40 weeks.... THE END!!! :)

Wow I can't believe that I've reached the end of the pregnancy! So many thoughts and emotions are currently running through me at this time as I've longed to see this moment for SOO long now to see my little girl and to begin being a mother. After my husband and I lost our first pregnancy August 18, 2012, it was so tough to think that it could potentially happen again. During this pregnancy I actually began to bleed at 7 weeks, and we learned everything was ok, but the thought of potentially losing another baby was too hard to think of. Praise God that we've reached the end and are days away from meeting our little girl and beginning a brand new life with her involved. We're so thankful for all that we've learned throughout this last year, mainly trusting in God knowing that His plan is ultimately perfect as ours is always flawed and self-centered. So thankful that we've been learning this lesson over and over again, and pray that we never take our life for granted. We've been so blessed even throughout the tough last year that we've had, ultimately God gave us the joy and peace that we needed throughout the tough moments. So thankful that soon things are going to be so different in our house and looking forward to the many nights of no sleep as we wake up to see our little girls face and take care of her. Can't wait to meet you little girl! :)

How far along?  40 weeks! Wow, to think that our due date arrived just yesterday is absolutely amazing!

Total weight gain/measurements: Started at 142 and have gained... and since my last midwife appt (last Friday) was 41lbs, but I'll find out this Friday to know my current amt

Maternity clothes: Oh yes! I don't know how I would be able to survive without them.

Stretch marks: Yes... It was so tough to deal with when I first saw one, but I realized that overall this will remind me of the amazing time in my life that I was pregnant with my daughter. 

Best moment this week: Reaching my due date!!!! :)

Miss anything? Sleep! I'm up every 2 hours now to run to the bathroom, or just being so uncomfortable. She's clearly getting me on her "wake-up" schedule that I'll soon be on in just a few more days.
Movement: Yes! The most movement she's doing now is either rotating herself around, or pushing her head out. It can be kind of painful when she shoves her head out, but it also reminds me that she's alive and doing good.

Anything making you queasy or sick? No, thankfully!

Gender:  baby girl

Labor signs: tons of braxton hicks, which have been getting more and more intense. no actual contractions as of yet.

Belly button in or out? Finally popped!

Wedding rings on or off? OFF! Saw my rings today, and can't wait to put them back on! 

Happy or moody most of the time: Anxious! I'm so anticipating the moment that I get to hold my little girl for the first time!

Looking forward to: Holding my sweet baby girl, and getting to share in the joys of raising her with my husband! It's going to be such an incredible experience that we get to share together, and I can't wait!!!

(Weeks 39 & 40)

Week 38...

How far along?  38 weeks! Wow, only 2 more weeks to go!! OH MY GOODNESS!

Total weight gain/measurements: Started at 142 and have gained... and since my last midwife appt on Friday, I've gained 35lbs.

Maternity clothes: You know it! I love my maternity clothes!

Stretch marks: Yes, actually as of week 37.. some started to show on my lower belly! Man, I thought I might make it to the end without having them really show up, but now they're coming in nice and light.. let's hope they stay that way.

Sleep: Tougher. Waking up about 3 hours after I get into bed to run to the bathroom. Of course since I have less room in my bladder (due to baby taking it all up) I'm constantly having to empty it.

Best moment this week: Having a great weekend of seeing my cousin Wesley who just returned from China after teaching English there for 1 year. ALSO, my little niece, Lucy was finally born!!!! YEAH!!! Now Carlos and I realize how close our time is coming to holding our little girl in our arms. Carlos was so excited to hold her, and was desiring to hold our little girl all the more! Just 2 more weeks baby!!!

(Carlos holding baby Lucy, just about 14 hours old here!)

Miss anything? Not having stretch marks, not having someone sit on my bladder, and getting better sleep at night.. honestly, it's ALLLLL worth it and I would do it again in a second!

Movement: Definitely! Now that she's getting bigger though, she can't kick me and punch me as much, but she pushes her head REALLY hard against my stomach and so that can hurt a little, but I know she has a little bit of room.. so I don't blame her.

Anything making you queasy or sick? No, phew! :)

Gender:  baby girl

Labor signs: The swollen ankles have returned, and I can't seem to get them to stay away.. oh well! And more braxton hicks, but thankfully no contractions! :)

Symptoms: none

Belly button in or out? Innie! I actually am thinking it might NOT pop!

Wedding rings on or off? Off... :( It was beginning to get stuck, so I had to take them off... 

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy! I love having this little girl inside of me.

Looking forward to: Getting her carseat base in the car (the carseat is ready to go), finishing up her room, packing our hospital bags! Just have a few more things to get ready and the house cleaned before she comes! Oh yeah and starting maternity leave on July 24th.. oh I CAN'T WAIT FOR THAT!!! It will be great to be home for a few days, rest, and get some stuff cleaned, and hopefully spend a little bit of time with some friends!

(Weeks 37 & 38)

Breech baby, please turn...

So for those who are unaware, my sweet little girl is currently breech (she's turned either sideways or having her head up.) In order to have a natural birth she must be head down in order to pass through my birth canal head first. Unfortunately she's been breech for months now, and she isn't trying to turn. Thanks to the wonderful knowledge from my amazing Bradley Instructor, we've been given some great advice on things to do. First, we've been using a great Chiropractor whose currently working on the Webster Technique to correct my body in order to make sure that I'm aligned properly so that baby can (hopefully) turn. At first my pelvis and my birth canal were turned a bit to the side and not straight, as well as having extremely tight ligaments (making it impossible for her to turn head down, and taking up her room). Usually babies stay higher in your uterus if the birth canal isn't straight because they technically cannot go head down and be comfortable. Thankfully the chiropractor has corrected those, and now just continuing to make sure I stay straight with my pelvis and keeping my ligaments nice and loose. Since going to 3 appointments now, I've realized how much she's dropped even lower!!! If I thought that her sitting on my bladder was bad before, HAHA, that was a joke! I'm constantly running to the bathroom because she's dropped even lower. Now it's just the waiting game of her turning... will she do it?!?! Now she has the room to, so we're just hoping she sure does the flipping! 

Next, I've been working on some of the exercises to try to get my body to hopefully help her to learn to turn the other way. There are things to elevate your bottom off the floor, and ones to put your chest forward causing your head to be going towards your knees, so the baby can hopefully desire to turn. (www.spinningbabies.com is a good website with good insight)

Lastly, tons of prayer! It's about the only comforting thing that I can do at this time knowing that ultimately it's out of my hands. A friend even brought it to my attention that maybe she isn't turning because God hasn't designed my body to have a natural birth, maybe my birth canal is too small, etc. and that just made me realize that I don't know everything and that the Lord ultimately is calling the shots, and I MUST be okay with His choice. I keep being reminded about how my plans are never going to work out just the way that I plan them, and that I have to be prepared for all potential options. 

So now the time comes down to my hubby and I seeing that our (once) backup plan of having a c-section only in an emergency, that this may be the main option that it comes down to. As tough as it's been to deal with losing the potential option of having an all natural, medicine/drug free birth, we realize that her coming out safely is the most important goal. Thankfully through prayer, I'm coming to terms with it, and honestly I'm okay with it now. I still pray that she does turn, but this is another time when I'm truly learning to trust in God in His ultimate decisions. He's taken care of my for the last 24+ years of life, so He will continue to no matter what happens, He's in control. It's a comfort to trust knowing that God is handling things, and that I'm able to sit back and let Him do what He's already planned for me. Throughout my whole pregnancy God has truly shown me many times how He is handling things and doing them for my good, even when it seems like the worst situation possible. Praise God for always taking care of His children and never leaving us. Such a faithful God!!! 

Just wanted to give an update, and if you would like to join us in prayer.. please pray that she will turn, and if not that the delivery goes well! Thanks! :)

9 MONTHS!!!! (week 36)

How far along?  36 weeks! Wow, only 4 more weeks to go!!! OH MY GOODNESS, this is getting to be too exciting!

Total weight gain/measurements: Started at 142 and have gained... and since my last midwife appt I'm around 32lbs now (but I'll find out this Friday for sure)

Maternity clothes: Oh yes! I love them so much! I love my maternity pants!

Stretch marks: Still none, and I've not been doing the Vitamin E oil daily, since it's getting so hot outside. At night I've still been using it (for the most part) but none as of yet! Praise God!

Sleep: Not so great... I'm up about 1-2 times a night, and during the night and now my back hurts at times when I wake up in the morning.

Best moment this week: Had my church baby shower this weekend and also had pregnancy photos taken by my mom and bestie Rachel.

(This is one of the photos taken from the pregnancy shoot)

Miss anything? Not feeling so full all the time.

Movement: YES! I need her to slow down, as she's soooo actively rolling. I want her to stay still in the head down position - preferably.

Anything making you queasy or sick? No, thankfully!

Gender:  baby girl

Labor signs: Some braxton hicks

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? Off.. :(

Happy or moody most of the time: happy! enjoying pregnancy!

Looking forward to: getting her stuff put away! 

(Weeks 35 & 36)

Swollen Feet/Ankles...

I'll admit that it was weird the first time that I saw my ankles swollen, and yet I hadn't twisted or sprained my ankle. So weird to think that my ankles were retaining water and would get quite big and puffy. I figured, ehhh... no big deal, they'll go away. Then the top of my feet began to get puffy too! My goodness, this was no longer okay as I couldn't hide the tops of my feet from my pants, like I could my ankles. 

So here was my solution and trick... every night when I sleep, I put a pillow under my feet so they're elevated every night. Every morning I wake up, I have the lovely, unswollen feet that I love so much! So if you have the issue while you're pregnant, try it! Hope it helps out! 

34 weeks...

How far along?  34 weeks! Wow, only 6 more weeks... and wow it's going by fast!

Total weight gain/measurements: Started at 142 and looks like it's about 30lbs now.. (wow, never could gain weight before, and now it seems it's happening so fast!)

Maternity clothes: Oh yes! I found Ross and they had a great little maternity section which helped tremendously get more shirts.

Stretch marks: Nope! Still using vitamin E oil.. but need to use it daily again. I've been slacking, but still no stretch marks.

Sleep: Not so easy anymore... unfortunately. I almost dread going to bed sometimes, because waking up means that I get out of bed and have some terrible pain. She dropped the first weekend in June and since then it's been quite uncomfy when I first get out of bed. Having an extra 30lbs sitting on your pelvic area, hurts. Also I have to make sure I change sides during the night because my body aches too. This morning was the first time I've thrown up my WHOLE pregnancy because my acid reflux was SOO bad.. it wouldn't let me sleep. I guess I'm officially pregnant, now that I've vomited for once.

Best moment this week: We had 2 baby showers this past week. One was my job's baby shower which I had a great time and was so blessed by my coworkers with so many lovely gifts for my little girl. 

Then my family threw us a baby shower too and we had TONS of fun there as well. We had about 100 people come out, and so now our living room is LoAdEd with gifts for our little girl. 

Miss anything? Having good sleep, no acid reflux, and no achy body pains. 

Movement: YES! Finally I'm feeling some pretty awesome hiccups which has been quite enjoyable feeling her do that. It's pretty amazing, and I'm definitely enjoying it.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope

Gender:  baby girl

Labor signs: Swollen ankles and some braxton hicks here and there.

Symptoms: none

Belly button in or out? Still an innie!

Wedding rings on or off? Just took them off this morning. They were starting to get too tight and I'm scared that they will get stuck and I'll have to have them cut off.. so I took them off... so sad, because my hand feels naked!!! :(

Happy or moody most of the time: Sleepy!!! So want my bed right now!

Looking forward to: getting her new gifts/clothes/toys cleaned and put away for her. Now that her room is painted and the furniture is done, we just need to finalize her room! :)

(Weeks 33 & 34)

Time is going by FAST...

Wow only 50 days left... where has the time gone in this pregnancy?!?! This morning I reached my 33rd week in pregnancy (33rd week of pregnancy update) and it's shocking to know that time is going by SOOO fast! It's already the middle of June (almost) and yet she's coming quickly! 

This weekend we were able to finish up the painting of her room which was a HUGE relief to have done. Now we can begin to set things in place & hang things up for her. It was a great accomplishment to finish the painting and something I've been wanting to do! Praise God.. it's DONE!

(Aunt Lauren & Grammy helping to paint her room)

Carlos and I also had our Hospital Tour on Sunday right after church! it was great to see how things should work out and where we need to go to the day she decides.. IT'S TIME! I'm definitely the worry worm in our house, so it's a real comfort to know the plan and where we need to go, and how things will work out, so that I feel more comfortable when the time comes. The hospital seems great, and it's wonderful to know what we should be bringing with us. 

We also finished up our last Bradley class yesterday. It was exciting but yet sad knowing that we won't be meeting up anymore to learn these great methods! I'm actually going to be making a little "cheat booklet" for Carlos when delivery day comes! I know that when the action hits of intense labor, that he may forget some of the main methods that we learned, or how to keep labor progressing, or positions that I should push in. Having a little booklet will help to keep him composed, so that I won't freak out - because let's face it, I would get stressed.... and I sure don't want to add more to me being in labor. 

Knowing that possibly in 50 short days, we will be meeting our precious little girl, face to face, and get to kiss her and hug her non stop.. it's going to be incredible! I can't wait to be her mom and get to teach her and raise her up to be a great godly woman (Lord willing.) My prayer for her is that one day she will come to know Jesus, and repent and believe in Him as her personal Savior. I hope to see my daughter grow to love the Lord as Carlos and I both do, and that she would truly desire to worship and please Him with her life. I'm looking forward to the trials in parenting as my husband and I learn together what parenting a child is (as a dog isn't the same, but has been awesome practice!) 

I'm currently reading the book BABYWISE (Giving your infant the gift of nighttime sleep) which I'm truly thankful that I'm reading. It will help Carlos and I to learn how to schedule her sleeping and yet in the beginning the book was speaking so highly of marriage! That was so encouraging, as most things you may hear about/read from definitely always focus 100% on baby and not the relationship between mom & dad first. You should have a strong marriage as the first priority, because that baby will grow up to be a toddler, teenager, adult and they will learn from how you two had interacted. I want them to see what real love looks like and know that their parents had an amazing love for one another in our marriage. (Side note: don't worry I  probably won't take 100% from this book, but I definitely want to learn the sleep schedule most of all, and from there I'll take what's needed to help train my child in certain areas.)