It's Beginning

First of all, I will start by thanking everyone for coming to the family baby shower last Sunday. It was soooo much fun. We played the dirty diaper game and baby food game. The video we got of it is hilarious and once I get it downloaded, I will post it. I have some pics though! Barb really got to laughing at the look of the dirty diaper. Some candy bars are pretty true to the real thing except the smell.

 What made the games the funnest was having the men there and seeing there facial expressions!!!

Out of the baby food we sampled....never feed your child "chicken in chicken gravy"!!! It is NASTY and smells horrible. Sweet potatoes/corn and applesauce are alright. 

I was sooo happy that my best friend, Jenna was able to make it!!! She made it a lot of fun!!! The family absolutely loves her!!! She fits in sooo well. The men couldn't believe she knew deer lingo. She can have a conversation with anyone!!! She got me 3 jars of Reese's peanut butter...lol...I had completely forgot about being drawn to it at her shop lol.

The cake my mom had made was awesome!!! It was a cookie cake and absolutely adorable. The booties are keepsakes!!

We loved everything we got. We received a lot of blankets/quilts. Matt's aunt made the one below. It is cross-stitched!!! It is beautiful!

My grandma and aunt also had some blankets made for us!

 We also got our stroller/travel system which was a pain installing in the car but we love it! We also got a musical jumper that speaks english and spanish. It was a pain putting together too. As Matt says, he can't wait to here the same songs and words played over and over...lol....

A lady I work with made Andi a little hat and mittens! JuJu is checking them out!

Jenna made a really cute tutu so I dressed the womb bear to show off the look! Christie and Cassie got us the blanket in the background as well as the cross on the wall and a Boppy!

Now onto what is happening in the womb.

Prelabor pains have begun! I am having cramps and lower back pain which are two of the symptoms. By the end of this week I will be 37 weeks and the baby will be considered full-term which I could have her anytime. My belly has really grown over the past couple of days, I think it is because I have dropped some. 

The other night a deer ran out in front of me on 44 and I barely missed it. That is when the pains started. I thought it was from tensing up but apparently not. My cervix has started thinning. This weekend I will begin packing our bags since I will have time. I am working a 7 day stretch right now, and it is exhausting! I am closing 6 of those days. All-in-all, I will have worked 56 hours this week. I am really starting to worry about going into labor at work since I am there all the time. I am also starting to think I am an idiot deciding to work right up to the last minute. Hopefully all the standing and walking I do will make labor and delivery easier! My hands have started swelling pretty bad, especially my left. I can only wear my wedding band now. I don't know what is up with my body lol. My right ankle and left hand swells.

Last but not least, I bought 2 X-Mas outfits with matching tights during our discount days. They were hard to choose. As I have asked before, why are we having a girl? I wouldn't probably spend a lot of money on a boy!

Baby Shower and a Buck

Some of my coworkers had a surprise shower for me at our manager's house! It was soooo fun and cute!!! I got some really great stuff!!! One thing they did was decorate onezies that turned out adorable and then they signed a message to Andi in a nursery rhyme book! Some pics of the onezies are below:

 The Estee' Lauder manager is hosting a foreign exchange student from China and though she spelled the name different, she wrote it in Chinese which is neat.

  I received some other great items as well and I love the colors!!

 I love the womb bear and so does JuJu. She keeps getting it out of the bouncer and dragging it up on our bed.

A big thank you to everyone that made that night very special!! I wish I would of brought my camera to the party:-(

Something I couldn't resist at Target, in case we have a very cold winter:

It is sooo adorable and soft!!! Why are we having a girl???? As Matt puts it, I spend money on less practical things for the baby.
As of lately, we have finished all of our classes. Yesterday was the last breastfeeding class. I am soooo glad that Mercy provides those classes because I feel very prepared and more knowledgeable about how to do things. I found out that Matt is a great swaddler, a lot better than me! We toured labor and delivery and it kind of scared me lol. I realized this baby has to come out in 5 weeks.....I am ready for her to be here and I pray my labor and delivery goes as smoothly as this pregnancy has. I have started packing my bag. Now it is just a waiting game.

Nothing really new has happened other than my right foot is starting to swell more than before. It was just swelling half way down like in the pic but now my whole foot is swelling. It is weird how only my right foot/ankle swells.

I don't know what it is with the right side of my body. I have been using Icy Hot on the lower right side of my back and hip and it has worked great numbing my sciatic nerve pain. I think I will use it in labor as well. The only bad thing about it is I smell like pepto-bismol. I can't sit for very long because of my sciatic nerve, so I am constantly having to do something. I also think since I am on my feet all day, I am just used to it. Lately I have been cleaning a lot. I guess it is part of my nesting.

Matt has had a pretty good month. He loves to hunt, especially bow hunt because it is more challenging. I am going to toot his horn for him. He was in a bow shooting tournament in September. Out of 400 participants, he placed 9th!!! He is really good at what he does, and he practices on the decoys all over our yard and makes bets with me if he hits them from certain distances, usually 50-60yrds. Anyway, he had been wanting to add another nice buck to the wall and he got his wish!

 He had to search for it the next day since it got too dark but you can tell how excited he was when he found it!!! He got a doe earlier and he plans to get another one during rifle season. One thing I know is that if we ever have hard times, he will definitely be a great provider!!!

One last pic to show. At night Sam and JuJu have a big jealousy fight as to who gets to sit with dad. Usually JuJu wins because she is his favorite, but here recently she has been sticking to me and Sam has won his attention. We love our dogs...lol!

As Barbara says, " If our kids are anything like our dogs, we are in trouble."

8 More Weeks and Then I Can Breathe!

Well the baby is out of room, says the doc. She has grown up under my breast bone which means her feet stay in my ribs and breast bone. This results in me not being able to breathe. She is soooo high. The doc says now I will start growing out.

In my recent post, I talked about how people kept saying I am small and I totally did not agree. Well now I do. After going to these classes with Matt and being around other pregos that are the same weeks, I am much smaller. Even Matt couldn't believe how much smaller I am in comparison. I am glad I am pretty much all belly, so then the weight will come off A LOT easier! 

Over the past couple of weeks I have had the worst pain due to my sciatic nerve on my right side. It got to the point I could barely roll over in bed. In the middle of the night my hip would freeze up and I wouldn't hardly be able to walk. Luckily, the baby moved off of it the other day. Matt bought me a prenatal massage and it was AWESOME!!! The masseuse was gentle but relieved a lot of pressure and it didn't hurt. I know Matt means well, but he bares down and it hurts!!! She also couldn't believe I was 8 months. She thought 6.

As of now, the only discomfort I am having is feet in the ribs and the massive ball of pressure in my stomach. I have to sit up really straight--hard back chair and stand like I am a puppet on a string. Other than that, this has been a great pregnancy and I hope labor and delivery is the same. Many prayers have been said so hopefully my worries will be just worries.

My biggest worry right now is the cord around the baby's neck. That is a huge fear of mine. She moves around soooo much, I'm scared about that and when she starts moving down the birth canal. She is over 4lbs now and hiccups multiple times during the day. She is really growing!!!! We can't wait to meet her and see what she looks likes, who she will favor, and how she will be. The anticipation is making us inpatient!!! 

Another prayer was answered as well. We have a babysitter for Mondays and Tuesdays!!! We are soooooo happy that Matt's sister, Christie has said she would do it!!!! This is exactly what we were hoping!!! She will be wonderful with Andi and we get to keep the baby in the family!!!! 

Onto a different subject. Talk about irony. Last Sunday I was talking to Matt, wondering what happened to the case of my stolen wallet from last year. They were suppose to have trial for the guy in May and never heard anything. Well Wednesday I got a subpoena and I have to testify. They originally had the wrong guy but I looked up his mugshot and the one they have now is the one. I really don't want to go to court. It is going to STRESS ME OUT!!!! Oh well, he used $3000 of mine, so I am definitely going to press charges. Oct 29th is the day and they have him for 8 different charges. It says that I might have to appear for future hearings...boo!! Oh well, hopefully it goes well.

Something to Think About

Matt and I have been going and enjoying our childbirth education classes/lamaze. I think it is really helping Matt overcome his anxiety about the birthing process. I am very proud of how interactive in the class he has been. He has been answering questions about me and my discomforts...things that I haven't really noticed. Something I have been debating A LOT lately is

getting an epidural. The more I have heard stories, the more I am not for it. I know that doctors tend to push back getting it so you can get up and move and let gravity do its thing. Then I have heard about how it wears off too early or doesn't kick in until after the baby. I have not taken any kind of pain meds like Tylenol this whole pregnancy. There have been plenty of times I've wanted to especially these days but I am sticking to my guns and not giving in. I consider myself a pretty tough person and I think I am going to go as long as possible, if the entire labor, without pain meds.

Our instructor has talked about the transition phase in labor which is when the woman becomes a holy terror. This really holds true if there isn't any pain meds so Matt is in for a shocker. However, during our last class the instructor was telling us what to pack in our hospital bag and she said a good camera/video camera. We have 2 good cameras so I really didn't think much about it until Matt came home the other night and videotaped me. He said he is going to video the birth of our daughter and show the family my transition phase during labor. In the beginning we were worried he was going to be unconscious and now he is going to video? He said he will have his sister, Christie, come in and massage me while he tapes. I am excited that he is getting anxious, but not so much that he has turned into a camera man. He has been making hunting videos of himself, taping the dogs, and me.....glad he got himself a toy!

Dillard's had another really good sale again, and I couldn't refrain from getting stuff for Andi. This time I got 12-18 months. The coat and hat is 3months... so she will be wearing it this winter. We are expecting her to be in 0-3 months at birth because she will probably be an 8 pounder.

This last one is on behalf of Matt. He really liked it too even though it is pink!

We had been contemplating getting a rocker for the nursery. There isn't a whole lot of room, so we didn;t want anything big. The rockers we were finding weren't comfortable until Matt's mom, Barbara got us this leather one with ottoman. It is soooo comfortable and looks great in the room!!!!

We have 9 more weeks until D-day! I have been reading soooo many books, especially breastfeeding since that is my plan. My goal is to do it for a year plus work full-time which is going to be difficult. I really wish I could be a stay-at-home, like the rest of the women in my family were...but unfortunately due to my stupidity when I was younger with a credit card, I won't be able to. Hopefully in 2 years I will be debt free and be able to at least work part-time. 

Another worry at this point is finding a good babysitter. We just need one for Monday and Tuesday. The rest of the week is covered. I don't want to do daycare, just someone to either come to our house or take the baby to theirs. We will be praying a lot for this to fall into place.

As for present time, the pregnancy is going well. However, Matt has started having to give me low back rubs and my sciatic nerve on my right side has been acting up. In the middle of the night my hip to mid thigh is froze where I have trouble walking. My right foot keeps swelling during the day, my left not so bad. If I work a long shift then my hands start swelling too. Overall, things are good. 

Andi's movements now take my breath away. She does things with such force. Matt got to feel his little Bam Bam's rambunctiousness the other night. It literally feels and looks like she is trying to come out of my stomach. She is over 4lbs now and I have only gained 17. Hallejuah!!! 

28 Weeks and Counting

I am so glad we are almost to December. WE are very excited to meet Andi. I went to the doctor Thursday for my glucose test. Yay! I passed, thank goodness. The drink was cherry syrup and I could literally feel it going through my veins. I couldn't sit still. I think I could have ran a mile. I had a scare earlier when I gained 10 lbs in 3 days, but thankfully I lost 5 of those pounds due to water weight. So far I have only gained 15. I would like to max at 20, we shall see. The baby bump is below:

So many people keep telling me that I haven't gained enough for 7 months. Several people have said I look like I am maybe 5 months. Here is why they think that. I wear all black every day with a white lab coat. Black camouflages/slims and the coat hides. Therefore, I do not look that big. When I am in my regular clothes, I look HUGE!!!! I said I would never take a pic of my belly showing, simply because I don't think pregnancy is beautiful on me lol...but thought I would show the difference:-) 

Thankfully due to bathing in lotion, I haven't gotten any stretch marks and hopefully I won't! When I went for my doctor visit, he listened to her heartbeat and he said she is very strong and healthy. He said one of the signs as to why was because her heartbeat would speed up, slow down, and mimic mine. Her heartbeat was very loud, as loud as mine. She is over 2lbs and almost 16 inches. I will start going every two weeks now:-) My mission now is to find a good pediatrician. We start Lamaze classes next week for 6 weeks, then infant CPR class, breastfeeding classes, and finally grandparents class!!!

She is very, VERY active. I think she is going to be like Matt in this aspect. Matt has a hard time sitting still. He constantly has to be doing something and that is what I am noticing with her. She stays active for about an hour to two hours and sleeps for an hour or two. She has gotten into the habit of rolling. Last night she was rolling over and then would move side to side, up and down. This morning she woke me at 4am dancing. She would roll over then tap, tap, tap....roll over, tap, tap, tap. She did that for 30 minutes straight.

I have found this as bonding time between me and her. Matt has felt her do her thing but once is enough for him. I don't think he understands, simply because he can't feel her inside. It really is a miracle how life is created.

One thing I am not liking about pregnancy is my ever growing boobs. They have started growing under my armpits. I think I have gained most of my weight in them ( 3 cups). Trying to find a bra that fits is unbelievable. Finding one that I fit in the cup, is too big up at the top where the straps are and it gapes open. I have been wearing sport bras and I think I am going to continue. I can't wait until they engorge with milk!NOT!

We are going to have our shower November 4th. I will be right at 9 months. Two weeks after will be Thanksgiving, then two weeks will be my due date. Time is going to fly. This pregnancy has flown by, thank goodness it has been good...so far! 

We have been getting more items from our families. My dad bought us the pack-n-play and the rocker/walker.My aunt bought us the swing. The play yard will be in our room for 3 months or until I feel comfortable placing the baby in her crib at night. It is a lot of fun putting the items together. Matt has only done the crib. I have done everything else with the help of the dogs..lol

I bought a stuffed animal for Andi and I have been putting it in the swing. Every time JuJu goes in there she thinks it is her toy and will drag it out by the tail and be standing over it looking at me.

Sam and JuJu have so much personality and they are going to be great with Andi! I can see Andi dressing JuJu up in baby doll clothes and riding Sam like a pony. This is how they greet us when we come home.

They meet us at the door. Sam has his pig. They run and get on the bed so they can give us a hug!!!

They get soooo excited!!!!
I know I am talked about how much clothes she has gotten, and she really doesn't need much more, only shoes. However, it is hard to resist cute clothes. Here are some I couldn't pass up. 

Needless to say I love overalls!!! She is going to look soooo cute in them. She has several jean overalls as well. Now we need to get her some pink cowboy boots!!!