introducing ...

Wow ... I've been a bit MIA.

But, how fitting that my 300th post is an announcement of the newest member of my family?

I went into labor on Friday, May 6 (which also happens to be my oldest brother's birthday -- don't worry, he gave me his blessing to have the baby on his birthday) and had baby BOY, Jack Montgomery at 3:35. He weighed in at 8 lbs. 10 oz (much bigger than the doctor's 7.5lb prediction) and was 20" long!

I called my parents that morning around 6 am to tell them my water had broken. They got in the car not shortly after and made it to Oklahoma just in time to come into my room and meet their newest grandchild! I was ecstatic they made it in time!

Jack and I were released from the hospital on Sunday and we have been in the throws of figuring each other out the last couple of days. He's really a great baby, and although today was frustrating (and there are many more frustrating days ahead), I'm in love and life before Jack is becoming a distant memory.

My dad had to head back home on Sunday, but my mom has been with us since we got home and she's offered to stay for 2 weeks! So far she's been a HUGE help and I'm sure when she's out the door, J and I will be very sad.

I've been wanting to sit down and share my news for a few days but haven't found a spare moment until now. My hope is to blog as much as possible about Jack and keep a scrapbook of what he's doing. Keep your fingers crossed I actually get that done!

I have a ton of pics to go through, so you can expect a post with just pics of being in the hospital and the days since we've gotten home. And, I promise them soon!

the nursery.

I finally took pictures of the nursery this morning. I really wish the room was bigger so you could see the whole thing in one picture. Unfortunately, baby has a tiny room and I have to take pics of each little area separately.

Just keep in mind we won't have much on the walls until we know if baby M is a he or a she.

I really love the bedding!

This chair is super comfortable and was the perfect compromise between what J and I wanted in a rocker/recliner for the nursery. Oh, and do you see the Yankees Jeter bobblehead on top of the bookshelf? Yeah, that has J written all over it!

I'm thinking about taking that Happy Birthday hat with the candles to the hospital for baby's first picture! How cute would it be to have the baby in there, wearing it or something?? 

So, that's the gist of the nursery. It's really cute and I kind of think that the individual pics don't really do it justice. 

And, just as an update for any family that might be reading and doesn't already know, if baby M doesn't come on its own, we have an induction date of May 11. So, there's an end in sight!! 

Have a fabulous Thursday!

39 week pic.

Here I am, in all my 39-week glory ...

My comfort level continues to decrease with each passing day and I'm beginning to think baby M likes it so much in there that he/she never wants to come out! 

Please pray for patience ... I need it!!

belly business -- 39 weeks

How far along: 39 weeks 

Size of the baby: baby M is now as big as a watermelon (about 7 lbs. and 19-22 in.) (Thank goodness he/she isn't getting any bigger because I pretty much feel stretched to the limit!)

Total weight gain/loss:  24 pounds

Maternity clothes: Lately, I find myself back to online shopping, looking for dresses that I can (hopefully) wear in the summer that will work for breastfeeding. Have I mentioned I'm sick of maternity clothes??

Cravings: margaritas!

Symptoms: all of the really fun symptoms. I've definitely been having more and more Braxton Hicks, and each time, I wonder if they're going to last longer and start coming regularly ... 

Movement: Movement has slowed a little due to lack of space, but the baby finds ways to move and flip around.

Gender predictions: I feel a little sad that I don't have an inkling what we're having. Some days I think it's a girl for sure because so many of our friends are having girls and then others I think it's a boy. No clue!

This week's highlights are that the nursery is "finished." I use quotes because until we know if we have a little boy or girl, the room won't be completely done. I plan on taking pics sometime this week and posting them for you guys.

Also, I went to the doctor on Thursday. Unfortunately, I hadn't made any more progress. He still thinks I'll go into labor and not have to be induced, but we did make a plan if needed. So, I think, by Wednesday May 11, whether the baby has come on its own or not, we'll have a baby! 

I know I posted this earlier this week, but I'm so excited and anxious at the same time! I wake up most mornings wondering if this is the last morning we won't be dealing with a newborn and wondering what our mornings will be like soon. 

Remember those couple of lunch dates when I picked my friend's brain on all things baby? She had her second girl a month ago and we finally got to meet her on Friday! She's so adorable and so tiny. And, meeting and holding her made both J and me so excited to meet our little miracle! Soon enough, I guess!

No picture tonight -- I'll have one tomorrow, I promise! 

what i'm eyeing.

I've mentioned a couple of times how I'm more than ready to be able to wear non-maternity clothes. I'm ready to have more than 10 things that regularly fit me. And, I'm ready to do some shopping!

In honor of baby M making his/her debut very soon (not today, though) and signaling the end of maternity me, I'm showing you guys a few things I have my eye on.

Bridget Romper by Fossil, found here.

Sideways cross necklace by Dogeared found here.

I've wanted a cross necklace like this ever since Taylor wore it on The Rachel Zoe Project. Hers is RoseArk.

Fabulous wedges by Butter, found here.

"Good Morning America' dress found here.

Swag Shoulder romper, found here.

Sequin placket blouse, found here

ready or not ...

First of all, no I have not had the baby yet.

So, I'm obviously getting very close (11 days til the due date) to meeting our baby (and finally finding out if there's been a boy or girl cooking away), which means that all the excitement has really started to build. But, along with the excitement comes major anxiety.

I'm pretty sure everyone feels this with the impending birth of their first child, but I'm getting really nervous. The nursery is pretty much finished and we have "everything" ready (adults really love to call you on this one...), but are we really ready to take on a new little life? Are we ready to be fully responsible for someone else's well-being?

I guess, ready or not, baby M is coming.

Blue Eyed Bride beat me to this exact same post this morning and I couldn't help but nod my head at everything she was saying (except for the second child stuff...I'm not there yet.).

It's so funny, a couple of months ago a facebook friend was close to the end of her pregnancy. She went in to see her doctor and he said since her blood pressure was up she could have the baby the next day. Her post said that instead, she chickened out and set the date for the next week.

I think about her post all.the.time. I think if my doctor were to tell me tomorrow that I could have the baby by the end of the week, I might chicken out, too.

But, the thing is, whether I have the baby this weekend or on the 8th or a couple days after my due date, this baby is coming no matter what. And, no matter what, J and I are going to do the very best that we can do.

So, when I'm asked I usually say we're pretty ready. That J and I are both really excited and anxious and nervous, but most of all, we're ready for the baby to get here so we can start to figure everything out!

belly business -- 38 weeks

How far along: 38 weeks 

Size of the baby: baby M is now as big as a watermelon (about 7 lbs. and 19-22 in.) 

Total weight gain/loss:  21 pounds

Maternity clothes: Lately, I find myself back to online shopping, looking for dresses that I can (hopefully) wear in the summer that will work for breastfeeding. Have I mentioned I'm sick of maternity clothes??

Cravings: margaritas!

Symptoms: swelling, discomfort while sleeping, back aches, acid reflux and nesting -- I've obviously hit the really fun part of pregnancy...  

Movement: Movement has slowed a little due to lack of space, but the baby finds ways to move and flip around.

Gender predictions: I feel a little sad that I don't have an inkling what we're having. Some days I think it's a girl for sure because so many of our friends are having girls and then others I think it's a boy. No clue!

So, I'm officially 13 days away from my due date, which is so surreal. I'm excited and anxious for the baby to get here. But, I'm also so nervous about everything that comes after: figuring out what the baby needs/wants, making sure we have everything we need and, generally, life after baby. 

I'd say if the baby decided today was the day, we'd be ready. I'm sure there are some things we still need, but the big things are in place and ready. 

As far as I'm concerned, I'd rather the baby come earlier rather than later. I'm getting to the point that sleep isn't as plentiful as it used to be and getting around isn't as easy. But, if I was taking my work situation into consideration, it would be better if the baby were a couple days late. What does this all mean, then? NOTHING! I don't know when the baby is coming and I have pretty much no control over it! Ha...

The nursery is pretty much ready. Once I have the curtains hung and a couple of shelves on the wall, I'll post pics of it!

Until then, here's my weekly picture!