She's Here!

Okay, okay - so it's taken me almost a month to post the exciting, wonderful news of the birth of our daughter but boy, I sure have been one busy mommy! I promise I will try and do a better job on updating the blog. Sorry for the delay but here's the details on her arrival.

YAY! Stella finally arrived!! On Monday, September 21st, I began to have contractions so Kyle and I started to time them. They were pretty consistent all day so we went for a few walks around the neighborhood hoping they would increase. After a long day and a long afternoon, I finally reached contractions that were 5 minutes apart so we decided to call the doctor. They called us back and told us to head to the hospital! How exciting to think our sweet lil girl was almost here! Little did we know we had a long way to go.

After we arrived at the hospital they checked me to see how far I had dilated and we got a very disappointing answer...only 2 cm! :( So after walking the halls for about an hour they checked me again...this time, another disappointing answer...only 3 cm! :( The midwife told us that we could probably head home and come back tomorrow b/c I "wasn't in labor!!" Um, are you kidding me?! If this wasn't labor then I was NOT looking forward at what was yet to come. But, after talking with the midwife and nurse we convinced them to let us stay. Thank goodness we did because I couldn't imagine having to go through labor (or according to the midwife - not really labor - whatever lady!!) on my own at home. The pain quickly progressed but I had the best coach ever!! Kyle was so patient, calming, encouraging and everything I could have ever wanted. Around 4:30 a.m. on September 22nd, they checked me again and I had progressed to 6 cm - all on my own w/ no epidural, mind you - and then finally I got the BEST thing ever invented - the epidural!! All of this was SO worth it in the end because at 4:18 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22nd, God blessed us with the most beautiful, precious, angel ever. Our little Stella Louise had finally arrived.

Now, I'm probably a little biased but when I say that I think she's the prettiest, most beautiful baby ever - I really believe it. Whether she's my child or not. She has the cutest nose, most precious lips and a head full of hair. Kyle and I are truly blessed!!

Thank you all for you wonderful support during this exciting time in our lives. It has been an amazing journey and we only look forward to what the future has in store for The DiEduardo's.

STILL waiting

Today is September 19th and there is still no SLD! :( We thought for sure she would have made her big debut by now but I guess she has other plans. I've tried eating spicy foods, walking, eggplant parmesan, just to name a few and NOTHING has worked. But, I guess she and God have a day in mind that she will arrive and we just have to sit and wait. If she's not here by Wednesday, September 23rd, we will head to the hospital to be induced.

On an exciting note, I got my diaper bag in the mail today and OMG, I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!! It's exactly what I have been looking for and it's perfect!! It's a pink Dooney & Bourke diaper bag - SO me and I love it! That definitely made my day considering all I can do these days is sit and wait on my sweet, spoiled, little girl to arrive.

Speaking of spoiled, I HAD to take a picture of her closet so you can see how spoiled and loved this lil girl really is already. This is just a portion of her clothes, toys, books, etc.

Can you tell she's the first grandchild on both sides of our family?! Can you tell how loved she's going to be by everyone?! This is one lucky little girl. Now if we can just get her to come we can shower her with love and kisses. Hopefully not too much longer!!

Waiting on SLD to arrive

I'm 38 weeks and we're still awaiting the arrival of our sweet little girl. A few of our "favorite" dates have come and gone. We had hoped she might be born on my grandmother's birthday, September 3rd, since that's who one of her names is named after. However, that date has come and gone. We also thought today, 09/09/09, would be an awesome day to be born on. However, this day is coming to an end and no SLD so we've come to the conclusion that she will make her debut when she's ready.

The last time we went to the doctor I was dialated 1 cm and was 50% effaced. My body has definitely been changing so maybe I'm progressing. We go back on Friday, September 11th so hopefully he'll have some good news for us then...unless she comes before then. :)

Here's the latest and greatest "bump" pic at 38 weeks. We'll keep you posted when the princess arrives!!

Girls & Guys Weekend

The weekend of my last shower, August 21-23, I surprised Kyle with a guys weekend for his 30th birthday. Todd, Adam and Ryan all flew from Boca Raton, FL, to Myrtle Beach to meet Kyle and play golf, go on a gambling cruise and just have some guy time! Here's a few pics from his weekend. Such a handsome group of guys!!

Every time I talked to Kyle that weekend he said, "Thank you SO much, babe, for doing this for me!" He had the best time and I'm so glad he was able to get away before our sweet lil girl arrives. Happy Early 30th Birthday, babe!

While Kyle was away, my mom, aunt, cousin and her little girl came to stay with me. We had the BEST time! Friday night it was just me, my mom and my aunt Sandra. We enjoyed a yummy meal together and chilled at the house. Saturday morning we got ready and headed to Columbia for my last shower. We took Bella to Columbia with us because my dad was going to watch her while we were at the shower. Bella loves to go for rides!

After the shower we all headed back to Rock Hill and enjoyed our time together. It was so nice to have a girls weekend and to see my cousin's little girl, Jaida, as we haven't seen her since Christmas. She was a ball of energy and we all had so much fun watching her play, talk and talk and talk!

She's SUCH a cutie!! I love this pic of her and my mom! Too cute! She had a GREAT time playing with Bella and if she said "Bella" once she said it a MILLION times!! LOL So precious!

Jaida also loved seeing the baby in my belly. Hope I don't scare you w/ the bare belly but it was too sweet not to post.

Next time we have a "Girls Weekend" our sweet lil SLD will be a part of the clan!! Can't wait!

Saturday Shower in Columbia

My cousins, Julie and Janea, and my Aunt Joan hosted a shower for me and SLD on Saturday, August 22nd in Columbia. It was so nice to be surrounded by so many friends and family - many from the church I grew up in Columbia.

My cousins and aunt know me oh so well and had a crown for me to wear that said "New Mom To Be"! Once a princess - always a princess - too cute!

The food was scrumptious and the cake was so adorable with SLD's intials.

This was my last shower and once again I was amazed by the support, love and showering of gifts - SLD is one lucky girl and so am I!

Many thanks to my mom for coming to all of my showers and supporting me during this exciting time! I think she might even be a little more excited than I am if that's at all possible! LOL

Soon, SLD will join these cute lil girls, Jaida and Reese, and be another princess in the family! :)

My Aunt Sandra and cousin, Ashley, came up for the weekend to share this special occasion with me. Loved having ya'll stay with me!

I am so blessed to have my Granny here sharing this special time with me. She is so excited and will be a wonderful great-grandmother to SLD!

Thank you to my awesome cousins and Aunt Joan for hosting this shower for me and SLD! Everything was so nice and I'm truly thankful!

Library Shower at Work

Thursday, August 20th, my wonderful coworkers hosted a Nursery Library Shower for me and SLD! I had never heard of this before but it was such a unique and fun idea so I was super excited about it. And boy does SLD have a LIBRARY full of books now! We got so many great books for all ages and I can't wait to read these to her when she arrives.

Check out the beautiful cake - in our "signature" colors of course, pink and green!

Many thanks to my Development Department girls for throwing such a wonderful shower for us and many thanks to all of my coworkers for showering us with your friendship and support.

3 Years and Sunday Shower

I'm so far behind so I apologize yet again for not posting in a while. A lot has happened over the last couple of weeks so I hope to include everything to catch everyone up on what the D's have been up to.

On Wednesday, August 12th, Kyle and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary! My how time has flown! Seems like it was just yesterday we were planning the wedding - deciding what flowers to choose and what band we liked best. Now, we are planning what bottles to choose and what diaper bag we want. We are so blessed to have spent three wonderful years together but are eager to expand our family and share our love with our precious daughter.

Sunday, August 16th, Wendy & Nano's sweet neighbor, Kim, hosted a sweet Sunday Shower for us and for Kyle's mom's friends and family. Everything was SO nice and the food was delish! Check out the cake and watermelon baby carriage - so precious!!

There were photos of Kyle and me from when we were babies - so cute!

It was such a special day and some of Kyle's family came in town for the special occasion. Aunt Lynn flew in from Texas and Uncle Bob and Aunt Carol drove down from New York. They must love this little girl-to-be as much as we do! :) Many thanks again for coming to visit - it was great to see ya'll!

At the shower, we were literally "showered" with so many wonderful gifts.

How did we ever get so lucky to be surrounded by so many amazing friends and family?!

Many thanks to everyone for all of your love and support and many thanks to Kim for hosting an amazing shower!

Nursery and Bump Update

Kyle and I have been hard at work in our sweet lil girl's nursery and we made some awesome additions over the last week and this past weekend.

Check out the flatscreen and precious shelves!! Only the best for our princess! ;)

We love the glider and nightstand and of course the ADORABLE, handmade lamp by a dear friend, Stacey of www.sweetaspeas.com.

The window is now complete with the new curtain rod and curtain. So sweet!

These are the handmade wall letters that I've been busy creating. I must say I LOVE how they turned out. Of course the "S" and the "A" are complete and we'll fill you in on the letters in between when the decision is made! :)

Also, tonight Kyle and I had "maternity" pics taken by a good friend and fellow Junior Welfare League member, Michelle. As soon as those are posted on her website, I'll be sure to share the link with family and friends...stay tuned!

After we got home, it was a MUST thatI take a "bump pic" so you can see how we've grown. I'm 34 weeks and SLD is growing every day.

Of course, I had to take a pic with both of my girls. Not too much longer and SLD will be here to take a real pic with me and Bella Boo. Can't wait!!!

Cookout with the Neighbors

Friday, Kyle and I hosted our awesome neighbors for a cookout. Everyone brought yummy additions to the menu - we had chicken and steak kabobs, rice, salad and Terri's famous peanut butter banana pudding. Everything was DELISH and it was so nice to get together.

After dinner, we played Mad Gab and OMG it was the funniest game ever! Of course, we played guys vs. girls and the girls were kickin' booty...

until the guys took control and WON! :( TWICE!

We are SO lucky and blessed to have such awesome neighbors who have really become a big part in our lives. We cherish their friendship more than anything and will be really bummed if/when we ever have to move.