35 Weeks!

Pregnancy Highlights

 

How far along? 35 Weeks! OMG only 5 weeks left....

 

Size of the baby? A 5-6 lbs 20" long, Honeydew melon

 

 

 

Maternity clothes? Yes yes yes

 

Stretch marks? No new ones

 

Weight gained: 7lbs

 

Sleep: It's alright, but like clockwork I usually wake up BURNING UP

in the middle of the night, every night.

 

Best moment this/last week: I heard her heartbeat again on Monday when

I went to have my BP checked, that of course never gets old.  It was 152bpm.

 

Movement: Very frequent, definitely like something from a Ridley Scott film (Alien). 

 

Food cravings: Water, ice water.

 

Gender/Names: GIRL! Persephone Layne Jones!

 

Labor Signs: Still an occasional Braxton Hicks. 

I've been monitoring my BP twice a day at work since Monday

and it's been in the 120's/70's and 130's/80's.

 

Belly Button in or out? Still in

 

Wedding rings on or off? Still wearing my wedding band

 

What I miss: Being able to get off the floor without help or

needing something to push up from, ha ha.

 

What I am looking forward to: My baby shower tomorrow,

meeting this little girl and hopefully losing weight after!

 

Spelling Bee

It's that time of year again!

Tuesday September 11th is the 8th Annual Lumpkin County Literacy Coalition Spelling Bee.

As long as I don't have Persephone early, this will be my 4th year participating!  I'm on Rot N. Rusty's team (the haunted house I've volunteered for since 2008), but the proceeds from the Spelling Bee go to the Lumpkin County Literacy Coalition - so it's an AWESOME cause.

In 2009 and 2011 we won the "Take the Cake" award, which means our team/skit was voted favorite by the audience.  Maybe we will be lucky again this year cause lord knows we can't spell :)

Each year every team has to come up with a unique name containting the word BEE and we are given just under 2mins to perform a skit to the judges and audience.  Since our team represents the haunted house, we've always tried to go with a theme that suits just that.

2009 - The OBEEtuaries

(these pictures were taken with a Blackberry...man haven't cell phone cameras improved)

 

I played Betty Sue Blake...hit the gas instead of the brake.

2010 - Zom-BEE-Gone

(an aerosol product to help rid you of your ZOMBIE's)

 

Obviously...I played the zombie

 

2011 - ZomBEE's

 

Guess what character I played...

I can't wait for this year!  Even if we don't win anything, it's a lot of fun to entertain the crowd :)

Battle of the BP

As I stated in my 34 week check up, my blood pressure was pretty elevated. I knew it was just from my nerves of having an ultrasound -always hope for the best, but expect the worst. Pre pregnancy my blood pressure never got over 140/90 when checked at doctors visits - and that is high, no joke. But Friday, it was 170/90 - WHAT THE HECK?! Usually when my BP is up, I have really hot & rosy cheeks and a headache for sure, but Friday I didn't have either...in fact, I couldn't even tell my BP was high. I thought the machine was lying or the nurse was blind.

After the ultrasound and seeing the doctor, they re-checked it and it was still in the same range, so he asked me to come back on Monday (yesterday) to re-check it.

I have a portable BP machine here at work, so before my appointment yesterday I took it while sitting at my desk and it was 137/83. I thought for sure this would be a good day and that Friday was a fluke. So I make my way to the doctors office, check in and wait to be called. I was keeping calm and playing solitaire on my phone to keep my mind off things. The nurse calls me back, checks my BP and it's 140/98, she puts me in a room, doc listens to baby and her heartbeat is fine. He tells me they want to check my BP again and if it's still high he'll send me to the hospital for monitoring (Ok Doc, great idea...scare me before you want to take my BP again)...also tells me to give a urine sample.

ALL THE WHILE, I keep telling the nurse and the doctor that my BP was normal when I left work and I know it's just anxiety that causes it to spike when I'm getting it checked. The urine sample showed no protein (which was good, because apparently protein in the urine + high BP can signal preeclampsia), the nurse takes my BP and it was 142/92. Now even though the top # went up, the bottom # came down and he seemed satisfied enough not to send me to the hospital ::whew::. I explained I know these days you can't always take someone's word, but that I did have a portable machine and would be happy to check it several times a day to keep record of it. He told me to let them know if it goes above 140/90 at any time and he'll see me back next Tuesday.

I know it's nerves from going to the doctor. Because of the past signs/symptoms I've experienced with BP, I have no other explanation. Plus one would think with a reading of 170/90, wouldn't I be PANTING for crying out loud?? lol

Anyway, I'm taking it easy, and checking my BP regularly and it's NORMAL every time.

How about them cookies?

34 Weeks!

Pregnancy Highlights

How far along? 34 Weeks!

Size of the baby? A 5 lbs, 20" long, Cantaloupe. Ultrasound tech confirmed today she IS in fact a 5lb-er

Maternity clothes? Yepper

Stretch marks? No new ones

Weight gained: 6lbs

Sleep: Some nights are better than others.

Best moment this/last week: I got to see Persephone via ultrasound today. She's measuring perfect and fluid is fine. My due date is still accurate. My BP was high though (170/90) so I have to go back Monday to check again :-/

Movement: All the time

Food cravings: I don't have any specifics, although the last few times we've gone to the grocery store, I end up grabbing a sweet of some sort.

Gender/Names: GIRL! Persephone Layne Jones!

Labor Signs: Still only a few Braxton Hicks over the last few weeks.

Belly Button in or out? Still in, but weird

Wedding rings on or off? On

What I miss: nada

What I am looking forward to: Only 6 weeks left...whoa whoa whoa.

Purse thief

**WANTED**

For purse snatchin'

TinkerBell Jones
-Calico fur coat
-Approx 1' tall and 18lbs...give or take a few

$1.00 reward
Approach with caution!! She's a sneaky feline who can sway your judgment.

To be, or not to be

; that is the question.

 

Aside from every thing else running through my mind.  I've been thinking a lot lately about the delivery room debacle.  Who stays in? Who stays out?  Pre-pregnancy I always said it would just be Hardy and I, because I want it to be as intimate as possible as we officially start our family.  Then after becoming pregnant, I've been asked who's going to be in the room with us and I've found myself teeter tottering. 

 

One day I feel comfortable having my friend in there with us, she would be a neutral person from neither one of our families, but would also make sure I'm taken care of in the process.  Then I think about having my mom in there because, duh, she's my mom and our relationship is special.  Then the "worrier" in me wonders if my MIL will feel left out if she's not invited in.  Granted what I have with my own mother is worlds different than what I have with my MIL and I feel by default my mom can do whatever I want her too, lol.  But all of those options take away from what I've said all this time - that it would just be us two. 

 

I know people can change their minds, but I would rather have my mind made up before ever being admitted so it would be one less stress.  Hardy has been pretty mum about it, saying we can do whatever I want.  But I think sometimes I seek justification of my own decision so I feel better about it - does that make sense?

 

Sometimes I wish I didn't "care" as much as I do so it might be easier to make decisions.  Even if they are personal decisions, I always seem to worry about how it will effect others.

 

 

So did you/didn't you have in the delivery room and WHY? 

33 Weeks!

Pregnancy Highlights

 

How far along? 33 Weeks!

 

Size of the baby? A 4lbs, 19" long, pineapple

 

 

Maternity clothes? Yepper

 

Stretch marks? No new ones

 

Weight gained: 5lbs

 

Sleep: It's alright, could be worse I suppose

 

Best moment this/last week: We got the nursery together - it looks AMAZING thanks to my parents :)  and Hardy put together her crib/glider.  We also got new legs for our couch thanks to Phillip - - makes me think of the scene in Forrest Gump where Forrest comments on Lt. Dan having new legs, ha ha.  Anyway...I was switching from one side to the other yesterday and the damn frame broke...legs are still standing, but now the support that your butt actually sits on is out of place - talk about making you feel fat.

 

Movement: Yep!

 

Food cravings: None

 

Gender/Names: GIRL! Persephone Layne Jones!

 

Labor Signs: I was going to put that I haven't had anymore Braxton Hicks since last week, but I ended up having one last night just before bed.

 

Belly Button in or out? Still in

 

Wedding rings on or off? On

 

What I miss: Shaving my legs is becoming a task, haha!

 

What I am looking forward to: Even though it freaked me out at first, I have another ultrasound next Friday - I'm excited about getting to see her again :)  wonder how much she's changed from the 20 week ultrasound??  Also my shower on Sept 1st!

The nursery

It's still a work in progress, but we got a lot accomplished yesterday! My mom, stepdad and Hardy helped paint it. Hardy put together her crib and our chair. I'm most proud and excited about her monogram on the wall above her crib. We found it on Etsy, then my stepdad freehanded the black lines that extend on either side. I can't wait until its completely finished, but I'm already in love with the room!!!

Work shower!

You never really know how much you're loved sometimes. I was so surprised and thankful for all the great baby items I got yesterday at my work shower!

Here are some photos of the decor and food and my goodies! We ended up with 2,093 wipes and 792 diapers!!

32 Weeks!

Pregnancy Highlights

 

 

How far along? 32 Weeks!  8 months, wow.  So for those of you who are doing the math, you're technically pregnant for 10mos if you carry to 40 weeks.  Yea..mammals are so rad.

 

Size of the baby? Have no clue now....I went in for my 32 week appt yesterday and my fundal height measured 35cm (a little explanation, some doctors measure your belly, from the pubic bone to the top of your uterus and on average how ever many weeks along you are should be close to the cm measured).  So the doctor scheduled me for an ultrasound on 8/24 to check and see why I would measure that far ahead - up until now my measurements have been right on or just 1 week ahead.  He didn't sound concerned, just said he needs to see it on screen.  Of course waiting 2 weeks will be torture.  I keep telling myself that I'll get to see our little girl again and what's not to like about that? 

 

 

Maternity clothes? Oh yea, my capri's or shorts

 

Stretch marks? No new ones

 

Weight gained: 5lbs

 

Sleep: Alright, usually two breaks a night to pee - go figure.  I'm also finding myself kicking the sheets off because I wake up HOT.

 

Best moment this/last week: Doing my pictures last weekend was fun!  Hearing her heartbeat again yesterday, 145bpm :)

 

Movement: Tons and more forceful/noticeable.  Although Wednesday morning she wasn't her normal self and it had me freaking out a little.  I'm used to feeling her at specific times throughout the day and when she didn't, I am sure I had a mini-heart attack.  According to my books/apps now is the time they start to slow down because of room...shucks, I was just getting used to it.

 

Food cravings: Not really

 

Gender/Names: GIRL! Persephone Layne Jones!

 

Labor Signs: I am almost certain I've experienced some Braxton Hicks this week. 

 

Belly Button in or out? Still in, but weird looking if I push around the edges.

 

Wedding rings on or off? On

 

What I miss: I definitely tire quicker.  I totally cannot bend forward anymore, so I'm making great use of my "monkey toes" - as Hardy calls them - to pick things up off the ground.  Up until now whenever he wouldn't let me do something (being the protective man he is) I would always respond with "I'm not disabled"....but now that I can't really bend over, I'm having to ask for his help more :)

 

What I am looking forward to: My family is coming to paint the nursery this weekend!  YIPPIE! I can't wait to share photos of it once its finished.  I'm excited :)

 

Braxton Hicks

I'm almost 100% positive I've experienced my first Braxton Hicks (for those who don't know what this is, it's basically practice contractions - your body and uterus gearing up for the real deal).  I noticed it first on Tuesday, I was bending over to pet some puppies a co-worker had brought into work and when I stood back up I could feel my belly cramping up.  It didn't hurt too bad, but it wasn't a cozy feeling either.  It felt exactly like the books say - a menstrual cramp, only it was at the top of my bump and not really anywhere else.  I was poking and pushing on my belly too and it was pretty firm.  After about a minute or so it dissipated, but I experienced two more later on in the day at different times and had another Wednesday night.

 

When I say it doesn't hurt, for me that means I wasn't doubled over in pain about to cry.  It was uncomfortable, and I think it's because the cramping sensation happens so randomly.  At least when you're on your period, you can generally expect cramps so you aren't surprised when you feel them.

 

I have a doctors appointment today, so I was going to mention it to him just to be on the safe side.  Guess this is just proof we're getting closer....ahhhhhhhhhhh

Then it hit me

With only 8 weeks and 5 days until my due date, this baby thing is slowly starting to sink in. This morning I was laying in bed checking my phone while Hardy was getting ready for work and it hit me....

 

Soon we're going to have a little baby in our house. 

A living, breathing, human being. 

A baby who will need our care and attention at all times.

A baby who will wake at all ours overnight to let us know she needs something.

 

Our baby...

 

That's crazy to say!  I know she's in my tummy, her movements are getting stronger every day, but to actually picture us having a little girl in our arms to hold in just two months is surreal to say the least.  I'm still going through my "what if" moments (as I've posted before).  What if I don't hear her wake up at night?  What if I can't breastfeed?  What if she's not getting enough to eat?  What if we're not on a good schedule when I return to work?  What if we won't know what kind of cry she's having?  What if, WHAT IF, What if....

 

I told Hardy yesterday, I want to focus on the two of us spending as much time together that we possibly can.  Because after Persephone gets here, we'll be a family of three...not just two.  Is that selfish of me?  Not that I don't enjoy time with friends and family, but I want to cherish every last second we'll have with one another since it will never be the same.  Once Persephone is here, we'll have new memories to make :)

 

I'm still in search for daycare...whether an in-home or an actual business - so if you have any recommendations in the Flowery Branch/Oakwood area, please let me know!!  I would love to stay at home with this little girl forever, but it's just not possible ::Cries::

 

Just a few more photos

Maternity pics

This morning some very special friends of mine came over to "doll" me up and take some maternity photos.  I know some people wait until they're further along and some people don't take pictures at all.  I didn't want to pay for them if we could do them on our own - so we did. 

I was a little disappointed to wake up this morning and find it REALLY overcast and kind of foggy, but we tackled it anyway.  We went to downtown Flowery Branch (which is a hop, skip and jump away) to take them.

I especially want to think Tabitha for my hair and make up, as well as taking the photos and Ashley (her sister) for the photo ideas - she was a HUGE help with the props :)  I've been scrolling through them all day and stop every now and then when I think there's one worth editing.  I've already shared them on Facebook and Instagram, so sorry if you're seeing them for the 2nd or 3rd time!

My favorite part of this photo is that those items hanging from the rope were mine as a baby.

A rattle, socks, shoe and a hairbow.

Me and Persephone's Mickey (thanks Rachael!)

31 Weeks!

Pregnancy Highlights

How far along? 31 Weeks

Size of the baby? 3.3 lbs, 16" long, or 4 navel oranges. 

I hate how it goes back and forth from the actual length to the curled up length...

Maternity clothes? Yes

Stretch marks? No new ones

Weight gained: 4 pounds

Sleep: A little better, but now it's interrupted by numerous bathroom breaks!

Best moment this/last week: Feeling her rock and roll. 

I've been sitting things on my tummy at work so others can

catch a glipse of her wiggling.

Movement: LOTS and LOTS

Food cravings: Nada

Gender/Names: GIRL! Persephone Layne Jones!

Labor Signs: Don't think so

Belly Button in or out? Innie

Wedding rings on or off? Wedding band on

What I miss: Tummy sleep

What I am looking forward to: Feeling her move more and more.  I'm having maternity photos taken this weekend...I know a little earlier than most, but I don't wanna be a whale and my mom needs a photo of me for my shower :)