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37 Weeks

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How far along? 37 Weeks 

Total weight gain? Up 33 lbs. I am going in weekly so we will see how the weight gain continues until Little Coraline decides to make her debut.

Maternity Clothes? ASOS is my top #1 choice! The tops/tunics run true to your pre-pregnancy size. (Given you didn't let yourself go and blow up like a balloon - boob growth is accommodated for). I found that the pants are true to your current pregnant size. So if you measure your hips properly, use their size chart to order the proper pregnancy size. Yes this means you may order a 10/12/14. Grieve for a bit, then get over it.
My next choices are The Gap/Old Navy. I have really only ordered tank tops from there and again, true to pre-pregnancy size. However, for 3rd trimester I recommend going up one size, the belly region can get tight. :-) 

Stretch Marks?  The red marks are still on my butt! What is amazing is no stretch marks on my belly, none what-so-ever! I know they say it is mostly genetics, but I will just let you know that I refuse to scratch my belly at all. On top of not scratching, I use Jergens lotion with Vitamin E oil and Aloe religiously. Anything with Vitamin E oil is suppose to be great for your skin regardless, so why not? So far so good. Just wish I would've considered butt stretch marks, or "red marks". 

Sleep: Sleep is better this week, I am still tired, but definitely got a "second wind" to help get all those baby gifts un-packed and put away.  The only thing is she is really getting up in my ribs. It gives me anxiety because I am afraid she is going to dislocate a rib or something. haha

Best moment this week: Getting the nursery 90% finished!!! Just waiting on the crib bedding to be delivered :-)

Miss Anything? Wearing my cowgirl boots! It is August, my favorite time of year is just around the corner and I miss wearing my cowgirl boots and cute fall clothes more than anything. It really sucks being prego in the summer (excluding this summer. I was extremely blessed with a mild Texas summer, but I know I wouldn't get this lucky a second time.) The only bonus with being prego in the summer, come fall you don't have to worry about fitting into pre-pregnancy cute shorts and pants right away - It is totally fashionable to rock the leggings, tunics and boots to give you more room while you drop the mommy weight. :-]

Movement: Her movements are up in my ribs now. Before they would be close to my ribs and I could push her little feet away, now they actually glide up UNDER my ribs where I can't reach, for obvious reasons. She has dropped a bit lower this week. I went to work out for the first time since week 28 and she dropped painfully low afterward. I have woken up feeling crampy from her in the middle of the night. I can feel her little hands move around my belly button and hip bones too. 

Food cravings: Watermelon. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Textures are still making me sick. 

Gender RESULTS: BABY GIRL!!! My gut feeling was right all along! I absolutely can't wait to meet her!

Labor Signs: More and more contractions! 

Symptoms: 
Hands and Feet hurt REALLY bad. Especially my knuckles. They ache and almost feel like bruises to open and close my fingers. It is worse when I wake up first thing, but they get better during the day. I don't know if I am just clenching my fists or something in my sleep, but regardless. THEY HURT!
Ligament spasms? They are super loose in my groin area and sometimes spasm or cramp as I am walking. It feels hella weird and kind of unpleasant.
Braxton Hicks! Yay.
Very small bladder...very. small.
Baby hiccups
If I don't take my prenatal vitamin at night, my legs get extremely antsy! It feels like I need to go running they get so antsy. However, if I take my pre-natal within 30 minutes they chill out. I read that it has to do with the iron. Either way, it works.
Movements have changed from individual movements to feeling simultaneous movements in two different spots. Like I will feel something toward my right side up by my ribs, and at the same time another movement on the left side of my belly button. It's the weirdest, yet most wonderful feeling in the world.
Disappearing belly button, baby bump, nails and hair growing like weeds, baby movements (the best!) and my boobs have drastically increased.
Occasional swelling of my feet and hands. Especially my right foot. 

Belly Button in or out? My belly button is officially FLAT. No innie, no outtie. 

Wedding rings on or off? I have moved my wedding ring to my right pinkie and taken my Aggie Ring off for safe keeping. We went out to dinner with friends, I was talking with my hands, as usual, and my Aggie Ring went flying! I almost had a heart attack. It is too tight to fit on the correct finger, but too heavy to properly hold on my pinkie. It makes me sad not to wear it. :-[

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, Happy!

Looking forward to: Meeting our Little Lady!!! We absolutely love her so much and both of us can not wait to hold her!

Baby Name? Coraline! I love the name!! See WEEK 21 for name details. <3

Thoughts: This week Taylor and I went on the hunt for a china cabinet or entertainment stand for tax free weekend. We didn't find either that Henry and I both would love, but we did find an amazing chair for the nursery! We were suppose to receive one, but it hasn't been delivered and with Coraline only 3 weeks away - the doctor saying she could be here any day, we really need a chair for those late nights and just can't keep waiting around. [I kept the 90 day return policy receipt though, just in case!]  We were wondering around and then stumbled upon this lovely reclining chair that matches her room beautifully. It doesn't glide or rock, which is a bummer, but it is super comfy and reclines! If anything, it would be a great accent piece to add to our living room set later down the road.

We were also able to use our gift cards from the showers and coupons from the mail to buy Coraline the baby monitor and swing. :-] All the big ticket items are officially DONE! 

About the Board:

I read this on a picture from somewhere, it didn't say who the quote was by, but I snapped a photo of the quote and had to use it! It is quite fitting, don't you think?

Pregnancy/Maternity Fashion: 

The top is a Long and Lean tank from Target. I am wearing a high/low skirt from a local boutique.

36 Weeks

How far along? 36 Weeks 

Total weight gain? Up 32 lbs. 

Maternity Clothes? ASOS is my top #1 choice! The tops/tunics run true to your pre-pregnancy size. (Given you didn't let yourself go and blow up like a balloon - boob growth is accommodated for). I found that the pants are true to your current pregnant size. So if you measure your hips properly, use their size chart to order the proper pregnancy size. Yes this means you may order a 10/12/14. Grieve for a bit, then get over it. My next choices are The Gap/Old Navy. I have really only ordered tank tops from there and again, true to pre-pregnancy size. However, for 3rd trimester I recommend going up one size, the belly region can get tight. :-) 

Stretch Marks?  The red marks are still on my butt! Good news, the red marks on my boob have vanished! Gone! Not even a slight sign that they were once even there. WHOOP! What is amazing is no stretch marks on my belly, none what-so-ever! 

Sleep: Sleep was terrible only two nights this week, I tossed and turned and had to go to the restroom all the time. What is so frustrating is I would pee juuuuuuust a little. Like really!? I woke up, rolled out of bed, waddled to the restroom...for THAT??? 

Best moment this week: Learning Coralines weight! We had a sono Monday where they did the regular measurements. We didn't get to learn her length or head size, but the sono tech did say she was about 6 lbs 12 oz. Holy cow!!! We had read though that the sono can be off by about a 1 lb each way. That night at Birth Boot Camp we decided to ask the midwives to see if they could tell us her weight. They are pretty darn accurate at guessing the weight by just feeling with their hands. We didn't tell them what the sono had said and we had them feel individually. At first Melody went to feel and noted how firm my uterus and abdomen was. It was so firm it felt like I was having a contraction - which I was, but once the contraction passed she still noted it was extremely tight. She also noted how low Coraline was. I explained the incident from the night before and she showed me an inversion to help get her to move up a bit and relieve the pressure. RoseAnne then came in to guess the weight. They both guessed 6.5 lbs!! We have 4 weeks left people!! At least!
Plus side, they said it is actually easier to deliver a big baby than a small baby. Sounds counter-intuitive, just like MOST smaller frames/skinny girls tend to show later than bigger girls because the skin and everything isn't as pre-stretched out [I am sure there are more scientific reasons, but that is what the books say]. It just sounds like it should be the other way around, right? That is no joke either. I have a friend who is 26 weeks and she seriously looks like me when I was 21 weeks. I think most women use their "gut"/bloating as their initial growing bump. lol No judgement though, each to their own. 

Miss Anything? Wearing cute clothes.

Movement: Her movements are all over the place! Sometimes it feels like her little bottom is right up under my diaphragm and I can't lean over at all. She is growing so big!

Food cravings: Watermelon. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Textures are still making me sick. 

Gender RESULTS: BABY GIRL!!! My gut feeling was right all along! I absolutely can't wait to meet her!

Labor Signs: Labor scare this week. It was almost 11 pm at night when I felt like there was literally a knife going up in my Hoo-Ha into my cervix. It hurt! When I stood up, it felt worse. I was also having mild contractions. Que being extremely grateful for having a Doula! She informed me the pain I was having was "dilation pain" - aka my cervix stretching. Coraline's head on my cervix - aka standing up - was adding pressure and going to help me dilate more so I needed to lie down. She suggested taking a warm relaxing bath, using Lavender essential oils to calm uterine activity and drinking chamomile tea if I had any on hand. She also suggested Henry doing a thing we learned called, "Rebozo" or "Sifting" to help take the weight off. I was walking into the bedroom to take a bath and was hit with such hard contractions and knife pain that I went straight to my hands and knees, rocking through the pain in tears. Without even having to ask, Henry jumped right into action and started Sifting. I hadn't even had a chance to tell him that was what the Doula had recommended. I was so proud of him. He did listen in the baby classes! :-] It helped relieve the pain and contractions, and Henry wrapped his arms around me as I stayed there a few minutes more on the floor. I then eased into the bathtub. Unfortunately, the knife pain continued all night long, so sleep was terrible that night. We discovered the next day I was indeed dilated to a 2 and needed to take it easy to prevent any further dilation. 

Symptoms: 
Labor scare above
Dilation
Her sitting painfully low.
Ligament spasms? They are super loose in my groin area and sometimes spasm or cramp as I am walking. It feels hella weird and kind of unpleasant.
Braxton Hicks! Yay.
Very small bladder...very. small.
Baby hiccups
If I don't take my prenatal vitamin at night, my legs get extremely antsy! It feels like I need to go running they get so antsy. However, if I take my pre-natal within 30 minutes they chill out. I read that it has to do with the iron. Either way, it works.
Movements have changed from individual movements to feeling simultaneous movements in two different spots. Like I will feel something toward my right side up by my ribs, and at the same time another movement on the left side of my belly button. It's the weirdest, yet most wonderful feeling in the world.
Disappearing belly button, baby bump, nails and hair growing like weeds, baby movements (the best!) and my boobs have drastically increased.
Occasional swelling of my feet and hands. Especially my right foot. 

Belly Button in or out? My belly button is officially FLAT. No innie, no outtie. 

Wedding rings on or off? Both rings have moved to my pinkie fingers. I had a scare with my Aggie ring and just decided to keep them both there. Juuuust in case. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, Happy!

Looking forward to: Finishing out the nursery and getting back into our house from the tornado!

Baby Name? Coraline! I love the name!! See WEEK 21 for name details. <3

Thoughts: My doula gave me a pre-natal massage this week. (Again, highly recommend getting a Doula!) She said my uterus was very strong and defined, she could tell right where it began and where it ended. Good??? She also noted my groin muscles and ligaments were extremely tight. She worked on them for a bit - it burnt like fire, but that was a good sign. She recommended I start really stretching to help loosen them up. The problem is I danced and did yoga for so long, so taking a 10 week break really tightened them up. Nightly stretches it is.
This week was way too chaotic for me! The labor scare, learning her weight, pre-natal massage...I need a nap just writing about it all.

35 Weeks & Pain Coping Mechanisms

How far along? 35 Weeks 

Total weight gain? Up 31 lbs. I go in again Week 36 for another soon! I really wanted to stay below 30 lbs, but as we can see I have gone up one pound over and Coraline still has big growth spurts ahead...my dream seems to be squashed. :-[ They say at this point she is growing 30 grams a day!

Maternity Clothes? ASOS is my top #1 choice! The tops/tunics run true to your pre-pregnancy size. (Given you didn't let yourself go and blow up like a balloon - boob growth is accommodated for). I found that the pants are true to your current pregnant size. So if you measure your hips properly, use their size chart to order the proper pregnancy size. Yes this means you may order a 10/12/14. Grieve for a bit, then get over it. My next choices are The Gap/Old Navy. I have really only ordered tank tops from there and again, true to pre-pregnancy size. However, for 3rd trimester I recommend going up one size, the belly region can get tight. :-) 

Stretch Marks?  The red marks are still on my butt! Good news, the red marks on my boob have vanished! Gone! Not even a slight sign that they were once even there. WHOOP! What is amazing is no stretch marks on my belly, none what-so-ever! 

Sleep: Sleep is better this week, I am still tired, but definitely got a "second wind" to help get all those baby gifts un-packed and put away.  The only thing is she is really getting up in my ribs. It gives me anxiety because I am afraid she is going to dislocate a rib or something. haha

Best moment this week: Found our labor coping mechanisms courtesy of Birth Boot Camp! I'll explain more in the "Thoughts".

Miss Anything? Alcohol. It is hot and I want to enjoy the fun fruity alcoholic beverages everyone else is getting to enjoy. Jealous. 

Movement: Her movements are up in my ribs now. Before they would be close to my ribs and I could push her little feet away, now they actually glide up UNDER my ribs where I can't reach, for obvious reasons. She has dropped a bit lower this week. I went to work out for the first time since week 28 and she dropped painfully low afterward. I have woken up feeling crampy from her in the middle of the night. I can feel her little hands move around my belly button and hip bones too. 

Food cravings: Watermelon. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Textures are still making me sick. 

Gender RESULTS: BABY GIRL!!! My gut feeling was right all along! I absolutely can't wait to meet her!

Labor Signs: More and more contractions! 

Symptoms: 
Her sitting painfully low.
Ligament spasms? They are super loose in my groin area and sometimes spasm or cramp as I am walking. It feels hella weird and kind of unpleasant.
Braxton Hicks! Yay.
Very small bladder...very. small.
Baby hiccups
If I don't take my prenatal vitamin at night, my legs get extremely antsy! It feels like I need to go running they get so antsy. However, if I take my pre-natal within 30 minutes they chill out. I read that it has to do with the iron. Either way, it works.
Movements have changed from individual movements to feeling simultaneous movements in two different spots. Like I will feel something toward my right side up by my ribs, and at the same time another movement on the left side of my belly button. It's the weirdest, yet most wonderful feeling in the world.
Disappearing belly button, baby bump, nails and hair growing like weeds, baby movements (the best!) and my boobs have drastically increased.
Occasional swelling of my feet and hands. Especially my right foot. 

Belly Button in or out? My belly button is officially FLAT. No innie, no outtie. 

Wedding rings on or off? Both rings have moved to my pinkie fingers. I had a scare with my Aggie ring and just decided to keep them both there. Juuuust in case. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, Happy!

Looking forward to: Finishing out the nursery and getting back into our house from the tornado!

Baby Name? Coraline! I love the name!! See WEEK 21 for name details. <3

Thoughts: I mentioned above we learned coping mechanisms for labor in our Birth Boot Camp class. I was really excited for this class and I feel we learned quite a bit. Our midwife passed around ice, a napkin and set a timer. Randomly the timer would go off to signal a "contraction" and we would have to put the ice in our bare hands. She then encouraged our partners to help us "cope". If the coping mechanism worked, the pain from the ice went away, if not, well then the ice started to burn. HAHA We learned that Henry rubbing my head and neck, laughing and talking about what we are excited for with Coraline's arrival helps me to relax and cope with pain. The midwife also noted that we laugh a lot together and says that is a great sign - she thinks natural labor will be easy for us. GO US!

I also had another dream about Coraline - love those! All I can remember is once she was born they put her on my chest to hold. She cried for a bit, but once she felt the warmth of Henry and myself she began to sooth herself and calm down. Once she was calm she opened her eyes. She had the most mesmerizing emerald green eyes!! They were gorgeous. I remember looking down and just being dumbfounded by how beautiful her eyes were. Green eyes are a definite possibility since my mom has green eyes, so we will see! :-)

We also decided to play music for her this week and see what she liked. First we picked a mutual favorite band - A Perfect Circle. She moved toward the music and seemed to like being pressed up against it. We then tried Blake Shelton and Josh Abbott - she moved away from those. Henry then tried Turnpike Troubadors, another favorite with lots of fiddle music and she pressed herself up against the music. We played Sublime, another rock band, and another country song - she stayed away from all those too. We played another fiddle-heavy song and she pressed up against it. We got a big kick out of it! Every song heavy on the fiddle she LOVED. She just keeps getting more and more perfect every week. :-)

About the Board:

We tried to keep the board simple this week. We chose the line about the fiddle because of the experience listed above in thoughts. :-]

Pregnancy/Maternity Fashion: 

Jessica Simpson Maternity Top and Jessica Simpson Maternity pant/leggings. I LOVE this outfit. It is a new line that just came out at Motherhood Maternity - just my luck at 35 weeks. haha I despise those pants with the stretchy belly band thingy. They pull my belly down and itch like freaking crazy! I have read that scratching your belly is what opens up the skin for stretch marks to begin and refuse to scratch my belly. Not to mention, it is Texas. It is hot. My belly has enough pressure without this stupid band pressing on it and then layer clothes on top of it as well. Can you tell I despise it? When I saw these adorable "pants" I had to have them! They have a low lying waist in front to accommodate the belly without smothering it. They also have these notches with a bit of elastic to accommodate the growing bump. So, when I sit down they don't cut into my belly like the belly band pants do. Not to mention they have faux pockets in front and real pockets in back, so they look like black skinnies, only very comfy and stretchy. I am not limited to wearing them with just tunics either. WHERE WERE THESE MY ENTIRE PREGNANCY!? Better late than never though I guess. I would put these pants on my top 5 maternity wardrobe MUST-HAVES.

34 Weeks

How far along? 34 Weeks 

Total weight gain? Up 31 lbs. I go in again Week 36 for another soon! I really wanted to stay below 30 lbs, but as we can see I have gone up one pound over and Coraline still has big growth spurts ahead...my dream seems to be squashed. :-[ They say at this point she is growing 30 grams a day!

Maternity Clothes? ASOS is my top #1 choice! The tops/tunics run true to your pre-pregnancy size. (Given you didn't let yourself go and blow up like a balloon - boob growth is accommodated for). I found that the pants are true to your current pregnant size. So if you measure your hips properly, use their size chart to order the proper pregnancy size. Yes this means you may order a 10/12/14. Grieve for a bit, then get over it. My next choices are The Gap/Old Navy. I have really only ordered tank tops from there and again, true to pre-pregnancy size. However, for 3rd trimester I recommend going up one size, the belly region can get tight. :-)

Stretch Marks?  The red marks are still on my butt! Good news, the red marks on my boob have vanished! Gone! Not even a slight sign that they were once even there. WHOOP! What is amazing is no stretch marks on my belly, none what-so-ever! 

Sleep:  Sleeping is WAY off. By 4 pm I am exhausted! I want to take a nap, but always talk myself out of it. By nighttime I am exhausted and feel like I should be able to pass right out, but don't. Major insomnia. I should probably just start giving in to the 4 pm nap. :-/ Either way I am EXTREMELY tired.

Best moment this week: Found out what position Coraline is in and Henry learned massage techniques from our Doula!

Miss Anything? Alcohol. It is hot and I want to enjoy the fun fruity alcoholic beverages everyone else is getting to enjoy. Jealous. 

Movement: She LOVES to move!! What's new? ha! Oh and hiccups! Those movements count, right?

Food cravings: Watermelon. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Textures are still making me sick. 

Gender RESULTS: BABY GIRL!!! My gut feeling was right all along! I absolutely can't wait to meet her!

Labor Signs: More and more contractions! 

Symptoms: 
Exhaustion! Absolutely exhausted.
Braxton Hicks! Yay.
Very small bladder...very. small.
Baby hiccups
If I don't take my prenatal vitamin at night, my legs get extremely antsy! It feels like I need to go running they get so antsy. However, if I take my pre-natal within 30 minutes they chill out. I read that it has to do with the iron. Either way, it works.
Movements have changed from individual movements to feeling simultaneous movements in two different spots. Like I will feel something toward my right side up by my ribs, and at the same time another movement on the left side of my belly button. It's the weirdest, yet most wonderful feeling in the world.
Disappearing belly button, baby bump, nails and hair growing like weeds, baby movements (the best!) and my boobs have drastically increased.
Occasional swelling of my feet and hands. Especially my right foot. 

Belly Button in or out? My belly button is officially FLAT. No innie, no outtie. 

Wedding rings on or off? Both rings have moved to my pinkie fingers. I had a scare with my Aggie ring and just decided to keep them both there. Juuuust in case. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, Happy!

Looking forward to: Finishing out the nursery and getting back into our house from the tornado!

Baby Name? Coraline! I love the name!! See WEEK 21 for name details. <3

Thoughts: I have mentioned before that I am planning a natural child birth but in a hospital. I can not stress to you how grateful I am that we have hired a Doula for the process. I have read and been told on countless occasions to hire a doula for a natural birth, but ESPECIALLY if you plan to natural birth in a hospital. No matter which way we choose to birth, I am beyond happy that we hired Jenni. She actually came to our Birth Boot Camp class this week and taught all the Hubby's a few massage techniques for the aching Mommies. Boy are they FABULOUS! Henry really picked up on what she taught and has been doing wonderful at home. We, or I, particularly like a thing called "Rebozo" or "Sifting". It lifts the baby's weight off my back and accommodates Coraline to be in a better position. We learned right now she is in the LOT position. AKA - Her head is down, facing my right side, back side is on my left side, which is why I feel her little feet on the upper right side of my ribs/torso. LOA - where she is head down, facing my spine is the optimal position, but LOT is the 2nd best. Go little Coraline! 

About the Board:

We themed the board around her nautical name and nautical room. :-) Like my attempted seahorsies?
She is roughly 5 lbs and the size of a small pumpkin. I really need to take a step back, I didn't realize my usual spot is starting to interfere with the board. Oopsie!

Pregnancy/Maternity Fashion: 

Dress is from Motherhood Maternity.

Pregnancy Hormones & Cervical Checks

Today I am officially 38 weeks & 2 days! Holy guacamole where has the time gone?!

First, when they say the "nesting" kicks in, that is no joke. If you keep wondering, "I wonder when mine will kick in?" Dont worry it will. Nesting is up there right along with "panic", only a good panic, in my opinion.

Today was my 2nd cervical check. Yippee!
Not.
The first one was pretty great. Slightly uncomfortable, but I was 2cm dilated and the doc was ecstatic. She warned me of slight spotting and cramping, but no biggie unless it goes longer than 24 hours. ..or my water breaks or contractions intensified.  She also didnt expect me to go up to my due date. Even better! We can't wait to meet our Little Lady anyway
Fast forward to today, check #2. I am a good 2.5 maybe 3 & 70% effaced. But she "feels" a bit higher than last time, and "Holy Guacamole did that hurt, you can stop now!". That hurt WAY more than the first time. WTH was so different?? Again, warned of slight spotting and cramping.
What was so different? This time it hurt and this time there was a lot of "spotting" which was more like the beginning of a period, but "normal" and lots of irregular contractions.

I felt extremely traumatized every time I went to use the restroom and saw more blood - knowing it wasn't natural and more "inflicted".

I became extremely irritable and emotional - which thank the Lord has not been the case this entire pregnancy.  My husband can probably count all my emotional days or meltdown days on one hand. I have had an extremely happy pregnancy for the most part. Today felt like it made up for all those lacking.  To top it off, it was the last day of Birth Boot Camp. I love Birth Boot Camp, its been a wonderful learning experience and has really helped my husband and I communicate. Towards the end of the class though, irregular contractions began. What made it worse,  this was the ONE class I didnt bring my swiss ball and was uncomfortably sitting on the floor.
I felt like everyone was staring at me and they jusy knew I was having contractions.  Which in reality I am sure no one noticed, or cared, not to mention THEY ARE ALL PREGNANT TOO! Yet, here I was squirming on the floor, avoiding eye contact and felt like everyone was staring. I did not like having contractions in public.  I wanted to be in the comfort of my home, dimmed lights, with just Henry soothing me.

Finally, the class ended and of course everyone wanted to say goodbye and good luck. I felt like I was going to burst into tears any time I began to open my mouth and in all honesty wanted to dash out of ther unnoticed. Henry had developed a few friends and began to chat, I stayed back swaying through my silent contractions. Then one of the husband's kindly say, "Well you could go any day, you excited?" And I burst into tears!!!! So. Embarassing! Henry was so confused, and as I held my head down, crying and scurrying away, I heard Henry apologize on my behalf and the husband being very understanding.

Once I reached the car I just bawled! Henry was so confused! I was certain I had not only embarassed myself, but him too. He silently rubbed my head as he drove us home and listened to me bawl and ramble off emotional jibberish. He acted frustrated at first, but finally as I settled in on my swiss ball he came up and just wrapped me in a big bear hug...immediately I felt so much better.  He proceeded to put his lense-less ray bans on Buddha which sent me in hysterical laughter. We talked about what I was feeling and came to the resolution that I was going to deny any further cervical exams unless I go past my due date.  If they wouldnt let me refuse them, well then I will just keep rescheduling until hospital time. Haha

Needless to say, today has been very emotionally exhausting and I am so thankful our AC will finally be replaced tomorrow so I can just lounge at the house all day and relax!

Labor Fears: C-Section

Today in our birth boot camp class we learned a lot about c-sections and various complications that can occur during labor. It was a very emotionally trying class, for me at least.

We got to watch a generic home c-section video filmed by the father to be. It was slightly traumatic for me to watch and took everything I had in me to not start bawling!  To see how the doctors manhandled the baby, stuck a suctioning tube down the crying babies nose and throat repeatedly, then hold the baby over the curtain, "say hi mom", then whisked away to do standard checks and even more suctioning while the newborn cried and tried to push hands away...ugh it was terrible! Like one of those horror movies where you have the urge to yell, "Don't open the door!" Or "Dont go in there!" Only I wanted to yell, "Leave that damn baby alone!"

It made me realize I dont fear an epidural, I truly fear a c-section.  I have had 3 separate procedures where I have woken up in the middle of, and 2 procedures where local anesthesia has worn off, or just never kicked in. Maybe that's one subconscious reason I don't care about the epidural, because I figure it won't work anyway.

I want to hold my baby and breastfeed after delivery.  I want the cord to stay attached until it stops pumping.  I want to endure/experience natural labor because I know my body can handle it.

Today's class made me realize my true fear of labor, but was very empowering at the same time.  Either way, I know God has already determined my birth plan and the story of Coralines delivery, and I need to have faith that regardless of how she is born, the ultimate goal is a healthy baby.

"I will not cause pain without allowing something new to be born, says the lord." Isaiah 66:9

Real World, Real Problems

This post really has no purpose other than to feel sorry for myself and rant a bit, so just hear me out. haha

When I met Henry I had a whole different life planned out for myself. They always say though, "Life happens when you're making plans". That sure did happen with me! I wouldn't trade my life for anything in the world, but it definitely has not turned out one bit the way I envisioned. 

I ended up leaving my entire family in Houston to move to Henry's hometown near Fort Worth. I opted out of pursuing my ideal career to get married and take a month long honeymoon. Such a terrible trade, right? haha. Now yes my alternate plans included becoming a successful business woman. Instead I have become a wife, a soon-to-be mom, and world traveler. haha. I have done things with Henry I didn't really prioritize doing in my "ideal" previous life. We have travelled to Colorado numerous times (love it there!), Vegas numerous times, Tennessee, Michigan, Greece, Italy, England, USVI, then countless roadtrips. I can't say I have much to complain about. 

I ended up giving up my amazing job to work in the "family" business as Henry's Finance Manager. The ironic part of this, I use to help Space Center Houston/NASA in their finance department. I remember them asking me on numerous occasions to switch my Biology major to a Finance major so I could work for them after graduation. I always told them no, that I didn't see myself doing finance for the rest of my life....and here I am....doing finance. HA! 

With a baby on the way it has even made finance work for the company difficult, especially with an office assistant that recently has become extremely unreliable on her ability to show up on time or stay an entire day, or get anything done without an error. We have about 3 weeks until Coraline is due and we have been kind of rushing around figuring out what we are going to do to ensure I don't have to tote a newborn back and forth to that dusty, dirty, hazardous construction office. Most pregnant women around this time are getting ready to take their maternity leave. You don't get maternity leave when you own your own business. 

Either way we are making due and have had a few wonderful people help us figure out remote log ins and various things to help out. But like I said before, I don't see myself doing finance for the rest of my life either. I don't mind help managing the office from a distance to ensure no one is stealing from us (happened with the last two secretaries) and that things run smoothly. No one cares about your business more than you. I also didn't ever picture myself being a stay at home mom. However, with Henry inconsistently working in town, I do not want a stranger raising our kids either. 

I mentioned to Henry a local business that was hiring part-time. This is a company I adore and love going in their shop to browse. I mentioned the possibility of me working for them part-time after Coraline is born. It would be such a fun job, doing something I love, giving me some "me time", and allowing me to make a little of my own on the side to do with what I want. Henry's sister even volunteered to babysit Coraline for me so I could go off and enjoy the part-time job without worrying about a stranger watching our baby. I mean I have given up A LOT to go with Henry's plans and dreams, so I figured he would be supportive of this one little tiny "me" request. When he laughed at me and said no I couldn't do it, that was a hobby and not a job, I about had a pregnancy meltdown on a whole different level. Instead I took a deep breath, bit my tongue and dropped the whole conversation. Hell, I will do it regardless of his support or not. He is rarely in town anyway. It wasn't worth the fight, but it was heartbreaking that he dismissed it just because it didn't sound interesting to him.

I can honestly say I feel extremely trapped and limited in this small town. I am not use to the lack of amenities Houston had to offer. I love the connections that come with a small town, but sometimes I feel like I can't breath living here. 

I absolutely can't wait until Coraline is born because it will give me a legitimate excuse to go into the "city" haha. I look forward to ballet recitals or volleyball tournaments or track meets - doing fund-raisers, bake sales, etc. I look forward to being that pro-active mom that helps her daughter out wherever she will allow me without being smothering (I mean I will try not to smother her). I know I will always continue to help Henry out in the company as much as possible, I just don't trust anyone else to handle the finances and accounts. People see these large checks come in and see dollar signs and their own problems. They don't see the bills, invoices and payroll that those checks have to go toward. I don't mind telling people no and being the bad person for Henry, but other people won't care. So to have a small part-time job aside from helping Henry's company and raising kids would be amazing to me. It would make me feel like I truly had something for ME.

 I would finally be doing something for me, myself and no one else. 

I just wish Henry would be more supportive. :-/ Hopefully he will come around.

33 Weeks

Baby Shower #1

How far along? 33 Weeks 

Total weight gain? Up 30 lbs, will have another check up Week 34. Really trying to maintain a total weight gain no more than 30 lbs, but seeing how I am at 30 lbs already and Coraline still has big growth spurts ahead...my dream seems to be squashed. :-[

Maternity Clothes? ASOS is my top #1 choice! The tops/tunics run true to your pre-pregnancy size. (Given you didn't let yourself go and blow up like a balloon - boob growth is accommodated for). I found that the pants are true to your current pregnant size. So if you measure your hips properly, use their size chart to order the proper pregnancy size. Yes this means you may order a 10/12/14. Grieve for a bit, then get over it. My next choices are The Gap/Old Navy. I have really only ordered tank tops from there and again, true to pre-pregnancy size. However, for 3rd trimester I recommend going up one size, the belly region can get tight. :-)

Stretch Marks?  The red marks are still on my butt! Good news, the red marks on my boob have vanished! Gone! Not even a slight sign that they were once even there. WHOOP!

Sleep:  Sleeping is WAY off. By 4 pm I am exhausted! I want to take a nap, but always talk myself out of it. By nighttime I am exhausted and feel like I should be able to pass right out, but don't. Major insomnia. I should probably just start giving in to the 4 pm nap. :-/

Best moment this week: First baby shower!! 

Miss Anything? Alcohol. It is hot and I want to enjoy the fun fruity alcoholic beverages everyone else is getting to enjoy. Jealous. 

Movement: She LOVES to move!! What's new? ha!

Food cravings: Watermelon. Henry picks the best ones too. Each time before he leaves town I make sure he picks a watermelon first so I can snack on it while he is gone. :-)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Textures are still making me sick. 

Gender RESULTS: BABY GIRL!!! My gut feeling was right all along! I absolutely can't wait to meet her!

Labor Signs: More contractions this week! Happened at work while sitting at the desk - probably because I was stressed. I am on a roll. 

Symptoms: 
Exhaustion! Absolutely exhausted.
Braxton Hicks! Yay.
Learned I am allergic to cocoa butter.
Hips hurt. Especially my right hip.
If I don't take my prenatal vitamin at night, my legs get extremely antsy! It feels like I need to go running they get so antsy. However, if I take my pre-natal within 30 minutes they chill out. I read that it has to do with the iron. Either way, it works.
Movements have changed from individual movements to feeling simultaneous movements in two different spots. Like I will feel something toward my right side up by my ribs, and at the same time another movement on the left side of my belly button. It's the weirdest, yet most wonderful feeling in the world.
Disappearing belly button, baby bump, nails and hair growing like weeds, baby movements (the best!) and my boobs have drastically increased.
Frequent bathroom visits
Occasional swelling of my feet and hands. Especially my right foot. 

Belly Button in or out? My belly button is officially FLAT. No innie, no outtie. 

Wedding rings on or off? Both rings have moved to my pinkie fingers. I had a scare with my Aggie ring and just decided to keep them both there. Juuuust in case. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, Happy!

Looking forward to: Finishing out the nursery and getting back into our house from the tornado!

Baby Name? Coraline! I love the name!! See WEEK 21 for name details. <3

Thoughts: We had our first baby shower this week! It was great to have so many family members from each side of my family attend. Usually we get all my moms side or all my dads. We had a good combination from both. They didn't do any crazy games except Baby Bingo, which turned out to be fun for the guests and kept them engaged during the gift opening. Everyone got a Blank Bingo Card and filled in the squares with gifts they thought we may receive. If they got 5 in a row they got a bingo and a prize. The mini-liquor bottle prizes were a hit! There were also two Starbucks gift cards and a mystery prize. We got tons of adorable outfits, wipes, bottles, little baby knick knacks and Coraline's carseat and extra base for Daddy's truck. We are truly blessed with some amazing, generous family members. Not to mention, my sister made the CUTEST Coraline diaper cake!! I was truly shocked at her talent to make it. Although I am sure her boyfriend Brice had a helping hand. hehe Then my Aunt Robin had the genius idea of freezing watermelon slices on sticks to make "fruit pops". Watermelon has been my main crave lately, and to have it frozen, slushy like on a stick was awesome! Genius idea for future kid birthday parties. 

About the Board:

No board this week. :-[ I know, shame on me. With work and traveling to and from Houston I just didn't make time for one. Not to mention the exhaustion, remember?

Pregnancy/Maternity Fashion: 

Dress is from ASOS.
Belt from a local boutique.
Wedges are Gianni Bini - my absolute favorite shoe designer and he by far has the most comfortable heels/wedges, especially for 33 weeks preggo!

Check out this adorable video courtesy of my Uncle John

Photos courtesy of my Uncle Warren

Photos courtesy of my Uncle Warren