Turkey Day = Success!

This year, Reed and I spent Turkey Day solo in Birmingham. Reed's family went to their house at Bay Point, and my fam stayed in Pensacola since the college sisters wanted to be at home. Understandable, since they'll be spending Christmas here.
ANYWAYS, we cooked some of our favorite dishes... and they all turned out great! I didn't help much - and to be fair, I warned Reed beforehand. As my due date gets closer, standing for long periods of time in a hot kitchen sounded less than desirable. I did, however, cook my mom's sweet potato casserole and two pumpkin pies. Reed cooked the turkey, stuffing, cranberry & pomegranate sauce, squash casserole and rolls. We ate around 3:00 and then grazed for the rest of the afternoon. I found out the hard way that stuffing yourself when you're 9 months pregnant isn't so much fun. But at least you don't have to worry about looking fat... that's already a given!
Anyone reading who knows my family well will be glad to know that Sinrod (now Williams) home videos will continue in our fam with Reed as a new narrator! We purchased a video camera on Wednesday night, and let me tell you-- Reed will give the Doc a run for his money. He filmed our Thanksgiving experience and I'm a little scared about all the filming that is to come.
On a pregnancy note... I've been having some contractions... but they always seem to subside instead of increase in frequency. They hurt like hell but every time I start to feel them I can't help but be excited. Hopefully something soon!

37 Weeks, 2 Days

Just got back from the doctor a little while ago and I'm happy to report I've made some progress. I'm 2 cms dilated now, and the baby's head is in -1 station. I can't believe I forgot to ask how effaced I am - oh well. My last appointment was only 4 days ago... so I was excited to hear I've dilated another cm since then. She thinks the baby will weigh between 7 and 8 pounds.
I go back next Tuesday!

Done w/ Week 37!

This weekend was basically spent relaxing at the casa - watching movies (Kung Fu Panda & Get Smart), cooking and working on the house. BTW, don't we have great taste in movies?

We went to Target to get some last minute baby necessities... I think Reed had a great time helping me pick out nursing bras, nursing pads and pacifiers. Did I mention, by the way, that we took a breastfeeding class last week? It was pretty informative, however, we were both falling asleep after the first hour and a half and decided to sneak out during the break. It would've been great if the old lady instructor didn't take 10 minutes per slide... considering there were 60. Anyways, we've decided we're going to give breastfeeding a try and see how it goes. I hope it goes well... they say formula can cost up to $3,000.00 for one year's supply these days. Yeesh!

Before the baby comes I'd like to finish up a couple things as far as Christmas is concerned. I have everyone done except for Dad. Why is it that Dads are so hard to shop for? I have no idea what to get him. Every time he wants something he gets it for himself...
Reed and I went to Best Buy yesterday to look at video cameras - our gift to each other this year. We're pretty pumped about the camera we picked. It can take up to 9 hours of video at a time. That's lots of Chappell sleeping, eating & pooing on video! Hah...

Tomorrow I go in again for my 38 week check at 9:15. I will report after the appointment!

37 Week Appointment

Yo.
This morning I had my 37 week appointment. Dr. Brown checked my progress, and said that I am still about 60 % effaced, more than a cm dilated now (vague), and the baby's head is well engaged in my pelvis. She also said the baby was rather low for 37 weeks - which is a good thing, but explains some of my discomfort. She finally said that the pain I've been having IS in fact sciatic nerve pain (sciatica)... which I already knew. If you're experiencing excruciating shooting pains in your hip/legs... and if you've read/know anything about pregnancy, it's pretty obvious. My Strep B test came back negative, which is also good news.
I go back again on Tuesday.
I can't sleep. I can't walk (well). I'm sick of hurting. I'm a whale.
Maybe I'll be less negative tomorrow.
For now, that's about it.

So ready for baby...

Pregnancy at this point seems like one big waiting game. This weekend we had the car seat installed by the fire department, put the stroller together, and packed our hospital bags. I've addressed Chappell's birth announcements (yes, I know I'm anal)... so I can't really think of much else I have to do to prepare for her arrival. Today I played with baby Julia all day which makes waiting for my baby even harder! Russell's given me a lot of hands-on time with her babe, so I hopefully I'm learning a little about newborns. I hope I'm lucky enough to have a baby as good as Julia. She barely cries- such a cute little bean! When I was holding her, Chappell gave her some strong kicks in the back... just saying hello to her future pal!

25 - Whoop

Please examine first photo to see what a giant egg on legs looks like.

Soooo went to the doctor this morning. I'm 60% effaced and about a centimeter dilated. Might not mean much, but we shall see. Back pain is back in full force today. Sooo much fun!
Smith came in town and we got to play some... lunch and pedicures. Visited the babe... surprise dinner with Reed tonight!

Julia Russell! Perfect name change!

35 Weeks, 5 Days

Last night was so incredible! Seriously... I'm probably as excited about this baby as I am about my own child. Russ was induced yesterday at around 6:30 AM and had baby Cham around 6ish last night. I can't remember what time exactly...
Beau was so cute and ran into the waiting room screaming, "I'm a Daddy!" Everyone immediately whipped out their cell phones and started texting/calling. I think there were a few pictures taken of that - can't wait to see them. Ha. As you saw from the pictures below, she is the cutest little thing I've ever seen. Actually, weighing in at 8 lbs, 15 ounces... she's a pretty big babe!
Tomorrow is my 25th birthday and first check! We shall see if Chappell's in any way ready to come out. It's kind of weird that Russell's not pregnant anymore! I must also note that I think Chap's shifted off of my sciatic. It's still sore, and hurts a little to walk-- but the limp isn't so bad and it's not as painful.

Baby Chambliss!

Amelia on the Way!

Russ is being induced in the morning-- so exciting!

35 Weeks, 3 days

Hello faithful blog readers... if there are any!
Last night we got back from a long weekend of traveling. We got to see both families on our tour of the southeast. We probably won't be seeing our parents again until Chappell makes her big debut in about 4 weeks. I have a doctor's appointment this Friday and will continue to go weekly from this point on. Never in my life have I looked forward to any sort of pelvic exam... in fact, they used to scare me to death! But, I'm really excited/curious to see if I've made any progress down there. Weird - I know. I'm not expecting to be dilated or anything at this first appointment, being only about 36 weeks... but I would certainly welcome any sign of an early arrival!

As far as being preggo's concerned, I've become extremely uncomfortable. On Saturday, the pain in my lower back got much worse and now I can barely walk. Any weight or pressure on my left side causes a shooting pain in my back and down my left leg. It's the worst. Thank GOD I am not working right now... it would be impossible. There's not much you can do to help sciatic nerve pain... it's due to the baby's position and pressure on my lower back. The only real cure is delivery. The doctor said I could do physical therapy... I think I'm going to try getting a massage and just wait it out.

34 Weeks, 5 Days

Tonight, we are off to Pcola. I'm dreading the drive, but at least it's the last time I'll be in the car (for long) until after the baby's born. I'm just hoping that Russell's baby doesn't arrive until after I get back! I think we're safe... her due date is in 8 days (November 14th, my birthday), and today she wasn't feeling any action so I think we'll be back in time!

Here are a few more pictures from the Pensacola baby shower:

Yes We Can! Obama wins!

Just felt like documenting an incredible moment in American history...

Although it didn't really matter in the RED state of Alabama, Chappell and I stood in line for 45 minutes to cast our vote. Obama's speech was awesome last night - today I'm so proud to be an American!

34 Weeks, 1 Day

My back is killing me. This all started about a week ago and it's getting worse. It's mostly on the left side, but makes it hard to walk and even sleep. I've had such an easy pregnancy (besides first trimester morning sickness) that I feel like I deserve some pain. I've been so lucky!

It also helps to know it's due to her head applying pressure to my lower back and pelvis. Lovely, huh? It did, however, make wearing heels on Saturday night extra fun!

Here are a few pictures my mom sent from the Pensacola shower... I'm proud of you mom for learning how to upload pictures!

Again, I am fully aware that I look like a whale. It's OK because the diet starts in 6 weeks - or less if she's early.