Cravings

I decided, this close to the end, to summarize some of the foods that got me through this pregnancy. I would have claimed that I didn’t have too many “cravings” as I thought I would, but I’m starting to think that isn’t entirely true.

I have probably complained a million times that I was sick for 18-19 weeks. I’m sorry if I did; I really did try not to because I’m so thrilled that we were able to be pregnant and I can’t even talk about how blessed I feel to carry this little girl. But during those first 4 months or so I didn’t have any cravings as much as aversions…like to everything… But there were a few foods that got me through. First, my sweet husband made me an egg and cheese bagel every single morning. It was quite a routine. I would wake up and run to the bathroom to get sick and that was his cue to get up and start the breakfast. He seriously did this every day (and still does whenever I want it instead of my new favorite craving, cereal!). And right along with this craving was orange juice. I still drink a glass of orange juice every morning. I would have never preferred this juice before or even imagined that it would ever settle my stomach, but it’s the one thing that I have wanted every single day no matter what.

During those first months I also relied on the strangest food of all for me…cheeseburgers! I don’t even want to tally up how many I ate during those first four months, but I can tell you it was more than I had eaten in the past ten years total. I still love them actually! My favorite is from Culver’s. Bless them.

I also ate my fair share of mashed potatoes during this time. And the only other thing that sounded good was toast with cream cheese. Also, broccoli. Just raw, plain, cold broccoli. So I am living proof that a woman can survive on cheeseburgers, egg sandwiches, potatoes, OJ, and broccoli…at least for a few months.

Once I stopped getting sick I started eating a lot like I used to before I was pregnant, except with meat. I have loved beef during this time. Here are some things I have absolutely not been able to get enough of:

-          Taco Bell (yep, old trusty has kept me going just as it did before I was pregnant)

-          Cereal (I eat it at least once a day, but usually twice.)

-          Apples (I try to limit these to one a day, but I feel like I could eat four)

-          Pizza (any and all kinds)

-          Ice cream

-          Sweet potatoes

I have had some other random things thrown in here and there, but those are the things I feel like I cannot stop eating week after week.

What were your cravings like?

36 Week Update!

How far along? 36 weeks! Is it just me or are the weeks flying by?! I loved on the 7^th thinking we were just a month away from our due date!
Maternity clothes? Yes, but in the picture below I’m wearing a non-maternity dress proudly.
Stretch marks? Not that I can see.

Sleep: It’s not so good. I know it’s just preparing me for when the little girl is up all night wanting to eat and cuddle though. I try to focus on that, but I have to admit, it’s not so cute when it’s just me waking up to go to the bathroom and not having her here.
Best moment this week: Getting our thank you notes written. Everyone was over the top generous and we wanted to sit together and write the notes with a heart full of gratitude. I pictured each person walking into the store and walking away with their gift with our little daughter in mind. I am still a little overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity.

And another one is that I just got word that I officially have a room to use my breast pump in once returning to work. Up until this point women have just used the public restroom. Thankfully, neither my boss nor I were okay with this option. I am so thankful for my boss! She has been working for months on getting an official room assigned for our building! Amazing! Miss Anything? I miss some of my Fall clothes from last year. But it will be fun to wear them next year – they will feel like new!
Movement: Oh yes. And I think she even kicks things away that are touching her. She might be a little feisty like her momma.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Not today.
Labor Signs: No actual labor signs. I think she’s going to stay in there for quite a while still. I’m guessing 12-12-12.

Belly Button in or out? Out so far that it is so embarrassing!

Wedding rings on or off?  Off, but once again, just because I’m scared of losing them. I’ve been a little flighty.
Mood: Over the top excited. This weekend we are going to start washing all of her clothes and blankets and packing a bag for the hospital!
Looking forward to: Starting all of our final preparations. I want to decorate the house this week for Christmas too so that it will be ready for her to come home to.

Mid-week Update

It's the middle of the week, but I just wanted to post this picture because of how cute my dog is. Bo has been so ridiculously sweet. He just follows me around the house and tries to be touching me at all times. I'm actually a little bit worried that if I go into labor at our house, or stay home and labor for as long as possible, that I will make him a nervous wreck. Even now, if I get a bad leg cramp or a little bit of rough contraction, he just lays his head on me and stares at me until I'm okay. I hope I don't scare him or worry him!

And, please do notice my boots....my adorable husband had to button each of those buttons because I couldn't reach, but at least I can still wear them! I have a feeling those days are numbered...

Acts 23:5

I love on Facebook how everyone right now is saying one thing they are thankful for each day. I might start even though I'm 6 days behind. If I was playing this game, today I would say I am thankful that I get to vote. Do we as Americans forget what a privilege this is?

I have seen on Pinterest and other places a corny little saying (and I'm only saying corny because I love it and I'm definitely corny myself) that goes something like "No matter who is president, Jesus is King." It's so true and so easy to lose sight of during all of these crazy campaign times.

I have seen an ugly side of myself and people close to me when it comes to politics. Last night in our small group we read a few chapters from Acts. And how appropriate that after a quick and dirty argument over who some people were or were not voting for today, we ran across Paul saying..."I'm sorry, brothers. I didn't realize he was the high priest," Paul replied, "for the Scriptures say, 'You must not speak evil of any of your rulers.'"

I'm praying for all of our leaders and our country, and I'm going to pray in gratitude that I get to vote and look forward to the future.

All is Calm

There is no way anyone gets through the song Silent Night without crying, right? This is not my pregnancy hormones. I’ve never been able to handle it. Sarah McLachlan sounds like an angel for sure. I love her version.

I was sitting at work reviewing an agreement that I’m completely stuck on and not sure how to “win” for my team when this song came on. Christmas music helps keep everything in perspective for me. I just love it.

We had four showers this weekend. Four! I want to post about each one separately because they were each so incredibly wonderful. I think it’s a combination of this weekend with friends and family, a great doctor’s appointment that we learned our little daughter is still doing great, and this Christmas music that gets to me. How on earth has anyone made it through life without God and friends and family like mine? I feel so blessed that sometimes all I can do is sit and thank God for these people that he has hand-selected to be in our lives.

So think about hugely pregnant me sitting with all of this joy overflowing my heart and listening to  “radiant beams from Thy holy face with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus Lord at Thy birth” and tell me I shouldn’t cry. Yeah right.

At our appointment today my blood pressure was low but the doctor said this is nothing to worry about, just to watch. And her heartrate was high again, but the doctor reassured us that this is still fine as long as the baseline rate is okay. So I'm just trusting the doctor to tell me if there's anything to watch for. I have gained another pound (27 overall) and am still measuring right. She predicted today that if I go to full term this little girl will be an 8 pound baby! Oh my goodness. I can't wait to hold that little chunk of a baby girl :) Everything is perfect and I go back in two weeks to begin getting checked to see if she's progressed. Then from there on out it's every week until she's here! I made my final three appointments. How crazy is that!?

35 Weeks Already!

I feel like I just posted for 34 weeks. It is all flying by!

How far along? 35 weeks! Just 5 to go!
Maternity clothes? Of course
Stretch marks? Not yet!

Sleep: It's a little rough. Sometimes it's hard to go back to sleep after going to the bathroom for the gazillionth time. But at those times I just lay there and pray about our little girl and think about all the things I am looking forward to.
Best moment this week: This week we put her crib sheets and bumper on. We also set up the changing pad on the dresser. I love having the room come together.
Miss Anything? Nope.
Movement: Yes, it's really weird now though. It's not the quick punches and kicks and turns. Now she pokes an arm or knee or something out every once in a while. And sometimes it feels more like she is rolling over instead of kicking. It's odd and wonderful.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Not a thing.
Labor Signs: Just those fakey contractions, but they are more frequent and some are even painful.

Belly Button in or out? So far out!

Wedding rings on or off?  My real ones are off, but just so you know, they would still fit...I'm not swollen yet.
Mood: So happy and excited. We have a wonderful weekend to look forward to starting with a shower at work in the afternoon. Then we will have friends and family in town for some more showers! We are so blessed and excited.
Looking forward to: Being with our friends and family this weekend ALL weekend.

 

His love is better than life

In church we have been focusing on our individual and intimate relationships with Christ and whether we believe that His love is truly better than life. It’s an easy thing to say that you believe, but it’s not always as easy to truly live your life, day to day, believing and practicing that truth. The good thing is that it is true. The sad thing is I don’t think I always accept it.

I have this amazing small group. I love each person so much. We have been challenging each other to live this way and understand how to let God love us and show us this. This week we talked about how we have it so easy. All we have to do is receive these blessings from God. Our pastor talked about how we only have desires because God desires us. We only love because He loved us first. You see, He is seeking us and doing all the hard work. All we have to do is receive this, and let Him in.

Easy, right? Wrong. In order to receive these gifts from God and have this intimate relationship with Him, you have to make time and space to allow Him in. So instead of arranging my life around my full-time plus job, housework, dating my husband, planning for our little girl, small group gatherings and readings, and on and on, I should be arranging my life to focus first on God.  Now just in case any of you were under the impression that I have it all together (stop laughing, maybe I had some people fooled!), I totally do not. I have no idea what I’m supposed to do day in and day out. I have no idea if I am making the best decisions for my family. I don’t know if I’m being a great, or even good, friend. And I have no idea what I should be doing a year from now or beyond.

This sermon series and my wonderful small group have made me be able to admit all of that without having the anxiety attacks I was having a couple of weeks ago that I mistook for the baby pressing up against my lungs. Isn’t it wonderful to know that none of us have it all together and that the only way to get even close to not being a complete wreck is to let God in. In the next few weeks we are going to learn more about the practical side of having this relationship with God. And I can’t wait. This week I have been waking up five minutes earlier to ask God to help me arrange my day around Him. And to thank Him that I get to wake up and ask Him to make space in my life to fit Him in. It’s about 26 ½ years overdue.

Yoga Pants

As you might know, it's Fall here and there's nothing I love more than comfy clothes, holiday scentsies, Christmas movies, and being snuggled in my house with my big dog and husband. I have been on the hunt for some comfortable "hospital pants." I finally found the most comfortable maternity pants ever! And guess what, they are from Old Navy and are under 25 bucks!

I love, and highly recommend, these boot-cut yoga pants from Old Navy. I plan on living in them any time I'm not at work from here until this little girl is here. And probably after!

Happy Halloween!

I love Halloween...well, that's probably not true. I like it a lot. I like to curl up in sweats and hand out candy to little monsters and princesses. And I like it a lot because, unlike what I've been claiming for the past two months, it truly does start the Holiday season. I  think it's fair that any time after Halloween, I get to start decorating for the holidays and watching holiday movies. And by holidays, I mean Christmas! Don't judge.

But anyway, I have a friend who LOVES Halloween. Her house is amazingly decorated and she dresses up. She also demands that all of us dress up too. I have to admit, David and I were kinda dreading this. I never know what to dress up as and I don't like spending money on any costumes. This year though, our friend gave us a great idea! We had so much fun and even won the "Most Creative" prize!

What do you think?

So Much Love and Support

Yesterday was our first baby shower for this little baby girl. I have always felt very overwhelmed at showers. Like for our wedding, I was already getting to marry this amazing man and start our life together and be around the people we loved the most, and on top of it, people kept planning these amazing showers where people brought gift after gift. I feel the same way now. I get to be pregnant with this little girl and soon welcome her into our family. Everyone loves her so much already and she doesn't even know yet. And then, I get to go celebrate her with people I love and receive gifts. I feel like I should be buying gifts for everyone else!

Yesterday's shower was so beautiful. I had the best time celebrating her at her first baby shower!

34 Week Update

How far along? 34 Weeks

Maternity clothes? Uhhh....yes!

Stretch marks? Not yet!

Sleep: A little bit better since I have started going and laying down earlier, saying my prayers with David, and reading East of Eden (NOT labor and delivery books like I used to before bed!)

Best moment this week: I have two this week! One, at our appointment our daughter's heartrate was 190 when it has always been 150! We were terrified of course, but they hooked me up and monitored my contractions and her heartrate and it was nothing. Once again, they just reminded us that she is an active little thing. This was such a blessing to us and we have been celebrating her health and safety all week. The second thing is that one of my best friend gets to watch her for us four days a week!! We couldn't be more excited about this. I know that this friend loves her so much already and will love her almost as much as I do. I feel so blessed with our babysitting situation between her and a combination of family and our other friend for the fifth day.

Miss Anything? Peanut butter! See earlier post for complaints :)

Movement: Tons and tons....you read about her heartrate, right? She dances and moves all day long.

Anything making you queasy or sick: I have a cold so I'm a little off, but I haven't gotten sick.

Labor Signs: Just those fakey contractions.

Belly Button in or out? So far out!

Wedding rings on or off?  Off and in a safe place. I would have totally lost them by now...I put the frozen burritos in the refrigerator yesterday. I'm losing my mind.

Mood: Much calmer than last week. I am learning to not stress about anything. One of my great friends even brought over some Bible verses about trust and faith and not worrying. It's helped a lot.

Looking forward to: Our first baby shower this weekend!!

Rant About Nothing

I have not felt the desire to complain about this pregnancy thing at all. I truly do see each day as a blessing. I love my daughter so much already. I mean that. So now, just bear with me as I complain for a couple of paragraphs about what I just learned!

Okay so I don’t drink wine (even though I’m dying for some), I don’t hang out in smoky bars, I don’t even eat lunchmeat (warmed up or otherwise) even though I'm craving it more than I ever have. I have even avoided my favorite white cheese at the local Mexican restaurant I so dearly love. I sleep on my left side even though it’s torture. I walk at least two miles every day. I do my “kick counts” religiously. I don’t even come close to taking any medicine, even if it’s on the “approved” list. I drink zero caffeine even though I know I can have some and used to drink 5 cups a day. I eat meat even though I used to not because I was worried I wasn’t getting enough protein or iron. And I try to limit my stress and sweets (both easier said than done).

I feel like I’ve done as much as possible for the last 7 months to be a good pregnant momma. So imagine me sitting at work, reading my quick pregnancy update for the day, being pretty proud of myself for staying calmn in a stressful work situation....and my jaw dropping to my desk when I receive an update that claims a woman who eats peanuts or peanut butter more than once or twice a week is increasing her baby’s odds of having a peanut allergy. What the?! If you don’t know this about me, I have eaten a peanut butter sandwich every day of my life since I was 18. I am not exaggerating. That’s my lunch of choice. I eat peanut butter or almond butter (no jelly or jam) every day with a slice of cheese, some chips or crackers, and an apple. It’s been this way for 8 years. I actually thought this was a good thing. How on earth can a girl keep track of all the things she should or shouldn’t eat during pregnancy. I thought I was going overboard by not even touching lunch meat, which some people say you can heat up and have every day if you want.

So most people take all of this advice with a grain of salt. I am not most people. I am completely irrational and obsessive about this pregnancy. You read that I am not drinking coffee, right? So it looks like you might want to invite me to lunch in the next six weeks. Six weeks of no peanut butter…that’s almost more grueling  than six more weeks of no fully loaded pumpkin spiced lattes. Wish me luck.

(Bo has been adorably clingy to me these days. He won't let me get up and go in the other room without following me. I think he can sense something going on and he's really protecting me. He is the sweetest and I can't wait to see how much he loves his little sister.)

Packing for the Hospital

I have just started thinking about packing a bag for David and me and a bag for our baby girl for the hospital. My friend helped me get started on a list this weekend. Does anyone have any other things they wish they would have taken or things they couldn't have gone without?

For our bag I know I need the following:
- Chapstick
- Suckers or popsicles
- Camera and charger
- Phone charger
- Warm socks
- Comfy clothes
- Extra layers for David in case he's freezing while I'm sweating
- Hair ties
- Things for nursing ( I won't scare you with all the things on that list)
- Boppy

For her:
- Special blankets and swaddles
- Going home from the hospital outfit
- Diapers
...I know they will have everything for her at the hospital, but I want her to have some of her own things like this.

What else would you suggest?

One Short Year Ago

One short year ago,  I was about 25 pounds lighter and had just finished up a half-marathon with my friend Molly. I know this because she ran it again this year, her third year in a row. She is such an inspiration to me. I remember back on our runs we talked about a lot of things. I really cherish those runs with her. One thing I remember talking to her about was the idea of getting pregnant and having a baby. One short year ago I was running 13 miles and day dreaming about having a baby someday. And now it's so close. So I may not be preparing for a 2 hour run and I may feel like a beach ball, but let me tell ya, I am still daydreaming about this perfect day that I get to meet our daughter and I have never felt stronger.

And if you need a chuckle, check this out. Here's what I looked like from the side one short year ago (in the bring green):

And here I am now...a little bit lumpier, but definitely feeling stronger than ever:

33 Weeks and Growing

I started following the cutest little blog, The Vintage Apple. Check her out; she is adorable, and we are almost the same amount of pregnant. (http://www.thevintageapple.com/)

She does these cute weekly updates that I think I would love to do for my last few weeks to have to look back on. So I'm stealing her idea. Thanks Vintage Apple!


Here are some picture updates. These first two are last week, 32 weeks.

And here is this week, 33 weeks. Can you believe this big old beach ball I carry around all day?! Unreal.

How far along? 33 Weeks

Maternity clothes? Oh my goodness yes...don't tell me that you know someone that is 33 weeks along and still in their skinny mini clothes. I don't want to meet those women.

Stretch marks? Not yet, but I feel like my poor ol' tummy is stretched to the max so it could happen any day now.

Sleep: This is not my favorite thing to report on. I toss and turn, toss and turn, go to the bathroom, think about work stuff, toss and turn, think about the baby girl, turn over some more...it's been a rough week. Last night I tried taking a bath and then reading a non-pregnancy, non-here's how you will mess up your kiddo, non-breast feeding book and I slept so much better. I am re-reading (for the babillionth time) East of Eden and I think it helped to think about something other than pregnancy, baby, delivery, or parenting right before bed. Plus I have this amazing husband who every time I roll over rubs my back or arm to help soothe me. Marry this kind of man the minute you meet him ladies.

Best moment this week: This week at our baby class we got to tour the OB unit in the hospital. It made us both so excited that the next time we are there will be to meet our little girl. Yes, I'm crying.

Miss Anything?Coffee!! It is Fall here and, as if I need to remind you, Fall is my favorite. And for Fall I really love warm, yummy coffees. Decaf is working okay for me, but it's still not the same. Very, very soon I will probably miss eggnog too. One of our favorite things is to watch a Christmas movie and have some rum and eggnog.

Movement: She is a hyper little one and has been from the very first kick. Every time we listen to her heartbeat the doctor even comments on how she runs away and moves so much. I love it! And now I can see her move my whole stomach when she rearranges. It's so fascinating.

Food cravings: Apples! I eat at least one a day but usually two. And I feel like I could chug a gallon of apple juice Look Whose Talkin' style.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not today :)

Labor Signs: Nothing really.  A couple of weeks ago I started feeling Braxton Hicks contractions, but nothing like labor.

Belly Button in or out? Embarrassingly out, out, out!

Wedding rings on or off?  I took these off last weekend to store them in a safe place not because I had to yet, but because I am terrified at how horrible my memory is right now and I take them off at night and don't want to lose them. And my sweet hubby "re-proposed" and gave me a great fakey to wear to get me through for a while. Now I smile every time I look down and think about him thinking about me enough to buy me this.

Mood:I've been a little anxious this week. I don't know what about for sure, but I've just been a little worried and excited.

Looking forward to:Packing our hospital bags! This past week in class we talked about how it's a good idea to start doing this now. A bag for her and a bag for us. Plus I bought my "going to the hospital" outfit to wear so I can't wait to get it in the mail and pack it up.