Story time: yesterday when we were talking to my midwife, we discovered the snafu with my due date. It turns out that no doctor ever said January 12th was my due date. In their notes, they originally gave me the due date of January 3rd. One of the times I was in the hospital, it says in their notes that I told them January 12th was my due date. It's funny because I now remember saying that, and it was on the first hospital stay when I had a high fever, low blood pressure, and major dehydration from hyperemesis. I remember being way out of it, but I now remember saying it. So my OFFICIAL due date on EVERYONE's records is January 3rd. Which means little bear is due in just 4 days.
Yesterday I went in for my weekly check in type appointment, and it turns out I am dilated between a 1 and 2. Last week at my other visit, I was not dilated at all. My contractions get heavier everyday and a little more consistent but not by much. Little bear's head is all the way down where it needs to be, and he's ready to go according to my midwife. Now we are just waiting for my body to catch up. I'm wondering if little bear will be a 2015 or 2016 baby? We'll see :) I would like it if he was born in the next couple days since we have some family still in town from Christmas.
Yesterday my husband and I went grocery shopping in an effort to get some more contractions going. We walked all around the store. I think it probably helped, but I was too exhausted to notice any difference. Today we are going out to get a couple things purchased before our school semesters start again. I opted to take much simpler classes this semester so that I can keep up with school and the newborn little bear. So I'll be buying some stuff for my classes today.
Not much else in the way of news, but I am finally up to 173 pounds. Just two pounds away from my pre-pregnancy weight. It's a huge relief, and now I'm not so worried if I lose a little bit again before little bear is born. We are so close!
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Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Saturday, December 19, 2015
I'm a Believer!
I know I tend to excessively drone on about how amazing and wonderful my husband is. But you wouldn't believe how incredibly blessed I am to have him. The first year of our marriage was hard, as most marriages are. But since I've been pregnant, things have gotten easier and so much happier/ nicer. I feel so much closer to him every day.
Being 9 months pregnant now, my body hurts all the time. I get these wonderful (sarcasm) groin pains where the tendon or the muscle or something down there spasms uncontrollably and often hurts so badly that if I'm standing up, my knees go weak and once in a while I crumple to my knees. I have a bit of a hard time sleeping due to preggo bladder and aches and pains throughout the night. My belly and ribs hurt from being kicked. The list goes on (I hope it didn't sound complainy. That's really part of what I actually have to go through.) But on rough nights like last night, my poor husband gets woken up every time I wake up from me tossing and turning to get comfortable, getting up to go to the bathroom for the 5th time, or when I whimper in pain in my sleep. I feel so bad when I wake him up, but he always handles it with so much grace and selflessness. Last night I woke up first because my hips hurt, so I had to turn to my other side (which takes a lot of effort and time). I kind of grunted a little because it hurt and Corry wakes up and sweetly asks if I need a pillow to put between my knees to take pressure off my hips. So he handed me a pillow, gave me a kiss and asked if I was okay. Then he went back to sleep and so did I.
Soon after that I woke up again for the same reason plus a contraction. I got on my elbows and knees to get through the contraction pain. I thought I was being really quiet, but sure enough Corry turns over in bed and puts a hand on my back, rubbing my back gently and asks again if I'm okay. I get through the contraction with his help and when another one doesn't come I lay on my side and he once again kisses my head but then pulls me close and cuddles me to him. We fall asleep again, and after a couple more times of this same thing, I wake up a few hours later having to go to the bathroom. It's very hard for me to get out of bed by myself, but I wanted to try so I wouldn't wake him up. After 5 minutes of breathing through it and only managing to get to my knees, I feel a hand on my back and a hand take mine and pull me up out of bed. I go to the bathroom and come back to bed. Once again he asks "are you okay?", kisses my head and goes back to sleep. There was a lot of this last night. But instead of getting frustrated or letting me get through it on my own, he woke up with me every time I woke up and helped me, made sure I was okay, and kissed my head. Then the alarm went off at 7, and I was beyond nauseous and hurting. I was trying to breathe through it. My sweet husband rolls over and wraps his arms around me and kisses my head saying "Shh, it's okay I've got you." And massages my back a little, kissing my head.
Seriously, probably mushy to you. But really, this is amazing. I love my husband so much and I am so grateful for how amazing he is to me. I'm a very strong believer that my husband was meant to be a husband and a father. When we were first married, I have to admit that among all the hard times between us, I questioned if we weren't meant to be married. I questioned whether or not he was cut out to be a dad and father and whether I was cut out to be a mom and wife. But it's amazing what kinds of things and miracles can happen when you work hard and remember how much you love each other. It's also amazing what kind of miracles a pregnancy and baby can bring into your marriage.
I am truly blessed. Just a few more weeks. I can't wait to see my husband hold our son for the first time.
Being 9 months pregnant now, my body hurts all the time. I get these wonderful (sarcasm) groin pains where the tendon or the muscle or something down there spasms uncontrollably and often hurts so badly that if I'm standing up, my knees go weak and once in a while I crumple to my knees. I have a bit of a hard time sleeping due to preggo bladder and aches and pains throughout the night. My belly and ribs hurt from being kicked. The list goes on (I hope it didn't sound complainy. That's really part of what I actually have to go through.) But on rough nights like last night, my poor husband gets woken up every time I wake up from me tossing and turning to get comfortable, getting up to go to the bathroom for the 5th time, or when I whimper in pain in my sleep. I feel so bad when I wake him up, but he always handles it with so much grace and selflessness. Last night I woke up first because my hips hurt, so I had to turn to my other side (which takes a lot of effort and time). I kind of grunted a little because it hurt and Corry wakes up and sweetly asks if I need a pillow to put between my knees to take pressure off my hips. So he handed me a pillow, gave me a kiss and asked if I was okay. Then he went back to sleep and so did I.
Soon after that I woke up again for the same reason plus a contraction. I got on my elbows and knees to get through the contraction pain. I thought I was being really quiet, but sure enough Corry turns over in bed and puts a hand on my back, rubbing my back gently and asks again if I'm okay. I get through the contraction with his help and when another one doesn't come I lay on my side and he once again kisses my head but then pulls me close and cuddles me to him. We fall asleep again, and after a couple more times of this same thing, I wake up a few hours later having to go to the bathroom. It's very hard for me to get out of bed by myself, but I wanted to try so I wouldn't wake him up. After 5 minutes of breathing through it and only managing to get to my knees, I feel a hand on my back and a hand take mine and pull me up out of bed. I go to the bathroom and come back to bed. Once again he asks "are you okay?", kisses my head and goes back to sleep. There was a lot of this last night. But instead of getting frustrated or letting me get through it on my own, he woke up with me every time I woke up and helped me, made sure I was okay, and kissed my head. Then the alarm went off at 7, and I was beyond nauseous and hurting. I was trying to breathe through it. My sweet husband rolls over and wraps his arms around me and kisses my head saying "Shh, it's okay I've got you." And massages my back a little, kissing my head.
Seriously, probably mushy to you. But really, this is amazing. I love my husband so much and I am so grateful for how amazing he is to me. I'm a very strong believer that my husband was meant to be a husband and a father. When we were first married, I have to admit that among all the hard times between us, I questioned if we weren't meant to be married. I questioned whether or not he was cut out to be a dad and father and whether I was cut out to be a mom and wife. But it's amazing what kinds of things and miracles can happen when you work hard and remember how much you love each other. It's also amazing what kind of miracles a pregnancy and baby can bring into your marriage.
I am truly blessed. Just a few more weeks. I can't wait to see my husband hold our son for the first time.
Thursday, December 17, 2015
AHHHHH
A friend of mine who is just a week ahead of me in her pregnancy is currently at the hospital in labor. It's getting SO REAL! I'm not afraid of birth still, it's just crazy how close it's getting!!!
Thursday, December 10, 2015
The struggle to gain or maintain weight.
*This post may get a little rant-y. I've had a hard day with this, and many people don't quite understand how emotional this struggle can be. I like to post as much about my pregnancy as I can in my blog to maybe help other first time pregnant moms like me, or even those who have struggles in their pregnancies.
Today I had to go to the WIC office for an appointment. Every time I go in they have to weigh me because of the hyperemesis I had the first half of my pregnancy. If you've read my blog, you may remember that I lost about 35 pounds in the first couple months and could not gain it back very well. In fact, I still haven't made it up to my pre-pregnancy weight of 175. Last week at the same time on the same day, I weighed 172.5. I rejoiced and thought "yes! I am finally gaining weight! I don't have to go through this crap anymore!" Today at the same time on the same day of the week, I weighed 167 pounds. You have no idea how hard this was for me.
Before you stop reading and say "oh BOO-HOO so you can't gain any weight! Most women would love to be in your shoes." Please be courteous and think again. Every time I lose weight, my doctor gives me the same talk about the possibility of a low birth weight baby, or other health complications that my son may have because I can't even keep weight on very long. I've been given that talk well over 20 times by 4 different doctors/OBs/midwives. Trust me, it isn't like I am not actively trying to gain weight. I eat the recommended amount of protein a day for pregnant women. Even a little more. I eat enough calories. I eat a balanced diet, but because of my inability to keep weight on, I have to have silly meals like baked beans, cheese, orange juice, bread. And when I eat, I have to eat as much as I can. Which is another really emotionally difficult thing for me 1.) because when I had hyperemesis I was in so much pain that eating was emotionally scarring because of pain and vomit episodes. 2.) I've been on the other end where I've struggled to lose weight, and eating this much food makes me emotional because of the "I have to eat less to weigh less" mentality. Which by the way, is not always necessarily true.
I have a family member who had a struggle with weight gain when she was a teenager. She wasn't pregnant. She was underweight and sometimes scary underweight. I remember her saying things about how she would eat a giant burger and nothing would happen. Honestly, I was a little envious of her. I hated hearing her talk about it because I would often mistake it for bragging. It wasn't until I started going through this struggle that I realized how horribly wrong I was about her problem gaining weight. Even today I feel bad for rolling my eyes when she would talk about how skinny she was. I remember people telling her to "go eat a burger!" or something along those lines. I thought it was kind of funny at the time, but now I understand part of how she felt. And now I have to go through it, but with the added guilt/emotion of having a baby share my body while I worry about gaining enough to properly nourish and carry him.
One thing I will never do again is tell a skinny person to go eat a burger. Never again will I sarcastically tell them "BOO HOO, being skinny must be so hard!" Those are very poisonous things to say to someone going through the struggle of weight gain. Because I dread seeing what numbers pop up when I step on that large silver scale. I pray that I will have at least retained or gained one pound each week. It is a real struggle. Even if you think it isn't.
And even though I never really got along with the family member who struggled with weight gain, I want to apologize in this post to you. I'm sorry you had to go through it. It's emotionally taxing. And you get teased or discouraged by people a lot more (at least in my experience) than when you're trying to lose weight. I'm sorry if I ever discouraged you while you were struggling to gain weight. It sucks, and people don't often realize how much they "skinny shame" and how much it can hurt. It sucks that it took me this long and it took me actually experiencing it in order to understand.
I didn't post this to get sympathy or pity, my intention was to maybe make people a little more aware of what they say to those who may be underweight. Skinny shaming really isn't funny. Neither is fat shaming. Or any kind of shaming. Weight gain can be a struggle, and I hope more people will become aware of it.
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Week 34
This week:
-I did a lot of homework, classwork, and studying
-We did some packing and cleaning in prep. for moving day
-Had my first baby shower. Beautiful evening with beautiful people! I am so glad they did that for me. It was so sweet of them.
-Had another awesome and super fun baby shower thrown by my stepmom and my dad. I didn't realize how many of my friends have babies until there were 5 babies/ kids all in the same room. It was crazy! But so much fun. I got to hold lots of babies :)
-Found my first belly stretchmarks. They're faint, but they are there.
- We had some pretty insane flooding at our house. It was cool to watch, but when a leak started coming in the basement room where my husband and I live... yeah, it was less fun then.
Not much of an exciting week. In fact we are sitting here now doing homework and studying and such while we watch the crazy rain outside. It's supposed to flood again today. We have a creek that runs through the backyard of my father in law's property, and it swelled to well over 5 times it's regular size yesterday. The whole neighborhood was flooding. The creek swelled so much that it trapped us and those on our street. A daycare that is run out of someone's home down the street was flooded bigtime. My brother in law had to go help them get some kids out of the house. It's been pretty crazy. But overnight, the creek went back to a decent size and we were able to drive out. However, the road we are on is a gravel road and there was some considerable damage to it. I'll post more pictures later if it floods again.
Other than that, all is well. Baby is doing good, growing a lot. So much so that mommy now waddles 24/7 and her hips and back are frequently sore. I've had some interesting cravings the past couple days including blue slurpees, black olive and pepperoni pizza, spicy chicken wings with ranch, vanilla doctor pepper from sonic (gotta have that ice!), pineapple sorbet, and rocky road ice cream or butter pecan ice cream. My husband has been making me sriracha chicken for lunch and some dinners the past week, which does sort of help the cravings. But I can't get pizza off my mind haha. Anyway, now we have finished week 34. Just 35 days until our January 12th due date. About 35 days until we get to meet our little bear <3
-I did a lot of homework, classwork, and studying
-We did some packing and cleaning in prep. for moving day
-Had my first baby shower. Beautiful evening with beautiful people! I am so glad they did that for me. It was so sweet of them.
-Had another awesome and super fun baby shower thrown by my stepmom and my dad. I didn't realize how many of my friends have babies until there were 5 babies/ kids all in the same room. It was crazy! But so much fun. I got to hold lots of babies :)
-Found my first belly stretchmarks. They're faint, but they are there.
- We had some pretty insane flooding at our house. It was cool to watch, but when a leak started coming in the basement room where my husband and I live... yeah, it was less fun then.
Not much of an exciting week. In fact we are sitting here now doing homework and studying and such while we watch the crazy rain outside. It's supposed to flood again today. We have a creek that runs through the backyard of my father in law's property, and it swelled to well over 5 times it's regular size yesterday. The whole neighborhood was flooding. The creek swelled so much that it trapped us and those on our street. A daycare that is run out of someone's home down the street was flooded bigtime. My brother in law had to go help them get some kids out of the house. It's been pretty crazy. But overnight, the creek went back to a decent size and we were able to drive out. However, the road we are on is a gravel road and there was some considerable damage to it. I'll post more pictures later if it floods again.
Other than that, all is well. Baby is doing good, growing a lot. So much so that mommy now waddles 24/7 and her hips and back are frequently sore. I've had some interesting cravings the past couple days including blue slurpees, black olive and pepperoni pizza, spicy chicken wings with ranch, vanilla doctor pepper from sonic (gotta have that ice!), pineapple sorbet, and rocky road ice cream or butter pecan ice cream. My husband has been making me sriracha chicken for lunch and some dinners the past week, which does sort of help the cravings. But I can't get pizza off my mind haha. Anyway, now we have finished week 34. Just 35 days until our January 12th due date. About 35 days until we get to meet our little bear <3
Friday, December 4, 2015
Blessed!
I have this picture on my laptop as my wallpaper background. As I logged in to do some studying and homework, I couldn't help but look at it and smile.
Besides our wedding day pictures, this is one of my favorites of us together. This was a very hard day for my sweet husband, yet look how wonderful that smile is. We had gone down to Utah to be with his family, for the funeral of his grandpa. He loved his grandpa very much, and I still remember when he found out about the news of his passing, he was shattered. It hurt me to see him grieve like that. In the picture, we were in Utah, just outside the Provo temple after his grandpa's funeral and a big family lunch. He had been a pallbearer for his grandfather, and it had a beautiful but emotional service. I had never met his grandpa, but I was also in tears at both services.
Yet, even though it was such a hard day for him, he still smiled and laughed, and we had some wonderful experiences together that really bonded us closer together.
It's also interesting to look at this picture, because just a couple days later, we returned home to our little apartment, only to find that someone had broken into it. They stole a nice peacoat that my brother in law got my husband for christmas, a bunch of my makeup and perfume, some of my jewelry, our food, and had used my husband's laptop to watch porn. It was a scary time for us, and a pretty hard few weeks on Corry. But he still smiled through it and found the light in the dark. Even though the day we got home from Utah was scary and sad, it turned out to be one of the happiest later that day. Mostly because my sweet husband is one of the happiest and most positive individuals I have ever met. I love him and I am so grateful for the light he brings to my life. I know he will be a wonderful daddy, and that our son (and other kids in the future) will love him and look up to him.
Yet, even though it was such a hard day for him, he still smiled and laughed, and we had some wonderful experiences together that really bonded us closer together.
It's also interesting to look at this picture, because just a couple days later, we returned home to our little apartment, only to find that someone had broken into it. They stole a nice peacoat that my brother in law got my husband for christmas, a bunch of my makeup and perfume, some of my jewelry, our food, and had used my husband's laptop to watch porn. It was a scary time for us, and a pretty hard few weeks on Corry. But he still smiled through it and found the light in the dark. Even though the day we got home from Utah was scary and sad, it turned out to be one of the happiest later that day. Mostly because my sweet husband is one of the happiest and most positive individuals I have ever met. I love him and I am so grateful for the light he brings to my life. I know he will be a wonderful daddy, and that our son (and other kids in the future) will love him and look up to him.
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Name?: Ashleigh
Age?: 22
Height?: 5'7
Pre-pregnancy weight?: 175. But I lost a ton of weight and I am still only 171 pounds at 8 months (34 weeks)
About Your Pregnancy
Is this your first pregnancy?: Yes :)
When did you find out you were pregnant?: April 30th
Was it planned?: Yes. We were ready for and wanted a kid. :)
What was your first reaction?: "Holy crud!" As I was washing my hands from taking the test and watching the little plus sign appear on the test.
Who was with you when you found out?: Just me, I was getting ready for people to come over and help us move while my husband was at school still.
Who was the first person you told?: My husband. I wanted to keep it a secret and do something cute for a reveal, but I was so incredibly happy and excited that I couldn't wait, so after I took it and washed my hands, I called him while he was still in class and told him.
How did your parents react?: My husband told my dad "hey, what do you think of the title "Grandpa" and my dad had this blank look on his face haha, his eyes widened a little and looked at me. I said I was pregnant and he says "how does that happen!" dad, you have four kids. I'm pretty sure you know how it happens. haha
How far along are you?: 34 weeks, 3 days.
What was your first symptom?: Nausea.
What is your due date?: Based on conception, January 3rd. Based on baby's measurements January 12th.
Do you know the sex of the baby?: Boy!
If so, what is it?: Boy... :)
Have you picked out names?: It's a secret :)
How much weight have you gained?: Lost about 35 pounds, gained about 30 back. So far I still am at 4 pounds less than pre-pregnancy weight.
Do you have stretch marks?: On my hips and lightly starting on the bottom of my belly.
Have you felt the baby move?: Only every second of every day haha
Have you heard the heartbeat?: Yes! And last time we listened to the heartbeat, he had hiccups. It was really funny sounding.
About the birth
Will you keep the baby?: Of course.
Home or hospital birth?: Hospital
Natural or medicated birth?: Natural
Who will be in the delivery room with you?: My sweet husband.
Will you breastfeed?: Yes
Do you think you'll need a c-section?: No.
Will you cry when you hold the baby for the first time?: Haha probably.
What's the first thing you might say to him/her?: Hi little bear!
Would you let someone videotape the birth?: Not videotape, but maybe pictures.
Are you excited about the birth, or scared?: Excited! I have not felt any fear about the birth whatsoever.
Age?: 22
Height?: 5'7
Pre-pregnancy weight?: 175. But I lost a ton of weight and I am still only 171 pounds at 8 months (34 weeks)
About Your Pregnancy
Is this your first pregnancy?: Yes :)
When did you find out you were pregnant?: April 30th
Was it planned?: Yes. We were ready for and wanted a kid. :)
What was your first reaction?: "Holy crud!" As I was washing my hands from taking the test and watching the little plus sign appear on the test.
Who was with you when you found out?: Just me, I was getting ready for people to come over and help us move while my husband was at school still.
Who was the first person you told?: My husband. I wanted to keep it a secret and do something cute for a reveal, but I was so incredibly happy and excited that I couldn't wait, so after I took it and washed my hands, I called him while he was still in class and told him.
How did your parents react?: My husband told my dad "hey, what do you think of the title "Grandpa" and my dad had this blank look on his face haha, his eyes widened a little and looked at me. I said I was pregnant and he says "how does that happen!" dad, you have four kids. I'm pretty sure you know how it happens. haha
How far along are you?: 34 weeks, 3 days.
What was your first symptom?: Nausea.
What is your due date?: Based on conception, January 3rd. Based on baby's measurements January 12th.
Do you know the sex of the baby?: Boy!
If so, what is it?: Boy... :)
Have you picked out names?: It's a secret :)
How much weight have you gained?: Lost about 35 pounds, gained about 30 back. So far I still am at 4 pounds less than pre-pregnancy weight.
Do you have stretch marks?: On my hips and lightly starting on the bottom of my belly.
Have you felt the baby move?: Only every second of every day haha
Have you heard the heartbeat?: Yes! And last time we listened to the heartbeat, he had hiccups. It was really funny sounding.
About the birth
Will you keep the baby?: Of course.
Home or hospital birth?: Hospital
Natural or medicated birth?: Natural
Who will be in the delivery room with you?: My sweet husband.
Will you breastfeed?: Yes
Do you think you'll need a c-section?: No.
Will you cry when you hold the baby for the first time?: Haha probably.
What's the first thing you might say to him/her?: Hi little bear!
Would you let someone videotape the birth?: Not videotape, but maybe pictures.
Are you excited about the birth, or scared?: Excited! I have not felt any fear about the birth whatsoever.
32/33 weeks
Ah! I've been so busy that I forgot to post the last couple weeks.
Week 32 went great. To be honest I don't remember a whole lot that happened that week. My days are now jam packed with homework, studying, getting ready to move, and getting ready for baby.
Week 33 was awesome. We went up to Idaho for Thanksgiving to be with my husband's family. It was so fun, and we got to play with our 1 year old nephew. We have only got to visit them twice because we live 12 hours away from each other by car. We had a wonderful trip and Thanksgiving with them. Although, I was very sore and sick after the drive up and the drive home. It was still nice getting to spend so much time with my husband and with family. It was a fantastic week.
I'll write a better post for week 34, and I'll post a baby bump picture too. Oh! I had my first baby shower too so I'll post pics from both baby showers that happen this week.
Getting close... as of today (Thursday, dec. 3rd) we have just 40 days left until my January 12th due date. Crazy! Which means 31 until the January 3rd due date. We'll see which one is right!
Week 32 went great. To be honest I don't remember a whole lot that happened that week. My days are now jam packed with homework, studying, getting ready to move, and getting ready for baby.
Week 33 was awesome. We went up to Idaho for Thanksgiving to be with my husband's family. It was so fun, and we got to play with our 1 year old nephew. We have only got to visit them twice because we live 12 hours away from each other by car. We had a wonderful trip and Thanksgiving with them. Although, I was very sore and sick after the drive up and the drive home. It was still nice getting to spend so much time with my husband and with family. It was a fantastic week.
I'll write a better post for week 34, and I'll post a baby bump picture too. Oh! I had my first baby shower too so I'll post pics from both baby showers that happen this week.
Getting close... as of today (Thursday, dec. 3rd) we have just 40 days left until my January 12th due date. Crazy! Which means 31 until the January 3rd due date. We'll see which one is right!
Monday, November 23, 2015
Just really so grateful
Today in the grocery store, I had one of those sudden strikes of grief. My mom passed away over 2 years ago from stage 4 metastatic breast cancer that had spread to her liver and probably other places. While I was not her full time caretaker by any means, I still took a lot of care of her when my siblings were at school, dad at work, and hospice wasn't there. I'm thankful for those little moments I had to care for my mother. She often told me how sad it made her that I was taking care of her, saying "I'm the mama, I'm supposed to take care of you." Anyway, there was one incident that happened the night before she passed, where I was taking her to the bathroom and something really distressing and bad happened. It was enough of a traumatic experience that I still attend counseling to keep the PTSD from it under control.
In the past 2 or so months, I've been pretty stable as far as my grief emotions go. I've had a couple times where I just stop and realize how much I wish I could call my mama on the phone and talk to her about how excited I am to have my son. Or even just to call and say "hi" and "I love you". The feelings I have in times like those can be best described as an ache.
Today I was walking through the grocery store, and out of the corner of my eye in the freezer section I saw a yellow package. I turned my head around and saw that the yellow package was a package of turkey meatballs that my mom used when she made spaghetti and meatballs for dinner. Which was always one of my favorite dinners. I couldn't help it, and I don't know what came over me. At first, my mouth twitched into a little half smile, then I lost it and became a ball of emotion.
It's amazing how something as simple as a bag of meatballs can trigger such a response.
After I got home, I sat down and started thinking about how I don't have my mom or my mother in law in my life. It started to get me down, so I prayed out loud saying "I wish I had a mom." I felt immediately guilty. I realized I do have so many wonderful women in my life who have been mother figures for me. And I am so incredibly blessed now to have a stepmom who is willing to and does help me with so many things. She's even throwing me a baby shower. She's a wonderful woman who does so much for my dad and my family and has brought a ton of happiness into our lives. I am really so grateful for her in my life.
In the past 2 or so months, I've been pretty stable as far as my grief emotions go. I've had a couple times where I just stop and realize how much I wish I could call my mama on the phone and talk to her about how excited I am to have my son. Or even just to call and say "hi" and "I love you". The feelings I have in times like those can be best described as an ache.
Today I was walking through the grocery store, and out of the corner of my eye in the freezer section I saw a yellow package. I turned my head around and saw that the yellow package was a package of turkey meatballs that my mom used when she made spaghetti and meatballs for dinner. Which was always one of my favorite dinners. I couldn't help it, and I don't know what came over me. At first, my mouth twitched into a little half smile, then I lost it and became a ball of emotion.
It's amazing how something as simple as a bag of meatballs can trigger such a response.
After I got home, I sat down and started thinking about how I don't have my mom or my mother in law in my life. It started to get me down, so I prayed out loud saying "I wish I had a mom." I felt immediately guilty. I realized I do have so many wonderful women in my life who have been mother figures for me. And I am so incredibly blessed now to have a stepmom who is willing to and does help me with so many things. She's even throwing me a baby shower. She's a wonderful woman who does so much for my dad and my family and has brought a ton of happiness into our lives. I am really so grateful for her in my life.
Friday, November 20, 2015
Bell Pepper Soup!
I am currently in the middle of my homework and classwork online, but I thought I would take a little break to talk about the awesome soup I made last night. I was surprised how well it turned out. First of all, I found the recipe in one of those 30 second cooking videos you see pop up on your facebook newsfeed. I altered it a little to fit our tastes. Here's my version of the recipe:
Ingredients:
1 lb lean ground beef
1/2 white onion, finely diced
2 bell peppers (any color) finely diced
1. TBSP garlic powder (NOT garlic salt)
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp salt
32 oz beef broth (my husband made beef bone broth from beef soup bones and it was absolutely perfect for this soup. I highly recommend home made broth. It's really easy to make, especially if you have a crock pot.)
6 oz tomato paste
30 oz diced tomatoes (I did one can of regular diced tomatoes, and one can of diced tomatoes in italian seasonings. By accident, but turned out SO GOOD)
Start by adding about a capful of olive oil to the bottom of a small/ medium size stock pot. Turn the stove on and add the ground beef. Use a spoon or spatula to break up the beef and brown it fairly well. Don't worry if it seems liquidy, it will add to the nutrients and taste of the soup. Then when the meat is browned, add your diced onion and bell peppers. Also add the dry spices with them. Let the meat, spices and vegetables simmer together on high heat for about 3-4 minutes. Then add beef broth. *Note: if you are using home made, chances are you have a good layer of fat if you put it in the fridge to store. Or maybe in the freezer to store. Either way put all your broth in now and if it's home made, let the fat melt completely then add the tomatoes. If frozen, let it melt halfway into the soup, then add the tomatoes.
If using regular boxed or canned broth, add the tomato products in right now and let the mixture simmer on high for about 5-7 minutes. Then put the stove somewhere in between low and medium heat and let the soup simmer for 10-12 minutes.
There you go, yummy warm soup :)
If you would like the recipe for the bone broth my husband made, I will ask him for it and post again soon. It is very easy and we got 4 quart size mason jars full and 4 sandwich bags full of delicious and healthy broth. My husband made it for me to strengthen my body in the last couple months of my pregnancy. It's supposed to strengthen the blood and uterus. I definitely love the taste and it helps me stay away from morning sickness and exhaustion. It's so tasty and much cheaper than buying salty, preservative-filled broth from the grocery store. It was about a week process to get that much out of the soup bones. But it was made in one of our crock pots and required little maintenance throughout the week. My husband kept emptying the crock pot and adding more water until the bones basically disintegrated.
Ingredients:
1 lb lean ground beef
1/2 white onion, finely diced
2 bell peppers (any color) finely diced
1. TBSP garlic powder (NOT garlic salt)
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp salt
32 oz beef broth (my husband made beef bone broth from beef soup bones and it was absolutely perfect for this soup. I highly recommend home made broth. It's really easy to make, especially if you have a crock pot.)
6 oz tomato paste
30 oz diced tomatoes (I did one can of regular diced tomatoes, and one can of diced tomatoes in italian seasonings. By accident, but turned out SO GOOD)
Start by adding about a capful of olive oil to the bottom of a small/ medium size stock pot. Turn the stove on and add the ground beef. Use a spoon or spatula to break up the beef and brown it fairly well. Don't worry if it seems liquidy, it will add to the nutrients and taste of the soup. Then when the meat is browned, add your diced onion and bell peppers. Also add the dry spices with them. Let the meat, spices and vegetables simmer together on high heat for about 3-4 minutes. Then add beef broth. *Note: if you are using home made, chances are you have a good layer of fat if you put it in the fridge to store. Or maybe in the freezer to store. Either way put all your broth in now and if it's home made, let the fat melt completely then add the tomatoes. If frozen, let it melt halfway into the soup, then add the tomatoes.
If using regular boxed or canned broth, add the tomato products in right now and let the mixture simmer on high for about 5-7 minutes. Then put the stove somewhere in between low and medium heat and let the soup simmer for 10-12 minutes.
There you go, yummy warm soup :)
If you would like the recipe for the bone broth my husband made, I will ask him for it and post again soon. It is very easy and we got 4 quart size mason jars full and 4 sandwich bags full of delicious and healthy broth. My husband made it for me to strengthen my body in the last couple months of my pregnancy. It's supposed to strengthen the blood and uterus. I definitely love the taste and it helps me stay away from morning sickness and exhaustion. It's so tasty and much cheaper than buying salty, preservative-filled broth from the grocery store. It was about a week process to get that much out of the soup bones. But it was made in one of our crock pots and required little maintenance throughout the week. My husband kept emptying the crock pot and adding more water until the bones basically disintegrated.
Sunday, November 15, 2015
31 weeks
This week little bear reached about the size of a coconut and about 3 1/3 pounds.
Some things that happened this week:
-Met with the waterbirth midwife. It is required of me to get an antibiotic IV drip during labour, but I can still waterbirth! I can labor in the tub and birth in the bed if I want to, or do both in the tub. I just have to keep the saline lock in my arm or hand throughout the whole time and they'll hook up antibiotics every four hours for about 20-30 minutes.
-I have a cold (I'm writing this one on Thursday, Nov. 12.) It started yesterday with sore throat, headache, sniffles and sneezes with the occasional cough. It's not fun, but it's not horrible either. I'm thankful for the "pregnancy tea" my midwife gave to me a while ago. It soothes my throat and everything else.
-I discovered that the only thing that defeats my morning sickness is beef stew for breakfast. That's right. It has so much protein and stuff that it completely kicks my nausea for the WHOLE day!
-I got a 93% on my nutrition test on Wednesday!
-Corry and I went to Seattle for the weekend for his Qi Gong retreat. We spent the night in a decent hotel and spent some nice quality time together. I caught a cold and it was pretty nasty this weekend, but we still had fun.
How far along? 32 weeks tomorrow (Tuesday)
Total weight gain/loss: I lost a total of about 30 pounds when I was vomiting all the time and in and out of the hospital. If I had lost much more, I would have gotten close to losing the baby. But now I am only 5 pounds away from pre-pregnancy weight.
Maternity clothes? Most comfortable things ever right now. Besides jammies :)
Stretch marks? Not on the belly. Only a few on my hips and they actually seem to be fading.
Sleep: Not so bad lately.
Best moment this week:
Have you told family and friends: Yes, a long time ago. It's a little difficult to hide now ;)
Movement: Pretty much constant.
Food cravings: right now I'm craving pepperoni pizza, ice cubes, and chocolate milk.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Yesterday I threw up after eating too much oatmeal too fast in the morning. Oatmeal doesn't make me sick, but I learned that eating too much too fast will make me sick.
Have you started to show yet: Like I said, it's a bit hard to hide now :)
Leakage: well, yeah. Just one of those things that sometimes happens.
Gender prediction: We already know, and we are so excited to meet our baby boy.
Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks. Other than that not really.
Belly Button in or out? Still in. But pretty close to popping out I think. I think it will pop out sometime next month.
Wedding rings on or off? On. No swelling in my fingers or feet.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Not really sure. I think my moods are rather tame and manageable. Once in a great while there's a little hormone swing that makes me moody.
Weekly Wisdom: Lots of protein in the morning with breakfast will keep some morning sickness nausea away. Also, don't bother buying an expensive maternity pillow. Just buy a regular body pillow. Helps me so much with sleeping comfortably.
Milestones: Meeting with the midwife and discussing/ planning the birth.
This week was pretty good and I am currently sitting in a Starbucks in Seattle while Corry is at his Qi Gong retreat. I had an interesting experience this morning. I dropped Corry off at the place where the retreat is being held and I went back to the hotel. I went to my room, 244 and tried to unlock it with the hotel key. It didn't open, so I figured maybe I forgot what our actual room number was, so I went down to the front desk. I asked for a clarification/ new room key. The lady at the front said "Well, we don't have any rooms under Corry Meyers", are you in 242? We have that as Corry Jones. Thinking I had mixed up the room numbers and they had just gotten the wrong last name somehow, I said yes and she gave me a room key. (Note: Last night, we had to switch rooms because of how incredibly bad our room smelled and how dirty it was. So I thought maybe they had forgotten our last name and put down the first one they could think of.) So I go up to 242 and I slide the key into the door. As I slowly opened the door, I saw that it was really not actually our room. It smelled horribly like tobacco smoke, and there were bras and shoes all over the floor. I felt a little twinge of panic, shut the door quietly and power-waddled down the hall to the elevator just in case there was someone in there. I went down and said "Yeah that definitely wasn't my room..." and the lady sighed deeply and rolled her eyes. I spelled out my husband's first name and she goes "oh, that's why. It's C-o-r-r-y Meyers." Then handed me our actual room key. It was kind of funny and I definitely got a good workout power waddling down that long hallway :)
I can't believe we are almost to 32 weeks. That means almost 8 more weeks until the due date. 8 more weeks until we get to meet our little bear. I love him so much and I seriously can't wait.
Some things that happened this week:
-Met with the waterbirth midwife. It is required of me to get an antibiotic IV drip during labour, but I can still waterbirth! I can labor in the tub and birth in the bed if I want to, or do both in the tub. I just have to keep the saline lock in my arm or hand throughout the whole time and they'll hook up antibiotics every four hours for about 20-30 minutes.
-I have a cold (I'm writing this one on Thursday, Nov. 12.) It started yesterday with sore throat, headache, sniffles and sneezes with the occasional cough. It's not fun, but it's not horrible either. I'm thankful for the "pregnancy tea" my midwife gave to me a while ago. It soothes my throat and everything else.
-I discovered that the only thing that defeats my morning sickness is beef stew for breakfast. That's right. It has so much protein and stuff that it completely kicks my nausea for the WHOLE day!
-I got a 93% on my nutrition test on Wednesday!
-Corry and I went to Seattle for the weekend for his Qi Gong retreat. We spent the night in a decent hotel and spent some nice quality time together. I caught a cold and it was pretty nasty this weekend, but we still had fun.
How far along? 32 weeks tomorrow (Tuesday)
Total weight gain/loss: I lost a total of about 30 pounds when I was vomiting all the time and in and out of the hospital. If I had lost much more, I would have gotten close to losing the baby. But now I am only 5 pounds away from pre-pregnancy weight.
Maternity clothes? Most comfortable things ever right now. Besides jammies :)
Stretch marks? Not on the belly. Only a few on my hips and they actually seem to be fading.
Sleep: Not so bad lately.
Best moment this week:
Have you told family and friends: Yes, a long time ago. It's a little difficult to hide now ;)
Movement: Pretty much constant.
Food cravings: right now I'm craving pepperoni pizza, ice cubes, and chocolate milk.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Yesterday I threw up after eating too much oatmeal too fast in the morning. Oatmeal doesn't make me sick, but I learned that eating too much too fast will make me sick.
Have you started to show yet: Like I said, it's a bit hard to hide now :)
Leakage: well, yeah. Just one of those things that sometimes happens.
Gender prediction: We already know, and we are so excited to meet our baby boy.
Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks. Other than that not really.
Belly Button in or out? Still in. But pretty close to popping out I think. I think it will pop out sometime next month.
Wedding rings on or off? On. No swelling in my fingers or feet.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Not really sure. I think my moods are rather tame and manageable. Once in a great while there's a little hormone swing that makes me moody.
Weekly Wisdom: Lots of protein in the morning with breakfast will keep some morning sickness nausea away. Also, don't bother buying an expensive maternity pillow. Just buy a regular body pillow. Helps me so much with sleeping comfortably.
Milestones: Meeting with the midwife and discussing/ planning the birth.
This week was pretty good and I am currently sitting in a Starbucks in Seattle while Corry is at his Qi Gong retreat. I had an interesting experience this morning. I dropped Corry off at the place where the retreat is being held and I went back to the hotel. I went to my room, 244 and tried to unlock it with the hotel key. It didn't open, so I figured maybe I forgot what our actual room number was, so I went down to the front desk. I asked for a clarification/ new room key. The lady at the front said "Well, we don't have any rooms under Corry Meyers", are you in 242? We have that as Corry Jones. Thinking I had mixed up the room numbers and they had just gotten the wrong last name somehow, I said yes and she gave me a room key. (Note: Last night, we had to switch rooms because of how incredibly bad our room smelled and how dirty it was. So I thought maybe they had forgotten our last name and put down the first one they could think of.) So I go up to 242 and I slide the key into the door. As I slowly opened the door, I saw that it was really not actually our room. It smelled horribly like tobacco smoke, and there were bras and shoes all over the floor. I felt a little twinge of panic, shut the door quietly and power-waddled down the hall to the elevator just in case there was someone in there. I went down and said "Yeah that definitely wasn't my room..." and the lady sighed deeply and rolled her eyes. I spelled out my husband's first name and she goes "oh, that's why. It's C-o-r-r-y Meyers." Then handed me our actual room key. It was kind of funny and I definitely got a good workout power waddling down that long hallway :)
I can't believe we are almost to 32 weeks. That means almost 8 more weeks until the due date. 8 more weeks until we get to meet our little bear. I love him so much and I seriously can't wait.
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Some funnies
Just found some funnies on facebook yesterday when I was on. I saw these ones in particular and couldn't stop laughing.
This one is so true for me, because little bear LOVES to kick and move and go nuts. Especially when he hears daddy's voice after several hours of daddy being at school. I love the kicks, but I am still not even fully used to a real human kicking inside of me. :)
This one is hilarious to me. I've never before now had to run to the bathroom. Sometimes I'll just be hanging out and all of a sudden little bear kicks and it's like "BATHROOM. NOW" Also, a little pregnancy advice: do Kegel exercises before you get super roly poly pregnant. It will save you lots of... leaks...
This is another one I find hilarious, because it is SO TRUE for me right now. It is surprisingly difficult to get socks and shoes on. It takes some contortion of my legs to get my arms to reach them. It does feel like a workout!
Just thought I'd share some pregnancy funnies with you :) The week is going well so far. I'll write more about it in my 31 weeks post. I am currently 31 weeks and 3 days. Can't believe I'll be 32 weeks next week. It's coming QUICK!
Monday, November 9, 2015
30 weeks
This week little bear was about 15.7 inches long and is now about 3 pounds.
Highlights from this week:
- we went swimming a lot. Mama's body is getting increasingly sore and tired from carrying little bear. My hips and lower back were particularly suffering. As soon as I step into the pool and just kind of walk slowly in the water before I swim laps, I can feel the aches and pains melt away. Little bear loves when I'm swimming! He kicks a lot when I'm doing laps.
- No belly stretch marks still.
- We are now 64 days away from the January 12th due date.
- We got a ton of baby stuff from some friends whose boys have outgrown it.
- Daddy (Corry) got an interview with an acupuncturist in Idaho!!! This is very exciting because we are moving there in the Fall of 2016 after he graduates. He will be finding a job while we work to set up his practice and while I go to school at the actual BYU Idaho campus.
- I stopped taking Zofran and phenergan! I am finally not wholly reliant on them anymore. I still take Zofran once in a while when the morning sickness gets bad though.
- I swam every day this week except Saturday and Sunday. It helps so much with body aches and braxton hicks.
- It was my sister's 18th birthday this week! We got to celebrate with her at a wonderful pizza place.
Lots of awesome stuff happened this week. I can't believe that tomorrow (Tuesday) we are going into week 31! 9 more weeks until the January 12th due date!
Highlights from this week:
- we went swimming a lot. Mama's body is getting increasingly sore and tired from carrying little bear. My hips and lower back were particularly suffering. As soon as I step into the pool and just kind of walk slowly in the water before I swim laps, I can feel the aches and pains melt away. Little bear loves when I'm swimming! He kicks a lot when I'm doing laps.
- No belly stretch marks still.
- We are now 64 days away from the January 12th due date.
- We got a ton of baby stuff from some friends whose boys have outgrown it.
- Daddy (Corry) got an interview with an acupuncturist in Idaho!!! This is very exciting because we are moving there in the Fall of 2016 after he graduates. He will be finding a job while we work to set up his practice and while I go to school at the actual BYU Idaho campus.
- I stopped taking Zofran and phenergan! I am finally not wholly reliant on them anymore. I still take Zofran once in a while when the morning sickness gets bad though.
- I swam every day this week except Saturday and Sunday. It helps so much with body aches and braxton hicks.
- It was my sister's 18th birthday this week! We got to celebrate with her at a wonderful pizza place.
Lots of awesome stuff happened this week. I can't believe that tomorrow (Tuesday) we are going into week 31! 9 more weeks until the January 12th due date!
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Two due dates?
I was thinking a lot about my due date today because it is getting SO CLOSE. I remembered that my actual due date of January 12th is kind of bogus. It may be TMI, but here's why I believe that due date is bogus:
Back in April we decided that we wanted to start trying for kids again. We tried initially in December and January but we were unsuccessful and it was a little disappointing. But we stopped trying for a while because it was a little discouraging. In April we decided to try again. Basically without any extra detail, the situation was such that we know the exact day I became pregnant, the exact day we conceived successfully.
So we got a midwife after we moved in April and we told her the situation was such that we know the exact day of conception. She agreed and based on that she gave me a due date of January 3rd. We know without a doubt that the day of conception was right, therefore January 3rd to me seems more correct. Then I got really sick and ended up being required to get an OB as well as my midwife. Then around week 13 or 14 I think they did a comprehensive ultrasound and they said that based on the size of the baby the due date was January 12th and they totally ignored me when I told them I knew the exact day of conception.
The thing is that due dates are just guesses anyway. But it will be interesting to see how things play out. I firmly believe that the January 3rd due date is more accurate. I think he will be born sometime between December 26th and January 3rd. Just according to my mama gut. No, I don't mean my actual gigantic belly :) I really have a strong feeling that he will be born around then.
Back in April we decided that we wanted to start trying for kids again. We tried initially in December and January but we were unsuccessful and it was a little disappointing. But we stopped trying for a while because it was a little discouraging. In April we decided to try again. Basically without any extra detail, the situation was such that we know the exact day I became pregnant, the exact day we conceived successfully.
So we got a midwife after we moved in April and we told her the situation was such that we know the exact day of conception. She agreed and based on that she gave me a due date of January 3rd. We know without a doubt that the day of conception was right, therefore January 3rd to me seems more correct. Then I got really sick and ended up being required to get an OB as well as my midwife. Then around week 13 or 14 I think they did a comprehensive ultrasound and they said that based on the size of the baby the due date was January 12th and they totally ignored me when I told them I knew the exact day of conception.
The thing is that due dates are just guesses anyway. But it will be interesting to see how things play out. I firmly believe that the January 3rd due date is more accurate. I think he will be born sometime between December 26th and January 3rd. Just according to my mama gut. No, I don't mean my actual gigantic belly :) I really have a strong feeling that he will be born around then.
Monday, November 2, 2015
I'm grateful for...
I am so grateful for all the blessings I've been able to have in my life since I got pregnant. I'm grateful to live in a country that helps mothers and soon to be moms. I can't even imagine living back where I lived when I was on my religious mission - especially as a soon to be mother.
Anyway, I am also grateful for my husband. He's so intelligent and because of him I don't need a doula. Some women hire a doula as well as the support of their husband. I don't have to do that because my husband is so calm and level headed and knows how to help me through pains of pregnancy and will know how to best help me through the pain of natural labor.
I'm grateful for my church and the people in my ward/area who help me through tough times and who are a support to me and my sweet husband.
I just have a ton to be thankful for and I felt like writing some of it in a little blurb. :)
Sunday, November 1, 2015
Feeling 22!
Yesterday was my 22nd birthday, and it was so wonderful! It was relaxing and happy. I started off struggling with some morning sickness, but then it went away. I went for a long drive through the country and listened to my favorite country music loud with the windows down and sunglasses on when the sun was out. Jeeze, I sound like my dad! Then I went to Five Guys and just got an order of fries, went home and watched Disney shorts and Demetri Martin's standup while I ate. Then I went and picked my husband up from school and he took me to dinner. We went to one of my favorite restaurants: Mongolian Grill and had some really amazing food. Afterwards, he and I walked across the street to Walmart and bought some coconut milk ice cream, which I asked for instead of a cake. I'm really not a huge fan of cake. We came home and I opened his gift and we had ice cream. It was a wonderful, low key birthday.
Another wonderful gift is knowing that we are only 10 weeks away from having our son in our lives. So excited.
Another wonderful gift is knowing that we are only 10 weeks away from having our son in our lives. So excited.
29 weeks
This week little bear was about the size of a butternut squash, 2.5 pounds and about 15 inches long.
This week was a busy and very fun week. It was my 22nd birthday and we went out a couple times together. Really strong kicks from baby boy, as usual. I had my last visit with my OB this past week. I am switching to a midwife in the same network who will do a hospital waterbirth for me. I am so grateful that this is covered by insurance. I have another midwife, but she can't do my birth in the hospital because she's not properly licensed for that. I go to that midwifes office for her advice for natural remedies.
Not much exciting in the way of baby news. I'm a few pounds away from pre-pregnancy weight again, and my belly is growing quite a lot.
Two days from today will be Tuesday, which will also be 30 weeks. That means only 10 weeks until the due date... AH!!! 2 1/2 months. I am 7 months pregnant. Crazyyyyyy
I am already so tired of being pregnant. Tired of having such a roly poly body. I can't wait to have our sweet son in my arms and in our lives. Can't wait to be without most of the weight being on my belly. I am so thrilled to see my son and meet him.
This week was a busy and very fun week. It was my 22nd birthday and we went out a couple times together. Really strong kicks from baby boy, as usual. I had my last visit with my OB this past week. I am switching to a midwife in the same network who will do a hospital waterbirth for me. I am so grateful that this is covered by insurance. I have another midwife, but she can't do my birth in the hospital because she's not properly licensed for that. I go to that midwifes office for her advice for natural remedies.
Not much exciting in the way of baby news. I'm a few pounds away from pre-pregnancy weight again, and my belly is growing quite a lot.
Two days from today will be Tuesday, which will also be 30 weeks. That means only 10 weeks until the due date... AH!!! 2 1/2 months. I am 7 months pregnant. Crazyyyyyy
I am already so tired of being pregnant. Tired of having such a roly poly body. I can't wait to have our sweet son in my arms and in our lives. Can't wait to be without most of the weight being on my belly. I am so thrilled to see my son and meet him.
Monday, October 26, 2015
28 weeks
This week little bear was about the size of a Chinese cabbage. He's about 14.8 inches long and about 2.5 pounds roughly.
We noticed that all of a sudden my belly is starting to pop out. Baby boy is on a growth spurt and his kicks are STRONG!
This morning before Corry went off to school, he came and said goodbye to me and the baby. As soon as he started talking close to my belly, little boy went nuts. My belly was moving back and forth and the little guy was kicking like crazy. It was so sweet and so cute, he already loves his daddy so much and Corry is beyond thrilled and excited to be a daddy.
And yesterday during church I realized something insane. I am now 7 months pregnant. In about 2 1/2 months we will be parents and we will have our sweet little bear. I can't wait to hold him for the first time and kiss his head. Labor is becoming more and more real to me though. I'm not afraid of it happening, in fact I am excited to have that moment to bond with my husband and experience such a sacrifice to bring my son into the world. But contractions have become a real thing. I know they will get more painful and as of right now, they aren't SO bad. But this week while we were in target, I was walking to the front of the store and all of a sudden had a very sharp and very strong contraction. Since then I have about one really strong/sharp contraction a day and when my husband is around it isn't so bad because he really knows how to help me through it. They don't last long either. But it's a sign that labor is getting closer and closer.
My sister felt little bear kick for the first time this week too. That was a special experience, and it was kind of funny to see her reaction. Her face changed to a mix of surprise and excitement. After feeling the first couple kicks, she said something to the effect of "that's so weird! I would never get used to that!" Which is funny because when baby boy has his little dance parties or whatever he does in there, I usually make a weird face and tell my husband "It's so cool and everything, but I will never get used to this feeling!"
As of today (Monday, oct. 26th) I have been pregnant for approximately 202 days and we have 78 days until the due date. The due date is rapidly approaching and I can't wait!
Not much else to talk about at the moment, my 22nd birthday is this week and today my new laptop comes in the mail (yay pell grants!) I am really grateful that I was able to get one for school so my husband can use his and I can use mine at the same time.
We are now in the 29th week as of tomorrow, and it gets more and more exciting every day! :)
We noticed that all of a sudden my belly is starting to pop out. Baby boy is on a growth spurt and his kicks are STRONG!
This morning before Corry went off to school, he came and said goodbye to me and the baby. As soon as he started talking close to my belly, little boy went nuts. My belly was moving back and forth and the little guy was kicking like crazy. It was so sweet and so cute, he already loves his daddy so much and Corry is beyond thrilled and excited to be a daddy.
And yesterday during church I realized something insane. I am now 7 months pregnant. In about 2 1/2 months we will be parents and we will have our sweet little bear. I can't wait to hold him for the first time and kiss his head. Labor is becoming more and more real to me though. I'm not afraid of it happening, in fact I am excited to have that moment to bond with my husband and experience such a sacrifice to bring my son into the world. But contractions have become a real thing. I know they will get more painful and as of right now, they aren't SO bad. But this week while we were in target, I was walking to the front of the store and all of a sudden had a very sharp and very strong contraction. Since then I have about one really strong/sharp contraction a day and when my husband is around it isn't so bad because he really knows how to help me through it. They don't last long either. But it's a sign that labor is getting closer and closer.
My sister felt little bear kick for the first time this week too. That was a special experience, and it was kind of funny to see her reaction. Her face changed to a mix of surprise and excitement. After feeling the first couple kicks, she said something to the effect of "that's so weird! I would never get used to that!" Which is funny because when baby boy has his little dance parties or whatever he does in there, I usually make a weird face and tell my husband "It's so cool and everything, but I will never get used to this feeling!"
As of today (Monday, oct. 26th) I have been pregnant for approximately 202 days and we have 78 days until the due date. The due date is rapidly approaching and I can't wait!
Not much else to talk about at the moment, my 22nd birthday is this week and today my new laptop comes in the mail (yay pell grants!) I am really grateful that I was able to get one for school so my husband can use his and I can use mine at the same time.
We are now in the 29th week as of tomorrow, and it gets more and more exciting every day! :)
Monday, October 19, 2015
27 weeks
This week little bear was the size of a head of cauliflower (about 16 inches, 2.5 pounds). He can now open and close his eyes, and he sleeps at regular intervals.
This week I was able to feel very clearly when he had hiccups. It was a really weird feeling, but very cool.
I also learned that like Mommy and Daddy, little bear loves celtic music. He gets so excited whenever mom sings that she becomes out of breath from all his sweet movements. He still gets really excited when daddy comes home and he hears his voice. He loves his daddy already.
This past week was sort of eventful. My heart palpitations got a little stronger and on Tuesday, I hyperventilated while going through a little episode of heart palpitations which lead to fainting. I didn't fall on anything, baby is okay and I am okay. Nothing to worry about. My heart is just working overtime and I should have breathed through it more calmly.
I got a filling redone on a molar this week. They used the safest anesthetic they had on me I think it was called Lidocaine. Anyway, after only one shot I was completely numb and didn't feel a thing. Usually when I get fillings and they use novacaine on me, they have to do 3-4 shots to get me numb "enough" so that it doesn't hurt too much to get the filling done.
Then I ran out of Zofran, one of my nausea meds, on Saturday night. I tried to call into the pharmacy but I was apparently out of refills and had to call my doctor for more, but neither of my doctors answered. So all day yesterday I was extremely nauseous and sick feeling the whole day. Didn't vomit, but had nausea pains. Today I feel the same way. I'm waiting for the doctors office and pharmacy to open so I can finally get relief.
My father in law came into town this weekend and gave us our first baby stuff, a little shirt and shorts and a couple cute receiving blankets. I was really happy and excited to get them. I love baby stuff!
Other than that not much else happened, like always I am just so busy with schoolwork. But this coming week (Week 28) is the first official week of the third trimester. We are in the home stretch! Can't wait to meet my sweet baby boy (and I can't wait to NOT BE PREGNANT ANYMORE!!!)
This week I was able to feel very clearly when he had hiccups. It was a really weird feeling, but very cool.
I also learned that like Mommy and Daddy, little bear loves celtic music. He gets so excited whenever mom sings that she becomes out of breath from all his sweet movements. He still gets really excited when daddy comes home and he hears his voice. He loves his daddy already.
This past week was sort of eventful. My heart palpitations got a little stronger and on Tuesday, I hyperventilated while going through a little episode of heart palpitations which lead to fainting. I didn't fall on anything, baby is okay and I am okay. Nothing to worry about. My heart is just working overtime and I should have breathed through it more calmly.
I got a filling redone on a molar this week. They used the safest anesthetic they had on me I think it was called Lidocaine. Anyway, after only one shot I was completely numb and didn't feel a thing. Usually when I get fillings and they use novacaine on me, they have to do 3-4 shots to get me numb "enough" so that it doesn't hurt too much to get the filling done.
Then I ran out of Zofran, one of my nausea meds, on Saturday night. I tried to call into the pharmacy but I was apparently out of refills and had to call my doctor for more, but neither of my doctors answered. So all day yesterday I was extremely nauseous and sick feeling the whole day. Didn't vomit, but had nausea pains. Today I feel the same way. I'm waiting for the doctors office and pharmacy to open so I can finally get relief.
My father in law came into town this weekend and gave us our first baby stuff, a little shirt and shorts and a couple cute receiving blankets. I was really happy and excited to get them. I love baby stuff!
Other than that not much else happened, like always I am just so busy with schoolwork. But this coming week (Week 28) is the first official week of the third trimester. We are in the home stretch! Can't wait to meet my sweet baby boy (and I can't wait to NOT BE PREGNANT ANYMORE!!!)
Monday, October 12, 2015
Best weekend.
This weekend we had the amazing opportunity to go to the Oregon coast for 3 days for my dad and his new wife's wedding. We got there on Friday evening and checked into our hotel. We knew beforehand that the remnants of Hurricane Oho would be coming down our way and let me tell you, it was INSANE! It rained ridiculously hard for two days and it was so windy. It was cool to watch the ocean churning with the hurricane. Anyway, we went to their rehearsal dinner at McMenamin's that night. We had Cajun tots, truffle fries, and I had a really good burger with mushrooms, peppers, cheddar cheese and onion on it. My husband had a pretty good steak with mashed potatoes and asparagus. Then my Aunt and I split a gluten free dessert - strawberry polenta cake. It was actually really good, we were pleasantly surprised. That night was so much fun and we were laughing and enjoying each other's company the whole time.
My husband and I went back to the hotel that night and swam in the pool. He used the sauna they had and I put my legs in the jacuzzi. I'm not supposed to go any higher than the knee in a hot tub. But it was still so nice. Then we went back to our room.
The next day, Saturday, was the day. Originally they were going to have the ceremony on the beach and I think the reception was going to be in a garden of some kind. But because of the literal hurricane weather, they had to go with a plan B. I loved their plan B!!! We got to a place called the Surfsand resort in cannon beach and helped set up for the ceremony and reception. We put up lights, set up the arch, put candles around the table, and I used my dad's camera to take a few nice shots of the set up before it was tampered with ;) Then I went with my sister to another hotel room where they had a makeup and hair crew for the bridesmaids. I wasn't a bridesmaid, so I didn't get my hair and makeup done. But it was so much fun to be there and watch them do her hair and makeup. I had to ditch out after a few minutes to get back to the hotel with my husband so I could finish some homework before the wedding.
Then we got to the wedding. We walked in and signed a guest book and put our thumb prints on a picture of a tree (such a neat idea) and my Aunt found me and pinned my corsage on my cardigan. Didn't know I would get one, and it made me happy to feel included in the wedding. My sister and Brother were a bridesmaid and groomsman so they were involved in the ceremony itself. My husband and I along with other family sat in the front row. They had wonderful (celtic?) music of some kind for the party to walk the aisle to. When my sister appeared in the doorway to walk down the aisle with my dad, I just about died sobbing. I was making sad little sounds too. My sister looked so gorgeous and it was so sweet that she (in a way) was the one to give my dad away. I kinda cried too when I saw my baby brother (who is now about 5'9" at 13 years old) come down the aisle after. Oh! Another wonderful little tidbit: the bride gave my siblings and I little necklaces (my brother I think got a pocket knife) and the necklaces are beautiful little silver hearts and on the back, engraved, say "family, 10-10-15" I choked up so much when I was given the little gift before the ceremony by my now step-grandma, Anne.
Anyway, when the bride came down the aisle, I was smiling so hard. She looked so beautiful and it made me so happy to think about her joining our family. I happened to look over at the DJ who was motioning for us to stand as the bride entered. So I was the first to stand up. Luckily everyone followed when they saw. The ceremony was beautiful and the bride (my now step mom) wrote a little speech to my siblings and I which made me of course bawl my eyes out. Then they did their vows and exchanged rings, which made me bawl my eyes out. When I began to cry, I looked up and saw my sister in the bridal line looking at me and I pointed at her and mouthed "don't you start crying now." and I lost it. Happy tears of course. The bride and groom looked so happy and it made me cry so hard (hormones contributed to my excessive waterworks). Happy tears, like I said. After the ceremony was a little cocktail hour with drinks and yummy little foodstuffs. Then dinner came along and it was AMAZING. I knew the menu ahead of time, but when we got to it I was stunned. It was a small buffet with fresh caesar salad, potatoes, steamed vegetables, beef bourginon, and some kind of creamy chicken. My husband and I went for the bourginon. It was basically a beef soup/stew with bacon, beef, pearl onions and mushrooms. It was delicious. Then came the dancing! First it was the first dance for my dad and step mom. The next dance, the DJ had all married couples come out to the floor and dance with the bride and groom. He dismissed the couples by how many years of marriage and of course my dad and step mom were first off the floor, but surprisingly my husband and I weren't next! But as the song progressed it was down to two couples: my step-grandparents and my stepmoms preschool teacher and her husband. It ended up being that her preschool teacher and her husband had been married for something like 51 years. So beautiful. Then for the next three or four hours, my husband and I danced with little breaks. It was awesome! I was on my feet for that long and took short breaks. It was so fun. My husband and I swing danced and waltzed and a couple other things. I think we tried a tango of sorts, but decided that it was just a little too much for me :) I danced with my dad to the only Dave Matthews song that was played that night which meant a lot to me because my dad and I love to listen to good music and Dave Matthews is a mutual favorite of ours. It was really funny at one point he comes up to me and asks "what's that one Apple Bottom jeans song?" and I died laughing. He wanted to play "Get Low" by Flo Rida. They did play it and it was one of the only songs my husband and I didn't dance to due to the fact that um... well... let's just say I didn't know my dad knew how to dance that way. haha.
There were toasts and speeches along the way, a cake cutting, and a bouquet toss. The hurricane weather stopped just a little while before the sun went down and the sun came out as it was setting. It was wonderful. We took some pictures somewhere in there too.
The end of the night came and I was sweaty and tired from dancing, crying and eating so much. :) We helped clean up and said goodbye to family, then went to our hotel and slept deep.
The next day, Sunday, we packed up and checked out of our hotel. We went for a little hike down a trail to a little ocean access cove where some of my mom's ashes had been spread. Then we drove a long time, stopped for lunch at pita pit and eventually made it home.
It was a wonderful and memorable weekend. One of the best memories of my life with my family. My husband said he felt even closer to my family and even more accepted by them as family. We even learned that with new step-family members, we have 5 generations of men coming soon. Meaning my step mom's grandpa, her dad, my dad, my husband, and my son. I hope we are able to get a picture with all 5 generations. Even though it's not blood relation, they are family and it is so cool that we will have 5 generations of family together.
I'm still so exhausted from the weekend, but I can't wait to see pictures from the wedding. And my dad and his lovely wife get to go to Hawaii for their honeymoon which is awesome. Overall, one of the most memorable weekends of my life.
My husband and I went back to the hotel that night and swam in the pool. He used the sauna they had and I put my legs in the jacuzzi. I'm not supposed to go any higher than the knee in a hot tub. But it was still so nice. Then we went back to our room.
The next day, Saturday, was the day. Originally they were going to have the ceremony on the beach and I think the reception was going to be in a garden of some kind. But because of the literal hurricane weather, they had to go with a plan B. I loved their plan B!!! We got to a place called the Surfsand resort in cannon beach and helped set up for the ceremony and reception. We put up lights, set up the arch, put candles around the table, and I used my dad's camera to take a few nice shots of the set up before it was tampered with ;) Then I went with my sister to another hotel room where they had a makeup and hair crew for the bridesmaids. I wasn't a bridesmaid, so I didn't get my hair and makeup done. But it was so much fun to be there and watch them do her hair and makeup. I had to ditch out after a few minutes to get back to the hotel with my husband so I could finish some homework before the wedding.
Then we got to the wedding. We walked in and signed a guest book and put our thumb prints on a picture of a tree (such a neat idea) and my Aunt found me and pinned my corsage on my cardigan. Didn't know I would get one, and it made me happy to feel included in the wedding. My sister and Brother were a bridesmaid and groomsman so they were involved in the ceremony itself. My husband and I along with other family sat in the front row. They had wonderful (celtic?) music of some kind for the party to walk the aisle to. When my sister appeared in the doorway to walk down the aisle with my dad, I just about died sobbing. I was making sad little sounds too. My sister looked so gorgeous and it was so sweet that she (in a way) was the one to give my dad away. I kinda cried too when I saw my baby brother (who is now about 5'9" at 13 years old) come down the aisle after. Oh! Another wonderful little tidbit: the bride gave my siblings and I little necklaces (my brother I think got a pocket knife) and the necklaces are beautiful little silver hearts and on the back, engraved, say "family, 10-10-15" I choked up so much when I was given the little gift before the ceremony by my now step-grandma, Anne.
Anyway, when the bride came down the aisle, I was smiling so hard. She looked so beautiful and it made me so happy to think about her joining our family. I happened to look over at the DJ who was motioning for us to stand as the bride entered. So I was the first to stand up. Luckily everyone followed when they saw. The ceremony was beautiful and the bride (my now step mom) wrote a little speech to my siblings and I which made me of course bawl my eyes out. Then they did their vows and exchanged rings, which made me bawl my eyes out. When I began to cry, I looked up and saw my sister in the bridal line looking at me and I pointed at her and mouthed "don't you start crying now." and I lost it. Happy tears of course. The bride and groom looked so happy and it made me cry so hard (hormones contributed to my excessive waterworks). Happy tears, like I said. After the ceremony was a little cocktail hour with drinks and yummy little foodstuffs. Then dinner came along and it was AMAZING. I knew the menu ahead of time, but when we got to it I was stunned. It was a small buffet with fresh caesar salad, potatoes, steamed vegetables, beef bourginon, and some kind of creamy chicken. My husband and I went for the bourginon. It was basically a beef soup/stew with bacon, beef, pearl onions and mushrooms. It was delicious. Then came the dancing! First it was the first dance for my dad and step mom. The next dance, the DJ had all married couples come out to the floor and dance with the bride and groom. He dismissed the couples by how many years of marriage and of course my dad and step mom were first off the floor, but surprisingly my husband and I weren't next! But as the song progressed it was down to two couples: my step-grandparents and my stepmoms preschool teacher and her husband. It ended up being that her preschool teacher and her husband had been married for something like 51 years. So beautiful. Then for the next three or four hours, my husband and I danced with little breaks. It was awesome! I was on my feet for that long and took short breaks. It was so fun. My husband and I swing danced and waltzed and a couple other things. I think we tried a tango of sorts, but decided that it was just a little too much for me :) I danced with my dad to the only Dave Matthews song that was played that night which meant a lot to me because my dad and I love to listen to good music and Dave Matthews is a mutual favorite of ours. It was really funny at one point he comes up to me and asks "what's that one Apple Bottom jeans song?" and I died laughing. He wanted to play "Get Low" by Flo Rida. They did play it and it was one of the only songs my husband and I didn't dance to due to the fact that um... well... let's just say I didn't know my dad knew how to dance that way. haha.
There were toasts and speeches along the way, a cake cutting, and a bouquet toss. The hurricane weather stopped just a little while before the sun went down and the sun came out as it was setting. It was wonderful. We took some pictures somewhere in there too.
The end of the night came and I was sweaty and tired from dancing, crying and eating so much. :) We helped clean up and said goodbye to family, then went to our hotel and slept deep.
The next day, Sunday, we packed up and checked out of our hotel. We went for a little hike down a trail to a little ocean access cove where some of my mom's ashes had been spread. Then we drove a long time, stopped for lunch at pita pit and eventually made it home.
It was a wonderful and memorable weekend. One of the best memories of my life with my family. My husband said he felt even closer to my family and even more accepted by them as family. We even learned that with new step-family members, we have 5 generations of men coming soon. Meaning my step mom's grandpa, her dad, my dad, my husband, and my son. I hope we are able to get a picture with all 5 generations. Even though it's not blood relation, they are family and it is so cool that we will have 5 generations of family together.
I'm still so exhausted from the weekend, but I can't wait to see pictures from the wedding. And my dad and his lovely wife get to go to Hawaii for their honeymoon which is awesome. Overall, one of the most memorable weekends of my life.
Week 26: HUGE kicks and a wonderful wedding
This past week we went and got an ultrasound done to monitor my placenta previa and got the wonderful news that the placenta has completely moved out of the way of the cervix/ birth canal. This means that I finally get to make my real birth plan and get ready for it with my doctors. During the ultrasound they measured our little bear at 2 pounds already! Which means he is in the 50.38 percentile for infant growth and development during gestation. Almost exactly right on where the average is.
He's also about 14 inches long according to babycenter.com. When he kicks now, and I have my hand on my belly, I can feel if it's a foot or a hand. He kicks a lot and moves a lot. This morning my husband saw my belly move while little bear was kicking really hard. He watched for a good 5-10 minutes in awe saying "That's so weird." several times. :)
This weekend we had the wonderful opportunity to attend my dad and his new wife's wedding on the Oregon Coast. My husband and I had a blast and it was such a joyous day, my face hurt from smiling so much, I was so happy. Before we headed to the coast for the wedding, my husband bought me a beautiful blue dress to wear to it. We went to goodwill because we couldn't find anything decent in any store. Goodwill didn't have a maternity section, so we decided just to look in the dresses part. We picked a few dresses to try on and I ended up fitting in a regular size large dress at 6 months pregnant! Not only that, we had to pin the dress in the back because it was a little big, but fit my belly and everywhere else wonderfully. It originally came from david's bridal priced at like $100. We got it for $20. :)
Here's a baby bump pic for you, since I didn't get the ultrasounds this time. It's a picture of me (left) with my Uncle Chris at my dad's wedding. We were joking that his belly kinda looks like mine at the moment and my sister took a picture of us holding our "bumps" :)
That's it for Week 26. I can't believe we are headed into Week 27 now. It's insane how quickly time is flying by.
He's also about 14 inches long according to babycenter.com. When he kicks now, and I have my hand on my belly, I can feel if it's a foot or a hand. He kicks a lot and moves a lot. This morning my husband saw my belly move while little bear was kicking really hard. He watched for a good 5-10 minutes in awe saying "That's so weird." several times. :)
This weekend we had the wonderful opportunity to attend my dad and his new wife's wedding on the Oregon Coast. My husband and I had a blast and it was such a joyous day, my face hurt from smiling so much, I was so happy. Before we headed to the coast for the wedding, my husband bought me a beautiful blue dress to wear to it. We went to goodwill because we couldn't find anything decent in any store. Goodwill didn't have a maternity section, so we decided just to look in the dresses part. We picked a few dresses to try on and I ended up fitting in a regular size large dress at 6 months pregnant! Not only that, we had to pin the dress in the back because it was a little big, but fit my belly and everywhere else wonderfully. It originally came from david's bridal priced at like $100. We got it for $20. :)
Here's a baby bump pic for you, since I didn't get the ultrasounds this time. It's a picture of me (left) with my Uncle Chris at my dad's wedding. We were joking that his belly kinda looks like mine at the moment and my sister took a picture of us holding our "bumps" :)
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Week 25
Week 25. This week little bear was about 13.5 inches and about 1.5 pounds.
I had a really interesting dream the other night and in it, our son was about 3 years old and said to someone "This is my mama!" and wrapped himself around my leg. It was so cute. I can't wait to be a mom to our sweet little bear.
This week went by without much in the way of news. My belly grew more taut, but I didn't gain any weight. I think I might have lost some weight again. I had morning sickness all week and the reflux/heartburn made me pretty nauseous. I didn't eat much, but I didn't vomit which is good.
I did catch a cold that my husband had, but thanks to Chinese herbs it was shortlived. I still have a tiny bit of a cold, but the worst of it is over.
Classes are going well. I got a 92% on my big unit 1 test in my math class. Although, I discovered that the homework assignments for each section are worth more than the "big" unit tests... odd. So the test didn't impact my grade much at all. I still have all A's. It's exhausting to keep up with, but it's very rewarding to log in to my classes every day and see those grades.
Tomorrow I have the test for gestational diabetes and an ultrasound. I have to drink the syrupy orange drink and get a blood test. But at least we get to see little bear again! And hopefully the placenta has moved away from the cervix. I'm sure I've mentioned that I have placenta previa. In my case it doesn't entirely cover the cervix, but it does still need to move quite a bit in order for me to be able to have a vaginal birth. If it doesn't move in time, I do have to have a c-section which is not what I want. Anyway, since it wasn't entirely covering, my OB is optimistic about it moving enough so that I can have a regular birth.
That's about all I have time to write for week 25, as I am trying to get my homework and classwork all completed by Friday morning so I don't have to worry about it this weekend. My dad is getting married and I want to be able to be all there and enjoying time with family rather than worrying about turning in assignments that are due that day.
I'll post the ultrasound pics next week with my week 26 post.
I had a really interesting dream the other night and in it, our son was about 3 years old and said to someone "This is my mama!" and wrapped himself around my leg. It was so cute. I can't wait to be a mom to our sweet little bear.
This week went by without much in the way of news. My belly grew more taut, but I didn't gain any weight. I think I might have lost some weight again. I had morning sickness all week and the reflux/heartburn made me pretty nauseous. I didn't eat much, but I didn't vomit which is good.
I did catch a cold that my husband had, but thanks to Chinese herbs it was shortlived. I still have a tiny bit of a cold, but the worst of it is over.
Classes are going well. I got a 92% on my big unit 1 test in my math class. Although, I discovered that the homework assignments for each section are worth more than the "big" unit tests... odd. So the test didn't impact my grade much at all. I still have all A's. It's exhausting to keep up with, but it's very rewarding to log in to my classes every day and see those grades.
Tomorrow I have the test for gestational diabetes and an ultrasound. I have to drink the syrupy orange drink and get a blood test. But at least we get to see little bear again! And hopefully the placenta has moved away from the cervix. I'm sure I've mentioned that I have placenta previa. In my case it doesn't entirely cover the cervix, but it does still need to move quite a bit in order for me to be able to have a vaginal birth. If it doesn't move in time, I do have to have a c-section which is not what I want. Anyway, since it wasn't entirely covering, my OB is optimistic about it moving enough so that I can have a regular birth.
That's about all I have time to write for week 25, as I am trying to get my homework and classwork all completed by Friday morning so I don't have to worry about it this weekend. My dad is getting married and I want to be able to be all there and enjoying time with family rather than worrying about turning in assignments that are due that day.
I'll post the ultrasound pics next week with my week 26 post.
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Baby bump pics of week 24!
Meaning he's about 11.8 inches and 1.3 pounds. I can feel the growth each week. Things are pretty crammed in my belly.
This week went by pretty fast without much in the way of news or exciting events. I have been focusing so hard on school that I haven't been able to do much else. I know that with our little mini trips coming up, I need to make sure I am in a good standing and have a good schedule going with all my classes. We are headed to the Oregon Coast very very soon for Friday, Saturday and a Sunday. The first two are days when a lot of assignments are due and when a lot of classwork happens.
Baby Bump!!!
Here it is once again. Getting much bigger since I last had my husband take a picture for me. As you can see, I gained a good amount of weight (not too much or too little) on my legs and arms finally. And a lot on my belly (kinda out of my control :) I currently weigh 162 pounds, still 13 pounds under pre pregnancy weight. Doctor says if I didn't have the baby belly and extra breast growth I would probably be about 148 pounds. I am feeling a lot better and healthier, but it is very difficult to roll over or move around in bed. I also sometimes have to ask for some help when standing up from sitting.~****~
My dad and his soon to be wife bought me a few maternity shirts and two pairs of maternity leggings (by the way most comfortable things EVER) And my husband really liked this t shirt that they got for me. I know the text is backwards because of the mirror selfie, but it says "We are hoping it's a dinosaur". I think it's cute and funny. I'm wearing it today and I'm going to wear it to the gym. In the picture above, I'm also wearing clothes they got for me. I am so so so so grateful for their kindness.
~****~
That's really all for week 24. I am a little late writing this post, as I am currently actually 25 weeks pregnant, but oh well.
I have a doctors appointment in week 26, where I have to drink the orange syrupy stuff and get a blood test for gestational diabetes.
Thanks for reading about our progress! Little bear is doing great and loves to kick now when he hears mommy sing <3
Monday, September 21, 2015
Week 23 post
I am currently trying to get lots of classwork and homework done and it may be a few days until I get to do a nice, formal post. Here's a little blurb about how week 23 went:
This week baby boy's kicks got even stronger. You can clearly feel them by touching my belly and if you watch, you can see my belly move. This week, for the first time, someone touched my belly without asking or without my permission. It was weird and I got a little protective of my son. Even though the lady was well meaning and I sort of knew her, it's a little odd to just watch as someone touches my stomach. Even though she's obviously not going to steal my boy, I was very protective of him in that moment.
People are recognizing more and more that I really am pregnant and not just walking around with a nasty belly that looks like a beer gut. My belly has become more round and it definitely has the shape of someone who is pregnant... which is good, considering that's what I am :)
I had some problems with reflux and hot flashes this week. Yesterday (Sunday) I had hot flashes so bad that I was constantly clammy and sweaty. We walked into the air conditioned house after church and it felt so wonderful. My husband goes "It's FREEZING in here." He went to check the internal temperature and the thermostat said 64. I didn't mind.
So the week went well and tomorrow (Tuesday) begins another week. Week 24. Soon I will be in the third trimester. 2/3 of the way through this experience. It's going by fast. I am glad it is too. The faster it goes, the faster I am done with the semester, and the faster we get to meet our son. :)
This week baby boy's kicks got even stronger. You can clearly feel them by touching my belly and if you watch, you can see my belly move. This week, for the first time, someone touched my belly without asking or without my permission. It was weird and I got a little protective of my son. Even though the lady was well meaning and I sort of knew her, it's a little odd to just watch as someone touches my stomach. Even though she's obviously not going to steal my boy, I was very protective of him in that moment.
People are recognizing more and more that I really am pregnant and not just walking around with a nasty belly that looks like a beer gut. My belly has become more round and it definitely has the shape of someone who is pregnant... which is good, considering that's what I am :)
I had some problems with reflux and hot flashes this week. Yesterday (Sunday) I had hot flashes so bad that I was constantly clammy and sweaty. We walked into the air conditioned house after church and it felt so wonderful. My husband goes "It's FREEZING in here." He went to check the internal temperature and the thermostat said 64. I didn't mind.
So the week went well and tomorrow (Tuesday) begins another week. Week 24. Soon I will be in the third trimester. 2/3 of the way through this experience. It's going by fast. I am glad it is too. The faster it goes, the faster I am done with the semester, and the faster we get to meet our son. :)
Friday, September 18, 2015
Fall semester
I just took on another class for this semester. That makes a total of 9 credits. I'm taking FDENG101 (Foundations English), FDMAT108 (Foundations Math), and NUTR105 (Nutrition). These are three classes that are required for me to apply to the program at BYU Idaho I am working towards. After this I have to take 3 Biology classes, 2 Biology labs, 2 Chemistry classes, 2 Chemistry labs, Psychology, and another Math class. For the program I have to have at least a 3.5 GPA to apply. Needless to say, I'm going to be spending a lot of time on classes this semester. I'm not going to blog as frequently. I will still do weekly posts to show progress of the pregnancy, but I just won't have time to post other little blurbs or anything. I won't really even have time for Facebook. Since I'm doing 9 credit hours as well as getting ready for our first baby, my days are going to be very busy.
Not going to divulge what the program is that I'm working toward, although as you can see it's clearly science related haha. I really appreciate how many people read this blog and like to follow the progress of Baby Meyers and his growth/development. Once I have him I will still be busy doing classes and taking care of him. I probably won't have time to do blog posts that often and this blog will probably become a private blog once he's born. Just for his protection and all.
Anyway, today I am starting my diligent classwork and study schedule which means less facebook, less blog, less internet outside of classes. Thanks again for reading this blog. Don't worry, I'll post on Monday about week 23. I'll include a belly picture too :)
Not going to divulge what the program is that I'm working toward, although as you can see it's clearly science related haha. I really appreciate how many people read this blog and like to follow the progress of Baby Meyers and his growth/development. Once I have him I will still be busy doing classes and taking care of him. I probably won't have time to do blog posts that often and this blog will probably become a private blog once he's born. Just for his protection and all.
Anyway, today I am starting my diligent classwork and study schedule which means less facebook, less blog, less internet outside of classes. Thanks again for reading this blog. Don't worry, I'll post on Monday about week 23. I'll include a belly picture too :)
Monday, September 14, 2015
22 weeks
This week baby boy is about 11 inches and almost 1 whole pound. He's about the size of a spaghetti squash. That seems about right, although I feel like I am looking at the spaghetti squash we have in our kitchen and thinking "that's HUGE!" Maybe looks a little big to me, but I definitely feel him getting bigger as my belly does.This week was weird and boring as far as pregnancy news. Nothing exciting really happened and I was so lethargic the whole week. I was also getting ready for my classes to start, so I didn't keep my journal much. Although this week I felt a definite difference in the strength of baby boy's kicks. He's been merciful and his movements and kicks at night aren't really enough to wake me up (or maybe I'm so exhausted and out cold my body doesn't care to alert me anymore haha) But during the day I find myself often saying "oof" or looking down at my belly and saying "you behave in there!" It's so surreal and weird feeling to have a moving human in there. Oh! Something new this week though: you can see very clearly his movements and kicks/hiccups when you look at my belly as he does it. It can creep me out sometimes and if I do watch while he moves I usually look up with my jaw wide open like "SO WEIRD". But like I said, cool at the same time.
I did gain a little bit of weight this week. I am now 157 pounds. On some days it drops to 154 again, but since baby is growing so rapidly there will be no escaping some weight gain. I might just get back up to my pre pregnancy weight at the end of my pregnancy haha.
I've had dreams about being in labor with our son the past 3 nights in a row. I can't remember before that this week, but I know that when I'm not dreaming of being in labor I usually dream about having him home and holding him. I'm so excited to meet him. We started our baby registry stuff and I was just ecstatic to be choosing the things we will be bringing our son home in, the things he will sleep in and with, clothes, cloth diapers. It's so exciting. But we still have 119 days until my due date.I'm stoked to be going in to week 23, because it means 17 more weeks until my due date.
Anyway, I have a doctors appointment this week on Wednesday. I think another ultrasound is happening because of partial previa (if I haven't mentioned it before, it's where the placenta is either partially or entirely covering the cervix. This little condition may keep me from having a natural birth. But since mine is only partial and only needs to move a little tiny bit out of the way, I should be fine.) - they are going to check on development of our boy I think but mainly on where the placenta is deciding to be. The next visit I think is two weeks after that with an ultrasound and I think it's the dreaded blood test appointment for Gestational Diabetes. Ick.
Monday, September 7, 2015
21 weeks
This week, eyebrows and eyelids are now present.
Corry has been able to feel almost all kicks and even some movements. I read something this week that said some of the jerking movements I feel might be baby having hiccups. Isn't that cool? I don't know why but I think it's another really cool thing that helps me be connected to our son and helps me realize how real this is. Sometimes I have moments of self awareness where I'm like "holy crud, I'm pregnant". Maybe I'm not using that term right, but I don't know how else to describe it. It's a cool feeling.
This week I decided to redo that little questionnaire I did back on the week 16. Since today is my last day of being 21 weeks I think it's accurate enough to answer how things are for me up to today.
How far along?
21 weeks, 6 days
Total weight gain/loss: Started my pregnancy at 175, now 155. But that's +4 pounds from the lowest weight I've been during this pregnancy.
Total weight gain/loss: Started my pregnancy at 175, now 155. But that's +4 pounds from the lowest weight I've been during this pregnancy.
Maternity clothes? I
have a few and they are the most comfortable thing to wear now. My dad's
wonderful fiance helped me order some online and they bought them for me, which
is so wonderful and kind of them. Also got a couple belly bands, which will be
awesome to have.
Stretch marks? Still no stretch marks on my belly even though it is huge. I eat a ton of vitamin C and drink tons of water, and my doctor says that’s probably what’s keeping me from getting stretch marks.
Sleep: Not much this week. I have been getting these monster hot flashes every night and it’s a little uncomfortable to sleep with my big belly.
Best moment this week: Having an entire half day where I had no nausea. It was awesome.
Have you told family and friends: Yes- announced to close family April 31st, announced to more family a few days after. Announced to facebook on Mother's Day.
Stretch marks? Still no stretch marks on my belly even though it is huge. I eat a ton of vitamin C and drink tons of water, and my doctor says that’s probably what’s keeping me from getting stretch marks.
Sleep: Not much this week. I have been getting these monster hot flashes every night and it’s a little uncomfortable to sleep with my big belly.
Best moment this week: Having an entire half day where I had no nausea. It was awesome.
Have you told family and friends: Yes- announced to close family April 31st, announced to more family a few days after. Announced to facebook on Mother's Day.
Movement:
Lots of big kicks, especially when I stand up and walk.
Food cravings: yogurt with granola, pineapple juice, and craisins
Anything making you queasy or sick: The thought of garlic or onion, dark green veggies, and the smell of marijuana. Disgusting.
Have you started to show yet: Yep, and a stranger who didn’t know I was pregnant asked when I am due. The belly is obviously not a food baby gut anymore haha.
Leakage: Super awkward question… but yeah. It happens when you have a tiny human who likes to use your bladder as part of his hourly kick boxing routine haha.
Gender prediction: It’s a boy J
Food cravings: yogurt with granola, pineapple juice, and craisins
Anything making you queasy or sick: The thought of garlic or onion, dark green veggies, and the smell of marijuana. Disgusting.
Have you started to show yet: Yep, and a stranger who didn’t know I was pregnant asked when I am due. The belly is obviously not a food baby gut anymore haha.
Leakage: Super awkward question… but yeah. It happens when you have a tiny human who likes to use your bladder as part of his hourly kick boxing routine haha.
Gender prediction: It’s a boy J
Labor Signs: I get some gnarly Braxton hicks contractions,
but they’re really not labor signs. They’re just getting me ready for labor.
Belly Button in or out? It's still halfway out. I’m
not sure it will be an outie.
Wedding rings on or off? Finally able to wear both of my rings again, and I am thrilled. J
Happy or Moody most of the time: I’ve been mostly happy this week, but there are times in the morning where I am very moody. That’s mostly because of my mood swings that come with the morning sickness.
Weekly Wisdom: It’s probably best to wear panty liners when you hit 20 weeks…
Milestones: Learned how to roll out of bed without rolling on my belly or sitting up and causing cramps.
Wedding rings on or off? Finally able to wear both of my rings again, and I am thrilled. J
Happy or Moody most of the time: I’ve been mostly happy this week, but there are times in the morning where I am very moody. That’s mostly because of my mood swings that come with the morning sickness.
Weekly Wisdom: It’s probably best to wear panty liners when you hit 20 weeks…
Milestones: Learned how to roll out of bed without rolling on my belly or sitting up and causing cramps.
So, there it is. The end of week 21. It started to feel like Autumn this week and we got some much needed rain here. The slightly colder temperatures have been helpful for my hot flashes. Not a totally eventful week, but still a good one where I managed to stay out of the hospital. :)
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