Introducing Lofton Buckles Fish

Lofton Buckles Fish was born at 3:55 PM on Monday, March 22. He weighed 7 lbs. 5 3/4 oz. and was 19 1/2 inches long. He is perfect!

It was a long night and day, but in the end, we have a healthy and beautiful baby! All three of us are doing great!

Here's a picture to hold you over. We can't wait for everyone to meet Lofton!

Thanks to all of you for your support & prayers throughout this pregnancy and delivery!

Lots of love from 2 very proud parents~Kelly & David

Onesie for Sale

Beano's tardiness is forcing him to miss out on all kinds of cute things--first the St. Patrick's Day bib, now this adorable Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) onesie! I even went ahead and washed it as soon as Feb. 20 passed, knowing there was NO WAY it wouldn't apply after that! Joke's on me.

I was looking forward to having a fellow Pisces in the house, but also because of this adorable outfit with little fishes on it!! Guess he'll have to be his own little fishy, and an Aries.

Good news though, Baby Fish is officially a spring baby! This is especially exciting because of my sister, Kasey's research on "winter babies!" He's bound to succeed now. :)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day! No luck of the Irish for us today, still no baby!
Maybe next year this bib will get used?!

41 Weeks: Groundhog Day

I know you must be thinking, Groundhog Day? St. Patrick's Day is tomorrow, Kelly...man you are losing it! No, at 41 weeks I definitely feel like it's Groundhog Day. Every day I just keep waking up pregnant, like some bad time warp!

Today marks the start of Week 41. See, if we had been smart, we would have just kept counting up all along and today would be WEEK 41! Instead, our countDOWN stopped last week and each day now just comes and goes with no excitement and nothing new.

So, here's to Week 41! Our doctor won't let us go past this one, so Beano will arrive sometime this week. That's the good news. :) I can't wait to introduce you to our son this week.

I think we both still think he will come, I think.

One Week Overdue

Today marks officially 7 days overdue.

To say our patience is being tested right now is quite the understatement.  Beano is already testing our patience and proving that we have absolutely zero control.  For you that are already parents, I know you know that.

In the meantime, we are trying to enjoy a lot of quality time together--watching movies, catching basketball games, taking walks, enjoying dinner out of the house and getting good night's rest.  Oddly enough, I am sleeping relatively well, which is a nice blessing amongst the anxiety.  It certainly helps to not be going in to work right now as I officially started maternity leave.  Getting myself ready for public viewing is just too much work these days!

It's back to the doctor on Wednesday, assuming this afternoon or tomorrow doesn't bring us a baby.  While you wait to see him in person or just in color, here's a picture from last week's 40+ week ultrasound.  He's so big and there's such little room, it's not nearly as clear as a 20 week ultrasound.  You can pretty much only see one bone or feature at a time!  I believe these are profiles of his face with a hand or arm by it.  Hopefully we'll get the "whole picture" soon.

No News, No Baby

We just got back from my 40+ week appointment and ultrasound. Yes, I'm home again. We took everything with us in hopes I was either ready or something would be scheduled to keep me there, and yet, I'm home again.

Baby Fish is measuring fairly big, no need to report estimated numbers, but bigger than I'd prefer. However, I'm only 1.5 cm dilated and 80% effaced so the doctor thinks inducing would just create either a long labor or increased risk for c-section. Therefore, we're at least waiting until next Wednesday. I'll go back then for another ultrasound and appointment. Then, we'll at least schedule something for between then and Tuesday, March 23...my 2 week overdue mark.

Needless to say, I'm discouraged mentally and physically exhausted as well. Beano will definitely be grounded when he gets out...no trips in the stroller for at least a week! He better be so stinkin' cute that all can be forgiven.

Pray he comes soon-for our sanity and joy.

Once again, sorry if I don't answer when you call. I just know I have nothing to report and that hardly seems worth reporting. Surely I'll have some news soon...

March 9, 2010--DUE DATE!!

Today = March 9, 2010
March 9, 2010 = 40 Weeks
40 Weeks = DUE DATE
DUE DATE = Nothing

The day we've been waiting for the last 280 days has arrived, with absolutely no fanfare, no excitement and no Beano. :( (Not yet, anyway!) David asked me this morning, "So, do you think he's going to come today?" No, I don't. In fact, I'm starting to wonder if he's EVER going to arrive! Then he proceeded to tell his son, "Come out, it's supposed to be your birthday!" I agree.

Don't get me wrong, we are still anxious, excited and READY, just losing patience! My advice for anyone pregnant, never start counting down, always continue to count up--38 weeks, 39 weeks, 40 weeks, and so on. We have definitely always known that the "due date" is an estimate, but it's so hard not to get wrapped up in this particular date. And to see it come, and most likely go, with no baby, is incredibly frustrating.

With that said, if I haven't answered your call or called you back, sorry! I appreciate that you are checking on me, but sometimes it's hard to continue to report that I have no news and yes, I'm still pregnant. However, I am doing very well, am not incredibly uncomfortable and really am grateful you care! You'll get a very excited call back VERY soon!

So, Happy supposed-to-be Birthday Beano! We'll celebrate another day.

Random fact: Women are 14% more likely to give birth on a Tuesday than on any other day of the week — and least likely to deliver on the weekend. (Compliments of BabyCenter.com)

Still Pregnant...

Yes, I'm still pregnant.

Our doctor's appointment today confirmed that things were still progressing, just slowly. I am now a "full centimeter" dilated and 70% effaced. There is not timeline to speak of, just anytime, but not now. At our appointment next week, assuming we make it, I will get an "overdue" ultrasound to make sure he is surrounded by enough fluid and not getting too big. Let's hope I don't make it to that and the next time we see Beano it's live and in the flesh!

To prove I'm still pregnant, I thought I'd show a few pictures from my maternity photo shoot! At 38 weeks, my friend Christy, who is an amazing photographer of pregnant women and babies, offered to take some maternity pictures. Of course I was hesitant, I mean who really wants this captured on film, but I trusted her and knew that they would never have to be published! So, here I am posting them on the Internet! Ha. Seriously though, she is a miracle worker and made even me look decent enough for posting.

"Let Me Out of Here!"

With less than one week from his due date, I would think Beano is trying to scratch, kick and pry his way out EXCEPT for the fact that this is a regular occurrence for the past 3 or so months! Finally caught it on (riveting) video! Now if he'd only find the real escape route!! Hope you can see the action in this short film...

We're LIVE from Nashville!

Well, not really LIVE, but it is our first real video post!! For my birthday last week, David got me a Flip with 120 minutes of HD video!!! I was so excited and can't wait to use it to film all of Beano's adorable little moments. I'm not much of a video camera kind of person, but this I can and hopefully WILL use. I can't wait to share videos of him in the future, but for now, here's a tour of the nursery.

Let March Madness Begin!

Yesterday marked a major accomplishment for me! I made it to MARCH!!! That has been my goal all along, to make it through Homecoming (a major work event for me) and to make it to March. Saturday was the end of Homecoming and I worked a 14 hour day on my feet at nearly 39 weeks pregnant! Yes, I'm proud of myself! Here David and I are enjoying some Homecoming festivities--me hanging in at an Alumni event and David enjoying the game with his good friend, Charles!


Now that March is officially here, let the Madness begin. Seriously, anytime now Beano. :) I guess in this case, I am getting exactly what I asked for and he seems in no rush to get out March 1st or 2nd at least. :)

Today marks 39 weeks. Only one official week left in this journey and we're still holding on. For all of you that keep asking when you call or keep emailing and texting to see, YES I'M STILL PREGNANT!!! I appreciate your anxiousness and excitement, I'm right there with you, but I PROMISE when Baby Fish begins making his final descent, you will be told. ;) Until then, assume I'm still swollen, gigantic and just trying to breathe.

In the meantime, I'm just trying to look appropriate enough for work in the few articles of clothing that still fit, keep my feet elevated per doctor's orders, enjoy any amount of rest we are currently able to get and day dreaming about how stinkin' cute Beano will be! Stay tuned...

38 Week Appointment-Progress, but Not Much

Today's doctor's appointment showed progress, but not much. I am currently 1 cm dilated and 60% effaced. In pregnancy world, that means not much, but something! Dr. Oldfield doesn't expect to see me before my regular weekly appointment next Friday. :(
Well, my goal was to make it to March!! 2 More Days and we can get this show on the road.

Full Moon Baby

I've always heard more babies are born during full moons. Though there doesn't seem to be much scientific research to support this theory, there apparently are a lot of labor and delivery nurses that believe this is true. I trust their experience. Plus, if the moon directly affects the tide, doesn't it seem very likely it could affect the gravitational force of my baby?!

Only time will tell, but there is a full moon THIS Sunday, February 28!!

38 Weeks Today!

Today, Kelly is 38 weeks into the pregnancy...meaning that two weeks from today is the official due date (March 9th). This week I was reminded that one of the things Kelly wanted us to do before we had children was to "attend a Jimmy Buffett concert with me." (She's been to several.) On a side note, this is actually quite funny to me seeing as it was on a list along side events such as "travel to Europe," "travel to Washington D.C. & Boston," and "buy a new home;" all of which we were able to check off the list. Well, we saw that Jimmy will be performing for the Parrot Head Nation on May 1st in Nashville at the Sommet Center (which is being renamed AGAIN to "Bridgestone Arena") and yes, we realize that is AFTER the baby is born. So, we decided to work on getting tickets to the show in hopes that it will be our first big outing (meaning we'll be interviewing babysitters...ha) after Baby Fish gets here. We're really looking forward to it! We also learned that they're bringing a Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville restaurant to downtown Nashville...yet another cool place we can take out of town guests to grab a bite to eat.

Kelly has been doing so well with everything. As you can imagine, she's quite uncomfortable, but I remind her daily how much of a trooper she is, especially compared to how I'd be acting if it were me. We won't go too far down that road, though. Let's just say, I'd definitely act like a big baby. Those of you who've heard her say, "I'd really like him to wait until March," would get a good laugh if you heard her now. That state of mind has drastically changed to, "I really don't even care if he comes on my birthday (Feb. 24...tomorrow!) at this point."

You can all rest assured that our bags are not only packed, but are now loaded into the car. So, we are definitely ready to roll once he decides to come....should be any day now. Stay tuned...!

This one's going on the fridge...

Yesterday's 37 week appointment and ultrasound brought good news and good scores. :) Baby Fish made an 8 out of 8 on his ultrasound test. We weren't 100% sure what that meant, but 100% on any test sounds good to us--it's going on the fridge! Beano was "head down" and we confirmed that his feet and knees are definitely responsible for using my right side and ribs as a punching bag. He is running out of room in there, but looked pretty comfortable nonetheless! The ultrasound tech tried to show us his 4D picture, but every time she switched to do so, he put his hand over his face as to say, "Not yet Mom & Dad, be patient!" Point taken son...we'll see you soon enough!

The doctor's appointment went well too. Still no further progress, but she said that was completely normal and she did expect to see me next week. Next week is Homecoming at work and since I've vowed to be there for it, her news isn't bad. After next Saturday though, he better get a little more anxious about getting out of there.

We celebrated all the good news with our "Last Supper," as we named it, out with friends last night. It was our last chance to go to a nice dinner OUT before the baby arrives and it was the start of my birthday week celebration! Believe it or not readers, I have hardly realized my birthday was approaching, which if you know me, is completely out of character. Maybe this mom thing is all-consuming!! We had a great time and amazing food and enjoyed every minute of being out without worrying about getting back to the babysitter or without going broke to pay for one. Start volunteering now if you want some quality time with Beano after he's here, we're still going to need to get out of the house!

37 Weeks=FULL TERM!

TODAY MARKS FULL TERM for Baby Fish!!! We made it! :)
The final "Food of the Month," month 9, is a watermelon. Not sure how I feel about this, but I can confirm it looks like I have a watermelon under my shirt at this point. 37 weeks is officially full term and both Beano and I made it--not without my fair share of complaining, but regardless, we did it! Now, only 3 more weeks (more or less) to go. Ha. The joke's on me.










Just a couple of updates...
At our last doctor's appointment, not much had changed from our 35 week appointment, still 1/2 cm dilated and 50% effaced. However, our doctor could no longer confirm his position as head-down, like it should be, so we will be getting an ultrasound this Friday at our appointment to check on that. Hopefully Beano just retreated a little and she couldn't tell for sure. Either way, his heartbeat was still good and everything else was positive.

We were excited to find out at our childbirth class this weekend, that of the 25 couples we were the only ones with any percentage effaced!! Good or bad, the competitor in me took a lot of pride in this. Baby Fish is already leading the pack!

We were able to complete our Childbirth Class this weekend at our hospital--check and confirm. David and I received tons of information, can now practice pushing and breathing, and are pre-registered at the hospital. Should all go smoothly on delivery day. Yeah right. Regardless, we are as prepared as possible and can rest knowing we've done all we can do.

I think we are officially ready as well. We went on a final shopping spree at Babies R Us last weekend and stocked up on tons of "must-haves" and even a few wants, like an adorable surf top for Beano's first swim this summer. That was a want from Daddy David!

Speaking of being "officially ready," David installed the car seat this weekend. It didn't freak us out as much as we thought it might to drive around with a car seat in our backseat, but it certainly makes our small SUV seem a lot more crowded. We suddenly have gone from a car that seats 5 to a car that seats 3 + a baby. Hmm-no more carpooling the office to lunch.

Finally, this weekend at our class, David, being the extremely involved partner he has been since day 1, decided he would try the "Empathy Belly." This model belly gives him an idea of what it must feel like to be me...who happens to be becoming more and more miserable by the minute these days. Although I was thankful for his willingness to "feel my pain" and have always been grateful for his compassion, his immediate complaining about the weight, pressure, and instant need to go to the bathroom (not sure how the suit did that) was just a small glimpse of confirmation to know why we women are the ones that get pregnant. He had that thing off in 15 minutes and seemed to have an even greater appreciation for what I've endured. Ladies, it may seem silly, but I recommend you have your husband try it if you get a chance! Foot and back massages have increased for me!













We'll keep you posted. Hopefully the watermelon in me gets in position this week and either way, Baby Fish will be introduced to the world very soon!

We Will Never Forget the Winter Baby Fish was Born... (Part 2)

Here are some photos from January 31st...

This is snow from February 8th...

And, this is snow from February 15th...

We Will Never Forget the Winter Baby Fish was Born!

The following photographs were taken over the last several weeks with our new Canon camera in an attempt to help document the snowiest (is that a word?) winter we've had in Nashville in a very long time, and one we'll undoubtedly look back on fondly as we tell stories of "the year Baby Fish was born." That sentence was 56 words long, by the way!


Just like Uncle Matthew is with Myla, I'm looking forward to the day our little one can get out and shovel the snow off the driveway for us!

These are from January 29th...

For some reason, this blog won't let me put more than 4 photos, so I'll post again momentarily...

All Play and No Work for a Change!

As I said before, I had my final shower with my co-workers on Tuesday night. It really was a great end to a lot of celebrating--great food, generous gifts, and wonderful company with the people that have really been through this with me and see me and my experiences through pregnancy daily. They probably get the good, bad and ugly more than anyone besides David and I'm grateful for how supportive they've been, right down to throwing the perfect shower! Here I am with my co-workers in the Alumni Office...(from L to R) Julie, Kristy, an over sized disco ball, Natalie & Debbie.

Did I mention the food? WOW, it was AMAZING!










And check out this adorable "Fruit Bowl Carriage!" Very creative--I loved it and what was inside!










Lately, I feel like I am so much closer to being ready for Beano's arrival. Things are put up and ready for him in his room. I really think he's going to love it! Cross your fingers...rescheduled Childbirth Classes are supposed to take place this weekend. You never know!?!

36 Weeks, One Month to D-Day!!!

You got it...today marks 36 weeks and at February 9th I am just one month away from our Due Date, March 9!! I can hardly believe it--time has FLOWN by and I'm sure the next 4-ish weeks will fly by too. WOW...just one more month. :S
Tonight I'll celebrate with my 6th and final shower with my co-workers. Of course the snow and ice we got last night and overnight may put a little damper on it, but that's yet another thing I cannot control. I'm looking forward to celebrating with them though, as they have been a daily support and encouragement to me personally. Plus, they'll take on a lot of my burdens when I'm on maternity leave, so I'm especially grateful to celebrate with them in advance!!
This should be a fun week as we are going to make a final run to Babies-R-Us this weekend to get the final "must-haves" before Beano arrives. AND...hopefully we'll have our Childbirth Education classes at the hospital this weekend, rescheduled from 2 weeks ago. Cross your fingers that the weather & baby cooperate.
So, happy 36 weeks to all. It's going to be a fun month!