Welcome to the World, Laurel!

Laurel Elizabeth Smith arrived at 5:30 am on Friday, January 8th, 2010.
She weighed in at 7 pounds, 7 ounces and was 20.5 inches long.
We love her to pieces!

37 weeks :)

How far along: 37 weeks, 1 day.

Maternity Clothes: OMG I hate wearing teaching appropriate clothing. Nothing worse than wearing a pair of uncomfortable maternity pants all day.

Stretch Marks: Barely noticeable one on my lower belly, I'm hoping it will still be barely noticeable after birth..

Sleep: Slightly better than last week.

Best Moment this Week: Having some time to myself to get a pedicure. And, I pretty much completed everything on my to do list. Bags for the hospital are PACKED. All in less than a couple hours. That's what happens when you're worried you might be in labor. ;)

Movement: kick, roll, kick, roll.

Food Cravings: LEMONADE! Well 1/2 club soda, 1/2 lemonade.

Gender: Girl!

Labor Signs: If you wish to not know the state of my cervix or about discharge of any sort, stop reading now! 2nd exam- Laurel is still head down, I'm still almost 2 cm dilated, now 80% effaced.

I've been having non-progressing contractions for two days now, and lost my mucus plug. Don't google that. Basically it means that my body is getting ready for birth, and if there are bets placed on when I deliver, I wouldn't put much money on overdue.

Belly Button: The first graders whose class I was in this week were curious as to what that thing in the middle of my tummy sticking out was.

What I Miss: Feeling comfortable.

What I'm Looking Forward to this Week: Seeing family this weekend, a one-day baby class, relaxing, spending time with Kindergartners, 1st graders, and 2nd graders.

Weekly Wisdom: From one of the first graders this week: "You know that frog on that last page, the blue one? you look kind of fat like him." (In case you missed that gem on facebook).

36 weeks!

How far along: 36 weeks, 1 day.

Maternity Clothes: My options are becoming more and more limited...

Stretch Marks: Still none.

Sleep: I've been up since 5:15. Not something I'm happy about.

Best Moment this Week: Wonderful Christmas with family and friends, getting the stuff up in the nursery.

Movement: Kick, kick, kick.

Food Cravings: Jello? Weird?

Gender: Girl!

Labor Signs: If you wish to not know the state of my cervix, stop reading now! I had my first exam yesterday- Laurel is head down, I'm almost 2 cm dilated, 75% effaced.

Belly Button: It will be weird to have an innie in a couple weeks.

What I Miss: Sleeping in. Can't do it lately.

What I'm Looking Forward to this Week: New Year's Eve, Finishing my to-do list.

Weekly Wisdom: If you've been trying to fall back asleep for an hour and nothing is happening, just get up.

35 Weeks!

35 weeks is a big day- 35/35, because I am 35 weeks pregnant and only have 35 days until my due date! Crazy!

How far along: 35 weeks, 0 days.

Maternity Clothes: One pair of jeans is too loose, the other is too tight! I can't win!

Stretch Marks: Still none.

Sleep: Hit or miss. I think I got up 5 times last night.

Best Moment this Week: Having a wonderful dinner with Reagan and Chris on Monday night. We started going out to dinner as our Christmas presents to each other last year. I think it's a wonderful alternative to getting more "stuff"..

Movement: Knee here, elbow there.... She's poking me as I type this!

Food Cravings: I love empty calorie drinks... soda, juice.... delicious.

Gender: Girl!

Labor Signs: I've had a few Braxton Hicks contractions, but that's all so far.

Belly Button: Still poking out.

What I Miss: Having a drink on NYE.

What I'm Looking Forward to this Week: Christmas!

Weekly Wisdom: Don't ever try to find parking in Belle Square by going on Bellevue Way. Go up to 100th and park in the back parking garage. Especially at Christmas.

33-34 weeks

How far along: 34 weeks, 4 days.

Maternity Clothes: I'm getting bored with what I have, but I'm not about to go out and buy clothing that will only last me another month.

Stretch Marks: Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Sleep: Ugh, woke up at 6:45 today, could not get comfortable enough to fall back asleep. Thanks, baby. :)

Best Moment this Week: My shower in Port Orchard was great! It was wonderful to see so many old friends! Got to eat lunch with Sam on Friday! And subbed for my favorite first grade class on Tuesday.

Movement: On Friday, she was moving around ALL DAY.

Food Cravings: Got some doughnuts from Sluy's yesterday!

Gender: Girl!

Labor Signs: I've had a few Braxton Hicks contractions, but that's all so far.

Belly Button: Still poking out.

What I Miss: Being comfortable.

What I'm Looking Forward to this Week: Reagan is back in town! Also, Christmas shopping.

Weekly Wisdom: Don't tease me too much right now. I'm way to uncomfortable to deal with your bull crap.

:)

34 weeks

33 weeks

33 weeks

BIG Update- Shower, Thanksgiving (30-32 weeks)

32 weeks

Baby Shower- November 22nd, 2009.

Reagan Carosino, the lovely hostess, and myself.

Maddie and Sam, Thanksgiving 2009

How far along: 32 weeks, 0 days.

Maternity Clothes: See picture above to find out what happens when I don't wear maternity clothes! :)

Stretch Marks: Still absent!

Sleep: Sleep has been ok.

Best Moment this Week: So many good moments since I last updated! I had my first baby shower, got to spend time with my best friend, had a lovely Thanksgiving, got more sub jobs... it's all good!

Movement: There's nothing cooler/weirder than seeing your belly move around like something in a movie.

Food Cravings: Had a delicious Friend Egg Sandwich tonight!

Gender: Girl!

Labor Signs: None so far. Still haven't had any noticeable Braxton Hicks contractions.

Belly Button: My friend, Pokey the Belly Button.

What I Miss: My back not hurting.

What I'm Looking Forward to this Week: I have a shower in Port Orchard on Saturday- I am very excited to see a lot of family and family friends that I haven't seen in awhile!

Weekly Wisdom: Don't restrict your water in take in the evening. You'll have to get up to pee abajillion times anyways, might as well stay hydrated.

29 weeks!

Yikes! I skipped updating for a little bit, but that's only because I've been getting SO MANY sub jobs! Which is great! So, you will see pictures for weeks 27 and 29 (I'm technicially 28 weeks, 6 days, so close enough ;), and a current update.

27 Weeks:

29 Weeks (Didn't remember to take a picture for 28 weeks):

How far along: 28 weeks, 6 days.

Maternity Clothes: I got some new maternity cords at JC Penney on sale!

Stretch Marks: So far, so good!

Sleep: I've been sleeping pretty well- trying to enjoy it while I can.

Best Moment this Week: Getting my hair cut!

Movement: Honestly, this is my favorite part of pregnancy: feeling her move around. I think it is just the coolest thing in the world!

Food Cravings: Loving ice cream right now.

Gender: Girl!

Labor Signs: None.

Belly Button: Still poking out slightly.

What I Miss: Raw cookie dough.

What I'm Looking Forward to this Week: Nannying this weekend- I haven't seen the girls in a while, they are going to be so excited when they see how big I am!

Weekly Wisdom: Things always get better. :)