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!