Sweet Caroline

Collins Richardson Glenn arrived on Friday February 17, 2012 at 1:31 pm, weighing 6 lb and 12 oz and 19.5 inches! Our first picture as a family of three. Hard to describe how incredibly happy this makes me. What a wirlwind that week was. Sweet girls due date was not until March 1....so needless to say, I was not mentally prepared to have a baby yet. Between my 36 and 37 weeks, I started to have high blood pressure at my appointments. I would go in more frequently just for them to check my BP to see what it was doing. It was really high on Wed February 8, but then I went back on Friday February 10 and it was normal. So I went about my business with instructions from my doctor to just TAKE IT EASY. Well, easier said than done. Anyways, I went back to see my doctor on Monday February 13 and it was high again and at that time he wanted me to go ahead and stop working. I really didn't want to do that yet...and my job at this point was really low stress and I could literally just sit i...

Pardon me as I take a minute to get a little mushy on the old blog. If you know me or read regularly, you know that's not my norm...but sometimes completely necessary. Mikey has been my Valentine for the past NINE years!! Hard to believe, huh!!?? We were wee little babies when we started dating but I wouldn't change it for the world. I fall more in love with this man day by day; he truly is my best friend, love of my life, and lifelong companion all wrapped into one. There isn't a day that goes by that he doesn't make me smile and for that I am so ever thankful. He's seen me at my worst and at my best and loves me no matter what i do:) We aren't big present givers...mostly it's just us telling the other what we want or we just decide to not do anything at all and put our money towards something else. I know...no fun, but that's how i like it. He did surprise me this morning with some beautiful flowers and the BEST GIFT EVER for a 9 month preggo......

I DIDN'T HAVE AN AWFUL HEAD COLD:( So annoying. I feel worse this morning than I have all weekend; rawr. Our supper club hosted a "murder mystery" party Friday night that I was all excited to go to...I mean who doesn't want to see a 9 month preggo dressed up as a cheerleader from the 80's?!? Unfortunately, I had to stay home though....my head was pounding. I felt a teeny bit better Saturday and was able to get out of the house for a bit to attend a friend's baby shower and have a date night with my love. One of those date nights where we both wore bummy/workout type clothes and went to a low key restaurant and a movie. I said I felt a little better, but not 100%...I didn't feel like getting dressed up all fancy! We saw The Vow...and I bawled like a, well....like a 9 month preggo I guess. I don't think Mr. Tatum is that outstanding of an actor, obvi his skills lie in his looks...even though I was more impressed by his acting ability in this movie...

How far along? 37 weeks. I don't really fully understand this whole 40 weeks pregnant business....why do they consider you full term at 37 weeks but yet you are supposed to go 40? From what I've read the newest research shows that babies born at 37 weeks can still suffer from respiratory problems (asthma, etc.) but of course there are some babies who can come early and be perfectly healthy. Don't understand it. I think I have just gone into this thing the whole time thinking she would be late...so I'm not getting my hopes for anything to happen anytime soon! Size of the baby? Around 6 pounds, maybe? My doctor guestimated Tuesday she was actually about 5.5 right now. We don’t get ultrasounds at my practice at this point in the pregnancy unless something is wrong/worrisome/etc. so we really won’t have an exact number until she decides to make her grand entrance to this world! Maternity Clothes? SAME. Stretch Marks? SAME. Movement? SAME. Sleep? ...

This weekend exhausted me. I did way too much. I don't think it's "registered" that maybe I should slow down a little bit being 9 months pregnant. I cleaned and ran errands all morning Saturday then we had a wedding at 4. By the time I got to the reception my feet and back were DONE. Sunday was non stop as well...I went to a friends first thing to bring over last minute items for the baby shower we were hosting there that afternoon. We then went to church, we finally joined this Sunday...yay! The service was good and my parents came and several of our friends were there...so that was nice. We went and had a nice lunch with my parents before I had to scoot out to help host a baby shower for my bestest Jennifer! Everything ended up looking beautiful and I think the mommy to be enjoyed herself. I've started to swell a bit though...so standing on my feet for long periods of time is no good, at least for the cankle factor. Thank goodness we chose to go over...

Sunday, January 22...my mom's WONDERFUL friends hosted me a baby shower that was OUT OF THIS WORLD beautiful. These ladies sure know how to entertain. This was my "all girls" shower and it was a very special day surrounded by family and friends. The ladies didn't leave a detail out, seriously! They spoiled me rotten and all the hostesses went in together and got us our BOB stroller. I couldn't be more thankful. Collins received so many wonderful necessities along with some gorgeous "extras" at this shower, we are so fortunate to have so many people who love her and us:) This is Harriett (my mom's best friend/my second momma/wedding planner extraordinaire/decorator/lover of entertaining), ha....seriously though, you should see the woman's attic; it is FILLED with party hosting decorations. She's putting the final touches on the food table, it was all so yummy! Cookies for favors with my sweet girl's monogram. Me with Harriett's...

How far along? 36 weeks, 1 day. What does this mean??? FOUR weeks to go!!!! HOLY WOW. Right now, four weeks feels like a lifetime away and feels like tomorrow at the same time. Weird, hard to describe. Size of the baby? Almost 6 pounds (although this could vary greatly…considering I was just a little over 6 pounds when I was born at 41 weeks). Maternity Clothes? SAME. Stretch Marks? SAME. Movement? Lots lately, it’s funny now that you can pretty much pinpoint specific body parts (since I know she is head down and hopefully will stay that way) to see her little foot or knee move across my tummy. She’ll poke right back at me if I press down on her. Her daddy loves to do this, aggravating her already. Sleep? Yeah…that not having to wake up to pee thing? Nonexistent now…I wake up about two or three times a night. Some nights are better than others as far as being comfy/tossing and turning. Food Cravings? SAME. What I Miss: Not being achy. I’ve go...

Mikey and I have some truly amazing friends, for real...they are the best. Saturday, January 21... 26 of our best friends threw us a FABULOUS couples baby shower. Collins got so many great things...we can't wait for her to meet all of her "aunts and uncles." The decorations were gorgeous, the food was superb (oysters and chili, what else could be better), the spirits were high (so I was told....) and the company was even better. Name blocks for Collins, they even did them in the colors of her nursery! LOVE these. They are definitely going on her bookcase. Parents to be:) Some of my besties. Momma to be! Getting excited to open presents! The "girl" hostesses...I'm kinda sad we didn't get one of everyone...all the guys too, but it was a little chaotic just getting this many girls together for one picture! My daddy loving some oysters. with Mikey's dad and step mom....aka Granddadder and Khaki. Peeps loving oysters. My bro and SIL and my bestest S...