Nursery sneak peak!

Robbie and I have been working hard on Baby Raybon's nursery and it is finally time to have a little "sneak peak"! There are a few items that have his name on it, so I edited those out! You will get a full viewing when we come home with him NEXT weekend! We went with a classic blue and white theme...

Chest of drawers that his Daddy hand painted

Crib

I won't even go into the trouble we had in making him custom crib bedding. Let's just say it was a huge headache and I am just glad it finally fits!!!

His creative Aunt Katie painted the blue hunting dogs on the right and a few other

personalized items - you will see the others soon!

Love my Stewart and James picture frames!

We are still waiting on the curtains...

Love love love the skirted table and swivel rocker and ottoman

We are so excited to bring our baby home to this special nursery.

Thank you Robbie for letting me make this the nicest room in our home :) HA!

Path report!

I wanted to report the GREAT news that I got my path report back today and all 3 moles came back CLEAR!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!! I am not sure why it took a whole week to get this news, but I am ecstatic!


Robbie and I are going to celebrate all weekend and focus on Baby Raybon's arrival next week :)

I am 38 weeks pregnant today. Here is a picture of me at 37 weeks:

I can't believe he is almost here!

Surgery update

Thank you thank you for your thoughts and prayers over the past week. It means more to me than you can know!

I spent the majority of weekend in bed and off my leg, which was frustrating and uncomfortable since my stomach is so huge! Thank you Robbie for being the BEST husband in the world and taking care of me. He cooked, cleaned, took care of the yard, and even did laundry...how did I get so lucky? I actually got his famous waffles served "breakfast in bed" Sunday morning. He is the best.

Finally by Monday I could walk/hobble around more and each day has gotten better and better. My sweet Mom came Monday to help me and we had fun talking about Baby Raybon's arrival and of course it was great to have her help me recuperate!

I am still waiting on the path report to come back from these 3 spots. Please keep this on your prayer list.

I am about to get out of the house for the first time since Friday and drive myself to the doctor. We will see if she has any news about Baby Raybon!!

What a week!

So much has happened in the past few days I don't know where to begin.

I went to my regular OB appointment on Tuesday and had an ultrasound. She wanted to see Baby Raybon's measurements and estimated fetal weight. The weight is approximate and could be as much as 2 lbs in either direction, but based on his measurements he is 7 lbs and 7 ozs - at 36 1/2 weeks! Wow, what a big boy.

She is more concerned that his head is in the 95th percentile and his abdomen is in the 75th percentile. This leads her to believe he could have shoulder dystocia, which basically means his shoulders could get stuck in a natural delivery. If this happened it would be too late for a c-section and they would have to pull him out, which could led to a broken shoulder, collar bone or extensive nerve damage. Unfortunately, there is no way to know if this is going to happen, but we have to weigh the risks. This is not the first time they have told me he is a big baby - we have known this all along!

Our alternative is to schedule a C-section and eliminate the risk for the shoulder complication. After much thinking and research, Robbie and I think this is the best option. It is a major surgery, which can always have complications, but it eliminates this large risk for our son, which is our main concern.

One day after learning all of this I went for a regular mole check with my dermatologist in Tallahassee. My mind was so occupied with the baby and the c-section I didn't even think he might find more suspicious moles to remove. Well, he did. He found 4. One in particular that he is very concerned about and wants removed right away with a large incision. Because of the urgency of my skin cancer history and because I will be having this baby in a couple of weeks we decided to do surgery right away, so that I could heal before the baby comes.

I went for surgery this morning and the plastic surgeon removed 3 of the moles. (The fourth mole is less of a concern and can come off down the road.) I was VERY lucky that he could fit me in on such short notice. God has truly blessed me with diligent and kind doctors to watch over me. They all get cheesestraws as a reward! The worst part was injecting the numbing medicine, which hurt like heck. I screamed like a baby. I told Robbie that was more evidence that I am not cut out for regular child birth :)

All went well with the surgery and they had me out of there in a little over an hour. Robbie brought me home where I have been laid up in bed ALL afternoon. One of the spots is on my heel, which makes it nearly impossible to walk. Not very good for a 37 week pregnant woman who needs to go to the bathroom every 30 minutes :) But I am managing. I remember from my last surgery the pain is the worst for the first 24 hours then it just gets better and easier. I am thankful I have the weekend for Robbie to take care of me!!

Now I need your prayers that the path report comes back clear so they don't have to take more tissue and I can be cancer free.

That is the Raybon update for the week! Hopefully next week will be much less eventful. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers as we go through this difficult hurdle right before we met our son.

Love,
Frances

Getting closer...

Do you ever wonder what it is like to be 36 weeks pregnant in one of the hottest months of the year?

Let me help explain. It's really really hot, and I am really really swollen. I haven't been able to wear my weddings rings in over a month, and I'm lucky if my feet can fit into plain ole flip flops. I was doing so good going to the YMCA a few times a week and walking away stress and lbs on the treadmill...well I can't remember the last time I paid a visit there. My feet can barely fit into my tennis shoes much less walk this huge body more than 20 minutes or so. My feet are not used to holding up all this weight! Oh, and one word for you - cankles. We will just leave it at that.

I am 36 weeks and 3 days pregnant (not that I am counting). It sounds so close, yet so far away. I could still be another month or it could be today! I know it will go by fast, but I just can't wait! This will all be worth it when I met my son.

I have been blessed with such an easy and enjoyable pregnancy, but I am over it now. I can't get comfortable to sleep or move around well at all. I get my best sleep during the day in hour intervals - maybe God is preparing me for motherhood and middle of the night feedings?

Oh, and no one ever mentions how stuffy pregnancy makes you. I can barely breathe, which makes sleeping impossible. When I do sleep I snore Robbie right out of the room - literally. Fun times. Ok - enough complaining. I just want to document these feelings so I remember what it was like to be pregnant in the summer :)

Fourth of July

We spent the fourth of July in the comfort of our own home! Since we are on baby countdown it just wasn't worth it to travel anywhere to celebrate the holiday. So of course, I made my family come to me! My parents and sister came to visit and see our new house and new town. We had about as many dogs as people as usual :)

We had a great time showing them Thomasville and it actually wasn't as hot as it has been. We went in the cute stores downtown and ate several great meals. I really didn't miss the beach at all - probably because it is so hot! Thanks Mom, Dad and Virginia for coming to visit!

Comparing bellies! I am 35 weeks in this picture.

Me and Robbie before church

Me and Virginia

Me with my parents

Molly, Beau, Belle and Lady sitting for their treat

Robbie with his new grill!

First Atlanta Visitors!

This was actually a few weeks ago, but I am behind in updating my pictures. We had our first out of town vistors drive through Thomasville to see us! Katie, Dan and Samantha dropped in on their way to the beach - so sweet of them!

Here is Samantha with Beau. Maybe this means our dogs will be good with Baby Raybon!

So cute!

Here is my baby bump at 34 weeks. I promise the picture does not to the belly justice - it is HUGE!

and 35 weeks:

more to come...

Nesting

I have heard of this phenomenon called "nesting" that you get during late pregnancy. Apparently you get the urge to clean and organize everything in your house and have bursts of energy to accomplish this task. I have even heard a story of someone scrubbing their shower with a toothbrush (not sure how you can bend over that far with this big of a belly...). Well, I have not gotten the toothbrush out as a cleaning tool yet, but the nesting is definitely kicking in!

We painted Baby Raybon's nursery last week, so we have been busy filling it with precious baby furniture, clothes, diapers, bibs, burp cloths, booties, etc etc. You name it and this child has got it! I have washed and washed getting prepared for this little ones arrival.

Back to nesting - I could not sleep this morning, so I got up at 5:30 and started doing chores. Yes, chores - laundry, folding baby clothes and organizing his closet - not to mention "dustbusting" the house. Robbie got up at 6:30 and thought I had gone insane. He loves a clean house though!

I am 35 weeks today! Wow, that sounds so pregnant. I have GOT to pack my hospital bag! We made one last Atlanta trip last weekend, and I have to say we are pretty ready for the little guy's arrival. I can't wait to meet him!

Happy Fourth of July!

Third Trimester

I have been so busy moving and unpacking I have failed to do a pregnancy post lately! I am 34 weeks pregnant and feeling the weight of this little guy more and more every day. He is big! His movements are getting stronger and some even hurt! It is really really hot ouside. I try to stay indoors as much as possible, but I have to venture out sometimes in this new town of mine! I am still walking for exercise, but I keep it on the treadmill at the YMCA - did I mention that I love the YMCA? I am really behind on belly pictures...I will try to remember to get Robbie to take one this weekend.

Now for some fun lists:

Things not to do when you are 8 months pregnant:

-live in South Georgia
-just kidding, but seriously don't even attempt to go outside during the middle of the day or your hands might burst b/c they are so swollen
-watch the TV show "I didn't know I was pregnant" - that show is really scary and weird
-watch the TV show "A Baby Story" - you are pretty much guaranteed to cry
-attempt to wear your weddings rings b/c of said swollen hands or anything other than flip flops b/c of swollen feet
-research labor and delivery on the internet - there are some really sad and scary stories on the world wide web
-attempt to wear anything that is non-maternity no matter how "big and blousy" it appears on the hanger
-attempt to wear anything maternity that you wore in your first or even second trimester...did I mention how big my belly is?

Things not to say to an 8 month pregnant woman:

-"Do you really need that second bowl of ice cream?"
-"What have you been doing all day?"
-"What have you eaten today?"
-"Wow, you sure are using alot of toilet paper!"
-"You better go get your new driver's license picture taken before you really blow up!"....sweet huh?

Happy Thursday!!

Finally settled!!

This is our new house!!!

We closed on Friday and wasted no time moving in directly after. My sweet parents stayed with us all weekend and helped unpack boxes since I was of little help with a couple of basketballs in the front of my shirt. Here we are exhausted and sweaty Friday night.

Family shot on our front steps

Our spacious and wonderful living room

Love having book shelves!

Breakfast area

The amazing kitchen - I have never imagined so much space!

Thank you Mom for helping me get it organized and unpacked. There are cabinets even I was not able to fill!

The back porch! We will spent many nights cooking out back here! The dogs love it!

We have a ways to go to be completely settled, but I am amazed at how far we got in one weekend. The nursery is up next!!

Moving Day and Profile Picture

Tomorrow is MOVING DAY!!! I could not be more excited about getting settled into our new house! Our boxes are packed, and I am counting down the hours until we close on the house and the moving truck arrives. This time tomorrow I will be relaxing in our new house.

We had a little scare yesterday with our baby boy. I had a doctor appointment and had to take a "non-stress test". His heart rate was not reacting the way the doctor wanted it to, so I had to go to the hospital to do an ultrasound. Everything ended up being ok and we think he may have just been napping. He weighs 4 lbs 10 oz already and is measuring 2 weeks ahead! I don't know if that means he will come early or not....we will have to wait and see.

Now here is a good way to end the week. I have been wanting this profile shot if him the entire pregnancy and he would never cooperate until yesterday! Enjoy! He looks really cute :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBBIE!

My husband turns 29 today, so here are 29 reasons why I love him:
(warning: this might be cheesy, but I blame it on the pregnancy hormones)

1. Because he is working away while I am at the beach relaxing and growing our baby :)

2. Because he still wants to sleep in the bed with me even though I snore (apparently pretty bad) and take up the whole bed using 4 pillows to get comfortable.

3. He thinks I am the prettiest with no make up on.

4. When I am not looking he organizes the refrigerator and puts all the labels facing forward.

5. When he talks to our baby in my belly he teaches him his multiplication tables. He might be the smartest kid to come out of the womb.

6. When we go on a trip he packs the car the night before so we can leave at the crack of dawn.

7. Because he is decisive and I am not.

8. He thinks I am the prettiest girl in the world even with scars from skin cancer all over my body.

9. Because he makes an excel spreadsheet for everything and it is awesome.

10. Because he is the most selfless and generous person I have ever met and has taught me more in the past 2 1/2 years than I have learned in my whole life.

11. Because he was able to tame the spending habits of the biggest shopaholic that I know - ME.

12. He always knows the answers to silly questions that I ask him.

13. He chauffeurs me around and never lets me drive. That may or may not be because I am the worst driver in the world.

14. He is taking care of our puppies - especially Lady who just had surgery - while I am at the beach :)

15. Because he is going to be the BEST Daddy in the world.

16. Because he loves to surprise me and I am the hardest person in the world to surprise.

17. Because he takes my car to put gas in it so that I don't have to do it.

18. How tan he gets in one afternoon in the sun.

19. He loves to cook and is really a better cook than me, but he won't admit it.

20. Because he would drop anything and go anywhere for a friend that needed his help.

21. Because he brings all the groceries in in one trip no matter how many groceries there are.

22. Because he gets up every morning and let the puppies out and feeds them while I sleep.

23. He listens when I casually mention something I want and is the BEST gift giver ever.

24. He is super smart.

25. He can work on a computer all day and never touch the mouse. I make fun of him for it, but I secretly think it's really cool.

26. He goes to Lowe's once a week just out of principle.

27. Because I have gained 30 pounds during this pregnancy but he thinks I am beautiful anyway.

28. Because he tells his son "Good morning" and "Good night" every day!

29. He has made all my dreams come true. I am married, live in South Georgia and we are having a baby! What more could I ask for??

I love you, Robbie!!!

Vacation!!

Baby Raybon and I have been on a much needed vacation in St. Simons for the past week. I can't believe it's been a week since I left home. It feels like 2 days...maybe. I am soooo lucky to be a "stay at home Mom" and be able to enjoy this vacation! Thank you Robbie!

My Mom and I came first and then the whole crowd - Dad, Virginia, Robbie, Crisp and Katie - came for the long weekend! We had great weather and enjoyed a relaxing weekend. We celebrated Robbie and my Dad's birthday, which are this week.

I am getting bigger and bigger and hit the 30 week mark! I can't believe there are only 10 short weeks until I meet my son! We have been eating alot here at the beach, so I have been balancing it out walking on the treadmill every day. I am so lucky to feel good and continue working out. We really haven't done much - our routine consists of sleeping, eating, working out and getting in the pool...and then eating again! Here are a few pictures:

Dad and Mom

Celebrating Robbie and Dad's birthdays! Just one day apart.

Robbie's new boots!

Posing in the new boots

Katie and Crisp

Me and Robbie

Katie, me and Virginia

The Tory Burch girls! We had to take a picture :)

The best part is that we move into our NEW house when I get home!!!!!!

Baby Shower!!

My fabulous friends threw me the best baby shower! It was in Atlanta at one of my best friend's home and the theme was BOY! My new sister-in-law, Katie Gatewood did all the cute and meaningful decorations and took all the pictures - THANK YOU Katie!

It was so much fun to go back to Atlanta since I had moved to Thomasville and see my friends one last time before the baby is born. I was overwhelmed at the wonderful gifts and thoughtfulness of my friends and family. Thank you for such an awesome shower!

My family's old silver baby cups!

Me, Mom and Virginia

Virginia, Mom, me and Katie

28 weeks!

Me and Elizabeth

Silver Chantilly spoon for Baby Raybon!

The hosts: Virginia, Caulie, Elizabeth, me, Sarah, Katie and Libby

The Grandmothers!!