Doctor-Approved

Anna-Kate is already amazing fans everywhere! We went for her one-week check up on Wednesday. Remember, she was born 9lb 12oz. She left the hospital at 9lb 3oz. By the check up she was at 9lb 15oz!! She is already above birth weight. Her height is 22 inches. This may surprise everyone but Anna-Kate is in the 95-98 percentile for everything.

We are enjoying the benefits of a big baby. She is feeding beautifully. She calms down as soon as she is turned in my arms, and will immediately open her mouth ready for what she knows is coming. The biggest blessing we have had is 4 nights in a row she has slept for about 4.5 hours at a time. Last night she ate at 10:45. She was asleep by 11:30. She woke up to eat at 3:15 and went right back to sleep. She woke up for her next feeding at 7:10. I am not taking for granted the sleep that she is granting her mommy and daddy.

Isn't she beautiful?! Have I mentioned lately that I love my baby?

42 Weeks

I couldn't resist taking one more "belly shot" to show the before and after.

First Play Date

Yesterday, one of my friends came over with her little girl. Claire was born in March. It was their first time meeting and they both slept through the entire date.

Our Blue-Eyed Girl

We have been trying to get a good picture with her eyes open. Most of the time she squints right as I take the picture. Or, she will give us the pirate look - one eye open with one eye closed. These are the best we've gotten so far. They are a dark blue, almost a navy. I assume in the coming days/weeks we will see them turn closer to their true shade.

Pink Cloud

I know this is not allowed. But look at how cute she is. She had just finished eating. I love all the different facial expressions she makes while she sleeps. (Don't worry I only allowed boppy-sleep for the minutes it took me to get the camera and take the pictures.)

Bath Time Beauty

I would like to say this is a picture of her first bath, but please, who is coordinated enough to take the picture and bathe the baby. This is her second bath when my sister could man the camera!
She doesn't love getting a bath, but she did love her first experience with tummy time. We figured while we washed her back, she may as well try out tummy time. She grinned for at least 3-4 minutes.

Children are a blessing from God

I can't tell you how many times I have already thanked God for this beautiful blessing. I wonder if she is thanking God for something as well.

Sleeping Baby!

Anna-Kate has been such a great baby so far. She is sleeping well; she has given usone really awesome night (Sat night) and one good night. We went to the doctor this morning. She had already gained back 3 of the oz she had lost in the hospital and they said her color is great.

More stories to come about the events of the week, but here are some more pictures.

Have I mentioned what a great dad Will already is!!

the image I woke up to on Saturday morning; I could get used to this.

Anna-Kate Simmons is here!

Anna-Kate Simmons
May 20, 2009

11:52 am

9lbs 12 oz

22 in.

40 Weeks plus Four

"Not in labor." That is how I start any phone conversation these days. If I call someone, I hear an excited/anxious "hello" on the other end. So, I let them know immediately that I am not in labor and then we can continue the conversation. There is news today, though. Anna Kate is going to make her appearance sooner rather than later. The doctor called this morning and said she was able to get me in to be induced on Wednesday rather than Friday. Me and baby are doing fine; I think the holiday weekend is the main reason to move the date up. I am so preg-OO-pitiful these days that I am not going to argue. Unless she decides to come quicker, it looks like my daughter will have a May 20 birthday. Anna Kate, I am excited to meet you!

40 Weeks plus Three

Still pregnant.... I walked up the stairs to my Sunday School class on the sixth floor today, hoping that would help encourage Anna Kate to make her appearance. Yesterday, I looked up how to naturally induce your own labor: stairs (check), spicy food (check), walking (check), caster oil (not going there), acupressure points (really?), ... And, the only thing that is really true, we'll see! Maximum of 5 days from now. I guess I can [try to] be patient 'til then.

40 Weeks plus One

Still pregnant. I saw the doctor yesterday. She said that I haven't really changed. I am at ~90% effaced, not really dilated yet, and the baby is sitting really low. So, she remains ready to come whenever she wants to. Maybe she'll come this weekend; my favorite doctor is on-call all weekend. I am scheduled to be induced next Friday if she has not decided to come on her own by then.

(I include the new picture because I think yesterday's picture I was looking rather 9-month-prego-pitiful.)

40 Weeks

Today is her due date. There is still time....

I'm [still] Pregnant!

5 Weeks (we had known for 3 days)

17 Weeks (early December)

29 Weeks (our 2nd wedding anniversary)

40 Weeks! I made it!

T minus 1....maybe

Tomorrow is my due date. I have decided that we are ready, so Anna-Kate can come. Last week I had lots of errands. Over the weekend, Will graduated and we were able to spend lots of time with both of our families. So, this week I have been able to be more relaxed, just enjoying lots of my favorite things (like falling to sleep to the second half of Good Morning America after Will goes to work, reading, eating lunch while I watch Gilmore Girls reruns,....). I have also finished Anna-Kate's quilt. And, today I cleaned the house. We really are ready.

So, what do you think Anna-Kate Simmons? Are you ready to meet your mommy and daddy?

Will graduates!

William Thomas Simmons, cum laude

I am so proud of my man! After three years, he walked across the stage to receive his diploma, Masters of Science in Clinical Research. Will had his first class in the program about one week after he proposed to me. We took our honeymoon on his spring break from school that first year. During his second and third year, he took the MCAT, applied to medical school, and went on a mission trip to India. Not to mention, his date for the day was his 9-month pregnant wife. And, he graduated with honors! Insert here lots of applause and shouts of "That's my man! that's my man!"

This is Will with the two classmates who worked on their thesis project together. This was last week after they finished defending their thesis, receiving lots of praise from the faculty for a unique and well-executed idea. The screen reads, "A Comparison Study of the WOMAC Visual Analog Scale with the WOMAC Numerical Rating Scale in Patients with Primary Osteoarthritis of the Knee." You understand that as well as I do, right? I guess that is why he received the diploma and I watched.

Congratulations, my husband! I could not be more proud of you!

Lady of Leisure at 39 weeks

I walked away from Broughton on Monday afternoon after 5 years of teaching. It was a great day with the students. I have really enjoyed this year's group of kids, and they have definitely kept me entertained! Now, I am on my second day at home; though, admittedly, I haven't found the leisure time yet. I am spending my days awaiting Anna Kate's arrival running lots of last-minute errands. For example, today I will get the oil changed, go to the bank to drop off more signed papers for the house-buying process, and try to get this whole insurance business figured out. Will and I are excited that so far it looks like Anna Kate is going to hold out until after Friday to make her grand appearance. Will's graduation is at 3 on Friday. We have given her our blessing to come anytime after 6 on Friday! :)

Look for a post on our blog (as soon as we can do it) about the birth of our little girl!