week 38.. still hanging in there!

Today marks 38 weeks. The last few weeks havent been so bad, but I guess with a possible 2 weeks left.. there is still time for the tears and feelings of being pregnant forever to come!
I really am still content with being pregnant. I am not terribly uncomfortable..maybe because I have only gained 20 pounds, which doesnt sound like too much being at the end of the pregnancy road, but it really does get heavy when the baby has dropped (which Finley has). It feels like a big brick stitting on your pelvic bone..lots of pressure and its the worst when you have to pee in the middle of the night..talk about a waddle!! and perhaps the worst about him being so low is that the inside of my legs kill so bad sometimes that I nearly fall to the ground..I have actually fallen to the ground in pain. I am not sure exactly what it is, but its the inner part of my leg where the inner thigh meets the pubic bone.. it feels like it is being ripped off!!!!! I certainly WILL NOT miss that!

Yesterday, we had our car seats re installed at the fire station. I am pretty obsessed with the Mxi Cosi line and zach and I each have one for the car.. his will transition from infant to a 70 pound toddler and mine is a great infant carrier. Its funny to be so excited about car seats, but I cant help it! Car seats are exciting!!

I didnt think I would ever be a woman who would miss a single thing about being pregnant, but last night..for the first time, I really held on tight to the feeling it gave me to have Zach roll over and put his hand on my stomach. I realized that it wont happen for much longer and it only happens for such a short period of your life that I really cherished that moment. You cant really put into words the feeling you get when you feel your baby moving and your husbands hand there as well. Its one of the best feelings in the world and my little family just feels so safe and sweet when we lay like that. I think that is the thing I will miss the most, having everyone right there on me so content and safe!

The other thing I will miss is how freaking nice people are to pregnant women! Its insane!!! I was never nice to a pregnant person.. I always kind of dodged them.. thought they were pretty gross if you ask me. So I was really caught off guard at the amount of people that are drawn to you and then want to be super nice as well! Its just mind boggling! I will miss all that special treatment! Even my crazy satanic boss cant resist being extra nice to me since I am pregnant. If it didnt suck so bad and result in a child, I may just stay pregnant forever. I sort of understand that bat shit crazy Duggard family now....

Now, Finelys arrival. Christmas didnt happen. Thats ok, didnt want it to. Tonight is New years eve and I am not feeling in a laboring mood. I dont feel like today is the day. I think he will be much closer to his due date, if not late! If he hits January 18 and I get a choice to induce...I REALLY want 1/23/12. I am super weird about numbers being in an order and I really like the way 1/23/12 looks! Its strange, but I am drawn to this date and kind of need it... So hold out Finley, I have a good feeling about the 23rd!

Week 37

The countdown is ON! We officially have 19 days left until Finleys due date!!! Its so crazy to think that we are SO close! We have been told that I probably wont make it until my due date, but the closer it gets, the more I think he may just come on time or be a little late! I am fine with being pregnant for 19 more days.. I honestly have a good bit of stuff left to do before I feel like everything is 100% in place!
I am not overwhelmed or anxious really (today). If the baby came, he has more than enough stuff to last him his entire first year, but the stuff just isnt ogranized! That will come! I am placing my last restoration hardware order today for organizational things.. bookshelf, hanging shelves, etc.. once that is all in I can finally organize!

I had my stiches removed last Wednesday and everything went great! we arrived at the hospital around 5 am and got settled in. The IV was once again, the worst part! Those stupid nurses literally stuck me 4 times before deciding to call an anesteseologist to come put it in!!! what  a nightmare! I was a little worried and nervous before surgery, but with the help of some fetanoyl I didnt care if they cut my legs off and glued them back on at that point!! I will be requesting fetanoyl on the hour, every hour until my sweet Finn arrives!! My stiches were out in literally 5 minutes and I stayed numb for a good 4-5 hours. Some pretty crazy stuff happened swelling wise that I wont even write down because its just too graphic!!! I was dilated to 1 cm and 50% effaced... My doctor and nurse figured I would go into labor in the next 2 weeks.. sometime in my 38th week, but really... who KNOWS!? Once again, no rush. I am not terribly uncomfortable and the symptoms that do suck, I have adapted! I have been losing what I think is my mucous plug the last few days. Its pretty gross, but also exciting that something is happening!!

We celebrated christmas for what feels like an entire week now! My mom and sister and aunt kitty and Uncle Mike came to town Saturday and we exchanged gifts and had a lovely sit down prime rib dinner.  My sister and husband went out and I went on to bed! 9 months pregnant isnt a great look for the bar! Zach hadnt been out in awhile and I swear it took him 2 full days to recover! I was happy that he really blew it out with all his friends before Finley arrives!
We did christmas eve at his grandmas house and exchanged gifts there as well and had pot roast! We spent the entire christmas day at Zachs parents house. It was relaxing and laid back...until 6 more relatives showed up with a dog and the place got a bit hectic! Hectic is not something you like at 9 months pregnant! But thats family and it was great to be around so many family members!! As far as gifts, zach and I racked up this year! we got so much money and presents for the baby! It was nice because Zach and I decided not to exchange gifts this year. There wasnt anything either of us wanted or needed and with the baby being sio close, we just didnt feel like messing with christmas this year!! We didnt even put out a single decoration! We know next year will be a big year for christmas gifts and decor so we let this one slide!!

I am looking forward to finishing out these last few days or weeks of pregnancy! I just cant believe that at the end of all of this, we get to bring home a baby! It just seems surreal. I am not really sure what exactly it all entails and what it will bring to our daily lives, but to say I am excited is an understatement. I love this little guy so very much and cant wait for all of us to get to know each other!

The home stretch!!!! 36 weeks!

Happy 1 year anniverseary from Perdido Key and our official last vacation before the nugget!

I was 36 weeks yesterday and am feeling every single bit of it. I weighed in at 155 yesterday, giving me an exact 20 pound weight gain so far. I know my 25 pound weight gain for the entire pregnancy is realistic now being that I only have about 3 weeks left... how much damage could we really do in 3 weeks, right!? Fingers crossed!!!
Zach and I went out of town this weekend- back to the condo in Perdido for one last vacation before I cant travel anymore! It was a great weekend just being away, but I started having a lot of back pain when I woke up Saturday and here it is Tuesday and its still lingering! It hurts to cough, sneeze, laugh, tie my shoes...the list just goes on. Back pain in the third trimestester is a fucking bitch!!!
I was in so much pain yesterday that I went in to see my doctor... I am 1 cm dilated and my cervix is at a 1.8. My stiches come out tomorrow morning. I am hoping I just go ahead and dilate and have this baby!! He is weighing in at 6 pounds 10 ounces... sounds plenty big to me! Surely he is cooked enough to come on out! We did my first cervical check yesterday- it wasnt bad, but I did cramp and contract throughout the night! It seemed to intensify my back and stomach pain. We timed contractions for about an hour and they were anywhere from 7-14 minutes apart, but never got stronger or consistent so I went on to sleep. I woke up still having random contractions- I am sure they are just the Braxton Hicks contractions, but they are becoming a bit uncomfortable!
Basically, I am done with being pregnant. I ve had it. I am feeling defeated lately and that seems to be an odd emotion because this isnt a race or a game.. I still need to be pregnant for a few more weeks, but everything just hurts and defeat is really the only word I can come up with to describe my feelings lately.
I guess I need to just chill out and relax because either way, we really dont have THAT much longer to wait.I go in for my cerclage removal tomorrow morning at 5 am and really anything can happen from there! My prediction is a christmas baby, a new years baby, or a baby that is 2 weeks past his due date!!! I am really hoping for my first two guesses!
Finley, baby, please please please dont linger past your due date, ok? Early would be great..on time would be ok, but late will just be unacceptable! I love you and am ready to play!


9 months..yep, bikini and all!



week 35



my big ole foot.. 34 w 3 days! weighing in at 5lbs 12 ounces


Week 35 was uneventful. I was tired from the long weekend that we had and really just did a lot of laying around all weekend! Friday night zach and I got a dozen doughnuts from Krispy Creme and laid on the couch watching movies! I literally slept until 12:30 on Saturday, which I havent done in months! Heartburn still sucks and I am getting tired again mid day. We had our doctor appointment on 12/5 and Finley is weighing in at 5 pounds 12 ounces! Healthy little thing! I am weighing in at 153 and just pounds away from hitting the 20 pound mark!!! BREATHE!
lately, I have found a new obsession that has helped pass my time and pregnancy blues... dressing Jose up in Finleys clothes and placing him in his crib and bassinet for photo sessions! It makes me so happy and I laugh so hard I typically pee my pants! Jose is so funny and really doesnt mind it at all! He even started to doze off in the bassinet! Hilarious! I promise to wash and clean everything before Finley arrives!!!!

hello from the womb! nice and cozy!

cutest thing ever!!!!!

week 34

baby shower! 35 weeks!

                                                          

Week 34 was so busy and kind of rough! I have been having a lot of sciatic nerve pain! Finley sits right on that nerve that causes my leg to get the sharp pains! On top of that, I have gotten my first case of swelling! I came home from work and after running around the house, my calves in both of my legs were so swollen and gross! They looked like elephant legs! After a hot bath, laying on my left side, and 2 huge glasses of water..the swelling went down! Heartburn is still worse than ever and I cannot wait until the days when I dont suffer from it anymore!!! I am still peeing on myself when I cough, laugh, sneeze and its actually gotten worse!!! Probably the worst thing so far was throwing up and peeing on myself at the same time. haha..oh well at least I was home!!!!
My appetite has really decreased this week..I get full so fast now! A few bites of something and I am DONE! So I am really focusing on eating healthy snacks every few hours to keep my blood sugar and energy levels up and make sure Finley is getting enough nutrients! I weighed 152.8 this morning. Less than a pound weight gain this week, but thats ok!
Zach and I had a wonderful weekend! We had a wedding in New Orleans on Saturday and stayed at the Ritz. I really overdid it walking around that day and by the time we got to the hotel my legs were swollen and sore! The wedding was a beautiful black tie event and although I was very pregnant, it felt really good to get out all dressed up and socialize.
We drove to Biloxi Sunday morning for our baby shower. We had a wonderful turn out and got so many wonderful gifts for Finley! I managed to squeeze my fat ass into a size 6 vera wang couture dress. My pregnancy is now complete and I give myself full permission to gain the rest of my baby weight! I got into the dress, though tight, got some pictures, but had to unzip it to open gifts!!!! Luckily everyone there understood my pain and gladly accomodated me!!

Our nursery is coming together really nicely! His crib, bedding, rug, dresser and rocking chair are in and set up. The walls and windows are still totally bare, but wont be for long and we have to order a bookshelf! I am just in love with all of his stuff and cannot wait to show him his little room! Its sweet and chic and totally peaceful! I am going to have one spoiled little man!

Work in progress!

Week 33

                                


Week 33 was pretty good! I got off of work a half day on Wednesday and was off the rest of the week for Thanksgiving..it was a nice break, but I started to get a little sad and stir crazy being in so much! Every year since Ive been like 15, thanksgiving break has been my favorite time to get out and see friends, catch up with people at the local bars (not at 15 more like 18 for bars), nurse my hangover, and then eat lots of food! I didnt realize how sad it would make me to not be able to get out and go to the bars this year!!! Its been a 10 year tradition that just didnt feel quite right missing this year ! Its not that I wanted to be out drinking, its the spirit of the holidays and seeing everyone out that I was really missing! Some people you see during the holidays that you dont see all year long! Needless to say, I was moping around feeling pretty sorry for myself! Zach was so sweet and only went out one night with his friends.. I was on the verge of tears when he left, but I knew I had to pull it together and let him enjoy the holiday bars even though I couldnt! I put up with one night of him going, but the mention of him going out a second night literally brought me to tears and he stayed in and watched Christmas Vacation with me-now thats a good husband!!

Thanksgiving itself was wonderful and thanks to phenegran I ate an entire plate of food and didnt feel bad at all!!!

My sister and her boyfriend came to town on Friday and we had a lazy, food filled weekend just hanging out and watching movies! It was perfect and just what I needed!

My heartburn is still awful and I keep reminding myself-just a few more weeks! Weeks sound like years though when you have an acid reflux attack in the middle of the night!

I was dreading weighing myself this week.. and proved to be for good reason... 152 pounds!!!! I gained a litle over 2  pounds last week!!!!! Its a good thing it was Thanksgiving so I kind of feel like I had an excuse!!! I have now gained a total of 17 pounds! I keep thinking that sounds like so much, but am forgetting that I am really nearing the end of my pregnancy! I have to keep in mind that a lot of third trimester weight is the baby growing so fast, too!

We have so much to look forward to in the next few weeks and I cant wait to start posting some pictures of little Finleys beautiful nursery! Its definitely going to be the nicest room in the house!!

8 Months and feeling it!

I am 8 months pregnant today! I feel so thankful to have made it this far given our little complications early on. Finley is doing great and was weighing in at 4 pounds 3 ounces at our doctor appointment on Thursday! He gained a full pound in two weeks! That seems to be about average for weight gain at this point and I have read that he will put on about a half a pound a week until delivery! We scheduled my cerclage removal for December 17.. meaning Finley could come anytime after that!! I think he will be born in December, but who knows! He may wait it out and not show up until late January!!! I would be ready to cut him out myself by then!

I have thought a lot about delivery. My first preference would be to let him come on his own and have a vaginal delivery. A highly medicated vaginal delivery.. I want as many drugs as my doctor can legally give me. I dont understand women who WANT to do it naturally. I have no doubt that my body could do it and I know God made us to give birth blah blah blah, but if I dont have to feel it then why would I want to!?!?!
Next, I REALLY dont want to be induced unless medically necessary. I think he will come when he is ready. I am willing to go one week past my due date..that would be  January 21..after that I know I will be threatening my doctors life if she doesnt induce me. And finally, a c section, I am totally not opposed, its just not my first option. I am hoping for option 1. My ideal situation would be that my stiches are removed and he comes naturally within 2 weeks. I get all doped up and deliver him vaginally and we go on our way in the next few days... oh and all the baby weight falls off during delivery!!! I can dream, right!?

All and all I am not nervous about delivery one bit- kind of excited! I had to have the spinal tap done for my cerclage and now I have nothing to fear so long as I get that magical shot during delivery. the shot itself didnt even hurt- which is what I was most concerned about to begin with. So bring on that long needle and numb all my pain!!!

The past week hasnt been so bad- I did go home from work with low blood sugar. I felt pretty bad on Thursday. I had gotten sick the last few nights in the middle of the night and I guess it finally took a toll on me! Rest, water, and a few high calorie meals had me feeling better by the next day. My heart burn has reached an all time level of awful. I didnt think it could get any worse, but oh it has! I wake up in the middle of the night so thirsty, but know I cant drink anything because of how bad the heartburn is! It kills! It has been whats made me sick the last few nights! I feel like I am puking fire. Gross, but true! I then have to sleep sitting straight up! Not ideal, but any position that helps the heartburn and lets me get a few hours of sleep is fine with me! I would probably try standing on my head if I heard that worked!!!

Lastly- cravings! I still havent had any strong cravings like I cant live without a certain food, but I have traded in my cereal dinners for a can of broccli and cheese soup with extra cheese! I eat this for dinner most nights now and even writing about it makes me want it! Its light on my stomach and warms me up with these cold nights! I weighed in at 149.4 this morning!!! dreading seeing 150, but its inevitible! Especially with thanksgiving this week!

I am so happy to be nearing the end of my pregnancy and cannot believe our sweet Finley will be here so soon! I am so excited and have so much to be thankful for! I also cannot wait to chow down on all of the yummy thanksgiving meals this week!!! Pregnancy heaven!!!!!

31 wk 5 days..4lbs 3 ounces

week 31

                                       

Kind of a boring week for pregnancy! I weighed in at 148 this morning. giving me about a 13 pound weight gain so far! Its going to be cutting it VERY close trying to stay at a 20 pound weight gain. I have 9 weeks left, so I can safely figure 9 more pounds...22 pound weight gain isnt so bad! I swear I am all belly right now though.. and although a 13 pound weight gain doesnt sound like very much, its getting really heavy! It hasnt been distributed evenly so I feel like a bird!!! Big stomach and tiny little legs still! I feel I may tip over in a few weeks!!!

Zach and I have been really enjoying and taking advantage of the quiet time in our house. He has been working extra hard to make sure I am happy and comfortable these last few weeks. He has been a huge help to me! Zach took me out for a date night Friday.. dinner and a movie..bonefish and Flight...excellent movie..not so excellent meal! My mom came to town Saturday to get the guest bed out of Finleys room so we can set up his crib!!! I am so excited to get his room done!

I havent had too many new pregnancy symptoms lately.. still heartburn and fatigue. The extreme sleepiness seems to come out of nowehere and I swear it is such an intense tired that it almost gives me anxiety like there is something wrong with me!! My vision gets blurry, I feel a little disoriented, but its nothing more than the sandman! and within minutes I am sound asleep!!

I had some intense stomach and back pains Friday after our movie..so bad that I thought we were going to end up in the ER that night. I decided to try a hot bath and a big glass of ice water first.. sure enough the pain subsided and I got some sleep and havent been bothered since!

Zach and I are really looking forward to the next few weeks.. Finleys room will be just about finished by Thanksgiving, the Thanksgiving holiday itself is just a week and a half away! and then Carley is getting married the weekend after in New Orleans- which will be a nice trip for Zach and I..followed by our coast baby shower the next day in Biloxi! We have lots to do and lots to be thankful for! We cant believe Finley will be joining us so soon!!! We are both so ready for his arrival!

Babymooning. Week 30!

I am feeling good and getting so anxious now that I have hit the 30 weeks!! Zach and I took a little baby moon down to his condo in Perdido.. alothough, we were hoping to go further..get on a plane and spend 4 or 5 nights somewhere.. I am out of vacation time due to my hospital stay and my doctor will not let me fly due to the pressure anyway! SO.. We are very fortunate to have the condo and we had a wonderful weekend!

We got to Perdido late Friday and sat in the hot tub for about an hour..the breeze was perfect. By then, it was 9:30 and this momma was sooo sleepy!!! I slept like a small baby..best sleep Ive had in a REALY long time.

I got up early and sat outside by the pool and read and had breakfast until Zach got up. We hit the beach around 11 and stayed until 1. The weather was amazing.. the high that day was 84 with not a single cloud in the sky! We had lunch at Florabama..which was surprisingly soo good..hamburgers, hot dogs and oysters! Although we could have went somewhere better, the MSU game was on there! Not much of a game, but a fun atmosphere! No one even looks at you strange for ordering a beer while having a noticeable baby bump!! (disclaimer..I took about 3 sips before Zach finished it!!)

We had an excellent dinner at the Fishermans corner that literally put me in a come!!! We got home around 8:30 and I was asleep 10 minutes later!!

Our little getaway was just what I needed and I am feeling so refreshed and ready to finish out these next 2 months! We are hoping to sneak one more trip in during December..before our party of 2 becomes a party of 3!

Finley is doing good and is sooo active! He is starting to kick right underneath my ribs! I find myself gasping for air sometimes because of his placement! I was a little worried on friday when I started to bleed just a little bit, but my doctor assured me everything is just fine and its quite normal to have some spotting around this time in pregnancy..especially after a sonogram that can irritate the cervix!

I am getting nervous about his arrival. Not labor or delivery, but just being in charge of a person...forever!!! I know we will be great with him, it just seems so final and set in stone!! I think the feelings are normal, but they often wake me up in a bit of a panic!

Perdido Key November 3, 12

Zach at the beach!

4d ultrasound 29 weeks 3 days

Finley is weighing in at 3 pounds 3 ounces and he was sooo sweet on the 4d ultrasound!
He had his nose pressed all in my belly the whole time and he slept the whole appointment, but he did cooperate and we were able to get some good shots!
He has pretty little lips and the ultasound tech said he already has little fine peach fuzz on his head.. my guess is blonde like his dads!
His profile shot looks more and more like Zach and I just love it!
The morning of his 4d ultrasound, I was snuggled up against Zachs back around 5 am and Zach started laughing..he could feel Finley kicking like crazy! He settled down and slept all through our appointment though!

Fuck you 3rd trimester...week 29

Hello, hormones. I missed you, welcome back! NOT! You are not welcome in body, hormones!!!!!
My second trimester was AWESOME! I firgured I had a few good weeks into my third trimester before any terrible third trimester side effects kicked in. I actually started to think this pregnancy stuff was easy...thank you for the false hope second trimester..you have proved to be nothing more than a big tease!!!!!
I feel crazy. Like I may make headlines for pulling a weapon and opening fire at an elementary school type crazy! I am mad as a hornet lately.. fat people, ugly people and people with bodily functions especially piss me off. I dog cuss every single person who crosses my path.. in my mind of course. "how are you?" they ask.."would be so much better if i never had to see your fat ugly fucking unproportional face again" is what I reply in my mind.  Cleints come in to work sniffling from their stupid colds make me want to just up and quit. People who come in smacking on candy or gum or mints..I would like to cut their tongues out and start collecting them in a jar behind my desk. I then start to feel guilty for my sour and just mean outlook on people and run myself down cussing them out in my head and rolling my eyes behind their back that I then feel incerdibly sad!!!! Like hopelessly sad! My rage turns to just pathetic crocodile tears that are so pathetic and uncalled for..but oh so necessary at the same time!
I honestly feel like someone has come in and sucked all the happiness from me and is laughing hysterically while watching me suffer. I dont find it funny and I would like it to end. Shopping online used to be the cure to this in my first trimester..but now that doesnt even sound appealing. Its THAT bad.

And as for the human occupying my body..its really about that time you start looking into finding a new home because your about to be evicted! Between my rage and emotional break downs, theres YOU. You were sweet and small..until now. You are large and wiggly and your hiccups are driving me mad!!!!! My heart burn feels like I drank a gallon of gasoline and someone decided to throw a match down my throat and watch me wirthe in pain. I am nauseas again in the mornings and so fucking tired, but cannot sleep. I am up before the sun, before the roosters, before mcdonalds breakfast!!!!!

I would compare myself these days to a crack head.. up early as shit searching the house for my "fix" which may be a glass of water, a coke, the toilet, tums. I am fucking so itchy.. I get the creepy crawler sensation that, yes is normal for pregnant women...oh and crack heads! I have bags under my eyes that look like I have been in a bar fight.. this is ironic because I also feel like Ive got a massive hangover from a bar fight!
So if anyone is ever wondering what the third trimester of pregnancy really feels like...watch TLC's show addicted, find one featuring a crack head..and thats it in a nut shell. Emtionally unstable, physically beat down..bags under eyes, itchy, sleepless,at times euphoric,  nervous, depressed, looking for a "fix", and a general feeling that the world is out to get you!!!!! So heres to you third trimester, you mother fucker!!!!!!

29 weeks of baby carrying



week 29..144.8

 Week 29 has been kind of rough so far.. up and downs..feeling emotional at odd times about odd things. I am typically not a very emotional person, but third trimester pregnancy has brought on some strange emotions. I know that nothing is wrong, but it hits me out of nowhere and I feel hopelessly sad about nothing!! Its crazy!
I wrote an entire rant last week in the midst of a full on emotional breakdown..after re reading it this morning, it frightened me. Hormones are crazyyy!!!!
I am weighing in at 144.8. I dont think I gained a full pound from last week, but any weight gain is still good. I have been nauseas lately and throwing up again, my appetite has ceased and I am actually having trouble finding foods that sound good to me!
I had a major craving for black olives this weekend..and sent zach out at 9 pm to pick up a can! First real bad craving in a long time! I am gload it was olives and not a banana split!!
We have our 4d ultrasound this week- Zach and I are sooo anxious to see our little buddy!

meow from  29 week Finley the fetus and I at our halloween outing at work! 10/26

3rd and Final Trimester!

28 weeks..144.4 pounds!

I am officially in my third trimester and feeling great! I am beginning to get tired mid afternoons again, but thats ok..not much longer!
I am so excited to be in my last trimester and feel like I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel! Pregnancy has had its ups and downs and a few scares, but all in all it really hasnt been too bad! I hear the third trimester can be tough, but with the holidays taking up the majority of my final trimester, I think it will fly by and be just fine!
I have to say I am REALLY looking forward to thanksgiving this year!! I cant stop thinking about my moms squash cesserole, stuffing, turkey and cranberry sauce!!! I will be helping myself to seconds and thirds this year and not feel the least bit guilty about it!
I gained 9 pounds in my first and second trimester and am starting off my third trimester at 144.4. I gained 1 pound from last week. I have read that most women gain about 11 pounds in their 3rd trimester.. that would put me at a 20 pound weight gain for the entire pregnancy and would make me very confident in getting back into pre baby shape in a few months!
Finley is doing great and kicking more throughout the night! I wake up around 2 or 3 and feel him moving all over the place! We are going to do a 4d ultrasound next wednesday morning and Zach and I are both so anxious to see him and see what he looks like!!!

Anyway, heres to my final trimester! Please go easy on me Finley! Just a few more months and you can bust out!

28 weeks pregnant going to eat Mexican food!

Last week of my 2nd trimester! 27 weeks!

143.4

                                                 


Goodbye second trimester! Its been fun! No, really though. The best part of pregnancy for me so far has been weeks 24 until now. Month 6 of pregnancy flew by and with very little side effects! The heart burn sucked at times and woke me up a few nights, but it wasnt all that bad. I have finally accepted the 5 am mornings and have grown to like them. I guess it was my bodys way of saying I didnt need all the extra sleep anymore! The only problem with 5 am mornings is boredom!! I have too much energy to sleep..its too dark to go walking..too cold to get out of bed..so I watch tv. and I am sick of the infomercials!!!! NO I DO NOT NEED A NINJA food processor!!!!

I weighed 143.4 this morning! the biggest weight gain I have had so far! a pound an a half from last week! I expected this to happen a few times, but dont get used to a pound an a half every week little Finn or your mama will be one fat bitchy lady! I am still under 10 pound weight gain for the first and second trimesters! I really want to reach an even 10 pound weight gain for the 2 and that gives me room for a good 10-15 pound weight gain in the third trimester! I refuse to put on a pound more than 25 pounds. So Finley, when we hit 25..if we hit 25..you better be ready to make your entrance because this mama wont be feeding you any longer!!! :)

I go to the doctor tomorrow for the glucose test..I have heard mixed opinions on it, but I dont expect it to be bad! I have a good attitude everytime I go because I get to see Finn on the ultrasound! My doctor still checks my cervix length about every 2.5 weeks so I get to see my little guy quite often! I am anxious to see how big he has gotten and what hes up to!
I have had more contractions and abdominal pains the last week so I really hope everything is still holding up and looking good! I would just die if I had to go back on bed rest!!! But we would do whatever needed to be done to ensure Finley has the safest arrival into this world!

Anyway, goodbye second trimester! You have been good to me, but I am so ready to tackle the last trimester!!!!

Wednesday Oct 17: Update from doctor apt
I had my Glucose test yesterday and PASSED!!! I honestly was surprised because I feel like I havent gotten much of a break during this pregnancy in the luck department!!
I saw baby Finley and he is so healthy and sweet! He is weighing in at 2 pounds and 10 ounces...ONLY a pound bigger than the average 27 week old fetus... he will be a chunk like his papa! He definitely had a growth spurt these last 3 weeks..putting on a full pound! Thats definitely where the pound and a half weigth gain came from this week! Slow down, baby..we have another full trimester to fatten you up!
So all is well with mama and baby and we cannot wait for your arrival Finny!!!!

I should be pregnant in Paris!

                                    

I am reading a book called "Bringing up Bebe," shortly into the second chapter, I realize I am pregnant in the wrong country.
Apparently people in Paris are, amongst other things; calm, enjoy nice meals with fine wine, and very much keep to themself. Dont get me wrong, I love to socialize when its planned, but for the most part, I consider myself a loner. I dont have that need to talk to friends and people or family on a daily basis and I very much enjoy being by myself. It does not come without great effort from me to keep in touch! Pregnancy in the US is just plain irritating. Everyone.. EVERYONE bugs you about being pregnant, asking questions that they really dont want the answer to..just looking for an in to throw knowledge, horror stories and ridiculous facts at you!
The occasional curiousity updates from friends and family are much appreciated and not bothersome, but its the strangers and mere acquantinces who bug the hell out of me.
I could totally see myself living in Paris and thriving. Especially during pregnancy. I am  a loner by nature..so CHECK. My passion in life really is food (although I hate to cook I love to eat and my ideal job would be a food critic) so CHECK on fine dining and wine! and double check on the calm outlook on life.

Yes, I have read every health warning out there about eating certain types of food and staying away from certain chemicals etc etc etc..it goes on and on and on. From the get go, I have been VERY laid back about it..and apparently so are the french! Raw oysters.. fine, if from a trusted source and in moderation. The problem..americans literally dont know what that word means. thats why alcohol is just a no no in america..stupid americans dont know that a glass of wine at dinner is fine.. A GLASS..which is 4oz and not 8! Heating up lunch meat? Nope, not going to do it. Stupid. French even eat unpasterized cheese! amazingly, their infants are almost 50% healthier than ours!!!
It just erks me to hear peoples repsonse when I say I am going to have sushi on the coast for dinner one night.. "it better be cooked" No, its fresh, I trust the source and a few pieces will not hurt me. I know this. Its not the sushi thats bad for you..which most of these idiots barking out orders dont know.. its the fact that if old or bad it has a higher risk of carrying certain bacteria that could potentially harm you. The chances are sooo slim and do not increase because your pregnant!!!! (side note: I do follow the rules regarding medicine because it is man made and full of chemicals to begin with.. in general I dont take medicine much anyway!)

Next, the weight gain. Fucking retarded Americans and their over consumption. Pregnancy is not a time to over indulge. You think skipping a 4 ounce glass of wine at dinner and trading it in for fast food 3 times a day followed by a dozen cookies and a slice of cheesecake really makes sense!? That over indulging in calories 3 times greater than what you and the baby need really outweigh the health risks of one glass of wine!? Really!? For me, pregnancy is about being smart and laid back about my choices. I have the occasional glass of red wine, eat a cheeseburger here and there, but I havent ventured far from my normal diet. I am not eating a cheeseburger as an excuse because I am pregnant.. I eat an occasional cheeseburger because thats what I always do! I DONT, however, wash the burger down with a large coke, fries and a chocolate shake. My point is dont eat a whole bunch of shit just because you are pregnant. Its totally ridiculous.  American doctors would recommend 25-35 pound weight gain for an average sized person..french doctors are more like 20-25 tops. period. Cut the shit, be smart, everything in moderation..GOOGLE the word!

My last point on why I should be growing this fetus in France is because they believe rather than over indulging in calories, we should be over indulging in pampering ourselves. I couldnt agree more! It helps a woman stay calm and feel beautiful. What could be a better way to bring a baby into the world!?

So, Zach I refuse to have anymore children unless we pack up and go to France. I am closed for business until you agree to my terms! I just know we would fit right in!

26 weeks! 2.5 months left! future pregnant self memo

This morning I weighed 142 pounds. Its tough to see that scale creeping up..I have gained a total of 8 pounds now and am feeling it! Although I can still squeeze into some of my pre pregnancy clothes, they are getting more and more snug and not looking so flattering anymore! I am still eating moderately healthy and getting a moderate amount of exercise.. I shoot for 2-3 times a week and an hour workout each time. I wanted to remind my future pregnant self of exactly what I did this time as far as eating and working out because I am very pleased with my body so far..

SO here are some of my tips while its fresh in case I find myself in this perdicament again!! Eat Breakfast! Fiber one cereal bar or high fiber oatmeal have been easy on my stomach and extra fiber helps with constipation from all the pregnancy hormones. Take phenegran and tums for nauseau, but stay away from any other nauseau medicines because of constipation side effects..awful! Try to remember to take prenatal vitamins..gummys are the BEST! During your first trimeseter, you will be more tired than you ever knew possible..SLEEP and try to get in a 30 minute walk 3 times a week. Making a gym class is near impossible during the first trimester so if you are too tired, try a walk and if you only make it 15 minutes, its better than nothing! I slept from 8-8 almost every single night of my first trimester and was still worn out by 2:00 every single day. It passes.
Snack in between meals..even if you are not hungry.. my two favorites have been apples with cow pal cheese and fig newtons with a scoop of peanut butter on top. I typically eat the apple with cheese mid morning..around 11 and the cookies with peanut butter around 4.
Cereal!!!! especially in the second trimester..cereal is a great way to soothe the acid reflux from all of your organs being squished and it also helps keep calories down.
Last tip-remember to even out your diet. I ate what I wanted-but only one time a day. If I wanted a cheeseburger and fries from Mcdonalds, I decided if I would have it for lunch or dinner and all my other meals would be healthy.. if I ate fast food for lunch..my dinner would be cereal. or have cereal for lunch and fast food for dinner..keep breakfast and snacks healthy!! ALWAYS! swap out lunch/dinner for your pregnancy craving meals..so far that has kept my calories right around 1700 per day and my weight gain to a very healthy 1 pound per week!

I have been lucky to not have many cravings- though I cant walk into a grocery store without buying a big juicy orange! and its a must that I eat it on the car ride home. Other than an orange the only other thing I find odd is wanting apple juice in the morning!!

Now that I have that written down, on to the baby...Finley is doing great! Kicking and moving all the time! Its crazy to watch my stomach twitch, the kicks used to startle me, but I have become so used to them I cant even remember what it feels like to not have something moving around in my stomach!

I am nearing my 7th month of pregnancy and strangers are starting to notice the belly more often. Ill be checking out and the cashier will ask when I am due..it still catches me off guard.."what? whens what due? ohhh the belly..the baby.. yeah..JANUARY!!" I went so long without showing that its weird for people to all of a sudden start noticing and commenting!

Odd side effects laterly.. a TERRIBLE bladder! Other than having to pee all the time. I also pee on myself..atleast 3 times a day. If you see me coughing, sneezing or laughing...I have most likely also peed! Gross, yes, but humurous too!
Zach and I plan to get Finleys nursery all clean and organized in the next month. I want everything done by December 1..I have a strange feeling he may be early, but we'll see!

Jose loving on his baby brother! so sweet, but I have a feeling Jose will prefer him in my stomach..these days are now limited Jose..97 more days of you having me all to yourself!

25 weeks..15 to go!?

25 week baby bump..Finally moving up, I feel like Ive been carrying SO low!




I went in to see my doctor on Wednesday September 26 because of back ache and little contractions..I wasnt too worried, but with Zach out of town, I wanted to double check that everything was ok! I have this huge fear of ending up in the ER all alone late at night! It put my mind at ease to know my body and the baby are handling this pregnancy just fine! After having so many complications early on, my doctor encourages me to come on in if something doesnt feel right because you just never know!

My appointment showed Finley at 24 weeks and 3 days and weighing in at 1 pound and 12 ounces. The ultrasound tech said hes a little big, but he looks great!! I am sure he will be a big guy like his daddy! My sweet Zach is 6'3, his dad is a little over 6'4 and my dad is the smallest male in his family and is still 6'0..his brother and dad were 6'4!

I got to see my little dude on the ultrasound, he is just sooo cute! It makes my heart melt! He was squriming around, sucking his thumb, and kicking me! I am just so obsessed and in love with him! Prettiest fetus ever made!

Today officially makes 25 weeks and I am still feeling good! I am relieved that my ultrasound went so well and that baby Finley is doing so good! I weighed in at 141 pounds today. I definitely know my body, and my prediction of a 1 pound weight gain a week has proved to be right on these last 3 weeks. I just hope to keep it at one pound and not 2 or 3 a week from here on out! I am surprised that I have only gained 7 pounds so far because my belly just feels much bigger than that!! It is so round now and I often do a double take when passing by a mirror! My reflection surprises me!

I am finally sleeping a little better and it has treemendously helped my mood swings! I guess I know what I am in for when the baby comes.. sleepless nights for me=bad bad moods!! I feel for you, Zach!

My dreams lately prove just how much this baby is on my mind and how I relate my everyday life to him subconciously already! North East Jackson has been having an issue with fleas from the weather change! I literally had to go to 3 stores to find flea bombs because everywhere was sold out! Jose had never had fleas before and the poor little guy was covered in them! Disgusting! I flea bombed the house and sprayed the yards, but have to repeat the process in two weeks. I had a dream that Finley was born and he had 2 fleas in his hair..his pretty blonde hair!!! I was trying to pick them out like I do to Jose because I was so embarassed that my baby had fleas and I didnt want anyone to know or see!! Its just crazy how much I dream and think about this little person and am constantly worrying about him..even when I sleep!

I love you little Finley! Hurry up so you can come play in my flea infested house!! :(

Huge Milestone for baby Finn! 24 weeks!



week 24..weight 140! Yikes! Have never seen that number on the scale before! Breathe!

                                    

I am putting my bitchy pregnancy rant aside today because I have been holding my breath waiting to hit 24 weeks! With the huge scare Zach and I had, 24 weeks was the magic number we have been waiting for! A 24 week fetus is considered viable and doctors would intervene to save him if he were born this early. While there is only a 50% chance that he would survive if born at 24 weeks, its better than nothing and puts my mind at ease! The rate of survival only increases after 24 weeks, so hang on little guy!

This past week wasnt so bad, but my energy is starting to fade. I think my weight gain is about to start stedying out to about a pound a week and the extra weight could be making me sleepy. I weighed in at 140 today.. giving me a 1 pound weight gain from last week and 6 pounds total! I have been DREADING seeing the scale hit 140. My body chose the best day to do it because not much can make me feel bad today knowing that I have hit the 24 week mark and Finley will be just fine!

I am in no way obsessing over gaining weight, I eat plenty and I am definitely eating bad foods..Mcdonalds cheeseburgers at least 3 times a week! I have just been slow to gain the weight I guess! Some of my favorite foods these days are bagels, chex cereal, and peanut butter and banana sandwhiches! I was never a big cereal person, but it has been my dinner many of nights lately! The milk helps soothe the awful acid reflux!

I am so excited to get back to my aerobics classes at the gym! I started back last week, but it took it so easy that it was almost like I wasnt there!! I plan to step it up just a bit this week and try to get back in shape for labor and post baby body!

My radius for personal space has greatly increased lately. I dont know what it is, maybe a protective instinct? But I cant stand anyone being too close to me, yet I feel like a magnet! I really noticed it in my aerobics class last week, I got there 10 minutes early to get a good spot in the back corner and was the second person there! I set up my things and had about 6 ft of space with my mat down between me and the next lady. Class starts and a girl comes in and flops her mat down between me and the other lady..she is literally 2 feet away..and the WHOLE room is open! I was fuming! It gets worse, a large african man comes in also late and puts his mat DIRECTLY in front of mine. Now I am blocked in and cant even see myself in the front mirror!! I just cant understand!! Only 5 people total showed up to the class and the class can easily cater to 30. Why on earth did everyone need to crowd me!? I am a human magnent!

The next odd thing is social anxiety..maybe it goes along with my personal space? I was at a shower for my cousin this weekend and the amount of people there made me very uncomfortable! I am typically a pretty social person and enjoy gatherings, but now that I am pregnant I feel very akward!! Maybe a mix of needing more personal space and my growing figure..I feel more like I am on display than part of the gathering. People only talk about the baby and want to touch you..its very weird for me! I wanted to curl up and run the other way! After I got a big plate of food, of course!

I cant wait to have this baby here and in our house! I am starting to get very anxious about it because I know 3 months will fly by and Ill officially be a mom!! I couldnt be happier to be bringing this sweet baby home and I already feel so close to him and such a bond..sounds crazy, but its true! I feel like I know him already and I am very attached to this little guy! Hurry up January!!!!

Happy 24 week pregnant lady today!

23 Weeks of torture



My bump! Getting big!
138.6 was my weight today..1 pound weight gain from last week and almost 5 pounds so far total!

                                          



Its Monday morning and I am officially 23 weeks. I am tired and a bit bitter about being pregnant these days. My stomach is starting to just ache a lot- I think they call it ligament pains! You kick me a lot now and I am often woken up from it! It was sweet at first, but its sort of getting old, dude!
I have started this new thing the last 3 days- waking up at 5 am! Its awful..so unlike me! Maybe its my bodies way of preparing for your arrival..who knows! I would like a say in this 5 am stuff, but no one seems to ask for my approval on functions regarding MY BODY anymore!!!!

I am tired lately and sooo thirsty all the time! Its just wonderful being thirsty and quenching my thirst with a huge Smart Water.. only to get the worst case of acid reflux known to man. I soothe my acid reflux with a cherry antacid softchew..which in turn, makes me bloated. Its fun! God, so fun!
My mood swings are in full force lately..maybe the lack of sleep? Or maybe its because I am growing a human!!!!! The UPS man came into our office this morning and asked me if I minded if he had a mint.. I gritted my teeth and said no, but I really wanted to tell him to GO FUCK HIMSELF. Crazy huh? over a mint..they arent my mints..why does it matter!!!! I know I am crazy, but I cant do anything about it. I am so crazy lately it actually humors me. I find myself dog cussing random drivers on the road for little things like not using a blinker..I havent used a blinker since I passed my driving test in 2003. Seriosuly. Stupid songs that come on the radio piss me off so bad that I sing them in this horrible mocking voice until I either punch the steering wheel or start crying out of annoyance. Seriously. "Remember all the things that you and I did first..now your doing them with her!!!" ahhhhh It makes my skin crawl. Everyone is getting on my nerves and I have no idea why. If they are breathing..it bothers me. Pregnancy at this point has become like a huge dose of PMS..and I am fucking OVER IT. Pregnancy should be treated as a disease.. a very contagious disease..I shouldnt be allowed out of the house and no one should be allowed near me!

On a brighter note, I had my 23 week doctor appointment on thursday..its kind of awesome being a high risk patient because I am catered to..no waiting around for hours..straight to business! Thats how I like my life. I got to see Finley since we do ultrasounds at every visit to check my cervix.. hes so freaking cute! His profile is already identical to Zachs! I cant wait to see this little God we have created in person!

I googled "newborn baby checklist" last week--BIG MISTAKE. I had no idea how much stuff a newborn needs. It was like 3 pages long. I panicked. I started obsessivley ordering all the stuff from the checklist off of nordstroms. New mom mistake, I guess. I paid about 4 times the amount for a bibb that one could pick up at Target. Oh well! Finley is already a bit stuck up..I feel like he is watching me from the womb. I have no problem with Traget..but I think he does. I have this ongoing scenario I play over and over in my head where I bring Finley home and hes like "Ok, your house..I can work with it..now show me to my room." I then so nervously show him his room and he is totally judgmental..inspecting everything.."Yes, oh yes thats great..organic linen..love that. wait what is that? you went to wal mart? No NO have that removed before I return back to my sleeping qurters." He is just very high maintenance and he judges me. Ill be ready though!

Along with ordering tons of probably useless items from Nordstrom, I have picked out his entire nursery and started ordering his things! My mom bought his beautiful bedding! I cant wait to have it finished..I am getting into serious nesting mode! Also, I find that buying things makes my mood better.. sorry, Zach! I have found that even talking about buying things has made my attitude better today already! So, I am off to shop! Gotta keep the pregnant lady happy!

                 

     Above is a picture of Finley at 23 weeks (22w4d) with his little profile identical to Zachs!! awkward picture of Zach, but it shows the profile! Love it! Zachs tiny little twin! Cant wait to buy matching outfits!!                 


                                                    

Week 22!

I got one full week of work under my belt since bed rest and I am feeling pretty great! The weather was absolutely beautiful this weekend.. it put me in such a great mood and helped fight these pregnancy blues! Zach and I went to church on Sunday and then ate Mexican food.. my choice! I just had to have some chips and queso! Afterwards, we decided to go do something outside and enjoy the beautiful weather! We would have went to play golf, but I am still on modified bed rest and really have to take it easy, so we opted to grab some pillows and a blanket and head to the reservoir for some fun! We decided to take the chihuahua with us so that he could get some exercise! That turned out to be a flop..the only exercise he got was crying at the other dogs out there! Either way, it wore him out and he didnt leave the couch all night!

This week I have gotten such a sweet tooth!! I am not sure where it has come from! After stuffing my face with Mexican food on Sunday, I spotted a Brewsters on the way to the reservoir. I made Zach stop.. yes MADE. He was either stopping or I was jumping out of the car! Originally I just wanted some mango sorbet. Unfortunately, the first thing I saw on the menu was a banana split. Yep, Ill take the banana split! It was bigger than my head! I proceeded to eat the entire thing. Zach didnt take a single bite. All I know is that if this continues.. we are going to have a BIG problem..the BIG being my ASS!!!

I was feeling Finley move so much over the weekend and it just seemed to stop on Sunday! Just when I started to worry, he started kicking! I almost wished he wouldnt have because his kicks are starting to hurt a bit! Some are so hard that they actually startle me!  I am able to feel when he turns now..I swear he does a full sommersolt! It is the strangest feeling.. Its almost like he gets stuck half way and pauses and then finishes his turn! It is really uncomfortable for me!

Finleys house is getting bigger, though I still havent gained much weight! 137.4 today.. so thats .2 pound weight gain from last week.. even after the banana split! But my bump does look bigger this week! I dont know why the scale isnt reflecting it yet because my belly is definitely growing and my pants are a bit snug! I can still button them, it just hurts!! Also, laying on my stomach has become uncomfortable.. which sucks because that is how I have slept for 25 years now!!!

This week I have become sooo clumsy! I have read pregnant women are more prone to being clumsy, but I just didnt think I would be one of them or that it would happen so soon! I picked up coffee from Mcdonalds Sunday morning and was opening the door to get out of the car and dropped the ENTIRE cup of SCORCHING hot coffee all over my lap. I dont think I have ever been more mad in my entire life! I now see why that lady sued Mcdonalds for her coffee being too hot.. because that mother fucker was on fire! My entire leg was red and puffy! In addition, I have been dropping things and tripping over dog bones..I have just gotten clumsy! and it really pisses me off!!!!!

I am sure the weight is about to pile on these next few weeks! Thats ok, I am just letting my body do what it wants to do in this time of my life!

We are about to begin getting Finleys nursery all set up! I have had the plans for months now, but it is time to start ordering things and getting ready for his arrival! Just 4 months left! ahhh!



Week 22 baby bump. Finger is where belly button is!

                                                  

Week 21!

After being on bed rest for two weeks, I am finally back at work. I really feel pretty good this week! My energy levels are way up and my nausea is rare. I am now dealing with some acid reflux! Yuck! It hurts and its annoying! It seems anything I drink that is NOT carbonated brings on the acid! Pre pregnancy I wasnt a big soft drink person..I mostly stuck to water, but now all I want is a coke with EVERY meal. I know its awful for me, but it keeps the acid at bay..so coke it is! At the beginning of this week I weighed 137.2..giving me a 3.2 pound weight gain! Its not much, but baby is healthy so its just fine!

I love being at this stage of pregnancy. I didnt think I would enjoy any part of it after what I went through in my first trimester.. most days I would have preferred being dead over pregnant! I finally have a tiny bump to show for all my misery! Its hardly noticeable, but I like the way it looks!! I have been feeling Finley kick since 17 weeks 5 days! It was such a strange feeling. At first I could only feel him around 9:00 every night. I waited for that time and loved feeling those tiny kicks before bed! Now that I am in my 21st week, his kicks have gotten harder and more frequent! He can be felt throughout the day, but I feel him best when I am laying flat and relaxing! of course!

I havent had any strong cravings yet, I am hoping that doesnt change! I have wanted something sweet after dinner occasionally, but who doesnt!?

I am so happy that my third trimester will be in the Fall/Winter. I walked back to work from my car yesterday and it was so hot and humid that I literally couldnt breathe.. I was mad and would have cussed anyone in my path at that point! Being hot while pregnant SUCKS! So I am quite happy to have our little Finley due in January!! January 14 that is!

21 week belly! finger is where belly button is! Bump can best be seen laying down flat!

                                   

A cerclage!?!?

I left work on Tuesday August 21 around 2:30 because my stomach was really hurting. The pain was much different than anything I have yet to experience during pregnancy. My stomach was tight (later found out that I was having little contractions) and I felt very crampy! It worried me enought that I followed my gut and  got checked out.

My regular doctor had just left so Dr Nichols saw me and ordered a sonogram just to be safe. She was totally shocked when the ultrasound tech confirmed my cervix was thinning and shortening!! I just know she thought I was some stupid first time pregnant woman who was paranoid about every little ache and pain! However, I had a serious problem! A shortening cervix is something that shouldnt happen until towards the end of your pregnancy.. 32 weeks plus! I was only 19 weeks so this was very scary news! My cervix was at a 2.3 and should be at least a 3..though a 4 is more average! With that, she sent me right over to labor and delivery where I would stay the next 2 and a half days!

I met with the high risk pregnancy doctor wednesday afternoon, Dr Perry. He was such a nice old man with a wonderful reputation! He did some tests and discovered my cervix had shortened more over night..I was now at a 2. Dr Perry recommended I have a cerclage, which is thick stiches put in the cervix to help hold the weight of the uterus. I listened to his advice and was scheduled for surgery at 3:30 the same day. My gut told me this is what needed to be done. My mother had 4 miscarriages before having my sister and I and without this very surgery, it is likely Natalie or myself wouldnt be here today! Zach and I didnt want to risk losing Finley if there was something that could be done!

I geared up for surgery. I wasnt nervous because I knew it was best for the baby. The anestheseologist gave me a spinal block.. which did not hurt AT ALL It was actually pretty cool! I couldnt feel a thing from my ribs down! My doctor came in and had my surgery done in 15 minutes! I was in and out in 30 minutes total! I was numb for about 3 hours.. I didnt care! I was starving from not being able to eat all day so Zach brought me Mcdonalds! After I got my cheeseburger, I passed smooth out. My doctor put me on strict bed rest for 2 weeks!

The idea of bed rest sounds awesome. BUT... actually being on bed rest sucks!!! I have never wanted to do laundry or dishes so bad in my entire life! Zach was a huge help! He waited on me and took care of my every need! Zachs grandparents sent a maid for us...Something I could really get used to! And then my sweet mom came for the week (hurricane Issac just happened to hit around the same time). She stocked my house with food and lots of deserts!!! I think she was trying to fatten me up!

My follow up appointment after the 2 weeks went great! I am now 21 weeks pregnant..as of yesterday and back at work!! I am on moderate bed rest.. I can work but still have to take it easy!  Finley had his big 20 week scan to check his developement and he is just perfect! all organs are right in place and the doctors say he looks great.. a bit on the big side, but great! At this point all that matters is him being healthy!

20 weeks 4 days and healthy!



Dreams

I needed to take a minute to jot some of my bizarre dreams down. Shortly after confirming you were a boy, the odd pregnancy dreams started. I awoke many nights sweating and very disturbed.

A recurring dream I have is that I am in labor and the nurses hand you to me and your my chihuahua, Jose. I am confused and its weird. I guess I have always thought of Jose as my baby so subconciously he is the only baby I know? Or maybe I really am some crazy chihuahua obsessed lady.. who knows! All I know is I dont like it!

The next thing I dream is that you are a baby, but you are sort of demonic. Its terrible, I know. I have to say first off that babies really do freak me out. Your fragile, helpless, whiny, and frankly just plain gross. But demonic? No I dont really think your demonic!! Thats a little harsh! However, in my dreams you are a new born baby who speaks like an adult.. a very creepy adult..which does come off a little demonic!!

My first dream was that baby Finley was born and the second he was in my arms he looked up at me, this precious blonde hair blue eyed baby, and said "Hello Mother" in a deep demon voice. I didnt like it. It creeped me out. I woke Zach up at 4 am and told him I wasnt so sure about this little person!! :)

My next odd dream had the same theme: demon baby. I faced my next greatest fear and was breastfeeding...Finley looked up at me, made the most awful face, spit the milk out and said "Bitch that milk is sour." I set him down and ran out of his nursery for Zach. I am not even going to try and make sense of that one.

Please start being more pleasant when you visit me in my dreams, Finley! Your creepy, but I love you!

Wednesday 9/26
Now that I am 24 weeks my demon dreams have stopped..probably because I am not really scared of you anymore.. I am very excited about you and very attached to you!
My dreams have taken a protective theme lately. I often dream that I accidently leave you alone in the house and I come home and Jose and Roe are all over you!!! I panic because it looks like Roe is smothering you, but she really is just trying to check you out and play.
I get frantic that I forgot I left you home and am trying to get home to you! It is a really scary feeling! I know I wont forget you in real life and if I do, surely the dogs will make great sitters!!

what are YOU!?

Finally 16 weeks pregnant!!!
I waited very impatiently to hit 16 weeks pregnant. I was dying to know what we were having! Zach and I both really wanted a boy.. me much more so than him. Now, I would have warmed up to the idea of having a girl, I just preferred you be a boy. My biggest fear about having a girl was raising a little me. I am high maintenance, bratty, stubborn and I always have to get my way! Always! I am the queen in my world and refuse to be demoted by another female in my own home!! (I know, I know..the second that baby girl would have been born my life would revolve around her..I just like to pretend it wouldnt!!!) While I have mellowed out a great deal with age and am not as hard to handle as I once was.. I still dont think the world needs another me. One is enough, just trust me on this one. But Zach? The world could use another Zach. He is so laid back, kind, patient and humble. and of course one hell of an athlete! My life would be very pleasant if our child was like my husband!

So back to my appointment, we went in on July 31. They agreed to do my scan at 16 weeks though they like to wait until 18-20. I just couldnt wait a day past 16 weeks. I am sorry, but I hate secrets and that  fetus was holding out on me and it wasnt fair. I was a nervous wreck all day. Our appointment was at 3:00 and the day just dragged on. I literally had a panic attack waiting in the room to have my sonogram done. Once in the room, the sonogram tech informed us that all but one of the sonograms she had done that day had been girls!! Great, I thought. The technician finally had you on the tv and I couldnt even look!! She asked if we were ready and I braced myself! She said BOY..you're having a BOY!!! I teared up with emotion and couldnt believe our luck! Zach and I high fived and headed out for a celebratory dinner! We would have our little man in a few more months! My life felt absolutely complete!

We announced your gender with the help of my trusted buddy and your big brother, Jose. He was quite the trooper being tied to 20 balloons! We also let facebook in on our little secret!

Jose helping to announce your gender!

                                                       

17 week baby bump! still weigh 134.