32 Weeks

Today I got to see our Baby Stu again through an ultrasound. It was probably the last time I will get to see him before he arrives because I got some great news at my appointment. They had been continually monitoring my placenta placement and it finally moved enough that I will no longer need an early c-section. Sawyer is also no longer breech. Yay! Although this is a healthier position to be in, it does make me a bit nervous. I am such a planner and always try to prepare myself for what is to come, so now instead of having an exact birthdate and plan of action I have to regroup my thoughts and now prepare for a normal birth. My mind was so geared up for one way, but now I will just have to roll with the change of plans. Isn't that what parenting is all about anyway?

During the ultrasound we had some pretty adorable photos of Sawyer, except the umbilical cord was right in front of his face the whole time. That didn't stop us from seeing his adorable little nose though! It is crazy how one tiny little feature can make your heart melt. The doctor told me he is still measuring in the 40th percentile and is weighing 4 pounds. If he keeps this steady growth he should be an 8 pound baby when he arrives. Hopefully he doesn't hit a huge growth spurt while he is still cooking.

This past weekend I had some close friends throw me a small, but sweet, baby shower for Sawyer. It was on the coldest day of the year, but there were still some pretty special people that braved the cold. Sawyer sure is loved dearly already. He got some of the most thoughtful and sentimental gifts. My hormones have stayed in tact during the majority of the pregnancy, but opening some of these gifts made me tear up. Ryan's mom gifted us with a sack filled with several pairs of adorable shoes that then uncovered a bundle of books, which was when I realized they were all Ryan's old things. Ryan's mom then gave us a quilt that had several of Ryan's old outfits and bibs incorporated into it with a tearjerker poem. At this time, the tears started to fall. My best friend had a quilt made for Sawyer that had part of her bridesmaid dress that she wore in Ryan and I's wedding sewn into it and wrapped up in the sash she wore around the dress on our wedding day. Could she be anymore thoughtful?! Sawyer also received many other thoughtful gifts from people that love him already. I can't wait to share with him the stories behind each of those gifts.

These two made my day extra special by showing up. My cousin Madi has been living with her dad in Hawaii and Danny has been off in Georgia in the Army and so I haven't been able to see them in awhile. It was also the last time I will be seeing our Danny boy until August or September because in a few weeks he will be shipped overseas to the Middle East to do what he was born and raised to do. This last January I got to fly out to see him graduate from Basic Training and this January he will be flying off to fight. Out of all the "see you later's" I have had to say to family members going off to fight, this has definitely been the hardest. I am so very proud of you Danny and love you more than you will ever know! Sawyer will be so excited to finally meet you when you arrive home.

Good thing the best gifts aren't found under the tree because Ryan and I's gift is on backorder until February.

How far along? 32 weeks

Total weight gain/loss:  16 lbs.

Maternity Clothes? A mixture

Stretch marks? Still not yet.

Sleep: Sleep is starting to get pretty rough.

Best moment this week: Today getting to hear Baby Stu's heartbeat and seeing his precious face.

Miss anything? The ability to bend down or put on shoes without being out of breath.

Movement: Yes! Still a little creepy for me at times, but I do love being able to know he is doing well in my belly. It is a reminder of how thankful I am that God blessed Ryan and I with such an incredible gift.

Food cravings: Milk and sweet things have been sounding pretty good lately.

Anything making you queasy or sick: I got a whiff of BBQ sauce that Ryan was using tonight at supper and it made me queasy still.

Have you started to show yet: Do I need to even bother answering this question anymore? On Tuesday, my mom and I finished up our Christmas shopping and I think at least one person in each store we went in asked me when I was due.

Labor signs: I think I was feeling some Braxton Hick contractions on Sunday, but nothing bad.

Belly button in or out: Still holding on to my innie.

Wedding rings on or off? On, but I can definitely see some swelling in places.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! It is almost Christmas, how could I not be?!

Looking forward to: Christmas!!! It is my favorite! Christmas music has been playing in my car since the week before Thanksgiving.

Merry Christmas from our growing family!!!

30 Weeks

Last weekend I was telling my mom how hard it will be to go back to work since Thanksgiving break was so busy. When I said that, I did not expect what happened next. Ryan and I had been moving and I had started to realize I had been overdoing it. I feel so great all the time, I forget there are things you shouldn't do while pregnant. Like moving an 80 pound box from a truck to the garage. Oops, my bad.

Well on Sunday (11/27) I hadn't slept well through the night at all and just blamed it on being pregnant and uncomfortable. When I got out of bed I had major pain in my back. After attempting to eat some breakfast, I started feeling sick so I decided to lay back down in hopes the pain would go away. I assumed I just pulled a back muscle from moving and doing so much. I felt better after a few hours of laying down so I got back up and finished my day. I felt pretty good again.

Fast forward to right about 4:30, the pain came back and fast. It nearly brought me to my knees and I started getting sick. I couldn't believe how big of a baby I was being over a stupid pulled muscle. I always thought I had handled pain fairly well so I was getting pretty upset with myself for acting this way. I finally started wondering if this back pain was false labor but it was a constant sharp pain. It never let up. After much convincing, I decided to go to the ER because of how much I was getting sick. After a few hours, it was decided I had a kidney stone. Worst pain of my life! The nurses in the birthing center were the sweetest! Whether they were being honest or not, many of them were telling me that passing a kidney stone was more painful than childbirth. Hearing that made me feel much better. After a little over 24 hours in the hospital they gave me the option to go home or stay for a procedure to remove the stone. I chose to go home! Luckily, I passed it that next morning!! What a relief! It is crazy how such a little object can cause SO MUCH PAIN!

Although no one ever wants to stay in a hospital, I was kind of glad I did. I got to meet some of the nurses that will possibly care for us when Sawyer comes. I can't say enough nice things about the sweet, sweet ladies. I felt like they were all trying to bend over backwards and go out of their way to help me have a pleasant stay. They also talked with me about what to expect when I went there to have Sawyer and even showed me around some before I left--too kind. It kind of makes me excited to check in Freeman to have Sawyer because I know my care will be excellent. I also learned a lot about my loving husband. Mostly that his bedside manner needs some work. Ha! We can laugh about it now, but I am pretty sure even he agrees...he was not the best. Let's just say that before I checked out of the hospital, he was complaining of how much his hand hurt from me squeezing it while they were making multiple attempts of putting in an IV. Ummm...he's got a lot more squeezing to get used to come February!!! Nonetheless, I really do have a super sweet husband and I am sure hoping he does better the next go around at the hospital. Haha.

On a lighter note... The weekend before Thanksgiving Ryan and I had some photos taken for a few Christmas cards. I seriously can't believe how great they turned out! I really wanted a few with Abby, but had no clue how they would turn out. She did great. Seeing Abby in the pictures melts my heart. I also wanted just a few photos to remember this precious moment of my life. Lauren Dainty Photography did an awesome job capturing exactly what I had hoped for. Here are just a few many more. How am I to choose my favorites though?!

Side note: The photo above is in the exact spot as my cover photo at the top of the blog. This place is kind of our spot. The cover photo was an engagement photo, so we have changed just a bit.

I love doing life with that handsome man in the photos above. He is going to make one amazing daddy to our precious gift from God. Sawyer, you are incredibly loved!!!! 

Now onto my grungy chalkboard photo...
While Ryan was watching his team, the Chiefs,  on the TV in the other room, I was sneaking in this photo with the Denver Bronco themed chalkboard. Sawyer is going to look so good in blue and orange!!! I can't believe he is already so big inside of me! In two weeks we get to see his precious face on another ultrasound. At my appointment Tuesday, my doctor said she will continue to monitor my placenta placement through an ultrasound until delivery, but it still looks like a cesarean birth is in the future. If that stays the case, my doctor said she will take Sawyer about the 9th of February. That is in just TWO MONTHS people!!! EEK! Aside from my placenta placement and my kidney stone mishap, my doctor says I am doing great on all accounts. Praise God!

How far along? 30 weeks

Total weight gain/loss:  15 lbs.

Maternity Clothes? Well I did manage to find a few pre-pregnancy shirts/sweaters that fit this week so that was exciting!!

Stretch marks? Still not yet, but I am sure that won't last much longer.

Sleep: The pregnancy pillow I bought is pretty great, however I can only use it when I nap, which pretty much never happens. Our bed is too small for both Ryan and I and the big pillow lol.

Best moment this week: Pretty much every day. I am just so thankful to not be in the hospital and in pain. I am definitely trying to enjoy every day before baby Stu arrives.

Miss anything? Not too much this week.

Movement: Yes! He is pretty active every morning and night, but I am starting to notice more movement throughout the day.

Food cravings: FOOD! The other day at work I went to our cafeteria to see if they had any left over cinnamon rolls from lunch because I was so hungry. haha

Anything making you queasy or sick: This past weekend I found out BBQ still makes me sick.

Have you started to show yet: Uh..of course. Usually when people find out I am not due until February, I get a glare. Some days I am not sure how my belly is supposed to continue to grow!

Labor signs: No, although when I was being monitored at the hospital they did tell me I was having a few contractions. Luckily for me, I couldn't tell at all.

Belly button in or out: In still!

Wedding rings on or off? On, but I think I am starting to notice some swelling in my ankles. Oh noooo!!!

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy

Looking forward to: Ryan's work Christmas party this weekend. It is in Arkansas so it is always nice to get away for a night or two.


Ryan and I still have some exciting things happening in our lives, besides Baby Stu, that I can't wait to share. I have started that post, but after the hospital stay and trying to get caught up on everything else I haven't found the time to finish. Hopefully this next week!