Our last Friday as a couple - this time next week we will be three!

This is officially our last Friday as a couple. This time next week we will become a family! My induction date is for next Friday and we have to be at the hospital by 5am so we're pretty certain she'll be here by next Friday evening! Jimmy and I are so excited! We had a date night for the first time in 5 months tonight. We went to see the movie "Life As We Know It". We thought it sounded appropriate ;) Super cute movie. It was nice to get out and do something together before G-Nug arrives.

We can't thank everyone enough for all the support and love you have shown through our pregnancy journey and we hope you are all as excited as we are to meet our little girl!

Love,
Jimmy & Nicole

~~~37 Weeks~~~FULL TERM!

Tomorrow I will be 37 weeks and considered full-term! Yahooo!! Even Golden Nugget is excited she has the hiccups as I'm writing this :) I never thought we would've made it this far! We are so blessed. With that being said, my doctors appointment went very well today! I am no longer on bed rest and can do whatever I like. I was told to take it slow because my muscle tone is pretty much gone after 4 1/2 months of bedrest and since I've been laying on my side Dr. Lambers said that it might take a little time for my head to adjust being upright. But she strongly encouraged me to do what I can do to try to build up a little core muscle to help with labor.

G-Nug was doing great today and my amniotic fluid levels looked good! I'm still 80% effaced and almost 3 cm dilated. Dr. Lambers also said that she might even hold out for another 17 days which would be our induction date of 10/29! We'll see.... Regardless, we are so ready to meet our little nugget!

The next post will probably be when she arrives :) Jimmy and I can't wait for her to meet all the amazing and supportive people in our lives!

We love you all,
~N

36 weeks and important ultrasound

Well, we've hit a big milestone...36 weeks! We had our last measurement ultrasound before the little one gets here. It's an ultrasound that measures the estimate of nuggets current weight. Believe it or not she weighed in at a whopping 7lbs 12oz.!!!! She is not messing around...just like her Mommy :) One more week before we're considered full-term...yay!!

I am still 80% effaced and now 2 cm dilated. Fluid level is holding and she is still moving and grooving. She is more quiet now but still has her moments where she finds Mommies ribs with no problems! Ouchie!!

I was able to squeeze in a little baby shower and I want to thank everyone who came. With special thanks to my sister-in-laws, Patti & Jill, and my mother-in-law, Gerry for making it so wonderful. A memory that I will always cherish. It was beautiful!

Lovin' my baby belly!

No stretch marks yet!! Hopefully I can make it without any :)

34 weeks today :-)

Well, my doctor's appointment Monday went very well! I haven't dilated anymore. My first series of non-stress tests went pretty well too. I was monitored for contractions for about 20 minutes in which they also listen to the baby's hearbeat and watch for elevations when she moves. As always, GNugget was a champ!! Her heart rate still is a strong 144!! We did measure the amniotic fluid too and it was a little low at 8.6. I need to continue to drink water as much as possible, but it does feel like I am running out of room in there :) If it gets below 5 they will admit me and give me an IV. I asked Dr. Lambers if she thinks that we will make it to my induction date of 10/29 and she said probably not but thinks I will make it past 36 weeks and go into labor on my own. We are both very happy with this! We could have a baby girl within 3 weeks...or really, any day now, but hoping for at least 3 more!

Jimmy & his Mom, Gerry, painted the nursery this week and it looks incredible! Just waiting for the bedding to make it complete. We will probably wait to hang things on the walls until I can help. But it's looking great so far!! He's been working so hard preparing for our little girls arrival. I'm so proud of him!! He's going to make a great Daddy.

Stella & Phoebe are still my bed rest buddies and have been troopers. You can tell they get bored at times just like Mommy though :0)

33wks 4days...nervous about tomorrow

I go to the doctor again tomorrow. I was dilated 1 cm last Wednesday so I'm hoping I haven't dilated any more. I really want to get this little nugget to at least 36 weeks! I've been having Braxton Hicks contractions this weekend but not serious. They've been a little more intense but still not painful and definitely not more than 5 in an hour. We are going to stay positive and as always try not to worry and place everything in God's hands. He has gotten us this far and I believe he will continue to carry us!! Please continue to pray for us :)

My wonderful hubby took this amazing picture of me today. (of course, on my way back from the bathroom) I love it!!

Love-n-Hugs,
Nicole & GNugget :)

Another Milestone - 32 weeks!!

Well, we made it to 32 weeks! We are so relieved. GNugget is growing strong. We had an ultrasound this week estimating the measurement and we were very happy. She measured in at 4 lbs 12 oz.! Her little cheeks on the scan were so cute and chubby already! She has assumed the correct position. So, in pure GNugget fashion, she is doing everything she is supposed to. We hope she carries that trait after she is born!! We couldn't be more excited! My cervix is still very short but remains closed... so we were told not to worry and just keep doing what we are doing. Dr. Coppage estimated that she would weigh in somewhere around 7lbs 10 oz. if we made it to the end. We couldn't be more excited that things are going well! Even if she comes tomorrow, (which I hope not) I feel she will be ok :) Until next week, we continue to pray for growth and development. As always, we love you baby girl.

Daddy's Getting Started On the Nursery

Next week Daddy & Grandma Gerry are starting on the nursery. We finally picked out your bedding and it should be here any day now! Of course we picked pink for our little princess. Hope you like it!

31 weeks! - Great news today :-)

Finally in the single digits!! We only have 9 more weeks to go!! Good doctors visit today with Dr. Lambers. My cervix is thin but still closed so she is not worried and still talks about modifying my bed rest at week 34. Jimmy and I talked on the way home and decided that I would still take it very easy. We've come too far!! It would be nice to at least sit up instead of always being on my side though ;)

Another great thing we scheduled an induction for October 29th just in case she hasn't made her debut just yet. This is only 5 days before her due date of 11/3 and this would guarantee that we get Dr. Lambers to deliver, which Jimmy and I just adore her!! Also, our baby girl would share her birthday with one of our very special nieces, Ana :) I couldn't think of a better person to share a birthday with...love her!! Many things to do before nugget gets here so back to surfing the net :)

Hit the 30's!!!!!

We are officially in the 30's now. I just turned 30 weeks today and we are so excited!! Doctor's appointment went well today. We confirmed my cervix is still behaving :) Another great thing is that I remained the same weight which I am very happy about. We are right on track with weight gain. That was one of my worries with being on bed rest that I would gain more weight than I normally would due to not exercising...but looks like not being able to satisfy all my cravings has paid off ;0)

Meeting Whitney Paige for the first time!!

We got to meet Whitney Paige Connley for the first time Sunday! She is absolutely beautiful. She looked like a little doll. I can't wait for the nugget and WP to become the bestest of friends. Ohhh, the memories to make....we can't wait.
Lauren & Clark looked great too! We definitely know where she gets all her good looks ;0)
Many play dates to come.....

Big Brother's Birthday

My little Nugget,

Today is a special day because it is the birthday of the brother that you will never meet in person. Samuel Joseph was born on 8/24/07. He would have been 3 years old today. I know he is looking over you and will always be your personal little guardian angel. He is with Mommy & Daddy too! How blessed are we to have our own personal angel. Just as he will always be my forever child, he will always be your big brother and will be with you in spirit and heart. I hope that you can confide in him when you are sad and think of him in every butterfly that you see. We will always celebrate his birth. Much like you, he enjoyed kicking Mommy to remind her he was and always will be with her.

Love you,
Mommy

Bigger belly and shorter hair!

29 weeks and growing! Jimmy cut 7 inches off my hair. Much easier on bed rest!!

29 weeks - getting closer!

Great doctors appointment today! Everything is still behaving. Belly measurment is right on track. I was told today that if I continue to behave that at 34 weeks I may be able to modify my bed rest a little. Yeah!!! I may actually be able to recline versus only lay on my sides and get up a little more. That would be incredible!!

On a personal note it is Jimmy's birthday tomorrow and our 5th anniversary! Can't believe it's been 5 years already. Couldn't imagine spending or going through all that we have been through with a more incredible person. Even though we'll be spending it on bed rest it will still be great as long as we have each other. What accomplishments and life experiences we have been through together...more than some go through in their entire lives. I love you babe!

P.S.Baby girl loves you too...hence the heart shape on my belly :) You will be a great Daddy!!

Stella & Phoebe

Everyone is hoping our little nugget continues to grow more...even Stella & Pheobe. They are patiently awaiting her arrival and hanging everyday in bed with me. They do provide me with much entertainment from day to day ;0)

28 weeks - Huge Milestone!!!

Golden Nugget,

We made it to our first goal date of 28 weeks yesterday!!!! You now have an 85% chance of survival if you were born today (of course that is NOT our goal) which is a big increase from the following weeks. Mommy & Daddy are so proud of you! Keep up the good work and continue growing bigger and hopefully you arrive with chubby cheeks for us to kiss and pinch! Here is a picture of what Mommy looks like at this big milestone. As you can see she is growing too!!
We love you!!

Special Thanks!!

Jimmy and I would like to take the time to send a special thanks to all the people who have helped us already through this bed rest journey!

Mom for EVERYTHING that she does!

Patti & John for the multiple visits, weekly lunches, and entertainment ;0)
Ana, Luke, & Matthew for bringing me Hawaiian shaved ice (my #1 craving!)

Rick & Michelle for helping with Stella & Phoebe

Sarah & Becky for hanging with me and being my bed rest buddy on many days!!

Dr. Gardner, Tom, TJ, and Mary Kate for giving us hope and piece of mind.

Hannah, Chris, Janean, & Griffin for taking Stella & Phoebe for walks (they loved it)

Karen & Jodi for helping me find baby bedding and registry advice

Don, Mercy, Kim, Damon, Becky, Kevin, Jen, Jack, Karen, Zoe, Doug, Lisa, Erica, Anna, Sarah, Lauren, Clark, Whitney, Barrett, Hannah, & anyone we might have forgotten to mention by name for all the wonderful food!!

My girls, Lauren, Cindy, Aly, & Charlee for hanging with me on a Friday night! I had a blast!!

Cindy, Terry, & family and St. E's for the awesome fruit & chocolate bouquets!

Darrell for hanging out and satisfying a night craving of Chinese!

Greg for mowing our grass...how nice!

Carol Mac for my awesome care package

A VERY SPECIAL THANKS to Auntie Melissa...we love you babe!!

And last but not least anyone who has prayed for us, visited, or called to check on us!

We love you all!
Nicole (Nikki) & Jimmy

Bring Home Baby Nugget Outfit!

We finally found it! You are already going to be a little fashion star!!

27 Weeks!!!!!!!!!

Baby Nugget,

It's been another good week. We've almost made it to our first goal of 28 weeks! You are getting so much stronger I can tell by your kicks. I think our office visit confirmed that too since I gained 3 pounds in one week (or maybe it was all the yummy desserts I had last week - Aunt Patti likes to bring us cookies and we can't resist)!!

You are very active in the morning around 6-7 am and then again in the afternoon after lunch and usually sometime in the evening around 8-9 pm!

We've been sleeping better at night which is good and we have also been taking quite a few naps...I think you're trying to prepare Mommy for some sleepless nights ahead!!

Our neighbors have been so nice! Kim has brought us some great food and yummy desserts! Don & Mercy have been so awesome and sending over healthy and beautifully presented food for us to enjoy! I can't wait for them to meet you!!

Until next week my sweets, Mommy loves you!!

Welcome Whitney Paige!!

Well, great news my friend Lauren delivered her little pea in to the world on July 29th! Whitney Paige was 3lbs. 15 oz. Mommy and baby are both doing great! So happy for them!!

This gives us hope that nugget, Daddy, and I will have a very successful ending too!

26 Weeks

My little Golden Nugget,

Well, we made it another week! Great job! You are doing such a great job behaving. I'm already so proud of you. You definitely are getting stronger, I can tell by the power of your kicks. You are also starting to make my tummy contort into crazy shapes ;0) As you can see from my picture Mommy's belly gets bigger by the week!

On another note...my friend,Lauren, and soon to be one of your little besties,pea, are being induced today. Pea's coming a little early. She is only 34 weeks today but her Mommy has preeclampsia and they are worried to let it get worse. Since Pea is 34 weeks everything should be fine. We will be praying for them and wish them all the luck! Hopefully, we can get you to at least 34 weeks! I'm really trying hard to make it to 37 weeks and I know you are too!!

Keep growing my little one. Mommy and Daddy love you already!

25 week 4-D ultrasound pictures!!!!

25 weeks and starting to see chubby cheeks! Can't wait to meet her in person...after some more baking of course ;)

She was even smiling and sticking out her tongue already! Daddy melted when he saw this :)

Finally Sleep!

Finally got some sleep last night!!! Woke up a few times but went right back to sleep. Ahhhh....lovely!!

When I first found out I was pregnant I didn't believe it! I had to have the doctor call me and tell me in person that I was truly pregnant. I can't tell you how excited I was!!!

My early cravings were fruit and yogurt. Mainly cantaloupe and watermelon. Also, loved Hawaiian shaved ice...yummy!!! This is a little abnormal for me since I typically am a salt person over sweets but have loved my cherry flavored shaved ice that's for sure!!

2/26 - Positive pregnancy test confirmed at doctor's office!!

7/21 - Made it to 25 weeks today!!! Have been on bed rest since 19 weeks...have made it 6 weeks so far and haven't totally lost my mind. My belly has really popped out this week. Can't deny I'm preggers anymore :) Although I look very tired in picture to the right I feel great to have a belly!!