0 Month

It is a little late as today Grayson is 14 days old. But I wanted to share with all of you our 0 month pictures. Mommy is so in love with Little G. Being a Mommy is the Best Job!

Special Bonds Created

Special Bonds have been created with Grayson!

It amazes that Grayson already knows who his mommy is and I love that I can calm him by wispering in his tiny ears. 

My sister was here for the birth of Grayson and stayed with us for several days and took amazing pictures for us!  We are so blessed to have spent several days with Amie and her boys.  It was a great visit and we look forward to seeing them again in July.  Thanks Amie for taking the time to be with us and for all your help around the house especially for taking all the photos for us and helping us create special bonds. 

I wish you were still here or lived next door to us! 
We miss you!

Thank you all for your comments on my last post!  It was amazing to read all of them and I feel blessed by all of you.  I know that I have inspired all of you, but please know that you have inspired me as well.  I am slowly getting back into blogging so please give me time.  I still have family visiting and I am soaking in all the moments with Grayson.  Thanks again and until next time Grayson and I send our love to all!

All Is Well...

All is well in the Stafford Family.  Grayson is happy and healthy... mommy is loving life... daddy is wonderful and doing amazing with Grayson.  We couldn't ask for more!

Sorry I had to go private unannounced, but it was necessary.  A lot of unnecessary events took place last week which caused me to go private.  I don't know when or if I will return, but I wanted to let everyone know that we are doing WONDERFUL!  Thank you to all the blogging friends that have sent me emails over the past week and weekend to check on us.  We are so in love with our little G.  If you leave me a comment I will try to respond to each comment over the next few weeks.

Until next time!

Our Pregnancy Journey in Pictures

I posted this before having Grayson so make sure you look at the below post and see the sweet pictures of Grayson that Amie took and created for us.  They are beautiful pictures!  
Happy Birthday Grayson Post! 


Pregnancy Photo Journey!
My sister helped me create these story boards.  I love how they turned out.  It is my weekly pregnancy photos.  It is funny to look back at all the photos.  I remember every picture taken like it was yesterday.  I didn't start taking pictures until Week 9 and I missed a few weeks but for the most part we took a photo each week.  I remember some weeks when I posted the picture I thought I was huge, but looking back I really wasn't...  

Great memories!

Happy Birthday Grayson!

Welcome to the world Grayson Konnor

May 17th, 2010

9:50 p.m.

6 pounds 10 oz.

Week 39

Week 39 WOW we are getting so close! 

It is close it may happen this week or even day.  Let me explain why, yesterday I had contractions all day.  They were painful and were every 4 to 5 minutes the entire day.  So we did end up going to the hospital to get checked out.  I am having real contractions, but I have not dilated anymore.  I am still 1 CM dilated.  So I decided to go home and see what takes place throughout the evening.  I didn't want to sit in the hospital room and play the waiting game.  I have a doctor's appointment today so we will see what takes place during that appointment.  All I know is the day is near and I am excited, but nervous at the same time.  I will keep you all posted! 

Grayson is the size of a mini watermelon, WOW that amazes me that I have a little watermelon in me.  According to babycenter.com our baby could be 20 inches in length and 7 pounds. 

We will see!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along:  39 Weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  20 pounds

Maternity Clothes:  I am wearing my maternity jeans and loving them. They are so comfy!

Best Moment this week:  Finalizing details and getting everything ready for Grayson to arrive or at least as much as we can...

Gender:  It's A Boy - Grayson Konnor!

Movement:  Yes it is AMAZING! The punches, jabs, and kicks are a bit stronger and at times hurt. But it is worth it. I love feeling them and knowing that Grayson is inside of me doing well. I feel as if my belly cannot grow anymore with all the moments he is making it feels stretched to the MAX!

Food Craving:  I have been craving A LOT of dark chocolate! 

What I miss: Sleeping on my belly and sleeping through the night!

Sleep:  Some days I sleep great other days I am up REALLY early like 4AM :)

What I am looking forward to:  Meeting Grayson!

Belly Button:  In and I don't think it is going to pop!

Stretch Marks: None which makes me VERY HAPPY!
Symptoms:  Lots of Contractions and my feet are starting to swell!

Letter from Mommy

With 10 days left remaining in my pregnancy I thought that I would take the time to write a letter to my baby boy Grayson.  I don't know when Grayson will arrive and I want to have a letter written to Grayson before he arrives to share how I am feeling.

To My Grayson,

You will never know how much you mean to me.  I have always dreamed about becoming a mommy and in 10 days or less (hopefully not more) I will be your mommy.  Thinking about becoming a Mommy is amazing to me and scary at the same time.  You see all of our friends think that I am going to be fine and be natural at being a mommy, but the truth is I am nervous.  I am nervous that I won't know what to do when you cry, I am nervous about breastfeeding, and I am nervous that I won't be able to be the perfect mommy for you.  But no one is perfect...

I feel blessed that I was able to get pregnant and carry you full term with no major complications.  You will ALWAYS be a blessing to me!  I spent the past nine months cherishing every day and I wouldn't change one day.  I remember the day I first felt you move in my belly, I was driving around town running errands and I felt a little flutter in my belly and it was amazing from that day forward it is one of my favorite things about being pregnant.  I remember the first time you had the hiccups that was a weird feeling, I was sitting on the couch one evening enjoying quality time with you and your daddy when they started low in my belly.  I remember the day we found out that you were a boy.  The moment we saw you on the screen you showed us that you were a BOY.  You are not shy at all.  I remember all the moments we have heard your heartbeat.  That was and is my favorite part about going to our baby appointments.  I have enjoyed all the rolling, jabs, turns, and tumbles you make in my belly it makes me feel connected to you.  I love that for the moment you are all mine.  I get to spend each day morning, afternoon, and night with you...just you and I!  I have enjoyed creating the perfect nursery/room for you to grow into each and every day for years to come.  Mommy does have moments when she is so excited to hold you and love on you, but I then have moments that I still want to be pregnant with you because it is just you and I.  Mommy loves you and is excited for the first moment I get to see you, touch you, give you kisses, and hug you.  It has been a long journey to become a mommy and I know that God was waiting for the perfect time to bless me with you.  All those sad tears over the years will soon be happy tears when we meet face to face in 10 days.  Mommy loves you so much and I feel blessed to be the one carrying you over the past nine months. 

Love

Mommy

Backyard Makeover

First thank you to all for your supportive comments over the past several days.  I am doing good and Grayson is busy moving around in my belly.  I am cherishing the next several days of being pregnant.  I promise to keep all of you posted on how we are doing.  So until then will you take a moment and support my friend Ashley and her hubby Chad in receiving a backyard makeover?

The Backyard Makeover is a contest that our local news station is doing and they are in need of a beautiful backyard to do some summer entertaining for their family and friends.  I would love to see them win this!  It is easy to vote and I hope that you will take the time to VOTE today!

VOTING ENDS MAY 26th 2010

Here is a link to Ashley's Blog and Steps to where you go to vote:

STEPS:
1) Click on link to go to the website

KNWA WEBSITE

2) Register (it's very fast & easy)
3) Click on the VOTE TAB & look for our house with subject line, "In need of a patio" & then click, "VOTE"

Thanks in advance for all your support!  Happy Thursday!

Cakegirl's Kitchen

Since I have great blog supporters I was wondering if you would take the time to stop by Cakegirl's Community Kitchen Blog by clicking here!

My friend LeAnne is heading up a amazing initiative to open a community kitchen  in NWA and she makes amazing cakes too.  In fact she made me a Double Chocolate Cake last week that was AMAZING and her Red Velvet Cake is Chad's favorite!  The community kitchen would be a resource in the community where other small time cooks with big dreams could come and prepare their special sauce or their granola, or signature cookies to sell to the public.  Don't you think that is a GREAT IDEA!  LeAnne is embracing this idea and has submitted her idea and mission to the Pepsi Refresh Project and during the month of JUNE 2010 she needs our VOTES.  Pepsi is looking for people, businesses, and non-profits with ideas that will have a positive impact.  Don't you think this would have a positive impact not only in Northwest Arkansas, but any community?  I do! 

So now it is your turn during the month of June 2010 please vote for the Cakegirl's Community Kitchen to receive a grant from the Pepsi Refresh Project.  Again you can find out further details from LeAnne's blog by clicking here!

Once I get the final link to where you can go to VOTE I will repost and hopefully you will take the time to vote.  I will be back June 1st 2010 to remind you to place your vote for Cakegirl's Community Kitchen. 

We can all make a difference in our community and I personally think that this is a great idea and I happy to help support in any way possible. 

LeAnne we love your cakes, but more importantly we love this idea that you are embracing and wish you all the best! 

Grayson and Mommy Update Week 38

Today I had my Week 38 Appointment with Dr. H and here is a brief update:

Gained 2 pounds

Blood Pressure looks great

Grayson's Heartbeat 148
Belly is measuring at Week 37

Cervical Check 1 CM dilated and 70% effaced

So my body is preparing for Childbirth and the day I get to see and hold Grayson will soon be here!  My guess is this weekend or sometime next week.  What do you think?

So Exciting!!!!

Check out my post below it is a tour of Grayson's Nursery!

Plus Chad went and picked up Grayson's light and will be installing it tonight.  I am so excited to see it! 

Happy Tuesday Evening!

Final Tour Grayson's Nursery

Grayson's Nursery!

The journey of creating the PERFECT nursery started in January 2010 and after several months it is finally complete!  I love all the details of his room and I hope that he enjoys it too.  I will do my best to share the details of his nursery with you, but if you have questions please let me know.  Now all we are waiting for is Grayson! 

Glider is from Baby's Room in NWA - the brand is Best Chairs

Curtains were made by a local girl and the fabric was purchased at the Springdale, AR Fabric Store

Custom Bedding from Mod Pea Pod

Grayson's Green Chair came from Pottery Barn Kids  

Dresser and Crib came from Baby's Room in NWA - it is the Creations Baby Collection

Soft Blocks of Grayson's name are from Etsy - Seller is Lovin Ewe

Side Table is from Target and the blocks were handmade and given to Grayson from his Aunt Amie

Piggy Bank is from my mom she had it made in South Dakota

Lamp is from Pottery Barn Teen

I hope you enjoyed the tour of Grayson's Nursery!

I am working on getting a Sock Monkey or a Giraffe for his room...we will see what gets added in the next few weeks. 

Week 38

Big News! 

The Dresser arrived this past Friday and it FEELS so good to have everything in it's place.  Now we are just waiting for the arrival of Grayson.  Sitting and wondering when Grayson will arrive...will it be this next week or weekend or will it be the following week.  That is the question!  I am being VERY patient Chad on the other hand is READY to see and hold Grayson!  So for the next two weeks we will sit and be patient and wonder when will Grayson arrive.  But BOY does it feel good to have his nursery complete.  I will have a blog post up on Tuesday with a final tour of his nursery.  The only thing missing is canvas prints that we are hanging above Grayson's dresser and the new light fixture that is still on backorder.  I am looking forward to showing all of you the final results of Grayson's nursery.  I hope you love it as much as I do! 

Today I am 38 Weeks Pregnant and I still LOVE being pregnant.  I have 14 days or less until I get to hold Baby G in my arms.  I keep thinking about the first moment I get to hold him and see him how will it be and how will I react?  We will see...

Grayson weighs 6.8 pounds and is 19 1/2 inches long according to Baby Center.  I wonder what his actual weight and length will be...

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along:  38 Weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  18 pounds

Maternity Clothes:  I am wearing my maternity jeans and loving them. They are so comfy!

Best Moment this week:  Finishing Grayson's Nursery

Gender:  It's A Boy - Grayson Konnor!

Movement:  Yes it is AMAZING! The punches, jabs, and kicks are a bit stronger and at times hurt. But it is worth it. I love feeling them and knowing that Grayson is inside of me doing well.  I feel as if my belly cannot grow anymore with all the moments he is making it feels stretched to the MAX!

Food Craving:  Honey Nut Cheerios, Dark Chocolate, Cinnamon Bears, Twizzlers, Zone Perfect Dark Chocolate Bars, and Chocolate Muffins from a local bakery in Bentonville. They are so Yummy! I also have recently had a craving of Spinach and Artichoke Dip at Copelands. 

What I miss:  Sleeping on my belly and sleeping through the night!

Sleep:  Some days I sleep great other days I am up REALLY early...NESTING!

What I am looking forward to:  My Week 38 Doctor's Appointment, which is on Tuesday!

Belly Button:  In for now, but it looks like it is going to POP out! However I did find out that both my sister's belly buttons did not pop out.

Stretch Marks:  None which makes me VERY HAPPY!

Symptoms:  Tired at the end of the day and having off and on contractions throughout the day. 

Stop by tomorrow to see Grayson's Nursery...until then Happy Monday!

1st Mommy's Day

My 1st Mother's Day has been wonderful! 

I slept in until 7:30AM which is better than 4:30AM.  Yesterday I was up at 4:30AM and didn't go to bed until 11PM let's just say it was a long day for me.  I woke up to several gifts from my loving husband Chad, my growing baby boy Grayson that is still in my belly, and Bella too!  Chad always spoils me and I loved each gift.  They only other gift that would be amazing to receive today is holding Grayson in my arms, but I know that in a few days that this will happen and I cannot wait.  One special gift that I love and have wanted for sometime is a necklace from Lisa Leonard Designs.  It is perfect in every way! 

It is a perfect gift for any mom!  In fact my sister and I got my mom one for Mother's Day with all her grandchildren's name on it and she LOVED IT!  Plus she can continue to add to it!  Which I love too!

At Church - Mother's Day May 9th 2010

Before church Chad took me to Copelands to have brunch and it was yummy!  We have always wanted to try brunch at Copelands and it was great!  I love the atmosphere and the food is always great!  It was great to spend time together talking about the past, the present, and the future.  I remember last Mother's Day we stayed home.  We had just wrapped up our first failed IVF cycle and facing other mommy's on that day was just too tough.  Now to the present a year later I am pregnant and within days I will be holding the BEST gift my little baby G.  It has been wonderful to receive all the facebook and twitter messages saying Happy Mother's Day or Happy 1st Mother's Day each message is so special and at the same time so surreal as I would have never thought a year later I would be a mommy.  Now on to the future next Mother's Day I will have a almost one year old that will keep me on my toes and very busy.  I couldn't ask for much more! 

I hope all the couples that are longing for a baby have hope and faith that it will happen in God's timing!  Give all your pain on this day to God and let me hold your hand on this journey you are currently on and don't give up on hope and faith.  You are in my prayers today and always!

Love Melissa

Final thought:
My friend Miranda from Letters from M wrote a article for New Parent and it is beautifully written and a great read for all first time mommies.  Miranda writes some beautiful posts and I love reading her blog each day.  Here is a link to the article:
When Being A Mom Is Enough

Grayson and Mommy Update

Yesterday I had my Week 37 Appointment here is the update:

Grayson's heartbeat was 143

My belly measured at 37 weeks

I gained three pounds which puts me at 18 pounds gained

and

I am still only dilated to 1CM

It was a great appointment and I am still thinking that Grayson will not arrive until the week of May 17th 2010. 

I am getting excited to see his little face, but I know that I will miss the movements in my belly.  It is amazing that after 2 years I will be holding my sweet baby boy in 19 days or less.  

Happy Cinco de Mayo 2010 Chad and I are heading to On the Border tonight for a special week day date!

Best Email

We all get them forwards from friends and family.  At times I don't read them and just hit delete, but I did take the time this weekend to read a forward that I received from my good friend Mary.  It is the best email I have read in a long time so I thought that I would share it with you. 

Thanks Mary!

A Newborn's Conversation with God

A baby asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"

God said, "Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."

The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy."

God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you.  And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy."

Again the small child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?"

God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak."

"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"

God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."

"Who will protect me?"

God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you."

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name."

God said, "You will simply call her, "Mom."

Week 37

FULL TERM WEEK 37!

(I love those two words)

What a wonderful feeling that we have made it Full Term in my pregnancy!  With 21 days remaining in this pregnancy I am overjoyed with happiness that Grayson will be here any day!

I thought by the time I reached 37 weeks that I would be done with being pregnant, but that is not the case.  I am happy being pregnant and love feeling Grayson roll around in my belly.  This past week and weekend Chad and I spent a lot of time watching Grayson move around in my belly.  He has been VERY active during the day!  We also packed our hospital bags and installed Grayson's car seat in my car.  We did receive good news on Friday that Grayson's dresser should be here this upcoming Friday!  I would love for it to be here so we can put everything in its place.  Keep your fingers crossed for me! 

I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow morning and I am SO excited to go and see if I have made any progress.  I have had a lot of lower pressure and fill as if my belly at times is going to fall out of my vajayjay...TMI sorry!

Chad and I have been walking a lot this past weekend.  He is so ready to have Grayson here and is keeping me busy moving...even though I do walk every day during the week with Bella. 

Grayson is the size of a watermelon!  Weighing 6 1/3 pounds and 19 inches head to heel. 

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along:  37 Weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  15 pounds (I will have a new update tomorrow)

Maternity Clothes:  I am wearing my maternity jeans and loving them. They are so comfy!

Best Moment this week:  Packing hospital bags and installing G's carseat!  It is getting close!

Gender:  It's A Boy - Grayson Konnor!

Movement:  Yes it is AMAZING! The punches, jabs, and kicks are a bit stronger and at times hurt. But it is worth it. I love feeling them and knowing that Grayson is inside of me doing well.

Food Craving:  Honey Nut Cheerios, Dark Chocolate, Cinnamon Bears, Twizzlers, Zone Perfect Dark Chocolate Bars, and Chocolate Muffins from a local bakery in Bentonville. They are so Yummy!  I also have recently had a craving of Spinach and Artichoke Dip at Copelands.   

What I miss: Sleeping on my belly and sleeping through the night!

Sleep:  Sleeping great just the three to four bathroom trips a night!   

What I am looking forward to:  Doctor's Appointment tomorrow and getting Grayson's dresser this weekend!

Belly Button:  In for now, but it looks like it is going to POP out! However I did find out that both my sister's belly buttons did not pop out.

Symptoms:  I am still extremely tired by the end of the day and I have had stronger contractions throughout the day.