Kilah's Musical

Friday evening we made it back in time to watch my sister's senior year muscial. I cannot believe she is graduating this year, but I am looking forward to her being in Lincoln with us. Here are some pictures from the evening. Beware of picture overload!
 

Kilah with some of the Deaver cousins - Bryce, Karlie & Kendal.
We were SO excited to get to spend all weekend with these
special kiddos!

The Deaver girls with our second mom and one of my most
special friends, Suzanne. She babysat us for a large part of
my life and her and I have remained close over the
years, now as friends. She is like another sister
to me because she knew my mom so well and spent so
much time with my sisters and I.
We love you, Suzanne!!

2 of the best soon-to-be aunts of all time!

 

 

Madison and Riley came back with Grandma for the musical
and shower. These two are two peas in a pod!

 

Couldn't forget a picture of these two! :)

 

 So proud of you, Kilah, and all that you are and will accomplish your senior year.

You have always made us all so proud with everything that you pursue.

Keep up the great work, sister!

We love you!!

34 Weeks!

-- 34 Week Belly Bump --

How far along? 34 weeks
Total weight gain: 26 by our MD's scale
Baby is the size of a: Butternut squash
Maternity clothes? Most definitely. Still wearing pre-maternity pants!
Stretch marks? Still the same
Sleep: Not too bad...as long as it is cold! Poor Daddy is freezing since we have yet to turn on the heater.
Best moment this week: Going back home for the weekend for our 2nd shower and spending lots of time with family and seeing friends from back home.
Miss anything? Pretty content this week.
Movement: You bet!
Food cravings: Chocolate chip cookies. And I'm overdue for Cake Batter with a brownie from Coldstone...
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing particularly
Gender: Sweet baby girl :)
Baby Name: Yep!
Labor Signs: Just more braxton-hicks
Symptoms: More heartburn, lots of swelling, just a bit more tired but not worse than before.
Comments Solicited from Others: The only thing I hear now is how I am too tiny to be having a baby in 6 weeks. Told Daddy I was about to start getting a complex about it!
Belly Button in or out? Flat as a board
Wedding rings on or off? Still off
Happy or Moody most of the time: Pretty content, and enjoying our last few weeks!
Looking forward to: This weekend we have our last shower, which is basically a "Girl's Night" shower with friends. I really haven't seen many of them in months and have been having withdrawals so this weekend is much overdue. Can't even wait!

At our doctor appointment last Friday, I wasn't able to see the doctor because he was doing a surgery so I just saw the nurse. Heartrate was 142 and by her measurements I am measuring 31 weeks, which she said was normal (I'm anxious to have him measure again on November 19th to see if he is concerned or not). Everything looks good, but she did have me see their APRN regarding my swelling in my legs and the paresthesias in my feet. My blood pressure was 100/65 and I had no protein in my urine so we aren't concerned about preeclampsia but it is definitely something they are watching closely. She said we would just watch my paresthesias still to see if they worsen as they could be worsening from swelling. At our next visit we will do a group B strep test and he will also check to see if I have dilated at all. Things are about to start getting more fun and exciting!

Love and Prayers in Week 35, Sweet Girl!

33 Weeks Down!!

- 33 Week Baby Bump -

 

How far along? 33 weeks
Total weight gain: 21+ - we will see Friday at the doctor (our scale decided not to work these past few weeks)
Baby is the size of a: Durian fruit??? Approximately 4.2 to 5.8 pounds already!
Maternity clothes? Most definitely. Still wearing pre-maternity pants...anxious to see how much longer this lasts...so far so good!
Stretch marks? Still the same
Sleep: Not too bad...as long as it is cold!
Best moment this week:  Nothing too exciting this week in baby terms. I worked all weekend and Saturday went tailgating with Dan's parents and some good friends who were back for the weekend and then we all went to the game. I said I wasn't going to go tailgating or to the game and ended up doing both (thankful that I did, though!) and then proved to myself that indeed I do still have it in me to stay up until 2 a.m. despite having to work in Omaha at 10 the next morning. 4 days later and I'm still paying for that one.
Miss anything? Just having a little more energy or hips that didn't always hurt.
Movement: Some
Food cravings: Sweets! And this week I am dying to have a big diet pepsi...which I have been saving for Friday for our trip back to Cambridge when I can most enjoy it :)
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing particularly
Gender: Sweet baby girl :)
Baby Name: Yep!
Labor Signs: Just more braxton-hicks
Symptoms: I was starting to think that baby may have dropped this week (is that even possible this early?) because my heartburn has been terrible still, but much improved from weeks before, I am making more trips to the bathroom now BY FAR than I ever have (new record a few nights ago = 12 TRIPS), and she hasn't been in my ribs hardly at all. Surely not, but we will see. I don't think I look like I have so I'm probably just lucking out for a week. Prior to this week I had a few episodes of sciatica that came and went, but this week it has been back to stay and here with a vengence. It's definitely worse after working 12 hours and being on my feet constantly. Overall starting to feel really tired by mid-afternoon and evening. Oh yes, and more swelling in my legs (but feet not-so-much!).

Yes, those are Dan's fingerprints from before he went
to get my phone to take this picture.
And yes, I was even wearing compression
stockings!

Comments Solicited from Others: Lots of comments about how tiny my belly is.
Belly Button in or out? Flat as a board
Wedding rings on or off? Off in week 33 - had to go buy a temporary one this week :(
Happy or Moody most of the time: Ehh more happy but not entirely enthusiastic at this point. Just ready to be done and meet this little one!
Looking forward to: This week I have been super excited to go back home for our 2nd baby shower. I am so looking forward to the shower, and seeing family and good friends that I don't get to see near often enough. I have been especially missing my sisters lately so time will be well spent this weekend.

In other news, hubby never ceases to amaze me. After painting 2 coats in our bathroom last week, we both agreed that we didn't love the color and he said that we were going to do it right because it was the last time we were painting that bathroom in this house. SO, we (I helped with one, the other he had done when I got home from work again) bought another gallon a few shades darker and repainted the entire room 2 more times. We had used a semi-gloss for those coats because I was planning to use a stencil on one wall and paint over it with flat paint to make the designs, and after painting a few squares of the stencil we decided that it wasn't noticeable enough to waste our time doing it (this was with the first paint color). With the 2nd paint color we tried it again and still really couldn't see the stenciling well in the bathroom. Our next idea was to try using the flat paint of the 1st color to stencil over the 2nd color. Came home from work Saturday and he had all but the borders done "just to see what I thought of it." It's not exactly what I had in mind, but the more I look at it the more I like it. And just like my dad said when I told him the process, "I think you better keep him around." I agree, and I think I will! :) Seriously, there is nothing that that man can't do or won't try and I have to give a lot of credit to his Dad for that one. Someone once said that his dad could build a rocket if he wanted to, and how true that is. I'm thinking that with a few more years of tackling all of my honey-do's he will be a chip off the old block...he's got a running start already! 

That's all for now. Love and prayers in Week 34, Little Missy! 

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!