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!

Okay, I feel like I'm going to pop! My stomach is so tight that at times it hurts. I'm not sure I can stretch any more...

You know it's sad, I can't even fit at a restaurant booth!

Here are some more pictures of our little girls room...all we need now is a little girl! We are now at the one month left stage and getting ANXIOUS!

Here is her bed fitted with little lady bug bedding.

Nick found these ADORABLE shoes for her and we just had to buy them.

And here is poor Bella, what is our little puppy going to do when Sofie makes her appearance? Actually, Bella has been pretty good about not coming in Sofies room. She lays right out side and just watches us. I'm sure as long as we don't forget to show her some love Bella will cope just fine!

OUR LITTLE LADY BUG IS ALMOST HERE!!!

We are getting ready...packing our hospital bag, collecting all those important phone numbers and going through all the emergency scenarios.

We are putting some finishing touches to Sofie's room...her theme is LADY BUGS. She is gonna be the cutest darn baby EVER!!! Nick and I have been buying cute little things just for her. It's so cute seeing Nick lovingly decorate her room.




We still have a few more things to buy but, for the most part her room is nearly complete. Sofia's Nana bought her stroller today along with some other baby essentials. Nick and I wanted a stroller that was a little different. We wanted one with some color and character. And we found the perfect one.

This was a gift from Sofia's Nana.

This is a changing table that Sofia's Nonnie and Grandpa Allen bought for her.

As for baby updates...Sofie has been picking up on her movement and size. She is still a bit delicate in her movements but every once in a while she'll give a good kick. The movements have now crossed over to rolls. I can see her roll from one side of my stomach to another. It's really strange.

She still moves the most when music is playing. From what I've read and have been told, Sofia's lungs are about 99 % developed and she is gaining more fat layers that will regulate her body temperature once delivered. From this point on Sofie will gain about 1 ounce of fat per day.

As for myself...I feel myself getting bigger and bigger each day. Sleeping has become a chore and getting comfortable...forget about it! According to my "mommy-to-be" books, my uterus has expanded 15x it's original size and is now pushing against my rib cage. Well, that explains all of my discomfort!

I have begun to experience Braxton Hicks contractions. At first they freaked me out and I immediately went to the hospital but was calmed down and given the whole first time mommy speech. Now, I understand what they are and go with the flow.

Nick and I started our Lamaze classes and are learning some really great breathing techniques. Nick is a little apprehensive about being in the room during the whole delivery portion of the show...he freaks out about the blood thing... but I think attending these classes have helped him gain a better understanding as to what I'm going to be put through. I think he has now committed to being in the room during delivery and just stay by my head and be my support.

I'm getting really excited about my upcoming baby shower. For those of you not in Arizona or not within driving distance, I will post TONS of pictures and maybe a few videos. To tell the truth, I'm normally am not a fan of the whole shower thing. I've left everything up to other people to plan and taking the attitude..."just tell me when and where".

Lately I've found myself more relaxed and going along with things a whole lot easier. Perhaps it's me getting closer to the "motherly stage" in my life. The stage where I always thought was off limits for me...the stage I never wanted to get to. I'm really looking forward to meeting Sofia and introducing her to the world.

One regret I have, is that Mama Chana won't be here to welcome her with me.

I always imagined that when this day came Mama Chana would be there for me and show me all her tricks and remedies. Who's going to be there and pass Sofia over the candle when she's scared or play mariachi music for her?

I'm sure Mama Chana is here with me in spirit, I just wish she was HERE with me. She was the mother of all mothers and I miss her EACH AND EVERY day!

I pray each night to Mama Chana; "watch over Sofie. I promise I will tell her all about you and all the cherished memories you gave to me".