Quick Update...

I can't believe it's been almost a month since I've blogged. Things have just been so hectic here. I am stopping in to post his one month stats. He's 8lbs and now 20" long. He is still being breastfed, but I have added a bottle of formula at night to try and get him to sleep a little longer. Last night was the first night I tried this, and it worked...sorta. At least he slept more than a 2.5 hour stretch! I'll take anything at this point.


Christmas was okay. It was the 1st Christmas without being with my family and the 1st Christmas with my son. My parents were an extreme blessing to me. I got a breast pump (the good kind!), a one hr facial, massage, and pedicure, and, get this...my mom is giving me her car!! I am so excited. I fly home in a couple of weeks and will have help driving it back.



Look how big my little man is getting! It's crazy. This was taken on Christmas day.





Happy New Year!

Being a mom = no joke

Just stopping through to let everyone know that I'm still alive and well, lol. This past week has been one of transition since my mom left on Sunday. MAN, that was the hardest thing to do...to watch the one person who helped me the most during this trying time walk away from me...and so quickly; we got to the airport without time for proper goodbyes. I never knew it would be so difficult for me to be here this week without her. Don't get me wrong, Andre has been around, but there is nothing like a mother's love. While here, her only concern was making sure I was taken care of and making sure I was okay so that I could focus on the baby. I always had someone to talk to and help me if needed. I miss her so...I've cried quite a few times since she left...including now, so let me stop!

Baby Dre is doing well. He gained 11 oz in one week! Yay for mama's boobies working! =] He's got baby acne, but apparently this is common in breastfed babies since he is getting my hormones. Tough to see his skin not be, "perfect."

Here's some quick pics. Gotta go. He's waking up...

HE'S HERE!!

Just wanted to stop in really quickly and post that Andre Lamont Emanuel-Walker was born on November 29, 2008 at 5:03 via c-section. He was 6lbs 7.7 oz, and 17" long. I'll be back to post more about the birth story once I can get this little one on some kind of schedule! Enjoy a couple of pictures in the mean time.

2 days past due.

Today is my second day past due. I was feeling really bummed earlier. I was kinda snippy with Andre and my mom too. I am just tired of being pregnant. I know I've said I'll miss it, but right now, I'm 10 months pregnant and I just want to be able to hold him.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and my mom and I are making a small meal. It's nothing like what we did last year though! It will still be good. We didn't want to do anything over the top just in case this little dude makes an appearance. I'll probably get a chance to taste tofu turkey ("Tofurkey") and I'm kinda excited about that.

My mom and I went to the gym today and walked for an hour. That translated to 2.5 miles for me. BOY was I tired. I am hoping I'm not too sore tomorrow. I remember being able to walk 3 miles everyday and not have it even phase me. I guess that's what happens when you gain ** pounds in 10 months. (HA! And you think I would reveal that number!!!)

Have a lovely Thanksgiving all! Maybe the next time I'm back I'll be watching my little guy sleeping in my arms. We can hope right?

1 day past due.

Today I am officially one day past my due date. Am I bummed? A little. I guess I am in such anticipation to see him and meet him. I've spent 10 months growing this little person and the highlight of my 10 months has come and gone. Yea, I know it's only one day, but you try walking around with the equivalent of a bowling ball or small pumpkin hanging off your abdomen!

I went to my appointment today and I am 1-2 centimeters dilated. I am also 75% effaced (thinned out for you non-obstetrical folks!). I guess I am grateful that it's thinning out...now it just needs to open to fit his widdle head through!

I am hoping that he decides to come on his own before Sunday night. If not, I will be induced...not something that I am looking forward to. The drug they give you (Pitocin) is brutal (so I've heard) because they cause contractions...though not all at once and not super strong in the beginning. I just want things to go how they're supposed to. If I am induced, this means I'll be having a Decemeber 1st baby. That's okay too...I just thought it would be cool for the 3 of us (me, Andre, and the baby) to have out birthdays one month after each other (Andre-September, Me-October, Dre Jr.-November).

My mom and I went to the mall today to get some walking in for me. I had a great coupon from Bath & Body Works and ended up getting these slippers for free! They are absolutely the SOFTEST and CUTEST things ever. They're from their "Lambie" collection. Please excuse my cankles!!

I'm due. Where are you?

Today is my due date. Where is my child?! Well, I know where he is, but sheesh! I am not feeling as tired as I was, but I am just tired of not being able to just get up out of my bed. My tummy is smack dab in the middle of my legs when I sit down. It's funny.

Because he is not here yet, I am trying this eggplant parmesan recipe that has been known to put women into labor. I don't know if it will have the same effect as from the restaurant it comes from, but it's worth a try right?! Then, for dessert, "labor cookies." They're really just ginger-ish cookies with cayenne pepper in them. I tasted the dough and it had a little kick in the end. I'll make sure to have lots of milk!

My mama is here and we have been having a great time just hanging out. We've been to Wal-Mart twice. What else is new?!

Anyone wanna make some bets on whether or not I will make my induction date?

I'll leave you with a YouTube video that had me crying, and I mean because I was laughing hysterically!! I couldn't actually embed the video so PLEASE click on the link. It's only 28 seconds!!!

http://www.youtube.com/swf/l.swf?swf=http%3A//s.ytimg.com/yt/swf/cps-vfl66122.swf&video_id=5nYoahyaPuA&rel=1&showsearch=1&eurl=http%3A//webmail.aol.com/39997/aol/en-us/Suite.aspx&iurl=http%3A//i2.ytimg.com/vi/5nYoahyaPuA/hqdefault.jpg&sk=u2M9aLP_FSfpnQoicLNoYJJCB6M38zbOC&use_get_video_info=1&load_modules=1&fs=1&hl=en

39 Week Appointment and I'm drivin with a car seat!

I had my 39 week appointment yesterday, and I am still only a fingertip dilated. Lovely. I was hoping there would be more progress, but no such luck! It's a bit frustrating, but I guess nature will take its course eventually. We do have a plan, though. If Little Mr. Dre is not here by Monday, I will have an appointment with another MW on Tuesday and then if nothing happens the rest of the week, they will induce me on the 30th. I am really hoping that I do not have to be induced. I've heard that the increased chance of a c-section occurs with inductions due to the baby going into fetal distress. Hopefully, everything will work out the way it should!

I have been having some contractions today, but nothing major. They are definitely low now and not higher like most of the others I have had. I can feel the tightening and the crampiness during them and sometimes I can feel them in my lower back as well. I am praying that I don't have back labor (which means the little guy is sunny side up!). But I guess if I am, it's only karma since I gave my mom back labor, lol.

I went to one of the county's fire stations today to get the car seat installed. Andre, bless his heart, tried to put it together. Too bad he used ALL 3 BELTS!! I knew something didn't look right. I know if we had pulled up to the hospital like this the nurses probably would have laughed at us hysterically. The guy wanted to take a picture of it.

I was riding back home with the car seat installed and it occurred to me that there will be a little person in their soon. I am still in shock and awe that I am going to be a mom. I have a feeling that I won't be able to stop staring at his little face. I also have a feeling that I'm going to be very protective and jealous (well, maybe jealous is not the word), but I know I'm not going to want to hand him over to anyone right away. I mean, as of Monday, I will have been carrying him for 10 months (yes, they lie to you...it is NOT 9 months!!). I will want to hold him and bond with him before anyone else. I also want to be able to breastfeed him within the first hour after delivery and I don't want to have to cover him up to do so for the first feeding. This is why I am hoping that friends and family that come in after he is born understand if I ask them to please wait until 45 minutes to an hour after he is born before coming in to see us. I really want that time for the 3 of us (me, Andre, and the baby) to bond before I have to pass him around. And please, if you're sick, do NOT come in the room, lol. I don't want him having to fight off any germs from jump street. That's what we have daycare for people!