38 weeks.... and still pregnant

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: 38 weeks!!! (as of Friday 5/6)

Size of Baby: According to Baby Center, Baby Tippins "weighs about 6.8 pounds and is over 19.5 inches long...." HOWEVER - Baby Center is obviously not the be-all-end-all to baby weights, because we had exact measurements taken of Baby Tippins today and he/she weighs 8 pounds (or possibly a little more)!  More on this later.....

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  A lot.  More than I wanted.  Not as much as with Libbi.  Still a lot.  And I'm already starting to think about losing it - is that bad?!

Maternity Clothes: yes, but these days it really is whatever fits.  My pregnant belly is out.of.control. and even Jeffrey's t-shirts don't really cover it anymore.  Thank God I'm not working, because I know I wouldn't be able to find anything appropriate to wear!  

Gender: Only the good Lord knows....most people (strangers!) guess boy.  Jeffrey thinks boy, Libbi thinks girl, and I flip-flop back and forth between the two.  Even though we've had umpteen million ultrasounds, I STILL haven't found out the gender!  I definitely surprised myself!  I figure if I've made it this far, I can't back out now (even though it is tempting!) ;-)

Movement: All the time.  I mean seriously, all.the.time. I know they say the movements tend to slow down at the end and become less frequent because of the lack of space, but I have yet to notice this.  Baby is also way, way, way down (according to my OB and the constant pressure that is on my bladder) so I have to go potty at least 500 times a day. 

Sleep: non-exsistent. I had horrible insomnia when I was pregnant with Libbi, and it looks like the trend is continuing (BOO!) I have started just getting up and going downstairs.  For some reason, sometimes I can just get more comfortable on the couch than I can in my bed.  I hate it, because I am SO unbelievably tired all day long, but then I dread "bedtime" because I know it is just going to be uncomfortable and frustrating.

What I miss: sleep, bending over, wearing normal shoes, my clothes, and not feeling so tired all the time.

  

Cravings: Blueberry muffins, fruit, and anything cold.  Lots of ice cold water! I think I've finally hit the point where my belly is just so big that I feel full all the time, but don't worry, somehow I fight through it and still manage to eat. :)

Symptoms: insomnia, shortness of breath, and some irregular and regular contractions.  Also, I guess you can count my recent heart issues as a "symptom" but the medication seems to be working and I have been asymptomatic since my hospital visit.

Some "Fun" Facts this week....

*I posted an "update" on Baby Tippins's progress here, but a few things have since changed:

*I went to the maternal fetal specialist this morning for my weekly ultrasound and baby still looked really good - everything is as it should be! :)  I immediately went across the hall to my OB's office for my check-up.  No change....still 4.5cm dilated and 75% effaced.  


*We had previously discussed induction because of my heart condition and high blood pressure.  At one point when my heart was unstable and my blood pressure was poor, she considered inducing early (37/37.5 weeks) but since all has regulated and seems to have calmed down, she really wants to wait until 39 weeks - especially since I have already started dilating and having contractions on my own.

*HOWEVER, my OB was a little concerned with Baby Tippins's size today.  When they measured him/her three weeks ago, he/she was already measuring 6lbs 15oz!  So, she sent me back to the maternal fetal specialists and requested that they take measurements of Baby Tippins again.  If he/she measured on the larger side, then we would induce earlier this week, otherwise, I am scheduled for 6am Monday morning - praise Jesus there is a light at the end of this tunnel!  


*Of course, I could always go into labor on my own before then, too!

I'm not sure what exactly she considers "big" so if it's 8 pounds, then we're good to go, if not then we'll wait until Monday!

*When the ultrasound tech was doing my ultrasound today, she told me that the reason my belly felt so tight is because the baby's tailbone is pressing out against it.  And, not only that, but there is only 1.1cm between the tailbone and my stomach - how crazy is that?!  No wonder it feels like I am going to have some sort of "alien" moment at any given time.


All in all, I'm still pregnant.....still having contractions......still dilated.......still just waiting. BUT....if nothing else, I know that next Monday at 6am will be the absolute latest that I will still be pregnant!  :)

And finally, I can't believe I'm posting this, but here is my 38 week preggo pic....

timing is everything.....

**An update on the progress of Baby Tippins**...

I guess it's a good thing I wrote my "confessions" post yesterday, because had it been today - I would have had LOTS more to add! :)

I began having contractions pretty regularly on Wednesday night and they continued into Thursday, so I called my doctor and she said to "come on in."  We went up to labor and delivery at the hospital and were admitted and set up on all the fun monitors, IV's, etc....

When the nurse "checked" me, I was dilated 4-4.5 cm and 75% effaced.  She proceeded to tell us that we were there for the duration and we would be "going home with a baby."  At this point, we were so excited and finally decided to tell our family and friends (I hadn't wanted to before now, in case it was a "false alarm" ha!) 

We waited a few hours to see if I would continue to progress on my own.  The nurse came back and said that my doctor had to take her kids somewhere, but when she returned, she would "check" me again and then more than likely go ahead and break my water to get things moving along.....

A few hours later (and still having contractions every 3-5 minutes) we still hadn't seen the doctor, but we did see a new nurse (because of the shift change).  She seemed to have a different opinion than her predecessor....  She told us that my doctor was hesitant to break my water since I was "a day shy" of 38 weeks (ugh!) and since my body was clearing starting to do the job on it's own. 

She suggested we walk the floor for an hour and see if that helped picked things up.  So, at 10:00pm, Jeffrey and I walked around the L&D floor for an hour (I think I got more cramps from the walking than from having contractions - my body was in shock from all the exercise - ha!) 

After an hour, I was hooked back up to everything again and the nurse came back to "check" me....still no change.  I remained at 4-4.5cm/75% effaced.  My doctor called and said I could just go on home.  She didn't want to force anything to happen since my body was obviously starting to do the job on it's own.  She said she knew I had an appt for Friday morning - when we were going to induce - but I could just reschedule it for next week so I didn't have to come back in the next morning and do all of this again (really!!?? really!!??)  

She told the nurse that she would like to see what I did on my own before trying anymore interventions.  So, now I'm at home {sigh} without a new baby and with a poor attitude.  I have to admit, I was really, really disappointed.  I cried the whole way home.  Jeffrey was sweet and kept reminding me that it was nothing to be upset about (easy for him to say - ha!) but seriously, he reminded me that I was healthy, the baby was healthy, my body was doing all it was supposed to, and we got to come home and spend some more time with Libbi - all good things.   

Since Libbi was at Jeffrey's mom's last night, we came home and went straight to bed and I got to sleep in this morning - which helped my attitude.....a little. :)

I know that the Lord knows the exact day and time that Baby Tippins will make his/her grand entrance and that when it happens, it will be perfect.  Knowing that doesn't make it a whole lot easier to endure these last few days of discomfort, contractions, and swelling - but it does soften the disappointment. How can I be upset because the Baby doesn't come when I want, due to the fact that The Lord knows, for whatever reason, he/she is just not ready yet?!

Thank you for all of your prayers and well-wishes.  We are hopeful that the big "birth-date" is right around the corner!! :)

"Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him."

Psalm 62:5

confessions of a pregnant woman...

*Confession #1: My feet are so swollen they look like Shrek and my toes resemble vienna sausages....Jeffrey has recently referred to my feet as "concrete feet" (lovingly, of course).  But, I honestly don't know if I could make it through a pedicure without having to:

a)tee-tee or b)get cramps in my legs so instead, I've just packed lots of socks for the hospital.

*Confession #2: I ate an entire order of 25 munchkins from Dunkin' Donuts this morning.  I justified it by telling myself that I shared them with Libbi (she ate half of one and then said "no more"), 25...well 24 1/2 munchkins are basically the same as 2-3 regular sized donuts, (right?), and I since I ate some before Bible Study and some (the rest) after, it basically equalled just two servings. :)

*Confession #3: I fell asleep during church for the first time since childhood a couple of weeks ago.  

*Confession #4: I wear pajamas more than regular clothes.  I have even ventured out in public in them.  My brother had us over for a cookout last Sunday and I called on the way there to let him know that I would be attending in my PJ's.  

*Confession #5: I'm so over all my maternity clothes, which is kind of a good thing I guess, since most of them don't even fit anymore. (see confession #4)  Even my maternity panties are coming unraveled at the seams....and I could really care less.  I am almost (almost) looking forward to the "mesh" panties that they give you in the hospital - how sad is that?!

*Confession #6: I haven't worn a ring on my finger in two months.  Getting them on/off my fingers would more than likely involve some sort of butter and/or special tools....

*Confession #7: I keep blueberry muffins on my nightstand....and I inevitably find smooshed blueberries and/or muffin crumbs in the bed the next morning.

*Confession #8: I am not one to wash my hair every day....I'm more of an every-other-day/every-third-day kind of shampoo'er. BUT, lately, I have been washing my hair every single day....just in case. I do not want to go into labor unprepared!

*Confession #9: I have been coming up with different plans of what to do if my water breaks in the car/at church/in the store/at home, etc....something I never thought about when pregnant with Libbi.

*Confession #10: When Jeffrey and I were talking about the birth of Baby Tippins, he asked me if I would do anything differently this time than what I did with Libbi.  I quickly (and without thinking) responded, "yes!  I will definitely re-apply my makeup and fix my hair before we let anyone in to come see us this time!"  I don't really think that's what he had in mind....

*Confession #11: I ordered some cookies to give out as favors at the hospital and to our visitors.  I've already eaten two of them.....this baby better hurry up!

*Confession #12: Jeffrey has to back the car out of the garage for me to be able to get into the passenger seat.  Otherwise, I can't walk through the small space (it really is tiny!) in the garage to get into the car.  

*Confession #13: This doesn't really have anything to do with being pregnant, but when I opened our garage door today, the stray cat that hangs around our neighborhood (ugh!) ran into our garage.  Libbi and I sat in the car for an additional 10 minutes while I tried to shoo him out by honking the horn and starting and restarting the garage door opener.  He finally moseyed on out when he was good and ready and I followed him in the car just to make sure he was at a safe enough distance away before we pulled into the garage again and got out of the car (once it was safely closed behind us).

*Confession #14: I couldn't tell you the last time I went to the grocery store, but I did find a grocery bag in my backseat with some potatoes and apples in it.  Apparently they never got unpacked from my last trip (3? 4? 5? weeks ago??)  Sadly, I had no idea they were even missing.

*Confession #15: I cry.  A lot.  A lot a lot.  It's almost alarming. 

*Confession #16: We went to chick-fil-a three times last week just so Libbi could play on the playground.  Two of those times we didn't even get anything to eat.  It's just easier to let her play on the playground there because I can sit and watch her and not have to worry about chasing her around.

*Confession #17: I have typed lists of what everyone (me, Libbi, baby) is to wear during our hospital/grandparent stay (including but not limited to special outfits, play clothes, and pajamas). I would probably type something up for Jeffrey too, if he'd let me. :)

*Confession #18: I am way past walking normally, even way past waddling at this point.  I definitely have the pregnant swagger going on and it is not cool.  I try my best to fake it when out in public, but I have resigned myself to the fact that I am just going to look like I am about to topple over (think weeble wobble) at any second for a while longer.

*Confession #19: I want pictures of myself during this time, especially pictures of me with my little family, but I immediately (I mean IMMEDIATELY) delete any that are taken. I feel like the camera adds at least 10 pounds to my face.....and my arms.....and my legs.....and so on and so forth.

*Confession #20: Throughout all the trials, mishaps, and discomfort that pregnancy can involve, there is still no greater privilege than carrying a child and I wouldn't change a thing about it!

33 weeks....

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: 33 weeks!!! (as of Friday 4/1)

someone wanted to be included in the pictures.... ;)


Size of Baby: According to Baby Center, Baby Tippins "weighs a little over 4 pounds and has passed the 17 inch mark.  He/She is rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his/her skeleton is hardening."  (now doesn't that just sound precious - ha!)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I am within the healthy/recommended limits of weight gain - and that's as much as I'll disclose ;) I do feel like my face is starting to catch up with my belly though, I am definitely one of those people that gets the "pregnant face"
 and I'm not too proud to admit it. :) 

Maternity Clothes: yes, please! :) I wear mostly maternity jeans and pants, but a few of my regular shirts still.  Some of my dresses have now turned into shirts - ha!

My clothes choices are becoming slim pickin's...I have either grown too big for them or have grown just plain sick of them! And funny enough, I always wear maternity clothes in public, but when I'm at home I will wear more of my regular clothes  - not sure why.....I just do. :)

Gender: Only the good Lord knows....Up until last week I was pretty much convinced that we were having a girl.  I just felt sure of it.  Then, for some reason, this week I've started to worry, "what if???" because I have totally prepared (in my mind and in my meek attempts at planning) for a girl, but I need to get on the ball with my boy planning....just in case.  I'm happy to say that I have totally "beefed up" my boy "to-buy" list. (Jeffrey, just ignore that part - mmmk?)

Movement: All the time.  It's definitely more of the jab/punch/kick variety.  I have to admit, although I LOVE feeling the baby move and knowing that he/she is so active, it still kind of weirds me out a little bit when I can tell that there is a distinct knee/elbow/booty sticking out of my stomach.  

Sleep: non-exsistent. I had horrible insomnia when I was pregnant with Libbi, and it looks like the trend is continuing (BOO!) Libbi is (thankfully) back on track with her sleeping, but I'm still the consummate night owl..... It's not so much the insomnia that bothers me - as weird as that may sound - it's more of the discomfort.  If I could at least be comfortable in my own bed then it wouldn't be so bad.  I have been taking one tylenol (not PM....just regular tylenol for all the aches/pains/restless leg syndrome) before I go to bed at night and that seems to help (Thanks for the suggestion Beth!) ;0)

What I miss: bending over - ha!  my energy level, and just feeling comfortable in general.  There are SO many things that I want to get done, but I just don't have the energy/motivation some days.  By the end of the day I am 100% completely exhausted, but yet, I can't sleep....

  

Cravings: Candy.  I have eaten tons of starburst jellybeans and airheads - ha!  Candy has been my friend this week.  I'm sure my teeth will thank me when I go to the dentist for my next checkup after eating all of this ice and candy.  I just try not to think about it.  

Symptoms: insomnia, shortness of breath, and heartburn.  I've also had a serious case of "the dropsie's" this week.  I am the epitome of butterfingers.  Getting up to use the potty at least three-four times a night, along with restless leg syndrome and the ever popular calf cramps (no wonder I can't sleep!)

Best Moment This Week: Just knowing that we're getting closer and closer to meeting our new baby!  (which just so happened to simultaneously be the best and scariest moment this week!) ;0)  



And....thank you all so much for your input on possible baby boy bedding.... I think I have made my decision! :)

24 weeks....

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 24 weeks

Size of baby: According to Baby Center, Baby Tippins is weighing in "at just over a pound. Since he/she is almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he/she cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his/her body is filling out proportionally and he/she will soon start to plump up."

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I'm guessing around 5 pounds??  Not really sure...since our scale is still dead - and I'm in no hurry to fix it ;)

Maternity Clothes: I wear mostly maternity pants/jeans, but a few of my regular shirts/dresses still. I actually really enjoy maternity clothes :)

Gender: Only the good Lord knows....I have moments where I think definitely girl, and then other times I feel like it could be a boy or a girl (duh!) but I have yet to have a strong "boy" feeling.....of course, I could change my mind at any given time.  

Movement: More frequent and more definite.  Mostly at night and in the early morning.  I think I just don't notice it as much during the day since I'm moving around so much chasing Libbi. :)

Sleep: non-exsistent. I had horrible insomnia when I was pregnant with Libbi, and it looks like the trend is continuing (BOO!) When I do sleep, I have craaaaaazy dreams.  This week has been worse than usual.  I typically get about 3 hours of sleep a night, but not this week.....  Libbi has had an ear infection so she hasn't been sleeping well at all.  I feel like every time I am just about to doze off, she wakes up screaming and I have to go get her.  I probably averaged about 1.5 hours of sleep the past three nights.  Luckily, she has been napping well, so I have been able to nap during the day some.  

What I miss: Sleep! caffeine (I still allow myself one can of coke a day (okay sometimes two if it's a REALLY bad day, but that is a considerable drop from the caffeine intake I'm used to), Changing diapers without dry heaving, and being able to carry Libbi upstairs without feeling like I'm going to pass out/hyperventilate. 

  

Cravings: I still eat a lot of goldfish, but am very particular about the kind I like.  I told Jeffrey this week that our box was a "bad batch" because they just didn't taste right - ha!  I have also really been into gummy savers and the gummy starburst!  I was so excited to see them on sale at the grocery store last week :)  I feel like I'm at the movies when we go to church on Sunday mornings, because I always have "snacks" in my purse.  I keep waiting for one of the ushers to come confiscate my  outside contraband ;)

Symptoms: insomnia, sinus issues, but overall I've felt pretty good this week! :)

Best Moment this week: Getting in two really good naps - kidding!  kinda. ;)

Having Libbi dedicated at church on Sunday and knowing that we will be doing it again in just a few months (because Lord knows we will NOT wait until this baby is 19 months old - whew!  Once he/she reaches six weeks we're signing up for the dedication!) ;0)

Finally, I have decided that I am just going to wait until after the baby is born to complete the nursery.  We'll have the furniture in, but that's about it.  I have come to terms with the fact that I'm just not a neutral kind of girl.  I'm a go big or go home - all pink or all blue. ;)  I am going to pick out boy bedding and girl bedding and then just order it as soon as the baby is born.  Most say that it will take 6-8 weeks and I think the baby will be sleeping in the bassinet in our room for at least that long so we'll have plenty of time to wait on bedding.

I have found lots of girl bedding that I like - that's easy ;)  It's the boy bedding that is giving me trouble.  I don't want any kind of animal, nautical, or sports theme and I feel like that's all I've seen.  We have two golf prints that are currently hanging in our guest room (soon to be nursery) that I am going to use if the baby is a boy, but I don't want the room to have a "golf theme" if that makes any sense...??? I like Libbi's bedding, but I don't love it, so I'm pretty sure I'm not going to buy any from the same place this time.

Do y'all have any suggestions on where to look for bedding?  Any favorite places?  

(this picture makes me laugh, because she was so totally busted.... playing with the baby monitor and finding a paci that she was not supposed to have!)


Happy Friday! :)

22 weeks...

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 22 weeks

Size of baby: According to babycenter.com, Baby Tippins' weighs about a pound and is close to 11 inches long - the size of a spaghetti squash.  

Total Weight Gain/Loss: As of my last appointment, I had not gained any weight; HOWEVER....I know without a doubt that number has changed.  Especially since we were trapped in the house because of all the ice for 5 days.  My food intake drastically increased.  Not to mention that I think I wore my pajamas all day every day for 5 days straight - clean ones of course. (you're welcome, Jeffrey - ha!) So I have a feeling that when I put on my "normal" clothes they may have shrunk just a bit. ;)

Maternity Clothes: I wear mostly maternity pants/jeans, but a few of my regular shirts/dresses still. 

Gender: Only the good Lord knows....BUT, I'm still thinking girl as of this week.  I have no evidence or scientific reasoning to back up my theory, but I'm still leaning towards "girl."  Of course, with Libbi I was absolutely certain she was a boy - so you never know....

Movement: More frequent and more definite.  I was worried that it might not be as exciting this time around, but it's still just as exciting to feel this baby kick as it was to feel Libbi.  I love that Jeffrey can feel the baby now, too.  That makes it a little more real :)

Sleep: non-exsistent. I had horrible insomnia when I was pregnant with Libbi, and it looks like the trend is continuing (BOO!) When I do sleep, I have craaaaaazy dreams.  

What I miss: Sleeping through the night, caffeine, picking out any random thing in my closet and knowing it will fit. :)

  

Cravings: goldfish crackers.  I keep them on my nightstand and usually have a snack of goldfish around 2am every morning. milkshakes ;)

Symptoms: Mostly tiredness, heartburn - ugh!

Best Moment this week: This week was a crazy week because of all the snow and ice.  I was supposed to go to the doctor for my check-up, but my doctor's office was closed because of the weather/road conditions.  The best moment this week was probably when Libbi would pat my belly and say, "baby."  Obviously she has no clue what she's talking about (and she probably thinks we've lost our minds telling her there's a baby in momma's belly) but it's still cute! :)

As far as my picture for this week....you may notice that we had a little bit of trouble getting in a decent picture.  I have no idea why ;0)

***********************************

And on another note, as I wrote before, I am participating in SSMT over at the lpm blog.

Here is my verse to memorize this week:

Psalm 138:8 (NLT)

"The Lord will work out His plans for my life - for Your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for You made me."

I thought this was a great verse for me in basically all aspects of my life.  I am such a worrier and can literally make myself sick by fretting and stressing over everything (which seems to be magnified by 100 when I'm pregnant).  In my Bible Study this week, I read this quote by George Mueller: "The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety."  

I need to constantly remind myself that I am not in control - and that it's NOT something to worry about!  Because like His Word says, "He will work out His plans for my life"  - I am not expected to take matters into my own hands - Can I get an "amen!" for that?!? :)  If you want to participate in SSMT, it's not too late!  Head over to The lpm Blog and you can read all the details.  And if you're already participating, what's your verse for this week?

pregnancy update....

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 21 weeks today! :)

Size of baby: According to babycenter.com, Baby Tippins' weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: As of my last appointment, I had not gained any weight; HOWEVER....I feel like I have gained at least 12 pounds since then.  I'll have to wait until my dr's appointment next week to find out for sure since the batteries in our digital scale are {conveniently} dead.

Maternity Clothes: I wear maternity jeans and pants but everything else is regular. I bought my first pair of maternity skinny jeans {that sounds like such an oxymoron} and I have to say, I love them!  

Gender: Only the good Lord knows....BUT, this week I'm feeling like it's a girl.  Only because I have two friends that are pregnant with girls and both of their heartbeats were in the 150-155 range.  At my last appointment, Baby Tippins' heartbeat was 155, so maybe the baby is a girl????  {btw, I have no idea if there is any relation in heart-rates and gender, but that's my guess for this week}

Movement: I've been feeling the baby move especially in the early morning and late at night.  It's starting to be more definite kicks and not just "flutters."

Sleep: non-exsistent. I had horrible insomnia when I was pregnant with Libbi, and it looks like the trend is continuing (BOO!) When I do sleep, I have craaaaaazy dreams.  I did remember two of my dreams this week (and both of them included Libbi....)  Dream #1 - We had a pipe burst and flood our house, but the leak was coming from under Libbi's crib.  I was crying because we couldn't afford to have it fixed, but Libbi was excited because she had a "wading pool" in her bedroom. 

Dream #2 - I picked Libbi up from school and her Daily Behavior Report said she had been talking more.  I was excited until I read the words she had been saying.  Her teacher wrote that she constantly said, "DaDa," "Momma," and "worried."  I was devastated because I couldn't understand why she kept saying, "worried." haha! :)

What I miss: Sleeping through the night, caffeine, sleeping on my stomach

  

Cravings: goldfish crackers.  I keep them on my nightstand and usually have a snack of goldfish around 2am every morning.  Almond M&M's.  Red Meat.

Symptoms: Mostly tiredness, heartburn - ugh!

Best Moment this week: Just feeling really good.  I am in that stage of pregnancy where my energy level is good and I am not so big that I'm uncomfortable.  I'm trying to enjoy it, because I know it won't be long before I am a total large marge. It's also been fun, because I finally "look" pregnant, so when we're out and about, people will ask me when I'm due or tell me, "congratulations!" :) 


Here is my picture for the week....please excuse the poor quality.  Jeffrey has been out of town (but he's back now - woohoo!) so I set the self-timer and tried to take it myself.....I probably would have had better luck asking Libbi to take it! :)

Finally, here is a picture of our sweet girl before she left for her first day of "school" this morning! (please ignore the water on her shirt....she gets a little carried away when we brush her teeth).  I wish I would've had my camera when I picked her up, because she looked like a hot mess - haha!  Her cheeks were red, she had one pigtail in, and she looked like she was ready to pass out - ha!  She came home and crashed after lunch, so I'd say she had a pretty successful day! :)