Welcome Amelia Grace Gaynor

Welcome Baby Amelia Grace Gaynor. Amelia was born at Walnut Creek Kaiser Hospital on July 12th, 2009 at 2:16 AM. She weighed 6 lbs 6 ounces and was 20.5" long. I had a wonderful delivery and we were all surprised at how quickly Amelia came into the world. I will later try to write a bit more on the actual labor and delivery story.

As for now, we have been extremely busy keeping up with our new life and trying to adjust. Amelia lost too much weight in the hospital and within the first week of being home, so we have been supplementing Amelia to try and boost her weight up. Amelia is becoming a better and stronger nurser everyday, but we are still working really hard at this whole feeding thing (I have had about 5 lactation appointments..) ... let's all hope and pray that Amelia gets this nursing thing down soon...Then perhaps we can leave the house and visit friends and family.

David and I are sleep deprived to say the least, but we are overcome with joy and so very grateful for our beautiful daughter and God has blessed us with. We want to share her with everyone so much...but we are waiting until she's a bit more strong! We are enjoying moments together as a family and enjoying the moments home as she'll only be a newborn once! I am trying my best to keep up with photos so check back again...I can't promise how quickly though I'll post. Thank you to everyone for your calls, prayers, visits, meals, support and company. I enjoy guests and welcome anybody who wants to visit me here in Benicia as both Amelia and I are home every day...it's nice to have some adult interaction and a helping hand!! :) Call me to visit :) Amelia will be 3 weeks old on Sunday...She is almost 1 month.!

More stories and pictures to come soon.

Love, Melissa and David....and of course...baby Amelia!

Photos from my baby shower 5.30.09

Here is a collage I quickly put together of some photos from my baby shower on 5.30.09 at my best friend's house in Benicia. I had a GREAT time! Thanks to everyone who was there to welcome baby Amelia. I love you all!

Also...Happy Father's Day!

Amelia's Nursery

David and I are almost completely finished with the nursery! Yay!! We went with the sky blue walls and birds/tree theme. After I took these photos, Christie gave me a pink stuffed bird that is now hanging from the ceiling over my rocker. It adds that final special touch!

We just have some small things left to finish up the room....tidy up a bit more and hopefully we're done. Then we get to anticipate her arrival. I am almost 37 weeks along....which technically is full term!

I hope you all enjoy these pics...check back again soon as you never know when pics of Amelia will arrive. Also, I'll be posting some pics from my baby shower that was on 5.30.09 in Benicia. :

Portrait Belly Pics by Patti! 34 weeks along

On June 2nd, my fantastic co-worker invited me over to her house to take a few "belly" pics. She loves photography and I was excited to take her up on a preggo fashion shoot...even though I felt SOO huge! We had so much fun playing with different poses. Below are some of the shots taken at her house in El Cerrito on June 2nd, 2009. I was 34 weeks along....no, I do not have a basketball in my belly but it sure does look like it at times! (The picture above is with my very own baby dress that I wore when I was a baby! My mom gave it to me on my baby shower for Amelia to wear)

As of today, I have about 4 weeks to go! I have a Dr. appointment on Tuesday. Let's hope lil Amelia is in position! I'm feeling more and more ready. Last night I was "nesting" and I was up vacuuming at a very late time. David was excited to see this "nesting" going on and he even helped move furniture so that I could get every square corner of the living room! Today, David and I spent hours on the nursery. The walls are a sky blue. The crib is put together along with the changing table and her clothes are laundered and put away. The last bit is to put up our tree and bird wall decals. When the room is finished, I'll post some pics here!

It's countdown time and we can't wait!

3D/4D Ultrasound 5.16.09

On May 16th, 2009, I went to 4D miracles in Fremont, CA with David, my mom and Weston. What an amazing opportunity and special moment for us!! Indeed, she still is a GIRL! I have no reservations now....It was a very relaxing moment. It was set up like a day spa with dim lights, a comfy couch to lie down on and soft classical music.

I was hoping for more full front face shots like the one above, but for over an hour (they normally only spend 20-30 minutes on the ultrasound)...she was sleeping the whole time and either had her hand, arm or foot on her face! I couldn't help but smile and laugh.

Above- There are her girl parts!

Look!! She smiled for us!

Here is a profile shot! So sweet!

Many of the photos taken....the placenta was covering part of her face like this one (above)...the placenta is so close to her left side...at least she's growing and before we know it, she'll be here!

Here she is again, hiding under her arms and leg! What a sleepy girl!

And, to end it off...another sweet smile! Looks almost like a giggle!!

We had a great time and are happy to have had this special glimpse of our precious little girl before her debut day. We are so happy that she is healthy and happy and we can't wait to meet her in real life...Until then...we keep praying for her to be in good health and for the remainder of my 8 weeks or so to be safe and easy!! :) Let's hope I can handle this heat!

Mother's Day & 30.5 weeks along!

I was hoping to post on Sunday, but Happy Mother's Day to everyone! I am now officially 30.5 weeks pregnant. The countdown
begins...About 8 weeks left....maybe less...maybe more??

I enjoyed my weekend with my mom and sister as we celebrated Mother's Day. Also, Aimee was the closest to guessing the name of our baby girl, so she wins! The prize ? Hmmm....A big hug and lots of smiles....until we go and visit her for some newborn photos! Our daughter's name will be Amelia. We are still going back and forth for a middle name. I"ll let you know! Below are some up close 'n personal belly pics as well as family photos from Mother's Day.



This Saturday, David and I will be going to have a 3-D ultrasound. Hopefully she won't be too big and we'll be able to sneak a peek...although I'm just mostly concerned about verifying her gender and I'm less concerned about her features... We just want a healthy and happy baby! She has been doing many turns and twists and still enjoys sleeping sideways inside my belly. The nurse said she might turn head down as soon as 32 weeks,but she's not ready yet!

David and I just had our 4th childbirth preperation class at WC Kaiser. Next Monday, we get to tour the hospital labor and delivery area. Exciting! It's getting down to the tail end of everything. I am blessed to have such wonderful support from my family and friends. I thank everyone for their thoughtfulness, prayers and advice during my pregnancy. Now, let's hope I can comfortably make it through the summer months. Luckily, I just picked up some maternity tanks....Yeah! I'll try to post every 1-2 weeks as I am getting closer.

28 weeks!

On April 19, 2009, we watched and enjoyed as my little cousin Jillian got married in San Ramon. Posted are some photos from the special occasion.

Currently, I am 28 weeks along. Just this last week I started to feel more drained and tired. I get home from work and I instantly crash on the couch. My bed is full of pillows...David never thought a person could sleep with so many...but the pillows do serve many purposes. I just bought a long body pillow..yeah! That's great for my back...then I have this special wedge pillow that fits under my belly...I need 2-3 pillows for my head, and one for my back when I sleep on my side. I'm sure you really wanted to know all that...but it's what a pregnant woman needs!

We also finished up our registry...Babies R Us...That was fun...it's a bit addicting going online and changing things...Thanks to those who gave me some tidbits of things I needed to add to make it complete :)

I met my "new" midwife last week that will be following me through until I deliver...Kaiser WC has a team of midwives so you never know who will be on staff when you actually go into labor. I really like my midwife that I'm seeing for my prenatals...she knew exactly where her butt and head were just by feeling..wow! Baby is still a bit sideways and enjoys kicking me mostly on my lower left side. I felt the "hiccups" I think a couple of nights ago...every few seconds there was a popping sensation in the same spot...again...and again...and again. Moments like those make me smile and really get excited for what's to come :)

I'll post more up close belly pics soon. Other than that, we are doing good...and we picked a name. I'll let those of you who don't know take a guess. To make it a little easier...it starts with an "A" and has 3 syllables :)

***To the first person that guesses correctly and who didn't know before...you win! I'll think of what you win once that person gets back to me. Hehe. Good luck! ;)

-Melissa and Baby A.