Pregnancy Update.

I'm currently bouncing up and down on a yoga ball as I type this at my computer. Tomorrow is my due date and I haven't had any major signs of Skye's arrival. These past few weeks have been nothing but a time of relaxation and rest as I prepare for our little girl to make her entrance. As I've mentioned in previous posts, Ethan's sister is in town and has been such a help with Kaiden. I've been able to nap almost every day, go on long walks every night and am doing everything I can to enjoy these last moments before I encounter  a whole new dynamic to  life. I spent quite a while wrestling with the idea of labor. I think the anxiety is worse this go around only because I know what to expect. It's actually been a hindrance to my excitement and something that has caused me to really spend time in prayer and reflecting over encouraging verses. I can rest in the fact that the physical pain I will encounter is temporary and fleeting AND I can look to God's blessings past and present and trust in His future promises as well. This has really helped me not worry.At my 39 weeks appointment, I found out that I am 3 cm dilated and she is so low my doctor could actually feel her head. She was predicting I would go any day now but that was almost a week ago and the only major thing that has happened was there was a night where I had contractions that sent me into a jitter. When my water broke with Kaiden, I couldn't control my teeth chattering, I felt shivers galore and I was shaking. The same feeling overcame me and we thought we were going to have to go into the hospital. But, like all false labor signs, the contractions stopped when I laid down. Since then, there hasn't been much. My doctor was also concerned because my belly is measuring considerably small. She was afraid there wasn't enough amniotic fluid and so she sent me to get another growth scan (aka ultrasound.) We went and found out that there is enough amniotic fluid, but based off her measurements she has a new calculated of June 14th instead of June 3rd. This is not to say she can't come any day now. They aren't officially changing my due date but that is just what the numbers were showing. All this to say, I'm more than ready for this labor to happen but (unlike my last pregnancy) I am living with a confidence that God has a perfect arrival time for her and because of that I can patiently wait. In the meantime, the blog entries will continue to be sporadic probably over the next month as we encounter entirely new changes. Thank you all for the prayers and for the people who have sent me encouraging messages and texts, asking how I am doing. It's much appreciated!

Pregnancy: 37 Weeks

There's only 16 days until my due date. It's crazy to think how fast time has flown by! There's not much to update, as I'm feeling pretty good considering how pregnant I am. I suppose that is a good thing. :)Baby Size & Development:She is the length of a stalk of swiss chard. She is pretty much fully developed and is ok to make her arrival at any point since she is considered "full term."Signs & Symptoms:Mild contractions. This is normal in pregnancy as my body is trying to prep for baby to come.Shortness of Breath. This has definitely been a huge one as of lately. I was sitting in church the other day and my heart was racing! I felt so short of breath and had to do some breathing exercises to slow it down.Best Moment This Week:Ethan's sister came into town to visit and help with Kaiden. It's been great having an extra hand and knowing that in case I go into labor, someone will be home to stay with Kaiden!Worst Moment This Week:I was bent down on the floor trying to figure out what Kaiden wanted, when he accidentally pushed me over. I lost my balance and I actually tipped over lol. I hit my head on the water fountain, dropped everything I was holding and felt so embarrassed... :/What I Most Look Forward To:Tomorrow. I'm taking one day at a time and enjoying my moments of boredom and free time.

Pregnancy: 34 Weeks

A lot of people ask me if I'm ready. Though the discomforts can get uncomfortable, there are still things I need to do to prepare both mentally and physically. I have yet to finish her nursery and pack my hospital bag. There are also a few small things I need to pick up for her as well -- newborn diapers, an infant bathtub, etc. I also just want more time with Kaiden. These will be the last moments that I get with just him and I, and I want to make sure I don't take these days for granted. From her birth forward, my attention will be divided and so right now I want to ensure that I'm really investing my whole self into him. I'm also in no hurry for those sleepless nights. I plan on breastfeeding and so I know that it will always be me getting up to feed her. I need to spend more time reading up on nursing stuff since my brain is a little fuzzy on it from the few weeks I did it with Kaiden. I made the mistake of wasting my last days sitting around in anticipation with Kaiden and not enjoying the various "freedoms" I had and so I'm making sure that I enjoy my time as a parent of one. Did I mention that I'm nervous about labor, too? I just try not to think about all that could go wrong... So, to answer their question, I'm actually not ready. I can wait and I'm totally ok with that. I'm excited to meet her but I'm in no hurry for the due date to arrive. :) Baby Size & Development:Cantaloupe. She should be able to recognize familiar tunes that I may sing -- how, crazy is that? She also should weigh somewhere between 4-5 lbs.Signs & Symptoms:Mini contractions. This is normal in pregnancy as my body is trying to prep for baby to come.Shortness of Breath. This has definitely been a huge one as of lately. I was sitting in church the other day and my heart was racing! I felt so short of breath and had to do some breathing exercises to slow it down.Best Moment This Week:It would be a tie between working on the nursery and the baby shower. I felt so "showered" with love and gifts but I also loved hanging up all her little decorations that I've been collecting here and there.Worst Moment This Week:There have been many moments where I just feel out of breath and it gets tiring. I'm starting to feel more discomforts but it's still no where near what I remember feeling with Kaiden so it's really not that bad at all.What I Most Look Forward To:The moment Ethan gets back. He is doing two more weeks of training but it will be the last of it until July. I can't wait to have him home consistently for two months straight!