Well Hello There Baby........

GIRL!!!!!

Meet Maisie Dorothea

Maisie was born peacefully at home on Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 7:13pm. She was 8lbs 4ozs and 21 inches long with APGAR scores of 9/9. Mama is doing exceptionally well and so is Maisie, we are so happy to have her here....FINALLY!!!

The meaning of her name is this, like her mama's name Meghan, Maisie, is a derivitive of Margaret which means pearl, child of light. Not only do we love the idea of having Maisie and mama sharing variants of the same name, but pearls have also been thought to promote sincerity, truth and loyalty, all gifts we hope fill her life. Our prayer for this little girl is that she grows to love the Lord is able to go out into the world and be a light to those in need. Ephesians 5:8 (ESV) for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. Her middle name Dorothea, is after Meghan's grandmother Dorothea Loretta, which means divine gift or gift of God. That is just what this sweet baby girl is, a gift from God.

Welcome to the world baby girl, we are so glad you have come!

Bath Time & Pumpkins

Thoroughly enjoying bath time.

Jonah got to paint his pumpkin and the Baby's pumpkin while Sophie and Daddy carved her pumpkin and one of the bigger ones.

Seeing as I seem to always be pregnant around Halloween time (although this time I didn't think I would make it this close to Halloween) we started when I was pregnant with Sophie painting my belly to look like a pumpkin, and we did it with Jonah which you can see HERE.

Jonah made the nose, Sophie did the mouth and the mustache, on top of the nose!

Jonah was clearly VERY upset that we were all done painting my belly.

STILL Waiting......

We are still anxiously, eagerly, and very impatiently awaiting the arrival of Baby #3! Instead of hanging around our neck of the woods today wondering when this baby would arrive, we decided to load up and head down to Papa & Gigi Keilty's for the day, take a bumpy ride in their golf cart and brisk walks to help encourage Baby along.....it didn't work, but we had fun!

Jonah is convinced he can drive the golf cart.

My little girl looking so grown up.

Gigi having a little fun herself.

My incredibly handsome husband.

Hopefully our last family photo with #3 on the inside!

REALLY?!?!?!

Today is 40 weeks, 40 weeks, people, that I have been pregnant. This is a new record for me, considering the first two pregnancies were only 38 weeks. So, while I know that I am completely in the normal range, especially since due dates are really only an estimate and should not be relied heavily on, I still feel like I am "overdue" for my typical length pregnancy. I guess that is why there is the saying, "every pregnancy is different". I seriously set myself up for failure in this department, I really thought, surely this pregnancy would be just like the others as far as the length of the pregnancy, if not sooner seeing as my body has already done this a couple times. Nope not the case, because here I am typing away on the computer at 4:30am, 40 weeks pregnant (I've been up since 2:31am) due to a headache, and just all around uncomfortablness (not sure that is a word, but I'm going with it).

Neal, along with my midwife, both keep reminding me that this is not about me or my timing, that it is about the baby entering the world the when it is ready and it truly is all God's timing. So, I will wait, and attempt to be patient in doing so. I am so anxious and excited to meet this baby and see just WHO is in there!

39 Weeks

Pumpkin Patch 10/2/11

35 Weeks

Today was my 35 week (almost, technically it is really 34wks 6days, but who's counting) appointment with my oh so fabulous midwife. The appointment went well for the most part. The positive first...I am now measuring right on at 35cm, whereas the past two visits I was measuring 2cm smaller than I "should" be. So that is good, I was glad to hear that since I really don't want to cook this baby any longer than I have to and a smaller baby might mean it would want to stay in there longer......not part of my plan. I have only gained 3lbs since my last visit, guess that means I can keep on keeping on with my level of ice cream intake! ;) And no I am not willing to share exactly how much weight I have gained, let's just say it is enough! I am 2cm dilated, there are a few other positive details to go along with that, but might fall into the TMI category so we will just leave it at that.

Now for the not so positive. Apparently I have a problem with iron absorption. My midwife checked my iron levels today and to quote her "your iron levels stink" I think she was just as disappointed as I was. It was really disheartening to hear since I (along with Neal aka the "Iron Police") have been so diligent about taking all my supplements to boost my iron intake along with cooking everything possible in our cast iron skillet. My iron levels dropped this appointment and typically at this point in a pregnancy is when the iron levels should start to increase again, not the case for me. This happened with Jonah which explains my inability to bounce back very quickly, I felt depleted for weeks after his birth and I do not want a repeat this time, so I think that is why this time I am so determined to bring my levels back up. So we will continue to supplement with any and every herb that we can and do it with natural supplements, none of that nasty artificially man made stuff that your body has no idea how to process not to mention constipates the heck out of anyone who looks at it!

My thyroid........ahhhhh my lovely little friend who just likes to mix it up and give me grief. I received a letter from my Endocrinologist the other day stating that my levels remain elevated at this point, but he is still not pursuing any course of treatment, since the baby's thyroid is functioning all on it's own and is in no danger. The levels that are elevated (TSH) he is really not concerned about, my Free T4 levels are fine which are what he would be alarmed and seek treatment for if they had been abnormal. I am very aware that my "not so positive" issues could be a lot worse and there are many women who have a lot greater issues than I do, I am just thankful that my issues are what they are...........this too shall pass.

Suffice it to say that with super low iron levels, a thyroid in overdrive, two kids running around and a mini acrobat growing inside of me..............I AM EXHAUSTED!

29 Weeks