37 Weeks Pregnant with Baby #2

Week ending March 13, 2017.
Due Date: April 3, 2018

Like seriously, can you even believe we are at this point?! After everything, we made it. Thank God we've gotten this far.  

Bump:
Like every day Justin asks if my belly has grown lol. Well our little dude is supposed to be gaining an ounce each day, so yes, the belly is growing every day. And it's so itchy, I cannot tell you how itchy it is. I do not remember this much itchiness when I was pregnant with Cal.

Doctor Appointments:
At MFM, fluid levels were around the same as last time. 20-23 after measuring several times. Didn't get an estimate on Eren's size this week, but he looks pretty squished up in there, we didn't get any good pictures of his face or anything. He passed the BPP ultrasound great. And I only had a couple contractions on the NST, so we officially survived the last NST before full term! Yay!
At my regular OB, it was a pretty quick appointment, I didn't have any questions really, we covered a lot the week before. My belly is measuring 40 cm, Eren's heart rate was at 138 bpm. She told me to keep taking the Procardia until 37 weeks since I'm still having plenty of contractions. And that's pretty much it for that appointment. 

Energy:
Napped while putting Calvin down for his nap this week. That was actually kind of nice. I napped, he played on the iPad. When I woke, he went to sleep. Justin's been having me put Calvin down for bed lately so he can work on finishing the basement. Justin puts Cal down to bed 99% of the time on a daily basis. It's nice spending time with Cal before bed knowing it's going to be way harder when I have little Eren to nurse to sleep too. It's nice just having these last few weeks with Cal, not knowing what day might be his last as the only one around here. 

Food:
I've been starving and eating all the things lately! Not healthy things either. I've been bad.

Sleep & Dreams:
I've been having a lot more dreams lately, several each night, every time I get up to pee in the night I had one, but can't remember it. 

Physical Symptoms:
Hairline zits seem to be appearing more often. I think overall they weren't as bad as my pregnancy with Calvin though. 

I'm at that point I can't freaking sneeze. I can't get a deep enough breath to even make a darn sneeze happen! It's terrible. I need to sneeze, I try to take that initial breath in, then it goes away because I can't take a deep enough breath, there's just not enough room in my lungs I guess. Dumb. I remember this happening way earlier with Calvin though, so at least I'm glad it's taken this long to be an issue this time around. 
Some days I feel like death and want to lay around all day, then other days I am pretty good to go. I am having sooo many contractions it's not even funny. I can have 7-9 per hour no problem for many hours, then some days I'll have maybe 1-2 an hour, like wtf?! But they aren't painful or too intense. I have them a lot more at work than at home because I sit at a desk all day at work. I don't know if it's just gravity working directly on Eren or what, but that upright position can cause me to have sooo many contractions. Once I head home and lay on the couch, they'll go away. Even when I sit at my desk at home to edit YouTube videos, I can have several of them, so it's just the position that's making them worse, in my opinion. 
Some nights I have been having a couple contractions laying in bed, which is unusual for me. Usually I don't have contractions when I'm laying down like that.

Backache and cramping Saturday night and lost some more mucus plug a couple days. Started to worry that Eren was going to be that silly baby who comes just days shy of "full term" just to make me mad lol.
Driving is so uncomfortable. I have to be far enough away from the steering wheel to fit the belly, but I drive a stick and need to be able to reach my foot all the way down on the clutch, plus I'm short to begin with. I have contractions a lot when I'm driving because of the awkward posture and having to scrunch up over my belly to look both ways at stops and whatnot, it's just a pain in the butt. 

Natural Induction Plans:

We have the okay to have sex again at the end of this week. Not that I'm like super excited to be having sex at 37 weeks pregnant haha, but I want this baby out. I know my husband was hoping we'd make it to this point, seeing as once baby's born, we've got another 4-6 weeks without sex ahead of us lol.
Also plan to take walks everyday. And plan to go grocery shopping, with lots of walking. Since 31 weeks I've been told to limit walking.
Maybe I'll feel like nesting and cleaning. Cleaning can totally wear you out, so maybe it will help.
I told my husband I will only sit on the yoga ball until he comes. At the dinner table? Yoga ball. Watching TV? Yoga ball. We'll see how long that lasts haha.
Walking up and down the stairs, squatting, hot showers. I remember when I was in the hospital with Calvin, my doctor told me no hot showers because it would cause nipple stimulation and could start contractions. I am also contemplating trying to use my breast pump to see if nipple stimulation does anything.
I hate pineapple, but a lot of people say eating pineapple works. I don't know what the science behind that one is though. We'll see if I actually try that one. Maybe if Justin likes pineapple, we can split one. 

Favorite Moments of the Week:
Went shopping with my mom and sister at Hobby Lobby. Mom is making us a dockatot type lounger for Eren and we got to pick out fabric for that and I also got some scrapbooking stuff for Eren's baby book scrapbook. My sister let Calvin roam free in the store which is not something we usually let him do so I'm sure he had fun.

Random Thoughts:
Can't I just start maternity leave now? I think about starting it at 38 weeks but then I don't want to take one week away from Eren, if that makes sense. If I only take 8 weeks total and take one before he's born, then essentially I'm taking one week away from him. Can't decide. Should I just take 9 weeks and take off a week before she'll perform a c-section anyway.
It's weird not knowing Eren's birthday. I know that doesn't really make any sense because most people don't know the baby's birthday until they arrive, right?! I just wish I kind of had an idea at this point haha, I don't know why.

Love,

Alaina & Baby Brother Eren

36 Weeks Pregnant with Baby #2

Week ending March 6, 2017.
Due Date: April 3, 2018

Justin had to do "peek-a-boo" with Calvin to get him to smile. It took soo many pictures to get a good one this week! haha

Bump:
Itchy. 
It feels like Eren may be reaching that point where it's too tight in the belly to do much. His movements seem to have slowed down and I'm not feeling as many jabby movements.
Just realized I haven't updated weight gain in awhile, but we are officially up 40 pounds right now! Yes, it's higher than it should be, but better than my last pregnancy, so that counts for something right? Lol. 

Doctor Appointments:
At MFM my fluids were measured at 20 cm! Which is the lowest we've ever seen them. They're usually around 25, and they were at 27 at my highest point back around the new year. So that was awesome news. Then I went in for my NST and was totally having contractions, Eren was moving around like crazy and the heart rate monitor could hardly keep track of him so I was once again super worried I was going to be sent down to L&D again for more monitoring. I am so fearful of those NSTs after my hospital stay at 31 weeks.
At my regular OB, I was measuring 38 cm. Doc told me that I'd have a c-section at 39 weeks if I didn't go into labor beforehand, which will make Eren a March baby no matter what. At 36 weeks 1 day I'll take my last Makena shot and probably finish my procardia pills (36+2 I have a doc appointment and she said we'd discuss then). I have been having more contractions and more intense ones the last few days and my doctor said that's common toward the end and she wasn't concerned, but it does make me wonder what it's going to be like when I stop taking my pills. She said the procardia would be pretty quick to get out of my system. And I would hate for him to come just a few days shy of being officially full term (37 weeks).
So at 37 weeks we can start trying to induce naturally, which I'm super excited for. I was curious about a cervix check, but she said she wouldn't start those until 37 weeks and even then, she didn't sound like she was really big on them. She also said she's going to be on vacation in my 37th week, not that I'm very concerned with who delivers Eren, it's just ironic that of course, that's the week lol. I plan on doing everything in my power to induce naturally once we hit 37 weeks.

Energy:
Maybe I'm going to nest after all. I have spent the last couple months totally not caring about dishes, cleaning, pretty much any house duties. I've been a lazy hobo, no lie. Then all of a sudden out of nowhere this week, I am actually doing dishes, keeping the counter tops free of clutter, vacuuming the living room. It's totally strange. I was putting away groceries Sunday, saw that the fridge shelves needed wiping down, so I actually did it. Even wiped down the front of the fridge after clearing off the one million pieces of paper and random magnetized stuff. I never do that kind of stuff haha. Maybe this is the beginning of some sort of nesting...
Justin also seems to be getting ready for Eren. He pulled out all the baby stuff from the basement and organized our storage room down there. It's getting so close! Finally got the baby car seat out and installed the bases in our cars.

Physical Symptoms:

Everything hurts. This belly is so huge. Face chubbiness, especially the nose, is totally here. I'm just glad it waited this long this pregnancy, my face was chubby for months in my first pregnancy haha. I don't remember ever saying such a thing when I was pregnant with Cal, but I can't wait to not be pregnant!
Spent most of the day Thursday and again Tuesday recording contractions. I was having a TON. Not painful, but definitely more powerful than my usual belly tightening.

Round ligament pain is back, plus more cramping.
Boobies seem to be growing, and they can get tingly every once in awhile.

Food:
Maybe I'm starting to feel like I'm losing my appetite. Some days I just have to make myself eat lunch because I know I need to, not because I'm really hungry. But I still think there's a correlation between an empty stomach and contractions, so I do try to snack to prevent them.
But I have had one hell of a sweet tooth at the same time. I don't want to eat real food, I want cookies and snack cakes for all meals.

Sleep & Dreams:

Rolling over in bed sucks. My whole pelvis just absolutely aches and my belly feels like it weighs half my body weight. 

Favorite Moments of the Week:
Calvin said "tractor fall!" when his toy tractor fell and it made me so happy! He'll be talking in sentences before we know it. :)
Playing outside with Calvin over the weekend. He and Justin kicked a ball around the yard and Justin was throwing it onto our roof and they were watching it bounce down. Calvin thought that was lots of fun. We taught him the word "roof" and now he keeps talking about "daddy ball roof."
I love laying with him at bed time or nap time, I always ask him about his day and he'll tell me random words about what happened. I just can't wait to watch him form sentences and get even better at explaining himself to us.
We went outside after it rained and played in the yard a bit. Calvin was chasing his ball and kept kicking it further and further away. He landed in a puddle in the neighbor's yard and I could just tell by the look on his face that he wanted to play in that damn puddle! But I hollered at him and got him to return to our yard before he really made a mess. He was already pretty wet and had muddy shoes from playing out there at that point. He kept looking down at his wet pants and shoes and saying "all dirty."

Random Thoughts:
I never felt postpartum cramping while breastfeeding with Calvin. I'm actually kind of scared of it this time around. They say it gets worse with each pregnancy and some ladies say the pain is pretty intense, so I'm not looking forward to that.

Love,

Alaina & Baby Brother Eren

35 Weeks Pregnant with Baby #2

Week ending Feb. 27, 2017.
Due Date: April 3, 2018

Every week we get closer to meeting Eren. And every week is an awesome milestone in his development that puts my mind at ease more and more. 

Bump:
Stupid stretchmarks on the belly are getting worse. 
Only two more Makena shots! Can you believe it? I've been so tired of those things lately and I just can't wait to get them finished. I hate shots and needles and getting blood drawn, gross! I'm so glad Justin's been able to give them to me instead of having to go to the doctor all the time for them, even though I'm still at the doctor every freaking week anyway lol. I just can't believe I've already had 18 of those shots! That sounds so crazy. 

Doctor Appointment:
At MFM Eren was measuring 6 lbs 1 oz at my 34+1 appointment. Big boy, but still about half a pound behind Calvin at the same age. My fluids were measuring borderline again. This time at 25.1 cm. Stupid. Thought I was going to fail my NST because I was totally having little baby contractions pretty regularly. The nurse said it was probably just because of the high fluids and perhaps I needed to pee. So glad they didn't wheel me down to L&D again! I have fears of those NSTs because of my first experience with them at that office.

Energy:
Still want to nap always. How many weeks has this section said the same exact thing?! Lol.

Physical Symptoms:

Lots of pressure and heaviness in my pelvis.
Belly is so itchy! Like everyday non-stop itchy. I apply body butter morning and night and I don't think it's helping.

Crampy one night toward the end of the week. I don't think I've had that feeling at all previously this pregnancy, so that was weird. Kind of had me worried about preterm labor honestly. 

Low back and hip pain is back again. 

Constipation is back with a vengeance lol. It was here in the very beginning and all of a sudden it's back.
Had a little preterm labor scare Saturday night through Sunday afternoon/evening. I wasn't having regular contractions or anything, so I didn't call or go in to L&D. It literally just felt like Eren could fall right out. I was feeling so much pressure and heaviness and achiness in my pelvis, plus some cramping. I remember my doctor telling me I should try to sleep it off if I'm having lots of contractions, to see if they're legit or not. Even though I wasn't contracting regularly, I still took this advice and went to bed early. Woke up the next morning and my abs felt like I did one million crunches overnight and my lady bits felt almost swollen. So all day Sunday I moped around like a hobo, sat in a chair at the stove to make dinner, etc. It was miserable. But then right before bed Sunday night it all just magically went away. Wtf? Perhaps Eren was in a stupid position that was making me feel so much pressure, I really can't know for sure. Then I woke up Tuesday morning (35 weeks exactly) feeling the same heaviness and achiness, this time accompanied by the pregnancy waddle! Did not have this with Cal. It makes me totally understand when ladies say they just wish their pregnancy was over and done with. If this is what the next few weeks are going to feel like constantly, I totally understand.

Food:
I've been waking up feeling extra hungry lately, which is different.

Sleep & Dreams:

Sometimes it's hard to fall asleep, I just can't shut my brain off, but it's nothing terrible. Like I've said time and time again, I've been very fortunate in both of my pregnancies to sleep really well throughout overall. 

Favorite Moments of the Week:
Spent a full day with Mr. Calvin while Justin was staying at a friend's house. It stresses me out to think about having to put Calvin down for both his nap and bedtime, Justin's usually really good doing bedtime, in particular. So Mr. Cal surprised me by being an extra perfect little man for both naptime and bedtime. He was very cooperative and that made me super happy. :)
However, the weekend was also stressful for me because Justin was staying overnight at this same friend's house when I woke up to my water breaking at 32 weeks with Calvin and Justin had his phone on silent and no one would answer me to take me to the hospital. So that was great. Having him go over there again this weekend brought a lot of fear of the same thing happening again this time.

Random Thoughts:
Starting to rethink our newborn cloth diaper stash. Again. Lol. Do we really need more or do I just want to buy more stuff? Since Eren keeps looking like he's going to be a little smaller than Calvin, I wonder if it's going to take a little longer to get into one size diapers. I question having two in cloth and whether our stash is going to hold up well for two. I think about getting a pack of disposables just in case, but then I tell myself why spend money on trash when I could just buy a couple more cloth diapering items. Decisions. Justin's official stance is, wait and see. I hate that stance lol.

Love,

Alaina & Baby Brother Eren

34 Weeks Pregnant with Baby #2

Week ending Feb. 20, 2017.
Due Date: April 3, 2018

Thirty-four weeks! I want this boy to cook at least three weeks longer, of course, but 34 weeks puts my mind at ease a lot, honestly. I know if he came right now he'd be in the NICU, but it wouldn't be a terribly long stay (God willing) and he'd be mostly great and healthy. I can't wait to meet him but I want him to be able to come home with us from the hospital when he comes. Thirty-four weeks is also scary too because they won't try to stop labor at this point. That worries me because of the L&D stay I had at 31 weeks. I wonder if that happened again, would they make me stay and deliver? 

Bump:
Some days I miss my anterior placenta (that I had with Calvin). I felt so much less direct movement. Like if I'm uncomfortable, having some contractions, or don't feel well, feeling Eren move around like crazy makes me feel even worse. I love that I can feel him so well, but at the same time it makes me nauseous just to watch his little body parts floating all around my belly lol. There are just times it's so uncomfortable for him to be moving around as much as he does. It almost feels like he'll sleep an hour, then literally be up for an entire hour, all day log! It's exhausting lol. 
Also, I don't know if this bump has dropped or what, but holy crap, it feels soooo heavy on my pubic bone area. It feels like my bump is sitting directly on my lap when I am sitting, and driving is becoming hard. 

Doctor Appointments:
These were the two most positive appointments I've had in a long time, it feels like. At MFM my amniotic fluid was measured three times ranging from 21-24 cm. Which is an improvement and technically takes me out of the "polyhydramnios" class, if only barely. What's considered high is 25 and over. I also only had one contraction on the NST which is super awesome. My contractions have been very limited since they started me on the procardia medication, I'm so glad it looks like it's working well! I got to see his little tiny baby hair on ultrasound. I can't wait to see what color it is!
At my regular OB, my uterus was still measuring big, 38 cm at 33 weeks! My doctor let me know that either hospital I go to has a level II nursery which means if baby comes early, he will be fine to stay there, unless we have some serious problems that she doesn't anticipate. She is still worried about me going into labor early because my uterus is measuring big and my body will essentially assume I'm full term and ready to go because my uterus is measuring that way. She was happy to hear my fluid levels were looking slightly better and she said having been diagnosed with polyhydramnios wouldn't affect my chances at a VBAC. And she said the headaches I've been having are a common side effect of the procardia pill they have me on to prevent contractions. She said I'd be able to come off that medication at 36 weeks, along with the Makena shot. Speaking of the Makena shot, we only have 3 to go! Ah! We're really down to the wire here. My next appointment with her isn't until March 1. If we make it to that appointment I will be oh so happy. I pray every day we get to March, my mind will be able to rest so much easier once we get to that point. Then Eren will be 35 weeks and a couple days, although of course I want him to make it to 37 at least, I am still counting my blessings for each day he's still in my belly, knowing each day in there is saving him two days in the NICU.

Energy:
I've been filming YouTube videos like a crazy person lately haha. I just feel so inspired and want to take advantage of that while I can. I've been getting a lot of feedback from my audience lately and I try to make videos based on their questions. I take every opportunity to film. First thing in the morning before work, while Justin is putting Calvin to bed, and random times throughout the day, I've just been able to harness that desire to film and use it to my advantage. It's been a lot of fun. Even though I am so tired in every other aspect of my life, I'm glad I am able to enjoy my hobby still. :)

Physical Symptoms:

So much heaviness and pressure in my pelvis. I feel like I have to pee twice as often.
Achey boobs. That's a new one. I've had nipple sensitivity throughout this pregnancy pretty much, but all of a sudden this week, the boobs are feeling achey and kind of sore to the touch, especially on the armpit sides.
Is the oily skin returning? It's been pretty good this time around compared to with Calvin, my skin was so oily with him it was insane. And my skin was oily in the beginning with Eren. Perhaps it's just that spring is on the way, the air is getting a little less dry, so my skin is getting more oily.

Food:
I don't know if it's a coincidence, but it feels like hunger brings on contractions for me. Every day sometime in the middle of the day either right before lunch or right around 2-3 pm, I have an hour or so with more contractions than the rest of the day. The procardia medication is helping, compared to beforehand. I try to snack more and keep my belly full but it's hard when you're not actually feeling hungry.
Acid reflux. It's been a lot worse in the third trimester, and worse than with Calvin if I'm remembering correctly. I've noticed a couple things that tend to make it worse: buffalo sauce, salsa. I love buffalo sauce. We almost always get boneless wings for an appetizer when we go out. I love buffalo chicken salad and wraps and pizza. And I used to love having chips and salsa for an after dinner snack, but the closer I have those foods to bedtime, the worse the reflux seems to be. That's crappy. I don't remember ever having food related problems like that with Calvin.

Sleep & Dreams:

Sleep is still going pretty well. Once again, like I was with Calvin, I'm super thankful my sleep hasn't been bad throughout this pregnancy. Yes, I have some weeks where things are sucky, but I know that so many women really struggle with this throughout pregnancy and I'm so very happy I have gotten off pretty easy both of these pregnancies (at least so far). 

Favorite Moments of the Week:
Having good doctor appointments. I just felt super happy leaving them both. :)
It was 30th Justin's birthday over the weekend and I organized a little surprise dinner with his siblings and mine. I was so proud of myself that I actually pulled it off. I'm super bad with secrets and I just never thought I'd be able to do it, plus Justin's usually super attentive and figures things out too fast. So last minute it turned out the place we wanted to meet at closed down! So I had to figure out where we would go instead, literally just minutes before we arrived. So stressful! Haha. I was so scared this awesome plan was going to be ruined literally last minute, but it all worked out and he didn't even suspect a thing! :)

Random Thoughts:
Justin got Eren's name sign finished and hung it in the nursery. I kind of saw that as the symbolic finishing touch for baby's arrival.
I miss going for walks. The weather is finally starting to break a little here lately (one day it's 60, next day it snows lol) and when it's nice out, I just want to take a little walk. But my doctor said to limit walking, plus I know I get a ton of contractions when we go for walks too, so it needs to be avoided. I just pray Eren holds out until 37 weeks, then we can start walking again. We can do whatever we want if we can just make it to 37 weeks! :)

Love,

Alaina & Baby Brother Eren

33 Weeks Pregnant with Baby #2

Week ending Feb. 13, 2017.
Due Date: April 3, 2018

Bump:
Can I just wear dresses from here on out?
C-section scar ache every once in awhile. Sometimes it just feels like the normal, underwear/pants are tight in that area, but other times it really feels like the ache is coming from the inside out. 

Doctor Appointment:
Had a biophysical profile ultrasound done. Last week Eren wouldn't do the practice breathing, this week he was doing it like crazy.
Fluid levels are still high but I didn't get a number from the ultrasound tech.
NST went well. No L&D rush like last week.

Energy:
I need naps. Still.

Physical Symptoms:

Backache is back. I have been slacking on the yoga ball since the L&D scare. I sometimes get contractions when I'm on the yoga ball so I've been avoiding it.
Round ligament pain hasn't really been an issue at all this pregnancy, it was much more prevalent with my first son. So it's just appeared out of nowhere this week, which is weird.
I think I have some very light belly stretchmarks coming in! I hadn't gotten any new ones so far this pregnancy and was actually thinking and hoping I'd get off Scott free, but nope.
In the shower one day I felt like I had a letdown in my right boob but didn't have any leakage.
Had a bad headache one day, haven't had one of those in awhile, so that was weird.
A lot more hip discomfort when I get up to pee in the night or first thing in the morning. It's like a looseness but also acheness. I guess it's just a shock to my hips to have to get up and move after laying all night, because I don't really get the feeling during the day.

Food:
I've been somewhere in between the low carb thing and last week's "just eat whatever you want" thing.

Sleep & Dreams:

It's getting harder to fall asleep. Getting up to pee literally one million times per night. If I drink just one little half glass of water before bed, I will be up all night peeing. But I've been so thirsty lately, especially in the night! 

Favorite Moments of the Week:
Leaving my doctor appointment at MFM and not being wheeled down to labor and delivery. No joke. I was so worried things would happen like they did last week, but this week's appointment went very well.

Random Thoughts:
Packed and filmed my hospital bag video. It's in the car ready to go! Though I pray we don't need it for another month at least!

Love,

Alaina & Baby Brother Eren

32 Weeks Pregnant with Baby #2

Week ending Feb. 6, 2017.
Due Date: April 3, 2018

Bump:
Might be getting ready to retire a couple tank tops that are not giving me enough stretch these days!

Doctor Appointment:
Uterus was measuring 34 cm at my 31 wk, 1 day appointment, which is better than I was expecting, definitely! At my 32 week appointment with Calvin, I was measuring 37 cm (a difference of 5 cm vs 3 this time)! So I think we're looking pretty good in that respect. I was actually happy hearing that number, even though it's still "big." :)
If you want to hear about the Maternal Fetal Medicine visit and the following Labor & Delivery stay for two days, click here (I thought sitting down and filming about it was a little easier to explain than writing out a blog post).

Energy:
I want all the naps. Gotta get ahead of the newborn. Sleep now, because there will be limited sleep in a couple months.
When I was in the hospital with Calvin from 32-37 weeks, I napped a lot. I always just attributed it to the fact that I was bored and had nothing better to do in the hospital. But now I think it was just another symptom of the third trimester.

Physical Symptoms:

Out of breath. I keep sighing or exhaling very dramatically because of it. People probably think I'm upset about something haha, but I can't help it.
Justin says I've been snoring. It started at like 26 weeks with Calvin, so I think 32 weeks is just fine this time around haha.
Achy hip again, even though I've been doing the yoga ball thing every night, like usual. 

Food:
Misbehaving on diet. Definitely haven't been low carb a few days this week. Cookies. That's my weakness. Tried peanut butter cookies because at least they have fat and protein. But when those were gone I just made regular chocolate chip cookies and those aren't healthy like in any way haha. So I've had an off week this week in the diet department, I just hope it hasn't negatively affected things. I have another ultrasound to check fluid this week, so we will see how it looks. It had previously been slightly lower at each ultrasound in January, so if it's up this week, we'll know the diet is at least somewhat helping, I think.

Sleep & Dreams:

Weird dreams, but I can't remember them very well. 

Favorite Moments of the Week:
Wednesday night I came out of the bathroom, holding a cotton ball, removing my nail polish, wearing just a big t-shirt and Justin looks at me, smiles, and says, I like your bump to butt ratio and drew some curves with his hands. I just laughed.

Random Thoughts:
Finally got to order a couple clothing items for Eren! We do a monthly budget and January we did super duper bad, so I saved the baby buys for February and ordered them the very first day on Amazon haha. I'd been wanting to get some t-shirts for him since he'll be wearing cloth diapers and I don't want them to be covered by a onesie, I want to see them! (Calvin wasn't cloth diapered until he was 9 months old) I'm very excited to see a little newborn in cloth! :)

Love,

Alaina & Baby Brother Eren

30 Weeks Pregnant with Baby #2

Week ending Jan. 23, 2017.
Due Date: April 3, 2018

30 weeks. Holy crap. I literally, absolutely, seriously cannot believe we're already here! And I remember how fast the first 10 weeks flew by, I can't even imagine how fast these last couple months will be! 

Bump:

I feel like Eren has had another growth spurt. I feel like my whole belly just weighs a ton. If I lay on my back while lounging, watching TV or whatever, I just feel like my belly is too heavy, it's uncomfortable to lay like that for more than a few minutes. The weight of my belly rested again my back and spine is not comfy at all anymore. I don't remember ever having this feeling when I was pregnant with Calvin though.
I feel like Eren is sleeping and waking in longer stretches. I feel like he has more periods of stillness than before. And when he's awake, holy crap he's having a party in my belly. I don't feel like his movements have slowed like it's getting tight in there just yet though.
Been noticing Braxton Hicks even when I'm just sitting down.

Energy:
I want to nap pretty much every day, but have yet to do it. I'm okay to stay awake in the evenings, it's just that middle of the day desire to pass out that's taking over these days. 

I got to meet with my regular doctor this week, but next week I get to see Eren on ultrasound at MFM and see if my fluid levels are okay! I am excited to see the results of this three week diet limiting carbs.

Physical Symptoms:

Even though I've been keeping up on my yoga ball hip opening exercises, my hip has been bugging me a little bit this week. It's not nearly as bad as it was back in December before I started using the yoga ball, but it's just not as perfect as it has been lately.

I'm also feeling like it's hard to catch my breath at times. Almost like it's hard to get a nice deep breath. 
Also definitely feeling like I got punched in the pubic bone, it feels very sore and almost strained. I definitely don't remember that being this early with Calvin. 
Been having some very slight light headedness in the last few days of this week. Just a random wave of it here and there. 

Food:
Tomorrow I get to find out if my three week diet helped my amniotic fluid levels. I'm super excited to see the results, but I am preparing myself as well for no real change. The way I see it, even if it didn't help my fluid levels, I know for a fact it's helped in the intense weight gain department, and I'm pretty sure in turn, that has helped the water weight/swelling issue too. If I look at pictures of myself at this point with Calvin, my face was so darn chubby, I almost hate to see pictures of myself at that time. I know I gained a lot of weight with Calvin (over 50 pounds). My feet would be so swollen every night, my calves were so huge it was uncomfortable for me to kneel on them. I don't have these issues this time around. Perhaps that was all going to happen anyway, no matter my diet, but I like to think that at least I tried and at least things look better than they did last time around. I'll know I tried my best to prevent the complications that happened last time with Calvin, even though the doctors all say it was a fluke thing and I had no control over it. Sometimes you just can't help but think, what if I did this differently?
It's kind of how I am viewing my hopeful VBAC attempt this time around. Perhaps I just can't give birth to these big babies naturally. Perhaps that's just not how my body is made. However, if I don't at least give it a try, then I'll definitely never know. That's why I'm prepared for another c-section, even though I know it will suck physically and psychologically, at least I'll know I gave it a go.

Sleep & Dreams:

I feel like I might start needing to pee more than twice nightly! 

Favorite Moments of the Week:
We went to my dad's property to help him lay some pipes. Calvin loves it over there. He could wander around for hours on end and never get crabby or bored, even though it was quite chilly. He loves the tractors. He played in the dirt. He's such a boy haha. I wonder if Eren will enjoy getting dirty too. Part of me can't help but imagine him as just another Calvin, sometimes it's hard to remember he's his own little individual.

Random Thoughts:
I remember when I was pregnant with Calvin, Justin talked a lot about his high school days or the early parts of our relationship, just reminiscing on the old days when he was young and had no responsibilities, etc. I worried about him then, that he was regretting having a kid and being a grown up. We were only married and moved out of our parents homes for a few months when we got pregnant. I'm glad he isn't like this now. This time around, he always talks about seeing Calvin and Eren growing up and playing and us just being a big family together. I'm glad he seems to be more excited for the future instead of dwelling on the past.

Love,

Alaina & Baby Brother Eren

29 Weeks Pregnant with Baby #2

Week ending Jan. 16, 2017.
Due Date: April 3, 2018

Calvin wasn't being his typical toddler model self this morning. so these two are the best shots we got :)

Bump:
I've been hovering right around the +30 lb mark these last couple of weeks. I've been watching my carb intake and definitely not snacking like I used to. I'm waiting to see if the diet change helps my generous amniotic fluid levels (ultrasound 1/24 to measure them).
Had to scoot my car seat back a notch to accommodate the belly. I drive a stick shift and need to be able to reach the clutch and I'm pretty short so there are only so many notches I'm going to be able to scoot back. When I was pregnant with Calvin I went to the hospital at 32 weeks, so I'm unsure how much adjusting will need to be done before the end haha.

Energy:
Not too bad, actually.

Physical Symptoms:

I don't think there's anything to update on. Everything is going really smoothly.

Food:
As I've mentioned before, I've been concentrating on eating less sugar and carbs. Now because of this, I've noticed a decrease in my daily calorie intake. Crazy thing is, I don't feel more hungry. I am definitely eating less calories, but because those calories are coming from meat, dairy, and produce instead of sugar and flour, etc. I feel just as full on less calories. It's crazy. And it's not like I'm completely denying myself treats either, I'm just choosing different treats. Instead of cookies, I have peanut butter on celery. If I want something sweet for breakfast, instead of having cereal, I am choosing oatmeal. Yes, I've had a bowl of ice cream a couple nights here and there, but overall, I am just super proud of myself for feeding my body and my baby way better nutrition.
I use an app called Lose It to track my calories. It allows you to put in your own recipes which is super helpful. Before I started this diet, if I had an extra 300 calories left in my day after dinner, I would snack until I used all those calories. Now that I've started to give more thought to my diet, if I'm not hungry, I won't use up those remaining calories just for the sake of using them all. Now that's a big difference, especially because before those last few hundred calories were nearly always junk food, and right before bed, the worst time to be packing on the calories.

Sleep & Dreams:

Falling asleep can still be sucky, but it's not like I spend hours awake, so I should be thankful. 

Favorite Moments of the Week:
Walking down the hallway one morning this week, I glanced over at both of the open bedrooms, and seeing the two nightlights shining in the dark, it really occurred to me that we're going to have TWO boys here in a couple months. TWO kids! :)
Our sweet Calvin is officially a big boy now. As of this post, he's slept two nights in his big boy room, in his full size bed, and he has done awesome so far!

Random Thoughts:
I really really hope this new diet will help my fluid levels. I wasn't instructed by my doctors or anything, it's just something I thought about with Calvin and decided to actually implement this time around since my fluids are high again. I've read that some women are instructed to change their diets when they have high fluid levels, so I figured I might as well give it a go. I've also read that women with gestational diabetes can end up plateauing on their weight gain because of the diet switch. So that makes me feel better about the fact that I haven't gained anything in a couple weeks.

I really don't want things to turn out like they did with Cal, I want to avoid being in the hospital for weeks! I don't want my waters to start leaking early! And although my doctor has never officially blamed the high fluid levels for that, I can't help but think it. Even though the diet is hard, don't get me wrong, I love sweets and carbs, I can't wait for that ultrasound to see if it actually helps my fluid levels.

The diet feels easier because I keep telling myself it's only a couple more weeks. However, of course, if it turns out that my levels are better after eating this way, I'll have no choice but to continue the diet until the end, knowing that it's beneficial to myself and Eren. But by that point, it will only be another two months, which is still totally do-able. If I look at the diet in these segments instead of like it's a forever thing, it totally makes it feel less daunting. This strategy is also something I'll have to keep in mind when it gets to be time to work on losing the baby weight. Plus that's another thing, if I keep eating better while I'm pregnant, it will make losing the baby weight a little bit easier, especially since I started out this pregnancy ten pounds heavier than I wanted to be. Overall, I know the diet is for the best in all aspects, it's just hard because I definitely have a sweet tooth ha.

Love,

Alaina & Baby Brother Eren

Third Trimester Update: I feel like the nesting is beginning

We moved Calvin into his big boy room this week. He's successfully slept there 3-4 nights now and he's doing super awesome! And I think perhaps this event has pushed me into nesting mode. The nursery is now a little more empty.

But it hasn't started with baby stuff, it's begun with my own junk. Just last night I threw out a couple handfuls of million year old nail polish and bunches of old skincare samples. Like where did all these things come from?! Over the weekend I was going through my makeup.

Then last night I took the first step in the baby's room: I filled up the changing table with our newborn diaper collection! I am so excited to cloth diaper Eren from the very start.

Still haven't pulled out the newborn clothes yet, still haven't gotten the bassinet out, but I know it's coming! And I can't wait to sit down in the nursery folding and putting away all those adorable tiny baby clothes I haven't seen in a year and a half!

And yes, I totally do want to buy baby stuff! But I know it's totally unnecessary. We have everything that we used with Calvin. And Cal and Eren are both spring babies so the seasonal clothing selection should work out fine for Eren too. It's so fun to gaze at the baby clothes in stores and online though. But I know Eren has plenty. Calvin had plenty of outfits he'd only worn once. They grow so fast.

And I know that technically, I could still have three months before meeting this little boy, on the inside I swear he's coming early and will be here in just about two!

_____________________

So far I have picked up a couple items for our newest addition, but really not much.

I ordered a personalized teether from Zen Mamas.
I got four sleeper sacks (these and these) because I wanted to try so
me with Calvin but never got around to it. I like the concept of just being able to pull up the gown to change a diaper in the night instead of half undress a crying baby.

I do want to order some regular t-shirts for Eren, since we will be cloth diapering this time around, I want to be able to show off his fluff. :) And I'd like to try those kimono style shirts and see if they're any easier for dressing a little one, I was intrigued by them with Calvin but never purchased any.

Some other things I want are really more for me than Eren. I'd like some new nursing bras and a good nursing night gown. And I want to get a set of picture frames for the hallway for Eren's newborn pictures. And I think I want to get that Lansinoh Therapearl compress. Man, I do not look forward to the clogged ducts that come with those early weeks of nursing!

I just can't wait for this little guy to arrive! Although I pray it won't be too soon, like his brother attempted. I am so excited to see how our family dynamic changes. I can't believe I'm going to be a mommy of two in no time!

Thanks for reading.
Love,
Alaina

28 Weeks Pregnant with Baby #2

Week ending Jan. 9, 2017.
Due Date: April 3, 2018

Third trimester, how I've waited and waited for these days! My belly is enormous, my body aches, but I know we are in the final stretch and I'll be meeting my baby boy soon! I feel so much calmer and ready to meet my baby, yet these are the days when worries about delivery start to creep in. 

Bump:
Had to start turning to the side to do things like washing dishes. The belly takes up too much room in front, so I have to stand sideways to make things easier. Haha.
It also feels like my ribs are expanding. They can get achey around the sides and back and just feel like they're stretching out. 
I can totally tell how Eren is laying in the belly, not just by how it feels but also just looking at the bump. The bump is looking uneven these days. I don't think he has a preferred side yet though, he seems to switch back and forth plenty. 

I can feel and see his little body parts like feet and knees way better than I ever remember with Calvin and I think it's finally occurred to me why! My placenta was in front with Calvin. That must have been why his little body parts never protruded like Eren's do now. For the longest time that never occurred to me. I thought perhaps I wasn't remembering correctly, but I'm pretty sure this is the case. Very cool.  So at this point with Mr. Calvin, I was up a total of 33 pounds... what most people would have gained the whole time. And I was doing really good there for awhile this time around, but Christmas didn't help things so my official total up until the third trimester this time around is... 31 pounds. Super. I've been eating sooo much better this pregnancy, yet I'm still essentially in the same exact boat as last time, so that's not very encouraging. 
Weight gain totals so far:
13 wks up 5 lbs
19 wks up 15 
24 wks up 23
28 wks up 31

Doctor Appointments:
Got to see Eren in 3D at the ultrasound and it was so amazing. It really was too cool watching him move around in there! We got some really good pictures too. As soon as he popped up on the screen I said, holy crap he looks exactly like his brother! But after examining the pics a bit more, I think they have some differences. I saw him lick his umbilical cord and he had his hands up in his face a lot. We got some really clear pictures of him and it was super cool.
Eren is measuring 2 lbs 12 oz, a week or two ahead of schedule, which is where Calvin was at at this point too.
I was able to leave Calvin with his grandma because I had the MFM appointment, then immediately my regular OB appointment, where I had to wait around for the gestational diabetes test, so I didn't want to risk Calvin having a bad day with two really long appointments back to back.Bonus: I was able to really enjoy the ultrasound all by myself.
Amniotic fluid levels were "generous," so they're having me back in three weeks to double check on them. They were "borderline" high with Calvin too.
Cervical length was good, but I didn't catch the actual measurement.
Now it's time to see my regular OB every other week.
The midwife is still confident we can try for a VBAC. She suggests that after we hit 36 weeks and I have my last dose of Makena, I start doing more activities to try and get myself to go into labor naturally, that way I'll have a much better chance at a vaginal delivery as opposed to being induced medically. When I think about the 36 week mark and the fact that it's only 8 weeks away that gets me so excited. April seems like forever away right now, but 8 weeks just sounds so much closer. I realize it could still take another month after that point, but the countdown is underway!
Plus no news is good news on the GD glucose test, so I guess we are in the clear. :)

Energy:
Still feeling awfully tired.
I seem to be getting more short tempered with Calvin this week too, which totally bugs me. I hate snapping on him, only to immediately apologize to him for being mean. I wonder if this is being caused by my lack of energy, I just can't move around like before. I am trying not to pick him up as much because I keep getting Braxton Hicks when I do because he's a 30 pound toddler. Plus it hurts my back picking up his toys all the time, so I'm asking him to help out more. He's usually very helpful, but I think those two things are just a hard transition for us both. He wants to be held and gets mad when I don't pick him up, so I get mad at him for being whiny. I try to be patient with him when I ask him to help clean up, I like to let him do it on his own time, but sometimes it just feels like he's literally deaf and does not hear my requests. It's just a sucky cycle at this point.

Physical Symptoms:

As I mentioned last week, I'd been having many more Braxton Hicks contractions just doing everyday things like lifting the laundry basket or getting up off the couch after sitting awhile. The midwife at my doctor office showed me an exercise to do daily to help with the contractions. She made them sound very normal though, especially for a second pregnancy, and told me to only worry if they were continuing despite rest and hydration, occuring 6-8 times an hour.
Don't want to jinx myself here, but last week I mentioned my back and hip were feeling better and they has continued feeling good this week too! The one thing I can think of that I've been doing differently and may be making the difference is that I brought out my yoga ball and have been using it nearly every night before bed. I sit on it to open up my hips, roll on my chest to let my belly hang, or lay my back on it to let it lengthen out. I haven't been great about doing my once weekly exercise day, but at least I'm getting in a bit of stretching every night with my yoga ball.

Food:
Keeping up on counting my calories after the terrible holidays. I've even given some thought to the idea of trying out a gestational diabetes friendly type diet, to see if it would help Eren not grow so gigantic, but I go back and forth with that one a lot. Calvin was giant, but he continued to be in the 95%+ once he was on the outside too, so that makes me think he's just meant to be a big boy, there wasn't anything that I caused, so I just assume Eren will be the same way. And I think what about my amniotic fluid? Maybe if I tried to eat this way for the next 2-3 weeks and they go back to check my fluid levels and they look better, that would tell me that my eating habits are helping out. And then there's always this part of me that says, it's only three more months, just do what you want. And that part isn't constructive haha.

Sleep & Dreams:

It's been hard to get comfortable in the night. I haven't mentioned it yet, but it's been going on for probably two months already, I've been peeing twice overnight instead of the usual once.

Favorite Moments of the Week:
Seeing Eren on ultrasound in 3D. :)

Random Thoughts:
Part of me wants to start washing the baby clothes, but there's this other part of me that wants to wait until 32 weeks, just as some kind of crazy superstitious act that might prevent my water breaking at the same time and everything turning out exactly like with Cal. I don't even know if that makes any sense. I feel like if I get things ready too quickly, like I did with Cal, it could cause Eren to come early, like Cal did. But for real, I want to start going through the baby clothes!
Justin and I agreed that in February we would start Calvin's transition to his new big boy room. So it would make the most sense to wait to get the baby stuff out until Calvin is settled in his new room, so we still have a few weeks.

Love,

Alaina & Baby Brother Eren

Pregnant in the Hospital Diary Entries : PROM, Bed Rest

Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Alright Calvin, we just need you to hang out for awhile longer. We came to the hospital at 32 weeks, 1 day. You're not ready yet, even though I'd love to see you, we all know that's not a good idea right now. Everyone's really worried about you but you're in really good hands here at this hospital. Our doctor is very optimistic about you being good and plenty healthy when you finally come. You had me and daddy super worried but every day things are looking up. I might be in the hospital for awhile, but I keep reminding myself it's better me than you. I want you to come home with us right on time. Me and your daddy love you so so much but you gotta stay put for awhile longer!

Wednesday April 27, 2016
The doctor came in this morning and pretty much just reiterated the fact that we're simply waiting to see what's next. Things are still going well, but it can be frustrating not knowing when you're coming. I wish your daddy could be with us all the time. We all love you so much. Grandma told me your cousin Lyvi was going to tell her friend at school about you but she couldn't remember your name, so she didn't tell them. I know she's excited to meet you, we all are. Lyv and Leighton's grandma is a nurse here and she's going to take good care of you if you come early and need extra help and care. She told me that I look more like grandpa John since I'm chubbier while pregnant. I wonder who you look like Calvin.
It's so weird to imagine you with a May birthday, I always assumed you'd be here in June. And I thought you'd be late, at that! Now that's assuming we can hold out a few more days and make it until May. I'm afraid of giving birth to you. I don't know what to expect. I'm fearful your daddy won't be there for the whole thing. I don't want to be alone through any of it. I'm afraid they'll have to scoop you up and take you away as soon as you're born. It's crazy to think we're so close to meeting you. After months of you just living in my belly, you're finally going to be here and this whole pregnancy journey will be over, only to start a new, even more exciting journey as your mommy.

Tuesday, May 10, 2016
My sweet baby boy, it is getting very hard for me to be living here at the hospital. I know it is for your best interest: for your health and well-being, not to mention your future. But it is so lonely. I am so glad I still have you safe in my belly though. You are safe and growing so big and strong in there. They already estimate that you weigh 6 lbs 8 oz. While you are in there I can feel you move and I know you are good. If you were to have been born already, I would not always be with you like I am now. I'd have to leave you at the hospital without me and your daddy.
Today I am 34 weeks 4 days pregnant and our doctor has faith we are going to reach full term, 37 weeks. I've been in the hospital 17 days now, and if you come at exactly 37 weeks, that will be 17 days from now. So we are halfway there! I can't wait to meet you but I can hold out another 2.5 weeks if it means you'll be able to come home with us right away Calvin.
We have the best doctor around. He wants to keep you safe and sound in my belly as long as possible. If we were in the hands of any other doctor, you'd have been born already. I thank the Lord every day that that's not the case. We love you so much Calvin and we only want what is best for you.

Thursday, May 19,2016

This hospital stay sucks. I just want to rant right now, but let me get some things off my chest first of all. Yes, I am so blessed to have made it this far in my pregnancy, we'll be 36 weeks tomorrow, and our doctor is awesome, I'm so glad we have him. I know that there are so many women out there going through much more difficult pregnancies and issues. There are plenty of mothers who have given birth before 36 weeks and have to visit their babies in the NICU not knowing what happens next. I know I am blessed and this could be so much worse, I know that in my heart, but this whole situation still sucks and I'm jealous of all the women who have very good, uncomplicated, easy pregnancies. I'm jealous of the mothers who get to spend their last few weeks living their normal everyday life. I'm upset that we didn't get to take maternity pictures. I'm upset that I missed physically being at my one and only baby shower that looked just so precious in the pictures! I'm upset that I can't just wake up next to my husband every morning. I'm upset that Justin and I don't get to go on one last date just the two of us, that I can't just live a normal life and be in my own home. I want to make dinner for us. I want to be able to nest and set things up and I know Justin has been working hard, doing laundry and washing bottles and getting everything ready for Calvin, but I don't get to have that experience and it makes me feel so disconnected. I know that I see Calvin twice a week on ultrasound, I hear his little heartbeat twice per day on the NST monitors, I feel him wiggle all the time, and I am here because of him, I think about him all the time. But I just think that perhaps if I were at home nesting and organizing and getting things ready for him that I would feel more connected and ready for him to come. I want to meet him but I still am afraid of the unknowns of giving birth. 

But once again, I know we are blessed. Honestly, this stay seems to have been going by somewhat quickly, I can't believe it's already almost been a month! But the days suck. I feel like I'm simply growing a baby right now, I'm not living or contributing to life or anything. I feel very useless. 

And I can't wait to see Calvin. He is my ticket out of here! I just know in my heart that he's going to be going home with us, I have full faith that he will not be stuck here without us.

Saturday, May 21, 2016
I have to be honest that at times I have felt inadequate as a mommy to be. I've felt like I'm not made to be a mommy and not meant to carry babies because of this whole issue. It's hard to put into words. I just feel like perhaps we shouldn't try for more kids because of the possibility of going through this all over again. Not just for the fact that it sucks to be in the hospital like this, but that things might not go as well next time around. What if next time they couldn't stop my labor and the baby would be born at 32 weeks, what kind of issues would there be? How long would they have to stay in the NICU? Would there be long term problems and issues with their health? What if they did stop my labor, but then I got an infection and had to have the baby early anyway? There are so many things that could go wrong. So many things that could have gone wrong with me and Calvin this time!
I feel so conflicted, like my thoughts are constantly pulling me in two different directions. I feel so upset that this has happened, trying to pin point what I've done wrong in this pregnancy. But at the same time there is a part of me that is so happy and proud that we've made it this far, that my decision to come to this hospital and get a new doctor, not just settle for my old doctor, has saved our little Calvin from coming prematurely. Because of the hospital I chose and the doctor that I was blessed with, we are able to have our precious little boy at full term! After four weeks now/five weeks when he comes on Friday, we made it! And that fills my heart with so much happiness. No matter what, if we can hold out these next six days (and I know we will :)), our baby boy will be a full term baby, something I never ever would have thought could happen on that first day at 32+1 weeks when I woke up to this whole mess.

Tuesday, May 24, 2016
I still can't believe you're going to be here in a just a few days, baby boy! I talked to a pediatrician here at the hospital yesterday and got some unsettling news. He told me that because my membranes have been ruptured for so long, they're going to take you to the NICU and have you on IV antibiotics for 48 hours after you're born as a precaution! This has made me upset wondering whether or not we'll even be able to just have some time together in your first hours of life. I will have to pump to feed you breast milk, but we should be able to hold you and visit you and spend a lot of time with you. I don't even know if we'll be able to breastfeed in your first hour. We'll be going home in two days anyway, so our two stays should coincide and you'll be able to come home with us. It still makes me sad to know that there's a possibility you'll be whisked away as soon as you're born. The pediatrician really made it seem like there would be a 50/50 chance we could spend time with you first or not. And he did mention there was a very slight chance none of this would have to happen anyway, they would examine him in our room, he'd be totally fine, and they would just leave us like any other family. He just kept saying this was a very slight chance though.
My doctor did not think this was all necessary, but apparently the pediatrician staff is new and they have different procedures than the previous staff who were here when I first arrived in the hospital. You are a good size baby, you'll be right at the normal newborn weight when you're born at 37 weeks. We had the steroid shots for your lungs. And because you're already full term, you realistically shouldn't have issues feeding. I just don't understand why when it looks like everything is going in your favor, they want to take you away from us. I know it's just a precaution and it's for your best interest, but it just makes me very upset, I thought by making it to term we wouldn't have to deal with any of this. Good thing I have no real birth plan, it looks like none of it would happen at this point anyway.
Your dad and I have been back and forth on how many people we want to be there the day you're born. I hate the idea of all these people waiting around for you to come. I feel that it will make me stressed and anxious about getting you out quickly. Plus I just want your dad and me to have plenty of time alone with you, especially if you're going to have to spend the next two days in the NICU, not in our room with us. We just want you all to ourselves before you're taken from us. And I know that's selfish, but I've carried you nine months and I deserve to be with you for as long as I want just as soon as you're born! And I know everyone is very excited to meet you, baby boy.  

37 Weeks Pregnant : Third Trimester Pregnancy Update, Symptoms, etc.

Week 37 - May 20-26

Our baby boy Calvin Lee was due June 17, 2016! He was born May 27, 2016 at 1:26 pm.

Welcome to my final pregnancy update for this, my first pregnancy, our first little one, our son, Calvin Lee. I'm being induced to have him on Friday May 27, 2016, at exactly 37 weeks. We made it to full term! Besides the fact that I was diagnosed with PROM (premature rupture of membranes, or my water started leaking) at 32 weeks and 1 day, besides the fact that the standard of medicine recommended I be induced at 34 weeks, we made it to full term and we are so blessed.

It might be awhile before I have another post up for you, but it's more likely you'll see pics on my Instagram before anything else. I want to thank you for your support and love during this entire journey. Now let's talk about my final week pregnant!

Bump:
Still no linea nigra, but there are plenty of stretchmarks. Belly button still didn't pop out either, still an innie. This bump is so big, I couldn't imagine it if it made it three more weeks! I almost feel lucky to be on bed rest. Just from wandering around my tiny hospital room, I can tell if I were out in the real world my body would truly be aching by now.

Maternity Clothes:
Not gonna lie, I might miss them when this is all over with. There's just so much cute stuff! But, I really want to invest in some nursing stuff, I really have no in between clothes, so I don't know how this is going to go lol. I have regular skinny me clothes and gigantic maternity clothes, but what to do in the middle...
So I ordered some stuff from Old Navy because they were having 50% off shorts, plus a bunch of nursing tank tops were also on sale. So I gathered a few nursing tops in mediums and larges just to be safe. I also got a few pairs of shorts since I gotta make it through this summer and I have a realistic outlook on my weight loss journey, so I think having some larger shorts is going to be helpful lol. I wore size 4 in bottoms for many years, but right before I got pregnant I was up to size 6 and I had been ordering size 8 in maternity stuff, so I ordered both 8s and 6s in shorts. I only have a couple nursing bras, but I think I'm gonna wait a bit to order those, just to see what these boobies settle down to, and once I lose a little weight and see how that all goes. I have enough bras to survive, plus I don't anticipate leaving the house for awhile so I don't really need anything special, I can survive on thin sports bras if I need to for a bit.

Emotions:
Everything's going well. I can't wait to see what the postpartum period is like though, I just have a feeling I might turn into a psycho. :-P

Food:
Don't worry, this is the last time I'll say it: I hate hospital food. I cannot wait to get home and eat a home-cooked meal! I don't have any idea how hectic having a newborn is going to be, or if I'll ever have time to do it, but at least for this first week while Justin is also home, one of us better make something homemade, even if it's just spaghetti!

Sleep & Dreams:

There can be sleepless nights where I don't fall asleep until after midnight, then have to wake up right at 6:30 am when the sun rises outside my hospital room and stabs me in the eyes and lights everything up. But there are other nights where I sleep awesome. I absolutely have to say just how blessed I am to have slept so well throughout this pregnancy. These sleepless nights are not pregnancy related, just stupid hospital room related. I gotta say the Snoogle was a terrific investment and I'd recommend it to all pregnant women. 

As you know, I haven't really been having dreams to do with Calvin or really anything lately that I can remember. Well this week has been different. 

I had a dream I was with my dad and Calvin started moving like crazy so I called dad over to feel it and he was so excited to get to feel him move. 

I also dreamt that Justin and I were sitting on the front porch of a log cabin in the woods, rocking Calvin. 

And Justin did tell me he had a dream he dropped Calvin in a pond!

Physical Symptoms:
Back ache, even though I am on bed rest and can't really do much. I couldn't imagine how much it would ache if I were still doing things in the real world.
Why acne why?! I really really hope this skin goes back to normal soon!
Super tight tummy like all the time.
Lots of pelvic pressure and full feeling down there.

If you've been following me for awhile, you know that I typically suffer from an excessive amount of headaches, but during this pregnancy I have been delightfully surprised at the lack of headaches. Well this week that all changed and I had a handful of them, nothing really intense, just strange because they've been pretty nonexistent throughout much of the pregnancy. 

Movement:
Like I've said the last couple weeks, his movements are definitely slower and less jabby. 

Favorite Moments of the Week:
My mom and dad came up to the hospital Saturday and spent like all day with me! We went out to the little garden here at the hospital, had lunch, played Yahtzee, and just talked. It was actually an awesome time to spend so long together.

Baby Purchases:
I ordered an electric breast pump through our insurance, so just waiting on that to come. I got a little hand pump too last week just in case Calvin came early and couldn't feed and I needed to pump for him. And I think it will be nice to have for back-up too, in case something goes wrong with the other pump or if I want to pump on the go or whatevs. Hoping insurance actually does cover the big pump and they're not gonna be a pain in the butt lol. But insurance is always a pain in the butt...
So, we'll just see what next week brings with our first week at home with a newborn. What did we forget?! I know Justin will be running to the store for something lol.

What I Look Forward To:
I went on a ramble last week about all the things I can't wait for to not be pregnant. Right now I'm thinking about eggs over easy and raw cookie dough. Mmmmmm. I bet I will miss my belly, even though I can't wait to sleep on my stomach again! I'll miss his movements and his kicks even though I'll be able to see him moving about in person!

Random Thoughts:
I absolutely cannot believe this is already coming to an end! 

New tactic of the week to help me not freak out about labor and delivery: looking forward to not being pregnant. I think about all the things I'll get to do, the weight loss, moving around easily, etc. I try to let the idea of no longer being pregnant overpower the scariness of the unknowns of actually giving birth. Not gonna lie though, one minute I think I'm ready and I can totally do this, then the next I'm like holy crap this is going to suck! Lol.

Thanks so much for reading!
Love,
Alaina and Little Calvin

36 Weeks Pregnant : Third Trimester Pregnancy Update, Symptoms, etc.

Week 36 - May 13-19

Our baby boy Calvin Lee is due June 17, 2016!

Robe sent to me by PinkBlushMaternity

Everything is still going awesome and we finally have an induction date! Thursday night May 26, so Calvin should hopefully be here on Friday, May 27, at exactly 37 weeks. So exciting! 

My fluid levels are still awesome, very consistent, even though I'm still leaking fluid. Things really are looking great.

Bump:
Growing so big with every week. Latest ultrasound from last week had Calvin estimated at 6 lbs 8 oz. All the ultrasound techs just say how my belly is all baby. Everywhere you touch is like directly touching Calvin lol. 

Maternity Clothes:
I know if I were out in the real world right now, my clothing supply that still fits would be dwindling. One up side to hospital life is that I can wear yoga pants, pajama pants, and other very comfy stuff all the time and don't even have to worry about looking good or civilized, just comfy lol.

I know I only have one week left but I just wonder how long it's going to take to get back to fitting comfortably in things afterwards too. Even still things are getting tight on me, particularly the only two pairs of pajama shorts I thought I could wear til the end. I'm going to need these shorts afterwards and they're already not comfy! So I hope at least some of this thigh/hip weight is water weight and won't take too long to go down so I can live in comfy PJ's for my 8 weeks of maternity leave lol.

Emotions:
I have actually been feeling more snippy lately, like little things are driving me crazy and making me mad. Perhaps it's just the stress and suckiness of being stuck in the hospital all the time. 

I also feel like things are starting to get to Justin. He's been stressed at work and I know this whole hospital situation isn't helping. And I just feel so bad because I feel like there's nothing I can do to make him better. I really have never seen him like this, he just seems very disconnected and somewhat distant. And it's not just with me, I've noticed it when he talks to his dad too, for example. I do think things are just starting to get to him. 

This just isn't how we imagined our last month just the two of us and I really think that's starting to get to us both.

Food:
Appetite is still smaller than my usual pregnancy appetite. Again, who knows if it's just due to the crappy and repetitive hospital food options.
Also, do I have morning sickness again? For a couple days this week I felt so nauseous when I knew I was hungry. I wanted to eat but just didn't feel like eating because I didn't feel well. Eating fixed this, but it was very strange to me because this sounds like what I experienced months ago with morning sickness. Is this a thing? Is it possible to have morning sickness return this late?

Sleep & Dreams:

Weird dreams are back but I'm not super great at recalling them. Nothing apparently pregnancy related though. I gotta tell you about one I can remember though. I dreamt that Bernie Sanders owned a pet store and it was connected to a gun store! Haha.

Physical Symptoms:

Lots of stuff going on this week. 

My breasts have started leaking! Last week my nipples had been sensitive so I kinda knew this was coming. I definitely thought when I first saw my breasts producing milk that it would freak me out, but I was actually so happy when I saw it!

Acne is crazy this week! Two zits on my chest. What the heck? And the hairline scalp acne has been crazy. A couple zits on my face. 

Also my nose has been so stuffy this week. 

Darkened armpits. I've thought they were getting darker for a few weeks now and while watching other pregnancy vlog updates and seeing ladies mention it, I knew I wasn't losing my mind and they're really darker haha. I really hope that goes away afterwards... it always looks like I have stubbly armpit hair haha. 

I can't decide if Calvin's dropped or not. I feel like I am peeing more often, like he's on my bladder more. All my bottoms are annoying below my bump, but I don't know if it's because he's lower or my bump is just bigger. I don't feel like I am breathing any easier, but one thing that really does stand out to me are my sneezes. I can finally sneeze again every time. For a long while there I would feel a sneeze coming but not be able to get the deep breath before the sneeze, therefore probably 2/3 sneezes ended up not happening lol. I know that may sound strange, but it's definitely a change that's happened this week. 

Movement:
Still doing well. I'm very happy Calvin has been a good little baby in his movements, he's never had me worried, throughout the pregnancy. 

Sometimes it feels like Calvin is literally trying to crawl out, there will be so much pressure down there it feels like he's pushing right up on my cervix. It usually tends to be in the evenings and when I'm sitting up. 

Favorite Moments of the Week:
Seeing all his hair on the ultrasound. And, of course, getting an induction date!

Baby Purchases:
No new purchases, but I'm starting to worry if we have all we need. I worry about how much stuff to have Justin bring to the hospital for next week when Calvin comes. I had him bring a manual breast pump just in case Calvin has to be in the NICU and I need to pump to feed him breast milk. Justin's in charge of picking out his coming home outfit. Can't wait to see what he picks. Calvin has so many super hero items, I'm sure this is a big decision for Justin to pick which one to represent lol.

What I Look Forward to:
Seeing Calvin! Showing him off to everyone, and especially seeing Justin's reaction to him (just remembering the look on his face when we saw him at our very first ultrasound when he was just a little blob, I can't even imagine his face when he sees him come into this world), and seeing how my two young nieces react to meeting him. Seeing how much hair he has (I hope he has a ton)!

Getting out of the hospital and going home to sleep in my own bed (in small intervals due to the whole having a newborn thing lol), and seeing my cats. Seeing how the cats react to Calvin. Speaking of cats, I can't wait to be in charge of the litter boxes again! And I can't wait for my skin to go back to normal hopefully! It is so unbelievably oily and the random zits are so so frustrating! 

I'm so tired of wearing pads constantly. It's been four weeks of it! Plus I'm going to have to wear them for however long after Calvin comes too! They are so uncomfortable and I feel like I'm wearing a diaper all day every day and it sucks.  

And I know there will not be time or energy for makeup when I get home but I really can't wait to do my makeup in good lighting again! The hospital room lighting sucks sooo bad! And there are a ton of other things I look forward to not just because of Calvin coming, but just the fact that I'll get to go home and not be stuck in the hospital forever.

Random Thoughts:
Wow, this pregnancy has truly just flown by. I know that most women still have a month left at this point, but I'm here with one week left and I really cannot believe it's already almost time to meet our baby boy! I like to say I'm really not fearful of childbirth at this point, I just can't wait to meet him, but I know there's still that fear in the back of my mind that I can't get rid of. I'm excited to meet Calvin of course, but I'm so excited just to get to go home finally! When labor sucks and I feel overwhelmed like I'm going to die I don't know which I'll use to motivate myself: meeting Calvin or knowing this is my ticket out of the hospital lol.

I used to get so very nervous before any public speaking, like giving presentations in school, that was my biggest fear ever. I just wonder how the anxiety about childbirth will end up comparing to public speaking haha.

Thanks so much for reading!
Love,
Alaina and Little Calvin