Hola everybody!  This is Juliette's father checking in.  Its Wednesday February 13, 2013 and I'm filling in for Juliette's preferred blogger this afternoon who apparently is too occupied at the moment.  She's claiming to be too sore or tired or something.  Not exactly sure why.  She's just been laying around in a bed for the past 3 days.....big deal.  :).  (I'm sure she'll make a future post soon enough detailing the "grueling" process.)  

Just to fill everybody in,  Juliette Margot Jones decided to join us this morning at 6:02 AM EST via a Cesarean section.  She weighed in at 6 lbs and 2.2 ounces, measuring 18 3/4 inches, and by all accounts possessing more beauty than any baby born in weeks... years?...decades?  Who can really say?   

Anyway.....Enjoy some pictures of North Florida's Cutest Newborn!  Jen will be back soon with a more in depth update.  


Sincerely,


Juliette's Body Guard 


PS: Don't be scared to support the sponsors.  -------------------------->
Juliette's college fund could use a boost.  Every click helps.  :)

How far along? 38 Weeks
Maternity clothes? Oh yea
Stretch marks? None yet!
Sleep: Going downhill...each night it seems like sleep is getting harder and harder to come by.  My mind won't rest and I just cannot get comfortable.
Best moment this week:  Knowing Juliette is doing better then myself! 
Miss Anything?  My freedom.  Going into Week #4 of bed rest has become a mental challenge.  I miss being able to do things like a normal person.  
Movement:  Juliette is still having a ball in there.  I think she's just having so much fun in there that she doesn't want to come out.
Food cravings: Nothing stands out.  Someone better bring a Magic Hat #9 to the hospital!
Anything making you queasy or sick: The only thing that makes me queasy is when I have to get blood drawn.  I absolutely cannot stand it.  I have to look away. 
Gender: Girl.  One diva, stubborn little girl that I would LOVE to meet...NOW!
Labor Signs: No contractions still.  Cervix has dilated a bit but not thinned.  Juliette has dropped some! 
Symptoms:  Does boredom count?  Boredom and mentally drained.
Belly Button in or out?  Somehow still in.  Barely.
Wedding rings on or off?  Off.
Happy or Moody most of the time: I'm going to have to go with moody this week.  All this sitting around is turning me into a basket case.  I have way too much time on my hands to think.  I am a ticking time bomb.
Looking forward to:  HOLDING JULIETTE IN MY ARMS!!!!


Hands down this has been the hardest week.  It's become a mental game with me.  At my doctor appointment Monday, my blood pressure was 170/90.  It was so high that the doctor sent me directly up to the Labor and Delivery floor at St. Vincent's to get hooked up for some tests.  Within minutes, I was whisked away by wheel chair to L&D.  I got put into a L& D room.  They hooked me up to the fetal monitor and blood pressure cuff for about three hours.  Pappaw was in town so he and Josh got to hang out with me.  I honestly did not think I would be leaving without a baby in a car seat, not still in my belly.  A little after 5PM, they discharged me and sent me home to rest some more.  So...here I sit.  Still on bed rest.  Laying on my left side.  Watching T.V .  Thinking about meeting this little girl.  And wondering when I will finally be able to hold her in my arms.

I guess it at least got me out of the house for the day.  It's back to the doctor on Thursday for the 1,000,000th fetal non-stress test, ultrasound to check her amniotic fluid level and to check my cervix.  At least Juliette is happy in there :)

How far along? 37 Weeks
Maternity clothes? Well...it's been Josh's boxers and t-shirts since I've been on bed rest.  I can't wait to be like a normal person once again.
Stretch marks? None yet
Sleep: Awful. I can't move.  It's so uncomfortable.  My left side cramps up. Ugh!
Best moment this week: Getting out of the house to go to my doctors appointment.  Yes, that was excitement for me.  Thankfully, Juliette is doing well in there.  
Miss Anything? Being comfortable! 
Movement: Constantly...until I get hooked up to the fetal non-stress test.  Then she likes to go to seep on me.
Food cravings: I'm ready for some caffeine!  And I'd die for a big piece of brie cheese.  Warm brie cheese, wrapped in filo dough.  That sounds amazing.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nada.
Gender: Girl.  One stubborn little girl that doesn't want to come out.  Guess I can't blame her!
Labor Signs: None. WTH.  
Symptoms: Week 37 is when I officially hit a wall. Being uncomfortable has a whole new meaning...bed rest is just dreadful.  
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? Off
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy
Looking forward to: Getting this girl out!  It's time she make her grand appearance!


This week has been hard on me mentally.  I'm just ready to see her and not be pregnant.  Pregnancy is not for the weak of heart.  I have more appreciation for women that go through this more than once or twice.  Men have it so easy.

At our doctors appointment on Monday (which by the way...I am officially a regular at the office...I don't even need to sign in any more!) we had another fetal non-stress test.  I also got to experience my first cervical check.  OUCH!  So far...no dilation, no thinning and she hasn't dropped at all.  All my urine tests and blood tests came back negative and good.  They don't want to induce me until some progress is made.  So cross your fingers and hope some progress is made!  

How far along? 36 Weeks
Maternity clothes? Anything comfy!  Since I haven't been out of the house much, I live in PJ's.
Stretch marks? None yet
Sleep: Nothing is comfortable anymore.  Since I have to be on my left side most of the day, sleep isn't that comfy anymore   I now use SIX pillows.  I have four behind me, one to the left and one to the right of me.  Poor Josh doesn't have much room in the bed anymore. 
Best moment this week: It's come down to this...getting out of the house to go to the doctors office.  I actually look forward to going.  It's the highlight of the week.  We've been going on Mondays & Thursdays.  On the home front, I have really enjoyed watching "Downton Abbey."  We are both addicted!  Such a great show!  Mugsy & Monty are loving having me around!
Miss Anything? Being able to do things.  I miss being able to clean.  I want to vacuum the house so badly!
Movement: She's still having a ball in there.  I get jabs and punches all day long!
Food cravings: Nothing out of the ordinary.  Just steering away from anything that might give me heartburn. 
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nada
Gender: Girl...A.K.A.  "The Diva" 
Labor Signs: No
Symptoms: High blood pressure still.  My left side has started to hurt from laying on it all day.  It wouldn't surprise me if my left shoulder and left hip are messed up after this!  Carpal tunnel in my hands when I wake up. 
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? Off
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy for the most part.
Looking forward to: Knowing when she is going to come out!  I'm such a planner and this is killing me!

I also got to do ANOTHER 24-Hour urine test.  Josh really loves opening the fridge door and seeing my big jug o' pee.  It's back to the doctor tomorrow for another non-stress test and ultrasound!

BTW...little "Diva" (as I am now calling her) turned herself breech last week.  My fingers are crossed that she has flipped herself back to head down!  

My bed rest companion!  Monty is in heaven!  He gets me all to himself. :)

How far along? 35 Weeks
Maternity clothes? Oh yes
Stretch marks? None yet, still going strong!
Sleep: Sleeping still
Best moment this week: Getting a pedicure.  It was amazing.  It's been a while and it felt so good to be pampered.  I did feel bad for the lady that had to touch my swollen feet!
Miss Anything? Now that I am on bed rest...I miss a LOT. 
Movement: All the time!  She's an active little girl!
Food cravings: Peanut Butter.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing.
Gender: Girl still (We asked again at our last ultrasound.  Definitely a girl!)
Labor Signs: Nada.
Symptoms: Still fighting the heartburn and the big enemy...high blood pressure.
Belly Button in or out? Miraculously still in.
Wedding rings on or off? Off
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy...with a few bouts of moody
Looking forward to: Finally getting to see this girl!  It seems so far away, but I know it will come fast!

The good, the bad and the just plain ugly...

The good...Juliette is doing great in there!

The bad...I am still fighting high blood pressure.  I can't wait to get some color and to go back to being a blond!  Sorry I look like crap here folks, but I'm keeping it real.

And the just plain ugly...I had to do a 24-hour urine test.  Check out my jug o' pee!  I also had to get swabbed for "GBS"...Group B streptococcus.  That was fun too.

It's back to the doctor tomorrow!  We have another ultrasound and yet another non-stress test. I am soooo glad that she is holding up better than me!  She's just having a great time in there!

How far along? 34 Weeks
Maternity clothes? Mostly
Stretch marks? Nope
Sleep: Fairly good.  Still fighting this darn cold.  I've been using a cool mist humidifier that helps at night.
Best moment this week: Making it through a LONG Saturday Childbirth Class!  8.5 Hours!
Miss Anything? Being able to breathe.  This never-ending cold is making me really appreciate those times when I can breathe without thinking about breathing.
Movement: Constantly
Food cravings: Nothing crazy this week.  Still chugging water like there's no tomorrow.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing.  I guess I can say that I never had any morning sickness or nausea.
Gender: Girl 
Labor Signs: No
Symptoms: Heartburn still.  Ugh.  At least the Tums are good for extra calcium too.  High blood pressure...see below.
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? Off
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy
Looking forward to:  Having normal ankles, feet and hands again!  I have never felt so huge!


We went to our Childbirth Class this past Saturday.  It was quite informative.  After attending, I think it has helped me determine that I DO want an epidural!  Josh says he is all for the epidural too (not that he gets much say in that choice) because he doesn't want to deal with an unmediated pregnant lady.  Can't say I blame him.  I cannot believe we are only 6 weeks away from her due date!  Craziness!  

Proof we went...

Special thanks to Uncle Chris for sending Juliette a gift.  I'm sure she will love her Billy Bob pacifier!

And in other news...my blood pressure continues to be high.  Thankfully, Juliette is doing good and seemingly unaffected by my high blood pressure.  We had an ultrasound done yesterday that showed the amniotic fluid is at a good level and she is responding well.  She was moving around and had hiccups!  I will be going on complete bed rest soon.  I'm in the process of getting everyone caught up at work so I can leave and not worry.  I've never been good at just sitting so hopefully I don't drive Josh crazy! 

How far along? 33 Weeks
Maternity clothes? Maternity & comfy clothes.
Stretch marks? No.  I've really been making a conscious effort to slather on the stretch mark lotion!
Sleep: Not enough.  I have been waking up feeling like I need more...even though I'm getting at least 8 hours every night.
Best moment this week: Sleep.  Not gonna lie....it's been a rough week with Josh & I being sick with colds.
Miss Anything? Being able to sleep on my stomach and being able to get up off the couch easily.
Movement: She's having fun in there!
Food cravings: Water.  Water has never tasted so good.  I've always been a big water drinker, but lately I cannot get enough
Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really.
Gender: Still a girl.
Labor Signs: No ..but it's starting to get me nervous thinking about labor.  She's gotta come out one way or another.  And Josh has a pretty large head...
Symptoms: Heartburn.  I had to buy another bottle of Tums to keep in my purse.  I don't leave home without them!
Belly Button in or out? Holding on to an innie.
Wedding rings on or off? Off.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! 
Looking forward to: Getting to Week 37...full term!  Getting closer!


I've been fighting a cold all week.  Being pregnant, a cold sucks even more than it does for a normal person.  You cannot take anything.  My nose is raw and I feel like poo.  Hopefully, this cold goes away soon.  I'm going on day 6 today.

We missed Jackie's Birthday/New Year's Eve Extravaganza due to being sick :(.  I even missed the countdown and ball dropping.  At least next year, we will have a beautiful little girl to join us...even though she will most likely be asleep!

How far along? 32 Weeks
Maternity clothes? Yes. Starting to feel like ten pounds of s*** in a five pound bag.
Stretch marks? None yet
Sleep: Sleep is good...I just can't seem to get enough.
Best moment this week: Rolling into 2013...the year our baby will be born!! it seemed so far away but now here we are!
Miss Anything? Oh the things we take for granted!  It has gotten really hard for me to bend over.  If I drop something, I am getting really cleaver at using my feet to pick them up!
Movement: Still lots of movement & baby hiccups.. I know I will miss this feeling so much.
Food cravings: Anything from "The Floridian."  Josh and I ate there on Christmas Eve.  And it was amazing.  Everything on their menu is so inventive and creative...and well, just amazing.  I had tempeh for the first time and it was incredible.  I honestly didn't really even know what I was ordering, but I thought I would give it a whirl.  For those of you who have no idea what it is... From wikipedia.org..."Tempeh, is a traditional soy product originally from Indonesia. It is made by a natural culturing and controlled fermentation process that binds soybeans into a cake form, similar to a very firm vegetarian burger patty.  It originated in today's Indonesia, and is especially popular on the island of Java, where it is a staple source of protein. Like tofu, tempeh is made from soybeans, but it is a whole soybean product with different nutritional characteristics and textural qualities.  Tempeh's fermentation process and its retention of the whole bean give it a higher content of protein, dietary fiber, and vitamins. It has a firm texture and an earthy flavor which becomes more pronounced as it ages."
Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really..but the Cornish hens I made for Christmas Dinner were hard for me to look at.  Not sure if it's because I'm pregnant or what, but they just looked like little babies.  I had a hard time cooking them.

Gender: Girl
Labor Signs: No
Symptoms: Heartburn and swelling in my calves/feet and hands.  Sodium is the enemy.
Belly Button in or out? Still in.  Barely.
Wedding rings on or off? Off :(
Happy or Moody most of the time: HAPPY!
Looking forward to: 2013 is right around the corner!


I went to my first class the other night...Breastfeeding 101.  Wowza!  I am going to give it a go!  We go to our Childbirth class soon too!  D-Day is quickly approaching!  We need to get the hospital bag packed!  (I started packing Juliette's bag last night!  I can't decide on what clothes to bring her!)

Josh got me an awesome camera for Christmas!  I have been reading up on how to take great pictures so the pictures on here should start to get MUCH better!  I found a great blog that has some wonderful hints for not-so-professional-yet-wannabe-professional-photographers...Kevin & Amanda.  Thanks Lovee!  Some of my pics I've taken so far...

How far along? 31 Weeks 
Maternity clothes? Yes
Stretch marks? None that I can see
Sleep: Great. I wish I could stockpile sleep so when Juliette arrives I need less.  Too bad that's not how it works.
Best moment this week: Having all my friends over for our last baby shower.  I have the best friends ever!
Miss Anything? Just preparing myself for that Magic Hat #9.  I just know it is going to be delish.  I also was craving an iced caramel macchiato from Starbucks the other day.  It's been so hot here lately that an iced coffee sounded amazing.  And I want it fully leaded.
Movement: Lots. I think she was hiccuping the other day.  I made Josh come and feel it.  I can't wait to see her hiccup in person!
Food cravings: Josh brought home some lobster ravioli from SW Grill last night.  It was amazing.  And I ate it cold.  I bet it's even better warm!  Maybe Josh will take me there one day.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.
Gender: Girl
Labor Signs: No
Symptoms: Heartburn.  It's bad.  I woke up a few times this week with bad heartburn.  Tums are my friend.
Belly Button in or out? In.  I'm hoping it stays that way.
Wedding rings on or off? Off :(  Better safe than sorry.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!  Ready for Santa!
Looking forward to: CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Josh has been biting at the bit to open gifts.  I hope Santa brings him what he wants!


I saw this cute little picture on Pinterest this week.  I know it will soon become my motto for Juliette!

Thank you to Kat & Emily for hosting such a beautiful shower for Juliette & I this past Sunday!  Everything was so wonderful!  I love you guys!

And thanks to Mayleen, Amanda, Courtney, Jenny, Lindsay, and Vanessa for coming to the shower!  I am so blessed to be able to call you all my friends!

And thank you to Jackie, Katie, Erika & Christine who were unable to make it but sent such thoughtful gifts!  You guys are the best!

Jackie, these just may be the world's cutest little shoes!