Bump Update: Week 36

Week: 36
Baby Size: Large Cantaloupe
Pregnancy Side Effects: LOTS. None to complain about, but plenty to keep me tired and uncomfortable.
Bump Status: Large triangle, square sometimes, usually round.... LOL Quinn moves so much and distorts my stomach so much its crazy to watch.

Currently...
Eating: Cereal, Salads, Cottage Cheese, Chocolate....
Craving: Taco Bell Supreme Tacos... Like, ALL of them...
Drinking: Water, Gatorade
Wearing: Maternity pants and tanks... Whatever's comfortable, Pajamas as early in the day as possible.
Feeling: Good overall, just tired, sore, uncomfortable.
Weather: Weather has been windy, but still on the cooler side. Im loving it!
Wanting: A year long vacation.
Thinking: About going into labor.... When... How.... Etc....
Enjoying: S L E E P. & any time I get with Justin.
Missing: Im in that anxious large stage where youre constantly thinking about getting your "body" back... Lol I cant wait to run and work out again, but that day will come soon enough and by then I wont want to anymore... Lol
Doing: Working, Trying to see a few last movies in theaters before those days are behind us for awhile, and trying to keep up with our family and friends get togethers. The last two months have been so busy.. We did assemble all the baby stuff and our house is officially ready for Quinn!
Looking Forward To: Maternity Leave.....






36 weeks!? How did we get here!? The 36th week is special to me because with Liam, we went into labor at the end of 36 weeks/day one of the 37th week. Ive been praying the Quinn comes when shes fully developed enough to thrive healthily on her own, But Im also (not so secretly) hoping that's in about a week. This week we set up the pack & play, rock & play, and the co-sleeper. All her clothes, sheets, etc are washed. Our hospital bag is backed and ready to go. We are at the stage where we feel fully ready and my hormones are in overdrive. The yearning I feel about being so close to holding our baby girl is just too much. The anticipation to actually mother another living child is consuming. Especially knowing we are so close.


With Liam, I assumed we would go full term, the full 40 weeks or so, especially because the whole pregnancy was textbook normal and going so well. So, when we went into labor after 36 weeks it was completely unexpected. I didn't have time to get really nervous yet, or over analyze everything. I was still just floating on day by day being pregnant. This time around, I know how early it happened last time, so all I can do is compare and wonder every second from here on out if "today is the day". I also never had Braxton hicks contractions, swelling, or aches/pains with Liam like I do with Quinn. I just already feel so anxious about what will happen and how, watching my health very carefully for any warning signs of pre-eclampsia. Im still feeling great overall, there's just more on my mind as the days go by. I feel like im in a constant battle of over analyzing everything that could happen, and reassuring myself that things are out of my hands and to just stay happy in the moment.


Ive also noticed such a different connection with Quinn while pregnant than I did with Liam. I know that this could be because of us losing Liam, and because of everything we went through with trying to get pregnant again. I just feel like I know Quinn so well already, like a glimpse of her personality. Being so familiar with her moves and knowing when shes awake or asleep, counting how many times a day she gets the hiccups (which she has right now), feeling her react to what I eat and drink and recognizing her patterns. I don't remember having all of that with Liam. He was active but less active. But again, I could have just not be as observant. It has created such a strong bond with Quinn though, and is making me that much more anxious to meet her. Then on my other crazy hormonal side, Im terrified for her to be here, and really really content with knowing she is just safe and sound inside me.


So many emotions and so much to be thankful for. Things have still been so happy. Busy, but happy! Every morning I wake up with this belly I couldn't feel more blessed. Please continue to keep us in your prayers these upcoming weeks! We love you all! Thank you!

Bump Update: Week 28

Week: 28 (Hello 3rd Trimester!)
Baby Size: Head of Cauliflower
Pregnancy Side Effects: Tiredness...
Bump Status: LARGE Haha She's definitely growing, and getting stronger and stronger. Her movements are SO powerful and so often.

Currently...
Eating: Anything that sounds good!
Craving: Hmm.. Actually nothing recently...
Drinking: Water, Juice
Wearing: Maternity pants, leggings, tank tops.
Feeling:  WONDERFUL. Sure there's aches and pains sometimes and disrupted sleep, etc, but I really cant complain. I feel great most of the time.
Weather: Its warming up! I'm loving the warmer weather, but also getting anxious about how hot this summer is going to be..
Wanting: A vacation
Thinking: About our upcoming baby shower and April festivities
Enjoying: The weather and this bump!
Missing: Bike rides in weather like this
Doing: Still gyming 2-4 times a week, working, and finally quilting!
Looking Forward To: Our next ultrasound (We get an update on her weight and size)


These past two weeks have been wonderful! We finally had a 3 week break in between OB appointments, which was nice but still seemed to fly by. The whole pregnancy, as soon as we hit the second trimester, has seemed to fly by. Its been so wonderful.

She's always so stubborn when they try to see her and take pictures. She usually has her hands in front of her face or faces my spine. She's been tucked in a corner almost every single time. This time, she was head down in the cutest little fetal position with her knees to her chin. She was trying to turn away towards my spine again but we caught her. It was funny because before they started using the Doppler, I felt a foot on the upper left side of my stomach and I made Justin feel it, and the Dr goes, oh it might have been her butt or something, and as soon as she used the Doppler, she goes "Nope, that was clearly a foot!". Its been crazy to me how in tune I have been with her and her movements. Such a blessing.


Sharing so many of Quinn's movements with Justin, and just being blessed enough to be going through a pregnancy together again, ah, its just been so wonderful. I was finally able to commit on fabric to make Quinn her baby quilt also. With Liam this was so easy to do. With Quinn for whatever reason, it took me more than four trips matching and looking at fabrics and ideas. Its comforting to be finally working on it, and I love watching it all come together.


Thank you all again for your love and support! More happy updates to come!