Week 32

8 more weeks! 8 more weeks!  This week has been a little better with the dizziness spells.  I'm going to talk about it more tomorrow with my doctor at our appointment.  Hopefully we can figure out something that will help.

I went to Brett's spring practice yesterday, while wearing my rings.  I typically just wear my rings when I'm out in public.  Within 10 minutes of being outside in the gorgeous 70 degree weather, my rings would not budge a millimeter.  After running some cold water over my hand, I was able to slip them off.  Needless to say, I may not be able to wear them much longer.  Sad day.

I was able to mow part of the yard today with no problem. Later tonight, I may say that it wasn't a good idea, but it was good for my mind.   I really enjoyed it because it was a return to normalcy in the midst of everything being out of whack with my body. 

I'll have a much longer post next week, or maybe a couple of posts, but that's it for today.  Now onto research more things for the nursery while Henry flips, pushes, and kicks in my belly.

Week 31

Since this blog captures my thoughts, I figured you'd want to know what I am thinking right now.  Third trimester is a beast, and I'm not even that far into it.  Maybe it's because I can be a little dramatic and a half glass empty type person (just ask Brett), but these have not been easy weeks. 

As someone who loves her sleep, it's been really difficult on me (I know, I know, just wait until Henry comes). I wake up a couple times during the night to go to the bathroom.  Friday night, I actually woke up at 3:30 with my stomach growling.  You know that feeling when you're so hungry you feel like you may be sick.  Yeah, that's how I felt. I have yet to find a position that is comfortable for sleeping, so I move around a lot.  Yet moving is becoming harder to do because of this little boy.  I kid that it's been easier to roll out of bed or off the couch instead of trying to sit up, but that is completely true. I've had big dizzy spells the past couple of days to the point of feeling like I was going to black out.  That time was actually a bit scary.

I know I'm complaining, but I'm trying to be honest.  I hear how beautiful pregnancy is from so many people, but sometimes...it's just not.  Don't get me wrong.  It is a supernatural thing that God is doing inside my body.  I am in awe every time I feel Henry move, which is a ton.  When I read about how Henry is developing each week, it's amazing in the truest sense of the word.  There are just times when it's difficult.  Especially when you aren't sleeping well and have these the raging hormones that you can't seem to control (again, ask my husband, he's been a trooper with my mood swings). 

Phew, now that that is off my chest, I can tell you how excited I am for Henry's first baby shower in less than two weeks.  I got the cutest invitation in the mail that the hostesses (my besties and sisters-in-love) made.  Most of my extended family is going to be there, including my brother and sis-in-love from Alabama and my grandparents from Florida.   Henry is so, so loved by many already.  He's lucky with the family he has on both my and Brett's side. 

Well, take in Henry's development and my growing baby with this week's update.  Any prayers for some more comfort and less dizziness would be greatly appreciated!

The cutest baby shower invitation

Week 30

Sorry I didn't post an update last week.  Last Sunday morning, I had to take Piper to the emergency vet since she was having a hard time opening one of her eyes.  The rest of the day was a little bit of a blur, and I didn't get a chance to write a post.  She is doing much better after a week with eye ointment and antibiotics.  The feeling of helplessness watching her hurt was not something I enjoyed.  I guess she's getting me ready for motherhood.

I try to be honest on this blog.  With that being said, the last two weeks have been pretty tough physically and emotionally.  It is getting harder to work for the amount of time I need/want to work.  I have to get up multiple times an hour to walk around (which is probably good for me), but it's hard with how busy work has been.  My bosses have been fantastic about letting me do what I need to do to be comfortable, but my sense of responsibility and also feeling guilty get in the way.  I feel like I should be able to do what I could do before, but that's not the case.  There is a human being growing inside of me.  Right now, I'm struggling with understanding that and not beating myself up for having to slow down a bit.

On a bright note, Brett and two of his football guys moved the spare bedroom furniture out of Henry's nursery and into our bonus room.  That took such a burden off my shoulders.  With the furniture moved out, I was able to assemble Henry's crib, so now the nursery has his crib, dresser, changing table, and stroller/car seat.  I have yet to figure out where to put each piece of furniture, but my mind is at ease knowing he has everything he really needs: a place to sleep and the means to travel safely (with the stroller and car seat).  Thanks again to Brett's and my parents for those amazing gifts. 

Starting this week, we go to the doctor once every two weeks instead of once every four weeks.  I look forward to hearing our little man's heartbeat every visit.  Only 10 weeks left until we meet our Henry John.

Week 28

Hello to the third trimester and my belly popping and dropping a bit.  Holy moly. I looked at today's update picture and it seems like it's capturing about three weeks of progress.  Alas, it was only one week. 

I felt a first from Henry this morning.  Piper heard a noise in the house at 3 this morning and starting barking. Maybe Piper's bark scared Henry because it was the first time I've ever felt him hiccup.  It lasted between 5 and 10 minutes.  For some ready, him hiccuping made him seem more human. I'm not sure if that makes sense or just sounds weird, but it's how I felt because hiccuping is something I do. After his hiccups were done, he was a wiggle worm for about an hour. Not fun for this mommy-to-be, especially with Piper waking up around 6:50 every morning now. Thankfully, we use Sunday as a day of rest so I was able to get about an hour nap.

This week, we received the crib, changing table, stroller, and car seat.  I told my mom that now we can have a baby since we have the essentials.  I'm glad we got the stroller early so Piper can get used to it.  She barked the first time I rolled it around the house, but now she is just inquisitive. Tiny steps towards her walking beside it. Our neighbors finished the sign for Henry's wall. Y'all I am IN LOVE with it.  It has such a special meaning to me.  I can't wait to show you in the coming weeks.

Keep me in your prayers on Tuesday morning as I have to take the glucose test.  Enjoy this week's update!

Week 27

Last week of the second trimester!  I'm a mix of apprehensiveness from the horror stories I have heard about the third trimester and excitement that there are only 13 weeks until Henry will be here.  This week has been full of some wonderfully fantastic things.  My neighbors are in the process of making the sign for Henry's room, and we found out we are receiving some more-than-AMAZING gifts from our parents.  Brett and I are truly blessed with parents who are as excited about Henry's arrival as we are.  He will be the first grandchild on my side, and the second or third on Brett's side (depending on when Weston arrives). 

I feel like I've also started learning a little bit more about our son.  In church, he seriously dances during the songs.  I'm thankful that I'm standing while he is dancing because his continuous movement can get a little uncomfortable.  I think he's going to be able to bust a move like his daddy.

Today is also the first time I've really wondered what Henry is going to look like and what attributes he will get from Brett and me.  Will he have my dark hair?  Will he have a birthmark like his Daddy?  What color will his eyes be?  Will he have his Daddy's hand-eye coordination and love for all sports?  Will he think analytically like me?  Will he have a knack for dates and historical events like Brett?  Soon we will know!!

Week 26

Less than 100 days until Henry's due date.  I remember counting down like that for Brett and my wedding.  Hard to believe we are now doing that for our son.  This week has been pretty uneventful baby-wise.  I picked out some wood for our neighbors to use to make a sign for Henry's nursery.  I'm ecstatic about it.  I know Jody and Jes will do a great job creating such a special piece for the nursery. 

We had a prenatal appointment on Thursday.  My weight gain slowed down this month, for which I am very thankful.  Maybe last month was a fluke because of Christmas and all the delicious food I ate at my parents' and Brett's parents' houses. I had no fever and my blood pressure was fine.  Henry's heart rate was around 160 instead of in the 150s, but too different.  The doctor actually had a hard time getting his heart rate because he was moving so much.  At one point, he kicked so hard that I jumped a little bit because I could visibly see my stomach move. It's was the most visible sign of his wiggling so far. We go in on February 24th for the glucose test.  The red drink is sitting on my kitchen counter right now, mocking me.

Well that's pretty much all the happenings from this week.  Brett should be home more since National Signing Day was last Wednesday. I am looking forward to Henry wearing his little GWU onesie that Daddy bought him two weeks ago.  Such a sweet, thoughtful surprise. 

I feel like I've grown a lot since last week. My back agrees with that thought too.

Week 25

15 more weeks left until Henry's due date! It's hard to believe that we only have 3.5 months left. Once I put the weeks into months, it doesn't feel like enough time to get everything ready.  We're slowly getting there though.  Last week, we got Henry's bedding.  I AM SO EXCITED! I had narrowed down the bedding to two different sets.  I'm so happy with the one Brett and I decided on.  Once we get some more of the nursery decorations down, I'll write about what we're thinking and give some examples.

Last week was the worst week of sleep for me in the entire pregnancy.  Three days in a row, I saw every single hour on the clock from 12 or 1 to 7 AM.  Sometimes, it would take an hour to get back to sleep; other times, it would take a couple of minutes.  Last night, I only woke up three times, which I now consider an awesome night's sleep (I never imagined myself EVER thinking that).  I guess God is preparing my body for those middle of the night feedings. 

Henry continues to be a wiggle worm. In church today, he was moving around a ton during the singing, but settled down during the sermon. He has started to stick his leg or arm under my ribs when I'm sitting a long time.  Takes my breath away.  Despite it all, I am thankful for his wiggling because it eases my mind.

The bump looks smaller this week, but I think that's because I'm actually wearing a fitted maternity shirt, as opposed to something that has more give in it like the past couple of week.  I definitely feel like the bump has gotten bigger this week.  Enjoy the update!