Welli Helps Out

While Foster and I spent some time in the nursery this afternoon we had a little help. It has taken a few days and lots of sniffing, but Welli has finally welcomed Foster into our home. How sweet is this bundle of fur...

Our Biggest Adventure Yet!

Well, it finally happened. Foster decided to view the world for the first time 2 weeks ahead of schedule. After 32 hours of labor, he shot into life, literally! Although Daniel was unable to make it back, he did witness the event over speaker phone and saw Foster's sweet face moments after birth over Skype. Let's just say how thankful the Russell's are for the advancements in technology!

Foster was delivered by Dr. Latoya Kuester at Baptist of Nassau on Amelia Island, Friday July 15, at 3:49 p.m. My mother, Mama Jill, helped coach me through the pushing and Daniel's mother, Nana, cut the cord and took charge of the technology. The experience was unforgettable and absolutely amazing. It seems surreal to have carried our little man for 9 months and suddenly have him in your arms cooing and staring into your eyes.

Since then, Foster has met our dogs, Welli and Chloe, as well as my parents greyhounds, Sadie and Lovie, he has felt the afternoon breeze on the back patio, listened to the outdoor chimes, learned how to drink milk, and met many of our dear friends and neighbors.

The support that we have received over this past year has been nothing short of incredible. Thank you to everyone who has offered to do the thousand things that a pregnant woman simply cannot do herself and that a new mom simply doesn't have time for.

I will be doing my best over the next few months to make sure I post as often as I can with new photos of Foster's small and large accomplishments!

I have no words for the joy that I feel in my heart. It is true, what they say...How can you love something you just met so much? The answer to that is...you just do!

More Finishing Touches

Just when you think you have it all done, you find more to do! I just wanted to post a few more pics from Foster's nursery. The final wall pieces have been hung, and I am thrilled with the results. Thanks Frank and Dad for all your handy work!
Check out the shadow of the plane flying overhead...so sweet!

Jaime bought Foster the Raggedy Andy and Mom found the adorable sailor. (Hoping for our little man to be a blonde haired blue eyed cutie too!
We aren't sure who actually made this for my sister and I, but mom found it in our baby things and we just had to frame it. We have narrowed the possible stitchers to my Aunt Randy or my Grandmother Casper. No matter who made it, I had to hang it up in Foster's room.

Extry, Extry, Read all about it!

Well, the day may have finally come. I was 37 weeks this past Thursday, July 7th. During my visit with the OBGYN the day before, we decided that with a belly measuring 44 cm (Holy Moly!), it might be best to go ahead and induce a bit early. With a due date of July 28th, July17th sounds very early, but Foster appears to be really big! (Thank you Russell family!)

Monday I will have what I hope to be my final ultrasound just to be sure of his size, and if everything goes as planned, I will be induced next weekend! Can you believe it?

I am excited, anxious, nervous, but also prepared (or as prepared as anyone can be to pass something the size of a watermelon through a hole the size of a bottle cap!) But hey, it is the miracle of life, and I am so ready to embrace it.

Thank you to everyone who has supported our family through this pregnancy...the fun is about to begin.

I will update again when I know more. Until then cross your fingers for me that everything goes as smoothly as it can!

Will Work for Treats!!!

I must be the luckiest girl in the world to have so many people so willing to help me without a second thought. Of course, it is a little strange for me to accept any help- as you know I am the most independent, do-it-yourself female on the planet. Asking for help is almost impossible, and accepting help is even harder! You could compare it to asking for a root canal or accepting a good kick from a horse. All are painful and hard to recover from!

However, I must say that when you are 9 months pregnant with two dogs and a house to keep up, your perspective on help does tend to change a bit. Recently I was lucky enough to have my inlaws, sister, and parents down for several days, doing just that!

We did have our fair share of beach time and frequented may of the local restaurants (since I hate to cook, I single handedly keep the local eateries in business), but much time was spent doing all those little things that with a belly this big I can no longer comfortably do! I appreciate all the help that I have been given, especially knowing that so much precious vacation/relaxation time was spent working for me!

Our newest addition to the family, Welli, our one-year-old Briard decided he would give a helping hand to my dad, while he was working in the house. He was his little helper for the day, learning the trade, investigating the problems, and then fixing them with a little slobber and a whole lot of love. Thanks Welli- I know Dad sure did appreciate your help!
So, I guess not only dogs work for treats, humans do too! And it was such a treat for me having so much company these last two weeks!

I am so done!!!

Okay, so all I have to say is that all these happy pregnant women are liars! Being fat, swollen, sore, and slow is not exactly my idea of absolute joy. I understand that carrying life's greatest miracle is an amazing experience, but come on ladies...let's be real- it is hard work! I am so ready to have Foster and get back to myself.

Honestly though, I cannot wait to see him. 3 1/2 weeks to go! Come on out Foster...anytime- Mom is waiting!

Foster Visits Daddy's Homeland

A few weeks ago Foster and I took our last trip as a fused unit. At 34 weeks I bit the bullet and boarded a flight to North Carolina to visit my in-laws. The Russells, Nooes, and friends decided to throw me one more baby shower and boy did they ever! Elizabeth Dozier hosted the event in her beautiful home, aided by my sister-in-law, Charity, Daniel's cousins, Lori and Christy, their mother, Marsha, and Daniel's Aunt Amy. The spread was fabulous with blue crab dip, chicken salad croissants, petit cupcakes, and punch just to name a few of the delectables.

It was so wonderful to see such a fantastic turn out. I truly felt incredibly loved with so many family members and friends wishing me well. It was a full house to be sure! It is a lucky mom-to-be who receives 10 packs of wipes, 7 boxes of diapers, needed safety and medical items, sweet stuffed toys, and clothes, clothes, clothes!!! Not to mention the loud, obnoxious toys that I will be sure to take to Nana and Papa's to remain! A gift I needed as much as a dairy cow needs a pair of strong hands, was my breast pump. Thank you to everyone for your generosity, kindness, and support as we prepare to bring our little man into the world!

It was also a treat to get to see my friend, Amy, who traveled a few hours to spend the day with me. Her son, Brian is absolutely precious and I look forward to 8 months from now when our little Foster is at that same fun age!

The next time I make my way up north I will be plus one and I can't wait!