Baby Shower Pictures

While there were LOTS of pictures... I tried to edit it down to just a few.



The belly at 30 Weeks.



My girls helping open gifts and cards.



Crying after a very emotional slide show. I was OK until the IVF pictures... then it was just very overwhelming in a wonderful way.



My niece Tiffany and the bib she decorated. Tiffany even missed school to help her mom (my sister-in-law, Patty) and her Grandma (my mother-in-law, Linda) prepare for the baby shower. I felt so special!



A delicious display of lots of very hard work and baking. {Thanks again so much Linda and Patty!}



The adorable cupcakes made by Linda!! It was tough to choose whether I should eat a boy cupcake or a girl cupcake.

A Post

Today has been a take it easy day. I ended up with another back spasm yesterday/this morning. I don't know what the deal is. I felt GREAT in Morgantown, but after the first night back in Midland, I woke up sore and spasing! I may have overdone things yesterday. I had PT in the morning, then went grocery shopping, then walked two miles with Kendra. And that was after being instructed by my PT to take a week off after my last back spasm. I guess its all pretty much due to my growing belly and the ligaments being stretched. I am going to try to venture out for a few minutes... its to beautiful to stay inside all day!!

Anyway... I called to register for our childbirth classes today. The lady on the phone told me we want to be done with the classes about four weeks before my due date. The classes go for four weeks... that means they start next week. That just kind of blew my mind. Tomorrow I will be 31 weeks, just 9 weeks left. The countdown is now in single digits!!

Tonight, we should be able to go through the shower pictures and get those up for you to see.

And also please pray for our current situation. We have been anticipating some significant changes and we should see those begin to unfold over the next week and a half. It is scary but exciting and overall we are hopeful that God will work things out in our favor. But we certainly need God's guidance and strength in knowing how and what to do.

Baby Shower

Where to begin? First of all, we had a wonderful trip to West Virginia. Being back "home" with people we love is always such a great spirit booster; my baby shower certainly boosted those spirits even more.

My sister-in-law, Patty, my niece, Tiffany, and my mother-in-law Linda (and Lisa and Haylee too) worked so hard putting my shower together. Baking, arranging flowers, decorating, planning, etc. etc. And their hard work definitely showed. It was beautiful. Our theme was kind of centered around 'Little Sweets to celebrate my Little Sweetie.' They made all kinds of little desserts. The shower was on a Friday evening, which threw some people off, but I was very pleased with the turnout. Everyone was very generous! Through Target gift cards and money, I was able to purchase almost my entire stash of cloth diapers! And I got a bunch of other really great gifts. And the icing on the cake was that my best friend, Caroline, who originally wasn't going to be able to make it, made it for the shower! So before my shower we got to spend some time with Caroline, Eric, and their two adorable kids. It wasn't enough time, but I've learned to be grateful for any amount of time we have with them.

I also got to see my brother, Adam, a couple times while in town. The shower was just women, but I wanted my brother there, too. So he and his lovely girlfriend Calla, came to the shower, then the next day we had a great time chatting with them over lunch. One of my favorite things about growing up, is developing a 'grown up' relationship with my brothers. It seems like the older we get, the closer we get. I like that.

I will definitely be posting pictures in the next day or so once Nathan can help me get them sized down!

Another exciting thing about our trip was celebrating my father-in-laws birthday. And he got a very nice birthday present in the form of the West Virginia Mountaineers making it to the College Basketball Final Four! This hasn't happened for the Mountaineers since 1959. So Yay Mountaineers!!!

Before we left town, we had a bit of a birthday lunch for Nathan at one of our favorite restaurants in Morgantown, Ali Babas. YUM. It is a mediterranean restaurant at our small, local airport. And let me add that baby apparently likes international cuisine. I haven't had a lot of ethnic food while pregnant, but the Indian and Middle Eastern I had recently seemed to sit very well with baby. On the way home... baby did lots of "belly dancing!"

Like I said... I'll post pics asap! Now... time to do a little nesting and work on those thank you cards!!

30 Week Appointment

If you remember, my last appointment four weeks ago, I was not too happy with the 8lb weight gain that seemed to come out of no where. I was dreading, I mean absolutely scared to death, to get on the scale again today. I felt like the last big weight gain came out of no where so I had NO idea what the scale would say this time. Drum roll please! Buh duh duh duh duh... Down two pounds! HALLELUJAH!!! I cannot put into words how relieved I was. My midwife asked what I did differently... and honestly, not much. I did cut back on cheese and of course I've been walking 3-5 times a week. {Oh and I did eat two absolutely delicious chocolate mint cupcakes on St. Patrick's day... I wonder if that contributed to my 2 lbs drop???} My new total weight gain is now 11 lbs. I am really, really pleased with that. And everything else looks perfect. My midwife said she could not come up with a single thing to complain about me or anything I was doing. My belly measurement is right on track and the heart beat was once again great. Although this baby is showing that it does not like to be bothered as. We'll see how that translates into newborn-hood. I also asked what position she thought the baby was in. My guess was head down because the hiccups are always down low and the big kicks are always high. That was my midwife's guess as well after she felt around a bit. The baby hasn't settled down into the pelvis yet, which is fine, but she was glad that it was in the head down position. Praise God!

Now... I need to get back to work. There's still a lot to do today!

Yesterday demonstrated all the crazy things your body does when you're pregnant. I woke up around 3 am with sharp pains all over my stomach. They didn't come and go and my stomach didn't tighten, so I was pretty sure they weren't contractions. (Although I ended up dreaming that I went into preterm labor... so I must have still wondered after I had fallen back asleep.) I tried drinking some water, going to the bathroom, and changing positions, but nothing made a difference. They were still present when I got up around 7:00, but were gone by about 8:00. My plan was to call my midwife if they hadn't stopped by lunch time. But as I said, they did. Around 9:00 I ended up with a muscle spasm in my low back. I thought... wow is this really how today is going to go?! I had Anya until 1:00 so I pretty much just sucked up. Fortunately I had a PT appointment at 2:30. I told my PT about the sharp pains and back pain. She took a look and could see that my back was mildly freaking out. You know those two dimples in your back that are normally level with each other... mine were apparently significantly misaligned. I didn't even know that was possible. So she spent about 30-45 minutes working on my back, which felt wonderful! And her theory was that the muscle spasm was in reaction to the stomach pains. Its just so interesting how your entire body is involved when it comes to pregnancy... and every little shift or stretched ligament directly impacts the rest of your body. She also explained why its so important that I see her about once a week, especially now that we're down to the last ten weeks. As the baby continues to grow, everything else continues to change and shift, so she wants to make sure she monitors and adapts with the changes. I slept much better last night and woke up to a party in my belly... at least that's what it felt like!

And I was supposed to have midwife appointment this morning, but she was attending a birth. So my appointment was moved to tomorrow. That's actually the first time that has happened so far. And I certainly can't complain considering I want her to be there when its me in labor!

Today and tomorrow (I won't have Anya for the next two weeks) will be spent cleaning and getting ready for our trip back to the hills! YaY!


(Thanks Sue!!)

Happy Spring

Happy First Day of Spring! We have enjoyed about two weeks of unseasonably warm and sunny weather. And while the majority of the country has had an especially harsh winter... the winter up here has been especially mild. And yes, today, the first day of spring, the temp has dropped and it has been snowing all day, but I am so thankful for each beautiful day we've had this March. I just cannot wait for the flowers to start blooming. I feel like I've been seeing in shades of gray and brown for way too long. Also in celebration of spring... I decided to spring-ify my blog.

I know having baby dreams is fairly common in pregnancy, but I have been having baby dreams every single night for probably the past week. The pregnancy books I have usually have a paragraph or two about what to make of these dreams. But they always assume the dreams are negative or reflect a fear or worry. But all of my dreams have been wonderful. Yes, usually a little silly, but every morning I wake up with a smile on my face. They are almost all related to labor and delivery or in the first day at the hospital. I won't bore you with the details of each dream, but I think each one has demonstrated the readiness I feel and the optimism I have. I am not anxious or worried about anything. I don't have any fears or concerns. Its all just wonderful excitement. I did have one dream where after a natural, drug free birth... I noted that I did not feel any pain or even any soreness after delivery. I couldn't figure out why all these women would have told me otherwise. Now I know that was a silly dream, and I know labor and delivery will take me to a whole new world of pain that I cannot even imagine. But... again, I like that my thoughts and dreams are positive and encouraging. Having a dream (or nightmare) about the horrific pain would only cause anxiety.

And... next weekend we will be heading to Morgantown for my baby shower! Its still just so hard to believe. There were a few days around this time last year, where I really didn't know if I'd ever get to have a baby shower. But... I try not to think about it too hard... I can choke myself up pretty quickly if I do. But we are really looking forward to this trip back home! And I'll definitely be posting pictures of the baby shower (Nathan will be there... to take pictures!)

When you are 29 weeks pregnant, there are plenty of things to worry about. How about the neighbors in the other side of the duplex you live in? Do you remember my story a while back about having to call the police about the music and cigarette smoke coming into our side of the house at 3 am? We always knew there was shady business going on next door, but its not like there was anything we could really do about it. Well... apparently the police knew there was shady business going on, too. This morning, Nathan heard the cops bang on the neighbor's door and yell something along the lines of "Put your ****** hands up!" Nathan, being in the position he is, knew one of the guys as an undercover officer for the drug task force. And ironically, a while back, Nathan had been approached by this under cover officer (before Nathan knew he was an undercover officer) about drugs. We thought it was odd, especially where and when it happened. So then we wondered how long they had been investigating our neighbor... maybe they were trying to see if we were 'bad guys', too. Nathan does keep crazy, inconsistent hours. I could see where he would look shady. Just kidding. But really... our neighbor must have been dealing. It definitely makes sense. He seemed to have too much money for a person who never seems to go to work. And there were always shady people coming and going.

I'm so glad to know that he was busted, but I'm hoping he stays in jail and we get new, improved neighbors! These days, you don't know what your neighbors are doing. I cannot wait until our renting days are over. And we are going to look further into this situation, so we know exactly what was going on and if we have any reason to be concerned.

And on a more positive note... I found a book about the Bradley method of laboring. I wanted to do the Bradley classes, but I could not find any in the area and they are kind of pricey. So... Nathan and I can spend some time reading this book together and hopefully learn a thing or too.

I'll end this post thanking God for the beautifully warm weather. A beautiful March is such a rare thing in Michigan. And although its supposed to snow this Sunday... I don't care. I'll take as many sunny warm March days as I can get!

A Woman's Right to Change Her Mind

As a woman... I believe it is my birth right to change my mind. And I have done so on the topic of the infant car seat. Here's why.

1. Our car does not have tinted windows and there's no good way to keep the sun out of the baby's eyes.
2. During extreme temperatures (hot or cold) it'll be nice not to be placing the baby into a hot or cold car seat. And it'll keep them dry getting in and out of the car if its raining.

That's pretty much it. I will still be 'wearing' the baby as much as possible, and be using the carrier as little as possible. But... for those two reasons... I think its enough to change my mind.

And did you notice that our baby day count down is now in the 70's! I know the next 11 weeks is going to fly by. We have two trips planned, Nathan's birthday, Easter, a visit from my parents, and we are expecting some big changes with Nathan's job. Not to mention the beautiful weather!

I'm really enjoying the baby's movements getting stronger. Today, I felt hiccups way down low... a bunch of big kicks way up on the top right of my belly, now they're on the left top of my belly. It seems like the baby is standing on its head... maybe doing cartwheels!

Generosity

Once again, I have experienced the generosity of a medical professional who truly cares about pregnant women. I mentioned a while ago that I had seen a Chiropractor about the pelvic pain I was having as well as lower back pain. I was adjusted a few times, but realized the financial burden was too great. In the meantime, I found a wonderful physical therapist who has really helped get my lower body strengthened and better able to support the pelvis. I cannot say how happy I have been with my PT treatment. And my PT was also incredibly generous in getting rid of the copay so I could get the care I needed. Last week I got a call from the Chiropractor I saw and was checking in to see how things were going. Long story short, she extended an invitation for me to come back in and see if we could work something out. Again, this Chiropractor was willing to reduce my copay so I am pay about a quarter of what it would normally cost. Thanks to the generosity of these medical professionals (women and fellow mom's!) for now allowing me to have the best of both worlds in getting physical therapy and chiropractic care. And if you're ever bored... look up the benefits that chiropractic care can have on labor!! The two words that kept catching me eye... "Shorter. Labor." Sign me up!

And don't worry... I'm not going to just drop everything. I'll definitely find a way to keep you ALL informed and updated with plenty of pictures. I'm just trying to figure out how to take it down a notch or two. Many of you have been so wonderful and supportive even just through emails and comments... It may just be one or two posts a month instead of three or four a week!

Hospital Tour

I just wanted to write a quite post about the wonderful hospital tour we had last night. I must say, I was thoroughly impressed. The nurses were all super friendly. The labor/delivery/recovery rooms were huge! The maternity block was very secure. And they are all about rooming in. Some hospitals encourage rooming in as long as one parent is awake at all times. Not here which I think is great. I know security is an issue, but I have great faith in the security of the floor. When we got off the elevator at the only non-locked entrance, you can could tell the nurses on the floor were immediately aware of your presence and asked how they could help us. Visitors are also to be in the waiting room or in your room, not loitering in the hallways. I'm just so thrilled that its routine practice for the baby to stay with mom and dad pretty much 24-7. I feel like it really allows the family to adjust and bond together. We did see the nursery where they do the hearing test, vaccines, etc. They also had a kitchen stocked with lots of drinks and snacks for both of us, including coffee which Nathan was pleased to see. When I asked about the paperwork for opting out of the Hep B vaccine, she answered me without questioning me or seeming judgmental. The nurse also told us how much she recommends using the jacuzzi tub for relaxation during labor. I just felt so good about everything! Here I was saying I was going to labor at home as long as possible... but after the tour... I think I'll be happy to head to the hospital as soon as they'll let me. The only down side to our local hospital is there is no NICU. They can give the baby oxygen, but that's pretty much it. If there were any sort of emergency, the baby would be taken to Saginaw which is about a 25 minutes drive. And the entire time, the nurse really made us feel like they were there to support us and happy to do so. And believe me... in the North people don't say stuff just to be nice. They let you know whether or not they're really happy to do something for you. But I just feel so good about where we'll be delivering. And I left thanking God for providing us with such a great maternity center. Here I am, constantly fighting God, when I should be constantly thanking him for all the great things he is providing us with right now for our family and for our baby. Nathan and I are both getting really, really excited. Not scared or worried or fearful... just really happy and really excited.

7 Months

First things first... today I am 7 months pregnant!! That still blows my mind. And tonight we are touring the hospital. Well, not the entire hospital, but the maternity part. I am really excited to see where this baby is going to be born. And see the chair Nathan will be sleeping in. ;)

Now I'd like to take a couple minutes and address the future of this blog. Well, not just the future of this blog but the future of my Facebook account. I feel like I have reached a point where I'm a little tired of internet influence relationships. Now don't get me wrong... I have loved sharing my journey with you guys! And this blog has been a really, really great way to keep my friends and family informed. But, I think I want to start focusing on the real relationships in my life. Email and Facebook have offered some new connections with people I may otherwise no longer be in touch with. But, a real relationship or friendship cannot be limited to text on a computer screen. It takes effort, phone calls, lunch dates.

I feel like my friend Caroline is a perfect example of a real friendship. We became really close back when Caroline and I were both engaged to our now husbands. We lived in the same town, both getting married at a young age, our husbands were cousins... We had a lot in common. Here we are probably six years from when our friendship first formed. We have lived far away from Caroline and Eric now for almost five years, yet she is still one of my closest friends. She even has two young kids now, and we still manage to talk on the phone maybe once a week or every two weeks. We always have something to say to one another. And when we do get to visit... we are able to pick up as if we were never apart. And over the past five years, Caroline has been such a great friend to me. She sent flowers after our move to Kentucky. She has expressed her friendship through cards, she sent an Edible Arrangement when we found out we were pregnant... And not that it is about a friend buying you stuff... but she was always let me know she was there. And I don't think I can say I have been as good a friend to her as she has been to me. And I'm really going to make it a point this year to let Caroline know how much I cherish our friendship because I think a true friend like that is rare.

Getting back to my point... While I do enjoy Facebook, seeing pictures of my friends and their babies, I'm really thinking about deleting my Facebook once Baby M is born. And I'll still probably blog occasionally, but I think it'll be much less about my random thoughts and more about family updates. I want the people who see my baby grow up to be people who are actually in his life... not just on her mommy's Facebook. Now... I might also keep my Facebook, but drastically cut my friends down to real life friends only. We'll see... but I just thought I'd share my thoughts on how my 'internet' presence will be changing over the next 84 days. And at the risk of stating the obvious.... I have a feeling once I have my baby in my arms... Facebook will no longer be on my mind.

Welcome Third Trimester

Today I am 27 weeks which means I have entered the third trimester. Doesn't that seem impossible? I am now 13 weeks from my due date?! Its definitely bittersweet. I cannot wait to meet our baby, but I already know how badly I'm going to miss being pregnant. And it means that the the first year of my baby's life is going to fly by just as fast. Last night we were watching Modern Family. There was a scene where the oldest daughter was taking her driver's license test. Then Nathan said, "Do you realize that's going to be our kid in 16 years?" WHAT?!?! No. No. No. I'm not ready for that yet!! Mom- Does it seem like its been 25 years since you were pregnant with me???

And in the past two weeks, I have become a believer in pregnancy brain. I was skeptical at first. But after I left my wallet at Target, lost my cell phone in my trunk (closed up in Anya's stroller,) and a few other time where I went... 'Where's my head today?' I'm now a believer. And from what I hear... it only gets worse.

And some of you may have "caught" my gender slip up... Well sorry but it wasn't a slip up. I have started sneaking in a few he's or she's in past posts... just to keep everyone confused. :) AND... to cover my hind end in case I DO accidentally slip up. I'm committed to keeping the secret now, but next time (God willing) we're not going to find out so there's no worry of spilling the beans.

I have also started a Third Trimester To Do list. You know... like childbirth classes, hospital tour, etc. And I have actually started making some progress. I have pre-registered at the hospital and we have our hospital tour planned for next week. They actually had a ban on the tours because of the flu season... but that was just lifted, so we thought we'd better get in on the tour while we still can.

I may have already covered this, but I'm thinking God is not ready to move us yet. There have been several opportunities that have come and gone, which could be discouraging, but its not. We are just taking that to mean, its not time. God has really put a lot of great things in place for us here, and I'm going to stop pushing the move and try my very hardest to be patient, to wait on God. But with that said, there are also definite changes coming at the paper. I can't really blog about it, but we're praying that these changes happen and result in a positive change or two for Nathan. If these changes happen, we may be looking at being here another couple years, but as I've said over and over... we're trusting in God to provide and open the right doors and opportunities... according to His plan... not ours! Oh and these changes will likely take place anytime between tomorrow and my due date. I'm just hoping that happen sooner rather than later for the sake of Nathan's sanity.

Just a quick update... I passed my gestational diabetes screening. I was a little worried, but now I'm not. Everything is continuing to progress wonderfully and uneventfully. And she continues to be nice and active. I did wake up during the night with a really, really horrible pounding headache. I took some medicine and went back to bed with an ice pack and woke up feeling fine. That's hormones for ya!