Pregnancy... and the reality of it

What a joy it is to be pregnant and carrying a human life inside of you! I have to admit I've had a pretty easy pregnancy, as my daughter has been so gracious to me in not causing morning sickness, and only some mild nausea in the beginning. I've really enjoyed everything as my body has changed, I've gained weight, and definitely enjoying the beauty that God has designed through my body creating and sustaining another human life. Wow, what an amazing God that I serve and love!

There are times that are certainly tough during pregnancy though, as I get farther along. At times (mainly when I'm stressed or have been on my feet all day long) I get the terrible swollen ankles as if I've sprained my ankles (because they get HUGE!) It's not a beautiful sight, but something that reminds me that my baby girl is growing, and this comes with having a child-giving up my body for the sake of my child growing. I've had some acid re-flux too that was tough at times, but thankfully is rare now. It was definitely uncomfortable to get this burning sensation in my throat after eating foods that I love-which I absolutely love food!! People remind me that the acid re-flux means that she will have a full head of hair, so I continue to endure that pain (when it comes) knowing that perhaps I'll have a baby full of hair (let's hope straight black hair like her daddy!) I've been definitely not enjoying the stretching of my stomach though. No stretch marks on my belly yet, BUT the pain of your stomach stretching when it's never done this extreme stretch before can be quite uncomfortable and almost burning at times. It was definitely painful when it first began, but I've begun to wear maternity clothes and loosen things to then wear less tight fitting things in the areas that hurt the most. Also using Vitmain E Oil on my belly one or two times a day helps to keep it well moisturized.

My newest and toughest part is now how FREQUENTLY I have to run to the bathroom! I feel like she's dropping lower as now the weight on my bladder gets so insanely intense and then I do the pregnant waddle (it's no joke) just to make it in time!! It's insane how the other night Carlos and I went to the store, and I got out of the car and I was waddling and saying how BADLY I had to use the bathroom. By the time we got to the back of the store, I was fine.. because my little one had moved her positioning and taken it off my bladder. It still shocks me at times that I have a little baby inside of me that (for now) can control my trips to the bathroom and how frequently I have to run there. 

Overall I don't do this to complain about how at times pregnancy can be uncomfortable and tough, BUT overall it's totally worth it when I feel her move around in my belly and (her newest thing is head butting me on the right side) head butt me as if she's trying to break out of my belly. I know she's growing in there and soon will be running out of the room she used to have my my stomach, and things may get more uncomfortable for me. I know throughout that time I'll endure just knowing that my little girl is well taken care of, growing healthily, and seems to be happy as she moves all the time. I love you my little sweetheart and can't wait to meet the little person inside of me that's made me run to the bathroom so much! MWAH!

30 weeks...

How far along?  30 weeks! Wow, only 10 more weeks to go or 2.5 months!!! OH MY GOODNESS!

Total weight gain/measurements: Started at 142 and have gained... and since my last midwife appt I'm assuming around 20lbs now (but I'll find out this Friday)

Maternity clothes: YES! Since last time Carlos & I went out to Kohl's and got some clothes! FINALLY! I couldn't use the belly bands anymore because they were pinching my skin.. ouch! I love maternity pants! :)

Stretch marks: Nope! Been using just vitmain E oil in the morning and before I go to bed, and it's definitely helping a lot! :) Definitely feel my skin stretching, but haven't seen any on that belly of mine.

Sleep: WONDERFUL! I love my pregnancy pillow! Still allowing for great sleep at night.

Best moment this week: Getting to go to our friend's Jonathan & Hannah Hawes wedding and getting to wear a dress. I felt great being pregnant and wearing a nice dress! Loved it!

Miss anything? Not having to run to the bathroom all the time. She now is so big that she pushes on my bladder quite often and I'm always running to the bathroom, for no reason. BUT, she's worth it!

Movement: OH YEAH! Talk about an active little girl! She's always moving. Now she's gotten to wear she pushes so she can stretch, and it feels like she's trying to break out of my body. Not always comfortable, but it's amazing to feel her movements, because then I know she's doing well.

Anything making you queasy or sick? No, thankfully!

Gender:  baby girl

Labor signs: Not yet, but the swollen ankles are loving me this morning! Thankfully it doesn't hurt, but I definitely see them, and it's not so lovely to look at.

Symptoms: none

Belly button in or out? Still an innie! Trying to push out, but NOT YET.. hold off belly button!

Wedding rings on or off? ON and loving it! 

Happy or moody most of the time: happy! I absolutely love being preggers! :)

Looking forward to: Getting our basement back to normal (hopefully by the end of this weekend), Memorial Day weekend, and seeing some family. We are planning to paint her room in the next coming weeks, so that will be awesome! :) 

Weeks 29 & 30

28 weeks... welcoming my 3rd trimester

How far along?  28 weeks! Wow where has time gone.. only 12 more weeks to go! She's about 2lbs now! :) YEAH!

Total weight gain/measurements: Started at 142 and have gained... 17 pounds so far... crazy to think, I could never gain weight before and now I'm gaining like insane.

Maternity clothes: the maternity clothes I got, well 2 shirts are awesome and 1 of the pants worked (out of 3) so tonight Carlos and I are planning to head out to see if we can find some more, because I'm growing out of my clothes so quickly!

Stretch marks: Not yet... :) I've been using Vitamin E Oil to rub on my belly and then I also use the thick Trader Joes body butter to help seal the oil in and it's been helping, and keeping my itchy/stretching belly from being as itchy all day... definitely working!

Sleep: It's been great! Finally getting some solid sleep at night, and have for about the last week or so! YEAH!

Best moment this week: Hitting the 3rd trimester. I think getting closer to the end is exciting because we're getting closer to meeting our little girl. I enjoy pregnancy a WHOLE LOT, but I want to meet my girl. Thankfully we have 12 more weeks, so she can keep growing and we can keep preparing!

Miss anything? Just not having as much weight on my body, because now I have the swollen ankles sometimes, BUT I know that means she's growing and that's great!

Movement: Oh yes! She's a sassy little girl already! If I have my arm on my belly and she doesn't like it.. well she makes it clear and kicks me! She's an active one and stubborn to by not letting her daddy feel her movements but every once in a while. Silly girl, she will learn that won't work once she's out of my belly.. as I know he's going to mess with her all the time to just love her so much! 

Anything making you queasy or sick? No, thankfully!

Gender:  baby girl

Labor signs: none. Just see the "end" pregnancy signs of the bad back pain, night trips to the bathroom as she takes up more room, and the swollen ankles

Symptoms: none

Belly button in or out? Still an innie! Trying to push out, but NOT YET.. hold off belly button!

Wedding rings on or off? ON! :)

Happy or moody most of the time: happy! love feeling my sweet girl moving, so I'm definitely a happy mama.

Looking forward to: Finishing up our basement before she arrives-should be done in the next week or so, getting more things set up in the house for her arrival, and preparing more through our Bradley classes! They've been awesome in helping us to prepare! :)

Weeks 27 & 28

Week 26...

How far along?  26 weeks! She's about 1.5-2 pounds now which is crazy to think how much she's grown!

Total weight gain/measurements: Started at 142 and have gained... 15 pounds so far! 

Maternity clothes: Finally order some maternity clothes (pants mainly) from Target.. waiting for them to arrive, and hopefully they fit since in store they didn't have much to choose from.

Stretch marks: Not yet...

Sleep: AMAZING!!!! So they have this thing that ladies use during pregnancy (pregnancy pillows in the shape of a C) and wow it's made me sleep so much better!!!! It gives great support to my back, but my poor husband has been waking up during the night due to me now snoring from this pillow. lol, I NEVER snore unless I'm sick, and this pillow had no warning of starting new bad habits... ie snoring. I am starting to get pain in my ribs though when I sleep on them too long, so since everything is growing and moving so much, it's a little tougher to stay comfy the WHOLE night. 

Best moment this week: In the past week our sweet neighbors (Sam & Alicia) have given us tons of adorable baby girl clothes from their little girl. It made it so amazing to think/imagine of our little girl wearing some of these cute outfits, and FINALLY Carlos has 2 little outfits that have something about daddy on them. Daddy's Princess, and Daddy stole my heart (something to that affect w/the 2nd one). He was definitely happy, as most stores don't have much about daddy, and everything about mama.

Miss anything? Not having pain in my ribs, BUT it's worth it to know my girl is growing as much as she is.

Movement: I sure have a LOT of movement going on. She's been messing with her daddy though and when he tries to feel her move, she gives light kicks that he can barely feel and she tends to stop. Last night he did get to feel a lot more as I laid on my back for a few minutes to get her moving, and to help my back (as it's one of the best ways for my back to feel better, but can't do it long for her sake)

Food cravings: Ice cream!!!! I've been wanting it almost daily, but trying to not eat it that much.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope! :)

Gender:  baby girl

Labor signs: none as of yet

Symptoms: none yet

Belly button in or out? Still an innie! Trying to push out, but NOT YET! 

Wedding rings on or off? ON! :)

Happy or moody most of the time: Sleepy! Definitely smiling though, as I know this is permanent. 

Looking forward to: Finishing up our basement before she arrives, getting to pick out the colors we want to paint her room, having our next Bradley class on Sunday teaching me how to push when the time comes, and doing her registry (I think this weekend). It's quite exciting to get to look at potential things we will have for her! :)

Weeks 25 & 26 (no my belly button isn't sticking out, the shirt has a crease right there)

Week 24

How far along?  24 weeks! Babygirl is over 1lb now and about the size of a cantaloupe! Carlos and I realized that we only have 3.5 months left... OMGOSH! Okay, that's tough to swallow, seeing as we thought we had more time.. but we realized that pregnancy goes by FAST!

Total weight gain/measurements: Since starting at 142, I've currently gained 13lbs. Not bad, and yet I eat like I've never eaten before!

Maternity clothes: Still haven't bought a thing! The belly bands are saving me, but I know my time is getting closer, day by day, to purchase a new pair of pants.

Stretch marks: None yet. Phew!

Sleep: Terrible! It's been awful seeing as now the thing I thought was a myth "all pregnant woman have to pee all the time" well it's TRUE! I wake up at least once if not two times a night, and on top of that.. Penny loves to snore, and with me being a light sleeper... well I wake up all the time! I need to get a new pregnancy pillow too, so that I can sleep with the proper support.

Best moment this week: Getting to really look at baby names with my hubby! It's been fun getting to really begin to choose a name for our babygirl! Also recently setting up her crib, makes it VERY surreal.

Miss anything? Sleeping on my back, and having uninterrupted sleep. Also, the back pain that I now feel, I miss not having that... although I know it's DEFINITELY worth it!

Movement: Oh yes! I eat, and soon after.. punch, kick, kick, roll, punch! She's quite a little active girl! 

Food cravings: The other week it was Panda Express (which I had never had) and the pan pizza from Domino's! Let's say that Domino's pan pizza has been amazing, with every cheesy bite that I take!

Anything making you queasy or sick? No, thank God that I'm ok and not queasy or sick.

Gender:  baby girl

Labor signs: none, PHEW!

Symptoms: Nothing! :)

Belly button in or out? Still in! It's trying to make it's way out, which makes me nervous... I've always had an innie, so I don't know how I would look with an outie. Don't think it would pop out until the very end though.

Wedding rings on or off? ON! 

Happy or moody most of the time: Sleepy! Definitely smiling though, as I know this is permanent. 

Looking forward to: Enjoying more Bradley classes as Carlos & I learn about having a natural birth, and doing what God has designed my body to do. Picking out a baby name. Enjoying more time to prepare for her. 

(Weeks 23 and 24) 

(Baby girls crib is all set up, and poor Penny is
sadly awaiting her little sister to give kisses to!)

(The awesome books that we have to prepare for our Natural Child Birth)

21 weeks...

How far along?  21 weeks and 2 days! Baby is about 10.5 inches long from head to feet, and about the size of a carrot! :)

Total weight gain/measurements: only 8lbs as of this morning!

Maternity clothes: Still haven't bought a thing! Loving these belly bands though, they're helping me to be able to wear my same clothes! :)

Stretch marks: None as of yet! :)

Sleep: It's been good! I've finally figured out how to sleep through the night, but I have to face the opposite direction of my husband... I hate doing that, BUT at least I don't wake up (unless Penny decides to start snoring all loud)

Best moment this week: Definitely feeling her move a lot more! :)

Miss anything? Sleeping on my back, and not having to run to the bathroom every hour. It's no joke when they say pregnant women go to the bathroom all the time!

Movement: Definitely a lot going on! Since my placenta is still up front (and absorbs her kicks and punches) I feel a lot of fluttering, and some kicks randomly but it's been amazing! 

Food cravings: Coldstone... currently. Last week I smelled bacon at work (and those who know me, know I only really like turkey bacon.) so we HAD to go to Corner Bakery this weekend and get breakfast, cause I wanted bacon! Thankfully that's not a normal thing for me!

Anything making you queasy or sick? Not recently! YEAH!

Gender:  a little girl! :)

Labor signs: none

Symptoms: nothing right now. just loving looking pregnant, and being pregnant! :) Definitely a dream come true.

Belly button in or out? Still in! The weird part is the inside part is pushing out some, as if it WILL pop in coming weeks.. let's hope not!

Wedding rings on or off? ON, and LOVING IT! :)

Happy or moody most of the time: Super happy! Been really busy lately, so just trying to take it down a notch and not stress out. 

Looking forward to: On top of the other things from last week (listed below) I can't wait for our next appt. on March 29th (Good Friday) to see her on another sonogram! Then feeling more baby movements, picking out a name for the baby, and picking out room colors! :)

From the breakfast date Carlos & I went to on Saturday to Corner Bakery!!! 

Was so good!! His meal was the top one, and I ate the Commuters Croissant.. YUM! :)

(Left: 21 weeks, Right: 21 weeks & 2 days)

I feel like the look of my belly changes so much, 

and rounds out one day and isn't as round the next day! 

Bragging on my man...

I just couldn't control myself but to brag about how amazing my husband is...

So he's in a group called Christcentric and my husband is an incredible rapper! He writes his own lyrics, creates amazing punchlines, multi-syllable rhymes, produces his own beats, and records, etc. I could go on & on about him with his skill to hear one little sample and make a WHOLE beat off of that! Blows my mind away how creative that he is!

So I've realized how incredible he is with managing things and getting everything done that he must do. These past few weeks have been so busy for him as he's been working late nights, after just transitioning to a new position at work, so he's been doing hours of training at night at home as well. He teaches a bible study on Wednesday night with the high school guys, and then teaches our small group on Sundays. He's also been writing a lot of music lately, and producing more music for Christcentric's current album they're working on. I don't know where he finds the time to do everything that he's signed up for.

On top of all of that, he squeezes in time with me, to listen to me, to help me out, to be at my midwife appts as we go get to see our daughter. He's just been so incredible, and I don't feel I've given him enough credit for how amazing he really is! I just wanted to thank you my sweet husband on how amazing that you really are! I love you so much! :)

Ephesians 5:23  "For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior." Thanks you for making this your daily practice and leading me as the scriptures teach the man to do!