We're in Labor!

I woke up this morning feeling very different and uncomfortable, and I started having contractions around 9:30AM. Gary and I were writing down the contractions for a while, and they started getting around 5 minutes apart. I called the doctor, and they told me to drink some water, lay on each side, and call back in an hour. The contractions continued to get worse, so when we called again, they told me to come to the hospital.

When I got to the hospital, I was only 2cm dilated, so they had me walk around the hallway for about an hour. After that, I still wasn't progressing with my dilation, but the contractions were consistently every 4-5 minutes, and the pain was getting a little stronger. The doctor decided to give me a narcotic to help me relax during the contractions. This was wonderful because I felt like I was floating. The University of Memphis basketball team was playing UCLA in the final four game, so Gary was excited that he didn't miss the game. I tried my best to sleep or at least relax during that time.

The nurse came in again to check me, and I was now 3 cm dilated, and I had been there for 4 hours. She said they might have to send me home since I wasn't progressing, and they didn't want to induce me since the baby was a little over 2 weeks early. I walked the hallway again, and I finally got far enough along for them to admit me. We were so glad!

I was having a lot of pain and I experienced back labor, so they decided to give me an epidural around 4cm. After the medicine started working, I felt so much better. Gary was watching the contractions on the monitor, and I couldn't feel any of it. From this point on, I started progressing much quicker, and before we knew it, it was time to push. After about 45 minutes of pushing, our little boy entered the world on Sunday, April 6 at 2:47AM after about 18 hours of labor. It was the most amazing time in our lives!

Andrew was born with a little temperature and his color was a little purple, so they took him to the nursery to check him out. I also had a temperature at this time, so they just gave me Tylenol. After about an hour, Andrew was fine, and I met him in the recovery room around 4:30AM.

Gary and I are truly blessed beyond what we ever could have imagined. We are so thankful for the Lord's love and faithfulness and for His abundant grace. We just want to praise Him for this incredible life that He created. Gary and I are so excited to see what the Lord has in store for us and baby Andrew.

37 Weeks!

I just got back from the doctor's office, and I am now 1.5 cm dilated and 70% effaced. Dr. Feldman did a quick ultrasound to make sure he's head down, and everything looked great! His heart was beating strong, and she was the 3rd doctor to mention that Andrew is really long. The ultrasound wasn't very clear, but it's still a blessing to be able to see our little boy. He's facing up right now, so I am hoping he will turn over before the birth. Right now, we are just waiting for him to arrive, and it could be in the near future or a few weeks away. We are getting really excited!!

36 Weeks!!

I just got back from the doctor's office about an hour ago, and everything looks good at this point! I have gained quite a bit of weight since the last appointment, and they said most of this is because I have been swelling so bad lately. My legs and ankles are seriously HUGE by 12:00 noon everyday, and I feel fluid all over my body. I actually wore flip flops to work today because my feet are getting so big. They weren't too concerned about the swelling because my blood pressure has been really good all along. Andrew is still head down, his heart was beating strong, and I am still 1 cm dilated. Dr. Fisher said I could go at any time or up until my due date. She did mention that most people go close to their due date with their first child, but I would not complain if he was a little early!

Mom's Visit

I am now 1 month from my due date!!

Mom was visiting for the weekend from Memphis. We spent some time shopping, she took me to get a pedicure, and she cooked us a wonderful meal the night before she left. It's always great to have your mom around :)

35 Weeks!

I had a doctor's appointment this morning, and I am 1 cm dilated! Dr. Segal told me that I could stay like this for a month or so, but he said I most likely won't go late. I gained 2 more pounds since my last appointment 2 weeks ago. The doctor said if he had to estimate, he thinks Andrew is really long and will weigh around 7 lbs and 6 ounces. I hope he's right!!

Also, I found out that I having the beginning signs of carpal tunnel syndrome :( I have been waking up in the middle of the night with numb hands regardless of where I put them. When I get the feeling back in my hands, they burn really bad and ache like I have arthritis. I have woken up the last 3 nights in a row because of the pain. The doctor told me today that I need to wear wrist braces all the time. I am not sure what I am going to do because I don't want to wear them, but if I let it get worse, it could turn into tendonitis after Andrew is born, which would be worse as I am trying to take care of a newborn.

We are getting so excited about seeing our little boy in about a month!!!

Andrew's Room

31 Weeks!

Gary and I had the opportunity to spend the weekend at my boss's cabin in Boone, NC. It was a wonderful weekend for us to have a mini vacation before Andrew is born. I was dealing with a terrible sinus infection, so we spent most of the weekend resting. We still had a great time!!

Trip to Memphis!

I went to the doctor on February 4th for a regular check-up with Dr. Feldman, and everything is right on track! I am now 29 weeks pregnant!

Gary and I went home to Memphis for the weekend for 2 baby showers. My mom hosted a shower at her house on Saturday, February 9th and Gary's mom and Norma hosted the 2nd shower at Calvary Church on Sunday, February 10th. We were completely overwhelmed and blessed with gifts. Gary and I flew from Raleigh to Memphis, so on the way back, we packed 3 rubbermaid bins full of baby stuff, 1 suitcase for us, and our carry-on bags were stuffed with baby items.

26 Weeks!!

I had my glucose screening today to see if I have gestational diabetes, and everything came back fine! Dr. Fisher also measured my belly, and she said my growth is right on track! At this appointment, I only gained 1.5 pounds this past month, so I was excited to see that.

This pic was taken when I was 27 weeks pregnant.

Andrew Ray Snuffin!!

We finally decided to announce the name of our baby boy! He is going to be Andrew Ray Snuffin. Gary and I have loved the name Andrew since our honeymoon, and we decided to use Ray since it's a family name on Gary's side. Gary and his dad have the middle name Ray, and it was his grandfather's name as well.

22 Weeks!!

We had a doctor's appointment with Dr. Campbell today. Everything is going great! I gained 6 pounds since the last appointment. Yikes! Hopefully, I won't gain as much at the next appointment.

Biltmore Weekend

Gary and I took a weekend trip to the Biltmore with Nate and Erin Ridlehoover. We got tickets for the Candlelight tour, and it was beautiful.

20 Weeks Pregnant!!

It's a Baby BOY!!!

We found out today that we are having a baby boy. Everything looked great on the ultrasound, he weighs 5 ounces, and his heartrate was 140.

We decided to tell our parents when we come home for Thanksgiving, and they feel like we are torturing them for the next 3 days. I bought brag books for our moms that say baby boy on the cover when we tell them the exciting news.

15 Weeks Pregnant!!

I had a regular monthly doctor's appointment with Dr. Rappaport. Everything looks good, and we will find out the sex of the baby at the next appointment!!

13 Weeks Pregnant!!

We had our first official prenatal appointment today, and I am 13 weeks pregnant. All the previous appointments have been medical visits, so I am excited to start the regular rotation with the doctors at Raleigh OBGYN. Our baby continues to grow, and he or she was flipping and moving all over the place during the ultrasound. I have gained 4 pounds in the first trimester.

Also, Gary, Dr. Feldman, and I think we saw something on the ultrasound, so we might be having a boy. She told us not to go out and buy all blue stuff, but there was definitely something there. I don't know how we are going to keep that from everyone, but we decided that we want to wait until our big ultrasound to make any type of announcement.

Nurse's Visit

We met with the nurse today to go over all the information about pregnancy. She gave us tons of information about what to do, what I can or can't eat, and a bunch of other information.

3rd Doctor's Appointment

We had another ultrasound today to check the baby's growth. His or her heart was beating strong, and Dr. Feldman showed us how our little teddy graham is already moving and wiggling. At this point, I haven't gained any weight, and the doctor confirmed our due date on April 22, 2008.

2nd Doctor's Appointment

We had another doctor's appointment with Dr. Feldman today, and we got to see the baby's heartbeat today! It was absolutely amazing!!

1st Doctor's Appointment

I scheduled a doctor's appointment this morning. It was a really scary time for us because I was having some problems, but everything looked fine at the appointment. We also got our first ultrasound, and our little baby looks like a little circle.

We're Pregnant!!!

We found out tonight that we are having a baby!!! The Lord has truly blessed us, and we are so excited about becoming parents of this precious baby.