Keeping Up with the Jones'

Well, it's been a while since I've written and there is LOTS to talk about. Camille made her entrance to this world 10 days before her expected due date. She was born on December 6, 2012 @ 8:35 am. She was 6 lbs/ 7 oz and 19 inches long. I'll recount my labor story or try to remember it as best as I can from my "foggy" memory! Tuesday, December 4 was my last day at work. Boy was I uncomfortable on that day!!!! I had no idea that labor was on the horizon. I had gone to the doctor the previous week and had not dilated any, so if anything I expected that Camille would be late (not early). On the night of 12/4 around 1 am, I started having contractions. At first I thought they were Braxton Hicks, so I didn't bother waking Alvin. I looked on line and through my materials from our childbirth class to read up on Braxton Hicks vs. Real Contractions. The contractions continued occurring and had started getting stronger and stronger and occurring every 4 -6 minutes. A

Last week I had an internal exam at the doctor and there was no dilation whatsoever. I have had very sporadic contractions (nothing worth counting or mentioning). So - I'm wondering - when will Camille make her debut? Gosh, I know that I still technically have 2 more weeks until the due date - but she has MY full permission to make her debut a bit earlier. It's been so uncomfortable lately. AND my ankles are so swollen they look like baseballs and my feet are so swollen that my toes look like sausages. I have to actually elevate my feet to see them these days! I have a feeling that she'll stay in there past the due date - not sure why, but I don't think she's coming anytime soon. My nerves are so bad - I can't wait to meet her! As for her room - it's so done. I'm so excited about it. I was looking for a small table to place next to my glider. I found it on Thursday night! It's a small round pink table which is very very close to the shade of pink o

We're pretty excited to have reached the 37 week mark. At this point - Camille is considered full term which means that she's developed her most crucial functions. Of course, she’ll get even healthier and stronger over the next few weeks, so we're not getting too impatient. Oh and my nesting instinct has kicked in full force. I've been busy getting the house ready for Camille!  Camille is about the size of a winter melon! She likely measures around 18.9 to 20.9 inches and weighs about 6.2 to 9.2 pounds. She's gaining about 1/2 ounce each day - I feel like I'm gaining about a pound day. I feel huge and totally uncomfortable. I have had a few contractions - they have been pretty isolated so there's no real pattern yet. I have my regular appointment coming up on Tuesday.   She's practicing some skills: inhaling, exhaling, sucking, gripping, and blinking! She's also getting her first sticky poop (called meconium) ready for her first diaper. 

Thanksgiving was really wonderful. This was the first year since Alvin & I have been married that we spent Thanksgiving alone - just the 2 of us. All of our families are holding out until Camille arrives before coming down and being that I'm 36 weeks pregnant - not a great idea for us to travel! I prepared cornish hens, cornbread dressing, yams, peas, banana pudding, and freshly squeezed lemonade with mint leaves. The meal was absolutely wonderful - just ask my hubby....LOLOL. After we ate, I slept for what seemed like forever. I think I must have slept for maybe 4 hours. I was really tired and I needed the rest.   My banana pudding - which is always a a huge hit! Cornish Hens & Dressing We have SO much to be thankful for and I firmly believe that Thanksgiving is not just a day - it should be a way of life. I'm thankful for the people in my life and the life growing inside me. So grateful that God is blessing us with one of his children.  I certa

Well, the countdown is really on now! I am now going to see my ob every week. At last week's check up - she said I hadn't dilated any which was a little bittersweet. I certainly realize the longer she stays in the better off she'll be - but gosh I just can't wait to meet her! PLUS - (I know this may sound selfish) I am starting to feel so uncomfortable and omigod I'm so tired. I'm just ready to feel like "myself" again and meet my daughter. I'm hanging in there though. She is moving SO much these days. Also, she's in a "head-down" position which is absolutely wonderful.....so that means the chances of a cesarean are extremely low. I'm so happy about this. At the end of this week, Camille will be considered full-term. Oh and I went to a breast feeding class on Saturday. It was extremely informative. I'm very excited about breast feeding. I hope that everything goes well with that process. It's actually quite involved and

Another week has passed. OMG. Our little princess will be here in around 34 days (give or take).  Camille is about 17.2 to 18.7 inches. She won't get much longer, but she's plumping up. She's somewhere between 4.2 and 5.8 pounds and will put on a pound or more of baby fat before birth. She's about the size of a coconut. Her hearing is fully developed too. Her kidneys are fully developed and her liver can process some waste products. As for Mommy & Daddy - we're gearing up and getting ready for her! I packed our hospital bag this weekend. The car seat is all assembled. FINALLY picked out paint colors. Gosh, who knew there could be so many different shades of pink! We settled on the swatch below which is called "Powder Pink" - the trim and chair rail will be painted an Antique White. We're still waiting on confirmation from our painter, but hopeful he can be here this weekend to complete the work. I'm starting to get antsy! Oh and we got th

Another wonderful week anticipating the arrival of Camille!!!! We had so much activity the weekend of the baby shower - I think it took me all of last week to fully recuperate. I spent Friday between Babies 'R Us & Target returning duplicate gifts, getting more stuff, and analyzing the importance of things like bottle warmers, wipe warmers, humidifiers, etc. So thankful for great friends who provided such valuable insight because sometimes I feel like I don't have a clue! Alvin & I were up until about 3 am on Friday night...washed all of Camille's clothes/ blankets/ bedding and put everything away. Boy that was a chore. I finally have her room situated exactly as I want it - well almost! Next steps are to get the walls painted, install the chair rail, install lighting, and pick up my chair/ ottoman from Babies R Us. My chair arrived, but still waiting on the matching ottoman. We should have the nursery complete the weekend before Thanksgiving. We spent all day (9

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

Hmmmm I just realized I missed writing during the 25th week:-(  Camille is about the size of a head of lettuce. She's about 13.6 - 14.8 inches long and weighs between 1.5 and 2.5 lbs. Her eyes are forming and will soon start to open AND she has eye lashes. I sure hope she has hubby's eyelashes - he has dark & long eye lashes:-) She's getting her immune system ready for life on the outside by socking up my antibodies. Camille is also taking breaths too - it's just amniotic fluid, but it's great practice.    Last week we went in for my 25 week check up. The next time I go will be 29 weeks - then we'll start going every 2 weeks and then every week. This time is passing so quickly I can barely keep track of everything. Camille's heartbeat was beating very strong and rapidly. I took the glucose tolerance test - it's a test for gestational diabetes. I found out on Friday that I do NOT have gestational diabetes - thank God!  I had trouble sleeping

Camille is about the size of a cantaloupe. She's measuring 10.5 - 11.8 inches long and weighs about 12.7 to 20.8 oz. Each week she's getting closer and closer to being ready to survive (and thrive!) in the outside world. Her see - through skin is gradually becoming more opaque and has a new pink glow thanks to the small capillaries that have recently formed.  Her brain is also growing quickly now, and her taste buds are continuing to develop. Her lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help her air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. Last week was a pretty low key week for us. Work is work - at this point I'm having a very hard time concentrating on anything that isn't baby related. This past weekend was our chapter retreat - it was a lot of fun, but boy was I tired. When I got back home, my ankles were EXTREMELY