Newborn Pics

Lyla did absolutely amazing during her newborn pictures today. I cannot wait to see them. Shea did such an excellent job. She is so creative. Lyla looked precious! She didn't even fuss until the very end. It will be about a week before we get the pictures back. Shea will set up an online slideshow for friends and family to view. Once I get the address for it I will post it for all to see. Maybe I am a little bias, but Lyla's pictures are going to be absolutely adorable.

As for Dan and I, adjusting to having a baby in the house has been easy. She is starting to stay awake more often, and it seems like she is following us with her eyes. She watched Dan's hand move across her face, and she turned her head and eyes to follow. The things we get excited about are so little, but it is so much fun when she does something new.

I want to say thanks to all of our family and friends that have given us support this past week. All the food and visits have been awesome. It's been so helpful and the company has been great. Thanks again!

More pictures of our little lovebug

Lyla Kate

She's Here!

Finally!!!! April 22, 2009 was the greatest day of our lives. It was definitely worth all the wait. Lyla was born 7 lbs 7 oz and 19 1/2 inches long. She is absolutely perfect. We are such proud parents. When we left the hospital she weighed 7lbs and then we went to the doctor today and she was back to 7lbs 4 oz. Doctor said everything looked great! It was such a relief to know that she is doing well. It has been so easy adjusting to being parents. It is definitely exhausting, but totally worth it when she looks at you with her big beautiful eyes. It's still hard to believe she is here. We look forward to all the precious memories we will make during her life.

So I have to talk about our first adventure out of the house. This morning we had her very first doctors appointment. It was at 8:30 and we left the house at 8. We had plenty of time to get there. We drove off and I realized neither of us had our cell phones, so we turned around and went back to the house. No big deal. To our surprise though, we had forgotten to put the house key back on the key ring after giving it to his dad to feed the dogs while in the hospital. So now here we are at about 8:10 with no cell phones and locked out of our house. Awesome. We decide we will worry about it later and call someone once we're at the doctor's office. We start down Riverside Drive and of course there is a powerline in the street so we get detoured around. You would think they would detour us to where we would come out far enough down Riverside, but they just made us do a big U-turn that took an extra 5 minutes. We decide to go the interstate now and of all things the gas light comes on. We probably could have made it, but we stop to fill up anyway to be safe. In the meantime during all of this we called On-Star and they helped us out. They connected us to Dan's Dad so he could get into our house for us. Thank the Lord for On-Star. It made us feel better knowing we could get in our house now. Finally, we get to Premier 15 minutes late...what a first trip out as new parents. It was all okay when we heard she was doing great. :) I'm sure we will look back on this day someday and laugh at ourselves.

Redbud Tree

We are actually getting a tree to plant in the backyard for Lyla. Dan's uncle who lives in Columbia, TN does some landscaping on the side, and he is giving us a redbud tree to celebrate her birth. He called to tell us he had found one that was 8 foot tall and 2 inches around. He means business! It is going to be such a nice addition to our backyard. She will be here before we know it!

6 days and counting...

6 more days until Dan and I are parents....scary! I went to the doctor yesterday and everything was looking good. We are still on for Wednesday. I can tell Lyla is getting bigger because it's really starting to hurt when she moves around. I can tell she is trying to stretch out by pushing her feet and head out at the same time. My stomach truly looks creepy when she does this. I don't blame her though, I wouldn't want to be stuck in a V position with my feet in my face for 9 months. On another note, TCAP is almost over! My kids have done a really good so far. I know it's exhausting for them. I am exhausted just watching them. I bet it doesn't help that I'm 38 weeks pregnant trying to walk around and monitor. I'm looking forward to tomorrow being my last day until next year. Kinda strange to think about I survived my first year teaching. I would not suggest to others trying to teach your first year and be pregnant. It was definitely tiring at times. I made it though, thank goodness. I have another doctors appointment on Tuesday, so if anything changes I will keep you updated. I'm almost a MOM...agghhh!

Pregnancy Slideshow

Countdown!

The countdown is on! Only 10 more days until Lyla Kate Stephens will be born. She will be born on April 22, 2009. AKA: Earth Day. Dan has already talked about how we have to plant a tree for her. How silly are we! We can't wait for that day. I'm getting a little nervous though knowing it is so soon. I am scheduled for a C-section at 1 that day because she is breech. Oddly enough I am ok with this. I think it's nice knowing for sure what day she will arrive. I won't have to sit and wait for contractions to start. I will try to update this blog as much as possible so you can keep up with our new family! Keep checking back :)