3D at 30 weeks
07 Aug 2011 Leave a Comment
It has been an amazing journey so far, and my little wiggler is doing great! Cadence is measuring “right on time” and the doctors are still happy with my health and my weight. The only hiccup has been my blood glucose… I did not pass the first test. I understand that the make-or-break number is 130 and I scored a 155. Not completely sure what all that means, but I successfully completed the 3 hour blood glucose test on Friday. I am thankful to all of you who helped pray me through the anxiety of that many needle sticks! We should have results in the next 3-4 days to see if I qualify for gestational diabetes.
I am visiting the doctor(s) every two weeks now, meeting the other physicians in our practice. We also begin our classes at the hospital very soon! We had a surprise personal hospital tour given to us this week – it was a true blessing to see the triage area, labor and delivery, and the mother-baby rooms. I think it boosted our excitement for Cadence’s arrival… if that’s even possible! I also believe I have officially entered the “nesting stage” because I am always anxious to be cleaning something, or putting something together, or moving things around the house to find the perfect feng shui!
Other exciting news includes: We took our maternity pictures at Hollis Gardens this week with the uber talented photographer Theresa NeSmith, who also happens to be the best friend a girl could ask for! I can’t wait to see how they came out! Hollis Gardens is where Tim and I use to take our taco bell at 2am to sit and talk all night, and it’s also where he gave me my promise ring, o-so-many years ago! Very special and filled with many memories!
And finally, we had our 3D/4D Ultrasound today! Tim’s mom, along with my mom and dad joined Tim and I for this special afternoon. Cadence is beautiful and we got a great look at her breathing and her cute little feet, and her pretty eyes and nose! She spent almost 45 minutes showing us that she’s gonna be a strongwilled little girl because she refused to mover her left arm from blocking her mouth. Even though we didn’t get that perfect face picture, it was an unbelievable experience. We hope you’ll peek at the pictures on the new blog tab at the top of this page called “Cadence in 3D”. Once again, we can not thank you enough for your prayers and support, it is the element that without a doubt has made this journey so special!
Week 25 Updates!
06 Jul 2011 Leave a Comment
I have been feeling great and I have finally landed at 25 weeks! It’s been a long couple of weeks at work as we prepared for our large July 4th Celebration, but now that we’re done I’ve been able to re-coop on some much needed rest!
At our most recent OB appt. I was told that I’m on a “great track” for my weight gain. It’s been 6 months and I’m up 10 lbs. from my pre-preggers weight! Hopefully I can keep-on-keepin-on for the last 3 and a half months. He measured my belly for the first time and we got to hear Cadence’s heartbeat again- perfect and beating nice and strong! We set up my Blood Glucose test for a week or so from now, and after my next Dr’s appointment I’ll begin meeting all of the doctors in our practice. Fun!
We have several exciting updates to the Nursery Page, so take a look if you want to see our Crib and the Pack n Play. Also, see some of our pictures from our first family shower on our new “Showers” page!
Stowell Family Reunion
06 Jul 2011 Leave a Comment
It’s about time for an update!! On June 25th we were able to drive up to St. Augustine for our annual Stowell Family Reunion! We always have such a fun time at this event, but this year we were shocked and surprised with a shower for Cadence!! I’ve added some pictures under a new page called “Showers”… please enjoy them! One of the best moments was taking our picture with Grandma and Pepa and all the grandchildren- this HAD to include little Cadence, so we all “pointed” her out…
Daddy’s Little Girl
14 Jun 2011 Leave a Comment
Welcome to 22 weeks, and the exciting has finally happened! I can feel little Cadence moving. It happened quickly, and within 24 hours of the first bump, I can feel her move fairly regularly!! To commemorate this thrilling change, Tim pulled out the huge headphones and wrapped them around my belly. He found his iPod and began scrolling through- looking for the perfect first song to play his little girl. He landed on “Nessun Dorma” from Puccini’s Opera, “Turandot”. The recording we own is sung by none other than Luciano Pavarotti. Please feel free to watch this youtube link to enjoy a recording of this amazing song!
Now, here’s the real “kicker” 
Cadence started to move during the song, I could feel her! So I put Tim’s hand right where I was feeling her kick, and at approx. 2:30 into the song, she gave a great and mighty happy kick and Tim could feel it! It was thrilling for us both! We couldn’t not share our exciting adventure with you!! We listened to other great music from Braveheart, Phantom, Wicked, and a few other of Tim’s favorite composers… it was a wonderful evening for the three of us!
Sunday is Tim’s first Father’s Day, and I know he will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed my first Mother’s day just weeks ago. Happy Father’s Day Daddy, love Cadence!
Nursery Updates
04 Jun 2011 Leave a Comment
As we make progress in the nursery we’ll add pictures to the “Nursery” page of the blog- you can find that by looking at the blue navigation bar near the top of the page, it’s on the far right! Thank you mom and dad for all you help in Phase 1!!
Also, check out the new blog decor, inspired by our baby girl!
Cadence Irene Bottoms
03 Jun 2011 4 Comments
Cadence Irene Bottoms is on her way! Tim and I are ecstatic beyond words!! Make sure you check out all of Cadence’s beautiful pictures on the 20 week ultrasound page. (top of the page, far right). Also, be sure to look at the “Baby things we like” page because we’ve updated it with our Nursery decisions- color, patten, crib and furniture!
So it’s been 20 weeks and I can’t feel little Cadence moving, but the Ultrasound Nurse feels certain I’ll get it in about a week! She was amazing with Tim and I and she spent a lot of time with us- she’s been helping ladies see their babies since 1985 and as you can imagine, she was a pro!! We got to watch Cadence’s heart beat, see all her bones, count her toes, and watch her wiggle about!! It was one of the coolest moments of my life.
Cadence is a name Tim and I decided on way back when we were dating… been hanging on to it for the last 8 years or so!! I think we’ll call her “Cady” for short! Irene is both my middle name, and the middle name of my Grandmother on my dads side: Mildred Irene Stowell We are thrilled with our name choice! Well, please take a look at the extra pages and enjoy, and thank you all for your love and support!
WEEK 20!!
30 May 2011 2 Comments
It’s official! We’re at 20 weeks! This is a great milestone, and I’ll have plenty to write later this week because we have our OB appt on Thursday to find out if Bb is a boy or a girl!! If you haven’t weighed in on the vote, see the blog below and put your vote in before Thursday!
Since we just got back from our amazing cruise vacation with the family, I’ll leave you with these beautiful pictures taken by a young South African lady – we love them and consider them our first “pregnancy pictures”!
More to come Thursday!
