{she's here! introducing violet...}

She's here! Our precious little Violet was born outside, under blue skies and San Diego sunshine, via beautiful all-natural, med-free hypnobirth on Wednesday, July 14th. She weighed in at a petite 6 pounds, is 19.5 inches long, and has a full head of dark brown hair.

Forgive me if I'm a little MIA for the next week or so, but we're busy falling in love with our new daughter. <3

 {our world...}

{39 weeks, a retrospective}

Looks like I missed my final weekly update before Violet was born! In an effort to provide her with a complete summary of her mommy's pregnancy,  here is what should have been my 39 week update... as well as I can remember, from the perspective of myself on July 14th, the day she was born. :o) 

 {39 weeks, 4 days- taken on our nightly walk/the last photo of me pregnant <3} 

How far along? 39 weeks, 5 days

Total weight gain/loss: around 23 lbs.

Sleep: Bathroom breaks-a-plenty. Woke up this morning at 3:30am to a odd-acting dog, so I got up and let her out to potty. Rushed to the bathroom moments later to find that my bloody show... showed! Looked "bloody show" up on my iPhone- labor should start within 72 hours. This is it!

Best moment this week: Wellll, other than possibly being in labor, I'm really enjoying every last minute alone with Evan. <3

Movement: It feels like she's trying to push her way out. Throughout the day, I notice her pushing against the top of my uterus with both feet and her head pressing firmly downward on my cervix. Come on out, precious! 

Food cravings: All of the things I've had to cut out during my pregnancy- runny egg yolks, chai tea lattes, here I come!

Gender: Girl :)

Labor Signs: YES! Bloody show at 3:30am! Who would have thought something called "bloody show" could bring a girl so much excitement. {My surges started about 30 minutes later, growing consistently stronger and closer together over the next 9 hours. Things never slowed down when the sun came up like my doula said they would. My water broke during my first and only cervix check around 1:30pm, where my doctor found that I was 9cm dilated and ready to push. Craziness.}

Belly Button in or out? Still in, yay. 

What I miss: Nothing. This is it!

What I am looking forward to: Picnics on the front lawn, playing dress-up, seeing her reaction to the world, seeing Evan's reaction to her... 

Weekly Wisdom: Love, love, love...

Milestones: Labor is here! The ultimate pregnancy milestone! 

{right now...}

Outside my window... it looks like a chilly December day, but it's July. How am I going to explain this odd weather to V? Hehe. 

The time is... 11:58am.

Today I feel... lots of contractions, lots of pressure. 

I am thinking... about all the work I need to finish before I start maternity leave on Friday. Meh.

At the moment, I am thankful... for a healthy baby, husband, and self.

I am going... to eat lunch soon. Baby is hungry.

I am wearing... jeans & a cute shirt/cardigan from Nordies with flip flops.

I wish... I knew when baby was coming. The anticipation is killing us!

I am reading... "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth." Almost done :o)

I am working on... thank you cards.

I am hoping... for a successful HypnoBirth.

I am hearing... the new air purifier my boss got for our office.

I bet you didn't know... that I was 9lbs, 3oz. at birth. Yikes!

One of my favorite... foods right now is blueberries. Can't get enough. Mmm.

{38 weeks!}

{holy eff... next week she's going to be as big as a mini watermelon!}

How your baby's growing:

Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.

Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)

How far along? 38 weeks, 6 days

Total weight gain/loss: around 25 lbs.

Sleep: Ugh. Lots of bathroom breaks, and we have some new neighbors- a large family a screeching owls and a rooster who wakes up at 4am every morning and crows ALL DAY. Lovely!

Best moment this week: Our maternity photo shoot with Karen was pretty amazing, and meeting our doula, Dawn.

Movement: She was really quiet on Tuesday, but she's been moving around like crazy since then.

Food cravings: Acai bowls, still. And sweets. Mmm.

Gender: Girl :)

Labor Signs: Lots of irregular surges, and some other funky feelings going on down there. Doc says she's verrrrry lowwwww. Come on out, little one! :o)

Belly Button in or out? Still in.

What I miss: Running.

What I am looking forward to: So much...

Weekly Wisdom: This will all be over in the blink of an eye, so enjoy it! 

Milestones: We're in the single digits- 8 days til our due date! Craaaaazzzzy. 

{preview: maternity pics}

And now, without further adieu... a couple of our maternity pics! There are more, but they are a bit too... revealing... to share online. Hehe.

Thanks to Karen from The Legacy Boutique  in Los Angeles for making me feel so beautiful and both of us so comfortable.

Enjoy!

{kisses at the santa monica pier}

{dear little one}

V,

I just realized that we only have 15 days left until your due date, V. Wow! <3 While your dad and I still have some minor things to do in preparation for your arrival, I'd say we are totally ready for you to come whenever you are.

Throughout the day, your dad asks me, "Are you going to have a baby today?" Ahh, how nice it would be to know the answer to that question! I've been having lots of practice surges, but nothing timeable. Not yet at least! We're all so excited to meet you this month. Yesss, it's finally July- your birth month. We still can't believe it.

It's such a gorgeous day today. Early this morning, your dad and I met with our doula, the amazing Dawn Thompson.  Afterward, Dad ran to work, I made lunch, and then I took the dog, Sky, for a walk through the neighborhood. Now, as I type this letter to you, your cloth diapers are in the washing machine. I finally started prepping them today, which involves washing & drying them five times in hot water. Why five times, you ask? Each cycle increases their absorbency. Muy importante! You are going to look soooo cute in all of your fluffy little purple, green, pink, and orange diapers.

Wellll, I've got about 30 minutes before the laundry needs rotating, so I think I'm going to lay down in the hammock for a little nap. It's one of those warm, summery, nap-in-a-hammock kind of days. Who am I to argue with Mother Nature? ;)

See you soon, precious...
Mom

PS: One of our family traditions is taking photos in the photo booths at the Del Mar Fair every year. You {ok- more like the belly,} made your first appearance in our annual photo booth picture on Tuesday. Pretty cute, right? :P

{37 weeks}

How your baby's growing:

Your baby is now considered "full term," even though your due date is three weeks away. If you go into labor now, her lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb.

Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

 

How far along? 37 weeks, 6 days

Total weight gain/loss: around 22 lbs.

Sleep: I've developed quite the technique for rolling out of bed. It must be hilarious to watch. :P

Best moment this week: Spending time with the husband. Love him. <3 And our maternity photo shoot with Karen of The Legacy Boutique. We can't WAIT to see the pics.

Movement: Lots. A couple nights ago she pushed her leg out soooo far!

Food cravings: Acai bowls & Thai food from Spice & Rice. Mmm.

Gender: Girl :)

Labor Signs: Lots of practice surges, and she has officially dropped. Lots of pressure nowadays.

Belly Button in or out? Still in.

What I miss: Being comfortable.

What I am looking forward to: Fourth of July celebrations. Baking red velvet cookies. Placing the finishing touches on baby's nursery.

Weekly Wisdom: Enjoy these last few days/weeks alone with Evan. Cuddle. Take naps. Smile.

Milestones: On Monday,  Dr. Biter told me that her head has moved down into my pelvis. She's on her way out!