Wednesday, September 19, 2012

4 weeks and 5 days to go!

Letter to our baby girl.  One of many. 

Hi Baby,

Last night was our second night of pre-natal class. They talked mostly about the different types of labor and delivery, then they showed us a video of 4 different labors. Now, I have seen delivery before. I watched your Uncle Sean & Conn when they were born, your cousins Kalin and Kai, as well as your cousin Gavin. I remember watching Kalin emerge into the world from across the delivery room (I was 18) and being in tears. I all of a sudden understood the miracle of life. Each time I see a birth I get a little teared up, because I am in awe! Well, last night watching these births brought on even more tears as I thought of the moment when I will deliver you and hear your first cry. I couldn't help crying just thinking about it. I am so amazed at this body of mine - that it has been able to create you (with the help of your daddy, of course). This time last year I could never have imagined that I would be feeling you kick around in my tummy and cause me to go to the bathroom so often every night :) My life was very different then. Your daddy hadn't even proposed to me yet! And here I am now, pregnant with darling you. You are a miracle.

There are a lot of things I don't understand in life. I don't understand why you came to us so quickly, while others have had to wait such a long and agonizing time. I think if we had to wait for you many years, I would also be in agony. I don't understand Heavenly Father's time frame, but I have to trust it. Something I heard in church last week is "Do your best, and trust in the Lord's timing". I hope that we can teach you and help you to understand the Lord's timing too. It's not easy to wait on his time frame, but he does know what is best for us - for each of his children as individuals. I'm so grateful for that. I know he loves me as he loves all of his children. I hope you will feel that as you grow to understand his love for you.

I feel a great responsibility as your mommy to give you the best life I possibly can; to love you, nurture you, and teach you. Your daddy and I love you so much already, and we can't wait to hold you and just love you. There are a whole bunch of people who love you and are waiting to meet you - grandparents, aunties, uncles, cousins and friends. You are one lucky little girl!

Well, we still have a few weeks to go, but I wanted you to know again how much you are loved. We are so excited for the day when you finally come!


Love,

Mommy



Wednesday, September 5, 2012

33.5 weeks and counting

Hard to believe that I am actually in the 30's now.  It was hard to imagine back in the first trimester when I was sick all the time.  So grateful time is speeding up and we'll have a baby in our arms in no time at all! Yay, yay, and yay!!

The second trimester was fabulous.  I felt really good, and was mostly just tired - as is expected.  The third trimester has brought with it lots of fun stuff! Really, nothing was worse than the first.  I can't complain about this last trimester.  I will tell you, however, about some of the fun things that are experienced.  1) Rashes from the Summer heat (remind me not to be pregnant during the Summer again).  2) Wanting to eat or even drink a full glass of water and not being able to, due to the room the baby has taken in my tummy.  There is nothing worse than being so, so thirsty and feeling like I could throw it all up because my stomach just can't hold it all.  Meals are small (even though I crave eating a full meal), and are eaten more often.  3) Boob sweat.  Yes, I said it.  I dunna like it. 
4) Heartburn - ack! I had acid reflux before I got pregnant, and pregnancy has only exacerbated the problem - especially the third trimester.  I have to be so cautious of what I eat.  No caffeine whatsoever, no fried foods whatsoever, and very little citrus.  Even on a 'bland' day I can potentially have problems.  The thing I hate is waking up in the middle of the night (it's usually when I have changed to my right side - big mistake) and almost choking on the acid that has infiltrated my throat.  Oh, it's so horrible! 5) I can no longer be content just hanging out at home after work.  Lately the normal routine has been giving me anxiety.  I have found myself looking for projects to do, people to visit, books to read, etc.  For those of you who know me well, this isn't the norm.
6) Emotions are right there on the surface.  For those most part throughout this pregnancy I have felt really good emotionally.  Of course there have been moments, but nothing out of the ordinary.  This third trimester my down days have been a bit more often than normal.  Oh, my dear Dave must be weary of those days.  Sorry honey! 7) Round ligament pain.  Oh, this one is fun.  This is what makes me grunt or make a face every time I bend down, get in and out of the car, turn side to side at night, or get up from a sitting position.  There is pain, yes.  These ligaments are getting my body ready to have the baby.  This is what causes my pregnant waddling.  8) Stiff hands.  This is a weird phenomenon, but it actually feels like I have arthritis in my hands.  Crazy pregnancy hormones. 

I know there is more, but this is all I could come up with at the moment.  Lots of fun, huh! But seriously, I am thankful - so thankful to be pregnant right now and to have this little miracle growing inside of me.  I love her kicks and the fact that they are stronger every day.  I love our baby girl.  Can't wait to meet her!