Preston Is Here!!

Preston James Brinkley

Born: 4/10/09 at 4:16pm

Weight: 7 lbs 1 oz

Length: 20 inches

Our little miracle has finally arrived!  I feel like we've been waiting for him forever (just my entire life, but who's counting?!?!).  He's perfect; absolutely PERFECT!  He's got a full head of hair just like I did and is the spitting image of James!  I don't have all the details of the birth story in order yet (give me a break!  I have slept more than 3 hours in over a week now!), but when I get them all in order, I'll post it.  It was amazing and crazy all at the same time!  My sister Kirsten, neice Rayen, brother Khaim, and mom were all able to make it down to Georgia to be here with me and offer all the support they could during labor.  I love them all and wish they all could have stayed longer.  Dad, Marsha, Grandma and Grandpa Helms made it down on Easter Sunday to spend some time with us and little Preston!  Kisses to all of them.  Anyway, for now, here are some pics of the little man!  I promise there are TONS more to come!!!

"4/10 Good Buddy"

4/10 is what James says when we hang up the phone.  Not sure why or how it started, but instead of saying "10-4" like the rest of the world does when signing off, he switches it up.  So this is the reason I jumped at the chance of having Preston's birthday be April 10th (4/10).  That's right my friends....Dr. Brass offered to induce me and I said YES!!!  So if all goes well, little Preston James will be here Friday!  AHHHHHHHH!!!!!  So exciting and nerve-wracking all at the same time!Since it's been an entire month since I last posted there is LOTS to catch up.  Ok, so the first paragraph is the MAIN source of info, but I have a few more belly pictures, pictures of the nursery, and a picture of what MIGHT be Preston's coming home outfit (still deciding on this...).

I was "checked" at my 35 week appointment and wasn't dilated at all, but a week later at my 36 week appointment I was dilated 1 centimeter.  Woo-hoo progress!  By my 37 week appointment I had progressed to 2 centimeters.  Between my 37 and 38 week appointments, I was in a lot of pain.  I was afraid I was going to go into labor early, but at my 38 week appointmet I was still at 2 centimeters....possibly 2 1/2....but nothing to get too overly excited about.  I was getting a little bummed about being in all that pain and not making any progress, but then Dr. Brass asked if I was ok with being induced at 39 weeks.  UM....YEA!!!  I don't know if it was because I had been so uncomfortable or if it was because my belly is measuring big or if it was Divine Intervention, but I didn't argue.  BRING ON THE PITOCIN!

  Hahahahahaha!!!  I have to go back Thursday, April 9th to get checked one last time by Dr. Dean (he will be the one who delivers me if Preston comes on Friday....Or it will be Dr. Brass if Preston is stubborn and comes on

 Saturday.)  I will then get all the information I need for Friday; like when to show up and what exactly will happen.  I really like Dr. Dean, but have only seen him twice so I'm a little nervous.  I really would have rather had Dr. Jarvis, since he's been my doctor for the last 5 years...but I guess it won't matter as long as I have a healthy Preston at the end of it all.

So here are my 34, 36, and 38 week belly shots.  I'll take one last picture tomorrow at 39 weeks before delivering just so I can have on record how big I actually got!

It's really hard to tell the growth because they are taken at different angles, but at least you get the gist of it.

Here is a link to the nursery pics.  It's not COMPLETELY done, but it's done enough for now.  Also the last picture in this album is the outfit we are considering for Preston's coming home outfit....if anything changes, I'll let y'all know!

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=cdbrikley85&target=ALBUM&id=5322349032206195393&authkey=Gv1sRgCM2Ev8_htKvlOw&authkey=Gv1sRgCM2Ev8_htKvlOw&invite=CKeP97oM&feat=email

AHHH!  I almsot forgot, I had maternity pictures taken a few weeks back and forgot to share those also!  Here's the links to the proofs.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=cdbrinkley85&target=ALBUM&id=5314948096983178753&authkey=Gv1sRgClyJuL3F6JyDUA&authkey=Gv1sRgClyJuL3F6JyDUA&invite=CM2RgPMK&feat=email

34 Weeks and Remembering to take a Belly Pic!

Remembering to take my belly pics might not seem like a hard task, BUT IT IS!!!  I'm so tired all the time that I can't remember anything, and when I DO remember to take the pic, I'm too tired to do it!!!  Being pregnant is HARD!  LOL   I haven't had the energy or the memory to take a picture since 28 weeks, so here I am 6 weeks later!  Not too much of a difference, but there IS a little bit of growth.  I'll try to remember to take/post the pictures for the remaining weeks!

Which MAY or MAY NOT be six more weeks!  I can't even begin to tell you all how sick I've been lately.  I feel like I'm back in the first trimester!  I get sick when I eat, sick when I don't eat, sick when I get hot, sick if I get too cold, sick if I sit up, sick if I lay down....on and on and on and on!  I've also been experiencing some Braxton Hicks (BH's) contractions lately.  Friday night/Saturday morning I had BH's from 3 am to 5 am that came EVERY EIGHT MINUTES!!!  We were just getting ready to get up and go to the hospital when they stopped, so I took some Tylenol and tried to go back to sleep.  Preston didn't move that entire time which made me a little bit worried, but he made up for it later!  I was throwing up again all day Saturday, which was lovely since the weather was BEAUTIFUL and James was outside working in the yard.  I was actually kind of jealous.  I tried to go out and help him, but then I just got too hot and had to go back inside.  Same thing happened Sunday with the yard work.  I set up my chair outside to "supervise" James' work, but after about 30 minutes I was getting over-heated.  I had to go back inside and put ice packs all over me.

I go to the back to the doctor this Thursday afternoon for my first exam.  I'll be really surprised if she tells me nothing's going on.  I'm really hoping for at least a centimeter!  Stay tuned!

Introducing Peanut Jelly & Butter....WHAT???

Wow it's been a while since I posted!  SORRY!  We did go back for another 4D ultrasound, but it didn't go much better.  At first baby was facing my back and wouldn't turn around.  BOOGER!  So we went to the doctor's appointment, drank some cold water, did a few squats, and went back.  VOILA!  He turned around!!!  ONLY he kept his hands (that's right I said handS...both of them!) over his face the whole time.   He's either REALLY camera shy like his daddy or a little bit on the ornery side.  Maybe it's a little bit of both (LORD KNOWS his daddy is! LOL, but that's why we love him!)  But we were able to get some great pictures of his cute little hands.   Looks like there are 5 cute little fingers on each hand!  No need to count them when he decides to come into the world!  Anyway, here are the pictures and for the first time EVER I can proudly say.....INTRODUCING PRESTON JAMES BRINKLEY!!!!!

Yes, we know that should we ever want to get get his initials monogrammed somewhere it would be PBJ...making it appear that we named our son after a peanut butter & jelly sandwich, but we didn't.  So lets all get the laughs out now and embrace the fact that James & Clarissa FINALLY picked a name!!!!  

Disappointment

Well James and I went yesterday for our 4D ultrasound and were a little disappointed in Lil Man.  Baby decided he didn't want to be seen, so he kept his little arm in front of his face almost the WHOLE TIME!  He's already a little booger!!!  After about 30 minutes of the tech shaking the heck out of my belly, getting up and walking around, going to the restroom, and almost faiting on the table, baby finally moved his arm just long enough to catch a few pictures of the side of his face.  THEN he turned around backwards so we could only see the back of his head.  So it wasn't what we were hoping it would be and I don't think the pictures are clear enough to tell who he looks like yet (although I found a picture of me in my baby book that is seriously the spitting image of the first picture below.....but that could be wishful thinking :) but we are going back next Friday to have a repeat ultrasound done.  If the little guy won't cooperate then, we will have paid $140 for nothing.  We only get one "Mulligan" on this so we will have to pay again if we don't get good pictures next week.  AND since I'm still all sorts of nervous about not getting everything we need because I only have one more shower scheduled, we'll probably just save the $140 for something from the registry (like the pack-n-play we want, but haven't gotten yet.......if anyone wants to go in on it with us!  LOL j/k).  So here are the pictures we did get....stay tuned for (HOPEFULLY) better ones next week!

As the tech was turning the machine off, it switched from 4D to regular and she said "OH MAN!  LOOK at THAT!"  I couldn't figure out what she was talking about so I asked "What? Is something wrong?"  She said "ALL THAT HAIR!"  So she snapped a picture of his hair floating in the fluid.  YAY!  He's going to have a full head of hair like his momma did!!!

TWENTLY-NINE!

Well, today I have decided I have a new favorite number: 29!!!  I went to the doctor today, January 29th.  Everything looks good, except my iron levels have dropped so he gave me a prescription for iron pills.  Joy of joys.  ANYWAY, while I was there they weighed me in and he measured my belly.  I am 29 weeks along, I have gained 29 pounds, and my belly measured 29 centimeters.  And well, we all know I'm 29 years old.  So lets recap:  January 29th, 29 years old, 29 weeks pregnant, 29 pounds gained, belly measured 29 centimeters.  So you see, I have no choice but to consider 29 my lucky number!!!!

I also had to get my Rhogam shot today.  This is to protect baby from my negative blood type.  Um yea...that shot hurt!  I have to get another one after I give birth.  Joy of joys...again.  I have to thank my dad for this.  He is ultimately the reason I have this big pain in my, um....rear end right now!!!  THANKS DAD!  

I also read today that being left-handed can make for a more presidential demeanor.  And since James is left-handed, there is a good chance I may be cooking a future US president.  I'm just sayin....

OK, all that being said, I never got around to posting my 28 week belly pic.  So here it is....along with my 4 week pic so I can remember that I've not always been HUGE!!!

Oh man!!!!  I miss my tan!!!!

Happy 2009! Welcome to the 3rd Trimester!

Whew!  Where do I begin???  There is soooo much I need to post that I'll probably forget something!

1) James and I drove to Indiana to celebrate a late Christmas and New Years with my family!  It was soooooooooo good to see everyone.  Kirsten & Jason got me a pregnancy body pillow which has been a LIFE SAVER!!!  I can't sleep without it!!!  Dad & Marsha got me my Sperry's!!!  YAY!!!  I've been wearing those NON-STOP!  Dad made pumpkin pie and Grandpa made chocolate fudge and I WAS IN HEAVEN!!!  I ate too much, but that's what holidays with family is all about....right???  

2) While there Kirsten threw us our VERY FIRST EVER BABY SHOWER!!!!  It was Mickey themed and it was SO CUTE!!!  A picture of the invitation is below!  We had a blast!!!  They had us blind folded and wanted to see who could diaper a stuffed animal first.  WELL little did we know they were going to BLAST us in the face with silly string!!!  HOWEVER, I clearly won!  James couldn't even figure out how to open the diaper...or maybe I am just THAT good!  In any case, I diapered the "baby" all while trying to avoid the silly string!  We received a lot of good presents!  Too many to name off, but I have a link to all of the pictures.  You can see everything we got, and everyone who was in attendance!  FUN WAS HAD BY ALL! 

http://picasaweb.google.com/cdbrinkley85/IndianaShower?authkey=0_uvSP52SW0&feat=email#

3) I had my 26 week doctor's appointment and saw Dr. Dean for the first time.  He was funny.  He had me sign the release form so they had my permission to deliver the baby.  That darn form was so funny!  I mean, if you actually read it (which I did because they left us waiting in that room FOREVER!) you have to wonder what kind of people they are dealing with.  It first said "The diagnosis requiring this procedure is: PREGNANCY."  I'm 26 weeks....THANKS FOR TELLING ME!!!  Like I didn't know!  Then it said 

"The alternative to a vaginal delivery is Ceserean Section. The alternative to Ceserean Section is vaginal delivery.   If neither of these options are suitable for you, you may be putting your health in serious risk."  YA THINK?????    Who is THAT STUPID that they need to put that?????  ANYWAY, baby's heart sounded nice and strong and everything seemed to be going along as planned.  I did gain another 6 pounds which put the grand total by 26 weeks at 25 pounds gained.  Dr. Dean didn't seem worried about the weight, but said if I was worried I could follow the South Beach Diet.  Hahahahaha!  I'm following the "I'm-Pregnant-and-I'm-Flipping-Hungry-So-I'm-Gonna-Eat-What-I-Want" diet!  AMEN!!!

4)  I've been horrible with my belly pics!  I DID remember to take my 26 week pic though!  My 24 week pic is in the previous post...that's all I have for that week.  My 25 week picture is with Kirsten....which could also be her 28 week pic (LOL!).  And yes, I completely forgot to take a 27 week pic.  I would take one tonight and post, but I'll be 28 weeks Friday and I'll just post that one.  SO here are the 25 & 26 week belly pics!  My belly looks SO much different in clothes!

5) I have another doctors appointment next Thursday (1/29).  I will be 29 weeks then.  After that appointment I will be going every 2 weeks instead of 4 weeks until 35 weeks.  Once I hit 35 weeks, I'll be going every week.  We have our 4D ultrasound scheduled for Friday, February 6th.  I'm so excited to see his precious little face!!!  I told James we WILL have a name by then so we can put his precious little name on his precious little picture!  SO hopefully you'll know baby boy's name in less than 3 weeks!!!