you!

Here are some recent pictures of our nursery!  It is still in progress but finally we've finished painting and decorating the wall with butterflies.  I exercised my long-lost creativity by drawing and cutting out all those butterflies & making the mobile/chandelier above the crib.  I miss having art projects to work on so that was a lot of fun for me, especially knowing it's for my little girl!  We will post more pictures once the room is all put together.

Status of baby Drake: She is growing steadily and I'm definitely feeling more cumbersome these days.  But, thankfully she is pretty easy on me, she doesn't kick me too hard and is generally pretty quiet (though she's gotten more active in the last two weeks or so).  We just had our 34 week appointment and all is well!  I think we are both a little stunned that her due date is in only 6 short weeks, but we cannot wait to meet her, hold her in our arms and get to know her!

January 28, 2009

Welcome!  This is our first attempt at a blog posting so bear with us as we figure this all out.  Eventually this will be a place for you to visit and get updates on our life here in State College, our pregnancy progress, and oh so soon-- our baby news!  Hopefully this can be a good way for us to stay in touch through pictures and messages, with those of you who aren't nearby.  Enjoy!