Week 37 - HEAD DOWN!

Yesterday we attended our weekly appointment in Provo. We had the company of my Mother in-law and a list of questions to review with our doctor. Our concern was if our baby is breech what options do we have for delivery. Before going over a list of ideas we did the usual, messuring, sample left and I tipped the scale with 3 extra lbs. Lastly I got checked and sure enough our doctors estimate was that our little girl is head down…. Progress toward labor…

I am 75% effaced and 2 CM dilated!
A total of 2 weeks left, 14 days in all!

We were given 3 options if the baby does end up being breech we could:

• Plan for c-section on 23rd
• Schedule appointment with perinatologist office and while being monitored try to turn the baby
• Move forward with the 23rd. Get an epidural and be taken to the ER. My doctor would monitor her location and try to turn the baby, depending on the heartbeat or if she is unable to reposition I would have surgery right away, but if we were successful with turning her head we would move forward to labor as originally planned!

We both felt confident the last option would be the best pick for us! By that point it was a matter of time until we confirm if the baby is head down as my doctor predicted!

This morning seemed to take forever to get here! This time and for the first time during this pregnancy Chris stayed home to job hunt and I was with my mother in-law. She’s an amazing support; when I’m happy she’s right there with excitement!

We began our appointment with a stress test, our little girl passed with flying colors. While waiting the 30 minutes we got talking with my nurse who told us a discovery she came across. Over the weekend she was thinking about some of our conversations we’ve had with her, mostly discussing our history and little things about us. She found the connection that she had my Father in-law as her 8th grade math teacher back in the 80’s. She remembered reading the article about his accident several years later. She stated what helped her connect the dots with noticing the resemblance Chris has with his Dad! What a compliment! I love it when people say the same about my Mom and I, but I found the similar joy with hearing the same about my husband!

I was soon taken to the next room to have the ultrasound and came across another joyous moment; our little girl is head down!! She has plenty of fluid and a baseline of 160!

I absolutely love her so!
(Profile of our sweetheart so Chris wouldn't feel left out)

Both offices call her our little gymnast, but for now we hope she stays put! Today couldn’t have gone any better!

Baby Shower - Brown Family & Friends

(Blessing Dress- A gift from my Mother in-law & diaper cake from my sister Tiffany)

Week 37 began with a party!!! How I love celebrating!! This little baby of ours is spoiled with an abundance of love and was showered with gifts! I am so grateful for my in-laws and all those who attended in honor of our sweet girl!

(Tickled pink, we got our very first stroller! Thanks to all 7 of my sister in-laws)

Week 37 - Breech again!

Today we discovered our little girl decided to switch it up a bit and sit up properly! What good manners she's has, the only problem is I can't deliver a breech baby!!

Can you believe Tues. ultrasound she was head down and today she was the complete opposite! 17 Days is cutting it too close for comfort..again! We'll be praying constantly the next 2 1/2 weeks for her to turn again! Her toes are pushing straight down and her head is often cramping my ribcage! Chris mentioned our little girls in trouble, joking of course, but what a stinker of a cutie we have on our hands! We're simply trying to find the humor during such peculiar times!

Meanwhile things are more complex because of the circumstances. I need to be more mindful of my contractions and take them more serious! If needed, go to labor and delivery to avoid labor! Since she's breach this could lead to complications and we would need an emergency c-section! (I feel fine no matter the outcome so long as our little family remains safe! If there is one tiny thing I'm concerned is my last epidural gave me the shakes and I don't want to have them on a operating table of all places!)

Our nurse is hopeful has brought us a tremendous amount of comfort throughout our several weekly visits! We're in good hands and plans are to review further options with our doctor on Monday!

Until then I'm looking forward to my baby shower I'm being given by the Browns tomorrow!

Week 36 - 18 Days Left!

The countdown is now in the teens before the big day and I’m torn between 2 emotions!

1. I LOVE being pregnant and as nice as it will be to have my old self back, I am going to miss it! Both pregnancies have been such a wonderful experience, even through contractions and delivery with our first, I feel incredibly blessed by the 2! Carrying something so precious, words can’t describe the happiness I get from being a Mom!

2. I am so excited for her to get here, safe, healthy and find all is well snug in our arms! The anticipation of being parents has felt like an eternity, we are so ready!

It’s hard to believe the end of this pregnancy is near and with a happy ending will come a new beginning!

I am trying my best to keep busy, but with such a bubbly little girl often hiccuping, moving and snuggling within me it's hard to stay focused! I made this sleeping gown the other day and am trying to complete a blanket similar in colors and fabric.

Meanwhile the clothes are being sorted, washed and hung by size! I'm trying to hold back from setting up the bedding till the last week..... sooo close, it's just so hard to contain my excitement and I don't want to overwhelm Chris with BABY STUFF EVERYWHERE with such small living space! Perhaps this is what nesting is? It's all in the making!

Week 36 - Stress Test & lots on my mind!

After long days I find myself looking forward to lying down on my left side! I once read that they can see light (very minimal I’m sure, but to an extent) if you hold a flashlight or remove the layers from your stomach you’re bound to get reaction. The other night we literally saw this from our little girl! Chris was playing peek-a-boo with our sweetheart and they both seemed to enjoy every minute of it! She is such a sweet girl and with the sweetest personality, we’re blessed daily by her presence!

I have discovered pregnancy does not only affect the appearance of your stomach, but everything else involved! Head.. consisting of the healthiest hair from daily vitamins, shoulders.. that carry the load, knees.. that tend to ache and toes.. that swell from standing, simple things as walking.. better known as waddling from how low I'm carrying or taking a look in the mirror I am reminded what it means to be pregnant! I am certainly pregnant! It’s fascinating how familiar you become with this new you over the months, the feeling of feet and hands pushing in every direction from inside never gets old! It’s equally enjoyable to have such a bundle be with you constantly!

I told Chris it’s a good thing you don’t become large overnight, otherwise what an experience that would be! I am loving every minute, especially as the weeks lessen! Even if time seems to stand still at moments, I’m amazed by the thought I won’t be pregnant too much longer! It has felt like it's been forever at times! Considering the past 2 ½ years of our marriage I have been pregnant 1 ½ years of it! What will life be with our baby girl? Lots of kisses and hugs and soothing her cry! We’re looking forward to this new chapter we’re about to take in our life!

Enough about what's on my mind.. Yesterday we started our day with a stress test in the morning… I love that both offices know us by name, they’re all just amazing! During our ultrasound our nurse is often as excited as we are! I love hearing her heartbeat! Baseline between 140/150 and only 2 contractions within the 30 minutes! We are so grateful for the care we are receiving with each appointment!

I couldn’t ask for a better way to celebrate my 22nd birthday! Week 36 at it's best with photos to prove it!

Week 36 - Long Entry!

Our sweetheart is often stretching and hiccuping, there is little time for napping lately with such an active baby! I've been experiencing more swelling in my feet by the end of long days, so any opportunity to take it easy is greatly appreciated! Such moments as food shopping last week I drove a scooter for the first time and was quite the experience! My husband was such a good sport to not be embarrassed by me, how I love him so!

Yesterday during sacrament I noticed I was getting contractions and asked Chris to time them… At first they were their typical 5 minutes apart, but half ways through the meeting I was having each contraction 3 minutes apart!! We waited for the end before leaving early. I’m sad we missed the rest of church, but the fact that I had them so close together for so long made us both pretty nervous! (Since every visit to the hospital we’ve been instructed to go to Labor and Delivery if they ever became less than 5 minutes from each other.) With our luck they were just that, but before rushing to the hospital I wanted to give resting a chance. I elevated my body and after 15minutes of laying down they soon left! Seriously as of the past couple weeks when I get contractions so close together that last hours at times, by the end I feel like I ran a marathon!!!

As for this morning I had my Doctors appointment. I’m so pleased with the care we’re getting, knowledge is power and we feel reassuring and constantly being informed with each of our visits!

This is the start of our weekly appointments here on out! Things are going great; her heartbeat is typically around ♥ 150-160 baseline. I have shockingly not ganged any significant weight since my last visit! Despite the loads of food I eat throughout the day and pack with me in my purse! Food remains my weakness, but it’s all to help our little girl put on the chub before her grand entry!

I also had my Group B test done and got checked. As much as I dread this, we were excited to hear of the progress! Drum roll please…

I am 70% effaced and 1 1.2 CM dilated!
A total of 3 Weeks left , 21 days in all!

We’re on a good start and was informed the pressure that often causes contractions and makes it feel impossible to walk is defiantly from how low I’m now carrying! Our little girl is on her way! We both can hardly stand the excitement of her arrival!!! (More entries to come with this weeks schedule of 2 stress test & an exciting baby shower for week 37)

Week 35 - Love Notes for our little Girl!

I'm feeling rather large lately, look how big we're both getting!!!