Only 3 more weeks until the estimated due date!! We are so excited and ready for Caden to join us. Allyson has been through a lot the last couple of weeks but right now everything is going really well. We had a little scare on the 9th of November when Ally's blood pressure was high at her doctors appointment. Her blood platelet count was low and they detected protein in her urine so they sent her to the hospital for an overnight stay to monitor her blood and urine. The next day her levels were back to normal so they let her go home and told her to get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids. While we there they performed a 4D ultrasound and a growth scan of Caden to make sure everything was well with him. The nurse told us he was doing great and weighed 5 pounds 7 ounces at that time. I posted the ultrasound picture above. It's a little hard to make out but if you look closely you can see his ear on the right top, his shoulder right below his ear, then his elbow is kind of blacked out at the bottom but you can see where the arm bends and his forearm comes back up in front of his face. You can see his cheek and the darkness where his eyes are closed. The top of his head is blacked out. Look at it closely and you'll be able to see him. He wouldn't take his hands away from his face so we were not able to get a clear picture but that's okay. It just means that when he is born is when we'll see his face for the first time.
We have had about 2 doctors visits since the hospital stay and we are now going to the doctor twice a week until Caden is born. At this time Allyson has not started to dilate but she is 70% effaced so things could start happening anytime. We want him to stay in the tummy as long as possible but if he has to come early, Allyson and I are both ready.

I will post more in the next week and hopefully get some pictures of Ally's tummy and the nursery on here. Keep checking back for updates.

Well a lot has happen since my last posting. Allyson's had 2 baby showers (1 in Fayetteville and 1 in Wilmington), we have completed our birthing classes that were provided through Allyson's OBGYN office, and we have started our Lamaze classes at a local church.
The baby showers went great and we received lots of cute clothes and many of the things that Allyson registered for. Thanks to everyone who came to the showers for making them such a wonderful experience for Allyson. She really had a lot of fun at both of them. The pictures below are from the Fayetteville shower and the pictures above are from the Wilmington shower.
The birthing classes were very interesting and helpful in preparing us for what is ahead. We were able to watch a video of a natural childbirth (which was an eye opener for me, to say the least) and a video of a C-Section birth. The nurse was able to address some of our concerns about the birthing experience and I think Allyson and I both are a little more prepared. We began our Lamaze classes yesterday and it was a lot of fun. There are only 2 other couples in the class with us so it is very personal and hands on. We have one more class to attend next Saturday.
The nursery is starting to come along nicely. We have the crib, dresser, and changing station in the room and our chair has arrived but we haven't picked it up yet. We are waiting on curtains and blinds and then I think it will be all ready for Caden's arrival. I will post pictures once it is completed.
With only an estimated 6 weeks until delivery, Allyson and I are really getting excited to meet our new little boy. Keep checking back for new posts and pictures. Take care.