Baby Cate

2009-07-10T09:18:00.001-05:00

Philip

2009-04-09T21:00:00.000-05:00

It has been brought to my attention that I don't have any pictures of Philip on this blog (ooops). This is at Claire's baby shower a few weeks ago. It's the most recent picture we've taken.

The update on the baby is. . . . she is still not here. ummmm, yeah, that's about it. Mom and Dad get here tomorrow so that's an exciting arrival. But - still no Baby Cate. Obviously she's too comfortable and taking her sweet time. I wish I could entice her somehow to appear but I have no idea what's better than what she's got going on already.

We'll keep y'all posted. . . .

It's the Final Countdown (yes, like the song)

2009-04-02T23:45:00.000-05:00

We have finally reached the end. . . almost. Baby is due in nine days and it is about time! We have our bags packed, the nursery finished and hospital travel plans intact. At the last doctor's appointment, I had dilated 1 cm and my cervix had softened. I won't go into specifics about the other advancement (should any gentlemen read this), but she is on her way. I get bigger everyday and I'm starting to wonder if she will take after Philip; born at a whopping ten pounds!! But then I would have probably toppled over (at 5'2" I don't stabilize well at high volumes).

I must admit that the discomforts overshadow any enjoyment I may experience from these last few days. I have even begun to bother and annoy myself, which you can only imagine how poor Philip is coping. One of my outlets is to clean. We thought I had issues before - this is a whole new ball game. The vicious irony however, is that the want is there, but the energy is not. Thus the complaining and so on. . . .

I have posted pictures of the nursery and of Mrs. Prego (for Mom and Carrie who insist on seeing the belly in all its splendor). The nursery is totally finished because Philip won't let me do anything else :) The Bible verse above the crib reads:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

We had a hard time choosing one verse. But in the end, God's promise for His children is an amazing declaration and we chose this verse in Jeremiah. We can't wait for her to exprience everything He has in store for her.

The next update should be with baby news. Please pray for a safe delivery for Baby Melugin. We can't ask enough for your prayers and thank you for doing so already. By the way, the mystery name is Catherine Grace Melugin. We will call her "Cate."

A note to Philip: I will never be able to tell you exactly what your love and support have meant to me the past nine months. You never left my side and your strength and prayers were my comforts. You are a perfect husband, the ultimate companion and truly a man after God's heart. I love you more everyday!

She's almost here

2009-03-05T22:06:00.000-06:00

I figured I would update this blog a couple of more times before D-Day.

Baby Melugin is doing great! She has finally turned into the right position - yeah! We had a sono this past Wednesday to confirm her position and they went ahead and took some measurements. She weighed four pounds, 11 ounces and had perfect measurements (head circumference, arms, legs, etc.). They gave her a score of eight out of eight based on her activity, measurements and heart rate. Suffice it to say, Philip and I feel comforted and a little more at ease.

This past Saturday, I had the baby shower - what an experience! The most important lesson I learned was: I will be needing lots of baby wipes! There were so many friends and family who came and were incredibly giving. We feel so blessed to be so cared for. I do wish Mom and Dad could have attended; but a 16 hour drive was a probably too much.
Nadine and Mindy had the best food and a beautiful cake (made by Mindy). They did such an amazing job; I couldn't have wished for anything better.

It took Philip and me a few hours to unload the cars and get everything assembled. The nursery looks like a tornado came through but I am totally not complaining. We have almost everything we need. A huge, monstrous "Thank you" to everyone for their immeasurable generosity.

So. . . we have five weeks left and I am very ready. The swelling has begun, the restroom visits have multiplied and the weight gain. . . .well, let's just say Philip might be panicking :)

Please keep baby in your prayers and hopefully in a few weeks we can post pictures of the child we have spent countless hours praying for. We love you!

Baby doing well at 33 weeks

2009-02-19T18:48:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone,
Just a quick update to let you know everything is going great with Baby Melugin. We had another sono on the Feb. 18th to conduct a biophysical exam. She was still in a breech position with her head on the left side and little feet on the right side. She weighed exactly four pounds which is perfect for her age. Unfortunately, she wouldn't face us the whole time. She faced my back and had her knees against her chest with her ankles crossed. She looked terribly uncomfortable but the sonographer explained that this was her ideal position. We could see her rocking her tummy and it looked so cute!!

So - we finally came up with a name. I hope we stick with it :)

We are very ready to meet baby. We had a couple of struggles in the last two weeks (a cold, a kidney stone and a few early contractions), but thankfully we got past that drama. The weeks are dragging but that may be from anticipation. I am heading into week 33 and wishing 40 followed. Apparently, it doesn't work that way and we'll have to wait seven more.

Please continue to pray for Baby Melugin; that God will protect her and watch over her every move.
We love you!

29 weeks and still trucking

2009-01-27T20:24:00.000-06:00

After receiving several requests and suggestions, Philip and I decided to start a baby blog. I feel like if we didn't, we would be missing an essential part of the pregnancy adventure. So here it is. . . .

My abridged version of what has been going on is as follows:
I am now 29 weeks and steadily gaining the inevitable weight. Baby Melugin is doing well and moving all the time. Infact, I don't really think she sleeps. As painful as some of the movements feel, I very much look forward to the daily acrobatic stunts. I guess it serves as a total comfort to know she's okay. I am now going to the doctor twice a month. I was told last visit that I will not get another sono and this truly saddens me. I haven't seen her since 18 weeks and I'm soooo curious.

The nursery is almost done. Well, not really. I am tempted to ask Philip to repaint, which those who know me well, are probably not surprised. Philip started grad classes this week so I am willing to bet the farm, or in our case, the house in suburbia, that he will not repaint.

My shower is February 28th. A huge thanks to Nadine and Mindy who are planning and doing all the work. Registering for all the baby stuff was seriously mind blowing - and that's an understatement. Philip and I spent at least an hour at the feeding area. What the heck?.?.?.?

We still don't have a name picked out. We have resolved to dealing with it on her birthday. Any suggestions?

To sum up the last eight months, we have been nervous, unprepared and completely blessed. It boggles my mind how people can question the greatness of God who is the author, creator and conductor of life. It's an amazing testament to see what He can do.

Please continue to pray for us during the next few months. Thank you for doing so already.
We can't wait to see Baby Melugin!!!