23 More Days!!!!

Now that I'm starting my 37th week, I go to the doctor's office once a week now for the next 23 days unless Mason arrives early like they suspect. As most of you know, I haven't been sleeping much since I'm going through the "uncomfortable/miserable" stage of my 9th month. I'm healthy though! This past Wednesday's appointment, my blood pressure was 116/62, my protein was good, and they didn't complain about my weight this time, so I guess I'm staying steady. Mason's heartbeat is 135 which is normal.

This week I saw Dr. Becky Ridenhour. She noticed that my stomach was very tight and asked if I was having a contraction at that moment and I said yes, gotta love Braxton Hicks! She also did a Group B strep test on me and checked to see if I was dilated. So far, I wasn't but she said my cervix is already very thin and soft and Mason's head is low. Not much longer!!! I'm already starting to feel the pressure on my pelvic bone and bladder, so I'm going to the bathroom every 30 minutes to an hour, yikes! 

Since my feet are very swollen and tender, they told me to put them up as much as I can and to stay off of them. I also can't be traveling other than to work or to the hospital. Hopefully I haven't upset too many people. I think I disappointed Lawton at first, but he understands that I need to put Mason's safety first. Hopefully everyone understands why I need to be home and near the hospital "just in case." I've noticed this weekend that it's difficult just walking up and down the stairs or just riding in the car for 20 minutes. I've been very emotional about all of this lately and how inconvenient it is, but I realize it's all worth it and am looking forward to seeing Mason.

This past weekend we finished cleaning the house, including the guest rooms! We went to visit Sarah and Marty and he helped Lawton put the car seat in the 4Runner. My hospital back is packed except for last minute things that I'll throw in, so we're ready when Mason is!

Love,
Erika, Lawton, and Baby Mason

Erika's Tummy - 35 Weeks!!!

We are wrapping up our 35th week and can't be more excited about Mason's arrival. I have about 2-5 more weeks left, even though the nurse that was leading our child birth class said it could still happen "at any time," for anyone! That made Lawton's eyes jump out of his head! The class we went to at Baptist this past Tuesday night was very informative. We learned about the different stages of labor, what contractions feel like, what to expect and what to do when the time comes. That evening, I got about 3 hours of sleep. I tossed and turned and just could not get comfortable. Work has been hectic as I've been busy training my "fill-in" and trying to meet deadlines. So I think my lack of sleep has a lot to do with a racing mind as well as the pregnancy. Next week, at our child birth class, we'll have a tour of the hospital and will get to see the "nesting rooms." Speaking of "nesting" our eggs have hatched! We have baby birds in our grill! It's very symbolic.... happening at the same time as us.

Overall, we're ready for Mason! Earlier this week, I had a consultation at Lexington Pediatrics with Caroline Webber, who I knew from high school. Caleb and Dawn will be moving back into town and Caleb will be our pediatrician, so we're very excited about knowing 2 of the doctors at this practice.

This Memorial Day weekend, we will NOT be traveling. Instead, we will have our yard sale... I'll start packing a hospital bag....and will finally finish writing thank you cards. I plan to get as much done as I can but lately it's been so hard since I've just been miserable, out of breath and uncomfortable.... but deep down I know it's all worth it. I already know I'm going to miss feeling Mason's kicks, movements and, lately, hiccups!!!

Love,
Erika, Lawton, and Baby Mason

Nesting Before Resting

Today, we started to cook some hamburgers, but when Lawton lifted the lid on the grill, a bird flew out and inside he found a nest with eggs. Hopefully the momma bird will come back and not leave her babies stranded there. I ate a grilled cheese and Lawton had fish sticks instead. Haha!

I immediately started thinking that our little one will be here soon and I have a lot of "nesting" to do! So this weekend, we're going to finally finish the rooms upstairs and pack up a lot of things that we don't want or need anymore. I want this place spic and span for him! I even thought about hiring a maid to come in just one time to clean everything really good since I can't do it and Lawton won't do it to my liking.

We received a note on our mailbox this afternoon informing us about our neighborhood yard sale next weekend, so we will prepare to sell a lot of stuff on the 23rd. Hopefully we will get rid of all this clutter in the house and also make some extra cash to buy the last of the necessities on our registry that Mason will need. So basically, the last weekend in May is when I'll start "resting."

Until then, Lawton is in the process of switching our blog account over to a different domain, called Humzoo. We will let you know when that's ready for viewing.

Love,
Erika, Lawton, and Baby Mason

Doctor's Appt - 34 Weeks!!!

My doctor's appointment went well this morning. I got to meet Dr. Grumbach for the first time. I liked him a lot! He delivered a friend of mine's baby, so I know I'm in good hands with him too. My blood pressure has remained consistent... still 100/60. They said no other patient is like that. I told them that's because I'm a perfectionist. My weight was fine too, 174lbs! No complaints from the nurse or the doctor. Mason's heartbeat was normal, 135 and I'm measuring 34 inches.

Dr. Grumbach noticed that I dropped too and I immediately asked him if he could tell how much Mason weighed or how he was positioned.... and he said he's about 5 lbs (guessing) and he felt his head in my pelvic area, so he's definitely head down. His head is about the size of a baseball and mentioned that Mason should stay like this for the rest of the trimester. He asked me if I've had Braxton Hicks and I described what I was feeling and he agreed that it was definitely the "fake contractions" preparing me and to let him know if they are regular and consistent.

Overall, he said everything's going well and it wouldn't shock him if I went into labor at 37 weeks. But like he said, Mason will come when he's ready! After this next appointment on May 27th, he said I will start coming once a week so they can check to see if I'm dilated. How exciting!!!! This weekend Lawton and I will finish cleaning and getting everything ready for his arrival. I want to be prepared and nest early so that I can relax this last month!

Love,
Erika, Lawton, and Baby Mason

My First Mother's Day

I celebrated Mother's Day this year, even though I don't have an "outside baby" yet. I finally cashed in my birthday gift certificate to Urban Nirvana. It was amazing! I went with my mom and grandma for a girls' afternoon. I had a facial, prenatal massage and a bed head rub. I was so relaxed and will definitely have to go back! This was my first massage and now I'm beginning to understand why people are addicted. Mason loved it too... he was kicking a lot and the therapist even got to feel him move around. When I got home, Lawton wrote me a very sweet note, rubbed my feet and helped me A LOT around the house. It was a perfect day! I can't believe we're already down to 6 more weeks!

Love,
Erika, Lawton, and Baby Mason

Baby Shower #3 - May 9, 2009

Our third baby shower was on Mother's Day weekend... the end of my 33rd week! As you can tell in the above photo, I've "dropped" a lot this week. This particular shower included close friends and family and was given by my Clemson girls: Sarah Cox, Jennifer Thomas and Heather Falzetta, who was nice enough to open her home to all of us! I was happy to have Lawton with me to take lots of pictures too!Not only was there delicious food, but a lot of fun games too! The first one included yarn and everyone had to cut off the length that they thought would wrap around my belly. Whoever gets the closest wins. Not everyone was nice to me! I saw a lot of really long pieces, haha! For the second game, everyone had to draw Baby Mason on a paper plate on top of their head and I had to pick my favorite one. Those were funny to look at! The final game involved a sheet of paper with MASON REED written down the side and we were to write down baby related items that started with each letter of his name. Those with matching answers didn't count... very similar to Scattergories and very FUN!
Afterwards, we opened gifts and and enjoyed each other's company. Mason has no idea how spoiled he is! Lawton and I are very grateful for all the wonderful gifts we received this past weekend. I'm so happy that my favorite color is BLUE, because it was everywhere! Here are some pictures that we took at the end of the shower.

Lawton with his sisters, Ouida (her daughter, Hunter) and Garnette

Mason's cousins: Hunter, Mary and Beth

Mason's great grandma, Norma... his Nana, Sue (my mom)... ME... his great aunts, Carol & Myra
Mason's other grandma, Alta and Mary

Mason's adorable parents

Sarah made this awesome diaper cake that I got to take home with all of these lovely gifts below!

Thanks again to my hostesses for all their hard work putting all this together for us and to our families and friends for coming out and celebrating with us! We love you all!
Love,
Erika, Lawton, and Baby Mason