Pregnant Again! Weeks 1 thru 17!

Here we go again!

So YAY I'm pregnant again! I promise I am. Not that you can really tell. Honestly, I think I just look a little bloated. Which I am.

Both my sister and sister-in-law asked if I would do the pregnancy blogs again and I figured I would. I would hate to have NOTHING to document this little bean's progress while Clara has a bajillion blog posts.

So I'm 17 weeks today. I think I have surpassed the worst of the morning sickness. It was bad, y'all. It was bad with Clara too, but I didn't have a two-and-a-half year old I was chasing around either. There was a lot of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Ipad use during that time... And spending literally ALL DAY at friend's houses. And my mother-in-law coming and living with us for a week and a half. AND Clara going to Houston for 2 weeks. Even with medication (Diclegis), I was just so nauseated and exhausted all the time. I would just camp out on the couch. Yuck.

But it seems to be behind me (for the most part)! I've been feeling MUCH better for a good month or so. I still get tired (which I can totally deal with- I usually nap while Clara naps), but my nausea is WAY more manageable. Another weird WEIRD thing that has happened, is that I have the worst gag reflex. Almost every time I walk into our bedroom I gag. I can't tell you how I've CLEANED our bedroom, but it just gets poor air circulation and I think that's why. Sometimes it's when I open our freezer, sometimes it's changing a diaper. Sometimes it's just because. Mr. thinks it's funny... Because I can literally be in another room and he'll hear me gag. *insert eye roll emoji*

Even that has subsided a little though, so I'm VERY thankful to be on the road to feeling back to myself. I know I won't feel truly like myself until the little bean is born (and maybe a few months after that). I'll be honest, being pregnant is not my favorite thing in the world. A friend of mine said it best, "Lauren is not a joyful pregnant person." And I'll own that completely. I'm totally not. I'm very thankful to have the opportunity to be pregnant. I know that I'm incredibly blessed. But the fact is that my body and pregnancy just don't seem to mesh well. And that's okay! Everyone's experience is different. And seriously... pregnancy is so weird. It does such weird things to your body. Some good (my hair is always awesome during pregnancy), some bad (gagging all the time).

So here's to another 9 months of growing a human! It's totally cool, but totally strange too!

How far along? 17 weeks today!

Baby’s size? A turnip.

Total weight gain/loss: 1 pound! So I lost about 10 pounds during the first trimester. I've gained 1 of those pounds back. I'm not worried and neither is my dr. I lost WAAAAAY more with Clara (getting a strange tropical virus will do that for ya) and didn't have a problem gaining what I needed to once I was finally not sick.

Stretch marks? None. 

Sleep: I remember this with Clara- I started getting uncomfortable pretty early on. Even without really having a belly. I got my snoogle back from my friend Ash though, so I'll probably be putting it to good use soon. I've been sleeping with a pillow between my legs the past couple of nights and that's helped too.

Best moment this week: Lots of things! We spent the 4th with my dad and stepmom in Houston and did lots of fun stuff including going to Kemah, seeing Finding Dory, and going to the lake! Clara loved the lake and we loved watching her love the lake! Also, fun fact: when I was pregnant with Clara I was still recovering from my strange tropical virus thing (as in I was super puny and still had a rash all over my body) on the 4th of July. Mr. and I didn't plan anything for the day, but Mr. promised if I ate a decent lunch he would take me to see Monsters University. Apparently we enjoy seeing Pixar movies on the 4th of July weekend.

Miss Anything? Many things including: sushi, beer, not gagging all the time, having the energy I usually have.

Movement: I've been feeling flutters for about 3 weeks now. It's so strange because I didn't feel anything with Clara until much later. It wasn't until I saw her moving on the 20 week sonogram that I realized that I was feeling her move. I guess since I've already been through it, I know what I'm experiencing is bean moving!

Food cravings: Icy stuff. It was the same with Clara. Give me popsicles and snow cones and drinks with lots and LOTS of ice please.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Water. Ugh... I'm really ready for that to go away. I'm usually a water guzzler. Now, I drink a minimum amount (I drink lots of other things to stay hydrated) just because I know I need to be drinking it. Blech.

Gender: No idea- but we find out at the end of the month.

Labor Signs: Not a one. Praise God for that!

Belly Button in or out? In.

Wedding rings on or off? On and feeling just fine despite the AWFUL North Texas heat!

Exercise: I haven't been to the gym in MONTHS. And I hate that. I was in pretty good shape before I got pregnant. I was doing BodyPump two to three times a week with some pretty decent weights. And then I got pregnant and could barely move from the couch to the kitchen. But now that I'm feeling better, I am making it a priority next week to get back to the gym. It's a great place to walk on the treadmill, do a yoga class, and maybe get back into BodyPump (doing MUCH LESS weight than I normally would).

Happy or Moody most of the time: Moody. For sure. I'm lucky to be married to Mr. C. He's been incredibly patient with me. I cry at the drop of a hat, I snap easier, and most evenings I just want to watch X-Files and eat a little ice cream. Sorry babe... I'll be back to normal eventually!

Looking forward to: Continuing to feel better and better!

Please pray for: The healing of our nation and world. Mr. and I were up until almost 2am last night watching the news in Dallas. My heart is hurting for the families of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile. My heart is hurting for the families of the officers killed and wounded in last nights tragedy. But most of all, my heart is hurting for a CHANGE. For all people to know that their worth is in Creator God. That he has entrusted His people to share in his compassion and love. We have been called to be peacemakers. Let's not sit on the sidelines and watch the madness of a broken world happen around us. Let us be bold in loving and sharing compassion to all.

39 Weeks: Ice-pocolypse

How far along? 39 weeks

Baby’s size? A watermelon.  A WATERMELON.

Total weight gain/loss: 31 pounds according to the doctor

Stretch marks? None. 

Sleep: Yuck.  It's bad, ya'll.  I didn't expect it to be fabulous at this point, but I'm sad.  And I know the lack of sleep is just going to get worse.  But I'll have such a sweet reward!!  Basically, about 9pm every night, my nose gets congested.  Mr. has told me if I want to sleep in the recliner I can, but I am not as comfortable there.  I still get up frequently and have a hard time getting back to sleep.  

Best moment this week: Probably the continuous thought that we are going to meet out daughter so soon.  Mr. keeps talking about how he can't wait to hold and snuggle her which of course makes me cry EVERY. TIME.  It's so strange to think that our lives are about to change so drastically.  And I have no idea when that will be.  Obviously  in the next week (or two I suppose), but I have no control over it.  Seriously so weird.  Mr. and I are SO ready.

Miss Anything? Yes.  NOT BEING PREGNANT.  

Movement: Lots as always.  She's an active little girl in there.  And she likes to stretch out or jab me with her little feet.  It's so reassuring, but sometimes it takes me by surprise.  Mr. and several of my co-workers have gotten used to me gasping and grabbing my tummy.  They don't even ask if I'm okay anymore. 

Food cravings: Nothing really. Well... I've eaten Eggo waffles with crunchy peanut butter and a big glass of orange juice almost every breakfast this week.  I bought two new boxes of Eggos today.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Coffee. 

Gender: Baby girl! 

Labor Signs: Contractions on and off.  Cramping.  Feeling like her head is camped out on top of my bladder.  I'm dilated at a 2 and 80% effaced (as of this past Monday).  My next appointment is Monday.  I'm curious to know if I will have made any more progress.

Belly Button in or out? Out.

Wedding rings on or off? Wedding band was on all but Wednesday.  It was pretty warm on Wednesday, so I think that probably made my hands swell a little more than usual.  I couldn't even get it on Wednesday morning.  I was not happy.  And my feet and toes look like little sausages lately.  I've already got some fat tootsies (my mom said that baby shoes NEVER fit me because my feet were so wide and thick!), so shoes can be tough to get off at the end of the day.  I just feel like I keep swelling.

Exercise: I've been pretty adamant about Mr. and I getting out and walking.  We walked around Target for about an hour and a half on Tuesday and then walked around Kroger today (Friday) after he got off work.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy... until the ice-pocolypse hit.  More on that below.

Looking forward to: Meeting Clara. 

Please pray for: Healthy baby and healthy mommy.  For me to have complete confidence in my body and WHO CREATED my body when labor does begin!

Ice-pocolypse.

Ugh.

If you're not in the DFW area, basically we got hit by a BUNCH of ice and sleet on Thursday night.  And it's messing up all of my very calculated and prepared plans (God is teaching me something here...).

I don't want to be one of those women who sits at home all day during the last few weeks of her pregnancy and freaks out about every little twinge of her body.  I want to stay busy!  I want to get things done.  I want to GO PLACES so I'm not obsessing about when Clara is going to make her debut.

So I had a very busy social schedule planned for this week in addition to work (I'm working until I give birth).  LOTS of Christmas parties, a holiday market that my friend Erin has every year... I was nice and busy through my due date.

And then the ice-pocolypse happened and all the parties and the holiday market got rescheduled.  And I sat at home all day by myself.

Mr. went into work.  He's a PT and works in outpatient rehab and all of his patients cancelled today, but the inpatient PTs needed help, so he was there to lend a helping hand.

I stayed at home and took 3 naps (I went to bed REALLY late last night) and basically wondered when I was going to give birth.

BUT, I know that this time is precious, so I tried to change my focus and treasure this time by myself because it isn't going to happen again for a VERY LONG TIME.  So I did a face mask and took a bath and watched some YouTube makeup gurus.  I know I'm really cool a dork.

When Mr. called to tell me he was on his way home, he KNEW I was probably going stir crazy.  So he offered to come pick me up and we would go pick up some groceries and walk me around Kroger.  Seriously, he is my knight in shining armor on a white horse.  Or in khakis and driving a pick-up truck. :)

38 Weeks: Let's do this!

How far along? 38 weeks (39 tomorrow)

Baby’s size? Pumpkin (for Thanksgiving!)

Total weight gain/loss: 30-ish pounds

Stretch marks? None.  I actually had Mr. check last night.  

Sleep: Pretty terrible.  Last night was rough.  I had a hard time going to sleep and ended up watching a few episodes of Friends on my iPad.  I finally fell asleep about 1am and was up at 1:30am to go to the bathroom and then it took me forever to get back to sleep... this happened at least 3 times last night.  Thankfully, I'm not a complete zombie during the day (I'm so thankful for that!) and I think I'm somewhat pleasant to be around still.  I won't let my lack of sleep steal my joy!

Best moment this week: Thanksgiving was so great.  Mr. and I didn't go anywhere this year (my family is in Houston and his is in Mississippi and we were given strict instructions by the doctor to NOT TRAVEL) and no one came up here since they all want to come when the baby is born, so it was just the two of us.  Which I don't think will ever happen again so we just soaked it up.  We had a quiet morning and watched the parade and ate french toast casserole.  Mr. mowed one last time (in the COLD!) and I decorated for Christmas.  We both showered and went and got Boston Market for a late lunch/early dinner and then I took a nap before we went to see Frozen.  It was seriously wonderful.  I'm soaking up these last few days of being a family of 2.  Love that guy!

Miss Anything? Right now I'm at the point where I just miss NOT BEING PREGNANT.  Although I'm SO excited and thankful to be a mom, I have not loved being pregnant.  I'm so thankful that the last 4 months have been much easier than the first 5 were, but I'm ready for it to be over.

A friend of mine told me that when it came time for labor, she knew without a doubt that God created us to be willing to do WHATEVER IT TAKES to get that baby out.  It's like he created the perfect timeline for women to be pregnant.  What an amazing Creator we have! 

Movement: Lots of movement.  And I'm pretty sure that she has the best time head-butting my bladder.  

Food cravings: Nothing in particular this week.  Though I did buy some more honeycrisp apples yesterday!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Coffee. The usual.  I'm hoping that I'm just like my mom and as soon as I give birth I will want a large cup of coffee.  Black.

Gender: Baby girl! 

Labor Signs: Contractions!  Nothing regular by any means, but still contractions.  There have been a few other things as well, but I don't want to scare/gross-out any of my teensies that may read this.  Or any dudes.  I definitely feel like my body is getting ready.

Belly Button in or out? It's an outie.  Just a little pop, but it's definitely out.  :)

Wedding rings on or off? Wedding band, no engagement ring.  I put my engagement ring in my hospital bag just in case I unswell enough in the hospital to put it on.

Exercise: Mr. and I walked the mall on Friday night (yup, with all those crazy Black Friday shoppers!).  I got tired pretty quickly and had to go to the bathroom (shocking).

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!  I've been getting stuff done which is always good.  I'm staying as busy as I can to avoid the whole sitting on the couch and over analyzing every little twinge of my body.  

Looking forward to: Meeting Clara. 

Please pray for: Healthy baby and healthy mommy.  For me to have complete confidence in my body and WHO CREATED my body when labor does begin!

We are so ready.

Mr. put the carseat in the car yesterday, and it was completely surreal.  In a matter of 2 weeks (or less) we are going to be parents.  

We are excited and nervous to meet this sweet baby girl!

Week 37: Counting Down

How far along? 37 weeks

Baby’s size? Winter melon

Total weight gain/loss: 30-ish pounds

Stretch marks? None.

Sleep: Same as last week.  I wake up at least 4 times in the middle of the night.  It's preparing me, right?

Best moment this week: I had a surprise sonogram on Friday.  Basically, my doctor wasn't completely sure she was still head-down, so Mr. and I got to go home with a few pictures which was so unexpected and fun!  She's still a girl (thank goodness or we would have A LOT of changes to make).  She's got a squished up nose and mouth.  And her hands are next to her feet.  She's all scrunched up in there!  

Miss Anything? Stomach sleeping, sushi, etc.  But I'm ITCHING to be in my normal clothes again.  I keep seeing these cute outfits on Pinterest and I can't wait to recreate them with my normal wardrobe.  I know that it will be a while before I fit into my normal clothes again, but I'm seriously excited about it. My mom suggested I buy a few things that will bridge the gap between my maternity clothes and my normal clothes.

Also, at the start of the pregnancy I was singing the praises of my maternity jeans.  I'm officially sick of them.  I miss buttoning and I'm so tired of my waistband WELL EXCEEDING my (currently non-existent) waist.  Though I'm a little afraid that I'll forget to zip.  Please be kind if I need to XYZ...

Movement: The past week she's got a foot or SOMETHING poking me in my side, or my hip bone.  Whatever it is it's SHARP!  I've been in a couple of meetings when she'll karate kick me and I gasp out in pain.  Which always amuses the predominantly male staff I work with.

Food cravings: Honeycrisp apples!  So stinkin' refreshing and tasty.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Coffee. The usual.

Gender: Baby girl!  Which was completely confirmed at the surprise sonogram on Friday!

Labor Signs: Braxton hicks contractions and contractions that have some pain with them.  The contractions aren't by any means regular or getting stronger, so I'm not concerned.  Also, as of Friday I'm 1-2 centimeters dilated and 70% effaced.  

Belly Button in or out? It's definitely popped out a little still.  I think she's dropped which has contributed to the pop.

Wedding rings on or off? Wedding band is on, but I haven't worn my engagement ring in a few weeks (which seriously makes me so sad).  

Exercise: Cleaning the house, grocery shopping... I'm counting it all at this point!

Happy or Moody most of the time: Pretty happy!  I haven't been too moody this week (you'll have to confirm that with Mr. though!).  

Looking forward to: Meeting Clara. 

Please pray for: Healthy baby and healthy mommy.

We've been so productive this week which is such a good feeling.  I deep cleaned the entire house on Friday which I told Mr. was the last time I was deep cleaning until after Clara makes her debut.  

Mr. still needs to install the car seat and put the monitor camera up, but those will be done by the end of the week.

I've been finishing up projects at work and making sure that everything is ready when I start my maternity leave. 

And Mr. and I went and saw Catching Fire on Saturday.  It was very important that I see it before I go into labor.  ;-)

All in all we feel pretty prepared about Clara's arrival.  I mean, as prepared as you can be I suppose!  

Baby girl, your mommy and daddy can't WAIT to meet you!

Week 36: the nursery is DONE!

How far along? 36 weeks (I turned 37 weeks yesterday)

Baby’s size? Honeydew melon

Total weight gain/loss: 29 pounds as of Friday.

Stretch marks? None.

Sleep: Can I just share that I am a MASTER of getting up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night now?  Seriously.  I've got skills.  We put the cradle in our room and I have to navigate around that and then Brady who likes to lay in the MOST inopportune places.  I do this all with my eyes half-closed.  I'm starting to get used to not sleeping very well, and I know that it's only going to get worse in the next month.  Bring it on!!

Best moment this week: I got a pedicure on Saturday which was AMAZING.  I also pretty much finished my Christmas shopping.  There are only 2 things left on my list!  I've got to be super pro-active this year since Miss Clara is due on the 10th.

Miss Anything? Same as usual... but I'm in the home stretch- less than a month left!!

Movement: She's an active little girl in there.  And she's head down, so now I can say that whatever I feel at the top of my belly is NOT a head.  It's probably a butt.  :)

Food cravings: Nothing in particular.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Coffee. The usual.

Gender: Baby girl!

Labor Signs: Braxton hicks contractions and cramping in my lower belly.  I had a doctor's appointment Friday and I'm 60% effaced and I've started dialating, so those are all signs that she's getting ready!

Symptoms: Stupid back pain.  Braxton hicks contractions.   

Belly Button in or out? A very tiny, almost insignificant pop.  A baby pop if you will. 

Wedding rings on or off? Ugh, wedding ring on, but engagement ring most DEFINITELY off.  I HATE not wearing my engagement ring (I love it, it's beautiful!), but I also don't want them to have to saw it off of my hand... My feet have been swelling too.  I drink water like a camel and try to stay somewhat active (ya know, walking around Target or the grocery store), but still the swelling.

Exercise: Christmas shopping on Friday?  I'm counting it.

Happy or Moody most of the time: It fluctuates.  Pretty happy most of the time, but then I'll get a little grumpy.  This week was better than the last week.  Mr. can probably attest to that!

Looking forward to: Meeting Clara. Seriously, Mr. and I are ready for her to make her debut!

Please pray for: Healthy baby and healthy mommy.

Below are a TON of pictures of Clara's nursery.  We'd still like to add something over her changing table (a mirror maybe?), but we are calling it done.  

34 and 35 Weeks: Nursery Part 3!

How far along? 34 weeks and 35 weeks!

Baby’s size? Cantaloupe and honeydew melon- finally fruits I recognize.

Total weight gain/loss: I'm at about 27 pounds gained.

Stretch marks? Still none.  I have a very faint linea negra line, but no stretch marks.

Sleep: Still not great.  I'm getting used to being pretty uncomfortable in the evenings even when I lay down.  Last night I was SUPER grumpy pants and Mr. had to deal with a very whiney wife.  I couldn't get comfortable, my back hurt, ONE nostril was stuffed (so obnoxious), my head hurt, I was super nauseated... it was no good.  Mr. went as far as to ask if I needed to turn on something (aka Friends) to help me get to sleep.  Which is COMPLETELY out of character for him (ever since he got me the entire series on BluRay he's had more than his share of Friends...).

Best moment this week: Lots of good ones.  We did a hospital tour on Monday night and then had Braum's afterwards.  I super cleaned the house which felt SO GOOD.  I reorganized all of my drawers in my bedroom (hello, nesting...). 

I also had my first shower on the 3rd and it was such a blessing.  I love my church family so much and they have blessed this little girl beyond belief!  

My family was also in town and it was wonderful for everyone to be here.  And I mean almost EVERYONE.  My in-laws, my mom and stepdad and Shelby, my dad and stepmom and Taylor, and my brother and his girlfriend.  It was a FULL HOUSE.  Everyone is so excited to meet miss Clara Christine!

Miss Anything? Sleep.  Sleeping on my stomach.  No back pain...

Movement: So much moving.  Mr. had his hand on my tummy the other night and was absolutely amazed by how much she was moving.  She's also been very responsive which is fun.  The other night one of my teen girlies put her hand on my stomach and said, "Look, I'm holding her hand or foot!" And I told her, "Um... or her butt."  She pulled her hand away.  :)

Food cravings: Nothing really.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Coffee. The usual.

Gender: Baby girl!

Labor Signs: Braxton hicks off and on. I've also had a couple of contractions that had a little pain in them.  Nothing significant and certainly nothing consistent, but enough for me to think, "huh... well that wasn't just tightening."  I've got a doctor's appointment on Friday (the first of my weekly appointments!!!!) and they'll check to see how things are progressing.  I'm anticipating that absolutely nothing is going on and that she's happy and cozy in mommy's belly.  :)

Symptoms: Stupid back pain.  A growing belly.  Tiredness... the normal.  

Belly Button in or out? Still very flat.  Towards the end of the day, I have the SLIGHTEST poke, but it's quite insignificant and Mr. can barely tell.

Wedding rings on or off? I've started to swell.  One night I had trouble getting my engagement ring off and my feet have been swelling.  One of my co-workers said she thought my face looked a little swollen.  Since then I've noticed even more swelling.  I've taken off my engagement ring off completely and try to drink a ton of water and walk as much as possible.

Exercise: Not a thing this past week.  Not. A. Thing.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Okay, I must confess that I've been moody this past week.  I texted Mr. at one point this week that I was tired, cranky, and whiney... lovely combination, right?  Poor guy.  I have been stressed to the max this past week which has only increased my tiredness, crankiness, and whiney-ness.  

Looking forward to: Meeting Clara. 

Please pray for: Healthy baby and healthy mommy.

On with the nursery post!

I will say that at this point I'm not sure much else will get taken care of in her room decoration wise.  I would like to put up a few more things on the walls, but my main concern is to get all her STUFF organized and put away.

So when we started working on the nursery, I knew I wanted a glider.  And I knew I wanted a glider that looked like a chair (so we could possibly use it in other places after it's used in the nursery).  This is what we ended up with:

 I love it.  

And it's comfortable.  Which might be the most important thing!

We ordered it from Buy Buy Baby and used a 20% off coupon which made it much more affordable.  Although it was the most expensive piece of furniture in the room, it's totally worth it!

The curtains I bought at Target with my stepmom.  I love the ruffles and I love that they are white (we'll see if I need to reassess and buy black-out curtains once Clara starts sleeping in there...).

They were too long (because of the weird ledge thingy above) and although I like the look of "pooled" curtains, Mr. was less than impressed and asked that they be hemmed.  So I got some bias tape and hemmed them without sewing them.  Success!  

Mr. asked if I was afraid of my sewing machine... no dear, just wanted the project to go a little quicker is all.

 Another BIG project I wanted done was bookshelves on the wall.  A friend and I trekked our way to IKEA one Friday morning and I bought the RIBBA bookshelves in white to put on the wall.  Mr. worked super hard to install them.  

Brady (our English Springer Spaniel) helped by making sure squirrels didn't make their way into our front yard.

 I LOVE the final look.  

At this point there are a ton more books on there!

I'll do one final nursery post in my next blog.  And then I'm calling it DONE!

Blessings on your day!