Mission: Baby Miller: Final Weeks

 

Today I am  5 days over my due date. I know it's not common for first pregnancies to deliver right on their due date, but I was certain I was going to deliver early! My last day of work put me at 38 weeks and I thought "cool, maybe I'll have a week to myself before she comes"

It was kind of a sad day to leave my desk. The office was kind of empty anyway- I got to say goodbye to a handful of the staff and then that was it. I hope the new person appreciates that job every day and does well.

Since being home, I don't have to deal with these painful swollen feet as much because I am resting and elevating instead of sitting in an office chair and/or walking around a hot office. That picture was nothing..sometimes I'd come home and they'd look even worse, plus they'd hurt! Oh- Pregnancy!

I finally dropped right before I hit 39 weeks! I was stoked- thinking Any day now!

 

Also Victor came home from his mission! We all missed him so much! We greeted him at the airport here, he grew a little bit we think, what an amazing young man! Can't wait for him to meet his little niece.

The next day Victor was speaking in Sacrament, 39 weeks and 2 days for me- and I even did my hair and make up. I was certain this baby was going to come- I had a ton of pressure and feeling contractions and my back, more like my tail bone, was feeling like it was going to break. So the next day- a Monday, I had Wes stay home with me so that we could leave at a moments notice. I waited all day for something to happen. and Nada! I was so disappointed!

Then my due date popped up on my calendar..bahhh!

40 weeks - I mean, how huge does my belly look? It's like a gigantic butterball turkey in there! I just needed that little meat popper to pop out to let me know she was done cooking.

40 weeks and 3 Days...now I'm just used to this pregnant thing. I think she is too, in fact I bet she would stay in there a few more weeks if she could. Luckily though, my Dr won't let me go past 41 weeks. So you guessed it..induction! All my plans for a natural labor down the drain. I was listening to all these meditation for pregnancy tracks to prepare myself and everything. It gets better..wait til you see more at the bottom of the post...

I was able to get my garden going though..that was nice. I got seeds in for tomatoes, corn, green beans, lettuce and spinach, zucchini, and later I will do the winter squashes.

 

My belly here, as Wes would say- looks like it can eclipse anything in it's way. 

On my 40th week Dr Visit , Wes would normally go to work and drop me off at home. But since we were on our due date, we decided to try and encourage the baby a little. So we did some stuff, things I've read about, or heard about, and something that was offered.

I had a spicy breakfast at the Egg and I, but I have been inhaling down on spicy food my whole pregnancy. I feel like she has built a tolerance to spicy food, but it didn't hurt to try.

 
We took a drive up and down Big Cottonwood Canyon hoping the elevation change would help cause some contractions or something- and while we were driving- there was no music in the car and out of no where Wes starts singing " Its going down, I'm yelling timber!"  If you don't know what and who that is, you are not in the year 2014 and/or not watching the NBA Playoffs.

 

Then we went to the mall and walked around FOREVER, they had a candy store there and I got a little bucket of black licorice, something I read about that can induce labor.All it did was make me visit the toilet a lot later that night.

 

Then we went to the health food store to get some distilled water, and the lady there could tell I was supposed pop this baby out any day now, so she gave me a small bottle of Doterra Basil Oil.  She told me to rub the oil on the inside and outside of my ankles. So we did that. I smelled like pasta. And that's all it did, made me smell like pasta every time I applied it.

So none of those worked. But we gave it a valiant effort, I guess. I'm just sitting here with frustration that I am still pregnant cause all we want to do is meet our little baby! We are ready!

We did have a false alarm visit to the hospital- my contractions were very consistent so we went in to get checked. Imagine 40 weeks and being told you're 0 dilated and 0% effaced and head is high..that was me. I was pretty mopey :(

Anyway- just a few third trimester things I've been doing..

I started drinking this tea at week 38- its supposed to help prep the Uterus and provide some iron to help with any bleeding. It actually tastes good and I like tea anyway.

I also got another prenatal massage, she even massaged my belly so that maybe Charlotte could get in on some of that endorphin action. I got my final pedicure before delivery- hot pink toes of course.

The last half my my third trimester was interesting. I love ice. I would prepare a cup of ice to just eat, like below, at least three times a day. I also got this sudden urge to have Chocolate Hazelnut spread everyday as well, so bizarre! But tasty :)

 

Sonic shakes remained a main stay in this trimester and the heartburn really upped its ante and I am going through so many calcium tabs. Calcium- that's right, whatever makes me feel good about this. 

 

What's in My Hospital Bag??

I see these hospital bag things on Pinterest all the time, so I fed into the self indulgence and made my own list. Take it, Leave it, Ignore it- whatever floats your boat :)

 

So you know how I said I was preparing and planning for a natural labor? No epidural or anything. I heard the recovery was faster and that you labor slightly longer with the epidural. My Husband had a really strong opinion about it as well, so that may have been my bigger influence to choose laboring drug free. I had downloaded a bunch of meditation for pregnancy tracks on iTunes to play on the Mint Speaker in the LD Room, so yes I packed speakers to play my meditation tracks.

I also packed a stress ball, and back massager and a rolling pin- the rolling pin is amazing on your back, especially if you have back labor, but have your husband roll this up and down your lower back as hard as he can and you will be in heaven.

Yes, I packed all of these items. But  now that I am getting induced, the slow rhythm of labor is not happening so now I am going with an epidural. I had to remove the rolling pin from the bag. I kept everything else though. I still want good music during my laboring, and the stress ball and back massager could come in handy as well.

 

Comfy cardigan, comfy maternity leggings, my slipper boots and comfy socks. For Wes, I packed him T-Shirts, underwear, socks and he said these cargo shorts are his most comfy, and the Sanuks, which he can wear around as slippers if he needs. The Hospital has a standard two night stay so I just wanted to make sure we had clean clothes and shoes for both nights.

 

I packed two kinds of nursing bras, the wrap kind and a padded un-hooky kind. These things are so expensive..I was able to purchase 4 though at Buy Buy Baby of all places, as they had a clearance sale plus buy one get one half off. So I got all 4 for less than $50, and they are comfy..not comfy like some of my other bras, but for nursing bras I give them a thumbs up. I also packed a nursing top, I didn't want to spend money on nursing tank tops cause they are like $40 each! no thanks!  And the belly band is a weird thing to pack- I wore it during my second trimester a lot to protect my clothing from the coconut oil I was rubbing on my belly and just provide some extra support around my growing bump. It still fits around my belly now and provides just enough compression to make me feel like I'm not going to fall face forward. Anyway, I packed it as a stomach healer sock- to keep my organs from plopping forward if I had to bend over for any reason and to make me feel like my post baby bump was getting some lovin' healin'. I know some websites recommend wearing a belly bandit or something more constricting but this is what I already had.

 

Milkmaid Tea to aid in my milk supply post delivery

iPhone and iPad (plus chargers) for entertainment and istagramming/fb'ing :)

Flip flops for Wes and I for the showers or walk around in

Granola Bars for snacking, just in case.

My DSLR camera

Toiletries, including contact solution and case, eye drops and chapstick

 

In the diaper bag I put in her going home outfit, the cute little whale outfit, a cuffed long sleeve onesie and a sleep sack. Swaddle wrap, hats, mittens, socks and her nursing pillow.

Other random things include Silly Putty for Wes, headphones just in case we both want to watch our own shows on our iPads or listen to music without disturbing the other. My make up- this wasn't real important to me..people have seen me without make up and I didn't see a big need for it, but I packed some foundation and tinted moisturizer just in case someone famous came around my room. I also packed an empty tote bag. I don't know about some of you girls, but I plan on taking home a lot of supplies from the hospital, like newborn diapers, pads, healing aids etc. I also packed some plastic grocery bags to put our dirty clothes in.

Car is packed with bags, the car seat is set up and ready to carry her home, nursery is ready , the Mom and Dad to-be are anxiously awaiting the arrival of this miracle baby. Absolutely a miracle. We have been waiting a long time for this, then she decides "what's another week?" I can tell she will be a handful already!

Thank you for all of your support and encouraging words. It gives us both strength and faith that we will deliver a healthy happy baby.

Next post: THE BABY!!

The Love of a Family

This weekend, I was spoiled by my Family yet again. Wes' Mom and Sister hosted the cutest baby shower for me and we invited our family members.

I'm going to rub it in, I really think I have the BEST in-laws in the world. Corrine and Larissa went all out for this Brunch. Look how cute everything is! Wes' mom made everything! and my Mom brought her ever wonderful chow mein to the mix.

These favors were made of toilet tissue paper rolls and decorated as favor boxes, which were filled by homemade butter mints made my Larissa! Delicious!

And the Owl theme continued- so adorable!

The wonderful ladies in my life!

This picture is particularly special to me- such love, sacrifice, compassion and strength wrapped up into one picture. I am fortunate to know these ladies and have them in my life.

I had so much fun with everyone and Baby Charlotte got A LOT of clothes and blankets this time around. I probably won't need to purchase for a year or two!

I keep saying this to people, but it is really amazing to see the support that comes when you're pregnant with your first baby. All my family and friends, my co-workers, are just the greatest people, and Charlotte is going to be born into such love from all of them.

I think of the people who have passed that are missing this experience with Wes and I, specifically our Fathers. But I feel them everyday, Angels watching us and making sure the good in this world is blessing us as much as they can help it. Even though they aren't here with us, they can see us and be with us through it all. We love them and miss them very much! I truly believe their angel hands have helped us to where we are now.

I wasn't this young when my dad passed, he passed in 2011- I just love his smile in this picture :)

33 Weeks!

FOOD

Loving: corn, sweets, and recently learned I can order a half caf latte and avoid insane amounts of caffeine

Hating: My hyper sense of smell has returned and most things smell and make me sick to my stomach. A lot of nausea is creeping up. I'm also hating water. I drink tons but my body expels it too fast so I still end up with crazy swollen feet and hands. I hear the symptom is normal now but it's quite annoying.

BODY

Loving: feeling her move so much and now seeing it as my belly moves about.  I'm sure it's starting to get cramped in there for her. I also love bubble baths. It's so nice to soak a couple times a week and relax. Still doing my prenatal massages and I've added pedicures. So I love my toes too!

Hating: the swelling, back aches and my runny nose. I can accept the weight gain but I am getting huge. I figured I'm going to need lose 70 lbs after Baby.

Feeling:  Excited to meet her and scared for labor, anxious for mommy hood. Blessed and grateful to have this experience and share it with family and friends. 

This week a few things happened:

First, we knocked out our super birthing class last Saturday. 8 hours of everything labor. It was intense, but very informative. I recommend new parents take a birthing class for sure. We feel more comfortable now with what to expect. We also got a tour of our maternity ward, lovely place the University Hospital is and very baby friendly. 

Me and Wes have a few things we wanted to check off our ' Before Baby comes' list. One of them was brunch at Fiddlers with friends. And it happened that 16 of our friends came

 

We got another one checked off too, a nod to our simple past - we both got insanely chunky one holiday season cause we were obsessed with dunking cookies in our coffee. So we made a total night of it and watched Catching Fire on pay per view- super fun date night in. 

Next, the ladies from the magazine threw me a sweet baby shower at  Z'Tejas...their food is so yummy! The cake story is so funny. I wish I would've taken a picture of it- but instead we gobbled it and forgot it really wasn't a baby shower cake- But kinda

 I will miss these ladies so much and not seeing their pretty faces everyday. Except Jamie- I hardly ever see her cause she's the Boss's wife, but seriously- who else's boss's wife comes to a work baby shower? just Jamie, cause she's so awesome! All the girls were so generous with the gifts and food. I'm really a lucky girl!

Lastly, we made the decision that I would discontinue working full time and be more of a stay at home mom, for at least the first year. Shocker- to me even. Wes decided it was what he wanted, and it's been tough for me all week to comprehend how my life will be so turned around. I'm a working girl.. I've worked longer than I've been an adult! and I was completely fine coming back to work full time and doing the day care thing- people make it work everyday and their kids turn out just fine. 

I have anxiety about being home all day and not doing adult things and contributing financially to the household. Wes says my contribution will be raising and teaching our daughter- hello?! Pressure! I'm not exactly a a teacher, or close to one! I'm afraid I won't teach her the right way and that I'll resort to Sesame Street .....or books on tape- no? Babies don't do that? 

The anxiety is also from knowing I can't go shopping when we go down to one income :(. I don't mind working to be able to buy the things I want, that's been my life. So now,  I will have to adjust and face the reality my spa days are over and my online shopping will just be online wishful thinking. Hard to chew. 

But, from what I've heard, being a SAHM is the best thing I can do for us and that once I have her, I know I won't want to leave her. That I won't regret it and it's going to one of the best decisions I made. I might be the odd duck here, but I can't quite see the pros outweighing the cons yet. Hopefully, as we get closer to the due date, my mind set will change and that the thought of being home all year  with the baby won't be a bad thing. The positive thing I see from this is that nursing will be a lot easier, and I'm glad now I only bought a single electric breast pump. The other thing is I can start refocusing on marketing my wedding planning business and hope I can get a few booked for 2015. Yeah- money making is always on my mind. And maybe the magazine will have a few projects for me to assist with so that I can still feel like a part of the team. 

Growing a family comes with many challenges and decisions and most of those decisions are about sacrificing my wants, my needs, and my time for what's 'best for the baby.' It's Been quite the adventure just trying to change gears for what is to be the most wonderful thing I'm about to have.... a daughter. 

Happy Third Trimester- So Far...

 

So for Valentines Day- we actually decided to celebrate a week early. Wes hand wrote the most amazing note for me that I will actually keep to myself...let's just say he's as sweet as you think he is and paired with his impeccable grammar- this note was pretty spectacular. He made me feel like not the bitchy wifey I think I sometimes am. Plus I had given him a gift a week prior that was his 'push' present. Usually that goes to the wife, but I felt like he needed something to get him through this last trimester with me. I got him a Golf Buddy and he's been using it almost every weekend that the weather allows him to golf.  And sticking with the giving theme, I knew this was my chance to cook for him while I had the energy. So I did a whole Valentines week for him and cooked the majority of the nights.

Night 1: Prime Rib Eyes - these were like $15 each...but were so yummy! Simple sear in butter and oil, seasoned with S &P and finished in the oven at 425 degrees for 10 minutes. Perfect Medium every time.

Night 2: Breakfast for Dinner

Night 3 - A 20 minute meal, Pasta with a creamy rosemary and thyme sauce with mushrooms and chicken. I drizzled truffle oil over the top and it was fantastic!

Night 4: Bowling night for Wes, took him and the guys a cake, not home made though.

Night 5: I had a really bad case of swollen feet, so I skipped the kitchen and had pizza delivered, but I did assemble the cutest desserts ever that included Gelato,  raspberry sauce, whipped cream, heart shaped macarons and our names in chocolate :)

Night 6: Made Wes his favorites! Chicken Potpie and Cherry Turnovers

Night 7: We wrapped it up with Wings and Garlic Fries from Wingers- we love their wings over anyone else's

BABY SHOWER

Paige and Tyce, my sisters from other misters, threw me such a sweet shower this past weekend. I couldn't ask for better gal pals. They made everything so cute and planned this thing so well. I think some people get nervous to plan things for me cause I'm a wedding planner but, I am not picky when it comes to stuff for me- really..well I don't think I am haha. 

 I was so happy to see everyone! and everyone was so generous and sweet. We had a good time...but maybe the Moscato Lemonade and Sangria's had something to do with that ;)

  There are a few girls missing in these pictures, but I know you were there :)  I can't express enough thanks to everyone for the support we've received and the bond that I now share with some of these new and tenured mommies. It's so amazing to think that in just 60 days I will have a little mini me!

I made shower favors for everyone that came..they turned out pretty cute- they were washcloths and body wash wrapped up with a tag that said "From my shower to yours"

MATERNITY PHOTOS

Okay- so when I wasn't pregnant, I was always urging my pregnant friends and family to get maternity photos taken. some really shied away from it and some reluctantly took them cause they were not feeling their prettiest and others were all over it. I get it  now. That feeling of feeling the biggest you've ever been and the last thing you want to do is show how swollen everything is on camera. However..it really does take a good photographer to capture that and of course, my go to, Amanda Hendrickson. She's photographed my biggest moments in life, engagement, marriage and now maternity- I told her she will probably be around to take pictures of my grand kids!

I am so happy I got these done. As huge as I feel and look- I have this special memory on file of being pregnant with this child that took us a while to finally conceive.

  For some, getting pregnant is hard- the issues we face and obstacles can take a toll on your emotional strength, and when you finally get to your goal, you worry that it won't take. The first 12 weeks are so stressful cause you don't want to miscarry. And then when its time to announce- it is so hard not to want to announce to everyone in the world , "Look at us- we had a hard time conceiving but it finally happened!" I get messages all the time that our struggle gave others hope, even though we didn't have to get to far along in the process, the fact that there is a commonality in this group of couples, friends and strangers,  having a hard time conceiving is a big thing- we offer each other support and encouragement.

So, annoying as I am with my pregnancy posts and pictures...I feel like I'm allowed to celebrate. Pregnancy sure isn't easy- its uncomfortable and sometimes achy and your hormones are like a ceiling fan flinging off shit all over the room - but Im so happy and thankful for this experience. It's an absolute miracle to carry and bear children. We've been blessed so many times over and can't wait for these next two months to fly by so we can finally meet our little Charlotte!



And for those of you experiencing this with me....I got my list!

Third Trimester Must Haves and Do's....So Far

 I posted this on instagram: the 3 b's- Blazer, Bows and Bronzer. This blazer has been amazing at hiding my back fat and making me feel slimmer haha..days when you need that boost- blazers help so much. Bows- i got this belt at Smiths for $2  and i love the look it gives me..I also wore it to my baby shower. it shows off the bump well. and  finally Bronzer- So I decided to make a concerted effort and put on make up everyday for the last months of my pregnancy..bronzer is an instant make over in a compact size container..even when i just had bronzer on, i got compliments on my whole look. like Martha Stewart would say "it's a good thing"

 

Girls Night Out- My Book Club and I did the Paint Mixer as just a get together. and Every girl needs to do this, pregnant or not. its one of those experiences you will never forget.

 Pedicures- even when your feet swell up like mine, you look down and see your pretty toes and all of a sudden your swelling doesn't look so bad. Pedicures are definitely a third trimester must have.

Finalizing nursery details: I am down to the home stretch in the nursery. I have a few things to set up still and some picture frames to fill but I am almost done. the reveal will be soon! I can't wait! this print was ordered off Etsy and it is something Wes will appreciate, cause he's such a geek. but I still kept it girly with the pink. only $15 and it gets emailed in two days!

I'd also like to add Bubble Baths with Lavender Epsom Salt Soak (Amazon) or Honey Melt Bubble Bath (The Body Shop), and Black out curtains so the light doesn't wake you up early in the mornings on your weekends. My work weeks are so aweful sometimes cause I wake up at 6 and don't get home til 6 sometimes- it zaps my energy, So i've been enjoying sleeping in when i can.

Finally- Lots of date nights with the Hubby- we are trying to squeeze in as much as we can, and we even have a small list of other things we want to do with friends and family before she arrives.

Sorry this was the post that never ended...I pack in a lot of stuff in one session when I don't get on the blog train for a month, hehe.