Abby's Arrival

Abigail will be joining us in a little over 36 hours - unless she decides to surprise us. As most of you know, we are looking at a scheduled c-section on Thursday morning. This is far from the original birth plan that TJ and I, both, had in mind. However, the Lord and Abby have their own plan. Abigail is sitting in an upright position with her head facing the side of my ribs. She is completely on my right side with her knees curled up on that hip. This caused for some minor, but uncomfortable, issues a few weeks ago carrying all of that weight on one side. We had every hope that she would eventually go into the 'ideal' position, but has not. She began dropping a few days ago, but no shifting.
The one thing that I have been hoping for was to go into labor, so that the contractions would distract me from the epidural. As my sister-in-law, Heather, put it, "You do realize that women request the needle to avoid the contractions, right?" With that said, I see her point. I will count my blessings and try to ignore the 7 inch needle that is to go perfectly through two vertabrae and into my spinal cord. All the while, I am not to move at all.
I'll let you know how that goes! :) In the meantime, I have faith that God's plan and design are what they should be for all involved. Thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers. Please continue to pray for Abby to have a safe delivery into this world.

Showers

Our wonderful families and friends threw 4 amazing showers for us! Each of Abby's grandmothers (TJ's mom and my mom) threw me a shower, our wonderful Church threw a Diapers & Wipes shower, my mother's co-workers threw her a Grandmother's shower, and my co-workers threw me a shower, as well. We were extremely overwhelmed by everyone's generosity!!!

I've really fallen behind on this one!

I know that I have really fallen behind on my blogging. I'm hoping to get better at this, so that I can keep everyone posted on Abby, once she's here. I know that's where everyone's interest will shift to. :)
Today is Day 2 of my Maternity Leave, and I feel like we are just waiting on Abby. During the past few months, we have been extremely busy and so much has happened that has encouraged me to continue putting off posting an updated blog all at once. However, once everything calmed down, I just put it off all together. July and August were spent relaxing and enjoying each other before the Fall Semester of school. September flew by as I was taking two classes and TJ was getting everything ready for the nursery. We wanted it to be completed before the first shower in October. The months of October and November were filled with showers, our close friend's wedding, and many Doctor appointments!
This time of year, the Holiday season, is my absolute favorite! To have our first daughter born during this time means the world to me. She is something that we are truly thankful for and the greatest gift the Lord can give us, other than our salvation and marriage.
Here are a few pictures that were taken during these last few months:

The Nursery

We are having a girl!!

TJ and I went to an ultrasound center yesterday. We were supposed to have a 20 week sonogram with our OB, however, due to work commitments, I was not able to go until 22 weeks. There was NO way that I could wait that long to confirm the gender of the baby. So, we opted to have a 4D sonogram session at 18 weeks.

The session was fairly interesting since the baby was sleeping. I had to shake and roll on my side, then to the other side. Finally, the baby flipped. When that happened, I thought to myself, "I've felt that before!" The baby has been flipping inside for about a week, and I did not know it.

In previous visits, the baby's heartbeat had been 156, 148 and 146. Typically with that range of heartbeat, the baby is a boy. In my mind, TJ and I thought that we already knew what we should be expecting. However, we had a little curve ball come our way. We are having a baby girl!!

Prior to our appointment, we had our boy's name all set. However, we had been going back and forth with a middle name for the girl. The first name, TJ and I set when we were married a year ago. I was looking online trying to find the perfect name and meaning. Abigail, cited in the Old Testament, means "a father's joy." And that she is, already! Then, suddenly I found the perfect name and meaning! Her name is Abigail Elise Owens. Put together, her name means, "a father's joy consecrated to God." This was exactly what we were looking for!! She is expected to arrive December 7th.

Here are a few pictures from the 4D ultrasound. We did not really get a good shot of her face, since she was sleeping.

stretching (above)

her little feet (above)

View the latest "Bump-date!"

Why, hello!

I did not include this story last night, because I was extremely tired. However, I did want to share this news with everyone -
I felt the baby move for the first time the other day! It was Father's Day. I was lying in bed, after just waking up. I was thinking of all the things that I needed to do before church. Then, there it was, I felt this little bubbly affect from the lower left part of my belly. It was almost as if my stomach was coughing. I know that I will know for sure, once the baby gets bigger whether that was it, or not. Until then, I am happy believing that it was the baby.
I have also began writing a journal of these types firsts, purchases, and OB experiences for our child. I am printing them out on cardstock and placing them in a baby scrapbook. I hope that this is something that our children will treasure forever!
As I said in an earlier blog. We have our 3D sonogram on the 12th of July. This is, of course, elective. Our OB prefers to wait until 20 weeks to confirm the gender to make sure that it's certain. Due to my work schedule, we would not find out until 22 weeks. Given that I am impatient, I have scheduled an appointment with the 3D sono center at 18 weeks. We will have the 3D experience and the gender determination that we are wanting. Everyone wins!
I will not wait so long to blog after that appointment! :)

"Bump-dates"

One of the greatest signs of a healthy baby is the healthy grow of a baby bump...or, so I've heard! :) I will be adding to this each month.

8 months

7 months

This was during the time that I had lost our camera - 5 1/2 months (22 weeks)

4 months

3 months

2 months - I know, I didn't keep the same pose, but you get the idea.
3lbs added from the previous picture, lol.

1 month - just after we had found out that we were expecting

Baby Talk

As of today, I am currently 4 months along. Oh, how time flies! Thus far, 'pre-motherhood' has been such a blessing. Being the first to know our child and to take care of it is joyous and overwhelming, at the same time. I have been extremely lucky, in regards to sickness, and I have never felt healthier. I know that this is directly due to the prayers of our friends and family. Thank you to all of you!


Here are pictures of our little miracle:




8 weeks sonogram - our little Teddy Graham!

12 week sonogram


***On July the 12th we go in for a 3D sonogram. Hopefully, we will be able to find out if we are having a boy or a girl.