Her First Time Falling Asleep in the Swimg

First Unassisted Shower

So far I've only bathed Alana while Rex was home. But today, after she peed all down her back, I just had to bathe her asap. I brought the rock-n-play into the bathroom and layed the towels down in it so I could throw her in it and keep her warm until I could finish showering and dry off. It worked out well. Now I know I can shower her by myself! Go me! 

One Month

My baby girl is growing so much! She now weighs 9 lbs 13 oz - the exact weight Rex and I were when we were born. She has the sweetest litte hairs on her ears and sucks on her fists to calm herself down. She is smiling all the time now and breastfeeding like a champ. The only way she will sleep at night is on my chest. She hates having her diaper changed and riding in the car, although she is getting better. We spend all day, every day together and I couldn't be happier. 

Baby Girl Has Arrived!

I woke up at 2am with contractions 20 minutes apart. Around 4am I texted my midwife and she said to take a warm bath and call her when they were 10 minutes apart. I took this picture, my last belly picture, right before I got into the shower. 

I layed in the bathtub with the shower running and tried to relax and sleep. Two hours later I got out and let Rex know it was time to go. Rex finally went and installed the car seat (I had been asking him to do it for weeks but of course he waited until the last minute and did it wrong, he put it behind the drivers seat, it should go in the middle) while I got dressed and grabbed everything I would need. My contractions were now 6 minutes apart and getting extremely painful. Rex walked the dogs then we were off to the birthing center.

We got to the birthing center around 10am. They took me to a room and checked my cervix. I was 7 cm and in the most pain I've ever felt. Hence, the ugly face. 

Giving the thumbs up between contractions. 

And back to being in extreme pain. 

We got into the blue room around 10:30. My mom, sister, dad, and paternal grandmother were all there in the room with me while I labored. They kept me talking between contractions which I think really helped me. The nurse I had was awesome. She would put pressure on my back during contractions and helped me breathe through the pain. She kept saying, "don't fight it! Your body's doing it's job. Just relax and breathe!"

Around 1pm my midwife came and checked me. I was almost at 10cm. While she was checking my water broke. She said it happened on its own but I think she broke it. Once I got to 10cm it was time to start pushing.  

At 1:45pm my 7 lbs, 2 oz, 19.75 in. beautiful baby girl made her earth side appearance. It was amazing!! She was so beautiful!

Our first night as a family: 

40 Weeks

39 Weeks

How far along? 39 weeks

Total weight gain? 34 last time I checked

Best moment this week: finally putting the crib together and getting everything ready

Miss anything? shaving with ease 

Movement: she's runnin out of room and not moving as much as before 

Food Cravings: none

Anything making you queasy or sick: bacon

Gender Prediction: GIRL! It's a girl :)

Symptoms: heartburn, some light cramping, Braxton hicks occasionally

Belly Button in or out? poking out

Wedding rings on or off? off my finger but on my necklace

Happy or Moody most of the time: happy all the time :) 

Looking forward to: meeting my baby girl!!

Baby Names? still nothing final

Thoughts: I only have one week left! OMG, that's so crazy to me. Ready or not, here she comes! 

37 Weeks

How far along? 37 weeks

Total weight gain? 31 lbs as of Wednesday

Best moment this week: walking on the beach on Friday 

Miss anything? not really, I'm really enjoying these last few weeks

Movement: all the time :)  

Food Cravings: none 

Anything making you queasy or sick: not really

Gender Prediction: GIRL! It's a girl :)

Symptoms: some light cramping and possible Braxton Hicks

Belly Button in or out? poking out

Wedding rings on or off? off my finger but on my necklace

Happy or Moody most of the time: happy all the time :) 

Looking forward to: meeting my baby girl!!

Baby Names? still nothing

Thoughts: I really need to finish washing all the baby clothes. I've procrastinated long enough. Time to get everything done so I can stop worrying about it. 

Midwife Appointment: 36 Weeks

I will now have weekly appointments until baby comes. I gained two pounds in the past week so I have officially gained 31 lbs. I was really hoping to not gain any more than 30 but oh well. For the first time ever baby girl measured two weeks ahead. The midwife said that it wasn't a big deal so I guess it's okay. As long as she's healthy I'm not going to worry about it.

Good news is I got my results for the group b strep swab and passed that so yay, I don't need antibiotics during labor. The bad news is my blood was a little low in iron which means I may be anemic so I have to start taking an iron pill everyday. That puts me at three different pills a day. Luckily I only have 3-4 weeks left so it's not a big deal. OMG! I only have 3-4 weeks left!! Wow...

36 Weeks

How far along? 36 weeks

Total weight gain? almost 30 lbs I'm sure

Best moment this week: moving furniture and getting baby stuff ready

Miss anything? Sleeping on my stomach

Movement: all the time :) . 

Food Cravings: candy and ice cream

Anything making you queasy or sick: being sick with a cold is making me nauseous 

Gender Prediction: GIRL! It's a girl :)

Symptoms: my hands falling asleep when I'm sleeping on my sides

Belly Button in or out? it has officially poked out and looks so weird

Wedding rings on or off? off my finger but on my necklace

Happy or Moody most of the time: happy all the time :) 

Looking forward to: 

Baby Names? not yet

Thoughts: 

Midwife Appointment: 35 Week

On my way to my appointment today I got a flat tire. I pulled into a gas station to put air in my tire because I thought it was just low but the air didn't do anything and I was pissed. So I started getting everything out so I could change my tire. I've done it myself before so it wasn't a big deal. Luckily for me a nice man saw me and came over to do it for me. He has four daughters, three of which who drive so he was really nice about it and did it in five minutes and I wasn't late to my appointment. Thank you whoever you were. I really, really appreciated it.

When I weighed myself I had lost two pounds since three weeks ago. It was probably because I was sick this past week and a half and not eating much. That puts me at 29 lbs more than before I got pregnant. Despite the weight loss baby girl is measuring right on track and has a healthy heartbeat in the 130's. She's head down in optimal position and will hopefully stay that way. Because I'm getting close to term my midwife gave me 5-W pills (haven't looked it up yet) to soften my cervix. She also gave me the birth certificate info so that's exciting. I also had to have blood drawn and had to swab for group b strep. Hopefully it all comes out fine.

All in all everything went perfectly and I just cannot wait to meet my baby girl!

35 Weeks

How far along? 35 weeks

Total weight gain? 29 lbs

Best moment this week: all you can eat crawfish today at Cabo

Miss anything? Sleeping through the night without peeing all the time

Movement: all the time :) 

Food Cravings: none at the moment 

Anything making you queasy or sick: not eating enough

Gender Prediction: GIRL! It's a girl :)

Symptoms: just feeling fat and uncomfortable

Belly Button in or out? still in but starting to poke out of my shirts

Wedding rings on or off? off

Happy or Moody most of the time: happy all the time :) except when I'm sick

Looking forward to: meeting my baby girl

Baby Names? no...

Thoughts: Holy crap! Five more weeks!!

33 Weeks

Midwife Appointment: 32 Weeks

Holy cow I've officially gained 30 whole pounds. That's the most I wanted to gain the whole time and I still have a month and a half left! I really really need to start focusing on my diet more. I'm eating way too much marble slab and candy. My midwife says to eat more protein and exercise. It's terrible that I never exercise. I just walk the dogs but that's not enough. My next appointment is in three weeks and my goal is to not gain any more. 

Baby girl has flipped! She is no longer breech which makes me very happy! I am measuring right on track at 32.2cm and everything is going perfectly. She scared me for a minute when my midwife couldn't find her heartbeat right away. When she finally found it I was so relieved. It was lower than usual (150's)

but still okay at 135bpm. 

It's so crazy to think that I'm almost done. I have really enjoyed being pregnant and it's kinda sad it will all be over in just 8 short weeks. But it's alright because I'll have a beautiful baby girl to take care of!

32 Weeks

How far along? 32 weeks

Total weight gain? over 25 lbs. I'll know for sure at my appointment on Wednesday.

Best moment this week: Rex and I getting dressed up and going out to see Ghost on Thursday night

Miss anything? Sleeping through the night

Movement: all the time :) but today, not so much. 

Food Cravings: crawfish. It's that time of year. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: not eating

Gender Prediction: GIRL! It's a girl :)

Symptoms: nausea, my hands falling asleep when I'm sleeping on my side

Belly Button in or out? still in but starting to poke out

Wedding rings on or off? my wedding band is still on but I had to take off my engagement ring while I was at the show and I haven't put it back on. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: happy all the time :) except for when Rex pisses me off

Looking forward to: my appointment on Wednesday. Hopefully baby girl has turned head down but we will see. 

Baby Names? no. 

Thoughts: I need to start nesting asap. So far I've only cleaned the closet and moved the dresser. 

My Baby Shower

I was so busy the whole time I didn't get many chances to take pictures. Here are the few I did take at the end of the party after I opened all my presents and almost everyone had left. My mom's friend Alma took pictures but I'll have to wait on those. 

Me and my baby daddy. 

This is Jennifer, my cousin's wife. I love her so much. She is an amazing mother to her daughter and baby son. She's still breastfeeding and makes her own baby food (I hope to do the same). 

This is Cristen. She has become a really great friend recently. She has three kids and is my go-to girl for all kinds of mommy advise and guidance. I love her and her whole beautiful family. 

This is my best friend forever, Sela. I've known her since seventh grade which makes her my oldest friend. We may not hang out all the time or even talk all the time but every time we do get together its just like it has always been. She is the funniest person I know and truly has a heart of gold. I have tons of love for this girl.

Three of my "good" friends cancelled on me in the morning. They had some pretty shitty excuses. One was sick with diarrhea, one had a sick kid, and the other had to drive with her husband to pick up a car. It really upset me that they missed it. But it did show me who my true friends are. 

31 Weeks

How far along? 31 weeks

Total weight gain? 25+ lbs

Best moment this week: My birthday! And spending quality time with my husband :)

Miss anything? not really, I'm enjoying my pregnancy

Movement: all the time :)

Food Cravings: birthday cake

Anything making you queasy or sick: not eating

Gender Prediction: GIRL! It's a girl :)

Symptoms: nausea, my hands falling asleep when I'm sleeping on my side

Belly Button in or out? in still but kinda starting to poke out

Wedding rings on or off? on, thank goodness I'm not swollen

Happy or Moody most of the time: happy all the time :)

Looking forward to: watching my belly grow bigger!

Baby Names? nothing is final yet. Picking a name has proved to be the hardest part.

Thoughts: I had a great time at my shower today! This baby is so loved already and got so many good presents and tons of clothes. 

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today I turned 27!! We went to my parents house to have dinner with my family. My SIL's birthday is the day after mine so we celebrated both with a delicious cake and ice cream. I'm so thankful to have such an amazing and loving family.

30 Weeks

How far along? 30 weeks! OMG, only 10 more to go!!

Total weight gain? 25 lbs

Best moment this week: 

Miss anything? sleeping through the night

Movement: all the time :)

Food Cravings: cookies and ice cream

Anything making you queasy or sick: 

Gender Prediction: GIRL! It's a girl :)

Symptoms:

Belly Button in or out? in

Wedding rings on or off? on

Happy or Moody most of the time: happy

Looking forward to: 

Baby Names?

Thoughts: 

Two Busted Blood Vessels in Two Weeks

Last Friday (1/31) I ate some funky gravy and puked my guts out. The next morning I noticed I had busted a blood vessel in my left eye. Cut to the next Sunday (2/2). My eye had finally healed then it happened again. After Leah's baby shower I came home and puked my guts out again. This time I busted a blood vessel in my right eye. I have never had that happen before so it really freaked me out.

Stupid Nurse

She bruised me really bad when she took my blood. The left picture is from the day after and the right picture is a week later. I feel like I look like a damn junkie. I'm so mad at that nurse for doing this to me.

29 Weeks

How far along? 29 weeks

Total weight gain? 25 freakin' pounds :( I really don't want to gain any more but I'm sure I will.

Best moment this week: sending out invites to my shower. 

Miss anything? feeling normal

Movement: all the time :)

Food Cravings: red velvet ice cream with brownie from Marble Slab

Anything making you queasy or sick: not eating the right things

Gender Prediction: GIRL! It's a girl :)

Symptoms: nausea 

Belly Button in or out? in

Wedding rings on or off? on

Happy or Moody most of the time: happy

Looking forward to: helping my mom plan my shower

Baby Names? Penny and Piper

Thoughts: at my appointment on Wednesday they gave a little postpartum class and now I'm really looking forward to signing up for more classes.

Deanna's Birthday Dinner at Luigi's

My sister's friend's family owns an Italian restaurant in Houston so we went there for dinner. It was seriously the best Italian food I've ever had. The Alfredo sauce was so amazing. I ordered the filet mignon and that was amazing too! Afterwards we all went to a local bar to hang out and drink. It was really fun even though I didn't drink. 

I love my sister so much!!

Damn, I look huge!

Baby Predictions

At my baby shower I want to have everyone write down their predictions for our little lady. Here's what I have so far: 

• What day will she arrive?
• What time will she arrive?
• How long will mom be in labor?
• How much will she weigh? 
• How long will she be?
• Will she have hair?
• What color hair will she have?
• What color will her eyes be?
• Will she have dimples? One or two?
• Will she look more like mom or dad?

I can't wait to see what everyone thinks and who is right.

Happy Birthday Sister!

Today my little sister turns 23 years old! Unfortunately, I won't get to see her today but she's coming to town on Friday and on Saturday we're going out to celebrate with her.

Love you sister! I hope you have a good birthday!!

28 Weeks

How far along? 28 weeks

Total weight gain? like 20 lbs :( I'll know for sure at my appointment on Wednesday

Best moment this week: seeing my belly grow

Miss anything? eating without feeling sick

Movement: all the time :)

Food Cravings: none really

Anything making you queasy or sick: not eating frequently 

Gender Prediction: GIRL! It's a girl :)

Symptoms: nausea, hip pain when I'm sleeping 

Belly Button in or out? in

Wedding rings on or off? on

Happy or Moody most of the time: happy

Looking forward to: meeting my baby girl

Baby Names? I think I like Penny but I'm not sure..

Thoughts: My poor baby still doesn't have a name and it makes me sad.