A Change of Focus

I am quite certain that it is extremely normal, especially as a first time mom, to have a little anxiety over the labor/birthing process.  It seems like almost everyone says it the hardest thing they have done, albeit the the most rewarding.  I was reminded though - that although this will be a big day for me, it is probably an even bigger day for this baby girl.  I have found over the past couple of days that more of my thoughts and prayers have been focused on her and my desire for her to be safe and unhurt during the process and it has actually really helped me be far less fearful.  It is just always better to not have so much focus on ourselves :)  

I don't know if this will totally make sense to anyone but me, but thinking about all of that reminded me of a video that a friend showed me a while ago.  Gianna Jensen was born alive during her own attempted abortion.  Her story and her honesty are really powerful.  Watch when you have time - it is broken up into two parts.  

Part 1

Part 2

Nursery Pictures!

Well I figured that since I am now considered full term I should probably get little miss' nursery put together :)  So I did work on that this weekend and even took some pictures on my new camera!!  

The view when you walk in....

Right side....

 Left side...

And pretty IKEA shelves with fun books to read to our little one :)

I still need to make my paper tissue balls...that might sound weird, but I don't know what else to call them.  Just know that they will be colorful and girly and will hang above the crib.

In other news I went to doctor today and I am 1 cm. dialated!! 9 more to go :)

36 Week Update

Take a look at my growing belly!

View # 1

 View #2

How Far Along: 36 Weeks

Maternity Clothes: Maternity is now the only thing that fits me.  I do wear some big t-shirts at the gym, but my belly likes to peek out occasionally.  I think I should probably be embarrassed by that, but I'm really not.

Gender: Sweet baby girl

Movement: I have been feeling her a lot, all day, everyday.  It is a really fun part of pregnancy.  I also think the lining of my uterus or skin or something of that nature is thinning out, bc I can feel a little hand or foot sometimes.

Sleep: Sleep is starting to not go so well for me.  I can't even remember how many times I got up to go to the bathroom last night and it getting more difficult to get comfy or turn over while I am laying down.  I am thankful that I get to go right back to bed right now though, soon that will not be the case.

What I miss:  I honestly can't think of anything that I miss right now.  I am excited to be able to work out harder and get my body back into shape in a few months! 

Cravings: Baked potatoes sound really good to me lately!  And I still am all about oranges. 

Symptoms: I have cankles :(  I am battling against swelling, but I have been able to manage it fairly well by working out and resting my feet.  And eating or walking up one flight of stairs makes me out of breath.  I promise I am not really that out of shape!

Best Moment this week: :Labor class.  I am really enjoying learning and having Adam learn everything about labor and delivery.  Our bodies are so complex and amazing.  It is very comforting to me that my body has been designed to give birth and knows what to do all on its own.

Baby Brain??

Earlier this week I went downstairs in the morning to make lunches for Adam and I and to start the coffee...typical morning routine.  Shortly thereafter, Adam suggested that coffee is usually better when you actually put the coffee into the filter as opposed to just running water through the coffee maker.  Oops! I blame baby brain.

I am so thankful for labor classes! We have been to two of our five classes now and they really are making me feel less scared/nervous and more confident in the fact that my body has been designed by God to do this!!  

It makes me really happy to watch Adam interact with little kids and I am pretty sure that I am going to be about 10,000 times happier observing him with our little girl.

We decided on a name!!  99% at least.   And now I really, really want to tell, but I will resist.

I am learning that in pregnancy everyone has had a totally different experience and I am not sure that it even makes sense to worry about things that were difficult for other people.

I will be full-term on my birthday.  I really don't want to give birth on my birthday, #1 because I want to celebrate my birthday and #2 because I don't really want to share it.  Yikes, I am selfish. 

The simple act of eating now actually makes me feel out of breath - ha!  How sad it that??  I mean...I understand that it is because my lungs are getting cramped, but it still sort of makes me laugh :)

Nursery Inspiration

The starting point for our nursery decor...

I like this because it is for sure girly, BUT the colors are pretty neutral, so most of the things I am using I can use for future children, regardless of gender.  Should our girl be born tonight her room is functional, but none of the fun stuff is done yet.  I need Adam's help to put up shelves, a mirror, etc. on the walls and I am still on the hunt for a lamp.  I am a little frugal aka. cheap though, so that might take a little while.  Lamps are more expensive than I thought!

What every preggo needs...

A good quality, easy to use camera with video capabilities!  Okay, so really not a need at all, but we ordered this camera this week and I'm so pumped!!!!  I have wanted to get a new camera before our baby girl came and this one is also small enough that I will be able to carry it around in my purse.  I have high hopes for my photography skills :)

35 weeks and trying not to count

So…5 weeks from tomorrow is our due date and I am kind of freaking out over here!!!  That is normal right??  I'm just going to go ahead and attribute all of the emotions to the extra estrogen my body is producing to prepare for the labor :)  I am finding myself a lot more scared of a whole list of what is to come lately, but I'm trying to remind myself what an amazing, God designed process growing a little life really is. Did you know that in late pregnancy antibodies from my blood pass through the placenta to the baby to protect her from illness once she is out in the world? And that continues through breastfeeding.  I just think all the little details like that are really amazing.
 

I am finding myself more and more tired/uncomfortable as the days go by yet also feeling like there is a lot still to be done, so we have ourselves a little conundrum there.  Really though…the things still to be done are my preferences of being decorated, prepared, clean and organized.  All of the essential tasks are done. I have been wanting to post pictures of our nursery, but I am ashamed to say it is not put together enough for me to feel proud of yet.  Plus, I still need to go on a fairly serious Target run for the things we still need.
 

Adam and I are starting our labor classes tonight.  I am so excited to learn more about labor/delivery and hopefully feel better prepared. (Can you tell that I like to feel prepared yet?? :))  I am excited to get to meet some other couples going through the same thing too and maybe make some new friends! I am excited for Adam to learn more about all of this too.  I was trying to imagine what I think he will be like during labor and I decided that my prediction is that he will be stellar, even-keeled supporter and helper for me during labor until she is born, then I think he will cry.  I can't wait for that moment…meeting her, not Adam crying :)