Our 2nd Anniversary

Seth took me away to St. Augustine, FL for our 2nd anniversary this past weekend. We had such an amazing time! It was a blessing to be able to get away one last time before becoming parents. How thankful I am to God for giving us the gift of marriage! I love my Husband so much! It is hard for me to believe, but, I love him more now than I did 2 years ago when we got married! God is good!

These are just a few pictures we took...









































I LOVE MY HUSBAND!!!

Can't wait to meet you!!

This is day number 259 and I'm 37 weeks pregnant!

We have only 21 days or 3 weeks left, and we are 92.5% of the way there.

Congratulations to Norah! She is now considered full term even though the 40-week mark is still 3 weeks away.She is probably about 6 pounds and can measure anywhere from 19 to 21 inches in length! How she fits inside my stomach always amazes me! She has developed enough coordination so that she can grasp an object wiith her fingers.

The Doctor update this week shows that I am now 2cm dilated and 60% effaced. I am so glad that things are moving along! I have had so many contractions lately and they are definitely getting stronger. Seth and I are getting so excited! We made it through our anniversary trip and had a blast....I will post more on that later...so now we are just playing the waiting game until we can meet little Norah. The bags are packed - bring it on! The full moon is on Friday.... =)

Only a few more of these until I can post pictures of Norah herself! YAY!
Love you all!
Tracy

I'm feeling pregnant...

You might be wondering why there is a picture of a baking dish? Well, do I have a story for you...

You see, last night I made this wonderful dinner. I prepared a huge pan of it because we really like this meal and wanted leftovers to eat on for the next couple of days. It was great! We had enough left over to last us until we left for our trip this weekend and I wouldn't have to go grocery shopping until we got back- thus saving us money. The plan worked out perfectly.

However, as I was cleaning up dinner and putting away the food, a tragic thing happened. I was holding the pan that was still full of food...I opened the refrigerator and proceeded to place it on the shelf that I had just cleaned off...And then the unthinkable happened...the pan jumped out of my hands and flew across the floor...shattering into several small pieces of glass and food intermixed. I was devastated. Of course, I immediately started crying. Seth came in and graciously gave me a hug and said it was okay. We then spent the next 30 or so minutes cleaning up the huge mess. This dinner, perfectly thought out and planned to last us until we left was now covering our kitchen floor. Horrible!

Seth left for the men's meeting at the building and I stayed home to still clean the last remaining bits and pieces of glass and food. When he came home he walked in with this brand new pan equipped with premium grip handles! He also brought me a cantaloupe - which I have been craving. =) What an amazing Husband God has blessed me with in Seth! His response to this whole situation was remarkable. Even though I am still upset that I wasted all that food - I loved seeing how much Seth has grown in the area of graciousness. What a blessing. I love you Seth!! Thanks for my new pan - I won't break this one - I promise!! =)

Norah's Baby Shower

The beautiful decorations

Can you believe how blessed we were with gifts!?!

The food was amazing! I wish I had a closer picture...

Me and my Mom =)

The famous Barista Valentines Day bear! I love it!

Norah and I were so excited to get her highchair from Aunt Iris!

Everyone prayed for us at the end.

(Left)Aunt Debbie, Grandma, Mom, Me, Memaw, Aunt Bettie!

The shower was so much fun. I was blown away at how many people came to celebrate with me. We received so many gifts! I cannot believe how generous everyone has been. Norah's room is now stuffed with clothes, toys and everything else she will need. Thank you to my HomeGroup for planning this lovely shower. I had an amazing time and I will never forget this! **Oh, and if anyone took pictures at the shower please e-mail them to me. I would love to have more** =)

The Final Four!

Today is day number 251 and I'm 36 weeks pregnant!
I have 29 days or 4 weeks left, and I am 90.0% of the way there.
Can you believe it!?!

Norah probably has added another half pound and now weighs about 6 pounds, measures around 20.7 inches in length, and is almost ready to check out of "Hotel Mom." She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the creamy substance that covered and protected her skin during its submersion in amniotic fluid. She swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, which will stay in her bowels until birth. This blackish mixture, called meconium, will become her first bowel movement. By the end of this week Norah will be considered "full-term" - crazy to think!


We are in the FINAL FOUR weeks of being pregnant. I cannot believe how quickly time has gone. I had an appointment today and things are going in the right direction. I am 1cm dilated and 50% effaced. I will keep you updated on the progress! =) Seth and I are going on our 2 year anniversary trip this upcoming weekend. We have booked a hotel in St. Augustine, FL. We are so excited to be able to get away for one last time before we expand our family. I sure hope Norah will wait to make her entrance into the world until after we celebrate our anniversary! After that she is free to come whenever she wants. I also had my baby shower on Saturday. It was so much fun and such a blessing. I will post about that soon...


Thank you all for your continued prayers!
Love you all!
Tracy

9 month belly...

36 days and counting...

This is day number 244 and I'm 35 weeks pregnant! We have 36 days or 5 weeks left, and are 87.5% of the way there.

Books say Norah should weigh around 5.5 pounds right now. She should continue to gain about half a pound per week until I deliver. She should be around 18 inches now. It is hard to believe all that can fit into my belly! Stem cells in the bone marrow continue to produce red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets to maintain a healthy immune system, but there is not really any development remaining for arms, legs, brain or organs. Norah will simply continue to grow in size as she readies for her big debut.

There is not really any new information to report from my Doctor today. The only changes that have happened are both of us getting bigger. =) I am getting to the point where I just want her out. I have been done working for a while now and I am bored and ready for a baby. We have created a calling list for when Norah is on her way. I am sorry to say that we will not be able to personally call everyone. But, I set up a phone tree and someone will be calling/e-mailing you when the time comes. YAY! I will be going to the Doctor every week now so check back frequently for new updates...

The picture attached are some things my Mom bought Norah in France. =) Aren't they so adorable! I don't think I have ever seen a tank-top onesie. The bracelet was made especially for little Norah by a 15 year old girl in a little shop in France. Thanks Mom!!

I love you all and can't wait to send out the e-mail "SHE'S COMING!" It won't be long...
Tracy (& Norah)

Our GA and NJ family...

Hilton Head Family Vacation

Mother's Day Roses for a Mother's Day Queen

Mom and Dad in Italy!

Nona and Tracy getting ready for a party in NJ

Nona, Mom, and Jessie in NJ

At the beach with the bros

Didn't your mom ever tell you not to point?

Seth is getting the "New Yorker" look!

Welcome to our blog!

Welcome to our first Lytle family blog. We have created this website so all of our family and friends can stay connected. We will frequently update this site with new pictures and posts about what is going on in sunny Florida. =)

We love you all!
Seth, Tracy, (& Norah)
Bauer and Cracker

All in the family!

We just found out that Amy is pregnant!! I am so excited. Now all of our children will grow up with cousin's who are close in age. I was very blessed growing up with my cousin's. What great memories we have. I can't wait to see our children grow up together.

Easter 2007

05-01-07 Norah Update

This is day number 230 and I'm 33 weeks pregnant!
I have 50 days or 7 weeks left, and I am 82.5% of the way there. YIPPY!

Well, I went to the Doctor's again today. Everything seems to be going great! Her heart rate was a little on the fast side, but she said it was because Norah was so active. She said it was like she was working out in there. That's my girl =) Some bad news for Seth, I cannot vacuum/mop the wood floors for the next few weeks. I have been having a lot more contractions and she wants me to cut out any vigorous activity to avoid me going into early labor. She wants me to be at least 36 weeks. So he will have to pick up the extra chore or two. =) He will be great, I am sure! Good news is she is in the head down position already (yay, no breech baby!) Hopefully she will stay this way until birth. They can't really say how much she weighs for sure yet. Maybe by my next appointment. She does seem to think she will be in the 6 pound range, possibly lower 7's. Great for me! My emotions have been going crazy. I cry A LOT! Seth has been very good with this. Who knows why I cry - it just happens. We are both getting nervous, anxious and excited about the soon arrival of our little girl. No official changes to my due date. I'll keep you posted as we get closer.

See what she is up to inside my belly...

Books say Norah is now 19.4 inches from head to toe and weighs about 4.4 pounds. However, we believe she is a bit smaller than this based on my belly size. We are both very aware that it is getting more and more cramped in there. Norah's adrenal glands have grown and she is producing her own hormones. Her skin is becoming less red and wrinkled, and while most of her bones are hardening, her skull is quite pliable and not completely joined. This will help her ease out of your relatively narrow birth canal. Starting at about week 26, she has slept and awoken at regular intervals. She closes her eyes when she sleeps, and she'll even dream during the last month before birth (now that is a cool thought). =) No one knows what babies dream about in the womb, but they show reactions ranging from frowns and smiles to crying and kicking. I wonder if her dreams are anything like Seth's? This is probably the reason I can't sleep at night because of all of her dreaming/moving! =)

Well, I won't have too many more of these e-mails. Soon they will be filled with pictures of Norah and all of the cute things she has been doing. The shoes you see in the picture are from Aunt Debbie...THANKS! They are the cutest things in the whole world! I can't wait for her to wear them. =)


I love you all!!
Tracy

04-10-07 Little Norah Update

This is day number 209 and I'm 30 weeks pregnant!
I have 71 days or 10 weeks left, and I am 75.0% of the way there!!!

Norah now weighs around 3 pounds and is about 17 inches from head to toe. How she fits - I have no idea! Her eyes open and close, she's able to distinguish between light and dark, and she can even follow a light source back and forth. Once she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have a visual acuity of only 20/400 — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. ("Normal" vision in adults is 20/20.) Now all she has left is to develop those lungs and get fat!

Seth's family just left Florida yesterday. The were able to spend 5 days with us! It was our last time with them until we have little Norah. They brought down the crib, changing table and bassinet. The crib and changing table were actually built by Seth's Dad for when Gabriel was born. They are absolutely beautiful and still in great condition. I have attached pictures. They even went out and bought a chair for the room (also seen in the pictures). I set up all of Norah's bedding (Mom, I LOVE it!). The room looks so adorable - I am ready for her to come!

I have been feeling great - everything is going well. When she moves you can really see my belly doing a dance! It is a lot of fun to watch. I am in the home stretch now! I go to the Doctor's every 2 weeks. The pace is picking up. =)

Thanks so much for all of your prayers during this time. They have meant a lot. It has been such a blessing to have such a healthy pregnancy.
I love you all very much!
Tracy (and little Norah)

**The baby shower is in the process of being planned. Mark your calendars for May 19th @ 11am. Invitations should be arriving shortly (Thanks Mandy!) =)

03-30-07 Norah Update

Hey everyone! Here is the lastest on Norah...

Count down until we meet Norah...
This is day number 181 and I'm 26 weeks pregnant!
We have 99 days or 14 weeks left, and are 65.0% of the way there.

Norah now weighs a little under 2 pounds and measures about 14 inches, from head to heel. I have no idea how she has room in there. She can hear noises, responds to light, and is generally more aware of her surroundings. In the same way that you can see a flashlight if you hold it against your palm, Norah can see the light coming through my belly. Seth and I went to the beach last weekend and as I was in the sun Norah was trying to move to my side to get away from the light and heat. I had a big bulge from her curling up. =) When I put a cold drink on my belly she calmed down. I think she was getting a little hot and didn't like the bright lights. She'll have to get used to all of that living in Florida. =) Her hearing is also fully developed, and as she reacts to sounds, her pulse increases. You may find this hard to believe, but it is true...During worship on Sundays she tends to move to the music (the faster songs)...She is dancing away in my belly. I love it! It does get a little distracting, but I am still able to worship. =)

My last Doctor's appointment I did my glucose screening test. I was so nervous to "drink the drink". To my surprise I really liked it! It wasn't bad at all. I haven't heard back from them so I assume my glucose levels are okay. Everything else looks great. Gaining the weight I need to and my belly is right on track!

Our last ultrasound was fun. Norah's getting so much bigger. I have attached a few pictures from the scan. I had a new Tech performing the scan and her remarks when she got to the face area were hilarious! In her words exactly, "Oh my! She has perfect lips for lipstick." She definitely will have Seth's lips.

The first picture is sideways and she is looking right at us. Her mouth is open.
The second picture is from the same view except she has her tongue out. =)
The third picture is her with her legs crossed - enjoying the comfort.
And lastly, a picture of her room. Still a few finishing touches left...

I love you all! Thanks for all of your prayers through this season. Not too much longer and we get to meet Norah!
Tracy