The birth

Monday- Ron and I had a great day. We slept in, went to Apple Hill, saw Jurassic World and then finished the baby's room. We went to bed at around midnight and at 1:00am my water broke! I called Kaiser and they had me come in. Checked in at 2:00am and by 3:00am I was delivered and on antibiotics for group B strep. By 10:00 am my contractions were getting stronger and more consistent but I was able to breathe through them. Around 3:00 I noticed they were picking up and so I went for a walk around the hospital. By 8:00pm I was in a lot of pain and so I took a dose of Fentanyl. It helped some but by 9:00 I needed another round of the medicine! At 9:30 I simply couldn't take the pain anymore and requested an epidural. At 9:45 the anestisiologist arrived- thank goodness! 

For some reason, the epidural kicked everything into high gear, because I tried to go to sleep but as the nurse was attempting to track my contractions I knew something was off. I told the nurse and for some reason she didn't think I was near ready but in my mind I started to panic a bit. I knew this was it. I frantically told her I was in a lot of pain and felt like I needed to push. All of a sudden her demeanor changed and she checked me. Immediately she started calling for anyone who could assist us. At 10:30 I started pushing. It was everything people tell you. It hurt. But I had no choice but to get through it. Ron was in the room but barely had enough time to call my best friend who arrived two pushes before he came out! 

I never made it past 37 weeks 5 days pregnant because...

Jameson William Pierce entered this world on September 8th, 2015 at 10:50pm. He weighed 6 pounds 15 ounces and was 21 and a quarter inches long. It was love at first sight. I'm proud of myself, proud of him and proud of my husband. I'm on cloud 9 right now and couldn't be happier. I now believe in miracles. 

Thirty Weeks!

I’m 30 weeks today.  I remember finding out I was pregnant, and looking at all the pictures on Weddingbee of ladies with baby bumps.  The ones that seemed huge were the 30+ week bellies. And here I am. 30 weeks. I feel him moving all the time in my tummy, which is so surreal. It never gets old and I absolutely love it. I’ll miss being able to feel him kick and move- there is no explaining this feeling other than sheer awe. 

Ron and I took our maternity photos over the weekend by the fabulous Amy Atkins.  She said our photos would be ready in about two weeks so I’m super excited/anxious to get those back! We went to Jack Hill Park in Elk Grove and it was perfect!  I can’t wait to go back there for our family photos when he’s a little older.  I ended up buying some white jeans and pairing it with a black top while Ron wore his National Guard fatigues. We thought this would be a super fun/cute way of remembering this time in our lives.  With so much changing we have no idea when the next chance to capture his military persona might happen. 

What a Gentleman- helping me whenever he can :)

Over the weekend Ron took the physical abilities test for the Sheriff’s Department, along with his reading/writing test.  It’ll take a month to get the results back and we are praying he did well enough to enter into the Academy. If he makes it, then he would be starting in October and it goes for ten months.  I think it would be a wonderful opportunity for him and for our growing family to get on as a Police Officer. He loves serving, so what better way to serve the community than to wear a badge?

My baby shower is coming up in about two weeks so we are super excited to see our friends and family!  My sister-in-laws are hosting it and I can’t wait to show you the theme! Until then, just going to enjoy feeling him grow in my belly and hold every moment close to my heart.  I love him already!

We've definitely been getting down to business! Here is what the walls to our nursery look like now...

We started with the base coat of orange, then painted black, then painted some boards white to be put up! I have to say I'm loving how it all turned out! Baby Pierce has one heck of a stylin room! If only we could paint ours as quickly as we painted his! 

Baby Pierce's growth chart also came in and we LOVE that as well! Look how fancy it is!

Things are progressing nicely- I'll be 27 weeks on Monday which means we technically have 10 weeks to get all squared away and ready. That seems so far away but I know time is going to fly by. Ron has been working hard and his shifts are now on the weekends as well, so that will help with the cost of day care! 

I went to the doctor a couple weeks ago and she scolded me on my weight gain... So now I'm trying to watch what I eat and even went for a walk this morning before it got too hot. I plan on walking every night after work once it cools off. It's been around 100 degrees and the heat drains me of any energy I thought I had. I'll update you once we finish some more of our nursery projects!

Nursery nonsense

This past weekend we got down to business and began remodeling the nursery.  My husband really surprised me when he was on board with my ideas for decorating.  We decided to go with a “San Francisco Giants” theme… and yes that means orange walls! We love the Giants, and so obviously we hope our son loves them as much as us! Although, this kid really isn’t going to have a choice. His fate has been sealed- Orange and Black for life!

The first step was clearing out space...

and then the painting began!

We went to Home Depot because it’s right by our house, and when we were looking around for the closest Giants orange we could find, we had all but given up.  Nothing seemed to be quite right.  So we asked a sales associate in the paint department, and he said they carry specific team colors! HURRAY!  So we bought 1 gallon of Giants orange to start, and plan on incorporating their gray and black to match.  So far, we are just painting the walls all one color, but the plan will ultimately be to add some Wainscoting as well. Just to break up the color.  Ron was very helpful- he pretty much painted the entire walls… I just did the trim. (and yes my pregnant self was up on a ladder, I have more patience for that kind of thing!)

In addition to purchasing the paint and getting started, we also came across a lovely little Growth Chart that matches our theme. We found the seller on Etsy, and it turns out they are only a short drive away from where we live!  So no need to pay for shipping, we plan on picking it up ourselves! I’ll post a photo when we have it!  So excited for the nursery, things are getting real!

Stuff on Sale

This past week was our Anatomy Scan.  It was early in the morning which was great!  Ron and I were able to take a couple hours off work in the morning and my sister-in-law met us at the Hospital. It was awesome because she actually works in the Radiology department, and started work 15 minutes after our Ultrasound began.  She is so sweet, I just love her!

And here is my 21 week photograph.  Work selfie! 

I feel like my stomach is growing really fast now, and I am quickly outgrowing some of my maternity shirts I bought in the beginning.  I’ve gained 30 pounds so far, and although I’m worried, I know it’s the pregnancy. My eating hasn’t changed much, but the gym has been nonexistent.  Between my energy levels and not getting enough sleep, it has been a miracle that I’ve been able to halfway function at work.  Pregnancy is beautiful, but it’s been rough.  Wouldn’t trade it for anything, though!

Last night Ron and I went to Carters- they are having a fantastic sale! We were able to buy $350 dollars’ worth of clothes for $80 bucks.  We bought 0-3month and 3-6month and are now set on those sizes.  Next time they are having a deal this great we will look at 6-9month and 12 month. But for now we have decided that blankets and diapers are on the list! 

We have so much to do and take care of, but we are pacing ourselves so we don’t get too ahead. We still have to get through the rest of May, all of June, July and August.  After that it’s showtime!

Baby Boy!

It’s been almost two weeks since we found out.  We are having a boy. A little boy!! Ron is extremely excited.  We think we picked out a name, and it seems to flow naturally when we say it.  I can’t believe this chick is really going to have a son! 

Last night we cleaned out the spare bedroom, which I guess we can start calling the baby’s room. A little nursery… seriously can’t believe I’m saying this right now.  Pregnancy has felt very surreal so far.  Anyway, we worked for about two hours and a lot got done!  Ron did all of the moving and lifting while I “supervised”.  He’s so good to me and our little family.  Here’s what two hours of sorting, donating and throwing away looks like: half the room is completed!

I am now 19 weeks pregnant and my stomach seems to have popped out this week.  I can no longer sleep on my stomach, and it’s getting more and more difficult to stay in one position for too long. Baby is the size of a mango- that is BIG! I haven’t felt any hard kicks yet, and am looking forward to that aspect of pregnancy.

We recently bought brand new living room furniture, and once that is arranged how I want it, I’ll post a picture for you guys to see.  We are also getting estimates on flooring so we have some major home improvements we are working on!  So excited for the future!

Upcoming Ultrasound

I’m finding out the gender tonight. I’m excited, nervous, happy, everything… all mixed into one.  My parents are going to see Barry Manilow, so they are unable to come with us. Instead, we are going with our four great friends. We wanted to share this moment with people we love.

All I can think about is what am I having?  Is it a little girl or a little boy?  Our lives are going to change no matter what, but I feel like finding out is going to make this feel much more real. Either way we are going to be SO happy and love our baby forever.

 Our appointment is at 7:30 tonight, and the next six hours can’t go by fast enough. I just want work to be over so we can start our weekend and really get started with planning!  We are having a baby!  Ron wants a little boy and I want a little girl- typical I think for a lot of couples, so either way it's a win-win!  I am so excited!

I am 17 weeks 2 days, and everyday has been a blessing!