Happy Thanksgiving!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING Y'ALL!
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MAY YOUR STUFFING BE TASTY,
MAY YOUR TURKEY BE PLUMP.
MAY YOUR TATERS 'N GRAVY
HAVE NARY A LUMP,
MAY YOUR YAMS BE DELICIOUS,
MAY YOUR PIES TAKE THE PRIZE,
MAY YOUR THANKSGIVING DINNER
STAY OFF OF YOUR THIGHS.

GOBBLE TIL YOU WOBBLE...

AND IN ALL THINGS
AND FOR ALL THINGS
GIVE THANKS TO GOD.

Baby Shower!

My department threw me a baby shower last night - I was completely blown away by the thoughtfulness of everyone here! Chris & the kids came over & both enjoyed helping mommy with the presents for Abby Cate.

Everything we received was a definite "need" since this little gal had nothing other than a few packs of diapers before then. She now has a car seat, a mattress, her "angel" monitor, some nightgowns, towels, washclothes, onesies, the most adorable little bitty shoes, a pink Bumbo, and even a few stuffed toys to keep her company. She also received many generous gift cards which we will be using for a few other items she will need once she arrives. After last night, I am definitely getting so excited for her to be born!!! I can't wait to hold this sweet little girl in my arms and wrap her up in this soft blanket!


Skyler particularly enjoyed the gift cards! She is ready to shop for her little sister!
We are so blessed to have friends and family that "showered" us with abundant blessings - we never dreamed that last night's shower would be as it was! Chris & I repeated to each other last night on the way home - "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think..." God has been so very good to us, and we are so very thankful!

I promised...

and here they are - pictures of the kiddos from last weekend!

Just wanted to share some new pictures of Abby Cate from today along with a little update:

Miss Abby Cate has grown - she is up in weight & size, but still measuring smaller than a normal 31 week pregnancy. Dr. BK said that she weighs closer to between 2.5-3 lbs at this point, but it is hard to guess because her femur bone measurements are included in the formula they use & because they are measuring small, the weight will show significantly lower. Weight measurements are typically give or take anyway, so we'll just have to wait until she is here! She still looks very strong and healthy. She appears well nourished - has quite the round little tummy & chubby little cheeks! Must be all that chocolate I've been enjoying the past few weeks!

The first set of amnio results came back completely normal & confirmed that she is indeed all GIRL! The only results we are waiting on are the achondroplasia results - the lab said to give them 2-3 more days, so Dr. BK said if I don't hear from him next week, to call and ask about them. Even though she has grown in the past 2 weeks, all signs still point to her having the achondroplastic dwarfism.

Dr. BK agrees with Dr. T & said that because Abby Cate is so healthy & strong, I no longer have to visit his office - WHOOOHOOO! Only one dr. to see now! Dr. T will keep an eye on Abby Cate and her progress as well as mine.

Just a couple of things different, but no major concerns today. My fluid levels are a little high. This can cause early labor or premature rupture of membranes (water breaking early), but Dr. T will keep an eye on it and will let me know if there is enough danger to warrant delivering before 39 weeks. The blood flow through the umbilical cord was decreased from 2 weeks ago, but I am told that is normal with a smaller baby.

Right now, we are looking at a scheduled c-section on December 30. We are praying it will not be before Christmas! I had a moment of panic last night when I realized that I have so much left to do before she gets here and so little time!!

So, this week was uplifting in that we had 2 great dr.'s visits! We are still praising the Lord for a healthy baby girl, & are looking forward to meeting our little blessing!

The technician says she has a headache, but I think she is shaking her fist at us!

Sweet little toesies!

Pouting like her big brother!

Mouth open in true "Estep fashion!"

Hoping to have some pictures of the dressed up punkin's later today!

Hard to believe that in roughly 8 weeks our baby girl will be here!!! I thought this pregnancy was dragging by - now it seems as if time is flying, and I have so much to do before she gets here! We don't have a crib for her (we have actually picked out her crib, but just have not purchased it yet), a car seat, or one stitch of clothing - YIKES! lol!

Gradybug is slowly coming out of denial. Sunday morning, he woke up at 6 a.m. (time change has his schedule messed up) & came to our bed - I was trying to go back to sleep so I rolled over with my back to him. I heard him tell Chris "I want to feel Baby Soccer Ball!" Chris kept telling him over and over that mommy & Baby Soccer Ball were sleeping right now. Then I heard him say "Baby Soccer Ball not a boy - her is a girl, right daddy?"

I had an appointment with my OB yesterday. We discussed everything & he feels like he can monitor both mine & babies care from this point forward if the genetics testing comes back showing that the achondroplasia is what we are facing. The baby is clearly healthy and doing exceptionally well - the only abnormalities she shows are small arms/legs. After the tests come back, he is going to make a recommendation that I not return to the specialist and only see him for the remainder of the pregnancy. He will conduct routine ultrasounds and keep check on her progress as well as mine. Sounds good to me - I was not looking forward to seeing 2 different doctors every week for the next 8 weeks!

The dr. also said that he wants to stick with delivering around 39 weeks, which would be the week of Dec 28. We had originally discussed induction on Dec 30, so he said if all goes well & there is no need to deliver earlier, we will likely scheduled the c-section for that day.

I am asked every day "how are you feeling?" I feel great!!! This pregnancy, by far, has been the easiest on my body than either of the my other two. With Skyler, I lived beside the toilet for 5 months & then swelled like the Goodyear Blimp for the last 3 in the summer heat. Not as miserable with Grady, but still sick those first 3-4 months and enduring the heat once again at the end. Although I was not sick (just nauseated) with this pregnancy, I lost about 8 lbs. the first few months & so far, I've only gained 2 lbs. over my pre-pregnancy weight. Other than finally not being able to bend over and put on my own shoes & socks, I feel pretty good!! My dad did ask me last night if I had swallowed a pumpkin! Believe me, it's starting to feel like it! lol!