UPDATE - GABRIELLA'S ARRIVAL

We have a scheduled c-section for Tuesday, March 17th at 1:30pm (our little lucky charm will be born on St Pat's Day for sure). After my doctor's appointment yesterday we decided a c-section would be best for me with my diabetes and high blood pressure that I have been so blessed with at the end of this pregnancy (right). In addition I have not dialated at all in the last 2 weeks and she feels that I will have difficulty dialating which could cause for a very long and painful labor. No need to put anyone through that.

So think of us at 1:30pm Pacific time on Tuesday as our little Gabriella will enter this world.

More updates soon.

BABY GABRIELLA'S PENDING ARRIVAL

Well, the date has been moved up to this coming Monday. I was scheduled to be induced on Thursday the 19th but as of last night the date is moved to Monday the 16th. We will check into the hospital Monday night at 9pm and they will induce labor - or possibly have a c-section - still to be determined. Either way it looks like she will be a St Patrick's Day baby - this would make my grandmother very proud. My grandmother's maiden name was O'Malley which is where my 1/2 Irish heritage comes from. Looks like my little Irish/Norwegian/Puerta Rican/Dominican baby has decided that she is a fiesty little Irish girl and will enter this world on St Patrick's Day. Junior and I feel that she is our little lucky charm!

It is bittersweet to think of "what to do" these next 5 days before daughter number 2 arrives. Do we relax, go out and have some fun, spend every second with Caroline and she will no longer be an only child? My guess is that we will do all of the above.

Look for posts late next week once we get back home from the hospital with our new baby girl.

Thanks for all the love and support!

2 WEEKS AND COUNTING THE DAYS

The countdown is on. I will check into the hospital 2 weeks from today on March 19th for Gabriella's entry into the world. We are so excited to meet our new daughter. We had a doctor's appointment on Tuesday and I am not dialated at all which was a little frustrating. I was hoping that it was starting - it certainly feels like it is. I am having contractions every day and am VERY uncomfortable. We will go in again next Thursday to see if I am dialated and make a plan from there. Either way on the 19th I will either be induced or we will schedule a c-section. I will be 39 weeks at that time.

I have so many feelings right now, fear, excitment, happiness, and of course the feeling of the unknown. Having never given birth before I have to admit that I am very scared. Also, the unknown of a newborn which I did not experience with Caroline. Thank God for my wonderful husband who is so helpful and supportive and such a wonderful father. Of course I will also have the help of Caroline - she already is so motherly to her dolls and I know that she will be with her new baby sister.

We will keep you posted but know that the 19th/20th is the day if she isn't born sooner.

Hugs and kisses to all.
G, J & C

PREGNANCY UPDATE

We had a doctor's appointment yesterday and we are looking at 3 more weeks - less if I'm lucky. I begged the doctor to let me deliver next week but she said no. With my diabetes Gabriella's lung development could be delayed so we need to keep her in the belly as long as she wants to be there. On March 19th I will be 39 weeks and my doctor will induce me that night if Gabby has not been born sooner. I'm sure everyone who has ever been pregnant understands my "wish" to deliver her TODAY! I'm swollen, uncomfortable and feel HUGE. Though I love being pregnant and it has been a great pregnancy I'm over it. We had some pics taken a few weeks ago - here are some of our favorites.

Caroline is great. She was 22 months last week and is a very good girl. She is talking so much more and tries to repeat any word that you say. She is trying to put multiple words together, most of the time they don't make sense but she has got a few phrases down - "No, mine" (this is her favorite and my least favorite), Uh-oh baby. It is so awesome to see her growing and learning every day. She recognizes colors and loves Dora the Explorer. I can't believe she will be 2 in less than 2 months. She is such a big girl. I can't wait to see her face the first time she meets her new baby sister - she will be so proud!

Love to everyone from The Silverio's.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Happy Valentine's Day to all our family and friends. Caroline is having a Valentine's party today at daycare so she was all dressed in her Valentine shirt. I made cupcakes and valentines for all the kids last night - I LOVE this stuff. This is what I have dreamed of.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine's Day - we love you all and feel so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends in our lives.

XOXO,

The Silverio's

GABRIELLA - 34 WEEKS

We had our 34 week ultrasound yesterday and Gabriella looks great. She is 5lbs 5oz and is 56% for weight. She has a lot of hair and as you can see from the pics has some pretty chubby cheeks. She looks beautiful - I can't wait to kiss those little lips. During the ultra sound the tech let us just watch her face for awhile and she kept making little sucking movements with her lips. It was so cute. She looked like a little fish. We think she was blowing kisses to mommy and daddy.

I continue to grow daily - seriously. I've gained 7 pounds in the last 2 weeks. My fluid is a little high but the doctor said that it pretty normal with my diabetes. I can't imagine how huge I will be if we wait until March 19th to induce labor. Hopefully we can pull that in a little. If it were up to me I'd have her in about 3 weeks. We will see. We are ready at home though. My dad bought us our basinette and Junior put it together the other night. Her room is all ready and her clothes have all been washed. Last night I packed her hospital bag (guess I need to do mine too).

We have decided on Carmen as her middle name after Junior's mom so - Gabriella Carmen Silverio it is.

Enjoy the pics.

XOXO,

Gretchen & Junior

DAY IN SEDONA

Sedona - 8 months pregnant
Sedona with our mother's

Caroline asleep in her swing

So tired - so sweet

Junior and I took our mother's to Sedona yesterday and though we had a great day I will have to say that that is my last outing before Gabriella is born. My feet were so swollen last night and I was very tired. My stomach was as hard as a rock. Caroline spent the day at the lake with Papa so that we did not have to chase her around Sedona all day. We would have loved to have her with us but it would have been very hectic with here there.

Caroline has had a cold this week and has not been sleeping great. Her Abuela was swinging her the other day and she feel asleep in her swing - so sweet.

We are all doing good. Ready for baby #2.