McGee...Party of 3

Reservations???? Waiting list??? What??? Apparently so! Yes folks, we are on a waiting list to have this baby! We were informed this week that I will have to deliver Gavin via C-section. Unfortunately, we are on a waiting list to get into an OR. I am 3rd in line for the 15th and 4th in line for the 19th. They say not to hold my breath on delivering either of those days. The only hope I have is to go into labor on my own, which they really don't want me to do since Gavin is breech. So, I don't know how to feel about this. We have another OB appointment tomorrow so we plan on asking Dr. Kyzer how we proceed from here.

On another note, I am officially a stay-at-home-mom-to-be. I never really had a "last day" at work because I was told last week by my OB not to go back due to her concern of my water breaking and going into labor so far away from the hospital (1 hour). I stopped in on Friday to turn over my keys and leave my materials for the new teacher. I am so sad to leave. I really love my job, my students, my boss and fellow teachers, but I know being home with Gavin is going to be wonderful too. I told Chad that I would like to go out to Creek Wood to sub a little next year just to feel connected still. Luckily, my wonderful county has granted me a year and a half worth of leave. After that time, I will need to decide if I'm going back or not.

Well, unless we find out something tomorrow, the next post should include a picture of a little boy named "Gavin". Please pray for a healthy delivery for both of us and safe travel for our families! God Bless!

And More...

Latest Nursery Pictures

5 Weeks and counting...

It's been awhile since our last post but life has been VERY busy! Chad is finally done with his nursery construction project and I am nearly done with my decorating! As soon as it's complete, we will be sure to post some pictures.

We have also been busy with our two baby showers. It was SO much fun to see so many of our friends. We can't express how grateful we are for their friendship and their generosity! I have attached a couple of photos of the November 4 shower. My friends Holly and Marcia were gracious enough to host it and it was BEAUTIFUL!! This past weekend, our dear friends Linda and Jimmy threw an awesome couple's shower and Chili dinner for us. It was also Chad's birthday so we had an extra special night to celebrate. Chad's mom and dad flew into town for the celebration which was wonderful!

On another note, I am spending some time off my feet for the next 2 weeks. My doctor put me on bed rest because I was contracting, dilating and 70% effaced this week. I am 34 1/2 weeks pregnant so she said that was just a little too early to be doing that. Once I reach 36 weeks I can go back to work but she told me she doesn't anticipate me making it to 40 weeks given that I'm contracting and dilating so early. Pray that little Gavin is just as developed and perfect as he can be when the time finally comes!

9 weeks to go!!

We're down to single digits!!! Nine weeks to go! I have included some pictures of me from last Saturday night. I am now in my 31st week. Things continue to go well. I feel basically the same but it's getting harder to put shoes on or bend over. I have a feeling it's not going to get any better in the weeks to come!

Chad has been working very hard on the nursery. It looks GREAT! I am so proud of him. He really is talented in his craftsmanship. His dad is a woodworker so Chad has definitely learned from the best. He hung "real" bead board (not paneling) which meant that each 4" slat had to be placed, glued and nailed by hand. He then routered the trim piece at the top of the bead board, put in new baseboards and hung crown molding. He's now in the process of repainting all of the trim in the room as well as the bead board. The filling and sanding alone has taken a better part of 20+ hours. Unfortunately, the original paint and trim color in the room just didn't go with the apple green paint. I can't wait to send updates in the days to come. We hope to be finished in the next couple of weeks.

You can click on any of the pictures to see it a little larger.

Heather and Maggie's Latest Profile

This is the completion of week 28. At this point people are starting to notice I'm pregnant. I was starting to get really irritated when people kept saying, "You're pregnant?? I can't even tell". Apparently they thought a large beer gut sized belly looked appropriate on me! I guess the thick waist I attained was simply matching the chunky limbs I've always had!!

Maggie wanted to join in on the picture too. She had a fresh hairdo yesterday. Looks good doesn't it!?

Up Close and Personal

Here is the latest picture of Gavin. It was taken at our 27 week appointment. Since he hadn't been moving as much the doctor decided to take a look. This makes seven ultrasounds in six and a half months!

And his name is....

It's official. Baby McGee is now named Gavin John McGee. Thank you to all of you who participated in the naming poll. It was so much fun seeing the name race take place.

All is well here. Gavin is moving all of the time and now Chad can feel and see him moving too. The picture to the left is from week 25.

We went to Colorado a few weeks ago for a friends wedding in Vail. We decided to stay a few days and make a Babymoon out of it. It was so wonderful getting to spend some time together alone. That may not happen for quite some time once Gavin is here!

This picture was week 19... things have changed a bit!

Stay Tuned!

It's a BOY!!

Can you believe it??? I was so convinced that it was a girl! We couldn't be happier though. It was so much fun having such a surprise like that. We already feel like we know him so much more. He wasn't very cooperative during the ultrasound. He was upside down, asleep and had his legs crossed for 90% of the time. I was so worried we weren't going to find out "what" he was. He finally gave us a little peek at the end. I'll attach a picture of the gender "confirmation" as well as some pics of his sweet little face.

On another note, I did start to feel him moving last week. It is so neat!! I can't wait until he moves enough for Chad to see and feel him.

Stay tuned for a name. Our top picks are:

Grayson (Gray)
Gavin
Cole

You can vote by going to the following website:

http://www.babycenter.com/babypoll/6gDx

10 Weeks.... 25% cooked!

Tomorrow will mark 10 weeks gestation for Baby McGee. I am feeling okay, however I still have yucky moments. Considering how touchy my stomach is without being pregnant, I need to feel VERY LUCKY!

Today is my last day of work for the next 7 weeks. How wonderful this will be!! I wish every pregnant woman could take her first trimester off! I will be returning for the fall semester and then I plan on staying home for at least a year. We would love to have me home for 5 but we will have to see how it goes!

I am including an update of Baby's development. This website sends me information every week so it really helps to keep me informed. Enjoy!

What changes are occurring with your body?
Your uterus has continued to grow, but you still are probably not showing at this time. Some of you may be ready to share with everyone that you are pregnant, while others may still be adjusting to the idea of being pregnant. It is important to be open about your feelings with both your partner and your healthcare provider.*

What is happening with your baby?
This is the beginning of the fetal period when your baby's organs continue to grow and mature. The majority of his/her vital organs, kidneys, liver, brain, and lungs are functioning, but will continue to mature throughout the remainder of your pregnancy.

Your baby's head makes up half the length of the body, and there is a bulge in the forehead allowing for brain development. Fingernails, toenails, and hair will begin to become visible this week. The fingers are no longer webbed. The baby is actively swallowing amniotic fluid and kicking his legs.

How big is your baby?
Your baby is approximately 2 inches long, about the size of a lime, and weighs about a quarter of an ounce.*

Now It's a Peanut! - 8 weeks, 5 days

We had our first ultrasound last week, the 8th of May. Our OB had an emergency and couldn't meet with us so we had to come back this week on the 16th. What a difference a week makes. The ultrasound looks so much different in just 8 days! You can tell in the more recent one that the baby is looking down and you can see an outline of it's hand. According to the pregnancy book, all major organs have formed and now it is a matter of growth. Pretty amazing! I will also add a picture of a fetus at this stage. You can really see the detail in this photo. Baby is approximately .75inch long.

Our Little Sunflower Seed - 5 Weeks, 5 Days

Week Six

I copied this from a website. It's so confusing. I am in my 6th week but I am 5 weeks and 5 days pregnant.... Glad they know how to figure it all out. Anyway, I thought this was so interesting.

I am feeling good today. So far no stomach issues. PRAISE GOD!

The arms and legs continue to develop - These limbs are stretching out more and more. Later on you will be feeling those feet and elbows up close and personal right in your bladder!

Brain is growing well - Did you know that over the course of the remaining months that your baby's brain will develop over 100 billion neurons? This is just the beginning!

Lenses of the eyes appear - If you could catch a glimpse inside, you would notice your baby's appearance becoming increasing like a newborn's.

Nostrils are formed - The position of the nose seems to shift into its proper place as well. Soon, the nerves running from the nose to the brain appear.

Intestines grow - Initially these are actually located outside the baby's body within the umbilical cord.

Pancreas - Your baby is now equipped to deal with digestive enzymes and take on processing the insulin and glucagons the body needs to function.

We're Pregnant!

April 19, 2006....a day that will forever be engraved in our hearts and minds. Silly me, I ate hot dogs, went tanning, had a beer and Mountain Dew the whole weekend before! I had no idea! We really didn't think we were pregnant. I had taken a test the Friday before and it was negative. We bought the expensive kind and all. Then the following Wednesday, I had a few minutes to spare between my planning period and my next class. I decided to go to Dollar General and buy a $1 pregnancy test. I don't know what I was thinking! I took it 5 minutes before the next bell was about to ring. I didn't even think about what I would do if it turned out positive. Holy Smokes!!! Moral to this story is, buy generic.... it's better than the name brands! Needless to say, I just about passed out in the library bathroom! I scrambled to find someone to cover my class and just took off from school to see Chad. Funny thing is, he knew something was up! He called me and asked me if I was pregnant. Of course I had to lie! I wasn't about to break the news on the phone! When I got to his work, I told him I had to show him something I had bought. When he came out to the car, I handed him the positive test. He was shocked... in a good way.

We didn't tell my parents until the next day. They were really excited. Their baby is having a baby! We then decided to make a last minute trip to Kansas City to tell Chad's parents. This will be the first grandchild for his parents so we wanted to make it special. We went on the pretense of helping Coby (Chad's brother) move into his new house. They fell for it hook, line and sinker. Chad's dad is retiring in 3 weeks so we thought we would tell him we got him an early retirement gift. I bought the book "Chicken Soup for the Grandparents Soul". We wrapped it up and he opened it up with Chad's mom next to him. His mom thought it was for the "retired person's soul". Suddenly they realized what it said and his mom asked, "Are you trying to tell us something??" John just kept smiling and I think Jackie was in shock! They are very excited to meet this little miracle.

So far I'm feeling OK. I have a bit of queasiness but that's to be expected. I have had a couple of blood tests and the doctor is confident in my results. She said my hormone levels are all looking really good so that's wonderful news. By the way... due date as of now is December 23! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Our first ultrasound appointment is May 8. We'll post again then!