Elliot's Nursery

Ok, so I wasn't going to post any pictures of Elliot's room until after she was born, but quite frankly, I just can't keep it a secret anymore!

Enjoy!

I promise I'm putting up curtains (see below)!

My favorite part of her room...the chandelier!

The pitcher in the background provided the inspiration for her room!

The dresser and chest were bought as antiques by my parents before I was born!
I repainted them white (the were stained an orange-brown) and I absolutely LOVE how they turned out!

Elliot's Quilt
We should be getting it later this week.
I can't wait to see the finished product!

These are the curtains from hell and the only one's Elliot will ever have!
Her sweet Mimi is finishing them up and we should have them soon!

These got posted more or less because I'm bored, wanted to blog, and couldn't think of anything to write!  

Enjoy, but if you don't, don't tell me! :)

Conner Genes

Today, Elliot had another photo shoot.  My doctor said she wasn't measuring well (she lied), so she scheduled an ultra sound so we could see her one last time!

If there was ever any doubt (which I assure you there wasn't!) about who Elliot's daddy is, this ultra sound cleared it right up.  She is, by far, her daddy's girl!  Seriously.  They even make the same facial expressions!

Here are some pretty cool things we got to see today:
1. Her face.  She's got the fattest little cheeks and the cutest lips.  EVER!
2. Her feet.  She's even got Jarrod's feet...down to the second and third toes being longer than the first!
3. Her hair.  She's got a TON of hair and long eyelashes.  I feel these are the only attributes I contributed to our child!
4. Her hands.  Her long fingers are going to be perfect for setting and hitting volleyballs!
5. Ok, let's be honest with each other.  Every bit of her is super adorable, and she is absolutely PERFECT!

Elliot is weighing in at 5 pounds 6 ounces.  I've decided that's big enough, and I'm ready for her to come out now!

Below are some pictures we got today:

Elliot's Heartbeat in the mid 130's.

Sleepy Baby

This picture just screams, "Jarrod!"

Fat cheeks, I can't wait to squeeeeze them!!!

Daddy's feet.  I'm starting to wonder if this child is even mine!

Part of her profile.  Look how cute those little lips are!

All those white spikey looking things are her hair!

I apologize for all of the pictures, and I do realize I have become "that parent" who shows everybody all of the pictures their child has ever taken.  I just can't help it :)

I'm still having a ton of contractions.  Some are really painful, but for the most part, they've become bearable again.  We have another appointment on Friday, so I will update everyone then.  Hopefully I will have dilated even more and my doctor will say, "Jill, let's have that baby today!" 

Until then...

Wish You Were Here...

As I write this from my living room couch, I wish I was there too! But, as Jarrod's and my second anniversary approaches, we will be sitting on our couch, watching movies, and eating take-out. That's right, people, this lady is back on bed rest, and this time my doctor means it!

Yesterday, we had our doctor's appointment and it couldn't have come any sooner. Ever since Sunday, my contractions continually got worse. At 34 weeks I was convinced my uterus was going to fall out. Awesome, right?! Any who, my doctor checked my cervix, and sure enough I am almost 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced. Progress! After she checked my cervix, she did a quick ultra sound to make sure Elliot is doing well. Anyone care to guess how rotten this little girl is? No need, I'll go ahead and tell you...since being on bed rest, Elliot has been such a good baby, but now when I'm ready for her to come out, she of course is breach. Thanks girl, 'preciate it! When I told her what all had been going on this past week and seeing how much pain I was in (and maybe even a few minutes of begging her to induce me), she sent me over to the hospital's testing center to see why my contractions were so hard.

When I first got there, my contractions were 6-8 minutes apart. They tested my blood to see if Elliot's had gotten mixed in with mine. Negative. I also got a nice shot of muscle relaxers and pain killers and a pill to stop my contractions. When my contractions were far enough apart, I was released on STRICT bed rest. Our next big ultra sound is Monday and appointment is Friday.

I know we've only got two more weeks until Elliot is considered term, but I can't help but feel a little selfish and hope she comes out before then (like today). Please pray for my patience and comfort, Elliot's development, and Jarrod's continued support as the three of us take these next few weeks day to day.

Until Monday...

Belliot

Jarrod came up with that one! ;)

So, here's what has been going on the past two weeks...

1. I'm figuring out Elliot's schedule a little better.  I figure I better start preparing for it now!

2. My contractions as a whole are getting a lot better.  The bad ones still hurt, and leave me pretty sore, but they are much less frequent than before.

3. Mom came in last week while Jarrod was out of town.  I think for the first time ever, I ran her ragged!  I felt soooooo good, so I wanted to get as much in while I could!  She even took me to the rodeo where we got to see Martina McBride (sorry you weren't able to come, Rod!)

4. I got to have lunch with some beautiful women from back home, Mrs. Emerson and Julie.  They are ALWAYS a good time, and laughing with them about our ditziness is second to none!

5. Daddy wanted Elliot born in Opelousas, so he snuck me out of Texas for a quick visit!  Ok, ok, so it didn't REALLY go like that, but it was nice to get out of Houston for the first time since Christmas!

6. I've just about finished Elliot's dresser.  It's adorable and she better love it!  The chest on the other hand...well...lets just hope that gets done BEFORE she's born!

That's about it in the boring life of Jill...

My dr. appointment went well enough on Wednesday, although I'm pretty upset with her.  I have officially lost my VIP status. :(  Not only did I have to wait for more than 5 minutes (think closer to an hour) before they let me in the back, but this week was the first time she hasn't done an ultra-sound on me since I started having contractions!  I think she tried to make up for it though by telling me she is going to schedule another "big" one, so I can see her again!

Other than that, Elliot has made it past the 30 week mark, which gives her a 90% chance of survival if she's born today, and an 80% chance that there won't be anything wrong with her!

That's about all for now.  Please continue to pray for Elliot's safety and my sanity!

Jill

Edwards Genes

HIII!!!

Today is a really good day! :)  Not only did I get great news from my doctor, I got to craft (more on that later)!

At the appointment, I considered myself VIP at the dr.'s office. I barely had time to sit down before I was called to the back, was put in a room right next to the bathroom (prime real estate for this pregnant lady), and I left before anyone else had a chance to make it back there.  Oh yeah.  Preferred customer!

Here are the updates:

1. Everything is the same.  Again, I apologize for all the suspense!

But seriously...

1. I don't have gestational diabetes.  I consider this a HUGE blessing, not only because it's diabetes (and who wants that?!) but also because my diet consists of mostly sugar - how else am I going to make sure Elliot is so sweet?!  ( I celebrated this news with a candy bar this afternoon!)

2. I had the "pleasure" of getting the RhoGAM shot today.  For those of you who don't know, I have a negative blood type, and this shot is to protect Elliot and I in case she has a positive blood type.  It basically keeps our blood from going at war against each other.  Anywho, enough with the science lecture.  If you have to get this shot and your nurse tells you it doesn't hurt, SHE IS A LIAR!  Seriously.  It's more painful than a tetanus shot and I may or may not have cried :'(

3. My doctor called Elliot "Skeletor!"  I affectionately nicknamed her that early on in our pregnancy after seeing an ultrasound picture of her skull, and it has kinda stuck (mostly with me).  I told my doc about that after seeing another skull shot this afternoon, and that's what she called her for the rest of the appointment!  Have I mentioned how AWESOME she is?!

4. I'm getting REALLY spoiled by getting to see our baby girl progress weekly.  Today she was in a diver's position - head down...hands down...feet down...butt UP!  It has also been confirmed (again) that she is in fact a "she."  I got to see a head full of hair ( that's right people, straight Edwards genes right there) ANNNDDD she also showed me how she can open her mouth real wide and stick out her tongue.  She makes her momma so proud! ;)

5. Doc isn't too worried anymore about me delivering any day now, but thinks it will be somewhere between 36-38 weeks.  This means she could be an Easter baby!  How awesome would it be if her birthday was associated with the day Sweet Jesus resurrected so we could live!  This is also about the same birthday time as my oldest brother, Justin, my precious niece, Madison, and my super duper mom, Mom!

6. I'm still technically on bed rest, but I'm allowed to go and do as I please.  My only two conditions are to rest if I start having contractions, and no major Target shopping trips!  She told me she wasn't mad at my friend for going, and she trusts my friend to listen to her body!

That's about it for this week.  Jarrod is, as usual, the best husband a girl could want.  He is after all a Conner!  I'm still feeling really great - no morning sickness for the past month and very few headaches.  I still get out of breath easily and my contractions still hurt and are making me sore, but I'm continuously counting my blessings - like a REALLY strong uterus!

Until next time...

Jill

Bed Rest: Day 30...I Think

So here's a quick update on the last two weeks:
1. I'm still on bed rest.
2. Nothing has changed.


Sorry for all the suspense! ;)


I've been trying to make the most of this whole confined to the bed, get yelled at if I get out, have contractions if I move, stare at the wall, think about random things, thankyoumomanddadformyipadit'ssavedmysanity, crafting is a gift from God...thing.


1. I walk (very, VERY slowly) around the house, placing pictures where I want them hung - Jarrod usually hangs them up for me when he can!


2. A couple days ago, I folded 657134ish loads of laundry, and it felt SO good! (It's the little things, right?  RIGHT?!)


3. I am now a certified expert in detecting liars, thanks for the billion hours of "Lie to Me" that I've watched. I WILL know if you're feeling contempt, fear, surprise, pain, or impatience.


4. Anyone need bows?!


5. I am "Baby Wise," and while I'm convinced Elliot will have GER, GERD, and Colic, it's going to be okay, because I'll know exactly what to do!


6. I have planned the next 6 trips we will take.


7. That's not all, but why bore you with all my "fun and exciting" daily activities?!


That is all for now, but I feel like I need to leave you with a little wisdom I've learned during this whole thing:
 - If you are put on bed rest, do not, under ANY circumstances sneak out of the house and go to Target.
 - If you MUST sneak out and make a trip to Target, make sure you don't run into your OB.
 - If you do run into your OB, pretend you've never seen her before, and run (very, VERY slowly) away!


This happened to someone I know, a "friend" if you will.  Her dr. appointment is tomorrow, and she told me she's bound and determined to act like nothing ever happened.  We'll see how that goes! ;)


I'm off to brush up on my lie detecting skills!


-Jill

Bed Rest ≠ House Arrest:

Yesterday, Jarrod, Elliot, & I ventured into the outside world for our doctor's appointment!  Nothing has really changed.  I'm still having a ton of contractions, but they're not being productive.  Now, I'm still technically on bed rest, but Doc said I could go to a movie or to dinner if I absolutely HAVE to get out of the house!

Elliot is no longer breech, so instead of kicking my bladder, she's kicking my diaphragm, and punching my bladder.  Awesome. ;)

Other than that, there's not much else to update...so until next week...