Liam Alexandar is here!

February 21st at 5:12 pm

7 lbs. 8.5 oz.

20" long

Liam, Mommy, and Daddy are all doing very well! We wanted to post a few pictures, but will go into greater detail once we take a break from staring at our gorgeous son! We are in LOVE! God has truly blessed us with a beautiful, healthy baby!

ONE MORE HOUR UNTIL LIAM ALEXANDAR'S BIRTHDAY!!!

We love Dr. White...

Here is an update on today's appointment...

Liam did GREAT during the NST today. He stayed awake during the entire test, thanks to his daddy and I keeping him awake - and the fact that I ate peanut M & M's, which are his favorite. Since he was awake, they didn't have to stimulate him with that vibrate thing, which made us all happy. His heart rate was great, ranging from 130's to 150's with an average of 132. He measured 40 weeks, even though he won't be 38 weeks until Thursday. He still sticks his heel out ALL OF THE TIME and he even let Dr. White feel it. Dr. White told him to be good and that he is hers on Thursday. She can't wait to see him either! She laughs at him.

I gained a half of a pound, which brings my total weight gain to around 30 lbs. My blood pressure was 100/60 something, which I thought was low, but she thought it was great. Still no sugar or protein problems. I was still dilated 2 cm, but am now 90% effaced. We are still scheduled for induction at 6:30 AM on Thursday, if we don't go before. Dr. White said she would be there around 7:00 AM to break my water and get things started. She seems to think everything will go smoothly and we should have a baby by 4:00 or 5:00. I told her of our concern about inductions causing an increase risk of cesarean. She said that was untrue and her c-section rate is only 18% with only 8% of those being after induction. I trust Dr. White completely and I don't say that about a lot of doctors. She is amazing. She told us to call her if anything happens before Thursday. I teased her that hopefully we won't have to call her in the middle of the night. She said if we did that would be great and she would not care one bit. She is awesome!!!

After the appointment, Mommy and Daddy went to eat dinner at O'Charleys. I got to cure my craving of teriyaki chicken! YUM YUM. We also went to Target to get my "snacks" for induction day. Much to my surprise, Dr. White said I would be allowed to have jolly ranchers, lifesavers, etc. Yea... I won't STARVE! OK... maybe I will!

Stay tuned for updates. Hopefully we will update the blog shortly after baby arrives. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Please pray that God will give us a happy and healthy son and that labor and delivery will be a breeze!

37 weeks and several updates.......

First off... no baby yet! We are VERY anxiously awaiting. Tim and I can't believe we will be parents in just a few days!!!

Our 37 week photo...


VALENTINE'S DAY...
Our Valentine's Day was rather uneventful. I got up and Tim and Liam had left my cards in the kitchen. They were SO sweet. When Tim came home he had a dozen red roses and one white rose that he said Liam told him to get. He said Liam wanted him to get a rose that would stand out and be taller than the rest. If you look closely, you can see it in the photo! How sweet! Tim is SUCH a wonderful husband to me and he is already an amazing daddy to Liam. I honestly don't know what I would do without him. God has truly blessed us!



I think this is probably the first year we have stayed home for Valentine's Day. (well... other than the blizzard last year) I had no energy to even think about going somewhere for dinner. We stayed home and made spaghetti! It was our weekly Thursday night date night with Laura and since her boyfriend had to work, she came over. It is always fun to spend time with her. We laughed that from now on our date night with Laura will be with Liam too. (who shares her initials, by the way)

We took a picture of us in on Valentine gear. We laugh because there was a good chance that we would be in the hospital having the baby on V day, so I bought Valentine pj's for us. So... we wore them anyway. Here we are...

Here is our little girl with her Valentine treat...

Friday evening I got a haircut. My hair guy, Dale, has been wanting me to get a belly shot with him. I took my camera and here we are....

Saturday was our final childbirth class at Clarian North. We learned a lot and I was really glad we didn't spend a lot of time doing breathing and labor exercises. Last time we were afraid that it would throw be into labor and we don't need that when Dr. White is not on call!

We learned a lot about pain therapy during labor. I, of course, plan on having the epidural, so it was nice to learn all about that. Also, our instructor talked a lot about what happens after delivery and caring for a newborn. It was nice to talk to the others in the class who are all going through the same thing we are!

After the class, we went to Dick's and Tim picked out a baseball bat and baseball for everyone to sign when Liam is born. His daddy was so proud. We finished the day with a trip to The Cheesecake Factory. We LOVE that place!

We have an appointment with Dr. White and a NST Monday afternoon. Stay tuned to see what we find out.........

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

February 12th appointment with Dr. White and NST...

First off, the weather was HORRIBLE today. Our entire drive to Clarian North was icy and long. Again, we went thinking we would be staying, but we were wrong.

The NST went rather well. I had a few big contractions, but nothing too dramatic. Liam fell asleep and again they had to stimulate with the vibrate thing that we hate. He again jumped and about 10 minutes later got hiccups. Poor baby. We do NOT like it when they have to wake him up!

Our appointment with Dr. White went well. I gained 3 lbs, but since I lost 3 lbs. last week, I am back to where I was a few weeks ago. My blood pressure was again perfect - 112/68, no protein or sugar problems, etc. Not to get too gross, but I am beginning to loose the mucus plug. That basically means things are progressing. I am still 2 cm dilated and still roughly 80% effaced. As for Liam.... he is still a BIG boy!!! Dr. White said she is going to start calling him a monster because he is so big. He measured 39 weeks and she said he should be over 8 lbs. She thinks we will make it to next Thursday's induction, but says as soon as she says that he will prove her wrong. His heart rate stayed around the 140's. We asked her if they would be taking any special precautions during delivery because of the 2V cord and she laughed and said no. She said he seems as healthy as a horse and the 2V cord is not hindering him AT ALL. We are SO thankful that so far it seems he is healthy and perfect!!!

After the appointment Mommy and Daddy ran by Janie and Jack to purchase Liam the cutest outfit. Janie and Jack is my ultimate FAVORITE store and I love everything in the store for him. It gets me in serious trouble. When we were shopping in the store I told Tim that I am SO GLAD that we are having a boy. I can't imagine it otherwise! I have been waiting to get this outfit for awhile and we went to get it tonight. It is plaid pants with whales. I LOVE IT... check it out...... (the pictures don't quite do it justice... it is MUCH more adorable in person)

Update to nursery...

Today, Liam's daddy added his name to his nursery. Check it out...

Childbirth Class #1...

We had our first childbirth class on Saturday at Clarian North. I can't believe we are just now doing it, but this was the only opportunity we had. Plus, since we thought we had another month, we thought we had plenty of time. There are at least twenty other couples in the class and most of them have a few months before they deliver. We went around the room and introduced ourselves and told if we are having a boy or girl. Almost all of the couples are having boys. It is hilarious at how many people are having boys! Our little boy was an absolute stinker during the entire day. Tim and I sat and watched my belly bump during the class. He was SO active - kicking, thrashing, spinning, moving! He didn't stop until bedtime last night. (which was great - we actually got some sleep)

There is another couple in the class that are due in two weeks. It was very funny to watch how the others were, compared to the lady due in two weeks and me. When they had us get down on the floor and do squats and various exercises, I didn't do so well. I looked over at the other lady and she couldn't do it either! We are both quite a bit bigger than the other moms-to-be. Tim and I were worried that this would all throw me into labor, so he kept telling me to not do the things they wanted us to do and fake it! Especially since it was a Saturday and Dr. White was not on-call. So, most of them I faked!

The class was very informative. Of course, I took notes and was the only person that did. I have always been one to take notes. It not only helps me remember things, but it also helps me stay awake. Since the class started early on a Saturday morning and I don't sleep much at night, I needed to try to stay awake! Actually, it was interesting. I think much more for the dads! Moms already know most of the things that are going on and what the labor/delivery process is like, but I think it is good for the dads to learn about it before the big day!

When we got home last night we chilled on the couch and watched TV. I got THE mother of all charlie horses. It was SO bad that Tim was trying to rub it out and I almost bit him. I had to keep biting his shirt until it went away, which was a long time. It was seriously the most painful thing I have every experienced. I woke up this morning and my leg is SO sore. We figured out it was the squats that I had to do in class. I guess when you are carrying around an additional 28 lbs., squats are hard to do. Thank goodness I am having an epidural for the labor pains! I think Tim is glad too!!!

We go back for our last class next Saturday, assuming Liam doesn't come before. The way I felt much of last night and this morning, I thought we would be heading to the hospital soon, but I feel much better now. We have our weekly NST and appointment on Tuesday, so we will see what Dr. White has to say....

Washing the blues....

A few weeks ago we started washing all of baby's clothes. I must say... I LOVE the smell of Dreft! Of course, Daddy took a picture of the washing machine with baby's things in it. The washer and dryer have gotten a major workout the last few weeks. I have to admit that I was very worried about washing all of his good/fragile things. The Strasburg clothing and blankets, Talbot's, most of his Janie and Jack, etc. Pretty much everything except for his sleepers and onesies. So...... Grammie got the wonderful opportunity of washing all of that stuff. She did LOADS and LOADS. I think between the two of us, Mom and I got everything washed and it all smells YUMMY!!!!! Now we just need Liam to get here to wear ALL of his clothes. Again, just as long as he waits until Monday!!!

36 weeks...

Here is our 36 week shot. Hopefully not too many more weekly pictures. We just hope the baby decides to wait until at least Monday. (Dr. White isn't on call this weekend)

The shot from behind is because everyone keeps telling me that you can't tell I am preg unless you see my stomach. Everyone says it looks like I have a beach ball under my shirt and that I am all baby. Of course, I don't believe anyone, so Tim decided to take a picture to prove to me.

We go for our first childbirth class Saturday morning. (better late than never) This is the first we could get in and because we thought we were not due until March 6th, we thought we had plenty of time. We will update on how it went.

Well.... off to get my blanket and pillow ready for the class tomorrow. We have to be at Clarian North at 9:00 AM... and we are going to miss our Saturday morning sleeping in. (oh well, get used to it right - no more sleeping in when Liam gets here)

Weekly appointment with Dr. White + ultrasound + NST...

First, let me start by saying that Mommy and Daddy didn't get any sleep last night because baby Liam was very crazy. I could NOT get comfortable. I had a foot in my gallbladder, a butt on the other side and his head is already in position - mostly on my bladder. I went from bed to the recliner to the bathroom to bed to the recliner to bed to the bathroom.. you get the picture! So needless to say, we were exhausted all day.

We had a busy afternoon. We started with the ultrasound. This was scheduled to check his weight, due to the two-vessel cord. They typically measure his head, stomach, and femur. His head is SO low that they had a very difficult time getting a measurement. Not to mention, he is very stubborn and does not cooperate. They crack up at him! He is not interested in ultrasounds or NST. He wanted everyone to leave him alone so he could sleep. After all, he was up all night! Since he was not interested in getting his picture taken, we didn't get any good ultrasound pictures this time. She switched it over to 3D, but you couldn't see anything. That little stinker! She was able to tell that he is still a boy, has chubby cheeks, and has a lot of hair! Anyway, after the ultrasound we headed to the NST. He slept during that too. So again, they had to stimulate with the vibration thing. This time it was not nearly as bad. He jumped just a little and didn't get hiccups this time!!! He responded to it and they were able to get a good test.

After all of the testing, we went down the hall to see Dr. White and get the results. She walked in the door and told Tim and I that we have a very big boy. He is in the 90th percentile. Are you ready....... he weighs 7 lbs. 13 oz. according to the ultrasound. WOW!!! So much for the two-vessel cord. Dr. White said she doesn't know what we would do if we had a three-vessel. It is amazing how God works everything out! Our baby is such a blessing! His heart rate was 141 and everything with him looks great. His bladder was full during the ultrasound, his kidneys look great, his heart and brain both look great. So far, he looks like a perfectly happy, healthy, and stubborn like Daddy... baby! For some reason they said I lost 3 lbs., which I don't think is correct, but my total weight gain so far is 28 lbs. My blood pressure was perfect and no sugar or protein problems. I was still 2 cm dilated and approximately 80% effaced. The only problem I am having is when I stand up or walk I feel like he is going to fall out. This is because of all of the pressure. She wrote me a script for a pregnancy belt and told me it would help. After the appointment we went and picked it up. I will try it for work tomorrow and hope and pray that it helps.

For now it is just day by day. She kept the February 21st induction date, but I get the idea she thinks it will be before that time. She told me to stay close and she would be my cheerleader! She wants everything to progress naturally for as long as possible. We just don't want him to get to 9 or 10 lbs!!! Tim and I honestly thought we would be in the hospital tonight. We went to the appointment with the car loaded and the car seat buckled in. After the way I have been feeling, we just knew she would want to start the entire process tonight. We are glad to be home. We want Liam to cook as long as he needs! Although we are getting VERY anxious for his arrival! I can't wait to kiss his feet and chubby little cheeks! He has NO idea how much he is loved!!!

and his name is...

Liam Alexandar Stover

We finally have chosen a name for our precious baby boy. This was one of the first names that we liked originally, but we wanted to be sure. After all, he has to live with this name for his entire life!

We had belly shot/maternity pictures taken last Saturday at Thornburg Studios in Muncie. Our pictures turned out great and we can't wait to receive all of them. In fact, the studio had a booth at the bridal show last Sunday and displayed some of our pictures. How exciting!!! We ordered the pictures last night and should receive them in a few weeks. I would imagine the baby will be here before we get our pictures back!!! He is ready to make his entrance!