Going home from the hospital...

Daddy bringing our precious girl inside... carrying her over the threshold...lol

Putting her into the carseat... pretty good for the first time! She slept the entire ride home...what a good girl!

Striking her best pose in her going home outfit...she is so alert!!

Another pic... J and I can't figure out who she looks like. Loving the next few weeks to see her grow and change... not too fast though!

Lindsay Diane Arrives!!!

Jarrett and I are so excited to announce the arrival of our precious girl, Lindsay, into the world on February 15th, 2010 at 5:18pm. She weighed in at a whopping 8lbs and 1oz, and measured 20.5 inches long! Here is a photo collection of the highlights...

We went into the hospital on Valentine's evening for a dose of Cervadil to help me dilate (and a yummy afternoon lunch at Cheesecake Factory!) After a long night of contractions, the next day we were dilated to 4cm at 9am... it worked! At around 10am they started the Pitocin to get things moving more quickly, and Mommy got an epidural and then at 3pm we were at 7cm! Shortly before starting to push, epidural wore off...yikes! Anesthesiologist gave two extra doses, but they were too late...started pushing at 4pm, and miraculously she was born at 5:18pm to a VERY tired but relieved Mommy. Here's our healthy girl... we weren't expecting 8lbs, and neither was the Dr! The Dr. told us he was surprised I was able deliver her for such a big first baby for such 'petite' people like Jarrett and I...LOL.
God is so amazing... what a miracle and blessing!
A very tired Daddy and his Lindsay Girl.... Jarrett was so wonderful through the entire labor and delivery. I truly felt loved, supported and encouraged by him the entire time. Without his strength and encouragement I know I couldn't have done it. I feel so blessed by this precious man, and fall more in love with him as I watch him in his new role as "Daddy"!

More pics to follow of the first couple of days home as a family! Thank you to our sweet family and friends for your prayers! We are so excited for you all to meet our girl!

39 weeks and 3 days...

Hi All! Jarrett and I just got back from the Dr.'s for our last appointment before he's delivering our girl. My blood pressure was great, weight gain has stopped (thank heavens! Topping the scale at 162.... yikes!) and Lindsay's heart rate was fabulous. When he checked, I am still 1 cm dilated, but am 50% effaced! Some progress is always positive! We are still on the books to be induced on Monday, February 15th if she doesn't decide to make her entrance into the world sooner! Jarrett and I are so excited and are so ready... we have done it all- washed, cleaned, made/frozen meals, fridge is full etc... just need the baby! Jarrett will be sending out text messages when she gets close to making her debut... pictures soon to follow!

38 weeks and counting...

Jarrett and I just got back from the Dr.'s and he did his first pelvic exam. He could feel the baby's head and said we are 1 cm dilated and 0% effaced! I was pleasantly surprised for there to be any progress at all, because other than pressure, I have been feeling zero signs of labor coming anytime soon. Please keep us in your prayers that little Lindsay girl will make her debut soon!

Baby Shower!

On Saturday my family threw me the most beautiful baby shower a girl could ask for!! Everything was so cute from the flowers and table runners to the candy bar and cake! I have such talented gals in my family! The shower was in Bakersfield at a restaurant called Hodel's. Our family has lots of sweet memories in the restaurant so naturally, it was a front runner for the shower venue... plus the food is so yummy!

My shower planners extrodinarire... Auntie Annie, Great Grandma Rosie & Grammy Kellie

Delicious Cake made by talented sorority sister, Casey Vontz...

Table runners sewed by Grammy Kellie, flowers by Annie...

I was OVERWHELMED with the sheer volume of gifts... it is amazing we were able to fit it into our car to get home! Thank you for all the beautiful gifts!!

So many sweet friends and family!!

The Big 2-7!!

Yesterday I celebrated my 27th year on this earth with my love and best friend, Jarrett!! This year Jarrett took me to the Melting Pot for dinner (a fondue restaurant) for lobster and fillet... so good! We came home and opened presents... he SO didn't need to get me anything, but got me a book, a cook book and a really cute purse! He is so thoughtful! Thank you so much to all my sweet friends and family who called/emailed to wish me Happy Birthday! I am so blessed to have you all in my life!

My mother-in-law Carol came up to visit on Saturday before the rain came to see the nursery and bring us her amazing gift before the shower... a stroller & carseat!! We got to take her to our favorite BBQ place, Lucille's for fried green tomatoes and pickles! She is so thoughtful and always remembers my birthday... I love the cute flats she got me! Thank you for the gifts!! I thank God for such an amazing mother-in-law and soon to be Grandma of 3!

As promised... here is a tummy pic... 35 weeks... went to the Dr. that week for an ultrasound (probably our last) and said she weighs (totally an estimate) 6.4 lbs (whoa baby!). She is healthy and in the perfect position to be born (head down face down). Carol mentioned when she saw me that I looked like I had "dropped" since the last time I saw her... hoping, hoping she comes a little early (as long as she is healthy of course), but with my impatient self, I know I will be pushing my due date! LOL.. Wishful thinking!!

Things to do before baby comes...Pink's Hotdogs!

Since Jarrett and I have moved to Los Angeles, we have been trying to do all the "touristy" things just once to say we have experienced them. We have done a ton... The Getty, La Brea Tarpits, Walk of Fame, Pantages Theater, Modern History Museum, Queen Mary, USC game etc... but one of the last things we haven't done was have a Pink's Hotdog!

For those of you who haven't heard of Pink's, it is the oldest hot dog stand in Los Angeles located on the corner of Melrose and La Brea and is been open since 1939. It's been featured on the Food Network and such, because of its celebrity clientle and interesting hot dog combinations. There is ALWAYS a line, and on Saturday there was no exception... we waited 45 minutes to get our dogs. It was a beautiful day, so I didn't mind waiting in line, although people gave Jarrett sympathetic looks.."Poor guy having to get hotdogs... his wife is probably craving Pink's!" This was hilarious, because I like a good hot dog every once in a while (thouroghly charred), but Jarrett is a connoisseur of chili dogs and was using me in his ploy to get his Pink's! LOL.

Here's what we ordered:

Left to right: Chili Cheese Dog, "Martha Stewart Dog" 10" stretch dog, relish, onions, bacon, chopped tomatos, sauerkraut & sourcream (I did NOT try this one), Hot dog with ketchup, Nacho Chili Cheese fries (sooooo Yummy!!)