Final Bump Update: Week 39

Week: 39
Baby Size: Pumpkin
Pregnancy Side Effects: Just... All of them... Lol but we are healthy! So its allllll good!
Bump Status: Ready to debut!

Currently...
Eating: My favorite snacks M&Ms, String Cheese, and meal wise... still Taco Bell (awful ugh), and seafood!
Craving: SUSHI
Drinking: Water, Gatorade
Wearing: Shorts and Tank Tops (Im pretty much out of outfits at this point... Its too hot to be cute, and shorts and tanks are pretty much my "go to")
Feeling: Good, just large and uncomfortable. The aches and pains still come and go. Im tired, but sleeping has been difficult, so we are just hanging in there.
Weather: We just had our last nice weekend in the 80s/90s. The temperature is just rising from here on out.
Wanting: To be home with Justin and our little baby girl.
Thinking: About our scheduled CSection day!
Enjoying: Working from home... Wow.. What a blessing! (Still 100% accurate)
Missing: Uninterrupted , deep sleep (I feel like that wont come back for a very very long time!
Doing: The last final cleaning and prepping before she comes!


Looking Forward To: The upcoming week!!!! I don't want to announce our actual scheduled C Section date, but it is soon! Im really excited that it is so soon! I also, equally, cannot believe that I have made it past 39 weeks! I really expected (and told everyone) that I would last like 37/38 weeks. Not only have I surpassed that, Im still feeling good, in great health, no signs of any pre-eclampsia or other health concerns, and little miss Quinn is still just as happy and content as ever! She just rolls and kicks and stretches around all day long! Shes super interactive, and its fun to know what gets her to react (foods, voices, lights, cold drinks, certain touches). I feel like Ive been pregnant forever! Especially with having gone through IVF, theres just been so much preparation up to the actual transfer and knowing that I was pregnant at the earliest possibly moment, all the way up to almost 40 weeks. It has been a long road, but I feel like its also been so enjoyable. Now that we are so close to the end result, Im just a BIT anxious!! Lol I know Ive talked about my fears of the actual delivery and Quinn and her health and just everything. I just really hope and pray that everything goes perfectly, and that shes perfectly healthy and happy. I hope the procedure goes safely as planned and I heal quickly. I hope for the little things that I previously thought were just expected or guaranteed, For example, I hope we get a chance for skin to skin contact after her birth. I hope Im able to spend the time necessary right away to breastfeed. I hope shes able to stay and sleep in the hospital room with us (vs the NICU), and I really hope that we can go home in 2-3 days after delivery. I expected all of these things with Liam, and one by one as each one slipped away, we adapted, we stayed positive, but those moments became that much more important to me. Im so excited to see what her beautiful face looks like. Im so excited to see Justin in his natural element again. So many things to be so unbelievably thankful for. So much happiness to come, and its all just right around the corner!!




Its been SUCH a long road family, friends, and followers! Please keep us in your prayers and your thoughts this upcoming week. We will deeply appreciate it. Thank you all, a million times, for all of your love and ongoing support. Im so excited to share such happy times ahead!!!

Bump Update: Week 38

Week: 38
Baby Size: Gallon of Ice Cream
Pregnancy Side Effects: Oh man.. They are just piling on... Pretty much all of the typical side effects - Unable to get comfortable and sleep, upset stomach, headaches, Braxton hicks contractions, dizziness, swelling, harder to breath depending on her position, heartburn, (seriously could just go forever...)
Bump Status: Low, Hard, and still moving and rolling around like crazy!

Currently...
Eating: My favorite snacks are ChexMix, Symphony Bar, Carrots
Craving: Chocolate
Drinking: Water, Gatorade
Wearing: Shorts and Tank Tops
Feeling: Good overall still, even with all the extra symptoms, Im still able to be mobile, I have no health risks or restrictions, so Im really grateful for that.
Weather: Its in the triple digits now!
Wanting: Quinn to make her arrival!
Thinking: About each Braxton hicks contraction and wondering if its the real deal...
Enjoying: Working from home... Wow.. What a blessing!
Missing: Sleeping.... Medicines for simple things like a stuffy nose (during entire pregnancy), headaches, etc.
Doing: A lot of relaxing, and still some nesting spurts.. lol
Looking Forward To: Maternity Leave and spending all the time with Quinn and her Daddy!


Oh what mixed feelings I have about being 38 weeks and counting! Im so incredibly happy and thankful that Ive made it this far! I worried about getting pre-eclampsia again, and that causing an earlier labor, or just complications in general. I expected (naively/wishful/selfish thinking) to have Quinn come on her own around 36/37 weeks.. Now we are coming up on 39 weeks and shes showing no eagerness of making an early arrival. Im so happy that shes so good and content.. I love feeling her move and just having that constant reassurance that shes good and always with me. I LOVE that. Im scared of all the things that could happen with her birth, so knowing shes so content right now is really so comforting. However, Im not sure how much more I can grow, and how much worse all these symptoms can get! Oh how my heart goes out to all the overdue mommas out there... Whew! Most days are okay, but some times.... Its just really rough. I feel so much more anxious too just wondering if every single day will be "the day". I try to think of other things but then shell kick me or something will hurt and its like every part of my day is already just completely consumed by her, so of course its all I can think about! Either way, we have a little over a week or so to go, and Im just incredibly excited to meet our little miracle!


I wonder how the day will play

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 34

Week: 34
Baby Size: Pineapple
Pregnancy Side Effects: Swelling in the hands, Light cramping, Typical aches and pains, restless leg syndrome sometimes, sleepy pretty much ALL the time.
Bump Status: Large, almost always moving and shifting around, hard (Ahhh Wonderful to me!)

Currently...
Eating: Whatever sounds good, when it sounds good. Lots of cereal...
Craving: Schlotzsky's!
Drinking: Water & Juice
Wearing: Maternity Pants, shorts, tanks, and kimonos are my favorites!
Feeling: Still relatively good! But the pregnancy symptoms are definitely making me a bit more uncomfortable..
Weather: It was REALLY warming up, we even broke 100 degrees, but luckly this week we are back in the 70s!
Wanting: To be on leave, at home, with a beautiful baby girl in my arms...
Thinking: About how soon all of this can turn in to reality.
Enjoying: Being pregnant and feeling so close to Quinn with all of her movements.
Missing: Sleeping on my stomach most...
Doing: As much walking as I can fit in, no more gym time, but lots of resting.
Looking Forward To: Our upcoming next few weeks! Things are going to be so exciting!


So, I don't think I've posted since our baby shower! We had our shower right around 32 weeks. Let me just begin with - WOW. Our house was FILLED with so many loved ones and kindness and PINK! I don't even know where to begin with thanking everyone for everything. This wonderful little miracle rainbow baby is so special to everyone already. She was definitely not "sprinkled" with love, she was FLOODED with it! She was given more clothes, blankets, diapers, necessities, toys, and keepsakes than I could have imagined. It took two hours to just get through the gifts. I swear I'm not bragging, I'm just so unbelievably thankful for all of our family and friends. We live in the same city as each of our families (divorced on both sides) live. So any family event like this, we are blessed to have SO many family members so close to us to get to share all of these moments with. Its so wonderful, and we are so grateful for it! The weather was beautiful that day, everything went smoothly, and I felt fantastic all day. It was a wonderful perfect gorgeous day. If you would have asked me to even envision a day like this a year, or even two years ago, I would have broken down in tears just trying to fathom it. Now, today, this dream is coming true.

The day following the shower was spent entirely with baby laundry (three FULL loads), organizing, cleaning, and sorting through all Quinn's things. It was all I wanted to do for months! I didn't exactly mean to knock it all out in one day, but let me just tell you, that day was way too much fun for me! I got all of everything done that I wanted! Her room is completely complete!


Now during this 34th week, pregnancy is starting to get just a little heavier... I have an OB appointment this week, and every week from here on out. I'm starting to feel more weighed down, having more random aches and pains (all normal), restless leg syndrome while I'm trying to sleep or rest, nausea, my appetite is still very up and down, started swelling a bit, still always sleepy, and uncomfortable. None of these are that bad, but I'm definitely feeling the weight of them all, more. I don't remember feeling more like this with Liam until 36 weeks... So I guess it just comes with the territory! I'm just happy to still be feeling this well.


Its so surreal to think how soon Quinn can be here. I'm so excited for her, to see her and smell her and hold her and love her! This time a year ago we were just getting ready for another egg retrieval for our second full round of IVF. We had no idea from then to now that we would have another failed transfer, followed by a third transfer that would result in this wonderful miraculous pregnancy. I'm so happy to be where we are now.


Thank you all for sharing all of this happy with us! Thank you for all your love and support as always!

Bump Update: 32 Weeks

Week: 32
Baby Size: Head of Lettuce
Pregnancy Side Effects: Sleepy all the time,
Bump Status: Bigger and Bigger!

Currently...

Eating: Sunflower seeds, & Salads (with wayyy more ranch than I'd like to admit)...
Craving: Nachos, Café Rio
Drinking: Water and Decaf Iced Black Tea!
Wearing: Maternity pants, Regular tops, etc.
Feeling: Really great still! I had some more ligament pain for a couple days, but besides that, Im just still usually tired, but physically feel great.
Weather: Besides the nasty wind that has still be circling around, its been beautiful weather around the 70s and 80s. Im hoping it lasts for our baby shower this weekend!
Wanting: To do baby laundry, nest, organize, and clean!
Thinking: About our baby shower, and hoping my pregnancy brain hasn't affected much of its plans...
Enjoying: The weather, this big belly, and this sweet baby girl with all of her movements and interactions.
Missing: I really cant think of too much to miss... The things I'd think to miss like wine, caffeine, some of the foods Ive given up for pregnancy I really don't miss because I remember how much I resented having them all the time I was trying so hard to get pregnant.
Doing: Still trying to make enough time for the gym, going on walks, enjoying time with our family and friends.
Looking Forward To: Our baby "sprinkle" this weekend!

Oh how the time has flown! The last two weeks have been so exciting. I've been feeling great, so great, that we opted to take a quick little "baby moon" to California to spend some time at the beach and so some shopping and dreaming at Downtown Disney. We had beautiful weather, great company, and some very memorable moments. We spent time at Newport Beach, had lunch at Ruby's on the pier, built sandcastles and basked in the sun. We also spent a lot of time in the World of Disney store at Downtown Disney looking at baby toys and clothes and picked up a few things for Quinn and her nursery. A wonderful, wonderful getaway.

When we arrived back home, we had an OB appointment during which we got to measure Quinn's growth! Towards the end of the 30th week she was measuring at a healthy 3lb 8oz. We tried to get 3d/4d photos of her but like usual, she loves to hide. This time she had her head turned into my hip and was holding her feet in front of her face with her hands! She had been getting the hiccups every day for over the past week. Liam had only gotten the hiccups once during his pregnancy so I was growing concerned with the frequency she was getting them. Sometimes it would be more than once a day. Against my better judgment I googled and found horror stories of course. I asked our OB during our appointment and he reassured me that all was well, this was actually a great sign and its very common. This made me feel so much better, but I still just feel the natural need to soothe and comfort her when she gets them. I am however so glad that she is progressing so well. I just know that Ill have more scares like this, and will probably overreact, and hope that I will always have the resources and family around me to bring me back to center.

We even found time to make some time to take maternity photos! We didn't take photos like this with Liam, mostly because the typical "maternity shoot" style of photos Im not a big fan of, But after having Liam, I did regret not taking any. I wanted to make sure I did for this pregnancy. My sister was gracious enough to capture some of the most amazing moments for us. She was able to incorporate everything we wanted - everything centered around Quinn of course,  Liam, our pups, this rainbow pregnancy and more.

My birthday was on Easter this year. This was also such a nice time for us. Justin woke me up to a Easter egg hunt throughout the house with the eggs that we dyed the night before. Then he made me breakfast, and we enjoyed the weather and some errands. We had Coldstone Ice Cream for lunch (since my appetite is usually gone by the normal time to eat dessert) and we spent the evening with family for Easter. Quinn decided to be super interactive with everyone that day too. She let everyone feel her moving around, and even played with a flashlight in front of them all. I feel so close to her personality already. This is just such a beautiful time during pregnancy, and Im just so grateful of every moment of it.

April has brought so many good times and blessings to us! Now we await the weekend to celebrate our little girl!! Thank you all for your continued love and support! We love you all!