HOW FAR ALONG: 38 weeks 4 days! SIZE OF BABY: The size of a pumpkin. WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO: We have been trying to keep things clean and up to date around the house since Sawyer can come at any time now. Bryan finally packed his hospital bag, we've watched 3 online prenatal classes, and toured the birthing center at our hospital. If any mommas have any advice on things to pack for the hospital, breastfeeding tips, etc. send them my way, I could use all the tips I can get!! I had a prenatal massage and pedicure at one of my favorite spas but it was not worth it!! They refuse to use any pressure on you while your pregnant so it was a gentle rub down at best. Save your money and go after pregnancy! Bryan's massages are 10x better and FREE! I threw Bryan a surprise 30th birthday dinner with some of our closest friends, we celebrated Thanksgiving with our family, and have been watching Christmas movies like crazy this past holiday weekend. EXERCISE: I am going to try and start walking more so I can (hopefully) go into labor on my own soon. BODY CHANGES: Sawyer has dropped even more than last week and I am feeling like I have so much room towards the top part of my torso again. My tailbone is beginning to really ache and my entire body has been itching me like crazy. I am still having cramps, especially at night but they always go away after a bit of time. I feel like I have a UTI 24/7 but doc says its just from all the pressure the baby is putting on me down there and it's a pretty normal feeling towards the end of pregnancy. I can go to the bathroom and within 2 minutes have the urge to go again (and actually go). SLEEP: I cannot get to sleep at night anymore. I have so much energy at night but feeling super tired and wanting to nap throughout the day. It's like a job trying to roll from one side to the other throughout the night. I would say I'm getting up an average of 8 times throughout the night to use the bathroom or just get up because my hips begin to ache after sleeping on them for more than an hour. BEST MOMENT OF THE WEEK: Just enjoying these last couple weeks of pregnancy in general. Feeling him kick, watching him squirm in my belly, seeing/feeling him respond to me saying his name and rubbing my belly. I love how responsive he is when he hears me talk to him or Bryan read a book to him. I am going to miss that feeling. Of course hearing his heart rate on the doppler as well. His heart rate is now down to around 133. Still lowering in preparation for birth. WORST MOMENT: My anxiety has been out the roof these last couple days. My nerves are getting the best of me as we are getting closer to labor and just the unknown and the unexpected freak me out. I have no idea what to expect with this being my first and also just worried of things that could happen or something that could go wrong. God has given me absolutely no reason to worry and yet I still do. I feel like I do not deserve all the grace God has given me since I do still tend to worry so much. We all have our weak moments and that is when the devil preys on us most. I try to just pray and stay strong during those moments. I've heard too many horror stories lately or read something scary online and of course begin to compare myself to these stories and wonder if it could happen to us. Obviously anything is possible, but I have to stay focused on my faith and trust Gods plan for our little family. I must remember that God was the one who blessed us with this baby and has brought us to this point. Not worrying seems impossible but praying for peace helps me! Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see- Hebrews 11:1 Just a tip- stay away from the internet while pregnant, don't listen to anyone's horror stories, and definitely don't share any negative stories to any pregnant women out there. I need to take my own advice on this one... FOOD CRAVINGS: After eating everything I was craving at Thanksgiving dinner, I am pretty satisfied on food. SYMPTOMS: Trouble sleeping, itchy belly, losing my mucus plug slowly but surely, pelvic pressure, lightening pain in the pelvic region from him pushing on nerves down there, swollen hands and feet, anxiety...they are all settling in. But overall I still feel well and can't complain. WHAT'S GOING ON WITH BABY: His organs will be done developing in just a couple more days when he will be considered full term at 39 weeks. He is now just gaining weight and seeming to be pretty content in my belly. I certainly thought he would make his appearance sometime after Thanksgiving dinner, but he enjoyed the food and slept most of the day. I am thinking he may make it to his due date after all. NEXT APPOINTMENT: 39 weeks. I was checked for dilation at 37 weeks (which was still painful but not as bad considering I knew what to expect that time around and I saw a girl doctor vs a man). She walked me through the process which definitely helped me. I was 1-2cm dilated and she said my cervix had almost completely thinned out. I had my 38 week apt yesterday where I turned down the dilation check. I didn't see the point in going through with it since its painful (for me) and always causes me to cramp afterwards for a few hours. Plus I knew regardless I would have be checked again at the end of this week for my 39 week appointment. TOTAL WEIGHT GAIN: I've gained 38 pounds since pre pregnancy! MATERNITY CLOTHES? Maternity leggings are still my best friend. I only have a couple tops that fit me since I didn't buy any maternity tops. I stick with flowy dresses and leggings almost daily. DIET: After the three plates I downed for Thanksgiving, I should really be watching what I eat.... MISS ANYTHING? Being able to do things on my own without asking Bryan or someone else for their help. Buttttt I am just going to continue to take advantage of the extra help while I can. ANYTHING MAKE YOU QUEASY OR SICK? Nope. GENDER: Boy. HAPPY OR MOODY? Happy and extremely nervous!!! We could really use some prayers right now. We all know the power of prayer works and could certainly use some (or many) our way. I mainly just want to pray for the safety and health of my son and a happy and healthy delivery. As long as Sawyer is okay the rest of us will be just fine. Bryan and I on Thanksgiving
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Update: I have a feeling I might only have one more update to go after this one and I sure am going to miss writing my pregnancy updates. I can't wait to be able to go back and look at these later on though, I am so forgetful that I barely remember what I did yesterday so I know it'll be interesting for me to go back and read these postpartum. I am going to miss being pregnant so much. I tell everyone I would have 4 or 5 kids with how amazing this pregnancy has been (we will see what I think after labor and delivery). You really do get the royal treatment when you're pregnant, from family and strangers and who wouldn't miss that (take advantage of it)! I'll miss being able to skip line while waiting for the bathroom at a UT game, having people get up and get you your food or drinks, my husband being the most sweet and caring caretaker there ever was. It's really nice having him put on my socks and shoes in the mornings haha. But truly, this has been the best experience of my life. I have loved every moment of being pregnant but I have also worried more than I should too. I think it's natural. I keep telling myself once he is in my arms I won't worry as much but I believe I'll only worry more. I pray every night that anyone who wants to become pregnant that God will bless them and allow their bodies to conceive. We owe this entire pregnancy to God and it is truly such a miracle to see him work his ways during this process. We are so undeserving of his grace and favor he has shown us but with prayer and faith this journey has showed us that nothing is too big for our God. But more than anything I will miss this feeling of my first child growing and developing inside of my belly. It is so amazing having others feel him but it is nothing compared to what I feel, and it is the most amazing feeling in the world. I already have such a deep bond with this little person I haven't even met yet. There is no way to describe this love I have for our Sawyer John. HOW FAR ALONG: 36 weeks 4 days! SIZE OF BABY: The size of a large papaya. WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO: All his laundry is complete! Our hospital bags are packed! We have stocked up on a lot of things around the house so we won't have to get out to grab some shampoo or detergent. My mom came over on Sunday and helped us deep clean our house (swear it's never been so clean, we just need to try to keep it that way). The house is fully decorated for Christmas and feels so cozy! We celebrated Bryans 30th birthday with dad early this year but he will do some more celebrating this weekend. Bryan and I had our last major outing/date weekend this past weekend. We went to Asheville and Christmas shopped for one another since we won't have the time or will to want to do so after Sawyer makes his arrival into the world. We had such a great time just him and I. We couldn't leave without stopping at the dog bakery and one of our favorite restaurants for dinner. Almost everyone in the fam has had their shots for baby, or at least the two most important ones (our doctors recommend that anyone who is going to be around an infant a lot, esp during the winter months has their flu and Tdap shots). I am finally starting to feel like all things are a go, just need to clean out our cars now that his car seat has been installed by the police department. EXERCISE: Cleaning and showering is my exercise. BODY CHANGES: The belly is sooooo low! I really do "waddle" when I walk. My eye rash is back. My fingers, ankles, feet, and nose are all swelling on a daily basis. Here within the last few days I have been getting menstrual like cramps that come and go. I am back to getting braxton hicks when I'm on my feet for more than a few minutes. Sometimes I feel like I am getting the stomach bug, I'll get nausea, sweaty, then chills, but it goes away after some time..then will come back again. With him being so low the pressure is on down there! Everyone is freaking me out just a little when they tell me how low I look and that he is coming any day now. SLEEP: For the past few months I have been in bed by 8:00 and asleep basically as soon as I hit the pillow. Lately, I've been having more energy and staying awake until 10 or 11 which it totally rare for me. Although I'm still tired throughout the day, this random energy burst is confusing me, but also allowing me to get a lot of extra things done. BEST MOMENT OF THE WEEK: I had my 36 week appointment on Friday and everything is looking like he is ready to meet us. Sawyer is still doing A-okay in the belly (which is all that matters to me) and still being his active little self. His heart rate was 135, I sure do love hearing that little heart racing on the doppler. WORST MOMENT: I got checked for dilation which was nothing like I had anticipated.... I don't want to be negative but I am going to be real, it was painful. The doctor said his head is so low and pressed up against the cervix like he is ready to go. Doc said Sawyer isn't turning anywhere with how low his head is. We actually couldn't get a number as far as dilation goes because I would not sit still (although he said I was definitely dilated). I was rather embarrassed at my outburst of reaction to the check but after talking to other mommas they let me know just how painful their experience with dilation check was as well (I'm sure everyone's experience with that is different). FOOD CRAVINGS: I am cravinggggg Thanksgiving food. You know, all the ham, turkey, mac and cheese, hashbrown casserole, all that good and super unhealthy but oh so delicious food.... and apple pies and banana breads and the list goes on. I cannot wait for next Thursday!!! SYMPTOMS: I am getting all those "labor is near" symptoms. Baby has dropped, his head is basically in the birth canal, my cervix has started to change, and swell, and lots of other details yall don't wanna read about (but are all normal) haha. WHAT'S GOING ON WITH BABY: His job from here on out is just to basically gain weight, which I don't think will be much of a problem. I feel like I can breath and eat so much food again now that he is so low. I'm back to eating more than Bryan. I absolutely love that he is still so active and that he responds to me as soon as I talk to him or start to rub my belly. He hiccups almost 2 or 3 times a day. Almost all his organs are done developing and it would be pretty safe for him to arrive today if he wanted to. NEXT APPOINTMENT: 37 weeks. I am going to the ob weekly now. The doctor said we will have to try again to check for dilation this Friday. I am thinking about turning it down until at least my 38 week appointment. Although I definitely want to know how much I am dilated, I don't think it truly matters either way since some women can be dilated 4cm for weeks. I know we will get induced if he is not here by his due date (Decemeber 8). I am really hoping he comes on his own though, preferably after 38 weeks. We will see, I still think he will surprise all of us and go much further than everyone anticipates. I think he's pretty comfy inside my tummy. TOTAL WEIGHT GAIN: I've gained 35 pounds since pre pregnancy! MATERNITY CLOTHES? Maternity leggings are my best friend. DIET: All I can say is....Thanksgiving! MISS ANYTHING? Laying flat on my back, I don't like being a side sleeper. ANYTHING MAKE YOU QUEASY OR SICK? Nope GENDER: Boy. HAPPY OR MOODY? Happy, feeling more relaxed lately now that I have all my to do list pretty much complete. Celebrating Sawyer with Bryan's work family, we also celebrated with my work family as well but I never had time to do a post on it or our Crossville shower. Maybe after he's born?? Celebrating Bryans 30th Birthday at Dads a little early this year! Getting all the cuddles with my first born, Auggie. Everyone says the animals get the shaft once a newborn is in the picture but Bryan and I will still spoil this little fella rotten, I'm sure of it. Mommy and Daddy's last date weekend before the baby comes. Christmas decor is up and out at the Houston household. We are ready for you, Sawyer!!
Originally I had my mind made up that I didn't want to spend the money on maternity pictures, I would rather put the money towards newborn pictures and other things... but I talked with my cousin who made it very clear that this was such a special time during my life and I had to capture these moments. I knew she was right. After trying for a baby and being so extremely blessed by this pregnancy, I knew I had to just do it and I am so so happy I did. I knew I would never get these exact moments back, with this being my first pregnancy and my body going through a complete change for it's very first time. I am so thankful that I will be able to look back at these pictures and remember just truly what a blessing it was to be pregnant. After looking for a newborn photographer, I was recommended Ashley Baker Photography. I had seen some of her newborn pictures (and loved them) and I saw a package that included a free maternity session with the booking so I jumped on it. She is based out of the Tri Cities and is the sweetest to work with! I wasn't really sure when I wanted to do the maternity session because I wanted to wait until my belly was huge (ps- this might sound odd but I LOVE having a big belly) and I felt like I needed to wait until around 36 weeks to do the shoot. I had read by other bloggers the best time was around the 32 week mark, even though your belly isn't as big as it'll get, its a great time for maternity sessions. They were right!!! I felt great at 32 weeks, my rings still fit, I had plenty of energy, and my belly was still nice and round. Tomorrow I will be 36 weeks and I am exhausted! My rings don't fit on my fingers, I can barely get up and down, my face, hands, and feet are all completely swollen andddd everyone claims he will make his appearance sooner rather than later because he is hanging out so low! So tip to mommas, definitely do your maternity shoot around 32 weeks! We chose to do the shoot in The Virginian because there are so many different spots to take the pictures. Originally I wanted to take the majority of the pics down by the pond with the vineyards in the background. Weather wasn't really cooperating with us at that point, the sun was intense, the wind was intense, and after a few minutes we knew we needed to change locations. Luckily, there are multiple places throughout the neighborhood that has good backgrounds. We took some out in the hay fields, some by a bridge/pond, and then out on a swing overlooking the Virginian. There are so many great pictures but here a few (okay a lot) of my favorites. Sawyer John, Mommy and Daddy cannot wait to meet you. You have been such an incredible blessing from the start and we praise God for you everyday. We look forward to meeting you but I sure will miss this personal connection with you in my belly. Thank you for being the most active little guy and allowing me to become a mother, with the love I have for you now I cannot imagine what I will feel like once you are here. Every good and perfect gift is from above ~ James 1: 17
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