36 weeks

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How Far Along: 36 weeks (and 4 days)....I know, I know...I'm late in posting this!


Size of baby:  I'm guessing a little over 9lbs.  Dr. Willis didn't do a growth check on Friday but I'm basing that on her average weight gain per week.

Gender/Name: It's a GIRL!!!! Annalise Claire Phillips :)

Maternity Clothes: I only have a select things that still fit and look halfway decent. Ugh. I feel like I wear the same clothes EVERY week and now that it's getting HOT AS THE DICKENS, I only have 3 short sleeve maternity shirts so they get worn A LOT. Oh well.

Belly Button:  Still the same.  Just flat.

Movement:  She still gets the hiccups quite often and it's so annoying so I feel so bad for her because as annoying as they are for me, I can't imagine how frustrated she gets!!! Poor baby.  She's also been hurting me lately.  I guess she's just getting so big, her kicks and jabs are with full force. 

Sleep:  I've only been getting up about twice per night and it isn't that bad. 

Symptoms:  Still having the same pains and hurts.

What I miss: I miss my pre-pregnancy self. Seriously. I'm SO ready to be able to start feeling normal again.

What I'm looking forward to:  Thursday is my last day of work until June 4th!!!! I am SO excited to be able to spend next week with Preslei since it's Spring Break! I can't remember spending a solid week with her and she and I both are looking forward to it (if I don't go into labor beforehand).  I've pinned some fun arts and crafts projects for her to do and she's excited about that.  :)  I think this whole stay at home Mom gig for 2 months will spoil me.

Questions/Concerns:  Wondering what is up with my cramps that are continued cramps?! I'm wondering if maybe I'm dilating or something.  Who knows.  I will see Dr. Morales today and he's gotta do that Group B swab so I'm going to see if I've dilated or anything while he's "down there". 

Cravings:  Honestly, nothing really sounds good to me.  I think my stomach is stretched so tight that the thought of really eating anything good makes me wanna barf.

Best moment this week:  Keith finalizing the "honey-do" list.  We still have to apply her vinyl monogram to her wall (if it will stick...we have textured walls) and that'll be it! Car seat is installed, dining room curtains are hung, old recliner is out and new one is in and Annalise's chandelier is hung!  Hopefully I will upload pictures of her nursery SOON!

37 weeks (and 3 days)

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37 WEEKS

Pregnancy Highlights
How Far Along: 37 weeks and 3 days.  Posting late seems like it is becoming a habit.

Size of baby:  I'm thinking maybe around 9 1/2 pounds since she was 8lbs 11oz 2 weeks ago.

Gender/Name: It's a GIRL!!!! Annalise Claire Phillips :)

Maternity Clothes: I only have a select things that still fit and look halfway decent. Ugh. I feel like I wear the same clothes EVERY week and now that it's getting HOT AS THE DICKENS, I only have 3 short sleeve maternity shirts so they get worn A LOT. Oh well.

Belly Button:  Still the same.  Just flat.

Movement:  Slowing down drastically.  She will start moving around A LOT about 3 times a day but other than that, she's just chillaxin' ;o)

Sleep:  I've only been getting up about twice per night and it isn't that bad.

Symptoms:  Still having the same pains and hurts.

What I miss: I miss my pre-pregnancy self. Seriously. I'm SO ready to be able to start feeling normal again.

What I'm looking forward to:  Spending next week at home just me and Preslei! Although I must say, we've stayed home the majority of the weekend and I'm already bored.  She and I are headed to WalMart later today to buy all her little art and craft goodies for us to make next week.

Questions/Concerns:  This will probably be TMI for some but ever since last Thursday, I've had loose movements.  Whereas before, I struggled with constipation.  So, I googled.  It says that it could mean labor is on its way.  We'll see!

Cravings:  Water.  I feel like I can't drink enough water!

Best moment this week:  Leaving work on Thursday for the last time until June 4th!! Whoop whoop!  I know I'll be getting calls from time to time but I like knowing I won't HAVE to get up early and rush around getting ready the girls ready and myself ready every morning!
I also got some great news from Dr. Willis on Friday.  My amniotic fluid is back "within normal range"!  He said he didn't need to see any more but if I wanted to, I could come back for my last visit.  Since it's only a $25 copay and I have ONE more with him, I scheduled the appointment.  I just want to know I'm doing and have done everything in my power to make sure she is being monitored the way she should.  

Hello from the hospital :)

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Don't freak....I haven't had Annalise yet!  Here's the story:

I had my regular weekly checkup yesterday and my blood pressure was 156/89 but it was that the week before and nothing was really said.  I saw Dr. Hall this time and he wrote me an order to go to the hospital to get monitored just to be safe.  No biggie.  Mom and Preslei were with me (since I'm not working and it's Spring Break, she was with us) so off we went to the hospital.  I got hooked up and had my blood drawn and peed in a cup.  Annalise's heartrate looked good and I wasn't contracting so I thought I'd be discharging soon.  WRONG.

My nurse came back and said there was a trace of protein in my urine and I had to stay overnight for observation and a 24 hour urine test.  I was like, "No freaking way".  Sooo.....I got admitted around 6pm and I'm still here.  Dr. Morales came in this morning and said that my liver enzymes were elevated and I had protein in my urine yesterday so he said if the tests come back that I have mild preeclampsia then he will go ahead and schedule my csection for this week.  If the tests come back fine, then we are still on for next Thursday.  He told me if my liver enzymes are fine then I will be discharged this evening and I will call his office in the morning to find out the urine results.

If I have learned one thing from being admitted prior to my delivery, it's that I WILL be investing in a foam topper thing for this horrible hospital bed.  I remember after having Preslei how much these beds hurt my butt and I could never get comfortable so this time, I'm going to come prepared.  And I've also realized that I do in fact have a high tolerance to medication.  Ambien has NO effect on me.  :(

I will update once I know more!! Just continue to keep us in your prayers!

Change in plans

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Let's back track to about 4pm today.  I'm definitely getting antsy knowing I should be going home in the next few hours so its like time just stops.  L&D come in and hook me up to the NST to monitor Annalise and me and after that is over, I'm thinking "tick tock" its 6 o'clock so they should be collecting my urine sample and getting the results.   7pm rolls around, I know it is shift change and I'm patient.  My FAVORITE nurse I've had, Megan (post partum nurse) came in and she tells me she is going to check the labs.  10 minutes or so, she comes back in and is like, "well......your urine has high traces of protein and you can't go home tonight because he wants to deliver Annalise tomorrow".  I have such a mixture of emotions.  First off, I wanted to go HOME for the night.  I had her beg and please with Dr. Hall but since I definitely in fact have preeclampsia I can't leave.  But the good news is we will welcome Miss Annalise tomorrow afternoon!!!!

OH..EMM...GEEE.......it seems SO surreal.  
I freaked out because the bag I had packed for Preslei was used last night because we weren't expecting her to have to spend the night with my parents (Keith was on call last night and worked because of the weather) so she used most everything in her "emergency" bag.  
Keith and Preslei had been here in the hospital with me since mid morning and I must say, Preslei was good for the most part.  She would get bored and want to act like a kid so Keith would take her to the gift shop, etc.  We were under the impression that I would be going home around 6:30 so it made the most sense for them to stay since we live 45 minutes away.  
Keith took Preslei home and my "list" of his little "things to do and gather list".  Bless his heart, I can almost guarantee he will forget something on the list!!! LOL.  As long as her hair is down with a big bow and her big sister Preslei shirt, I'm ok.  I just like for her to look SUPER cute all the time but ESPECIALLY on the day she becomes a big sister!!! 
I have so many things racing thru my mind but I feel so relaxed and at peace about it.  God is in complete control and I've left everything in His hands from the very beginning.  
I will update tomorrow night depending on what time they do the surgery and how I'm feeling.  
I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE AND HOLD MY PRECIOUS BABY!!!!! 

To my sweet Annalise

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Where to even begin.

I am sitting here the morning of my surgery ready to welcome you into the world with so many thoughts and emotions running thru my mind.  First and foremost, I am most thankful to God for allowing me to be your Mom.  I must have done something right in my life to be able to be called "Mom" by two little girls.

Daddy and I prayed for you for so long that it still seems unreal that you are almost in our arms.  I wonder what you will look like, what you will act like and how big you will be!!!! Will you have the dark olive skin and dark brown hair like your Daddy or will you have pale skin, green eyes and freckles like me?  Will you be loud, outspoken, impatient but compassionate like me or will you be laid back like Daddy?  Will you have curly hair like your big sister?  All these things I've wondered for 9 months and to know you will be born in a little over 10 hours is just too exciting for words.

I want you to know that you have the BEST big sister and best friend you could ever ask for.  Preslei has been waiting so patiently for you to get here.  She tells me on a daily basis that she's going to teach you how to read, color, draw your name and most importantly, use your manners and share.  I can't wait to see the love you two will have for each other and the sisterly bond you both will share.  You now have a best friend for life.

You, my sweet Annalise, are a true miracle.  You see, back when you were 8 weeks old, there was no "you".  You were hiding somehow.  God truly allowed Himself to work thru you to teach me patience and to rely solely on Him.  We waited to do anything medically and just wait it out and see if by some miracle, you were in fact in my tummy and you were there a week later with your tiny little heart beating so fast.  I will never ever in my life forget that moment or that feeling to know you were safe.

I want you to always put God first and your family second.  They are the two people that will never let you down, I can promise you that.  Your faith and belief in Him will carry you thru some of the hardest moments in your life but if you lean on Him and fully Trust in Him, everything will be just fine.  I promise as your Mom that I will do my very best to always be the best Mom.

I can't wait to lay my eyes on you my sweet baby and hold you in my arms.

With all my heart,

I love you, Mom.

Details and update on Annalise

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First and foremost, here is our precious baby girl!


Annalise Claire Phillips was born yesterday (April 5, 2012) at 5:47pm (exact time as Preslei) weighing 10lbs 2oz and is 21 inches long!!!

Annalise had to be transferred to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital (I'm at Capital Regional) to the NICU because of low oxygen levels.  The pediatrician said he just wasn't happy with her levels and wanted her to go to the NICU.  While I'm super sad I haven't been able to hold her, I know she is exactly where she needs to be so she can focus on getting healthy.  She has been intubated since not too long after birth and she has pneumonia and started antibiotics last night.  The nurses in NICU said she will be there a minimum of seven days.  She has also been somewhat sedated because she wasn't liking the vent and they want her comfortable.  She truly is in the best hands possible.

I should be getting released tomorrow afternoon and as soon as I get released, I'm heading over to see my sweet baby!!!! I won't be able to hold her until she is off the vent but at least I'll be able to spend some time with her.  Keith is with her now.

Here are a few pics :)  I will update more in detail about her delivery once things settle down.  Just remember to keep us in your thoughts and prayers!!!

PS....she DEFINITELY looks like Keith! She has his dark hair and olive skin tone and his nose :)  Gosh I adore my family!

One EXCITED soon to be big sister!
 Last picture as a family of 3
 Welcome to the world Annalise!!! (hope no one has a weak stomach!)
 Sweet baby girl!
 The "dream team"!!! Wait until my blog post about my AMAZING delivery day and nothing but God-sent coincidences!  
 In the nursery
Preslei showing off her present from her little sister! ;o) 
The Phillips Family of Four!!! (This was right before they transported Annalise)

Yay for blogging again

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Well hello blogging world-its nice to see you again! :)

We are home and doing so well! Annalise has settled right in.  She was released from Tallahassee Memorial Hospital NICU on Saturday, April 14th after spending 9 days there (the LONGEST 9 days of my entire life).  She got a clean bill of health with the exception of she did not pass her inital hearing screen so we have to go back for a secondary screening.  I've been told by the NICU nurses and our pediatrician that it does not mean she can't hear.  Most babies that have been intubated have a hard time hearing at first and that it is probably just fluid that was still there.  She can hear because if any of us make a loud noise, she jumps like it has scared her. 

Annalise has definitely been following in her big sister's footsteps in the fact she is SO content!  She rarely cries unless she's hungry, having her clothes changed or is being handed off too much (just like Preslei).  She sleeps in 4 to 5 hour increments and then eats, has about 1 hour of awake time and back off to sleepy land. 

Preslei has been such a great big sister.  I am so incredibly proud of her and how well she has taken everything.  When Annalise was in NICU, we made a point to take tons of pictures of her and the first thing Preslei would do when we'd pick her up from my parents' was grab my phone and camera so she could see the new pictures of her sister.  Preslei has regressed a little and has been quite defiant lately, but hey, she's only 4 and we are dealing with it and being patient.  Some say "oh its just jealously" but I truly think its just an attention thing and not that she's jealous.  Preslei has been such a big help to me and Keith by bringing us diapers or bottles or anything else.  LOL...she really likes helping me pump.  Her "job" is to turn the pump on.  Some may think its weird but I've always been very open with her and she understands that babies drink Mommy's milk :)  Oh and she's been SUPER fascinated with my "cut".  She wants to see it EVERY day and is always telling me how good it looks and it's healing, lol.  Bless her.  I for sure think she is going to be a doctor like I've told her she's going to be since day one.  ;)

As far as me, I'm doing fantastic.  I feel great.  I truly think the reason I bounced back as fast as I did (I honestly felt great on day 3) was because I had no other choice than to put on my big girl panties and be Super Mom.  I had a 4 year old to make sure was adjusting and understood what was going on and I also had to go to Tallahassee every day for hours on end to spend time with Annalise.  I started driving sooner than doctor's orders but I rationalized with myself and told myself that had I not bounced back like I did, I wouldn't be driving now.  Plus, I have Mommy duties to do!  Oh and I have to brag, while at the doctor's office yesterday for Annalise's check up, I stepped on the scale.  I have lost 26lbs!!! Heck yes! That's an additional 6lbs off my pre-pregnancy weight! Whoop Whoop!

I sincerely want to thank everyone who called, texted, emailed, "Facebook'd" and prayed for Annalise (and the rest of us).  I am a firm believer in the power of prayer and I found so much comfort in knowing Annalise was being prayed over by so many.  She is one very loved little girl!  I am so blessed to have two amazing girls! 

Next up.....my super amazing delivery day!!!! (I will post that either tonight or tomorrow!)