36 weeks (plus a few days)

Here we are in week 36, slowly inching our way to week 37. A few days from now I will be carrying a "full term" baby around which is so much more relieving then I ever anticipated it would be. His lungs are nice and developed, he has just enough brown fat on his body to regulate his own temperature, and his reflexes are daily improving. Of course, I still have a few more weeks until my due date, but the sense of accomplishment I feel at this point is really wonderful. We've almost made it, and the finish line is very much in sight. 

That all said, I'm starting to wig out. 

This morning has been a perfect example of that. I'm curled up in a little nook of the cozy Panera not too far from our house. I've spent the morning enjoying my favorite type of escape, the type where I can people-watch, pray and process for as long as I'd like without worrying about the clock or any particular responsibility I have. It's a "leave it all behind" type of escape, and it's very freeing. 

Then "it" hits me... A wave of overwhelming revelation about the transition I'm in. I remember that it's only a matter of days before my life is going to completely change forever. This season of pregnancy is simply incomparable to anything else. It is one of the most dynamic experiences I've ever endured, and while it has felt like a very slow 9 month journey, I sometimes find myself longing for more time to prepare. Yet, somehow I know that when he is in my arms and I hear him cry for the first time, I'll never want to go back. I'm becoming a mom. 

Well-meaning woman love to give visibly pregnant women lots of advice about the things that are to come. One of the pieces of advice that I've heard numerous times throughout the last few months is typically presented in some variation of this statement, "Enjoy "_____" (shopping, eating a warm meal, sleeping, showering, etc...) now, because you won't be able to do that once baby is here!" ... No matter how true those words are, they're negative, and the more I hear it, the more anxious I become about "losing my freedom." 

What a shame to miss out on everything that a new season (and title) have for me because I'm caught up in the fear of being "less free"... Sometimes I forget what God said;

There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven--

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NASB)

My promise to my son is this: I will embrace each and every season we go through together. I will learn to spend my days looking forward and not backwards. I will celebrate the time I had as a single (and often selfish) young lady, but I will not waste my dreams longing to return. I will cherish the day I get to cradle you in my arms just as much as the day when I see you walk across the stage in cap and gown. I'll be in this moment, here at Panera, feeling very free... and, in a few months, when you're screaming in your little seat at the table with me, I will kiss you and thank God that He trusted me enough to care for you. Sometimes I will fail, but I promise to always try.

I realize that I don't often share such vulnerable words in this very public forum, but I guess being 9 months pregnant makes you say and do pretty cheesy things. So, those are my big thoughts, and here is my big belly:

I look mad. I promise I'm not.

Happy weekend!

-K

35 weeks Huge.

Since the last post we've gone to SD for a visit, had a BEAUTIFUL baby shower, put together our crib and changing table, painted the nursery, and put the sweetest pile of baby clothes through the wash. It's been a whirlwind of productivity, family, friendship, and laughs. 

I'm at a loss for words when I even begin to think about expressing my gratitude towards the amazing group of people we have supporting us. Our friends and family create such a fullness to our lives. There simply is no expression to match my thankfulness! And every time I get caught up in the pains of being 9 months pregnant, I try to think on these things.

However, the purpose of this blog to document all, and so I will move on to some of the realities of week 35:

Although I still have 5 weeks to go, (Dear Lord, please let it be less than 5 weeks...) I'm properly claiming my place in the "Get this baby out of me" phase of pregnancy. If you tell me it's too early to do so, I will probably hit you in the face... or, at least, give you a dirty look. 

Here are the top three things that have changed in the last 2 weeks:

1. My belly. This may seem like an obvious one, but with the baby gaining at least a pound a week now, my belly is getting more and more huge with each passing day. Every other part of my body is paying for this.

2. My digits. Are those toes and fingers, or SAUSAGES attached to your hands and feet? ...Did I just have to erase the last sentence at least once to correct the mistakes made by my chubby fingers slipping around the keys? 

Oh, and for the record, I chose to remove my wedding rings this week. Let's just pretend it's due to "swelling," and not the pound of candy I ate after dinner last night.

3. My sleep. Oh wait, I don't do that anymore.

I finally understand why people comment on the brutality of the last part of pregnancy, and yet I still have WEEKS to go. 

The saving grace of it all? I get a really cute baby at the end. 

33 weeks

Poor, neglected blog. Please forgive me! I know that at some point in the future, when I want to reflect on this season of life, I will regret the many weeks that have gone by undocumented.
Nonetheless, there's no time like the present, and I will do my finest now to fill you in on the last two months...

For starters, my most recent appointment informed me that I've officially gained 25 pounds (I'm guessing closer to 30, maybe more, by now seeing as my last appointment was a few weeks ago). None of my shirts fit all the way over my bump, and my "fat pants" are wayyy snug. Despite these facts and figures, I allow myself plenty of sweet treats, and at this point, I don't even care. (I type those words as I bite into a gorgeous piece of banana bread.)

Physical activity is not what it used to be. Sore hips, back, and legs leave me less than enthused about the idea of running on the treadmill or jumping into our favorite twice-a-week yoga class. We have, however, been swimming laps at the local YMCA, and as the weather finally starts to drop below 100 degrees, I've been trying to stroll the neighborhood as much as possible. I regularly find myself dreaming about my first evening jog after Riv is here. I'm looking forward to the day when getting off of the couch isn't physically draining, and my yoga pants don't leave me with a lovely muffin top.

Physical activity for River, on the other hand, is quite the experience. He is an active little bug, and sometimes I wonder if it's possible for a baby that small to bruise me internally? His favorite spot is my rib cage, and his favorite time for play is bedtime. He is so super cute though, and whenever Cameron talks to one side of my belly he immediately shifts himself there, getting as close to dad as possible. Little smarty.

Despite my complaints, my pregnancy has progressed beautifully, and I'm feeling as good as can be expected by a woman carrying a 5 pound baby in her abdomen. My husband is a saint for enduring months of whining and constant demands for "MORE ICE!" (the one and only pregnancy craving I've really had). He is already in the running for "Father/Husband of the year," after voluntarily enrolling himself in a "Daddy Bootcamp" class at the hospital. He was literally the only man there that hadn't been enlisted in the evening by a significant other. The guy is amazing.

Now for some pictures:

Around 29 weeks we got to see our little guy via ANOTHER elective ultrasound. He is the splitting image of his daddy, and it was such a treat to get to stare at him for a few minutes, disecting his every feature:

Here I am two weeks ago, at 31 weeks:

and here I am last week at 32 weeks... It's crazy what a difference 7 days can make:

Just a month and a half left to go, two baby showers to enjoy, and one nursery to decorate. I can't believe how close I am to kissing those sweet cheeks! It gives me butterflies! 

25 weeks!

We're getting closer to meeting RLJ! My belly is slowly, but surely, expanding... as is the rest of my body.  Here we are at 25 weeks:

I somehow always manage to take these pictures without remembering to put away the junk on the counter. Sorry. I swear I do clean my home on a regular basis.

His kicks are starting to feel like an actual person kicking me in the stomach - Which,  I'm guessing is a good sign, as many painful parts of pregnancy are "a good sign." He moves my whole stomach and will kick my hand off if I push on him. He's feisty! It's exciting to feel that he is getting stronger and bigger, and yet I'm dreading what the kicks and rolls will feel like 2 months from now :)

In other news: It's officially the temperature of the actual sun outside. In case you don't have your conversion charts handy, 110 in Vegas weather = 150 in pregnancy weather. Cam recently informed me that we can expect nearly 120 degrees by late July/August, maybe hotter. Just the thought makes me want to cry. One of the things that I didn't anticipate about this whole move is that I would be spending most of the Summer INSIDE, a new concept for this Southern California girl. A pale complexion and an additional 15 pounds are slightly traumatizing for me at the moment, and I'm on the hunt for a decent/safe self-tanner to bronze my bump. Call me vain, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do.

I realize that I've become a lazy blogger, and I wish that I can promise that I'll get better, but the truth is I'm slightly forgetful. It isn't until I receive a disgruntled text message from a friend or family member demanding belly shots that I remember to update. But, I do want to document this experience: the good, the bad, and the chubby.

Here's to 15 more weeks (hopefully less...)!!

Love,
K

Stats

River Levi is getting big, my friends.

He is 11 inches, weighs as much as a soda can, and has BIG feet (1.5 inches, compared to the 1 inch average at this point.)

He is an acrobat - His knee was touching his nose for most of our 20 week anatomy scan. He is also a weasel, and although I can clearly feel him kicking from the outside, he thinks it's funny to be completely still whenever dear old dad gets close. Cam may or may not think I'm lying about this wild child kicking up a storm in there.

I'm in love!

19 weeks

I'm SO sorry I haven't updated in a few weeks! I don't have a valid excuse. If it makes you feel any better, the last time I blogged was also about the last time I went to the gym. Not sure why that would ease your mind, but it's a true fact nonetheless.

In an attempt to self-inspire for this little baby blog, I found a list of "weekly questions" with which to document pregnancy progress. Answering these questions every 7 days seems a little over-kill to me. BUT, I do think it's a pretty cool concept, and I will try to answer them every so often.

Here it goes:

How far along? 19 weeks and some odd days! Just a few days left until I'm at the half-way point!!

Weight Gain? Oh boy... I'm not sure exactly. Last doc. appointment (3 weeks ago) it was 6lbs. But, I feel like I've gained a TON these past few weeks. I'm afraid to know the answer to this question. I'm looking pretty plump!

Sleep? I thought about lying on this question so as to keep my whining to a minimum...But, the truth is i'm starting to think I may never sleep through the night again. At least for the next 10 years. My hips hurt, my bladder is full, and I'm chronically hot. On the bright side, my peach of a husband purchased a body pillow for me that helps SO much! I love him.

Best moment of the week? About a week and a half ago I started to feel my little love kick. It's still the best part of my week. The best part of my day. Very few things are as wonderful! Just can't wait until Cam can feel it too!

What do you miss? Wine. I have dreams at night about drinking a glass of wine. I realize this makes me look like a little bit of a wine-o. I promise I'm not. I just want a glass. Just one.

Movement? The kid is wild in there! I feel him almost every time I'm sitting or lying still.

Food Cravings? I haven't really had intense food cravings. My appetite has been outrageous ever since the morning sickness started to get better! I want to eat all day, which is a very odd thing for me. Could this explain why I've grown another chin in the last 3 weeks? Maybe?

Anything making you sick queasy or sick? I still get the occasional wave of morning sickness. It's just part of this pregnancy for me.

Wedding rings on or off? Wedding rings on. Really hoping I'll be able to keep them on for a while.

Looking forward to: Our next doc appointment on wed!! We will get another ultrasound, and I'm so excited to see how our babe has grown.

I'm going to have Cameron take a belly picture of me tonight so I can update you on the bump progress... It has changed quite a bit! I promise it won't be 3 weeks before you get another update :)

Happy Weekend!
Katie

16 Weeks

This week baby and I will hit the 4 month mark! A month from now I will be half way done with this pregnancy, which is exciting because I already cannot wait to meet my son. At our doctors appointment today, I was measuring right on target and baby was active and healthy. Next appointment (May 15th) we will have our anatomy scan, and I'm so looking forward to counting his fingers and toes again!

I want to state for public record that I LOVE my doctor! To all pregnant or hope-to-someday-be-pregnant women: find a doctor that you love and feel comfortable with. My doc is everything I could want in a hospital-brithing physician. He is patient, dedicated, and passionate about creating the best experience for every woman he sees. Here is an article written about him/VBACs in the Las Vegas review Journal... He will literally spend the night at the hospital if he thinks his patient might have a complication to their birth. He is one of the only doctors in the valley willing to do a water birth, attends 99% of his patients births, and when he talks about his patients you can see a twinkle in his eye. He even told Cam (knowing that he is going to PA school) that he could catch the baby if he wants :)... Sorry to ramble. I just want everyone to be this happy with their physician.

I will wrap this scattered, weird post up by showing you the onesie Cameron bought for his son this weekend. I have never seen him so excited or proud about anything. He is going to be dad of the year!

Happy Monday.

-K