1 WEEK AWAY!!!

I can't believe it.  This time next week, we will be holding our son!!!  I have tried being so patient for the last 9 1/2 months (really, 5 years), but it is finally coming to the last few days.  I can't wait to meet and love Landon.

Yesterday, my belly measured at 41 weeks, 3 weeks ahead, which is keeping with how it has been going.  You can see how big I am in the picture below.  I am anxious to see if he ends up really being as big as he has been measuring.   A few days ago, when I saw the high-risk doctor, Landon was measuring 7lb 15 oz, about 1 1/2 weeks ahead.  Sam and I were both on the bigger side when we were born.  I weighed 7lb 15 oz. and Sam weighed 8lb 11 3/4 oz!

I go back to both the OBGYN and the high-risk doc for my last appointments on Monday.  I am kind of hoping that they miraculously say that he is ready to be born and that we can schedule the C-Section on Wednesday, instead of Friday.  Wouldn't 10-20-2010 (Wed) be a cool birthday?

Well, depending on how the following week goes, this might be my last blog entry before little Landon is here.   I will do my best to keep it up after he is born, but probably not right away.  I think I might be a little busy and sleep deprived.

 

38-week belly!

3 WEEKS LEFT!!!

I am so excited to say that I am 36 weeks and I only have 3 weeks left, until my C-Section on Oct. 22nd!!!

I can't believe that in 3 weeks (at the most), we will meet our son, Landon Emory Sexton, after waiting for him for 5 years!  What an amazing blessing from God!

I have started seeing both my OBGYN and my high-risk doctor weekly, so Landon is being well-monitored.  He is still a big guy.  At 35wks 5days, he was measuring 7lbs 2oz., which is 2 weeks ahead!  In the sonos, we can see some big cheeks and what I am told is lots of hair.  We shall see.  Today, I saw the OBGYN and things are definitely progressing as they should, at this point.

Since my last post, I had my last baby shower, hosted by my sister (Kristie), Aunt Susan, and Brooke.  It was so awesome.  The decorations were beautiful and they, appropriately, had a theme of "Sweetpea" throughout!  Thank you Kris, Aunt Susan, and Brooke!

Last week, Peekaboo Design (my friend, Kim Hendry's awesome business) set up and finished Landon's precious nursery.  Kim and her sidekick, Samantha, closed themselves in the room for about 4 hours and didn't let us in.   Once they were finished, they officially "revealed" the nursery to Sam and me, while videotaping us, for one of their showcases on ProjectPeekaboo.com.  I think I have that right.  Anyway, we were stunned at how different it looked after 4 hours.  That morning, they started with painted walls and the furniture, basically.  Four hours later, it looked like this...

                                                          

WE LOVE THE NURSERY!!!  Thank you, Kim and Samantha, for doing an amazing job!

Last weekend, Sam assembled the new swing, from Landon's Grandma (Carolyn), and installed the carseat.  So, with this and the nursery finished, I feel that if Landon decided to come early, we would be ready enough!

I will sign off with a current belly shot, since I haven't posted one of those in a while.

                                                  36 weeks

32 WEEKS!!!

Well, I haven't posted on the blog in almost a month, but Landon is still staying put!  My laying low everyday must be working.  My contractions are better than a month ago and he is growing strong and BIG!  In fact, a couple of weeks ago, my high-risk doctor told me that I had a "whopper of a kid in my belly."  As of last Tuesday, he was measuring about 5 pounds, which was BIG for 31 weeks.  Oh, and he apparently likes the breech (head-up) position because he has been that way for 6 or 7 weeks.  Since I have to have a C-Section, the breech issue really isn't one.  As far as a status update on my pregnancy, I am still on "modified bedrest", so for the most part, I am at home, in bed, relaxing.  Sometimes, it is boring, but it is ALL worth it!

Last weekend, I had so much fun at my baby shower!  My sweet friends, Heather, Kelly, and Aimee, hosted a beautiful brunch/shower for me.  It was so wonderful to see my Community School friends!  It meant so much to me for them to celebrate the anticipated arrival of Landon with me, after being such a support of mine, during the LONG journey of getting to this point!

    Me with My Wonderful Baby Shower Hostesses:  Heather, Kelly, and Aimee

Another exciting event last weekend was having some maternity photos taken by my dear friend, Zoe (Zoe D. Photography).  She is an amazing photographer and did a fabulous job.  I just saw all of my pictures today and I am so pleased.  I will have a tough time deciding which ones to order!  One of my favorites is below.  To see some of the others, visit her blog:  http://zoedphotography.com/blog/.

    Maternity pic with my amazingly talented friend, Zoe (zoedphotography.com) at 31 weeks - Man, do I have a belly?

His Name Is...

... LANDON EMORY SEXTON ...

We had the first name down to 4 or 5 names several months ago.  Then, we decided on Landon about a month ago.  We secretly kept using it at home, to make sure it fit him and us.  And, it did, so we made an official announcement last Saturday, at our Couples Baby Shower.  Emory is a family name, on Sam's side.  It is Sam's middle name, which came from his paternal grandma's maiden name.


First Baby Shower:  As I mentioned, we had a Couples Baby Shower this past weekend, hosted by 3 couples that are very close to us!  We had so much fun and Landon got lots of goodies!  Thank you, Aunt Eileen & Uncle Chris, Aunt Zoe & Uncle Steven, and Aunt Gabrielle & Uncle Justin, for a fabulous shower!!!

Pregnancy Update:  I realized that I never posted an update, after my doctor's appointments last week.  Last Tuesday, after several days of strict bedrest (see last post for details), I saw the high-risk doctor and he said that everything looked great.  Landon was kicking and moving, as usual, and there was no dilation or effacement.  This is good news because it means that the early contractions, at this point, haven't started any pre-term labor.  I do continue to have contractions sporadically, but that is okay.  It's an issue when they become consistent and more often.

Oh, and they told me that when I was there the week before (26 1/2 weeks), Landon weighed 2 1/2 lbs, which was about 1 week ahead.

Then, I saw my OBGYN on Friday, for my 28-week check and glucose test.  The doc said that everything looked good to her, too.  According to my belly measurement, Landon is measuring at 30 weeks (2 weeks ahead)!  We also got to unofficially schedule the C-Section.  As of now, it will be on Friday, October 22nd.  I personally think that I will go into labor before then, but that is just a random instinct.  The 22nd is exactly a week before his "due date", the 29th.

As far as bedrest goes, they have relaxed that.  So, basically, I am on a modified bedrest.  I have to pay attention to my body!  Late afternoons and evenings seem to be when more contractions seem to occur, especially if I did too much that day.  So, I have already discovered that I really can't do much, other than a few things around the house, here and there.  For example, taking a shower is a bit tiring.  Anyway, I will definitely pay attention and play it safe for little Landon!  We don't want to meet him too early!

Belly Pic:  Well, I didn't take one of my usual every-two-weeks-pictures last weekend, so I am including a couple of pictures from our baby shower, that will have to do, for a belly pic.

                    Zoe (25 weeks), Gabrielle (33 weeks), and Me (28 weeks)

Baby Shower with Hosts:  Chris, Eileen, Me, Sam, Steven, Zoe, Justin, Gabrielle

A Bump in the Road...

Well, this past Tuesday evening (26 wks 4 days along in the pregnancy), I started having some consistent and sometimes intense contractions.  They started about 7pm and went on for hours.  I finally fell asleep around 11pm and slept about an hour and a half.  I woke up around 12:30am, and they started again.  I couldn't go back to sleep and they were getting more consistent.  So, at 2am early Wed. morning, I decided to call my OBGYN.  Luckily, she was the one on-call.  She said that since they were consistent and had been going on for that long, I should go to the Labor & Delivery Triage (ER for preggos) and get checked out.

So, I woke up Sam and we headed there.  We got there about 3am and they got a baby heart monitor and a contraction monitor on me right away.  Turns out that they were, for sure, contractions very close together, so they gave me some meds to slow them down, had me rest for a few hours, and then, sent me to see the high-risk doctor for a sono.  He said that I was not dilated at all, so that was great news!

My OBGYN decided to admit me for observation for that day and night.  The next morning (Thurs), they did what is called an FFN test that tells us whether or not I am at risk for preterm labor within the next two weeks.  Of course, this isn't fool-proof, but very high rate of accuracy.  Anyway, the doc said that if it was negative, she would send me home.

And, it was NEGATIVE!! YEA!!  So, she sent me home on a new medication and bedrest for the next several days, until I have my follow-up appointment with the high-risk doctor next Tuesday afternoon.  After that check, we will know more about the extent of my restrictions for the rest of the pregnancy.  I am pretty sure that there will be some restrictions, so I am hoping for "modified bedrest", at the most!  We will know more on Tuesday, I hope.

I have to take a moment to say THANK YOU to my wonderful mom!  While Sammy has been working hard everyday, including today (Saturday), my mom has been taking care of me:  staying with me in the hospital, making my meals, feeding Sam and me in the evenings, and getting me whatever I need.  I am so lucky.  She is the best mom EVER!  THANK YOU, MOM!!!  Sam, Sweetpea, and I greatly appreciate everything you do for us!  We love you! 

Since I didn't get a chance to post last week, I will include my 26-week belly picture from last Friday.  I know I say this all of the time, but it just keeps getting bigger and I can't believe it!  Awesome!

                                          26-week Belly

6 Months Already!

I have been so busy that I haven't had time to blog, lately.

I can't believe it!  I am already 6 months pregnant!

We have been busy with all of our Sweetpea planning.  We have his name narrowed down to only a few possibilities, a nursery room design, and gift registries done.  But, man, do we have a lot more to do.

Speaking of nursery design, we are using the Peekaboo Design Group, www.peekaboodesign.com, to help us plan our nursery.  Our friend, Kim Hendry, is the owner and they do awesome work!!!  I highly recommend them, if you live in the Dallas area.

I had a sonogram, with the high-risk doctor, last week and he said that Sweetpea looked great.  He was weighing about 1lb 12oz, which is a little big.  And, I am okay with that!!!  My sister, Kristie, got to go with me, to see her soon-to-be nephew, which was special.

My belly has definitely gotten bigger!  My nephew, Lukas, calls me "Big Fat Bologna!"  How sweet.

                                                 6 Months (24 weeks)

Half-Way There!

Well, last Friday, June 11th, was not only my parents' 39th anniversary, but it was also the official half-way point of my pregnancy!  I am 20 weeks! 

I am feeling pretty good.  As in any pregnancy, there is the usual uncomfortable moments, but nothing too bad.  According to the scales, I may have gained more than normal within the last month, but I am anxious to see what the doctor says about that at my appointment on Thursday.

The planning has begun.  Now that we know it is a boy, we have started thinking about the nursery, baby names, registry items, etc.  It is so fun, but there is so much to do!  I have a lot of organizing and sorting through stuff still to go.  All of that said, it is totally worth it and fun to plan!!!

This belly sure is growing fast!

20-Week Belly

GENDER ANNOUNCEMENT...

It's a BOY!!! 

My house will now be ruled by testosterone.  Even the dog is a male!  What will I do?  But, seriously, we are ecstatic.  It is so great to finally know.  Now I can start planning.

Everything looked great!  They checked for all body parts and measured them.  So far, so good!  In fact, he is measuring a week older, which is great with me!

Tomorrow, I will be 18 weeks along.  WOW!!!

Here is a pic of our little boy's profile today.  So precious.  Oh, and I should mention that Sammy is on Cloud 9!

Profile at 18 Weeks - Boy

Belly and the "HE" Hershey's Bar to announce the sex!

Quick Update

 I went to the OBGYN today and she said we look good.  The heartbeat sounds good and I don't need to come back for 4 weeks.

Next week, I will get the Level Two Sonogram and hopefully find out what the sex is and that everything is going well.  I can't wait!

4 MONTHS!!!

Wow!  I am 4 months (16 weeks) today!  I am still amazed by this whole wonderful miracle!  I only have 5 months left.  Although that seems like a while, I realize that it has already been 4.  Well, I guess I didn't know the first month, but whatever.

Next Wed, I have my check-up appointment with my OBGYN and then, the next Thursday, I have the Level 2 Sonogram.  That is when we will hopefully find out Sweetpea's sex and get assurance that he/she is growing, as planned, and doing great! 

Apparently, Sweetpea is the size of an avocado.  Ahh, my little avocado!  I do love avocados!  Great, now I am craving something with avocado on top.

I'm also very amazed by my belly.  I just can't get over the fact that I have one.  It is so weird and awesome!

 

                                           Belly - 16 Weeks

Officially in my 2nd Trimester!

Some people call your first trimester 12 weeks long; some call it 13 weeks; and, some call it 14 weeks.  So, however you look at it, as of last Friday, I can safely say that I am in my 2nd Trimester!!!  This is such an exciting milestone.

Within the last week or so, my belly has really started to pop out.  So, my mom, sister, and I went maternity clothes shopping over the weekend and had so much fun.  I got 8 maternity shirts - some for now and some for later.  Although, no luck on maternity pants, yet.

Sometimes, I still find myself  in disbelief that I am actually pregnant.  I can't believe that I will be 15 weeks this Friday!

Until next time.... (probably next week)

Good News Today!

I had a 13-week appointment today.  It went great!!  I was told at my last appt., at 10 weeks, that I had a retroverted uterus and that it needed to move up and forward by Week 13.  If it didn't, my doctor would have to put me under anesthesia and physically move it. 

Well, the great news today was that it moved on its own!!  So, no procedure!  YEA!!!

I also got to hear the heartbeat for the first time, which was amazing.  I recorded it for Sam, since he wasn't with me.  My mom (Grammy) got to hear it, though.

This is proof that God answers prayers!  We have been praying every day that it moved naturally and it DID!

Now, I have to wait 4 weeks to see the doc again, which will be the longest I have had to wait.  But, she did say that I get to be a "normal" pregnant person for now.  That is nice, given my high-risk status.

-Excited Mommy-To-Be

We are EXPECTING!!!

Sam and I are so excited to officially announce, through our new Sexton Crew Blog, that we are EXPECTING!  We are ecstatic!  This special blessing has been in the making for 4 1/2 years!  We have been through a lot of emotional trials throughout this journey, but our miracle is happening!  This is truly a blessing from God!


I am 12 weeks and 2 days along today.  My due date is October 29th.  We have gotten to see the heartbeat 4 times and it is going strong and our little Sweetpea is growing and growing!  I have another appointment this coming Wednesday, so I will let you know how everything goes.

I will do my best to keep this blog updated, especially after many of my family and friends have requested that I give them continuous updates.  This will be how I do that, for the most part.  I have faith in myself that I can do this!

Until next time...

-Excited Mommy-To-Be, Laurie

6 weeks

8 weeks

10 weeks