Chunky Braid and Bump

 

11/22/2014

This sweet baby girl of mine sure has gotten herself nice and comfy inside mama's belly. She must love listening to my heart and snuggling mommy...because she is refusing to evacuate the premises. I was 38 1/2 weeks here already and SO ready to meet her. She has her own plans apparently. Week 38 was full of many false alarms. Many times we contacted family to line up a babysitter for Eliana. Kept us anxious all week thinking that every time we had contractions and extra pressure, that was it. Every morning I wake up and my sisters and mom text me asking if there's any news, any progress. Waiting honestly is the worst!

I know that its best for the baby to stay in as long as she needs. But, this last week has been chalk full of contractions, stretching and major aches and pains. There were several days where I had contractions that got pretty close together, but never stayed consistent enough or got stronger. She has been stretching like crazy, my stomach being pushed and prodded every which way. My doctor was just amazed and shocked that she hasn't broken my water yet. We were sure she would be here by now. If not for the discomfort, we would just wait patiently. Although honestly at this point, we have given in. We decided to just take it easy and let her decide when its time.

My body is definitely ready to have her though. She's already measuring in at 40 weeks. I continue dilating and now at 4cm. Cervix still fully thinned and head engaged and very low. Everything is ready for her arrival, accept her. I am even emotionally more settled and ready for whenever she decides to come. A week ago I was so anxious, felt so much nervousness. But after waiting for two weeks now, with no success, I am just ready to hold her already. Ready to get this birth over with and ready to enjoy her warm and sweet little body snuggled up against me.

She is growing by the day, and my curiosity with her. How big will she be...how will she look? I love her so much already. Every day I just sit looking down at my belly, as it rolls around with her movements, and I try to guess if its her knees pushing at me or her little booty, or maybe a foot stretched out to the far recesses of my belly (always the right side). She is such an active little one. I want to meet this little wiggle bug already! And at the rate she's growing, I hope I'll be able to deliver her. Seems shes getting pretty big, and because we had Eliana early, we don't even know what size our full term babies can be. Eek! Pray for my delivery, I sense the end is near and I hope all this pre-labor will make me have her very quickly. 

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.

Mamas Girl

11/11/2014

I am one blessed mama to call this sweetness mine! My hubby snapped the sweetest moments with Eliana right after her nap. She was so giggly, so cuddly and sweet. These photos capture our relationship perfectly. She truly is my little angel. Lately she just can't get enough of me. Especially when she's tired, she begs to be near me and cuddles up to me. She's always giving me the sweetest kisses and hugs. She truly is the apple of my eye. I've been treasuring these last weeks with her like never before. I wonder how life will change once her little sister is born. I hope I'll be able to give her all the attention and love she needs. She practically never cries, is rarely upset, never demanding anything. It's so easy to love her and so sad if she ever gets hurt or is upset. I will forever treasure these moments that I've been getting, with only her. My sweet baby girl.

PREGNANCY UPDATE

I was 2 days shy of 37 weeks, and definitely feeling more aches and pains. At my 36 week checkup I was measuring in at 37 1/2 weeks. We are sure she grew quite a bit, but because she dropped even lower, she didn't measure as big. Doc checked where her head is and its low, head fully engaged. We were surprised how low she had dropped. With her constantly having growth spurts, I myself didn't even notice it at first. But towards the end of this week she grew more and I definitely started noticing how much lower she is. I could not only see it, but I have consistently become more uncomfortable. Its become so difficult to sleep. I'm constantly tossing from side to side and waking up from pain at times, especially if I end up on my back. Hips feel like they are stretching quite a bit all day long. At times sharp pains shoot down my legs. My sisters definitely think shes hanging out pretty low and advising me to kick back, relax and have my bags packed. 

We cannot believe that she can be here any day now at this point. I have moments that I get so anxious and nervous thinking about everything that's going to happen. Yet I am so confident that everything will be okay once I'm at the hospital because we have been praying for a safe and quick delivery. I'm more anxious for my contractions to start or for water to break while I'm at home, alone, with my daughter. Scrambling to get ready and get a babysitter, waiting for hubby to get home...and all that jazz. It's so much more complicated once you have little ones to think about. I have faith that everything will happen as it should and normally am not one to worry...but sometimes, I just start thinking and going over too many scenarios in my head. So many unknowns for me with this pregnancy. I sure will be glad once I'm holding my little girl in my arms and everything is behind us, done and over with. :) If you mama's have any advice or tips on how to make going into labor smoother and easier with a toddler, I sure would welcome it! Thanks for reading and stopping by. Have a beautiful weekend.
 

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.