39 1/2 Weeks and Counting!!!

I have been horrible about journaling my pregnancy, mainly because I feel like most of my experience has been extremely negative and I haven't wanted to turn my blog into a negative, woe is me party. I have decided that before this little one gets here I should reflect on the past 39 1/2 weeks because I know I won't have times once he arrives and i'm sure all the negative will magically be erased once I get to see his sweet face and hold him in my arms. This is my journal i'll keep most of the details o be warned, this may not be the most entertaining or positive thing you've ever read.

It all started back in September, the 24th (Ry's birthday and the day my had his heart attack). I had a trip to St. George planned for Ry's birthday, and after all the events that unfolded the day of Ry's birthday we were hesitant to go, but reassured by my Dad and Mom that there was nothing we could accompish by staying home. My Dad was out of surgery and stable and was getting great medical care as well as lots of family and friend support. So, Ry and I headed to St. George that night and arrived super late. The weekend was full of golf, sunshine and fun! The week before this we decided I would stop taking my birth control and that if we got pregnant it was meant to be and that we were ready. Since my family history is full of women taking years to get pregnant along with my hormonal imbalancesn we weren't too concerned that this would happen anytime soon. About a week after we got home from St. George I noticed my boobs were super sensitive, so bad that it hurt to wear clothes!! I had a yearly appointment with my OB, I told him that I have stopped my birth control and was a bit concerned that my new onset of sensitivity was a sign of pregnancy. He said "there's no way that you would get pregnant that fast, it usually takes about 3 months for all the hormones to get out of your body, this feeling is probably your body getting back in balance with itself" he went on with the exam and I didn't think anything more.

My favorite month of the year rolled around, October, and here I am 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 days late for my period. I had been taking pregnancy tests every morning at work and every single one was negative. Now, this was supposed to be my first period after going off the birth control, so I called the nurse up at my OB's office, just to ask her to ask him what he thought. His response was that it may take a bit for my body to have regular periods and that I shouldn't worry. Again, i trusted him, and thought, my body will probably take a bit to get back into the swing of things.

Week 3: On October 18th, 2010 I went to work just like I had been and took my morning pregnancy test and two lines showed up!!! My first reaction was "oh shoot!" then I called in my coworker "Shalynn, what does this mean?!?!?" and her response was "Meg, you read these everyday, it's positive". I just started crying hysterically, I had every emotion imaginable run through my body at that point, I wasn't sure if I was excited, in denial, scared, happy, sad, mainly I was thoroughly shocked. After I stopped sobbing, I had Shalynn draw my blood so we could see how far along I was. I couldn't focus on work at this point, so I ran my blood up to the lab and told them we needed results STAT!!! After I dropped the blood off I went to the store and bought a bunch of different pregnancy tests, a box, ribbon and wrapping paper. I went back to work and took 20 more pregnancy tests (as if they were going to be negative) wrapped them all up and called Ry to meet me at home for lunch.

I set up my camera in the livingroom so I could capture his reaction on video. He slowly opened the box and pulled out one of the tests that spells out "pregnant" and he looked at me and said "Oh my gosh, you are? no, you're not...are you really? No!, you really are?" after he got over the shock he gave me a big hug and we talked about how our lives were about to change forever. We talked about how we were going to tell our families and when, we decided Christmas was perfect, that way I would  be through my first trimester and we would be able to have our first ultrasound to make sure everything was growing the way it needed to be. That night we had a big BBQ at the park with my Mom's side of the family, our cousins Katie and Bart were in town, and Ry kept saying, "I just want to stand up on those rocks and shout it out". Luckily he was able to keep it in and our surprise didn't get ruined.

Week 4: This is the week that I started feeling super nauseous, completely exhausted and unable to eat anything. When I found out I was pregnant, I thought, great, my Mom LOVED being pregnant and never had any problems, didn't get sick, nothing. So I didn't understand why I was so sick and the thought of food repulsed me.

Week 5:  Again this week I am extremely sick, running to the bathroom every 20 minutes. I can't hold any food down. The only thing that sounded remotely appetizing was McDonald's french fries, which I never ever eat. We started calling baby "blueberry" since that's about the size he is this week. I have also had all the symptoms of a bad bad bad period with the blood, awesome.

Week 6:  I couldn't even get out of bed today, I'm completely exhausted and hope this doesn't last much longer. We are super excited for our appointment Wednesday, we get to hear the heart beat!

Week 7: No change, still feel like crap, and can't eat anything.

Week 8: I look fabulous minus the 800 bumps that have popped up all over my face, neck and upper back! I look like a 13 year old hitting puberty, my doctor referred me to a dermatologist. Neither doctor has any idea what this rash is, it's now PUPS because that usually manifests itself on your belly and never on the face. My liver enzymes are also a bit high, my doctor said we'll keep monitoring that throughout pregnancy, again, no apparent or obvious explanation for any of this, other than, I swear my body hates being pregnant.

Week 9: Our first appointment was today with Dr. Jones' nurse, Sandy, love her! She told us our official due date is June 14th, 2011!!! I have a bit more energy, I have been able to get enough energy to return to my normal workout schedule and my house is so happy because I have been able to handle cleaning more than one room at a time. The nausea has mildly subsided, my throwing up has slowed down to about every hour now, much better than three times every hour.

Week 10: My hormones must be kicked into high gear, because I have been an emotional nut case this week!!! I cry over the dumbest things. I haven't gained any weight, in fact I think I am losing weight since I can't hold anything down. My boobs have grown at least one or two cup sizes, i'm way over due to go bra shopping. My energy feels like it is going up still, which I am very excited about!

Week 11: We have been listening to lots of Christmas music, we went to Harry Potter adn the Deathly Hollows. I'm reading three books right now, Mockingjay, What to Expect..., and Your Pregnancy and Birth. My skin still looks like crap, bring on the make up baby!!!

Week 12: Yay, today marks the end of my first trimester, I made it!  I have finally slowed down on the throwing up, thank goodness! Ry and I are counting down the days that we have to find out what we are having and we couldn't be more excited to tell our family! We can tell everyone in 19 days... Christmas Eve!!!

Week 13: Things are going well as of late, I am started to feel a bit bloated by bed time, but still haven't gained any weight. We cannot wait to tell our parents!

Week 14: We had a little scare this week... I started spotting and bleeding some bright red chunks, this lasted two days. I rested and tried to stay down which I think really helped. We went to Twin Falls for Ry's work party and spent the night in Jackpot. I have started to get sick at night again, I guess that's a good sign, but I am sure sick of throwing up so much. Only 6 more days until we can tell our family!!!

Week 15: My hair is fabulous, it's super thick, luscious and shiney (maybe the only positive I have had?) my skin on the other hand, is horrendous!!! I have been sick every single night this week, it's becoming part of my nightly routine. The rash is all over my cheeks, chest, and back, my liver enzymes are still elevated and the dermatologist gave me some cream to try and get rid of this ugly rash. My family was absoltely ecstatic to find out our news!! We told my family Christmas Eve and Ry's Christmas morning, and Kaid Christmas day when we talked to him! Best Christmas present ever!!

Week 16: Happy New Year 2011!!! My skin still looks horrid, i've got a follow up with the dermatologust, the cream he gave me seems to have made the rash even worse, hopefully he can figure out what is wrong. I have still been throwing up every single night, i'm just kind of getting used to it. Our next appointment is on the 10th, which is the day we'll find out what we are having! I have been searching for cribs, bassinetts, and changing tables, it will be easier once we know the sex.

Week 17: My appetite has finally increased a bit, I actually feel like I am going to die if i don't eat every 2-3 hours. If I don't eat this often get super nauseated and throw up. My rash on my face and neck are slowly improving, they still don't know what it is. My dr's theory is that I am allergic to all the extra hormones my baby is making my body produce. I am keeping my fingers crossed that my perfect skin will come back.

Week 18: My rash is almost gone but my skin texture is still not back to normal. I am feeling pretty good this week, I have only thrown up three times this week. I have gone through a whole jar of shea butter and have ordered for more. My stomach is starting to feel really tight, it's not flat anymore, and people that don't know i'm pregnant they probably wouldn't notice. We heard Baby's heart beat, it was beautiful!! We find out what baby is this week and could not be more excited!

Week 19: Well I officially "feel" pregnant, i've got a small bump that I feel is super noticeable. I have been getting really hungry lately, but I have still been super conscious of what I eat. I want to be able to get pre-baby body back fast after i'm done. Our ultrasound took a bit over an hour, he was such a wiggle worm and didn't cooperate very well. But luckily we got all the views we needed, everything look great, heart, kidneys, bladder, arms, legs and face are all perfect! Baby Ray is a boy, we were both very surprised but can't wait to meet him!

Week 20: I feel great this week, my only complaint is I have been having tons of low back pain. I have gained 5 pounds so far and my tummy feels like it has a little solid orange in it and my boobs are gigantic.

Week 21: I have been getting up about 3 times a night to pee, I still like sleeping on my back, I know as I get bigger that will probably become less comfortable. Ry got to feel the baby move before the super bowl this week, it was truly magical for Ry to be able to feel that and for us to experience it together.

Week 22: I am feeling bigger by the day, I have been loading on the shea butter. I have most of my energy back, which i have been loveing. Baby has been very active, I feel him almost all day and night, I just love him! We ordered his crib, dresser and changing table today. I can't wait to see it and set it up.

Week 23: I have been listening to lots of Disney music, country and workout music. My workouts have been great lately, I hate feeling fat though, ugh!

Week 24: WOW, I can't believe it's the end of the second trimester, how time has flown! It's been strange and taken a lot of getting used to my growing belly. I can feel that I need to slow down on my workouts, i've starting getting contractions if I push it too hard, this has been really hard for me to face. I know my body is the best indicator of what I should be doing and I am going to have to deal with this and listen.

Week 25: My belly is definitely growing, my jeans are starting to get uncomfortable and it's time for bra shopping, again. Baby is such a wiggle worm, I swear he never stops moving. Ry and I really enjoy feeling him move so much, and it really is comforting.

Week 26: Well...today I caved and ordered my first pair of maternity jeans, mine just won't stay up, even with the belly band. Baby is super low so it almost pushes my pants down. I have had a bad sweet tooth this week...weird.

Week 27: We got our changing table and set it up today, it was quite the process to say the least. It took forever, and then when Ry was putting the last drawer together and I was putting the knobs on the second to last drawer I accidently walked through the last drawer that Ry was building and broke it to pieces. We just looked at each other, I almost cried and then we both just laughed. It was a long day, but we did get a lot done.

Week 28: I have never been so emotional in my entire life!!! I have cried like three times this week over nothing... my hormones are definitely on the up and up. I'm feeling a bit better now. Sweet Ry got up and started setting up the baby's crib, I got up and helped as much as I could, it looks great! Bedding is on its way, which is good because I am 100% nesting mode. Baby is insanely active, he really moves non-stop, and we just love him sooo much!

Week 29: I watched conference today and along with my ever moving belly. Working out has been a challenge, my contractions are getting progressively worse. I can't believe how fast time has been flying.

Week 30: My skin is absolutely horrible, it has been uncontrollabley itchy! Mareesa said my nose is the size of Kansas, and Marcus said "you're HUGE"--- so i've felt pretty ugly this week. We started our birthing class this week, we go every Wednesday this month. Ry was so sweet, at the end of our classes we learn breathing techniques. Ry rubbed my back and belly while we practiced our breathing, it really help me relax, i'm so grateful he is so willing to come to these classes with me and be a supportive birthing partner. Baby's room is almost done!

Week 31: My skin still looks pretty bad, and it itches like crazy! Our birthing class is going well, my favorite part is the end where we get to practice our breathing techniques. Working out is pretty limited to yoga and lifting at home, any type of cardio puts me straight into pre-labor.

Week 32: My skin is slightly improving, and baby continues to be a wiggle worm. When he stretches I almost die! We had our maternity pics today, our friend Jen took them and we can't wait to get them back. There's one pic that Jen showed me that you can see the baby sticking out a pointy appendage right under my rib, so crazy! My first shower is next Saturday, i'm super excited.

Week 33: I had my first shower today, it was super fun and I got some super cute stuff for baby. I have officially developed pregnancy onset carpel tunnel, it's awful, my hands are numb all the time and I also get shooting pains with certain movements. Contractions have become a daily occurence, mostly at night when I have been on my feet all day. I'm trying to take it easier, but it's hard. I am also starting to get swelling in my hands and feet, mildly painful.

Week 34: I have officially developed two small stretch marks on the outside edge of my belly button. It makes me SO sad because I have been so faithful with my shea butter. My nose is gigantic, I look awful and try to stay away from cameras lately. My other shower was today, it was fabulous, Mom did a great job! We've got almost all of our essentials for baby!

Week 35: People can't believe I am 35 weeks, I keep getting "you look too small for that" but believe me, I feel very large! I am getting more and more swollen, it's getting pretty painful. I 've started to get tired lately and my carpel tunnel is getting progressively worse. We went on our Babymoon this week to Boise, we went to Wicked (Ry surprised me with tickets). We had a wonderful time together, did some baby shopping, and enjoyed being together.

Week 36: I've nahd diarrhea for about 5 days now, tons of low pelvic cramping and lots of increased pressure. baby feels like he's grown a ton and he's still very active. We're getting super excited to meet our little man. My skin is slowly improving, the texture is still bad, and my tummy is getting more stretch marks, boo!!

Week 37: I've been trying to finish up the four books I have  been reading and finish baby's room. Life has been crazy lately, time is flying and we can't believe the clock is ticking down so quickly.

Week 38: I'm feeling pretty good, i've had a couple rough episodes of contractions this past week and super bad bad back pain. The past few days I have had tons of energy in the morning and then by the evening I am totally drained because I have been going non-stop all day. Baby's room is ready and Ry and I are getting really ready and very excited for him to come. My hadns and feet are extremely swollen and my nose is absolutely gigantic!

Week 39: I have been dilated at 3cm for almost four weeks, 50% effaced for two weeks and 70% effaced for the past week. I really thought this baby would come this week, but maybe I was wrong, I have been doing everything possible to get him out! I've tried raspberry tea, evening primrose oil, long walks, vacuuming, massage, accupressure, and yes, even sex. But our little guy seems stubborn and I guess he'll come when he wants... We are keeping our fingers crossed and we can't wait to meet him!

Fabulously Fifty!!!

 My mom turned the big "5-0" on May 25th!!! I really wanted to throw a big party for her, but she absolutely refused anything of the sort. She was really struggling with the thought of turning fifty so we all decided to make her big day super special and let her be the center of attention with just our close family. Dad took care of her all morning, breakfast, massage, hair appointment, lunch, shopping, and a pedicure. The rest of us met up with them at Red Lobster for her birthday dinner followed by the movie she really wanted to see...

 Which was suprisingly good, the past couple I fall asleep everytime I attempt to watch them.

 After the movie we headed out to my parents for cake, ice cream and presents.

 She had chocolate on chocolate cake and of course her favorite, tuxedo cake. She got some beautiful flowers from Aunt Judy, Jac, and Karli...and we gave her the gag gift of the first season of Modern Family. Ry and I LOVE that show and have been trying forever to get her to watch it with us, so now she has to. We made her watch a couple of episodes that night, and i think we have officially got her secretly hooked!!

The night before her birthday Ry and I went out to "watch a movie"...after the movie we waited for all the lights in the house to go off so we could bring out our arsenal of car decorations. We knew she would be driving around a ton the next day so we got window chalk, princess and birthday gel stickers and just went crazy on her car. We wrote "honk it's my birthday" on her back window, so you know she got zillions of honks the next day.

Happy 50th, you are fabulous Mom!!! We love you!