3 weeks old today!

Wow, how time flies! I can't believe our little girl is 3 weeks old already. I can tell you this: being a parent is an amazing, yet overwhelming endeavor. I wish I could put into words how much I love this little girl, but I can't...it wouldn't even come close to the emotions I feel.

She is such an amazing baby and (knock on wood) has been sleeping really well. She has been sleeping in her crib for about a week now! YAY!! That's exciting and I have finally made it back to sleeping in bed with my husband! What a relief! :)

We are just so blessed to have her here!! :)

Here she is at 3 weeks! She is growing and changing everyday!

And here she is about to tip over! oops!
And a close up of Mia at 3 weeks old!
On Mother's Day, it was a bittersweet day for me. It was an amazing day because I was
finally blessed to be a mom on mother's day...something I had dreamed of for far to long. However, it reminded me of all those who are still struggling to become mothers. Infertility doesn't stop on certain days of the year, and for me, Mother's Day was always one of the hardest holidays to deal with.
This Mother's Day was also extra special because we had Mia dedicated at church. Infant dedication basically states in front of the church that we plan to raise her in a Christian household, loving and knowing the God that created her. It was a very special and very emotional time for Josh and I...once again realizing the creation we have been blessed to call our daughter.
Here she is in her dedication dress.

And here is Pastor Rich dedicating our little girl!

And here we are as a family on Mother's Day

Well, lastly on May 8th (Mia's due date) she had her first doctor's appointment...the 2 week check-up. She passed everything with flying colors, including her weight. She is 8lbs, 12oz and 21 inches long...that means that she has gained almost a pound since her birth weight! YAY!! She is obviously eating well.
Here she is at her first Dr. Appointment

Mia's first professional photo shoot!

So I had my friend Shannon come over yesterday and take some professional pictures of Mia so we can remember how small she was...I know they grow so fast and want to savor the memories. So here is the link to Shannon's blog again so you can check out our precious baby girl!

Great work Shannon!

Mia is 2 weeks old!

So our baby girl is 2 weeks old today...I can't belive how fast the time goes...So I will probably if I can keep up try to update on Tuesdays now. It has been super busy having her here, but so rewarding at the same time...It's just so amazing how much a tiny little baby can change your life. She has her first Dr. appt on Thursday, which would have been her due date...so hopefully I will update after that with how big she is and all that good stuff!
So here are the newest pictures...I'm sure you enjoy these way more than my enormous belly anyways!!haha! Enjoy!
This is Mia yesterday before her photo shoot with Shannon.

The Stocking Family!

Mia 2 weeks old! You can tell she is growing already

Mia and her bear from grandma
Baby girl is so tired!! (Shannon I caught a picture of the yawn just for you!!)

One week old!

Well yesterday Amelia was 1 week old...wow...time really does fly. She is such an amazing baby and has been such a blessing on our lives already. I just can't believe how much you can love someone. We are doing well as a family...she is eating well, and sleeping pretty decent for the most part, about 2-3 hours although last night she slept almost 5 (which is not good for a breastfeeding mom, talk about some pain!!)I wanted to update with some new picturesI took of her yesterday...her 1 week pictures! My good friend, Shannon is coming to take her pictures tomorrow...I can't wait! Shannon does such amazing work and I can't wait to have some great pictures of our little Mia!

This is Amelia in the chair in her room with the bear my mom got her...

And a closeup...1 week old!

New Pictures of Amelia...

Here are some more pictures of Amelia...I can't seem to take enough pictures of her!! haha! Enjoy! These are some of my favorites.

This is Amelia with my Grandma...this picture brings tears to my eyes...this is the 1st
great-granchild and my grandma NEVER wants her picture taken, but the joy on her face when she saw Mia was priceless...this is a picture I will always treasure!

Here is Mia and I going to her baby shower...yes, she attended her own baby shower since she was early!

Look how tiny she is!

Now you can really see how little she is.

Here she is in her bouncer

Put your hands in the air!

Here is Comiskey and her baby sister!

Here she is in her boppy and cute little outfit.

Just chillin' and maybe flexing a muscle...man she really takes after her daddy!

Didn't quite make it to 38 weeks!

So, our little one has made her arrival in the world at 37weeks 5days. Here is the story... Sunday night the dog tripped me on accident and I fell hard on my side. I didn't think anything of it but Monday everyone said I should call the Dr. just to tell them. So I did and they had me come in for a non stress test (NST). All looked good except at the very end her heartrate dropped. They figured it probably wasn't a big deal but decided to send me to Labor and Delivery just to be sure. So I went to the hospital and had another NST done and all was well, so they sent me home. Tuesday I went to work, got a prenatal massage, a pedicure and decided to run some errands. I thought I had started "leaking" so I called the midwife and she said again just to be safe I should go to L&D for a NST. So at 8:44pm on Tuesday I checked into triage to make sure my water didn't break. They were pretty sure it wasn't my water, but while waiting for the lab test decided just to monitor us. Well her heartrate dipped to 78 and was taking her awhile to recover. So in comes the doctor and says we are doing a C-section now...well Josh was at work, so I called him and told him it was go time. He got to the hospital, they handed him his scrubs, whisked me off to the OR and at 10:51pm we heard the cries of our baby girl, Amelia Rae. She was 7lbs, 15oz and 20 inches long. She is perfect!! We are so in love. Josh is an amazing dad already and she loves her daddy for sure. We are just so blessed that she is here and healthy. They are not sure what caused her heartrate to drop but they are thankful that the dog tripped me causing me to be monitored for 2 days and therefore delivering a healthy baby girl.
The C-Section wasn't too bad...they gave me a spinal block which numbs you but you can still feel...it's very weird. So I did feel lots of pulling and pressure. The recovery has been pretty easy. I am feeling better with each passing day. You never realize how much you use your stomach muscles until you can't. Breastfeeding was a challenge at first, I reminded myself not to get frustrated and Josh was super supportive through it all, now she is feeding like a champ...and let me tell you...She's got a grip!! haha!! Well, I fully understand now the type of love people talk about after having a child. You can't explain the love that fills your heart. I didn't know I could love someone as much as I love her. I also didn't realize how much more I would love my husband. Every time I look at her I fall more and more in love with him. He is such an amazing father and he has been an amazing husband as well. I thank God everyday for blessing me with such miracles!
Here are some pictures from the ordeal!
Here is Josh and I before they took me into surgery.

And here is our first family picture...look at those proud parents
Here she is...Amelia Rae
Daddy and his little girl, taking a nap
Amelia in her coming home outfit, the same one I wore home from the hospital 27 years ago. This is the day we left the hospital.
Thank you to all of you who have been praying for us over the past couple of years and especially these last 9 months. It has been a journey to say the least. We battled infertility, a rough pregnancy, an unplanned delivery and yet it all seems so miniscule when I hold this little girl in my arms, a little girl that was created out of love between my husband and I, and a little girl that was truly a "MIRACLE" from God!

37 weeks...we're almost there!

So here we are, only 21 days to go until baby Amelia's due date!! I am starting to get more excited and yet more anxious every day! However, Josh and I are as ready as we can be for this little girl's arrival. My bags are packed, our birthing class is completed, the swing is assembled and in the living room, the car seat is installed, so now all we need is our sweet baby to arrive.
I went to see my midwife yesterday because I started having Braxton Hicks pretty regularly. While this is normal, especially this late in pregnancy, they were coming about every 5 minutes the other night and lasting almost a minute. So yesterday I went and had my group B strep test done and then she decided to do a "gentle exam". Well, she said the baby is at +1 station. At -3 they are still floating around, 0 is engaged in the pelvis and +3 is crowning...so she is VERY low...this would explain all the pressure I have been having lately (the feeling that she is going to fall out) haha! I am also dialated to 2 cm on the outside and then funneling closed on the inside. She thinks this could be do to my previous cervical surgeries. They are not too worried, but think they may have to "snap" the inside to open. My cervix is soft and she doesn't think it will be TOO long before Mia arrives. However, it could be 2 weeks or more...so we will wait and see. I have another appointment next Thursday.

I have been retaining water, my feet have been swelling and it is evident by the 4lb. weight gain this week! Oh well...the end is near...that's all that matters.

Here is the belly this week.
From the side.

From the side, covered.
And here I am before work!

Less than 1 month to go!

I can't believe that as I sit here typing this I only have 28 days to go until Amelia's due date...hopefully she will arrive a little early, but either way I have under a month to go. It is amazing how fast this journey has gone, and how soon I will be holding our daughter in my arms. What a feeling.
Well, I have been sick for about a week now, with a stupid viral infection. Runny nose, coughing, backache, the whole works...it's a good time...let me tell you. I am finally starting to feel a little better...slow but sure.
People have started making comments about how I've dropped...and after I looked at pictures I realized I really have dropped. I don't know if that really means anything, but hey, it's got to me that I am getting closer and closer, right?!?!?!
Well, here are the pictures from this week.

I actually lost a pound this week...so that was exciting!

Here I am from the side at 35 weeks for reference to see what you think!
And now you can compare it to this weeks picture at 36 weeks to see how if you think I've dropped. What do you think, does it look like I've dropped? Covered belly
Ane me, headed to work

5 weeks left!

Sorry for the late post. I am actually post from home today because I stayed home sick. I taught 6 classes a day at the high school this week and think it finally took a toll on me. My feet have been swelling horribly and now I have a sore throat and runny nose. So let me tell you how fun it is to be swollen, making it hard to walk, then feeling so sick and still not be able to get in and out of bed! OH MY...yes, I am throwing myself a pity party at the moment!!

I did go to the Dr. this week. I am actually measuring a week ahead, which is not really a big deal. My blood pressure was just a touch on the high side, but they are not concerned with that at the moment either. They think Amelia may be almost head down but at my next appointment in 2 weeks if they aren't sure, we are going to do an ultrasound to check her position. I only gained 1 pound this week, so they were also happy with that. I have been having a lot of cramping and pain, but the midwife says all is well and it's just my body preparing for birth. At my 37 week appointment they are also going to do a gentle exam to see if I am progressing at all...I think this was the most shocking thing, because that means there is a baby coming!! WOW!!

So all in all, I'm doing alright, not great, but I just keep thinking I am on the downhill slope and soon our little girl will be here and I will be able to look back and realize how amazing this journey has been.

So here are this weeks pictures...the belly is continuing to grow at rapid rates!! Haha...
Here I am from the side, up 1 pound from last week.

Here is the covered belly!
And here I am from the front...that poor belly button is halfway out!

Maternity Photo Shoot 34 weeks, 2 days

So on Saturday we had the privilege of having our friend Shannon come to our house and do my maternity pictures. It was such a fun time and it will be such a great reminder of this chapter in our lives. This is just a preview of the work she did, but I wanted to share with everyone, what an amazing job she did.

So you can check out Shannon's site to see some of the pictures from the day! I am so excited to see the rest of them!

Thanks, Shannon, for really capturing the moment and excitement of this pregnancy!

6 weeks left!

So as I sit here today, I can only think one thing...HOW CAN I GET ANY BIGGER? However, many people have reminded me that I will indeed get larger over the next 6 weeks! My back has been killing me, I've gained 32 pounds, it takes a lot of effort to get up and down, put on socks, roll over in bed, but hey, I'm surviving.

There have been a series of events this week that have just reminded me how blessed I am to be pregnant. I know I say that a lot...but it's true. I think sometimes in between the moans and groans and complaints about weight gain, we forget to focus on the big picture, the miracle baby we have been blessed to carry. How can I really complain when there are still people in the world dealing with infertility, miscarriages and struggles? While all these things in my pregnancy are real and not always pleasant, I have been abundantly blessed after 2 years to be able to carry a child that God created just for us. I am humbled by that fact. I just continue to thank the Lord and am reminded daily that our God is bigger than everything...there is nothing too big for the God we serve. Miracles really DO happen.

So with all that said...here are this weeks pictures.

Here I am from the side...the belly has taken on a life of its own and may need its own zip code soon.

Here I am from the front. I continue to widen out as the weeks progress.
And here I am before work...sorry for the double chin,
I don't think it is going away any time soon.

7 weeks to go...under 50 days!

So I am officially almost done with Spring Break...I have been off since last Friday and it has been a well needed and well deserved break. It's crazy to think that once I go back to work on Monday, I'll only have 6.5 weeks before Amelia's arrival! Wow, now that's reality hitting!

I've been doing okay, my lower back has been KILLING me. I am finding it extremely difficult to sleep at night and have now resorted to:
2 pillows under my head
1 body pillow between my legs and able for me to hug
1 memory foam pillow behind my back and under my hip.

So just imagine ever time I get up to go to the bathroom (Which right now is at least 3 times per night) I have to reposition all those pillows...Oh, the Joy! :) But I keep reminding myself it's all worth it.

I had a Dr. appt on Wednesday and all is well. I am measuring right on track and they are happy with my weight gain, which as of today is +29 pounds (I'm still enjoying that I haven't hit 30 pounds yet, though I know it's coming). She is still transverse, now her head is down, lower left and her butt is up near my ribs on the right side. So she's getting there.

Birthing classes are going well, we are actually learning a lot and becoming rather educated on the different medications available and birthing techniques out there. After class on Sunday, Josh believes that I can do an unmedicated birth, so that is what we are planning on as of now, but who knows what will happen between now and delivery...it makes me feel great though that he has faith in my ability to deliver this miracle baby!

So enough rambling, here are this weeks pictures. Here I am from the side, the belly is getting further and further out there. It's hard to think that I have 7 more weeks to grow and they say the baby should gain at least .5 pounds per week...YIKES!

Here I am from the front...it has definately rounded out, oh what I would
give to have my waist back!! haha!

And here is the covered belly...Wow that think is huge! :)
P.S. On a side note, I finally broke down and bought a nursing bra for 2 reasons:
1: My regular bra was so stretched out and I was having some major boob spilliage and
2: They don't recommend wearing underwire bras, especially when nursing.

So I went to Motherhood and had the nice girl help me find a bra, talk about feeling 15 again and trying to find one that fit...I'll spare you the details on the size, but I'll tell you, I had to go up more than 2 cups sizes, to a letter I didn't even know they made bras in...haha!!

Too bad you can't tell my boobs have gotten bigger since my belly now DOMINATES the photos!! haha!!

Only 8 weeks to go!

Well, it's Thursday, which means another week completed. I am 32 weeks pregnant today. WOW! What an accomplishment. I sit here thinking back about how I couldn't wait to be pregnant and now all I can think about is meeting the little girl I've been carrying for the past 32 weeks. As of today, we technically only have 8 weeks left, but only 4% of babies are actually born on their due date, so we'll see when Amelia actually decides to arrive into this world.
We started our birthing classes last week and they are actually pretty good. We have gotten a lot of great information already, and I am starting to feel empowered, excited and scared out of my mind about the whole birthing process. But I know I can do it, because the reward of seeing our daughter will far outweigh the pain.

The other night Josh and I were sitting and talking and we just couldn't put our minds around how truly miraculous being pregnant is. We kept talking about how no matter what, your body knows how to grow this child, how in 9 months, the baby will come, whether you are ready or not and most amazingly that it takes 1 egg and 1 sperm of miniscule size, to create a human being. If this doesn't make you realize how amazing God is, I don't know what will.

Well, anyways, I'm getting larger by the day, and it's getting harder to breathe and get comfortable. Teaching dance I look like a beached whale trying to stretch, but it is all worth it. I am officially up 28.6 pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight. I realize that's quite a lot, but again it's all worth it!

Here are this weeks pictures...the belly is sticking straight out, that's for sure!

Here I am with the shirt down, I broke down and bought a new tank top...
the other one was WAY too short!
And check out that belly!!
Here I am heading off to work with my new short, dark hair!

Happy Birthday to Me!

So today is my 27th birthday, and what a year it's been up to this point. Turning 26 was hard for me, because all I really wanted was to be a mom, and that didn't seem to be in the cards for me at the time. I remember feeling sad and angry at the situation we were facing. This time last year, I was preparing to have surgery on my cervix and being told we would have to wait at least 3 months to start trying again. I was starting to lose hope.

However, looking back, I just have to thank the Lord for being ever so faithful, as always. 5 months after my 26th birthday, we found out we were being blessed with a miracle. What an amazing feeling. The rest of the year until now has been filled with growing spiritually, emotionally and most of all PHYSICALLY!!

I was talking to a friend about how birthdays aren't that exciting after you get to a certain age, however, after pondering that thought, I realized how exciting this birthday and this year will be. On my 27th birthday, I am 31 weeks, 1 day pregnant with a miracle baby named Amelia. I have a husband who I love more than words can describe. I have family and friends that remind me how blessed I am on a daily basis and I have a God who died so that I may be saved. This birthday is incredibly exciting!

I can't wait to see what being 27 holds for me, but I know whatever it is, it will be amazing!

31 Weeks!! We only have 9 weeks left!

So we've made it to 31 weeks, only 9 more to go. I still can't believe we are this far already. It seems like yesterday, I was announcing my pregnancy. We had a Dr. Appointment yesterday. Everything is looking good. Mia is a little bit transverse, meaning she is not head down yet, but that's okay. Her head is hanging out on my right side. My weight, blood pressure and everything else looks great. I have been getting horribly ill after I eat, not sure why, but they are just going to watch it, no need for concern right yet. So here are the newest pictures from yesterday, 31 weeks and up 26 pounds.

Here is the naked belly, everyone keeps telling me I've really "popped" this week.

The covered belly.
And the front belly...
my poor belly button is almost gone.

Baby Shower!

So I had my first Baby Shower this past weekend. My friends, Danielle and Tracy threw it for me and it was great! I was surrounded by friends and lots of pregnant women. There were 5 of us to be exact!! haha! :) We played games, ate great food and I was graciously blessed with many presents for Baby Amelia. I feel so blessed to have such great friends and Mia should feel blessed to be loved by so many already!

Here are a few pictures from the day. I am 30 weeks and 2 days pregnant.

This was taken right after I put my belly in the cake! I think it sticks out further than I thought!!

Me and my mom! The shirt she is wearing is the one we made her to
let her know we were expecting!
Danielle, Me and Tracy!
Look at all those bellies!
Me with my balloons! :)

Thanks again to everyone who came and shared in Mia's first shower!! We feel loved and blessed to have such wonderful people in our lives!