How it all went down...

We've been home with Harlowe for three weeks now, I can't believe it! It's incredibly surreal that she's a real person now, after waiting so long for her arrival. Here's how it all went down...

10/12 - 39w1d

My last day of work. Well, I didn't know it would be my last day, but I was joking around like it would be and packed up all of my stuff and told everyone that I might see them on Monday, har har. I was fully expecting to go past my due date a week later!

Chris and I headed to his parents' house for dinner with the family. Katie gave me my pre-labor pedicure, so that when everything was all disgusting everywhere else on me, at least my feet would look good! We got home around 10:30 and got into bed shortly after.

Around 11:15, I sat up and pop! My water broke. Holy crap, this was actually happening! No slow build up of contractions or anything, we were having a baby tomorrow!

10/13 - 39w2d

My contractions started on the way to the hospital. We arrived at 12:15 and it was a looooong walk (okay, waddle) from the parking garage to the birthing center. I got into a gown and waited for the show to start. I was able to breathe through my contractions in bed, and nap a little between them. Poor Chris did not nap. He should have, it was about to be the longest day of our lives!

Chris' family arrived at the hospital around 3:30, my parents got there at about 5:30. It was a party in my room! I'd been checked at 4:00, and was up to 7cm dilated from 3. The nurses were rooting for a natural birth for me since I was doing so well. Breathing was really helping!

At 7, the nurse had me do some test pushes to see if I could move Harlowe down a bit. Figuring out HOW to push correctly was a weird experience. You really feel like you're going to explode, then you push harder, and that's the right way. Not fun!

I asked for an epidural at 8. I thought I wouldn't make it at that point; my contractions were coming hard and fast and the thought of going without drugs through the birth was terrifying. My nurse informed me that I was 3rd in line for the anesthesiologist and that baby could very well be here before I got drugged up. So I decided to power through!

8:45 - time to start pushing. After an hour both using a squat bar and laying down, our sweet girl was born at 9:48. We laughed, we cried, but mostly we couldn't stop staring at her. Sleep didn't really happen until Monday night, which was really hard. But healing is going well, breastfeeding is (now) going well, and our little pumpkin is the best thing that could have happened to us!

Two more weeks?

We had an ultrasound today, to measure Harlowe's growth and check my fluid levels. We hadn't seen her since our anatomy scan at 20 weeks, so even though we didn't get to see much of her (not much room!), it was still fun to see her squirm around the screen.

And here's our girl! The ultrasound tech estimates she is just over 8lbs at this point. Oy!! Of course, that's just an estimate and it could be a pound less (or more, but I'm trying not to think about that). More good news, I'm already almost 3cm dilated! One-third there and pain free, woohoo! So really, the countdown is on. 10/18? Maybe.






The nursery is finally finished! For real this time. Things are hung on the walls. The crib is assembled, skirted, waterproofed, sheeted, bumpered, and stuffed animaled. Drawers are stuffed full (thanks cousin Olivia!) and I think we have enough diapers to last a long time.

The last thing to do is pack the bag!

What 9 months pregnant feels like

Ouchie. The hormones that loosen my ligaments are definitely doing their job this week! My hips, knees and feet are feeling it. My wrists feel like they will fall off after a day's work at the computer! Those are my biggest complaints though, so I know that I am lucky.

My belly continues to get bigger, as Harlowe gains her last couple of pounds (ish). Even some of my maternity clothes no longer fit! That's the problem with not really having a torso, there is nowhere for her to go but OUT. This week, several people have asked when I'm due, so I must be starting to look uncomfortably large. Which is just about the truth!

Now that my showers are complete, Chris and I have started filling in the holes. We are so fortunate to have such generous families and friends, so there were not that many holes! Now that that is mostly done, my stress level and oh-my-god-we-have-so-much-to-do craziness has calmed. I even did three loads of baby laundry today! Clothes, crib stuff, bibs and towels are all ready to go!

I'm really learning Harlowe's personality as she grows inside. For instance, she doesn't like when I rest my hands or arms on her. She kicks them away! Also, nighttime is jazzercise time. I always start lying on my left side, and she responds by straightening out in jerky motions. It makes me laugh and cringe, because she tickles my left hip and stretches my skin beyond normal levels simultaneously! It's time to start really treasuring these moments as the end draws near, since we will never be thisclose again. Having said that, I can't wait to meet my daughter!

34 Weeks...are we done yet?

Okay, so I've been a little busy this month. And a little tired, and a lot achy. Harlowe's gained almost 2 pounds in the three weeks since I last posted, and it's definitely noticeable!

See?! 

She's getting really heavy to lug around, and most evenings I wish I had a wheelbarrow to put the belly in. So basically, the countdown to her arrival is on! Her kicks and punches have switched to rolls and here, let me stick my butt/head/elbows/fists out. My poor skin is taking a beating, I tell you!

Significant progress has been made in the nursery...we're done with construction! Chris did a FABulous job in there; Miss Harlowe now has the best room in the house! She has a crib and a dresser, some decor, and a closet full of clothes already. We're looking forward to 3 (yes, 3!) showers in the next 2 weekends to really get prepared. We can't wait!

30 Weeks

30 seems like a magical number. SO SO close, yet so far, since the most uncomfortable and stressful parts are still to come! Fun parts too, like showers and decorating and washing tiny clothes! Obviously, the reward will be pretty good too. : )

Chris continues to be my own personal chef/contractor/picker-upper of things/etc/etc. I really don't know what I'd do without such a great partner! With that, here are updated pictures of her nursery. She will have the best room in the house when he's done!

New blinds! New closet (half finished)! New door! OH MY.

As it turns out, the previous home improvements were terribly done, resulting in some creative framing by Chris. Luckily, you can't even tell because he's THAT good. There was a lot of swearing involved, however.

So that's where we are! Oh yeah, and Baby D now has a name. In 10-ish more weeks, Harlowe Annabelle Ducharme will be here, and we're so freakin' excited!

11 weeks to go!

It's crazy how things change in so little time.

This last week, little girl has started moving like ca-razy. I'm convinced she has ADD. Chris thinks she's probably just bored. Thankfully, my organs are still being spared and all of the karate is being focused outward. If you look at my belly when she's going nuts, it resembles a cat under a sheet - attacking and trying to escape. Creepy!

Now that we've been able to finally spend a weekend at home (first one in 2 months!), Chris has made more progress on her room. She has a new 6-panel door, some baseboards, a closet organizer, and a mirror to go over her dresser. Slowly but surely, she'll have a place to call home!

Our maternity pictures are this weekend, for which I am so excited! The lovely and talented Michelle Newell is the photographer, and I know she'll make the three of us look good.

That's all for now, doctor's visits have increased to two a month, so things will start to move faster. Yikes!

Counting down...

...instead of up. Tomorrow marks 26 weeks, so 14 weeks left! Baby girl's room is starting to look like a nursery, instead of a mish mash of crap storage room with a cat box in it. This is progress.

Chris painted it Sassy Violet, which is, in fact, very sassy! It's a bright lavender that took me a few hours to get used to. But I'm in love now, which is good, because I think Chris may have beaten me if he had to repaint it! (I kid.)

A new light has gone up too, to replace the $5 1982 special that was there. Bonus, this one only cost $10!

I'm especially in love with this mobile from Etsy. Ironically, I hate birds.

Her little lamp! Oh, and my mom when she was...2? 3? I'm bad at ages. And remembering things. Oops.

Her clothes are taking over my closet!

Finally, ME! I'm still winning the battle with my belly button, but I think it's about to get a second wind as we near the finish. Ugh. Speaking of second winds, stairs are my new nemesis! When I tell people I still have 3.5 months left, I think they pity me. Haha, THANKS.

Looking forward to a nice long weekend in Santa Barbara, our last trip before bebe makes her way out! Woohoo!

No name yet. : )

6 Months

Six whole months? I just looked back through all of my belly pics, and how big I thought I looked two months ago. Ha!

Baby D now has a first name, but until Chris and I agree on a middle name, we aren't sharing!

Her room is starting to come together...well, it's mostly come apart, to be honest. The closet doors are down, the baseboards are gone, and the door trim is off. Hers will be the first room remodeled in our house, lucky girl! We ordered a sheet for her crib, which arrives tomorrow. Then we can get paint on the walls and start putting it all back together. Oh, and by we, I mean Chris. : )

Even her stroller and carseat will be delivered to us next week! There was too good a deal to pass up by the manufacturer, so what the hell, we'll get lots of practice folding it up.

After shopping all day today, my feet are ready for bed. Another new pregnancy ailment - heartburn. Nothing terrible, just a burning in the back of my throat, which I can power through with food or drink. As long as my reflux doesn't come up, I'll be happy!

She's going to be a dancer!

This girl has been busy the last week! Her kicks and punches to my bladder, cervix, and various other organs have been weird but amazing to feel. Just this morning I felt her from the outside, which Chris has been DYING to feel! Feeling when she's awake and asleep has really helped me bond with our nameless baby.

Onward and outward! My belly button has started making the great escape to the outside...poor thing won't stand a chance in a few weeks!

Still no cravings, no heartburn, no sickness, no nothing except giant tumor belly. Oh, except for the leg cramps. I can deal with those, though. I should be a professional baby maker the way things are going! Hoping this trend continues!

22 weeks on the nose:

I wanted to add this picture of our sweet girl taken at our anatomy scan. She's already cute, swear.

Half Baked!

It's a GIRL! We couldn't be more excited! Chris and I both thought it would be a boy, but we've switched gears and are thinking pink these days. It turns out that every first child on the Ducharme side back to who knows when is a girl, so we really shouldn't have been surprised!

No names yet, so feel free to suggest your own, as everyone else has done. ; )

After spending a lot of time on my feet this weekend for my sister's wedding (dress mostly fit!), I have come to the realization that it is becoming increasingly difficult to do all of the things I used to do...like stand for hours at a time. I need to build sitting time into my schedule every day, and it's really hard to accept! Other than that, I'm still feeling really good! No cravings to report, besides maybe carbonated drinks. I can't get enough! I even put Sprite in my juice to make it fizzy. Mmmm!

And here she is, in all her 19w6d glory! Growth is really going to pick up from here on out, woohoo!

17-ish weeks

Time is flying. We have 3 weddings, 2 birthdays, and a busy summer ahead! Before we know it, it will be third trimester time already! Yikes. We haven't really done anything yet, just waiting on Bumpy to show us the goods in 15 days and we can go, go, GO!

In extremely exciting news, I felt Bumpy move last weekend, just before my first Mother's Day (sweet baby got me a card!). It's such a weird and incredible feeling, like being on a rollercoaster, or that tight feeling your abs get after a good workout. I can't wait until the kicks get more pronounced so that Chris can feel them too! I know I'll regret saying that when he's bouncing on my bladder/cervix/ribs, but for now I'm enjoying it.

My first bare belly shot, look out!

15 weeks

Things that are becoming increasingly difficult to do:

• sleep through the night
• go a reasonable amount of time before having to pee for 236542nd time that day
• sit
• stand
• stay awake past 10pm
• shave my legs
• find clothes to wear (my available wardrobe shrinks as my belly expands!)
• go anywhere without snacks
• pick things up off the floor

It's been fun though! We had another ultrasound 2 weeks ago, that showed our baby looking like a real baby! Sometimes they can tell the gender at this point, but the junk was...unavailable for view. Haha.

Next up in the next couple of weeks - the anatomy scan!! I can't wait to see what Baby D is packing! That sounded creepy, sorry. I just can't plan anything until I know what it is, and let's face it, I'm impatient. As is everyone else who keeps hounding me! You know who you are!!

It's hard to believe I'm in the second trimester. Harder to believe that in a month, I'll be HALFWAY. HALF!! Yikes.

I am Jessica Simpson?

I'm not entirely sure that I'm not really 5 months along instead of 3. I sure look like it! Fitting into my bridesmaid dress for Jamie's wedding in 2 months might be interesting...

Right now the only pregnancy symptom I'm having is sciatica, which is AWESOME. : S

Our second OB appointment was today, and we got to hear the heartbeat again! It was nerve wracking at first when she couldn't find it. My stomach dropped but after a minute, we heard the bum-bum-bum-bum at 160 BPM. Good and strong! The big ultrasound is in 1.5 weeks, where the baby will start looking like a baby instead of a blob.

We "came out" on Facebook last weekend, so that means this is really happening! Scary and exciting, there's no doubt about it!

10 weeks and I'm goin' down!

I jinxed myself. I knew it would happen. Dammit! I still have yet to blow chunks, which is good, but the nausea is no joke! Neither is the bloating, or general feeling of ickiness taking over my insides.

I graduated to maternity pants, which seemed ridiculous at the time of purchase (I was only 9.5 weeks!!), but they're pretty awesome, I must say. I may never go back to regular pants. They're like yoga pants, but fancier! What's not to like?!

Chris has been amazing these last few weeks. Now that I'm pretty much worthless in the home improvement area, he's been crazy busy painting, wiring, installing, cooking, cleaning and doing anything else I task him with. He's barely even complained! This bodes well for our future.

And now, presenting my first bump picture! It's still a lot of bloat, so don't get too excited. It's gone up and down all week, but here it is!

8 weeks and I'm feeling goooood!

I feel weird, but good. Making a baby is tiring, let me tell you. My books say that it's equal to body building or running a marathon everyday, and I believe it! I'm exhausted ALL. THE. TIME.

But that's okay. As long as everything I eat stays in my stomach, I'm fine with falling asleep at my desk. So far, so good. Knock on wood, fingers crossed, and all that.

We had our first doctor's appointment this week, which went well. I got a flu shot (seems redundant, but now I'm SUPER immune) and gave a gallon of blood (not really). The best is still yet to come in 3 days - our first ultrasound! I'm hoping they can find the heartbeat and that we can get a picture of our li'l bean!

And here's the little bubby!

6 weeks and Chris' Birthday!

We found out we were expecting 2 weeks before Chris' birthday, and 2 weeks after we'd moved into our first home. It was kind of a big month for us...

What better way to let our families know our news than at a birthday/housewarming BBQ! We had it all planned, lines and all.

I wrapped a boy onesie and a girl onesie in a box. He would open this gift last. I was nervous as he was opening! He looked at the box, opened it.

"Hun, I told you these were too small, and one of them is kinda girly."

"Well, they're not for YOU," he pulled out the onesies, "they're for our baby! We're having a baby!"

Needless to say, it was a great surprise for everyone. We even forgot Chris' cake! Oops.

So it begins...

I got the flu on our 5th dating anniversary. We still enjoyed our delicious lobster tails at home, but it was much less romantic than usual! I'd contemplated picking up a pregnancy test on the way home from work because I knew it was about that time, but just wanted to get home and into my robe. I was so achy and uncomfortable! It would have been a great anniversary/Valentine's present, but it wasn't happening...

After three days on the couch feeling terrible, I forced Chris to get me a test. He bought a case of beer with it to seem more manly. When he got home, I told him to watch dinner on the stove, and ran upstairs to see. I'd been holding my pee in for what seemed like 253 hours, and I had to GO! They say not to watch it or look at it until the time has elapsed, but screw that, I wanted to know!

Then I saw the blue line. That perfect, dark little line that would change our lives forever. I brought the stick downstairs and put it on the counter. Chris looked at it, and looked at me. Looked at it again.

"Does that mean you're pregnant?"

As if the grin on my face wasn't enough of a giveaway!

After we hugged I returned to the couch because I was still feeling bad, and now I couldn't even take any meds to ease my misery! We'd process this info later!