2012

What a fun crazy year! As we are anxiously awaiting 2013, because that will bring our son, I can't help but look back and be grateful.
As every year, it came with its highs and lows, but this year definitely brought growth.

I switched to a new job at the beginning of the year, which allowed me to be apart of all the holidays I had been missing the past few years.
We celebrated our 2 years of marriage and 5 years together.
We decided to start a family!!!
We found we are pregnant!
Sour's brother got married.
Our Godson turned 1!
We found out we are having a little boy!
We picked out a name for our little guy!
My baby cousin got married!
We finally got our bathroom re-done!
We have made all the preparations for our bundle and now we are WAITING!

On the last day of the year, I have found a few random things to be grateful for:
2 year inspection stickers!
Cousins who come to visit, invite you to a movie, and call to check in.
Fun nail stickers, since I paint like a 3 year old.
And friends who still invite you to NYE stuff even though you are no fun!

38 weeks

38 weeks brings:

No baby (so far)
A lot of predictions of a full moon baby (last night and tonight)
Almost all the baby things are put together
A sleep number bed! ( where was this my whole pregnancy! Thanks in-laws!)
Contractions
Pressure
Nesting at home and office
No nerves just ready
Bags are officially packed (except Sour's)
No weight gain this past week!!! Woohoo!
Bottles and pump stuff is sanitized and ready
Officially have all big items (monitor for Christmas and bought a new pump)

That Time of the Week Again

So today was the weekly check in all of its loveliness! The weekly appointments are bittersweet. I love having something to look forward to and it makes the time go by quickly, but then when nothing super new or exciting happens its kind of a let down.

This weeks check was a mixture, we are definitely making progress but nothing super exciting. I am not one to post my effacement and dilation but basically we are good but will be pregnant another week.

I am going to go on a rant for a minute. I do want a "natural" birth, meaning no induction, no epidural and vaginal. I have made these decisions because of Luke, not because I am trying to prove anything to anybody. I want the least amount of interventions for Luke because I have seen the negative side effects of extra medicine or bringing the baby into the world too early. Saying all that, I am still a nurse and a NICU nurse that, so I understand that the health of Luke comes first! So whatever needs to happen to get him here safe and sound, then that is what we will do. So I really don't think I will be disappointed if extra interventions have to be done.

Also as much as I want Luke to be here so I can meet him, love on him, and stare at him, I do want him to be fully cooked! I am uncomfortable and ready to get rid of some weight, but his timing outweighs my selfishness. So although we had been told he might be here by the end of the year, we are okay with him hanging out for awhile longer.

We do thank you for all of your prayers and thoughts as the time we welcome Luke draws near!

Adding a picture of Luke and I on Christmas Eve.

Peace

As Christmas is now just a couple of days away, and we go into our own little worlds with our families, friends, and traditions, my heart is aching.

Sour and I are being overwhelmingly blessed with this ability to carry and birth this sweet little boy. And then given the huge responsibility of raising him. I don't know how we deserve it.

But this year as I am selfishly missing my family, hating that I am missing Christmas morning with my niece and nephew and then breakfast at my Nanny's house, God has stepped in and put a burden on my heart.

I know of 2 families that need an overwhelming amount of prayers this season and on.

My old roommate's dad has just been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer that has already spread to his stomach, adrenal gland, and several spots on his brain. They are starting radiation today following with chemo. So this Christmas as they try to enjoy it with their sweet new baby girl, they are disparately praying for healing and a miracle. My friend has already lost her mom and she is not prepared or willing to lose another parent.

Another friend's 2 year old daughter has just under gone surgery to remove a brain tumor on Friday. They found it after normal 2 year old accident and now dealing with healing their baby girl. They will be spending their Christmas in the hospital as she recovers from surgery. They should have biopsy results within the week and then go from there for a treatment plan.

So I ask you as you go about your celebrations that one you are aware of all the blessings that you have, and two that you remember these families and many more. I ask that you pray for healing above all but that God's will be done. Pray for Peace, that they may know without a doubt that God has not forsaken them, that nothing that is happening is a surprise to Him.

37 Weeks

Oh goodness!  We are really 37 weeks!  I do have to say the weekly appointments make it move fast but time is slowing down.  Its like it is teasing me, taunting me!  The more uncomfortable you are the slower the time moves!

So 37 weeks brings:

• a "check" that showed that Luke is in great position and things are moving along nicely "down there" 
• we will be pregnant for at least till Christmas
• I can't breath at night
• I have ridiculous hot flashes (the OB yesterday had to fan my belly off when he lifted my shirt)
• I finally feel like I got things ready to go at work before leave
• I obviously have done nesting at home, so I have moved to nesting in my office.
• I am more and more curious about our little guy
• I am ready to hold him in my arms and not in my belly
• We have finished all classes. This last breast feeding one was super informative.  I am feeling prepared to go in to breast feeding as the only option but knowing we might have some speed bumps.          

Things left to do:

put all the "equipment together" aka bouncer, mamaroo, highchair

breast pump is ordered

and tons of little things I can't even think of!

36 weeks

Boy, boy, boy! He will be here before we know it! I am kind of in shock that we are this close and we are literally just waiting on his arrival. 36 weeks brings:

Sleepless nights
Restlessness
Hotness (the heater is my enemy)
We have decided on our pediatrician
We have another appointment and check
A lot of comments on my looking tired or about to pop!

The curtains are up in the nursery! And here is my ever growing 36 weeks belly.

"The Check"

So we had our OB appointment yesterday. Luke is still trucking along. Looks like we will be pregnant for at least another week. I had a mixture of disappointment and relief.
Disappointment: I am ready to meet this little guy, I am ready to no be pregnant, I am ready to have a break from work.
Relief: Luke gets to cook a little bit longer, work is not ready for me to leave yet, I really would like to wait till after Christmas.

Speaking of Christmas, we have 2 parties this weekend I am looking forward to! And this is as Christmassy as our house has gotten this year.

35 Weeks

Boy time is flying by!  35 weeks brings some "fun things"

• OB appointment on Tuesday (get "checked" for the first time)
• Pre-registering at the hospital
• Interview the Pediatrician this week
• working a 12 hour night shift right now (help me Jesus)
• fingers crosssed my weight has not gone silly

My parents, sister, and niece and nephew came in this weekend to do early Christmas.  It is crazy to think that the next time I see them, I might be a mommy (or very close).  We did our normal Christmas Eve tradition, Mexican food and gifts. 

I got a sewing machine from my parents.  It came with an instructional DVD that I will be watching and starting some fun, EASY projects.

Family-  I miss you all tons.  Love yall!

I Remember When..

I had ankles
When I could reach my toes to paint them
When I could feel my left foot

When Willard could fit all the way on my lap
When my boobs didn't sit on my belly
When my belly didn't sit on my lap

When I did not have to lay in bed the minute I got home
When I got home before dark

Just one of those days that I ready for little man to come!

34 and more!

So we are 34 weeks!  If Luke were born today, he would not have to go to the NICU!  34 weeks is one of those milestones in my head just like 23 weeks was.  34 weeks brings:

• had my last shower yesterday
• I can tell he has dropped feeling some pressure
• dealing with more back pain
• really feeling like its getting close!
• definitely can not see my feet
• even maternity clothes are getting a little snug

We go back to the doctor at 35 and some days and then we switch to going every week.  We have decided on a Pedi and have set up and interview appointment with them in a couple of weeks.  It is time to go get pre-registered at the hospital.  So many things on the to do list! 

The shower yesterday was adorable and perfect in everyway.  It was more of the "friends" shower, so everyone from work to nursing school to a long time high school friend came.  It was such a blessing to have them all in one place. We were once again overwhelming blessed.  All of these showers have shown me one thing, that Luke is abundantly loved already. 
Matthew, Luke, and I would like to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all of yalls work, time, effort, and gifts.  We appreciate it and you more than we can say. 
As our little guys entracne into this world approaches, we can't help but just be glad we have so many amazing people around us. 
Here are a few pics of some adorb gifts we recieved:

My BFF cousin has been working on this since September!  Isn't adorable!

And now to show you the impact Luke is making around the house!

He has stuff in every nook and cranny now a days!

This is all the stuff awaiting being put together.

So we have a busy week ahead of us at work, but we get to end the week with an early Christmas with my mom, dad, sister, and the kids!