Baby William

Welcome Baby William! Born a few weeks early on December 6, 2009 at 10:55 p.m. He weighed 7 lbs. 1 1/2 oz. and measured 20 1/2 inches long.

So, let's start from the beginning. Saturday we were out Christmas shopping until after 10:00, and then we decorated the Christmas tree until after midnight. Then at 3:55 am, I woke up because I thought I felt a "trickle." When I went to the bathroom, my water broke! I was shocked. I woke David up, and called my OB. The on call doctor, Dr. Henderson, told me to go to the hospital. That's when David had a small freak-out. He felt very unprepared because we didn't have the hospital bag packed - which was mostly my fault because I kept putting it off thinking we had until Christmas! After telling David I needed him to "calm down," we packed the bag, and we were on our way to the hospital.

We arrived at Rex at 5:00 am. They sent me to the triage where they made sure that my water did break. In fact, it did, and I was admitted. The nurse asked me if I had been having contractions, to which I said no. Then she looked at the monitor, and asked "you don't feel that?" Looks like I was having contractions, but they weren't painful. I started to feel them more and more, but they still weren't very painful. I made it all the way to 5 cm without having painful contractions, but then I stalled out. Also, the baby never dropped. So, after getting an internal monitor to monitor my contractions, it was confirmed that I was in "inadequate labor."

So, at that point, they started pitocin. That's when things started to get painful. I decided very quickly that I would like to have an epidural. The doctor gave me the epidural, but the first time he couldn't get it to set right. So, he had to do it again in a different spot. Just when I thought things were getting better, I realized that the epidural wasn't working on one side. After trying different positions, they decided to re-do the epidural. Finally, it worked!

Next thing I know, I'm 10 cm dilated, and they say it's time to push! I started pushing at 8:45 pm. After two hours of pushing, the doctor decided that the baby needed some help. After using the vacuum, William David Brown was born at 10:55 pm.

Proud daddy!

Tired mommy...

Happy family :)

The whole crew...

Ready to go home!

It was definitely a long day, but well worth it! He is absolutely perfect :)

Baby Showers

Ok...so, I have a lot to catch up on. In this post I'm going to sum up my showers. I had two more showers in November. One at the church I grew up in, and the other was given by David's parents' church. I had such a great time at both showers! Thank you to everyone who came to celebrate this time in our lives!

Here are a couple of pictures from the first shower...

Another awesome diaper cake!

Me, Mom, and my sisters, Kristy and Beth

And here are a couple from the second shower...

David and I opening gifts. Check out that awesome diaper wreath! What a cute idea for Christmas!

Here's another of me, David and the UNC Christmas tree!

We had such great time, and got some really great stuff! Thanks again for helping us get ready for the baby!

34 weeks!

I can't believe there is less than 6 weeks to go before the due date...and Christmas! It's been a great week for Baby! We had our first baby shower this past Sunday. It was so much fun! Thank you to Lauren, Beth, and Melissa for throwing such a great shower! I know it was hard for you to make the diaper cake, but I LOVE IT! Besides...State red or Duke blue wouldn't have matched the baby boy theme so well :)

Here are a few more from the shower! Look how cute the cake is! By the way...we finally decided on William David Brown for the name :)

Here's a picture of me and the wonderful hostesses!

And one of me, my mom and my mom-in-law :)

We also had our maternity pictures taken! My friend, Sarah, did such an awesome job! She's so talented! David and I had so much fun! She posted a few on her blog - you can check them out at http://elainebellaphotography.blogspot.com/

Here are just a couple - make sure you go look at the rest!!!

33 weeks!

David and I had our all day (8:30 - 5:00) birthing class at Rex yesterday. It really wasn't as bad as I was expecting, even though we did get to see a great video! haha! Congratulations to David for not passing out! We also got a tour of the hospital. At least we know where to go now, and sort of what to expect. It was also a lot of fun to see the newborn babies in the nurseries. They are soooo tiny :)

We also got carpet - woo hoo! Finally! It looks and feels great! Here are a couple pictures of the carpet and a sneak peak of the nursery!

Ok...so the carpet is about as far as we've gotten, but at least that was a big step! There is the crib. Hopefully David will be putting it together sometime this week :)

I've also been trying to see how "domestic Nikki" is going to work out :) I decorated my dining room table for fall and I also (with David's help) made a cake to take to a dinner we were invited to...I think it turned out ok :)

Ok...here is the belly bump at 33 weeks - even though I think it is so large now it needs a new name - "bump" just doesn't seem to cut it anymore!

31weeks, 5 days

Hi everyone! David and I had our 3D ultrasound and our regular appointment today. And just in case any of you were worried (like David), it's still a boy! But other than showing "the goods", he was not being very cooperative. He would kick and move his legs but kept his head turned the same way and his hands in front of his face the whole time. Also, the cord was in front of his face. So, we didn't get many great shots, but here are a few of my favorites.

The ultrasound technician kept talking about how big his cheeks are! He also seems to have large pouty lips :) Apparently he's already a big baby! He's measuring 2 weeks ahead! She said he weighs about 5 pounds give or take 3/4 lb.

Here is a quick video of him smiling a little. His arm is obviously in the way, but if you look at his cheek, it looks like he's smiling :) David said he's just "showing off his guns." haha!

It's awesome to see how much he has changed since our last ultrasound. I can't believe how fast the due date is approaching! Well, our next appointment isn't until Nov 18! But I will try to post another baby bump picture before then. Until then...Happy Halloween!

30 Weeks!

Wow! Less than 10 weeks to go! It just doesn't seem real! Also, that means less than 10 weeks til Christmas! When am I going to get all the baby stuff and Christmas shopping done?! haha...I just tell David that he gets a baby for Christmas and nothing else! I'm really excited for the holidays and also for decorating our house for the first time!

Well, I just wanted to let everyone know that I passed the second glucose test! yay! After being at the doctor's office for 3 hours and having my blood drawn 4 times, I'm glad that it was good news! No gestational diabetes for me. Good thing - trying to handle a strict diet right now would not be fun. Thanks to everyone who was keeping me in their thoughts and prayers.

I'm still feeling great. Only complaints are giving out of breath really easily. Sometimes just talking to someone can get me out of breath! It's also getting much harder getting up from a sitting or lying position. David is having to help me more and more :) We have really been blessed to have such a smooth pregnancy so far.

Also, just a quick picture for 30 weeks! haha...I don't realize how big I've gotten until I see pictures.

29 Weeks! Third Trimester!

Hi everyone! So, I'm officially in my 3rd trimester! I can't believe it! We're (ok, so maybe I'm) still having a hard time choosing a name. But it is an important decision! Therefore, I think I'm entitled to take my time :) I had the glucose test last week, and I guess I "failed" :( I have to go back tomorrow morning to have the 3 hour test done...yuck! That means I have to drink more of that gross stuff. Hopefully, everything will be fine. I've heard that a lot of women do fine on the longer test. Keep your fingers crossed!

David and I had our first "baby" class last week. It was interesting to be in a room full of other expecting couples. Everyone there who had found out the sex of the baby, was also having a boy! This must be the year of boys :) Our all day labor and delivery class will be in November. We'll also get to tour the hospital at that time. We are delivering at Rex, which I hear has a really great Women's Center.

Now, the fun part...here is the belly bump at 28 weeks! Also, just want to thank my sister, Kristy for all the great clothes she let me borrow!

This weekend we had a lot going on. We went to a birthday party for my friend, Beth. Here is a picture of us hanging out outside by the fire pit. Beth is on the far left with her "baby," Dixie and that is my friend Lauren feeling the baby do some pretty impressive gymnastics :) Maybe he was just enjoying the smores!!!

David and I also went to the UNC vs. Georgia Southern football game on Saturday with my sister, Beth and his friend David Taylor. We were very lucky, thanks to my sister's boyfriend, Joseph, to be able to sit in the Pope Box. Thanks, Juju! David was very excited about all the free food - in fact, he probably ate enough for me, him and the baby! Here is a picture of the boys...

the girls...

and me sporting the new football jersey David bought for me, and Beth sporting her manicure!

Well, that's all for now. I'll let everyone know how my test goes!

26 weeks!

Hello! So, I know it's about time I updated this blog! Finally work has slowed down some...so, I'm trying to catch up. I had another appointment last week. This was the first appointment that David had to miss. He was very sad about having to miss it, but I did fine all by myself :) Everything "measured normal," and the heartbeat sounded good. I keep expecting them to tell me that I'm HUGE compared to a normal pregnant woman this far along...haha! See what I mean? How can I have over 3 months to go?!

This one makes me laugh...maybe I should rethink the horizontal stripes!

The baby has been moving more and more! Sometimes we can even SEE the baby move. At first it was kinda alien-like, but now I'm getting used to it and find it kinda cute :)


David got a new vehicle since our last post. He loves it! I guess this is our first "family" car. As you can see, he already has his UNC magnet ready for football season!

Haha...Layla seems to like it too!

Well, our next appointment is October 6th! By that time I will be in my 3rd trimester! Then the count down really begins!

23 Weeks!

Hi everyone! Just a few pictures from the lake this weekend. I felt (and looked) huge in a bathing suit! I had to go buy one just for this occasion. People have started telling me that I must be having a big baby, or they seem surprised that I'm not due until December. Oh well. At least they are also saying that it is all baby!

And here is the side view - whoa!

We had a great time at the lake with our friends and family. Here is a pic of me, my Mom, and my niece and nephew, Campbell and Clarkson. Isn't she cute in her bathing suit? :)

And here is David on the jet ski...he was mad because I couldn't ride with him...but I think he still enjoyed it!

22 Weeks!

Just wanted to post a quick update. David and I had another appointment this past Wednesday. The doctor said everything is going great! We heard the heartbeat again...and he was moving a lot during the few seconds we were listening :) I can feel him more and more...even David has been able to feel him move a couple of times. I'm sure it won't be long before those kicks are strong enough for David to feel them all the time!

19 weeks

Ok...finally got around to taking another "belly bump" picture. Here he is at 19 weeks!

Haha...Look, David is trying to keep up!

So, other than getting bigger by the day - I don't really have much else to report. We have been checking out more and more baby stores lately. Maybe one day I'll be able to decide on how to decorate the nursery. We're still really excited...tomorrow I'll be 20 weeks - half way there!!!

18 weeks - It's a BOY!

This past Wednesday, David and I had the opportunity to see our baby! I couldn't believe how clear the ultrasound was! It was definitely amazing. During the ultrasound, we were able to find out that we are having a boy! We are very excited. Here is the "boy" shot :)

We also got some of the ultrasound pictures using the 3d ultrasound technology. It is unbelievable! Here are a few "close-ups."

David is so great - he's soooo excited! I think seeing the baby like this made it much more real for him. He went straight to the mall and bought a couple of really cute onesies - blue of course! He's already talking about camping trips - I told him that it may have to be father and son camping only because Mommy is not much of a camper :) I also wanted to thank the girls at work for being so great - before I even got back to my desk after our appointment, they had decorated my cube in blue! I still have no idea how they knew before I got back - and David swears he didn't tell them, so if anyone might know - let me in on the secret - I promise I won't tell ;)

Also, I wanted to tell our families how grateful we are to have them! They are all so excited - it just makes this experience so much better.

Another fun thing this week - I've felt the baby move for the first time! It's hard to describe, but it is wonderful to know he is in there and that everything is ok!

15 Weeks today!

So, this past Tuesday, David and I had another prenatal appointment. We heard the heartbeat again, and while we were listening we heard a very loud noise - the doctor said that was the baby moving! It's fun to know the baby's moving even if I can't feel it yet. More good news, we get to find out at our next appointment if the baby is a girl or a boy! July 22 - less than 3 weeks away! I don't have a feeling one way or the other. A lot of people have their guesses though :) A few weeks ago, just for fun, I took an "Intelligender" test that I bought from Walgreens. It's supposed to be 80% accurate - it predicted a boy! We're not taking it too seriously, but it was fun just to try!

So, my friends at work are really excited about the baby! They weren't too excited about the results of the "Intelligender" test - they are all hoping for a girl :) I know they will be supportive either way! They are so great - this is what they did to my computer one day before I got to work!

So, I'm getting bigger every day! Especially this last week - a couple of people at work have actually guessed I was pregnant without knowing! So, here is a picture at 12 weeks...

And this is the belly bump at 15 weeks!