Arrival Update

Well family and friends we have a date... our sweet baby girl will be arriving on January 21st at noon by cesarean section due to her continued breech position. We couldn't be more excited anticipating her arrival.

So the countdown is on... only 25 days to go!

Sweet baby-to-be

Sweet Elliet,

In about five weeks you will arrive in this world. You are already so special to your father and I. You wouldn’t believe how much we already love you. You haven’t even taken your first breath and you have already changed our lives forever.

On May 23^rd, 2012 we learned you would be joining our family. I never thought my insatiable curiosity could withstand nine months of suspense, but I am enjoying this much more than I could have imagined.

On August 31st, your daddy and I learned we were going to become parents to a baby girl. Within a few days we had chosen your name and had started planning your nursery.

My mind wanders often, daydreaming of you. I wonder what we will share, if you will have my eyes, my long toes or your daddy’s smile. I pray that we teach you the best of us and most of all the glory of God.

You are kicking away inside me now as I write this letter to you and that puts a soft grin on my face. I treasure the feeling of your movements and the blessing it is to grow a tiny life inside of me. When I am exhausted or achy, I work harder at being thankful for the many reasons why I feel this way.

You have an eager family waiting for you…and you will be treasured and celebrated and admired. I am so excited for the moment of your birth. I would like to ask you to hurry–I am tired, and wobbly, and so ready to meet you soon. Instead, I will wait patiently for you, enjoying you in my belly.

I am not sure of the struggles that you will face in life or if we will be able to protect you from anything or anyone that may prevent your happiness. But I want you to know that your father and I are so in love with you and pray you always feel our love. One thing I know without any doubt, beyond what my mind can comprehend is God’s love for you. He will always be with you. Look to Him first and always, you will be in the arms of the one who holds the world in His hands.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
--Psalm 139: 13-16

We praise God for you, our sweet gift that can only come from Him.

Love,   

Mom

34 Week Bump Update

How Far Along: 34 weeks

I have been ‘nesting’ and getting my house deep cleaned and ready. I have her diaper bag partially packed now and have organized my pantry to make room for storage of bottles. I have been reading and asking many questions to prepare myself for breastfeeding; I am very determined to breastfeed and have learned that it is a huge task that will take lots of patience and persistence. Please say your prayers for me that I will be successful at it. Her room is pretty organized and I have most everything washed and ready for her with the exception of her sheets and a couple of blankets. Pre-admissions to the hospital and the epidural deposit have both been taken care of – feels nice to have those checked off our list. Next up … consider and pack a bag for Ryan and I to take to the hospital.

Estimated Due Date: January 28, 2013

Total Weight Gain: 28 lbs. {at my last OB visit on December 10^th, Elliet weighed 5 lbs 9 oz!}

Labor Signs: Nope, no sure signs yet, this baby still needs time to bake! However, I can feel my body preparing more and more… pretty amazing.

Aversions: Chicken. Lately I have not wanted anything to do with chicken especially the thought of cooking it myself – no thank you!

Maternity Clothes: Yes and I feel as though I wear the same things over and over… I’m running out of clothes that fit and it’s becoming more difficult to create new outfits to wear. #PregnantLadyProblems  =)

Belly Button in or out? It’s still in but it is about flattened out. I’m hoping it doesn’t pop out.

Wedding Ring on or off? Off! And I’m crushed. My fingers are just too swollen.

Stretch Marks: No! Thank you Jesus!

Symptoms: Swelling! Really it hadn’t been much of an issue, other then the fact that I’ve had to forgo my wedding ring but the past two weeks or so it is causing some pain/ache in my hands during the night and is now creeping into my days.

Not a symptom, but Pain In My… Rib. Ouch! Depending on her position her little head causes my ribs to expand I assume and it is not very comfortable. Sometimes I can rub her into a different position to provide some relief.

What I am looking forward to: I’m always looking forward to my next Dr visit – I love hearing her little heart beat. This next visit, the day after Christmas, we will schedule the c-section as long as she is still breech {which she still is as of today} for 39 weeks. This will be the last of the 2 week visits and we will begin going weekly. Also, I am looking forward to getting to see the finished product of our maternity pictures.

Best Moment this week: Just feeling her movements! I am feeling her move more and more and her movements visually from the outside have become more pronounced. Also, Ryan’s mom gave us a quilt that his grandmother made for him as a baby – that was very special.

I am so in awe of the process of pregnancy. I have thought this week about the new found respect I have for my friends who are moms. You never know what people go through until you are in their shoes…

32 Weeks

How Far Along: 32 weeks

When people ask how I'm feeling I say "good, really good!" I feel like I have been so blessed to have such an easy pregnancy. Sure I feel tired.all.the.time and yes, I have grown accustom to terrible heartburn but I feel grateful to have this little girl growin' away in my tummy! I love feeling her move around {though even that is becoming somewhat uncomfortable} and knowing just NEXT MONTH we will be able to see and hold this gift God has given us!

Estimated Due Date: January 28, 2013

Total Weight Gain: 22 lbs.

Sleep: My hips and back ache so bad that I’m constantly flipping from side to side -- which has become a task all on its own. My 100 nightly potty trips are quite annoying, and so is trying to get up out of bed… can’t quite pop up like I used to.

Cravings: I’ve been wanting sweets more and more lately… nothing I would call a true craving, just an ‘I need something…’ and that something is usually chocolate or an ice pop!

Labor Signs: Nope, none yet!

Maternity Clothes: Yessir! I love what maternity clothes I do have, which aren’t too many. Other than that I’ve graduated from lounging at home in my own sweats to wearing Ryan’s, they’re ‘oh so comfy!’

Belly Button in or out? It’s still in but it is about flattened out.  

Wedding Ring on or off? Off! And I’m crushed. My fingers are just too swollen.

Stretch Marks: Nope! Thank you Jesus!

Other crazy symptoms: This is a new one… tailbone pain! Ouch! My poor tailbone has been killing me!

What I am looking forward to: This week I’m looking forward to the Eric Church concert on Friday! Monday will be another Dr appt, of which I always enjoy. At the end of December I will begin my weekly appointments!

Best Moment this week: This year Thanksgiving for my family was hosted at our house, which was quite the chore. I was exhausted! But it was so great to see my family. This past weekend Ryan and I attended a birthing class and also took a tour of St Francis hospital where we’ll be delivering. The class was packed with info and the tour gave us a sneak peak to the newly renovated Labor & Delivery area… very nice! Also, Sunday afternoon we had maternity pictures taken {hidden clover photography}, that was fun and I can’t wait to see the finished product.


Finally, please say your prayers that she turns her little behind around! She has been breech and during my last Dr visit, my OB explained that while she still has plenty of time to turn, that if she has not taken a dive south by week 36 we will schedule a C-Section for week 39. I'm not afraid or anti C-Section if that is what is needed, however, I would prefer to have her naturally {and that does not mean without drugs! ha}.

30 Week Bump Update

How Far Along: 30 weeks

Oh Em Geee!  30 weeks!  I just don't know how this happened!  In some ways it feels like I've been pregnant forever, in other ways, I cannot believe how fast it's gone!  We are three quarters of the way done!  I could TECHNICALLY have her starting in 7 weeks!!  That is just so crazy to think about!  Though I know most first timers go late, and I definitely want her fully baked.

Estimated Due Date: January 28, 2013

Total Weight Gain: 19.5 lbs.

Movement: She’s really been moving more and more lately. I can sure tell she’s growing because now I can tell where she’s at exactly and even see when she’s moved/moving from one side to the other. It’s been pretty wild to experience.  

Sleep: Getting comfortable to just fall asleep is next to impossible. A good nights sleep has been long forgotten – a distant memory and I have no hopes of it returning for quite some time.

Cravings: Still crave Vietnamese food… spicy.

Labor Signs: Nope, none yet!

Maternity Clothes: Yup! And they’re SO comfortable!

Belly Button in or out? It’s still in but it is starting to flatten out.

Wedding Ring on or off? Still on, but barely, I’m not sure I’ll make it the next 9 weeks with it on.

Stretch Marks: Nope! And I’m keeping my fingers crossed it stays that way!

Other crazy symptoms: Still experiencing fatigue {don’t plan on this going away anytime soon, even long after she’s born!}… Pregnancy brain – forgetting tons of silly things… I’ve noticed a crazy change in my balance and the dreaded heartburn; I’ve never experienced heartburn before pregnancy.

What I am looking forward to: This week I’m looking forward to Thanksgiving. This will be my first year to host. I’m excited to see family and spend time with them. It’s the one time each year that everyone makes effort to come together.

Best Moment this week: Feeling the change in her movement… although some positions she gets in can feel quite uncomfortable, it’s a great feeling knowing she’s growing and being able to somewhat measure that for myself. Watching the lump on my belly move and knowing that is my daughter is a really indescribable feeling.

Anticipation

an·tic·i·pa·tion

the act of anticipating or the state of being anticipated. 2. realization in advance; foretaste. 3. expectation or hope. 4. previous notion; slight previous impression.

Pregnancy is FULL of anticipation! I am constantly anticipating the next step with excitement. This final trimester, I’ve been thinking {and dreaming} so much about our little girl. Those who know me know that I am a lover of planning and preparing! With that said, her little nursery is pretty complete just waiting for her arrival. It’s all organized; her little blankets and clothes have been washed and put in their place. Ryan has assembled her swing and the car seat and stroller are just collecting dust waiting to be used. I’ve even contemplated assembling her pack n’ play in our bedroom {where she will sleep for her first couple of months} but I know that’s taking my preparedness a bit too far as we still have approximately 10 weeks left to go. Ha!

Last week was my glucose screening for gestational diabetes. I was not looking forward to this as most women complain about the yucky sugar solution you have to drink within 5 minutes. After an hour a blood sample is taken to test your blood sugar level. If your level is too high, your Dr will have you go back in for the 3 hour test. I was keeping my fingers crossed that I would be able to pass my screening and bypass the 3 hour test. In my opinion, while the drink was terrible, it wasn’t as bad as it had been described. Any score of 140 would require the 3 hour test… my score was 139. Sheesh. I was instructed to watch my sugar and carb intake {very happy camper that I did pass, even if it was only by 1 point}. I was also told that I am anemic and that I needed to add an iron supplement to my prenatal vitamins. Easy fix.

My every two week appointments have already begun and Ryan and I are anticipating our birthing class on December 1^st. During this class they are also going to take us over to the hospital for a tour… I hear they’ve made major renovations at St. Francis and that it is very nice.

Thanksgiving is right around the corner! I can’t believe the way time flies!

Debut

I guess I have officially jumped onto the blog bandwagon. Several have suggested that I keep a journal throughout my pregnancy… and after some thought I figured it would be more fun to keep a blog to document our ever-so-changing lives. This way, we can share it with friends and family as well even after Elliet is born. Most importantly it will serve to remind us to slow down and enjoy each day as it’s given to us and all the small details that we would normally forget.

And so here it is… what will be known as the bump updates… This is going to be a recap up until this point. {Thanks for humoring me.}

How Far Along: 28 weeks

So far I have been very, very lucky to have not gotten sick and for that I’ve been very grateful!

Total Weight Gain: 15 lbs.

Gender: It’s a GIRL! And for that I’m super excited! She already has lots of frilly bows! According to my Aunt Sheila, we’ve had to distinguish Elliet’s color as purple so that Paisley isn’t confused with her already taken color of pink! Oh poor Paisley, her world is going to be turned upside down.

Movement: She likes to move most in the evenings when I’m home and relaxed on the couch. Ryan first felt her move on September 29^th, that was very neat! She doesn’t move much for him, but hopefully as she grows that will change and he will be able to feel her more.

Sleep: I wake up multiple times a night! It is a good night if I can go back to sleep. I haven’t slept well at all since getting pregnant. I guess my body is prepping me for what’s to come!

Cravings: Vietnamese food! Specifically Re Lei’s… tofu spring rolls and soy chicken and vegetables! Unfortunately I don’t go as often as I would like to, but my good friend Megan meets me there for lunch every time I ask her to! I love her for that!

Other crazy symptoms: My biggest “symptom” this whole pregnancy has been fatigue. It was ridiculous during my 1^st trimester how drained of energy I felt and just as people reassured me, it went away during my 2^nd. However, to my dismay, as I’ve entered my 3^rd I think its coming back full force. Ryan has been great about it too… he is a big help with things like the dishes and letting me relax. Also, when I feel like going to bed early {and by early I mean 8:30pm early} he’s a trooper and comes and crawls in bed with me and keeps me company!

What I am looking forward to: It is interesting how what I’m looking forward to has changed throughout this pregnancy so far. Initially, we were looking forward to finding out the gender, feeling her move and preparing her nursery. My 2^nd trimester was more nesting mode… getting her nursery organized and put together {a recommendation of my friend Kristi, not to wait until my 3^rd trimester to do so, due to fatigue. I’m glad I listened to her advice!!} And finally, I’ve noticed it change once again entering my 3^rd trimester… Ryan and I constantly question what we think she will look like and how our lives will change. We can’t imagine the love we will have for her. We’ve become very excited for her arrival!

Best Moment this week: The best moment this week was today’s Dr appt. We learned our sweet pea is weighing 3 lbs 2 oz and everything is looking great! She’s still breech and with her swift kicks to my bladder, I didn’t need Dr. Martin to tell me that! Ha! We’re lucky enough to receive an ultrasound at each and every visit… Ryan and I were excited today because we both noticed the difference in how pronounced her facial features have become as opposed to previous ultrasounds.