Blessed.

I feel like here lately (and in the beginning of my pregnancy) that I have really been getting down & complaining a lot. When you puke everyday for 15-16 weeks, can you really blame a person for complaining?? But in all honesty, I know that I (that David and I) are blessed beyond measure. The first go round with getting pregnant didn't work out the way we wanted it to, and I know there was a reason for that. When we found out we were expecting this time around, we didn't get our hopes up, we tried to stay grounded.. and when the morning sickness took over, I knew everything was going to work itself out--and it has.
Being able to carry a baby inside of me has been challenging, and rewarding. I have truly cherished watching the little babe move around in my stomach, being able to see the expression on Davids face when he felt her move for the first time. Seeing the look in Davids eyes when we found out it was a girl, will always be in my mind. What a wonderful opportunity and blessing to become a mother-I know that she isn't here yet, but just carrying this life inside of me makes me a mom--I think.
I don't know what the future holds, I don't know what she looks like, what she's going to act like, if she will be a healthy baby or a sick baby..but no matter what, she is mine to take care of on this earth, to love and to cherish--its almost like your wedding vows, but its more amazing than that. I don't have to build my love for her, because I already have it. I love her, its so odd, I have never felt this way before-- I feel sentimental all the time--these hormones are crazy ha! So needless to say, I am feeling very blessed each and every day to be able to hold this child in my womb, and I cannot wait for her to get here and I cannot wait to love her for all of my days.

36 Weeks, Measuring at 37

How Far Along: 36 Weeks, measuring a week ahead though

Total weight gain/loss: 25 lbs. I wish to NOT gain any more either! ha!

Stretch marks: so far so good- still just prominent looking veins for now, which I'm suprised about really- i figured I would get some stretch marks, and maybe I still will??

Sleep: just functioning day to day on what sleep I can get, which in total for each night is about 3-4 hours, 5 if I'm really lucky. At this point I need a drink about every hour, and then I have to get up and use the bathroom every other other- so its a load of fun - and then of course your supposed to sleep on your left side, but then my hips get all achy blah!

Best Moment: having my baby shower a few weeks ago, I was so suprised by all the gifts and everyone that came, it was wonderful!!

Movement: still lots of movement... I was hoping she would get in position by now and stop moving so much-- but thats not the case. hopefully she will make her downward descent VERY soon

Cravings: orange juice (but that's nothing new with me) I love grapes right now; I did have a craving for hot dogs--thats until I literally hurled all night long after eating one (no more hot dogs for me)

Aversions: hot dogs haha--see above! lol

Gender: Girl

Labor Signs: so I've heard the term lightening crotch, I think I'm having that here lately-just shooting pains and pressure down low, but it does go away pretty quick. At this point, I'm just getting nervous, wondering when and what is going to happen (will my body start labor naturally or will i have to be induced/c-section, ya know all those worries)

Belly Button: theres no belly button left, just as flat as my stomach.

What I miss most: good sleep, and unswollen feet... oh my feet are swollen bad!

Milestones/Looking Forward to: Going to get checked for dialation this week (the exam won't be fun, but I will get some good information hopefully) I am just ready for her to be here!

Emotional/Hormonal, is there a difference?

So I think my emotions have gotten the best of me during this pregnancy.. Emotions?? or Hormones?? I'm going to stick with hormones. I can be fine one minute, and then I take something the wrong way, or I don't get my way, and what do ya know, I start crying. I am NOT a crier, never have been. Something serious has to set me off. My poor husband, I hope he doesn't move off on me, like seriously take his stuff and run! Its pretty bad. I tried to warn him, but he's a man, he forgets. He always forgives me though, so I gotta give him credit for that.
I know the next 2 months are really going to be hardcore (hormone wise), I'm doing my best to keep it all in check! I honestly think I have only had about 3-4 breakdowns, 2 of them took place while trying to go to bed. I just feel so exhausted and get super edgy really fast at night. But hey, I have a good excuse- and when I'm not pregnant, I'm a pretty super wife if I say so myself.. HAHA!! (that oughta make ya laugh right?)

How Far Along: 31 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: You know when you go to the dr, this is the first stop you make, they don't even ask you to get on the scale, just very nonchalantly stand in front of it.. So, when I see that number, I think wowza! but really I've only gained about 15 lbs, so I figure that's pretty good.
Stretch marks: no, but my veins on my sides are pretty prominent most days
Sleep: this is a touchy subject. I may get a few hours of sleep in between all the bathroom breaks and refilling my water, its the pits!
Best Moment: feeling her have the hiccups, its pretty neat
Movement: lots of movement, mostly in the evenings-she really goes to town on me that's for sure
Cravings: orange juice (but that's nothing new with me) grapes, and I really want some good watermelon, but I know I have to take it easy on the salt & watermelon without salt isn't much fun
Aversions: french fries, still scared to even try them, so i just don't--and milk in the morning makes me want to yack so no cereal for breakfast for me
Gender: Girl
Labor Signs: none that I know of
Belly Button: still regular, looks like its getting flatter and stretching out tho
What I miss most: a good nights rest, over easy eggs
Milestones/Looking Forward to: Going to have my 4d ultrasound next week, I'm super anxious about seeing her features- and having maternity pictures taken this weekend! I hope they turn out good and I don't look like a flubbery mess..haha!

26 Weeks for Miss Avery Dee

How Far Along: 26 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: I weighed myself this morning-- I have not done this since I was very sick at the beginning and I was quite suprised with the number (as you can see, I'm not going to disclose this information haha)
Stretch marks: not yet.. but its a stretching..
Sleep: Some nights are good, some are bad-- its starting to get somewhat better, it just really depends on how many times I have to get up and pee
Best Moment: My nanna fixed up my bumpers for the cradle with new fabric and I got all that put together--its super cute!
Movement: Movin, movin, movin.. She was moving so much one night I thought I was going to be sick--and of course it was 3 am!!
Cravings: grapes--and i really want panera bread ASAP!
Aversions: french fries, still scared to even try them, so i just don't
Gender: Girl
Labor Signs: my stomach gets super tight, and yesterday i was hurting a little bit, but i just sat down and took some deep breaths and I was alright..its hard to explain when this is my first real pregnancy, I don't really know whats going on..
Belly Button: still regular, looks like its getting flatter and stretching out tho
What I miss most: a good nights rest- and this is a weird one (very weird) i have never been a drinker at all, but I have never wanted a strawberry margarita so bad.. crazy pregnancy stuff i guess?? lol I could have a virgin one tho I suppose
Milestones/Looking Forward to: I go to the dr on thursday, have to do my sugar test (not really looking forward to that--hopefully i pass everything) looking forward to my baby shower and getting some pictures taken sometime soon!

23 Weeks

How Far Along: 23 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: I am now up 6 lbs from my original weight
Stretch marks: not on my belly yet
Sleep: i have actually, finally, gotten 2 good nights rest the last two nights--other than that, its a struggle
Best Moment: David putting the crib together- I was shocked/suprised
Movement: little girl moves all the time, david finally was able to see the baby kick on my skin, it was a bittersweet moment for sure
Cravings: i will eat anything and everything-- nothing funny though
Aversions: french fries
Gender: Girl
Labor Signs: none that I know of
Belly Button: still regular, looks like its getting flatter and stretching out tho
What I miss most: Sleep, and french fries.. haha! no, i can live without the fries
Milestones/Looking Forward to: at first I didn't want to do the 4d ultrasound, but now I am anxious to see it.. so I'm looking forward to that! and we finally chose the middle name!

So its been a while..

Its been a long long time.. But here I am, still around and kicking. Exciting news! I am now 16, almost 17 weeks pregnant. I have had all the wonderful effects of pregnancy-which everyone says is a great sign of a healthy pregnancy. My sister had her little girl, Claire, on Sept 17- and I thought I just might cry when her dad brought her through the hallway for the first time after she was born. I spent as much time at the hospital with them as I could get away with. I just felt like I needed to be there. Driving home from by myself the hospital one night, I started to feel very selfish. I felt like it should have been me at the hospital having the baby- I was the one that wanted the baby the most and I didn't get what I wanted. I shared this with my husband and he told me that we would have our time when the Lord blessed us with it.
Two weeks after little Claire had been home, I went to visit and spend some time with my sister--and of course to share the news that I was expecting! Of course she starting squealing..haha, to say she was exciting was an understatement.. I was honestly not expecting to get pregnant--but I had been feeling slightly weird, had restless leg syndrome, been super tired.. My cycle was about 2 days late, and I told myselft that I would wait til i was about 4 days late and then take a test. 4 days came, I went to walgreens, got the test, and rushed home after work to take one before the hubs got home. I just got out of the bathroom and in he walks. I told him, i have something to tell you-- he says, what is it? I showed him the test and he just grinned and hugged me, he was happy. After I peed on the stick, ha, the positive sign came up, and I hate to say it..but my first words were CRAP. I just knew that we hadn't planned this-- of course I wanted to have a baby-- but it was just not planned, so i was taken aback for sure.
I called the doctors office and they started me on progesterone suppository (those are great fun..not!!) and had to use those until i was 10 weeks along. We were able to hear the heartbeat at 6 weeks and again at 12-- going in for the first ultrasound I was super nervous that there wouldn't be a heartbeat like last time.. but sure enough it was there, and David and I were just smiling from ear to ear. It was a great experience to share with one another.
Due Date: June 15 or 17 (they have told me 2 different dates)

Stretch Marks: none yet, just veins showing some more prominently

Weight Gain: Down 13 pounds, but i have gained 4 pounds back

Nauseau: Please see weight gain..haha! I threw up ALOT during the first 14 weeks, its starting to get better though, but i still have some rough days

Boy/Girl: don't know yet.. I think its a boy. Hubs is banking on a boy thats for sure!

Sleeping: have to get up at least once to go to the bathroom, and then I can't get back to sleep-- i don't like not being able to sleep on my back or stomach-my hips hurt!

Movement: i thought i felt something one time in the middle of the night, but I'm not really sure if that was anything really.. other than that, i haven't felt anything

SO there's a little info about whats going on.. sorry its sorta out of sequence, but you get the idea.. Seeya!