1 week!

Still about the same size as the week before!

D-Day!

Keira Nicole McFarland

DOB 3/20/11 at 11:44PM

7 lbs 11.5 oounces and 22 inches long (tall like her daddy)

So, the day finally arrived and as thankful as I was that it was here and I could be more comfortable sleeping, sitting, etc. I was also in a LOT of pain (obviously). The day started out like any other day though I did feel a little different. I can't exactly describe the feeling, but maybe more crampy would be a good word for it. So, what did I do? I decided I needed to clean the bathrooms because I always like to come home to a clean house and I had already vacuumed did the kitchen and living room and all the day before. I never quite felt that nesting feeling or the burst of energy to do all this cleaning, but it had to be done and even though I was exhausted I did it. While I was cleaning, at around 10AM I started to feel contraction though they were very irregular (averaging 15-20 minutes apart). I finished my cleaning, was thankful I went to the grocery store the day before, and then took a nice warm shower. I also made sure Scott walked the dogs and showered and got ready as well because I just thought I might be having some contractions.

I, then settled onto the couch - as comfortable as I could get - and watched the NCAA tournament. By the time 2PM rolled around I decided to start timing contractions with my iPhone pregnancy app. Well, I don't think I was using the app properly because it stated I was still around 5:30 to 6:00 minutes apart around 5:30p. At that point it was getting unbearable and I didn't care if I wasn't at the 5 minute mark yet, I was going to the hospital and would not leave regardless of what they said.

We arrived at the hospital around 6:40p and were in the triage area by 6:45p. As they measured me turns out it was definite user error on my app because my contractions were 2 minutes apart. No wonder the ride over to the hospital was unbearable!! I truly wanted to die and cry, but I was pretty proud that I did neither. So, the nurses hooked me up to the IV and called the anesthesiologist to come within a half hour for my epidural. I got the epidural and oh my goodness it was heaven!! The process itself was hard because any position I was in was super uncomfortable and I had to remain completely still even through contractions, but it was so worth it. By 7:30P I was a happy camper.

Overall I progressed really quickly and ended up delivering our precious new addition by 11:44PM that same night. Didn't feel a thing, which was awesome, though I'm definitely feeling it now. My body feels like it's been through an epic battle, but it's coming around and I'm starting to feel a bit better. I guess I didn't really research the after effects because everything has been quite shocking in regards to how my body has reacted though I shouldn't complain too much because the overall delivery and process was extremely smooth and without any complications, which we're thankful for. Let's just put it this way, I'm just really, really sore!

Keira has been an absolute joy so far and is actually a really good baby. Minus the fact that she seems to have her days and nights slightly mixed up, she has gotten better. She has her fussy periods though during the day she is an absolute angel and sleeps so long. We actually have to rouse her up sometimes for her feedings (of which she is a champion eater). We, of course, think she is ridiculously adorable and the most beautiful baby ever, but we are obviously biased. She's had lots of visitors already and we have so many great pictures already.

Getting checked outFirst family photo

Her proud papa!

Ready to head home

First car ride

Resting after the car ride home in her bouncer

Just chillin'

How big am I as a newborn?

Such an itty bitty thing next to her new friend Spongebob!

Updates!

So, unfortunately no baby yet. The official due date is March 18th, but there's only so much more I can handle. I'm huge (as evidence by the beautiful photo above), uncomfortable, and more and more swollen by the day. It's good times. Scott is hoping for a St. Patty's day baby, which I'm not opposed to since that is only a little over a day away. If Keira proves to be stubborn I will be induced on Tuesday. So, there is an end in sight.

That shirt wasn't always that tight!

Scott and I also celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary yesterday, 3/14. We went to a great dinner and the waitress gave me some of the super delicious house salad dressing to take home. I should have used this pregnancy thing more to my advantage throughout instead of just realizing its power now.

A little blurry, but it's a self-portrait

Lastly, look at these cute little faces. So excited to be a big brother and sister they are anxiously anticipating the arrival of Keira. Also anxiously waiting for the baby to arrive is Scott so he can take his 6 weeks of paternity leave. However, I shouldn't be one to talk because I can't wait to get paid to have 12 whole weeks off. It's gonna be great though Scott will likely add more projects to his to do list, which equates to more money being spent. They always turn out good though so I guess I shouldn't complain too much. The next post will be about our new arrival so stay tuned!

Nursery Update!

So, the much anticipated nursery photos are now here! Of course the nursery has been complete for quite a while, but I wanted to wait until Scott finished his artwork to post some photos. Now, keep in mind that we still have some work to do on the decoration front as you can see in the pictures below that the walls are relatively bare, but we are still figuring that part out.

Keira's ever-expanding library and some toys

Shelves with lots of stuffed animals, her dresser, and changing area

Scott's artwork - Tiger is a K, Monkey is the E, Giraffe is the I, Rhino is the R, Elephant is the A

Pregnancy Update:
At 38 weeks I still have an innie belly button! What, you ask, does this mean? DUH!! WINNING!!!! My goal at the beginning of this pregnancy was that my belly button wouldn't pop and I'm pretty sure I'm safe at this point. Now that I've said this I'm sure I jinxed myself, but I just couldn't help sharing. Also, I am definitely ready to have Keira out of me as I am increasingly uncomfortable and much slower to move around, but I will try to be patient. Fingers crossed my next post is the announcement of her arrival though!