39 Weeks

I wrote this day before Rivers came (April 2nd) It's funny the things we worry about. I forgot to take a 39 week baby bump picture as well as a 40 week. So this is the last of the baby bump updates.Bitter Sweet.

I made it to the end of 39 Weeks, I honestly didn't think I would. Tomorrow is my due date and as much as I wish that he will show up tomorrow I just don't think he will, however I've started to feel like he isn't ever going to come. Like he honestly isn't in there anymore, he's just left my body and I'm never going to see him.

I was really hoping for an Easter baby but he didn't want to come then I guess. We were in sharing time for primary and this little girl in our class ALWAYS rubs my belly like she is giving it a little blessing it's kind of funny. Anyways she is rubbing my belly and I'm watching her thinking when are you going to come? I just want to be your mother already. And then I lost it, like could not stop crying big heavy alligator tears. Oh my it was so embarrassing! I felt like everyone was staring at me, another teacher offered to stay with our class if we wanted to go home. But I was fine I really was I just had a weak moment.. in the middle of singing time.

I'm trying so hard to be patient I really am, and honestly every day that goes by I am kind of grateful for because like I said last week it gives me one more day to get things done. One more day to finish more school and one more day of sleeping in. But now that it is getting so close I worry if he will ever come, and if he is getting too big.

We meet with the real doctor tomorrow and I so hope there is good news or I go into labor before that. My mom comes on Sunday and I was really hoping the baby would come before that so she can see him and be here to help. Anyday now baby we are ready!

Rivers Birth

While I think it's great that so many people share their Birth Stories online I do believe it is something personal and sacred to each women and family. But I do want to share some of his birth story because it was one of the most amazing days of my life. 

Rivers has always been one to do things right on time so when I started having contractions Wednesday morning on his due date I wasn't the least bit surprised. I woke up around 5 because I was having really bad cramps and by 7:30 I couldn't really sleep anymore. However I had been having cramping for weeks and didn't want to get too excited, but these kept getting worse and wouldn't go away.

We had a doctors appointment that morning at 9:30 which couldn't have been more convenient,  I wouldn't have to go to the hospital and get turned away, I would be able to go talk to my doctor first. Around 8 David got up to get ready for work but as the contractions got worse we thought maybe this was it and David began to get the rest of our hospital bag together.


I got in the shower and the contractions got really bad,  I couldn't really breath through them but it wasn't too bad however they were coming every couple minutes.  David was so cute running around getting things ready he was so excited but I still didn't want to get my hopes up.

When we got to the doctor he checked me and I was still at a 1 1/2. He gave me the option of either going downstairs to labor and delivery and seeing how I progress or going home to walk around. I chose to go home and walk around, I didn't want to sit in the hospital all day to only be turned away.

So we headed home and decided to go over to Jamba Juice to get some breakfast However by the time we got to Jamba Juice the contractions got so bad I really couldn't breath through them and there were tears, David called the doctor and said that we should come in. Not even 30 minutes since we left the doctor and the contractions had increased. They were still coming really close together probably every 2 to 3 minutes.

We went straight to labor and delivery, the nurse checked me again and I was at a 2 1/2 and so they admitted me right away. I had decided a couple weeks before this that I was probably going to get the epidural, it was my first baby and there is no shame in an epidural.

I had heard horror stories of how painful getting an epidural was, so I was freaking out pretty bad but it was seriously the easiest part of this whole thing. After I got the epidural I could still feel pressure from the contractions but not nearly as bad as before. I was grateful to say the least.

Around two the doctor came in and checked me and I was at a 4 and he broke my water. Two hours passed and nothing had changed so they decided to put me on pitocin. At 5 O' Clock they checked me again and I had reached a 9 1/2. Needless to say I don't think anybody was expecting that. I was totally shocked, I thought we were going to be there all night. I was even more shocked when they said they would probably have me start pushing soon.

Around 6:30 they had me start pushing, the doctor came in a little before 7 and at 7:05 Rivers was here! They put him straight on my stomach and for a few minutes I could hardly believe he was here. He didn't cry much but rather just looked right at me with wide eyes, it was a beautiful moment I never want to forget. David cut the umbilical cord and they took him to be cleaned off, I was able to hold him and give him his first feeding before they moved us into recovery.

Those first few days we spent with Rivers in the hospital were hard and exhausting but so special. One of my favorite things from the birth was David repeating over and over how amazing Rivers was, and how this was one of the best decisions we had ever made. Even though I knew already how excited David was for all this, it felt so good to hear my husband express such joy and love for this new baby and this new life we would be leading.  I love him and our new baby so much, I'm so grateful for Rivers in our life and the joy he has brought to our family it feels so good to be a family of 3.

And then there were three

38 Weeks

 38 Weeks! Baby is still the size of a Watermelon! 

* This post was written last Friday 3/29

I was surprisingly calm this week and not every second was spent worrying about what wasn't done before baby got here. I'm feeling a lot calmer the closer we get, at least calmer about the state of our house or what is or is not clean. Even though I wish he was here already I am a little grateful for everyday that goes by that I am able to get farther in school, farther with cleaning the house, and those extra moments with David.

We met with the "doctor" yesterday. Remember how he is out of town until Sunday ugh... So really I met with the nurse, she checked his heart 140 (good) and my blood pressure was good. The main concerns at this point. I lost a pound Putting me at gaining exactly 20 pounds. I know it sounds so stupid but I really couldn't be happier about that, I feel like I gain weight pretty easy and it's hard to get and keep off so 20 pounds is really a blessing to a girl who already felt like she had some pounds to shed.

I am only dilated 1cm and 80% effaced. So they are thinking I still have time. I'm ok with this for now, labor really scares me and if I have sometime to enjoy before that's good right? But I am also really ready for him to come I just really want to see his little face plus I'm worried he will come too late like after my mom gets here. But I know it will all work out. 

At the beginning of this week I thought maybe I was having real contractions in the middle of the night and in my half asleep delriam I said a prayer asking for the baby to come now, can he just come now? I got a very distinct answer of "Not yet" Which was pretty cool even if the answer was no because I feel like I have to pour my heart for hours in order to get an answer and even though I was hoping for an imidate contraction after that prayer, I was more grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who understood my impatience and let me know I still had time.

I keep asking Dave when he thinks he will come and he always says I don't feel like a distinct prompting of this is when he will come. Neither do I. We both agree that it's just hard to imagine him coming at all, that next week we could be real parents and have a baby to take care of.

David was born on an Easter Sunday ( I know I've said this a thousand times) so I think it would be so cool if he came on Easter but I kind of feel like that's not going to happen...

Nursery Progress

 The Nursery is pretty much done I'm just waiting on one more thing to hang and then I can do the big reveal. But before I show it in all it's glory I thought I would share the long road it took to get there.

^^ At first it was just the crib and Mr. Owl we bought for him at Ikea. 

We had to re-assemble the crib from the move and Coco Helped once again.^^  

 ^^ The green chair lived in here for awhile. Mostly because I didn't know where else to put it.^^

^^ The closet was such a mess for a long time.^^

^^Then it came time to choose a rug. I looked for months for a rug just like the blue one on the right, but could never find one for a reasonable price.  But one day while purusing Target I saw that blue out of the corner of my eye and guess what it was on sale! The only one! So I bought it and immeditaly put it in his room. But when I got it in there I wasn't sure it looked right. So we tested out the one on the left, switching both of them out until we finally decided^^

^^ We finally got some art work in there, with a little more furniture.^^ 

^^ Then we found the perfect crib sheet, bumper pad, and bunny. For the most part when it came to choosing decorations for the nursery, I would find something I like and if David liked it too we got it but he wasn't too picky except for a couple things. This bunny and this crib sheet. 

We originally saw this bunny at Anthropologie and David wanted it so bad but we decided to see if we could find it cheaper else where. This was a mistake because we never found the bunny again and Anthro stopped carrying it. Randomly we found it at Pottery Barn kids for their Easter collection months later and we ended up spending more money on him than we would have at Anthro. But that's ok it was worth it to have, and it's seriously the softest bunny. The crib sheet we found at Target for so cheap but it was sold out and David hunted down the nearest one, and we drove 20 minutes across town that same night to get it.^^

^^ David hanging up the art work. I struggled to find a rocker that wasn't $500 and wasn't extremely ugly. David suggested this one from Ikea and I really wasn't sure about it, but after a couple visits to test it out I decided it was the best option and now I really love it in the room. The pillow was from the living room just as a filler and the banner is from my Mom that we will probably hang downstairs when he finally comes.^^

 ^^We looked around for a dresser for a long time as well and could never decide, we finally decided on this one, and I love it! We went on a Monday night to get it and I was so excited to see it in the room David kindly put it together for me that night. Little did I know it would take 3 hours to do, whoops! And of course Coco just has to be right in the middle of everything. I honestly think that she believes this room is hers and the crib is her bed.^^


After all this work the nursery still had a long way to go but I don't want to share too much without giving it all away, hopefully later this week It will be totally done!

*please note I do not let Coco sleep in the crib and immediately move her from it once she jumps in, and now that its all clean and ready to go she is not allowed in there. I'm not that crazy of a cat lady :)

37 Weeks

37 Weeks!  Baby is still the size of a Watermelon! 

I can't believe it's already a new week, this past one went by so quickly! This is good though because that means this week was pretty easy. No big complaints besides this small Hernia problem but we are feeling much better about all that now.

We did however find out that our doctor will be out of town all next week Monday-Sunday so part of me is really hoping that baby does not come until after he gets back which would only be days before my due date. But then part of me is hoping he will come at anytime! I just don't want to get some doctor that I've never met and isn't as kind. My doctor said that he trusts anyone who would be taking over for him but I'm use to my doctor and would like for him to be there.

So Baby can come between now and Sunday or not until after Easter. I guess we will see. I was really hoping for an Easter baby since that was when David was born but if my doctor won't be there....

He did check to see if I was dilated and he said not much had changed from the two weeks previous except for half a centimeter. So this could mean baby won't come for awhile anyway. He also said he will not induce until I am 7 days past my due date, the hospital is apparently really strict about that, lets all pray that I do not go that far past my due date! Please!

Besides all of that pretty easy week, baby has all the clothes we think he will need, his room is almost done beside the print David is designing. We've organized almost the whole house, there arn't anymore boxes just sitting around, and I've deep cleaned our room. I say we would be ready if we came tomorrow, but each day that passes that he doesn't and I get more done the better I feel. But will we ever feel "ready" probably not.

Oh we are really stuck on a middle name, can't seem to think of anything that goes good with Rivers.

36 Weeks

Can we just talk about how awesome that Watermelon is? It took probably 10 tries to figure out how to draw that and I have to say it's pretty good!

That stack of pillows you see behind me? David is hiding behind them. That guy... always a hoot!

 36 Weeks! Baby is the size of a Watermelon! 

I've definitely messed up this counting the weeks thing, no surprise there I never got a gold star in math. But I always talk about the previous weeks adventures when I start a new week. For instance Today I am 37 weeks but I will write about being 36 weeks. However technically I am living my 38th week. I've messed up the counting... Because if I do make it all the way to 40 weeks I would have to go until 41 to talk about being 40 weeks. You see the problem?

I'm not really sure how to fix it but to just keep going with this crazy train so here we go....

36 Weeks, you were but a dream boat not laking in a few sleepless nights full of worry that baby would come RIGHT NOW, or extreme stress the house was not clean enough. Not to mention moments of feeling totally and helplessly upset by the worlds silliest things. Baby hormones how we are done with you!

I've said it before and I'll say it again! Thank goodness for David Palmer! Who took me shopping for new clothes and a much needed make-up run! Who takes me on walks, and talks to my troubled soul right when I need it which just so happens to be right when we pull into the garage.

We went to the doctor again this week (weekly visits are making this last month feel longer) we had an ultrasound scheduled which we were sooo excited about. We couldn't wait to see his little face but sadly all we could see was his spine and a bunch a black holes that were his stomach, kidney, and other things I can't remember. They measured the size of his head and his femur bone to check his weight. 6 pounds and 5 oz. The doctor said I should deliver a 7 poundish baby. THANK YOU!!! I'm really worried about him just being HUGE!

I gained two pounds this weeks putting me at 19 total! I'm super happy about this but I still have 3 weeks to go.

His room is pretty much finished now, David just has to design a little something and get it printed and put in it's frame. I'm hoping next week I can do a nursery tour, because it looks awesome!! I think we have most everything we need for when he arrives worse case David will just have to go out and get whatever it is we realize we may need.

35 Weeks

35 Weeks! Baby is still the size of a Large Cantaloupe!

We went to see the doctor this week and we are now down to once a week visits! Which means it must be getting close!! He checked my cervix and it hasn't dilated (darn) but it is thinning, so that is good!

Everyone says to just enjoy these last couple weeks because it's a lot easier to feed and take care of the baby when he is inside of you. Which is great advice but at the same time I've had 35 weeks to enjoy this, I think I've got what it's all about. I'm ready whenever he is ready. However two more weeks would be good, I might panic if he shows up next week.

Mostly I am just tired of feeling huge. Getting dressed this morning I only had a couple tops that fit over this belly, I was trying not buy anything until after he comes cause I didn't want to waste the money on something, but I'm thinking I will go get maybe a few things. Luckily I don't work so I can get away with wearing my PJ's all the time.

I'm starting to freak out a little about A. Him actually being here, am I really ready to do this? and B. Me having to go through the labor of getting him here, I just don't see how my body will do it. and C. The recovery after he gets and taking care of him. Again am I ready?

David made a great point though, I have plenty of time to recover and figure it all out. I don't have a clock ticking away waiting for me to come back to work or be somewhere. My only responsibility is to this little baby and oh how I am so grateful for that! And a husband who has provided such an opportunity, I know it is not possible for so many Women and I thank my Heavenly Father everyday for it.

Next weeks doctor appointment we get an ultrasound! I can't wait! Unless he shows up before then. Unlikely.

We've started making bets on when is going to get here. The winner gets to choose where we go to eat on our first family outing. I know high stakes! I said March 31st because I really want him to come on Easter and David said March 29th. But honestly he is probably coming on his due date or after.

The Temple

 

35 Weeks

 

On Saturday we took a trip to Salt Lake to visit the temple we were married in almost 5 years ago this July. I really wanted to attend a session in "our temple" before he was born because after he comes it doesn't seem likely that we will leave him with someone while we make the trek to salt lake to do a session when there is a temple so nicely placed across the street from us.

I'm so glad we did too, not only is it just fun in general to visit the Salt Lake temple but having been sealed there it makes it all the more special and it was so fun to go now pregnant. Of course when we walked out of those temple doors for the first time as a newly married couple we knew children were in our future, but it was so cool to return actually on the path to becoming new parents.

One day we will take him back to visit and hopefully all of our other children as well and take yet another picture on those beautiful steps, and be a testimony to ourselves and others that families are forever and it all starts at the temple.

34 Weeks

34 Weeks! Baby is the size of a Cantaloupe!

These aren't the best the pictures but at least they happened!

No weird cravings, nothing is swollen and still no stretch marks at least on my belly..... 

I made a list of everything else we need for when baby comes, will that list ever be over? I've decided to wait on certain things like a monitor, breast pump, and bath tub. It doesn't seem like we will be needing those right away and can get them later if we feel like. I did go and get almost everything else on the list. 

His nursery has almost everything it needs, it just needs to be put together and we decided to change one thing so I need to go get that and then it will be done, but if he came tomorrow he would have clean clothes and a place to sleep so we are doing good. 

I also made a list for things I am going to need, and may have went a little crazy at Target buying a lot of toiletries for my hospital bag. But after one afternoon of trying to get us out of the house for a good 30 minutes I think it's justified. More on that later.

33 Weeks

33 Weeks! Baby is the size of a Pineapple!

This is somehow the only picture I took of the bump during 33 weeks. Thats ok. And of course I'm writing this late so I can't remember what all happened, thats ok too....

I do remember one night I woke up because my stomach hurt so bad and I may have panicked a little bit that I was have contractions. They did go away and it hasn't happened since so he must have been hitting a nerve or something or maybe they were those false contractions Braxton Hicks.

He is still moving around a lot which surprised me because it seems like we are both running out of room in there. Can't wait for him to get here!

Dear Baby

Last night I had a dream that I was holding in you in my arms and it was the sweetest moment of my life. I had you all wrapped up on my chest in a white blanket and you were ever so beautiful. Then all the sudden you were gone and I panicked at how I had lost you, only to wake up to find that you were kicking happily in my stomach. Heres to seeing you soon.

Love, Mama

32 Weeks

32 Weeks! Baby is the size of a Honey Dew.

Sorry for the picture overload, I just felt like we weren't capturing the largeness that is my belly.

We went to the doctor today for a check up and he said once again everything is looking great! We are starting two week check ups now which means we are getting close! Baby is still head down and heartbeat is still going strong.

I now weigh 159. AHH!! Which isn't bad really I've only gained 3 pounds since the last visit and 15 total for the whole pregnancy. So with 7 more weeks to go I'll probably be hitting 20 pounds total or a little more. Which is fine I am not complaining it's just crazy to keep seeing that number go up, up , up!!

We took a tour of the labor and delivery unit and the nurses were so much nicer than I was expecting. I feel a lot better about that as well. They even have daddy sleeper benches, so I won't have to worry about David sleeping in a chair. Hopefully I won't be there long and baby boy will just come right out. 

We talked to the doctor about contractions and when it's good to come in, he said don't come in until contractions are at least 5 minutest apart and there is no need to rush if your water breaks, however if your water breaks and there are hard contractions HURRY cause baby is COMING!  haha so I'm kind of hoping that will just happen for us. Baby seems pretty on top of things, I said in the car on the way home from the doctor "he knows what he wants, he was ready to come to earth, ready to be made, he's had no problems so far, and he kicks with quite a lot of confidence, when it's time I think he is just going to come right out."  At least I hope thats the case. 

I don't think I really craved anything this past week.  Still no stretch  marks! Is it possible I will make it through with none? The varicose veins haven't gotten worse but they haven't gone away, not that I expected them to.

We got his dresser and diaper bag this week, his room is really coming together but still needs some work. The goal is to have it ready by March. With the dresser finally here I could put his clothes away, and I realized he needs MORE! Once it's all organized and not in boxes I could that he does not have enough new born stuff. I don't think we will make two days with his supply now. The diaper bag is however packed and ready to go just in case, we are probably way over prepared with what we are bringing but I'm ok with that.

31 Weeks!

 31 Weeks O my! Baby is the size of a Head of Lettuce.

This week was pretty rough still emotionally, however being pregnant it feels like everything is double dramatic. I think it's just hard not having much to do during the day, I'm doing my online classes and those honestly take up so much time, almost my whole day but I'm not particularly busy. I've always been in school of some sort or working and it's not like I can go shopping everyday even though I totally would if we were really rich.  I should probably be enjoying this down time soon my life will be run by my children, which I'm totally ok with. But I will probably look back at these last couples months I had of just me and wish I had enjoyed them more. So that is what I'm going to do!!


I was really craving Chocolate Milk this week but then I actually had some and wasn't that impressed.

I've noticed some varicose veins on one of my legs, I'm trying not to wear heels to prevent them from getting worse but I just have this one pair of boots that I love! I wouldn't even call them heels but they are elevated so...

Besides that it has been a pretty calm week for pregnancy. It's getting so close can't wait for him to get here!

30 Weeks!

I was so ecstatic to be 30 weeks! I kept telling baby that it was ok if he came out now I was ready. However he is not at all, even though it may seem like it. Hes always kicking, maybe trying to find a way out. Nothing too crazy this week. I'm also writing this really late since tomorrow I will be 32 weeks so of course I'm having a hard time remembering.

30 weeks was a little harder emotionally, everything seems way more intense and dramatic when you are pregnant. Add the fact that I was already a little tense and dramatic before being pregnant, and then add baby hormones. It's not fun.

Good thing Dave is really patient and understanding I don't know what I would do without him.

29 Weeks

29 Weeks! Baby is the size of a Butternut Squash. 

So today is the last day of being 29 weeks so technically today I am 30 weeks living my 31st week. It's all so confusing! It feels so good to be at 30 weeks though, it's the final countdown (sing it , you know you want to fiinaaall cooountdoooooown)

We went to the doctor today for a little check up, I'm feeling so much better about the delivery. The scariest thing about being pregnant is actually getting this baby in the world. But our doctor is amazing and I'm feeling pretty good about it. I decided not to take any classes and the doctor said that was a good idea. I've decided that everyone and their mother and their mothers cat has an opnion on how it's going to go and I don't need to hear it all. I'm still reading my what to expect book and I want to read a little about breast feeding but besides that I'm just going to let my body do it's thing, it should know what to do. Plus a little prayer never hurt ;)

We listened to the babies heart he sounded great, and the doctor said the baby was head down! I don't know why but when he said that I was totally shocked/relieved/shocked. The whole pregnancy I had tried really hard not be set on one way of doing the birth and told myself that if the baby never flipped a C section would be totally fine. But now that I know I will for sure be doing a vaginal birth it feels way more real! However it's really good he has flipped and I hope he stays that way. 

I now 156 yikes! So I've gained 12 pounds, and the doctor says I'll probably gain another ten. Holy Moly! I feel pretty good about it though, I haven't gained a ton and hopefully I stay normal until the end. 

Like usually he is moving like there is no tomorrow! Last night David was touching my stomach and he moved so hard I thought David had grabbed my stomach. His movements are getting more like motions instead of little kicks or punches I can feel his arm or leg just slowly jab into one spot like he wants me to move. Sometimes he moves so funny it causes my stomach to look like it's doing the wave.

I didn't really crave anything this week, I did notice some funny veins on my thighs this week ugh!!! Still no stretch marks, however I did go and buy some fancy lotion just in case. 

Everything is pretty good, we are so excited for him to get here and a little anxious especially as it's getting closer.

28 Weeks

28 Weeks. Baby is the size of a small cabbage.

I do these posts at the end of the week, so I can actually talk about what happened during that week so that means today I am 29 weeks and I can't believe he will be here in 11! Ahh!

28 weeks, the beginning of the third trimester! Where the did the second trimester even go? Am I really that far along? It's so hard to believe sometimes that I am actually pregnant, I keep waiting for when I am really pregnant. I keep thinking oh your not that pregnant, not enough to complain, or get special treatment. But really I am quite along in this pregnancy I need to start playing that card more :)

This was week was pretty good nothing too dramatic happened like last week. I did have some stomach pains on the left side, I called the doctor and they said it was probably a pulled muscle. I was pretty tired yesterday and just felt really off so I'm taking it easy today by literally sitting in my PJs and doing homework. But really it's two O clock and I just got out of the shower and back into my PJs..... 

I didn't crave anything really, last night I desperately wanted Oreos. I still don't have any stretch marks, no bloating, and my skin hasn't broken out into anything weird. I'm feeling pretty good about all that actually, by body is rocking this pregnancy so far. I am going to invest in some lotion that a blogger said works wonders cause I've heard of people getting stretch marks at the very end.

 I'm usually pretty tired by the end of the day and it's hard to wake up in the morning, but I'm taking advantage of all the extra sleep I can get while I can. It's getting extremely difficult to flip from side to side at night. I'm a huge side sleeper but usually move a couple times throughout the night and it's quite the exercise to get it done. I've tried putting a pillow between my legs but that is also annoying to move in the middle of the night especially when the sheets get in the way.

We got a lot of his room finished this past weekend, I'm going to take pictures of it later this week so I can see the progress. There is still so much to do though, however I am feeling way less stressed about. David is always so willing to put things together for me after he gets home from work, including spending 20 minutes in the freezing cold last night to see if the car seat would actually fit in the car it does..... As well as rub my back whenever I ask cause somedays it just hurts.