Well, I've already completely slacked! I didn't post at all over the weekend, but I plan on getting back on track this week with my blogging challenge! Today I am going to answer the questions for days 2-4.
2. Favorite Quote -- "Do not look back and grieve over the past, for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has yet to come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering.” ― Ida Scott Taylor
I love this particular quote because I am a worrier and I tend to overanalyze most things. I critique the past and struggle to move forward while also worrying so much about the future that I can't enjoy the present. This quote is a beautiful reminder to focus on the present which I tend to need reminding of.
3. What makes you happy? Well this question could be very long if I answered it fully. Lots of things make me happy! Dessert before the main course, going running on a fall day, the beach, and someone making me feel special all qualify as answers. But the first thing that popped in my mind as I read this question was my family. My family's life is pretty hectic, so any time I am spending uninterrupted quality time with my husband, son, and puppy I am very happy! They are my happy place without a doubt.
4. Best Childhood Memory -- While this may seem cliché, one of my favorite and best childhood memories was going to Disney World! I went with my family when I was in 7th grade and it was one of my favorite family trips. I have such good memories from that trip and still remember it really well. It was such a fun and magical place despite the fact that I was already 13 years old. I absolutely loved Disney World! I remember taking pictures with the characters, riding every single ride, and spending the evenings playing cards and laughing with my mom, dad, brother, uncle, aunt, and cousin. My family was in a really good place at that time and the memories we made on that trip were unforgettable (in the best way!).
Well that's all for today!
Monday, February 23, 2015
Friday, February 20, 2015
Let Me REintroduce Myself -- Blog Challenge!
Well hello there! My name is Brittany and I would like to welcome you to my blog. I started this blog almost 2 years ago and it's been a fun space for me to explore my love of writing, as well as, share my life with you all. When I started this blog, I was a newlywed living in a basement apartment in Atlanta with my husband and fur baby, Cedric. I was working a full time job and learning how to be a wife, as well as, manage a home. I was in that awkward post-college phase trying to figure out who I was and what I wanted my future to look like. Since then, my husband and I have purchased our first home, moved to an Atlanta suburb, and started a family. I spent last year navigating the ropes of cooking, decorating a home, commuting to my job and preparing for motherhood. And now, well my life looks more different than it ever has, but in the best way! I am currently a new mom, pastor's wife, part-time worker, church member, daughter, and friend...just trying to balance it all! I wanted to reintroduce myself as I spend more time writing and giving more attention to this blog. As you can see, my life has changed and progressed over time and I have the same hopes for this blog. I love writing and sharing my life with ya'll and am excited to continue that this year!
I wanted to start off my blog revival with a fun 31 Day Blog Challenge. My sister-in-law sent me this link and I thought it was pretty cool. So over the next 31 days, I am going to be writing and participating in this blog challenge. Yes, I'm aware that it says March 2013...but just ignore that! So if you are interested, just keep reading and I'll be sure to answer each of these questions over the next 31 days!
5 Random Facts About ME:
1. I would live off of chocolate and coffee if I could. Dark chocolate and a tall skinny vanilla latte to be specific.
2. I was nervous about having a little BOY. I am a girl, so I feel like I know girls. But boys, not so much. The day I met my son, Grayson, my life changed forever. I never knew I could love someone so much. That little boy has me wrapped around his little finger and more in love than ever before. I am so excited to have a son!
3. My husband and I were good friends for a year before we started dating -- I highly recommend it! :)
4. I am very interested in health and fitness. I stink at most sports and have little hand-eye coordination, but I love running, hiking, and the elliptical.
5. I am a Christian and am very active at my church. My husband is an assistant pastor and youth pastor and I love helping him with his ministry, but I am still figuring out exactly where I fit into it all.
Monday, February 9, 2015
Grayson's 1 Month Update!
I cannot believe that my precious baby boy, Grayson, is 1 month old -- the time has seriously flown. (Technically he is 5 weeks and 3 days old today!) The first month of his life has been one that I will never forget...after I recover from the exhausted zombie state that I am currently in. ;) But in all seriousness, each day flies by and he has already grown and changed so much. It's crazy how quickly babies discover, explore, and learn new things about themselves and their surroundings. So far, I am loving being a mommy! Yes, its challenging, but also very rewarding. I've had so many people ask me how it's going and I would say it's going very well! We are adjusting and learning more about each other (Grayson and I, that is) each day. It's harder than I thought in some ways and easier than I thought in others, but at the end of the day being his mama is such a fulfilling job and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I'm sad that Grayson's first month is already over, but I am also looking forward to all his milestones to come! Here's a little bit about how our first month with Grayson Otto in our lives went:
Weight & Height: At his 2 week appointment, he was 7 lbs. 14.5 oz. and 21 inches long putting him in the 21st percentile for weight and the 55th percentile for height. We recently weighted him and he is currently 10 pounds! I knew he had grown, but I was so excited to see him reach the 10 lb. mark after being born at 7 lbs. 1 oz. I am exclusively breastfeeding, so I felt like this was an accomplishment after the challenges that breastfeeding has held. I will say that he is a great eater, so that definitely helps! If anything, it shocks me how often and how much he eats, but apparently he is a growing little boy! :) On average, he still eats every 2 - 3 hours, but will sometimes eat every hour for a few hours. Like I said, the boy likes his milk!
Sleep: Sleep has definitely been rough. I will say that this has been the hardest part for me as a new mom. I am getting sleep, but only for very short periods of time (sometimes only 1.5 hrs at a time) and after a while, it wears you down. Overall, Grayson is actually a wonderful sleeper! He loves to sleep in the car, in his car seat, and when we are out running errands. Grayson loves loud noises and actually sleeps best in a louder environment. The trouble we have had has been getting him to know the difference between days and nights (he would sleep all day if I let him) and getting him to go for longer than 2 hours between feedings at night. We are still working on it, but we are starting to see progress, so that's encouraging! Grayson LOVES to be held and would prefer to be held while sleeping or to sleep in our bed next to us, but he is doing better about sleeping in his Rock and Play next to our bed. He actually loves his crib, so hopefully the transition into his crib won't be too bad. He is also a very loud sleeper, making noises and grunting most of the night! Right now, he sleeps an average of 3 hours at a time at night.
Clothes: This week he started wearing some of his 0-3 month clothes (still fitting in a lot of his newborn clothes) and size 1 diapers. I couldn't believe it! I was definitely sad to see him transition out of the newborn diapers and clothes. It's awesome, yet hard to see your baby grow!
Mood: Josh and I joke calling Grayson "Oscar the Grouch". He is definitely expressive of how he feels and isn't shy about telling you when he is unhappy. Haha. Sometimes his resting face looks a little grumpy, but mostly because he hasn't learned to smile yet. At the same time, he is super sweet, loves to cuddle, and stares at you perfectly content with his big blue eyes that melt your heart. Recently, he starting cooing and making sweet little baby noises while he plays happily on his play mat.
Loves: being held, cuddling, his play mat, his pacifier, movement and being bounced, car rides and his car seat, music, taking naps with his daddy, and the fan (he stares intently at it for long periods of time!)
Grayson's first bath!
Grayson's most recent bath -- definitely made progress!
Doesn’t like: diaper and outfit changes, being burped, and bath time (he wasn't a fan of bath time at first but now he is liking it more and more!)
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Grayson's Labor & Delivery Story
Hey everyone! It's been about a month since I last posted on my blog and a lot has happened since my last post. I wanted to update you all! On January 2, 2015, I gave birth to our precious and healthy baby BOY, Grayson Otto Gale. It was the day that my husband and I had been looking forward to for 9 months and boy, did it live up to our great expectations! I wanted to share Grayson's labor and delivery story for two reasons: I know some people were interested to hear it and I wanted to document his "birth" day for my own keeping, so that I don't forget all the details of that special day. So if you are interested, keep reading!
I woke up early on January 1, 2015 -- New Year's Day! -- and suspected my water may have broken. It was more of a leak, so it wasn't as obvious as it is in the movies. I was really hesitant to call the doctor being that it was New Year's Day and I would have to call the emergency hotline at the hospital. I thought I was just over thinking the situation and assumed it was probably nothing. My husband came home from a youth lock-in at our church with our youth group at around 7 am. Once I told him my suspicions, he insisted I get this checked out ASAP. Once I called the doctor, she wanted me to come to the hospital right away to see if I was in fact leaking amniotic fluid. My husband asked if he should come with me and believing that they would just send me home assuring me it was nothing, I told him no. He had been up all night at the youth lock-in and hadn't slept at all. So I quickly got dressed, grabbed a cup of coffee, and headed out the door. I didn't even bring my hospital bag because I just knew I would be coming right back home. Once I got to the hospital, I checked in to an area called triage where they determine if they are going to admit you to Labor & Delivery or not. The nurses did a quick test and determined that I WAS in fact leaking amniotic fluid. My water HAD broken and I was having this baby! The day I had been wishing for more than anything was finally here!
Shock, fear, and excitement filled my mind as I started making the phone calls to let everyone know the day was here. First, I called Josh and let him know that he did in fact need to come down to the hospital with me and we were having this baby now! The next 12 hours were long and not too exciting. It took 4 hours for me to get a permanent room in Labor & Delivery and then another 8 hours of having to take a medicine to get my body ready for labor. I wasn't too thrilled because I had left the house without a shower or even eating breakfast. Once I got to the the hospital and was admitted, they told me I wasn't allowed to eat until after I had the baby which ended up being a full 24 hrs without solid food. If you know me, you know this was a struggle! Finally at 9 pm that evening, they started me on Pitocin. At this point, I was ready to get the show on the road. I (thought) I wanted to feel the contractions and the pain, knowing that it was the one thing standing between me and finally meeting my child. Labor had finally begun!
About 2 hours into intense labor, I was pretty miserable. At that point, I still didn't want an epidural, so I ended up getting an IV drug that took the edge off. It helped just enough to let me keep going, but I was still in a lot of pain and feeling every contraction. The next 2.5 hours were by far the worst. I was delusional from the pain. The IV drug wore off and my mind was cloudy from the intense contractions. I don't remember those hours very well (thankfully!). My husband was an absolute champ though! He sat by me the entire time and held my hand as I squeezed his hand and the bed rail with all my might. He encouraged me and even showed me pictures of our dog, Cedric, (who we are obsessed with) to help me through the pain. I'm so very thankful he was there with me and I couldn't have made it that far without him. Unfortunately because they didn't know how long my water had been broken, they wouldn't check my progress because of the increased chance of infection. But the nurse could watch my contractions and tell how close I was to being 10 cm dilated. At 1 am, she told me that I still had a ways to go. The contractions were relentless at this point and there wasn't a break between them. I looked at Josh and told him I wanted the epidural. I was in agony and I just didn't want to welcome my child into the world while I was in absolute misery. The next 15 minutes were probably the longest of my life. I had to wait for the anesthesiologist to get there and he couldn't come quick enough. He finally arrived and the epidural definitely hurt, but it was a means to an end of the pain. Immediate relief took over my body and my mind was finally clear enough to think again. I looked at Josh after the epidural had kicked in and said, "I think that was a good decision!" :)
I was finally relaxed enough to get some sleep, but not for long! At 1:30 am, I was dilated to 5 cm and at 4:30 am, the nurse checked me again. I was at 10 cm and ready to push! We woke Josh up and told him to call our family members and let them know the baby was almost here! Josh and I looked at each other and knew the moment was finally here! We couldn't wait to meet our little Peanut and find out if we had a son or daughter. I started pushing at about 5 am and at 5:46 am, Grayson Otto Gale entered the world. He was 7 lbs 1 oz and 18.5 inches long. Josh looked over at me right after he came out and announced, "It's a BOY!". What a special moment! Tears rolled down my cheeks as I looked at our son and was taken aback that we had created such a beautiful human life together. I was also taken aback by the thick head of dark hair Grayson came out with!
That day was filled with friends and family coming to meet Grayson and congratulate us. It was such a special and memorable day as we all came together to celebrate this new little life. Words cannot express how thankful we are for our healthy son and how much we love him already! Thanks to everyone who supported us on this journey with our little Peanut and for those who have continued to bless us with their love and support as we welcomed Grayson Otto into the world. We are so grateful!
I woke up early on January 1, 2015 -- New Year's Day! -- and suspected my water may have broken. It was more of a leak, so it wasn't as obvious as it is in the movies. I was really hesitant to call the doctor being that it was New Year's Day and I would have to call the emergency hotline at the hospital. I thought I was just over thinking the situation and assumed it was probably nothing. My husband came home from a youth lock-in at our church with our youth group at around 7 am. Once I told him my suspicions, he insisted I get this checked out ASAP. Once I called the doctor, she wanted me to come to the hospital right away to see if I was in fact leaking amniotic fluid. My husband asked if he should come with me and believing that they would just send me home assuring me it was nothing, I told him no. He had been up all night at the youth lock-in and hadn't slept at all. So I quickly got dressed, grabbed a cup of coffee, and headed out the door. I didn't even bring my hospital bag because I just knew I would be coming right back home. Once I got to the hospital, I checked in to an area called triage where they determine if they are going to admit you to Labor & Delivery or not. The nurses did a quick test and determined that I WAS in fact leaking amniotic fluid. My water HAD broken and I was having this baby! The day I had been wishing for more than anything was finally here!
Shock, fear, and excitement filled my mind as I started making the phone calls to let everyone know the day was here. First, I called Josh and let him know that he did in fact need to come down to the hospital with me and we were having this baby now! The next 12 hours were long and not too exciting. It took 4 hours for me to get a permanent room in Labor & Delivery and then another 8 hours of having to take a medicine to get my body ready for labor. I wasn't too thrilled because I had left the house without a shower or even eating breakfast. Once I got to the the hospital and was admitted, they told me I wasn't allowed to eat until after I had the baby which ended up being a full 24 hrs without solid food. If you know me, you know this was a struggle! Finally at 9 pm that evening, they started me on Pitocin. At this point, I was ready to get the show on the road. I (thought) I wanted to feel the contractions and the pain, knowing that it was the one thing standing between me and finally meeting my child. Labor had finally begun!
About 2 hours into intense labor, I was pretty miserable. At that point, I still didn't want an epidural, so I ended up getting an IV drug that took the edge off. It helped just enough to let me keep going, but I was still in a lot of pain and feeling every contraction. The next 2.5 hours were by far the worst. I was delusional from the pain. The IV drug wore off and my mind was cloudy from the intense contractions. I don't remember those hours very well (thankfully!). My husband was an absolute champ though! He sat by me the entire time and held my hand as I squeezed his hand and the bed rail with all my might. He encouraged me and even showed me pictures of our dog, Cedric, (who we are obsessed with) to help me through the pain. I'm so very thankful he was there with me and I couldn't have made it that far without him. Unfortunately because they didn't know how long my water had been broken, they wouldn't check my progress because of the increased chance of infection. But the nurse could watch my contractions and tell how close I was to being 10 cm dilated. At 1 am, she told me that I still had a ways to go. The contractions were relentless at this point and there wasn't a break between them. I looked at Josh and told him I wanted the epidural. I was in agony and I just didn't want to welcome my child into the world while I was in absolute misery. The next 15 minutes were probably the longest of my life. I had to wait for the anesthesiologist to get there and he couldn't come quick enough. He finally arrived and the epidural definitely hurt, but it was a means to an end of the pain. Immediate relief took over my body and my mind was finally clear enough to think again. I looked at Josh after the epidural had kicked in and said, "I think that was a good decision!" :)
I was finally relaxed enough to get some sleep, but not for long! At 1:30 am, I was dilated to 5 cm and at 4:30 am, the nurse checked me again. I was at 10 cm and ready to push! We woke Josh up and told him to call our family members and let them know the baby was almost here! Josh and I looked at each other and knew the moment was finally here! We couldn't wait to meet our little Peanut and find out if we had a son or daughter. I started pushing at about 5 am and at 5:46 am, Grayson Otto Gale entered the world. He was 7 lbs 1 oz and 18.5 inches long. Josh looked over at me right after he came out and announced, "It's a BOY!". What a special moment! Tears rolled down my cheeks as I looked at our son and was taken aback that we had created such a beautiful human life together. I was also taken aback by the thick head of dark hair Grayson came out with!
That day was filled with friends and family coming to meet Grayson and congratulate us. It was such a special and memorable day as we all came together to celebrate this new little life. Words cannot express how thankful we are for our healthy son and how much we love him already! Thanks to everyone who supported us on this journey with our little Peanut and for those who have continued to bless us with their love and support as we welcomed Grayson Otto into the world. We are so grateful!
Monday, December 15, 2014
36 Week Pregnancy Blog -- 9th Month!
Written on Monday December 15, 2014 -- 24 days until my due date!
Hey there! I can't believe I am writing my 36 week pregnancy update. Time has flown and our baby's due date is quickly approaching! In fact, we are getting very close to the point where the baby could come at any time! So exciting, yet I'm trying to get as much done as I can before that day comes. I had my 36 week doctor's appointment on Friday and the baby is doing great! Peanut is already head down and my belly had grown 2 cm since the previous visit 2 weeks prior. The doctor did say it looks like I may have a smaller baby, but everything is very healthy, so I'm okay with that! I'm so curious to see how big the baby actually will be! My husband, Josh, was almost 9 lbs. when he was born, but I was only 6 lb. 1 oz. I'm thinking this baby takes after mama :) Here's some details about my 36th week (9th month!) of pregnancy!
How far along? 36 weeks 5 days -- so close!
Baby: The baby is still packing on the pounds at the rate of about an ounce a day! She/he now weighs almost 6 pounds and is more than 18 1/2 inches long (about the size of a head of romaine lettuce or a large cantaloupe). Peanut is shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered the body, as well as, the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected the skin during the nine-month amniotic bath. The baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, that will form the contents of her/his first bowel movement.
Thyroid: I got my thyroid levels tested last week and was happy with the results. The baby is getting the perfect amount of thyroid hormone and mine is only slightly high (hyper). This means my metabolism is a little high, but not high enough for them to change my dosage since the baby is getting exactly what he/she needs. It will be interesting to see how my thyroid adjusts post-partum. The doctor recommended I get my levels tested again within 4-6 weeks after birth to get my body readjusted now that it won't have another person to account for! Most likely my dosage will decrease significantly.
Activity: Thankfully, I have still been able to remain active. It's actually harder for me to sit still! I'm having trouble getting comfortable lately when I sit for long periods of time. I am still working out 3 days a week (30 min. on the elliptical and 10 lb. arm weights) and am feeling great doing it. Since I've done this particular workout for months, my body is very used to it. I'm also walking a few days a week during my lunch break with a co-worker of mine. It feels great to break a sweat and move around even at this stage of pregnancy.
Miss Anything? Overall, I will really miss being pregnant. I've truly loved it. Currently, the only thing I will not miss is always having to be monitored. From my thyroid to my weight gain to my food intake, there's so much I have to pay attention to and get tested for constantly. It can get exhausting after a while.
Best Moment of the Week: I had a very festive week! I went to a few Christmas parties and Josh and I went to 2 different Christmas plays over the weekend. It was all a lot of fun! I've always loved this time of year and to me, it's so special to be welcoming a baby during this beautiful Christmas season. I was also able to work around the house for about 4 hours yesterday night cleaning, organizing, working on the baby's room and wrapping Christmas presents! I wouldn't necessarily call it nesting because I didn't want to get it all done, but I knew it needed to happen! :)
Movement: This child is super active! I feel movement all day long and multiple times each hour. Lots of hiccups, kicks, and booty shaking (this kid loves to move his/her butt around constantly!). The baby has definitely grown and finally reached my ribs...I can feel the baby right up against them! I'm soaking in and loving each and every movement. I'll miss that the most.
Food Cravings: I did a lot better with cutting down on the sweets this week and trying to eat more protein and veggies (my doctor's recommendation to keep up the baby's growth). I started drinking Raspberry Leaf Tea and taking Primrose Oil this week. These two things are not supposed to bring on labor, but they are supposed to help tone your uterus and get your body ready for birth. There is research supporting both sides (that it helps and that it does nothing), but the tea tastes yummy and it's all good for you, so I figure why not give it a shot? It can't hurt!
Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope.
Gender: Surprise! But getting more anxious to know the gender! We also started using the names this week to kind of "practice" instead of just calling the baby "Peanut". It's a little weird, but I love the names! I can't wait to put a name to this child!
Symptoms: More pressure/pain with the baby getting bigger, trouble getting comfortable when sitting for a long time, always thirsty, acne has really improved!, and having to pee more often.
Happy or moody: Happy and excited!
Looking forward to: I have 2 days off work this week which means I only have a 3 day work week! So thankful for that and ready to get a bunch of stuff knocked off my to-do list...it's almost baby time!
Nursery decoration that I made last night...the hearts are made out of the baby shower cards!
Hey there! I can't believe I am writing my 36 week pregnancy update. Time has flown and our baby's due date is quickly approaching! In fact, we are getting very close to the point where the baby could come at any time! So exciting, yet I'm trying to get as much done as I can before that day comes. I had my 36 week doctor's appointment on Friday and the baby is doing great! Peanut is already head down and my belly had grown 2 cm since the previous visit 2 weeks prior. The doctor did say it looks like I may have a smaller baby, but everything is very healthy, so I'm okay with that! I'm so curious to see how big the baby actually will be! My husband, Josh, was almost 9 lbs. when he was born, but I was only 6 lb. 1 oz. I'm thinking this baby takes after mama :) Here's some details about my 36th week (9th month!) of pregnancy!
How far along? 36 weeks 5 days -- so close!
Baby: The baby is still packing on the pounds at the rate of about an ounce a day! She/he now weighs almost 6 pounds and is more than 18 1/2 inches long (about the size of a head of romaine lettuce or a large cantaloupe). Peanut is shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered the body, as well as, the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected the skin during the nine-month amniotic bath. The baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, that will form the contents of her/his first bowel movement.
Thyroid: I got my thyroid levels tested last week and was happy with the results. The baby is getting the perfect amount of thyroid hormone and mine is only slightly high (hyper). This means my metabolism is a little high, but not high enough for them to change my dosage since the baby is getting exactly what he/she needs. It will be interesting to see how my thyroid adjusts post-partum. The doctor recommended I get my levels tested again within 4-6 weeks after birth to get my body readjusted now that it won't have another person to account for! Most likely my dosage will decrease significantly.
Activity: Thankfully, I have still been able to remain active. It's actually harder for me to sit still! I'm having trouble getting comfortable lately when I sit for long periods of time. I am still working out 3 days a week (30 min. on the elliptical and 10 lb. arm weights) and am feeling great doing it. Since I've done this particular workout for months, my body is very used to it. I'm also walking a few days a week during my lunch break with a co-worker of mine. It feels great to break a sweat and move around even at this stage of pregnancy.
Stretch Marks: Still applying lotion consistently and I think I may have a stretch mark or two. I honestly can't fully tell because my skill is so stretched out! My belly button is officially an outie!
Sleep: I've slept so much better and I'm so thankful for that. It's amazing what a good nights sleep can do for you. I think my body is just worn out. Miss Anything? Overall, I will really miss being pregnant. I've truly loved it. Currently, the only thing I will not miss is always having to be monitored. From my thyroid to my weight gain to my food intake, there's so much I have to pay attention to and get tested for constantly. It can get exhausting after a while.
Best Moment of the Week: I had a very festive week! I went to a few Christmas parties and Josh and I went to 2 different Christmas plays over the weekend. It was all a lot of fun! I've always loved this time of year and to me, it's so special to be welcoming a baby during this beautiful Christmas season. I was also able to work around the house for about 4 hours yesterday night cleaning, organizing, working on the baby's room and wrapping Christmas presents! I wouldn't necessarily call it nesting because I didn't want to get it all done, but I knew it needed to happen! :)
Movement: This child is super active! I feel movement all day long and multiple times each hour. Lots of hiccups, kicks, and booty shaking (this kid loves to move his/her butt around constantly!). The baby has definitely grown and finally reached my ribs...I can feel the baby right up against them! I'm soaking in and loving each and every movement. I'll miss that the most.
Food Cravings: I did a lot better with cutting down on the sweets this week and trying to eat more protein and veggies (my doctor's recommendation to keep up the baby's growth). I started drinking Raspberry Leaf Tea and taking Primrose Oil this week. These two things are not supposed to bring on labor, but they are supposed to help tone your uterus and get your body ready for birth. There is research supporting both sides (that it helps and that it does nothing), but the tea tastes yummy and it's all good for you, so I figure why not give it a shot? It can't hurt!
Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope.
Gender: Surprise! But getting more anxious to know the gender! We also started using the names this week to kind of "practice" instead of just calling the baby "Peanut". It's a little weird, but I love the names! I can't wait to put a name to this child!
Symptoms: More pressure/pain with the baby getting bigger, trouble getting comfortable when sitting for a long time, always thirsty, acne has really improved!, and having to pee more often.
Happy or moody: Happy and excited!
Looking forward to: I have 2 days off work this week which means I only have a 3 day work week! So thankful for that and ready to get a bunch of stuff knocked off my to-do list...it's almost baby time!
Nursery decoration that I made last night...the hearts are made out of the baby shower cards!
More nursery décor! I will show you all the finished nursery soon enough! :)
Monday, December 8, 2014
35 Week Pregnancy Blog
Written on Monday December 8, 2014 -- 1 month away from my due date! :)
How far along? 35 weeks 5 days -- 1.5 weeks until I am considered full-term!
Baby: The baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he or she's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (the size of a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in my womb, the baby isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he/she kicks should remain about the same. The kidneys are fully developed now, and the liver can process some waste products. Most of the basic physical development is now complete — Peanut will spend the next few weeks putting on weight.
Total Weight Gain: This week I fluctuated between 130 - 132 (15-17 lb. weight gain). At the beginning of the week I was nervous that I still hadn't gained anything and over the weekend I gained 2 lbs. and wasn't thrilled about that! I'm looking forward to the weight gain part of all this being over. Gaining weight is no fun, but not gaining any makes me nervous! I'm getting my thyroid levels tested today, so I am very anxious to see how they are doing. I feel like getting the results will ease my mind about the weight gain (or lack thereof) issue.
Maternity Clothes: I feel like my belly has definitely grown and the maternity clothes are fitting better and better.
Miss Anything? Getting a full 8 hrs of sleep without waking up and not having to worry about the weight I am or am not gaining.
Best Moment of the Week: The hospital tour was really exciting! It was fun to see where I'll give birth and to really start to consider how it will all go down. Getting closer!
Movement: The baby's activity is so on and off. Sometimes I don't feel anything and other times I can't even focus on anything else because I am so in tune with the baby's movements. I can tell the baby has grown because the movements are slow and more distinct. My whole stomach shifts depending on where the baby is sitting and I can feel if the baby is on my hips, ribs, or bladder!
Food Cravings: Still loving sweets! I need to eat more real food this week.
Anything making you queasy or sick? No.
Gender: Surprise! But getting more anxious to know the gender! We also started using the names this week to kind of "practice" instead of just calling the baby "Peanut". It's a little weird, but I love the names! I can't wait to put a name on this child!
Symptoms: Having trouble sleeping and also experiencing random tummy pain, tired, always thirsty, extremely moody, waking up in the middle of the night starving and eating!, acne and constipation have been much better!
Happy or moody: So moody!
Looking forward to: Although it's a little stressful, I have a bunch of holiday activities and parties this week! I am trying not to be stressed out by it all and to enjoy it :)
How far along? 35 weeks 5 days -- 1.5 weeks until I am considered full-term!
Baby: The baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he or she's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (the size of a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in my womb, the baby isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he/she kicks should remain about the same. The kidneys are fully developed now, and the liver can process some waste products. Most of the basic physical development is now complete — Peanut will spend the next few weeks putting on weight.
Total Weight Gain: This week I fluctuated between 130 - 132 (15-17 lb. weight gain). At the beginning of the week I was nervous that I still hadn't gained anything and over the weekend I gained 2 lbs. and wasn't thrilled about that! I'm looking forward to the weight gain part of all this being over. Gaining weight is no fun, but not gaining any makes me nervous! I'm getting my thyroid levels tested today, so I am very anxious to see how they are doing. I feel like getting the results will ease my mind about the weight gain (or lack thereof) issue.
Maternity Clothes: I feel like my belly has definitely grown and the maternity clothes are fitting better and better.
Stretch Marks: Still being consistent with applying lotion once in the morning and once at night and so far. I don't think I have any stretch marks, but it's kind of hard to tell with my skin being so stretched out!
Sleep: I slept better this week! I still woke up a lot during the night, but I was finally tired and didn't have this strange middle of the night energy. I got some good sleep this weekend and it was awesome. I woke up once in the middle of the night with pain in the space between my belly and my hip bones this week and that wasn't very fun. Maybe the baby is dropping or I'm experiencing growing pains?Miss Anything? Getting a full 8 hrs of sleep without waking up and not having to worry about the weight I am or am not gaining.
Best Moment of the Week: The hospital tour was really exciting! It was fun to see where I'll give birth and to really start to consider how it will all go down. Getting closer!
Movement: The baby's activity is so on and off. Sometimes I don't feel anything and other times I can't even focus on anything else because I am so in tune with the baby's movements. I can tell the baby has grown because the movements are slow and more distinct. My whole stomach shifts depending on where the baby is sitting and I can feel if the baby is on my hips, ribs, or bladder!
Food Cravings: Still loving sweets! I need to eat more real food this week.
Anything making you queasy or sick? No.
Gender: Surprise! But getting more anxious to know the gender! We also started using the names this week to kind of "practice" instead of just calling the baby "Peanut". It's a little weird, but I love the names! I can't wait to put a name on this child!
Symptoms: Having trouble sleeping and also experiencing random tummy pain, tired, always thirsty, extremely moody, waking up in the middle of the night starving and eating!, acne and constipation have been much better!
Happy or moody: So moody!
Looking forward to: Although it's a little stressful, I have a bunch of holiday activities and parties this week! I am trying not to be stressed out by it all and to enjoy it :)
Monday, December 1, 2014
34 Week Pregnancy Blog
Written on Monday December 1, 2014
Hello there, December! I cannot believe it's already Christmas time and less than 6 weeks until my due date. Wow, time has flown! I honestly have few complaints about my pregnancy and have really loved being pregnant. I have been blessed with a very smooth and healthy pregnancy and I am so grateful for that. I will miss it in a lot of ways, but the excitement I feel about meeting my baby outweighs any sadness I feel about the pregnancy coming to an end. This week was another good week and another week closer to meeting our Peanut.
How far along? 34 weeks 5 days -- 2.5 weeks until I am considered full-term! (They now consider full-term to be 37 weeks meaning that if I go into labor after that point, they aren't going to stop me!)
Baby: The baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (about the size of a cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. The fat layers — which will help regulate the body temperature once the baby's born — are filling out, making the baby rounder. The skin is also smoother than ever. The central nervous system is maturing and lungs are continuing to mature as well.
Total Weight Gain: Still holding down the 15-16 lb. weight gain! I have still been able to stay active which helps give me more energy.
Maternity Clothes: I've been lucky enough to survive on the maternity clothes that were given to me by a few friends. I've only bought 1 maternity top this pregnancy which was extremely nice for my wallet. The selection of clothes that fit me is a little thin, but at this point I'm not going to buy a bunch of new maternity clothes since I am so close to the end. I'm still wearing maternity tops, maternity pants, leggings and my regular pants with my belly band.
Miss Anything? Getting a good nights sleep!
Best Moment of the Week: Clearing everything out of the baby room and getting everything in it's place! Besides the decorations, the nursery is now complete! I love it so much and find myself going in there just to look at everything and take it all in :) Also, Thanksgiving was great! My brother flew in town Wednesday night and surprised my parents! We had been planning the surprise for a few weeks, and it was so nice to have him home for a few days. We have only seen him once in a whole year, so I loved having us all together for Thanksgiving!
Movement: The baby was very active this week! Now that the baby is bigger, I can definitely tell a difference. The movements are so strong and powerful...they make my whole stomach shake! I can distinctly see and feel the different body parts which is so cool. The movement is my favorite part of pregnancy, so I'm trying to soak it all in while I still can.
Food Cravings: Still loving sweets! Also, I was on a grits kick last week. I ate them every morning for breakfast and they just hit the spot.
Anything making you queasy or sick? No.
Gender: Surprise! But getting more anxious to know the gender!
Symptoms: Having trouble sleeping and also experienced a random leg cramp during the night, nesting, always thirsty, consistent Braxton Hicks and random numbness in my hands and legs.
Happy or moody: My mood is all over the board! Also, lack of sleep never makes me a happy camper, so that definitely doesn't help!
Looking forward to: The hospital tour this week and getting my hospital bag packed! I bought everything for the hospital bag, now I just need to pack it up :)
Hello there, December! I cannot believe it's already Christmas time and less than 6 weeks until my due date. Wow, time has flown! I honestly have few complaints about my pregnancy and have really loved being pregnant. I have been blessed with a very smooth and healthy pregnancy and I am so grateful for that. I will miss it in a lot of ways, but the excitement I feel about meeting my baby outweighs any sadness I feel about the pregnancy coming to an end. This week was another good week and another week closer to meeting our Peanut.
How far along? 34 weeks 5 days -- 2.5 weeks until I am considered full-term! (They now consider full-term to be 37 weeks meaning that if I go into labor after that point, they aren't going to stop me!)
Baby: The baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (about the size of a cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. The fat layers — which will help regulate the body temperature once the baby's born — are filling out, making the baby rounder. The skin is also smoother than ever. The central nervous system is maturing and lungs are continuing to mature as well.
Total Weight Gain: Still holding down the 15-16 lb. weight gain! I have still been able to stay active which helps give me more energy.
Maternity Clothes: I've been lucky enough to survive on the maternity clothes that were given to me by a few friends. I've only bought 1 maternity top this pregnancy which was extremely nice for my wallet. The selection of clothes that fit me is a little thin, but at this point I'm not going to buy a bunch of new maternity clothes since I am so close to the end. I'm still wearing maternity tops, maternity pants, leggings and my regular pants with my belly band.
Stretch Marks: Still being consistent with applying lotion once in the morning and once at night and so far, no stretch marks to report!
Sleep: Sleep has been very strange lately. My energy is waning, but I am really struggling with sleep. I'm not uncomfortable and I don't have to pee every 2 seconds, but when I do wake up in the night, I just can't seem to get back to sleep. I am sleeping very lightly and wake up around 5 am most weekends. I think it has to do with having so much on my mind and beginning to nest and want everything done and in its place. Miss Anything? Getting a good nights sleep!
Best Moment of the Week: Clearing everything out of the baby room and getting everything in it's place! Besides the decorations, the nursery is now complete! I love it so much and find myself going in there just to look at everything and take it all in :) Also, Thanksgiving was great! My brother flew in town Wednesday night and surprised my parents! We had been planning the surprise for a few weeks, and it was so nice to have him home for a few days. We have only seen him once in a whole year, so I loved having us all together for Thanksgiving!
Movement: The baby was very active this week! Now that the baby is bigger, I can definitely tell a difference. The movements are so strong and powerful...they make my whole stomach shake! I can distinctly see and feel the different body parts which is so cool. The movement is my favorite part of pregnancy, so I'm trying to soak it all in while I still can.
Food Cravings: Still loving sweets! Also, I was on a grits kick last week. I ate them every morning for breakfast and they just hit the spot.
Anything making you queasy or sick? No.
Gender: Surprise! But getting more anxious to know the gender!
Symptoms: Having trouble sleeping and also experienced a random leg cramp during the night, nesting, always thirsty, consistent Braxton Hicks and random numbness in my hands and legs.
Happy or moody: My mood is all over the board! Also, lack of sleep never makes me a happy camper, so that definitely doesn't help!
Looking forward to: The hospital tour this week and getting my hospital bag packed! I bought everything for the hospital bag, now I just need to pack it up :)
My brother caught this lovely pose of mine on camera on Thanksgiving! If you needed a good laugh for today, well here it is! Along with the baby bump :)
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