My Beautiful Daughter

You are one week old today..How have I not posted about this? Because you decided to choose your own due date..and though that meant you got to meet mommy & daddy on your timeline, it also means your 5 weeks early..And currently in the NICU. Which scares mommy to pieces, but you are doing amazing. You weighed 6lbs9oz at birth, which is HUGE for a preemie. Had you gone full term, you would have been over 9lbs. So maybe mommy is glad you came early..You are gorgeous. The most beautiful baby I have ever seen. Raven hair and dark green eyes. You have your daddy's hands & feet and mommy's lips and nose. My goodness, I am so in love with you. I tear up just thinking about it. I hope you don't remember any of your time in the NICU. Everyone tells me you won't. I certainly hope you don't remember that I have to leave you at night. I can't help it. The hospital won't let me spend the night w/you. It kills mommy to leave every night. The first day I cried all day. And each day since, tears fall for something. But baby, don't think anything of it. Mommy just worries. You stay in the NICU just as long as you need too. Get all better. Get back to your birth weight. Get to eating all your food. That way, you can get home. You are nursing like a champ, but my supply only seems to come in when I'm near you.  When I pump, not so great. I'm supposed to pump like I would be feeding you, seems like thats all I do. But baby girl, you are so completely worth it. And my sweet darling, you have healed mommy's heart, and daddy's too. We lost 5 babies before we had you, and those 5 babies sent you us. They sent you to us to help us heal, to show us the reason why it took us so long to get to you. You are a miracle. Oh my goodness. I am just so in love with you. And you have your daddy wrapped around your little finger already. We love you baby girl.

30 Days

This is when you will make your appearance Baby E. Today, momma had to see the great & wonderful Dr. F because of severe pain & swelling in her hands & arms. I also got an u/s because I was so worried about you (which I had no reason to be, but w/the friend and her baby..I just was.) You are GORGEOUS!! And very, very breech. Footling breech in fact. Your coming out feet first currently. And  your long. And right now, you have hiccups..It's adorable =) Anyway, Dr. F was shocked to see that your head is in my ribs, because for every single visit since 16wks, you have been head down. In fact, most of the time, the only person you will move head down for is Dr. F. So I asked Dr. F what we do from here, do we wait for you to move head down or what? And he said we could try an external version at week 37. I do NOT want this. It hurts when one's skin isn't completely shredded by PUPPP. Mommy's is. Big time. And Dr. F said he doesn't think he would do it because of this and because it could end up not working anyway, and we'd both be stressed because of the pain. So we set a date to meet you. February 24, 2011. 30 days from today baby girl, you'll be in my arms, and not in my belly. It's very bittersweet. I wanted  you to pick your own birthday, but you seem to have your daddy's stubborn streak and Dr. F said that he's pretty sure your not going to move, cause  you're that big. And we trust Dr. F. Also, your daddy guessed the 24th would be your birthday...I haven't gotten to talk to him yet, but he is going to be so, so excited. So there you have it baby girl. We'll meet each other, face to face, in 30 days. Mommy is so excited, overwhelmed, nervous. Absolutely can't wait!!

Baby E

Today, well yesterday actually, one of mommy's bloggy friends found out her daughter had died, and she had been kept in the dark about the whole thing. I felt like I had been kicked in the heart. She delivered at 35wks and a few days. Where we are now. I think I must've prayed for 20 minutes after reading her post. For her, for her husband, and for their baby, and then, the hardest for you. We have our pep talks every day, and no matter how much I complain, I do not want you born until you are ready to be part of the world outside of my body. I could not face loosing you. So you just stay put for a few more weeks. 38 is the SOONEST you are allowed to come and I will do whatever it takes to keep you in until then. This has been on my mind all day as I feel you move around, and push back at me to the point I feel that my skin will split. No matter how uncomfortable I am or how much pain it causes, you stay put!! Everyone is saying you are going to come early, only mommy thinks you'll wait til the last minute to make your grand entrance. Dr. F says he's coming to get you if you don't appear by March 9th. I say, you'll wait til March 8th, and you'll be a big girl. I love you so much, my sweet daughter.

34 (!!!) Weeks

How far along? 34 weeks (after 35 weeks, Dr. F won't stop labor, that means you COULD come as soon as next week, but we've had that pep talk Miss E, your bday is NOT until February. Stay put!!)

Maternity Clothes: For sure, defn. Still rocking the black yoga pants, my maternity jeans still fit, but that stupid "belly band" hider thing only goes about half way up. At our last appointment (last Monday) I was measuring 38 weeks, so thats a full term size belly and we still have about 6 weeks to go. I feel like I look HUGE in everything, and now, most stuff is so tight around the belly, people can see you move from the outside. 

Body Oddities: Still having a good time w/the PUPPP. We've managed to avoid steroids for now, but Dr. F is concerned about the rash, and how much it is itching. It's not even that annoying, until I realize I'm scratching my skin off and it's bleeding. Oops. And oh yeah, Dr. F took us off the Lovenox shots (yay) at about 30 weeks, and now the belly is not nearly as hard and there's no bruises!! It's pretty rad. Still having daily & nightly swelling of the feet, they've gotten pretty bad a few times, but now I'm only wearing my crocs & house slippers, and no regular shoes whenever possible. I should've taken a picture of them @ Aunt L's wedding. OMG. We were sure they were going to pop.

Sleep: What is this sleep word? Back to averaging about 3-4hrs a night..and NOT in a row. Up about every 2 hours to pee and your new trick this week is realizing when mommy is about to fall asleep, and dancing or doing somersaults. It's practice for having you here I'm sure. I know you'll be a night owl, mommy always was.

Best moment this week: When you move for an hour or so straight. You are constantly on the move. And I think you only go head down for Dr. F. Literally, you've been sideways all week except for when I said "do you think she's head down." And he felt, and yep you were. Not 2 seconds later were you sideways again. And this weeks visits was the fastest and easiest. I really didn't have any questions (that Dr. F didn't answer before I asked) and we were in & out. Yay!!

Worst Moment: Being sick. Momma has been rocking a fever/cold/ sore throat/congestion/runny nose/exhaustion for going on 3 days. Being sick and being pregnant is the worstest. Not only because I can't take anything, but because the small things are 100% more annoying.

Movement: Constantly!! It is amazing to watch & even more amazing to think that in a few weeks, you'll be doing that OUTSIDE my body. I can't wait!!


Food Cravings: Ice, lemonade, Cheetos, cheese, pork chops, pasta, pizza, carrotts, salad. <--Same as last week!!


Rings: Off since the beginning of December (so 27 weeks?) Daddy got me a really pretty replacement set to wear for the rest of this pregnancy. It's lovely =) <--Ditto.


Gender: Girl, gal, cowgirl, la petite

Intense Dreams: I've moved into the you being born early dreams. Or being born in the car, the ocean, the bathtub, etc.

Medical Concerns: Measuring huge, PUPPP, hives, itchiness, back pain, and add in being sick for three days.


What I look forward too: Our baby shower tomorrow.. I hope I'm feeling all better!!



Emotional State: Easily annoyed, that would be my top feature this week, and cranky. Ugh.

Your First New Year

2011...It's the year of your birth baby girl!! You'll be here in 54 days give or take..I cannot believe that!! We are counting down the days until you get here. You're baby shower is in 13 days..Hopefully we get a lot of stuff. Daddy and I haven't really bought anything (except some clothes and cute binkies). Grandma is going to get your crib and changing table and Nana is going to get you your pack & play and stroller. Yay!! And we need your co-sleeper..Oh my goodness, this is really happening!! We love you so much!!

(Almost) 32 Weeks!!

Oh sweet baby, mommy is doing such a bad job of updating...There has been so much going on..This weekend you will be 32wks..Can you believe it?! You are doing a TON of moving, and we had a scary moment last weekend..We were celebrating Christmas w/daddy's family, and contractions started. They hurt BIG time and we went speeding off to Marion General Hospital out in the boonies (where daddy's family lives) I was having contractions every minute, lasting for 30 seconds. It was not good news. Thankfully, the nurse there was very friendly and got them under control w/a shot Terbutaline. And you haven't acted up since then. I've felt extremely tired (your so big that finding a good sleeping position is tough), but no more contractions. Now, lets do your update =)

How far along? 31wk5d (see, *almost* 32 weeks)


Maternity Clothes: There is nothing else that fits. The belly is measuring in at 36wks. It's all maternity clothes and jammies. Your Nana bought me some black yoga style pants, and they have replaced my black scrub pants. So yeah, defn. maternity clothes


Body Oddities: I have PUPPP, the pregnancy induced rash/hives/welts. It's great fun, except in a not at all fun way. It itches SO bad, and it's not gonna stop til I have you, so I'm trying to figure out how to bathe in hydrocortisone cream. Also, I had a bad reaction to the sulfa in Macrobid, so I am completely broken out on my arms, legs, and then the PUPPP on my belly, looking really hot. Oh, and the stretch marks, oh my. They are serious!!

Sleep: I am exhausted, still. 3rd trimester fatigue is no joke. The last few weeks have felt like an eternity. About 3pm I get so tired I almost fall asleep at my desk..and I have a few times. Not to mention that I'm not sleeping very well at night, due to daddy being gone and being huge. Oh well, it gets me ready for when you will be here.

Best moment this week: Having Dr. F reassure me that if you were born now, you'd make it and you'd be healthy. We are at 8 months..Only 1 more month (technically) til you can legitamitely make your appearance. Let's hold out until at least 36 weeks, okay?


Worst Moment: The night in the hospital. Those contractions were painful and I was terrified at having you at only 31 weeks. I'm glad you decided to stay in for a while longer.

Movement: ALL THE TIME!! You are extremely active at night. You just roll, kick, punch, and turn all night long, It is hilarious to watch my belly move.


Food Cravings: Ice, lemonade, Cheetos, cheese, pork chops, pasta, pizza, carrotts, salad.


Rings: Off since the beginning of December (so 27 weeks?) Daddy got me a really pretty replacement set to wear for the rest of this pregnancy. It's lovely =)


Gender: Daughter, Girl, Female, Princess =)


Intense Dreams: Not that I'm remembering as much, since I'm not sleeping as soundly. There have been a few scary ones, but I wake up remembering that you are okay, and in my belly.


Medical Concerns: Measuring huge, PUPPP, hives, itchiness, back pain, it's so fun.


What I look forward too: Meeting you, and having our shower on the 15th!!




Emotional State: Still weepy, but the get out of my way attitude has come back. I can't put up w/any BS.

Movin & Groovin

Well Baby Froggy..Since the trip we took to the ER last Thursday (yep, you moved head down, weren't very active for 5 hours, and Dr. F, being as awesome as he is told momma to head to the hospital, and you were and are 100% fine) you have been so SO active. You are on a definite sleep/wake cycle, (and the sleep part doesn't last very long, we'll have to work on that) and when you are awake, you are AWAKE!! You want momma to know you are here. Right now you are moving so much that my belly looks like jello. It's crazy. And I love feeling you. It's the weirdest & coolest thing I've ever felt. I wish your daddy was here so he could feel it too. He definitely felt some huge kicks this weekend though..And Allie laid herself on my belly, and you were not having it, kicked her in the head, and it scared her so much she fell off the couch. It was hilarious. I just can't wait to meet you. To see who has been kicking me. To see if you have your daddies eyes, and my hair, long fingers and toes...but keep growing little girl..You don't need to come any sooner then when you are completely ready..We'll meet soon enough..I love you!!