A growing boy

We brought Isaac home yesterday and everything has gone smoothly thus far. God has been extremely gracious to us. I mean, besides getting hardly any sleep last night and the constant change of diapers, feedings, and sleeping...I'm doing pretty well. My mom and I didn't get much sleep last night because my milk had not come in yet and I'm sure all you mothers out there can remember how unsatisfied they stay before that happens. Thankfully, the milk came in today so he is doing great where nursing is concerned...i pray it stays this way.

He has been such an absolute joy to us and truly nothing compares to being a mother. It's so hard to describe how much I love this little one! Here are a few more pics for you to see--they really do change so fast!! Words cannot express how thankful I am for all your prayers and support from all our friends! The labor and delivery process could not have gone better for me...maybe it will make me want to have 10 kids... well, lets see how the next 2 weeks goes.:)

Steven Isaac Sprayberry

Our precious son was born yesterday January 27th at 1:21 p.m. He weighed 7 lbs 12 oz. and was 19 1/2 inches in length. Mom and baby are both doing well! We will post more pictures when we get home. We already love him so much and simply can't imagine that God loves us and him so much more!

Isaac is coming!

I went to my appt. this morning and everything is a GO for tomorrow! I was 3 cm, which we were glad i had progressed more. I am going in at 6 a.m. tomorrow. We can't wait to meet our little boy!!!
So...next post will have pictures! Please pray for us tomorrow if you remember! Thanks in advance for all your prayers!

Doctor's appointment

So, I went to the doctor this morning to see if I progressed in my dialating. I haven't progressed at all! Dr. Sharp asked me if I wanted to be induced next week (because by then I will be 39 weeks). At first I had mixed feelings because I have gone into my pregnancy thinking I wouldn't be induced...I guess I just wanted to experience labor on my own and everything. Which I still could... After thinking about it, I know its not that big a deal either way. I'm going in for an appt. on Monday morning to see if I have dialated anymore and then will probably be induced on Tuesday. I guess it will be nice to know when I'm actually going to have him.
So, I'll update again on Monday. Hope everyone has a great rest of the week and weekend!

Just a little update

Still no sign of our little Isaac... I go to the doctor in the morning so we will see what he thinks and if i've progressed. will keep you updated.:)

Progressing...

Here are final pictures of the nursery. Thanks the Lord it is finished! I put them up on facebook too so some of you may have already seen them.

I had my doctor's appointment this morning. He said that I am dialated 2-2 1/2 cm and said the baby could come any day. He actually made a prediction this morning and said he thinks he will come within 4-5 days! YIKES!!! I don't know if I'm ready! I mean, seriously?? The problem is...I have no choice but to be ready because he is coming whenever he chooses. Its not that I don't want to see our little Isaac--because I am DYING to see him...but, i guess its just the thought of labor and the anticipation of not knowing what to expect. But, as Laura Brantley told me the other night..."Kimmie, think of how many dumb women have had babies." So true Laura, so true. :) I am praying that he doesn't come this weekend if he does want to come early because my doctor is out of town and...I know this is really petty...but I don't think the really nice rooms at St. Vincent are open on the weekends. haha.

So, this may be my last post until our son arrives! I'll try to get pictures up as soon as possible. I'll make Steven do it of course...actually he just found out I had a blog the other day (even though I have told him multiple times) so I'll have to give him some instructions about how to upload pics.:)

Well, here are the nursery pics.

Changing table of course.



A dear friend of the family made all this for me with the fabric we bought. I love my little diaper hanger.

FINALLY got those letters painted!

Where my mother sleeps for the first week...:)



I tried to watch putting too many bunnies on things because Steven's exact words were, "Please don't make it look like bunnies threw up in the room."

Adorable little doctor elephant that Steven's mom and dad made for us at build-a-bear.

35 weeks and the nursery

Here are a few pics for the nursery in progress. Don't forget the "in progress" part! My mom reminded me that I have not taken many pictures of myself while pregnant so I set up the camera tonight after taking some nursery pictures and tried to take a few. I am feeling pretty good these days besides the constant head butting to my bladder and the occasional shooting knife pains to my bladder area. I have to pee every five seconds I feel...I guess it's because I'm carrying him so low. I had an exam this past week and my doctor said that the cervix is softening so we will see if there is any progression this next week. hopefully not too much. I still have so much to do!

So, the nursery is almost finished. I am waiting on these letters to come in that I ordered for Isaac's name above the crib. I am going to paint them myself so we will see how it goes. The only other things I need is a white duvet cover for the twin bed in the room and then it should be pretty much completed. I wish I could have painted but we will only be in this apartment four more months after Isaac is born so I didn't really feel the need to go to all that trouble.

Hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year!



Me at 35.5 weeks

My crib that I LOVE and the new bedding. It doesn't show up too good in pictures.

The curtains that I just finished making.

I just noticed that the beatrix potter pictures are hanging lopsided. haha. will fix that.:)

TAGGED!

Pick the 4th picture in your photo album and explain it!

Well, I have to admit...I kind of cheated just a little bit. my 4th picture was so boring so i picked the 5th one on my album. sorry. This is our summer trip to Disney World a couple of years ago when we lived in Florida. Steven's sister, Kelly and her husband Ryan and their two boys joined us on the trip. I think we are at the Magic Kingdom on some type of train.

So, it's my turn to TAG...

I tag Katie, Jessica, Naomi, and Lauren Hurt

Steven Isaac Sprayberry

Well, we FINALLY have a name! So that means, I can finally monogram things...:) As you can see from the title, the name we have chosen for our little boy is going to be Steven Isaac. We are going to call him Isaac. It took us literally what seemed like forever to finally settle on a name.

Most of you know I had my heart set on Steven Earl Sprayberry III and calling him Tripp. However, Steven didn't really want a third, and I had to finally come to accept that.:) Steven has loved the name Graham all this time so it was going to be between Isaac and Graham but this time Isaac obviously won out. I told Steven if we have another boy we will name it Graham.:)

You know, I have never really been that excited over Bible names (i know that sounds bad...i promise, i am a Christian. ha!). But, for some reason I have really liked the idea of Isaac. Isaac means "he laughs" according to the Bible. To be honest, I think we are still having to get used to a name finally and I have to just keep telling myself to just stick to something and not keep re-thinking it. We are definitely excited! Oh, this is kinda neat. We did find out that Steven's great great grandfather was named Isaac Sprayberry so maybe it was just meant to be...:)

I am feeling great by the way. Definitely getting more uncomfortable as the days go on but nothing to complain about. Sleeping is not too fun, getting too full after meals makes me have a hard time breathing:), and my ankles are starting to swell when i'm up all day. But, besides that not too bad. I CANNOT believe i am already 33 weeks! I feel like this last part of pregnancy is going by pretty fast...I'm sure I'll be changing my mind come January though.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas season! Having a little boy inside my belly this month continues to remind me of what Mary must have felt like when she was pregnant with Jesus. It must have been an amazing feeling!!

November update

Where has November gone?? I cannot believe that this is the week of Thanksgiving and Christmas is right around the corner! This fall has flown by. And I love me some Christmas time! I honestly will never get sick of Christmas music like some people do.
Things are great at the Sprayberry household. Steven has left me for three weeks...so that's not great obviously. But, I think I am managing this "away time" much better this go around than I did when he went to Mississippi. Not because I don't miss him like crazy--but I'm getting much better with my "I'm scared poopless" at night phase. He is doing an ER rotation in Augusta Georgia and thankfully has to only be there for three weeks instead of a full month. We will get to see each other only once, next weekend in Atlanta. We were able to get tickets to the SEC championship so we are going to spend a nice weekend together in hotlanta and enjoy the game...well, let's HOPE we enjoy the game!
I'm leaving for Auburn today for Thanksgiving with the fam. I'm really excited about going home and spending time with my parents, brother, and sister. Of course, we will miss our Katie during Thanksgiving but will get to talk to her for the first time through skype. I can't wait! And Carla of course will stay in Boston for the holidays until I see her at Christmas. And I quote one of my favorite cheesy lines from my favorite movie, Little Women, "Will we all never be together again?"
Our baby boy is growing by leaps and bounds... and so is my belly and butt. but that's okay! it's growing for a great cause! :) We are getting very close to picking out a name. It is between two so I won't spill the beans until we are certain on one. It should be in the next few weeks or so. You are probably wondering what took us so long! It's been tough--I mean this is going to be the name that he is stuck with for the rest of his life! And not to mention mommy has to say it 100 times a day so I better like it! Everything is looking good though at my appointments. For the past two weeks I have started having some major braxton hicks..fun fun!
Maybe I'll have some fun pictures to post of my time with family this week. And I hope all of you Alabama fans out there are feeling sorry for me on Saturday...I have to watch the Iron Bowl with a bunch of Auburn fans.:) But, since it's my family I guess I'll look past it.:)
ROLL TIDE!!!!!

Belly shot

Here I am at 27 weeks. HUGE I feel. However, I know its just going to get bigger. yikes!

The picture after the belly shot is us with Andy and Ashley at the bama game this past weekend. We had so much fun with them--thanks for inviting us!!

I'll try to update more soon but wanted to post these pics for now. Still haven't decided on a name. Why is it so difficult???

God's many blessings!

It's so true--God has truly blessed us these past couple of weeks with little pleasures in life that we don't deserve. It all started with this weekend. I went home to Auburn on Friday night to be with family until Monday morning. My sister, Katie, was getting ready to leave for her two year stint to Northern Africa this week and of course, I wanted to say goodbye. Katie can't come home for two years straight so we are going to miss her so much!! She went through an organization called Journeymen and will be in Northern Africa for the first 9 months or so and then heading on to the middle east. She has always had a heart for the Muslim people since her first year of college and know this is where the Lord is leading her. If you would like to pray for her and her traveling today and tomorrow that would be wonderful!

Anyway, like I said, I went to Auburn and spent the weekend with my entire family (minus Steven and J.B.) and had a great time of fellowship and fun. On Saturday we all went to my dad's pumpkin patch and took the slow hayride across the pasture. Yes, you heard right. My dad has a pumpkin patch. Dad always has to have some type of new project each year...like one year, he planted a huge acre of strawberries on his land (they were seriously the most delicious strawberries I have ever tasted). Well, this year, as you can tell he decided to grow pumpkins. It's kind of a running joke to guess what he is going to plant next.

On Sunday, I had a baby shower in Auburn because we wanted Katie to be a part of the baby festivities even though she won't be here for the birth. We received so many wonderful gifts and it was such a blessing for us and our little guy!

Here are a few pictures from this weekend...

Katie, Jessica, Carla, Katie and I at the pumpkin patch

Having fun on the 1.2 mile an hour hay ride

Can't wait to see him wear this!

Me and my sister Carla

My mom and all the sisters My wonderful friends and hostesses!

Okay, so I have one more story about the Lord's blessings this week! So, ever since I found out I was pregnant I have been looking everywhere for a baby bed. Months and months ago I found my perfect baby bed online...however, there was only one catch. It was $700 dollars. So, I put my wants and obsession with the baby bed aside and knew that we would need to buy one from target or babies r us around $300 (which there is nothing wrong with these beds, I just couldn't find one that I loved). So, throughout my pregnancy I have been going back to this one picture of my "dream bed" wishing I could just put my hands on it.:) I know...why would I tempt myself so!

Well, this past Monday rolls around and I head to work at the Swanky Stork in Homewood. During the afternoon my boss tells me that a little children's store called Bellini was having a big sale because they are closing their store in a month. Mary Ann went down to check it out and then came back and told me that I should check out their cribs for sale. As I walked down to the store I was trying not to get toooo excited because I knew they couldn't possibly have the bed or a bed I would want and for the right price. So, as I walk into the store...it was just like a movie...I turned to my right and saw it! THE dream baby bed that I have been looking at for months online! At that moment I heard the soundtrack from the hallelujah chorus ringing in my ear. Then the song suddenly came to a crashing halt. I saw a tag on the bed that read, SOLD. (for $295). I was heartbroken. The owner walked over to me and I explained to him what I was looking for and almost moaning, told him that this is the bed I had wanted all along and I saw that it was sold. To make a long story somewhat short the owner started thinking and said..."Well, if you are willing to buy one of the other pieces that goes with the bed, I would be willing to order this bed for you at market price and you would only have to pay that price and shipping cost." I glanced to my right and saw this beautiful matching dresser/changing table with a sale tag reading the exact price that we were looking for! I said, "Okay. So if i bought this dresser how much would the bed cost me??" He said with shipping and everything, $350. I wanted to say, "wait, I don't think I heard you right...you are telling me that I can get my bed that i am OBSESSED with for this price...the same price I would get another bed for??" So, needless to say, I called Steven and it's a GO. I'm getting the bed and dresser/changing table.

So, to update you. The owner called yesterday morning and told me better news. The couple that bought the bed came back in yesterday and said they may not want it anymore. So, I am waiting to hear from him today to see if I can get the bed at an even cheaper price.

I tell you this story because I have felt so blessed this past week with the Lord's many gifts. Sure, the bed is such a trivial thing in the site of eternity but it was such a beautiful description of the Lord's grace and mercy even when we don't deserve it.

Sorry this post was so incredibly long! Here is a picture of my new crib! I can't wait to see our little boy in it!

6-0

I had a great weekend. It started with the Brad Paisley concert Friday night with Joy and Jessica. It was fun, but most of all we missed our dear friend Katie due to a bad stomach bug Friday night! I hated it for her because we were all going for Katie's birthday and she wasn't even able to go. But, Katie, like I told you today at church...the only thing you missed was the redneck guy with his shirt off, the high school girl screaming bloody murder behind me everytime a new song would come on and end, and the four drunks infront of us dancing around making out with their boyfriends. We will make it up to you promise!!

On Saturday, Steven and I went to the Alabama game and had so much fun being back on campus. However, I will admit that I was a little depressed after leaving the Alpha Chi house recieving many strange stares from girls four to eight years younger than me. I wanted to be like, "hey, little sugar pie...i was in this house for four years too, and just because i'm four or eight (yikes) years older than you doesn't mean that i'm not kinda young and i'm not an alpha chi alumn." okay, maybe i got a little carried away, but the depressing part was not knowing anyone in the house anymore.

Besides my quick run into my old sorority house Steven and I were able to enjoy our walks around campus, had a great time with Lauren and Cameron, and saw a few friends on the way. If I did have one complaint about the game it would definitely be that it was way too hot!! I mean, it wasn't August I know...but it was still mid-80's and when you're in the sun for four hours straight with a living being inside your tummy it's not too pleasant. But, I made it and besides the long game, poor playing, and heat I was proud we came out with a win. I'm so proud of the team for going 6-0 so far this season...as Saban said himself, "The majority of people didn't even believe that we would be 6-0 right now, I didn't even think it, to tell you the truth." Oh, Steven would be so proud that I'm quoting Saban right now...if he only read the blog.

So...belly pics to come. I know I said that last time but really, I will try.

Steven and I enjoying the game
Papa Spray being honored during half time with the 1973 national championship team

Stopping for a quick chat with Sarah and Graham. It was so great to see ya'll!!

Update

I'll first update you on my cold (as if you care:) ). I am feeling MUCH better today but, boy, did it take me a long time to get over that! I still have some sinus pressure that lingers and a cough with nice flim once in a while, but other than that, i'm feeling quite peachy.:) Poor Steven has the virus now and I didn't get much sleep last night with his heavy breathing and coughing...but, I didn't mind because I know how TERRIBLE it feels!
Work has kept me incredibly busy these days. I don't feel like I have much chance to do anything regarding baby registery or shopping for myself...like we have money anyway. I am still enjoying all three of my jobs--yes, you heard right, 3 jobs. And I can't complain because it's pretty easy work most of the time. As my dad always says, "a monkey could do it." Okay, maybe a monkey couldn't sale maternity clothes very well or teach drama or sit at an art gallery for hours. oh, wait! yes, a monkey could probably sit at the art gallery...
We are going to Kelly and Ryan's house tonight to watch the Bama/Georgia game! I love football season and can't wait to finally get to go to a game this year. Steven and I are going to the Kentucky game next weekend--whoo hoo. roll tide! Saban Nation (that is for you, katie and jess). I do love some Bama football though. Who knew! I remember about eight years ago when I stood up in my sorority house to introduce myself and gave the crowd a shy little "war eagle." What was I thinking!! i could have been killed that day or WORSE, shunned by every alpha chi that gave me this big eyed expression of "no, you didn't (in a black girl's voice, of course)."
Okay, I think I have ranted and raved enough for one post. My next post will include some pictures, I promise. My belly has popped out these past few weeks. I'm definitely getting bigger--however, I can't decide which is growing faster. My belly or my *ss!
Have a wonderful weekend everyone! And ROLL TIDE!

Cold season

This weekend I came down with a terrible cold! This is my second one during my pregnancy that I have experienced and it's not fun. I'm just hoping that it stays a cold and doesn't turn into a bad sinus infection--I really don't want to take antibiotics during pregnancy even though I know some of them are safe to take.
I think I am getting this terrible sickness from my job with drama kids--where I'm around snotty nose kids Tuesday-Thursday for hours at a time. I even had a little 3 year old cough in my face the other day!! I was like, "Uh, you did NOT just do that!" Steven has reminded me over and over again that I must wash my hands, don't touch my face when i'm around these little poopers, and to use hand sanitizer. But, I guess I have been forgetting.
I started a new job a couple of weeks ago at a maternity store in Birmingham. It used to be called Pickles and Ice cream for those of you familiar with downtown homewood stores, but now is called The Swanky Stork. I have really enjoyed it. Talking to all the pregnant women that come in everyday and buying a few clothes on the side hasn't been all that bad.:) Their clothes are adorable too so it's going to be hard not to spend money. But, i must say, I've done quite well so far. Yes, your welcome Steven.
Not much else has been happening lately. I have done so much better about staying by myself lately--it doesn't mean I don't miss my husband but just that I'm growing some "you know what" I suppose. Steven comes home this Friday!! YAY!! Has it really already been a month??
Our little man has been moving aroud a lot. Hopefully, Steven will get a chance to feel him kicking in a week or so. I love feeling him toss and turn! In the past I have only been able to feel him if I were to sit very still and wait for it. But, now I'm feeling him when I'm in the line to get a sandwich, driving the car, etc. I'm sure some of you mothers are laughing because I know its only going to get worse...and better! Steven and I haven't really gotten a chance to discuss names yet because he has been away but I'll keep you posted on that area. Hopefully, it doesn't take us too long...
Well, i better end this post. The time has come for me to go and blow my nose...

It's a BOY!!!

It's a BOY!!!! We could not be more excited. Steven and I went to the doctor at 9:30 yesterday morning and had to wait in the waiting room for what seemed like hours. After thirty or forty five minutes we were finally ushered into the ultrasound room eager with anticipation. I mean seriously, we both could not talk to each other while waiting because we were so nervous.

FINALLY, we had our little guy on the screen, but still did not know what the sex was. The nurse doing our ultrasound first looked at the head and brain area to see if everything was okay, then went down to the torso (all the while I was thinking, "Okay, can we just get to the crotch already!). But, I was very thankful everything looked perfectly healthy thus far. So, on to the legs... As she was moving down to the legs and feet to check out the toes I heard Steven let out a little gasp. I looked at him and a little smile went across his face as he said, "I think I just saw something." "What!" I said, "You must have seen a penis, if you saw something." And then the nurse says, "Yes, I think I saw something too, let's go check it out." Sure enough there was a little tiny piece of genitalia hanging from the crotch. How Steven saw this I will never know, because it took me like 5 minutes to even see it.

So, needless to say, Steven has still not wiped that big grin off of his face yet. We really went into it thinking it was going to be a girl (because that's what so many people were saying) and this was a fun surprise. Now onto names....

Here are a couple of belly shots of me today because I know some of you wanted to see. I didn't even noticed that I put on a blue sweater today until I was taking the picture. How perfect! I had to take the pictures myself while at work at the art gallery so they are not very good. Also, I thought I would have a way to crop them, but couldn't figure it out. I'm sure it was quite simple. I was praying the whole time that someone would not walk in and see me taking a picture of myself. I don't know how I would have explained that one...

I will attempt at putting up another ultrasound pic soon as well. Thanks for the all the prayers and encouragement! We can't wait to meet this precious little one come February.

24 hours away...

I feel like I'm six years old again waiting for Santa to bring me my favorite barbie dream house! Tomorrow we find out the sex of our baby! Finally!
Steven comes home tonight to be present at the ultra sound. I warned him this past weekend that if the weather from Gustav was still bad in Mississippi on Wednesday when he was coming home, I didn't think I could wait for him on Thursday morning. Luckily, he will be on his way home this afternoon.
I have done okay without Steven this past week and a half. Sure I saw him over the weekend so that took off a lot of alone time, but I feel like I'm getting a little braver day by day. Well, let me clarify that... as long as there is not a scarey American girl doll in my room at night (right, Carla? :) . To make a long story short, I was deathly scared, I mean DEATHLY scared of my American girl doll, Samantha, when I was a little girl. So scared in fact that Carla had to sleep with it in her room every night and my mother threatened to burn it for me. Haha! I guess creative and thesbian-like minds have a wild imagination as a kid. Let's hope I don't have to hide little peter rabbit from the baby when it's born...hopefully it will take after steven in that regard.
Speaking of Steven, he is really enjoying his ER rotation in Jackson and even got to fly in a helicopter this past weekend during an automobile rescue. The only draw back to the program is the fact that it's a four year program instead of a three year--but, i don't think that will be a huge issue to him when its all said and done. He is excited about his next rotations at UAB and Georgia though. I had a great time visiting with my grandmother and Steven this weekend even though I wasn't able to spend too much time with him due to the night shifts. I had to come home earlier than expected because of the hurricane inching it's way towards Miss. I left early Monday morning and spent labor day by myself. But, don't feel too sorry for me. I slept most of the day.
Well, I must admit that I am incredibly impressed with my post length this time. I must be pretty bored... :)

I will try to remember to post tomorrow to let everyone know if it's a BOY or GIRL!! I'm thinking boy, but we'll see....

Boy or Girl??

This is the question of our lives right now. We find out in less than two weeks what "It" is! Thursday, Sept. 4 to be exact. I haven't bought anything for the baby yet just because I don't know what color to buy--but thankfully we will know soon.

More updates to come very soon...

14 weeks old

Here are a few pictures. Sorry they are so terrible--we don't have a scanner so I had to take them with my camera. ha! I was able to see this little one kick a few times and definitely squirm around. The nurse doing my ultra sound kept saying "My, what an active baby!" I guess it will be pay back from what I did to my own mother as a child.:)

It's little hand waved to us a few times.

Little Peanut update

Thank you to everyone for your sweet messages! It means so much to me when I hear from friends!

I had my first doctor's appoitment today with my new OB here in Birmingham. I really like my doctor a lot and was able to get an ultra sound again and "It" is not really a little peanut anymore. It was so amazing to see all of the features like the toes, fingers, and face--I'm in love! Everything looked great and I will try to put up a picture of the sonogram very soon.

I'm still feeling pretty good and still haven't felt very sick, which I hear is such a blessing. I just returned from a young life camp this past week at sharp top cove in jasper, georgia. I went with our old Bradenton Young Life group and had a blast with all the girls and my good friends, Kelly and Elham who were also leaders with me. I took it pretty easy but did a lot of hiking. It felt good to get a lot of exercise though and hopefully I will keep that up throughout the pregnancy.

Thanks again for all the messages and prayers! Here are a few pics from Sharp top.