13 Days Left!

This picture was taken last Saturday. No it isn't the most flattering in the world, but hey I was sweaty and tired after putting up the tree all day. I figure I should have some pictures of my ever progressing belly. I was 27 weeks and 4 days here.

Well if you can believe it I only have 13 days until my estimated due date. It is amazing that I am actually nearing the end! It is questionable at this point when Violet will make her grand debut. I realized the other day that Lydia was actually 6 days late! Adelle I think was on time or 1 day early, but that was after they had tried to induce me at 39 weeks without success. I figure that had to help me go into labor on my own when I did. When I got checked out 6 days ago at my doctor's office she said my cervix was still pretty hard and that I was dialated to a 1. I honesltly wasn't expecting much because I was still 2 1/2 weeks out. Violet is head down though, which is good. I do get bouts of contractions that can get pretty uncomfortable and last for a couple of hours, but I find if I lay down or change the way I'm sitting they will stop, which is a sure sign of "false labor".

I did have an interesting thing happen on Sunday. I am pretty sure I lost my mucus plug. Ladies and gentelmen if you don't know what this is, don't try and figure it out. All I can say is gross and really too much information! It may have had something to do with getting an internal exam this last Thursday. It set me thinking "Is she coming soon". Alas, she still isn't here though. Honestly that is okay though. I was hit pretty hard with a cold that my girls have had. I am super congested and I don't even now how I would breath during labor. Day by day, I seem to be getting better though which is encouraging. I really want to be better. I am just praying that Wes doesn't get it.

Violet is still pretty active and enjoys moving about, which can be painful at times because she is getting so big. It is reassuring though to feel her movements and know that she is doing well.

My hospital bag is in my trunk just in case. With Lydia and Adelle I was admitted straight after doctor appointments and I'd rather be prepared. The girls have even packed overnight bags just in case she comes during the night.

Wes and I have decided that we don't want Violet coming in 2010. If we wait until 2010 we will end up paying $450 more (since we will have to restart the deductible on our insurance) and we will miss out on the tax break. I am going to speak to my doctor about an induction date the last week in December just in case I go over. As much as I am really not a fan of induction, the downside is too great. I still have some natural induction methods that I can try though once we get closer to the due date.

I am trying to get things squared away at work and with my church callings so I won't be worried about things while I am on leave. I am planning on taking a full 3 months off, despite my boss' best efforts to have me take off less time. I am really looking foward to the leave and the the opportunity which I will have to spend with my new baby and Lydia and Adelle.

I have decided that pregnancy has been made to be so long and difficult (especially near the end) so as women we won't mind going through all of the pain and stress of labor. When it comes down to it, we really just want to move onto the next stage of our life and enjoy our new little one. I can't wait!! Have I said that already? Well I guess I can wait, but I am eagerly anticipating my baby's arrival!

Violet's New Room

This weekend Violet's room really came together. Pretty much everything is ready except I am planning on putting some white, vinyl lettering on the pink wall that says "Curiouser and Curiouser". I'm not sure what will happen as far as the teapot lamp either. One of the walls has been painted pink.

Most of the crib bedding is done.

The pictures have been hung.

My little white rabbit has been placed on the dresser next to a white rabbit framed picture.

The dresser is stocked with clean clothes, diapers and wipes.

There are many cute outfits hanging in the closet, a new bouncer seat, and a baby bath tub. I purchased a few things from amazon and I'm just waiting on one more delivery this week. We are pretty much set for my little girl to come. I have even packed my hospital bag. I am 37 weeks tomorrow which is when babies are no longer considered premature. I have been cramping and contracting quite a bit today, but it is hard to say at this point whether it will lead to something real or if it is just my body practicing. It will be great to meet my little girl soon though, whenever she comes, and it is nice to feel prepared to some degree.

My Playlist

Well here is my birthing CD playlist for the time being. I may add more as I get closer. I'll just have to see.

Across the Universe - Rufus Wainwright - I Am Sam Soundtrack

The Memory of Trees - Enya -Paint the Sky With Stars

Ghost Story - Sting - Brand New Day

What Child is this/Coventry Carol - Bob Gandy - Through the Eyes of a Child

China Roses - Enya - Paint the Sky with Stars

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds - Beattles - Love

For Those Who Have Gone Before Us - Bob Gandy - Discovery

Valsa Pra Biu Roque - CeU - CeU

Silent Night - Bob Gandy - Through the Eyes of a Child

Many Meetings - Howard Shore - Lord of the Rings Soundtrack

Julie - Bob Gandy - Discovery

La Serenissima - Loreena McKennitt - Book of Secrets

Adelle's Waltz - Bob Gandy - An Evening at The Roof

Strawberry Fields Forever - Ben Harper - I am Sam Soundtrack

Jingle Bells - Bob Gandy - Through the Eyes of a Child

Carribean Blue - Enya - Paint the Sky with Stars

Winter's Day - Bob Gandy - Through the Eyes of a Child

Skellig - Loreena McKennitt - Book of Secrets

If Only There Was You - Bob Gandy - Dreamer's Flight

May it Be - Enya - Lord of the Rings Soundtrack

Sandstone (Storm) - Bob Gandy - Dreamer's Flight

Night Ride Across the Caucasus - Loreena McKennitt - Book of Secrets

Mother Nature's Son - Sheryl Crow - I Am Sam Soundtrack

Charlie's Place - Bob Gandy - Discovery

Quiet is the New Loud - Kings of Convenience - Quiet is the New Loud

Quiet Place - Bob Gandy- Through the Eyes of a Child

Prologue - Loreena McKennitt - Book of Secrets

Christmas Morning - Bob Gandy - Through the Eyes of a Child

Desert Rose - Sting- Brand New Day

Away in a Manger - Bob Gandy - Through the Eyes of a Child

Because - The Beattles - Love (One of my favorite songs EVER!)

Night Fall - Bob Gandy - Discovery

Winter - Tori Amos - Winter

Oh Caroline - Bob Gandy - Discovery

Marble Halls - Enya - Paint the Sky with Stars

Rainbow (After the Storm) - Bob Gandy - Dreamer's Flight

10 Contadoes- CeU - CeU

Forest Light (Retrospective) - Bob Gandy - Dreamer's Flight

Boadicea - Enya - Paint the Sky with Stars

The Dark Night of the Soul - Loreena McKennitt - The Mask and Mirror

Oh Come all ye Faithful - Bob Gandy - Through the Eyes of a Child

On My Way Home - Enya - Paint the Sky with Stars

Dante's Prayer - Loreena Mckennitt - Book of Secrets

Veu Da Noite - CeU - CeU

Waiting for Lydia - Bob Gandy - Discovery

Storms in Africa - Enya - Paint the Sky with Stars

I Don't Know Whay I can Save You From - Kings of Convenience

Carol of the Bells - Bob Gandy - Through the Eyes of a Child

A Thousand Years - Sting- Brand New Day

Christmas Time is Here (instrumental) - Bob Gandy - Through the Eyes of a Child

Sparks - Coldplay- Parachutes

First Dance - Bob Gandy - Discovery

Bobagem - CeU - CeU

3 Angels/Medley - Bob Gandy - Through the Eyes of a Child

Paint the Sky with Stars - Enya - Paint the Sky with Stars

Brand New Day - Sting - Brand New Day

Ebudae - Enya - Paint the Sky with Stars

Lothlorien - Howard Shore - Lord of the Rings Soundtrack

Know How - Kings of Convenience - Riot on an Empty Street

Watermark - Enya - Paint the Sky with Stars

Butterfly - Bob Gandy - An Evening at the Roof

Fields of Gold - Sting

Here Comes The Sun/The Inner Light - Beattles - Love

Walking in the Air - Bob Gandy - An Evening at the Roof

Golden Slumbers - Ben Fold - I Am Sam Sountrack

Shepard's Moons - Enya- Paint the Sky with Stars

The Mummer's Dance - Loreena McKennit - Book of Secrets

30 Weeks

Well today I'm 30 weeks along. Only 10 more weeks to go.

I am getting much bigger. I know the picture probably doesn't do my belly justice since it is a patterned shirt which blends things in. Adelle took the first picture and Wes took the second.

Violet is still very active and I am finding out that she already has a personality. Wes was laying next to me in bed a few days back and was resting his arm across my belly. Violet started kicking at his arm and didn't let up until he moved it off. He moved his arm a little higher and she then proceeded to kick at his arm again until he moved it. She has done this a couple of times. I have noticed that she also does it when I am cross stitching if the frame is resting on my belly at all. Funny girl. It makes me wonder what she will be like once she is born. I hope this doesn't mean that she won't like being held, because I love snuggling my babies.

The Braxton Hicks contractions are unfortunately getting stronger. I had a pretty bad episode yesterday and since I was working in the office I really couldn't lie down to get them to stop. It got so bad that it was starting to move into my back as well. I knew it wasn't real labor when I was able to get home and lie down for awhile. They proceeded to slow and eventually stop. The bad thing of course was that I was pretty much stuck lying down for the evening trying to get my body to relax. Wes and the girls attended the fall festival at the elementary school and I was unable to go with them. It was sad :( I do have some pictures of the festival that I will have to post later. Hopefully I won't get too many of these contracting episodes, but I now it is very possible to happen again. The nice thing is I'm more experienced with this pregnancy. With Adelle we kept going to Labor and Delivery to be monitored, but this time I'd rather try and get things to stop on their own before jumping in the car and driving to the hospital. They don't stress me out as badly as they did last pregnancy, since I was able to have a natural birth with Adelle and remember what it feels like when you get into the real labor stage. Granted, the braxton hicks still don't feel great and usually leave me tired, worn out and sore.

I just found out that the hospital I will be delivering at will not be allowing children under 14 to visit and you can only have 2 visitors at a time. The new rules are thanks to the H1N1 fears. I am sad that the girls will be unable to visit me and Violet at all while I am inpatient. I am really hoping now that I won't be in the hospital over Christmas, because if that's the case then I won't even be able to see Lydia and Adelle at all on Christmas.

It was great to see Violet on the ultrasound a few days back and know that her cysts are gone. For some reason though my girls seem to have a fear that Violet with die. Adelle kept asking the ultrasound tech if her sister was going to be okay and if she would die. I came home the other day and said I had some sad news (I was going to let them know about the visiting rules). Lydia right away asked if Violet had died. I don't know why these little comments keep popping up. I certainly don't worry about it and when brought up I reassure the girls that everything is going to be fine.

We still have quite a few preparations to complete before Violet comes. Wes needs to finish painting the basement. Now that the tape has been removed there are a few spots that need touching up. Once that is done the girls need to be moved downstairs and the stuff currently in the painted room needs to be moved into Lydia's soon to be old room. We were thinking of painting a wall pink in Violet's room if we have time. I need to pull out clothing from storage and get it washed and ready for Violet. I am waiting to do this one once Adelle has moved downstairs and moved her clothes into her new dresser. I am hoping I have some newborn clothing that will work. With Lydia being born in June and Adelle in April the clothing may be too light and summery. Wes needs to finish the quilt for Violets room. I also have a few more presents to buy and quite a few to wrap for Christmas. Wes also still needs to make the tea cup lamp for Violet's room. He is trying to work out a few problems like how to drill through the fragile porcelain without breaking it. We have bought everything for the lamp and it would be a shame if we can't get it put together.

Wes stated the other day that he might want a refresher of sorts on labor and delivery. At first we considered a Lamaze class, but realized that a 6 week class would be difficult since it means finding a babysitter every Saturday. Also, it makes it hard to get needed things done since Saturday is our project day. So, we have decided to see what sort of DVDs are available for our own little refresher course. I have ordered a few things through the library and it might be very humorous to see what we end up getting. Lydia heard us talking about this the other day and got all wide eyed and worried. I assured her that we wouldn't be watching any videos while she is awake. I do wonder though how Wes will handle the real birth scenes. I'm so cruel! Honestly though, he was the one who made the request and I think it is a great idea. It has been a long time. I am really hoping to go natural again.

I can hardly believe that I only have 10 weeks left. That really isn't much time especially when you chop it down to 10 Saturdays left. I am really excited for Violet to come. I hope everyone will adjust to having a new little one in the house. I wonder if it will be particularly hard on Adelle since she has been the youngest for so long. Hopefully it will go well.

99 Days Left...Really?

I just noticed that my pregnancy ticker is showing that I only have 99 days left. I can't believe it! Violet has been quite active today and I'm happy that she is safe and warm where she is, but it is hard to believe that in about 3 months she will be joining our family! WOW!

I have my gestational diabetes test coming up in about a week and I really hope that goes well. Diabetes runs in my family and my sister had GD with her last pregnancy so I'm really hoping I won't have it. I didn't with my other pregnancies.

I have a follow up ultrasound at the beginning of October and am excited to see my little girl again.

Time is just flying by!!

Wes' birthday is today. I'll have to take some pictures and post later. I also have some pictures from my nephew's birthday this past weekend.

Week 24

Does anyone know how to take a horrible shine off of someone's face through photo editing? Wes says it is back lighting. It is probably just the pregnancy which is making my skin change in horrible ways. I even put on makeup. Is that the "pregnancy glow" they talk about? That's it...I'm just glowing. He he he! Anyway, that isn't the point. The point of the picture is to show you my growing baby belly at 24 weeks.

Here are some tidbits of my pregnancy thus far.

I have really started to become uncomfortable. I am finding it harder to bend over, walk, sleep...well you get the point. I didn't think it would start so early, but it has. Most of the time it isn't a big deal. I will suddenly realize the problem though when I bend over to pick something up and think "That didn't feel good". The honest truth is my body feels like it is stretching and running out of room. I am sure it will adapt so baby Violet can continue to grow and develop for the next 16 weeks.

I am now the slowest walker in the family where before I used to be the fastest. I really wish I had kept up with a wonderful exercise routine. I guess it is never too late to make new habits. I did exercise a couple of times last week, which I guess is something.

I can feel Violet moving a lot during the day. In fact, Wes has been able to see her moving around. He asked me one day how I manage to have someone moving inside me all day. He thinks it would be very strange. It is comforting to feel her and know she is doing well, except when she kicks really hard. I then remind my little baby to be nice to her mommy. I don't think she is listening :)

My energy levels have been really wonderful. I was working on all sorts of project ideas and keeping the house cleaner. Then suddenly my energy started dropping these past few days. I actually fell asleep on the couch last night at 9:00. I am hoping they go back up at least for the next month when I will be in the third trimester.

Someone said to me on Sunday "Are you sure there aren't two in there". I told her it was probably just my dress making me look so big and suctioned the fabric around my belly to show her. Honestly, it didn't hurt my feelings. I will look however I look and it is worth it to get my baby here. My weight gain I think is going pretty well. On Friday I weighed myself and I have gained 15 pounds so far which I think is pretty normal.

I rarely have cravings anymore. I do need to eat frequently though because I start feeling dizzy, and just not quite right! I try to make healthy choices most of the time. I like to have a high protein breakfast because it carries me further. I love a hard boiled egg and morning star breakfast patty on an english muffin with a side of fruit. Yummy!

The bathroom breaks are a little ridiculous, but I am just getting used to it. Drinking lots of water is something that helps me feel better. I also know that it helps reduce contractions and headaches. I still do get contractions on occasion, but not too frequently.

I have started working at home four days a week and in the office one day which has been WONDERFUL!! I feel so blessed and fortunate to have the opportunity. I see my family more and am able to be much more comfortable in my own home. I know I will come to appreciate it more and more as the pregnancy progresses. It has been especially good since Wes' schedule is becoming more hectic. Also, after my maternity leave I will still be working from home which will be fabulous!!!

I have dreams about Violet and enjoy holding her. This last dream she had some physical problems. I think as a mom it is pretty common for us to worry that something can go wrong. I can't wait for her to come. Well, I can because I want her to grow and because there is much that needs to be done still, but it will be nice when she is here. I am really looking forward to 3 months of maternity leave as well.

I still LOVE my doctor and think she is greatest thing ever!!!! I am not nervous for the birth at all. Perhaps it will hit me later, but this being the third time around I know more what to expect and know I am a strong woman that can make it through almost anything.

I thank my Heavenly Father every day for the opportunity to be pregnant with my little one and pray she will be healthy and strong. The girls pray for Violet at every family prayer. I pray for others that I know are struggling with fertility issues right now. I know of several women that are aching to have their own little baby. I want you to know that I am thinking of you and hope that your dream comes to pass SOON.

Well, here's to the next 16 weeks!

20 Weeks -Half Way There

So I am 20 weeks today! Yeah!!!

I am feeling more energetic this trimester which has been wonderful. I rarely ever get sick to my stomach anymore. I also have been exercising less. I am hoping to jump back on the wagon soon, because I want to be healthy and keep weight gain to a minimum. I keep reminding myself, especially when I see myself in pictures that I well get my body back after the baby is born and I am happy to loan it to help my little girl grow.

Baby Violet is moving more and more all the time. Wes really hasn't been able to feel her yet. He thinks he might have felt her last night, but he's unsure. I can't wait until he can start bonding with my little girl.

The girls are excited that we are having another girl. I hope they get along with her because it seems they can barely get along with each other anymore. I am looking forward to school starting.

I have loved planning Violet's room and have some big projects ahead, but it excites me.

I really feel a bond to my little girl and am so glad I am pregnant with her. Only 5 more months to go! I'm going to need that time to prepare.

Our Special Baby

So we had a chance to see our little baby today. It is such a joy to see the little one. Here is the baby's profile. Wes thinks the baby looks like his side of the family.

The baby kept its arms over its face most of the time.

Here is the baby's little foot!

And......it's a Girl!! We are super excited that we will have another little girl in our family. We are naming her Violet Helen and we can't wait to meet her in 5 months!

In Favor of Manly Ideas

So I was discussing my baby room ideas with Wesley and brought up the idea of "Wind in the Willows" for a boy and right away he said he would prefer we theme a boy's room around the "Jungle Book" by Rudyard Kipling. In his words the Wind in the Willows is just a story, Alice at least is a "mind trip" and the Jungle Book is a political commentary. Isn't our household interesting?


At first I was a little disappointed because, let's face it, the jungle theme is overly done in baby rooms. But then I started thinking about all of the fun things that I could do. Besides I would be centering the room around the book and not around pastel giraffes and monkeys, and the "Jungle Book" is set in India. I have already scoured the KSL Classifieds (my new love) to find all sorts of possibilities. I was even able to find a realistic, giant, stuffed Tiger for $20! Of course I am getting ahead of myself again. Tomorrow is the big day though! The ultrasound!!! Can you tell I'm excited? From there I can start working on my project. I think my poor husband is tired of hearing about it. Maybe I'm going crazy! They say it can happen to pregnant women. Personally being the pregnant woman at the moment it is hard to put everything into perspective. What do you think? Am I losing it?

Bursting with Baby Ideas

I have been bursting with ideas for the baby room recently. I have to admit that I never really had a theme for either of my girls when they were born. There was no grand color scheme, painted walls or wonderful accessories. They still had cute things, but nothing more than that.

For some reason I have just had the funnest time thinking of ideas for the new baby. Wes says I am nesting. I call it creativity. Why not plan something fun! I don't know yet if we are having a boy or a girl so I have come up with two different ideas. I am not a big fan of the same old themes. I wanted something entirely original. I am a big fan of classic literature and I think it would be a blast to have a room themed around a classic children's story.

If we have a girl I want the room to be centered around Alice in Wonderland. Now mind you, I'm not talking about the Disney Alice in Wonderland (which granted I still enjoy), but more around the original John Tenniel illustrations. It isn't a surprise to many that know me that I absolutely love the Alice story. I would love to frame some of the artwork and put it on the walls. I even have a grand idea of a stacked tea cup lamp that I think I could make own my own.

If we have a boy I think I would like to center around the classic story "Wind in the Willows". I haven't decided which illustrator I like the most, but I have always enjoyed the animal characters! I must admit though while I have seen the movies and read several shorter stories I have never read the full novel. So, I have decided to listen to the audio book while I work today. It is funny how these simple ideas have me so excited! Perhaps it is nesting, but isn't it a little early for that? Of course I will need to wait to find out what we are having before I jump head first into any projects. In the meantime though I'll enjoy my visions of the perfect room for my little one.

16 Weeks (4 Months)

Well I am taking a quick break from vacation posts since I am 16 weeks today in my pregnancy. Here are some facts about what has been happening.

I have been worrying a lot less which has been GREAT! My spotting has been pretty much non-existent recently which has been wonderful!

My abdomen just keeps growing and growing as well as other things. It is interesting to look in the mirror and see how much my body has already changed. I am even starting to outgrow my dresses :( Sad, but true. It is nice though that I am starting to show more. I am glad that I have a pretty good stock of maternity clothes thanks to purchases and borrowing!

I can usually feel the baby moving a couple of times during the day. It usually is just little flutters at this point. It is nice to feel my little babe and reminds me of the fun times ahead. I can't wait until Wes and the girls can feel the baby moving as well. I know that will come in the weeks ahead.

I am super excited to find out if we are having a boy or a girl. I should probably know in the next 3 or 4 weeks. Lydia now wants a girl instead of a boy. She decided this after spending an afternoon with my nephew. He really is a doll, but boys can be very different. Adelle has now decided that she wants us to have a boy because she doesn't want to share her girly toys and other possessions. You have to love my kids :) We know for sure what we would name a girl, but still haven't decided on a boy name, so it will be interesting to see what we are having.

I am finding that I need to eat more and more food. This morning I came into work and was visiting with a coworker and almost passed out because I hadn't had breakfast yet. It is amazing how much pregnancy requires of your body.

I am getting out of shape. I got a sore arm from throwing snaps on the 4th of July which is super pathetic!! Now that I have been less worried and that I'm back from vacation I am trying to exercise on a regular basis again. I love the elliptical, but have found that I working out at 1/2 of the intensity than before I was pregnant. I figure any exercise is better than no exercise at all.

I am happy to be pregnant and am trying to find moments to enjoy it. I am so grateful and thank my Heavenly Father every day for this blessing. I am also trying to spend quality time with the family before our world drastically changes. Last night we played card games on the front lawn and had a wonderful time.

My thoughts have been turning more towards my mother recently and I wonder if she is looking out for our little one before it joins us :) I miss her, but I know she happy where she is.

Well, here's hoping that the next 24 weeks go well!

1/3 of the Way

If you are tired of hearing of this pregnancy already, I apologize, but this is one of the only ways I will remember it. My pregnancies with my girls is now just a blur, except for the the last 8 weeks with Adelle thanks to those great contractions. This is not going to turn into a pregnancy blog I promise. We have Lydia's birthday party this weekend and our family vacation next week, so don't worry you'll have other things to read about.

I am now 13 weeks and 1/3 of the way through. I am so excited that next week I will be starting my second trimester. I have had spotting off and on since week 6 and it has made me nervous at times. I know that being this far along has greatly reduced my chances of things going wrong. I have spoken to other mothers who had the same issues in their pregnancies and still went on to have healthy babies. My doctor isn't overly concerned and thinks things are going well, especially since we saw my little one at my first appointment.

I have found that my internal worrying has somehow manifested myself to my girls. Aren't kids perceptive! They have worried about the baby as well and Adelle one day asked if the baby could die. It made me realize even more that I need to relax and enjoy the pregnancy. It is becoming easier now that I am further along.

I will on occasion feel my little baby move. I remember what it felt like with my girls and it is such an exciting moment when it happens. I am looking forward to feeling my baby move on a regular basis when I get further along.

I rarely get morning sickness anymore, which is wonderful. I do get more hungry than usual and I still have cravings. I really tend to lean towards Italian food. I made one of my favorite childhood foods the other day, tetrazzini, and absolutely loved every bite and consumed all of the leftovers over the next couple of days. It reminded me of my mother since she was the one that made it for me as a girl. I miss her, but I know she is happy where she is. I feel like she is watching over my little baby.

I still get bouts of tiredness and often fall asleep on the couch in the evening for a little while before waking up, hanging with Wes, and then heading to bed. My family has been very patient with this!

This last Saturday I broke down and went clothes shopping. I found great bargains and I am so happy I will have cute, comfortable clothes to wear especially while I am gone on vacation. I have found that if my clothes are too tight it will actually cause spotting. Gotta love it, NOT! So I was especially motivated to get some new things. I usually HATE clothes shopping but for some reason I had a total blast finding stuff for myself on my solo shopping trip.

I am still exercising when I can, even though I have totally lost my previous fitness level. I tried a prenatal yoga DVD and couldn't walk properly for two days afterwards. It was a great workout that I think would really benefit me, if I can get brave enough to do it on a regular basis. I usually don't want anyone in the room when I do it though because it involves some vocalizations, arm flapping, and at times dancing in strange ways while imagining you are giving birth to your baby in a forest surrounded my caring women. You think I'm kidding? I'm not! Wes won't admit it, but I think he finds it hilarious! I can't really blame him! It is a bit embarrassing, but I find that I feel relaxed afterwards while at the same time using muscles that rarely get any sort of real work anymore.

I am so grateful for my little baby and we pray for it every day. Wes has been a very supportive, loving husband. He has been right there with me as I have stressed or haven't felt well. The girls are getting more excited all the time. Adelle still has questions. Last night I had to explain how the baby gets out. She seemed okay with how that happens. I remember telling Lydia years back and she vowed right then that she didn't want to have kids. I did make it much simpler with Adelle and she didn't ask if it hurt like Lydia did years ago.

I was asked the other day if my girls will be attending the birth and my answer was "Absolutely Not!". I don't want my girls to see me that way. Let them keep their innocence. Besides, it can be very distracting to have others in the room because then you are worried about them. It is a time that I will just need to focus on myself and what is going on. Besides, remember how they do with blood? Can you imagine them getting ill or passing out? It will very likely just be Wes and I, and the doctors and nurses OF COURSE. We probably won't have any other relatives. We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all of you, but prefer to keep it something between the two of us. This is especially true when you are having a natural birth when focusing is key :)

I am really looking forward to the next 27 weeks and can't wait to meet my little one. There is much that needs to be done around the house before we welcome our baby though. We need to turn the family/play room downstairs into the girls' new room. There are purchases to be made, walls to be painted, organizing to be done and furniture to be moved. I am hoping the walls will be painted by the end of the summer so they can dry well. Our basement is not known for warmth. It is an absolute icebox in the winter, which means I am hoping to find super warm comforters for the girls.

Well here's to the next 2/3 of the pregnancy!

1/4 of the Way

Yesterday I was 10 weeks along and I just realized that I am already 1/4 of the way through this pregnancy. Since I never wrote much down when I was pregnant with my girls I thought it would be nice to write some things this time around.

I have had morning sickness at random times. I never actually throw up, but just get very sick to my stomach. Eating does seem to help most of the time, so I have been eating a lot it seems. I am still trying to keep most of my foods healthy, even though I have an aversion to vegetables. I craved them for a week, but ever since then I can't stand them unless they are cooked well with something else. Some of my favorite foods right now are pizza, sausage, egg muffins, and nachos. I am always trying to find ways to make these foods healthier which often means I make them at home. I have had a really big craving for Joe's Crab Shack crab nachos recently, but I haven't given in yet, probably because it is so far away.

I have been nervous this time around. I don't know if it because I'm older and I know more what can go wrong, the fact that it took longer to get pregnant with this one, or if it is just thanks to the Internet. I belong to an online pregnancy group with other moms that are due in December and every week one or two of the moms will miscarry. It is a large group and the odds of course are there, but it still doesn't help my fears. Prayer has been really great to help me relax and focus on the positive. My sister is also really great to provide down to earth advice and comic release.

I had my first ultrasound at 6 weeks and saw the baby's little heartbeat just thumping along! That is the earliest ultrasound I have ever had before. I know for sure there is only one little baby :) The baby measured 6 days ahead, so I keep wondering if my due date will be moved up. I have my first official prenatal appointment with my doctor this Friday. Lydia didn't know I was pregnant and why we were at the hospital. The girls waited in the waiting room and afterwards Lydia was horribly concerned that something might be wrong with me. She made me promise to inform her if something was wrong with me. I think she was afraid I was going to die!

Lydia hasn't been overly excited to be a big sister again, but as time goes by she seems to get more excited. She is really excited though that she is going to share a room with her sister. Adelle is super excited and will often ask about the baby. When I sit down to eat she asks me if the baby likes the food. She has had MANY questions. She has also told me that my "womb" is getting fat.

Lydia is really hoping for a boy and Adelle is really hoping for a girl. When asked why Adelle wants a girl she says it is because she likes the name Violet. It is the name we have been leaning towards. I am just hoping for a healthy baby, but my instincts make me think it is a boy. I thought Adelle was going to be a boy though so I may be WAY off.

I have outgrown all of my pants and capris that I could previously wear. I have resorted to wearing my "fat" clothes. I held onto a few things after I lost 40 pounds. They are a little big, but I just can't stand to have my abdomen squished. Most of my maternity clothes are horribly outdated so I have borrowed some clothes and I am sure will need to buy some.

I get very tired at times, but found out yesterday that Skittles are amazing energy boosters. Wow! I hadn't had that much energy since before I was pregnant. I will not be resorting to this often for obvious reasons. Instead I try and take naps on the weekend and take it a little easier after a full day of work.

I am continuing to exercise during this pregnancy. I rarely exercised when I was pregnant with my girls. I am glad I am keeping up with this healthy habit. I have had to slow things down a little, but I am not giving up! I will walk, ride the exercise bike or use the elliptical. House cleaning and walking around Ikea counts too, right?

I am planning on having this baby naturally if I can. I had Adelle without any drugs and preferred it so much better than Lydia's birth. I was fully induced with Lydia and received an epidural. I know many women will view this as CRAZY, but I preferred the natural birth so much more! I don't like feeling out of control and honestly the pain was manageable. I liked that I was able to move and walk around during the labor as well as after the baby was born.

I am excited to have another baby! I have wanted this for a long time. I am not overly thrilled about having a baby in December, but I can't complain! I hope everything goes smoothly and that come December we will have a beautiful, healthy baby! I will be taking a full 3 months off and then will start working from home 4 days a week and 1 day in the office.

Here is to the next 30 weeks!