Nora Kate Has Arrived!

It has been WAY TOO LONG since I have blogged, so I'm going to do an update and then direct you to Nora Kate's very own blog shortly.

The labor and delivery of our precious NORA KATHERINE FILIPOVITZ:

I began to go into labor on Monday afternoon around 2pm. By 6pm, contractions were about 5 minutes apart - and they were killing me! We packed up and were literally walking out the front door when they stopped. We decided to wait it out and see if I had another one. I didn't. So it was back to the original plan...to wake up and be at the hospital the next morning by 7am!

The morning went very well and we were so thrilled to be so close to meeting our baby girl. We got checked in to the hospital and assigned to our room. When I was first checked by the nurse, I was between 2.5 and 3cm dilated. Labor had definitely been creeping up on me for the past week. They started an IV (which hurt more than my contractions at this point) and Pitocin to speed things up. Around 8am, Dr Wingo came in to check me and break my water. He did. Or so he thought. Two hours later I still hadn't dilated anymore and he rechecked me. Apparently he'd only "nicked" my water - so he had to break it again. I will say that this was the most painful thing I have EVER experienced. It appears my cervix was still posterior, which needs to be anterior...I will not go into detail but lets say he had to rearrange some things to break my water. After that, I went into full blown painful labor. My contractions were 1 minute apart and lasting 1 minute within 30 minutes of breaking my water. By 3pm, I was in agonizing pain and gave into the epidural. I was then at 6.5cm. No one came in to check me for a while - so at 5:35pm when they came in, I was not only dilated to 10cm, but I was +2. They literally told me to breathe through my pressure and contractions and to do whatever I could do not to push. Within 5 minutes, Dr Wingo was there. And at 5:47pm, after a mere 3 pushes, Nora Katherine Filipovitz was born. 7lb 12oz. 20 1/4 inches long. Dr Wingo did his infamous "Here she comes, Dad, grab her!" Eric helped pull her out and he was the first to hold her. It was incredible. The most amazing little girl we have ever seen graced us with her presence.

After half an hour of cleaning up and holding Nora Kate, it was Big Brother Weston's turn to meet his little sister. He was interested and definitely wanted to know what was going on and why I was in a hospital bed. His first words after seeing her were, "It came out!". Too funny.

Shortly after, we were fortunate enough to have both of our Mothers there and they were introduced to their new granddaughter. What an amazing day we had on July 17, 2012!!!!

38 Week Appointment

My 38 week appointment was this morning (we were 38 weeks along on Monday). Everything is still the same as last week. I am dilated to approximately 2 cm and Dr Wingo still wants to induce on Tuesday morning...at that point we will be 39 weeks, 1 day. I was convinced I would be so much further along today during my exam, considering the painful and consistent contractions I've had. I am literally having contractions at least 6 times an hour. On Tuesday, they were 4 minutes apart for 4 straight hours! Our Dr says that they are only going to help me for Tuesday. I really hope I don't need much Pitocin at all to get me over the hump from Early Labor to Active Labor. 

We are SO anxious to meet our baby girl! Our parents are coming to Nashville on Monday. It's going to be great to have them here to help with Weston and meet the babe!

5 days OR LESS until Weston meets his baby sister! Yay!

Ultrasound & Nursery (37 wks)

We went for our 37 week appointment on Monday, as well as an ultrasound to make sure baby turned...and she did!! This was such a relief. The ultrasound pictures are amazing. As you can see below, she is fully developed and just waiting to grace us with her cute little self. We are super, super excited to meet her. 

I've developed a small case of Preeclampsia, so Dr Wingo asked that I come back to see him. I went back today for that appointment - everything is still going great, my body is just ready to deliver this baby! That being said, Dr Wingo thinks it is best that we induce a little early. If baby girl hasn't made her arrival by July 17th, we will be inducing that day. So what does this mean? We will have a daughter in at least 12 days! It doesn't seem real. But we are so anxious to welcome her into our family :)

BABY GIRL - 37 WEEKS

The nursery is almost finished! I finally sat down and made the curtains for her room. I love them! They really bring the pink and grey together. I am obsessed with the canvas on the wall that Crystal Pollard painted for her. I think the bunnies are just so sweet! I found the prints at Rosenberry Rooms, but they were smaller and only one bunny on each canvas. I decided I wanted a large one, with more than one bunny, and voila! She painted exactly what I wanted. Isn't it gorgeous!?

We are just waiting on the glider to come in! I'll post another picture once it arrives.

Have a great weekend! 

9 months!

36 weeks pregnant! Full term! A little less than 4 weeks until our due date. We had our 36 week appointment yesterday. My belly is growing perfectly and her heart rate is wonderful. I'm 50% effaced and a "fingertip" dilated. I hope I continue to progress...quickly :) Dr. Wingo said he "thinks" she is head down. We are going to get an ultrasound next Monday to make sure she has turned and is staying that way. I'm so excited we get to see her again before she comes! This time she'll look almost exactly the same on the inside as she will on the outside.

As far as how I'm feeling...I'm good. It's really hot here in Nashville, with the highs in the low 100's. I've got that pregnancy waddle down and am moving a lot slower than usual, but I'm still going!

The nursery is 95% ready. I'm hoping to order the rocker really soon (thanks to Eric & Joyce for Mother's day!) and I still need to sew the curtains. I have the beautiful fabric I wanted (thanks to my Mother!) and am hoping to make them this weekend.

I will post a picture of the nursery next week, even if it's not 100% completed. It's really coming together and I'm loving it!

Stay tuned! I will be sure to do a blog post at least once a week from here on out. It's time! :)

Pink Party! (35 weeks)

What a great day! My wonderful friend, Jen Bowers, hosted a "Pink Party" for me and Baby Girl today! It was fabulous! Her creativity never ceases to amaze me :) Everyone had a fabulous time! We are so blessed to have such amazing people surround us...no matter where we are. Thank you to everyone for all of our sweet things for Baby Girl :) She is already one lucky babe.

**be sure to check out the previous post to view our family photo session!

Pictures are ready! (34 weeks)

Our family photo session is ready for viewing!! We are so happy with them. Enjoy browsing!!

These will be the last family pictures we have as a family of 3. It's bittersweet :)

Rebecca is doing another session for us the week Baby Girl is born! So exciting.

Visit the following link to the album...

http://rebeccawalkerphotography.smugmug.com/Family/Filipovitz-Family/23504114_bmgPwh

A Family Picture...

Rebecca Walker (our wedding photographer) did a family session with us last week! She has posted a single picture on her blog...check it out at the website below! More to come next week :)

http://www.rebeccawalkerblog.com/?p=2627

Weston's birthday is tomorrow, June 9th. Our little boy is 3 years old!! UNBELIEVABLE!! We are the luckiest and most blessed parents in the world to have such a kind hearted son. His soul is truly the sweetest!

Have a great weekend!

8 Months down, 8 Weeks To Go

I absolutely can't believe we've been pregnant 8 months - and we only have 8 weeks left until the due date. YAY! But let's not get ahead of ourselves. The last 2 months when we were pregnant with Weston were the longest 2 months of my life. And it's even hotter now! And I have to go to July (not June, like with Weston)! And the Braxton Hicks are SO much worse...and my Sciatica pain is SO much worse. OH! ...the joys of pregnancy :) How much us ladies go through...and yet it's all worth it. But hey, that doesn't mean I can't complain just a little, right?

Big Brother, Weston - Preschool Picture

This picture was taken at Megan's Bridesmaid's Luncheon. Congratulations to Megan & Justin! 

32 WEEKS BELLY PIC! 

We had our 32 week appointment yesterday. Baby girl is doing great - she is growing right on track :) And apparently I am, too - except I may be growing a little too fast! Hehe. From weeks 28-30, I only gained 1 lb. And let's just say that from weeks 30-32, I gained quite a few more than just 1 LB. Total, I've gained 23 lbs! YIKES. I have to start paying more attention to what I'm eating or I'm going to end up really regretting it! The food, though....it's just so much more delicious when you're pregnant :)

We are going to have pictures taken today by the fabulous Rebecca Walker (same photographer from our wedding) - she is doing a family session; Weston's 3 yr pics, a little maternity, and some of the 3 of us. I'll post the link to the pictures when she is finished editing.

SPRINKLE & Ultrasound (wks 28-29)

Week 28 is over and we're into Week 29. Can you believe it?? Less than 11 weeks left until our due date. And we're hoping she comes a little early...just a little. I can't express enough how fast time is flying. When we were pregnant with Weston, time flew, but nothing like this. I suppose having such a busy day - which turns into a busy week - which turns into a busy weekend - will definitely make the months seem more like a few days than a few weeks. Weston and I leave the house by 7:45 every morning and don't get home until around 6pm...then it's supper, bath, play, and bedtime. For BOTH of us! I am in bed as soon as he goes to sleep :) And the weekends have consisted of so much traveling lately that I've barely had time to do anything. But no complaining from me - I'm delighted that we've been busy because so many fun things have been going on! From wedding showers and weddings, to baby showers and births - we've embraced them all!

Our 28 week appointment was last week. Baby Girl is perfect - via Dr Wingo. His words exactly :) She and I are both measuring exactly as we should and we are both 100% healthy. Can't ask for anything else! I've gained a total of 15 lbs up to this point...could be better, but could be worse! Below are a few pictures from the ultrasound. Unbelievable!

My great girlfriends from Carrollton threw me a "Sprinkle". It was incredible! We had a luncheon and they "sprinkled" me with love and gifts for baby girl! I got so many wonderful things. Every time I opened a gift I was shocked that it was for a girl - I still can't believe it! I'm so used to having boy things/clothes that when I see a dress or bloomers or anything pink, I'm shocked all over again! So much fun. I'm so anxious and excited to meet her! Thank you to everyone who hosted this amazing sprinkle - it was wonderful and means so much to me. And thank you to everyone who came...I am truly blessed.

27 weeks down, 13 weeks to go

Sorry for the 2 week delay in a post! We have been super busy - which seems to be the trend for the start of every post...but it's true.

Last weekend we went to Lynchburg, TN, where we rented a lake house for the weekend. It was amazing! Such a wonderful break and relaxing time. Weston had an absolute blast! We went fishing and he loved it. I need to update Weston's blog asap - in which I'll post pictures of his fishing experience :)

Pregnancy - I'm starting to feel the effects of the 3rd trimester approaching. The lethargic feeling is starting at 6pm instead of 9pm and my body is refusing to bend in ways it's accustomed to bending. I find myself actually bending (a lot!) at the knees to pick something up, because if I don't, my belly is actually IN THE WAY of letting me bend. Baby Girl is GROWING! It's a great feeling to know she is getting closer and closer to meeting us. And it's also a reminder of how large and uncomfortable I was towards the end with Weston. All in all, it's more than worth it :) So bring it on, weight gain, heartburn, sciatica pain, and sickness - I'm ready! Ready to meet this baby GIRL!

I'm heading home (to Carrollton) this weekend for 2 things:  a "Sprinkle" that some of my best girlfriends are throwing. (It's a luncheon and I am so thankful for their thoughtfulness to shower baby girl (and me!) with love. I can't wait!) And the second, for Laurie Kaye's baby shower on Sunday. It's at Gamma's house (my Mother's) and I am pumped to shower LK! It's going to be a great weekend!!

I'll post a belly picture soon, promise! We also have our 28 week (7 month) appointment next Thursday. We will get to see baby girl again! I'll also post her latest portrait :)

25 Week Ultrasound

Baby Girl Filipovitz @ 25 Weeks...she is already beautiful!!

Easter @ 25 Weeks

Easter weekend was amazing! We had such a wonderful time. Gamma, Poppa, Uncle Carson & Robbie all came into Nashville. We had Weston's Easter Egg Hunt & Party at school on Friday during the day and we celebrated my birthday and Gamma's birthday on Friday evening. Saturday we went to the Easter Egg Hunt at the Nashville Zoo and enjoyed a fun family day! We went to church on Sunday and had an awesome Easter lunch. It was such a great weekend!

Pregnancy wise - I'm getting soo big!! I'm feeling more and more pregnant every day, physically. Baby girl is doing somersaults every 15 minutes and is always ready to let someone else feel her or watch her move around. My feet were swollen for the first time Saturday afternoon. I can't believe the swelling has begun. Time is going by so fast. This pregnancy is so different than the first in so many ways. It's much easier in ways and much harder in ways. But I will admit - I am enjoying it :) I can't wait to meet her.

We are headed back in the morning for Round 2 of the glucose test! And we are also having an ultrasound so we get to see her!! YAY!! We are excited to see how much she has changed in the 5 weeks since we've seen her. I'll post again this week with an ultrasound picture.

EASTER SUNDAY

NASHVILLE ZOO
BIG BROTHER ON EASTER SUNDAY

WHAT A HANDSOME BOY!