GIA IS HERE!!!

On Wednesday May 4, 2011 our beautiful daughter Gia arrived at 6:58 pm! Weighing 5lbs 6 oz and is 19.5 inches long!

It all started Wednesday morning, I did not go to work, I just was not feeling good. I woke up around 8am and in bed I heard this "popping" sound almost when you unplug a drain LOL! I ran to the bathroom and sure enough it was my water. Sal and I drove to Banner Thunderbird and I was admitted. The day was so surreal, I was dilating on my own very fast and Gia was way low and ready to make her move! I was actually 37 weeks along and 2 days, so I was a week more than projected...I pushed for what it seemed a little over an hour and out came our sweet love with a FULL HEAD of black hair LOL!

We got home Friday night from the hospital and all is going well. Gia has some appetite and that is good because little one needs to put on some pounds here!! I wake every 2-3 hours, it really depends on when Gia is hungry, last night it was every 1.5 hours.

Daddy Sal is having a ball with his daughter! We could not be more happy, proud , and in absolute LOVE with Gia! We just sit and stare at her beautiful angel face and can't believe this is what we created together, it is the most unbelievable feeling of our lives.

Gia's new dress!!

How cute is this dress!!? It is just so precious and feminine for our baby girl! Thank you dear Jodi so much for this dress. It is just perfect! I can't wait for you to see Gia in it!! xoxoxo

Today's OB appt. and WEEK 36

Had a good OB appt. today now that I am going every Monday. Today I had done the Strep B test where the Dr. swabs the nether regions. I was a little nervous about this "swabbing" but it lasted a blink of an eye, did not feel a thing and I could not even believe it was completed! The reason this test is important is because if a woman delivers vaginally and she is a carrier for Strep B the baby can lose it's sight or hearing when passing through the vaginal canal. If the test is positive it requires about 6 hours of IV antibiotics once in the hospital.

I received information to read through pertaining to the epidural as well. My Dr. said Gia is about 6 lbs now, so she gained 1/2 pound from last week and her heart rate is strong. My blood pressure is fine. My Dr. noticed my feet and ankles are swollen now and he asked about my salt intake and I really do not add or eat extra salty things at all especially now. I am still drinking a ton of water, but this is something that naturally occurs at in this last leg of pregnancy. I will soak my ankles and feet in Epsom salts to bring down the swelling and my Dr. said swimming or wading in our pool will help too. I will try all of it.

My Dr. knew what happened last week and I told him the nurse at the hospital said I was 1 cm dilated and 80% of my lining is gone. He wanted to check himself..at least he was much more gentle and fast than the nurse at the hospital!! It is all true, he asked if I felt a lot of pressure and I said yes, and that is because Gia's head is ready in position. My Dr. also said I most likely will not go past my due date if I even make it to 5/31. He will check my cervix again next week to see if there are any changes. Gia continues to move and jump around, so all is good!

Daddy Sal thinks Gia will come on 5/31, she would share the same birthday with Grandpa Sal, but I feel she will be here sometime the week before... it is out of our hands whenever she is ready she is ready!!

IT IS MAY 1st!!!

This is it!!! The month Gia is going to come into our world! I can't believe my due date is in 30 days from today!! Daddy Sal and I are getting very excited!!!!!! Tomorrow is my OB appt. so we will see what my Dr. has to say after the wonderful pelvic exam LOL!! It is all surreal to think that in a couple weeks our little wonder that we created will be here and our lives will be changed forever. I am nervous regarding labor etc. but, I mean she has to come out sometime right?! My Dad of course had a great viewpoint when he said that woman have been doing this for thousands of years and some still squat in a field and deliver.. nothing to worry about everything will be fine. Dad your words ALWAYS make me feel better. I will never forget when my Dad told me to not think about morning sickness and it will not happen. Well, it didn't.. thank goodness so Dad I love you more than you know and thanks for always making me feel like all will be ok! It has been a good weekend of just laying around and just catching up on some light errands. What a difference a little rest can make.

35 WEEK BELLY SHOTS!!! and my special visit to baby Presley and her gorgeous mommy Melissa!

35 weeks and OMG my belly!! It is hysterical watching me try to get up from a chair or out of bed. I have to roll myself out!! LOL! I went to see baby Presley and mommy Melissa today and I of course did not want to leave! I held Presley the whole time, she is just precious and I really have no words. She slept in my arms the whole time. Precious Presley's hair got a little lighter and she has been gaining weight which is awesome. Mommy Melissa looked as beautiful as ever and it was the best to catch up and talk about baby stuff!! Weekly visits will occur for sure! Then when baby Gia comes, all four of us will visit!! I am also in love with Bentley Gerard and Colby, Melissa's pooches, they are the most adorable and loving little guys and boy do they love their sister!! Next OB appt is Monday!!! Onto 36 weeks!!

Gia my little JERSEY girl at heart!!

Is this the cutest onesie or what? I could not believe my eyes when I read it!!! Thank you so so much Jill for this ADORABLE onesie LOL!! I mean it is just so perfect for Gia!! I can't wait to dress her in it and take many many pictures!! I bet all my Jersey girls back home will love to see Gia in this!! Haha and our little Igby has an I Love New Jersey shirt!! LOL, must take a shot of both of them wearing their Jersey gear!! Thank you so much again girl!!!! This rocks!!! xo

Will Gia come early?

Yesterday was a rough day for me at school. I started having these pains across my belly button area and higher around 9am. Thinking it is a gas bubble I drank hot water with lemon, but that did not help after several cups. I called my Dr.'s office and explained what I was feeling, they told me to keep them posted and if persists go to labor and delivery. I was driving home talking to my sister in law Monica who advised me to go to the hospital and get checked. Off to OB triage I go. They hooked me up to a monitor for contractions and Gia's heart rate. It was scary for me because I had no idea what was going on. Gia was just fine thank God. As for me, they were contractions and my body getting ready for the big day. I had my first pelvic done at the hospital.. yea.. no fun and they said I am dilated 1 cm which I could be for weeks I know and that 80% of my lining is gone. All good news they said. I am glad for sure that I got checked. Around 10:30 pm last night was the worst of the pain. I took some tylenol pm, sat with a heating pad and took some Gas X and tried to get some sleep around 2:30 am.

Today I am feeling much better, boy that was not fun last night. So, the question is will Gia grace us with her presence earlier than 5/31??

Daddy Sal went today to get the car seat installed by the fire department, so that is all taken care of as well.

Peeps and Jelly Beans!

Peeps are one of my favorite things to have at Easter time. I know I know... it stems from my childhood... last year I double boiled chocolate and dipped Peeps into the pot of chocolate. This year for the sake of the sugar, no Peeps pack. It was funny on Easter too, I actually said I have a craving for jelly beans and I really do not even like jelly beans, but again no jelly beans for me. Until, this morning when one of my students brought me in a homemade Easter cupcake with a yellow peep on top with 2 jelly beans! So, I guess I get my little peep and little jelly bean craving satisfied after all! LOL!!

Our gorgeous niece NATALIE!

This is our beautiful niece Natalie!!! She is my sister in law's Michele and her husband John's daughter. Natalie and Gia will be about 9 months apart!! They all live in NY, but that will not stop us from getting the cousins together!! She is just precious! I mean look at that face!!! Bella!!! Uncle Sal and Aunt Patti love you so much!!! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

OB Appt! 35 WEEKS!

Had a great OB appt. today! Dr. said I am doing just fine and Gia is doing great. Nice strong heartbeat and her head is in the down/birthing position. I kind of figured because I know I dropped and I feel her hiccups in my lower abdomen area! LOL. Gia is 5.5 lbs.! The Dr. said if I go to term she will be close to 8lbs!!!! But, he also said her growth can also slow down, so we will see. I gained 4lbs from the last visit 2 weeks ago! I knew it because there was such a difference in my belly over the past 2 weeks and my boobs!! The Dr. said my weight is fine as I am all baby, he keeps saying LOL!

I go now every Monday until Gia is ready to make her appearance! The pelvic exams start next week... fun LOL! I have to get the customary Strep Group B test (GBS bacteria).

The picture above is a gift from "Auntie Jeannie and Uncle Rafael" , thank you so much! Just what we needed diapers and wipes and the cutest little newborn outfit that is perfect for Gia to come home from the hospital in!! You both are the best!! xo

EASTER 2011