38 week appointment update!

We had an AWESOME doctor's appointment this morning! I am starting to dilate. AND....the baby is dropping! My fundal measured 33cm, down 2cm from last week...which is the indicator that he is dropping. I learned that fact today!!! The baby's HR was 150.

AND THEN....I had a 'growth scan'....which is basically a sonogram where they check all of his measurements. :) I was not scheduled to have another sonogram unless there was a need. I didn't want a 'need'...so I had given up on the idea that I would see "baby McReynolds" in the womb before he made his appearance into the world.

I was SO excited. Fortunately, I had brought our "Baby Movie" DVD with me....so the tech popped that in and recorded the session. Baby McReynolds' head is measuring 37 wks, while his femur and stomach are measuring 38 wks and 2 days (which is exactly what I am today!). This all equates to a weight of approximately 7lbs 8oz!!!!!!! She said that could be +/- 1lb! When I exclaimed that it could then mean that he was 8.5lbs, the tech assured me that he was not that big. :)

So...we're making progress...but the chances are LOW that we'll have a baby this week!

Maternity Shots by Kristin Greenlee!!

When we went to Texas in May, we spent Saturday morning with a wonderful friend, and Dallas-Fort Worth professional photographer, Kristin Greenlee. Kristin took maternity photos for us and it was great fun! Here are some of our favorite shots.













Check out more of Kristin's work at www.kristingreenlee.com and read her blog at http://kristingreenleephotography.blogspot.com/

Great check-up...all things considered

Last night was rough. Melissa woke up with major stomach cramps at 11pm. Not knowing what was happening (i.e. the cramps elevated too quickly to be labor), Clint ensured that Melissa did not have a fever and tried to encourage some water consumption. For the next four hours, Melissa spent a lot of time in the bathroom, and finally around 3am it seemed to subside. With no fever, we assume Melissa had food poisoning. But it could have been a small flu bug, since there is some of that going around.

We had our standing doctor's appointment at 845am, so we we went there for a check-up. As usual, and regardless of the previous night's events, Melissa's vitals were great, as were the baby's. The baby's HR was 150. Still pretty high...but nothing to be alarmed by. The baby is definitely sitting comfortably with his head down. At times, we have commented that Melissa's belly looks lopsided and unsymmetrical, and after mentioning that to Jacquie, she confirmed that the baby is mostly on Melissa's right side. But that's ok....just as long as he is comfortable! :)

Melissa caught up on her sleep today and hopes to return to work tomorrow.

Swiss Chard?!?!?

What's with all the vegetable references when it comes to Babycenter.com describing the size of our baby!?!??
This week, babycenter.com compares our unborn baby to a Swiss Chard!!! We are 37 weeks pregnant...and we are therefore considered FULL TERM! The lungs should be fully mature and ready to adjust to life outside the womb. It is estimated that Baby McReynolds weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures 19 inches....head to heel....like a stalk of Swiss Chard. :)

All else is well. Momma and baby are doing great. And Daddy is enjoying his first and only "Father-to-be" Day!!! Baby McReynolds surprised him with a Texas A&M onesie, a Texas A&M bib, a Texas A&M pacifier holder and a Texas A&M sippee cup/snack holder. So....the little man is ready for Texas A&M Football season!!!!

Our travel system!

Our travel system arrived today!!! We ordered the Chicco Cortina Key Fit 30 (color scheme: Romantic...which is black and grey...odd, we know). It was ordered in April....and we took a big risk, as it was to be on backorder until the end of June. But....we were pleasantly surprised when it arrived early today!! It is all unpacked and has been tested out. Tomorrow we will
install the bases in the cars and then we will be ready to bring the baby home from the hospital!!

Baby Shower in Texas!!!!

The weekend of May 29th-31st, we went to Texas for a visit with Clint's family and to be the guest of honor at a Baby Shower in Texas!!!We enjoyed our visit with Nonnie and Pop on Friday, which included great meals, computer/TV tech support and a new game called Sequence. We shared a wonderful meal with Aunt-to-be Heather, Uncle-to-be Victor and all the kiddos on Friday night. Our niece and nephews have so much energy!!! It was fun to play with them and get caught up on their favorite things!

On Saturday, our friend Kristin Greenlee did maternity shots for us. We had a great time with her and LOVE the product!!! We hope to be able to provide a link to the photos soon. That afternoon, Melissa went to her baby shower, while Clint visited with best friend Michael Gallian.

The baby shower was absolutely fabulous. It was great to visit with friends at such a wonderfully planned and thoughtful baby shower!! The very talented Gloria Mapston created a masterpiece of a cake...a 3D standing green elephant complete with a fondant baby sporting a Texas A&M hat!! Glo, Wendy Timson and Mandy Lucke (the hostess) decorated the house in greens, browns and elephants to go with our nursery theme! The food and drinks were fantastic too! And everyone was so generous with their gifts for Baby McReynolds (and Mom-to-be!). What a wonderful afternoon!!!

The cake!

The Peppers!

The Punch!

Wendy and Melissa!

Mandy and Melissa!

Generous gifts!!!

36 week check-up!!

I (Melissa) had a great 36 week check-up today! All my vitals were good and Baby McReynolds’ HR was 144. When his heart rate was being recorded, he kicked which made all in the room laugh. Jacquie Tessen (our doctor) confirmed that the baby is turned and is getting ready to descend into position. :)

My Fundal length measured 34cm…so I am about 2 cm behind in size. The doctor is not concerned about this, as it probably just means he is sitting back (which we have always expected) and/or he has not hit his major growth spurt yet.

Other than that....Baby McReynolds has been VERY active lately!!! He has had the hiccups at least three times a day for the last week or so and his movements have been strong and often constant for 30 minutes to an hour. He was REALLY active last night...from 4:30pm until we went to bed at 10pm. I mentioned this at the doctor's office today and Jacquie said that for some reason babies can sense pressure changes in the atmosphere...sure enough there was a LARGE storm that rolled through here last night. Very interesting!

Jacquie also officially told me today that I cannot deliver between June 24th and July 5th. Reason being - she will be out of town. We have no indications that he will come early...so I think we're safe. Worse case, the on-call doctor will step in (obviously), but it would be nice to have our friend/dr deliver us!

We are getting very excited to meet Baby McReynolds. Clint and I went on a mini "babymoon" this past weekend to Pensacola beach (pictures to come). It was WONDERFUL! We rested and relaxed with no schedule or timeline the whole weekend. We enjoyed great food, beautiful white sand, cool ocean water and most of all...each other's company. We did comment a few times that this was the last vacation with "just the two of us". Even if we can break away and leave Baby McR with Gram/Grandpa Lloyd (?? What is your "Grandpa" name, Dad ??) or Nonnie/Pop McReynolds...it will not be the same! But...we're ready and super excited to be parents...and that's the important thing.

The hiccups!!!

I (Melissa) went to visit a co-worker and friend, Christy, in the hospital yesterday. She just had her baby boy, Levi, on Tuesday. He was precious! As I was holding him, he had the hiccups. Christy told me he had had them while she was pregnant with him and that it was a really neat feeling. She described them as "methodic kicks". It then dawned on me that I too have felt those "methodic kicks", but didn't come to the realization that they were hiccups!

Tonight, after Clint and I finished eating dinner, I sat back in my chair and Baby McReynolds got the hiccups. Clint placed his hand on my belly and felt them too. Such a neat feeling! I am beginning to wonder if I will miss feeling him moving, kicking and poking me on the inside after he is born.... :)

Week 34 Check up

Melissa had her Week 34 Check-up today and as usual...all is well! Just the way we like the check ups! The baby's HR was 148, higher than the previous visit...but Melissa did note that Baby McReynolds was moving around while the doctor and her talked about the mild pains he has started to give Melissa.

The doctor confirmed that the swelling in Melissa's feet was nothing to be worried about as it is normal and can somewhat be controlled by not eating too much foods containing salt and drinking as much water as possible. The mild back pains are in fact just spasms and the back's way of saying "I'm getting tired of carrying this bowling ball around". :)

Next appointment...June 16th and then we go every week after that until Melissa delivers!!!

37 days and counting (until the due date!). CRAZY!!! Not long now!!!

Work Baby Shower

Last Thursday, several VERY sweet ladies at work threw a baby shower for us! It was wonderful! Everyone is so generous and we are so grateful. Many many workmates chipped in and got us the baby swing and the Baby BJORN. We love them both and they will be well used for months to come!
The cake was beautiful too...complete with an elephant and circles made of fondant to match the nursery! Here are some pictures!







Thank you HONEYWELL!!!!