Kayla on My Mind!

So Kayla's room is finished! Well for the most part. In the event that she decides that she doesn't want to be in the room with me and her daddy, she can move into her private area! :)
We still have to get a few "finishing" touches but I think she'll be happy with how we've prepared for her! I hope she likes it!

 

 

 

The beginning . . .of the end. . . maybe?

So this week will start Week 34 of my pregnancy. In medical terms, that means if Kayla Simone decides that she's tired of being in this cramped up space that if she tries to start some labor, my doctors won't stop her. They'll let her run the show! That's exciting!!!
But my "nesting" instict hasn't kicked in. So I'm not so sure that she'll be here this week. We're not ready. We have purposely not bought much other than clothes b/c there are 3-4 lingering baby showers out there. Regardless of my "gut feelings" about when she's coming, I couldn't make the planners plan the showers early. And the holidays (just like my wedding plans) basically knock out a whole month. Now we do have some things but my critical supply is not up to par yet. Clothes she'll be dressed to impress for well into her first year! I mean those people who knew Geneva Wade should have no problems thinking anything less! My grandma didn't put me out there in mess so I CAN'T do that to her.
But she might still need a diaper or two. . .a bottle, maybe I mean the plan is to breastfeed but. . .we'll see, Oh yeah gotta get some of those onesie/t-shirt things.
William's nesting instict has started. I arrived home last week to find a man on a cleaning spree. The Christmas tree was outside, the decorations in the attics and closets cleaned and thinned for Goodwill. So I won't be surprised in the least if I come home to find a crib put together, etc etc etc. He gets like that! So that part of her room will be done.
William officially starts his new job today. He's now a Director of Rehab . . .still with the same company, just a different building. Now he'll be working in Charlotte. . .closer to me and Kayla in case something pops off while I'm at work. . .oh yeah gotta pack that bag for the just in case!
We had our childbirth class last week. It was a lot. . .did we need to go, who knows, but hey it was free! So I'll use all that CHS has to offer. In it, William was able to "feel" what it's like to carry a baby! Take a look!

 

 

Happy Monday!

Babymoon

So we FINALLY took a break from area code 704 and headed on up to the mountains of North Carolina for a little break and relaxation! It's what's now called a "babymoon." Since so many people (including my OB) have clue what a babymoon is I'll take the time to define it. According to wikipedia, one of the most realiable sources in the world. . .(this is a joke). . . Laugh here!

More recently the term has come to be used to describe a vacation taken by a couple that is expecting a baby in order to allow the couple to enjoy a final trip together before the many sleepless nights that usually accompany a newborn baby. Babymoons usually take place at a resort that offers appropriate services like prenatal massage.

Our original plan was to head to bright and sunny Florida however those plans didn't work out as expected. So things changed and we headed to Asheville, NC. Neither of us had ever been there so it was something new and we're always up for a change! We were only going to stay for 3 days versus the 5 original for Florida, but since it was only 2 hours away we took our sweet little time actually leaving. Friday morning we got up WITHOUT THE ALARM CLOCK which starts the day off just right. Dropped off our baby girl, Milley with Dana and Chris and headed out. The drive down was very easy . . . basically a couple of turns and we were there.

Upon arrival we did 2 of our regular past times. . .went looking at cars and to the pet store. Go figure! After that it was time for me and Kayla to eat! We went to a cute restaurant right up from the hotel and asked for the warmest place in the restuarant. It was cold in Asheville. . .let me not omit that minor detail. I mean I know it's December but I don't think we were expecting temperatures quite like that. After eating we headed back to our hotel to rest and re-up for our Biltmore visit/adventure. Now many may or may not know but William LOVES to plan our trips. He LOVES to sit and look at all the visitor brochures and books and plan our excursions. Me (especially these days). . .not so much. Just let me hit the hot spots, a couple restaurants and a good mall and I'm good! But not Mr. Gardin. He proceeded to go in and out of the room for a good hour calling places making reservations/appointments etc.

We then headed up the highway to visit the Biltmore Estate. Now I'm not sure we covered this in NC Social Studies but I'm pretty sure they didn't leave the details of the Vanderbilts out. This house was freaking amazing!!!! The Land, the House, the Interior. . .all of it was almost unreal. In a nutshell, Biltmore House is a French Renaissance-style mansion near Asheville, North Carolina, built by George Washington Vanderbilt II between 1889 and 1895. It is the largest privately-owned home in the United States, at 175,000 square feet (16,300 m2) and featuring 250 rooms. Now this house was built in the 1800s and can still marvel the minds of today. I mean for a man to dream/design and construct this mansion in the 1800s with the many amenities and luxuries of modern times is pretty darn awesome. It was HUGE and at Christmas time it was packed. Everything is lit up with lights and Christmas trees everywhere. Christmas at the Biltmore is one of their most busiest times of the year. And they've opened up a lot more rooms than they're ever had before. I would DEFINITELY suggest visiting it so you can see it with you own eyes. Afterwards was dinner at the Bistro near the Winery section of the Estate. EXCELLENT! And William and I pride ourselves on knowing good food. . .and yall . . .that was some goooooooooood food! Our compliments to the chef! Saturday my honey surprised me with a visit to the spa. Now again my husband is great and doesn't hesitate on the pampering. . but he LOVES a good massage too. So it was a treat for both of us. We went to the Spa at Biltmore Village where they pampered us for 3 hours or so. And then that night we went to see the Nutcracker performed by the Asheville Ballet Company. Pretty clever Mr. Gardin. . . good planning! Good times!

All in all we had a great time. We were happy to get away. But we've made the decision that any and all further vacations will be to areas with warm temperatures. We don't do well in the cold at all. I mean we ate whole meals sometimes with our coats on b/c everyone else was comfortable and unfazed by the temperature. I have more pictures to post. . . but I took my camera to be cleaned so I'll have to post them later. Now that the babymoon's done, we have Christmas, New Year's Day, then gotta get prepared for the arrival of Little Miss Kayla! Then we'll have to let her daddy plan her trips all over! B/c if she's got my blood running through her veins. . .she's gonna be OWT! It's too many things to do and places to see on this planet to sit home and not ever do anything.

My Turn. . .

So 2009 just had one major thing after another happen. In the baby department, 1st it was Kesha with her big announcement. Then it was Lindsey looking really cute in pink at my wedding. Then D'Asia dropped the bombshell. . .and ooops . . . then it was my turn. After me the list of new baby mammas just grew almost daily.
Now . . . Kesha is playing with Little Isaac, Lindsey is cuddling Julianna, and D'Asia and Tripp have officially met each other. Sooooo I guess it's my turn!
Thus far I've been cool and haven't thought too much about the delivery. I mean everyone has their opinion of the best "birth plan" for me. . .but ummm I've been riding with Dr. Bessent thus far and I'll just hang with her plan. Thanks. Am I opposed to an epidural . . .ummm I'm a pharmacist! Yeah right, don't be surprised if I call 5-2396 and tell the IV Pharmacist to look for an order with my name on it and I'll send someone downstairs to pick it up and sign it out in a minute. Am I opposed to going early . . . ummm no. . .I think she'll make her big debut around 36 weeks but we'll see. Her and God are discussing that right now. Am I opposed to a C-section vs. a vaginal birth. . .ummm no. . .whatever they gotta do to get her out safest is fine with me. So in typing all that one would think I have it all together. Ready to go. . .but man I'm not sure how those contraction things are gonna work out. I can't get anyone to describe it to me. Not one of my baby mamma friends can give me a description of what to expect. For the water breaking thing, I figured it was like it is on TV. . .you get this big SPLASH of water while you're standing up. But from what I hear it's not like that either. Oh well we're just gonna have to see.
This week the cankles have come and gone and come back again. But it's progressed to wearing my Easy Spirits on the regular. My Danskos just don't cut it. . .and those Reebok Classics. . .yeah right. Now though it's also my fingers. I've worn my wedding rings 2 days in the past 2 weeks. I hype myself up every morning by picking up the ring and trying it on. It usually doesn't make it past my knuckle so I just put it back on the chain and wear it around my neck.
Kayla is poking these days. William has somehow developed the habit of calling either me or her his little Butterball. Either way it AIN'T cute. But he feels like its a term of endearment. But me I'm not so sure. Most days I feel like she grew overnight. And everyday at work as I walk from the parking lot to my building I KNOW she grew. By the time I reach the top of the hill. . .I am done! And by that time it's only 7:30 or so. Nowadays I walk into work at 730, 735, 740 just depends on how fast we can get out the car and get it moving. At this point I'm here! I remember the days when I literally RAN back to my building from my car b/c I was running late. Especially after teaching my Funky Fit class. . . I could hop out the car and hit a full sprint all the way to the door. Those were the days!
So I think Kayla is growing some hair. Don't quote me on this b/c I was what you might call a bald-headed baby. But this heartburn thing is for the birds. Of course the old wives tail is that the more hair the baby has the more heartburn you'll have. All I know is that today I took a total of 5 Tums. . .3 after breakfast and 2 after my midday brunch (i.e. not my official lunch but close enuf). And I feel like I need to take 2 more. This stuff just came out of nowhere. I really want to pop a Prilosec, Prevacid or Aciphex but I'd hate to have to get fussed out by my doctor by not following her instructions. These days ANYTHING will give me heartburn/indigestion. Orange Juice, French Toast Sticks, Bacon, Chicken, Chili. . .anything. . .everything.
But with all this indigestion you would think I wouldn't want to eat a thing. But this week I can't seem to stay full. I will eat and then an hour and half later I'm looking for something to munch. And it's not like I can stop it. So I've had to resort back to some healthy snacks. . .eating almonds, oyster crackers . . . anything that I "think" will hold me for a bit longer. . .but it usually ends up being a futile attempt.
Oh well seems like a lot has changed in the past week. . . and to think I have 9 more weeks to go! What will happen next!

3 lbs. . .2 oz!

She's growing yall! According to the ultrasound Little Miss is in the 52nd percentile for her weight. Which was good to hear b/c my doctor was just fussing about a pregnant mother who's in her 33rd week and her baby is weighing about 8 lbs. . .Whew! That baby was in the 84th percentile! I keep telling William not to call out or comment on every "big" baby we see. Don't want him to jinx us!
We went on our tour of the maternity ward yesterday. Now this was quite interesting for William and I considering the fact that we've both already been on the 8th floor at CMC. I myself have/had access to the nursery b/c they have drugs in there. And the postpartum room that they showed me was too small to be mine . . . it was even more comforting when the tour guide/educator whispered this won't be the room that you'd get b/c you're an employee. . .Thank you very very much. But it was fine and fun just the same. William has already determined that he's gonna bring an air mattress to the hospital. But knowing my husband while, we're chilling/waiting for Kayla to debut, he may clock in and start working. I wouldn't even be surprised! The educator also told us last night that we need to pack a bag for Kayla, a bag for me, and a bag for William. Now anyone who's been on a trip with us knows that we tend to overpack for just about anything we go to. So to pack 3 bags ahead of time. . .that's gonna be quite interesting. We then went to the nursery to "see" the babies. The educator brought a newborn to the window for all of us to see. And how much did he weigh. . . 8 lbs!!!! That baby looked GROWN! And yet again, William went on to say. . .that baby is BIG!
Next class to take is the "Taking Care of Baby/Infant CPR." Now I know I could probably get by without these classes but hey, why not! They're free to employees and I'm sure I can gain something from each of them. William missed his Daddy Bootcamp for something at church. We've gotta see where we can squeeze that back in.
Our little ladybug is now active (when she wants to be). I've deduced that she LOVES french toast sticks from the cafe. After I eat some of them and I guess once it reaches her system she is too excited. We played "high fives" the other morning. Everytime I pushed on her hand (in my mind it was her hand) she'd give me five right back. The other night, William was rubbing on my stomach, and she pushed like mooove daddy, I'm trying to sleep! Good comedy. I tell ya.
The cankles have officially made their debut. Last week we hosted Thanksgiving dinner at our house. While I got a lot of help, I still had a lot of cooking to do myself. But after being on my feet for about 5 hours (without even thinking about my feet/preggo status) I realized that we might have a new issue. My feet were fat as can be. By the time Friday night at the mall, my Reebok Classics had officially had it. While in the mall, my shoes of choice were some furry Crocs but my Aunt Gina said no way. Soooooo I ended up with some Easy Spirit slide-ins. Anything at that point was better than what I had. I tried wearing my Danskos last week (before Thanksgiving) and those dog on shoes were sooooooooo tight. I almost lost my mind at work. I walked around the pharmacy all day barefoot and pregnant. (Don't tell OSHA!) Now they still haven't gone down to their original size. So in the words of my OB. . I gotta suck it up, I'm pregnant! Tomorrow I'm gonna put on my handy dandy TED hose.
I've also progressed to every other week doctor's appointments! Talk about cramping my work schedule. But we're gonna make it happen. Kayla and I will just have to wobble on to Huntersville every 2 weeks until week 36. . .then it's every week!
At this time I MUST take the opportunity to welcome Aunt Meechy to our fellow readers of this blog. According to Aunt Meechy she's had no prior knowledge of this blog and was only able to catch up yesterday. So welcome Aunt Meechy, we're so happy to have you with us ;)

7 Months. . .

Can you believe it!?! 7 months this week! The What to Expect book says that I was actually 7 months last week (at week 27) but officially I'm 28 weeks this week! Last week I sent Meechy a text and let her know that I'm officially under 100 days pregnant! That's bananas!!
With these new days, weeks, months. . .comes the 3rd trimester! That's right people. Kayla is officially viable. For you non preggo people or non health care peeps that means that her chances for survival in the event that she decides to grace us with her presence earlier than expected go up more and more each day. Now for some that doesn't seem like a big deal but for me and my doctor that's when all the rules change!
Last Monday we had our monthly check up. And I was in and out of the my OB's office in 20 minutes!!!! That was a miracle. That's NEVER happened before. When Dr. Bessent was walking out of the room to leave I had to confirm that that was it. I don't think I've been in her office for less than an hour since we've met. But we did it. Kayla even bumped her "heartbeat listening" thingy.
Speaking of bumping. Kayla is having her own little party in my uterus these days. Its so cute. And it's getting stronger day by day too. She's been exploring the upper portion of my uterus lately so thankfully I've slept through the ENTIRE night for the past 2 nights!!!!!!!!! Talk about excited. I woke up Friday morning trying to figure out if it was a dream. But this morning it happened again.
Kayla's daddy bought her and him a HUGE live Christmas tree today. He was so excited and according to him so was she. We're having Thanksgiving dinner at our house this week. So today we were hustling and bustling all around to make sure that we are prepared. Then we decided to go see the movie Precious. Talk about emotional. That movie was intense. I can't imagine having to go through that or knowing someone who has had/has to go through that. The mother was a monster and Precious was unfortunately forced to go through that for 16 years. I wasn't sure I wanted to see it. But now it makes me want to take care of baby girl the best we can even more.

H. . . O-M-E-C. . .O. . .M-I-N-G! It's Homecoming yall!

This weekend, Kayla and her daddy experienced their first UNC HomeKOming! I was so excited to be back in Chapel Hill where so many memories were created! Friday night we went to the stepshow where that KnockOut Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta took home 1st place. . .YET AGAIN! William was a bit surprised to be around this rowdy bunch of professional women who talked much trash about any and everyone who graced the stage at the stepshow, including the fraternities! He said I sure hope the Deltas bring it b/c yall are talking a whole bunch of trash. . .WELLLLLL. . .they did! And he had to give us credit! I mean we have a tradition, a reputation which leads to the expectation of putting forth NOTHING but the VERY BEST! We even got the chance to see his cousin Josh "perform" (LOL!!!!!)
Saturday we started off early for a full day! 1st stop. . .KO reunion! Where the ladies of 26 years of Kappa Omicron gather together to say "hey" and remember when, take pictures, and just plain ol' fellowship! After that. . .gotta meet back up with William for the official Black Alumni tailgate! It was at this point that the "cat" (or announcement of Kayla) was truly out of the bag! I hadn't/haven't made an official Facebook announcement about our new baby girl! So for some people it was like Heyyyyyyy.. . OMG I didn't know! But with Kayla in tow I made the rounds! Speaking to everyone from Divann and Dina (from Whitakers), Tamika my counselor at Carolina Summers during '96, to any and everyone from '97-'03. It was great! The BAR reunion festivities get bigger and bigger each year. So it's always exciting to see who decided to come back each year! Then after the tailgate, we got to hang out with Shayla in the fieldhouse using her VIP status until the football game. (Sidenote. . .I don't know if I'll ever be able to take William to a UNC game again w/o some type of perk. . .The Shayla status doesn't come every time). We then went to the football game where UNC was again able to maintain possession of the bell -- thus symbolizing the domination of Dook in Football! It was close game throughout! Lots of fun to watch. . .and even better being there admist that sea of Carolina blue!
Once we arrived back in Cary preparing to return to Gastonia, that's when Kayla decided to show that she'd had too much excitement for one day. I mean she was moving and doing her thing all day long. Not to mention at the football game, after every sip of hot chocolate, she'd jump or wiggle in excitement! She was busy. . .but I guess it was too much for her. . .or me! B/c by the time I finally sat down and laid my head back, exhaustion came over my body! It was crazy! One moment I'm sitting there just fine, and then the next I feel like a total WIPEOUT! I tried taking a 30 min nap but that wasn't enough. So we had to just cop a squat in Cary and head back home on Sunday. Sunday though I was better, I was still dog tired! And to think I didn't go to any of the parties/meet n greets after the step show or game! If I had gone to them I may not have been able to lift my head today!
All in all it was great! I was so happy to be with my friends, my girls, my peeps! I was so appreciative to my honey bunny for hanging with me. I was even more appreciative to William for buying Kayla's first picture outfit ;)!!!! She's got her 1st Carolina outfit! It's soooooooooooo cute! Sooooooooooo perfect! The Bible says to train up the child. . .that includes college! It's important to instill the necessity for a college education from the start. I mean in my family there was no other option. I didn't think otherwise, the natural progression in my mind was always high school, then college. So for me. . . I gotta take it one step further. . .gotta show her all about being a Carolina Girl! They're the best in the world! Of course her dad has another opinion about where she'll go to school. . .but she doesn't have any WSSU gear so far!