Full Term Baby!

That's right! Now being 37 weeks pregnant and considered full term, I am SO ready to have this baby!

It's been quite an eventful week here in the Hefner home. I'll start with the biggest news by announcing that we are planning to induce in 2 weeks so Raylee is expected to arrive on.....

August 8!!!

We are so very excited and it just blows my mind that she will be here in less than 2 weeks, or sooner!  We have been busy setting up all the baby things and getting ourselves organized in our small and temporary apartment. We have been so blessed to receive so many clothes for her that her stuff is starting to overtake our closet! I think her things are much cuter than mine or Aaron's anyways :) Here are a couple of pics of our Friday night highlights!

I feel so much better having these essential things set up now so if for any reason she comes before the 8th, we are prepared! Now all I need to do is get my hospital bag packed. 

Another surprise we had come up was some concerns with high blood pressure. 

During my past 2 appointments, my blood pressure has been coming up high so as a precaution, I had some testing done to rule out conditions such as preeclampsia. Those tests came back normal, which is a huge relief to us! However, my blood pressure is still quite high so at our appointment this coming Monday, we will be talking with our doctor about which direction to take in this situation. There is no real need for concern, but as a "first time mom", its a little stressful and scary not to have any definitive answers. All my prayers are with the doctor that she will know what the best direction is and that little Raylee continues to grow healthy as she has throughout this entire pregnancy! 

What it's all about!

For as long as I can remember I have always dreamed about one day being a mother. Sure I had other dreams throughout my life such as growing up to be a soccer star in the 2nd grade, then to owning a crepe restaurant in high school, and now I would love a career as an OBGYN! But even through all of these lifetime goals and dreams, I've realized that my greatest desire in life was really to be a mommy.

I remember when it hit me. You know, the baby craze. Aaron and I came up with a plan before we got married that we were going to wait to start a family until Aaron had graduated, so about 2 years. We were both anxious to one day have a family, but we also wanted to enjoy time as a couple for a short time.

Around 9 months into our marriage, I started getting those pesky little thoughts about babies. I would spend all my church meetings just baby watching and my heart would get all warm when I saw a baby while out in public. Aaron kind of got into this fun craze with me, but we were still pretty certain of holding to our original plan. Until one Sunday at church, it nearly smacked me in the face. I became completely overwhelmed with the feeling that I was missing something in my life. I couldn't shake it. I had never wanted something so badly. It was time.

So, long story short.....

Shortly after my emotional episode we were completely ecstatic to get our "Big, Fat, Positive" and we are expecting a little baby girl on August 15, 2013!


This little nugget right here is what it's all about! I already love her to pieces and she is my greatest joy!