Hi Everyone,

I’m sure you’re all anxious for an update, as I am anxious to give you one.  As of today, I’m 40 weeks and 1 day…you can guess what that means!!  Yup; I’m officially overdue, which I hear is very common for first time moms; so I’m sitting at home, patiently waiting for Baby Musick to join me. 

After my appointment last week, when I was told I was 3 cm. dilated, my mom got quite excited, bought a ticket, and flew up to be with me in hopes her grand-baby would join us soon; she didn’t want to risk missing his/her birth.  Unfortunately, Baby Musick takes after the Holmes side of my family…that is, the VERY stubborn side J and has decided to remain warm and cozy inside my belly.  However, and I believe I’ve mentioned this in past posts, my “due date” was always up in the air.  During my ultrasound visits, the technicians wanted to change the due date to June 12^th because they measured Baby Musick to be smaller than a June 5^th birthday.  However, our midwives never wanted to change the due date, so here we are….waiting. 

We had our 40-week appointment this morning and I am now at a “generous” 3 cm. dilated, nice thinning, and -3 effacement.  For those of you who don’t know what this means, go look it up; I don’t plan to explain it on here J  I did get the impression from our midwife this morning that she doesn’t expect to see me next week for a 41 week appointment, anticipating I’ll go into labor this week….my fingers are crossed!

Last Tuesday was my last day of work and I can honestly say I miss it more then I thought I would!!  However, I know that’s just my “bored self” talking right now; as soon as Baby Musick joins me, I’ll be busier more than ever!!  But, I’m looking forward to it more than anything.

Have a good week everyone and I’ll continue to keep you posted.

April, Baby Musick, and Nana :)

Love, April 

 

Hey Family and Friends,

Greg and I went in for our 39 week appointment this afternoon and found out I'm 3 centemeters dilated :)  We were very excited to hear the news. I'm experiencing some pre-labor type contractions, but nothing too serious.  I'm at home and feeling good, but our fingers are crossed that Baby Musick will join us soon.  Today was my last day of work.  It was very bitter-sweet!!  I spent all day finishing up tasks and preparing everyone (as best I could) to no longer having me around while thinking about Baby Musick and when he/she would join us.  All of this kept me so busy that I found myself forgetting to be sad that it was my last day of work.  It wasn't until I was walking out the door, saying my final goodbyes to my co-workers that I finially realized what today was.....my last day of work :(  Yes, I quivered my chin and teared up.  What can I say?  I'm definitely going to miss that place.  BUT, it's not goodbye, it's "see ya later!!!"  

So, what to do with myself now??  Well....I have a mani/pedi scheduled for noon tomorrow and then a dog walk with a new friend in my neighborhood soon after.  I'm really looking forward to my first day of maternity leave :)  Since I deprived you all of photos last week, I thought I'd include one this week of me from this past weekend.

Enjoying the Seattle Sun!!!

Stay tuned!!!

Love, April :)

Update from my last post: 

For those of you who are being told you can visit a local fire station to have your car seat checked…you’re being lied to!  I went to two fire stations before I found out that due to liability issues, they can no longer check out the safety of car seat installation.  So, I contacted the Safety Restraint Coalition, chatted with a wonderful lady, and after a personal visit she made to our home to look at our car seat, we are set to bring Baby Musick home in a safe manner.  What an ordeal, but totally worth the time and energy!

I had my week 37 appointment last Tuesday (5/17/11) and boy was that an exciting one.  It turns out I was already two centimeters dilated….who knew J  After hearing this news, Greg and I went into serious nesting mode at the house.  We got the co-sleeper set up (Mushu thinks it’s her bed, which happens to be the perfect size for her J), the pack-and-play put together, the changing table organized, and all the baby bottles and pacifiers sanitized.  Greg was certain Baby Musick would be making his/her presence this past weekend, but I can assure you all, he/she is still warm and cozy in my belly.

I had my 38 week appointment this morning (5/24/11) and to my disappointment (kind of) nothing has changed.  I’m still only two centimeters dilated.  Which could mean a couple of things; I could dilate quite fast and give birth tonight OR I could make no progress and stay the same for the next few weeks….I guess we’ll see!  If he/she is anything like me, Baby Musick will enter this world when he/she is darn well ready J, which for me, was two weeks late.  During this visit, I mentioned to my midwife that the baby’s movements were not as powerful as they once were (this started last week) so, to be on the safe side, I was sent upstairs (yikes) to have some fetal monitoring to see how baby was doing.  After 45 minutes of monitoring, it appears Baby Musick is moving like he/she should be and the heartbeat is strong (phew!)  The nurses informed me that since baby has dropped, there is a lot less room for movement; so while I should continue to feel his/her movements, they may not be as sharp as they were before.

So, with all that said, Greg and I are ready and excited to bring Baby Musick home, whenever he/she is ready for us to!  I again want to thank all of our family and friends for all of your support during this time.  We appreciate it more than you’ll ever know. 

Stay Tuned….

Love~ April, Greg, Mushu, and Baby Musick

Hi Everyone,

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to make another post; so much has happened recently that things are just now starting to slow down.  Where do I begin.....

Well, back in mid April, I flew up to Alaska to surprise my bestie who is also pregnant....well, she was :)  She's now the proud mama of baby Mason Parker Morris.  He's just perfect and was born a week after I left.  Here is a picture of our time together while she was still pregnant:

   Nothing but bellies :)

For those of you who know Amanda and I, know we were meant to be pregnant together...I mean, what else haven't we done together?  So, it seemed appropriate to get to be together at least once while we both couldn't see our feet.  The trip was great and totally perfect!!!

The following weekend, Greg and decided to take a "Babymoon" to Portland, WA.  I HIGHLY recommend going on one towards the end of a pregnancy if you are expecting!!  It was perfect and I'd do it all over again.  We stayed at a beautiful hotel, right in downtown Portland and just relaxed and enjoyed each other! 

Enjoying the sun at Lan Su Yuan Chinese Gardens in Portland, WA.

Yummo! (don't worry mom and dad, it was Greg's :(

We walked a lot, ate GREAT food and Greg got to enjoy some tasty brews at some local breweries while I drooled right beside him.  What a trip; one I'll never forget!!!

Last week, some lovely lady friends of mine threw Greg and I a wonderful Baby Shower.....I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day!  Greg and are so blessed by our friends who have become our family in Seattle!  The support and love everyone has given us has been amazing!!  Here are a couple of shot from the festivities.  On top of the wonderful party we had, the weather was absolutely perfect!!!!  Thank you Seattle :)  

  "My Daddy Rocks!"

Lastly, as you all know, yesterday was mother's day and while I realize I'm yet to be able to call myself a mom just yet (to a baby anyway....I've been a mom to Mushu for a while now :) I was quite spoiled yesterday for my first unofficial Mother's Day!  Greg was the sweetest and surprised the hell out of me with a scavenger hunt and some treats....I won't give all the details, but just know he's the best man in the world :)  On top of that, we had some wonderful photographers (who happen to be very close neighbors of ours) come to our home yesterday afternoon and take some AMAZING photos of us while I am still pregnant.  Here's a snapshot of what they took:

        Perfection!!

So, as you can see, it's been a very busy month for the Musick household.  I am officially 36 weeks with only four more to go!!  I can't believe the time is almost here for Baby Musick to join us.  Are we ready??  I guess we're as ready as we'll ever be :)  We successfully installed the car-seat yesterday and I plan to visit the fire station today to make sure we put it in correctly :)  Wish me luck!!  We have another prenatal appointment this afternoon and from this point on, we'll be meeting with one of our midwives every week until I go into labor......exciting times.  

For those of you who don't know yet, after many discussions, Greg and I have decided that after Baby Musick is born, I will be staying at home to be with him/her full time.  It's a decision I'm still processing, but as the time gets closer for him/her to join us, the more excited I get.  Wish me luck that I don't go crazy :)  Another happy note...my mom is going to be able to fly out here for the birth!  I'm soooo excited for this :)

Ok, well, I think that's all for now.  I'll keep you posted on our progress as the time get's closer.  Enjoy your day and I'll talk to you all soon.

Love, April

Week 28.  This is Greg and I going on a date to celebrate our 4 year wedding anniversary.  It was wonderful to get dressed up and feel beautiful :)  As of today (April 3rd) I am 31 weeks.  According to my countdown calendar, we have only 63 more days till Baby Musick will be graceing us with his/her presence.  We're getting very excited and nervous.  We've started focusing more on names and have come up with a few solid ones, but aren't sharing them yet as we could change our minds at any time and I wouldn't want to disappoint anyone :) The conversation around our house these days also involve "to circumcise or not to circumcise" should we have a boy.  I'm almost rooting for a girl now so I don't have to make this decision :)  Lots of decisions to be made!!!

Our child care search continues with weekly tours of local daycares and discussion of possible nanny share.  We've seen some great ones (which we've put our names on a waiting list for) and some not so great ones that we've discarded immediately.  It's stressful all around, but we're getting through it.  We're now meeting with our midwives every three weeks through week 36 and then we'll be meeting with them every week till the baby is born.  I really look forward to these appointments as we get to hear Baby Musick's heartbeat; that's always the highlight of my day. 

I'm feeling more tired these last couple of weeks and find myself going to bed around 8:30pm or so.  Not so much fun for Greg :) but I need to get my sleep when I can...from what I hear, I (we) won't be getting much of that soon.  I've also started experiencing some lower back pain on my right side, but have noticed (with Greg's loving insistance) that when I do my Pilates workout video, the pain decreases dramatically.  My body pillow has also become a permanent fixture in our bed even though Mushu seems to think that's her pillow...she might get it after the baby is born :) 

I don't know if you remember from many posts back, but at our very first ultrasound in January, when Tanya was visiting, the ultrasound showed my placenta to be low lying.  This was a bit of a concern because if the placenta was too low, than I would be unable to have a vaginal birth.  At that time, they strongly suggested I schedule a second ultrasound for 29 weeks or so to see if the placenta would move.  We had this second ultrasound last Friday and GOOD NEWS...the placenta has moved upward and everything is looking great.  It was wonderful news to hear. 

Greg and I have also started attending baby classes.  Our first class was focused on how to introduce Mushu to baby and vice versa.  For those that know us, know that Mushu is currently the center of our world, so we want to make sure we do whatever we can to make her feel secure when we bring Baby Musick home.  It was a very insightful class and we learned a lot of good tips; some that we're even starting to practice now which Mushu has responded very well to.  Our second baby class was a two Saturday class focusing on Labor and Birth, which we finished yesterday.  What an interesting class, to say the least.  I think Greg was quite shocked watching the women on the TV in so much pain....his first reaction, "we have to start practing these breathing techniques!!"  He was a real trooper!  Our third class is a two part Sunday class that started today called, "Bringing Baby Home."  This one focuses on mine and Greg's relationship and how that will change when we become parents.  It is wonderful!!!  I will suggest this to everyone I know as we learned some amazing tools today in making sure we don't lose ourselves in the process of parenthood.  I'll keep you posted :)

Here I am at week 30....my belly sure is getting big :)  I look forward to posting more soon.  Love to you all for all your amazing support to Greg and I as we embark on this journey.  Whether you're near or far, we appreciate you more than words can say.  Take care and I'll post again soon.

Love, April, Greg, Mushu, and Baby Musick

Hi everyone!!  Welcome to week 27...

I had my 27 week prenatal appointment on Monday (3/7/11) in which I also had to take a test to see if I had developed Gestational Diabetes.  I had heard horror stories about taking this test including that the liquid I would have to drink was syrupy sweet nastiness and that most likely I would fail as many of my now pregnant or previously pregnant friends had.  I must be one hell of a lucky person becasue for one thing, the drink wasn't so bad....tasted like a flat orange soda and I passed!!!  I was sooooo exstatic to get those results yesterday because this means I don't need to take the 3 hour test and can go right along with my pregnancy. The rest of the appointment went well.  My midwife measured my belly at a solid 27 weeks and Baby Musick's heartbeat was strong at 150 heartbeats a minute. 

Greg and I talked with our midwife about when our actual due date is.  During our initial prental appointment (back on November 4th) a mini-ultrasound was completed in which our midwife measured Baby Musick to be due on June 5th (I believe I've been telling everyone June 4th......oops :)  change the date on your calendar.)  However, when we went in for the BIG ultrasound at the end of January, the technician measured Baby Musick to be due later, around June 16th/17th.  That's a fairly big gap in time...at least, in our minds.  Our midwife informed us that the measurments of Baby Musick taken at our first mini-ultrasound would most likely be much more accurate and that we should stick with expecting him or her around June 5th......but we all know babies will come when they want.  So, that's what we're doing.....planning for a June 5th baby. 

Our midwife also wrote out the schedule of when to make my prentatal appointments for the rest of the pregnancy.  30 weeks, 33 weeks, 36 weeks (this one will be a long appt.), 38 weeks, 39 weeks, 40 weeks, 41 weeks (if Baby Musick hasn't come yet, this one will also be a long appt. 

Greg and I have scheduled ourselves to attend several baby classes in the coming months.  We're taking a Labor/Birth class, Bringing Baby Home:  Baby Makes Three (this is a class focusing on mine and Greg's relationship and how it will change with a baby), Brestfeeding Basics, Newborn Care Basics, and Introducing Dog to Baby and vice versa.....very excited about this last one as we want to make sure the transition of bringing Baby Musick home is a smooth one for Mushu.  We're also signed up to take a tour of our hospital's Family Center where Baby Musick will be born.

Baby Musick has become quite the mover and shaker :)  He or she moves several times during the day, typically around mid day while I'm at work and becomes quite active again in the evening.  It's a great feeling!  Our midwife has also asked us to start traking his or her fetal movements starting next week.  I've been told to pick a 2 hour time period when Baby Musick moves the most and track the movements to ensure he or she is moving at least 10 times.  This will be fun :) 

Below are some pictures taken yesterday (3/8/11) when Tanya (my sister) had a 4 hour layover in Seattle: 

Tanya and I.  I look quite tired in this pic as I had been up since 3:00am, getting ready to pick Tanya up from the airport for our short visit.

Tanya's hands and Baby Musick.

I hope you are all doing well and continue to enjoy this baby blog.  We have our next ultrasound scheduled for April 1st, so I'm sure I'll be posting a picture or two from that and will let you know how it goes.  Have a great rest of your day and I'll talk to you all soon.

Love,

April, Greg, Mushu, and Baby Musick

Who wants pictures?  Well, here ya go:

Greg feeling Baby Musick moving around!

Week 23.....and getting bigger by the day :)

I’m officially 25 weeks this week…. that’s 6 months and 1 week, in case you didn’t know!!  I can’t believe we only have 3 more months before Baby Musick will be here; where did the time go?  Some updates from my last post:

 

We have officially started our baby registries and will continue to update them as I have become obsessive with researching EVERY baby product out there :) I can’t complain as I’m having fun with it.  I find myself getting stressed walking into a baby store to make decisions, but as soon as I sit down at my computer and start comparing products, I feel better.  We’re registered at Amazon.com and Babies R’ Us.  Both registries have several items on them, but like I said before, I’m continuing to update them as I get more ideas and research more products. 

 

Greg and I went away last week for a “baby-moon.”  It was very nice.  Greg tried desperately to get online, but with no service ANYWHERE, he actually got to relax with me :) We’re planning one more “baby-moon” in March for our 4^th anniversary.  We’re hoping to go for a long weekend down in Portland; can’t wait.

 

Baby Musick started moving very consistently the weekend of Superbowl; that has been very exciting!  Greg actually got to feel him/her move for the first time on Superbowl Sunday and then just this past Saturday, we got to see my belly move for the first time.  I can’t say there are certain times of the day Baby Musick moves more, but I do notice him/her more when I’m sitting and when my laptop is laying on top of my belly…Greg thinks he/she may not like that :)

 

I started getting backaches again last week (I have a pinched nerve that sends shooting pains through my lower back.)  I’ve been lucky and haven’t had this pain since the first trimester, but it’s back.  I’ve begun sleeping with my body pillow at night and that has helped so much.  I’ve also started working out to a DVD of Prenatal Pilates for short 10 min. workouts, five times a week.  This has also been wonderful and I feel great!

 

Well, I think that’s all for now.  Enjoy the pics and I hope to post more next time.  Love to you all!!

 

Love, April, Greg, Mushu, and Baby Musick

 

Hello World,

 

It's been a while...sorry about that.  I know how many of you just wait by your computers, hoping I've posted something amazing on here :) Unfortunately, I don't have any new photos to post...I'll get some for the next post...promise!!!  Baby Musick is moving around more regularly now.  I started to feel consistent movements on superbowl weekend.  Greg even got to feel the baby for the first time on superbowl Sunday.... he was quite excited, but admitted it wasn't what he expected.  He was ready for a full on punch or kick...that'll come soon enough :)  Baby Musick seems to have found the perfect position in my belly.... right on my bladder!  I have this constant pressure alllllll day long, but I really can't complain; I've been very fortunate with how great I've felt thus far. 

 

I am officially 24 weeks (that's 6 months for those of you who aren't pregnant or who have never been :).  I only point this out because before I was pregnant and heard pregnant people or new parents speak in terms of weeks and not days, I had to stop and think how long that really was or how old their child really was.... and I suck at math!  Anywho, 24 weeks means I'm officially into my third trimester.  I can't believe I'm there already.  Time sure has flown by.  Lots to do till then.

 

I've truly been a busy bee the last two weeks.  With the realization that we're only 3 months away from bringing a baby home, I thought I better start crossing things off my to-do list.  We finally completed our master bathroom, which was a big chore and relief.  I've made myself a dentist appt. (an appointment my midwife recommended I make back when I was only 9 weeks along...oops :).  I've signed Greg and I up for all our baby classes (Labor and Birth, Newborn Care, Breastfeeding, tour of our birthing unit, and Bringing Baby Home; Baby Makes Three.)  We've also started our serious research into childcare.... EXPENSIVE!!!!  We actually went on our first tour just yesterday.  Great place, but way out of our price range, so I think we'll keep looking.  We have three more tours set up and hopefully more to come.  Wish us luck.

 

We've been getting a lot of pressure to register for baby gifts.... hold your horses :) We're busy people!!  Our goal is to get this done by the end of February.  Registering for baby gifts is a lot more difficult than registering for wedding gifts was.  However, we're quite excited that we've found the stroller we want (we think; we just need to take it for a test drive :) and I think I've figured out our diaper situation.  Other than that, we're just going with the basics.  We really don't want a lot of stuff cuz we don't have a big house and we both HATE clutter.  I guess if you've ever been to our house, you know that :) I know, I know...haven’t a baby is going change that, but we plan to control the clutter for as long as we can!!!!

 

Ok, I think that's about all for now.  Greg and I are going away this weekend for a bit of a "babymoon."  I'll try and take some baby bump pictures to show off on my next post.  Love you all!!!

 

Love,

 

April, Greg, Mushu, and Baby Musick

 

I'm officially 22 weeks now and have some exciting news.  I felt the baby move for the very first time last Wednesday (1/26/11.)  Everyone asked if it felt like some flutters and I have to say, it felt nothing like that.  Which makes me think, "did I really feel the baby?"  What I felt was more like a scratching of some sort on the inside of my belly.  A little strange compared to what everyone has told me their first "baby movements" felt like, but exciting just the same.  Then on Monday (1/31/11) I think I felt the baby move again.  This time it felt more like little bubbles popping in my belly....you know, like the bubble wrap you use to protect your breakables.  Imagine those little bubbles popping and that's the feeling I had.  It was great and I can't wait to feel more. 

I hope this post finds you all well.

Love, april