Baby Madeline is here!

Our sweet daughter was born Monday night, December 27th at 8:37 pm. The experience of being in actual labor was a little more difficult than I expected...but definitely worth it! Chris and my mom were fantastic during the delivery and the rest of our family was so supportive throughout the day and our hospital stay.

Maddie clocked in at 6 lbs, 8 oz and was 19.5 inches. She's perfect in every way! Chris and I came home on Wednesday and survived our first night with the sweet girl. Here are a few pictures from Madeline's first days...

Off to spend more time with the love of our life!

38 weeks! Christmas gift or New Year's Baby?

Happy Wednesday!

Madeline has hit 38 weeks- we are officially 10 from her due date. At 38 weeks, most babies weigh about 6.8 lbs and are over 19 inches long. We'll know soon if baby Hughes is close to these measurements.

I had "false labor" on Sunday. I had some pretty regular contractions and was certain I was going into labor...but then they spaced out and...no baby came. :( I guess she is going to stay warm a little longer. So- back to the waiting game. I'm not sure if we'll have a Christmas gift or a 2011 baby- we shall see! I go back to the doctor tomorrow morning and we'll see how much progress I've made since my last visit.

Here's a pic of the bump at 38 weeks:

So I know you're thinking..."she's huge." I know, right? I think the same thing. I literally double in size every time I look in a mirror.

While we were taking pictures, Stella wanted one as well.

Chris, Stella and I are all anxiously awaiting the next member of our family!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season!

Madeline is full-term!

Baby M is 37 weeks- less than 3 weeks until her due date! We went to the doctor yesterday and were told that my body is starting to prepare itself for labor. She's not quite ready to come out yet- I think she's pretty warm and cozy- but hopefully she will come out soon!

Chris and I have been busy getting ready- the hospital bag is packed, the room is complete, etc! I am starting to get a little nervous about the big day. Its hard not knowing when baby M will decide to enter the world. I've been wrapping up all of my projects at work in preparation for being gone for 12 weeks. I won't want to think about work while I'm at home with our sweet baby!

I must admit I am totally into all things monogrammed. Look at these cute onesies and burp clothes friends have picked up for Maddie.

Lastly, a big shout out to my dad who had his birthday on Wednesday. He is a wonderful dad and I know he will be a fantastic grandpa! I love you!

36 weeks & maternity pics

Madeline is 36 weeks- only a few days away from 37 weeks and being considered "full-term." I go to the doctor on Friday and I'm hoping that she'll be able to tell me if Maddie has turned or not. She should have by now...fingers crossed! I've been trying to judge by her kicks and movements but I really cannot be certain!

Chris and I got a "sneak peek" of our maternity pics from our photographer. They are in an online viewing gallery that you can find here: http://amandagravesphotography.com/viewing/

Click on Maternity and then our album should appear. Password is brittney. I am excited to get the rest of the images soon! Let me know what you think!

Happy Tuesday!

35 weeks- we could be having a baby this month!

Madeline is 35 weeks this week. We are less than one month away from her official due date- January 1st! My doctor told me she would induce in late December if we wanted, assuming all was heathy with Maddie. Maybe Madeline will share her daddy's birthday- 12/28!

At 35 weeks Madeline is probably over 18 inches long and a little over 5 lbs. I definitely have taken a quick turn to uncomfortable-ville the last week. I feel VERY big. My feet are starting to swell majorly, I have periods where I can't breathe, and I've got baby body parts poking me all over the place! I'm also having Braxton Hicks contractions throughout the day. I guess I'm just paying my dues, right?

Here is a little video of Madeline's room so far. We wanted to test our Flip video camera that we bought. The room is getting close to being done- just need some curtains hung and a few more items on the wall! For some reason, the video gets pretty pixily/ blurry at the end- I'm not sure why. Fellow bloggers- any tips?

We lost Stella the other night and were looking for her around the house. We found her in the baby's room sleeping in front of the crib. It was very sweet. I think she's getting excited for the new family member!

So thankful!

Happy Thanksgiving! I am so thankful for all of the blessings in my life- my wonderful husband, our loving families and friends and, of course!, our soon to be daughter!

I hope that everyone gets to spend today with the ones that they love.

As promised, here are some photos from my baby shower on Sunday. This one was thrown by Laura and Robin and was a lot of fun! I invited a few girls from work, some hockey wives, and neighborhood friends.

Laura's decorations- she makes these custom banners!

My work buddies- we spend a lot of time together!

Jackie & Harper- Madeline's soon to be neighborhood buddy.

Laura and I!

Wonderful hosts! Thank you for a wonderful afternoon!

Weekend of showers!

This weekend, Chris and I had two showers! It was very busy but A LOT OF FUN! After this weekend, we are all set for baby! Now we wait...

On Saturday night, our best friends Kyle and Danielle threw a couples shower for us, our family and all of our friends from college. On Sunday, Laura and Robin threw me a shower for my work, hockey & neighborhood friends. So fun!

On Saturday, we had chik fil a nuggets, cheesy potatoes, fruit & yummy cake. I thought I had a picture of the cake- it was beautiful- but we must have gotten it with someone else's camera.

Here are some pictures from Saturday night.

Pretty decorations!

The guys

Theta girls!

Ally & I

Kyle & Danielle- our bffs and wonderful hosts!

Thank you to our friends for such a wonderful night! Chris and I really loved getting to spend time with everyone and appreciated the beautiful gifts they got for Madeline.

Laura has all of the pics from Sunday so once I get those I'll post them!

33 weeks!

Little miss Madeline is 33 weeks along! This week she is about 4 lbs and over 17 inches long. I think you can really tell below how much we've both grown!

We've checked off finding a pediatrician and pre-registering at the hospital. We also washed all of our newborn gowns and sleepers this weekend. Next up: packing the hospital bag!

This weekend, our friends Kyle and Danielle scored free tickets to the UK-Vandy game. We sat on the 50th yard line in the lower level- check out some of the pictures Chris captured!

Quarterback sack!

Going in for a rushing TD- check out the ball carrier nearly upside down!

Hartline calling the play for the offense.

Thanks to Danielle and Kyle for sharing the tickets with us!

Surprise Shower!

Today at work, my team surprised me with a baby shower. I was very surprised! I walked to lunch with Josh, Stephanie and Kim and when we came back I walked into a conference room full of my co-workers!

I am very surprised here!

We had yummy cake, sodas and lots of presents for baby Madeline. She got some cute clothes, books, a bunny, a BundleMe for her carseat and a Babies R Us Gift card! THANK YOU to all of my co-workers (who I also count as friends!) for the wonderful surprise!

I know the shower took a lot of coordination from my good friend Kathryn- she's such a great planner that I had no idea this was all taking place behind my back the last few weeks! Thank you, Kathryn!

P.S. Thanks Erica for the great pictures! I am so glad you brought your camera!!

A sweet occasion

Hello!!

Today I had my first baby shower- it was wonderful! Mercedes hosted the shower- themed "A Sweet Occasion." She did a good job playing up the theme- there were vases of candy, mini cupcakes, cookies, etc. Thanks to my mom and sister for planning such a great afternoon.

I was overwhelmed by how many people showed up and the beautiful gifts they gave to Chris, Madeline and I. We are so blessed! THANK YOU to everyone! Madeline got her stroller, jumper, all of her bedding, bath tub, diaper genie, cute clothes, diapers, and so much more!! When I came home, Chris and I had to load everything into the crib to keep Stella from grabbing it. With every trip from the car and up the stairs, Stella sprinted with us. She was so excited to see all of the new goodies.

Mom and Dad were pushing this stroller around the house tonight. They kept telling me that soon this would be coming on our nightly walks with us. I'm ready to meet my sister!

31 weeks!

Baby Madeline is 31 weeks! She is measuring over 16 inches and should weigh about 3.3 lbs. She is getting ready to enter a big growth spurt. Bring on the stretch mark cream, I guess!

She is most active at night time when I'm starting to wind down. This doesn't bode well for life outside the womb- I think we have a real night owl on our hands!

Tomorrow I go for my bi-weekly check-up- hopefully everything will check out great. This week I also need to get pre-registered at the hospital and Chris and I are going to the Oldham Co. Pediatrics open house to see if we want want one of the doctors to be our pediatrician. The office comes highly recommended from some friends so I'm sure we'll like it.

This weekend my cousin Tyler got married- it was a beautiful wedding at St. Bertrand's Catholic Church downtown. The reception was at the Ali Center afterwards.

My "baby" sister and I- she's got about 5 inches on me!

Notice our hands on our hips. When my sister met Miss Kentucky and Miss Kentucky Teen they taught her that this is a slimming pose. I've been doing it everywhere these days! :)

Off to get prepared for the Trick-or-Treaters. Happy Halloween!

30 weeks- only 10 to go!

Let the panic ensue. There are only 10 weeks left for Chris and I to get prepared for Maddie...and that's IF she waits to arrive on her due date. Crazy!

Madeline is 30 weeks-almost 16 inches long and 3 lbs. Her eyesight is developing though when she's born she'll only have 20/400 vision.

This weekend, Stella and I stayed at the "Hughes hotel:" Chris's parents house. Chris went on a camping trip and Stella and I were too chicken to stay home alone. :) We had a great time- Stella loves to chase the squirrels, deer and rabbits that are in Phil and Robin's backyard.

How embarrassing- mom snagged this picture of me while I was resting. I had a great weekend with my grandparents!

I went outlet shopping with my mom, sister and grandma on Saturday and got a few things for baby including my diaper bag. I also hung out with Tara and Kristin- their husbands were with Chris camping. A few shots from his trip...

I'll post a 30 week bump shot this week- she's getting big!

29 weeks: butternut squash

This week, baby is about the size of a butternut squash- 15 inches and 2.5 lbs! Her eyes can now open and she is entering the most important period of brain development.

This morning I had a pregnancy massage and it was fantastic!! I told Chris I wanted to get several more between now and when Maddie comes. His response? "If you liked laying on your stomach so much, I can build you a table for you to lay on like that." Hmm, I'm thinking that won't feel the same. :)

Chris and I spent the day cleaning and working around the house. At one point he asked me if I was having any "Barx Hicks Transactions." It took me awhile to realize he meant Braxton Hicks contractions. He'd learned about them in baby class last week and was worried I was having them. We laughed for about 5 minutes! But thankfully, no Braxton Hicks yet!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Wonderful weekend!

After 3 quick days in Florida, I came home on Friday afternoon to find that Chris and my dad had gotten all of the baby furniture and set it up in the room! This was such a wonderful surprise! Here are some pictures of the crib, dresser and glider.

I really like how everything looks so far. Now we've got to get our bedding and hang up our pictures on the wall. Can't wait!

On Saturday, Chris and I went to an all-day baby class at the hospital. We took a tour of the Labor and Delivery facilities and spend the day learning about labor & taking care of baby- all kinds of good stuff.

On Sunday, we headed to Huber's for our annual Fall trip with Phil, Robin, Laura, Cory and Dane. Phil and Robin treated us to a wonderful afternoon of picking pumpkins, lunch, ice cream and caramel apples.

Dane playing in the pumpkin patch

Chris and Dane had on matching outfits- blue "Cape Cod" shirts and khaki shorts.

Chris and I and baby Madeline- 7 months along!

We have a name!

Chris and I have officially decided on a name and a spelling for baby Hughes.

Madeline Lea Hughes!

Lea (pronounced Lee) is mine and my mom's middle name. Chris and I LOVE this name. We've been calling the baby Maddie for weeks now so it was time to get serious about getting a spelling. Let the monogramming begin! :)

AND!! The baby furniture is in! We're going on Friday afternoon to pick it up. I cannot wait.

I'm off for a few days to Florida for a work trip. Have a great day!

St. James Art Fair

This weekend the St. James Art Fair was held in Louisville. Chris and I were shocked at how large the fair was- booths and booths of art, jewelry, candles, clothes, etc! It was really neat. We actually went both Saturday and Sunday and bought a lot of fun items. Here is our favorite- some cute paintings for baby's room!

How cute are these? Hope everyone had a great weekend!

6 and a half months!

Here is the bump at week 26:

And, here's one with Stella. She kept trying to get in the picture.

This week baby has been fattening up and is now over 14 inches- the size of an "English Hothouse Cucumber." What the heck is that?! I've noticed her moving pretty consistently now which is a lot of fun.

Baby will be taking her second plane trip (her first was to Puerto Rico at 5 weeks) to Ft. Lauderdale next week as I'm going on a work trip for a few days. I tried to get my manager to put me on the Humana corporate jet but I guess my potential premature labor didn't scare anyone enough to grant approval. Alas, I'll be on Delta.

Next week before my trip, I've got my glucose screening and my Rhogam shot...not looking forward to it!

Baby's Room- all painted!

As promised, here are some pics of the baby's room; empty now, but ready & waiting to be filled!

Chris has worked extra hard lately- he put in all of the shelving in the closet himself and he & his dad painted all Saturday morning. Thanks Phil for the help! I am really pleased with how the paint color turned out. Its not actually what we thought we'd originally go with, but after 5 attempts at a brighter green, we decided that maybe we simply weren't that loud or crazy!

It's hard to tell, but my sister's room is a light light green, called "Spearmint." Right now, I just run sprints around the room b/c I'm so excited- I really want to meet this baby! I already know she has a fabulous taste in toys!

Lots of closet space for our little fashionista!

We had a great weekend with friends (watching the CATS lose- not so great) and celebrating my mom's birthday. My mom is truly incredible! I am so fortunate to have such a close relationship with her. She has taught me so much and I cannot wait to share the same wisdom and knowledge with Baby Hughes!

Happy Monday, readers! I'll post a belly pic later this week!