Prayers Appreciated

I'm 37 weeks today...no more procardia (medication to stop contractions) for me. I think I've been in early labor for a least a week...I've started dilating and thinning out and the contractions definitely aren't those painless Braxton Hicks anymore...they feel like my chest is closing up and make it hard to breathe at times.

My appointment yesterday went well but my midwife wants me to come back for an ultrasound on Tuesday. When I first started going there I was disappointed because they told me I would only have one ultrasound around 20 weeks unless medically necessary.  I've had 2 more since then, one because my stomach was measuring smaller than it should have and one because my first NST was non-reactive.  They checked the baby's size at the first one of these and she was measuring right one track with my due date.  At my appointment yesterday, my midwife measured my stomach and then asked me if we had done an ultrasound to check her size and make sure she's doing ok and I said not since the end of the second trimester.  She didn't say specifically why she wanted it done but she wants to check her size and my amniotic fluid.

I was happy at first so I didn't question it. A fourth ultrasound when I thought I'd only get one! Another chance to see my baby and how she's developing. And Jake's going to try and take a half day so he can spend the afternoon with me!  However, as I was leaving the office, the over thinking started.  As I was leaving I realized she didn't tell me what my stomach was measuring and she has every other time.  Does she think Adelyn is too big or too small? If she's too big will they induce me soon? If she's too small does that mean there's something wrong with her that's causing her to not grow? I haven't put on any weight since my appt at 33 weeks and it's now 4 weeks later....is Adelyn not gaining weight? And now I have to wait until Tuesday to find out.  I'm trying to just relax and trust that if she thought something life threatening was wrong that she would have sent me for an ultrasound right away.  Maybe she's just doing this to ease my mind because I brought up how some people say because my stomach is so small that I must be having a small baby and other people say they were really small, too and then had a 9-10 pound baby.  Maybe she's just being safe rather than sorry.

Either way, I would really appreciate prayers.  Prayers for Adelyn's health.  Prayers for a safe and healthy delivery.  Prayers for my over active mind to be at peace this weekend.  I'm just so ready to meet her and for unexpected things to not pop up anymore.  But I'm starting to realize that parenting is just a life full of the unexpected.  Things will never go according to my plans again (not that they ever did before...God has a way of having better plans for me). I won't feel this calm peaceful feeling that she's ok once she's finally here...I don't think I'll ever be able to not worry about her again. And that's where the prayers come in :)

Happy Easter weekend to everyone! I'll either be spending mine with family and house hunting or in the hospital having a baby :) Take time to remember all that Christ has done for YOU...and He would have done it for ONLY YOU! How can I even think to worry and not trust Him with my life and my daughter's life when He gave His life for me!

36 Weeks!

It's getting so close! And we have so much left to do....haha. Trying not to stress out!

So this picture is from last weekend....but I've yet to get out of my pajamas so this is what I've got. My stomach isn't really much bigger...promise.

Pregnancy Highlights

How far along: 36 weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss: +20

Maternity Clothes: Yep. Or sweats.

Best Moment this Week: Finding out I can quit taking procardia next week when I'm 37 weeks and I can start doing normal things on my feet again and if it makes me go into labor then we're having a baby! I'm also 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced. So I'm hoping she's here before April 19th and I'm not one of those people that sits at 1 cm for weeks and has to end up being induced.

Gender: Baby girl :)

Movement: Lots. I went in for my weekly NST yesterday and I had to stay hooked up longer than usual because they couldn't get a resting heart rate for a base line because she was so active that her heart rate was constantly elevated. 

Food Cravings: French fries. Ice cream. All things I will be consuming more of once she's here...should help me lose the baby weight ;)

Food aversions: Spicy foods. Good news is bananas don't make me sick anymore!

Symptoms/Changes: Contractions aren't rhythmic anymore but when I get them I notice them for sure...not your usual Braxton Hicks. My back always hurts. I'm SUPER tired all the time. I also have been freaking out since yesterday's appt. I had a panic attack on the way home about how I have no idea what to do with a newborn and she could be here in a week. It's all sinking it finally.

Sleep: When I'm asleep, I'm sleeping hard. I roll around a lot though and when I'm awake I'm awake.  Last night I was up from 3:30 until about 5:30 and wasn't even tired but then I finally fell asleep and was in like the deepest sleep ever.

What I am looking forward to: Maternity photos tomorrow as long as the weather cooperates!

Husband's Hospital Survival Kit

So last week I was reading Valerie's blog Along the Way with V and J and she made her husband this super cute hospital survival kit with some of his favorite snacks and books and toiletries to get him through the hospital stay when she has their baby. And I thought what a GREAT idea! So I made one for Jake...nothing too special or fancy and it was super quick and easy to do!

I packed the following in Jake's hospital survival kit:

-Snacks: Oreos (his favorite cookie), orange slices (his favorite candy), and a cookies and cream Hershey's bar. I also grabbed a 6 pack of little orange sodas since he's not a caffeine drinker but orange soda is his favorite.

-Toiletries: Travel sized shampoo/body wash, toothpaste and toothbrush, shaving cream, and a razor.

-Fun stuff: I got him an iTunes gift card. He's not a huge reader so I didn't want to get him a book just for the sake of getting him something to entertain himself.  However, he is always using his iPhone and iPad so I thought he could buy himself some apps to keep himself busy or even a book if he's feeling crazy!

So there you have it :) Of course I had to give it to him right away even though I'm only 35 weeks...I said it was because I've been having the contractions and we never know when she may come but really it's because I'm a child and can't keep gifts a secret once I buy them. I want to give them and see the person's reaction :) Should work out well as a parent!

35 Weeks

So I didn't even realize I skipped last week...where did the past 2 weeks go? Time flies when you're having contractions that are 3 minutes apart....yeah....we spent last Wednesday in the hospital being monitored and getting shots to stop contractions. Fun fun. I swear I'm going to actually go into labor and sit at home because I'm calling Adelyn's bluff. I'm so ready to meet her though! One of these days....at my next doctor's appt I'm just going to ask them when I can start doing normal household chores again and if they bring on contractions we'll just go with it and have a baby instead of stopping it. Hopefully the answer will be soon!

I don't have a belly shot this week...I honestly don't feel like my belly is getting any bigger...which is weird because I figured by now I'd be growing by the day.  I feel like she's definitely lower though. And she's head down and ready to go whenever that time does come!

Pregnancy Highlights

How far along: 35 weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss: +19 pounds total...somehow I lost a pound in 2 weeks. I don't understand. I did just have the stomach flu though so that may be the problem.

Maternity Clothes: Oh yes. Or sweats and Jake's shirts. I think I maybe have 1 or 2 tshirts of my own that still fit.

Best Moment this Week: Baby shower on Saturday :) Worst moment was having to cancel my church baby shower because of the flu :( I really wanted to celebrate with everyone!

Gender: GIRL! Little Adelyn :) Although every once in a while I'm like what will we do if we have a boy instead....momma can't handle that.

Movement: Yesss...to the point where it almost hurts sometimes because she stretches out so violently. I feel a lot of feet in my ribs and hands or elbows way down in my hips...not a comfortable feeling. She also has hiccups right now which I've just never gotten used to. I know I'll miss it all once she's here but it's all just a little uncomfortable for me right now. I'd rather be holding her :)

Food Cravings: Frozen custard from our local frozen custard place...meh. And McDonalds. I had a little diet cheat and had a cherry pie the other day. I haven't had one in years. So. Delish. I want one like every day now. 

Food aversions: Spicy foods. I got that BWW I was talking about getting on my last post...my stomach did NOT appreciate it...and I only got the medium sauce on my wings. I still love how they taste...my body does not love what they do to me. Sad day.

Symptoms/Changes: I get up at LEAST once a night to go to the bathroom. I can't fit into spaces that I think I can anymore...which is uncomfortable when I try anyway haha. My back and hips are pretty sore.

Sleep: Depends on the night. Last night I rolled around a lot but I slept so hard when I was sleeping. Other nights I wake up every time I roll over and don't go to sleep for 30 minutes to an hour each time. 

What I am looking forward to: Adelyn's arrival! Just a little over a month until her due date!

33 Weeks

Guess it's about time for another update, huh?  I wish I had been better about doing this weekly so I could look back on it one day and remember but something's better than nothing, right?

Forgive the maternity top mixed with sweatpants. It's comfy. And I'm all about comfy these days.

Pregnancy Highlights

How far along: 33 weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss: +20 pounds total

Maternity Clothes: Yes. Or Jake's tshirts...none of mine fit anymore.

Best Moment this Week: House hunting :)

Gender: GIRL! Adelyn Kaylee :)

Movement: Lots. Especially of her feet in my right side/ribs. She's currently squirming all over and I can see my belly moving. So weird.

Food Cravings: Buh don't even go there. French fries, which are off limits. DQ ice cream, which is DEFINITELY off limits. Buffalo Wild Wings at the moment...which is not off limits if I get the right thing :) Want to order in tonight, Jake? ;)

Food aversions: Nothing new. In fact, I've been getting coffee about once a week before my non-stress tests to get Adelyn moving and it doesn't make me sick anymore! Neither does dark soda! I just make sure I don't drink them on an empty stomach. Now I really want to try eating bananas again but I'm scared. No one likes throwing up.

Symptoms/Changes: My back is dying. Everyone says how little my belly is but I feel huge and stretched to the max. My legs start to hurt if I walk around too much. As well as the contractions...I can tell if I've been on my feet too long and trying to do too much because the contractions get much more frequent :/

Sleep: Most nights it's ok. I roll around a little. My wonderful husband bought me a new pillow the other day because the ones we got as wedding presents have broken down so much that I was having a hard time getting comfortable.  The new pillow is bomb status though :)

What I am looking forward to: Baby showers! One down, two to go :)