Addison is here!!!

She is here! 3.5 weeks early - healthy and so happy! Could not be more in love. Here is how it all went down...

Early Friday morning (around 4:00am), I woke up with pretty bad abdominal cramps, after a few trips to the bathroom, I decided I would move to the couch to make sure I didn't wake Michael (or Indy:) I found myself awake every 10 minutes or so with these cramps...I began to think that these were those Braxton Hicks contractions I heard about...until they seemed to get a little more intense! Around 6:30, Michael woke up and we decided I would take a shower and see how I feel after. Well - the "cramps" got worse (less than 10 minutes apart) and we decided to call the doctor.

So - off to the doctor we went! Again, about every 5 minutes, the "cramps" would come! We arrive at the doctor and for some reason, they decided to still check my weight and blood pressure - until Michael reminded them that these pains were coming every 5 minutes. I will never forget the doctor's face as she informed me that we were 7 cm dialted (10 cm is push time)! Michael responded - "What happened to 1 and 2?!"

So - off to the hospital! Fortunately, they called ahead and let Labor and Delivery know that I was coming (and the baby too)!! My concern was not only how early I was delivering and her health, but that there was still time to get an epidural! I can still hear my sister and Michael whispering back and forth during my contractions - "I dont think there is time for her to get one!" The nurses worked their magic and before I knew it, the epidural made me a new woman! Soon after (maybe 10 minutes) the doctor said I was 10 cm and we could just let her make her way down! I rested for about 30 minutes and then it was time to push! Michael did an excellent job counting and coaching me through the pushes! After about 30 minutes of pushing - Addison arrived at 2:32pm (after arriving at the hospital at 10:45am)!! She was absolutely perfect and beautiful!

Addison Rose Clements - 6.5 pounds, 19.5 inches

We were so surprised that she decided to come early - we had not decided on a name or had any of our last minute projects done - but I quickly learned that NONE of that mattered (except her name)...she was healthy and we were beyond thrilled.

We gave LOTS of thanks this Thanksgiving; for her arrival, for the love of so many friends and family and just what a blessing she is! We could also not be more thankful for G-Ma's visit this past week; she saved us! We have never had so many groceries in our fridge and our house has never been so clean! :) We were even able to put up our Christmas tree this weekend (Addison slept through the decorating)...

I promise to do my best to keep up with the blogging! I really can't complain - she is such a great baby, but as everyone says, I need to sleep when she sleeps and get my rest (it's hard to not just sit and stare:) Thank you all for the well wishes, phone calls, emails, etc. We are so happy and feel like the luckiest parents in the world!

Let the Nesting Begin...or continue:)

Hello everyone!
The count down is on! T minus 4 weeks until Baby Girl arrives! I just keep thinking..."this time next month...she will be here (hopefully)!" We get more and more excited each day, and somehow our To Do list gets longer and longer!

As many of you know, I can be quite OCD...I prefer to say organized. Even though I think the nesting stage started when I found out I was pregnant, it has really hit me recently! We are redoing our full bath (which was part of the plan for awhile), which looks great! However, I feel it is necessary to clean every closet, rake up every leaf and make sure everything is in it's place for when she arrives! As many wise Moms have told me, you will never be 100% ready:)

I am feeling really good - although I must admit, these past couple weeks have been a little more tiring. I find myself knocked out for the day around 7:00pm with a heating pad on my back. I am still trying to walk or go to the gym often, but most of the time, it feels better to just rest. I head to the doctor again next week, then every week after that. So far, everything is right on schedule! Keep you posted on next week's visit!

With all of the excitement surrounding her arrival, we are also really looking forward to the holidays! As I don't move too far or fast these days, we will be spending Thanksgiving at my sister's house in Marietta. I have already asked her to make extra helpings of each! We love the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and this year will be no exception! We plan to get our tree and decorations up right away, so we can wait for Baby Girl to arrive. Did I mention I already have half of my shopping done AND wrapped? :)

It's also an extra busy time for Michael as he has his first semester finals for Law School the week she is due! Good timing, huh? But, we have asked Baby Girl several times to hang tight as long as she can so Dad is not rushing through his last final to get to the hospital:) He has done such a great job this semester with managing his studying and his prego wife -  I am so proud and can't wait for him to be able to relax at Christmas with his new baby girl.

Here is the latest belly pic for you! I am currently 36 weeks and 3 days! Keep you posted on any new developments!! Enjoy!!

36.5 Weeks

5 Weeks to go!!!

Hey everyone!

We are getting close, very close! Michael and I can't believe we have just about one month to go before Baby Girl arrives! The nursery is basically ready to go, just need a few little items to make it complete! We have been so lucky that so many friends and family love her so much already and have spoiled her rotten with books, clothes, and more clothes:)

Michael and I (mostly Michael) have been finishing up some projects around the house. Our latest is the full bath; last week we had our 1950's bathroom tile painted and bathtub refinished! It looks like a new bathroom! Michael then installed a new fan, light, accessories and vanity! Almost done (finished pics will come later)...

If you know me well, you know that I am a planner - so with Thanksgiving and Christmas around the corner I am trying my best to get organized for the next few weeks ahead! Some presents are already bought and I have already been assigned my Thanksgiving dish. It just makes it difficult when I am trying to get ready to be "out of the office" for 3 months as well and carrying around this belly - makes Mama tired!

At this point, I am going to the doctor every two weeks. On Friday, the doctor said everything looked great - heartbeat, measurement, blood pressure, and weight! So - 12/12 is still the date! I can't believe I am saying this - but I hope she comes 12/10 or later (Michael's last final is 12/9). What a way to celebrate! Fingers crossed!

When we aren't working, studying, working around the house or getting ready for BGC, we have been trying to enjoy some last minute "Susan and Michael" time. We have been hanging with friends, going out to dinners, and of course spending quality time with Miss Indy...

Here is a belly pic from about 2 weeks ago (33.5 weeks). I promise to do another one soon:)
Keep you posted!!! :)

About 33.5 Weeks!

Surprise cake from our great friends during our Halloween Party!

With Megan and Tiny