Full of Laughter

. . . that's what I'm choosing to believe about the little teaser in my tummy.  My little Ella baby has been teasing us for the last week - to the point that her Grandmommy and Aunt Anna have already flown in from Alabama and are sitting on pins and needles ready to meet her and I'm officially on maternity leave!

Tease #1: At my check-up last week on Wednesday (37 weeks), her head was already at a station 2 and I was 3 cm dilated.  Last Friday I began having semi-regular contractions.  The magic number to go to the hospital is 5 mins apart for at least an hour.  We would get to just under an hour and then not have another contraction for 20 mins.  Then they would pick up again, be less than 5 mins for just under an hour, and then slack off for 15 mins.  Brandon was in Abilene praying he could finish the weekend with the symphony, his folks were at my house with me, and my mom caught the last flight out of Birmingham hoping to get here and go straight to the hospital.  My contractions continued that same pattern through Saturday morning, and then all but disappeared (and disappointed) for the rest of the weekend (though we did have a couple of other tell-tale signs that things were going to happen soon - but they're gross and you don't want to hear about that).  Still, we made it through the weekend, Brandon finished his gig, my mom decided to stay, and Ella was still chillin' in her cozy little womb.

We had our next check-up this past Monday.  Because of all the contractions (and other signs) we had over the weekend, my doc didn't want to check for dilation for fear of getting things stirred up too soon (Monday I was 37 weeks and 5 days).  He did say that IF nothing happens between then and this coming Monday that he'll get things started for us and send me straight up to Labor and Delivery.  But he thought that was a big if - meaning she could come anytime.  I decided to keep working and try to finish out the week at my school (it's state testing week, all I had to do was sit and monitor the bathrooms).

Tease #2: Anna flew in after her exams on Tuesday and was very thankful she made it in time.  I hit 38 weeks yesterday (Wednesday), went to work/bathroom duty, and started having regular contractions again.  They were close enough and strong enough that I started timing them.  Regular contractions at about 4 mins apart!  When I hit the one hour mark, I went up to our school nurses office, called Brandon, then called the doctor.  They suggested I go get monitored in Labor and Delivery just in case.  So, some of my closest work friends (our principal, counselor, and art teacher) and I loaded up and left the school while Brandon, my mom, and my sis loaded up and left from home (the hospital is almost right in between).  We got hooked up to the monitors (Ella was perfect, btw!) and checked and measured and all of that "fun" stuff.  I was 3.5 - 4cm dilated and 75 - 80% effaced.  They monitored us for about 2 hours, but when they measured everything again they didn't see enough change to keep us.  So, home we went.  My contractions got harder and stronger and stayed regular (and painful!) all afternoon but started getting further apart as the night went on.  This morning I'm only having 2-3 contractions an hour.  They're still stronger than they were yesterday morning, but not quite as painful as the worst ones yesterday right after we got home.  We decided to go ahead and officially start my maternity leave as of today though, just in case something else happens . . .

DISCLAIMER: Very few people knew we went to get checked yesterday - we didn't want to alert everyone just in case this wasn't the real deal - so please don't feel bad if you're just finding out.  I promise we'll shout it from the rooftops when she's really on her way!

I really don't mind waiting.  I know the longer she stays with me (to a point) the better and healthier she will be.  I'm not totally miserable unlike many of my preggo friends at this point and it's been a pretty easy pregnancy, so I'm not in a hurry to have this part of the journey end.  Of course, my heart's desire is to see and hold and kiss my baby girl as soon as possible and if I knew it would happen today I would just burst with joy, but I'm ok with waiting a few more days if we have to.

What's killing me is all of this teasing!  Is she coming?  Is it time?  "Just kidding, mom!"  Up, down, up, down, up . . .  I can just picture little Ella giggling one day as I tell her all of the ups and downs we went through in these last few days before she was born.  I'm choosing to believe that she's showing us a little of her personality now and that she will be full of joy and laughter (and probably a little mischief).   :)

Ella Elizabeth Stewart

Ella Elizabeth Stewart

Stewart Little has a name!!  Our baby girl is Miss Ella Elizabeth Stewart.  Ella means "beautiful" and Elizabeth means "oath of God".  It's a gorgeous name that sings of the promises of our God.  But, we didn't pick these names for their inherent meanings alone.  These names mean something even more to us.

Our little girl is named after one of the dearest and sweetest people in our lives, Brandon's grandmother, Ella Jane Stewart.  She is a sweet loving woman with a servant's heart, someone who always puts others needs in front of her own.  She is still with us today and I can't wait to get a picture of big Ella and little Ella one day soon.  Sadly, her memory has faded away over the last few years thanks to a type of dementia.  I was blessed to know her before it really began to take its toll and have loved her from the first day I met her.  Family means so much to her and while she still could, she would tell me stories of her children (including Brandon's dad), her family growing up, and her mother and aunt, twins Merley and Pearly.  Ever the hostess, she would always make sure we had something to eat and drink within minutes of walking through her door.  She was the caretaker of her family and even today, though she rarely recognizes people anymore, she still has the same sweet disposition and the same care and concern for those around her.  She will smooth out the wrinkles on her husband's pants, check his shoes, and pat his hand as if to say, "everything is ok."  It is so sweet to watch them together.

She is such a dear woman and she has left a legacy of love for her family.  There couldn't be a more fitting namesake for this littlest Stewart.  Little Ella will grow up hearing the stories about her great grandmother and hopefully living up to her name.

Visiting Brandon's grandmother just weeks before we found out we were expecting.

Little Ella's middle name, Elizabeth, comes from one of my favorite women of the Bible, the mother of John the Baptist.  She was one of the first to speak out in faith and proclaim Jesus as Lord - even before he was born (Luke 1:39-45).  She welcomed Mary into her home when Mary was pregnant, unwed, and uncertain of her future.  I can only imagine what a comfort Elizabeth must have been to Mary in the weeks they were together.  I know in my own life, and especially during this pregnancy, it has been a huge comfort to have close friends and family to call on.  It's even more exciting to go through such a life changing event with someone you are close to.  I have been blessed to be pregnant at the same time as several of my close friends.  I think it multiplies the joy!  I am certain it was that way for Elizabeth and Mary long ago.  I pray that our Ella Elizabeth grows to be a woman of faith who is not afraid to take a stand and proclaim it.  I pray she is a comforter and someone who can help multiply the joy of others as well.

As an added bonus, Ella Elizabeth will share her middle name with two other close family members.  My sweet cousin, Elizabeth Jane and Brandon's cousin, Abbey Elizabeth - two beautiful women who are both very special to us.


I'm so excited to finally get to announce Ella Elizabeth's name to everyone!  This little girl will have some big shoes to fill, but I'm certain with the help and prayers of our family and friends, she will live up to the name she has been given.

I love you, my sweet Ella Elizabeth Stewart!

Stewart Little Update

We have officially one day left in our 2nd Trimester!  It's hard to believe we're nearing the end already (and we still have so much to do!).  Here's a bit of an update on Stewart Little and our latest check-up.

Today at the doctor I measured 27 centimeters - exactly on target for where we should be (I'm 27 weeks right now and will hit the 28 week/3rd trimester mark on Wednesday).  I have officially gained 20 pounds in this pregnancy, something I'm not proud of.  My doc only wants me to gain 25, but up to 30 is safe.  I have a hard time imagining the scales going much further than they already are, but at this point I'm supposed to be gaining about a pound a week!  Eep!

I had my glucose screening today and had to get stuck three times before they got anything (have I ever mentioned I HATE needles?).  I felt so bad for the sweet girl sticking me though.  She's done every blood draw I've had at this office and never had a problem - and she knows about me and needles.  It wasn't her fault at all, but she obviously felt terrible about it.  Poor girl.  I should have the results of that test sometime tomorrow.  Say a quick prayer that I pass and don't have to go back in for the 3-hour test!  I don't want to take off work, and I'm pretty sure she doesn't want to stick me over and over again after today.  

The slightly terrifying exciting news is that we're actually to the point in this pregnancy where I now have to go in for a check up every two weeks (that only happens when you're at the end!  Omigosh!).  We have 3 more visits at two weeks apart and then once we hit the 36 week mark we go in once a week until Stewart Little arrives!!  We're that close!  Can you believe it??

I've had a few pregnancy firsts in this last week, signaling the start of our last trimester.  I've had a bit of lower back and pelvic pain (yes, even after my massage) that I'm sure I'll be dealing with for the remainder of the pregnancy, some lovely new issues that have me chugging apple juice and eating gobs of prunes (use your imagination), and a new one today - I realized I can't breathe well if I'm leaning over (even if it's just sitting hunched over my desk).  When did she get so big to start squishing my lungs?  Honestly, any one of these little "firsts" would normally have me complaining, but I know that each one means we're that much closer to seeing and holding our little girl for the first time.  It's so exciting and it's starting to become real!  

Something else that makes it more real for me?  I finally went through the rest of the boxes of stuff from the closet in Stewart Little's room and cleared out everything in there that's not hers.  Last night I actually got to organize and put away the clothes, toys, books, bibs, paci's, etc that she has already been given.  There are baby clothes in my baby's closet!  How exciting is that?!

100 Days to Go - A Preggo List

In honor of the 100th Day mark (eeep!) I'm giving you a preggo list.  I've actually been meaning to jot some of these down for a while now. It's mostly for my own reference for Stewart Little's future brother(s) and sister(s) but with so many preggo and new mommy friends, I thought some of you might have things to add, too.  (Boys, you might want to stop reading here.  Don't say I didn't warn you!)

• It's ok to take more than one pregnancy test.  It's fun to watch those little lines turn pink!
• It's also ok to save one or two - even if it really is just pee on a stick. (Don't forget to clean off the outside though - ew!)
• Digital pregnancy tests are awesome, but take a picture because the digital reading doesn't stay on longer than 24 hours.  (As of 25 weeks though, the plain old cheap ones with the lines are still crystal clear! Just sayin' . . .)
• Just because you're not throwing up in your first trimester doesn't mean you feel fine and dandy.  I've never had so much sleep and still be so utterly exhausted!
• For a long time, your boobs will be WAY bigger than your belly.  That part happens FAST! (And it hurts! Be prepared!)
• Ignore the coworkers who missed the announcement that you're expecting and then tell you they thought you'd been eating a few extra hamburgers.  They still mean well.  (This is not a joke!)
• You know the whole, thicker, fuller hair and longer, stronger nails myth?  It's true.
• What they don't tell you about that myth is that the thicker fuller hair part doesn't necessarily mean the hair on your head.  I'll leave it at that.
• Ok, no I won't.  I confess - I have been fighting off a rather dark Miss-stach for months now.  Future me, stock up on tweezers!
• Even before you're officially "showing", maternity pants are the MOST comfortable pants on earth!  Wear them early and be proud of it!
• Yeast infections suck.  I've had more in the last 3 months than I've ever had in my life.
• Likewise for colds.
• And pink eye!  I've NEVER had pink eye before!  (And it would show up IN BOTH EYES the day of my cousin's wedding when I'm a bridesmaid . . .)
• Be careful when brushing your back teeth.  Even if you've made it to the end of the 2nd trimester without puking, your toothbrush will still make you gag every morning.
• Eat a big Thanksgiving/Christmas feast if you want to feel those first movements!  Stewart Little LOVES Grandma's dressing recipe.  Her first kicks came right after Thanksgiving dinner.
• Stewart Little either loves Daddy's horn playing and tries to dance to it, or she desperately tries to get away from it.  Either way, she can't hold still if Daddy is playing!  I'm choosing to believe the first one!  
• Enjoy every kick and bask in every wiggle (even when it's on your bladder).  It means baby is healthy and growing - what a blessing!
• Orange juice, apple juice, and any type of fruit also make our baby girl wiggle!
• Sometimes it feels like I swallowed a jumping bean (and a rather large one at that).
• Speaking of large, in the last couple of weeks, I've actually started feeling "large" - particularly when trying to roll over in bed or get out of bed.  I can only imagine what that will be like by April and May!  Oy!
• Apparently it's normal, around 25 weeks, for your boobs to let you know they're ready and waiting for baby.  Yep, I'm officially wearing nursing pads and I won't actually be nursing for (hopefully) 3 more months!  THAT was a fun(ny) thing to wake up to this weekend.  
• Enjoy basking in the 5 and 6 month glow of pregnancy!  Strangers can finally tell you're pregnant and not just chubby around the middle - hooray!  I've never been told I'm beautiful/cute/adorable this much in my life.  I could get used to this . . .
• Oh, and watch out for too much of that "glow".  I have more pimples currently on my face than I did through my entire teenage years (yeah, I was lucky back then).  Seriously, my face rivals a 13 year old boy's right now.  Thank you, Lord for giving someone the brain to create cover-up makeup!  :)
• You know those stories you hear of pregnant women sneezing and, umm, leaking?  They're all true!  Note to self: don't sneeze when you're washing your hands in cold water.  You end up needing to wash a few more things, too!  Think of it as a right of passage.  
• Around 20ish weeks, start watch for your belly to start moving!  It makes everything so much more real!
• Speaking of that 20 week mark - I noticed a shift in my thinking somewhere around there.  The first half of my pregnancy I was still in awe and wonder that I was pregnant.  Now I'm in awe and wonder that we have a baby in there.  It's a subtle but important difference.  This is not about me, it's about her.  She's real!  And we'll be meeting her in 100 days or less!  Yippee and yikes!
• Never forget to stop and wonder about this beautiful miracle.  God is so good to allow us (girls) to experience, know, and love our babies before anyone else and like no one else can.  I am in constant amazement to the point that there are really no words . . .

Well, Hello There!

Hello Blog World!
I've been keeping up with you the last two months, but realized I haven't given you the same chance! Goodness how time flies!

Here's a recap of what our little family, and Stewart Little have been up to.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving break! We drove down to San Antonio to visit with Pat and Eloise (B's dad and stepmom) in their new house. We're so glad they're back in Texas! We also got to spend some time with our friends Jared and Laura and my adorable God-son, Noah! Isn't he the sweetest!

To end the weekend, we met up with our dear friends Emily and Eric while they were in town. Emily was pregnant with sweet baby Keller (3 months ahead of us) and, of course, Keller and Stewart Little had to have some bump-bonding time.  (NOTE: Keller was born last week and looks so much like her big sister, Piper!  I can't wait to snuggle her in person!)

On December 12, we had the joy of learning that our sweet little Stewart Little is a GIRL! Of course, I went out that night and bought a pink tutu. I couldn't help myself! And yes, I cried at the doctor's office, and again when I called my mommy to tell her she was going to have a granddaughter. (I was vividly reminded of the afternoon she called me from the hospital to tell me I had a sister. That's still one of the best days of my life!).  I showed up at school that afternoon, as promised, with a big pink balloon announcing the news to my students (amid cheers from the girls and a few boos from the boys - one little boy was even mad at me!  Sorry, hun, I don't get a say in that! Haha!)

Brandon and I survived the three weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas break with our crazy musician holiday schedules and escaped to Alabama to relax and recoup at my parents' house. We stayed until the day after Christmas and had such a wonderful time that neither of us wanted to leave.

We spent the rest of the week traveling and spending time with Brandon's family here in Texas and in Oklahoma. We got next to nothing done on my giant to-do list for the house, but it was worth it to see so much family. We know it won't be so easy to pick up and travel everywhere in the near future.

Since Christmas we've jumped back into the swing of things and are sloooowly making a dent in that to-do list around here (it's a long list) as we get ready for Stewart Little. I taught my last three Kindermusik classes and said goodbye to some of the sweetest families and babies in Texas. That last class was hard, but I still know stepping away from that was the right decision. 6-day work weeks, plus church and family visits on Sundays make for a very tired pregnant girl (and a very messy house).

As for Stewart Little, she is movin' and groovin' and loving life in her mommy's tummy. At this point she should be approaching the 2 lb mark as we're nearing the end of our 2nd trimester (I'm 25 weeks right now). Over Christmas Aunt Anna got to feel her kicking and Brandon got to feel and SEE her moving (since then my mom and Brandon's mom have both been kicked by their grandbaby too!). It's so fun to just lay back and watch my belly move! I think we may have a gymnast on our hands!

This past weekend I flew back to Alabama and then drove down to Florida with my family to be in my sweet cousin, Samantha's wedding. It was so great to spend more time with my fam! It's so rare that I get to see them this often (twice within a month!). The wedding was beautiful, Sam was stunning, and I'm told even my belly bump shrouded in a bridesmaid's dress looked pretty good. :)

And that brings us to today.  When I should be at work.  But I'm not.  I have pink eye.  Yippee.  BUT, I think that's it for the highlights of the last two-ish months. Hopefully there will be more to come in the NEAR future this time. Until then . . .

Stewart Little Update

Stewart Little is doing great, according to our Perinatologist yesterday!  Baby is measuring 2.75 cm with a heart rate of 167 bmp.  Good and healthy!  2.75 cm also means baby-thing is about 12wks 2days instead of 11wks 5days like my due date says.  I know they say the first ultrasound is the most accurate, but my symptoms and other dates line up much more accurately with the 12wks 2days mark, putting my due date back at the original - May 2. (Of course, that's unofficial since my OB actually has to make that call, but I'm personally aiming for the 2nd.)

It was so amazing to see that sweet baby moving around in there!  It's crazy to think just 6 weeks ago, at our first ultrasound, you could hardly distinguish anything other than a tiny little heartbeat flicker.  This time, there is no doubt there is a BABY in there!!  It's completely awe-inspiring.  We saw Stewart Little jump, stretch, wave ("Hi Mommy!"), open and close her mouth, kick, everything!  I know it's still a few weeks off, but I cannot wait to be able to feel all of those amazing little movements!  We got some great pictures and even a DVD of the whole ultrasound!  I'm going to try to figure out how to get part of that video on a private YouTube channel so family and close friends can see Stewart Little wiggling around like a little jumping bean.  :)

Here are a few of my favorite pics.

Sweet baby-face!

Waving at Mommy!

By the way, even though it's still early, my peri has certain things he looks at to give his best guess as to whether Stewart Little is a boy or a girl.  He said he gives it a 4 out of 5 shot that we will have a . . . .

. . . oh sorry, you'll have to wait until our Dec 19 appointment to find out for sure.  

(message me if you are really curious to know what he thinks!)

A Much Needed Day Off + Baby Stuff

Ahhh . . . It's 9:30 on a Friday morning, I'm still in pajamas and relaxing in bed with my fuzzy little doggie and growing belly.  I can't imagine life getting much better.  :)

I have the day off for an ENT appointment to figure out what's going on with my voice (can't seem to keep it for more than a few school days in a row).  The nice thing is, the only time they could fit me in before November is today at 11:30, which means I can't just take the morning or afternoon off, I have to be gone all day.  I originally did NOT like this idea, since I'm trying to save as many of my off-days as possible for when Stewart Little arrives.  Now that it's here, I am oh so thankful I took the full day.  I needed a chance to rest and relax a bit.  This whole working-six-days-a-week bit is really wearing on me this semester and I feel like I haven't had the chance to just be in a good long while.  So yes, today is much needed and oh so nice.  :)

In other news, Stewart Little is growing and growing (and my belly is showing and showing - or, at least starting to).  I've had several teacher friends comment this week on being able to see a bit of a bump!  Isn't that exciting!!  I can tell a difference (and Brandon can too), but I didn't realize anyone else could see.  Of course, they know I'm expecting so I know they are looking for it.  I'll be really excited the first time someone who doesn't know comments on it!  I officially cannot button my favorite jeans, I'm wearing my old size 10 dress pants (I'm usually in a size 8) and even they are more comfy unbuttoned.  Really, every pant is more comfy unbuttoned (thank heaven for belly bands!).  Who decided buttons were a good idea, anyway?

We're beginning a nice collection of baby things around the here now.  Thanks mostly to the soon-to-be grandmothers!  My mom and Brandon's mom have both sent bags/packages full of cute baby stuff.  The only things in this picture that we have bought are the ducky outfit, the "I Love My Daddy" and elephant onesies, and Baby's first elephant (Roll Tide!).

Look at those ADORABLE hoodie towels!

Here's a quick story about the Thumper doll.  Before I was born, my parents called me Thumper (apparently I should have been a soccer star with the way I kicked!).  My parents even have birthday cards "from" me signed "Love, Thumper".  My mom found this little guy when she was baby shopping and sent him to me.  Little Thumper marks the first time I really teared-up in this pregnancy.  Isn't he just the cutest!

Very soon we'll be adding a swing and bouncer to the collection - courtesy of one of my Kindermusik moms!!  She has one-year-old twins and when she was pregnant she registered for two of everything.  They've ended up mostly using one swing/bouncer set and have decided to sell the other barely-used set to us!!  $50 for one of the best and cutest swings and bouncers out there!  It's the Fisher Price Little Lambs swing and matching bouncer.  The swing itself sells online for upwards of $150!  How great is that!  We're going to pick them up on Sunday.  Yippeee!!

Meet Stewart Little!

And now we come to the biggest change of all . . .

Yep, that tiny little dot is the long awaited, much anticipated Stewart Little!  Just a tiny little guy (or gal) for now, but as of this week, that little pea is officially the size of a blueberry (I can just hear Brandon quoting from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, "I have a blueberry for a daughter!").  We've known for over three weeks now, and I've been dying to shout the good news!  As of today, I am 7 weeks and Stewart Little should make an appearance sometime around May 9.  We are so so so excited!

And I'm so so so exhausted!  This new Mommy is heading to bed.  More to come soon!
G'night!