39 Week Appointment

Sorry I didn't update until now. We had an unexpected death in the family last night...Chad's grandfather passed away. Long story short, he had surgery in his mouth to remove a tumor (possibly cancerous) at the beginning of December. He seemed to have complication after complication, and he was so tired...last night about 9 PM he went to be with his Heavenly Father. In that we take comfort.

My appointment went well, I did a little more than I expected. I am still 1cm, but this time I am 50% thinned out. Which is more than I have ever been, so that's a plus! It still seems to be moving slowly. Dr. Alten said it looked like Dr. Maddox had me tentatively scheduled to be induced next Thursday, the 8th. I thought she had told me Tuesday, but they may have been booked up in labor and delivery. Dr. Maddox is still going to check me on Monday to see my progress before she schedules anything for sure. I don't think I'll move much past 1cm until I get induced or my water breaks, but I feel like I will continue to thin out. I will keep everyone updated, hopefully this baby will be here sometime next week!

Yesterday ended up being my last day of work. Last night I called my boss and just let her know I was not going to be able to come in for my last day, that I needed to be with family and help with arrangements if need be. Also Chad and I were up until about 1:00 last night doing some work emails and finishing some things up so we could be off today, so needless to say, we slept late this morning.

That's about all that's going on at the moment, keep Chad and his family in your prayers and I hope that everyone has a wonderful New Year :)

Just a few thoughts...

So, it's hard to imagine that we will probably have a baby here next week...and our lives will change dramatically! I'm excited but a little bit nervous, of course.
I can't wait to see what he looks like and to hold him, and for Chad to hold him.
I also cannot believe I have a fully grown baby in my stomach...the whole pregnancy I looked at pictures each week of what stage he was in and what he was developing and what he looked like (most of the time he looked alien-like)- so it is hard to believe he is already so fearfully and wonderfully made and ready to come out! He is just sitting in there getting fat now :)

Most of you who know me, know that I am a worry wart...yes it's something God and I are working on, but nevertheless, it still gets me from time to time. So, of course I have scary thoughts of labor and Carter and pretty much anything that passes over my head. I have been good and have been staying off of the Internet (doctor's orders). So if you think about it please be praying for a safe delivery for us and a healthy baby.
God is in control and He has assured me of that. I guess it's one of the biggest tests for me because it is totally out of my control! All I can do is trust and have faith.

I have a Doctor appointment today at 2:45, so I will update later today. I'm not expecting any change :(

I did finally pack our bags last night! I got together a few cute sleepers and gowns, a blue blanket, and the outfit he will have his picture taken in. It is a Feltman Brothers bubble that is white and blue and has a sweet baby rocking horse on it (thanks Aunt KK)! I packed a couple of pairs of socks, a 'boggin hat that says 'Carter' on the front (thanks again Aunt KK), a nursing wrap, Germ-X (gotta love cold and flu season),his brush (I'm guessing he will be bald though), and a couple of burp cloths. I didn't pack any diapers or anything like that because I know the hospital will provide those for us (and a lot of other things).
I don't think I'm going to bring him home in the Feltman Brother's outfit...it is short sleeved and it will probably be cool...so I think I am bringing him home in a little outfit my Mom bought him that is white with blue polka dots and says "Welcome to the World" on it :)
It is a onsie, a pair of cotton footed bottoms, and a little cotton jacket that matches the pants. It is sooooo cute.

My bag was not as fun to pack...PJ's, some long sleeve t-shirts I think will fit me, socks, house shoes...and then I have a list sitting on my bag of all the other things that I will have to grab...these are the things that I will need up until it's time to go...like make-up ect.

My last day of work is tomorrow. I have already cleaned off my desk, so it's very empty right now. I don't think I will be sad at first, but I may miss it eventually. But, I am so blessed to get the opportunity to stay at home with Carter and raise him. It will be a test of our faith in the Lord and a huge growing opportunity I am looking forward to.

I will post after my Doctor Appointment!

Merry Christmas

I have the best husband ever! Look at the diamonds and sweet Willow Tree figurine I got for Christmas!! Totally not expecting any of it...

(I have been slacking on my blog-sorry! But there are SEVERAL new posts below, check them out)

38 Weeks

I had my 38 week doctor appointment yesterday and no change since last week. Still 1cm. He has set up camp and thinks he is there to stay.

Next week I will see a different doctor, since Dr. Maddox will be out of town. But she said that she would like to see me the following Monday (January 5th), and she said that it is a possibility that we will induce the next morning (January 6th). So, hopefully in two weeks we will have a baby!!

Getting Ready

I think we have everything done! Well, his room is ready for him at least...and the car...here are some pictures of the finished product.

Car seat installed!

Drawers full of his clothes...

Diapers in the roll under drawer

His closet fully stocked!

Changing table

His bed with his little friends :)

Here is where we decided to put the diapers..the top shelf in the laundry room. I think he has enough to get started ;)

My New Best Friend.

Oh yes, this little blue bottle is by my side at all times and in my purse wherever I might go...it

seems that the end of pregnancy can bring quite a bit of heart burn and acid reflux; so this little guy has been keeping me out of misery. I hope it doesn't get any worse!

Lately...

As a space saving effort, Chad and I decided to get rid of the large TUBE TV in the office and get a 32' TV to hang on the wall. We also were able to give away the big TV stand so it has really opened up the room and left us less stressed with all the clutter. It has been a challenge trying to fit what will soon be 3 people into a barely 1,000 square foot house. But we are more than thankful that we have a roof over our head and a house payment we can afford...and God has provided us with the means to ORGANIZE!
So here is the TV that my husband is very proud of...he even put cord protectors over the cords hanging down so that Carter can't pull on them!! He has become such the handy man!

On top of organizing, things have been quite chaotic around the Goodwin household these past few weeks. We had some teenagers take out our mailbox, wooden post and all...here are our best efforts to fix it back so we can get mail. We bought a new mailbox but if it will ever quit raining for any extended period of time then we can put it up...until then it is going to have to look like this : (

My wonderful in-laws surprised us by buying us a set of front load washer and dryers! They were supposed to come in the week after Thanksgiving, but we didn't get them until the week before Christmas! In the mean time we had already sold our set, so we have been bumming off of other's machines to do laundry. Here are some pictures below of my new favorite appliances, they are AMAZING.

Thanks Debbie and Steve!

Necessities Shower

At the beginning of December I had my Necessities shower, given by Kerri and Liz. It was wonderful and I got so many diapers, wipes, and other things that you just "need". Here are a few pictures...

Here is one of Carter's diaper bags stuffed with goodies, I love it!!

This was a wipe holder from Avery ;)

My Sweet Avery

Sarah Hobbs did great on the cake!!

Melissa is slowly getting over her phobia of the pregnant belly...

My hostesses and sisters

37 Week Check

I had an appointment yesterday at 3:30 for an ultrasound and then Dr. Maddox to follow to do the "check". Ultrasound went fine...I guess...I had a different ultrasound tech then I had in the past and she was more serious and down to business than my last lady (who I adored). I mean, she was fine, she just didn't get very personal with me, it was all business. She didn't let me see the screen while she was measuring, so I found myself staring at her face the whole time trying to read her. Finally at the end she turned the screen to me and let me see him, she showed me his profile and feet and boy parts. Then she told me to go out into the lobby and she would write everything down and bring my chart out to me to take across the room to Dr. Maddox's sign in area. She said that he is 6lbs and 1oz right now, I asked her if that was normal and she just said...I'm not sure I'll have to look at the chart...I'm thinking, don't you do this so much that you just kind of know? She just said Dr. Maddox would go over it with me. I was pretty sure 6lbs and 1oz was pretty normal, considering Chad was born at 37 weeks and he was 6lbs 3oz. So that was the ultrasound experience yesterday....

Then I get in the back to see Dr. Maddox and she looks at the ultrasound information and says that the baby looks great; 6lbs 1oz is a little bit below the 50 percentile but still perfectly normal. She said if it was up to her she would want to push out a small baby! I say Amen to that. So he is just sweet and tiny, and that is fine with me. Plus I have 3 more weeks so he will gain a little more weight before he gets here.
Then it is time to get checked and guess what....I have made it to 1cm...and she can feel his head!
She said he still has a little more dropping to do but she could definitely feel his head this time; last time it was no where in sight.
So that is better than nothing!
I go back next Tuesday, the 23rd, and we will see where we stand. I want to walk some between now and then, I'm thinking that will help him drop a little more.
I have two photos from the ultrasound, but I don't know if I'll get them on here or not, the scanner here at work is not hooked up :(

Tired.

I wish there was a better word for it, I really do. Exhausted? That's an okay word, but I feel as if I have over used it here lately. But anyways, that's what I am!! Just this last week it has gotten pretty rough in the sleep department...who knew waking up 6 times a night to go to the bathroom would interrupt your REM cycle? Then on top of that, when I do get up and start walking around I have to hold underneath my stomach to help support the 6-7lb child that is being held up by what's left of my poor stomach muscles.
I'm not complaining, I would do it all over again in a HEARTBEAT, but it makes me feel better to write about it ; ) you know what I mean? The joys of pregnancy :), as my husband would say "this is what you signed up for!"- but of course he says this in the most supportive way!

Those contractions I wrote about a few weeks ago...I hardly have any of them anymore...I still get the braxton hicks, but nothing like I was getting back at 34 weeks. So does this mean he is there to stay? 3 weeks until my due date and it looks like he's just now getting nice and comfortable. Of course at this point I'm told I could go any day now...I'll get checked tomorrow and post an update on our status. I've got lots of goody baking to do tonight, so maybe being on my feet will do something besides make me miserable?
I'll post tomorrow!

36 week check = Nothing...

Yep, that's right, nothing. I got checked for the first time yesterday at my 36 week appointment and I have done nothing! Well, maybe a tiny tiny bit, but the little booger still has not dropped.
Dr. Maddox said this could change any day, so we are just waiting :) and since I haven't made any progress, there was no talk of an induction date.
I go back next Tuesday and she is going to do an ultrasound to see how big he is and she will check again. So that is one thing to look forward to, I will get to see him on ultrasound again!

I have 11 working days left at work, I went ahead and told them not to expect me back for the new year. Even if he's not here yet, I'm going to need some rest and time to get everything in order.
I have been exhausted lately, I wake up all hours of the night and just turning over in bed has been a chore to say the least. I'm out of vacation days and sick days for the year, and it is really taking a tole on me working 7 to 4 every SINGLE day. I am so ill when I get home (poor Chad), and then I have a to-do list that is a page long and I try to do some things every night on it, and cook supper, and keep the house in order and I just can't do it for much longer. Don't get me wrong, Chad has been a huge help, but I don't want him to have to do all of it, he works hard too and deserves a break when he gets home...so we have been doing most of the chores together.

Chad took the car seat to be installed by the fire department the other night, and I'm really glad we let them do it. When he came home he had lots of information and rules from the fireman that I had never heard of before. They even want me to bring Carter up there after he gets here so they can show me the proper way to strap him in...so, Thanks Trussville Fire Department!!
I have two more loads of laundry to wash for Carter, I finished washing the bottles and pacis last night, and now I just have to sterilize some of my breast pump accessories.
There are a few more things to do...but I can't remember all of them...oh yeah, we are meeting with the pediatrician today...I'm sure it will take just a few minutes, I only have a couple of questions, I'm not going to drill her...

35 Weeks

Contractions

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving :)
We had a great one...just sad there is no left-overs at our house!
Now for the baby update...over the past week or so I have been having a lot of contractions. Most of them are the typical Braxton Hicks, but if I am up doing too much the Braxton Hicks come about every 4-6 minutes, and they are pretty strong. But they usually stop once I sit down for a little while.
I have actually had a handful of painful contractions too, they have been irregular, but still pretty painful. So painful they make me sick to my stomach! But those have been few and far between. We are keeping an eye on those when I have them, but so far I don't think they have been anything to freak out about since I am getting close.
Dr. Maddox said that she wasn't worried and that I was past the "danger zone" for him being born too early but to call her if I had more than 5 painful contractions in one hour.
I am also showing a few other signs that we are progressing, so that is exciting. I'll be 35 weeks on Tuesday, so I would just like to keep him in for a few more weeks!
So only a few more weeks until Carter will make his appearance, and we are so excited to meet him! I am dying to know what he looks like, especially since we didn't have the 4D done, we have no clue who he favors, and it is going to be such a surprise when we get the first glimpse of this little person growing inside of me. I am still going to say that he will look exactly like his Daddy...which would be awesome!
Please keep us in your prayers over the next few weeks for a healthy baby and delivery!!

My best attempt...

I have tried my best to get a video of Carter boy moving in my belly since about 22 weeks, but everytime I get out the camera, he becomes instantly camera shy. Seriously, he will be going absolutely insane in there, and it's like he knows when I push that play button, because he becomes perfectly still. He is probably going to be just like his daddy and hate the camera, but I intend to break him of that!

Here is a video of my best effort attempt to catch him on film...he starts moving as soon as I push on my belly...so see if you catch it.
If not, I'm sorry, I tried my best!!

He actually is the same way whenever I grab someone's hand and try to get them to feel him kick...as soon as their hand gets there, he freezes!! This drives Debbie (Chad's Mom) crazy because she hasn't felt him move yet, and I try to tell her not to feel bad and that hardly anyone has felt him move because he stops the instant someone tries to feel him!

So, if I ever get a decent video that detects the movement of my son, I will gladly post...but I only have 6 weeks left, so don't count on it ;)

**Another new post below...

Here are some more tummy pictures as promised...33 weeks...

33 Weeks...

That's right, 33 weeks! 7 weeks left...or maybe a little less?? We'll see! Maybe he will come December 31st and we will get that beautiful tax deduction come April ; )
Carter has more clothes then both Chad and I combined, so he should be well dressed a soon as he decides it's time for him to enter into the world. But, you know what I don't have enough of....DIAPERS and WIPES!! I have some, but not near enough...
I am trying to figure out how I am going to get all of my Christmas shopping and decorating done. Kerri and I went shopping with Mom on Sunday at the Gadsden mall, and I was waddling behind them for most of the trip and I was ready to sit down after about an hour of walking. Everything gets really tight and crampy when I'm up on my feet too long, I guess the weight of him makes my muscles ache. I am hoping to get all of my Christmas shopping done ASAP before I get too miserable. Chad and I are going to put the Christmas decorations up next Sunday after Thanksgiving. I wanted to put them up this Saturday, but Chad wanted to wait until after Thanksgiving, and I need his help so I guess I will have to wait. I thought about doing it myself but I don't want to risk falling getting boxes down out of the attic. I'm also wondering how it's going to go when it's time to take them down...that will be just days away from my due date, if I haven't already had him yet! It will all work out one way or another, I am trying not to think about the busy-ness of the season so I don't get too stressed out...yesterday I got really freaked out thinking about it!
I have noticed that my Braxton Hicks are coming more frequently and getting stronger. I am keeping an eye on them and making sure there is no pattern. My hands and feet have started to swell just a little bit, but not bad.
I have a few other belly pictures I need to put up, but they are at home on the computer, so I will post them later.

8 Weeks and Counting!

I had my regular Doctor's appointment yesterday and everything went really well. Blood pressure good, +3lbs, and his heart rate was great.
I told Dr. Maddox that I felt like my tummy looked small in comparison with other ladies my week (or even ladies behind me for that matter), and she had me lay down and she measured me really good and said that I am measuring right on at 32 weeks! So, I guess since I am so tall and I have a good set of hips, it is allowing him to stretch out more, instead of "poke out". I'm not complaining though!
I go back at 34 weeks, and then the next time I will have my first "exam" and we'll see if I am progressing any at 36 weeks....gosh it is getting so close!!
Carter is very much a wiggle worm, sometimes my whole belly will move from side to side, and he gets the hiccups at least once a day. He will probably be slowing down here pretty soon, because I think he is getting BIG...sometimes when he stretches I can almost feel him down in my leg when I'm sitting ( I know that makes no sense, but that's what it feels like) and at the same time I will feel his feet all the way up in my ribs. He also will stick his butt, knee, or foot out and I'll have a hard knot on my stomach...if I rub on it he'll pull it back!
We are going to the lake this weekend to celebrate Kerri's birthday, so I should have some updated pictures then...Avery will also be making an appearance, so I will get some new one's of her too :)

Avery Claire Daniel

She arrived November 5th at 3:19 PM. Avery is 7lbs 3oz and 20 inches long with a head full of wavy dark hair, and she is BEAUTIFUL. Not that I'm partial or anything, but she is gorgeous.
Everyone is doing great! Here are some pictures...

Forgot to Mention...

How could I forget!! I will be a brand new Aunt next Wednesday :) My sister-n-law, Elizabeth, is being induced to have Avery Claire Daniel on November 5th. I am so excited to meet her! Above is a picture of Liz and I at my baby tea...we are exactly 8 weeks apart. On top of meeting Avery, Chad and I will get to check out the birthing suites at Trinity since Liz and I use the same doctor. Hopefully that will take a little bit of the mystery out of where we are supposed to go when I either get induced or go into labor.
I will be sure to post pictures of my sweet niece!!

*2 new posts below...

30 Weeks!

I am 30 weeks pregnant this week :)
I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! I have really enjoyed being pregnant ever since I stopped throwing up...sometimes I wonder if I'll miss feeling him kick around in my stomach after he is born? Right now, it's like I am the only one in the world (besides his Maker) that knows him so well. I know his sleeping patterns, I know when he's awake, I know when he's asleep, I know when he has the hiccups...the list goes on. But on the other hand, I can't wait for him to meet Chad and all the other wonderful family and friends I am blessed with.

He is going to LOVE Chad. I know it. I had a dream last night that he looked exactly like Chad when he came out...and that will be fine with me if that is the case ; ) Actually, I would prefer it...I think boys are adorable when they look like their Daddy.

So yesterday I had my normal 2-week Dr. appointment. I realized early yesterday that I didn't receive a "reminder" call the day before to inform me of my appointment the next day, so I called in a few hours before my appointment to verify....aaannnnndddd, they did not have me down! I had a card though! It said the date and time of my appt., and I told the nurse I come every 2 weeks now...and she said if I had card to come on in.
Apparently they have a new girl putting the schedules in the computer...
But, I actually got in and out a whole lot quicker than the last appointment, so I didn't complain :)
Nothing exciting happened at this appointment, peed in a cup, + 3lbs (about 20lbs in all), blood pressure good, Carter's heartbeat good, and measuring on time, see them again in 2 weeks.
Dr. Maddox told me it was all down hill from here, let's hope that's true!

I got Tagged...

I got tagged to name 7 random facts about myself you may or may not know...

1. When I eat swiss cake rolls I have to take the skin off first and eat it before I eat the cake part.

2. I am OCD about flossing, if I don't floss before I go to bed it drives me insane, and if I run out of floss and don't have an extra pack then I freak.

3. This is one some of you already know and make fun of me for...I count down in my head before I pee (You know, like "5, 4, 3, 2, 1...."). I don't know why...I think I started it when I used to get stage fright in bathrooms that were perfectly silent...weird, I know!

4. I have terrible vision! My contact prescription is -3.50 and -3.75. I can barely see my hand in front of my face when I don't have my contacts in or glasses on.

5. When I was little I busted my chin open on a water slide at Ship Wreck Island in Panama City. My mom told me it was time to go and I could only slide one more time, so after I slid I turned around and tried to crawl back up the slide to do it again (keep in mind this is a "water" slide and I am barefooted) and I slipped and fell right on my chin. I had to be held down at the emergency room while they put stitches in my chin... this taught me the following lessons.... A. Not to disobey my parents, and B. Not to be stupid enough to climb up a water slide.

6. I can proudly say I have found a brand of mascara that has lasted me almost a whole year!....for those of you who are curious as to what this brand is: Telescopic Mascara by L'oreal

7. One night when Chad came to bed he said I was asleep with my arms forced straight up in the air. Just FYI, this is not a normal occurance, just a one time thing...I'm guessing I was dreaming! Didn't want you to think I was too weird ;)

I'm probably not going to tag anyone else to do this...most of my bloggies have already done it!
But if you are reading this and haven't done it on your own blog, I highly suggest it, it's fun!

New Do..

I finally got a new haircut...and color! I use to wear my hair like this all the time when Chad and I were dating. I love it, it is so much easier to fix and it feels so much better, not to mention Chad is a big fan as well. It's nice to be blonde again.
I really haven't colored my hair since before I got pregnant and my natural color was growing out...and it was so silky that all it did was stick straight to my head and I couldn't do anything with it except pull it back.
I'm super excited about it and I look forward to fixing it every morning...I hope Carter will like it ;)

Carter's Tea

I had an awesome baby tea! I am so thankful to everyone who came and all the girls that helped throw me this shower, it was great! I got so much stuff, I am still sorting through all of it :)
(There is another new post below....)

Lakin' It

Whew! it has been a while since I blogged...sorry! The weeks have been jam packed and I am just now finding the time to upload some pictures from my camera.
Last Saturday the boys went up to the lake to fish and later that day Kerri and I came up to eat dinner and to hang out with the family at Mom and Dad's. Below are some pictures of our time on the pier...

Jared and Kerri fishing out of the paddle boat...

Jared Falling into the paddle boat and sitting on tackle...LOL.

The Fishermen...Jared, Chad, and Gavo

28 Weeks

I'll be writing a few more posts here tonight...but for now, I have to go and cook supper!!