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Showing posts with label pregnancy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pregnancy. Show all posts

03 July 2014

A New Bump-date!


I am currently (almost) 32 weeks. I think now I've reached the "whale" stage, and I still have 8 weeks (+) to go! I'm living in maternity clothes, gym shorts, and the hubs's t-shirts. It's summer in the south, so you do what you gotta do. 

Last week, I pulled a muscle in my abdomen. I don't know how. Probably rolling over at night. How sad is that?! Oh the joys of pregnancy. It made life pretty difficult for a while. Everything hurt. And it soon became little guy's favorite kicking spot. My midwife checked it out and informed me that his feet were all in the muscle. And what made it better was that was the side that I carry Bug on. Picking her up and holding her became another act after that. But luckily it has healed and I am back to full (as full as pregnant women get) mobility.

This pregnancy is flying by! It's hard to believe my due date is next month! When did that happen?! Of course, I'm taking bets on whether this guy will be early or late. I'm thinking he'll be late like his big sister, which will make him a September baby. I think my mom is hoping he'll come on her birthday (September 3rd). I personally am just ready to meet him! 

It comes in waves that we're having a little boy. I think our family is so conditioned to little girls, that we won't know what to do with a little boy! I know these are normal feelings of anxiety, but it still hits every once-in-a-while. We've got almost everything. I just have to go pick up our swing and some more clothes from some friends of ours, and then we'll have everything. But as far getting everything ready here...that's another story. Bug's room is still a mess and nowhere near set up for her brother to come. She's also still in her crib. We've decided to skip the toddler bed and go straight to the twin bed. Right now we're on the lookout for an inexpensive twin mattress. Hopefully, switching her to a twin bed will go better than switching her to the toddler bed did.

Anyway, enough rambling from me. Don't forget about the two awesome giveaways that I'm hosting/co-hosting! You can check them out here and here.

20 May 2014

Mother's Day and a Bump-date!

This Mother's Day started off with a few hitches. We were supposed to camp Saturday-Tuesday. But due to weather and a certain little Bug our camping trip was postponed until Sunday.

Then we get to our campsite. The hubs gets there first and starts setting up. Bug and I aren't far behind. We finally get there with the rest of our stuff and start unloading. Bug misses the majority her nap, so she's not the happiest. As we're setting up, Bug is exploring. She's walking right beside me and missing a step and trips up onto the concrete driveway. Lands face first...Blood everywhere. It was horrible and we're still dealing with the side effects of said fall. It was brutal and it still breaks my heart. 

So that set this mama's stress level through the roof. Not the best start to Mother's Day. 

But things got better. We had two beautiful days and one night at the campsite. We didn't end up staying Monday night just with the way Bug was feeling. But we did enjoy the time we had.


A must for any camping trip: a kiddie pool! We used it while we were setting up (after the fall) and just put her toys in there and had her hang out in there without water while we busied ourselves. Then we were able to bring it by the lake and fill it up for her to splash around in. She's definitely a water bug!


She got her own camping chair for the trip and loved it! This was after the fall and you would have no idea that she was hurt there. Also, note the phone in her hand...she's a talker too. It must be a girl thing.


That tongue! I just can't get enough!


This girl made me a mommy and I am so lucky to have her as my daughter.


Where our site was must have been duck central. These two (husband and wife as we later found out) kept coming over to us. Our poor dog hated it. But Bug loved watching them.

Oh baby baby: 25 Week Bump-date!

I'm actually 24 weeks in this picture.

How far along: 25 Weeks

Trimester: 2nd 

Baby size: Rutabaga

Toes: It's sad, but they're getting harder to see every day!

Gender: BOY! It's still hard to believe...

Movement: He is a mover and a shaker!

Cravings: Spinach?

Aversions: My aversions are starting to change daily. 

Symptoms: Heartburn and hip pain is the worst.

Maternity clothes: There is nothing wrong with maternity clothes and I will proudly wear them. Baby has nowhere to go except out and my pants just don't fit anymore.

Best moment of the week: It's actually been a rough week. Bug got an infection from her fall and now has hand, foot, and mouth. It's been brutal and I'm ready for things to get back to normal!

What I'm looking forward to: The beach in just a few weeks.


07 May 2014

Our Journey to Homebirth


I've been writing and rewriting this post for a while now. I really just don't know how to get this post started. It's not that I'm ashamed and scared that we're doing a homebirth, I'm actually quite excited, and it's probably that excitement that keeps me from getting my thoughts together.

This decision does not come out of the blue for me. I wanted a homebirth with Bug, but the hubs was not comfortable at all with that. So to the hospital we went. I am happy with my hospital birth, but it didn't go at all like I "planned" and really just wasn't comfortable there. Also, I would claim that I had "first time mom glasses" on. Everything was rose colored and I didn't  really know better. So when we got pregnant this time we went straight to the same OB we used with Bug and got the ball rolling (so to speak).

But something was different this time. I didn't have my "first time mom glasses" on anymore. I noticed that the practice was treating me differently now that I had been there done that. Something just didn't feel right. I started to entertain the thought of finding a midwife and having a homebirth. At first the hubs was against it again. He wanted to go with a hospital birth again. It was easy. It was safe. But it was no longer what I wanted.

There's a lot more emotion that goes into pregnancy and birth than you would think. And I wanted more. I wanted more support. Someone I could be friends with and trust and love to deliver my baby. I wanted someone who would support me completely, not a bunch of nurses in a white sterile environment. I wanted someone who I could trust completely to do what was best for me and my baby. And I didn't feel like I was getting that from my OB.

After talking with my husband, and my best friend who just delivered her first baby at home, I started researching midwives in the area. My wish was that I would find a Christian midwife that believes what I believe to deliver my baby. But Christian midwives are hard to come by! So we interviewed a midwife from the area, but there was something off. We just didn't click and the hubs was hesitant. The best thing that came from the interview was that the hubs was fully on board with a homebirth. But he still wanted to see who we could find. Through searching some more and a call to another midwife, I find that she's booked for my due date so we couldn't go with her, we find Margaret. God was looking out for us when He led us to her. She is everything we wanted in a midwife. And the best thing, the hubs is comfortable and likes her too!

So yes, halfway through my pregnancy, we made the switch from OB to midwife; from hospital birth to water birth at home. And you know what? I couldn't be more excited about it! I feel a different anticipation and a different excitement surrounding this pregnancy and birth. It feels so much calmer and filled with less anxiety.

This is our journey to homebirth and I'm excited to share it with y'all. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask! I'd love to do a question and answer post, so if you have a question feel free to email me at beautifulfamilyaffairs{at}gmail{dot}com.

30 April 2014

Surviving the First Trimester with a Little One

Those two pink lines are game changing. When we first saw them with Bug, we were beyond ecstatic. And very nervous. This was a new thing for us. Something we had never gone through before. A new chapter was opening. 

image source: Wikipedia

Fast forward 18 months later, two more pink lines appear. We are once again ecstatic and so excited! Bug was going to be a big sister! But we weren't nearly as nervous as we were the first time around. Unfortunately, those two pink lines didn't last and we lost our precious babe. We weren't going to give up hope and so we decided to keep trying.

The next month...two more pink lines show up on that stick! This time the emotions were raw. There was so much excitement and so much anxiety all wrapped up in those lines. So much anxiety in fact, that it took me a week to tell the hubs and even longer to share with my family. We were very cautious with our excitement. 

Weeks continued and my pregnancy progressed. With this progression came the beloved exhaustion and morning sickness - or should I say, all day sickness. At least that's how it was for me. It was brutal. Having a little one to chase around did not help the situation. 

Here are a few things that got me through my first trimester (and beyond...because it's taken forever to get over the morning sickness and get my energy back):

  • Nap when baby naps: Sound familiar? It holds true for being pregnant with a little one. If you have the opportunity to nap, take it! The chores can wait, it is important for you to get that sleep in!
  • Accept help: Sound familiar once again? I'm very blessed that my parents live not too far away. On my sickest of days, I was able to call them and they could come over and play with Bug for a little while to help me get over it.
  • Don't be ashamed of medicine: I personally hate taking medicine for anything. It's just who I am. But when I was offered Zofran, I jumped at the chance. It helped me a lot. Running after Bug is already hard, it's even harder when you're pregnant.
Most importantly...
  • Give yourself grace: Don't beat yourself up over the little things. It's okay to let it slide! You are now pulling triple duty: taking care of your little one running around, taking care of growing your baby, and taking care of you. Your body, mind, and spirit are being pulled three different ways. It's okay to let things go every once in a while and to turn down events and invitations as well.
I hope this helps anybody out there going through pregnancy again. I'm finally (at 22 weeks) starting to feel like myself. But it's moments that are few and far between. It doesn't help that Bug isn't sleep well at night now and is extra, extra clingy (which I have read can be a pregnancy side effect). I'm doing my best to enjoy every minute of this pregnancy just like I did with Bug, and I know that I'm very blessed that this little boy is happy and healthy and cooking just as he should be!

Now to get a certain Bug back to sleep (see what I mean? It's 9:30 and she's still not asleep right now...but at least she's not coughing!)

24 April 2014

Oh baby baby: 20/21 weeks

This picture was taken at 21 weeks on Easter!

First up: 20 Week update

How far along: 20 Weeks

Trimester: 2nd - halfway there!

Baby size: Banana

Toes: It's sad, but they're getting harder to see every day!

Gender: BOY!

Movement: This little guy is getting stronger everyday! I just love feeling his kicks and punches!

Cravings: Spinach?

Aversions: My aversions are starting to change daily. 

Symptoms: Heartburn and hip pain is the worst.

Maternity clothes: There is nothing wrong with maternity clothes and I will proudly wear them. Baby has nowhere to go except out and my pants just don't fit anymore.

Best moment of the week: Deciding on a midwife!

What I'm looking forward to: Anatomy scan (it got moved)

And now for 21 weeks (where I'm at currently!)

How far along: 21 Weeks

Trimester: 2nd - less than halfway there!

Baby size: Cantaloupe 

Toes: It's sad, but they're getting harder to see every day!

Gender: It's a...(scroll down to see!)

Movement: More kicks and punches and some rolls even! I'm starting to be able to see him move and the hubs is able to now feel him kick!

Cravings: Spinach and feta

Aversions: They're still changing daily.

Symptoms: Heartburn, hip pain, and it's becoming harder to sleep at night.

Maternity clothes: There is nothing wrong with maternity clothes and I will proudly wear them. Baby has nowhere to go except out and my pants just don't fit anymore.

Best moment of the week: Our anatomy scan and our first midwife appointment!

What I'm looking forward to: Nesting! I'm hoping to start tackling our room soon! 



17 April 2014

Oh baby baby: 19 weeks

American flag shirt: Motherhood two years ago

How far along: 19 Weeks (I'm a week behind)

Trimester: 2nd - and it's finally starting to feel like I'm actually in the second trimester!

Baby size: Mango 

Toes: It's sad, but they're getting harder to see every day!

Gender: BOY!

Movement: This little boy likes to kick his mommy, but doesn't like to let anybody else feel him kick, just like his sister.

Cravings: Anything salty, spicy, and spinach smoothies

Aversions: I can eat things, it just depends on the day. Oh! Salmon...there's an aversion for you.

Symptoms: Still exhausted, but it seems to be getting better. I am plagued by hip pain and charlie horses every once in a while, and if anyone has a good remedy for heartburn, I'd love to hear it!

Maternity clothes: There is nothing wrong with maternity clothes and I will proudly wear them. Baby has nowhere to go except out and my pants just don't fit anymore.

Best moment of the week: Getting to interview midwives!

What I'm looking forward to: At 19 weeks, I was looking forward to our second midwife interview (since then we have interviewed her...but that's for another blog post!)

02 April 2014

Oh baby baby: 18 weeks, it's a...


How far along: 18 Weeks

Trimester: 2nd - and it's finally starting to feel like I'm actually in the second trimester!

Baby size: Bell pepper 

Toes: It's sad, but they're getting harder to see every day!

Gender: It's a...(scroll down to see!)

Movement: I feel flutters! They're getting stronger and stronger every day!

Cravings: Anything salty, spicy, and not sweet.

Aversions: Eggs, chicken, most sweet things...I'm having to cut out coffee which breaks my heart, but it's tearing my stomach up. Of the sacrifices we have to make.

Symptoms: Still exhausted, but the nausea seems to be lessoning. I am plagued by hip pain and charlie horses every once in a while, and if anyone has a good remedy for heartburn, I'd love to hear it!

Maternity clothes: There is nothing wrong with maternity clothes and I will proudly wear them. Baby has nowhere to go except out and my pants just don't fit anymore.

Best moment of the week: Our gender reveal photo shoot! Thank you, Mandi! You are amazing!

What I'm looking forward to: Sharing our wonderful news with everyone on what we're having (for those who aren't following along on Facebook) and our meeting with a potential midwife on Monday!

The following pictures are done by Mandi of Making Memories Photography. If you are ever in the Atlanta area and are searching for an amazing photographer, she is the best! 


IT'S A BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
We are so excited and beyond thrilled to be adding a little "Buck" to our family. Here's to slugs and snails and puppy-dogs' tails!

To see more of our gender reveal please click here

My dress: Motherhood, two years ago (same dress I wore for Bug's gender reveal ironically enough) Bug's outfit: dress - Gap; headband - Because Pink Designs; shoes - Minnetonka

24 March 2014

Oh baby baby: 17 weeks


 mama bear sweatshirt: loved by hannah and eli

How far along: 17 Weeks

Trimester: 2nd - now where's that energy and morning sickness relief that's supposed to come along with this new trimester?

Baby size: Onion 

Toes: It's sad, but they're getting harder to see every day!

Gender: We know...but we're not telling! You'll have to wait until next week sometime!

Movement: I feel flutters! They're getting stronger and stronger every day!

Cravings: Anything salty, spicy, and not sweet.

Aversions: Eggs, chicken, most sweet things...I'm having to cut out coffee which breaks my heart, but it's tearing my stomach up. Of the sacrifices we have to make,

Symptoms: I'm still slightly nauseated, but I'm hoping the end is in sight. Growing pains have reared their ugly head and my hips are not very thankful for them. Holy heartburn. This kid better have some hair with all this heartburn I'm having. I'm no longer able to sleep on my right side because of it.

Maternity clothes: There is nothing wrong with maternity clothes and I will proudly wear them. Baby has nowhere to go except out and my pants just don't fit anymore.

Best moment of the week: Doctor appointment is Wednesday! I'm looking for hearing this little one's heartbeat and seeing how everything is going!

What I'm looking forward to: Everyone getting better. We've all been sick, and I'm just not a fan at all.


09 March 2014

Oh baby baby: 15 Weeks


First off, let me say that I can't believe I'm already doing these again. I guess these posts make this whole thing more real than before. Also, when did I hit 15 weeks?! I feel like I'm way behind because this pregnancy has been speeding by! However, I don't know if I'll be saying that come July and August.

How far along: 15 Weeks

Trimester: 2nd - now where's that energy and morning sickness relief that's supposed to come along with this new trimester?

Baby size: Naval orange! 

Toes: I better be able to see them, I haven't popped that much yet!

Gender: I have no idea. 

Movement: I feel flutters! They're getting stronger and stronger every day!

Cravings: Anything salty, spicy, and not sweet.

Aversions: Everything I craved with Bug.

Symptoms: Zofran is my friend. I don't have to take it every day, but there are some days that I wouldn't make it without it. Round ligament pain is common with any sudden movements or sneezing. This go around, I've had horrible sciatic pain. I'll be going strong and all of a sudden my left hip will go out. Some heartburn, only occasionally and I'm kind of starting to feel those Braxton Hicks contractions already! They scared me at first, but I found out they're pretty common.

Maternity clothes: There is nothing wrong with maternity clothes and I will proudly wear them. Baby has nowhere to go except out and my pants just don't fit anymore.

Best moment of the week: Setting up our elective ultrasound to find out if baby #2 is a boy or girl!

What I'm looking forward to: Our elective ultrasound!

This pregnancy has been a complete 180* than my pregnancy with Bug. I hope to get a post all about comparisons sooner than later, but it's true what they say: every pregnancy is different!


07 March 2014

Getting Back To It

Since December I know I've been here and there and everywhere, only posting randomly and without much content. For that I apologize. I feel like since I found out I was pregnant, things have been on a rocking roller coaster. Some great things. Some not so great things.

I feel like I'm getting out of the clouds. Finally, things are starting to settle down. I'm beginning to gain some energy here and there, but my nausea is still hit or miss. I guess there are good days and bad days with everyone, I just think pregnancy magnifies the good and the bad.

To top it all off, I've had the worst case of baby brain. I've had posts written out and had them all planned, only to either completely forget when I sit down to type or I fall asleep before I can write them down.

Starting Monday: pregnancy updates! I'll be 15 weeks and it's high time I get started on these things.

If you're curious as to what I've been up to, follow me on Instagram @alliw009


I know there is a light at the end of this tunnel. I just pray this "second trimester energy" thing isn't a myth. I remember it with Bug, but this time around it seems to be avoiding me!

24 February 2014

Rainbows

Rainbows are beautiful. They hold so much meaning. They signify a promise. They represent hope after a storm.

Just a few days before Christmas, we received our rainbow...


As I sit here typing this out, I'm terrified. Terrified that though everything seems right, something might be wrong and we'll lose this precious rainbow. But I trust God. He will give us the desires of our hearts and he is keeping our baby safe.  

So today marks week 13 (plus 1 day) and we are truly excited and feel so blessed to be pregnant once again!

07 February 2014

Old Wives Tales

Anyone who's been pregnant, been related to someone pregnant, known someone pregnant, or seen someone pregnant, know that there are many people out there who put stock into those Old Wives Tales.


When I was pregnant with Bug, so many people would take one look at me and tell me with 100% certainty that I was having a boy. I carried her right out front, and it really did look like I had a basketball under my shirt. When I told them, "nope, it's a girl" they would look at me in awe. They were so sure they had guessed correctly based on the simple way I was carrying.

I for one, don't put too much stock into the Old Wives Tales. They were hit or miss for me with Bug. Actually, most of them said boy. Clearly, they were very wrong.

How did the Old Wives Tales stand up to your pregnancy? Were they correct? Or dead wrong like they were with mine?

04 September 2013

Top 10 Reasons To Get Pregnant Right After Baby

10. You no longer need to cover up the belly. No more big t shirts or belly bands! You can let that bump shine once again!

9. Good excuse to indulge into those cravings, again. I can still use the excuse that I'm breastfeeding right?

8. You get your luxurious hair back. I don't know about y'all, but I'm tired of all that hair coming out all the time.

7. Good excuse for your forgetfulness. I'm still using the baby brain excuse, but pregnancy brain seems much more legit in my opinion.

6. The smells. You know you'll miss the smell of sour milk and poop when they're gone.

5. Pregnant women just look good. Being pregnant will hopefully cover up those dark circles under your eyes with all the glow-i-ness that occurs.

4.  Putting away the baby things can wait. Women (me included), get extremely emotional when putting away each different stage of clothes or toys. If you've got another bun in the oven, then you can just leave the toys where they lay and dream of the little one that will soon occupy them!

3. Forgetting things. I know we covered the excuse for forgetfulness, but if you have a baby relatively quickly after the first, then you don't have time to forget all the things with baby one and apply them to baby two (not that they'll work).

2. The dreaded periods. It was nice not having that friend come and visit for nine months, and then when it returns...it's unpredictable. If you're pregnant, you don't have to worry about any of that!

1. Who said you needed sleep? If you have another baby right away, you get all of your sleepless nights out of the way right off the bat! That way, just when you're getting used to sleeping again, you don't have a little bundle changing things up.


And for the record I'm not pregnant.

28 June 2013

A Letter To Mommies-to-Be



Dear Mommies-to-Be,

You are beautiful. Amidst swollen ankles, clothes that don't fit, and feeling like a mess. You are beautiful. I don't know how many times I can say it. You are beautiful. I know how being pregnant can mess with your self image. You are beautiful. Your body is changing and doing things that you had no idea it could do. You are beautiful. People may comment on how "you're glowing" and you may look at them with disdain. You are beautiful. You're body is doing amazing things, do you realize that? And you are beautiful. Do you get what I'm trying to say? You are beautiful.

Enjoy those last few weeks of those baby kicks and punches. They are wonderful. Yes, there are times that your little one just enjoys bouncing on your bladder sending you to the bathroom every five seconds and it seems to be driving you insane. Enjoy them. You will miss them when they are gone (and at least while they are in the womb, they're not leaving bruises from their ever continuing kicking you and discovering their new legs). Memorize those kicks and punches. They are special and they are wonderful. Enjoy them.

Don't worry about stretch marks. Don't stress about getting back to "pre-baby" weight. Enjoy what your body is doing. Don't wish the time away. Those last few weeks of pregnancy are precious. They are filled with anticipation and wonder, along with a bundle of nerves. Your life is never going to be the same. It is about to change for the better. Do you remember the Grinch and how his heart grew 2 sizes in one day? That will be your heart. You will hold your precious little one, and though you've already grown to love them, the instant they place that beautiful baby in your arms, your heart will grown exponentially.

Enjoy the last few weeks with your significant other. Love each other and dream about what is to come. Take those nesting instincts and run with them! It will be hard to get much done when the baby gets here. But that's okay.

And in case you forgot...You are beautiful. Cankles and all. You are so incredibly beautiful. I hope and pray you never forget that. You are beautiful.

Love,
Alli


07 May 2013

One Year Ago

One year ago today, I was staring down at this:


And telling the hubs like this:


And getting ready to celebrate here:


And took the first "I'm pregnant" picture and only slightly freaking out:


That was a year ago. 7 May 2012.
This is today. 7 May 2013.


It's amazing how things change in 1 year, and I wouldn't have it any other way!


17 April 2013

Comparisons


Just a little comparison for your Wednesday.

3 month update on the blog tomorrow!


08 February 2013

A Birth Story



January 14th came and went. Baby Girl's due date. I woke up like every other morning, got dressed, and went to work. It's a good thing I did too, because there was a lot that I needed to get done. Of course, going to work on your due date comes with a lot of comments. I kept getting "You're still here?" and "When's your due date?" I just laughed at it all and walked around a lot. I was determined to get this baby here ASAP. I got home and had contractions here and there, but every time I thought something was getting started they just died down and disappeared. I was a little disappointed, I didn't really want to go to work the next day. But of course, that's what was in the cards.



January 15th comes around. I had a doctor's appointment at the end of the day. So I left work early, yes I was still at work, and went in for a check up. I finally let them check me and I was at 3 centimeters dilated. Progress! They also hooked me up to a monitor to check to see how Baby Girl was handling things. Everything seemed perfect. I was having contractions, and Baby Girl was doing just fine. They decided to strip my membranes in order to hopefully get something started, they also scheduled me an ultrasound for the 17th. You see, I was measuring 43 weeks at 40 weeks. A little big. So we scheduled it for Thursday morning so the hubs could go with me. Mom met me at the doctor's office and we decided to head to the mall to get things going even more. Still nothing happened...

January 16th was pretty much the same...I went to work, walked around, and told everyone "Hopefully I won't see y'all tomorrow." I had taken a half day already for the doctor's appointment, and I was kinda hoping they'd just tell me to head straight to the hospital.


The morning of January 17th comes and the hubs and I get ready to go and see the doctor. I suggest grabbing the bag just in case they send us on ahead, but the hubs said no. His logic was we can always stop by the house on the way to the hospital. So I agree and we head to go and see how our baby girl is fairing. We get there and I'm starting to get nervous. I just want to go to the hospital and have this baby! We get called back to the ultrasound room and get ready to see how big this baby girl really is. Turns out, she's perfect size, nothing to worry about in that sense...but we had another problem, her fluids were really low. The lowest fluids can get is 7, and that's where they were. The ultrasound tech said we would most likely be induced today...Okay, we say and we're walked to go meet with the doctor. She walks in and immediately says those magic words, "Head to the hospital." She didn't even check me, all she said was "I'll see you again in a little bit." I wasn't planning on being induced, but that's what baby needed and that was okay. I was ready to get baby girl here.

So the hubs and I head home to pick up the hospital bag and I grabbed something quick to eat. I knew I probably wouldn't get anything to eat once I got to the hospital. I called my mom to tell her the news. She then sent out the word to family. Next was to call work and tell them I wouldn't be coming in that day, or for the next 12 weeks for that matter.



We get to the hospital and check in. Mom beat us there and had already been up to the room to pray over it.  It was perfect and I'm very thankful she got there before us to pray. There was a certain peace when we got there. They started me off on the lowest level of pitocin and my doctor came in to break my water (such a weird feeling!) and check me. I had already progressed to a 4 from when they last checked me. Progress! This was around 12:30.



Contractions started to pick up. It was kind of fun to watch them peak. Is that weird? We passed time by watching TV. I can't really remember what we watched. I do remember that the hubs tried to show me a youtube video during the middle of a contraction. I didn't really appreciate it at the moment.

Here's the video, to give him credit, it is actually quite hilarious...I just had to watch it again after the  contractions were over.

Soon the contractions got really intense. I asked for some Demerol to help me out. I was able to take a little "nap". I say nap, really I just laid there with my eyes closed and breathed deeply. When I woke up I called the hubs over to talk about an epidural. I said I would go as long as I could without one and I felt that I had reached that point. Not only was I having contractions, but I was throwing up. I couldn't handle both. Epidural it was. So the anesthesiologist came and got me some medicine. But it didn't take fully. I felt everything on my left side.



Before I knew it, I was at 10 centimeters and it was time to start pushing.My little girl was here at 8:31pm. I was in labor for 7 hours and pushed for 1 hour. Clearly my little girl was ready to be here, she just needed a little push. I do feel like if we had waited one more day she would have decided to come on her own, but we did what was needed and I wouldn't change a thing! My baby girl is here and she's perfect. 



I did tear, and there was a little meconium in the water, so it was another hour before I got to hold her. That about killed me. I wanted my little girl in my arms! But I had to get stitched up and she needed to be cleaned up and checked. After we were both deemed presentable, she was in my arms and nursing. It was perfect.



Bibi and Papi (my parents) and Grammy and Dedu (the hubs's parents) all came in to meet our little angel. It was such a sweet moment.



I'm just so happy to have my little girl here and I'm loving every moment with her!


19 January 2013

Welcome to the world

Johanna Mary 
Born 17 January 2013 at 8:31 pm
8 lbs 2 oz 20 in 



 "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights"
- James 1:17

16 January 2013

Still Pregnant...


This photo was taken yesterday. 
And nothing has changed. 
I'm still pregnant.

I did have a doctor's appointment yesterday though. I sat strapped to a monitor for at least an hour as they monitored Baby Girl's heartbeat and how she was responded to contractions - if I had any. I ended up falling asleep while they were monitored me. Oops. I couldn't help myself. This whole being pregnant thing is exhausting. And Baby Girl was being difficult as well. She didn't want to stay still and have her heartbeat listened to. She kept moving. Anyway, turns out I am having contractions (I knew that) and the baby is doing great (I hoped that was true). They finally checked me and I'm at 2 centimeters and they stripped my membranes. Ever since then, I've been cramping and contracting...as long as I'm moving. I don't feel a thing when I'm sleeping. Is that normal? 

The doctors said they'll induce me if she doesn't come by Sunday on her own. I, of course, said that was fine as long as it was after the football game (GO FALCONS!). They also scheduled me for an ultrasound and stress test tomorrow. I'm hoping to not make it to the appointment. But who knows what'll happen. I'm still contracting. But nothing I can't handle right now. I'm going by the rule that if I can't talk through or walk through then I'll go to the hospital. So far I've been able to walk and talk through every one.

As of right now, I'm having contractions and Baby Girl has hiccups. An interesting combination.

Oh! And doctor said yesterday that she's predicting a big baby...How big you ask? She could be 9 pounds or over. Of course I take that with a grain of salt, but I guess we'll see tomorrow how big she really is at the ultrasound tomorrow.

Here's hoping that the next time you hear from me, I'll be announcing the birth of my beautiful baby girl!

Also! My bump pictures were featured over on Spearmint Baby! Go check them out here!

14 January 2013

Happy Due Date To Me!

Today I am 40 weeks pregnant.


I can't believe today is Baby Girl's due date! Now if only she'd listen and come on out. I'm so ready to see her and hold her and love on her!