37 Weeks!!

- 37 Week Belly Bump -

How far along? 37 weeks - it is NOT possible that we only have 3 weeks left at the most?!
Total weight gain: Too much to count
Baby is the size of a: Winter melon??
Maternity clothes? Most definitely. And still scrubs and tennis shoes for work.
Stretch marks? Nothing new here
Sleep: Still can't complain!
Best moment this week:  Going home for Thanksgiving and spending time with my family...our last trip home without Little Miss in the backseat. Unfortunately I did not take a single picture the entire time. I really need to be better about that, but energy was limited apparently.
Miss anything? Pretty content right now.
Movement: You bet.
Food cravings: Pumpkin pie - I only had one piece over Thanksgiving and am now needing more.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope
Gender: Sweet baby girl :)
Baby Name: Yep!
Labor Signs: Just more braxton-hicks. Have had a little bit of cramping in my back and lower abdomen this week a couple times that I had to sit until they went away.
Symptoms: Still have quite a bit of heartburn (but a little better than before), lots of swelling, more and more tired.
Comments Solicited from Others: My medical assistant at work told me she thought I had dropped this week?
Belly Button in or out? Flat as a board
Wedding rings on or off? Still off
Happy or Moody most of the time: Increasingly more uncomfortable, but still content
Looking forward to: Holding that sweet little thing in our arms in just 3 short weeks (maybe less!!) :)

Our next appointment is this Friday and I am anxious to see if anything more is happening. I didn't think much about being dilated because I know that a lot of women walk around dilated for awhile, but being 30% effaced is kind of exciting. As my dad said "It's that much less you have to do at the end." I hadn't thought of it that way, but it's true.

Love and Prayers in Week 38, Sweet Baby Girl!

36 Weeks

-- 36 Week Belly Bump --

How far along? 36 weeks
Total weight gain: I'm past the point of trying to care about this...let's just chalk it up to being a heck of a lot more than I planned on.
Baby is the size of a: Honeydew melon
Maternity clothes? Most definitely. And this week I stopped wearing my dress pants to work because my feet have swollen so much that I don't fit into my work shoes...so it is scrubs and tennis shoes from here on out!
Stretch marks? More popping up on my lateral backside...unfortunately these won't be coverable with a swimsuit (not that I was thinking that was going to be an option ever again anyway)
Sleep: Really cannot complain here!
Best moment this week:  What I'm calling our last hoorah - we celebrated Tiff's birthday Saturday night just going to Keller's and then Sheri's bar in Milford for the evening. Ended up not getting home until after 1 but it was so worth it. I'm pretty sure Daddy realized it was his last hoorah for awhile too - he felt it the next morning :) Also got the Christmas decorations put up this weekend. I had been looking forward to it for SO long, but then when it came down to my last chance to do it I was too tired and didn't feel like doing it. BUT, I decided that Baby Girl cannot come home on her first Christmas and not have a tree or any decorations so I powered through it and got it all done. I will be thankful when I am cuddling a sweet little girl by my Christmas tree here in a few weeks :)
Miss anything? Still pretty content right now!
Movement: Nothing new here...she must be getting pretty squished in there!
Food cravings: Nothing particularly, but if I had to say I would still say chocolate chip cookies taste pretty awesome.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope
Gender: Sweet baby girl :)
Baby Name: Yep!
Labor Signs: Still braxton-hicks, and possibly some rare legit contractions that start in my back and feel more like PMS cramps and not just my belly getting hard.
Symptoms: Heartburn, and even more swelling in my legs and feet, and hands especially in the mornings. Also having worsening back pain these past few weeks...worst between my shoulder blades especially when I'm sitting.
Comments Solicited from Others: Nothing this week.
Belly Button in or out? Flat as a board
Wedding rings on or off? Definitely off. My bracelets and watches don't fit now either.
Happy or Moody most of the time: More and more uncomfortable, but still content for the most part.
Looking forward to: Going home for Thanksgiving!

On Saturday we went to the one and only class that I signed us up for during this pregnancy. We attended a 4 hour class at Milkworks to learn as much as we could about breastfeeding in advance. I haven't talked about this much on the blog, but I am very uneasy about the whole breastfeeding concept. I am repulsed by it when I even see someone doing it in public and am scared that I am not going to be able to do it because the thought of it kinda wierds me out (apparently my mom was the exact same way). BUT, I want what is best for our baby so I want to give it my best shot. I knew that I needed to know as much as I could about it before we even go to deliver so that I can give it my best. So I have done some research and then Dan agreed to go to the class with me (without any begging, he was so sweet about wanting to be there to support me). It was just a basics class and we did learn some things that I think will come in useful. At the very least we won't be completely lost when it comes down to trying it out. I am going into this whole thing with a very open mind, and I am going to give breastfeeding my best shot...but if it doesn't work out I am not going to beat myself up about it either. I am so very thankful that I have such a supportive husband that would go to a class like that with me where he had to have been very uncomfortable. But he handled it like a champ and it ended up being some nice time together.

In other news, we had another doctor's appointment on Monday, and everything still looks great. Her heart rate was 136 and I am measuring right at 36 weeks (happy to hear I wasn't too small like every thinks I am). I was dilated 2 cm and 30% effaced. We go back again in a week and a half and are anxious to see if things are still progressing!

Love and Prayers in Week 37, Little Miss! We cannot wait to meet you!!

35 Weeks - Only 5 Weeks Left?!

-- 35 Week Belly Bump --

How far along? 35 weeks...only 5 weeks left. Holy buckets!
Total weight gain: ????
Baby is the size of a: Coconut - probably anywhere from 4-6 pounds
Maternity clothes? Most definitely. Still wearing pre-maternity pants!
Stretch marks? More in previously disclosed location...none on my belly so far (knock on wood!)
Sleep: Still haven't turned on the heater so I am doing alright. Getting up to go to the bathroom anywhere from 5-10 times a night now but thankfully able to go right back to sleep.
Best moment this week:  Seeing girlfriends at our last shower this week!
Miss anything? Pretty content right now.
Movement: Always have had a hard time getting the 5 kicks in an hour twice a day that the doctor requests, and it's been even harder this week. She is not particularly active, ever, so I usually have to lay down and really concentrate to even get 5.
Food cravings: Chocolate chip cookies. And I'm (still) overdue for Cake Batter with a brownie from Coldstone...
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope
Gender: Sweet baby girl :)
Baby Name: Yep!
Labor Signs: Just more braxton-hicks. Have had a little bit of cramping in my back and lower abdomen this week a couple times that I had to sit until they went away.
Symptoms: Still have quite a bit of heartburn (but a little better than before), lots of swelling, more and more tired.
Comments Solicited from Others: My medical assistant at work told me she thought I had dropped this week?
Belly Button in or out? Flat as a board
Wedding rings on or off? Still off
Happy or Moody most of the time: Increasingly more uncomfortable, but still content
Looking forward to: Our next appointment next Monday (we will see if I have dilated at all!) and then going home for Thanksgiving. Also looking forward to getting the nursery situated now that we are done with showers and finding homes for everything we will need here in a few short weeks. Probably should also start getting the hospital bag packed. Oh yes, and excited to decorate for Christmas next weekend!!

Baby Girl's 3rd Baby Shower

On Friday, November 9th we had our third and final baby shower for the princess. This one was more of a girls' night with girlfriends, and it was time with friends that I was much overdue for. Things have been so busy lately that it had been months since I had seen any of them so it definitely did my heart good to be able to spend an evening with so many of them at one time. I am overwhelmed by the friendship and generosity of these amazing women. Thank you, to each of you, who made it to the party. It means more to me than you will ever know! Unfortunately I didn't get too many pictures from the evening because we were all having too much fun, but here are the ones that I did get.

My two hostesses, Tiff and Ascha. God sure knew what he
was doing when he put these two in my life several years ago.
Thank you both for a great evening, and for your
friendship over the years. You are so very special to me!

Love you, Girls!

Switched Tiff out for Rachel to take the picture.

 

 

Anika, Alyssa and myself.

Kaci, Tami, Tiff and Anika.

We were spoiled with gifts yet again at this shower. Gifts included: jumperoo, door jumper, several books, diapers, wipes, homemade blankets, teething rings, plates, baby feeding utensils, formula dispenser, white noise bear, sleep sacks, bottle cooler, socks, pacifiers, nose suction, hangers, furry boots, bath robe, Johnson's gift set, boppy slipcover, blankets, clothes, Medela feeding set, plug protectors, bottle liners, bottle cleaning brush, brush cleaning set, bowls, fresh food feeders, and snack bowls.

Thank you again to each of you who came. Baby Girl is so spoiled and is going to love each of you. You are the best!

Times Like These

Ten years ago today, we were celebrating my mom's last birthday. Nine years ago today, she celebrated her first birthday dancing the streets of Heaven. Today, my heart aches a little extra as I miss her and wish we could be celebrating with her. I had written this blog entry several weeks ago when words flowed easier and haven't had a chance to post it yet, but I thought it was fitting for where my heart is on this very day. Sure do miss you, Mom!

Times like these really make me miss my own Mama. As we near meeting our daughter and beginning life with her, I am ever-so-aware of my aching heart. I think about how she would have just loved Dan and thought the world of him being a Daddy to her grand-daughter; how she would have been calling me every day to see how her Grandbaby was doing throughout this process; how her eyes would light up at some of the doctors’ appointments that she would go with us to when she got to see Baby squirm on the ultrasound screen; how she would have loved to take big girls trips to go shopping for this Little One; how we would go get celebratory pedicures together before the big day; how she would  have already made plans on how she was going to be at the hospital that very first moment to meet her; how she would have been staying at our house that first week and teaching me her own parenting tricks; how she would be telling stories of us when we were little over late night feedings or diaper changes; how she would always be there when I needed a shoulder to cry on when our lives change so quickly; how we would laugh and cry together about all of the memories we had growing up; how we would dream about all of the birthday parties and holidays that would be so much more richer because of our baby girl; how she would light up my girl’s eyes when she heard that “Grandma was coming for the weekend” just because she could; or how she wouldn’t miss my girl’s first birthday party, dance recital or prom.

In times like these, I pray for strength -- to be able to be fully present and thankful for the family that God still gives us special moments with and not yearning for what I no longer have. I am praying for strength that first moment I see my daughter’s eyes that I am not heart-broken because my own Mom isn’t there to share those moments with. But I am comforted by the truth:

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18).”

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).”

I am thankful for the short 16 years that I had with my Mom, and I am ever-so-grateful for this Baby Girl of my own. I can only pray that I would leave as much of a lasting legacy on her life as my own Mom did on mine. I am a better person because of her, and for that I am eternally thankful.

Looking forward to the glorious day when I can be with her again, when tears are never shed, and when our hearts don't ache missing someone so near and dear. What a beautiful day that will be. We love you, Mom!

Baby Girl's Second Shower

On Saturday, November 3rd my sisters hosted our 2nd baby shower back in Cambridge. They did such an awesome job putting it all together. I had a great time catching up with friends and even family that I don't get to see near often enough. Many of the women were dear friends of my mom's so they are extra-special to me. So here are pictures from the shower!

Party favors made by Aunt Kilah.



Diaper cake made by Aunt Roo.

Amy Lee and her son, Ryder and Sherri Edgerton.
These are 2 of our very special childhood friends - Sherri was a very dear
friend of my mom's and Amy and I were like sisters growing up.
It was so good to see her and finally meet her little man!

Playing the first game of the shower - everyone cut their piece of
string to the length that they thought I was as big around.

Great-Grandma Deaver seeing how she measured up.

Pretty much everyone was quite a bit longer than I actually am. Gretchen was the
winner and was pretty much exact! 2nd place was Jeanie tenBensel!

 

The 2nd game was everyone writing down what they remember
was all on the diaper cake. From left to right: Trisha Moore,
Sherri Edgerton, Great-Grandma Wert, Madi Wert and Great-Grandma Deaver.

And here are just a few pictures of some of the gifts that we received. We are SO spoiled, but we are very, very grateful for the love and gifts that everyone gave us.

 

I hate this picture of me, but this is an adorable bible from Great-Aunt Lori
Hunnicutt. It has a soft fuzzy bear on the front and each page is
a very short bible story. We are going to absolutely LOVE
reading these stories to Little Miss!

This is a giraffe/safari blanket made by Sherri Edgerton. SO cute!

Other gifts included: wipes warmer, bottles, bottle liners, diapers, lots of adorable outfits, crib bumper and skirt, several blankets (many handmade!), burpcloths, bibs, formula dispenser, bottle cleaning brush, tu-tu and butterfly wings, baby monitor, piggy bank, bath toys, swing/bouncer combo, rattles, teething rings, sleep gowns, sleepers, a subscription to Parents magazine, nursing pads, changing pad, breast pump accessory set, and lots and lots of books with special messages written inside that we will cherish forever!

 

I am overwhelmed by the love and generosity from our friends and family. I cannot thank each of them enough not only for the gifts, but for coming to our shower. It meant so much to me!

 

And here are just some other pictures from our weekend back home that I couldn't resist putting up.

  

My 2 favorites. You girls are the best sisters a girl could ever have!

 

 

Saturday afternoon golfing with the family.

 

My dad was given this buggy from a patient of his, and he
uses it as his "golf buggy." Typical Lennie Deaver style.
My dad and Joyce, and Terry (my dad's youngest brother)
and his son Bryce Deaver.

Roo and I hanging out while everyone else golfed.

 

Justin and Dan.

Some very special cousins with Kilah and I. We sure do
love these sweet girls!

 

Kilah and I with Karlie, Bryce and Kendal.

Kendal Jo - She is a cutie!

Dan and I with Uncle Elrod. Couldn't shut up
long enough to snap the picture :)

 

We had SUCH a great weekend with him!

We must have taken 100 pictures, but this one is
an all-time favorite. Love you, Kilah!

What a great weekend! Sad it is over, but looking forward to Thanksgiving!

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!!