Pretty & Pregnant: December Update

December 12th: Today was another doctor appointment. I'm so glad the doctor is watching us closely. We had a good report today for the most part. When the doctor sat down before he proceeded to the ultrasound we went over any concerns or questions that I or daddy had so far. I expressed my concerns for Braxton Hick contractions. The doctor said that it was a little early to experience them but it wasn't uncommon. I let him know how I experienced them with your sister early on and that I was put on bedrest with that pregnancy because they were so bad. He said it could be that I'm petite and you are pushing my muscles causing them to get irritated and contract. He advised to keep a close eye on them. Now onto the ultrasound... We discovered the tear is pretty much healed however it left behind a lot of scar tissue which could cause my water to break at any given moment. I need to be really careful so I do not cause anything to irritate it and cause it to rupture. Also giving reason to the Braxton Hicks. Your movements inside mommy's tummy most likely are irritating the scar tissue and causing them to give contractions. The doctor didn't pose very large concern but will keep an eye on us to make sure things stay going good but we are almost in the "clear zone" which makes mommy and daddy extremely relieved. At the appointment you were laying in the strangest way but not too far off from your usual position, all curled up in a U shape with your hands and feet covering your face. Your head was then tilted to the side away from us. The doctor zoomed in and was able to get a glimpse of your nose and mouth. You were opening and closing it and almost looked as if you were smiling at us. Dr. Downs said it looked like you were swallowing. As the doctor went onto the remainder of the ultrasound, he looked at your heart which looked great and he is 99% sure it is all the way formed with no defects. Next he looked at your stomach which looked great as well. 


Everything else looks good! What great news! The tear like I said does pose a risk for preterm labor but were at the point where it would be safe to deliver if we had too. But from the looks of it my cervix is very long and doesn't look like it will be ready for labor anytime soon. I need to remain on bed rest and careful of any activities to ensure you stay in there until you are ready. 


Today you measured to be about a POUND! You were 15 oz but it was more closer to a pound. Your growing beautifully :)


No ultrasound picture today since you weren't in the best position for a good picture. The doctor did tell me not to schedule my appointments on Monday to make sure we get the better machine (3D's will be coming up soon!). 

FUN FACTS:

How big is baby: From the ultrasound 1 pound and I'm guessing about 10 inches (I'll have to ask him to measure baby's length next time)

Weight Gain: Believe it or not I have almost reached 20 pounds. Yes, I'm serious. Since my weight when I first weighed myself varied a couple pounds I have gained anywhere from 17-19 pounds. This doesn't surprise me since with Bri'elle I gained a good 50-55 pounds (it was all belly). I think it will be about the same with this pregnancy.


Sleep: Sleep is pretty good for the most part. I get up to use the bathroom probably an average of 5 times. Sometimes I can go as long as 1 use (if I'm sleeping soundly) or even 3 times. Other times I use it every hour to 30 mins depending on how I'm laying. My sides have been going numb which is cause from poor blood circulation so I have to toss and turn in between sides but I prefer to lay on my right side. And you move the most at night. Recently you have started to move a little less but it as if you are like get up mommy I want to play now. Some days it actually puts me to sleep others I dwell in the moment and watch/feel you move. 

Movement: You move like crazy at certain times. It's hard to tell but when people talk or when you hear loud noise (especially your sister's voice) you move like crazy. During the day you are pretty dormant moving here and there otherwise you prefer to move in the evenings or when mommy is going to sleep. When I read and pray at bedtime with your sister you move a lot and its very comforting. If my schedule is thrown off, your schedule gets thrown off and to tell you the truth it scares me when it happens but will try to do what I can to get it back on track. A really funny fact about your movement is you move when the pastor preaches. I noticed it about 4-5 weeks ago and have been watching closely to see if I'm right and I am! haha! Last week you were moving so much during the sermon the people sitting next me (one being your dad) saw in the corner of their eye not even looking at my stomach. I actually giggled out loud because it was so funny. After the sermon you stop moving or only move periodically. You love listening to our Heavenly Father already, that's my girl! Praise the Lord!


Food Cravings/Aversions: Some of my cravings have been caramel, bacon, chocolate, cheese, peanut butter... almost like a sweet/salty craving. Food that I have been craving real recently is salsa, fondue, chili cheese dogs (which is strange because I do not like hot dogs lucky dad bought us some turkey and hebrew beef dogs), caramelized onions on just about anything - we had mashed potatoes one night and burgers the next. Some more cravings have been hot chocolate, waffles, and tortilla soup. Food that have a toll with my stomach early pregnancy it was this certain brand of garlic salt so I have avoided it but I really want to test if its gone. Panda Express not sure if it was the pregnancy or a bad batch of something so I have stayed away from it and a burger from (I forget) but mommy made homemade burgers and I was licking the juice from the burger so I think I will make them from now on, I think it was the grease from the fast food joint since I'm not suppose to eat that stuff anyway. I've craved some other things and have avoided other things but can't exactly remember at the moment. Until next time... I'll keep eating. 


Gender: We have confirmed you are still a girl so I'll go for that. We're really excited to have another girl. I get to do all the girly stuff all over again and some I didn't get to do. And I have your big sister to help. One thing we have to remember is not to team up on daddy too much. Who knows how long us girls will be in the ranks :)


Things mommy misses: I will keep this PG for you so I won't go into any detail on one subject ;) **ear muffs my darling j/k** (I hated when my parents would get all gushy and now I think its funny that I can do it...lol) (Your little sis encourages it by pushing daddy and mommy's heads together and then waits for us to kiss, will see how you react. Other things, being out of the house the most. I'm used to being on bed rest but I crave being able to exercise running through a park or etc. I don't miss it too much because it won't be long until I will be doing that this is only temporary and I would give anything up for you. I'm hoping to get an okay to start walking in March. Also to dressing up and going out even if its to a friends house. Mommy loves to dress up (high heels) and since the tear I'm too scared to where anything higher than an inch. Your momma will be making that up with heels and a stroller any chance I can..haha. 


Things I'm looking forward to: having another girl! Watching you and your sister together. Seeing your 3D ultrasound and comparing it to our pictures even though I know its only a view. You will take my breath away when I get to take that first look at you but an ultrasound will let me practice so I know to keep breathing, hehe. All the holidays coming up being pregnant. I didn't get to experience pregnancy through the holidays with your sister and will you I do. Spring is the most #1 thing I'm looking forward to, when my little flower will bloom. 


Verses for you: They touched me so much during my pregnancy with you it was as if the Lord was speaking to me as I read them. I hope they give you words of Wisdom and you let them speak to your heart


Jeremiah 1:5 - "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."


Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord,"plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."


I will post some belly pics soon. I just got my computer back so once I'm able to upload them I'll do a belly growth blog post. 


My dear little blossom, I pray that you continue to strive in mommy's tummy. That you are growing like you should and thank God for being by your side. You have shown that soon you will bloom when you are ready and the timing is right. We will see you in about 2 1/2 weeks (in an ultrasound that is). I love you sweetheart!

Pretty & Pregnant: November Belly/Ultrasound Pics

Since I started the blogging on the pregnancy a little late because what was going on at the time, I'm trying to catch it up as quickly as possible without leaving any information behind. I'm hoping posts will be more on a regular basis once I catch up. 

November Belly/Ultrasound Pics

November 15th

I have been starting to really see you move from the outside. Today my tummy did a few little flinches from where you were kicking. I tried to capture a recording but you had already stopped. It was so amazing to see your little movements from the outside. 

November 21st

Today was another appointment to peak on you. You are growing just as you should. The tear that mommy developed early on is almost healed. The doctor said it is forming nicely and should be completely healed soon enough. Still mommy is on bedrest and might be the rest of the pregnancy. Which will give me plenty of time to enjoy the wonderful joys of pregnancy with you. Next week we go in to another ultrasound to see how well you are growing and developing. Your big sissy will be coming with us so we can introduce you guys even though she talks to you all the time. Mommy's Weight Gain: 13-16 pounds

November 28th

Today we had an ultrasound with the radiology dept. At this appointment they get all kinds of pictures of you to make sure you are developing properly and to ensure you are healthy. The tech said you have petite features and are precious and that mommy was her Barbie mom :) You were moving all over the place but your main position is a U. You also had your big toe sticking out which is something you get from your daddy. Your sister also does this. It was so nice to see this on the ultrasound. You have a little personality already. And she confirmed you are a girl!!! Mommy and daddy have already started going through clothes and toys for you getting things ready. I can't wait to get your room together. Your Big Sister came to this visit and just stared like she was in awe of you. You two will be good sisters. Keep pushing strong little girl....

 

 

Christmas Week of Traditions

We get so busy during December for the Holidays especially with all of our traditions and new ones we have started. This year we weren't able to do all of our traditions since I'm limited on the things I can do but I'm sure next year will be a whole other story. 

First Trip: Tilden Park - this has been a tradition for at least the past 6-7 years, I'm so happy this is one we were able to do this year. 

Seeing Santa is another tradition/ part of our Christmas celebration. Since I was a baby my mom has always taken me and as the family grew all of us to see Santa even in my highschool days. If one of us weren't there she still had them taken throughout the years. Every Christmas she lines them up on the mantle adding the newest year. It's so neat to look back at them and yes, we all still take Santa pics for her :) Jay and I decided we wanted to make this our tradition and every year we will purchase the special frame they have for our Christmas with Santa. This year was interesting because Bri'elle knows who Santa is but didn't want to sit on his lap. When we were waiting in line I thought of a master plan to reel her in.... Santa had a special gift to hand to Bri'elle as she walked up to him (yes, I'm a genius...this gift came from the Disney Store within the mall, lol). And it worked! She still didn't really want to sit on his lap but she thanked him and even blew him a kiss. Jay and I joined her for the picture so she wouldn't freak out.

A new tradition we're adding - Gingerbread Man/House
We actually did this last year and the year before but it was mainly for fun and to be spontaneous. This year Bri'elle did it all by herself. I'm totally excited for the years to come. 

 



The tradition we weren't able to make it to this year because of time and limited energy was - Candy Cane Lane, but we did drive around through a street near our house of about 5 houses that are all decked out (we drove there almost everytime coming home from somewhere). 

It was so much fun doing the little few things that we did. I loved seeing Bri'elles face just light up. Such a jolly season!

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we woke up, got ready, and headed out to our grandparents house we go. We spend Christmas Eve with both sets of our grandparents.

Bri'elle woke up really happy and excited ~ Plus I put a little bit of Lipstick on her to give daddy a smooch

On the way to the car we let Bri'elle have at it in the field of leaves

It could keep her busy and make her happy

 Our first stop was my great grandma's house who lives in Fairfield. Last year we missed Christmas Eve at her house and we were so happy to come this year. Plus we finally were able to get one of the 5 generations of all first born girls..and first born (legitimately speaking).

Jojo, Mom, Haley, Me

5 Generations

 After my great grandma's was Jay's grandma's house for dinner. We made a pit stop to do a little bit of grocery shopping before the stores closed early which took about an hour. Bri'elle had fallen asleep so I stayed in the car. Good thing she was able to get a little nap in before the rest of the night. 

At Jay's grandma's it was low-key this year. Meaning not everyone who usually comes was there. It was basically just me and Jay with Bri'elle, and two of Jay's brother. It was nice having a smaller get together but the rest of the family was missed. 

killing two birds with one stone

Her legos

I think daddy was excited for this

My scented flameless candle..mmmm

Grandma helping Bri'elle with a gift

Our last stop for the evening was my nana and papas. This has been a tradition on Christmas Eve when I was little, we go to great grandmas then nanas and papas now with being married we added a stop to Jay's grandmas. 

At my nana's we eat dessert and Santa comes early. We have a lot of fun getting together with my aunts family and our family. Now with Bri'elle and the fact that she LOVES nanas house we were all entertained. 

Bri'elle thinks the hat is part of "Santa"

Santa on a Harley

Santa got her a new pot since Jay accidentally ruined it

concentrating real hard on my moms new camera

nana & mom

riding nana and papa's new gift

 

 

 Love family time!!!!