Lily's Birth Story

Thanks for being patient, friends!! Lily had her best night yet and Bobby is at MDO today, so I finally have some time on my hands to tell y'all about Lily's birth!!

With my first Ultrasound around 6 weeks, my estimated due date was Oct. 5. Then when I had the big 20 week U/S, I was told she may be due on Oct. 11. But we went ahead and planned for Oct. 5, since the first U/S is more accurate. Well...Oct. 5...6...7...8...came and went. I was feeling frustrated, because I wasn't very dilated and I was anxious to get the show on the road!! I walked, 'worked out' at G7 (squats and the rowing machine), ate pineapple and spicy foods, drank some 'pregnancy' tea, pumped... you name it. Finally, Lily decided to come on Sat., Oct. 9!!

On the early morning of Oct. 9, when I woke to go to the bathroom around 1ish and 3ish, I thought I felt some contractions, but then I fell back asleep. When I woke around 5:30ish, I felt some more. They felt different then the braxton hicks, and I vaguely thought they felt similar to how Bobby's labor was. So I decided to make myself stay awake to monitor the contractions. They were coming pretty steady, about 15 minutes apart. I let Rob sleep, but around 6ish, I texted Casey to tell her I thought I might be in labor. Around 7 am, I woke Rob up and I called my midwife, Sally. She said it sounded like labor, and to call her in an hour. I did, and Sally told me that she and the other 3 midwives were getting their things together and would be on their way soon. (They were coming from San Antonio, 2-2.5 hours away)

Meanwhile, I took a shower, dried my hair, and started straightening up the room we would labor in. (Don't worry, it was clean and ready to go, I just was picking up the clutter! :) ) I am so thankful for my in-laws, as they were able to be with Bobby. I think Bobby knew something was up, because he was being so sweet to me, saying 'Hi Mama', and giving me big hugs. :)

All the while I was still having contractions, and they were getting closer together and more intense. The midwives were finally on their way around 9:30ish. We had a birthing tub in the room that needed to be filled with water, so Rob was busy trying to figure out the hose attachment that we had bought....long story short, it didn't work with our faucet, so he had to fill the tub using his muscles and a bucket!!

Again, I am so thankful for my inlaws! My mother-in-law, Aida, helped Rob fill the last half of the tub up. So, I'm watching this, putting water on the stove to boil in case we ran out of hot water, making sure Bobby was ok, checking my Facebook, texting with Casey and chatting with friends on G-chat. Crazy...I know! But I had to do something to take my mind off of the labor part!!

Finally, I knew we were getting close, because while the tub was still being filled up, the contractions were getting more and more intense, ranging from 4-6 minutes apart, and I thought I felt the urge to push. My biggest fear was that the midwives would come, and I would only be 4 cm dilated or something. So when I felt like pushing, I was actually relieved...it was almost over! I called Sally, who said they were 5-10 minutes away. Phew!

Once the tub was full, it was just me and Rob in the room. Now, about the tub...I had no intentions of doing a water birth what-so-ever. Never wanted to. It made me nervous, the baby being born in water. But I agreed to have the tub b/c I remembered how much the water relaxed me with Bobby. So, I climbed in had maybe one contraction, then the midwives came. As they were setting up, I said " I think she is coming soon". They agreed, and continued to set up. I had one or 2 more tough contractions, which were now coming as back labor. Sally checked me, and said I was fully dilated. My water still hadn't broken yet. Because of my back labor, it helped to have some pressure on my lower back during a contraction, which was difficult to accomplish while I was sitting down in a tub. To make it easier, I sort of knelt down on my knees to allow easier access to my back. I told them I felt like I needed to push. I was told to push if I felt like I needed to. I am foggy on the time, but Rob said I pushed for maybe 15-20 minutes. During one push, my water finally broke, and even though I was in water, it was still a weird feeling! I think it was one or 2 more pushes after that and out Lilliana came!! It was the craziest thing. She came rushing out, and they said "Grab her!".

Holding his daughter for the first time!

I grabbed my daughter, and brought her out of the water and held her close. She was purple, and not crying. I remembered I kept saying "she's not crying!", but hey assured me that water babies are calm right after birth, and not even 20 seconds later, she started crying. Sigh...it was over! I was so relieved! The midwives hadn't even been at the house for an hour, that's how fast she came!!

Weighing little Lily...8lbs even!

Over all, I think the home birth was a great experience. I was able to be relaxed at home and not worry about rushing to the hospital. Rob liked it 100% better than last time. The labor part wasn't as long or intense as it was with Bobby, but for some reason, the pushing part was harder for me. I didn't remember any of my breathing until the very end, so I think that may have been why.

Well, that's the story! While Rob and I were on the bed enjoying our new bundle, the midwives cleaned everything up, did some laundry, and chatted with us. Then they weighed and measured Lily, and we got her dressed. She was doing perfectly, and I wasn't doing so bad either!

Lily is doing great. She is 5 days old now, eating nonstop, and spends her days sleeping and being cute! Bobby is doing good too. He loves his new baby! The first words he said to his sister were (in the sweetest voice ever): "Hi, Baby..." So adorable.

I am so bummed that we don't have a family picture to share. We did get a lot, but they are on our new camera, which is not compatible with iphoto right now. We will be able to eventually get them off the camera, but we need to wait for an Apple update...ugh! I'm so sad about this!! :(

Ok, ok...thanks for reading this extremely LONG post!! I hope it wasn't too long, but I wanted to get in all the details, even though I know I left a lot off!!

Little feet!

P.S. I forgot to mention: NO HIVES!! Thank you God!!

She's here!!

Lilliana Michelle Garza

Oct. 9, 2010, 1:26 pm

8lbs,19 1/4" long

More on the birth later, but I wanted to post a couple pictures!!

You can't see much, but she has a FULL head of hair!!

Why bless you!!

Waiting...

Yep...still pregnant!

My due date is tomorrow, and honestly, I thought I would have had her by now! I've eaten pineapple and spicy foods, gone on long walks, pumped like crazy, even exercised!! So far, nothing has worked!! I am going on about 3.5 hours of sleep, since I was wide awake until about 3:30am!! I think God is preparing me for the sleepless nights to come!

I have a midwife appointment on Wednesday, so hopefully there has been some developments!!

So I'm doing a home birth...

All the home birthing goodies...

...Which I'm sure most of you already know. I had a friend tell me that I need to stop apologizing for doing a home birth. She is so right. I get nervous whenever I talk about it...not because I am worried about doing it at home, but I worry about what others will think. But...not anymore!! I am proud to say that I will be delivering (Lord willing) Lilliana in the home that Rob grew up in! I think that is so special! I am using Certified Nurse Midwives, who will make the trip with more than just a pan to boil water and some towels. {A little home birth humor... ;) } They are prepared to take on anything that may come up, which I am not really expecting. I practically did a home birth with Bobby, and I am hoping and praying that this time around it goes just as smoothly.

We made the trek to San Antonio again today for my 35 week check up. Everything looks great! I gained 7 pounds! Yikes! I guess I am making up for the last time when I actually lost weight. I am not really dilated yet, but that's ok, I still have 5 weeks. I have to make it at least to 36 weeks before I go into labor, otherwise I will need to go to the hospital. I brought home my birthing kit (I forgot it at the Birth Center last time), and I also got a list of things to pick up from the store. It's kinda exciting! She's coming soon! Everything is ready as can be for little Lily to arrive. We just need to make one more trip to storage to pick up some baby things ( bouncy seat, play mat, boppy...) and then I think we are all set! I am waiting to hang up Lily's wall decor, then I will post pictures of her room. I promise!

(Cool story: while I was checking out at the Birth Center, a new mom was there for her 6 week postpartum check up. She had her new son with her and the midwives were bragging about his birth. He was 11 lbs. when he was born!! Holy cow! That is one big baby!! And, amazingly, the new mom didn't tear at all! Way to go for her! )

34 weeks and counting!

I am 34 weeks today! Time has seem to fly by while at the same time standing still. I have been pregnant all year!! I am very ready to meet our little girl. I can't wait to see who she looks like. Will she have curls (I hope so!)? Rob's dimple (I hope so!)?

I am now seeing the midwives in San Antonio every 2 weeks. Last week the check up went great. Lilliana is head down (yea!), I didn't gain any weight (yea!) and her heartbeat was perfect (yea!). I was given my 'birthing kit', which makes the fact that I am doing a home birth all the more real. It had all kinds of stuff in it that will probably make most of you nervous, so I'll spare you the details. :)

I now have Braxton Hicks contractions daily (having one right now!), and I am starting to get PUPPS (Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy). Oh joy. Both my sister and I have had the pleasure of getting this rash toward the end of our first pregnancies. We also both got some LOVELY hives to go with. (note the sarcasm!!) My hives came after I gave birth and lasted for 6 weeks! I'm talkin' full body hives...even on the palms of my hands and balls of my feet. I was so miserable. I am praying that this doesn't happen again! Supposedly the rash is more common in first pregnancies and when you are having a boy. So hopefully I don't get it too bad.

Only 6 week left to go! I have a feeling she is coming early...maybe in 4-5 weeks. I don't know why, just a feeling. Lily's room is almost ready! We are waiting on the mattress that should be here tomorrow, then I'll post pictures of her room! It is so fun and girly. Very different from the bold colors in Bobby's room.

Can't wait to hold our little girl!

My 'Sew' Fun Shower!!

This weekend, we traveled to Sugar Land so Lily and I could be showered with gifts and fun memories. My sisters, mom and friends threw me a sewing theme baby shower (how appropriate, right?)! I had sew much fun! (Ok, ok...that will be my last time to do that! I promise!)

Everyone got their craft on and decorated cute onesies, hats and pants for little Lily. I can't wait to put her in them!

The food spread

The craft spread

Me and my two beautiful sisters!

My wonderful hostesess with their one of a kind, just stitch. originals! (Hanging kitchen towels)

Sewing buddies: My sister and my mom (we don't look anything alike, right?)

The finished products from the shower!! They all turned out so cute!

Hmmm...where do I begin??

I got so many handmade gifts, which I love!! I'll have another post about that tomorrow!! Thank you to everyone who came and to all the hostesses. Y'all out-did yourselves!!

Father's Day...and an update...

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!

I wish I could have been with mine today, but we're here in Laredo just taking it easy. Probably cooking out later.

Aren't they the cutest?? :)

Baby update:

Today the midwives actually came to us!! Turns out they were in town to do a homebirth, so they called to see if I wanted to do my prenatal checkup at home...uh...yeah!! This was perfect, as it also gave them the opportunity to see where we are going to do our homebirth.

Everything is going great with Lily! Heartbeat was good! I can't wait to meet our little girl. I am only 24 weeks, but I am so over being pregnant! Ugh...I have so long to go. I was looking back in my blog at pictures of when I was pregnant with Bobby. I found one that was taken 2 years ago today! And since I am due at the same time as with Bobby, I took some pictures of myself today wearing the same thing that I did in the last picture. :) Only with this one...I look a lot bigger. Arg.

Not so much a 'bump'..more like a 'mound'...

24 weeks! (Wearing my snazzy new headband that I whipped up yesterday!! I also made 2 more!)

Let the sewing begin...

...because we are having a GIRL!!!

I am so excited to say that I'll have one of each soon! We got our 20 week ultrasound on Thursday in San Antonio. Not only are we having a girl, but it turns out I am closer to 19 weeks instead of 20. Which means I have a new due date: Oct. 11...ONE DAY before Bobby's Birthday!

Crazy, huh?

Rob and I have decided to do a home birth. Don't freak out on me people!! I know...I know...this is something I would have NEVER considered myself doing, but I actually feel good about it (otherwise I wouldn't be doing it!). The midwives we see now in San Antonio will be the ones to travel to our home when I am in labor. This is good, because I'll already have a relationship with them. They'll come to Laredo later on in the pregnancy to do a home tour to let me know what I'll need.

We decided on the home birth because it just made sense. I had a relatively short labor with Bobby, and it is common for the 2nd (3rd...4th...) to be shorter than the first time around. I also practically did a home birth already! I was 10 cm dilated before I left for the hospital! So I feel like I could do it. Plus, I really don't want to do a 2 hour drive while in labor. If we delivered at the Birth Center, then we would need a hotel room, and we would spend the night

in the hotel with a newborn, then bring her back the next morning for an exam, then travel 2 hours with a newborn...no thank you!!

I have a growing list of things I want to make before #2 gets here...but for some of them I need to wait until we have a name. We are working on it, but nothing definite yet. Don't worry, I'll let you all know as soon as we decide!

I thought I would have some ultrasound pictures for you to see, but the CD we got doesn't seem to be working right now. Instead, you'll have to see the cutie-patootie outfits I got for Bobby and #2. I went to Carter's and got a few things. I didn't go crazy, but shopping for a girl is going to be so fun! It was a little weird switching over to 'girl' mode, after always getting stuff for Bobby. But I think I'll get used to it!! :)

Aren't these cute??

Baby #2 already has quite the wardrobe! These are hand-me-downs from her cousins. I'm sure I'll add to her collection soon! I haven't even gone through all the clothes yet!

Fashionista!

15 weeks

I will be 15 weeks on Wed. and I realized I haven't taken very many belly shots. It is quite difficult to take a picture of yourself, but I did the best I could!

I'm not sure if I have mentioned this before on here or not, but Rob and I decided to use some Midwives in San Antonio at a birthing center. There aren't any here,

in Laredo, and only 1 female OB, who is moving soon. We both didn't feel comfortable with a male OB, so we looked at other options. The San Antonio Birthing Center takes patients from all over, so it isn't a big deal that we are going there. It is a 2 hour drive, which is making me consider a home birth. I know! I never thought I would consider that at all! It comforts me though when I remember that I practically did a home birth with Bobby. I was fully dilated

when we left my house. All I needed the hospital for was to push! So I am thinking about it. And praying about it. It is a big decision. One that I don't take lightly. I have until I am 36 weeks to decide, so I don't feel any pressure right now. I will let everyone know what I decide. Please pray for Rob and I as we make this decision. Thank you friends!

I am coming home to Sugar Land this week, and Bobby and I get to stay for a whole week! I am so excited! I have so much I want to do and lots of friends/family to catch up with. I can't wait! I miss everyone so much. See some of y'all soon, I hope!!

More big news for the Garzas!

Bobby will be getting a new brother or sister sometime right before his 2nd birthday! We are all very excited and can't wait to add to our family!

Introducing...

Introducing...
Roberto 'Bobby' Antonio Garza
8lbs 6 oz
19.5 inches
Born Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008
8:08 pm


Where do I begin? Bobby is here, and I am officially in love with him! He is so precious! He looks a lot like his daddy and has a head FULL of hair!

My labor began on Sunday morning around 7:15 am. I stayed in bed for about 2 hours so I could get some rest in between the contractions. After about 3 hours of steady contractions, I called the midwife at St. Lukes hospital. I told her what was going on, she said it sounded like early labor, and to stay at home for a while and keep her posted. So...Rob and I cleaned the house, he got something to eat, I watched some 'Fresh Prince of Belaire', and just tried to relax. I called Sharon, the teacher from our birthing class, to tell her what was going on and to get some pointers. She told me to start getting into my positions to bring him down more. So I started getting into my positions around 1:30 or so. By then, I was pretty sure I was starting to have back labor.
Sharon called back a couple of hours later, she said she was going to be in our area, and she could come by and check me to see how far dilated I was. We agreed, and continued in our positions. I called the midwife again (her name is Titi) and she told me to get into the tub to relax me and to see what the contractions did in the water. (If they spaced out, then I was still in early labor). The water definitely relaxed me, but the contractions were still steady. By this time, Sharon had arrived, it was around 5:30. She checked the baby's heartbeat, and checked to see how far dilated I was. Her exact words were: 'I think y'all need to get to the hospital'. She couldn't find my cervix at all, so she was pretty sure I was dilated a full 10 cm! I told her that I had been feeling the urge to push with the last couple of contractions. So off we went, kind of in a panic, to the hospital, 30 minutes away! I was feeling like I needed to push, and actually did a couple of times involuntarily. Sharon had already called Titi to let her know we were on our way and probably were fully dilated.

We got to the hospital around 6:30 or so, and got in the room pretty quick. I changed, got on the bed, and Titi checked me. She said I was a full 10 cm, and with the next contraction we would try pushing. My water hadn't broken yet, so I pushed through 2-3 contractions, and then it broke. That was one of the weirdest feelings! I pushed for about 1 hour, and then out he came!

My mom, sister Casey, Jason, Sarah and Liz were at the hospital to welcome him.



He is just beautiful. We are totally in love and feel blessed that God gave us this little one, and that the labor went so smoothly.


The many faces of Bobby:

Yawn!!

Wink!!

Just a waiting game now...and major nesting time!

We went to our midwife appointment today, and everything looks good! Bobby's head has definitely dropped, she could feel his shoulders where his head was last week! EEK!! I need to be doing lots of squats, to bring him down even more. He is working on coming into this world! Both the midwife today and last week said that they think he is going to be about 8 lbs. Such a big boy! Also, I lost 1 lb! At first, I was worried, but she said it is normal for a woman to loose weight before she goes into labor, it is just her body preparing for labor. ( I had never heard that before.) She thinks I will go into labor before my due date. :) Which, by the way, is 1 week from this Monday! My last day at work is this Thursday, I hope he comes soon, because I don't want to be just sitting around the house, wasting my maternity leave waiting on him to come.

Oh, by the way-- I know I am going to cry when he is born...I always thought I would be too excited to cry. But, at our birthing class last week, we watched some birth stories. I cried like a baby during the first one, when the parents saw their baby for the first time. If I cried for a baby I don't even know, then I am pretty sure I'll cry for my own!!

Also, I can't stop sewing!!! Really. I started Wed. night, stayed up until past midnight, and couldn't sleep because I was thinking about my project. (I had messed up, and was thinking about how to fix it. Don't worry, it is fixed now!) Then I made 2 projects on Thursday (I was off). Then today , I made 2 more!! I have been to 2 different Hobby Lobbies 2 times in 2 days! And, to top it all off, I am planning on doing a small project tomorrow too! (Which means another trip to a fabric store!) I think I need help! But, the good thing is, is that I have finished a cute little tote bag for me, I made 4 Christmas presents, and will start a 5th, possibly a 6th tomorrow. I know...I know...I need to rest. But I CAN'T---STOP---SEWING!!!
(I will post a picture of the tote bag soon, but no pictures of the Christmas presents! {You all read my blog...you know who you are!})

Shower # 3

This weekend, Casey(my very creative sister) and my mom (she is pretty creative herself, maybe that is where we get it from?!?) threw me my last baby shower! It was so much fun, Casey really out did herself. Unfortunately, the shower was postponed due to the hurricane, but like Casey said, Ike did us a favor! The weather was perfect for an outside party. The theme was ABC's, complete with ABC sugar cookies, and cute name tags. I had so much fun, thanks Casey and Mom!





My mom, Me, and Casey
The name tags said: 'Grandma to be', 'Mother to be', and 'Aunt to be', how clever!

Shower Decor--so cute! I love the balloons.

Everyone was to write a little note to me, but the advice had to start with notes with the letter they chose. Some of them were creative! For example, Jen chose 'X' and told me that x-rays on babies aren't fun! (speaking from personal experience??)

Cupcakes--made by my friend Carrie. So cute and delicious!!

Me and Sarah

Sarah made me some bibs and burp cloths! They are so cute! I was pleasantly surprised that I got so many handmade gifts. Jen made me some shoes, my mom made me some stuffed animals and blankets, and my friend's mom and my grandma made me blankets too! I love getting gifts that are handmade! They are always a surprise, and one of a kind. Thank you everyone!

Let's get this show on the road!

My bags are packed, my signs are made, the car seat is in the car, the nursery is ready, diaper bag packed, cameras are charged (yes, that is plural!) everything is washed...did I leave anything out? Do you think I am ready?!?

Only 3 weeks to go! (give or take) The countdown has begun. I made some signs for Bobby's bed at the hospital. I can't ever pass up a craft opportunity, no matter how small!

As you can see, we decided not to circumcise the little guy. We talked with the Dr. that is going to be our pediatrician, and he said he saw no need for it, he would rather we just leave him how God made him. There is a slight chance that circumcision helps to prevent urinary tract infections, but it is so small, that the Dr. said it wasn't worth putting him through the pain. It made sense to us, and so the decision was made.

Because of the hurricane, we have missed 2 of our last 3 birthing classes. We are pretty behind the schedule. There is one couple in the class that is due before me! My teacher wants to make sure I don't miss the next one, the one about pushing. She seems concerned that I'll go into labor before that class. She keeps telling me to take it easy and drink lots of water.

We went to the midwives last week, Bobby is definitely head down, but she thinks he is looking up. (If I lay on my back, he is looking towards the ceiling, instead of the floor.) She said it isn't that big of a deal, but it could lead to more back labor, which is more painful. So, I spent some time on all 4's last night trying to get him to turn over. Don't know if it worked, but we'll do it again tonight. Anything to ease some pain!! She also said she thinks I am having Braxton Hicks contractions. I didn't even know it. They don't hurt at all, just my stomach will get really tight, and feel as hard as a rock. It is too weird. We go back on Friday, so we'll see if they think he has turned over!

I'm getting everything ready. I have frozen about 5 meals, for after the baby, because I know I won't want to cook! I just keep preparing and preparing. I know I need to rest, but I feel like there is so much to do!

Shower # 2

Cute polka dot rubber duckies!

Yesterday was baby shower # 2!! It was hosted by Rob's family. It was tons of fun with a lot of good food and games! I got to see some of Rob's family that I don't get to see very often, so that was nice. Here are some pictures from the festivities!




Here is a picture of me and some of the hostesses, Rachel and Christina (cousins), Me, Veronica and Becky (sisters).


Yummy food! Everything was homemade, and delicious!



I am told that if he is a Garza, then he must go to UT!

Who would've thunk? Not me!

After debating this throughout my pregnancy, Rob and I have decided to use a midwife, instead of my OB to deliver Bobby. I know what you are thinking...'what?!? Is she crazy'? That is what I would have thought about myself if you had told me I would be using a midwife.

Right from the start, I had heard great things about the midwives at St. Luke's Hospital (that is where we will be going), and Rob has always leaned more in that direction, but I had been very resistant to the idea. I mean, this is my first baby, and I wanted to do it with a Dr. just like everyone else! Rob never pressured me, so don't think that this was all his idea! But a lot of my resistance had to do with a lot of fear I had about childbirth. Fear of the unknown. Not that I am not nervous about the labor anymore, but I am not afraid. Rob and I have been going to a childbirth class through First Birth Ministries, and it has been really amazing. It has taught me, in just 2 classes, that there is no need to fear what God has made my body to do. God made this baby, and He will be there with me when the time comes to give birth. Of course there will be pain, as God said there would be, but at the end, there is a reward!! It has always blown my mind how our bodies were made, how every system works together, and learning how the baby is growing, and how my body changes to accommodate him has amazed me even more. As I was telling a friend yesterday, 'who else would have thought up all of this?' Only God!

I really liked my OB, (and still do, she is a great doctor) but as time went on, it became clear that she didn't see eye to eye with how we wanted to give birth. I would ask her questions about the labor, and it would seem to me that she thought a lot of my questions were 'silly'. Some of her answers would contradict things I have read or learned. Many doctors are in a hurry to induce and do c-sections, and those are 2 things I want to avoid if I am able to. So for a while, my pride has held me back from making this decision, but time was running out, and if we didn't switch soon, then we wouldn't be able to. So, luckily, I talked with a midwife yesterday, and she said it should be no problem to switch over to them so late in the pregnancy. My first appointment with them is next Friday.

This practice that I am switching to has 7 doctors, and 4 midwives. I will be delivering in the hospital, and if there were to be an emergency, there would be a doctor there to take care of me and Bobby. I am kind of excited to get this show on the road!

Only 7 more weeks to go (give or take). :)

Baby room pictures!

Although I am not completely done with the room, I couldn't wait to show you pictures. I finished sewing all the bedding! Whoo Hoo! All together, I made: a curtain, the bed skirt, a pillow, the crib bumper, and last minute, I made a draft snake. During the winter, the windows may get a little drafty, so hopefully this little 'snake' will block some of the cold air. All I need to complete the room, is the changing table, and a bookshelf that my dad is going to make for me.

I got some stuff at my shower today that really help 'finish' the look of the room. As part of the decor for the shower, Erin made some polka dot mobiles, which I got to take home, and hang in the room. I had been considering a mobile, but hadn't found one that I thought would match the room perfectly. These mobiles are perfect! I also got the blanket from Kelly, which goes really well with the other bedding.

Shower # 1

Today I had my first baby shower! I am going to have 2 more in September. This one was hosted by some of my best friends, Sarah, Kelly, Erin C., Karen, and Katie. They did a wonderful job! The theme was polka dots, to match the nursery. Sooo cute! Complete with a candy 'bar', yummy cake, and tons of polka dots! I got a lot of the necessities: the stroller, carseat, and some cloth diapers. I also got some fun surprises too: some clothes, a play mat, bath necessities, and one of my favorites, a homemade blanket for Bobby! I actually was going to go today to get the supplies to make a blanket, I sure am glad I waited! I like the one I got a whole lot better than the one I had in my head.

Kelly made this blanket...isn't it perfect? Thanks Kelly!


Karen made the cake...so cute, and yummy too!


The Candy 'Bar'...need I say more?

She is pretty creative, huh?

My sister, Casey, gave me one of my first official baby gifts tonight! She couldn't wait for my shower, so she decided to give it to me sooner than later. It is so cute, she always knows how to display a gift. I got lots of goodies, including some baskets, baby bee bath essentials, receiving blankets, and lots of books! Thanks Casey and Jason!