Harper's Birth Story

When people tell you each child and each birth is different, they aren't kidding. I was set to be induced with Harper on June 8th. My doctor was leaving to go out of town the morning of May 31st, so we wanted to make sure I set an induction date when she got back. On Thursday, May 29th I went in for my 38 week appointment. I was dilated to a 3 and now about 90 percent effaced. Harper was sitting pretty low. My doctor decided to go ahead and strip my membranes in hopes that maybe that night I would go into labor on my own and she would be there to deliver. I went home after my appointment with absolutely no cramping. I was bummed! I really wanted this to work, but I was starting to lose hope. I kept telling myself to just be patient. The longer this baby cooked, the healthier (and more chunkier) she would be. Friday (May 30th) came around and Camden and I went about our normal business. I cleaned (because I was in full nesting mode), we ran errands, we played with toys, and read a few books.

I put Camden down for a late afternoon nap and decided to take I break myself. I was exhausted! I went to the bathroom and lost my mucus plug. I didn't want to get my hopes up that this could mean I would go into labor soon. But as the hour went by my contractions started to become pretty consistent. I timed them at about five minutes apart. I called the on call doctor and he proceeded to tell me that I was not in active labor and that if I came in most likely they would send me home. That's not exactly what a 38 week pregnant lady wants to hear. So, we went on with our night. John grilled up hamburgers, that literally I only ate 2 bites of because of the pain I was feeling. (later on I wish I would have ate more) The pain was mostly in my lower back and continued to get stronger as the night went on.

Around 10:30pm that evening I decided I really could not handle the pain anymore. At this point I decided that even if they sent me home I was going in to get checked. My mom came over to be with Camden and John and I headed to the hospital. They monitored me for four hours...and when they checked me at 3:00am I was still at a three...I was so frustrated! I was having contractions off the chart and very consistent, but wasn't progressing anymore. The nurses gave me the option to go home and wait it out or to go walk the hospital for an hour and then they would check me again. We chose to walk the hospital. We walked up and down stairs and the halls and finally about almost 4:00am I couldn't do it anymore. We headed back in, got hooked up to the monitor and they checked me...I FINALLY WAS A 4+ which meant I could be admitted. Then reality set in...we were going to have a baby that day. Harper was finally going to be here!

They admitted us and wheeled us down the delivery room. Once we were all settled in I received my epidural and thank goodness because the contractions were getting stronger and stronger and coming more often at this point. An hour or so passed and the on call doctor walked in to meet us, Dr. Hansen. I had actually met him the week prior on Memorial Day because I was cramping really bad and he had checked me to see if I dilated any further. My doctor of course was flying out of town that morning and would not be able to make it for the birth. We knew that would be what happened :), but we were optimistic that everything would go great with Dr. Hansen. He told us he had to run to Jordan Valley Hospital and that I needed to hold off for two hours :) He gave the nurses the order to start me on pitocin and he went ahead and broke my water. At this point I was dilated to a 5. I stayed there for the next hour or so, when they came and checked me again. At 8:30am I was now dilated to a 6.

I kept feeling my contractions on my left side pretty bad. They tried switching sides I was laying on, but said that possibly the epidural was taking more to my right side. The new anesthesiologist ( the previous one had gone home because his shift was over) came in and put a a higher dose in my IV to see if he could get my left side to numb up a bit. We found out later that he also put a dose of morphine in there, which was not relayed to John or I. The left side eventually went numb. I could still feel my left leg, but my right leg was history. I couldn't wiggle my toes or anything. I did not like that feeling at all.

I started to feel nauseous, which was a very familiar feeling. I felt this was with Camden, but knew that once everything was out of my system after birth, my body would adjust and I'd be fine. The anesiologist called in nausea medicine for my to take because he was worried that my spinal was going to come out and we wouldn't have enough time to administer another one. I felt okay about this because they were going to give my Zofran, which I had taken the first trimester of both pregnancies. I called the nurse to come take my barf bag (Yuck) and told her I was feeling a ton of pressure and wondered if she could check me again. We were all way surprised to hear that in only 45 minutes I had gone from a 6 to a 10! Harper was coming out with or without the doctor there! They called Dr. Hansen and he was on his way. For the next five minutes everyone rushed around preparing for Harper's birth, while I still was so so sick. Dr. Hansen showed up at 9:31am and Harper was born at 9:34am. I only pushed for three minutes! I pushed through one contraction, three times and there she was. They were guessing by the size of her head when she was crowning that she was a six pound baby. I didn't believe them! But sure enough when she came out, she was 6lbs. 11oz and 20 inches long. We held her, we cried, and I was able to do skin to skin with her.

There is nothing sweeter than to know your baby has made it safe and sound. Not that the worrying ever stops once they are hear, but it felt so good to finally see this cute girl and finally be able to hold her and love her. John watched her get weighed and cleaned up and kept saying "hi beautiful". It totally melted my heart and I know they're going to have one special father and daughter bond. I was in pure amazement that we had a baby that was so small. I for sure thought this pregnancy would be the same as the last and that I was having another 8 pound baby, but we sure were wrong!

Besides me still feeling pretty sick, Harper's birth was so easy! She came so quickly! I am so grateful the doctor was able to make it back in time. He did a fabulous Job, I mean after all he only had to be there for three minutes ;) Once they cleaned us all up, we started to get things ready to head to the recovery room. The nausea kept getting worse and worse at this point. We found out it was the morphine that was given to be by the anesthesiologist earlier that was causing it. I don't do well with strong drugs. I am a light weight and honestly the strongest thing I ever take at home is Tylenol. The nurse decided to call in another nausea medication. I was so sick and out of it at this point that I couldn't even answer for myself. They stuck a shot of Phenergan in my hip and off we went to recovery, where Camden and my parents waited for us. I kept telling John I didn't feel right and that if I started to talk funny or not look right to please tell the nurses. I could tell something was going on with my body and I didn't like the feeling.

Once we got into recovery we were able to see Camden and visit with him for a bit, but I was still feeling very sick and so my parents decided to take him home and come up later. I didn't want him to see me like that and wonder what was wrong with his mom. The next 30 minutes and really most of this day is somewhat of a blur. I remember breastfeeding Harper and next thing I knew I was throwing her into John's arms and telling him to get a doctor or nurse in the room immediately because I was dying.

It's hard to explain what the next 10 hours of my life was like...I also could probably write an novel about what happened next. The nurses ran in and my husband was scared to death wondering what was going on with me. I couldn't open my eyes, everything was black. Once I was able to see objects, everything was blurry. I needed to hold hands with people because if I didn't have a hold of something I felt like I was going to slip away and die. I felt like my throat was closing off, like I had no oxygen. My heart was pounding, I was shacking, and all I kept thinking was that my husband was going to be a single dad, I didn't get to say goodbye to Camden, and that Harper wouldn't know her mom. I wasn't ready to leave, this couldn't be my time to go, it just couldn't. I could hear everyone talking, but couldn't respond and actually know what I was saying. A nurse named Alisha was there. (tender mercy #1) I will never forget this wonderful lady. She talked to me, asked me questions, made me somewhat calm, and helped me get through one the scariest things I have ever gone through. She was an extra there that day and wasn't even supposed to be assigned to my room, but was because I needed help breastfeeding. They looked over my charts and discussed with John what medication had been given to me. John explained that first the morphine, which made me nauseous. So they gave me Zofran and Phenergan, The nurse immediately said I was having a severe reaction to the Phenergan and that they immediately needed to pump benedryl in me to counter act the medication. This had happened to her before ( Tender mercy #2) and effects about 5% of people who take it. She knew exactly what to do. At this point I was screaming, crying, and honestly did not know where I was. I didn't want anymore medication at this point. I felt like I was drugged up enough and that all anyone wanted to do was fill me up with nonsense drugs. Alisha reassured me that this would help ease the medication and help me get better. Once they gave me the benedryl I started to shack, which is what happens with Phenergan. I basically started to have mini seizures. My body finally started to settle down, but my mind was still not there. I was having panic attacked, anxiety set in, and worst of all hallucinations. They were so bad that I felt as if I was fighting Satan. He kept telling me I wasn't going to make it and that I should probably just give up. I would start crying and no one knew why because no one could obviously hear the stuff going on in my head. I had to tell myself that I was going to be okay, that I need to sing church songs in my head to help fight Satan. I randomly in the midst of all of this asked for a blessing (tender mercy #3) Alisha called a doctor who was working that day to come and give me a blessing with John. She had ran into him earlier that day and he said if she needed anything to let him know. It was within the next couple of hours that she was calling him to come up and give me a blessing (tender mercy #4) I cried the entire time I was receiving a blessing. Every single person in the room was. I don't remember hardly anything that was mentioned in the blessing that John gave me, but the words, "please give Randi the strength to get through this". (tender mercy #5) I needed those words. I knew that the Lord would help me get through this. All I wanted was to feel normal again, to be able to open my eyes, to be able to see my family, and to be able to hold and enjoy these moments with my new daughter. For the next eight or so hours of my life I went in and out of hallucinations, panic attacks, and anxiety. One minute I'd be fine and the next I was crying and screaming because "it" was coming back again. I so wish I could explain what "it" was, but I hope i never have to endure that again. That nurse Alisha stayed all day long and took care of me, she didn't leave my side. (tender mercy #6) The Lord new I needed her that day. I am convinced that is why she was called into work and why she was supposed to be assigned the girl in the room next me, but at the last minute was told she would be assigned to my room. I will never be able to fully explain this experience, or the closeness I felt with my Heavenly Father, but I know he was there by my side and I know that without him I would have not got through this experience as easily. By 8:00pm I was starting to feel somewhat normal, I was able to open my eyes and to have conversations with my family. John told me he was so scared. He cried, I cried and I of course joked that it was good to know he cared so much about me ;)

At this point my body was done, I was done. I was so tired from all the medication and stuff I had been through that day. I was going on 36 hours with no sleep and so was John. He went home and got some rest and came back at midnight. My mom came up while he was gone and loved on Harper while I tried to get some rest. I was still feeling scared to be alone at that point. but that too started to wear off. I got to snuggle with my baby and feel normal again during the night (tender mercy #7) I had never felt more blessed to be back to myself and to sit with John and Harper in that room and know that I was going to be okay.

Sleep that night was okay. I was so tired that my body had a hard time shutting down. But the next morning I was up and feeling 100 million times better. I got in the shower, cleaned up, visited with all the doctors, and we decided since Harper and myself were doing okay that we would go ahead and go home. I wanted to be out of that hospital and especially that room. I wanted to sleep in my own bed that night.

Since we came home on June 1st, We have been adjusting to our new life of being a family of four. Camden has taken a little longer to adjust then John and I ;) which was totally expected. We love our little Harper and are so grateful for her sweet sweet spirit in our home. I have joked that I was given such an easy birth with her because what happened after was sure an adventure! I am grateful for these trials and hardships as silly as it sounds. It sure strengthened my testimony that day. I know the Lord loves me and cares for me. I guess I needed a reassurance of that :)

Five days after returning home, I ran to Harmon's to get a few items, while John stayed home with Harper and Camden. When I was getting ready to head to the check out, I had a lady tap me on the shoulder and say I know you, where do I know you from? I turned around and my eyes immediately began to fill with tears. It was Alisha. (tender mercy #8) She didn't fully recognize me because my hair was done and I had make-up on :) I told her I was the crazy one she took care of at the hospital. She said well, I get a lot of crazies ha ha. I told her I was the one who had the side effects to Phenergan. She started to cry and gave me a huge hug! She said You look so beautiful! I needed to see you today...the Lord knew I need to see you like this...all better and back to normal. The lord also knew I needed to see Alisha that day. I needed closer from this entire experience. For those five days I couldn't talk about my experience because every time I started to I had flash backs, I would feel anxiety. Seeing Alisha that day gave me the strength I needed to overcome my feelings about what had happened and be able to talk about it. (tender mercy #9) The Lord knows us, each of us. How wonderful it is to know that :)

More Pics of Harper

Introducing Harper Mae

Harper Mae made her debut on Saturday, May 31st at 9:34am. She is much smaller than her brother was, weighing in at 6lbs. 11oz, but is the same length he was, 20 inches :)

I'll be back for a birth story, but for now we are just loving on this little angel :)

Week 37-38

37 Weeks

 38 Weeks

Today I am 38 Weeks pregnant and definitely ready to have this baby girl! We don't have too much longer...12 days at the most! Everyday I have to tell myself I can do this. My body and my mind are done. I'd be lying if I didn't say I thought she'd be here by now...or I at least hoped she would have come this last weekend :) I had my 37 week appointment last Thursday and found out I did progress a little more and am now dilated to a 3 and am 75% effaced. That's how far I was when I was induced with Camden at 39w4d. So, I guess I was hoping that because I dilated quicker this time that Harper might come sooner...and she still could, but we are fine if she decides to wait until June 8th. I have tried to induce labor by doing a lot of walking and trying a few other things, but honestly I am feeling pretty good for being 38 weeks pregnant, so I am guessing she is going to stay put. I feel very blessed to carry my babies full term and that they are healthy and chunky! I am going to try and focus on that for the next 12 days instead of getting down that she isn't here yet. We are lucky to get her forever, so 12 days won't kills us.

I really have no idea what to expect with two kids, but I do know I am ready to jump in feet first. I know the first little bit will be an adjustment, but I am so excited to see this little girl fit right into our family. I am feeling overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity to have two children. Camden has been such a blessing and I know Harper will be too.

I've been having the typical pregnancy symptoms that you have this late in the game...braxton hicks, cramping, waddling, peeing seven million times at night, exhaustion, hot flashes, etc. I have actually slept better than expected though, so I am taking full advantage of that. My cravings have basically consisted of chocolate or sugar of any kind and pebble ice...we bought a whole bag from Ice Berg and I finished it off all by myself. I finally started to put on weight again at my last appointment. I don't think I have ever wanted to see the numbers go up, but I had not gained weight for about two-three weeks, so when I saw that the scale read 142, I felt much better. I'm right on track to end where I did with Camden. I wear maternity clothes everyday...actually mostly just maxi skirts and dresses. Most of my maternity bottoms are tight on the bottom of my belly because Harper has dropped. Right now it's all about being comfy and it's been really hot here, so the less layers the better. My belly button is completely flat and I still don't have any stretch marks. My baby girl is getting big and if I had to guess how much she will weigh when she is born I'd say 7lbs 13oz. I can't wait to meet her!

My next appointment is this Friday. Doc will strip my membranes and if that doesn't work, then June 8th it is! She is going to be out of town from May 31st- June 7th, so if I do end up going into labor over those dates, I will be giving birth with one of the other doctors in her office. We are looking forward to the day when she is finally here. Everything is ready so we'll take her whenever she decides to come.

Baby Harper's Nursery

Picking out a name for baby girl was a LONG process. It took a lot longer than naming Camden. I thought naming a girl would be so easy because we had some many names we liked. I liked a lot more names than John, but there were two names that we both loved and contemplated for many months. These two names were Kennedy and Harper. Kennedy came about from a cute little girl we know and just thought it was such a cute name. I have loved the name Harper from reading a favorite blog called littlebabygarvin.blogspot.com for the past two years, but never mentioned it to John because I didn't think he'd like it. One day he came home from work and said he heard the name we should name our daughter...HARPER :) Narrowing it down to these two names was a BIG task and we knew narrowing it down to what baby girls name would actually be would be an even BIGGER task. There were times we thought maybe we would just put the two names in a bowl and let Camden decide what he wanted to name his little sister because John and I loved both names so much. 

After getting a 3d/4d ultrasound at 30 weeks, we decided on HARPER MAE :) She looks just like a Harper to us. I'm sure she would have looked like whatever we chose though. It's been fun calling her Baby Harper and Baby Sister Harper for the past two months. We can't wait to meet this little girl and wonder everyday what her little personality will be like. I'm glad we were able to finally decide on a name. Our families started to think she wouldn't be named until she arrived :) So did we!

Here is a tour of Harper's Nursery...

Harper, your dad deserves a BIG shout out for this beautiful room of yours. Sure, I did a lot of the decorating, but your dad did the technical stuff like the gorgeous design on the wall, the painting of the walls, your crib and side table, the bird vinyl, hanging up your bookshelves and the beautiful chandelier. Mom got to do all the fun stuff! There has been a lot of love put into this baby girl nursery and we can't wait to see you in it. We hope you'll love it as much as we do ( and as much as your big brother Camden does.) He's been keeping all your books and stuffed animals company until your arrival :)

Week 35-36

Tomorrow I will be 36 weeks! So, I am glad I was able to squeeze in a 35 week 6 day pic before another week in this pregnancy has come and gone. I kind of feel like time is standing still, but I know baby girl will be here before we know it. This past week has been full of a whole lot of emotions....I feel like I need to spend every waking moment with Camden and soak in all his toddler cuteness. I don't want John to go to work, I just want to spend the entire day with my little family. Anytime I start to think about the life changes that are going to take place in less than I month I start to just about cry. Not because I am sad, because I seriously feel so blessed. The Lord sure has given me a great life and I just can't seem to contain myself. I know that life is going to be VERY different, but really I can't wait for the day to meet this little girl and add one more adorable baby to our family. I've been thinking back a lot lately about the stages we have had with Camden so far and I look forward to doing it all over again :) Even the sleepless nights! Because along with those nights comes the best snuggles and the itty bitty baby that doesn't last very long. 

I had an appointment last Thursday and found out I am dilated to a one and baby girl is hanging pretty low. The doc could feel her head :) We are getting down to the final weeks and she was very happy with my progression. My induction is officially set for June 8th if she decides not to come before that. I didn't put on any weight and stayed at 139. I may not end up gaining as much as I did with Camden. I guess it all depends when she decides to come. I go back to see my doc next Thursday the 22nd and they will check me again and if all goes planed I will get my membranes striped. 

One thing I definitely looking forward to after birth is clothes shopping! My maternity clothes are being uncomfortable and I just really need a new ward rode all around. John asked what I wanted for Mother's Day and I told him to hold off and let me go shopping for my birthday and I'll just combine all the holidays ha ha. I am looking forward to that day I can wear normal clothes again. I still do not have any stretch marks and my my belly button can be seen through my shirts, but is getting flatter and flatter. 

I've been managing to sleep pretty well this last part of pregnancy. I wake up an average of six times a night to go to the bathroom, but I am getting some rest, so that is most important. I am having a lot harder time getting out of bed and rolling side to side though. I've been pretty exhausted lately and have found myself napping sometimes during the day when Camden is. I know when his sister gets here we'll be taking a family nap during the day for sure. I am hoping and praying I can get her sleep trained like I did with Camden. 

Some pregnancy symptoms this past week have consisted of migraines (one of the worst one's I have ever experienced), exhaustion, no energy, my acne is all the sudden back, and crazy pregnancy emotions. 

This little girl moves all the time. Sometimes her movements look more like belly rolls and I occasionally will get a sharp jab in my rib or bladder, but like I have said I am going to miss having her so close, so I am enjoying it. Not many cravings this week...The only really craving was I wanted breakfast for dinner last night, so we went to IHop. 

Baby girls nursery is all complete! Her clothes and blankets have been washed. Her car seat is all ready to be installed. The only thing not done is hospital bags being packed. That is one the list of things to get done this week. We decided on a name a couple of weeks ago have been calling her it lately :) We'll announce it when I do her nursery tour, which I also plan on getting done and posting this week. 

We are ready for you baby girl! Whenever you want to come...

Pregnancy update

Yes, I have slacked oh so much with pregnancy updates for the past month! That's what happens when you get this bright idea to open up and Etsy shop when your 30 weeks pregnant. I'm happy to report that it has kept me busy though and has really made time go quickly...for the most part. We are so close to meeting our little girl. I can't believe we'll be a family of four so soon. I will be mommy to two little babes. So crazy to think about. 

Exactly 34 Weeks

This was on Easter. I felt like I giant green jelly bean, but still decided I better take a picture.

I had my 33 Week appointment last week and everything is looking great. I am currently weighing in at 139. My clothes don't fit and I pretty much want to live in sweats all the time...This baby girl is growing and getting so big in there. She's running out of room and her movements have become more like sharp jabs. I'm going to miss this though :) I know that from last time. I know I am going to miss the constant movement in there. 

I am happy to report I still don't have any stretch marks. People have commented that I am smaller this time around, but I don't feel smaller. I actually feel like I am right where I was with Camden. Wonder if that means we will have another big baby on our hands. My belly button has been out for most of this pregnancy...like the type you can totally see through a shirt! It recently went flat as a pancake. That's how I can tell baby girl is definitely bigger. 

My sleep has been interesting...I have good nights and I have bad nights. I have managed to find what works for me most nights and even though I get up every couple of hours (or every hour some times) I still mange to get sleep. Four to eight in the morning seem to be my best hours...but lately I have been waking up and just sitting there, thinking of the million things I need to get done :) 

I don't know what it is, but I hardly have any cravings with this pregnancy. I kind of just eat to eat. I feel sick if I don't eat when I am suppose to and have been suffering from migraines when I've waited too long. NOT FUN! But like I have said...I'll always take sugar :) Other symptoms I have had is exhaustion, oh and my patience is running low. It is very hard to have an active 17 month old and a very large belly. I wish so badly I could keep up with Camden, but he wares me right out. Good thing he is okay to sit on the couch and read books :) Going to the grocery store just about kills me! I have opted to stay home most days lately, which is totally not me! We are always on the go, but recently when I have thought about running any errands, I quickly change my mind :) I know that just by walking in and out of the store I'll need to sit down and take a break, and possibly a nap. I've been making Camden walk a lot more and hold hands. I feel guilty sometimes because I feel like I am making him grow up too fast, but I don't have a choice. In a couple of short weeks he'll have to walk next to me while I have the car seat in the other arm :) 

My doctor asked last week if I had been experiencing any braxton hicks or consistent contractions and at the time I said no because really I haven't had many...these last couple of days have been very different. I have had some consistent contractions and lots of tightening in my tummy. I know my body is getting ready :) Luckily the contractions haven't lasted longer than an hour. We don't need a 35 week scare like we had with Camden. Baby girl at least needs to stay put until 37 weeks.

My doctor told me at my last appointment that she is going to check me at 35 weeks for any progress since that was when I started to dilate with Camden. At 37 weeks she is going to strip my membrane and see if she can get things moving. She is going out of town from May 31st to June 7th. So, if I don't go on my own while she is gone I will be induced on June 8th :) I am nervous if I go while she is gone, but at that point if I do go into labor I am sure everything will work out great. It would definitely be ideal if I could have baby girl before she leaves :) 

I am feeling so anxious and like this is so surreal that I am going to have another baby. I can't wait to see her and especially have her fit right into our family. I am so excited to see her with John and especially her big brother Camden. My heart melts thinking about it. I can't wait to bond with her and love her and cuddle her. We're going to be the best of friends, I just know it :) Just like me and my mom. 

I am looking forward to getting all her little clothes washed and ready in these next couple of weeks. Her nursery is just about there, and just to feel extra prepared I want to get hospital bags all ready to go and a bag for Camden, just in case we are hit with a surprise labor and need to get him somewhere quickly. Luckily the hospital I am delivering at is five minutes away and if we forget anything, my dear sweet husband can come get it :) 

Not too much longer :) We can't wait!!

30 weeks!!!!

Wahoo to 30 weeks!!! Do I really only have two more months?! It seems so close and yet so far away. I'm hoping in a way it will go fast and also I'm scared at the same time. We really can't wait to meet this little girl though. I've noticed it's becoming more and more real lately...I sometimes think I need to pinch myself and wake up from this dream I am living in. I have been feeling so grateful to be having a baby girl and to already have a fun, spunky, energetic boy. Babies really are miracles. I get emotional thinking about it. I can't wait for the first time we lock eyes with each other. I know it'll be so special because it was with Camden. I know what to expect this time and the anticipation is about to kill me.

I had a doctor's appointment this week and everything went great. My pain from last week has gone away. We still aren't sure what is was, but my doctor said it could possibly be a Kidney stone. If the pain comes back I am to go back to the ER and labor and delivery. Lets hope it's gone for good though. Baby girls heartbeat sounded great and as far as weight...I am weighing in at 136! Exactly the same weight I was with Camden at 30 weeks. I'll take it :) I am definitely wearing maternity clothes. I don't look forward to getting dressed everyday i'm not going to lie. This could be from the lack of clothes I have that actually fit me right now, or the fact I don't want to buy more maternity clothes so my choices are very limited. Mostly i just hang out in leggings at home all day if I have no where to go. Soon i'll probably just live in some of John's basketball shorts because that kind of stuff is all I am comfortable in.

I am happy to report I have no stretch marks, but wonder everyday how my skin will continue to stretch. My belly button is disappearing, which means baby girl is growing :) I was pleasantly surprised how well I slept this last week. I actually got some shut eye without my normal hip and leg pains. I am going to guess it's because baby girl made the turn and is no head down. I can actually breath a little better at night, but do find myself getting up a lot more to go pee. I am no longer using my pregnancy pillow. It's like mt tummy is getting so big I can just balance on my side at night, so i don't really need anything to prop my body up against. If i need something I just stuff pillows all around me. My pregnancy pillow makes me feel to enclosed...same thing happened with Camden towards the end. It's so weird! You think I would need it now more than ever.

My symptoms have been the normal stuff that comes along with the third trimester. I am exhausted and run out of breath just from walking down the hall :) I've had  stuffy nose at night lately, and like I said, I am peeing a lot. There is no way to hold it. when I have to go, I have to go! I've had some back pain, indigestion, and crampy feet. But over all I am doing pretty good this week and happy to report that I haven't had nearly the amount of Braxton Hicks with this little girl like I did with Camden.

Baby girl moves all the time.She is such an active baby and thought sometimes her little jabs hurt, I love them and I especially love when John can see and feel her move. She is running out of room and I hate to break this to her, but it's only going to get tighter in there :)

I can't really think of any real cravings I have. I am actually finding it hard to eat sometimes because all my organs are squished. I kinda just eat to eat. I'll always take sugar though...that's a given :)

We are just about ready for baby girl to come. She still needs some essentials like burp clothes, bibs, diapers, bottles. Oh and a name...ha ha. But her nursery is just about there and there are a few projects I'd like to get done around the house before she gets here. We went to Fetal Fotos this week for a 4d ultrasound and she didn't really want us to see her and the umbilical was right in her face, so I get to go back this next week again. We did see a little of her face. I think she is going to look just like her brother. I am hoping we will get a good look at her so we can try to narrow down a name for her. There are a few personalized things I want to do in her nursery, so hopefully we'll know what to name her soon. We love you baby girl and can't wait to welcome you into this world and into our family.

Here's to another week!

A New Etsy Shop!

My friend Kayla and I opened up an Etsy Shop! Go check out our products and follow us on Instagram @ivymaeboutique for giveaways and special Fantastic Friday Deals :)

www.ivymaeboutique.etsy.com

27- 29 Weeks!

Well...here we have it! Another couple of weeks have gone by :) 

I am exactly 29 weeks today! Keeping up with these pregnancy updates is kicking my butt! I am at least proud of myself for taking pictures almost every week. I can't believe I have made it to my third trimester. Time has sure gone fast, but now I really wish it would still go fast because I am VERY uncomfortable. Today I got a day all to myself at home because baby girl decided to ring in my 29th week with making us take a trip to Labor and Delivery. I was having (and still am) excruciating pain on the right side of my abdomen. I was getting nauseous from the pain and really hadn't felt like myself yesterday. They did a lo of blood work and didn't find anything abnormal except I had a little blood in my urine, which typically means you have a UTI. This does not feel like that all all, but I will be taking an antibiotic even if the pain isn't related to that because I do apparently have a UTI. The on call doctor said I could possibly have a hernia, which are very common in pregnancy, but there is absolutely nothing they can do for those. So pretty much I left the hospital with no answers except for the reassurance that it was not my appendix. Camden got shipped to my mother in law today and I made up for the sleep I have been lacking. I've still got the pain, but today it has been more of a burning muscle pain, so maybe i pulled a muscle of something...it's a mystery!

My last appointment I found out I don't have gestational diabetes! It was such a relief to hear that and even a bigger relief that I didn't have to do the three hour test. I was so sick from not eating by the time they did my blood work. I made sure to make a stop at McDonald's on the way home. An egg mcmuffin never tasted so good! I don't have low iron either, so that's good, but my thyroid was way off, so they put me on a higher dose of my medication. I also got weighed and at 27 weeks I was weighing in at 134, so 9 lbs. up from my pre-pregnancy weight of 125. I have been wearing maternity clothes everyday now. I'm not sure I would even attempt squeezing into normal jeans. That does not even sound comfortable and at this point, comfort is the most important thing :) I still don't have any stretch marks and my belly button is still poking out and also flattening at the same time. I'm not sure how my tummy will stretch anymore the next 10 weeks.

My sleep has been yucky for the past couple of weeks and I hate to say it, but it's not going to get any better from here on out. I have excepted that now...I think. My hips hurt a lot at night, or I'll get really bad cramps in my legs. My doctor said my iron levels are fine, so it's just aches and pains of pregnancy causing those. Baby girl is still breach I think, so i am still finding it hard to get air at night. I've been propping myself up and that seems to be helping a little. Some other symptoms I have been having is braxton hicks, round ligament pains, nausea, exhaustion, etc. all the lovely things that come with being in my third trimester. We are almost there though :) and thank goodness. Chasing around a toddler with a big belly is a lot of work! 

I know I say this every week, but baby girl is a mover! She moves so much in my tummy all the time. She definitely wants it known that she is in there. I've even noticed that she'll respond to certain loud noises sometimes. There have been a couple of times that she gets herself stuck in weird positions because she moves so much. Those are painful for me, but honestly I know I am going to miss it, so I am trying to enjoy all the jabs and kicks I feel from her. 

I haven't had an real cravings these last couple of weeks because I have been nauseous again. Not as bad as the first trimester that's for sure, but I have actually thrown up a couple of times from upset stomachs and laying down. Baby girl is pushing all my organs up, and I have heard this is all pretty normal with the third trimester. I don't remember getting sick with Camden again this early on. I remember it was closer to my due date. It's true that no two pregnancies are alike :) I've still been loving sugar though :) 

I am looking forward to our next appointment in a week. And instead of going in monthly, I will now start to go in every two weeks. We really don't have long at all until we meet this little girl. We are so excited to get her here. Her nursery is just about complete and I have everything I need if she came tomorrow (but we don't want that to happen :)) I am still feeling nervous about having a 18 month old and a newborn, but honestly, we are just going to go with the flow and work things out as we need to :) I know it'll all work out. 

Here's to another week (or a couple of weeks until I update again) 

25 & 26 Weeks

Okay I am not going to lie...I have forgotten a few times just how far along I am. This would have never happened with Camden because, really it was all I had to think about. Now, my mind (and body) are running around a million miles an hour, so I do tend to forget just how far along I am in this pregnancy. I also lacked in another week of pregnancy updates, and that might just be the norm from here on out. I am exhausted and when Camden is down for a nap, so is mom. And when Camden goes to bed at night...well I am about there too.

So...Here I am at 25 Weeks

And here I am at 26 weeks and 5 Days ( almost 27)

A lot has happened in the past two weeks. John and I got to go to my first appointment with my new doctor and can I just say switching to her was one of the best decisions I have ever made. She remembered me from five years ago the minute she walked in the door. She made us feel comfortable and reassured me that she is there to provide us with the best care. I go back tomorrow for my glucose test, blood work, and another visit with her. Lets hope I pass :) Her nurse also called me after receiving all my paperwork and ultrasounds and told me that our baby girl looks healthy and not be alarmed that my previous doctor thought I might have gestational diabetes because her abdominal circumference was measuring larger. Both my new doctor and the nurse looked over her measurements and said everything looks great. So pretty much I have been a big ball of worry for the past month for nothing!

I got weighed at my last appointment and was surprised to only see the scale say 131.6. I guess I thought I had put on a lot more weight than that. I am on track to gain as much weight as I did with Camden. Hey, I'll take it :) I'll also be very happy if it comes off as fast as it did with Camden. I luckily don't have any stretch marks, but my goodness my tummy feels like it is huge! My belly button is still somewhat sticking out and flattening all at the same time. 

My sleep has been...bad. That's the honest truth. I no longer sleep even two hours at a time. It seems that I am up every couple of hours and I toss and turn all night. I also can't sleep due to the fact I can not breathe at night. Baby girls head in stuck right up under my rib and it is making it hard to get air at night. Other symptoms include braxton hicks, crazy emotions, back pain, and exhaustion.

This little girl can wiggle...a lot. She is constantly moving! Some of her movements have become painful and I can definitely tell she is running out of room in there. I am hoping by our next ultrasound that she'll turn her little body because my bladder has become a trampoline for her gymnastic routines. I do love feeling her move so much though because it is always a good reminder that everything is okay and that she is in there. I don't know when babies start to get hiccups, but I swear I have felt a lot of those too.  

Food cravings...I want sugar! How bad is that!? I crave everything like cookies, ice cream, graham cracker crumbles on strawberries with wipe cream, cereal, Coke, and the list goes on. Everything in moderation right?! I am happy to report that I haven't had an heartburn. That probably means we will have another bald baby :) 

I am so grateful that we have made it another week. This pregnancy really is amazing to me and I am still amazed at how fast it has gone. It is so hard for me to believe that this little girl came on her own without the help of doctors. It reassures me more and more everyday that she is suppose to be a part of our little family at this time and that this is when Heavenly Father wanted her to come to this earth. We feel very blessed to be her parents and bring her into our crazy (but fun) life. I just know her and Camden will be the best of friends even if it does take Camden a little bit of time to warm up. I am sooo nervous to be a mommy to a 18 months old and a newborn, but I know with some time we will all adjust. 

Here's to another week, and my fruit punch glucose test!