1 Month

WOW! Time flies!

I can button a pair of my fat jeans!!! That doesn't mean they fit - - I still won't wear them because of the intense muffin top, but I can get them buttoned! I've been trying twice a week to get them on and finally!!

At 3 weeks PP I was off all meds - pain and otherwise.

Lochia has really really slowed, I have hardly any bleeding anymore and just wear a pantyliner now. YAY!

Still can't wear my rings. :(

Still not working out but I carry Kari in my Ergo whenever we go somewhere and walk to the park a few times a week with Emma. I'm ready to get to the gym though!!! :)

Our household is running pretty smoothly and I don't have anxiety about taking the kids out by myself or being able to handle things. I take advantage of having danny around when he is home and get as much help as I can from him to make my life easier - - but when he isn't home I manage just fine by myself. Ask me again though when he's gone for several days in a row HAHAHA.

I remember getting stuck STUCK STUCK at 140 lbs last time. . . So no surprise I'm stuck again. Can't wait to loose the rest of this FAT! And my thighs rubbing together is getting old. I need skinny in my life to feel normal.

Weight: 140 (Bounces up and down daily between 138 - 142, probably depending on how much milk I have in me and how hydrated I am etc)

Follow my journey as a photographer: http://Sweetrose.zenfolio.com

Recovery - Week 2

Well I'm not as lucky as I thought. Lol.

Although recovery is by far easier this time around, little things keep popping up.

For one... Lochia came back full force. I was concerned until I googled and found that its normal for it to start- stop for 4-8 weeks!!!!

Engorgement. I forgot how it feels to have an elephant under your skin on your chest, and what it's like to go to bed in a tank that fits only to get up in the morning feeling like its two sizes too small!!!

Sciatic nerve - GRRRRRRR Still getting pinched now and then. I know I had it prior to both pregnancies but dang. Go away!

Edited. Danny said TMi lol!

Other than the slight negatives I feel quite lucky to have a better recovery this time. I have to be careful - even though I feel good I can tell when I do a lot in one day that I shouldn't have.

I'm now down to JUST Tylenol, although some times I feel like I could use a little more pain relief...

The ten day growth spurt has me very tired currently.. but it should only last 2-3 days. I'm hoping for 2 days rather than 3. Baby tries to nurse if I'm ANYWHERE near her.. making night time very, very difficult. She wants to nurse then she's done and then she wants to nurse again. I remember when Emma had her first growth spurt I wanted to give up in the middle of the night because I just couldn't seem to satisfy her hunger! This is normal though and a normal behavior for newborns - doesn't mean my milk isn't enough (on the contrary I still make too much this time around and only feed from one side at a time - - except during growth spurts of course.)

I still am in maternity jeans. My regular ones will NOT come up over my hips yet. Oh well!

Weight: 139.8 (-17)

Recovery week 1

Being a second time paren is probably a billion times easier than the first. People think I'm crazy for babysitting and getting a new puppy and taking on clients for my business with a newborn, but... Knock on wood.. We are handling it all just fine!

Nursing hurt like a you know what for the first 5 days but its pretty much fine now. Kari loves to eat and is a perfect latch. New moms- don't underestimate the power of lanolin!! I didn't use it the first four days but after starting to bleed and chap I started to lather that stuff on like crazy and put it in my breast pads to keep from drying to the breast pads between feedings. Works like a charm!

After birth... Well....... It really hurts I'm not going to lie. The first 3/4 days were the worst every time Kari would nurse... It was like contractions all over again. Ouch ouch!
Lochia is going quicker this time. I even have some days without bleeding already.

I don't have a lot of pain otherwise, I have 2nd degree tears all the way to my rectum but it doesn't hurt this time and I haven't even had to numb things before peeing this time which makes going to the restroom a lot quicker trip.

Funny outtake HAHA My sweetie ♥

One thing that really stinks is tht I think I pulled a muscle or something in my right leg between my legs. It's hard to describe, it starts below my butt cheek and between my legs and goes down. It makes getting out of bed or off the couch or standing up off the floor very uncomfortable and painful if I've forgotten a dose of Motrin or Tylenol.

Emma's making faces at herself!

I can get up and do a whole lot more now. I remember last time i didn't do anything except lay around and nurse and cuddle and watch tv. I'm up and doing housework and playing with Emma and every day activities already. No working out yet though - I'm supposed to wait until Lochia is gone completely :-/ I want to get back in the gym!

Weight: 147lbs (-9lbs)

Mommy and Kari Renee - How'd she fit in there???

Compliments of Brand New Photography ( http://onlybrandnewonce.com )

Labor?

1minute each, ten min apart.

7am Been contracting all night but only the last 8-9 have been consistent. Painful like a horrible period but not enough for me to jump in the bath. Fingers are crossed.
Saved.

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11:20am Contractions are about 45 minutes to an hour apart. I'm not really timing them but they are quite painful when they do happen and I assume they last about a minute each. They are really far apart but feel like they last longer than before.
Hoping they pick up again. Fingers crossed.

Saved.

---
6:15pm got back down to 10 mins apart and stopped again. The belly pain doesn't subside though and I'm in misery. I have been crying off and on for hours I can't help it. My body is tired and I hurt and I am feeling like ill never ever have this baby. I need to hurry up and hit active labor so I know the torture is coming to an end - even if it takes another 20 hours ill know its going somewhere.

Saved.
---

7pm
Intensity kicked up. I'm crying silently with each contraction but I can't get an accurate timing on them. I'm not using moaning etc because I don't want to scare Emma. I want to get in the bath tub soon and help ease my back and belly pain. I hope it helps.

Saved.

----

8:00pm we had some dinner and I drank a bunch of milk. Belly actually feels a little better, but I haven't had a contraction since 7:28pm. I just want this to kick into active labor already so I can be done and hold my little in my arms. Maybe this means I'll get to rest tonight... Who knows.

Saved

---
8:04 just kidding. Just had another contraction.

Saved

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10pm
Bed time.

---
2:07am
Ouch. Woke at 1:35 with insane contraction and baby moving like crazy. 2 contractions 10min apart, next 7 min later. Up to use restroom. Next contraction at 2:04 after that(15 min from previous). Very strong can't sleep through but able to relax in between. These hurt my back a lot. Will probably get up soon and in bath if they continue.

Saved

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4:11am got out of bath. Seems to have slowed contractions which were running over 90sec long and 11-12 min apart. They are intense when they happen, very. Last one was at 3:53 and still waiting for next one 20min later. I'm so tired that I'm dizzy. Had to get out of bath because I was falling asleep.

Saved.

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5:21am
Just finished a banana. Was feeling starving. Really craving some cheddar cheese right now, too.
Contractions are most painful and last longest when baby moves during them.
Contrax are now 8-9 mins apart and lasting between 60-90 seconds each.

I've found that if I focus my attention on a fun memory or something like that during a contraction it is easier to deal with.

My vagina hurts, so does my butt. This is definitely no walk in the park.
Still trying to sleep between them but it gets harder as they get closer together.

---
6:03am the previous contraction I had made me very nauseous. Danny is still asleep and his breathing is driving me crazy. He sounds like a panting dog or something.
(EDIT: When he was finally awake he asked if I could hear him in his dream. He dreamed that he had been stabbed in the chest. Yep that explains the breathing I was hearing!)
Tummy stays tight between contractions. It's very uncomfortable and very very sore.
7-8min apart.
Making progress. Hope it's not too much longer until hospital time. I'm ready to have her.

Saved

---

10:08am
Sitting at 6 min apart for about 2 hours. Each is 2 mins long giving me a 4 minute break in between.
I'm very miserable and want to get this baby out now. I couldn't sit in the bath again it hurt too much. Now have heat pads on my back and lower belly. Baby not moving as much thankfully.
Hope I'm done soon. Can't even speak out loud much. Too exhausted.

Saved.

---

12:43pm Feb 7th She's here! Now ill fill in the in between.

---
Around 11am my contractions were a little longer and more unpredictable. I had one 9 minute contraction, 2 mins later a 6 minute. Danny took Emma to the neighbor's house. Not too much later we decided to go downstairs.
I went to the bathroom and fell asleep on the couch being contraction free for about 20 minutes or so. Had Danny get me some apples and cheese, but then the contractions came blasting out of nowhere. I couldn't really talk between them or I just didn't want to I was so tired. D was timing them- 2min long, 3 min apart which means I only had about a minute to breathe in between.
Soon they were piling on top of another. I wanted to drink something because I knew I should not because I wanted to. I asked for chocolate milk, figured I could use the protein since all I had to eat all day was a banana and a PB sandwich.
Around 3:45 I was telling Danny I was done and praying that things would be over soon. Each long, unrelenting contraction was torture and I pleaded that it would be the last one. Sometimes I'd have only a few seconds to breathe, sometimes over a minute. Finally after an hour of telling me he needed to put my pants on so we could go to the hospital, I let Danny move me. I wanted to go to the hospital and get drugs. HAHAHA.

We arrived at the hospital at 5pm. The nurse, who I wanted to punch, wanted me to get on a bed to be checked. I had two back to back contractions, each over 2 minutes and she kept insisting that "Hun your contraction is over you need to get on the bed now. " then Danny politely informed her that I've had contractions that last up to 20 minutes and to give me a minute. I love him.
They checked me. I wanted the drugs. I was at a 5-6cm and thought I'd die. Danny sat stroking my hair telling me I didn't need them and I was already so close!! The nurse (who now was looking at my contractions on the monitor and could see that I wasn't exaggerating them ) said that I was already near a 6 and could go to a ten in minutes. Bless her. So anyway after an hour of being admitted I was moved to my room and hooked to monitors. Danny knew that getting me to stand in the shower would help things progress faster and continues to ask them to take me off the monitor so I can do that. They had to check me again because it had been over an hour and wanted to make sure I wasn't at a 9 before letting me stand. I was at a 7-8.
The next hour was... Really intense. These contractions were so gosh awful that all I could visualize in my mind was my uterus ripping up the middle. I stayed focused on a light over head and screamed through them. The pressure in my anus and vagina was so much that I was peeing with every contraction and I could feel the contractions pushing down. Not like pushing like when you push the baby OUT but pushing down.
In the middle of probably the worst contraction ever known to man(ok maybe. ) my waters burst, and I yelled "aghhhhh my waterrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!" Or something. It literally felt like someone had stuck a too full water balloon up between my legs and popped it. It snapped like a rubber band between my legs and definitely had a big pop sound. I had a blanket on and Danny said the blanket had an explosion under it haha!
The contraction ended and the nurse finally said let's get you in the shower to help! She said... "Are you sure you don't have to push because baby is RIGHT HERE and you are at a 10!"
Just then, the urge came. The unmistakeable urge to push. And she told me to wait and to be controlled. I had a contraction but not accompanied by the urge, so I waited. They broke down the bed and got everything in place. "When you are ready"

Here it came again. The urge. I pushed but nothing. Again. Nothing.
And Andrea's(my doula at Emma's birth, my great friend) voice came into my head as I groaned through a push, "chin down. Hold your breath in and push down. The power is there when you don't let it escape"
Again. Push. Hold it in. The head is out!
Again. Push. Shoulders are coming!!! Almost almost...
Again. Huge, concentrated. Holding my breath and shutting my eyes. Head down. Push!!!!! She's out!!!!! 7:30pm

They took off my robe and cut off my shirt and put Kari skin to skin. Left the cord on for a long time. Danny washed his hands and I wish I had a camera, he got to cut her cord when it was finally empty (clear instead of blood filled.).
I was able to hold her and nurse her for two hours uninterrupted. I got my stitches put in and chatted with the doctor and nurse while Danny picked up Emma.

She is blonde. And white. No telling what color her eyes will be- but my guess is green. <3

All in all I count 17 hours of real labor and an amazing experience. I'm so glad it's over. I don't want to do it again. Lol!

Eviction notice

Feeling extra done today.

Ding the turkey is done.

Out. Now.

This is your eviction notice... Kiddo!!

Quick post

Quick post to keep tabs on myself.

Things that have caught my attention the last bit:

• No real weight gain in 3 weeks.
• Bleeding gums started again today.
• Excellent sleep two nights in a row.
• Lots of b/m

That is all..

39 Weeks

There is some "TMI" and yucky pregnant stuff in this post... Just forewarning. 

This week marks 39 weeks - 39 LONG WEEKS - of pregnancy. I had three AMAZING photographers follow me around this week so I don't feel the need for an official bump photo. ♥
Meet the Photographers: Lizvette - Michelle - Pamela (Click their names to go to their blogs or fb pages)

This week was ........ too long. Each day feels like an eternity, and each night we hope for labor to start. I've done what I can naturally to comfortably start labor (so I'm not drinking caster oil, not eating spicy food because who needs the heart burn???) but still no luck.

Thursday I did have a good 4 hours of very painful, very real labor - and even when the contractions stopped baby was SO LOW that I could not stand or sit down, I had to stay on all 4's because there was so much pressure - an unbelievable amount of pressure in my lady parts and butt.

Friday morning (this morning) I had an appointment, and - hallelujah that 4 hours was not in vane. I'm 1cm dilated already and losing my mucous plug. With Emma I was never dilated before active labor and didn't lose my plug until I was already in labor. So, even though to most people 1cm is no big deal - in my eyes... it's a HUGE deal and makes me extremely giddy.

This week has been rough emotionally and physically, and I'm looking forward to this hopefully being the last pregnancy update. Crossing my fingers.

One more exciting announcement - I have a birth photographer!!! I wanted one so much with Emma but never found one in my area. I've made friends with several photographers out here via an amazing facebook group of local photographers, whom I'll be trading services with!! I'm so excited. She has another client due right around the same day, so she takes priority if we end up in labor at the same time, HOWEVER! I'm hoping we don't because I'm soooo looking forward to having those images. ♥♥
WEIGHT: 156.0 (@ dr office, fully clothed)

Countdown

I'm due in 12 days. But I say, GET OUT. GET OUT GET OUT GET OUT.

I need my brain back. I need to be able to be rational, calm, patient, nice, and the list goes on, but I CAN'T with these HORMONES going ALL OVER THE PLACE.

38 Weeks

I'm tired
Swollen
Moody as ever
Contracting ALL THE TIME
Sore, although (knock on wood) the sciatic pain hasn't been nearly as horrible this week.
Having a rough time staying asleep
Little to no appetite
Very short fuse...

Appointments:
Monday baby slept most of my NST and they had to wake her up and get her moving. I was annoyed because for once she wasn't kicking me, but I understand they want to see her heart when she's active. The buzzer gave me contractions but there is nothing new there.

Thursday she was so active they had me lay on my side to kind of keep her in one spot so she'd stay on the monitor. I had lots of contractions and they asked me if I was feeling them or in pain, and I said not really. They asked if I wanted to go to L&D or be checked and I said "no I'm not in labor right now." like, leave me alone already I've done this before!! Once again baby pebble did fabulously and yep.

Then I had my regular appointment and it went well. Since the report came in from LC that BJACH was overreacting to the small size of my baby, I no longer have to go in twice a week to be monitored, hallelujah!  Dr also said if I haven't gone into real labor by the 1st that she can induce me if I want. Ummmmmm...... I'm not sure how I feel about that. one part of me says "DO IT!!!!!!!!!!" the other part of me says "Noooooooo just Wait it out" but let's be honest here - I hate being pregnant. Sorry my world is just not filled with sunshine, rainbows, sparkles and googley eyes when I'm knocked up! LOL! I'm NOT one of those ladies.

Emma's sleep has been off and on - I'm thinking she gets too hot like I do because whenever she has a terror or gets up for extended periods of time during the night she's sweating like crazy. I do the same thing when I'm hot. We've taken her off night-time milk and she's on water right now but she doesn't seem to drink much of it at all, but still insists on having a cup with her. We also fixed battle of the toothbrush by using an electric toothbrush. Woo! Daddy's idea. Another milestone - we got her a stool so she's an independent potty user. We just have to make sure the bathroom light is on so she goes in there, and we have to make sure she's wiped... LOL

Weight : 156.8 (@ Dr office w/clothes on, thats + 37.8lbs)

I didn't take a pic this week but I did get a few back from our photo sesh in November...

On the monitor

This is what my Monday and Thursday mornings look like.

37 Weeks - Full Term - Picture Overload

Emma & Sister

Me:

So much pain and pressure between my legs and in my pelvis. I am wondering if the baby "dropped" or something. Emma never did... well not before I was already in labor, and there was already so much going on that really... I wouldn't have noticed. Anyway so I don't know if that's what this is.
I'm having trouble putting on socks and shoes. Luckily I have some cheap knock-off-ugg-style boots I wear without socks that are easy to pull on. Ok so that seems gross, even to me, but it's better than flip flops when it's in the 30's outside.

My view

She pushes on my left side and my right butt muscle/leg goes into shock! Shooting and numbing pain. I've found that if she does it and I push back on her, moving her off whatever nerve she's hit, that the pain will go away. 

Sleep = horrible.

I had my second and third monitoring sessions at BJACH this week, both times Pebbles looked fabulous on the monitors and I was able to leave after only an hour on the monitor. Emma was a good girl 95% of the appointment, but again had to pee of course during the session. Luckily I'd learned from last time and had her in a pull-up and told her I could take her in a minute if she held it. She said "OK!" and waited. She still peed her pull up, but she also peed in the potty when I took her when I was able to.

Since I can't pick her up very much... (swollen)Mommy & Emma 37 Weeks

I registered with the hospital for delivery, it was interesting to fill out the name request for the birth certificate before she's even here - last time we did that after Emma was born. I guess it's official and there's no going back on her name now!! LOL!

Getting some new stretch marks, and measuring from my back around to my belly button is 39" already. If I "flex" my stomach muscles pulling my belly up, it's only 36" but that causes some pain after only a few seconds. It looks hilarious though.

New stretch marks this week

Eating full meals is getting more difficult, and I don't really feel hungry except when I wake up in the morning - so I often forget to eat lunch until late afternoon and then don't want dinner later either. I get filled up pretty fast, for instance I was feeling a little hungry so I ate half of a muffin and then I couldn't eat anymore. 

Appointment at Lake Charles (LC):

Baby - Profile

Well, we had to drive an hour and a half away, waited for about an hour and a half because they are awesome and actually spend time with their patients rather than having you on a countdown timer, and it was worth it.
First of all their ultrasound machine was amazing, one of the best I have seen. Even on the regular 2D had clear details of her face. Pretty. Darn. Cool. Then she turned on this "4D" ultrasound - oh my goodness you could make out her face perfectly, she looks a lot like Emma did when Emma was born. They measured her and she's about 5lbs 7oz right now!

Baby - Face

Doc was pretty cool and I loved it. He was great with Emma and very laid back, which I love. He was like "Well I don't need to see you here again!" because he said, as we suspected, we just make small babies, and no reason to be concerned. Everything looks perfect, the blood flow through the umbilical cord was great, the heart and heartbeat were perfect and she was very active.

Baby - Face & Umbilical Cord

Weight at Dr: 156 ( I have a hard time trusting this weight, I was wearing clothes and boots LOL. I really need to find my own scale to weigh for accuracy)

See more of my photography, http://sweetrose.zenfolio.com
I'm now a full time newborn and maternity photographer!! <3 p="">

36 Weeks

Lengthy update, be prepared.

First, I wish every doctor, nurse, and chart I have on this pregnancy had the same due date on it. One doctor says I'm 35 weeks and 3 days, and in the same appointment with a different doctor or nurse, I'm told I'm 36 weeks and 1 day. That's almost a week difference. . .

Anyway, I had the worst appointment today. I'll get there in a minute. First, let's talk about me and how I've been feeling this week.

I'm still very tired. The inability to sleep seems to get worse and worse, now even if I fall asleep I'm awake and tossing around by about 3am. Emma has been sleeping better, but two nights this week she was up - last night she wanted me to get in bed with her. There isn't really room for me on the toddler bed and I actually fell asleep sitting next to her bed with my head on her pillow. Probably not for very long. When I opened my eyes she was looking at me, and said, "more milk, please." So I got her some milk and by the time I hobbled back upstairs she was asleep again. It was now about 5:30 in the morning.

My sciatic pain is off the charts. It was pretty darn bad last time I was pregnant. I have some afternoons where I just have to sit in one position because any way I move makes me feel like I'd like to chop my leg off. And my lower back. That coupled with the other aches and pains I've been feeling this time... I've not been able to make dinner very much - and when I do, I sit on a stool in front of the stove/counter chopping mixing and whatever else because I just. can't. stand. I've started to get creative with the crock pot.

I have more stretch marks. I knew my belly was bigger this time. Today Danny and I were wondering why I'm getting bigger if my uterus has stopped growing. That was answered with an ultrasound - last pregnancy I had 5cm amniotic fluid, this time I have 12 cm amniotic fluid. That coupled with swelling (i've already got sausage feet and fingers, can't wear my rings or some of my shoes)... yep.


APPOINTMENT 
As you likely know, I got a phone call yesterday telling me I was being treated as high risk now and should be seen not only here at BJACH(The army hospital on Post) but also down in Lake Charles(from here out I'll abbreviate LC, a "city" about an hour south of here) by a high risk doctor. I was told that the ultrasound I had last week was raising some major red flags, and they couldn't handle high risk there. How unnerving.

I kept my original 36 week appointment for today at BJACH, which as always is inconvenient, waiting for 45 minutes to an hour for a 5 minute appointment. I wish I could remember who I saw, so I could complain about her.
First, she scolds me, talks down to me, for not having my Gestational Diabetes testing done. I told her, I didn't have it done last time, I'm in no risk categories for getting it, and have no signs at all that would lead anyone to believe that I had it. Emma was born with perfect sugar levels. Of course she told me I could either do the glucose test OR my ONLY other option was to fast and do a blood sugar level something or other, to which I was like, "Ok. But no." Call me stubborn - I know it's a simple test - but I HATE the way they basically tell you you have NO choice in the matter - just like they tell you that you have NO CHOICE when you're in labor to refuse certain things - when in fact, you do, and you can refuse anything.. Any way just my rant-tastic moment there..

Ok moving on.

Heart beat: Perfect! 140 bpm.
Fundal height: She didn't even tell me what it was, and blurted out "Oh this is so disturbing."

Had I not ever been through this small baby thing before, that would have scared the hell out of me. I told her to go read my freakin' chart. To look at the Ultrasound I'd just had done.
She said "Oh this is so not good, this is very concerning. This is horrible, the baby is only in the 5th percentile."

To which, I said, "My daughter - that one sitting right there - was born under the 5th percentile."
I'm not concerned, but her attitude, tone of voice, and choice of words is making me mad. How would a first time mother respond to the way she was speaking??

She said, "I'm very worried about Intrauterine growth restriction, which leads to intrauterine fatality." ( as if it would certainly lead to my baby's death??) Again - another "why the hell is she saying this" moment.

I kept my cool, because I know, my hormones make me totally irrational and very bitchy. She sent me over to Labor and Delivery to be monitored and to check my fluid levels.

L&D was much more friendly, and reassuring. I had already called Danny to come to the hospital - mostly because Emma had been sitting in her stroller for an hour and a half and wanted to go potty but I couldn't take her, luckily I'd put her in a pull up and told her to just pee in her pull up, she got really upset and told me she peed her stroller and was all wet. I wanted Danny to be there in case she got antsy and needed to run or go to the bathroom or something.
The Dr in L&D told me baby is a rockstar on the monitor, handles the contractions, (only braxton hicks don't get crazy.) looks perfect. Fluid is AWESOME at 12cm!!

I have to go back twice a week to sit on the monitors. If baby ever stops moving, even just for an hour, I'm supposed to go in to L&D to be monitored now that I'm having a tiny baby.

Tonight, I will put up some belly shots for everyone. I want Danny to take some with my actual camera this week rather than standing in the mirror with my iPhone.

Weight this week: 154.0 (fully clothed @ Dr Office.)

35 and some days picture

Since I forget so often to include a photo, here's a recent one. Hope to get an "official" picture for 36 weeks blog for comparison. One holding Emma as well.

35 Weeks

Okkkkkkkkkkkkkk

So I was sick all week pretty much - caught Danny's cold or flu or sinus whatever that was it wasn't fun. Emma somehow did not catch it though. WHEW. Seems like it's starting to go away. The worst hit us over the weekend I think - Sunday and Monday were the worst for me.

Emma has had some issues sleeping a few nights this week, and won't let Daddy comfort her in the middle of the night.. so I get up, go in, put her back in bed, where she wants me to lay with her and rub her back or read a story until she falls asleep again. Then she's up by 6:30 knocking on her door asking to have breakfast and potty. I don't know what happened to my girl who slept until 8 or 9 am... take her out of the crib and suddenly she's ready to be a morning person? When actually she's not because by 7:30 she's cranky and asking for a nap. *sigh*

Ok that has nothing to do with pregnancy really.. except that it adds to the tired.

On with pregnant stuff - So I'm 35 weeks, baby weighs about 4lbs 8oz already according to our ultrasound on Wednesday, and she's still a girl, she has LOTS of Hair!!! and she's very, very deep down in my pelvis already. This would explain the extreme amount of pain and discomfort between my legs. Not my privates, but my actual legs, just to be clear here.

I did something really depressing yesterday, which I do NOT recommend to any pregnant woman whose hips actually spread apart, I held up a pair of my jeans. Not maternity jeans, but my regular - I was wearing these just before I got pregnant - jeans. Yeah I almost didn't know how to feel. They looked so tiny. And they barely went half way between one hip and the other when holding them in front of my hips. REALLY weird how the hips grow apart and I can only hope I'll eventually be able to get back into those jeans. I know it took a while last time for things to stitch back together. If I could find my measuring tape I'd measure. But I can't seem to find anything right now, the office, two bathrooms and our bedroom and the hall way are all piled high with mountains of STUFF that has yet found it's way into place. (We like to empty all the boxes before putting things away to evaluate what we have and where it should go.. if that makes sense. It's very messy.)

So I have 5 weeks left until my due date. That's really... intimidating.

Weight is unknown, because I don't know yet where our scale is.

34 Weeks

I'm 34 weeks now. Holy COW!! WHAT!! Just typing that out made my eyeballs pop out of my head.. That means only 6 more weeks until my due date...

I have a few appointments scheduled - January 11, 24, 31 February 7. And an Ultrasound on the 2nd of January. So only 5 more trips to the hospital.. plus birth.

I just had my 33 week appointment yesterday, belly is measuring a little small - 30cm when it should be 34 cm. So they tacked a growth scan to the ultrasound I was already scheduled for on Jan 2 to check the position of the baby. She's been flipping up down and all over the place. She was head down finally two weeks ago but yesterday she was breech again. I knew she'd been flip-flopping in there.

I weigh 150lbs (+31 lbs total)

33 weeks

Tired and cranky as ever. "Pebbles" dropped down for two days causing me a lot of pain in my back, hips, butt and legs by laying on my nerves. She pulled back yesterday and it feels much better, though it was nice to breathe for two days. Lol.

I'm having trouble sleeping, no doubt due in part by sleeping on a small blow up mattress with hubby. There is noo absorption of movement whatsoever on this thing.
We are grateful however to be in our own house and after 5 more nights I'll have my own bed again.
No clue on weight though last week at the dr I was 147 with clothes and boots on. Next appointment is this Thursday, the 27th.

I'm tired

I'm tired of being tired. I'm tired of constant Braxton hicks contractions, pain, fatigue and sleeplessness, mood swings, and smelling everything(like "nose air" who smells nose air!!!).

I'm tired of living out of a duffle bag and doing everyone's laundry every other day wohout fail because if I didn't we would have no clean clothes. I'm tired of the anxiousness I feel and stress of not having a home to live in or a place for my things. I'm tired of putting my child in diapers because all the changes made her totally regress. I'm tired of moving my daughter around and making her sleep in a small and uncomfortable Pac'n'play. I'm tired of living in socks and shoes because the floor in this temporary apartment is too gross to walk around barefoot in. I'm tired of grocery hopping every two days because we anticipate moving out in a days notice. I'm tired of looking at the calendar and seeing 11-10-9-8 weeks until baby comes and still knowing we don't have anything for her if she came while in temporary housing.

I'm tired of knowing no one and having nothing to do all day. I can't register for anything around here without an address. Oh I'm tired of not having an address.

I'm tired of hearing Christmas music because it reminds me that I can't give Emma a proper first Christmas at home.

I'm tired of hearing "you shouldn't do this or that or take it easier!" Because the baby might pop out early. I'm tired of being in pain if I pick up my older daughter for more than two minutes.

I'm tired of being so swollen down there it makes being intimate very difficult and I'm tired of having to pee every five minutes and 3-4 times a night.

I'm just really tired.

30/31 weeks

I'm 31 weeks today! Most of the stuff is the same as last week. Belly button is out most of the time, which never happened when pregnant with Emma. This baby is in a different position though and possibly bigger!!
Here's my 30 weeks update I wrote and was unable to post:
Thirty weeks and third trimester. I can't believe I'm so far along already and so close to the finish line. It hasn't really hit either of us yet. In fact last night I was laying down looking at my gigantic belly thinking "holy crap I'm pregnant". I know, a little late. I just can't believe we will have two. Watching Emma at the park today brought tears to my eyes. She has grown up so much, so fast. She is so smart and capable- she was climbing the rock wall with no assistance (daddy hovered but didn't help!). I love this stage and I'm not sure I'm ready to go through the newborn stuff all over again.
We aren't prepared at all. How can we be, though? All of our belongings are in storage and we are living in run-down temporary housing!

For me: boy has the sweet tooth kicked in. I love sugar and candy and icecream and CHOCOLATE!!!!
I'm exhausted. If I don't take a nap, it's really just going to be a bad afternoon for everyone. I have major issues sleeping at night and wake up several times a night because I've flipped to my back and can't breathe. I know last time I made a mountain with snoogle and pillows to keep me in place but I don't have that luxury right now.
Nausea and a little feeling of morning sickness is creeping back in but no vomit yet.
I'm anxious about going in to labor again. We will see how it goes. I'm more anxious however about leaving Emma alone when I am at the hospital with someone I haven't even met yet. I just don't know how, who... I'm lost for now. She's my muffin munchkin mooboogooboo snugly butt.

I was on a scale last week and was 141 but haven't seen one since then. I'm huge, though. Blah!


Weight 146lbs (dr scale, fully clothed)

27 / 28 weeks- 3rd trimester

Quick update -
We are in the middle of a move. I'm exhausted and could probably go to bed at 4pm every afternoon.
If I do too much(which isn't very much) I get horrible contractions still so it's been difficult to get things done and ready for the move when I'm physically incapable. D has been very understanding and a wonderful husband since he has been home, tackling most jobs himself and telling me to go to bed and take a nap if he sees my exhaustion, even though he never stops. Emma is doing pretty well though she is having trouble with the transition and has totally regressed potty training wise. Once we are settled I will get her back in panties but I can't force her sensitive little self into doing something she has control over when she has control over nothing else. Lots have changed over the past few months so I don't want to stress her out.

Baby moves all the time. Other than exhaustion and stomach cramping and pain I feel pretty normal. No back pain yet, and my skin seems to be pretty normal, everything else is well.

I don't have a computer right now to upload a photo, but just picture an elephant with my face on it.
I also am without a scale and have no clue what I weigh. Maybe this is a good thing.

Until next time...

6 Months - Check up, ultrasound, etc.

So far I've gained an unbelievable 21 pounds. At my appointment I was 140.0lbs OMLORD. The Dr's were overly pleased with this number meanwhile I'm feeling like bursting into tears because I was only +15 this gestation last time. I guess I can put it down to all the milk I've been drinking and all the protein I've been taking in, two things I couldn't do when I was pregnant with Emma - with her it was all starches and salads because I couldn't handle animal products.
*sigh*

I measure small, of course, just like last time I started to measure smaller when Baby was supposed to start growing and putting on weight of her own. I was measuring 22-23 weeks in the office and 23-24 weeks on the ultrasound. (Should be closer to 26ish weeks)

My baby is healthy, placenta is healthy and in a good place, cord looks good, and, get this - FLUID is 13.6cm!!! YAY! With Emma I had problems with amniotic fluid, it would go between 5-7cm and at the end got down to 4cm when they wanted to induce me because she had low amnio fluid.( I could get it up to 7cm if I drank 3L of water a day, which is really difficult when your bladder is squished to the size of a pea. )

Little pebble had her feet on her face/head the entire time, she was folded in half. Right now she's breech but at a diagonal, so not up and down but not quite transverse yet (Emma was transverse for a while and it hurt my back a lot, to the point of tears if I stood up.) She's also currently "sunny side up" but again, all this can change in 14 weeks she could flip around multiple times before her birth day.

As for me, I'm good. Traveling is exhausting and so is planning for a move. I'm physically and mentally kind of worn out. I've had less of the intense contractions in the past week or so which is awesome.

Pebble had the hiccups for the first time today. I've been waiting for them - Emma had them all the time, several times a day even, and she still even at 20 months old gets hiccups quite frequently.

That's all for now. Here's a little shot of pebble in all her black and white liney glory. Yep that's her foot above her face.