April 29th (39wks) Just wanted to write one last journal before the party begins this evening. I'm being induced tomorrow so the doctor has advised me that I'll be admitted into the hospital tonight. They'll insert Cervidil into my cervix to completely thin it out and have me walk around the hospital so that'll she'll drop down more. Then tomorrow morning, she will give me the Pitocin, break my water, and our little lady should be here sometime tomorrow afternoon or evening - depending on how quickly I dilate. She told me as long as everything goes well, I'll be in the hospital for 48 hours. I'll have my laptop with me and will try to post at least one picture before Friday. Can't promise but I'll try.

I really wish you guys could feel my heart right now! I am so happy to know that she'll be here in less than 24 hours but I am really on edge over here. I am seriously a nervous wreck. Clumsier than ever and I am dropping everything that comes within 50 feet of my hands. I really have to try to relax. I'm just sooo excited and scared all at the same time, I can barely contain myself. My mom flies in today so she'll be able to help me keep my mind sane when Robert can't - LOL!

If you ladies get a chance, please say a special prayer for us tonight that we have a safe, easy, "painless" delivery and our little lady is a healthy, beautiful, baby girl! I'll keep ya posted!

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April 22nd (38wks) I am sooo sorry that I didn't let you ladies know what happened. For some reason, I really thought I'd deleted that last blog - didn't want you guys to worry about us. I am happy to say that the results all came back normal. No preemclamsia and my blood pressure and other blood tests are all normal as well. It was definitley a lab screwup - Thank God! Now we're back to the waiting game, being induced on 4/30 unless Little Miss Chica decides to make her appearance before hand. On another note, I am almost done with her nursery too - Here are some pics:

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April 17th (38wks) After leaving the doctor yesterday with such amazing results, I receive a phone call this morning. Just to give you a little background, my blood pressure has been a little higher than normal during the last month or so. Not high, but higher than "my normal". As a double precaution, she gave me the 24 hour urinalysis to check the protein levels in my urine to ensure that the higher than normal blood pressure isn't driven by preeclamsia. For those of you who've never heard of that test, the doctor gives you a jug and you have to collect your urine for a 24 hour time period. Gross I know. After 24 hours, you take the jug to the lab and they draw your blood to check the protein levels. So I do this and to our surprise, my bp as well as my other blood tests comes back all normal but the protein level in my urine is extremely high. Even the doctor called a high risk specialist just to get her opinion and neither one of them can understand why its so high since all of my other blood tests are coming back normal. She informed me that preeclamsia is normally driven by abnormal to high blood pressure levels. Their solution is for me to redo the test urinalysis because they think the lab may have sent incorrect results. This time she's advised that I should get a 12 hour versus a 24 hour screening "in the hospital" which is where I am now so that the nurses can really keep a check on my blood pressure during the 12 hour period versus my doing it at home. Of course, anything for my pumpkin poo so I was like "ok, where do I need to go". So ladies, tomorrow morning, Friday, April 18th, I'll be going home and waiting for the results of the protein urinalysis. Dr. Serrano says that if the results come back normal, then I'll be induced on April 30th. On the other hand, if they come back high again, then she will induce my labor on Monday morning, April 21st. I'll let you know tomorrow!

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April 16th (38wks) Kammy and I had our 38 week checkup today. She's weighing in at 7lbs even and I'm 1cm dilated. Gotta start somewhere right - LOL! The doctor ensured us that if Kamryn doesn't come on her own by next week, she's scheduled me to be induced on April 30th. Talk about reality setting in - all I can say is WOW!

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April 11th (37wks) Sorry ladies - its been so long since I've updated this page! Let me see if I can getcha up to date quickly. My last day of work was Monday, March 31st. I wanted to work until the 15th but since it was a temporary position, the job ended. I am kind of happy about it now because it gave me a chance to work on my project for school full-time which is what I really needed because the deadline is today. And another reason I'm happy to have stopped working is to get started on Kammy's nursery. Ok, Courtney, one step at a time - back to school.

I submitted my final project/proposal to the university, which is the last step before graduation on Wednesday and I found out yesterday that I received an "A" and have been approved for Graduation. Now I can honestly say that I have a Human Resource/Organizational Development Master's Degree from Johns Hopkins University!!!! - I FEEL LIKE SCREAMING LADIES! Its just been such a long road and I'm sooo happy its over. It was important to me to finish before she is born and I can say that although it was hard - I did it! I am sooo proud of myself!

*******I'm having an imaginary glass of Reisling Wine right now to celebrate*******

Now its time for me to focus my attention on getting her nursery together. I've finally packed my bag - LOL! We had a baby shower on my birthday, 3/29, and it was soo much fun. It was in my hometown so I had a lot of people that I wasn't expecting to come from all over show up. Girlfriends from Tuskegee, Girlfriends from Maryland and many friends that I haven't seen since high school came. Kamryn is blessed to have soo many people who love her already! We got a lot of stuff, mostly clothes, but still some good stuff. One of my really good friends got her a high chair and we got a pack-n-play, bassinette and some other stuff like pampers, starter bottles and wipes that we can definitely use.

We have another shower that my future mother'n law is throwing us in Atlanta tomorrow. I've taken all of the onesies and stuff off of my registry so hopefully we'll get some of the pieces for her nursery and some other stuff that we need other than clothes. She has enough clothes already to last for the next year - LOL! Can't wait!

Kamryn and I are doing well. No new news yet. Still having those BH contractions but I can't feel them. Now, my stomach just has this tighening sensation going on and after a few moments it goes away. My doctor said that day when I was telling you all about Mr. BH that I may have been dehydrated or something. So now I've been drinking extra glasses of water during the day and I haven't had a problem since. So drink plenty of water ladies! We're going to the doctor every week now. She will start checking me for dialation and effacement at 38 weeks (next week) and we'll be able to have a better prediction on when our little lady may arrive. We also have a full u/s scheduled so we can see how big she is! She is definitely getting bigger but I really want to know how much she weighs. My appointment is Wednesday so I'll be sure to update you all, unless she comes before then - in that case, I'll be posting pictures!

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Mar 21th (34wks) Ok, today was the worst day ever! Or should I say the beginning of the day. Ok, I'm leaving home on my way to work and my stomach starts contracting, it wasn't pain or anything, just this really, really, really uncomfortable feeling. Ladies - I have been introduced to Mr. Braxton Hicks! I've already claimed he's a mister because no woman would allow a human being created in her own image to go through no s**t like that - LOL! Well, I'm in the car and Mr. Braxton gets worst and worst and the bad thing about being in the car, and don't let me forget, late for work, is you can't get out and walk around. Anyways, I get to work in about 10 min and Mr. Hicks was still there. By the time I made it from my car to my desk, I felt a lot better. Still uncomfortable, but not sooo uncomfortable. Unfortunately, Mr. Hicks didn't leave me alone. You know, men are soo hard to break up with. He kept pestering me on and off for about 3-4 hours. So then I really started getting frustrated and I started to get rude and give him my "look, don't call me, don't come by, just leave me the hell alone" speech! Maybe I needed food but when you're stomach is feeling that way, the last thing you want to do is eat, so I just snacked on crackers and stuff like that. Oh and drinking milk really helped to calm down my stomach too. I am saying all of this to say if that experience is a centimeter of what it will be like during the labor process - I AM NOT READY :>) Bring on "Mrs. Epidural". Now one of my sistas had to create that one - LOL!

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Mar 5th (32wks) We had a doctor's appointment and u/s today and everything went well. She's measuring 3lbs 11oz and getting bigger and bigger everyday. Well at least my appetite is picking up more and more everyday - LOL! Her heartbeat was 138 bpm and she's head down. I'm really glad that she's not breech. I just hope and pray that she stays that way! We have u/s pictures but we didn't think they came out that well since they were sooo dark. I'll post a couple anyways though. On another note, my baby shower is coming up really soon - 3 more weeks. I'm really ready to get started on Kammy's nursery!

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Feb 20th (30wks) So after my wonderful night last night, I woke up this morning, yawned, and got moving extra early so that I can take myself, Kammy and my new ring out to breakfast - LOLOL! So after we left breakfast, it was time for Kammy's 30 week appointment and she is doing wonderful. My blood tests are good, weight gain is good, belly growth is right on schedule, blood pressure is good, so all in all, she is doing great! Her heartbeat was 139bpm which is lower than ususal, but the doctor said that its normal for the heartbeat to slow down towards the end so I was like "ok".

Our next appointment is scheduled March 5th (2 weeks) for an u/s. Can't wait to see her again! So after our appointment, my goal was to eat lunch then come home to work on my project for school. Needless to say, I laid down for an hour nap (intending to wake up at 1pm) and slept until 4:40pm.... My whole purpose for taking today off was to catch up on school work. We'll be aiight though, its just really hard to stop when the bed is right there calling my name in a silent whisper - C-O-U-R-T-N-E-Y-Y-Y-Y (LOLOL). I am underneath the spell!

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Feb 19th (29wks) Need I say more? I am sooo happy ladies!!!! Just wanted to let you all know that my baby Robert proposed to me tonight and I happily accepted. We were at home, watching television, and after a very long heart to heart conversation, he proposed! I was sooo emotionally choked up that I didn't even remember saying "Yes". He assured me that I did - LOL!

I love him so much and I am just overjoyed that we will be spending a lifetime together!!!! Take a look ladies because I can't stop looking at it!!!!!

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Feb 8th (28wks) OMG - We are almost there! I'm getting scared now - can anyone hear my heartbeating?????

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Feb 4th (27wks) Just a follow up from the Jan. 30th journal. All of my test results came back normal and my glucose screening is normal as well - YAY!!!!!!!!!!

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Jan 30th (27wks) Ok, check this out - I go to the doctor today for my Glucose Testing and rhogam shot and I just want to say - "Shame on you all for scaring me about drinking that orange soda!" Girlz, I turned that bottle up like I was a thug drinking a 40oz beer - LOLOL!!!! I must be one in a million because I really liked it. So after that was all said and done, the nurse tells me that I have to retake my prenatal screening blood test that I took at week 22 at Labcorp. The lab technician drew about 6 tubes of blood from my arm and they never sent over the f***** results to my doctor! Of 6 tests, they only sent over 1. They have no record of my results at all.

Ok, that may sound very simple on the surface, but from my viewpoint, what if something was wrong in those test results or something like that and now 5 weeks later its getting worst. So to add the icing on the cake, they had to re-draw my blood and now we're awaiting the results again. The doctor assured me that everything is ok based on all of my other tests and ultrasounds but to me its about the principle. I mean really, who does that? Isn't that Labcorp's entire reason for existing to test blood and get the results. I know things happen but I really feel like they owe somebody a refund or something. Thank God its not me and thank God for insurance - LOL! I think you ladies get the point that I will not be going back to LabCorp again!

Her heartbeat is still strong - 150 bpm....

Also, I've finally found the perfect bedding for Kamryn's nursery....Check it out. We haven't purchased it yet but it is definitely a work in progress.....I've added it to my registry so maybe I'll get some of the pieces from the baby shower...Keep your fingers crossed ladies!

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Jan 10th (24wks) Ladies I had the weirdest dream last night. Robert and I were at home, I was lying on the bed and he was trying to feel the baby move. We sat there for hours and still no movements. Then, he went to the restroom and I could literally see the babies legs and feet stretch and try to push its way out of my stomach. Talking about some freaky s&%t!!! But of course, when he walks back into the room, the (whatever it is in there) stops. Kind of like it happens on sci-fi movies when the alien is trying to come out of someone's body.

So, I'm sitting there freaking out, scared as hell and before I know it, my water breaks. Then I say, baby I think its time. He hurries me to the hospital, I push twice and I give birth to a 35 year old man - WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then I wake up!

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Jan 6th (23wks) Looks who's been shopping! Daddy bought Kamryn her First Onesie and he picked it out all by himself! (I was home sleeping - LOL) - It's the cutest thing I've ever seen!

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Jan 2nd (23wks) Today was my 23 week checkup and everything was good with our little lady. Didn't get an ultrasound done :<( so I didn't get to see her but we did hear her heartbeat and its still stong in the 140's. My next visit is January 30th and I'll have the forbidden "Glucose Test" and receive a Rhogam shot as well since I'm Rh-. Hopefully all will go well!!!!!

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Dec 29th (22wks) Today I went to Babies R Us, started her registry and bought Kamryn her first outfit.

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Dec 27th (22wks) WOW HE MOVES FAST!!!!!!!! As you can all see, less than 24 hours ago, I was jobless and today I received a phone call for an extended temporary position with a great company. The position should last up until the baby is born so that is a huge relief.... Hopefully no more job seeking for a while. Well at least until I put the baby in daycare. I AM SOOO HAPPY!!!!

So now, I have a job that begins Jan 3rd with Club Car. This job is perfect for me while I'm pregnant! God is so good!

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Dec 26th (22wks) Guess I'm back to the drawing board :<( The job that I was beginning at BellSouth on the 7th turned out to be a flop because I would have to take off periodically (monthly, soon weekly) for doctors appointment due to my prenancy. I guess I can't be too upset because its not pregnancy discrimination or anything like that its just a contract stipulation. In order to be eligible for that position you have to be able to work uninterrupted for 6 full months during 8-5 training M-F to successfully complete the training process. You guys know that is impossible for me with my baby coming soon and doctor's appointments, etc. I remember having this conversation with her in the beginning but I don't think that she worded it quite that way otherwise I would have know that with the baby coming in less than 5 months, there's no way I could finish the training. Anyways - I'm back in the job market now! I'm really trying to be optomistic because I know that everything happens according to God's plan but I just can't seem to figure this one out! I have 2 degrees and almost finished with a 3rd one and I'm a very quick learner - WHY IS IT SO HARD FOR ME TO FIND A JOB IN THIS AREA? I've never had this problem before!!!!!!

I'm just really sad now because I thought that this process was over and finished. Maybe God wants me to take it easy now or there's something better out there that HE's keeping me open for.....I don't know....My mind is racing a thousands beats per second so sorry if I'm venting but it helps!

Guess we'll see what happens next ladies.....

On a lighter note, my next doctor's apppointment is scheduled for Jan 2nd at 3pm. Can't wait to hear the heartbeat again. No Sonogram this visit :<(

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Dec 6th (19wks) Guess what Ladies - I gotta job at Bellsouth! It begins January 7th.

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Dec 5th (19wks) I can honestly say that today was one of the HAPPIEST DAYS OF MY LIFE! I had my 19 week u/s and the baby has a perfect bill of health. All 10 Fingers, all 10 toes, 4 ventricles in her brain (LOL) - ok you get the picture. She is just sooo beautiful! The heartbeat was 149 bpm and she was soooo active. We also had the u/s videotaped so that we can keep it forever.... Now I just can't wait for my little lady to arrive! Time to GO SHOPPING!!!!!!!!

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Dec 4th (18wks) I signed up for WIC today! - THANK GOD :>) What in the hell took me sooo long because this is great and cheaper, especially when you're not working. Um-umm I'm ready to go grocery shopping!

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Nov 29th (18wks) Last night was a really bad night and a good one all in the same breath. It was bad because I got 3-4 hours of sleep due to my nasal path being congested. I was sooooo miserable and frustrated that it just seem easier to stay awake versus waking up every hour on the hour to blow my nose. Breathing through your mouth is not fun. Plus, I have another interview today so I definitely have to pull it together.

On the other hand, it was a really good night because for whatever reason, I thought my baby slept during the night. Boy was I wrong. I quickly realized that before now, the flutters and movements were tooo faint for me to feel them while I slept. Last night while I was up, the baby was sooo active and the kicks were much stronger that I could feel them through my skin when I placed my hand on top of my stomach. Guess I better get used to being up in the middle of the night now because I'm sure that's the way it'll be when the baby comes :>)

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Nov 18th (16wks) Today was a great day! Nothing big happened and I'm not able to feel strong kicks yet, but I felt flutters in my stomach ALL day long. Much stronger than before. Almost non-stop! It is sooo exciting to know that the baby is having a great time down there - flipping, kicking or whatever. On another note, I got this sharp pain right below my left breast at the top left-hand side of my stomach. It lasted for about 10 seconds then went away. Not sure what that was, but if anyone knows, please help me out.........

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Nov15th (16wks) I attended a Breast Feeding Seminar @ Babies R Us (Free Class) 7-8pm

Key Pointers to Remember from Seminar

1. Make sure your obstetrician and pediatrician know that you plan to nurse. Also inform the hospital staff as well, so they can provide support and won’t give the baby a bottle or pacifier right away.

2. Know the name and location of your pediatrician of choice before going to the hospital. The nurse will definitely ask during registration.

3. The first few feedings are important because of colostrum, also known as the “supermilk” your breasts produce during the first few days. Colostrum is rich in infection-fighting proteins. The more often the baby sucks, the more colostrum the baby will get and the sooner your milk will come in. “Yellowish” in color.

4. It’s very normal for babies to lose weight (possibly 7 – 10%) during their first few weeks of life. By week two, the pediatrician will expect the baby to be back to birth weight.

5. Continue taking Prenatal Vitamins while nursing to ensure the baby is continuing to receive the necessary supplements.

6. Eat 1800 calories per day.

7. Foods to avoid – peanuts, peanut butter, tomato sauce, cabbages, etc…. Carbohydrates (Pasta/Potatoes, etc) are really good for increasing milk supply.

8. Bring the baby to the breast, not the breast to the baby. If the baby has difficulty latching on because your breasts are engorged (uncomfortably full of milk), try releasing a bit of milk first with a breast pump or by hand.

9. With a 2-door refrigerator, milk will remain fresh in the fridge for 3-5 days. Freezer for 2-3 months.

10. Old Wives Tale – Cabbage is a good supplement for engorgement. Peel off a couple of leaves and place them on each breast. Put on your bra and let it remain for 2-3 hours max. There is something in the cabbage that will relieve the pain in the breast and leave the other necessary supplements for the baby.

11. Always Remember - If my milk doesn't come out immediately after the baby is born and its time to feed the baby, be sure to have the nurse feed the baby with a medicine cup versus a bottle. If the baby gets used to the nipple on the bottle, it maybe hard to transition back to my breast.

12. Also remember to keep in mind that when you begin breastfeeding, you may get these sharp cramp pains in your stomach. No need to fret, just a side effect from breastfeeding for the first time. Just a heads up

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Nov 7th (15wks) First Prenatal Visit in Augusta (15 Weeks) – We went in for our first prenatal visit in Augusta and the baby is doing great. No problem so far – Thank God! The baby is already overweight – LOL! The nurse says the baby should weigh approximately 1.75 ounces by the 15^th week of pregnancy and my baby already weights 4 ounces. WOW – I know! I will be giving birth to a ham-hock! The heartbeat was 147 bpm. My next ultrasound is scheduled for December 5^th @ 3pm and they will let us know the sex of the baby. I’ll be sure to keep you guys posted.

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