CONNOR HAS ARRIVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Connor Richard has finally arrived!! (I'm posting this about 3 1/2 weeks late.. lol). We've been busy!! ;)

Here's the story.....

On Friday, July 30th at about 10:30am we went to the doctor for my 39 week check up (I had been having contractions since about 2am the night before that were about every 5/6 minutes apart). The doc checked me and I was 3 cm dilated and 80% effaced... doc said Connor was most likely coming that night!!!!!!! And if he didn't come on his own, we were to be at the hospital at 5:30am the next morning to be induced... that Connor just might need a tiny nudge to help him come out... but either way he was coming soon!!!!

I decided not to go to work and just go home and relax the rest of the day and get some things done while I had the chance. My contractions continued all day and were getting a bit stronger, so at 5:30pm we went to the hospital because the contractions were starting to be more painful. They checked me at the hospital and said that there had been no change since the AM so they were going to give me a shot of Demerol (pain med) and have me go home and get some rest. We came home, ordered a pizza and tried to relax for awhile. I got really sleepy from the pain shot so I slept on and off for about 3 hours. Every time I had a contraction I woke up which was no fun, but I did get a bit of sleep. At 10pm I woke up and the contractions were getting a lot stronger. Rich asked if we should go back in, but I said I didnt want to get sent home again... so we waited.... all of 5 minutes!!! Lol. All of a sudden I started feeling an immense amount of pressure and my contraction quickly became only about 1 minute apart. I felt like I needed to start pushing and was screaming in pain. (I had back labor like crazy!). Rich listened to my screaming and said, "We need to go, NOW!" So he grabbed our bag and we jumped in the truck and made our way (I'm sure the guy across the street thought I was dying I was screaming so loud!!!). We made our way going about 97 MPH, running red lights and all. I felt so much pressure and was screaming bloody murder the whole way.... I was already starting to push while we were driving to the hospital!!! Rich was AMAZING!!!! Considering the events, he was SOOO calm and in control!!

We pulled into the ER (we had to go in the back way) and left the truck sitting there while Rich wheeled me up to the labor and delivery floor. I think the nurses thought that we were just thinking as first time parents that I was in labor... they quickly found out that I in fact WAS IN FULL BLOWN LABOR!!!! It all happened so fast from there.... We arrived to the hospital at 11:00pm and 26 MINUTES later, Connor Richard was born!!!! There was no time for an epidural or any sort of pain medication, so all natural for me. I'm pretty proud of myself for that!! =) It happened so fast that my doctor didn't even get there until AFTER Connor was born, I signed my "vaginal delivery consent form" AFTER Connor was already born too!!!!!

I can't say enough how amazing my husband was through the whole thing. For two people who had planned on having an epidural and going through "normal" *(whatever that means!) labor... things didn't not go according to plan. The whole delivery (26 minutes.. lol) Rich was standing next to me, holding my hand, telling me how proud he was of me and how wonderful I was doing. He even told me how beautiful I looked in such a frantic moment. His sister Christy got there for the delivery and was on the other side of me, holding my hand. I'll never forget having their support for such a wonderful event.

At 11:26pm, I heard the most wonderful sound I will ever hear... My son crying for the first time!!! He weighed 6 lbs 14 oz and was 18 inches long. He is the most PERFECT baby that I have ever seen!! And I'm not just saying that because I'm his Mom!!! He really is SO perfect!! Perfect skin, nose, eyes, lips, hair, head, hands, feet, EVERYTHING IS PERFECT!!!!

Here are some pictures... I'll write more about our time since we've been home later... time to feed my handsome little man!!!!






July 29th... The night before Connor arrived!!


The Millers.... My perfect family


Connor Richard Miller.. 6lbs, 14oz... 18 inches long








Leaving the hospital


First nap at home =)

Tick Tock Tick Tock.... A Waiting Game....

Well, here we are, just about 2 1/2 weeks away from our due date!!! I can't believe that our little Connor is almost here!! Sometimes I feel like my pregnancy has gone soooo fast and other times I feel like I've been pregnant FOREVER!! I guess that can probably be attributed to the fact that I have been pregnant during the fall.... the winter.... the spring.... and now the VERY HOT summer!!! We have had a "heat advisory" in Vegas the last few days with temps topping out at around 115. Since it's pretty usual for this time of year, I'm kind of surprised that they even call it a heat advisory.... but all I can say is YUCCCCKKKKKK!!!! Lol. Obviously I've been hanging inside most the time, but even the moments that I'm walking from the parking lot into the store or something gets a little unbearable. But I'm hanging in there!!

We went to the doctor last Thursday (15th) for my 37 week appointment. We got to hear Connor's heartbeat (which I always love) and the doc measured my uterus. At this visit I was measuring a week ahead so this coming week we'll have an ultrasound to see how big our baby boy is!!!!! I can't wait!! Plus I'll get checked again to see if there is any progression in the "dilation" department. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a couple cenimeters!! However, I feel like Connor wants to be a little stubborn!! But from what our doctor said, he doesn't want me to go over my due date.... so I guess we'll just have to wait and see!!!! I've been having a lot of Braxton-Hicks contractions, but as of now, I don't think any have been actual contractions... but sometimes I'm not sure I would even know the difference.

Other than all that, nothing too much new going on. We've been just working on getting all the baby stuff together and ready, as well as get the house all cleaned up for Connor and for my Mom when she gets here. Not too much longer now!! I'm still working everyday so I can kind of keep my mind occupied, but the anxiety, excitement, nervousness, "nesting", and all the other crazy things I'm feeling have really kicked in. And I'm hoping soon I get my burst of energy that my Mom speaks of! I could use it right about now!!

But.... unless something happens sooner than my appointment on Friday, I'll keep you all posted!! And who knows... maybe Connor will want to visit us a little early!!! =)

Growing belly and excitement!!!

Well here we are at the 36th week of pregnancy!! And boy has my belly been growing!! And so has Connor obviously!! I no longer feel the sweet little kicks that I once did, now it's his whole body rolling around inside!! No matter what, it is a great feeling that I absolutely love.... but I'll be honest that there have been a few times that his little heel kind of hurts me! Lol. But it's sooo worth it!! Richie has seen him rolling around in there a bunch and sometimes gives me the "Are you ok" look because my whole stomach does a 180!! He's just practicing all of his dirt bike/qaud moves!! Hehehe!! All in all I have been feeling pretty good though! It's gotten pretty hot here which is no fun, and my biggest complaint is my constantly swollen feet/ankles... but I figure if that's my biggest complaint, I'm lucky!! And in the emotional department I've been getting a little nervous and anxious, but I'm guessing that is pretty normal at this stage in the pregnancy.

I've been trying to get everything ready for the "big day" when he decides to arrive, but it's all a bit overwhelming! We've got to get the hospital bag packed, get the carseat into the truck, and finish organizing his stuff... but it's slowly coming together!

I went today to have a meet n' greet with a pediatrician that our OB recommended and I really liked her. She obviously has been doing this for a long time because she knew every question I wanted to ask, before I had even asked it!! And the fact that she is (or her partner at the practice) is the same pediatrician that will be doing the rounds at the hospital where and when Connor is born is a big plus to me!! So that is out of the way! Thank goodness!! One less thing for me to worry about! Tomorrow I have my OB appointment and will get checked to see if I'm dialated at all. I'm really excited about it!! It just means that we're getting closer and closer to holding him!!! Then from this point on, I go every week until we get to meet our perfect little man, Connor Richard!! We are both getting SOOOOOO excited!!!

Here are some 36 week belly pictures below!! Sometimes I don't feel like my belly is very big and other days I feel like it's huge!! I guess it just depends!! But I know either way that we are approaching the end of this wonderful journey and will soon be beginning an entirely new one.... Parenthood!!! I have a feeling I'm going to miss being pregnant, but once that little guy is all ours, I don't think I'll even think about it too much!! =)

Baby Shower!!!!

My baby shower was AMAZING!!! On June 27th at 1:30pm I had one very full house!! I can't even begin to express how awesome it truly was!!! Christy did such a great job planning everything and had the best helpers (Buffie, Erin, and Mama Miller) ever!!! The decorations were perfect, the food was sooo good, the games were a ton of fun, and we received so many great gifts for Connor!! The day really proved just how amazing and special our friends and family are!!! I couldn't have asked for anything more!! Below are some pictures from the wonderful day!! We are truly blessed!! Thank you to everyone who could make it and we sure missed those who couldn't!! Love you all!!

Christy, me, and Mama Miller


Me, Buffie, and Christy


The hostess with the mostess!!

Connor's Nursery!!!

The nursery is finally complete!!! Well, at least for the most part!! While Richie was gone in KY, I had a few friends help me get the finishing touches on the room as a welcome home surprise!! Thanks to Marc and Aubrey who helped me paint the red wall (mostly Marc, but Aubrey and her little one Carson kept me company while Marc was painting... lol)... and to Paul and Justin who are WAY better at hanging up pictures and letters than I am!! Then when Richie got home, all we needed to do was hang up the curtains and valance and we were done!! I hope you all like it!! I know that we both LOVE it!! I still have some organizing to do in Connor's room, but other than that, it's looking incredible!!! =) All I can say is... "AAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH" Haha!!









Dresser with cute frames I made

Wall Decal

Belly Pic

Since Rich was gone for a couple weeks, I took this myself on my phone... not the best quality, but it'll do!! I'll have Rich take some new ones this week!! This picture is my belly at 31 weeks!! Getting a little bigger!!

Forever and a Day...

Wow, I have been a HUGE slacker! So much has gone on since the last time I updated the blog! I'll try to briefly fill everyone in.... May is as follows.... lol....

We went to Cali to visit Rich's fam for Mother's Day! It was going to be a surprise, but didn't really work out that way! It was a nice relaxing weekend with the family! Rich got me a card for my first "Soon-To-Be-A-Mother-Day"! It was really sweet! A side note: Nicole was preggo with Baby Bryce while we were there and had him 3 days later on May 12th! Pictures below!

The next weekend we had our friends Marc and Aubrey's wedding! It was gorgeous!! And quite a long night!! We ended up going out on the strip until about 4am!! OMG!! I was called the "Preggo Trooper" for the night! It was fun, but boy were my feet swollen for the next couples days from all the walking! So worth it to spend time hanging with everyone though!!

The next week/weekend Rich and I went back to see my family in Cincinnati, OH!! It was the first time he had been there and I was really excited for him to see my home town! He loved how green everything was! And from all the rain they had been getting, it really was GREEN!! We even got to enjoy a nice hard rain/thunder storm while we were there!! Since we don't see that much here in Vegas, it was wonderful!! My parent's hosted a family baby shower/BBQ for us while we were in town! (Thanks again Mom and Dad!!) The whole family came down for the day with a couple drop-ins from friends of mine and it was an absolute blast!! Family, food, friends, fun, lots of cornhole competing, and even some really wonderful gifts for little Connor when he arrives! But then... it was time to go back to Vegas... booo

On to Memorial Day Weekend.... we went back down to Cali to spend some more time with Rich's family. His sister and her family left the following weekend to move to Kentucky, so it was nice to spend time with them and see our nephew baby Bryce for the first time, before they left. We had a big family BBQ while we were there and it was a perfect day for it!!

June has been kind of relaxed so far... Rich was driving across the country for about 2 weeks(CA to KY) to help his sis and family move and I was at home, sitting back relaxing with my preggo self... along with getting a bunch of stuff done to the baby's room as a surprise when Rich got back!! The room is getting there!! I'll get pictures up soon!!

I can't believe that we only have about a month and a half left before we get to hold our son!! Time really has moved fast! As for how I've been feeling... pretty good most days!! I've felt the exhaustion kick back in and have had pretty swollen feet everyday, and have definitely noticed that I've been a bit more emotional lately...but I'm hanging in there! I feel Connor all the time now! Sometimes it hurts a little bit, but I love to feel him no matter what!!

We have a busy few weeks as we await his arrival!! Birthdays, my Baby Shower (Woohoo!), our Child Birth Class, and just getting the rest of his room and our house ready for him!! Only 7 more weeks!! OMG AGAIN!!! =)






Rich and I on my "Soon-To-Be-Mother's-Day"

Nicole and I, 3 days before she had Bryce

The Millers and The Millers =) (Mother's Day weekend in Cali)

We clean up rather nicely!! LOL... Getting ready to go to Marc and Aubrey's wedding!

The happy couple, Marc and Aubrey!!!

Me and the girls

Rich and Marc (Marc and Aubrey's Wedding!)


Rich and I with my parents at the Fam/Ohio Baby Shower BBQ


Rich and I at my parents in Cincinnati for our Fam/OH Baby Shower BBQ!!


Cute skull and crossbone swimsuit my parents got for baby Connor! Love it!


The Miller Family on Memorial Day in Cali


Rich hanging out with his new little buddy (nephew), Bryce


Me and my nephew, Bryce Daniel Dugan