September 25, 2012

We went to the doctor last week and had a great appointment. Little Nola is looking good. She is measuring about a week ahead and weighs about 1lb 5 oz. Her heart rate is 157 bpm and everything looks great. We were able to see her little spine, but she had the umbilical cord in front of her face, so we couldn't get a good picture on the 4D. We did get a nice picture of her little mouth and nose. After I saw that, I couldn't hear anything else the doctor said. She has her daddy's lips! It is so fun getting to see her every month and I'm grateful for every ultrasound. Next month, we'll do the glucose test, so that should be fun.

She has also been moving around like crazy lately. Sometimes I am just wondering what she's up to in there because it feels like a dance party. It's really fun experiencing that and letting other people feel her too. 

We are building a house and we went over this week to write scriptures on the walls before they do the insulation and drywall. In her nursery, we wrote this on the wall "For this child I prayed and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him." - 1 Samuel 1:27. I can't wait to get settled in and get her room all set up. Until then, I'm dreaming of her little face ... and that glider I want to put in her room.

September 12, 2012

I thought it would be fun to share some of the cute things we've received for our baby girl. We are so blessed with an amazing family and group of friends. We tell baby Nola all the time that she is loved by so many - she has no idea!

This custom set came all the way from Colorado. Thanks Tracey! We love this and can't wait to see her in those little footies. (apologies for the sideways photos)

 

My mom made her these little headbands. They are so soft and cute!

 

These tiny shoes came from Dee and my mom. I realize they aren't practical, but who cares? They are perfect!

This is a newborn sleeper with a bee on the bottom. I can't wait to snuggle with her in this!

I can't forget her very first dress thanks to aunt Starr and these cute leggings Dell and I picked out.

This is probably Dell's favorite purchase - a Thundercats onesie. He says she'll be the coolest kid on the block with this.

Of course she'll be ready to Thunder up from birth to at least 9 months of age with these adorable onesies               from Dell and Chris. We plan to get a blue tutu she can wear with each one.

September 10, 2012

I fought through the cough without any medication, but now these allergies are kicking my butt! In general, I really can’t complain about pregnancy because it’s been pretty easy on me. I have the normal symptoms and can deal with those. You know, the back pain, sleepless nights, congestion, dizziness, swollen ankles (that one just started last week), extreme hunger, feeling like you can’t breathe, total exhaustion, etc. But, the allergies I’ve experienced the past few days are ridiculous. I’m constantly sneezing and can’t breathe at all through my nose. This makes for terrible quality or quantity of sleep at night (and probably makes me a bit cranky too). I’ve said no to Tylenol, caffeine and anything else I can avoid. But I might have to break down and get some Claritin D for this symptom. It’s no fun!

On a lighter note, Nola has been moving around like crazy lately. She’s so active at night and in the mornings. I love feeling her wiggle around in there and am enjoying this time we have, just the two of us. I pray she is growing healthy and strong like she’s supposed to and that I’m a good hostess for her for the next 18ish weeks. I’m looking forward to our doctor’s appointment next week and to making it to 24 weeks. 

August 21, 2012

We went to the doctor today. I am now almost halfway there. I’m about 19 weeks and can’t believe it. We got to see her little profile, but she had her hand in front of her face. As hard as the doctor tried to get her to move it, she was being stubborn and kept it there. Our little mango is weighing in at 10 oz. (already chunky). She must love food as much as her mama does. Her heart rate was 156 bpm and everything looks great. 

I’ve been sick this week. I have this terrible cough that won’t go away and my whole body is achy and sore. I’ve gone the entire pregnancy without taking any medication and I’d like to keep it that way. If this cough persists, that may change. 

It’s been a crazy busy week, so I’ll keep it short. But, I love appointment days. Waiting an entire month seems like an eternity, but it’s definitely something to look forward to.

August 6, 2012

I called the doctor and got in at 11:30 today. They said it’s probably normal and nothing to worry about, but easier said than done. So, I was able to see the PA and check on the baby. A quick ultrasound and she confirmed everything is fine with the baby. We even got to see for ourselves that baby Chambers is in fact a girl. She was moving around so much that the PA was having a hard time getting the heart rate. She finally caught it at 164 bpm. Immediately, I felt like I could breathe again. We saw the baby, she looks good and she’s active and growing every day. 

Thank God!

Sorry for the paranoia and emotions.

August 5, 2012

Okay, so the truth is, it’s not all roses and rainbows. If I’m being honest, I have to admit that I’m still really freaked out at times and I can’t help it when worry, fear or anxiety creeps in. Yes, I love being pregnant and I am still so happy to be experiencing this. However, I think it’s only human that, having been through what I’ve been through, I still worry. I had an upset stomach Friday night and woke up Saturday morning feeling really scared and emotional. For the past couple weeks, I’ve been able to feel where the baby is in my stomach. And she moves around … sometimes she’s on the left side, sometimes the right, sometimes right by my belly button or near my ribs. But, always shifting around. For the past few days, I haven’t felt her move around and it’s hard to tell where she is. 

Okay. Then, I also realize I haven’t gained any weight for the past two weeks and I don’t know why. 

Okay, then it all hits me at once. What if something’s wrong? I cried to Dell and told him I’m just worried and had been praying for a sign that the baby is okay for the past few days. There’s been no sign. I wish I had called the doctor a couple days ago instead of waiting till the weekend. I know it sounds like I’m emotional and crazy, and maybe I am. But, when you are in this situation, you just want to find peace and make sure the baby is okay. 

So, Saturday we went to Oklahoma City for a family reunion with Dell’s mom’s side of the family. The first thing his mom asks when she sees me is if I’ve been feeling the baby move. Ugh, I was dreading this. I hold it together and say “no, not really.” We meet up with his family and his brother asks the same thing. “How’s my niece? Is she moving around a lot?” I feel like it’s a cruel joke or a mind game I don’t want to play. So, I brush it off and try to think positive.

We don’t go to bed until after midnight and I wake up around 4am with severe pain. I went to the bathroom not sure if I just had an upset stomach or if something was wrong with the baby. I sat on the toilet cramping up and crying for about 30 minutes just begging for it to stop. Finally, I was able to go back to bed and felt better after breakfast that morning. 

I’m sure everything’s fine and this is all totally normal, but I don’t know. I don’t have anything to compare it to and I need peace of mind. So, I am calling the doctor first thing tomorrow morning to see if I can come check on the baby.

August 1, 2012

I can’t wait to see Dell as a dad. I know he’s ready. Here’s a story from last night just to prove it.

After work, we babysat my nephews (ages 2 and 3 ½) while my sister and her husband had a quick trip to Kansas City for their anniversary. Everything started out great. I learned that the only thing the older one had eaten that day was Cheez-It crackers. So, we decided to eat dinner together. Before dinner he was complaining his stomach hurt, but that’s not out of the norm for him. He’s very good at coming up with excuses not to eat what you want him to eat. So, I didn’t think anything of it and he ate his chicken, cheese and rice dinner. We rocked in the chair and watched his favorite shows. He fell asleep, and then woke up again. I wanted to give him his Tylenol because he had been coughing for a couple days. After a small dose, he started coughing and then throwing up. Oh no! 

As you may not be aware, your sense of smell is heightened when you are pregnant. Most of the time, this is not a good thing and last night was no exception. Gavin was sitting in the recliner throwing up all over himself and crying and I wanted so badly to hold him and help him. But, every time I got close to the chair, I would smell that horrid smell and start gagging myself. It was like my worst nightmare until Dell sprang into action to help. He told me to get away from the smell and he would take care of it. He got a towel for Gavin and comforted him so he wasn’t scared anymore. He carried him to the bathroom, covered in puke, and cleaned him up in the sink. He changed his clothes, rinsed everything off and cleaned up all the throw-up. I was not a help at all. I couldn’t go in the living room because of the smell and couldn’t stay in the bathroom with them for the same reason. I tried my best to clean up what I could and ran a bath to get Gavin all cleaned up too. 

It was late and Gavin wanted someone to lay with him upstairs, so Dell volunteered for that too. I honestly don’t know what I would’ve done without having Dell there to help me. It was such a mess and we were all so tired. 

I’m so glad I married this man … not because he can clean up vomit without flinching, but because he’s just a good man. And seeing him in action last night just made me so proud. I can’t wait to see him as a dad to our little girl. It’s going to be amazing.