36 weeks and a birthday

Yesterday I was finally 36 weeks. We have hit the much awaited mark of keeping Austin inside my belly. We succeeded. So whenever Austin decides he is done cooking we are in the clear. They will not try to stop my labor and I have had all the shots and tests done. There is no guarantee that he won't be in the NICU but a lesser chance, and hopefully wouldn't be for long. We also decided that I am not going back to work until after Austin is born. We have determined to much stress and excitement causes me more contractions and we still want Austin to stay in as long as possible.

36 Weeks

Time for some pregnancy highlights for this week.

How Far Along Are You: 36 weeks

Size of Baby according to the bump: Honeydew
Total Weight Gain/Loss: 16 pounds
Maternity Clothes: Stole a cute shirt from my sister that works as a maternity shirt and wore my dress
Gender: Its a boy
Movement: All the time. He doesn't like when Brian rubs my belly in a circle
Sleep: not getting up as much during the night
Cravings: wings and pickles and rootbeer floats
Symptoms: contractions, pressure, movement, mucus plug keeps getting lost
Best Moment (s) this week: Went to the dr and I am still at 4cm. but we are in the safe zone if I go into labor now. What a huge relief. 

Yesterday was also my birthday. I can't believe I am 30 already. The bad thing is since I didn't really do to much for my birthday I don't feel like I got older. Years ago I traveled on my birthday and spent most of the day in the airport. I kept giving everyone the wrong age. 

For my birthday I had the luxury of having a quite house to myself in the morning. Brian was at work and Aubriella had a sleep over at Grandma's. I woke up at 5:30 then went back to sleep at 7. Then didn't get up again until 10. Watched my show "Mistresses" since I can't watch that when Ella is home. I eventually got ready treated myself to Chick-fil-la for lunch then went and got my stickers. (I know nothing like waiting until the last minute. I kept forgetting. I blame it on pregnancy brain.) Then I had a drs appointment and went to my parents to celebrate.

We had bbq chicken, corn on the cob, macaroni salad and pasta salad for dinner. Also an ice cream cake. All of which I had requested. Then it was present time. 

My mom got me both the hand mixer so I can make cakes and mashed potatoes and the hand blender so I can make soups and who knows what else. 

Aubriella bought me some opal earrings. Her birthday is in October and she is still making up for "packing" all my jewelry that hasn't been found and potentially could have been thrown away. 

Brian got me a Pandora bracelet and 3 charms. The first heart is cause he loves me. The "Love" with the mickey ears are because I love Disney. The heard with the hand print and "it's a boy" is because we are having a boy. I love the each charm has so much meaning to me. 

Easier Said Than Done

The Dr. put me on modified bed rest almost 2 weeks ago in hopes of getting my contractions to slow down and to stop/slow down my dilation. That is so much easier said than done. Modified bed rest just means not being up and about for an extended period of time, relaxing, and not working. It doesn't mean I have to stay in bed, that would be horrible and would never happen. All of this is easier said then done especially when I have a 3 year old who wants all my attention and I could make a list a mile long that I would like to get done before Austin's arrival or just needs done in the house.

We are also currently potty training so I have to jump up whenever Aubriella says "Mom I have to pee." There is also the times when she has an accident and says "Mom I have a present for you" and says which room she left her mess in. Luckily that doesn't happen to often.

There is also all "Mom come play with me. Mom I want another bubbles. Mom I need help with finding Minnie.  Mom can you get me down my crayons. Mom let's do play doh" All of which I love to do. I am enjoying our quality alone time together with having my mom, sister, and niece around. But sometimes the mess I have to clean up afterwards is worse is more than I should be doing.
We just finished her outside play area (more on that another day) but I'm waiting for the every day "Mom lets go outside and play, Mom come in my house with me." Sorry mommy can't do everything she would love to do with you.
Then there is the issue with Aubriella wanting to eat or a drink, which seems like all the time right after I sit down. The fridge we have has the freezer on the bottom and the fridge on the top. Ella can't easily get anything out of the fridge unless it is on the door. It is nice that she isn't standing in the fridge for no reason which she did all the time at my parents house, but since she can't get anything out herself I have to get up more that I would like to.

The other huge reason I have with sitting and relaxing is we have just moved into this house about a month ago. There is so many boxes that still need gone thru and organized. Not to mention my storage unit is still not unpacked.

Austin's room also isn't completely ready and that stresses me out. Brian's family is throwing me a small baby shower on Sunday so hopefully after that I can get the rest of his room together and relax some more. Having the party here also leaves me with a bunch of cleaning and organizing I want to do. I don't want a bunch of people over my house and it looking my a tornado hit it in my eyes. Even if everyone else things my house looks nice.

Luckily being on the modified bed rest has helped some. I am almost at 36 weeks, which is our safe zone. I am up to 4cm dilated now though. The best part of all of this is the amount of one on one time I have had to share with Aubriella before Austin gets here. Ella was with her father over the weekend then she went camping with my parents for a few days so I did get some more relaxing done and didn't do to much around the house. Back to the waiting game of Austin's arrival.

Wordless Wednesday

"Ok mom I'm ready to go camping with Memaw."

35 Weeks

Time for some pregnancy highlights for this week.

How Far Along Are You: 35 weeks
Size of Baby according to the bump: Coconut
Total Weight Gain/Loss: 14 pounds
Maternity Clothes: I dont get dressed much out of tank tops and shorts. I did fit in the dress above that is not maternity and I have wore when not pregnant.
Gender: Its a boy
Movement: All the time. Its fun to see his little butt poke out of the top of my belly, even though it doesn't feel very good. 
Sleep: getting better
Cravings: wings and pickles
Symptoms: contractions, pressure, movement, mucus plug keeps getting lost
Best Moment (s) this week: went to the dr on Friday and I wasn't dilated any further so still at 3 cm.

Time is starting to really fly by now. Still atleast holding off another week before he comes out. I hope he agrees on this too. I have been trying to relax as much as possible. I didn't have Aubriella over the weekend, she was with her father. For the next 3 days she is camping with my parents so I get to be home by myself and relax. Well as much as I can. I will get up and do something for a little while then rest for atleast an hour before I go do something else.
Austin's room is coming along. I have started organizing and doing his clothes. I am having a small baby shower this weekend, atleast I think it is small, This is the first time I have no control or say in anything. I helped plan my bachelorette party, bridal shower, and first baby shower. I can't wait for it. Then I can figure out what I really still need and go from there. 
I go back to the dr this Wednesday and then again next Monday the 29th when I am 36 weeks. Which just so happens to be my birthday. If you ask Aubriella she says I'm having a baby for my birthday. At the appointment I will find out if I can/should go back to work for the remainder of my pregnancy or just enjoy being on modified bed rest. Lets wait and see. 

Happy Fathers Day

 Happy Fathers Day to all the dad's, step dads, dads to be, grandpas. uncles, and mothers who have to be both mom and dad. Hope everyone had a relaxing day.

Here's to the best father a girl can ask for. He is always there when I need him and when I don't. If I need someone to talk to, need advice, or just need a shoulder to cry on. He has always supported me in everything I do. He may not agree with all my decisions but will back me up on anything and everything. I couldn't ask for a better dad.

For fathers day my sister and I got him a picnic table for the backyard. We actually got it before Mother's Day and gave it to both my parents as a joint gift. 

Happy Fathers Day to a dad to be and an amazing man who has chose to love and help take care of a child he didn't have to. Brian is going to be a great father. He is supportive, nervous, excited, and scared all while I am having a very eventful pregnancy. He's ready to have a son of his own, or atleast he thinks he is. 

Brian has also stepped up with Aubriella. He loves her like she was his own, and helps support her even though he doesn't have to. He is patient, supportive, encouraging, caring, hard working, gives us strength and so much more. I love watching him bond and play with Ella every day. Aubriella wishes he was home every morning to play with him, she asks for him as soon as she wakes up. What more could I ask for in a wonderful boyfriend.

For Fathers Day I got Brian a BBQ tool set for the grill. He picked it out himself so he would like it and since we recently just got a grill it was much needed. 

How was your Fathers Day? What did you get your father?

Wordless Wednesday

Doesn't everyone watch tv like this?

34 Weeks

Time for some pregnancy highlights for this week.
How Far Along Are You: 34 weeks
Size of Baby according to the bump: Butternut Squash
Total Weight Gain/Loss: was up 14 pounds at highest weight, last Friday was only up 12 pounds. 
Maternity Clothes: Been lazy in yoga shorts and long tank tops
Gender: Its a boy
Movement: He likes to punch me down there. 
Sleep: Has been a little better the last few nights.
Cravings: Chocolate and pickles
Symptoms: contractions, pressure, movement
Best Moment (s) this week: Conformed again it is a boy. Had another ultrasound.

It has been another drama filled week. I went to the Dr on Friday for my normal weekly check-up. I am now 3 cm dilated. Due to this she has put me on modified bed rest, which means staying off my feet as much as possible and no work. Even though I had only been working 4 hour shifts, during those 4 hours I would have more contractions that I did any other part of the day. 
At the appointment I also received the Tdap shot and group b test to prepare for an early arrival. I now should be ready to go if and when Austin decides to make his appearance. I am only off of work until I am 36 weeks. Then I can go back and if I go into labor they won't try and stop it. For now they want to keep Austin baking for another 2 weeks atleast. 

Wordless Wednesday

Morning serenade while mommy does laundry.

Let's Paint

It becoming crunch time to get everything ready for Austin's arrival. If everything went as planned he would stay in my belly until July 27. Since things don't seem to be going the way they are suppose to be going we need to get as prepared as possible for an early arrival. Getting Austin's room ready for his arrival is a main priority. Not only so we don't have to worry about painting once he is here, but also so I can get organized. Getting organized will help me with nesting and eventually relaxing before he comes.
Brian had off today. We were suppose to be going to the Toledo zoo but ended up changing our minds since I wasn't feeling up to walking and being 3 hours away from my hospital if something were to happen. Instead I talked him into starting on Austin's room. Since the room was originally a bright green we knew we needed to primer first.

(photo from seller)

Brian had put down the drop clothes and taped everything off that wasn't going to turned white with primer. Ella decided she wanted to help. How can you say no to a sweet little innocent 3 year old who wants to help prepare for her brothers arrival.

The best way to not have to worry about ruining any clothes is to just paint naked. Which she didn't have any issue with. Ella already thinks we live in a nudist colony. 

She started off doing really well with a paint brush and just painting here and there. Then she asked for the roller and Brian would help her do the wall with the roller. Then  things went down hill. Ella was painting the wall by herself and the next thing we hear is "I'm going to paint myself". I look over and see her gorgeous legs. I decided after that we were done. But first...

She needed her belly painted since the rest of her was already painted. Then it was bath time anyways. Mental note to self do not get primer on yourself or anyone else it is a pain in the butt to get off. It took me a good 20 minutes of scrubbing and using Ella's gentle soap since she has sensitive skin, to get all the paint off. I won't be doing that again with primer. I will do it again with regular wall paint though that comes off so much easier. 

I can't wait to see his room finished. 

33 Weeks

Time for some pregnancy highlights for this week.
How Far Along Are You: 33 weeks
Size of Baby according to the bump: Durian (what is that?)
Total Weight Gain/Loss: gained 14 pounds at my last dr visit
Maternity Clothes: Yes. So much more comfy 
Gender: It's a Boy
Movement: Love feeling him move more and more. It is also easier for others to feel him and see him move. 
Sleep: What is that. I wake up every hour to pee, sometimes even 2 to 3 times in one hours. 
Cravings: Chocolate 
Symptoms: to many to name.
Best Moment (s) this week: knowing he is still currently baking

I have had a very drama and complication filled last couple of weeks. Where do I begin.
- Wednesday May 20th got admitted to triage for being dehydrated. You would think I would learn by now. I was dealing with a sinus infection though and it was winning. 
- Saturday May 23th I went to sit on a cooler and it rolled out from underneath me. I landed on my butt and bruised my tailbone. 
- Sunday May 24th starting having cramping. Went to the hospital and got hooked up to the monitors. Determined I was having contractions, but no dilation. Ended up staying in the hospital overnight just to make sure contractions did not turn regular and no other complications happened from the fall.
- Wednesday June 3rd I had my normal appointment. Due to still having contractions and pressure down there they decided to check my cervix. Turns out I was already dilated 1.5cm. The Dr. decided she wanted me to come back on Friday and have a fetal fibronectin test and check my cervix again to see if I have dilated anymore.
-Friday June 5th, had the fetal fibronectin test, which came back negative, checked my cervix, which stayed the same. They also ended up doing a non-stress test. The nst showed in 30 minutes I had 5 regular contractions, but I only felt 1 of them, which is a good sign. My Dr. however decided to send me to the hospital to get the steroid shots to help strength the babys brain, heart, and lungs quicker just in case. 
Later that evening I started losing my mucus plug. 
-Saturday June 6th, I had to go back to the hospital to get the second dose of the steroid. 

I just like keeping everyone on their feet. Austin just needs to keep on baking.