New Beginnings

Good Evening to all of my (many I'm sure) readers!

I am sure you have been anticipating a new blog from me since just before the birth of our beautiful Bailey Annabelle. Obviously, between juggling work, new baby, new home, etc., I let the blog slip between the cracks. Keeping up with a weekly growth journal, baby book, and photos can be more stressful than I imagined! Regardless of past circumstances, I made up my mind that I would start fresh with a new blog look and a renewed effort to keep you all informed!

Keep checking in and I will bring you some exciting new updates!!!

The Nest

Well...I can't believe it- but I finally have her nursery pics to post! Of course, none of it could have been done without my incredible husband who acted as my hands and feet while we worked down to the wire! I could not be happier that she not only has her own beautiful space, but that she will come home to our very own first home. This is something we have wanted for so long and have worked so hard for- sometimes I can't even believe it's real!

April Chaos Brings May Showers

It has been almost half a month since my last post...but I have a good excuse! (Well a couple!) May 14th, we closed on our first house and we have been doing our best to get it ready for baby. The very next day was my family baby shower. (And I almost missed it thanks to moving day!) I felt incredibly bad for my family because I knew that they had roughly a week & 1/2 to prepare for my day- but it couldn't have turned out more perfectly. The house was packed with both of our families and everything was beautiful. It was so great to have both of our families together and Bailey received so many beautiful things. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful mother and sisters who would go to such great lengths for me!

Happy First Mother's Day

Well Sunday was Mother's Day & I was completely surprised to see that Adam had decided to include me in the day! (I know this sounds silly- but let's face it...she's not really here yet!) He woke me up with the beautiful Serena & Lily baby sling that I had wanted. Funny enough- I had not even mentioned it... I think he saw the peacocks and just knew. (:  It was a much-needed surprise in the midst of all the chaos. Thankfully, we will be closing on our house Friday, will experience a bit more chaos, and then we can wait (hopefully chaos-free) for Bailey's arrival. Can't wait for my shower and for Katie to come in town... I guess I am going to have to find the time to go pick out my shower dress!

34 Weeks and Counting

How far along? 34 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: I have gained ALOT. Kind of hard to believe.

Sleep: Not very well. I have gotten so large that I can't sleep more than an hour before waking up, adjusting, and then lying awake waiting to go to sleep again!

Best moment this week: We got her bedding & I am making nursery mock-ups of her new design. That has been really fun!

Movement: She seems to never stop. It is very reassuring though & it makes me slow down a little when things get hectic.

Food cravings: Still just a lot hungrier... but no crazy cravings.

What I miss: Wearing shoes that fit! My feet are SO swollen. They are truly Flinstone feet now!

What I’m looking forward to: Getting moved into our new home. We are right on track to close early or on time! I am so ready to get situated- I can hardly stand it!
Some Baby Developments: Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

A Post for Day-Day

I had to include a few pics from Davis' first T-ball game of the year. He was hilarious kicking the dirt around and trying to flirt with a fellow pig-tailed teammate! When I was helping Dudley put him in his seat, I told him that I was proud of him for doing such a good job.He giggled, looked up at me, and responded, "But I didn't even catch the ball!" I am not completely convinced that he was actually trying...but he sure had a good time!

Earlier that day, Adam and I pulled in the gate to our townhome and spotted this massive turtle! We thought it was so neat that we had to take some pictures for Davis before putting it into the pond.

So these are for Davis...

I've Just Seen A Face

Thursday,  April 29th, was a huge day for the Bolton family. Two very exciting events took place and we couldn't be happier than we are right now! First, we found out that our contract was accepted and we officially made the deadline to become new homeowners who secured the tax credit at the last minute! Adam found the house last Monday and it was everything we needed. It is pretty small- but sits on a huge lot in a great part of Ardsley Park. The best part? It is completely move-in ready and we can get in and situated, hopefully prior to Bailey's appearance. It also has a fence, which will give me a much needed break after walking dogs up and down three flights of stairs to potty for the duration of my pregnancy.

In other, much more important news, we finally saw her face! Thursday, we went back in to have our 4D Ultrasound, and there she was. We all sat staring at her little face as she continued to stick her fingers in her mouth. I hate to jump the gun....but well...I guess you will see in the pics. She most definitely favors one of us! The US Tech wants me to come back after my appointment next week to see if we can finish out our video. Bailey is so low, and her head is so far back, that the photos are not "premium quality". I told the tech that they are perfect to us...but I won't complain if I get to see her one more time. It really does make so much of the pain worth it!

Lastly, I had to mention a gift that she received last week. Mrs. Rebecca, the mother of one of my best childhood friends, knit Bailey her first handmade gift. It is the most lovely, soft, red dress and I can't wait to see her in it! I have always been so jealous of people that are so gifted in that department. We absolutely love the gift....so much so that I have left it hanging by the front door so that I can see it as I come in and out. Another reminder that it won't be too much longer!