Santa Baby

Merry Christmas!

All Smiles

Four Generations

Never-ending November

Ready to Go!

This month has been absolutely crazy! We started out the month with sending our English bulldog, Zeus, to the specialist to have surgery on his knee. He has a congenital defect where his kneecap tends to pop out of place. During the surgery, the surgeon calls Matt and says that Zeus actually needs surgery on both knees because they are both coming out while under anesthesia, and he has a torn ACL on his left knee. Well, this explains why Zeus has not wanted to put pressure on his leg at all. So we do the double knee surgery and we end up having to completely remove his ACL. Zeus was then boarded at the vet for 2 weeks for rehab.

While all this is happening with our dog, we are still trying to figure out how to be parents! :) Bryce was having issues sleeping at night, and he was fussing all day. It seemed that he was having really bad gas pains. We finally figured out what was going on, and we are no longer breast-feeding, and we are exclusively on formula for sensitive tummies. He seems much happier, and he is now sleeping about six hours at a time at night. Yea!!!

Bryce has also been growing like crazy! We think he weighs about 11 to 12 lbs now, but we will know for sure when we go for our check-up next week. He is also starting to smile (real smiles...not gassy smiles) and coo, and he is doing his best to hold his head up.

Bryce took his first trip out of the state to North Carolina for a family wedding last weekend. While there, he finally got to meet his Uncle Cliff and Aunt Carrie! It was so fun to watch Carrie with her new nephew, and Cliff was absolutely amazing with him.

We are now looking forward to traveling to Michigan for Thanksgiving to spend time with family. The next few weeks are going to be busy, but we are so excited about all the fun activities we have planned.

Happy Holidays!

Holding On

Bryce has been doing some major cute things lately! (At least I think so!) I noticed that when I feed Bryce with a bottle, he likes to hold on to the burp cloth. So, I gave him a little animal to hold onto instead. He has been holding onto it all day. He is absolutely adorable!

Halloween Weekend

Sleeping at the Bryan College volleyball game

With Ms. Kaley at Pumpkinfest

We love the Halloween outfit from Aunt Carrie! It was so comfy!

The adorable outfit from Brian and Carrie!

Halloween outfit - So cute!

Exhausted, but loving it!

I just can't seem to find the time lately to update our blog. If I'm not feeding Bryce, I am changing his diaper or trying to get him to calm down, or trying to keep our house somewhat clean. I really don't know why I even try to keep it clean. I take back everything I have ever said or thought about other moms and the way they raise their children or keep their house. This is hard work!

However, I really have been blessed with a great baby! We have already

gone on several outings, and he just sleeps the entire time. We went to a Bryan volleyball game on Saturday, and he slept through the game!

People ask us how we are doing and if Bryce is sleeping. The picture below is a perfect example of the way we all feel!

Bryce will sleep for hours like this. Unfortunately, he doesn't really like sleeping on his back at night. :(

Bryce Matthew Dillard

Happy Family!

Bryce was born at 6:39 pm on Tuesday, October 12, 2010! He is doing great, and we are so happy to have him. Here are a few pictures of our adventures so far.

I ended up having a c-section after 13 hours of labor. This is my doctor with Bryce in the

operating room.

Grandma Barber and Grandma Dillard with Bryce

Bryce was a bit jaundice, so he had to be under the blue light for a few days.

We're going home!

After our first bath at home. Isn't he adorable?!

My boys!

1 Week and counting!

Well, the dr. appointment went well today. I am making a little bit more progress. I am now at 2 cm, and I will hopefully be at least 3 when they induce next week. We are still keeping the induction date because the doctor doesn't think I will have the baby before then. She estimated that Bryce is at least 8 lbs by now. His heartbeat still sounds great, and he is still moving and looking good! So that is the update for now. Hopefully next time I post, there will be a new little bundle of joy in my arms!

The date has been set

39 Weeks

(Sorry...it is a bit hard to take a belly pic of yourself)

I went to the doctor yesterday, and I have not made much progress at all. I have only dilated .5 cm in 3 weeks! :( At this point, the doctor doesn't think I will go into labor on my own, even though I am having sporadic contractions. We are still hoping that I do go into labor on my own, but just in case, she has scheduled a date to induce just a few days after my due date. She has scheduled it for a few days after my due date hoping that my body will make a little bit more progress. She said that if they were to induce labor at where I am now (only 1.5 cm), there is a higher risk of having to do a c-section. Hopefully I will make a little bit of progress so labor isn't so long and the risk of a c-section will decrease!

Not so much :(

I am now almost 38 weeks. We went to the doctor today and I have not made any additional progress like she had hoped. :( We had an ultrasound today as well, and Bryce is about 7 lbs 3 oz, which is around the 75th percentile in weight for this time in my pregnancy. She said he is big, but not super big. He also got an A+ for health! She is hoping that I go into labor before my next dr. visit. She did say that she will not let me go past my due date, and we will make a plan next visit to induce on or before my due date. She would rather I have him naturally, but due to other issues, it would be best for me to not go past my due date due to the increased risk of having a c-section.
I am getting more uncomfortable by the day, and the contractions are getting stronger but still not super strong. Now it is just a waiting game...at least until next week :)

Craving of the week: String Cheese

People...We are making progress!

I went to the doctor today for my first weekly check-up. The first thing she did was measure me. She said that I am measuring right on schedule - about 37 weeks. She checked my "progress", and she said that I am open and on my way! This is great!! She also did an external exam to see if she could get an idea of how big Bryce is. The first thing she said was, "Wow! You are all baby!" She said that even though I am measuring on schedule, Bryce feels like he is bigger than 37 weeks. We have scheduled an ultrasound for my next appointment so she can get a better idea of how big he actually is. If this baby is anything like Matt was when he was born, I am going to have a massive baby boy (10 lbs!!!)!

YEAH FOR PROGRESS!!!!

36 Weeks

Sorry no picture again this week. By the time Matt got home this evening, I was already in my pajamas and so comfy :)

This past week has been exhausting! I got sick this past weekend with a chest cold, and I just can't seem to shake this annoying cough. I am having a bit of a hard time sleeping because of the coughing and the massive belly. The Braxton-Hicks contractions are to the point where they are so strong! I hope this means that my body is ready to have this baby earlier rather than later. I actually woke up last night because the contractions were so strong. I have been having contractions in my back today that were so strong they took my breath away! They still aren't consistent, but I think this baby may want to come out early :)

Zeus can tell that something is going on. He has been cuddling with me more than normal, and he likes to sniff my belly. A few nights ago he actually put his head on my belly. It was so cute!

The Bryan College Volleyball team surprised Matt (who is their athletic trainer) on Wednesday night with presents for baby Bryce. It was so sweet! Matt had a great time opening all of them and getting ready for the new baby! We can't wait!

Craving of the week: Toast with strawberry jelly

35 Weeks

Nothing extremely eventful has happened in the past week. I have been having some MAJOR braxton hicks contractions, but nothing real...I don't think. I have been told that I will know for sure when I am having real contractions. The "fake" contractions have gotten very strong, and they seem to last for several minutes. I have not actually timed them yet, but they aren't consistent enough for me to time.

My next dr. appointment isn't until Monday, Sept. 13. It is supposed to be my 36 week appointment, but by the time I go to the doctor I will be almost 37 weeks. I so hope I am making progress and Mr. Bryce is ready for his big entrance!

I have become SO uncomfortable...and sometimes it can be painful as well. It is crazy how the simplest things become almost impossible. I can't reach my toes anymore, so I am treating myself to a pedicure this week :)

Craving of the week: cereal

34 Weeks

I am now about 34 1/2 weeks!!! Yeah!!! I had my 34 week doctor appointment on Friday. The doctor said that the baby has already dropped, and we will hopefully be making progress at my next appointment. She said that if I am making progress by my next appointment, then I may have this baby before my due date. That would be amazing!!! I am so ready for him to be here!

I am to the point in my pregnancy where I am uncomfortable no matter where I am or how I am positioned. My belly has gotten so big!!! The doctor said that I have been growing "out instead of up" my entire pregnancy, but I am especially growing out now that I am so far along. I also have a short torso, so it feels like the baby is constantly sitting on my ribs which makes it hard to breath. It takes me a minute to get going when I have been sitting for a long period of time. I feel like a person who has arthritis or sore joints, and I have to take it slow before I can actually start moving "normally".

Matt and I have also finished Bryce's room. Here are a few pictures. :)

Did you really just ask me that?

I am not sure how I feel about strangers commenting on my massive belly. I had a man look at me this morning and say, "Wow! You're about ready to pop!". How do I respond to that?
He then asks how much longer I have, and when I tell him I still have about 7 weeks, he says, "Wow! Are there two in there?". Really?
I have had other people I know but haven't seen in a while say, "Oh my! You have gotten big!"
I try to take the comments lightly, and I know people aren't meaning to sound insensitive. But, really?? How do I respond to these questions.
I know I am massive, but is it really appropriate to comment on my humongous belly when I don't even know you that well, or at all????

Counting down!

I feel like baby Bryce is doing everything possible to make me as uncomfortable as possible. I can definitely tell that this baby is head down, and I feel like he is beginning to drop. I feel especially uncomfortable when I go on walks because I feel like he is pressing down and about to fall out! My hips are beginning to loosen (OUCH!), which makes me waddle even more than normal. He also seems to love to snuggle up under the right side of my ribs, which is so painful! I am praying that Bryce is ready to meet the world earlier than planned. I will be 37 week on September 16th, so it would be safe for him to be born around that time. This means that I only have about 4 weeks left instead of 7 (or even 8 if I go past the due date!) I have a dr. appointment next week, and then I start meeting with the doctor every week to check my progress. I am praying he comes early...but not too early. I still feel like I have so much to do, and I want Bryce to be well down...not under cooked!
On a more exciting note...several family members and a wonderful friend are throwing me a baby shower in Dayton this weekend. I am so excited! My mom is also coming to visit, so hopefully she can help me get a few last minutes things ready, since I have never done this before :)
I can't wait until September, then I can really begin to countdown!

32 Weeks

I just got back from my OB appointment. The doctor said the baby is now head down, and will probably stay in that position from here on out. His heartbeat sounds great, and I am measuring right on schedule. I also lost weight this week, which she said could happen in the last few weeks. This sounds great to me, since I have already gained quite a bit this pregancy. I have been feeling nauseated a bit lately, but she said this is normal as well.

Sorry, there won't be any belly pics for the next two weeks. My photographer (Matt) is working very late for the next few weeks, so there is no time to take any pictures.

Everything is going great. I am feeling fine (right now). I have been feeling nauseated a bit lately, but hopefully this won't last long.

Craving of the Week: BLT sandwiches

Birmingham Baby Shower

Here are a few pictures from the Baby Shower in Birmingham, AL. Please excuse the extremely unflattering dress :)

Rachael and I

This is my favorite picture! I am not sure why my mom is pointing at her belly!

Mom, Carrie, and I

Family!

31 Weeks

I am a little late on the post this week. Everything has been going great. Nothing new this week. Bryce still kicks like crazy and often wakes me up at night with the kicking. Matt and I have almost completely finished organizing and setting up the baby's room. I am having a fun time decorating and painting Bryce's room.

Matt and I also went to a massive consignment sale called Just Between Friends. We got several cute clothes. Here are some cute items we got at the consignment sale and my baby shower.

I have my 32 week appointment on Wednesday. I am hoping that things begin to progress more quickly from here!

Craving of the week: baked potatoes :)

New Experiences

I have had many new experiences this week! I felt the baby hiccup for the first time this week! I was a steady "bump.....bump" inside. I could only feel it when I was sitting down, but it felt crazy!
I have also felt the baby kick toward my spine and into my ribs. That was a bit uncomfortable!

My first baby shower was this past weekend in Birmingham. I had such a wonderful time with friends and family! We received many wonderful items to help us care for our new addition. I am looking forward to my baby shower in Tennessee near the end of August.

I am very ready for our little man to arrive!

30 Weeks

My doctor appointment went well this week. My little man is moving around like crazy! He wouldn't stay still for the doctor to check his heartbeat. I am feeling fine. I am becoming more uncomfortable, and my back is hurting quite a bit but this is to be expected. The pregnancy yoga I do tends to help my back. As you can see in my picture, my back really bows because of the way my body is carrying the baby. I try to stand up straight, but it just isn't possible at this point.

Matt and I are going down to Birmingham this weekend for my first baby shower. I am so excited!!!

Craving of the week: bananas (except in the morning!)

29 Weeks

I can tell that my body is changing even more as it prepares for labor. My hips are beginning to hurt more, and I am having random "spasms" in my uterus. I can't tell if I am having Braxton Hicks contractions or something else. Sometimes my entire uterus tightens, and sometimes it is just one side. These tightenings aren't painful, just a bit uncomfortable.

Do these sound like Braxton Hicks contractions to anyone else?

Matt and I have almost finished the baby's room. Below is the mural I painted on the wall.

Matt and I are traveling to Birmingham this weekend for my first baby shower. I am so excited to see my family and all my friends from home!

Craving of the week: All food sounds great! I still especially love the Triscuits and cheese.

Glucose Screening Test Update

I passed!!! No 3 hour glucose test for me!!!

Birthing Class

Matt and I went to a birthing class this past Saturday. It was...interesting. We took a tour of the hospital where I will be giving birth, went over signs of pre-term labor, newborn basics, and much more. Matt and I won a little prize...a fully case of formula! The instructor showed us a tub full of things we will need (or not need) for our new baby. We had to write down as many things as we could remember. Matt and I remembered the most items!! I told Matt to be happy that he has an over-achieving wife :) The formula will be great, since I won't be able to breastfeed for long once I go back to work.
After attending this class, it just makes me even more anxious to have this baby! I definitely didn't feel as massive once I saw some of the other pregnant ladies attending the class. Some of them were only weeks away from having their babies. Overall, the class was interesting and definitely informative. Matt and I are so excited to have this new addition to our family!

28 Weeks

28 Weeks

Baby Bryce now weighs about 2 lbs and is probably around 15" long. He is kicking me like crazy, and he sometimes kicks so hard he wakes me up at night.
I went to my glucose screening test yesterday. The glucose drink was awful, but the waiting wasn't too bad. The doctor said it was a good sign that I thought the drink was so awful tasting. I will find out the results of my test by early next week. The doctor said the baby's heartbeat sounds great, and I am measuring right on schedule!

Craving of the Week: Triscuit crackers with cheese

New Pack-n-play

A friend from work recently brought me a very nice pack-n-play that her sister-in-law was willing to give us (for free). It is amazing! It has a bassinet in the top with a fold-up changing table. I can't wait to use it!

27 Weeks!!! (The Countdown begins!)

27 Weeks

I am now 27 weeks! I know I still have a few months left, but it sounds so much better when I say that I only have 13 weeks left (if I make it to 40 weeks). I am afraid I may go past 40 weeks. I have heard that a women's pregnancy is usually very similar to her mothers. My mother said that each of us 3 kids were a week late. No mater when Bryce decides to arrive, I am extremely excited!!! I am beginning to swell much more, especially in my face and ankles.

I go for my 28 week 1 hour glucose test next Wednesday. For some reason I am so nervous about this test. I think it is mainly due to the thought of having to go back for the 3 hour test where I would have to fast for about 15 hours before the test. I am hungry every few hours, so the 3 hour test would be horrible!! Hopefully I will not have to go back for the 3 hour test!

Craving of the week: potato chips with ketchup

26 Weeks

26 Weeks

Now that I am past the 20 week milestone, I tend to forget how far along I am. When someone asks me, I sometimes have to stop and think. I am so used to being pregnant now, I tend to forget I am pregnant sometimes. Then the aches and pains come, and I am reminded very quickly :)
I am growing a lot, and I feel uncomfortably large most days. I have moved to the stage where I have to scoot to the edge of the couch to get up. I wonder how funny I look when people see me actually trying to get out of my seat (haha!).
I am very excited about moving into the third trimester. Then the countdown to Bryce's arrival can begin! The next few months are filled with family visits, baby showers, and decorating the baby's room! My parents are visiting this weekend to help us finish the baby's room and celebrate the 4th of July.
I can't wait to go to Birmingham for the baby shower at the end of July. My sister and her husband will also be visiting Birmingham from Raleigh, NC. I haven't seen my sister since I was about 4 months pregnant, and I am very excited to spend the weekend with her!
I will (hopefully) begin posting pictures every week since I am entering the last trimester, and my belly will probably begin growing much more.

Craving of the week: cheese (thanks to Brian and Carrie!)

25 weeks

I am now 25 weeks. Not much has changed. I am beginning to get more tired, and I get hot very fast. I had a little spell this week when I got too hot and felt like I was going to pass out. Probably not a good idea! Thankfully, I got inside just in time and cooled off.

The baby is now over 13 inches long, and my uterus is about the size of a soccer ball. It actually looks like I have a soccer ball under my shirt!

Craving of the week: peanut butter and honey sandwiches...yum!

Family Love

For several weeks now, the baby has been kicking and punching hard enough for me to feel it with my hand. However, Matt has yet to feel the baby kick. I have tried to get Matt to feel him kick numerous times, but the baby just wouldn't kick for him. Finally, last night, baby Bryce kicked Matt's hand really hard...twice! Matt's face was priceless!!! I love that Matt was finally able to feel his son kick. No matter how tired or achy I am, I absolutely love these moments!

24 Weeks...6 Months!!

Yeah!!! I am now 6 months!! I went to the doctor on Monday planning to take the glucose test. I ended up not having to take the test until 28 weeks, which is great! The appointment went well. The doctor said the baby's heartbeat sounds great and he is growing perfectly on schedule. I also found out that I am carrying the baby "out instead of up", according to the doctor. She said that this accounts for my aching lower back and the fact that I look further along than I actually am. My ankles and feet are also swelling a bit, but she said this will happen because it is so hot. The heat index yesterday was about 103 degrees!!!

I have felt pretty good lately, with the exception of being extremely hot all the time. I haven't had any really unusual cravings lately. Most days I eat normally. However, there are those days when I can't seem to get full. The baby's room is coming along well, and it is all beginning to feel more real. I love to just go in the room and imagine what it will be like when little Bryce arrives. We can't wait!

Bryce's Room

Before

After

Below is the furniture our Pastor and his wife gave us. We love it! We also bought a cute little bookshelf, and I refinished and painted the dresser.

The dresser looks antique-ish, and I found the cutest dresser knobs.