Keeping Up with the Jones'

Wow - it's been 2 full weeks since I posted last! Time is flying by so quickly I can barely keep my composure. Alvin and I are so excited about Camille's upcoming arrival. We've been very busy getting her room ready:-) At this point - Camille is about the size of a durian. I'll be honest and say that I've never heard of this in my life - but I know google has the answer! The durian is a fruit primarily grown in Southeast Asia and is referred to as the "king of fruits." It's sort of like a pineapple! Camille weighs somewhere between 4.2 and 5.8 lbs and is about 17.2 to 18.7 inches long. She may grow up to a full inch this week!  Camille is now keeping her eyes open while awake. She's starting to coordinate breathing while sucking and swallowing. Her bones are hardening. Camille's brain is becoming more and more developed. She's going to be one smart baby! Here is a video of Camille in action! This past weekend was also really ex...

Well - we had the experience of a lifetime on Saturday! We got to see Camille!!!!! We had a 3D/ 4D ultrasound and it was absolutely amazing. The pictures and videos were just soooo vivid and unreal. I'm making copies of the DVD to send to the grandparents - they are all so excited. Here's one of her pictures that just cracks me up - her elbows are pointing out as if her hands are over her ears! It will be interesting to see if she does this when she comes out the womb because a LOT of her poses looked like this. Hubby and I have been watching the DVD over and over again! Still in disbelief. I just LOVE LOVE LOVE her - can't wait to hold her in my arms. Camille is about the size of a pineapple - which happens to be one of my favorite fruits! She's about 15.2 to 16.7 inches and 2.5 to 3.8 lbs. All 5 of Camille's senses are fully developed. She's going through serious brain development now and eye development too. Her irises are now reacting to light.  Momm...

Camille is about the size of a cucumber! She is around 15.2- to 16.7-inches long and 2.5- to 3.8-pounds. She continues to grow! At this point - her skin is getting smoother. Her brain is getting wrinklier to make way for all that essential brain tissue. She's now strong enough to grasp a finger. I had my 29 week appointment last week which went really great. Now I will start going to the dr. on a bi-weekly basis. Also - we had a really exciting weekend....my baby shower in Louisiana! The baby shower in Louisiana was so beautiful - I'm so thankful for my hostesses (Constance, Valerie & Brooke) for hosting such a beautiful event. We had a wonderful time and were so happy that so many of our family & friends were able to attend. Camille is one lucky little girl - she got a lot of really really cute stuff. I spent yesterday putting away everything and taking things off my registry to avoid duplicates.   Here are a few pictures:

Camille is about the size of an acorn squash. She is measuring about 15.2 to 16.7 inches long. Right now, she weighs somewhere between 2.5 & 3.8 lbs - but she's got a long way to go. I can't believe that she will nearly triple in weight before she's born. It just doesn't seem like there's enough room in there. I'm wondering - how big will my stomach get! Her muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and her head is getting bigger to accommodate her growing brain - which is busy developing billions of neurons. Every day, about 200 milligrams of calcium is deposited in our baby's skeleton, which is now hardening.   As for me - I'm doing OK. I can tell that my energy level is dropping a bit. I'm a lot more tired than I used to be. Also - I feel like Camille is stomping on my bladder so I'm constantly running to the bathroom. AND - not to mention the back pains. I probably need a really good massage, but I actually hate getting massages. I ...

Whoo - hoo! We're finally here. The third (and final) trimester! Camille is putting on layers of fat. She's about the size of an egg plant. She weighs in around 1.5 to 2.5 pounds and measures about 13.6 to 14.8 inches. She will keep getting bigger -- and smarter -- after week 28, and other than that, she just needs a few more finishing touches. Camille is  quite the busy body. She's always moving around, kicking, and it feels like she's punching me from the inside sometimes! It's unlike anything I've ever felt before! I have my 29 week check up on Tuesday, October 2. After that I will start going to the doctor every 2 weeks and then when I hit 36 weeks I'll go every week. I can't believe how fast this time is passing by.  Also - my baby showers are coming up during the month of October. I am anxious and so thankful that my friends are doing this for me. This is also a very bittersweet time because my dear friend Martha will not be here ...

I married the man of my dreams - Alvin Howard Jones, Jr. On the day that we married, I was filled with so much love; I didn't think it was possible to love him any more. Well - I was wrong (for once)...I love him more today than I did four years ago. He is truly the best part of my life. The last 4 years have been the best 4 years. We have gone through a lot and have had some truly amazing times. Alvin has exposed me to some new things and I've experienced a lot of "firsts" with him. He has been there for me during the happiest times and saddest times of my life. When good things happen to me - I can't wait to share them with him. It feels like it didn't really happen until I tell him. We never run out of things to talk about!  I am so excited to move into this next chapter of my life with Alvin as parents! Today, I'm 28 weeks & 4 days pregnant. Camille will be one lucky girl to have a father like Alvin. I have no doubt that he will be the best fathe...

I've missed a few weeks of writing as there has been a lot going on. I have been dealing with the untimely, unfortunate passing of my dearest friend Martha Fondel Smith. I received a call on 9/14 from her husband that she suffered a stroke. I flew down the next morning to see her. Nothing could have prepared me for what I saw. The person who has been more like a sister to me than a friend for the past 15 years, who has stood by me through thick and thin was laying in a hospital bed not able to breathe on her own and showing no signs of any brain activity. Martha's husband Tony & her family made the decision to let her go - so on Saturday evening my sweet sweet friend went on to be with the Lord. This has been absolutely devastating to me as I don't have many memories over the years that don't include her. She was my trusted a confidante and I was hers. We stood up for each other in our weddings - we got married in the same year only a few months apart. Martha ha...