A first

Today you peed in my hand! You hate to be naked. Daddy says "lets keep it that way". So when we wash you down, it is a screaming match. We find that if one of us holds you, you take it better. Well, I was holding you and daddy was washing. I guess you got a little chilly because you peed right in my hand and all over the carpet... my little pee monster!

First Doctor's Appointment

We had your first doctors appointment today. You really did not like it at all. As a matter of fact, you peed on his table! You gained 2 ozs. which puts you up to 8 lbs.

These entries are getting shorter and shorter because you require 100% of my time - and I love every moment!

Daddy's Girl

Seeing you with daddy absolutely melts my heart. In all the years I have loved your Daddy, the words "I love you" never really said enough for me. I have been head over heels for him for many many years. Seeing how he holds you, kisses you and cuddles you with such care has me falling in love all over again. You were instantly Daddy's little girl, which is a relationship I wanted for you so badly. The two of you will definitely have your ups and downs over the years, but ultimately, he will be one of your best friends and someone you will always turn to. I love you both dearly.

Birth Story

On Tuesday, August 31, we had sonogram of you, Lilly Girl. The technician told us that you were 9 lbs, 7 ozs. When my doctor found out how big you were, she took me aside and told me of the complications that could arise from delivering such a large baby but that it was definitely doable. After many tears and a long discussion between Daddy & I, we decided to go ahead and have you delivered normally. If something were to happen, they could always do a c-section. They Re-set my induction date from the 6th of September to the 2nd of September, just two days away. That morning, I woke up early and spent the day with Mimi. We had lunch in Warwick, walked around town and bought cute stuff for ya. I called in at 3 as I was told to do to make sure there was a bed ready for us that night. They said to come in around 6 and that they would be ready for us.

I drove home from the lake house and hopped in the shower. It was the most anxious shower I have ever taken, knowing that I would shortly be meeting my angel. I got out of the shower, sat down at the dinner table and had a BLT. I did not want to eat but knew I would not be eating for quite some time. The drive to the hospital was nerve wracking and I was so scared. Knowing all the complications, I was worried that we had made the wrong decision in not scheduling a c-section.

Daddy parked the car and together, we walked to the maternity ward. They brought us right to our room and hooked me up to monitors. Right away, the nurse found your strong little heart beat. Unfortunately, and for an unknown reason, your heart rate was fast. This meant that they could not start the induction for a while. Meanwhile, my doctor never sent over my charts so they needed to do a whole new history workup and blood work. Through this, they found out that the wrong type of blood was down on my chart. Big mistake by my doctor in NC. My Doctor came in to check on your heart rate and discuss the induction. While she was in, she began discussing should distortion with me. She said that there was a good chance that you could have shoulder problems due to your size. Daddy and I did not know what to do. I really wanted to have you naturally but the thought that you could be injured during birth really killed me. We both cried and called our parents and asked for adivce. After lots of tears and talking to a few nurses, we opted to have a c-section. It was scheduled for six the following morning. We set an alarm for 5:15 am so that we could be up and prepared. Mimi and Pop and Mia and Papa planned on being around to say good luck around 5:30am. Daddy and I lay in bed and looked out the window. Our view was of the Mid-Hudson Valley Bridge. It had lights on it that changed colors. We were mesmerized as we both prayed for the following day.

Our alarm went off at 5:15am. When the nurse came in, she informed us that there was an emergency c-section occurring and we would be bumped to 8am. Around 5:45, the grandparents began to file in. They sat with us while we waitied to hear when i would be taken into surgery. When the nurse came in again around 7:45am, she said there was another emergency and we would be taken in around 9. The grandparents went down to go get breakfast and coffee, as Daddy and I sat and waited. Finally around 8:45, they came to take me to surgery. Daddy had to dress up in this white jumpsuit and they gave me a very funny hat. They took me into the room first, alone, and made Daddy wait in the hallway until they gave me medicine to not feel pain at 9:07. The room was really cold and I was very nervous. After getting a spinal block and being laid down, Daddy was allowed back into the room. I was completely numb but still felt tugging and lots of pressure. At times it was hard to breathe, but Daddy held my hand, spoke softly to me and kept me focused. At 9:36, I heard my angel cry for the first time. You had a serious set of lungs on you from the start!! Daddy was asked to go over and look at you, take pictures and hold you. He brought you over to my and I kiss your cheek and snuggled against you. It was absolute love at first sight!!! Daddy and I both cried. I could not hold you because my arms were strapped down. Daddy was able to hold you next to me for a while, then you were taken away to the nursery to get a bath. On your way there, you got to see your anxiously waiting grandparents who were in the waiting room.

I was closed up and sent to a recovery room at 10:23am. I slept there for a while and then Daddy came in. We sat and talked about how beautiful you were and how excited everyone was to see you. (Mimi cried). While in recovery, I anxiously awaited your return to me. When I got you back about forty minutes later, I could not have been more in love. Daddy and I snuggled in with you as we waited for our room to be ready. After 5 hours in recovery, we headed to our room. Daddy wheeled you in your little koozie, and I was pushed by a nurse. There, your four grandparents and Tia B were waiting to see you and I once again. There was a mini war over who was going to hold you first. It was so nice to see how loved you were already! We spent the rest of the day cuddling and our first night together was much easier than I ever thought it would be. It was the most fantastic day of my life!!

Little girl - it is called due date for a reason

She's late. Today was my 40 week appointment. The doctor that I saw today was so complacent. She didn't even want to do an internal. I wasn't having it and spoke to the manager there. All the other doctors I have seen at the short time I have been at this practice have been wonderful - except this boob!

She eventually did an internal and I was nowhere. I had nothin. On my due date - no effacement, no dilation. I am devastated. I have an appointment scheduled for 41 weeks but hoping I will not need it!

I have lost all patience..

Not that I have many to begin with... I am half Italian. I know she is not due for another week, but I have already tried doing all of those "Labor Inducing" tricks. We walk like crazy with the boys, eat eggplant, zucchini, even labor cookies. I have had spicy Mexican food and spicy salsa. Nothing.

We are just so ready for our outside baby girl. My belly is ginourmous, I can no longer sleep, I have LOST my appetite and I cant really take it much longer. If this baby is late, she is in so much trouble!

Another Wonderful Shower

Yesterday was my NY shower. It was another surprise shower. Another interesting story of course! I was at my parents house in NJ taking care of my sister after her surgery. On my was home I hit an inordinate amount of traffic - redic! Then, just as I was going to turn on to my street, a deer ran out of the woods and hit a car. (yes, it ran into the car, not the other way around.

It was clearly dead from the impact. It was so sad and traumatizing. I started shaking as I pulled onto my road and then the tears started. As I walked into the house, my knees pretty much buckled as everyone yelled "Surprise!".

Never a dull moment!

The party was so nice. My mother in-law is a crazy cook and had made so many delicious dishes. Just about everyone from DH's family was there, including his cousins from LI - havn't seen them since the wedding. We got so many wonderful gifts that our one year old niece kindly helped me open. It was a great day!

The Big Move

This past month, DH and I packed up our home and moved back to our old apartment in my in-laws basement. Yes a move from home sweet home in North Carolina to ol' New York.

We are pretty devastated. We love everything about NC - everything except that we have NO family here and our little one will be here very shortly. So, now we live back in our old apartment and still pay a mortgage on a beautiful 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath back in NC that we could not sell. DEVASTATED.

Hopefully this house sells soon so we can purchase a new one up here in NY. Until then, we live with my in-laws in their basement apartment and pray that the St. Joesph in the ground back in NC does his magic!

Baby Shower!!!

Yesterday was my NJ shower. My Mom and sister threw a great party and it was a total surprise. I thought I was going down there for a dinner for my sister. DH dropped me off at my parent's lake house in NY where my Dad was. He was going to drive me to their house in Colts Neck. Little did I know that his car has no AC.

Dear Daddy,
I am 8 months pregnant and on my way to
a really nice dinner. Now that I am 600
degrees and a sweaty mess, I am going to look
like crap for dinner - which actually turned out
to be my shower. STOP BEING CHEAP AND
FIX YOUR AC!
Love, Anastasia

So when I got there with frizz all over my head and makeup running down my face, I was REALLY surprised. It was all of my Mom's family and my Dad's Mom as well. My mom made little chocolates and a really beautiful pink cake. She also made one of those oversized cupcakes for the Daddy. DH couldn't make it because of work so she sent me home with a nice treat for him.

We played a bunch of games including "Which candy does this dirty diaper smell like"...lol eeww. My nose still has prego super sense so I won 3/4.

I could not eat most of the food. My very silly Mama had mini cold cut sandwiches, lobster salad and eggplant parm. The cake was delish though. I will post pics when I get them!!

L & D

First trip to L & D today. Not scary at all 0_0. They thought that I was leaking fluids so I went in and they hooked me all up and monitored me all morning. After a while I was told that while I was leaking fluid, it was a small tear that healed itself and that all would (should) be good from here on out. Only a month and a half left baby girl. Stay in there and stay safe!!

On a side note, being in there made being pregnant feel even more real. Soon I will be in there for real, really having our little girl. Squeeeee!