36 Weeks and Counting...

Friday (the 24th), oh, Friday - what a day! First of all, I was exhausted and took the most glorious nap EVER, thanks to my wonderful boss who let me leave my conference early. If I hadn't had that nap, I might not have been able to survive the cleaning, prepping AND the birthday shin dig! Everything came together very nicely, and I was glad that Austin was able to hang out with his buddies, several whom he hasn't seen in a long time. It was loads of fun, and I managed to stay up for all of it! I do think I was on my feet too much, but it was worth it for my sweet hubby to get a birthday he deserved! I forgot to take pictures earlier in the evening, and I wish I had've. I didn't get pictures of everyone, but here are some that I snapped later that night!

Austin and Tony (college roomies)

My girls - Amanda, Angie, and Krista

Jill, Me, and Ashlea - love these two!

Me, Austin, and Tony (with Nick's finger in Austin's ear). Pretending Austin has the pregnant belly.

Krista, Me, and Angie

Saturday morning woke up not a happy camper. I was achey from about my thighs down. I had been standing and walking around so much the night before I just ached and ached. My feet were very swollen and it hurt like the devil to get out of bed. Austin literally had to roll me out of bed to get up. I big time took it easy on Saturday. The only running around I did was to do some birthday shopping for Austin with my dad. We had a successful venture to Best Buy and bought Austin and video camera that he had been asking for. A very important gadget to have around now that Annabelle will be in the picture.

Sunday - HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABE! Sunday was Austin's official birthday. Something cool we realized - Sunday, July 26th, he turned 26 and there were 26 days until Annabelle's due date. Kinda neat, huh? We had a family get together for him at our house and I tried to stay off my feet as much as possible, but I was determined to make him my famous Paula Deen red velvet cupcakes. They turned out yummy! My feet were super swollen today, and I actually got a little freaked out. When Austin was opening his gifts, I was sitting with him on the couch and sitting so I was sort of on my foot. When I got up from the couch I had a HUGE indention in my foot where the fluid was pushed aside and it looked and felt very unusual! I heard that if you press in on your swollen feet or ankles and it doesn't come back out, then it isn't a good sign. Hmm....I will have to see what my doctor says about that. Anyway... Sunday was a fun day and Austin loved his present! Here are some pics of Austin opening his gifts...

A shirt from Grandmother!

A fertilizer spreader from my dad - it's a guy thing!

He knows what it is...

Score! He loves it!

Kemah and I on the couch after everyone left. I thought this was a sweet pic of her!

Monday was my doctor's appointment, and I already reported on that in my post Doctor's Visit No. 12. Honestly, Monday and Tuesday were very laid back, relaxed days. I had very little swelling and achiness. I was actually feeling pretty good on these days, with the exception of some mild contractions.

Wednesday I went up to school to plan for my long term sub. I was there literally ALL day, but stayed sitting for the majority of it and felt good when I left. Last time I went up to school, I had contractions for nearly 24 hours every time I stood up! I enjoyed being up there with half of my team and getting A TON finished!

Thursday and Friday were the same type deal - felt pretty good. My swelling has gone down a lot and I'm assuming that is because I've worked really hard on staying off my feet. So, towards the end of the week, I felt pretty good. I am feeling really large and like I just can't grow anymore. I know I will. Speaking of growth, here is my 36th week picture. Much different from last week???

Stay tuned for week 37...

35 Weeks and Counting...

Since I'm entering into my last few weeks of pregnancy, which I'm surprisingly a little sad about, I thought these last five weeks or however much longer I have, I would document mainly for sentimental purposes for me. I plan on doing a weekly picture to see how much I grow in the last five weeks, seeing as that everyone says this is when the baby really starts putting on her weight.

(Last) Friday, July 17th I hit 35 weeks and wouldn't you know it, things started getting interesting. Saturday as I was preparing to go to a baby shower, which was an exciting one for me because it was a shower for sweet Chana and baby Stetson. Stetson will be Annabelle's third cousin and they are due a day a part. Before it was time to leave for the shower, I went to the bathroom (since you never know when a pregnant woman is going to have to go!) and I noticed very, very light spotting. Hmmm. I didn't freak out, mainly because Annabelle was particularly active on this morning. However, I KNEW something like this would happen because my doctor is out of town for the week - go figure. So, I placed a call into the doctor on-call, on a Saturday none-the-less, which I hate doing. She called me back and asked me to describe how I was feeling. I told her I actually hadn't been experiencing any contractions (which I experience them off and on all day, usually - mild ones). She said at this point in the game, the cervix gets very soft and can cause random spotting. And unless it was heavy bleeding and lots of contractions, then I'm in the clear. Whew! Good news there! I was off to Chana's shower, but made the poor decision to wear heels because I didn't have any other shoes that looked good with the pants I was wearing - BAD CHOICE. My feet, upper thighs, and lower back ached all day long!! Wow! I made a vow to myself that I will not wear heels until Annabelle has made her entrance into this world! I've now learned to sacrifice fashion for comfort. I thought I was going to die of aches and pains from wearing those stupid heels! It's flip flops and barefeet for me from here on out! I had just finished bragging to my dad that day about how much energy I had been having and I could shop and shop and decorate the nursery until bed time. Well, right after my dad dropped me off from the shower that he drove me to, I went to my room to go change clothes and all of a sudden felt like I needed a nap. I wasn't feeling nearly the energy that I thought I would have. However, my stubborn self still went to Michael's to buy some accessories for Annabelle's room and today was the last day they were 50% off. I did my shopping at Michael's and then even manage to muster up some energy to get some glass knobs that were on sale at Hobby Lobby - that was it, I needed a nap! I came home and took one. Then that night's sleep proved to be a bit very restless and somewhat painful one. Annabelle didn't want to be still. Not only that, but she mangaged to lodge a body part up under my rib for a good thirty minutes off and on. Then, I would switch positions and she would then proceed to stretch out and kick from one side of my belly to the other! It made for a very uncomfortable and painful sleeping situation. So, after some tossing and turning, whimpering, crying, and a few trips to the bathroom, around four o clock Annabelle settled down and I was able to get to sleep. All the while, my sweet hubby who sleeps like a rock, slept through the whole thing! But he is the one who let me sleep in until about noon the next day and when I woke up, brought me breakfast in bed - a huge cinammon roll and blueberry donut that he went to get for me when I woke up. So, I definitely woke up in a better mood!

Chana and I at her shower!

(Stetson and Annabelle's first picture together!)

Sunday, all's well until I started feeling the dreaded twinge of pain! No, not contractions - KIDNEY STONES! AHH!! It started Sunday night, and it never got excruciating or even unbearable, but definitely a little uncomfortable and irritating! I just drank some water - ok - A LOT of water in hopes that it would go away. Fortunately, it did stop and I had great, uninterrupted sleep Sunday night.

Monday, sweet Archana went up to my school with me to help me organize my classroom and get the little and tedious things done. Archana is fifteen and as her facebook status often reads, "Very bored!!". So, I put her to work. I started feeling quite a bit of tightening and pressure in my lower belly and just an all out exhausted feeling. So, I decided to come home and sit on my rear.

Tuesday morning about 4 am I started feeling a lot of strong cramping. After it woke me up and it became a little painful, I started timing them. They went on from about 4-6 in the morning, and I timed them anywhere from 5-7 to 5-10 minutes apart. Finally, I was able to go back to sleep and didn't think much of it. When I woke up about 8, I could still feel some cramping, but not nearly as intense. Still, all day Tuesday proved to be uncomfortable, as every time I got up and walked around I had contractions.

Wednesday, not much to report, but Thursday...ugh! I had a two day conference for the Design Team at school which started on Thursday. First of all, I had to get up early which I haven't HAD to do in about a month. So, I was exhausted, seeing I don't sleep well during the night. Then for some reason that evening, I went to Wal Mart with Austin to do grocery shopping! Why?!? I don't know. He's perfectly capable, but I thought I'd go. We were there about an hour, and by the time I left Wal Mart, my right foot was the size of my calf and and I could barely walk. I felt like I had been hit by a Mack truck! My swelling started that night and has gone down a bit since, but still very swollen.

Friday marked my 36th week. Friday morning was a hard one. I was exhausted from the night before and ached all over from the grocery shopping. I had one more day left of Design Team stuff, and after lunch my wonderful Principal told me to go home. I was wiped, couldn't walk very well, and was very swollen. Not to mention, I think my belly grew an inch from the day before (exaggerating a bit!). So, I went home, took a glorious nap and prepared for Austin's little birthday shin dig. The rest, to be continued for my 36th week post! It's just crazy to me how I hit the "one month" mark, and I almost immediately feel not human! Oh well, just comes along with the territory. I leave you with a picture of my belly at 35 weeks.

Stay tuned for week 36...

Doctor's Visit No. 11.

Not a whole lot to report from this visit that was different from last time. I gained another two pounds, blah! Which means that last time I gained a pound a week, and this time I gained two pounds in one week. However, I didn't get "the look" and she even said that my weight looked good...so I guess I won't complain. I'm supposed to have a visit a week now, but my doctor is going to be out of town next week so I'll be waiting another two weeks before I go back. I asked her about the "contractions" I've been having lately. These consist of tightening and some pressure in my lower stomach. Since I've never had a baby before, I keep thinking that I'm going to miss something. I know all of you moms who have been through childbirth and labor are laughing at me. You're probably thinking something like, "Yeah Jennifer, you're going to just be oblivious to those horrid pains shooting across your stomach!" Lol...I know, I know - sounds silly, but I asked her when should I be worried and what should I just ignore. She said that whatever I could ignore means, no labor. What I can't ignore and when I'm in excruciating pain, that's the time to come in. Good! I feel at ease now! So far, the contractions I've been feeling I can sleep through or go about my daily routine with no or little problem. So far, so good. I'm just really trying to take in these last few weeks and mentally note every little thing. I don't want to forget any details about this special time. Thanks for all of you who have been a part of it!

Proverbs 3:5

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths." - Proverbs 3:5

I post this only as a request for prayer. Joey is our nephew (Austin's sister's son), and has been a huge part of our lives since the day he was born...literally, I was in the room when he was born and he has been my everything since then. Without getting into the whole story, he has gone to live with his dad for this month and possibly permanently. We found out today that this could take a turn for the worse and Joey be forced to live in an environment that is unfamiliar to him. This is taking a huge emotional toll on our family. Joey has known no other family other than us and has always preferred us (us meaning, his mom, Nana, Austin and I) always to where he is now. We are afraid that this could turn into a big, ugly custody issue, which is what we wanted to avoid. Austin and I want Joey to come live with us so that we can provide him with the stability, love and support that he's had and he needs. Even though we have one on the way, Joey has always been like our own and it would be just like having a big brother for Annabelle, whom Joey calls his "little sister". I ask for your prayers that God's hand be in this whole mess and that Joey is placed in the best place for Joey and where two people who love him more than anything in the world would take him in and love him as their own. Thanks for your prayers and concern.

Aunt Jen loves you, Joe Joe!

My Favorite Thing!

My best friend posted a couple days ago about "A few of her favorite things..." Well, I have to tell you about my newest favorite thing as of this week! An awesome mom from school who does murals, wall plaques and hangings all kinds of neat painting projects in kid's rooms, is going to do something for me for Annabelle's room. I knew I wanted something with Annabelle's name, but I didn't know what. She sent me a couple of different sites to get ideas from. So, she sent me this site http://www.rosenberryrooms.com/. She pointed out that they were a bit pricey, and to ignore the price because she was going to do this as a gift for me (again, she's too awesome!). Well, as I started exploring the site I found exactly what I wanted her to do in Annabelle's room - which, I'm not going to reveal that right now, I want to wait until it's all finished and then post it! I'm so excited! Well, I started exploring a little more to see what other kinds of fun things they had on their site! They have EVERYTHING!

Well, one of the things that I've been trying to find to go in A's room, are some one arm chandelier wall sconces. I want to put them on either side of her crib. I looked and looked in stores, online, everywhere and couldn't find them. Well, Rosenberry Rooms had them! Not only did they have them, but they had them on sale!!!!!!!!! Don't get me wrong, even on sale they were still a bit pricey, but I've had my heart set on them and I couldn't pass them up. I went online put them in my "shopping cart" and waited until I got the "ok" from the Hubby to buy them. Well, he finally gave me the "go ahead" a couple of days later. By the time I had gone back to purchase them, they went back to full price. AHH! I was so upset! I'm usually not a very thrifty person (need your help, Kendra)...nor do I try and bargain my way out of something, but I REALLY wanted these sconces. So, I sent them an email explaining that I put these sconces in my shopping cart, and when I went back to purchase them the price had changed - BUT - in my shopping cart it still had them down for the sale price. I asked if there was anything that could be done and if I could get my sconces on sale. A few days went by, and no response. Then on Monday, I got a really nice email telling me that they were sorry for the inconvenience and if I still wanted the sconces I could have them for the sale price!!!!!!! I emailed them back with my number and told them to call me when they could to purchase the order, since it needed to be done manually to get the sale price. The sales rep. I talked to was very nice and understanding and gave me my sconces for the sale price! She told me that they really want to work with their customers and if I ever have another problem to call, because they will give discounts! Now, I know the site is pricey, but to me, that's how you run a business - working with your customers and offering discounts when necessary. I'm so a customer for life! Just a couple of things I noticed about them, though: A) You get what you pay for - part of the reason the sconces were so expensive is because they are handmade by a vendor when the order is purchased. Most of their items are like that. It isn't like they have a bunch in their warehouse that they go and grab from the back real quick. They told me on the phone since it is hand-crafted it will take a good 3-4 weeks for it to get to me. The quality is something I'd spend the extra dollar on. B) There are bargains on the site - they always have a "SALE" link you click on with dozens and dozens of things that are on sale for the month, week or whatever. C) Even not on sale there are great finds - as many of you know, our nephew is probably coming to live with us and we may even get full custody. I have to start thinking about getting a room ready for him. Today, I found some really stinkin' cute sports quilts for around $100, and they're great quality!

Now that I've gone on and on...here are a few of my Rosenberry Rooms favorite things....

* Of course, my wall sconce!

* Love this hanging wall frame! Very girly!

* Check this out! This is a wall crown! You put it over a child's bed or crib and drape fabric from it! Very vintage, very girly, and VERY expensive. This would be one of the things that isn't a bargain. I can dream though!

*This is the bedding I found for Joey today. He's just discovering sports and I love this quilt and sham! So many cute decorating opps with this bedding. It's vintage sporty!

* We're not sure which sport he's going to take to. He's already done soccer, but if God willing and we get custody, then we're hoping to put him in T-ball in the fall. But I love these vintage wall plaques that are personalized with the child's name.

Happy shopping!

Month Eight

June

Oh, I hope this tank top will be able to make it one more month! It's getting pretty snug! We ended this month with Annabelle being about the size of a pineapple.

I think the month of June was the best I've felt! I still had lots of energy and didn't really feel like I was carrying a bunch of weight. I kept pretty busy this month - finished up the last week of school, taught Vacation Bible School, took Joey to soccer camp and even suffered through the heat for an hour and a half to watch him, and went to the Jonas Brothers concert. I felt good enough to do all of these things and had a blast during all of it! June was a good month. It wasn't until July hit that the heat, swelling, and the weight of my belly on my feet started getting to me. I feel like I did do a lot of growing this month. I'm excited that I should only have one more monthly pic to take and then Annabelle will be here! This pregnancy has gone by so fast! It seems like just yesterday I wasn't even showing and was just in my beginning stages. I'm so eagerly awaiting her arrival! I can tell with the heat and the weight on my feet this month is going to prove to be more of a challenge for me. I plan on staying indoors as much as I can and taking it easy. And as all of my mommy friends are advising me, sleeping as much as possible. Even though, that is getting a little more difficult, but I've always been a good sleeper! Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers out there!

Doctor's Visit No. 10

Well, today was an interesting visit. To start with, I've been having some leg pain and tenderness in my upper left leg. My doctor decided to order me another doppler to have it checked out and make sure that there aren't any blood clots or anything to worry about. She's pretty sure it's just a nerve, but to be on the safe side I have to report to the hospital at 7:30 in the morning for another doppler! Lovely! Nothing like morning traffic on 75! Secondly, after measuring my belly and going off of the last sonogram I had, she is predicting that Annabelle is going to be about an eight and a half pound baby. Oh my! At first she told me that she looked like she'd probably be about 7 or 7 and a half pounds. Then she saw I was only 33 weeks, and she was thinking I was 35. So, I guess that means Annabelle is weighing in at about 2 weeks ahead of schedule. Could this mean I'll have her two weeks early?!? I'm not holding my breath! :0) I am a little anxious about the REALLY big head coming from a REALLY big baby, and possibly a REALLY big rip, but like I told a friend earlier today, I'd do it a million times to get her here safely! I just hope she can wear all the cute outfits that people bought for her! I have so many adorable newborn things! I guess we'll see...

On a different note, I only gained two pounds since my last visit! I got a thumbs up from my doctor instead of "the look", so I'm pretty excited about that!

Her due date is getting closer and closer and I'm getting very excited about meeting her. I just keep wondering what she'll look like. I have it in my head she'll look like her daddy. I don't know why, I just think she will. That wouldn't be such a bad thing...he's a pretty good looking' guy with his tall, dark looks! :0)

...until next time!