Ferrara's in Florida

Dr. Rhee is on vacation so Dr. Playforth checked me on Wednesday. She said I'm 2.5 centimeters dilated indicating a fast delivery and the baby's steady heartbeat points to a mellow baby. That news sounds good to me. Looking forward to next week's appointment...

I'm 38 weeks pregnant with less than two to go until my EDD. I've been so busy at work that I hardly have time to think about having a baby, but my boss is doing a great job of reminding me. I think I've had more meetings with him in the past week than I've had in the duration of my employment at Fenway Partners. This week became the first week in ~5 years that I didn't teach one aerobics class (other than vacation) and I have to say, other than feeling a tinge of laziness, it was enjoyable. Sleeping 8+ hours a night does wonders for my daily energy levels. Since my early mornings were free this week, I laid in bed for a few extra minutes enjoying the wiggles of the baby inside of me. I really enjoy feeling the baby move around my belly; it's such a miraculous time. With my doctors and colleagues reminding me that I could have the baby any day now, it still feels like make believe. Our hospital bags are packed, the car seat is installed & our excitement is ...

This was a fun pic taken of Kristin (week 33) and me (week 37) at Colin and Sofia's Jack and Jill wedding shower. Their shower was probably the best co-ed bridal shower I've been to as the entertainment was so much fun. As you can see in this photo, Big Apple Baby has started his/her descent. Although I walk a little slower, I prefer carrying the baby lower as I seem to have less back pressure, I don't breathe as heavy, and getting in and out of takes less effort. It's been so much fun being pregnant with a friend!

Big Apple Baby's nursery is complete. Surprisingly, our home doesn't look overcrowded at all, and the actual baby's room looks more spacious with nursery furniture than it did when it was empty. Victoria visited yesterday and was the first to see the decorated nursery. As she put it, she "couldn't believe how nice it looked compared to when it was Louie's room." Her first impression got me excited b/c it was the first room I decorated on my own since I left my parents' home for college. (Usually Philip has great ideas for home decorating, hence his nickname Marty Stewart, but I actually picked out the renovations & all of the furniture & accents.) The nursery is missing just a few things--a mobile, some art that is being framed and of course, Big Apple Baby. We have yet to find a mobile that coordinates in color and style of the nursery--we're open to any and all suggestions so please leave comments. As for the art, it will be ready in on...

On Thursday, 2/15 I'll be full-term at 37 weeks. I remember the day we found out we were expecting, wow how time really flies! I received good news at my doctor's appointment today--I'm dilated 2 cm (up 1cm from last week), I'm measuring well, and my doctor said the baby is getting ready. I'm sporting a full figure although I have nary an appetite. Philip calls me "Snow Woman" whenever he sees me in my non-maternity, very, very snug tea-length winter coat. And...we've been playing house...Well, Philip has been "building" house while I've been decorating the nursery. We finally have a full house of baby stuff, and the excitement is building daily as we await the arrival of Big Apple Baby.

Today I'm 36 weeks pregnant with exactly one month until my due date. I've noticed some dramatic changes this last week--the most noticeable ones yet in my 8 months (other than my protruding belly). The biggest change is that I can't keep up the same daily pace without sacrificing my sanity. I had my weekly ob visit yesterday. My doctor said my blood pressure was higher than usual the past two weeks which could be a sign that I'm on my feet too much. I initially disagreed since I work in an office, but later in the day I started thinking that maybe the doc was right as I had been feeling emotionally overwhelmed this week. Yesterday I felt unusually stretched as it was a particulary busy work day, so by the time I left work I had as much as I could handle. I went to meet my driver who was parked on the wrong block, which would usually be no big deal; however, last night it was drama, drama, drama. There I was standing outside of Carnegie Hall on 7th Avenue in the middl...

On Saturday, 1/27/07, Theresa and Pastor Andrea hosted a baby shower for me. Everything was lovely from the food to the games and gifts, but especially the friends. I felt really special that so many friends were there--from Long Island/Brooklyn/Manhattan/Queens, especially on a cold, overcast winter day. Big Apple Baby was the theme and all of the dishes were based around that fruit from apple turkey burgers with apple salsa to apple pecan coffee cake. Everything tasted delicious! I had so much fun to the point of exhaustion and fell asleep immediately when I returned home. Later that evening I began playing "house" with all of the baby gifts. It was so much fun arranging the baskets, rubbing the soft baby clothes on my cheeks, and showing Philip all of the gifts one-by-one. Slowly but surely he's getting used to all of this baby stuff. I definitely think the desserts and coffee that the ladies sent home for him helped take the edge off the baby invasion.

Today we received an update from Louie's new owners. He had a little cold but otherwise is doing fine. He also has a little sister named Lily, who is 2 1/2 years old and weighs 55 pounds (about 10 lbs more than Louie). Check out the two bullies, they look so sweet doing what they do best--lounging.

We received a package from college friends Jack and Michele Matheny. Michele and I met on the cross country team at Southern Miss and have kept in touch since our college days. She's artistically gifted and extremely talented, and I've always admired that about her. I couldn't wait to open the package, so with my coat & scarf still on, I ripped off the tape and peeled the top off the box. The packaging on the inside was soooo pretty and delicate. I peeked underneath the polka-dot tissue paper and saw a neatly wrapped ball of gold tissue paper. I found a red apple inside of the gold tissue paper and then a card that read, "Phil, Gina and Big Apple Baby." Then there was more--pearly, off-white tissue paper folded so perfectly; that is, until I unfolded it and found the most precious, lovely baby items: crocheted baby booties, sweater, bonnet and blanket. It was sooooo, sooooo sweet and I could just imagine our little babushka in the outfit (not to mention I LOVE...

Okay, I'm huge and the only thing that makes me feel otherwise is swimming. No wonder hippos love the water!

I don't exactly remember when we took this but I think it was 31 weeks or so. It was after the new year. I know, it's definitely not the best pic but at least we remembered to take one albeit after a 14-hour work day.

The suspense continues to build and the countdown is in full swing. Only 7 weeks til our due date; however, it could be as early as 5 or as late as 9. I'm deciding when my maternity leave will start for both Fenway and my Spin classes. I'm leaning toward Friday, March 9th, one day past my due date, but that is still TBD. Our childbirth classes couldn't be more informative or fun, to say the least. We look forward to Thursday nights just to see our new friends. For those of you guessing along with us as to our baby's sex, here's something new to think on-- "If Dad is more nervous, a daughter is on the way. If he's more relaxed, it's a boy. If Dad is getting lots of household projects done, a boy is coming. If Dad isn't doing more projects, it's a girl. If Dad gains weight with Mom, it's a boy. If he stays the same weight-wise, it's a girl. So Dad? What's it gonna be?" It's still a tough one to tell--Philip is relaxed, is wo...

Last week Theresa invited me to my shower and we though the invitation was sooooo adorable that we just had to post it. Our incredibly creative & talented friend, Sofia, helped design it. Check out the Big Apple Belly on a Southern belle silhouette.

My doctor's appointment went well this morning--my doctor was pleased with my weight gain (20 pounds total) & the baby is developing just fine with a heart beat of 140bpm (at 18 weeks it was 150 bpm). Only 9 more weeks til my due date, yippee! From now on, life gets busy. I begin bi-weekly doctor visits and we start our 5-week condensed childbirth classes tonight. In four weeks, Dr. Rhee meets with Philip and me to discuss our birthing plan and any questions we may have concerning labor and delivery. I am extremely pleased with the flexibility of my doctor and hospital as they allow Philip and me to be a part of the decision-making regarding labor and delivery. Other tidbits-- Between the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays I experienced heart burn and some minor discomfort in my lower back, but I've found supernatural and natural ways to avoid both annoyances. My energy level is up and I have been getting great workouts (well, as good as they can get with this extra ...

Ginger threw together a fantastic baby shower. I don't know how she did it with her work schedule and final exams, but it was really so nice of her. She even had some of my New Orleans favorites--king cake instead of a baby cake, muffelattas, french dips, and PJ's iced coffee!! Mrs. Ann, aka Nana, brought her homemade iced sugar cookies in the shape of a baby's foot. They were decorated in pink and blue and tasted like they came straight from a fancy bakery!! Naturally I received lots of "tips" for Big Apple Baby. Michele pointed out that my registry was void of many much-needed items so that night Holly graciously ran me down the aisles of Wal-Mart and helped me pick out socks, wash cloths, infant medicine, etc. I really felt honored, not only by Ginger and my family, but also by my friends that came. It was great to see Mary, Michele and Tiffany.

For the first time in seven years, we made it to the annual Gibbs Family Christmas party. This year it was held at Uncle Tommy and Aunt Karolyn's in Baton Rouge. We caught up with lots of our cousins and had a fun time.

We dreamt of a mild Christmas and had one alright. I wore a poncho all week in lieu of my wool coat which was a nice change from past years of Christmas in NYC.

Juliana received a puppy for Christmas--her very own real puppy named Paris. Paris has a pink bed, a rhinestone collar and a pink puppy purse. Juliana thinks she is the mom of Paris and calls the little pup her real baby.

Progression Pics from weeks 16, 20, 24, 26, 28