Baby Boland (Bo) has arrived

The past few days have been a whirlwind but we are happy to announce Baby Boland Joseph Woodworth has arrived. He came May 26th, 2009, weighing in at 7lbs 11ounces, and 21.5 inches long.
The journey began Tuesday morning at 3:30am with Mommy waking Daddy up announcing that her water had broke. Since it wasn't like the movies where a puddle just showed up, it was hard for us to know if it really was her water breaking or not. After laying back down for 30mins or so and with water still leaking out, we called the doctor. They said yep get to the hospital. We gather our pre-packed suitcase. Daddy ate a bowl of cereal thinking it was going to be a long day while Mommy sent in her sub plans as she still had 4 more school days left.
When we arrived to the Missouri Baptist Hospital, they quickly gave us a room after realizing Mommy was still "leaking" a little. It was about 5:30 when they hooked Mommy up with an IV. This whole time she wasn't really feeling contractions so they hooked her up with pitocin. It took awhile for this to kick in but when it finally did, boy did it. Mommy was a true champ. It wasn't until about 11am when she was 7cm dialated that the pain was too much to handle. They hooked her up with a epidural which also took awhile to kick in. At about 4pm, Mommy was given another exam and was 9.5cm dialated so she was real close. I think the hospital was very busy with other Mommies giving birth because the nurse did not spend a lot of time in the room. Luckily, we had a lot of support from the family.
Finally at 6pm, Mommy was ready to begin pushing. Mommy was the bravest and strongest that I have ever seen her. After about 45mins of pushing, we were given the cutest baby in the world. He is healthy and Mommy is doing really well.
I would just like to thank Mommy once again for everything she did to carry you for 9 months and especially going through the labor. She did an awesome job and I can never thank her enough for making us a happy family. We look forward to the adventure of raising Baby Bo.

Week 37

Well, I have made it 37 weeks! Yes, I have been looking forward to the end for a long time....just anxious to meet the baby! This pregnancy thing is nothing like I imagined. I guess I watched too many movies --- thinking I would get to eat all the ice cream I wanted and just enjoy being fat. Well, that idea is long gone. Being pregnant is hard work! I still have no idea how my grandmother was pregnant 11 times!! Maybe I will understand after the baby is born.....

Today was my 37 week check up and the doctor was very excited about my progress. I am now 1 1/2 - 2 cm dilated and 80% effaced. The second number means the lining of my cervix has thinned out greatly. The doctor said this is huge progress for a week. She seemed rather surprised by my progress. This made me even more anxious!!! In your head you know you are having a baby but the reality still hasn't set in. I think the reality will set in very fast when labor starts!!!! I told the baby he needed to make a choice either be born 3 days before Aunt Tracey's baby shower or after. He can't go into labor on it!! I guess we will see how well the baby listens!!

Okay, off to go shopping for some decorations for Aunt Tracey's shower. Will keep you posted on any progress!!

Baby Woodworth

Well, I thought I would send out an email updating everyone on the status of my life. I know everyone loves those emails!! Anyway, 11 days of school till summer vacation (I would use the word "left" but my husband is making me stay in the working world)! Don't get too jealous because right before or after my summer vacation starts I will be pushing out a 7lb baby. My summer days of lounging around, shopping online, and going to the pool are now in the past. Instead, I will have a child screaming because he or she is too hot or touching their sun blocked lotiony hands all over me. Oh, but they say it (all the chaos) is all worth it!!

Josh and I went to the doctor today. The baby is in position for delivery (head down and butt up). She was very surprised because I was 1 cm dilated. She said that usually with your first you don't dilate this early/ fast. She said she felt this was a good sign but then did go on to remind me that I could be dilated for 4 more weeks....or I could have the baby tomorrow! So, it is a waiting game. The baby has his or her own agenda and will come when ready. Early if he or she is like its dad and fashionably late if like its mom!

Next Monday, the baby will be officially full term (37 weeks is considered full term not 40). Yes, I know I have 9 VERY long centimeters to go but I was really excited to hear that I was dilated! I now can see the finish line in sight. The panic and anxiety about actually birthing a child did set in when i got home. Nothing a half a chocolate pie didn't cure - literally!


Anyway, we are really excited to welcome baby woodworth into our family. Josh has all the gidgets and gadgets put together and ready to go. Just need the baby. We can't wait!!

Talk to you soon,

Shelly

Like Father, like son/daughter

After seeing the pictures of our tummys and basketball that we took over the weekend, Grandma sent me this photo of me when I was in her tummy. I thought it was funny. The t-shirt says "Room for Two" and is a kangaroo with a little joey sticking out. It was taken in May 1977 in the backyard on Bristol. Grandma was 9 and 1/2 months pregnant.

Happy 1st Mother's Day

Yesterday was Mommy's first mother's day. Hopefully, we did a good job showing Mommy how thankful we are for her. She has done a wonderful job the past 8 months lugging you around and helping you grow. She will make a great Baby's Momma. We made Mommy's favorite breakfast in bed of homemade waffles, eggs & cheese, and turkey bacon. We also gave her a nice photo album of pictures of the baby belly the last 8 months
We didn't go anywhere or do anything special with other Mom's because we went to the wineries on Saturday. We spent all afternoon preparing for you to come. The playpin, snap-n-go, changing table, car seat, car seat bases and stroller are all ready to be put into use. Now we just patiently wait for the day to come.

Here are a couple of pictures. Can you guess which one is carrying the baby?

Bassinet: Baby First Bed

We put together your first bed today. Mommy was very excited (as you can see in the background of the picture). Hopefully, you like sleeping in it. The key word there is sleep. I have a feeling you will be the only one out of the three of us that will be getting any.
You are now 35 weeks old so only 5 weeks left until your due date. But as the doctor told us, the due date is really 38-42 weeks so any time within there would be acceptable. Mommy only has 4 weeks or (20 days) left of school counting today so I know she is ready. Once that final bell rings, feel free to let Mommy know it is time. Her back has been hurting her and her feet have swollen up quite a bit. Every night is massage time. Hopefully, I'm doing a good enough job.