not ready yet

well, Harper's just not ready. so Zeb and I are still waiting patiently. We did have the dreaded meeting with the doctor this morning. And he suggested inducing by the end of the week. He also talked about how the risk for a stillbirth increases. That's very scary to hear. I felt like someone was telling me I was putting my child's life in danger. Unfortunately, the same risks are present in simple things as riding in a car. They also hooked me up for NST (non-stress test). It tests the baby's heart rate, my contractions, and I have to push a button every time he moves. The mid-wife looked at the report and said he was doing good. I think that was the most encouraging part of our visit.

I completely understand where the doctor is coming from. I understand why he talks about all of the risks. However, I find there to be more risk in inducing than in waiting. Zeb and I came home and spent some time talking. We broke out the calendar and pregnancy wheel (courtesy of Aunt Candy), looked at my cycles, and our day of conception. We actually know our day of conception and calculated that with my irregular cycles our actual due date was July 16. Something we had been thinking all along- but we feel even more confident in now. It makes sense also because the doctor said I have not dilated or effaced and the baby has barely dropped which is okay since I only reached my due date yesterday. The news was disheartening because my body has been working. I've been having contractions- hopefully they turn into effective ones. We decided to give Harper one more week and then we will more seriously consider an induction.

In the mean time, I'm going to keep walking my daily 2 miles, being positive, and return for another NST later in the week. As much as I hate to think it, I should start coming to terms with the reality of an induction. The doctor's opinion was that I wouldn't go into labor on my own. I want to remain hopeful that my body will come through- but also realistic so there are no surprises and I don't feel overwhelmed if/when inducing becomes a reality.

Well, we hope all of you are doing great! I hope I don't sound too upset! Or angered. I guess it's just been a frustrating day. In the end, everything will work out. The most important thing is getting Harper here and in the healthiest state possible.
love, erica

almost there. . .

So it just hit me today that it's time. The time is here. Everything we've been preparing for will most likely take place either this week or next. So weird! Up until this morning I kept thinking, "we've got a couple of more weeks". Well now I realize that maybe it's just a couple of days! Thankfully, Zeb and I have found ourselves to be incredibly patient. I think that's part of the reason I hadn't realized how close we were to our due date. Also, I feel as though we have two due dates; and I just feel the birth will be closer to the second. The due date given to us first was July 11- which could be right. Then, our ultrasound predicted July 16. So I guess it's somewhere in between. It'll be when Harper's ready.

Even though I was being quite patient, I found myself to be a little anxious today. We went to the doctor and met with the midwife for our second time (it's been the doctor on other visits). Last Monday, I was so excited and encouraged through our meeting with her. She told us that she would most likely be able to deliver. I felt so relieved. A midwife will do everything to assist in an unmedicated birth- given the baby is not in distress. This morning I decided not to get checked and just wait to see what happens. Unfortunately, our next week's appointment was scheduled with the doctor. My impression is that he's not against natural birth, but he has seen a lot of women choose their back up plan. It just wasn't encouraging to hear. My point in all of this is to say: I found myself hoping and praying I have the baby soon because I'm not looking forward to meeting with the doctor next Tuesday. To be honest, I'm scared he'll make be induced. Although, I know no one can force me into it- it' just a bit unnerving for me.
Zeb claims the baby will come this weekend. Fatherly instincts? I guess we'll have to wait and see.

I must say a few things are starting to get on my nerves. I am tired of constantly going to the bathroom. But I also just really want to go on a vacation! Everyone talks about going to the beach or just doing something fun. I'm so jealous! I think I just need to get out of Sulphur! So the whole not being able to travel is getting a bit old.

I'm sorry I don't have any pics tonight. I'm posting from Zeb's computer. Our computers are two feet apart but mine won't pick up the wireless signal that we are currently mooching from. And we had cable which hadn't been shut off from the previous tenants. But they shut it down today! Maybe I've been so patient because I've been distracted with HGTV.

Well, I guess I should say keep checking back on a daily basis or so over the next weeks- you never know when a pic of Harper will appear!!
love you guys! erica

we're moved!

So we're finally all settled. It took about 4 days to get everything into the apartment and then on the 5th day our electricity was turned on. So the first four days were miserable. Atleast now it's over! I got a little stressed for a couple of days. I was exhausted and just kept thinking "i'm about to have a baby and my house is a mess". It was really frustrating for me because so many boxes were lying around and I couldn't pick up one of them. I just keep thinking that I'll have to wait until after I have the baby to completely organized everything.

Even though moving was stressful, I'm really glad we did. Now Harper has his own room that I've been decorating. It's been fun. We did a little bit of painting and have started to set everything up. It's really cute. I was excited because we finally unpacked the stroller and Zeb installed the car seat. I'm also in the process of packing the hospital bag. We're doing everything we can to be prepared. I'm also doing everything I can to have an unmedicated birth. I've started walking two miles a day. My doctor advised it, especially because I don't want to be induced (which doubles the chance of a c-section). Tomorrow night is our last prepared birth class; it's kind of sad. It's been fun to discuss labor and practice contractions. We've learned a lot. It's also kind of sad because another week has passed and we are closer to labor. Labor has now become this looming thing over my heard. It's a weird feeling. I have this inevitable experience of pain that I keep getting closer to. However, the end result is the best thing you could ever want, or so I hear! Will I be saying that when he's a teenager?!

Here's some pics of Harper's room ( a working process):

Grandpa hard a work.

Nana and Aunt April

Me, Zeb, and the stroller. We joke that it's the ferrari of strollers because the brand is italian; and the shocks are impressive.

More to come!! It's feels like the end but really things are just starting!

love, erica

quick message!

So I just saw today that our photographer updated his website with some of our pictures!
To view them go here: Michael Jordan Photography . Then click the Wedding link on the right side.
Here's a list of which ones are ours:
1. 6th picture down in the thumbnails is of our rings and ring holder
2. Scroll to the right (scroll arrows under thumbnails) 5th picture down is
Grandma Pierson after Zeb walked her to her seat
3. Scroll to the right- 3rd, 4th, and 6th pictures are of me
4. Scroll again- 1st picture is Zeb and me throwing rose petals at each other
2nd picture is of my garter. And the 4th is a picture of us kissing.

Hope you like 'em!

at last!

We found an apartment today! And we met both of the goals we set when we started looking. We wanted a bigger place with cheaper rent. We will be moving to a 3 bedroom and paying $60 less. The only downside is that we're moving from a house to a duplex. You can't get everything you want! Atleast Zeb won't have to mow the grass anymore! (or atleast for the next 6 months) We plan on starting the move this weekend. We'll start with everything we aren't using and then hopefully be completely moved within the next 2 weeks.

Other news. . . For the past 3 weeks we have been attending Prepared Childbirth classes at the hospital. Every tuesday night we load up our two pillows and head to class. It's fun because there is only 2 other couples taking the class and they're our age. The guys all have the same sentiments about birth it seems. They cringe at most of the posters and especially at the video we watched last week. I guess it's good for them to be prepared!

I know those of you we see on a regular basis know we have officially decided on the name. For those who didn't know, we will name our son Harper. Now we just need to pick his middle name. The top two names are Michael and James. Any suggestions??

Speaking of Harper. . . he's growing! Zeb sometimes jokes that he goes to work and finds that I've gotten bigger when he comes home for lunch. He likes to joke about the way I walk as well. I thought I was avoiding the waddle; but I think sometimes I give in.

People say Louisiana heat is unbearable at times- but try being pregnant in it! I'm really starting to see the symptoms of the last months. I find myself easily irritable at times, especially if I'm tired. And any sleep I do get at night is growing more and more shallow. I can barely roll over!

But more news about Harper. He's head down! (one of my fears relieved) I can now easily tell which body part is bulging out because he has grown. His back is a flat hard surface and his feet are pointy. Luckily, he's not kicking my ribs; he's all in my belly and on my sides. I can tell where his head is because he gets the hiccups, a reassuring sign that his nervous system has developed. It's really neat to feel his progress.

Here are some pics from the baby shower my mom had for me last Saturday:

this was some of the decorations.

and this is me crying because i loved the decorations. do you notice i'm not wearing my wedding ring?? my fingers are too big!!

we were given some much needed gifts at the shower. i'm getting anxious to put them all to use!

i'll get a better shot of the belly this week. hopefully all of you are doing well!!

love, erica

so i know it's been too long since i last posted. i lost the cord to upload my camera pics; but now i've found it! things are going well with zeb and me. we finally set up our crib! here's a pic:

however, a few days after we set it up our landlord called saying he had decided to sell our house. we knew we'd be moving out of our house in august or september- but not june! well the house sold before he even listed it. so zeb and i are weighing all of our options and trying to decide what the best thing would be for us right now. i keep joking about my luck because we will be moving when i am 8 months pregnant- therefore i won't be able to lift much!! just delegating for me!

on a different note. May 13th was my first mother's day. i don't really feel like a mom yet so it felt somewhat premature to hear "happy mother's day". nonetheless it was fun and i received my first gifts! mrs. deborah gave me a potted plant with miniature roses. i've been starting to work on my green thumb and was hoping to plant a garden- but potted plants will have to do for now especially since we'll be moving. zeb took me out to dinner to my favorite restaurant. i really appreciated it because he hates eating there. my mom and sister gave me a cardinals baseball onsie! and a vintage apron to cook in- i think they're trying to encourage me!

i had to post a pic of the onsie. it will match perfectly with the cardinals infant beanie that miles and theresa sent us!

i have more pics but i'll wait to post them so this blog isn't ridiculously long!

we hope everyone is doing great!!

we love y'all!

erica and zeb

getting ready. . . for surreal things

Zeb and i are now counting down the months until the baby's arrival. pretty soon that will turn into weeks and then days! thankfully, we're still just at months- 3 left. it's now time to start getting our house ready. last weekend we got our crib- i'll post picks when we assemble it. and now we're starting on our registry. yesterday i made my first, and probably not the last, trip to Babies "R" Us. It was very surreal at first. I had never heard of this place until now. However, I did feel quite at home with all of the other preggo bellies running around the store! We ended up spending two hours just browsing. I've been doing my research and wanted a chance to see all of the recommended items in person. It was kind of fun. I was able to practice a little with the travel system (stroller, infant carrier, and car base) that we'll get. I'm not that great!! I just picture our baby being jostled around while I'm trying to snap the carrier into the base! I bet after a month zeb and i will both be pros though!

The start of the surreal event:

Here's some shots of a future mom and her stroller:

I'm really starting to feel like a mom. Very Surreal.

Here are some pics from last weekend. Cade went to prom and on Sunday Zeb and I went bowling.

He was being sympathetic of my belly.

love, erica

ps- zeb still hasn't heard what made him so sick in mexico but he is back to normal for the most part. thanks for your prayers!