Some pictures...

Here is a hodge-podge of pictures. I realized that there really aren't any pictures of me and Devin on here. We are still married. So, here are some classics as well as some newbies.

Some thoughts...

So I was looking at some other blogs and I am way behind the 8-ball. Many people write on their blogs several times in a month - I, on the other hand, can only seem to write once a month. Maybe now that I am home full time, I will be able to write a little more. I need to keep others updated on our lives and document Reagan's changes.

We are surviving life as the new little Garofalo family. Winnie is getting used to being the big sister dog, but has been sending herself to bed at night when she's just had enough. Sometimes I wish I could do that...well, a lot of the time. Of all of the changes that come with a new baby, I think the lack of sleep is the hardest. We've been trying to get on a schedule a la Becoming Baby Wise. I guess Reagan is still too little to go the whole night without getting up to eat, so we'll see what the coming weeks bring.

At her one month appointment, Reagan wighed 8 lbs. 15 oz. Devin and I both think she is getting bigger, so I predict a 10 lb. + weigh in the beginning of November. Care to place your bet?

My sister got married last weekend and it was great to see some friends and family that we don't get to see very often. The weather was beautiful - October is such a great month to get married! Dee-Dee and Michael came back into town tonight from their honeymoon and will rise early tomorrow to start their trek to Mesa. Maybe once Reagan gets to be a little older we'll be able to fly into town for a visit.

A funny story that came out of her wedding day happened at her reception. Todd and I were talking to our cousin's husband and he casually mentioned that Paul Stanley from Kiss was in the art gallery downstairs at the Galleria. Todd and I booked it, and sure enough, there was Paul selling his art. We didn't get to talk to him or buy any art (I didn't have a spare $15,000 with me), but it was pretty stinkin' cool to see him so up close and personal.

Reagan was a trooper during a long 2 days for a 5 week old. I'm sure her arm pits are a little tender from everyone passing her around during the festivities.

So, Devin and I were talking that we need to be sure to have a date night now that our totally alone time is a dim memory. Let me know if you can think of any fun ideas.

Here she is...

...Our new little miss. Reagan Lee Garofalo was born on Monday, September 8th at 7:20 pm. She weighed 7 lbs. 6 1/2 oz. and was 19 1/2 inches long. We came home on September 11th and I'm starting to get into the swing of things...thanks to lots of help from Reagan's daddy and Granbonnie.

I had a C-section after an hour and a half of pushing - she was stuck. Everything ended up ok and she came out screaming. After two weeks of no driving and limited trips up and down the stairs, I'm feeling just fine. Winnie is adjusting well, too! I can't believe how great Devin has been through all of this. He wasn't the least bit squeemish during a long delivery day and has been lots of help since Reagan's arrival.

Tick Tock Tick Tock...

I don't have a picture to accompany this post, but maybe I'll add one before the end of the weekend.
So...my one friend was due on the 13th and had her baby on August 28th. My cousin was supposed to be induced on Monday, like me, and had her baby on the 3rd of September. I, however, still wait. I guess I can't complain since I do get to go eight days ahead of schedule. For the past week I have been anxious to get the show on the road and nothing. Hey, it happened naturally for them, so why not me, too? Today I went to pre-register at the hospital and the nurse informed me that they were full - no beds at all! Anytime there is a drop in barometric pressure (i.e. Hurricane Hanna) ladies go into labor left and right. She also told me that my doctor was going to go out of town this weekend for the first time in a long time. I hope this isn't the kiss of death for me. Any other day this week would have been fine. Now I'll be rushed to the hospital in driving rain and they won't have a bed for me and my doctor won't be there. Let's hope not! No contraction yet...
I'll admit, I am nervous. I've never done this before. And if you know me very well at all you know that I fear change. Anytime a big change has occurred I've fretted about it ahead of time, but once the actual day came, I have been alright. That's what I'm expecting for Monday. Life is definitely about to change.
Stay tuned...

Lady in Waiting...

I am being induced on September 8th if this baby doesn't decide to come sooner. That will be a day before my 39th week, so not too early. I have been retaining water like a champ, so the doctor is going to give me some relief...God bless her.

It is, however, sinking in that Devin and I are going to be parents in almost a week. Holy cow! I don't know how ready anyone is for their first baby, so I guess we're as ready as we'll ever be.

Of course, we'll keep you posted on the happenings in the Garofalo home. Keep your fingers crossed that things go well for us.

Here's a sonogram I had at 35 weeks. They said she is measuring a little big - another reason for my Sept. 8th delivery.

Enjoy! And check out those cheeks!

The Dog Daze of Summer!

Could it be any hotter in Virginia in the summer?! (especially when you're 8 months pregnant!) I've been a fan of summer over the years, but never the heat. I especially LOATHE the heat this year. I'm counting down the days 'til September when I can have this baby. (34 weeks tomorrow) Give me three cheers for early babies! I know...I know, there's a little ways to go. Maybe we're not totally "ready" (then again, who is?) for a baby, but I think we're both ready for this pregnancy to be over. Devin is probably sick and tired of hearing me complain. I really am trying to be good about it. Sigh...

I had two showers and threw one for my sister this past weekend. (Still wondering what I'm going to wear to her wedding.) Here are a few pictures. (No, Robin and I did NOT wear the same shirt on purpose. It is a popular one for pregnant ladies this year.) Do you think I'll ever be able to wear a belt again? Or get rid of my ever expanding chins and arm fat? I'm excited to note that my gym (which I promise I'll start going to...really) offers a hip hop cardio class. Now that could be fun.

Stay tuned for the next entry. I will try to sound more positive in that one.

Here's What's Happening in MY Neck of the Woods...

(I hope you recognized that title from the Today Show)

Here it is June 24th...and I am unemployed! Can you believe it?! Friday the 13th was my last day with students and I went in last week to tie up loose ends. This is my first full week of total and complete domestic bliss. Well, sort of.

Some of the other English teachers threw me my first baby shower on June 10th. It was really nice and we had some great food and got some pretty awesome gifts. They bought an ice cream cake...oh so clever! It came in handy since it was 103 degrees that day. No lie! I will include a picture of the cake, but not of me. If you remember Pee Wee's Big Adventure I'm tending to resemble Large Marge lately! I know we're our own worst critic, but please...I'm HUGE! What in the world will late August and early September bring?! Tall women are lucky when it comes to the whole pregnancy/body image with baby thing.

All in all, I'm feeling really good. I can't complain at all. The last time I went to the doctor (3 weeks ago) everything looked great. I measured just where I should be and the baby's heart rate and my blood pressure were perfect. I have had some swollen feet, but only a hand full of times. I am in my third trimester now, so I guess we've reached the home stretch. After my next visit, I start dropping in every two weeks. The second trimester is WAY faster than the first.

Today I put the changing table and bouncy seat together. No idle hands around here! The swing made it out of the box, but not anywhere near put in once piece. Maybe I'll save that pleasure for Devin. (The bouncy seat and swing were both gifts from my school shower. Pretty awesome, huh?)

Other June tidbits:

~My sister got engaged on the 1st. She is planning an October 11th wedding.

~My cousin graduated from high school and we made the trip to Giles County to attend the ceremony and cook out.

~We celebrated Father's Day in Vienna with Dad and Grandaddy

~Mom had a birthday on the 20th which we celebrated on Father's Day

~The end of this week I will make my 26th (yes, you do the math) trip to Roanoke for the Miss Virginia Pageant. What a great summer tradition!

Stay tuned for more summer fun!

I hope you like the lovely picture Devin took of my belly while I was watching t.v. the other day. The sad part is, I'm not sure I knew you could see my stomach. Not to worry, I don't walk around showing off my mid section. Never have, never will. This is probably the only time any of you will ever really see it. (Unless I have a bikini body next summer that is! ;) )