Not How I Intended My Evening To Go...

We are all fine. Baby Girl, the hubs, and I are all fine. Heck, we weren't even in or near the vehicle when it happened. In fact, it was sitting in front of our house when it happened. No one near or around it...other than the other driver.

What happened you ask...Well, I wish I could tell you. We don't even know what happened to our Tahoe. The hubs and I were heading out to do our respective errands when we saw it. I was the first to hit the top of the driveway and noticed our Tahoe looking a little funny, but I just thought that the hubs had left the back hatch open. Little did I know that our car had been hit by something.

By what? We don't know. By whom? We don't know. There was no note. No one came to tell us what happened. Nothing. They hit our car and left. A hit and run. I think that's what breaks my heart the most. Someone did major damage to our vehicle and then left as if nothing was the matter. I mean, what happened to honest people? I know they're out there. I know there is good in this world, but this is heartbreaking to me. How hard is it to own up to something that you did? When I called our insurance, the lady taking our claim said that this wasn't uncommon. It happened more often than you would think. People just don't think it's necessary to own up to anything anymore.

Unfortunately, there's nothing more that we can do. We filed a police report and a claim with our insurance, so now it's a waiting game for the insurance adjuster to come out and assess the damage. Hopefully, it won't take too long. But it's now out of our hands. I'm just thankful that it was just a car. It could have been me, the hubs, or Baby Girl. I'd gladly take damage to an empty car over someone getting hurt any day. And this damage can be repaired without costing us a thing (or at least it should). So tonight I am thankful, thankful that it was just a car and no one that I love.

Merry Christmas and 37 Week Update!

(our internet has been spotty over the past few days and things have been crazy with the holidays, but better late than never...)

It's hard to believe that next year we will be a family of three celebrating Christmas. It's quite unreal, actually. But we couldn't be more excited!

We're ready for Baby Girl to be here and can't wait to meet her! Now to spend the next week of vacation cleaning and organizing and getting ready for our newest member to join us!

(my 37 week, Christmas day bump)

How far along: 37 weeks! She's full term!

Trimester: Third and final trimester!!!!! 

Baby size: Watermelon - somewhere between 19 and 22 inches, over 7 lbs possibly...I'm guessing right now. Haha

Toes: What toes? I have toes?!

Gender: BABY GIRL!

Movement: This girl still loves to move! Now it feels like my stomach is being kneaded on the inside. She is constantly on the move!

Cravings: Anything sweet and peppermint, but I guess it has to do with the season

Aversions: I tried chicken again...I nearly threw up. It was horrible. No thank you.

Nausea/Morning sickness: No more! Just tired now, and constantly out of breath. Round ligament pain, itchy and stretchy skin, heartburn, acid re-flux, some slight dizziness, and hip and back pain, but nothing to complain about :) Also, I'm beginning to experience Braxton Hicks contractions, which are getting more and more frequent.

Maternity clothes: Yes...however, I'm getting to the point where nothing fits, only my leggings. It's nice that I'm on break right now and don't really have to get dressed for any particular reason. So right now I'm living in the hubs's pajama pants.

Best moment of the week: Christmas was so special this year. It was our last one as a family of two. We got to enjoy each other and dream about what Christmas will be like next year.

What I'm looking forward to: This girl getting here! Her due date is 2 and a half weeks away and I'm anxious for her arrival! 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Christmastime is my favorite time of the year. I love the holiday cheer, the decorating, and time with family. This holiday season has been different. I'm a day away from being 37 weeks pregnant. Full term. So this holiday season has been a lot more stressful. I haven't been able to do as much as I would have liked, but we've still gotten things up around the house. We went in search of a tree and the hubs {my hero} put in an electrical outlet outside so that we can actually have lights outside this year! 

Here are a few pictures from our decorations around the house. Sorry if you're a follower on instagram, these pictures are repeats. If you're not a follower, come check me out @ awood009.

Our icicle lights outside. We added some more lights around the door. 

We added Baby Girl's stocking just in case she decided to come before Christmas. 

Baby Girl got her daddy a little gift :)

36 Weeks...Wait...What?!

It's official! We're in our 9th month of pregnancy! Just four more weeks until my little girl is "scheduled" to arrive! Some people however are predicting that she'll come early, I however think she'll be late (you can vote for what you think in my poll on the right side of the blog). 

This past weekend we did a maternity shoot. We'll call this "part 1" as it was pouring the entire time. But it allowed us to get creative with our shots and locations and I love how the photos came out! One of my best friends, Hannah, took the pictures. She's so talented and I'm so lucky to have her as a friend! Here's a sneak preview of the pictures we had done:

How far along: 36 weeks! 1 month left!

Trimester: Third and final trimester!!!!! And final month!

Baby size: Watermelon - somewhere between 19 and 22 inches, over 6 lbs (probably closer to 7...who knows)

Toes: What toes? I have toes?!

Gender: BABY GIRL!

Movement: This girl still loves to move! Now it feels like my stomach is being kneaded on the inside. She is constantly on the move!

Cravings: Anything sweet and peppermint, but I guess it has to do with the season

Aversions: I tried chicken again...I nearly threw up. It was horrible. No thank you.

Nausea/Morning sickness: No more! Just tired now, and constantly out of breath. Round ligament pain, itchy and stretchy skin, heartburn, acid re-flux, some slight dizziness, and hip and back pain, but nothing to complain about :) Also, I'm beginning to experience Braxton Hicks contractions, which are getting more and more frequent.

Maternity clothes: Yes yes and yes. I love them. I'm definitely one of those women who is proud to wear my maternity pants. They're just too comfortable to pass up.

Best moment of the week: My work threw me and baby girl a shower last week and it was so special! I'm so blessed to be working with some of the sweetest people on earth! As of now, there are 4 of us pregnant (and 1 just got back from maternity leave) so it's a wash full of hormones, but I love it!

What I'm looking forward to: One more day until Christmas break! And my little brother is graduating from college this week! My little baby's all grown up and graduating college ;)

Birth Plans and Hospital Bags

I'm getting to the point where I should be getting things in order for "the big day." Less that 5 weeks until her due date, and all we have is the car seat in the car. I don't have a single bag packed, for myself or for the baby. I had lists made up, in fact, I had the list made up about a month ago, but that was about it. Here is what I have for my list:

Packing for the Baby:

• Swaddle blankets/baby blanket
• Going home outfit
• Mittens
• Nail clippers
• Vaseline
• 3 outfits (newborn and 0-3 months)
• Wipes
• Nasal aspirator
• Newborn Diapers
• Socks
• Hat

That's the list I've come up with for baby girl's bag. After our hospital tour, I've come up with a new list. The items I've crossed off are the ones that the hospital said they provided. They also provide diapers, mittens, and socks, but I decided to bring those anyway. *Baby girl's bag is officially packed and ready to go!*

Packing for Mom:

• Robe
• Slippers/flip flops
• Non-skid socks
• Camera/Camera charger
• Boppy
• Shampoo/toothbrush/toothpaste/deodorant (travel size)
• iPhone/iPhone charger
• Chapstick
• Nursing tank tops/outfits
• Snacks for Daddy
• Going home outfit
• Towels
• Pillow
• Lanolin cream
• Chocolate
• Granny panties
• Sports bras/nursing bras
• Baggy pajamas
• Tennis ball
• Laptop (maybe)
• Change for vending machines
• Pads
• Additional tote for freebies
• Cookies for nurses

This is the list for me. Too much? Probably. But as the Boy Scout saying goes: "Always be prepared." Plus, my husband is a big fan of over packing. I just think that I'd rather have everything there with me, so that I have it just in case. My bag is not packed though, nor is it close to being packed. I need to get on that though...I've been cramping a lot today, which just means we're one step closer to her being here!

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Speaking of her getting here, people have constantly asked me about my birthing plan. All the websites and books say to make one and write it down. To "be specific" about what you want and then to have multiple copies so that everyone dealing with your delivery will know and honor your birthing plan. I've put a lot of prayer and thought into my own personal birthing plan. In the end, this is what I came up with:

Birthing Plan

•  Have a healthy baby

That's it. That's the extent of my birth plan. I would like to be able to have a natural childbirth, but seeing as I've never had a child before, I don't know how my body is going to react. I have faith that God created and equipped my body for childbirth, and that's what I'm relying on. But I'm not set on having a drug-free labor and delivery. If it's better for me and the baby, then I will have the drugs. I just want my baby here and healthy. Like I said, I would love to have a natural childbirth, and for now that is the plan...but I will do whatever it takes to get my baby here safe and sound.

35 Weeks! Getting down to the wire!

How far along: 35 weeks! Only 5 more to go! (Hyperventilating now)

Trimester: Third and final trimester!!!!!

Baby size: Honeydew melon - over 18 inches long and most likely tipping the scales at 6 lbs by now!

Toes: What toes? I have toes?!

Gender: BABY GIRL!

Movement: This girl still loves to move! Especially when music is playing! It makes me smile. I can't wait to sign her up for her first ballet class!

Cravings: I want a Chik-Fil-A peppermint milkshake and Arby's curly fries please and thank you.

Aversions: I tried chicken again...I nearly threw up. It was horrible. No thank you.

Nausea/Morning sickness: No more! Just tired now, and constantly out of breath. Round ligament pain, itchy and stretchy skin, heartburn, acid re-flux, some slight dizziness, and hip and back pain, but nothing to complain about :) Also, I'm beginning to experience Braxton Hicks contractions.

Maternity clothes: Yes yes and yes. I love them. I'm definitely one of those women who is proud to wear my maternity pants. They're just too comfortable to pass up.

Best moment of the week: We got our stroller! Is that sad that I'm super excited about it? We got a City Mini GT by Baby Jogger and I'm already in love with it!

What I'm looking forward to: I'm starting those weekly doctor's visits! That means we're really getting close! Also, Christmas is just 2 weeks away! And I'll be officially full term the week of Christmas! So much craziness!

Truer Words

were never spoken...

There are so many times that I just don't feel well. I'm tired, I'm sore, I feel like a beached whale. But despite all of that, I've never been happier. I do love being pregnant. And even though I may complain, as of right now, I'd gladly do it all over again! Of course, we'll see how I feel after labor and delivery ;) but I have a feeling that won't change my feelings on the matter. 

Due dates

Well, praise the Lord, my due date hasn't changed! We went in for our measurement ultrasound this morning to see how big my little girl is growing. I was nervous that they would change her due date or say that she needed to come earlier than we had already "planned" on (I used the word "planned" lightly as I know baby girl can come anytime from now until two weeks after her scheduled due date). But I have my heart set on her coming later than scheduled (it has to do with when and for how long I have to go back to work before summer break). So for now she's still predicted to come January 14th. 

So the hubs and I get to the appointment early this morning and head right back with the ultrasound tech. She got us set up and started looking at our little girl. Immediately we find that she is head down and in position for whenever the time may be that she decides to come to the world (YAY! Such a relief!). Then she went to measuring her. First, we discover that she has short legs...Sounds a lot like her mommy! I'm only about 5'0" maybe 5'1" and the women on my side of the family aren't much taller. So, short legs run in the family :) Then we took a look at her belly. Well, she's got a big belly. It just made me chuckle. I'm definitely okay with a chubby belly. Chubby babies are the cutest! Lastly, we looked at her head and it looks like she has a big head too! So big belly and big head (and cute chubby cheeks!). Ouch is all I could think the moment when we were told about her head measurements. The ultrasound tech continued to take measurements and then calculated everything together and everything looks great! She's measuring just a little big, about a week early, but nothing out of the ordinary! As of now she's somewhere between 5 lbs and 5 lbs 8 oz. 

This is a complete answer to prayers. I still have no idea when she'll get here, I'm just thankful that it won't be scheduled early and that she will be allowed to come when she's ready. Of course, things could always change, but for now I choose to dwell on the positive and for now...she's right on track!

33 Weeks!

I know I'm multiple weeks behind on this pregnancy update. Things have just been crazy around here. I can't really put my finger on all that's exactly gone on, I just know things have been crazy. Ever get that feeling?

How far along: 33 weeks! Only 7 more to go!

Trimester: Third and final trimester!!!!!

Baby size: Pineapple - somewhere over 17 inches and between 4 and 5 pounds, we have an ultrasound scheduled for Wednesday to see a more "accurate" reading on how big she is

Toes: What toes? I have toes?!

Gender: BABY GIRL!

Movement: This girl still loves to move! Especially when music is playing! It makes me smile. I can't wait to sign her up for her first ballet class!

Cravings: Food. Please. Food. I just need food! My sweet tooth has picked up, though it could be because there are so many yummy sweet treats that are fall-iscious. Right now I want a milkshake.

Aversions: I tried chicken again...I nearly threw up. It was horrible. No thank you.

Nausea/Morning sickness: No more! Just tired now, and constantly out of breath. Round ligament pain, itchy and stretchy skin, heartburn, acid re-flux, some slight dizziness, and hip and back pain, but nothing to complain about :) Also, I'm beginning to experience Braxton Hicks contractions.

Maternity clothes: Yes yes and yes. I love them. I'm definitely one of those women who is proud to wear my maternity pants. They're just too comfortable to pass up.

Best moment of the week: We got our Christmas tree and Christmas decorations up this week! All I could think about is how  different the next holiday season will be. I'm so excited to share all the joy and excitement with our little girl!

What I'm looking forward to: Seeing her again in just a couple of days. We have a scheduled ultrasound because I'm measuring big. I've been saying she'll be a big girl, so I'm anxious to see just how big she is!

Also, there's a new poll! People have been telling my all sorts of things about when this little girl will come. What do y'all think? Will she be early? Will she be late? Will she be right on time?

Happy Thanksgiving!

From our growing family to yours...I hope your day has been wonderful and full of family and tradition.

Off Grid

These past few weeks have been kinda chaotic. I don't really know what all has been going on, I just know that they've been crazy. So I've fallen off the wagon. Here are a few pictures and updates from instagram (you can follow me @ awood009) 

We got the car seat installed! I know I'm only 32 weeks and this might be a little too early to get things done, but I'd rather have it ready in case anything happens!

Impromptu 32 week photo session (we were taking pictures for our thank you cards)

My car seat canopy came in the mail! I got a GREAT deal on this and couldn't be more thrilled with the way it turned out!

We started off our vacation with waffles!

My 31 week bump!

Going through clothes for my baby girl :)

A gift from wonderful friends! I love the sock monkey bottom and booties!

My best friend threw me the best baby shower ever! I'm so lucky to have all these wonderful people in my life and they already love our little girl so so much! Also, me at 30 weeks!

Hopefully I'll get into the swing of things once things settle down. Of course, with the holidays coming up there's not telling what could happen. All I know is that this week is a week for the hubs and I to nest and decorate and spend time together.

Happy {late} Halloween!

From Thing 1 and Thing 2!

Or am I Katy Perry? You pick.

29 Weeks!!

How far along: 29 weeks !

Trimester: Third and final trimester!!!!!

Baby size: Cucumber - 17 inches and almost 3 lbs!!

Toes: They're getting harder and harder to see every day. Also, I have to get the hubs to help me put on my socks. I can barely reach my feet!

Gender: BABY GIRL!

Movement: This girl loves to move! Especially when music is playing! It makes me smile. I can't wait to sign her up for her first ballet class!

Cravings: Food. Please. Food. I just need food! My sweet tooth has picked up, though it could be because there are so many yummy sweet treats that are fall-iscious. Right now I want a milkshake.

Aversions: I tried chicken again...I nearly threw up. It was horrible. No thank you.

Nausea/Morning sickness: No more! Just tired now, and constantly out of breath. Round ligament pain, itchy and stretchy skin, heartburn, acid re-flux, some slight dizziness, and hip and back pain, but nothing to complain about :) Also, I'm beginning to experience Braxton Hicks contractions.

Maternity clothes: Yes yes and yes. I love them. I'm definitely one of those women who is proud to wear my maternity pants. They're just too comfortable to pass up.

Best moment of the week: You have been moving up a storm lately and I'm loving it! You're daddy has been enjoying it lately too! It's been awesome! Also, the weather has cooled off and I'm loving it!

What I'm looking forward to: Is it too far away to say that I'm looking forward Thanksgiving? I'm looking forward to having the week off and being able to spend it with the hubs.

Life's a Roller Coaster Ride

Remember this:

The first glucose test I failed. You can read about that here.

So I had to take the test again. Well this time, it took a couple of days for my doctors to get back to me about whether or not I passed or failed the test. This was unlike the first one where I got the call immediately saying I failed and my glucose level was high. So I assumed all was well. But I kept calling and calling my doctors trying to get the results. When I finally got a hold of them, they told me 2 out of the 3 tests showed that my glucose levels were elevated and I needed to go see a diabetes education specialist. 

I. Freaked. Out.

This was not something I needed. On top of everything else that has been going on (our house is being overrun by bugs, I swear), I didn't need any added stress. Plus, I didn't know what else I was going to do. I'm already on such a restricted diet because of gluten intolerance. Needless to say, I was stressed. I feared the worse. Bring on the insulin shots. That was my motto. 

It was at this moment that I realized God was giving me more than I could handle. I was mad. I was bitter. I was sad. I was grieving. I was an emotional wreck. I couldn't handle this. Not on my own. I was struggling with all my feelings under the sun. I wanted to throw something. Punch something. Anything. How could I have gestational diabetes? I didn't have any of the symptoms and I wasn't a high risk factor. So how could I have this? My biggest concern was that my baby girl would get too big and would have to be taken early. I did not and don't want my baby girl any earlier than she's supposed to be here. I couldn't handle what was going on.

It was in that moment that I learned that I couldn't do it alone. I needed to lean heavily on God and His strength. I wasn't going to be able to get through this stress by myself. Not with all of the worrying I was doing and the dreading I was doing about the future. God tells us not to worry about the future, but that was exactly what I was doing. I was worrying about things that weren't in my control. But they were (and are) in God's control. He alone can handle anything that is thrown my way. He can help me get through whatever mud is in the road. It's when I remembered hearing this song:

It really struck a chord with me yesterday. I had fallen hard and I was hurting. But God, who is in me and gives me strength will get me through this. I've had to meditate on this all day today. Especially with the appointment at the diabetes education center looming ahead.

So I went to my appointment today prepared for the worst. But God doesn't want the worst for us. In fact, He wants the best for us because He loves us. That was proven to me today. The lady who was directing the class asked if we wanted to see the results from our screening. She pulled mine and the girl's who was taking the class with me. When she got the results for us, she was puzzled at why I was even there. According to national standards, my blood tests weren't even high! They were within the normal range!! Just the doctor who I go to goes by a stricter scale. So really, there's nothing for me to worry about! I don't have to really change my diet or anything like that! I do have to monitor my blood sugar, but that shouldn't be bad, and if things are okay then I might even get to stop doing that!

How is that for a God who has my best at heart! He took care of me and my little girl and made sure that everything was going to be okay!

So as of now, everything is okay. Baby girl and I are okay. We'll still have to monitor her most likely to make sure she isn't getting too big. But that just means we get some more pictures of her. 

God has really taken this scary situation and worked it in His favor. He is my strength and He is the One who got me through this.

28 Weeks!

How far along: 28 weeks !

Trimester: Third and final trimester!!!!!

Baby size: Cucumber - 17 inches and just over 2.5 pounds!

Toes: They're getting harder and harder to see every day.

Gender: BABY GIRL!

Movement: This girl loves to move! Especially when music is playing! It makes me smile. I can't wait to sign her up for her first ballet class!

Cravings: Food. Please. Food. I just need food! My sweet tooth has picked up, though it could be because there are so many yummy sweet treats that are fall-iscious.

Aversions: I tried chicken again...I nearly threw up. It was horrible. No thank you.

Nausea/Morning sickness: No more! Just tired now, and constantly out of breath. Round ligament pain, itchy and stretchy skin, heartburn, acid re-flux, some slight dizziness, and hip and back pain, but nothing to complain about :) Also, I'm beginning to experience Braxton Hicks contractions.

Maternity clothes: Yes yes and yes. I love them. I'm definitely one of those women who is proud to wear my maternity pants. They're just too comfortable to pass up.

Best moment of the week: We got some new things for you! Well, knew to us. We got your swing, some bouncies, and the most adorable clothes! I'm so excited for her to gt here and share them with her!

What I'm looking forward to: Is it too far away to say that I'm looking forward Thanksgiving? I'm looking forward to having the week off and being able to spend it with the hubs.

Well, I failed the one hour glucose test and I'm waiting to hear back about the three hour. I went and had that done yesterday, so I should be hearing about it sooner than later. Last time, they called me immediately when I failed. So I guess the longer it takes them to call me, the chances of me passing grow. At least that's the way I'm going to look at it. Optimism is key right?

It's just not that easy

Well, my glucose screening was yesterday. I failed. It kinda makes me laugh right now. It's just one more thing that I have to worry about. Not that I'm truly worried about it. Everyone I've talked to has told me that they didn't pass and it's nothing to worry about. So, on that note, I'm trying my best not to worry. It does however mean that I have to take the 3 hour test. Maybe, because I have three hours to kill while they draw my blood, the hubs will let me get a new book. I don't know if he will, but it'll be worth the try. No, I'm not too ashamed to play the pity card for a new book. And the newest one in a series I've been reading came out earlier this month! Here's hoping he'll let me get it.

Cuddles

Today has been a rough day and all I want to do right now is cuddle with my baby girl. Unfortunately, I've got 13 more weeks until that is possible. That is if she comes on her due date. I just want her to know that she is loved and cared for. I tell her every day that I love her and give her belly hugs and she rewards me with kicks and punches. But I want to cover her in kisses and snuggles. I'll have to wait though, and that is okay. As the hubs says, "She's not done cooking yet." He's right of course. I want her to finish "cooking" but that doesn't lessen my desire to hold her and love on her.

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Doesn't cuddling just look divine? 

27 Weeks!

How far along: 27 weeks !

Trimester: Last month of the Second Trimester!!!

Baby size: Cucumber - 15 inches and just over 2 pounds!

Toes: They're getting harder and harder to see every day.

Gender: BABY GIRL!

Movement: This girl loves to move! Well, as long as no one wants to feel her move. The instant a hand goes to my belly she stops. I can feel her laughing at the disappointment others have felt.

Cravings: Food. Please. Food. I just need food! My sweet tooth has picked up, though it could be because there are so many yummy sweet treats that are fall-iscious.

Aversions: I tried chicken again...I nearly threw up. It was horrible. No thank you.

Nausea/Morning sickness: No more! Just tired now, and constantly out of breath. Round ligament pain, itchy and stretchy skin, heartburn, acid re-flux, some slight dizziness, and hip and back pain, but nothing to complain about :) Also, I'm beginning to experience Braxton Hicks contractions.

Maternity clothes: Yes yes and yes. I love them. I'm definitely one of those women who is proud to wear my maternity pants. They're just too comfortable to pass up.

Best moment of the week: We got to hang out with friends this weekend and go to the Apple Festival in Ellijay. It was a beautiful day and we had lots of fun!

What I'm [not] looking forward to: Glucose test is this Wednesday. Yucky.

So I'm leaving the second trimester and entering the third. Rather, it feels like I'm getting kicked out of the second trimester and the third is coming on with vengeance. Nausea is starting to come back. But I'm fighting it with tooth and nails. Less than 3 months until my baby girl is here!! I can't wait!!