She's Coming!!!!

As most of my friends know, I was put in the hospital last Monday for high blood pressure and protein in my urine. After 24 hour urine collection and blood pressure watch, Dr. Tammuci let me go home on STRICT bed rest until I at least got to 36 or 37 weeks. When I went back to the doctor last Friday, my blood pressure was way down and the protein in my urine had not increased. But I had dilated another centimeter to 3 centimeters. She told me to go home and rest and come back today for another check up. Well, today I get my blood pressure checked, 118/80, no protein in my urine and I had dilated ANOTHER centimeter to 4!!! I told the doctor I would DIE if I progressed so fast that I wouldn't have a chance to have my epidural when the time came. So she told me to get an ultrasound and we'll go from there. Ava looked good. She had gained a few ounces to 5lbs and 6 ounces and my fluids were on the border line of being okay. Allen and I were kind of bummed because we really wanted Ava to get her soon being that we have been planning for her to come before Christmas because that's what Dr. Tammuci told us in the hospital. Well, we got our wish! Dr. Tammuci wants to go ahead and induce me on Monday, December 21!!!! We are so excited that we will actually have little Ava in our arms sitting around the Christmas tree on Christmas morning this year! A true BLESSING and Christmas MIRACLE!!!!

The latest and greatest news from the Oakes

Well.....other than the fact that I think I am about to pop and have started having Braxton Hicks contractions we are doing great! Over the Thanksgiving holidays Lindsey painted the most beautiful painting for Ava's nursery. Here it is..Allen hung it up the other day and it looks awesome. Lindsey has such a talent!

I will have to say that I am so excited that the crib bedding is here and is so pretty. I feel like Miss Ava wants to be in her crib here sooner than later. Good thing its ready and waiting for her.

But I have yet to organize her bedroom...so many things to do so little time. PLUS...a BIG PLUS is my Selma baby shower is on December 13th that my wonderful friends are throwing for me. Ava can't come early!!!! I go to the doctor this coming Monday so hopefully she will tell me to everything is okay and I'll have Ava in January as planned. I'll keep all of you updated!

Update on Ava's Nursery

Last week the bed skirt for the baby bed and the chair for her nursery came in on the exact same day...just let me tell you how excited I was! The things I get excited over these days are so crazy! We are still waiting on the bumper pad for the bed but I couldn't help myself to go ahead and set the bed up and her nursery. This past weekend mom and I also "made" the curtains for the nursery. When I say "made" I mean we went to Pottery Barn bought the curtain panels and then went to M's and bought the tassel fringe to hot glue down the sides of the panels. We are hot gluing pro's!!!! The curtain rods mom got at M's are absolutely beautiful too! They match the crystal drawer pulls on the hosier cabinet we had refinished. Its just all coming together and I could not be happier! The finishing touch will be the artwork Lindsey is going to paint that will go over her bed. We hope to have that finished over the Thanksgiving holidays. In the meantime, here are some pictures of how the nursery looks now.

Babies R Us weekend marathon

This past Saturday and Sunday I went Babies R Us crazy! Up until then I felt like I wasn't prepared at all if Ava arrived early but now I feel 100% better. A few favorite purchases on my shopping trip were:

Thanks everyone for hosting such a wonderful, fun filled shower! Allen, Ava and I sincerely appreciate all the effort that was put into it. We are so thankful for such awesome friends and family! Oh.....and the cherry on the top...MY BABY BED SKIRT IS IN AND MY CHAIR IS FINALLY HERE!!!! Once mom irons the skirt and I put it on the bed I'll post pictures. I am out of control excited how the nursery is turning out!

28 and 29 weeks pregnant

28 weeks pregnant

29 weeks pregnant (tomorrow I'll be 29 weeks pregnant!)

This Friday I'm having my first baby shower! It's going to be a little baby shower luncheon with people that I work with. I have a feeling I am going to feel more prepared for Ava's arrival after this Friday. Will update on Monday to let you all know how it went!

26...almost 27 weeks pregnant

I've been meaning to post updated pictures of what I look like as I make it through my pregnancy but I keep forgetting too. For the past two weeks I've asked our Property Management and Leasing assistant, Kayla to take a picture of me at work and I finally feel okay about posting this one. Last week I just felt YUCK! So here you go....me and Ava at 26 weeks! I pretty much look like a big pumpkin in this picture. :) And yes, I am wearing jeans at work.....when only so many things will fit you get special privileges at work. :)

Here I am at 17 weeks.....

The Finished Product....

My beautiful hoosier cabinet! We are more than thrilled with how it turned out. My grandmother has to be smiling down from heaven right now....I can't wait to fill it with all of Ava's goodies! Right now I've stored ALL the diapers that her Aunt Ashley brought her the other day. Ashley is awesome! She surprised us with over 200 diapers, Dreft detergent, Johnson and Johnson shampoo and diaper rash cream. All just because she wanted to! We are soooo blessed to have such wonderful families that have made this nursery what it is. While I am sending out thank yous...most especially to my mom who has helped so much. I love you so much! Thank you for all your help in making this nursery for Ava.