Good Timing

Well, when I did my post about Ainsley's baby shower I said to consider those my 31 week pics. Then I went on to say I will post my 32 week pics once we got our maternity pics back because we took them at 32 weeks. If you do the math...we had our maternity pics done at 32 weeks which ended up being...THE WEEKEND BEFORE AINSLEY ARRIVED! Let's just say that was good timing or else we would not have these beautiful pictures to enjoy of my (what little did we know) last days of being pregnant. We were so lucky that it worked out that way. I gave the photographers a list of dates that worked best for us so hopefully some would work for them too. We took these pictures Easter weekend which happened to be the very earliest date I had on the list of dates. I am so thankful to Shane and Natalie Ivey for taking so much time out of their Saturday afternoon and doing this for us. Shane and Natalie are good family friends of ours and they did such a great job at capturing moments for us to be able to enjoy forever. Even though Brantley and I were probably a little bit difficult to photograph. Let's just say Brantley and I can't exactly laugh on cue. But it was fun and we enjoyed spending some time with Shane and Natalie. These pictures were taken at Shane's parents beautiful home. I'm working on the story of Ainsley's arrival. It takes a lot of time and there are a TON (like hundreds) of pictures to choose from. So, just keep checking back and maybe one day I will surprise you and it will be posted! Haha. Most of you are probably already aware of what happened anyways.

Quick Ainsley update:

She has started taking a bottle for all of her feedings (instead of being fed through the feeding tube). Developmentally babies do not start the "suck, swallow, breathe" method they need to be fed and handle a bottle or breastfeeding correctly until they are 35 weeks. It takes too much energy and wears them out if they do not have the process down and that is why they are tube fed. Well, she turned 35 weeks this past Saturday and surprised us the other day when we walked in and she was downing a bottle. Just the night before, when we were there, she could have cared less about the bottle and they ended up tube feeing her. This is a HUGE deal because it is the last thing she must accomplish before she can come home. But there is still certain criteria she must meet, like taking only bottles for feedings, 2-3 days straight, in less than 20 minutes each feeding. That kinda thing. I'm about to head to the hospital in a few minutes to see her, so maybe we will hear some good news. We are hoping only a day or 2 more and she will get to come home! Also, she is almost back to her birth weight as of last night. She now weighs 4 lbs. 6.5 oz. Half a ounce from her birth weight! At one point she dropped below 4 lbs. Anyways, she is doing well and maybe you will get an update soon that she is home. Cross your fingers!

She just couldn't wait to meet us!

We are proud to introduce our precious baby girl!

~Ainsley Sue Pearce~

April 14th at 2:55 a.m.

4 lbs. 7 oz.

17 in. long

Day 1

Day 5

Check back soon for the story of Ainsley's arrival along with LOTS of pictures!

Ainsley is Loved

First things first. For my own record keeping (and for those of you who care), here are some of the stats from my doctor's appointment a week and a half ago (3/24/10).

~30.5 Weeks~

Ainsley's Heart Rate: 148-153

Weight gained since last appointment (4 weeks prior): 1 pound

Total Weight Gain: 14 pounds

I was so anxious to see how much weight I'd gained since my last appointment because I've been eating SO much more than normal (and not "good for me" nutritious food either). I get so hungry at night and want to sit there and eat when we are watching our shows. To my surprise, I only gained 1 lb. I could not believe it, but I'll take it! Also, my blood pressure was great and Dr. Draughn confirmed that I passed my glucose test and I do not have anemia. So that was all good news too! My next appointment was scheduled for 3 weeks (from that visit) and then I will be going every 2, which by then will be only one time before I start going every week! If that makes any sense. Anyways, on to the fun stuff...

Last weekend my Mom and I headed to Memphis for my first baby shower. I was so excited to see everyone! It was a really great turn out and friends did a FABULOUS job preparing for it. The decorations were so cute and the theme was perfect: Precious Moments. I used to collect Precious Moments growing up. Mrs. Denise, Erin, and Kelsey know me so well! I also got a taste of Muddie's cupcakes, which I've heard about from several people. They were definitely delicious. Thanks Kara and Morgan! I enjoyed my shower so much and hated that I didn't get to talk with people even more. It's difficult being the person whose shower it is because there is so much going on and you don't feel like you get to see everyone or talk to them much. It was especially hard because these are people I don't see very often and they were there for me. It kinda made me feel bad. But I'm at least thankful that they all came and even if it was for a short while I was able to see their faces. Everyone was so thoughtful and showed both Ainsley and I much love. I thank God for placing such wonderful people in my life.

Below are pics from my shower and other baby items we have received over the last 6 months or so. It's so fun having all of this adorable stuff for my baby girl. She will be one styling little chic! Also, consider these pics to be my 31 week belly shots. I will get around to posting 32 week pictures at some point. Brantley and I had some maternity pictures taken this weekend and when I am able to I will post some of those. They are going to be great!

Ainsley's car seat and stroller travel system I picked out a while back. We were so thankful to get it for Christmas from Brantley's parents! So that is why you may see our Christmas tree up in the background. I promise it's not still up right now! I absolutely LOVE it. Thanks Kenneth and Patty! We can't wait to use it to bring our sweet baby girl home!

Test drive around the house with Bella. She wasn't a big fan of this, but went along with it.

High chair that matches my car seat and stroller, from Mimi and Papa.

The guest book at my shower was a Precious Moments book. What a cute idea!

I LOVE all of the pink EVERYWHERE!

Cute corsage made from baby socks

Sporting my Pink

Morgan and Me

Kara and Me

Tatum (my cousin)

Ashley and Rebecca

Shannon

(A mentor of mine throughout jr. high/high school.)

Kelly

(We are due the same week both with girls!)

Erin

Erin was my Maid-of-Honor over five years ago now. The day of my wedding shower at church she was really sick and was not able to be at it and sit by me and be my gift "record keeper". I'm so thankful she was there to do it this time.

Shedding some tears...from the get-go!

Of course the VERY FIRST gift I open was a tear jerker. It was from my Mimi and she had written me a little note that said to open the card first. Inside the note was written, "I hope you enjoy dressing your little girl in these as much as I enjoyed dressing your mother in them."

(*Insert waterworks here*)

I lost it. Then my Mom lost it. And Erin shared with everyone why were losing it.

What an amazing, special, most memorable gift I could have ever asked for. Included were three dresses with slips and a baby bonnet. They are still in perfect condition (which anyone who knows Mimi would not be the least bit surprised about) and exactly the same taste I have in baby clothes today. Classic and simple. I am most excited about dressing Ainsley in these dresses, showing her off, and taking lots of pictures of her wearing them! And hopefully one day being able to pass them on to her and share with her why they are so special.

Blanket from my Mom. She gave a good family friend a blue one recently for her baby boy and I was in love with it! She came across a pink one and got one for me too. I LOVE baby blankets and this one feels heavenly and is perfect for Spring/Summer/Fall.

The Pack-n-Play, from Grandma and Grandpa.

Our bassinet/cradle and baby monitor, from Nanny and Grandad.

Thanks to Mrs. Denise, Erin, and Kels I finally got my crib mobile. What a great surprise! I had mentioned to Kelsey a while back it was one piece of the nursery set I loved, but would probably not get to buy. This will definitely help in completing my nursery!

"God's Little Princess Lullabies" CD

Baby blanket made by Ashley. This will be a great play/floor blanket!

Crafty Kelsey

Kelsey is who helped us get started with the process of refinishing the dresser for the nursery. She is so creative and everything she does turns out so cute! She made Ainsley this picture frame for her nursery using the same colors we did on the furniture.

Precious Pink Sweater (with a story of course)...

My brother and Emily got married at a little historical Church of Christ, Owen Chapel, here in Nashville back in February. It's a one room church that has been around for 150 years. A sweet older lady, Ms. Margaret, is who runs events at the church and books any weddings. She has an amazing life story of her own. I met her for a couple of hours last Fall when we went to take a look at the church. A couple of months later she called my mom to let her know she had something for her. Ms. Margaret had crocheted her a baby blanket. She does makes these blankets for a charity and wanted to make my mom one too. Next thing you know a few months later, she called my mom to let her know she had something for me. She had crocheted this pink baby sweater and my mom wrapped it and brought it for me to open at the shower! It is the most precious thing ever! What a sweet thoughtful lady.

Game Time!

We played a really cute game where I had to take a roll of toilet paper and wrap it around the largest part of my belly. I tore off where it ended and counted how many squares long it was. Then everyone else had to wrap it around their waists and (after increasing the size) guess from their waists how many squares long they thought I was. There was a variety of answers, but the final winner was Erin Coley! I was 11 toilet paper squares around and she was the only one to guess correctly.

I think Mom had 15 and 1/2 (she was a tad bit off!)

Group Shot! (Minus a few that had to leave a little early.)

Ashley, Reena, Me, Erin, Morgan, and Coley

Mrs. Denise ("Nonny"), Cole, and Mom

Ainsley and her (future) friend/boyfriend/husband, Cole, Erin's precious baby boy. He and Ainsley will be about 10 months apart. Erin and I have always been determined to be part of the same family, since we practically have been already. We believe now's our chance! I'll get back to ya in about 20 years and let you know how it's going.

Life-Long Friends

I have known these girls their whole lives. I say THEIR whole lives because I was born first. My Mom and Dad took me to the hospital to meet Erin when she was born and I was only 1 and 1/2 months old. And Kelsey and Michael are only 6 days apart. We have gone on many family vacations together, made many memories, and grew up within at least five minutes from each other at all times. What a special a friendship I have with these girls. They are like sisters to me. Thank you for providing me with such a wondeful shower! It was such a special day for Ainsley and me!

"The Loot in the Living Room"

And yes it is still there and will be until I don't feel so overwhelmed and can figure out what to do with all of it! But it's not all spread out like this anymore. That was just for the picture.

Thank you to all who have provided our family with such wonderful gifts to kickstart our lives as new parents. We could not be more grateful. You all hold special places in our hearts. We love you all and cannot wait for Ainsley Sue to meet you!