36 weeks and still 40 inches

From 1-24-09 Due Date

Just 4 more week, or so!!

Babycenter said "Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement.At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely she's in a head-down position."

We also got so much done around here during the Christmas break. Items checked off the list include: gathering the items that need to be sterilized; washing the first load of baby clothes (see photo below) and other baby items (so sweet); the baby mattress arriving and putting it in the bed; unpacking the car seat and getting it all set up (we still need to get it installed by the fire department); preparing the bath toys and bath tub; setting up the diaper champ; unboxing (but still needing to assemble) the swing, bouncer, baby gate (for Tate and Molly) and pack n play; putting the crib aquarium on the baby's bed; moving the computer out of the baby's room and into the upstairs hallway; taking down the card table in the baby's room; moving the modem, router, and wireless to the left of the baby's bed; boxing up the desktop computer to give it away; hanging the wooden shelf back in our master bedroom after my parents got it refinished for us along with the rest of the bedroom set; moving the filing cabinet so that the handmade cradle will fit in our bedroom; and connecting the printer and external hard drive to my new laptop.

From 1-24-09 Due Date

My Dr. apt are every week now. I had one today and the baby's heartbeat was about 151 beats/minute. I also had my first internal exam. and Dr. Radbill said that my body was starting to progress. NOT TO GET EXCITED (a HUGE reminder to myself mostly)- but I am 50% afaced and a fingertip dilated. Dr. Radbill was very surprised by this since I am only 36 weeks and this is our first baby. He also confirmed that the baby is head down. My sister, Jen, is helping me to stay securely grounded since she was 70% afaced and 2-3 cm dilated with Molly for a few weeks and still was 10 days late. My apt. next week is on Thurs. afternoon.

From 12-29-08 Sadie's Debutante Ball

Last night, we went to Sadie's, my cousin, Poinsettia Debutante Ball at the Vestavia Country Club. It was a fun night to get dress up - Jeremy in a tux and I also got my hair "done". Click here to see more pix.

From 12-24-08 Christmas Eve at the Long's

From 12-13-08 Batson Cmas in ATL and Bham

Now that we have done Cmas with both my immediate family and Jeremy's immediate family, I wanted to show you what I made for the little girls this Cmas. These shaws are very easy and quick to make. I just cut out the fleece, did a blanket stitch with yard on the outside, and then knit a flower to go on it. I have already posted the Batson Cmas photos, so here are the Long Cmas photos.

1 MONTH from Today! (35 weeks and 40 inches)

From 1-24-09 Due Date

ONE MORE MONTH until my due date 1/24/09!!! I am feeling great and really enjoying being pregnant still. YEAH!

From 1-24-09 Due Date

Pregnant or not pregnant? Each time I wear this shirt it looks like I am not pregnant, so we decided to take a pix. Well, here I really am from the side.

From 1-24-09 Due Date

Babycenter says "Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight."

From 12-21-08 The Wii

Jeremy got a Wii this week, so it has been lots of fun playing. He has these additional games: Tiger Woods Golf 09, Mario Cart, and Game Party 2 (lawn darts, shuffle board, trivia, horseshoes, skee ball, etc.)

From 12-19-08 Jordan's Graduation

This past Friday, Jordan graduated from Auburn with a Liberal Arts degree in Spanish. She is not sure what here next steps are (she might be moving to Los Angeles, moving to Spain, just getting a job somewhere in the US, etc). We are just excited to see the next move that God has for her life. Congratulations, Jordan! We are very proud of you. See more pix here.

Dr. Apt and Importanat Items ordered....FINALLY!

I went to the dr. today for my 35 week apt. It went great! The baby's heartbeat was about 145 beats/minute. He also said I was measuring about 33 weeks, so Dr. Ross is thinking our Little One will be just shy of 7 lbs. - which sounds nice to me.

We are very blessed to have our carseat purchased for us: Link



I have also spent the day order a few items that are much needed to bring our Little One home. We were very blessed with some cash gifts, credit at some stores, and also gift certificates:

baby bed matress - Link

bouncie seat - Link

diaper bag - Link

34 weeks and 40 inches

From 1-24-09 Due Date

Wow - how am I 34 weeks already!?!?! It is so exciting to say that we only have 6 weeks left. YEAH!

Babycenter.com says "Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. "

From 12-13-08 Batson Cmas in ATL and Bham

We have had a fun filled week - see all the photos here. My parents and Jen/Chad/Molly were in town from Friday - Tuesday. We spent some time in Atlanta with my dad's extended family celebrating Christmas. Then on our way back on Sunday, we ate lunch with my mom's extended family celebrating Christmas. Monday was a much needed relaxing day back in Birmingham at our house - some of us didn't take showers until 4pm.

From 12-16-08 Ark Hunting Trip

On Sunday, Jeremy left and went hunting with some clients and his dad/brother in Arkansas. See more photos here.

33 weeks and 39 1/2 inches

From 1-24-09 Due Date

So Jeremy thinks that I didn't measure correctly last week, that is why I was 32 weeks and 38 inches around, so this week he measured me and I am 33 weeks and 39 1/2 inches around.

Babycenter says "This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood."


Most of you have probably heard of a website called Facebook. Well, since not everyone is a part of it, I wanted to include Jeremy's "status" updates that he has written these past few months about Baby Long's arrival. I would say he is definitely an excited Dad-to-be:

8/20/08 Jeremy is excited that after Michelle's big ultrasound today... we're having a human (there was some question that it could be a squash or ET)!!!

8/08 Jeremy spent the day looking for baby furniture with Michelle.

9/22/08 Jeremy is wondering what his & Michelle's baby is going to look like.

9/28/08 Jeremy is staring at his wife's pregnant belly and lovin' it!

10/20/08 Jeremy is trying to figure out why they can't make baby furniture that doesn't require hands the size of a 3 year old & the strength of an ox to put together?

11/17/08 Jeremy had fun with his niece Molly this weekend and his other niece Tate tonight. Can't wait to have my own little buddy to play with in a few months!

1/8/09 Jeremy is excited that the doctor said the baby may come 1 1/2 weeks early!!!

1/15/09 Jeremy just enjoyed some tasty chocolate chip cookies with Michelle while waitin' for that baby to pop out. Giddy up cowboy... or cowgirl!

1/17/09 Jeremy and Michelle are going to kick our doctor in the crotch if that baby doesn't pop out today after getting us all fired up that "it will be here before Sunday"!

1/18/09 Jeremy Long had fun playing games today. Took our mind off wondering when "the kid" will get here. It can't stay in there forever... or could it?

32 weeks and still 38 inches

From 1-24-09 Due Date

My hips have been hurting every night now. So a pillow between my knees and Extra Strength Tylenol during the night are some of my new best friends. I have also had my first few nights of "wee hour" acid reflux. So I feel like an old lady now. You should see my nightstand when I go to bed with a glass of water, 2 Tylenol's sitting out, and 2 Maalox sitting out - yep, that is me.

Babycenter says: "By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth."

From 11-28-08 Chattanooga Tgiving and Shower

We had a good weekend in Chattanooga for Thanksgiving. We were blessed with a baby shower that included both sides of Jeremy's family. See more photos here.

We went to the doctor today. We saw Dr. Mackenzie in the rotation for the first time. The baby's heartbeat was about 130. He also didn't want to guess on the baby's birth weight, but he did say that it would NOT be a 9 lb. baby. I guess that means it could be 7 lb, 8 lb, or even 10 lbs - ha ha! He also said that the baby was head down and most likely to stay! YEAH! He let Jeremy and I feel the head in position below my belly button, which was really cool!

AND today was my last day at work! YEAH! Holiday season, nesting, and fun - here I come!

31 weeks and 38 inches

From 1-24-09 Due Date

so my belly grew 1 1/2 inches this week and now I am 38 inches around :) crazy!

Babycenter says "This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy."

From 11-18-08 SSN and AO showers

From 11-18-08 SSN and AO showers

We were blessed with 2 more baby showers this week. Jeremy's office, SS Nesbitt, was very generous and our community group, Alpha and Omega, honored me at a Baby Mama's Night Out.

From 1-24-09 Due Date

I was also excited to put all the books that we received at our Birmingham shower on the baby's shelf. It looks so cute and ready for Baby Long.

A friend had shared this prayer with me awhile back and I just love it for Baby Long:
"Father, cause _____'s identity to be firmly rooted and established in Christ's love, and give ____ the power to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ (Eph. 3:17-18). Show _____ that he/she is fearfully and wonderfully made, and that Your works are wonderful. Teach him/her that he/she is precious and valuable in Your sight (Ps. 139:14; Isa. 43:4). I pray that the hope that ____ has in Jesus Christ would be an anchor for his/her soul, firm and secure (Heb. 9:16)."

From 11-22-08 Our House (before-afters)

From 11-22-08 Our House (before-afters)

Jeremy has been doing more house renovations this week. He finished taking down the boarder in in the kitchen and the guest bathroom upstairs. Then on Saturday, Jeremy also painted the whole kitchen. It was a huge task and he did an awesome job. It looks so good and we love the color!

30 weeks and 36 1/2 inches around

From 1-24-09 Due Date

This is a special "Weekly" photo because Molly (19 mo) and Jen were in town from Baltimore, so Molly just had to be in this pix with me this week. Also, I have started measuring around my stomach and it was 36 1/2 inches this week. Let's see what it gets up to (ha-ha!).

I also uploaded more of the 4D pix from this past Wendesday. Click here.

From 1-24-09 Due Date

We also had our Infant CPR class on Wednesday night.

Babycenter says..."Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)"

From 11-16-08 Bham Baby Shower Weekend

From 11-16-08 Bham Baby Shower Weekend

My sister, Molly, and parents came in from Thurs - Monday and we had a blast together making memories! We also had a Birmingham Baby Shower this weekend. This is a photo of my hostesses: Sarah Craft, Michelle Batson, Jennifer Sellers (my sister), and Kathy Harris. Jeremy and I were very blessed and overwhelmed by the generosity of our family and friends. See more photos here.

Baby Long's 4D Ultrasound Pictures

We just got done with our 4D Ultrasound. It was amazing - praise the Lord. I can't wait to hold this little one! Baby Long cooperated VERY well, thankfully! We got some great shots. These are only 4 of the 27 they took and they are all GREAT! We also have a 30 minute DVD of the whole time the ultrasound teck was looking at Baby Long and taking photos.

Smiling and sweet nose!

Frowning and chubby cheeks!

Open Mouth and cute lips!

Little Hand!

29 Weeks

From 1-24-09 Due Date

This has been a good week. I have experienced some of the first moments of shortness of breath and heart rate increasing after meals. I am sure this is only the beginning - being short and having a short torso isn't going to help with this.

From 1-24-09 Due Date

We had our Child Birthing Class all day on Saturday from 9a-4p. A little bit of the time was spent learning to relax during a contraction. The lights were down, mood music on, and we used the pillows we brought to lean against. To simulate a contraction our instructor, Candice, gave us a wooden close pen. She asked us to put it on our ear lobe for 1 minute. Well, that seemed like the longest minute not because it hurt (it did), but because the room was quiet and just as Jeremy put his "contraction" on his ear lobe he said "This hurts like hell." How was I supposed to not laugh for one minute while other people are trying to relax through their "contraction". Then Jeremy said "be quiet, stop laughing" - well that didn't help and I just couldn't stop.

babycenter.com says "Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day."

From 9-19-08 Our House (before-afters)

This week we also had the tile in our kitchen, guest bathroom, and master bathroom finished. We are very happy with it and it looks great! See more photos here.

We Heard Hiccups

Yesterday, we had our 28 week dr. apt. I have started rotating around to the other drs. in the practice, so I saw Dr. Radbill for the first time. They listened to the heartbeat and it was 159. Also, while they were listening the baby had the hiccups. It was so cute and cool! Dr. Radbill said I was measuring on schedule and everything looked great!

At 12:30a on Monday night, I woke up thinking that I had a yeast infections. I called my nurse Tuesday morning and since I was going in that afternoon (thankfully!) she said the dr. would just check me then. Well, no infections - he said it was just "pregnancy". I am feeling "normal" today, so all is well.

Tuesday night, I (Jeremy didn't go with me) also went to the Breastfeeding class that the hospital offers. It was informative and good. I am glad to have gone.

Next Wed. (11/12) at 8am, we have our 4D ultrasound. I will keep you all updated and hopefully post pix next week sometime.

A Fun Engagement

Our friends, Brian and Kathy, got engaged this weekend. We knew Brian Shinnick from Auburn and then met Kathy when we moved to Birmingham in 2000. We had set them up 2 years ago. They actually tailgated with my parents at the AU/Ole Miss game on their first date. Brian had called us a few weeks ago and encouraged us to go to the game and we are so glad we were there. We are so excited for them and think they are perfect together! Congrats!

From 11-1-08 AU vs Ole Miss, K&B Engagement

View more photos here.

28 weeks

From 1-24-09 Due Date

This has been a full week and weekend. Last Sunday, a couple from our church brought us this handmade cradle to use for Baby Long. It is beautiful and will be so useful with a 2 story house. On Monday, I started sleeping with a pillow between my legs at night. My hips have been sore while sleeping, so this is helping. On Wednesday around lunchtime, I felt my first kick to the ribs. I have not felt much since then, but I guess Baby Long is getting taller and bigger.

From 1-24-09 Due Date

Jeremy also sang to the baby for the first time this week. He was right up on my stomach singing the Auburn fight song and doing the Weagle, Weagle cheer. He also had 2 voices to talk to the baby in - a sweet one if it is a girl and a manly one if it is a boy. Too cute!

This weekend, I finished the baby blanket that I was making for Baby Long. It is stripe and once he/she comes I will add knit their monogram to the large cream section in either terquoise or red and then add either terquoise or red minky dot fabric to the back. I am so excited about it!

From 1-24-09 Due Date

babycenter.com says: "By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world."

Tate (17 mo) and Molly (19 mo) were both Ladybugs for Halloween. I also went to a Halloween Party that had some of the Alpha and Omega tots dressed up. Click here to see more photos.

From 10-31-08 Halloween - TateMolly

From 10-31-08 Halloween - TateMolly

On Halloween Day my costume was a "Baby Present". I only wore it for a few minutes to get a discount at "In the Making" knit shop - 25% off! It was worth it.

From 1-24-09 Due Date

27 weeks - the beginning of the Third Trimester!

From 1-24-09 Due Date

After a week of slow movement (there must have been lots of growing last week), this weekend there have been lots of summer-salts and flips by Baby Long. It is such a good feeling to feel a heal or elbow move across my hand. On Saturday night, Jeremy and I were laying in bed feeling Baby Long move all over the place and kick. There was one HUGE kick that was so big it scared me. Like the baby said "Boo" and I jumped - crazy! I am thankful that I am still only getting up 1 time per night to pee. I know this is a true blessing at 27 weeks.

Babycenter says "This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle."

From 10-25-08 Halloween Party

Saturday night, we went to our annual Halloween party. This year it was "Family Feud Halloween". Our "family" was Everybody Loves Raymond.

Michelle - Marie, the mom; Jeremy - Frank, the dad; Jason - Ray; Diana - Kendra, Hugh Hefner's Girl Next Door. It was alot of fun. See more photos here.

The Baby Bed, Glider, and Dresser

It has been a fun week for getting Little One's room ready. On Saturday, we picked up our Best Chair glider and Munire baby bed.

From 1-24-09 Due Date

Jeremy got the glider put together on Saturday and the bed put together on Monday night.

From 1-24-09 Due Date

From 1-24-09 Due Date

My parents also got my childhood dresser refinished in Memphis for Baby Long's changing table/dresser.

From 1-24-09 Due Date

This is a painting that I am going to get framed for the baby's room by my cousins' (Ann and Lee) mom, Mrs. M. Stevens. It is perfect with the terquoise and green bedding that Aunt Jan is working on for us.

From 1-24-09 Due Date