Leap year day and still no baby!

Well, the 29 has come and is about to go...and yet, still no Sofie. Nick and I really wanted her to make her appearance today but she has other plans.

I'm just taking it day by day. I've finally finished work and officially begun the whole "maternity leave". I'm pretty proud of myself for hanging in there for so long. So far, I'm feeling okay. I've had some pains here and there but still nothing to get too excited about. I'm just waiting for that contraction that will send me into alert mode and begin to time them. Either that or experiencing my water breaking. Either one...will be a welcoming sign that Sofie is on her way!

Today, it was so incredibly cute...Nick told be how excited he was to meet her and how much he already loves her and yet has never even met her. My heart melted when he told me that. I know he is going to be a wonderful Daddy!


Well, we'll keep everyone posted with any new developments. let me know if you would like to be put on the "phone tree". When the time does come Nick is planning on sending out a text with all her info (weight, length and pics).


Keep us in your prayers.

The Allen's.

WATERMELON!!!

Okay, I made to week 39 of my pregnancy! This picture illustrates just how big Sofia might be. Believe me...the way I feel today, this picture hits the target!

Doctors say once you've reached "full term", baby is likely to thrive after birth. Sofia may be spending these last weeks preparing for the outside world… meaning careful refinement of the blink, suck, inhale and exhale. I've been reading about what we can expect from our snuggle bug...

Here are some neat facts about these last few days...

~Meconium, which we'll probably find in the first diaper, is accumulating in the intestines.

~During the journey out of your womb, baby will produce more stress hormones than any other time in her life.

~Sofia now has the muscles that enable her to suck and to swallow amniotic fluid.

As of my last doctors appointment last week I was 1 1/2 almost 2 cm dialated (the goal is 10) and she was effaced to stage +2 (goal being +5). So we are making some progress. I have another appointment tomorrow and we are hoping she has moved further along. Nick and I have decided to let Sofia determine when she wants to come. We're not going to try and push things...so it could be within the next five days or longer.

We appreciate everyones prayers and loving thoughts. We ask that you continue to pray for us during this time.


We'll keep you posted.

The Allens.

Sofia's New Home

This is a very special entry for the Allens. Nick and I have taken another HUGE step in our lives and will very shortly be homeowners! We found the perfect house for our soon-to-be perfect little girl.

The house we are in the process of buying in located just around the corner from her Nonni and Nonno. It's a cute 3 bedroom, two bath single family home with a fabulous kitchen for mommy.

I fell in love with this kitchen from the beginning. I love the lighting and the cabinets!

I can't wait until I can teach Sofia all about cooking... we'll roll pie dough, make pasta, roll out our cookies...and of course...

make Daddy's Gluten free stuff!

Here is a picture of our bathroom.

I'm not sure how I feel about the glass block window.

Here is a picture of the main living room wall. Nick thinks it would be cool for Sofie to have a Hot Wheels track curving the wall...I think it's Nick that wants the track!

Our view from our back yard. Superstition Mountain.

This is the main entry way leading into the family area and the kitchen. On the right, Sofie's room










Nick and I are looking forward to raising our little girl here and creating lasting memories. We can't wait until we bring her home and begin our new life...Mommy and Daddy!

Here is Daddy...our protector!

Bjorn for the Allens

HOLY SMOKES...19 days left before Sofia is due! It seems like it was just yesterday that we were introducing this blog and announcing our big news. Well, we are hoping she comes a little early. I have been experiencing some early labor but nothing to go to the hospital over. I've been having back aches and minor contractions but trying ever so hard to be a trooper.

My feet have taken on a new shape...ROUND! I've never experienced swelling like this. It looks as if I've sprained an ankel. I'm just hoping they return back to the way they were.

Today Nick and I make a purchase...we picked up what we think is an essential in the new parents "bag of tricks". The Bjorn baby carrier. Alicia turned us onto to this carrier and Nick has been keen on the idea of having hands free while holding Sofia.

I'm just excited he wants to wear it!


Here I am with our mock Sofia...


It's really comfortable and Nick and I know that this will be a great thing to have. Bella was a bit skeptical at first...but we think she's coming around...

Baby Shower EXTRAVAGANZA!!!

Today was our baby shower. We are so thankful for all our family has done for us. We were blessed with so many great gifts...it's gonna make welcoming Sofia that much easier.

Here is a gift from Nana. It's a personalized rocking horse! Just for Sofie.

My Mom, Nina, cousins Alicia, Lydia, Sandra and my sister, Kalani put together such a memorable shower. I am so gratful to have all of them play such an important part in this experience.

Nick and I had such a great time. It really was fun spending the afternoon with our families. With the exception of a few key people, we had just about a perfect day!

Here is the S-U-P-E-R D-A-D...before playing some much anticipated baby games.

We played games...

This one was a bit gross but still funny! Each person had to guess what "mess" was in each diaper...each diaper had a melted candy bar inside.

Kalani was the ring leader in this one.

Nick was such a sport...he even tasted one.

We even had special games just for the guys... This game the guys were given a bottle full of their drink of choice and who ever finished their bottle first was the winner.

The trick...strategy.

And the other game just for the guys- Each one had to be blind folded, change a diaper and which ever had the best time...won the prize.

Here is my dad...he did a pretty good job.

And here is Nonno (grandpa) Keith changing the diaper...he was the leader for most of the game.

Here is Nick enjoying one of his special Gluten-free cupcakes made just for him!

Here I am- 1 cm dialated and heading to our baby shower. I can't wait till' she makes her grand entrance!