Latest Doctor Visit

We had a nice visit today at the OB.

First off, Shawn had an ultrasound to measure the fluid. All was just fine. Also, they measure Mary Katherine's heart rate. It was good.

Next, we were taken to a room to measure movement, heat rate and contractions. Mary Katherine slept through the first half of these measurements, so it took a little longer. All was fine with this evaluation.

Finally, we saw a Midwife. She encouraged Shawn to 'take it easy', to put her feet up for at least one hour, three times daily. She encouraged her to take a break after getting home rather than just going right in to fixing dinner. She encouraged her to work less and relax more.

We are progressing nicely and are right on track. Next Friday, we go for an ultrasound that will measure Mary Katherine's size. That should be interesting! :)

Update from Mommy

Well, I am so thankful to be married to Michael! He's a blessing and has made pregnancy such fun as we've shared in lots of exciting moments. I am doing good and trying to get some rest when I can. The ol' feet are getting quite swollen...it's all normal.

Need a laugh: we met the other Dr. that works with our Dr. last week and he was super nice. I had only gained 1 pound since the week before and I was so proud...so I told the Dr. He said, "sweetie, I gained that at breakfast...you're doing just fine." SO....he was my new best friend for the day!

I got to see my Grandmom and Uncle Terry today! They came over with my mom and looked at Mary Katherine's room. My sister-in-law, Joyelle, made our baby a pillowcase dress from my Grandmom's antique pillowcase....it's beautiful! Made Gram happy to see that today.

Mommy Update

As we get closer, Shawn is taking some extra time off from work. Obviously, at almost 37 weeks pregnant, she isn't moving quite as fast and is needing MUCH MORE rest. I will continue to do whatever necessary to help her.

Doctor's appointment tomorrow morning. I will post an update as soon as I know something.

Any comments on the 'new look' of the blog???

Be blessed.

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.

Bathroom Tour

Latest Video hosted by Big Sister! A tour of their bathroom.

Nursery Tour

Latest Video hosted by Mommy! Tour of Mary Katherine's nursery.

Video Capability

One thing I was advised to purchase was a Camcorder.

After doing my research AND consulting with my budgeting chief (that'd be my wife), we decided to purchase the Samsung SCDC173.

I've used a digital camera for a few years, but this is the first jump into video. We chose this one based on features. It had quite a few for the money. Also, it records on mini DVDs. That'll help us pass them to family members! :)

By the way, we have a poll going on the right of this page. Guess the weight and register your vote!

Our First Video!

Hey Guys...A special video message for you!

Latest Ultrasound Picture

Can you see her? That is our beautiful baby daughter...Mary Katherine!!

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.

Getting Closer! :)

As the clock ticks down toward our due date, we are finding ourselves more and more excited about the impending arrival of Mary Katherine. Many folks have remarked that Shawn appears that she'll go early. In our birthing class last evening, our nurse said this was very rare to go early with the first. She is good at providing us the facts of what they see in labor & delivery.

I must say the whole epidural thing is a bigger deal than I first believed. Wow, a little education will sure wake you up! It's ok though...I know this is the way my bride wants to go and I support her in this decision.

Mary Katherine is moving so much inside of her Mommy's belly. The interesting thing is she gets very active after a meal. Next doc visit is this Friday.

As I posted earlier last week, we've purchased a recliner for the nursery. Several times, I've gone and sat down to visualize what it'll be like having our new little one. It is exciting, very exciting.

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!

Cute Cousins!

Here are two more of Mary Katherine's cousins! They are precious little girls who make us laugh and smile constantly. As you can tell by the pictures, these two are very close. The taller one (Isabelle) is about 9 months older than the other (Olivia).

We are down to just 11 weeks until the big day (of our due date). I guess she could come earlier or later. God will deliver her to us when it is the RIGHT time. My wife continues to do well. She feels good, she looks GREAT and is healthy. She enjoys feeling the baby kick and I enjoy seeing and feeling her kick! I won't let her lift anything (and she'll try if I'm not paying attention!).

We found a recliner for the nursery and were able to get it for about 1/2 of what we thought it would be! Thank you Jesus :)

Practice!

Had the pleasure of babysitting our niece who is 6 months old. She is just a beautiful, little angel. It was great practice for what is in our VERY NEAR future. She woke up a couple of times overnight and we're somewhat sleepy today! :) We learned how valuable the bassinet and crib are going to be for not only Mary Katherine, but for Mommy & Daddy! Enjoy the pictures of our sweet niece.