Baby Update: 35 Weeks

35 weeks & approximately 35 days to go!!!!!!!   I wonder when she will come?  Josh thinks she will come in May, he really wants her here before Mother's Day on May 7... how cool would that be?  I think it would be so awesome if she came on Good Friday (going through labor and being reminded of the pain Christ went through on the cross for me) and then having the joy of bringing her home on Easter April 24.  But whenever God's plan is for her to come out and meet us is great with us!  If you know me, you know that I am a planner.  Our bag is almost finished being packed & I packed the most adorable pink, fruffy dress for her to come home in.  I think coming home deserves a pretty dress, don't you?  At our shower we received so many pink blankets that have been hand knitted, so I packed one of those to wrap her up in.  Boy do I hope the weather is warm when she comes home!!! I feel sorry for all those mommys that have to bring their little one home in below zero temps. 

This week we had our last bi-weekly doctor appointment and now we go weekly!  Everything looked great... strong heartbeat, measuring perfect, good answers to our questions (yes, we wrote a list this time).  Josh found out that he is able to be very involved in the actual delivery, as nothing biology related grosses him out.  Once her head and one shoulder are out the doctor said that he is able to catch her (and cut the cord, but I think that is pretty typical.)  How neat that daddy's hands are guiding her into the world... I love it!

Pregnancy Highlights:


How Far Along: 3rd trimester, 35 Weeks, ~35 days to go!

Size of baby: She is 5  1/4 pounds~ the weight of a honeydew, and is 20 inches long!

Maternity Clothes: I'm a total cheap-o and haven't spent much money at all on maternity clothes!  Fortunately I have awesome friends and family that have allowed me to borrow some! 

Gender: It's a girl!!! Her name is a surprise:

Movement: She has less room to wiggle around than she used to so she can't show off anymore flip! She continues to jab and poke my right side:-)
Sleep: I wake up many times but I can't complain I get a good amount of sleep every night!!!

What I miss: Walking fast!

Cravings: Sweets, sweets, and more SWEETS! It's so strange because up until this last month or so I haven't had very many bad cravings!

Symptoms: My growing belly!  41 inches around my waist just below my belly button.

Best Moment this week: Last big date night with Josh!  He took me to Chicago Prime Steakhouse.

A New Season...

I know I've said it before, but I just love spring!  Actually I love every season for different reasons but there is something extra special about this one. 

Maybe it's the early flowers coming up. I am anticipating what bright colors each will be, and what my newly planted crocuses will look like mixed in with my tulips and daffodils. 

Maybe it's the buds starting to appear on the bushes and trees.  I can't wait to see their lush green leaves soon!

Maybe it's the birds singing in the air or the baby birds chirping.  Their songs sound so joyful and make this season that much more beautiful.


Maybe it's the joy of finally meeting a precious baby girl, a daughter we've always prayed for.  Her arrival is coming close and we are so anxious to see her beautiful face.

Maybe it's the celebration of Jesus' death and triumphant resurrection from the grave.  He is alive indeed and deserves to be praised!

What is your favorite thing about spring?

Baby Update: 34 Weeks

Yesterday I was thinking about how crazy it is that I am 34 weeks already!  I remember earlier in my pregnancy hearing ladies that were 34 weeks and thinking... I won't be there for a long time!  And here it is!  This week Josh has been on spring break, and it has been a huge blessing to have him home with me:-)  I have definitely starting the nesting phase, and Josh has been helping me out a lot with getting things done around the house!  Josh and Katie painted the family room the other day... something we've wanted to do for awhile now.  It looks so warm and fresh!  We (or should I say Josh??) put up the pack-n-play and the baby swing that we got from Katie and Cindy at our shower.  We rearranged the family room to accomodate our new baby furniture pieces.  It is really starting to look like a baby lives in our home.  On Saturday we had our first baby shower thrown by Josh's mom in Cary.  We had brunch and received many gifts for our little girl.  It was great to see friends that we haven't seen in a long time!!  This week we had our last lamaze class.  It's hard to believe that we are finished with it already.  Now we just need to practice our breathing techniques... I'm totally going to need to rely on Josh for reminding during labor as I know I will forget!!  He will be an awesome coach!

Pregnancy Highlights:


How Far Along: 3rd trimester, 34 Weeks and 1 day= eigth month!!

Size of baby: She is 5 pounds~ the weight of a large cantalope, and is 20 inches long!

Clothes:  Hardly nothing fits me anymore!  I have to wear the same "cute clothes" when I go out because I am so limited...lol!  Hopefully spring will bring warmer temps so I will have more options:-)

Gender: It's a girl!!! Her name is a surprise:-)

Movement: She has less room to wiggle around than she used to so she can't show off anymore flip!  She continues to jab and poke my right side:-)

Sleep: The only thing waking me up at night is hubby's snoring and trips to the potty

What I miss: Hmmm....probably bending over and painting my toe nails:-)

Cravings: Sweets, sweets, and more SWEETS!  I have been craving chips too!  No wonder I've been packing on more pounds this month! 

Symptoms: My growing belly!  Last week I measured it at 39 inches around my waist just below my belly button... this week 41 inches!!!

Best Moment this week: 1.) Our first baby shower thrown by Josh's mom!! 2.)  Finding out that Josh is getting tenured!!!!!!! 

Baby Update: 32 Weeks

As I type my little Tigger is STRETCHING and kicking.  Her head is down (I had a dr. appointment last Thursday) back is to the left, butt is straight up, and legs & hands are kicking to the right.  Thank God that she is head down... that was so exciting for me to hear at the dr. app!!  At that appointment I saw the more relaxed dr and I thought it was going to be the typical baby monitoring and contraction monitoring.  Since these appointments typically last 45 mins I told Josh that he could meet me at the office (since he would be coming from work).  I got there a little early and they called me right away into the room.  I noticed the monitor wasn't there and the dr said I didn't need to do it since my fetal fibro test came back NEGATIVE!!!  That was so exciting to hear:-)  She measured me and said I was measuring perfect, heartbeat was loud and strong, and she said everything else looks good.  She told me that I could do light activity around the house to see if it causes any contractions.  The dr also wasn't concerned about me being dilated.  This has been so reassuring.  It's hard because since I have 4 doctors they all kind of have different philosophies and personalities.  Every doctor seems to tell me something different, or have a different approach to my situation.  I'm just thankful that I am starting my eigth month.  If she were to come now I am trusting God that she would be fine.   She received the steroid shots for her lungs a month ago, and has always measured and weighed a week advanced.  Thank you God for getting us through another week.  Thank you that she is strong and healthy!!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 3rd trimester, 32 Weeks, starting my eigth month!!

Size of baby: She is over 3.75 pounds~ the weight of a large jicama & is 16.7 inches long

Clothes: I am still loving comfy pants with t-shirts and always wearing my slippers!!

Gender: It's a girl!!! Her name is a surprise:-)

Movement: She is VERY active.  We call her Tigger because she is always doing what Tiggers do best:-D

Sleep: Up to this point I have been sleeping very well!
What I miss: Cleaning the house... I can tell my nesting instinct is kicking into gear!!  It's hard to do since I am on bed rest.  I try to do a few things each day. 

Cravings: This week I have been craving deli sandwiches... especially the Skinny Turkey Sub from Potbellies!! YUMMY in my tummy!  And salads from Sweet Tomatoes.

Symptoms: Braxton Hicks, emotional at times, Josh said I'm starting to waddle...NO!!!!

Best Moment this week: I can't pick just one!!!  When Josh's parents came to visit me on Friday.  His dad went grocery shopping for me and brought home tons of food- including some yummy snacks- BBQ pringles & string cheese! Last Saturday I went to see Josh's musical with my family and Josh's parents.  They did Wizard of Oz and it was so good!  I really enjoyed getting out of the house.  We went to Sweet Tomatoes for dinner:-)  I also finished sewing the baby's crib bedding!!

Baby Update: 31 Weeks

I couldn't be happier to be 31 weeks today!  Each week I am just overwhelmed with God's faithfulness and how he has taken care of the baby.  Last week I had a baby appointment and the doctor redid the fetal fibro test and a cervical test.  Thank God my cervix has not changed... bed rest is working!!!  I never heard back the results from the fetal fibro test, and they normally say no news is good news so I'm assuming it was negative... another praise to GOD!!  This week the baby has started to kick my ribs, she prefers the right side:-)  She's a breech baby right now thanks to the Vitametavegamin drink for the glucose test that gave her enough energy to flip.  Does this mean that if I drink it again she will go back to head down?  I'm just praying she decides to flip soon & stay that way!!   Her kicks have continued to get stronger and I can tell the difference how between hands, and the rest of her body.  Yesterday we had our first lamaze class at the hospital.  We learned about a few relaxation techniques and that "coaches" can never go wrong with giving a massage... so true!!  Josh is going to be a great coach through labor.  We make such a great team.  Next week the nurse wants us to bring a focal point... something for us to focus on during contractions during labor.  I'm thinking I will bring the baby's little pink giraffe. 

Pregnancy Highlights:


How Far Along: 3rd trimester, 31 Weeks, ending my 7th month this week!!!

Size of baby: She is over 3.5 pounds (although I think she weighs more)- 4 navel oranges, 16 inches long

Clothes: Comfy pants with t-shirts and always wearing my slippers

Gender: It's a girl!!!  Her name is a surprise:-)

Movement: She is VERY active - especially after I eat and at night!

Sleep: Up to this point I have been sleeping very well!  I do need to drink a lot resulting in frequent trips to the restroom!  So typical for pregnant ladies:-)

What I miss: With all of the beautiful sunshine we've been getting I really miss taking Charlie for walks around the neighborhood.  I also miss doing housework... thanks to bed rest my house is a mess (not good for a nesting mama!!)

Cravings: This week I have noticed I have been craving sweets (twizzlers, fruit snacks, HUGS)  I'm trying to keep them away!!!

Symptoms: Braxton Hicks, aching hips at night, heartburn, emotional at times

Best Moment this week: Josh coming home Monday, Tuesday, and today EARLY!!!!  Because he is sandwiched between two musical performance weekends they don't have practice until Thursday this week, so he gets to leave school when the bell rings at 3:30.  Let me tell you, it has been WONDERFUL!!!