These are the Day of Pierce's Life

Little 007 is just a day and a half old, but he's already been really busy. On Friday he had a slew of visitors come by to hold him, sing/hum to him and talk to him in baby-talk.

Here's a couple of pictures of his growing fan club:

(Pierce's first official Halloween costume--he was an owl/bat head.)

(Mama & Pierce)

(The Killoughs)

(Great Uncle Harry & Great Aunt Lissie... with Killough sneaking in.)

(Kendra, Macie the Pumpkin, Pierce & Ms. Burris)

(Kendra & Pierce)

(Jeff, Proud Papa, Pierce, Ryan and Brady)

(Lindsay & Ryan with Pierce)

(Aunt Hooch, or Aunt Nikolai Volkoff, depending on who you're asking, with Pierce)

(GrandDad & little Pierce)

(Dana & Pierce)

(Katelyn & Kouba with Pierce)

(Neighbor Julie with Pierce)

(GrandMother and GrandDad with Pierce)

(Gram & PawPaw with Pierce the owl/bat head)

All in all, he's doing really really well. Mom and Dad are going on the fumes of fumes and have no real concept of time anymore, but we love it and love him and feel more blessed each time we see him.

Pierce Jacob McCord

Hello, world.

Let us introduce you to Pierce Jacob McCord. He was born on 10/30/08 at 9:12pm. He weighed in at 6lbs 15oz and was 18.11" long.

He's doing great--and wife is doing really, really good as well.

Below are some pictures of his first couple of hours. We'll post more throughout the day because, well, we can't really sleep (bad beds, stitches, adrenaline and such) and because we're excited to show off our little jedi.

And if you're curious, he is already wearing his first Halloween outfit--he's going with the medical interpretation of a burrito.

VISITING HOURS: We're at Plano Presbyterian Hospital. Please call ahead to my mobile (817-300-8987) before you head this way to make sure its an appropriate time. We should be heading home Sunday morning.

To be continued...

October 30

'You're having that baby today.' Those are the words wife and I heard from our doctor about 2 hours ago.

Now, here we are, at the hospital, plugged in and waiting for Pierce.

Be sure to check back later for updates and visitation information, if you're so inclined.

Today is the day God made for Pierce.

Trunk or Twig

On our trip to Destin, my feet began to swell. I merely thought it was the long drive in the car and that once we returned my feet and ankles would return to normal size. When we returned home, my feet and ankles returned-but only for a short time. Once school started, my feet began to swell during the day. About a month ago, it spread to my legs. And now it is just common place. My feet, ankles, and calves are swollen consistently. According to my doctor the only way to get back to normal is to always have my feet elevated above my heart (which is not natural or possible while I am still working) and to cut out sodium-which means to only eat fresh fruit and vegetables. And let me just tell you, I am way too hungry to just eat fresh fruit and vegetables.

My sweet husband has been so nice about helping me out around the house and rubbing my feet. However, recently he has thought it is quite entertaining to compare the size of our legs. I joke around with him and call my legs the 'tree trunks.' He has wanted to take a picture lately and I am been quite abrehensive, but I figured with only 21 days left, I might as well just bite the bullet and take the picture.

The truth is, I've been blessed to have not swollen up anywhere else. Not the butt. Not my face. But for some reason, I've developed legs that leave my shoe options somewhere in between "clown" and "boots reserved for Big Tex."

So, if you hear thunder over the next 21 days--don't worry, it's probably not a storm. It's just me walking on these triple-thick, memory-foam like leg-a-sauruses attached below my knees.




On a lighter note (literally), we had our 37 week appointment today. There has been no progression since last week. Pierce is still dropped in position, but no dilatation has begun. So, we made our 38 week appointment for next Monday.

Also, here is a picture of our new piece of furniture in Pierce's room.

A Weekend Full of Preparations

This weekend Justin and I continued to prepare for Pierce's arrival. We actually put the car seat bases in our cars and the car seat is in my car. We tidied up the nursery and bought the final piece of furniture. We got a little 9 cube shelf to fill with his toys and his very first real basketball. The nursery is no longer a 'holding place' for boxes and gadgets-it is definitely ready for Pierce. We packed Pierce's bag and began to pack our own bags. We took a tour of the hospital and now know where to go when the time comes! This weekend was really spent just Justin and I together as we get more and more ready for Pierce. It is hard to think of how much we have done for this little person that we have never met. Justin and I are amazed at how much we already love him. We are anxious to be able to see him face to face and hold him.

Tomorrow is our 37 week appointment. We are anxious to see if there is any "progression" with Pierce. We will be sure to post about our appointment tomorrow!

If Pierce waits til his due date, we only have 22 more days!! I can't believe it!

36 Week Update

I went to the doctor today for our 36 week check-up. I can't believe that I am already 36 weeks. There for a while, I never thought I would make it and now that it is here I really can't believe it. After my normal weigh-in and blood pressure test, the nurse went and got me some 'goodies.' She came back with some formula samples, a diaper bag, and the labor pains instructions. I was quite overwhelmed when reading them and thinking that Pierce could come soon.

Justin and I were able to get a glimpse of Pierce today. I say glimpse because he is definitely running out of space in my belly and his pictures were all very squished. We did get to see his little body though and all his parts.(and he is definitely a little boy) He looked very healthy and had a healthy heartbeat. Once they did all the measurements, they told me that he is actually measuring 1 week big. Which came as quite a surprise since my belly is actually measuring a 1 week small. Apparently it is all in the way that I am carrying him. So, we are looking at having a average size little one-around 7 and 1/2 pounds-opposed to a small little guy.

After I met with my doctor and had my examination, she did tell me that I am starting to make progress. Not too much-but she could tell that he is getting low and in the ready position. This is very exciting news! So, from now on each Monday afternoon will be spent at her office awaiting the news of how much 'progress' has been made.

There's No Place Like Home...

Pierce's 'home' is almost complete. Justin and I have had a great time getting it all ready for Pierce. We are so ready for him to be here with us. Here are a few pictures of the nursery.
This is a picture of Pierce's closet. It is full of the most adorable little boy clothes! I can't wait to get him all dressed up in his stylish duds!

This is his crib with the canvases that Justin made hanging over it.

The window with the swing. The swing will move into the living room once he arrives, but for now it is just in his room.

The changing table and letters...the table is ready for use-the diapers, wipe warmer, and changing pad are all there!
A close up of the letters-they are blue and brown striped.

Here is his bookshelf. It is already full of fabulous books and picture frames. I can't wait to read to my little guy!

Tomorrow Justin and I go in for our 36 week appointment. I can't believe that it is only 4 more weeks til my due date-that is only 29 more days. We are looking forward to our sonogram tomorrow and the chance to see Pierce. If we get a picture, we will be sure to post it!

"Howdy Y'all"

This past weekend, Justin and I visited one of the greatest treasures that comes to Texas each September...The State Fair. We had a wonderful time seeing the butter sculpture of King Tut, Big Tex's new outfit, the Polynesian dancers from Euless High School, and of course all the unique people that were there. Although there are so many different fried foods to chose from, I went with the ever popular Fletcher's corn dog and it was fabulous! By the time that we left the fair my ankles were cankles, but we had a great time nonetheless.

A Special Treat

There have been lots of changes around our house with us getting prepared for little Pierce. Duncan hasn't know exactly what to think about all the new things/gadgets that we keep bringing home. He has been really good about just sniffing all the new stuff and not taking any of it. So to help him alleviate his high stress, we thought we would give him a special treat.

Duncan loved playing around with the peanut butter jar. Can't you tell?

And a little update on Pierce...
Today marks our 6 week countdown! I can't believe we are that close. After a few fabulous showers, we are set with all sorts of great stuff. We are in the process of washing clothes, organizing, and decorating the nursery. We will post some pictures as soon as we get a little more organized. I did have a doctor's appointment yesterday, and all is well with Pierce. I am measuring a week small, which my doctor says is of no concern, but we do get a sonogram at our next appointment in 2 weeks. We are really excited about getting to see Pierce one more time until we get see him face to face!

And to add to the excitement-the Celtics opened training camp this week. Justin is planning on getting up early on Saturday to buy our Mavs/Celtics tickets so we can take Pierce to his first NBA game in early February!

Puffy Feet

I have seen those books before about cute little kid quotes. They are always so funny to read. Today I feel like I could add a quote to one of those books.

This morning during reading, I had my class gathered around me so I could read them a story. Right before I started the book, I heard a small little gasp. I look down to one of my sweet little girls. In her most concerned 4th grade voice she said, "Oh no, Mrs. McCord. Your feet are getting all puffy."

I had good laugh and explained to her that it was all because of being pregnant.

A Bed to Sleep In....

Pierce's furniture has arrived and he now has a place to sleep. After a couple of days of figuring out where we wanted the bed and the dresser, we finally agreed on were it should go. Then this weekend, Justin and I went and bought some baby detergent to wash the sheets so we could put the bedding on the bed. I actually fell asleep while the sheets were washing on Saturday night and woke up early on Sunday morning to get the bed together. I was really anxious to see what it would all look like. Here are a couple pictures of the bed and one of the dresser that we will use a changing table.




We love the way the bedding looks in bed. We can't wait to have our little man sleeping in the room next to ours! Now we are working on some projects to tie the room together. I will be sure to post those pictures when we get them complete.

10 Weeks and Counting....

Well, according to my pregnancy weekly emails, I only have 10 more weeks (there about) until Pierce's arrival. I am just so excited! Here is a picture of my '10 more weeks belly'
I am feeling great and am really enjoying this stage of pregnancy. I can feel Pierce a lot more and Justin can even see him move around in my belly. I think that it so cool that we can actually see my belly move! Lots of people told me about this, but it is really neat to experience it!

Tomorrow is a big day for us. Pierce's furniture comes in! I am so ready to start putting his room together! Justin will be working from home in the morning as he anxiously awaits the delivery man. He is even more excited because we paid the extra fee to have them set it all up! All of our IKEA purchases did him in when we first moved into the house so he is ready to have someone else put some furniture together for him. I promise to post some pictures of the furniture and bedding as soon as I get a chance!

First Day of School

Yesterday marked my 5th first day of school as a teacher. I can't believe that it is my 5th year teaching. Boy, how time flies! This year is a special year, since it is my last 'first day' before Pierce arrives. Up until now, my first day of school picture is just me and Duncan, but next year Pierce will get to be in the picture!

This is sure to be a fabulous year. Especially with my 'break' right in the middle of the year to welcome the newest McCord!

Wedding Fun

This past weekend, Justin's roommate from college got married here in Dallas. We had such a fun time with Justin's friends in town from out of state. Here are a few pictures from the wedding.

Downward Slope...

Yesterday I recieved an email from a pregnancy website that said:

Congrats! You have made it to your 3rd Trimester!

I can't believe it. About 12 more weeks til little Pierce is here!

Bittersweet...

Today is a bittersweet day for me. It is my official last day of summer because us teachers have to return to work on Monday full time. I have had a great summer (full of mom-Duncan time, beginning to work in Pierce's nursery, our trip to Florida, and many othere things) and am sad to see it end; however the start of this school year means I am closer to meeting Pierce.

Justin and I were talking about this fall and all the fun things that are right around the corner and of course at the top of our list is Pierce's arrival! We are so excited that we are getting so close. I am 27 and 1/2 weeks along, which means my 3rd Trimester starts on Tuesday. I can't believe it! There for a while, I didn't think I would make it out of my first trimester.

So although my summer is coming to an end today, I am gladly accepting the end of this summer. Next summer is sure to be one full of many, many, many fun memories with little Pierce around!

Here are a couple more pictures of our trip to Destin:

Loving Our Beach Time...

Well, we are still in here in Destin with the Leaches and are having a fantastic time. We have spent quite a bit of time out at sea, down by the beach, relaxing in our condo, and of course a lot of time laughing together. Here are a few of pics of the past couple of days.

It's Beach Time...

Well, we made it! We are in Destin for our annual vacation with our great friends, the Leaches. This is our first trip with little Brady.  After a long drive through the night and a little wasted time in Barnes and Noble while our condo was getting clean, we made it out to the water for a little 'beach time.' Here are a couple of pictures from our first day here!