32 Weeks

32 Week Belly Bump!

 

How far along? 32 weeks
Total weight gain: 21+
Baby is the size of a: Squash
Maternity clothes? Most definitely.
Stretch marks? Just found another jackpot in the already disclosed location this morning
Sleep: Not too bad...as long as it is cold!
Best moment this week:  Getting another peek at Little Miss! So much has changed!
Miss anything? A flat(ter) belly
Movement: Possibly a little less, but still more than several weeks ago.
Food cravings: Sweets!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Steak
Gender: Sweet baby girl :)
Baby Name: It's pretty much decided..Daddy slipped this week, so we are done "testing out the name" and will stick with Baby Girl for the next 8 weeks.
Labor Signs: After the ultrasound, I am pretty sure that what I have thought was just baby pushing up hard against my abdomen are actually braxton-hicks?
Symptoms: Heartburn, and more heartburn. A little less energy, but nothing worse than last week, and possibly a little more swelling in my fingers and lower legs.
Comments Solicited from Others: Just those from people who don't believe that I only have 8 weeks left with how little my belly is. I'll take it!
Belly Button in or out? Flat as a board
Wedding rings on or off? On, but getting more and more snug every week now.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Just pretty content right now...starting to get anxious about all that needs done.
Looking forward to: Going back home in a week and a half for our 2nd baby shower!

I also need to just brag a little bit here. Dan has always done more than his fair share around here, and is always quick to help me do anything and everything...always. But this past month, he has seriously been the best husband ever. He has dinner on the table every night that I work when I get home, is diligent about his dish duties (that's his major job, mine is laundry...hence his nickname "Dish Dan"...he may or may not have started calling himself that), has rubbed my feet more hours than most women would get in a lifetime (ok, close), and even made brownies for me one night because I had been craving them. Not only that, but nearly every morning he will ask me what things on my list of things to do that he can do for me and does them (if I let him). And, this past weekend I got a crazy hair and decided I wanted to repaint our main bathroom. I figured he would most definitely turn me down because we just painted it a couple years ago, but he didn't...and his response was "When are we doing this?" When I sheepishly said "Today?" he didn't bat one eye despite it being his big day to watch football. A few hours later we were picking out paint and putting the first coat on. The next night when I got home from work, he was all but done with the 2nd coat. Seriously, he should get some big award, not only for being married to me, but for all of the things he goes out of his way to do for me. Many girls brag about how they are the luckiest girl in the world, but anyone who knows my husband well would agree - I am the luckiest girl in the world.

Things got more real this week when a patient told me about how her 2 daughters were born at 32 and 31 weeks. I cannot imagine that happening already (praying that it doesn't!), and started to panic because we still have so much left to do and get before we are ready. I also really need to get our hospital bag packed and probably start carrying that with me. Daddy is starting to get more anxious about how things are going to work out if I would happen to go into labor while I'm in Omaha at work, especially if he is out with the truck for work.

I also turned down the job offer this week that I had been praying hard about. Everything about it was more ideal than where I am at right now, with the exception being it would be a 50-55 hour work week committment. My heart was so uneasy about that because I'm just not sure I can committ to that many hours, especially having a new baby. I hope the uneasiness in my heart was God making his direction clear to me, and at this point all I can do is trust in His plans. Still praying hard and trusting that what is meant to be will happen in perfect time. I wish it was that easy....

I think that's all for now. Love and Prayers in Week 33, Sweetie!

Peek at 32 Weeks!!

On October 23, 2012 we were able to get another peek at Little Miss. So much has changed in 2 months! Last time we were able to see most of her body in one view and this time it was definitely a lot more difficult to sort out the parts so we could get good pictures of things!

We couldn't ever get one of her hands opened up completely, but this was
pretty dang cute!

Her two feet are facing each other in this one...kinda hard to make them both out.

At first we thought it looked like she had a beak for a nose...and then we got
these - must have been the angle :)

We did get to see a big yawn, but weren't able to capture
it in pictures. She was drinking quite a lot while we were doing
these pictures -- it was so cute to watch those little lips moving!
She also had a very full bladder!

She just might be getting the Matthes feet - we are anxious to see
if indeed her 2nd toe is longer than her 1st as it appears here.

A beautiful 4 chambered heart <3

Of course we had to check to see if she had hair with all of this
heartburn I have had. This picture is hair more along the neckline,
so we know she at least has a little bit of a mullet...haha!

Oh sweet baby lips!

I believe this was the tail end of the yawn...stinkin' adorable!

 

Oh yes, and Baby is still a SHE!

Baby Girl weighs right about 4 pounds right now (so right on track), and her heart rate was 139. She is still head down, and today her head was right along my right iliac bone of my hip, spine was all along the left side of my belly, butt below my left ribcage, and both feet below the right. Which makes perfect sense, because my right ribcage is really what has taken the beatings lately. :)

 

Have I mentioned how much I can't wait to kiss those tiny feet and hold those little fingers? Today also made me even more excited to get to see her for the first time to see how close all of these pictures are to what she really looks like. Technology is so amazing!

 

Only 8 more weeks, Baby Girl! We can't wait!

31 Weeks

31 Week Belly Bump

I really contemplated cropping my head off in the last 3 pictures. I've never seen a pregnant woman that looked more like a chipmunk than yours truly.

Girlfriend's gonna have some work to do in about 9 weeks to get rid of that immediately.

How far along? 31 weeks...9 weeks left at the most!
Total weight gain: 20.5...eek
Baby is the size of a:  Pineapple
Maternity clothes? Most definitely. However, I am still wearing most of my pre-pregnancy dress pants and getting by.
Stretch marks?  A few more popping up in previously disclosed location
Sleep: Can't complain here yet...still absolutely loving the house being in the 60s at night! (Sorry, Daddy!)
Best moment this week:  Unpacking the carseat from Grandma and Grandpa Matthes - it definitely made this all seem real again!
Miss anything?  A flat(ter) belly
Movement: A little more, actually. This week Baby Girl officially found vacancy in the top part of my uterus. Up until this week I have wondered why everyone always complained about baby being in their ribs...now? Now, I get it. I think it would be more comfortable having a broomstick jabbing at your ribs then multiple baby limbs. Also, I'm not even sure if babies have startle reflexes at this point, but I had a really loud stomach bubble and I swear that she jumped because it startled her, and happened to be looking down and watched my entire belly move. It was pretty cute!
Food cravings: Sweets!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Steak
Gender:  Girl :)
Baby Name: It's pretty much decided
Labor Signs: None. No braxton-hicks to speak of either!
Symptoms: Heartburn - It's at an all time worst right now. I've aspirated stomach acid 3 times this week which then leads to asthma problems the rest of the night trying to sleep. Thinking it might be about time to get my hands on some prescription strength antacid. Starting this week I have also had some mild swelling of my hands and feet, and even legs. I have more of a cankle than I ever have. Also, just starting to finally feel like I'm in the 3rd trimester as far as tiredness. Nothing terrible, just feeling like I don't have as much "spunk" as I have before.
Comments Solicited from Others: Just another patient who said she could tell I was carrying a girl
Belly Button in or out? Flat as a board
Wedding rings on or off? On, but getting more and more snug every week now.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Just pretty content right now.
Looking forward to: Possibly having another ultrasound sometime this next week...and I can't even wait! I can't believe I have survived 2 whole months without seeing what is going on in there. Anf finally, looking forward to our last 2 baby showers on November 3rd and 9th! I'm definitely anxious to get the nursery closer to being set up and done so I can stop worrying about that at least.

In other news, I was offered a job this week and am praying extra hard for God to make his plan clear in all of this. By the time I would start I would be down to less than 7 weeks at the most and I'm not sure how I feel about that being that close to baby. Any prayers would be greatly appreciated as we seek his direction for what is best for our family at this time.

Baby Girl - 2 more months....2 more months until we get to meet you. I can't even believe it! Daddy and I felt your tiny little head and spine at our doctor's appointment this last week, and you are head down...so let's just hope you stay that way! Your heart rate was 175, which was after we had all been poking and prodding on you. So far you have been a nice healthy little girl, so I'm praying you stay that way.

Daddy doesn't even get mad anymore when I get a new headband (or three) for you, and I didn't even have to ask if I could purchase you a pair of football baby legs that I had been eyeing the other day because he was already carrying them up to pay. He is either becoming a big softie when it comes to his baby girl, or he has given up trying to remind me that we don't neeeeed things like that. Regardless, it's pretty cute. The other night we were getting ready for bed and he was in the bathroom while I was washing my face, and out of the blue he said "I'm just so pumped for Baby Girl!" It just melts my heart when he says things like that. I also get weekly text updates from Aunt Kilah, so I know she is counting down just as much as we are. The first thing Grandpa Lennie asks when he calls is how Baby is doing.

We love you so very much, Sweet Girl!

Love and Prayers in Week 32!

The Final Countdown: 10 weeks

30 Week Belly Bump

How far along? 30 weeks
Total weight gain: 19.5
Baby is the size of a:  Cucumber - At night when she is most active I have definitely been feeling her lots on both ends of my belly at the same time, so I'm really not surprised at being about this length!
Maternity clothes?  Most definitely
Stretch marks? Nothing new here
Sleep:  Much, much better now that it is cooler out. It was 62 degrees in our house this weekend and I was LOVING it!
Best moment this week:  Our 1st baby shower - we got so many great gifts and it has been so much fun putting it all away!
Miss anything? I've been pretty content this week
Movement: Still about the same
Food cravings: Sweets!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Steak
Gender: A sweet baby girl
Baby Name: It's pretty much decided, but I'm still not calling it a done deal yet
Labor Signs: None
Symptoms: Heartburn, frequent urination, unrelenting acne
Comments Solicited from Others: Nothing interesting, suprisingly.
Belly Button in or out? Flat as a board
Wedding rings on or off? On, getting a bit more snug.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, and excited!
Looking forward to: Being another week closer to meeting our baby girl.

Love and Prayers in Week 31, Little Miss!

A Letter from Mommy

To the One who will make me a Mama,

It is just a few short months until I get to hold that tiny hand that we first saw on ultrasound a couple months ago. In just a few short months we will be seeing your eyes and holding you so tight for the very first time. I can’t wait to kiss your tiny toes and squeeze your tiny cheeks. You have been one of my first thoughts every morning, and the last thought before I fell asleep for the last 7 months. I cannot even fathom what it is going to be like to see you for the very first time. To hear your first cries will be surreal. Seeing your Daddy’s eyes light up when he meets you will be magical. To finally have a purpose in this life that is mine, all mine—being your mommy. We are thrilled!

We cannot wait to meet you; what joy you will bring to our family. I love to sit and dream about what you will look like and what kind of personality you will have. Will you have your Daddy’s nose? Will you have my eyes? Will you be stubborn like me, or will you be patient like your Daddy? Will you be athletic like your Daddy, or not-so-athletic like me?  

My heart was elated to find out that we were going to be blessed with a baby girl as our firstborn. For a short 16 years of my life, I had something very special with my mom. There is something about a relationship between a mommy and her daughter that I have been longing for since your Grandma Ann passed away almost 10 years ago already. My heart has longed every day since losing her for that relationship and special bond, and I can’t wait to have that with you, Baby Girl. We will have tea parties, play house, go on walks, and eventually we will have late-night talks and shopping dates. We will make the most out of every moment we are given—that is a promise.  Grandma Ann would be so excited to meet you, and it brings tears to my eyes that she won’t be here to witness all of these special moments with her first grandchild. But I do know one thing, she is watching over us from heaven, and we will all meet again one day soon.

I have been praying that God would prepare me for what is about to change in our lives, and that I can be the best Mommy to you possible. I never want to take a single moment for granted that you are ours, because I know how short this life is. You are such an amazing gift from God, and we thank Him every day for you. You will be perfect, Baby Girl, because you are fearfully and wonderfully made by a God who is so much bigger than life itself. We promise to raise you in a household who knows and loves the God that created you. You will always know your purpose in life; that is my greatest prayer for you.

I promise to nurture you and to love you with all of my heart, and to be there for you mentally, emotionally, and physically every day of your life.

Baby Girl, I love you with all of my heart and can’t wait to finally hold you in my arms.

Love and Prayers,

Mommy

Grandpa's 75th Birthday Party

After the baby shower, I came home and unloaded all of our exciting gifts and then we left for my Grandpa's suprise 75th birthday party in Grand Island. Not a whole lot to document other than pictures. We all had a great time, and I think he was quite surprised!

 

Grandpa and some of his friends

Grandma with the Hunnicutt & Werner's

The rowdy table - especially the 2 on the right!

They enjoyed the evening, as long as they had a decent view of a TV
in the distance :)

 

Don't get to see this sister near often enough. Goodness do I miss her!

 

Kilah with the Birthday Boy

Hubby and I

 

A little blurry, but I like this one



The Deaver girls with our Grandpa Wert

We love you, Grandpa! Thanks for letting us be a part of your special day!

Baby Girl's First Shower

On Saturday, October 6th, Aunt Alyssa hosted our very first baby shower. I had such a great time and received lots of great gifts. And of course, it is always so nice to see everyone. Here are the pictures from the morning....beware of picture overload! I just put a few pictures of the many gifts that we received.

The beautiful table, with all of the gifts tucked back behind.
What a great group of friends and family to support us through
these exciting times. We are so blessed!

Great-Grandma and Grandma Matthes

 

Kendra (cousin), Jessie (aunt), Vicki (aunt), Jenny & Loryn (cousins)

 

Our 1st game - each team had to create a diaper out of toilet paper in 2 minutes.
Winner was judged by Loryn and was Great-Grandma Matthes.
Kris (friend), Erin (cousin), and Lois really getting into it!

 

Our 2nd game was creating a bottle out of paper by ripping it behind our backs.
Not as easy as I thought it would be!

 

Grandma Wert thought Baby Girl needed a "Daddy's Princess" shirt. :)

So many great bath supplies from Aunt Marcia and Cousin Valerie.

A baby gate from Great-Grandma Matthes.

 

Play yard from Aunt Alyssa.

 

A girl can never have too many footed pajamas!

An angel from Aunt Kilah - it will sit nicely on her bookshelf.



The boppy, courtesy of Lois Upton.





Grayson and Loryn enjoying some brunch.







Grandma Wert - Thank you for being a part of all of these occasions. We love you!

 

Joyce and I - She never hesitates to make trips to Lincoln for things like this,
and it means a lot to all of us!





Great-Grandma Matthes and I.

Grandma Matthes, Alyssa, and I. She did such
a wonderful job planning and preparing everything,
with 2 babies on her hips no less!

Aunt Kilah - Thank you so much for coming. Baby Girl is going to think
you are pretty special, just like we do!

We are one fun weekend closer to meeting Baby Girl Matthes. Unpacking all of these fun things into the nursery is going to be so much fun! We love you, and cannot wait for your arrival, Little Miss!