Stephanie Jo's First Week

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Big Belli.....Chunky Baby!

Wow, that belli really is getting HUGE!

Went to the dr today....all is well with our little Chunky Monkey
(Stephie Jo). This kid is 8lbs....atleast (the dr said). She is VERY happy where she is at....but is much lower than she was last week (which I can attest to....I feel how low she is everytime I cough or sneeze)! He said it should be any day now (didn't he say that last week). He was actually surprised to see me there still prego...he actually sang me a little song about it (he's awesome!) The family in Texas has a 3 day weekend so this would be the perfect time for her to come....which of course means she won't :) I'll update my belli pictures often...because each day it looks bigger!

I feel great though. Aside from being tired and having back pain (only when I walk around too much) I feel great. I'm sleeping alot, and so is Stephie Jo....she moves the most after dinner. We are both resting up and getting ready to meet each other. It's strange to have gone through all this and now it is literally just a waiting game....and I'm such a planner. Strangely, I don't mind just waiting. Others in the family are getting anxious, but I'm just having fun going to sleep each night wondering if that's the night....then waking up saying, "Nope, not last night....so what can I get done today" My blood pressure has been good despite my activities....I'm sure that's due to LOTS of sleep and lemon water :)

Seriously, that's a big belli! But the arms and face aren't too bad....not that I would care! My nursing tanks are SOOOO comfortable! I LOVE them! Who would have thought I would find such a life saver at Target!! and yes, I did get my nails done....you can only control a few things when your prego....having nice nails is one of them :)

Boulder is Ready!

Boulder is ready to protect Stephie Jo! He is a force to be reckoned with!! He is so protective of his momma and auntie kati....can't even imagine how protective he'll be of Stephie Jo!This is where Boulder sleeps.....when it's not bed time. Once I go to bed he patrols the room and usually sleeps in front of the bedroom door or bathroom door....to keep out the boogie monster :)

Getting Ready for Baby.....

Stephie Jo's swing...so cute! The piano bench was my grandmothers (daddy's moms)......I love how this looks!!

I have a big girl bed! For the first time in our marriage Josh and I have a big bed, matching nightstands and dressers AND a comforter with cute pillows and a throw. We did have our IKEA stuff, but never finished that off with pillows and such....this is just SO fun and perfect (Roxy agrees...super snuggly).
Stephie Jo's cradle.....I'm betting she'll just end up in bed with me :)
Daddy's dresser...with a MUCH smaller TV. He's hoping to buy a flat screen to hang on the wall...not high on my priority list. Boulder sleeps on the blanket next to Josh's dresser.....
Mommy's dresser.....with Stephie Jo's humidifier. Make sense since she'll be sleeping in there :)

Prego Belli, January 12th

Awww, such a cute belli! It's stinkin huge!

Well my dr has okayed me to do more activity (Thank God!). My blood pressure is down and my protein levels are as well. God is good! A few days on bed rest and I'm now allowed to be a somewhat functioning human being :) We went in Friday and he still thinks she won't make it to 40 weeks....I'll be 39 weeks on Monday.....I'm hoping she comes the 15th. Then she and her 2nd cousin Jeremiah can share a birthday :) Come on Stephie Jo!!!!

This belli can't get much bigger!!!!

Look what Stephie Jo Gave Me.....

I have feet again!! and ankles!!! Thanks to Lemon Water I can actually wear shoes :) and my feet somewhat resemble what they used to be!!

Swollen face...one of Stephie Jo's gifts to her momma.....

This belli is big....and not so cute! Stretch marks started about a month ago and HAVEN'T STOPPED!!! They are out of control! She's a big baby and making it known!! Only scroll down if you want to see my prego belli in ALL it's glory.......

Yea, this is my good side.....

And this is the real damage....I wouldn't post this except I have had several requests....seriously! This baby is about 8lbs now and my belli is about at it's max! No amount of Belli-Butter is making a difference folks!!!

Never a dull moment!

Things continue to be fun and crazy at the Brooks house :) Josh is settled and working.....seems to like it and is happy to be FINALLY doing what he has trained for. Aside from the timing this is a great thing!

Stephie Jo continues to be a little stinker. I was sent home from work yesterday with elevated blood pressure. My dr told me to go home and rest, then come in this morning to have it checked. I went in this morning and have gestational hypertension. He's not horribly worried, but I am now on bedrest and will go back Friday to have it checked again and probably have some bloodwork done. This pregnancy continues to be a grand adventure :) He says Stephie Jo is about 7 3/4 lbs and probably will make her grand entrance soon. I am 38 weeks and 2 days...he doubts I make it to 40 weeks. So now we are shooting for her "cousin" Jeremiah's birthday (the 15th). Jeremiah is my cousin Michelle's little boy (check out her blog....he's super cute). They will be out here to visit us over Spring Break....SO MUCH FUN!

Will continue to keep you updated. Will post pictures and videos of Stephie Jo as soon as she arrives and we are settled at home. Please pray this little girl stays happy and comes on her own....and that God will continue to provide Josh and I with peace and wisdom in the big decisions to come....much love to all!