35 Weeks! Just Call Me Waddles :)

How Far Along:  35 Weeks

Total Weight Gain: 21 pounds

Maternity Clothes: Yep, moving into my fall clothes now!

Stretch Marks: Very minimal!

Sleep: Impossible.  Laying down in any position is so uncomfortable and when I have to roll to another side it takes forever- I'm exhausted all the time, but sleep is just not coming easy

Best Moment This Week: Express Baby Shower & My mom and Taylors blessings

Miss Anything: Being able to get up or roll over or walk or move at all without pain or struggle!

Movement: All day and night- this little boy loves to be active.  Think he is going to be one heck of a soccer player like his daddy :)

Food Cravings: Hmmm....I guess grilled cheese, root beer, and mexican.  I eat less now than I did before I was pregnant- belly is full with baby, no room for food!

Anything make you quesy or sick: Not much anymore

Gender Predicition- BOY!

Labor Signs:Contractions!

Symptoms:   Swollen feet, exhaustion, contractions, back pain, waddling, emotional

Belly Button in or out: Staying flat, still hasnt popped!

Wedding ring on or off: On! So happy about that!

Looking Forward to:   Holding our baby boy for the first time!

Nursery Progress: It is 100% ready- thanks to Mom and Taylor!



Baby is now the size of a coconut!  He should be about 17.2-18.7 inches long and still in the 4.2-5.8 pound range (he is estimated at 6.8 pounds right now though.....).  His hearing is fully developed and responds to high pitched noises.  His kidneys and liver are also now developed.  Most of his basic physical development is now complete- now its just adding on some more weight!

I've avoided almost all swelling so far- thankfully- except for my feet!  I cant wear anything except flip flops now and even those are so tight they leave indention marks on my poor feet.  This might present a potential problem since Fall and cooler weather is now here, but since I'm on so much bed rest- I wont have to worry about that too much :)

I can tell the time is getting closer, because my fears and anxiety have switched from pregnancy related to parenting related.  I've done a lot of research of infant/child development- I want to make sure that we do everything we can to make the best environment for our son and I don't want to be oblivious to signs of potential problems.  I've also found a lot of research about television and infants- and how it is recommended that children under 2 watch zero tv and have no background tv.  ZERO TV in our house might be impossible- but it is something I am taking seriously and will limit very closely with Braxton.  Our pediatrician has told us he needs to sleep in our room (in a pack and play, not our bed) until he is 6 months old to help reduce the risk of SIDS- which we fully intend to do.  But I was thinking how we always watch tv in bed to unwind before we go to sleep...all these little things that we will have to be more conscious of and change.... so much to learn about!  I just hope that I know what I'm doing once we get home from the hospital.  Everyone says it just comes to you- I sure hope so because sometimes I just feel so lost!

We had our CPR and Breastfeeding classes this week- I learned alot and feel better prepared on both topics!  We only have one class left- Infant Massage and then we have completed all our parenting classes together :)

Wednesday was Brians last day of Konnect- I know it was hard on him to stop serving in this ministry- but we just thought with all the complications and being this far along it was best for our family for him to be home with me.  I know I am very grateful to have him home with me at night for these last few weeks in case anything happens!

Thursday Brians work threw us a Baby Shower.  I was just so amazed by them- I dont even work there and they took the time to throw us a shower- how awesome is that?!?  They made a gorgeous hand make baby cake and punch and there was even our first diaper cake.  So adorable!  I knew Express was a great company to work for, but I was just blown away by the amazing people in that company.  They went out of their way to make that hour so special for us and just show us some love!  Big thank you to everyone who helped put that on and who came to celebrate with us!  We got necessities  that we really needed and some super cute stuff for our lil boy!

We also went and got our Tdap shots together- the shot wasn't near as bad as I expected, but my arm was sore for the next few days!  I think almost all of our family has gotten the shot now, which is good.  In order for them to be around Braxton they need to have it at least 2 weeks before he gets here.  (I know there is a new movement to not vaccinate- but we are following our doctors advice and going the vaccination route)

I cant even walk from room to room in our house anymore without awful contractions- and the nursery was in desperate need of organization- so Taylor and my mom offered to come over Sunday afternoon and do it all for me- how lucky am I???  It was so wonderful- I was able to sit in the recliner and help direct (in all honesty they didnt need me- those two are pros at this!) They got everything organized and decorated and completly ready for us to bring Braxton home!

Those two- my mom and The Beard Family have blessed us in our time of need in a way that can only be summed up as a gift from God-  I dont know how to thank you guys enough for everything, but please know we are beyond grateful and thankful for everything. 

34 Weeks- Bed Rest & Breakdowns!

How Far Along:  34 Weeks

Total Weight Gain: 20 pounds

Maternity Clothes: Love them!

Stretch Marks:  Still just the few...hoping to keep it that way!

Sleep:  Awful!! Between acid reflux and just being plain miserable, its impossible

Best Moment This Week: Baby Shower!!

Miss Anything: Being able to walk at a normal speed :( I'm slower than slow....

Movement: non stop- and he is so strong- he loves to punch down low,kick my ribs, and stick his butt against my sides!

Food Cravings: Not really- I can barely eat anymore- there is just no room in my belly!

Anything make you quesy or sick:  Acid reflux all the time... don't know what is causing it!

Gender Predicition- He is all boy!

Labor Signs: CONTRACTIONS!!!  

Symptoms:    back pain, swollen feet, acid reflux, exhaustion, contractions- i can't even walk 10 feet without them starting up! 

Belly Button in or out:  Staying Flat!

Wedding ring on or off: Still on! whooo hoo!!!! 

Looking Forward to:   Braxton being here soon (just not too soon!)

Nursery Progress: Just need to get it all organized and we are ready to roll!

34 Weeks! Baby is the size of a butternut squash- should weigh about 4.2 to 5.8 pounds (he is estimated at 6.2 pounds) and should be between 17.2 and 18.7 inches.  He can now recognize and react to simple songs- Brian loves to sing Soft Kitty to him, which I have recently protested- because we do not like cats in this family and I don't want him getting confused :)  jk....kinda!

This was an emotionally trying week for us-  We went in for our check up with the doctor, I had been having bad contractions over the weekend and we were now past the 2 week mark that we tested negative for for premature labor- so I was kind of expecting them to do another stress test and see just how many contractions I was having.   But instead....I got checked for dilation (still at zero thank goodness) and had to have another fetal fibronectin test...ugh!  At least my doctor was ALOT better at doing this than the hospital nurses- wasn't nearly as uncomfortable- but all I could think about was here comes another $500 bill for this test.... Bills are just racking up... little did I know, it was about to get a whole lot worse.

In amazingly good news- the test came back negative again- so we have a 2% chance of having the baby in the next two weeks- Praise God!  But in devasting news to our family- the doctor drew the line and said working full time was not an option.  I needed more bed rest to keep the baby healthy and safe than what I was getting.  She asked what my plan was with work and I let her know I had planned to work up to the day I went into labor, that we just had to have the income.  She decided that for now I needed to only work part time and then we would re-evaluate at the next appointment if that was working or if I needed to be on bed rest full time.

We were already going to be in a financial pinch due to a tight budget to begin with and on top of that our daycare pushing us back a month- Basically what this means for us- is after the house bills are paid for- we have less than $20- for everything.  Everything meaning gas, groceries, toiletries, the dog, everything.  For my A type personality, this was just too much to process.  I literally cried all day that day and fell asleep crying in my husbands arms- scared at how we were going to survive and take care of our son.

We had lots of people telling us it would be okay and everything would work out, but that line just seemed to stress me out more.  I know people were saying that because its really the only thing you can say to someone in that situation, but I knew they were wrong.  It wasn't going to be okay- the numbers got worse and worse every month and my accountant brain had no way of solving the problem.  I knew stressing and crying wasn't good for me or Brian and especially wasn't good for Braxton, so the next day I just had to take a deep breath and have a long talk with God.  Me and Brian cut almost every expense there is to cut and we just had to trust that we were going to get through this somehow someway.  We know we are going to have to sacrifice and are prepared to do that, however we will not take out credit cards and while money is a desperate need right now- we have to keep investing in our marriage too- so a 2nd job isn't an option either.  I need Brian to be there to take care of me while I'm on bed rest and when our little one comes, we need Brian there to be a daddy and bond with Braxton and share the parenting experience with me. We went through the house and made a pile of everything we could find to sell  to bring in some money and we are just praying for a miracle.  We have learned to ration out our food and to re-use things that most people wouldn't.  We are both scared to death of how we are going to make it, but we just have to have faith that God will provide.

We do have amazing family and friends- and my sweet mom has tried to make sure that we have food in our fridge and on our table- when she goes grocery shopping she will get us a sack full of essentials and she checks in on us all the time.  I know she wishes she could solve all our problems, but the numbers are just staggering.  But that sack of groceries she brings, that in itself is a miracle to us every time.  Thank you mom for taking care of us with food, with your time, with your love, with everything you have.  You are the best mom in the world.  We were also blessed by one of Brians co-workers, he made us dinner and we made it last 3 meals! (and it was soo YUMMY!).  And to everyone who has pitched in to make things a little easier on us- whether its a meal, helping clean the house to give Brian a break, helping getting things for Braxton, a prayer, hug, a listening ear, or shoulder to cry on- thank you.  We love you and are so thankful for each of you in our lives. 

I really thought that this much bed rest would be hard on me- I thought I would get restless and just want to get up and clean and organize and just move around- but it ended up being the exact opposite.  I had no idea how exhausted my body really was.  The days that I am on bed rest all day long- I dont move a muscle.  And its amazing the difference it makes in the number and intensity of contractions I have- once again, Dr. Hall does know best!

And I am so lucky to have a husband that serves me with love every second of every day.  I know its not easy on Brian- working full time, coming home and cooking, cleaning, and bringing everything to me so I dont have to walk- and on top of all that just dealing with all the emotions of becoming dad, trying to be strong for me, and handling all the stress of the financial situation and me and braxtons health.  Thats a lot on one person, but he never makes me feel like an inconvenience or a stress on him or anything negative- he just loves me and holds me and kisses me and reassures me that no matter what we have each other and our love is stronger than anything the devil can throw at us and that no matter what we will get through this together.  

Sunday we had our second baby shower- it was a Boy oh Boy theme and turned out adorable!  We got alot of stuff we really needed!!! We even got our stroller and baby monitor and our mattress pads we needed so badly- along with a bunch of other necessities and stuff for Braxton!

Thank you to everyone who is lifting us up in your prayers- we appreciate it more than you know!

33 Weeks- Hanging in There!

How Far Along:  33 Weeks

Total Weight Gain: 18 pounds

Maternity Clothes: Every day!

Stretch Marks:  Keepin them to a minimum!

Sleep:  Up and down all night.... rolling over has become so difficult...and getting comfortable is impossible :(

Best Moment This Week: Laughing in the car with my husband- just sat there for a long time being silly and laughing so hard , a friend at work lending me her breast pump, and moms surprise!!!! What a blessing!

Miss Anything: Being active, being able to clean, being able to really do anything

Movement: He is active 24/7

Food Cravings: Nothing special- meals are getting smaller and smaller!

Anything make you quesy or sick: Nope

Gender Predicition- 100% Boy

Labor Signs: contractions

Symptoms:  lower back pain, swollen feet, contractions, acid reflux

Belly Button in or out: still staying flat

Wedding ring on or off: on :)

Looking Forward to:  Baby Shower!

Nursery Progress:  Just needing some essentials- crib sheets, mattress pads, stroller, monitor etc!

This week baby is the size of a Durian Fruit (no idea what that is!)- but he should be weighing between 4.2 and 5.8 pounds (he is estimated to be 5.8).   He is now keeping his eyes open when he is awake, and he is starting to coordinate breathing, sucking, and swallowing! His bones are hardening and he is having major brain development this week.

We got to view our maternity pictures this week- they turned out really good!  Part of me wishes I would have waited another week or two so my belly would have been bigger... but then again we did it the week before all the bed rest/contractions started so maybe it was for the best!  I can't wait to get some of our favorite prints in!  Hopefully they get here before our little one does!

My mom also had a HUGE surprise for us! She is the queen of all bargain shopping and she found the sale of all sales and was able to get us a new (bigger) refrigerator- with a working ice machine! finally! and a new, silent, energy saving dishwasher!!!! We needed both so bad- we had old hand me downs before and they weren't going to last much longer.  She was able to get both for less than the normal price of one! It was such a surprise and a blessing to us- there is no way we could have done that ourselves.  Thank you mom!!!!! We can't tell you how much that meant to us and how much its helping us out!!!

This week the "modified bed rest" got a little stricter- I'm still able to work, but no more running errands of any kind or doing anything that someone else can do for me. No cooking, no cleaning, no grocery shopping- sitting at work and laying down at home.

That worked pretty good for the majority of the week- seemed like the contractions were getting better.... that is until Saturday- and then that same incredibly pain side contraction flared up again.  And then Sunday- well Sunday was just plain awful!  My body just felt different- in a bad way-  I had a constant lower back pain, I had contractions that were wrapping around my back all the way around my stomach-  We didn't know what to do- whether to go into Labor and Delivery or not- I wasn't have more than 5 an hour (that I could feel anyways)  but the ones I was having were really bad.  It got to the point that I finally said 1 more contraction and we are going in- we got our bags ready to go and loaded the car seat into the truck- everything was ready to go.  And then I ended up falling asleep...... so we didn't go in, not yet anyways.  We decided we would call the doctor on Monday and see where to go from there.....