Relay For Life 2013

In memory, in honor, in support of those who have been lost, who have survived, and who are fighting

Big Sister in Training: The new baby

It was love at first sight when Bri'elle got to meet her baby sister.

I have never seen anyones eyes light up the way Bri'elles did when she saw her. 

She totally understood...Mommy has no belly...sister is here!

Bri'elle was so excited to hold her. She just stared at her with awe and amazement. 

Bri'elle came to visit us at the hospital about 8 hours after I delivered which was the early afternoon. I was missing her so much and wanted our family to be together. It was so much fun to spend time with her. My mom left to grab something to eat with my sister so we can have some family time with her. Jay put on a movie on his laptop and we all sat in the bed and watched the movie together, as a family of 4. We wouldn't get to all be together until the next day when we were to go home. Until then my sweet little Bri'elle. It was so hard to let her go home but I knew the day and night would quickly go by, and that it did. 

My mom took Bri'elle home to wait for us about an hour before we arrived. She cleaned the house and kept Bri'elle occupied. When we walked through the door the first thing Bri'elle asked for was her sissy. It was so cute. I wondered if she would soon realize sissy is here to stay. She was so excited as soon as we set the carseat down she began to "share" with her by placing her toys on Jalilah's lap. It was super cute. I couldn't get a decent picture because Bri'elle was too excited to sit still. 

Sine then these two have been inseparable. Bri'elle always wants to help feed her or hold her. We gave Bri'elle the job to throw the diapers away. Also she helps us bath her by washing her arms, legs, and belly. It's actually nice to have her help with different things. It always makes me smile. Now on another note, we didn't have too much trouble with Bri'elle. She did have a hard time listening for the first couple weeks. She knew I was preoccupied and I would have to tell her to do something twice sometimes even three times. She has gotten a little better and I have realized its normal for a kid her age. They are discovering so much at this age and beginning to talk and make sense. I have learned to take a deep breath, release, and start over. Being 2 months into having a little sister she is much much better. We don't really have any issues. She does have her days but there the usual up and down days, who doesn't have those? 

I couldn't be any happier at the moment.

To my sweet Bri'elle: You are growing up so fast. I'm having to treasure each moment more and more. You are a great big sister and can only pray you will continue to be one. Remember, your little sister is littler than you so you always have to look out for her and protect her. Your job from now on is to teach her things that you know. She will learn so much from you. She already looks up to you. I will let you know now, she will get on your nerves and at times you might not want to play with her but always love her and know she does it because she loves you. God has blessed our family so much and we need to always be thankful for what we have. You will be a good teacher and leader of the Lord. Mommy and daddy love you so much our sweet Bri'elle.

Introducing little Miss Jalilah

Jalilah Iolana Alfonso

Born 4-13-12

@ 3:33am

Weight - 6lbs 15 oz & 19 in long

Our little girl was born on Friday the 13th at 3:33am. This is so ironic because Bri'elle was born at 3:45pm. It was really close to being the same time but different time of the day. Also what is funny about her being born on Friday the 13th, is I swore I was not going to have her on this day...little did I know, I was on her schedule. 


Jalilah was the first birth in the hospital for this day. I was also told that all the babies born this day all had ALOT of dark hair. 


I remember looking at her for the first time and my eyes just swelled up with tears. I'm so thankful to God for her and everything we went through. Immediately after she was out of the womb they put her on me for skin to skin contact. Then I cuddled her. I remember her looking into my eyes and then grabbing my finger. It was like she was speaking to me. We were able to do skin to skin for about an hour. It wasn't until almost about 5:00 or so that we knew her weight, height, and all her other statistics. At this point I had now been up for over 24 hours with a small nap. 


As of 7:00am I was still numb from the epidural but it was wearing off. For us to be able to move into our postpartum room I needed to be able to walk and use the restroom, otherwise they were going to have to put a catheter back in me. I immediately said I can try to use the bathroom. So I sat in the bathroom for a good 30 minutes just to try to urinate even though I could barely feel anything. Luckily I was able to use the bathroom, so we were able to head over to postpartum. As we were getting ready to leave my doctor for the pregnancy came to visit me and the baby. I was really happy to see him and for him to meet the little girl he has been caring for. He said she was the most beautiful baby he has seen. 


We were now on our way to postpartum and getting ready to take our little girl home

Pictures of Labor & Delivery

Not exactly pictures of Labor & Delivery but just about. Here are some pictures of the day of our journey to the hospital, and at the hospital.

Jalilah's Amazing Delivery

Being induced is no joke!

I will try to sum it up the best I can but I was in labor for about 17 hours & there's a lot I don't want to miss

The morning I was being induced I could hardly sleep. I woke up at 3:00am and wasn't able to go back into a full sleep. My alarm was set for 5:55am and I was going to call L&D at 6:00am to see when I could come in for my delivery. I called at 6:10am after doing numerous squats, walking back and forth, and even some jumping jacks and anything that could possibly induce my labor instead of going in. It didn't work. The lady who answered put me on hold to check the schedule, got back on and told me to take a shower and have something to eat then come in at 8:00am. The next two hours couldn't have went any slower. I immediately took a shower to get ready. Frantically I went over and over the different things that were coming to the hospital, Bri'elles bag that was packed, and making sure daddy was getting up (I let him sleep in). 

Since I was craving a bagel and cream cheese we went to Noah's Bagels for breakfast. I ordered a sesame seed bagel and regular cream cheese. We sat and ate there. After we dropped off some Pampered Chef stuff of to a customers house (yes, I was working this morning). Then back home to drop off milk for when Bri'elle woke up. My sister Jojo stayed the night so Bri'elle could wake up in her own bed and have a nice morning at home. The house was our last stop. To the hospital we go....

On the way to the hospital Jay was playing lil Jon and the Eastside boys... this is usually my workout music. Not for the lyrics but because its hype music, lol. I told Jay he needed to turn it off otherwise I might get too crunk in L&D, it was a good laugh.

I arrived in L&D at about 8:30 - after doing all the paperwork and getting the necessary information on paper we headed to our room. We passed by the room where I had Bri'elle and I started to get nervous remembering the excitement I was soon going to have holding my baby girl in my arms. To our surprise the room they were going to put us in had just been mopped so they had us go back the way we came and next thing you know we were being put in the very same room I delivered Bri'elle in. Now both of my girls were delivered in the same room. How cool is that????

Next I was getting my IV started and the heart monitor. They checked to see if I was dilated which I was at only a 2 so we had a long way to go. The doctor then discussed some of our options and what she would like to do. There was so many different ways to induce someone it is absolutely crazy. Since I wasn't dilated too much they needed my cervix to open just a bit more so they could try to get my body to naturally start the delivery process. The option we had was a cervical balloon. This is where they place a balloon between your cervix and sac. They fill it with saline and then tie a string to your leg. Every once in awhile you give it a tug to try to stretch your cervix open. Eventually you want it to fall it out which means your dilated to the next level (a 3!). I was also put on pitocin. Now with Bri'elle I was given pitocin by accident and it scared the living daylights out of me because it literally sped my delivery so much I couldn't bare it. My nurse saw my concern and worry and promised me she would go a very slow pace. Also she said she would go by my comfort. I was relieved! The process had now begun. 

From the moment I was told when to come in to now, I was keeping everyone updated the best I could. My main concern was to not alarm anyone since who knew how long it would take. Jay's family arrived (dad, stepmom, sister), my family had arrived (mom & sister), and my besties came (Sherin & Laura). All to be the audience and well they kept me entertained. My other sister, brother, and dad came throughout the day as well. A couple hours went by and my balloon fell out with some of the mucous plug, YAY! I remember feeling like it was taking forever. But it finally came out - it is actually funny the way it came out. Sherin was helping me to the bathroom and was in the room. We were talking (I forget about what) but we were in there for a long time. I kept telling her how I was scared to pull on it but was feeling uncomfortable. So she tells me well just pull on it and see what happens. I gave it a little tug and nothing happened then all of a sudden I felt a pop and heard something fall into the tiolet. Viola, it was there! Sherin and I had our fun bathroom experiences. Once it came out I was put on a higher dose of pitocin which was bearable. Now I was at a 3 and the waiting really begins. They wanted my water to break on its own so I just needed to sit there to see what happens. 

Hours upon hours went by with no action just ALOT of contractions. We were working my contractions up to be every 2 minutes apart and needed it to be in a series. Every time I would get a good streak going it they would break off for a couple minutes and start over. Oh boy, here we go into the night!

Luckily my besties were there to keep me company. I don't know what I would have done without them there. They touched up my makeup, we talked about girl stuff, even watched a few movies. My family (extended in laws as well) did a great job being there as well. We had good conversation and the anticipation was growing more and more. Now probably the funniest thing while we were there happened. All of us played a game well I should say I was part of a race. haha! The monitor me and the baby are hooked up to has a little tv screen that shows my nurse my information as well as all her other rooms. This way she could see how her patients are doing while in other rooms in case an emergency happened. Well we all understood what the monitoring was and decided that I (and baby) were in a race against the others on who was going to have their baby. What was really funny is seeing the others have theirs and then mines still going or seeing the same person being hooked up and unhooked because she wasn't making any progress. It kept us very entertained. Who won you asked? Well obviously a few delivered but we were the first delivery of the day (stay tuned). We were growing  more and more into the night. I had lasted this whole time without pain meds.

As the night progressed I felt myself beginning to get extremely tired. Between contractions I would start to fall asleep and was yawning so much. It was scaring me since we didn't have a clue how much I had progressed. They didn't want to keep checking me because that could pose a risk for infection. Finally at 11:30 I decided I needed an epidural to help get me through the night so I can sleep and let my body get some rest. The epidural worked magically like it did with Bri'elle. I didn't feel a thing. I almost think it worked too good. Actually, after they gave me my epidural and were getting ready to put in my catheter I felt a little pop and then all of a sudden my bed was soaking wet, my water had broke. This was a good sign. That means my body was starting the process, finally! When my nurse checked me I was a 5, so I still had a while to go.

The epidural allowed me to get about an 1 1/2 of sleep. Of course, it wasn't the full sleep because of the nurses coming in to check on me. And my epidural was linked to a push button so anytime I wanted more of the medicine, I just pushed a button. It was so nice, I didn't have this with Bri'elle. With Bri'elle it was just the IV medicine. As time went by for about an hour I kept getting this weird feeling in that area. I told everyone that I was having a kind of pressure but I couldn't really feel it so I wasn't sure what it was. After a little bit of time of feeling this I decided to tell my nurse when she came in. She told me to give her a couple minutes and she would come back to check if I had dilated anymore. Sure enough when she checked she saw a head. Immediately she went to go get the doctor. My body was naturally pushing her out and I couldn't control it. Once the doctor arrived it was all downhill from there. The doctor came in at 3:15 and started to prep everything... We even had to wake up Jay who took awhile to get awake but he said once he was standing there with my leg in his arm and noticed the head that was starting to show he knew he wasn't having a dream. Then I heard the famous words from the doctor, "when you feel a contraction go ahead and start pushing". It was funny because I said okay and sat there for a minute and realized I couldn't really feel my contractions to know when to push. The nurse helped me and I just started to go for it. All of a sudden as I pushed I heard the room "awh" and then "look at all that hair". The nurse led my hand so I could feel her head coming out (we had forgot about the mirror). That was a strange feeling itself to feel something come out of your body, a little too strange I had to pull my hand back quickly. A few more pushes and she was out at 3:33am. Her and Bri'elle were in the same position when they came out, had the cord around there neck once, and didn't really cry. 

It was so emotional for me. My little girl was here!

(Pictures will be in a separate posting)

Pretty & Pregnant: April Entries

Journal Date: 04/05/12
Weight: 143.0 Lb
Other Notes: Today we found out from the doctor that I will be induced in one week unless you come before then. I really hope you come on your own. I'm praying that you will decide to come sometime before then. Other than that good news, you looked great and performed well on the preliminary test so mommy didn't have to do the NST. The doctor also checked to see if there has been anything going on as far as dilation and we found out I'm 2 cm dilated and 75%effaced. He helped ripen the membrane by moving it around to see if that would get anything started as far as labor goes. If anything were to happen it would be within the next 24-48 hours otherwise its totally up to you. I'm totally ecstatic. I have one NST to do on Monday and then I will be walking into the L&D dept to be induced on Thursday, the 12th. I'm so curious to know when you will come. Now mommy will be doing lots of walking to help with labor. Baby Jalilah we are ready for you.

Journal Date: 04/09/12
Other Notes: Our last NST was today. You did fantastic. I only had one contraction while on the monitor. This is our last appt until I get induced on Thursday that is unless you decide to come on your own. I found out today that there is 2-3 other girls getting induced on Thursday as well. I better call early so I don't have to wait around all day . I can't believe the time is here. In just a few days we will be meeting you. Well honey bee see you soon! This has been a long journey and I'm so glad it has a happy ending and we will be seeing you shortly. We love you!!!!!!

Pretty & Pregnant: March Journal Entries

Journal Date: 03/02/12
Weight: 137.9 lb
Notes: Our NST went fantastic!! One major contraction not too much to worry about. It was funny because today you were kicking the monitor so that it would pop off. The nurse had to come hold it on there for a little bit. It was so funny. What was even more funnier is when the nurse was asking me about your big sister. We were having a little conversation about your big sister and stuff. All of a sudden you start moving like crazy; hands, feet, butt, everything! She told you to calm down because tomorrow is the baby shower and all about YOU! It was the funniest timing.
The water looks good. She said I have plenty of it and really nice pockets. You are head down and I'm pretty sure you'll stay like that. I think by now your comfy in that right position. She pointed out you have nice chunky thighs - I just love it! Better to have some chunks, I say.
Until next week for our double appointment: NST and Dr. check up.

Journal Date: 03/03/12
Notes: It's party time celebrating the arrival of Jalilah Iolana.
Today is our babyshower themed Mocktail Party. It was so much fun!!! Mommy got to dress up in my NOT SO MATERNITY dress, yes I went to one of my fave stores and bought a dress (Bebe). I did the same thing with Bri'elle. It was nice walking into the mall to shop. it has been way to long. I put on my platform black Jessica Pumps and a cute pearl-flower inspired necklace from Charlotte Russe. My nails were painted the night before by Sherin in lovely girl themed designs. Hair was braided back and a touch of makeup completed my onsomble.
The treats were Cheese and chocolate fondue (my faces) along with meatballs and some other goodies.
The games were kept to a minimum because I wanted it to be more mellow and relaxed so we did a raffle style game setup. I also liked it because it allowed everyone at the party a chance to win. You received a raffle for coming; wearing pink, lace, floral, and pearls - a raffle ticket for each; a raffle for diapers/wipes; a raffle for a baby book; the only game we played was "guess how big mommy's tummy is". The winner received a stream of raffle tickets. There were four different prizes to choose from. Raffle holders got to put their raffle in the bottle that represented each gift. They could put as many as they wanted in each bottle and could even put them in all of them if they chose to.
The decorations were baby items that I already had like bottles and pacifiers. Also a streamer canopy that I got a DIY from ((blog)). Along with a few extra girl themed decor.
It was a lot of fun gathering with family and friends celebrating the special arrival of Jalilah. It turned out better than I had imagined besides our down fall of time (I was fashionably late). But nonetheless I will replay this day over and over until Jalilah arrives. I thank everyone for coming and celebrating our second little princess.

Journal Date: 03/09/12
Weight: 137 lb
Notes: At our appt today we discovered you are fully head down and literally staring at the floor. Your body is positioned almost in like a C but sideways. You were very active today as he did the ultrasound, which is always great. We got good news today! Actually great news, mommy can walk! And walk as much as I want or how much my body will allow. This will help with delivery so I'm on a mission. Not too many contractions have been happening so the doctor didn't check to see if I'm dilated. I don't feel like I could be.
We had our NST next which went great however if registered 4-5 contractions within 20 mins and they were more on the uncomfortable/painful side. Luckily I was able to go home since the Dr appt went so good and if anything I could come back if it seemed like it was labor.
After the appts, daddy and I headed to Costco to start my walking. The contractions kept coming stronger and stronger or more often but it didn't feel like labor. We were there for about an hour or so. On our way out we grabbed a bite to eat; polish dog with all the fixins and a fruit smoothie. Ahhh, it was so goooood. Our way home the contractions were still happening. About 2 hours in they finally stopped when we for home. I was a little nervous thinking I might be in labor but since my gut told me it wasn't I followed my instincts and I'm glad. I probably would've got stuck at L&D waiting just to be checked for them to send me home.
That got me a step closer. We need those contractions just not labor ones yet.

Journal Date: 03/16/12
Notes: NST stats: Perfect today!
Our fluid was measured and we have 18cm of fluid. According to the nurse this is excellent because they want you to be over 7cm and we are definitely far from that on the good scale. I'm hoping I have lots of water for my contractions. It felt like it gave it a relief when my contractions happened and the water would come out. Keeping my fingers crossed!
The nurse who measure our fluid gave me the pictures of you from that ultrasound. I'm so happy :) your album of ultrasound pictures is almost full!!!

Journal Date: 03/21/12
Weight: 141.9 lb
Notes: Two appts today!!!!
First up was the appt with the doctor. It went great as they have been recently. You are head down still. I've had quite a bit of contractions since the last appt but they are all in conjunction with getting mommy read for the big day. He measured you to be 5lbs 13oz. Which we can assume you will be somewhere in the 7lb range. You had us going for awhile because you were looking more like an 8-9 lb girl. I don't really feel like your big. Compared to Bri'elle I carry you very different. You are extremely low which Bri'elle was not and your head down and Bri'elle was breach right up until the last day. It is very different and I'm glad I have this experience. We will now get seen every week since we are getting down to the last couple of weeks. On a side note: I've been switched to two daily injections of my blood thinners instead of once a day. This will allow for pain medication if I opt for it and easier for c-section if needed.
At the NST you were sleeping which is not like you. Usually you are very very active kicking away at the monitors. The nurse had to push on mommys tummy which was a little uncomfortable to get you to move for an accurate heart beat and motions. You even got an attitude with her from moving you around. Once she stopped moving you she walked away, in the meantime I felt you move your body so the monitor wasn't registering your heartbeat. The nurse walked back in to fix the monitor. As she was taking it off to move it to the other side you moved back where it was. It was so funny. I was trying not to laugh. From then on we had a good NST.
See you next week!
Mommy total weight gain: 38-41 lbs
Baby's weight: approx 5lbs 13oz

Journal Date: 03/30/12
Weight: 144.9 Lb
Other Notes: We are getting closer! Now I'm taking two shots a day of heparin in hopes I'm able to get pain mess and to prevent for hemorrhaging. You look great and doc measure you to be about six pounds and four ounces. You are a healthy little girl. He saw that you haven't completely dropped yet which most second babies don't until middle of labor so it's normal. On to my NST. See you next week! The NST went great. You were moving like crazy and I even had a couple contractions while I was on the monitor. Looking good girl! 

Pretty & Pregnant: Remaining February Journal Entries

Jalilah has arrived!!!! 


I've been meaning to catch up the blog so I can write about it. So following are the remaining portions of the journal entries in separate postings by month. AND THEN I will post her arrival post. 


Journal Date: 02/10/12
Notes: Wow, little girl you are a mover! Tonight your dad and I watched you wiggle your way around trying to either get comfy or just playing around. We could literally see your limbs poking out. Then your bottom sticks out. You are a little wiggle worm. I enjoyed watching my stomach look like a wave from the ocean. I'm so excited to see you this week, less than a week. :)

Journal Date: 02/14/12
Notes: Happy Valentines Day sweet Jalilah! We love you so much I can only imagine how much more our love for you is going to grow when you arrive. Two months and counting.... 

Journal Date: 02/16/12
Weight: 136.8 lb
Notes: Another apppointment today! From here on out I'll be having an appointment once a week along with non stress tests. I can't believe how fast its going by.
Everything was good. I've been having some extreme pain in my right side. It feels like a Charlie horse or like when you run and you don't have anymore breath the sharp pain that goes up your side to your chest. Yup that's the type of pain I've been feeling. Luckily I had a doctor appointment otherwise I wouldve sent the doctor a message. This morning the pain got worse and then I had two contractions. I just held it out because I know at this point in pregnancy it could be anything. At the appointment I was explaining this to the doctor so when he did the ultrasound that area was the first thing he checked. Guess what!!!!
Your feet are positioned right there. Both of them! From what it looks like you are pushing outwards like stretching. It probably the only area that has the most room. You even had a hand by your side. It was a relief to see that's all it was but then again you haven't moved and there's nothing I can do for it to go away if you decide you like this position. I hope you enjoy the little space you found. :)
We got two more 3D images of you today. They're not the greatest but to me it is since they are of you. Again at this appointment you had your hands in front of your face. Actually one arm was by your side and you had moved it to your face as we were doing this part of the ultrasound. One arm was parallel to your face and the other went across the top of your forehead. With your arms blocking your face the sound waves couldn't pick up a good picture so they are kind of blurry and not as detailed.
Looking at one of the pictures your mouth is open. It looks as if you have teeth but I know its just the stuff inside my womb. In the other picture its of your forehead, eyes, and nose.

Journal Date: 02/24/12
Weight: 137.6 lb
Notes: we had our first NST (non-stress test) today and did great. I was a little nervous because with Bri'elle I was sent to L&D numerous times because the monitor would read I was having contractions but they were just Braxton-hicks. It was soothing to hear your heartbeat for 20 straight minutes. You started moving a lot when the monitor would get loud. I think you like the sound of your own heartbeat. I only had 3 contraction type of movements while there.
After the NST, I went and seen my doctor. The appointment went good also. He told us how I have plenty of water and informed me I would ager my blood thinners twice a day instead of the one a day regime I'm on now. This will allow for me to have a safer delivery so I won't hemorrhage. Also if I opt for an epidural ill be able to have one within a certain period of time from giving myself the injection. Otherwise, on the blood thinners I'm on now I would have to wait 24 hours. So I'm excited to switch to twice a day even though that's more pricking for me.
This time your hands weren't in front of your face, well at least for a little bit. We were able to get a shot of your face. It's not too clear but its good enough for me. I still say you look a lot like your daddy. We will just have to wait and see.
We have another NST next week and in two weeks we go in for a double appt. NST and Dr appt.
Baby weight: 4lbs
Mommys weight gain from last appt: 1lb
Total weight gain: about 37lbs

Pretty & Pregnant: Your Name

We decided on your name

I have to admit we've had it since Christmas but kept it a secret so we can test it out and see if it really fits you

It fits you!

You don't have a middle name yet - but it will be Hawaiian just like your sister's. We plan to give all our kids Hawaiian middle names. 

There is one middle name we have talked about but there hasn't been any decision. We want to see what else is out there and it has to fit.

Are you Ready?!?!......

Jalilah Alfonso

Meaning: great, revered: interpretation is one with flawless beauty.

Hasn't been ranked in the last 100 years within the US

As we did more research for the name we came across one that said to be prized or is a prize, a gift, to be respected and honored. When we read this our mouths just dropped. This is it, as we both looked at each other. You are OUR PRIZE. A gift that has been given to us by no else but God. In the circumstances we wanted your name to fit your birth and pregnancy story. When I read that people expect the person to have a radiant flawless beauty, I immediately thought of you. Not because, I know you will be beautiful on the outside but for the beauty on the inside and what you have taught me. Through this trial you taught me that things are still beautiful with many flaws. We had many flaws throughout this pregnancy, some I had to experience on my own but for the most part as a family. It has been tough and definitely something that isn't easy to adjust to. BUT it has been a journey that has been worth it and describes the beauty of pregnancy, birth, family - all God's plan for us. You are God's plan for us. 

So with this.... We, your parent's, name you: Jalilah

Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him.
 Psalms 127:3

I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD.

1 Samuel 1:27-28

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

James 1:17

Here's a glimpse of our invitation:

 

 

Pretty & Pregnant: Your Face

February 2nd, 2012

At the appointment today we saw your FACE!!!!! Well half of it. You had one side covered with your arm. You like your arms up by your face. It was so amazing to see how clear it is. Everyone says you look like daddy. In the ultrasound, I have to admit you do. Now the curiousity begins with how much you look like him since you only exposed half of your face compared to what you will look like when you are born.

This appointment really went well. The doctor said everything is still looking good. Since I was just getting over a cold he prescribed me what he called, "some good cough medicine" to help me sleep because I'm only getting a couple of hours of sleep and have been feeling extremely exhausted. 

I go back in two weeks to see you again. After that we will go every week as the time is ticking down.

Baby weighs: 2lbs 12 oz - which is above average for the stage we're at. The doctor said either you'll be a bigger baby or the due date is off. Yikes, now your really playing a guessing game on when your going to come. 

Mommy's weight gain from last appt: 2lbs
Mommy's total weight gain:29-31lbs



 

Pretty & Pregnant: Third Trimester

January 26th, 2012


We are in our third trimester either by a couple days or a couple weeks. The time is really drawing nearer. 

This week you have been making really big movements. I have been able to feel your different body parts as you move around. When I put my hands on my belly, one on each side, I can imagine holding you and if your positioned just right its as if I really am. Truly amazing!

I sent out invites this week for the "Mocktail" Party in our honor. I so can't wait to have this time to celebrate the pregnancy and your soon birth. Mommy really needs this time as I haven't been out of the house too much or able to go anywhere besides occasional trips to different houses and the movies. I am very happy that I've been able to do those things though. Daddy is having a little party inside the condo with some of his friends and big sis will have a little hangout with some of her friends too, a celebration for all of us. And we are announcing your name on the invite, I'm super excited!!!

Lately I've been feeling the pregnancy glow...

Just feeling great because I know your almost here. Wanting to get dressed and stop wearing daddy's pj pants with an extra large shirt. Doing my hair and makeup; somewhat painting my nails every couple of days and I've been cleaning....ALOT!

I just feel great and an over abundance of JOY

 

Pretty & Pregnant: January 18th

 

 January 18th, 2012

Today was another great day! I think these are becoming regular..... 


Appointment Status:

It was great today. We are making great progress as we are gearing up for the last couple of months. Overall, the doctor said everything looks great and perfect but he still would like to keep seeing us every 2 weeks to keep a close eye. If something were to happen he wants to make sure he is able to catch it in time, which is fine by me!

Joys of Pregnancy Status:
Still, I have scaring pains, pressure, ligament stretching, urine leakage, mucous leakage, and spams. None of this is a concern, which I knew it wouldn't be, most of them are normal signs of pregnancy and when it happens I just try to make myself more comfortable or use home remedies. Most of the time it works but I just have to let it ride out no matter how painful or uncomfortable it may get. I've gotten to where I know when certain things will be happening and how many days it will last like constipation and heartburn. It's amazing how much I have been able to learn about my body. 


Your movements & position:
You have been moving around like crazy. I expect you to until delivery or right before. That's how I was able to notice when I was going to deliver Bri'elle, it felt like mother instinct. The doctor was able to give me an outline of how you are positioned inside my tummy. I was mostly right from guessing. You are head down, Yay! I have been feeling you turn every once in awhile so its nice to know you sense where your suppose to be facing. Your feet are up by the middle and left side of the belly/ribs. The doctor was able to show me when my tummy gets tight and I feel a lot of pressure what you are doing. It feels like I'm having Braxton Hick contractions but for some reason I didn't think they were. There was something different and the doctor confirmed today that these ones aren't. You are literally trying to stretch not caring that you don't have enough room. You are pushing that it makes my stomach spasm and even sometimes causes the contractions. Closer to delivery if you keep this up you may be able to induce your own birth. When he tried to do a 3D it wasn't working because we couldn't even see your face. Mostly we were able to see your profile and at one point I was able to see your nostrils. He said you have your head down but you are positioned in a way where you are looking at the floor/down. So we weren't able to get a clear shot of your face. You better not be checking out that route for an escape anytime soon. 


Baby's size/measurements:
From all the measurements he took of you, he said you measure perfectly to where you are suppose to be. Your head is the right size and your growing beautifully. Today you measured to be 2lbs & 2oz.  No height since you are all curled up but I think average is 14 inches right now. Keep on growing little one. 

Mommy's weight gain:
only 1lb since the last appointment 2 weeks ago. It's normal at this stage since you will be the one growing and then I will gain little more the last month or so. Total gain: 25-28lbs

Mommy's thinking/Feeling:
Mommy wants to soak up the last little bit of time I have left to be pregnant with you. I want to fully enjoy what a gift I was given before my present is to be revealed. I'm having a great experience even with all the downfalls. Time is precious. I've had so much on my mind lately, TONS actually. Most of it is how thankful I am to be in the position. God has opened a new window of my life through this trial of despair I've been given life and twice of it literally. This pregnancy has taught me a lot. I'm glad I can share this experience with others to give hope through Christ our Lord. Thank you daughter for being the cause, the rhyme & reason, more life that mommy needed in so many ways.