Friday, January 20, 2012

31 weeks...

Just a quick little update with some information from our 31 week appointment yesterday. Everything looked good... my BP was fine, blood sugar looked good, and I was measuring where I should. Appointments will be every 2 weeks now-- whoa!

How far along are you?  31 weeks
How big is baby?  the size of a head of lettuce... more than 3 pounds now
Maternity clothes?  yes, mostly. Although some shirts are plenty big
Weight -Loss or Gain?  As of yesterday, I have gained a total of 13 pounds
Stretch marks?  none that I didn't have before haha
Sleep?  Sleep.... oh how I miss thee... 
Best moment this week:  A piece of her wall art came in... I was able to get the other knobs on her drawers... and I got a lovely baby gift package from my friend Alisha!
Any Movement?  all the time.... Jason finally felt her move the other night!
Food Cravings?  Fast food, spicy steamed shrimp, sour candies
Food Aversions?  Not much...
Belly Button in or out?  In... but getting flatter... lol
What do you miss:  sleeping on my belly
What are you looking forward to:  Maternity leave. Please hurry.
What was the BEST part of this week?  Having 3 days off from work. Thank you God!
What was the WORST part of this week? Job stress. Long story. And I'm not getting into it!

Monday, January 16, 2012

Cause everyone likes pictures!

 30 weeks and 3 days
 Not so bad from the front!
 Super soft pink on the walls.... all those clothes have been washed PS haha
 Here's all the furniture so far... still waiting on the crib....
A little bookshelf for her books... We have also hung up curtains since I last took pictures... Still waiting on the crib and the fan to come in... and all of her wall art!

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Childbirth class

I just wanted to make a quick post about our childbirth classes that we had this weekend. I was hesitant about signing up for the class to begin with.... would the $90 really be worth it, isn't this supposed to be a natural process, would Jason be supportive and enjoy the class with me?

Wellllll, it was actually way better than I expected. The class was a two- part series... Friday night at 7-9 and Saturday from 9-2. There were 3 other couples taking the class with us, so it was nice to get to know some other couples due around the same time that we are. The instructor covered SO much information... everything from pain management to the stages of labor to relaxation to tips for dads.... breastfeeding, newborn care, preventing SIDS, a tour around the maternity ward.... I mean, I'm missing so much right now because there was just SO much that we learned!

The best part was that it was a great chance for Jason and I to bond over this life- changing experience that we are about to go through together. We got to ask each other questions, laugh, giggle, and share our concerns. I could not ask for a better birth partner, husband, or best friend.

Next on our list (besides my appointment THIS WEEK!!!!) is our breastfeeding class February 1 and our infant care class February 15. Before our classes-- my baby shower! AH!!!!!!

We are getting ready, baby Natalie!!!!!!!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Dear Natalie,

I work with a lot of children throughout the week. Recently, because I have been working with the school counselor to finish my degree, I have seen a lot of sad cases where DSS and CPS has to be notified because parents do not treat their children with all the love they deserve. It breaks my heart.

Natalie, even though you aren't here, you need to know that you are SO loved. You are the biggest blessing to your Daddy and me. We cannot wait to give you the best that life has to offer. I have cherished every tiny kick and movement... every time we have been able to hear your heartbeat or see you on the big screen. You are the greatest accomplishment of my life.

Daddy and I love you so much, sweet girl. We cannot wait until you're in our arms!

Mommy

No one else will ever know,
the strength of my LOVE
FOR YOU. After all you're
the only one who knows what
my HEART sounds like from the inside.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

29 weeks 2 days

How far along are you?  29 weeks & 2 days
How big is baby?  the size of a butternut squash... somewhere around 2 and a half or 3 pounds I believe
Maternity clothes?  yes, but not exclusively
Weight -Loss or Gain?  I'm assuming around 10 pounds
Stretch marks?  one super tiny little guy around my belly button piercing. Sad story. lol
Sleep?  What's that? Sleep has been hard to come by lately. If I'm not waking up from tossing and turning, then I'm waking up from excruciating charley horses. They are the worst. 
Best moment this week:  baby- wise... just watching my belly grow and knowing my daughter is getting bigger. I love getting stuff done with her room too
Any Movement?  all the time.... it's such a gift!
Food Cravings?  I do love a McDonald's double cheeseburger... and steamed shrimp with Old Bay!
Food Aversions?  Not much...
Belly Button in or out?  In... but getting flatter... lol
What do you miss:  the evening glass of wine... and sleeping on my belly
What are you looking forward to:  More frequent appointments... and the countdown is ON until maternity leave... OH! And we have birthing class this week. That might horrify me. lol
What was the BEST part of this week?  all of my coworkers seem to be getting really excited for us.
What was the WORST part of this week? Working two jobs while pregnant. Only a month left of counseling, but it's rough for sure.

Friday, December 30, 2011

My wish

I hope that the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
And each road leads you where you want to go,
And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
And if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile,

But more than anything, more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

I hope you never look back, but ya never forget,
All the ones who love you, in the place you left,
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,
And you help somebody every chance you get,
Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,
And you always give more than you take.

But more than anything, yeah, and more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

This is my wish
I hope you know somebody loves you
May all your dreams stay big

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Rules 31- 50

31. Teach her to roller skate. Watch her confidence soar.

32. Let her roll around in the grass. It’s good for her soul. It’s not bad for yours either.

33. Take her swimsuit shopping. Don’t be afraid to veto some of her choices, but resist the urge to buy her full-body beach pajamas

34. Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday, the odds are good that she will ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.

35. She’ll probably want to crawl in bed with you after a nightmare. This is a good thing.

36. Few things in life are more comforting to a crying little girl than her father’s hand. Never forget this.

37. Introduce her to the swings at your local park. She’ll squeal for you to push her higher and faster. Her definition of “higher and faster” is probably not the same as yours. Keep that in mind.

38. When she’s a bit older, your definition of higher and faster will be a lot closer to hers. When that day comes, go ahead… give it all you’ve got.

39. Holding her upside down by the legs while she giggles and screams uncontrollably is great for your biceps. WARNING: She has no concept of muscle fatigue.

40. She might ask you to buy her a pony on her birthday. Unless you live on a farm, do not buy her a pony on her birthday. It’s OK to rent one though.

41. Take it easy on the presents for her birthday and Christmas. Instead, give her the gift of experiences you can share together.

42. Let her know she can always come home. No matter what.

43. Remember, just like a butterfly, she too will spread her wings and fly some day. Enjoy her caterpillar years.

44. Write her a handwritten letter every year on her birthday. Give them to her when she goes off to college, becomes a mother herself, or when you think she needs them most.

45. Learn to trust her. Gradually give her more freedom as she gets older. She will rise to the expectations you set for her.

46. When in doubt, trust your heart. She already does.

47. When your teenage daughter is upset, learning when to engage and when to back off will add years to YOUR life. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how

48. Ice cream covers over a multitude of sins. Know her favorite flavor.

49. This day is coming soon. There’s nothing you can do to be ready for it. The sooner you accept this fact, the easier it will be.

50. Today she’s walking down the driveway to get on the school bus. Tomorrow she’s going off to college. Don’t blink.

Natalie Marie, you have no idea how much your daddy and I love you already. You have become the light of our lives and we haven't even met yet. We love you sweet angel!