One Exciting Month

It's been one exciting month!  Josh and I were just talking our first month as parents.  It's everything we hoped for and so much more.  Our love for Stella is undescribable.  Our relationship and love for each other is stronger than ever.  We are so happy with our new life with Stella. 

I haven't been blogging for one reason: lack of time!  If I have a few minutes, I want to take a long, relaxing shower, call family or friends, get on facebook, check my email, catch up on blogs, clean the house, do laundry or take a nap.  I just haven't had the time to write posts.  I have been thinking about the blog community though.  I'll try to update more often! 

Here are some pictures that I have taken of Stella.  Enjoy!

Introducing Miss Stella

We are in love with our little Stella Grace. She's so sweet and beautiful! She arrived on the first day of spring, March 20th, after a quick and easy delivery. Stella weighed 7 pounds and 6 ounces. She measured 18 3/4 inches. We are enjoying every minute with our precious daughter!

We are still in the hospital finishing our required 48 hour stay.  We are so ready to be home with Stella!  I'll be updating my blog as much as possible, including an incredibly EASY labor and delivery, initial struggles with breastfeeding and sweet stories of our content and happy baby!

Oh, and I want to thank Q for updating my blog yesterday! 

SHE'S HERE!!!

Hi this is Q. I am Chelsea's friend and I am pleased to announce that Stella Grace made her appearance today at 2:04pm. She weighed 7lbs6oz. Chelsea says her labor went very smooth. Mom and baby are doing great!!!!! I will update you more later.

39 Weeks

39 Weeks!!!

Josh and I went to our 39 weeks appointment yesterday.  I'm now 3 cm!  My doctor did the "stretch and/or strip membranes" thing.  It was a little uncomfortable but not too bad.  Josh held my hand through the whole thing.  She told me I would have spotting but oh my gosh, I didn't realize how much.  I almost called her late last night because I was so concerned.  Josh reminded me that she said it was normal so I decided not to call.  I am still have a little bit of spotting today.  I called my doctor this afternoon.  She reassured me that it was normal.  I feel much better now.

Oh and guess what?  Yesterday was my last day at work!  I tried sleeping late this morning but had trouble.  My bestest friend Q came by to surprise me around lunch time.  She took me out to lunch to celebrate my first day off work.  It was such a nice treat.  Her precious daughter came with us.  She makes me so happy!  Afterwards we went to Target to walk around and shop.  We were hoping it would help Stella arrive sooner than later.  Unfortunately I only had a couple contractions while we were out and about today. 

Q and I fell in love with the fun spring dresses for infants at Target!  If you haven't checked them out, you must!  I'm not sure how we resisted.  I wanted to buy Stella one of each.

I've had a few contractions here and there.  Hopefully they will pick up soon and we can go to the hospital.  We can't wait!!!

Still Waiting

I just wanted to let you know that we're still waiting!  I made it through another week at school.  I only have three days left.  Will I make it?  I think so!  I came home from school today, took a hot shower and crashed in bed for a couple hours.  I woke up to have dinner and now I'm heading back to bed.  My body is officially worn out.  I'm sure I would feel a little better if I could sleep through the night but it's just not happening.  I wake up every hour to switch sides or race to the bathroom.  It's okay though!  It's all worth it.  I'm being prepared for the weeks ahead. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.  I'm just going to relax.  I'll keep you posted!

38 Weeks

Josh and I went to our 38 week appointment yesterday.  It was uneventful!  I'm 2 cm dilated, 90% effaced and Stella is at -2 station.  My doctor gave me an excuse slip for work.  That was exciting!  My last day at work will be next Wednesday, March 17th.  If I can make it until next Wednesday, then my 12 week maternity leave will last throughout the end of the school year.  I will not have to go back to work until next August!  Josh and I scheduled our 39 weeks appointment for next Wednesday afternoon.  My membranes will FINALLY be stripped during that appointment! 

Can anyone believe I've made it to 38 weeks?  I sure can't.  YAY for Little Miss Stella!  The longer she can stay in, the better!

Congratulations

I've been following a blogger named Courtney for almost a year now.  We both went through our first IVF cycles last summer.  Unfortunately her first cycle didn't result in a pregnancy.  She tried a second IVF cycle this fall.  It didn't result in a pregnancy either.  I've always been inspired by her positive attitude through the rollercoaster of infertility treatments.  She just recently tried a third IVF cycle and guess what? 

She's PREGNANT!  

Words can't express my excitement for her.  I can't stop thinking of her and her miracle!  I'm looking forward to following her journey through pregnancy.  Please visit her blog to wish her the best: http://growingtheyerkesfamily.blogspot.com/

So far, no changes!

Josh and I went to my 37 week appointment yesterday afternoon.  It was an uneventful appointment!  I didn't get hooked up the monitors or anything.  My doctor checked my cervix and said I was almost 2 cm dilated.  So I haven't changed much since last Wednesday.  Oh well!  My doctor decided not to strip my membranes until next week or the next.  We're okay with that decision.  Stella needs to stay in as long as possible.  It's what's best for her!

I feel like my cramps and contractions have slowed down a bit.  It's nice to feel a little better throughout my days at work. 

Lately I've been thinking about how exciting it will be see our little Stella.  I can't wait to check out her little fingers and toes.  I want to see her face and her whole little body.  I know she will be beautiful.  I know we'll be in LOVE with her.  I can't wait!

37 Weeks

I'm so happy to announce...

...that I'm 37 weeks!

Stella is officially considered FULL TERM!

If I go into labor, it will not be stopped.

Josh's nerves have calmed down.

We're both SOOO excited that we can't stand it.

I've been having contractions and menstrual like cramps all weekend.  The contractions are stronger than usual but still painless.  I feel like they are lasting longer too.  The cramps are usually dull but sometimes painful.  Sometimes the contractions occur every 15 - 20 minutes for a couple hours or so and then stop.  Sometimes they just happen once or twice and then stop.  I slept very well this weekend which was a nice treat.  I was hoping this might be the weekend but I guess not.  I'll be off to work in the morning.  We've got an appointment tomorrow afternoon.  I'll update soon!

Dilated and Effaced

Josh and I went to my 36 week appointment this afternoon.  We were shocked to find out that I'm 80% effaced, 1.5 cm dilated and our little Stella is engaged!  My doctor asked if she could "strip my membranes."  We said we weren't sure and she responded with "Let's just wait until next week!"  She said "stripping membranes" moves things along.  She seems to think Stella will be here soon.  She feels certain Stella will arrive before her due date.

I AM SO EXCITED!

JOSH IS SO NERVOUS!

I had a feeling things were progressing.  I've been having lots of menstrual like cramps this week.  They are extremely low.  I've also been having stomach pains too.  They are all over.  I'm still having contractions but they are irregular.  My doctor hooked me up to the monitors this afternoon.  I had a few contractions while I was there.  Isn't all this exciting?

I'm surprised I feel so relaxed and ready.  I'm surprised Josh is so nervous.  Maybe I'm relaxed because everything is ready to go at work and at home.  Maybe Josh is nervous because he thought we still had four weeks left.  I've reminded Josh that everything is ready to go and we will be just fine if she comes a little early! 

I'm ready for the challenge of giving birth.  I'm ready to hold Stella for the first time.  I can't wait to bring her home.