Thursday, December 27, 2012

Christmas Time

Wow. I've slacked off recently. We have been very busy!
We almost have the nursery completed... still a few things to do but the BIG stuff is done! I still have a few projects to complete as well.
For Christmas we decided to stay in our new house! My family came up the Friday before Christmas until Christmas eve to celebrate with us! It was so nice having them up here! My dad also did some projects around the house for me! We got a new garage door opener so now I can park in our garage!! He made a space in our kitchen for a dishwasher, and the new dishwasher should be installed next week!!! He also installed blinds for us in the nursery :) Zach and I celebrated Christmas day just the two of us and it was awesome! Our first and last Christmas just the two of us! Zach's family is coming up tomorrow to celebrate Christmas for the weekend. Its been a great Christmas!
We also had another Christmas "present"! We got to see our little girl today via ultrasound! She was sleeping so she was a little uncooperative. All of her measurements were great! She weighs 3lbs 15oz so that puts her in the 32% percentile for size. She also has a full head of hair (explains the awful heartburn)! She is breech at this point. The doctor said 20% of babies are breech at 32w. We will be getting another ultrasound at 36w to see if she has flipped on her own. 4% of babies are breech at 36w. If she is still breech, the doctor will try to manually turn her (which works 1/2 of  the time) otherwise there is a great possibility of a c-section. Praying she turns on her own!! My blood pressure and weight are still great and on track! The doctor also spent a lot of time with me talking about labor and the process... I feel so much better and prepared... well as much as possible lol. We did finish our baby classes (breastfeeding and labor and delivery). I think they helped. I am also reading Baby Wise and Babyproofing Your Marriage! I am trying to be as prepared as possible yet very flexible. Its hard not knowing what to expect! I cannot wait though! She is going to be amazing and worth every pain and discomfort I've had and will go through!

<3

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Catch Up

WOW! November flew by! I tried to keep myself busy because my husband was gone for work for 5 weeks. He left a few days after we moved into our house and then got back shortly before we left for Pittsburgh for Thanksgiving! I am so glad to have him home! And I'm pretty sure he won't have to take anymore long trips once the baby comes!
I was able to go to Champaign for a week and half and spend time with family and friends! That helped pass some of the time Zach was gone. We drove to Pittsburgh (8 hour drive) for Thanksgiving and Zach's family threw us a baby shower! It was so wonderful! We are extremely grateful for everything we got for our little one! This baby is so loved! It was amazing to get to see all of his family and to meet some I have never met before! It had been 3 years since we have seen most of them! I really hope we can get out to Pittsburgh next year so everyone can meet her!

I started my third trimester! I'll be 29 weeks on Monday! I went to my OB on Wednesday and everything is going fine! My glucose screening came back within the normal range and my blood pressure was were it usually is :) I start going to the OB every 2 weeks now until 36 weeks! We also get another ultrasound the week of Christmas (32 weeks)! I think this will be our last picture of her until she makes her arrival into the world! I can't believe my due date is 11 weeks away! We still have yet to start on the nursery... but now that Zach is home, that should be easier! We start baby classes next weekend as well! It seems to be happening so quickly yet so slowly. When we brought all the baby stuff home from the shower, it hit me that this is really happening and in the not so distant future. I am so excited and overwhelmed but I know everything will be just fine!


Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Happy Halloween

I had my 24 week OB appointment today! Next appointment is the glucose screening, FUN! But anyway, I went in and stepped on the scale... and it was up. again.Which is good! I know! But it is still hard to be excited about it! I have been terrified of gaining too much weight (my mother gained 50+lbs with my brother and I and I do not want to repeat that). I have been eating well and exercising! I asked my doctor how I was doing in the weight gain department today and to my relief she said I was a little behind the average mom-to-be! I am still in normal range! Baby and I are both measuring perfectly!! But I was glad to know I'm doing well! She told me to keep doing what I am doing because I looked great! Needless to say, I walked out of there with a smile :)
I also learned that I have been having some Braxton Hicks contractions at night due to dehydration while I am sleeping. I drink almost 24oz of water throughout the night, but I guess I need to increase that. She told me what to look out for, but otherwise everything is normal and I'm not to be alarmed.
*Leg cramps and optical migraines can be added to my list of pregnancy symptoms since my last appointment.

I have also had a very successful week of studying! I have finished 8 out of 9 chapters of lectures! ONE MORE TO GO! I plan on finishing that tomorrow and then starting at the beginning and going through my workbook this time around. At this rate, I really feel like I can take my tests before Christmas! (Fingers Crossed)

I guess that's all for now!
Happy Halloween!!!



Monday, October 29, 2012

Count Down

Happy Halloween :)
Today marks me at 24 weeks pregnant! A few more weeks until I am in my third trimester! I was reading about my baby's development at this point in the pregnancy and it is crazy to me that 50-70% of babies born at this point in the pregnancy survive. In another 2 weeks, 90% of babies survive. It really hits home that there is a tiny human inside me. Not some weird alien that pops out as a newborn in 16 weeks. I know that sounds crazy, but it is such an unbelievable miracle I get to be apart of! I am so thankful that God has allowed me to be apart of this! It takes a little bit for my mind to fully grasp what's going on inside me. Other milestones baby is making this week: Her nostrils are opening and she is beginning to practice breathing (amniotic fluid only for now)! Her respiratory system is forming, including surfactant, which will help open her lungs when she makes her debut into the world! She can sense movement, since her ears and equilibrium are formed! She also can hear everything, including me breathing :)
I signed up for baby classes this afternoon! We decided to take a breastfeeding class and a labor/delivery/postpartum class! We start those after Thanksgiving! There will most likely be a daddy bootcamp involved but the schedule wasn't out today :) I am super excited! I feel like this also makes it more real and I am beginning to understand she will be here before I know it!
I also started studying for my respiratory therapy board exams today! 16 weeks left until my due date and I want to have all of them taken and passed before our sweet baby girl arrives. Studying with a newborn seems like an impossible task that I do not want to attempt. The goal is for me to go back to work part-time a few months after she is born. (Hopefully working 12 hour shifts 6-8 nights a month so we can eliminate the need for day care and I can be a stay at home mom as well.) It has taken me so long to study because of my pain and recovery from surgery 2 years ago. I also cannot be on my pain medications whilst pregnant so I am fully relying on God for strength. Because of my physical restrains, I can only study for short amounts of time. Today I was able to get through 2 of my 9 chapters of lecture. I am definitely feeling the pain now. This afternoon has been heat and rest. I'm feeling motivated but don't wanna overdo it and not be able to do anything else for a couple of days. Its hard to take things slow... My goal is to get through all 9 chapters of lecture by Sunday! I have been out of school for over 3 years, and it is slowly coming back to me. Key word being slowly. But today felt very positive and I am looking forward to passing my test and feeling that sense of accomplishment!!

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Grateful

A lot has happened since my last post. We have moved into our new house! My dad and brother came up the weekend we moved and helped us paint, rip up carpet, and drywall along with many other odd and end things! My mother was able to come up this past weekend and helped me unpack, clean, and make the house feel more like a home. Its such an overwhelming task to undertake. I am so grateful for all the help.

I have my 24 week appointment next week! Baby girl is 1.5lbs this week and is 8.5in long, crown to rump! She is moving a lot and its starting to get uncomfortable. She will get in positions that cause very sharp pains. I also can see my tummy move when she kicks! My shirts are starting to get too short to wear and maternity shirts are still pretty baggy. I guess I kind of have to accept this awkward in-between stage until I get larger! I gave in a bought a maternity winter coat! My regular winter coat already doesn't zip! My NorthFace still fits, but its not warm enough! Although this week as been very warm! High of 78* today!

I still have to paint and decorate the nursery! I have a crib and a rug! That's about it. I know I have time, but at the same time I feel like I have no time! 16.5 weeks left! I've heard the first 20 weeks fly and the latter 20 weeks drag, but so far I feel like the second half has gone by much quicker than the first! I'm sure the last month drags on in anticipation! I also need to sign up for baby classes!! My list never seems to get shorter!

In other news, my friend got engaged (I put that in my last post) and she is getting married Jan 12! I am so excited! She also asked me to be a bridesmaid! That should keep me occupied through the next couple of months! We ordered our dresses and luckily they are one size fits all (0-14) so I'm thinking I should fit when I'm 8-9 months pregnant!

Until next time :)
23 Weeks

Sunday, October 7, 2012

October

I will be 21 weeks pregnant tomorrow! On Wednesday we found out we are expecting a little girl :) We got to see a 4D ultrasound picture of her and it was amazing! I can already see Zach's features on her sweet little face! I cannot wait to hold her! Her heart rate was 155bpm, which is perfect! Her measurements are perfect! My weight gain is normal and on track! My nausea is still pretty bad. Zofran keeps my food down but the dry heaving is still annoying and is still everyday. I know it could be worse and I am just looking forward to the day when I get to hold her and I know everything is worth it!! She is healthy and that is all I care about :)
Zach finally felt her kick! He feels her pretty much everyday now for about a week! My mom actually got to feel her yesterday when she was here helping us pack up our apartment. Speaking of which: we got the keys to our new house on Friday and this week we are ripping up carpet, painting, and getting a new washer and dryer before we move in on Saturday! My dad and brother are coming up to help us get the house ready! Zach hired movers for me so I don't have to do any heavy lifting :) I also think he didn't wanna do any heavy lifting :) Zach is leaving on the 17th until Thanksgiving for work... he will be in the house 4 nights before he leaves. I'm trying not to stress out about it. My mom is going to come up after he leaves to help me unpack and get the house organized, which is a huge lifesaver for me! So far this month has just begun and it is so busy and exciting!
My friend also got engaged this week and is planning on getting married in the next 3 months so I am going to have a very busy winter before our little girl makes her arrival!

My mother and I also went to a consignment sale yesterday and bought baby girl clothes! The clothes are so adorable! I am going to have such a hard time deciding what to dress her in everyday!

I am so happy, excited, and in love! And its fall! Life is going great :)

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Movement

We are about one week from closing on our house and 3 weeks from moving! We haven't packed a single item yet. It doesn't feel real yet. And Zach just got back from a 2 week long work trip. He also leaves for 4weeks one week after we move into the house. I'm not looking forward to that at all.

Monday I will be 18 weeks pregnant! 2 more weeks until we find out the gender of our little one :) Pregnancy has been pretty wonderful so far! Lately the nausea has been pretty bad. Dr gave me zofran to help. It has been a miracle drug :) gotta keep food down for the baby! This week I started feeling the baby move/kick/flutter or whatever you wanna call it! It's a very weird sensation but wonderful at the same time :) I can't wait until Zach can feel the baby kick! I just hope it's before he leaves for work.

Monday, August 13, 2012

The Good Life

Zach and I have lots of good in our life recently :) we are in the process of buying a house! We are supposed to close September 24th, as of now! We are also expecting our first little one February 18, 2013! Today marks the first day of the 2nd trimester (13w)!! I'm hoping a lot of the symptoms will subside now. Nausea has been almost constant and I can tell its easing up a little bit. I'm hoping to get energy back and be able to study and take my RT exam by thanksgiving! That's my goal :)

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Frustrated.

Zach and I have been house hunting since June. One offer we pulled for numerous reasons... Sat down to write 2 others and found out there was complications so we couldn't submit those offers. Now we found another house we love but they are way overpriced for the market. We are submitting an offer tonight but we are prepared to get denied. I am not over-paying for a house. at least we are going to try.
We have each other and that's the important thing. God has a plan and we will find what's meant to be ours!

Until next time...

Monday, March 19, 2012

St Patricks Day

Zachs parent came to town this weekend and we went downtown! It was so crazy!!! Took us an hour and a half to get to river north! (normally its about 30-40mins) Crazy crazy drunk people everywhere! But we had fun :) we also went to the girl and the goat for dinner and it was awesome :) so fun!!

Tonight, Zach and I are going to the Black Keys concert at the United Center! I'm very excited! This will be our first concert together! (we are also celebrating 6 years of being together next week!) woo!

Monday, March 5, 2012

Daily Struggles

Everyday is different for me. For the past 18months, my life has revolved around pain. My body took two steps backwards in September 2011, when I had to change medications, and ever since then the pain has kept me sedentary. It's been very difficult to look at myself and know that I am not useless. I feel that way sometimes. I cannot study or even read for pleasure!

In January I went and saw a neurosurgeon (he says i have a condition called anesthesia dolorosa) and he told me I had very few options. 1: very radical brain surgery to insert a brain stimulator to decrease the firing of nerves in order to relieve the pain. (not gunna happen) or 2: time. This is the option I am going with but it's really hard! He gave me a projected healing time--> a few more years? I am trying another medication to try and calm the nerves down but so far I haven't had any improvement.

I'm really trying to be positive and see the light at the end of the tunnel but it's definitely a struggle. I've had to put a lot of faith in God to get me through this because I CANNOT do this on my own.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Chicago winter weather...

Zach and I were/are planning to celebrate Zach's 25th birthday by going to Baltimore for the weekend to see a good friend that we haven't seen since our wedding! We got to the airport and everything was fine, after we checked our bag and got through security, our flight gets cancelled! (2:30 flight) Now we are scheduled for the 6:15 flight which has been delayed until 7:55 due to the snow that will not stop falling!!! Oh what a great start to a birthday weekend; poor hubby! Hopefully we get out tonight, otherwise we have to cancel our trip! I'm praying a lot!!

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Coupon update :)

So I saved approximately 30-35% of what we spent on groceries! Woo :) we will have to keep track of the savings and see how much it helps over the course of the month.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

coupons

the grocery store we go to in town (Dominicks) has a coupon site (just for u) that uploads coupons to your saver card and also gives you deal matches on competitor prices (Jewel and Target)! I am excited to go to the store tomorrow and see how much money we saved by doing this!
*what I enjoy most is the fact that I don't have to keep track of coupons, they are saved on my card!

New Year

With a new year usually comes new year's resolutions! This year, Zach (my husband) and I sat down and discussed goals for the new year. Budgeting is the key to it all! We have had a lot of unexpected expenses the past two years of our marriage. (January 9 was our 2yr anniversary! woo!) I had my surgery in August 2010 and then that was followed by a lot of physical therapy, doctor appointments, and medication. all of these have added up and have made saving pretty difficult. In September, I started working out and getting in shape! I have been trying to cut back on physical therapy (PT) as much as possible. (I am only going once a week, 2x when the pain is really bad.) Right now, no progress can be made because I have a lot of nerve damage and PT can only do so much so I am going to a neurosurgeon the end of this month. Hopefully that will fix my pain issues and I can go off my medication! I want to be healthy and medication free THIS year! I am trying to be as proactive as possible.
Back to our new year's plan: I want to start couponing, meal planning, and cutting back on expenses. budget, budget, budget! that's what I need to remember!