Welcome to the World, Bug!

Dear Baby Bug-

I'm so sorry that I have left you hanging in suspense. I'm sure that since you are reading this, you obviously know that you were born. I'm going to try my best to sum up the last week, because it has been an exciting one!

Wednesday morning, April 20th, Daddy and I got up early because we were so anxious to get the process started that would bring you into the world. Once we were ready, Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Rand arrived at our house and we made the short drive to the hospital. Once we were admitted, we went up to the room where you would eventually be born. Mommy was very nervous, but more excited than anything else and in awe that this day was actually here. We spent hours waiting for my contractions to get close enough together to get you moving. Even though we were sure you would be born that day, midnight came and went with no baby in sight. Finally, around 2:00 am on April 21st, my water broke and an hour later, the nurse said that we were ready to start pushing. Daddy, Grandma Cindy, Grandma Carol, and Grandpa Rand had been at the hospital through the whole labor and although Grandpa Rand went to the waiting room for the delivery, Grandma Carol and Grandma Cindy stayed to help bring you into the world. I am going to spare you all of the details (believe me, there are A LOT of details) but finally after hours of pushing you were born at 8:27 a.m....our precious, beautiful, healthy baby girl! Dr. Hamburg put you right on my chest after you were born and Daddy cut your umbilical cord. This goes without saying, but it was the happy moment of my entire life. All of the anticipation had finally produced our precious daughter and I was finally holding you in my arms.





I was only able to be with you for a couple of minutes because you needed to be taken away for measuring and some health-related tests. Don't worry, you weren't by yourself. Daddy was with you every step of the way!




You officially weighed in at 8 pounds, 8 ounces and were a whole 19 1/2 inches long. A little bigger than anticipated, but completely healthy and beautiful. Once we knew your stats, we could finally reveal your name. Welcome to the world Tenley Brandyn Terry! You are every bit as wonderful as we could have ever imagined. Everyone we meet is in love with your name and think it is very special that your middle name is after your Uncle Brandon and Grandpa Rand. :)

Once you were all cleaned up, you were brought up to Mommy's new room where we were to stay for two days. You had so many visitors! Grandpa Rand had to leave soon after you were born, but he was able to hold you before he left and it looks like he thinks you are pretty special!



As you were coming out of the nursery, you ran into Grandpa Jeff and he was able to hold you. Look how happy he is! He is completely taken with you and is so excited that you are here.



You had a lot of other visitors during the day including your Aunt Katie, Aunt Julie, Uncle Pete and Cameron. Grandma Cindy and Grandma Carol waited patiently to hold you and, after all they helped Mommy and Daddy through with your delivery and arrival, they finally were able to hold you. I think it was love at first sight for both of them!




The day that you arrived was a busy one and we didn't get much sleep that night. Daddy stayed with us in the hospital and we spent that first night (and a few nights after that) trying to get used to what you wanted when you cried. Mommy woke up the next day very tired, but super excited that you were there beside me in your hospital bassinet. It was like waking up and realizing that Christmas wasn't over- my best gift ever was still right there beside me. We had many visitors the day after you were born and the day went very fast. I wish I could post pictures of every single person that came to see you, but this post would go on forever!! You were able to meet Betty, Beth, and Becky as well as Aimee and Hillary. Aunt Carrie and Cammie came in the morning which was great because there were no other visitors and they were able to see you for a long time. The most fun part of the day was when the newborn photographer came to take your very first professional picture. We got to dress you up in a cute outfit and then you posed for a bunch of pictures. Daddy took some really good ones and here are the highlights:





Saturday morning was full of anticipation- we were going to be able to take you home after you had your 48 hour infant screening. You had already passed your hearing test with flying colors, but your pediatrician, Dr. Stroman, still needed to release you. He came to see you around 10:00 that morning and he said that you looked great and that he wants to see you again in two weeks. Once he cleared you to go home, we started preparing ourselves to take you back to our house. We changed you into your going home outfit, put you in the carseat, and headed home!


You had quite the welcoming committee when you came home! Grandma Cindy, Grandpa Rand, Grandma Carol, Grandpa Jeff, Aunt Katie, Aunt Carrie, Cameron, and Ethan were all there to make sure that you arrived safe and sound. Casey, Laney, and Clara had made signs to welcome you home and they arrived later along with Aunt Julie and Uncle Jeff to welcome you to your new home. It was so fun to have everyone there and while they fawned over you, Mommy took a nap. It was a good thing I did, because we were up ALL NIGHT together. I don't think you liked being home as much as we liked having you there. Don't worry- you have adjusted quite nicely since then. It's hard to believe that the day you came home from the hospital was the day you were supposed to be born. We brought you home on your due date and we couldn't have been happier to welcome you two days before you were supposed to be born.

The next day was Easter Sunday- you were our little Easter baby! Since you were only a couple of days old, we couldn't take you anywhere. Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Rand went to church and told Pastor Bassam that you were born. They said the service was very nice and I was happy they were able to go. Meanwhile, the whole Terry family had Easter brunch and decided to come over afterwards to get fun pictures of all of you kids dressed up. Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Rand bought you a beautiful Easter dress, so we dressed you up in it and took lots of pictures. You are quite the model little girl!





Grandma Cindy made us a delicious Easter dinner and, once dinner was over, Grandpa Rand had to leave. Grandma Cindy stayed a little bit longer so she could spend more time with you. We probably won't be able to see Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Rand again for a couple of weeks, and we are hoping to take you to their house for Mother's Day weekend. I can't wait for you to see where I grew up, Bug, and we will be spending lots of time there this summer! Here is one last picture with Grandma Cindy and you in the dress that she bought you:



The next couple days were a blur for us. You were not what we would call cooperative at night, so Mommy and Daddy did not get a lot of sleep. We are all getting used to each other and it will just take some time to get you used to being outside of Mommy's tummy. We had some exciting visitors on Tuesday- Great Grandma and Grandpa Walter and Great, Great Aunt Lou and Uncle Bernard came to visit! They drove all the way from home for the day and we were so happy to see them. They were all so happy to meet you and the day flew by. You of course had photo opportunities with everyone, and here is the proof:







The day was a lot of fun and we ate pizza, talked, and admired you the whole time. Once they left, Mommy took a little nap in preparation for another long night. You surprised us, though, and slept very well- we all woke up at 11:00 this morning! That doesn't mean that you weren't up, but you were up a lot less than the previous nights and we are extremely grateful to you for that.

Today was the first day that we had no visitors. You have been a little angel all day and, now that it is almost bedtime, I'm a little apprehensive to what the night will bring. We will just take it day by day, Bug, and your Daddy and I are doing the best we can to be good parents to you. You are the best thing to ever happen to us and although you've only been here for a week, it is hard for me to remember what it was like before you were here. I know I said in my last post that I didn't know how I could love you any more than I did when you were inside of me, but sitting here now and looking at your little face sleeping so peacefully beside me my heart just absolutely wants to bust with love and joy that you are here and you are safe. It is hard to believe that we actually get to keep you and that we will wake up every day for years and you will still be right here. Although you have a beautiful name, Tenley, you will always be my Baby Bug and I look forward to the seconds, minutes, days, weeks, and years to come. I am so lucky to be your Mommy and I love you more than words can say. Welcome to the world- we are so happy that you are FINALLY here!

Our Last Night Without You

Dear Baby Bug-

It is a very exciting night, Bug- it is our last night before we go to the hospital to welcome you into the world! We went for our weekly appointment with Dr. Hamburg and after he examined me he said, "It looks like it's time that we get this baby out of there!" and called the hospital to schedule an induction for tomorrow morning at 11:00. This was all a little overwhelming for Mommy, but I was more excited than anything when he made the call. He even asked me if I wanted to be induced tonight, but since Dr. Hamburg had just come home from Florida and seemed a little tired, I thought it might be better for him to get his beauty rest before you decide to come out. Now that we have an end in sight, it is really starting to sink in...the next time I write a post it may very well be with you sitting BESIDE me and not INSIDE of me!

Daddy is super excited for you to come. He has been in a great mood all night, singing and doing chores around the house. I am so happy that I cleaned the house from top to bottom in the past two days, because I know we are going to have plenty of company in the coming days including Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Rand. They are planning to be here first thing tomorrow morning so that they are here for the whole procedure. I will feel a lot better once they are here, just to know that we have their support. I think I have been a little more subdued tonight compared to your father...although I am excited beyond belief to meet you, I am a little nervous about what is to come between now and the time we get to first see you. I have not been afraid of the birthing process so far, but knowing that it is just a few hours away makes it a little more real. No matter what, I will do ANYTHING to make sure that you are safe and if this is what Dr. Hamburg is recommending then I am all for it.

In a few short (or, on the other hand, probably loooong) hours, we will get to see your beautiful face and will officially become Mommy and Daddy to our little Bug. It is surreal to think that after you have been floating around in there for the past 10 months, you are actually going to come out as a little human being who will be all ours. We are going to get to hug you, kiss you, dress you up, and hold you as much as we want because WE will be your parents...no one else. I can't imagine a better feeling in the world and we are finally going to be able to experience it after so much anticipation. Just do your best to cooperate with Mommy and Dr. Hamburg...we don't need any further complications from you, young lady.

As I sign off for the last time before you are born, please know that it is hard to imagine loving you more than I already do. You have been a part of me for 39 weeks and 4 days and there has barely been a second that has passed that I haven't thought of you. That being said, I know that nothing will compare to the love I will feel when I first see you and that is a moment that I never want to forget. I only hope that tomorrow is a day that is so full of joy that the worry that I am feeling now will be nothing but a distant memory. So, until tomorrow, you get some rest and I will try to do the same. We will be meeting soon and Mommy can't wait! I love you Bug...SEE YOU TOMORROW!

On the Homestretch- 39 Weeks!

Dear Baby Bug-

My post on Wednesday must have psyched you out, Bug, because you are still on the inside! Even though Dr. Hamburg thought you were going to make an appearance, you have decided to stay snug as a bug in a rug inside my tummy for a little bit longer. You should know that you are killing your Daddy. He is SO EXCITED about you coming out and every day he wonders if "today could be the day." Well, so far, it hasn't been! We are hoping that one day this week WILL be the day and we will get to meet you soon! To prove my point, this is Daddy's Facebook status from this evening:

I feel like I'm 8 years old and it's the night before the Christmas I was to get the G.I. Joe Headquarters, except whenever I wake up I don't get it - I need this baby to come out NOW. The anticipation is horrid.

See, Bug? You better come out SOON!

This week has been pretty uneventful. We were able to hang out with Becky and Finn for most of the afternoon on Wednesday which was fun as usual. Finn is getting so big and, if it is even possible, more and more handsome by the day. We can't wait for you to be here so that we can all hang out together! Thursday was a special treat- I brought Jimmy Johns into school to visit all of my co-workers one last time before you are born. It was so much fun to catch up with everyone and they can't wait for you to be here! We were able to see a bunch of people that we haven't seen in a long time, and everyone is so supportive and kind. Friday was kind of a bummer of a day for some reason. Mommy just didn't feel well but the day got better when I was able to go visit Becky and Finn again. Becky took some pictures of my tummy so that we would have some lasting memories of how you looked before you came out. Once we were done with the pictures, we ran some errands and spent the rest of the evening at home. You psyched us out a bit on Friday night, Bug. I was having contractions every five minutes for hours but they were not strong enough to go to the hospital. I was sure that you were going to start making your way out, but when I woke up on Saturday morning you were still intact and the contractions had stopped. :(

Saturday was a big day. Your cousin Casey had his confirmation so we went to his confirmation mass and then to Aunt Julie and Uncle Jeff's for lunch afterwards. It was so fun to spend the morning with the family and they , like everyone else, are wondering when you are going to arrive. I know we have to be patient, but we have all been patient for 9 months and I don't know how much longer we can last.

Today was another fun day. We went to Orland Park to meet Jess, Tom, and Ethan for lunch and then Daddy and I ran some errands. Lunch was a lot of fun and it always makes Mommy happy when I can see Jess. She is my best friend and I love her very much. :) Everyone said that I should eat some spicy food, so at P.F. Chang I had a spicy chicken dish that was not only spicy but delicious! Daddy even liked the food there and he is a little picky when it comes to eating things. I love your Daddy, but I hope you develop my taste palate...it's a little more extensive than his!

Well, Bug, here are pictures of you in my belly at 39 weeks. We are hoping that these are the last belly pictures that we take. We want the next picture of you to be on the OUTSIDE not still on the INSIDE!! We have an appointment with Dr. Hamburg on Tuesday and I plan on telling him about your little show on Friday night. I am hoping he will examine me again and tell me that I have progressed a little more. The more I am dilated and effaced before we go into labor, the quicker you are going to come!

Could Today be THE DAY??

Dear Baby Bug-

This is just going to be a quick note but I wanted to update you on your progress towards being introduced to the world. Yesterday we had an appointment with Dr. Hamburg and Mommy was NOT looking forward to it because she was not expecting to be told anything different then "go to the hospital if your water breaks or if your contractions are five minutes apart" but boy was I in for a surprise! When I got to the office, the nurse asked me how I was feeling. I told her that I was having a lot of pain in my pelvis and that it is almost excruciating to walk at times. Because of this, she told me that Dr. Hamburg would examine me. When he came in, he told me that the amount of pain I seem to be in is "not uncommon, but not necessarily normal" so when we examined me, he found out that I am still 90% effaced but am now almost 4 centimeters dilated!! Hooray! When I left the office, he told me that he wouldn't be surprised if I had a baby by tomorrow. Well, it's tomorrow, Bug...what the heck are you doing in there? Dr. Hamburg even said that if I am in too much pain, he could induce me. He says that you are in prime position to be induced because of the effacement, dilation, and the position of your head. I told him that unless there is a medical reason to be induced, then I don't want that to happen. You're supposed to come when you're good and ready and I'm just hoping that you are good and ready SOON!!

Carrying you for the past 10 months has been such a blessing. To feel you move around in my tummy is a miracle, and I have not been annoyed or upset by one kick, roll, or squirm from you. Aside from the pain right now (and the pain that is sure to come when you are on your way out) you have given me a blissful pregnancy with barely any sickness or pain. If you are half as good on the outside as you have been on the inside, then your Daddy and I are going to be very happy with you. Regardless, we know that you are the most precious thing in the world to us and we are eager to meet our little girl. We love you very much and we haven't even seen you yet!

Yesterday you received another fun package in the mail and it is just adorable. Mommy's friend Kim Goss from high school saw that you are our "little ladybug" and picked up this outfit especially for you. Kim has a 2 1/2 year old daughter, so she knows how much fun it is to be a Mommy to a little girl. I can't wait to experience it and hopefully one day you will be able to meet Kim and her little girl too! Here is a picture of your new little ladybug pajamas, complete with a little tutu- thanks to Kim for thinking of us!

When Are You Coming Out??

Dear Baby Bug-

Mommy is very proud of you, Bug, because you have been an extremely good listener and have stayed put for the entire time that we have requested. But now I am feeling very uncomfortable and, on days like today, I can barely walk without crying because of the way you are sitting in there. Not to make you feel guilty, but Mommy is ready for you to come out!! I know you are going to come when you are good and ready, but just know that you have my permission to start making your way to greet us any time you want.

This week has been a mix of good and bad. I didn't feel very well on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday but Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday were pretty good. Tuesday we went to see Dr. Hamburg and he had no new information for us. He listened to your heartbeat and said that you sound good, so with that he said that he will see us in another week. I have a feeling that our next two doctor appointments will be similar to that, so besides hearing that nice strong heartbeat, I don't even want to go anymore. He just keeps telling me to go to the hospital if anything changes.

Thursday was the best part of my week- I got to go to Michigan City to meet your Grandma Cindy and great aunts Sharon, LaVera, Wilma, Katie, Alta, Irma, and Mary at the outlet mall for some shopping. Actually, I didn't do much shopping but was so happy to be with all of them while they shopped. It was so nice to get out of the house and be in the fresh air all day. We ended the day with dinner at Chili's and then went home. Next time we see Grandma Cindy, it will be because you are arriving!

Saturday was a bittersweet day. Daddy and I went to the funeral of Great Uncle Mike's mom, Alice, and it was a beautiful service. We were able to spend lots of time with family during the services and the luncheon afterwards. Everyone is still super excited for you to come and it was so nice to spend time with everyone even though the occasion was sad.

Another extremely exciting thing happened yesterday, Bug- you are going to have a new aunt next summer! Uncle Brandon proposed to Sarah and Mommy was so excited when she got the phone call from him saying he is engaged. Hopefully we will be making a trip to Charleston at some point next summer for the wedding and it will be so much fun! We like Sarah very much and are excited to have her as part of the family. Hooray for new additions!! :)

This coming week is going to be a hard one to get through. I am trying to line up some things to do to keep my mind off the fact that you are not here yet. We don't have anything going on tomorrow, but Tuesday is another Dr. Hamburg appointment, Wednesday we will hopefully hang out with Becky and Finn, and I am going to see if I can go visit my friends at Munster on Friday. Saturday is Casey's confirmation celebration, so that is definitely something to look forward to.

Aside from the Uncle Brandon and Sarah news, I'm sorry this post isn't very exciting. It's the best you are going to get since Mommy doesn't feel very well. Here are some pictures of us at 38 weeks...will this be the last belly picture we see? Only time will tell!

37 Weeks and Counting...

Dear Baby Bug-

Hello there sweetheart! I hope you are doing well in there- it feels like you are a world-class gymnast with the way you've been moving around lately. We have had a fairly busy week and I haven't had a chance to write because of it. Tuesday we had another appointment with Dr. Hamburg and he gave me a hi-five for keeping you in there past 36 weeks. He says that he is very happy with you and that the days between now and when you arrive are "gravy" and he "likes gravy"...Dr. Hamburg is pretty funny. He checked me and says that you are still at +2 station, I am 90% effaced, and now 1 cm dilated. This is all good news, Bug, but it would probably be in your best interest if you hung in there for a little longer. He told me that he will see me at my next appointment and I should go to the hospital if my water breaks or if my contractions are 5 minutes apart and it is hard to breathe through them...that doesn't sound like a lot of fun, Bug, but it is what is necessary to get you out here! He also told me that my activities don't have to be so restricted, so I should try to get out of the house to run errands or get my nails done- I think I will take him up on those suggestions!

Thursday we had a big surprise- Grandpa Rand stopped by for a visit! He was on his way home from seeing his dealers in Illinois and decided to come and see us. He really likes your room, Bug, and says that he will see us again once you arrive. After Grandpa left, we went to visit Becky and Finn for the afternoon. Boy is he cute, Bug- I can't wait until you go to prom together! :) It was nice to spend the afternoon chatting with Becky and we left once she had to go to school. Later that evening, Jenny text messaged me and said that some friends from work were getting together for dinner and wanted to know if I wanted to come. We had a great time talking and laughing- Mommy forgets how much she misses socializing with people, especially after being cooped up in the house for four weeks!

Friday was an extremely busy day- we started out by accompanying Becky and Finn to Finn's 8 weeks doctor's appointment so that I could meet your pediatrician. Dr. Stroman is wonderful and I am so happy that he is going to be taking care of you once you arrive. He is extremely friendly and was so good with Finn. Poor Finn had to get his vaccinations but he took it like a champ and was such a good little guy. :) Once the trauma of the vaccinating was over, we grabbed some Wendy's for lunch and then Mommy went to meet Beth for a pedicure. Dr. Hamburg said that he wanted to see my new nails when I come to my next appointment, so at least I will have pretty toes when I see him again. It was fun to see Beth and when I asked her what she was doing after the nail salon, she said she was going to register for her baby shower at Babies R Us. I decided to go with her and we had so much fun picking out all kinds of fun things for baby Reagan. I can't wait for Beth's shower and for you and Reagan to play together. :) Once we arrived home, Daddy took me out for pizza and then we went BACK to Babies R Us to pick up the rest of the things we need for you. We got some really fun stuff including a "manly" diaper bag for Daddy. He didn't see the point in it at first, but now he's all excited about the bells and whistles that go along with it. Hopefully he doesn't lose it.

The rest of the weekend has been pretty laid-back. Yesterday I spent some time preparing for you to come by hanging your closet organizer and doing some of your laundry. I know you already saw the pictures, but you have some pretty adorable stuff to wear once you arrive. I hope you don't enjoy being naked in there, because you are going to be dressed to the nines once you come out! Last night we went out to Jim and Carrie Martin's house to watch the final four tournament and we had a lot of fun with our friends. Josh and Trisha Holder were there and Trisha gave Mommy some magazines and a book to keep her busy plus some really cute onesies for you- she is so thoughtful! Daddy made plans to go with Josh to the Cubs game today but when he woke up this morning, they decided not to go. We have spent the day relaxing while Daddy works in the yard. He is getting the garden ready so that you have a great view from your bedroom window. Today has been a nice down day compared to the busyness of this past week and I am happy to be relaxing.

Here are some pictures from the past week including some more fun gifts from people who love you! I will talk to you as soon as I can, Bug, and we are getting VERY excited to meet you! Your Daddy asks me every day if "today could be the day" and one day soon, it will be! I know that you are going to come when you are ready, but we can't wait- the anticipation is killing us! We love you!!


Look how big Mommy is! I don't know if it's the shirt or you, but HOLY COW!!


37 Weeks, Bug- I can't believe you could be here in just 3 weeks (or less)!


Aaron, Kelly, Chase, and Taden sent you this little ladybug tummy time mat and you can use it pretty much as soon as you get here. I can't wait!


This ADORABLE gift is from Mommy's friend and sorority sister, Sarah Clayton. She lives in Louisville and said she picked these cute gifts up at one of her favorite baby boutiques there. She is so thoughtful and I really hope that you can meet her soon!


Someone knows we love the Cubs! Our cousins Michael, Amanda, and their boys sent you this cute little outfit and we can't wait to take you to your first Cubs game in style. It will be perfect for a late summer game!


This beautiful ladybug necklace was a surprise gift from Daddy to Mommy. He gave it to me last night and said it is a "Congratulations-for-making-it-full-term" gift....isn't he so thoughtful! I LOVE this necklace and it will always remind me of how our little family started. I love your Daddy very much and we already love you more than you know...our little ladybug :)