Breaking 'MOMMY' News

*UPDATE*
Our Doctor has scheduled for Shawn to go in to the hospital on Tuesday evening, October 9th for induction on Wednesday morning, October 10th!!!!

Of course, we could before then if she goes into labor. :-) Keep on posting your guess in the comments section below!

My officemates have decided to try and guess Mary Katherine's birthdate and size.

The rest of you may also participate. Here is how:

• In the comments section, put your FIRST name, DATE of her birth, and SIZE..that is, the amount she weighs at birth.

From the gang at Lamar, here are the guesses:
Michael (daddy) 10/08 9lb 7oz
Brad 10/15 7lb 11oz
Ashley 10/06 9lb 4oz
Ron 10/05 8lb 5 oz
David 10/05 8lb 2oz
Helen 10/11 8lb 7oz
Danny 10/07 8lb 12oz

Shawn is doing well. She is definitely in that FINAL stage of being pregnant. Those of you ladies who've had children understand exactly what the 'final stage' is. She is quite a bit more tired than normal and tends to wake up several times throughout the night.

Final Road Trip

Mommy took her final road trip today to see Mary Katherine's big sister compete in a Cross Country match in Smyrna, TN. While it was a short trip (just over 1 hour), the time in the car at 38 weeks pregnant is almost too much.

Kelsey finished 14th out of nearly 100 runners. Her time of 10 minutes and 44 seconds was a personal best today. Her team took home 3rd place honors out of 13 teams. Not bad for the first full season of Cross Country at her school!

We have another appointment this week with our OB Doc along with an ultrasound.

Friday Mommy Update

As I type this at 7:00 pm, my beautiful bride is napping! I am cooking dinner...well, Stouffers made dinner in some factory (Lasagna).

Anyway, all is well. She feels good, is all packed for the hospital when that time comes. I love my planner wife!

Mommy and Big Sister News

First off, a Mommy Update

We went to the Anesthesiologist office today and got an 'education' on what that was all about. If we come in to the hospital at 7 cm or more, it's a 'no-go' on an epidural. If, however, we're at 6 or less, that's fine and it's given (generally) around 5 cm. Hey, I was listening! :-)

Our next appointment with our OB Doc is on Thursday. We'll have an ultrasound, see our Doctor, and get hooked to the monitoring equipment. I mean my wife will get hooked up to the monitoring equipment. I'm guessing Mary Katherine will be in the 8+ lb. range on Thursday.


Big Sister Update

Mary Katherine's big sister, Kelsey, ran in a Cross Country match here in Cookeville today. Several teams from across Middle Tennessee participated. One of them was Central Middle School from Murfreesboro, TN. They are one of the top programs in the state. Kelsey finished 4th overall out of 53 runners, she was third on her team (which had the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place runners). Her team (in it's first year) finished first in the event while Central finished second. Central had finished first in the last two matches that Kelsey's school had participated. I'm really proud of Kelsey and her effort. She posted a time of 11:50, her fastest time ever on her home course.

Mommy Update!!!

Latest (as in 5 minutes ago) pictures of the happy mom!! :)




The happy couple in Chicago!

Opening presents!
Crib is finished!


Mommy w/sister in-law (she's the EXPERT seamstress!)

Dad and Daughter Fun!

While Mommy was at a baby shower weekend for herself and a friend, Kelsey (the big sister) and I were invited to take a trip down the Ocoee River. As you can see from the picture, we didn't have 'any fun' at all!

This move on the whitewater is called "Riding The Bull". Kelsey got to do it through a Class IV rapid! She was on the nose of the raft holding on as best she could. Let's just say this was an experience she won't soon forget. Neither will Daddy!

Our visit to the doctor was fine. He is happy with her progression and has advised us to go visit pediatricians to see which one we will be taking Mary Katherine for her visits.

Mommy and Baby are doing well. Other than the normal stuff of swollen feet and being a bit tired, Mommy is happy. Baby Mary Katherine continues to kick and roll around. It's a wonderful thing.

Mommy Update

Some of you have asked for a 'mommy update'...I have good news, here in a picture (and they are hard to get, as she doesn't like being photographed now) of my beautiful bride. We are a little less than 11 weeks away from Mary Katherine's birth.

Last evening, we went to our first birthing class and it was VERY interesting! I learned that as the 'Coach', I will have to remind her to breath properly, provide moral and positive support and to FORGET any 'bad' things she might say while in labor! :-)

Right now, Shawn and Joyelle (our sister in-law) are working on the nursery. They are sewing and ironing and I'm staying as far away from all of that as possible. I did fix (order) dinner tonight...pizza and wings!

We have another ultrasound in the morning and expect to get a real good look at Mary Katherine! Praise God for her continued growth.

That's all for now, we love hearing from you all, so don't forget to leave us a COMMENT!

Little Bits Is Moving Around

Little Mary Katherine continues to move around at pretty much the same times each day. We know she sleeps and wakes on a schedule. Kelsey and I are quick to put our hands on Mommy's stomach to see if we can feel her moving.

We have a short weekend trip to see some relatives on Shawn's side. It'll be lots of fun.

Shawn is harvesting squash, cucumbers, and tomatoes from our garden this morning! YAY!! :)

More Fun Baby Stuff

We were in Knoxville today and stopped by Baby's R Us after grabbing a bite of lunch. How fun is that??? It was all baby stuff, all the time! WOW!

Got to feel Mary Katherine move tonight once again! Got out the stethascope to see if I could pick up her heartbeat, but since I have no medical expertise...I struck out...oh well, I'll keep trying as long as her Mommy lets me! :)

We found out today that a friend of my wife's (she attended high school with) is having TRIPLETS...all I can say is WOW! Their life will sure change for the better. They are due sometime in December. We pray blessings over them for a safe pregnancy.

Sunday Sleeping Beauties!

Hey, there is a baby inside that belly!

My wife and our teen decided to take a nap after church and lunch. Thought I'd snap a picture of them snoozing and post it! ;)
According to The Pregnancy Journal, we are on day 133 and have 133 days left to go. Our baby weighs about 16 ounces and almost 7 inches in length. We should be able to hear her heartbeat with just a regular stethoscope.

More updates to come soon!