McKenzie's Birth Story

I know it's been awhile since I last blogged, but i have been a little busy having a baby and trying to figure out this whole being a mom thing. Man! It's exhausting, but I have never been happier.

Let's start from the beginning.

On Thursday, March 21st I got about halfway through the work day when I just started not feeling so well and, with the much appreciated persistence of one of my co-workers, decided to finish up what I was working on and head home a little early.

So, I got home and tried to decide if the cramps were just cramps or actual contractions. Once they started feeling more regular, I began timing them with my fancy pregnancy app. After several hours of debating whether I was in labor or not, they started following the pattern we were told to watch for (5 contractions within one hour, each 1 minute or longer). So ... I hopped in the shower (they didn't hurt very bad so I figured I still had quite a ways to go) and took my time blowing out my hair before heading to the hospital.

We got all checked in and sent back to OB Triage, but everyone kept saying "You look too happy to be having a baby". Knowing what I know now, they were right ...

 last picture of the bump

Representing NAU since McKenzie has already been bombarded with Wildcat and Sun Devil nonsense.

Wardrobe Wrap Up: Styling the Bump 33 & 34 Weeks

 For those who do not know, my attempt at walking Miss McKenzie out were successful. Shortly after positing the previous blog Mac and I headed to the zoo and by 5pm (exactly 5pm to be precise) our daughter was here. Birth story blog to follow!

For now, I have some catching up to do on the wardrobe posts - although it seems a bit weird to be posting pregnant pictures of myself now that our little one is here ... hmm. anyway, here we go.

Miss McKenzie is asleep on my chest as I write these, so for now, I am just going to list the items that I know off the top of my head.

Blue Sweater: H&M; Grey Leggings: Forever 21; Black Boots: Shoe Dazzle

Wardrobe Wrap Up: Styling the Bump 32 & 33 Weeks

I am admittedly slacking (severely) slacking on the wardrobe wrap-ups I aspired to start doing, but it is not for lack of trying. I did take the effort to assemble my best attempts at fashionable outfits, and even photographed them. But, for some reason I kept failing to upload them to this blog as intended. As I got further and further from the original post date, I was less and less diligent about taking the photos and then, once the heels went, pretty much stopped all together. So, I have a few to catch up on, and rather than slapping them all in one blog post, I am changing the formula a bit.

I am going to posts a few photos at a time and make it more reminiscent of times when I didn't have to stuff swollen feet in ballet flats and find clothes that don't make me look like the marshmallow puff man from Ghostbusters. Here goes nothing ;) Photos below are from weeks 32 and 33.

Button Up Shirt:  I will have to find this one - sorry! Sweatshirt: Gap Maternity; Jeans: I got them at Savvy Sale - so I will need to look up where they originally came from; Sash: Etsy Shop - FantsyYouFashion

McKenzie's Nursery

As promised, I am finally getting around to posting pictures of little one's nursery. We are still awaiting the arrival of the glider, which will either go in the corner by the closet or where the two owl chairs currently are. Haven't quite decided just yet. I also need to get some wall art for at least the one big pink wall across from the closet, but I feel like the one with the bookshelf is also missing a little something. We shall see. I had an idea for some wall art, but haven't quite made up my mind.

Well on with the grand tour I suppose!

Let's start with the bathroom, which is just to the right of the nursery room door.

39 Weeks: #comeoutmckenzie

I am so over being pregnant. I know we aren't even at her due date yet, but ever since the heels went and the room was completed, I am more than ready to be done with this. And most importantly, meet McKenzie. I have even made McKenzie her very own hashtag ... #comeoutmckenzie pretty  catchy huh ;) 

***Warning - graphic pregnancy procedure talk ahead. Skip to the stars if you get grossed out easy :) I know I used to!***

This week at the Dr. I got to see my favorite of the 5 (or is it 6?) and she said that I was far enough along that she could do a membrane sweep if I wanted. My response? Heck yes, let's get this baby out! So after the exam she went ahead and did it. Unfortunately, we are approaching 48 hours since my appointment (it was at 5 on Friday) and still nothing. :( So, all that pain and cramping for nothing I guess. Ugh! Totalyl doesn't mean I won't be up for it again next week. Anything to help move her along.

***Safe Again***

I have literally tried a handful of natural induction theories with no luck. There are a few I won't try (Castor Oil sounds very unpleasant - no thank you!). I get a few braxton hicks and some cramping but no true labor. This little one is stubborn! Regardless, I plan to spend the rest of the day on my feet and walking. She has to come out sometime, right? Maybe I will be the first woman int he history of pregnancy to carry my child through her whole childhood :) at this rate it totally feels like it.

Enough complaining for one blog post. Let's get on to the update!

38 Weeks: Running Out of Room!

We have been quite busy this week! I finished putting together the last of her big items and Mac installed the chair rail in her nursery and finished re-doing the front room. Now all it needs is the desk (which is on back-order and we can share photos! it looks so great and he has been working so hard on my huge list of big projects around the house. McKenzie and I are so lucky to have him!

Speaking of our little one ... she has officially made her way into every corner of the house! But I was so ecstatic to have her swing arrive that, since I was already building that, I might as well knock out the rest and find homes for it all. So she officially has all she could need ready and waiting for her - so ... YOU CAN COME OUT NOW MCKENZIE!

We also got a few photos from our maternity session I want to remember to share, so let's start with and then I can show you all the fun new toys waiting for McKenzie.

I am really loving the photos (except of course the shoe and ring situation). Aren't they fun and bright?!?

 Photos taken by Cherise Kiel Photography and my hair and makeup was done by EGlow Boost Beauty

37 Weeks - Full Term!

Oops! I missed my 36 week update! Sorry. Honestly, things have been so busy around here. Between trying to prepare my co-workers for my maternity leave, getting our house ready for McKenzie's arrival  and the variety of other events/activities and obligations pulling us in this way and that, I couldn't even get myself to pull out my laptop let alone sit down to write my blog. So, apologies and this week will include a double dose of baby bump.

A quick review from what was missed because of my absent blog: my weekly appointments have begun and as of 35 weeks and 5 days last Thursday), I was 1cm and 50%. Then I had some really bad cramping the next day and headed into OB triage to find out, the cramps were just round ligament pain and miss McKenzie's big 'ole head (ok it's actually pretty little - but doesn't feel that way when pressing on my pelvis) getting into position. But turns out I had progressed a bit more and was at 1cm, 80% and -2. This sent me into a bit of a panic, not because it means she will be here, but I really need to stop procrastinating packing my hospital bag. I already have hers done - that was easy peezy, I just had to pick out some cute outfits to dress her up in and throw in a few other knick knacks. My bag has been a point of frustration and procrastination for a few weeks now. I have actively avoided thinking about delivery day so packing a bag for it doesn't get me excited. Plus I am a chronic over-packer and the task just seems so daunting to figure out what I really do and do not need. Plus getting her nursery ready always sounds like so much more fun.

Then, this past Wednesday I got to see our little one. She is measuring below the 50th percentile but looking healthy and great. The ultrasound tech predicted a 6.5/7 pound baby if she arrives on her due date. Whew! As much as I love a little chunky baby thigh, delivering a 9/10 pound baby didn't sound like much fun. I am perfectly ok with her being a little one and then chunking her out once she's born. :)

On Thursday I went for my 36 week appointment and I was 2cm, 80-90% and still at -2. Doctor Urig seemed pretty happy with this and said it can be days or it can be weeks still. He is happy with the progression and says it indicates a very nice delivery. I like the sound of that. Because I haven't had any contractions it probably won't be days, but those can come any day and then that means it;s show time. He did say the more progression before labor, the better for me, so ... I guess I can hold out on meeting McKenzie if it makes D Day a bit more bearable. Oy - next subject.

On a more fun note, we have our maternity photos today! I am a little bummed because last week I started swelling which means no more heels and no more wedding rings :( I was hoping to be able to wear both for the pictures, we will see if fate is kind and let;'s me rock both for a bit. 

Well ... on to the bump!