First Family pics

I can't believe I haven't been keeping up with the blog. I feel like I don't have any time during the day... and when James comes home and night I just want to soak up the time we have together as a family.




Corby and Chris VanDee (James' long-time diving buddies) came over and did a family photo shoot for James and I as our "baby gift." The timing was great because we're able to use some of the pics for our Christmas letter and to give as gifts.

Here are some of my favorites... Elise was so well-behaved and

did great until she just couldn't stay awake another minute. Even the "sleeping" pictures turned out pretty well.





Best wishes to all for a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!!!!!!

BIRTH STORY

I can't believe it's been almost two months since my last blog. I had no idea how little free time I would have once the baby was born. I thought that I should blog about Elise's birth before I blogged about anything else.

My doctor scheduled me for my FIFTH ultrasound on Thursday, September 24th. James and I met with the doctor after my ultrasound to discuss how I would deliver Elise since she was almost one week past her due date. I was told that Elise was between 9 and 10 pounds, that I was not dilated at all and that the doctors believed me to have a narrow pelvis.

Because of all these reasons, James and I discussed that the best thing to do was to have Elise by cesarean birth and avoid the stress and complications of a natural birth- since it was believed by my doctor that if I chose to try a vaginal birth that I may end up with a cesarean birth if there were complications.

I arrived at Aultman Hospital at 7am on Friday, September 25th. After checking in and going through all the preparations, James and I went to the operating room to prepare for the long-awaited birth of our baby girl. The worst part of the surgery preparation was the spinal. After three tries and calling in another doctor- I finally received my spinal. The surgery went well and Elise Lauraine Moseley was born at 9:53am.

Because the curtain was in front of my face, I wasn't able to see Elise be born- but it was amazing watching her enter this world through James' eyes. He didn't have to say a word as I saw his face and his eyes filled with tears. As James cut the umbilical cord- I began to cry- knowing that we had just become parents and that our lives would be changed forever. James brought Elise to me and we both kissed her welcoming her to our family.

Elise was 8 pounds 15 oz., 20 1/4 inches, light brown hair and blue eyes. We all fell in love!! Elise and I did well while staying at Aultman Hospital. After our second day in the hospital, Elise had learned how to breast feed and was able to eat well enough so that she did not develop jaundice.

We are proud of her development and love her more and more every day. Elise is a blessing from God and a wonder to us. James and I never knew the joy that we could feel in adding a beautiful baby girl to our family.

40 Weeks and still Pregnant

I am one day away from my due date!!! I can't believe that September 20th is finally here!

I have had a wonderful pregnancy- I think I have been "glowing" from the day we found out that I was expecting. I haven't had any problems, I have only gained 19 pounds (which the doctors tell me is very good) and we're enjoyed every moment- feeling the baby move, picking out maternity clothes, spending time with family and friends at our baby showers and James and I growing closer together by planning for the baby and attending our labor preparation classes.

I had my doctor's appointment on Friday and found out that I'm 50% effaced and dilated 1 cm. I realize that I have a long way to go- but we are very excited to know that progress has begun and we are a little bit closer to having our baby!!!!

My next appointment will be Wednesday and I have been told that if my labor doesn't start by next Friday (September 25th) that they plan to send me to the hospital to be induced.

We hope that labor starts naturally this week. We are going to start walking more, driving on bumpy roads and drinking Red Raspberry Leaf tea (which I hear can start labor). Whether all these things will work or not- I'm willing to try anything!!

Keep watching our blog or Facebook for pictures within the next week... we can't wait to post pictures of Elise!!!!

As ready as we can be

The nursery is officially READY!!!! James and I finally hung the letters for the baby's name on the wall today above the crib.

ELISE LAURAINE MOSELEY

We are excited that we have agreed on a name and that her first and middle names mean so much to both of us (we'll share the meanings in a later blog).

Now we just have to wait and see what happens next. We are both nervous and excited about the next step in our lives. We are happy with our doctors and are pleased that I will be delivering at a very good hospital. We also feel somewhat prepared through our classes and books that we have been reading.

Please be sure to keep us in your thoughts and prayers- that Elise and I are both healthy and do well through the labor process.

Moseley Nursery

The Nursery is ALMOST finished.

Here is a small shelf that's above the glider- notice the "E" block- we're naming the baby ELISE!!!!

James heard the name and we both just love it- so that was one decision that was fairly simple. We may have also decided on a middle name- but I'm not 100% sure... so I don't think I'll share it quite yet.

Here's a picture of the glider and small bed that we're leaving in the room for nights that I might have to stay with her. I made all the pillows and most of the stuffed animals are passed down from my nieces or given as gifts from the baby shower.

The only thing we have left to do is put the baby's name up on the wall behind the crib. My sister-in-law Lisa just called me yesterday to tell me that she finished them for me... so I can't wait to see how they look (I will post a final picture when the letters are hung).

I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow and will be officially 38 weeks on Monday (only 2 more weeks until my due date). I have been feeling more and more "tightness" and some pain- but have been continuing to work... just trying to take it easy in the evenings.

I'll keep everyone posted on the outcome of my appointment and all other news as we look forward to seeing our baby girl very soon!!!!!

Work Baby Shower and 36 week appointment

I know that it's been quite a few weeks since I've posted, but James and I have been so busy trying to get everything ready for the baby's arrival.

The girls at work threw us a Baby Shower. We had a very nice lunch with some VERY yummy cake!!!!!

Most of the group went together and bought James and I our Baby Stroller and Car Seat- which we were excited to get!! James was so excited that he put everything together that night and put it in the car. It's amazing to think that we're going to have a baby so small that she will fit inside- can't believe it's only weeks away!!

We also received a crocheted blanket, sweater and hat from one of our friends from work. Another friend bought us a basket for the dishwasher and other baby stuff. We had a wonderful second shower and are very blessed by everyone's generosity!

I had my 36 week doctor's appointment on Wednesday. The doctor reported that I had only gained one pound- which puts me at approximately 16 pounds in total (feels like soooo much more). The baby's head is still down and she was laying on her stomach- so we could hear the heart beat very faintly. He also checked me for dialation... no signs of labor yet.

I'm continuing to work... and still feel pretty good. The hardest part of my day has been between 6:30 and 7:30AM- getting up, getting ready and driving into work. Once I get to work- I seem to be fine. I usually get home an hour before James- so Sieben and I have been taking naps until he gets home and then the three of us enjoy the evening together.

We will continue to keep you posted- maybe you'll see a post soon from James including the baby pictures...

Much love to all

Baby Shower and Week 32 update

On July 18th my family and friends threw us a baby shower...

We decided to have the shower at our house in the back yard- and luckily the weather cooperated. We had a great turn out and everyone was generous with their gifts!!!

It was so fun seeing family that we hadn't seen for a while and many friends who I hadn't seen in such a long time!! I was so excited that Jen made the cake- it was so pretty and tasted sooooo good!!!!! Here are a few pictures from the wonderful day.

It was also great seeing Amy- my college roommate, Karen- one of my friends from High School, and her mom Rachel. I also enjoyed having James' mom and dad in town that weekend to join in celebrating the up-coming excitement of our first baby and join in all the plans for the baby shower. We had a wonderful- but VERY tiring weekend (though it seems like everything makes me tired anymore).

This past Friday (July 24th)- I had my 32 week appointment which included my 4th Ultrasound!! At my last appointment, the doctor ordered the Ultrasound because he said that I was "measuring big." According to the results of the Ultrasound- I am measuring exactly where I should be. The baby is approximately 4 pounds and I'm measuring right at 32 weeks. We also found out that her head has dropped and she is getting even closer to being ready for her birth day.

The baby has been very active and has been laying for the last week entirely on my left side. She must have been putting weight on a nerve or something because I woke up one morning and my side, hip and back were hurting so bad that I could barely walk.

The 3rd trimester has definately been a challenge for me as our baby girl grows bigger and makes us more and more aware that she is HERE!!!! She kicks even harder now and was pushing back on James' hand the other night with either an elbow or knee- it was really cool.

My next appointment is in two weeks... I'll keep you posted.

Week 28 and counting...

I am now into week 28 of my pregnancy with our precious baby girl. James and I can't believe that we are getting closer and closer to holding our wonderful bundle of joy!!!!

We started our Birthing Classes this week at Aultman Hospital- where we will be delivering. The class is great- and has only 6 couples... which is a perfect size. We are all first time parents and seem to be nervously excited for what we have to expect over the next 3 months. Some of the mothers are further along than I am- but we have all been able to share our experiences and have a connection.

I had my 28 week doctor's appointment on Friday. The doctor checked me and said that I was measuring a perfect size and that the baby was approximately 2 pounds now. I have only gained 12 pounds so far in the pregnancy- which they told me was right on schedule. Everything is going well and I really feel great. I'm still having trouble sleeping but try to take naps when I can- as long as the baby isn't feeling too active at that moment in time.

James and I also start on our nursery this week. We bought the border and put it on the walls on Friday after work. Here's a few pictures of the border... I love the brown and pink combination.

James and I also decided that we wanted to leave a small twin bed in the nursery in case I need to stay in the room a few nights in order to not wake James when he goes back to work. We're going to make the bed into a day bed- so we went to JoAnn Fabric's today and bought a few different colors and types of fabric so that I can start sewing pillows. It's going to be so cute- I can't wait to post the final pictures of the nursery when we're all finished.

My doctor's appointments are now every 2 weeks since I am officially into my third tri-mester, so I will be posting again soon. Much love to all friends and family who read our blog- thanks for your prayers... the pregnancy has been going to wonderful so far- what a miracle!!!

Third times a charm

I had my third Ultrasound yesterday... and everything went WELL!!!!!

I am now 25 weeks and the baby weighs approximately 1 pound and 10 oz (which the doctor said was a little big). They were able to get better pictures of her heart this time as well as all of her other healthy organs.

The best part was seeing her yawn, stick out her tongue and bite a little on her hand. It's amazing how much you can see in a ultrasound.

My due date is still scheduled for September 20th and I am feeling really good. I haven't gained much weight yet- but I guess that soon my belly will be growing bigger and bigger and me and the baby will be putting on the pounds.

This week has been very exciting with the encouraging ultrasound, finally deciding on which crib we like and placing our order and also celebrating (tomorrow) our 3 year anniversary!!!! There is so much to be thankful for.

Some updates on the Moseleys

The past two weeks have been a bit rough in the Moseley house... but I wanted to write and update family and friends who occasionally read our blog.

James and I have been working on getting all the projects done on our house before the baby comes. We have installed new hard wood flooring on the first floor of our house- which is absolutely gorgeous!! We got new counter tops in the kitchen and finished the look off with new drawer pulls which really make the counter tops stand out. About a week later we decided to install new tile flooring and counter tops in the upstairs bathrooms before we started work on the nursery.

A few days after the tile was installed in the guest bathroom- we woke up to discover that the bathroom pipes had broken loose during the night and had dripped through to the first floor ruining the ceiling in the kitchen and approximately 500 square foot of the brand new hard wood flooring that we had just finished installing. The water had sat so long that it also started to leak through to the basement and ruined a few of the tiles of the drop ceiling and cause water stains on one of the basement walls. WHAT A MESS!!!!!!

To make things worse, the same week, there were some family misunderstandings involving my niece and my twin brother and I got into a HUGE argument. So our stress level was very high that week and my blood pressure has been higher than "normal."

Today I received a call from the doctor's office telling me that I need to come in for another Ultrasound. I was surprised and feel nervous because I don't know exactly why... I have been told by several friends that this could be a routine Ultrasound and maybe they just need more information or a better picture of the baby. I hope that nothing is wrong- but at this point I just don't know!!!! The appointment is Monday, June 8th and my mother has agreed to go to the doctor with me.

Please pray that everything goes well on Monday and that James and I are able to work through the next few weeks and have all the repairs completed and be able to move onto preparing the nursery soon.

IT'S A GIRL!!!!

We finally had our Ultrasound and were told that we will be having a GIRL!!!!!!

James and I were both shocked by the news... but are so glad that we know now and can start planning and decorating the nursery!

The baby was very active during the Ultrasound- but we were able to see close ups of all the organs including the baby's heart (heart beat was 148 beats per minute), her stomach, kidneys, liver and also were able to see a close up of her spine... very cool!!!!!

They measured her head and spine and determined that she was "normal" size and weighs approximately 1 pound.

This week I am 22 weeks and FINALLY started feeling the baby move. It has been so exciting and kind of strange all at the same time. Most of the times when I feel her move is right after I eat... so I'm sure the sugar has her flipping in circles.

My next appointment is Monday, June 8th... more updates soon!!!!

Baby Update

On Monday, April 13th I had my 17 week OB appointment. I met with one of the doctors at Atrium and she did updated blood work and several other tests.

After my usual exam, I finally got to hear the baby's heart beat!!!!!

The doctor had quite a challenge chasing the baby around though... She found the heart beat quickly, and we listened for a few seconds. But then the baby moved. She found the heart beat again and we listened and then he/she moved again. The baby was definitely dancing around inside!! She followed it around for a few minutes.

When I feel the baby start to move- I am going to be in BIG trouble... he/she is VERY active!!!!!


On another note- the floors are finally completed and we will have our new kitchen counter tops installed tomorrow. So- I will have some new pictures of the updates posted very soon. It looks so great- like a whole different house.


We have our next OB appointment on Monday, May 11th (the day after Mother's Day) when we will FINALLY found out the sex of the baby!!!! James will be at the appointment with me and we're both very excited to find out what is growing inside of me and start planning the nursery.

Baby News

I think that most of our family and friends know- but I wanted to make the announcement official and put it on our blog. WE'RE EXPECTING A BABY!!!!!

It's funny how the result of peeing on a stick can be so exciting... hehe

I have had a wonderful pregnancy so far. I have had very little nausea and no sickness- though I have been taking a ton of vitamins to be sure! The only problem that I have is being soooo tired- though I've been told that it's normal and should ease a little in the 2nd trimester.

I had one of my first "important" doctor's appoinments this week. We were supposed to hear the baby's heart beat... but the nurse was unable to find it. So, just to be safe, they scheduled us quickly for an ultrasound. It was the most incredible experience of our lives!!!!

James was at the doctor's office with me and we both watched the screen in amamzement as our baby jumped actively all over the screen. The tech got some really great pictures of our baby and a close-up of his/her face.

We still have 2 more months to wait until we can find out the sex of the baby- but we have decided that neither one of us wants to wait... and we plan to find out!

As of today I am 12 weeks pregnant and my "estimated" due date is September 27th- though they suggested at my last appointment that because of the size of the baby they may move my date up one week (could now be September 20th)

If anyone has any words of advice and books you recommend me reading- please feel free to share. We look forward to the next 6 months and being able to finally hold our beautiful, healthy baby!!!!

Woman to Woman Encouragement

I received an e-mail on Friday and it made my day... so I thought that I should pass it on...

Woman to Woman Encouragement

Someone will always be smarter. Their house will be bigger. They willdrive a better car. Their children will do better in school. And their partners will fix more things around the house.

So let it go and love you and your circumstances.

Think about it. The prettiest woman in the world can have hell in her heart. And the most highly favored woman on your job may be unable to have children. The richest woman you know -she's got the car, the house, the clothes - might be heartbreakingly lonely.

So, love you. Love who you are right now. Tell yourself, "I am too blessed to be stressed."

"To the world you might be one person, but to one person you just might be the world."


When I think about all the wonderful women in my life- I knew that I just had to share! I'm not sure how many people read my blog... but I know the women who have told me that they read- and I love them all dearly!!

I wish the best for everyone in 2009 and hope that we can continue to encourage each other.