Final Thoughts...

I took a stroll down memory lane this evening and reread all the post leading up to Addysen's delivery and the first 2 weeks home with her. It's such a nice history to have and fall back on. To realize that all the feelings I have right now are totally normal and it wasn't too long ago that I was feeling exactly the same as I do now. Totally unprepared and overwhelmed!

The last of the baby clothes are washed and folded. The official (new) coming home outfit is ready- it's blue too! {GASP!} The carseat is all clean and ready to go. 2 cameras and a video camera are charging. The girls are ready for the big day and with great friends they will be taken care of while we are at the hospital. Because the c-section was rescheduled my mom will fly in on Wednesday. She is sad to miss the delivery but we are happy she will only miss out on the first 24 hours.

The "Before the baby comes" to do list still has a few things not checked off but there comes a point when you just have to say "If it doesn't happen now, it's not that big of a deal." Because honestly, as moms we can add to the list faster than we can get it done!

The next time you hear from me, we will be a family of 5! I'm putting high expectations on Christopher and his blogging skills. When Addysen was born he came home and blogged for me. Such a great guy. So hopefully tomorrow night you will see pictures of a beautiful, healthy baby girl....and she will have a name!

Final 4

{A fun family picture before the baby comes- and just to clarify (for posterities sake), it looks like I'm holding a baby but in reality, it's my camera. And that huge bump to my right is not my pregnant belly but my huge bag!}


The last few days leading up to delivery are always really surreal and sad for me. I try hard not to get emotional about it but right now, that just comes really easily.

Every minute, every day, I think this is the last time we will do this just the 4 of us. I did it before Addysen was born, back when I couldn't imagine life with anybody but Elodie. But when you know the exact date and time when baby with no name is coming, it's hard not to count down. I think in that way, it would be much easier to have a surprise baby. But, then you would just feel guilty about not doing all those last minute things you wanted to do before you added a new baby.


We are ending Elodie's spring break this week. Slowly crossing off all the things she wanted to do. In addition we need to pull out the car seat, wash newborn clothes, and figure out what it is I need to buy before Tuesday. And decide on a name.

It's a crazy time....exciting, but crazy.

Next day...

So yesterday I mentioned I would have a doctor's appointment today and HOPEFULLY my doctor would switch my c-section date. We are looking at it as every minute counts for my recovery and the baby's adjustment so even if he decided to do the c-section on the 28th we would be happy with that.

I explained our situation to my doctor, added a few tears, and the rest is a new whirlwind for us! In order for the hospital to allow us to take the baby earlier than 39 weeks (39 weeks on the 29th) we have to do an amniocentesis...I'm not thrilled about that but given the circumstance I will deal with it. So the amnio is set for this next Monday and if it comes back positive (which my doctor said they do 98% of the time)- meaning the baby is fully developed and the lungs are mature- then the new c-section date will be the 23rd.

One.Week.From.Today.

Holy cow! I wasn't expecting that! However, the more time we have to recover before we have to get on an airplane, the better! it also means my baby with no name will be about 15 days old when we get on an airplane and not 8 days old. That sounds so much better! Our trip to La. might just be a vacation for me after all!

I feel bad that this pregnancy is getting pushed to the back of the to due list- actually to the front just with a different priority in mind! Meaning "let's get this baby out so we can then start worrying about packing, moving, new school". I don't really have time or the energy to be nervous or scared about delivery! That is kinda nice. After all, I've done this twice before. Moving to another state with 3 children, finding a home in a city I've never been to, switching Elodie's school 8 weeks before school lets out, traveling with a newborn, and praying we can all adjust okay is something I have NEVER done!

Please pray for us that this transition goes smoothly. I'm starting to really worry Christopher with how emotional I am so I could use all the prayers I can get! Just to get through a day without crying would be great!

Baby Month

Yes my friends, this is the month. And even though it's at the END of the month I will not go into the month of April pregnant! And that is all I care about!

By far this has been the worst of my 3 pregnancies. I'd like to think it's because I'm older but really I just think I'm not good at this whole pregnancy thing. Sure I may look cute and tiny for 4 weeks to go and my skinny jeans may still fit {kinda} but in all fairness I'm stuffed!!! Which is it's own type of uncomfortable! This baby has no where to go! I can't breath because I just know this baby has her feet shoved into my ribcage. I CONSTANTLY feel the need to go to the bathroom VERY BADLY because as of today (and probably for the last week at least) this baby is head down and has decided to do a handstand on my bladder! No kidding....my doctor could feel my bladder {shudder} and the baby's head. The things we do to have a hand in God's eternal plan!

I think I can handle 4 more weeks of this. I think! I know I can..just get this baby out! My mom flies in on the 23rd and will be with us through the 14th of April. Bless her! She is amazing and the girls are beyond thrilled to have her with us for so long! Elodie has it all marked on her calendar and marks off each day until MawMaw comes. It's exciting. And crazy to think we will have 3 children. And who will she look like? It's all very amazing and we feel blessed to have another baby.

Still no name. You can throw some out there if you want but just so you know, I'd like for it to be a vowel name. And Chris has already vetoed Olivia. We like Elliot but it's too close to Elodie and I like Ashlyn but it's too close to Addysen. We are in a dilemma for sure!


Happy 4 weeks to go!

Physical Therapy? Yes Please!

Last week was not my best week ever. It is pretty much flying high up there with the weeks of vomiting....so yeah, no fun.

I had my doctor's appointment on Tuesday where my doctor told me "no heavy lifting, no bending, no excessive activity...blah,blah,blah!" I mean who really listens to their doctor when he says all those things? I should have...

Wednesday started like any other day. A playdate for Addysen in the morning and a list of to-do's. I also started my computer class the week before so I had a few things that needed to be wrapped up for that too. After I laid Addysen down for her nap, I decided to clean the bathtubs.

Long story short, I pulled a muscle in my back and spent the rest of the day in pain on my couch. A heating pad became my best friend. By the time Chris came home I was in so much pain I couldn't even get off the couch. I didn't want to miss my second class so I took some tylenol and sucked it up. The pain was so severe during my class the teacher stopped right in the middle of his lecture to ask me if I was okay. I left early.

By the time I got home I was practically crawling to my bed. The pain got so bad that it was creeping into my stomach and causing me to have really bad contractions. I seriously thought I was in labor the pain was so bad! I was up all night long because I couldn't get comfortable! And on top of that the pain was making me so nauseated I threw up 3 times in the night. It was so bizaare! By Thursday morning I was sitting by the phone waiting to call my doctor for some pain relief! I had a friend take Addysen for the morning so I could rest and that helped a ton. Thank heavens for great neighbors!

When I got a hold of my doctor he filled a prescription for me with instructions to find a physical therapist and make an appointment.

The weekend was barable but I definitely did some damage to my back...

Today was my first appointment with the physical therapist. I have to admit I was a little skeptical about the whole thing. (I know they mostly wanted to make sure I didn't do any severe damage to my back.) When I walked it in there were a TON of old people in there. It is snowbird season and all but I really felt out of place!

However a few minutes into my appointment my feelings changed and I didn't want to leave!

The first thing I got to do was lay on a heating pad in a recliner for 30 minutes....with a magazine! Seriously? I just lay here and do nothing for 30 minutes? And I'm not at home to be distracted by laundry, dirty dishes, or a whiney 2year old? Yes please, I will take 2 of those!

The second half of my appointment was spent laying on my side while the PT massaged my back....hello!?!? I think I was secretly transported to a day spa! It was amazing! When the PT was done she asked me how I felt. Well, duh?! Of course I feel amazing! The real question is how will I feel when I am warped back in to reality and have laundry to do, a dishwasher to unload, homework and piano to help with, and dinner to serve. After all that is done THEN I will tell you how I really feel! Right in that moment? I felt amazing!

The PT wants to see me again on Friday...DARN! I have to go through all that again?!?

And in case your worried...no really damage was done. Basically, I sprained my back and only time and relaxation will heal it. Until then, no more cleaning the bathtub!

Hello 3rd trimester...

I had another appointment today.

Glucose Test- Check.
Rogame Shot- Check.
Blood Work- Check.

I'll be 30 weeks on Friday. 10 short weeks left. Seriously, when I was throwing up and couldn't lift my head off a pillow I never thought this day would come. And of course everything goes by fast in retrospect....doesn't mean I want to re-experience any of it again. Sorry. Ain't happening!

The baby looks good. I look good. Atleast from a pregnant body point of view. I FEEL like this baby has been rolled into a perfect little ball and shoved right under my ribs. Ugh....and it will just get worse. Thank you for reminding me Doc!

Still no name. We have a few we toss around but nothing that says "THAT'S IT!"
I'm sure we won't leave the hospital without a name but when I say we had 2 perfect boy names and no girl names picked out, I wasn't kidding. It will come though I'm sure.

We are moving right along....

90 days...

You can do anything for 90 days right? Does that include carrying a baby? I have 90 days exactly until this baby is born. Technically my due date is April 5th but if there is one perk to a c-section it's delivering your baby 10 days early. And I keep reminding my doctor every time that I go in.

90 days....

A lot still to be done.

2 MAJOR things include a bigger vehicle and a big girl bed for Addysen. Lots of BIG things.

Unless you consider picking a name a big thing. We have nothing. A few we like but nothing that says "THAT'S IT!" Or everything we like is too close to Elodie and Addysen.

Craziness!

And considering how quickly the last year has gone, 90 days seems like a piece of cake. Right?

P.S- Merry Christmas. We enjoyed a nice and quiet day at home with beautiful weather and Elodie on her bike all day.

Poor Blog...

I miss my oldself. Is that wrong? 13 weeks into this pregnancy and I daydream about her. Maybe I wasn't all that great before, but this pregnant me is not good. I want my oldself back. Wah.Wah.Wah.

I'm still sick. What else is new. Throwing up atleast once a day (on a good day) and whoever invented the term "morning sickness" needs to be shot. I feel it all day long.

I had an appointment with my doctor last week. We got to hear the baby's heartbeat and everything looks great. Despite my physical appearance, apparently my body is meant to hold babies. Not birth them, but hold them. I've lost 3 pounds. It comes with the territory.

In other news- in my first trimester I've been on 2 campouts. One I was in charge of for our ward. The other was our yearly Big Dirty. If I don't ever hear the word campout again I will be fine. I've been able to keep up with photoshoots (just don't ask about my photoblog). And my family is still going about as normal. Thanks in huge part to Christopher. I have lots of photos to document but don't have the energy. They will just have to wait. Thank heavens for draft mode.

Christopher is wrapping up his last semester of his Masters. He will be done in December. The question now is where next? Will we even stay in Arizona. Lots of unknow but all the same very exciting. We would love the opportunity to move, which most likely means we will stay here, but we are trusting Heavenly Father and know we will be where we are meant to be.

Elodie is amazing and doing great in school. She is my big helper and I constantly remind her how badly I need her. I am so grateful for her and she is an awesome big sister. She is reading like crazy and I'm so excited to see her take it all in.

Addysen is tagging along. She says all the time that she needs to throw up because she has a boy baby in her belly. I'm not setting the greatest example as I'm constantly finding the girls pretending to throw up in the toilet. I don't find it all entertaining. She isn't completely convinced that I'm pregnant because she sees my friend Melissa who is much further along than me. She always says "mom, your not pregnant, Ms. Melissa is pregnant"

All in all, we are surviving. I'm hoping I can come out of my black hole soon and revert back to my old self. For now, this will have to do.

Survival Mode

I have quite a few post in draft mode- my little 1st grader photoshoot, the first day of school (which was 3 weeks ago), oh and that fabulous trip to Utah that we took BACK IN JULY! But all of those post require pictures and that just seems a little too much for me right now.

So this post is picture free and I can handle that..

My Doctor calls the first trimester "Survival Mode"- yes my friends..if you haven't already figured it out-or read on facebook since that was about as much energy as I had to get it out there. We are pregnant. Baby #3 is on it's way and due at the end of March. A. Very. Long. Time. From. Now! We are very excited about this pregnancy and can't wait to add another baby to our family. Elodie, of course, immediately asked if the baby was a boy. We shall see.

I agree whole heartedly with my doctor. Especially as I have gotten older and have 2 children. This pregnancy has really rocked the boat.

My house is in survival mode.
My BLOG is gasping for air trying desperately to survive.
Dusting and Mopping have gone out the window.
I can barely feed my kids.
Grocery shopping is at the bottom of the list.
Getting Elodie up, dressed, fed, and lunch made takes every bit of energy I have.
And Christopher has assumed all roles while I drool on the couch.
He is amazing. And I hardly ever brag about him. But seriously, as I type this he is doing dishes. He has stepped up to the plate and I want to cry because I seriously couldn't do this without him.

I kinda feel like I got fooled into this pregnancy. Most of you might not know but my pregnancy with Elodie was Miserable. I think I maybe gained 7 or 8 pounds with her pregnancy and she was 6 pounds 8 ounces when she was born. There is a good reason Elodie and Addysen are almost 4 years apart. And then we got pregnant with Addysen and her pregnancy was amazing. I was sick a little bit but maybe threw up a handful of times and kept a WEEKLY journal of my pregnancy. That alone should tell you how great I felt! So when we decided to try again (8 months ago) I didn't think twice about the sickness. Piece of cake. Maybe with each pregnancy I would be better. WRONG! I'm right back to an Elodie pregnancy! UGH!

So bare with me my friends...I am struggling...and if I can make it through this first trimester and hopefully start to feel better I will be back. Until then, enjoy yourselves. Think of me when you are enjoying your food, or skipping through the store. I will be back.

Last One..

So today I had my last visit with my doctor before my scheduled c-section on March 5th. Crazy to think that at THIS TIME, a week from tomorrow, we will have another baby in our family! It's so surreal.
Everything looks great...I'm still wearing my pre-pregnant jeans, and yes, I can button them! My doctor gets a good laugh everytime he checks the baby's heartbeat....I guess he thinks it's funny that I'm still wearing my pre-pregnancy jeans! I'm proud!

We have to be at the hospital at 10:30am a week from tomorrow. My mom flies in a week from today. My check list is slowly but surely getting check marks. And Elodie and I spent some time at the bow store today picking out new ribbon to make bows for the baby. Elodie was super helpful and I'm really confident that she is going to be just fine with this transition. I already have a few matching outfits for Elodie and Addysen so it was fun matching ribbon...we could be in real trouble because I'm already addicted to making bows for Elodie....double the addiction now!

Nothing more to report about the baby....we will post everything on the blog once it happens so stay tuned!

Pregnancy Update: 2 weeks to go!

Today was my second to last appointment with my doctor before my scheduled c-section on the 5th of March. I see him again on the 26th and that's it until we go to the hospital! CRAZY!

I'm one pound heavier than I was 2 weeks ago bringing my total weight gain to 14 pounds...

Baby looks fabulous....Mom is uncomfortable but fabulous too....Elodie is excited for MawMaw Licia to come from Louisiana....and dad's trying to get overtime at work so he doesn't have to use vacation hours while I'm in the hospital. Afterall, this is NO vacation we are taking!

We are in the process of finally pulling out baby clothes and buying furniture but that's a post all it's own!

Until then...happy baby!

Pregnancy Update: 4 weeks to go

Had another doctor's appointment today...mom is great, baby is great, and everything is on track for March 5th! 4 weeks people! I'm stressing! I have one more 2 week appointment and then I see my Dr. every week until the c-section. Crazy how fast it has gone by!

P.S- In case you didn't know, her name will definitely be Addysen Whitney

Pregnancy Update: 6 weeks to go...

So I had a doctor's appointment yesterday...nothing new to report (thankfully). This baby is super active and with no place to go she is pushing on me all the time! Those 4 pounds I gained at Disneyland and lost 2 weeks ago are back...go figure!

As of today I am 6 weeks from delivery....a little panic...but until we move and we are settled in our new house I don't really have time to think about a newborn! Now once we are moved and settled I'm sure I'll start to freak out!

Nothing else for 2 weeks!

Everyone needs their mommy!

So my mom booked her ticket to come out here when the baby is born! I'm really excited to have her here and so happy to have the extra support and help with Elodie and around the house. It's definitely a huge burden lifted!

She comes in on the 4th of March and will be staying with us through the 19th of March. I had a little bit of panic yesterday thinking that 3 weeks wasn't going to be long enough but after talking to my mom and Christopher, they both seem to think I'll be kicking my mom out by the end of it all. Let's hope so! Not literally, but I do hope that I feel confident once she leaves. Women do it all the time right...RIGHT!?!?!

Pregnancy Update: 31 weeks tomorrow

Anybody else as obsessed with the baby ticker to the right of my post as I am? Probably not. I have a measley 8 weeks left of my pregnancy!! YIKES! Very hard to believe it's getting to the end..it's gone by so fast this time around!

I had my doctor's appointment this morning and the good news is...drum roll please.....I've LOST 3 pounds!! Don't know how I did it but 3 of the 4 pounds I gained during Disneyland are now gone! My doctor wasn't bothered with the weight loss..he just said don't let it happen again! And since I don't know what I did to lose it, that might be easier said than done!

Everything looks great..baby's heartrate is great, I'm feeling crowded out but good, and we are right on track.

Just before sitting down to post, I got a phone call from my doctor with the official c-section date..For those of you who don't know or have never heard Elodie's birth story..I dialate to an eight and then my cervix hits the walls of my pelvis...basically I don't have birthing hips..the thing that stunk the most was being in labor for 18 hours before my doctor came to that conclusion! My mom had the same problem (there is a medical term for it) so it's pretty much genetic. Anyway,
I go in on March 5th at 12 noon.....DUM, DUM, DUM! Scary! My original due date is March 16th, which is my dad's birthday so he was pretty bummed to hear March 5th.
I would like to have the baby on March 3rd...since my birthday is Nov. 3rd, Elodie's is Sept. 3rd, and Chris' birthday is March 6th...but as long as the baby wasn't born on Chris' birthday I was happy. March 3rd would have been better though!

My mom is planning on coming a day or 2 before the surgery and I've told her she isn't leaving until I kick her out! Now that she and my dad are no longer in the Temple Presidency she has all the time in the world right? Their retired!

Nothing else to report....more in 2 weeks!

It's all Disneylands fault!!

So I had my check up with the doctor this morning...29 weeks today. I have to say I was super nervous going into this appointment..even though I haven't gained much weight I knew with the way that we had eaten while in California and the Christmas holidays that it could all come back to haunt me when I got on the scale this morning...sure enough, I've gained 4 pounds....not a huge deal since I hadn't gained any weight at my last check up....but think about it....4 pounds IN 2 WEEKS!!!
Other than that...the baby looks great...she is breach, which is totally fine...Elodie was breach up until the last couple of weeks. It just explains why I've felt so much pressure in my ribcage....it's because I've got a head pushing on it!!!
I can't believe I only have 10 weeks left in my pregnancy..it is going way too fast!!

P.S- and for all of you wondering, I've got over 300 pictures from Disneyland to upload and tweek before I can post them to my blog..it's going to take me forever..so be patient as it may be a few days before I start with day one on Disneyland!

Quick Update..27 weeks pregnant

Had my check up with the doctor this morning....highlights as follows...

-no weight gain since last visit- WOO HOO!
-glucose test...drink tasted like hawaiian punch but because I hadn't eaten any breakfast it really made me sick.
-Waited in the lobby for an hour for drink to work it's magic
-Blood work followed
-RH Factor shot since I'm O negative
-Great heartbeat
-I start seeing my doctor every 2 weeks now!

Plugging along!

6 months pregnant...

Because I know you are all dying to see my lovely baby bump..here it is in all it's glory! I'll be 6 months prego on the 15th (our wedding anniversary) and I'm feeling really good. My belly really isn't getting in the way so there are some days I forget that I'm even pregnant! Then I'm knocked back into reality when I realize that we are going to have a new baby in our family in about 2 and a half months! YIKES! This pregnany has gone by super quick...a combination of being a mother, Christopher's last semester of school, and the anticipation of Disneyland has made these last couple of months FLY by! I've gained about 7 pounds and I have my next doctor's appointment tomorrow!

Today is my last day of work! Woo Hoo! I go back after the first of the year to work through January and then I am done for good! I've really enjoyed my job and all the walking I do makes for good excercise! It's been good for me! Overall, everyone is happy and healthy and for that I am so blessed and grateful!

3-D Ultrasound

Yesterday I was scheduled to have a 3-D ultrasound done. It was exciting to get to see the baby again but the reason my doctor wanted me to get one done was because when my 18 week ultrasound was done it looked like my placenta had implanted in the wrong spot and I was a possible candidate for Placenta Previa. So my doctor wanted me to see another doctor's office to get a 3-D ultrasound done. Thankfully, my placenta is right where it should be and it should only move up as the baby gets bigger. Everything is right on track and we are doing really well right now! After that was discovered, the rest of the ultrasound was enjoyable. Thought I'd share some pictures of our 20 week old, 11 ounce baby girl who loves to keep her hands in front of her face, lay on her belly, and keep her feet crossed kicking me in the blatter! Which would explain the 5 or 6 time a night bathroom trips I make!
P.S- We left the doctor's office with over 100 pictures on cd and a dvd of the ultrasound!

ENJOY!

Pregnancy Update Week 17

I will be 18 weeks pregnant tomorrow and we had a visit with the doctor this morning. I was REALLY hoping we could squeeze in an ultrasound but these days you have to schedule your ultrasound seperate from a regular doctor's visit. And besides, the ultrasound tech. was out of town...I was still hoping my doctor would say something like "hey, the ultrasound room is open, let's go in and see if we can't tell you what your having!" No such luck. So my ultrasound appointment is scheduled for next friday, a week from today. As for now everything looks good. The doctor was able to find the heartbeat immediately and sounds really good....

We got the okay for Disneyland...I don't know if I could have given that one up even if I wasn't suppose to travel!!! Thankfully we don't have to worry about it and a trip is just what the doctor ordered!

I'm feeling good and can't believe how fast this pregnancy is going by! I'm already almost half way done!


Until next week!
Anxiously awaiting to find out who's inside!