What I know at 35 weeks . . .

(us at our baby shower last week)

 People are so nice to me! I love the attention (even from complete strangers), everyone offering me the front seat in the car, smiles and questions.

It's very painful at times to turn from side to side at night.

Fatigue has set in again. I just can't get enough sleep!

Walking has become harder and harder. My feet hurt and I can't walk more than 10 minutes or I feel like I'm going to break into a million pieces.

I got an awesome diaper bag yesterday. It's actually an over-sized handbag with lots a pockets that I made into a diaper bag, very chic. I wasn't finding one that I liked well enough, I'm not into Winnie the Pooh or baby duck designs.

As of yesterday, I think her head has begun to settle into the pelvic area. Means we're getting closer!

I think I'm most nervous for the whole delivery and breastfeeding part. For sure.

We just packed the hospital bag(s) so we are ready to go anytime she decides to make her appearance within the next few weeks!

Old Dresser, New Look

 Our baby has been in need a dresser for all the many cute clothes we got from the baby shower.

I updated this old thing from the 80's with some paint, and added new knobs.

Total cost: $25

I love how it turned out!

33

Only 6 more weeks to go!

 Vaughn and I toured the Labor and Delivery wing of McKay-Dee on Tuesday.

We saw the CUTEST babies in the nursery, I fell in love and immediately wished our little one was already here. Two of the babies had lots of black hair, oh so adorable. I really hope our little girl inherits the thick black hair I had when I was born.

After the tour, it's beginning to seem even more real now and it's so hard to believe that we will be having a baby possibly next month. We will become parents anytime within the next 6 weeks...crazy!

I can almost imagine the day she arrives and how happy we'll be that she's finally here.

It's so surreal.

She's moving around so much these days and we both love to lay in bed at night and feel her activity.

She's getting so big! Last Wednesday the doctor measured her at 4.7 lbs and 17 inches.

I'd imagine she is now close to 5 lbs this week.

 Sleep is getting harder to come by lately during the nights.

My ribs are KILLING me.

While out and about, people sometimes stare at me (well, my belly).

It's getting really difficult to get out of bed.

I've never been this big in my entire life and it is very strange. I dearly miss my flat stomach.

All of this, however, will be totally worth it after one look at our sweet baby girl.

Vaughn and I can't wait to hold and kiss her.

  We love our baby so much already and we haven't even met her yet!

Oh and so looking forward to my baby shower tomorrow!!!

32 Weeks!

She likes to push out on my sides, particularly the right side. She's pretty active at night and quiet during the morning which makes us think she's just like her mommy and daddy. We are both night owls and morning sleepy-heads. On occasion, we are known to sleep in until 10:00 am on a Saturday morn!

Vaughn and I are getting more and more nervous, anxious, excited and overwhelmed each day at the thought of our baby coming so soon. It's very possible that she could come next month! Wow, it's so crazy to think that we could become parents in a matter of 7-8 weeks... 

Are we ready? 

 I like to think so.

Her room is partially complete, about 50% I'd say. For the past 4 months I've been purchasing diapers/wipes periodically and we now have quite the collection, although I'm sure we could never have too many! I've organized them by weight/age.

My baby shower is next Friday and we are so excited! It makes this all seem even more real.

*  *  *

We went up to North Fork last night to have dinner, a campfire and some fun with good friends.

It's not the best pic of the belly but, here I am at 32 weeks:

What I now know

31 weeks:

1. I'm 7 months pregnant! It is still so surreal, sometimes Vaughn and I look at each other and we can't believe we are having a baby!

2. Only 9 weeks left! It's starting to finally sink in, kind of.

3. Vaughn said he will paint my toenails for me. How sweet and cute is he?

4. I feel very blessed. This has been a smooth-sailing pregnancy so far, and the baby is healthy.

5. I guess I really wouldn't mind if she decided to come a week or two early, I really want her to be born at the end of September...hint, hint.

6. Heartburn isn't too bad, although a few nights it's been really bad, more like acid reflux/heartburn and I can't sleep at all. Also, no major back pain, eating habits are pretty normal, (although I do enjoy almonds, Raisinets, and strawberries a lot) and NO stretch marks on my belly. I count myself very lucky.

7. I've gained 20 pounds so far. 9 weeks left = hopefully only 10-15 more pounds.

8. I have to officially roll out of bed now. Can no longer use my abs to sit straight up. If I try, Vaughn helps.

9. Our baby girl likes to stretch. She'll stretch her feet against my ribs and push, making my stomach contort in all sorts of shapes.

10. We get a good laugh at how funny my stomach looks when I flex it while laying down. It turns into this long triangle shaped thing.

11. Sometimes when I'm trying to pass through small spaces, I still suck in thinking it will help. It doesn't!

12. She still doesn't have a name yet. We have a couple favorites, but we just can't decide. Guess you'll have to wait another 60 something days to find out!

Remodeling.

My parents house.

My mom is in St George for the next 2 weeks so I thought she would like to see her home looking like this..

Wood floor is gone

Three feet of the wall is now gone, that's why there are cords hanging from the ceiling.

Lovely huh?

How Big is Baby?

She's the size of a pumpkin squash! I'm 29.5 weeks today!

Approximately only 10 more weeks and we can meet our sweet little pumpkin.

Happy 2nd Anniversary!

I love my sweet Vaughn!

I cannot believe it's been two years today. I truly enjoy each and every day we spend together.

Here's to the rest of eternity.

I love you babe!

26 Weeks on Vacation

We went to California two weeks ago and had a blast!

Here I am at 26 weeks in Santa Cruz (left) and Carmel beach:

Oh I just love him (and Santa Cruz in the background):

Look at how cute (and fat) they are!

Our hotel in Sunnyvale:

Walking around Santa Cruz:

San Francisco:

The beautiful Oakland Temple:

San Francisco:

Our hotel in San Francisco:

Alcatraz:

Pacifica Beach:

Golden Gate Bridge:

My house I grew up in!

My high school:

My elementary school:

At the beach again

On our flight home

The Worst 3 Days of My Life.

Last Wednesday night I started experiencing cramping pain in my lower abdomen and back. I just tried to sleep through it but, it kept me up up most of the night. My right arm also went numb and I couldn't move my neck.

I told Vaughn in the morning that I thought something might be wrong. He was really worried.

*The next sentance might be a little too much info but, just bear with me*..

I used the restroom and there was lots blood. I was really scared that something was wrong with the baby so I told Vaughn and he insisted that we go to the hospital immediately. I was hesitant because I thought it might just be something minor and didn't want to look silly. We called our doctor and she said to go to the emergency room.

We got there and they sent us up to labor and delivery, that scared us because I'm 28 weeks right now, I still have 12 weeks to go. Then we found out that if a women is over 20 weeks, you are always sent up to labor and delivery first. Anyway, we were there for 4 hours (ridiculous!) They never really gave us a thorough answer or diagnosis. They said the lab tests didn't show an infection or anything at all, we found that really hard to believe. Most of the signs pointed to a kidney stone. I'd never had one before and had no idea what I was in for.

Later that night, the pain became unbearable. I don't know what labor feels like but I honestly thought I was in labor! I had to put lamaze breathing into practice to try and cope with the pain. I couldn't sleep at all. My poor, sweet husband was up well past midnight with me but there was nothing much he could do.

It lasted on and off for the next 3 days. Friday night was horrible, I was nauseous on top of all the pain.

My loving husband made several trips to the store trying to make me more comfortable. I even tried the coke and asparagus remedy recommended by Heidi and my father in law.

Somehow after prayers, two priesthood blessings, so much help from Vaughn and my mom, the unwelcome, long over-stayed kidney stone finally passed sometime on Saturday (I think).

I hope to NEVER experience kidney stones again. I wouldn't wish them on anyone!

I've heard from several women that kidney stones are more painful than natural childbirth. I was actually kind of relieved to hear that as I thought chilbirth was the most painful thing to experience.

Two good things that came of this:

1. I am so grateful for such a wonderful, sweet, amazing husband. He takes such good care of me. I love him even more (is that even possible?!).
2.  I feel as though I am now well prepared physically to bring this baby into the world!