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.