Team Hillis Baby Story

Molly Walking... Kind of.

2010-07-12T15:36:00.001-05:00

Teething Tablets

2010-05-25T23:18:00.001-05:00

So, a few weeks ago Molly seemed to be a little fussy and we thought this might be related to her teething. We had some teething tablets and decided that Molly wanted to give them a try. I think they helped relieve the pain, but they may have just been more of a distraction from the pain.. Watch the video see what Molly thought about it.

Jump Jump

2010-05-21T15:03:00.005-05:00

So many pics, so little time-- Month 6

2010-04-13T22:45:00.005-05:00

Sweet look of awe.

First Easter Egg Hunt. It was so cold!

Another sweet expression!

She likes to chew on the spoon when she is eating. This was cereal and squash.

Love this sleepy baby face. This was after a hard morning at the zoo.

Another zoo pic. Just getting started and in front of the monkeys.

Silly cereal face.

First swim lesson, this past Sunday. BFF Riley is in the pic too.

Daddy's Got A New Camera

2010-03-21T21:10:00.006-05:00

Picture time!

2010-03-14T17:25:00.003-05:00

Green beans taste good and smiley girl

2010-03-08T18:51:00.002-06:00

Funny girl

2010-03-01T21:11:00.003-06:00

La, La, La, Legwarmers!

2010-02-20T15:44:00.002-06:00

5 Months Old and Happy Valentine's Day

2010-02-15T13:46:00.004-06:00

Time with Friends

2010-02-07T15:48:00.002-06:00

20 Weeks

2010-02-01T21:50:00.002-06:00

My cutie pie

2010-01-25T22:11:00.003-06:00

She found her feet!

Still growing- 4 months old tomorrow!

2010-01-14T20:59:00.003-06:00

Little pig, little pig...

2010-01-10T15:01:00.003-06:00

First Snow for the Sweet Snow Baby

2010-01-08T15:44:00.003-06:00

Happy New Year

2010-01-07T14:55:00.002-06:00

Quality time with Mommy and Daddy- 15 Weeks

2009-12-31T10:07:00.005-06:00

Christmas!

2009-12-28T00:15:00.003-06:00

Playing with Riley

2009-12-28T00:09:00.002-06:00

Meeting Santa Claus- 3 Months Old

2009-12-14T18:44:00.002-06:00

12 Weeks!

2009-12-14T18:41:00.003-06:00

11 weeks!

2009-12-02T11:32:00.001-06:00

Thanksgiving weekend

2009-12-01T11:31:00.001-06:00

10 weeks

2009-12-01T11:27:00.003-06:00

2 months old!

2009-11-18T11:58:00.003-06:00

Today at her 2 month appt Molly was 9 lbs 12.5 oz and 22 1/2 inches long. She's in the 25th percentile for weight and the 50th percentile for height. She received 3 shots that included multiple vaccines and one by mouth.

Go Bulldogs!

2009-11-14T21:03:00.002-06:00

8 weeks old!

2009-11-11T15:57:00.002-06:00

Oops, caught in a sneeze!

Precious girl!

2009-11-08T19:22:00.003-06:00

Growing Girl!

2009-11-05T10:28:00.002-06:00

Trick or Treating

2009-10-31T20:25:00.005-05:00

These are Molly's future boyfriends, Kaden and Christian Schiro.

With some spooky ghouls at the Grasela's house.

We weighed Molly again and she was 9 lbs 6 oz! She's been acting a little unsatisfied after her evening feedings so I wanted to make sure she was getting enough. She also also starting smiling at us over the weekend; talk about melting your heart!

Our Little Pink Monster

2009-10-25T18:10:00.005-05:00

Enjoying Fall Fest

Molly and Mommy- watching TV

Today we weighed Miss Molly and she was about 8 1/2 lbs. This is great news as I think proper weight gain is always a concern for breastfed babies. I'm proud to say that she has still only had breastmilk; she's become fanilar with the botlle now though and her Daddy feeds her regularly.

Look How Big I Am!

2009-10-22T21:00:00.002-05:00

This is from 2 weeks ago. Enjoy!

October 17th

2009-10-19T16:29:00.003-05:00

Halloween fun!

October 15th

2009-10-19T16:22:00.004-05:00

Sweet girl- Mommy had to steal a kiss

Napping on her new blankie "Made with Love" by Grandma Jan

Tummy time- she doesn't really like this! She gets aggravated and fusses when put on her tummy!

Playing on her activity mat

Mommy loves it when she's awake!

October 9th

2009-10-19T16:14:00.001-05:00

Visiting with Grandma Jan and Aunt Emma

October 1st

2009-10-19T16:07:00.004-05:00

Visiting with Will's mom Nana Janet and Great-Aunt Sherry

Relaxing in her boppy

September 27th

2009-10-19T16:02:00.002-05:00

Taking newborn photos with Leila from Leila Hunt Photography

September 24th

2009-10-19T15:46:00.004-05:00

Visiting with my mom, AKA Nana Joyce

Soaking up the sun in ber lambie bouncer

Monday, 9/21/2009

2009-09-22T19:59:00.004-05:00

Molly had another big day today. At her 2:00 AM first breakfast (Tolken fans laugh here), her umbilical cord fell off. I had been watching it for a few days worrying that it looked like it may come off prematurely. At her first doctors appointment today, they told us that it was quite OK and was in line with Kerri's assumption that Molly is an over achiever.

Here are some photos of Molly soaking up the sun. The doctor said she was slightly jaundice and this and vitamins are her treatment.

Sunday 9/20/2009

2009-09-22T19:44:00.006-05:00

Kerri and I are still working out who gets up when. Up to to this point, we have both been getting up when little Molly needs to eat. It's wild to see Molly so wide awake at such weird hours. I would love to stay up with her and play with her when she is so alert but 2:00 AM just isn't the time.

One eye peep from Molly

Napping in the Page family cradle

Milk coma

Saturday, 9/19/2009

2009-09-22T17:58:00.006-05:00

We captured more pictures today and spent more quality time with our little Molly. She is so sweet and and to this point loves to sleep and yawn. Here are a few more pictures we took.

Before taking a walk with Mommy and Granny

Stretching, so sweet...

Ah, she's adorable.

Friday, 9/18/2009

2009-09-22T17:44:00.003-05:00

It's Friday, and it's time to go home. This is Molly's first time in a car seat, and her first car ride. I was so nervous putting molly in the car seat, I tried to put her in the car facing forward. Good thing we were escorted out by our nurse, who quickly reminded me that they go the other way.

Wednesday 9/16/2009 Day 2

2009-09-17T01:41:00.003-05:00

We spent lots of time with Molly today. I never thought that I would have been so excited to see and change a poopy diaper but I got the opportunity this morning at around 3:30 AM. We didn't get too much sleep. Not because Molly kept us up but it seemed everyone needed to change this or check that.

Molly and Momma are doing great. Kerri wanted to go for a stroll this after noon. Too bad we didn't have our jogging stroller with us as our crib wanted to roll every which way but straight. We also found time to find different ways Molly liked to hang with her family. We captured Molly in her natural habitat and decided to share.

Love,

Will, Kerri, and Molly!

September 15, 2009 - Birthday!

2009-09-17T00:26:00.004-05:00

Alright everybody, Molly is here! We got to meet Molly Kate this morning at about 7:53 and she was very excited to see us. Se came in at 6lbs 11oz and is 18 inches tall. Her hair looks to have a shade of blond in it, so we will have to see which way that goes.

Enjoy the pictures,

Will and Kerri

39 Weeks Today!

2009-09-14T21:26:00.003-05:00

On the eve of the birth of our little girl, I feel nervous, excited, prayerful and thankful, stressed...just being honest here folks. I want so badly to just hear the doctors say that she is healthy and strong. It's hard to know what tomorrow will be like but I know that this is the journey we are meant to take and we are about to meet the daughter I've dreamed of my whole life. Above you'll see a few of our newest and last belly pics!

Celebrating our Last Few Days of Couplehood

2009-09-13T09:40:00.003-05:00

The whole group

Just the girls

Future Mommy and Daddy

We decided to go out with friends and celebrate our last few days of being a family of two. We went to Sambuca in the Gulch. The food was wonderful and the time with friends was priceless!

It's Sunday morning and that means we have less than 2 days left!

7 Days and We'll Meet Our Little Girl!!!

2009-09-08T22:32:00.012-05:00

Here's a belly pic taken at 38 weeks and 1 day. If you scroll down to 36 weeks you will see that the belly has grown a lot in the last few weeks and has taken on a weird non-rounded shape as well. :)

**Doctor update- Dr. Halcomb checked me on Thursday morning and said that I am only dilated to a little over 1 cm so she she doesn't think I'll go into labor before the c-section next Tuesday. If I do, she said to get to the hospital though. The baby's heart rate was very fast at 167. The nurse said this is probably because I am having Braxton Hicks contractions. This was my last OB appt and Dr. H even gave me a hug.**

How far along? 38 weeks and 1 day.

Total weight gain: I stopped looking about 6 weeks ago!

Maternity clothes? Of course. Thank goodness we’re nearing the end. My pants are all getting tight!

Sleep: Woken up numerous times a night (3-5) now to pee and my big belly doesn’t want me to lay on my belly at all now. I am having a hard time getting into my favorite sleeping position. Movement: She likes to push her head up and/or stretch her neck, which causes her head to pretty much stick out of my belly. It can be uncomfortable. She also pushes her feet into my right side, which is visible from the outside.

Gender: All girl!

Labor Signs: Still nesting, nesting, nesting, Braxton Hicks and she’s getting lower and putting more pressure on my hips and bottom. Dr. H. still says she’s high though.

Belly Button in or out? In by a hair.

What I miss: I just want to be comfortable at this point.
Nesting list: car seat installed and inspected (check), newborn clothing moved to my closet (check), baby monitor setup (check), still packing my hospital bag.

What I am looking forward to: Meeting Molly Kate next week and hearing the doctors say she is healthy.

Weekly Wisdom: Make decisions based on what is best for your family unit, not everyone else! Don’t let everyone demands stress you out. Also, enjoy this time being pregnant, feeling her move and having her safe and happy inside you.

Milestones: Last OB appt on 9/10 and c-section is scheduled for 9/15.

Surprising things about my pregnancy: I can still "kind of" sleep on my stomach, I don't have shortness of breath when I lay down, my belly is measuring 2 weeks smaller than average and according to the nurse this is a good thing, I've been able to work out the entire time, and this has been the mildest summer I can remember so I've been really lucky.

Molly Kate's Birth Day!

2009-09-05T21:42:00.004-05:00

Well, now we know what Molly's birth day will be. We're scheduled for a c-section on Tuesday, September 15th. We feel relatively at peace with this outcome. We know when and how we're going to deliver so that's less stress. There are positive things to focus on, for sure, and the best of those is a healthy baby! In my mind I always pictured an old fashioned birth (with epidural, of course!) but I'm only a little disappointed that it looks like I won't experience labor at all.

We decided to take friendly advice and spend some special couple time together before she's born. We love Ruth's Chris so we went, ate tasty steaks, and celebrated not only Molly's birth but our 5 yr anniversary that closely follows.

20 Days and Counting - 37 Weeks Update

2009-09-01T21:17:00.009-05:00

**Doctor's update: We had our 37 week appt with Dr. Halcomb on Thursday and she said I was a "tight one cm dilated." She tried hard to reach Molly to see if she could feel a head or bottom down, but she was so high she couldn't tell.

This afternoon we had an ultrasound and the sonographer said that baby Molly Kate is 6 lbs. 15 oz. and is looking great! Wow, she's so big!!! She's also still in a frank breech position; that is head up with her feet in front of her face. Dr. Halcomb said she'd schedule a C-section at 39 weeks if she was breech, so it's looks like that's what will happen.**

The clock is still counting down and I am feeling like I am running out of time to get everything done. Supposedly I could go into labor at any time now but I have a feeling she won't be born until our due date or after. I bought a small notebook and keep it in my purse so that I can jot down to-do's whenever necessary.

Some of the things that have been worrying me lately include choosing Molly's coming home outfit, buying nursing pjs, choosing comfort items to use during labor, trying to read and re-read pregnancy and newborn care books, watching DVDs on the same, packing my hospital bag, and cleaning, organizing, and trying to find a place for everything. I've also been keeping Will's to-do list up to date and his post below shows just some of the hard work he's put in getting ready for our little one.

We have an ultrasound on Thursday and I am expecting them to tell me that Molly is about 6 lbs and 11 oz. According to my research she should also be about 19 inches long. I found this on Baby-gaga.com: If you're still carrying your little love around, they've just about reached their birth weight (somewhere between 6 to 8 pounds is average depending on whether they're a boy or girl). There really isn't a lot to report on baby this week, so let’s do a quick recount of where we're at: all internal organ systems are pretty much ready for the outside world, they've got their meconium stockpile building up, lots of healthy baby fat, a rapidly developing brain, and they've more or less reached official baby status-- all they need to do is "head out" and say hello to the rest of the world and especially their ready-to-pop momma.

Future Dads Nest Too: My List of Accomplishments

2009-08-31T23:04:00.006-05:00

With only 21 days to go I'm getting very excited and I too may be experiencing a little need to "nest". Yesterday, I assembled the bouncy seat and swing that we got at one of our baby showers and even got to do part of it over again. Practice makes perfect or follow the instructions and do it right the first time.

Who could have guessed that a portable "play yard" could have some many parts and take so long to setup? I saw on the Newlywed show the contestants were struggling to set them up as part of a timed competition. I managed to setup 95% of it without the instructions; the other 5 percent I think is alien technology. The mobile still doesn't make sense.

Today I also installed our car seat. It seems here in Tennessee you have to get your car seat installation skills inspected. I'll take this as an opportunity for some stranger to tell me how great I am,

We also got a new video camera so that we can begin to capture all of the wonderful moments soon to come. Actually, some really neat things occasionally poke out of Kerri's belly and I just captured it on tape. Now all I have to do is find out how to post it on here!

T Minus 28 Days - 36 Weeks Update

2009-08-24T21:05:00.008-05:00

**Doctor update: Thursday, August 27- Dr. Halcomb checked my cervix for the first time and said I wasn't dilated. She thinks that our little girl is still pretty high, perhaps still head up, and that it is unlikely I'm effaced at this time. Molly's heart rate was 142 BPM**

We really are nearing the end now and I can finally say that I am 9 months pregnant! Crazy, isn’t it!? We’ve experienced an emotional roller coaster throughout this journey—one that we will never forget. The hardest part of has been worrying about her health and simultaneously dealing with the overwhelming and somewhat unexpected amount of love I feel for her and the best part is feeling her move inside me and dreaming of what it will be like to hold her for the first time.

I am getting impatient at this point, of course, but I have had some relief in the past week courtesy of the birth of Molly Kate’s first little friend, Riley Anne. She is one beautiful child with lots of dark brown hair and I’m ecstatic for her mom, my friend Rebecca and sharer of all pregnancy woes. Here is little Riley-

How far along? 36 weeks
Weight gain/loss: I know I am still gaining but I am no longer looking at the scale!
Maternity clothes? I'm starting to wonder if I will outgrow my maternity clothes.
Stretch marks? None yet, thank goodness, but my belly is still changing daily.
Belly button: It never actually popped out.
Sleep: I get pretty amped up at night and start little nesting/ organizing projects that keep me from going to bed until late.
Best moments this week: The week just started but recently we have enjoyed watching her morph my stomach into odd shapes. We also finished the nursery recently and finished buying the things we needed from our registry over the weekend. Woohoo!
Movement: She is very active after lunch and again late at night. She likes to tap or kick up high early in the day and down low around my belly button at night. She also likes to press her bottom against my stomach so hard that it changes the shape of it and takes my breath away. She's quite strong.
What I am looking forward to: I have my 36 week appt on Thursday and I am excited and anxious to find out if I've made any progress and whether she is still head up.
Today's exciting news: Looks like my friend Maggie may have her baby Anna X before our baby is born. We've supported eachother throughout our pregnancies. Another special friend for baby Molly could be born next week!
Milestones: My 36 week appt is the first of our 4 weekly visits. Also, last week I had tons of Braxton Hicks contractions.

Photo Updates Galore - Baby Shower and Nursery

2009-08-16T21:42:00.010-05:00

I had to have a picture with this creative tree!

One of the diaper cakes from the shower. This was made by my friend Jo Miller.

Katrina was so sweet to have the shower at her home.

Cupcakes from Cakes by Shara. So delicious!

Me & Super-Hostess Mandi

Me, my Mothers in Law, and Sister in Law at our baby shower

With my lovely shower hostesses

Linda, me, and baby sister Caitlin

Me and Rebecca

Our baby shower was August 15. It was wonderful and more than I expected. It was full of special details like letters written to me, Will, and Molly, from our family. I even have a book of the letters that I was able to bring home with me. The decor was beautiful and so well thought out. It was themed throughout with birds, from the willow tree with baby pics of me and Will as ornaments to little nest favors with Jordan almonds as the eggs. The adorable one of a kind cupcakes with little bird and butterfly decorations were perfect too. I was completely overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from our friends and family. They are as excited to meet Miss Molly as we are!

Unveiling Molly Kate's Nursery

34 Weeks - Trying to Get Educated

2009-08-10T21:55:00.008-05:00

Over the weekend we attended childbirth class at Baptist and suprisingly it was fun and not boring. I feel a little more prepared for labor and delivery but recognize I am still clueless about childcare. Everyone tells me that things will come naturally once we bring her home. The photo above is Will in the empathy belly and if you're wondering that is our friend Hollie on the wall behind him. This is hung in the Family Education Center at the hospital. How funny! She's famous. We also have a breastfeeding class this week so we're very busy getting educated.

It's hard to remember what it was like 30 weeks ago when we started on this journey. Check out the pic below. That pic taken at 5 weeks seems like a lifetime ago!

Love these photos...33 Weeks. Now and Then...

2009-08-06T09:59:00.009-05:00

A storyboard Leila is putting together for us...

Today we had an ultrasound. Baby Molly is weighing in at 4 lbs. 11 oz. and is measuring just right at 33 weeks and 2 days. Her heart rate was up from last week at 155 BPM. We got to see her face a lot and the sonographer says she has Daddy's nose. We think she has my mouth. Oh, and she has lots of hair. We could see it floating around in the amniotic fluid. She is in an angled breech position where her head is up, bottom is down and toward my hip, and she is kicking me toward my ribs on the right side. She kept her hands in her face pretty much the whole time. She's still camera shy! And she was blinking her eyes and practicing breathing in little quick huffs. This could be seen and felt by us and the sonographer. How cool is that!? Here she is-

Wonder what our baby girl will look like? We do. Here's a preview.

Kerri & Will Baby Pics

32 Weeks- The Countdown Continues

2009-08-01T08:49:00.007-05:00

We're 32 weeks and it is hard to believe that we have less than 8 weeks left before our estimated due date, September 21. Sweet Molly still has very active and very inactive periods. She regularly pushes her back or bottom or head against the front of my belly now and I just rub it and talk to her when she does. I had another OB appointment on Wednesday at 32 weeks and 2 days. Her heart rate was 148 and my belly is measuring just right at exactly 32 weeks.

This week the ladies at my office threw us a baby shower and it was great. All the women attended, and Will came too. We really enjoyed sharing this time with everyone and were surprised at the generosity of my co-workers.

Look at our sweet cake, made by my favorite Nashville bakery, Sweet & Sassy. It had an M in honor of baby Molly but Will said it was a W for Will. LOL.

This is the first gift we opened. Will looks doubtful but he definitely warmed up and was smiling moments after this!

The loot. HOLY COW. We received a bouncer, swing, boppies, high chair, changing pad essentials kit, booster seat, a doorway jumper and more. WOW!

Maternity Photos by Leila Hunt Photography

2009-07-31T13:07:00.010-05:00

We had maternity photos taken last Saturday when I was almost 32 weeks. Leila Hunt took them and we really enjoyed working with her. She said lots of flattering things like I'm photoghenic (really?) and that I have a pretty pregnant belly (so glad!), and I was nervous at first but eventually loosened up. She did a fantastic job! I'm so pleased with them and am so happy we did this. Now is the hard part; I have to pick a few. I'm including some of Leila's favorites. I think I like the black & white belly pic the best.

A Few of my Favorite Things...All Things Water

2009-07-31T13:00:00.004-05:00

I love to float and relax in and around the Providence Pool this summer. It's my favorite guilty pleasure. I feel light and unclumsy, which is rare these days, and I love my pretty coral printed suit. All the parents that can't visit the adult pool with me, eye me with envy and warn that this is our last summer of relaxing at the pool. For that reason, I am taking their advice and doing it as much as I can!!!

I also love Strong Mommy Water Aerobics (although the pool has been broken for a couple of weeks argh!~ so we've been doing Strong Mommy on Land) and have only missed the classes during the week we were at the beach. I've met some great girls and it's nice to talk about aches and pains, fears, etc. with them.

Drum roll, please...We're 31 weeks today!

2009-07-20T21:30:00.007-05:00

We're 31 weeks along today and we have an announcement to make. We have decided on a name for our sweet little one. Drum roll, please....Molly Kate Hillis. We've tried this name out for the last few months and just cannot find anything that suits her better. Will calls her Molly when he reads to her or talks to my belly and it brings tears to my eyes.

Last week our baby girl's heart rate was a healthy 143 and my belly was measuring exactly 30 weeks so things are going well. I'm now going to the OB on a bi-weekly basis for the next 5 weeks. We're signed up for a childbirth preparation class in August and a breastfeeding one in early September. According to my research she should have more defined times of sleep and activity and I have noticed this seems to be true. She was pushing either her bottom or head against the front of my stomach today and it was really hard and a little uncomfortable, but pretty cool.

We've ordered all of the accessories to finish off her bedroom so it should be ready before the weekend of my family and friend shower, August 15. (I found out last week they're throwing us a shower at my work as well, on July 30th! We are so lucky to have all of this support.) I was hoping to have it ready so that visiting family could get get a peek.

In other news, we hosted Rebecca's shower this weekend. It's hard to believe she is only 5 weeks from her due date and we only have 9 weeks. The photo above is from her shower.

Whoa, Momma! 29 Weeks

2009-07-10T20:08:00.006-05:00

Today we are 29 weeks and 4 days along. I looked at this photo and thought that it may be time to get a bigger shirt. She is just about too big to fit under the tank I've been using for updates for the last few months. And speaking of big bellies, check out this one! My belly button is barely holding on now.

Yesterday, the sonographer said that our sweet girl is 3 lbs and that's really good. That means she's gone from 1.2 to 3 lbs. in 4 weeks-- crazy! She's also about 15 to 16 inches long from crown to toe. No wonder her kicks are still getting stronger and I'm able to see my stomach jump from her kicks fairly often. I started feeling kicks or jabs up high under my ribs this week too. Also, according to my research, this month all five senses are functional, and the brain and nervous system are going through major developments. We have been reading to her a lot so we hope she's enjoying it!

We finally chose an infant carrier/ car seat and stroller for our little one. It's shown below. It's a Peg Perego in Moka and we love it. We had a hard time choosing because there are so many choices these days and just as many expert and mom opinions to weigh. We'll probably get a Bob Revolution jog stroller later too and the Peg carrier is compatible.

27 Weeks and Growing - Wild Thing!

2009-06-26T16:21:00.008-05:00

Ok, this girl is wild. She is kicking, pushing, and flipping like crazy and we love every minute of it. She has yet to wake me up in the middle of the night so that is easy to say. She gets busy virtually every time I eat and sit still afterward. Her kicks get stronger weekly (and my belly gets noticeably bigger) and sometimes startle me. It truly feels like I am witnessing a miracle. Will and I love her so much it's surprising! I guess we are already getting a taste of parenthood. I may be biased after all, but I think she's got to be the best kicker of all! LOL.

How far along? 27 weeks & 4 days
Weight gain/loss: Of course, weight gain has not been difficult for me!
Maternity clothes? I'm really filling them out these days.
Stretch marks? Not that I can tell.
Sleep: The bathroom breaks continue (3 - 4 times) and my belly sometimes gets in the way when I am turning over, waking me up.
Best moments this week: Just sharing the experience with Will and talking about our love for her. Also, we heard her heartbeat at the OB/GYN this week. It was a loud and strong 150 BPM.
Movement: See above!!!
Food cravings: Still sweet things.
Gender: Girl and I am loving all the clothes and things that come with it.
What I miss: A glass of wine with the girls would be nice.
What I am looking forward to: Our baby shower. How exciting! And meeting her, of course.

What I have discovered: Everyone has an opinion about the size of my belly. Some say I am too big and some say too small, but the doctor says juuuuust right. LOL.
Best deal: A used glider rocker found on Craigslist for $75.
Favorite pastime: Looking on etsy.com for cute custom trinkets/ clothing for the baby and wishing I was crafty AND floating in the pool.
Milestones: Third trimester, Woohoo!

My friend Maggie, whom I've known for years, is 4 days less pregnant than me and she's having a girl too. We shopped together and introduced our baby girls. How fun!

This is me and my friend and neighbor Rebecca. She's 32 weeks pregnant with a surprise!

25 Weeks - Rosemary Beach Baby!

2009-06-11T22:01:00.010-05:00

Baby Girl H. has been on the move recently. We took her on her first beach trip to our favorite place – Rosemary Beach. I know she loved it but I think she slept through most of the trip. I was even worried about one point because I didn’t feel her kick for so long. She must have been really relaxed just like her parents. Everywhere we went we both wondered how things would be when we take her to the beach next year. I saw lots of 8 or 9 month old babies that seemed to be enjoying themselves. I hope she loves the water and the sun like we do.

What else is going on? Check out these updates:
How far along? 25 weeks & 3 days
Total weight gain/loss: It continues…
Maternity clothes? Every day. I love my belly in some of them and love that everyone can tell I'm pregnant now.
Stretch marks? Not yet.
Sleep: The bathroom breaks continue (about 3 times) and my belly is getting in the way, but other than the occasional crazy dream, I’m sleeping fine.
Best moments this week: Just experiencing the beach and knowing that the next time we’re there, we’ll have our sweet girl with us.
Movement: She moves all the time, especially after I eat and when I’m sitting still for a while.
Food cravings: Sweet treats!
Gender: Girl! We confirmed this again at ultrasounds performed at 23 and 25 weeks. What I miss: Being able to walk/ work out for a long time without getting leg cramps or overheated.
What I am looking forward to: Hmm...just meeting her I think.
Other changes: My abs have separated. It’s called diastasis. It’s so weird to see that muscle pop up when I contract my stomach muscles. Also, my belly button is almost gone!

A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words- 23 Week Update

2009-05-26T16:29:00.012-05:00

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but how about a few cartoons? These illustrations not only made me laugh, but they also capture what's been going on with our little family in the last few weeks.

As you can see baby girl H. is growing and growing. It's not always easy to watch everything --not just your belly--grow!

As she's grown bigger, heavier, and stronger, I'm feeling more and more pressure on my bladder and other internal parts!

Last week I started feeling a lot of movement and Will can feel it too. She's especially busy after a big meal. We're enjoying her so much!

Our Baby Girl is 21 Weeks and Growing!

2009-05-14T20:28:00.016-05:00

Well, the whole family has been very busy in the last few weeks. Baby Girl Hillis is growing like a weed, as is evident by the fact that my belly has finally popped. There's no hiding it now, folks.
Will and I have been visting with family, having California Closets installed, celebrating Mother's Day and my 32nd birthday, painting the baby's room and putting together the crib, and shopping for strollers and other necessities. Meanwhile, the Village Garden Party is this Saturday and I'm still enjoying Strong Mommy prenatal water aerobics.

Here's a little more about what's on going on:
How far along? 21 weeks & 3 days
Total weight gain/loss: Yes! Enough said.
Maternity clothes? Almost exclusively wearing maternity clothes now, with the exception of work out pants.
Stretch marks? Thankfully, no. I started using Palmer's lotion even though I believe stretch marks are genetic . Gave in to peer pressure!
Sleep: I'm up twice a night for bathroom breaks and my belly is starting to get in the way of laying on my stomach.
Best moments this week: Will and I have been reading to her nightly. Also, on Friday, I also found out I'm not a carrier of Cystic Fibrosis. That's one less thing to worry about.
Movement: I'm not sure about the various bubbles I feel daily, but a few weeks ago she kicked 3 times on the left side when I was laying on my stomach.
Food cravings: I'm realizing that I generally crave sweets and enjoy cereal as a nice treat a couple times a week.
Gender: Still all girl!
What I miss: A dependable energy level.
What I am looking forward to: The next ultrasound on May 28.
Weekly Wisdom: Take time for yourself. If you're tired rest. If you need to put your feet up, do it. Otherwise, you'll probably pay the price for not listening to what your body and the baby needs.
Milestones: This week my belly popped and last week we put the baby's room together. It's definitely not finished though!

Celebrating my birthday with best 3 year old girl friend, Shelby. Photog. credit: Mandi Woodhead.

Birthday Tiramisu at Sambucca. Atmosphere and food were delicious!

Generous gifts from the Hillis family baby celebration.

Pics of the baby's room so far.

And a close-up of the bedding from Pottery Barn Kids.

Think pink! It's a girl!

2009-05-02T09:04:00.007-05:00

On Thursday morning about 8:30 we found out we're having a baby girl! Dr. Halcomb said she is growing beautifully. Her heart rate was 147 BPM, which is good and strong. We saw all her pieces and parts in the ultrasound, including the girl ones, and when asked how certain she was that Baby H was a girl, she said "completely" but we checked again just to make sure. She's about 10 or 11 inches long, crown to toe, and weighs 11 ounces.

The sonographer and doctor said I should start feeling movement soon as she was really moving around in there, stretching her legs and even covering her face when we attempted to take 3D pics. She's camera shy!

We're discussing names now. How fun! It's so nice to know what we're having. It really helps me connect to her and my motherly protectiveness has probably doubled in the last 2 days!

Is it a boy or girl?

2009-04-27T16:45:00.005-05:00

Status update: We're 19 weeks today and baby is the size of a mango. That's 6.0 inches, from crown to rump, and 8.5 oz. Vernix Caseosa, a greasy white substance made of lanugo, now coats baby's skin, shielding it from the amniotic fluid.

In other news, I can’t stop thinking about the upcoming big ultrasound this Thursday, April 30. Our friends seem to be as excited as we are too. So, I started wondering what the old wives’ tales and internet resources would tell us about the sex of the baby. Really, it’s just entertaining. Check this out:

Tvoybaby.com: Girl
Thebump.com Chinese gender chart: Girl
Laboroflove.com: Boy
Sexratio.com: Girl
Babyman.com: Boy
Heart rate: Girl (the heart rate has been 162 and 153 at our appointments)
Ring test: Side to side says Girl!
Drano: Didn’t try it because I don’t have any Drano. ;>
Mother’s intuition: I still think it’s a boy.
Father’s intuition: He won’t guess! He said he’ll tell me on Friday- ARGH!
Friends & family predictions: At first they all said girl and recently lots have been saying boy.

Girl Old Wives Tales:
-had morning sickness

-carrying high
-carrying weight in hips & butt
-leg hair is growing the same
-Will isn't gaining weight
-craving sweets & fruits
-heartbeat
-prefer sleeping on my right side
-acne

Boy Old Wives Tales:
-headaches
-no real mood swings
-my hair is looking good :)
-left breast is larger than right, LOL

Well, I guess we’ll see in a few days - I hope!

Baby H Updates - 17 Weeks and Counting

2009-04-16T12:23:00.005-05:00

Baby H is the size of an onion this week. That’s about 5.1 in and 5.9 oz. The baby's skeleton is hardening, changing from rubbery cartilage to bone, and fat is finally accumulating around it. The umbilical cord is is getting thicker and stronger, and those little fingers and toes are now topped by one-of-a-kind prints.
How far along? 17 weeks & 3 days

Total weight gain/loss: Don't ask. A little too much since I am loving food these days.

Maternity clothes? Definitely yes for pants, except for sweat pants and pajama pants at home. Some of my tops are too small or too short so I'm transitioning into maternity tops as well.

Stretch marks? Nope.

Sleep: No problems yet other than needing to get up to pee twice nightly.
Best moment this week: Watching Will talk to my belly.

Movement: May have felt a flutter/ bubble last Friday but I'm not sure.

Food cravings: I don't anything crave specifically; I want almost everything and the more variety the better.

Gender: I think it’s a boy.

What I miss: Feeling thin, unlimited coffee, and feta cheese.

What I am looking forward to: The big ultrasound at 19 weeks & 2 days.
Weekly Wisdom: Don't share names you're "thinking of" because people take that as an invitation to share their opinions.

Milestones: Strangers noticing my belly :)

Providence Easter Egg Hunt and Other Preggo Fun

2009-04-13T21:44:00.003-05:00

Last week we held the Providence Easter Egg Hunt. This was my first event to work pregnant and at almost 16 weeks I was starting to drag a little. It was great fun, as usual, and the kids seemed to really enjoy it. Next year we'll have our own little one to "hunt" with. Yes, I know; he or she will pick up one egg, try to eat it, and that will be the end of the search, but won't it make for a good photo opportunity? The photo above is me and my friend and neighbor, Rebecca-- a fellow preggo who's 4 weeks further along.

Since my last post, we received our Triple Screen results and it was negative. This is a blood test performed on the mother between the 15th and 2oth week and measures high and low levels of AFP and abnormal levels of hCG and estriol. A negative result means I have a low risk of carrying a baby with a genetic disorder, so it's good news.

Also last week, I attended my first Strong Mommy water aerobics class at Baptist Wellness Center and it was fun. I hope I can continue to keep up because I can definitely see how this workout would be hard when I'm further along. This should help me stay healthy and active, and with less discomfort than other hour long workouts.

Box-O-Parts

2009-03-30T20:58:00.004-05:00

We picked out our baby furniture last week and now I’m ready to do one of my first fatherly tasks - putting something together. Hopefully, the instructions will be straight forward. One time my cousin took a model airplane kit and fashioned it into something that resembled a table. Those who know me can imagine my disappointment.

My goal is to take the box of parts and turn it into a crib. I will post a picture when it’s assembled. It might be a couple of days. I don’t want trade speed for safety!

Will

Oh, what a beautiful sound!

2009-03-30T19:26:00.003-05:00

This morning at our 15 week appointment we heard the heartbeat for the first time. During the 11 week ultrasound, we saw the movement of the heart beating and knew the heart rate was 162 but didn't get to hear it. Today, the fetal heart rate was a strong 152 or 153, per the nurse, and it was beautiful!
This week the baby is 4 inches, which is about the size of an orange. The baby's legs now outmeasure the arms, all four limbs have functional joints, and he or she is wiggling like crazy down, but I shouldn't be able to feel movements for a few more weeks. The next appointment will be at 19 1/2 weeks and will include the BIG Ultrasound. How exciting!

14 Weeks Today!

2009-03-23T13:24:00.009-05:00

This week the baby is the size of a lemon. That's about 3.4 inches! He or she is busy with thumb sucking, toe wiggling, and (not so cute but equally amazing) making urine and breathing amniotic fluid as the liver, kidneys and, spleen continue to develop.

In other news, it seems like the 2nd trimester has brought an end to morning sickness and more energy. Yippee!!! I've been feeling great and have been able to walk daily for the last few weeks! I've been busy trying to stay active, picking out baby furniture (yes, already!) and maternity clothing, and eating every hour or two. I'm voraciously hungry all the time now!

13 Weeks Belly Pic

2009-03-23T13:17:00.003-05:00

On March 17, we were 13 weeks. Baby updates: He or she is the size of a peach! The baby is forming teeth and vocal cords. Baby H. is approaching normal proportions, with a head now only one third the size of the body. Intestines are in the process of moving from the umbilical cord to baby's tummy.

Baby's First Present, Consignment Sales, and the Pregnant Posse

2009-03-23T13:09:00.006-05:00

I really wanted to capture baby's first gift and it's a cute one. What else could a baby ask for other than a frame for my first baby photo and a loving note from his or her mom's BFF and family. How cute is this!?

In other news, a few weeks ago I started going to consignment sales with a few pregnant/ mommy friends and couldn't believe all the things you can get for a fraction of the cost . I bought a few things, including baby toys and some unisex clothing and then decided I should stop for a month or two until I know a little more about what I need. The big consignment sales are in the spring and fall so I hope to grab some great deals soon!

I know so many ladies with babies on the way. Here's a pic of Rebecca, Jennifer, and me at Jennifer's shower. Can you guess how many people are in this picture? Seven!

**Update on these mommas and babies (9/4/09): (L to R) Rebecca with baby Riley Anne in belly, Jennifer with babies Kaden Joseph and Christian Michael in belly, and me with baby girl Molly Kate. **

There's really a baby in there!

2009-03-10T16:09:00.013-05:00

One week ago today we saw our baby for the first time. I imagined the little peanut would be a small blob or even a squirming tadpole but this was a real baby, complete with eyes, mouth, ears, and even fingers and toes. He or she was swimming all around, the heartbeat was pumping at a strong 162, and I finally believed there was a real baby in there!

Will and I were so happy; we kept smiling and squeezing each other's hands, each time the sonographer said, "and there's the heart," "and there's the spine," etc. We were measuring at "11 wks and a couple of days" and from head to rump the baby was a little over 2 inches. What a miracle! Here are the ultrasound pics.

Here's what you've missed so far. On Tuesday, January 13, after the Social Committee Appreciation Dinner, I took an OTC pregnancy test and it was faint but positive. I was shocked! I was definitely trying to get pregnant, but I really didn't think it would happen that quickly. The next morning I took another one and presto, there was no doubt; we were pregnant! Here are the pics from test 1 and 2 and one of us celebrating victory and still half asleep.

That Thursday, I had an appointment with my PCP to confirm. The urine test said negative. This was a serious bummer! They did bloodwork and called me back on Friday to say it was positive and I was 4 weeks and 4 days pregnant. Duh! But they did have me worried for a minute.

February 2 was my first appointment with the nurse practitioner Darlene. This was at 7 weeks exactly. They did an extensive medical history, a culture, took lots of blood, and we talked about the pregnancy do's and don'ts. The only thing I was surprised about was not riding in a car more than 5 hours in one day. Who knew! Guess we'll be spending the night in Birmingham on the way to the beach this year.

March 2 was our first appointment where we would meet Dr. Halcomb. I really liked her calm, supportive demeanor and I've heard really good things about her from several friends. Will came to this one with me because we were supposed to hear the heartbeat; we were 11 weeks exactly on this day. The nurse couldn't find the heartbeart and this was a little scary even though Dr. Halcomb tried to assure us it was normal not to find it. They decided to have an ultrasound the next day to confirm everything was going well with Baby H and to confirm how far along I was too. This brings you up to date!