Day 1 Challenge

Day 1. I have a four year old and already I'm thinking, I'm going to miss her at this age. Have you felt that way, and what age do you miss the most?

Of Course, I am most definitely going to miss Hannah at this age. She's so curious about (literally) the outside world and asks soo many questions, which lead to answers and more questions. She's so excited about the impending birth of her little sister. She still loves to give hugs and kisses (which is something our family never thought she was going to do) and is very adamant about people using their manners ;) . She's so innocent and naive and godly. Her version of the Bible stories they share in her K4 class crack me up. The only thing I'm worried about at this age is that she's used to being center of attention... Is she going to throw tantrums and act out with the new baby around or is she going to take on her big sissy role?

The age I miss the most was her 3-6 month stage. At this stage, Hannah was still very much an infant that needed to be rocked and cradled and snuggled and cuddled but she was becoming more dependent by sitting up and holding her own bottle (sometimes). I miss having a child who completely depended on me for every need. I miss the diaper changes, and the outfit changes when she spit up, sponge baths and the occasional midnight feeding. Day in and day out time goes by so slowly, but it doesn't seem like I gave birth to her 4 years ago. Well, almost 5 now. They have truly been the best 5 years of my life. 

Day 2. What makes you uniquely you?
Day 3. A photo that makes you happy
Day 4. Post a pic of you in your favorite outfit.
Day 5. A YouTube video
Day 6. Your most embarrassing moment
Day 7. Do you believe in the "cry until she sleeps" method?
Day 8. Have a beauty secret (e.g. hair tip, make up tip)? Share, please!
Day 9. What virtues do you value in yourself?
Day 10. What are some of your favorite MAC products, and what foundation/powder do you wear?
Day 11. Post a recipe.
Day 12. Write about what wears you out as a woman.
Day 13. Write a blog thanking someone who's made your heart come alive.
Day 14. Post an outfit pic!
Day 15. What do you wish for?
Day 16. How old was Hannah when he started sleeping through the night and how did you do this? 
Day 17. Write about 3 things that make you happy.
Day 18. If you could, what would you tell yourself before you had your baby?
Day 19. Write about your significant other
Day 20. Write about your job and why you love it or hate it.
Day 21. Write about your most vivid childhood memory. Post a picture of you taken over ten years ago.
Day 22. What did you do today?
Day 23. Who's your celebrity look alike?
Day 24. What is God teaching you presently?
Day 25. Post a pic of your favorite comfy clothes.
Day 26. What do you hope your grandchildren will say about you someday when you are gone?
Day 27. Who are your favorite bloggers?
Day 28. Write about your insecurities as a woman.
Day 29. Your day, in great detail
Day 30. What do you think is going to happen to you after you die?
Day 31. Your favorite quote

ups and downs

so here's the thing. When you get pregnant.. anything could happen. The saying is "every pregnancy is different for every woman" which I believe is more true than ever now! my pregnancy with this child is nothing like my pregnancy with Hannah.

I have forgotten a lot of the things that happened to me (chronologically) while I was pregnant with Hannah. I remember them happening, but I have no idea how far along in the pregnancy they happened. For instance, I have no idea when I started to NOT sleep through the night, or when I started having Braxton Hicks contractions, or when I started to feel really uncomfortable, OR even when I started nesting. I can't remember any of that -- that's why I would document symptoms every couple of weeks so I could remember and possibly, just maybe, compare to a third child.

So here we are folks, 36 weeks! Full term!! and boy do I feel it! I've gained a total of 21 lbs, my belly is measuring 38.5 inches (maybe more now because I measured a few days ago first thing in the morning) I'm definitely in nesting mode trying to de-clutter the house and get all her clothes washed and put away. My husband says I'm in Patsy-mode (my mom is OCD about cleanliness so I will take that as a compliment).

Building background Story -

Since every pregnancy is different I figured I'd go the full 40 weeks with this bebe, but that doesn't seem to be the case. I didn't think anything of it when I started to notice my Braxton Hicks. I'd rub on my tummy to make it go away (kinda like you would a charlie horse) and that was that. They didn't hurt, almost kinda like a really faint dull menstrual cramp or a growing pain or she was sitting right on my sciatic nerve or something. It would last for a minute then go away. No problem. I figured it was normal. I mean, I was in my third trimester, this is my second pregnancy... who knows when normal is to start having regular Braxton Hicks... (and when I say regular I mean a GOOD one every 30 minutes)

I leave school about 3:30 everyday, and she's always very active during that time. I mean, nonstop movment for the full hour-drive home. Hiccups, rolls, bladder kicks, you name it I get them for a full hour so when we scheduled my 36 week ultrasound for 3:30 I was so excited because I just knew we'd get some great last ultrasound pictures.. WRONG! she was knocked out the whole 30-minute session. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!???!?!? I bet you, that if I had downed a 20 oz coke things would have been different.

Also, my entire pregnancy this child has weighed either on schedule or a week ahead, but when they started to measure her today she was only weighed/measuring at 33 weeks!! well, 32 weeks and 5 days to be exact! My uterus has always measured right on schedule, but for some reason she basically QUIT growing for a short while. Strange.

I guess with the combination of her measuring so small and her not being as active as I claimed she usually was around this time of day they wanted to run a Non-Stress-Test (or NST for short) on me. I remember in Hannah's pregnancy I had one at 37 weeks, but I think that was just a normal routine NST. So they hook me up to the machine to measure her movements and what her heart would do right before, during, and after each movement... umm.... yeah, I starting contracting like every 3-5 minutes for at least a good minute and a half. This lasted for a good 30-45 minutes. her heart rate was all over the place dropping as low as 116 and going as high as 180 something. talk about cause for concern because every single time they've listened to her heart its been in the 150 range. EVERY TIME.

Soooooooooooo with all my contracting my doctor wanted to check me to see if I was dilated.. Which thank the Lord I'm not!! He's still a little worried and thinks I'm progressing a little too early. I've gotta go back Thursday for another NST and we'll go from there. I will make my 37 week appointment then.

He told me that even though he is a little worried, he's not worried enough to give me anything to stop my contractions just yet but that if they got more intense or more frequent (even in this slightest) to call him.

I know nothing is WRONG with her and I know she's perfectly healthy. I'm not worried in the least little bit that she's under any stress I just want her to stay in there as long as possible because I want an APRIL BABY!!!!!!!! (I'll write all about that in my Labor and Delivery Story once she gets here ;) )

Children will and always will have a mind of their own and will do things in their own time. She'll come when she's ready. We are more than ready to meet her and play with her and "teach her princess songs". Every morning feels like Chrismas Eve.. it's so not fair, but at the same time I will wait as long as I need to. If I go into early labor my doctor said he would stop the labor if he could. With all that being said, THIS CHILD CANNOT COME BEFORE THE 23rd!! it just can't happen. The stress level (on me) would be too high... I've got to finish this internship and graduate in May.


I love to complain, I would whine all day long about every little thing if  I thought it would make a difference, but actions speak louder than words so I keep my mouth shut unless I have something nice to say. With that being said, I try not to complain about my symptoms too much. I'm growing a human, I'm not going to feel normal. I'm also not going to be pregnant forever so why not just grit your teeth and bear it for the time being!?

After today's events I feel like I am allowed to complain a little bit -
I'm hungry all the time, but hardly have an appetite
I'm saddle sore throughout my entire pelvic region
I have to squat for everything
I can't even bend to kiss Hannah
I feel like my back is going to break in half if I bend to do anything
my hips pop when I walk
I probably get 5 hours of sleep a night
I get stuck in certain positions and Wes has to help me get "unstuck"
I'm starting to have to rely on everyone to do everything for me
back pain.
walking is excruciating.
sitting is good
standing is good.
rocking while sitting is awesome
trying to roll over in the bed is torture.

I think I'm done complaining. If I think of anything I will definitely let you know.
If you read this entire blog, go you!