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Ray and I (and Taylor, of course) had a wonderful Fourth of July weekend in Houston with the Jarvis Family! We lounged around the pool and ate plenty of yummy food. We didn't come home empty handed. Ray and I did squeeze in some shopping for our little lady and we brought home a few very special keepsakes. First, we found Ray's teddy bear from his childhood. As soon as we saw it perched up on a shelf, Ray said he wanted Taylor to have it. The adorable teddy has found a new home in Taylor's nursery.
Years ago, way before ultrasounds were able to tell us whether we were having a boy or girl, Mary was preparing for her first child. In the weeks before the birth of her first child, she made a blue gingham outfit for a little boy and a blue gingham dress and bonnet for a little girl. Well, as most of you know, Mary and Lamar had a boy...Jeff. She put the dress away and saved it for the next child. Sure enough, God blessed them with another son...Ray. Once again, Mary packed the dress away. And now, with the first girl being born in our Jarvis family, the dress will finally be worn! I'm sure so many of you (KayDees especially) will LOVE it!! The lace trim and pearl buttons... it is adorable! And I just might have to find a tiny pair of red booties to create Taylor's first Halloween costume, Dorothy. 
Well, it has begun. Our extra room is starting to look like Taylor's Nursery! This past weekend, with the help of our dear friend Ben Foster, Ray picked up and assembled our baby furniture. Then, today, we received a very exciting package in the mail...OUR BEDDING!!! So, our nursery is on its way. We still have quite a ways to go...changing pads, lampshades, glider, decor for the walls. But, so far, Ray and I LOVE it and we are sure Taylor will too!!!
I thought I could share a few belly photos. Its growing like crazy!!!
So today was the day. Ray and I were just waking up to the a beautiful, sunny Saturday seeping in through the windows. I rolled over on my back, leaving my hand to rest on the bump. As I lay there, making a mental list of everything that I wanted to get done today, I felt 3 tiny kicks. So I placed Ray's hand on my belly. Sure enough, Taylor kicked for her Daddy. He was amazed and I was thrilled that he finally was able to feel what I've been feeling for weeks now.
Ray and I had the opportunity to see our baby girl once more today. We had a high resolution ultrasound to check the anatomy. The doctor said that we had wonderful ultrasound results. Baby Jarvis is just the right size. As far as the ultrasound can show, Baby is physically developing wonderfully. So, with no further ado, may we introduce you to our baby girl… Taylor Lee Jarvis
(I apologize for the images. I captured them from the video we received at the ultrasound, so the quality isn't great. You might be able to make out a profile, a leg, and some arms...)
I’m sure some of you, ok many of you, would characterize me as a tad bit impatient. I’ve been DYING to know the gender of our little baby from the moment we laid eyes on the developing yolk sac.
I’ve been quite proud of myself…I have not even attempted any of the ‘old wives methods’ of gender determination. Although difficult, I have refrained from looking at the Chinese Calendar (although I have heard its prediction from friends/family). I haven’t dangled a pin or my wedding banding by a thread over my fore-arm. And I haven’t examined the veins in my eyeballs (I don’t think I actually understand this one anyway). When people have asked what I want to have, I babble a bit about how I would love to have either, as long as its healthy…we are shooting for 10 fingers and 10 toes.
Our friends and family have definitely made their suggestions as to what it is. We have even had a stranger give his prediction. While at Oak Alley on Mother’s Day, a gentleman felt the need to inform me that I was having a boy, I would carry full term, and we better get to work on Boy names since we don’t have any…it was a little creepy. Was he ‘psychic’? Did he have a 6th sense? That isn’t necessarily a comment you make to a total stranger. Could he be right…?!?!?
Ray and I have been fortunate enough to have numerous ultrasounds. We started attempting to take a peek at the gender back at 14 weeks. Below is an outline of our attempts:
14 WEEKS: Baby had ‘parts’ but not to the point that could be differentiated.
17.5 WEEKS: Baby behaved exactly how you would expect a redhead to behave…STUBBORN! Crossing legs and, then, twisting and flipping everytime we came close to seeing anything.
19 WEEKS: A trip to the ER for a minor fall got me an extra Ultrasound. Unfortunately, when admitted through the ER, the Ultrasound Tech is not allowed to show you the screen or tell you the gender. But…it was mentioned that she took a peek between the legs, and, although crossed, she did not see a penis….could this mean girl!??!
TODAY, 20 WEEKS: Well, according to today’s ultrasound, everything looks great and right on track. Doc took some measurements of the head, abdominal cavity, and bones, and we are still holding a delivery date of October 11. And let it be known….
WE ARE HAVING A GIRL!!!!!
My week started with the celebration of my first Mother’s Day. Ray treated me (and baby) to breakfast at The Ruby Slipper and then a day trip to Oak Alley Plantation. I had been once in Middle School, but Ray had never been. It was beautiful day for a stroll between the oak trees. We had lunch, enjoyed beverages on the veranda (Ray enjoyed a classic Mint Julep, while I sipped on Lemonade), took pictures, and had a blast watching all of the children run and play.
I’d also like to thank everyone that sent me Mother’s Day Happies. I received cards, texts, a pajama set for the hospital, and jewelry! I also want to give a special shout out to my Gram, who helped to satisfy my craving for lemon drops…I received a bag of Brach’s Lemon Drops in the mail!! They definitely hit the spot. My personal dentist will be sending her the bill, the bag was gone within 3 days! Thanks for all of your thoughts!
I have finally learned the importance of wearing flats during pregnancy. Of course EVERYONE has tried to reiterate the dangers in wearing heels during pregnancy…bad circulation causing varicose and/or spider veins, an increase in swelling in the ankles and feet, the added work to your body. But it took a pair of 3” wedges, a dress, a chair, and my clumsiness to really drive the point home. As many of you know, I have trouble sitting with both feet on the ground. I almost always have them crossed, propped or wrapped up under me (which is a habit in itself that needs breaking). Well, on Wednesday, as I attempted to unwind myself from a seated position in a chair, my wedge become wrapped and stuck in my dress. In my attempt to untangle, I threw myself onto the ground. Luckily, I did not land on my growing bump, I caught myself on my hands and one hip. I felt confident, especially after getting the opinion of the entire Labor & Delivery Unit @ WK Pierremont, that baby was safely protected in its amniotic fluid cushion. But after I started cramping a bit in one side, my doc and I decided it might be best to check everything out, just in case. She was concerned that I may have caused a small tear in the placenta. So, to the hospital I would go. After a couple of hours, it was determined that everything was fine. No bleeding, no apparent tears, a moving baby (with the legs crossed so I couldn’t even sneak a peek), and a strong heart rate of 153! I went straight home and retired my heels (except for special occasions). Besides, flats are totally in right now!
I guess all of the drama on Wednesday woke Baby up. I could feel movement all day on Thursday!! I can hardly wait for Baby to be strong enough to kick where Ray can feel it!!! Guess what guys, keep your fingers crossed…next Thursday just might be the day that Baby will be deemed a He or She!!!On a side note....Happy Birthday Aunt Sarah!
