Thirty Five Weeks

35 Weeks Pregnant

& Feeling Like I'm Carrying A Bowling Ball Around.

I'm tired and I'm sore.

I'm feeling puffy and not cute.

I'm ready.

But I want to wait until February!  lol. 

We have a doctor's appointment on Thursday - so that's good news.

Just a regular one, nothing too exciting. 

But then I go every week after!

The Final Countdown! -i just said that in my AC/DC voice ;) 

How far along? 35 Weeks

Total weight gain: 35 pounds 

Sleep: I've been straight up passing out lately. Phone in my hand, glasses still on my face. But now I'm waking up twice in the middle of the night..... cool. 

Best moment(s) this week: Visiting with all our family for Christmas. We had a blast over the holiday. And Hadley didn't miss a beat - she was making waves for everyone's entertainment :) 

Miss anything?:  I. Want. Wine. 

Movement: all the time - she's constantly playing and kicking. 

Best thing about this pregnancy: Adding to our family! 

Worst thing about this pregnancy: Does it really HAVE to take 40 weeks to do this? I think I was over it when we hit the 25 week mark lol 

Food cravings: Nothing specific this week. Just good stuff lol and only good stuff

Labor Signs:  Braxton Hicks, 

Belly Button in or out? Still an Innie. - we're hanging in there. 

Last time you cried over something ridiculous: Still good!

What I am looking forward to: We're taking Caroline to New Orleans tomorrow. We're going to the zoo & to the aquarium. I'm sure it's going to be a blast. We've been taking her to zoos since she was 6 Months old. She's loved them more and more each time we take her! 

Weekly Wisdom: Be patient. 

34 Weeks!

34 weeks! & it's Christmas week!

This week we will have our hands fun will last minute holiday fun.

Including Baking Cookies :) 

I'm so excited to start this tradition with Caroline.

It's something I always loved & looked forward to growing up so hopefully it will be the same for her!

How far along? 34 Weeks

Total weight gain: 32 pounds 

Sleep: It's so hard to fall asleep - but once I do - I sleep like a rock. Until I wake up in the middle of the night - which is every.single.night. 

Best moment(s) this week: We got to see our sweet baby. Caroline was just as excited as we were!

Miss anything?: everything. i want my close to fit me correctly again. wahh. 

Movement: all the time. She's fun to play with :) 

Best thing about this pregnancy: Making us a family of 4 & getting us a step closer to completing our family :) 

Worst thing about this pregnancy: The whole pregnant thing - it's a drag. lol - i mean that in the nicest possible way. I'm just not one of those people that is like "awwwwwww I LOVE being pregnant." nope. not me at all. i just want the present at the end :) 

Food cravings: Almonds were my thing this week. Which is a good thing - they're great for you, especially during pregnancy!

Labor Signs:  Braxton Hicks, I hate you... still. 

Belly Button in or out? Still an Innie.

Last time you cried over something ridiculous: I'm being good. No tears here. 

What I am looking forward to: This week is Christmas. Tonight we decorate our cookies & then Christmas Eve there are all kinds of events going on & seeing Caroline's face Christmas morning! & of course - seeing everyone Christmas and the weekend after Christmas. 

Weekly Wisdom: Don't start a count down. It makes time go by slower. 

Mini Post: Christmas Photo Fun :)

I've been slacking lately.

My apologies.

I've hardly taken any pictures of Caroline in her sweet Christmas dresses.

So today we picked through the outfits- put a couple on, went to the front yard and did some pictures.

& some pictures without her dresses ;) lol #kidswillbekids
We didn't do anything too posed - I prefer pictures of Caroline being the free spirit that she is.
It makes me happy to see her so happy!

Ultrasound Week! [33]

We had our 33 week appointment today :) 

& we had an ultrasound!

 Seeing our precious baby was the most amazing thing.

I wish we got one every appointment.

Hadley is 4lbs & 9oz of cuteness. 

She was cuddled up with the placenta.

We watched her suck on her hand and move all about.

Luckily she was cooperative this time around so we were able to see her beautiful face.

She has Caroline's lips.

I loved seeing our baby girl.

& Caroline did too.

She kept saying Bayyyyyybe & Hi Haddie & Oh My!

& The doctor's appointment went well too.

With all of the measurements, Hadley's date moved to February 1st.

[which of course could still change].

 We're back on track to carry this babe for as long as I can -

doctor doesn't see any reason to still go with the inducing plan.

So that's exciting!

I have one more appointment 2 weeks from now & then it's every week from there on out.

Which means we're getting extremely close!

How far along? 33 Weeks

Total weight gain: 30 pounds 

Sleep: It's uncomfortable. I wake up religiously between 1 AM & 3 AM- it's fun. 

Best moment(s) this week: Tickling my belly & feeling Hadley follow my fingers - there is nothing like feeling your precious baby move. & the ultrasound of course!

Miss anything?: Easy breathing. Haha- I feel like I'm always out of breath. Simple things aren't so simple these days. 

Movement: Early in the morning while I'm working - randomly throughout the day - she's a lover of cold water & ice cream & she likes to dance around when I lie down a night :) so yes- a lot of movement. 

Best thing about this pregnancy: Giving Caroline a little sister - Gaining a second child with a whole different personality and character of her own. 

Worst thing about this pregnancy: How uncomfortably low baby girl sits. & Still getting dressed. Getting dressed is awful. 

Food cravings: No new ones this week. Kinda have been wanting chocolate a lot - but I think I want chocolate a lot even when I'm not pregnant. #sorryimnotsorry - I've got a sweet tooth :D

Labor Signs:  Braxton Hicks, I hate you. 

Belly Button in or out? Still an Innie. Working its way to a "Flatty" lol 

Last time you cried over something ridiculous: I've been good since the last incidence. I try to keep it together, I really do. 

What I am looking forward to: Wednesday we have an ultrasound :) I can't wait to see my baby! & for Caroline to see her again!! She loved it last time. 

Weekly Wisdom: Don't stress over the nursery. It doesn't have to be done by the time the babe gets here. Put it together as you can - it's not like the baby will even be sleeping in there for the first few months haha (if she's anything like Caroline that is)

Some fun pictures to put a smile on your face.

Caroline was being a ham in the waiting room - entertaining everyone- as usual. 

 & This week- Caroline wanted to be in the preg. picture :)

Mini Post: Santa Pictures!

We got our Santa pictures back! 

Like I mentioned, Caroline was not so sure about Santa this year.

In fact, she just likes the idea of him.

In real life.....not so much.

Maybe next year!

But it was still a memory I'll always treasure.

I know we'll look back at these pictures when she is older and have a good laugh

& we'll be able to tell her all about it. 

That's what it's all about.

Making Memories!

Mini Post: Update!

Update on the oh so great body rash & the blood work!

Everything came back normal. 

Everything that they thought it could potentially be came back negative.

 They ran the blood they took for about 10 different things.

All of them I am good to go on.

So we still no idea what the rash might have been.

Like I mentioned in my weekly pregnancy update though, it has started going away.

It's no longer on my legs or arms or chest.

It's back to being only on my belly again,

ant it's fading.

&& I don't itch like a crazy person. 

THANK THE LORD! 

Let's hope it stays gone.

& now when we talk to the doc next week at our appointment we will see what he has to say about still having her early or going back to 38-40 weeks. 

:) 

32 Weeks!

32 weeks! Getting closer everyday :) 

It's been a busy week. & I've been a little under the weather (& so has baby C) but we've been staying busy & getting things done. 

P.S- our blood work results should be back later on today (I've been patiently awaiting today all weekend) so I"ll definitely update everyone. 

Good news though: the rash is going away, slowly but surely! 

How far along? 32 Weeks

Total weight gain: 29 pounds 

Sleep: Let the waking up in the middle of the night begin. Woooooo - I'm waving my party finger. 

Best moment(s) this week: Caroline has been really curious about the Christmas tree - so we've been doing a lot of exploring into the ornaments & playing under it. Hadley likes it too :) 

Miss anything?: Bending over to pick things up comfortably..

Movement: Baby girl is everywhere - i think she just pokes sometimes lol 

Best thing about this pregnancy: Everyday we get closer to meeting out precious little one and adding to our family. 

Worst thing about this pregnancy: That pregnancy in general lasts so long? lol seriously feels like it's been forever. It'll be worth it though! 

Food cravings: Blueberry Yogurt! I can't get enough of it. I won't discriminate, Mixed Berry yogurt is bomb too - no strawberry or peach for me though please. Those just don't even sound good. 

Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks. 

Belly Button in or out? In, still hanging in there. 

Last time you cried over something ridiculous: We have little drummer soldiers that are part of our Christmas decorations - setting up their display was a little harder this year for some reason. I had a little melt down about the "snow" (cotton) ... i couldn't seem to get it just right, which called for tears, obviously. 

What I am looking forward to: Going to Niceville to see my family this weekend!

Weekly Wisdom: If you're tired and God willing you have the option, take a nap! There is nothing like an afternoon nap. Snuggle up with your other babe and just sleep! 

Christmas Parades & Pancake Breakfasts

This weekend was full of Christmas activities

my favorite.

We started it off with the Fairhope Christmas Parade Friday night. 

Another Fairhope event that will make the calendar every year!

We had so much fun- the streets were crowded with families,

everyone in their holiday attire & the kids all had such excitement on their faces.

I knew we were in for something good when we looked around and saw everyone patiently awaiting the start of the parade.

& I was correct!

So many beautifully decorated floats - the Belle's were there and the different school bands. 

The dance studios had dancers, there were twirlers and all kinds of other people marching.

The floats were incredible though. And everyone in the parade was so cheerful.

Caroline started saying Hiiiiiiiii & waving to every single person & float. She was having a blast.

Girlfriend left the parade with a neck full of beads and they are now her favorite thing ever.

Mommy & Daddy got some candy out of the deal ;)

We loved it. Such a great way to get the holiday season going!

Saturday morning we went to Breakfast at the Manger at our church.

One of the male groups at church made us all pancakes & sausage and we did pictures with Santa.

It was a really enjoyable experience.

Caroline decided she isn't sure about Santa anymore.

Last year, she was curious and wanted to play with his beard- 

this year, she was very skeptical and did not want to sit on his lap.

She just kept saying No, No, Nooo. The whole time.

We did manage to get a family picture without tears in it though.

So we will see how that turns out once we get it in the mail :) 

I love the Holiday Season in Fairhope.

The whole town gets involved which make it so much more joyful.

Today.

Feeling very vulnerable at this point in the pregnancy.
I don't have the control that I would like to have and that drives me crazy.

I had my last monthly doctor appointment yesterday, just a usual visit.

But yesterday morning I woke up with a rash covering my entire belly. 

The previous morning, after I did my daily work out I noticed it, but I thought maybe it was just a heat rash - so I didn't think much of it. 

Like I said though, I woke up yesterday morning and it was all over my belly. 

After going to my appointment, my doctor had pretty much decided it was probably just a reaction to something new in my diet or household. Something new I had come into contact with. 

He said to keep an eye on it. Apply a hydro-cortisone cream to it and that it should go away in about a week or so. He then told me if it starts itching to call and make an appointment.

And also, if it spread anywhere to call and make an appointment.

Which brings me to today.

This morning I woke up and you guessed it..

rash covering my belly.my hands.the top of my legs. my chest. and my back.

So that was fun.

Of course I call the office and leave a message with the nurses station..

who calls me back after lunch. 

I then had to go in for a quick visit to do some blood work.

Thankfully I was able to see the doctor for a quick chat while I was there.

[ I've never been in an actual doctor's office before- one with a desk and family photos ]

I showed him just what was visible of the rash - aka my neck and the top of my chest.

So he then ruled out the reaction to something.

Which I already knew considering I'm not allergic to anything. 

So the blood work I did will come back tomorrow and I'm anxiously awaiting it.

The tests were to take a look at my liver function. Which sounds so scary to me. 

Of course I googled, and now I'm probably not going to relax too much until I get a phone call tomorrow with the results. 

My doctor did say that regardless of the results of the liver function, based on my previous pregnancy and this rash that we aren't going to make it to 40 weeks. 

He said max is 38. Probably closer to 37ish though.

Can't I just have a regular, normal pregnancy?

I'll go through anything for the wonderful gift we will have after it's all over- I just don't like the risks that come along with these complications - the risks for my little Haddie.

My family knows about this - but I haven't told anyone else. It's not something you will find me posting about on any of the various social media sites.

This is just a way for me to vent.

But if you do happen to read this, please say a prayer. 

Pray for strength for me. Strength for baby. & Strength for Joseph.

Pray for good health and good news. 

Mini Post: Christmas Lights

Last night we started putting up our Christmas lights!

White lights galore!

We're wrapping trees & bushes-

getting really festive!

As Joseph would say 

"everyone's got a little Griswald in them!"

Hating that it gets dark so early - but even in the dark, the 3 of  us were outside putting up lights!

We got half of them done & later on this week we'll be doing the other half! 

Yay!

Now, I've got to purchase some icicles 

& then I'll be happy! 

It's coming along though!

Caroline loved helping :) 

She says "prettttyyyyy."

Mini Post: 31 Weeks!

31 weeks, 31 weeks, 31 weeks! Woohoo!

[& Today is the last day of November!!]

How far along? 31 Weeks

Total weight gain: 27 pounds

Sleep: Sleeping like a baby. 

Best moment(s) this week: Having everyone here for Thanksgiving & the weekend after!

Miss anything?: I think I'm home sick. I just want to be around my parents & brother more. This weekend was wonderful, I want that all the time. 

Movement: Baby girl is everywhere. 

Best thing about this pregnancy: Adding another little baby to the family - one more piece of the puzzle :)

Worst thing about this pregnancy: Getting dressed. Clothes are no fun- especially at this stage & for all the weeks to come. 

Food cravings: Probably due to Thanksgiving haha - Turkey Sandwiches & Mashed Potatoes

Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks. 

Belly Button in or out? In

Last time you cried over something ridiculous: No tears for this lady

What I am looking forward to: We have our last M O N T H L Y doctor appointment on Wednesday! Then it's every 2 weeks!

Weekly Wisdom: I know your tired- but get your workout in. You'll feel better afterwards, I promise.