Snowy Week 37

11/13/2014

When we woke up at the crack of dawn, it had just begun snowing outside. It was so cold and beautiful. The flakes were coming down so fluffy and thick. I had been waiting for this all year! After breakfast, my girls and I cuddled up on the couch to watch the snow fall. I'm sure Elly was thinking, what is that stuff mama? My sister came to watch Eliana and I went to an appointment with my mama. Afterwards Eliana went down for a nap and I got to kick my feet up and relax. These days that's the only time this mama gets to relax, when our little toddler is asleep. Elly just awoke from her nap as hubby came home. We all bundled up and went outside to enjoy the fluffy snow coming down and snap a few pics of this ever growing belly. The result is just magical. Nothing like a world covered in white.

On our very first snow day of the year, we finally reached our goal of getting to full term. I was exactly 37 weeks on this perfect day. What a week of change it ended up being! It's as if my body knew we reached our goal and it started preparing itself for labor. At my last appointment a week prior, my stomach had dropped even lower and her head, at that point, was "fully engaged". What this meant was that she was definitely settling in for the home stretch. And boy, was she ever! 

Over the weekend I started having so many pre-labor signs. Back aching so much, ovaries hurting, hips stretching and stretching...She felt like she dropped even lower, if that's even possible. I was feeling so much pressure, I just couldn't do anything comfortably anymore. I had the urge to use the restroom at all moments of the day and night. There was definitely something going on. Even the baby started moving so much, much more than usual. On Sunday, she didn't stop for about 3 hours on end. I could clearly see her little feet and bum as she stretched and pushed at her cramped quarters. I felt so weird and started feeling so anxious. I just kept telling my husband, "Babe we need to go home, I feel like she can burst my water at any moment." I could hardly wait until the following day so I could see my doctor and find out if I've started dilating and if not, I needed some answers.

The next day I got ready for my appointment, excited and anxious...I get some answers finally! My doctor confirmed my suspicions. Not only was I already 3cm dilated, my cervix was paper thin, and babies head was so low, I could have her at any moment now! We are definitely in the home stretch. My doctor told me if I begin feeling really intense pressure that doesn't go away or if I start leaking water; I needed to come in immediately. We could be having this baby. After my appointment I let my hubby know my status. He started to slightly freak out, making plans for a babysitter for Eliana. He installed the car seat in the car. We made sure all our things are in order and ready to go to the hospital. Hubby even made sure I ate well, so I would have energy to push when the time came lol. We were ready to go! I did however have some intense cramps and pressure for a few hours about 4 hours after my appointment, but they passed. 

The next day hubby even stayed home, expecting us to go to the hospital at any moment. The day passed slowly, and we quickly realized that its now a waiting game. We decided to put our energies into running a few last errands and shopping. We installed some shelving and did some organizing. Keeping busy was definitely much easier to make this waiting period pass quicker. As I sit here writing this post I'm definitely no longer comfortable. Last few days I have been experiencing early labor pains. Lots of pressure and aching. Stabbing pains in my lower back and my stomach tightening painfully. But nothing consistent or painful enough to go in to the hospital. More than likely dilating more every day. My oldest sister told me that on the plus side, when the time comes, we may have a very quick labor and delivery. My body having done most of the dilating and prep-work already. We are definitely ready and excited to meet this little girl. Looking at newborn sized clothing, how is it possible she will be so tiny? How was Eliana so much smaller even than that?! We keep wondering what color her hair will be, whose features she will have. Babies seem to rarely look like their siblings. We are so ready to meet her! Any day now...

Below are a few pictures of my little family enjoying the snow.

The snow was not the issue, it was all those fluffy layers of clothes... lol

 She was all smiles and happiness once her jacket and hat came off. Plus the hot chocolate, with her favorite marshmallows, wasn't bad either.

Burnt Orange

11/04/2014

Sweater: Old Navy // Pants: Aeropostale // Wedges: Steve Madden

We have made it to nearly 36 weeks you guys! Just two days shy of my 36 week mark. I feel absolutely wonderful and blessed. I have gotten to rest so much this weekend. My sweet man made sure of that. Watching our toddler and helping with everything. Hubby had an extended weekend, having taken Mon & Tues off, so we could go out of town on a last little getaway before the baby comes...yet plans went awry and we had to stay in town. Turned out to be so wonderful and peaceful.

Saturday it rained and was perfectly gloomy allllll day long. Finally...*Sigh* my kind of heaven. As the rain drummed on the rooftops in town, the foothills received a dusting of snow. The weather got chillier and the air is beginning to smell more like crispy winter. Meanwhile, we stayed indoors, cozy as can be. Honestly, couldn't have been more perfect. We got a few things done around the house, but mostly, we just enjoyed bumming around with lots and lots of cuddling for these four days. I wish we had these type of weekends more often. 

Our little angel Eliana has been extra cuddly and sweet. Giving mommy so many kisses, hugs and sweet little smiles. Following me around, wanting to be near me, touching me. Being very quiet and calm, she isn't much of a talker, but lately she keeps saying, "mom and mama" over and over. I get so excited every time and she gets shy and stops. I wish I could just make time stand still, to soak in these moments more deeply. She makes my heart nearly burst with the joy she brings me. Sometimes I cannot believe I get to experience this love and sweetness from not one angel, but two. God has surely blessed me.

Last Thursday, I had my weekly checkup with this little baby of mine. Right before the appointment, she dropped SO low, almost made me worry she had decided to come early. My doctor reassured me that around this time, the babies can start doing that, getting comfortable lower. She ended up moving back up by the end of the day though, to my relief. I had just turned 35 weeks that day, yet I continued measuring 2 weeks ahead; baby bump coming in at 37 weeks! Either this baby girl is really big(and growing) or my due date is off. Personally I have believed its off this entire pregnancy, so I am expecting to have this baby in the next 3 weeks or so (now that I'm nearly 36 weeks). I could be wrong of course, but just in case, this week I'll be packing my hospital bag. I just feel so much urgency to get things ready for her arrival. I need to get her nursery stocked and ready and finish moving Eliana into her new bedroom. Lots to do.

Today was a blustery chilly day, hence my cozy knit sweater. I love buying sweaters in bigger sizes...not only are they comfortable, but I can wear them while preggo too. I paired this burnt orange sweater with my favorite comfy wedges for running errands. I had an appointment today to do my finger prints for my Naturalization. I have lived in America for over 21 years, most of my life, yet only now have I gotten around to becoming a citizen. I studied all the questions and continue to review them for my impending interview. Really hoping to get this whole process done before this baby arrives and I resume sleepless nights and my groggy mommy brain comes back full force. Wish me luck!

 This is one of my favorite photos from the weekend. Eliana cuddling with hubby at Grandmas house. Her little hand holding daddy's finger and he's looking down at her adoringly...I melt.

Sunset at Linder Farms

 I shall call her Squishy and she shall be mine and she shall be my Squishy...

 My man, never failing to sweep me off my feet, literally and figuratively. Even when I'm 8 months preggo with a big 'ol belly.

 This is my amazing sister and our husbands are brothers.

 Cozy Blue and Grey Slouchy Beanies: Etsy: NatalkaShop

 10/29/2014

 This stunning beauty in the plaid shirt and blue hat is my husbands little sister. And it was her 17th birthday. And shes never been to a corn maze, nor has she ever enjoyed a hayride or any of the fun stuff you can do there. So, we took her to our local Linder Farms Corn Maze. Naturally we went with all their siblings and mama. It sure was fun!

We strolled around enjoying the chilly fall day, bundled up in our knits, coats and mittens for some. We got to see the most magnificent sunset while strolling through the corn maze. As you can tell, the sky was just glorious! There's something about nature that makes me so extremely happy. My daughter Eliana and her favorite cousin, Nate, loved the hay, but not so much the corn pit...maybe next year they will enjoy sinking in and getting buried inside the corn kernels. We enjoyed caramel apples, hot apple cider and relaxed on a long hay ride to finish off our little adventure.  What an incredible way to close out one of my favorite months of the year...October.