It's a Boy!!!

I haven't updated this in a while, and well that is because I have been a tad busy with my baby BOY!!!  Thatcher was born on May 26, 2011 at 2:10 pm.  He weighed 7 lbs 9 oz and was 20 inches long, and is the cutest baby I have ever seen!  I am so in love.... see for yourself, here he is the day he was born.

I can't believe he is almost a month old.  I really meant to update sooner, but we had a little bump in the road when he hit two weeks old,(more about that later) and I am just now getting back into a "little" routine.  I say little because it is very hard to have a routine with a newborn.

So first things first, The Birth:

We checked into the hospital at a little before 5:00 am on Thursday, May 26.  We got to our room and I got hooked up to some IVs and started answering a ton of questions while Kevin went back to the house because I forgot my pillows.  So glad he went back for them, it made me so much more comfortable during the labor and delivery.

At around 5:15 the nurse started the Pitocin, and we were on our way.

 I labored until they broke my water at 7:20 with no change since what I was when I came in, 2 cm and 70% effaced.  The contractions really started to pick up at this point and I asked for pain meds at 8:15, but the baby was still high and I had not dilated anymore so they wanted to wait on the epi, so I received Stadol (sp?) and Phengren and I immediately felt some relief, but not for long.
 After sleeping for an hour or so I woke up to some intense pain.  The nurse called and the doctor let me get my epi, boy was that AWESOME!  I fell asleep for a bit and Kevin went to grab a cup of coffee and I awoke to 5-6 nurses around me putting oxygen on me and having me turn over, because baby's heart rate was seriously low.  They put an internal monitor in and they still couldn't get a good read.  I am actually glad I was a little out of it because I didn't realize how worried everyone was.  I think they may have been thinking of a c-section at this point, and then his heart rate picked back up.  They said it was because I went from 2cm to 5cm and 100% effaced in a very short period and he just didn't handle it well.  I am pretty sure they turned the pitocin down at this point, but as I said I was a little out of it and Kevin was getting coffee..poor guy felt so bad when he got back...He promised never to go get coffee again! 
Pretty much smooth sailing from there, by noon I was 9 cm!  and 20 minutes later I was complete.  I started pushing at 12:40 and at 2:10 baby Thatcher James Payne arrived.  Hearing "its a boy" was an amazing moment!  He was put on my chest immediately and didn't leave our room until late last night for his first bath. 

Here we are, happy family!

Nursery is complete!

Our little one's nursery is finally complete, and I am so pleased with the turn out.  We will add some more items once Baby makes his or her arrival, so that we can have a few gender specific items.
I have to give a huge thanks to everyone who helped it come together.  My mom, who purchased the changing table, and had it painted and complete right on time, and also gave me the idea for the nursery rhyme prints!  My sis, Melody, who hung up the baby clothes, and helped me decide where to put everything.  My sis, Kelsey, who gave me the adorable Geaux Tigers picture (especially since she roots for the VOLS).  Mostly though, Kevin, who has been sooooooo patient when I wanted to move things, while hanging pictures, and with all my obsessing making sure it is perfect!

Here are some pictures, hope you enjoy!

View from the door:

Changing table is an old side board found at an estate sale and painted:

Geaux Tigers!!  My old stuffed bunny rabbit, and baby's coming home outfit.

Bookshelf made from old doors.  I found it at a sale when a local store closed, they used it for display.

Artwork made from pages of a 1950s nursery rhyme book.  Cost $1 at a garage sale, just had them framed in ready made frames from Michael's.

Close up of crib, Bratt Decor Park Avenue crib, bedding is custom done by Ve at Louise's Fashions.  I fell in love with the Blue fabric and found the yellow to add some more color.

Glider and picture frame from Medina, pillow and table skirt also by Ve.  Two giraffe prints from mom, table from an estate sale, and lamp from Target.

Little duck toy was mine when I was little!

Closets by Closets in order, this was just a big empty space.  I love that everything will have a place.

Meet Dixie the Giraffe, Kevin insisted we get a big giraffe, this one is Melissa & Doug, found on Amazon.com

And finally a little peak at my growing cloth diaper stash!

34 weeks and a trip to NOLA

We just got back from a long weekend in New Orleans, and it was wonderful!  We arrived on Friday, and after resting a while from the drive, which was not too bad, but not fun this pregnant, we met up with friends for dinner.  We went to August , one of John Besh's restaurants, and it was amazing.  The food was so yummy!  After the long day I went to bed exhausted, and Kevin met up with friends for a while in the Quarter.
Saturday Kevin and I had some room service, and then we headed out to Magazine Street for some serious baby shopping.  We hit up Zuka Baby for some cloth diapers.  It was great to finally be able to shop for these in a store rather than online.  We found some great ones to complete our stash, and found a really cute wet bag.  The girls in the store were super nice and helpful, if you are ever down there, definitely pop in!
After that we went to Baby Bump Maternity  and bought a few more maternity clothes.  I swore I would not purchase any more, but I really underestimated how big I would get.  I finally bought some shorts, I am so glad I did because it is getting HOT here!  I bought 2 more casual dresses and one more dressy dress.  Between friends' baby showers, another party for us, and Easter I will get use out of these for sure, plus two of them will be great for after baby.  The service here was wonderful as well, and everything there was super cute.
We then stopped for lunch, and then did a little window shopping before heading back to Hotel Monteleone for some rest before the main event of our trip... Anna and Scott's wedding.  What a fun wedding!!  Outside in a pretty courtyard with candles all around.  Anna was beautiful,  and it was such a happy occasion.   They had a great band, and I wish I could have stayed till the very end, but I needed to get back and put my feet up!  My feet looked like sausages stuffed into super tiny heels. 
Sunday I woke up feeling refreshed, and we met the Picous and the Mileys across the street at Mr. B's for a wonderful brunch.  I was so excited they were able to drive over and see us.  Its kind of sad, and crazy that this was the last time we will all be able to do this so easily as next time we all see each other there will be 3 more little ones!
After brunch we walked over to Jackson Square to watch Ken finish the Half Ironman.  We spent the rest of the day at Pat O's and then hanging around Ken and Karen's condo before heading to Port of Call for the best cheeseburger ever!
We spent this morning eating beignets and strolling down Royal where we picked up some art work for the house.  We stopped in Baton Rouge for lunch at Sammy's and then finally headed home. 
I am so glad we made this trip, this was the last time we will really be able to just up and go somewhere for a long time! 
Some pics from the trip:

Leigh, Me & Lauren

Kevin, Joseph & Sutton

Me at 34 weeks in front of St. Louis Cathedral

Baby Shower

Last weekend was my baby shower, and it was wonderful!!  I had such a wonderful time, and my hostesses went above and beyond!  It was beautiful day, and I had so much fun visiting with everyone, and we received some great gifts for Baby Payne!  Thank you to all who came, and all of you who made it happen!  I think some pictures will do it better justice than I can in words.

Beautiful Decorations, by Leigh.  Yummy food including a Fruit Salad, BLT Dip, Lettuce Wraps, Chicken Salad Sandwiches, Pimento Cheese Sandwiches, Cheese Round, & Cookie Dough dip with Graham Crackers!!  All so yummy!!

Mimosas, wine, and tea, and the cutest cups!  They had the birds from the invitation and Baby Payne on them!  Loved them!!

Diaper Cake!!

Whoa!!  Baby presents Galore!  Notice the swing, from my lovely hostesses!!

And here are a few of me opening a couple of gifts:

Diaper Bag!! 

1 of 6 adorable onsies from Oh Little Rabbit on Etsy.  Thanks Mom!!

Uppababy Vista Stroller!!  Love it!!  I was so surprised, Kevin's parents and my mom got it for us! 

Kevin's Aunt Joan, his grandmother, Mamaw Mac, and his mom, Brenda (Gran).

Hostesses!  Trisha, Leigh, me, Virginia, Rachel, and Nancy Jane.  Best friends a girl can ask for!

My mom, Kelsey, me and Melody.  Who would have thought Mel would be in the hospital a few hours later.  Glad to report she is recovering well and should be discharged today!!

Love this shot!!

Thank you to everyone who made this such a special day!!  I can't wait for Baby Payne to meet all these wonderful people!



31 weeks!

So its been a while.  I am 31 weeks and 4 days today. I have been feeling pretty blah since hitting the 3rd trimester, but I am starting to feel a little better.  I guess that is good since I hear the last month can be a bitch.  I'll spare you the woe is me list of ailments I have been expereincing.  No one needs to hear me whine (thought I am sure many of you have). 

Everything with baby is going well, I am up to appointments every two weeks now, and measuring right on track for my due date.  Baby has been doing lots of moving and streching lately, which is fun, excpet when I am trying to sleep.

Here is a picture from last Saturday at 30 Weeks 5 days:

Happy Valentines Day! & 25 Weeks!

Happy Heart Day to all!

Today I am 25 Weeks!  Baby has been moving around a ton!  He/she was doing somersaults last night, and Kevin was able to feel the movements some.  My mom was able to feel the baby kick and squirm a lot on Saturday.  He/she put on quite a show for Lady.
We enjoyed a wonderful weekend at the lake.  It was so nice and quiet and relaxing.  Pretty much all we did was sit around and read, and eat of course.  Mom really enjoyed coming with us, and we enjoyed having her.  Bishop and Bailey had a blast as well, they ran around a bunch and spent a lot of time lying in the sun.

So whats new this week:
Weight Gain: My best guess is that I am up around 15 lbs now.  I hope to only gain 30, but we will see!
Stretch Marks:  Still nada!
Linea Negra:  Yep its there, noticed it this morning more than I have before.
Sleep:  About the same, waking up to flip over a lot, but I am getting used to it.
Cravings:  Well I satisfied a long time craving Saturday night.  We went to Port au Prince on the lake, and it was soooo yummy!  I love their catfish, but mostly I love their pickles!!  Yes, I did buy a jar to bring home!
Belly Button: So far still an innie!
Best Moment this week: So far its having mom and Kevin feel the baby moving.  Also I have started being able to see my stomach move when the baby really gets going.
What I miss:  Booze, yep so cliche.  I would just love to have a cocktail!
What I am Looking Forward to:  Well the bedding is done, and we are just waiting on the mattress to arrive to bed it all on the crib.  I can't wait to see how it looks!

Friday!!!!!!

It's Friday!!  This week has flown by.  I can't believe how quickly time is passing now. Ever since I found out I was pregnant I have wanted time to go quickly.  I just couldn't wait to see the baby grow on the ultrasound pictures, feel it kick, get started on the nursery, and of course meet the baby, but now I want it to slow down a bit.  I am finally feeling the baby kick and squirm about consistently.  That has left me with the realization that the next 15 or so weeks will be the last time all these moments will be truly just mine.  Once this baby gets here I am going to have to share, and share a lot!  There are so many people waiting to meet him/her, and smother him/her with love.  This is one lucky baby to have such wonderful family and friends to love him/her.

On the note of the pronouns.  I just can't say "it" about the baby, so I will continue to type him/her until she/he arrives and we know the gender.  Also, on this same note I finally had a dream about just that, and in my dream the baby was a... BOY!  I still have a 50/50 shot, and since Kevin thinks the baby is a girl, we know at least one of us is right.  :)

For a quick weekly update.  I am almost 25 weeks.  Not much has changed since last week, with the exception of the arrival of heartburn.  Oh joy!  But maybe the old wives tale is right, and this baby will have some hair.

In nursery news, the bedding is finished!  Just waiting for our mattress to arrive so we can put it in the crib. 

Happy Friday to all!