Mollie's Baptism - August 30th

We were so fortunate to have lots of friends and family gather for Mollie's baptism on August 30th at the UGA Catholic Center. She was very well behaved - only 15 days old too! She only made one little peep at the end of mass. Mollie slept right through her baptism.

Afterwards, we all came back to her Carow Grandparents' house for lunch.

Mollie wore her grandmother Mollie's baptismal gown. It was bought by her grandmother's great-aunt and sent to Georgia. Since then, it has been worn by Mollie's great-aunt, great-uncle, their children, her aunts and uncles, cousins, and second cousins. The ribbon was tied by her great-grandmother Rachel and added for her to wear. The charms have also been worn by many family members. The two photos of her in her gown were taken by photographer Teresa Vickery during her newborn photo session when she was 12 days old.

Long Time, No Blog... For Good Reason!

We were thrilled to welcome Mollie Rose into our family at 11:12 PM on Friday, August 14th. She weighed 7 pounds, 12 ounces and was 20.2 inches long.

Notice how she was looking at the camera less than 3 hours after her birth!

Due Date is Here!

I can't believe that today is my due date! Throughout this entire pregnancy, I have felt like I wouldn't make it here. Everyday that I have been pregnant has been a blessing. Now that the day is here and nothing is really happening, it is strange! I thought this baby would be early- especially after the doctor told me she probably would be. I don't feel like little Baby O wants to come out anytime soon. I guess she is just too cozy! If she stays put until Monday, I will have an ultrasound to make sure her environment is still hospitable, and they will start to induce me Thursday night (August 20th). The last thing that I want is to be induced! Please pray that she'll decide that stretching out in a nice cozy bassinet beats being all balled-up in a cramped uterus!

Baby O Tried to Escape Last Night!

So, last night Baby O tried to make a break for it at 34 weeks! I started having regular contractions every 2 minutes, so the doctor sent me to the hospital. They took great care of me, monitored Baby O's heartbeat and my contractions, stopped the contractions with some injections, and we made it home in less than 3 hours. I was a little worried today with "practice" contractions, but they were nothing like the real ones I had last night. For the time being, I think her exit strategy has been foiled. I could tell that she was upset when she figured out she wouldn't get to actually enjoy independece day on the 4th. She'll have to wait. What a little stinker.

David and I had maternity photos done on Monday, and there are previews available at this site... http://heartstringsphotography.blogspot.com/2009/06/rachel-34-weeks-maternity.htmlMore to come in a few weeks! I hope you enjoy them. The same photographer will be doing Baby O's photos at 2 weeks. Check out the great baby bracelets Heather's sister made for the baby. You'll see them in a photo. :)

Baby O is Okay After the Car Accident! :)

Camera Shy Baby O at 23 Weeks and 6 Days

Baby O tries to suck her thumb.

Baby O looks like she has a microphone!

Baby O's little hand.

Baby O's foot. That's her heel on the top right.

We feel so thankful that our little Baby O is okay after my car accident on Saturday. I went to the paranatologist today, so we got to see Baby O at 23 weeks and 6 days. During the ultrasound, the doctor now placed my estimated due date at August 9th. It was August 12th! (If that means anything.) If it keeps changing, I won't even make it to the first day of school. I have a wonderful video tape of our baby playing peek-a-boo behind her hands. The doctor said she was totally fine. She has a good heartrate, and she has good blood-flow through her umbilical cord. She now weighs 1 pound, 7 ounces. Last time we were there at 18 weeks, she weighed 9 ounces. It's just amazing to see how much she has grown. Over the past few days, she has been pretty quiet, but that ultrasound got her moving. Good luck detecting her face under her hands below!

Car Accidents Stink

I know that accidents happen. I am just very frustrated right now. Protecting Baby O has been my number 1 goal since we found out she was bobbing around inside me. So, I am driving down Barnett Shoals Road this morning, taking a detour to satisfy my hash-brown craving, when I smash my car. I was driving in the right lane, and a car was going to turn left from the left lane next to me. I am minding the speed-limit, when a car comes out-of-nowhere, turning across infront of me. I hit them going 40 MPH. I would not be surprised if the individual to my left had "waved them on." The car on my left was out-of-there. I don't even think I had time to put on the brakes. I just thought, "This can't be happening." My only thought right after was, "My baby, my baby!" I said, "I have to go to the hospital." My St. Christopher medal had shot off the the visor and lodged between the wind-shield and the dashboard. I know he was watching over me. The police were there quickly, and the EMS came to check me out. I called David who was deejaying the Catholic Center Human Race 5K, and he dropped everything to get to me. My poor car. The driver's side front is crumpled up. I managed to back it onto a street. Then it got towed. I took off the front fender of the late 80's model white buick I hit. They managed to drive away after all was said and done. I went to Athens Regional Hospital, and they took good care of me. (I am never going to the St. Mary's ER again. BAD.) I was in quickly, the doctor checked me out and did an ultrasound while checking the baby's heart. She was happy and entertained in her amniotic sack. Yay for that! I am just very, very sore right now. Fr. Tom even came to the ER- so did David's step-brother. That was so nice of them. My neck and back are sore, and my right thumb hurts the most. I think that all the weight of my upper body got caught on my thumb which caught on the steering wheel. I was so scared. I feel so blessed that our baby is okay. She is all I was worried about.

Dancing Baby

I have to say that this baby knows how to move. I can't help but wonder what she is thinking. I think that she just wants to party the second things get quiet. Sounds a lot like her father! David and I can both feel a tight bump near my belly button sometimes when I lay down. He pokes it and says, "That's weird!" Then he pokes the same spot and says, "Where did it go?" I don't think she likes to be poked!