Birth Day

Yes, it's October....Yes my darling daughter was born in April :) 

Here are some photos of Caroline day of birth (April 25 2012) 

 Holding her for the 1st time 

 She was 7 lbs 12oz 

 My husband and all Caroline's grandparents

 My grandpa "poppy"

 Some of my awesome girlfriends 

My husband with his brother who is hold Caroline's cousin Lucy, who is 7 weeks older.

It was an amazing day! I was induced and it worked like a charm.  Only a few moments of contraction pain before I got "the drugs" and felt fine!!  My labor was short and easy and I thank the Lord for that!  

40 Weeks

Today is Miss Caroline's due date.

I think it's mental torture to put a "due date" on your baby's birth.  Because when you get to that day and nothing has happened, it's a maddening thought process of  "what now?"

You've been "promised" this date for 9 LONG months, and when it comes and passes, what are you supposed to do with your thoughts?

Going over my due date has been a fear I've had since I GOT pregnant.  And now that D Day has arrived, and I don't have any clear labor signs, I'm going a little nutty.

I'm trying VERY hard not to over think it, but it's difficult.  All I want is this baby out.  I'm uncomfortable.  And...I mean...it's been NINE MONTHS!

I've got a few people betting that Saturday is the day.  I suppose one day over wouldn't be horrible...but I'd certainly be happier if we could just end up in the hospital this evening after Baby's Daddy gets home :)

I think I'll go on another LOOOONG walk while I wait ...

Pray for my mental sanity  :/

My White Castle Experience

Backstory:

My mother was 13 days late with me. THIRTEEN DAYS? I would have gone crazy. In all her 42 week pregnant bliss she decides to go to White Castle...and goes into labor that night.

My GRANDMOTHER'S last meal before labor with my mother was a White Castle.

That's two generations! Could it work for a 3rd?

I'm exactly 39 weeks...so not past my due date, but very uncomfortable and antsy to meet Miss Caroline.

In my 25 years on this Earth I've never even tasted a White Castle, the smell alone repels me.

So what did I do yesterday??

Ordered a #1

NOT GOOD!

And here is the text conversation between my mother and I after my shameful meal.

That's right. I ATE THREE! (with fries and a Big Red!) I wanted to make sure I ate enough for it to "work". I felt heavy and gross all day.

And while, I suppose, I'm still within the 24-hour time frame for the nasty onion burger to do it's thing...I am still very much pregnant, and very much NOT in labor.

If I ate that yucky food for no reason I'll be a little upset...but at least now I can say I've had White Castle :)

39 Weeks

Almost there! One centimeter dilated...which could mean labor is soon...or a week away still! But I hope it's soon :)

Getting antsy but trusting in the Lord's timing!

My boobs now rest on my belly

Yes, it's true....when I hunch over the girls rest on the belly...I can't decide if I want to crack up laughing, or start sobbing uncontrollably! Hehe.

Now it's just a waiting game! She could be here any day, but there are still 11 more days until my official due date! (April 20)

Some new developments:

I'm starting to actually lose weight now. I think I'm going in the history books as one of the strangest pregnancies ever! I cannot eat even a normal sized meal without feeling stuffed! My stomach is so compressed I just can't fit anything in there. My husband is force feeding me at every turn. My net weight gain is now around 12 lbs.

However on the bright side the baby is taking all she needs and is growing just fine. My arms and legs and back all have bones sticking out of them...but my belly is getting bigger...I feel like Bella in Breaking Dawn!

I feel pretty good, considering I'm almost 39 weeks pregnant! It's hard to bend over and my energy is a bit low...but I know I'm blessed and it could be much worse!! I think putting pants on is the hardest thing! haha....compressing yours legs up like that is difficult!

I was told to lay off the high intensity exercise at around 8 months due to my low weight gain...but I'm able to take some slow walks around the block. They make me feel better and I enjoy the time with either my husband or dogs...whoever decides to accompany me :)

All is ready for Miss Caroline...so whenever she decides to come I will be more than happy to have her here :) I'm still working and plan to do so up until the day she arrives....but I'm also busy getting things squared away with work at maternity leave, which I am beyond blessed to have :)

37 Weeks

Some Stats for ya!

I've officially gained 15 lbs!!! Woot Woot! They did an ultrasound at 36 weeks and Sweet Caroline weighed in at 6lbs 1 oz! She's a big girl considering how compact I'm carrying her!

Yesterday her heartbeat was 131bpm....it's gone between 130 and 135 for like the last 4 months!

I'm 50% effaced (thinned out) as of 36 weeks (they didn't check at my 37 week appt) So whenever she's ready to come out I'm ready for her.

She moves constantly still! Some say that their baby's slow down in movement a bit near the end, due to running out of room...but mine has remained extremely active...it's getting quite painful, but I still enjoy feeling her kick and roll!

My doc said she is head down and sitting really low, I can totally tell she has "dropped"...and I feel like I have to pee every 4 minutes!

I've been having Braxton Hicks like crazy!! Along with some dull crampy back aches, this means labor is well on its way!

Thankfully I have had zero swelling! I can't imagine how miserable that would be added to all the other uncomfortable symptoms! All my shoes still fit and my ankles are in tact! I drink a TON of water every day so maybe that helps!

Here's a fun video of me enjoying our beautiful Kentucky weather!!! Maybe the loud noise will startle the baby out!!! hehe

36 weeks and UK hoops!

GO CATS!!!!

35 Weeks! Whoop Whoop!

WOW LOOK AT THAT BIG BELLY!!!

Sweet Caroline should weigh around 5.5 lbs and measure about 19 inches in length this week!

Total Weight Gain: 12 lbs!

Maternity Clothes? Not really. I do use my belly band when I wear pants. But I'm just wearing loose fitting shirts and dresses. I have a couple pairs of maternity jeans that are SOOOOO cute actually!

Stretch marks? Not a one :) My mom didn't get them either. I feel like I might be home free at this point...(fingers crossed) I've gone through two bottles of stretch mark prevention cream and almost an entire tin of belly balm, so I'm pretty overzealous about NOT getting them!

Sleep? I'm sleeping like a rock. By the end of the day (PS: I'm calling 7:30pm the end of the day) I feel like I've run a marathon! I wake up a few times during the night but it's not horrible.

Movement? Constantly. I thought she would have slowed down by now since she's running out of room...but it's like there's an alien living inside me...always moving, rolling, and kicking my ribs!! Very painful!

Miss anything?? Working out. My doctor told me to lay off the exercise. And I can't WAIT to do crunches again.

Food Cravings? Pineapple, ice water, anything extremely spicy, nothing really strange

Food adversions? Tomato based foods give me really bad heartburn.

Gender? Girl

Symptoms: This sounds "complainy" but: Sore ribs; the upper part of my belly is numb; still anemic so I'm EXTREMELY tired all the time; charlie horses in my feet ; It hurts to pick things up off the floor; some heart burn, inability to eat normal sized meals; it feels like my skin is about to snap in half.

Belly Button in or out? Both....does that make sense? No? It depends on how I'm sitting or standing!

Rings on or off? On...and actually at around 7 months I had to get all my rings sized down! They wouldn't stay on my fingers. I've not had any swelling at all and my appendages are all getting thinner! Strange stuff!

Happy or Moody most of the time: I am pretty happy! I've not had any of the crazy hormonal swings I hear people talk about. I'm just feeling blessed that God has chosen me to have this sweet little girl!

Looking forward to: Feeling like myself, looking like myself, and holding Sweet Caroline!

34 Week Check Up!

I had my 34 Week checkup today!

Caroline is head down and her heart beat was very strong.

I look so forward to going to my checkups even when they don't do anything special :)

At the next appointment (36 weeks) I will receive another ultra-sound. I have not gained any weight in the past month and they just want to make sure the baby's growth is on track. I have been eating pretty well (3 meals a day plus snacks) and keeping everything down. So hopefully the baby is getting what she needs. My husband comments constantly that my arms and legs look thinner...so my unmedical theory is that she is stealing what she needs from me! So while she is getting bigger and stronger....I'm NOT! Which I will try to fix by eating a little more! It's just difficult because as my belly grows my stomach is so compressed I have less appetite...But

I'm going to get as many good calories in as I can for Miss Caroline. But the silver lining in that not so great news is that I do get another ultra sound!!! Which usually you don't get this far along, so I get to see my baby before she arrives...AGAIN :)

I feel good still. Not too big and uncomfortable, although by the end of the day I'm so achy from being out and about. My iron levels are still low and I'm still anemic so that adds to me being extra tired...but other than that I'm feeling okay!

Here are a couple of cute outfits she's received as shower gifts!

A "future Miss America" sleep sack from my sister!

An adorable swim suit from my cousins!

And here is my husband teaching me how to "swaddle" a baby...using my cat :) hehe....

Don't worry, the cat was purring once he was all snug in that blanket!

33.5 weeks belly shot

33 Weeks! I'm feeling great!

Not sick at all and not too uncomfortable yet size wise. My ribs, however, are killing me from Caroline's strong kicks, and I'm still very anemic which makes me tired at the end of the day (and in the middle too)...But other than that, I'm enjoying this time!

My sister-in-law had a baby this past week! Her first, and the family's 1st grandbaby on that side! She had a little girl who is BEAUTIFUL, and it made me want to meet mine all the more :) They will be cute little cousins only about a month apart! How fun!!

Blessed

I was blessed this weekend by my amazing friends! They gave me a wonderful baby shower with a sweets and candy theme. (Think "Sweet Caroline, by Neil Diamond!) I was literally showered in gifts and yummy food! Here's a quick pic for now...I'll post more soon :)

Just Hanging Around

Trying to stretch myself so the baby will get her foot (or hand, or elbow, or knee) out from under my ribs! They hurt SO BAD this is my only refuge.

Don't worry, the chair is there for safety and I'm not directly over the cat ;)

(I have noticed a trend that in almost every picture I'm wearing Victoria Secret yoga pants...or as my husband calls it, my "uniform") teehee

32 Weeks and feeling like a blimp!

32 Weeks

My. Oh. My.

8 Weeks left!

(6 if I have my way and get this little girl out on Daddy's Spring Break!)

The nursery is coming along, however, I don't think my home will every be totally organized from ceiling to floor...I'm learning to live with that.

Here is a sneak peek into Caroline's closet! Filled in large part thanks to my lovely cousin who had a little girl in May 2 years ago... She was sweet enough to give me SOOOO many cute things for little baby C to wear!

(Please ignore the lack of hardware on the bottom drawers of the dresser...This dresser is an old one from my sorority house, of all places! We painted it cream and added new hardware! I think it turned out cute!)

I feel huge! I KNOW that I am not, but I've never been this size before!!!! You can totally tell I'm pregnant now! While I'm still not finding out my weight gain, I did measure my waist the other day...it was 30 inches!!!!! I started at 24!!! That's some serious stretching for me! The good news is, that is seems to be growing straight out and not out at the sides...meaning I'm not getting wider per se.

My husband loves to make fun of me groaning and waddling around the house...all in good fun of course...he calls me "Preggosarus"....such a sweetheart right?? lol

No odd cravings (other than stuffing my face with blueberries)...but I have noticed I need to eat smaller meals. I fill up quickly b/c my stomach is so compressed in there! There's a 3.75lb baby taking up a lot of space!!!

I am still anemic, so I really do feel tired ALL the time. I'm taking iron and hopefully this week at my checkup they'll tell me my numbers are better :)

I'll post a belly shot soon :)

Have a great week!

Baby Brain

I've never been one to obsess over babies...but boy how that's changed! I've totally got baby brain...dreaming about babies, thinking about babies, wanting to hold stranger's baby's at the grocery store....Check out these little cuties to make you say "awwww"!

I can't wait to see what Caroline looks like!

Well look at me, Diabetes FREE!!!!

30 WEEKS!

Whew,

After that not-so-fun second glucose test I got good news that I do NOT have gestational diabetes! Good news all around!

Went to the doctor yesterday and Caroline's heartbeat was 168! Much faster than normal! Everything at my check up seemed fine. I still won't let them tell me my weight gain, but they did say that you have nothing you worry about you are healthy in that respect :)

The baby is stuck up under my rib (or at least my uterus is expanded under there) and it's extremely uncomfortable!!!! I always want to be stretched out! Doc said she was right over my gall bladder!

Only 10 more weeks to go! (Although I selfishly want her to come at 38 weeks, b/c my hubby will have a full week at home!)

Waiting Results + photo dump!

I've not updated in a while!

I took my preliminary glucose screening test and it came back with a positive result! ( Wait..whaaatt?? )Meaning, lucky me, I got to go do the THREE HOUR glucose test on Friday to see if I actually have gestational diabetes. Boo. That was not a fun test, but it wasn't as bad as people make it out to be (which I am finding is the case with most things in pregnancy lol) I

should find out my results today or tomorrow. My doctor thinks my 1st positive test was a

fluke. I was a little shocked honestly! I've kept my weight down and am SUPER healthy and make it a point to exercise a few times every week! Oh well...it's all in God's hands!

I also found out that I am anemic! Pretty common for preggo ladies (relative anemic b/c the increase in blood volume during pregnancy) but still not super great news! They asked me if I had felt tired recently....to which I responded "umm yes, but I am pregnant?!!!! I'm always tired!" hehe. They just prescribed me some iron supplements to take daily, no biggie :)

In nursery news... my house is an absolute disaster zone. I should invest in caution tape! My parents came in to help with a few home projects before Caroline arrives, and I am so thankful! We got so much done this weekend! However, everything is in a new place! Closets have been switched around, drawers have been emptied, and furniture has been moved! But in a few days everything will be back to "normal" or at least put away!

Here are a few miscellaneous photos related to recent babyness....I will post a 30 week belly shot soon! :)

My "yummy" glucose drink ;)

This is her changing table that we assembled this weekend...it's cherry and matches her crib

A cute little pink dress I can't wait to put her in!

My dear father painting inside Caroline's closet for me :) He looks like a pro!

The Beginning of the End

The beginning of my 3rd trimester that is! Month 7 here I am!

**This little baby girl kicks me so often, and I love it! Sometimes I swear she's trying to break my ribs, or punch her "walls" out to make more room to grow!

**I have been feeling less sick in general...although some days I'm still running to the bathroom like my 1st trimester. I am thankful that everything is going well and, as far as I know, I have a healthy baby girl on the way.

**My appetite really hasn't been too crazy. Oh the stories I heard about 2nd and 3rd trimester eating!!! I suppose I'm eating a little more than I did before, but not much more. I am growing and the baby is growing, at what my doctor says, is a healthy rate!

**Strangers still do not notice that I'm pregnant, but it's becoming more and more evident. Especially since my toothpick arms and legs don't match my growing belly. It looks like a "beer gut" in clothes, but to me and my family it totally looks like an OFFICIAL baby bump! It's about time!!!!

**I don't know how much weight I've gained because I refused to weigh myself after I saw that I gained 6 lbs. So I've at LEAST gained six! haha. I couldn't mentally handle watching the scale go up...but I know that's what the scale needs to do...so I rest easier just not knowing what my number is. I think I'll weight again one month after the baby is born!

**I can still button my jeans but choose not to. They are so uncomfortable so I've started wearing maternity pants and the belly band. I got two really cute pairs of maternity jeans recently. This was a big step for me! I HATED the idea of wearing maternity clothes...but they feel so much better!

**I'm trying to remain grateful for each ache and pain of this pregnancy. I know so many women would love to be in my situation and I'm thanking God each day for this little miracle growing inside me! Can't wait to meet her :)

My baby may come out orange!

I have eaten so many dag-on clementines this month...probably 4 or 5 a day!

Will I have an orange baby? Haha! Kidding of course....Oh the joys of pregnancy cravings :)

Starting my 3rd trimester this week...I'll take a belly pic and post soon :)

Ramblings

* I am one week away from my 3rd trimester. My pants button still, but are uncomfortable...I think it's time for the belly band my mom bought me for Christmas. And I am okay with that.

* No more scales for this baby momma! I can't mentally handle it. LOL. I'd just rather not know and be healthy. So as far as I know, I'm leaving my weight gain at net six pounds!

*I ate 9 Krispy Kreme donuts in a 3 day period.

*Other than my occasional junk food craze, I've been eating like a saint! I crave nutrient rich foods. A ton of blueberries and spinach! Super foods to make baby Caroline strong!

*I am thirsty all the time, I seriously cannot get enough water. I bet I drink close to a gallon a day. I wake up in the middle of the night and feel like I've been wandering in the desert!

*This little baby has been so active lately. I can see my belly move around like there is pop corn inside! And it doesn't hurt yet so it's super fun to watch and feel her move.

*Other than daily walks and stretches, I'm only working out like 2-3 times a week. Which is way less than my normal routine. It's difficult for me to want to go to the gym, when most days I'm so tired I just want to put my feet up!

*My baby shower date is set and I'm so excited (thank you to my lovely Aunts!) But this means I need to get my booty in gear and start a baby registry! That is on my to do this list week!

Hope you all have a lovely Tuesday!!!

25 Weeks

We are moving right along on the pregnancy train! Toot Toot!

My baby bump is getting bigger each day, and while strangers still don't notice, my loved ones are quite pleased they can see a belly starting to stick out! Staying on the smaller end of things has its pros and cons....

PROS:

• No unwanted belly touching when I'm out in public...I'm not a fan of strangers groping me (family and friends may touch all they want ! hehe)
• I can still button my jeans and wear all my normal clothes. This phase is coming to an end I can feel it, but it's nice to know I don't have to spend hundreds of dollars on maternity clothes because I'll only need them for a short while.
• I can still sleep on my stomach!
• I don't have to hear stranger's unwanted and illogical pregnancy advice all the time!
• I've gained 6 lbs total, which HOPEFULLY means, I'll get back to pre-baby size quickly.

CONS:

• I'm missing out on the pregnancy sympathy treatment. For example, my job requires me to move a lot of heavy surgical trays around the hospitals and OR...there would be NO WAY people would let me do this if I looked pregnant....(I fear it will be a long time before I look pregnant in scrubs!)
• I think people would be nicer to me if I looked pregnant (I'm a sales rep so we don't always get the sweetest treatment lol)
• My baby and uterus are the average size at 25 weeks...I'm just not showing it. And with that comes a lot of aches and pains, there's a lot of stuff in there!!!! I just look stupid when I get up from sitting on the couch and groan b/c my belly hurts...my husband is starting to understand this concept, but he still raises an eyebrow that I'm "faking it" lol
• Round ligament pain is the worst thing right now! My muscles and ligaments are always sore from stretching....I have a theory that if I would just "pooch out" already it wouldn't hurt so bad!
• People keep telling me I'm not eating enough, when I feel like I'm eating more than I've ever eaten in my life!!
• People tell me I should stop working out. Hello! The exercise benefits during pregnancy are AMAZING just ask any doctor or baby book!
• I keep hearing " What does the doctor say about your size? Are you okay??? Is the baby okay!?" I know people are just being nice, but my baby is fine and dandy and the doctors are not concerned in the least (Praise God!)
• People (mainly women) keep saying, (and I quote) "Oh, well since you've been so small this far along in your pregnancy, you will BALLOON up in the next month or so to make up for it. You will get really big!" Hmmm....I'm not saying it won't happen, but I'm pretty sure that's some unsound medical advice there sista!
• And lastly, I'm missing out on the "aww" factor. You know when you see a pregnant lady at the store and you just think "How sweet! How cute! What a blessing inside her belly!" ...I know this day is coming too, and I am excited for it!

The last doctor's appointment was a good and boring one ( I know it's a blessing to have a boring doctor's visit!)

Caroline's heart rate was 132 and all seemed to be going well :)