Snow snow go away....and don't come back! ;-)

Don't get me wrong...I have really enjoyed the time off to rest with Michael and the pups but it's been too cold and to snowy to do anything but rest! Here are some of my favorite picture from the snow.

 Brinkley loves the snow!!!

 And from the looks of it Gabby does too!

 Time to see the front of the house.

22 inches!! And I think it was still falling at the time we took this pic!

Michael's truck didn't get to be inside and it almost got lost in all the snow.

And lets just be clear, I have only seen this much snow in Colorado and that is where it's supposed to stay! ;-)  Again just like the last winter storm, I had all this free time but I did not blog!  So this week will be another 2 week catch up week.

Week 32

Well Emma is growing...and I mean GROWING! We had the 32 week ultrasound and she is measuring at 34 weeks... For those who don't know the ins and outs of the "weeks", this means that if she keeps growing on track like she should she will be 9 LBS at 40 weeks!!  I have gained 15 lbs myself but sometimes it feels like more thanks to the fact that my feet really don't want to fit into anything other than tennis shoes and my belly keeps bumping into things before I do! :-)


I will give you Emma's stats as though she were really 32 weeks...
Emma weight 3.75 lbs about the size of a large jicama (for those like me who didn't know it's a crispy, sweet edible root that resembles a turnip although there is no relation and is popular in Mexican cuisine.)

And is 16.7 inches long. From now on I should gain around a pound a week and half of that goes directly to Emma proving that she will gain a third to 1/2 her weight in the next seven weeks.

I have noticed that for me the biggest problem lately is blood flow...there is so much but apparently it doesn't know where to go. Last Tuesday I had a scare with numbness in my leg, then arm then face and then some yummy tunnel vision.  While these are classic signs of a migraine for me it's always on the left side and this day it was the right. I called and got in to see Dr. Bailey just to make sure everything was okay and we did the 32 week ultrasound then too. Everything looked good and luckily my blood pressure was normal. Turns out I was just having all the migraine starters without the actual pain so that was a relief. And had I waited until Wednesday for my scheduled appt...I might still be waiting since that was the morning the snow came to town.  Sleep is getting more predictable and I normally only have to go to the bathroom at most 2 times a night I do wake up and waller over to my other side several times each night.

I also escaped NWA for the last time solo for the remainder of my pregnancy to go shopping and looking around Little Rock with my mom. I drove to LR and by awesome little brother picked me up in North Little Rock so that when Mom and I came back the next day it would save me an hour in the car alone. We hit the local baby stores like Baby Depot and Babies R Us but we hit the mother load with Pickles and Ice Cream in Little Rock! I finally found my glider and Mom and MeMe ordered it for me right then! I had said over and over again that I didn't want the traditional glider because I didn't like the way it looked and I wouldn't be able to move it to other rooms...but after sitting in many different chairs...the traditional gilder was just the BEST!  Here is picture of what mine will look like ...

We didn't get the ottoman because of room and this isn't the actually fabric but it is a pink and I think I will like it for years to come!! Later on if I have a boy we can always get it recovered but I decided that there is no need to plan for someone that might not be here for 3 years or more. It will take 5 weeks so hopefully it will be here by the time Emma makes her appearance. Also got my present from my little brother this weekend and it's already in Emma's room!

And MeMe is going to see if she can't make this little guy for some newborn pictures!! :-)

All in all it was quite a wonderful week!!


33 Weeks 

Emma should now be weighing in a little over 4 lbs and the weight and shape is reminiscent of a pineapple.

She has passed the 17 inch mark and is rapidly losing her wrinkled, alien look and her skeleton is hardening but thankfully her skull isn't fused so that she can make her appearance with a little less pain. :-)

This is the week that they let me know I may start to waddle!! How exciting! ;-P I also get to look forward to seeing more difficulty finding a comfortable position to sit in and the bumping into chairs and counter is now par for the course! They have also validated the numbness I have been feeling in my hands. I am noticing it when I drive and dry my hair...apparently it's due to the increased pressure in the carpal tunnel of my wrists and I should stretch more. I will give it a try.

This week marks the first week that we should be able to go to our child birth class and we are going to have to squeeze 4, 3 hour sessions into 3 nights.  It will be a lot of info but I want as much info as I possibly can have!!  And last but certainly not least we got our proofs in! Jonathan Edward and his beautiful wife Becky did an amazing job!! Check out their work on http://jephotography.net/ and we have already found 6 photos that I can't live without! Here is one that will go in Emma's room... We can't wait to get them in our hands and will be ordering today or tomorrow!

Have a blessed day!!!

How Far Along: 31 Weeks- due date is April 3rd

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained 13 lbs

Maternity Clothes: All maternity all the way!!

Gender: Girl  -  Name: Emma Jean

Movement: All the time! :-) But I think mostly she is just trying to get in a better position!

What I miss: Being able to eat stuff without always getting reflux. :-(

Cravings: I wanted watermelon soooo bad on Tuesday night...but alas it's not in season. Instead my wonderful husband made me a berry and peach smoothie and I put it in a martini glass to dress it up! 

Best things about this week: Getting to catch up on my sleep thanks to snowmagedon!! I feel like a real person again and last night I had 2 4 hour blocks of sleep!! And here is what I woke up to yesterday...(Michael was in the other room working from home so his spot was open!)

We also got a visit from Elizabeth Sullivan, her husband Pat and their little girl Aubrey. The best part about the visit was the Gabby and Brinkley did great!! We were worried about Gabby since she is so scared of little people! But look...

Maternity photos were taken on Saturday and we can't wait to see them this next Monday assuming the snow works with us!! And the breast feeding class was great. Unfortunately we didn't get to go to our child birth class due to the weather so they are going to try and put our 4 weeks into 3.

Week 31 has been eventful

Emma is now over 16 inches long and weighs about 3.3 lbs!! (it' like carrying around 4 navel oranges!) and she is headed into a growth spurt!!

She can move her head from side to side and she is plumping up to fill out the skin she's had for a while. 

For me it's the same ole same ole...she moves a lot so I don't sleep as much but that is a blessing since her movement means she is doing GREAT! I'm getting braxton hicks contractions every now and then and I could start leaking colostrum or "premilk" now! :-(

Hopefully we will have some pregnancy pictures to show you next week and we will have our 32 week ultrasound to check on Emma's growth! YEA!!!

Be blessed!! And stay warm!

Is that a head I see?!?

How Far Along: 30 Weeks- due date is April 3rd

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained 10 lbs

Maternity Clothes: All maternity all the way!!

Gender: Girl  -  Name: Emma Jean

Movement: All the time! :-) She also stretches often and at times Michael can see a strange shape pushing out of my stomach! :-D And new...Braxton Hicks are in full effect.

What I miss: Being able to get in and out of the bath tub easily!

Cravings: Sweets more than savory foods. Here is my fave

Best thing about the last two weeks: There are soooo many...
We got Emma's furniture in and it looks great!!

Lunch with two of my good friends Laura Ladd Poff and Elizabeth Smith!!
Snow day home with Michael and the puppy's
It's been a GREAT two weeks!

Week 29 developments...

Emma Jean now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds like a butternut squash

and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. Her muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and her head is growing bigger to make room for her developing brain. To meet her increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. (none of those things are on my "Yum I can't have enough list") Her bones are soaking up lots of calcium,  which is great since I go through a gallon of milk in 3 days!! Interesting fact: this trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

Great news for me...some old friends — heartburn and constipation — may take center stage now. :-(  The pregnancy hormone progesterone relaxes smooth muscle tissue throughout my body, including your gastrointestinal tract. This relaxation, coupled with the crowding in your abdomen, slows digestion. Sluggish digestion can cause gas and heartburn — especially after a big meal — and contribute to constipation. All the more reason to eat small meals often...but that is easier said than done. The best way to prevent constipation is to  eat a high-fiber diet, drink plenty of water, and get some regular exercise. Done, Done and Done!

So far no hemorrhoids, but I hear they are bound to show up...  Fortunately, they usually clear up in the weeks after giving birth.

Week 30 developments...

Emma's about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds like a head of cabbage.

A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in my uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. I guess this explains why we as adults are always talking to babies soooo close up!

I get the joy of feeling more tired. :-( I don't sleep well at night anymore and that makes the days go by sooooo slow! Another fun fac...my ligaments are relaxing now and this relaxation of my ligaments can actually cause my feet to spread permanently, so I may have to invest in some new shoes in a bigger size. While part of me is hoping this doesn't happen...part of me would be super stoked to get all new shoes! (like we will have any money to spend on me once Emma is here!?!)

Another thing I hoped was in the past were mood swings...but apparently we are having all sorts of repeat guests. The combination of uncomfortable symptoms and hormonal changes can result in a return of these emotional ups and downs.

In family news we had our first real snow day. Here are a few of our fave pictures. This is also the reason that I am again a week late. You would think that since I was off on Thursday and that is the day I normally post it would be a no brainier...but I spent most of the day sleeping! ;-)

This weekend I am going to get Maternity photos taken and I have my breast feeding class...then next week we start our weekly child birthing classes!!! I can't believe that in 69 days I will have a baby to hold!! :->


Be blessed and more to come next week!!

Isaiah 26:3
"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."



Third Trimester!!!

How Far Along: 28 Weeks- due date is April 3rd

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained 10 lbs by my scale but 8 by the doctors??

Maternity Clothes: I can still wear a couple of regular drapey tops but I am maternity pants all the way!!

Gender: Girl  -  Name: Emma Jean

Movement: All the time! ;-) She moves when I eat, when I try to sleep, when I do my exercising! 

Love the feeling!!

What I miss: Being able to tie my shoes without a little pain...something I really took for granted apparently. :-)

Cravings: Sweets more than savory foods.

Best Moment this week: It was actually when my migraine went away!! I woke up an within no time I go the tunnel vision was there. But with a cave-like bedroom and a snuggly Vizsla I was able to get through it it only 6 hours!!

 

 Yesterday I had my monthly checkup and I only have one more monthly one until I go to every other week. :-) Here is what is happening in my belly this week...

Emma is now weighing in at 2 1/4 pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and is 14.8 inches long from her head to her heels. She is blinking her little eyes which now sport eyelashes.

As for me...I am noticing RLS in full effect!! (Restless Legs Syndrome) Last night I laid in bed for over an hour because my legs didn't want to go to sleep. Michael and I are also going to Baby CPR tonight. I was worried about learning this but the instructor assured me of one thing, "if your baby is not breathing and you panic...she will die so it's better that you know how you might be able to save her than not have ever heard the information."  That is a scenario that I hope never to have to face but if I do knowledge is better than no knowledge!! We also have our child birthing classes on Wednesday nights for the month of Feb. and I have my breastfeeding class set up at the end of this month.

We are still waiting on our furniture...but when it comes in it will look like this

Once we get this in then I think I can really start putting everything together and I can't wait to have her room set up for her! :-) 

That's all I have for now. 

Be blessed!!

1 Peter 5:7

"Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you."

Weeks 26 and 27!! Last week of the 2nd Trimester!! ;-D

How Far Along: 27 Weeks- due date is April 3rd

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained 9 lbs
I am noticing that even with not a lot of weight my shoes no longer want to fit! :-(

Maternity Clothes: I can still wear a couple of regular drapey tops but I am maternity pants all the way!! Even got a new snazzy pair of black tennis shoes to wear to work...I have flats but my feet need more support!

Gender: Girl  -  Name: Emma Jean

Movement: All the time! ;-) She moves when I eat, when I try to sleep, when I do my exercising! Love the feeling!!

What I miss: Being able to tie my shoes without a little pain...something I really took for granted apparently. :-)

Cravings: Sweets more than savory foods. But I am finding that anytime I am board...I want to eat.

Best Moment this week:Finding a good sleep bra! It really makes all the difference!!!

So what you missed at 26 weeks...Emma was weighing about one pound and two thirds and 14 inches long! About the length of an English Hothouse Cucumber

She can now hear Michael and I as we talk to each other. As for me I am making plans...we had the house painted and now I am just so ready to get Emma's room together!! Who knew that it took 2 weeks for a truck to travel from New Jersey to NWA. I have gotten our Childbirth class, CPR and my breast feeding class all scheduled!! Can't believe that it's already time to do this!! 

This week Emma is in her last week of the 2nd Trimester!! She is now a whopping 2 pounds  like a head of cauliflower 

and 14 1/2 inches long. This extra length explains why I fell her all over my belly...all the time. :-) She may sleep but I guess it's during the shot times she lets me. I had a really bad night sleeping on Tuesday. I could not go to sleep and if I did I would not get more than 20-30 minutes at a time. However when I did sleep here is a taste of what it was like... 

midgets, 5 lost boys living in a RV in my driveway, going on quests, putting a child in a dog crate and Giles (Buffy the Vampire Slayer's watcher...)I don't know if it was something I ate (or the sad sad loss in the Sugar Bowl) 

but it's not something I look forward to in the future. I think I might be getting too hot while I sleep so I may have to adjust my wardrobe accordingly. Michael's has drill this weekend so Mom is coming up and we will start putting the house back together and putting anything we don't hang back on the walls up in storage! SOOO excited! It's only been two weeks since I saw Mom last but I just love it when I have her all to myself up here. :-D

Well that is all for now...on to the 3rd trimester!!! 

Be blessed!

So many blessings!!!

Christmas time is my favorite time of the year!! And not because of the gifts I get, but the gift of friends,  family and fellowship that I get this time of year! This Christmas will mark the second without my PawPaw and the first without my Grandpaw. I miss them both but the feelings are intensified this time of year because of the annual traditions we always had. This year has been a wild roller coaster and with Emma on the way I think things will likely never slow down. :-)

So today marks the last day of work for the year and then off to my family!! MeMe got a stomach virus on Sunday and since she usually is the cooker of Christmas lunch looks like Michael, Mom and Me will be tackling that task. Mom did tell me last night that while MeMe is now feeling a little better...PapPaw is now sick so either way Christmas lunch will be at Mom and Dad's for the first time EVER! ;-) (or at least since I was born) All of our stuff is packed and presents are ready to be distributed to the appropriate family member upon arrival! Did I mention that I LOVE this time of year!!

Back to baby Emma. Week 25 has been great! For those of you still not on the week terminology that is 5 1/2 months down...three more to grow.  Emma is not about 13 1/2 inches from head to toe and weighs 1 1/2 pounds which is roughly the weight of your average rutabaga

She is slowly starting to change her look from long and lean with the addition of a little baby fat. This will help to fill out the wrinkled shin she is sporting now. They also tell me that she is growing more hair...and that if I could see it I would be able to tell the color and texture. We are really hoping for a ginger...or for those of us on this side of the pond a red head! Mom and Hunter both have red hair and Michael's beard is red so we feel like there is hope!

As for me I too am going to take a page from one of my friends...it's kinda a Bridget Jones report of the week... (thanks Elizabeth!)

How Far Along: 25 Weeks- due date is April 3rd

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained 8 lbs

(Funny how if I look at me it looks like more but my doctor said I am right on track!)

Maternity Clothes: I can still wear a couple of regular drapey tops but I am maternity pants all the way!! and I have been wearing dresses and tights a lot too and that is nice!!

Gender: Girl Name: Emma Jean

After my Great Great Grandmother and My mom and MeMe's middle names.

Movement: Morning and evenings when I get still. Still can't pinpoint what makes her move.

What I miss: Being able to tie my shoes without a little pain...something I really took for granted apparently. :-)

Cravings: Up until last night I would say that I hadn't had one...but I smelled what I thought was a biscuit...and then had to make one!! Good thing we had some of those individual frozen ones.

Best Moment this week: Sleeping without interruption for 8 hours last night!!

On another note I read this week that I am really not growing more hair...it's just that the hair I normally shed naturally is staying put longer...so once the baby is here I will go through my own shedding process much like Brinkley! Just another fun thing to look forward to right! ;-)

Well that is all for now! 

 

Have a blessed week and enjoy all your time with family and friends!!

Luke 2: 1-20

The Birth of Jesus

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 


“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
   and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.  But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Steady growig is key!

Emma has made her way into 24 weeks! She is putting on weight (about 4 ozs since last week) and she is now a little over a pound. She is also about a foot long...and that is close to a normal ear of corn

Her taste buds are continuing to develop and there are now "branches" of her respiratory "tree" in her little lungs! She is still sporting the translucent skin but I am told that too will change soon. ;-)


As for me, I now look like I am trying to smuggle a soccer ball under my shirt! ;-) I also had the glucose screening test on Monday and so far no news is good news. I am not sure how I feel about the whole...if there is something wrong we will call but if not we will just talk about it in a month!! That is a long time!!

I also had my first bout with sickness this week! I was fine on Monday and sometime during the night I caught a cold. That cold put me out of commission for 2 days and while I am now back to work...My head isn't all the way here. I am a fan of medication when I have a cold and the fact that I am restricted to most of the good stuff didn't help matters much. Luckily my puppies were super sweet and cuddled with me most of the day! They also got their picture taken with Santa!!

They were at Sugarbears in Fayetteville and they did such a good job! Later we tried to walk around the square to take a family photo but it was far to cold and windy for that!!

We are now one week from spending some much needed time with my family in Brinkley!! Can't wait to see everyone and celebrate my favorite holiday of the year...the birth of Christ!!

Have a blessed week and if I don't write...a very Merry Christmas!

Jill