The final count down... We hope!

When I was laying in bed last night getting contractions every 10-20 minutes, I was thinking about how I just have one week left until Harper's due date, and how fast this pregnancy really was. It's true the last few weeks drag on but I still can't believe she could be here any time! Bryce and I were also talking about how blessed I've been this pregnancy. Aside from the size thing and having to get a lot of ultrasounds and worrying about that, it's been really great. I went through the whole nauseous 24/7 for weeks on end to where I felt like if I would even look at food I would throw up, but unisom helped a ton and for some people it doesn't even touch the morning sickness. I was able to work until I was 38.5 weeks pregnant. I've been able to sleep well basically every night besides when the nausea was too much or the night before an appointment. So I am very grateful! I went to the doctors for what I HOPE will be my last appointment today, but if this little girl is as stubborn as her mama, I will be sitting at the doctors office 40 weeks pregnant next Tuesday. 

My doctor blew out his knee playing volleyball so now I'm not quite sure who will be delivering Harper, but have met with all of the doctors but one so I'm okay. It was hard to explain to him why I was getting NSTs and AFIs done but we got through it! After he told me I was 70% effaced and dilated still just over a 1, he stripped my membranes. I'm sure it won't speed much up but still it's exciting haha! Then he talked to me about how the baby is in a great position, that her head is down way low and as far as it can get until I actually start going into labor so I was way happy about that. He also told me that he thinks I am going to have a "really nice labor and everything should go really smooth and it'll be great." It's nice to hear that as hard is labor is, he thinks I'll have a good one haha! 

How far along:

39 weeks :) 

Size of baby:
A watermelon! 

Total Weight Gain:
I am at exactly 30 pounds. 

Stretch Marks:  

This question is now getting old. 

Movement:   

I don't understand how she can have so little room and still move so much. Bryce freaked out the other day because when she moves now you can seriously feel exactly what body part and she pushes so hard that it's like 2 inches past where my belly should be when she doesn't move haha. 

Belly Button in or out?:
It's rolled? The outter is rolled and the inside is still deep lol.  

Sleep:
It was great but the last few nights I have been getting woken up by bad contractions so that's rough. 

What I miss:

Getting off the couch without any assistance and it not taking an extra minute hahaha. 

Food Cravings:
Pasta. 

Food Aversions:  

Still doing great and not having any problems! 

Nausea:

I sometimes get nauseated when I need to drink water even if I'm totally hydrated! 

Moody/Happy?
So happy! My little girl is almost here!! 

Wedding ring on our off?

Still rocking it :) 

Symptoms: 

Contractions every 10-20 minutes, dilation, effacement, nesting still. 

Best Moment this week:
I've just had a ton of wonderful moments spending time with Bryce before Harper girl gets here :) 

Worst Moment this week:
Finding out my doctor wouldn't be delivering me. He's the one who has ordered everything and been keeping an eye on things so it's scary to have someone else now. 

What I'm looking forward to:

The dinners we have planned for this week! We are making yummy ones. Also the Avengers on Friday morning. And of course our baby girl coming :) 

Harper's nursery :) 

14 days left!

Oh 38 weeks, how glorious. 14 days left... That's nuts!! I am scared and excited all at the same time. 

This week has been decently eventful. On Friday I had to call in sick because I had a weird stomach bug. It was miserable. Saturday we went frisbee golfing and walked around a park for a bit, then went to shop at winco. Well, Harper wasn't happy about it I guess. The ENTIRE time she was ramming her head straight down while flailing all of her body parts as if looking for another mode of exit. I had to keep stopping every minute to catch my breath. On the way home some of those pains were agonizing and I was in tears. Finally I took a bath, she stopped for 10 minutes, then resumed her violent ways. Around 11 I started Getting painful contractions under 5 minutes. Eventually they were every 3. After it had been two hours of pain, we went to labor and delivery to be safe. Did you know they ask you a million questions while you're in your room dealing with contractions? And that they will do this every time? Surprise. Anyways, my contractions eventually increased in pain (it was miserable) and then in frequency (every 2 minutes) for the next few hours. When they first checked me when I arrived, I was 1.5 cm dilated and 60% effaced. It made me feel better that my body had actually done SOMETHING and I wasn't making this stuff up lol. They decided since the contractions were so frequent and getting stronger, I may be in early labor so they would keep me and check me in an hour and a half. Then the time rolled by with contractions still increasing in pain, but NO PROGRESSION. they were quite confused, so they called my doctor and he said to keep me and check again in a few hours. I didn't get a wink of sleep. Poor Bryce wanted to be awake but finally I got him to cave and take a cat nap. Eventually my contractions decreased to 5 minutes and the pain wasn't as miserable. My doctor came in to the hospital even though he wasn't on call which I appreciated. He basically told me he didn't really know what was going on, that my body thought I was in labor but my cervix was in denial, so it could be extremely slow early labor, or false labor, and we wouldn't really know. Thank goodness at 8 am (we got there at 1) they finally discharged me. We went home and slept for hours. It was a rough day and I'm so glad she didn't come because I was way too exhausted after being up for over 24 hours straight, I'm not sure how great pushing would've gone. So here I am, 2 days later, my body just having contractions every 20 minutes that have no pain, just pressure. Life is much better this way and I hope she stays in there until I finish up work this Friday! I am thinking I will make it to my due date, Harper was just a little excited. Oh and I had an appointment yesterday and apparently the nurse was off- I'm 1 cm and 20-40% effaced. So she's got quite awhile!! 

How far along:

38 weeks! 

Size of baby:
A pumpkin or spaghetti squash. About 7 lbs or 20 inches. Who knows REALLY? 

Total Weight Gain:
I think I'm probably at 30 now. Oops. 

Stretch Marks:  

Still here. Getting darker and going higher on my belly. Oh well! 

Movement:   

As I said earlier, she's a bit violent and clearly running out of womb (haha)

Belly Button in or out?:
Innie/ Outtie? Still a deep hole but the edges are rolled out. 

Sleep:
Aside from the hospital, I am still sleeping well. 

What I miss:

I layed out in Bryce's parents' backyard and I can't lay on my belly or back... So I miss being able to lay out normal hahaha. I looked like a beached whale. 

Food Cravings:
Fruit juices! 

Food Aversions:  

Nothing really!! 

Nausea:

I just get terrible stomach aches sometimes now! I've read that that can happen since she is taking up so much room and it's harder and harder to digest. 

Moody/Happy?
Overall I am happy :) 

Wedding ring on our off?

On, but it's a tight fit!. 

Symptoms: 

Contractions. Exhaustion. Nesting. I clean like a mad woman every chance I get. 

Best Moment this week:
Knowing Harper wasn't coming yet. I was not mentally prepared for her to come THAT early lol. We are ready, but only as ready as you can be. 

Worst Moment this week:
The fact that my body was tricking me. How can I be in that much pain during contractions and have them not do anything?! Can't wait for active labor 👌

What I'm looking forward to:

I start maternity leave this weekend, so I am going to pamper myself and get my nails done since I'm not going to have to worry about them being too long, and get a pedicure:) it's been awhile!!! Also, I'm hoping I can make it to past next Friday/Saturday so I can see the Avengers Age of Ultron... We all know once she comes I won't see anything that hits theaters until it's on Blu-Ray! 

38 Weeks!!

37 weeks

Well according to some of my apps, 37 weeks marks being full term. The other says 37 is early term and 39 is full term. So whatever that means! We are getting excited for Harper to join our ranks. Some days go slow, some go fast, but we are "ready" as we will ever be I think. 

How far along:

37 weeks along :)

Size of baby:
A winter melon or honey dew melon. Over 6 lbs and 19-21 inches. I'm assuming less than that for height but the weight is probably correct!  

Total Weight Gain:
I officially hit 26 lbs as of yesterday. I wanted to be between 25-35 so I'm happy with it, especially since it's mostly my belly. I've definitely gained some weight in my face and a little in my hips, but overall I think it's mainly my belly. 

Stretch Marks:  

Today is kind of a rough self esteem day for me. I can tell myself all I want that I don't mind them, but of course they bother me. Worth it? Absolutely. But it doesn't make me feel better about them lol. They have now grown from a few on my belly to all over my belly. I've used oil and lotion basically the whole pregnancy, I guess my belly grew super fast over the last 2 weeks (there were none on my belly just on my sides before that) which makes sense because she has absolutely grown a ton. I just try to remember that it's worth it and that Bryce loves me no matter what and that while they will always be here, they will fade. A lot of people get them all over their legs and chest so I really am grateful that they are mainly on my belly. The thing is, the bathing suits I SHOULD be wearing will cover the scars, and maybe it'll help motivate me to be more modest at the pool ;) either way, she has done most of her growing so I think that this is as bad as it'll get, just a little worse. 

Movement:   

She seriously beats me up sometimes. I get to the point where I have to fight her and push her out of my ribs and everything because she's so dang strong and causes some serious pain haha. 

Belly Button in or out?:
It is still "in" but has a rim like a lifesaver lol. The outskirts are a bit rolled! 

Sleep:
Sleeping is still good for the most part, just bad the night before appointments since I dream about the worst possible outcomes lol.  

What I miss:

My smoothe skin. That's selfish to say but I never appreciated it! 

Food Cravings:
I love snapples. And otter pops. 

Food Aversions:  

Still doing okay on that front. 

Nausea:
Friday night was miserable. I thought I had the stomach flu. My whole body started shaking because I felt like I needed to throw up. Of course me being stubborn, I wouldn't let it just happen. But I took a bath and Bryce said a prayer for me and I ended up sleeping through the entire night, which just doesn't happen (seriously I always have to use the bathroom at some point) so it was a huge blessing. 

Moody/Happy?
I am pretty happy, my body changes just make me get in a sad mood some times lol. 

Wedding ring on our off?

It is still on. It's hard to take off though. 

Symptoms: 

A big ol belly. I guess that's a sign haha. Back aches are happening along with cramping now, and braxton hicks are still working on preparing me for labor. 

Best Moment this week:
Finding out from the doctor that despite the fact that I'm apparently high risk since my ultrasound specialist recommended non stress tests the rest of my pregnancy, I can still deliver at the hospital of my choice :) 

Worst Moment this week:
I thought I had the stomach flu Friday night, I was getting awful cramping and contractions all Sunday, then Monday my stomach was having major gas issues and I was in so so so much pain. Luckily today is better hahaha. 

What I'm looking forward to:

39 weeks. I've decided she is definitely not coming early but when I hit 39 weeks I will be on maternity leave and plan to pamper myself a little bit before the little babe comes :) 

37 week bump!

36 Week Bumpdate

4. Weeks. Left. Today it hit me that she will no longer be considered pre-mie if she comes anytime after this next week. And she could in fact come any time. Getting on my May Babies blog, people who are 36 weeks and some who are even less are having their waters break on their own and they haven't had any complications or signs up until their water breaks. That's nuts!! I'm trying to enjoy my sleep, and trying to take it easy so that if I do go into labor I won't be already in an exhausted state. Our little girls nursery is all done aside from if I want to do a few more crafts, and her mattress cover not being here yet. We ordered the rest of the necessities on our registry, and feel prepared as far as that goes. As it gets closer I keep thinking about how I'm going to have to push a little human out of me. That is the WEIRDEST thing ever when you think about it!! But we can't wait to meet our sweet Harper :) 

How far along:

36 weeks along :)

Size of baby:
A honeydew, the length of romaine lettuce, you know all the weird ones. One says papaya. She's supposed to be almost 6 pounds... Well At her ultrasound today she was measuring 6 pounds 6 oz. I was so shocked!!! She has grown so much and went from the 27th percentile to the 55th!!! The doctor said more than likely she's just somewhere inbetween there since there's a larger margin of error with measurements in later ultrasounds. We are so excited she has grown so much!! I am now fine if she ends up coming a little earlier. I was so scared she would come early and have to spend time in the NICU because of her being so small, but it doesn't look like I'll have to worry! The doctor is guessing she will be between 6.5-7.5 oz. 

Total Weight Gain:
I haven't weighed myself really since the doctors but I'm guessing it's going up! 

Stretch Marks:  

It's finally happened, stretch marks on my actual belly. They aren't as scary looking as I thought they would be and I'm not worried about them staying around all obnoxious like the other ones. Bryce just says I'm growing my tiny human and how much he loves my belly haha. 

Movement:   

She is still moving. I swear she is at it all day, but she's napping right now! But she doesn't move around a ton at night so I'm hoping she will be a night sleeper! 

Belly Button in or out?:
It is still in, but is getting smaller and smaller! And Bryce says "but is abnormal". He says there is no button, just a chasm. Awesome. Hahaha

Sleep:
Sleep is still great. Sometimes it's hard to fall asleep but once I'm down I am good! Just constantly getting up to use the loo. 

What I miss:

Not getting contractions every time I have to pee. I swear I get them as soon as my bladder fills even a little. The worst. 

Food Cravings:
Ice. All. The. Time. My iron levels are apparently fine but man I just love my ice. I get so nervous that my fillings and teeth are going to crack since I always tell my patients that's what's going to happen to them!! But I can't resist.. 

Food Aversions:  

Still Nothing in particular. 

Nausea:
Sometimes I just get dizzy episodes and get a little nauseous if I don't lie down for a bit. 

Moody/Happy?
I am one happy girl :) 

Wedding ring on our off?

It still remains on :)

Symptoms: 

My sternum is still popping. It just gets uncomfortable when all the pressure builds up. My feet I think are swelling? Idk they don't look bigger but they feel tingly sometimes haha. 

Best Moment this week:
Seeing our little girl today!!! 

Worst Moment this week:
I can't think of any terrible moments!! 

What I’m looking forward to:

Meeting our little girl in the next few weeks :) 

Harper at 36 Weeks

We were frustrating her a bit trying to get her to show us her face. Then in the middle of her moving we got a picture and her cheeks are all chubby! She also has half an inch of hair. We love our little girl :) 

Before we finished hanging up her stuff! 

My Faith Renewed

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. To many people in this world, that is gibberish. "I've never heard of that Church" some say. "Well, have you heard of Mormons?" And immediately the conversation changes. I can tell they are more careful, some possibly hearing negative things, others having experienced negative encounters, some even being preached to about how wicked my religion is. 

Well today more than ever, I am so proud to belong to this church. We believe in a prophet. Not only that, but we believe one is here on this Earth today! We believe that God has not left us alone, but that He has a church with apostles here on this earth, that the church that was organized while Jesus Christ was on Earth has been restored! I have never heard of a church with these components. 

This Easter weekend, this same church had their semi-annual general conference where these same apostles and prophet and other disciples of Christ come together and speak to the world about Christ, about His work, about the plan of happiness. I am overwhelmed by the messages heard at this conference. Never am I so uplifted as when I hear the messages that we know come straight from the mouth of Christ himself, by way of His servants on Earth, 

As I sat listening to speakers today, I thought about my little girl who is due exactly one month from today. I often go through phases where I think "How will I be able to raise such an innocent soul to be righteous in a world where there is so much wickedness?" I have never been comforted more than today about this question. In a world where there is so much wickedness, I also forget how much GOODNESS there is. She will be born into a family with a husband and wife who honor each other, and who works to center their lives around Christ. I can not think of a better arrangement for her. I have renewed faith that I am more than capable of raising this little girl in light and love with the help of my Heavenly Father and the teachings of Jesus Christ. 

This will be a huge trial. As we all do, she will make mistakes, and I will have to be there to lift her when she falls. She will be watching me constantly, which is a huge load, but also a huge blessing, as I will have even more of a desire to be good FOR her, that she might know the happiness that can be found when we follow Christ, and that we can be forgiven when we fall short, as every person on this earth does. 

I am so grateful for the peace that comes to me by way of Christ and the plan that has been set for me. I never have to wonder if I am loved. Never have to second guess that there is something more than this earth. When Jesus Christ returns to this earth, as He most assuredly will, I want to be ready. At the closing of this conference, I hope to help those who are in need. To put others before myself. To lift others. To not compare myself to others. To learn as much as I can about Christ's life as I can. To enjoy the blessings that come with attending the temple. To honor my husband, and my marriage, in anyway that I can. To remember that church is a hospital for he sick, which absolutely includes me. To leave the ninety and nine to go after the one who is lost. To try each day to be better than the next. I know that I will gain more happiness by abiding the teachings of this church. Following the council of our church leaders is not meant to limit us, but to allow us to be free. Free from guilt, self loathing, the feeling of inadequacy by recognizing and utilizing the amazing miracle that the atonement offers. 

Christ lives, and when He returns, I want to be among the ranks to see Him. How glorious it will be to see Him in all His glory, to see every man confess that He is the Christ. I think I shy away from sharing the gospel sometimes for fear of being rejected, tormented (which happened often in high school), sounding too preachy, but what an amazing responsibility it is that He has given each one of us to not only learn of Him, but teach of Him! After all He has done for us, even suffering for our sins both in the garden of Gethsemane and on the cross of Calvary, a perfect being undergoing so much pain and suffering for each of us, it is the least we can do to share a HAPPY message, a message of love and wonderment, with friends and family. Because He lives, I too will live again, and I will make my time here on earth a happy time filled with love and laughter and friendship and parenthood and companionship. I will be a learner, a teacher, a listener, a friend. Because He lives, I will work to be my best self.